QL 671 .A916 BIRD H T H R O U G H MAY 2010 DONATE TO 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. % •I'llltOUOll .'lOVBMBiiK VOLUME OJ: 'I'J- To dontate go online to: aiia.org/donat6/nab.php Or send donations to: The Friends nf NAB, ABA, 4945 N. BBih Street, Ste 200 Geierade Springs, CO 80919 ON THE COVER: Following the surprising discovery of a Fulvous Owl at La Cum- bre, Oaxaca on 20 March 2010 by Rich Hoyer, this Fulvous Owl was beautifully photographed at the same site 24 April. Although there are recent reports of Barred Owl (subspecies sanorii] from this well-birded area, the most accessi- ble site for seeing Dwarf Jay, it seems likely that these reports pertained to the little-known Fulvous Owl instead. Photograph by Manuel Grosselet. ■g^\THSO/V4^ DEC 08Z016 Contents Spring Migration: March through May 2010 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS • AMERICAN BIRDING ASSOCIATION • VOLUME 64 • NUMBER 3 • 2010 364 First record of Red-legged Thrush (Turdus plumbeus) for Florida and the North American mainland Bruce H. Anderson and Marcus S. Ponce 368 A territorial Harlan’s Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis harlani) in North Dakota, with notes on summer records of this subspecies from the northern Great Plains Brian L. Sullivan and Jerry Liguori 374 The Changing Seasons; A Tale of Three Systems Edward S. Brinkley 518 A review of Mottled Duck (Anns fulvigula) reports in the North American interior, with comments on historical records of dark Anas ducks Mark B. Robbins, Paul McKenzie, and Brad Jacobs 524 Apparent Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) x Cooper’s Hawk (A. cooperii) hybrid in eastern Tennessee Kathryn A. Gunther and Mark E. Hopey 528 A Bermuda Petrel (Plerodroma cahow) off Massachusetts; First photographic record for New England Peter A. Duley 530 Pictorial Highlights The Regional Reports 386 Atlantic Provinces & St. Pierre et Miquelon Blake Maybank 389 Quebec Pierre Bannon, Olivier Barden, Normand David, and Samuel Denault 301 New England Mark S. Szantyr 397 Hudson-Delaware Richard R. Veit, Robert 0. Paxton, and frank Rohrbacher i 402 Middle Atlantic Mark T. Adams and Matt Hafner i i 405 Southern Atlantic Ken Blankenship and Josh Southern Bruce H. Anderson and Andy Bankert 413 Ontario Alan Wormington 419 Eastern Highlands & Upper Ohio River Valley Victor W. Fazio, III, Gabe Leidy, and Rick Wiltraut 424 Illinois & Indiana James D. Hengeveld, Keith A. McMullen, and Geoffrey A. Williamson 428 Western Great Lakes Adam M. Byrne i 430 Iowa & Missouri I Stephen J. Dinsmore and Joshua P. Uffman ( : 434 Tennessee & Kentucky 1 Chris Sloan and Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. i 439 Alabama & Mississippi i Steven W. McConnell ; 442 Arkansas & Louisiana I Steven W. Cardiff 449 Northern Canada Greenland I Cameron D. Eckert • 450 Prairie Provinces Rudolf R Koes and Peter Taylor : 452 Northern Great Plains I Ron Martin I 453 Southern Great Plains j Joseph A. Grzybowski and W. Ross Silcock i 457 Texas j Mark W. Lockwood, Eric Carpenter, 1 and Willie Sekuia 463 Colorado & Wyoming ; Lawrence S. Semo, Tony Leukering, and Bill Schmoker 468 Idaho & Western Montana David Trochlell 469 New Mexico Sartor 0. Williams, III 474 Arizona Mark M. Stevenson and Gary H. Rosenberg 477 Great Basin Rick Fridell 479 Alaska ThedeTobish 484 British Columbia Chris Charlesworth 487 Oregon & Washington David Irons, Douglas Schonewald, Brad Waggoner, and Bill Tweit 493 Northern California Stephen C. Rottenborn, Michael M. Rogers, Jeff N. Davis, and Ed Pandolhno 497 Southern California Guy McCaskie and Kimball L. Garrett 502 Baja California Peninsula Richard A. Erickson, Roberto Carmona, ‘ and Gorgonio Ruiz-Campos 503 Mexico Hector Gomez de Silva : 507 Central America i H. Lee Jones and Oliver Komar i 511 West Indies & Bermuda I Robert L. Norton, Anthony White, Andrew Dobson, and Eddie Massiah 514 Hawaiian Islands Peter Donaldson American Birding® ASSOCIATION CHAIR Louis Morrell BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jane Alexander Dick Ashford Lynn Barber Charles Bell Michael Bowen Paul Bristow Kenn Kaufman Robin Leong Louis Morrell John C. Robinson Bob Warneke Anthony W. White Erika Wilson PRESIDENT Jeff Gordon 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 tern) PAST JOURNAL EDITORS John W. Aldrich (1947-1951) Chandler S. 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.com) P. 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. Eazio 111, Rick Eridell, Kimball L. Garrett, Hector Gomez de Silva, Joseph A. Grzybowski, Matt Hafner, James Hengeveld, Pam Hunt, David Irons, Greg D. Jackson, H. 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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. 362 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS Remote. Wild. Unbelievable •Home to 1,000,000 Fur Seals •Spectacular Seabird Colonies •Arctic Fox and Reindeer •Brilliant Showcase of Wildflowers •Historic Russian Church AT LAST-SPECIALIST DVDs on SEABIRDS An essential resource for all seabird enthusiasts Filmed & produced by knowledgeable seabirders OUT NOW... FULMARINE PETRELS $25 (+P&P) - purchase online at www.scillypelagics.com DVD (c. 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Go offshore with Seabirding For more information contact Brian Patteson Seabirding P.O.Box 772 Hatteras NC 27943 (252) 986-1363 http://www.seabirding.com • 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 andalcids • Spring & summer trips for Gulf Stream specialties including rare Pterodromas andtropicbirds • Late summer trips for White-faced Storm-Petrel VOLUME 64 (2010) - NUMBER 3 363 Thrush fw Florida and the North American Rteinland BRUCE H. ANDERSON • 2917 SCARLET ROAD, WINTER PARK, FLORIDA 32792 • (SCIZORTAIL@A0L.COIV!) MARCUS S. PONCE • 5841 WINDMILL COURT, ORLANDO, FLORIDA 32809 • (MARCUSSP@MPINET.NET) Figure 1 . The habitat in Maritime Hammock Sanctuary, Brevard County, Florida where the Red-legged Thrush was found is best described as "maritime hammock," in this case dominated by Live Oak, Marlberry, Cabbage Palm, and Red Bay. In the northern Bahamas, the species is commonly found in very similar habitats. Image taken 2 June 2010, near the site of the thrush observation. Photograph byBillPranty. Abstract This paper treats the discovery of a Red-legged Thrush of the nominate subspecies (Tiiidus pliimheiis phimbeus) at Maritime Hammock Sanctuary, Melbourne Beach, Brevard County, Florida 31 May 2010 — a hrst verified record for Florida and the mainland United States. Possible explanations of the provenance of this individual are also considered herein. Field encounter and description On 31 May 2010, Marcus and Tracy Ponce visited Maritime Hammock Sanctuary, Mel- bourne Beach, Florida (Figure 1) to hike the park trail. At about 1615 EDT, as they ap- proached the trail’s southern terminus, Tracy spotted a bird standing on the leaf-covered trail just ahead of them (the location was recorded as 27° 57.164’ N, 80° 30.110’ ’W). Marcus Ponce noticed the bird’s red legs and orbital rings and realized it was a species he did not recognize. They studied the bird at distances as close as 7.5 meters until about 1635 EDT. During the observation, Marcus Ponce was able to take more than a dozen photographs of the bird (Figures 2-4). It remained silent and on the ground, flying only when the Ponces fi- 364 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS FIRST RECORD OF RED-LEGGED THRUSH FOR FLORIDA AND THE NORTH AMERICAN MAINLAND Figure 2. When first discovered at Maritime Hammock Sanctuary, Brevard County, Florida 31 May 2010, the Red-legged Thrush was striking even at a distance because of its red orbital rings and reddish legs, visible in this photograph. The dark tail shows slight wear, as does much of the body plumage, normal for an adult in the Bahamas in late May. Photograph by Marcus S. Ponce. Figure 3. During twenty minutes of observation, the Red-legged Thrush was noted to have a restricted amount of white in the chin and adjacent malar areas, surrounded by blackish plumage. As seen in this image and Figure 2, the inner webs of the greater upperwing coverts and remiges were dark, with the outer webs a similar shade of slaty gray as the underparts. Photograph by Marcus 5. Ponce. nally walked toward it to exit the trail. It for- aged by hopping, sometimes running short distances, occasionally using its bill to scatter and sometimes flip the leaves, reminiscent of a foraging American Robin (Turdus rriigmto- rius), but the bird was not observed eating. That evening, Marcus Ponce looked through his field guides and identified bird as a Red- legged Thrush (T. plumbeus). When he real- ized the importance of the find, he posted the sighting to a the local listserve. The next day, beginning at dawn, he and at least a dozen other birders searched the area throughout the day, but the thrush was never relocated. The Red-legged Thrush at Maritime Ham- mock Sanctuary was about the size of an American Robin. It was rather uniform slaty gray, with a bluish cast, slightly lighter below and on the wings. The chin and proximal malar areas were pure white; the throat and distal malar areas were black, as were the lores. The inner webs of the greater upper- wing coverts and flight feathers were black, whereas the outer webs were about the same slate-gray color as the breast, belly, sides, flanks, and undertail coverts. The tail was blackish, with white tips on the outer rectri- ces seen briefly when the bird flew. The bill and eyes were dark, and the orbital rings were red, as were the tarsi and toes. The plumage was in good condition; the tips of the rectri- ces showed some wear but not excessive if feathers had been replaced when the thrush last molted (perhaps eight or nine months prior). The bird showed no signs of having been in captivity recently. It remained at dis- tances of at least 7.5 meters in front of the ob- servers, never seeming especially wary until they approached too closely. Maritime Hammock Sanctuary is a 61- hectare park located on a main barrier island adjacent to Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge. The hiking trail is 4 kilometers long, traversing coastal wetlands, coastal strand, maritime hammock, and mangrove forests. The Red-legged Thrush was located in a maritime hammock. The relatively short canopy was composed primarily of Live Oak (Quercus vir- giniana), Marlberry (Ardisia escallonioides) , Cabbage Palm (Sabal palmetto), and Red Bay (Persea borbonia), with a dominant understory of wild Coffee (Psychotria nervosa), Beautyber- ry (Callicarpa americana), Saw Palmetto {Serenoa repens), and Snowberry (Chiococca alba). Ground cover included Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quincjuefolia), Muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia), and Earleaf Greenbriar (Smilax auriculata). The local weather on 30 and 31 May 2010 included rain and thunderstorms with winds out of the east-southeast and south- east at 8-17 knots, with gusts up to 22 knots. Identification Red-legged Thrush is a West Indian congener of American Robin, and it exhibits similar habits, including being a common visitor to gardens and lawns as well as inhabiting trop- ical deciduous, montane and lowland ever- green, and secondary forests from sea level to 1200 meters. It is resident in Cuba, the Isle of Youth, Cayman Brae, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Dominica, the northern Bahamas, and for- merly Honduras’s Swan Islands (A.O.U. 1998). The nearest Red-legged Thrush popu- lation to Florida’s Atlantic coast occurs on Grand Bahama Island (White 1998). West End on Grand Bahama is 108 kilometers from West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Flori- da and about 220 kilometers from the Brevard County location; West Palm Beach is about 158 kilometers from Melbourne Beach. Clement (2000) and Collar (2005) recog- nize six subspecies of Red-legged Thrush, each resident within its range: nominate plumbeus, inhabiting the northern Bahamas (Grand Bahama, the Abacos, Andros, New Providence, Eleuthera, and Cat Island); schis- taceus of eastern Cuba (Holguin, Santiago de Cuba, and Guantanamo provinces); rubripes of central and western Cuba and the Isle of Youth; coryi of Cayman Brae; ardosiaceus of Puerto Rico and Hispaniola (including the is- lands of Gonave and Tortue, Haiti); and al- biventris of Dominica. Some authorities rec- VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 365 FIRST RECORD OF RED-LEGGEO THRUSH FOR FLORIDA AND THE NORTH AMERICAN MAINLAND Figure 4. The Red-legged Thrush at Maritime Hammock Sanctuary was seen only near the southern terminus of the trail, where it foraged in leaf litter on the trail. It could be identified as a bird of the nominate subspecies (restricted to the northern Bahamas) by its dark bill, which rules out four other subspecies {schistaceus, rubripes, coryi, and ardosiaceus), which have mostly reddish bills, as well albiventris, which has a yellowish bill and legs. These five subspecies also show more white in the throat than the nominate and show pale buff or orange in the flanks and ventral area, lacking in the Bahamian birds. Photograph by Marcus S. Ponce. ognize two species in this complex, Eastern Red-legged Thrush (T. plumbeus) and West- ern Red-legged Thrush (T. ardosiaceus) (Col- lar 2005); the latter includes ardosiaceus but also albiventris of Dominica, which is believed to have been introduced there from the east- ern Greater Antilles (Ricklefs and Berming- ham 2008). Red-legged Thrush and the paler but otherwise similar Grand Cayman Thrush (T. ravidus), now extinct, formed a super- species (Sibley and Monroe 1990), and both have been placed in the genus Mimocichla by some authorities (A.O.U. 1998). Based on Clement’s (2000) descriptions, the uniform coloration and condition of the upperwing coverts indicate that the Brevard thrush was in its third calendar year or older and was of the nominate subspecies, which shows a dark bill, has a limited amount of white on the head, and lacks the contrasting color of the belly and flanks found in the oth- er taxa. The subspecies schistaceus is similar to the nominate but has more white on the chin and malar regions, shows pale buff/orange on the lower hanks and vent, and has a red bill with dusky tip. The subspecies nibripes, coiyi, and ardosiaceus also have red bills and show more white on the throat than the nominate; these three subspecies also show pale orange on the belly and flanks, pale undertail coverts, and distinct white tips on all rectrices except the central pair. The subspecies found in Do- minica, albiventris, is similar to ardosiaceus but has a yellow bill, orbital rings, tarsi, and toes. Discussion t he question of provenance is often raised when a West Indian species appears in Flori- da, not only because Florida is an important entry for imported birds, and home to many exotic avian collections, but also because some Caribbean cultures do capture native landbirds for the cage bird trade, and some of these are illegally imported into Florida (Sykes et al. 20006). Native thrushes are still popular cage birds in Mexico, and apparent vagrant thrushes to states on the southern U. S. border are often scrutinized for signs of re- cent captivity (e.g., Van Doren 2010). Howev- er, Red-legged Thrush is apparently unknown as a cage bird in the Bahamas (Anthony White, in litt.). The trapping of native birds in the Bahamas is illegal, and White does not know of any Bahamian culture that keeps caged native passerine species. Moreover, we could locate no record of a Red-legged Thrush being imported to the United States. A search of Softbills For Sale, a website listing bird species for sale in the United States (), turned up no New World thrush- es. and the International Species Information System (ISIS 2010) lists no Red-legged Thrush in captivity. Paul W. Sykes, Jr. (in litt.) has investigated the bird trade in southern Florida in recent years and has not seen the species in captivity, nor has Larry Manfredi (in litt.), a long-time Miami-Dade County res- ident and bird guide. There are three cruise ship lines that pro- vide regular service between Cape Canaveral, in Brevard County, and the Bahamas, and such trafhc could serve as a vector for transporta- tion of Bahamian birds to Florida. Cape Canaveral is about 38 kilometers north of Melbourne Beach. However, no other Bahami- an bird species have been recorded in Brevard County, which suggests that the cruise ships are not involved in transporting signihcant numbers of birds from the Bahamas. Florida’s bird history is replete with West Indian strays and colonizers. Smooth-billed Anis (Crotophaga ani) began immigrating into the state in the early twentieth century and became established as a breeding species in the 1930s; new immigrants are reported al- most annually in spring in the Florida Keys, where anis do not breed. Antillean Nighthawks (Chordeiles gundlachii) colonized the lower Keys in the early 1940s, and a West Indian subspecies of Cave Swallow (Petroche- lidon fulva fulva) was first found breeding in Florida in the mid-1980s. Western Spindalis (Spindalis zena) appears annually in the state and has nested at least once, while Shiny Cowbirds (Molothrus bonariensis) continue to immigrate and almost certainly breed in the state. Masked Ducks (Nomonyx dominicus), La Sagra’s Flycatchers (Myiarchus sagre), and Bananaquits (Cereba flaveola) appear annual- ly or nearly so; Short-eared Owls (Asioflam- meus) of the West Indian populations also ap- pear almost annually in the state. Other West Indian vagrants that occur sporadically (more than three accepted reports) include Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus; has successful- ly nested at least once), Zenaida Dove (Zenai- da aurita), Key West Quail-Dove (Geotrygon chrysia). Ruddy Quail-Dove (G. montana), Bahama Woodstar (Calliphlox evelynae), Thick-billed Vireo (Vireo crassirostris) , Ba- hama Swallow (Tachycineta cyaneoviridis), Ba- hama Mockingbird (Mimus gundlachii). Yel- low-faced Grassquit (Tiaris olivaceus oli- vaceus), and Black-faced Grassquit (T bicol- or). Seven West Indian species or subspecies have been verihed in Florida fewer than four times: Scaly-naped Pigeon (Patagioenas squamosa). White-collared Swift (Streptoproc- ne zonaris pallidifrons) , Antillean Palm-Swift (Tachomis phoenicobia), Cuban Pewee (Con- topus caribaeus). Loggerhead Kingbird (Tyran- nus caudifasciatus caudifasciatus/jlavescens) , Cuban Martin (Progne cryptoleuca), and Tawny-shouldered Blackbird (Agelaius humeralis) (Robertson and Woolfenden 1992, Stevenson and Anderson 1994, Pranty 2005, 2006, 2007a, 2007b, 2007c, 2008a, 2008b. 2009a, 2009b, 2009c). Many island species have colonized the West Indies by immigrating to nearby islands, and most of those resident not far from Flori- da are expected to reach Florida eventually. However, it appears that the Red-legged Thrush, a wide-ranging species, has barriers that limit its vagrancy, as reports of vagrants are very few. Bradley (2000) reports that at least one bird of the subspecies coryi (endem- ic to Cayman Brae) was found at the east end 366 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS FIRST RECORD OF RED-LEGGED THRUSH FOR FLORIDA AND THE NORTH AMERICAN MAINLAND of Little Cayman in April and May, 1992-1994, whereas others on Grand Cayman from 1956 through 1965 Qohnston 1969) were all poten- tially the result of introduction from Cayman Brae in 1956. Buden (1987) lists only one re- port for the southern Bahamas, a bird seen at Great Inagua by Alexander Sprunt, but does not provide a date or further details. White (1998) found reports of this species from the Exumas to be most likely in error. In 1999, a committee of ten birders from Florida, Alabama, and Louisiana predicted what bird species not previously accepted as occurring in the American Birding Associa- tion Area would be verified in a region de- fined as Florida and Southeastern Gulf Coast (Pranty 1999). Most of the predicted species are residents in the nearby West Indies, espe- cially the Bahamas and Cuba. Several species, including Red-legged Thrush, had been re- ported previously in the region but had not been verified; this thrush was ranked as the second species most likely to be added to the American Birding Association Checklist (Pranty et al. 2008). The Melbourne Beach bird ap- peared eleven years after that prediction. There is only one previous report of Red- legged Thrush in the United States. Near the end of March 1960, Ben and Gretchen Kin- caid identified a Red-legged Thrush in their Miami yard, about 120 kilometers from West Palm Beach. They did not provide a detailed description, or report it immediately, because they reasonably assumed it was an escapee (Stevenson 1960). Conclusions The Red-legged Thrush found 31 May 2010 at Melbourne Beach was in suitable habitat for the species, showed no signs of having been in captivity, and was 220 kilometers from the nearest population in the Bahamas. Although the species does not seem prone to vagrancy in recent times, strong southeasterly winds on that date, or the day before, could have assist- ed this bird’s passage to Brevard County. Of course, there is no way of knowing if, or how long, the bird was in the United States or at that location prior to its discovery. More than twenty West Indian taxa of birds appear an- nually or sporadically in Florida, and a fur- ther seven have been documented in the state fewer than four times. The available evidence suggests that the Melbourne Beach Red- legged Thrush was unlikely to have been as- sisted in its journey by humans or by ships, and we conclude that this species is most like- ly a very low-level natural vagrant to Florida, such as Cuban Pewee and Loggerhead King- bird. This Red-legged Thrush record was unanimously accepted by the Florida Or- nithological Society Records Committee 31 July 2010 and becomes the first record for Florida (A. Kratter, in litt.). Acknowledgments Phyllis Mansfield provided information about the flora at Maritime Hammock Sanctuary; Paul W. Sykes, Jr., Larry Manfredi, Timothy Brush, Jack Eitniear, and Anthony White pro- vided information about Red-legged Thrush and other thrushes in captivity; Dr. Walter K. Taylor and Anthony White provided informa- tion that improved an early draft of the man- uscript; and Bill Pranty furnished photo- graphs of the habitat at Maritime Hammock Sanctuary. All have our gratitude for their as- sistance with this paper. Literature cited American Ornithologists’ Union [A.O.U.]. 1998. The American Ornithologists’ Union Check-list of North American Birds. Seventh edition. American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C. Bradley, E E. 2000. The Birds of the Cayman Is- lands: an annotated checklist. British Or- nithologists’ Union, Tring, United Kingdom. Buden, D. W. 1987. The Buds of the Southern Bahamas: an annotated check-list. British Ornithologists’ Union, London. Clement, P. 2000. Thrushes. Princeton Uni- versity Press, Princeton, New Jersey. Collar, N. J. 2005. Family Turdidae (Thrush- es). Pp. 514-807 in: del Hoyo, J., A. Elliott, and D. A. Christie, eds. 2005. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volutne 10. Cuckoo- shrikes to Thrushes. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. International Species Information System [ISIS]. 2010. . Accessed 30 June 2010. Johnston, D. W. 1969. The Thrushes of Grand Cayman Island, B.WI. Condor 71: 120-128. Pranty, B. 1999. The next new ABA birds: Florida and Southeastern Gulf Coast. Bird- ing 31: 245-252. . 2005. A Birder’s Guide to Florida. Fourth edition. American Birding Association, Colorado Springs, Colorado. . 2006. Florida Ornithological Society Field Observation Committee. Spring Re- port: March-May 2006. Florida Field Natu- ralist 34: 124-135. . 2007a. Florida Ornithological Society Field Observation Committee. Fall Report: August-November 2006. Florida Field Nat- uralist 35: 60-72. . 2007b. Florida Ornithological Society Field Observation Committee. Winter Re- port: December 2006-February 2007. Florida Field Naturalist 35: 89-102. . 2007c. Florida Ornithological Society Field Observation Committee. Spring Re- port: March-May 2007. Florida Field Natu- ralist 35: 124-137. . 2008a. Florida Ornithological Society Field Observation Committee. Winter Re- port: December 2007-February 2008. Florida Field Naturalist 36: 70-80. . 2008b. Florida Ornithological Society Field Observation Committee. Spring Re- port: March-May 2008. Florida Field Natu- ralist 36: 112-125. . 2009a. Florida Ornithological Society Field Observation Committee. Summer Re- port: June-July 2008. Florida Field Natural- ist 37: 22-30. . 2009b. Florida Ornithological Society Field Observation Committee. Fall Report: August-November 2008. Florida Field Nat- uralist 37: 58-71. . 2009c. Florida Ornithological Society Field Observation Committee. Winter Re- port: December 2008-February 2009. Florida Field Naturalist 37: 98-110. Pranty, B., J. Dunn, S. C. Heinl, A. W. Kratter, E E. Lehman, M. W. Lockwood, B. Mac- tavish, and K. J. Zimmer. 2008. ABA Check- list: Birds of the Continental United States and Canada. Seventh edition. American Birding Association, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Ricklefs, R. E., and E. Bermingham. 2008. Likely human introduction of the Red- legged Thrush (Turdus plumbeus) to Do- minica, West Indies. Auk 127: 299-303. Robertson, W. B., Jr., and G. E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida Bird Species: An Annotated List. Special Publication No. 6. Florida Or- nithological Society, Gainesville, Florida. Sibley, C. G., and B. L. Monroe, Jr. 1990. Dis- tribution and Taxonomy of Birds of the World. Yale University Press, New Haven, Con- necticut. Stevenson, H. M. 1960. The winter season: Florida region. Audubon Field Notes 14: 301-305. Stevenson, H. M., and B. H. Anderson. 1994. The Birdlife of Florida. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, Florida. Sykes, E W.,Jr., L. Manfredi, and M. Padura. 