QL 671 .A916 BIRD American B i rd i ng‘ Birding on Borrowed Time tells, in her own words, the remarkable story of Phoebe Snetsinger^the woman who saw more birds in her iife than any other human being in the histoiy^^^^d^^^ The book includes '45 illustrations by renowned avian artist H. Douglas Pratt (including 1 6 full-color plates), appendices, indices, and a map showing Phoebe’s -travel destinations. ABA Sales Price $19.95 Contact ABA Sales to order your copy today! The 7th Edition of the ABA Checklist ; BIRDS OF THE ABA CHECKUST AREA A completely revised edition of the ABA Checklist of the Birds of the Continental United States and Canada aba Checklist A Birder’s.CuideTo.y\laska gives you the r-^ll'detailedjinform^i^^^ need to find the 60 locations g^lgi^^^^lihgiudirigTha^ate’s entire, . £^^g^^^laska;Highv^^:;f^ ■ ; l||t^SdnCreS|||^!;^^ ipi^a^,'the-Ilas)^iHfid;Pi|hwly'fe «^?y^^®Afid'3h5?yaska Marine Highway ■f^^;8ritisH€olumbia to Alaska. ^ :> >; j . . a total of 957 Species • f ; ,33 species new to the ABA Checklist ^ c rernoved iom the list i; imanyhevy species as a result of “splits" 14 species renamed detailed accounts of more than 200 Code 4, 5, and 6 Species ABA Sales Price $19.95 ON THE COVER: Between late July and early September 2009, Cook's Petrels invaded California's nearshore pelagic waters as never before recorded, providing unparalleled opportunities for study and photography to hundreds of seabirders. This individual was photographed over the San Juan Seamount, 25 July 2009. Photograph by Brian L Sullivan. ^\THSOA//^ DEC 0 8 2016 Contents The Nesting Season: June through July 2009 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS • AMERICAN BIRDING ASSOCIATION • VOLUME 63 • NUMBER 4 • 2010 540 Occurence and identification of the Leach’s Storm-Petrel complex off southern California Steve N. G. Howell, Todd McGrath, W. Terry Hunefeld, and Jon S. Feenstra 550 Changing Seasons: Think Pink Edward 5. Brinkley 562 Editors’ Notebook Edward S. Brinkley 668 Photo Salon: Cook’s Petrel’s off the California Coast 672 Pictorial Highlights The Regional Reports 564 Atlantic Provinces & St. Pierre et Miquelon Brian E. Dalzell 567 (Juebec Pierre Bannon, Olivier Barden, Normand David, Samuel Denault, and Yves Aubry 569 New England Wayne R. Peterson 573 Hudson-Delaware Robert 0. Paxton, Richard R. Veit, and Frank Rohrbacher 578 Middle Atlantic Mark T. Adams and Matt Hafner 581 Southern Atlantic Ken Blankenship 585 Florida Bruce H. Anderson and Andy Bankert 589 Ontario David H. Elder 592 Eastern Highlands & Upper Ohio River Valley Aaron Boone, Victor W. Fazio, III, and Rick Wiltraut 598 Illinois & Indiana James D. Hengeveld, Keith A. McMullen, and Geoffrey A. Williamson 600 Western Great Lakes Peder H. Svingen 602 Iowa & Missouri Stephen J. Dinsmore 605 Tennessee & Kentucky Chris Sloan and Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. 608 Alabama & Mississippi Steven W. McConnell 61 0 Arkansas & Louisiana Steven W. Cardiff 614 Northern Canada & Greenland Cameron D. Eckert 616 Prairie Provinces Rudolf F. Koes and Peter Taylor 618 Northern Great Plains Ron Martin 619 Southern Great Plains Joseph A. Grzybowski and W. Ross Silcock 623 Texas Mark W. Lockwood, Randy Pinkston, and Ron Weeks 626 Colorado & Wyoming Lawrence S. Semo, Tony Leukering, and BillSchmoker 629 Idaho & Western Montana David Trochlell 630 New Mexico Sartor 0. Williams, III 634 Arizona Mark M. Stevenson and Gary H. Rosenberg 636 Great Basin Rick Fridell 537 Alaska ThedeTobish 643 British Columbia Chris Charlesworth March through July 2009 646 Oregon & Washington David Irons, Douglas Schonewaid, Brad Waggoner, and Bill Tweit 650 Northern California Michael M. Rogers, Jeff N. Davis, Ed Pandolfino, and Stephen C. Rottenborn 654 Southern California Guy McCaskie and Kimball L. Garrett 657 Baja California Peninsula Richard A. Erickson, Roberto Carmona, and Gorgonio Ruiz-Campos 659 Mexico Hector Gomez de Silva 662 Central America H. Lee Jones and Oliver Komar 663 West Indies & Bermuda Robert L. Norton, Anthony White, Andrew Dobson, and Eddie Massiah 665 Hawaiian Islands Peter Donaldson Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. Photograph by Jeff Lemons. See page 583. American Birding® ASSOCIATION CHAIR Dick Ashford BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jane Alexander Dick Ashford Lynn Barber Charles Bell Michael Bowen Paul Bristow Robin Leong Louis Morrell John C. Robinson Bob Warneke Anthony W. White Erika Wilson Chris Wood PRESIDENTS, CEO Rob Robinson ASSISTANT TO THE CEO Wendy Witherow FINANCE Arnie Wehofer Cindy Beggs Lisa Slocum COMMUNICATIONS David Hartley OUTREACH Chip Clouse BIRDERS' EXCHANGE Betty Petersen EVENTS Melissa Rausch MEMBERSHIP LeAnn Pilger PAST PRESIDENTS Bettie R. Harriman (2006-2007) Richard H. Payne (1999-2006) Allan R. Keith (1997-1999) Daniel T. Williams, Jr. (1993-1997) Allan R. Keith (1989-1993) Lawrence G. Balch (1983-1989) Joseph W. Taylor (1979-1983) Arnold Small (1976-1979) G. Stuart Keith (1973-1976) G. Stuart Keith (1970 pro tan) PAST JOURNAL EDITORS John W. Aldrich (1947-1951) Chandlers. Robbins (1951-1954) Editorial Board, including Robbins, Ludlow Griscom, Allan Cruickshank (1954-1967) Richard L. Plunkett (1967-1970) Robert S. Arbib, Jr. (1970-1983) John Farrand.Jr. (1984-1985) Susan Roney Drennan (1985-1996) Kenn Kaufman (1997-1998) Michael, A. Patten (1999-2000) North American Birds is published by the American Birding Association. The mission of the journal is to provide a complete overview of the changing panorama of our continent’s birdlife, including outstanding records, range extensions and contractions, popula- tion dynamics, and changes in migration patterns or seasonal occurrence. We welcome sub- mission of papers in these areas; papers and other communication should be sent to North American Birds, 124 Peach Street, Cape Charles, VA 23310 or email to the address below. For correspondence on photographic material, contact the Photo Editor at the email address below. PUBLISHER DIRECTOR OF PUBLICATIONS American Birding Association Bryan Patrick EDITOR ASSOCIATE EDITORS PHOTO EDITOR Edward S. Brinkley Louis R. Bevier Brian Sullivan (thalassoica@gmail.corn) R A. Buckley Adam M. Byrne Stephen J. Dinsmore Alvaro Jaramillo Paul E. Lehman Alan Wormington REGIONAL EDITORS (heraldpetrel@gmail.com) Mark Adams, Bruce H. Anderson, Yves Aubry, Margaret J. C. Bain, Andy Bankert, Pierre Bannon, Olivier Barden, Ken Blankenship, Aaron Boone, Aaron Brees, Adam M. Byrne, Roberto Carmona, Steven W. Cardiff, Eric Carpenter, Chris Charlesworth, C. Dwight Cooley, Brian Dalzell, Normand David, Jeff N. Davis, Samuel Denault, James J. Dinsmore, Stephen J. Dinsmore, Andrew Dobson, Peter Donaldson, Cameron D. Eckert, Walter G, Ellison, Richard A. Erickson, Victor W. Fazio 111, Rick Fridell, Kimball L. Garrett, Hector Gomez de Silva, Joseph A. Grzybowski, Matt Hafner, James Hengeveld. Pam Hunt, David Irons, Greg D, Jackson, H. Lee Jones, Rudolf F Koes, Oliver Komar, Tony Leukering, Mark Lockwood, Bruce Mactavish, Blake A. Mann, Nancy L. Martin, Ron E. Martin, Eddie Massiah, Blake Maybank, Guy McCaskie, Steve McConnell, Keith A. McMullen, Robert L. Norton, Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr., Edward Pandolfino, Robert O. Paxton, Simon Perkins, Wayne R. Petersen, Randy Pinkston, Michael M. Rogers, Frank Rohrbacher, Gary H. Rosenberg, Stephen C. Rottenborn, Gorgonio Ruiz-Campos, William Schmoker, Douglas Schonewald, Willie Sekula, Larry Semo, W. Ross Silcock, Chris Sloan, Josh Southern, Mark M. Stevenson, Dan Svingen, Peder Svingen, Peter Taylor, Thede Tobish, David Trochlell, Bill Tweit, Richard R, Veit, Brad Waggoner, Ron Weeks, Walter Wehtje, Jr., Anthony W. White, Sartor 0. Williams III, Geoffrey A. Williamson, Rick Wiltraut, Alan Wormington SUBSCRIPTIONS GRAPHIC DESIGN ADVERTISING LeAnn Pilger Jim Harris Ken Barron North American Birds (ISSN 1525-3708) (USPS 872-200) is published quarterly by the American Birding Associa- tion, Inc. Periodicals postage paid at Colorado Springs, Colorado, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: return postage guaranteed; send address changes and POD forms 3579 to North American Birds, 4945 N. 30th Street, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80919-3151; (800) 850-2473. Subscription prices; $30/year (US) and US$35/year (Canada). Copyright © 2010 by the American Birding Association, Inc., all rights reserved. Printed by Publishers Printing, Shepherdsville, Kentucky. The views and opinions expressed in this magazine are those of each contri- buting writer and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the American Birding Association or its management. ABA is not responsible for the quality of products or services advertised in North American Birds, unless the products or services are being offered directly by the Association. GST Registration No. R135943454. 538 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS Remote. Wild. Unbelievable •Home to 1,000,000 Fur Seals •Spectacular Seabird Colonies •Arctic Fox and Reindeer •Brilliant Showcase of Wiidflowers •Historic Russian Church •Native Aleut Culture ST. PAUL ISLAND fLJW=t Alaska’s Pribilofs 1-877-424-5637 www.alaskabirding.com AviSys Version 6 As Simple As You Wish - As Powerful As You Need Latest Clements Taxonomy! Subspecies Support! Palm Support! New Release! Celebrating 15 Years of Leadership! Now Windows Vista-ready! AviSys is a fully-featured worldwide database and re- porting system for serious birders. It can be enhanced by adding the Shawneen Finnegan Worldwide Nation Checklist Add-On (as provided in BirdArea by Santa Barbara Software Products), providing the most authoritative, highest quality, and most up-to-date individuai checklists of the 254 nations of the world. Instantly re- duce the on-screen list from a world or N.A. list to the checklist of any nation, state, county, wildlife refuge, etc., whether provided by AviSys or created by you. ^ Unlimited Number of Lists: all major geographic lists automatically updated. Example: assigning a sighting to your yard also updates your City, County, State, Nation, Continent, worldwide ABA Area(s), worldwide ABA Region, and Life lists. ^ Full ABA N.A. Checklist, Clements World Checklist, and Official Tony White State/Province Checkiists, ail fully integrated with screen and report facilities. •5^ The Fastest, Easiest and Most Flexible sighting entry— just click on the birds. ^ Unlimited Reporting and Listing by date range, season, geography, species, habitat, behavior, sex, nesting status, heard-only, photographed, key-words, etc. Speedy, rock-solid performance, for Windows 95, 98,Me,NT,2000,XP, Vista. ^ Ask around; by far the best reputation for function, usabiiity, and reliability. Visit our comprehensive web site at: www.avisys.net For more information — call 1-505-867-6255 ~ MC/VISA 120 day full money back - Perceptive Systems, PO Box 369, Placitas, NM 87043 Fast as a Falcon - Powerful as an Eagle ~ Friendly as a Chickadee Looking for a Binding Go offshore Fof more information contact Brian Patteson Seabirding P.O. Box 772 Hatteras NC 27943 (252) 986-1363 http://www.seabirding.com AdventureP with Seabirding • Pelagic trips since 1986 • Departures from Virginia Beach, VA Oregon Inlet, NC Hatteras, NC aboard the best & fastest boats available • Friendly knowledgeable leaders with extensive offshore experience • Chum for bringing the birds close • Winter trips for Great Skua and alcids • Spring & summer trips for Gulf Stream specialties including rare Ptemdromas and tropicbirds • Late summer trips for White-faced Storm-Petrel VOLUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 539 ; OcQirrence and identification I of the tachli Stomi-^trel {(km(Mbma Imorim) complex I off southern Califomia STEVE N, G. HOWELL • P. 0. BOX 423, BOLINAS, CALIFORNIA 94924 TODD MCGRATH • 3550 ELM DRIVE, CALABASAS, CALIFORNIA 91302 • (CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: TODDAMCGRATH@YAHOO.COM) W. TERRY HUNEFELD • 105 NORTH VULCAN AVENUE, ENCINITAS, CALIFORNIA 92024 • (THUNEFELD@GMAIL.COM) JON S. FEENSTRA • 566 SOUTH FAIR OAKS AVENUE, SUITE 108, PASADENA, CALIFORNIA 91105 • (FEENSTRA@ALUMNI.CALTECH.EDU) Figure 1 . Presumed Leach's or Chapman's Storm-Petrel (left) and presumed Townsend's Storm-Petrel (right) off Santa Barbara, California, 21 July 2007. This photograph conveys well the rangier build and larger size of the paler, browner Leach's/Chapman's versus the smaller size and more compact build of the darker Townsend's. A series of photographs of these individuals supports the consistency of the differences shown here. Photograph by Steve W. G. Howell. Abstract Observers of seabirds over deep water off the Pacific coast of California have long noticed distinct variation in plumage, structure, and size exhibited by members of the Leach’s Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma leiicorhoa) com- plex. Herein, variation within the complex is reviewed and tentatively linked to recent ob- servations of Leach’s Storm-Petrels off south- ern California. We discuss provisional identi- hcation criteria and possible occurrence pat- terns for four taxa within the complex: the widespread Leach's Storm-Petrel, found in both the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans (0. 1. leiicorhoa)- Chapman’s Storm- Petrel (0. 1. chapmani), breeding in the Coro- nado Islands and San Benito Islands of Mexi- co; and two taxa breeding on islets off Mexi- co’s Guadalupe Island (soccoroensis and chcimomnestcs), treated herein as full species. with English names Townsend’s Storm-Petrel and Ainley’s Storm-Petrel, respectively. Background Leach’s Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma leiicorhoa) is a rather variable seabird that breeds in both the North Pacific and North Atlantic Oceans. Over the years, it has been the subject of a convoluted taxonomic history, with authors placing variable emphasis on the color and 540 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS OCCURRENCE AND IDENTIFICATION OF THE LEACH'S STORM-PETREL COMPLEX OFF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Islands: ANA ' Anacapa Island COR - Islas los Coronados SBA - Santa Barbara Island SCA - Santa Catalina Island SCL - San Clemente Island SCR - Santa Cruz Island SMI - San Miguel Island SNl - San Nicolas Island SRO - Santa Rosa Island Underwater: ARC ' Arguello Canyon BEB - Bell Bank BUB • Butterfly Bank COB - Cortez Bank MUB - Mushroom Bank NMB - Nine-mile Bank ROS - Rodriguez Seamount SBC - Santa Barbara Channel SJS - San Juan Seamount SMB - Sixiy-mile Bank TAB - Tanner Bank TMB - Thirty-mile Bank Figure 2. Map of southern California offshore waters and submarine features. Dotted line indicates the international border. Map by Jon Feenstm. pattern of the uppertail coverts (often referred to for the sake of brevity as the “rump”), on size and structure, and more recently on breeding season and vocaliza- tions (Loomis 1918, Oberholser 1919, Van Rossem 1942, Austin 1952, Crossin 1974, Ainley 1980, Bourne and Jehl 1982, Ainley 1983, Power and Ainley 1986). The view that has prevailed in re- cent years (e.g.. Power and Ainley 1986 and subsequent literature) is that four taxa should be recog- nized: nominate leiicorhoa, breed- ing in both the North Pacific and North Atlantic, and three taxa breeding on islands off the Pacific coast of Mexico: chapmani, socor- roensis, and cheimomnestes. For Pacific breeders, from Alaska to Baja California, recent authors indicate that variation is clinal, changing from larger, longer-winged breeding popula- tions in the north (nominate ku- corhoa) to smaller, shorter- winged breeding populations in the south (subspecies chapmani). Three other subspecies have been described from southeastern Alaska to northern Baja Califor- nia (from north to south, beali, beldingi, and willetti), but these taxa are no longer recognized as valid in more recent literature on the complex, particularly follow- ing Power and Ainley (1986). Past authors have argued that these taxa differ subtly in size and rump pattern from members of the Leach’s group that breed to the north and south, but more recent research has not found the distinctions to be consistent. Genet- ic analysis would probably provide greater in- sight into their relationships with other popu- lations/taxa to the north and south. In addition to the Pacific coastal popula- tions, at least two distinct taxa breed on islets around Guadalupe Island, about 250 kilome- ters offshore of Baja California: soconvensis in summer, and the slightly larger cheimomnestes in winter. That winter and summer breeding populations replaced each other around Guadalupe Island was first documented by Hubbs (1960) and echoed by Crossin (1974). Subsequently, Ainley (1980) described the taxon cheimomnestes, noting that “on Guadalupe [Island], the two populations of 0. leucorhoa [i.e., winter-breeding cheimomnestes and summer-breeding socor- roensis] are morphologically and behaviorally distinct” and “so different are their songs that, if they met, it is questionable that interbreed- ing would occur.” The prevailing taxonomic practice of the day was “lumping,” and Ainley described cheimomnestes as a subspecies of Leach’s Storm-Petrel, also the status he main- tained for soconvensis. Interestingly, Ainley (1980) drew parallels between the storm-pe- trels of Guadalupe Island and the “Soft- plumaged Petrel” (Pterodwma mollis sensu lato) complex, at that time considered a single species. More recent treatments indicate that “Soft-plumaged Petrels” comprise three or four species (e.g., Robb et al. 2008, Jesus et al. 2009), but the taxa in the Leach’s Storm-Pe- trel complex have languished in obscurity by comparison. As far as is known, Leach’s Storm-Petrels from the North Atlantic and North Pacific have very similar vocalizations, whereas vocaliza- tions of both of the morphologically distinct Guadalupe populations sound different, both from each other and from more northerly- breeding taxa (Ainley 1980). In light of recent re-evaluations of the biogeography, vocaliza- tions, and speciation of tubenoses (e.g., as summarized for the eastern North Atlantic by Robb et al. 2008), we consider that the data presented by Ainley suggest that at least three species of “Leach’s Storm-Petrel” may be recog- nized in the Pacific. Genetic analysis may elu- cidate this conclusion. In a forthcoming identi- fication guide to North American petrels, alba- trosses, and storm-petrels, Howell (in prep.) will treat the Guadalupe Island taxa as full species, using the English names Townsend’s Storm-Petrel for the summer-breeding 0. [Icu- corhoa] soconvensis and Ainley’s Storm-Petrel for the winter-breeding 0. [Icucor/ioa] cheimomnestes. These names recognize the or- nithologists who described these taxa, Charles H. Townsend and David G. Ainley. These potential splits prompt the obvious questions: Do Townsend’s and Ainley’s Storm- Petrels occur in North American waters? And: how might they be identified at sea relative to VOLUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 541 OCCURRENCE AND IDENTIFICATION OF THE LEACH'S STORM-PETREL COMPLEX OFF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 10 Figure 3. Variation in uppertail-covert ("rump") pattern for the Leach's Storm-Petrel complex. Simplified scores and half-scores used here are given across the top, with corresponding Ainley scale values across the bottom. Scores used in this paper range from 1 (white overall, including solidly white) to S (dark overall, including solidly dark). Score 1 can have a few dark marks (rarely visible at sea), and score S can have a few pale markings, likewise rarely visible at sea. Score 2 is mostly white, score 3 about 50:50 white/dark, and score 4 mostly dark. Scores of 1 and 2 are typical of white-rumped Townsend's, 1 .5 and 2.5 are typical of white-rumped Leach's, 2.5-3.5 are typical of Ainley's, and 4-5 are typical of Chapman's and dark-rumped Townsend's. The ex- tent of "rump" patches and depth of tail fork shown here are not intended to convey taxonomic significance. Illustration by Ian Lewington. apart, and birds breeding on the former island have been treated as the sub- species willetti, which has at times been sub- sumed with more north- ern populations into the subspecies heali (Austin 1952). Power and Ainley (1986) showed, however, that these two island populations were mor- phologically similar and thus better grouped together. The wintering range of Chapmans is mainly in the eastern tropical Pa- cific (Crossin 1974, Spear and Ainley 2007), but some birds may oc- cur north to waters off Figure 4. Leach's Storm-Petrel in the western Pacific (26° N 142° E), 22 April 2007. This bird is probably well away from the geographic range of other taxa and ap- pears to be a typical North Pacific example of nominate Leach's. Note the relatively limited white rump band (score 1.5-2), its length (measured along the axis of the body) about equal to the depth of the tail fork. Photograph by Steve N. G. Howell. other taxa in the Leach’s complex as well as to other storm-petrels? Here we offer some pre- liminary thoughts, based on the literature, our review of museum specimens, and our observations of thousands of Leach’s Storm- Petrels of various taxa on pelagic trips off Cal- ifornia (Figure 1); marine topography off southern California, with many of the areas described below, is illustrated in Figure 2. What is known of the overall distribution of these four taxa can be summarized as follows. Leach's Storm-Petrel (0. I. leucorlwa) breeds in the North Pacific from Alaska south to Cal- ifornia; North Atlantic populations are also considered to belong to nominate Icucorhoa. Populations from southeastern Alaska to northern Baja California average smaller than Aleutian (and North Atlantic) Leach’s and have been grouped as the subspecies beali, including the subspecies beldingi described from Oregon (Austin 1952, Crossin 1974). As noted above, the most recent analysis (Power and Ainley 1986) suggests that variation is cli- nal in eastern Pacific breeders, from larger and whiter-rumped in the north to smaller and darker- rumped in the south, and that leu- corlioa effectively “intergrades” with chapmani between the Faral- lon Islands and Coronado Islands (between 38° and 32° N latitude). Birds return to colonies from late February through May; egg laying is mainly in May-June, with fledging from Pacific colonies in mid-August to early November (later north- wards; Ainley et al. 1974, Gibson and Byrd 2007). The larger northern-breeding Leach’s (with longer and relatively pointed wings) winters mainly in the central tropical and equatorial Pacific (Crossin 1974, Spear and Ainley 2007); Leach’s wintering off California (Briggs et al. 1987, P Pyle, pers. comm.) have been attributed to the smaller “beali" (with shorter and blunter-tipped wings), which winters mainly in the eastern Pacific (Crossin 1974). Chapman’s Storm-Petrel (0. I. chapmani) breeds on the Coronado Islands and San Ben- ito Islands, Mexico, with a nesting schedule similar to early-breeding leucorhoa (mainly May-September). The Coronado and San Benito island groups lie about 500 kilometers southern California (P. Pyle, pers. comm.). Townsend’s Storm-Petrel (0. socorroensis) breeds on islets off the south end of Guadalupe Island (mainly Islote Afuera and Islote Negro) and perhaps also locally on the main island, but most storm-petrels there (in- cluding the now-extinct Guadalupe Storm- Petrel, 0. macwdactyla) have been eliminated by feral cats (Ainley 1980, Ainley 1983, Crossin 1974, Jehl and Everett 1985). The population on Islote Negro has been estimat- ed at 4000 birds and on Islote Afuera at 3000 birds (Crossin 1974, Ainley 1983). Egg laying is mainly in late May-June, with fledging in October-November. The known at-sea range lies in the eastern Pacific between 35° N and 10° N (Crossin 1974), but seasonal move- ments are not well known. Ainley’s Storm-Petrel (0. cheimomnestes) breeds on three islets (Islote Negro, Islote Afuera, and Gargoyle Rock) off the southern end of Guadalupe Island, Mexico (Ainley 1980, 1983, Crossin 1974, Jehl and Everett 1985). Crossin (1974) proposed reviving the subspecies name kaedingi for the winter- breeding population, whose distinctiveness he recognized, but the type specimen of kaedingi (Carnegie Museum #22219) is from the sum- mer-breeding population, for which the name socorroensis has priority (Ainley 1980). The breeding population of Ainley’s Storm- Petrel may not be in excess of a few thousands birds. Egg laying is mainly in November-De- cember, with fledging in April-May. The at- sea range has not been described previously, but we presume that birds range over waters off the Baja California peninsula during their 542 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS OCCURRENCE AND IDENTIFICATION OF THE LEACH'S STORM-PETREL COMPLEX OFF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA breeding season (November-April). Although measurements of Ainleys and Chapman’s overlap (Table 1), differences in plumage as- pect (such as rump pattern, which is difficult to qualify; see Figures 6 and 16), plumage wear, and molt timing allow many specimens to be identified, particularly when compared with series of specimens collected at the breeding islands. After breeding, Ainley’s Storm-Petrels ap- pear to withdraw southward, based on limit- ed specimen data. An adult female in worn plumage (SDNHM #29925) collected 360 kilometers southwest of Guadalupe Island on 21 May, and a juvenile in fresh plumage (SDNHM #29924) collected 550 kilometers west of Clarion Island, Mexico on 24 May (at about 18° S), both suggest a southward post- breeding dispersal, as does an adult in wing molt (with p4 shed) collected on 1 1 June at 4° S, 93° W (CAS #484), a location about 400 kilometers southwest of the Galapagos Is- lands. A specimen completing wing molt (with p9-pl0 growing) on 9 October (CAS #471), taken about 500 kilometers south- southeast of Mexico’s Revillagigedo Islands, may have been a northbound migrant. Potential identification criteria With the newly described complexity in the Band-rumped Storm-Petrel complex (Smith and Friesen 2007, Smith et al. 2007), criteria for identifying some taxa away from the breeding islands have been proposed (Robb et al. 2008). Members of the Leach’s Storm-Pe- trel complex have not previously had such treatment in the literature, certainly not from the perspective of at-sea identification. For the purposes of this article, we assume ob- servers are familiar with nominate Leach’s and do not cover identification of that taxon rela- tive to other species of storm-petrels. The ac- counts below summarize our thoughts on po- tential identification criteria, based on study of specimens and encounters with birds at sea off southern California and northwestern Mexico, As in most birds, wing molt in storm- petrels starts with the innermost primary (pi) and progresses sequentially outward to the outermost (plO). All measurements are given in millimeters (Table 1), but we augment more general “field guide” measurements, such as length and wingspan, with measurements in inches, to which most North American birders are more accustomed. For consistency, all measure- ments were made by Howell. Wingspan meas- urements come from 30 fresh specimens of Leach’s collected by the late Larry Spear, and by a formula derived from these. In nominate Leach’s, wing chord averages 33% (32-34%) Figure 5. Variation in rump pattern of Leadi's Storm-Petrels collected in summer (early May to early July) off Oregon, showing the typical range oUeucorhoa rump patterns, from all-white (score 1) to having a broad dusky median patch (score 3). Relative to Townsend's, note the relatively long and deeply forked tails of these birds. SDNHM specimens. Photograph by Steve N. 6. Howell. Figure 6. Variation in rump pattern of Chapman's Storm-Petrels collected in summer at colonies off Baja California, showing a typical range from some white (score 2.5) to all-dark (score 5). SDNHM specimens. Photograph by Steve N. G. Howell. of wingspan, as is true of Fork-tailed Storm- Petrel (0. furcata) and Ashy Storm-petrel (0. bomocbiva), among other species of Ocean- odwma. We have made the assumption that this ratio also holds for Chapman’s, Townsend’s, and Ainley’s, which allows hypo- thetical wingspans to be calculated from wing chords. Most conventional measurements overlap among all taxa in the Leach’s Storm- Petrel complex (Table 1), leading some recent authors (e.g., Unitt 2004) to suggest that even maintaining nominate leiicorboa and socor- rocnsis as distinct subspecies might not be tenable. Considered in combination, howev- er, distinctions among vocalizations, meas- urements, and plumage support the recogni- tion of at least four taxa. The Leach’s Storm-Petrel complex is well known for marked variation in “rump” pat- terns (technically, the uppcrtail coverts). VOLUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 543 OCCURRENCE AND IDENTIFICATION OF THE LEACH'S STORM-PETREL COMPLEX OFF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Table 1. Comparative measurements (ranges, with means in parentheses; in mm) of Leach's (Pacific birds only), Chapman's, Townsend's, and Ainley's Storm-Petrels. "Rump"indicates the extent of white uppertail coverts (measured at their center, from anterior to posterior edge, mt laterally). This aspect was not measured on Chapman's specimens, which are mostly dark-rumped. The measurement"Tail > White" indicates the length of tail projecting beyond white uppertail coverts. The Leach's (n=40) were a mix of birds from Alaska and Oregon; all Chapman's, Townsend's, and Ainley's were collected from the breeding islands with the exception of two Chapman's, one Townsend's, and the four specimens of Ainley's that are discussed in the text. Wing Chord Tail Tail Fork Rump Tail> White Leach's 145-162 70-86 13-25 15-25 36-45 n = 40 (151) OQ i — (19) (22) (42) Chapman's 144-157 69-82 14-24 n = 40 (151) (77) (20) Townsend's 135-147 66-77 11-17 20-30 30-41 n = 70 (142) (71) (15) (24) (34) Ainley's 141-153 70-80 12-20 20-30 35-45 n = 45 (146) (77) (16) (23) (40) Figure 10. Variation in rump pattern of Townsend's Storm-Petrels collected in summer at Guadalupe Island, Baja California, showing a typical range from all-white (score 1) to mostly dark (score 4.5); some individuals, not shown here, have solidly dark rumps (Ainley 1 980). Also note that the short tails have a relatively shallow tail fork. SDNHM specimens. Photograph by Steve N.G.Howeli. which vary from from all-white to all-dark. A scale of “rump” patterns, grading from all- white (score 1) to all-dark (score 11), was de- vised by Ainley (1980), who scored 391 Leach’s (47 Atlantic and 344 Pacihc), 103 Chapman’s, 137 Townsend’s, and 127 Ain- ley’s. We use a simplified scale of five steps that can be employed more easily in the field (Figure 3; Howell, in prep.; cf. Crossin 1974) and below have converted “Ainley scale” val- ues to our five-step scale; half-step values can be estimated in our scale if desired, such as when evaluating photographs. Basically, our scores of 1-2 equate to white-rumped and 4-5 to dark-rumped, when viewed under at- sea conditions. Flight manner obviously varies, depending on wind speed and on what a bird is doing. The simplified flight descriptions below con- vey typical traveling and foraging flight manners in light to moderate winds, which is how most observers see these birds at sea. Leach’s Storm-Petrel (length 7.5- 8.7” [190-221 mm], wingspan 17.3-19.3” [439-490 mm]). This is the largest and longest-winged taxon (Table 1), and the most familiar point of reference for most observers (Fig- ure 4), although California birds aver- age smaller and shorter-winged than Aleutian and North Atlantic birds. The rump patch is mostly white, often with variable dusky markings concen- trated down the center, but a few birds are darker (overall rump score = 1-5, mainly 1-3; Figure 3). Typically, Figure 7. Presumed Chapman's Storm-Petrel off southern California (33° N 1 20° W), 6 September 2006 (rump score 4.S). Note the fairly rangy and long-tailed shape and generally brownish plumage tones. Photograph by Steve N.G. Howell. Figure 8. Presumed Chapman's Storm-Petrel off Santa Barbara, California, 21 July 2007 (rump score 4.S). This photograph conveys well the rangy build, long and narrow tail, bold pale upperwing bands, and overall sooty-brown- ish plumage of this taxon. Photograph by Steve N. G. Howell. Figure 9. Presumed Chapman's Storm-Petrel (front; rump score 4) and Townsend's Storm-Petrel (behind; rump score 1) off Santa Barbara, Califor- nia, 21July 2007. Relative to Chapman's, the Townsend's appears shorter- tailed and darker overall, with a broad white rump band and duller pale up- perwing bands. Photograph by Steve N. G. Howell. 544 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS OCCURRENCE AND IDENTIFICATION OF THE LEACH'S STORM-PETREL COMPLEX OFF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Figure 11. Presumed Townsend's Storm-Petrel off San Diego, California, 20 July 2008. This photograph conveys well the relatively compact build, dark plumage aspect, relatively duller pale upperwing bands than Chapman's, and large white rump patch of this taxon. Note that the extent of the white rump patch (score 1) appears greater than the short tail. Note also the fairly shallow fork in the tail. Photograph by Steve W. G. Howell. Figure 12. Presumed Townsend's Storm-Petrel off Santa Barbara, California, 21 July 2007. Besides the fairly dark plumage aspect, note the large white rump patch (score 1) and short tail with a fairly shallow fork. Photograph by Steve N. G. Howell. figure 13. Presumed Townsend's Storm-Petrel off Santa Barbara, California, 21 July 2007. This image suggests a small, fairly compact, and short-tailed bird relative to North Pacific (and North Atlantic) Leach's, although the tail is foreshortened at this angle. The white rump patch (score 1) appears greater in extent than the brown of the tail and could suggest to some observers a Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrel, the largest individuals of which are about the same size as a small Townsend's. Photograph by Steve N. G. Howell. Figure 14. Presumed Townsend's Storm-Petrel off Santa Barbara, California, 21 July 2007. This image conveys well the compact build, dark plumage as- pect, and short tail of this species. As in Figures 1, 9, and 1 1 -1 3, the white rump patch (score 1) dominates the caudal projection of the bird, being greater in extent than the short, shallowly forked tail. Photograph by Steve N.G. Howell. Figure IS. Presumed Townsend's Storm-Petrel (rump score 4.S), near Six- tymile Bank off San Diego, California, 7 September 2006. Although perhaps not identifiable to taxon from this photograph, the notably small size and compact shape of this individual were readily apparent in the field to How- ell and McGrath, who noted the bird's superficial resemblance to Least Storm-Petrel. Note the relatively rounded wing-tips, which are typical of southern taxa in the Leach's complex (Townsend's, Ainley's, and some Chap- man's); the wings of northern-breeding populations tend to be longer and more pointed. Photograph by Steve N. G. Howell. the white rump patch is rela- tively limited in extent, com- prising less than half of the rump/tail projection beyond the trailing edge of the wings (Figure 3). Fully dark-rumped birds are very rare in Pacific Leach’s (and unknown in the Atlantic; Flood 2009) but common in Chapman’s. From Alaska to Washington, Leach’s have a rump score of 1-2, whereas by central California, this changes to a score of 1-5, with most being 1-2 (Figure 5). Good views are needed to assess rump score accurately at sea, and birds scoring 3. 5-4. 5 can appear solidly “dark-rumped” at a distance. Wing molt of breeding adults starts in August-Octo- ber and completes in Febru- ary-April, with the tail molted in July-September. First-year birds start wing molt in May-July and complete it in October-December; subse- quent molts presumably syn- chronize with the adult sched- ule (Ainley et al. 1976, Spear and Ainley 2007; Howell, un- publ. data). A few Leach’s (and Chapman’s) off southern Cali- fornia in late summer and fall show molt of rectrices and in- ner primaries, but such birds are quite rare, which suggests that most Pacific Leach’s may remain to the south in their first summer. The bounding, nighthawk- like flight of Leach’s Storm-Pe- trel mentioned in field guides is a good thing to learn well as a yardstick for learning the other species. As a rule, relative to other taxa in the complex, nominate Leach’s exhibits the most unpredictable use of three-dimensional space in its flight, such that its erratic course is often dif- ficult to track with a camera. That said, the slightly smaller California Leach’s may have a “mellower” flight more like that of Chapman’s. Chapman’s Storm-Petrel (length 6.8-7. 7” [173-196 mm], wingspan 17.2-18.7” [437-475 mmj) averages smaller than Leach’s but, on average, has a slightly deeper tail fork (Table 1; see also Ainley 1980). The uppertail coverts range from having obvious white (on some Coronado Island birds) to being all-dark (on most San Benito Island birds). Overall rump score = 2.5-5, mainly 4-5 (Figures 3, 6-9), with white-rumped birds comprising about 10% of the Coronado population and 0% of the San Benito population (Ainley 1980). The molt schedule of Chapman’s appears similar to that of Leach’s. The flight of Chapman’s is much like that of Leach’s but averages weaker, less confident- looking, with slightly quicker and often shal- lower wingbeats; Chapman’s tends to be easi- er to track with a camera. At times Chapman’s can recall a purposeful Ashy Storm-Petrel, but VOLUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 545 OCCURRENCE AND IDENTIFICATION OF THE LEACH'S STORM-PETREL COMPLEX OFF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Figure 16. Typical variation in rump pattern of Ainley's Storm-Petrels collected in winter at Guadalupe Island, Baja California, from mostly white (score 1 .5) to heavily mottled with dusky (score 3.5); SDNHM specimens. Photograph by Steve N. 6. Howell. Figure 17. Comparison of fresh-plumaged adult Townsend's Storm-Petrel (left; SDNHM specimen 17672, 13 July; rump score 1 ) and fresh-plumaged juvenile Ainley's Storm-Petrel (right; SDNHM specimen 37473, 14 April; rump score 2). Despite overlap in most conventional measurements between these two species, the larger bulk of Ainley's is usually readily apparent when the two are compared directly. Photograph by Steve N. G. Howell. Chapman's is still generally a stronger flier with fairly clipped and jerky wingbeats rela- tive to the more fluttery Ashy. I Ainley's with all-white or all-dark rumps have been confirmed. Townsends Storm-Petrel (length 6. 5-7. 2” [165-183 mm], wingspan 16.2-17.5” [411-444 mm]) is the smallest and shortest- tailed taxon in the Leach’s complex (Ober- holser 1919, Ainley 1980, Table 1). The up- pertail coverts are variable, being bright white on some birds (rump score = 1-3, mainly 1-2), mostly dark on. others (rump score = mainly 4; Figures 2, 9). Some 80-90% of birds on Islote Negro are dark-rumped, whereas on the nearby Islote Afuera 70-90% are white- rumped (Crossin 1974, Ainley 1983). Analy- ses of vocalizations and genetics of these pop- ulations might shed light on their taxonomic status. The tail is relatively short, and the white rump patch typically comprises half or more of the rump/tail projection beyond the trailing edge of the wings (Figures 9-15). Assuming molt relates to breeding as in Leach’s Storm-Petrel (and given that Town- send’s is smaller and may require less time for its complete molt), wing molt in breeding adults likely starts in August-October and completes in February-March; the hrst-year wing molt may start in June-August and com- plete in October-December. 'We have not seen any presumed Townsend’s in wing molt off southern California in July-September. The flight manner of Townsend’s requires critical study, but in calm to light winds it is a fairly fast and strong Hier, with fairly deep, clipped wing beats and a more direct and steadier (less three-dimensional) flight than the jerkier, more-confident bounding flight of Leach’s. Relative to Leach’s and Chapman’s, Townsend’s is smaller (which can be readily apparent, even when direct comparison is Figure 18. Comparison of fresh-plumaged adult Townsend's Storm-Petrel (left; SDNHM specimen 17672, 13 July) and fresh- plumaged adult Ainley's Storm-Petrel (right; SDNHM specimen 30177, 2 November). Collected at corresponding points in their breeding cycles, these specimens with comparable plumage wear illustrate the appreciably darker plumage aspect of Townsend's. Also, as in Figure 17, note the obviously larger bulk of Ainley's. Photograph by Steve N. G. Howell. lacking) and shorter-tailed, with a shallower tail fork, accounting for its more compact, less rangy shape (Figure 9). The plumage of Townsend's is darker overall, more blackish than brownish, and the white rump patch is often solidly white and more extensive, in rel- ative terms, than on Leach’s, with a shorter tail projection beyond the white (Table 1); thus it may even suggest a Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma [Halocyptena] tethys). In dark-rumped birds, the pale upper- wing band of Townsend’s averages duller than the relatively bolder, brighter band of Chap- man’s (Figures 7-9, 11-14), and it is possible to mistake dark-rumped Townsend’s for Least Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma [Halocyptena] mi- crosofna) (Figure 15). Whether Townsend’s and Ainley’s Storm- Petrels can be distinguished at sea is not cur- rently known, but from specimens, Ainley’s appears more like a typical Leach’s and is thus generally slightly paler overall than Townsend’s, with a duller white rump patch that usually has a dusky median stripe or messy dusky markings that, in series, appear subtly but qualitatively different from Leach’s (Figure 16). Ainley’s averages larger than 546 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS OCCURRENCE AND IDENTIFICATION OF THE LEACH'S STORM-PETREL COMPLEX OFF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Figure 19. Unidentified "Leach's Storm-Petrel" off San Diego, California, 20 July 2008. Under typical at-sea conditions, and even with reasonable photographs, many birds are best left identified as simply "members of the Leach's Storm-Petrel com- plex,"given our limited understanding of identification criteria. This bird may be a California-breeding Leach's, which appear smaller and less rangy than North Atlantic and Aleutian Leach's. Photograph by Steve N. G. Howell. Townsend’s, with a longer tail, and a longer tail projection beyond the white tail coverts (Table 1). Specimens of Ainley’s appear bulky relative to those of Townsend’s Storm-Petrel (Figures 17, 18), suggesting that these species may have different wing-loadings and thus different flight manners, but to our knowl- edge the flight manner of Ainley’s is unde- scribed. Note that Ainley’s fledge in fresh Ju- venal plumage at the same time as fresh- plumaged adult Townsend’s are starting to breed, and vice versa. Ainley’s Storm-Petrel (length 7-7.5” [178-190 mm], wingspan 16.7-18.3” [424-465 mmj). Size similar to Chapman’s but averaging smaller, with a shallower tail fork (Table 1). The uppertail coverts are white with a variable and irregular dusky median stripe or dusky markings (rump score = 1.5-4, mainly 2-3; Figures 3, 16), and the white rump patch typically comprises a little more than a third of the rump/tail projection beyond the trailing edge of the wings. No dark-rumped Ainley’s have been certainly re- ported, although a mummihed, dark-rumped “chick” found in June 1968 was presumed to have been from the winter-breeding popula- tion (Crossin 1974). Such birds might be dif- ficult if not impossible to distinguish at sea from Chapman’s. Wing molt timing needs study, but breed- ing birds are not usually molting, and it is rea- sonable to assume that the adult wing molt extends from April to October. First-year birds probably molt earlier than adults, as in other storm-petrels, and the first-year wing molt of Ainley’s thus may be mainly during January-July. Given that the summer-breed- ing Leach’s, Chapman's, and Townsend’s would be in fresh plumage or completing wing molt in spring, any “Leach’s” in the ear- ly stages of wing molt during spring, or in ad- vanced wing molt during sum- mer, would be a good candidate for Ainley’s Storm-Petrel. Relative to Leach’s, Ainley’s is smaller, with shorter, slightly less- pointed wings and a proportion- ately longer but less deeply forked tail (Table 1). Ainley’s and Chap- man’s are similar in size, but most Chapman’s are dark-rumped (a condition unconfirmed in Ain- ley’s) or have white patches on the rump sides in a pattern atypical of Ainley's (Figures 6-9, 16). Wing- rnolt timing of adult Ainley’s prob- ably spans April-October, versus August-April in adult Leach’s and Chapman’s. Further work based upon birds of known taxon may bring to light other characteristics, such as structure or flight manner, that could aid in at- sea identification. Occurrence off Southern California off California as a whole, Leach’s Storm-Pe- trels occur mainly between March and No- vember (Ainley 1976). Off southern Califor- nia, the Leach’s Storm-Petrel complex is con- sidered commonest in June through October and least common in December through May (Briggs et al. 1987). Leach’s Storm-Petrels tend to forage well offshore over warmer wa- ters and thus are rarely found on pelagic day trips into the relatively cooler waters off cen- tral and northern California. In southern Cal- ifornia, most records of the Leach’s complex are from late summer and fall, which coin- cides both with warmer waters (warmer than in spring) and with the July-September peri- od when most offshore pelagic trips occur. Figure 20. Unidentified "Leach's Storm-Petrel" off Santa Barbara, California, 21 July 2007. This all-dark bird (rump score 5) may simply be a Chapman's Storm-Pe- trel, but its relatively compact shape and shallow tail fork — both perhaps artifacts of the angle of the photograph — might suggest Townsend's. Photograph by Steve N. 6. Howell. Figure 21. Presumed Chapman's Storm-Petrel near Sixtymile Bank off San Diego, California, 7 September 2006. The brown plumage tones (rump score of 4.5 apparent in other photo- graphs), rangy structure, and distinct, deep tail notch indicate that this bird is not a Townsend's Storm-Petrel. This bird ap- pears typical of what many birders simply call "Leach's" (or "dark-rumped Leach's") off southern California. Photograph by Steve N.G. Howell. Figure 22. Probable Townsend's Storm-Petrel near Sixtymile Bank off San Diego, California, 7 September 2006. The appar- ently blackish plumage tones, compact shape, and bold white on the outer uppertail coverts suggest that this bird is a Townsend's Storm-Petrel (compare with Figure 21), but how much of this could be caused by the angle of the photograph? We suspect that this bird is indeed a Townsend's Storm-Petrel, but attempting an identification from a single photograph is probably unwise in this case and in many others. Birders fortu- nate enough to observe storm-petrels in the Leach's complex in the Pacific would do well to take extensive series of photo- graphs of the birds they observe and to circulate these photo- graphs for discussion, as we continue to refine our understand- ing of this group. Photograph by Steve N. 6. Howell. VOLUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 547 OCCURRENCE AND IDENTIFICATION OF THE LEACH'S STORM-PETREL COMPLEX OFF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Only since the early 2000s have birders start- ed to explore offshore southern California waters with any regularity, although some birders participated in research cruises well offshore dating back through the mid-1980s. On most recent fall pelagic trips out of San- ta Barbara and San Diego, from 60 to 350 “Leach’s” have been seen daily, mainly over deeper offshore waters and around banks such as the Tanner Bank, Cortez Bank, and Sixtymile Bank (Figure 2). Based on these ob- servations, we have adduced the following patterns of occurrence for the birds we have documented in southern California waters. With a limited number of trips from which to work, we acknowledge that this portrait of status and distribution is provisional, some- times conjectural, and certainly incomplete (Figures 19-22). Leach’s Storm-Petrel. Presumably there is a northbound migration through offshore wa- ters in February-April, with a southward movement back to the tropical Pacific in Sep- tember-November, but to what extent the larger northern Leach’s occur relative to “bcflli” Leach’s is unknown. Non-breeding im- matures (but perhaps not many first-year birds, see above) probably occur in summer and fall off southern California, perhaps mainly in July-September, the period during which non-breeding immatures of other pelagic species are present in numbers off California, e.g., Long-tailed Jaeger (Stercorar- ius longicaiidiis), Sabine’s Gull (Xema sabini), and Common Tern (Sterna hirundo). Most presumed Leach’s occur over deeper offshore waters, at and beyond the shelf break. The breeding population of Leach’s Storm- Petrels on the California Channel Islands was estimated at 159 pairs in 1991; only 19 birds were mist-netted, with about two-thirds white-rumped and one third dark-rumped (Carter et al. 1992). This population may be increasing (fewer than 10 breeding birds were estimated in 1975-1977; Hunt et al. 1980), al- though more mist-netting effort occurred in 1991, and the 1970s estimate was derived from mark-recapture analyses that may have been flawed (H. R. Carter, pers. comm.). Giv- en that breeding storm-petrels are probably restricted to foraging within a few hundred kilometers of colonies, and that large num- bers of non-breeding immatures can be pres- ent around colonies in the breeding season, the Channel Islands population may con- tribute appreciably to the numbers of “Leach’s” observed in summer off southern California. Chapman’s Storm-Petrel. This taxon (based on the sheer number of dark-rumped birds seen) is fairly common off southern Califor- nia, at least during April-October. For exam- ple, 65% of 100 birds at Cortez Bank, 10 Sep- tember 2005, were dark-rumped (score 4-5; JF, pers. obs.), as were 25% of 200 birds be- tween Cortez Bank and Sixtymile Bank, 7 September 2006 (SNGH, pers. obs.); 21% of 190 birds in the vicinity of San Juan Seamount, 21 July 2007 Oh pers. obs.); 33% of 78 birds south of Santa Cruz Island, 25 July 2009 (SNGH, pers. obs.); 45% of 102 birds from the 4000-meter depth contour west of the Bell Bank to the Bell Bank, 25 August 2009 Oh SNGH, pers. obs.); and about 90% of 138 birds north of Ninemile Bank, 7 Sep- tember 2009 (TM, WTH pers. obs.). In addition to birds from the nearby colony at the Coronado Islands, the fall numbers of Chapman’s may include birds from the San Benito Islands, paralleling the well-known an- nual northward fall incursions into California waters of Black Storm-Petrels (Oceanodroma [Halocyptena] melania) and Least Storm-Pe- trels from Mexican colonies. During April-Oc- tober, Chapman’s tends to occur nearer to shore than nominate Leach’s and is regularly found from the Thirtymile Bank out to beyond the shelf edge. Small numbers may occur well offshore in winter, but at this season most “Leach’s” off southern California are apparent- ly white-rumped (P. Pyle, pers. comm.). Townsend’s Storm-Petrel. In general, 3-5% of all Leach’s-type storm-petrels seen on offshore trips in the southern half of the Southern Cal- ifornia Bight from late July to mid-September show characteristics of Townsend’s Storm-Pe- trel. Both white-rumped and dark-rumped birds have been seen, with more of the former perhaps reflecting the relative ease with which they can be identified at sea. We have two records outside of this period. About 90% of 110 birds seen 5 June 2008 in the vicinity of the Bell Bank (JF, pers. obs.) were thought to be white-rumped Townsend’s, suggesting that their occurrence in California waters may be prone to marked interannual variation. We also have one record of a white-rumped bird, perhaps a juvenile, on 2 November 2008 west of the Cortez Bank (photograph by TM). We suspect that this taxon occurs regularly off southern California, mainly July-October (but see the June observation, above), which mirrors the northward dispersal at this season by sundry Mexican-breeding seabirds, such as Black and Least Storm-Petrels, Guadalupe [Xantus’l Murrelet (Synthlihoramphiis [It.] Iiy- poleucus), and Craveri’s Murrelet (S. craveri). Townsend’s Storm-Petrels have often been ob- served over deep water just beyond the shelf break, thus occurring in areas where both Leach’s and Chapman’s are frequent, Ainley’s Storm-Petrel. Despite searching, we have seen no birds that we considered candi- dates for Ainley’s Storm-Petrel, although dis- tinguishing this taxon from California Leach’s, and perhaps from white-rumped Chapman’s, may not be possible given our present (lack of) knowledge. Although the limited specimen record suggests a southward post-breeding withdrawal during May-Octo- ber (noted above), it is conceivable that for- aging adults range north into United States waters during their winter breeding season (perhaps from September or October on- wards?), Any pelagic trips far offshore in win- ter should be on the lookout for this taxon. A report of 20 “Leach’s Storm-Petrels” at the Davidson Seamount on 1 December 1979 (Garrett and Dunn 1981) is intriguing. These birds could have been late southbound or wintering leucorhoa, possibly birds of the smaller southerly breeders thought to winter off California (Briggs et al. 1987) — but could some have been Ainley’s Storm-Petrels? Conclusions Mark Twain once said that he would rather have his ignorance than another man’s knowl- edge, for his ignorance was far greater. In the case of the Leach’s Storm-Petrel complex, however, we would happily trade a lot of ig- norance for a little knowledge, and Ober- holser’s statement of 1919 still rings true to- day: “Notwithstanding the considerable atten- tion that has been paid to petrels of the Ocean- odroma laicorboa group, the last word has ev- idently not yet been said on the subject.” Our provisional observations indicate that Chapman’s and Leach’s are the predominant taxa in the Leach’s Storm-Petrel complex in waters off southern California, but that small numbers of Townsend’s Storm-Petrels also oc- cur in late summer and fall, mainly July through September. As yet, we have no evi- dence that Ainley’s Storm-Petrel enters United States waters, but it may well occur, perhaps mainly in late winter. Acknowledgments and Dedication We thank Phil Unitt (San Diego Natural His- tory Museum; SDNHM), Maureen Flannery and Jack Dumbacher (California Academy of Sciences; CAS), Carla Cicero (Museum of Comparative Zoology, University of Califor- nia, Berkeley), and Kimball L. Garrett (Los Angeles County Museum) for access to spec- imens in their care; Harry R. Carter, and Peter Pyle for sharing unpublished data; Howell also thanks Kim Kreitinger and Kirsten 548 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS OCCURRENCE AND IDENTIFICATION OF THE LEACH'S STORM-PETREL COMPLEX Lindquist for assistance while examining specimens. We thank Louis Bevier, P. A. Buck- ley, and Peter Pyle for thoughtful comments on the manuscript. This paper is dedicated to the memory of Luke Cole, a good friend who lived life to its fullest and always enjoyed pushing the fron- tiers that pelagic birding has to offer. Literature cited Ainley. D. G. 1976. The occurrence of seabirds in the coastal region of California. Western Birds 7: 33-68. . 1980. Geographic variation in Leach’s Storm-Petrel. Auk 97: 837-853. . 1983. Further notes on variation in Leach’s Storm-Petrel. Ault 100: 230-233. Ainley, D. G., S. Morrell, and T. J. Lewis. 1974. Patterns in the life histories of storm- petrels on the Farallon Islands. Living Bird 13: 295-312. Ainley, D. G., T. J. Lewis, and S. Morrell. 1976. Molt in Leach’s and Ashy storm-pe- trels. Wilson Bulletin 88: 76-95. Austin, O. L, Jr. 1952. Notes on some petrels of the North Pacific. Bulletin of the Museinn of Comparative Zoology 107: 391-407. Bourne, W. R. P, andj. R. Jehl, Jr. 1982. Vari- ation and nomenclature of Leach’s Storm- Petrels. Auk 99: 793-797. Briggs, K. X, W. B. Taylor, D. B. Lewis, and D. R. Carlson. 1987. Bird communities at sea off California. Studies in Avian Biology 11. Carter, H. R., G. J. McChesney, D. L. Jaques, C. S. Strong, M. W. Parker, J. E. Takekawa, D. L. Lory, and D. L. Whitworth. Breeding pop- ulations of seabirds in California, 1989- 1991, Volumes 1 and 2. Unpublished report, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Northern Prairie Research Center, Dixon, California. Crossin, R. S. 1974. The storm-petrels (Hy- drobatidae). Pp. 154-205 in: King, W. B. (ed.), Pelagic studies of seabirds in the cen- tral and eastern Pacific Ocean. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 158. Flood, R. L. 2009. “All-dark” Oceanodroma storm-petrels in the Atlantic and neigh- bouring seas. British Birds 102: 365-385. Garrett, K., and J. Dunn. 1981. Birds of Southern California, Status and Distribu- tion. Los Angeles Audubon Society, Los Angeles, California. Gibson, D. D., and G. V Byrd. 2007. Birds of the Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Series in Or- nithology 1. Howell, S. N. G. in prep. Petrels, Albatrosses, and Storm Petrels of North America. Hubbs, C. L. 1960. The marine vertebrates of the outer coast. Systematic Zoology 9: 134- 147. Hunt, G. L., Jr., R. L. Pitman, and H. L. Jones. 1980. Distribution and abundance of seabirds breeding on the California Chan- nel Islands. Pp. 443-459 in: Power, D. W. (ed.). The California Islands; proceedings of a multidisciplinary symposium. Santa Bar- bara Museum of Natural History, Santa Bar- bara, California. Jehl, J. R.,Jr., and W. T. Everett. 1985. Histo- ry and status of the avifauna of Isla Guadalupe, Mexico. Transactions of San Diego Society of Natural History 20 (17): 313-336. Jesus, J., D. Menezes, S. Gomes, P Oliveira, M. Nogales, and A. Brehm. 2009. Phyloge- netic relationships of gadfly petrels Ptero- droma spp. from the northeastern Atlantic Ocean: molecular evidence for specific sta- tus of Bugio and Cape Verde petrels and implications for conservation. Bird Conser- vation International 19: 199-214. Loomis, L. M. 1918. Expedition of the Cali- fornia Academy of Sciences to the Galapa- gos Islands, 1905-1906, Part 12. A review of the albatrosses, petrels, and diving pe- trels. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences, 4th series. Volume 2, part 2, No. 12: 1-187. Oberholser, H. C. 1919. A review of the sub- species of the Leach Petrel, Oceanodroma leucorhoa (Vieillot). Proceedings of the Unit- ed States National Museum 54: 165-172. Power, D. M., and D. G. Ainley. 1986. Seabird geographic variation: similarity among populations of Leach’s Storm-Petrel. Auk 103: 575-586. Robb, M., K. Mullarney, and The Sound Ap- proach. 2008. Petrels Night and Day. The Sound Approach, Poole, Dorset. Smith, A. L., and V. L. Eriesen. 2007. Differ- entiation of sympatric population of the band-rumped storm-petrel in the Galapa- gos Islands: an examination of genetics, morphology, and vocalizations. Molecular Ecology 16: 1593-1603. Smith, A. L., L. Monteiro, O. Hasegawa, and V L. Eriesen. 2007. Global phylogeography of the band-rumped storm-petrel (Ocean- odroma castro; Procellariiformes: Hydro- batidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evo- lution 43: 755-773. Spear, L. B., and D. G. Ainley. 2007. Storm-pe- trels of the eastern Pacific Ocean: species assembly and diversity along marine habitat gradients. Ornithological Monographs 62. Unitt, P. 2004. San Diego County Bird Atlas. Proceedings of the San Diego Society of Natural History, Memoir 39. Van Rossem, A. J. 1942. Preliminary comment on some Pacific coast petrels. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 55: 9- 12. O the birding begin. Get connected with thousands of people passionate about birds, just like you. As a member of the American Birding Association, you will be exposed to a vast array of bird- ing information. Hone your skills with the latest advances in bird identification, find out about the latest rarities being seen and places to bird, read the product and book reviews as these items become available, and partake in ID challenges that will make you a better birder. Need more? Join in our discus- sions on Facebook, tweet with us on Twitter, peruse our blogs and website. Take part in spe- cial events, activities, and trips. It's all here. Become a part of the largest community of birders. www.aba.org VOLUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 549 I The Changing Seasons: EDWARD S. BRINKLEY • 124 PEACH STREET, CAPE CHARLES, VIRGINIA 23310 • (THALASSOICA@GIVlAIL.COM) Not a species associated with the eastern highlands, this subaduit Roseate Spoonbill in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley 15-19 (here 18) June was part of an unprecedented eastern flight of the species that stretched as far north as Illinois, Ontario, and New Jersey in summer 2009. Photograph by Lynda Blair. The Weather • Canada and Alaska Across Canada as a whole, the average tem- perature for the summer of 2009 Ouly through August) was 0.4° C above normal, according to Environment Canada. Much of central and southern Canada was cooler than normal, while western, northern, and eastern Canada was warmer (Figure 1). Parts of southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba saw temperatures more than 1.5° C below normal; by contrast, British Columbia, southern Yukon, northern Quebec, and the much of the Arctic archipelago experienced temperatures more than 2° C above normal. Since 1993, summer temperatures in Canada have re- mained at or above normal; averages over the past 62 years have increasing by almost a de- gree Celsius. Overall, Canada had a slightly wetter summer than normal, with 2.2 percent more precipitation than average. Much of Sas- katchewan and the Northwest Territories, southern Manitoba, northern Ontario, south- ern Ontario, and the Maritime provinces had more than 20 percent above normal precipita- tion, while some of southern Alberta and Saskatchewan experienced the driest June in half a century, with very low levels in major bodies of water (Figure 2). Brian Dalzell, who has shifted from winter to summer editor for the Atlantic Provinces region, laments the “interminable period of rainy weather that consumed the entire month of June and lingered into July” there (Figure 2), while the Quebec crew notes dry- ly that in southern Quebec “it was not a very pleasant summer,” with very little sunshine, temperatures below normal, and precipitation above normal. The greatest departures from the norm were in northern Quebec, where temperatures were as much as 5.3° C above average (at Inukjuak) and where conditions were drier (Figure 2). In similar vein, David Elder writes that, “for Ontario birders, the summer of 2009 seemed merely an illusion.” He continues: “Caught on the wrong side of a persistent southerly loop in the jet stream, July recorded the fewest number of days with sunshine on record for the province. Consis- tent cool and wet conditions prevailed, and monthly temperatures were well below aver- age, especially in the north. An immobile North Atlantic high-pressure zone prevented eastward-moving continental low-pressure systems from dispersing, resulting in abun- dant rainfall for the period.” To Ontario’s west, in the Prairie Provinces, Rudolf Koes and Peter Taylor observe that the “jet stream bisected the region for most of the season, re- sulting in far-below-normal temperatures to 550 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS the east and more moderate conditions to the west. Wintry weather persisted in the north well into June, with substantial snow cover remaining until mid-month.” Still farther west, in British Columbia, “June began sea- sonably warm but became unsettled by mid- month, [and] this cool, showery pattern con- tinued until mid-July, when summer finally arrived. In fact, July ended up being one of the three hottest on record for many British Columbia locations, with the last week being particularly scorching,” according to Chris Charlesworth. The northern tier, from Greenland to Alas- ka, saw a very late arrival of warm weather in the east, -with cold persisting in Nunavut and adjacent areas well into June but July (and into August) much warmer than average (Figure 1), a “relatively normal” summer in Yukon and southern Northwest Territories, and a warmer- than-average summer in Alas- ka that “banished memories of the cold and wet conditions that dominated [the state] in summer 2008,” according to Thede Tobish. For many northerly breeding species, then, the summer’s nesting scorecard seemed most favorable from the western half of the conti- nent (“a generally quick and probably suc- cessful nesting season” in Alaska) and mixed, or even dismal, from Hudson Bay eastward: “Observers in Nunavut told con- sistent tales of very late arrivals, delayed nesting, or failure to nest in many species,” writes Cameron Eckert. In northern Ontario, David Elder indicates that Snow Geese on Hudson Bay did not breed, and to the north at Churchill, Koes and Taylor write that Figure 1 (top). The summer period (here, June through August) in 2009 in Canada was 0.4° C above normal on the national lev- el, but the center of the country continued cooler, just as it had in spring 2009. The effect on nesting birds in western Hudson Bay, particularly waterbirds, was devastating, but even in the eastern Arctic, where July warmed quickly, the "spring" may have arrived too late to allow a successful nesting season for many species. Map courtesy of and © Environment Canada/ Environnement Canada. Figure 2 (bottom). The Canadian summer of 2009 was rainy in the southeastern reaches of the country but rather dry in the northeast and southwest (this map illustrates precipitation from June through August). Although the dark brown tones of this map between Hudson Bay and Baffin Island may look ominous, this region gets much less precipitation than does southern Canada, such that "a percent departure in the north represents much less difference in actual precipitation than the same per- centage in the south," according to Environment Canada. Map courtesy of and © Environment Canada/Environnement Canada. TEMPERATURE DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL Summer (Jun, Jul, Aug) 2009 ANOMALIES DE LA TEMPERATURE PAR RAPPORT A LA NORMALS Ete (Juin, Juil, Aout) 2009 °c — 2.5 1.5 — 0.5 — -0.5 1.5 -2.5 — -3-5 PRECIPITATION DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL Summer (Jun, Jul, Aug) 2009 ANOMALIES DES PRECIPITATIONS PAR RAPPORT A LA NORMALS Ete (Juin, Juil, Aout) 2009 VOLUlWE 63 (2009) NUMBER 4 551 THE CHANGING SEASONS: THINK PiNK U.S. Drought Monitor July 28, 2009 Valid 8 a.m. EDT B D1 Drought - Moderate ■ D2 Drought - Severe I D3 Drought - Extreme ■ D4 Drought - Exceptional A = Agricultural (crops, pastures, grasslands) H = Hydrological (water) The Drought Monitor focuses on broad-scale conditions. Local conditions may vary. See accompanying text summary lor forecast statements. ySDA -v~^ CD® http://draught.uiii.edu/dm Released Thursday, July 30, 2009 Author: Mark Svoboda, National Drought Mitigation Center Figure 3. As of the end of the summer period, extreme drought conditions persisted in northern Wisconsin, and southern Texas's ex- ceptional drought continued. Map courtesy of and © The National Drought Mitigation Center. “many geese and other waterfowl found so little open ground in the area that they starved to death. Nest initiation for most birds was late there, and almost complete nesting failure followed, due to cold, storms, and predation. In the rest of Manitoba and much of Saskatchewan, the cold appeared to also have a negative impact, as many war- blers and other passerines were seen wan- dering outside their breeding ranges. Sparse foliage, scarcity of food, and cold nights combined to reduce breeding success for ear- ly nesters.” In the Northern Canada report, Eckert notes that, “at Cambridge Bay, the late spring, coupled with high water in the small- er lakes and ponds, contributed to the loss of much edge habitat and thus a reduction in nesting opportunities for many species of waterfowl, shorebirds, and loons.” A likely result of delayed or failed nesting in the far North, species such as Pacific Loon, Ross’s Gull, Sabine’s Gull, and Long-tailed Jaeger were found in the upper Saint Lawrence val- ley well into the middle of June, and even in Alaska, where North Slope nesters may have experienced setbacks, “this summer yielded more than the usual wandering or lingering non-breeders at sites well south of tradition- al breeding areas,” according to Tobish. It is not known why certain alcids (e.g., Dovekies in western Greenland) failed to breed in 2009, but food scarcity is likely to blame. Black-legged Kittiwake abandoned several colonies, among them one on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, but this was attributed to marauding by Bald Eagles, whose chief prey (herring and mackerel) had become scarce or departed early. Wandering kitti- wakes and Dovekies were reported south of breeding grounds in both June and July, the latter as far south as New Jersey waters, which is most unusual for summer. • South of the Canadian border For the lower 48 United States, where the warming trend is less dramatic, June and July were not off the charts: the average tempera- ture for June was 69.5° F, or 0.2° F above the twentieth-century mean, whereas the average July temperature of 73.5° F was 0.8° F below the twentieth-century mean. As in Canada, there was an east-west split in the 48 states: an abnormally strong and persistent upper- level pattern kept temperatures remarkably low east of the Rockies, while record warmth was recorded at locations mostly west of the Rockies. Continental averages help us to discern cli- matic trends, but when we are out in the held, we don’t experience weather as an average across two months’ time and 24.5 million square kilometers. In June, the United States’ South, Southeast, and Northwest had temper- atures above the average, while the Midwest, Northeast, and Southwest had cooler temper- atures than usual. Far more unusual was the rather cool July: Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Penn- sylvania, and West Virginia experienced their coolest July ever (in 115 years of records), and Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, Wiscon- sin, and Michigan recorded their second coolest July. In the West, the tale was differ- ent: Arizona experienced its third warmest July, while New Mexico and Washington both had the ninth warmest July on record. In Death Valley, California, the all-time monthly average maximum temperature of 121.3° F was set in July: on 22 days there, the mercury reached 120° F or higher, which broke the standing record of 19 days. New Mexico’s Jan- uary-through-July period in 2009 is its fifth warmest on record, and the period is Col- orado’s eighth warmest. On the main, precipitation was unremark- able in the contiguous 48 states, being 0.2 mm above the long-term mean in June and 4.0 mm above the mean in July. June was wet- ter than usual in the Northeast, West, and parts of the Southwest but drier in the South. July rains were memorable in many areas. As in southeastern Canada, the U.S. Northeast was soaked, recording its ninth wettest July ever. By state, Massachusetts and Rhode Is- land had their second wettest Julys, Maine its hfth, and Vermont, New Hampshire, and Connecticut each recorded its sixth. Above- normal precipitation also fell in the Midwest, but the Southeast, Southwest, and Plains re- gions had drier-than-normal conditions dur- ing the month. Based on the U.S. Drought Monitor (Figure 3), by the end of July, mod- erate-to-exceptional drought covered 14 per- cent of the contiguous United States. Drought conditions worsened in southern Texas and northern Wisconsin. At the end of July, about 19 percent of the contiguous United States had moderate-to-extremely wet conditions, mostly areas east of the Plains. The regional reports’ introductions provide excellent specifics, in most cases, on local meteorologi- cal conditions and events. East of the Rockies, the effects of the cool, wet weather on birds were apparent mostly in disruptions of nesting activity. In New Eng- land, Wayne Petersen lists Common Loon, Osprey, Bald Eagle, American Kestrel, Black Skimmer, Common Nighthawk, Purple Mar- tin, and Eastern Bluebird among the affected species, as well as other cavity nesters and ground nesters. In New York, Newjersey, and Delaware, rain and onshore winds in June “wiped out beach and marsh nests,” accord- ing to Bob Paxton, Dick Veit, and Frank Rohrbacher. In the Southeast, Ken Blanken- ship reports that “marsh- and beach-nesting 552 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS species endured great hardships in part due to the [severe] tidal events: out of 75 monitored pairs, only a single American Oystercatcher chick fledged on the entire Georgia coast.” (However, several regions, from Ontario to Florida, reported good success with nesting terns and plovers, particularly at locations where policing of nesting areas was em- ployed.) Heavy rains (and some hail) and flooding 10 June and 15-16June had negative impacts on many nesting species in Missouri, and heavy rains during the latter window also hit Bismarck, South Dakota. Cool weather meant that “few insects were available” in the northern Great Plains, according to Ron Mar- tin, which probably further suppressed nest- ing activity and success. Northern exposure Because this column does not look as much at long-term trends as seasonal snapshots, we admittedly miss some very important phe- nomena that probably have more to do with the fluctuations in bird numbers we observe than do many of the storm fronts and ocean anomalies we often consider here. Historically, too, the northern half of North America, the lightly settled boreal forest and tundra, has re- ceived less attention in this column than the southern tier of Canada and the Lower 48 states because our observers and contributors live mostly south of 50° N latitude. In the abundant discussions about climate change, melting ice, and sea level rise, the rapid changes in the boreal forest — especially the increasing tolls taken by drought, fires, and insects — have not received as much at- tention as they deserve, although Alan Alda’s Scientific American Frontiers did a good job of summarizing the impacts of these plagues for the television audience about five years ago. In the current year, 2009, the media brought this subject to world’s attention, first in March, when scientists gathered in Copen- hagen, Denmark at the conference entitled “Climate Change: Global Risks, Challenges, and Decisions,” then in mid-December at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, which, unfortunately, failed to produce a con- sensus in the form of a ratified agreement to mitigate global climate change. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the scientific working group spon- sored by the United Nations, has analyzed nu- merous studies that investigate the relation- ship between wildfires and warmer, drier con- ditions and found that scientific evidence supports a positive correlation (IPCC 2007). And there is no question that forest fires have increased in North America’s West and North in recent decades. In Canada, for instance, the area burned in the 1990s was double what it was in the 1970s (Amiro et al. 2003). Of course, the northern forests extend across Eurasia as well. American researcher Amber Soja of the United States National Institute of Aerospace, working with teams in Siberia at the Sukachev Institute of Forestry in Krasno- yarsk, notes that all but two of the past ten summers have witnessed extreme wildfires across central Siberia (Soja et al. 2007, 2009). Warmer summers are part of the reason for increasing wildfires: average summer temper- atures have increased between 2° and 4° F over the past hundred years, more than twice to four times the average increase in temper- ate zones over the same period. Warmer cli- mates dry the forests, lengthen the fire season, and have more storms with lightning, which ignite more fires. While fires are part of the natural cycle in which boreal plants and animals have existed for thousands of years, the frequency and size of these fires have increased so starkly as to upset this balance. The logging of tens of mil- lions of acres of boreal forest has produced more fragmented, younger, and more even- aged forests, and the additional loss of mature forest to frequent and often massive fires has become a dire concern for the conservation of wildlife, including many bird species, from Black Scoter to Rusty Blackbird. When healthy, these forests serve as “sinks” (net ab- sorbers) for carbon dioxide, one of the princi- pal gases associated with climate change; but decaying and burning wood releases tons of carbon dioxide, as does burning peat, the car- bon-rich substrate that underlies the forest. The fear of many scientists is that we may still underestimate the “domino effect,” or posi- tive biospheric feedback, by which more fires lead to an accelerating rate of liberation of carbon dioxide, which in turn leads to even more extensive fires. By Canadian Forest Service estimates, the country’s forests have already lost their role as a carbon sink, one that absorbed about 55 million tons of CO2 annually a decade or so ago, to a carbon source — now producing a net of perhaps 245 million tons per year. Possibly accelerating this process, too, are more frequent outbreaks of beetles and other insects in recent years, which provide more fuel in the form of dead and dying trees, which causes fires to burn more intensely. The epi- demic of Mountain Pine Beetle in the Lower 48 states, from Colorado to Washington state, has killed 2.6 million hectares (6.5 million acres) THE CHANGING SEASONS: THINK PINK of forest. Across the border, in British Colum- bia, beetles have killed 14 million hectares (35 million acres) of forest, and they are expected to kill 80 percent of the Canadian province’s Lodgepole Pines before the outbreak subsides. Farther north, other insects, among them Northern Spruce Engraver, Aspen Leaf Miner, and Willow Miner have shown increasing ac- tivity during the recent period of warming. In the Yukon, Spruce Bark Beetles have eaten their way through 400,000 hectares (1 million acres) of woodland, and over 1.2 million hectares (3 million acres) in neighboring Alas- ka since 1989. The Yukon has not yet recorded Mountain Pine Beetle, but an outbreak there could devastate native pines, which may have little resistance to this species. Although recent studies show a positive correlation between warm/dry periods and forest fires (e.g., Meyn et al. 2009), the rela- tionships between warmer/drier weather, fires, and beetle outbreaks have not been as clearly established. Several paleoecological studies have looked back several hundred years, using dendrochronological reconstruc- tion of historical climate and beetle activity (e.g., Alfaro et al. 2010), and found that the age and composition of a forest, as well as its history of exposure to fires of various types, appear to contribute to its susceptibility to beetle outbreaks. My own reading of such studies does not give me cause for optimism; even the best-case scenarios show increases of about 50 percent in areas burned in the Amer- ican West by the 2050s (Spracklen et al., in press), for instance. It is difficult to imagine our avifauna in the aftermath of such losses. Debates continue to rage on many fronts as to the best way to mitigate this rapidly wors- ening situation. According to some models, fires and beetles are projected to impact a Montana-size area of boreal forest by the year 2020. Carbon dioxide releases from decaying wood due to the beetles alone have been pro- jected at 270 million tons over that period. Some forestry groups advocate more logging of northern forests to avoid the problems as- sociated with fires and insects, and the forest products industry in Canada has increased harvests as a result. However, many scientists believe that increased logging will unleash far more carbon by exposing and dr)4ng the peat layer, which would decay and burn more readily. In addition, there is growing evidence that the even-aged and fragmented forests that dominate many landscapes as a legacy of logging practices can allow beetles to spread more rapidly than they would in an unman- aged, natural forest. Forest products, of VOLUME 63 (2009) NUMBER 4 553 THE CHANGING SEASONS: THINK PINK course, continue to store carbon, which is released at different rates (rapid- ly in the case of paper products, more slowly for lumber); forest products that are dumped in landhlls contribute to the production of methane in those facilities, a far worse greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Because the boreal forest region is one of the worlds largest storehouses of carbon in its trees, peat, and soil, there continues to be a strong interest in maintaining that carbon bank but also in establishing large protected areas that are off limits to industrial disturbances that increase the risk that that carbon will be released into the atmosphere. Over 120 million acres of new parks and protected areas in which no industrial activities are allowed have been es- tablished in Canada’s boreal region since 2000, and the governments of On- tario and Quebec have pledged to protect at least 200 million additional acres in part to maintain the carbon contained within them. Those interest- ed in these subjects should consult the websites of the Boreal Songbird Ini- tiative (). International Boreal Conservation Cam- paign (), Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (), and the Canadian Forest Service webpage () for more information, including ready access to scientihc literature. In summer 2009, hre activity was thankfully below average, probably owing to the below-average temperatures in some areas; through July, the total number of acres burned in the United States was about 1.7 million, mostly in Alaska and the West, according to the Na- tional Interagency Coordination Center. Greenfiand) Vioietears Some years ago, 1 recall reading, in a paragraph about hummingbird va- grancy, a quip to the effect: “What's next? A violet-ear in Greenland?” Or maybe I wrote this and have happily managed to disavow it in memory. Whatever the source, the sentiment seems much less hyperbolic now, as we approach 2010. Our essay’s subtitle, emphasizing extralimital spoonbills, tries to keep a light tone, but in truth, the sweep of southern species into new areas of the north is still truly breathtaking. Although it’s not a violetear (now spelled without the hyphen), and was not quite in Greenland, a Rufous Hummingbird made it to a spot 100 kilometers northeast of Chesterfield In- let, Nunavut, very near the Arctic Circle (Figure 4). Take a moment online to look at photographs of this tidy village; it does not look ideal for hum- mingbirds there. Remarkably, the Rufous followed another territorial hrst — a Painted Bunting on Akimiski Island (Figure 5). Exaggerating to make a point becomes more difficult when the “Nonpareil” turns up in Nunavut. To add further perspective: the same little island had produced Nunavut’s hrst documented record of Black-capped Chickadee a week earlier! But the outlandishness of these records is middling, really. Rufous Hum- mingbirds stray ever more northward in multiple seasons, nearly each year, as do Painted Buntings. In fact, Manitoba had its second Painted Bunting this season, from late May through 6 June, and another made it to the French island of St. Pierre in early July. A glance at the map, moreover, shows that Akimiski Island is well south of most of Nunavut, at 53° N lati- tude in James Bay, actually below the latitude of Manitoba’s hrst Painted Bunting, at The Pas in 1998. No one would call Akimiski Island part of “southern Canada,” but in light of the increase in records of many Passeri- na well beyond the northern edges of range, in both spring and fall, this record makes perfect sense — even if lichen-clad dwarf Black Spruce do not make typical perches for the species. Despite the cool, wet summer of 2009, other Passerina pioneered: Saskatchewan had its hrst Blue Grosbeak, and Montana conhrmed its hrst nesting of the species, while Indigo Buntings made headlines in British Columbia (Figure 6) and the Great Basin, and Alaskans found their state’s eighth Lazuli Bunting. Other southern species moved northward this season, some of them nest- ing, others vagabonding; Summer Tanagers streaked across the continent Figure 4. This Rufous Hummingbird, a first for Nunavut, was found 24 June 2009 in a cabin about 100 kilometers northeast of Chesterfield Inlet, where it later perished. This location is close to the Arctic Circle and is about 2200 kilometers from the species' regular breeding range. Photograph by Wide Johansen. Figure 5. Painted Bunting was certainly not on Nunavut's list of expected new bird species, but this brilliant male found 1 2 June 2009 on Akimiski Island in southern James Bay estab- lished the first record for Nunavut and for the Northern Canada and Greenland region. Photo- graph by Derek Mackenzie. Figure 6. A species that appears to be increasing during summer at the northern and west- ern edges of its range, this male Indigo Bunting visited feeder in Lillooet, British Columbia 9 June 2009. Photograph by Kansas Allen. 554 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS THE CHANGING SEASONS: THINK PINK Figure 7. An invasion of Eurasian Collared-Doves hit Alaska's Southeast in summer 2009, including this sampling (photographer's name in parentheses): 1. Wrangell, 4 June (Carol Ross), 2. Ketchikan, 12 August (Steven C. Heinl), 3. Glacier Bay area, 30 June (Nat K. Drumheiler), 4. Juneau, 5 June (Patty A. Rose), 5. Yakutat area, early August (2 birds; Nate Cattersen), 6. Juneau, 8 June (Mark W. Schwan), 7. Elfin Cove, 1 1 June (Dennis Enderle), 8. Juneau, 8 June (Mark W. Schwan). Figure 8. In western Virginia's mountains, this Violet-crowned Hummingbird dazzled the state's birders all too briefly, 2S-28 (here 28) June 2009, at a bed-and-breakfast in Craig County, near the West Virginia border. Photograph by Brenda Tekin. from British Columbia (its first two records) to Montana to South Dakota to Michigan to Massachusetts; Prothonotary Warbler was confirmed nesting in South Dakota; and Florida confirmed its first nesting of Western Spindalis, the first true tanager ever recorded nesting in the United States, now that the Pi- ranga tanagers are classed as cardinalids. North Carolina’s Black-whiskered Vireo, a seeming oddity in a pine forest, fits a clear summer pattern in the southeast- ern corner of that state, which has about a half- dozen records, mostly from barrier islands. In southern Illinois, at Car- lyle Lake, Dean DiTom- maso found a Tropical Kingbird 13 June, which remained through 18 June, long enough to be captured and measured for a first state record. Per- haps overshadowed by more numerous records of Gray Kingbirds in sum- mer, records of Tropicals in the East and Midwest in spring/summer do ex- ist: 12 May 1984 at Grand Isle, Louisiana; 14-15 May 1975 at Luke’s Farm, Bermuda (subspecies melancholicus); 23 May 1997 at Eagle Harbor, Michigan (Tropical/Couch’s); 16 June 1984 at Anticosti, Quebec; 3-22 July 1989 at Cap Tourmente, Quebec (subspecies satrapa)' and 18 July 1976 at Wolfville, Nova Scotia (Tropical/ Couch’s). (There are also fall through winter records of Tropicals from Florida, North Car- olina, Maine, and Connecticut, at least.) It is interesting that the U.S. and Bermuda records fall in May, the Canadian records in June and July. And what would a summer be without the doves? A White-winged Dove in Saskatch- ewan was the first of its kind documented in the province, but others were fetched up to Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Maine, and Montana, less remarkably to North Car- olina, Ohio, Missouri, Iowa, and six counties in Colorado. Records of White -wingeds con- tinue to increase in the Southern Great Plains, where Joe Grzybowski and Ross Silcock tal- lied 14 in Kansas and six in Nebraska. Farther west, notables were two each in Utah and Oregon, one in Nevada, and one in Placer County, California, its first ever. Eurasian Collared-Doves also continued their hard work, conquering Ohio and Alaska (Figure 7) with first nesting records, and making other noteworthy appearances in Wisconsin and upstate New York. In other areas, they have become so numerous as to disappear from the regional reports. Chris Charlesworth indi- cates that “most records are no longer note- worthy in the southern half’ of British Co- lumbia, and Jim Dinsmore notes that col- lared-doves have now been recorded in 96 of Iowa’s 99 counties. Two in Martin County, In- diana make the forty-third county in that state (which has 92 counties) with a record of the invader. In the continent’s center, two ap- parent Mourning Dove x Eurasian Collared- Dove hybrids were studied at Bushnell, Ne- braska 2 July. We should remain attentive for such hybrids and attempt to document them. Although all of these records have plenty of context, summer 2009 was memorable for sev- eral records that seem anomalous. About 2900 kilometers from southeastern Arizona, a Violet- crowned Hummingbird in Appalachian Vir- ginia (Figure 8) was even more out of range than the near-Arctic Rufous Hummingbird in Nunavut. The Special Attention box by Mark Adams and Matt Hafner in the Middle Atlantic regional report provides evidence of increasing records into westernmost Texas, but no Violet- crowned has been reported in the East, not even in Louisiana, a comparative western hum- mingbird mecca. Was this bird following in the summer footsteps of Green Violetears and Broad-billed Hummingbirds moving northward from Mexico? A singing Yellow-green Vireo at Solana Beach, San Diego County 22-27 July was California’s first ever in summer; on the Pa- cific coast, the species appears almost solely as coastal vagrant in autumn, much like Tropical Kingbird in the West. Are we witnessing the VOLUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 555 THE CHANGING SEASONS: THINK PINK emergence of new patterns, perhaps? Most of the “southern birds north” in this column are not passerines or near-passerines but wading birds, waterfowl, shorebirds, and pelecaniforms. As Jim Hengeveld, Keith Mc- Mullen, and Geoffrey Williamson put it, “The most prominent aspect of this season was the invasion by southern species associated with water. The Region was seemingly overrun by large numbers of wading birds and an assort- ment of rarities like Fulvous and Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks, Mottled Ducks, Brown Peli- cans, Neotropic Cormorants, Anhingas, White Ibis, Tricolored Heron, and Roseate Spoon- bills.” The introductions to reports from the Iowa & Missouri and Tennessee & Kentucky regions read similarly — add a Great White Heron for Tennessee (another made it to Mas- sachusetts, New England’s second ever). South Dakota at last documented its first Black-bel- lied Whistling-Duck; Alabama recorded its first nesting of that dapper duck. In both Iowa and Illinois, nesting of American White Peli- cans was confirmed, and Illinois and Virginia confirmed nesting of Anhinga for the first time. Neotropic Cormorants made it to Utah twice this season, Florida had its fourth, Mary- land its third. Colorado had a tenth (!) Red- dish Egret and may have had nesting Least Bit- terns. Wisconsin got two Purple Gallinules, the only ones well north of normal. Most of these species have shown gradual expansion or exploration over the past 10 or 20 years, but summer 2009 was clearly the breakout season for Roseate Spoonbill in the Midwest and East (Table 1, frontispiece) — the first time the species was recorded in appre- ciable numbers and diverse locations north of about 37° N latitude. First records were es- tablished for Virginia, Delaware, Indiana, and Ontario, the latter also Canada’s first (a sight record from Sable Island in summer 1948 was never documented); Grand Bahama Island got two, for a second record; and New Jersey and Illinois recorded thirds. Based on the dis- tribution of records, compiled by Ken Blankenship, it would appear that extraliniital birds originated from the coastal Southeast (Florida through South Carolina), rather than from the Gulf coast: the majority of unusual records extend from the coast, into the interi- or areas of Georgia, with a scattering up the coast to New Jersey, one in interior Virginia, and singles northwestward to Indiana, Illi- nois, and Ontario. Tennessee, which has had an increase in spoonbill records since the 1990s, did not report the species, and the Natchez, Mississippi area was about as far up the Mississippi River drainage as spoonbills were reported in Gulf coast states, according to Steve Mc- Connell. Two spoonbills on Grand Bahama Island also im- ply that the flight was probably not from the Gulf colonies. Flights of the spoonbills’ rela- tives, the ibises, continue to be detected each year in new ar- eas, and White Ibis pushed far- ther north and inland than ever in 2009, with multiples in Appalachia, where formerly extremely rare. The underly- ing reasons for such dispersals are not well understood (Pat- ten and Lasley 2000), but the distributional patterns among the ibises have been similar: occasional wanderers, increas- ing irregularly in number and in geographic and temporal span, followed by expansion of breeding range. As one might predict, most of the spoonbills recorded out of range were not adults. With both White Ibis and Roseate Spoonbill, it will be very interesting to see if more adults are observed in extralimital settings; it has tak- en decades for adults to turn up with regularly north of the Virginia coast, where nesting was first documented in 1977, but records of adults are now on the distinct increase. Looking back 100 years into records of extralimital Roseate Spoonbills, one finds little of note in the East, though there was a small flight of immatures in 1972 into northwestern Georgia and Tennessee (Robertson et al. 1983). Cali- fornia has had flights, mostly to the Salton Sea area, in 1959, 1973, and 1977, presumably comprised of spoonbills from western Mexico. (An interest- ing quiz question, for so many birds of this sort: Wliicli states lack records of the species alto- gether? In the East and Mid- west, that would be West Vir- ginia, Michigan, Minnesota, and any state in New England; in the West, the Dakotas, Ida- ho, Montana, Wyoming, Ore- Table 1. Noteworthy records of Roseate Spoonbills north of the Gulf coast states, summer 2099. Asterisks indicate inlanci records. Refer to the respediw regional reports for observer attributions and location data. Note that Delaware reports may pertain to no more than two indwiduals. Table compiled by Ken Blankenship. Mumber First date Obserierfs) Location 4 1-Jun-09 GW McIntosh, GA 1 1-Jun-09 P&SL Cbathm, GA 1 2-Jun-09 LWS,JJIV1,JKC Goose Pond F.W.A., IN* 2 2-Jun-09 TA Miller, Qk* 3 2-jun-09 RS Chatham, GA 1 5-Jyn-09 fide BB Bulloch, Qk^ 2 6-Jun-09 WP Charleston, SC 1 13-Jun-09 JjH Morton, ON* (first for Canada) 7 13-Jun-09 DMoetal. McIntosh, GA 6 13-Jun-09 ND Charleston, SC 17 13-Jun-09 JSetal. Glynn, GA 1 13-Jun-09 AB Atkinson, GA* 1 14-Jun-09 ED Duplin, NC 1 15-Jun-09 AMc Lyndhurst, Augusta, VA* 5 15-Jun-09 GW McIntosh, GA 1 16-Jun-09 DM Brunswick, NC 3 19-Jun-09 BS St. Catherine Creek N.W.R., MS* 1 20-Jun-09 Mem Charleston, SC 1 21-Jun-09 R.Woodetal. Fenwick!., DE/MD 5 22-Jun-09 ■ DMo, BL Miller, Gk* 2 24-Jun-09 TP, m.ob. Brunswick, NC 2 26-Jun-09 NM,lY Dare, NC 1 30-Jun-09 PWSetai. McIntosh, GA 2 30-Jun-09 SL Chatham, GA 3 30-Jun-09 SCO Brunswick, NC 205 2-Jul-09 SC Jasper, SC 2 4-Jul-09 DA Charleston, SC 2 5-Jul-09 TR Camden, GA 2 5-Ju!