2006. A brief report on the illegal cage-bird trade in southern Florida: a potentially se- rious negative impact on the eastern popu- lation of Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris). North American Birds 60: 310-313. Van Doren, B. 2010. A Brown-backed Solitaire (Myadcstes occidentalis) in Arizona. North American Birds 64: 176-179. White, A. W. 1998. A Birder’s Guide to the Ba- hama Islands (including Turks and Gaicos). American Birding Association, Colorado Springs, Colorado. O VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 367 A tenitfNfial tai»^ IM in North Iteilwta, with notes m summer records of thb suhspedes from the northern Great Plains BRIAN L. SULLIVAN • 49 HOLMAN ROAD, CARMEL VALLEY, CALIFORNIA 93924 • (HERALDPETREL@GMAIL.COM) JERRY LIGUORI • 3055 PLATEAU DRIVE, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84109 • (JERRYLIG@HOTMAILCOM) Figure 1. Adult light-morph Harlan's Hawk, Turtle Mountains, North Dakota, 22 June 2010. Note white ground color below, blobby dark bellyband, white throat, and mottled secondaries. Tail shows gray mottling at base. Photograph by Brian L Sullivan. Abstract This paper documents an adult light-morph Harlan’s Hawk (Buteo jamaiccnsis harlani) paired with an Eastern Red-tailed Hawk (B. j. borealis) in the Turtle Mountains of northern North Dakota 22 June 2010. The sighting rep- resents the first probable breeding of Harlan’s in the Lower 48 United States as well as the first documented pairing of a Harlan’s with another subspecies of Red-tailed Hawk. The paper also summarizes other summer records of light- morph Harlan’s Hawks south of the known breeding range. These combined observations indicate a more extensive breeding range of Harlan’s Hawk than previously recognized. Field encounter On 22 June 2010, a group of birders visited the Turtle Mountains region of North Dakota. Observers included Steve N. G. Howell, Robert Kirk, Ian Lewington, Ron Martin, Michael O’Brien, Brian Sullivan, and Chris Wood. Throughout the day, many Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) were observed. mostly individuals of the widespread Eastern subspecies (B. j. borealis), along with a few Krider’s (B. j. kriderii) and several Eastern x Krider’s intergrades. At about 15:25 CDT, we stopped at a lake near the junction of 106th Street NE and County Road 57 (48.950668° N, 100.243722° W). Upon exiting the car, we heard the charac- teristic begging calls of nestling or fledgling Red-tailed Hawks emanating from the woods nearby. Sullivan walked away from the group to investigate, and a moment later two adult 368 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS A TERRITORIAL HARLAN'S HAWK IN NORTH DAKOTA Figure 2. Adult light-morph Harlan's Hawk, Turtle Mountains, North Dakota, 22 June 2010. Note Figure 3. Adult light-morph Harlan's Hawk, Turtle Mountains, North Dakota, 22 June 201 0. The dark upperwings with white limited to scapulars, and white-based tail with grayish mottling on grayish mottling in the base of the tail and the blobby dark bellyband are apparent in this image, sides and reddish tip. Photograph by Brian L. Sullivan. Photograph by Brian L Sullivan. Figure 4. Adult light-morph Harlan's Hawk, Turtle Mountains, North Dakota, 22 June 2010. Note Figure 5. Adult light-morph Harlan's Hawk, Turtle Mountains, North Dakota, 22 June 2010. the dark dorsal coloration with limited white and the grayish mottled tail base. Photograph by Bri- Head-on view showing pale crown with dark malar, similar to some Krider's. Photograph by an L. Sullivan. Brian L. Sullivan. Figure 6. Adult light-morph Eastern Red-tailed Hawk, Turtle Mountains, North Dakota, 22 June Figure 7. A lightly marked light-morph Harlan's Hawk (adult) photographed at Elk Island National 2010. This is the female of the pair, a typical heavily marked Eastern. In the northern Great Plains, Park, Edmonton, Alberta on 2 August 2009. Several birds similar to this one were photographed in adult Easterns often show pronounced banding in the tail. Photograph by Brian L. Sullivan. July and August in the area. Photograph by Gerald Romanchuk. VOLUME 64 (2010) NUMBER 3 369 [ A TERRITORIAL HARLAN'S HAWK IN NORTH DAKOTA Figure 8. A typical adult light-morph Harlan's Hawk photographed about 64 kilo- meters east of Calgary, Alberta on 29 July 2009. Photograph by Kara Donohue. Figures 9, 10. Light-morph adult Harlan's Hawk captured and banded 13 June 2010 about 30 kilometers north of Edmonton, Alberta. This bird has a paler brownish back than most light-morph Harlan's and a mostly red tail with Harlan's-iike mottling. This could be an intergrade Harlan's x Eastern, and it is very similar to the recent Turtle Mountains bird. Photographs by Marc Demers. Figure 1 1 . This adult light-morph Harlan's Hawk was photographed in southern Saskatchewan on 8 August 2009. Photograph by Mick Saunders. Red-tailed Hawks rose from the trees about 0.2 kilometers west of our vehicle, one bird vocalizing presumably in defense of the nest. They soared together overhead, and Sullivan took several photographs of both adults (Fig- ures 1-6). The smaller bird, presumably male, showed typical characteristics of a light- morph Harlans Hawk (B.j. harlani), whereas the larger bird was more heavily marked and typical of northern prairie-breeding Eastern Red-tailed. The pair soared together overhead, vocalizing frequently and aggressively, behav- ior typically associated with nest defense in Red-tailed Hawk. The pair then encountered an adult Kriders (presumably male due to its very white overall plumage), apparently from a neighboring territory. The male Harlans be- gan to display high overhead and vocalized continuously, defending the boundary of its territory. The Kriders then drifted back to its territory, as did the Harlans. We watched the pair for approxi- mately 10 minutes, and many photographs were taken; howev- er, the male stayed high over- head while the female descended to a lower altitude, presumably to stay closer to the nest and young. Unfortunately, the subspecific identity of the male as a Harlan’s was not recognized at the time of observation due to the bird’s similarity in the field to other light-morph Red-tailed Hawks encountered that day. It was only after looking at photographs the next day that the correct identification became apparent, under- scoring the true similarity between light- morph Harlan’s and some Eastern or Eastern x Krider’s intergrades. We left the area not realiz- ing the significance of what we had seen. Thus, unfortunately we did not secure documentary photographs of the nest or young, which would have been feasible given the proximity to the road of the calling young birds. Discussion The identification of the male as a Harlan’s Hawk rests on multiple features of plumage visible in the photographs (Eigures 1-5), in- cluding the following, listed in order of sig- nificance: gray-mottled bases of rectrices, mottled remiges, “blobby” bellyband mark- ings, white ventral ground color, pale throat, and pale crown. It is impossible to know whether this bird is a pure Harlan’s or an in- tergrade with another subspecies of Red-tailed Hawk, but it falls within our current under- standing of the variation in “typical” light- morph Harlan’s (Liguori and Sullivan 2010). Recent observations of summering light- morph Harlan’s Hawks from the northern Great Plains in Canada have caused specula- tion about possible breeding between Harlan’s and other subspecies of Red-tailed Hawk, in- cluding Eastern, Krider’s, and Western (B. j. calurus) (Liguori and Sullivan 2010). Though the observation described here represents the first documented pairing of a Harlan’s Hawk with another subspecies of Red-tailed Hawk, later in summer 2010 at least two other Har- lan’s Hawks were discovered breeding in northeastern British Columbia and near Ed- monton, Alberta (W. S. Clark, pers. comm.). Photographs of the mate of the British Colum- bia bird show characteristics of an intergrade 370 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS A TERRITORIAL HARLAN'S HAWK IN NORTH DAKOTA Figure 12. Ventral and dorsal views of the adult light-morph Harlan's Hawk specimen collected near Nevis, Red Deer Region, Alberta on 29 June 1925. Photographs courtesy of, and copyright, Michel Gosselm, Canadian Museum of Nature. Figure 13. This specimen is one of the offspring of the adult light-morph Harlan's Hawk (Figure 12) collected near Nevis, Red Deer Region, Alberta on 29 June 1925. This bird does not show typical characteristics of juvenile light-morph Harlan's but looks more like an Eastern, indicating a possible intergrade. Photograph courtesy of and copyright, Michel Gosselin, Canadian Museum of Nature. Figure 14. This adult Red-tailed Hawk specimen, subspecies undetermined, was collect- ed at Nevis, Alberta on 9 July 1917. This bird shows many characteristics typical of north- ern Great Plains Easterns but has a notably white tail base. The narrow tail bands are typical of Prairie Easterns. It is perhaps an Eastern x Krider's intergrade or possibly an Eastern x Harlan's intergrade. Photograph courtesy of and copyright, Michel Gosselin, Canadian Museum of Nature. Red-tailed Hawk; the mate of the Edmonton bird was not observed (W. S. Clark, pers. comm.). Over the past four summer seasons, eight light-morph Harlan’s have been pho- tographed and banded in Alberta around Ed- monton and Calgary (Eigures 7-10), and one has been photographed in southern Saskatchewan (Eigure 11). Moreover, a speci- men record exists of a breeding light-morph fe- male Harlan’s taken near Nevis, Alberta on 29 June 1925 (Figure 12) (Taverner 1927). Its mate was not collected or described; however. one of its offspring was col- lected in the nest, and its plumage does not look like typical juvenile Harlan’s (Fig- ure 13), which suggests breeding with another sub- species. Another light-morph adult taken in the same area on 9 July 1917 was almost certainly an intergrade, show- ing characters of both Krider’s and Eastern (Figure 14). Re- markably, all of these birds were light morphs, thought by many raptor researchers to comprise only about ten per- cent of harlani. Summer sightings of Har- lan’s Hawks well south of the subspecies’ known breeding range are mostly recent, but it is unknown whether light-morph Har- lan’s has been overlooked as a breeder in these areas be- cause of its similarity to Eastern and Eastern X Krider’s intergrades or because research in the region has been limited. In the light morph, some lightly marked adult Harlan’s are very similar to adult Krider’s (Liguori and Sullivan 2010) and could easily be over- looked under typical field conditions. It is also possible that these recent records repre- sent an expansion of the subspecies’ range, but we suspect not. Taverner’s (1927) record of a breeding adult Harlan’s from Nevis, Al- berta is from an area that has recently pro- duced several additional summer records of similarly plumaged adults, plus at least one breeding bird (noted above; W. S. Clark, pers. comm.). Taverner (1927) also men- tions an adult light-morph Harlan’s collected 24 July 1901 near Rolla, North Dakota by Dr. L. B. Bishop, roughly 50 kilometers east of the Turtle Mountains site noted in the pres- ent paper. The whereabouts of the Bishop specimen are unknown. The report of a pair of dark-morph Harlan’s Hawks breeding near Amana, Iowa from 1898 through 1902 (Wood 1936) is impossible to verify and al- most certainly incorrect. The recent North Dakota record is signifi- cant in two ways: it documents the first prob- able breeding occurrence of Harlan’s Hawk in the Lower 48 United States and the first pair- ing of Harlan’s with another subspecies of Red-tailed Hawk, in this case an Eastern. Al- though there are multiple reports of mixed dark-morph pairs (Harlan’s breeding with Western) from Alaska (e.g., Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959, Kessel and Springer 1966, Gib- son and Kessel 1997), the identification of the Western is conjectural in all cases, as most of the purported Westerns that were collected show plumage characteristics intermediate be- tween Harlan’s and Western. A few sightings of Harlan’s that appeared pair-bonded with Red-taileds of other sub- species have been documented on the winter- ing grounds Qim Lish, pers. comm.), but it is unknown if these pairs went on to breed to- gether in summer. In recent years (2008-2009), an adult light-morph Harlan’s and an adult Krider’s have wintered together in Stillwater, VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 371 A TERRITORIAL HARLAN'S HAWK IN NORTH DAKOTA TT Figure 15. This adult light-morph Harlan's Hawk was at Shelby, Bolivar County, Mississippi on 20 December 2009. This bird is very similar to the bird depicted in Figure 7. Photograph by Brian LSullimn. Oklahoma, sometimes seen perching within a meter of each other Qini Lish, pers. comm.). Do light-morph Harlan’s of a certain type perhaps occupy a more southerly range? Ra- tios determined from migration counts and studies of wintering birds indicated that about 90% of Harlan’s Hawks are dark morphs (Liguori and Sulli- van 2010). During the spring of 2009, on 16-19 April, Sullivan and Liguori recorded 33 light morphs and 224 dark morphs pass- ing Gunsight Mountain in south-central Alaska, and local raptor counters re- port similar ratios from past seasons (C. Fritz, P Fritz, pers. comm.). On wintering grounds in the United States, adult light-morph Harlan’s with virtually white heads (similar to adult Krider’s) are widely reported. How- ever, on migration in Alaska, white-headed birds have not been documented. The typical light-morph Harlan’s passing through central Alaska has a darker head, with white re- stricted to streaking on the crown and around the eyes. Where do the white-headed Harlan’s breed? Are they possibly Harlan’s x Krider’s intergrades from the northern Great Plains? Is this the reason that some birds in winter are exceedingly difficult to classify to subspecies, some showing an apparent mix of Harlan’s, Krider’s, Eastern, and Western characteristics? During the winter of 2009-2010, Sullivan noted an unusually high proportion of light- morph Harlan’s among the Red-tailed Hawks wintering in the Mississippi River delta from Shelby to Tunica, Mississippi (Figures 15, 16). There, eight of ten birds were light morphs, and several were white-headed (Fig- ure 15), a ratio inconsistent with those noted elsewhere in the wintering range of Harlan’s. It is conceivable that if light-morph Harlan’s are more numerous as breeders in the south- ern and eastern parts of its range, then they might also winter farther south and east, such as in the Mississippi Delta region. The breeding occurrence of light-morph Harlan’s on the northern Great Plains and the extent of interbreeding between Harlan’s and other subspecies of Red-tailed Hawks require further study. Our observation, as well as oth- er recent records from southern Canada, sug- gests that Harlan’s may occur more regularly in summer on the Great Plains than was pre- viously recognized. Birders active in these re- gions should take special note of all breeding pairs of Red-tailed Hawks and document them carefully with photographs, so that a more accurate picture of each subspecies’ breeding distribution can be determined. Acknowledgments We thank Ron Martin for his patient guidance in North Dakota. We also thank Michel Gos- selin of the Canadian Museum of Nature for help with accessing and photographing Tav- erner’s specimens. Literature cited Gabrielson, I. N., and F C. Lincoln. 1959. Birds of Alaska. Stackpole, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Gibson, D., and B. Kessel. 1997. An invento- ry of the species and subspecies of Alaska birds. Western Birds 28: 45-95. Kessel, B., and H. K. Springer. 1966. Recent data on the status of some interior Alaska birds. Condor 68: 185-195. Liguori,]., and B. L. Sullivan. 2010. Compar- ison of Harlan’s with Eastern and Western Red-tailed Hawks. Birding 42: 30-37. Taverner, P. A. 1927. A study of Buteo borealis, the Red-tailed Hawk, and its varieties in Canada. Victoria Memorial Museum Bulletin 48: 1-21 Wood, N. A. 1932. Harlan’s Hawk. Wilson Bulletin 44: 78-87. (© Figure 16. This adult light-morph Harlan's Hawk photographed at Steiner, Mississippi on 20 December 2009 has an Eastern- like bellyband, rufous to the underwing coverts, and lacks prominent white on the head, but it has a brownish tail and sev- eral unbanded primaries like Harlan's. Whether this bird is "pure" harlani or a harlani x borealis intergrade Is unknown, but it falls within our understanding of the range of variation in light-morph Harlan's. Birds like this might be overlooked in the field as Eastern Red-tailed Hawk. Photograph by Brian L Sullivan. 372 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS “A skillful mix of \ideo and stills that will delight and inform.” New York Times “Not only authoritative, but also literate, witty and full of interesting facts.” Library Journal “An important addition to printed field guides. ” Philadelphia Inquire^' Audubon’s VideoGuide to 505 Birds of North America on Two DVD is the ideal application of DVD tech- nology to a reference source. 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Essentials contains all the information you'll need to turn your garden into a butterfly paradise, plus in depth looks at 25 favorite butterfly plants and many of the butterflies they attract. The beautiful video of favorite and sur- prising butterflies is sure to delight. Essentials for Beginners and Garden- ers was written by Paul A. Opler, author of the Peterson Field Guides to East- ern and Western Butterflies, and di- rector Jim Ebner. 2 Hours 30 Mins $39.95 MORE INFO OR ORDER AT mastervision.com or 800-876-0091 xl03 money back guaranteed: Or send check or money order to Mastervision, Dept. 103, PO Box 48, Howell MI 48844-0048. Add $5 S&H per order. I The Changing Seasons: EDWARD S. BRINKLEY • 124 PEACH STREET, CAPE CHARLES, VIRGiNiA 23310 • (THALASSOICA(S)GMAiL.COM) Birders participating in a Massachusetts bird-a-thon 15 May 2010 (here) found this adult Purple Gailinule perched in a Norway Maple in Gloucester, where it fed on winter moth caterpillars through 23 May. A wave of Purple Gallinules was discovered in early May, from Tennessee to Michigan, apparently attributable to the passage of a strong low-pressure system through the southern United States and Midwest. Was this Massachusetts bird the easternmost waif of the early May event? Photograph by Jeremiah Trimble. Spring 2010 was an uncommonly active season for birds and birders, and it was an especially memorable season for low- pressure systems trekking across the Lower 48 states and southern Canada, if not (alas, for Bering Sea birders) across the Aleutians and Pribilofs. Remarkably, several of these events lined up perfectly with some of the busiest birding weekends of the year, so the bird activity associated with them, whether fallouts, groundings, overshoots, or longitu- dinal displacements, was especially well doc- umented and well enjoyed. Increasingly, bird- ers are watching storm systems at the conti- nental level, from their appearance at some distance from our shores, through their inter- actions with coasts, mountain ranges, big lakes, and plains, through their farewells. Our ability to predict the effects of these systems on birds improves, if slowly, though every season shows us that some such interactions are well beyond our ability to forecast. Rather than spell out the spring temperatures and rainfall patterns by region this time (well cov- ered in most regional reports’ introductions), we’ll look at three systems that brought birds to large areas of the country: the Gulf coast, the lower Midwest, and the contiguous Pacif- ic coast states. System 1: Western Overflow Weekend In his regional report for the spring season, Steve Cardiff writes: “What seemed relatively unremarkable on a weather map brought a rather spectacular assortment of western mi- grants into coastal southwestern Louisiana. Coinciding with the Louisiana Ornithological Society (LOS) spring meeting in Cameron Parish and dubbed by one contributor as the ‘Western Overflow Weekend,’ LOS partici- pants were treated to a nice variety of western vagrants and normally scarce coastal mi- grants.” Those who organize and those who attend weekend meetings or festivals during migration know how seldom they coincide with big numbers of birds, and no recent fall- out in memory for has produced its own acronym, WOW. What makes this weekend so interesting to those who follow fallouts? Two things, per- haps: the unusual mix of birds, and the weath- er features that brought them together (Fig- ures 1, 2). The label “western” for this set of birds is no exaggeration: though coastal Texas might be fortunate to record many on the Louisiana list (Table 1) on a somewhat regular basis in spring, even there, a Varied Thrush, nine Lesser Nighthawks, two Audubon’s War- blers, and a MacGillivray’s Warbler (Figures 3- 5) would make a remarkable haul, especially with colorful Bullock’s Oriole, Western Tan- agers, and Yellow-headed Blackbirds thrown in. Belated migrants, such as the Blue-headed Vireo on 24 April, are to be expected, but 18 Blue-headeds three days later is rather amaz- ing for the number. But the big numbers be- longed to Dickcissels, Baltimore Orioles, Painted Buntings, and especially sparrows, counts of which broke perhaps a dozen records for this well-birded corner of the state. Almost all of these birds were circum-Gulf mi- grants in spring, those that avoid crossing the Gulf of Mexico and instead fly from Mexico through Texas, then on to breeding areas. 374 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS A Tali of Three Systems Farther east, in Florida, birders also began bnding hundreds of colorful migrants, begin- ning 22 April, a Thursday. Sadly, as more bird- ers got out on Friday, it became apparent that hundreds of birds had washed up dead on Florida’s Gulf beaches, from the Alabama bor- der to Pinellas County in the central peninsu- la, among them many typical trans-Gulf mi- grants such as Scarlet and Summer Tanagers and Rose-breasted and Blue Grosbeaks, along with some seabirds, according to Bruce An- derson. But western species and sparrows, as seen in Louisiana, were not in evidence far- ther east, and the one high count mentioned was of 62 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks at Saint George Island State Park, Florida 27 April. Florida did, however, have robust counts of strong-flying Dickcissels, their numbers in- creasing through the weekend and into the following week (Figure 6); a count of 200 at Fort Morgan, Alabama 27 April was surely part of the same phenomenon, though the 24- 27 April flight there was dubbed otherwise “comparatively minor” by regional editor Steve McConnell. So why should a relatively innocuous-look- ing frontal system with modest winds move so many circum-Gulf migrants offshore and bring about the demise of many trans-Gulf mi- grants? Weather conditions, after all, appeared reasonably good for a fallout, at least based on the 23 April morning surface weather map (Figure 1), but a fallout of trans-Gulf migrants, not of birds from farther west. The key may lie in the wind currents above these (Figure 2), which instead of a southerly flow show an in- creasingly strong westerly flow between Mexi- co and Florida. As birds moved northward in the evening on southerly winds, the system it- Figure 2. Positions of high- and iow-pressure areas at about the 500-mb height contour, 23 April 2010 at 0700 EST. The SOO-mb level, which is roughly 5400 meters (18,000 feet) above sea lev- el, is often referred to as the "steering level," as most weather systems and precipitation follow the winds at this level. Very few birds would be found migrating so high, but because sur- face-level weather systems are typically guided by upper-level wind flow, birds moving northward in spring on southerly winds (near the surface) can find themselves displaced longitu- dinally if the surface-level system gets moved along quickly. Note the position of the upper-level low moving into the Great Plains in this image: steering currents for systems to the south and southeast of it were westerly and relatively strong, increas- ing in strength as the upper-level low moved eastward. By con- trast, surface winds at the same time were southerly. Map courtesy of and © National Centers for Environmental Prediction, United States National Weather Service, National Oceanic and At- mospheric Administration. Figure 1 . Surface weather map for 23 April 2010 at 0700 EST. Note that air flow over the Gulf of Mexico at this hour is south-southeast- erly, probably ideal for Neotropical migrants coming from the Yucatan Peninsula, and that there are showers (in green) on the Upper Texas Coast, probably ideal for birds to fallout there and in southwestern Louisiana, rather than moving inland toward food-rich wood- land areas. The westerly winds of the troposphere (figure 2), however, apparently shifted surface-level systems — and thus much of the circum-Gulf and trans-Gulf migration — toward the east, resulting in the "Western Overflow Weekend" in Louisiana, among other avian events that weekend. Map courtesy of and ® National Centers for Environmental Prediction, United States National Weather Serv- ice, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. VOLUME 64 (2010) NUMBER 3 375 [the changing SEASONS: A TALE OF THREE SYSTEMS Table 1. Noteworthy species recorded in southwestern Louisiana between 24 April and 1 May 2010, after passage of a relatively weak low-pressure system. Most of the records from the Johnsons Bayou area were in the Baton Rouge Audubon Society Sanctuary proper. Species Location Count Datefs) Lesser Nighthawk coastal Cameron Parish 9+ 24 April-1 May Blue-headed Vireo Johnsons Bayou 1 24 April Blue-headed Vireo Johnsons Bayou 18 27 April Warbling Vireo Johnsons Bayou 8 25 April Warbling Vireo Johnsons Bayou 30 27 April Hermit Thrush Johnsons Bayou 1 27 April Varied Thrush Grande Isle 1 27 April Nashville Warbler Johnsons Bayou 17/day 24-25 April Black-throated Blue Warbler Grande Isle 1 28 April Audubon's Warbler (female) Johnsons Bayou 1 24 April Audubon's Warbler (male) Johnsons Bayou 25-27 April MacGillivray's Warbler Johnsons Bayou 1 24-27 April Canada Warbler Johnsons Bayou 4 24 April Canada Warbler Johnsons Bayou 12 27 April Western Tanager (male) Johnsons Bayou 1 24 April Western Tanager (female) Johnsons Bayou 1 24-28 April Chipping Sparrow coastal Cameron Parish 200-f 24-25 April Clay-colored Sparrow coastal Cameron Parish 15-^ 24-27 April Vesper Sparrow coastal Cameron Parish 14-1- 24-28 April Lark Sparrow coastal Cameron Parish %+ 24-25 April White-crowned Sparrow Johnsons Bayou 43 24-25 April Lincoln's Sparrow Johnsons Bayou 16 24 April Savannah Sparrow Johnsons Bayou 158 25 April Grasshopper Sparrow Johnsons Bayou 1 25/27 April Painted Bunting Johnsons Bayou 60 24 April Painted Bunting coastal Cameron Parish 38 1 24 April Oickcissel coastal Cameron Parish "hundreds" 24 April Yellow-headed Blackbird coastal Cameron Parish 8 24-25 April Baltimore Oriole coastal Cameron Parish "hundreds" 24 April Bullock's Oriole Johnsons Bayou 1 25 April self was shifted eastward, and the birds along with it — bringing birds that normally migrate over land out over the Gulf and com- pelling many migrants to fly longer to complete the crossing. In some cases, the birds had to fly for more hours than their fat re- serves permitted. When trying to understand and perhaps predict these displacements and mortality events, in the Gulf and else- where. we should look both at surface weather maps and at maps of steering winds, both readily available online. Those birders who are pilots, meteorologists, and researchers of migration often look at the larger picture before going out birding. System 2: Gallinules, ho! The star of spring 2010, in at least seven states, was Purple Gallinule, at least seventeen of which turned up out of range this spring, a very high number (Table 2). Unlike Black Vulture, Glossy Ibis, White-faced Ibis, Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, or Figure i. One of at least nine found in southwestern Louisiana from 24 April through 1 May (here) 2010, this Lesser Nighthawk was one of at least four that posed for visitors to the Baton Rouge Audubon Society Sanc- tuary at Johnsons Bayou, Cameron Parish, Louisiana. Photograph by Tom Finnie. Figure 4. This male Audubon's Warbler on 26 April was one of at least tvro found among the assortment of other western vagrants present at the Baton Rouge Audubon Society Sanctuary, Johnsons Bayou, Cameron Parish, Louisiana 24-27 April 2010. Photograph by Tom Finnie. Figure S. A species seldom so obliging, this female MacGillivray's Warbler appeared during the "Western Overflow Weekend" and was enjoyed by many observers 24-27 (here 25) April 2010 at the Baton Rouge Audubon Society Sanctuary, Johnsons Bayou, Cameron Parish, Louisiana. Photograph by Dave Patton. 