-09 »ESB ChiiicoteagueN.W.R.,VA 9 5-Ju!-09 fide 11 Dare, NC 4 5-Jul-09 RCI Brunswick, NC 1 6-Jul-09 RL Georgetown, SC 1 6-Jul-09 R.Wood Fowler's Beach, DE 2 7-Jul-09 L&SW Dare, NC 1 8-Ju!-09 B. Williams Craneyl., Portsmouth, VA 2 8-jui-09 JP Georgetown, SC 2 12-Ju!-09 PH Sumter, GA* 2 13-Ju!-09 LW Dare, NC 1 16-Jul-09 AE Thousand Acre Marsh, DE 2 17-Jul-09 MMc Brunswick, NC 1 18-Ju!-09 BM Georgetown, SC 1 18-Jul-09 S.&LZirlin Forsythe N.W.R., NJ 3 19-Jul-09 ND Charleston, SC 1 20-Jul-09 J. Harding Bombay Hook N.W.R., DE 7 24-Jui-09 MT Charleston, SC 1 26-Jul-09 LL Decatur, GA* 2 26-Jul-09 BP Freeport Harbor, Grand Bahama 1. 2 27-Jul-09 JK Georgetown, SC 1 30-Jul-09 KAM,MS, DMK Carlyle L, IL* 556 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS THE CHANGING SEASONS: THINK PINK Figure 9. Historically unknown as a breeding species in New Mexico, Cedar Waxwings have, since 199S, been found nesting in five northern counties. This season brought addi- tional breeding events, including this female brooding young at Simon Point below Nava- jo Dam, San Juan County on 17 June 2009. Photograph by Tim Reeves. Figure 1 6. This Alder Flycatcher was found by the photographer near Saylorville Reservoir in Dallas County, Iowa on 29 June 2009 (here 8 July). On 16 July, an adult Alder Flycatcher and a recently fledged young bird were found near a nest. This represents the first nesting record for the species in iowa. The nearest nesting known populations are in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. Photograph by Stephen J. Dimmore. gon, and Washington.) But most records of va- grants, and even wanderers inland, from Texas to Louisiana and up the Mississippi River, do not come together into especially neat pat- terns, and most records north of about 36° N are singular, many of them also rather old. In the early 1990s, I remember predicting, in the Cayuga Bird Club Newsletter, that Roseate Spoonbill would turn up in New York’s Cayu- ga Lake Basin; well, a pink blob has yet to ma- terialize at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, but it seems a far less far-fetched proposition now almost 20 years later. After all, back in 1990, an ibis of any sort was a great rarity in the Finger Lakes region! How times change — ibises of various stripes are annual visitors around the southern Great Lakes, and Canada now has a spoonbill record (from lon- gitude 76.4° W; Ithaca, New York is at longi- tude 76.5°). Next stop Greenland? The rapid northward expansion of the Pk- gadis ibises, including the establishment of many new nesting locations, is certainly aided by their adaptability: they forage readily in many sorts of wetlands, including muddy agri- cultural fields. Their expansions began humbly, as a scattering of birds in spring or in post- breeding dispersal, but have then surged sud- denly, becoming virtual invasions, first to the north, then westward in the Gulf into Texas, then again strongly northward and westward (Patten and Lasley 2000). White Ibis have be- gun popping up more frequently inland and farther north, though much more recently. White Ibis too seem flexible in their foraging: in many parts of their range, at least where they are not hunted for food, they can be tame back- yard birds, allowing close approach as they probe wet suburban lawns and farm fields for earthworms. The more specialized foraging habits (and food requirements) of Roseate Spoonbill, however, would seem to limit its ability to establish an inland presence like that of the Plegadis ibises. In our frontispiece, the young spoonbill that gave Virginia its first doc- umented record was rather approachable as it fed on tadpoles in a farm field puddle. So per- haps assumptions about spoonbills’ limited adaptability are not entirely accurate, and their flights may some day produce nestings away from the coastal plain of the Southeast. If va- grant Brown Pelicans seem oddly comfortable in interior settings in recent years, why not the occasional spoonbill or two? Subtly shifting ranges The phenomenon of species expanding north- ward has been well publicized, and there is also much attention in recent years to species withdrawing northward (or upslope) as the climate warms. But other bird species, often those associat- ed with riparian corridors, have been spreading south- ward in recent years, and these are not as often consid- ered. This season, both Cedar Waxwing (Figure 9) and American Goldfinch continued to make conspic- uous inroads as nesters in New Mexico; Rhode Island confirmed its first breeding Pine Siskins; Horned Larks sang in the Florida Panhan- dle; Gray Catbirds apparent- ly nested in extreme south- western Louisiana; and the discovery of an isolated pop- ulation of Black-throated Green Warblers in western Georgia extends that species’ breeding range a bit farther south. A few nonpasserines, too, seem to be pioneering new sites to the south of core range, among them Ruddy Duck — documented nesting in South Carolina and possi- bly Mississippi and lingering in Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Okla- homa— and Common Mer- ganser, which has shown southward gains from New York through Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Mary- land, Virginia, and now West Virginia and probably South Dakota. A nesting of Northern Pintail on the Virginia coast was also very un- usual. Perhaps because such birds are not as conspicuous as a pelican, whistling-duck, spoonbill, flamingo, or jabiru when noted out of range, or perhaps because they are familiar visitors at other times of year in these loca- tions, they get much less billing in local publi- cations and on listserves. Empidonax flycatchers make a good case in point. Although hardly a “think pink” tropi- cal-drink sort of genus, their various range shifts in recent years have been of real interest. Because Alder Flycatcher is a notoriously late spring migrant (with reports this season of mostly northbound birds from New Mexico, Montana, Kentucky, British Columbia), it can be difficult to tell a prospector from a migrant; a singing bird in Putnam County, Indiana 24 June was judged a migrant, though it fell be- tween usual spring and fall migration periods for this latitude. And because Alder nests across a lightly populated swath of the conti- nent, we rarely read about the species’ status in the core of its range, though it is said to be “doing well” in the Atlantic Provinces, during the current Maritimes Breeding Bird Atlas project, with strong counts from routes in Labrador. But this species has shown signs of nesting south of range edge in recent years. In addition to territorial individuals in three Ohio counties this season, a well-documented nesting in Iowa (Figure 10) was over 500 kilo- meters south of typical range edge in the west- ern Great Lakes states, and one singing in Av- ery County, North Carolina 11 June was in a new location for nesting, though nesting was not confirmed there. Willow Flycatcher, which has shown comparatively modest range changes in recent years, was found singing in VOLUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 557 |THE CHANGING SEASONS: THINK PINK Figure 12. The first two White-tailed Kite nests in Louisiana were found in Bienville Parish (1976) and St. Tammany Parish (1983), but the next four were from the ex- treme southwestern coast near Hally Beach, Cameron Parish (1995-2000). In summer 2009, a nesting pair discovered in the southwestern interior, near DeRidder, Beaure- gard Parish, successfully fledged three young in early June (two here on 1 1 June). Photograph by Matthew I Pontiff. Figure 1 1 . This Least Flycatcher near Stioqualmie, King County 24 July was one of four territorial males detected in western Washington in summer 2009. The conquest of Washington fay Least Flycatchers has been mostly restricted to the east side of the Cascades. Photograph by Gregg Thompson. Morgan County, Alabama, in Clayton and Henry Counties, Georgia, and well east of usu- al areas in Halifax County, North Carolina this season. In the West, Least Flycatcher contin- ues to be on the move, especially in Washing- ton and Oregon, where sporadic breeding has been known for some time but where more than a dozen territories were documented this season, four of these notably on the western side of the Cascades (Figure 11). In the East, the Midwest, and even the Plains, of course, Acadian Flycatcher has been moving north- ward for some years now. Clinton County, in the Adirondack Mountains of New York, had a pair this season; both Saginaw and Midland Counties in Michigan had reports in June; a single was at Skunk’s Misery, Ontario in early June, possibly a prospector; and the species “continues to push northwestward” in Ne- braska, as far to the north as Knox County. Diurnal raptors also show mixed tendencies in their range changes. Bald Eagles and Osprey continue to populate counties not occupied in many years, and several basically western rap- tors have shown modest eastward movements. Southwestern Louisiana, for instance, enjoyed not just the state’s first documented nest of Swainson’s Hawk in Calcasieu Parish but also its seventh nest of White-tailed Kite (Figure 12), and that species that also returned to the same site (same tree) in Lincoln County, Ne- braska again in 2009. While a few mostly trop- ical raptor species have turned up beyond the Southwest, Texas, and Florida recently, several temperate-zone species, notably Red-shoul- dered Hawk and Mississippi Kite, are clearly expanding their breeding ranges northward. Still other species have shown the oppo- site trend, either lingering south of typical range in sum- mer or nesting in new southern outposts, among them Accipiter species. The star of the show in recent years, and especially in summer 2009, has been Merlin, which “continued its magical return, breeding in Ohio for the first time in almost a century and in West Virginia for the first time ever,” according to Aaron Boone, Vic Fazio, and Rick Wiltraut, who catalogue nesting evidence from Lake County, Ohio, from Pike Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, and from Grant County, West Virginia — the latter “the southernmost breeding outpost for the species in North America and indeed anywhere in the world.” (Virginians, start your engines!) It seems likely that the spread of Merlins into Appalachia is part and parcel of the species’ gradual expansion southward, and into urban centers, that has stretched from the Great Plains to the Great Lakes to New Eng- land in the past two decades (Warkentin et al. 2005). What drives such an expansion? It does not appear to be a re-occupation of former range in most cases. Northern Harrier is another enigma, a species that seems vanished from some parts of its former range but still appears, ghost- like, after decades of absence. A pair that spent the summer in Windsor, Massachusetts was “intriguing,” according to Wayne Petersen: “this threatened species is practically un- known inland as a nesting bird in Massachu- setts these days.” Other “unexpected” harriers were found in June in Arkansas, in two Ohio counties, in Tennessee, and in Maryland’s Queen Anne’s County. Andy Banker! and Bruce Anderson note that “Northern Harriers have never been verified as breeding in Flori- da,” but singles were confirmed in two coun- ties there over the summer. It seems likely that that harriers may linger in former range, or even what is typically winter range, when con- ditions are optimal, as do Short-eared Owls, but optimal conditions, with plenty of mam- malian prey, are hard to come by in areas with increasing development. Seabirds Some summer seasons are sleepy for seabird- ing, but not 2009. The Climate Prediction Center reported that the equatorial Pacific Ocean was trending toward El Nino condi- tions in June and that such conditions were very much present as of July. With calm winds, little upwelling, and sea temperatures nearing 60° F (15° C), some seabird species nesting in California had poor reproductive success and even suffered mortality in adults. Seabird enthusiasts bound for pelagic waters, however, look to the “bright” side during and following such episodes, which have been as- sociated with many unusual records in years past. Although it is not possible to predict precisely what effects a shift toward El Nino conditions will have on rarer pelagic birds off one’s local port, many birders lined up to find out. In California, none were disappointed this year. A flight of Cook’s Petrels (Figure 13) like none ever recorded materialized with the warm water in late June and hit a crescendo in July before tapering off in September; this is- sue’s Photo Salon has notes on the extent of the flight and high counts. Among these scads of Cook’s was a single Stejneger’s Petrel, still a near-mythical bird in U.S. waters. The docu- mentation of the incursion came from both researchers and birders — and these parties were in near-daily contact with one another regarding the birds’ locations and numbers! Such communication happens only rarely, if ever, in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, but perhaps that will soon change. Not all records of seabirds that we receive come from scheduled pelagic trips or from re- search cruises. Gail Mackiernan and Barry Coooper took a vacation cruise on the Norwe- gian Majesty from Baltimore, Maryland to Bermuda and back 31 May through 7 June and 558 NORTH AMERICAN BIROS THE CHANGING SEASONS: THINK PINK Figure 13. A stunning 136 Cook's Petrels, including this bird, were counted during a pelagic trip out of Santa Barbara, California 25 July 2009, all in Santa Barbara and Ventura County waters west of the Channel Islands. Photograph byMattSadowski. tion might seem to indicate a va- grant, but Wayne Petersen writes in his “SA” box that geolocation devices placed on Bermuda Petrels indicate that this bird might well have been foraging in a typical spot! Perhaps even more unusual, a Black-capped Petrel visited a massive group of foraging shearwaters off Race Point on Cape Cod, Massachu- setts 23 June — the species is virtually unrecorded from land in North Ameri- ca out of the context of a hurricane or tropical storm. Also in the Northeast, Maine recorded a Black- browed Albatross, the hrst successful United States fledging of a Manx Shearwater, and a nesting attempt of Common Murre — the first in coastal Atlantic waters for over 100 years. Farther south. Brown Boobies made their mark in Maryland (its first) and Vir- ginia, and Maryland tallied its second Yellow-nosed Albatross. And not all records of seabirds come from the sea. New Mexico be- came the latest state to add Long- billed Murrelet to its list, found dead in a salt lake 12 July (Figure 14). I puzzled over this record and the bimodal pattern of Long-billed Murrelet vagrancy, but 1 was fortu- Figure 14. Far from home, this Long-billed Murrelet was found dead in a salt lake in the Laguna Grande area of Eddy County, Mew Mexico on 12 July 2009. Records from inshore waters of northern California are also from this time of year, as are almost all records from the interior West— quite in contrast to most records from the Great Lakes and East, which are mostly from late Octo- ber through December. Photograph by Samantha R. Uhrig. noted two Black-capped Petrels (and two more unidentified petrels) about 260 kilometers east of the Virginia capes 1 June, a Bermuda Petrel about 260 kilometers east-northeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina 6 June, and a Black- capped just 130 kilometers off Virginia 6 June. While none of these records lacks precedent, true Gulf Stream waters off Virginia generally lie beyond the reach of birding trips, so that there are very few records of Pterodroma at sea at this latitude. Further records of Bermuda Pe- trel this summer came from waters just off Hatteras, North Carolina (now a regular “spot” for the species) on 27 June and from New Eng- land pelagic waters on the marine boundary with Canada the following day. The latter loca- nate in having several veteran regional edi- tors set me straight. Steve Mlodinow’s (1997) article on the species indicates that eight in- terior western records (four from California, two from Wyoming, one each from Alaska and Colorado) fall squarely in the late sum- mer period between 23 July and 30 August; a Colorado record from Chatfield Lake 2 No- vember 1996 matches the pattern in the Mid- west and East. But why the stark difference between western and eastern records? New Mexico’s Regional Editor, Sandy Williams, of- fers a remarkably clear explanation: The records from the Pacific coast and the interior West are likely related to the Aleu- tian Low weather pattern during the time these birds are migrating in late summer, pushing some of them eastward to the Pa- cific coast as well as inland. As I understand it, this phenomenon has gotten stronger in recent years, is related to El Nino/Southern Oscillation, and so can be linked to climate change since the late 1970s (about when most North American records began). The Long-billed Murrelet records from eastern North America, however, are later in the year, generally late fall and winter. Figure 15. Although Yellow-billed Cuckoo is a fairly common summer resident in central Texas, this melanistic individual was totally unexpected at Liberty Hill, Travis County 20 July 2009. Melanism in the genus appears to be very rare and not previously reported in Texas. Photograph by BertMarwm. VOLUME 63 (2009) NUMBER 4 559 THE CHANGING SEASONS; THINK PINK Figyre 16. This striking leucistic Spotted Sandpiper was photographed near Kingston, Ontario 12 July 2099. Photograph bfPmIR. O'Jook. These may also have an easy explanation: namely as the summer sea ice disappears from the Arctic Ocean, some seabirds are dispersing into that “new” ocean. But when freeze-up comes in the late fall, it catches the murrelets wherever they may be, and so they move southward, showing up in east- ern North America, England, Romania, and so forth. These records have been increas- ing in frequency in recent years, and the connection to climate change again seems potentially obvious. Sandy suggests, too, that the unusual ap- pearances in the American East of Asian gull species, as well as the recent West Coast records of Iceland Gulls that appear to be of the nominate subspecies, may simply be the result of dispersal of many taxa into the “new” ocean after breeding, following by southward migration from unaccustomed longitudes — a very sensible suggestion. Black and white Even in a lifetime of birding, one may be priv- ileged to see only a handful of genuinely melanistic birds, those with an excess of melanin in the plumage. Most appear mostly sooty overall, rather than blackish, and usual- ly have some hints of typical plumage pattern. Leucistic birds, though far more common than melanistic ones, are nevertheless far more frequently recorded in some bird species than others; most of us have seen a leucistic gull, goose, or blackbird at some point. As do hybrids, these birds keep us on our toes, and a good study of such a “sport” is often reward enough for a long day in the field and a re- minder to expect the truly unexpected. A poor look at a flying melanistic Yellow- billed Cuckoo, such as the one nicely pho- tographed in Travis County, Texas on 20 July 2009 (Figure 15), could produce all sorts of in- teresting misprisions — many not in the genus Coccyzus or the family Cuculidae! One nor- mally thinks of plumage color as unrelated to a bird’s shape, but veteran birders agree that pigmentation can have an influence on how we perceive a bird’s size and even its structure. For observers who have felt disheartened be- cause an avian records committee has not ac- cepted a sight record, it is worth bearing such records of oddly pigmented birds, and hybrids, in mind; when considering records that lack strong photographic or specimen evidence, committees need to be able to rule out even the improbable. Fortunately, some birds with aberrant plumages give us other clues, such as the telltale shape and tail-bobbing of Spotted Sandpiper (Figure 16). But how would one rule out the very similar Common Sandpiper in such an unusual case? This juvenile has rather strong markings in the median and less- er coverts but little or none in the tertials and greater coverts, thus much better for a Spotted. And the tail projection is short, unlike Com- mon. One can never be too careful.... Acknowledgments I am indebted to Adam Byrne, Sandy Williams, Ken Blankenship, Marshall Iliff, and Jeff Wells for their careful review and cor- rection of sections of this essay and/or for data contained herein. Literature cited Alfaro, R., E. Campbell, and B. Hawkes. 2010. Historical frequency, intensity and extent of mountain pine beetle disturbance in British Columbia. Natural Resources Cana- da, Victoria, British Columbia. Amiro, B. D., M. D. Flannigan, B. J. Stocks, J. B. Todd, and B. M. Wotton. 2003. Boreal forest fires: an increasing issue in a chang- ing climate. Paper presented at the Twelfth World Forestry Congress, Quebec City, Canada. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [IPCC]. 2001. Climatic change 2001: The scientific basis. Contributions of Working Group 1 to the Third Assessment Report. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom. Meyn, A., S. W. Taylor, M. D. Flannigan, K. Thonicke, and W. Cramer. 2009. Relation- ship between fire, climate oscillations, and drought in British Columbia, Canada, 1920-2000. Global Change Biology 16 (3): 1-13. Mlodinow, S. G. 1997. The Long-billed Mur- relet (Brachyramphus perdix) in North America. Birding 29: 460-475. Patten, M. A., and G. W. Lasley. 2000. Range expansion of the Glossy Ibis in North America. North American Birds 54: 241-247. Robertson, W. B., L. L. Breen, and B. W. Patty. 1983. Movement of marked Roseate Spoonbills in Florida, with a review of present distribution. Journal of Field Or- nithology 54: 225-236. Soja, A. J., N. M. Tchebakova, N. H. E French, M. D. Flannigan, H. H. Shugart, B. J. Stocks, A. I. Sukhinin, E. I. Parfenova, E S. Chapin, III, and E W. Stackhouse, Jr. 2007. Climate-induced boreal forest change; pre- dictions versus current observations. Glob- al and Planetary Change 56: 274-296. Soja, A. J., N. Tchebakova, E. Parfenova, V. Kanzai, D. J. Westberg, L. Buryiak, O. Kalenskaya, E. A. Kukavskaya, G. A. Ivano- va, P. W. Stackhouse, and A. Sukhinin. 2009. Climate- and anthropogenically-in- duced change in the Republic of Tyva. Pa- per delivered at American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2009. Spracklen, D. V., L. J. MickieyJ. A. Logan. R. C. Hudman, R. Yevich, M. D. Flannigan, and A. L. Westerling. in press. Impacts of climate change from 2000 to 2050 on wild- fire activity and carbonaceous aerosol con- centrations in the western United States. Journal of Geophysical Research 114. Warkentin, 1. G., N. S. Sodhi, R. H. M. Espie, A. E Poole, L. YV. Oliphant, and P. C. James. 2005. Merlin (Falco columbarius) , in; The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, ed.). Ithaca, New York: Cornell Lab of Or- nithology. . O 560 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS QOHgTE 10 The Friends of North American Birds support the future development of North American Birds, The ABA’s Journal of Ornithological Record. Since its inception, the fund has allowed for many improvements to the journal's look and feel, The journal is now mailed in a protective wrapper to insure its delivery in one piece. The content has benefited from an increase in page count which has allowed for additional articles with even more detailed analysis. The amount of color pages has increased which has allowed for expanded Pictorial Highlights and an occasional Photo Salon, All of this has been made possible with your generous contributions.There are more plans in the works for future issues but the fund does need your continued support. To become a “Friend of NAB", simply donate $50 or more. Each "Friend of NAB" will be recognized annually in the first issue of each volume of North American Birds. t h AxBSiiicaa uT ilOYliMyKU VOLUftlE C.'- To dontate go online to: aba.org/donate/nab.php Or send donations to: The Friends of NAB, ABB, 4945 N. 3Bih street, Ste 200 Colorado Springs, CO S0919 Ittll-VUCRUAR^^ Editors Join the American BIrding Association! A recent conversation with our Director of Publications, Bryan Patrick, yielded a rather surprising statistic: more than a few of our subscribers to North American Birds are not currently members of the American Birding Association! During a recession, most of us trim back expenses for non-essentials, and I suspect that many of our readers have done that recently. Hopefully, for some of us, the tide is beginning to turn back toward greater prosperity, and we can begin enjoying some of the pleasures we have denied ourselves in the past several years. In looking over the lat- est Birding magazine, with two richly illus- trated articles on Krider’s, Western, and Har- lan’s Red-tailed Hawks and intergrades — co- authored by Brian Sullivan, our Photo Editor at North American Birds — I could not imagine any of our own readers missing out on these very important pieces, or on the many fine book reviews (written by Bob Paxton, veter- an Regional Editor, plus many long-term contributors of articles and sightings to this journal), or the Photo Quiz, or the fine up- dates in News and Notes and the Sightings column. The Sightings column carries over in alternate months in Winging It, so that each month our readers can get a “jump” on the rarest of the rare species reported, well in advance of our own publication schedule. So, if your own financial winter is begin- ning to turn to spring, give ABA a ring at (800) 850-2473 and renew your support for this fine organization— and for these fine pub- lications that come with your membership! If you don’t know already, you’ll find out that great things are underway at the new ABA! Hiw regional editors We are please to announce the participation of several new Regional Editors on our teams in six regions. Chris Charlesworth (c_charlesworth@hotmail.com), an energetic birder and tour guide, has taken the helm in the British Columbia region and has gotten us caught up, providing a two-season report in this issue and the previous issue. Thanks, Chris! In this volume, our Associate Editor Alan Wormington (wormington@juno.com) has taken on double duty by writing the Spring Migration report, filling Matthew Holder’s spot. Josh Southern (joshsouth- ern79@gmail.com) joins Ken Blankenship in co-editing all four seasons for the Southern Atlantic region, beginning vHth the Fall Mi- gration 2009 issue. Since the Spring Migration 2009 report, Jeff N. Davis (jdavis@harveye- cology.com) has covered the Doves through Wrentit section for the Northern California re- gion, taking over for Steve Glover, who served in the position for over a decade. In the Iowa & Missouri region, Walter Wehtje, Jr. (weht- jew@missouri.edu) will be writing the fall re- port, taking Bill Eddleman’s chair. Eddie Mas- siah (ebmassiah@hotmail.com), who lives in Barbados and is a very active birder there, joins our West Indies & Bermuda regional team. Yves Aubry, who has co-edited the Quebec since 1984, finishes his editing duties with this issue. During his tenure, he and col- league Jean Gauthier completed the remark- able book The Breeding Birds of Quebec (1995); in recent years, Yves has conducted surveys of Bicknell’s Thrush and Red Knot with the Canadian Wildlife Service. To all outgoing ed- itors— Yves Aubry in Quebec, Don Cecile in British Columbia, Bill Eddleman in Iowa & Missouri, Steve Glover in California, Matthew Holder in Ontario — we all thank you for your hard work and service. Job well done. And welcome on board, Chris, Alan, Josh, Jeff, Walter, and Eddie! Leach's, at last Our lead article on the Leach’s Storm-Petrel complex is a gauntlet cast down. To many of us, who already struggle to identify these sprites through salt spray and sunscreen, the idea of distinguishing among the different types of Leach’s Storm-Petrels at sea may seem a tall order. And, as the intrepid authors con- fess, the field identification of these taxa is still in its infancy. Before actually reading the arti- cle, try this first: look at the photographs, and see whether at least some of the distinctions described among the various “Leach’s” — in proportions and plumage — are clear. In most cases, they do seem to be. Then peruse the text of the article, and you’ll surely be engaged by the sleuthing and the field study that have gone into it. The limits of current knowledge are candidly spelled out by the authors, who no doubt will devote many more hours to the pursuit of storm-petrels off California and who have given the rest of us a big advantage in sorting out these birds for ourselves. I was delighted, in early September 2009, to be part of the Searcher pelagic trip that studied Leach’s Storm-Petrels (and other birds) daily in the deep waters off Southern California, a trip guided by Todd McGrath, Terry Hunefeld, and Dave Povey. As a novice in the deep water here (in fact, 1 had never seen a Leach’s anywhere in the Pacific!), I was very puzzled when 1 saw my first Chapman’s-type storm-petrel, over the Nine Mile Bank northwest of San Diego. Once 1 had seen one relatively closely, Chapman’s became much easier to pick out; and a bit lat- er, when we encountered the larger Leach’s up nearer Point Conception, it was like looking at an old friend from the Atlantic. We were also lucky to see small numbers of the Townsend’s types, several white-rumped and one nice dark-rumped — and you could have knocked me over with a storm-petrel feather! These Townsend’s are genuinely small birds, quite unlike their larger brethren in many respects. I was prepared to be flummoxed by the varia- tion in the Leach’s we saw, and I instead came away more enthusiastic that Steve Howell, Todd McGrath, Terry Hunefeld, and Jon Feen- stra were onto something important. As with the best North American Birds arti- •cles, this one raises scores of questions that beg our attention. The biggest question, when I read the article, seemed to be: What does the cheimomnestes taxon (named “Ainley’s Storm- Petrel” in the article) look like at sea? When 1 reviewed specimens in the collection at the San Diego Natural History Museum last Sep- tember (thanks to Phil Unitt), I found that cheimomnestes did not always leap out as dis- tinct from other taxa, particularly from indi- vidual chapmani that shov/ed some white in the uppertail coverts, but also from some so- corroensis. In general, the specimens did look intermediate between these taxa, but there appeared to be some overlap. Of course, birds in the field are very different from specimens in the museum tray, and so for the intrepid birders .who seek out Ainley’s — perhaps on their winter breeding grounds around Guadalupe Island, Mexico — there are still challenges that await. One may rightly, too, suspect that Leach’s that nest from Alaska’s Southeast to California’s Channel Islands — currently lumped as “kucorhoa," along with larger North Pacific and North Atlantic birds — could benefit from renewed research that attends not just to morphometries but also to vocalizations and genetics. It’s hard to believe that a dine is involved across such widely separated island groups. Among our Associate Editors, the current paper on the Leach’s Storm-Petrel complex off California generated vigorous discussion on the advisa- 562 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK bility of advocating a split in this group— -and if split, then how it should fall. Looking back on a century of writing about the Leach’s group, in which new taxonomy has been pro- posed more than a dozen times, one gets the sense that this discussion may continue for many years to come, as is true for many groups of tubenoses. We are delighted to bring the article to our readers’ attention as a cutting-edge attempt to synchronize the au- thors’ study of the literature, of the specimen record, and of many thousands of birds in the field. We look forward to the conversation on this complex in the seasons to come. This article is dedicated to the memory of our dear colleague and friend, Luke Cole, who was as stalwart and enthusiast a seabird- er as ever there was. We are so sorry that Luke is not among us to add his brilliance and his companionship to sorting out seabird enigmas and to oceangoing adventures, but we are so grateful to have spent part of our lives with him — his warmth included and touched everyone who met him, and he is very much missed by his North American Birds family. A memorial piece will be includ- ed in a future issue of this journal. Search our online database www.aba.org/festivals American Binding ASSOCIATION Corrigenda We owe an apology to Pete Moulton, whose image of the Eurasian Teal from Arizona (North American Birds 63: 304) was mis-cred- ited. Another waterfowl gaffe: the image of the swan published in the recent winter Texas re- port (North American Birds 63: 290) was in fact a Trumpeter, not a Tundra, and was more- over a bird from Tennessee (and correctly cap- tioned in that report). An editorial insertion into the South Atlantic regional spring re- port— namely that a Sandhill Crane found near Beaufort, North Carolina “was in an area where escaped cranes have been noted since at least 1999” — was misleading. John Fussell re- ports that although “not all the birds in 1999 were recaptured,” “wintering birds (usually consisting of family groups of three, present from about November to March) have become regular enough here that I would not assume that a bird here in May is likely related to the 1999 birds. 1 have never seen a crane here in summer (June through mid-October).” Given how regular the species has become in the East, and in winter in the Southeast, the im- plication that cranes in southeastern North Carolina might have a few feral birds among them is thus probably incorrect. We thank Do- minic Sherony, John Fussell, and Paul Lehman for bringing these items to our attention. — Edward S. Brinkley CONNECTIONS The ABA'S online birder resource :o travel companies and destinations as well as birding products and equipment. For rates and information, go to the ABA website at www.aba.org/netconnection: www.aba.brg STANDARD ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOLS USED IN THE REGIONAL REPORTS * specimen collected + bird(s) seen through end of period t written details on file A.F.B. Air Force Base acc. accepted by records committee A.R.C Avian Records Committee b. banded B.B.S. Breeding Bird Survey B.O. Bird Observatory B.R.C. Bird Records Committee C.A. Conservation Area C.B.C. Christmas Bird Count CP. County Park cm centimeter(s) Cr. Creek Ft. Fort 6.C. Golf Course G.P. Game Preserve Hwy. Highway I.(i5.) Island(s), Isle(s) imm. (imms.) immaturefs) Jet. Junction juv. (juvs.) juvenal [plumage]; juvenile(s) km kiiometer(s) L. Lake mm millimeter(s) m.ob. many (or multiple) observers Mt. (Mts.) Mount/Mountain (Mountains) N.A. Nature Area, Natural Area N.F. National Forest N.M. National Monument N.P. National Park N.S. National Seashore N.W.R. National Wildlife Refuge p.a. pending acceptance P.P. Provincial Park Pen. Peninsula ph. photographed (by + initials) Pt. Point (not Port) R. River R.A. Recreation(al) Area R.B.A. Rare Bird Alert R.P. Regional Park R.S. Regional Shoreline Res. Reservoir Rte. Route S.B. State Beach S.F. State Forest S.G.A. State Game Area S.R State Park S.R.A. State Recreation Area S.R. State Reserve S.W.A. State Wildlife Area S.T.P. Sewage Treatment Plant/Pond subad. (subads.) subadult(s) Twp. Township v.r. voice recording (by -i- initials) vt. videotape (by + initials) W.A. Wildlife Area VV.M.A. Wildlife Management Area W.T.P. (Waste)water Treatment Plant/Pond Italics indicate name of county, parish, or municipality. VOLUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 563 Atlantic Provinces & St. Pierre et Miquelon ^Ktllinek I. Torngat Mtns. N. P LABRADOR SEA LABRADOR Caps Hamson n / Hopedale V Cartwright * Gannet Island Schefferville (PQ) • s -V • SnuiUwood Labrador City \ Wabush Mealy Mtns. • N.P Ecological Reserve Strait of Belle Isle QtiEsec Gulfof Sept-lles • d ix^ ■ A ^ • Bathurst 'vJnew ImmmcK Basques ^ Charlotte- ^aboi Strait \ town U.l I I LAnse-aux-Meadows St. Anthony Gander NEWFOUNDLAND ■ ^ • _ »Bonavista Terra Nova St.Johns N. P * Avalon Peninsula t. ( K^^\Cape Saint-Pierre ef Miquelon - . Gros • Morns . N.P Corner Brook < I East ■‘ j «■ Cape Breton Highlands N.P • Sydney Cape Breton I. •Canso , Moncton^ : Frederaon.JoS NOVA SCOTIA Grand * Halifax-Dartmouth Mananl. ^ •Lunenberg o'^'’ ^,«Yarmouth MAINE r Seall. Cape Sable I. Sable I. Leffered Nova Scotia Sites: A Pictou B Amherst C Truro D Woltville E Digby Brian E. Dalzell Despite an interminable period of rainy weather that consumed the entire month of June and lingered into July in most of the Region, breeding success for many passerine species appears to have been good, perhaps due in part to an abundance of water-hatched insects. At tern colonies in Nova Scotia, however, many young died of exposure in July. Bobolinks may also have been displaced from low-lying helds to high- er and drier ones, giving the false impression of greater abundance in some areas. This was the fourth year of the planned five-year Mar- itimes Breeding Bird Atlas, and many changes have naturally occurred since the first incar- nation of the Atlas during the period 1986- 1990. Distribution maps for both atlases are available online at (look under “Data and Maps” and click “Bird Maps”). Abbreviations: C.B.I. (Cape Breton 1., NS); COSEWIC (Committee On Status of Endan- gered Species in Canada); C.S.I. (Cape Sable 1., NS); G.M.l. (Grand Manan I., NB); G.N.P. (Great Northern Pen., NF); H.R.M. (Halifax Regional Municipality, NS); M.B.B.A. (Mar- itimes Breeding Bird Atlas); NF (insular New- foundland); PE (Prince Edward 1.); SPM (Saint Pierre et Miquelon, France). WATERFOWL THROUGH LOONS Wood Duck is still pushing the ne. limits of its range, with regular reports of small num- bers now coming out of the Goose Bay, Labrador area, such as 2 drakes there 3 Jun (BMt, CJ). Breeding has been suspected in Goose Bay in recent years and confirmed in Labrador City in 2007. Male Eurasian Wigeons were found paired with female American Wigeons at Saint John, NB 22 May- 21 Jun (MC) and Dalhousie, NB 22 Jun (KW, SD), and there can be little doubt that inter- breeding occurs here between these species, albeit sparingly. American Wigeon was re- ported as far n. as Goose Bay, Labrador 3 Jun (BMt, CJ). Northern Shoveler lived up to its name, with single drakes noted far n. at Labrador City 5 Jun (LS) and Goose Bay 3 Jun (BMt. CJ). At least 7 drake Greater Scaup summered in a pond on the Isthmus of Miquelon, SPM, but breeding was not detect- ed (RE). Nonbreeding King Eiders are rare but regular around Newfoundland during the summer, where 16 second-year birds (15 fe- males, one male) were at Cape Ray near Port- aux-Basques 17 Jul (LG). They are much rar- er farther south; a male was nicely pho- tographed at Maces Bay, NB 22 Jul (SD, OB). Wild Turkey is now a rare permanent resi- dent in w. New Brunswick, thanks to the bur- geoning population in adjacent Maine. A day’s birding in the area is enough to turn up at least one, as was the case with a hen found s. of McAdam, Charlotte 19 Jul (SD, KW). An- other hen with a brood much farther e. in the province near Minto 25 Jun (BS) was likely a result of recent releases in that area. Significant numbers of nonbreeding North- ern Fulmar occur every summer in the Labrador Current as far s. as Georges Bank, province if confirmed. A well-described Pa- cific Loon was at Port George, Annapolis, NS 28 Jun (CS, FL). HERONS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS The only report of Tricolored Heron came from Saints Rest Marsh in Saint John, NB 21 Jul (MC). An ad. Little Blue Heron was un- usual at Eddie Cove River, G.N.P 2 Jun (Daryl Torraville). It would appear that at least 2 Lit- tle Egrets were in Nova Scotia during the pe- riod, starting with one at C.S.I. 3 Jul (JN), an- other at Cow Bay, H.R.M. 7 Jul, then 2 there 21 Jul (HT), and then just one 28 Jul (m.ob.). Great Blue Heron now has a beachhead in far w. Newfoundland, where a small colony was discovered in the Codroy Valley in 2008; a peak of 14 was counted there 12 Jul. Post- breeding Great Egrets are regular in the Mar- itimes beginning in the last week of Jul, but one at St. Paul’s Inlet, NF 21 Jul was remark- able, both for the location and the age of the observer, seven-year-old Kyle Reid. It seems only a matter of time before the species breeds in the Region, likely in a Great Blue Heron colony in New Brunswick, perhaps in the Saint John R. valley or the Northumberland Strait area. Least Bittern breeds at only one known location in Nova Scotia, and it had not been reported there since the first Breeding This flock of 40 Ruddy Turnstones (mostly adults) in spiffy breeding attire put down at Big Wabush Lake, Labrador City 5 June 2009, but most were gone the next day. A flock this size has not been observed in some years in the Atlantic Provinces region in spring migration. Photograph by Gordon Parsons. but they seldom come within sight of land. They occur regularly into the Bay of Fundy as far as the Grand Manan Banks, so 6 off Brier 1. 31 Jul (EM) were of note. Cory’s Shearwater is an enigmatic species at the n. limit of its range, occurring regularly in the Gulf of Maine off Cape Cod and to a lesser degree just s. of Nova Scotia, but the species apparently shuns the cold Bay of Fundy waters and has yet to be confirmed in New Brunswick waters, for instance. This season, 2-3 were noted off Chebucto Head, H.R.M. 18-28 Jul (MK). The highest count of Manx Shearwater reported was 100+ around St. Pierre in Jul (RE). An ap- parent Band-rumped Storm-Petrel was pho- tographed off Lunenberg, NS 4 Jul (Roy John), potentially a first record for the Bird Atlas, so it was encouraging to learn they still occur in the Amherst area on the Nova Scotia-New Brunswick border, with 3 there 20 Jun (MK, FL, CS). Only one report of Glossy Ibis came to light — one at Saints Rest Marsh, NB 17 Jun (Samantha Perrin). Turkey Vulture now likely breeds as far e. as the Albert county hills in se. New Brunswick, where 17 were counted at Harvey Marsh 4 Jun (DC). The species has yet to be confirmed as breeding in Nova Scotia, despite being fairly common there in summer (and rare in winter) for the past 30 years! A light-morph Swain- son’s Hawk at Cape Ray, NF 26 jun (DB, JH) was a fortuitous provincial first. Rough-legged Hawks were said to be in “good numbers” on the G.N.P during the summer QG). A pair of NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS 564 ATLANTIC PROVINCES & ST. PIERRE ET MIQUELON Boat owners at Shediac, New Brunswick illegally attempted to displace a Common Tern colony next to a marina by covering it with a large net in early May 2009 before the birds returned (here shown 27 May). The colony of about 500 pairs was on a barge being used as a breakwater. After a great deal of effort by local conservationists, the netting was removed in early June, and the terns immediately settled back in. Photo- graph by Stuart Tingley. American Coots near Churchill Falls, Labrador 4 Jul was most unexpected (FS, GP) and may indicate breeding. The species breeds in simi- lar habitat in the Yukon and Alaska. Observa- tions of a pair of Sandhill Cranes at Hampton Marsh, NB from early Jun through at least 5 Jul (Kevin Roy) raise the possibility of breeding in that province. American Oystercatcher has yet to expand its breeding range in the Region from C.S.I., but a prospector was found at the other end of the province, at Canso 24Jun-20Jul (TK). At the limit of their breeding range, nesting Pip- ing Plovers were found on the Isthmus of Miquelon, SPM 1 Jul (LJ) and at Gros Morne N.P, NF 23 Jul (DW) — to the delight of a him crew from Belgium at the latter site. An Up- land Sandpiper seen on a logging road near Mt. Mitchell, Northumberland, NB 4 Jun was certainly out of place (Kevin Fraser); the species has declined markedly as a breeder in the province over the past 20 years (M.B.B.A.). A few Willets breed in the Stephenville Cross- ing area of w. Newfoundland, but this sum- mer, the species made a great leap eastward in that province. A pair with 2 young was found at Frenchman’s Cove on the Burin Pen. in Jul (Allan Nolan), while a single bird was present throughout the period at Renews, NF (DS), about 80 km s. of St. John’s. A flock of 40 Rud- dy Turnstones at Big Wabush L., Labrador City 5 Jun (LS, GP) was an unprecedented number for spring in the Region. Long-billed Dowitcher made a few early appearances, with one at Harden’s Pt., H.R.M. 18 Jul (MK) and 2 at Machias Seal L, NB 20 Jul (Ralph Eldridge). The highest count of Red Knot was 27 at Maisonette Dune, Gloucester, NB 2 Jun (RD), one of which had been banded in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina 10 Nov 2006. Amazingly, it had also been present at Maisonette 3 Jun 2008. A Wilson’s Phalarope was found near Churchill Falls, Labrador 3 Jul (FS, GP), at least 800 km n. of its near- est known breeding area in cen. New Brunswick, which raises the possibility of nesting in that area. GULLS THROUGH ALCIDS Fair numbers of second-cy- cle Bonaparte’s Gulls sum- mer annually in Chaleur Bay in n. New Brunswick, as indicated by a count of 160 in Bathurst harbor 13 Jun (ST). Two migrant Sabine’s Gulls, an ad. and a second-cycle bird, were noted in the Grand Manan Channel, NB 9 Jun (Roger Burrows). A fairly new colony of about 500 pairs of Com- mon Terns nesting at a marina in Shediac, NB caused quite a stir when the marina owners covered the nesting site (an old barge) with netting in late Apr before the birds returned in late May (ST). After much lobbying and nega- tive publicity, the marina owners relented and removed the netting in early Jun, before the birds abandoned the site. Efforts will be made to lure the birds to a nearby breakwater in the spring of 2010, where it is hoped they will not defecate on sailboats in the marina — the main reason given for the attempt to drive the colony off. Great and South Polar Skuas were said to be “present, but scarce” in the Orphan Basin, some 560 km e. of St. John’s, NF 27 Jul (BMt). Small numbers of Long-tailed Jaegers were migrating there on the same date, while one off Harden’s Pt., H.R.M. 18 Jul was much rarer (MK, CS). Unusually large numbers of Dovekies were found in Jul, with reports book-ended be- tween 10+ at Cape Anguille in w. Newfound- land 11 Jul (LG), and one to 3 birds at sever- al sites along the Atlantic cost of Nova Scotia and into the mouth of the Bay of Fundy 7-22 Jul. This likely represents a flight of failed breeders from w. Greenland (EM) rather than winter holdovers. A thorough census of the Common Murre colony at Grand Columbier Island, SPM 1 Jul was encouraging, with 2753 birds counted (RE). A single Razorbill was in- vestigating possible nesting sites at Pokeshaw L, Gloucester, NB 26 (BW) & 27 Jul (ST) but was not welcomed by the resident Double- crested Cormorants. The nearest nesting colonies are off the Gaspe coast of Quebec. A count of 3619 Razorbills at Grand Columbier, SPM 1 Jul (RE) was termed “an incredible number.” DOVES THROUGH FINCHES Single White-winged Doves were found at Clarenville, NF 27 Jun (Pauline Drove) and Woods Harbour, NS 8 Jul (Dorothy Cameron). Black-billed Cuckoos nested in good numbers in the Maritime provinces, while one was found dead far e. at Ferryland, NF 17 Jul (Jim Tuck). After last winter’s big flight of Snowy Owls, several young birds re- mained in the Region throughout the sum- mer, such as one at Bathurst, NB 7 Jun (ST) and another at Buctouche Dune, NB 15 Jun (Don & Dorca Pellerin). Several were also re- ported on the Magdalen Is. at the same time by a birding tour group (Tony Beck). Whip- poor-will is a bird of the past in the Region, seldom reported in recent years, so one call- ing near Charlottetown, PE 1 Jun was very unusual (Roberta Palmer). A Chimney Swift near Churchill Falls 3 Jul (FS, GP) was one of very few records for Labrador. A male Yellow- bellied Sapsucker excavating a nest hole at Goose Bay 4 Jun was a hrst for Labrador (BMt, CJ), while a female at Eddie Cove, G.N.P 10 Jun was the first in spring at that lo- cation in more than 20 years QG). A species listed as “Threatened” in Canada by COSEWIC, Olive-sided Flycatcher was found to be fairly common in suitable habitat near Bathurst, NB during the period, with den- sities of up to two pairs per square kilometer (ST). There was also a general increase in re- ^ A The tour operators who visit the Bird Is., Victoria, C.B.I. report that the Black-iegged Kittiwakes there (1400 pairs) ^ ilfailed to nest successfully this year and left the colony a month early. The culprits were 60+ Bald Eagles, as Blake May- bank related, "loitering about both islands, eyeing the young kittiwakes and cormorants. This concentration of eagles is most unusual and suggests that their regular fare, larger fish, were not available to them. The Razorbills did manage to get their young fledged and off the colonies, but as they nest within rock crevices and burrows, they were out of the reach of the ea- gles, who are now staking out the entrances to the puffin burrows, preventing the puffins from entering to feed their young. This unusual behavior of the eagles does indeed seem to have been due to lack offish: a fisheries biologist told me that her- ring and mackerel left the area of the Bird Islands early this year, herring into the Bras d'Or Lakes and mackerel into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, creating a food shortage." Elsewhere, a kittiwake colony with 214 nests at Cape Miquelon, SPM 12 Jul (RE) was said to be "dwindling." VOLUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 565 ATLANTIC PROVINCES & ST. PIERRE ET MIQUELON While the odd Dovekie is sometimes found in summer in easternmost Canada, a definite flight of the species took place 7-22 July 2009, when at least 25 were noted between western Newfoundland and southern New Brunswick. They are believed to have been failed breeders from western Greenland. This individual was found at Bird Islands, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia 21 July. Photograph by Allan Mmant. ports in Nova Scotia, with up to 6 found on some B.B.S. routes (BMy). Alder Flycatcher is doing well in the Region, even at the n. edge of its range, where 20 were found on a B.B.S. route near Churchill Falls, Labrador 2 Jul (FS, GP). The only report of Scissor-tailed Fly- catcher was one at Pt. Escuminac, Northum- berland, NB 26 Jun (SD, KW). Red-eyed Vireo is perhaps the most common breeding passer- ine in the Region and has maintained and even increased its numbers over the past 30 years, in contrast to its decline elsewhere and to the decline of so many Neotropical migrants. At the n. edge of it range in Labrador, 34 were found on the Happy Valley-Goose Bay B.B.S. 1 Jul (TC), and at least 2 singing males were present in St. John’s, NF 16 Jul. White-eyed Vireo appears poised to breed in the Region, with a territorial male present throughout on G.M.l. A Warbling Vireo in the Codroy Valley 3 Jun (DB, JH) was a spring overshoot but was near suitable breeding habitat. Cedar Waxwing did not arrive in Labrador City until 20 Jul (GP), while one over the At- lantic Ocean 560 km e. of St. John’s 27 Jul (BMt) “looked a little lonely.” Eastern Blue- bird has gone from a rare breeder in the Mar- itimes 20 years ago to a fairly common one in recent years, especially in se. New Brunswick. Seven were found at French Village, Queens, PE 6 Jun (DS), in a province where they are (oddly) still very rare breeders. Farthest afield was a male at Saint-Pierre, SPM 3 Jun (LJ). Gray-cheeked Thrush is now said to rare in the French Islands (RE), a situation also sadly reflected throughout its traditional range in Newfoundland and Labrador, where declines have been noted. A singing Bicknell’s Thrush along the Bay of Fundy coast at Little Salmon R., NB 15 Jul QW, HM) was in a disjunct nest- ing area where the species has not been heard from in 20+ years. Wood Thrush is also a bird of the past in New Brunswick and Nova Sco- tia, with an apparent 90% or greater decline in breeding numbers since the first M.B.B.A. Probably fewer than 250 pairs remain in the Region, a dis- couraging state of affairs. One in the Codroy Valley 11 Jun was “totally unexpected” (DB, JH), as were 2 at Goose Bay 29 May (TC). Gray Cat- bird continues to push at the far e. edge of its range, with at least 6 (two pairs) in St. Pierre et Miquelon 7 Jun (PB, JPS) and another singing all summer along the Rennies R. in St. John’s (AH). Sedge Wren is an enigmatic species, breeding in the middle of the continent early in the season, then sometimes moving eastward over great distances to attempt a second nest- ing. A pair with young was found on Seal L, Shelburne, NS in early Oct 2008 (FL), and this year, at least 2 were present at Tiddville Marsh, Digby, NS 1-15 Jun. Still, their only regular breeding area in the Region remains the vast reed beds found at the outlet of Grand L,, Queens, NB. While still rare. House Wren appears to be somewhat more common than 20 years ago, with several reports of singing males from New Brunswick. A few pairs of Northern Rough-winged Swallows nest in w. New Brunswick, perhaps fewer than 50. Extralimital reports came from Tiddville Marsh, NS 8 Jun (EM) and most notably from Grand Codroy, NF 1 Jun (DB, JH), a single bird with 2 Cliff Swallows. The nearest breed- ing colony of the latter species is located at Fortress Louisbourg, C.B.i. Four American Pipits counted at the Wabush Tailings, Labrador 7 Jul were probably breeders (GP), somewhat s. of the their continuous Labrador range but perhaps not unexpected. WARBLERS THROUGH BLACKBIRDS The only report of Golden-winged Warbler was a male at Branscomb Pond, St. John's, NF 22-23 Jun (Terrence Hounsell). Tennessee Warbler was said to be “particularly plentiful” in Newfoundland during the period (DB), an observation confirmed by a count of 28 on the Goose Bay B.B.S. 1 Jul (TC, CJ). Breeding Orange-crowned Warblers are restricted to Labrador in the Region, where they are fairly common in recovering forest burns and other semi-open habitats. Seven were found on the Goose Bay B.B.S. 1 Jul (TC, CJ). Chestnut- sided Warbler is a rare breeder in Newfound- land, where a pair was found nest-building 21 Jun at Grand Codroy (DB, JH). Cape May Warbler is much harder to find in the Region than it was 30 years ago, with numbers likely down by 95% or more. One on the Goose Bay B.B.S. 1 Jul (TC, CJ) was at the ne. limit of its breeding range. A post-breeding male Yellow- throated Warbler was a tad early at Bancroft Point, G.M.l. 22 Jul (BD). The species more typically first appears there in mid-Aug. Pine Warbler is doing extremely well in New Brunswick, now being found breeding throughout most of the province (M.B.B.A.). It is likely just as common in Nova Scotia, where there are extensive White Pine forests, but there are only a few reports to date from the n. portion of the province. Palm Warblers are also doing very well throughout the Re- gion. Curiously, during a bird census near Bathurst, NB, the species was found to have quite an odd dialect, distinctly different from birds in the s. of the province (ST). Bay-breasted Warbler, one of the three spruce budworm warbler specialists that were common to abundant in the Region during the 1950-1990 period, is not faring as badly as Cape May Warbler but not quite as well as Tennessee Warbler. Bay-breasted was found to be fairly common in the Codroy Valley, NF, where 25+ were tallied 3 Jun (DB, JH). Out- liers were 3 males at Goose Bay 3 Jun, feeding on willow pollen on a very cold day (BMt), and a male singing at Argentia, NF 7-10 Jul. While listed as “Threatened” in Canada by COSEWIC, Canada Warbler was found to be quite common in suitable habitat near Bathurst, NB, with an estimated 5-10 pairs per square kilometer (ST). A Yellow-breasted Averaging about one per spring in the Atlantic Provinces re- gion over the past several years, the summer's only Scissor- tailed Flycatcher was this one-day wonder 26 June 2009 at Point Escuminac, New Brunswick. Photograph by Samuel Denault. Chat sang from late May until at least 14 Jun along the Musquodobit Trail, H.R.M. A Field Sparrow was a great find in the Codroy Valley, NF 3 Jun (DB, JH) and provided one of very few spring records for the province. A few pairs breed in w. New Brunswick, likely fewer than 25. White-crowned Sparrows were said to be “common” around Lanse aux Meadows, .566 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS ATLANTIC PROVINCES & ST. PIERRE ET MIQUELON ^ A The Grand Codroy Estuary in extreme w. Newfoundland has been a RAMSAR site since 1987 and is well known for its *)/iidiversity of waterfowl, but not much is known about the area's landbirds (not suprising— as most active birders in the province live on the Avalon Pen., a good 800 km away). But in May and Jun 2009, in conjunction with the new "Feather & Folk" nature festival in the Codroy Valley, birders from St. John's made the long trek to help search for passerine vagrants and the rarer nesting species. Some spent a month, into late Jun, with 1 1 1 species tallied on 10 Jun (Dave Brown, Jen Hard- ing). Besides vagrants, they found the following species — some at or near the e. limit of their breeding ranges in North America — to be fairly common in (often rather limited) appropriate habitat: Pied-billed Grebe, Gadwall, Wood Duck, Amer- ican Woodcock, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Least Flycatcher, Blue-headed Vireo, Philadelphia Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Ruby-throat- ed Hummingbird, Winter Wren, Brown Creeper, Veery, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Nashville Warbler, Cape May War- bler, Canada Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Northern Parula, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Bobolink, and Red-winged Blackbird. For many of these species, the Codroy is proving to be their only toehold on the island. G.N.P. 10 Jun (DW). The only spring report of Dickdssel was a female far afield at St. Lewis, Labrador 5 Jun (Eva Luther). Indigo Bunting was reported often in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick during spring, in- cluding singles at Goose Bay 17 May (Carol Wilcox) and Grand Codroy, NF 1 Jun (LG), in addition to records digested in the spring re- port. A male Painted Bunting at St. Pierre vil- lage in early Jul (Fred LeGlaunec) was very rare for the French islands. The Region’s first record of breeding Orchard Oriole was a di- rect result of atlas work: a nest with eggs was found 16 Jun at Riverbank, Carleton, NB (KW, SD), near the Maine border. The female was still incubating 9 Jul (indicating the eggs were likely infertile), and the nest was empty 14 Jul. A male Boat-tailed Crackle well observed and described at Freeport, Digby, NS 4 Jun (CS, FL) furnished only the 2nd firm record for the province. A male Yellow-headed Blackbird was reported 13 Jun near Kentville, NS. Bobolinks, widely in decline, were down on the North Kingston, NS B.B.S.: only one was recorded this year, versus a recent average of 14, per- haps a result of flooded fields. Good numbers of fledglings on the Bellisle Marsh, Annapolis, NS were likely due to delayed haying (BMy). At the Belanger farm in Upper Stewiacke, Colchester, NS, fields were mowed from the center to the edges (Corrine Redden- Belanger), which may be better for the birds. Red Crossbill is a declining species in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia but appears to be holding its own on the Avalon Pen. of New- foundland, where fledged young were noted at Conception Bay South 15 Jun. Evening Grosbeak has also declined significantly as a breeder in the Maritime provinces over the past 25 years but remains fairly common on the island of Newfoundland. Of note was one far to the ne. at Goose Bay, Labrador 9 Jun (Patricia Kelsall). Initialed contributors (subregional editors in boldface): Olivier Barden, John Belbin, Dave Brown, Patrick Boez, Roger Burrows, David Christie, Tony Chubbs, Merv Cormier, Brian Dalzell, Samuel Denault, Robert Doiron, Roger Etcheberry, Chris Field, John Gib- bons, Lisa Giroux, Jen Harding, Anne Hugh- es, Laurent Jackman, Colin Jones, Tom Ka- vanaugh, Mike King, Fulton Lavender, Har- vey MacLeod, Bruce Mactavish, Blake May- bank, Ian McLaren, Eric Mills, Susann My- ers, Johnny Nickerson, Gordon Parsons, Bev- erly Schneider, Francis Schwab, David Seeler, David Shepherd, John-Philippe Siblet, Lome Slaney, Clarence Stevens, Stuart Tingley, Hans Toom, Kyle Wellband, Darroch Whitaker, Jim Wilson, Bill Winsor. © Brian Dalzell, 87 Allison Drive Moncton, New Brunswick, El E 217 (aythya(Snb.sympatico.ca) Quebec] Ungava Peninsula Uytava Kuujjuaq • Matagami -fSn •Amos L Saint-JeonM • Rouyn .^'•Malane ■ Tadoussac*^ ^ Cap-Tourmente« Marie Mont-* Quebec City* Laurier Berthierville^ Monlr6al*^Victoriaville Gatineau t •Sherbrooke L 0,^», BaMu-Febvre •GaspS ^Pefc6 Lawrence Pierre Bannon Oiivier Barden Normand David Samuel Denault Yves Aubry For people living in the south, it was not a very pleasant summer. Temperatures were slightly below normal, while total precipitation was in general above normal. The most noticeable climatic feature of the season was the lack of sunshine. In July, at Montreal, Quebec City, and Gaspe, the total number of hours of sunshine was 49% to 66% below nor- mal. For much better weather, one had to move north. In July, the average temperature in extreme northern Quebec was above normal by as much as 5.3° C at Inukjuak and 2.8° C at La Grande Riviere. La Grande Riviere also had its driest June since 1976. A flurry of Arctic breeders, including Pacific Loon, Ross’s Gull, Sabine’s Gull, and Long- tailed Jaeger, turned up in the upper St. Lawrence valley in mid-June, at a moment when the weather was not particularly excep- tional. Although all these species have ap- peared in June in the past, their almost simul- taneous presence was most unusual. Other- wise, no great surprises were noticed in the Re- gion. WATERFOWL THROUGH lAEGERS A male Ruddy Duck at Cap-Bon-Desir 16-19 Jun (M. Maury) was considered a local rarity. An ad. Pacihc Loon in definitive plumage was spotted at Neuville 16 Jun (F Grenon et al). A Northern Fulmar at Saint-Fulgence 4 Jun was the first in summer for the Saguenay-Lac Saint- Jean region (CC). A count of 150 Greater Shearwaters and 25 Sooty Shearwaters made from the ferry off the Magdalen Is. 5 Jul was noteworthy (G. Cyr, GE et al). Four Wilson’s Storm-Petrels were detected off Tadoussac 27 Jul (RP). An American White Pelican visited Lac Duparquet 15 Jul (P. Cadieux et al). An ad. Little Blue Heron graced Trois-Rivieres 18- 21 Jul 0- Benin, ph. M. Bisson, m.ob.), while a Cattle Egret stopped at Saint- Vallier 5 Jun (A. VOlUME 63 (2009) NUMBER 4 567 QUEBEC This fledging Orchard Oriole was photographed 1 July 2009 at Philipsburg, Quebec. The bird was observed being fed by a female, and a first-year male and an adult male were also present there. This represents the third confirmed nesting in the province. Photograph by Gilles Ethier. Baron). Good counts of Bald Eagles were made in Jim, e.g., 22 along the St. Lawrence R. be- tween Deschaillons and Neuville 19 Jun (CR) and 11 at Gaspe 22 jun (0. Deruelle). Two Willets at Metabetchouan 3 Jul were out of place (ph. D. Sangster); one at Bara- chois 12 Jul was more expected (D. Jalbert, E. Asselin). A Wilson’s Phalarope represented a rare occurence at Baie-Comeau 5 Jun (Y. Rouillard), while a rare female Red Phalarope showed up at Saint-Gedeon 13 Jun (CC, GS). Single ad. Sabine’s Gulls at Yamachiche 14 Jun (A. Rasmussen) and Portneuf 16Jun QPO, M. Lafleur) were noteworthy. A second-cycle Ross’s Gull was discovered at Neuville 16 Jun, the 8th record for the Region and the 4th in Jun (R. Dion et al). Lesser Black-backed Gulls were well in evidence throughout the Region, but a peak count of 23 imms. at Riv- iere Saint-Jean 4 Jul (C. Buidin, YR) was par- ticularly noteworthy. Single ad. Long-tailed Jaegers were found at Les Escoumins 13 Jun (N. Boucher, J. Bernier, ph. JG. Beaulieu), Saint-Lulgence 14 Jun (GS), and Tadoussac 18 Jun (M. Moisan, RP), while 2 lingered at Neuville 14-16 Jun (S. Deladurantaye et al., m.ob.). This species has a history of irregular appearance in Jun. DOVES THROUGH WARBLERS A White-winged Dove was photographed at Ville-Marie 19-22 Jul (ph. J. Lrechette). Two Snowy Owls in the Magdalen Is. preferred beach over tundra this summer (fide AR), while one was at Perce in early Jul (fide PP). A Great Gray Owl noted at He Verte 3 Jun seems to have become a permanent resident of the island, possibly since the 2004-2005 invasion (R. Gaudreault, D. Boulet). A pair of Whip- poor-wills at La Dore 13- 16 Jun (M. Larouche, m.ob.) made a first for the Lac Saint-Jean area since 2001; the species is in decline in the Region. Large concentrations of Chimney Swifts were noted at some roosts, al- though early Jun num- bers are swollen by northbound migrants: 869 at Saint-Georges-de- Beauce 1 Jun and 277 birds there on 30 Jul (A. Beauchamp) and 308 at Bromont 1 Jun (L. Lacroix, L. Mallette et al.). A male Red-bellied Woodpecker was at Sherbrooke 3-4 Jun (S. Brulotte), while a female and a male were sighted at Danville in early Jun (G. Lacroix). The 6th White-eyed Vireo of the spring mi- gration was at Cap Tourmente 3 Jun OPO). A Sedge Wren at Bic 22 Jun-10 Jul was a wel- come first for the Lower St. Lawrence (J. Munro, ph. G. Proulx). After another strong spring. Northern Mockingbirds were found breeding in several municipalities across the province. A survey aimed at discovering new Golden-winged Warbler sites in the Hunting- don area in Jun yielded 2 Blue-winged, 18 Golden-winged, and 3 Brewster’s Warblers (Le Duing Lang et al.). Lour additional Gold- en-winged Warblers were found at Kazabazua in Jun (C. Savignac et al). A male Prairie Warbler was singing at Frelighsburg 25 Jun (ph. S. Beaudette). Lour Connecticut Warbler nests were discovered at Normandin in Jun (J. Ibarzabal et al). A singing bird was also at Bergeronnes 11 Jun at the same location where one was seen last summer (ph. JG. Beaulieu), and 2 males were banded at this site later on (YR). A high count of 23 singing Canada Warblers on Mt. Sutton 21 Jun was good for this species, which is generally de- tected in lower densities (R. Guillet). TOWHEES THROUGH GOLDFINCHES An Eastern Towhee was far out of range at D’Alembert, Abitibi 10 Jul (L. & N. Ouimet). Clay-colored Sparrows were reported from nine different localities spread across s. Quebec in Jun. A male Lark Bunting was at I’Anse-au-Griffon 17 Jun (ph. J. Lacasse). A 568 Nelson’s Sparrow at Chateauguay 3 Jun was a local rarity (L. d’Amours). Two singing West- ern Meadowlarks were discovered in the Pon- tiac region of Outaouais this summer: the first at Isle-aux-Alumettes 4 Jun (V. Letourneau) was refound 23 Jun (R. Bisson et al), while the other was at Onslow Corners 21 Jun-1 Jul (D. Morin). A female Yellow-headed Black- bird was seen in Yamaska park 1 Jul (M. Berlinguette). Orchard Orioles were con- firmed breeding for the 3rd time in the Region and first since 2002, but the paternity is unre- solved in this particular case. A female and a first-year male were observed carrying food 24-27 Jun at Philipsburg (C. Auchu, C. Gi- rard); on 30 Jun and 1 Jul, 4 birds, including the former pair, plus a fledgling and an ad. male, were seen in the same spot QG. Pap- ineau, m.ob.; ph. GE). The fourth male Chaffinch in the Region since late May graced Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive 24 Jun-15 Jul (D. Hamel, m.ob.). A small outbreak of European Goldfinches was detected in various parts of the province: birds of an undetermined sub- species were reported at Saint-Donat, Bas-St- Laurent 2 Jun (L Body A. Kemp); 2 birds of the caniceps group visited a Lrelighsburg feed- er 13 Jul (ph. Y. & S. Cardinal); one was at Chapais, Nord-du-Quebec near the 50th paral- lel (!) 5 Jul (A. Riverin); 2 were in nearby Chibougamau 29 Jul (P. Bureau); and finally another was at Sainte-Germaine-Boule, Abitibi 3-5 Aug (M. Begin). There is no doubt that all these goldfinches are of captive prove- nance, especially when birds of Asian sub- species are in the mix. Contributors (subregional editors in bold- face): P. Bannon (Montreal), C. Cormier, C. Douville (Lower-St. Lawrence), G. Ethier, L. Imbeau (Abitibi), R. Pintiaux, JF. Rousseau (Quebec City), JP. Ouellet, P. Poulin (Gaspesie), A. Richard (Magdalen Is.), Y. Rochepault, C. Roy (Bois-Francs), G. Savard (Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean), D. Toussaint (Outaouais). 0 Pierre Battnon, 1517 Leprohon Montreal, Quebec H4E 1P1, (pbannontfflvideotron.ca) Olivier Barden, 1652 rue de Bruyeres Sainte-Foy, Quebec G1 W 3H1 (whitephasegyrfalcontfflhotmail.com) Normand David, 10385A Clark Montreal, Quebec H3L2S3 (normanddavidiSvideotron.ca) Samuel Denault, 75 Beauchemin Saint-Baslle-le-Grand, Quebec J3N 1 J6 (samuel.denault@videotron.ca) Yves Aubry, Canadian Wildlife Service P.O Box 10100, Sainte-Foy, Quebec G1V 4H5 (yves.aubry@ec.gc.ca) NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS New England Wayne R. Petersen New England witnessed some of the coolest and wettest June and July weather in many years. Combined June and July temperatures in Boston were the coolest since 1915 and tied for the fourth coldest in 138 years of record-keeping. Boston rainfall in June was 9.75 cm above normal, making the month the wettest in 138 years, with July totals actually exceeding those of June in some areas. An anticipated result of such cool, rainy ear- ly summer weather is the disruption of nesting activity. Not surprisingly, various species sus- tained weather-related mortality. Although of- ten difficult to document, specihc examples in- clude Common Loon, Osprey, Bald Eagle, American Kestrel, Black Skimmer, Common Nighthawk, Purple Martin, and Eastern Blue- bird; undoubtedly, other cavity and ground- nesting species were affected as well. One im- pression shared by several observers was that some species appeared to re-nest following early summer failures, so the fall report could shed some light on this phenomenon. Despite any interruptions in breeding bird activity, the Region was not without some exciting occur- rences. Maine hosted the first-ever fully docu- mented successful fledging of a United States- hatched Manx Shearwater and the first nesting attempt of Common Murre in American At- lantic coastal waters since the 1800s. Mean- uJrile, Rhode Island confirmed its first breed- ing Pine Siskins. Hardly less outstanding were Black-browed Albatross in the southern Gulf c-l Maine, Bermuda Petrel on the in waters east of Cape Cod, New Hampshire’s first Red-billed 'itopicbird, and Maine’s second-ever Lesser Goldfinch. All and all, a very interesting sum- mer season! Abbreviations: A.B.C. (Allen Bird Club), An- drew’s Pt. (Rockport, Essex, MA), A.S.N.H. (Audubon Society of New Hampshire), A.V (Audubon Vermont), B.O. (Bird Obseiyer), B.B.C. (Brookline Bird Club), Charlestown Breachway (Charlestown, Washington, RI), Eagle I. (Marblehead, Essex, MA), G.O.M.S.W.G. (Gulf of Maine Seabird Work- ing Group), H.B.S.P. (Hammonasset Beach S.P., Madison, New Haven, CT), Kettle I. (Manchester, Essex, MA), L. Josephine (East- on, Aroostook, ME), M.A.R.C. (Massachusetts A.R.C.), M.A.S. (Maine Audubon Society), M.D.EW. (Massachusetts Division of Fish- eries and Wildlife), M.M.R. (Massachusetts Military Reservation, Barnstable, MA), M.B.R.C. (Maine B.R.C.), Muskeget I. (Muskeget 1. off Nantucket I., MA), M. N.H.E.S.P. (Massachusetts Natural Her- itage and Endangered Species Program), N. H.EG. (New Hampshire Fish and Game), N. & S. Monomoy 1. (Monomoy N.W.R., Chatham, Barnstable, MA), Plum I. (Parker River N.W.R., Newbury/Rowley, Essex, MA), Plymouth Beach (Plymouth, MA), P.ES.l.N. (Project Puffin Seabird Island e-newsletter). Race Pt. (Provincetown, Barnstable, MA), R.I.A.R.C. (Rhode Island A.R.C.), S.S.D.E (Sanford Sewage District Facility, Sanford, York, ME), South Beach (Chatham, Barnsta- ble, MA), Stellwagen Bank (Stell- wagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary), Stratton I. (Stratton 1., Saco, York. ME), Tuckernuck I. (Tuckernuck 1. off Nantucket 1., MA), U.S.F.W.S. (United States Fish and Wildlife Service). WATERFOWL THROUGH IBISES A Snow Goose at Plum I. through- out the period was seasonally rare (B.O.), and one at N. Truro, Barn- stable 2 Jun (D. Manchester) was notably late. Although routine on the coast in early summer, single Brant were of particular interest at L. Josephine 15 Jun (BS) and Grand Isle 13-19 Jul (DH). At the only known breeding station in Kittery, York, a pair of Mute Swans this year failed to breed successful- ly (fide DL), temporarily halting the further spread of this species in Maine. Lake Josephine (a.k.a., Maine’s leading “duck factory”) once again hosted a plethora of breeding waterfowl, most notably Gadwall, Northern Shoveler, and a pair of Redheads for the 2nd year in a row (BS). Among an assort- ment of outliers was a pair of Northern Pin- tails at H.B.S.P 6-25 Jun (fide GH); a very tardy Eurasian Teal in Newton, Middlesex, MA lingering from May until 7 Jun (S. Abele, Jide B.O.); a pair of Ring-necked Ducks at Red- ding, Faufield, CT 19 Jun (T. Green); an imm. male King Eider at H.B.S.P. throughout the period (fide GH) and a female at Little Comp- ton, Newport, RI 14 Jul (ph. A. Hrycin); 12 Long-tailed Ducks at three Connecticut coastal locations throughout Jun (fide GH); a juv. Hooded Merganser at Muskeget 1. 28 Jul (RV); and a Ruddy Duck at Wolcott, New Haven, CT 17 Jul (GH). Despite the presence of 10 Ruddy Ducks at L. Josephine (BS), none were confirmed nesting; however, 5 were present at the S.S.D.E throughout the period, and at least one pair successfully nested (m.ob., Jide LS) — a noteworthy event, consid- ering that the species was first documented nesting in Maine as recently as 2005. A Pacific Loon in breeding plumage off Manomet, Plymouth, MA (ph. ID) represented another in a series of late spring occurrences of this species in New England. In New Hampshire, 264 pairs of Common Loons suc- cessfully fledged 110 chicks, an increase from 97 young last year 0- Cooley, fide TV), while Vermont loons hosted a record-breaking 53 successful nesting pairs and 73 surviving chicks through mid-Sep (fide CRi). Despite these expanding ad. populations, concern persists in New Hampshire, where the average of one chick fledged per every two pairs is not good news. The diminished productivity was attributed to rainy early summer weather, predation, and human disturbance. In the Bay State, 21 pairs of Common Loons raised 13 chicks (fide TF). No doubt due to increased coverage by Massachusetts breeding bird atlas workers, nesting Pied-billed Grebes were con- Now an annual visitor to southern New England, White-faced Ibis was de- tected twice in summer 2009; this one was found 30 July 2009 at Milford, New Haven, Connecticut by Frank Gallo. Photograph byMarkSzantyr. VOLUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 569 NEW ENGLAND Still an extreme rarity in the Northeast, this Great White Heron was found by the photographer at Fairhaven, Massa- chusetts 9 {here 30) July and lingered into August 2009. New England has just a single prior record of this sub- species of Great Blue Heron, from 1996. Photograph by Carolyn Longworth. firmed in Essex, Middlesex, and Hampshire — something that has not been documented for a number of years in a state where the species is endangered (B.O.). Four lingering Florned Grebes appeared at three Connecticut coastal locations in Jun (fide GH), and single Red- necked Grebes were noted at Flampton, Rock- ingham, NFI 5 Jun-9 Jul (SM); Chatham, Barnstable, MA 3-27 Jun (BN); and Winthrop, Suffolk, MA 3 Jul (MI). More unusual was the continued presence, since spring, of an Eared Grebe throughout the period at the S.S.D.F (fide DL, m.ob.). On the heels of a subad. Black-browed Al- batross sighted at Cashes Ledge in the s. Gulf of Maine in Mar, an albatross sighted between Seal I. and Vinalhaven I., Penobscot Bay, Knox 15 Jul (ph. J. Drury, A. Hill, L. Budd) may have been the same individual and represent- ed the first-ever photographically document- ed report for New England waters. Along with a convincing 1978 Maine observation, there are five or six other previous reports from elsewhere in New England waters. For the 2nd year in a row, Cory’s Shearwaters ap- peared earlier and in far greater numbers than usual in the cool boreal waters n. of Cape Cod and the Gulf of Maine. This species tends to prefer the warmer. Gulf Stream-influenced surface waters s. of New England. A count of 250 off Tuckernuck I. 19 Jun (RV) could hardly prepare observers for the huge num- bers that were to remain off Cape Cod throughout the summer, topped by the stun- ning tally of 2700 off Race Pt. 7 Jul (RH) — possibly the highest single one-day total ever recorded over Cape Cod’s inshore waters. Maine observers described the appearance of these shearwaters as a “massive invasion,” with as many as 60-h counted off Portland, Cumberland, and many others regularly seen on whale watching trips out of Boothbay Har- bor, Lincoln (fide LS). In addition to unprece- dented numbers of Cory’s Shearwaters, 19,000 Greater and 3800 Sooty Shearwaters were logged on 7 Jul (RH), both totals ex- ceeding what most observers are ever likely to encounter in years of shore-based observa- tion. Somewhat less dramatic were 1500-1- Greater and 1500 Sooty Shearwaters moving northward past Tuckernuck I. 19 Jun (RV), and 3400 Greater Shearwaters at Race Pt. 21 Jun (BN). Despite the fact that the much-an- ticipated breeding of Manx Shearwaters in Boston Harbor described in the spring report failed to materialize, following more than a decade of similar anticipation, and after 120 days of careful surveillance this summer, a juv. Manx Shearwater was successfully raised at Matinicus Rock, 42 km off Rockland, Knox, ME (S. Hall, B, Benedict et al, fide RES.I.N.). More details will follow in the fall report. A tally of 19 Audubon’s Shearwaters near At- lantis Canyon 18 Jul (RH, B.B.C.) was not un- expected; however, one at Nantucket I. 23 Jun (VL) was rare so close to shore. Fifteen Leach’s Storm-Petrels at Barnstable, Barnsta- ble, MA 22 Jun (PT) were storm-driven, but less expected was one photographed well in- land at Lakeville, Penobscot, ME 2 Jul (fide LS, P. Vickery). A Red-billed Tropicbird that first appeared at the Isles of Shoals 23 Jun (ph. D. Hayward, fide TV) was New Hampshire’s first and was likely the same individual seen irregularly be- tween Matinicus Rock and Seal Island N.W.R., ME during Jun-Jul for at least the past four years (fide RES.I.N.). Three nests of Double-crested Cormorants found at Muskeget I, 7 Jul (L. Manne, RV) represented a first-ever nesting at this historic colonial waterbird site. New England’s 2nd Great White Heron appeared at Eairhaven, Bristol, MA 9-31 Jul and later (ph. C. Longworth); the only previous occurrence of this sub- species was on Cape Cod in 1996. Massachu- setts wading bird nest counts at Kettle 1. pro- duced 129 Great Egrets, 207 Snowy Egrets, an estimated 20 pairs of Little Blue Herons, 44 Black-crowned Night-Herons, and 117 Glossy Ibis; at nearby Eagle L, totals were 35 Great Egrets, 36 Snowy Egrets, 30 Black-crowned Night-Herons, and 7 Glossy Ibis (SP, JB). Sarah Island in Hingham, Plymouth, MA sup- ! ported 72 Great Egrets, 38 Snowy Egrets, and j 243 Black-crowned Night-Herons (C. Trocki, | RS). In Rhode Island, a Narragansett Bay nest ' survey tallied 185 Great Egrets, 224 Snowy j Egrets, about three pairs of Little Blue Herons, 224 Black-crowned Night-Herons, and 110 l Glossy Ibis, the ibis number figure reflecting a continuous drop from 270 pairs in 2007 (RE, CR). It appears that Cattle Egret has become i extirpated as a nester in the Region. White- faced Ibis, however, is practically annual in appearance, so singles at Biddeford, York, ME 9 Jun (m.ob., fide LS) and Milford, New Haven, CT 30 Jul (FG, ph. MS) were not to- tally surprising. , j KITES THROUGH RAILS | Following last year’s first confirmed Nevv England nesting records of Mississippi Kite, the species rebounded this year at Newmar- ket, Rockingham, NH, where one young was | fledged from two nests (fide SM) and as many i as 5 ads. and one juv. were noted 20 Jul (SM). | At Simsbury, Hartford, CT, another returning j pair fledged one young Q- Weeks et al.). One has to wonder about the presence of 2 Missis- , Q A A Bermuda Petrel was well documented at 40° 56.1 2' N, 66° 1 4.32' W 28 Jun (ph. P. Duley) — 288 km se. of Cape 3 /l Cod— during a marine mammal survey conducted by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center in Woods Hole, MA. The petrel was at the edge of the continental shelf, close to the marine boundary between the United States and Canada in wa- ters 2280 m deep and 23.8° C at the surface. Preliminary data from "Lotek"data-loggers placed on 12 Bermuda Petrels in 2008 indicated that petrels' foraging trips cov- ered up to 6400 km and that they ranged as far away from Bermuda as the Bay of Fundy, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and the Grand Banks off Newfoundland — and even Ireland in the case of a failed breeder (/icfe Jeremy Madeiros). Full information from this study will be published elsewhere. It has been speculated that the New England seamounts might serve as an important for- aging area for"Cahows,"and it will be of great interest to learn the routes traveled by this enigmatic, endangered species. Another gadfly petrel very rarely reported from New England waters was a Black-capped Petrel off Race Pt. 23 Jun (RH) seen in association with huge numbers of shearwaters present in the waters following a storm. This sighting represents one of fewer than five documented inshore occurrences for Massachusetts — and one of perhaps two from-shore observations in North America not associated with a tropical cyclone. 570 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS NEW ENGLAND One of three Iceland Gulls found in New England in summer 2009, this bird was discov- ered by the photographer at Quicksand Pond, Newport County, Rhode Island 17 July (here early August) 2009. Photograph by Geoff Dennis. sippi Kites at Cumberland, Cumberland, ME 1 Jun (W. Russell, fide LS) and one at Granby, Hampden, MA 25 Jul (T. Tynan). Indicative of the pernicious effects of the early summers rainy weather were 1 1 active Bald Eagle nests in New Hampshire that fledged 16 young (24 in 2008; C. Martin, /ide TV) and 21 nests in Massachusetts that fledged 21 young (33 in 2008; TE, M.D.EW.). Connecticut’s eagles fared better, with 18 active nests successfully fledging 31 young (21 in 2008; fide JV). In spite of reduced productivity, overall pair counts continue their upward trend through- out New England. A pair of Northern Harriers in Windsor, Berkshire, MA throughout the pe- riod (ML) was intriguing; this threatened species is practically unknown inland as a nesting bird in Massachusetts these days. A long-standing American Kestrel nest-box trail in se. Massachusetts saw 29 out of 64 boxes occupied. Despite the influence of adverse early season weather and five nest failures, the 92 chicks banded from 22 nests represented an increase over 83 young banded in 2008 QM). Merlins that successfully nested at Martha’s Vineyard last season were this year unsuccessful; however, a different pair suc- cessfully raised 2 young in Florence, Hamp- shire, MA 30 Jun-i- (L, Peugh et al, fide B.O.) for a 2nd Bay State nesting record. The num- ber of Peregrine Falcons fledged in New Eng- land continues to soar, as reflected by 64 in Vermont (fide ME, A.V), 29 in New Hamp- shire (A.S.N.H., fide TV), and 39 in Massa- chusetts (fide TE M.D.EW.) A wandering Pur- ple Gallinule appeared on Nantucket 1. 23-24 Jun (ph. P. Burchell et al.). In Maine, Com- mon Moorhens successfully nested at the S.S.D.E (m.ob., Jide LS) and at L. Josephine af- ter an eight-year absence (BS). SHOREBIRDS THROUGH ALCIDS Once again, Piping Plover totals reflected the efficacy of Regional recov- ery efforts. Preliminary nesting totals included 27 pairs in Maine (fide M. D.I.EW), five pairs in New Hampshire (fide B. Clifford, N.H.EG.), ap- proximately 585 pairs (a new high) in Massachu- setts (fide Mass Audubon, N. H.E.S.P,U.S.EW.S.),84 pairs in Rhode Island (fide RE), and 44 pairs in Con- necticut (fideJV). Despite a record high pair num- ber, Massachusetts plovers fledged only about 0.8 chicks per pair, a number insufficient to sustain the population over time. Massachusetts also host- ed approximately 181 pairs of American Oyster- catchers, where a fledging rate of 0.8 chicks per pair was the lowest in several years (SM, N.H.E.S.P.). Despite this low fledging success, Bay State oystercatchers enjoy some of the highest productivity on the East Coast. It is likely that only one Black-necked Stilt was responsible for sightings at Nantucket 1. 6-7 Jun (E. Ray et al.), Chappaquiddick 1., Martha’s Vineyard 13 Jun (R. Whitten), and Muskeget I. 16 Jul (ph. RV, J. Barrera). Shorebird re- ports were notably scarce this season, the only re- ports worth highlighting being an American Gold- en-Plover at South Beach 5 Jul (F. Atwood, fide B.O.), 2 Western Willets at South Beach 27 Jun (BN), an ad. Baird’s Sandpiper at Plum I. 28 Jul (ph. RH), a Ruff at Martha’s Vineyard 26 Jul (ph. L. McDowell), and a Red Phalarope at Littleton, Grafton, NH 8 Jun (M. & R. Aldrich, Jidc TV). While not exception- al, the totals of 650 Ruddy Turnstones, 90 Red Knots, 1200 Sanderlings, 30 White- rumped Sandpipers, and 90 Dunlins at South Beach 3 Jun (BN) demonstrated that many northbound Arctic-nesting shorebirds were still moving in Jun. Of greatest interest among southbound shorebirds were 30+ Hudsonian Godwits at South Beach 20 Jul (D. Clapp, Jide B.O.), 3 Marbled Godwits at Charlestown Breachway 30 Jul (R. Larsen, fide RE), and a Long-billed Dowitcher at Ply- mouth Beach 30 Jul (ID). Among the crowd pleasers this summer was an imm. Sabine’s Gull at Rye, Rockingham, NH 26 Jun-26 Jul (M. Harvey, ph. SM, m.ob.). Slightly less unusual were 2-3 Black-headed Gulls between New Hampshire and Massa- chusetts in Jul (fide TV, B.O), an imm. Little Gull at Hampton, Rockingham, NH 8-25 Jul (SM et al.), an ad. Franklin’s Gull (p.a.) at Block 1., RI 8Jul (M. Magarian,/ide RE), 2 Ice- land Gulls in Massachusetts (B.O.) and one in Rhode Island (ph. G. Dennis), and 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls at Provincetown, Barnsta- ble, MA 4 Jul (S. Sinner et al). A Laughing Gull colony at Plymouth Beach increased from 261 pairs in 2008 to 1067 this season, an ex- plosion causing growing concern over the im- pact that these rapidly increasing gulls could have on the Bay State’s largest tern colony at the same site (M.D.EW, SM). Massachusetts — the epicenter of New Eng- land breeding terns — hosted a total of 3524 pairs of Least Terns, 1339 Roseate Terns, and 15,899 Common Terns (fide S. Melvin, B. Har- ris, M.N.H.E.S.P, U.S.EW.S.). The Bay State tally of Roseate Terns is slightly below last year’s 1375, again underscoring the need for continued stewardship and careful monitoring of this endangered species. In Vermont, 180 pairs of Common Terns produced approxi- mately 160 chicks at L. Champlain (MLeB). A rarity at any season in Maine, this Lark Bunting was present 9-10 (here 10) June 2009 at Kennebunk, York County. Photograph by Derek Lovitrh. VOLUME 63 (2009) NUMBER 4 571 NEW ENGLAND Twenty Arctic Terns were still migrating at Tuckernuck I. 19 Jun (RV) and 132 portlandi- ca (i.e., second-cycle) individuals were at Provincetown 23 Jun (RH). A mixed pair of Roseate and Common Terns and another mixed pair, of Arctic and Common Terns, were observed at Stratton I. this summer (fide P.RS.I.N.). In addition to six Caspian Tern and four Royal Tern reports Regionwide, there was a Sandwich Tern at the Charlestown Breach- way 25 Jul (M. Tasagarakis et al.,Jide RF), Five pairs of nesting Black Skimmers failed due to over-wash problems at Minimoy 1. off S. Monomoy 1., and another late nesting attempt at Plymouth Beach failed for the 2nd year in a row when the day-old chicks were predated in early Aug (B.O.)- Six skuas believed to be South Polar Skuas and 7 Pomarine Jaegers were tallied at Tuck- ernuck I. 19 Jun (RV), along with large num- bers of other storm-driven seabirds, and an- other apparent South Polar Skua was seen at Andrews Pt. 21 Jun (RH, JT). Twenty-two Parasitic Jaegers were present at Race Pt. 26 Jun, and the following day, 5 Long-tailed Jaegers were noted at the same location (BN). At least one ad. Long-tailed was also seen at Race Pt. 7 Jul (RH), and an ad. and a subad. were seen and photographed off the Isles of Shoals 4 Jul (fide TV, m.ob.). All four previous New Hampshire Long-tailed Jaeger records occurred on inland lakes. The seasonal total of 12 Long-tailed Jaegers far exceeds any in the Region in recent summers. Ten Common Murres and 4 Razorbills at Andrew’s Pt. 21 Jun (RH) were remarkable for the season, but far less expected was the dis- covery of a Common Murre nest at Matinicus Rock, Knox, ME 26 Jun (M. Cunha et ah). This nesting, the hrst in Atlantic waters s. of the Canadian border since 1883, was de- scribed as the culmination of a 17-year effort using decoys, mirrors, and sound recordings {fide P.RS.I.N.). Additionally, a total of 386 nesting Razorbills at Matinicus Rock repre- sented a 13% increase over last season’s total, and the numbers of breeding Atlantic Puffins at Egg Rock and Seal Island N.W.R. were the highest in modern historical times {fide P.RS.I.N.), all suggesting that life in “Alcid Land” was rosy in the Region this summer. DOVES THROUGH THRUSHES A White-winged Dove at Belfast, Waldo, ME 25 Jun {fide M.A.S.) was the season’s only re- port. Unusually late was a Snowy Owl at Boston’s Logan International Airport 12 Jun (N. Smith). Another Snowy captured at the Isles of Shoals, NH and later released at Strat- ford, Coos, NH 25 Jun {fide TV) was thought to account for one sighted at Lancaster, Coos. NH 10 Jul (S. Stoddard, fide TV). Of geo- graphical and ecological interest were 8 East- ern Screech-Owls at Naushon 1., Dukes, MA 16 Jun (SP et ah), a location where the species was unrecorded during the first Massachusetts Breeding Bird Atlas conducted in the 1970s. The only Red-headed Woodpeckers report- ed were singles in Connecticut at Norwalk, Fairfield 24 Jun (J. Bear, fide GH) and Middle- bury. New Haven 17 Jul+ (GH). A total of 58 Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers tallied during a breeding bird census at the Little River LB. A. in s. Hampden, MA 7 Jun (A.B.C.) indicates just how numerous this species is in appropri- ate upland northern hardwood forest. Unex- pected were single appearances of Scissor- tailed Flycatchers at Easton, Faiifield, CT 21- 23 Jun (P. Davenport, ^cie GH) and Richmond, Washington, RI 29 Jun (B. Whitehouse, fide JF). A pair of White-eyed Vireos at Biddeford Pool, York through at least mid-Jun (m.ob., fide LS) was intriguing, as the species has nev- er been confirmed as a breeder in Maine. An example of the impact of Jun rainy weather on Purple Martins was the loss of nine nests out of 35 at a colony in Lakeville, Plymouth, MA (D. Egger). A colony of 110+ Cliff Swallow nests in Adams, Berkshire, MA 5 Jul (ML) has to be one of the largest in the state. Carolina Wrens produced 3 young at Grand Isle, VT 23 Jul (DH), a 2nd brood; this location lies close to the n. edge of the species’ breeding range in New England. Two Sedge Wrens in Connecticut {fide GH) and one in Massachusetts (B.O.) gave no indication of nesting. In se. Massachusetts, only 15 pairs of Eastern Bluebirds occupied 118 nest-boxes, and 29 nesting attempts resulted in eight fail- ures, mainly a result of wet weather QM)- A Swainson’s Thrush at Medford, Middlesex, MA 14 Jun (R. LaFontaine, Jide B.O.) was a late migrant, and a Northern Mockingbird at St. Agatha, Aroostook, ME from May until 20 Jun {fide BS) was rare so far north. WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES Very local in Maine, 2 Blue-winged Warblers at Falmouth, Cumberland 5 Jun-earlyJul (DL et al.) could not be confirmed nesting this season, but 3 Lawrence’s Warblers at Nashua, Hillsborough, NH 17 Jun (C. Sheridan, fide TV) clearly highlight the plight of Golden- winged Warblers in New England. Three Northern Parulas at Naushon 1. 15-16 Jun (PT et al.) were at one of very few remaining Massachusetts breeding sites for this state threatened species. A Yellow-throated War- bler at Patchaug S.E, Voluntown, New London, CT 27 Jun (R. Jones, fide GH) was present in the same area where one lingered in 2008. In Massachusetts, a single Kentucky Warhler and 3 Hooded Warblers reported in early Jun gave no indication of breeding (B.O.) Single early Jun reports of Summer Tan- agers in Connecticut and Massachusetts were significantly outclassed by an out-of-range and most unseasonable male Western Tanager at Branford, New Haven, CT 14 Jul (ph. D. Lorello, Jtde GH). Although concerns over de- clines in shrubland birds are unequivocal, a count of 145+ Eastern Towhees during a breeding bird atlas blitz at Nashon 1. 15-17 Jul (SP et al.) gives new meaning to the notion, “Build it, and they will come.” In the pastoral and relatively undisturbed thickets and wood- lands on this seven-mile-long island, towhees virtually swarm. Single Clay-colored Sparrows appeared at Newington, Rockingham, NH 5 Jun (B. Griffith, fide TV) and Presque Isle, Aroostook, ME 8-17 Jun Q- Johnston, ph. BS). Five Clay-coloreds, including one feeding young at M.M.R. (PT) and 2 on territory at the Kennebunk Plains, York, ME in early Jun (DL, m.ob., fide LS), provided evidence of the con- tinued colonization of New England by this Great Plains sparrow. Other notable ember- izids included a Lark Bunting at Kennebunk, York, ME 9-10 Jun (ph. DL, LS), the very rare Regional appearance of a Henslow’s Sparrow at Montague, Franklin, MA 27 Jun-8 Jul (M. Fairbrother, ph. m.ob., Jidc B.O.), and 5 terri- torial Fox Sparrows at Debouille, Aroostook, ME {fide BS). Errant Painted Buntings ap- peared in early Jun at Portsmouth, Rocking- ham, NH {fide TV) and Mystic, New London, CT 20 Jun (M. Jones, Jidc GH). Nearly as out of place was a female Yellow-headed Blackbird at Rockport, Essex, MA 12-13 Jun {fide B.O.). Interestingly, recorded call notes of 40 Red Crossbills at Sandwich, Carroll, NH (R. Ridge- ly, M. Young, fide TV) were thought to contain at least four different call “types.” Nesting Pine Siskins were confirmed in a number of s. New England localities in the aftermath of last winter’s massive invasion {fide B.O.), and Rhode Island attained its first-ever breeding record {fide RE). Arguably the most unexpect- ed passerine of the period was a male Lesser Goldfinch at Clifton, Penobscot 1 Jul (ph. J. Zievis, fide BS), amazingly Maine’s 2nd record. Corrigendum: A Red-headed Woodpecker observed by Lauren Harter and David Vander Pluym on Brothers I., ME {North American Birds 62: 536) and listed as a breeding record should have been noted as a single bird pres- ent for about an hour. Subregional editors (boldface), contributors (italics), and cited observers: Allen Bird Club, Jim Beny, Bird Observer (B.O.), Brook- line Bird Club, Ian Davies, Rachel Farrell 572 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS NEW ENGLAND (Rhode Island), Richard Ferren (RF), Margaret Fowle, Tom French, Frank Gallo, Ben Griffith, Greg Hanisek (Connecticut), Rick Fleil, David Hoag, Eric Hynes, Maine Audubon So- ciety, Marshall lliff (eBird), Rey Larsen, Vern Laux, Mark LeBarr, Derek Lovitch, Mark Lynch, Joey Mason, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Scott Melvin, Steve Mirick, Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, Blair Nikula, Simon Perkins, Project Puffin Seabird Island e-newsletter, Chris Raithel, Chris Rimmer (CRi), Marj Rines (Massachusetts), Mark Szantyr, Luke Seitz (Maine), Bill Sheehan, Robert Stymeist,- Jeremiah Trimble, Peter Trimble, Tony Vaz- zano (New Hampshire), Richard Veit, Julie Victoria, Tom Wetmore. O Wayne R. Petersen, P. 0. Box 686 Hanson, Massachusetts 02341 (wpetersen@massaudubon.org) Hudson-Delaware Robert 0. Paxton Richard R. Veit Frank Rohrbacher It was one of the coolest summers ever. Temperatures averaged 3-4 degrees Eahrenheit below normal. Rochester, NY had only 12 days above 80°, a record. Precipi- tation was more variable. Rain and onshore winds seemed almost constant on the coast. Rainfall was nearly twice normal on the Lake Ontario shore and more than twice normal in June in the lower Hudson Valley. Poughkeep- sie, NY had only six rainless days in June. Fur- ther inland precipitation was nearer normal. A combination of full moon, rain, and northeasterly winds produced exceptional tides in June that wiped out beach and marsh nests. Marsh nesters had zero productivity in Hempstead Township on Long Island, NY QZ), and they experienced “total disaster” in Barnegat Bay Obu). Rain may have dimin- ished the productivity of Long Island Ospreys (BL) as well. On the positive side, late mow- ing probably helped ground nesters. A striking feature of this season was un- precedented numbers of tubenoses close in- shore, especially off Long Island. Notable rar- ities included at least three Roseate Spoon- bills, including Delawares first. Two closely monitored Mississippi Kites in central New York failed, in the end, to provide the long- awaited first Regional nesting record. Abbreviations; Barnegat (Inlet and Bay, Ocean, NJ); Bombay Hook (Bombay Hook N.W.R., Kent, DE); Brig (Brigantine Unit, Ed- ward R Forsythe N.W.R., At- lantic, NJ); Chazy R. (at L, Champlain, Clinton, NY); Cupsogue (barrier beach e. of Moriches Inlet, Suffolk, Long I„ NY); D.N.R.E.C. (Delaware Department of Natural Re- sources and Environmental Conservation); Great Gull 1. (ternery off the e. end of Long L, NY); Fort Drum (Fort Drum Military Installation, Jefferson, NY); Hamlin Beach (State Park and seawatch on L, Ontario, Monroe, NY); Jamaica Bay (Ja- maica Bay Wildlife Refuge, NYC); Montezuma (N.W.R., Seneca, NY); N.J.D.EW. (New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife); N.Y.D.E.C. (New York Department of Environ- mental Conservation); Lake- hurst (Naval Air Station, At- lantic, NJ); Robert Moses (S.P., w. end Fire L, Suffolk, NY). WATERFOWL THROUGH ANHINGA A Black-bellied Whistling- Duck at Cape May 25 Jul was missing its claws and was thus considered an escapee rather than an example of this species’ recent northward ex- pansion (MO’B); one present at Rehoboth Beach, DE since at least 23 Nov 2008 has become semi-domesticated after months of handouts. The up- state New York Trumpeter Swan population, derived ei- ther from an Ontario re-introduction project or from escaped captives, is surging to the point that some already dread the next pest species. Dominic Sherony assessed the Wayne population at six pairs with 18 cygnets. Mon- tezuma contained at least two pairs and 4 An odd couple at Thousand Acre Marsh, on the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, New Castle, Delaware, this American White Pelican and Roseate Spoonbill were photographed 17 July 2009. American White Pelicans are seen with increasing fre- quency in the East, though this bird represents just about the ninth state record. The Roseate Spoonbill, present at this location 1 6-22 July, was part of a general ir- ruption that brought many spoonbills northward. Photograph by Jay Young. Delaware's first Roseate Spoonbill, an immature, was discovered at Fenwick Is- land, Sussex County 21 June 2009 by Richard Wood and was photographed 26 June (here). At least two and possibly as many as four spoonbills reached Delaware in summer 2009, and one made it to New Jersey. Photograph by Maurice Barnhill. VOLUME 63 (2009) NUMBER 4 573 HUDSON-DELAWARE f A The M.Y.D.E.C. asked spring turkey hunters to report Ruffed Grouse drumming. In 4800 hours in the field, 541 partic- sJ /%ipants detected Ruffed Grouse at an overall rate of 0.3 per hour, or one every 4.1 hours. Frequency was highest in the St. Lawrence Valley (0.73 grouse drumming per hour in the field), and least in the lower Hudson Valley (0.22). These figures were higher than in this suvey's first two years. cygnets (fide RGS). Eleven at Perch River WM. A., Jefferson, in mid-Jul included a pair with 4 cygnets (TWB, Gail Benson). A single was at Volney, Oswego, NY 9 Jun and TO Jul (WP). A drake Eurasian Wigeon was a sur- prise at Montezuma 21 Jun (Mike & Joann Tetlow). A Northern Shoveler with 4 duck- lings at Chazy River 21 Jul (BK) was a wel- come record of this occasional breeder. A Redhead duckling at Montezuma 4 Jun (CW, JBa, SK) conhrmed this species’ persistence at This adult Mississippi Kite, discovered by Stephanie Restuc- cia near Ames, Montgomery County, New York 1 June 2009, was photographed that day (here). The bird was rediscov- ered in late June and joined by a subadult 12 July, and the two were enjoyed by multitudes of birders until early Au- gust. This was New York's first apparently territorial pair, but no sign of breeding could be discovered. Photograph by Michael Restuccia. one of its two regular New York breeding sites. Among the usual summering geese and diving ducks, including Brant, all three scoter species, both scaup, and a handful of Long- tailed Ducks, 14 Snow Geese at the n. end of L. Cayuga, Tompkins, NY 13 Jun (Steve & Susie East) were a new summer high for the Finger Lakes region. Genuinely rare were 3 mid-summer Buffleheads well inland: a male at the Batavia W.T.P, Genesee, NY 22 Jun (WW et al), a female at Tompkins Park on Cayuga L., Ithaca, NY 21 & 26 Jul (CW.JBa, SK, Ml), and one that summered at Dividing Creek, Cumberland, NJ (m.ob.). More Red-throated Loons summered than usual: one was at Hamlin Beach (RGS, m.ob.), 2 on Long I. (AW, DG), 2 around Staten I., NY (Catherine Barron et al.), and one in alternate plumage was observed on the Hudson R. at Inwood Hill, New York City 12-14 Jul (Mo- hammed Alomeri, ph. DA). Good counts of Pied-billed Grebe, listed as Threatened in New York, were 47, including chicks, at Mon- tezuma 4 Jun (CW) and 35, including chicks, at Alabama Swamps, Genesee, NY 27 Jul (David Gordon). A Red-necked Grebe on the Mohawk R. at Cohoes, Albany, NY 8-20 Jun (John Hershey, Bill Lee, Ken Harper et al.) and one at Hamlin 28 Jul, followed by 2 more three days later (William Symonds), fur- nished rare mid-summer records. Much of our Region’s offshore birdlife re- mains beyond our ken. John Shemilt took several fishing/photography excursions well offshore, Ending a healthy 7 Audubon’s Shearwaters at Block Canyon 25 Jul. Two oth- er Audubon’s were 32-40 km off Avalon, Cape May, NJ 28 Jul (DF, Mike Fritz). Shemilt also photographed 12 Leach’s Storm-Petrels 138 km sse. of Shinnecock, Long I. 27 Jun, and 12 more near the 500-fathom contour sse. of Shinneock 4 Jul. Among the inshore tubenoses in Jun, Northern Gannets (not ads.) were often observed, the maximum be- ing 89 at Democrat Pt., Suffolk, NY 19 Jun (SSM, TWB). This was roughly twice last summer’s maximum. American White Pelicans, once exception- al, now visit annually. One was on the Hud- son R. at Kingston Lighthouse, Ulster, NY 8 Jul Qack Haber) and at nearby Pt. Ewen 9-10 Jul (m.ob.). Two arrived at the Thousand Acre Marsh, New Castle, DE 15 Jul Qeffrey Hall, m.ob.) and remained into fall. Numbers of post-breeding Brown Pelicans were a bit above average, with maxima of 5 at Cupsogue 22 Jul (Dave Klauber, Bob May, Jim Cullen), 40 at Barnegat Light 26 Jul (Carole Gobert), and 24 at Cape Henlopen in early Jul (Bird- line Delaware). One passed Montauk, NY 13 Jun (Dan Heglund) and later that evening Great Gull 1. Qoe DiCostanzo), a first record there. Another traveled to L. Erie at Dunkirk Harbor, Erie, NY 6-8 Jul Qoe Gula, m.ob.); it was found dead 14 Jul at Evans, 19 km to the north (Peter -Schultz). Double-crested Cor- morant nests totaled 1183 in New York Har- bor, slightly down from 1333 last year (EC), but general numbers showed little effects of the N.Y.D.E.C.’s control measures. An Anhin- ga was over the Rea Farm, Cape May, NJ 27 Jun (KL, ph. BE) and reappeared 28 Jun (BE) and 2 Jul (ph. MO’B). Most conhrmed records are in May/Jun. This female Ruff was present at Taylor's Gut, Woodland Beach Wildlife Area, Kent County, Delaware, 25 July into early (here 1 ) August 2009; it was the only one of its species found in summer 2009 in the Hudson-Delaware region, where a half-dozen or more would have been expected a few decades ago. Photograph by Frank Rohrbacher. HERONS THROUGH RAPTORS Most of the herons in the greater New York City area have concentrated in New York har- bor to breed, safe from predators but exposed to contaminants. The 23rd Harbor Herons Survey, sponsored by New York City Audubon, found 1683 heron nests, down 9% from 1846 in 2007, the last full survey. Black- crowned Night-Herons (750 nests) accounted for nearly half, followed by Great Egret (308), Snowy Egret (295), and Glossy Ibis (205) (EC). The true “southern herons,” having col- onized Long I. and beyond in the 1950s, have retreated from their 1980s peaks. Only 5 Little Blue Herons nested in New York harbor, plus several at two Long Island sites: Moriches In- r A Beginning abruptly 1 8 Jun, unprecedented numbers of tubenoses moved close to the beach, especially along Long l.'s 3 #ls. shore, and the phenomenon was also observed in New England waters. Indeed, more tubenoses were counted from land than from boats offshore. On that evening, over 600 seabirds streamed eastward past Robert Moses during two hours, including one Sooty, 300-f- Cory's, 17+ Greater, and 2 Manx Shearwaters, 33 Wilson's Storm-Petrels, 80 Northern Gannets, and a Parasitic Jaeger (SSM, PLi). Simultaneously, 1 00+ Cory's Shearwaters passed Tiana Beach, 56 km farther east (AB). The maximum was 3000+ shearwaters, mostly Cory's, seen just w. of Montauk Pt. 8 Jul (Brad Carlson, Doug Daniels). Observers tended to relate these observations to incessant easterly winds. More likely, they were related to food supply, as nutrient-rich waters piled up against these shores, driven perhaps by wind or perhaps by oscillations and convergences of currents that are still poorly understood. 574 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS HUDSON-DELAWARE Up to nine Little Gulls loafed among Bonaparte's Gulls at Fort Niagara State Park, New York into June (here 1 3 June) 2009. These images depict birds undergoing their first prealternate molt, in which head patterns vary widely from full black hoods to scattered black speckles. Ail the birds had dark carpal bars, and a few had black terminal tail bands. The species has nested sporad- ically in Ontario, not far away, since 1962, and occasionally around the western Great Lakes in Manitoba, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Photographs by Jim Pawlicki. let (SSM) and the William Floyd Estate, Suf- folk (Mary Laura Lamont). Tricolored Herons, always scarcer, are down to two nests in New York Harbor. Cattle Egrets have declined to one nest in New York Harbor (EC); there were two in 2007. No individual was reported far- ther north. The Region’s only breeding colony remains Pea Patch 1. in Delaware Bay, where 300-400 Cattle Egrets entered or left the colony the evenings of 30 Jun and 27 Jul, among some 1000-1500 herons (Chris Ben- nett, D.N.R.E.C.). This colony is also notable for the Region’s only coastal breeding Great Blue Herons. The suburban Yellow-crowned Night-Heron colony at the Redford Houses in Ear Rockaway, Queens, NY is still prospering, with 59 nests (EC). The annual wandering White Ibis turned up at Cape May 28-29 Jun (Dave Githins, m.ob., ph. KL), but, for the first time in many years, none was reported in Delaware. This Region shared richly in the widespread northward dispersal of Roseate Spoonbills. Delaware’s first turned up at Fen- wick I., Sussex, straddling the Maryland bor- der, 21 Jun and remained until 25 Jul (Richard Wood, m.ob.). A paler individual was at Fowler’s Beach, Sussex 6-12 Jul (MB, Bill Fin- tel, m.ob.). Whether this paler bird continued northward to the Thousand Acre Marsh 16-22 Jul (Andy Ednie, m.ob.) and again to Bombay Hook 20-28 Jul (John Harding, m.ob.), or whether these were additional individuals, is not known. New Jersey’s 3rd Roseate Spoon- bill remained at Brig from 18 Jul into fall (Shari & Larry Zirlin, ph. Eric Reuter, m.ob.). The Black Vulture frontier is now in New England, but pioneering continues in cen. New York, with reports from Onandaga, Cort- land, Albany, Columbia, and Herkimer (Lee Ellsworth, RG, Ron Ery, Matt Webster et ah). The upstate maximum was 4 at Copake Ealls, Columbia, NY, at the edge of the Taconic High- lands, 6 Jun (Russ Alderson). On Long L, sin- gles were recorded all the way e. to Orient Pt. 8 Jun (John Brush, Sr.; John Brush, Jr.) and Greenport 28 Jul (ph. Jody Levin). Turkey Vul- tures, a species that also shunned Long 1. until last year, when the first nest and the first win- ter roost were discovered, were visible all sum- mer on the e. end, reaching 7 at Northville, Suffolk 20 Jun (Johnny Cullen). Budget cuts canceled the aerial survey of Osprey nests in New York (BL). New Jersey’s triennial census found 485 active nests (up from 408 in 2006; KC). Bald Eagles soared again to 158 breeding pairs in New York and 223 young fledged (Pete Nye, N.Y.D.E.C.); 77 territorial pairs were recorded in New Jersey (KC) and 56 in Delaware (AGo). A Rough-legged Hawk 24 Jun at Cortland, NY (ph. Jim Barry, fide MY) was rare but not unprecedented in mid-sum- mer. Merlins keep spreading, with nests in both Buffalo and Rochester (B. Watts, Landy & D. Atkinson). Southernmost was a territorial pair at Jamestown, Chautauqua, NY 30 Jun (Tom Simmons et al.) RAILS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS A Black Rail was observed during high tides 25 Jun during a Cape May B.O. workshop (MO’B, m.ob.). The first territorial Black Rail detected on Long 1. in several summers was at Napeague, Suffolk (Hugh McGuiness et al.). Ninety-six Clapper Rails were visible to boaters, during a massive tide, in the back An ad. Mississippi Kite was discovered at Ames, Montgomery, NY 1 Jun (Stephanie Restuccia, ph. Michael Restuccia). As birders converged on this spot 12 Jul (Kevin McGann, RG), another kite appeared, this one still bearing traces of subad. plumage (AGu et al.). The 2 birds were last seen 3 Aug (SR). No nest or young was found. At Cape May, the most regular Regional site since the 1970s, 5 were in West Cape May 13 Jun (Harvey Tom- linson), plus one simultaneously at the Rea Farm (KL). bays of Cape May 20 Jun (MO’B, LZ). The only King Rails reported were singles at Os- wego City from mid-May-5 Jun (Mickey Scilingo, Martin Mau et al.) and at Cape May 23 Jun (ph. BE). Sandhill Cranes bred again at Savannah, Wayne, NY, as they have since 2003, while singles visited Orient Pt., at the e. tip of Long L, 2-8 Jun (Rob McGinness, John Brush, Jr.) and the Derby Hill hawkwatch site, Oswego, NY 28 Jul (WP). Piping Plovers declined in New Jersey, from 111 nesting pairs last year to 105. Though productivity was a gratifying 1.49 at Sandy Hook and other Monmouth sites, flooding in the south cut statewide productivity to 1.05 (TP). Back from the brink in Delaware, Piping Plovers fledged 13 chicks at Cape Henlopen and for the first time in recent years tried to nest elsewhere, at Eowler’s Beach, Sussex (MB). Long 1. had between 443 and 472 breeding pairs in 2008, the latest figures avail- able (MGb). They have almost doubled since 1999. Killdeer formed impressive post-breed- ing assemblages of 210 at the Sky High Sod Earm, Madison, NY 18 Jul (WP) and 200 the same clay at Blue Chip Earm, Ulster, NY (Corey Linger). Single Black-necked Stilts were northerly at Brig 6-8 Jun (Dave Lord, Karen Johnson, Janet Crawford) and in the Hackensack Meaclowlands, near Harrier Meadow, Bergen, NJ 10 & 18 Jun (Jim Wright et al.). They nested as usual at Bombay Hook. American Avocets visited the L. Ontario shore, where they are still rare, at Sodus Pt., Waytie, NY 16Jul (WW,J. Lazarczyk) and Irondequoit Bay, Rochester, NY 17 Jul (J. Compitello), con- ceivably the same bird. Single Willets, pre- sumed Westerns, were odd in midsummer at Hogan Pt. 12 Jun (ph DT, m.ob.) and at Char- lotte 21 Jun, both near Rochester (DT). Up to 9 Upland Sandpipers frequented two sites near Buffalo in Jun (PY, Richard Salembicr, J. Lan- dau), and eight sites had pairs or individuals VOLUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 575 HUDSON-DELAWARE in Jefferson, NY (JBo). Elsewhere, they bred at the Seneca Falls Fairground, Seneca, NY (Paul Flurtado et ah), but 11 there 18 Jul (Chris Wylie, Tim Fenz) may represent a post-breed- ing assemblage. Farther s., breeding was prob- able at Blue Chip Farm, Ulster, NY (m.ob.), conhrmed at Gabreskie Airport, Suffolk, NY (fide SSM), and continued at two sites in New Jersey: Fakehurst (down to 8 birds) and the Atlantic City airport (fide Don Freiday). In- triguingly, 2 visited the old Columbus Sod Farm, Mansfield, Burlington, NJ 3 jul (Dana Eglinton). As Burlington County now owns this site, future breeding is imaginable there. GULLS THROUGH ALCIDS A count of 7000 Faughing Gulls in the back bays of Cape May 20 jun (MO’B) suggests this species’ abundance here. Nine Little Gulls in prealternate molt lingered at Fort Niagara S.P., NY 21 Jun (ph. JP); this plumage is seldom seen in this Region. An ad. Black-headed Gull lingered exceptionally at the Niagara R. mouth until 9 Jun (WW), and another ad. vis- ited Cape May, NJ 27 & 30 Jun (ph BF). Gull- billed Terns are increasing on Long Island. Eight to 10 pairs inhabited the estuaries of Hempstead, Nassau, Long I., though high tides prevented breeding (JZ). The Gull-billed Terns that frequented Jamaica Bay in Jul cli- maxed on 31 Jul at a near-record 24; one of these birds sported a band (DG, JP). In New Jersey, however, they were absent from Barnegat Bay (JBu) and seem not to have bred n. of Brig. The tidal bar where Royal Terns nested for the last two years near Cape May was eroded. A few pairs joined a skimmer colony nearby at Stone Harbor Point, but everything disap- peared in a total washover (TP). A single Caspian Tern pair bred in Barnegat Bay once again (JBu) , far from the Region’s only colony at Little Galloo Island in L. Ontario. Roseate Terns increased to 1600 nesting pairs on Great Gull 1. (HH). The effort to create alternate colonies was set back when Cartwright Shoal, the most promising site, was overwashed. Only isolated Roseate Tern pairs breed else- where on Long Island. Common Terns on Great Gull I. reached 10,500 pairs (HH), about a third of Long Island’s total. This colony, elevated above the tides, was highly productive (HH), while productivity in Barnegat Bay fell to 0.13. Productivity has been below one chick per nest there in seven of the past eight years (JBu). Arctic Terns, now known to summer regularly around Long 1. in small numbers, coming ashore usually for only one day at a time, numbered 9 this year (SSM), Black Skimmers plummeted in New Jersey from 2787 ads. last year to 2219, though the count may have been skewed by emigration after flooding. Only five colonies formed (down from ten in 2008), and a mea- ger total of 327 young fledged came from a single colony (Seaview Harbor Marina, Long- port, Atlantic). In Barnegat Bay, some skim- mers were learning to nest on higher sub- strates of Spartina patens, but the water even- tually got them, too Obti)- On Long L, the Lido Beach, Suffolk colony reached a historic maximum of 933 individuals QZ). None nest- ed in Delaware (MB). A South Polar Skua, a species reported less than annually, was pho- tographed 77 km sse. of Shinnecock Inlet, Long 1. 4 Jul OS)- Totally unexpected were 2 alternate-plumaged Dovekies photographed 94 and 114 km sse. of Shinnecock Inlet 27 Jun, and another 136 km sse. of Shinnecock Inlet 4 Jul QS). There are some old mid-sum- mer records but few recent ones. DOVES THROUGH WRENS In addition to the well-known colony at Sel- byville, on the s. Delaware/Maryland border, Eurasian Collared-Doves seem to be establish- ing themselves around Rochester, NY. Those found at Parma in winter 2008-2009 continue, and another 2 at Hamlin 20-30 Jim exhibited courtship behavior (DT). One appeared in Og- den Township, NY 25 Jul (DT). The ConEd power company is contending with some 300 Monk Parakeet nests in Brooklyn and Queens, many of them on power poles (New York Times, 18 Apr 2009). For the 2nd summer. Snowy Owls remained into midsummer in up- state New York; Chyton, Jefferson (Jide JBo); Albany Airport (Will Raup, ph. Chris Al- bright, fide RG); and Deerfield, Oneida (ph. Steven Heerkens). A gratifying 24 Whip-poor- wills sang at Fort Drum 5 Jun QBo). Red-headed Woodpeckers, which declined 76% in New York State between the 1988 and the 2008 atlases, hang on along the Great Lakes and in the St, Lawrence 'Valley. The best location is Fort Drum, with eight pairs OBo)- Outside these areas, isolated pairs remained; one nested again in Manorville, Suffolk, Long 1. (Robert Adamo, Sy Schiff, m.ob.), and n. New Jersey had three sites in Sussex, Middle- sex, and Moiris. One at the Rehoboth Beach Yacht Club golf course in Jul represented the only Delaware report (Birdline Delaware). Twenty-one Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers in High Point S.P., Sussex 13-14 Jun (DF, MO’B) were remarkable, considering that nesting was unknown in New Jersey until about a dozen years ago. Acadian Flycatchers continue their slow advance northward and upcountry. A pair at Miner Flat Rock, Altona Township 18 Jul (Kenneth Adams, Melanie A. McCormack, John & Patricia Saxton et ah, ph.) represent- ed a first record for Clinton, NY and for the Adirondacks. A Gray Kingbird at the Nature Conservancy’s Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge (formerly South Cape May Meadows) 4 Jul, thought to be a first-year by its broad primary ends, made a first Jul record for Cape May (MO’B). A Scissor-tailed Flycatcher visit- ed Warinanco Park, Union, NJ 1 Jun (Cliff Miles, ph. Bill Boyle, Hank & Karin Burk). Another, or the same, appeared 12 Jun on Staten I. (Cliff Hagen et ah), just 11 km away. Late spring is a typical time for Scissor-tailed Flycatchers to appear in the Region. White-eyed Vireos ventured well beyond their n. limits in the Region, with singles at the University of Rochester’s Lehigh Swamp in mid-Jun (William Rowley) and at the Han- nacroix Creek Preserve, Greene, NY 5 Jun (RG). Common Ravens are now seen occa- sionally within New York City: one flew over Forest Hills Gardens 12 Jul (Steve Plust). In the New Jersey highlands, they “continue their march southward” from Sussex and War- ren into the Hunterdon and Monis highlands (RR). An early fall roost of 9000 Bank Swal- lows “perched along every row of dead cat- tails” at Montezuma 16 Jul (Chris Wiley, Tim Lenz) was impressive. Highly localized Sedge Wrens increased steadily at Fort Drum from 2 singing males in early Jun to 39 in late Jul, and about 10 others were found at other St. Lawrence valley locations QBo). Elsewhere, they were detected at only about ten localities in upstate New York, the southernmost being Montgomery, Orange (Carl McDermott, Ken McDermott, m.ob.). A singing male Ruby- crowned Kinglet at Summerhill, near Ithaca, NY 5 Jun-7 Jul showed no signs of breeding (CW, JBa, MY). Bicknell’s Thrushes still breed s. to the Catskill summits where they were first described. Good counts included 15 on Slide Mt., Ulster, NY 17 Jim (Kent McFarland, Brendan Collins) and 8 by the same observers on Plateau Mt., Greene, NY 16 Jun. WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES Golden-winged Warblers are now best looked for in the n. reaches of the Region. Fort Drum contained over 50 pairs, alongside about 40 pairs of increasing Blue-winged Warblers QBo). Two males each sang on L. Champlain at Westport (MDM, EKT) and at Webb Royce Swamp QoBn &: Patricia Thaxton), both Es- sex, NY. The best areas in downstate New York remain the powerline cuts in Sterling Forest, Orange, where this season’s maximum was 8 on 6 Jun (Rob Fanning). Only one was report- . ed in New Jersey, at Layton, Sussex in mid-Jun (fide RR). The zone of Golden-winged/Blue- winged hybridization is likewise shifting 576 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS northward. The 2nd and 3rd records of Brew- ster’s Warbler for Essex, NY, on L. Champlain, were established at Westport 22 Jun (MDM, EKT) and at Webb Royce Swamp 22 & 28 Jun (Daniel Peters, Dana Rohleder, MDM, EKT). Other n. New York reports came from Alle- gany S.R, Cattaraugus (Chris Newton); the Catskills in Greene Oohn Kent); L. Champlain in Warren (Ed Ellday); and St. Lawrence OBo). Two Lawrence’s Warblers were observed at Fort Drum, where the first occurred only last year QBo). Other singles were at Cary Arbore- tum, Millbrook, Dutchess, NY, all summer (Wings Over Dutchess) and at the Elizabeth Kay Environmental Center at Chester, Morris, NJ through 21 jun, for the 2nd summer (fide SB). Palm Warblers, first found nesting in the Adirondacks in 1984, have prospered: witness 19 at Massaweepie Mire, St. Lawence 1 Jun (Joan Collin, Hope Batcheller et al.) and 31 there 13 Jun OBo). The best Cerulean Warbler counts were westerly: 6 in Allegany S.R, Cat- taraugus, NY 21 Jun (PY, Tim Baird) and 8 on Old Mine Rd., Warren, NJ 13 Jun (fide SB). One at L. Alice in the Adirondacks 9 May-1 Jun at (BK) constituted the 2nd Clinton, NY record. A window-killed Summer Tanager found at Claverac 1 Jul (Bill Cook), marking the first Columbia, NY record since 2000, was about 190 km n. of known breeding areas. Henslow’s Sparrows, down 80% in New York State between the 1988 and 2008 atlases, are now nearly limited to the St. Lawrence 'Val- ley, and even there, the known breeding sites are falling to agriculture and construction. Fort Drum contained 17-19 singing males in Jul, while 5 males sang in two locations in Or- leans, Jejfferson 9 Jun, and 2 sang in Hammond Twp., St. Lawrence QBo). The only other re- port came from the L. Ontario plain at Kendall, Orleans, NY (AGu, m.ob.). A singing Nelson’s Sparrow, possibly accompanied by another, at Chazy River 21 Jul (BK) represent- ed the 3rd Clinton, NY record since 2002. At- lasers found Delaware’s 2nd confirmed Rose- breasted Grosbeak nest in the Alapocas Woods near Wilmington (fide AGo). Blue Grosbeaks have moved n. of their recent Raritan R. fron- tier in New Jersey to breed regularly in small numbers in Hunterdon (RR). None were found there in the 1999 atlas. Dickcissels frequented only s. Delaware this summer, but at four lo- cations, the most in modern times: near Har- rington, Kent; near Milford; near Seaford; and near the headquarters of Prime Hook N.W.R., all Sussex. Several young were fledged (fide AGo). An ad. male Yellow-headed Blackbird at Whallonsburg in late Jul (Maureen Ecclesine) was only the 6th Essex, NY record and the 7th Adirondack record since 1980. Most appear in fall or winter. Only a few crossbills remained HUDSON-DELAWARE after last year’s invasions, limited to n. New York. After their historic invasion, a few Pine Siskins lingered widely, but they bred in only five upstate New York counties — Niagara, Wyoming, Monroe, Orleans, and Tompkins — and in New Jersey at three locations in Morris and Ocean (RR). Such breeding as occurred most likely finished in May (MY). Observers (subregional compilers in bold- face): Deborah Allen (Central Park, NYC), Matthew Bailey (D.N.R.E.C.), Andrew Baldel- li, Scott Barnes (n. coastal New Jersfey: scott.barnes@njaudubon.org), Jessie Barry QBa), Patrick Belardo (n. -central New Jersey: pbelardo@yahoo.com); Shane Blodgett (SBl), Michael Bochnik (Lower Hudson Valley: BochnikM@cs.com), Jeff Bolsinger QBo) (St. Lawrence, NY: cadybols@gisco.net), Joanna Burger QBu), T. W. Burke (New York Rare Bird Alert), Mark Chao (Finger Lakes, NY: markchao@imt.org), Kathy Clark (N.J.D.EW), Elizabeth Craig (Harbor Herons Project), Vince Elia (s. coastal New Jersey: vje@njaudubon.org). Bob Fogg, Valerie Freer (Sullivan, NY), Don Freiday (Cape May Bird Observatory), Michelle Gibbons (MGb) (N.Y.D.E.C.), Doug Gochfeld, Anthony Gonzon (AGo), Andy Guthrie (AGu), Richard Guthrie, K. C. Griffith (Genesee, NY: ck- grif@localnet.com), Helen Hays (Great Gull L), Spencer Hunt (Susquehanna, NY: hunts493@clarityconnect.com), Steve Kelling, R. J. Kurtz, Pat Lindsay (PLi) (Long Island, NY: pjlindsay@optonline.net), Barbara Loucks (N.Y.D.E.C.), Karl Lukens, David Martin, Matthew D. Medler, Shaibal Mitra (Long Is- land, NY: mitra@mail.csi.cuny.edu), Michael Morgante (Niagara Frontier: morgm@adel- phia.net), Jim Pawlicki, J. M. C. Peterson (Adirondack-Champlain region: jmcp7@ juno.com), Todd Pover (N.J.D.FW), William Purcell (Oneida Lake Basin: wpurcell@twc- ny.rr.com), Rick Radis (nw. New Jersey: iso- tria@verizon.net), Don Riepe Bay), Rochester Birding Association, John Shemilt, Steve Sobocinski (sw. Newjersey: ssobocins- ki@comcast.net), Robert G. Spahn (Rochester), Dave Tetlow, Chris Vogel, R. T. Waterman Bird Club (Dutchess, NY), Eric K. Teed, William Watson, Chris Wood, Will Yandik (Hudson-Mohawk region: wyandik® hotmail.com), Peter Yoerg, John Zarudski. ^ Robert 0. Paxton, 460 Riverside Drive, Apt. 72 New York, New York 10027, (ropl@columbia.edu) Richard R. Veit, Department of Biology College of Staten Island, 2800 Victory Boulevard Staten Island, New York 10314, (veitrr2003@yahoo.com) Frank Rohrbacher, 5 Neva Court Wilmington, Delaware 19810, (ROHRBAF@aol.com) GET DOWN AND DIRTY FOR AMERICA. And when you get you hands dirty in programs iike National Public Lands Day, you help spruce up your beautiful lands. Last year, on this day, nearly 80,000 volunteers built traits, bridges, planted native trees and removed trash. To find out how you can help, go to www.nptd.com or call 800-VOL-TEER (800-865-8337). HELPING HANDS FOR AMERICA’S LANDS DA'f © 2004 Muench Photography, Inc. VOLUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 577 I Middle Atlantic Mark T. Adams Matt Hafner June temperatures were near normal across most of the Region, though parts of Maryland and northern Virginia were somewhat cooler than average. July was a marked contrast to June: Virginia and Mary- land recorded their 4th and 7th coldest July average temperatures, respectively, of the past 115 years. The Region’s mid-summer cool down was part of a larger pattern of below-av- erage temperatures that extended across at least ten nearby states in July. Precipitation was above average in June, but July rainfall was below normal except in far southwestern Virginia, where it was near normal. , The season’s avian highlights included Yel- low-nosed Albatross, Brown Booby, Neotropic Cormorant, Great 'White Egret, multiple Roseate Spoonbills, an amazing Violet- crowned Hummingbird, and encouraging breeding success for the Region’s sole Red- cockaded Woodpecker colony. In addition to this report’s many individual contributors, we thank Tim Hodge, Adam D’Onofrio, Nick Flanders, YuLee Lamer, Robert E Ringler, jo Solem, and Bill Williams for their assistance in compiling and interpreting the season’s records. Abbreviations: Assat. (Assateague I., Worces- ter, MD); Back Bay (Back Bay N.W.R., Virginia Beach, VA); Bay (Chesapeake Bay); Chine. (Chincoteague N.W.R., Accomack, VA); Craney (Craney I. Disposal Area, Portsmouth, VA); False Cape (False Cape S.R, Virginia Beach, VA); Hart (Hart-Miller L, Baltimore, MD); Poplar (Poplar I., Talbot, MD); V.D.G.I.F (Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries). WATERFOWL THROUGH IBISES Eight Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks visited Jug Bay, Prince George’s/Anne Arundel, MD 2 Jun (DB, m.ob.); the 8 Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks seen flying northward at Wooten’s Landing, Anne Arundel 4 Jun (HH) were only about 10 km n. of Jug Bay and probably the same flock; these birds were also likely the same flock reported in late spring at L. Churchill, Montgomery, MD. The Ross’s Goose near downtown Lynchburg, VA in late spring (TDa et al.) remained through 1 Jun. A Tundra Swan at Lyndhurst, Augusta, VA 15 Jun (DQ,JideYL) established a first county record in summer. The injured Tundra Swan at Blackwater N.W.R., Dorchester, MD continued from the spring through 18 Jul (m.ob.). An impressive variety of accidental to rare waterfowl was reported. Two Gadwalls lin- gered at Hart 6-20 Jun (EJS et al), as did 2 Blue-winged Teal 6-13 Jun (EJS et al.). A fe- male Northern Pintail tending a seven-egg nest on Metompkin 1., Accomack, VA 6 Jun (AW) provided a rare Virginia breeding record, though a check 19 Jun found the nest abandoned. An early Green-winged Teal visit- ed Mill Creek L., Amherst, VA 25 Jul (RB, TDa); 3 Green-winged Teal were at Hart 20 Jun (KGr et al.). An unex- pected Canvasback was at Ma- sonville, Baltimore, MD 20 Jul (KGr). At least 8 Ring-necked Ducks were observed around the Region, including a one on the Po- tomac R. at Great Falls N.P., Faufax, VA 21 Jun (MR) and 2 drakes at Clyde’s Pond, Dick Cross W.M.A., Mecklenburg, VA 27 Jun (AD, TT). Three Greater Scaup were at Hart 6- 20 Jun (EJS et al.); 2 were on the Po- tomac R., Prince George’s 7-14 Jun (m.ob.); and the latest was a single at Masonville, Baltimore 20 Jul (KGr). At least 9 Lesser Scaup lin- gered into summer, including a drake at Craney 1 Jul+ (BW). An imm. male King Eider, very rare in summer, was at Poplar 6 Jul+ (JR, m.ob.), often mingling with 11 Surf Scoters that were present 23 Jun+ (]R, m.ob.). A Surf Scoter was at Fisherman I., Northampton, VA 29 Jul (RLA). Rare in summer even on the coast, 2 Long- tailed Ducks visited Poplar 6-20 Jul QR, m.ob.). Single Buffleheads were surprising 30 Juji at Violette’s Lock, Montgomery, MD (DCz) and at Patuxent River Park, Prince George’s (CO). A female Common Merganser was on a nest on the Youghiheny R., Garrett, MD 12 Jun (BH). A female Common Mer- ganser and 9 young were an excellent find at Violette’s Lock, Montgomery 18 Jun (SA). An apparently injured drake Common Merganser was on the Shenandoah R., Clarke, VA 9 Jul (DCa). Single Red-breasted Mergansers con- tinued from the spring at Ocean City, Worces- ter, MD through 22 Jul (m.ob.) and at Hart through 6 Jun (EJS et al.). Others were at Ft. Smallwood, Anne Arundel 2 Jun (fide Voice of the Naturalist) and Liberty L., CatroU, MD 15 Jun (RFR). At least 11 Common Loons were seen, the latest 2 birds each on 18 Jul at Chine. OU and at Liberty L., Carroll (RFR). Four Horned Grebes were reported from Maryland, including a bird from the spring at Rigby’s Folly, Talbot, MD that remained through the summer (HTA). A Western Grebe briefly visited a pond at The Summit, Bedford 6 Jun O^o) for only the 5th Virginia Piedmont record. A Yellow-nosed Albatross over the ocean at Assat. 6 Jun (p.a., SA) was well described and would be Maryland’s 2nd record. This bird was only a stone’s throw from Virginia, which has just two accepted Yellow-nosed Al- batross sight records (1979, 1981). Six Greater Shearwaters and a Sooty Shearwater were nice finds off Fisherman I. and Smith L, Northampton, VA 29 Jun (FS). A pelagic trip out of Lewes, DE 16 Jun (ES) reported 325 Cory’s, 25 Greater, and 3 Sooty Shearwaters in Maryland waters; another Lewes pelagic trip 26 Jun recorded 10 Cory’s and 8 Greater Shearwaters OLS) in Maryland waters. Rarely seen from the Bay shore, a Wilson’s Storm-Pe- trel was at Pt. Lookout, St. Mary’s, MD 19 Jul (TF). An imm. Brown Booby perched on a boat sailing in the Bay just below the Potomac R. in Virginia waters 17 Jul (ph. LF, fide TD). A first for Maryland, an imm. Brown Booby was photographed 22 Jul flying southward This immature Brov/n Booby rested on a boat that was sailing around the northwestern Chesapeake Bay, apparently in Virginia waters, on 17 July 2009. Photograph by Lois fusseU. 578 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS MIDDLE ATLANTIC past Assat. (FJ) Though Northern Gannets are merely uncommon in summer, most are subads., so 2 ads. at Assat. 24 Jun (SA) were rare in that respect. Though an occasional individual will sum- mer on barrier islands, often among Brown Pelican or gull colonies, lone American White Pelicans were of interest at Ft. McHenry, Balti- more 10 Jun (JP et al.) and at Poplar 16 Jun (fide PO); single flyovers were seen 18 Jun at the District of Columbia (GB) and Patuxent Research Refuge, Prince Georges OFa)- An American White Pelican at Blackwater N.W.R., Dorchester continued from the winter through the season (m.ob.). Initially colo- nized by 13 Brown Pelican pairs in 2005, a Sandy 1., Northampton site supported 740 ads. this summer (AW). A total of 1760 Brown Pel- ican young was banded in the upper Bay 8-19 Jul (HTA, JW): 1434 at Peach Orchard Pt., Ac- comack and 326 at South Pt. Marsh, Accomack. More than 20,000 Brown Pelicans have now been banded in the Bay (fide HTA). A color- banded Brown Pelican at Pt. Lookout, St. Mary’s 29 Jul (PR, fide HTA) had been ringed as a chick at South Pt. Marsh 12 Jul 2000. A second-year Neotropic Cormorant at Vi- olettes Lock, Montgomery 17 Jun-1 Jul (ph. DCz, m.ob.) furnished a 3rd state record, the 2nd at this location (the first was also ob- served in Virginia). An ad. female frigatebird was at False Cape 12 Jul (DC). Five American Bitterns at Elliot L, Dorchester 27 Jun (DS, MG) represented an excellent summer count in Maryland, where the species is a rare breeder; one at Truitt’s Landing, Worcester 10 Jul (LS et al.) was also notable. The black-billed Great Egret, often called the Great White Egret, was again re- ported at Chine. 27Jun-20Jul (ph. GL, MAK, RLA, ESB et al.); this is likely the same bird that resided at Chine, late May-early Jun 2008 and at False Cape 4-24 Aug 2008. A Lit- tle Blue Heron in breeding plumage at the Dulles Wetlands, Loudon, VA 13 Jun was un- expected (MAG, GH). Rare on the Piedmont, a Tricolored Heron was at Violette’s Lock, Montgomery 26-28 Jul (RO, MO). A juv. Yel- low-crowned Night-Heron at Swoope, Augus- ta 2-5 Jul ( AL) marked the first county record since the mid-1990s. 1mm. White Ibis were reported from more than five inland loca- Roseate Spoonbill records are exploding to the Region's south: in Georgia, the Carolinas, Ten- nessee, the Gulf Coast states, and even into the lower Midwest. Prior to this season, the only Virginia record was photographed at Back Bay 3 Jun 1996, though photo- graphs were lost before they could be reviewed. Thus, a Roseate Spoonbill observed this summer near Lynd- hursLAugosfo 15-19 Jun (GHe, AMc, m.ob.; ph. BTeetal.) delighted birders and furnished a first firm Virginia record. Remarkably, additional records soon followed, including 2 Roseate Spoonbills seen by multiple parties at Chin- coteague N.W.R. 5 Jul [fide ESB). A single Roseate Spoon- bill arrived at Craney 1. 8 Jul (BW/, SD, AM, DR) and stayed into early Aug (BW et al.). Prior to this season, Maryland had two Roseate Spoonbill records (1979, 1996) from Smith I., a Chesa- peake Bay island divided between Maryland and Virginia. The 1996 Maryland record occurred just three days after the Virginia record and was likely the same individual. This season, an imm. Roseate Spoonbill that visited Delaware also made brief forays into Maryland to estab- lish a 3rd state record. It was reported, e.g., at Fenwick I., Worcester, MD 26 Jun (KKa) and 1 Jul (EP). tions, including a bird al Stuarts Draft, Augus- ta 9 Jul (AL) that established a 4th county summer record. Unexpected single Glossy Ibis were at Shirley Plantation, Charles City, VA 11-25 Jul (LB, LBa) and Green Springs Trail, James City, VA 12-13 Jul (BW, SD). A White-faced Ibis at Chine. 7 & 13 Jun QT; PL, fide RH) was likely the same bird noted there in spring. STORKS THROUGH OWLS A rare summer visitor, a Wood Stork soaring with 2 Turkey Vultures near Millsboro Springs, Bath, VA 7 Jul (ABo, GK) was no- table. An Osprey was building a rather late nest near the South R. in downtown Waynes- boro, VA 6 Jul (BTe). Interesting Mississippi Kite records include singles near Percival’s L, Lynchburg, VA 6Jun (PLy, JPi); al North East, Cecil, MD 6 Jun (CS); at Ft. Smallwood, Amie Anmdcl 9 Jun (MG); and in s. Canrpbell, VA 2- 3 Jul (RB, TDa). The VG.D.I.E has conducted Bald Eagle counts along the Potomac R. in Jun and Jul since 2006. The first of this year’s counts yielded a record 488 Bald Eagles, of which 288 were adults. In addition to sup- porting breeding birds, the Potomac R. and the Bay host migrant eagles from southeastern states in the summer (fide SH). A Northern Harrier at Hope, Queen Arme’s 4 Jun (HTA) was unexpected, as this species is scarce away from the Eastern Shore marshes. An ad. and fledgling King Rail at Swan Har- bor, Harjord, MD 28 Jul (DL, PLe) provided another breeding record for this manmade wetland. Three King Rails were at Occoquan Bay N.W.R., Prince William, VA 4 Jul QBa), though not at the usual lower Catamount Cr. location. An ad. King Rail with 4 chicks and an ad. Virginia Rail with 6 chicks were en- couraging sights at Huntley Meadows Park, Fairfax 27 Jul (HG et al). An American Coot at Back Bay 16 Jun (DH, fide JG) was a rare summer resident. The annual VD.G.I.F plover survey docu- mented 37 Wilson’s Plover pairs on three northern Accomack barrier islands (As- sawoman, Metompkin, and Cedar Islands), surpassing the 2008 total of 31 pairs but well below the 1991 peak of 50 pairs (RBo). The survey also located 182 Piping Plover pairs on 11 separate barrier islands, a sharp decline from the 2008 peak of 208 pairs. Forty-five Piping Plover pairs were recorded at Assat., with an average of 1.5 young per pair fledged (fide TP). The Nature ConservancyWD.G.I.E American Oystercatcher monitoring project found 375 pairs on the Virginia Atlantic bar- rier islands (AW), 200 of which were on 5 n. Accomack islands: Assat., Wallops, As- sawoman, Metompkin, and Cedar (AW). Eighty-four American Oystercatcher nests were observed on eight Accomack bayside is- lands (RBo). Notable Black-necked Stilt re- ports included 20 birds at Chine. 2 Jul (RLA, ESB) and 4 at Craney 1 & 9 Jul (BW, DR). Four downy Black-necked Stilt young were at Craney 28 Jul (BW, SD, AM, DR). Two Black- necked Stilts were at Assat. 6 Jun (SA); the species nested again at Hart and Poplar. Two American Avocets, rare inland, were at Jamestown L, James City 17 Jul (D&PL). Poplar hosted 2 & 7 American Avocets, re- spectively, on 6 & 21 Jul (JR); and a lone bird at Piney Run, Carroll 9 Jul (BHo) provided a very rare Piedmont record. Two Spotted Sandpipers at Powhatan, VA 25 Jun (WE) were very late or early; another was at Staunton View Park, Mecklenburg 27 Jun (AD, TT). An Upland Sandpiper at Alpha Ridge, Howard 31 Jul (RC et al.) was a rarity for cen. Maryland. A late migrant Whimbrel was at George’s Island Landing, Worcester 6 Jun (ZB, SA). The Center for Conservation Bi- ology migration project tallied 80 Whimbrels at Box Tree Cr., Northampton 9 Jul and about (* A After decades of tantalizing observations of Anhingas behaving as though they might be breeding, Virginia at last had confirmed breeding record this season. An Anhinga pair nested in a Great Blue Heron rookery at Harwood's Mill Res., York, VA 1 1 Jun (DYo). An ad. Anhinga was photographed on the nest 14 Jun. By 22 Jun, the nest was unoccupied, and 2 fledgling Anhingas were observed. Elsewhere, single ad. male Anhingas were at a swamp on Cabin Point Rd., Sussex, VA 12 Jun (ph. AD), at ponds on Hicks Ford Rd., Southampton, ]lk 16 Jun (EE), and near Heathsville, Northumberland, VA 18 Jul (RD, fide TS). This Northumberland pond hosted 2 Anhingas last summer. An Anhinga was again at Stumpy L., Virginia Beach 12 Jul (PL, fide RLA), where restricted access limits surveying for nests to a small portion of the reservoir. VOLUME 63 (2009) NUMBER 4 579 MIDDLE ATLANTIC 250 birds there 23 Jul (FS). The Long-billed Curlew seen in spring at Elkins Marsh, Northampton was relocated one km n. at Buckhorn Pt. 14 Jun (FS, BTr). Rare between mid-Jun and Aug, a Marbled Godwit was at Ocean City, Worcester 11 Jul (DCz); and 2 birds each were at Castaways Campground, Worcester 15-18 Jul (SA et al.) and Georges Is- land Landing, Worcester 11 Jul (Ml), Nine flocks of 2-19 Red Knots were reported in Maryland from Assat., Hart, and Ocean City. Two Western Sandpipers at Assat. 24 Jun (SA) were early. Rare anywhere in Jun and Jul in the Region, particularly away from the coast, the 12 Dunlins that summered at Poplar (JR) were unexpected. A migrant Stilt Sandpiper at Summit Hall, Montgomery', MD 26 Jul (DCz) provided a rare Piedmont record. A scarce summer visitor and declining fall transient, an ad. female Wilson's Phalarope was at Chine. 27 Jim (GK&MAK); another was at Poplar 21 Jul (JR et al.). A South Polar Skua was an excellent Mary- land pelagic find 16 Jun (ES). 'Very rare in the summer, a Pomarine Jaeger 9 Jul (SA, MW) and a Parasitic Jaeger 24 Jul (BC) were both at Assat. Weekly surveys recorded a peak of 570 Laughing Gull pairs at Grandview Beach Park, Hampton, VA 2 Jun (BW, SD, DR, BT) and 2546 nests along the Hampton Roads Bridge- Tunnel 9 Jun (SD, DR, DT, BW). A second-cy- cle Franklin’s Gnll followed the James R. fer- r)’ between Jamestown, James City and Scot- land, Siiny, VA 12-15 Jun (ph. BT, AD, KK, FB). A Bonaparte’s Gull was at Poplar 20-21 Jul (JR et ah). Lesser Black-backed Gulls peaked at about 200 birds at Back Bay/False Cape (GM, DH, RLA et ah). The Oyster, Northampton Glaucous Gull from the spring was still present 26 Jun (GL, MAK), establish- ing a 5th Virginia summer record. The Glau- cous Gull reported in late spring at Ocean City, Worcester remained through 21 Jun (JB et al.). Although a comprehensive survey was not conducted this season, it was evident that Gull-billed Terns continue to struggle in Vir- ginia. Only 10 pairs could be found on the Ac- comack and Northampton barrier islands, and a colony of 79 pairs on a marsh shell pile near Wreck 1. was washed out as eggs were hatch- ing. In Maryland, 1-2 Gull-billed Terns were seen regularly at Castaways, Worcester, 1-2 birds were seen several times at North Vaughn, and a single bird was reported sever- al times in Ocean City. Royal Terns did not nest on any of the Virginia Atlantic barrier is- lands for the first time since at least 1935. However, 1 386 pairs nested at Hampton (BW et al), more than double the 633 pairs there in 2008. At least 944 Royal Tern pairs bred on the Clump I. /Fox 1. complex, Accomack QW, HTA et al). The 11 Caspian Terns at Staunton View Park, Mecklenburg 31 Jul represented just the 2nd summer Piedmont record Obi). Injun, a Sandwich Tern pair was observed de- fending a space among Royal Terns on the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (BW et al.), then carrying food to the colony site 22 6ir 30 Jul (DR, BT, DT). If the pair did nest, as the ev- idence suggests, it constitutes a first for Hampton Roads and a first for the Region away from the coastal barrier islands. A rare transient and summer visitor along the coast and the lower Bay, a Roseate Tern was a nice find at Assat. 9-29 Jul (m.ob.). One of the few onshore reports for this species, an ad. Arctic Tern was at Assat. 22 & 25 Jul (p.a., FJ, JLS); the species has been detected with increasing frequency in and around Long I., NY and oc- casionally coastal New Jersey though most have not been ads. in summer. Regional bird- ers on the outer coasts should look carefully for ''portlandica" (first-summer) Arctics at this season. Least Terns attempted to nest at Lynnhaven Mall, Virginia Beach for a 9th con- secutive year, with 41 nests (same as 2008) 17 Jun (RBo). The colony was subsequently abandoned, perhaps because of Red-tailed Hawk predation. Least Terns failed to nest at Patrick Henry Mall this summer after three years of success (2006-2008). The 18 pairs at Grandview Beach Park 2 Jun (BW, SD, DR, BT) failed to produce young. There were 123 ad. Least Terns at Craney 1 Jul (DR, DT), scat- tered among a loose aggregation of colony sites along the Elizabeth River. A late season VD.G.l.F count of Least Tern nesting activity in Mathews, VA yielded 13 active nests at New Pt. Comfort and 82 ads. with 18 active nests and 17 fledglings at Sandy Pt. 9 Jul (RBo). A Black Tern arrived at Craney 1 Jul (BW, DR, DT). The only inland Black Tern was at Vio- lette’s Lock, Montgomery, MD 23-26 Jul (DCz). Twenty-three of 59 ad. Black Skimmers at Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel 8 Jun (DR, DT) were incubating; a Grandview Beach Park colony peaked at 386 ads. 12 Jun (BW, SD, DR, BT). Black Skimmers nested in numbers on Skimmer I., Worcester after several years of low numbers there. Several observers reported Yellow-billed Cuckoos as being scarce this season (FA et ah). The 3 Short-eared Owls at Elliot L, Dorchester 11 Jun-18 Jul (DS, MG et al.) may indicate breeding activity. There have been no confirmed Short-eared Owl breeding records for the lower Eastern Shore in the last half- century. WOODPECKERS THROUGH FINCHES The Red-cockaded Woodpeckers at the Na- ture Conservancy’s Piney Grove Preserve had a successful breeding season: six pairs fiedged 15 birds. The 9 females and 6 males that fledged in 2009 represent the highest produc- tion of young in the past decade (MWi et ah). Intensive habitat management by the Nature Conservancy and the translocation of Red- cockaded Woodpeckers from other popula- tions into the Preserve has seemingly secured this colony. There are now 43 Red-cockaded Woodpeckers at the Piney Grove Preserve. Two ad. Loggerhead Shrikes were feeding one young in Bedford 30 Jul (PLy). A Loggerhead Shrike in Greensville, VA 15 Jun (TDa, Jide WE) was notable, as most recent records of this species are from n. and w. parts of the state. The Purple Martin roost at Shockoe Bottom, Richmond, VA hosted about 3000 r J\ One 25 Jun, Caro! and Ron Baker were surprised to see an apparent ad. male Violet-crowned Hummingbird defend- m) Ming a feeder also patronized by numerous Ruby-throated Hummingbirds at their bed & breakfast in Craig, Virginia. They forwarded photographs of the interloper to Bill Akers and Jerry Via, who visited 27 Jun and confirmed the bird's identification; the bird was last seen 28 Jun. This record is comparable to Brown Booby the Claytor Lake, Pulaski, VA in fall 2008 for its lack of continental precedence. Violet-crowned Hummingbird has strayed from its typical Mexico-Arizona-New Mexico locations into California a half- dozen times, reaching as far n. as Humboldt, and there is a Portland, OR sight record. Though it remains a great rarity in the state, Texas has seen an increase in Violet-crowned Hummingbird sightings: there are now about 16 documented records, including nine reported since spring 2007 (fide Mark Lockwood). Violet-crowned Hummingbirds have wandered much less than other southwestern hummingbird species in New Mexico, and there have been very few records outside Guadalupe Canyon, Hidal- go since the first state record (also the first U.S. record) occurred there in 1957. The summering population in the New Mexico portion of Guadalupe Canyon is small and has shown no detectable change in recent decades (Sandy Williams). These data sug- gest that Violet-crowned Hummingbird would be among the least-expected hummingbirds to visit the Middle Atlantic region. States e. of the Mississippi R. have records of Anna's, Costa's, Broad-billed, Buff-bellied, Blue-throated, Broad-tailed, and White-eared Hummingbirds, Green Violetear, and Green-breasted Mango, Though none of these species have been observed in Virginia, states adjacent to Virginia have recorded most (a Green Violetear was reported, though not photographed, in Cum- berland, Virginia). The Virginia record of Magnificent Hummingbird (Radford, 22-25 Oct 2003), in combination with this Vio- let-crowned Hummingbird record, may indicate that observers are seeing only the tip of the iceberg. 580 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS MIDDLE ATLANTIC birds in late Jul QF)- A Purple Martin roost at Chantilly, Faiifax grew from 21+ birds on 27 Jun to 500+ birds by 4 Jul, peaked at 1500+ birds on 13 Jul, and declined to 600 birds on 25 Jul (SB, SJ). A Cliff Swallow pair nested at Little Creek Res., James City for the first time since 1995 (PS). Two Winter Wrens at Dans Mt., Allegany, MD 1 Jun (DY) were notable. Though there are no confirmed Winter Wren nesting records for Allegany, Dans Mt. does host breeders found elsewhere only in Gairett on the Allegany Plateau. A Winter Wren along the Blue Ridge Parkway, Nelson, VA 22 Jul (JS) was unusual. Though Bachman’s Sparrow was a primary target of the 2009 Virginia Society of Ornithology Annual Bird Foray 12-17 Jun in Sussex and Greensville, none were seen or heard. Although expected, this outcome was disappointing. Twenty-four Grasshopper Sparrows made an impressive total for the Sharps B.B.S. route, Richmond/Westmore- land/Northumberland, VA 14 Jun (WP). Sea- side Sparrow counts included the 30 birds at Fisherman I., Northampton, VA 16 Jul (RLA) and about 40 at Box Tree Cr., Northampton 23 Jul (FS). Single White-throated Sparrows lin- gered at Ellicott City, Howard 27 Jun (KH) and Grosvenor Park, Montgomery, MD 19 Jul (MO). An ad. male Rose-breasted Grosbeak in the G. Richard Thompson W.M.A., Fauquier, VA 22 Jun was surprising (TD), whereas one at Ft. Smallwood, Anne Arundel 17 Jul QH) was early at this Coastal Plain migrant trap. This summer saw an average breeding sea- son for Dickcissel, with reports from at least ten counties that encompass the expected lo- cations. A rare summer visitor to the Coastal Plain, 2 male Bobolinks at Hog Island W.M.A., Suny 4 Jul (ph. AD, TT) were a nice find. The 3 Boblinks in se. Campbell 7 Jun (RB) may have been late migrants. A singing Baltimore Oriole, a rare and local summer res- ident, was at New Quarter Park, York 27 Jun (BW). Two Red Crossbills were at Elkhorn L., Augusta 1 1 Jul; another was heard the same day in the George Washington N.F, Augusta (ABr). Pine Siskins holding over from the winter and spring invasion included singles at Staunton, VA 1 Jun (E&NL) and Bedford 6 Jun (RB); 2 birds at Woodbine, Cairoll 18-19 Jun (RS); and very late singles at Ellicott City, Howard 28 Jun (BO) and at George Washing- ton’s Ferry Farm, Stafford, VA 1-2 Jul (PN). Contributors; Robert L. Ake, Bill Akers, Hen- ry T. Armistead, Stan Arnold, Fred Atwood, Zach Baer, Carol & Ron Baker, Lewis Barnett (LBa), Scott Baron, John Bazuin (JBa), Lynda Blair, Jeff Blalock QB!), Fred Blystone, Ruth Boettcher (RBo), Arun Bose, Allen Boynton (ABo), Jim Brighton, Edward S. Brinkley, Rex- anne Bruno, Allen Bryan (ABr), Greg Butcher, Danny Bystrak, David Carr (DCa), David Clark, Barry Cooper, Ralph Cullison, Dave Czaplak (DCz), Thelma Dalmas (TDa), Richard Davis, Fenton Day, Todd Day, Shirley Devan, Adam D’Onofrio, Wendy Ealding, Elisa Enders, Jane Fallon (JFa), Tom Feild, Janice Frye, Lois Fussel, John Gallegos, Maren Gimpel, Harry Glasgow, Mary Ann Good, Kevin Graff (KGr), Matt Grey, Joe Hanfman, Sergio Harding, Gerry Hawkins, Kevin Hefferman, Gale Heffinger (GHe), Rob Hilton, Tim Hodge (THo), Hans Holbrook, Barry Hoskins (BHo), Bill Hubick, David L. Hughes, Marshall Iliff, Frode Jacobsen, Steve Johnson, Kevin Kalasz (KKa), Karen Kearney, Glenn Koppel & MaryAlice Koeneke, Gale Kuebler, Dave Larkin, Allen Lamer, Yulee Lamer, Ed & Nancy Lawler, Dave 6? Phyllis Lee, Paul Lehman, Peter Lev (PLe), Jon Little, Peggy Lyons (PLy), Andy McGann (AMc), Alex Minarik, Geralyn Mireles, Paul Nasca, Chris Ordiway, Peter Osenton, Mike Ostrows- ki, Robert Ostrowski, Bonnie Ott, Tami Pearl, Jim Peters, Joanne Pierce OPO, Elizabeth Pit- ney, William Portlock, David Quillen, Mar- shall Rawson, Jan Reese, Dylan Reilly, Robert F Ringler, Patricia Rose, Tom Saunders, Eu- gene J. Scarpulla, Pat Sgrinia, Ed Sigda, Jeff Skevington, Dan Small, Fletcher Smith, Chris Starling, Leslie Starr, James L. Stasz, Rick Sussman, Brian Taber, Dana Taylor, Josh Tay- lor, Brenda Tekin (BTe), Tina Trice, Barry Tru- itt (BTr), Jerry Via, Mike Walsh, John Weske, Alex Wilke, Bill Williams, Mike Wilson (MWi), Jo Wood OWo), David Yeany, Dave Youker (DYo). O Mark L Adams, 2300 Rocky Run Charlottesville, Virginia 22901 (markadamsphd@yahoo.com) Matt Hafner, 330 Orchis Road St. Augustine, Florida 32086, (mh1920@aoLcom) Southern Atlantic 'i Meteorologically speaking, it was a season of contrasts. Summer bolted out of the gates in June with rela- tively dry and extremely hot conditions: At- lanta, Georgia sizzled, with 15 consecutive days over 90° F. However, July brought much cooler weather by typical Deep South stan- dards, with many cloudy days and mean high temperatures in several areas establishing record lows for the month. Despite a few se- vere weather events that produced locally drenching rains and some flash flooding, pre- cipitation was slightly below average. Like the weather, the breeding season also delivered mixed news, with both successes and failures among the nesting birds of our Region. Although no major Atlantic storms affected the Region, unexplained extreme high tides impacted several coastal nesting species. In the Appalachian Mountains, species were observed at the southernmost outposts of their known breeding ranges in eastern North America: Alder Flycatcher, Black-capped Chickadee, Magnolia Warbler, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and others. An iso- lated breeding population of Black-throated Green Warblers was confirmed in western Georgia, possibly the southernmost in North America. On Georgia’s coast, several tern species bred abundantly on a dredge spoil is- land created Just for them. However, marsh- and beach-nesting species elsewhere en- dured great hardships in part due to the aforementioned tidal events: out of 75 mon- itored pairs, only a single American Oyster- catcher chick fledged on the entire Georgia coast. Abbreviations: H.B.S.P. (Huntington Beach S.P., Georgetown, SC); L.W.EG. (Lake Walter F George, Clay, GA); P.S.N.P (Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, Richmond, GA); S.S.S. (Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper, SC). VOLUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 581 SOUTHERN ATLANTIC A species now found annually off North Carolina's Outer Banks in the Gulf Stream, this Bermuda Petrel was smartly photographed off Hatteras 27 June 2009, the fifth of the year there. Molting birds sometimes show a thin white hindcollar, recalling some Black-capped Petrels. Photo- graph by Dan Haas. WATERFOWL THROUGH WADERS There were many sightings of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks away from coastal strong- holds this season, all in Georgia’s coastal plain: 4 in Thomasville 5 jun (YS); one at Reed Bing- ham S.P. 7 Jun (MM, WS); 4 in Dougherty 16 Jun-6Jul (MM, WS, AA); 2 at RS.N.R 20 Jun+ (fide LS); 2 in Shellman Bluff 30 Jun (PWS et al.); and 2-6 in Baker 25 Jul-r (WS). Unusual waterfowl for summer in their respective loca- tions included a Gadwall in Clayton, GA 15 Jul (CL) and 2 at Panola Mountain S.P, GA 25 Jul (CM) ; a Blue-winged Teal in Goldsboro, NC 11 Jul (ED); a Green-winged Teal in Macon, GA 12 Jun (Tl, KC) and 2 at the S.S.S, 2Jul (SC); a Ring-necked Duck on Bass L., NC 6 Jun (]L); and a Greater Scaup at the S.S.S. 20 Jun (SC). One of 2 male Surf Scoters lingering in Charleston, SC stayed until 23 Jun (EA, ph. DG). Two female Hooded Mergansers were ob- served in Clayton, GA 18 Jun-27 Jul (CL), though breeding was not detected. Red-breast- ed Mergansers extending their stay in the Re- gion included: 2 at H.B.S.P. 1 Jun (GL); 7 at Oregon Inlet, NC 14 Jun, and 3 there 27 Jun QL); and one at the S.S.S. 20 Jun (SC). Ruddy Ducks again summered at the S.S.S., with an impressive 84 tallied on 6 Jun and a pair with ducklings 27 Jun (SC). A Red-throated Loon was late at H.B.S.P. 1 Jun (GL), while a few Common Loon sightings were typical for mid- summer. Pied-billed Grebes again nested “in good numbers” in the piedmont in Clayton, GA (CL), and a Horned Grebe in breeding plumage was still at Fivers L, NC 4 Jun (JE, RM). Results of early Jun pelagic trips off Hat- teras, NC were included in the spring col- umn, but there were several noteworthy mid- summer finds as well. A Pea’s Petrel was ob- served off Hatteras 18 Jun (BPI), as was a Bermuda Petrel 27 Jun (BPI, ph. DH). One Cory’s Shearwater was seen on a pelagic trip off Tybee L, GA 14 Jun (KB et al.), while the species was expectedly numerous off Hatteras late in the season (BPI); Greater Shearwaters were present there in low to modest numbers all summer (BPI). “Many” Leach’s Storm-Petrels were off Hatteras 18 Jun (BPI), while at least two forms of Band-rumped Storm-Petrels were observed this season. An imm. Brown Booby was a good find just out- side Hatteras Inlet, NC 11 Jun (BPI), while the latest imm. Northern Gannets were 2 recorded off Tybee L, GA 14 Jun (KB et al.) and one off Topsail L, NC 3 Jul (ph. Al). Four American White Pelicans were at Bear Island W.M.A., SC 19 Jul (ND), and the species was present at the S.S.S. 10 JuH (SC). Brown Pelicans nest- ed in Georgia at the Satilla Marsh 1. (350 pairs) and on Little Egg Island Bar (1000 pairs); nest and chick abandonment was high at the latter location due to an avian tick infestation (BW); one ad. continued inland at L.W.EG. 26-27 Jul (WS). An American Bittern was unseasonable at Donnelly W.M.A., SC 20 Jul QE), and 2 Least Bitterns were found in appropriate breeding habitat in Bartow, GA 19 Jul (GS et al), in a region where the species is a rare and local breeder. Notable inland waders included 2 Tricolored Herons in Baker, GA 25-31 Jul (WS) and several Glossy Ibis reports: one to 4 in Sumter, GA 3-19 Jul (CR, WS, ph. PH), 3 in Dooly, GA 25 Jul (JFl), and a high inland count of 85 at L. Mattamuskeet, NC 25 Jul (RD); 2 of the latter species were notably far offshore, 88 km e. of Blackboard L, GA 14 Jun (ph. RC). Wood Storks had a productive nesting sea- son in Georgia: 1900 pairs, including 500-r at the largest rookery at Harris Neck N.W.R. (BW); inland dispersal was about average, with one juv. in Clayton 13 Jun (CL) and 20 at P.S.N.P. 20 Jun (LS) being the most note- worthy sightings. The northernmost reports involved a juv. in Charlotte, NC 17 Jun (D&MW) and one at Pea Island N.W.R., NC RAPTORS THROUGH FLYCATCHERS Biologists participated in the first interstate effort to survey Swallow-tailed Kite popula- tions between e. Texas and South Carolina; the species is of special conservation concern. Because the birds form large communal roosts in late summer, aerial surveys along major rivers may provide a means to accurately esti- mate numbers across their U.S. range. In Georgia, 155 were found gathered in seven roosts 21-22 Jul (TK), with a few scattered pairs as well; biologists flying along the Sa- 21 Jun (NM). Glossy Ibis staged a notable inland incursion into southwestern Georgia, including this bird (one of three) in Sumter County 3-9 (here 3) July 2009. Photograph by Phil Hardy. C A species once considered likely to be encountered only in Gulf Coast states, Roseate Spoonbills did not"disperse"into sJfidhe Region this summer, they simply exploded. Unexpected pink blobs in wader roosts or foraging in shallow, wet ar- eas surprised and delighted birders far n. into the Carolinas: 2 were inland in Duplin, NC 13-16 jun (ED); 3-6 at Bear Island W.M.A., SC 1 3 Jun-1 9 Jul (ND); 2-4 at Sunset Beach, NC 1 6 Jun-1 7 Jul (DM, m.ob.); 2 in Mt. Pleasant, SC 20 Jun-4 Jul [fide ND, m.ob.); 2-9 at Pea Island N.W.R., NC 26 Jun-13 Jul (NM, LY, m.ob.); 2 at H.B.S.P. 6 Jul-t- (RL); and 7 at Goat I., SC 24 Jul (MT). The highest count this summer was an astonishing 20S recorded at the S.S.S. 2 Ju! (SC). The wave also spread deep into Georgia's coastal plain: an early arrival of 2-5 juvs. in Miller, GA 2-22 Jun (TA, m.ob.); one in Bulloch, GA 12 Jun {hde BB); one m Atkinson, GA 13 Jun (AB); 2juvs. in Sumter, GA 12-25 Jul (CR, ph. PH, m.ob.); and one in Decatur, GA 26 Jul (LL). Spoonbills are uncommon in Georgia and South Carolina spring through fall, with juvs. appearing in early Jun. Nesting is considered im- minent by some biologists in Georgia but has yet to be documented. The species has even been observed mingling in wad- ing bird nesting colonies, including a pair among White Ibis on James 1., SC 6 Jun (WP). The species is now a permanent res- ident in coastal Georgia, though still very rare in winter. 582 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS SOUTHERN ATLANTIC Likely an early southbound migrant, this adult female American Golden-Plover was most unexpected when it was photographed 4 July 2009 at a golf course on Kiawah Island, South Carolina. Photograph by Tom Giduz. vannah R. 19-25 Jul found three roosts con- taining 110 birds on the Georgia side, with an additional 104 birds on the South Carolina side (fide TK). An ad. Peregrine Falcon was observed at Rabun Bald, GA 12 Jun (PHo); summer sightings in the state are quite rare outside of downtown Atlanta, where the species nests on skyscrapers. Black Rails were detected at known nesting sites: Bear Island W.M.A., SC 13 Jun (RoC et al.) and 19 Jul (ND) and in Greene, GA 26 Jul (PWS et al.). A family of Clapper Rails with 2 downy young was observed stranded on a floating mat of Spartina grass during an ex- treme tidal event in Beaufort, SC 20 Jun (PWS) — an ominous sign that many nesting marsh birds may have met a similar fate (though some early nesters likely escaped harm). Unseasonable Sandhill Crane sight- ings included one in Richland, SC 2 Jun (ph. JTA), and 2 in Mecklenburg, NC late Jun-1 Jul (D&MW, m.ob.), one of which had been shot and was taken to a rehabilitation facility. An ad. female American Golden-Plover on Kiawah 1., SC 4Jul (tph. TG) was likely a very early migrant, perhaps a failed breeder. Wil- son’s Plovers were reported with fledglings in all three states; the highest count of 47 ads. and juvs. came at the S.S.S. 27 Jun (SC). Though a few summer annually in the Region, a group of 10 Semipalmated Plovers was no- table on St. Simons 1., GA 20-21 Jun (ph. GK). Already beleaguered by a May storm that wiped out early nests, Amer- ican Oystercatchers suffered even more hardships, as rac- coon predation combined with unexplained extreme tides late Jun-Jul repetitive- ly foiled later attempts. Sad- ly, only one chick is known to have fledged in the state of Georgia this season (BW). Many Black-necked Stilts nested at the S.S.S., with 555 present 10 Jul (SC); one was inland in Baker, GA 28-31 Jul (WS). An inland Willet was noted in Clayton, GA 29 Jul (CL). The first report and highest count of Upland Sandpipers were 5 at the reliable Marshallville Super Sod farm in Macon, GA 12 Jul (WS); sightings of this species were below average. Two Long-billed Curlews provided a rare sum- mer record at Shackleford Banks, NC 1 Jul (FE). All 3 Marbled Godwits tracked in the ongoing satellite- tagging project () returned to Georgia from breeding grounds in the Dakotas by early Jul. Always noteworthy inland, a Ruddy Turnstone was in Bartow, GA 31 Jul (KB, ph. RC). The high- est count of Stilt Sandpipers was 254 at the S.S.S. 24 Jul (SC), while a Wilson’s Snipe was very early at Savannah N.W.R., SC 22 Jul (SB, BB). A few Wilson’s Phalaropes again spent time at the S.S.S., with 3-6 birds noted 10-24 Jul (SC). A Ring-billed Gull was quite late in Gordon, GA 28 Jun (MMe). Rarely seen from shore, an ad. Sooty Tern was spotted at Topsail L, NC 31 Jul (GG). Biologists celebrated a successful 2nd nesting season on the dredge spoil island near Brunswick, GA created specifically for the birds; Least Terns, Gull-billed Terns (60 pairs). Royal Terns (600 pairs), and Black Skimmers (400 pairs) fledged many young there (BW). Least Terns also nested on the roofs of Kmart buildings (200 pairs total) in Savannah, GA and Kingsland, GA (BW). Locally unusual were 11 Caspian Terns in Carteret, NC 21 Jun QF, JFe). While 1300 pairs of Royal Terns nest- ed on Little Egg I., GA, the biggest news for this species is a massive colony on Tompkins L, SC. The majority of birds that once nested elsewhere in both states have apparently con- verged on this site, where 12,000-15,000 pairs nested this season (fide BW); this may be the largest breeding colony on the Atlantic coast. In stark contrast to the successes on the dredge spoil island, 100 pairs of Black Skimmers on Little Egg I., GA took a one-two punch from a ravenous raccoon and tidal inundations and did not nest successfully. A Parasitic Jaeger in the Pamlico Sound, NC 7 Jun (SWr) was the only jaeger reported inshore. A White-winged Dove visited feeders in Topsail Beach, NC late Jun (CS), while a pair of Black-hooded Parakeets was present in downtown Morehead City, NC late Jul+ QF)- A territorial pair of Black-billed Cuckoos in Hal- ifax, NC 21 Jun (RD) and 9 Jul (FE et al.) was far e. of the species' regular breeding range. An Alder Flycatcher singing on territory in Aveiy, NC 11 Jun (ML) was at a site previously un- known for this rare and local nesting species of the high elevations of that state. Willow Fly- catchers were noted outside of their core range in several areas. In North Carolina, several were singing well e. of typical breeding areas; the most surprising was one in the w. coastal plain in Halifax 21 Jun (RD). In Georgia, they were farther s. than usual: 2 were in Clayton 1 1 Jun (CL), and one was in Heniy 11 Jun (PB, FIG). No Scissor-tailed Flycatchers are known to have nested in the Region this season, though there were four reports: one in Heniy, GA 2 Jun (TS); one in Murray, GA 13 Jun (TH, GS); one in Clarke, GA 9 Jul (ET); and one in Gastonia, NC 31 May-21 Jun (ph. JLe, m.ob.). ViREOS THROUGH FINCHES Nesting Warbling Vireos were again detected e. of their core range in North Carolina: two pairs in Winston-Salem 9 Jun (PD) and up to three r A Lake Mattamuskeet in e. North Carolina began hosting massive numbers of migrating shorebirds in late Jul; it is a crit- 3f\ka\ staging area for many species, and it is hoped that future management plans will include the consideration of wa- ter levels for the benefit of shorebirds as well as wintering waterfowl. A survey on 25 Jul (RD) provides a snapshot of this phe- nomenon even early in migration, with 4500-r- shorebirds observed, including: 217 Black-bellied Plovers, 25 Semipalmated Plovers, 1 1 Black-necked Stilts, 17 Spotted Sandpipers, 76 Greater and 930 Lesser Yellowlegs (plus 450-t- unidentified yel- lowlegs), 810 Semipalmated Sandpipers, 1 290 Least Sandpipers, 108 Stilt Sandpipers, and 168 Short-billed and 4 Long-billed Dowitchers (plus 100-f unidentified dowitchers). In addition to these impressive totals were noteworthy uncommon mi- grants such as one Upland Sandpiper, one Hudsonian Godwit, and 4 Marbled Godwits (RO). Though no nesting pairs were noted in summer 2009 in the Southern Atlantic re- gion, there were several sightings of Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, including this male in Gastonia, North Carolina 31 May-21 (here 11) June. Photograph by Jeff Lemons. VOLUME 63 (2009) NUMBER 4 583 SOUTHERN ATLANTIC An isolated southern breeding population of Black-throated Green Warblers was confirmed in 2009 on Pine Mountain Ridge in Harris County, Georgia, including this juvenile being fed by adults on 22 June. Photograph by Walt Chambers. pairs in Concord 6 Jun (fide TP, ph. JLe). A wayward Black-whiskered Vireo was heard singing and eventually seen well in the Croatan N.P, Craven, NC 13 Jun (tJF). Al- though there are multiple records at this time of year from the coast, this bird was in Lon- gleaf Pine savanna away from the coast. While 8 Common Ravens provided a good count at Rabun Bald, GA 12 Jun (PH), the species con- tinues to be observed in the piedmont of North Carolina at several sites. Rare breeding of Horned Larks high in the mts. was document- ed in Aveiy, NC 1 1 Jun (CSm et al), including photographs of ads. with nestlings. Cliff Swal- lows continue their eastward and southward march across the Region: expansion usually occurs as new colonies are established down- stream along substantial rivers, the nests con- structed on bridges. Though the species has apparently not fully colonized the coastal plain, outposts were again noted near the coast: 12 nests on the Ogeechee R. in Chatham. GA 15 Jun (SW et al.) and 98 nests on the walls of a hotel in Craven, NC early Jul, all but two of which were later abandoned for un- known reasons QF)- The current status of Black-capped Chickadees in the Region is not fully understood; their isolated breeding popu- lations in the highest elevations of North Car- olina are apparently threatened by hybridiza- tion with Carolina Chickadees. Two were found on the summit of Richland Balsam 30 May, but 2 Carolinas were also present in the area 6 Jun (PS). In the Clingmans Dome area, both a Carolina Chickadee and a hybrid were found 10 Jun; only Black-capped was previ- ously suspected to occur there (PS). Seeming- ly out of place for the date was a calling Gold- en-crowned Kinglet at Cloudland Canyon S.P, GA 7 Jun (MH); the most solid evidence yet of the species nesting in the state was an ad. feed- ing a fledgling on Hale Ridge Rd., Rabun 20 Jun (KB et al.). Both Swainsons and Hermit Thrushes were again on territory in the spruce-fir zone of North Caroli- na at several sites. Though there is still no direct evidence of nesting by Swainsons Thrush, Hermit Thrush ap- pears to be expanding, particu- larly in the Balsam Mts. (MW); a fledgling Hermit Thrush was observed being fed by ads. on Roan Mt. 15 Jun (AL), and a singing ad. was in Graham 14- 15 Jun (DTr, v.r. MN). Passerines landing on ships offshore are always interesting, but a Sprague’s Pipit was most unexpected when it took refuge on a tall sailing vessel 64 km off the North Carolina coast e. of Cur- rituck 2 Jun (ph. LM); the bird expired on deck, but the specimen was not preserved. An imm. Chestnut-sided Warbler was early in Mecklenburg, NC 29 Jul (TSa), while a singing Magnolia Warbler was exceptionally late in Clarke, GA 13 Jun (tBMa), Nesting of Mag- nolia Warblers in North Carolina has long been suspected: 4 were singing on territory early Jun at Roan Mt. (RK) and Grand- father Mt. (MBS); 2 ads. feeding a fledgling at the lat- ter site 25 Jun 2008 (MBS) represents the most defini- tive breeding evidence but was not previously reported in this column. A male Yel- low-rumped Warbler was singing vigorously high atop Mt. Mitchell, NC 11 Jun (GS). Very exciting was the confirmation of an isolated breeding population of Black-throated Green War- blers on Pine Mountain Ridge, Harris, GA; 5 singing males and food delivering behavior were observed 2 Jun (WC), and a juv. was be- ing fed by ads. 22 Jun (ph. WC). A Palm War- bler in Chattahoochee, GA 4 Jun (TCJ) estab- lished a new late departure date for that state. Ovenbirds have been documented in recent years nesting along the fall line in cen. Geor- gia; this season they were found even farther s., including 4 males singing at Ohoopee Dunes N.A., Emanuel 2-9 Jun (MH) and 2 at Yuchi W.M.A., Burke 13 Jun (LS). These Ovenbirds are utilizing a sandy habitat in transition zones between arid Longleaf Pine-Turkey Oak scrub and mesic hardwood bluff forests (MH): if nesting is confirmed at the former location, it would represent the southernmost known breeding population in North America. Bachman’s Sparrow is a species of special conservation concern: good news included 20 singing males during a survey at Chicka- sawhatchee W.M.A., GA 22 Jun (DMo et al.) and the discovery that the species is nesting outside of typical open pinewoods, as 3 were in sandhill habitat in Burke, GA 9 Jun (ph. PHo). A local breeder at high elevations, 2 Vesper Sparrows were singing on Roan Mt., NC in early Jun (RK). Lark Sparrows again summered at Carolina Sandhills N.W.R., SC with ads. present 18 & 22 Jun (DM, PSe et al.) and a juv. 4 Jul (ph. D&PD): this is the only known breeding site in the state. A juv. Lark Sparrow in Cobb, GA 24 Jul+ established a new fall early arrival date for that state (SA). Another localized nesting emberizid, a Savan- nah Sparrow was singing on territory in Hen- derson, NC 23-28 Jun (MW), while 4 were in Alleghany, NC 27 Jun (ML). Very odd for the date was a White-throated Sparrow singing in Cobb, GA 31 Jul (WSk, v.r. JS). Dickcissels were widely reported, from 15 different sites (11 in Georgia, 4 in the Carolinas), with an impressive high count of 17 singing males at North River Farms, Carteret, NC 7 & 11 Jun (JF), where juvs. were observed later in the season. Another rare highland breeder. Bobolinks were singing on territory in Hender- son, NC 23 Jun (MW). A male Shiny Cowbird was among blackbirds and cowbirds during stormy weather at Oregon Inlet, NC 13 Jun (ESB). A male Purple Finch with an apparent- ly infected eye frequented a feeder in Dawson, GA 3 Jun (GS). Among a few sightings of sin- gle Pine Siskins at the s. edge of their range in Georgia’s mts. was an atypical report from the piedmont in Clarke, GA 11 Jul (B&KO); nest- ing has yet to be confirmed in that state. Corrigendum: In line 4 of the “SA” box treat- ing pelagic seabird migration in spring (North American Birds 63: 409), the count for South Polar Skuas should read “56+” (as in Table 1) A glimmer of hope for the struggling Bachman's Sparrow was the discovery on 9 June 2009 of a breeding colony utilizing an uncharacteristic sandhill habitat in Burke County, Georgia. Photograph by Pierre Howard. 584 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS SOUTHERN ATLANTIC rather than 47, as printed. [N.B.: This error was not the fault of the Regional Editor but rather the Editor, who apologizes! — Ed.] Contributors: David E Abbott, Teresa Adkins, Elizabeth Anderegg, J. Tye Anderson, Alan Ashley, Sue Aughey Sandy Beasley, Annette Bittaker, Ken Blankenship, Brenda Brannen, Edward S. Brinkley (ESB), Patrick Brisse, Steve Calver, Rachel Cass, Walt Chambers, Ken Cheeks, Ron Clark (RoC), Randy Climp- son (RCl), Sam Cooper (SCo), Ricky Davis, Eric Dean, Doug & Pam DeNeve (D&PD), Nathan Dias, Phil Dickinson, Jack Eckstine, Frank Enders, Nathan Farnau, Jack Fennell OFe), Jim Flynn 0^1). John Fussell, Hugh Garrett, Tom Giduz, Diane Girardeau, Gilbert Grant, Dan Haas, Phil Hardy, Theresa Hartz, Pierre Howard (PHo), Ty Ivey, Ali lyoob, Jer- ry Kerschner, Tim Keyes, Rick Knight, Greg Kratzig, Carol Lambert, Gabe Leidy, Jeff Lemons OLe), Jeff Lewis, Ritch Lilly, Patty & Steve Livingston, Bill Lotz, Sarah Lucas, Mer- rill Lynch, Larry Lynch, Dwayne Martin, Melissa Martin, Brady Mattsson (BMa), Bob Maxwell, Mary McDavit (MMc), Ross McGre- gor, Max Medley (MMe), Darlene Moore (DMo), Neal Moore, Lauren Morgens, Charlie Muise, Mike Nelson, Bill & Karla O’Grady, Brian Patteson, Inc. (BPI), Jack Peachey, Tay- lor Piephoff, Will Post, Clive Rainey, Tim Rose, Tom Sanders, Georgann Schmalz, Paul Serridge (PSe), Marcus B. Simpson, Jr. (MBS), Lois Stacey, Paul Super, Wayne Schaffner, Jeff Sewell, Connie Shertz, Wayne Skelton (WSk), Regi Sonnen, Curtis Smalling (CSm), Yvonne Stimson, Tom Striker, Paul W. Sykes, Jr. (PWS), Deanna Taylor, Eugenia Thompson, David Trently (DTr), Mike Turner, Linda & Skip Ward, Marilyn Westphaul, Gene Wilkin- son, Sheila Willis, Brad Winn, David & Mar- cia Wright, Susse Wright (SWr), Lee Yoder. © Ken Blankenship, 3774 Tulip Tree Road Marietta, Georgia 30066, (kenhblankenship@comcast.net) Florida I DryToftvgasNPm Bruce H. Anderson Andy Bankert With near-normal rainfall amounts and temperatures, the summer weather was unremarkable. The absence of tropical weather systems, as well as widespread policing of colonies, resulted in increased success rates of coastal beach- nesting species such as Snowy Plovers and Least Terns. Two species and one subspecies were verified breeding in the state for the first time, and another species not previously known to breed in Florida was suspected of nesting, as was a very casual breeder. During the late spring and early summer, singing Horned Larks were located in the panhan- dle’s Jackson County, where breeding has been suspected but not yet verified. At St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Wakulla County, in the big bend, the state’s first nesting of south- western Cave Swallows was re- portedly documented. In central Florida, Dickcissels lingered at Lake Apopka Restoration Area, Orange County, where they were verified breeding in two years since 1999 but not this season. At Dania Beach, Palm Beach County, breeding was verified for the first time for Bronzed Cow- bird, and at Everglades National Park, Miami-Dade County, a pair of breeding Western Spindalis was not only a first for Florida but for the continental United States as well. For at least 12 years. Purple Swamphens have been breeding in Florida; the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission attempted to exterminate this Asian exotic from Florida but recently announced that as of March 2009 it has no future plans to con- tinue that project (fide Bill Pranty). It is likely that within the next three years, this species will be the next established exotic to be added to the official Florida list. Abbreviations/definitions: big bend (Apala- chicola R. e. to Jefferson); L. Apopka (L. Apop- ka Restoration Area, Orange unless otherwise stated); panhandle (Apalachicola R. west to Escambia); Paynes Prairie (Paynes Prairie Pre- serve S.P., Alachua); record (only those reports verifiable from photograph, videotape, or specimen evidence); report (any observation); S.T.A. (Stormwater Treatment Area). WATERFOWL THROUGH HAWKS Unusual were 2 Fulvous Whistling-Ducks n. at Paynes Prairie 3-6 Jun (Lloyd Davis et al.). Late ducks included: single Blue-winged Teal at Roosevelt Wetlands, Pinellas 1 Jun (RoS), L. Apopka through 14 Jun (HR), and Ft. Wal- ton Beach Spray Fields, Okaloosa 28 Jul (Don Ware); a Ring-necked Duck at Lake City, Co- lumbia through 2 Jun; and single Lesser Scaup at Holiday, Pasco through 16 Jun (DG), Palm Harbor, Pinellas 19 Jun (RoS, DG), and Viera, Brevard throughout the season (DF). Surf has been the usual scoter to remain in Florida in summer, and this season was no exception. Up to 14 were at Bald Point S.P., Eranklin throughout the summer MF); 3 were at Cedar Key, Levy 19 Jun (DH); and singles lin- gered at Ormond Beach, Volusia through 12 Jun (MBr, Jim Swarr) and Eagle Crest Lake, Pinellas through 8 Jun (Greg Brecht, RoS et al.). A single Black Scoter joined the Surfs at Bald Point S.P. 15 Jun (MF). Only occasional in summer, 3 male Ruddy Ducks were at S.T.A.-5, Hendry 11 Jul (KW et al). Five Common Loons at Deer Lake S.P., Walton 20 Jul (DaS) were early. Fourteen American Flamingos at S.T.A. -2, Palm Beach 24-27 Jun {fide Mike Baranski) and one at S.T.A. -5 on 11 Jul (Margaret England) were of unknown provenance, while 2 at Snake Bight, Everglades N.P, Monroe 19 Jul were likely wild (BRo). Rare in the Gulf, a Sooty Shear- water was found moribund off Palm Harbor 12 Jun (fide Scott Patterson); an Audubon’s Shearwater was seen from shore off Walton 30 Jul (DaS); and duos of Wilson’s and Leach's Storm-Petrels were photographed off Clear- water Beach, Pinellas 6 & 30 Jun, respectively (SC). The only Band-rumped Storm-Petrel re- VOLUME 63 (2009) - NUMBER 4 585 FLORIDA Florida's fourth ever, this adult Neotropic Cormorant visited Lake Apopka Restoration Area, Orange County 3-7 (here 5) June 2009. Photograph by Bruce Anderson. port was of 3 off Miami, Miami-Dade 13 Jun (RoT). Single Brown Boobies wandered n. to Ponce de Leon Inlet, Volusia (MBr, Bob Wal- lace), Port Canaveral Brevard (fide SS; *Flori- da Institute of Technology), and Philippe Park, Safety Harbor, Pinellas Qoe Zarolinski, RoS et al.), and 19 were off Miami, where they are regular, 13 Jun (RoT). Rare in summer. Northern Gannets were near shore in the Gulf from Okaloosa to Charlotte in late Jun, with a high of 27 at Destin Pass, Okaloosa Tl Jun (DaS), and a Magnificent Frigatebird ap- peared at Bald Point S.R 27 Jun (M&SK). Brown Pelicans were inland at L. Lochloosa, Alachua 14 Jun (3; Matt Hafner et al.), Orlan- do, Orange 9 Jul (Cheri Pierce), and Winter Haven, Polk 2 Jun (PF), where inland breed- ing was conhrmed in 2008. An ad. Neotropic Cormorant on Key Largo, Monroe 5 Jun 2008 (ph. Bruce Horn), only recently reported, and another at L. Apopka 3-7 Jun 2009 (HR, ph. BHA, ph. BP et al.) brought to four the num- ber of records of this species for Florida. An American Bittern was late at Paynes Prairie 6 Jun (Barbara Shea et al.). In the panhandle, where they are rare, 7 Reddish Egrets were at Gulf Islands N.S., Santa Rosa 8 Jun-27 Jul (R&LD); a Roseate Spoon- bill was at Santa Rosa 1. 17 Jun (Dustin Varble); and a Wood Stork was in n. Walton 28 Jun (Bob Reid). Rare but regular in Florida, a White- faced Ibis was a one-day-wonder at L. Apopka 8 Jul (HR). A very rare and local breeder. White-tailed Kites summered at Avon Park Air Force Range, Polk (DR, PF et al.), Three Lakes W.M.A., Osceola Qoyce Stefancic), Kissimmee Prairie Preserve S.R, Okeechobee (L&BA), and on Browns Farm Rd., Palm Beach (Vince McGrath). A pair of Mississip- pi Kites nested at Carlton Village, Lake, about 46 km s. of the species’ known breeding range, in late Jun and Jul (Gallus Quigley, James Dinsmore, m.ob.). An imm. Mississippi Kite at Cocoa, Brevard 15 Jul (Mitchell Har- ris) was likely a post-breeding wan- derer. Northern Harriers have never been verihed as breeding in Florida; singles were at Viera Wetlands 22 Jun-12 Jul (Mark Kiser et al.) and Avon Park Air Force Range, Highlands 3 Jun (DR). The northernmost Short-tailed Hawks, all light morphs, were 3 at Ormond Beach 6- 17 Jul (Meret Wilson) and a juv. at Orlando 20 Jul (Kenn Blye). Florida’s paulus American Kestrels are rare and local breeders in the peninsula; a pair in Pinellas fledged one young (ph. Judy Fisher), and singles were noted at Winter Springs, Seminole (Bob Sico- la) and L. Apopka (HR). LIMPKIN THROUGH JAEGERS The expansion of Limpkins around Tallahas- see, Leon may be attributed to the recent in- troduction of the nonnative Island Apple Snail in the area (GM). Up to 3 members of the reintroduced mi- grating population of Whooping Cranes loitered at Paynes Prairie throughout the season (RR et al). With the absence of destructive tropical weather systems and the protection provided by park per- sonnel and volunteers this sum- mer, more than 100 Snowy Plover nests were detected at Gulf Islands N.S., Escambia (fide Mark Nicholas, Vicky Withington). Likewise, 19 Wilson’s Plovers at Opal and Navarre beaches, Santa Rosa (B&LD) and 147 at Bird L, Nassau Sound, Duval (PtL) were high counts for each respective area. On schedule, the first Piping Reported occasionally as breeding in Florida, but never verified to date, Northern Harriers were reported at two locations in summer 2009. This female was at Viera Wetlands, Brevard County 22 June through 12 (here 7) July. Photograph by Matt Paulson. Plovers returned to Mashes Sands Park, Wakulla 22 Jul (SMc), Tigertail Beach, Marco L, Collier 24 Jul (Ted Below), and Bird 1. 28 Jul (PtL). American Avocets at Cutler Wet- lands, Miami-Dade 18 Jul (SP) and Snake Bight 19 Jul (BRo) were early or possibly summered locally. Rare in any season, a Long- billed Curlew that summered at Ft. De Soto Park, Pinellas was joined by another 14 Jun (RoS), and one was photographed at Bunche Beach, Lee 1 Jul (Elaine Swank). Marbled Godwits were widespread, with one in the panhandle at Ft, Pickens, Escambia 2 Jul (Patrick James); 200 at Snake Bight 19 Jul (BRo); 30 at Ft. De Soto Park 12 Jul (P&JS); Only the fourth report of the species in North America since 1994, this Zenaida Dove visited Key Largo, Monroe County, Florida 4 (here) and S June 2009. Photograph by Larry Manfredi. 586 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS FLORIDA 23 at Mashes Sands Park 22 Jul (SMc); and 5 summering at Little Estero Lagoon, Ft. Myers Beach, Lee (CE). A White-rumped Sandpiper at Dry Tortugas N.P. 2 Jun was surprisingly the only report for the summer (CW). Early Red Knots were reported at Ft. De Soto Park 12 Jul (84; P&JS); Bald Point S.E 27 Jun (24; M&SK); Ponce de Leon Inlet 13 Jul (4; MBr); Little Estero Lagoon 16 Jun (one; CE); and Stump Pass Beach S.E, Charlotte 22 Jun (one; Susan Daughtrey). Rare inland, 2 Sanderlings in Leon 29 Jul were early (GM, Marvin Collins), as was a Wilson’s Phalarope at L. Apopka 24 Jun (HR). Each spring and early summer, numbers of Laughing Gulls in alternate plumage are ob- served transiting the peninsula from the Gulf; this summer’s high inland counts were 52 at Newnans L., Alachua 7 Jun (RR) and 21 at L. Apopka 2 Jun (HR). Three Lesser Black- backed Gulls at Cutler Wetlands 12 Jul (SP) was the high count for this species this sum- mer. Black-backed gulls are rare and local on the Gulf; single Lesser Black-backeds were found at Three Rooker Bar, Pinellas 12-17 Jun (RoS et al.) and Ben T. Davis Beach, Hillsbor- ough 12 Jul (KT), while lone Great Black- backeds were identified at Tyndall A.EB., Bay 15 Jul (Dan Greene) and Treasure I., Pinellas 12Jul+ (Sandy Harris et al.). Gulf Islands N.S., Escambia personnel counted 243 Least Tern chicks 8 Jun (fide RAD); however, after an overwash event at Little Estero Lagoon, only 48 volant juvs. remained as of 10 Jul (CE). Twenty-five Least Terns at Matanzas Inlet, St. Johns fledged by 27 Jul after a May storm de- stroyed hundreds of nests (Monique Bor- boen). At least one nesting pair of Gull-billed Terns at Ft. Pickens furnished a new breeding site for this species (R&LD). A first-summer Arctic Tern at Gulf Islands N.S., Escambia 27 Jul was only the 2nd for the panhandle (R&LD). A Pomarine Jaeger off Clearwater Beach, Pinellas 20 Jun (SC) was the only jaeger reported. DOVES THROUGH MIMIDS Only the 4th report since 1994, a Zenaida Dove was discovered on Key Largo, Monroe 4 Jun (ph. LaM); there was an unverified report of the bird the next day. Typically late mi- grants, a Yellow-billed Cuckoo was at Dry Tortugas N.P. 2 Jun (CW). Rare and endan- gered in Florida, single Smooth-billed Anis were reported at Belle Glade, Palm Beach 3 Jun (Eric Gegring), where anis were common 30 years ago, and farther w. at S.T.A.-5 on 20 Jun (ph. KW et al.). Historically, a few Smooth-billeds emigrated from the Antilles, passing through Florida’s keys in the spring and summer annually; this pattern continued this summer, when one passed through Bill Baggs Cape Florida S.P, Miami-Dade 30 Jul (Robin Diaz). Post-breeding dispersal occa- sionally brings Burrowing Owls to the barrier islands along the Atlantic Coast, where one was found at Satellite Beach, Brevard 12 Jul (SS). Short-eared Owls, presumably from the Caribbean population, continue to appear sporadically during the summer in the s.-cen. peninsula. Singles were found at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve S.P. 1 Jun (fide Paul Miller), with other reports from the park later in the season (fide LA) and at Avon Park Air Force Range, Polk 12 Jun (DR). Only a casual breed- er in the s. peninsula, a Ruby-throated Hum- mingbird was observed building a nest at Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk, Fakahatcbee Strand S.P, Collier 27 Jun (AM). A Tropical/Couch’s Kingbird was seen at Hickory Mound W.M.A. 14 Jun, a hrst for Tay- lor QM, Stephanie Parker), while a Tropical Kingbird was at Homestead, Miami-Dade 18 Jul about 8 km from where 2 Tropical King- birds spent winter 2008-2009 (RoT, LaM). From the panhandle came reports of Gray Kingbirds nesting in five different coastal loca- tions (R&LD). Single Red-eyed and Black- whiskered Vireos at Dry Tortugas N.P 2 Jun were late (CW). There were seven Jul reports of Tree Swallows, the earliest at L. Apopka 5 Jul with an early Bank Swallow (HR). A Cliff Swallow at Opal Beach 8 Jul was the earliest in fall for the panhandle by 11 days (RAD). West Indian Cave Swallows have been breeding locally in Miami-Dade since at least 1987. South- western pallida Cave Swallows are annual visitors, espe- cially along the coasts. Several were noted in Jun and Jul 2008 with nesting Barn Swallows at a bridge at St. Marks N.W.R.; up to 4 were seen at the same bridge from Apr 2009+ and were reported by a refuge biologist to be breeding there (JM, Jean Simpson) — a first for that pop- ulation in Florida. Very rare in summer in the extreme ne. peninsula, an American Robin was seen at Boulougne, Nassau 10 Jun (DF). For the 9th consecutive summer, a Gray Catbird was s. in Gainesville, Alachua, where breeding has been attempted in previous years but has not been known to have been successful (RR, Craig Parenteau et al). Farther s., single cat- birds were discovered at Sugden Regional Park, Naples, Collier 3 Jul (AM) and L. Apop- ka 17 Jul (HR). WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES Since the late 1970s, the proliferation of breeding cowbirds throughout the peninsula has paralleled the decline of two mangrove- Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe host Western Spindalis annually, with occasionally 2 or more In the same area. Females, because of their plain plumage and relatively sedentary nature, are rarely reported but likely show up in numbers similar to those of the more striking males. Until recently, the idea of spindalis breed- ing in Florida has been wishful thinking. On 28 Jul, 2 fe- males and a singing black-backed male were located at Long Pine Key, Everglades N.P. (Heidi Trudell, Matthew York et al). On .at least one occasion, the females were seen attacking each other, and one female was noted to have a definite brood patch. Eventually, a nest was found in a nearby pine tree, in habitat very much like that in the Bahamas where this population breeds. The last of 3 young fledged 1 Sep (LaM)! This constituted the first record of this species breeding in Florida and in the conti- nental United States. breeding species in Florida: Black-whiskered Vireo and Prairie Warbler. At Green Key, Pas- co, where last year KT counted 10 singing Prairie Warbler males, he located only 3 this summer, including one feeding a fledgling Brown-headed Cowbird 18 Jun. A 2 Jun visit to Dry Tortugas N.P found late warblers, in- cluding a female Northern Parula, a male Magnolia, a female Black-throated Blue, a fe- male Blackpoll, and 2 female American Red- starts (CW). A Kentucky Warbler was late at Boulougne 10 Jun (DF). A female Black-and- white Warbler at Gulf Breeze, Santa Rosa 6 Jun was the latest for the panhandle (R&LD), while another at Ft. George L, Duval 4 Jul (P&JS) tied the earliest Jul date for Florida. Thirteen days earlier than the previous earli- est fall report, an imm. Magnolia was pho- tographed at the Florida State University Coastal and Marine Lab, Turkey Pi., Eranklin 21 Jul (Rob Lengacher). Other early warblers included: a female Cerulean and a Worm-eat- ing Warbler at Jacksonville, Duval 31 Jul (DF) and 24 Jul (Mary Davidson), respectively; a For several years. Bronzed Cowbirds have been year-round residents in Miami-Dade. In 2008, breeding was suspected when a juv. appeared at a Home- stead bird feeder (LaM, ph. BP), and a report was received of a female Red-winged Blackbird feeding a fledgling Bronzed Cowbird at Davie, Broward (BRo). Finally, at Da- nia Beach, a fledgling of this notorious nest-parasite of tropical orioles was photographed being fed by s. Florida's only breeding Icterus species, the established exotic Spot- breasted Oriole (Arthur Nelson, fideM). Confirmation of the Bronzed breeding brought to three the total number of cowbird species verified breeding in Florida. VOLUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 587 For international birders, Florida offers an accessible, comfortable introduction to subtropical birding. North American birders savor Florida as the place to see species not found elsewhere in the US or Canada, such as Snail Kite, Short-tailed Hawk, Black-hooded Parakeet, Mangrove Cuckoo, Black-whiskered Vireo, or Florida Scrub-Jay. These are but a few of the Florida specialties that make a trip to the Sunshine State such an exciting adventure for birders. Bill Pranty, with the help of dozens of the state’s birders, has now rewritten his acclaimed 4th edition. More than 330 birding sites are described, and more than 400 species accounts are now included. The introduction helps birders to understand seasonal bird dis- tribution in Florida’s various habitats. Available at 800-722-2460 www.aba.org/siteguides FLORIDA Louisiana Waterlhrush at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, Pinellas 4 Jul (RoS); and a Canada at Eglin A.EB,, Okaloosa 23 Jul (DaS). Yellow- breasted Chats, Blue Grosbeaks, Indigo and Painted Buntings, and Orchard Orioles are very rare and local breeders in the n.