376 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS THE CHANGING SEASONS: A TALE OF THREE SYSTEMS Table 2. All reports of extralimital Purple Gallinules in North America, spring 2010. County names are in italics. Location Date(s) i Columbiana Reservation, Lorain, OH 2-23 May Sauerheber Unit Sloughs W.M.A., Henderson, KY 3-4 May Medina, OH backyard 4 May Ottawa, OH 4 May McElroy Lake, Warren, KY 4-8 May Franklin, JU 5 May LaPorte, IN backyard (up to 2 birds) 6 May-7 Jun Aurora Ferry Road, Boone, KY 6-8 May Clear Fork Res., Richland, OH (pair) 7May-i- Minonk Sewage Lagoon, Woodford, IL 8 May Fort Loudoun Lake, Knox, TN 9 May Spring Valley Wildlife Area, GreenelWarren, OH 9 May Iosco, Ml 13-28 May Gloucester, MA yard 15-23 May Mingo, MO 23 May Great Pond, Easton MA 26 May* * The Easton bird was possibly the Gloucester individual; the sites are 77 kilometers (48 miles) apart. arguably many other southern species, Purple Gallinule (Figures 7, 8) has not really changed its modus operandi much over the past twenty or even hundred years. In the Midwest and in the East, their “flights” are still infrequent and unpredictable. Vic Fazio and Rick Wiltraut, writing the spring report for the Eastern Highlands & Upper Ohio Riv- er Valley region, note that previous flights of the species to Ohio haved involved four birds in May 1877 and six in March 1989. From Tennessee & Kentucky, Chris Sloan and Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. write: “Purple Gallinules have long been known to become caught up in strong cyclonic weather systems and strewn far and wide downwind of the main flow. While numerous weather systems that could potentially result in such extralim- ital reports occur on a somewhat regular ba- sis, only a small percentage of them apparent- ly end up moving birds perceptibly. What makes for a ‘good’ storm in this case is un- known, but it is possible that passage of such a storm must coincide in some manner with a strong migratory movement of the species.” They attribute the appearance of five birds in their region 3-9 May to a powerful weekend low-pressure system that swept through over the weekend, 1-2 May (Figures 9, 10). So where did most of these birds show up? Looking at Figure 10, your eye may have been drawn to the swath of precipitation and strong south-southwesterly winds on the (by then Figure 6. Unprecedented numbers of Dickcissels invaded Florida in spring 2010, most making landfall along the Gulf coast in late April. These are six of a flock of seven photographed at Fort De Soto Park, Pinellas County 26 April 2010; two days later, there were 62 at the park. Photograph by Lyn Atherton. stationary) edge of the low, stretching from Memphis to eastern Michigan. Well. . . that’s where all the gallinules were, with the excep- tion of one or possibly two in eastern Massa- chusetts. The Caroli- nas, the mid-Atlantic, Hudson-Delaware re- gions, all of which have past records of spring Purple flights? All shut out. We rarely get a snap- shot of bird vagrancy that lines up so neatly with a weather phe- nomenon, much less with a weather graph- ic, other than those of tropical cyclones. And what of the Massachusetts bird, or birds? Well, like Canada’s Maritime Provinces and Maine’s offshore islands, Massachusetts, with that big hook sticking out in the ocean, has some real geo- graphic advantages when it comes to picking up avian strays. (Take, for instance, the flight of White-winged Doves in the East this year — rather uneventful for most of the East, but Maine and New Brunswick each picked up one [Eigure 10], and Nova Scotia recorded its forty- ninth! Blake Maybank asks: “What is the nearest U.S. state with 50+ records of this dove?”) The point belabored here is that eastern Massa- Figure 7. One of three found in Kentucky during the first week of May 201 0 following a strong low- pressure system that moved through the eastern United States 1-2 May, this Purple Gallinule was present 4-8 (here S) May in southern Warren County. Photograph by David Roemer. Figure 8. A canoe trip on 23 May 2010 into Monopoly Marsh at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge, Wayne County, Missouri rewarded the photographer with this Purple Gallinule, the first report in the state in many years. Although the date is later than the 2-9 May window in which most Purples appeared in the Midwest, the location was almost cer- tainly not checked by canoe earlier in the monthi Photograph by Chris Barrigar. VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 377 THE CHANGING SEASONS: A TALE OF THREE SYSTEMS chusetts, and its gallinule, may be best consid- ered outliers. Were any other extralimital birds recorded in the gallinules’ swath? That’s difficult to say. A female Anhinga flew over Sault Ste. Marie from Ontario into Michigan 1 May, perhaps encouraged by the southwesterlies ahead of the low; but no other Anhingas were seen out Figure 1 1 . A White-winged Dove on Monhegan Island, Maine 20 May 2010 was the southernmost of four in the Northeast; others were in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland. None were reported in the Atlantic coast states north of Morehead City, North Carolina, where one has been recorded off and on in spring for over a decade. Photograph by Geoff Dennis. of range this spring. The next day, thirteen Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks turned up in southern Ontario, but a perusal of other records does not suggest a weather-related pattern: eleven in Indiana 19 April and one in the same state 20 April, one in North Dakota 11 May, twelve in South Carolina 14 May, ten in Ontario 15 May, five in Kentucky 20 May, six in Missouri 23 May, two in Kansas 26 May, five in Pennsylvania 30 May, five in upstate New York 31 May, plus many in Tennessee and many to follow in the Northeast in June and July. The species is doing well as a nester in Georgia and in Florida, where, Bruce An- derson writes, “About a decade after the first 2 Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks appeared at Lake Apopka, 1200+ were estimated there 14- 17 March.” We tend to think of displacements as in- variably unfortunate events for birds. But, like the eponymous heroine of Daniel Defoe’s The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders, the sturdy Purple Gallinule tends to make the best of displacements and dire straits, browsing in backyards, as in Indiana and Ohio and Massachusetts this season (and as I found my first vagrant; American Birds 35: 810), or sewage ponds, but when they locate suitable habitat, and each other, vagabond Purple Gallinules sometimes set up shop and breed, as a pair did in Richland County, Ohio in summer 2010 — see the next issue for the steamy details. As Blake Maybank notes in his introduc- tion to the Atlantic Provinces & St. Pierre et Miquelon report, individual birds of migrant species found weeks earlier than normal in spring can be very difficult to sort out. “Take for example a Nashville Warbler in Nova Sco- tia 18 April this season. Was this a local bird Surface Weather Mao at 7:00 A.M. E.S.T. the southeastern Midwest. The upper map shows weather systems' positions at 0700 EST on Friday, 30 April 2010, the lower map at the same time on Saturday, 1 May 2010. Southeasterly winds offered good passage from the Greater Antilles, where many Purples winter, to the Gulf coast states ahead of the passage of the low, but something — perhaps strengthening winds combined with de- veloping showers along the stationary front extending from the low — caused sixteen to fallout well inland, from western Tennessee through eastern Michigan (Table 1), an area of precipitation with strong south-southwesterly winds (Figure 10). Interestingly, during passages of weaker tropical cyclones, entrained/fallout birds are often seen in bands of rain but not in equally windy areas with no rain. Maps courtesy of and © National Centers for Environmental Prediction, United States National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 378 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS THE CHANGING SEASONS: A TALE OF THREE SYSTEMS AfP BVHPC ANALYSTKONG 10 COLLABORATING CENTERS: HPC, TPC, OPC Figures 12, B. These surface weather maps provide some idea why birders on Newfoundland and nearby islands recorded a great di- versity of Neotropical migrants much earlier than usual, as well as detecting some species that nest well to the south of the region. In the upper image (1900 EST, 26 April), a low-pressure system has moved up from the Carolinas to the Virginia coast, where it is about to move offshore. In the second image (1000 EST, 27 April, the center of the low is east of New England, with offshore winds to the south of the center, onshore winds to the north. Maps courtesy of and © National Centers for Environmental Prediction, United States National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. on territory three weeks early? Was it a mi- grant en route to more northerly breeding ar- eas? Was it an overshoot from more souther- ly breeding areas? Was it a storm-swept waif, such as this Region sees in spring on occa- sion? We can only guess.” Just as with some species’ departure dates in autumn, it has be- come clear that average arrival dates in spring have shifted, with many species detected so early in northern areas as to cause real disbe- lief— in the past 10 years or so, reports of ex- tremely early Yellow-billed Cuckoos, Eastern Wood-Pewees, Eastern Kingbirds, and several Empidonax flycatchers have occasioned con- sternation, especially in this Internet age, when regional editors and records committee members know fewer observers personally and when many people reporting birds seem unsure of the significance of their finds, par- ticularly the seasonally rare (early and late) birds. Making sense of reports of early arrivals is probably more difficult now than ever. But in this Internet age, we have access to remarkable resources on weather and climate that may help us explain certain early arrivals. Maybank’s S.A. Box covering the late April and early May records is particularly instruc- tive. As a somewhat parochial birder, I tend to watch storm systems that seem most likely to produce interesting birding where 1 live. So though I saw the big low-pressure system steaming across the continent (Figures 9, 10), and wondered what it might mean birdwise, I missed the one that passed right over my head, a small, fast-moving system that moved from the Carolinas and eastern Virginia straight to Newfoundland in late April (Fig- ures 12, 13), which did not appear to have much effect on local birds. As we worked through the usual birds in the usual places on the usual dates in the mid- Atlantic states in late April, very early Neotropical migrants began raining on east- ern Newfoundland and St. Pierre (Figure 14), some of these birds a whopping three weeks ahead of schedule. We are fortunate, now, that we have plenty of context for such an event, with analysis at our fingertips from past spring seasons in Atlantic Canada (e.g., McLaren and McLaren 2009). But 1 don’t think that’s the entire story with Canada’s ear- ly birds. Certainly, low-pressure systems can and do entrain birds and move them to sites that are far from their migratory goals; this seems particularly true of birds migrating over water and probably birds making at least part of that flight nocturnally. But there are other aspects of weather that make passage — say, from the Bahamas to the coastal South- east— perilous for Neotropical migrants. Look back at Figures 9, 10, simplified maps for the period just following the late April low. The general set-up looks something like that in summertime: a large high-pressure area is over Bermuda, one that would persist for some time. This kind of map means that winds might initially be favorable (southeast- erly) for such migrants but begin to have an unfavorable (westerly) component at higher VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 379 THE CHANGING SEASONS: A TALE OF THREE SYSTEMS Figure 14. The appearance of this Prothonotary Warbler at St. Pierre 1-6 (here 2) May 201 0 — the first confirmed for the French islands of St. Pierre et Miquelon — was almost certainly related to the passage of a low-pressure sys- tem offshore that passed quickly from the Carolina coast directly to Newfound- land in the last days of April (Figures 12, 13). Photograph by Joel Detcheverry. Figure 16. The spring of 2010 was fascinating not just for the eastward (and northeastward) displacement of passerines and species such as Swallow- tailed Kites and Purple Gallinules; there were some splendid records of shore- birds well east of typical migration corridors, such as the unprecedented spring flight of Long-billed Dowitchers through Ontario. This bird was beauti- fully photographed in flight at the famed Tip of Point Pelee, Essex County on 6 May 2010. Photograph by Ben F. DiLabio. Figure 15. During a severe cold spell in early May, swallows at numerous locations in southern Ontario were grounded by the hundreds. These swallows, mostly Bank with a few Cliff and Tree Swallows, were at the Tip of Point Pelee, Essex County on 8 May 2010. Photograph by Jean Iron. Figure 17. A nice yard bird if you can get one (or two), these Swallow-tailed Kites at Warwick, Bermuda 24 March 2010 were part of a record-breaking season for the species in the northern Caribbean and Bermuda. Photograph by Andrew Dobson. latitudes, particularly when there is a low sit- ting offshore just to the north, which normal- ly intensifies the offshore flow. And so though many of the birds identified as “very early” in early May in Newfoundland could surely have been brought there by a fast-moving low in April, it is plausible that some were shuttled offshore by the Bermuda high, then came around the east side of the low sitting in the Gulf of Maine. The staggered dates of discov- ery don’t help us know whether that’s the case, as the birds could have been present for several days before being found. Nevertheless, 1 do not believe that the bread-and-butter early arrivals got unlucky in this way. Take, for instance, all the many, many early dates logged in southern New England this year, spanning most of the sea- son. Mark Szantyr’s regional report ably cap- tures the astonishment of many veteran bird- ers in those parts. These birds were surely not all whisked onshore by a conspiracy of un- pleasant weather systems; they were part of a pattern, an uneven but still startling pattern, of increasingly early arrivals in spring. As Steve Dinsmore (2002) argued not too long ago, this emerging pattern of earlier arrivals does not absolve us of the duty to document outlandishly early birds; however, in some cases, we might relax our disbelief about them, at least long enough to find out if there are photographs or other supporting docu- mentation! Such reports nowadays have be- come so commonplace that we cannot sum- marize or analyze them here, and distinguish- ing the accurate from the wishful reports is alone a daunting and time-consuming task in many regions. Though certainly some mi- grants move northward during episodes of strong southerly winds — as ahead of our strong System 2 (Figures 9, 10) — such events do not appear to account for arrivals that are 380 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS THE CHANGING SEASONS: A TALE OF THREE SYSTEMS Figure 18. Common Black-Hawks were found at some surprising places in Texas in spring 2010, including in the Panhandle, the South Plains, and the Blackland Prairies. This adult at Fayette Reservoir, Fayette County 30 March through 9 (here 1 ) April represented a first record for the Blackland Prairies. Photograph by Steve McDonald. Figure 19. This map depicts surface weather features at 0400 PST on 22 May 2010. The strong low-pressure system centered over Wyoming brought northerly winds over a large area of the West, from the Rockies west to the Pacific coast. These winds were very likely in part responsible for concentrations of several species, among them Gray Flycatcher and Black Swift. Maps courtesy of and © National Centers for Environmental Prediction, United States National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. in some cases two weeks ahead of historical arrival dates. And we should point out that though spring was mostly balmy in the East in May, with leaf-out several weeks ahead of average, there are always potential costs for arriving early: the backside of a passing low brings northerly winds and cold tempera- tures, not beneficial to aerial insectivores in particular (Figure 15). There are other apparent trends that bear Figure 20. Gray Flycatchers made a better-than-average show- ing in the Pacific coastal states during spring 2010 migration, with a peak count of 29 at the San Joaquin Experimental Range, Madera County, California 23 April 2010 (this individual photographed there 27 April). This Sierra foothill locality consis- tently produces the highest spring numbers in Northern Califor- nia. A month later, an "epic" fallout of Gray Flycatchers was doc- umented in eastern Oregon, with some observers reporting 500 or more seen in a day! Photograph by Gary Woods. Figure 21 . This Black Swift was part of a flock of exactly twenty over Point Loma, San Diego County on 22 May 2010, when a major flight of the species was detected In southern California counties north to the Santa Ynez Mountains of Santa Barbara County. This image shows the diagnostic slightly forked tail and white flecking on the forehead. Photograph byMattSadowski. Figure 22. This Acorn Woodpecker, present at feeder in Prince- ton from 24 (here) through 28 May 2010, represented a third record for British Columbia and for Canada. Photograph by Chris Charlesworth. VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 381 THE CHANGING SEASONS: A TALE OF THREE SYSTEMS Figure 23. These Arctic Terns were among 64 counted off Ponce de Leon Inlet, Volusia and Brevard Counties, Florida IS May 2010. This number was greater than the total of all individuals previously reported in Florida. Photograph by Michael Brothers. y Figure 24. A complete shock in far western Pennsylvania, two Arctic Terns were seen passing Dashields Dam on the Ohio River in western Allegheny County on the afternoon of 29 May 2010, providing a first for both Allegheny and Beaver Counties. Photograph by Geoff Malosh. watching but that will perhaps hzzle. One in- teresting aspect of spring 2010 was the abun- dance of reports of mostly western shorebirds in the eastern third of the continent, includ- ing the interior. Wilsons Phalarope, Western Willet, Hudsonian Godwit, Long-billed Dow- itcher (Figure 16), and Baird’s Sandpiper made appearances, sometimes in numbers, over a very large part of the continent this sea- son, from Ontario to Mississippi, with some even out to the East Coast. These records may have little connection to one another, as they are spread out over time, but one has to won- der whether the strong westerly how, both at the surface and aloft, had something to do with this phenomenon, which has received comment in several recent spring seasons as well. (Not included in this list, necessarily, would be Florida’s Surfbird and baueri Bar- tailed Godwit, though westerlies surely played some part in their vagrancy, at some point.) One might wonder similarly about the exceptionally numerous records of Swallow- tailed Kite (Figure 17) east of normal, from Bermuda and the northern Caribbean islands, which spanned the better part of seven weeks. It is bracing to think of five of these beauties flying northwestward from Grand Bahama to- ward Florida 28 February — into a 25-knot headwind. Practically a pelagic kite! Finally, we should include here at least one token southern raptor whose appearances farther and farther north are not at all associated with singular weather phenomena but are very probably related to the warming climate: Common Black-Hawk (Figure 18). Along with a few Short-tailed, Harris’s, "White-tailed, Gray, and Zone-tailed Hawks, black-hawks appear to be pioneering very slowly north- ward, and yet another appeared in Colorado, an adult at Fountain Creek Regional Park in El Paso County 16 May. "Who will find the first Colorado nest of this species? System 3: Gray Flycatcher fallout Spring in the West, especially west of the Rocky Mountains, is remarkably different from spring in the Maritimes, Great Lakes, or Gulf coast states. Although birders certainly do converge on oases of vegetation, hoping to find migrants of all sorts, they rarely descend by the hundreds on coastal spots, waiting for thousands of tired, hungry migrants that have just made a dangerous crossing of open water. Along the coast, there are numerous points of land that offer excellent seawatching, as well as concentrating points for migrants (includ- ing those coming from offshore), but the coastline for much of its extent is geographi- cally more uniform than much of the Atlantic seaboard. California’s answer to Cape Cod might be Southeast Farallon Island! Still, the rules of fallouts apply in the West as well. When a very large low-pressure area swept across the Rockies on 22 May, it left a wake of mostly northerly winds that extend- ed from British Columbia to southern Cali- fornia (Figure 19). Even so late in the sea- son, contrary winds can be good for ground- ing some of the later migrants on the move — especially where combined with precipita- tion. Looking at our weather map for the predawn hours of that day, we see that south- eastern Oregon has a large patch of green on it. Snow! Birding the lonely Harney Basin, which marks the northwestern corner of the Great Basin, Rich Hoyer and others that day encountered hundreds of grounded Gray Flycatchers, not a species one expects to see in such numbers (Figure 20). Many of the birds were weak, and some perished on road- ways. Interestingly, this species was the most prevalent migrant observed that day; there must have been a large push of Grays around 382 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS THE CHANGING SEASONS: A TALE OF THREE SYSTEMS Figure 25. On Little Egg Island bar, Georgia, this large Brown Pelican with bright red pouch shocked researchers with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources 16 April 2010; the bird was relocated just once during further surveys there, but it was not clear that it nested locally. Photograph by Brad Winn. Figure 26. Possibly indicative of the Pacific subspecies californicus, this red-pouched Brown Pelican was found in a large nesting colony on Queen Bess Island in Barataria Bay just north of Grand Isle, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana 6 May 2010. In the past, about 3000 pelicans nested here. This small island, ringed with crude oil, can be seen in video shot by Andrew Wheelan (). Many of the season's most upsetting photographs of oiled Brown Pelicans were taken in this vicinity, just after this image was taken. Photograph by Donna L Dittmann. 20 May, just before the winds shifted and rain/snow set in. Northerly winds persisted in the Pacific Northwest for almost a week, and coastal observers in Oregon attributed several records to the wind and rain, among them 200 Yellow Warblers that fell out at Cascade Head 27 May and a fancy Lark Bunting at Coos Bay 22 May. Well to the south, in southernmost Califor- nia, the winds were lighter, but from sites be- tween Point Loma, which juts out on the north side of San Diego Bay, to Santa Barbara’s mountains, a remarkable flight of over 1000 Black Swifts was recorded 22-23 May (Figure 21). One might guess that northerly winds and (on the coast) the “marine layer” of over- cast skies brought these high-flying birds low- er; very likely too, the migrants grew tired and hungry bucking headwinds and descend- ed to forage a bit as they moved northward. Normally, we don’t think of birders in San Diego linked to birders in North Dakota by a storm system, but take a look at eastern North Dakota, on the warm side of the low but also with wet weather. Western Great Lakes re- gional editor Peder Svingen was birding the Devil’s Lake area that day and counted a whopping 4256 Ruddy Turnstones 22 May, a state high count. Farther west, David Trochlell notes that the unseasonably cool, wet weather brought “numerous and dramat- ic fallouts of migrants.” In southern British Columbia, which was under the influence of a lesser low-pressure area as well, the province’s third Acorn Woodpecker visited a feeder 24-28 May (Figure 22). This bird was almost certainly not actively migrating and grounded at the time but rather part of a low- level, very broad dispersal of the species that stretches back many months; nevertheless, the unpleasant weather might have encour- aged the bird to attend the feeder, where it came to birders’ attention. Noted in brief Arctic Tern • Since at least the early 1990s, we have learned much about the migration of Arctic Tern through the western North At- lantic, where once thought to be a rare mi- grant. Lee and Cardiff (1993) summarized the hve-dozen records in the Southeast through 1991, narrowing the window of spring migra- tion mostly to the month of May, with peak passage in the latter half of May. Since that time, pelagic birders and seawatchers from the Atlantic side of Florida to Long Island have found that sustained onshore winds, es- pecially northeasterly and easterly winds, of- ten produce numbers of Arctic Terns, where- as periods of westerly winds yield very few records of the species. In contrast to spring 2009, spring 2010 had little in the way of on- shore winds, but there were brief exceptions, and in all such cases, Arctic Terns appeared, sometimes in record numbers. Florida seabirders tallied 64 Arctic Terns, a record-high count, off Ponce de Leon Inlet 15 May during a period of easterlies (Figure 23); four were off Delaware 26 May; and up to 40 were tallied in the last week of May off Hatteras, North Carolina, with a peak up about 20 on 28 May, when eight were seen off Chatham County, Georgia as well. On- shore, one was at Charlestown, New Hamp- shire along the Connecticut River 19 May, one at Moriches Inlet, Long Island, New York 23 May, up to four were in Virginia Beach, Virginia 19-21 May, and one hung around Fort Macon State Park, North Caroli- na 27-28 May. On a few days in mid- and late May 2010, “back door” cold fronts were ac- tive between Virginia and southern New England. These are cold fronts that approach the Atlantic coast from the east or northeast, rather than the west or northwest, and typi- cally bring onshore winds and sometimes rain, as cool maritime air interacts with warmer air from land. While most of the on- shore/inshore records of Arctic Tern were made during such conditions, the pelagic records were more variable — the peak off Hatteras, for instance, came on southwester- ly winds, though winds had been northeast- erly the day before. The bottom line for coastal birders who hear the phrase “back door” on the weather forecast: you need to be out that back door. And what of the two Arctic Terns on the Ohio River in southwest- ern Pennsylvania 29 May (Figure 24) — ^just a lucky interception of migrants passing over the interior, birds that were brought down by a late-season cool front? Probably. But the complex combination of high- and low-pres- sure systems offshore may well have meant that these birds followed prevailing winds, moving inland somewhere in the Carolinas, then northward up the Ohio River Valley. Rare interior records dot the eastern interior. VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 383 THE CHANGING SEASONS: A TALE OF THREE SYSTEMS and almost all are from late May. As in all birding, it pays to be armed with such distri- butional data before heading out the door! Increasingly eBird is the way to locate and learn such arcana. The “Iceland Express” • In Newfoundland, where Arctic Terns are familiar nesters, the lo- cal birders look to the east for their uncom- mon birds — and to weather forecasts from across the Atlantic. Their communication with colleagues in Greenland, Iceland, and Ireland, and their ability to anticipate weath- er-related bird events, are admirable. In April 2010, regional editor Bruce Mactavish looked at the big picture in the North Atlantic (using the sophisticated but very accessible Met Of- fice website for weather maps, ) and posted his thoughts to the “NF Birds” listserve 24 April: “This morning, fan- tastic winds blowing from Scotland/Ireland to Iceland and to eastern Newfoundland. Euro- pean Golden-Plovers should occur because of this. Check fields, lawns by the coast, light- houses, ball fields, school yards. Any shore- bird is likely to be a good one. A group of us will be searching at Cape Bonavista on Sun- day. It will be surprising if we come back empty handed. These are exceptional winds. We often get a few European Golden-Plovers arriving on less obviously good winds. April 26 has been the magic date with the biggest flocks over the past three decades. The weath- er set up and timing don’t get better than this forecast. Be part of it.” Those who heeded the call were not disappointed. From the next day forward, a Northern Lapwing, nearly fifty Eu- ropean Golden-Plovers, a Black-tailed God- wit, and a Whimbrel of the nominate sub- species were found, with an unconfirmed re- port of Common Redshank as well. Pacific pelicans east? • On 16 April 2010, Brad Winn and Tim Keyes of Nongame Con- servation Section of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources saw a big Brown Pelican with a red pouch on Little Egg Island bar, Georgia, among the local Brown Pelicans, and sent in a very nice photograph of the bird (Figure 25). Having never seen a similar bird in the Carolinas or Chesapeake Bay region, I was taken aback and began asking researchers and regional editors for their take on this bird. What ensued was a fascinating, if incon- clusive, set of exchanges that revealed how little we know about this conspicuous and well-researched species. In The Sibley Guide to Birds (2000), Cali- fornia’s nesting Brown Pelicans (subspecies califomicus) are accurately depicted as having brilliant poppy-red pouches in high breeding condition, whereas Atlantic (subspecies caro- linensis) nesters, like the small nominate birds of the Caribbean, have mostly grayish pouch- es (see also Schreiber et al. 1989). Mark Lock- wood, Brush Freeman, John Arvin, and others in Texas report that they see numerous red- pouched birds annually in their colonies, and Bruce Anderson notes that reports of single birds, at least, are also annual in Florida colonies. I inquired of Steve Cardiff and Don- na Dittmann as to whether such birds occur in Louisiana — and they promptly went out and found one (Figure 26) ! Harry Armistead, who has had a hand in banding thousands of pelicans in the mid- Atlantic region, has not seen such a bird, he reports. These red-pouched Gulf coast pelicans have apparently been called variant carolinen- sis (Shields 2002) rather than birds from the Pacific (or birds with some califomicus genes). In looking into the band returns, it’s clear that Atlantic Brown Pelicans from Gulf colonies have made it across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec to reach the Pacific coast of Mexico (), and indeed the last American Ornithologist’s Union Check-list to treat subspecies, in 1957, identi- fied Brown Pelicans breeding from southern Mexico to northern Peru as belonging to sub- species carolinensis, so the evidence of gene flow across the isthmus should not be too shocking. Bruce Peterjohn was kind enough to check the U.S. Bird Banding Laboratory’s database for band recoveries and found that of 1246 recoveries of Californian or north- western Mexican Brown Pelicans, three came from Texas, two from the Florida Gulf coast, and one from the Atlantic coast of central Florida. There were additional recoveries of Pacific birds from the Gulf shores in Mexico, where Shields (2002) also mentions a sight record of califomicus. Given the stunning re- cent increases in wandering Brown Pelicans in the interior Southwest (east to Texas) and interior East (northwest to Minnesota), it seems likely that pacificus Brown Pelicans end up in the Gulf through the deserts, not just across the isthmus. That’s not to say that all red-pouched birds documented in the Gulf are from Pacific populations, but it’s a very in- teresting question that has not been explored scientifically, as far as I can determine. Whatever the story of this individual bird in Georgia, or indeed of red-pouched birds in the Gulf and Atlantic, our “Practiced Eye Award” for the season goes to Brad Winn and Tim Keyes for spotting and documenting their bird in Georgia, apparently a first for that state and the northernmost photographic record for the Atlantic thus far. TheSpili After news of the Deepwater Horizon disaster struck on 20 April 2010, 1 began the next day trying to find out as much as possible about impacts on birds, from as many sources as I could locate. The intent was to publish a Spe- cial Interregional Report, such as we have done for natural disasters, giving readers con- crete numbers, dates, and locations for birds seen oiled, whether alive or not. After several frustrating months of hitting numerous stone walls and dead ends, I have all but given up the expectation that we will ever have even a dear understanding of what really happened, and what is still happening, on the Gulf coast, in the Gulf, and in adjacent waters. Those of us trying to find out about the spill’s impacts are told by our government representatives — called “trustees” in the legal proceedings that will unfold in years or decades to come — that bird corpses consti- tute evidence and are thus subject to eviden- tiary rules that prohibit public access to them. The early lists of oiled birds that circulated over the summer included “White-throated Loon” and “Northern Tennet,” alongside re- ports of nesting Sanderlings. Available as the spill progressed was only a partial list pub- lished at the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service site: . Sibley, D. A. 2000. The Sibley Guide to Birds. Knopf, New York. © Figure 27. This oiled American Oystercatcher, at Trinity Island, Isles Dernieres, Terrebonne Parish 14 May 2010, was representatiw of a high percentage of individuals scrutinized on Louisiana's outer barrier islands during mid- to late May after substantial amounts of oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill had begun washing ashore west of the Mississippi River delta. Photograph by Donna L. Dittmann. Figure 28. By mid- to late May 2010, many migrating shorebirds such as Sanderlings and Dunlins were becoming fouled by oil from the Deepwater Horizon disaster off the Louisiana coast, from the Grand Isle area west to the Isles Dernieres. Such was the case with this Sanderling at Trinity Island, Terrebonne Parish 14 May 2010. Photograph by Donna L Dittmann. VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 385 M 8 Atlantic Provinces & St. Pierre et Miquelon kKillinek I. * LABRADOR - Torngal Mtns. N. P - U . SEA .Hebron Cape Harrison •iNain / Hopedale V Cartwright •v^ i."’ Schefferyille (PQ) ^ "•s '0-'"'%^SmaUwood Mins. ; • ^kj^Res. • "N.R Red'i/ “ ’ ' * - ''-V l^l'An Gannet /s/and Ecological Reserve CEsker»i^' l»Cho,chlllFalte®'«“®"'' ! Labrador City y j Wabush■'^>.rr■'>^ QUEBEC •Strait of Belle Isle Red- lay LAnse-aux-Meadows \* #81. Anthony ' ^ Gander NEWFOUNDLAND V Sept-iies Gros - ,»Morne c. N P Wova , John s '•Corrrer W.fi , ; Anafon -■> ^took yiflf .‘\ Peninsula Port-aux- .0 ^\^\.Cape ^ / Basques ®- Qoint.pierre \ Charlotte- Cabot Strait et Miquelon _ Csp® '/ ' t ' , Redeion. NOVA SCOTIA Grand X,-* >'■ ,%'Halifax-Oartmoiith Mananl' — Lawrence -Jiid/i ui iviiuueiijii ry'rr , ^£asf ii Cape Breton Hrgh/andsW.P^' ~ # Sydney Cape Breton /. jsCanso •Lobenberg 5 j, , ^ V i‘a '■ Seall. - Cape Sable I. Lettered Nova Scotia Sites: A Piclou B Amherst C Truro D V/olfville E Digby Blake Maybank Spring arrived early, and so too did the birds. In Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Is- land, and New Brunswick, all three months were warmer, drier, and sunnier than average: temperatures were 2,6° C higher, rainfall was 45% of normal, and there were 20+ more hours of sunshine each month. In Nova Scotia, daytime temperatures exceeded 20° C at least 14 times in the season, includ- ing three days in early April, and in Halifax, there was a memorable March period of 15 consecutive days with sunshine — a remark- able event in that foggy city. As a consequence of the unseasonably mild weather, this report is filled with early arrival dates, some record early. Tying records of par- ticular birds to meteorological conditions, let alone climate change, is tricky business. Take for example a Nashville Warbler in Nova Sco- tia 18 April this season. Was this a local bird on territory three weeks early? Was it a mi- grant en route to more northerly breeding ar- eas? Was it an overshoot from more souther- ly breeding areas? Was it a storm-swept waif, such as this Region sees in spring on occa- sion? We can only guess. But over time, and with more data, our guesses will become more accurate. It was an average spring for rarities, and there was only one signihcant weather-related fallout, in Newfoundland and St, Pierre et Miquelon (see S.A. box). WATERFOWL THROUGH LOONS A cooperative Pink-footed Goose at Mt. Pearl, NT 16 Mar-23 Apr (Ken Powell, m.ob.) fur- nished the 8th record for the province. All the previous records, spanning the years 1980- 1995, occurred between late Apr and early May, and most were shot. The province also recorded 3 ad. Greenland Greater White- fronted Geese (subspecies JIavirostris) in Table 1. Records of early and rare migrants in Newfoundland and St. Pierre et Miquelon, spring 2010. Species, count Datefs) Location($) Comments Observerfs) Chimney Swift (3) 5 May Ferryiand, N1 early and rare DB Chimney Swift (1) 5 May Tors Cove, NL early and rare DB Eastern Phoebe (1) 29 Apr Ramea 1., NL rare RN Eastern Phoebe (1) 5 May Renews, NL rare DB Purple Martin (1) 28-29 Apr St. Pierre et Miquelon early and rare F&PA, PA Purple Martin (3) 29 Apr Ramea 1., NL early and rare RN Purple Martin (2) 3 May St. Pierre et Miquelon very rare U Purple Martin (1) 5 May Avalon Pen., NL very rare DB Purple Martin (1) 5 May Ferryiand, NL rare DB Bank Swallow (2) 5 May Avalon Pen., NL two weeks early DB Cliff Swallow (5) 5 May Avalon Pen., NL early and rare DB Veery(1) 29 Apr-5 May Cape Race, NL vagrant toe. Newfoundland; average arrival at end of May ph. Cliff Doran Veery (2) 30 Apr-2 May Powles Head, NL vagrant to e. Newfoundland; average arrival at end of May DSh et al. Veery(l) 30 Apr St. Pierre et Miquelon rare and very early U Veery (3) 5-8 May St. Pierre et Miquelon rare and very early; five others noted later in May. m.ob. Gray-cheeked Thrush (1) 29 Apr-22 May St. Pierre et Miquelon four weeks early F&PA, U,JD Gray-cheeked Thrush (1) 1-2 May Powles Head, NL four weeks early BMt et al. Gray-cheeked Thrush (1) 1 May Portugal Cove South, NL four weeks early Richard Thomas Gray-cheeked Thrush (2) 5 May Cape Race, NL specimens; measured to rule out Bicknell's fide BMt Swainson's Thrush (1) 1-2 May Cape Race, NL earliest Newfoundland record ever; average arrival 20 May BMt et al. Gray Catbird (2 or 3) 30 Apr- 10 May Cape Race, NL locally scarce, and early; one found dead Cliff Doran, m.ob. Prothonotary Warbler (1) 1-6 May St. Pierre et Miquelon first confirmed St. Pierre et Miquelon record F&PA, U,ph.JD Hooded Warbler (1) 1-5 May Cripple Cove, NL first spring record for NL BMt et al., ph. Scarlet Tanager(l) 1 May St. Mary's NL rare fide BMt Scarlet Tanager(l) 1-16 May The Drook, NL rare BMt, m.ob. Rose-breasted Grosbeak (6) 29 Apr-1 May St. Pierre et Miquelon two weeks early m.ob. Rose-breasted Grosbeak (30+) 29 Apr-10 May Avalon Pen., NL largest spring fallout for Newfoundland ever; at feeders m.ob. Indigo Bunting (2) 29-30 Apr St. Pierre et Miquelon rare m.ob. Indigo Bunting (5+) 29 Apr-10 May Avalon Pen., NL rare; at feeders m.ob. Baltimore Oriole (3) 29 Apr-1 May Avalon Pen., NL normally absent in spring in Newfoundland m.ob. Goose Bay, Labrador 19 Apr-15 May (TC et al.). Snow Goose numbers peaked a month early in n. New Brunswick with 1000+ at Atholville Marsh 10 Apr (Margaret Doyle). Canada Geese returned early to the island of Newfoundland, where Lisa Giroux noted an extraordinary concentration in the Codroy Valley 18 Mar, “thousands — impossible to count.” Northern Shoveler continues a Re- gional increase, with several reports from Labrador, including 7 at Goose Bay 12 May (TC). There was a good Regional count of 180 Northern Pintails at Labrador City 26 Apr (Lome Slaney). Nova Scotia’s 4th Gar- ganey (and the 2nd to be photographed) made a brief appearance in Glace Bay, Cape Breton 28 Apr (Cathy & Allan Murrant). What was almost certainly the same bird then appeared (again briefly) at St. John’s, NL 30 Apr (John Wells et al.), the 4th provincial record. More than 25 Eurasian Wigeons were reported across the Region in Mar and Apr. A male Redhead on St. Pierre 14-23 Apr (Sylvie Allen-Mahe et al.; ph. at ) made the 3rd record for the islands, while one at First South, Lunenburg, NS 6-20 Mar was more expected (ELM, JAH). The high count of Tufted Ducks at St. John’s, NL was 20 this season, and a male was at Tra- cadie-Sheila, NB 20 May (Frank Branch). An early inland ice break-up allowed 5000+ Greater Scaup to stage off Perry Pt. on the Kennebecasis R. near Quispamsis, NB 21 Mar OW). The wintering Lesser Scaup at St. Pierre was last seen 14 Apr. Encouraging numbers of Harlequin Ducks were seen in Mar, with a maximum of 58 at St. Pierre et Miquelon, and more than 50 in total between four locations in Nova Scotia. Two pairs of Bufflehead at Wabush, Labrador 4 May (Lome Slaney) were locally rare. Nine Ruddy Ducks near Mt. Stewart, PEI 7 May were at their only known regular breeding location in the province (Roberta Palmer). There were no reports of Gray Partridge from Nova Scotia this spring. With just one bird recorded on the most recent Truro C.B.C., it is easy to predict that this intro- duced (and once widespread) species will soon be extirpated from the province. The reasons for the decline are not well under- stood, and what is even more puzzling is that the Gray Partridge population in neighboring Prince Edward Island remains viable. Strong movements of Red-throated Loons were not- ed in the Bay of Fundy: 270+ past Pt. Le- preau, NB 22 Apr (Richard Blacquiere); 350+ near Minudie, NS 30 Apr (ST); and 34 off Brier I., NS 8 May (EM). There were but 2 Red-necked Grebes around St. Pierre et Miquelon this season; in the recent past, hundreds staged here in early spring. TUBENOSES THROUGH RAPTORS Great Shearwaters returned very early to the Region, with one noted 300 km off St. John’s, NL 11 Apr (BMt) and 3 off St. Pierre 12 Apr QD). Forty Sooty Shearwaters off Cape Bre- ton 2 May (Rob Ronconi) were also early: shearwaters are not expected until late May. About 150 Manx Shearwaters were off St. Pierre 27 May QD)- Northern Gannets are seldom encountered in significant numbers in the Northumberland Strait in spring, but 500+ were diving on baitfish off Maximeville, PEI 18 Apr (Gisele Martin). Migrant Double- crested Cormorants were first noted 17 Mar in Nova Scotia (two weeks early), and the hrst of the season at St. Pierre 21 Apr were nine days earlier than average. The spring heron flight was generally not impressive, with a mere 5 Snowy Egrets, 3 Little Blue Herons, 2 Green Herons, and 3 Yellow-crowned Night-Herons in the Region. However, a total of 8 Great Egrets in e. New- foundland was notable; just 13 others were reported, including 9 in Nova Scotia. St. Pierre’s 5th Tricolored Heron appeared 10-11 May (RE, Danielle Lebollocq); the only other was in Nova Scotia. A provincially rare (and cooperative) spring Cattle Egret visited Por- tugal Cove South, NL 30 Apr-16 May (DSh); Nova Scotia had 3 more. Once again. New Brunswick had all the Glossy Ibis (7 total), including 5 at Bloomfield, Kings 11-13 Apr (MC), raising the possibility of another breeding attempt. A one-eyed Black Vulture at a dump near Dingwell Mills, PEI 15 Mar+ had likely been present all winter (fide Rosemary Curley). In- terestingly, most spring Black Vultures in the Region have had eye injuries. New Brunswick is the only province in the Region where a special effort is made to monitor spring hawk movement. This effort paid off this year when 231 Broad-winged Hawks were counted 22 Apr skirting a storm front at Greenlaw Mt., near St. Andrews (Todd Watts), by far the largest Regional spring report ever. The Bald VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 387 ATLANTIC PROVINCES & SI PIERRE ET MIQUELON Eagle population in Nova Scotia continues to thrive and expand, though not always in ways that are comfortable to witness. In 2009, at least 60 eagles took up temporary residence on the Bird Is. off Cape Breton, preying on young Black-legged Kittiwakes and Great Cor- morants, such that not a single bird fledged. It was hoped this was a singular occurrence oc- casioned by a failure in a seasonal fish stock, but this past spring the eagles returned, hav- ing learned of the easy pickings, and the kitti- wakes and cormorants (and the puffins?) are again in the crosshairs. An imm. Golden Eagle flew over Brier I., NS 12 Mar (Carl Haycock), while a subad. female that had been fitted with a transmitter in Virginia in Mar 2008 was tracked through Bathurst, NB 6 Apr, though the eagle went unseen by local birders. CRANES THROUGH ALODS The Regions hrst confirmed nest of Sandhill Crane was found near Chipman, NB, during an aerial waterfowl survey in late May (fide Canadian Wildlife Service). The species likely breeds at Goose Bay, Labrador as well, where it has been noted in spring annually for the past decade; a pair had returned there by 12 May Qack Courage). A basic-plumaged Northern Lapwing at Cape Race, NL 25 Apr (DSh, Julie Cappleman) furnished the first spring record for the province and was most likely brought by the same easterlies that pro- pelled a strong flight of European Golden- Plovers into Labrador and e. Newfoundland: there were 40-45+ birds 29 Apr-11 May. This flight included 4 at Goose Bay, Labrador 29 Apr (TC), 19 near Cape Race 10 May (DB), and 6 at Cape Bonavista 11 May Qj)- Single Upland Sandpipers touched down at Hartlen Pt., NS 1-5 Apr (MK) and Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve, NL 10 May (JC, Richard Thomas). A Whimbrel at Renews, NL 2 May (BMt, jW) furnished the hrst provin- cial spring record of subspecies Imdsonicus, while one at St. Pierre 14-21 May (RE, DL, LJ) was the hrst conflrmed there. Spring Whim- brels in Newfoundland and Labrador are more likely to be phaeopus, and this season there were two reports of singles: at Postville, Labrador 3-6 May (ph. Jim Goudie) and at Cape Spear 30 May (Brian Sullivan). A Black- tailed Godwit at Goose Bay, NL 12 May (ph. TC) was a hrst record for Labrador. Dalzell counted 26 Ruddy Turnstones at Goodwins I., Shelburne, NS 26 Apr, an excellent count for spring and somewhat early. A Pectoral Sandpiper at Hartlen Pt., NS 28 Mar-1 Apr (MK) was one of only a few spring records (and record early by one week); one was at St. Pierre 3 May (F&PA). Results from the annu- al Nova Scotia Migration Count (8 May) shows a continuing decline in numbers of Nova Scotia’s three widespread breeding shorebirds, Killdeer, Willet, and Spotted Sandpiper (fide SM); we await Breeding Bird Survey and Atlas results to learn if the decline is real. Newfoundland snagged both Ruff re- ports, a striking male at Renews 1-16 May (Terry James; m.ob.) and a female at Biscay Bay 25 May (ph. Richard Thomas). Few gulls made headlines this spring, and unsurprising- ly most were from e. Newfoundland, with sin- gle Laughing Gulls at Merasheen 1. 30 Apr (Tony Seaward) and Cape Broyle 1 1 May (Ter- rance Hounsell, Keith Vince) and the Slaty- backed Gull of the winter last noted 6 Mar (BMt). St. Pierre also had a Laughing Gull, on 14 May (F&PA). DOVES THROUGH THRASHERS The White-winged Dove in Pouch Cove, NL successfully overwintered and was last noted 4 Apr. This may represent the hrst such Region- al wintering record. There have been several winter records in Nova Scotia, but the birds wandered, their fates uncertain. Nova Scotia’s 49th White-winged Dove was on Brier L, NS 19-25 May (Carl Haycock, Richard Stern, 2nd island record). One visited New Brunswick as well, at St. Leonard 6 May+ (Roy LaPointe). No other Canadian province has as many records (Quebec has 25); what is the nearest U.S. state with 50+ records of this dove? Yellow-billed Cuckoos are very rare Re- gionally in spring, so a freshly killed individ- ual at Pt. Lepreau, NB 13 May Q™ Wilson) was notable. Whatever inroads Red-bellied Woodpeckers seemed to be making in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick seem to have hz- zled; there was but a single sighting this spring, 1 May in Halifax (Chris Helleiner). Nova Scotia’s 20th Willow Flycatcher was singing near Lockeporte, Shelburne 28 May (Dorothy Poole, Sylvia Fullerton). Notable less-than-annual flycatchers in e. Newfound- land included an Eastern Wood-Pewee at Pet- ty Harbour 27-30 May (DB et al.) and an East- ern Phoebe 5 May at Renews (DB). Until this spring, records of Willow Flycatcher and Scis- sor-tailed Flycatcher in Nova Scotia were about even, but the latter species has taken the lead, as there were 2 observed this spring, both on 24 May: one at Cape Sable I., NS (ph. John & Margaret Samuel), the other at Great Village, Colchester (ph. Katherine Odgen). The Cape Sable bird was almost certainly the same individual seen just up the coast at West Berlin, Queens 26-30 May (Peter Davies, m.ob., ph.). White-eyed Vireos are appearing earlier and more frequently over the past decade, and this spring, 4 were in New Brunswick, one at Lornville 3 May (MC), and 3 on Grand Manan 1. 5 May (Durian Inger- soll). Can breeding be far off? Two Philadel- phia Vireos were far afield at St. Pierre 30 May (LJ). Large movements of Blue Jays are rarely noted in spring, so totals of 200+ at East Pt., PEI 24 May (DO, DSe) and 175 at Marys Pt., Albert, NB the same day (DC) were impres- sive. Four Tufted Titmice, including 2 singing males, were at St. Andrews, NB 2 Mar Qoanne Savage), their only beachhead in the Region. The best Regional count of Bohemian Waxwing was of 350+ migrating through Labrador City 5 Apr (GP). A singing Carolina Wren at Chester, Hali- fax Regional Municipality, NS 29-30 May (Anne Lambert) was at the location where one spent the previous summer. Assuming it is the same bird, did it migrate and return, or did it overwinter unobserved? No pattern can be discerned in the appearance of 2 Northern Wheatears in the Region, the first 4 Apr near Mt. Thom, Pictou, NS (MK), the other, 2 May at Renews, NL (BMt et al). Small numbers of Eastern Bluebirds are now routine in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, but they are still unexpectedly rare in Prince Edward Island, such that 5 at East Pt. 24 May (DO, DS) were noteworthy. Bicknell’s Thrush continues to decline in Nova Scotia and is now so uncom- mon so as to be worthy of mention in this col- umn. The only sighting this season was of a single bird 26 May on the Bog Trail, Cape Bre- ton Highlands N.P. (Danny Tyson). Wood Thrush is also nearly extirpated as a breeding bird, and there were two Nova Scotia sight- ings, a corpse 21 May at Chebogue, Yarmouth Qohn Sallows) and a live bird 26 May at Mil- ton, Queens (DP). There was a good spring flight of Northern Mockingbirds into the Re- gion: 14+ in Nova Scotia, many in New Brunswick, and one penetrating as far as Northwest River, Labrador 24 May Qenny Gear). Brown Thrashers were similarly plenti- ful; Nova Scotia enjoyed 6 or more, while as many as 10 per day were noted from mid- Apr+ at Machias Seal 1., NB, the most the lightkeeper there had ever noted (REl). WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES A male Lawrence’s Warbler was well de- scribed from Shemogue, Westmoreland, NB 30 May (John Tanner). Pure Golden- winged Warblers have not been reported in spring for several years, so a male at Whistle Rd., Grand Manan 1. 5 May (Alain Clavette) was notable. The Kelly’s Brook, NL Yellow-rumped War- bler successfully wintered, just the 2nd Yel- low-rumped to do so in the province (the first was an auduboni) (BMt). Nova Scotia’s 28th Kentucky Warbler was the earliest ever, 17-18 Apr, near Sambro, Halifax Regional Munici- 388 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS ATLANTIC PROVINCES & ST. PIERRE ET MIQUELON pality (ph. HAT et al); most Kentucky War- blers occur in autumn. Only a few Summer Tanagers reached the s. portion of the Region, but one was well offshore at St. Pierre et Miquelon 19 May (PB, PHA). A fine spring count of 5 Eastern Towhees was made on Machias Seal I., NB 26 Apr (REl). An excellent and perhaps weather-re- lated fallout of 230 Lapland Longspurs was made at Wabush, Labrador 15 May (GP et al). The annual spring flight of the “blues” into the Maritimes was very paltry, with just a handful of Indigo Buntings and but a single Blue Grosbeak (in Nova Scotia) reported. Newfoundland’s 2nd Painted Bunting, a male, made a brief appearance 20 May at a Birchy Cove feeder (fide Glen Ryan, ph.). Two Dickcissels successfully wintered at New- foundland feeders, departing in mid-Mar. Brown-headed Cowbirds are rare, but recent- ly annual, in Labrador; this spring, a male was at St. Lewis 13-16 Apr (Eva Luther). Orchard Orioles were scarce in Nova Scotia, but in neighboring New Brunswick, 10+ were on Grand Manan 1. 16 May (ST). Two male Eu- ropean Goldfinches at feeders, one at West Pennant, NS 10 May (fide Andy Horn) and the other at Port aux Choix, NL 23-24 May (Sidney Torraville), were considered escapees. Contributors (subregional editors in boldface, for Nova Scotia unless otherwise noted): Frederic & Patricia Allen-Mahe (F&PA), John Belbin, Lucas Berrigan, Patrick Boez, Todd Boland, Dave Brown, Julie Cappleman, David Christie, Tony Chubbs, Merv Cormier, Brian Pierre Bannon Olivier Barden Normand David Samuel Denault As was the case for last winter, mean spring temperatures in 2010 contin- ued well above normal for all of Quebec. Depending on the regions, the tem- peratures were 2.5° C to 5° C above normal. Overall precipitation quantities varied from below normal to close to normal. It was also the least snowy spring in several localities. As a consequence of this beautiful weather, forest fires were widespread in late May. The warm weather also induced many migrants to move northward early, with several record-early ar- rival dates being established. On the other hand, there were no major fallouts. On the North Shore, there were few weather condi- tions conducive to the spectacular diurnal mi- gration of warblers we have witnessed in the past few years. WATERFOWL THROUGH IBIS Almost annual now, a Pink-footed Goose de- lighted observers at Saint-Mathias-sur-Riche- lieu 27-30 Mar (R. Belhumeur, R. Chartier, m.ob.). Montbrun, Abitibi hosted a group of over 25 Greater White-fronted Geese 27 Apr (ph. L. Farrell), but elsewhere in the province, they were not as numerous as in spring 2009. A Barnacle Goose showed up at Baie-du-Febvre 21-25 Mar QM. Hebert, P La- montagne). A Trumpeter Swan visited Fabre 19 Apr-3 May (fide JF). Tundra Swans were represented by 7 at Plaisance 25-31 Mar (R. Schryer), 2 at Baie-du-Febvre 27 Mar (FL et al), and 3 at Saint-Majorique 28 Apr (J. Lehoux). Five Eurasian Wigeons were report- ed, as well as 5 Eurasian Teal, 4 of them in the Quebec City region. A Tufted Duck turned up at Ragueneau on the North Shore 28 Apr- 14 May (D. Saint-Laurent et al). A high count of 170 Harlequin Ducks was made between Cap-des-Rosiers and Cap Gaspe 18 May (S. Marchand). Two Ruddy Ducks at Chandler 17 May provided a rare sighting for the Gaspe Pen (A. Saint-Jean, J. Cote). A Wild Turkey at Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue 14 Apr apparently furnished a first record for the island of Montreal (ph. D. Miller). An in- flux of 4052 Red-throated Loons seen in three hours at Riviere-Ouelle 22 May was unprece- dented (CG, CA). An extralimital Great Egret reached Chandler 26 May (PP). A single Snowy Dalzell (New Brunswick; Labrador), Joel Detcheverry, Robert Doiron, Elizabeth Doull, Ralph Eldridge (REl), Roger Etcheberry (REt, St. Pierre et Miquelon), Sylvia Fullerton, Patrick Hacala, Ulli Hoger, Durian Ingersoll, Laurent Jackman, Jonathan Joy, Tom Ka- vanaugh, Mike King, Ken Knowles, Bruce Mac- tavish (BMt, Newfoundland), Dan McAskill, Ken McKenna, Ian McLaren, Eric Mills, Su- sann Myers, Murray Newell, Wayne Neily, John Nickerson, Richard Northcott, Dwaine Oakley, Gordon Parsons, Dorothy Poole, David Seeler (DSe, Prince Edward Island), Dave Shepherd (DSh), Hans Toom, Jim Wilson. 0 Blake Maybank, 144 Bay view Drive White's Lake, Nova Scotia BBT 1Z1 (maybank@ns.synipatico.ca) Quebec I Egret appeared at Orford 3 May (Y. Charette, fide J. Turgeon). Two ad. Little Blue Herons were noteworthy at Chateauguay 16 May (ph., JP. Labreche, C. Archambault). Single Cattle Egrets stopped at Saint-Barthelemy 6 Apr, a record-early date (pb., AF. Quesnel, J. De- marre), at Lachenaie 3 May 0- Chatigny), and at ile d’Orleans 7 May (Mrs. Paquette). Glossy Ibis were well represented, with one at Saint- Blaise 24 Apr (SV, GE), 6 at Brigham 9 May (M. Rousseau, JicJe B. Hamel), 2 at Dundee 22 May (M. Crete, M. Hamelin), and one at Montbeil- lard, Abitibi, 22 May (J. Racicot), VULTURES THROUGH JAEGERS A Black Vulture seen at the Saint-Stanislas-de- Kostka hawkwatch 20 Mar matched the early date of 20 Mar 1932 at Beauport (BB, MM). Another bird, photographed at LG4 (James Bay) 26 May-3 Jun, would represent the northernmost record for the Region Ql- Per- ron, Jide M. Breton). Numbers of Turkey Vul- tures were on the rise in the Gaspe Pen., where nine sightings were reported between 14 Apr and 23 May (fide PP). Bald Eagles and Golden Eagles established new spring high counts at the Saint-Stanislas-de-Kostka hawk- watch, with 149 and 90 individuals, respec- tively (BB, MM). In Apr, a pair of Bald Eagles nesting on Heron L, less than 10 km from downtown Montreal, caused much excite- ment (PB, JC. Sorel, m.ob.). Unfortunately, the sudden disappearance of the male result- ed in an unsuccessful outcome. Sandhill Cranes were spotted at Dundee 18 Mar, a new record early date (D. Gagnon), and a pair successfully nested there for the VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 389 QUEBEC Although Quebec has more than thirty records of Hooded Warbler, this bird was the first for the Montreal area in a decade (here 12 May 2010). Photograph by Pierre Bannon. A Prothonotary Warbler recorded on lie des Soeurs 23 May 2010 was the second for this locality. The first one, a fe- male, was recorded 21 May 1996. Quebec has only about fifteen records of the species, most of them in spring. Photograph by Pierre Banr)on. 4th year, producing 2 offspring seen on the early date of 11 May (T. Long, SV). Two cranes appeared for their 3rd year at Bonaven- ture, Gaspesie 26-28 Apr (S. Arbour). An American Golden-Plover was photographed perched on ice at Bridgeville, Gaspesie 2 Apr, a record-ear- ly date (ph. MA. Dupont). The only Willet outside the Magdalen Is. was detected at Cap-des-Rosiers 23 May (D. Jalbert). The only Ruff was noted at Saint-Blaise 22 Apr-1 May (M. Arnaudin, SJ. Hills, m.ob.). A count of 300 Short-billed Dowitchers at Coaticook 26 May was encouraging (J. Masse). A Wilson’s Phalarope at Baska- tong Res. 17 May made a rare occurrence for this lo- cation (MA. Montpetit). An ad. Ivory Gull at Levis 6-11 Mar was joined by an imm. 8-10 Mar, a prize find for birders in the Quebec City region (G. Lemelin, m.ob.). A rare spring sight- ing, an ad. Sabine’s Gull was encountered at Tadoussac 29 May (RP). A first-cycle Laughing Gull was found at Riv- iere-Ouelle 16 May (CA, CG), while an ad. stopped at La Malbaie 31 May (P Otis, FL). A well-documented Herring Gull x Lesser Black-backed Gull hybrid was located at Saint-Barthelemy 8 Apr (OB, S. Rioux). Rare in spring along the St. Lawrence R., a Long- tailed Jaeger was identified at Tadoussac 24 May (RP, C. Saint-Hilaire). CUCKOOS THROUGH TANAGERS Yellow-billed Cuckoo numbers were above normal in May, with 4 reported. Very rare breeders s. of the St. Latvrence R., a pair of Northern Hawk Owls successfully nested this spring at Saint-Just-de-Bretenieres, Chaudiere- Appalaches (M. Labrie). A Great Gray Owl nest was found at Canton Gaudet, Abitibi 16 May (D. Fauteux, G. Brochu). Four nest box- es were occupied by Boreal Owls in Abitibi this spring (JG, MS). A Red-headed Wood- pecker was at ile Bizard 7 May 0- Feizo). A pair nested at Mayo in the Outaouais region in late May providing a first confirmed breeding record in about a decade (G. Desjardins). Of 5 Red-bellied Woodpeckers reported, one at Clarke City, Cote-Nord 30 May really stands out 0- Vaillancourt). It was another strong spring for White- eyed Vireo, with singles at Saint-Hyacinthe 22-23 Apr, a record-early date (D. & R. Roy), Quebec City 6-15 May (1. Deschenes, C. Val- lieres), and Rimouski 17 May (CD). A very early Blue-headed Vireo was heard at Pont- Rouge 5 Apr (L. Roy, A. Dery). A Purple Mar- tin at Rimouski 28 May made one of very few sightings in the Lower St. Lawrence in recent decades (R. Pelletier, R. Fortin). A Barn Swal- low at Dundee 18 Mar was record early (P Laniel). Singing Carolina Wrens were report- ed in above-average numbers at the onset of their breeding season, including nearly a dozen in the Upper Richelieu valley (MG, D. Ouellette). A House Wren at Matapedia 17- 19 May furnished surprisingly only the 3rd record for the Gaspe Pen. (C. Pitre, G. Gal- lant). A few singing Marsh Wrens were al- ready on territory at Sabrevois 13 Apr, a record-early date (GE, MG). Five Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were reported, the farthest e. being at Val d’Espoir 23-25 May (G. Roussy C. Bourget). A Townsend’s Solitaire at Neuville 4 Apr provided a rare spring record for this species (RD, FD). Excluding birds on known breed- ing sites, single Blue-winged Warblers were seen at Chateauguay 13 May (P Geoffrion) and at Neuville 14-18 May (RD, FD). Up to 3 Golden-winged Warblers were at Venosta, Outaouais 18 May (D. Dallaire, RL. Dubois). Providing yet another provincial record early date and 2nd for Gaspesie was a Yellow- throated Warbler at Chandler 4 May QR- Lepage). A male Prothonotary Warbler paused at ile des Soeurs 23 May (ph. PB, m. ob.). A leaf-rustling Worm-eating Warbler was at Cap Tourmente 14-16 May (N. Bradette et al., ph.). Silent Kentucky War- blers were sighted at Chateauguay 17 May (M. Ouellet, J. & Murielle Gauthier) and at Cap Tourmente 19 May (P. Nadeau et a!.). A singing male Connecticut Warbler comple- mented the Prothonotary at lie des Soeurs 23 May (PB). A male Hooded Warbler was at Summit Park, Montreal 11-12 May (S. Wees et al., ph.). Multiple records of Summer Tan- ager were obtained for a 4th consecutive spring, with males at Macamic 5-13 May (ph. R. Plante), Quebec City 9 May Q- Lachance), and Mount- Royal Park 17 May (C. Robert, M. Faribeau). SPARROWS THROUGH FINCHES Up to 7 Clay-colored Sparrows were singing at Guigues, Temiscamingue 30 May QF)- Eight other Clay-colored Sparrows were reported elsewhere throughout the Region. Spring records of Lark Sparrow are far less frequent than fall reports, yet they still nearly always come from the e. half of the Region, such as the one at Matane 5 May 0- Durette). Harris’s Sparrows were photographed at