-cen. peninsula, except at L. Apopka, where HR counted up to 12 chats, 26 grosbeaks, 28 In- digo and 4 Painted Buntings, and 28 male Or- chard Orioles throughout the summer! A male Scarlet Tanager at Jacksonville 15 Jun Qamie Ross) was the latest in spring in Flori- da by 13 days! A late Bachmans Sparrow nest with eggs was discovered at Avon Park Air Force Range, Polk 24 Jul (DR). A Lark Sparrow at Gulf Breeze 10 Jul was the earliest in the panhan- dle by 15 days (RAD). Dickcissels have been verified breeding in Florida twice, each time at L. Apopka; this summer, up to 2 were seen there sporadically 12 Jun-19 Jul, but nesting was not detected (HR). Shiny Cowbirds were widespread, with a female inland at L. Apop- ka 22-26 Jul (HR) and at least 4 along the At- lantic coast at Boca Raton, Palm Beach 24 Jul (Linda McCandless). Shiny Cowbirds along the Gulf coast, where the species is most reg- ular, included single males at St. Petersburg, Pinellas (Don & Lorraine Margeson), Green Key and Gulf Harbors, Pasco (KT, Ray Smart et ah), Cedar Key (DH), and Alligator Pt., Franklin (JM). Occasionally, American Goldfinches appear in summer in n. Florida, where they are not known to breed. This sum- mer, lone birds were reported at two Wakulla locations, a male 7 Jun (Lyn Ronolds) and one 1 1 Jun (SMc; sex not specified) , as well as at Cedar Key 3 Jul (DH, Melissa Barbour). Contributors (and members of the Florida Ornithological Society Field Observations Committee, in boldface): Brian Ahern (BAh), Bruce H. Anderson, Lyn & Brooks Atherton, John H. Boyd, Michael Brothers (MBr), Stan Czaplicki, Robert & Lucy Duncan, Charlie Ewell, Paul Fellers, Melissa Forehand, David Freeland, David Gagne, Al & Bev Hansen, Dale Henderson, Mark & Selma Kiser, Patrick Leary (PtL), Sean McCool, Larry Manfredi (LaM), Gail Menk, John Murphy, Alan Mur- ray, Stephen Paez, Peggy Powell, Bill Pranty, David Rankin, Bryant Roberts (BRo), Harry Robinson, Rex Rowan, David Simpson (DaS), Stephen Small, Ron Smith (RoS), Paul & Joan Sykes, Roberto Torres (RoT), Ken Tracey, Kim Willis. O Bruce H. Anderson, 2917 Scarlet Road Winter Park, Florida 32792, (scizortail@aol.com) Andy Bankert, 365 Spoonbill Lane Melbourne Beach, Florida 32951, (abankert@fit.edu) 588 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS Ontario Algonquin PP Cornwall ,, Sault t,Ste. Marie , c ■ ' .——Sudbury L. bupenor - — J’i ^-v' L i ; Hurorh- L Michigan: | Keffle PrCAl , Sarn^ .. > ' Saint Clair WA L *''■'"^•<>^9 PI- Observatory I / p^fMeau PP Ontario David H. Elder For Ontario birders, the summer of 2009 seemed merely an illusion. Caught on the wrong side of a persistent southerly loop in the jet stream, July recorded the fewest number of days with sunshine on record for the province. Consistently cool and wet conditions prevailed, and monthly tem- peratures were well below average, especially in the north. An immobile North Atlantic high-pressure zone prevented eastward-mov- ing continental low-pressure systems from dispersing, resulting in abundant rainfall for the period. The inclement weather undoubtedly had an effect on bird reproduction, but just how and to what degree is open to speculation. Where- as Snow Geese on Hudson Bay generally failed to breed, Ontario’s Piping Plovers had a ban- ner year. During the period, personnel from the Canadian Wildlife Service and the Royal Ontario Museum were active along the James Bay coast and made many interesting and sig- nificant observations. Rarities for the period included Brown Pelican, Roseate Spoonbill, Black Vulture, Curlew Sandpiper, Black Guillemot, a Tree Swallow x Barn Swallow hy- brid, Northern Wheatear, Lark Bunting, and Lazuli Bunting. Abbreviations: C.W.S. (Canadian Wildlife Service); G.T.A. (Greater Toronto Area); Point Pelee (Point Pelee Birding Area, a standard C.B.C. circle centered just n. of Point Pelee N.R). Place names in italics refer to counties, districts and regional municipalities. WATERFOWL THROUGH VULTURES Due to a cold, late spring and the resultant late snow melt, most of the 140,000 Snow Geese along the Hudson Bay coast (10,000 on the Pen Is. and 130,000 at Cape Henrietta Maria) either failed to breed or had a very poor nesting season (KFA). In Atikokan, an ad. blue-morph Snow Goose appeared 4 Jun and remained for three weeks, feeding with Canada Geese throughout the town (DHE). In the Ottawa area, single ad. white-morph Snow Geese were at the Embrun W.T.P. 16 Jun (RP) and at the Alfred W.T.P 14 Jul (CD). Ottawa had a cooperative Brant at Andrew Haydon Park 10-31 Jul+ (m.ob.); another at Hamilton Harbour 9-12 Jun likewise drew many observers (ON et al.). A yearling Trum- peter Swan still retaining some brown feath- ers was found along the James Bay coast at Longridge Pt., Cochrane 20 Jul (AWh). After last year’s failure, a pair of Trumpeter Swans raised 2 young near Atikokan (DHE). Three Tundra Swans at Thunder Cape, Thunder Bay 6 Jun were very late migrants QMW). Three broods of Canvasback were present at the Hearst W.T.P, Cochrane 27 Jul (WJC, DAS), probably marking the first nesting record for n. Ontario. A male Redhead at the Moosonee W.T.P 11 Jul (CDJ, WJC, DAS) was a local rarity. A male Ring-necked Duck at Presqu’ile PR 15 Jun (RDM) was presumably a non- breeding visitor. An aerial survey conducted by C.W.S. staff off Longridge Pt. on James Bay 26-28 Jul recorded 10,000 Black Scoters (RKR), mostly molting males. A single male Black Scoter at Hurkett, Thunder Bay 2 Jun (AW) was a late migrant. Fifteen White- winged Scoters in Hamilton Harbour 22 Jul (RZD) made a high count for summering birds. A single Long-tailed Duck was noted off Colonel Samuel Smith Park, G.T.A. 13 Jun (SMF). A male Ruddy Duck at the Hearst W.T.P. 27 Jul (WJC, DAS) was a rare find for the area. A Pacific Loon in breeding plumage at Longridge Pt. 18 Jul (MKP) furnished one of only a few records for s. James Bay. A Com- mon Loon was on the Niagara R. 6 Jul (R&LG). Two Pied-billed Grebes with 6 young at Little River Corridor Park in Wind- sor 12 Jul (DJL) was most unusual for this urban area. Three Horned Grebes were off East Beach, Point Pelee N.E 14 Jun (BAM). At least three pairs of Red-necked Grebes were at Colonel Samuel Smith Park, G.T.A. 22 Jul, with one pair observed building a nest (BPB). The only Eared Grebe noted during the period was an ad. at the Grand Bend W.T.P 22-31 Jul (MC et al). Wandering, non- breeding American White Pelicans were not- ed across the province in interesting num- bers. Two flocks totalling 150 birds were on the James Bay coast near Fort Albany 15 Jul (SG), with an additional 16 near Longridge Pt. 8Jul (WJC et al.). Singles were reported at Presqu’ile PR 18 Jul (GP), at Golden L., Ren- frew 28 Jun (TFMB), and at Hamilton 19-31 Jul and later (KAM et al.). An additional 3 were noted in late Jul at Balanger Bay, L. Huron (LL), and 6 were at Holiday Beach, Es- sex 12 Jun (CAC). An imm. Brown Pelican was at Pt. Edward, Lambton 27 Jun (DM, SM). A Great Egret at the Moose R. mouth, Cochrane 10 Jul (DAS et al.) was the most northerly of its species ever recorded in On- tario. A record count for the G.T.A. of 13 Great Egrets was made at Reesor Pond 19 Jul (RBHS et al.). A single ad. was at Mud L. in the Britannia C.A. near Ottawa 24Jun-23 Jul (m.ob.). A Snowy Egret at Port Colborne 2 Jun was a very nice find (BE, JMF). An ad. Cattle Egret was found at a composting facil- ity near Peters Corners, Hamilton 31 Jul+ (DRD et al.). The Northumberland Summer Bird Count 14 Jun located 27 Green Herons, almost doubling the previous high of 14 found in 2007 (fide CEG). Green Herons are rare in the Muskoka area. A pair of Green Herons fledged 5 young at the Bracebridge W.T.P 15-17 Jul (BT, m.ob.). Four unidenti- fied Plegadis ibis flew over the Old Cut dyke at Long Pt. 4 Jun (SAM). An imm. Roseate Spoonbill found at Morton, Leeds and Grenville 13 Jun QJH) was a new species for Ontario and was supported with excellent documentation; a substantial extralimital flight of the species was recorded during ear- ly summer in the East and Midwest. A Black Vulture found at Courtice, Durham 14 Jun (SRW) was the only one reported. RAPTORS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS Two dark-morph Rough-legged Hawks at Moosonee 12 Jun were possibly nesting near- by (MWJ). Farther along the James Bay coast, up to 10 were noted between Hannah Bay and Attawapiskat during the period (DAS et al.). Peregrine Falcons fledged 2 young from a nest on the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ottawa 21 Jun (EDT), the 13th consecutive nesting at that site. Another pair fledged 3 young from the Sun Life Financial Center, Islington, G.T.A. 2 Jul (SCH). Transect surveys carried out on sites along the James Bay coast by staff from the Royal Ontario Museum tallied more than 300 Yellow Rails between Attawapiskat and the Quebec border 1-11 Jul (MKP et al.). The surveys point out the significance of the coastal marshes for the species. At least 2 Vir- ginia Rails were heard calling at Otterhead Cr. near Moosonee 10 Jul (DAS et al.); the species is very rare on James Bay. Two Com- mon Moorhens at Komoka RP 9 Jun (MN) were probably a breeding pair. A Sandhill Crane at Komoka RE 10 Jun was an excellent record for Middlesex (MN). Observations of a pair of Sandhill Cranes with a single colt in Algonquin P.P. 30 Jul (RGT) confirmed VOLITME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 589 ONTARIO breeding for the park. Defying categorization was a breeding- plumaged American Golden-Plover in fields near Hillman Marsh 21 Jun (AW); all other summer records from Point Pelee have been of birds in nonbreeding plumage. Five late northbound American Golden-Plovers were noted 31 May-2 Jun at Thunder Bay, Thun- der Bay (NGE, BJM, AW). Piping Plovers had an excellent breeding season with a total of 16 chicks fledged from three nests at Sauble Beach, two nests at Wasaga Beach (both KT), and single nests at Carter Bay, Manitoulin I. (CTB) and at Windy Pt., Lake-of-the-Woods (LH). High productivity this season was due in large part to the army of dedicated volun- teers who watched over the nests. The Windy Pt. nest was moved three times due to rising water levels. As usual, late northbound shorebirds were still being seen in early Jun, with the first southbound birds making ap- pearances in late Jun. Willets were observed moving both ways, with a late spring mi- grant at Presqu’ile RP 4 Jun (FMH) and ear- ly fall migrants at Pt. Edward 28 Jun (DM) and Point Pelee N.R 15 Jul (AW). A pair of Greater Yellowlegs with 2 young was found 16 Jun s. of the Smoky Falls Dam on the Mattagami R. near Kapuskasing (MWJ). Late northbound Lesser Yellowlegs were noted 2 Jun, with 2 at Thunder Bay (AW, NGE) and one at the Terrace Bay W.T.P., Thunder Bay (AW). Lesser Yellowlegs numbers built up at the Enio W.T.P, Rainy River to a maximum of 154 individuals on 17 Jul (DHE). One of the first shorebirds to move southward is Upland Sandpiper; one near St. Catharines 6 Jun (BH, JH) was likely a fall migrant, as no suit- able nesting habitat exists anywhere in the area. Birds observed in breeding habitat were near Strathroy: 2 on 12 Jun (SI) and another 2 on 14 Jun (PAR, IP), subsequently seen with young 23 Jun (RT, DS). One hundred thirty-six ad. Whimbrels were noted on Shipsands I. near Moosonee 22 Jul (MKP et al). Also on the James Bay coast were 528 molting ad. Hudsonian Godwits at Lon- gridge Pt. 24 Jul (AWh et al). On 23 Jul, 2 in the Hock were noted to have leg flags that in- dicated they had been banded in Chile. A single Hudsonian Godwit was present near the Tip of Long Pt. 15-17 Jun (BKW, RWW, SIM), with another ad. found at Vinemount near Hamilton 29-31 Jul (KD, m.ob.). Very unusual for the area was a Marbled Godwit near L. on the Mountain, Prince Edward 5 Jun (PS), likely a late spring migrant. Molting Red Knots were surveyed from the air along the s. James Bay coast by C.W.S., with an estimated 2000 found on 22 Jul (RIGM, RKR). At Longridge Pt., 1100 molt- ing ads. were counted 27 Jul (MKP). Of these, 150 birds had colored leg flags indicat- ing they had been banded in Argentina, Delaware, and Southampton 1. in the Canadi- an Arctic. Two early Sanderlings appeared at the Tip of Point Pelee N.R 13 Jul (AW). A maximum count of 4835 molting Semi- palmated Sandpipers was made at Longridge Pt. on James Bay 19 Jul (MKP et al). A first- year Western Sandpiper provided an identifi- cation challenge for Ottawa birders 19 Jul at the Almonte W.T.P (BMD et al); another of the same age was at Windermere Basin, Hamilton 7-9 Jun (CEE et al). On 6 Jun, a count of 62 White-rumped Sandpipers at Hillman Marsh, Point Pelee (AW) was the highest on record for spring migration there. Baird’s Sandpipers are very rare in spring mi- gration in Ontario, so 2 found at Thunder Bay 1 Jun (AW) and a different 4 there 2 Jun (AW, NGE) are significant records. The only Pectoral Sandpiper seen during the spring migration at Presqu’ile RP. was noted 7 Jun (DPS). An ad. male Curlew Sandpiper at Lon- gridge Pt. 17 Jul (RDM, MKP, AWh) was an excellent find for the James Bay coast. An ad. Stilt Sandpiper at the Embrun W.T.P 22 Jul was a bit early for the Ottawa area (RC). Record late for Point Pelee was a Red-necked Phalarope at Hillman Marsh 4-5 Jun (CAC, RPC). GULLS THROUGH WOODPECKERS There were numerous gull records of interest during the period. A second-cycle Laughing Gull was at Peters Corners near Hamilton 19 Jun and 17-28 Jul (BRH, m.ob.), and another was at Long Pt. 8 Jun (YA). A somewhat late ad. Franklin’s Gull was at Thunder Cape 4 Jun QMW et al), the only report for the pe- riod. Numerous Little Gulls were reported from Point Pelee, which included 12 or more summering first-cycle birds (AW). Two ads. were seen there 3 Jun (MBR), followed by just a single ad. on subsequent dates (AW et al), suggesting that breeding may have oc- curred. The first fall migrant ads. were 5 not- ed at Point Pelee 9 Jul (AW); a record-high 16 ads. were counted there 23 Jul (AW). Anoth- er 12 ads. were tallied at Rondeau RE 25 Jul (BAM), an unusually high number for that area. Near Moosonee, 5 ads. were seen in courtship flight displays 7 Jul (CDJ, DAS). An ad. Black-headed Gull at Point Pelee 23 Jul (AW) was an early fall migrant and the only one reported. An imm. Iceland Gull was at Bronte 6 Jun (KAM), and a first-cycle Glaucous Gull was at the town of Michipi- coten River, Algoma 4 Jun (AW). Great Black- backed Gulls were well to tbe n. of their usu- al range along the lower Great Lakes, with an ad. at Netitishi Pt. 3 Jul and a second-cycle bird at Longridge Pt. 6 Jul on the James Bay coast (both DAS, CDJ). Caspian Terns are rare in the Ottawa area. From 23 Jun through 21 Jul, as many as 5 were at Fitzroy along the Ottawa R. (m.ob.). Black Terns are now rare in the s. James Bay area; only one was seen near Attawapiskat 8 Jul (PH et al). In the Dryden area, good num- bers of Black Terns were noted in several ar- eas. On 26 Jun, 22 ads and two nests were found at Butler L. (DJMS, AMM). Ten nests and 18 ads were counted on Kuensli Bay of Eagle L. 18 Jun (DJMS, AMM), with a single nest and 2 ads. on Beattie Bay of Eagle L. 24 Jun (DJMS, JAB). Six ads. and a downy chick were in a wetland between Wabigoon L. and Eagle L. 6 Jul (DJMS, AMM), with 12 ads. and one nest found on Nabish L. 6 Jul (DJMS, AMM). On 2 Jun, 4 Arctic Terns were at the Deschenes Rapids on the Ottawa R. (BMD). Farther n., 60 were at the Moose R. mouth, Cochrane 14 Jun (MWJ, EH). Totalling 920 individuals, a record-high count for Point Pelee, two gatherings of mostly ad. Eorster’s Terns were tallied 14 Jul, with 680 at Leam- ington Marina and 240 at Sturgeon Creek Ma- rina (AW). Two Long-tailed Jaegers were seen at Moosonee 12 Jun (MWJ), and another was at the Moose R. mouth 14 Jun (MWJ, EH). A Black Guillemot in first-alternate plumage was at Longridge Pt. 18 Jul (MKP et al). Black-billed Cuckoos were present in Northumberland in unprecedented numbers. The 12th summer bird count for the area, held 14Jun, tallied 31 individuals, more than three times the previous high (fide CEG). Two Snowy Owls lingered in the Ottawa area, with an ad. male at Nepean through 10 Jun and another near Arnprior 7-15 Jun (m.ob.). Great Gray Owls nested successfully in the Kinburn area near Fitzroy Harbour, Ottawa, where 2 ads. and 3 young were noted in mid- Jun (MWPR). The nest was the most southerly ever recorded in Canada. A Great Gray Owl made an unexpected appearance at Thunder Cape 6 Jun (JMW et al), and an- other was noted in Algonquin EE 11 Jun (RGT). Owls are rarely observed bathing, but a Great Gray Owl was watched for 10 min- utes as it splashed about in a beaver pond near Thunder Bay 13 Jun (SCB, MGB). Two territorial pairs of Short-eared Owls were ob- served at Kinmount, near Hamilton, on 16 Jun (CEE), indicating a local reliable food source and possibly breeding. An imm. Northern Saw-whet Owl found 8 Jul (DH) provided Presqu’ile RP. with a first confirmed breeding record. Usually rare on the Bruce Pen., 5 Chimney Swifts seen there 6 Jun are of note (SM). A first-year Red-headed ’Wood- 590 NORTH AMERICAN BIROS pecker was at Thunder Cape 4-5 Jun QMW et al), and 2 ads and a juv. made a nice record for the Bala area in Muskoka 22 Jul QF)- A male Red-bellied Woodpecker was at Thun- der Cape 5 Jun (SLS et al.), with another in the town of Rainy River 26 Jun (DHE). The species seems to be increasing in the Rainy River area. FLYCATCHERS THROUGH PIPITS An Acadian Flycatcher at Skunk’s Misery, Middlesex 8 Jun was an excellent find for the area (GCP, RR). Eastern Kingbirds reached the James Bay shore, with one at Otterhead Cr. near Moosonee 10 Jul (DAS) and one at Longridge Ft. 22 Jul (RDM et al.). A Yellow- throated Vireo was near Gravenhurst 13 Jun (D&RG). Three juv. Northern Shrikes were seen at Longridge Ft. 27 Jul (DPS, GB, JI). Three Common Ravens flew over Richmond- hill, G.T.A. 21 Jun (FP), another sign of the continuing southward range expansion of the species. On 3 Jun, a Black-billed Magpie made an appearance at Thunder Cape QMW et al.). A male Horned Lark of the subspecies hoyti (“Hoyt’s Horned Lark”) was a late migrant at Thunder Bay 2 Jun (AW). Apparently un- precedented was a Tree Swallow x Barn Swallow hybrid found at Thunder Bay 1-2 Jun (AW et al.). An early Red-breasted Nuthatch was at Point Pelee N.P. 4 Jul (AW). A territorial male Sedge Wren at The Shoals PR, Sudbury 4 Jun (AW) was an excellent record for the e. part of L. Superior. A singing Marsh Wren was an unexpected find at Otter- head Cr. near Moosonee 10 Jul (DAS). Total- ly unexpected was a male Northern Wheatear found at Redbridge, Nipissing 4 Jun (CTH, EMH). Very rare for Essex in summer, a singing Hermit Thrush was found at Pelee 1. 18 Jun (ACP). A singing Wood Thrush in wil- low thickets s. of Fort Albany on the James Bay coast 3-10 Jul (PH et al.) was far n. of its usual range in the province. Also unusually far n. were a singing Gray Catbird at the Har- ricanaw R. mouth 5 Jul (WJC, MJO) and a Northern Mockingbird at Moosonee 15 Jul (MKP et al). Another mockingbird at Point Pelee N.P 22 Jul (AW) was locally a record- early fall migrant. A very late American Pipit was at Longlac, Thunder Bay 9 Jun (FJ). WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES A Yellow-throated Warbler singing near Gravely Bay on Long Pt. 22 Jun (RWW) was most unexpected for the date. A pair of Yellow Palm Warblers (subspecies hypochrysea) bred successfully at Mer Bleue Bog in the Mer Bleue C.A. near Ottawa, where 3 juvs. were noted 11 Jul (LS). A first-year Connecticut Warbler at Skunk’s Misery 3 Jun (PSB) was a tardy migrant. A late Hooded Warbler was in downtown Toronto 3-4 Jun (LF); another was at the Tip of Point Pelee N.P. 9 Jun (AW). Numbers of Yellow-breasted Chat continue to be depressed. Only one pair was found at Point Pelee N.P. (AW), and only two pairs were at Pelee 1. (ACP). A single chat banded at the Tip of Long Pt. 18 Jun (YA) was cer- tainly at a bizarre location for the date. A ter- ritorial Prairie Warbler at Westover 5 Jun (RZD) was the first found in the Hamilton area since 2002. Golden-winged Warblers are found in cen. and s. Ontario, with a small population in the Rainy Riv- er area. The warblers in cen. and s. Ontario have been in- terbreeding with Blue-winged Warblers, and it is suspect- ed there may no longer be any pure Golden-winged War- blers in that part of the province. A multi-agency study is underway in Manitoba and the Rainy River area to ascer- tain the status of the species in that area where Blue- winged Warblers are not present. Golden-winged War- blers were found in surprising numbers in the Rainy River area, with birds being found on 15.7% of 428 point counts, much higher than numbers found in Manitoba. It is suspected that recent timber harvesting activities in the area during the past 10 years have created an abundance of suitable habitat for Golden-wingeds. A first-year male Summer Tanager was singing in the Hepburn Tract near Long Pt. 6 Jul (SAM). A male Eastern Towhee at Marathon, Thunder Bay 16 Jun (FJM) was well out of its usual range. A surprise for ob- servers was the widespread occurrence of singing Clay-colored Sparrows along the James Bay coast 1-30 Jul (MKP et al.). A Lark Bunting was present near Lake on the Moun- tain 4 Jun (PS), a very unusual find. Two Lark Sparrows appeared at Thunder Cape, with one present 31 May-5 Jun (JMW et al.) and another 25 Jun QMW, MEW). The Northumberland Summer Bird Count locat- ed 83 Grasshopper Sparrows 14 Jun, a sur- prising and very encouraging number for this declining species (fide CEG). A singing Henslow’s Sparrow was a complete surprise in a coastal graminoid marsh at Paskwachi Pt. on James Bay 27-29 Jul (RDM, MKP, AWh et al.), a first record for n. Ontario and pre- sumably the most northerly record anywhere for the species. A White-crowned Sparrow at Point Pelee N.P. 21 Jun (AW, HTO) provided a first-ever summer record locally. A Dark- eyed Junco also at Point Pelee N.P 13 Jun was very late if indeed a migrant (HTO). Two very late Lapland Longspurs were at Thun- der Bay 2 Jun (AW, NGE). A Northern Car- dinal visited feeders at Harris Hill Lodge n. ONTARIO of Rainy River 15-17 Jul (CG, GG). A male Blue Grosbeak made a remarkable record for the Sault Ste. Marie area 26 May-7 Jun (WHE). Ontario’s 9th Lazuli Bunting re- mained at Crooks, Thunder Bay 31 May-3 Jun (SEI, RIl et al.). Two Western Mead- owlarks were noted 14 Jun near Strathroy (PAR, IP) the only record for the period. An unidentified meadowlark was flushed from the train tracks just s. of Moosonee 11 Jun (MWJ), well n. of any meadowlark habitat. After last winter’s invasion. Pine Siskins were noted breeding in numerous locations across s. Ontario (m.ob.). Subregional editors (boldface) and cited ob- servers: Ken E Abraham, Yousif Attia, Brian P. Bailey, Tony EM. Beck, Chris T. Bell, Gerry Binsfeld, Michael G. Bryan, Susan C. Bryan, Jo-Anne Bridgewater, Peter S. Burke, Mary Carnahan, Richard P Carr, Robert Cermak, Cherise A Charron, William J Crins, Connie Denyes, Bruce M. Di Labio, Karl Dix, Rob Z. Dobos, David R. Don, Carolle D. Eady, Cheryl E. Edgecombe, David H. Elder, William H. Elgie, Nicholas G. Escott, Blayne E. & Jean M. Farnan, Steven M. Favier, Lynne Freeman, Stacy Gan, Cheryl Gauthier, Gary Gauthier, Ron & Lynda Goodridge, Clive E. Goodwin, David & Regan Goodyear, Jeffrey J. Haffner, Dan Harvey, Sandra Hawkins, Fred M. Helleiner, Leo Heyens, Patrick Hodgson, Brandon R. Holden, Ernie Hunter, Craig T. Hurst, Elaine M. Hurst, Robert 1. Illingworth, Sharon E. Illingworth, Stuart Immomen, Jean Iron, Marcie L. Jacklin, Anita Jacobsen, Fred Jennings, Mark W. Jennings, Colin D. Jones, Lon Leeson, Chris Lewis, Daniel J. Loncke, Stu A. Mackenzie, Sandra I. Manderstrom, Blake A. Mann, Angela M. Massey, Kevin A. McLaughlin, R. Doug McRae, Stephane Menu, Frederick J. Michano, Dan Miller, Sara Miller, Brian J. Moore, R.l.G. Morrison, Mike Nelson, Owen Novoselac, Michael J. Oldham, Henrietta T. O’Neill, Mark K. Peck, Gerard Phillips, Adam C. Pinch, Frank Pinilla, Robert Pinilla, Gavin C. Platt, Ian Platt, Peter A. Read, Rob Read, Marianne B. Reid, Mau- reen Riggs, R. Ken Ross, Michael WE Runtz, Darken J.M. Salter, Sachi L. Schott, Donald P. Shanahan, Langis Sirois, Dave Skinner, Roy B. H. Smith, R. Terry Sprague, Pamela Stagg, Donald A. Sutherland, Barbara Taylor, Eve D. Ticknor, Kim Toews, Ronald G. Tozer, Rob Turner, Stuart R. Williams, Amy Whitear (AWh), Ross W. Wood, John M. Woodcock, Maureen E. Woodcock, Brad K. Woodworth, Alan Wormington. © David H. Elder, Box 252, 23 Birch Road Atikokan, Ontario POT ICO, (mdelder@shaw.ca) VOLUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 591 I Eastern Highlands & Upper Ohio River Valley Toledo P^maiu^ms/tri' aCookfixesISP fWfi Lorain Af„sguiioL'’ " Bode Ctm* SPm •Dayton •jwso ««. i'viis syiVAriSA 'SafcfEapfsSP* ESttoudsburgi L Arthur B •Stele )efl«vCrs«*SP Harnstwrg* ■ Doug & Micki Dunakin (DMD), Laura Gooch (LGo), Eric Hall (EH), Rob &c Sandy Harlan (RSW), Dave Hochadel (DHo), Craig Holt (CH), William Jones (WJo), Ned Keller, Tom Kemp (TK), Dan Kramer (DKr), Terri Martincic (TM), Chuck McClaugherty (CMc), Carrie Morrow (CM), Robert Lane (RL), Gabe Leidy (GLy), Doreene Linzell (DL), Doug Overacker (DO), Chris Pierce (CP), John Pogacnik OP), Robert Sams (RSs), Dan Sanders (DS), Mark Shield- castle (MSh), Ed Sclabach (ES), Ryan Schroeder (RSr), Dave Sherman (DSh), Troy Shively (TSh), Dave Slager (DSr), Su Snyder, Gene Stauffer (GS), Rob Thorn (RTh), Mark Vass (MV), Karen Willard (KW). PENNSYL- VANIA: Chuck Chalfant (CC), Tom Clauser (TC), David Eberly (DE), Devich Farbotnik (DF), John Fedak QF), Steve Fordyce (SF), Kevin Fryberger (KF), Vern Gauthier (VG), Greg Grove (GG), Paul Hess (PH), Rudy Keller (RK), Mark McConaughy [MM-Cen- tral PA Birdline], Jerry McWilliams OM), Au- gust Mirabella (AM), Judy Mirabella QM), Nick Pulcinella (NP), Bob Schutsky (BS), Mark Vass (MV), Rick Wiltraut (RW), Eric Witmer (EW), Matt Wlasniewski (MW). WEST VIRGINIA: Terry Bronson (TBr), Cyn- thia Ellis (CE), Jeanette Esker, Matt Orsie (MO), Rob Tallman (RT). © Aaron Boone, 5110 Freeport Court Plainfield, Illinois 60586, (boone70(S)gmail.com) Victor W. Faiio, ill, 18722 Newell Road, Floor 2 Shaker Heights, Ohio 44122, (bcvireo(Ssbcglobal.net) Rick Wiltraut Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center 835 Jacobsburg Road, Wind Gap, Pennsylvania 18091 (rwiltraut@state.pa.us) 596 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS Illinois & Indiana Illinois Beach SPi%% Rockford* ■ Fermilabm iowden- Jad(Son Parku, Miller SF Lake Call, mel Goose Lake Prairies m Midewin Natl. ^ Tallgrass Prairie WmvrSlooqhyMk , ^'‘^*^'^*i!SandR/dgeSF (ClmlaaqeaNWRm ■ SIleam Springs g ■ Lake Springfield Shelbyi-ille INDIANA LAKEFRONT: A = Hammond Lakefront Sanctuary B = Miller Beach C s Dunes SP & Beverly Shores D = Mich. City Harbor Forest Glen ■ Preserve \ * Pigeon Kingsbury WMA R.WMA Grand Kankakee Marsh Jasper-Pulaski WMA • ml . S Salamonie TNC Kankakee Sands Pine Creek WMA Eagle ■ Creek Lake Park* Waveland Res. Ceisi mRes. •Summil Lake Brookville Res. ■ Lake Lemon ■ Carlyle i-oke oiney ILLINOIS , Union Co. WM^ Crab i; Orchard r NWR , INDIANA James D. Hengeveld Keith A. McMullen Geoffrey A. Williamson Though temperatures in June were slightly above average, both Indiana and Illinois experienced their coldest Julys on record, with temperatures in both states about 3° C below the twentieth-century average. Region-wide precipitation levels were above the norm throughout the season. The most prominent aspect of this season was the invasion by southern species associated with water. The Region was seemingly over- run by large numbers of wading birds and an assortment of rarities like Fulvous and Black- bellied Whistling-Ducks, Mottled Ducks, Brown Pelicans, Neotropic Cormorants, An- hingas. White Ibis, Tricolored Heron, and Roseate Spoonbills. Other rarities included Western Grebe, Black Rail, Royal Tern, and Tropical Kingbird. Also significant were first Illinois nesting records for American White Pelican, Anhinga, and Caspian Tern, Abbreviations: Cane Ridge (Cane Ridge W.M.A., Gibson, IN); Carl. L. (Carlyle L., s. Illinois); F.W.A. (Fish and Wildlife Area); Goose Pond (Goose Pond FWA., Greene, IN); Kankakee Sands (Kankakee Sands Preserve, Newton, IN); Mich. City (Michigan City Har- bor, LaPorte, IN); Miller (Miller Beach); Mon- trose (Montrose Pt. in Chicago’s Lincoln Park); Pine Creek (Pine Creek Gamebird Habitat Area, Benton, IN); Winthrop (Winthrop Harbor, Lake, IL). WATERFOWL THROUGH HERONS Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks invaded the area, with one located near Horseshoe L., Madison, IL 31 May (FRH) that was subse- quently seen by many off and on through 15 Jun. From 14 through 24 Jun, 2-3 were at Goose Pond (LWS, MB, CWM, DAy). Two more were reported at Grand Tower, Jackson, IL 24 Jun (MPWJWW). Numbers of Fulvous Whistling-Ducks at Goose Pond were even more impressive, as one (BJG, LWS) and then 2 (RLH, TH, JDH, ph. SEH) on 11 Jun jumped to 4 on 13 Jun (DG,JJM, LWS et al.), and crested at 5 on 27 Jun (CH, TH, LAB); at least 2 were present through the end of the period. The pair of Trumpeter Swans at Sa- vanna, IL that three years ago provided the first confirmed modern Illinois nesting pro- duced 4 cygnets this season, and another nearby nesting pair produced 2 (fide RE). Two cygnets were also seen with the pair of Trum- peters at McGinnis Slough in Orland Park, Cook, IL (WSS, m.ob.). Unexpected Gadwalls included a single at Cane Ridge 4 Jun (G&LB, JJM, JKC), a pair at Goose Pond 15 Jun QCK). and one at Pine Creek 29 Jul (EMH). Intrigu- ing, given the plethora of southern invaders at Goose Pond, was a group of 6 “black” ducks there 13 Jun OJM, LWS, JDH, SEH, DG et al), with 3 still present 20 Jun QJM, RR) and one 24 Jun (LWS). The ducks showed characteris- tics consistent with Mottled Duck but no con- firming studies or photographs were ob- tained. Photographs of single Mottled Ducks in Illinois came from Kidd L., Monroe 15 Jul (DMK, MS) and Sante Fe Bottoms, CluUon 30 Jul-i- (DMK, MS, KAM), A pair of Northern Pintails was at Goose Pond 15 Jun (TW), and a pair of Green-winged Teal was there for much of the period. Other unusual summer- ing waterfowl included a male Canvasback at Thompson L., Fulton, IL 26 Jun (REF, KF, JSm) and a female at Two Rivers N.W.R. 25 Jul (DMK, MS), a female Bufflehead at Rochelle, Ogle, IL 25 Jul (EWW), and single male Com- mon Goldeneyes at Cane Ridge 4 Jun (JKC, JJM, G&LB) and Wolf L. 6-27 Jun (WJM). In- diana’s first summer record of Black Scoter was represented by a female found in Gary in late May that lingered through 2 Jun QCK)- Unusual for Lake, IN, at least one pair (and probably two or three) of Hooded Mergansers bred successfully, as 3 females and 18 duck- lings were seen at the Grant St. wetland 16 Jun QKC, KJB). Late Red-breasted Mergansers included a female at Eagle Creek Park, Indi- anapolis, IN 12 Jun (RFB), an individual 17 Jun at Winthrop (EWW), and one 11 Jul at Heidecke L., Grundy, IL (DFS). Unexpected was a pair of Ruddy Ducks at Indianapolis’s Eagle Creek Park 31 Jul (ph RFB). A female Ruddy with a small duckling at Wakarusa Wastewater Treatment Facility 13 Jun (DS) provided the first breeding record for Elkhart, IN. Northern Bobwhites are scarce in ne. Illi- nois, so one observed 16 Jun (WSS) in re- stored habitat at Orland Grasslands Forest Preserve, Cook and 2 there 19 Jun (CBT, BT) were encouraging. Higher-than-normal numbers of Common Loons were encountered, with reports from eight different sites in Indiana and four in Illi- nois. Quite unusual for the summer period was a Horned Grebe in breeding plumage at Wolf L., Cook, IL 6 Jun-9 Jul (ph., tWJM, DFS). A Western Grebe was at Newton L., Jasper, IL 4-8 Jul (DH, RES, CLH); most like- ly the same bird was then at E. Fork L., Rich- land 13 Jul (CLH, ph. RES, ph. MS) and at Carl. L. 19-30 Jul (ph. DMK, MS, KAM, m.ob.). An Aechmophorus grebe, most likely a Western, was at Miller 10 Jul OJM, JKC). Pri- or to 2009, the maximum summer total for American White Pelicans in Indiana was 6. This summer, 104 were logged, as 66 were tallied in Vigo 6 Jun QS). 16 were at Goose Pond 30 Jun (SG), and 22 were noted at Goose Pond several times in JuH (LWS). In Illinois, American White Pelicans nested for the first time, with 6-i- chicks noted 17 Jun at Upper Mississippi River N.W.R., Carroll (ph. RE). This location is within a km of Iowa’s first nesting site, which was established three years ago. Brown Pelicans made a splash, with 3 birds being seen at four locations. In McHenry, IL, one was present on Crystal L. 2- 4Jun (KP; ph., tGAW; ph. CSfi m.ob.). In sw. Illinois, the Madison bird found along the Mississippi R. in late spring continued there or on the Missouri side through mid-Jul, then relocated upriver to Two Rivers N.W.R. , Cal- houn 23 Jul+ (DMK, MS, KAM, m.ob). A dif- ferent Brown Pelican was located downriver in Monroe 1-12 Jul (WMR, ph. E’WW, m.ob.), with both sw. Illinois birds seen 2 Jul (E’WW). Two Neotropic Cormorants were recorded: one at Almond Marsh and Rollins Savanna in Lake, IL 28 Jun-12 Jul (GN, JRS, KM, m.ob.) and another at Carl. L. 30 Jul (MS, DMK, KAM). The Anhingas discovered in spring along the Cache R. at the John- son/Pulaski, IL border took up residence, with three nests being located 25 Jun and five active nests found by 14 Jul (ph. MM-L). Whether or not Anhingas historically nested in Illinois is uncertain, but this is the first documented occurrence. Four single Snowy Egrets were reported in Indiana: at Goose Pond 11 Jun (LWS) and 24 Jul (DG, 'WH et al.), at Kankakee Sands 22 Jul QBH), and at Grand Kankakee Marsh, Lake 25 Jul (KJB, SRB, JGr, RJP). Of the fine total of 83 Little Blue Herons reported in Indiana, the peak count was of 11 birds at Goose Pond 26 Jul (LWS). The Tricolored Heron discovered in Hammond, IN 30 May remained until at least 22 Jun (MJ). Encouraging was a tally of 200 Cattle Egrets at Dogtooth L, Alexander. IL (DMK, MS); during the past two summers, the species had been absent from several reg- V 0 L U-M E 6 3 ( 2 0 0 9 ) • NUMBER 4 597 ILLINOIS & INDIANA ular breeding locations. On 24 Jul, 55 Cattle Egrets were seen flying to roost at Goose Pond (LWS), furnishing Indiana’s 3rd highest tally. Nesting activity by several birds was subsequently detected 10 Jul (BE), represent- ing the 3rd known nesting attempt by the species in Indiana. The 56 Green Herons logged at Goose Pond 29 Jul OlD) provided Indiana’s all-time high daily count. Indiana’s record book on White Ibis was rewritten this summer. Two juvs. that were photographed by staff at Muscatatuck N.W.R. 6 Jul (fide DHK) remained at that location through 18 Jul (RLH, DGr, DHK). Numbers of juvs. at Goose Pond gradually climbed from 5 on 12 Jul (G&LB) to 11 on 14 Jul (BC, JSc), to 13 on 20 Jul (S&CS), to a maximum of 16 on 22 Jul (AWB). In Illinois, a juv. was seen 12-18 Jul near Beall Woods S.P, Wabash (CLH), and 4 juvs. were observed in Monroe 19-27 Jul (CA, CK, ph. WMR, m.ob.). Two Glossy Ibis were found at Goose Pond 6 Jim (DG); an- other Plegadis ibis seen there 8 Jul (GLC et al.) and identihed as a White-faced Ibis 13 Jul (LWS) lingered until 16 Jul (GP). A White- faced Ibis was at Spring Bluff Purest Preserve, Lake, IL 7 Jun (ph. EWW). The star of the show was Indiana’s first documented Roseate Spoonbill, a first-year bird that was found at Goose Pond 2 Jun (LWS, JJM, JKC) and re- mained there off and on through the end of the period, having been seen and pho- tographed by scores of birders. Illinois’s 3rd Roseate Spoonbill was discovered at Carl. L 30 Jul (KAM, MS, ph. DMK). These birds were apparently part of a widespread flight of the species that also included the middle At- lantic states and Ontario. HAWKS THROUGH TERNS A new maximum summer count for Black Vulture in Indiana was logged 25 Jul, when 72 were tallied at Whitewater S.P., Union (WHB). In Illinois, five Osprey nests with young were reported. Mississippi Kites at n. locales in- cluded one 2 Jun in Knox, IL (DJM); a pair on I Jun and then 4 on 27 Jun (LB, DTW) at last year’s Rockford, Winnebago, IL nest locale; and an imm. in Greene-Sullivan S.F., Sullivan, IN 2 Jun 0JM> JKC). Swainson’s Hawks were present 17 Jul at traditional Illinois nesting areas in Kane and McHenry, with one pair in each county (RAM, ALM). A possible breed- ing Black Rail was discovered in Marion, IL II Jun-17 Jul (ph. RES, CLH, ph. JWW et ah). Observers noted an open-wing threat dis- play, which is said to be given by birds during incubation. Two other Black Rails were re- ported: near Eckerts Woods, Fayette, IL 26-27 Jul (DMK, MS, KAM) and at Kankakee Sands 9 Jul (AL). In addition to a maximum of 4 King Rails (including 3 juvs.) seen at Goose Pond 23 (GP) & 31 Jul (DA), singles were seen or heard at Patoka N.W.R., Pike, IN 3 Jun and at Cane Ridge 4 Jun (JJM, JKC), at Mid- dlefork Savanna, Lake, IL 8 Jun QSS), and near L. Calumet, Chicago 29 Jul QWL, JOS). A family group of one ad. and 3 juvs. was at Cane Ridge 12 Jul (G&LB), and 2 ads. were at Kankakee Sands 17 Jul OBH)’ A pair of Piping Plovers had a nest with four eggs in late Jul at Waukegan, IL; the eggs were later moved to Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo, with 3 young artificially hatched and re- leased 7 Aug at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan (Scott Garrow, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service). The Region’s last known Piping Plover nesting, also in Waukegan, occurred in 1979. Nesting activity of Black-necked Stilts extended northward, with a territorial pair in sw. Lee, IL 13 Jun-25 Jul (EWW) and a pair in Champaign, IL pro- ducing 5 young (TDF, EJC). Tying the earliest ever (presumed) fall migration date for Indi- ana was a Black-bellied Plover in alternate plumage at Grand Kankakee Marsh, Lake 10 Jul (KJB, JKC, JJM). Indiana’s only American Avocets of the season were 2 at Eagle Creek Park, Indianapolis 25 Jul (ER, RR), and the state’s latest ever spring migrant Lesser Yel- lowlegs was noted in St. Joseph 6 Jun OJK!- SRB, JKC, LSH, KJB). On 10 Jul, a mega-flock of 358 Willets, Indiana's 2nd largest group ever, was logged at Mich. City QKC, JJM, KJB). Inland on the following day, 6 Willets were at Dugger EW.A., Sullivan, IN (DG), and a single was at Goose Pond (LWS). Single Whimbrels were reported at Winthrop Har- bor 1 Jun (MH), at Mich. City 25 Jul OJM), and at Miller 28 Jul QKC, KJB); 2 were at Mich. City 30 Jul (KJB). An excellent Marbled Godwit flight was exemplified by 13 birds that accompanied the Willet mega-flock at Mich. City 10 Jul QJM, JKC, KJB); 4 were at the site the following day QKC, JJM, KJB), and singles were at Mich. City 16 Jul GJM), at Washington Park, LaPorte, IN 28 Jul QKC), and in DeKalb, IL 14-15 Jul (RM, KL). Re- ports of Hudsonian Godwits included single birds at Sante Fe Bottoms, Clinton, IL 5 Jun (DMK, MS) and in DeKalb, IL 14-15 Jul (RM, KL). A Marbled Godwit was seen at Emiquon N.W.R., Fulton, IL 26 Jul (KR, MJB). A northbound Red Knot in Winthrop 4-5 Jun (BS, EWW) was a bit tardy, and one was noted 28 Jul in Sangamon, IL (HDB). Indi- ana’s Sanderling flight, with 112 reported, was the best in three years. An early Baird’s Sandpiper turned up 18 Jul at Pine Creek (EMH). A flock of 10 White-rumped Sand- pipers at Goose Pond 15 Jun (TW, JCK, GO) was late, but 2 in St. Joseph 19 Jun (ph. BH) furnished Indiana’s latest spring record; sin- gles seen 17 Jun both in Sangamon, IL (HDB) and in Winthrop (EVAV) were similarly tardy. An excellent count of 6000 Pectoral Sandpipers 29 Jul was noted at Two Rivers N.W.R. , Calhoun, IL (KAM). Extremely rare for Indiana was the documentation of nesting by Wilson’s Snipe; an ad. and a downy chick were discovered at Goose Pond 13 Jun QlD). At Pine Creek 25 Jul, a juv. Wilson’s Phalarope (JJM, SRB, RJP, KJB) was the only one reported for Indiana, while a male with 2 juvs. at Bolingbrook, Will, IL 3 Jul were note- worthy (DWG). There were 6 Laughing Gulls reported in the Region. Among 10 Franklin’s Gulls were 2 in Kendall, IL 6 Jun (UWG), a first-cycle at Mich. City 2 Jun (KJB), a second-cycle in Sangamon, IL 10 & 12 Jun (HDB), a juv. at Carl. L. 26 Jul (DMK, MS), and an ad. at Miller 30 Jul (BZ). An ad. California Gull re- mained in Winthrop during the season, being seen there 13 Jun (ph. TBL), 4 Jul (AA), and 29 Jul OWL, JOS). Two Lesser Black-backed Gulls were noted at Winthrop 29 Jun (EWW), and one was there 29 Jul QWL, JOS). Least Terns are unusual away from the Mississippi R. and Ohio R., making notable the 2 seen at Thompson L., Fulton, IL 25 Jun (REF, KF) and one at Heidecke L., Grundy, IL 11 Jul (DFS). Three Least Terns were found at Goose Pond 13 Jun (AK, NK), and the popu- lation in Gibson, IN seemed to have a suc- cessful breeding season (AK). As in 2008, Least Terns were forced by high river levels to nest away from their usual exposed sandbars along the major rivers in s. Illinois. A group of 45+ was discovered 20 Jun on the higher ele- vations of flooded agricultural fields near Gorham, Jackson, IL (KAM et al). The first Illinois breeding record for Caspian Tern was documented this season with a colony dis- covered in Chicago 6 Jul (ph. SJH). Counted there 9 Jul were 230 ads. and 67 young, with 5 or 6 ads. still on nests (DFS). This colony and the one at LTV Steel, Lake, IN are the only ones known in the Region. The colony of Common Terns at Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Lake, IL was apparently depredated by mink in Jun, but with the help of a make- shift floating platform, a 2nd nesting had commenced by 9 Jul and was still in progress 23 Jul (DRD). The tern of the season was a Royal Tern at La Salle Lake EW.A., La Salle 9- 10 Jul (APS, MAM, AES, m.oh.), only the 3rd confirmed record for Illinois. DOVES THROUGH WARBLERS The 2 Eurasian-Collared Doves found in Loo- gootee, Martin, IN 30 Jul (GP) expanded the number of counties in which the species has 598 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS ILLINOIS & INDIANA been found in the state to 43. A downy Barn Owl chick from a farm in Lake, IN was brought into a rehabilitation clinic, where it was identified 20 Jul OSC); an ad. was subse- quently seen at the farm 30 Jul (PBG). Other Barn Owl reports were confined to s. Illinois, with calling birds noted in Clinton 25-26 Jul (DMK, MS) and at Heron Pond, Johnson 1 1 Jun-7 Jul (MM-L), plus 6 young at a Union nest 11 Jun (CHu, VMK, RI). An ad. male Ru- fous Hummingbird was in Bowen, Hancock, IL 18 Jul (VMK, ph.JR). A singing, probably migrating Alder Fly- catcher found 24 Jun represented a first record for Putnam, IN (BJ). An early south- bound Least Flycatcher was noted at Mon- trose 26 Jul (MC). A Tropical Kingbird at Carl. L. was a complete surprise. First noted and photographed by Dean DiTommaso 13 Jun, it was relocated 15 Jun (MS, DMK, KAM) and then mist-netted by Vern Kleen 18 Jun, when measurements confirmed the identifica- tion. Numerous birders made the trek to wit- ness this first state record. It was last seen 18 Jun. Reports of Western Kingbirds included one at Illinois Beach S.P. 1 Jun (DRD), plus birds at the regular breeding sites in Granite City, IL (fide KAM) and at Joppa, IL, with 3 there 2 Jul and 2 observed feeding young 10 Jul (FKB). Two were also seen near Columbia, Monroe, IL at a nest 11-27 Jun (ph. DMK, MS). On 6 Jun, a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was seen flying up the Kankakee R. at Kankakee FW.A., LaPorte, IN (SRB). Good signs for the disappearing population of Loggerhead Shrikes in Indiana included a family group of 3 in Lawrence 26 Jun QSC) and an ad. carry- ing food in Orange 30 Jun (DC). A state-high total of 57 Bell’s Vireos was logged at Hawthorn Mine, Sullivan, IN 9 Jul (DRW). In late May, a Fish Crow was seen and heard in LaPorte, IN, across the border from Michigan where they had been consistently reported. On 6 Jun, at least 6 Fish Crows were seen and heard at the same site (SRB, JKC, LSH, JJM, KJB). In Illinois, a Fish Crow was seen and heard calling in Niota, Hancock 12 jul (EWW), which is unusually far n. for this species. Indiana’s 5 th and 6th breeding records for Red-breasted Nuthatch were registered when an ad. was seen feeding a nestling in Goshen, Elkhart 15 Jun (ph. JH, EH) and an ad. was observed feeding a fledgling in Westville, La- Porte 20 Jun (PK). Two early Swainson’s Thrushes returned 26 Jul at Montrose (RDH) andjarvis Bird Sanctuary (LM), Chicago. Also early were 3 Tennessee Warblers noted 24 Jul at Montrose (RDH). A Black-throated Green Warbler 20 Jul in Sangamon, IL (HDB) was likewise notable. Along the Indiana lakefront. breeding evidence was recorded for several Black-and-white Warblers (BB, JKC). At least 2 territorial Swainson’s Warblers were seen in Jackson, IL 20Jun-27Jul (RRo, ph. KAM, ph. DMK, MS, MM-L) and in Johnson, IL early Jun-25 Jul (MM-L). A singing Canada War- bler heard in Indianapolis 7 Jun was late. An ad. pair and 3 nestling Hooded Warblers found at the Conley Property 24 Jun (DS, EH) represented a first breeding record for Elkhart, IN. A Summer Tanager strayed n. to Illinois Beach S.P, being noted there 14 Jul (]B et al). SPARROWS THROUGH FINCHES This was the 2nd straight year with a notably large concentration of Clay-colored Sparrows in Rockton, Winnebago, IL, with 11 there 13 Jun (DTW, BCW). Undated photographs of an ad. and fledgling Lark Sparrow at Cobus Creek County Park (TB, JG) furnished the first breeding evidence for Elkhart, IN. At Goose Pond, a fine total of 192 Henslow’s Sparrows was tallied 13 Jun by multiple par- ties. Quite unusual was a Lincoln’s Sparrow in Sangamon, IL 19 Jul (HDB). Also significant was a confirmation of breeding by Swamp Sparrow at Goose Pond 13 Jun (JID). A White-throated Sparrow was singing at Miller-Anderson Woods Nature Preserve, Bu- reau, IL 5 Jul (CKM, JM). A spring migrant Dark-eyed Junco lingered through 8 Jun in Chicago’s Grant Park (DFS). A pair of Blue Grosbeaks feeding 2 young at Illinois Beach S.P. 20 Jul (SDB) was unusually far n. for the species. Only one Painted Bunting was noted 29 Jun at the traditional E. St. Louis breeding location (DMK). The bird could not be relo- cated, and it is believed no nesting occurred there for the first time in 10 years (fide KAM). A singing Western Meadowlark at the Val- paraiso airport 1 1 Jun (RJP) provided Porter’s first summer record since 1984, and a singing male at Forest throughout Jun (WH) repre- sented the first record for Clinton, IN. Pine Siskins were reported throughout Indiana. A flock of 9, Indiana’s highest summer total ever, was in Beverly Shores, Porter, IN 16 Jun (BB), one was in Chesterton 25-27 Jun (KJB), and 3 and 6 were at a Monroe feeder 18 & 19 Jul (VWW), respectively. Though Eurasian Tree Sparrows have been moving slowly northward up the Illinois R. valley in recent years, one noted 29 Jul at Montrose (RDH) was well away from normal haunts. A Eurasian Tree Sparrow was observed feeding upside down at a backyard finch feeder filled with niger seed in Table Grove, Fulton, IL 5 Jul (KAM). Contributors cited (subregional editors in boldface): Don Allen, Connie Alwood, David Ayer (DAy), Amar Ayyash, Susan R. Bagby, Steven D. Bailey, Lawrence Balch, Tony Bal- doni, Lou Anne Barriger, Michael J. Baum, Frank K. Bennett, H. David Bohlen, Gary & Lisa Bowman, Matt Bredeweg, Kenneth J. Brock, Joan Bruchman, Alan W. Bruner, Brad Bumgardner, Robert F Buskirk, William H. Buskirk, John K. Cassady, John S. Castrale, Gordon L. Chastain, Elizabeth J. Chato, David Crouch, Brian Cunningham, Matthew Cvetas, Donald R. Dann, Jerry I. Downs, Rus- sell Engelke, Brad Feaster, Carolyn S. Fields, Karen Fisher, Robert E. Fisher, Tyler D. Funk, Urs W. Geiser, Steve Gifford, Don Gorney, Darlena Graham (DGr), Joel Greenburg QGr), Brendan J. Grube, Peter B. Grube, Joe Guth, Elaine Harley, John Harley, C. Leroy Harrison, Cloyce Hedge, Roger L. Hedge, James D. Hengeveld, Susan E. Hengeveld, Jed B. Hertz, Lynea S. Hinchman, Frank R. Holmes, Wes Homoya, Michael Hogg, Ed- ward M. Hopkins, Steve J. Huggins, Robert D. Hughes, Bob Huguenard, Tom Hulvershorn, Cathie Hutcheson (CHu), Dave Hyatt, Robert litis, Brad Jackson, Marty Jones, Dan H. Kaiser, Dan M. Kassebaum, Amy Kearns, Noah Kearns, John C. Kendall, Chris Ker- meyer, Vernon M. Kleen, Patrick Krueger, Thomas B. Lally, Joseph W. Lill, Andrea Locke, Karen Lund, Michael A. Madsen, Karen Mansfield, Walter J. Marcisz, Jeffrey J. McCoy, Cynthia K. McKee, John McKee, Matt McKim-Louder, Keith A. McMullen, Chuck W. Mills, Robert Montgomery, Anita L. Mor- gan, Robert A. Morgan, D. James Mountjoy, Luis Munoz, Greg Neise, Greg Osland, Greg Page, Randy J. Pals, Kay Preshlock, Judy Reuschel, Kevin Richmond, Eric Ripma, Rob Ripma, Rhonda Rothrock (RRo), William M. Rudden, Beau Schaefer, John Schaust QSc), Mark Seiffert, Wes S. Serafin, Robert E. Shel- by, Andrew P. Sigler, Jeffrey R. Skrentny, Jeff Smith (JSm),Jim S. Solum, Sharon & Charles Sorenson, Jeffrey O. Sundberg, Lee W. Ster- renburg, Alan E Stokie, Dan Stoltzfus, Dou- glas F Stotz, Jim Sullivan, Barb Thayer, Craig B. Thayer, Jeffrey W. Walk, Terry Walsh, Eric W. Walters, Michael P. Ward, Donald R. Whitehead, Vern W. Wilkins, Barbara C. Williams, Daniel T. Williams, Jr., Geoffrey A. Williamson, Bob Zaremba. Many others sub- mitted observations but could not be person- ally acknowledged; all have our thanks for their contributions, James D. Hengeveld, 6354 Southshore Drive Unionville, Indiana 47468, (jhengeve@indiana.edu) Keith A. McMullen, 1405 DeSoto O'Fallon, Illinois 62269, (warbler7@sbcglobal.net) Geoffrey A. Williamson, 4046 North Clark Street, Unit K Chicago, Illinois 60613, (geoffrey.williamson@comcast.net) VOL U- ME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 599 Western Great Lakes Temperatures were cool across the Re- gion. Precipitation was below normal, except for southern Wisconsin, the southern Lower Peninsula of Michigan, and northwestern Minnesota in June. Highlights included Brown Pelican in Minnesota, two Purple Gallinules in Wisconsin, and Fish Crow in Michigan. Abbreviations: Horicon (Horicon Marsh, Dodge, WI); Murphy-Hanrehan (Murphy- Hanrehan Park Reserve, Dakota/Scott, MN); Pte. Mouillee (Pointe Mouillee S.G.A., Mon- roe, MI); U.P. (Upper Peninsula of Michigan); Whitehsh Pt. (Whitefish Point B.O., Chippe- wa, MI); Wisconsin Pt. (Douglas, WI). WATERFOWL THROUGH RAILS In Minnesota, a Greater White-fronted Goose in Kandiyohi 1 jun (DBW) was probably still northbound, but one in Lac Qui Parle 26 Jul+ (PCC) may have summered. Unseasonable were Greater Scaup lingering at Duluth, MN through 14 jun (ph. PHS), Surf Scoter in Manitowoc, WI 1 Jun (TS), White-winged Scoter in Itasca, MN 4 Jun (EEO), and Black Scoter at Manitowoc 2-7 Jun QS, BD). Michi- gan chimed in with Long-tailed Ducks in Al- ger through 1 1 Jun (SCH) and Manistee 18 Jul (BAA). Wisconsins only report of Gray Par- tridge was in Crawford 1 1 Jun (MS). Michigan observers commented on the scarcity of Northern Bobwhite, with reports limited to the s. Lower Peninsula. Spring migration of Red-throated Loons was well documented at Duluth, MN again this summer, including a peak of 16 birds 14 Jun and 4 birds 26 Jun (PHS); these were complemented by sightings off Wisconsin Pt. 14 Jun-4 Jul (PHS). Red-necked Grebes were found in five Wisconsin counties, including 7 in Winnebago 21 Jun (TZ). Minnesota’s 2nd Brown Pelican was often difficult to locate during its stay in Le Sueur 27 Jun-2 Jul (CVK, WS, ph. RMD). The Region’s only Little Blue Heron graced Monroe, Ml 27-31 Jul (WGP). Four reports of Snowy Egret were more than usual for Wisconsin, and one in Tuscola 10 Jun QEV) was farther n. than normal for Michigan. In Minnesota, up to 8 Snowy Egrets were in Grant 22-23 Jul (RPR). Cattle Egrets showed well in Michigan, including Arenac 4 Jun (DLJ) and Midland 11-30 Jun (MKE), but appeared in only three Minnesota and three Wisconsin counties. Minnesota had ad. Yellow-crowned Night-Herons in Dakota 21 Jun (RPR) and Hennepin 23 Jul+ (VL). Wisconsin’s only Yellow-crowned visited Sauk 19 Jun (AH). An ad. and an imm. White-faced Ibis first found in May (AMB, PCC) both lin- gered at Pte. Mouillee through 12 Jun; the imm. was still present 30 Jul. Michigan’s 7th Swallow-tailed Kite blessed the Pellston Air- port, Emmet 4 Jun (DK). In Wisconsin, a Pur- ple Gallinule delighted scores of birders in Walworth 8-10 Jun (EH); another was found dead in Dane 30 Jul QF). Encouraging in Min- nesota was a pair of Common Moorhens with 8 young at Sherburne N.W.R. (PLJ). SHOREBIRDS Sixty pairs of Piping Plover in Michigan QD fide LJD) included a pair nesting at Whitefish Pt. for the first time in more than 20 years. Eight chicks fledged from four Piping Plover nests on Wisconsin’s Apostle Is. QVS). Piping Plover breeding was not documented in Min- nesota again this year, and that state’s only fall migrant was in Rice 31 Jul (TFB), Killdeer peaked at 1088 in Lac Qui Parle, MN 26 Jul (PCC). Black-necked Stilts summered at Horicon again this year, including a peak of 8 birds 19 Jul (WM); else- where in Wisconsin were singles in Dane 9 Jun (MG) and Fond du Lac 26 Jul (DS). An American Avocet in Monroe 23 Jun (GN) was unusual for Michigan; all other re- ports for Michigan and Wisconsin referred to southbound migrants in Jul. All three states re- ported Willet; most un- usual was one in Bay, MI 13 Jun (JMS). Single Whimbrels transited Pte. Mouillee 11-13 Jul (CO,JJ) and Manistee, Ml 18 Jul (BAA). Spring migration of Hudsonian Godwit normally extends into early Jun; an apparent fall migrant in Berrien, MI 15 Jul (TB) was early. Baerwald also reported a Mar- bled Godwit there the same day. All three states reported Red Knot. Michi- gan had one in Berrien 2 Jun (TB), and up to 3 were at Duluth, MN 1-5 Jun (KRE, LS, PHS, ph. SCZ). Wisconsin had the latest north- bound knot in Milwaukee 10 Jun (DG) and the first southbound knot in Manitowoc 22 Jul (ST). White-rumped Sandpipers peaked at 457 in Lac Qui Parle, MN 7 Jun (PCC); one was still northbound in Milwaukee, WI 12 Jun (SE). Michigan accepted a Jun record of Baird’s Sandpiper in Marquette on the 1st (SH). Burnishing the Region’s only report of the season was a Buff-breasted Sandpiper in Lac Qui Parle, MN 26 Jul (PCC). A total of 136 Wilson’s Snipe at Agassiz N.W.R. 31 Jul (PHS, JMJ) just missed the all-time record of 137 for that Minnesota refuge. Southbound Red-necked Phalaropes reached Brown, MN 10 Jul (BTS) and Dodge, WI 19 Jul (CM). GULLS THROUGH WOODPECKERS In Wisconsin, a Little Gull summered in Man- itowoc (m.ob.). All three states reported Laughing Gull. Michigan hosted different ads. in Berrien 3 & 10 Jim (TB), one at Pte. Mouillee 28 Jun (AMB), and another in Berrien 26 Jul (MH), Wisconsin had one in Milwaukee 1-12 Jun (CP). Minnesota attract- ed an ad. in Houston 27 Jul, the first Laughing Gull in that state since 1997 (CLW). Single Eranklin’s Gulls strayed to Berrien, MI 6 Jun (TB) and Kenosha, WI 18 Jun (BCa). Also in Kenosha, the Badger State borrowed a Califor- nia Gull from Illinois 10 Jul (SF), Elsewhere in Wisconsin, the latest of several lingering Iceland Gulls was in Manitowoc 26 Jun (CS), and a Glaucous Gull loitered in Sheboygan until 27 Jun (MBo). More unexpected was Michigan’s well-described Glaucous Gull in Alger 17 Jul (SCH). Two ad. Pomarine Jaegers were reported from a boat off Park Pt., Duluth 3 Jun Of-K); all but one of Minnesota’s 17 records are from fall. The only Eurasian Collared-Doves outside of Minnesota were in Wisconsin at Columbia 27 Jun (PF). Wisconsin’s 3rd Band-tailed Pi- geon was photographed in LaCrosse 20-22 Jul This Scissor-tailed Flycatcher delighted scores of observers during its extended stay in Dodge County, Minnesota 25 (here 31) July through 3 August 2009. Photograph by Douglas W. Kieser. 600 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS WESTERN GREAT LAKES Part of a broad and strengthening pattern of Midwestern appearances, Min- nesota's second Brown Pelican was documented at German Lake, Le Sueur County 27 (here 28) June through 2 July 2009. Photograph by Robert M. Dunlap. (TR). Totally unexpected was a Snowy Owl in Bay, MI 24 Jun (LJD). Continu- ing from spring were Chuck-will’s-wid- ows in Jackson, WI through 27 Jul (RC) and Beirien, MI through 1 Aug (MBu, JTW) — the 5th consecutive summer for both locations. An ad. male Rufous Hummingbird was photographed in Bayfield, WI 30 Jul (RSB). Good news for Minnesota was a high count of 45 Red- headed Woodpeckers including 22 ac- tive nests at Cedar Creek S.N.A., Anoka (fide ALD). Though similar to last sum- mer, six reports of Black-backed Wood- pecker was still the most for Wisconsin in more than two decades. FLYCATCHERS THROUGH FINCHES Earlier than normal was a southbound Yellow-bellied Flycatcher in Hennepin, MN 27 Jul (SEC). Acadian Flycatcher was found at the n. periphery of its Michigan range in Saginaw 10 Jun (LMA) and Mid- land 18 Jun-14 Jul (MKE). Minnesota welcomed single Scissor-tailed Flycatch- ers in Sibley 26 Jun (ph. LLR) and Dodge 25 Jul+ (MM, m.ob.). Michigan and Wisconsin each had one Loggerhead Shrike, in Beirien 12 Jun (HV, RV) and Sauk until 17 Jun (AH), re- spectively; this threatened species was found in only six Minnesota counties. White-eyed Vireo was scarce in Wisconsin, with only one in Green 4 Jun-18 Jul (TCW, PSc) and one in Sauk through 12 Jun (TP). In contrast, 16 re- ports of Bell’s Vireo in 10 Wisconsin counties was more than usual. Brady photographed a Black-billed Magpie in Bayfield, WI 5 Jun (RSB). Field work started this year for Min- nesota’s Breeding Bird Atlas; new county breeding records included Black-billed Magpie in Crow Wing (JSB) and Common Raven in Benton (RBJ). Continuing from spring through 27 Jul was at least one Fish Crow at Forest Lawn Landfill, Beirien. Ml (p.a., TB, ATC, m. ob.). Wisconsin’s only reports of Boreal Chickadee were in Forest 20 Jun (TP) and Vi- las 18 Jul QS). Michigan’s 9th Rock Wren was unexpected in St. Clair 1 Jun (ATC, m.ob.); most of that state’s records are from fall. Wis- consin led the Carolina Wren parade with eight reports from six counties. A tardy Gray- cheeked Thrush was carefully identified in Hennepin, MN 10 Jun (TT). Northern Mock- ingbirds sang in six Minnesota counties as far n. as Cass and St. Louis. In Wisconsin, a pair of mockingbirds nested in Sauk and was ob- served feeding fledged young 15 Jul (RH). A tardy American Pipit in Cook, MN 5 Jun (RBJ) eclipsed 18 at Whitefish Pt. 1 Jun (JR). Fall migrant Tennessee Warblers normally show up in late Jul; slightly ahead of schedule was one in Dane, WI 14 Jul (AP). Three reports of Cape May Warbler from three Wisconsin counties was the fewest in several decades for the Badger State. Wisconsin hosted Yellow- throated Warblers in Waukesha 2 Jun-31 Jul (TCW, ASz), Crawford 5 Jun (MJ), and at the traditional Grant site through 12 Jul (AH). Re- markably far n. in Michigan was a Yellow- throated Warbler at Ludington S.P., Mason 21- 27 Jun (DCD). Kirtland's Warbler strength- ened its foothold in Wisconsin, with seven or eight nests successful out of 11 nests found; at least 26 young successfully fledged. Michigan’s total of 1795 singing males barely exceeded last year's record of 1791 and included 30 in the U.P. Another early fall arrival was the Bay- breasted Warbler in Hennepin, MN 26 Jul (SLC). Cerulean Warbler was found in 11 Minnesota counties compared to 14 last sum- mer. In Michigan, Ceruleans were found in good numbers in the s. Lower Peninsula, and one strayed n. to the U.P. in Dickinson 4 Jul (GC). Refreshing after its absence from Michi- gan last summer were 3 territorial Worm-eat- ing Warblers; 2 of the 4 males found in spring persisted at Warren Dunes S.P, Berrien (BA, m.ob.), while another from spring disappeared after 1 Jun in Allegan (RB). In Wisconsin, Worm-eating Warblers held on at traditional locations in Sauk (KK) and Grant QE). Pro- thonotary Warblers in Chisago 13 Jun (PEB) and Arenac 12 Jul (SJ, SS) were n. of their es- tablished ranges in Minnesota and Michigan, respectively. Kentucky Warbler in four Wis- consin counties was near average. Min- nesota’s only report was from Blue Earth 3-11 Jun (ALD, RBW). Systematic sur- veys in Wisconsin's Southern Kettle Moraine documented 229 singing Hood- ed Warblers in Waukesha, Walworth, and Jefferson during Jun (ASz), compared to 167 last summer. In Michigan, a Hooded Warbler was n. of its usual range in Tus- cola (MW). Hooded Warblers in four Minnesota counties included 31 territo- ries at Murphy-Hanrehan (BAF) and one far n. of its usual haunts at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve, St. Louis 14 Jun QV). Slightly s. of normal was a Canada War- bler at Murphy-Hanrehan 14 Jun (BAF). Yellow-breasted Chat showed well for the 2nd consecutive summer in seven Wis- consin counties. In Minnesota, 2 territori- al males hrst found in spring vied for a fe- male’s attention at Hyland Lake Park Re- serve, Hennepin 27 Jul (SLC). Elsewhere in Minnesota, chats were one-day won- ders in Goodhue, Washington, and Winona. Summer Tanager is starting to live up to its name in the Region. After last sum- mer’s absence, Michigan celebrated the return of this species to the Wolverine State with 2 at Warren Dunes S.P, Berrien 7 Jun-5 Jul (SH, m.ob). Wisconsin welcomed a Summer Tanag- er in Manitowoc 5 Jun (JT). Minnesota had spring overshoots in Aitkin 8 Jun (WEN) and Crow Wing 8 Jun QSB); more unusual was a first-year male in Washington 12-25 Jul (LH, m.ob.). A Spotted Towhee in Kittson 9 Jun (ph. RMD) was the first for that nw. Minnesota county. Furnishing another county first was a Field Sparrow in Koochiching, MN 6 Jun (AXH). In Michigan, a Lark Sparrow found in spring disappeared after 1 Jun (BCo). Less widespread than in recent years, Henslow’s Sparrow was still found in 13 Minnesota coun- ties; this is likely to change, as fields enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program are con- verted back to agriculture. Nelson’s Sparrow was not found in Wisconsin this summer for the first time in decades, but in Michigan, Youngman reported singing birds in Luce 14 Jun and Houghton 17 Jun (p.a., JAY). Harris’s Sparrow lingered until 7 Jun in two s. Min- nesota locations. In Wisconsin, a Harris’s per- sisted in Buniett through at least 28 Jun (BSc). Unusually far s. were tardy White-crowned Sparrows in St. Clair, MI 1 Jun (SBH), Mani- towoc, WI 6 Jun (BD), and Bay, Ml 8 Jun (DLJ). More widespread than usual. Blue Gros- beaks were documented in seven Minnesota counties, A male Lazuli Bunting in Sibley 18 Jul (p.a., JCC) would be Minnesota’s first for that month. Sixty-six Bobolinks burbling at Crow Hassan Park Reserve, Hennepin 10 Jul V 0 L U-M E 6 3 ( 2 0 0 9 ) NUMBER 4 601 WESTERN GREAT LAKES (SLC) was an excellent number for that Min- nesota location. Northeast of its normal Min- nesota range was a Yellow-headed Blackbird in Lake 5 Jun OWL). In Michigan, Pine Siskin fledglings were seen in Benien 1 Jun (AV). Evening Grosbeak passed muster for the good news column for a change, with an above-av- erage 12 reports in 10 Wisconsin counties. Cited observers (subregional editors in bold- face): Larry M. Abraham, Brian A. Allen, Brad Anderson, Tim Baerwald, Jo & Steve Blanich OSB), Tom E Boevers, Marilyn Bontly (MBo), Ryan S. Brady, Rick Brigham, Marvin Budd (MBu), Paul E. Budde (Minnesota), Adam M. Byrne, Rory Cameron, Beth Carlock (BCa), Steve L. Carlson, Allen T. Chartier, Philip C. Chu, Joel C. Claus, Greg Cleary, Bruce Cohen (BCo), Alyssa L. DeRubeis, Jack Dingledine, David C. Dister, Bob Domagalski, Louie J. Dombroski (Michigan), Robert M. Dunlap, Kim R. Eckert, Jesse Ellis, Monica K. Essen- macher, Bruce A. Fall, Peter Fissel, Sean Fitzgerald, Jake Fries, Malcolm Gold, Janet C. Green, Dennis Gustafson, Skye Haas, Liz Harper, Anthony X. Hertzel, Scott C. Hick- man, Randy Hoffman (Wisconsin), Aaron Holschbach, Susan B. Holth, Eric Howe, Matt Hysell, Doug L. Jackson, Robert B. Janssen, Scott Jennex,.Paul L. Johnson, Maggie Jones, Jeanie M. Joppru, Jerry Jourdan, Kay Ka- vanagh, David Kirschke, Jan & Larry Kraemer OLK), Cindy & Vern Krienke (CVK), Victor Lewis, James W. Lind, Chester Martin, Mary Melbert, William Mueller, Warren E. Nelson, Greg Norwood, Earl E. Orf, Chuck Owens, Andy Paulios, Walter G. Pawloski, Chris Peth- erick, Michael Petrucha, Tom Prestby Jack Reinoehl, Linda & Loren Rist (LLR), Thomas Rohrer, Robert P Russell, Jr., Mike Sandstrom, Steve Santner, Tom Schaefer, Joe Schaufen- buel, Paul Schilke (PSc), Bill Schmoker (BSc), Darrell Shiffman, Brian T. Smith, Joseph M. Soehnel, Charles Sontag, Linda Sparling, Julie Van Stappen, Peder H. Svingen, Wally Swan- son, Andrea Szymczak (ASz), Steve Thiessen, Joel Trick, Tom Tustison, Jim E. VanAllen, Hank Veldman, Rick Veldman, Alison Vilag, Joshua Vineyard, Myles Willard, Dan & Bar- bara Williams (DBW), Robert B. Williams, Christopher L. Wood, Thomas C. Wood, Jonathan T. Wuepper, Joseph A. Youngman, Tom Ziebell, and Shawn C. Zierman. We ex- tend our sincere thanks to the hundreds of other contributors who could not be acknowl- edged individually. @ Pider H. Svingen 2602 East 4th Street, Duiuth, Minnesota 55812 (psvingen@d.umn.edu) I Iowa & Missouri James J. Dinsmore Unlike in 2008, when flooding domi- nated many parts of Missouri, rainfall this summer was closer to normal. June totals were 2-5 cm above average, and in July, rainfall was slightly below normal in southern Missouri and at or just above aver- age elsewhere. Potentially the most danger- ous weather events for nesting birds occurred on 10 June, when high winds, hail, and flash flooding occurred in the southwestern and Ozark regions, and on 15-16 June, when parts of central and northern Missouri received up to 7.5 cm of rain. June was much warmer than average, mainly a result of a heat wave 17-27 June that brought 95° F temperatures across the state. July temperatures were 4-5° below normal. Iowa temperatures and rainfall were about average during June. The warmest tempera- tures were recorded 17-27 June, when 90° F temperatures were common. July rainfall was about average, with much of this occurring in the first half of the month. It was the coolest July on record: temperatures ran about 6° F below normal. Temperatures reached 90° F on only one day. Other than some scattered hail on 17 June and several days in July, there was little severe weather, unlike the severe flood- ing in 2008. Regional highlights included Mottled Duck in both states. Fulvous Whistling-Duck, Brown Pelican, Neotropic Cormorant in both states, Anhinga, and nesting American White Pelicans and Alder Flycatcher. Abbreviations: Coralville (Coralville Res., Johnson, lA); E.B.C.A. (Eagle Bluffs C.A., Boone, MO); ER.C.A. (Four Rivers C.A., Ver- non, MO); MidAmerican (MidAmerican Ener- gy Ponds, Pottawattamie, lA); Neal Smith (Neal Smith N.W.R., Jasper, lA); O.S.C.A. (Otter Slough C.A, Stoddard, MO); Red Rock (Red Rock Res., Marion, lA); R.M.B.S. (River- lands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, St. Charles, MO); Saylorville (Saylorville Res., Polk, lA). WATERFOWL THROUGH IBIS Two Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks in Liv- ingston 10 Jun (SK) and one in Cass 1 Jul+ (ph., tv. Myer; tL. Rizzo) and 2 Fulvous Whistling-Ducks 2-3 Jun at O.S.C.A. (tPM, BJ, MR) added to Missouri’s limited records. Iowa’s Trumpeter Swans had their best year ever, with 31 or 32 successful nests (R. An- drews). Both states had Mottled Ducks. Mis- souri’s first, a female, was near O.S.C.A. 2 Jun-16 Jul (tPM, tB. Reeves, ph. CB, m.ob.), and Iowa’s 2nd, a male, was at Saylorville 8, 9, & 14 Jul (ph., tSD; tJB, JG). Late waterfowl in Iowa included a Greater White-fronted Goose in Hancock 1 Jul (RG), a Ross’s Goose in Calhoun 12 Jun (RA, PA), and a Greater Scaup in Hancock 3 Jun and 22 Jul (RG). Most of Missouri’s late waterfowl were at O.S.C.A., with up to 5 Gadwall 2Jun-13 Jul (MR, CB), an American Wigeon 13 Jul (ph., tCB), 2 Northern Shovelers 2 Jun (PM, BJ, MR), a Northern Pintail 6-27 Jun (tCB), a Green- winged Teal 3-16 Jun (tCB), and one or 2 Ring-necked Ducks 2-27 Jun and 13 Jul (PM, BJ, MR, CB). Elsewhere, a male Ring-necked Duck spent the summer at E.B.C.A. (EW, BJ). Four male Greater Prairie-Chickens and a female with a chick in Ringgold indicated that Iowa’s small population is still holding on (TH). Northern Bobwhite were found in s. and w. lov/a, but only along the Missouri bor- der did they seem to be doing well. Common Loons were found at five Iowa sites, with 4 in Dickinson 29 Jul the highest count (MP, m.ob.). Missouri’s only report was of one at O.S.C.A. 3 Jun (CB). Red-necked Grebes in n. 602 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS IOWA & MISSOURI This female Mottled Duck found near Otter Slough Conservation Area in Stoddard County represented Missouri's first record. Found on 2 June 2009 by Paul McKenzie, Brad Jacobs, and Mark Robbins, it remained through 16 July (here 5 June) and was seen by numerous birders. Photograph by Joshua P. Uffman. Iowa included 7 in Dickinson 26 Jun (SD) and a pair with a downy young in Hancock (PH, MP). In Iowa, one or 2 Western Grebes were found in Cenv Gordo, Hamilton, and Dickin- son (m.ob.), and a pair was seen building a nest in Hancock U Jun (SD). A juv. Brown Pelican continued from 1 1 May through 18 Jul at R.M.B.S. (tJU, C. Mal- one). For a 3rd year, American White Pelicans nested in Clinton, lA, with about 400 young fledged (RE). By late Jul, migrants were evi- dent in both states: 1828 were at Red Rock 25 Jul (SD), and 500 were at Swan Lake N.W.R., MO 28 Jul (SK). In Missouri, 2 ad. and 5 imm. Neotropic Cormorants were at ER.C.A. 12 Jul, with one imm. staying through 26 Jul (ph. DW). Iowa’s 5th Neotropic Cormorant and 2nd summer record came from Elm E., Wright 5 Jul (ph., tSD), Iowa Double-crested Cormorant colonies were at Coralville (CE) and in Clinton, where about 1 100 nests were found (RE). Missouri's only colony at ER.C.A, had 19 nests (DW). Missouri’s Anhingas in- cluded 5 near O.S.C.A. 2 Jun (tR. Meade) and one at ER.C.A. 26 Jul (DW). American Bittern broods were found in Hamilton and Story, lA (SD, H. Zaletel). One or 2 Least Bitterns were seen in three Missouri and 13 Iowa counties (m.ob.). High counts of post-breeding Great Egrets were 1000 at ER.C.A. 20 Jul (DW) and 248 at Red Rock 25 Jul (SD). Southern wading birds were scarce in both states. Missouri’s most diverse count was 52 Great Egrets, 8 Little Blue Herons, 4 Snowy Egrets, and 3 Cattle Egrets at Colum- bia Bottom C.A., St. Louis 14 Jun (BR). A Lit- tle Blue Heron in Livingston, MO 29 Jun (SK) was a bit far north. Iowa reports, all of singles, included Little Blue Herons in three counties (W. Oesterreich, T. Schilke, DP) and Cattle Egrets in two (MP, SD), a big drop from last summer. Few night-herons were reported. Missouri had reports of one and 3 Black-crowned Night- Herons (MT, BR) and Iowa one report of 3 (PH, MP). Each state had two reports of single Yellow-crowned Night-Herons. The Region’s only ibis was a Glossy/ White-faced in Hardin, lA 5 Jun (MP). VULTURE THROUGH PHALAROPES A Black Vulture in St. Louis 6 May (PL) was n. of the species’ usual range. Twelve of 13 Osprey nests in Iowa were successful, the most since the reintroduction program started (BE, PS). In Missouri, single Ospreys were at O.S.C.A. 2 Jun (tPM, BJ, MR) and in Clay 20 Jul (DW). Mississippi Kites were found in both states: one or 2 mid-Jun-Jul in or near Des Moines, Polk (m.ob.), 3 at Joplin (LH), up to 4 in St. Louis (MT), and 2 at ER.C.A. (P. St, John, C. Kline). Bald Eagles continued to do well in Iowa, with about 210 active nests. Two more counties were occupied this year, bringing the total to 86 of Iowa’s 99 counties (BE). Northern Har- rier nesting activity was noted in five Iowa counties (m.ob.), more than most years. The Region's only Swainson's Hawks were sin- gles in Greene and Vernon in sw. Missouri (D. Rising, DW). A Sharp-shinned Hawk in Cerro Gordo 15 Jun (PH) provided a rare summer record for Iowa. Nine of Iowa’s 13 Peregrine Eal- con eyries were successful and produced 26 young, the most since the reintroduction pro- gram started (BE, PS). Soras were found in seven Iowa coun- ties s. to Wapello (AB, m.ob.). The only Missouri report was of one heard in Linn/Livingston (SK). Sandhill Cranes continued to do well in Iowa, with most nesting activity in e. Iowa (BE, PS). A pair with a colt in Fre- mont 24 Jun (KVS) furnished the first recent nesting report in sw. Iowa. Two at E.B.C.A. mid-Jun+ (BJ, EW) add to the few summer records for Missouri. One or 2 Black-bellied Plovers at Coralville 14-15 Jun OE DP) and single American Gold- en-Plovers at Saylorville 18 Jul (RA, PA) and 29 Jul at Red Rock (SD) were the only reports. Eight ad. and 4 young Piping Plovers at Mi- dAmerican (MP) provided the Region’s only nesting report; Missouri’s only report was of one at ER.C.A. 25 Jul (DW). An amazing 295 Black-necked Stilts were counted 2-3 Jun in rice fields and wetlands in six se. Missouri counties (PM, MR, BJ). One in Clay 13-14 Jun (ES, T. Lutter) was Iowa’s only report. Each state had an American Avocet: 17 Jul in Clay, MO (DW) and 26 Jul at Coralville (B. Scheible). Late shorebirds in Iowa included a Hudsonian Godwit in Polk 5 Jun (S. Stilwell) and 2 in Clay 7 Jun (LS); a Ruddy Turnstone at Saylorville 6 Jun (AB); 50 Dunlins and 10 White-rumped Sandpipers at Coralville 13 Jun (DP); and 59 White-rumped Sandpipers in Clay 13 Jun (LS). In Missouri, a Whimbrel was at ER.C.A. 12 Jun (A. Eorbes). Counts of southbound sandpipers were generally low. The six reports of Willets were more than usual. Early arrivals were one 28 Jun in Fre- mont, lA QF) and 2 on 6 Jul at Thompson Riv- er Wetlands, Livingston, MO (SK). In Mis- souri, high counts included 125 Solitary Sandpipers 27 Jul, 150 Least Sandpipers 25 Jul, and 600 Pectoral Sandpipers and 85 Stilt Sandpipers 26 Jul, all at ER.C.A, (DW). In Iowa, peaks included 66 Solitary Sandpipers at Bays Branch, Guthrie 26 Jul, 830 Least Sandpipers at Saylorville 24 Jul, and 295 Less- er Yellowlegs and 1876 Pectoral Sandpipers at Red Rock 29 Jul (SD). Upland Sandpipers found in 14 Iowa counties were likely breed- ing (m.ob.); both Missouri reports were of late Jul migrants (SK, DW). Other south- bound shorebirds included 3 Baird’s Sand- pipers and a Wilson’s Phalarope 25 Jul and a Western Sandpiper 26 Jul, all at ER.C.A. (DW), a Ruddy Turnstone at Saylorville 24 & Marking Iowa's second summer record and fifth record overall, this subadult Neotropic Cormorant at Elm Lake in Wright County was found on 5 July 2009 by the photographer and not seen after that date. Compared to the Double- crested Cormorant (at right), the smaller size, shorter bill, and relatively longer tail are all evident in this photograph. Photograph by Stephen J. Dinsmore. VOLUME 63 (2009) NUMBER 4 603 IOWA & MISSOURI Least Tern chicks were banded by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers personnel at an arti- ficial nesting island established this year at Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary in St. Charles County, Missouri, among them this one on 6 August 2009. Photograph by Charles Deutsch. 30 Jul (SD), one or 2 Sanderlings at four Iowa sites 16-30 Jul (m.ob.), single Buff-breasted Sandpipers at Saylorville 27 & 30 Jul (SD) and at Coralville 29 Jul (DP), and a Red- necked Phalarope at Saylorville 25 Jul (SD). GULLS THROUGH WRENS Iowa’s usual Black-headed Gull was at Spirit L., Dickinson 21 Jul (E. Thelen). An ad. Franklin’s Gull at R.M.B.S. 14 Jun (JU), an ad. in Adair 27 Jun (PK), and a juv. at ER.C.A. 12 Jul (DW) were unusual for Missouri. A sec- ond-cycle Laughing Gull in Adair, MO 27 Jun (ph., tPK) was the only report. The Region’s only Ring-billed Gull colony near Spirit L., lA had many nests in late Jun (SD). The 1189 Ring-billed Gulls at Red Rock 25 Jul (SD) was a high count for summer. Single Herring Gulls were found in Polk, Dubuque, and John- son (m.ob.), more than usual for Iowa, and at R.M.B.S. (BR). Up to 7 Least Terns were seen at MidAmerican, but no nesting was reported OF). In Missouri, besides singles in Jun in Stoddard and at two sites 26 Jul in Pemiscot, all along the Mississippi R. (CB), one in Bates in w. Missouri 25 Jul (DW) was unexpected. Three Common Terns were at Saylorville 13 Jun OG). In Iowa, a few Black Tern nests were at three sites in Dickinson and Winnebago (SD, SP), but no one reported nesting by Forster’s Terns. Eurasian Collared-Doves continued their conquest of Iowa, with reports from Fayette and Lyon QG, SD); they have been found in 96 of Iowa’s 99 counties. Each state had a single White- winged Dove: in Mississippi, MO for the 4th year (PM) and in Dallas, lA (T. Law- son). Single Black-billed Cuckoos in Jasper, in St. Charles, and at O.S.C.A. (LH, PK, MR) were in s. Missouri, where rare. Three calling in Holt, MO 31 Jul (MR) were the most report- ed in either state. Two Barn Owls in Dunklin, MO 2 Jun (PM) and nesting pairs in Calhoun, Canvll, Lucas, and probably Fremont, lA (BE) indicate small populations persist in both states. A Short-eared Owl seen in late Jun in Ringgold, I A may have nested (TH). Late mi- grants in Iowa included 2 Olive-sided Fly- catchers 9 Jun in Witiiiesliieb (DK), 2 Yellow- bellied Flycatchers 7 Jun in Hancock and Kos- suth (PH, MK), and an Alder Flycatcher 23 Jun in Hancock (RG). Missouri’s last Alder Flycatcher was 2 Jun at O.S.C.A. (MR). An Alder Flycatcher in Dallas 29 Jun-i- nested, a hrst for Iowa (SD). The eastward range ex- pansion of two flycatchers continued in Mis- souri, with single Western Kingbirds in St. Louis and St. Louis City (MT, PL, PK) and 2 Scissor-tailed Flycatchers each at E.B.C.A. and in Buchanan (EW, F Cramer); nesting ac- tivity was observed in St. Charles for the 2nd year Q- Hitzeman, PK). A Scissor-tailed Fly- catcher in Union 24 Jun Q- Newton) made Iowa’s first summer record since 2006. A few Loggerhead Shrikes were found in five Mis- souri and 12 Iowa counties, mostly in the w. half of both states (m.ob.). A few Bell’s Vireos in St. Charles and St. Louis City (MT, PL, PK) were away from their expected St. Louis area locations, and 20 at O.S.C.A. 15 Jun (CB) was the most reported in Missouri. Three ad. Black-billed Magpies were near a nest in Plymouth, lA 11 Jun (G. Von Ehwe- gen), their lone Regional nesting site. A Red- breasted Nuthatch in Webster, lA 26 Jul (T. Johnson) may have been an early migrant. Single Bewick’s Wrens were found in both states: 13 Jun in Jefferson, MO QE) and at its usual Lee, lA site 6 Jun-7 Jul (]G, DP, SD). Sedge Wrens seemed to be fairly common through much of Iowa (m.ob.) and in n.-cen. Missouri (SK). Farther s., a few in Pettis, Pike, and St. Charles (EW, JE, BR) were considered Jul arrivals. Twelve Marsh Wrens at Fountain Grove C.A., Linn/Livingston 21 Jul (SK) and 19 in Pike 19 Jul QE) were high counts for so far s. in Missouri. WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES Late warblers in Iowa, all singles, included Nashville Warbler in Hancock 1 Jun QB), Black-throated Green Warbler in Hardin 3 Jun (MP), and Blackburnian Warbler in Hancock 7 Jun (PH). A Black-throated Green Warbler in Dallas, MO 28 Jun (P Sensenig) represent- ed the 5th summer record for Missouri, and one in Polk, lA 3 Jul (B. Engebretsen) was similarly puzzling A Northern Waterthrush in Hancock, lA 3 &15 Jun (RG) may have sum- mered. A Nashville Warbler in Stojy, lA 27 Jul (C. Gregory) was one of the hrst signs of southward migration. In Iowa, 4 Chestnut- sided Warblers in Allamakee 10 Jun (DK) and one in Winneshiek 1 Jul (D. Carter) were probably nesting, and a singing Pine Warbler in Lee 6 Jun-7 Jul was close to where this species nested in 2004 OG, DR SD). Cerulean Warblers were found in 10 Iowa counties (m.ob.), with nesting noted in Monroe (SP). Five in Franklin and one in Crawford QE) were reported from new locations within its expected Missouri range. One or 2 Black-and- white Warblers in Boone, Callaway, Crawford, and Morgan, MO (EW, JE) and mid-summer reports in Lee (CE, SD) and Warren, lA Q. Sin- clair) suggested breeding away from its usual range. All of Iowa’s reports of Worm-eating Warbler were in Lee and Van Buren in se. Iowa (m.ob.). A Hooded Warbler 8 Jun in Taney (GS, A. Kinslow) was the only one reported in Missouri. Clay-colored Sparrow broods in Dickinson and Worth (AB, SP), and singing males in three other counties (RG, D. Harr, MK, SP), were all along Iowa’s n. border. At least 3 Ves- per Sparrows in Sullivan, MO (SK, J. New- man) were near the s. limits of its range. Henslow’s Sparrows were reported in 29 counties, mostly in s. Iowa but n. to the Min- nesota border (m.ob.). An estimated 50 males were at Neal Smith (KVS). A female White- throated Sparrow in Winnebago 8 Jul (L. Ralls) is Iowa’s 3rd summer report in the last four years. Counts of 31 Grasshopper Spar- rows in Dade, MO 8 Jun (D. & B. Blevins), 30 at Neal Smith (KVS), and 120 Dickcissels in SA The upper Mississippi R. once provided abundant nesting habitat for Least Terns. However, nesting is now limited to Osandbars below its confluence with the Missouri River. On 30 Apr 2009, two barges topped with a sand-gravel mix were placed by the Army Corps of Engineers Rivers Project Office at R.M.B.S. (St. Charles, MO and Madison, IL). Least Tern decoys were placed on this artificial nesting habitat to try to lure terns. The first report of a pair using the barges was 14 May, and by 1 9 Jun, the first nest was confirmed. About a month later, 12 nests containing 30 eggs were present. By 31 Aug, 20 chicks had been banded, and all terns had left the area for their southward migration. The project will be repeated in 2010 (JU). 604 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS IOWA & MISSOURI St. Louis 14 Jun (BR) suggest that several grassland species had good years. In Iowa, a Blue Grosbeak pair in Black Hawk 4 Jun (SP) and singles in Jul in Appanoose and Lee (R. Cummins, SD) were e. of where it is expect- ed. In Missouri, up to 5 were found in St. Louis and St. Charles (BR, MT), where the species is uncommon. Besides the expected Painted Buntings in sw. Missouri, a nesting pair was in Cole (EW) and a female was at O.S.C.A. in se. Missouri 2 Jun (PM, MR). Pine Siskins, presumably holdovers from the mas- sive flight this past winter, were found in five counties in each state, with most visiting bird feeders (m.ob.). Although Iowa had numer- ous nesting birds reported in spring, no one reported nesting this summer. Siskins are rare in summer in Missouri, so one in Christian in s. Missouri 4 Jun (GS) was unexpected. Cited contributors (subregional editors in boldface): Pam Allen, Reid Allen, Chris Barri- gar, John Bissell, Aaron Brees, James Dins- more, Stephen Dinsmore, Chris Edwards, Joe Eades, Bruce Ehresman, Russ Engelke, Jim Fuller, Jay Gilliam, Rita Goranson, Larry Her- bert, Paul Hertzel, Torre Hovick, Brad Jacobs, Matthew Kenne, Peter Keyel, Steve Kinder, Darwin Koenig, Pat Lueders, Paul McKenzie, Shane Patterson, Diana Pesek, Mark Proescholdt, Mark Robbins, Bill Rowe, Pat Schlarbaum, Lee Schoenewe, Greg Swick, Mike Thelen, Joshua Uffman, Karen Viste- Sparkman, Edge Wade, Doug Willis. An addi- tional 31 uncited individuals contributed to this report; all have our thanks. Cp Janies J. Dinsmore, 646 Mallory Hill Drive The Villages, Florida 32162 Tennessee & Kentucky KENTUCKY Sauerheber Unit. Boone Cliffs Nature Preserve !■ V'Markland _ p ,, ei. ra- f' Minor Clark Fish Sloughs WMA •Franktort ^..M\Ha,chery/One Run L . /'■-z,-' m River Gorg^ Henderson Bernheim Forest BooneJ C Geological Area \ , f. Mammoth . ■ L Pefwee .,o SmmandDarrti^ Ai “ - Ca^AlP 6/adc Mtn. South ^Cumberland Gap NHP 5. Holslon Lake Rankin Bottoms ^Shelby Farms Kingston Steam Plant. HwasseeWRm Great Smoky Mtns. NP Enstey Bottoms Pickwick Landing SP A ^ Tennessee NWR NickaiackLakem - Mtn. SP J Shady Valley Craven's House TENNESSEE Chris Sloan Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. Weather conditions were remarkably variable across the Region during the period. Precipitation varied significantly during June, being copious across the central portion (where Louisville recorded more than two times the normal rainfall and Bowling Green recorded nearly two times the normal rainfall during the month) but lacking in the western portion of the Region. Temperatures were slightly warmer than normal across most of the Re- gion during June. July precipitation was greater than normal Regionwide, especially across western half, where Bowling Green, Paducah, and Memphis all recorded twice the normal rainfall for the month. Correspond- ingly, temperatures were cooler than normal during July across the Region, but especially across Kentucky, where Louisville’s mean July temperature was 5° F lower than normal and both Louisville (56° F) and Bowling Green (54° F) established record-low temper- atures on the morning of 19 July. The only vagrants of the season were both species of whistling-ducks. Mottled Duck, Brown Pelican, and Great White Heron. This year’s Least Tern nest- ing season was much more success- ful than in 2008. Abbreviations: Ensley (Ensley Bot- toms, including the EARTH Com- plex, in sw. Shelby, TN); Kentucky Dam (Livingston/Marshall, KY); Lit- tle Elder L, Woods Reservoir (Franklin, TN); Roan Mt. (Carter, TN); Sauerheber (Sauerheber Unit Sloughs W.M.A., Henderson, KY); Standifer Gap (Standifer Gap Marsh, Hamil- ton, TN). WATERFOWL THROUGH STORKS Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks continued to turn up at several locations in Shelby, TN, with as many as 18 seen in one day, including an ad. and 6 young at Ensley 23 Jul (JRW). Eight were in Lake, TN 5 Jun (NM, BS). Six Fulvous Whistling-Ducks were at Ensley 17 Jun ORW RR, TR). Up to 5 likely in- jured Snow Geese lingered at Ballard W.M.A., KY through the season (m.ob.). A Gadwall pair at Ensley 23 Jul+ QRW) had wing in- juries. Blue-winged Teal were present in above-aver- age numbers in w. Ten- nessee, including three breeding pairs in Dyer dur- ing Jun (GC); a few birds were seen in w. Kentucky during the season, but no evidence of nesting was de- tected this year. A Mottled Duck was reported at Lake No. 9, Fulton, KY 31 Jul (ph. DR). Three Northern Shovelers, a male and 2 females, were at Ensley 6-30 Jun QRW); copulation was observed, but nesting was not confirmed. Likely injured diving ducks included a Canvasback and up to 20 Lesser Scaup on L. Barkley, Lyon, KY through the season (DR et al); 4 Lesser Scaup at Ens- ley 6-15 Jun (JRW); a male Ring-necked Duck in w. Henderson, KY into early Jul (CC); a fe- male Ring-necked Duck in Union, KY 18 Jul (BPa, MA); and a pair of Ring- necked Ducks at Watauga R., Elizabethton, Carter, TN through the season (HF, GE, RK). Other un- usual summer waterfowl included a Redhead on the Ohio R., Campbell, KY 21-25 Jun (FR, JF et al.) and up to 7 Ruddy Ducks at Robco L., Shelby, TN 6 Jun-3 Jul (JRW). A Common Loon was on Kentucky L. above the dam 18 (BPa) & 26Jun-t (DR). A brood of Pied-billed Grebes was present at Island No. 8 Slough, Fulton, KY in Jul (DR et al). Five American White Pelicans on L. This immature Brown Pelican, present on the Ohio River in Oldham County, Ken- tucky 14 July 2009, may have been the same individual that had been seen at four Kentucky locales earlier in the year. Photograph by Wanda Bartholomai. VOlUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 605 TENNESSEE & KENTUCKY Records of wandering immature Brown Pelicans — such as this one at Duck River Unit, Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge, Benton County, Tennessee 27 July 2009— are on the distinct increase in the interior of eastern North Amer- ica. Photograph by Clayton Ferrell. Barkley, Lyon, KY 19 Jun (DR, JR) may have been summering; a flock (number unspeci- fied) was at Barkley Dam, Livingston/Lyon, KY 31 Jul (DR). The imm. Brown Pelican present at L. Carnico, Nicholas, KY during late May was last seen 12 Jun (WK, GK); perhaps the same imm. bird was observed on the Ohio R. at Dayton, Caiupbell, KY 13 Jul (ph. FR) and again on the Ohio R, about 6 km upstream from Charlestown, IN/OIdham, KY 14 Jul (ph., tWB). Another (or the same?) imm. Brown Pelican was at the Duck River Unit Tennessee N.W.R., Humphreys, TN Tl Jul+ (ph. CF, ph. MT et al). Single Anhingas were observed in Dyer, TN 21 Jun (GC), in Lake, TN 3 Jul (GC), and at the Long Point Unit, Reelfoot N.W.R., Fulton, KY 13 Jul (tDR). There were only three reports of Least Bit- tern in Kentucky: 2 at Peabody W.M.A., Ohio 6 Jun (DR, CS) and one at Sauerheber 6 Jun (BY, MY) and 23 Jul (EHa, MM). In Tennessee, 2 ads, were at Standifer Gap 7 Jul (TR), al- though no other breeding evidence was re- ported. A Great White Heron was on the Ten- nessee R. below Chickamauga Dam, Hamilton, TN 9 Jun-2 Jul (HS, JG, m.ob.). Astounding- ly another was confirmed 8 km away at the Thomas Farm, Hamilton, TN 21 Jun-3 Jul O&CW, DJ, m.ob,). A group of at least 1300 Great Egrets at Island No. 8 Slough, Fulton, KY 26 Jul (BPa, EHu) represented the seasons peak count of post-breeders. Great Egrets are rare breeders in e. Tennessee, so five nests on Cherokee L., Hamblen 14 Jun (MS) were note- worthy. A Snowy Egret nest with 2 ads. and 2 chicks at Little Elder L, TN 7 Jul (DSw, JSw, DHa) was a rare find in the Region, and espe- cially away from the Mississippi River; 141 fledgling or nestling Cattle Egrets were also present. A Tricolored Heron was in Dyer, TN 4 Jun (BPu). Three GlossyAVhite-faced Ibis were seen flying in the distance at Chickasaw N.W.R,, Lauderdale, TN 7 Jun QRW). An im- pressive number of imm. White Ibis turned up in middle and e. Tennessee during late Jul: 2 at Little Elder 1. 