Saint-Donat- de-Montcalm, Lanaudiere 7-8 May (ph. P. Martin) and Val d’Or 17-18 May (C. Siano, R. Ladurantaye). An overshooting Indigo 390 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS QUEBEC Bunting was at Gaspe 9-10 Apr (ph. G. Mul- lyn). A male Yellow-headed Blackbird stopped by Sainte-Felicite, Bas-St-Laurent 20 May 0- Deschenes). An Eastern Meadowlark was far nw. of its range at D’Alembert, Abitibi 22 Apr QG, MS). First-year male Orchard Ori- oles were seen at ile de la Visitation, Montreal 17 May Q- Coutu) and at Chicoutimi 18 May (J. Allaire, jide GS), and a nesting pair was at Godmanchester 26 May+ (M. Boisvert, m. ob.). A record-early Baltimore Oriole came to a feeding station with orange halves at Gentil- ly 10 Apr (M. Tousignant, fide R. Barbeau). For the 2nd straight spring, Common Chaffinches were seen, almost certainly es- capees: singles were at Belcourt, Abitibi 9 Apr (H. Saint-Pierre) and Lac-Superieur, Lauren- tides 10-11 Apr Q- Laporte, V. Girard-La- porte). At least 8 European Goldfinches were reported, including birds of the subspecies caniceps at Les Escoumins 14 Apr (Y. Demers, fide S. Belleau), La Baie 18-30 Apr (M. Trem- blay, S. Tremblay), and at La Dore 23 May Q- Guay). A Desert Finch flew the coop and end- ed up at Grande-Riviere, Gaspe Pen. 6-8 Apr (ph. R. & L. Imbeau). Contributors (subregional editors in bold- face): Claude Auchu, Pierre Bannon (Mon- treal), Bob Barnhurst, Alain Beauchamp (Beauce-Appalaches), Frangois Dion, Roger Dion, Claire Douville (Lower-St. Lawrence), Gilles Ethier, Jonathan Erechette, Jonathan Gagnon, Marcel Gauthier, Christine Girard, According to a local weather guru, “March was the wettest on record in much of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. The remainder of New England featured above-average precipitation as well. Temperatures were warmer than usu- al, with near-record conditions in some areas. April was the hottest ever across most of Con- necticut, Rhode Island, and Maine, with the remaining states exceptionally warm as well. This fueled explosive plant growth after the copious amounts of March rain. April precip- itation levels varied from near normal to much below average. For the most part. May precipitation was a bit below average. The temperature continued on the warm side, be- ing much above average across New England. The March through May period was one of if not the hottest on record in many New Eng- land localities” (S. Kruitbosch). The warm March temperatures, peaking early and again at mid-month, were the result of strong southwesterly flows. The tempera- ture jump-start resulted in early leaf-out and early insect hatches. Southern Maine was snow-free in the coastal plain by mid-March. An observer noted that the woodlands in southern New England looked like mid-June rather than mid-May. With these warmer tem- peratures came reports of fallouts and early dates for spring migrants. Major movements of birds in terms of numbers and numbers of species include 2-5 April and 30 April-2 May in Connecticut, mid-May, especially 14 May, in Massachusetts, and 2 and 1 1 May in Maine. Early and greater-than-usual numbers of Blackpoll Warblers in southern New England provided odd mixtures in migrant warbler waves. One observer noted that he had as many (or more) Blackpolls as Yellow-mmped Warblers in an early May encounter. Like- wise, a record-early date for Flooded Warbler in Connecticut was likely related to this weather pattern, and Mourning Warblers were both early and plentiful. Abbreviations: Plum 1. (Newburyport, New- bury, Rowley, Ipswich, including Parker River N.W.R., Essex, MA); Tuckernuck (Tuckernuck L, Nantucket, MA). WATERFOWL Greater White-fronted Geese were reported in lower-than-average numbers, with 3 in Mas- sachusetts and New Hampshire and 2 in Con- necticut. The Connecticut birds were appar- ently of the subspecies Jlavirostris. A Barnacle Louis Imbeau (Abitibi), Francine Lachance, Mabel McIntosh, Renaud Pintiaux, Pierre Poulin (Gaspesie), Alain Richard (Magdalen Is.), Olivier Barden (Quebec City), Germain Savard (Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean), Marion Seguy, Daniel Toussaint (Outaouais), Sylvie Vanier. ^ Pierre Bannon, 1517 Leprohon Montreal, Quebec H4E 1P1, (pbannon@vicleotron.ca) Olivier Barden, 955 Lienard, Apt. 5 Quebec, Quebec G1 V 2W6, (iridosornis@gmail.com) Normand David, 0385A rue Clark, Montreal Quebec H3L 2S3, (normanddavid@videotron.ca) Samuel Denault, 75 Beauchemin Saint-Basile-le-Grand, Quebec J3N 1J6 (samuel.denault@videotron.ca) New England | Goose continued from Feb at South Egre- mont, MA through 8 Mar (fide MR). Only 5 Cackling Geese were reported, and one won- ders if this species goes unmentioned by ob- servers, as Cacklings are increasingly a regu- lar part of migrant Canada Goose flocks. It is worth the effort to report and document these taxa, not least so that we can clarify which subspecies are involved. Two unbanded ad. Trumpeter Swans were located at a small, suburban pond in Stratford, CT 28 Mar-1 Apr (BW, m.ob., ph. FM). Abundant research was done on the reintroduced populations in the Midwest, and subsequent records from around the East were compiled, but no con- clusion could be reached that supports these birds for inclusion on the official state list. The only Tundra Swans reported were 2 on Nantucket 10 Mar (VL). The early ice-out and favorable migration conditions through the period allowed for dabbling ducks to be reported in seasonally normal numbers. Highlights included up to 4 Eurasian Wigeons in Rhode Island and up to 5 in the Bay State. Seven Eurasian Teal were noted: with one in Connecticut, one in New Hampshire, and at least 5 in Massachusetts. In Maine, a Eurasian Teal x Green-winged Teal intergrade was at Scarborough Marsh 4 May (DL, SK, ph.). This is the 2nd year in a row that this cross has shown up in Maine. Diving ducks were likewise in seasonally nor- mal numbers along the coast, whereas inland reports were few, again likely the result of good migration weather and early thaw. Two Tufted Ducks were reported this season. After disappearing in Jan, a male was relocated on 9 Mar at East Providence Res., R1 (EL). On 1 1 VQLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 391 NEW ENGLAND These two Trumpeter Swans frequented a small suburban pond in Stratford, Connecticut 28 (here 31) March-1 April 2010. The species is not on the state's official bird list be- cause of uncertainty as to their provenance. Photograph by Frank Mantlik. This dark-morph Western Red-tailed Hawk was photographed lOMach 2010fromThe Merritt Parkway in Wilton, Connecticut and provided rare documentation of the subspecies calurus in New England. Photograph by Patrick Comins. This Eurasian Teal x Green-winged Teal intergrade was photographed on 4 May 2010 at Scarborough Marsh, Maine. This is the second year in a row that this cross has shown up in the state. Photograph by Derek Lovitch. Increasingly recorded in the Northeast, two White-faced Ibis were well photographed on 10 May 2010 at Rowley, Massachusetts. Photograph by Phil Brown. Mar, the bird claimed dual citizenship, as it moved across state line to the Massachusetts side of the lake (ph. MBo); it was observed sporadically in both states until 16 Mar. An- other male in Wayland, MA was seen 14-21 Mar OH, m.ob.). Up to 5 King Eiders were report- ed from the reliable shores of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. In Rhode Island, one was at Jamestown 2 Mar (PP et al.), and a male was at Newport 1-12 Apr (BH), Massachu- setts King Eiders included a male at Bourne/Sandwich 1 Mar-17 Apr, a male at Gloucester 7 Mar (ID), and an imm. male at Plum I. 18 Apr (SG). Harlequin Ducks were well reported from the Massachusetts coast and in Rhode Island; a maximum count of 63 was noted 2 Mar at Sachuest Point N.W.R., Middletown (BE). The drake Harlequin Duck well inland on the Earmington River in Earmington, CT continued until at least 1 Mar (SJ et al.). In Connecticut, 2 Barrow’s Gold- eneyes were noteworthy, after several winter seasons without reports of the species. Mergansers of all three species were well reported. Eive thousand Common Mergansers at L. Waramaug, New Preston, CT 15 Mar (RBe) and 10 Red-breasted Mergansers off the Char- lotte Town beach, L. Champlain, VT 3 Apr (TM) were both counts of interest. A Ruddy Shelduck was found with Canada Geese in a farm held in Shel- burne, VT 30 May. Although there are records of the species from Nunavut and Greenland, apparently of wild birds, this species is widely kept in captivity, and one as- sumes that this record pertains to an enter- prising escapee. LOONS THROUGH IBISES At the coast and offshore, loons were well re- ported, with a high count of 260 Red-throat- eds from Truro, MA 22 Apr (BN). A total of 6 Pacihc Loons for the period is as much a tes- tament to increasing birder confidence in identifying the species as it is to the increase in the species along the coast. Three were report- ed from Rhode Island: 2 off Block I. 1 Mar (TMa) and one in Rhode Island waters during a pelagic trip 13 Apr (BH); what may have been the same bird was seen during a similar pelagic excursion 20 Apr (BH). Massachusetts birders logged 2 Pacifies off Provincetown 21 Mar (BN) and another from approximately the same location 11 Apr (ME). Pied-billed Grebe was reported in low numbers from throughout the Region. Horned Grebes were widely ob- served, with numbers peaking off Massachu- setts during the first week of Apr. Away from the coast, 14 Horned Grebes were seen at Charlotte Town beach, L. Champlain, VT 6 Mar, plus 2 more at the same location 3 Apr (TM). A report of 169 Red-necked Grebes off Winthrop, MA 1 Apr (RHS) was noteworthy. Andrew’s Pt. in Rockport, MA produced 4 Northern Fulmars 14 Mar (BH). A maximum of 12 Manx Shearwaters was counted from Re- vere Beach, MA during the period 2-30 Apr (fide MR); the 2 found on the first date repre- sent the earliest record ever for the state. A Leach’s Storm-Petrel was reported off New Hampshire 23 May (LK, JL et al.). For the 6th year in a row, a Red-billed Tropiebird re- turned to Seal Island N.W.R., ME 21 May+ (MK). Good counts of Northern Gannet dur- ing the period include 82 sw. of Block I., R1 19 Mar (fide RE) and a spectacular 1920 from North Truro, MA 11 Apr (BN). A high count 392 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS NEW ENGLAND One of two Wilson's Plovers in New England this spring, this bird was at Nantucket, Mas sachusetts on the record-early date of 28 March 201 0; it remained for two more days. Photograph by Vernon Laux. r A White-faced Ibis is still making news in the Northeast. Three birds were reported this spring. An ad. was pho- 3Mtographed at Scarborough Marsh, ME 19 Apr (DL, IS, MO, JBn, ph.). Two different White-faced ibis, distinguished by the amount of white on the face, were located at Rowley, MA 10 May (BM, J8, PB). Identifying Plegadis ibis can be difficult: the literature has limited details on variation in plumages and on molts, and most critical field marks are age-related. Soft tissue coloration is somewhat better as a field mark, but there is variation here as well. Potential hybrids between Glossy and White-faced complicate matters further. An ad. White-faced ibis in a colony of Glossy Ibis in Manchester, MA in spring 2009 points to the possibility of local hybridization— and should serve as a caution to observers identifying and documenting Piegadis in the Region. and Rhode Island each recorded 2 birds, and the 5 in Connecticut consti- tuted a very high count by recent Nutmeg State stan- dards. VULTURES THROUGH RAPTORS Away from their Con- necticut stronghold, re- ports of Black Vulture came from Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Three Black Vultures were at a roost at the Carolina Li- brary, Charlestown, RI 17 Mar (TMc), and another was at Tiverton, Rl 18 Apr (GD). Massachu- setts tallied 53 Black Vultures, with the high- est count being 32 at Sheffield 20 Apr (ML). Ospreys have been noted nesting inland with increasing frequency, a very rare event even a decade ago in Connecticut. Many of these nestings occur near river systems and large reservoirs in the e. part of the state. Always startling in New England, 4 Swallow-tailed Kites were documented this spring. In Rhode Island, one was photographed flying north- ward at Succotash Marsh, Jerusalem 7 Apr (ph. R. Weaver); singles at Barrington 17 (VB) & 24 Apr (ES) were apparently dif- ferent individuals. One also visited Rehobeth, MA 29 Apr (KB). Eor at least the 3rd year in a row, Mississip- pi Kites have been observed in May in the vicinity of Great Pond, Sims- bury, CT (EG), near the site of the previous two nestings in the state. Later in the season and into the sum- mer, breeding was again confirmed. Two ads. were noted flying nearly in tandem over Barrington Land Trust Property near Hundred Acre Cove, Barrington, Rl 24 May (RM). At Kensington, NH, a Mississippi Kite was recorded 6 May (GG, RA, MBt et al). There were nine reports of Bald Eagle totaling 109 individuals this season. Eorty along the shores of L. Champlain in Addison 13 Mar (TM, This first-summer Wilson's Plover was photographed at Reid State Park, Georgetown, Maine 18-22 (here 20) May 2010. Photograph by Derek Lovitcb. of 1130 Double-crested Cormorants came from Duxbury Beach, MA 18 Apr (RB). A Least Bittern was found 21 May at the mouth of Charcoal Cr., Swanton, VT (TM, RPa). All of the other regularly occurring long-legged waders were present and accounted for in the Region by the hrst week of Apr, with many species arrived by the middle of Mar, Note- worthy was a Tricolored Heron at Ninegret Pond, Charlestown, RI on the record-early date of 19 Mar (ph. PL). The previous early ar- rival date was 4 Apr. There were nine reports of Cattle Egret in the Region. Massachusetts JG) apparently made a record high count for Vermont. Thirteen passed the hawkwatch at Barre Tails, MA 11-30 Apr (BK, Jide MR). The Bradbury Mountain Hawkwatch, Bradbury Mountain S.P., Pownal, ME had a record total of 4474 raptors for the season. The highest daily count came 21 Apr, when 593 raptors, 397 of which were Broad-winged Hawks, passed the site (DL, LL). Two different dark- morph Western Red-tailed Hawks (subspecies calurus) were critically studied by multiple observers in Connecticut. One was seen through 16 Mar at various points along Rte. 691 in the towns of Meriden and Cheshire (PDu, PC); the other was noted and pho- tographed 10 Mar along the Merritt Parkway (Rte. 15) in Wilton (ph. PC). Occasional “dark” Red-tailed Hawks are reported in New England, usually with unsatisfactory details, making assessment of the reports difficult or impossible. Two Merlins were noted in Ban- gor, ME 21 Mar+ QW). RAILS THROUGH ALCIDS The only King Rail of the season was one in N. Truro, MA 22 Apr, and a Clapper/King Rail was noted in Harwichport, MA 21-22 Apr (both BN). A Purple Gallinule was found during the Birdathon 15 May — a bird perched in a Norway Maple in Gloucester, MA, eating winter moth caterpillars (SM, JM) — and pres- ent through 23 May. On 26 May, another (?) Purple Gallinule was found on Great Pond in Eastham. Both birds were photographed. Un- common in Connecticut, a Common Moorhen was at Hart Pond, Cornwall 22 May (EZ). Simon Perkins put it well in last spring’s regional report when he noted the difficulty in assessing numbers and status of Sandhill Cranes seen in New England. This species is rapidly becoming a regular feature in all six This Western Willet, present at Stratford, Connecticut since the winter 2009-201 0 season, continued at least through late April 201 0 (here 1 7 March). Photograph by Mark Szantyr. VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 393 NEW ENGLAND In the East and Midwest, Cave Swallows are much less expected in the spring season than in the fall. This bird was pho- tographed at Capaum Pond, Nantucket, Massachusetts on 13 May 2010. Photograph by Vernon Laux. A Mew Gull of the nominate subspecies was an excellent find at Exeter, New Hampshire 2 March 2010 and provided the first documentation of the species for the state. Photo- graph by Len Medlock. states. There were 1 1 reported this season. In Massachusetts, 2 were at New Marlboro 20 Mar (ML), one was photographed at Plum I. 2 Apr (Py FV), and one was at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary 10 Apr (SMo). In New Hampshire, one was at Keene 25 Apr (DA). Rhode Island counted 2 at Block I. 2 Apr (KG) and one at Tiverton 13 Apr (CR, CB). Connecti- cut added 3 more to the seasons tally. Two Wilson’s Plovers spiced up the spring shorebird migration. The first was found on Nan- tucket T, MA on the record-early date of 28-30 Mar (ER, TP, ph.); next, a first-summer bird was photographed at Reid S.R, Georgetown, ME 18-22 May (DL). An American Oystercatcher at Sea- brook, NH 21 May (AL, JWi) was noteworthy. A Solitary Sandpiper was discovered on the very early date of 2 Apr at Lit- tle Pond, Litchfield, CT QMa). The Western Wil- let at Stratford, CT from the winter season contin- ued at least into late Apr (ph. MS). Other interest- ing Willet reports includ- ed one at Brilyea Access, Dead Creek W.M.A., VT 28 May (TM) and a northerly bird at Eastern Promenade, Port- land, ME on the early date of 18 Apr (sub- species not determined; DL). Out of 11 Up- land sandpiper reports, 3 birds at Kennebunk Plain, Kennebunk ME 28 May constituted a notably low number from this well-known lo- cation for the species (DL). An Upland Sand- piper at Little Compton 19 Apr provided an uncommon Rhode Island occurrence, espe- cially so in the spring (GD). A Marbled God- wit at Napatree Pt., RI 23 May (RD) was the only report of the season. At Little Compton, a Pectoral Sandpiper 18-21 Mar (GD) tied the state’s 2nd earliest record for the species. A good count for so late in the season, 45 Purple Sandpipers were still at Reid S.R, Georgetown, ME 20 May (DL). Phalarope reports this spring include a Wilson’s Phalarope at Hun- dred Acres Cove, Barrington, RI (PM) and 6 Red-necked Phalaropes on a Rhode Island pelagic 17 May (BH). Rare anywhere in Connecticut waters, a Black-legged Kittiwake outside of Norwalk Harbor 14 Mar QWa) was especially unusual so far w. in Long Island Sound. Eight Black- headed Gulls for the season in Connecticut was high by recent tallies; Rhode Island added 4 more to the Regional total. A Mew Gull of the nominate subspecies was a first pho- tographed in New Hampshire at Exeter 2 Mar (ph. SM et al.). The Massachusetts Depart- ment of Conservation and Recreation has been banding and wing-tagging Ring-billed Gulls at Quabbin Res. and Wachuset Res. for several seasons, and birds sporting these tags were reported throughout New England dur- ing the spring season. The season provided 39 reports of Lesser Black-Backed Gull for the Region, not including several from Connecti- cut that did not reach the state’s seasonal edi- tor. Highlights included 3 ads. at Oven Bay, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation has been banding and wing-tagging Ring-billed Gulls at Quabbin and Wachuset Reservoirs for several seasons, and birds sporting these tags were seen throughout New England during the spring 201 0 season. This one was at West Haven, Connecticut"s Town Dock 1 8 March 201 0. Photograph by Mark Szantyr. Three Lesser Black-backed Gulls along the shore of Lake Champlain, Vermont 1 1 March 2010 were notable away from the species' coastal strongholds in New England. Photo- graph by Ted Murin. 394 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS NEW ENGLAND Addison, VT (DC, TM) and remarkable numbers from Nantucket, where 16 were tallied 14 Mar and 25 on 11 Apr (KBl). Eleven Caspian Terns were reported during the season, with 4 at Beaver- tail S.P., Jamestown, RI 5 May the largest group. Forty-eight Black Terns were counted at the mouth of Charcoal Cr., Swanton, VT 21 May (TM, RPa, KA); 2 more from Spofford L., NH, one on 8 May and one on 14 May (EM), were the only other reports. Two Roseate Terns were seen at Mattapoisett, MA 26 Apr (CM). An Arctic Tern at Charlestown, NH 19 May (EM) is part of a pattern of reports from along the Connecticut R. after the passage of appropriate weather. Two Royal Terns were reported this season, one at Hampton, NH 10 Apr (BG, LK, JL, LM, JO et al.) and one at Block I., Rl 20 May (DF). The tern highlight of the season was a Sandwich Tern found at Plum 1., MA 23 May (BM,JN). A Pomarine Jaeger at Little Compton, RI 23 May (BH) made the only jaeger report this season. A Dovekie pho- tographed near Great Pt. on Nantucket I., MA 22 Apr furnished a late date for the species (SM, ER, TP). Once again this year, cod-fishing boats sw. of Block I., RI provided good alcid numbers, with up to 8 Dovekies, 5 Com- mon Murres, and 46 Razorbills noted 6 & 19 Mar. Pelagic trips out of Rhode Island 15 & 22 Apr turned up what was probably the same Atlantic Puffin on both trips (BH). DOVES THROUGH WAXWINGS A single White-winged Dove, on Monhegan I., ME 20 May (GD), was the only one reported this season — down from last spring’s high count of 3. A Yellow-billed Cuckoo found freshly dead at Salisbury, MA 28 Mar provided the earliest record ever in Massachusetts and probably in New England. Strong southwesterly winds and nearly record-high temperatures in late Mar were undoubtedly factors in this and several other record-early ar- rivals. Two Snowy Owls were at Plum 1. 1 Mar-28 Apr (B.O.), 3 at Logan Airport, Boston MA 12 Mar, and one still there 28 Apr (NS). Long-eared Owls are regular but extremely secretive nesters in New England. One at Biddeford Pool, Biddeford ME 19 Apr left enough pellet evidence to suggest it had spent part of the winter there (DL, LS, MO, JBn). In Connecticut, one was heard in Chaplin 8 Apr (PR), and a possible nesting pair was located during a Big Day run 23 May in the Connecticut River Valley (EG et al.). A Chuck-will’s widow was found injured 11 May at Little Compton, RI (CR) after apparently flying into a fence. It was brought into rehabilitation and was released two weeks later. Up to 12 Red-headed Woodpeckers were found in New England this spring. One bird attended a feeder in Hines- burg, VT 7 May (DH). An ad. was seen in Hopkinton, RI 12 Apr (SA); an- other was seen caching food in a Westerly, Rl yard 21 Apr (HP) and was thought to be nesting across a nearby river in Connecticut. In Massachu- setts, up to 3 were seen in Dracut 1-21 Mar, and 2 were still present 9 May (A. Gaudet et al.); elsewhere, one was at Acton 4 Apr-21 May (MRo et al), an ad. at Petersham 4 Apr (ML), one in Deerfield 12-31 May OPS), and an- other at Oxbow N.W.R. 15 May (GB). North of Massachusetts, Red-bellied Woodpecker becomes uncommon, so up to 5 reported from Vermont this season is noteworthy (TM). An Eastern Wood-Pewee on the early date of 2 May in Connecticut (fide GH), part of a fallout of early migrants, was remarkable. Notable Empidon- ax sightings included an Acadian Flycatcher at N. Hampton, NH 23 May (SM, JM, SC, JL, LK) and extremely early Willow Flycatchers in Connecti- cut 2, 7, & 8 May. The 2 May date is record early (fide GH). Two Scissor- tailed Flycatchers were noted: one at the Barre Falls Dam Hawkwatch in Hubbardstown, MA 1 May (ML), the other in N. Conway, NH 18 May (LT). White-eyed Vireos were widely reported across the Region and established or approached early arrival dates in many locations. Eleven were reported in Massachusetts beginning on the early date of 31 Mar in Yarmouthport (PCr); one was found at N. Kingston, RI 3 Apr (RM); one was at Madison, CT 5 Apr (JC); and New Hampshire recorded 3 birds 14 Apr-12 May (fide PH). A dead Yellow-throated Vireo was found in the wrack line at Race Pt., The Sage Thrasher present at Salisbury Beach State Reservation, Salisbury, Massachu- setts, first found during the winter 2009-2010 season, reappeared 27 and 28 (here) March 2010. Photograph by Ian Davies. In Falmouth, Maine, a Lark Sparrow was a remarkable find on 25 March 2010. Photo- graph by Derek Lovitch. This Sedge Wren was present 24-29 (here 28) May 2010 at Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanc- tuary, Marshfield, Massachusetts, where it was seen by many observers. Photograph by Jeremiah Trimble. VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 395 NEW ENGLAND Provincetown MA on the astounding date of 31 Mar — some 21 days earlier than the previ- ous early date for this species. This bird was undoubtedly the product of the same weather system that deposited the aforementioned Yel- low-billed Cuckoo in the Bay State. The earli- est Blue-headed Vireo reported this spring was at Bloomheld, CT 5 Apr (PD). A Philadelphia Vireo noted 10 May at Forest Hills Cemetery, MA QM) was a bit early. Five records of Fish Crow in Vermont (between one and 4 birds per record) provided continued evidence of northward expansion (fide TM). Two Cave Swallows were documented in Massachusetts, one at Capaum Pond, Nan- tucket 1. 13 May (VL), the other in Hyannis Harbor 15 May (PT). It is difficult to ascribe these sightings to a particular subspecies, even with good photographs. A Carolina Wren at Grand Isle Town in nw. Vermont was observed building a nest 10-12 Mar and fledg- ing young 30 Apr; this was the earliest nest reported from Vermont this season. A Sedge Wren initially reported 24 May at Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary, Marshfield, MA continued at least through 29 May and was seen by many (B.O.). Another early record, a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher turned up at W. Rox- bury, MA 7 Apr (MB), tying the 2nd earliest arrival date for the Bay State. Early Cathanis thrush reports included a Swainson’s Thrush 2-3 May and a Gray-cheeked Thrush 10 May, both in Connecticut (GH), the latter especial- ly early. First found during the winter at Sal- isbury Beach State Reservation, Salisbury, MA, the Sage Thrasher reappeared there 27-28 Mar (SS,JS, ID, EN). WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES Warblers made up a large part of the early fallouts of Neotropical migrants this season, notably both for early dates and for high counts in some cases. Across the Region, peak numbers were recorded 2-5 Apr, 30 Apr-5 May, and then again in mid-May. A Blue-winged Warbler at Biddeford, ME 7 May (DL) stayed through the season. A Golden- winged Warbler at Trustom Pond N.W.R., S. Kingston, R1 22 May (KRo) was noteworthy, as the species continues its decline in the Re- gion. Three Orange-crowned Warblers were found this season, one in Rhode Island (RF) and 2 in Massachusetts (B.O.). Thought to be declining recently, a Tennessee Warbler at New Gloucester, ME 2 May (DL) was the only one seen in migration by a very active birder. A Northern Parula was in Biddeford Pool, Maine on the very early date of 13 Apr (DL). An early Cape May Warbler was in Connecticut 1 May (GH), and 4 were count- ed in Rhode Island 5-17 May (fide RF). Wide- ly reported through the period, high counts of Yellow-rumped Warblers included 80 at Provincetown, MA 21 Apr (BN) and 115 at Medford, MA 26 Apr (MR). Six Yellow- throated Warblers were reported, including: one at Newport, RI 5 May (WM) and anoth- er there 16 May QKo); a singing male on ter- ritory for its 3rd season in Pachaug S.E, Vol- untown, CT 24 Apr+ (RD); one at Tufton- boro, NH 1 May (LR et ah); and one at Con- way, NH 21 May (TF). Blackpoll Warblers arrived in New England in large numbers at least two weeks earlier than normal. A Connecticut birder reported more Blackpolls than Yellow-rumped War- blers in a migrant flock in the first week of May. Connecticut recorded its first Blackpoll of the season 1 May (GH), and Farrell notes that the species was reported across Rhode Is- land on 1 May as well. In annual daily surveys in May at Swan Point Cemetery, Farrell has recorded peak Blackpoll numbers for several years, and this seasons peak on 10 May was 15 days earlier than the peak number in 1980. A fallout on Block L, RI 21 May produced 68 Blackpolls (DF). A singing Cerulean Warbler at Snake Mt., Bridport, VT 30 May was an ex- citing find (TM, CP). Single Prothonotary Warblers were found at Eastham, MA 31 Mar-3 Apr (ph. J. Blake), Newport, RI 1-4 May (m.oh., fide RF), and Block L, RI 6 May (ST et ah). A Worm-eating Warbler at Hamp- ton, NH 14 May (SM, LM, DD, TD, JL) was noteworthy. It was a very good spring for Mourning Warblers, especially in Connecti- cut. Twenty-five reports from the Nutmeg State nearly doubled the high spring tallies of the previous four years. The earliest report came 10 May, with four more reports by 15 May (GH). A single bird was reported from Rhode Island from Newport 16 May (m.ob., fide RF). Hooded Warblers arrived early in the Region, with notable birds being singles at Nahant, MA 18-20 Apr (RHS), at Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, MA 21-25 Apr (]K et ah), at Jericho, VT 22 May (TM), and a record-early bird, for Connecticut, at Madi- son 3-8 Apr (RP). Five Summer Tanagers were spotted in the Region this spring, 2 in Connecticut (fide GH) and 3 in Rhode Island (fide RF). Western Tanagers are being reported in New England during the spring and summer seasons with increasing frequency. This year, an undocu- mented bird was reported from Nantucket I., MA 15 May (SL). Ever on the increase, 6 Clay-colored Sparrows made a good count for the spring season. A Lark Sparrow was a spring rarity at Falmouth, ME 25 Mar (DL, JL). The long-staying Fox Sparrow, either of the Sooty group or of the subspecies/type alti - vagans (or something in between), was re- ported at the feeder in Barrington, NH at least through 20 Mar (PH). Connecticut and Rhode Island each tallied 3 Blue Grosbeaks this season, about average for the Region. The only Dickcissel report