20 Jul (DSw, JS, SS); 15 at Rankin Bottoms, Cocke 24 Jul (MS); 3 in Hamilton 26 Jul (TB et ah); one at Mossy Creek, Jefferson 30 Jul (MS); and 7 at Duck River Unit, Tennessee N.W.R., Humphreys, TN 26 Jul (CF), with 4 still there 30 Jul (MT). Two other White Ibis were reported: an ad. (rarely seen in the Region) in Dyer, TN 4 Jun (BPu), and an imm. in Bristol, TN late Jun-11 Jul (EO). A Wood Stork was in Lauderdale, TN 5 Jul (ph. DBr-TN). RAPTORS THROUGH TERNS Single Mississippi Kites at Louisville, KY 25 Jun QBr) and in Jefferson, TN 27 Jul (BB) were away from the normal summer range of the species in the w. portion of the Region. A new Osprey nest was located along the Ohio R., Pendleton, KY (DSt). A Northern Harrier along the Dyer/Lake line, TN 6 Jul represent- ed yet another summer report from an area in the Region where the species has not been confirmed breeding. A loose group of approx- imately 35 American Kestrels at the Louisville, KY landfill 16Jul (RA) represented a remarkable post-breeding concentration. It was a good season for nesting Peregrine Eal- cons in Kentucky, with three new pairs dis- covered this year: in w. Louisville, Jcj^erson; at Covington, Kenton; and in w. Boone (all KH, DSt et al.). This brings to 11 the total number of active nesting territories, all along the Ohio R. corridor. These 1 1 pairs produced a record 35 young that survived to fledging age in 2009 (KH). In Tennessee, no nests were re- ported, and only 2 individuals were reported, one each on 19 & 23 Jul at Ensley (JRW). As last year, Virginia Rails bred again at Standifer Gap, with an ad. and a chick present there 3 Jul (DJ); one at Shady Valley, Johnson, TN 26 Jun (TM) was suggestive of breeding, whereas one lingering in a yard in Nashville, TN 13 Jun-8 Aug (AM, JKS, m.ob.) had an in- jured wing and eventually died. A Common Moorhen was heard at Pond Creek Marsh, Sauerheber, several times during late Jul (MM); 2 ads. and at least one young were at Camp #11, Union, KY 25 Jul (BPa, EHu). A Semipalmated Plover in Muhlenberg, KY 6 Jun (DR, CS) was unusually late; one and 8 in w. Henderson, KY 2 & 8 Jul (CC), respectively, were the earliest returnees. Two American Av- ocets in Dyer, TN 3 Jun (GC) and one at Mud L., Lake, TN 16 Jun were in between normal migratory periods; one at Rankin Bottoms, Cocke, TN 12 Jul (MS) was an early returnee. A few Black-necked Stilts bred successfully in the Lower Hickman Bottoms of w. Fulton, KY during Jul (BPa, EHu, DR). A Greater Yel- lowlegs in s. Jefferson, KY 5 Jun (EHu) was likely a tardy spring migrant; one at Obion W.M.A., Fulton, KY 26 Jun (DR, DBr-KY) and one along the Dyer/Lake line, TN 3 Jul (GC) were likely early southbound migrants. Spot- ted Sandpipers lingered into early Jun at sev- eral locations in both Tennessee and Ken- tucky, with nesting confirmed at two locales: a pair vUth 4 small young along the Ohio R., Dayton, Campbell, KY 2 Jul (ph, FR) and 2 fledglings at Ensley 24 Jul QRW). A pair of Spotteds in se. Muhlenberg, KY 6 Jun (DR, CS) also appeared to be on territory. Single Upland Sandpipers were found in Ballard, KY 26 Jul (BPa, ph. EHu) and at Ensley 26 Jul O^W). Two Least Sandpipers in w. Fulton, KY 20 Jun (DR) were likely early fall migrants, A flock of 8 Sanderlings on the Mississippi R., Hickman, KY 10 Jun OBr) established a new late spring date for Kentucky. Two molting ad. Sander- This Great White Heron was on the Tennessee River below Chickamauga Dam, Hamilton County, Tennessee 9 (here 16) June through 2 July 2009. Astoundingly, a second bird was confirmed about eight kilometers away at the Thomas Farm in Hamilton County 22 June through 3 July. Photo- graph by Richard Schier. lings were at Dacus Bar, Mississippi R., Shelby, TN 19 Jul ORW). A Western Sandpiper in w. Fulton, KY 2 Jul (HC) established a new early fall arrival date for Kentucky. White-rumped Sandpipers are uncommon spring and very rare fall migrants, so 2 at Ensley 21 Jun QRW) 606 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS and one there 7 Jul QRW) were quite unusual. Baird’s Sandpipers in w. Henderson, KY 25 Jul (BPa, EHu) and at Kentucky Dam Village S.R, Marshall, KY 31 Jul (HC et al.) were the earli- est fall migrants reported. One to 2 Dunlins lingered at three w. Kentucky locations into early Jun, with the latest being one in Fulton 11 Jun Ohr). A Wilson’s Snipe in Henderson, KY 8 Jul (TCC) was early. An ad. Laughing Gull was seen at Ken- tucky Dam 26 Jun (DR) and 13 Jul (DR, DBr- KY). Two Herring Gulls were at Kentucky Dam 14 Jul (DR). Least Terns had better breeding success along the Mississippi R. and lower Ohio R. than in 2008; however, some fluctuation in water levels again caused some nesting losses. Caspian, Forster’s, and Black Terns do not breed in the Region, but nearly every year there are a few Jun records between normal spring and fall migration periods. Caspian Tern reports appearing to suggest ei- ther a small summer presence of non-breed- ers or a mid-Jun commencement to fall mi- gration included 2 at Calvert City, Marshall, KY 18 Jun (BPa); one at Steele Creek Park, Bristol, TN 18 Jun (LM); one n. of Hickman, Fulton, KY 19 Jun (DR); 4 at Obion W.M.A., w. Fulton, KY 20 Jun (DR); and 10 at Barkley Dam 26 Jun (DR, DBr-KY). Early migrant or summering Forster’s Terns included 2 in w. Fulton, KY and one at Kentucky Dam, both 26 Jun (DR, DBr-KY). There were two reports of Black Tern during Jun: at least 4 on the Mis- sissippi R. near Middle Bar, Hickman, KY 10 Jun QBr) and 2 in s. Daviess, KY 14 Jun (BLl). Black Terns made a noteworthy push through the Region 25 Jul, with 3-25 observed at four w. Kentucky locales (BPa, EHu) and 117 counted in Lake, Lauderdale, and Shelby, TN ORW) that day. CUCKOOS THROUGH FINCHES There were only 2 Black-billed Cuckoos re- ported: one at Flatwoods, Pike, KY 1 Jun (SF) and one heard at Shaker Village, Mercer, KY 15 Jun (BLe, DP). It was apparent by late Jul that many fewer Ruby-throated Humming- birds than normal were present in n. Ken- tucky, although numbers appeared to be nor- mal across the rest of the Region. Cool, rainy weather as well as several bouts of severe storms in this area were thought to be re- sponsible for low nesting success and fewer birds. A calling Least Flycatcher at Louisville 19 Jul (BPa) and an Alder Flycatcher heard singing softly at Shaker Village, Mercer, KY 30 Jul (tBPa) were apparently extremely early migrants. Continuing the trend of recent years, an impressive total of 18 Western King- bird nests was photographed in Shelby, TN TENNESSEE & KENTUCKY during the period; three of these nests in- volved a Western Kingbird paired with West- ern Kingbird x Scissor-tailed Flycatcher hy- brids. In Kentucky, a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was reported near the former Grand Rivers, Livingston nesting territory 12 Jun (PL, fide BLi), but no other sightings occurred there during the season. In Tennessee, one nest was in Marion 14Jun (DJ, JH), at least five were in Bledsoe (MG, SWa, SWi), and one was on President’s L, Shelby (JRW). Loggerhead Shrikes have become very rare in all but the westernmost part of the Region, so two summer reports from e. Tennessee were noteworthy: an ad. with 2-3 young was in Washington 10 Jul (RHa) and, for the 3rd year in a row, one was in Polk 4 Jun (RHo). Several significant Purple Martin roosts were detected on National Weather Service radar images dur- ing late Jul, with two confirmed in Kentucky: thousands on the nw. side of Campbellsville, Taylor 30 Jul (NO and 15,000-25,000 on the nw. side of Lexington, Fayette during the last week of Jul (PD, JideJWi). An apparent Tree Swal- low X Barn Swallow hybrid was at Louisville 29 Jun-3 Jul (BPa, ph. EHu). A Cliff Swallow nesting colony along Drakes Cr., Simpson, KY (DR) represented a county first. A Sedge Wren in Union, KY 25 Jul (BPa, EHu) was the only one reported. A Swainson’s Thrush and 6 Hermit Thrushes were at Mt. LeConte, Great Smoky Mountains N.R, Sevier, TN 14 Jul (AL); this is the 2nd summer record there for Swainson’s Thrush and only the 3rd for Ten- nessee. Four to 5 Hermit Thrushes were at Roan Mt. through the season (RK, AL), and up to 3 were at Unaka Mt., Unicoi, TN 3 & 6 Jun (RK, AL). Atlas work for Golden-winged Warblers conducted by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources resulted in re- ports of 13 territorial birds at four sites (two in Bell and two in Harlan) during late May (DBa, LP, JSt, SV), as well as a singing male at Flatwoods, Pike 1 Jun (SF). Up to 4 singing male Magnolia Warblers were at Roan Mt. 1- 23 Jun (RK); 5 singing males were at Unaka Mt., Unicoi, TN 3 Jun (RK). A significant amount of research was conducted on the breeding population of Bachman’s Sparrows at Ft. Campbell this season, with 16 ads. and 3 juvs. observed in Trigg, KY and 6 ads. ob- served in Stewart, TN (DMo, EHo). Many of these birds were banded as part of research being conducted by the University of Ten- nessee. Breeding Savannah Sparrows appear to be strengthening their toehold in ne. Ten- nessee; two to three pairs were at each of two sites in Washington (RK), single singing males were at two sites in Johnson 13 & 16 Jun (ML, TM), 3 singing males were in Ham- blen 4 Jul (DMi), one was in Greene 3 Jul (DMi), and as many as 7 singing birds total were at two sites in Cumberland (JM, EL). A singing Savannah Sparrow was present at Christine, Adair, KY 23 Jun (RD) for the 2nd year in a row. A Lark Sparrow in Crockett, TN 29 Jul (CF) represented a new summer loca- tion. In general, this species appears to be in- creasing as a breeder in localized areas in the cen. part of the Region. Quite unexpected were 2 singing Vesper Sparrows in w. Hender- son, KY 18 Jul (BPa, MA), with at least one still there 21 Jul (ph. CC); one to two pairs were at Roan Mt., a traditional breeding lo- cale, 1 & 10 Jun (RK). Several Bobolinks were heard at Shaker Village, Mercer, KY 12 Jun QBr) and 30 Jul (BPa); a pair with 2 fledglings in Washington, TN 22 Jul (RK, m.ob.) furnished at least the 2nd confirmed breeding at this location. Following the heavy spring flight of Pine Siskins, there were two reports during Jul: one at a feeding sta- tion near Caney nw. Magoffin, KY during the first 10 days of Jul (DHe) and one at Shaker Village, Mercer, KY 9 Jul (ph. KH et al.). Corrigendum: The Swainson’s Thrush report- ed 1 Jun 2008 in Greene, TN (North American Birds 62: 570) was in fact a Swainson’s Warbler. Following the heavy Pine Siskin flight of winter 2008-2009, small numbers lin- gered in the Tennessee and Kentucky region into early summer. This was one of two birds reported in Kentucky during July (here captured at a MAPS band- ing station in Mercer County, Kentucky, 9 July). Photograph by Dan Stoelb. VOLUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 607 TENNESSEE & KENTUCKY Cited contributors (subregional editors in boldface): Ryan Ankeny, Michael Autin, Tim Baker, Wanda Bartholomai, Danna Baxley (DBa), Ben Britton, David Brown (DBr-KY), David Brown (DBr-TN), John Brunjes, Kevin Calhoon (se. Tennessee), Nonnie Campbell, Hap Chambers, Charlie Crawford, Glen Criswell, Phillip Casteel (middle Tennessee), Phyllis Deal, Roseanna Denton, Glen Eller, Harry Farthing, Clayton Ferrell, Scott Freid- hof, Jonathan Frodge, Jack Gentile, Michael Griffith, Erin Harper (EHa), Ron Harrington (RHa), David Haskell (DHa), John Hender- son, Doug Hennig (DHe), Kate Heyden, Emi- ly Hockman (EHo), Rick Houlk (RHo), Eddie Huber (EHu), Daniel Jacobson, Ginny King- solver, Wendell Kingsolver, Rick Knight (ne. Tennessee), Andrew Laughlin, Ben Leffew, Ed LeGrand, Bill Lisowsky (BLi), Paula Lisowsky, Bob Lloyd (BLl), Merrill Lynch, Amy Martin, Joseph Mast, Larry McDaniel, Tom McNeil, Don Miller (DMi), Nancy Moore, Mike Mor- ton, Daniel Moss (DMo), Elizabeth Oakley, Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. (BPa), Laura Patton, Don Pelly, Dick Preston (w. Tennessee), Bill Pulliam (BPu), Frank Renfrow, David Roemer, Joan Roemer, Ron Rogers, Tommie Rogers, Betty Samara, Harold Sharp, Jan K. Shaw, Michael Sledjeski, Chris Sloan, Scott Somer- shoe, Jacob Stewart (JSt), Dan Stoelb (DSt), Dale Swant (DSw), Jeannie Swant OSw), Mike Todd, Shawchyi Vorisek, Stan Wallace (SWa), Jimmy & Cynthia Wilkerson (JSscCW), Jim Williams QWi), Shane Williams (SWi),Jeff R. Wilson, Ben Yandell, Mary Yandell. ^ Chris Sloan, 224 Hicks Road Nashville, Tennessee 37221, (chris.sloan@comcast.net) Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission 801 Schenkel Lane, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601 (brainard.palmer-ball@ky.gov) I Alabama & Mississippi Florence Wheeler Waterloo Huntsville ^mWheelerNWR Decatur Bankhead NF Guntersville " OklibbehaCoanlyl T *1 , •Birmingham .Harpersville ALABAMA .. • Auburn* I Montgomery . MISSISSIPPI I, Miss. Sandhill Crane NWR € • Jackson Mobile/Tensaw Delta I P ' J \ Gulf Is. Natl. Seashore (MS) LEHERED ALABAMA GULF COAST SITES: A = Gulf Shores B = Ft, Morgan C = Dauphin I, D = Bayou La Batre GULF OF MEXICO Steven W. McConnell Deep South birders found this season’s climate generally warmer and dryer than normal in June but cooler and wetter later in July, especially in the northern portion of our Region. No tropical systems threatened to cloud our horizons this season. Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks continued to make news with an apparent first nesting in Alabama. Two Kelp Gull x Herring Gull hy- brids furnished a first Alabama record. Sooty Terns returned to the Alabama coast to nest again for only the second time. A Gulf of Mexico pelagic trip in June found mostly brown water but also good views of Band- rumped and Wilson’s Storm-Petrels. Abbreviations: Dauphin (Dauphin 1., Mobile, AL); Delta (Mississippi R. delta of nw. and w.- cen. Mississippi); Ft. Morgan (Ft. Morgan State Historical Park, Baldwin, AL); Grand Bay (Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Preserve, Jackson, MS); M.R. (Mountain Re- gion of n. Alabama); Noxubee (Noxubee N.W.R., Noxubee/Oktibbeha/Winston, MS); Ross Barnett (Ross Barnett Res., Rankin/Madi- son, MS); Seaman (Seaman Road lagoons, Jackson, MS); T.V (Tennessee Valley Region of n. Alabama); Wheeler (Wheeler N.W.R. , Limestone/Morgan/Madison, AL); Yazoo (Ya- zoo N.W.R., Washington, MS). WATERFOWL THROUGH EGRETS Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks managed to maintain a presence at several locations in the Region this season, on the heels of an active spring season. Four reports of up to 4 ducks were collected from Mississippi 3-10 Jun, mostly from Delta or coastal counties (m.ob.). Up to 7 birds, including juvs., continued 13 Jun-29 Jul at Blakeley L, Mobile, AL, presum- ably furnishing a first state breeding record (CH, SWM). Summer waterfowl reports seemed especially numerous, with 18 records accumulated comprising 11 species. Most noteworthy of these were a male Canvasback 10 Jun at Guntersville, Marshall, AL that fur- nished only the 2nd summer T.V. record (KH); an injured male Greater Scaup 23-24 Jul at a catfish pond near Moorhead, Sunflower, MS, where very few previous summer records exist (tDB); five Ruddy Duck reports, including the possibility of breeding at a catfish pond in Sunflower, MS, where 18 ad. drakes and hens were noted 23 Jul (DB); and 2 Surf Scoters on Dauphin 6 Jim (HEH, T6a:JS), representing only the 2nd Alabama Jun record. A Gulf of Mexico pelagic trip 20 Jun suc- cessfully reached a point 135 km s. of Orange Beach, Baldwin, AL into waters around 1300 m deep. Despite the lack of clear, blue water. fish oil chum attracted 8 storm-petrels into view, including 5 Band-rumped and a Wil- son’s (ph. KH, m.ob.). Two large flocks of American White Pelicans were noted this summer, a season when the species is fre- quently absent. A count of 62 was made at Blakeley L, Mobile, AL 12 Jul (CH), and 60 were found at Noxubee 1 Jun (DR). A lone Brown Pelican was observed at Ross Barnett 29 Jun (ph. SP), where several have been present since fall 2005. Least Bittern is a rarely detected breeder, making the two re- ports received noteworthy. The first was at a small wetland in Madison, AL 7-1 1 Jul, where 2 birds were found last spring (DRC), and the other was at Noxubee 5 Jun (D&JP). Snowy Egrets made a significant post-breeding dis- persal into n. Alabama, where the species is typically hard to find in summer. Leading the pack were the 5 in Lauderdale 26 Jul (S’WM), providing an impressive total compared to re- cent years’ totals. Black-crowned Night- Herons are not unusual to find during sum- mer; however, the 25 counted at Neely Henry Dam, St. Clair/Calhoim, AL 10 Jun (MSh) es- tablished a new maximum for the M.R. IBIS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS Imm. White Ibis staged a noteworthy late- summer movement 15-31 Jul into the T.V, where the species is rarely found. Maximum counts were 5 in Colbert 22 Jul (DJS) and 8 at Wheeler 18 Jul (m.ob.). White-faced Ibis con- tinue to be found into the summer season at Yazoo, where Mississippi’s first breeding record was established the previous spring (DL). Three Roseate Spoonbills at St. Cather- ine Creek N.W.R., Adams, MS 19 Jun (BS) made the only report. An excellent count of 60 Clapper Rails came from Grand Bay 10 Jul 608 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS ALABAMA & MISSISSIPPI After a probable adult Kelp Gull was photographed in March 2009, it was not completely surprising to discover two apparent Kelp Gull x Herring Gull hybrids on a dredge spoil island in Mobile Bay, Mobile County, during early summer (here 1 7 June 2009). The origin of these apparent Fi "Chandeleur Gulls" is open to speculation, but it is certain they represent a first report for Alabama. Photographs by Roger Clay. (JW). A troubling report was the scarcity of Wood Storks at Noxubee this season com- pared to the hundreds often present during summer. Frequent observations only resulted in a maximum count of 17 on 1 Jun, and most trips only found one to 3 birds (TLS, DR, LT). Ospreys were much in evidence at L, Gun- tersville, Marshall. AL 22-28 Jun, with four active nests and up to 24 individuals — new maximum inland and summer Alabama totals OGr). The chance of finding a feeding or roosting Swallow-tailed Kite flock is usually enough to convince birders to wander outside even on the hottest summer days. This sea- son, three such Alabama concentrations were noted. The 15 at Forest Home, Butler 2 Jun (CK) provided a good count for Jun, while the 50+ found 20-28 Jul near Autaugaville, Autauga ODL, RD, TRP, m.ob.) made an ex- cellent post-breeding count. However, the prize goes to the results of the aerial surveys conducted 19-25 Jul along the Alabama R. and Tombigbee R. systems, where up to 256 were counted during one day (ph. ECS, m.ob.)! This total was more than quadmple the previous Alabama maximum. A new state record was also established by the estimated 135 Mississippi Kites seen in Butler, AL 2 Jun (CK). Bald Eagles have usually completed breeding in our Region by late May, making the ad. with 2 juvs. on a nest at Columbus, Lowndes, MS 3 Jul very unusual QD). The lo- cation was near where a late nesting also took place in 2008. At least 3 Black-bellied Plovers were noted on Dauphin 3 Jul in addition to a single Semipalmated Plover (HEH, T&JS), ei- ther summering birds or early migrants. Two late Semipalmated Plovers were found in Col- bert, AL 2 Jun (DJS), to be followed seven weeks later by a record-early returnee in Lauderdale 12 Jul (TMH). The Black-necked Stilt nesting attempts in Colbert, AL contin- ued until at least 7 Jun, when a pair was seen still attending their nest adjacent an increas- ingly flooded field (SWM). Visits later in the season failed to relocate any birds and re- vealed the site had been plowed and planted. Rarely found in summer, an Upland Sand- pipers. of Magnolia Springs, Baldwin 18Jun+ (DP) furnished only the 5th Alabama Jun record. The earliest Alabama Jul record ever for Western Sandpiper was established 3 Jul by a lone bird on Dauphin (HEH, T&JS). Late White-rumped Sandpipers were noted 13 Jun, when 2 were found at Blakeley I., Mobile, AL (CH) and 15 Jun, when a single bird was found at a sod farm in St. Clair. AL (GDJ, DGJ). Also tardy was a Bairds Sandpiper in Colbert. AL 9 Jun QMH, JBCH). The only Buff-breasted Sandpiper reported this season was a lone bird at a turf farm near Oxford, Lafayette, MS 28 Jul (GK), where the species is an uncommon migrant . GULLS THROUGH CHICKADEES Two ad. gulls, apparently first-generation (Ei) Kelp Gull X Herring Gull hybrids, were stud- ied on a dredge spoil island in Mobile Bay, Mobile, AL 17-26 Jun (ph. RC). This would presumably be the first documented occur- rence of “Chandeleur Gull” in Alabama. Sooty Terns returned this season to breed again on Dauphin, where ads. were observed incubating up to three nests with eggs 11 Jun-4 Jul (RC, ph. SCM). This was only the 2nd season definite nesting documented in Alabama (2008 was the first). A Common Ground-Dove was detected again this season along the Macon B.B.S. route, Noxubee, MS 7- 16 Jun (TLS, MS). This was the 3rd time the species has been found along this route in re- cent years, in a region where it is otherwise considered rare. A lone Black-billed Cuckoo was a very interesting find 9 Jul at Seaman (m.ob.); the date seemed to indicate a very early returning migrant or failed breeder. Confirmed breeding evidence for Chuck- wills-widow is rarely discovered, making the two nests with eggs at Gulf Shores, Baldwin. AL 1-2 Jun (ph. BSu) particularly interesting. Two singing Willow Flycatchers were well documented near Hartselle, Morgan 6-27 Jun (vt. MSG) for a probable 2nd Alabama nesting record. Seven reports comprising 16 Scissor- tailed Flycatchers (2 at new sites) provided further evidence the species continues to en- trench and expand its breeding range into Al- abama (m.ob.). Searchers taking part in the St. Clair, AL summer bird count discovered a possible breeding Blue-headed Vireo 14 Jun (GJH, JG); the species is otherwise believed to be very rare in summer in this area. A new Al- abama maximum inland count of Blue-head- ed Vireos was established 16 Jul when 17 (in- cluding 12 imms.) were totaled during a 30- stop route around Cheaha Resort S.R, Cle- burne in the Talladega N.F (DAM). Six Fish Crow reports were accumulated from n. Ala- bama sites, where the species is still rare but increasing in population and distribution. In the same vein, six Tree Swallow sightings were received (four at new sites) from the n. half of Alabama. Most interesting were the three or four pairs observed nesting in Purple Martin houses in Limestone 9 Jun (JMH, JBCH). Careful searching of a large, post- breeding swallow gathering adjacent to the Mississippi R. in Tunica 21 Jul resulted in the discovery of 28 Bank Swallows (DB). The possibility of breeding in the area was not evaluated. Furnishing a first confirmed island record, a Carolina Chickadee was observed at feeders on Dauphin 19-26 Jul (ph. EC). VOLUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 609 ALABAMA & MISSISSIPPI After several tantalizing late-summer sightings on Dauphin Island, Mobile County, over the past several years. Sooty Terns were finally confirmed nesting in Alabama during 2008. Obser- vations during the summer of 2009 (shown here 4 July) included three nests with eggs and provided the second documented breeding record for the state. Photograph by Sean C. McConnell. WARBLERS THROUGH ORIOLES The singing Black-throated Green Warbler at Monte Sano S.P., Madison, AL 26 Jun fur- nished a first Jun county record (JMH, JBCH). A 30-stop count around Cheaha Resort S.R, Cleburne, AL 16 Jul produced 46 Black- throated Greens (including 29 imms.), an ex- cellent summer count (DAM). A singing male Blackpoll Warbler at Ft. Morgan 14 Jun was extremely tardy for s. Al- abama (MJJ). Cerulean Warblers were reported from three locations this season. The first report consisted of 3 seen just s. of the Tennessee line in Jackson, AL 6 Jun, where the species is still an ex- pected breeder (DRC, RCu). A single bird was noted at Percy Quin S.R, Pike, MS 19 Jun (GKo), and up to 4, including a probable juv., were ob- served at Monte Sano S.R, Madison, AL 26 Jun-10 Jul, where the last recorded nesting took place in 1960 QBCH, JMH). A new maximum Alabama in- land summer count for Black-and-white War- bler was established when 24 were totaled during a 30-stop route around Cheaha Resort S.R, Clebunte 16 Jul (DAM). A male Rose- breasted Grosbeak at a feeder in Dothan, Houston 1 Jun was tardy to depart and tied the latest Alabama record (ph. SM). Two Bobolinks remained into Jun in Mississippi: a male near West Point, Clay 1 Jun (HM, KB) furnished only the 2nd local Jun record, and a female at Noxubee 5 Jun (HM, KB) was ob- served within a few days of the previous late date. A Baltimore Oriole was noted during point count surveys at St. Catherine Creek N.W.R., Adams, MS 8 Jun (BS), furnishing a very late local record. Initialed observers (subregional editors in boldface): Kristina Baker, Devin Bosler, Eu- genia Carey, Roger Clay, Dean R. Cutten, Rae- lene Cutten, Rod Douglas, Jessica Germany, M. Scott Gravette, Jerry Green, Tom M. Hag- gerty, Kate Hanson, GregJ. Harber, J. Bert C. Harris, Jim M. Harris, Chazz Hesselein, Kathy Hicks, Howard E. Horne, Judy Howie, Debra G. Jackson, Greg D. Jackson (Alabama), Michael J. Jordan, Charles Kennedy, Gene Knight, Greg Kohn, John D. Law, David Lin- den, Sean C. McConnell, Steven W. Mc- Connell, Hal Mitchell, Sharon Montefusco, Derek A. Muschalek, Dianne & Jim Patter- son, Scott Peyton, David Plumb, Tommy R. Pratt, Dave Richardson, Maureen Shaffer, Marion Schiefer, Terence L. Schiefer (Missis- sippi), Tom 6ir Joan Siegwald, Damien J. Sim- beck, Eric C. Soehren, Bob Strader, Bill Sum- merour, Lauren Thead, Jake Walker. I© Steven W. McConnell, 29 Village Drive NE Hartselle, Alabama 35640, (swmavocet@aol.com) Arkansas & Louisiana \ ■ Craig Fish Hatchery . •Harrison j • Fayetteville BigLake NWR Lacassine Grand GULF OF MEXICO Steven W. Cardiff The first two months of the 2009 hurri- cane season were quiet in the Region. In fact, some tropical rains would have been welcomed, as drought conditions persist- ed from the spring into mid-July over much of the southern portion of the Region. The third season of the Louisiana Summer Bird Atlas project took place from 1 June to 15 July. Abbreviations: C.EH. (Craig Fish Hatchery, near Centerton, Benton, AR); C.N.E (Camp Nine Farm, Desha, AR). Counties/parishes are indicated only for the initial mention of a spe- cific locality, and states are indicated only for the initial mention of counties/parishes, ex- cept to avoid confusion. For records of “re- view list” species, documentation has been re- ceived and records have either been accepted by, or acceptance is pending by, the respective state bird records committee. Significance for Arkansas records is based on Arkansas Birds, their distribution and abundance (James and Neal 1986) and the Arkansas Audubon Socie- ty (AAS) online bird record database (for records since 1986). Significance for Louisiana records is based on the bird record card file database and the Louisiana Bird Records Committee archives at the Louisiana State University Museum of Natural Science, as well as the most recent draft of the forth- coming Birds of Louisiana (Remsen, Cardiff, Dittmann, and Dickson). WATERFOWL THROUGH WADERS Notable Black-bellied Whistling-Duck sight- ings in Arkansas included 2 in Arkansas 8 Jun (ph. Holden & Jennifer McCollum), 17 in Crawford 13 Jun (Bill & Toka Beall), and 2 w. of Winchester 2 Jul (adding to the few Drew records; DB). In Louisiana, nesting is likely rampant these days, but actual reports of con- firmed breeding remain few; this summer, the only such report was of an ad. with 8 small ducklings at L. Martin, St. Martin 3 Jun (Danny 610 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS ARKANSAS & LOUISIANA Not exactly a species that one would expect to show up on a Gulf of Mexico barrier island in late June, this immature Snow Goose was present just one day, 22 June 2009, at Wine Island, Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana. Photograph by EJ. Raynor. Dobbs). Fulvous Whistling-Ducks, generally rare outside sw. Louisiana, continue to be found with some regularity at C.N.E in sw. Arkansas, where the summer high count was 25 on 2Jun (DB); 8 near Winchester 6Jul (DB) were thought to be the first for Drew. Although the occasional spring/summer straggler Snow Goose is almost expected on the mainland, a transient imm. at Wine I. in the Isles Berniers barrier island chain, Terrebonne 22 Jun (ph. EJR) was certainly a surprise. A male Blue- winged Teal at C.FH. 17 Jun (MAM, SE) was considered an unusual summer visitor in nw. Arkansas. An assortment of late puddle ducks near Cheneyville, Rapides. LA 6 jun, including 8 Gadwalls and 5 Northern Shovelers, may have involved leftover hunting season cripples (Wayne Watkins), but a female Northern Shov- eler at Lonoke, Lonoke, AR 26 Jul QD) was con- sidered a very early fall migrant. Eive very late Surf Scoters were at Rutherford Beach, Cameron, LA 5-6 Jun, and 3 remained through 14 Jun (SWC, ph. DLD). Whether a late spring migrant or a summering bird, a first-year male Black Scoter at Wapanocca N.W.R., Crittenden 31 May Qeff R. Wilson, Gail King) was the first Arkansas occurrence from between Mar and Oct. Up to 15 Ruddy Ducks at Treadway’s Min- now Farm, Prairie, AR 26 Jul QD) had likely summered in the area. A basic-plumaged Common Loon sighted on the s. shore of L. Pontchartrain, New Orleans, ’ Orleans 3 Jul (DPM) was presumably summer- ing in the area. Perhaps more interesting was an ad. in alternate plumage at L. Cortez, Hot Springs Village, Garland, AR 12-27 Jul (Dave Specht, Debbie Whitecotton, ph. Carolyn Min- , son et al); there are very few previous Jul ^ records, and only a few other summer records involving alternate-plumaged individuals. Re- : ports of summering Northern Gannets were limited to an ailing imm. on the beach at Grand Isle, Jefferson, LA 3 Jul (ph. Christine Schex- nayder) and a freshly dead subad. at Holly Beach, Cameron, LA 30 Jul (ph. PEC). An imm. Brown Pelican at Bald Knob N.W.R. 22 Jul (K&LN, Bill Alexander, Robert Pearrow) was a first for White, AR and generated yet another “anomalous” data point from the deep interior of the Region. On the heels of last summer’s concentration just n. at Morganza Spillway, 74 Neotropic Cormorants along the e. edge of the Atchafalaya Basin from Ramah to Bayou Sorrel, Iberville, LA 23 Jun QVR, CF, JaP) was indica- tive of continued eastward expansion of the breeding distribution. Last summer’s new state high count of 27 Least Bitterns at C.N.E was dramatically trounced exactly one year later, when 100 were conservatively estimated in the area 27 Jun (DB); apparently, the species is thriving there. Up to 6 Least Bitterns at Frog Bayou W.M.A., Crawford 6-11 Jul OCN. Scott Michaud, DO, JBr), including a hedgling 11 Jul, were also noteworthy breeders for nw. Arkansas. An ad. Tricolored Heron near Kelso, Desha 8 Jun (DB) was very unusual so early in se. Arkansas. Considered scarce in nw. Arkansas, 2 ad. and 2 fledgling Yellow-crowned Night-Herons at Frog Bayou W.M.A. 3 Jul QCN, JBr, DO) and an ad. at Devil’s Den S.P., Washington 27 Jul QoP) were of interest. The above-mentioned 23 Jun Ramah-Bayou Sorrel survey in Louisiana’s s. interior also produced unexpected totals of 21 ad. White-faced Ibis, 46 Plegadis (White-faced or Glossy Ibis), and 18 Roseate Spoonbills QVR, CF, JaP), Another 2 ad. White-faced Ibis were documented in ne. Louisiana’s Ouachita W.M.A. , Ouachita 7 Jun (ph, JBe); it remains unclear whether these ad, Plegadis in the inte- rior represent breeders or post-breed- ing dispersers. Relatively early Wood Storks in Arkansas included 25 at Woodard L., Ouachita 8 Jun (Kelly Chitwood, Carrie Davis) and 4 at Raft Creek Bottoms W.M.A., White 25 Jul (K&LN); 730 in the Ramah area 10 Jul QVR, CF, JH) was also an excellent count for midsummer. breeding occurrence for Louisiana and the 3rd away from the Holly Beach area of Cameron. Another ad. White-tailed Kite observed in Rapides 7 Jul (Steve Shively) was also an un- usual find during summer in the Louisiana in- terior. Until fairly recently, Louisiana’s winter- nesting Bald Eagle population would relocate to n. latitudes for the summer months, but summer records are slowly accumulating, indi- cating a shift in seasonal presence. This sum- mer, an ad. was noted at Cotile L., Rapides through the period Q^H), and another was found along Thompson Cr., East Feliciana 6 Jun (Mark Skinner, JVR, D. Prowell, V. Bay- less). A male Northern Harrier, either a very late migrant or possible rare breeder, seen about 16 km e. of Malvern, Grant 7 Jun (Cody Fields), was apparently the first Jun occur- rence in Arkansas in almost 30 years. Addi- tional Sharp-shinned Hawk breeding records generated from Arkansas this summer includ- ed a pair with a fledgling 1 1 km s. of Hector 19 Jun, and a nesting pair 8 km n. of Hector 25 Jun (both Pope, both Leif Anderson). Although now considered a scarce but increasingly well established breeder in sw. Louisiana based on circumstantial evidence, the state’s long-over- due first confirmed active nest of Swainson’s Hawk, containing a large chick attended by an ad, at Holmwood, Calcasieu 9 Jun (ph., vt. Michael A. Seymour, Nicole F Lorenz, Blain Cerame; Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries) was cause for celebration; an ad. in St. Martin 19 Jul (Gary Broussard) was some- what farther e. than expected. An ad. Swain- Swainson's Hawks have obviously become established as a breeding bird in southwestern Louisiana over the past several decades, but an active nest had never been found — that is, until 9 June 2009, when this poorly concealed platform with one large chick and attending adult was discov- ered at Holmwood, Calcasieu Parish. Photograph by Michael A. Seymour. OSPREY THROUGH TERNS A nesting pair of Ospreys at L. Con- way, Faulkner 1 Jul (DS) marked the 10th consecutive year of breeding at the site. Swallow-tailed Kites at Provencal, Natchitoches, LA 12 Jun QH) and at L. Fayet- teville 28 Jul (MAM) were well outside known breeding areas. An ad. White-tailed Kite and 2 recently fledged young near a nest s. of DeRid- der, Beauregard were confirmed 11 Jun (ph. Matthew T. PontifO; the finders (Kerney & Maxie Sonnier) report that the pair fledged 3 young from the nest. This is the 7th confirmed son’s near Vaughn, Benton 10 (MAM, JoP, DOu) & 28 Jul (JCN) provided circumstantial evidence of continued breeding in this area of nw. Arkansas. American Kestrels near Pearl River, St. Tammany 3 Jun QOC) and at Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge 28 Jun (]H) were sug- gestive of rare s. Louisiana breeding attempts. Almost always mentionable in Arkansas, 1-2 Purple Gallinules at C.N.E 24Jun-F (DB) were VOLUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 611 ARKANSAS & LOUISIANA This recently hatched Snowy Plover chick at Rutherford Beach, Cameron Parish, Louisiana 25 July 2009, one of two attended by the female parent, confirmed the first July nesting in the state; the previous six records, all since 1999, vifere from late April through early June. Photograph by Donna L Dittmann. the first found there since 1991, and 2 more were detected at Bois d’Arc W.M.A., Hempstead 5 Jul (K&LN). An impressive 300 Common Moorhens were tallied at C.N.F. 27 Jim (DB). Following the finding of a female Snowy Plover with a small chick at Rutherford Beach in early May 2009, another female and small chick were documented 5 Jun (6th Louisiana breeding occurrence; ph. DLD, SWC), and, amazingly, a female and 2 small chicks were located 25 jul (ph. DLD, SWC) for Louisiana’s 7th breeding occurrence and hrst record later than the first week of Jun. A Spotted Sand- piper on the upper Arkansas R. s. of Mulber- ry, Crawford 11 Jul (K&LN) was probably an early fall migrant; although there are a few older breed- ing records for Arkansas, breeding activity would probably be more likely dur- ing late May and Jun, and fall migrants have been recorded as far s. as the Louisiana coast by early Jul. A Marbled Godwit on the coast near Port Fourchon, Lafourche, LA 25 Jun (JMM) may have been an early fall migrant rather than a sum- mering bird; 2 at Anderson’s Minnow Farm near Lonoke 31 Jul QD, Craig Provost, Dale Provost, Delos McAuley) were also unusual and relatively early fall migrants for Arkansas. Also possibly an early migrant, and rare away from the sw. Louisiana coast, was a Long-billed Curlew at W. Raccoon L, Terrebonne 29 Jun (EJR). Five Whimbrels, possibly late spring migrants, were at Ruther- ford Beach 5 Jun (SWC, DLD). An assortment of late spring migrant shorebirds at C.FH. in extreme nw. Arkansas included 30 Semi- palmated Sandpipers 3 Jun and 3 present 17 Jun, an exceptional concentration of 170 White-rumped Sandpipers 3 Jun, and 4 Pectoral Sandpipers 17 Jun (all MAM, SE). Interesting early fall migrant ad. shorebirds in Lonoke, cen. Arkansas included a Willet at Lonoke 28 Jul (DBo), a Ruddy Turnstone near Kerr 30 Jul (K&LN), and up to 9 Sanderlings at Anderson’s Minnow Farm 28 Jul (DBo, K&LN). A Pectoral Sand- piper near Ramah 10 Jul QVR, ph. CF) was relatively early for the Re- gion and apparently record-early for the Baton Rouge area. Except for an anomalous record from nw. Louisiana 18 Jun 1950, single Wil- son’s Snipe along the Red R. in Natchitoches 4 Jun QVH) and at the Bonnet Carre' Spillway, St. Charles 14 Jul (Melvin Weber) would be record-tying late spring and record early fall Louisiana occur- rences, respectively. Laughing Gulls are venturing inland with increasing frequency but remain noteworthy deep into the interior, e.g., an ad. at Cotile L. 2 Jun OVH). A first-cycle Lesser Black-backed Gull was noted at Rutherford Beach 13 Jun (SWC, DLD); considering the dramatic in- crease in this species’ status in the Region, there are still surprisingly few well docu- mented Jun/Jul occurrences. A Forster’s Tern in non-breeding plumage at Bois d’Arc W.M.A. 5 Jul (K&LN) was thought to be an early fall migrant but conceivably could have been a summering bird or post-breeding wan- derer. Inland Least Terns away from the ex- pected major river corridors included an ad. foraging over a crawfish pond near Thorn- well, Jcjl/erson Davis, LA 5 Jun (SWC, DLD), a small breeding colony (persisting since 2007) of 13 pairs with nests/eggs on an expanse of concrete at the 1-10 Lacassine exit, Jefferson Davis 6 Jun (SWC, ph. DLD), and an aggrega- tion of 62 post-breeding ads. and juvs. at An- derson’s Minnow Farm 28 Jul (DBo). The dis- covery of two nesting pairs of Sooty Terns at Raccoon 1. and another pair at Wine 1. through the period (ph. EJR, ph. Hannah Tetreault, ph. Mark Suchy) represented a westward expansion of the breeding distribu- tion in Louisiana; perhaps these colonists originate from the species’ former stronghold on the now nearly obliterated Chandeleur 1. chain off se. Louisiana. DOVES THROUGH SWALLOWS Single Inca Doves in St. Bernard 11 Jun (Glenn Ousset), at two locations in St. Charles 4 Jul (DPM), and near Slidell, St. Tam- many 15 Jul OOC) added to the growing number of reports from se. Louisiana; one at Burn’s Hill N.A., Franklin 6 Jun would appear to represent a first for Izard in cen.-n. Arkansas. A Common Ground-Dove was un- expected at Baton Rouge 26 Jun (DLD). A Black-billed Cuckoo at L. Fayetteville, Wash- ington 30 May QoP) was most likely a mi- grant. A female Ruby-throated Hummingbird near Rockefeller Refuge headquarters. Grand Chenier, Cameron, LA 6 Jun (SWC) and po- tentially the same bird there 14 Jun (DLD, SWC) was a surprise, considering there are only a few previous Jun occurrences in the coastal zone. Belted Kingfishers e. of Pecan L, Vermilion 12 Jul (vt. PEC) and at Grand Che- nier 26 Jul (2 individuals; SWC, DLD) were of interest, appearing during a late Jun-mid-Aug hiatus with few coastal records. An Olive- sided Flycatcher at L. Fayetteville 9 Jun (HDC) was record late for nw. Arkansas and one of the latest ever for the state. An Eastern Wood-Pewee near Rockefeller Refuge head- quarters 5 Jun (ph. DLD, SWC) was presumably a late spring migrant, but one at Grand Isle 27 Jun (DPM, Phillip A. Wallace) was more difficult to categorize; there are only a few other records of summering birds in the coastal zone (New Or- leans 1983 and 1993), and presumed migrants have never been recorded after early Jun or before mid-Jul. A Least Fly- catcher e. of Pecan 1. 12 Jul (ph. PEC) tied for the 2nd earliest ever fall migrant for Louisiana and was the earliest in two decades. The pair of nesting Great Kiskadees first discovered near Rockefeller Refuge headquarters in early May continued through the period; the first nest had been abandoned by early Jun, but another almost complete nest was located about a half km away 26 Jul (SWC, ph. DLD, R. Terrill). A rare breeder in cen. Arkansas, at least two Western Kingbird nests were locat- For the first time, Sooty Terns were found nesting on the barrier islands of Louisiana's central coast, with two pairs on Raccoon Island and one pair on Wine Island, both in the Isles Dernieres chain, Terrebonne Parish. Formerly, small numbers nested in the Chandeleur Islands off southeastern Louisiana, but the species' status there is now uncertain following near-obliteration of those islands by recent hurricanes. Pic- tured at left is a two-day-old chick at Wine Island 7 June 2009; at center, a two-month-old juvenile at Wine Island 22 July 2009; and at right, an adult at Raccoon Island 8 June 2009. Photographs by (left to right) Mark Suchy, E. J. Raynor, and Hannah Tetreault. 512 N 0 R T H A M E R I C A N B I R D S ARKANSAS & LOUISIANA ed in Little Rock, Pulaski 22 Jun-5 Jul (Guy Luneau, DS, Samantha Holschbach, K&LN). Eastern Kingbirds are well known as relative- ly early fall migrants, with numbers on the move by early Aug, but an obvious storm- grounded migrant flock of 30 in se. Calcasieu 21 Jul (PEC) provided good evidence for pas- sage of transients during mid- to late jul. A singing Gray Kingbird at Grand Isle 25 Jun (JMM, R. T. Brumfield) was suggestive of lo- cal breeding; there are very few prior breed- ing/breeding season records, all from New Or- leans 1999-2004. Two Bell’s Vireos in a developing thicket at the “Couch” addition of Chesney Prairie N.A. near Siloam Springs, Benton, AR 28 Jun OCN, DO, JBr) were the only ones reported. An astounding 23 Warbling Vireos in Caddo- Bossier 2 Jun (TD, JT) were thought to in- volve mostly breeding birds and would be the 3rd highest count ever for Louisiana and the first summer report of more than 2 per day. Thirteen Horned Larks in Richland 25 Jun QB) was a nice summer count and in- dicative of a persisting small breeding popu- lation in ne. Louisiana. Providing additional circumstantial evidence of an expanding breeding population of Tree Swallows in n. Louisiana, 1-2 each were noted at L. Clai- borne and Homer, Claiborne 1 Jun, 2 were at Corney L., Claiborne 6 Jun (all John Dillon), and 2 were at Cotile L. (a known breeding location) 2 Jun OVH). Three Tree Swallows at Gonzales, Ascension 27 Jun (Sue Brous- sard) also hinted at the possibility of breed- ing in s. Louisiana but could have involved early post-breeding dispersers; 4 ads. near Hayes, Calcasieu 19 Jul (ph. PEC) and an- other at Thornwell 26 Jul (DLD) were early fall migrants. Four Bank Swallows at two lo- cations in Cameron 14 Jul OVR, BMM) were relatively early fall migrants. A rash of Louisiana summer Cave Swallow observa- tions included 4 still lingering 16 Jun at the new colony reported during the spring near Vinton, Calcasieu (Colin Dillingham, David L. Anderson), one near Ramah 10 Jul (ph. DBo), 10 mixed ads. and juvs on the sw. coast at Johnsons Bayou 14 Jul OVR, BMM), and possible family groups of 3 near Lake Arthur and 4 farther e. near Gueydan 19 Jul (both in Vermilion-, vt. PEC). At least some of these Cave Swallows were likely associated with as yet undiscovered breeding colonies in sw. Louisiana, although the Ramah bird was relatively far e. and associated with hun- dreds of migrant Northern Rough-winged Swallows. About 20 Cliff Swallows at a colony in n. Washington, LA 29 Jun (SS) were possibly the first breeders found this far in- land in the e. Elorida parishes. NUTHATCH THROUGH FINCHES Two Brown-headed Nuthatches n. of Gonza- les in extreme n. Ascension 14 Jun (SB) were at or slightly beyond the s. extent of the breeding distribution. An ad. American Robin near Rockefeller Refuge headquarters 6-14 Jun (SWC) was probably a summering non- breeder or post-breeding wanderer. Presumed breeding Gray Catbirds were once again not- ed in extreme sw. Louisiana on the Calcasieu- Cameron line s. of Holmwood, with 6 on 1 1 Jul (DBo); the species is also thought to be in- creasing in se. Louisiana, with several noted during the period in the interior in Washing- ton, and 2 found extremely far se. in the Buras area of lower Plaquemines 11 Jul (all DPM). Two Bewick’s Wrens (noted as “brown-backed form”) e. of Maysville, Benton 1 Jun QCN, Doug James, Elizabeth Adam) suggested that a few breeders persist in extreme nw. Arkansas. A singing Sedge Wren was dehnite- ly out of place at L. Fayetteville 6 Jun (MAM). Observation of 5 Cedar Waxwings at L. Fayet- teville 28 Jun (Karen Garrett, Paula Jugen- heimer) was followed by discovery of an in- cubating ad. on a nest 5 Jul (HDC, MAM, DOu, JoP); the species is a scarce breeder in Arkansas, with only a few previous nest records from the state’s nw. corner. A male Northern Parula at Oak Grove, Cameron, LA 6 Jun (SWC) was more likely a prospecting breeder rather than a late mi- grant; small numbers regularly breed just e. in the Grand Chenier area. Yellow Warbler is one of our earliest fall migrant passerines, but one at Johnsons Bayou 14 Jul QVR, BMM) was the earliest found in Louisiana in several decades. Prairie Warbler is another relatively early fall migrant, but there are still few well- documented Jul records from the coast; thus, 3 near Oak Grove 26 Jul (ph. PEC) were of in- terest. A Prairie at L. Fayetteville 9 Jul (HDC) was unusual for the area and may have also been a very early migrant. A female American Redstart at Oak Grove 6 Jun (SWC) was pre- sumably a late spring migrant and one of the latest ever found on the coast; one in Red Riv- er 9 Jun (ph. JT, TD, RS) provided a rare ear- ly summer record for nw. Louisiana. A female Prothonotary Warbler away from suitable breeding habitat at Lafayette 28 Jun (PEC) was suspected of being “drought displaced;” 3 “weakly singing” males on the coast near Rockefeller Refuge headquarters 26 Jul (SWC, DLD) were considered relatively early migrants, as none had been detected at the site during Jun. Indicative of a rather late breeding attempt, a pair of Lark Sparrows were feeding a fledg- ling near Harrison, Boone, AR 3 Jul (Sheree & Hank Rogers); 2 at Chesney Prairie N.A. 12 Jul (Bob Caulk, Andrew Scaboo et al.) were considered early fall migrants, as the species is not known to breed in the area. Exception- ally late male Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were encountered in Webster, LA 2 Jun (RS) and at Harrison 19 Jun (Sally Jo Gibson). Up to 2 territorial male Indigo Buntings near Rocke- feller Refuge headquarters 5 Jun-26 Jul (SWC, DLD) represented only the 2nd such occurrence for the immediate coast. Normal- ly absent as a breeder on the immediate coast, up to 3 territorial male Dickcissels along Rutherford Beach 5-14 Jun (SWC, DLD), 8 n. of Grand Chenier 14 Jun (SWC, DLD), 6 in the Johnsons Bayou area 14 Jul (JVR, BMM), and one s. of Gibbstown, Cameron 26 Jul (SWC, DLD) were likely utilizing temporarily favorable habitat created as a result of recent hurricane impacts. Representing a flrst breed- ing record for East Baton Rouge, a male and 2 female Boat-tailed Crackles were noted just s. of Baton Rouge late May-mid-Jun; on 13 Jun, one female was feeding 2 fledglings, and the other was carrying food to a presumed nest in an ornamental palm tree QVR et al.). Another ad. female Boat-tailed accompanied by a juv. near Ramah 10 Jul QVR, CF) also suggested breeding at or near that inland site. The first found on the sw. coast in about 10 years, a singing male Shiny Cowbird was observed briefly at the Oak Grove Sanctuary, Oak Grove, Cameron 6 Jun (ph. DLD, SWC). Fur- ther evidence of a breeding presence of Bronzed Cowbirds in the Baton Rouge area included 2 males near St. Gabriel 28 Jun QVR) and another in Ascension 3 Jul (Lindsay Seeley); likewise, several in Cameron, includ- ing a pair at Cameron 14 Jun (SWC, DLD), a female or imm. at Johnsons Bayou 14 Jul QVR, BMM), one at Creole 19 Jul (ph. PEC), and at least 6 near Sweet Lake 26 Jul (ph. PEC) were indicative of low-level breeding in extreme sw. Louisiana. Initialed observers (subregional editors in boldface): Dick Baxter, Joyce Bennett QBe), Devin Bosler (DBo), Jacque Brown QBr), Steven W. Cardiff (Louisiana), H. David Chapman, Paul E. Conover, Jennifer O. Coulson, Terry Davis, Jim Dixon, Carol Foil, Jeff Harris, Jay V. Huner, James M. Maley, Michael A. Mlodinow, David P. Muth, B. Mac Myers, Joseph C. Neal (Arkansas), Kenny Nichols, LaDonna Nichols, David Oakley, Donald Ouellette (DOu), Jane Patterson 0aP),Joanie Patterson QoP)' E- J- Raynor, J. Y Remsen, Dan Scheiman, Rosemary Seidler, Jeff Trahan. 1$ Steven W. Cardiff, 435 Pecan Drive St. Gabriel, Louisiana 70776, (scardif(S)gmail.com) VOLUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 613 y Northern Canada & Greenland SRKNlAMe immim nuhaat) {PeflfflarkI lortoormiit ■^^Tasiitak /yyKOfp / «D3WS0I^, is ■"'■ W£5T\ Bathlfa NUN NUNAVUT lolfil I^Mayo \ Sl^RRiJORIEr •, an i Fort Yello*fe j ^^Vm.KhdjSe Simpson Boffin /• Y-'\v'-vv^ ji. ^ > Foxe ^ ^ - ^ ■ ^Rankin Inlet ^ '' Hudson y fljjv 6c/che^* Is. it J Cameron D. Eckert While the Yukon and southern Northwest Territories experienced relatively normal summer condi- tions, a cold spring in the central and eastern Arctic resulted in a late breeding season. Ob- servers in Nunavut told consistent tales of very late arrivals, delayed nesting, or failure to nest in many species. At Penny Strait, breeding was markedly late for Arctic Terns, eiders, and Long-tailed Ducks; the same was true at Akimiski Island in southern James Bay. Shorebird researchers at East Bay, Southampton Island did not even see their first shorebird until 8 June — a full 10 days lat- er than in 2008. At Cambridge Bay, the late spring, coupled with high water in the small- er lakes and ponds, contributed to the loss of much edge habitat and thus a reduction in nesting opportunities for many species of wa- terfowl, shorebirds, and loons. Nonetheless, Nunavut reported an impressive four new species for the territory. As well, this report marks the beginning of our connection with birders in Greenland, and their field notes are certainly fascinating. We’ll look forward to more reports in the future. WATERFOWL THROUGH SHOREBIRDS Jul, 145 on 14 Jul, and 92 on 17 Jul QaH). The Yukon’s 3rd Tufted Duck, an ad. male, was seen on Two Moose L., cen. Yukon 20 Jun-13 Jul (ph. CE; HH, LyH). A male King Ei- der at Gravel L., cen. Yukon 1 Jun was nicely documented by a visit- ing birder (ph. BW). This may rep- resent only the 3rd interior North American spring record; the previ- ous two were also from the Yukon. High water levels at Cambridge Bay, NU contributed to a poor breeding season for King and Common Ei- ders; only a few nests were found on higher ground during 25 Jun-15 Jul OR*)- -A male Harlequin Duck provided a first record for Cambridge Bay, NU 6 Jul ORi)- A large flotilla of about 300 Long- tailed Ducks, mostly males, was noted ne. of Chesterfield Inlet, NU on about 8 Jul (BZ). Two ad. Yellow-billed Loons were a nice find at Yellowknife, NWT 7 Jun (BB, DS). A Double-crested Cormorant, rare in s. Yukon, was on the Yukon R. in Whitehorse 8 Jun (ph. MuM). Also rare was a Great Blue Heron at Tulita, NWT 20 Jun (ph. RD). An imm. Bald Eagle was unexpected at Cambridge Bay, NU 11 Jul (RK, EET). A Northern Goshawk being mobbed in flight by a pair of Merlins was an interesting sight near Island Lakes, Nahanni National Park Reserve, impressive, but many of them ultimately failed (AA, HJ). A Sora, a first for Nunavut, was heard calling at Akimiski 1. 10 Jun (AM, BM). This year, a total of 62 pairs of Whoop- ing Cranes nested in Wood Buffalo N.P., NWT; 52 young hatched and at least 22 young Hedged. While habitat conditions were good throughout the nesting area, rainy and cool conditions in Jun may have contributed to lower-than-average survival of chicks to fledging age. The high water levels may, how- ever, ensure that spring 2010 conditions are favorable; but given the number of young produced this year and the number of ads. and subads. that were lost last winter, the population will decline in 2009 (BJ, CWS). A late Black-bellied Plover was at Coot L., s. of Pelly Crossing, s. Yukon 9-10 Jun (HG). Two European Golden-Plovers noted at Zack- enberg, Greenland 30 Jun 0R*i) furnished the only report this season. Long-term monitor- ing has detected declines in Common Ringed Plovers at Zackenberg, Greenland; surveys this summer recorded a few individuals, in- cluding a pair with a fledged juv. 20 Jul (JaH). Bird identification challenges in the Canadian Arctic can be the reverse of what most North Americans face; for example, careful study of a pair of nesting plovers and their young at Arctic Bay, NU 28-31 Jul determined that they were Semipahnated rather than the expected Common Ringed (ph. CK). This establishes - : .... This male Tufted Duck, the Yukon's third, spent mid-June (here 25 June) through at least mid-July 2009 on Two Moose Lake in Tombstone Territorial Park. Photograph by Cameron Eckert. Peak counts of migrating Pink-footed Geese at Zackenberg, Greenland included 592 on 19 Jun and 321 on 24 Jun QaH). Counts of 500 Brant were recorded daily 1-5 Jun at Akimiski L, NU (DM). A lone Brant, a late spring mi- grant, was at Tagish L., s. Yukon 3 Jun (ph SvD); another was with Canada Geese at Daw- son, cen. Yukon 10 Jun (CE). Brant numbers (6-9 per day) were about normal at Cam- bridge Bay, NU 25 Jun-15 Jul, but all tradi- tional nesting sites were under water (JRi). High counts of Barnacle Geese (mostly imms.) at Zackenberg, Greenland included 53 on 8 NWT 21 Jul (DT, PKn). Broad-winged Hawk is a very rare breeder in sw. Northwest Terri- tories, so one seen along the Liard Hwy., 10 km n. of the border with British Columbia, 11 Jun (BB, DS) was noteworthy. A dark-morph ad. Swainson’s Hawk was seen hunting over open tundra along the Dempster Hwy., just s. of Eagle Plains, cen. Yukon 24 Jul (RC, SyC); the species was found nesting in this area in 2005. A total of 13 Gyrfalcons was tallied on a trip down the Firth R., n. Yukon 18-30 Jul (HH, LyH). The count of 27 Peregrine Falcon nests at Rankin Inlet, NU this summer was Arctic Bay as perhaps the most northerly breeding site for Semipalmated Plover. Wan- dering Tattler reports, all from the Yukon, in- cluded 2 along the N. Klondike R, and one along the Blackstone R., Tombstone Park 8 Jun (ph. CE; HG, PSp); one along Fox Cr. and another along Lil Cr. in Tombstone 9 Jun (OH; HG, GW, MW); and one along the Firth R. 27 Jul (HH, LyH). Tombstone Park in cen. Yukon continues to be the best place in the Region for viewing breeding Surfbirds; 2 were displaying on Charcoal Ridge 7 Jun (ph. CE, PB, MH, SJ); and an amazing 10 were seen in 614 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS NORTHERN CANADA & GREENLAND Though Eastern Kingbird is a well-known wanderer, this individual at Rankin Inlet, Nunavut 15 June 2009 was nonetheless a great surprise. Photograph by Mark Petersheim. the snow on Adney Mt. 27 Jun (ph. CE, CEB, SJ). It wasn’t clear whether a flock of 16 Red Knots seen at Zackenberg, Greenland 13 Jun were late arrivals or non-breeders OaH)- Shorebird researchers at East Bay, Southamp- ton L, NU found an impressive number of nests including 46 White-rumped Sand- pipers, 32 Ruddy Turnstones, and 29 Red Phalaropes (DE, ML, SB, DT, KW). Pectoral Sandpiper is considered a review species in Greenland by Birdlife Denmark; records this summer from Zackenberg included well-ob- served singles on 8 &12 Jun and a flyby on 24 Jul QaH)- A vagrant in the Bay Islands region of Nunavut, a Red Phalarope established the first record for Akimiski I. 5 Jun (GF, SG). Shorebird numbers were low in Cambridge Bay, NU this summer, with few American Golden-Plovers, Semipalmated Plovers, and Baird’s Sandpiper noted — and no Buff-breast- ed Sandpipers, White-rumped Sandpipers, or Ruddy Turnstones at all 25 Jun-15 Jul (JRi; RK, EET). GULLS THROUGH FINCHES A Parasitic Jaeger, always of interest in the in- terior, was seen at Ft. Providence, NWT 7 Jun (BB, DS). Parasitic and Long-tailed Jaeger numbers at Cambridge Bay, NU were normal (2-13 per day) during 25 Jun-15 Jul, though there was no evidence of nesting likely due to the low lemming numbers Okfl RK. EET). A flock of 37 Long-tailed Jaegers was recorded at Zackenberg, Greenland 28 Jun (LeH). Many Iceland Gulls were seen feeding alongside Thayer’s and Glaucous Gulls on a Ringed Seal carcass at Cambridge Bay, NU 25 Jun-15 Jul QRi). An ad. Glaucous-winged Gull, casual in Nunavut, was at the Cambridge Bay dump 10 Jul (RK, EET). An ad. Glaucous- winged Gull returned for its 5th consecutive summer on Herschel I., n. Yukon 12 Jul (ph. DR). Five Sabine’s Gulls, a rare interior mi- grant, were noted at Ft. Provi- dence, NWT 3 Jun (BB, DS). Nor- mal numbers of Sabine’s Gulls and Arctic Terns were noted at Cam- bridge Bay, NU 25 Jun-15 Jul, al- though, as with other species, high water impeded their nesting ORi). No Ross's Gulls were ob- served this summer at Cheyne L, NU (MaM), where this species has been known to nest in past years. Only one pair of Ivory Gulls was seen at Seymour I., NU this sum- mer, and about 17 were noted w. of Devon L, NU 2 Jul (MaM). Three Caspian Terns were seen on Great Slave L. at Hay River, NWT 4 Jun (BB, DS). It has been a few years since Caspian Tern was reported in the Yukon, and so 2 ads. at Army Beach 8 Jul were noteworthy (MG). A large colony of about 1000 Arctic Terns was recorded at an unnamed island in Penny Strait, NU this summer (MaM). The impression of observers near Chesterfield In- let, NU is that there has been a decline in Arc- tic Tern numbers over the past 15 years (BZ); whether this is a localized trend or more wide- spread is not known. Snowy Owls were present in about normal numbers (up to 4 in a day) at Cambridge Bay, NU during 25 Jun-15 Jul, with no evidence of nesting as expected given the low lemming numbers, although Arctic Hares were far more obvious than in the past several years QR; RK, EET). Short-eared Owls were regu- larly seen at Rankin Inlet, NU this summer, including 3 on 8 Jun (AA, HJ); and 2 were noted at Akimiski L, NU 12 Jun (DM). De- spite deep snow in spring, a few Boreal Owls were found nesting near Whitehorse, s. Yukon in early Jun: one pair occupied a nest box near the Takhini R. (LG, ph. JuH), and a trio of owlets fledged from an old flicker hole in the side of a house on about 1 Jun (NJ, ph. CE, NSE). Common Nighthawks have shown steep declines, so it was encouraging to hear of a nest near Brintnell Cr., NWT 1 Jul (StC, KS), and a distraction display near Island Lakes, NWT 22 Jul (LM, JRd). A male Rufous Hummingbird, Nunavut’s first, flew into a cabin at a remote site about 100 km ne. of Chesterfield Inlet 24 Jun, where it subse- quently died (ph. BZ). Yellow-bellied Fly- catcher, with a total of 17, was the 2nd most common flycatcher on Yukon’s 11 B.B.S. routes this summer (CWS); this is a change from a decade ago, when this species was con- sidered the Yukon’s rarest breeding flycatcher. Eastern Kingbird is well known as an ex- tralimital wanderer; reports this season in- cluded one at Burwash, sw. Yukon 5 Jun (ph. PSi) and another much farther n. at Rankin Inlet, NU 15 Jun (ph. MP). There are few records of Blue-headed Vireo in Nahanni Na- tional Park Reserve, so 2 counter-calling males in Deadmen Valley 20 Jun (DT) were noteworthy. A Philadelphia Vireo at Teslin 11 Jun (ph. vr. DH, THa, THe) established the Yukon’s westernmost record. Also well w. of its normal range was a Red-eyed Vireo at Porter Creek, s. Yukon 11 Jun (PSi). A drive of 165 km along Hwy. #5 e. of Ft. Smith, NWT 6 Jun produced a remarkable count of 39 Common Raven nests (19 occupied, 20 va- cant) on hydro poles (BB, DS). The occurrence of Barn Swallows tends to be somewhat erratic at the n. edge of their range; one at Two Moose L., cen. Yukon 27 Jun (CE) established the first record for Tomb- stone Park. A common backyard bird for tem- perate-zone birders can be an epic find in the North; such was the case with a Black-capped Chickadee found at Akimiski I. 5 Jun (GF, SG), which established the first confirmed record for Nunavut. Northern Wheatear is one of the Region’s most sought-after breeding birds by visiting birders; reports this summer included one seen just e. of Wright Pass, NWT in early Jun (BW), a male seen along Charcoal Ridge in Tombstone Park, cen Yukon 7 Jim (ph, OH), one singing on territory at Rankin Inlet, NU 15 Jun (AA, HJ), 2 juvs. still show- ing some down at Zackenberg, Greenland 20 Jul QaH), and 4 seen on a mountain hike from the Firth R., n. Yukon 23 Jul (HH, LyH). Sin- gle Townsend’s Solitaires, near the e. edge of their range in Northwest Territories, were ob- served on Ram Plateau 15, 17, & 18 Jun (DT). Surveys on 20 Jun (DT, AO, MiM) found that Tennessee Warbler continues to reign as the most abundant bird in riparian spruce forests along the lower South Nahanni R., NWT. A singing male Bay-breasted Warbler in Deadmen Valley, Nahanni National Park Re- serve 20 Jun (DT) provided a rare park record. Single Western Tanagers, both singing males w. of their range in s. Yukon, were seen at Teslin 9 Jun (THe) and Tagish 30 Jun (ph. SvD), A Timberline Brewer’s Sparrow was singing in alpine shrubs above Kusawa L., s. Yukon 18 Jun (CE). A Lark Sparrow, the Yukon’s 4th, was at Watson Lake 29-31 May (ph. RS). Two White-throated Sparrows, well w. of their range, were singing at Fish L., s. Yukon 1 Jul (PKu). Also beyond its normal range was a male Dark-eyed Junco singing at Rankin Inlet, NU 1 1 Jun (AA, HJ). Sightings of VOLUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 615 NORTHERN CANADA & GREENLAND Lapland Longspurs at the s. edge of the species’ breeding range in Tombstone Park, cen. Yukon included a female on Charcoal Ridge 7 Jun (CE) and 2 on Adney Mt. 27 Jun (CE). Tombstone Park, cen. Yukon is an excel- lent place to view Smith’s Longspurs on their nesting grounds; 3 were on territory at km 96 along the Dempster Hwy. 9-12 Jun (HG; CE). Nunavut’s first Painted Bunting, a brilliant ad. male, was an unexpected and exciting find on Akimiski 1. 12 Jun (GE, ph. DM, AT). Sev- en Gray-crowned Rosy-Einches were seen on a hike along Charcoal Ridge in Tombstone Park, cen. Yukon 7 Jun (CE; ph. OH); one was seen near Margaret L., n. Yukon 18 Jul (HH, LyH). Prairie Provinces Rudolf F. Koes Peter Taylor The jet stream bisected the region for most of the season, resulting in far-be- low-normal temperatures to the east and more moderate conditions to the west. Wintry weather persisted in the northeast well into June, with substantial snow cover remaining until mid-month. Upon arrival, many geese and other waterfowl found so lit- tle open ground in the Churchill, Manitoba area that they starved to death. Nest initiation for most birds was late there, and almost com- plete nesting failure followed, due to cold, storms, and predation. In the rest of Manito- ba and much of Saskatchewan, the cold ap- peared also to have a negative impact, as many warblers and other passerines were seen wandering outside their breeding ranges. Sparse foliage, scarcity of food, and cold nights combined to reduce breeding success for early nesters. Nevertheless, Breeding Bird Survey totals for most species in the southern boreal forest were near normal, as was the early part of the fall migration banding at Delta, Manitoba. Observers (subregional editors in boldface): Alexandre Anctil, Barbara Begg, Sarah Bogart, Pamela Brown, Canadian Wildlife Service, Rob Cannings, Syd Cannings (SyC), Steve Catto (StC), Ron Doctor, Eagle-eye Tours, Cameron Eckert, Darryl Edwards, Cathy Fin- lay-Brook, Gabriel Foley, Stacy Gan, Linda Gerrand, Mike Gill, Helmut Griinberg, Dawn Hansen, Tami Hamilton (TaH), Tiarella Han- na (TiH), Jannik Hansen QaH), Miriam Have- mann, Todd Heakes (ToH), Howard Heffler, Lyn Heffler (LyH), Olivia Hell, Lenze Hofstee (LeH), Jurg Hofer QuH), Niels Jacobsen, Hilde Johansen, Brian Johns, Sebastian Jones, Clare Kines, Paul Knaga (PKn), Richard Knapton, Piia Kukka (PKu), Meghan Larivee, Derek Mackenzie, Mark Mallory (MaM), Mike Matou (MiM), Beth McLarnon, Andree Messier, Lisa Moore, Murray Munn (MuM), Ashley Okrainec, Mark Petersheim, Don Reid, Jenn Redvers QRd), Jeroen Reneerkens 0Rn),Jim Richards O^i), Kim Schlosser, Pam Sinclair (PSi), Nigel Sinclair-Eckert, Patricia Spencer (PSp), David Stirling, Robert Stitt, Douglas Tate (Northwest Territories), Austin Taverner, Devin Turner, Shyloh van Delft, Kara Ward, Gerry Whitley, Mary Whitley, Bill Wilson, Brian Zawadski. ^ Cameron D. Eckert, 1402 Elm Street Whitehorse, Yukon, Y1 A 4B6 (cdeckert@northwestel.net) Precipitation ranged from above average in the southeast to below normal in the south- west. Parts of southern Alberta and Saskatchewan experienced the driest June in half a century, resulting in continued low lev- els in major water bodies, after winter snows had raised false hopes. Conversely, water lev- els remained exceptionally high at the Shoal Lakes in Manitoba’s Interlake region. The best of the few highlights to liven up the season were Saskatchewan’s first White-winged Dove and Blue Grosbeak and Manitoba’s second Painted Bunting. GEESE THROUGH CRANES Record numbers of Greater White-fronted Geese (flocks up to 40) lingered with untold thousands of other geese at Churchill in early Jun (C.G.C., m.ob.). A lone Greater White- fronted at Glenmore Res., Calgary 8 & 24 Jul may represent a first summer record for Alberta (m.ob.), while a Ross’s Goose near Ochre River 25-27 Jun (PT) was a seasonal rarity for s. Manitoba. Among the hundreds of Ross’s Geese at Churchill 5 Jun were at least 2 rare blue-morph birds (C.G.C., ph.); in addition, 7+ Snow Goose X Ross’s Goose hybrids were seen there early Jun (C.G.C.). Canada Geese are not normally persist- ent re-nesters, so 3 goslings less than a week old near Minnedosa, MB 16 Jul (CC) were exception- ally late. A slough near Shepard, AB held about 500 Gadwall 5 Jul (TK). A Cinnamon Teal at Whitewater L., MB 7 Jul was a good find (RP). Red-necked Grebe continues to expand as a breeding species throughout w. Manitoba, being seen in a number of wetlands this year for the first time and seeming to have re- placed Horned Grebe in some areas (CC). A Great Egret near Sundre, AB 14-21 Jun was rare (RKu). A Snowy Egret was noted at Whitewater L. on a number of occasions (m.ob.), and a Little Blue Heron was seen at nearby Boissevain 5 Jun (fide L’V). Cattle Egret tallies at Whitewater L. peaked in the mid-teens, a far cry from the hundreds a few years back, and White-faced Ibis also num- bered in the low double-digits at the same lo- cation (m.ob.). Ferruginous Hawks enjoyed a productive year in sw. Manitoba, with an av- erage of 3-h young at 34 successful nests out of 35 total (KD). The species apparently did well in Saskatchewan too, as did Prairie Fal- The PR 227 landfill northwest of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba has produced some remarkable gull records over the years. On 5 June 2009, the landfill at- tracted this Lesser Black-backed Gull (with Ring-billed Gulls). Photograph by knnifer Green. 616 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS PRAIRIE PROVINCES Saskatchewan's first confirmed, and long overdue, White-winged Dove was pres- ent at Lumsden 5-8 (here 6) June 2009. Photograph by Jeanette and Pobb Taylor. Well north of its usual range was this Black-and-white Warbler at Churchill, Manitoba 13-15 (here 14) June 2009. Photograph by Justin Scott. con (DZ, fide GK). Virginia Rail has become rare but annual in s. Alberta; one was noted twice in Jun near Cochrane Q&MM, m.ob.). American Coots experienced another poor breeding season in s. Alberta (TK). A Whooping Crane at Chaplin L., SK on 20 Jul (SC) was unexpected. This apparent MacGillivray's Warbler x Common Yel- lowthroat hybrid near Water Valley, Alberta 31 May 2009 sang like a yellowthroat, showed a single white eye-arc, and had a considerable amount of black on the face. Photo- graph by Brian Elder and Ray Woods. PLOVERS THROUGH WOODPECKERS No details were received on re- ports of a Snowy Plover at Cook- ing L., AB 2-3 Jun (GR, m.ob.) and 2 birds at Chaplin L., SK ear- ly Jun (fide BL). Although there have been other recent sightings at Chaplin L., the species remains accidental in the Region. Five Black-necked Stilts were in the Goose L, SK area 5 Jun (NS). Chaplin L. held 500 Willets, 2000+ Marbled Godwits, 7000+ Long-billed Dowitchers, and 2000 Wilson’s Phalaropes 20 Jul (SC). Other notable shorebird sightings included 1500+ Lesser Yellowlegs near Blackie, AB 19 Jul (TK), a Whimbrel at Coulter, MB 28 Jun (GW, JW), a Purple Sandpiper at Churchill 11 Jun (ph. BW), and up to 20 Red Phalaropes at Churchill in early Jun (m.ob., ph.). Sabine’s Gulls were prominent at Churchill in early Jun, with up to 30 noted (m.ob., ph.). A second-cycle Lesser Black-backed Gull visited the PR 227, MB dump 5 Jun (JL, m.ob., ph.). A first-cycle Glau- cous-winged Gull at Calgary 10 Jun provided the city with its first summer record (BSt), and anoth- er irnm. was reported at Churchill 14 Jun, unfortunately with few details (JL, JG et al.). Four Caspian Terns at Cypress Hills, AB 8 Jun were rare (TK), as were singles at Churchill 14 Jun (TJ) and 10 Jul (NSe). Pomarine and Long-tailed Jaegers were prominent at Churchill in early Jun; sightings included a flock of 14 of the former 8 Jun (TJ, m.ob.). A White-winged Dove at Lums- den 5-8 Jun was the first confirmed for Saskatchewan (ph. J&RT, fide BL). Almost equally rare was a Common Poorwill, well outside the limited Saskatchewan breeding range, at Regina 14 Jun (SC, ph., fide BL). One near Taber, AB 4-15 Jul was closer to its normal range (LB). Although Chimney Swift numbers in Manitoba have declined severely in recent decades, small numbers continue to breed at Winnipeg and Selkirk, and a few con- tinue to pop up at scattered locations near the limits of their historic range. Up to 3 were at Souris late May-20 Jun (RK, PT, LV), and 3 were at the n. edge of the Porcupine Hills 9 Jul (CA). A Red-bellied Woodpecker near Birch Point, MB 3 Jun was rare (LV). Out of place was a well-described American Three- toed Woodpecker visiting a feeder (!) at Win- nipeg, MB 12 Jul (NB). PASSERINES A Say’s Phoebe pair at Mowbray was at the ex- treme e. edge of the species’ Manitoba range (KD, LV, JS, m.ob.). Loggerhead Shrikes have dwindled to fewer than 50 pairs in sw. Mani- toba, down from 300+ in the early 1990s, while only one pair of the e. subspecies is known to have nested at Winnipeg (KD). A Mountain Bluebird 4 Jun (RK, AB) and a Var- ied Thrush 10 Jun (BB et al.) were rare Churchill visitors. Northern Mockingbird sightings included 2 at Onefour, AB 9 Jun (TK), a possible nesting near Langham, SK 20 or 21 Jun (fide NS), one at Bradwell, SK 26 jun (fide NS), a nesting pair near Miami, MB 1 Jul-Aug (G&JG, m.ob.), and one at Hecla PE 1 jul (HH). A Sage Thrasher s. of Turner Valley, AB 18 Jun was at an unexpected loca- tion (BC). Six Cedar Waxwings at Churchill 9 Jul were rare (fide TJ). Non-breeding or failed breeding warblers s. of the boreal forest in Manitoba in late Jun and Jul included numer- ous Tennessee Warblers at Winnipeg (RK), Brandon (CC), and Crosse Isle (KG), and 2 Northern Parulas at Winnipeg 8 Jul (RK). A Cape May Warbler 15 Jun (BD) and a Black- and-white Warbler 13-15 Jun (ph. JL, m.ob.), both at Churchill, were noteworthy. A MacGillivray’s Warbler x Common Yel- lowthroat hybrid at Water Valley, AB 31 May was an exciting find (BE, RW, ph.). Unexpect- ed were a Yellow-breasted Chat at Riding Mountain N.P., MB in earlyjul (KK), a Scarlet Tanager at Calgary 7 Jul (BBu, ph.), a Spotted Towhee at Turtle Mountain P.P., MB 3 Jun (RKl), and a Golden-crowned Sparrow near Irricana, AB 1 Jun QO- A Chestnut-collared Longspur was a Churchill first 22 Jim (TJ, JM). Very tardy was a Snow Bunting at Hecla PR, MB 2 Jun (BS). The first confirmed Blue Grosbeak for the Prairie Provinces region was this bird, photographed at Hackett Lake, Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan 1 June 2009. Only the photographer was fortunate enough to see the bird. Photograph by Cam Markle. VOLUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 617 I PRAIRIE PROVINCES A Blue Grosbeak photographed at Hackett L. 1 Jun provided Saskatchewan’s first con- firmed record (CM). A Lazuli Bunting was in the Pierson, MB area early Jun (R&MW), and a possible Lazuli Bunting x Indigo Bunting hybrid was at Winnipeg 6-7 Jun (RC). Fifteen years ago, Painted Bunting was not even on the Canadian prairie birding radar, but two Manitoba records now bring the Regional to- tal to nine, starting with the first Saskatchewan bird in 1997 and Alberta’s first in 2000. First for Manitoba was a male at a feeder at The Pas, 24 May 2008 (PTo, ph., Jtdc CA), news of which reached us belatedly this spring. This year, a cooperative male visited a St. Georges feeder from some time in May un- til 6 Jun (R63:MB, m.ob., ph.). There was a pronounced White-winged Crossbill influx in s. Manitoba in Jul (RK, m.ob.), whereas the species was abnormally scarce in the Grand Rapids, MB region in Jun (PT). Observers (subregional compilers in bold- face): C. Artuso, L. Bennett, A. Blewett, R. & M. Boulet, B. Boyle, B. Burke (BBu), N. Butchard, S. Canevet, R. Clarke, Cornell Godwit Crew (C.G.C. = T. Johnson, S. Biller- man, J. McGowan, N. Senner, and B. Walk- er), J. Corbin, B. Cutfield, C. Cuthbert, K. De Smet, B. Di Labio, B. Elder, K. Gardner, J. Green, G. 6a: J. Grieef, H. Fiinam, T. Johnson, K. Kingdon, R. Klauke (RKl), R. Koes, T. Ko- rolyk, G. Kratzig, R. Kutz (RKu), J. Lang- ham, B. Luterbach, J. & M. Macdonald, J. McGowan, C. Merkle, R. Parsons, G. Ro- manchuk, N. Saunders, N. Senner (NSe), B. Shettler, B. Storms (BSt), J. Swartz, J. & R. Taylor, P. Taylor, P. Tonn (PTo), L. Veelma, B. Walker, G. Walz, R. & M. Wang, J. Weier, R. Woods, D. Zazelenchuk. ^ Rudolf F. Koes, 135 Rossmere Crescent Winnipeg, Manitoba R2K 0G1, (rkoes(5)mts.net) Peter Taylor, P. 0. Box 597 Pinawa, Manitoba ROE 1L0, (taylorpiagranite.mb.ca) Northern Great Plains Ron Martin Temperatures were well below average in the Region, especially the first half of June. June precipitation was above average in the Dakotas, but July was fairly dry. The opposite was true for eastern Mon- tana, with July the wetter month. North Dakota had two large, local rain events in June. June 15-16 brought 18-25 cm of rain to the Bismarck area, and 18 cm fell in some parts of northeastern North Dakota June 26. Nesting was noticeably delayed by the cold and rain — and seemingly not very successful when it did take place. Few insects were available much of the season. At least ten species of warblers were still migrating in numbers in early June in North Dakota. High water levels from the spring made for very limited shorebird habitat. The season’s highlights in South Dakota in- cluded the first record of Black-bellied Whistling-Duck and the first modern nesting of Prothonotary Warbler. North Dakota had a Rufous Hummingbird and a Pomarine Jaeger. Nesting of Blue Grosbeak was confirmed for the first time in Montana. WATERFOWL THROUGH HERONS A first for South Dakota, 2 Black- bellied Whistling-Ducks were photographed in Lincoln 21-22 Jul (p.a., DC, JSP, DS, TJ). Five Greater White-fronted Goose reports from the Dakotas was above average for the summer season. Blue-winged x Cinnamon Teal hybrids in North Dakota were in Stutsman 5 Jun and McLean 18 Jun (REM). Evidence of nesting continued along the Missouri R. for Common Mergansers in North Dakota, and this year four sightings of this species were reported from along the river in South Dakota, where nesting has not been confirmed. Great Egrets continue to increase in Mon- tana. This summer, a single was in Billings 1- 2 Jun (SH, MSI), GM), and 2-3 were at Freezeout Lake N.W.R. 2-6 Jun (MS, RW). Regular in very small numbers in North Dakota, a Little Blue Heron was in McHemy 2 Jun (WE). The 11th report for North Dakota, a Tricolored Heron was at J. Clark Salyer N.W.R. 13 Jun (p.a., PJ). Horned Grebes returned this year in impressive numbers after many years of almost total ab- sence. Nesting pairs were easily found in appropriate habitat over much of North Dakota, sometimes with sev- eral pairs on a single wetland. After a number of dry years, the melt from the massive snow pack from last winter created an abundance of newly flooded grassy wetlands with an abundance of submerged vegetation. Perhaps the now-extensive beds of cattails in many wet- lands are not conducive to Horned Grebe nesting. HAWKS THROUGH OWLS A pair of ad. Broad-winged Hawks in Cass, ND 21 Jun may indicate nesting in the area (DWR). There are no confirmed breeding records for the county. A dark-morph Red- tailed Hawk in the Turtle Mts. of North Dako- ta 13 Jun was unusual (TH, DOL). Casual in summer in North Dakota, 3 Rough-legged Hawks were reported in Jul, including one photographed 7 Jul in Grand Forks (DOL, GSL). Unusually far e. and out of breeding range, Prairie Ealcons were in Brown, SD 11 Jun (CG) and in Mountrail, ND 12 Jun (DNS, CDE). Heavy rains in Grand Forks, ND 26-27 Jun appear to have triggered breeding for Yel- low Rails. Twenty were heard calling 13 Jul in areas where few were noted in Jun (DOL). Sandhill Cranes nested again in McHenry, ND, and singles were noted 3 Jun in Emmons (MJR) and 13 Jun in the Turtle Mts. (DOL, TH). A Ruddy Turnstone was unusually late or early 2 Jul in Kidder, ND (MJR, GPS). The 2nd highest count for fall in North Dakota, an impressive flock of 13 Red Knots was in "West Fargo 31 Jul (KRC, DWR). An ad. Sabine’s Gull 11 Jun at the Grand Forks, ND Lagoons provided the 2nd Jun record for the state (p.a., EEF); the first record was at the same location 12 Jun 2004. Acci- dental away from the Missouri R. in North Dakota, a Least Tern was a surprise 4 Jun at Long Lake N.W.R. (MJR). In a more regular area, 2 Least Terns were on the Missouri R. near Poplar, MT 18 Jun (LL). Imagine the amazement of two visiting birders at Lost- wood N.W.R., ND 16 Jun when an ad. Poma- rine Jaeger made a few circles nearby and moved on to the north (p.a., CB, JD). If ac- cepted, this would furnish only the 3rd record 618 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS for the state. Only 6 Short-eared Owls were re- ported, 3 each from North and South Dakota. HUMMINGBIRDS THROUGH THRUSHES A Rufous Hummingbird photographed at Jamestown, ND 18-19 Jun provided the first Jun record for the state and the 2nd for the summer season (CSt). Making just the 2nd nesting record for the Turtle Mts. of North Dakota, a Pileated Woodpecker nest with young was photographed by many attendees of the Minot American Birding Association Conference 16-18 Jun (DOT). Olive-sided Flycatchers were late 1 1 Jun in Charles Mix, SD (DS) and 17 Jun in Bottineau, ND (DOL). The latest spring migrant for North Dakota, a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher was at Minot 8 Jun (REM). A rare nester in the Missouri R. valley of North Dakota, an Eastern Phoebe was be- low Garrison Dam in McLean 16-20 Jun (CDE). Casual in w. Montana, a Philadelphia Vireo was near Freezeout L. 2 Jun (p.a., MS). A single Philadelphia Vireo at Westby, MT 9 Jun (TN) was more expected. A rare nester in the Missouri R. valley in North Dakota, a Yel- low-throated Vireo was below Garrison Dam, McLean 16 Jun (REM). Rare away from the Black Hills in summer, a Brown Creeper was in Charles Mix, SD 20 Jun (RM). The first nest record for nw. South Dakota, a pair of Blue- gray Gnatcatchers were building a nest in Harding 3 Jul (p.a., KM). Accidental in sum- NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS mer in North Dakota, a Townsend’s Solitaire was in Wells 20 Jun (p.a., LJ). WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES Late Black-throated Blue Warblers were at Westby, MT 3 Jun (EH, RW) and in Stanley, SD 17 Jun (KM). A rare summer record for North Dakota, a Palm Warbler was in Stutsman 4 Jun (BJA). A late migrant Yellow- rumped Warbler was at Ft. Peck, MT 28 Jun (CC). Prothonotary Warblers with young were in Union lOJun-5 Jul (p.a., CM, RD)— the first nesting record in the modern era in South Dakota. Providing the first summer record for South Dakota, a Louisiana Wa- terthrush was in Union 3 Jul (p.a., DC). Acci- dental in summer in South Dakota, a Hooded Warbler was in Minnehaha 20 Jun (p.a., DC). Unusual was a Connecticut Warbler singing a Northern Waterthrush song in Grand Forks, ND 1 Jun (DOL). Eastern Towhees and prob- able hybrids with Spotted Towhees were singing various songs in Bottineau, ND 12-18 Jun (REM, DOL). Both species occur in small numbers in the scrub oak belt on the edge of the Turtle Mts. Le Conte’s Sparrow numbers were poor this year, likely because most of the habitat was flooded by the massive snow melt. Several observers reported that Nelson’s Sparrows had another banner year in North Dakota. The 3rd summer record for South Dakota, a White-throated Sparrow was in Lawrence 7 & 18 Jun (DGP). The first Jul record for South Dakota, a Sum- mer Tanager was in Fall River 6 Jul (p.a., RP). Two Northern Cardinals were singing 13 Jun in the Turtle Mts. of Bottineau, ND (DOL); there are no nesting records for this area of the state. Providing the 8th record for Montana, and the first confirmed nesting, Blue Grosbeaks were near Bridger 13 Jun-31 Jul (CM). Casual in North Dakota, an Eastern Meadowlark was singing in Stutsman 4 Jun (REM, DOL). About the 13th and 14th reports for Montana, single Lesser Goldfinches were in Billings 21 Jun (GS) and at Ft. Peck 22 Jun (CC). Contributors (state editors in boldface); MONTANA: Chuck Carlson, Ed Harper, Stan Heath, Lisa Lister, George Mowat, Ted Nord- hagen, Mike Schwitters, Monty Sullins, Gary Swant, Robin Wolcott. NORTH DAKOTA: Bob J. Anderson, Carolyn Begley, Keith R. Corliss, Jiri Dadok, Wayne Easley, Corey D. Ellingson, Eve E. Freeberg, Tim Hochstetler, Phil Jeffrey, Larry Jones, Dave 0. Lambeth, Greg S. Lam- beth, Ron E. Martin, Mike J. Rabenberg, Dean W. Riemer, Greg P. Schonert, Carl Stangeland, Dan N. Svingen. SOUTH DAKOTA: Doug Chapman, Roger Dietrich, Chris Goldade, Todd Jensen, Ron Mabie, Kenny Miller, Charles Mills, Jeffrey S. Palmer, Richard Pe- terson, D. George Prisbe, Dave Swanson. © Ron Martin, 16900 125th Street SE Sawyer, North Dakota 58781-9284, (jrmartin@srt.com) Southern Great Plains) Joseph A. Grzybowski W. Ross Silcock The summer provided another series of data points for the avian phenomena of the current era. Southeastern species such as Acadian Flycatcher and Summer Tan- ager continued to expand their ranges north- westward in response to global warming but also in tandem with the expansion of woody vegetation, particularly along riparian corri- dors. Decades of fire suppression have also in- creased the extent of woody vegetation in the Plains. Species such as Red-shouldered and Broad-winged Hawks have shown tendencies to pioneer new areas as the availability of trees for nesting and foraging increases, and the ranges of some sibling species, such as the wood-pewees’, may be edging closer to one an- other as well. During wet summers, as in 2009, wetland obligates such as Least Bittern, White- faced Ibis, King Rail, and Common Moorhen typically prosper, but it may also be the case that the southward spread of Trumpeter Swan in the Plains has been facilitated by the current wet cycle. Shorebird records during the mid- summer are a frequent source of consterna- tion, as species one expects to be much farther north opt instead for the hot flats of the Salt Plains and Quivira National Wildlife Refuges; some of these are surely non-breeders or failed breeders rather than simply late or early mi- grants that have yet to breed or have complet- ed a successful nesting season. But the warmer climate that creates ever-earlier spring arrivals may also allow earlier completion of breeding activity and departures, as is the case with some populations of Long-billed Curlew and Marbled Godwit, for instance. Abbreviations: Cheyenne Bottoms (Chey- enne Bottoms W.M.A., Barton, KS); Hackber- VOLUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 619 SOUTHERN GREAT PLAINS These Mottled Ducks at Red Slough Wildlife Management Area in McCurtain County, Oklahoma 21 July 2009 are part of an strengthening if localized pattern of occurrence there. Photograph by Berlin Heck. ry (Hackberry Flat W.M.A., Tillman. OK); Quivira (N.W.R., Stafford, KS); Red Slough (Red Slough W.M.A., McCurtain, OK); Salt Plains (Salt Plains N.W.R., Alfalfa, OK). WATERFOWL THROUGH IBISES Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks are expected at Red Slough, where 1-4 were present through the period (DA); additionally, Black- bellieds appeared w. to Hackberry, where 1-2 were seen 1-16 Jun (L&MT, LH), with 2 n. to Pratt. KS lOJul (DP) and 2 to Woods. OK 13 Jun (jW). Greater White-fronted Goose, an Arctic breeder, was clearly extralimital at Red Slough 2 Jun (DA), with 4 at Cheyenne Bot- toms 5 Jun (MR). Trumpeter Swan is restrict- ed as a Regional breeder to the w. Sandhills of Nebraska; ads. with 2 flightless young in Buf- falo. NE (ES, fide MSt) were extending the range southeastward, as were 3 ads. in Dou- glas. NE 6 Jun 0GJ< JLL), where considered vagrants. A Gadwall at Salt Plains 29 Jul (JWA, KW) was southerly. Most Mottled Duck reports in the Region come from Red Slough, where up to 2 were seen through the period (DA), and from Quivira, where a sin- gle was noted 5 Jul (JK, WCT, NA, MG). Less expected were 2 Mottleds in Sumner. KS 14 Jul (MT). Up to 3 Cinnamon Teal at Hackber- ly through 8 Jul (L&MT, LH) and 3 at Quivi- ra 7 Jun (SS) were pleasant summer surprises at those locations. Similarly unseasonable were a Greater Scaup 21 Jun (PJ) and an ad. male Common Merganser 27 Jun in Sedgwick. KS (JCa, PJ) and 2 Green-winged Teal at Hackberry 1 Jul (L&MT). Slightly out of summer range was a Ruddy Duck in Oklaho- ma. OK 11 Jun (MJ). Difficult to locate in its ne. Nebraska range, 2 Gray Partridge in Knox 4 Jun-22 Jul (MB) were the observers hrst there in three years; another was noted in Antelope 21 Jul (MB). Survey routes in n.-cen. Dawson, NE located two Sharp-tailed Grouse leks (TJW); these are the southernmost known in sw. Nebraska. A still healthy population of Greater Prairie-Chickens occurs in a few counties of sw. Nebraska (TJW). Mild winters have helped Northern Bobwhite pop- ulations surge in n. and w.-cen. areas of Nebraska (TJW). Common Loons are appearing more fre- quently as summer va- grants, this season with 5 at three Nebraska loca- tions, all 12 Jun (JT, LE), singles in Mitchell, KS 7 Jun (HA) and in Jef- ferson. KS 23Jun (BW), and 1-2 in Oklahoma, OK 22 Jul (BD). As with Ruddy Duck, Eared Grebe breeds on occasion s. of Nebraska; a colony with 46 nests was located in Kearny, KS 6 Jul (T&SS, DLS). Rare anywhere in the Region, a Brown Pelican was noted at several separate locations in Oklahoma and Canadian. OK 29 Jun (PV) through 28 Jul (BD et al). Neotropic Cormorants in w. Oklahoma and Kansas continue to pioneer, with up to 5 at Cheyenne Bottoms 14Jun-26Jul (MR, JK et ah), another at Quivira 14 Jun (PJ), 1-2 north- ward to Phillips, KS 26 Jul (HA), and several noted breeding at the Salt Plains 17 Jun QWA, JAG, RS, SM). Least Bitterns were report- ed nw. of typical range in Gar- den, NE 18 Jul (LR, RH) and Cheriy, NE 25 Jun (MS) and w. of typical range in Oklaho- ma at Hackberry through 21 Jul (BS, m.ob.); one in Tulsa 9 Jun (JL et al.) was still note- worthy. Some 142 Great Egrets in Tulsa, OK 16 Jun QL, JB, JCr) made a fine count. The only Little Blue Heron for Nebraska this season was far nw. of typical areas in Scotts Bluff 21 Jun (KD). Tricolored Herons, now breeding at the Salt Plains QWA, RS et al), and appearing regularly in se. Okla- homa, particularly Red Slough (DA, BH et al), are also being seen more regularly in cen. Oklahoma (BD) and as far n. as Quivira, where one was seen 7 Jun (BSa). Amazing numbers of Cattle Egrets were reported: 20,000 at Salt Plains 17 Jul (fide RW) and 5000 at Cheyenne Bottoms, also 17 Jul (JK, LSG, MA). Two juv. Yellow-crowned Night- Herons made it n, to Seward, NE 14 Jul QC, SSc) and to Lancaster, NE 24 Jul (LE). An ad. and 7 young Yellow-crowneds were at a nest in Shawnee, KS 22 Jun (CM). Only 2 White Ibis were reported away from Red Slough: an imni. as far n. as Quivira 11 Jul (NO) and one in Lincoln, OK 10 Jun (VC). The only Glossy Ibis reported this season were up to 10 at Salt Plains (RS, JWA et al.) and one at Hackberry 1 Jun (L&MT). Among the Salt Plains Glossies were as many as 4 Glossy Ibis x White-faced Ibis hybrids QWA et ah, RS). An excellent Regional tally, 1200 White-faced Ibis were counted at Cheyenne Bottoms 17 Jul OK, LSG, MA); nesting is now expected in w. Nebraska s. to the Salt Plains, with summer vagrants s. to Hackberry (L&MT, VC, m.ob.). OSPREY THROUGH TERNS An Osprey, banded and hacked in South Dakota, appeared in Sarpy, NE 22-28 Jul (MBB, m.ob.); there were hve additional re- ports of the species in the Region (fide JWA, fide LM, fide WRS), including a pair that nest- ed unsuccessfully in Scotts Bluff, NE (KD). A surprise was the re-appearance of a lone White-tailed Kite at exactly the same location (and perch) as last year in se. Lincoln, NE 22 Jun-2 Jul (TJW, PD; ph.). Summer Bald Ea- gles are becoming routine in the Region, as more individuals are breeding. Rare in sum- mer, a Sharp-shinned Hawk was in Caddo, OK 23 Jun OAG). Exciting for Nebraska was the presence of 3 Red-shouldered Hawks at the Lancaster site (LE) where breeding was hrst noticed last year; a juv. with an ad. in Nema- ha/Richardson 29 Jul (L&BP) also suggests breeding. Two Broad-winged Hawks were known at least to have attempted breeding in North Platte, where a pair was successful in 2008 (TJW). Two juv. Broad-winged Hawks 1 Jul in Comanche. OK were products of a west- erly nesting effort hrst located 15 May (VF). A Peregrine Falcon was at Salt Plains 29 Jul This immature Brown Pelican 29 June at Lake Hefner, Oklahoma was the only one found in summer 2009 in the state and remained in the area through the period. Photograph by Patricia Velte. 620 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS SOUTHERN GREAT PLAINS This apparently unmated Osprey on nest at Taylor's Ferry, Muskogee County, Oklahoma 29 July 2009 reflects a growing pattern of nesting activity in the Southern Great Plains region. Photograph by Jeri McMahon. (JWA, RS, KW), becoming the norm for ar- rival of post-breeding dispersers. A Black Rail was at Quivira 19 Jul (DS), possibly the most consistent site for this species in the Region. King Rail is regular at Red Slough, where up to 7 were seen during the period (DA); 2 at Quivira 14Jun (SS, MR) and a pair with 4 chicks at Hackberry 30 Jun (BA, L&MT) were also in expected settings. Unexpected in midsummer was a Sora at Quivira 14 Jun (SS). Common Moorhens were much in evidence this wet season; a pair with 8 chicks was in Seward, NE 28 jul (CL, SL), where almost extralimital; 3 were at Quivira 14 Jun-3 Jul (SS,JK, MG); one was in Douglas, KS 18Jul (MA); and Hackberry host- ed as many as 8 during the period, including an ad. with 2 chicks 1-8 Jul (L&MT, BS, JL, LH). The only place in the Region one might expect Purple Gallinule is Red Slough, where the presence of as many as 18 during the pe- riod (DA) was still exciting. Sandhill Cranes bred again in Morrill, NE; there were addi- tional reports from four other scattered po- tential breeding locations in n. and w. Nebras- ka (fide WRS). Black-bellied Plovers, late or wandering, were at Cheyenne Bottoms 14 Jun (MR) and Salt Plains Ibjun QWA, JAG, RS); one at Salt Plains 28 Jul QWA, RS, KW) was more likely an early returnee. An American Golden- Plover and 2 Semipalmated Plovers were at Salt Plains 16 Jun QWA, JAG, RS). Salt Plains also hosted very high numbers of Snowy Plovers this season: 3500 were there 5 Jun and 6000 on 17 Jul (fide RW), dwarfing the 65 counted at Quivira 5 Jul QK, m.ob.). Gen- erally only a migrant in Kansas, a Piping Plover was in Sedgwick 1 Jun (NO). Two Black-necked Stilt chicks in Major, OK 18 Jun QWA) and one at Red Slough 23 Jun (DA) were away from the regular breeding loca- tions at Hackberry and Quivira (fide L&MT, PJ). Very rare during fall in the Region, a Whimbrel was at Cheyenne Bottoms 17 Jul OK, LSG, MA). A Long-billed Curlew at Hackberry 16 Jun (LH) was almost certainly an early fall migrant, as suggested by depar- tures of 2 females (bearing satel- lite transmitters) from Garden, NE 19 & 29 Jun after their nests were depredated (CG, JGJ). A Hudson- ian Godwit at Cheyenne Bottoms 14 Jun (MR) was tardy. Early fall migrants, 6 Marbled Godwits were reported in n. and cen. Kansas 5-26 Jul QK. HA, m.ob,). Ruddy Turnstone, less regular in fall, made a better showing this season, with 14 reported 17-28 Jul in Kansas and Oklahoma (fide LM, fide JWA); 10 of these were at Salt Plains 28 Jul (fide RW). An eclectic group of sandpipers at Salt Plains 16 Jun included a Sanderling, 3 Semipalmateds, a Western, a Pectoral, and 2 Stilts (JAG, JWA, RS). Excellent numbers of returning Semi- palmated Sanndpipers were in cen. Kansas 17 Jul, with 600 at Cheyenne Bottoms and 750 at Quivira QK, LSG, MA). White-rumped Sand- piper migrates well into Jun, as shown by the 2000+ at Cheyenne Bottoms 5 Jun (MR), dwindling to singles there 26 Jun (MR) and in Douglas, NE 25 Jun OQJ)- Generally non-ex- istent as a fall migrant in the Region, a White- rumped in Clay, NE 25 Jul had an injured wing (PD). Also a late spring migrant, 25 Dunlins were at Cheyenne Bottoms 5 Jun (MR). A good total of 1000 Stilt Sandpipers had returned to Cheyenne Bottoms by 17 Jul (JK, LSG, MA). Furnishing one of fewer than 20 Regional records was the Ruff in Nemaha, KS 11 Jul (PJ, GF). Two Long-billed Dowitch- ers at Hackberry 1 Jul (L&MT) were early. Also joining the 16 Jun Salt Plains party of sandpiper laggards was a Wilsons Phalarope (JWA, JAG, RS); 200 were at Cheyenne Bot- toms 5 Jul OK, m.ob.). Good mid-Jun counts for Franklins Gull were the 100+ at Cheyenne Bottoms 19 Jun (MR) and 50+ at the Salt Plains 16 Jun QWA, JAG, RS). Only the 4th for Jul for Nebraska was a Bonaparte’s Gull in Lincoln 27 Jul (TJW). The usual small mid-summer number of California Gulls at McConaughy included 7 (mostly ads.) 14 Jun (WRS, KN). A rare mid-summer find was a Caspian Tern in Wag- oner, OK 26 Jun QWA). DOVES THROUGH THRASHERS Putative hybrids between Eurasian Collared- Dove and Mourning Dove have been reported but appear to be quite rare. Two candidate birds at Bushnell, sw. Nebraska 2 Jul were the size of Mourning Doves but were pale and lacked a nape mark (MRe). White-winged Dove is now a regular summer visitor n. in still small numbers to Nebraska; 6 were reported from Nebraska this season, with at least 14 in Kansas, including 6 juvs. in Finney 15 Jul (T&SS). The 8th documented record of Inca Dove for Nebraska was one in Dundy 8 Jun (ph. TS). Monk Parakeet is not established in the Region; 6 were found in Oklahoma City 18 Jul (PM) and 8 in Tulsa 10 Jul (fide PR). Re- ports of Black-billed Cuckoo were encourag- ing, especially the 15 reports of about 18 birds from Nebraska, far more than in recent sum- mers (fide WRS); Oklahoma and Kansas re- ported only one each (SSe, PJ). Greater Road- runner reports continue in Kansas, with one in Pawnee 4 Jul (fide SS) and “several in various locations” in Pratt (KB). The northerly Chuck- will’s-widows found in Knox, NE last season were back this year, with one heard 28 Jul (MB, D&JP). Recent years have seen several fall re- ports of Ruby-throated Hummingbird in the In an encore performance from 2008, this extralimital White-tailed Kite appeared in virtually the same tree in Lincoln County, Nebraska on 29 June 2009. Photograph by Paul Dunbar. Nebraska Panhandle; one was in Sioux 22 Jul (HKH); there are surprisingly still no records of Black-chinned for Nebraska. Fewer Selas- phonis hummers than usual were reported this fall; an ad. male Calliope was in Finney, KS 15 Jul (T&SS), with an imm. female Broad-tailed there 27 Jul (T&SS). Rufous Hummingbirds were reported only from Kansas, with singles in Pawnee 22 Jul (DK), Finney 25 Jul (M&PR), and Ellis 29 Jul (TM). VOLUME 63 ( 2 O’O 9 ) • NUMBER 4 621 SOUTHERN GREAT PLAINS These two juvenile Red Crossbills first appeared in early June 2009 at disparate locations in the Southern Great Plains region: at Fairmont, Fil- more County, Nebraska 3 June (left), and in Sedgwick County, Kansas 5 June. Photographs by Juanita Rice (left) and Billie and Tom McDavitt. The summer ranges of Western and East- ern Wood-Pewees meet in the Niobrara Val- ley, n. Nebraska, and, now, the North Platte Valley in s. Nebraska; a Western singing in se. Lincoln 6 Jul (TJW), and 5 at another location in Lincoln 10 Jul (TJW), were in locations where Easterns are fairly common. At least one Western Wood-Pewee was in Morton, far sw. Kansas 12 Jun (TC). Acadian Elycatcher continues to push northwestward, with re- ports to Sarpy, NE 30 Jun-2 Jul (L&BP, ph. PS), Lancaster, NE 28 May-12 Jul (EE), and as far n. as Knox, NE 10-22 Jul (MB), latter a first county record. Cordilleran Elycatchers continue their presence on the Pine Ridge, nw. Nebraska (CNK) and at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center, Scotts Bluff 10 Jun (PRo). A Say’s Phoebe with 6 fledglings in Logan, KS 21 Jun (T&SS) was easterly. Ash-throated Ply- catchers pressing northward included 3 in Morton, KS, where possibly nesting, 12 Jun (TC) and one there 4 Jul QK et al), and as far n. as Kimball, NE 22Jun-5 Jul (one; WM, TH, WRS; ph.) and Scotts Bluff, NE 12 Jul (KD). Continuing the species’ northward push was a White-eyed Vireo in Knox, NE 28-29 Jul (MB, D&JP). Yellow-throated Vireos pushing the w. envelope included singles at the Salt Plains 16 Jun QAG, JWA, MGr) and in Knox, NE 22 Jul (MB). An apparent spring carryover was a Fish Crow present on the Platte R. in Sarpy/Cass, NE 24 Jun QGJ). The Purple Mar- tins roosting in Omaha built to 7000-8000 by the end of the period QR); 9 in Dawes, NE 29 Jul OJ) provided only the 2nd fall report from the Panhandle. A few Red-breasted Nuthatch- es persisted in e. Nebraska, as last year, al- though no breeding was noted (fide WRS). As was the case last summer, more Sedge Wrens than usual were reported from ne. Nebraska during Jun, with some 12 reports, mostly of singles 2-18 Jun (WE, MB, DH, D&JP), with three pairs found in Lancaster, NE 29-30 Jun (KC, LE). Blue-gray Gnatcatcher can now be found throughout most of Nebraska except for the Sandhills. A Townsend’s Solitaire, rare in the Pine Ridge of Nebraska, was found in Dawes 13 Jun (WM). A Swainson’s Thrush in Finney, KS 14 Jun (MO) was tardy. Harder to explain, although likely of the later-migrating w. sub- species auduboni, was a Hermit Thrush in Finney, KS 20 Jun (T&SS). Westerly Wood Thrushes were in Gosper, NE 2 Jul (CNK) and Webster, NE 7 Jun (LR, RH). Providing the hrst confirmation of breeding by Sage Thrasher in Nebraska, an ad. was seen carry- ing food in sw. Kimball 18 Jun (CNK) and 2 Jul (MRe). WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES A Northern Parula in Caddo, OK 23 Jun QAG) was w. of its usual summer range. An Oven- bird in Pierce, NE 17 Jul was westerly (DH). Nebraska had more reports than usual of Louisiana Waterthrush, including one as far nw. as Knox 2-22 Jul (MB). A second-year male Summer Tanager in Colfax, NE 6 Jun (WE) was probably a late migrant but poten- tially more evidence of that species’ expansion in the Region. Continuing the trend of in- creased numbers of Cassin’s Sparrow in sw. Nebraska were 7-8 in Chase 12-15 Jun (MB, JLL) and 1-2 in sw. Kimball 13 Jun-19 Jul (WRS, m. oh.). Song Sparrow is expanding its summer range in Nebraska southward and westward; this season, one was in Harlan 10 Jun (LF), 3 in Franklin 25 Jul (LR, RH), and one in Garden 19 Jul (LR, RH). Westerly was a Rose-breasted Grosbeak in Dawes, NE 13 Jun (KD). Lazuli Buntings provided several e. Ne- braska records this spring, the last of which was one in Dixon 1 Jun QJ)- Rare e. of the Ne- braska Panhandle, one was singing in se. Lin- coln 8 Jul (TJW). An ad. male Painted Bunting in Finney, KS 23 Jul (M&PR) was westerly. In a repeat of last year, Dickcissels were common as far w. in Nebraska as Lincoln, Cher- iy, and Logan (fide WRS), with singles in Kimball 10 Jul 0Ro)> Scotts Bluff 18 Jun (AK), and Dawes 13 Jun (KD). In Apr and May, up to 17 ad. Red Crossbills attended a feeder in Sedgwick, KS (B&TM), and on 5 Jun, an ad- vanced-plumage juv. joined 6-10 ads.; it was the last bird present at this location and was last seen 15 Jun (fide PJ). Pine Siskins, some- times present in early Jun in Oklahoma and Kansas, were in Pawnee, OK 4 & 12 Jul (1-2 birds; PR); a pair with 2 young visited a Riley, KS feeder 16 Jun (DR). Cited observers (area editors in boldface): NEBRASKA: Mark Brogie, Mary Bomberger Brown, John Carlini, Ken Carnes, Kathy De- Lara, Paul Dunbar, Larry Einemann, Larry Falk, William Flack, Cory Gregory, Tim Haj- da, Dave Heidt, Robin Harding, Helen K. Hughson, Jan Johnson, Joel G. Jorgensen, Al- ice Kenitz, Clem N. Klaphake, Jeanine L. | Lackey, Chuck Lesiak, Scott Luedtke, Wayne Mollhoff, Kay Niyo, Loren & Babs Padelford | (L&BP), Don & Jan Paseka (D&JP), Lanny | Randolph, Mike Resch (MRe), Justin Rink, | Jim Roworth O^o), Paul Roisen (PRo), Evan Shike, W. Ross Silcock, Tim Smith, Matt Stef- 1 fl (MSt), Matt Stephenson, Phil Swanson, ' Shari Schwartz (SSc), Jerry Toll, T. J. Walker. i KANSAS: Nic Allen, Michael Anderson, Hen- j ry Armknecht, Ken Brunson, Ted Cable, Jeff 1 Calhoun (JCa), Will Chatfield-Taylor (WCT), ! Gregg Friesen, Matt Gearheart, Pete Janzen, j Don Kazmaier, Jon King, Dan LaShelle (DLS), ' Terry Mannell, Billie & Tom McDavitt ' (B&TM), Lloyd Moore, Carol Morgan, Nathan Ofsthun, Marie Osterbuhr, Duane Panek, Mike Rader, Mike & Pam Ramsey (M&PR), Dave Rintoul, Luis Sanchez-Gonza- lez (LSG), Brett Sandercock (BSa), David Seibel, Scott Seltman, Tom & Sara Shane (T&SS), Max Thompson, Bimnie Watkins. OKLAHOMA: Bill Adams, David Arbour, James W. Arterburn, Judy Barto, Vince Cava- lieri, Jane Cramton QCr), Bill Diffin, Vic Fazio, Joseph A. Grzybowski, Michael Grzy- bowski (MGr), Larry Hancock, Berlin Heck, Nealand Hill, Matt Jung, Jo Loyd, Steve Metz, Patti Muzney, Paul Ribitzki, Sue Selman (SSe), Ron Sheppard, Brady Surber, Lou & Mary Truex (L&MT), Pat Velte, Ken Williams, Re- becca Wolff, Jimmy Woodard. O W. Ross Silcock, P. 0. Box 57 Tabor, Iowa 51673, (silcock@rosssilcock.com) Joseph A. Grzybowski, 715 Elmwood Drive Norman, Oklahoma 72072, (j_grzybowski@sbcglobal.net) 622 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS Texas Mark W. Lockwood Randy Pinkston Ron Weeks Drought conditions continued to be se- vere on the southern Edwards Plateau and South Texas, with the National Weather Service continuing to list many counties in the “Exceptional Drought” cate- gory, the most severe. Eor most of the eastern two-thirds of the state, the precipitation was below average, as was documented at Hous- ton, where the cumulative total was 13.77 cm below average. In the Trans-Pecos and locally in northwestern Texas, rainfall was about av- erage, but the overall pattern was just below average in these areas as well. WATERFOWL THROUGH FRIGATEBIRD Fulvous Whistling-Ducks were noted in ex- ceptional numbers in the Rio Grande Valley, with 500 at the La Feria sod farm, Hidalgo 12 Jul QY) and an amazing 2000 birds tallied along Sugar House Rd., Hidalgo 22 Jul (DJ). Farther inland, 2 were at Hornsby Bend, Travis 10 Jun (BE, VE, ph. ECa), and most surprising were 7 at Ft. Hancock Res. 19 Jun (ph. JP), a first for Hudspeth. A Greater White- fronted Goose was unexpected at Mitchell L., Bexar 21 Jun (ph. LP). Ross’s Goose reports included 2 at Dimmitt, Castro 13 Jun (AH) and one that once again summered along with a Snow and a Greater White-fronted Goose at Tom Bass Park, Harris QKe). But the goose of the season was unquestionably the very worn Brant first seen 26 Jul at Brazoria N.W.R., Bra- zoria (ph., tGL; JKa). Likely not capable of migratory flight, it was seen until 2 Aug, when its favorite pond dried up. Two Wood Ducks were at McNary Res., Hudspeth 25 Jul QP), where they are rare in summer. Two Mottled Ducks stayed the season at Hornsby Bend, Travis (m.ob.), while 5 were at Belton L., Bell 30 Jul (RK, GE). Two pairs of Redhead successfully nested in the same Ft. Stockton, Pecos ponds where they have bred before (ML). Completely unseasonable was a Hood- ed Merganser that put in a brief appearance at Hornsby Bend, Travis 1 Jul (SMc). An unusually late Common Loon was ob- served at L. Lewisville, Denton 4 Jun (KS). A Least Grebe was on Fort Hood, Bell 6-26 Jul (ER, GE, RK). Now expected in the Austin area, a pair of Least Grebes bred successfully just n. of downtown Austin, Travis (m.ob.), and another pair fledged young sw. of town in late Jun QGi). In n.