came from Newport, RI 4 May (m.ob., fide RF). A Yellow-headed Blackbird was seen in Greenland, NH 25 Mar (PB). The Common Chaffinch, likely a young male of the European subspecies, continued at a feeder in Waltham, MA through 15 Mar OF); analysis of collected feathers has not yet occurred. Mark S. Szantyr, 80 Bicknell Road #9 Ashford, Connecticut 06278, (Birddog55@charter.net) Contributors (subregional compilers in bold- face): R. Aaronian, D. Adam, S. Adams, A.R.C.C. (A.R.C. of Connecticut), K. Archer, Audubon Society of New Hampshire (A.S.N.H.), M. Barber (MB), K. Bartels, J. Bean OBrt). R- Belding (RBe), J. Berry QB; Massachusetts), G. Billington, Bird Observer (B.O.), K. Blackshaw (KBl), R. Bowes (RB), M. Bornstein (MBo), M. Bott (MBt), C. Brown, P Brown, V Brown, D. Cargill, S. Carl- son, R Comins (PC),J. Connelly, P Crosson (PCr), 1. Davies, G. Dennis, P. Desjardins (PD), R. Dewire, D. Donsker, T. Donsker, P. Dugan (PDu), P. LEtoile, M. Faherty, R. Far- rell (Rhode Island), T. Federer, D. Finizia, J. Forbes, K. Gaffert, J. Gaines, E Gallo, G. Garutis, Jr, B. Griffith, S. Grinley, G. Hanisek (Connecticut), B. Harris, J. Hines, D. Hirth, E Hunt (New Hampshire), M. J. Iliff, S. John- ston, J. Kalman 0K).J- Koger QKo). S- Kolbe, M. Klostermann, L. Kras, J. Lambert, S. Langer, A. Larrapino, B. Larson, V. Laux, E. LoPresti, D. Lovitch (Maine) L. Lovitch, T. Lloyd-Evans, M. Lynch, T. Magarian (TMa), Maine Audubon Rare Bird Alert (M.A.R.B.A.), E Mantlik, R. Marr, M. A.R.C. (Massachusetts A. R.C.), J. Marshall Massbird (list- serve), E. Masterson, P. McCalmont, T. McLeish (TMc), L. Medlock, J. Miller, R. Miller, J. Mirick, S. Mirick, S. Mohammadi (SMo), C. Mostello, W. Munns, T. Murin (Vermont), B. Murphy, E. Neilsen, J. Nelson, B. Nikula,J. O’Shaunessey, M. Oyler, R. Park (RPa), T. Pastuszak, P. Paton, S. Perkins, H. Perry, C. Provost, R. Prum (RP), C. Raithel, E. Ray, K. Rosenblad, M. Rines (Massachusetts), M. Rosenstein (MRo), L. Route, E Rusch, J. Saperia, L. Seitz, S. Selesky, J. P Smith, N. Smith, E. Starring, R. H. Stymeist (Massachu- setts), M. Szantyr, L. Thurston, J. Trimble, P. Trimble, S. Tsagarakis, F. Vale (Massachu- setts), E Vale, J. Wagenblatt QWa), R. Weaver, J. Webb QW), B. Webster, J. Wilschek OWi), E Zygmont, 1$ 396 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS Richard R. Veit Robert O. Paxton Frank Rohrbacher Spring 2010 was very warm; March had heavy rain — twice the average in coastal New York — and much less snow than usual upstate. April and May were dry by comparison but still much warmer than aver- age. Virtually all reporting regions empha- sized the accelerated rate of leaf-out and flow- ering of many trees and shrubs. Contributors from across the Region commented on the volume and diversity of migrants passing through: “the best spring migration in years,” was heard from many quarters. Virtually all landbirds arrived ahead of schedule; only the earliest of the early are included in the fol- lowing report. Especially large waves of mi- grants appeared on 30 April and 15 May. Abbreviations: Amherst (Amherst S.R, Amherst, Erie, NY); Avalon (Avalon Seawatch, Avalon, Cape May, NJ); Batavia (Batavia W.T.P., Genesee, NY); Braddock Bay (Braddock Bay B.O., Rochester, NY); Brigantine (Forsyth N.W.R., Atlantic, NJ); Bombay Hook (Bombay Hook N.W.R., Kent, DE); Captree (Captree S.R, Suffolk, NY); Chazy (Chazy R. mouth, Clinton, NY); Democrat Ft. (Fire Island Inlet, s. shore of Long L, NY); Derby Hill (Derby Hill Hawk- watch, Oswego, NY); Hamburg (Hamburg Hawkwatch, near Buffalo, NY); Hamlin Beach (Hamlin Beach S.R, near Rochester, NY); Heislerville (Heislerville W.M.A., Cumberland, NJ), Howland 1. (Howland Island W.M.A., Cayuga, NY); Iroquois (Iroquois N.W.R., Gene- see/Orleans, NY) Jamaica Bay Oantaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Gateway National Park, New York City); Jones Beach Oones Beach S.R, s. shore of Long L, NY); Moriches (Moriches Bay and Inlet, Suffolk, Long L, NY); Little Creek, (Little Creek W.M.A., Kent, DE); Mannington (Mannington Marsh, Salem, NJ); Montauk (Montauk Pt., Suffolk, Long I., NY); Montezu- Hudson-Delaware '3 □ ma (Montezuma N.W.R., Seneca, NY); Palmyra Cove (Burlington, NJ); Pike’s Beach (Moriches Bay, Suffolk, Long I., NY), Prime Hook (Prime Hook N.W.R., Sussex, DE); Riis Qacob Riis Park, Queens, New York City); Ripley (Ripley Hawkwatch, Chautauqua, NY); Robert Moses S.R (on Fire L, Suffolk, Long I., NY); Sagaponack (Sagaponack Pond, Bridgehamp- ton, Long I., NY); Sandy Hook (Sandy Hook Unit/Gateway National Recreation Area, Mon- mouth, NJ); South Cape May Meadows (William C. and Jane D. Blair Cape May Migra- tory Bird Refuge, Cape May, NJ); Shinnecock (Shinnecock Bay and Inlet, Suffolk, Long 1., NY); Ted Harvey (Ted Harvey C.A./Logan Lane Tract, Kent, DE); Tonawanda (Tonawanda W.M.A., Genesee and Niagara, NY). WATERFOWL THROUGH PELICANS Five Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks at Brew- erton, Onondaga, NY 31 May (Jim Vrooman, BPu) presaged an irruption during the sum- mer to the Northeast of this continually ex- panding species. A rather high Regional total of 18 Greater White-fronted Geese included 7 at Royalton, Niagara, NY 7 Apr (Bill Broder- ick), 5 at Iroquois 19 Mar (David Wheeler), 4 imms. wintering at Easthampton, Suffolk, Long 1. until 3 Mar (HM et al.), one at Chazy 14 Apr (JO; first county record), and one at Spruce Run Res., Hunterdon, NJ 11-12 May (FS). The maxima for Snow Geese were 150,000 at Merrill Creek Res., Warren, NJ 10-15 Mar (TV) and 77,500 over Derby Hill 14 Mar (BPu et al.). There were at least 2 and probably 4 Black Brant in the vicinity of Staten I. and n. New Jersey in Mar (RRV, LM, SW et al); a brant at Long Branch, Monmouth, NJ 25 Apr (TBo) was dis- tinctly paler and was either Black or perhaps a so-called Gray-bellied Brant. Three Barnacle Geese were seen: one at Sunken Meadow S.R, Suffolk, Long I. 2 Mar (Norm Klein), one at Iroquois 17-21 Mar (PY et al.), and another (or per- haps the Iroquois bird) at Hartland, Niagara, NY 27 Mar (WD’A). Eighty-one Cackling Geese at Oak Orchard W.M.A. 14 Mar (PY) provided another index of how numerous this species has become in the nw. part of our Re- gion; singles were also found s. to L. Assis- cong, Hunterdon, NJ 7 Mar (Tom Preston) and Caumsett S.R, Suffolk, Long I. 8 Mar (R. Kel- ly). The stocked Trumpeter Swan population is spreading out from its source in upstate New York; 2 were at Bernardsville, Somerset, NJ 13 Mar-15 May Ooe Pescatore), and 8 were in the Oneida L. basin (BPu). A peak count of 2408 Tundra Swans passed the Ham- burg Hawkwatch 10 Mar (DW, JP), and 150 were at Whitesbog, Burlington, NJ 7 Mar (Bob Cunningham). Just 12 Eurasian Wigeons were detected, with the latest at Niagara 10 May (MM). Five Eurasian Teal included 3 on Long I. and 2 in Delaware; in addition, 2 Green-winged x Eurasian intergrades were described on Long I. in Mar (TWB, GB, DF, Vinnie Pellegrino et al). Fifty Redheads at West Islip, Long 1. 7 Mar (DF) was a large number for recent years at the coast, and the peak for Ring-necked Ducks was 654 at Duke Farms, Somerset, NJ (Holly Dunbar, Duke Research). A Tufted Duck found in Feb at Ausable Pt., Clinton, NY continued until 7 Mar (BK et al). Considering their decline over the past 50 years, 40,000 Greater Scaup in Dead Horse Bay, Brooklyn, New York City, NY 2 Mar (Ron Bourque et al.) was an exceptional concentration; other local- ly large concentrations were 900 in Buffalo Harbor, Erie, NY 10 Mar (MM) and 950 on Oneida L. 22 Mar (BPu). Single King Eiders were at Cape May 7 Mar-4 Apr (CJV et al.) and at Montauk Pt. 28 Mar (AnW), and Com- mon Eiders continued their insurgence from the fall: 520 were at Shinnecock 20 Mar (SSM, PL), 93 at Jones Inlet 17 Mar (Ken & Sue Feustel), and 50 at Avalon, Cape May, NJ 5 Mar (CJV). The Barnegat Harlequin Duck flock totaled 60 birds 3 Apr (Peter Burke), and 3 were at Avalon 24 Mar (DFr), while a rather high total of 13 birds on Long I. included a group of 7 at Jones Beach 15 Apr (Brendan Fogerty). On 6 May, record numbers of all three scoters were counted for Oneida L. by Bill Purcell: 40 Surfs, 405 White-wingeds, and 14 Blacks. Inland, scoters are not ordinarily found in any numbers away from the Great Lakes, and they have been scarce there recent- ly as well. Other notable concentrations of scoters included 8000 Blacks at Cape May 2 May (CJV) and 1500 Surfs there 8 Apr (MO’B). Larger counts of Long-tailed Ducks were 3200 at Coney I., NY 4 Mar (DG), 569 on Oneida L. 13 Apr (BPu; a local spring record), and 360 at Lewiston, Niagara 26 Mar This Pacific Loon was observed flying past Moriches Inlet, Suffolk, Long Island, New York 24 May 2010; very few reports of this species in the East are accompanied by photographs. Photograph by Jay McGowan. VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 397 HUDSON-DELAWARE ....... At Cupsogue State Park, Moriches Inlet, Long Island, New York, this adult Arctic Tern was photographed 23 May 2010. Photograph byShaiMitra. (MM). Two wintering Barrows GoMeneyes re- mained on Long I. until mid-Apr (SA et al.), and 4 were seen at Ausable Pt. 13 Mar QO). Twelve hundred Ruddy Ducks were at Jamaica Bay 11 Apr (Ron Bourque). Eight Northern Bohwhites at Calverton, Suffolk, Long I. 2-6 Mar (Robert May, SA) in- dicate persistence of the population there, and 60 Wild Turkeys made a large group in Cum- bciiand, NJ 27 Mar (S. Magee). A breeding- plumaged Pacific Loon flying past Moriches Inlet, Long I. 24 May was nicely photographed (JMcG, AvN). Rather moderate counts of Red- necked Grebes included 143 at Somerset, Ni- agara, NY 20 Mar (WD’A), 105 at Sterling on the L, Ontario shore 21 Mar (BPu), and 85 on Oneida L. 30 Mar-6 May (BPu). Three Eared Grebes were found: singles at Dunkirk, Erie, NY 4 Mar (DN), Nummy I., Cape May, NJ IS- IS Mar (CJV et al), and at Raquette L, Hamil- ton, NY 15 Apr (Lynne Ballou). One or 2 Western Grebes again visited the Staten I., NY and Monmouth, NJ vicinity 7 Mar-11 Apr (SBl, RRV, SW AL et al). Schemilt and colleagues took four trips off Montauk, as far as 120 km offshore. Two Northern Eulmars were seen off Montauk 21 Apr (JS, AnW); another was at the “Elephant’s Trunk” off Delaware 26 May (ES, ME et al.). Continuing a recent trend of increased abun- dance and early arrivals, 9 Cory’s Shearwaters were seen in May, including 2 at the Ele- phant’s Trunk 26 May (ES, ME), 5 off Shin- necock 29 May QS et al.), 2 seen from shore at Rumson Beach, Monmouth, NJ 30 May (AE), and one from the beach at Moriches 31 May (PJL). Eifteen Greater Shearwaters were off Shinnecock 29 May QS) and 23 at the Ele- phant’s Trunk 26 May (ES, ME). A Sooty Shearwater off Shinnecock 21 Apr (AnW, JS) was extremely early; 30 others were seen off Long I. in May, and 55 were counted at the Elephant’s Trunk 26 May (ES, ME). A total of 5 Manx Shearwaters was seen between Long 1. and Delaware in May; more unusual were multiple sightings of Leach’s Storm-Petrels, rare in the Region away from deep water: 3 were seen at the Elephant’s Trunk 26 May (ES, ME, BE), and one was 67 km se. of Shinnecock 29 May (]S). Fifteen hundred North- ern Gannets at Cape May 8 Apr (MO’B) and 2300 at Plum Beach, Brooklyn, NY 15 Apr (DG) were good counts. HERONS THROUGH RAPTORS Four Least Bitterns at Tuck- ahoe W.M.A., Cape May 4 May (MO’B) was the only report of more than one bird. High counts of Great Egrets were 175 at Cape May 10 May (Dave Lord) and 90 at Motor I., Erie, NY 6 May (WW). Two to 4 Snowies were in the Niagara area, where un- common, 6-12 May (]P, DW), and 250 were at Cape May 10 May (DL). A Little Blue Heron in the Chazy Riverlands, Clinton, NY 24 Apr O&rPT) made the 3rd county record; 15 were found on Long L; and a high count of 15 came from Island Beach, Ocean, NJ 4 May Qason Pietrzak). Tricolored Herons are less numerous than they were 10 years ago; a maximum of 5 was around Jamaica Bay in May (SA et al.), and 6 were at Cape May 10 May (MO’B). Twelve Cattle Egrets at Cape May 14 May (Al Guarente) was a lot for re- cent years, and about 6 were found on Long 1. 31 Mar+ (SSM, PL et al.). Thirty-five plus Yellow-crowned Night-Herons on Long 1. may be a high count, though they have per- haps been under-reported in the past, given their predilection for seedy neighborhoods in the many inlets to Jamaica Bay. Some 225 Black-crowned Night-Herons were counted at Cape May 19 May (Ginny Powell). A White Ibis turned up again in the Great Swamp, Moms, NJ 22 May (D. Paino). A Glossy Ibis was unusually far n. and inland at the Chazy Riverlands, Clinton, NY 19 Apr (BK et al.). Seven White-faced Ibis were seen this spring, including one in Sussex, DE 10 Apr (BGP), 3 (2 ads., one imm.) at Heislerville, Cumberland, NJ 24 Apr (CJV, RRV et al.), 2 at Brigantine 11-13 May (TR, WK et al.), and one at Jamaica Bay 26 Apr-26 May (SB, AB et al.). The continued increase of Black Vultures into our Region was perhaps a bit accelerated this spring, especially around Long I. and New York City. One was seen roosting at Hartland, Niagara, NY 14 Mar (WD’A, BP), a migrant was at Alden, Erie, NY 29 Apr 0M)> and at there were at least 15 reports of 20+ birds on Long I. and Staten I., including the nesting pair at Ft. Wadsworth 24 Mar+ (SA, SSM et al.). We were also inundated with Swallow-tailed Kites. Six were seen at Cape May 24 Mar Qon King) through 21 May (KL), including 2 photographed together 8 Apr (SB, VE et al.); and singles were at Sandy Hook 6 Apr Qohn van Dort) and 2 May (SB). Anoth- er, or perhaps one of the above birds, was seen 7 Apr over the Garden State Parkway in Barnegat, NJ (Peter J. Bosak). One was at Montauk 7 Apr (VB), and singles passed Cape Henlopen, DE 4 (Sue Gruver) & 10 Apr (BGP), with one the Christiana Mall, DE 23 Apr (ES). At least 3 Mississippi Kites were present at Cape May 16-31 May (Jennifer Russell, CJV, KL et al). There were no record- breaking totals of any hawks, but 225 Sharp- shinned and 25 Cooper’s Hawks were count- ed at Sandy Hook 30 Apr (SB, JVD). A dark- morph Broad-winged Hawk flew past the Hamburg Hawkwatch 21 Apr OL DT); there are now several records of this morph from w. New York. On 30 Apr, 79 Merlins and 29 American Kestrels passed Sandy Hook (SB). A Gyrfalcon was reported on the S&S Farm in Gloucester, NJ 2 Mar (Dave Scott). RAILS THROUGH ALCIDS For the 5th year in a row. Yellow Rail was heard calling at Turkey Pt., Cumberland, NJ, this time a single bird 23 Apr (Sean Sime). Single Black Rails were at the Glades Refuge, Cumberland, NJ 1 May (Gail Johnson) and Jakes Landing, Cape May 15 May (TL). Two counts of 90 Clapper Rails each were made at Jakes Landing 22 Apr (MO’B) and Heislerville, Cumberland 2 May (VN). Popula- tions of King Rail are declining in the North- east, so we note most reports: one was at Tonawanda 9-22 May (Kurt Fox, MM), 3 were at Cape May (where more regular as mi- grants) 15 May QM), and 3 were along the Maurice R., NJ 10-11 May (Laura Ruggeri). Sandhill Cranes continue to increase; about 15 were seen away from the hawkwatches in the Niagara area 20 Mar-29 Apr (MM et al), and 6 were seen in the Oneida L. basin, NY 21 Mar-6 May (BPu et al). Farther s., 2 were at Southampton, Long 1. 20 Mar-2 Apr (E. Marks, P. Matthiessen), and singles were at Lewes, DE 1 May (CC) and Clinton Rd., DE 17 May (Larry Curlett). Up to 40 American Avocets were at Ted Harvey 18 Mar (CB). Peak numbers of Black- bellied Plover were 3516 at Brigantine 12 May (Amanda Spears) and 500 from Tobay to Cedar Beach, Suffolk, NY 18 Apr (SSM, PJL). An American Golden-Plover was at Cedar Beach 18 Apr (TWB, GB), 4 were at Brigan- tine 22 Apr QPi). arid 2 were at Hartland, Ni- agara, NY 22 Apr (WD’A, BP). Wilson’s Plovers are appearing with increasing fre- quency, perhaps in response to warming cli- mate: 2 were reported at Brigantine 4 May 398 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS HUDSON-DELAWARE (Mary Harper et al.), one was at Jones Beach 8-15 May (AB, Steve Schellenger), and anoth- er (?) was at Shinnecock 21 May (AnW). The peak count of Semipalmated Plovers was 3010 at Brigantine 12 May (Amanda Spears). Two Black- necked Stilts at Cape May 17 May were the only ones n. of Delaware (CJV et ah). A Solitary Sandpiper at Pomfret, Chau- tauqua, NY 4 Apr (Terry Mosher) was early, and 24 were at Rockport Marsh, Sussex, NJ 13 May (ID). Five hundred Greater Yellowlegs at the Glades Marsh 21 Mar (Dave Lord) and 875 Lesser Yellowlegs at Hackensack, Bergen, NJ 12 May (TJ) were maxima. An Upland Sandpiper at Robert Moses S.P. was at an un- usual location 5-11 Apr (SSM et al.), and a Western Willet at Cupsogue 31 May was late (SSM). In Jarvis Sound, Cape May, NJ, 250 Whimbrels were counted 12 May (David Githens et al.). A breeding-plumaged Bar- tailed Godwit (nominate subspecies) was at Brigantine 13-17 May (WK, VN et al.) for about a 10th New Jersey record. Peak counts of Ruddy Turnstones were 500 at Jamaica Bay 26 May (DG), 700 at Moriches 31 May (SSM, PJL), and 900 at Reeds Beach, Cape May, NJ 24 May Skevington, Richard Skeving- ton). Aerial surveys of Delaware Bay revealed 18,231 Ruddy Turnstones 28 May and 14,475 Red Knots 25 May (Bill Pitts, New Jersey Di- vision of Fish and Wildlife). The knot count is above the all-time low of 13,300 in 2005 but below last year’s total of 20,000. Two Ruffs were seen at Bombay Hook, one 4 Apr (Martin Seltzer) and another, with black ruffs, 24 Apr (APE). Another Ruff was inland at Wantage Twp., Sussex, NJ 12-15 May (GVR, WCR, JH). Sanderlings peaked in late May as usual, with 3500 at Norbury’s Land- ing, Cape May, NJ 14 May (Brad Walker), 3000 at Moriches 31 May (SSM, PJL), and 2000 at Breezy Pt., Brooklyn, NY 27 May (DG). A count of 30,000 Semipalmated Sand- pipers at Thompson’s Beach, Cumberland, NJ 26 May Qeff Skevington, Richard Skeving- ton) was higher than recent spring maxima; 4000 were at Moriches 31 May (SSM, PJL) and 2000 at Jamaica Bay 26 May (DG). An ad. Western Sandpiper at Moriches 31 May (SSM, PJL) was the farthest ne. of those reported. The Least Sandpiper maximum was 3459 at Brigantine 6 May (MH). About 75 White- rumped Sandpipers were seen on Long L, 40 were at Heislerville 24 May (CC), and a sin- gle was at Hartland, Niagara, NY 1 May (WD’A, BP), where uncommon. Three Curlew Sandpipers were all in Cumberland, NJ: singles at Heislerville 1-3 (WK, TR et al.) & 21-26 May (DG, TR et al.) and another at Thompson’s Beach 26 May Q&RS). A Stilt Sandpiper at Sandy Hook was very early 3-10 In New Jersey, careful estimate of 15,000 Short- billed Dowitchers was made at Heislerville, Cum- berland at dusk on 1 2 May as the birds flew in to roost (SK, BS). The populations of boreal-nesting shorebirds are dif- ficult to estimate, but recent estimates of the nominate subspecies of Short-billed Dowitcher range from 78,000 to 1 1 0,000 (Jehl et al. 2001 Birds of North America Online), and there is evidence of a recent decline. Thus it is possi- ble that on the order of 20% of all Short-billed Dowitch- ers of this subspecies were present at one time in the Heislerville impoundments. The Delaware bayshore is an important site for feeding by migrating shorebirds, as is well known; nevertheless, this particular count draws at- tention to the Heislerville impoundments and to the crit- ical need for protection of such areas. Apr (CT, RF, SB et al.); other singles were at Heislerville 26 Apr (Janet Crawford, Dave Lord) and Hackensack Marshes, Bergen, NJ 12 May (BS et al). Ten Wilson’s Phalaropes reported Region- wide was above recent averages, with 3 each at Jamaica Bay 21-31 May (Steve Walter) and Bombay Hook 7 May (APE), 2 at the Allen- dale Celery Earm, Bergen, NJ 6 May (RF), and singles at Hartland, Niagara, NY 8-9 May (WD’A, BP) and Schroeppel, Oswego, NY 4 May (AVN). By contrast, the only Red- necked Phalarope reported onshore was at Batavia 25 May (RSp). A Red Phalarope was at Sagaponack, Suffolk, Long 1. 9 Apr (HM), 4 were seen offshore from Shinnecock 21 Apr (AnW, JS), and 2 were off Shinnecock 29 May OS). Only 5 Black-headed Gulls were seen, and the numbers of Bonaparte’s Gulls continue at low levels, with the largest Regional aggrega- tions being 1054 on Oneida L. (BPu) and 454 on Skaneateles L. (Ken Burdick), both 13 Apr. A Regional total of about 30 Little Gulls in- cluded 20 at Lewiston, Niagara, NY 14 Mar (CW). The Mew Gull that wintered in Brook- lyn, NY remained until 5 Mar (DG). About 40 Iceland Gulls included 10 in the Niagara re- gion and 19 on Long L, and some 250 Lesser Black-backed Gulls included 171 on Spruce Run Res., Hunterdon, NJ 27 Mar (FS), 24 on Long L, and 10 in the Niagara region (MM, WD’A, BP et al.). There were 18 Glaucous Gulls reported, including one at Mispillion Light, DE 19-25 May (CB). The Ivory Gull from the winter remained at Rouses Pt., Clin- ton, NY until 2 Mar (T&DG). Gull-billed Terns continue to increase slowly; 32 were at Brigantine 12 May 0- Bar- rie, CW), and 10 or more were present on w. Long 1. from 2 May+ (CF, DG et al.). About 30 Roseate Terns were seen away from nesting colonies on Long 1. 12 May-r (DG, SSM el al), and singles were seen s. to Cape May 13-24 May (SG et al.) and Rumson Beach, Mon- mouth, NJ 30 May (AF). An ad. Arctic Tern at Moriches Inlet 23 May (SSM et al.) adds to the growing list of records for that area, and 4 were seen on a boat trip to the Elephant’s Trunk 26 May (ES, ME BF). In Oswego, NY, 165 Caspian Terns were at Sandy Pond 31 May (BPu); 72 rested at Dunkirk Harbor 1 May QP)- An aggregation of 15,000 Common Terns at Breezy Pt., Queens, New York City, NY 13 May (DG) was exceptional. Four Forster’s Terns were seen in Niagara, NY 22 May (DW), and 10 Royal Terns were at Cape May 13 May (CJV et al). A dark-morph South Polar Skua was at the Elephant’s Trunk 26 May (ES, MF), in addition to an ad. Pomarine Jaeger. An ad. Long-tailed Jaeger was pho- tographed off Shinnecock 29 May QS). Exceptional from a historical standpoint, but con- sistent with the pattern in the past five years or so, increasing numbers of Dovekies are being seen well in to the spring in the Region. The increase correlates with changing oceanographic conditions and may represent positive changes in foraging opportunities for Dovekies off Canada and New England, or perhaps problems with food supplies farther north. This spring, one was at Mon- tauk 14 Mar (AnW), 5 were 26 km e. of Shinnecock 16 Apr (JS), 3 were 67 km se. of Shinnecock 29 May (JS), and 2 were at the Elephant's Trunk 26 May (ES, MF, BF). This in- creased occurrence is supported by recent ornithological surveys of pelagic waters by research scientists, which have shown that numbers of Dovekies, many in breeding plumage, are present in May and Jun between Georges Bank and the Hudson Canyon. Three Common Murres were seen 16 km se. of Shinnecock 3 Apr QS), a Thick-billed Murre was at Montauk 7 Mar (AnW), and Ra- zorbills were well reported: 100 at sea off Shinnecock 3 Apr QS), 60 at Montauk 28 Mar (Anthony Collarton et al), and one at Cape May 14 Mar (DFr). A remarkable 25 Atlantic Puffins were seen 19-35 km se. of Shinnecock 3 Apr, with 4 seen there 21 Apr (JS, AnW). DOVES THROUGH WOODPECKERS Three Eurasian Collared-Doves were at the established Selbyville, DE site 7 May (FR), and the season’s only White-winged Dove was al Jones Beach 2 May QQ, GF). Two Monk Parakeets seen at Freeport, Long 1. 14 May (Richard Cartwright) were a bit e. of the usu- al nesting range and consistent with recent evidence of expansion. A Yellow-hilled Cuck- oo at Sands Pt., Nasscut, Long 1. 18 Apr (Glenn Quinn) was very early, and 50 Black- billed Cuckoos heard over Sussex, NJ 15 May (DFr, MO’B) was a high numher even for a VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 399 HUDSON-DELAWARE nocturnal count. Three Snowy Owls contin- ued into the first week of Mar in New York, and 4 Long-eared Owls were found in New York and New Jersey 9 Mar-15 May. Four Short-eared Owls were in North Collins, Erie, NY 15 Mar (Lori Feltz, Andy Francisco), whereas none were seen on Long L, and 5 were seen in Newjersey with one as late as 17 Apr (eBird). A total of 8 Northern Saw-whet Owls included 3 in the Niagara area (BP et al.) and one in Central Park, New York City 18-19 Mar (DA). The Northern Hawk Owl that win- tered in Champlain, Clinton, NY remained until 6 Mar (T&DG). Chuck-wills-widows continue to hold on in Long L, where 2 were heard in May (HM et al). Twenty Red-headed Woodpeckers were found in the Niagara area (MM et al), 9 were on Long 1. 17 Mar-18 May (HM, SSM et al), and 4 were in Burling- ton, NJ 27 May (T Anderson et al). FLYCATCHERS THROUGH WAXWINGS Four Olive-sided Flycatchers were at Sandy Hook 15 May (SB et al). Five Acadian Fly- catchers in the Niagara frontier region 17 May-i- included a territorial bird at Tifft Nature Preserve, Buffalo, NY 23-31 May (MM). An Eastern Kingbird at Shadmoor S.P., Suffolk, NY 3 Apr appears to be a record early for New York (Bruce Horwith). There were 2 Scissor- tailed Flycatchers in s. Newjersey this spring: one at Cape May 7-20 May (DFr, VE et al), the other at Brigantine 15 May (Howard Be- skin et al). A Loggerhead Shrike at Milford Neck, New Castle, DE 5-6 Mar (CB) repre- sents one of a very few recent Regional records. Sixteen Yellow-throated Vireos at Sunrise Mt., Sussex, NJ 1 May was a large number (TL, Ml), as were 50 Blue-headed Vireos at Garret Mt. 30 Apr (CT). Three Philadelphia Vireos were seen in New York City parks 14-20 May (DA et al); 3 were in Newjersey 14-15 May (eBird). Fifty Red-eyed Vireos at Worthington S.P., Wanen, NJ 15 May (CH) was indicative of a flight day. Some 3860 Blue Jays were counted passing Derby Hill (BPu) and 6840 passing Braddock Bay (DT), both 1 May. The southernmost Com- mon Ravens were 8 on Long 1. and Staten L, including a nesting pair at Kew Gardens, Queens, New York City (CF et al); 6 were at Laurel Hill Park, Hudson, NJ 1-3 May (Ml et al). Similarly, 10 Fish Crows at Onondaga L., NY throughout May indicates that species continued expansion. A Northern Rough- winged Swallow at Batavia 3 Apr (KF) was very early, as was a Cliff Swallow at Oneida L. 2 Apr Qosiah Lacelle). A Brown-headed Nuthatch at Cape May 8- 1 1 Apr (Scott Whittle, CJV) marked the 2nd verified record for New Jersey (the first ap- peared injul 2005, also at Cape May). Thirty House Wrens at Cape May 30 Apr was a high count (m.ob.), and 10 Sedge Wrens Region- wide included 4 at Iroquois 19 May (KF, MM, DW), 2 at West Monroe, Wayne, NY 15 May (BPu), and singles at Tifft Nature Preserve 12-16 May (DT) and Cape May 15 May (Matt Garvey, GD). Two Marsh Wrens at Ausabel Pt., Clinton, NY 13 Mar QO) very likely win- tered there. Sixty-four Blue-gray Gnatcatch- ers at Sandy Hook 30 Apr made another in- dication of the major flight that day (SB et al). Four Bicknell’s Thrushes were carefully identified in New York City parks 12-22 May (SBl, RJ, Joe Viglietta, DA), and one was at Cape May 19-20 May (VE, MO’B). A Swain- son’s Thrush at Southold, Long 1. 30 Apr (John Seponoski) was early, and totals of 150 Hermit Thrushes in Central Park (Morgan Tingley), 120 in Prospect Park (DG), and 100 at Garret Mt. (CT), all 30 Apr, show the mag- nitude of the migration on that day. Single Bohemian Waxwings at Pt. au Roche, Clin- ton, NY 27 Mar and 7 Apr (JO) were the only ones reported. WARBLERS In trying to keep tabs on Golden-winged Warblers, I find about 24 reported this spring, including 13 in the Rochester area in May, 5 in the Niagara area 5-14 May (MM), 3 in Sussex, NJ 8 May (TL), one in Central Park 20 May (Craig Rasmussen; the only one in coastal New York), and other New York singles at Crown Pt., Clinton (GL) and on the L. Ontario shore 1 May (BPu). There were 10 Brewster’s Warblers, 8 in New York and 2 in Newjersey, and a single Lawrence’s Warbler, in Wanen, NJ 28 May (FS). A Tennessee Warbler in midtown Manhattan 30 Apr (AF) was early, as was a Nashville on Staten 1. 20 Apr (RRV). Two Orange-crowned Warblers wintered on Long 1. (SA, SBl et al), and 8 others were seen there (perhaps including other winterers) 17 Mar-14 May. A Northern Parula at Hempstead Lake S.P 5 Apr (RJK) was very early, and 50 Magnolia Warblers were at Sandy Hook 15 May (SB). Cape May Warblers were noticeably more numerous than in recent years, with 35-i- found on Long 1. 2 May-f (SA et al.) and birds seen in “mul- tiple locations” in the Niagara frontier area 5 May (MM et al). Certainly the most remark- able warbler of the season was a Kirtland’s Warbler seen by Betsy Potter in Wilson, Ni- agara, NY 15 May, a first for New York. Sev- enty Black-throated Blue Warblers at Robert Moses S.P. 15 May (SSM) and 541 Myrtles at Prospect Park (DG) and 1570 at Sandy Hook the same day (SB) were peak counts. Thirty Blackburnian Warblers were at Garret Mt. 15 May (CT); 4 Yellow-throated Warblers on Long 1. 28 Apr-13 May was a bit below re- cent years totals, while 31 Yellow-throateds at Belleplain S.E, Cape May, NJ 6 Apr was impressive (MO’B). Three Cerulean War- blers were found in New York City parks 30 Apr-2 May (DA, SSM, DG), and a total of 12 from Sussex, NJ 23 May was high. A Pro- thonotary Warbler at Smith Pt., Suffolk, Long l. 24 Mar was a record-early date (Bob Grover), and 5 others were seen in New York City and Long I. through 20 May. A Worm- eating Warbler at Forest Park, Queens, NY 15 Apr was early (Peter Reisfield). An Oven- bird wintered in midtown Manhattan (much of the time inside a building) and was last seen 23 Mar (Joseph Pescatore). A Louisiana Waterthrush was seen at Tonawanda 15 Apr, where rare (DD, WW et al), and an uniden- tified waterthrush at Jamaica Bay 19 Mar rep- resented a record-early date for either species (JA, RJK). Six Kentucky Warblers occurred in New York City and Long 1. 