-cen. Texas, a Least Grebe was present at Village Creek Drying Beds, Tar- rant 27 Jun (CC), and 2 were at John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Kaufman 21 Jun+ (GC, TR, DDC, DL, BoS). The World Birding Center pelagic trip 25 Jul off of South Padre 1., Cameron found 4 Cory’s Shearwaters, 2 Leach’s Storm-Petrels, and up to 25 Band-rumped Storm-Petrels (tMGu, ECa et al). An Ameri- can White Pelican in Burleson 27 Jun (LS, BVe) contributed one of few summer records for L. Somerville. An apparently healthy Northern Gannet was photographed flying around the Quintana Jetty, Brazoria 6 Jun (MBa). An imm. and 2 ad. Double-crested Cormorants at White River L., Crosby 12 Jul (AH) were suggestive of a first local breeding record. HERONS THROUGH RAPTORS A Least Bittern at Richland Creek W.M.A. 21 Jun (DO) made only the 2nd summer record for Freestone. An extremely high count of 24 Least Bitterns was recorded at John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Kaufman 27 Jun (GC). An imm. at L. Six, Lubbock 1 Jul (CM) indicated the 3rd year in a row for breeding at this site. A Great Egret spotted on a nest at McNary Res., Hudspeth 15 Jul was not seen subsequently, leav- ing breeding unconfirmed there (BZ). Wayward Little Blue Herons included single imms. near Crosby- ton, Crosby 28 Jul (KH) and Ft. Hancock Res., Hudspeth 20 Jul (ph. BZ). Seven Tricolored Herons in Uvalde, Uvalde 25 Jul (MH) was a noteworthy count. A juv. Reddish Egret at Canyon L., Comal 25 Jul (DP et al.) was at the same location where most of the records from the Hill Country have been found. Sin- gle imm. Yellow-crowned Night- Herons were spotted at Balmorhea L., Reeves 9 Jun QP) and 27 Jul (BGi). A count of 170 Wood Storks at Addicks Res., Harris 5 Jun (AS) was an impressive total for so early in the summer. Seven Wood Storks in Temple 31 Jul (RP) was a first summer record for Bell and only the 2nd record in more than two decades. A Jabiru at the recently established Nueces Delta Preserve, San Patricio 10 Jun provided yet another one-day appearance, as is typical for occurrences of this tropical stork (tGB, ph. CSp). An Osprey at Caprock Canyon S.P., Briscoe 10 Jun (BGi) provided one of few summer records for the Panhandle. Unexpected Swal- low-tailed Kites were along the Nueces R. e. of Camp Wood, Edwards 28 Jul (TH) and w. of Utopia, Uvalde 30 Jul (MH). This species seems to be increasing in Texas, as likely breeders were seen in Jefferson, Chambers, and most notably w. to Brazoria through the sum- mer. A pair of White-tailed Kites at Rio Bosque Wetlands Park, El Paso (]S) made three unsuccessful breeding attempts, and a different ad. was seen with a buffy juv. not far away. This strongly suggests a successful El Paso nesting, but this location is less than a mile from Chihuahua. A pair of White-tailed Kites at the Stelzer Ranch, Kent 21 Jun (AH) furnished one of few records for the South Plains. Upper Coast numbers of Mississippi Kites seem to be increasing rapidly, with birds commonly noted in towns in every county, in- cluding w. to Austht, where fledged young were found at Stephen E Austin S.H.P 15 Jul (FF). A pair of Mississippi Kites successfully fledged young along Salado Cr., Bell (RP, WP), providing a first county breeding record. Elsewhere, a subad. Mississippi Kite at the South Shore Unit of Choke Canyon S.P., Live Oak 7 Jun (WS, DM) and an ad. at Cen- terville, Leon 29 Jun (RP) were away from known breeding areas. The Bald Eagles at L. Waco, McLennan successfully raised an eaglet (EH et al). A Cooper’s Hawk at Estero Llano Grande S.P., Hidalgo 26 Jul QY) was well out- side the known breeding range. A Harris’s Hawk at L. Kickapoo, Archer 1 Jul (BSu) made a great summer record. At least three Broad- winged Hawk nests were documented inside Unprecedented for summer in Texas, this very worn Brant was a stunning find at Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge 26 July 2009 (here) through the end of the period. Photograph by Joanne Kamo. VOLUME 63 (20 0-9) • NUMBER 4 623 TEXAS Mississippi Kites are increasing as a nesting species in central Texas. This successful nesting at Sal- ado, Bell County (here 4 July 2009) provided a first county record. Photograph by Mike Williamson. the 1-610 loop in Houston, Harris this season (WR, ph. MS). Gray Hawks found at higher elevations than normally expected included one in the Davis Mountains Preserve, Jeff Davis 4 Jul (ph. ML, RP) and another near Boulder Meadow in the Chisos Mts., Brewster 18 Jul (BZ). Rather bizarre for the location and season, a Zone-tailed Hawk was at Polly- wog Pond, Nueces 19 Jul (MC). A Ferrugi- nous Hawk near Crosby ton, Crosby 16 Jun (KH) was well away from the breeding popu- lation in the Panhandle proper. Five Ameri- can Kestrels at Fort Hood, Bell through 12 Jun were presumably a family group and perhaps a rare indicator of local breeding (fide CP). An imm. Peregrine Falcon hung around Rio Bosque Wetlands Park 18 & 29 Jun OS). Ap- parent early migrant Peregrine Falcons were in the Hegar L. area. Waller 25-26 Jul (DDi, SG) and at Salineno, Starr 26 Jul (ECa, MBu). RAILS THROUGH TERNS Imm. King Rails seen through the period were indicative of breeding at John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Kaufman (GC, m.ob.). Out-of- place Soras included singles at Estero Llano Grande S.P., Hidalgo 6 Jun (KO) and near In- dianola, Calhoun on the same date (BFr). A pair of Purple Gallinules with 5 young at John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Kaufman through the period (GC, m.ob.) provided a rare breed- ing record for n.-cen. Texas. The same area had an unprecedented high count of 84 Com- mon Moorhens 27 Jun (GC, m.ob.). A Sand- hill Crane was a completely unexpected find at Richland Creek W.M.A., Navarro 16 Jul (TFe). An early Black-bellied Plover was near Utley, Bastrop 16 Jul (BFr). A single basic- plumaged American Golden-Plover was in a rice field in nw. Jefferson on the odd date of 4 Jul (RW). An injured American Golden- Plover lingered at a Hidalgo playa 29 Jun-20 Jul (DJ). Mountain Plovers are rare breeders in the Panhandle, and 2 were located e. of Thompson Grove, Dallam 14 Jun (AH). A count of 86 American Av- ocets at Bryan Beach, Bra- zoria 27 Jun (ECa, MBu) was a high concentration for summer. Two Spotted Sandpipers at Lake Jackson, Brazoria 4 Jun (TM, JE) were later than usual. A Willet at the turf farms on the Brazos R. bottoms, Burleson 30 Jul (LS, BN) provided only the 3rd Jul record for the Central Brazos Valley. Six Whimbrels in a rice field in nw. Jefferson 4 Jul (RW) and a count of 13 birds in the same field 6 Jul (SMa) were exceptional summer counts. A Whimbrel at Corpus Christi, Nueces 21 Jun was thought to be an early fall migrant (MC). A group of 16 Long-billed Curlews near Dickens, Dickens 21 Jun (AH) provided just the 3rd Jun record for the South Plains. Marbled Godwits were reported in above-normal numbers in the Trans-Pecos, with one at Balmorhea L., Reeves 8 Jun (JP) and 8 at the same location 30 Jun (RP), 3 split between McNary Res. and Ft. Han- cock Res., Hudspeth 24 Jun QP), and one at Mc- Nar}' Res. 3 Jul (JP). Farther e., a Marbled God- wit was out of place at John Bunker Sands Wet- lands, Kaufman 11 Jul (GC, TR, DDC, DL). An exceptionally early juv, Semipalmated Sand- piper was at Choke Canyon, McMullen 26 Jul (WS), Two White-rumped Sandpipers were at Balmorhea L., Reeves 8 Jun (jP). Three White- rumped Sandpipers at Yacht Basin Rd., Galve- ston 1 Jul (JKe) were notably late; tyqrically only injured or sick birds are found in midsummer. A Baird’s Sandpiper at McNary Res., Hudspeth 24 Jun (JP) made for a very rare regional Jun record. Alternate-plumaged Dunlins included one on Pleasure I., Jefferson 4 Jul (RW), 2 at Anahuac N.W.R., Chambers 25 Jul (CTL), and one near Crosbyton, Crosby 28 Jul (KH). A Laughing Gull at Welch Park, Burleson 27 Jun (LS, BVe) made a first summer record for L. Somerville and one of few summer records for the cen. Brazos Valley. Locally annual in re- cent years, 2 ad. Laughing Gulls were at Mc- Nary Res., Hudspeth 15 Jul (BZ). Out-of-sea- son Franklin’s Gulls included one at Bal- morhea L., Reeves 9 Jun QP), one at L. Waco, McLennan 11 Jun (EH), 2 at the John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Kaufman 27 Jun (GC), and one at Belton L., Bell 22 Jul (RP). Four Franklin’s Gulls spent the season at Choke Canyon, McMullen (WS). A Ring-billed Gull lingered in Lubbock, Lubbock through 3 Jul (CSt, m.ob.), while 2 summered at Choke Canyon, McMullen (WS). Unprecedented was a first-cycle Glaucous Gull at Galveston’s East Beach, Galveston 5Jun+ (ph. JKe, JBe). Following the trend in recent years, a Brown Noddy was on Padre Island N.S., Kleberg 10 Jun (ph., tBSa) and another off Matagorda 27 Jun (ph., tKLa). No storm-related or other known reason accounts for the occurrence of a Sooty Tern found alive at College Station, Bra- zos 6 Jul (fide KAr). McIntyre tallied 19 Bridled Terns in Nueces offshore waters 15 Jun. Rare but regular in the Trans-Pecos, a single Least Tern was at Balmorhea L., Reeves 8 Jun QP)- A Least Tern at L. Waco 14 Jun (EH) provided a rare McLennan record. Eight Least Terns, in- cluding 3 on nests, were at Richland Creek W.M.A., Navarro 13 Jun (DDC, DL). Juveniles made up an estimated 25% of 90 Least Terns at L. Lewisville, Denton 31 Jul (KL). More unex- pected was the discovery of two nesting pairs at E.V Spence Res., Coke 29 May (AB). A Caspian Tern was at McNary Res., Hudspeth 24 Jun OP)- A late migrant Black Tern was at L. Waco, McLennan 14 Jun (EH). A large migra- tion involving an estimated 3500-4000 Black Terns moved through the High 1. area, Galve- ston 17 Jul (WB). An ad. jaeger at Rollover Pass, Galveston 3 Jul was thought to be a Para- sitic based largely on size (FC); another, or possibly the same bird, was seen from the Quintana Jetty, Brazoria 24 Jul (SG). CUCKOOS THROUGH WOODPECKERS Unprecedented was a wholly melanistic Yel- low-billed Cuckoo at Liberty Hill, Williamson 20 Jul (ph. BM). A Common Poorwill was a great find in Someiyell 6 Jun (GC). A Chuck- will’s-widow returned for the 3rd consecutive year to the Davis Mts., Jeff Davis 1 Jul-t- (RP, KB), and also of interest was another at White River L., Crosby 12 Jul (AH). Green Violetear is now expected annually on the Edwards Plateau. One at Ingram, Kerr continued through 3 Jun (MI), another was in sw. Gille- spie 2-3 Jun (ph., tTC), and one was near Leakey, Real 21 Jun-24 Jul (ph. D&SM). Pro- viding a first Panhandle record was a Broad- billed Hummingbird attending a feeder in Tim- bercreek Canyon, Randall 17-25 Jun (BP, m.ob.). Broad-billeds were also present in cen. Texas near Eldorado, Schleicher 29 Jun+ (ph., RF) and in Poteet, Atascosa 29 Jul-2 Aug (MGi). At least 5 White-eared Hummingbirds were noted through the summer in the Davis Mountains Resort, JeJf Davis (KB). A quasi-res- ' ident Buff-bellied Hummingbird at a Smithville, Bastrop residence was present all season (ph. AC, ECe), while another sum- mered in nearby Bastrop (ph. LC). A Rufous Hummingbird arrived early in Port O’Connor, Calhoun 24 Jul (BFr). An imm. male Allen’s Hummingbird was banded in Jeff Davis 19 Jul (KB). A Red-headed Woodpecker in Richwood 624 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS TEXAS Unmistakable was this adult male Yellow-headed Blackbird at Freeport, Brazoria County 25 July 2009 providing a first documented summer record to the Upper Texas Coast. Photograph by Greg Lavaty. 24-25 Jul made the first summer report from Brazoria in many years QBo). A Ladder-backed Woodpecker in Zionsville 24 Jun (DVo) marked the first Wasliiiigton record in 25 years. A Hairy Woodpecker reported from Hairis 2 Jun was noteworthy (DDi). FLYCATCHERS THROUGH WARBLERS A Western Wood-Pewee along the Brazos R., Kent 26 jul (AH) was unexpected. An early Least Flycatcher was near Sargent, Matagorda 10 Jul (BFr). Buff-breasted Flycatchers occu- pied three apparent territories in the Davis Mountains Preserve, Jejfjf Davis (ML), but birds were felt to be harder to locate than usual, and subsequent surveys yielded no clear evidence of breeding success. It was another good year for Dusky-capped Flycatcher, which has be- come an expected, albeit rare, breeder in the upper Davis and Chisos mt. ranges. Four terri- tories were in the Davis Mountains Preserve, Jeff Davis (ML), and the pair found in the spring along the Pinnacles Trail in Big Bend N.P., Brewster was reported through 18 Jul (BZ). A Brown-crested Flycatcher at Freeport, Brazoria 6 Jun (JA, ph. MLi) was acting as if on territory but was not relocated. Just on the n. edge of expected range, a Brown-crested Fly- catcher was in Utley, Bastrop 13 Jun (BFr). Well w. of expected breeding range, 2 Eastern Kingbirds were observed near Thompson Grove, Dallam 14 Jun (AH). Unexpected was a nesting pair of Couch’s Kingbirds in San Saba, San Saba 1 Jun (ph. ByS) for a first county record and perhaps the northernmost breeding record in the state. The pair successfully fledged at least 2 young. Two Couch’s King- birds were in Junction, Kimble 16 Jul (RH), while the pair at Webberville, Travis remained through early Jun, though successful nesting was not noted (m.ob.). For the 3rd straight year, a pair of Couch’s Kingbirds nested at Big Bend’s Cottonwood Campground, Brewster (m.ob.), but more unexpected was a calling bird near Marathon, Brewster 27 Jun (DJ). A Scissor-tailed Flycatcher just s. of Kent near the Culberson/] eff Davis line 20 Jul (BZ) was w. of typical range. Nesting Bell’s Vireos near Jay- ton, Kent had successfully fledged 3 young by 26 Jul (AH) for a suc- cessful first county nesting record. A Red-eyed Vireo singing at Thompson Grove, Dallam 13 Jun (BP) represented a rare summer record. A Yellow-green Vireo graced Port O’Connor, Calhoun 16- 18 Jun (BFr). Tree Swallows were present in good numbers on the Upper Texas Coast (hereafter, U.T.C.), including the first docu- mented nesting record. A pair dis- covered in the spring at Brazos Bend S.P, Fort Bend fledged 3 young 28 Jun (m.ob.). Else- where, two pairs were at Anahuac N.W.R., Chambers 24 Jul, each with an apparent de- pendent youngster QKe). Four Cave Swallows near Floydada, Floyd 18 Jul (AH) represented the first for the county. A pair of White-breast- ed Nuthatches carrying food along Wolf Cr., Ochiltree 18 Jul (AH) suggested a rare local nesting attempt. A singing Canyon Wren at Independence Park in Gonzales, Gonzales 23 Jun (BFr) was well away from the normal range. This misplaced bird is presumably the same individual that was first discovered there in Aug 2007. Blue-gray Gnatcatchers are rare nesters on the U.T.C., and this season more than one family group was found along the Waller/Gnines line 20 Jun (RW), while up to 3 individuals were in n. Flarris 1 1 Jul-i- (DDo) and may have nested locally. A Wood Thrush was in Edinburg, Hidalgo 13-26 Jun (TW) rep- resented a rare summer record for South Texas. A pair of Brown Thrashers was present in Beau- mont, Jefferson through the peri- od (HJ), and a young bird was observed, which suggests local nesting. After more than a decade-long hiatus of summer Brown Thrasher sightings in the Central Oaks and Prairies region, one was photographed in Waco, McLennan 18 Jun (ph. BB), and 2 were in the same location 21 Jul. A persistently singing Yellow Warbler lingered at Copperas Cove, Coryell until 12 Jun (RK). A late migrant Blackburnian Warbler at Lafitte’s Cove, Galveston 6 Jun (TEi) provided the 2nd latest record for U.T.C. A pair of Yellow-throat- ed Warblers successfully fiedged one young in Austin, Travis in mid-Jun (ph. MBe), providing a rare nesting record for the county. A lingering Black-throated Green Warbler was at Bentsen S.P., Hidalgo 7 Jun (DJ); however, much more surprising was a male near Boulder Meadow in Big Bend N.P., Brewster 18 Jul (BZ). A singing Black-and-white Warbler in El Paso, El Paso 19 Jun was unexpected and may have been the same bird found at the same location 26-28 Jul (JP). A wandering first-summer male American Redstart at Ft, Hood, Bell 17 Jun (ph., ER) was well away from breeding areas. A Northern Wa- terthrush was at Corpus Christi, Nueces 1 Jun (YB). The first migrant Louisiana Waterthrush- es noted for the fall included singles at High 1., Galveston 23 Jul (DVe) and Lubbock, Lubbock 25 Jul (AH), A Mourning Warbler at Welborn, Brazos 4 Jun Qohn Hale) is the first summer record for the county and the 2nd latest for the Central Oaks and Prairies region. An early Hooded Warbler arrived in Port O'Connor, Cal- houn 25 Jul (BFr). A pair of Painted Redstarts with an older fledgling in the Davis Mountains Resort, JcjfjT Davis 29 Jul (DEn) provided one of the few nesting records for the county. A pair of Rufous-capped Warblers found along Big Bend’s Window Trail, Brewster 17 Jul (ph., tBZ) were unfortunately not relocated. A good count of 22 ad. Yellow-breasted Chats along with nu- merous fledglings at White River L., Crosby 12 Jul (AH) documented the continued presence of the species on the South Plains as a breeding species. TANAGERS THROUGH FINCHES Rare in summer on the U.T.C. , a pair of Sum- mer Tanagers was noted sporadically in Hitch- cock, Galveston 11 Jun-4 Jul (KAy). A wan- dering female Western Tanager was near Cros- byton, Crosby 10 Jul (KH). A female Flame- colored Tanager was in upper Boot Canyon, Big Bend N.P, Brewster 18 Jul (+BZ). The fe- male Eastern Towhee that wintered at Corpus Christi, Nueces was last reported on the in- credibly late date of 1 Jun (YB). A Spotted One of the highlights of the season in Texas was this male Evening Grosbeak, it made a brief visit to a feeding station in El Paso, El Paso County 15-16 (here) June 2009 and provided just the second summer record for the state and the first to be fully documented. Photograph by Ada Ibarra. VOlUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 625 TEXAS Towhee at Thompson Grove, Dallam 13-14 Jun (AH) provided a first Jim record for the Panhandle. A group of 4-5 Cassin's Sparrows near Sargent, Matagorda in Jun were well e. of their normal range. A Field Sparrow near Oil- tan, Webb 16 July (ND) was out of place. Lark Sparrows found in two Austin locations 7 Jul were apparently local breeders (BGr). A Sa- vannah Sparrow at Lake Jackson, Brazoria 11 Jun (TM) represents the first documented summer record for U.T.C. An hum. Seaside Sparrow at Lake Jackson, Brazoria 22 Jul (TM, ph. JE) was a surprise at an inland location. A Rose-breasted Grosbeak in Port O’Connor, Calhoun 16 Jun (BFr) was very late, as was a female Lazuli Bunting in Lubbock, Lubbock 9 Jun (AH). A female Indigo Bunting at Quin- tana, Brazoria 2 Jun (GL) was a holdover from the spring. Single Indigo Buntings in Friona, Parmer 13 Jun (AH), Hereford, Deaf Smith 13 Jun (AH), and near Stratford, Sherman 14 Jun (AH) provided first summer county records. Up to 3 singing Indigo Buntings along the Window Trail in Big Bend N.P., Brewster 17-20 Jul (BZ, m.ob.) were unexpected. A male Yellow-headed Blackbird at Freeport, Brazoria 25 Jul (ph. GL) provided a first summer record for the U.T.C. A Bronzed Cowbird in Wilbarger 29 Jun (BSu) was a great find and probably a sign of continued range expansion. Up to 3 Bullock’s Orioles sum- mered in Turnersville, Hays (ph. BVi), though breeding was never confirmed. A territorial male Audubon’s Oriole was at Knolle Farms, Nueces 6 Jun (MC), where the species is very rare. A pair of Baltimore Orioles with 3 large young was observed in Clay 10-12 Jul (DH); another was unexpected at Village Creek Dry- ing Beds, Tarrant 18 Jul (GC, GM). An early southbound migrant or local nesting ad. male American Goldfinch molting into basic plumage was found in Clay 11 Jul (ph. DH). Two Lesser Goldfinches in Somenell 6 Jun (GC) were well e. of the breeding grounds. One of the rarest finds of the season was a male Evening Grosbeak in an El Paso, El Paso 15-16 Jun (ph. AI, JGr) — -apparently just the 2nd summer record for the state. Cited observers (subregional editors in bold- face): Keith Arnold (KAr), John Arvin, Keena Aycock (KAy), Mark Bartosik (MBa), Mikael Behrens (MBe), John Berner 0^^). Gene Blacklock, Andy Blair, Billie Boesche, Jim Bouldin QBo), Yvonne Branchflower, Kelly Bryan, Winnie Burkett, Maggie Burnett (MBu), Eric Carpenter (ECa) (Central Texas: 5604 Southwest Parkway #2222, Austin, Texas 78735. email: ecarpe@gmail.com), Cameron Carver, Alvin Cearley, Elaine Cearley (ECe), Fred Collins, Tom Collins, Greg Cook, Mel Cooksey, Leslie Cosby, D. D. Currie (DDC) (North-Central Texas: 2703 Colleen Dr., Ar- lington, TX 76016. email: ddbirder@sbcglob- al.net). Drew Dickert (DDi), David Dolan (DDo), Nevin Durish, Gil Eckrich, David Elkowitz (DEI), Victor Emanuel, Dodge En- gleman (DEn), Jerry Eppner, Ruth Fairall, Frank Farese, Tim Fennell (TFe), Tad Finnell (TFi), Brush Freeman (BFr), Bert Frenz (BeF) (East Texas: 221 Rainbow Dr., #12190, Liv- ingston, TX 77399-2021. email: bert2@ bafrenz.com), Brian Gibbons (BGi), Michele Giles, James Giroux, Bernd Gravenstein (BGr), Steve Gross, John Grove, Mary Gustafson (MGu), Debra Halter, Eric Haskell, Mitch Heindel, Rhandy Helton, Anthony Hewetson (Northwest Texas: 4407 36th St., Lubbock TX 79414. email: terrverts@yahoo.com), Terry Hi- bbitts, Kelly Himmel, Ada Ibarra, Melissa Isom, Dan Jones, Harrison Jordan, Joanne Kamo 0Ka)> Joe Kennedy QKe), Rich Kostecke, Kendal Larson (KLa), Greg Lavaty Cin-Ty Lee, Michael Lindsey (MLi), Dell Little, Keith Lockhart (KL), Mark Lockwood (ML), Barry Lyon, Bert Marcom, Steve Mayes (SMa), Steven McDonald (SMc), Claudette Miller, Dean & Susi Mitchell, Gail Morris, Tom Mor- ris, Derek Muschalek, Bruce Neville, Kyle O’Haver, Dale Ohl, Lee Pasquali, Jim Paton (Trans-Pecos: 4325 Boy Scout Lane, El Paso, TX 79922. email: patonjn@netzero.net), Charles Pekins, Barrett Pierce, Randy Pinkston, William Pinkston, David Pueppke, Thomas Riecke, Will Risser, Eric Runfeldt, Bil- ly Sandifer, Laura Sare, Willie Sekula (South Texas: 7063 Co. Rd. 228, Falls City, TX 78113- 2627. email: wsekula@copper.net), Al Shultz, Margret Simmons, Charlie Spiekerman (CSp), John Sproul, Ken Steigman, Cliff Stogner (CSt), Bob Stone (BoS), Byron Stone (ByS), Brady Surber (BSu), Betty Vermeire (BVe), Don Verser (DVe), Barbara Vinson (BVi), Dar- rell Vollert (DVo), Ron Weeks (U.T.C.: 110 In- dian Warrior, Lake Jackson, TX 77566. email: ronweeks@sbcglobal.net), Tim Whitehouse, John Yochum, Barry Zimmer. © Mark W. Lockwood, 402 East Harriet Avenue Alpine, Texas 79830, (mark.lod) are sum- marized at the end of this report. GEESE THROUGH GULLS The only seasonal report of Snow Goose came from Morgan 20 Jun (T. Smart). A Buf- dehead was at low elevation for summer at Cheney Res., Mesa 17 Jun (JBn). A female Hooded Merganser with 3 ducklings con- firmed breeding for this very rare Colorado breeder in Jefferson 17 Jun (DF), the site from which last year’s breeding confirmation came. A Red-throated Loon just made it into the season at Brush Hollow Res., Fremont 1 Jun (RM); as many as 10 Com- mon Loons were noted in Col- orado this summer. A Neotropic Cormorant was a nice find at John Martin Res., Bent 18-26 Jun (BKP); the species is now nearly annual, though individu- als are rarely present for more than a week. The only Ameri- can Bittern found this season away from known breeding sites visited Turtle L., La Plata 29 Jun QBy); the species is quite unexpected in sw. Colorado. A juv. Least Bittern accompanied single ads. of both sexes at Cot- tonwood Hollow Pond, Larimer 20 Jul (N. Komar) for a very rare suggestion of local breed- ing in the state. Another Least Bittern was found at Fort Lyon S.W.A., Bent 25 Jul-i- (R. Hopper et ah). White egrets are, at best, uncommon on Colorado’s West Slope, so a Great Egret at Craig, Moffat 2 Jun (FL) and a Snowy Egret near Nucla, Montrose 2 Jul (CD, B. Wright) were both of interest. A calico Little Blue Heron graced Boulder 2 Jul (B. Zilly). A dark- morph Reddish Egret pranced at DeWeese Res., Custer 17-19 Jul (RM), accounting for the state’s 10th record of the species and pro- viding a new high-elevation record. The only Cattle Egrets away from the San Luis Valley (the state’s epicenter of breeding) were 3 at Red Lion S.W.A., Logan 12 Jul (j. Dunning, K. Mihm-Dunning). A Black Vulture visiting Castlewood Canyon, Douglas 2-17 Jul (K. Metz) was the cause of joy among Colorado birders, as it was the longest staying (and most chaseable) of the very small number of individuals found in the state to date. An ad. and a juv. Broad- winged Hawk were noted at last year’s locale of suspected breeding in Pueblo 30-31 Jul (D. Silverman); hopefully, this record was report- ed to the second Colorado Breeding Bird At- las. Two Sandhill Cranes were unseasonable 26-27 Jul s. of Mancos, Montezuma (SM), though the species has been expanding its breeding range in Colorado recently. Recurvirostrids at least a bit out of place were American Avocets in Montezuma 6 Jun (3; D. Garrison), DeWeese Res. 17 Jun (one; RM), and Fremont 22 Jun (one; RM), plus a Black-necked Stilt in Boulder 13 Jun (DW). Upland Sandpiper staged its typical early southbound migration and was noted in places w. of normal in Colorado, particularly the singles over nighttime Boulder, one each 30 Jul (TF), 20 Aug (TF), 24 Aug (T. Deininger), and 25 Aug (TF). The oddest re- port, however, was of a bird on the ground s. of Dolores 16 Jun (SM); the species is very rare on the West Slope, particularly so in the s., and this bird provided a Montezuma first. Determination of the status of Long-billed Curlew as a breeder in Colorado away from the e. plains is hampered by the early arrival on their southward migration in the state of failed breeders and recently fledged young. The problem was experienced this summer with Jul records in Jackson, Moffat, and Sciti Miguel, including a juv. in the last-listed county. A Marhled Godwit 24 Jun at Hugo, Lincoln (H&UK) was probably a migrant, but the 4 in Jackson in mid-Jul were almost cer- tainly such. A Bonaparte’s Gull was quite late at Fruitgrowers Res., Mesa 11 Jun QBn). An ad. Laughing Gull was well appreciated at Adobe Creek Res., Bent 25 Jul (BKP et al.); the species is now annual in the state, particular- ly on the e. plains. An ad. Herring Gull at the L. Meredith feedlot, Crowley 26 Jul (ph. LS), was quite a surprise and nearly unprecedent- ed in the state at this season. TERNS THROUGH SWALLOWS A Least Tern was out of place in Arapahoe 12 Jun (S. Latona), and a Black Tern was about on time as a fall migrant at Fruitgrowers Res. 19 Jul (B. & C. Day). As is typical, reports of Caspian Tern were scattered, with this sum- mer’s three hailing from Delta, Douglas, and Crowley. White-winged Dove reports came to us from six Colorado counties, though none from the Arkansas R. valley, where the species has been breeding for a few years now. As the species is now quite uncommon along the Front Range edge, a juv. Burrowing Owl in Boulder 13 Jul (TF) was of some interest. A fledgling Northern Saw-whet Owl at Limon, Lincoln 11 Jun (H&UK) was out on the plains, where the species is thought not to breed; this belief may need some updating. Fifteen Black Swifts dropped down to low elevation at Zink’s Pond, La Plata 9 Jun (V Zerbi); the species is fairly rare, and/or seldom detected, in the county. Another was at a higher low ele- vation over Carbondale, Gaifield 1 Jul (D. Filby). An ad. male Cal- liope Hummingbird was well e. of normal s. of Lamar, Prowers 31 Jul (J. Stulp). Single Red- headed Woodpeckers were w. of normal at Fraser, Grand 4 Jun (T. Jones); Portland, Frctnont 7 Jun (S. Moss); Boulder 10 Jun (J. Dulberger, CN); and, the oddest of all, 19 Jun at Hayden, Routt (on the West Slope; N. Merrill, L. Williams, T. Litteral). A male Red-bellied Woodpecker in Pueblo 6 Jun (BKP) was both s. and w. of normal. An Olive-sided Flycatcher at Valeo Ponds S.WA., Pueblo 9 Jun (BKP) was late for such low elevation. Small populations of nesting Least Flycatchers are still present in w. Col- orado, with reports again coming from Gunni- son and Moffat during the period. A White- eyed Vireo, rare but regular in Colorado, was at Canon City, Fremont 2 Jun (RM). Three way- ward Yellow-throated Vireos ventured w. to the Rockies and paused to set up territories. One was discovered al Franktown, Douglas 5-29 jun (U&HK), another was quite far w. at Black Accounting for Colorado's tenth record of Reddish Egret, this immature dark-morph bird also set a new state (and perhaps all-time?) high elevation record of 2338 meters above sea level at De- Weese Reservoir, Custer County 17-19 (here 17) July 2009. Photograph by Brandon K. Percival. VOLUME 63 (2009) NUMBER 4 627 COLORADO & WYOMING Fortunate birders caught a glimpse of this lurking Least Bittern 25 July 2009 in the vast marshes of Fort Lyons State Wildlife Area in Bent County, Colorado. Photograph by Lawrence S. Semo. Canyon of the Gunnison N.M., Gunnison 9 Jun (ph. AB), and the last was at Pueblo West, Pueblo 16 Jun (BKP). The three singing Red- eyed Vireos found across Front Range counties was a typical count. Late spring/early summer snows across montane areas of Colorado often result in some montane- breeding individuals temporarily dispersing downslope to more hos- pitable climes. Such was the case 2 Jun when Percival counted roughly 800 Violet-green Swallows below Pueblo Res., Pueblo. WRENS THROUGH FINCHES Carolina Wren is a rare and very lo- cal denizen near the e. border of Colorado, and the report of one vis- iting Two Buttes Res., Baca 31 Jul (T. Barksdale) provides more sup- port for that status. Eastern Blue- birds nest in various plains loca- tions of extreme e. Colorado, and small numbers wander westward to the foothills during fall and winter. A territorial male was at Eldorado Mountain 7 Jul (CN), a location where the species nested out of range last year, while another male was at Genesee Park, Jefferson 6-10 Jul (M. Henwood). Late for the e. plains, a Mountain Bluebird was in n. Weld 1 Jun (D. Leather- man). Establishing a first for Montezuma and a very rare record for sw. Colorado, a Brown Thrasher was photographed w. of U.S. 491 on 16 Jun (M. & D. Hill). Individual “eastern” warblers regularly show up in e. Colorado dur- ing the season; some attempt to establish terri- tories. This summer, 3 singing Northern Paru- las were observed: singles were in rural Boulder 10 Jun (CN), Gregory Canyon, Boulder 11 Jul (M. Peterson), and Cherry Creek S.P., Arapa- hoe 28 Jul (K. Shipe). A singing male Chest- nut-sided Warbler was at Skunk Canyon, Boul- der 1 Jun (DW), while a male Black-and-white Warbler was seen at Last Chance, Washington 5 Jun (GW, J. Kellner). The warbler highlight of the season, however, was the territorial male Kentucky Warbler that set up camp in Grego- ry Canyon, where present 6 Jun+ (NP, m.ob.); there are 35 previous state records. Single male Hooded Warblers were noted this summer, with a returning bird at Eldorado Mountain 22 Jun-3 Jul (CN) and another at nearby Gregory Canyon 26Jun-ll Jul (E. DeEonso). Good spring/summer rains greened up the grasses of the Plains, and some prairie bird species responded dramatically. Cassin’s Spar- rows were noted as being common across the plains, with a few birds even found singing along the Front Range in Boulder, which is w. of usual. Black-throated Sparrows nest in se. Colorado as well as in many areas across the west. Northwest of usual for the se. popula- tion, nesting was confirmed at Fort Carson, Pueblo, where males were found singing and young were discovered 21 May-11 Jun (R. Clawges), A second-year male Summer Tanag- er made an appearance at Crow Valley Camp- ground, Weld 6 Jun (TF); presumably it was the last of the spring migrants. The returning male Scarlet Tanager was present for its 3rd summer at Gregory Canyon 6 Jun-20 Jul (NP). Northern Cardinals breed in a few locations across extreme e. Colorado. Well w. of normal, a singing male was at Rock Canyon, Pueblo 13 Jun (BKP). Dickcissels arrived on the e. plains en masse, with individuals seemingly present in all suitable habitats across the e. portion of the state, including some w. to the foothill edge. Very far w., a male was photographed in rural La Plata 28 Jun (R. Donley), establishing a county first and the first for sw. Colorado. Westerly was the Baltimore Oriole at Chat- field S.R, Douglas 1 Jun (D. Shoffner). A pair of Scott’s Orioles was at Little Gypsum Valley, San Miguel 8 Jun (G. Steele, CD) for a very rare lo- cal record; the species is known to breed in lo- calized areas across portions of extreme w. Col- orado and very locally in the se. Al- though located in sw. Colorado, San Miguel has little habitat (sparse pinon-juniper woodlands) to sup- port Scott’s Orioles. Fledgling White-winged Crossbills were found in Dillon, Summit 26 Jun (M.J. Black); the species breeds er- ratically across high-elevation areas. Low in elevation for the season, an Evening Grosbeak graced Chatfield S.R, Jefferson 11 Jul (ph. D. Vogel). Undocumented rarities; We do not include in the above report undoc- umented Colorado reports of C.B.R.C. review species; such re- ports this season included; Red- throated Loon in Denver; Neotrop- ic Cormorant in Bent; Yellow- crowned Night-Heron in Bent; Glossy Ibis in Fremont; a potential- ly different Black Vulture in Dou- glas, Lesser Nighthawk in Montrose and La Plata, Ruby-throated Hum- mingbird in Boulder; Acorn Wood- pecker at a different site in La Pla- ta; Yellow-bellied Flycatcher in Larimer; Alder Flycatcher in Gun- nison; Scissor-tailed Flycatcher in Kiowa; Eastern Towhee in Weld; Vermilion Flycatcher in Fremont and Pueblo; Scissor- tailed Flycatcher in Las Animas; Hepatic Tan- ager in Pueblo; and Eastern Meadowlark in Larimer. Cited observers (subregional editors in bold- face); Jason Reason (JBn), Jim Beatty OBy; sw. Colorado), Coen Dexter (w.-cen. Colorado), Doug W. Faulkner (Wyoming), Ted Floyd, Hugh & Urling Kingery, Gloria & Jim Lawrence (statewide RBA, Wyoming), For- rest Luke (nw. Colorado), Terry McEneaney (Yellowstone), Suzy Meyer, Chris Michelson (Casper, WY), Rich Miller, Christian Nunes, Susan Patla Qackson, WY), Brandon K. Per- cival (se. Colorado), Nathan Pieplow, Bert Raynes O^ckson, WY), Bill Schmoker (Col- orado Front Range), Larry Semo (ne. Col- orado), Glenn Walbek (n.-cen. Colorado), David Waltman. Many other individual ob- servers contributed information to this report but could not be acknowledged here. O Lawrence S. Semo, 9054 Dover Street Westminster, Colorado 80021, (lsemo@swca.com) Tony Leukering, 102A Delaware Avenue Villas, New Jersey 08251, (greatgrayowl@aol.com) Bill Schmoker, 3381 Larkspur Drive Longmont, Colorado 80503, (bili.sdimoker@gmail.com) NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS Idaho & Western Montana David Trochlell Much of the Region received an un- usual bounty of rain during the first three weeks of June, and, at least for western Montana, this period was also no- table for unseasonably cool temperatures. July was closer to the norm in many of the drier valleys but remained somewhat cooler and wetter than usual in parts of Montana. Abbreviation: Camas (Camas N.W.R., Jejfer- son, ID), Latilong (area encompassed by one degree latitude and one degree longitude used in mapping bird distribution in both Idaho and Montana). WATERFOWL THROUGH OWLS An out-of-range Harlequin Duck photo- graphed in Beartrap Canyon, Madison, MT 25- 26 Jun (EH) provided the first report in Lati- long 38 in 34 years. Especially rare in summer was a Long-tailed Duck in Bonner, ID 11 Jun (tWT). Red-breasted Mergansers are also un- expected in summer; nevertheless, a flock of 6 was found in Madison, MT 10 Jun, as was a single 25-28 Jun (EH). A count of 5 Common Loons at Ennis L., MT 26 Jun (EH, JP) repre- sented the largest summer-period tally there in memory. Although now nearly annual in Mon- tana, a Great Egret near Townsend 9 Jun (BS) was interesting, as they are still scarce in w. valleys. A Green Heron in Lake 9 Jun (RJ) made only about the 5th report for w. Mon- tana. Black-crowned Night-Herons, rare and local in Montana, reportedly nested in the Warm Springs area in Jul (GS), A Glossy Ibis, now annual in e. Idaho, was documented at Market L., Jefferson 2 Jun (tCW). Of special note was a Merlin nest discovered in Thomp- son Falls, MT 5 Jul OG); there are few verified breeding records in the Region. One of the outstanding discoveries of the season was a vocal Yellow Rail in Glacier N.P., MT 19 Jun (SG); it furnished only the 2nd record for w. Montana. Despite the recent range expansion of Black-necked Stilts in Montana, a flock of 30 seen s. of Stevensville 3 Jul OR) likely represented a record high count for w. Montana. Idaho reported out-of- range Franklin’s Gulls at Lewiston 1 Jun and in Bonner 11 Jun (SS). A quintet of Caspian Terns documented at Thompson Falls, MT 21 Jun QG) brought in a local first record. Per- haps a returning visitor, a White-winged Dove near Gardiner, MT 5-10 Jul (TO) was thought to be the same bird that visited the area in early May. Representing the flrst local record in 22 years was a Burrowing Owl near Three Forks, MT 26-30 Jun (EH,JP). PASSERINES Two Alder Flycatchers documented sw. of Kalispell 11 Jun (DC) added to a growing number of earlyjun reports from w. Montana. A wayward Northern Mockingbird was a sen- sational find near Missoula 15-16 Jul (TT). At least 2 Sprague’s Pipits were discovered singing near Harrison, MT 19 Jun (BM), pro- viding the hrst circumstantial evidence of breeding in sw. Montana, if not the entire Re- gion. At least 9 singing Tennessee Warblers reported in Glacier N.R, MT in Jun (SG) rep- resented a record breeding season count there. Another Tennessee Warbler spotted near Bozeman, MT 7 Jun QP) was a good find, as the species is not reported there annually. The eastern warbler vagrant list included a Chestnut-sided Warbler in Boise, ID 6-7 Jun (TJB), single male Magnolia Warblers in Ca- mas 4 Jun (tew) and Hailey, ID 18 Jun (ph. JC, tKC), and Ovenbirds at Camas 4 Jun (teW), in Missoula, MT 28 Jun (DC), and in Glacier N.R, MT 3 Jul (SG). A Summer Tanager, furnishing only the 4th record for Montana, was photographed in the Centennial Valley 17 Jun (RG). If accept- ed, a Scarlet Tanager at Camas 1 Jun QC) would represent Idaho’s 3rd record. Clay-col- ored Sparrows photographed with nestlings near Moscow 6 Jul (ph. TG) will provide a first verified breeding record in Idaho, pend- ing acceptance. Bird surveys turned up 2-3 singing Baird’s Sparrows near Harrison, MT 18-20 Jun (BM), and another was discovered s. of Ennis, MT 2 Jul (BC, GM). The species was previously unrecorded anywhere in sw. Montana. Rare Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were documented in Clayton, ID 1 Jun (ph., tPH), Gardiner, MT 6 Jun (DS), and near Hailey, ID 15-17 Jun QC). A pair of Blue Grosbeaks, not annual in Idaho, made a celebrated find in Twin Falls 1 Jun-19Jul (ZW). Providing a first record for Latilong 16 was a Bobolink at the Chester Wetlands, Fremont. ID 18 Jul (DCl). An exciting flrst for Montana and the Region was a well-documented Eastern Meadowlark s. of Ennis 18 Jun-early Jul (BC, GM). A Great-tailed Grackle discovered in Butte 7 Jun (KA) brought in Montana’s 2nd record. Idaho’s only reported Great-tailed Grackle was a single bird in Meridian 12 Jun (RM). Contributors (subregional editors in bold- face): Kathy Andrich,John Battalio, Kathleen Cameron, Jay Carlisle, Dan Casey, Darren Clark (DCl), Bo Crees, Randy Gazda, Steve Gniadek, Terry Gray Jim Greaves, Ed Harper, Phil Helsley Ron Jenkins, Garrett MacDon- ald, Beth Madden, Robert Mortensen, Tonya Opperman, John Parker, Jeremy Roberts, Doug Smith, Bob Starks, Shirley Sturts, Gary Swant, Ward Tollbom, Terry Toppins, Chuck Trost, Zeke Watkins, Cliff Weisse, Poo Wright-Pulliam. (© David Trochlell, 2409 East N Avenue la Grande, Oregon 97850, (dtrochlell@verizon.net) Visit the American Birding Association website • Rarities posted on PEEPs, the online blog • ABA Checklist updates and reports • Birding WebExtras • ABA Festivals Directory • Sightings • Complete issues of Winging It, newsletter • The Eyrie, the Young Birder blog • The Big Day & List Report • ABA Image Gallery American Binding'’ feti’ VOlUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 629 K New Mexico 'i, San Juan R. ■ Heroif.L H,„ •Ratotv — ■' '" '' ^MaxwBlI NMRr" ^ Clayton* , % \ Las Vega^^ *B \ConchaiL IS Vegas Tucumcari* \Sanla Rosa L \ Morgan Farmington Lake El Vai/o L I Gallup I ’ 4 I Zuni "'M Grants '-7/ • C^* ^ %«- fiSAaos-g ■ .1 / Santa Ft chili lJ ' /safidia ^Albuquerque J"/ Moriarty Min* Cochili La Joya Jn Bosque del Sifl /^Apache N.W.R. jif; M|}«9 / \ Htflt /Elepiumi Butte L ( Bitter Lake I ^Sseguences C-, 5 jCaballoL •Cloudcroft .Silver^ Perote San Andres S.P^r N.W(R tuniner L Melrose Portales Boone Draw drock S.R Jr NMR 1 j u o\ * •Lordsburg ,Qgjf|j„g ^Las Cruces "eA^ Flobbs Holloman L. «Columbus Carlsbad Mramin-L Caverns N.P^arlsbad Gusiialu^e* \ Mhii •Rattlesnake Sags Sartor 0. Williams III Summer 2009 saw plentiful rains in some sections but continued drought in oth- ers, resulting in uneven breeding per- formance by many species, often in closely adjoining areas. The phenomenon of species expanding northward has been well publi- cized, but several other species, typically ri- parian, have been spreading southward in re- cent years; this season, both Cedar Waxwing and American Goldfinch continued to make conspicuous inroads into New Mexico. Meanwhile, Long-billed Murrelet was added to the state list when one was salvaged from a brine pit near Loving. Abbreviations: B.L.N.W.R. (Bitter Lake N.W.R.); Bosque (Bosque del Apache N.W.R.); E.B.L. (Elephant Butte L.); L.V.N.W.R. (Las Vegas N.W.R.); N.R.T. (n. Roosevelt migrant trap w. of Melrose); R.G.V (Rio Grande Val- ley); R.S. (Rattlesnake Springs area, Eddy). WATERFOWL THROUGH TERNS Far-flung Wood Ducks included single males w. to Crownpoint 4-5 Jun (WWi, DK) and Ty- rone 30 Jul (EL). Noteworthy for Lincoln, a fe- male Gadwall was tending young at Capitan 25 Jul (CR); in Socorro, a female Green- winged Teal was escorting young at La Joya 19 Jul (DH); in Eddy, a Redhead pair with young was at Mexican L. near Malaga 20 Jul (SW). Perhaps a first for the Sandia Mts., a female Dusky Grouse with chicks was along the Cienega Spring Trail 19 Jul (R. Murphy). Montezuma Quail were again found n. to the vicinity of Horse Springs, Catron, with singles at two sites 7 Jun (DH); in the s. Sacramento Mts., singles were at two sites near Pinon 14 Jun (WH). A Brown Pelican at Morgan L. in May continued through the summer (ph. TR, ph. MB); another discovered at Santa Rosa L. 7 Jun (ph. RM) likewise remained through the season. The Neotropic Cormorant found n. to Morgan L. in May was still present 13 Jun (ph. TR). The Double-crested Cormorant colony at Santa Rosa L. contained 46 active nests 10 Jun (RM), the most yet counted there. Isolated Great Blue Heron colonies included six active nests at Morgan L. in Jun (ph. TR), 10 or more nests with young at Quemado L. 4 Jun (ph. HW), and one nest with young at Snow L. 23 Jun (CH). Snowy Egrets were conspicuous in the Albuquerque area and may be nesting lo- cally; noteworthy were 25 near Alameda 26 Jun (DK) and 15 in the South Valley 4 Jul QJ)- A strong Tricolored Heron season produced single imms. at Sumner L. 3 Jun (WH) and Holloman L. 30 Jul (ph. M. Turner), 2 imms. at Brantley L. 28 Jul (WWi), and 2 imms. at B.L.N.W.R. 31 Jul OP, WWi, MS, JZ). A subad. Reddish Egret was at B.L.N.W.R. 30 Jun-1 Jul (ph. JS). Two Yellow-crowned Night-Herons reached the lower Pecos Valley, an ad. at L. Avalon 12 Jul (ph. SW) and an imm. at Six Mile Dam 28 Jul (WWi). An Osprey was s. to Snow L. 23 Jun (CH). A White-tailed Kite was at Rodeo 27 Jul (RW); 2 ads. with an imm. near Sun- shine s. of Deming 10 Jul (D. Williams, fide LM) suggested successful nesting there. An ad. and an imm. Mississippi Kite at Socorro’s Riverine Park 19 63: 26 Jul (DH) may be in- dicative of a new nesting lo- cale. Four Bald Eagle nests, two each in Rio Arriba and Col- fax, were all successful, fledg- ing a total 6 young in Jun (DS). A Northern Harrier pair at Morgan L. fledged one young by 27 Jul (ph. TR); a pair at B.L.N.W.R. through Jun may have nested, but no young were detected (JS). A Common Black-Hawk was n. in the R.G.V. to Albu- querque’s South Valley 4 Jul QJ); in the Sacra- mento Mts., one was on the Rio Bonito at Sal- ado Cr. 25 Jul (CR). North of usual, a Harris’s Hawk was n. of Roswell at Cocklebur L. 4 Jun (WH). Gray Hawks continued much in evi- dence in Guadalupe Canyon (m.ob.) and in the lower Pecos Valley in the Black R. area (m.ob.); others included one in lower Clan- ton Canyon 16 Jun QB) and a vocal ad. on the Ladder Ranch along Las Animas Cr., Siena 30 Jul (WWe). Four captive-bred Aplomado Fal- cons were released in the Deming area 12 Jun (U.S.EW.S.), near where native Aplomados nested in recent years; some 120 have been released in New Mexico over the past three years, and 100 more were slated for release in New Mexico and w. Texas in 2009, forever ob- scuring re-colonization by wild birds. Noteworthy for the Zuni Mts. was a Vir- ginia Rail in the upper Bluewater Cr. wetlands 7 Jul (HS). An imm. Common Moorhen was n. to Albuquerque 30-31 Jul (D. Paez); a pair with 3 chicks was at Bosque 20 Jun-19 Jul (m.ob.). American Coots breeding in obscure locales included a nest at Lake Valley, Sien a 9 Jul (DC) and ads. plus a chick near Weed, Otero 14 Jul (WH). Snowy Plovers away from breeding strongholds were 2 n. to Maxwell N.W.R. 13-14 Jun QP. MB, NP, CW) and one at E.B.L. 3 & 14 Jul (DC). A Semipalmated Plover at Holloman L. 17 Jul (MB) was early. Noteworthy for Valencia, the pond at Belen’s Taco Bell had 22 ad. Black-necked Stilts with several chicks plus 6 ad. American Avocets with 6 or more chicks 13 Jun (WH). Earliest Upland Sandpipers were 2 at B.L.N.W.R. and 10 at Six Mile Dam 31 Jul QP)- Surprising in summer s. to Luna were a Long-billed Curlew e. of Columbus 6 Jun (MS, JZ, J. Paton) and 2 together in grasslands near Hermanas 14 Jun (G. Bieber). The appearance of Marbled God- wits in mid- to late Jun may indicate breeding failure farther north; this season found singles at Deming 12 Jun (LM) and Stubblefield L. 13 Jun (NP), 2 at E.B.L. 20 Jun QP, WWi), 3 at Morgan L. 25 Jun (TR), and 36 at Bosque 28 Jun (CW). Northbound White-rumped Sand- pipers continued well into Jun, including 45 at B.L.N.W.R. 4 Jun (WH), 4 at Holloman L. 8 Jun (ph. MB), up to 11 at L.VN.W.R. 7-8 Jun (CR, WWi), and up to 12 at Maxwell N.W.R. 13-14 Jun (m.ob.). Unusual for the season were 4 Red-necked Phalaropes at B.L.N.W.R. 3 Jun and 7 there 17 Jun QS). Surprising was a bright Red Phalarope at B.L.N.W.R. 4 Jun (ph. WH). High counts for summering but non-breeding California Gulls were 13 at Morgan L. 6 Jun (DH) and 25 there 30 Jun (TR), and 6 at E.B.L. 6 Jun (jP) and up to 13 Providing New Mexico's ninth record in the past 10 years, this Arctic Tern was at Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge, Colfax County on 13 June 2009. Photograph by Nicholas D. Pederson. 630 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS NEW MEXICO Providing another tantalizing summer record for New Mexico, this female Chestnut- sided Warbler was in a dense alder bog at Taos, Taos County on 1 2 July 2009. Photo- graph by Hira A. Walker. there 17 Jul (ph. DC). An ad. Least Tern was nw. to Morgan L. 13 Jun (ph. TR), and 2 were there 22 Jun (TR). A Caspian Tern lingered at Morgan L. 6-25 Jun (DH, ph. TR, ph. MB), and 2 were at E.B.L. 14 Jul (ph. DC). Unsea- sonable Black Terns included one at B.L.N.W.R. 17 Jun (WWe), 3 at Santa Rosa L. 27 Jun (CR), and 5 at Brantley L. 1 Jul (HW). An alternate-plumaged ad. Arctic Tern at Maxwell N.W.R. 13 Jun (ph. MB, ph. NRJP) provided New Mexico’s 13th record and the first for Jun. MURRELETS THROUGH FLYCATCHERS New Mexico joined the growing list of inland locales to record Long-billed Murrelet when one was salvaged from a salt lake in the La- guna Grande area east of Loving 12 Jul (ph. S. Uhrig; *Museum of Southwestern Biolo- gy); this date is typical for arrivals in the Pa- cific Northwest on the ocean and consistent with most interior w. North American records, which fall mostly in the Jul-Aug window. Another good season for Common Ground-Dove produced singles at San Simon Cienega 15 Jul (RW), Rodeo 3 & 19 Jul (WWi, RW), and the middle Animas Valley 21 & 26 Jun (CW, JO) plus one to 3 at R.S. 20-31 Jul (ph. SW, MS, JZ). Noteworthy n. to Rio Arriba was a Yellow-billed Cuckoo in El Rito Canyon 23 Jun QO); orie to 2 were at Lake Valley 2-29 Jul (ph. DC). A Greater Roadrunner was at Farmington 1 Jul (fide TR), where presumably now resident. A Northern Pygmy-Owl was giving double- note calls in the Burro Mts. 14 Jun (DG). Elf Owls are now well established on the e. slope of the Black Range where, in addition to one on Las Animas Cr. 13 Jun (DC), singles were vocal in Chloride Canyon 15-16 Jul (DC), e. of Kingston along Percha Cr. 8 Jul (DC), and in the Mud Springs area n. of Kingston 1 & 8 Jul (DC); s. of Hillsboro along Tierra Blanca Cr., one to 2 were at three sites 9 & 29 Jul (DC). Encouraging was a Spotted Owl in the Animas Mts. 27 Jun (NP, JP et al., ph. JO, ph. CW), the first detected there since the 2006 fire; two pairs produced fledg- lings in one Black Range canyon by Jun (ph. DC). A Short-eared Owl was in a grassy field s. of Melrose 4 Jun (L. Neely). Maintaining a Sangre de Cristo Mts. presence, a vocal Whip- poor-will was at Black Canyon C.G. near Santa Fe 11 Jun QB). Two Chimney Swifts strayed w. to Las Ve- gas 14 Jun (CW). Unexpected in the Sacra- mento Mts., a female Broad-billed Humming- bird was at Mescalero 25 Jul (ph. L. Stephen- son); providing a Burro Mts. first was a male Broad-billed 21-22 Jun (DG), while in the Peloncillo Mts., a male was in Post Office Canyon 12 Jul (CL), one to 2 were in Cotton- wood Canyon 26 Jun-19 Jul (m.ob.), and 18, plus a nest with nestlings, were in Guadalupe Canyon 9 Jul (HW). Up to 6 Violet-crowned Humming- birds were in Guadalupe Canyon 28 Jun (CW, NP) and 9 Jul (HW). A Magnificent Hummingbird was n. to Roci- ada, San Miguel 13-14 Jun (S. Walker); noteworthy for the Burro Mts. were a female Magnificent 10-11 Jul (DG) and a male 17 Jul (J. Wick). One to 2 Lucifer Humming- birds were in upper Cotton- wood Canyon in the Peloncil- lo Mts. 20 Jun-19 Jul (m.ob., ph. CW, ph. JO); earliest Anna’s were singles in Cotton- wood Canyon 26-27 Jun (CW, NP) and Post Office Canyon 30 Jun (CL). Rare in New Mexico, up to 3 Costa’s Hummingbirds were in Cot- tonwood Canyon 28 Jun-4 Jul (CW, MB, NP, JP, ph. JO). The earliest Calliope Humming- birds reported were single males 7 Jul at Luis Lopez QO) L. Roberts QD-M); earliest Rufous was one at Santa Fe 17 Jun (JB) fol- lowed by one in the Datil Mts. 23 Jun QH). A Red-headed Woodpecker was w. of Rosebud on Ute Cr., Harding 7 Jun (CH); noteworthy s. to Eddy was one at Malaga 20 Jul (ph. SW). Continuing from May, one to 2 Greater Pe- wees were on the e. slope of the Black Range at Poverty Creek 10 Jun-11 Jul (ph. DC); others were one to 2 in the Pinos Altos Mts. 5 Jun (JP) and the Animas Mts. 27 Jun QP et al.). A probable Alder Flycatcher was at N.R.T. 3 Jun (ph. WH); the species is still un- verified in New Mexico. Providing a new Willow Flycatcher breeding locale were up to eight pairs at Taos 12 Jul, including a nest with nestlings (ph. HW); one was detected at a new locale along the Mora R. near Watrous 3 Jul (M. MacRoberts), in an area free of cat- tle; also in Mora, 5 were singing along Coyote Cr. near Guadalupita 21 Jun (DH). Dusky Flycatchers suspected of breeding were 2 singing from Gambel’s Oak just w. of Johnson Mesa 11 Jun (CR) and one along the Rim Trail near Cloudcroft 16 Jun (WH). Three pairs of Buff-breasted Flycatchers were in the Animas Mts. 27 Jun QP et al ), including two pairs tending nests (ph. JO, ph. CW). A Vermilion Flycatcher pair was n. to Lower Frisco near Reserve 18 Jun (]0). A probable Brown-creasted Flycatcher was at Broad Canyon Ranch n. of Radium Springs 23 Jul (MS). Casual n. to the Pinos Altos Mts., a Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher made a brief visit to L. Roberts 28Jun (]D-M). At least 3 Thick- billed Kingbirds were in Guadalupe Canyon Jun-Jul (m.ob.), including a nesting pair 8- 10 (ph. HW) & 18 Jul (MH). Scissor-tailed Flycatchers pushing their breeding frontiers were a pair near Bueyeros, Harding 8 Jun (KG) and an active nest at the Mesa Rest Area, n. Chaves 11 Jun-Jul (ph. R. Doster, m.ob.); farther n. and w. were singles at L.V.N.W.R. 31 Jul (ph. A. Core) and Albu- querque 12 Jul (]. Williams). One of a remarkable six found in New Mexico this June, this Black-and-white War- bler was at Bandelier National Monument's Juniper Campground, Los Alamos County on 2 June 2009. Photograph by Barry R. Zimmer. VOLUME 63 (2009) NUMBER 4 631 NEW MEXICO One of three Hooded Warblers in New Mexico in June 2009, this male was north of Pecos at Monastery Lake, San Miguel County 7 June. Photograph by Nancy E. Hetrick. VfREOSTHROUGHPHAINOPEPLA The Black-capped Vireo first found in May in Slaughter Canyon was last seen 22 Jun (SW). Noteworthy for w. Sierra were 2 singing Bell’s Vireos s. of Hillsboro along Tierra Blanca Cr. 25 Jun (DC) and 2 more singing at Lake Valley 2- 29 jul (DC). Gray Vireo surveys in the San An- dres Mts. produced astounding results — 194 discrete territories along 475 km of linear tran- sects (D. Burkett et al); in the n., another large population was discovered on Santo Domingo Pueblo uplands, where preliminary results in- dicated some 100 territories (LS). In the ne., where the status of Gray Vireo is vague at best, a male was singing near Sabinoso, Sail Miguel and a pair was at the top of the escarpment s. of Solano, Harding 17 Jim (CR); other noteworthy Grays were a pair in Cebolla Canyon, El Mal- pais N.M. 19 Jul (NH), singles n. of Laguna, Ci- bola 14 Jun (DK), in Las Cabras Canyon, Bear Mts. 2 Jun (HS), and in Gold Gulch, Burro Mts. 25 Jul (DG), three pairs in Bootleg Canyon, Los Pinos Mts. 2 Jul (KG), and three territories in Guadalupe Canyon 9 Jul (HW). A male Yellow- throated Vireo was singing near the Gila Cliff Dwellings 10 Jun (M. Ali); 2, believed to be a pair, were at R.S. 13 (WS), 16 (MS, ph. JZ), & 19 Jun (JG). A singing Warbling Vireo was late at Sumner Dam 3 Jun (WH); a Red-eyed at N.R.T. 3 Jun (WH) provided the only report. Unusual was an American Crow at the San- ta Fe Ski Area 19 Jul (CR); others summering in obscure locales were singles near Techado, Cibola 5 Jun (DK) and e. of Mountainair 17 Jul (SW), plus 2 at Poverty Creek, w. Sierra 18 Jun (DC). An abundance of grasshoppers in the North Plains, Cibola area 5 Jun attracted 29 Chihuahuan and 114 Common Ravens (DK). A partial survey found Bank Swallows present at 12 Sandoval colonies 9 Jun (HW); one was foraging at Belen 13 Jun (WH). Nest- ing Cave Swallows met stiff resistance at Whites City this season, where hotel staff de- stroyed some 20 nests containing eggs or young (SW). There was good news for New Mexico’s only known Mexican Chickadee population, with 6 or more observed in the Animas Mts. 27 Jun QP et al., ph. CW). Pro- viding a breeding first for the Burro Mts. was a pair of Red-breasted Nuthatches feeding fledglings 26 Jun (DG). A Cactus Wren was n. to the base of Corazon Hill near Trujillo, San Miguel 8 Jun (WWi); a pair at Kirtland A.EB. 19 Jun (ph. CW) provided another Bernalillo locale. A Carolina Wren at Bosque, first de- tected in May, was still singing 27 Jun and 6 Jul (C. Fee). Surprising were 2 Marsh Wrens — one singing — at Isleta, Bernalillo 26 Jul (JJ). Nicely documented was a Black-tailed Gnatcatcher pair on Antelope Ridge sw. of Eu- nice 1 1 Jun (ph. M. Watson); seven pairs were in the E.B.L. area 3 Jul (DC). Maintaining a Guadalupe Canyon presence, single Black- capped Gnatcatchers were seen and/or heard at two sites 18 Jul (MH). A singing Townsend’s Solitaire was in Fourth of July Canyon, Man- zano Mts, 11 Jun (HS); others where seldom reported were singles in the San Mateo Mts. on Mt. Withinglon and in Bear Trap Canyon 25 Jun (SOW) and, in the Black Range, one on Lookout Mt. 11 Jul and 2 in Chloride Canyon 15 Jul (DC). Late Swainson’s Thrushes were one at B.L.N.W.R. 2 Jun (ph. JS) and 3 at N.R.T. 3 Jun (ph. WH); 3 were singing along the Rio Pueblo, Taos 13 Jun (JP). A Brown Thrasher was w. to the R.G.V. at E.B.L. Dam 15 Jun (ph. DC). Far e., an apparent ad. Bendire’s Thrasher was along Garita Cr., s. San Miguel 7 Jun (CR). Crissal Thrashers were noted at three upland areas on Santo Domingo Pueblo, with one near Santo Domingo Canyon 18 Jun, 2 near Borrego Canyon 12 Jun, and several in the Arroyo Fargo area 29 Jun (LS). Single Phainopeplas were n. to Santa Fe at Jacona 20 Jun (JB) and Madrid 12 Jul (LS) and to Plac- itas, Sandoval 18 Jul (ph. P Spaltro). WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES Far n. of expected range, a Lucy’s Warbler was in the Corrales bosque 12 Jul (DK). A female Chestnut-sided Warbler was in dense alder at Taos 12 Jul (ph. HW); there are New Mexico summer records in six of the past ten years. Two Audubon’s Warblers singing in the Burro Mts. 20 jun (DG) and a hatch-year bird net- ted there 25 Jul (DG et al.) suggested local breeding. Earliest southbound Townsend’s Warbler was one in the Burro Mts. 30 Jul (DG). An unusually busy Black-and-white Warbler season found singles at Bandelier N.M. 2 Jun (ph. B. Zimmer), Albuquerque 16 Jun (CR), Madera Canyon, Manzanita Mts. 19 Jun (ph. CW, MB), Oscura Mts., Socorro 30 Jun (CW, MB), E.B.L. Dam 2 Jun (DC), and R.S. 19 Jun (JG). Following a strong spring showing, a Kentucky Warbler was at Edge- wood, Santa Fe 6 Jun (A. Johnson). Hooded Warblers were conspicuous into early Jun, with single males in Santa Fe Canyon 1 Jun CWWi), at Monastery E., San Miguel 1 Jun (CB, ph. NH), and Chloride Canyon 10-11 Jun (ph. DC). At least 2 Wilson's Warblers were summering at the Taos Ski Area 31 Jul (ph. JO). A Red-faced Warbler was n, to the Datil Mts. 14-19 Jun OH). Far n. of expected, a Painted Redstart visited the Santa Fe Opera 13 Jul (M. & R. Reed); noteworthy for Lincoln was a territorial pair above Three Rivers C.G. 2 Jul (WWe). A female Scarlet Tanager lin- gered at R.S. 1 Jun (MS, JZ); most unusual was an ad. male banded at Los Alamos 23 Jul (ph. C. Hathcock), the 2nd late Jul record for the Jemez Mts. in recent years. Cassin’s Sparrows continued to show close association with local rainfall; uneven distri- bution of precipitation this year produced record-high counts in some areas, record lows in others. A Botteri’s Sparrow in the s. Animas Valley 26 Jun QO) and 2 Jul QP) was some 30 km s. of the species’ stronghold; noteworthy were one probable Botteri’s heard s. of Gage in Jun (R. Wilcox) and one near Rodeo 19 Jun (CW). Unusual in Harding were 2 Rufous- crowned Sparrows w. of Rosebud near Ute Cr. 7 Jun (CH). Additional evidence of Chipping C A in recent years, summering Cedar Waxwirigs were much in evidence in n. New Mexico, and several breeding 4 r (records were obtained, including 2 nestlings rescued when their nest tree was cut down near Abiquiu 29 Jun (ph. K. Eagleson). In San Juan, waxwings were found breeding at four sites: a pair at Simon Pt. below Navajo Dam was feeding one or more nestlings 14-17 Jun (ph. TR); a pair was feeding 2 recent fledglings at Farmington's Berg-Animas Park 14 Jul (TR); a pair was feeding fledglings in the Farmington Glade area 7 Jul (A. Nelson, fide JR); and an ad. was carrying nest material at Shiprock 23 Jun (S. Wagner, fide TR). Other summering waxwings suggestive of local breeding included 2 or more at Chama 14 Jun (CW), 2 each near El Rito 23 Jun (JO) and at Chamisai, Taos 13 Jun (JP), about a dozen as ones and twos seen on each of three Rio Grande float trips through San Juan Pueblo 8-22 Jun (DS), and up to 4 at the old San Juan Pueblo bridge 5-8 Jul (CR, S. Wilson). Since the state's first active nest was discovered at San Juan Pueblo in 1995, Cedar Waxwings have now been confirmed breeding in San Juan, Rio Arriba, Sandovai, Bernaliilo, and San Miguei. 632 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS NEW MEXICO Unexpected in New Mexico in July, this Scarlet Tanager was banded 23 July 2009 at Los Alamos, Los Alamos County. Photograph by Charles D. Hathcock. Sparrows summering in atypical habitat was provided by ads. carrying food at the old San Juan Pueblo bridge 5 Jul (CR), up to 2 singing males in the Corrales bosque Jun-12 Jul (DK), and a pair feeding begging fledglings at the Albuquerque Academy 7 Jun (B. Vaughn). Noteworthy n. to Cibola, single male Black- chinned Sparrows were singing at La Ventana 29 Jun (SOW) and in The Narrows 18 Jul (SOW); others of interest included singles in the Datil Mts. 7 Jun (]H) and at Pine Lodge, Lincoln 25 Jul (CR). Vesper Sparrows van- ished from the Pinon B.B.S. when their ju- niper habitat was leveled; six years later, re- covery of junipers resulted in 2 Vespers there 14 Jun (WH). Migrant Lark Sparrow flocks were conspicuous by late Jul, including 13 at Deming 24 Jul (LM) and 25 at the Gila Bird Area 30 Jul (RS). The 65 Grasshopper Spar- rows in the s. Animas Valley 8 Jul (HW) was the highest count there in several years. For the 2nd consecutive year. Song Sparrows per- sisted into summer in the Cliff-Gila Valley, in- cluding one heard near Cliff 5 Jun (JP) and 2 singing at the same site 18 & 30 Jun (RS); 2 more were singing below Redrock at Nicbols Canyon 16 Jul (RS). Very late for the prairie were 2 Lineoln’s Sparrows at N.R.T. 3 Jun (ph. WH); 3 were singing near timberline on Mt. Taylor 14 Jun (DK). Searches for Yellow-eyed Junco in the Animas Mts. 27 Jun found at least 8 ads. QP et ah), including one pair with recently fledged young (ph. CW). The junco situation was more complex in the Burro Mts., where among several juneo pairs was an apparent mixed pair — one Yellow-eyed ad. and one Red-backed ad. — tending a nest with 3 nestlings 17 Jul (HW). A male Northern Cardinal n. to Sumner Dam 3 Jun (ph. WH) was chasing a male Sum- mer Tanager; a cardinal pair was at Hillsboro 25 Jun-30 Jul (ph. DC). North were 2 male Pyrrhuloxias n. of B.L.N.W.R. 4 Jun, including one at Cocklebur L. (ph. WH). Lingering Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were single males on the Los Pinos R., Rio Arriba 9 Jun (M. Flint), Corrales 7 Jun (DK), Datil Mts. 28 Jun QH), and R.S. 14 Jun (WS). Indigo Buntings were conspicuous in the Broad Canyon area n. of Radium Springs, where a 1.7-km transect found 2 singing males plus a pair with a fledg- ling 23 Jul (MS). Four Varied Bunting territo- ries were tallied in Guadalupe Canyon 9-10 Jul, including a nest with eggs (ph. HW); Var- ieds were found at several canyons in Carlsbad Caverns N.P., including Walnut, Slaughter, and Rattlesnake (SW), and a pair was feeding fledglings in upper Walnut Canyon 31 Jul (HW). Up to 2 Painted Buntings were singing at Deming 24 & 26 Jul (DH). One to 2 Bronzed Cowbirds were n.to two Albuquerque sites 1 Jun (DK) and 12 Jul (CB); away from usual areas were single males at Hillsboro 6 Jun (JP) and Carrizozo 13 Jun (WH). Brown-headed Cowbirds were successful in the Peloncillo Mts., where fledg- lings were fed by Huttons Vireos and by Blue- gray Gnatcatchers (CL). Noteworthy for Lin- coln was a Hooded Oriole at upper Three Rivers Ranch 3 Jul (WWe). Summering American Goldfinches may be spreading far- ther southward in New Mexico; this season, up to 3 males were singing at Bosque from 20 Jun through Jul (m.ob.), and one or more were at the Gila Cliff Dwellings 10 Jun (M, Ali) and 8 Jul (LM); in the n., several were at Taos 20 Jul (HW), and 3 were along the Rio Pueblo, Taos 13 Jun (JP). Initialed observers: Jonathan Batkin, Matt Baumann, Celestyn Brozek, David Cleary, Joan Day-Martin, Kathy Granillo, David Grif- fin, John Groves, Joan Hardie, David Hawksworth, Charles Hayes, Nancy Hetrick, Michael Hilchey, William Howe, James Joseph, David Krueper, Eugene Lewis, Carroll Littlefield, Larry Malone, Robert Mumford, Jerry Oldenettel, John Parmeter, Nicholas Pederson, Tim Reeves, Christopher Rustay, Lawry Sager, Jeffrey Sanchez, Hart Schwarz, Marcy Scott, William Scott, Roland Shook, Dale Stahlecker, Hira Walker, Richard Web- ster, Steve West, William West, S. O. Williams, William Wittman, Cole Wolf, James Zabriskie. O Sartor 0. Williams III, Division of Birds Museum of Southwestern Biology University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131 (sunbittern@earthlink.net) WHAT DO INDOQR CATS MISS?. ^ Killing birds Getting lost ^ Getting stolen Getting hit by a car ^ Fatal feline diseases ^ Dog attacks Abscesses ^ Worms ^ Fleas ^ Ticks Protect cats, birds, and other wildlife by keeping cats indoors! For more information, contact: American Bird Conservancy CaCs Indoors! 1731 Connecticut Avenue, N\V Washington, DC 2U009 Phone: 202-234-7181 Fax: 202-234-7182 XX’eb: wv'w.abcbirds.org E-mail: abc@abcbirds.(n‘g AMERICAN BIRD CONSERVANCY VOLUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 633 I Arizona Mark M. Stevenson (Non-passerines) Gary H. Rosenberg (Passerines) Following a June that was cooler than average, summer rainfall began well but fizzled out after mid-July, when a ridge of high pressure camped out over the state. Rare bird highlights included two potential first United States records — Gray-collared Be- card and Brown-backed Solitaire — and a state-second Pacific Golden-Plover. There were also multiple Elegant Terns, Rufous- capped Warblers, Flame-colored Tanagers, and out-of-place Five-striped Sparrows. Abbreviations: A.B.C. (Arizona Bird Commit- tee), B.W.D. (Bill Williams Delta, L. Havasu), G.W.R. (Gilbert Water Ranch), H.R.P. (Has- sayampa River Preserve), Las Cienegas (Las Cienegas National Conservation Area), L.C.R.V. (lower Colorado R. valley), Sweetwa- ter (Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson). WATERFOWL THROUGH SHOREBIRDS Surprising, but not unprecedented in the heat, 2 Greater White-fronted Geese were in Tempe 4 Jun (PD). Bufflehead is also casual in sum- mer; one lingered at Patagonia L. through 11 Jun (MMS), one was at Gila Bend through 13 Jun (PEL), and another was at Sipe White Mountain WA. 14-16 Jul (vt. TD); all were imms. or females. Up to 2 Common Gold- eneyes at Imperial Dam 2-13 Jun (PEL) were also casual. A female Common Merganser with 5 young in Prescott 9-10 Jul (CST) was likely a first local nesting occurrence. Ring-necked Pheasant is a very local introduced nesting species in Arizona; this season, multiple birds were heard calling in the Fort Thomas-Eden area along the Gila R. (RHu), downstream from where they had previously been reported. Common Loon is rare in summer. At L. Hava- su, up to 4 were on the n. end 1-2 Jun (PEL), 2 were at B.W.D. 20 Jun (T. Linda), and a very worn individual was at B.W.D. 30 Jul (ph. JH). Repeating last year’s experience, surprisingly high numbers of Eared Grebes were found on n. L. Havasu 1-2 Jun (PEL), with day counts of 310 and 360. Even more surprising, 3 ad. and 3 half-grown juv. Eared Grebes were found at Havasu N.W.R. 12 Jul (DD); there were no pri- or L.C.R.V. nesting records. Three ads. were found in a different area of the refuge 16 Jul (DD). There was a minimal summer influx of Brown Pelicans, with one, probably a holdover, at Imperial Dam 2 Jun (PEL) and one in Avon- dale 5-6 Jul 0- Truan). Neotropic Cormorants have been mostly few and localized in se. Ari- zona, compared to their explosive expansion in greater Phoenix. This season, a few sum- mered in unusual areas, with 3 moving around Tucson (m.ob.) and one to 2 at Willcox (KK et al.). Singles at San Carlos L. 3 Jul (KK, JM) and B.W.D. 21-30 Jul (ph. K. Blair) were in areas where considered casual. A Green Heron at Cameron 1 1 Jun (CL) was the latest spring mi- grant on the Navajo Nation ever. Black- crowned Night-Heron is a sparse nester above the Mogollon Rim, so 6 fledglings with ads. at Holbrook 16 Jul (EH) were notable. Another noteworthy nesting was a pair of Mississippi Kites in an isolated pecan tree at Duncan 10 Jun-15 Jul (TC, ph. R. Shantz), a first for Greenlee and the upper Gila R. in Ari- zona. A Red-shouldered Hawk was at the Ahakhav Tribal Preserve near Parker 28 Jul (ph. JH); though seldom checked, this location has produced several recent records of this species. Of note was the absence of reports of this species from H.R.P., the only location in the state where they have been resident. A Gray Hawk continued at H.R.P. through 20 Jun (TD), beyond the usual range of the species. In the Chiricahua Mts., reports of an ad. and imm. Short-tailed Hawk carried through the season (m.ob., ph. C. Gregory), but there were no reports of nesting. The species was other- wise unreported. The season’s only wandering Crested Caracara was an individual at Cienega Creek Preserve, Pima 27 Jun (A. Sabatine). In the Santa Cruz Flats, where they are now es- sentially resident, 3 were seen 29 Jun (DJ), and one was e. of Picacho Peak 6 Jul (MA). A Sora was heard at Laguna Dam 27 Jun (HD), where they are not known to nest. The lone summer- ing Sandhill Crane was reported again from Luna L. through 25 Jul (D. Touret, TC). Exceptional was a second-year male Pacific Golden-Plover at Willcox 26-27 Jun (ph. MMS; ph. RT, GHR, JM; WR). This is only the 2nd Arizona occurrence, and the species is not expected in the lower 48 states in summer. There were again few reports of Snowy Plover, with one in Dome Valley 19-20 Jul (GMcC, PEL) and another near Gila Bend 30 Jul 0- L. Dunn, GMcC); both were at dairy wastewater ponds. A tally of 500 Black-necked Stilts in Glendale 25 Jul (TC) was impressive for Ari- zona; though they nest in the area, many were likely migrants. American Avocet is a rare nesting species in n. Arizona, so two clutches hatched at Holbrook in Jul (EH) were of in- terest. Multiple juv. Spotted Sandpipers along the Gila R. in the Fort Thomas-Eden area 27 Jun (R. Hunt) suggested a newly found nest- ing area. A Lesser Yellowlegs at Willcox 4-7 Jun (RH et al.) was between expected migra- tion dates. Early Marbled Godwits were at Prescott 19 Jun (S. & S. Burk) and Willcox 20 Jun (J. Ulreich, ph. GHR). A Sanderling was casual at San Carlos L. 25 Jul (PN. DJ). The first southbound Semipalmated Sandpiper was on the early side at Willcox 2-3 Jul (ph. DS). A Western Sandpiper was a late spring mi- grant at Willcox 4 Jun (R. Fray), and a Least Sandpiper at Glendale 14 Jun (TC) provided the first mid-Jun report for Maricopa. White- ! rumped Sandpiper is a casual late spring mi- grant, with only one prior record of multiple ' individuals (3), so a flock of 13 at Willcox 3- 5 Jun (ph. GB; JM, DS, RH) was stunning. This nearly doubles the total number ever documented in Arizona. A Baird’s Sandpiper in Dome Valley 19-20 Jul (GMcC, PEL) was j very early there, while one at the Grand Canyon South Rim 25 Jul (ph. BG) was the park’s 2nd record. Three Stilt Sandpipers at Sunsites, Cochise 6 Jul (KK) were very early. GULLS THROUGH KINGFISHERS Single Franklin’s and Bonaparte’s Gulls at San Carlos L. 3 Jul (KK, JM) were unexpected in summer. Up to 6 California Gulls at n. L. Havasu 1-2 Jun (PEL) added to the few early summer reports from the L.C.R.V. It was an eventful summer for terns in Arizona. The state’s first nesting of Least Terns that began at Glendale in late spring continued, with one pair fiedging one young on 10 Jul while the other pair’s nest failed (M. Herring, TC); de- tails will be published elsewhere. Otherwise, single Least Terns were at Lake Havasu City 1 1 6 22 Jun (ph. JH) and Sweetwater 14 Jun (O. Harvey et al). A subad. Black Tern at Sweet- water 16 Jun (MMS) was between migrations, while 2 at Willcox 4 Jul (C, West) and 2 at Sunsites 1 1 Jul (KK) were early migrants. Out- standing was a first-year Arctic Tern at n. L. Havasu 1 Jun (tPEL); the most recent accept- ed Arizona record is from 1993. A late Forster’s Tern was at Prescott 4 Jun (S. Burk), and an early individual was at Arlington W.A. 20 Jun (T. Hildebrand t). An unprecedented abundance of Elegant Terns was found 7 Jul, 634 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS ARIZONA] about a week after their nesting colony in the Sea of Cortez was abandoned due to rising sea surface temperatures (fide E. Copper): 2 were in Tucson 7-10 Jul (R. less; KK, ph. A. Saba- tine et al), 2 were at Patagonia L. 7-8 Jul (ph. MB et al), and one was reported at Benson 7 Jul (KK). There are fewer than ten state records, usually of single individuals. There was some activity at the periphery of the range of White-winged Dove, with one young fledged in Holbrook 16 Jul (EH) and at least one fledged again in Prescott (W. Bull, fide CST). Ruddy Ground-Doves remained sparse, with singles near Wellton 12 Jun (PEL) and Patagonia 18-19 Jun (S. Pipkin et al., ph. RB). Northern Saw-whet Owl is rarely reported in the Prescott area, so one in the Bradshaw Mts. 26 Jun (M. Nicosia) was of interest. A Com- mon Nighthawk over n. L. Havasu 2 Jun (PEL) was just the 3rd for the L.C.R.V Up to 2 Buff- collared Nightjars were reported from the Oro Blanco Mine site near California Gulch all sea- son (m.ob.). White-eared Hummingbirds were numerous again, with reports from the Chiric- ahua, Santa Rita, and (especially) Huachuca Mts., with as many as 8 reported in total. Berylline Hummingbirds were found in these same ranges, with as many as 10 total report- ed. Nesting by Beryllines was reported in Cave Creek Canyon (C. West) and suspected in Miller Canyon (T. Beatty), and a female and male were banded in Madera Canyon 15 & 29 Jun (G. West). In lower Florida Canyon, Pima, a male reported 19 Jun+ (L. Halsey et al.) was noted to be banded 28 Jul (ph. P. Deviche); it may have transited from Madera Canyon. A gravid female Violet-crowned Hummingbird banded at the San Pedro House 27 Jun (S. Williamson) provided the first evidence of breeding along the river. Single Violet- crowneds were n. to Sabino Canyon 25 Jul (E. Fazio) and Madera Canyon 31 Jul (MM). Wan- dering notably far n. and upslope was a Lucifer Hummingbird in Willow Canyon at 2100 m in the Santa Catalina Mts. 29 Jul (MA, ph. J. Faust). The first southbound Rufous Hum- mingbird of the season was- banded at Sabino Canyon on the early date of 13 Jun (E. Fazio), with 7 more reported statewide 25-30 Jun. Allen’s Hummingbird is a rare migrant; 3 were reported in se. Arizona 13-31 Jul (S. Wething- ton, G. West, MMS, MP). A Green Kingfisher at Kingfisher Pond, San Pedro R. in late Jul (MA et al.) was the only one reported. FLYCATCHERS THROUGH MIMIDS A singing Greater Pewee s. of Heber along Black Canyon Cr., Navajo 20 Jul was in the same general area where one occurred during Jul and Aug 2008 (EH); this species is likely a rare but regular summer visitor (breeder?) to the “Rim” country in cen. Arizona. A very late Western Wood-Pewee was at Agua Caliente, far sw. Maricopa 13 Jun (PEL), which is well away from know breeding areas in the state. Pacific-slope Flycatcher is a regular spring mi- grant to lowlands across s. Arizona through late May, with a few stragglers extending into early Jun; this year, the migration period ap- peared to be protracted, with several reported in mid-Jun, the latest being at Las Cienegas 20 Jun OM). The Buff-breasted Flycatcher found in Willow Canyon in the Santa Catalina Mts. in May remained on territory through the end of Jul (B. Bickel; ph. AC); this species is casu- al this far n. in the state. Another was present in Cave Canyon, Santa Rita Mts. 14 Jun QY et al), providing yet another locality in this range for this “apparently” expanding species. A group of 5 Vermilion Flycatchers (one male, 2 females, and one juv.) at Fredonia 3 Jun (TC) cer- tainly suggests local breed- ing, which would confirm the first breeding of this species n. of the Mogollon Rim in n. Arizona. Dusky- capped Flycatchers report- ed n. of their normal breed- ing range in the state in- cluded one at Aspen Springs near Prescott 30 May-4 Jun (CST), one in Pine Mountain Wilderness, Yavapai 6-7 Jim (M. Plagens), one carrying food along the E. Verde R. at its confluence with Webber Cr., Gila 27 Jun (B. Ison), and one at Granite Cr., s. of Watson L., 16-17 Jul (DM, K. Archibald); this species also has been expanding its range northward and westward in Arizona. A Sul- phur-bellied Flycatcher at the Patagonia Road- side Rest 16 Jun (KK, JM) was away from nor- mal breeding areas. Two Thick-billed King- birds were at the monastery in St. David 5-14 Jun, with a “third” along the San Pedro R. near there 14 Jun (KK, A. Sabatine), and the species was found at two locations along Fres- nal Wash., sw. of Arivaca, during the summer (T. Staudt); both of these sites are away of known breeding areas in the state. An Eastern Kingbird at Sweetwater 25 Jun (MMS; ph. AC) was a nice find, as this species is casual in the state during summer. The only report we received of Rose- throat- ed Becard this year was of a migrant “out of habitat” near California Gulch 4 Jun (ph. A. Spencer); this species has declined in recent years (not that it was ever very common), with none reported at the traditional breeding local- ity along Sonoita Cr. near Patagonia again this year. Much more intriguing and exciting was the discovery of a very worn first-year male Gray-collared Becard along the South Fork Rd. in Cave Creek Canyon, Chiricahua Mts. 5 Jun (ph., tj. Johnston; A. Pellegrini, R. Davis; ph. C. West; P. D. Hulce); if accepted by the A.B.C., this would represent a first record of this species for the United States. All subsequent re- ports of this species from Cave Creek Canyon were not substantiated. White-eyed Vireo is still considered casual in the state, so 4 in one season was an excellent showing: one was at Las Cienegas 1-2 Jun (KK; ph. JM; v.r. DS); one was at Cameron seep 23 Jun-i- (tCL; ph., tBG); one was in Round Valley n. of Portal 2 Jul (tREW); and one was in Portal 7 Jul (v.r. REW, RAR). A Bell’s Vireo that was located at Yuma during the spring remained on territory until at least 27 Jun (HD). The Yellow-throated Vireo found at La Cienegas 25 May was present again 18 Jun and heard there 30 Jul (KK, JM; ph., tDS; ph. AC). Other singles were at Montezu- ma Well 19 May-29 Jun (m.ob.) and along the San Pedro R. near Hwy. 90 on 15 Jul (ph., tB. Van Doren); this species has been increasing in Arizona in recent years. A Warbling Vireo in a Tucson yard 9 Jun (WR) was late for a lowland location. A Red-eyed Vireo, casual in the state, was at Sweetwater 23 Jun (ph., tJM). Three Purple Martins were near Sheldon along the Gila R. in s. Greenlee 10 Jun (Troy Corman); two distinct populations (sub- species) occur in Arizona, one nesting in saguaro cacti in the lowlands, and one nesting in pines above about 1500 m in elevation. As neither saguaros nor pines occur at this loca- tion, we are unsure to which group these birds should be assigned, given that this loca- tion is not within the geographic distribution of either. Single Tree Swallows were at Will- cox 20 Jun 0- Hand, GHR), 27 Jun (WR), and 8 Jul (DS), and 2 were at Benson 26 Jun (MMS); there are few summer season reports of this species from s. Arizona. The Sinaloa Wren discovered along Sonoita Cr, near Patagonia in Aug 2008 was still present through this summer season (m.ob.). A Black-capped Gnatcatcher in Sycamore Canyon 20 Jul (RH) was at a potentially new location for this expanding species. Unprecedented in Arizona, this photograph shows nine of a remarkable B White- rumped Sandpipers present together at Wiilcox 3 (here) through 5 June 2009, repre- senting only a tenth Arizona record overall. Photograph by Dave Stejskal. VOLUME 63 (2009) NUMBER 4 635 [ARIZONA An Eastern Bluebird was in Cave Canyon, Santa Rita Mts. 1 Jun (ph. KK, JM), where rarely reported. A singing Brown-backed Soli- taire was discovered in Miller Canyon, Huachuca Mts. 16 Jul (R. Day, D. Jasper, ph. B. Van Doren, ph. B. Mangier) and moved to nearby Ramsey Canyon 18 Jul-1 Aug (S. Kunzer, R. Romea; ph. J. Woodley, M. Tara- chow, C. Melton, CVC, J. Oldenettel, GHR; v.r. CDB, DS). While there is no doubt of the identification of this bird, the A.B.C. will have to consider the provenance of this individual, given the high frequency with which this species is kept as a caged bird throughout Mexico; there was one previous well-docu- mented occurrence of this incredible songster in Arizona (fall 1996), which was not accept- ed by the A.B.C. because of the question of provenance. American Robins at Patagonia L. 11 Jun (MMS) and in Phoenix 31 Jul OW) were both at odd locations for the summer season. Exciting was an Aztec Thrush at Ramsey Canyon 31 Jul+ (ph. M. & T. Bauer et al); this species is casual in the state, with most reports from late summer. Single Gray Catbirds were at Las Cienegas 13 Jun (ph. J. McKay) and in Cave Creek Canyon 20 Jun (C. Wolf, ph. A. Schmierer); this species is a rare but regular straggler in Arizona away from breeding areas in the White Mts. WARBLERS THROUGH ORIOLES A Golden-winged Warbler, casual in the state, was at Wellton 2 Jun (tPEL). An Orange- crowned Warbler, also at Wellton 2 Jun (PEL), was a very late migrant. Six Northern Parulas and 4 American Redstarts were about average for the season. A Black-and-white Warbler, ca- sual in Jun, was at Quigley W.A. near Yuma 2 Jun (PEL). Unusual for summer, an Ovenbird was at Starr Pass in the Tucson Mts. 16 Jun (ph. J. Smith). Kentucky Warhler has proven 1 Great Basin to be rare but regular in the state during early summer; this year, one was near Herb Martyr, Chiricahua Mts. 21 Jun (ph. J. Joseph), and another was at along Lynx Cr., Yavapai 29 Jun (CST, DM). Amazing were 15 Hooded War- blers reported this season; this species has been increasing in frequency in the state in re- cent years, but this high number of individu- als in one season was unexpected. The Ru- fous-capped Warhler pair in Florida Canyon continued through the summer (m.ob.). Else- where, another pair of Rufous-cappeds was discovered in the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve, with one there 4-10 Jun (ph., tA. & R. Outlaw), and 2 present 26 Jun+, with nest- building observed intermittently (MB; ph. RB, CC; R. Miller). This species is a casual north- ward disperser during spring and summer from Mexico. A pair of Yellow-breasted Chats nest-building in Patagonia 31 Jul (RB) was late for breeding in Arizona. The long-returning male Plame-colored Tan- ager at Madera Canyon was present through 30 Jul (m.ob.). A nesting pair of Plame-colored Tanagers was discovered at Southwest Research Station in Cave Creek Canyon Jun 21+ (ph. RT; ph. REW, m.ob.); Arizona’s first accepted record for this species came from Cave Creek Canyon in 1985, and it remains a casual spring and summer visitor to canyons in se. Arizona. A late Green-tailed Towhee was at G.W.R. 5 Jun (T. Loomis). Rufous-winged Sparrow was again found in Guadalupe Canyon 28 Jun (ph. C. Wolf), where it was found in both 2003 and 2007. One along the San Pedro R. (Garden Wash) 13 Jul (SH) was away from known breeding areas. Five-striped Sparrows were lo- cated at Montosa Canyon, Santa Rita Mts. 11 Jun (S. Pipkin, RH), and at Florida Canyon, Pima, 15 Jun-3 Jul (MK, S. Pipkin; ph. A. Schmierer); both these locations are new for this species in Arizona. Scattered reports of ori- antha White-crowned Sparrows occurred in early Jun, but one singing at Sweetwater 23 Jun QM) was extremely late for s. Arizona. The sta- tus of Rose-breasted Grosbeak continues to change in Arizona during late spring and sum- mer, with no fewer than 20 reported this sum- mer statewide. Indigo Bunting was previously considered a rare but regular migrant and sum- mer breeder across s. and cen. Arizona; this summer, far more than usual were reported, of- ten in small groups, statewide. Fewer Painted Buntings than usual were reported in late Jul, with only three reports received. Small groups of Yellow-headed Blackbirds were reported from scattered locations across s. Arizona, where this species is rare in summer. Hooded Oriole is casual in n. Arizona, so 2 at Cameron 11 Jun (CL et al.) and one there 21 Jul (CDB, JC) were noteworthy. Contributors; Moez Ali, Robin Baxter, Chris D. Benesh, Gavin Bieber, Matt Brown, Cliff Cathers, Christie van Cleve, John Coons, An- drew Core, Troy Corman, Tommy De- Bardeleben, Dee Dee DeLorenzo, Henry De- twiler, Pierre Deviche, Brian Gatlin, Stuart Healy Joe Hildreth, Eric Hough, Rich Hoyer, Rob Hunt, Doug Jenness, Keith Kamper, Chuck LaRue, Paul E. Lehman, Guy McCask- ie, Jake Mohlman, David Moll, Phil Norton, Molly Pollock, Gary H. Rosenberg, Rose Ann Rowlett, Will Russell, Dave Stejskal, Mark M. Stevenson, Rick Taylor, Carl S. Tomoff (Prescott), Richard E. Webster, Janet Witze- man (Maricopa), John Yerger (Tucson). © Mark M. Stevenson (Non-Passerines) 4201 East Monte Vista Drive, #1207 Tucson, Arizona 85712-5554, (clrbrclr@att.net) Gary H. Rosenberg (Passerines) P. 0. Box 91856, Tucson, Arizona 85752-1856 (ghrosenberg@comcast.net) Rick Fridell The summer started off with a mild June that featured below-average tempera- tures and above-average levels of pre- cipitation through most of the Region. How- ever, by July, weather was back to the typical hot and dry conditions characteristic of the Great Basin. Either it was a very slow sum- mer in Utah, or birders took the summer off: the vast majority of reports and of notewor- thy sightings originated from Nevada. Ne- vada summer highlights included Mississippi 636 Kite, Arctic Tern, Whip-poor-will, Yellow- throated Vireo, and Red-faced Warbler. Utah highlights included the third and fourth records of Neotropic Cormorant and an un- seasonable Mew Gull. Several contributors noted higher-than-normal numbers of terri- torial Indigo Buntings in southern Nevada and Utah this summer. Abbreviations: Antelope 1. (Antelope Island State Park and Causeway, Davis, UT); Ash Meadows (Ash Meadows N.W.R., Nye, NV); Bear River (Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS GREAT BASIN Always rare in the Great Basin, this Yellow-throated Vireo was photographed at Dyer Pond, Esmeralda County, Nevada 7 June 2009. Photograph by Greg Scyphers. Box Elder, UT); Corn Cr. (Corn Creek Unit, Desert N.W.R., Clark, NV); Farmington Bay (Farmington Bay W.M.A., Davis, UT); H.B.YP. (Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve, Clark, NV); L. Mead (Lake Mead N.R.A., Clark, NV); Lytle (Lytle Ranch Preserve, Washington, UT); Miller’s R.A. (Miller’s Rest Area, Esmeralda, NV); Ouray (Ouray N.W.R., Uintah, UT); Pahranagat (Pahranagat NWR, Lincoln, NV); Red Hills (Red Hills G.C., St. George, Wash- ington, UT); Zion (Zion N.P, Washington, UT). WATERFOWL THROUGH TERNS An injured Brant mysteriously appeared 9 Jun on the small ponds at Corn Cr. QH et ak) and remained through 14 Jun, when it was found dead. A female White-winged Scoter, first dis- covered 25 May, remained at Walker L., Min- eral, NV through 16 Jun (GS, MM). Two Neotropic Cormorants, the 3rd documented occurrence in Utah, remained at Ivins Res., Washington, through the summer (ph. RF et ah). Surprisingly, 2 additional Neotropic Cor- morants were found 18 Jul at Lee Kay Ponds, Salt Lake, UT (PF, ph. TA et ah). Nevada’s first Glossy Ibis, first discovered 24 May, lingered at Pahranagat through at least 7 Jun (ph. CL). A Glossy Ibis was also reported 6 Jul at Bear River O&KB). An apparent White-faced Ibis x Glossy Ibis hybrid was photographed 16 Jun at Ash Meadows (CL). A Common Moorhen was n. of expected range at Benjamin Slough, Utah, UT 1-9 Jun (DSh, ph. JBi, ph. JM). White-tailed Kites remained at Pahranagat through the summer (EH, CL, et al). A Mis- sissippi Kite was a great find 12 Jul along Meadow Valley Wash, Lincoln, NV (ph. JS). A Bald Eagle made a rare summer appearance at Quichapa L., Iron, UT 12 Jun (SH), An out-of- season Broad-winged Hawk was observed 13- 16 Jun at Dyer, Esmeralda, NV (ph. GS, ph. MM). Two pairs of Zone-tailed Hawks were observed this summer; the first pair was pho- tographed 21 Jun along Meadow Valley Wash, Lincoln, NV (ph. CL), and a pair was also reported 26 Jun near Navajo L., Kane, UT (LT). There were very few sightings of rare shorebirds in the Re- gion this summer. The only noteworthy reports included a Whimbrel at H.B.VP. 16-19 Jun OB et al.), a Semipalmated Sandpiper 19 Jul in the Amargosa Valley, Nye, NV (CL), and a Short-billed Dowitcher 23 Jul at H.B.VP. (RM). A second-cycle Mew Gull made an extremely unusual summer appear- ance at Antelope 1. 28 Jun (CC, KB). Least Terns were observed 16 Jun at Ash Meadows (ph. CL), and 21 Jun and 19 Jul at H.B.VP. (fide JB). Certainly one of the biggest surpris- es of the season was an Arctic Tern observed along Hwy. 772 near the Reese R. crossing in seldom-birded Lander, NV 11 Jul QL). CUCKOOS THROUGH FINCHES Yellow-billed Cuckoos were reported from two NV locations: 6 Jun at Corn Cr. (GS) and 30 Jun at Ash Meadows (CL). Wayward White-winged Doves were found 7 Jun at Cedar City, Iron, UT (SH), 18 Jun at Ash Meadows (CL), and 12 Jul at Morgan, Mor- gan, UT (AS). A cooperative Whip-poor-will, of the Mexican subspecies, was found singing 11-17 Jun at Kyle Canyon, Clark, NV (SS, et mult al.). A male Anna's Hummingbird was photographed 20 Jul visiting a feeder in Ly- dia’s Canyon, Kane, UT. A small colony of Acorn Woodpeckers continued through the summer in the Kolob Meadows, Washington, UT (RE J&KB). A Downy Woodpecker made a rare Esmeralda, NV appearance 13 Jun at the Circle L Ranch (GS). Eastern Kingbirds were observed at Corn Cr. 8 Jun (RS, DG) and at Eish Creek Valley, Eureka, NV 12 Jul (MM). A singing Yellow- throated Vireo was found 7 Jun at Dyer Pond, Esmeralda, NV (ph. GS, RS, DG). Two Winter Wrens were heard singing along Strawberry Cr., Great Basin N.P, White Pine, NV 11 Jul (MM, GS), suggesting possible breeding at this isolated location. Gray Catbirds were ob- served at the Circle L Ranch, Esmeralda, NV 5 Jun (MM) and at the Dyer Pond, Esmeralda, NV 13 Jun (GS). A female Phainopepla was n. of expected breeding range at Arlemont Ranch, Esmeralda, NV 7-22 Jun (GS, RS, DG). A well-documented Magnolia Warbler was observed at McCarren Ranch, Storey, NV 14 Jun (tDS). Black-and-white Warblers were found 1 Jun at Ethel M. Gardens, Clark, NV (TS) and 14 Jun at Pahranagat (GS). A female American Redstart visited Miller’s R.A 3-7 Jun (DW et al). Nevada Ovenbirds were reported in a narrow window: at Crystal Spring, Lin- coln 6 Jun (CL), at Dyer, Esmeralda 7 Jun (RS, DG, GS), and at Fletcher Canyon, Clark 9 Jun (RS, DG). A singing male Hooded Warbler graced Deadman Canyon, Desert N.W.R., Clark, NV 5 Jun (GS). A Red-faced Warbler was observed for the 2nd consecutive sum- mer at Fletcher Canyon, Clark, NV; the war- bler was found 22 Jun (ph. BG, PJ) and re- mained through at least 10 Aug (ph. CR). An ad. Painted Redstart was reported feeding young 14 Jun at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Clark, NV (DH). An ad. was found again 17 Jun (CL); however, evi- dence of successful nesting was not docu- mented. At least one pair of Painted Redstarts successfully fledged young again this summer along the Virgin R. in Zion Canyon, Zion (RF). An out-of-range male Summer Tanager was observed at Josie’s Ranch, Dinosaur N.M., Uintah, UT 22 Jun (MJ). It was an amazing season for Rose-breasted Grosbeak sightings in the Great Basin; 12 were observed between 2 Jun and 10 Jul in Carson City, Clark, Lincoln, and Nye, NV and Kane, Millard, Summit, and Weber, UT. Ob- servers reported higher-than-normal numbers of Indigo Buntings breeding in the Region this summer, particularly through s. Nevada and sw. Utah. At least one of the White- winged Crossbills first discovered in Feb re- mained through 28 Jun at the Elko Cemetery, Elko, NV (JB). A Lawrence’s Goldfinch was observed along the Amargosa R. at the Beatty Narrows, Nye, NV 10 Jun (LC). Contributors and cited observers: Tim Avery, Ken Behrens, Joel & Kathy Beyer, Jack Binch OBi), JeAnne Branca, Cameron Cox, Laura Cunningham, Rick Eridell, Pomera Eronce, Dennis Ghiglieri, Bob Gotschall, Steve Hedges, Jon Heywood, Linda Hiller, Eric Hough, David Houghton, Paul Jared, Matt Johnstone, Carl Lundblad, John Luther, Ted & Carolyn McGrath, James McIntyre, Martin Meyers, Randall Michal, Ingrid Paine, Kristin Purdy, Ghris Ruiz-Gardner, Greg Scyphers, Dennis Serdehely Dennis Shirley (DSh), Sam Skalak, Arnold Smith, Justin Streit, Rose Strickland, Toby Sulenski, Jeanne Tinsman, Carolyn Titus, Larry Tripp, David Worley. Rick Fridell, 3505 West 290 North Hurricane, Utah 84737, (rfridell@redrock.net) VOlUME 63 (2009) NUMBER 4 637 Alaska ThedeTobish CHUKCHI SEA BEAUFORT SEA Prudhoe Bay Brooks Ran^o SI Matthew I. BERING SEA Attu I. /-Shemya I. Burnt. Amchitka I. Eagle ABethei Cook Nmvak I. ■' Xs. So,^l. St. Paul Brhwi X .