3-22 May (DA, SA et al), and another was far n. at Huckle- berry Swamp, Wayne, NY 25 May (DT, KCG). A Connecticut Warbler, rare in spring, even in w. New York, was at Hamlin Beach 24 May (AG). About 15 Hooded War- blers appeared in New York City and Long 1. 20 Apr-21 May (Jeff Nulle, DA, SA et al), and an impressive count of 44 was made along Old Mine Rd. in Wanen, NJ 31 May (SB). Thirty-six Canada Warblers were at Sandy Hook 15 May (SB et al). TANAGERS THROUGH FiNCHES The Spotted Towhee that wintered at Palmyra, Burlington, NJ remained until 1 Mar Qohn McDevitt, Ron Fry). Clay-colored Sparrows are appearing in greater numbers during spring migration; 16 were recorded 30 Apr-28 May (SB, Elizabeth Brooks et al, m. ob.). The only Lark Sparrow of the spring was at Cape May 8 May (CLW, JHB). There were nesting aggregations of 10 Grasshopper Sparrows at Tillman, Erie, NY 30 May (PY), another 10 at Mercer Sod Farm, Burlington, NJ 5-16 May (Dana Eglinton), and 10 more at Millville Airport, Cumberland, NJ 8 May (PAG et al). A Le Conte’s Sparrow, very rare in spring, was at Burger Park in Greece, Mon- roe, NY 2-3 May (R. Crossley DT). A Fox Sparrow resembling Sooty Fox Sparrow (uii- alaschcensis subspecies group) was found in Central Park, Manhattan, New York City 13- 14 May (Steve Chang, Andrew Rubenfeld). Five hundred White-throated Sparrows were at Garret Mt. 30 Apr (CT), and 170 White- crowned Sparrows were near Oneida L. 14 May (BPu). A Summer Tanager at Wilson-Tuscarora S.P, Niagara 22 May 400 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS HUDSON-DELAWARE (WD’A) was farther n. than most; 3 were in the Rochester area 14-22 May (K. Hartquist, M. Lyman, GL), and 16 were found in the New York City and Long 1. area 2-23 May (SA et al). Twenty-five Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were at Sandy Hook 15 May (SB). Fourteen Blue Grosbeaks were found in the New York City and Long 1. area in May (SA, SSM et al). Three Painted Buntings were seen, all in the remarkably tight cluster of dates 2-5 May: an imm. male at Sea Cliff, Nassau, NY 2 May (R. Blackburn); one at Avalon, Cape May, NJ 2-5 May (KL, G. D\vyer et al.); and another at Cape May 5 May (BF). Two Dickcissels were at Cape May 13 May (SG), and 3 were in Delaware 16-29 May (FR), all birds at least prospecting if not nesting, and singles were at Braddock Bay 1 & 14 May (DT). Single male Yellow-headed Blackbirds were in New Castle, DE 1 Apr (]S) and at Mt. Loretto, Staten I. 12-14 Apr (C. & J. Woll- ney). The biggest Rusty Blackbird count was of 867 at Braddock Bay 3 Apr (DT); 150 were tallied between three locations in the Niagara area 28 Mar-3 Apr (MM et al.). A Brewer’s Blackbird was reported at Hamlin Beach 14 Apr (DT). An Orchard Oriole at Crown Pt., Clinton, NY (T. Barber) remained on territory through May at the n. limit of the species’ breeding range. There were few winter finch- es. Purple Finches at Curbs L., Mercer, NJ 10 Mar (WK) were among the few reported, and single Red Crossbills were at Pt. au Roche 10 Mar QO) and Greece, Monroe, NY 1 Mar (DT), with 4 in the Oneida L. basin through the season (Richard Rosche, Matt Young). A White-winged Crossbill at Salisbury, Oneida, NY 12 May (Larry Hall) was the only one re- ported. Six to 12 Evening Grosbeaks were present at Witherbee, Clinton, NY through the period (CM, BK), and 4 were at Salisbury, Oneida, NY 26 Apr (BPu). Observers (subregional compilers in bold- face): Deborah Allen (Central Park, NY), Seth Ausubel (coastal New York: 118-17 Union Turnpike, Forest Hills, NY 11375); Scott Barnes (North Coast Region, NJ: Sandy Hook Bird Observatory, P. O. Box 553, Ft. Hancock, NJ 07732), Andrew Baksh, Jessie H. Barry, Chris Bennett, Gail Benson, Shane Blodgett (SBl), Michael Bochnik (Hudson- Delaware, NY: 86 Empire Street, Yonkers, NY 10704), Jeffrey S. Bolsinger (St. Lawrence Region, 98 State Street, Canton, NY 13617), Tom Boyle (TBo), E. Thomas Brown, Thomas W. Burke, Vicki Bustamante, Barbara Butler (Dutchess, NY), Colin Campbell, Willie D’An- na, Ian Davies, Glen Davis, Andrew P. Ednie, Vince Elia (South Coast and Delaware Bay Regions, NJ: CMBO R&E Center, 600 Rte 47 North, Cape May Courthouse, NJ 08120), Rob Fanning, Andrew Farnsworth, Ken & Sue Feustel, Corey Finger, Brendan Fogerty (BFr), Bob Fogg, Valerie Freer, Don Freiday (DFr; Cape May: CMBO R&E Center, 600 Rte. 47 North, Cape May Courthouse, NJ 08120), Gerda Fritz, Mike Fritz, Doug Futuy- ma, Sam Galick, Mark S. Garland (Cape May, NJ), Doug Gochfeld, Anthony Gonzon, Kevin C. Griffith (Genesee Region, NY: 61 Grand- view Lane, Rochester, NY 14612), Andy Guthrie, Frank Guida, Jennifer Hanson, Mary Harper, Tom B. Johnson (Finger Lakes Re- gion, 150 Triphammer Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850), William Keim, Steve Kelling, Bill Krueger, Robert J. Kurtz, Anthony Laquidara, Laurie Larson (LLa; New Jersey), Greg Lawrence, Gary N. Lee (Adirondack Region, NY; EO. Box 302, 116 Limekiln Lake Road, Inlet, NY 13360), Tim Lenz, Tony Leukering (TLeu), Patricia J. Lindsay (Long I. and New York City: 28 Mystic Circle, Bay Shore, NY 11706), Dave Lord, Karl Lukens, Linda Mack, Lisa Manne (LMn), Jay McGowan, Hugh McGuiness (Eastern Long I., NY: EO. Box 3005, Southampton, NY 11969), Charles Mitchell, Joe Mitchell, Shaibal S. Mitra, Mike Morgante (MM) (Niagara Frontier region, NY: 59 Briar Hill Road, Orchard Eark, NY 14127), Dave Neveu, Vince Nichnadowicz, Michael O’Brien, Jim Osborn, Jim Pawlicki, Bruce G. Peterjohn, Jason Pietrzak OPi). Bet- sy Potter, Bill Purcell (BPu; Oneida L. basin, NY: 281 Baum Road, Hastings, NY 13076), Joan Quinlan, Rick Radis (Northwest New Jersey: 69 Ogden Avenue, Rockaway, NJ 07866), Tom Reed, Gary V. Rosenberg, William C. Russell, Larry Schachetti, Frank Sencher, John Shemilt, Ed Sigda, Jeff Skeving- ton, Richard Skevington, Robert & Susan Spahn (RSp; Genesee Ornithological Socie- ty), Brian L. Sullivan, Chris Takacs, David Tetlow, John & Patricia Thaxton, John van Dorn, Andrew van Nostrand (AVN), Christo- pher J. Vogel, Tom Vouglas, William Watson, Matt Webster, David Wheeler, Angus Wilson (AnW), Christopher L. Wood, Seth 1. Wool- ney Will Yandik (Hudson-Mohawk NY: 269 Schneider Road, Hudson, NY 12534), Peter Yoerg, Matthew A. Young (Susquehanna, NY: Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Wood Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850). O Richard R. Veit, Department of Biology, College of Staten Island 2800 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island, New York 10314 (veitrr2003@yahoo.com) Robert 0. Paxton, 460 Riverside Drive, Apt. 72, New York, New York 10027, (rop1@columbia.edu) Frank Rohrbacher, 5 Neva Court, Wilmington, Delaware 19810, (rohrbaf@aol.com) VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 401 Middle Atlantic As Huntley Mea(iows County Park D= Pt. Lookout SP ■RocKTist) Gap Richmond* ViR6-UA Beach jr>rr»^r StUmpY 1. ft ® >J*-8ac* Bav NV MarkT. Adams Matt Hafner A3 March northeaster delivered the last blast of winter and 10 cm of heavy, wet snow in some areas, such as Hampton and Newport News, Virginia. Overall, howev- er, this spring featured above-normal warmth. It was the warmest March at Dulles Airport in northern Virginia, for example, and the tem- perature dropped to freezing or below there only six times during the month. Precipitation was above normal in March, but April was dry. Rainfall resumed in May, however, and the moisture coupled with the warmth prompted rapid vegetative growth. The season’s avian highlights included Tufted Duck, Ruffs, Arctic and Roseate Terns, Long-tailed Jaeger, Varied Thrush, Western Tanager, and a remarkable and unprecedented spring flight of Hudsonian Godwits. In addition to our many individual contributors, we thank Adam D’Onofrio, YuLee Lamer, Robert F. Ringler, and Bill Williams for their assistance in compiling and interpreting the season’s records. Abbreviations: Bay (Chesapeake Bay); C.B.B.T. (Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, s. of Northampton, VA); C.C.B. (Center for Conser- vation Biology at the College of William and Mary/Virginia Commonwealth University); Chine. (Chincoteague N.W.R., Accomack, VA)', Craney (Craney Island Disposal Area, Ports- mouth, VA); Dismal (Dismal Swamp N.W.R., Chesapeake/Suffolk, VA); D.C. (District of Co- lumbia); Hog (Hog Island W.M.A., Surry, VA). WATERFOWL THROUGH CRANES The Greater White-fronted Goose continued from winter at Lusby Calvert, MD through 6 Mar (m.ob.); another visited Schoolhouse Pond, Prince George’s, MD 2-5 Mar (FSh, m.ob.). A Ross’s Goose along Rte. 309, Queen Anne’s, MD 1 Mar (JB) was the only spring re- port. The 8 Cackling Geese at Pickering Cr., Talbot, MD 8 Mar (HH) made the season’s high count. A migrant Tundra Swan lingered at Deal Island W.M.A., Somerset, MD 17 Apr-2 May Qf-S et ah). Rarely seen away from coastal bay marshes in May, a Gadwall was a surprise at Baker Park, Frederick, MD 1 May+ (DW). Two drake Eurasian Wigeons were among 28 American Wigeons near Leedstown, Westmoreland, VA 7 Mar (FA). A drake Eurasian re- mained from winter at Ridgeway Park, Hampton, VA through 1 7 Mar (BW et ah); others were at the Pocomoke Sand Pits, Worcester, MD 1-4 Mar (JE et al.) and at Cranberry Res., Carroll, MD 19 Mar (RFR). A late drake Northern Shoveler was at Hog 26 May (ph. BHo). Single Green-winged Teal x Eurasian Teal intergrades were at Pickering Cr., Talbot 8 Mar (HH) and at Oxbow L., Anne Arundel, MD 19 Mar-1 Apr (JH et ah). A drake Eurasian Teal was at Snow Hill, Worcester 21 Mar (ML, DZ, PO). A well-observed male Tufted Duck at Kent Narrows, Queen Anne’s 16 Mar-1 Apr (RG et al.) was just the 5th Maryland record. An ad. male Canvasback lingered at Craney until 29 Apr (BW). A male King Eider in n. Norfolk, VA 5 Mar (AD, SH) was likely the same bird as seen at the s. base of the C.B.B.T. 6 Mar (ph. RK). The winter Common Eider inva- sion at Ocean City Inlet, Worcester continued into spring, with a high count of 44 birds on 7 Mar; 5 birds remained there 27 May (m.ob.). An imm. male Common Ei- der was near Ocean View, Norfolk 4-9 Mar (SH et ah). An exceptionally late Common Eider visited Kiptopeke S.P., Northamp- ton, VA 21 May (BT et ah). The only Harlequin Duck report was an imm. female at C.B.B.T. 6 Mar (ABa, WM). The rarest scoter inland, a Black Scoter was notable at Lib- erty L., Carroll 15 Apr (RFR). Four Long- tailed Ducks were at L. Shenandoah, Rocking- ham, VA 26 Mar (DL); single drakes stopped at Blandy Experimental Farm, Clarke, VA 26 Mar (DCa) and Riverbend Park, Faiifax, VA 28 Mar (MMo). A male Bufflehead at Black Walnut Swamp, Prince George’s, MD 28 May (FSh) was very late. An ad. female and an imm. Hooded Merganser at Waynesboro, VA 29 May (AL, EC) may indicate breeding. A fe- male Common Merganser and 4 chicks were at Weverton, Frederick, MD 5 May (BH et ah). Common Merganser nesting continues to ex- pand along the Potomac R. corridor. A Red-throated Loon at Carvins Cove Res., Botetourt, VA 19 Mar (KJ,Jide MP) made just the 2nd Roanoke Valley record. A Pied-billed Grebe pair tending 3 chicks in the Kiptopeke S.P, Northampton borrow pit 21 May (BT) pro- vided the first firm record of breeding for the county in over a decade. Observed from a small airplane, a feeding aggregation of 20,000 Northern Gannets — a significant per- centage of the w. Atlantic population and the Region’s highest count ever — covered several square kilometers off Hungars Cr., Northamp- ton 20 Mar (MB, BWa). The same morning, about 11,560 gannets were off Cape Charles beach between the harbor and Cherrystone Cr. (ESB); there was almost certainly some overlap with this group and those seen 30 km to the n., but the extent of duplication is not known. The numbers of gannets had been building steadily in the se. Chesapeake Bay since 15 Mar (ESB). The American White Pel- ican flock at Blackwater N.W.R., Dorchester, MD grew from 15 in winter to 40 birds 27 Mar-2 Apr, establishing a new state high count (m.ob.); a single bird remained through the season. Seven American White Pelicans were at Spring Creek Embayment, South Hol- ston L., Wushittgtoti, VA 17 May (WC). Six were at Hog 17-25 Apr (BT, EE), and singles were recorded at Craney 8 Apr (RB, ph. SD et al), along the Potomac R., Faiifax 17-18 Apr (KG et al.), and at Mason Neck S.P, Prince William, VA 8 May (SBa). A 22 Apr survey of the Shanks/Cheeseman Is. complex Accomack, VA found 128 Brown Pelican nests, many with two- and three-egg clutches (HTA et al.). A single Brown Pelican at Dent Rd., Anne Anm- del 14 Apr (HH) was early for this far n. in the Bay. A nest with five eggs among 70 Double- crested Cormorant nests on North Shanks 1., Accomack 22 Apr (HTA et al.) established a new early egg date in Virginia. A Great Cor- morant at Heron Pt., Kent, MD 1 May (WEl) was a late departure away from the coast. At the Harwood’s Mill Res., York, VA, the site of last year’s first confirmed nesting of Anhinga in Virginia, one was present 19 Apr (DY), and 402 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS MIDDLE ATLANTIC This California Gull visited First Landing State Park, Virginia Beach, Virginia 14-18 (here 14) March 2010, where the first state record was established in 1989. Most state records are of adults that appear to be of the paler subspecies albertaensis, but this individual may have been of the dorsally darker nominate subspecies. Photograph by Andrew Baidelii. other singles were near Roxbury, Charles City, VA 6 Apr (ph. BW), near the Warhill Sports Complex, James City, VA 2 May (fide AD), and at Betts Pond, cen. Northumberland, VA 6 May (RD, fide TS) for the 3rd consecutive year. More than 40 Great Blue Heron nests were in a downtown Richmond, VA rookery, first discovered in 2008, on the James R. (fide DS). A new local early date for an incubating Great Blue Heron came from College Cr., James City 6 Mar (BW). A Great Blue Heron rookery along the Middle R., Augusta, VA that was de- stroyed in 2007 by high winds had eight Great Blue Herons and ten nests 12 Mar, then 17 nests with 23 Great Blue Herons 20 Mar (AL). This and another Great Blue Heron rookery at Staunton, VA held 50 birds be- tween them 27 Mar (AL). A colony in Camp- bell, VA hosted 6 ads. on 10 nests 3 Apr (TDa). The black-billed Great Egret seen an- nually at Chine, beginning in late May 2008 was again at Chine, starting 14 May (LM et al.) but was present only for about a week this time. An ad. Snowy Egret at Hughes Hollow, Montgomery, MD 29 Apr (DR et al.) was un- usually far inland. A Green Heron at Bell’s Lane, Augusta 8 Apr (AC) arrived very early. Very rare in the spring, an ad. White Ibis at Bayside Development, Worcester 15 May (BH et al.) was unexpected. A Glossy Ibis, an un- common transient inland, was at Hog 26 May (ph. BHo). An ad. White-faced Ibis was at Snow Hill, Worcester 17-28 Apr (ML et al.), and 2 were at Chine. 1 May (AL). A Swallow-tailed Kite at Cambridge, Dorch- ester 11 Mar (fide LD) was an early arrival. Two Swallow-tailed Kites were at Chin- coteague, Accomack 5 Apr (MR); another was at Dismal 8 May (DSc, NF). Spring Mississip- pi Kite records continue to increase across the Region: at least 11 were recorded across six Maryland counties 1-20 May, with the north- ernmost over Susquehan- na S.P., Hatford, MD 15 May (Rick Cheicante et al.). Four Mississippi Kites were at Runt Pow- ell’s farm, Halifax, VA 12 May OBl). A Rough- legged Hawk was at Stu- art’s Draft, Augusta 4-16 Mar (BTe et al.); another was along 1-81 near Staunton 12 Mar (AL). The Peregrine Falcon pair that has nested in down- town Richmond since 2003 raised 3 chicks. A very rare migrant in the n. Bay, a Clapper Rail was at Ft. McHenry, Baltimore City 22 Apr (KEC). A migrant Common Moorhen was in a Bel Air, Hatford car dealer- ship parking lot 14 May (ph. MBu, BB); oth- ers were at Oxbow L., Anne Anmdel 21-26 May (Mst et al.) and at Marlborough Wetland, Prince George’s 31 May (RO). Two Sandhill Cranes were well documented in a Page, VA yard 1-2 May (vt.,fide AW); one was at Man- assas Battlefield, Prince William 9 May (GD). SHOREBIRDS THROUGH JAEGERS Single Black-bellied Plovers at Albemarle 23 May (SMi) and Leonard’s Pond, Rockingham 30-3 1 May (WL) were notable for w. Virginia. At least 5 American Golden-Plovers were recorded 12 Apr-15 May, including one at Craney 25 Apr (ABa et al). Seventeen Ameri- can Oystercatcher nests were discovered dur- ing a 22 Apr survey of n. Accomack Chesa- peake Bay islands (HTA et al.). The 5 Ameri- can Oystercatchers at Tanyard, Caroline, MD 16 Apr established a first inland state record (ph. ML, JB). A high count of 12 Black- necked Stilts was tallied on the Chincoteague causeway, Accomack 23 May (AL et al.); 4 Black-necked Stilts were at Craney 28 May (AB). The lone Black-necked Stilt at Chesa- peake Farms, Kent 22 May QB et al.) was far from known breeding sites. Two Black- necked Stilts were at each of Truitt’s Landing, Worcester 8 May4- (SHo et al.) and Leedstown, Westmoreland 26 Apr (FA). The highest American Avocet counts were of 4 at Craney 27 May (AM, BT, BW), and 5 at Hart-Miller L, Baltimore 5-12 Apr (KGr et al.). The 2300 Lesser Yellowlegs at Craney 25 Apr (ABa) greatly exceeded the previous Vir- ginia spring peak count of 800 set at the same location 29 Apr 1979. Two Western Willets at Hart-Miller L, Baltimore 17 May (RFR et al.) were notable; one at Greenbriar S.P., Washing- ton, MD 20 May (DWe) established a first county record. An Upland Sandpiper was a welcome find near the New River Valley Air- port, Pulaski, VA 13-15 Apr (MM; ph. SB). A total of 6467 Whimbrels were at Box Tree Cr., Northampton 21-29 May, with a peak of 1765 on 24 May (FS et al.). The C.C.B. deployed 2 satellite tags and 18 radio tags on Whimbrels at Box Tree. One of the satellite-tagged birds, banded 22 May, flew non-stop to the Macken- zie R. delta, NWT. Three tagged Whimbrels from previous years continued to have work- ing transmitters. Twenty-hve high-flying mi- grant Whimbrels were the highlight at E. Po- tomac Park, D.C. 23 May (PP et al.). Prior to this season, only 2 spring Hudsonian Godwits had been recorded in Virginia, and indeed the species is rare anywhere in the East in spring. One at Box Tree Cr., Northampton 3 May (FS) and another at Hog 2 May (ph. BT) were thus of great interest; and the 15 Hudsonian God- wits on n. Mockhorn L, Northampton 7 May (BWa) were nothing short of extraordinary. A Marbled Godwit was at Ocean City, Worcester 25-28 May (MBa). The C.C.B.Wirginia Coast Reserve of The Nature Conservancy survey tallied 8172 Red Knots 24 May (BWa, BTr), exceeding the 2005-2009 survey mean of 6950 birds. Rare in the county, 6 Purple Sand- pipers at Taylor’s L, Dorchester 12 Apr (HH, JLS) were unusual. A fallout of shorebirds at Perryman, Hatford 12 May (DLa, PL) featured a wide variety of species, including an ex- traordinary 2 Ruffs, for a first county record, and 2 Red Knots, just the 3rd county record. The most intriguing bird was a basic- plumaged peep that showed some character- istics of Little Stint (tDLa), recorded once in spring in Delaware but not in this Region in spring. Single Ruffs were excellent finds at Blackwater N.W.R., Dorchester 11-12 Apr (ML et al.) and Snow Hill, Worcester 17 Apr-1 May (RG et al.). A displaying American Woodcock was near Roxbury, Charles City 4 May (BW). At least 14 Wilson’s Phalaropes were reported 26 Apr-29 May, with a high count of 4 at Craney 4-6 May, with 3 there 10 May (ABa et al). Three Red-necked Phalaropes were at Hurlock S.T.P, Dorchester 23 May (ML et al.) and 2 at Craney the same day (ABa); the lat- ter 2 lingered through 29 May. Little Gulls were scarce: an ad. at Lynn- haven Inlet, Virginia Beach 6 Apr (ABa) was the only Virginia report, and Maryland had no reports away from the regular Back R. vicini- ty. A Black-headed Gull remained from winter at Little Creek Inlet, Norfolk through 9 Mar (ABa et al); and 2 Black-headed Gulls were present here 6-7 Mar (ph. KK). Single Black- headed Gulls were good finds at Poplar I, Tal- bot 8 Mar (HH et al.) and at Jug Bay, Prince George’s/Anne Awndel 17-19 Apr QS et al). VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 403 MIDDLE ATLANTIC Single ad. California Gulls were at Violette’s Lock, Montgomery 3 Mar (DC) and at First Landing S.P 14-18 Mar (ph. ABa et al.). A California Gull in transition to first-summer plumage was at the Prince William landfill 20 Mar (KG). The peak Lesser Black-backed Gull count was 337 birds at False Cape S. P/Back Bay N.W.R., Virginia Beach 25 Mar (DH). First-cycle Glaucous Gulls were at Craney 4 Mar (RB, SD, AM, ph. BT), at Little Creek Inlet, Norfolk 6 Mar (AB), at the Prince William landfill 6 Mar (Kurt Gaskill), and at California, St. Maiys, MD 10 Mar (EB, JLS). The 20 Common Terns at Violette’s Lock, Montgomery 14 May (DC) was an exceptional number for this inland location. A Roseate Tern appeared briefly at Rudee Inlet, Virginia Beach, VA 19 May (ABa), and 2-4 Arctic Terns were there 19-21 May (ABa, EE, HED, NE et al.). A migrant Eorster’s Tern was a rare sight at L. Shenandoah, Rockingham 17 Mar (DL et al.). More common in the fall, the 2 Black Terns at Violette's Lock, Montgomery 13 May (DC) were of interest; a single was at Vir- ginia Beach the same day (ABa). Very rare away from pelagic waters in spring, an ad. Long-tailed Jaeger was surprising at E. Po- tomac Park, DC 8 May (PP). DOVES THROUGH FINCHES The Eurasian Collared-Dove at Pocomoke City, Somerset continued from the winter through 17 Apr (m.ob.); another was at Newark, Worcester 29 May (MLH). Numbers remain the same in coastal Virginia, with about 40 be- tween Sandbridge and Kiptopeke. A Common Nighthawk incubating an egg at Craney 6 May (ph. BW, SD, AM, BT) reset the state’s early egg date. Pour Chuck-will’s-widows were recorded on the Williamsburg Spring Bird Count 2 May, the first since 2005 (fide AD). A Whip-poor- will at Pocomoke S.E 4 Apr (MLH) tied the early record for Worcester, though Maryland has a few Mar records. The ad. female Rufous Hummingbird that frequented a Richmond yard since late Jan was last sighted 10 Mar (fide JF). In late Apr, the C.C.B. and The Nature Conservancy completed their annual spring survey at the Piney Grove Preserve, Sussex, VA, recording the highest Red-cockaded Wood- pecker count in the state since the early 1980s: 38 individuals within a record eight potential breeding groups. Migrant Yellow-bellied Flycatchers were at McKeldin, Carroll 15 May (FJ), Merkle W.M.A., Prince George’s 21 May (FSh), and Huntley Meadows, Fairfax 23 May (KG). The Alder Flycatcher spring migration was partic- ularly impressive in D.C. and cen. Maryland. Though the species is typically a rare migrant here, with fewer than 10 records annually, ob- servers reported at least 37 individuals 13-20 May, with multiple birds at several locations. Good numbers of Alder Flycatchers were re- ported from Virginia, too, the most notewor- thy being a single in Amherst, VA 15 May (MBo) and one at James River N.W.R., Nelson, VA 20 May (CM). An Eastern Kingbird in Fauquier 13 Apr (TMD) was among the earli- est Virginia Piedmont reports. A Loggerhead Shrike was at Hagerstown, Washington throughout the season, the only reliable state location in recent years. A Loggerhead Shrike was also at Hillendale Park, Harrisonburg, VA 9-10 Apr (KH et al.) Wintering at this loca- tion for a 3rd consecutive year, the Northern Shrike at Chino Earns, Queen Arme’s persisted until 1 Apr (DS, MGi et al). Six Philadelphia Vireos were reported 2-21 May. Common Raven continued its expansion in Maryland, with signs of nesting in the Laurel area near Rocky Gorge Dam, Howard. Six sightings of single Bicknell’s Thrushes were noted in Maryland, 15-19 May, but usu- ally reliable Weyanoke Sanctuary, Norfolk, VA did not produce any reports this season. The much-enjoyed Varied Thrush that frequented a Herndon, Fairfax yard in winter visited dai- ly through 9 Mar, disappeared for two weeks, then reappeared 23 Mar-2 Apr (M&SB, m.ob.). Typically associated with fall migra- tion, a large morning flight of migrants was observed on Assateague L, Worcester 15 May (BH, JB, JH, DS). The flight consisted mostly of warblers, but also tanagers, grosbeaks, and orioles, and totaled over 500 birds. Significant counts included 125 Magnolia Warblers, 43 Baltimore Orioles, 43 Blackpoll Warblers, 39 American Redstarts, 19 Blackburnian War- blers, 14 Blue Grosbeaks, 13 Black-throated Green Warblers, and 12 Rose-breasted Gros- beaks. Rare and unexpected on the immediate coast in spring were 7 Bay-breasted Warblers, 2 Wilson’s Warblers, a Canada Warbler, and a Golden-winged Warbler. Rarely seen as spring migrant, a very late Orange-crowned Warbler visited Middle Patuxent Environ- mental Area, Howard, MD 12 May QT-S). Teams of observers searched good habitat in and around Wise, VA 7-9 May for migrant Kirtland’s Warblers (ESB et al.) but found none. The migration path of this species al- most certainly takes many individuals through this part of Virginia, where reported in the 1990s by Dick Peake, but the very “ear- ly” spring meant that many males were al- ready on territories in Michigan by then. A Prothonotary Warbler at Finzel Swamp, Gar- rett, MD 3 May (MT) provided a rare record on the Allegany Plateau. The season’s first Swainson’s Warbler arrived early at Dismal 7 Apr (RLAk). An exceptionally early migrant Mourning Warbler was in an Albemarle yard 26 Apr (ph. CM et al.); the previous early Piedmont date was 12 May. The male West- ern Tanager that frequented a residential feeder in Settler’s Mill, James City since 25 Jan was last seen 15 Mar (BW). A Clay-colored Sparrow visited a down- town Fredericksburg, VA yard 27 Apr QGo). A Lark Sparrow was a nice find at E. Potomac Park, D.C. 5 May (MMa); another was at Ft. C.E Smith Park, Arlington 22 May OHo. fide JC). The 22 Ammodramus sparrows banded on Eastern Shore of Virginia N.W.R., Northampton 25-29 Apr included 9 Nelson’s and 6 Saltmarsh Sparrows (FS). Rare on the w. Bay, 2 Saltmarsh Sparrows were at Dent Rd., Anne Arundel 27 Apr-15 May (HH et al). Very late single Dark-eyed Junco were in Prince George’s at Patuxent R. Park 14 May QS) and the Governor’s Bridge N.A. 15 May (RO). Painted Buntings continued from win- ter in Virginia Beach through 14 Mar (GW, BL, JFo) and in Bowie, Prince George’s through 12 Apr (DP et al). A first-year male Painted Bunting was at E. Potomac Park, D.C. 15 May (GA). Two Dickcissels were at Crownsville, AnneArutrdel 1 May (RKe); other singles were at Nottingham, Prince George’s 3 May (HH) and Nansemond N.W.R., Suffolk, VA 20 May (NF). An impressive 485 Bobolinks flocked near Sealston, King George 15 May (FA). The highest Rusty Blackbird count was 181 birds at Dismal 31 Mar (NF). A singing male Brew- er’s Blackbird was an excellent discovery at Elk Neck, Cecil, MD 14 Apr OLS). The only Red Crossbills were 2 very late birds at Bent Mt., Roanoke, VA 25 May (A&RA). Two Pine Siskins were at Sunrise Mt., Wise 9 May (TMD, ESB); few others were reported. Contributors: Robert L. Ake (RLAk), Gary Allport, Henry T. Armistead, Fred Atwood, Allen & Robin Austin, Andrew Baldelli (ABa), Marcia Balestri (MBa), Betsy Bangert, Lewis Barnett (LBa), Scott Baron (SBa), Ruth Beck, Stan Bentley, Maggie & Steve Bershader, Jeff Blalock OBl), Mike Boatwright (MBo), Ed Boyd, Jim Brighton, Edward S. Brinkley, Mike Burchett (MBu), Mitchell Byrd, Elaine Car- wile, David Carr (DCa), Rick Cheicante, An- drew Clem, Joe Coleman, Carolyn Coe, Wal- lace Coffey, Keith Eric Costley Dave Czalpak, Thelma Dalmas (TDa), Lynn Davidson, Greg Davis, Richard Davis, H. Fenton Day, Todd M. Day, Shirley Devan, Adam D’Onofrio, Stephen Eccles, Walter Ellison (WEl), Jennifer Elmer, David Farmer, Nick Flanders, Jen Folts QFo), Janice Frye, Kurt Gaskill, Maren Gimpel (MGi), Matt Gingerich, Jim Goehring O^o). Kevin Graff (KGr), Ron Gutberlet, Ken Hin- kle, Tim Hodge, Mark L. Hoffman, Hans Hol- 404 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS MIDDLE ATLANTIC brook, Sandy Holton, Scott Housten (SHo), Barbara Houston (BHo), Jackie Howard QHo), John Hubbell, Bill Hubick, David Hughes, Erode Jacobsen, Diane Jadlowski, Katie James, Mark Johnson, Karen Kearney, Ryan Kelly, Ron Ketter (RKe), David Larkin (DLa), Allen Lamer, Bev Leeuwenburg, William Leigh, Jeff Lemons, Diane Lepkows- ki, Peter Lev, Mikey Lutmerding, Mark Mahnke (MMa), Will McPhail, Larry Meade, Stauffer Miller (SMi), Alex Minarik, Mark Moran (MMo), Mark Mullins, Chris Murray, Peter Osenton, Robert Ostrowski, Dorothy Paugh, Paul Pisano, Mike Purdy, Robert E Ringler, Dave Roberts, Marvin Rubin, Tom Saunders, Eugene J. Scarpulla, Don Schwab (DSc), Ered Shaffer (ESh), Jeff Shenot, Dan Small, Fletcher Smith, James L. Stasz, Marcy Stutzmann (MSt), Grace Suttle, Stuart Sweet- man, Brian Taber, Brenda Tekin (BTe), Matt Tillett, Barry Truitt (BTr), David Wallace, Bryan Watts (BWa), Dave Weesner (DWe), Gerry Weinberger, Alan Williams, Bill Williams, Dave Youker, Dave Ziolkowski. Mark T. Adams, 2300 Rocky Run Charlottesville, Virginia 22901 (markadamsphd@yahoo.com) Matt Hafner, 2163 Historic Drive Forest Hill, MD 21050, (mh1920@aol.com) Southern Atlantic I] 0 Ken Blankenship Josh Southern As if refusing to let go of its historically cold grip, winter dealt the northern tier of Georgia and western North Car- olina a rare heavy snowfall along with more bitterly cold minimum temperatures in the first week of March. Though April featured below-average precipitation and brought ab- normally dry conditions to the eastern Caroli- nas, warm weather finally returned to the Southeast during the month as well. By May, the Region was experiencing exceptionally hot conditions, with rainfall that varied great- ly; flooding occurred in Georgia and South Carolina as a result of local severe weather. A powerful line of thunderstorms pushed east- ward across the northern half of Georgia ear- ly in the month, producing some