^Kodiak %V??\bijrg ^Asitka»l^der ^^i-'^VvCold Bay ^3=''^ Dutch Harbor GULF of ALASKA V\ Ketchikan By most accounts, summer 2009 ban- ished memories of the cold and wet conditions that dominated the Region in summer 2008. May opened what became nearly eight straight weeks of above-average temperatures, few storms, and below-average rain. The fire season started early, included long periods of widespread smoke coverage, and ended with extensive burned acreage in the Interior. With few data otherwise, it ap- peared to be a generally quick and probably successful nesting season, with a few excep- tions, notably swallows and possibly North Slope coastal tundra nesters. It seemed that this summer also yielded more than the usu- al wandering or lingering non-breeders at sites well south of traditional breeding areas. Although the El Nino developed in the cen- tral Pacific in June, sea surface temperatures in the northern Gulf of Alaska appeared about average at least through July. One of the sea- son’s most notable events was an invasion of Eurasian Collared-Doves that commenced in late May and continued through June, with many individuals lingering at several sites through the season. Summer rarities were above the norm, including a new addition to the Alaska list and quite a few birds rarely found in Southeast. Abbreviations; A.B.O. (Alaska B.O., Fair- banks); North Gulf (n. Gulf of Alaska); Refer- enced details (T), specimens (*), photographs (ph.), videotape (vt.), and audiotape (v.r.) are on file at the University of Alaska Museum. WATERFOWL THROUGH GREBES Single Greater White-fronted Geese in South- east (where the species typically moves through by mid-May) were at Sitka through 10 Jul (MEW, MET, ph.) and Juneau 19 Jul (PMS), a first in summer there. Northbound Brant showed a similar pattern in Southeast, with lots of late birds still moving deep into Jun. Pour Brant in Ketchikan 12 Jul (SCH, AWP) were the first ever for mid- summer in s. Southeast. Other very late Brant included a group of 12 in Juneau 28 Jun-1 jul (MWS, GBW), 2 in Haines 2 Jul (PMS), and 18 in Glacier Bay 22 Jul (NKD). A Cackling Goose de- scribed as probably minima accompanied local Cana- da Geese in Anchorage 16 Jun (Pield Guides) — most unusual for South- coastal Alaska in sum- mer— while a parvipes Canada Goose was casual in the Bering Sea at St. Paul 7-15 Jun (St. Paul Tour). A Cackling Goose at Juneau 12 Jun (PMS) was thought to be simply a late mi- grant. A male Gadwall was extralimital on the North Slope, where there are a few records of overshooting individuals, at Barrow 26 Jun (Field Guides), while a Northern Shoveler pair there 26 Jun (Field Guides) was also rare for the North Slope but is a species recorded with more regularity. First noted on a fresh- water lake at Adak 29 May, a pair of Falcated Ducks hung around through 3 Jun (ph. IH). While there are early Jun records from the cen. Aleutians, most reports come from far- ther west. Among the standard handful of Eurasian Wigeon reports, concentrated at n. coastal sites, a drake in Juneau 16 Jun (PMS), where casual in summer, was most notable. Of the usual scattering of mostly single Blue-winged Teal beyond the e. Interior, a male at Safety Lagoon near Nome 12-13 Jun (JT, JR, EP) was farthest from core range; they are inter- mittent visitors there, espe- cially during droughts on the prairies. Macintosh identified a male Eurasian Teal at Kodiak 3 Jun (RAM, CT); there are a few previous reports there. It turned into a good summer for Aythya re- ports. Sixty Canvasbacks estimated from Safe- ty Lagoon 20-22 Jun (Field Guides) was an exceptional grouping from beyond their Inte- rior taiga nesting areas well to the southeast. A male Common Pochard in partial eclipse plumage at Adak 30 Jun (ph. IH) was only the Aleutians' 2nd ever in summer. Fourteen Ring-necked Ducks at Barnes L. on the lower Stikine R. 7 Jun was a strong showing at one of Southeast’s few known nesting sites, while 9 were counted at Juneau’s Mendenhall Wet- lands 28 Jun (PMS, BAA), and 3 were offshore at Sitka 12 Jun (MLW, MET). Out in the North Gulf off Kodiak, a lone male occupied a pond n. of Big Bay, Shuyak 1. 30 Jun (RAM) in good-looking nesting habitat, Kodiak’s 2nd summer record. The summer’s only Tufted Ducks included a single male at Nome’s Safe- ty Sound 1-2 Jun (Wilderness Birding, LD, JJ) and 4 at St. Paul 22 & 27 Jun (St. Paul Tour). Lesser Scaup in odd locations included 2 males near Safety Sound 2 Jun (LD, JJ, AL), where they are occasional, and 5 males with a female near Perevalne Passage on Shuyak 1. near Kodiak 29 Jun (RAM), near where the only previous Kodiak area nest was found in 1997. Ruddy Ducks continue to occupy Ken- ny L. in the se. Interior s. of Glenallen, with at least 4 ads. towing around 7 imms. between 24 Jun and 13 Jul (BM, ph. AL, EWC, JDL, RLS, ph. TGT et al.). Ad. Ruddy Ducks have become a regular feature at this large, shallow farm pond, which seems to be filling in and shrinking. Noteworthy was an ad. Red-throated Loon with 2 chicks on a pond near Carroll Pt. on Revillagigedo 1. near Ketchikan 11 Jul (ph. JEP), the 3rd local confirmed breeding record. Red-throated Loon is an uncommon breeding species in Southeast. A Horned Grebe located on a small pond n of Toolik L. in the n. Brooks Range foothills 14 Jun (JS) was very near the site of the Region’s only prior breeding record n. of the Brooks Range. Careful scoping of the Kenny L. oasis in se. Interior turned up a breeding-plumaged Eared Grebe 2Jul (EWC, JDL), a bird that associated with Horned Grebe family groups through at least the 11th (m.ob., ph. TGT, ph. DD). We now have two photographically documented Alaska records and at least one convincing sight report. ALBATROSSES THROUGH ALCIDS It was a great summer for Short-tailed Alba- tross reports, highlighted by a subad. pho- tographed in Southeast waters w. of Kruzof 1. This adult Swainson's Hawk in the alpine zone above Juneau, Alaska 26 June 2009 represented one of few reports from Alaska's Southeast, and there is only one previ- ous summer record. Photograph by Mark W. Schwan. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS 638 I ALASKA This South Polar Skua seen from a research vessel west of Cape Edgecombe and Kruzof Island, Alaska 30 June 2009 nicely documents this casual summer pelagic visitor to the Gulf of Alaska. Photograph by John Calambokidis. 11 Jun (ph. LAW) and up to 8 in the w.-cen. Bering Sea towards Russian waters 23 Jul-2 Aug (ph. AL, MR), which is where strong counts of this recovering species have come over the past few years. Short-taileds remain rare visitors to Southeast waters. Last noted in the Pribilofs in 2003 at the n. periphery of their Bering Sea range, a single Double-crest- ed Cormorant visited St. Paul 13-18 Jul (St. Paul Tour). It appears that at least one Great Blue Heron summered offshore in the North Gulf at Kodiak 8 Jun-9 Jul (PD, DH), only that site’s 2nd at this season, though a few typically winter there. Northern Harriers are rare in summer in Southeast, which lacks suitable nesting habi- tat; notable were 2 at Sergief 1. at the mouth of the Stikine R. 13 Jun (AWR EWC, JDL, JED), one around Gustavus 7 & 9 Jul (NKD), and another offshore at Sitka 13 Jun (MRG), where the species is a rare migrant as well. An ad. Swainson’s Hawk was photographed in the alpine zone on Gold Ridge behind Juneau 26 Jun and 3 Jul (ph. MWS, GBW). This dry country species is only sporadically reported from e. Alaska, and summer reports from Southeast are limited to the Juneau alpine, where perhaps non-breeders from points e. of the Coast Range might wander. Very rare for summer in Southeast, apparent Harlan’s Hawks were found in Gustavus 9 6a; 13 Jul (NKD) and to the e. at Haines 29 Jun (PMS). Harlan’s breeds across cen. Alaska through the Yukon Territory into n, British Columbia, but their presence in the Haines area in sum- mer over the past decade hints at possible nesting there, which is not far from their taiga forest breeding areas. A female American Kestrel seen in the fog near Nome 9 Jun QJ. LD) was a rare coastal Seward Pen. record for this species, which is more regularly found well e. and inland. Equally as odd for the North Slope coast, a Merlin was seen over the tundra at Barrow 27 Jun (Field Guides), where summer extralimitals are occasional. The summer’s only Sora re- port included 3 all season from Juneau’s Pioneer Marsh, one of Southeast’s most regular sites for this rare summer visitor. Notable summer Sandhill Crane observations included 5 at Juneau’s Mendenhall Wet- lands 1 Jun followed by singles on the 9th and 27th (RJG, GBW), at least one bird in Gustavus through the season (TL), and a lone bird in Indian R. valley near Sitka 13 Jun (AT), where breeding had been suspected in the past (American Birds 44: 1171). What are probably Greater Sandhill Cranes breed in Southeast only in the s. Archipelago, while these northerly reports were likely late migrant or non-breeding Lessers, the widespread subspecies that breeds across the bulk of the Region. Shorebird finds were the typical summer mix of odd dates or early southbound ads., with the handful of Asian species in the Bering Sea. Another Killdeer located at Barrow 13 Jun (KZ ph.) and 1 Jul (MG, fide MJI) added to the batch of North Slope overshoot reports, which are mostly from the Barrow tundra. A shore- bird that appeared at first to be a Ruff to the observ- er in wet tundra at Barrow 6 Jun (ph. RM) turned out to be a Common Red- shank, Alaska’s first. The Common Sandpiper at St. Paul 28 Jun (St. Paul Tour) was likely a south- bound ad., but single Common Greenshanks continuing from late May at St. Paul 1 6l 3 Jun (St. Paul Tour) and in the cen. Aleutians at Adak 3 Jun (ph. IH) were certainly late spring birds. An agi- tated, defensive pair of Solitary Sandpipers was noted in muskeg near the Ketchikan Airport on Gravina 1. 12 Jul (AWR SCH et al.); similar be- havior has been seen at this site in two other pairs since 2005, and breeding is suspected. A Black-tailed Godwit lingered at St. Paul from late May through 1 Jun, while another showed up there 27 Jun and displayed over marsh pools through 4 Jul (St. Paul Tour). There are a few scattered mid-summer Black-tailed God- wit records from across the Region, and this is the Pribilofs’ first since 2000. On the heels of last summer’s discovery of nesting Hudsonian Godwits near Kanuti L. in the n. Interior Koyukuk country s. of Betties, up to 10 fami- ly groups and volant young were detected in the area between 8 Jun and 13 Jul this season (CH et al). While Hudsonians are known to nest on coastal sites w. of here, these mark the first breeding records for the Interior, where the species is mostly a rare, irregular spring migrant. A single ad. Hudsonian near Juneau 5 Jul (RHA) was Southeast’s first of the fall. While the lone Marbled Godwit at Juneau’s Portland I. 3 Jun (RHA) was a very late mi- grant for that locale, another ad. to the s. at Ketchikan 20-21 Jul (ph. AWP) provided one of very few documented fall reports from Southeast. Single ad. Red-necked Stints locat- ed in and around Safety Lagoon near Nome 8 Jun and 12 Jul (Wilderness Birding, AL) and at St. Paul 22 Jul (St. Paul Tour) were the sea- son’s most interesting reports. With few true summer reports, an ad. Temminck’s Stint on St. Paul 3-4Jul (St. Paul Tour, ph. SS) was pos- sibly about the 3rd ever in Jul. Of the few Ruff reports, an ad. at Anchorage’s popular Westch- ester Flats 11 Jun (Field Guides, m.ob.) fur- nished only the 3rd local record and one of few from South-coastal Alaska away from the immediate North Gulf Coast, while at least 2 males initiated a mini-lek 13-15 Jun at Barrow (ph. DN), where this species is nearly annual. Although 2 Common Snipe were seen in win- nowing displays over St. Paul marshes 20 Jun-23 Jul (St. Paul Tour), actual nesting was not suspected. Single Wilson’s Phalaropes were located this season, a female in Juneau at Ft. Bridget 2 Jun (ph. PMS) and male at that location’s Mendenhall Wetlands 19-21 Jul (GBW, ph. PAR). Most of the irregular sum- mer season reports come from Juneau. Getting late were 10 Sabine’s Gulls in low- This Western Kingbird, foraging from old posts in the Hyder area's intertidal zone 2 June 2009, provided this site's eighth record of this casual summer visitor. These old posts at Hyder remain the state's best location for both Eastern and Western Kingbirds. Photograph by James D. Levison. VOLUME 63 (2009) NUMBER 4 639 ALASKA Documented by holding a camera to binoculars, this Rose-breasted Grosbeaks at Craig on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska 22 June was one of two in the state's Southeast in summer 2009. Photograph by Paul Coffey. er Glacier Bay 6 Jun (NKD), But more inter- esting in midsummer in that area was a feed- ing group of 23-1- near Columbia Glacier in Prince William Sound 11 Jul (MB), where there are occasional records of mostly single birds, probably non-breeders. Up on the North Slope at the Colville R. delta, the local breeding Sabines Gull population was 100% wiped out by Arctic Foxes, an event never witnessed there before OH)- Of the season’s average 3 Franklin’s Gulls, 2 ventured into the Bering Sea, both ads., at St. Paul 8 Jul (St. Paul Tour) , the Pribilofs 3rd ever, and at sea about 240 km e. of the Pribilofs 14 Jul (ph. RAM). Another ad. in the Kenai Fiords just off Aialik Glacier 24 Jun (DG, Field Guides) added to the handful of previous summer reports in the North Gulf of Alaska. Just within Alaska wa- ters in the w. Bering Sea some 278 km w. of St. Mathew I., an ad. Kamchatka Mew Gull rode the M/V Oscar Dysan for a few hours 29 Jul (ph. AL). This subspecies from ne. Russia is a rare summer visitor, mostly at the Bering Sea island outposts. Notable Thayer’s Gull reports included one in transition to second cycle at Safety Sound near Nome 22 Jun (Field Guides, ph. DS), one of very few Bering Sea summer observations, and a first local sum- mer bird for the Ketchikan area 22 Jun (ph. SCH). Exceptional Bering Sea Slaty-backed Gull counts included 6 for the season at St. Paul 1-4 Jun and 30 Jul (St. Paul Tour) and 15-f in various plumages in the Nome area 20- 22 Jun (Field Guides). Small numbers of Aleutian Terns foraged in Glacier Bay’s lower West Arm for the 3rd con- secutive summer, mostly near Lone I., with a maximum count of 6 from 26 Jun (NKD). Aleutian Terns had only recently been confirmed breeding in Glacier Bay (North American Birds 59: 641). Two ad. longi- pcnnis Common Terns were noted in the Pri- bilofs around St. Paul 13 & 23 Jun (St. Paul Tour, Field Guides), where this subspecies is nearly annual in summer. The Aleutians’ 3rd White- winged Tern in Adak’s Shagak Bay tern colony 5 Jul (ph. IH) adds to the Archipelago’s prior records from Attu and Nizki; other summer records in the Region are from considerably e. of there (Homer, Fair- banks). There are now six Alaska records. Two summer skua reports came from the North Gulf, waters that produce most of the occasional summer records: a South Polar Skua was confirmed off the outer Southeast coast w. of Kruzof 1, 30 Jun (GS, ph. JC), and a brief flyby (probable) South Polar was off Kodiak’s e. side 23 Jun (ph. RAM). An ad. Po- marine Jaeger off Anchorage’s shores 1 Jun (Field Guides, tDS) was a first in Upper Cook Inlet and far from normal near-shore migra- tion waters. A lemming crash on the North Slope meant essentially no jaegers at most sites for this summer. Casual in the s. Bering Sea and away from the St. Lawrence I. sites, a Dovekie in the Pribilofs at St. Paul 27 Jun was probably the same individual as the one lo- cated on nearby Walrus 1. 28 Jul (fide St. Paul Tour). A rare Marbled Murrelet nest was lo- cated when an ad. was flushed off an egg on the ground below towering evergreens near Eagle Cr., on Douglas I. near Juneau 30 Jun (MFW, ph. KH). This nest and the young bird were then monitored through fledging in Aug. Forty Horned Puffins counted in Windy Bay on Coronation 1. off the outer Southeast coast 19 Jul QB-P) was a strong showing — the entire Southeast population had been estimat- ed at 270 birds from 15 small colonies. DOVES THROUGH THRUSHES A flock of 25 Band-tailed Pigeons near Ketchikan 17 Jun (TG) provided one of that locale’s highest counts. Although Band-taileds summer regularly in the Ketchikan area, there is little breeding documentation from really anywhere within their Alaska range. Thus, 2 juvs. with ads. at a feeder there 24 Jun (CAF) were noteworthy. Several observers noted an abundance of Short-eared Owls concentrated on Seward Pen. coastal tundra, e.g., 14 along 3 km of road near Nome’s Safety Sound in early Jun (ED). Two Vaux’s Swifts at Gustavus 10 Jun (NKD) were at the extreme nw. edge of the species’ range in n. Southeast; they are not an- nual there. The season’s only Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was a drumming individual along the Alaska Hwy. near Scottie Cr. 11 Jun (NH, LD) just w. of the Canadian border. An Olive-sided Elycatcher overshot the species’ nesting habitat on the Bering Sea coast to Shishmaref 6 Jun (ph. KS). All of the three prior Seward Pen. documented sight- ings have been on the Bering Sea coastal fringe. A B.B.S. team tallied 5 singing Yellow- bellied Flycatchers within the Kanuti Canyon in the n.-cen. Interior n. of the Eu- reka area in the Yukon R. watershed, where a small colony was discovered in 2005. Nearly annual from somewhere in the e. half of the Region, lone Least Elycatchers were singing along Ketili Cr. on the lower Stikine R. 8 Jun (AWP, EWC, JDL, JED), in Hyder 19 Jun (LP), and near Juneau 18 Jun (RJG, PMS). An Empidonax song at the Dyea Camp- 7 j a Following a long Pacific Coast population expansion, Caspian Terns began to wander into North Guif of Alaska coastal J p) areas in the 1 980s and eariy 1 990s, with local nesting at several coastal colonies in the past few years (Gill and Mewaldt 1983, Auk 100: 369-381; Gibson and Kessel 1992, CondorH: 454-467; McCaffery et al. 1997, Pacific Seabird Group Bulletin 24: 71-73; Johnson et al. 2008, U. S. Forest Service, Genera! Technical Report PNW-GTR-739; Lohse et al. 2008, Western Birds 39: 94-96). However, this summer's reports and peak counts distributed across the species' now regular North Guif coast range are unprecedented. Summering birds noted away from colony sites included 12 in the Juneau area 5 Jun (PMS), 16 near Gustavus 16 Jun (NKD), 4 in Ketchikan from S Jun (AWP), and singles at Hyder 2 Jun (JDL) and near Haines 2 Jul (PMS). The traditional Copper R. delta colony included 250 pairs by 10 Jun (DR, fide GBVV), about half with chicks. To the e., the Icy Bay colony in- cluded about 190 birds this season [fide GBVV). Quite a few banded Caspians were also noted, including one banded as an ad. in 2006 on the East Sand Spit, Columbia R. colony where it bred in 2007 and 2008 before moving to the Copper R. colony where it was tending an egg this year. Other banded birds included 3 single ads., banded as chicks at the same Columbia R. colony, that turned up at Juneau 12 Jun (PMS; b. 2004), at Gustavus 16 Jun (ph. NKD, b. 2005), and another in Juneau 6 Jul (PMS, b. 2006). Summer reports away from Prince William Sound remain sporadic and span the Alaska Pen. to Nome. 640 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS ALASKA Following several spring reports from Southeast, Eurasian Collared-Doves invaded Southeast this season, when more than 35 were located at a dozen locations, many of them lingering into Aug. One pair ex- hibited courtship behavior at a Juneau site, and they were also seen carrying twigs into a spruce tree in mid-Jun (JJ; Ude GBVV). No nest was found. The Region's first Eurasian Collared-Doves away from Southeast were documented this summer, with singles found in the Cordova area 18 Jun and then 7 Jul (ph. JR, 6M; fide AL) and way n. at the McLaren R. near the e. end of the Denali Hwy. 13-19 Jun (SE, JD, ph. ND). Eurasian Collared-Dove is increasing in the Pacific Northwest {North American Birds 60: 429) and was first reported from Alaska in 2006 and 2007. Although col- lared-doves are kept in captivity in Alaska (and one of the Region's first appeared to be from captive stock), the ap- pearance of numerous coilared-doves across Southeast and a few points to the n. this Jun suggests a movement of birds from areas to the s. rather than local releases. ground woods near Skagway 2 Jul (tTE) strongly suggested Dusky Flycatcher, which has been reported fewer than ten times in the Region and mostly as spring or fall migrants. The closest breeding areas to Skagway are the nearby alpine, tree-limit sites mostly on the e. side of the adjacent Coast Range. A singing Dusky has been located at the top of the pass in British Columbia within a few km of the Alaska border. A Western Kingbird 2 Jun and single Eastern Kingbirds 3 & 22 Jun reached Hyder (EWC, JDL, LP, ph.), where they are nearly annual, typically found when the site is birded in early Jun. Another East- ern Kingbird at Barrow 13 Jun (DM, ph. KZ), added to the handful of early summer records from the North Slope, where the most recent report came in 2006. This years Cassin’s Vireo push included singles at Ely- der 2-4 Jun (EWC, JDL) and Haines 30 Jun (PMS), the only known Alaska breeding site, and up to 3 were at Juneau through the sea- son (m.ob.). Although rare on the Southeast islands and outer coast. Warbling Vireos can be fairly common in deciduous riparian cor- ridors on the Mainland river systems, as evi- denced by counts of 45 singing birds along the Stikine R. between the Mt. Flemmer cab- in and Barnes L. 6 Jun and another 30 noted downstream of there between Twin Lakes and Sergief 1. 12 Jun (AWP, JDL). These counts rival the Region’s previous one-day tallies from the Haines area. Only one Red- eyed Vireo was found this summer, at Haines 1-2 Jul (PMS), where there are not many pre- vious records. Unexpected for the Bering Sea was a lone Gray Jay foraging in beach driftwood on an islet w. of Shishmaref 1 May (fide KS; ph.). There are a few Seward Pen. coastal records, mostly from winter, of this boreal forest resi- dent that nests on the peninsula’s se. corner. Another Purple Martin, at least the 4th, was documented out in the Bering Sea at St. Paul 22 Jun (St. Paul Tour, ph.; Jide SS). The last record came from summer 2003. Another Cliff Swallow wandered to the Aleutians, where the species is a casual late spring/ear- ly summer migrant, at Dutch Harbor 20 Jul (AL, SG), a first ever for Unalaska Island. Bank Swallows are uncommon to locally common breeders in suitable habitat on Southeast’s Mainland river systems, as evi- denced by a small colony of 12 birds at a sand bank on Sergief 1. at the Stikine R. mouth 13 Jun (AWP, JDL). A single Bank Swallow offshore at Hollis on Prince of Wales I. 30 Jun (SCH) was rare off the Main- land. A flighty Common House-Martin was photographed around sea cliffs on Otter 1. in the Pribilofs 14 Jun (St. Paul Tour, ph.;Jrde SS) — another odd summer Bering Sea record, of which there are a few since the 1980s. The usual scattered extralimital Barn Swallows appeared this summer away from their known range in Southeast, including 3 in Solomon near Nome 23 Jun (LD, JDL, AJ) and 2 from 24 Jun and then another 30 Jun on the Arctic coast at the Colville R. mouth 30 Jun (tJH). Waif Barn Swal- lows are nearly annual to the n. and w. periphery in late Jun-early Jul timeframe. The season’s first Arc- tic Warbler on the Seward Pen., a single inland on Nome’s Kougarok Rd. 2 Jun (Wilderness Birding), was nearly record early for the Region. Probably arriving with a late-sea- son storm was a Dark- sided Flycatcher at St. Paul 27 Jun (St. Paul Tour, tSS), where there are at least four Jun records and at least one from this late in the month. Normally known from fall migration in the s. half of the Bering Sea, a rare spring migrant Bluethroat ap- peared at St. Paul 10 Jun (St. Paul Tour). Bluethroats are casual in spring in the Aleu- tians and the Pribilofs, and the bulk of the Alaska breeding population migrates mostly eastward across the Bering Strait. Casual out in the Bering Sea away from St. Lawrence I., where small numbers are found from a popu- lation moving to and from Palearctic breeding areas, was a Gray-cheeked Thrush at St. Paul 13 Jun (St. Paul Tour). Three Eyebrowed Thrushes lingered at St. Paul after arriving with a late-May storm through 3 Jun, and then another odd summer bird moved through there 28 Jun-1 Jul (St. Paul Tour). Much rarer to the n. at Cambell was an early Jun bird followed by another on 5 Jun (Victor Emanuel Nature Tours, fide KZ; ph. KZ). Macintosh finally confirmed American Robin nesting at Kodiak when he photographed an ad. feeding 2 flightless young in the down- town area 15 Jun (KJ, MAM, ph. RAM). Amazingly, American Robins are regular mi- grants and wintering birds at Kodiak but had never been found nesting, A shy Gray Cat- bird that sang from Rubiis thickets at Wrangell 23 Jun-2 Jul (GG, HG, ph. CLR, ph. SZ) provided only the 4th Alaska record. It was not far from the state’s first report, a Jul bird from the Stikine River. WAGTAILS THROUGH HOUSE SPARROW Of the White Wagtail reports scattered around the w. Seward Pen this season, a lone bird at the Shishmaref dump 19 Jun (ph. KS) was the best find, although this species has been found previously at the n. fringe of the Seward Peninsula. Southeast observers noted Cedar Waxwings in above-average numbers at the usual sites, and two nests were discov- ered in Ketchikan 22 Jun (AWP, ph. SCH, ph. JHL). Another Tennessee Warbler was singing from thickets on the Richardson Hwy. s. of Delta Jet. 24 Jun (SD) and 5 Jul (LD) in an area where one or more was noted last year. The area s. and e. of Delta Jet. and on high- ways between there and Tok seem to be the Alaska's eighth, this female Lazuli Bunting was nicely documented at Ketchikan 26 June 2009; all of the state's records come from Alaska's Southeast. Photograph byJ. H. Lewis. VOLUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 641 ALASKA most reliable areas to find the odd singing Tennessee in summer. A rewarding day of searching at Shishmaref came 6 Jun, when an Orange-crowned Warbler and a Northern Wa- terthrush were documented (ph. KS). Both are known from interior forested portions of the Seward Pen. and casual w. to the Bering Sea coast. Nesting behavior by a female Yel- low Warbler was noted in Ketchikan 2 Jun (AWP), where the species has not been docu- mented breeding, due largely to an almost complete lack of habitat. Follow-up visits did not produce any further nesting evidence. Yel- low Warblers are common Mainland South- east breeders otherwise, as evidenced by a running count via canoe of 68 singing birds on the Stikine R. between the Mt. Flemmer cabin and Barnes L. 6 Jun (AWP). A singing Chipping Sparrow was a rare find w. of known breeding sites in the Interior 13 Jun (RD, AL) at milepost 315 of the Parks Hwy., while a pair was found carrying food and scolding the observers 15 Jul at Kenny L. (AL), where nesting is suspected. Following recent summer finds from e. Unalaska I. in the e. Aleutians, Fox Sparrows (2 ads. and a juv.) were seen along a gravel road at Cap- tain’s Bay, Unalaska I. 31 Jul (RAM, SG). The presence of singing birds and occasional juvs., including a bob-tailed bird in Jul 2003, con- tinues to provide circumstantial breeding evi- dence here beyond the traditional nesting range to the e. at Unimak Island. Surprising for midsummer was what was probably a late migrant ad. Harris’s Sparrow at a Juneau feed- er 6-7 Jun (GBW, MM). The Ketchikan area’s first mid-summer White-crowned Sparrow appeared there 14 Jul (AWP, SCH). White- crowneds do not breed in Southeast and are uncommon migrants otherwise. Notable in the e. Aleutians was a juv. Golden-crowned Sparrow in willows of Captain's Bay, Unalaska I. 31 Jul (RAM, SG). As with Fox Sparrow, Golden-crowneds reach their breeding limits to the e. of here on Unimak Island. While this could be circumstantial evidence of local breeding, the date hints more to post-breed- ing dispersal. Getting late were 4 Rustic Buntings at St. Paul 6-12 Jun (St. Paul Tour), while a Rustic that appeared in early Jun at Gambell was still around through at least 5 Jun (Victor Emanuel Nature Tours, ph. KZ). Surprisingly, several pairs of Snow Buntings double-clutched at a North Slope site at the Colville R. mouth QH); while there is plenty of food and abundant daylight at this latitude, the timing required to pull off two broods in the extreme conditions of the Arctic Coast is surely tight. Stunning ad. male Rose-breasted Gros- beaks were conspicuous offshore in South- east at Craig on Prince of Wales I. 22 Jun (ph. PC, SJM) and n. at Juneau 30 Jun (ph. KC), the 7th and 8th Alaska records. Given that there were only three Alaska reports before 1995, it was a banner showing for Black- headed Grosbeaks. Two were at Twin Lakes on the Stikine R. 10 Jun, with one the next day (ph. AWP, EWC, JDL, JED), while the singles from the spring season remained through 6 Jun at Wrangell (BHD, JM) and through 9 Jun on the lower Stikine R. (BN). Black-headeds breed regularly n. to s. British Columbia, where its range has expanded steadily over the past 50 years. A female- plumaged Lazuli Bunting was nicely docu- mented at Ketchikan 26 Jun (ph. SCH, LP), the Region’s 8th record; all of Alaska’s records come from Southeast. An aggregation of 80 Red-winged Black- birds in Juneau’s Pioneer Marsh 24 Jul (ph. GBW) was easily the largest count ever for Southeast, where the species is fairly com- mon in limited habitat on the Mainland. The season’s lone Brambling report was a single at St. Paul 26 Jun (St. Paul Tour), where there are few mid-season records. Also odd for midsummer and casual in the Pribilofs were 2 Common Rosefinches at St. Paul 7-8 Jul (St. Paul Tour). Most of the Region’s records come from the first two weeks of Jun. The small introduced spruce grove on Amaknek 1. near Unalaska harbored a juv. White- winged Crossbill 10 Jul (ph. RAM), the first documented Aleutian record. There are two previous sight records, from Adak and Attu. Unusual for the North Slope from the Colville R. delta were several double-clutch Hoary Redpoll nests, where few have been re- ported previously (JH). While observers re- ported Pine Siskins as locally common be- yond their normal nesting range, the small numbers that wandered off the Mainland were by far the most significant. A group of 5 reached St. Paul 30-31 Jul (St. Paul Tour), where they are sporadic and casual mostly as fall migrants to the Bering Sea islands. The Amaknek 1. spruce grove also provided sub- strate for siskins, with 2 first found 9 Jul fol- lowed by 6 mixed with a group of Common Redpolls 30 Jul (ph. RAM, SG). There are two prior mid-summer Aleutian records. United States Fish and Wildlife staff happened on a calling male American Goldfinch in the e. In- terior at Scottie Cr., about a km from the Canadian border 9 Jun (tPK, AM). Half of the Region’s six records have been photo- graphically documented, and this is the 3rd from summer. Way out of habitat was a lone Hawfinch feeding in rocky coastal tundra near Wooley L. just outside of Nome 4-6 Jun (Wilderness Birding, AL, ph. AS, LD). There are now three records for the Alaska Main- land. Following their first nesting attempt at Ketchikan from the spring, a pair of House Sparrows re-nested and was seen carrying food to the active nest 14 Jul (AWP, SCH). The female was accompanied by 2 recently fledged young at the site 1 Aug (ph. AWP). These observations confirm the successful nesting in Alaska at the site from which most records have come. Contributors and observers (subregional compilers in boldface): N. Ahgupuk, B. A. Agler, J. B. Allen, R. H. Armstrong, G. Baluss, B. Benter, S. Berns, J. Brady-Power, G. V Byrd, M. Cady, J. Calambokidis, E. W. Clark, P. Cof- fey, C. Corin, K. Crenshaw, J. E. Dearborn, D. F Delap, P. Delate, B. H. Demerjian, L. De- vaney, D. Dewhurst, J. DeWitt, N. DeWitt (In- terior), B. Dittrick, P. S. Doherty, N. K. Drumheller, S. DuBois, L. Edfelt, S. Echols, P Eldridge, M. Enright, T. Eskelin, T. Evans, Field Guides (D. Stejskal, M. Crewe et al), D. Fox, P. & C. Fritz, C. A. Fultz, T. Galloway, S. Garbowski, D. D. Gibson, R. E. Gill, M. Goetschkes, M. R. Goff, S. Golodoff, R. J. Gor- don, T. L. Goucher, D. Graham, C. Griswold, G. 6s: H. Gross, S. Hansen, M K. Hart, C. Har- wood, N. Hajdukovich, S. C. Heinl (South- east), J. Helmericks, 1. Helmericks, K. Hocker, P 6s: T. Hunt, B. Hunter, J. Huntington, D. Hurley, M. J. Iliff, J. Johnson, K. Johnson, P. Keller, W. Keys, , E M. Kissling. Kistler, J. E Koerner, G. Koonooka, K. Kuletz, A. Lang, S. J. McCurdy, B. Meiklejohn, N. Mollett, J. Morse, L. J. Oakley, B. Paige, J. D. Levison, T. Lewis, M. 6s: R. A. Macintosh, D. MacKay D. MacPhail, R. Mongoyak, M. McCafferty C. McIntyre, E, Pandolfino, B. Pawuk, L. Peavler, B. Peluso, G. Pendleton, A. W. Piston (South- east), J. E. Piston, D.& S. Porter, E Pourchot, D. Prentki, J. Puschock, J. Ranlett, M. Reedy, K. M. Ripley D. Roby P. A. Rose, C. L. Ross, D. Rudis, K. Russell, J. Sauer, L. Scharf, R. L. Scher, G. Schorr, M. W. Schwan, A. Selin, S. Senner, D. Shaw, G. Smith, D. W. Sonneborn, M. Spindler, E. Stahl, K. Stenek, St. Paul Tour (S. Schuette, Stephan Lorenz, Sean Hegarty), S. Studebaker, P. M. Suchanek, A. Swingley M. E. Tedin, T. Tobish,J. Trochet, C. Trussell, W. Tweit, S. Urvina, T. Van Pelt, G. B. Van Vli- et, P. Vanselow, C Victor Emanuel Nature Tours (B. Zimmer, K. Zimmer et al.), V Vos- burg, M. L. Ward, K. L. Wendt, L. A. Wild, Wilderness Birding Adventures (B. Dittrick, A. Lang et al.), M. E Wilson, R. Winckler, J. Withrow, K. Zervos, B. Zimmer, K. Zimmer, S. Zimmerman, K. Zufelt. Thede Tobish, 2510 Foraker Drive Anchorage, Alaska 99517, (tgtijoifflgci.net) 642 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS British Columbia I Chris Charlesworth March through July 2009 It was a cool spring throughout the Region, as a northerly air flow predominated. The late snowfall on 19 May across interior re- gions likely stopped some northbound mi- grants in their tracks. June began seasonably warm but became unsettled by mid-month. This cool, showery pattern continued until mid-July, when summer finally arrived. In fact, July ended up being one of the three hottest on record for many British Columbia locations, with the last week being particular- ly scorching. A number of devastating wild- fires broke out in the province during late July, particularly in the southern interior. WATERFOWL THROUGH CRANES Rare but regular in inland regions. Greater White-fronted Geese were reported from a number of locations in the s. interior; one ad. was at Robert L., Kelowna 5-12 Apr (CC, RT); 8 were at Swan L., Vernon 18 Apr (ES, GS); 3 were at Gellatly Bay, West Kelowna 19 Apr (EF); 11 were at Otter L. near Vernon 28 Apr (PL); 2 were at Summerland 12 May (HP, LP); and one was at Duck L., Creston 6 May (LV). Although a common migrant and wintering bird on the coast. Snow Goose is rare but reg- ular in the interior, with singles this season at Tranquille near Kamloops 4-6 Apr (RR, RH) and at Swan L., Vernon 18 Apr (ES, GS). Rare anywhere in the province, 2 Ross’s Geese were at Rawlings L. near Lumby 7-8 May (CS, RC); another was feeding with Canada Geese in Nakusp 30 Apr (GD). In British Columbia, Eurasian Wigeons are fairly common along the s. coast, but they are rare but annual visi- tors to the interior, where 10 were reported: a pair was seen at Robert L. in Kelowna 27 Mar (ME); 2 males were at Vaseux L. 29 Mar (DB); 4 were seen in the Osoyoos area 5 Apr (DB); and 2 males were at Duck L., Creston 29 Mar 29 (PP). Uncommon on Vancouver I., a male Redhead was at Somenos Marsh, Duncan 26- 27 Mar (DM). A male Tufted Duck was pho- tographed on a lake near 111 Mile House 2 May (fide PR), providing one of just a few records of this species in the interior of the province. Fairly rare in the s. interior, 9 Surf Scoters seen at the n. end of Kalamalka L. near Vernon 21 May were of note (RC). Two Long-tailed Ducks, rare in the interior, were seen on Okanagan L., the Maude Roxby Sanctuary 18 Mar (RC). At Stuart L. near Fort St. James, 10 Red- throated Loons were noted 9 May (RR). A possible Arctic Loon was off Quadra I. 5 Jun, but photographs were not adequate to con- firm the identification. At White Rock, an imm. Yellow-billed Loon thrilled observers 22-24 May (HM, JM, m.ob.). Rare on interior lakes, single Pacific Loons were seen on Okanagan L., Penticton 22 Mar (RC) and in Lake Country on Wood L. 24 Apr (ME). A whopping 400 Horned Grebes were counted on Arrow L., Nakusp 1 May (GD). A Clark’s Grebe was present on Wood L. near Lake Country 29 Apr-1 May (ME, m.ob.). On 11 Apr, 3 American White Pelicans were seen at Nulki L. near Vanderhoof (CCo, CA, NK, Debbie Coxson) — over a week ahead of the previous early dates for cen. British Co- lumbia. Brown Pelicans in- vaded the province this spring and summer in good numbers. Singles were seen at Carmanah Pt. Lightsta- tion, Vancouver 1. 12 Apr (JE); off Tofino 28 Apr (AD); and near the Delta Coalports s. of Vancouver 6 Jun (RS). A flock of 39 was seen on Sea Otter Rock nw. of Cleland 1. 5 Jun (Michael Mullen), and 29, perhaps in- cluding some of the same birds, were seen off Long Beach near Tofino 8 Jun (AD). The province got its usual smattering of Great Egret records for the period, including singles at Williams L. 3 May (fide PR), at Acland Pond, Kelowna 13 May (GW), and along the Okanagan R., Penticton 16 May (RC, AK). A White-faced Ibis at Thomson Brook Pond, Kelowna 3 Jun provided the Okanagan’s 2nd record of this species (GW et al.). At Boundary Bay, an imm. Golden Eagle was seen 26 Mar (MT). An imm. Broad-winged Hawk was seen over the Shelley Sludge La- goons in Prince George 23 May (RC, AK). The species breeds in this area in very small num- bers. Very rare in the province, a dark-morph Ferruginous Hawk graced the skies over Sutherland Hills Park, Kelowna 21 Apr (CC et al.). A rarity on Vancouver L, an ad. Swainson’s Hawk was seen at Mt. Manuel Quimper near Sooke 2 Jun (IC, RS). In the s. Okanagan Val- ley, where Gyrfalcons are rare, a gray morph was seen 19 Mar near Rd. 22 0im Ginns et al). Another gray morph was observed eating a Mew Gull near the mouth of French Cr. near Qualicum, Vancouver I. 2 Mar (GM). SHOREBIRDS THROUGH DOVES American Avocets seem to return to the province earlier each spring. On 7 Apr, there were 3 at Robert L., Kelowna (LR), and in the n. part of the province, one was at the Shelley Sludge Lagoons near Prince George 17 May (Heather Meier, Bonnie Meier). On 26 May, 2 avocets at the Fort St. John sewage lagoons provided an excellent record (RC). Black- necked Stilts made their annual insurgence this spring, with 5 seen at Nature Bay in Salmon Arm 10 Apr (TH), 2 at Robert L., Kelowna 3 May (BC), and 3 at Leach L. near Creston 21 Apr (AB et al). On the coast, a Black-necked Stilt appeared at the Iona Sewage Ponds near Vancouver 6-7 May (BS, m.ob.). A rarity anywhere in British Columbia, a Willet was at Witty’s Lagoon in Metchosin 1 May (DA). Rare away from the coast, a Whimbrel visited Separation L. near Kamloops 1 Jun (KT, RR, MH). Up to 5 Whimbrels at Newlands, ne. of Prince George were present 18-23 May (CCo, m.ob.). An Upland Sandpiper was seen 20 May with Whimbrels in fields near New- lands, ne. of Prince George (NK). A Hudson- ian Godwit was found at the Englishman R. es- tuary near Parksville 18 May (RM) and relo- cated at Rathtrevor Beach 19 May, where it re- mained until 25 May. Two Ruddy Turnstones were a nice find at Duck L. near Creston 18 This Northern Hawk Owl delighted birders near Nanaimo on Vancouver Island from 24 January through 14 March (here 2 February) 2009. Photograph by Mike Yip. VOLUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 643 BRITISH COLUMBIA Seen by many birders near Enderby, British Columbia 16-22 (here 20) March 2009 was this cooperative Great Gray Owl. Photograph by Chris Charlesworth. May (GB). Reports of Red Knot are always of interest, especially as this species experiences serious population declines in North America. Three were seen on mudflats in Tofino 3 May (AD). A Sanderling was at Alki L., Kelowna 25 May (ES, GS, AR). Rare in the interior, Dunlins were reported at several locations in Kelowna: one was at Robert L. 20 Apr (RC); one was at the mouth of Mission Cr. 19 Apr (RC); and 2 were in flooded fields near the airport 21 Apr (RC). A rare but regular spring migrant in the Peace R. area, 4 White-rumped Sandpipers were at the Fort St. John sewage lagoons 26 May (RC). A rare spring migrant in the interi- or, a Baird’s Sandpiper was at White L. near Okanagan Falls 9 Apr QL et ah). Rare anywhere in the province, a Fittle Gull was at the Vanderhoof Sewage Lagoons 9 May (CCo, CA et ah). Glaucous Gull is a rel- atively rare throughout the province. The highest numbers occur in the Kelowna area, where 5 were seen at the landfill 8 Apr (CC, m.ob.); and 4 were at the Maude Roxby Bird Sanctuary in Kelowna 13 Mar (RC). Else- where in the province, singles were at Beach Grove Park in Delta 8 Mar (PD); at Spanish Banks, Vancouver 13 Apr (Richad Wing); at Race Rocks near Victoria 8 Mar (Ryan Mur- phy); and at Witty’s Lagoon in Metchosin 15 Mar (DA), perhaps the same individual as seen at Race Rocks. Two Glaucous Gulls were seen at the Quatse Estuary in Port Hardy 6 Mar (MS). Sightings of Kumlien’s Iceland Gulls were many this spring. A second-cycle bird was seen at Robert L., Kelowna between 24 Mar and 4 Apr (CC, RC, m.ob.); 3 second- cycle birds were at the Kelowna Landfill 8 Apr (CC, RT et ah); and a pale ad. was seen at the same location 28 Apr (ME). On Vancouver 1., a first-cycle Iceland Gull was at Admiral Ty- ron Pool near Parksville 12 Mar (GM); anoth- er first-cycle bird was seen at Duncan 13 Mar, perhaps representing the same bird as above (Val George). A second-cycle Iceland Gull was at Witty’s Lagoon in Metchosin 15 Mar (DA). Single ad. Slaty-backed Gulls were on Vancouver I. at Deep Bay 9 Mar (Mike Ash- bee) and at Swan L. in Victoria 17 Mar (CSa). Common Tern is a very rare migrant in cen. British Columbia in spring, so one at Cotton- wood Island Park, Prince George 23 May was of note (NK, RC et ah). Eurasian Collared- Doves continue to expand, and most records are no longer noteworthy in the s. half of the province. Up to half a dozen reports were re- ceived from the Prince George area in the cen- ter of the province (fide CA). OWLS THROUGH GRACKLES A few northern owls lingered into the period, including a very coopera- tive Great Gray Owl near Enderby that remained 16-22 Mar (SB, m.ob.). A pair of Great Grays seen near Rock Cr. near the U.S. border 12 Apr was suspected of local breed- ing (DB). A very coopera- tive Northern Hawk Owl remained in Nanaimo, Vancouver 1. from 24 Jan through at least 13 Mar (MY, m.ob.). A Snowy Owl at Island View Beach in Victoria 6 Apr was of note (MR). Rare along the coast, a Red-naped Sapsucker was along Cambridge St. in Vancou- ver 20 Apr (DHC). A singing Alder Flycatcher was at Grant Narrows in Pitt Meadows 4 Jun (LL). On Van- couver I., a Least Flycatcher was singing at Sasamat E. near Port Moody 13 May (]R). Rare on Vancouver 1., a Dusky Flycatcher was singing in Langford 12 May (DA). In Vancou- ver, a Dusky Flycatcher was banded at Colony Farms 8 May, and 2 were seen on 14 May (DMa). At Maplewood Flats in North Van- couver, a Say’s Phoebe was seen 24 Apr (CT). An Ash-throated Flycatcher at Colony Farms in Vancouver 21 Jun (Jeremiah Kennedy, DMa) was noteworthy. Uncommon in the Lower Mainland, 4 Western Kingbirds enter- tained birders at Jericho Park in Vancouver 18 May (Michelle Lamberson). Single Eastern Kingbirds were seen at Blackie Spit in White Rock 7 Jun (Hank Tseng); at Swan L., Victo- ria 2 Jun (Ted Ardley); and at Fong Beach Air- port near Tofino 7 Jun (AD). A Loggerhead Shrike was seen at Duck L. near Creston 10 Jun (Marc-Andre Beaucher). Singing Red- eyed Vireos appeared at Maplewood Flats in North Vancouver 1 Jun (RL) and at Parksville 10 Jun (Christopher Stephens). An excellent find was a Philadelphia Vireo at Witty’s Fa- goon in Metchosin 24 May (DA). A Blue Jay turned up in Kelowna near Kins- men Park 21 Apr (RC). Maple Ridge hosted a Western Scrub-jay, seen by many, 20 Jun+ (RCr, m.ob.). This species is expanding its range northward in Washington but remains a very rare visitor to British Columbia. A White- breasted Nuthatch continued at Beach Grove Park in Delta through at least 10 Mar (GC, m.ob.). The Bewick’s Wren expansion into the Okanagan Valley continues, with one singing in Inkameep PR, Oliver 24-26 Apr (BM, CC, m.ob.). The province’s first Eastern Bluebird was photographed at Fort Nelson 28 May (Penny Hall). Rare in the Vancouver area, a male Western Bluebird was at Iona Beach 20 May (PC). On Vancouver I., male Mountain Bluebirds were reported at Nanoose 4 Apr (GM) and at Island View Beach in Victoria 7 Apr (AC). A Northern Mockingbird appeared briefly at the Carmanah Point Lightstation, Vancouver I. 10 Jun QE). Extremely rare in British Columbia, a Brown Thrasher was banded and photographed at Colony Farm in Vancouver 6 Jun (DMa et ah). A Nashville Warbler at Witty’s Lagoon in Metchosin 2 May was an uncommon find (AC). A singing male Northern Parula was found in Edgewood in the West Kootenays 5 Jun QG)’ This represents the first interior record in the province for this species. A male Chestnut-sided Warbler was banded at the Rocky Point B.O. near Victoria 14 Jun (RS, m.ob.). A male Black-and-white Warbler was This Bewick's Wren near Oliver, British Columbia 26 April 2009 was part of the massive expansion of the species in the Pacific Morthwest. Previously strictly a coastal species in the province, Bewick's Wrens have recently expanded into the Okanagan Valley, where breeding has been confirmed. Photograph by Chris Charlesworth. 644 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS BRITISH COLUMBIA Rare in British Columbia, this Brown Thrasher was banded at Colony Farm, Vancouver on 6 June 2009. Photograph by Derek Matthews. found in Cecil Green Park at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver 9 May (PC). A male Black-throated Blue Warbler was pho- tographed on Hornby I. 26 Mar (fide Neil Robins). A male Hermit Warbler x Townsend’s Warbler hybrid was pho- tographed in Belcarra Park in Port Moody 26 May (Hilary Macguire). A mini-invasion of Black-throated Green Warblers was noted in tbe forests e. of Prince George this breeding season. On 21 Jun, one or 2 were found on the Bowron Rd. QB et al), another was on Buckhorn Lake Rd. 23 Jun (GM), and up to 5 were on the Bowron Rd. 23 Jun QB). Stray Blackpoll Warblers turned up in several loca- tions in s. British Columbia. A male was seen in a yard in Oliver 23 May (BMc); a singing male was found in Beach Grove Park in Delta 29 Jun (DT); a male was found in the Maple- wood area of Victoria 26 May (EP). A Yellow- breasted Chat singing in Beach Grove Park in Delta 13-18 Jun was a nice find (Roger Mey- er, m.ob.). A pair of American Redstarts was found in Pitt Meadows 20 Jun (LC, m.ob.). British Columbia’s first Summer Tanager, found and photographed near Blue River 8 May (Michele Humphrey), was quickly fol- lowed by the province’s 2nd, near Golden in the Rocky Mts. 11 Jun (DB). The Blue R. bird was a first-year male, and the Golden bird was an ad. male. A Green-tailed Towhee was found singing in an orchard in Osoyoos 28 May (DB). A female Lark Bunting was found in the parking lot at Botanical Beach, s. Van- couver 1. 20 Jun (BM, MM). At Viaduct Flats in Victoria, a Swamp Sparrow was present 26 Mar-10 Apr (RS). In Hazelton, an imm. Har- ris’s Sparrow visited a feeder 8 Mar (Ray Stur- ney). Single White-throated Sparrows ap- peared throughout s. British Columbia; Stan- ley Park in Vancouver 1 May 1 (CT); Burnaby Mountain Park, Burnaby 3 May (DP); Grant Narrows near Pitt L. 3 May QR); at a feeder in North Vancouver 5 May (QB); and in the gar- dens at Emily Carr House, Victoria 2 Mar (Rhys Harrison). A Snow Bunting was at Clover Pt., Victoria 21 Mar (DA). A rare but regular visitor to the s. part of the province, a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak was at a feeder in Johnson’s Landing in the Koote- nays 20 May (GS). In the Prince George area, male Rose-breasted Grosbeaks visited feeders 23 May (BS); 25 May (Mary Antoniazzi); and 29 May, with one at a Fort St. James feeder (fide Joanne Vinnedge). Several Indigo Buntings ap- peared this spring, all but one of them ad. males. A female was seen at Buttle L., Vancou- ver 1. 13-14 Jun (GM). Males were found in Lillooet 28 May (Kansas Allen), near the Dot Ranch near Merritt 17 Jun (WW), and in Pa- cific Rim N.P. at Florencia Bay 5 May (Bob Steventon). On 27 Apr, a Western Meadowlark was on the grass in Hastings Park in Vancou- ver (DHC). A reliable Rusty Blackbird kept birders happy at Maplewood Flats in North Vancouver 5-30 May (RL, QB, m.ob.). Two Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches were at Blackie Spit in White Rock 13-15 May (BS, m.ob.), and one was atop Mt. Douglas in Victoria 20 May (BB). Large flocks of Common Redpolls were present during the late winter around Prince George. Seven Hoary Redpolls were also re- ported between 14 Mar and 20 Apr in the Prince George area OG, CCo, Margaret Bathy). Observers: David Allinson, Cathy Antoniazzi, Avery Bartels, Brent Beach, James Bradley, Gary Breault, Samantha Brett, Quentin Brown, Peter Candido, Russell Cannings, Chris Charlesworth (CC), Christopher Coxson (CCo), Aziza Cooper Douglas H. Cooper (DHC), Larry Cowan, Roger Craik (RCr), Ian Cruikshank, Bill Cutfield, Gary Davidson, Pete Davidson, Adrian Dorst, Jerry Etzkorn, Elke Fischer, Michael Force, Jeremy Gatten, Mike Hanry, Ted Hillary, Rick Howie, Andrew Keav- eney Nancy Krueger, Les Lee, Janna Leslie, Rob Lyske, Hue Mackenzie, Jo An Mackenzie, Derek Matthews (DMa), Derrick Marven (DM), Barb Mcgrenere, Mike Mcgrenere, Bob Mckay, Guy Monty, Richard Mooney, Dan Ped- ersen, Ed Pellizzon, Helen Poncelet, Lou Pon- celet, Paul Prappas, Phil Ranson, Randy Rawluk, Adrian Reigen, John Reynolds, Ralph Ritcey, Lesley Robertson, Mary Robichaud, Chris Saunders (CSa), Rick Schortinghuis, Bri- an Self, Michael Shepard, Chris Siddle (CS), Gail Spider, Emily Styles, Geoff Styles, Richard Swanston, Mike Tabak, Ken Taylor, Ryan Tom- linson, Danny Tyson, Chris Turner, Linda Van Damme, Wayne Weber, Gwynneth Wilson, 1$ Chris Charlesworth, Avocet Tours 725 Richards Road, Kelowna, British Columbia VI X 2X5 (c_charlesworth@hotmail.com) vhv 'p Hi: AliA jhJhh HiJil iiHH ihs VIjA^ Aliy ill :^^^°P) as it made multiple stops before eventually set- tling in 77 km away at Potholes Res., Grant 9- 30 Jul (DS). Six American Wigeons at ER.R. 20 Jun (DI) were at a site where they are not known as breeders. An exceptional westside tally of 120 Blue-winged Teal was at PS.B. 7 Jun (SM); females with broods at N.S.C.B. 26- 27 Jun (JB, TR) provided the 3rd and 4th nest- ing records for Coos. Broods of Green-winged Teal, scarce westside breeders, were at Everett 22 Jun (SM), Deer Lagoon, Island 27 Jun (SM), and near Swantown L., Island 11 Jul (SM). A Canvasback, not annual on the westside in summer, resided at Hoquiam, Grays Harbor 17 Jun+ (BW, RM, TA). A Ring-necked Duck x scaup hybrid at L. Lenore, Grant 3 Jul (tSM, DS) provided the first summer record of this cross for the Region and also the first e. of the Cascades. Single Greater Scaup, now nearly annual on the eastside during summer, were at the Burns S.T.P. 2 Jun (TJ) and the Coulee City S.T.P., Grant 3 Jul (SM, DS); nearly all records are from deeper water locations at which this species winters in numbers. Similarly, a single Greater at ER.R. 16-20 Jun (Dl) was an unex- pected summer visitor in the Willamette Val- ley. Lesser Scaup produced three broods at Swantown L. 11 Jul (SM) and seven broods at Deer Lagoon 25 Jul (SM); they are generally scarce westside breeders. A King Eider, Wash- ington’s 19th and only the 2nd summer record, enlivened O.S. 2 Jul + (H. Vail); most records have occurred late Oct through early May, with only four occurring since 1989. Long-tailed Ducks are not annual in the Region during summer, thus one at O.S. 8-18 Jul was note- worthy (BS). The congregation of 150 Buffle- heads on Agency L., Klamath 5 Jul (AS, ES) provides a record summer count for the east- side, where this species is a rare but local breeder. In recent years. Common Goldeneyes have proven to be rare but annual during Jun in e. Oregon; 5 were reported from four Har- ney/Malheur locations 1-6 Jun (TJ et al). A Red-breasted Merganser near Adrian, Malheur 5 Jun (TJ) made just the 7th summer record e. of the Cascades. The traditional gathering of non-breeding Western Grebes at Seaside, Clatsop held 600+ birds 9 Jul (MP). Only 4 Clark’s Grebes were reported on the westside away from ER.R., which has a breeding population of 15-20 pairs. The season’s only Manx Shearwater was seen at Boiler Bay 14 Jun (W. Hoffman). Large numbers of American White Pelicans again wandered around the W.V, with 35 as far n. as Ridgefield, Clark (R. Windemuth) and maxi- ma of 100+ at ER.R. 16 Jun (DI), 58 at Finley This first-year female King Eider found at Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor County 2 (here 3) July 2009 remained through the summer period. Only two of Washington's 19 records have occurred in summer. Photograph by Gregg Thompson. 646 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS OREGON & WASHINGTON Seven of Oregon's nine previously accepted Red-necked Stints have been adults in alternate plumage or partial alternate plumage. Adult birds have appeared 20 June through 26 August. This adult was found on the open beach near the mouth of Tenmile Creek, Coos County 21 June 2009. Photo- graph by Hendrik Herlyn. N.W.R. 17 Jun (W. Wright) and 50+ at Baskett Slough lOJul (C. Shank). On the outer coast, where less than annual, flocks of 20 visited Tillamook 20 Jun QU, and 33 were e. of As- toria 23 jun+ (MP et al.). Three near Suquamish, Kitsap 12 Jun (fide CW) and one at Padilla Bay, Skagit 14 Jun (MWi) were in the RT., where still very rare. Probably related to this influx, 950 at Crab L., Grant 3 Jul (SM, DS) was likely e. Washington’s largest congre- gation ever away from Potholes Res. For the first summer in six years, no Brown Pelicans were detected in the P.T. and incredibly none were reported n. of La Push, Clallam or in the Straits of Juan de Fuca. Conversely, the 22,000 tallied at East Sand I., Pacific 16 Jul (D. Jaques) was a Regional record. The Little Blue Heron, first detected in Nov 2008 at Siletz Bay, Lincoln, continued there through the period (D. Demarest et al.). Two Cattle Egrets n. of Burns 2 Jun (TJ et al.) were the first summer season birds on the eastside since 2006. A juv. Red-shouldered Hawk at Ridgefield 30 Jul and an ad. at Vancouver, Clark 21 Jul (T. Hicks) supplied Washington’s 4th and 5th summer records (G. Neavoll). A Swainson’s Hawk over Vancouver, Clark 28 Jun was only the 2nd ever during summer for the w. Wash- ington (T. Hicks); the only other w. Washing- ton summer record was from Jul 1968. Fol- lowing up on one detection during summer 2008, up to 7 Yellow Rails were heard along the w. side of Summer L. during Jun (S. Car- penter et al); this species was previously un- known from the Summer L. basin. The Com- mon Moorhen that visited Borax L., Harney 4 Jul 0- Johnson) was the Region’s 9th and the first since 2001; the eight antecedent records have all come from Oregon. A Sandhill Crane, extremely rare during summer in w. Washington, was near Carna- tion, King 29 Jul (T. Risdon). SHOREBIRDS THROUGH WOODPECKERS An American Golden-Plover, a species less than annual during summer, was at N.S.C.B. 4 Jul (TR). Once again, the Region hosted a Pacific Golden-Plover during Jun, with one at P.S.B. 7 Jun (SM). Another suspected Pa- cific was at N.S.C.B. 18 Jun (KC, DL); prior to 2001, such records were virtually unknown. The ad. Pacific that inhabited N.S.C.B. 4- 8 Jul (TR) was more expected; 3- 4 southbound ads. during Jul is typical in the Region. A pair of Semipalmated Plovers at Alvord L., Harney 5 Jun suggested possible nesting; this species is a rare nester in the Region. Two American Avocets reached the westside, one at Dunes Overlook, Douglas 1 Jun (DF, HH), the other at Baskett Slough N.W.R. 20 Jun (RG). The last apparent northbound Greater Yel- lowlegs was at P.S.B. 7 Jun (SM), while 2 at Smith L, Snohomish 13-20 Jun (SM, R. Shaw) were present between dates usually assigned to northbound and southbound migration. One Greater at PS.B. (SM), 3 at ER.R. (DI), and 4 at Baskett Slough N.W.R. (RG), all on 20 Jun, were likely the first south- bound migrants. A Lesser Yel- lowlegs at P.S.B. 20 Jun was about on time for a first south- bound migrant (SM). Wash- ington had 17 Solitary Sand- pipers, more than triple the Regional average, 11 Jul+, while Oregon had but two. There are no records of breed- ing Solitary Sandpiper in Washington, but one was in potential breeding habitat at Surprise L. 30 Jun; south- bound birds rarely reach the Region before mid-jul. A juv. Willet at Bandon 22 Jul (TR) was a bit surprising, as they rarely return to the s. Oregon coast before late fall. It would seem that The Region’s remnant breeding population of Upland Sandpipers is now likely extirpated — none were detected in Oregon’s Bear Valley for the fourth straight summer. A Whimbrel at Alvord L., Harney 6 Jun QGi, OS) adds to about 10 prior e. Oregon summer records, while another at Baskett Slough N.W.R, 12 Jul (RG) provided a rare summer record for the WV Marbled Godwits were noted at Dungeness, Clallam 2-25 Jul; 30 there on 10 Jul (GGe) is among the highest counts ever for the PT., where they are gener- ally rare. Forty-eight Marbleds bejeweled the W.W.R.D. 12 Jul (M&MLD), nearly tripling the e. Washington record for any season. A Red Knot, very rare during summer in the P.T., was at Dungeness 25 Jul (RM, T. Mansfield). An above-average 93 Semipalmated Sand- pipers 27 Jun-29 Jul were tallied in w. Wash- ington, including a Washington record 34 ads. at P.S.B. 5 Jul (SM, RM); 16 in e. Washington 3 Jul+ was slightly below average. Eight Semi- palmateds in Oregon 1-22 Jul was an above- average summer showing. Each state hosted an ad. Red-necked Stint. Oregon’s 10th was at the mouth of Tenmile Cr., Coos 19 Jun (DF, HH), and Washington’s 3rd brightened O.S. 24 Jul (vt. BW, GGe, J. Acker, DWg); all but three of the Region’s records have involved alter- nate-plumaged ads. detected 20 Jun-2 Aug. Five westside Baird’s Sandpipers included one that was about two weeks early at P.S.B. 25 Jun (RM, TA, TB); ads. typically arrive in small numbers starting in early Jul, with juvs. arriv- ing during late Jul. All but one of 30 eastside Baird’s 12 Jul+ were in Washington, where the tally was quintuple the seasonal average. A Pectoral Sandpiper at PS.B. 7 Jun was two or three weeks late and furnished the 2nd latest record ever of a northbound bird (SM). Six more Pectorals visited Washington duringjul, including 4 on the eastside 12-17 Jul. Dunlins were once again found in summer on the westside; one northbound bird at Sutherlin, Douglas 2 Jun (JH) and 2 more at Crockett L., Island 6 Jun (BW) were about three weeks late, while one at P.S.B. 20 Jun (SM), 2 at Ridgefield 2 Jul (BF), and one at P.S.B. 11 Jul (SM, RM) were likely exceptionally early Oregon's first White-eyed Vireo, found at Fields, Harney County on 9 June 2009, was in a woodlot that has produced many state firsts over the years. Photograph by Graham Floyd. VOLUME 63 (2009) NUMBER 4 647 OREGON & WASHINGTON southbound birds. Though individuals often summer on the outer coast, each summer a few are found among other southbound shorebirds in late Jun and Jul, about two months ahead of the “normal” fall arrivals. Single Short-billed Dowitchers at N.S.C.B. 5 Jun (TR) and RS.B. 7-13 Jun (SM, DFi) and a Long-billed Dowitcher at Nisqually 10 Jun (BS) dehed categorization as to their migra- tion status. A tally of 380 Long-billeds at FR.R. 10 Jul QS) reflected the first influx of southbound adults. An apparent southbound migrant Wilson’s Snipe was at RS.B. 20 Jun (SM); migration dates for this species in the Region are poorly understood. Wilson’s Phalaropes were once again at RS.B., recently considered their only w. Washington breeding site, and included an ad. high count of 48 on 7 Jun; at least 10 males guarded nests during Jun (SM). However, breeding was also con- firmed at Midway Beach, Pacific, with an ad. male performing a “distraction display” flight 16 Jul (BW, TA, RM) followed by 2 downy juvs. noted 30 Jul (ph. G. Thompson). Baskett Slough N.W.R. can be added to the list of W.V sites, with burgeoning nesting populations of Wilson’s; 40 juvs. were counted there 14 Jul (RG). Most surprising was an ad. female Wil- son’s Phalarope observed 35 km w. of Cape Alava, Clallam 17 Jul (GW, BW, RM, R Ho- dum); this species had not been previously recorded offshore in Washington. Single Red- necked Phalaropes at Burns 2 Jun (TJ et al.) and Beverly Beach, Lincoln 3 Jun (D. Bailey) were the latest northbound birds. The migra- tory status of lone Red-neckeds at Gleneden Beach, Lincoln 18 Jun (DB) and RS.B. 20 Jun (SM) was less clear, as they would be excep- tionally early southbound migrants. A Parasitic Jaeger was at Partridge Pt., Is- land 27 Jun (SM), and a Pomarine Jaeger was there 11 Jul (SM, RM); jaegers of any species are rare in the RT. prior to Aug. Up to 4 Franklin’s Gulls at Sprague, Lincoln were the only ones reported this summer in e. Wash- ington, about half the recent norm (m.ob.). An exceptional count of 7500 Heermann’s Gulls came from O.S. 24 Jul (BW). Mew Gulls (mostly imms.) are rare but annual on the westside during summer, and 2 were at Use- less Bay, Island 7 Jun (SM). A Glaucous Gull at Westport, Grays Harbor 25 Jul+ furnished only the 2nd summer record for Washington (BS, S. Mills, B. Labar). The season’s only Ele- gant Terns were 13 at Gold Beach, Cuny 25 Jul (DMu); despite weak El Nino conditions, no major invasion materialized during the early fall season. Arctic Terns again nested at Dungeness Spit, Clallam, where they were first noted in 2004, with 2 ads. and a chick observed there 10 Jul (GGe). Noteworthy in the ET. away from Dungeness Spit, one visited Crockett L., Island 27 Jun (SM). A Forster’s Tern visited Everett 13 Jun (SM, R. Shaw); there are only about eight previous summer records for this species in w. Washington. A presumed northb- pound Black Tern, rare in the P.T., visited Nisqually 3 Jun (BS). A summer-record 300 Marbled Murrelets congregated near Pt. Wil- son, Jefferson 21 Jun (GGe). Eight Ancient Murrelets were near Ediz Hook, Clallam 1 Jun (D. Wheelan), and one was near Observation Pt., Clallam 31 Jul (BW); this species is not annual during summer in the Straits of Juan de Fuca. Also in the Straits, and more surpris- ing, were 2 ads. with 2 chicks near Protection L, Jefferson 14-19 Jun (ph. T. Amico). A Tuft- ed Puffin, very rare in the e. Puget Trough, was near Edmonds, Snohomish 11 Jul (T. Haas). Band-tailed Pigeons are rare in e. Washing- ton away from w. Klickitat, so singles at Top- penish, Yakima 3 Jun (fide Denny Granstrand) and at Farmer, Douglas 8 Jul (MWi) were note- worthy. A White-winged Dove, first detected at Frenchglen 30 May, remained through 3 Jun (AC), and another was at Florence, Lane 1 Jun (WH); most records of this species, now annu- al in the Region, come during fall. A calling Yellow-billed Cuckoo was in suitable breeding habitat at the Sandy R. mouth, Multnomah 22- 23 Jul (JW JGa); the bulk of the Region’s record have come from se. Oregon oases dur- ing late May and early Jun. A Northern Hawk Owl near Tatoosh Butte, Okanogan 17 Jul (ph. V. Click) continues the recent trend of back- country sightings during breeding season. Al- though no young were located, it is likely that this bird bred in the area. A congregation of 98 Common Nighthawks (all ads.) about 19 km n. of Moses L., Grant 3 Jul (ph. SM, DS) was likely a seasonal record. It is unknown why so many assembled at one site so early in the sea- son. A Black-chinned Hummingbird, extreme- ly rare for w. Washington, was at Naches Pass, King 19 Jul (EH). Four Calliope Humming- birds were located on the westside, 21 Jun-12 Jul. Though small numbers of Calliopes oc- cur w. of the Cascades in spring, they are still rather rare there during summer, and breeding has yet to be documented. Yet another Acorn Woodpecker wandered e. of the Cascades, where formerly extremely rare; this season’s bird inhabited Malheur N.W.R. 1-14 Jun (C. Chutter et al.). Rare at any season w. of the Cascades, a Red-naped Sapsucker was at the County Line Ponds, Whatcom (ph. RM, TA, T. Brooks). Almost certainly the result of in- creased observer scrutiny, an exceptional 3 Red-naped Sapsucker x Red-breasted Sapsuck- er hybrids were detected in w. Washington lowlands 10Jun-19Jul. PASSERINES The ongoing range of Least Flycatchers into the Region continued, with no fewer than 1 1 holding breeding territories in e. Washington 3-21 Jun. In w. Washington, an unprecedent- ed 4 territorial males were detected, including 3 in King 10 Jun-19 Jul and one near Oakville, Grays Harbor 21-25 Jun (T. Schoo- ley). In Oregon, where Least Flycatchers have summered and bred sporadically, singles were at Fort Klamath, Klamath 26 Jun (A. McCal- lum) and n. of Sisters 3 Jul+ (S. Shunk). Washington’s 13 th Black Phoebe was near Willapa Bay, Pacific 24 Jul (ph. JGi); this species has been expanding its range north- ward, and most of the records are from sw. Washington. An Ash-throated Flycatcher at Northrup Canyon, Grant 3 Jul (SM, DS) was 350+ km ne. of the nearest known breeding location. A northbound Ash-throated strayed to Newport 8 Jun (]L); this species is near an- nual on Oregon’s outer coast in early Jun. Aside from expected pairs at the Sandy R. mouth, the only w. Oregon Eastern Kingbird was at Cape Blanco 4 Jul (K. Andersson). Oregon’s first White-eyed "Vireo enlivened Fields 9 Jun (AC, ph. GF). This species has rarely occurred n. of cen. California along the West Coast; one at Vashon L, King 11 Jul 1981 is the only prior Regional record. A singing Red-eyed Vireo along Balch Cr. in nw. Portland 16 Jun (AH, CH) and another at Freyer Park, near Molalla, Clackamas 19 Jun (TJ) were at locations where they have not been detected previously; given the abun- dance of suitable breeding habitat, there are likely many such pairs in the Willamette Val- ley. Clark’s Nutcrackers inexplicably showed up in several lowland locations where they are rare at any season; these included 2 at Richland, Benton (117 m elevation) 2 Jun (fide NL), 2 at Trout L., Klickitat (580 m) 27 Jun (SJ), and singles at Saddle Mt., Adams (823 m) 30 Jun (SDs) and the mouth of Northrup Canyon, Grant (550 m) 3 Jul (SM, DS); the latter provided just the 2nd record for Grant. Western Scrub-Jays maintained their foothold in e. Washington, evidenced by singles at Ward Gap Rd., Benton 1 Jun (MH) and Yakima, Yakima 28 Jul (SDs). A wayward Black-billed Magpie near Tacoma 31 Jul 0- Meyer) made w. Washington’s 2nd summer record and only the 3rd at any season since 1988; prior to the 1980s, this species was con- sidered a rare but somewhat regular winter visitor to the westside. Over the past decade. Red-breasted Nuthatches have started sum- mering in the Columbia Basin, where former- ly absent during the breeding season. They now summer annually at Othello (RH), and this summer, they were also noted from 648 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS OREGON & WASHINGTON Moses L. (DS), Wannapum Dam S.P., Kittitas (SM), and Sentinel Bluffs, Grant (SM). They seem to be expanding their breeding range into the Columbia Basin, mostly at isolated parks and towns with mature trees, especially conifers. A Barn Swallow x Cliff Swallow hybrid enlivened P.S.B. 13 Jun (tSM, R. Shaw); this cross has only been recorded once previously in the Region. A w. Washington record 300 Bank Swallows inhabited the colony near Concrete, Whatcom 9 Jul, providing further evidence of this species’ continuing establish- ment on the westside (TA), A single Bank at New River, Coos 10 Jul (KC, DL) was far re- moved from known breeding colonies. Though Rock Wrens are occasionally found in the nearby Coast Range, one along Beaver Creek Rd. near Seal Rock, Lincoln 5 Jul (C. Philo) was out of place on the coastal plain. A Blue-gray Gnatcatcher at Gray Butte, Jefferson 17 Jun (K. Owen) was at a site where they were suspected breeding in 2007; the only other county record came from nearby Haystack Res. in Jun 1992. A Veery was at their only westside breeding location near County Line Ponds, Whatcom 18-25 Jun (GB). Another Olive-backed Swainson’s Thrush (subspecies group swainsoni) was at Rainy Pass, Skagit 23 Jul (TA); the breeding range of Olive-backed in Washington was previously thought to be limited to ne. high- lands plus the Blue Mts. in Oregon, with all breeders on both slopes of the Cascade Mts. considered to be Russet-backed Swainson’s Thrushes (subspecies group ustulatus). Re- cent study has revealed that swainsoni breed extensively on the e. slope of the Washington Cascades and w. of the Cascades in British Columbia, so one would assume that small numbers breed w. of the Cascades in Wash- ington as well. A tally of 52 Hermit Thrushes along 4 km of trail between Union Gap and L. Janus, Snohomish 18 Jul set a Washington summer high count and displayed the amaz- ing breeding density these birds can reach in Washington’s Cascades (SM, DFi). A Gray Catbird, extremely rare in w. Washington, was near Snoqualmie, King 14-17 Jun (TB); the only previous King record was in 1931! In Oregon, 3 catbirds were away from tradition- al sites; a migrant lingered at Malheur 1-11 Jun (AC et ah), and another likely migrant visited Pine Grove, Wasco 2 Jun (W. Gross, J. Fitchen, A. Frank). Another was along the Little Deschutes R. near Gilchrist, Klamath 18 Jun (KS); Gray Catbirds have now appeared in nw. Klamath and sw. Deschutes for several consecutive breeding seasons, which suggests the establishment of a small and localized nesting population in the upper Deschutes R. watershed. Five Northern Mockingbirds in Oregon was about the seasonal norm; all 3 westside birds were in Lincoln 1-11 Jun, and both eastside birds were in Klamath 2-3 Jun. The only mockingbirds in Washington, which averages about 2 per summer, were on the eastside at Sacajawea S.P, Benton 1 Jun (L. Ness) and n. of Ephrata, Grant 14 Jun (R. & C. Youel). A very tardy American Pipit was near Silverdale, Kitsap 1 Jun (BW, M. Breece); there are very few lowland records for this species in w. Washington during summer. A Phainopepla, only Washington’s 2nd if ac- cepted by the Washington B.R.C., was at Mill Creek, Snohomish 31 Jul and 5 Aug (tN. Johnson); Washington’s previous record came from Seattle in Sep 1994. A Townsend’s Warbler x Hermit Warbler near L. Janus 18 Jul provided Snohomish's first record of this hybrid (SM, DFi); Snohomish re- mains without a record of a pure Hermit War- bler. A Hermit Warbler at Mt. Vernon, Grant 17 Jun (T. Winters) was nearly 200 km e. of the species’ normal breeding range in the Cas- cades. Oregon’s 7th Yellow-throated Warbler sang persistently as it moved quickly through Netarts, Tillamook 2 Jun (tD. Vander Pluym, tL. Harter). The season’s Black-and-white Warbler brightened Bullard’s Beach S.P. 24 Jun (tJW). American Redstarts were again noted at their isolated well-established colony at County Line Ponds, Wltatcom, with a maxi- mum of 8 ads. there 25 Jun (RM, TA. TB). Two ad. males and one ad. female were found 12 jun near Carnation, King (C. Anderson), and later observations from there through 26 Jul established King’s first breeding record (EH). An Ovenbird at Cold Springs Camp- ground w. of Sisters, Deschutes 26 Jul (H. Hor- vath) may have summered locally; there are few records outside of the traditional late May-early Jun window in which most of the Region’s records have fallen. A singing male Hooded Warbler in a sw. Portland yard 7 Jul (tT. Love) was most unexpected; the majori- ty of Oregon’s 11 antecedent records have come from vagrant traps during spring and fall migration. Breeding Yellow-breasted Chats have increased in w. Washington over the past five years, but this summer, only 3 territorial males were noted 3-22 Jun. A subad. male Summer Tanager at Malheur headquarters 2 Jun (GF, TR) was followed up by a female 56 km to the s. at Page Springs Campground 6 Jun (J. Spencer); more than half of Oregon’s 17 prior records have come May-Jun. Clay-colored Sparrows reports con- tinue to increase in n.-cen. and ne. Washing- ton, with 10 birds on breeding territory noted from 6 Jun-5 Jul, nearly double the ten-year average. The lone extralimital Lark Sparrow of the season was at the Siltcoos R. mouth. Lane 10 Jun (DF); this species is a rare but annual spring stray on the s. Oregon coast, but much rarer this far north. A single Black-throated Sparrow was at Steptoe Butte, Whitman 14 Jun (Terry Gray), and another male was near Van- tage 16-27 Jun (GG) (MH); the Vantage site is Washington’s most reliable site for this species, whereas Black-throateds are a recent addition to the avifauna of Steptoe Butte. Sim- ilarly, a Black-throated at Painted Hills S.P, Wheeler 20 Jun QGe) marks at least the 3rd consecutive year that they have appeared at this locale. Western Washington’s 6th Grasshopper Sparrow, and 2nd for summer, was at Ridgefield 9 Jun (BF). A late north- bound Golden-crowned Sparrow was in Seat- tle 4 Jun (fide CW), while another near Lo- rane, Lane 17 Jun (Dl) may have been sum- mering; most Golden-crowneds depart the Re- gion by mid-May. A Snow Bunting at Dunes Overlook, Douglas 6 Jun (R. Namitz) appears to be a summer season first for the Region; on the westside, this species is usually gone by mid-Apr, and there are few May records. Nine Rose-breasted Grosbeaks 1-23 Jun was a typical showing. A Lazuli Bunting at Cascade Head, Tillamook 7 Jul (PP) may have been summering; a few migrants are detected at this site most springs, but they are other- wise rare on Oregon’s n. coast. Indigo Buntings again showed exceptionally, match- ing the 6 found during summer 2008; histor- ically, the Region has averaged one or 2 per summer. Half of these birds remained or were initially detected during Jul, suggesting that they summered; Indigo Bunting x Lazuli Bunting hybrids, reported each of the past two summers near Eugene, went undetected this season. The Umpqua Valley’s lone Tricol- ored Blackbird outpost persists at Sutherlin, where 8 birds were present 2 Jun QH). After several years of suspected breeding in the general vicinity. Yellow-headed Blackbirds fi- nally bred at P.S.B. (SM, TA); there are only a few known active nesting locations in w. Washington, none of which are in Snohomish. The Great-tailed Crackle at Liberty L., Spokane continued from the spring period and was last reported 8 Jun (Ron Dexter); all 5 in Oregon were w. of the Cascades. Wash- ington’s 6th Baltimore Oriole was at Rich- land, Benton 21 Jul (tPatricia Rutherford); this species remains surprisingly rare in that state, considering they appear annually in Oregon. Cassin’s Pinches, rare on the w. slope of the Cascades, included one near Mt. Hardy, Skagit 12 Jul (GB, H. Armstrong), 6 at Nach- es Pass, King 19 Jul (EH), and 3 at Mt. Hardy 29 Jul (TA). The lone White-winged Cross- bills of the season were at Waldo L., Lane 20 VOLUME 63 (2009) NUMBER 4 649 OREGON & WASHINGTON & 22 Jul (R. Maertz). Numbers of Evening Grosbeaks in the W.V and in Oregon’s Coast Range were far above the norm throughout the season (m.ob.). Observers (subregional and eBird compilers in boldface): Tom Aversa (Washington), Gary Bletsch, Justin Bosler, Tayler Brooks, Kathy Castelein, Alan Contreras, Craig Corder (Spokane), Scott Downes, Daniel Farrar, Deb- bie Fischer, Bob Flores, Graham Floyd, John Gatchet, Chuck Gates (Crook), Joel Geier, George Gerdts, Roy Gerig, Jeff Gilligan, Greg Gillson (Washington, The Bird Guide Pelag- ics), Denny Granstrand (Yakima), Jim Hein, Hendrik Herlyn, Randy Hill, Adrian Hinkle, Christopher Hinkle, Michael, Hobbs, Wayne Hoffman, Eugene Hunn, Tim Janzen, Stuart Johnston (Hood River, Klickitat), Bill LaFram- boise (Tower Columbia Basin), Nancy FaFramboise (Tower Columbia Basin), Janet Lamberson, Dave Tauten, Ryan Merrill, Craig & Marilyn Miller (Deschutes, Jefferson) , Steve Mlodinow Don Munson, Harry Nehls (Ore- gon), Mike Patterson (Clatsop), Tim Ro- denkirk (Coos, Cuny), Owen Schmidt, Bill Shelmerdine, Doug Schonewald, Kevin Spencer (Klamath), W. Douglas Robinson (Benton, Polk), Andy Stepniewski, Ellen Step- niewski, John Sullivan, Julie Van Moorhem, Dan Waggoner, Michael Willison, Jay With- gott, Charlie Wright (eBird). ^ David Irons, 740 Foothill Drive Eugene, Oregon 97405, (llsdirons@nisn.com) Douglas Schonewald, 1535 South Skyline Drive Moses Lake, Washington 98837, (dschone8@donobi.net) Brad Waggoner, 7865 Fletcher Bay Road N.E. Bainbridge Island, Washington 98110 (wagtail@sounddsl.com) Bill Tweit,R0. Box 1271 Olympia, Washington 98507, (Sebnabgill@aol.com) Northern California Fort Bragg# Point Arena# Bodega Bay> •Sacramento Pt Reyes j- Cordell Bankm^^ S.E. Farallor) Ism •i"-# Berkeley i^Sat) Joaquin "'Valley Refuges Santa Cruz Monterey Bay Montereyf Salinas'^ Big Sur\ esno# Canyo^ t NP Seqmia Tulare Lake ' \ Basin ■. .• ) Davidson Seamount Michael M. Rogers Jeff N. Davis Ed Pandolfino Stephen C. Rottenborn In late May, coastal weather patterns changed from strong northwesterly winds to calm and warm conditions that persist- ed for several weeks. As a result, upwelling subsided, and the sea surface temperature in- creased to 14.8° C. The resulting effect on productivity and hsh populations caused food shortages that contributed to very low repro- ductive success for many seabirds. While these El Nino conditions adversely affected some of our local breeders, they provided an unprecedented opportunity for birders to see large numbers of Cook’s Petrels in the Re- gion. A single Stejneger’s Petrel was reported among one of the flocks of Cook’s Petrels. Onshore weather drew little comment, gener- ally being described as cool and mild. The only other boldfaced species found this' sea- son were an Arctic Toon and the long-staying Common Black-Hawk. Abbreviations: C.B.R.C. (California B.R.C.); C.R.P (Cosumnes River Preserve, Sacramen- to)', C.V (Central Valley); FI. (Southeast Far- allon I., San Francisco)' H.R.S. (Hayward R.S., Alameda)', PRBO (PRBO Conservation Sci- ence); S.F (San Francisco, not State Forest). Reports of exceptional vagrants submitted without documentation are not published. Documentation of C.B.R.C. review species will be forwarded to Guy McCaskie, Secretary, P. O. Box 275, Imperial Beach, California 91933. Birds banded on FI. should be credit- ed to PRBO Conservation Science and those banded at Big Sur R. mouth to the Ventana Wildlife Society. WATERFOWL THROUGH CORMORANTS A tally of 85 Brant at the s. spit of Humboldt Bay, Humboldt 1 Jul (KBu) was high for sum- mer; up to 5 at H.R.S. 23 Jun-8 Jul (RJR et al.) were unexpected so far inside S.F Bay. Twelve ad. Redheads near Mendota 8 Jun (ph. GaW) included a female with 4 ducklings, a rare breeding conhrmation for Fresno. A pair of Ring-necked Ducks at Searsville F. 25 Jul+ (RSTh, Feonie Batkin) provided the 3rd sum- mer record for San Mateo. Fesser Scaup bred again at H.R.S., with two broods detected 11- 23 Jul (RJR). Summering Harlequin Ducks in- cluded males on Humboldt Bay, Humboldt 27 Jun (MWa), at Fort Bragg, Mendocino 16 Jun-13 Jul (B. Bernard, ph. PP), and the Coy- ote Pt., San Mateo bird 1 Jun+ (RSTh, George Chrisman, Feonie Batkin), hnishing its 7th year there. Only a single Fong-tailed Duck was noted past 4 Jun, one at King Salmon, Hum- boldt through 29 Jul (MWa). A male Black Scoter was also present there 24 Jun-29 Jul (MWa). A vocal ad. female Bufflehead at a pond s. of Tenaya F. in Yosemite N.E, Mariposa 16 Jun (KER) was suggestive of breeding. Two Common Goldeneyes at the Stanly Ranch wet- lands s. of Napa, Napa 12-31 Jul (MBe) were very unseasonable but appeared healthy. Hooded Mergansers summered again at Steam- boat F., Sishiyou (2 birds; RE), which suggests the possibility of local breeding. Common Mergansers at F. Solano were confirmed using next boxes in Solano 9 Jun (MFRi). In Sonoma, an Arctic Toon at the Sea Ranch 14 Jun (ph. TTEa) would provide the 6th Re- gional record (p.a.), and a Yellow-billed Toon at Bodega Harbor 26 Jun-3 Aug (ph. Ruth Tonascia, RoM, m.ob.) was the Region’s 6th in summer. Providing a first summer record away from the ocean for San Mateo, a Pacific Toon was at Coyote Pt. 29 Jul-5 Aug (RSTh, Feonie Batkin). The lone Red-necked Grebe report was of an alternate-plumaged bird in Bodega Harbor, Sonoma 27 Jul (RS, m.ob.). Western and Clark’s Grebes summered in un- usually high numbers along the Santa Cruz coastline, with a high count of 11,125 (803 Western, 137 Clark’s, the rest unidentified) 29 Jul (DFSu); for the 2nd consecutive year, none nested at Clear F., Lake QRW). A band- ed imm. Short-tailed Albatross on Monterey Bay 30 Ju! (ph. Fisa Etherington) provided Santa Cruz’s first record. Warm water accom- panying El Nino conditions brought unprece- dented numbers of Cook’s Petrels to nearshore Monterey waters in late Jul. A single individual just 9 km w. of Ragged Pt. 30 Jul (MFo) was unusually close to shore. The next day. Force’s seabird survey recorded 179, 650 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS NORTHERN CALIFORNIA This Hudsonian Godwit (the right bird) south of Corcoran 10 June 2009 provided the first record for Kings County, California and only the second June record for the state. Photograph by Jeff Seay. mostly 46-65 km sw. of Cypress Ft. over wa- ter deeper than 1100 fathoms, and a pelagic trip recorded 138 on Monterey Bay (ShJ). A Stejneger’s Petrel reported within a flock of Cook’s sw. of Cypress Ft. 31 Jul (MFo) would provide only the 4th Regional record (p.a.). A juv. Brown Pelican n. of Elk Grove 6 Jul (KMz) was unusually far inland and provided Sacramento's 3rd record. Numbers on El. peaked at 2739 on 6 Jun before dwindling to fewer than 100 in late Jun and Jul (Pete Warzybok, Russ Bradley). Two American White Pelicans were in Humboldt, where rare, at Humboldt Bay N.W.R. 1-14 Jun QCP, DFx, m. ob.). After widespread breeding failures in spring, Brandt’s Cormorants re-nested suc- cessfully at several coastal locations, albeit in lower numbers than usual; 3000 along the Santa Cruz shoreline 29 Jul consisted mostly of loafing (rather than re-nesting) birds (DLSu). In contrast, re-nesting attempts were unsuccessful at EL, where the species suffered complete reproductive failure (Pete Warzy- bok, Russ Bradley). The spring “invasion” of Brandt’s Cormorants into Santa Clara tapered off, with singles lingering at Shoreline L. through 16 Jun (MDo, m.ob.) and at Lexing- ton Res. through 17 Jun (SCR); in Alameda, singles were at H.R.S. 23 & 30 Jun (RJR). The new Double-crested Cormorant colony at Moonglow Dairy, Monterey was successful, with 60 young counted among 27 nests 1 Aug (RF, DR, RC, m.ob.). HERONS THROUGH CRANES An American Bittern in flight over an Alviso salt pond 28 Jul OAC, ph. Charlie Moores) made the first Jul record for Santa Clara and was away from known breeding locations, all of which are inland, far from S.E Bay. A Least Bittern n. of Lincoln 13 Jun (tPRo) was Plac- er's 3rd. Up to 4 ads. at Rodman Slough, Lake 17 Jun-13 Jul (GEC, JRW et al.) were in the same locations as last fall’s breeding birds. Two ad. Little Blue Herons were found: one, per- haps returning from last year, along Alameda Cr. in Eremont, Alameda 11 Jul-9 Aug (ph. David Leahy, m.ob.) and San Mateo's 6th at the Gazos Cr. mouth 19 Jul (RSTh, Leonie Batkin, ph. GJS). A few Cattle Egrets lingered coastal- ly including one at Redwood Shores, San Ma- teo 1 Jun (RSTh); one through 6 Jun at Palo Alto Baylands, Santa Clara (Lois Goldfrank et al., ph. MMR); 2 at Salinas River S.B., Mon- terey 27 Jun (RJA) and another at Moonglow Dairy, Monterey the same day (D. & J. Styer, L. & C. Rose); and Santa Cruz's 3rd summer record at Watsonville Slough 9 Jul OHW). A Green Heron at Manzanita L. 10 Jul (BiO, Lar- ry Jordan, Don Marsh et al.) was apparently only the 3rd for Lassen Volcanic N.R, Shasta. Coastal White-faced Ibis in- cluded singles at Ukiah S.T.R, Mendocino 11-12 Jun (CEV, JSL) and 1 Jul (Steve Stump); up to 10 near Wat- sonville 29 Jun-9 Jul (new Santa Cniz record summer count of 10 on 1 Jul; CKf, AMR et al.); and birds in Mountain View, Santa Clara 23 Jun (4 birds; Sidd Ra- machandramurthi) and 5-8 Jul (one bird; Jean Palmeter, Nancy Kenyon et al). A young Osprey in a nest below L. Kaweah Dam 9 Jul OLt) may constitute only the 2nd nesting record for Tulare. Bald Eagles fledged at least one young from the same site at Kent L., Marin used in 2008 OGE)- Suc- cessful breeding was also confirmed again in Napa and Santa Clara. Sonoma's Common Black-Hawk was seen again in the Laguna de Santa Rosa area 25 Jul (Stan Moore). Two pairs of Swainson’s Hawks apparently nested in se. Napa, with young birds detected at two locations 8 Jul (Eric Lichtwardt); 2 were found farther w. in Sonoma in the Napa Sono- ma Marsh 14 Jul (MBe). An ad. Ferruginous Hawk e. of Ft. Bidwell, Modoc 1 Jun (SCR) followed on the heels of last season’s May re- port from the same area. Del Norte's Crested Caracara continued near Ft. Dick 1 Jun+ (Paul O’Connor, ADB, JEH, GjH). Nesting Peregrine Falcons included the first to breed on EL since 1933 (PRBO). A Yellow Rail was detected 13 Jul (DEQ) at the location near the city of Mt. Shasta, Shas- ta where the species was reported 2002-2005. Two Black Rails in the Napa R. floodplain, Napa 4 Jul (MBe) indicate colonization of this site, which was converted from pastureland 10 years ago. Santa Clara's 2nd Virginia Rail breeding confirmation came in the form of a downy chick accompanied by a vocal ad. in wetlands near Carnadero Cr. and the Pajaro R. 27 Jun (SCR). The pair of Common Moorhens found last season in Ukiah was seen with 2 young 1-19 Jun (GEC, KHv), pro- viding Mendocino's first breeding record. On the heels of a report last May, San Joaquin's first Jun Sandhill Crane record came in the form of 7 birds near Lodi 6 Jun (Donald Gill). SHOREBfRDS THROUGH ALCIDS Returning ad. Pacific Golden-Plovers at H.R.S. 21 Jul (RJR) and Coyote Pt., San Mateo 30 Jul (RSTh) were fall migrants at an expected time of year; an unidentified golden-plover at Area- ta Marsh, Humboldt 5 Jun (DFx) was much less expected. Single Black Oystercatchers 18 & 30 Jun provided the first Jun reports for H.R.S.; 2 were there 30 Jul (all RJR). Two Black-necked Stilts nw. of Nice 16 Jun (DvW) provided only the 2nd summer record for Lake. A Solitary Sandpiper at the Madera S.T.R 1 Jun (tKPa) was the first summer record for Madera and one of few Jun records for the Re- gion; the only other report this season was from the Napa S.T.R on the more expected date of 31 Jul (MBe, BDP). Inland Willets away from traditional breeding sites included one on territory in the Carson R. Valley 5 Jun (one of few ever found in Alpine; TEa, JCS, FO), one at the Upper Truckee Marsh, El Do- rado 4 Jul (CCo, KLL), and an early migrant at the Madera S.T.R, Madera 19 Jul (PFa). Early fall migrant Lesser Yellowlegs were seen at the Madera S.T.R, Madera 19 Jun (JSy GaW) and in Alviso, Santa Clara 23 Jun (RWR, FV). King’s first Hudsonian Godwit was s. of Cor- coran 10-18 Jun (ph., tJSy; RH, SDS,John Sil- vas), providing the 2nd record for the C.V, the first Jun record for the Region, and only the 2nd Jun record for California. A Bar-tailed Godwit was at Humboldt Bay, Humboldt on the early date of 1 Jul (p.a.; tLeslie Tucci). Inland Ruddy Turnstones were found in Kings 3 km n. of Stratford 23 Jul QSy) and w. of Corcoran 25-26 Jul (Mark Stacey). A molting ad. Sanderling at Clear Lake S.E 27-31 Jul (DvW, JRW) marked the first Jul record for Lake. Thirteen Semipalmated Sand- pipers in nine counties 3 Jul+ included 3 ear- ly ads. at Goose L., Modoc 3 Jul (SCR) and an early juv. on Humboldt Bay, Humboldt 13 Jul (Leslie Tucci, Stephanie Schneider). A West- ern Sandpiper in Alviso, Santa Clara 1 Jun (MJM) was thought to be summering, where- as 2 in Eureka, Humboldt 18 Jun (TWL) were the first fall migrants. Five Baird’s Sandpipers in three counties 12-18 Jul included an early juv. at the Salinas WTR, Monterey 17-18 Jul (TAm et al.). Three of the 4 Rectoral Sand- pipers reported were at the Marysville W.T.R, VOLUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 651 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA Making the first breeding record for Fresno County, California, these Forster's Terns were among a small colony at a groundwater recharge facility in central Fresno 16 July 2009. Photograph by Gary Woods. Yuba OLa)- Up to 3 Dunlins summered at H.R.S. (RJR). The only Stilt Sandpiper report- ed was 3 km n, of Stratford, Kings 23-26 Jul QSy); the only Ruff was in Alviso, Santa Clara 26 Jul (DvWb). Unseasonable Wilsons Snipe were at C.R.P, 21 jun (CCo, KLL, John Schick) and 11 Jul QTr et al.); one at Areata Marsh, Humboldt 30 Jul (SeC) was an early re- turning bird. A pair of Wilson’s Phalaropes with 2 young at the Jepson Prairie Preserve, Solano 12 Jun (RLCL, Lillian Fujii, Steve Hayashi) marked the 2nd breeding occur- rence there in five years. A first-cycle Little Gull at the S. Truckee R. mouth in S. Lake Tahoe 5 Jun (tJCS, TEa) would be El Dorado's first and only the 4th summer record for the Region (p.a.). Franklin’s Gull counts at Goose L., Modoc in- cluded 22 on 8 Jun and 32 on 19 Jul (SCR); elsewhere, 5 s. of Corcoran, Kings 3 Jun dwin- dled to one on 18 Jun OSy); 7 were at Shasta Valley W.A., Siskiyou 2 Jun (RE); and one was at the Davis W.T.E, Yolo 29-31 Jul (TEa, ph. CCo). Summering Mew Gulls are extremely rare anywhere in the Region, so a second-cy- cle bird at Goose L., Modoc 19 Jul (ph. SCR), almost certainly the same bird seen there in May, was unexpected. California Gulls, pre- dominantly subads., were in unusually high numbers in Santa Cruz throughout the peri- od, with a high count of 2200 seen flying northward at Seacliff S.B. 5 Jul (DLSu). Per- haps associated with this phenomenon, an ad. on a nest within a Western Gull colony in Capitola 9 Jun (PCp, LHe.JND) provided the first nesting record for Santa Cruz. The Cali- fornia Gull population at Mono L., Mono numbered 23,766 nests, an increase of 29% over 2008 numbers and the highest since 2004 (KNN). Nesting was again attempted at the EL colony established last year, with high counts of 718 individuals and 95 nests (including some with eggs and chicks) on 10 Jun, but the number of active nests dwindled to three by 8 Jul, and apparently none were successful (Pete Warzybok, Russ Bradley). Similarly, West- ern Gulls on EL experi- enced their lowest pro- ductivity in 40+ years of monitoring, due in large part to a high rate of chick predation by ad. conspecifics (Pete Warzy- bok, Russ Bradley). After last year’s failed attempt, the pair of Least Terns at the Sacramento Regional WT.P in Sacramento nested successfully (CCo, m.ob.). They were first seen 29 May and had 3 chicks 25 Jun, 2 of which fledged 13 Jul. The family group was last seen 7 Aug, forag- ing on ponds surrounding the WT.P At the traditional nesting area e. of Kettleman City Kings, a pair present 3 Jun-16 Jul fledged one young (JSy). A Least Tern at the Madera S.T.P 6 Jun (ph. GaW, PFa, LyH), which provided a 3rd Madera record, was thought to be differ- ent from the May bird at that location. Rare in the S.E Bay area in summer. Black Terns in former salt ponds in Santa Clara included a basic-plumaged bird 6 Jun (WGB) and one or more alternate-plumaged birds 8 Jun-15 Jul (GrH, m.ob.). Ad. Forster’s Terns seen carry- ing fish in early Jul led to speculation that nesting was occurring at a groundwater recharge complex at Leaky Acres in cen. Fres- no (JND, JSy); a visit on 16 Jul found 52 ads. and 30 juvs. (ph. GaW), confirming the first Fresno breeding record. Three Common Terns at Goose L. 8 Jun (SCR) provided the first Jun record for Modoc. Even more unusual inland was an Arctic Tern at the S. Truckee R. mouth in S. Lake Tahoe, El Dorado 5 Jun (ph. JCS, TEa). Elegant Tern numbers in Santa Cruz were the lowest in decades (DLSu); one at H.R.S. 23 Jun (RJR) was only the 2nd Jun record for that location. Black Skimmers nest- ed in San Mateo at Menlo Park and Redwood Shores and in Santa Clara at Alviso and Mountain View. The first South Polar Skuas of the fall and 115 Long-tailed Jaegers were on Monterey Bay, Monterey 31 Jul (ShJ). A subad. Long- tailed chased a fisherman’s fly on L. Almanor 28 Jul (Dick Pording), providing a rare Plumas record. A Thick-billed Murre at the Sea Ranch 14 Jun (ph. tTEa) was an overdue first for Sonoma. Common Murre productivi- ty at EL and other cen. California locations was very low, owing both to low anchovy populations and to high Western Gull preda- tion (Pete Warzybok, Russ Bradley). Single Common Murres were at four locations inside s. S.E Bay, where unusual, in San Mateo, Alameda, and Santa Clara 6-9 Jun. An alter- nate-plumaged Long-billed Murrelet 1 km w. of the Eel R. mouth 31 Jul (EE, Brian O’Don- nell, MMo) continued Humboldt’s recent string of records. Suddjian’s surveys of long- term monitoring stations in Big Basin Red- woods S.P., Santa Cruz revealed all-time low activity of Marbled Murrelets, and the species was generally scarce along the Santa Cruz coastline as well. In San Mateo, murrelet ac- tivity was again noted in the Upper Pilarcitos Cr. watershed, with a high of 18 detections 22 Jul (Seth Bunnell), and 53 were at Ano Nue- vo S.R. 31 Jul (GJS). Marbled Murrelets were reported to be in low numbers on Humboldt Bay (MWa). In contrast to most seabirds, Cassin’s Auklets experienced high reproduc- tive success on El. (Pete Warzybok, Russ Bradley). Santa Cniz’s 2nd Parakeet Auklet was found dead at Manresa S.B. 2 May Oudy Garrison, ph. Hannah Nevins), Single Horned Puffins were at Waddell Bluffs, in both Santa Cniz and San Mateo waters, 9 Jun (DLSu) and at the Sea Ranch, Sottotna 14 Jun (ph. TEa). DOVES THROUGH THRUSHES A White-winged Dove n. of Lincoln 4-5 Jul (ph. PRo, BWb) was the first for Placer. Yel- low-billed Cuckoos included Santa Cruz’s first since 1996 at Santa Cruz 14-23 Jun (Melani Clark, Rob Moeller) and one of few for Mono at Lower Mill Cr. 9 Jul (SaH); a bird that hit a window and was taken to a rehabilitation cen- ter in Shingle Springs 28 Jun (Bill Wade, ph. SAbb) was the 2nd for El Dorado. As many as 10 Burrowing Owls w. of Corning 6-9 Jul (ErO, JRow, Liz West, JLx, KPa) was an impressive showing for Tehama, where the species had gone undetected for the past three years. A Long-eared Owl sw. of Lakeport 12 Jun (CEV) provided the first summer record for Lake. Northern Saw-whet Owls are not known to breed in or near Moss Landing, Monterey, so one in a residential yard 3 Jul (Rebecca Dmytryk) was especially surprising. A Com- mon Nighthawk at Lakeport 15 Jul (DvW) rendered the 3rd record for Lake. The Whip- poor-will at Willow Creek, Humboldt remained at least until 21 Jun (EE, MMo, Lucy Rowe). Supplying Santa Cruz’s 4th record for spring migration, a Chimney Swift sailed with 652 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS NORTHERN CALIFORNIA This Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at Mountain View, California 6 June 2009 established the second record for Santa Clara County. Photograph by William G. Bauman. swallows over Rancho Del Oso S.R 8 Jun (OsJ, Adam Searcy, Amy Patten). Calliope Hummingbirds generally migrate s. through the mountains, so one that hit a window in South Natomas, Sacramento 31 Jul (DaW) was at an unexpected lowland locality. Coin- cidentally, 3 Calliopes were found dead at the same location in spring. A probable breeding pair of Lewhs’s Woodpeckers at June L., Mono 20-22 Jun (KNN, m.ob.) was in a woodland that burned two years ago. This burned area also hosted 5+ Black-backed Woodpeckers, including at least one nesting pair 20 Jun-late Jul (KNN, m.ob.). Approximately 40 Pileated Woodpeckers detected at Big Basin Redwoods S.R, Santa Cruz 14-18 Jun (DLSu) illustrate the large number present in the E. Waddell Cr. watershed. An Olive-sided Flycatcher pair feeding 2 Oedglings 24 Jul (DR) provided the first nest- ing record for Pacific Grove, Monterey. Like- wise, fledglings photographed at Del Monte Forest 18 Jul (BLS) furnished the first nesting record for Pebble Beach, Monterey. An excep- tionally large fallout of approximately 200 Western Wood-Pewees descended on Oasis Ranch, Mono 6 Jun (KNN). Alpine’s first Least Flycatcher continued at Carson R. through at least 4 Jul (TEa, JCS, CCo). A Dusky Fly- catcher spent its 4th summer at Big Basin Redwoods S.R, Santa Cniz, remaining at least through 15 Jul (DLSu, Brent Thordarson, Jeff Bleam). An ad. Pacific-slope Flycatcher fed one of 2 attendant fledglings at C.R.P. 15 Jul QTr); this site continues to be the only regu- lar nesting locality for this species in the C.V A pair of Black Phoebes at Bob’s Creek Ranch 1 Jun+ (KAb) supplied the 2nd nesting record for Lassen; the first was from the same site in 2008. Ad. Say’s Phoebes feeding 4 nestlings at Eastern Swett Ranch 18 Jun (MBe) represent- ed a rare breeding record for Solano. A beg- ging juv. following an ad. Eastern Kingbird at Modoc N.W.R. 18 Jul (SCR) supplied the first nesting record for Modoc; a bird sitting on a nest at Blue L. 28 Jun (DSg) furnished the 2nd nesting record for Lassen. Scissor-tailed Fly- catchers included a spring holdover on FI. through 6 Jun (PRBO), Santa Clara's 2nd at Mountain View 6 Jun (ph. WGB), and El Do- rado’s first at S. Lake Tahoe 30 Jun (ph. Don Harriman, Jide WRi). A well-documented White-eyed Vireo was at outer Pt. Reyes, Marin 6 Jun (vt.,tSBT; ph. LTer, DDeS, RS, vt. CLu & LLu, Hugh B. Har- vey, m.ob.). A brightly plumaged Bell’s Vireo on FI. 4 Jun (ph. PRBO) was believed to be of the Arizona subspecies. The Yellow-throated Vireo at the Big Sur R. mouth, Monterey con- tinued until at least 18 Jun (MiT, Mike Stake). Three Plumbeous Vireos detected on a B.B.S. route from Antelope L. to Squaw L. 2 Jun (CPD) were thought to represent the first records for Plumas. Warbling Vireos breeding in the Mono Basin, Mono generally are restricted to higher eleva- tion aspen groves. Yet this year, many pairs nested in lower elevation cotton- woods (CMc, KNN). Six Red-eyed Vireos included Modoc’s 2nd at New Pine Cr. 19 Jul (SCR) and Yolo’s 2nd in Davis 18 Jul-i- (Chris Dunford, TEa, SHa, JCS, m.ob.). Five American Crows at Big Basin Red- woods S.R, Santa Cmz over four separate days (DLSu) were the first summer records for this heavily forested park in the Santa Cruz Mts. Large gatherings of Common Ravens, thought to consist mainly of non-breeding imms., have been reported with increasing frequency in the Region. Gangs of 162 s. of Corcoran, Kings 24 Jun QND) and 127 at Swanton, San- ta Cruz 4 Jul (DLSu) are emblematic. Purple Martins entered cavities in snags near Loma Prieta, Santa Clara 6 Jun-29 Jul (RWR, FV, MMR, JM, DvWb, WGB, DLSu, m.ob.), sug- gesting probable breeding in an area where the species has not been observed in more than five years. A Red-breasted Nuthatch at C.R.P. 12 Jul QTr) provided a rare summer record for the C.V. A juv. and ad. Townsend’s Solitaire at Estel Ridge 11-12 Jul (GEC, CEV, m.ob.) yielded the first breeding evidence for Mendocino. Two Swainson’s Thrushes count- er-singing at lower Rush Cr., Mono 17 Jun-4 Jul (CMc) sustained hope for future breeding at this restored riparian site. THRASHERS THROUGH ORIOLES A Brown Thrasher near Bayside, Humboldt 23 Jul-t (Brian Hahns) might have been the same bird that spent much of the winter and spring in Areata. Three American Pipits at Cascade L., Mono 10 Jul (PJM, FrT), plus 2 ads. with a fledgling in the Desolation Wilderness Area, El Dorado 22 Jul (Malcolm Sproul), are no- table, as there are relatively few breeding records for the Region. Our only Tennessee Warbler was at Mono Lake C.R 20-24 Jun (PJM, m.ob.), just one of the birds that pro- duced an outstanding vagrant season for Mono. Seventeen Northern Parulas included 3 in Mono, Solano’s 2nd in Vacaville 17 Jun (David Bell), and Yolo’s 5th in Davis 29 Jul-i- (SHa, TEa, JCS+). Three of the Region’s 7 Chestnut-sided Warblers were in Mono, Neva- da’s first was near Sagehen Cr. 15 Jun (ph. Scott Crosbie), and Sutter’s 2nd was at the Sutter Bypass 25 Jun (tRDiG). A Magnolia Warbler was on the n. spit of Humboldt Bay, Humboldt 1 Jun (KBu). A Magnolia on FI. 1-4 Jun (PRBO) was a holdover from spring. Our only Blackburnian Warbler was a singing male along Rush Cr., Mono 1 Jul (CMc). Sin- gle Blackpoll Warblers were on FI. 8 Jun (PRBO) and in Eureka, Humboldt 18 Jun (TWL). Mono recorded 4 of our 6 Black-and- white Warblers (at three locations; 21 Jun-29 Jul). A singing Black-and-white along Jess Valley Rd. 2 Jun (SAbb, BWb) was Modoc’s 2nd. Among 15 American Redstarts were a singing male and ad. female at the Ft. Bragg Botanical Gardens, Mendocino 17 Jul (CEV, BD, CWH, GeH) and Madera’s 2nd near Bor- den 9 Jun (ph. GaW, JND). A singing Oven- bird in Sacramento 1-8 Jun (Jim Weigand, JLx, JSL, vt. CCo, m.ob.) was Sacramento’s 3rd. Ovenbirds were also on El. 1-7 Jun (PRBO), in Butano S.R, San Mateo 9-12 Jun (DLSu), and along Lee Vining Cr., Mono 22 Jun (CMc, Lenny Warren). A Northern Wa- terthrush was singing at Dry Lagoon, Hum- boldt 21 Jun (KI). To top off Mono’s remark- able warbler summer, a Kentucky Warbler was singing along Rush Cr. 21-22 Jun (ph. CMc, Lenny Warren, RS, JuH, KNN). Eight Hooded Warblers were reported and, yes, one was in Mono at Wildrose Canyon, 11 JuH (PJM, FrT, m.ob.). Eight Summer Tanagers included Tulare’s first in Sequoia N.R 7 Jun (SDS, Priscilla Sum- mers). A Sooty Fox Sparrow was in Portola Valley, San Mateo 26 Jul (tG. Chrisman, H. Higley), and a Golden-crowned Sparrow was on Mt. Davidson, S.E 11 Jul-i- (DMo); these taxa are rarely observed in summer in our Re- gion. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were again well represented (39 individuals from 12 counties). A total of 22 Indigo Buntings was more than twice our summer average and in- cluded Tuolumne’s first along Cherry Hill Rd. 18 Jun-3 Jul (Bob Brandriff, m.ob.). A VOLUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 653 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA Bobolink was at the Eel R. Delta, Humboldt 8 Jul (KMS), and up to 5 were near Eagleville, Modoc 7-26 Jim (SCR, m.ob.). Great-tailed Grackle breeding was confirmed in two more counties: in Quincy, Plumas 14 May-22 Jun (Scott & Amber Edwards, CPD, m.ob.) and at the s. end of L. Tahoe, El Dorado 4-24 Jul (CCo, KLL, WRi). Male Orchard Orioles were at the Big Sur R. mouth 1-7 Jun (OsJ, RE) and near Gazos Cr., San Mateo 30 Jun (DLSu). Cited observers (county coordinators in bold- face): Steve Abbott, Ken Able (Lassen), R. J. Adams, Tim Amaral, Alan D. Barron, Murray Berner (Napa), William G. Bousman (Santa Clara), Ken Burton, Phil Capitolo, Scott Carey, Rita Carratello, George E. Chaniot, John A. Cole, Chris Conard (Sacramento), Rudy Dar- ling (Nevada), Jeff N. Davis (Madera), David DeSante, Bruce E. Deuel (n. C.V counties), Ryan DiGaudio, Colin P. Dillingham, Matthew Dodder, Barbara Dolan, Todd Easterla, Mark W. Eaton (San Francisco), Elias Elias, Ray Ek- strom (Siskiyou), Kevin Enns-Rempel, Jules G. Evens, Peter Fahey, David Fix, Michael Force, Rick Fournier (RF), Rob Fowler (RbF; Humboldt), Steve Gerow (Santa Cruz), Steve A. Glover (Contra Costa), Steve Hampton, Ron Hansen, Syd Harrison, Garth Harwood, Karen A. Havlena, Gjon Hazard, Sacha Heath, Geoff Heinecken, Lynn Hemink, Laird Henkel, Justin Hite, John E. Hunter (Trinity), Ken Irwin, Oscar Johnson, Shearwater Jour- neys, Robert J. Keiffer (Mendocino), Clay Kempf, Kimya L. Lambert, Jim Laughlin, Robin L. C. Leong (Solano), Tom W. Leskiw, Cindy Lieurance, Leslie Lieurance, John Lock- hart, Jim Lomax, John S. Luther, J. Mac Mc- Cormick (Plumas and Sierra), Michael J. Mammoser, Roger Marlowe, Chris McCreedy, Peter J. Metropulos (Sati Mateo), Kurt Mize, Joseph Morlan, Mark Morrissette, Dominik Mosul, Kristie N. Nelson (Mono), Bill Oliver, Frances Oliver (San Joaquin), Ed Pandolfino (Placer), Kathy Parker, Benjamin D. Parmeter, Gary W. Potter (Fresno), Jude C. Power, Peter Pyle, David E. Quady Robert W. Reiling, Will Richardson, Robert J. Richmond (Alameda), Alex M. Rinkert, Michael F. Rippey, Don Roberson (Monterey) , Phil Robertson, Michael M. Rogers, Stephen C. Rottenborn, James Rowoth, Ruth A. Rudesill (Sonoma), Jeff Seay (Kings), Daniel Singer, Keith M. Slauson, Rich Stallcup, John C. Sterling (Mod- oc, Yolo, Alpine, and Calaveras), Gary J. Stra- chan, David L. Suddjian (Santa Cruz), Brian L. Sullivan, Steven D. Summers (Tulare), Lin- da Terrill, Ryan Terrill (Marin), Scott B. Ter- rill, Ronald S. Thorn, Jim Tietz (EL), Francis Toldi, John Trochet, Mike Tyner, Steve Um- land (Tuolumne), Frank Vanslager, Kent Van Vuren (Merced and San Benito), David Vander Pluym (Mariposa), Frank Vanslager, Chuck E. Vaughn, Matt Wachs, Jeff H. Wall, Cheryl Watson-Heinecken, Bruce Webb, Dave Weber, Jerry R. White (Lake), Dan Williams, Gary Woods, Dave Woodward, Bob & Carol Yutzy (Shasta). Many more observers are not specifi- cally cited; all are appreciated. ^ Michael M. Rogers (Waterfowl to Quail, Herons to Shorebirds) 499 Novato Avenue, Sunnyvale, California 94086 (m.m.rogers@comcast.net) Jeff N. Davis (Doves to Wrentit) 7815 North Palm Avenue, Suite 310 Fresno, California 93711, (jdavis@harveyecology.com) Ed Pandolfino (Thrashers to Finches) 5530 Delrose Court, Carmichael, California 95608 (erpfromca@aoi.com) Stephen C. Rottenborn (Loons to Frigatebirds, Larids to Alcids) 983 University Avenue, Building D Los Gatos, California 95032 (srottenborn@harveyecology.com) Southern California Guy McCaskie Kimball L Garrett Highlights during the typically dry and climatically uneventful summer peri- od included an unprecedented move- ment of Cook’s Petrels into waters closer than normal to the coast, two pairs of nesting Northern Goshawks in the mountains of San- ta Barbara County and Kern County, and a singing Yellow-green Vireo, the first to sum- mer in the Region, in coastal San Diego. Abbreviations: C.L. (China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station, extreme ne. Kem); G.H.P (Galileo Hill Park in extreme e. Kem); N.E.S.S. (n. end of the Salton Sea, Riverside); EM.N.A.S. (Pt. Mugu Naval Air Station, Ventura); P.P. (Piute Ponds on Edwards A.EB., ne. Los Ange- les); S.E.S.S. (s. end of the Salton Sea, Imperi- al); S.EK.R.R (South Fork Kern River Preserve near Weldon, Kem); S.J.W.A. (San Joaquin Wildlife Area near Lakeview, Riverside). Be- cause most rarities in s. California are seen by multiple observers, only the observer(s) ini- tially finding and/or identifying the bird are in- cluded. Documentation for species on the Cal- ifornia B.R.C. review list (see ) is forwarded to the C.B.R.C. and archived at the Western Foundation of Verte- brate Zoology in Camarillo. WATERFOWL THROUGH FALCONS Two exotic Mandarin Ducks at S.E.S.S. 16 Jul (DRW) were the first to be seen in that part of the Region. Two male Harlequin Ducks sum- mered in San Luis Obispo, with one at Estero Bluffs S.P. 7 Jun-31 Jul (RA) and the other at 654 Morro Bay Harbor 17 Jun-31 Jul (MLS). A Surf Scoter remained at N.E.S.S. through 9 Jun (CMcG), and another at S.E.S.S. 24 Jul (GMcC) had probably been present undetect- ed since May. A Long-tailed Duck at EM.N.A.S. 14 Jun (DaP) was evidently attempting to sum- mer locally. A late migrant Pacific Loon was at N.E.S.S. 7 Jun (HBK), and another remained on L. Havasu, San Bernardino through the summer (PEL). Six Common Loons on Big Bear L. 28 Jun (HBK), up to 3 at N.E.S.S. 5-18 Jul (CMcG) and 3 at S.E.S.S. 3-24 Jul (GMcC) were attempting to summer locally. A Black-footed Albatross at La Jolla 14 Jun (PEL) and another at Dana Pt., Orange 21 Jun (RMcN) were two of very few ever reported seen from shore in s. California. The highlight of a 25 Jul pelagic trip out of Santa Barbara was a count of 136 Cook’s Petrels along the Patton Escarpment s. to a point about 129 km w.-sw. of San Nicolas L, with the closest to shore being 33 km sw. of San Miguel I. and 83 km w. of San Nicolas I. (TMcG). A raft of 2000 Black Storm-Petrels at the Nine Mile Bank off San Diego 12 Jun (DWP) made an NORTH AMERICAN BIROS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Northern Goshawks successfully fledged young in July 2009 from nests in the mountains of Santa Barbara County and the Kern County por- tion of Mount Pinos, with fledged young photographed at the Santa Barbara County site on 1 8 July (left) and at the Kern County site on 24 Juiy. Photographs by Thomas A. Blackman (left) and Bill Schmoker. impressive sight. A Red-billed Tropicbird was far from shore 129 km w.-sw. of San Nicolas I. 25 Jul (TMcG). Brown Boobies continue to forage northward from the Los Coronados Is. into the waters off San Diego, as indicated by one at the Nine Mile Bank 12 Jun (PAG), 3 there 13 Jul (DWP), and one at the entrance to San Diego Bay 2 Jul (DWP). Two Brant’s Cormorant nests with young on a sea stack off Crescent Bay Pt. in Jul (NAG, KLP) pro- vided the first nesting record for Orange. An American Bittern, a rare nesting bird as far s. as San Diego, was in suitable breeding habitat in the Tijuana R. Valley 18 Jun (GLR). The Little Blue Heron at Marina del Rey/Playa del Rey, Los Angeles 31 May remained through the summer (RS) and was the only one away from coastal San Diego. Reddish Egrets away from coastal San Diego and Orange were one at P.M.N.A.S. through the summer (DaP), an- other in Goleta, Santa Barbara 30 Jul (WTF), and one inland at S.E.S.S. 20 Jun-24 Jul (GMcC). The pair of Yellow-crowned Night- Herons present in Imperial Beach, San Diego since 2005 successfully fledged at least one young in Jul (GMcC); one paired with a Black-crowned Night-Heron at North Island N.A.S., San Diego fledged 2 hybrids in Jul (TS), and at least one ad. and an imm. were around Famosa Slough in Ocean Beach through the period QP). A Glossy Ibis pho- tographed at Owens Lake ll-12Jul (C& RH) provides the 2nd record for Inyo, and another was in the Riverside portion of the Prado Basin 29 Jul OEP)- The first of the post-breed- ing Wood Storks reached S.E.S.S. 8 Jun (KCM), with numbers building up to a high count of 45 on 10 Jul (GMcC). A pair of Cooper’s Hawks that fledged 3 young in Ridgecrest 14 Jun QSi) provides the first record for nesting in e. Kern. A pair of Northern Goshawks that successfully fledged 2 young in the mts. of Santa Barbara in Jul (PG) provided the first nesting record for that county, and another pair successfully fledged 2 young on the Kent side of Mt. Pinos (WTF). A Red-shouldered Hawk near Seeley, Imperial 9 Jul (JMcM) establishes the earliest date for a fall migrant/winter visitor in the Imperial Val- ley. The long-staying Crested Caracara around the Tijuana R. valley, San Diego was still present 7-11 Jun (TRS, CH). A pair of Peregrine Falcons that fledged 2 young at Keller Cliffs in the San Bernardino Mts. in Jun (DG) provided the first evidence of nesting in this area in recent years. RAILS THROUGH GUILLEMOTS A Clapper Rail on the Oxnard Plain, Ventura 24-28 Jun (DK) was away from any known breeding area. Sora is exceptionally rare any- where in s. California in summer, so one at S.J.W.A. 2 Jun (HBK) was of note. A Solitary Sandpiper at C.L. 3 Jul (LLA, TEW) was the earliest of the seven southbound ads. report- ed this year. A Baird’s Sandpiper on the Los Angeles R. in Long Beach, Los Angeles 23 Jul (KSG) was the only one reported. Two Wil- son’s Snipe in the Prado Basin 23 Jun (JEP) were unexpected at this time of year. A Red Phalarope inland near Lancaster, Los Angeles 12 Jun OSF) was clearly lost. A first-summer Franklin’s Gull at Owens Lake 15 Jun (C&RH) and another in Chula Vista, San Diego 17 Jun (PEL) were evidently late spring stragglers. For the 2nd year in a row, a pair of Heermann’s Gulls nested at S.E.S.S. (KCM), but the eggs were infertile; elsewhere inland, an ad. was in Borrego Springs, San Diego 4 Jun (RT), and another was closer to the coast in Santee, San Diego 20 Jun QSt). A bedrag- gled Mew Gull at S.E.S.S. 5-11 Jun (GMcC) probably did not survive the summer. Not surprisingly, following last winter’s influx of Glaucous-winged Gulls, small numbers remained along the coast through the summer, as indicated by 6 in Laguna Beach, Orange 29 Jun (NK) and at least 4 around San Diego during the period. A Sooty Tern at Bolsa Chica, Or- ange 27 Jul-30 Aug (PK, BED) was the 12th to occur in California and first in the Region since 1998. Up to 6 Least Terns remained inland at S.E.S.S. through 5 Jun (GMcC). Black Terns, now rare on the coast, were in Oceano, San Luis Obispo 25-26 Jul (DSn) and Irvine, Orange 3 Jul OOi both singles. An Arctic Tern inland at P.P 9 Jul (MSanM) was unexpected. Elegant Terns continued to push northward from the Gulf of California into the Salton Sink, with up to 3 near Seeley 5-11 Jun (GMcC) and another at S.E.S.S. 5 Jun (GMcC). A South Po- lar Skua was at the Nine Mile Bank off San Diego 13 Jul (DWP), and another was 20 km se. of Santa Rosa I. 25 Jul (TMcG). A Parasitic Jaeger, rare in summer, was at La Jolla 25 Jun (PEL). A Long-tailed Jaeger photographed at Owens Lake 15 Jun (C&RH) was one of a very few found inland at this time of the year; sin- gle birds 129 km w.-sw. of San Nicolas 1. and 74 km w. of San Nicolas 1. 25 Jul (TMcG) were early fall migrants. Single Common Murres at Newport Beach, Orange 13 Jul (BED), La Jolla 13 Jun (PEL), and at the Nine Mile Bank off San Diego 13 Jul (DWP) were well s. of the species’ breeding range. Single Pigeon Guille- mots at Del Mar, San Diego 12 Jun (DH) and La Jolla 19 Jun (PAG) were at the s. extreme of the species’ range. DOVES THROUGH FLYCATCHERS The only White-winged Dove on the coast was one at Morro Bay 3 Jul OSR)- An Inca Dove in Redlands, San Bernardino 24 Jul (AEK) was nw. of the species’ expanding range. Only seven pairs of Yellow-billed Cuckoo had been located at the species’ last remaining nesting stronghold at the S.EK.R.R by the end of Jul (BB); single birds along the Santa Clara R. near Oxnard, Ventura 14 Jul (DaP), the Rio Hondo near Whittier, Los An- geles 28 Jun (DSC), and San Felipe Cr. in Anza Borrego Desert S.P 24 Jun-13 Jul (PJ) were in suitable breeding habitat, but one near in Blythe, Riverside 22 Jun (RH) and an- other in El Centro, Imperial 4 Jul (BK) were late spring migrants. The presence of up to 4 calling Flammulat- ed Owls on Pine Mt., Ventura 10 Jul-4 Aug (DaP, OJ) provides the first evidence of nesting at this location. Common Nighthawks appear VOLUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 655 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA A worn and faded but singing Yellow-green Vireo in riparian growth at the southern edge of San Elijo Lagoon in Solana Beach, San Diego County 22-27 (here 24) July 2009 provided the first record for California in summer. Photograph by Eric G. Kallen. to be declining at the species’ southernmost breeding site near Big Bear L. in the San Bernardino Mts., with only 2 there 15 Jim (SR). Two calling Whip-poor-wills were at Green Canyon in the San Bernardino Mts. 2 jul-26 Aug (TB) and another was at the upper South Fork of Big Rock Creek in the San Gabriel Mts., Los Angeles 19 jun-2Jul (M&NF, Oj); nesting has yet to be documented in Cal- ifornia. Up to 4 Chimney Swifts around De- Forest Park in Long Beach 11 Jun-22 Aug (KSG, AKL) were the only ones reported — a far cry from the numbers present in the 1970s. The Broad-billed Hummingbird in Borrego Springs remained through 24 Jun (RT). A Red- naped Sapsucker at Green Canyon in the San Bernardino Mts. 20-28 Jun (ET) was w. of the species’ known breeding range. A singing Least Flycatcher at S.EK.R.R 1-3 Jul (OJ) was at a locality where the species has been recorded frequently in summer. Hammond’s Flycatcher has never been recorded nesting s. of the Sierra Nevada, but the capture on 27 Aug of a juv. judged to have fledged only a week or two earlier in Round Valley in the San Jacinto Mts., Riverside was highly suggestive of local breeding (PU); an- other, somewhat older juv. was captured the following day. An exceptional 27 Dusky Fly- catchers in the vicinity of Big Pine Mt., Santa Barbara, two years after much of the area was burned by the Zaca fire, suggests a positive fire response in this species (PGa). The Ver- milion Flycatcher population at California State University in San Bernardino continues to grow, with up to three pairs and several fledglings over the period (TAB), and a pair raised two broods at Prado R.P, Sun Bernardi- no 1 Jun-26 Jul (DG); a male in Brawley 25 Jun (BM) was one of the few to be found re- cently in summer in the Impe- rial Valley. Hard to classify were single Eastern Kingbirds in Kelso Valley, Kern 9 Jul (DL) and Long Beach, Los Angeles 14 Jul (KSG). VIREOS THROUGH FINCHES White-eyed Vireos continued to appear into summer, with singles in Santa Barbara 17 Jun (GR), Goleta 20-27 Jun (NAL), and Long Beach 2-4 Jul (KSG). Late Cassin’s Vireos away from breeding habitat were in Costa Mesa, Orange 4 Jun (BED) and near Pico Rivera, Los Angeles 8 Jun (JEP). A singing male Plumbeous Vireo along Big Rock Creek 20 Jun (KLG) was among the few to have been found in summer in the San Gabriel Mts., Los Angeles. In addition to those noted in the spring report. Yellow-throated Vireos were in Los Angeles at El Monte 21-22 Jun (JLF) and Hansen Dam 3 Jul (KLG), as well as inland at Bishop, Inyo 20 Jun (C&RH) and summering at G.H.P.’lO Jul-2 Sep (K&BK). Red-eyed Vireos appeared in Big Tujunga Canyon, Los Angeles 22 Jun (MSanM), Pacoima Wash, Los Angeles 30 Jun (BED), and at the San Diego Zoo 10 Jul (TRS). A singing Yellow-green Vireo at San Elijo Lagoon, San Diego 22-27 Jul (SES, PEL) established the first summer record for California. An ad. Steller’s Jay and 2 fledglings at 100 m elevation near Santa Ynez 6 Jun QD) were well below the expected breeding elevation in Santa Barbara. A singing Winter Wren at Alta Sierra in the Greenhorn Mts., Kern 26-30 Jun (BB) was s. of the species’ known Sierra Ne- vada breeding range. Two juv. Ruby-crowned Kinglets in different areas of Round Valley, San Jacinto Mts. 25-28 Aug (TM, PU) estab- lished the first breeding documentation there since the early twentieth century; this species has decreased greatly as a breeder in the mts. of California. A pair of Black-tailed Gnat- catchers raised young in creosote/Joshua tree scrub w. of Mojave 2-31 Jul OSF), establishing the first nesting record of this species in Kent. A very late coastal Townsend’s Solitaire was on Point Loma 2 Jun (SBM). Also unseason- able was a Sage Thrasher on San Clemente 1. 22 Jun (MDG). A Tennessee Warbler at The Village Green in Los Angeles 25 Jun (DSt) was emblematic of the many late spring eastern wood-war- blers that occur in the Region during the “summer” season. A Virginia’s Warbler slight- ly away from known breeding areas was along Pine Cr., w. of Bishop, Inyo 10 Jun 063:DP). Up to 2 ad. Lucy’s Warblers and a fledgling were at C.L. 29 Jun-2i Jul (SLS), establishing the first breeding confirmation for Kent; early fall vagrants were in Long Beach 23 Jul (KSG) and in Brawley 24 Jul (GMcC). Another Northern Parula nesting was documented this summer in the Region after an exceptional showing by the species this spring; a pair at The Village Green in Los Angeles remained through the period, with the nest located on 29 Jul and 3 near-fledging young observed 2 Aug (DSt, RB). Another 10 late vagrant or summering parulas were found on the coastal slope 3 Jun-31 Jul (in addition to those tallied in the spring report), and interior birds were at Green Canyon in the San Bernardino Mts. 14 Jun (BS), G.H.R 23 Jun (K&BK), and As- pendell, Inyo 2 Aug (SLS). A straggling Black- throated Blue Warbler was at G.H.P 17 Jun j (K&BK), and a Chestnut-sided Warbler there j 1 Jun (BB) was followed by an unseasonable mid-summer bird in Santa Clarita, Los Ange- les 20 Jul (MJB). Breeding of Black-throated Gray Warbler was confirmed in the Santa Ana Mts., Orange, with 4-5 birds in upper Silvera- do Canyon and Maple Springs, including 2 singing males and a female carrying food, 20 Jun (NAG); one at G.H.R 10 Jul (K&BK) was midway between the latest spring and earliest fall dates for e. Kern. Casual in spring, a Bay- breasted Warbler was photographed in Gole- ta 11 Jun (LW). A singing male Blackpoll Warbler was in the Prado Basin, Riverside 9 Jim OEP)' A. late spring Black-and-white War- bler was near Poway, San Diego 23 Jun (A&GB). Straggling American Redstarts were in Santa Barbara 18 Jun (HPR) and Playa del Rey, Los Angeles 20 Jun (DeP), and inland at G.H.P. 1 (BB) &17 Jun (K&BK) and at Sheep Creek Spring, e. San Bernardino 13 Jun QEP)- Also late was an Ovenbird on Point Loma 20 Jun (CH). A male Hooded Warbler was in the rarified (2400 m elevation) air of Aspendell, Inyo 27 Jun-7 Jul (SLS); 2 late migrants were at G.H.R 23 Jun (K&BK). A Brewer’s Sparrow on San Clemente 1. 10 Jun-18 Jul established first mid-summer record for the island (DMG, TDD). A strag- gling Golden-crowned Sparrow was present through 4 Jun in Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo (BKS). Dark-eyed (Oregon) Juncos are expanding their breeding range in the Los An- geles basin, with juvs. noted in Jul at The Vil- lage Green, Kenneth Hahn S.R.A., and Westchester (RB, A&EB, KGL), and territorial birds found at several other localities in Jun. 656 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Two ad. Dark-eyed (Gray-headed) Juncos feeding a juv. near North L. in the Sierra Ne- vada w. of Bishop 28 Jun (ADK) were a bit w. of the normal range of this interior subspecies. A male Northern Cardinal in Blythe 7-8 Jun (RH) was at a different location than the bird reported in May. The spring’s huge showing of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks continued into the summer, with an additional 17 birds found in all coastal counties 1 Jun-15 Jul and 10 more on the deserts 2 Jun-24 Jul. The expected scattering of at least 13 Indigo Buntings dur- ing the period included a high-elevation bird at Aspendell 13-14 Jun (SLS) and singles in the Salton Sink at Brawley 26 Jun (GMcC) and N.E.S.S. 9 Jul (DG). Three Bronzed Cowbirds (2 ads., one juv.) were at various N.E.S.S. lo- calities through 17 Jul (DG); a male caught in a cowbird trap at L. Elsinore, Riverside 14 Jun (HA) was well to the w. of the species’ range. An ad. male Baltimore Oriole was in the Santa Ynez Mts., Santa Barbara 4 Jun (SB). Pine Siskins away from known breeding areas in- cluded 2 at Morro Bay 12 Jul (TME) and sin- gles at S.EK.R.E 25 Jul (BB) and Canoga Park, Los Angeles 26 Jul (WD). Cited observers (county coordinators in boldface): Henry Armijo, Rick Austin, Liga L. Auzins, Bob Barnes, Suzanne Barrymore, Richard Barth, Tom Benson, Mark J. Billings, Allen and Gloria Bond (A&GB), Ann and Eric Brooks (A&EB), David M. Compton (Santa Barbara), Daniel S. Cooper, Wanda Dameron, Brian E. Daniels, Jared Dawson, Teegan D. Docherty, Tom M. Edell (San Luis Obispo), Jon S. Feenstra, Jon L. Fisher, Mary and Nick Freeman (M & NF), Wes T. Fritz, Jan Gaffney, Kimball L. Garrett (Los Angeles), Peter Gaede (PGa), Daniel M. Geleynse, Karen S. Gilbert, Neil A. Gilbert, Peter A. Ginsburg, John F. Green (Riverside), David Goodward, Matt D. Gould, Christine Harvey, Tom & Jo Heindel (Inyo), Roger Higson, David Holway, Chris and Rosie Howard (C 6ar RH), Oscar Johnson (Ventura), Paul Jorgensen, Dexter Kelly, Nan- cy Kenyon, Howard B. King, Andrew D. Kirk, Peter Knapp, Alexander E. Koonce (San Bernardino), Barbara Krause, Ken and Brenda Kyle (K&BK), Denise La Berteaux, Kevin G. Larson, Andrew K. Lee, Paul E. Lehman, Nick A. Lethaby, Sara B. Mayers, Guy McCaskie (Son Diego and Imperial), Chet McGaugh, Todd McGrath, Jimmy McMorran, Robert McNab, Bob Miller, Kathy C. Molina, Tom Myers, Jim and Debby Parker (J&DP), Jim Pea, Dave Pereksta (DaP), Denise Perez (DeP), Kaaren L. Perry, James E. Pike, David W. Povey, Hugh P Ranson, Sandra Remley, Geoffrey L. Rogers, George Roland, Jim S. Royer, Mike San Miguel, Brad K. Schram, Tiffany Shepherd, Joyce Siebold OSi), Brad Singer, Maggie L. Smith, Susan E. Smith, Regine Snitzepjustyn T. Stahl (San Clemente L), Trent R. Stanley, Don Sterba (DSt), Doug Stinson (DSn), Jeremiah Stock QSt), Robert Theriault, Eric Tipton, Philip Unitt, Lynn Watson, Douglas R. Willick (Orange), John C. Wilson (Kent), Thomas E. Wurster. An ad- ditional 25+ observers who could not be indi- vidually acknowledged submitted reports; all have our thanks. ($ Guy McCaskie, 954 Grove Avenue Imperial Beach, California 91932, (guymcc@pacbell.net) Kimball L. Garrett Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, California 90007 (kgarrett@nhm.org) Baja California Peninsula | , Tijuana lower Rio, Santo Tomas Maneadero Plat El Ri Ensenada Mexicali TCerro Prieto Leyes de Reforma ,(San Felipe _San 1 *Quintml .^Cataviiia Islas San Benitos, Isla Cedros^i Bahia de los Angeles BAJA CALIFORNIA, mjK ~ CALIFORNIA SUR San Jose del Cabo Richard A. Erickson Roberto Carmona Gorgonio Ruiz-Campos As has become customary in summer, coverage was better in Baja California Sur than in Baja California. Rare and uncommon species confirmed nesting includ- ed Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Redhead, Prairie Falcon, Tropical Kingbird, and appar- ently Savannah Sparrow (at a new location) in the south; and Gadwall, Redhead, Clark’s Grebe, Brown Booby (Pacific), California Condor, and Tricolored Blackbird in the north. Top rarities were Yellow-billed Loon, Great Frigatebird, and Tropical Parula. WATERFOWL THROUGH SKUA Black-bellied Wbistling-Ducks have colo- nized the Region’s Cape District, presumably having coming straight across the Gulf of Cal- ifornia. The species was first recorded in Jun 1991 and first recorded nesting in Sep 2004. This year, a record 38 were at Lagunas de Chametla 24 Mar (MSM et al), two nests with eggs were found on a dredge spoil island in the harbor at La Paz 19 Jun (ph. EA), and two broods of chicks were at the Lagunas 7 Aug (SGM). Gadwalls, Mallards, Redheads, and Ruddy Ducks were again found nesting in the Ensenada area in May and Jun (ph. EDZH, RAE). Later, and much farther s.. Red- heads and Ruddy Ducks with young were at Estero San Jose 12-19 Aug (ph. SGM, DGE). Up to 4 American Wigeons at Lagunita El Cipres 5-17 Jun (EDZH) and up to 2 Red- breasted Mergansers at Estero Punta Banda 24 Mlodinow, Palacios, Galindo Espinosa, and others hiked into the Sierra de La Laguna 8-10 Aug. Owls showed well during their early morning hike up the w. side (7 Western Screech-Owls, one Northern Pygmy-Owl, and 21 Elf Owls heard), but the Whip-poor-wills at La La- guna were not vocal. An active Hooded Oriole nest was the first recorded from high-elevation La Laguna, but, in general, nesting appeared to be considerably delayed compared to the situation during 14-19 Jul 2008. Two-day tallies of certain resident species are inform- ative: 480 Xantus's Hummingbirds, 370 Spotted Towhees, 225 Yellow-eyed Juncos, 160 Bushtits, 80 Hutton's Vireos, 60 American Robins, and 35 Oak Titmice. Migrants were already well in evidence and included 215 Orange- crowned Warblers, 40 Black-headed Grosbeaks, 18 West- ern Tanagers, 14 Black-throated Gray Warblers, and an early Gray flycatcher (La Laguna, 9 Aug). And what would a Mlodinow trip be without a major rarity? A Tropical Parula at La Laguna 9-10 Aug (ph. SGM et al.) was new for the mountains and established only the 5th Regional record (see Western Birds 39: 69-81, 2008), The bird was identified by Peter Pyle from photographs as a second-year male. VOLUME 63 (2009) NUMBER 4 657 BAJA CALIFORNIA PENINSULA Two nests of Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (one shown here] were found on a dredge spoil island created for nesting terns and skimmers in the harbor at La Paz, Baja California Sur 19 June 2009 — an unusual site for a whistling-duck nest. Photographs by Edgar Amador. Jun-2 Jul (RAE, ph. EDZH) were unseason- able. An imm. Yellow-billed Loon on the Gulf of California at Bahia de los Angeles 4-10 Aug (ph. GMy) was a great surprise. Three previ- ous Regional records were from the extreme nw. (Nov 1968, Jan 1997) and the n. gulf Oun 1973). The first observed Pied-billed Grebe brood of the year was at Estero San Jose 1 1 Jan; three broods of small chicks were still there 12 Aug (all SGM). Unseasonable was an Eared Grebe at the Arroyo del Rosario estuary 30 Jun (GR-C). A Clarks Grebe nest at the Cerro Prieto geothermal ponds 29 May (ph. ESM) was the first found since nesting was confirmed there 2003-2006. The only Cooks Petrels reported were 3 about 147 km offshore and about 314 km s. of San Diego 19 Jun (AT). Townsends Shearwa- ters were seen off Cabo San Lucas 18 Jul (2; KAR, DJP) and at Punta Arena 6 Aug (SGM). One farther n. (“about 100 miles offshore and 100 miles s. of Cedros”) 18 Jul was presum- ably associated with the same conditions that brought 100 Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrels to waters w. of Baja California Sur that day (KAR, DJP). Other storm-petrels can be more diffi- 658 cult to identify, and recent studies (e.g., Robb and Mullarney et al. 2008, Petrels Night and Day) suggest that cryptic species remain un- recognized. Baja California is fertile ground for study, with six extant and one extinct nest- ing taxa described (including three subspecies of Leach’s), but population estimates vary widely, and the prospect of extralimital visi- tors on nesting islands is high. All of this is to set the stage for another report of Ashy Storm- Petrels off Punta Eugenia in Jul. Although specimens have reportedly been taken s. to the vicinity of Is. San Benito, we believe a speci- men or convincing photograph should be ob- tained to establish the species’ occurrence off Baja California Sur. Near the mouth of the Gulf of California, dark-rumped Leach’s Storm-Petrels were reported from Punta Arena for the first time, with 4 on 6 Aug and 8 on 11 Aug (tSGM). Boobies at Cabo San Lucas 18 Jul included 2 Masked, 2 Blue-footed, and 30 Brown (KAR, DJP). In the far nw, up to 26 Brown Boobies at Is. Coronado included at least three pairs that produced nestlings 28 Jan-16 Jun (WTH, DWP et al.). A Mag- nificent Frigatebird about 64 km w.-sw. of Ensenada 12 Aug (FLH) was rare so far n. on the Pacific coast. On the far s. gulf coast, an ad. male Great Frigatebird at Punta Arena 1 1 Aug (ph., tSGM) established the Region’s 2nd record. Herons n. of their usual Pacific haunts included a Reddish Egret at La Salina 23 Jun (RAE) and a subad. Yellow-crowned Night- Heron at Lagunita El Cipres 14 May-24 Jun (ph. EDZH, RAE). In n. Baja California, rein- troduced California Condors again nested in the Sierra San Pedro Martir (fate unknown; fide HdlC), and Red-shouldered Hawks fledged 2 young at a traditional site in Tecate (ph. JS). Two very unusual raptor observa- tions were made at the Guerrero Negro salt- works: an imm. Golden Eagle was seen 21 Jun (VA, RCL), and an ad. Prairie Falcon 25 May was accompanied by 4 juvs. (VA, MD, DJ). There are few records of the eagle s.of n. Baja California, and the falcon has been confirmed nesting only once before in Baja California Sur. A Red Knot at Estero Punta Panda 24 Jun (RAE) and a Western Sandpiper at Lagunita El Cipres 5 Jun (EDZH) were unseasonable. No jaegers were reported, but South Polar Skuas were seen from a cruise ship in the Pa- | cific: one off Baja California 17 Jul and 3 off j Baja California Sur 19 Jul (KAR, DJP). | DOVES THROUGH BLACKBIRDS Eurasian Collared-Doves reached one of the “continent’s” most remote locations this sea- son, as evidenced by 18 birds at two locations on 1. Guadalupe in the 2nd week of Jun (ELP). Downy Woodpeckers were recorded at their traditional Tecate site throughout the || period, with a pair confirmed present 11 Jul (ph. JS); nesting is still unconfirmed for Mex- ico. Two Ash-throated Flycatchers were still attending a nest at Miraflores 11 Aug (SGM), i and up to 4 Tropical Kingbirds at Lagunas de 1| Chametla in Aug included a juv. 7 Aug (ph. | SGM, DGE), establishing nesting there for at |i least the 3rd consecutive year. An addition to Joe Sweeny’s growing list of birds recorded at Rancho la Puerta, w. of Tecate, was the offi- cially endangered Least Bell’s Vireo (V b. pusil- lus): one or 2 were singing there 11 Jul but not heard before or after. Purple Martins are widely, but locally, distributed in the Region, and the subspecific identity of Baja California birds is disputed in the literature. Five birds at Mision San Fernando 29 Jun (GR-C) were in cen. Baja California, where the Vizcaino NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS This immature Yellow-billed Loon at Bahia de los Angeles, Baja California, was present 4-10 (here 4) August 2009. Oddly, two of the four Mexican records now come from the Gulf of California in summer. Photograph by Greg Myer. BAJA CALIFORNIA PENINSULA This nearly adult male Great Frigatebird was photographed at Punta Arena, Baja California Sur 1 1 August 2009. Although the species nests as close as the Revillagigedo Islands, this established only the second record for the Baja California Peninsula. Photographs by Steven 6. Mlodinow. Desert and the California District merge, and where the Sierra San Pedro Martir is not far removed. A juv. Beldings Yellowthroat following an ad. male at Miraflores 11 Aug suggested local nesting (SGM). The species was considered common there 100 years ago but was subse- quently regarded as extirpated. More recently, a few birds have been found in fall and winter, and one (or more) singing male was present in Jul 2007 and Jul 2008. Similarly, a juv. Savan- nah Sparrow at Estero San Jose 12 Aug (ph. SGM) appeared to be too young to have wan- dered far from its natal territory. Despite con- siderable coverage there, the species has never been suspected of nesting anywhere closer than Bahia Magdalena. A singing Grasshopper Sparrow on the Maneadero Plain 24 Jun (RAE) was heartening in light of ongoing develop- ment there. Also singing, but nowhere near a territory, was a very late dark-lored White- crowned Sparrow (presumably oriantha) at La Bufadora 14 Jun (KAR, DJP). A male Rose- breasted Grosbeak was seen at Tecate 3 & 24 Jul, 7 Aug, and 11 Sep (ph. JS et al). Another rare, and apparently irregular, nesting species on the Maneadero Plain is Tricolored Black- bird. A pond there hosted 175 birds 24 Jun, in- cluding many Oedglings (RAE). The species was not reported elsewhere. Contributors: Edgar Amador, Victor Ayala, Humberto Berlanga, Alejandra Calvo Fonse- ca, Deneb Cardenas, Roberto Carmona, Harry R. Carter, Rafael Cruz-Lopez, Horacio de la Cueva, Mariana Diaz, Richard A. Erickson, Daniel Galindo Espinosa, Jan Goerrissen, Frank L. Haselton, Adriana Hernandez, Steve N. G. Howell, W. Terry Hunefeld, Diego Juar- isti, Leonardo Luna, Guadalupe Marron, Ruhama Mercado. Steven G. Mlodinow, Denisse Morales, Greg Myer, Eduardo Pala- cios, David J. Powell, Eduardo L. Prieto, David W. Povey, Peter Pyle, Kurt A. Radamak- er, Gorgonio Ruiz-Campos, Mike San Miguel, Brooks R. Smith, Eduardo Soto Montoya, Joe Sweeney, Art Taylor, Christopher L. Wood (eBird), Enrique D. Zamora-Hernandez. ^ Richard A. Erickson, LSA Associates 20 Executive Park, Suite 200, Irvine, California 92614 (richard.ericksonisisa-assoc.com) Roberto Carmona, Departamento de Biologia Marina Universidad Autonoma de Baja California Sur Apartado Postal 19-B, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico (beauty@uabcs.mx) Gorgonio Ruiz-Campos, Facultad de Ciencias Universidad Autonoma de Baja California Apartado Postal 233 Ensenada, Baja California, 22800, Mexico U. S. mailing address: PMB064,P.0. Box 189003 Coronado, California 92178-9003 (gruiz@uabc.mx) Mexico I Hector Gomel de Silva NORTHERN MEXICO GREBES THROUGH FINCHES At least 6 Clark’s Grebes were at Laguna de Bustillos just n. of Cuauhtemoc, Chih. 1 Jun (BW, MW, AF, SW). A belated but noteworthy record was received of an ad. King Vulture soaring over Gomez Farias, Tamps. 20 Oct 2008 (ph. C&PS, DM, DH, RJ, m.ob.). A late ad. Broad-winged Hawk was at Gomez Farias 1 Jun (MC). A Peregrine and a White-tailed Hawk were near Los Murillos, Nay. 11 Jun (AD, AL, BM). More than 100 Limpkins were estimated at Los Murillos 11 Jun (AD). One late or summering Sandhill Crane was at La- guna de Bustillos 1 Jun (BW, MW, AF, SW). Summering or late shorebirds at Los Murillos 12 Jun were 2 Marbled Godwits, 4 Whim- brels, a Black-bellied Plover, a Greater Yel- lowlegs, plus a Gull-billed Tern (AD, BM). Gulls and terns at Laguna de Bustillos 1 Jun VOLUME 63 (2009) NUMBER 4 659 MEXICO In Mexico, this adult King Vulture found above Gomez Farias, Tamaulipas 20 October 2008 was the first for that state in perhaps a decade; indeed, there are very few records from Veracruz and Tamaulipas in recent decades. Photograph by Clay Sutton. included 2 Caspian Terns, 2 Franklins Gulls, an ad. Laughing Gull, and one ad. California Gull (BW, MW, AF, SW). Six pairs of Military Macaws were in a side canyon of the Rio Choruybo near Otachique, Chih. 28 May (BW, MW, AF, SW). Around 80- 100 Black Swifts were at Casacada de Basaseachic at dawn 27 May (BW, MW, AF, SW). A Violaceous Trogon responded to play- back at Gomez Farias 1 Jun (MC). Two Amer- ican Dippers were at the drainage e. of Cuite- co, Chih. 31 May (BW, MW, AF, SW). Two pairs of Blue Mockingbirds were in thornscrub just above Uruachi, Chih. 29 May (BW, MW, AF, SW). An ad. male Tennessee Warhler at Cascada de Basaseachic 27 May was late and probably the first record for Chih. (BW, MW, AF, SW). Two Flame-colored Tanagers were at the drainage e. of Cuiteco 31 May (BW, MW, AF, SW). Late migrants at Los Murillos village 1 1 Jun were a female Indigo Bunting (AL, AD) and a Yellow-breasted Chat (AD). At least three territories of Rufous-capped Brush-Finch were found in a side canyon of the Rio Choruybo near Otachique 28 May (BW, MW AF, SW). Two pairs of Five-striped Sparrows and a pair of Black-vented Orioles were in thornscrub just above Uruachi 29 May (BW, MW, AF, SW). A pair of Evening Grosbeaks was 4 km w. of San Juanito, Chih. 30 May (BW, MW, AF, SW). Four Hooded Groseaks and 2 Black-headed Siskins were in the drainage e. of Cuiteco, Chih. 31 May (BW, MW, AF, SW). Contributors (area compilers in boldface): Michael Carmody, Alex Dzib, Andy Fenner, Dan Hardy, Ricardo Jimenez, Barbara MacK- innon, Alfonso Tangle, Derek Muschalek, Clay and Pal Sutton, Francisco Valdes Peres- gasga, Mark Watson, Bill West, Sherman Wing. 660 CENTRAL MEXICO HERONS THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS A male Blue-winged Teal was near Minatitlan, Ver. 18 Jun (MG). Two Cooper’s Hawks were at Meseta de Tarango, D.F. 6 Jun (MPV, HGdS). A White-tailed Kite was at Meseta de Tarango 18 Jun (HGdS, MPV). A light-morph Short-tailed Hawk at Meseta de Tarango 24 Jun furnished the first record for the D.F (HGdS, ph. MG, MPV). A Peregrine Falcon was seen over Lomas de Bezares 11 Jun (MG). There were 3 Eurasian Collared-Doves in Coatzacoalcos, Ver. 22 Jul (MC). Three pair- bonded Tuxtla Quail-Doves were at Ruiz Cortinez, Ver. 27 Jul (MC). A female and an imm. male Violet Sabrewing were at Parque ers, including two pairs, at Meseta de Tarango 24 Jun were a surprise (HGdS, MPV, ph. MG). Two Hutton’s Vireos were at Cha- pultepec Tercera Seccibn 22 Jun (HGdS, MPV). A Cliff Swallow was near Minatitlan 18 Jun (ph. MG). A summering female Black- and-white Warbler was near Ruiz Cortinez 22 Jul (LH, MC). A Louisiana Waterthrush, an early migrant, was near Ruiz Cortinez 22- 23 Jul (MC). Up to 2 Hooded Yellowthroats were singing in planted eucalyptus woodland with brushy undergrowth at Chapultepec Tercera Seccibn in the latter half of Jun (HGdS, MPV). A Cinnamon-bellied Flower- piercer was singing in Baji'o and Tuxpan in I I This vireo, either a Yucatan Vireo with yellow undertail coverts and a malar streak or else a Black-whiskered VIreo, was pho- tographed 26 June 2009 In the ruins of Xel-ha. If the latter species, it would represent the only summer record of a species that is a rare transient in the area. Photograph by Mark Dennis. El Haya in Xalapa, Ver. 23 Jun (ph. AM, JM). Fifteen active Monk Parakeet nests were found at Cienega Grande, D.F in Jun and Jul (RC, AMH). Two Common Nighthawks were at Las Choapas, Ver. 22 Jul, whereas Spot- tailed Nightjars seemed to be absent (MC). Two probable Black Swifts were seen briefly at Ruiz Cortinez 23 Jul (MC). Two Northern Beardless-Tyrannulets were at Chapultepec Tercera Seccibn, D.F 22 Jun (HGdS, MPV). Five White-throated Flycatch- downtown Mexico City 6 Jun (HGdS, MPV). Up to 5 male Grassland Yellow-Finches were on territories in Cienega Grande throughout the period (RC, AMH). Contributors (area compilers in boldface): Rafael Calderon, Michael Carmody, Hector ; Gomez de Silva, Manuel Grosselet, Larry I Hood, Amy McAndrews, Alejandro Melendez i Herrada, Monica Perez Villafana, Jorge Montejo, NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS MEXICO SOUTHERN MEXICO GREBES THROUGH EUPHONIAS Four Least Grebes were at 2300 m on the road to Arroyo Guacamaya, Oax. 12 Jul (MC). Three Blue-footed Boobies (arranged in pairs) were on an offshore islet 70 km w. of Salinas Cruz, Oax. 17 Jul (MC). An imm. Masked Booby was sitting on the water just beyond the breakers at Puerto Arista, Chis. 17 jul (MC). Ten Brown Pelicans were at Chicoasen Res., Chis. 19 Jul (HGdS, MPV). An imm. Cooper’s Hawk was above Teoti- tlan del Valle, Oax. 11 Jul (MC). A Peregrine Falcon was at Yagul, Oax. 11 Jul, and another was near Arriaga 17 Jul (MC). A probable Eurasian Collared-Dove was reported from Puerto Arista 7 Jul, which would be a first for Chis. (PB). A White-winged Dove in the zoca- lo at Valle Nacional, Oax. 25 Jul was in an area without previous summer records. A group of 4 Green Parakeets at San Cristobal de las Casas, Chis. 19 Jul probably involved escapees (HGdS). An Unspotted Saw-whet Owl was calling and responsive when other owls were quiet 19 Jul on the Dos Lagunas rd. near San Cristobal de las Casas (MC). An imm. male Amethyst- throated Hummingbird visited a Teotitlan del Valle, Oax. garden 25- 30 Jun and 11-14 Jul, some distance away from its habitual pine-oak forest habitat (ph. EAM); this same garden was also visited by a Plain-capped Starthroat 14 Jul (ph. EAM). A Purple-crowned Eairy was constructing a nest on the road to Bonampak, Chis. 4-7 Jul (AM ph., JM). A female Wine-throated and 2 male and a female Broad-tailed Hummingbirds were in thistle fields in San Cristobal de las Casas 19 Jul (MC). A Speckled Mourner was discovered at Bonampak 6 Jun (ph. AM, JM). A White-throated Jay was seen at San Jose del Pacifico, Oax. 14 Jul (DS). Three to 5 Black-throated Jays were in two mixed-species flocks with Steller’s Jay and Yellow-backed Orioles bn the Dos Lagunas rd. 19 Jul (MC). Dozens of Cliff Swallows were seen daily mi- grating eastward near Union Hidalgo, Oax. in mid-Jul (AM, JM, KSH). Three Sumichrast’s Wren territories were near Vega del Sol, Oax., where they are rapidly losing habitat 24 Jul (MC). Five Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush territories were in rainforest/cloudforest tran- sition in El Ocote reserve nw. of Tuxtla Gutier- rez, Chis. 20 Jul (MC). Three female or imm. Aztec Thrushes were near Arroyo Guacamaya 12 Jul (MC). A female American Redstart at Bonampak 6 Jun was a late migrant (ph. AM, JM). A Louisiana Waterthrush was in a ranch near Tuxtla Gutierrez 21 Jul (MC). A pair of Hooded Yellowthroats feeding young were at San Jose del Pacifico 14 Jul (MC). Two singing male Blue Seedeaters were in El Ocote Bios- phere Reserve nw. of Tuxtla Gutierrez 20 Jul (MC). At least 2 White-vented Euphonias were at Bonampak 4 Jun (ph. AM, JM) — the first undisputed evidence of this species in Mexico. Erratum: In the Fall Migration report for 2008, the photographs of Red-throated Pipit credited to Jorge Montejo were in fact taken by Amy McAndrews (North American Birds 63: 166). Contributors: Peter Bono, Michael Carmody Eric Antonio Martinez, Amy McAndrews, Jorge Montejo, David Salas, Karlo Soto Huerta. YUCATAN PENINSULA WATERFOWL THROUGH SWALLOWS An observation of several Eulvous Whistling-Ducks at Laguna Silvituc, Camp. 7 Jul QC, RC, JG) extends the known distri- bution of this species just slightly farther to the southeast. Muscovy Duck is a declining species for which we report all sightings; one was photographed at a pond a just before the entrance to the archaeological site of Calak- mul. Camp. 7 Jul OC, RC, JG). Although American White Pelican has been reported previously in Jun, the report of 60 in the es- tuary behind Chuburna, 20 km w. of Progre- so, Yuc. 10 Jul was quite unusual (DB, HL, GT). Also uncommon was the report of 2 Double-crested Cormorants on L. Coba 5 Jul RC, JG); several Neotropic Cor- morants were nearby for comparison. The status of Zone-tailed Hawk on the peninsula is not entirely understood; it is thought to be a migrant, but the report of one at Celestiin 10 Jul opens the possibility of local breeding OC, RC,JG). A Spotted Sandpiper near the ferry termi- nal on Cozumel L, Q. Roo 4 Jul QC, RC, JG) may represent the subregion’s first summer record. A Whimbrel at Progreso 9 Jul QC, RC, JG) was perhaps the same individual as seen there 10 Jul (DB, HL, GT). Six Marbled God- wits were in the Chuburna harbor w. of Pro- greso 10 Jul (DB, HL, GT). Another first sum- mer sighting included 2 Eranklin’s Gulls seen 18 Jun at Progreso (DB). Three Lesser Black- backed Gulls were at Progreso 10 Jul, con- firming that this species may be found year- round in the area in small numbers (DB, HL, GT). A first-summer Common Tern at Ce- lestun with resident tern species 8 Jul OC, RC, JG) was rare for the season; the species is predominantly a transient in the subregion. Even stranger was an emaciated ad. Sooty Tern found on the road leading into the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve 8 Jul QC, RC, ph. JG); the closest colony is located 31 km off the s. shore of the state of Quintana Roo, and no unusual weather conditions account for the appearance of the bird there. A family of Common Tody-Flycatchers with 4 young was discovered along the road leading to the coastal village of Chuburna 10 Jul (DB, HL, GT). At least 3 male Purple Mar- tins were identified among a flock of 10-12 birds circling overhead and feeding on insects along the Vigia Chico Rd. 6 Jul QC, RC, JG). The observers assumed the others to be Gray- breasted Martins, which is a possibility, but Rio Lagartos Merida VOLUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 661 MEXICO they may have been female Purples. Purple Martins have been observed migrating south- ward in the subregion as early as the 2nd week of Jun. A singing vireo that may have been Black-whiskered was photographed in Xel-ha ruins, Q. Roo 26 Jun (ph. MD). Cited collaborators (area compiler in bold- face): David Bacab, John Cecil, Robert Cecil, Mark Dennis, Jay Gilliam, Hugo Lizama, Bar- bara MacKinnon, Guilmer Tun. Hector Gomez de Silva, Xola 314-E 03100 Mexico, D.F., Mexico (hector.gomezclesilva@gmail.com) I Central America 'm Ambergris Cay BELIZE Lf^unta Gorda^ HONDURAS ^ . Guatemala,/ Quel# .City /Copan ■ ^ San Salvador — 'r— ^ EL SALVADOR ' L NicaragHa^-yS^:^ COSTA RICA H. Lee Jones Oliver Komar In most regions, the Nesting Season report is, understandably, the briefest of the four. It covers only two months, and the lull in migration in June and July in most species in- vites a similar lull in birding activity. But in Central America, there is another reason for the paucity of reports, one that is clearly re- flected in this report — the lack of visiting birders. The few contributors to this summer report are all nationals or are foreign re- searchers either living in the region or con- ducting long-term research projects. Although officially called “The Nesting Sea- son” in this Journal, we prefer to call it the “Summer Season,” because bird nesting in the tropics, even the northernmost reaches of the tropics, occurs throughout the year. In Central America, the breeding season for most species extends from April to September; however, some species, especially nectarivores like some hummingbirds and the flower-piercers, prefer to breed in the dry season from Novem- ber through March. Therefore, the brief two- month “nesting” season does not begin to cap- ture the full spectrum of breeding in the trop- ics. A quick perusal of the spring and fall sea- son reports, and even the winter report, will reveal periodic reports of interesting nesting records — unseasonable nesting dates, unusu- ally low- or high-elevation nesting, or range expansions confirmed by the discovery of a nest (or nests) in a new area — but they never mention the many species that routinely nest at these other seasons. Many of the reports below document “in- vasive” species that are expanding into new areas, areas once forested that are slowly giv- ing way to expanding human populations with their agricultural, commercial, industri- al, transportation, and urban support sys- tems. A few reports like Nazea Booby and Sabines Gull add incrementally to our knowl- edge of pelagic species in the Region. Two others. Magnificent Hummingbird and Ru- fous-and-white Wren, are of species recorded beyond their normal elevational limits. There are no country firsts to report, but Belize got its second record of Shiny Cowbird, a species sure to become more frequent in the Region in the coming years. BOOBIES THROUGH WOODCREEPERS At least 2 ad. Nazea Boobies were observed off Los Cobanos, Sonsonate 28Jul (ph. NH). Al- though there are still fewer than ten records for El Salvador, increasing awareness of this species and better coverage of offshore waters suggest that it may be a regular and fairly common pelagic species in the Region. Two Roseate Spoonbills seen at a small pond in San Antonio Village 26 Jun+ (ph. RM) pro- vided the first record for Cayo and one of the few for w. Belize. In Panama, a Lesser Yellow- headed Vulture at El Real airstrip 12 Jun (JAG, KK, DM, DeM) was the latest of only a few that have been recorded in Darien. Rare anywhere in Panama, a Black-collared Hawk was seen on the Tuira R. between Yaviza and El Real, Darien 12 Jun QAC, KK, DM, DeM). A Sabine’s Gull in breeding plumage seen off Los Cobanos 28 Jul (NH) provided the first summer record for El Salvador. Individual Plain-breasted Ground-Doves seen at several locations around El Real 12-14 Jun QAC, KK, DM, DeM) suggest that this species, considered rare in Darien, may be on the increase. Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift is rare on the Pacific slope of Guatemala, so one seen in the Los Tarrales Reserve, Suchitepequez 12 Jun (KE) was note- worthy. A male and a female Magnificent Hum- mingbird were at the unusually low elevation of 800 m in the Los Tarrales Reserve 12 Jun (KE). They are normally seen above 1500 m in Guatemala. El Salvador’s first Spotted Wood- creeper in nearly 30 years was banded in Mon- tecristo N.P., Santa Ana in 2006. Since then, 6 other individuals have been banded in the park, the latest on 22 Jun (ph. RJ). FLYCATCHERS THROUGH WEAVER FINCHES Establishing the first records for Darien were single Bran-colored Flycatchers heard, respec- tively, at the El Real airstrip and the cemetery 12 Jun (DeM). Belted Flycatcher was added to the list of species from L. Atitlan’s s. shore when 2 were seen 24 Jul in San Juan La Lagu- na, Solold (ph. JF). Purple Martin is easily the earliest southbound migrant in Central Amer- ica. On 18 Jun, a mixed flock of 30 ad. males, females, and imms. was seen in Ladyville, Be- lize (PB). And this is not an unusually early ^ /I Last summer we reported on the nesting successes (or lack thereof) of seven beach-nesting bird species at the Xiri- 3fAhualtique-Jiquiiisco Biosphere Reserve on the Pacific coast in the San Dionisio municipality, Usulutdn, El Salvador. Some of these species are not known to nest anywhere else in Centra! America. The nesting season runs from Apr to early Aug, and EM and MR visited the nesting sites at Isla San Sebastian and Isla Pajarito weekly during the summer season. In 2008, they reported 164 nests that produced 72 juvs. of four species (breeding failed completely for three species). In 2009, at the same sites, they documented declines across all of the species, with a total of just 1 1 5 nests, which produced just 26 juvs. This season. Collared Plover produced 18 eggs in six nests, but only 3 juvs. survived, IS fewer than last year. Wilson's Plover pro- duced 180 eggs in 60 nests and raised 15 juvs., 26 fewer than last year. American Oystercatcher produced 18 eggs in nine nests, and just 2 juvs., but this was one more than last year. Black-necked Stilt produced 80 eggs in 20 nests and raised only 6 juvs., half of last year's production. As with 2008, breeding in 2009 appeared to have failed completely for Black Skimmer (no signs of nests). Least Tern (six nests), and Lesser Nighthawk (14 nests). As with the previous year, the culprit responsible for most of the failures was tidal overwash that destroyed nesting areas. The future of some of these species as breeding species in Central America, in particular the skimmer and oystercatcher, seems tenuous. 662 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS MEXICO date; the earliest date we have for Belize (and Central America?) is 14 Jun. At the unusual- ly high elevation of 2000 m, a Rufous-and- white Wren was heard in the Los Tarrales Re- serve on Atitlan Volcano 12 Jun (KE). An un- expected find in a mixed-species flock near Altos de Piedra above Santa Fe was Veraguas's first Ashy-throated Bush-Tanager 18 Jul OAC, RMi). This species was previously known from Panama only from the area of Oleoduc- to Rd., Bocas del Toro. Large-billed Seed-Finch and Yellow-hood- ed Blackbird continue to be seen at the El Real airstrip where both were first recorded in North America in 2007: 2-3 singing male seed-finches QAC, KK, RMi, DM, DeM) and one blackbird QAC, RMi, DM) were there 12 Jun. Adding further support for a local breed- ing population of Blue Seedeater in El Im- posible N.P., Ahuachapdn were 5 singing males on territory between El Mirador Mulo at 850 m and Cerro Leon at 1100 m elevation 14 Jun (vt., v.r. JF, LA). All territories were in dense stands of understory native cane. A male Shiny Cowbird seen at Douglas D’Silva, Mountain Pine Ridge, Cayo 20 Jun and 2 there 24 Jun (tRM) provided only the 2nd documented record of this species for Belize. A male Lesser Goldfinch at El Real cemetery 12 Jun and several House Sparrows at a gas station in Meteti 14 Jun (both JAC) estab- lished first records for Darien. Contributors (country coordinators in bold- face): David Anderson (Honduras), Leticia Andino, George Angehr (Panama), Philip Balderamos, Jan Axel Cubilla, Knut Eiser- mann (Guatemala), Jesse Fagan (El Sal- vador), Nestor Herrera, Lee Jones (Belize), Roselvy Juarez, Karl Kaufmann, Esmeralda Martinez, Roni Martinez, Jeffrey McCrary (Nicaragua), Rosabel Miro (RMi), Darien Montanez, Delicia Montanez (DeM), Marvin Rivas, Jim Zook (Costa Rica). @ H. Lee Jones, 901 E. Washington Street, Apt. 126 Colton, California 92324, (leejonesiaatt.net) Oliver Komar SalvaNATURA Conservation Science Program 33 Avenida Sur #640, San Salvador, El Salvador (okomar@salvanatura.org) West Indies & Bermuda | ATLANTIC OCEAN I. Andros /'^ — 'San Salvador \long I. CAVMANJS.. Grand N — ‘^Greal Inagua VIRGIN JAMAICA REP. USSER ^ CARIBBEAN SEA * « t « . i t o 0^^ . ^ , Cmcao ^ ^ ^ oSlLuoa -Provtdencal. j SLVinceni! s-darbados ^ ? -SLAndrewl. 4o1oH8IA/\ 'Totepo 'JlTrtnidad Robert L. Norton Anthony White Andrew Dobson Eddie Massiah The short summer season was a rela- tively eventful one, particularly in the Bahamas. The American Flamingos on Great Inagua had a very successful breed- ing season, and Grand Bahama had its sec- ond records of Black-bellied Whistling-Duck and Roseate Spoonbill. Seabird breeding sur- veys on Great Isaac, north of Bimini, and Brush Cay off eastern Grand Bahama were very productive. WHISTLING DUCK THROUGH TERNS Five Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks were at Pine Tree Stables, Grand Bahama intermit- tently between 30 Jun and 20 Jul (ph. CM, fide BP), Just the 2nd record for the island. A pair of was observed 28 Jun on a small pond near Mayagiiez, Puerto Rico (fide HM). The long-staying male Eurasian Wigeon was pres- ent through the period on Spittal Pond, Bermuda (EA). Two Blue-winged Teal at Har- rold & Wilson Ponds N.P. (hereafter H. W.P.N.P.), New Providence 11 Jul were probably birds that did not migrate (PD). Eight Masked Ducks were seen at Barbados 10 Jul (EM, RLN), 3 of which were males. A pair of Least Grebes was noted nesting 28 Jun near Mayagiiez QAS-F). Bracey found 10 ad. Pied-billed Grebes with young on Reef G.C., Grand Bahama 21 Jul. At Cayo Diablo near Pineros L, Puerto Rico, there were 3 Red-billed Tropicbirds and more than 200 Brown Boobies; on the same day, a Red-billed Tropicbird was observed near Lobos Cay part of the La Cordillera Na- ture Reserve 27 Jun. A bit farther s. of Alcar- raza (which lies off the nw. coast of Culebra I. ) are the larger Cayo Luis Pena and the smaller Cayo de Agua and Cayo Yerba, where a few White-tailed Tropicbirds were noted; and one White-tailed was at Palomino 1. in Cayo Lobos, along with some 50 Magnificent Frigatebirds, all 27 Jun (all JAS-F, JMW, RLW). A breeding colony of about 20 Masked Boobies was noted on Cayo Alcarraza 27 Jul (AP); this would appear to be an expansion w. of the well-established Cockroach Cay site at St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands. Two imm. Neotropic Cormorants at the Treasure Cay G.C. 17 Jul represented only the 4th re- port from Abaco (EB). A probable Gray Heron was reported from the former Sonesta Hotel site, Bermuda 17 Jun (EA). A Little Egret was seen at Congo Rd. swamp, Barbados 10 Jul (EM, RLN). At Pineros L, Puerto Rico, a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was noted 27 Jun OAS-F, JMW, RLW). On 8 Jul, Purdy discovered seven Yel- low-crowned Night-Heron colonies, with up to 14 nests per site along Fortune Bay, Grand Bahama. He was previously aware of only two sites. A Glossy Ibis was seen at Packers Swamp, Barbados 10 Jul (EM, RLN). Twenty- eight White Ibis nests were found on Sandy Cay in Bimini Harbour 19 Jun and five on Brush Cay, Grand Bahama 20 Jun. Brush Cay is now the 2nd known White Ibis nesting site in the Bahamas. The Brush Cay survey also found three Brown Pelican nests, five Green Heron nests, 21 Tricolored Heron nests, 28 Double-crested Cormorant nests, and four Reddish Egret nests. Twenty-four Magnificent Frigatebirds were also roosting on the cay (all JK, KH, BP). Two Eurasian Spoonbills contin- ued at Congo Rd. swamp, Barbados 10-12 Jul (EM, RLN). Two Roseate Spoonbills were not- ed at Freeport Harbor, Grand Bahama 26 Jul, and at least one remained through the end of the season (BP). This is the 2nd record for the island. Henry Nixon, the ranger at Great In- agua N.P., estimates that between 10,000 and 11,000 American Flamingos hatched in the park this year. The rookery stretched for about 3 km, and there appeared to be three different hatching periods (fide LG). The large numbers and different hatching periods suggest that some of the birds may have come from other breeding colonies. At Josiah’s Bay pond, Torto- la, British Virgin Islands, RLN noted a single American Flamingo 18 Jul. Its provenance is unknown but suspected to be from the re-es- '.’VOLUME 6 3 ( 2 0 0 9 ) • NUMBER 4 663 WEST INDIES & BERMUDA tablished population at Anegada, British Vir- gin Islands. Two Puerto Rican Sharp-shinned Hawks fledged from a nest in the Maricao S.P 20 Jun (MJM). Two Red-tailed Hawks contin- ued at Morgan’s Pt., Bermuda through the pe- riod (AD). A Peregrine Falcon was seen in Bermuda over Hamilton 14 Jun (PA) and near the Whaler Inn 1 Jul (DBW). A pair of Caribbean Coots was seen in Bar- bados 11 Jul (EM, RLN). Common Moorhens suspected of nesting were noted near Mayaguez, Puerto Rico 28 Jun (JAS-F). At least 3 Southern Lapwings were seen at vari- ous locations 10-12 Jul from the sw. to n. por- tions of Barbados (EM, RLN). Two Black- necked Stilts were noted 18-25 Jun at various Bermuda locations (DG), and 3 Semipalmat- ed Plovers were seen 11 Jun at Spanish Pt. (EA). Migrant shorebirds seen in Jun in the Bahamas included 15 Black-bellied Plovers and 6 Semipalmated Plovers (TW). At Green Turtle Cay, Abaco 5 Jun, there were 40 Black- bellied Plovers (EB, BB). At Pineros L, Puerto Rico, a Wilson’s and a Semipalmated Plover were seen 27 Jun OAS-F, JMW, RLW). At Playa Matias, Vieques L, Puerto Rico, Wilson’s Plovers with chicks were noted 11 Jul QAS- F). Two Piping Plovers were at Discovery Beach, Grand Bahama 29 Jul (BP, NB). A sur- vey looking for American Oystercatchers in the Bahamas 20 Jun through 16 Jul found none from Brush Cay to Cross Cay e. of Grand Bahama but found probable nesters in the Berry Is. on White Cay and Soldier Cay, and in the Exuma Cays on Flat Rock Cay, Leaf Cay, Bushhill Cay, Zebu Cay, and Whitebay Cay KH)- A pair of American Oyster- catchers was on Cayo Diablo, Puerto Rico 27 Jun 0AS-F,JMW, RLW). Migrant shorebirds seen in Jun in the Ba- hamas included 8 Ruddy Turnstones and 14 Short-billed Dowitchers at Green Turtle Cay, Abaco 5 Jun (EB, BB), and a White-rumped Sandpiper, a Semipalmated Sandpiper, and a Short-billed Dowitcher at Southwest Ridge, Nassau 6 Jun (PD, LL). A Greater Yellowlegs was at South Hoffman Cay, Berry Is. 23 Jun (JK, KH), and 2 Western Sandpipers were at Crossing Rocks, Abaco 26Jun (EB, HP); both could have been instances of summering. The first Bermuda fall migrant shorebirds noted in Jul included a Lesser Yellowlegs at Devon- shire Marsh 10 Jul (EA) and a Spotted Sand- piper there 15 Jul (EA, DBW). At Grenada, PHo noted a Spotted Sandpiper 21 Jul. Other southbound shorebirds begin arriving in the Bahamas in the 2nd half of Jul were Greater Yellowlegs 26 Jul, Lesser Yellowlegs 18 Jul, Solitary Sandpiper 25 Jul, Spotted Sandpiper 25 Jul, Least Sandpiper 18 Jul, Stilt Sandpiper 28 Jul, and Short-billed Dowitcher 26 Jul (PD, BP, TH). A single Lesser Yellowlegs was noted at Josiah’s Bay pond, Tortola, British Virgin Is- lands 18 Jul (RLN). The Common Green- shank that arrived 23 May departed Spittal Pond, Bermuda 1 Jun (KR). At Jaluva Beach, Vieques L, an early Spotted Sandpiper in breeding plumage was seen 11 Jul (JAS-F). A Whimbrel in the Cabo Rojo N.W.R. was re- ported 18 Jul (MJM). A few Whimbrels sum- mered in Salinas, Puerto Rico, especially at Jo- bos Bay OAS-F). At Congo Rd. swamp, a Least Sandpiper was present 10 Jul (EM, RLN). In Bermuda, 2 Semipalmated Sand- pipers were at St. Georges Dairy 25 Jun (EA), and a Solitary Sandpiper was at Devonshire Marsh 30 Jun-2 Jul (DW). A Solitary Sand- piper at Packers swamp, Barbados 10 Jul was considered early (EM, RLN). A hrst-cycle Great Black-backed Gull at Bi- mini 9 Jun (BP) was the first summer record for this species in the Bahamas. Seventy-five ad. Laughing Gulls (with 30 young) were not- ed at Southwest Ridge but possibly nested elsewhere (PD, TH). An ad. Franklin’s Gull was at Dockyard, Bermuda 9-22 Jun (DBW). A second-cycle Franklin’s Gull was at Spittal Pond, Bermuda 26-31 Jul and later (DBW). A Gray-hooded Gull, the West Indies’ first record (and second for the Americas), was photographed at Barbados 31 May-5 Jun (EM). A Ring-billed Gull stayed until 13 Jun at Dockyard, Bermuda (DBW); a Forster’s Tern was there 21 Jun (PH), and a Roseate Tern there 24-26 Jun (AD). Four Roseates were seen off Oistings Beach, Barbados 11 Jul (EM, RLN). In their slow recovery' from Hur- ricane Fabian (Bermuda 2003), five pairs of Common Terns raised 12 young (DBW). Least Terns nested on New Providence at Southwest Ridge (15+ nests) and Blue Water Cay (a few nests). Three pairs of Least Terns were probably nesting on dried Diablo La- goon, Puerto Rico 11 Jul QSA-F). A Least Tern was seen near Oistings, Barbados 1 1 Jul (RLN, EM). Bridled Terns nested on Don’t Rock and Least Terns on Spoil 1. off Guana Cay in Abaco Sound (EB). A 19 Jun survey of Great Isaac n. of Bimini found 568 Bridled Tern nests, 1380 Sooty Tern nests, 64 Brown Noddy nests, six Roseate Tern nests, eight Least Tern nests, and 83 Laughing Gull nests. The results were similar to last year’s survey except that Least Tern was not seen last year. The Bridled Tern colony is one of the largest in the Bahamas and argues for Great Isaac to be designated a National Park KH). Breeding at Cayo Diablo and Cayo Lobos near Pineros L, Puerto Rico, there were 10 Bridled Terns, 30 Sooty Terns, 100 Brown Noddies, and 100 Laughing Gulls in La Cordillera Na- ture Reserve 27 Jun OAS-F, JMW, RLW). PIGEONS THROUGH WEAVER FINCHES A small but growing population of Pied Im- perial-Pigeons (Ducula bicolor) now exists on e. New Providence L, Bahamas. Three pigeons (a female and 2 males) were released in 1996 in the East Bay section of Nassau. By 2007, the flock numbered 28 birds; in 2009, it was estimated at 40-50. The flock roosts near the point of release but feeds throughout e. New Providence. A resident of northern Australia and New Guinea, the species lays a single egg and is a fruit-eater, characteristics that will keep it from increasing as rapidly as has the seed-eating, two-egg-laying Eurasian Col- lared-Dove (DK, TH, PD, TW). A pair of Rock Pigeons was near Greenville, Grenada 27 Jul (PHo). On 27 Jun, at Pineros L, Puerto Rico, 2 Key West Quail-Doves were heard QAS-F, JMW, RLW). Two White-winged Doves were seen at Josiah’s Bay pond, Tortola, British Vir- gin Islands 18 Jul (RLN, KD). A Yellow-billed Cuckoo was at Big Pond, Nassau 14 Jul (PD). Two Mangrove Cuckoos were seen at Greenville, Grenada 27 Jul (PHo). Second-hand reports and posted signs indi- cate that there are active Burrowing Owl colonies on North and South Bimini, Ba- hamas (fide BP). Antillean Nighthawks were found nesting on Zebu Cay (also called North Adderly Cay), Noddy Cay, and Whitebay Cay in the Exumas and on Fowl Cay in the Berry Is. KH)- Reports from the Biminis are rare, so a report of 30+ Antillean Nighthawks 15 Jul was noteworthy (BP). Chuck-will’s- widows were reported singing in summer on Grand Bahama (JK, KH), Abaco (EB), and New Providence (CW, TH, PD), indicating nesting on these islands. A Belted Kingfisher at Clifton Cay, New Providence 23 Jul (TH) was early. Black Swifts were noted at Barbados 11 Jul (EM, RLN). More than 8 Thick-billed and 10 Black- whiskered Vireos were noted 15 Jul at South Bimini (BP). Early swallows included 6 Tree Swallows and 2 Cliff Swallows at St. Georges Dairy, Bermuda 29 Jul (PW). Moving through the Bahamas a bit late was a Tree Swallow not- ed at the Treasure Cay dump, Abaco 10 Jun (EB), and 2 Barn Swallows were noted at Crossing Rocks, Abaco 15 Jun (EB, S&SG). Early arrivals in the Bahamas included 2 Barn Swallows at the cattle farm. Grand Bahama 26 Jul (BP). A single Bare-eyed Robin was seen near Greenville, Grenada 27 Jul (PHo). Late- departing migrants included a Blackpoll War- bler at Adelaide, New Providence 1 Jun (PD, TH) and a Common Yellowthroat at Double- blocked L., Abaco 3 Jun (EB). Early arrivals included a Black-throated Blue Warbler at Flat Rock Reef Cay, Exumas 16 Jul (JK, KH) 664 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS WEST INDIES & BERMUDA and 2 Yellow-throated Warblers and an Amer- ican Redstart at St. Augustine’s College, Nas- sau 27 Jul (PD, TH). A Prairie Warbler singing at Point Shares 21 May-12 Jun fur- nished the first summer record for Bermuda (BL), while one at Blue Shark G.C., New Providence 23 Jul (TH, PD) was early. The first fall warbler in Bermuda was a Louisiana Waterthrush on Nonsuch 1. 26 Jul (JM); 2 were at H.W.PN.P, New Providence 20 Jul (PD, TH). A Northern Waterthrush was at Garden of the Groves, Grand Bahama 25-26 Jul (EG). Among a dozen Bananaquits seen near Sauteurs, St. Patrick, Grenada 27 Jul (PHo) was single dark type. A second-hand report of a Northern Cardinal on North Cat Cay 13 Jul (fide BP) indicates that the small colony there persists. Three Yellow-bellied Seedeaters were noted 27 Jul near Greenville, Grenada (PHo). Scores of Grassland Yellow-Finches were seen at Barbados 12 Jul (RLN, EM). A pair of House Sparrows has apparently taken up res- idence in Bridgetown, Barbados 12 Jul (EM, RLN). At least a dozen House Sparrows were noted at the airport on Beef I., British Virgin Islands 18 Jul (RLN). Contributors: Peter Adhemar, Eric Amos, El- wood Bracey, Betsy Bracey Noreen Brent, Karl Dawson, Paul Dean, Andrew Dobson, Susan & Stephen Gantz, Lynn Gape, Erika Gates, Diana Gozney, Tony Hepburn, Kirsten Hines, Peter Hopkin, Phillip Howard (PHo), Dennis Knowles, Jim Kushlan, Lionel Levine, Bruce Lorhan, Jeremy Madeiros, Eddie Massiah, Chris May, Hilda Morales, Mike J. Morel; Robert L. Norton, Ana Pazos, Hagen Peters, Bruce Purdy, Keith Rossiter, Jose A. Salguero- Faria, David Wallace (DW), Richard L. West, Tony White, David Wingate (DBW), Joseph M. Wunderle. @ Robert L. Norton, 8960 NE Waldo Road Gainesville, Florida 32609, (corvus0486@aol.com) Anthony White, P. 0. Box 2531 Jackson, Wyoming 83001, (Spindalis@aol.com) Andrew Dobson, 117 Middle Road Warwick PG 01 Bermuda, (ADobson@warwickacad.bm) Eddie Massiah, Johnson Road Fitts Village, St. James, Barbados Hawaiian Islands Kure Midway Atoll Atoll PearrSnd Hermes Atoll Alaka-iSwarm^‘^^^^ Point N.W.R. Ni'ihau 1^ , ^ Kauai I. Laysan I. Lisianski I. Marco Reef ^Gardner Pinnacles NORTHWEST HAWAIIAN ISLANDS ^ ^ . s. French Frigate , Nihoa I. Shoals 0‘ahu Campbell N.W.R. Honolulu Lana Kaho' .‘olawe tP Kanaha Pond Haleakala Kealia Pond N.W.R. ■Mauna Kea • ^ i»-vy t 0‘ahu I. ^^^aui I. MAIN ISLANDS Aimakapa Pom Kailua-Kona' Mauna ^ Loa Johnston Atoll Peter Donaldson Persistent easterly trade winds dominat- ed the weather around the Hawaiian Is- lands through the summer. The trade winds brought welcome rain to windward ar- eas, but leeward areas remained very dry, with drought conditions continuing over the leeward sides of Hawaii and Maui Islands. It seems likely that the weather may be having an impact on the local avifauna, but with very spotty observations, it is hard to tell what the impact might be. Summer is usually a quiet season in the Hawaiian Islands. The wintering birds are gone by the end of May, and most fall mi- grants arrive after the end of July. Many passerines nest in late winter, and by June, they have finished raising their young and turned very quiet. Because summer is such a quiet time for birds, birders tend to get out in the field less often. Observer coverage was even lighter than usual this summer, making for a rather uneventful season. WATERFOWL THROUGH PASSERINES No migrant ducks or geese were reported over the summer. One White-faced Ibis was ob- served at Kealia Pond N.W.R. 4 Jun (MN). White-faceds have been regular for several years in low numbers. No unusual shorebird species were reported over the summer. Pa- cific Golden-Plovers seemed unusually scarce over the summer. Three Bristle-thighed Curlews summered on Molokai 1. (ADY). Fourteen Bristle-thigheds seen at the Kii unit of James Campbell N.W.R., Oahu 1. in late Jul (MN) may have included some newly re- turned migrants. There were good numbers of Ruddy Turnstones present, with 77 counted in Kahuku 3 Jun (MW) and 42 at Kealia Pond N.W.R., Maui 1. 9 Jul (MN). It is hard to say if these birds summered in the islands or were birds that departed late or returned early from the far north. No gulls were reported over the summer, but one Least Tern was seen at Kealia 7 Jul (MN). Least Terns are rare but regular in the Region. We had no reports of any of the native for- est birds on Kauai 1. over the summer. On Maui I., a group of birders visiting Wai- kamoi Preserve 27 Jul found lots of juv. Apa- pane, liwi, and family groups of Maui Alauahio, locally common native species. They also heard lots of Akohekohe (Endan- gered) and spotted several. More interest- ingly, they observed at least 3 very rare Maui Parrotbills (Endangered) (CP et ah). On the Big Island of Hawaii, Hawaii Eorest & Trail tour groups regularly found small numbers of Palila (Endangered) at Puu Laau, 1-3 Aki- apolaau (Endangered) at Hakalau N.W.R. and Puu Oo Trail, small numbers of Hawaii Creepers (Endangered) at Hakalau, and as many as 6 Akepa at Hakalau Jun+ (H.ET.). Very small numbers of Hawaii Creepers and Akepa were found in the Humuula Saddle 19-21 Jul (BR). Contributors: Michael Andersen, Joe Confor- ti, Arleone Dibben-Young, Peter Donaldson, Lehman Ellis, Rob Fergus, Ken Hartman, Hawaii Forest & Trail, Colin Jensen, Betty Joao, C Jordan, Joe Jordan, Matthew Marzuc- co, Richard May, Kelly Morgan, Mike Nishi- moto, Rob Pacheco, Chuck Probst, Pam Re- naker, Brooks Rownd, Jim Siedow, Mike Sil- bernagle, Bryan Tarbox, Thomas Timura, Ken-ichi Ueda, Michael Walther, Megan Westervelt (MWe), Robert Zaher. ^ Peter Donaldson, 2375 Ahakapu Street Pearl City, Hawaii 96782, (pdnldsn.bird@mac.com) VOLUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 665 presented by SAVE THIS DATE! 1-3 April, 2011 Valley Forge, PA An American Birding Association Event www.aba.org • mrausch@aba.org * 800-850-2473 Biggest Week in American Birding Northwest Ohio - May 7-16. This 11-day festival boasts field trips to Black Swamp Bird Observatory Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, and Magee Marsh Wildlife Area led by Tropical Birding Tours guides. Lots of warblers! For registration see www.biggestweekinamericanbirding.com. Free field trip to Oak Openings for ABA Century Club members-only on Sunday, May 16th. May 8-11) 2010 - Wrangell, Alaska - Stikine River Shorebird Rendevous Enjoy the magnificence of migration along the Inside Passage, and discover the beauty of the Stikine River Delta and the surrounding glacier country. Land and boat birding. Contact Jim Leslie, Alaska Waters, Inc., www.alaskawaters.com, jim-leslie@alaskawaters.com, (907) 874-2378. May 11-24, 2010 - North Wales & Norfolk: Highlands & Islands — join Alan Davies, of the Biggest Twitch fame and popular Corpus Convention guide, when the woodlands are full of bird song, and the magnificent cliffs host a plethora of seabirds. The wealth of species to be expected probably cannot be matched anywhere else in the UK, plus the possibility of scarce migrants. Contact Oriole Birding (formerly Celtic Birding Tours), www.oriolebirding.com, info@oriolebirding.com May 21-24, 2010 - Pribllofs at their Peak — Visit the home of millions of nesting seabirds, plus thousands of migrants, in easily observed colonies. Contact Lisa Moorehead, Wilderness Birding Adventures, www.wildernessbirding.com, (907) 694-7442. May 26 - June 4, 2010 - Cambell & Nome Extravagania — Boneyards, boatyards, marshes and ponds, pjus varied habitats make this some of the best birding in Alaska. Contact Lisa Moorehead, Wilderness Birding Adventures, www.wildernessbirding.com, (907) 694-7442. October 12-21, 2010 - Birding Wild Hawaii — This popular trip is back, with Hawaii’s foremost guide Rob Pacheco, to explore the scenic parks and refuges of the Hawaiian islands. Target local endemics. Contact Siemer & Hand Travel, www.siemerharid.com, travel@siemerhand.com, (800) 451-4321. Nov 1-10, 2010 - Escarpment and Kruger NP Birding & Wildlife Tour — An ideal introduction to the region’s avifauna and wildlife in general, with endemics and big mammals. Bird list available. Pre-trip available. Contact Lawson’s Birding and Wildlife Tours, www.lawsons.co.za. November 14-23, 2010 - Birding Beliie -- Over 600 species of birds flourish in this environmentally-consdous country, with Jabiru, Yucatan Jay, Yucatan Flycatcher, Yeliow-iored Parrot, Orange-breasted Falcon, Stygian Owl, Keel-billed Motmot as some of the target species. Leader Glenn Crawford is the premier bird guide in Belize. Lodges offer great birding, friendly atmosphere, and delicious meals! Offered again 2/11/2011. Optional 4-day extension to Tikal, Guatemala. Contact Wildside NatureTours, www.wildsidetoursinc.com, (888) 875-9453. Year4on§ Birding Opportunities Hawaii “ If a trip to Hawaii is in your plans, birding with Hawaii Forest & Trail guides is the best way to maximize your experience. The Hakalau Forest National Forest Wildlife Refuge holds many endemics while the Rainforest & Dryforest Birdwatching Adventure on Mauna Kea offers more. Contact Hawaii Forest & Trail, www.hawaii-forest.com, info@hawaii-forest.com, (800) 464-1993. South Africa — Custom tours as you like it - you pick the place and the pace. Can be customized by list of needed species. Contact AvianLeisure Birding & Wildlife Safaris, enquiries@avianleisure.com, www.avianleisure.com. . Please contact tour company directly for information and reservations, and identify yourself as an ABA member. Tour companies pay ABA a commission for each ABA participant. „ ' , /. , AmericanBirding For more tours, go to www. aba.org/tours ■ ■ > r Photo Salon In summer and fall of 2009, seabird researchers and seabirders recorded an influx of Cook's Pe- trels into nearshore California waters like none other on record. The first inkling of this incur- sion came from Southern California waters 25 July, when a deep-water pelagic trip from Santa Barbara counted an unprecedented 136 Cook's Petrels. In Northern California waters on 30 July, researcher Michael Force observed a Cook's just 9 kilometers from Ragged Point, Monterey County — far closer to shore than normal. The next day. Force tallied 179 in nearby waters, and a Shearwater Journeys trip inside Monterey Bay counted 1 38! From top left to bottom, these images depict individuals off Monterey County 31 July (one of 138 documented that day); west of San Nicolas Island, Ventura County 25 July (one of 130; top right); and over the San Juan Seamount, Santa Barbara County 25 July. Photographs by Brian L Sullivan. 668 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS PHOTO SALON: COOK'S PETREL'S OFF THE CALIFORNIA COAST | The appearance of so many Cook's Petrels off California was thought to be tied to a mass of warm water that moved northward and inshore, particularly in July through august The event allowed birders unparalleled opportunities to study and photo- graph the species repeatedly, often at close range. These photographs, from top to bottom, were taken 25 July over the San Juan Seamount, Santa Barbara County; 2 August off Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, arrd 4 August over Bodega Canyon, Sonoma County. Photographs by Brim Sullivan, David VanderPluym, and Matt Brady. VOLUME 63 (2009) NUMBER 4 669 PHOTO SALON: COOK'S PETREL'S OEE THE CALIEORNIA COAST 670 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS PHOTO SALON: COOK'S PETREL'S OFF THE CALIFORNIA COAST | FACING PAGE: The pelagic waters off California have been crisscrossed for decades, but each year produces remarkable new discoveries. Veteran California seabirders noted that the 2009 phenomenon with Cook's Petrels increased their personal total records from "a handful" to "hundreds" in just a few trips. The image at top is a composite image of a sin- gle bird photographed 25 July in Santa Barbara County wa- ters; it shows nicely the typical flight behavior of a Cook's Petrel traveling in moderate winds. At bottom left is a bird (one of 35) off Monterey 21 August, and at bottom right, one in Santa Barbara County waters 25 July. Photographs by Bill Schmoker, Don Doolittle, and Todd McGrath. kv California may be unique among U. S. states in carefully segregating records of birds offshore by county. In 2009, Cook's Petrel was recorded in ocean waters of at least seven counties; some of these counties had few prior records of the species, and indeed, in the hundreds of trips conducted off Monterey, the species had not previously been recorded inside Monterey Bay. Although the final count of Cook's Petrel records from 2009 is not known, at least 700 were reported through 19 Octo- ber. These images, from top to bottom, were taken 25 July in Santa Barbara County waters, 6 August in Monterey County vraters, and 12 August over Bodega Canyon, Sonoma County. Photographs by Martin Myers, Monte M. Taylor, and Larry Sansone. -'t i } r I A f ^ \ I" / T / ^ . i, V 1 V VOLUME 63 (2009) NUMBER 4 671 Pictorial Highlights 1 • Marbled Murrelet nests are always a rare find, especially this one located on the ground (rather than in a tree) above a ravine at Eagle Creek near Juneau, Alaska 30 June 2009. Photograph by Kathy Hocker. 2 • Skulking in berry thickets at Wrangell for over a week in late (here 26) June 2009, this Gray Catbird provided Alaska's fourth record ever. Photograph by Steve Zimmerman. 3 • A species seldom encountered south of Newfoundland in summer in the East, this second-year male King Eider was found 22 July 2009 at Maces Bay, New Brunswick. In heavy molt of remiges and rectrices, the bird was likely flightless when found. Photograph by Samuel Denauit. 4 • Arizona's second Pacific Golden-Plover was discovered at Willcox 26 June 2009 (here) by Mark Stevenson; it was last seen the following day. There are very few inland reports of this species in North America. Photograph by Gary Rosenberg. 5 • This immature male Gray-collared Becard was discovered in the South fork of Cave Creek Canyon S June 2009, and, if accepted by the Arizona Bird Committee, would represent a first North American record of the species. Photogrqph by Jillian Johnston. 6 • A singing Brown-backed Solitaire was discovered in Miller Canyon, Arizona 16 July 2009 and later relocated in Ramsey Canyon on 18 (here 26) July, where it was reported off and on until 1 August. If accepted by the Arizona Bird Committee, this would represent a potential first North American record; there is one previous Arizona report, a bird seen in lower Madera Canyon on 4 October 1996, which was ultimately not accepted as a record of a wild bird because of concerns about its provenance. Brown-backed Solitaire is a common cage bird in Mexico. Photograph by Christie Van Cleve. 672 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS PICTORIAL HIGHLIGHTS 1 • This Elegant Tern was one of two that visited a Tucson pond 7-10 (here 7) June 2009, representing only an eighth Arizona record. Pho- tograph by Pierre Deviche. 2 • Photographed at La Laguna, Baja California Sur on 9 August 2009, this first-summer male Tropical Parula is apparently of subspecies in- sularis. The amount of white in the wings and tail, the extensive yel- low throat, and the rich coloration below all suggest this subspecies rather than graysoni of Socorro Island, which was originally reported from Baja California Sur, although none of the state's five records are referable to that taxon. Photograph by Steven G. MIodinow. 3 • A subspecies little known to most birders, this fledgling San Lucan Cassin's Vireo [V. c. lucasanus) was nicely documented at La Burrera, at the western base of the Sierra de La Laguna, Baja California Sur 10 August 2009. Adults of this subspecies often resemble Blue-headed Vireos more than Cassin's. Photograph by Steven 6. MIodinow. 4 • Discovered 20 June 2009 (here), this Western Scrub-Jay was still present in early 2010 in a Maple Ridge neighborhood of British Co- lumbia, where it has been seen by many. The species continues to spread northward in Washington state, but it is still very rare in British Columbia. Photograph by Paul Kustnin. 5 • This male Eastern Bluebird, photographed 28 May 2009 near Fort Nelson in northeastern British Columbia, represents the first record for the province. Photograph by Penny Hall. VOLUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 673 PICTORIAL HIGHLIGHTS 1 • For most of the summer (here 25 June 2009), this male Kentucky Warbler sang and defended Its territory against a perceived rival Hooded Warbler (a rarity for the location in its own right) at Gregory Canyon, Boul- der County, Colorado. Photograph by Bill Schmoker. 2 & 3 • The first verified breeding of any true tanager species in the United States, a Western Spindalis pair suc- cessfully fledged three young 31 August 2009 at Long Pine Key, Everglades National Park, Miami-Dade County, Florida. The pair was discovered 28 July 2009, and the birds remained in the area after nesting. These photo- graphs show the male and female bringing food to the nest on 26 August. Photographs by Larry Manfredi. 4 • Verified breeding of Bronzed Cowbird at Dania Beach, Broward County on 28 July (here) made another first for Florida in 2009. The established non-native Spot-breasted Oriole was Its host, the male (above) seen here feeding the brood parasite, with the female oriole below. Photographs by Arthur tklson. 5 • Many Piping Plovers that wander in the Midwest have colored leg bands, such as this adult that visited Ashtabula County, Ohio 26-31 (here 27) July 2009. Photograph by Lana Hays. 6 • Lesser Goldfinch, a vagrant essentially anywhere east of the hundredth meridian, was hardly expected at Clifton, Penobscot County, Maine (here 7 July 2009). Records of the species east of range appear to be in- creasing, and the breeding range is expanding in the Pacific Northwest as well. Photograph byJohnZievis. 7 • Part of a widespread flight of the species into the East and Midwest in summer 2009, this young Roseate Spoonbill provided a first firm record for Virginia at a nursery near Lyndhurst, Augusta County 15-19 (here 19) June 2009. This location, in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, between the Blue Ridge Mountains and Ap- palachian Mountains, has little habitat for such a bird, which appeared to be feeding heavily on tadpoles in a flooded corn field. Photograph by Lynda Blair. 8 • Whether the result of egg-dumping or communal nesting, these two Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks with at least 25 chicks in tow at Brevard County, Florida's Viera Wetlands 7 July 2009 well illustrate the robust northward expansion of this species. Photograph by Matt Paulson. 674 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS PICTORIAL HIGHLIGHTS 1 • One of wry few Black-browed Al- batrosses satisfactorily documented in North American waters, this subadult was photographed IS July 2009 between Seal Island and Vina!- haven Island in outer Penobscot Bay, Maine. Photograph by John Drury. 2 • Building on recent increases in their numbers, three pairs of Buff-breasted Flycatchers were in New Mexico's Ani- mas Mountains, Hidalgo County in sum- mer 2009, including this nest-building adult in upper Indian Creek Canyon 27 June. Photograph by Cole j. Wolf. 3 • Baird's Sandpiper is a very rare spring transient in Ontario, and none have been better documented than this individual at Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay District 1 June 2009, which was one of six birds present here in early June. Photograph by Alan Wormington. 4 • This first-spring male Lazuli Bunting was present at Crooks in Thunder Bay District from 31 May through 3 (here 1) June 2009, providing the ninth record for Ontario. Photograph by Alan Wormington. 5 • Washington's third Red-necked Stint was a one-day wonder at Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor County 24 July 2009. All three of Washington's records have been adult birds appearing between 27 June and 2 August. Photograph by Gregg Thompson. 6 • Those with knowledge of North American tree and bird distribution will note the incongruity of a Scarlet Tanager among Ponderosa Pine needles in this image. This territorial male returned for its third breeding sea- son (here 10 June 2009) in upper Gregory Canyon, Boulder Countty, Colorado. Photograph by David Waltman. 7 • Amongst tens of thousands of snow-bound geese at Churchill, Manitoba on 5 June 2009 were these two rare blue-morph Ross's Geese. Photograph by Tom Johnson. VOLUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 675 PICTORIAL HIGHLIGHTS 1 • In early (here 6) June 2009, the extremely late ice-out induced up to a few dozen Red Phalaropes to linger at Churchill, Manitoba, as they awaited favorable conditions for northward movement. Photograph by Tom Johnson. 2 & 3 • This swallow was present with many Bam Swallows in northeastern Jefferson County, Kentucky 29 June-3 July (here 3 July) 2009. The most likely identity seemed to be a Tree Swallow x Barn Swallow hybrid. Photographs by Eddie Huber. 4 • This exhausted Sprague's Pipit became a most unexpected stowaway when it landed on a tall sailing ship about 64 kilometers off the North Carolina coast on 2 June 2009. In the literature, there is essentially no con- text for a bird of this species in the East in the summer season, much less offshore, although other rare west- ern and mid-continental birds have certainly made appearances in the East in early June, typically farther north. Photograph by Captain Lauren Morgens. 5 • Manitoba's second (but its first "twitchable") Painted Bunting proved to be very cooperative. Initially dis- covered in late May 2009, it was identified 2 June (here 6 June), after which numerous observers managed to see it until it was last noted 6 June. Photograph by Doug Dance. 6 ' A pair of Northern Parulas constructed this nest and raised three young in a wooded residential complex in urban Los Angeles in summer 2009; this image of the male at the nest was taken 30 July. Photograph by Don Sterba. 7 • Dispersal of Roseate Spoonbills was extensive in the Southeast (and beyond) in summer 2009. This juve- nile was spotted with at least two others in Sumter County, Georgia on 12 July. Photograph by Phil Hardy. 8 • An odd visitor to the Upper Texas Coast in summer 2009 was this first-cycle Glaucous Gull at Galveston's East Beach, Galveston County 5 (here) through 26 June. Photograph by Joseph Kennedy. 676 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS wn**^ ft '3* , ^a^nlos .yuralrt" W<"'-“-S i«»'''^«o»>!>-”"T .Ji ^ s SiSSsr-- J . ^Vcf^ - I ■i Jmm, ; ®»«»'fSi.B»="'^'’^ 0r JIB ^r»WW* ww-'P®'""’ J#& Oftftwn^ jojjrtrtta- ,(|«M-I)“9® Sa»pl«J^* RDER: 1-800-876-0091 EXT. 103 OR: www.mastervision.com ;EE, HEAR & INSTANTLY IDENTIFY BIRDS ON DVD! sMUfiil mix of video and stiHs that will deMght and mform.” — Neiv Fork Times ^>t only authoritative, but also literate, witty and fiill of terestiiig facts. Enthusiastically recommended.” — Library Journal i impoitant addition to printed field guides.” — Philadelphia Inquirer MuboE’s VideoGEide to the Birds of North berica is the ideal application of DVD technology to Eeference source. Beautiful moving footage and [ills, bird calls and sounds, annotated visuals, author- ptive narration and range maps help users quickly l;d precisely locate any of 247 bird species in DVD I, U species in DVD II, or all 505 species in the two- 4k set, at the touch of a button. By using your DVD p'lyer's remote control you can repeat a segment, a ^l)t or any part of a bird’s description as often as you lie, or even study footage in slow motion. 'M a portable DVD player or laptop and you can easi- ipring this unique reference into the field, for imme- kte on-site identification. Informative 64-page Mini HdGuide to 505 Birds of North America included with e ;h DVD VideoGuide. If you liked the VideoGuide on /;S, you’ll love it on DVD! In DVD I you’ll find 247 birds including Loons; Grebes;