very im- pressive shorebird fallouts (see S.A.). Abbreviations: K.M.T. (Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, Cobb, GA); L.S.S.I. (Little St. Simons L, Glynn, GA); S.S.S. (Sa- vannah Spoil Site, Jasper, SC). WATERFOWL THROUGH TROPICBIRDS Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks continue to expand their range: 12 were at Donnelly W.M.A., SC 14 May (DFA); breeding is strongly suspected at Phinizy Swamp N.A., GA, where 2 ads. were observed entering a tree cavity 15 May+ and as many as 15 were seen sporadically into summer (LS, m.ob.); 4 were in Clayton, GA 16 May (LSn); and 2 were in an area where the species bred last year, in Baker, GA 16 May (WS). Among the few reports of Ross’s Geese was an individual in Surfside Beach, SC from winter that was present 1 1 & 29 Mar QK) and surprisingly re- mained in the area into summer (GP, RLi). A Brant spent time on a private pond in Savan- nah, GA 21 Apr-4 May (ph. AR); a Cackling Goose mingled with Canada Geese in Muiray, GA 27 Apr-5 May (ph. JSp, m.ob.). A winter- ing Tundra Swan was last seen in Rome, GA 24 Mar (MD). Four Mottled Ducks were at Ft. Fisher, NC 6 May (GM); the sighting provides about the 6th record for the state. The species’ range is expanding northward, and it may not be long before Mottled Ducks become more regular on the middle North Carolina coast, A White-cheeked Pintail of unknown provenance was reportedly pho- tographed at Hatteras vil- lage, NC in the 3rd week of May (fide BP). A male Eurasian Teal was seen 3 Mar at Mattamuskeet N.W.R., NC (RD), where probably annual. Rafts of seaducks continued along the s. Georgia coast, in- cluding a massive flock of 20,000 Lesser Scaup off Jekyll 1.13 Mar (JS). Common Eiders left over from the winter invasion lingered into Apr at many sites, with singles present through the end of the period at Oregon Inlet, NC QL, AW et al.) and in the harbor of Beaufort, NC (JF, PG). An ad. male Harlequin Duck was spot- ted from the Outer Banks Fishing Pier in Nags Head, NC 11 Apr (JB et al.). A group of 5 White-winged Scoters from winter remained at L. Varner, GA 13 Mar 0N)i ^ lone female was at Piedmont N.W.R. 9-26 Mar (DM, m.ob.). Hooded Mergansers nested locally in all three states, including an apparent double brood on a pond in Jones, NC in May (CB). Two Common Mergansers were seen from the Outer Banks Fishing Pier in Nags Head, NC 11 Apr (JB et al.). A Western Grebe was re- ported in Buxton, NC 9 Mar (fide JL) but was not relocated. Pelagic birding off Hatteras, North Caroli- na was less productive than average this spring, especially compared to last year’s weather-related bonanza; only one Fea’s Petrel was observed off Hatteras, on 2 Jun (BPl). Two trips to the Gulf Stream far off the Geor- gia coast on 28 & 30 May were relatively pro- ductive for that lesser-known pelagic zone; a count of 54 Black-capped Petrels was excel- lent off Chatham, GA 28 May (ND et al.). No- table when seen from land, 8 Cory’s Shearwa- ters were spotted on the ocean just off Cape Lookout, NC 29 May (WF). The maximum count of Sooty Shearwaters was 20 off Hat- teras 27 & 28 May; numbers of this species were drastically lower than last spring: an av- This Manx Shearwater, a relatively common but rarely documented transient in Georgia, was nicely photographed off Chatham County 28 May 201 0. Photograph by Darlene Moore. VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 405 SOUTHERN ATLANTIC Sporting handsome breeding plumage toward the end of its second winter in Georgia was this Great Cormorant (right) at Lake Walter F. George on 15 March 2010. Photo- graph by Roy Brown. erage of 4 per trip versus 26 per trip in 2009 (BPI). Among an average num- ber of Manx Shearwater reports was a new state high count of 20 found off L.S.S.l. 9 Mar (CG, TN); 2 were off Chatham, GA 28 May (ND et al.). The high count of Audubon’s Shearwaters was 53 off Hatteras 29 May (BPI). For the 6th consecutive spring, a Eu- ropean Storm-Petrel was observed off Hatteras 31 May (BPI). Single White- tailed Tropicbirds were off Hatteras 31 May and 2 Jun; a Red-billed Trop- icbird was there 1 Jun (both BPI). Quite a surprise were two Whooping Cranes that spent a few hours at Carter's Lake, Murray County, Georgia 23 March 2010 before continuing on their migration to Wiscon- sin, where re-introduced Whooping Cranes nest. Photograph by Joshua Spence. This male Whimbrel was outfitted with a new satellite transmitter on Little St. Simons Island, Georgia 22 May 2010. In just over a week, the bird was thousands of miles away, nearing its summer breeding grounds in Nunavut. Photograph by Georgia Department of Natural Resources. STORK THROUGH SHOREBIRDS Illustrating the impact that just one conserva- tion-minded landowner can have was a 36-hectare wetland in Mitchell, GA restored through the fed- eral Wetlands Reserve Program; by the end of the season, a large wading bird rookery included as many as 125 Wood Stork nests, along with Anhingas, Little Blue Herons, and Cattle Egrets (Georgia Department of Natural Resources). A high count of 950 Wood Storks was made at the Region's largest rookery at Harris Neck N.W.R., GA 29 May (PWS, BB). A Mag- nificent Frigatebird was report- ed from Jekyli I., GA 2 May (fide LT); an imm. was flying over Lookout Bight at Cape Lookout, NC 30 May (KW, WF). Likely the same individ- ual spending its 2nd winter in the state, a Great Cormorant was last seen at L. Walter F George 17 Mar (BL), sporting handsome breeding plumage. Still on the increase, American White Pelicans were reported in abundance Regionwide, with an inland high count of 40 at Sweetwater Creek S.P., GA 16 Apr (PD) and a coastal maximum of 128 at North Inlet, Georgetown, SC 1 Mar (CH). Biologists monitoring Brown Pelican nesting colonies in Georgia were stunned to find an apparent Pacific Brown Pelican on Little Egg 1. Bar 16 Apr (BW, TK); though it mingled with nesting birds, it was only relocated on one out of several subse- quent surveys (TK). A Great White Heron was seen with 3 Great Blue Herons in Johnston, NC 24 Apr (ED, GH). Georgia’s 2nd White-faced Ibis was a one-day wonder on L.S.S.L 26 Apr (DAS et al). Roseate Spoonbills were observed in a wading bird rookery on Jekyli L, GA 4 Apr-i- QSp, m.ob.); the Region’s first nest has been anticipated in Georgia for several years: 2 were observed collecting nesting material, display- ing pair-bonding behavior, and even copulat- ing at this site 15 Apr (LT), but successful breeding was not confirmed. The highest count of Roseate Spoonbills was 288 at the S.S.S. 6 May (SC). Known to overshoot breed- ing grounds to wind up in the n. reaches of the Region, at least 2 Swallow-tailed Kites were observed near Kill Devil Hills, NC 15-25 Mar (RL, JL et al); one seen from the 1-95 bridge over the Cape Fear R., Fayetteville, NC 24 Apr (BH) may indicate nesting in the area. Two new Peregrine Falcon nest sites were discov- ered in the mts. of North Carolina this spring: pairs were seen on territory at Victory Wall, Haywood 5 Apr-i- and at Pickens Nose, Macon 12 Apr-i- (CK); two pairs continue to nest suc- cessfully on skyscrapers in downtown Atlanta, GA QO). A migrant Black Rail was flushed by mowing equipment at Callaway Gardens, GA 5 Apr (CC); several were first heard calling at the nesting area in Greene, GA 17 Apr (PWS). Individuals from the reintroduction effort based in Wisconsin, 2 Whooping Cranes graced the shallows of the Carter’s Lake, GA 23 Mar (ph. JSp). r A On 3 May, a long chain of powerful thunderstorms 3ilpushed eastward across the entire n. half of Geor- gia in only a few hours. Keen birders monitoring Doppler radar throughout the day quickly bolted to reliable sod farms and ponds as soon as the weather abated in the early afternoon and were rewarded with some big sur- prises: a foraging flock at a freshly-formed "sod pond" in Bartow (NF) included 10 White-rumped Sandpipers, a Baird's Sandpiper (very rarely found in spring), 30 Pec- toral Sandpipers, 23 Short-billed Dowitchers, and a group of 11 Wilson's Phalaropes busily spinning away. On the same day, 2 Wilson's Phalaropes were found in Forsyth (JFI); 6 White-rumped Sandpipers, another Baird's Sand- piper, and a Wilson's Phalarope took refuge in Morgan (MM, m.ob.); and a Long-billed Dowitcher and another Wilson's Phalarope were discovered in Dawson (JFI). 406 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS SOUTHERN ATLANTIC This female Ruff was found at the Savannah Spoil Site in Jasper County, South Carolina 21 April 2010. This location has produced multiple records of the species in recent years. Photograph by Ellie Covington. As late spring visits to Georgia offshore waters increase, so do sightings of northbound Arctic Terns. This bird was found resting on U. S. Navy tower M2R6 in Chatham County waters on 30 May 2010. Photograph by Darlene Moore. The first to be photographed from shore in North Carolina, these Atlantic Puffins were at Cape Lookout 9 March 2010. Photograph by Keith Rittmaster. Shorebird migration was quite interesting this season, as weather events combined with scientific efforts to produce some impressive records. American Golden-Plovers were wide- ly reported, including very high counts in Georgia in the wake of strong w. winds in late Mar: 50 in Bartow 22 Mar (HG) and 47 in Dougherty 26 Mar (DM et al.); 2 at Bear Is- land W.M.A., SC 2 May were rare for the im- mediate coast (ND). A Snowy Plover at Ham- mocks Beach S.E, NC 24 Apr OR BG) may represent the same individual at that location Jul-Sep 2008. Five American Oystercatcher nest sites, including one containing eggs, were noted on gravel rooftops in Morehead City and Atlantic Beach, NC this spring QF)- A male Whimbrel outfitted with a satellite transmitter on L.S.S.I. 22 May was tracked flying over L. Superior 29 May, spent time on the w. shore of Hudson Bay 31 May, and final- ly arrived on breeding grounds in Nunavut by 5 Jun (BW; see ); a fe- male tagged 19 May did not depart the Region until 3 Jun. A tally of 1500 Ruddy Turnstones provided a new state high count on the Ogeechee River Bar, Glynn, GA 18 May (CM et al.). Fueling up on their northbound flight were 2000+ Red Knots at St. Simons I., GA 2 6 15 May (KB et al., JA). Two female Ruffs were seen in South Carolina this spring: one at Bear Island W.M.A. 20 Mar and 6 Apr (CS, m.ob.) and one at the S.S.S. 21 & 29 Apr (SC, ph. EC). There were an above-average seven sightings of inland migrant Wilson’s Phalaropes (see S.A.). Five Red-necked Phalaropes were at the Archie Elledge W.T.F, Winston-Salem, NC 18-19 May (CCu et al); the high count off Hatteras was 131 on 19 May (BPI). A late Red Phalarope was also off Hatteras 29 May (BPI). aULLS THROUGH KINGLETS Typically found inland only on large reser- voirs, 9 Bonaparte’s Gulls seemed very odd mingling with Ring-billed Gulls in a field near Rocky Mount, NC 29 Mar (RD). A Black- headed Gull seen sporadically through winter was again spotted at L. Mattamuskeet, NC 6 Mar (PE); an Iceland Gull was a rare find on Jekyll I., GA 5 Mar (ph. BSc); and only 2 Glaucous Gulls were reported, both in North Carolina. Tropical terns were few, typical of spring: one Sooty Tern was on a sandbar in the Stono Inlet, SC 16 May (SCo); 9 Bridled Terns were off Hatteras late May-early Jun (BPI); and 2 of Bridleds were off Chatham, GA 28 May (ND et a!.). Arctic Terns were widely reported: one was seen from shore at Ft. Ma- con S.R, NC 27-28 May (ph. AG et al); 17-20 was the high count off Hatteras 28 May, coin- ciding with easterly winds (BPI); 8 were seen off Chatham, GA 28 May (ND et al); and one was perched on a U.S. Navy tower off Chatham, GA 30 May (BL et al.). At least 300 Sandwich Terns were foraging off Tybee I., GA 30 May (BL et al.); this species nests along- side thousands of pairs of Royal Terns on nearby Thompkins I., SC. In stark contrast to last May’s record numbers, only one South Polar Skua was observed off Hatteras, NC, on 29 May (BPI). All three jaeger species were recorded in lower-than-average num- bers off Hatteras (BPI), while 2 Pomarine Jaegers were off Chatham, GA 30 May (BL et al.). Two Razorbills were spotted by a Northern Right Whale monitoring team off L.S.S.I. 9 Mar (ph. CG, TN); a dead juv. was found at Topsail Beach, NC 6 Apr (GG). Two Atlantic Puffins were seen from shore near the jetty at Cape Lookout, NC 9 Mar (KR); though found in winter off Hat- teras and farther n., these individuals were farther s. than usual and the first to be photographed from shore in the state (fide JF). Single White-winged Doves visited feeders on Sapelo L, GA 30 Apr (ph. JKa) and in Morehead City, NC 29-30 May (DW). A Black-hooded Parakeet continued to roost in a utility pole in Morehead City, NC throughout the period (JF), and a Peach-faced Lovebird visited a feeder in New Bern, NC 31 May+ (BH). A Black-billed Cuckoo calling emphatically near Rabun Bald, GA 27 May (vt. KB) may have been on territory; later efforts to relo- cate the bird were unsuccessful. At least 4 Short-eared Owls remained at the annual wintering site in Cobb, Sumter, GA 13 Mar (RB). As many as 2-3 Northern Saw-whet Owls were calling along the Blue Ridge Park- way near Devil’s Courthouse 10 & 25 Apr (MW, MS); in late Apr, there were at least four sites in this area with calling birds, near the s. limit of the species’ known breeding range (MW). A record 36 Alder Flycatchers were record- ed on the Balsam Mts. spring migration count, Haywood, NC 15 May (fide MW). As many as 6 Least Flycatchers were calling at an annual local breeding site on Hale Ridge Rd., Rabun, GA 30 May (KB et al). All 3 Scissor- tailed Flycatchers were one-day wonders: in Union, NC 7 Apr (BS); in Edgecombe, NC 28 May (PW); and in Fannin, GA 12 May (TS). A Warbling Vireo was at Anilorac Farm, Chapel Hill, NC 22 May (DC), one of the easternmost documented nesting sites in the state. A ver)' impressive 100,000 Tree Swallows were at the S.S.S. 1 Apr (SC), while a Cliff Swallow in VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 407 SOUTHERN ATLANTIC WHAT DO ®iiOOR''-. 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 informarion, contact: American Bird Conservancy Cats Indoors! 1731 CvOnnccticLit Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20009 Phone: 202-234-7181 Fax: 202-234-7182 \X'cb: w'V'w.abcbirds.org Fi-mail: abc@abcbirds.org AMERICAN BIRD CONSERVANCY Rockdale, GA 14 Mar established a new early arrival date for that state (KB, NF). More evi- dence of Golden-crowned Kinglets at the s. limit of their breeding range was provided by a male singing constantly and interacting with a female that was collecting nesting ma- terial in ne. Rabuti, GA 27-28 May (v.r. KB). WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES Warbler migration was average this spring; the highest species diversity was again report- ed from K.M.T., with a maximum of 24 species on 25 & 28 Apr (GB, BZ). The Re- gion’s 2nd Virginia’s Warbler was last seen in a backyard in Lowndes, GA 24 Mar OSw). A Chestnut-sided Warbler rested on the outrig- ger of a boat 98 km from Chatham, GA 28 May (ND et al.). A male Audubon’s Warbler in breeding plumage was observed in a feed- ing flock of its Myrtle kin in Cary, NC 24 Apr (KM); a female Audubon’s was found in Whit- field, GA 28 Apr QSp, AS). Among an above- average nine reports of Connecticut Warblers (several involving multiple birds) was the very rare capture of a female at a banding sta- tion at Panola Mountain S.R, GA 28 May (b. CM). The highlight of the season, an as- tounding vagrant Red-faced Warbler was dis- covered at Dowdell’s Knob, Harris, GA 27 Apr (ph. WC); never relocated, this individual provided the hrst record e. of the Mississippi River. A wintering Yellow-breasted Chat re- mained in Morehead City, NC until at least 9 Apr OF). During surveys for this species of conser- vation concern, a new state high count of 23 singing Bachman’s Sparrows was detected at Chickasawhatchee W.M.A., GA 20 Mar (WS). A Savannah Sparrow on Hooper Bald, Graham, NC 10 May (CK) may indicate at- tempted breeding. A Harris’s Sparrow was photographed 22 Apr at Kill Devil Hills, NC OF), where it had been seen at feeders for several days. The highest confirmed count of Dickcissels was 16 at a very large breeding colony in Gordon. GA 15 May QSp); only a fraction of this sprawling private ranch can be birded from a public road, and the proper- ty was speculatively supporting up to 50+ birds (fide JSp). A Western Tanager visited feeders in Morehead City, NC 6-31 Mar (AH, JF, m.ob.); one briefly appeared in a yard in Atlanta, GA 1 Apr (ph. CHa); and one was in Athens, GA 20 Mar-4 Apr (AM, MN, m.ob.). Numbers of Painted Buntings were much lower throughout the species’ range com- pared to previous years; this was determined at nine study sites from se. North Carolina to ne. Florida from mid- to late May (PWS); an inland migrant or overshoot turned up at feeders in Gwinnett, GA 21 May (fide JS). An imm. male Yellow-headed Blackbird visited feeders in New Hanover, NC 28 Feb-23 Mar OLee, m.ob.), while up to 50 Brewer’s Black- birds remained at a semi-annual wintering site in Bartow, GA 21 Mar (KB, RC). Red Crossbills popped up at several sites in Geor- gia: a male and female, exhibiting pair-bond- ing behavior, were in Pickens 7-11 Apr (G&CH); one was at Fort Mountain S.R 18 Apr QSp); up to 3 ads. and 4 juvs. were in Dade T1 Apr+ (K&BP), most likely Type 2 birds (fide MY); and a pair was at Big Canoe 15 May (TH). Pine Siskins at feeders deep in the coastal plain in Hinesville, GA 5 Mar (NJ) and in Glennville, GA 15 Mar (GW et al.) seemed odd for a non-irruptive year, but birds from previous invasions may return to reliable food sources (fide MY). Contributors: David E Abbott, Jerry Amer- son, Clancy Ballenger, Jeff Beane, Giff Beaton, Bill Blakeslee, Ken Blankenship, Roy Brown, Steve Calver (SC), Derb Carter, Rachel Cass, Walt Chambers, Steve Compton (SCo), Elbe Covington, Cory Croft (CC), Carol Cunning- ham (CCu), Ricky Davis, Eric Dean, Phil De- lestrez, Nathan Dias, Marion Dobbs, Peggy Eubank, Nathan Earnau, Jim Flynn QFl), Wade Fuller, John Fussell (JF), Al Gamache, Hugh Garrett, Clay George, Paula Gillikin, Barbara Gould, Gilbert Grant, Andy Haines, Gary & Camille Hammond (G&CH), There- sa Hartz, Charles Haynes (CHa), Chris Hill (CH), Bob Holmes, Gene Howe, Nicole Janke, Jessie Kanes O^a), Chris Kelly, Jerry Ker- schner QK), Tim Keyes, Russ Lay (RL), Jen- nifer Lee OLee), Jeff Lewis, Ritch Lilly (RLi), Bill Lotz, Kevin Markham, Greg Massey, Ang- ie Maxted, Mark MeShane (MM), Darlene Moore, Terry Moore, Charlie Muise, Tricia Naessig, James Neves, Mark Nipper, Jim Ozi- er, Brian Patteson (BP) and Brian Patteson, Inc. (BPI), Ken & Becky Pennington, Gary Phillips, Keith Rittmaster, Amy Roberts, Peter Ross, Wayne Schaffner, Beverly Schneider (BSc), Paul Serridge (PS), Jeff Sewell QS), David Allen Sibley, Mark Simpson, Adam Smith, Cherrie Sneed, Loyd Snyder (LSn), Bruce Sorrie (BS), Joshua Spence QSp), Lois Stacey (LS), Tom Striker, John Swiderski QSw), Paul W. Sykes, Jr. (PWS), Lydia Thompson, Duffy Wade, Marilyn Westphal, Audrey Whitlock, Ken Wilkins, Gene Wilkin- son, Brad Winn, Paula Wright, Matt Young, Bob Zaremba. Ken Blankenship, 2400 Barrett Creek Blvd #827 Marietta, Georgia 30066, (kenhblankenship@comcast.net) Josh Southern, 4100-A Reavis Road Raleigh, North Carolina 27606 (joshsouthern79@gmail.com) 408 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS Florida Dry Tortvgas NP m ^ , • Key West Bruce H. Anderson Andy Bankert Much of spring was unremarkable weather-wise in Florida. The Dun- cans reported a “heavy” fallout on 22 April in the Pensacola area, despite the ap- parent lack of a related weather phenomenon. On 23 April, dead migrants, mostly passer- ines and a few seabirds, were reported washed up dead on Gulf beaches in the panhandle (Okaloosa and Walton counties), big bend (St. George Island), and the central peninsula (Pinellas County) with winds mostly from the southeast. Scarlet and Summer Tanagers, Rose-breasted and Blue Grosbeaks, Band- rumped Storm-Petrels, and an Audubon’s Shearwater were identified among the corpses. This phenomenon continued through 28 April, with many live migrants found at the usual migrant traps along the Gulf coast. One reliable report provided an es- timate of at least 200 dead migrants along a seven-block span of beach at Passe-a-Grille in southwestern Pinellas County, 27 April. An- other sizeable fallout of live migrants oc- curred in the Pensacola area 3 May, when a slow-moving front with rain approached the area from the west. Nineteen species of mi- grants were counted, the most abundant be- ing Yellow and Tennessee Warblers and Red- eyed Vireos. The front reached Cedar Key 5 May, when the oaks were full of Magnolia, Yellow, Blackburnian, and Black-and-white Warblers. Along the Atlantic coast during the last third of May, strong easterly winds and onshore squalls brought boobies, shearwa- ters, and storm-petrels near shore. These same winds may have been responsible for bringing the outstanding record of the season to Florida and the United States — the first verified record of Red-legged Thrush. Abbreviations/definitions; big bend (the part of Florida from the Apalachicola R. and through Jef- ferson)-, Fort Zachary Taylor (Fort Zachary Taylor Historic S.P, Key West, Monroe}] L. Apopka (L. Apopka Restoration Area, Orange unless otherwise stated); panhan- dle (that part of Florida from the Apalachicola R. through Escam- bia)] Paynes Prairie (Paynes Prairie Preserve S.P., Alachua)] record (only those reports verifi- able from photograph, videotape, or specimen evidence); report (any observation). WATERFOWL THROUGH HAWKS About a decade after the first 2 Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks appeared at L. Apopka, 1200+ were estimated there 14-17 Mar (HR). At Jacksonville, Duval 2 rare Greater White- fronted Geese remained 6-16 Mar (KD), while at L. Apopka a Snow Goose paused 31 Mar (HR). Casual in Florida, 3 swans, probably Tundra Swans, were at St. Marks N.W.R., Wakulla 16 Apr (ph. Michael Hill). Lingering waterfowl included one American Wigeon 14 May, 2 Blue-winged Teal through 23 May, and a Ring-necked Duck through 30 May at L. Apopka (HR); an American Wigeon at Merritt Island N.W.R., Brevard 24 May QC et ah); a male Red- head at Emerald Marsh C.A., Lake 8 May (ph. John Sten- berg); and 2 female Surf Scot- ers at Canaveral N.S., Volusia 10 May (MBr). A male Cinna- mon Teal was photographed at Eagle Lake Park, Largo, Pinellas 23 Mar-2 Apr Oh RoS et al.). The winter influx of Common Eiders contin- ued, bringing one imm. male to Port Canaveral, Cape Canaveral, Brevard 8-22 Mar (Jim Eager), a female to Washington Oaks Gardens S.P, Flagler 1 May (MW), and an imm. male to Guana Tolo- mato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve, St. Johns 4 May (ph. Linda Melch- ing). Also from winter in Palm Beach, the male Harlequin Duck reported in a gated commu- nity at Hypoluxo I. was refound on the main- land at Lake Worth Lagoon, another gated community, still in the company of Mottled Ducks, 7 Mar (Chuck Weber), while the fe- male at Sebastian Inlet, Brevard/Indian River was last reported 8 Mar (ToB). Rarest of the three scoter species, a White-winged, lingered at Titusville, Brevard through 9 Mar (MH). A minor influx of Red-throated Loons oc- curred along Florida’s ne. coast last winter, but those latest to depart were in the Gulf: one in alternate plumage at Cedar Key, Levy 15 Apr (MG) and one at Gulf Breeze, Santa Rosa 18 Apr QP). the latest for the panhandle (L&RAD). Also in the panhandle, where rare but annual, a basic-plumaged Pacific Loon paused at Gulf Breeze 3 May (L&RAD). A pelagic trip off Ponce de Leon Inlet to the Gulf Stream and beyond, Volusia/Brevard 15 May, turned up 8 Black-capped Petrels, 2 Cory’s Shearwaters, 7 Audubon’s Shearwaters, 17 Wilson’s Storm-Petrels, 3 Leach’s Storm-Pe- trels, 3 Band-rumped Storm-Petrels, 3 third- year White-tailed Tropicbirds (one of which sported golden central rectrices), and a Brown Pelican at the Gulf Stream (ph. MBr et al). In a 90-minute study from the beach at Patrick A.F.B., Brevard 21 May during a period of strong easterly winds, Freeland observed 15 shearwaters (Cory’s, Great, and Sooty), about 70 storm-petrels (Wilson’s and Leach’s), and one Masked and 2 Brown Boobies. The pan- handle’s 9th and 10th reports of Audubon’s Shearwater (L&RAD) involved one seen off Okaloosa 1., Okaloosa 1 Mar (EK) and another found dead on a Walton beach 24 Apr with 4 Band-rumped Storm-Petrels {fide Don Ware). Thirty-one Masked Boobies were at Dry Tortu- gas N.P., Monroe, where they breed, as were 12 nonbreeding Brown Boobies 30 Apr (GQ). Twenty-two Brown Boobies were counted off Miami, Miami-Dade 4 May, where regular (RoT). The Red-footed Booby at Pelican Har- bor, Miami first noted last fall was reported sporadically through 3 Jun (BR). Inland sight- ings of Brown Pelicans continue to increase, with 4 in Alachua at Newnans L. 6-22 May (LD) and Gainesville 10 May (Sean McKeon); Of three White-tailed Tropicbirds seen off Ponce de Leon Inlet, Volusia and Brevard Counties, Florida 15 May 2010, this bird had golden central rectrices. Photograph by Michael Brothers. VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 409 FLORIDA This American Golden-Plover shared a roost with a Black-bellied Plover at DryTortugas National Park, Monroe County, Florida 29 March 2010. Photograph by Mitchell Harris. Landing on a boat 48 kilometers offshore of Pinellas County, Florida 1 1 April 201 0, this Short-eared Owl of Caribbean origin was only the second of the Antillean population verified on the central Florida Gulf coast. Note the relatively plain, dark back and the fine streaking in the lower breast and sides. Photographs by Ryan Palmer. 2 in Seminole at L. Jesup 5 Mar (banded juv.; ph. Phillip Simmons) and Altamonte Springs from winter-i- (Paul Hueber); 3 in Lake at L. George 27 Mar (GQ); and at least 10 in Orange with 2 at L. Apopka 30 Apr (HR)t and at least 8 at Orlando 6 Mar-i- (Cede Catron, John Thornton, Dot Freeman). Florida’s 5th Neotropic Cormorant present at St. Marks N.W.R. since fall 2009 was last reported 21 Mar (JeS). Regular but rare in n. and cen. peninsula. White-faced Ibis included a loner at Jacksonville 15 Mar-18 Apr (KD), up to 3 at RAILS THROUGH JAEGERS Black Rails were detected on opposite sides of the state, with one heard at John M. Bethea S.E, Baker 21 Mar (Bob Richter) and 2 at Hudson, Pasco 10 May (MG). An American Coot found 64 km off Ponce de Leon Inlet 15 May (MBr et al.) was not a unique observation; coots have been found feeding in the weedlines in the Gulf Stream on other trips and are likely regular mi- grants well off Florida’s Atlantic coast. At op- posite ends of the state, where Limpkins are casual, singles were at Jacksonville 11 Apr (KD) and Key West Tropical Forest and Botan- ical Garden, Stock 1., Monroe 20-21 Apr (MG). In the panhandle, a Sandhill Crane at The second for Everglades National Park, Monroe County, Florida was this Bar-tailed Godwit of the Asian subspecies baueri. It remained at Flamingo from 28 March through 2 April (here) 2010. Photographs by Larry Manfredi. Paynes Prairie 19 Apr- 11 May (LD et al.), and in Orange up to 3 at L. Apop- ka 5 & 14 Mar and 14 Apr (HR), and one from win- ter at Orlando Wetlands Park through 11 Mar (Alex Lamoreaux). Rare in the panhandle and in the ne. peninsula, 15 Swallow-tailed Kites at Milton, Santa Rosa 11 Mar (Merilu Rose), and singles at Jacksonville 25 May (L. & D. Connor) and Caravelle Ranch, Put- nam 19 May (L&DC), were good finds, as was one at Dry Tortugas N.P. 15 Apr (LM). Ten Missis- sippi Kites at Ocala, Mar- ion 14 May (RR) were at the s. limit of their regu- lar breeding range. Short- tailed Hawks have not yet reclaimed their historical range that extended into the big bend; however, an increase of reports in the peninsula n. to Marion and Lake (Matt Hafner et al), including an active nest discovered near Leesburg (Leann Streep- er), show a continued northward expansion. Anderson observed a light-morph Short-tailed capture a Cedar Waxwing from a feeding flock in his Winter Park, Orange yard 23 Apr. Niceville, Okaloosa 24 Apr (Gail Baker) was unusual. The introduced population of migra- tory Whooping Cranes stood at about 103 in- dividuals in Apr (see ); 8 of 10 of these birds that wintered at St. Marks N.W.R. depart- ed 24 Mar (Gail Fishman). Florida’s nonmiga- tory flock, mostly in the Kissimmee Prairie of the cen. peninsula, continues to decline, with about 30 individuals remaining; surprising was a nest that produced 2 chicks by 18 May at Paynes Prairie 12 Apr (Tim Dellinger, Marty Folk), Alachua’s first. American Golden-Plovers were more wide- spread than usual, with 17 reports from the panhandle’s Okaloosa (EK) to Dry Tortugas N.P. (MH). Typically early migrants in Florida, 12 of those golden-plovers were in Mar, with the latest noted 22 Apr in Taylor QeS). Maxi- mum numbers of Piping Plovers this season were in Pinellas, with 16 at Anclote Key 20 Mar (KT) and 13 at Ft. De Soto Park 18 Apr (CC). Also in Pinellas, a Killdeer nest found 30 May (fide RoS) was only the 2nd reported on a Florida rooftop. On the s. Gulf coast at Little Estero I. Critical Wildlife Area, Lee 15 May was an American Oystercatcher that had been banded in Newjersey (CE). Three Amer- ican Avocets lingered at St. Marks N.W.R. un- til 31 May QeS). One or 2 Upland Sandpipers were reported at 10 locations throughout the state from downtown Pensacola, Escambia (JP) to Jacksonville (KD) and Dry Tortugas N.P. 29 Mar (MH). Twenty Whimbrels at Fort Zachary Taylor 25 Apr (CG) made a high count. Always rare and usually on the Gulf coast, Long-billed Curlews did not disappoint, with singles at Bald Point S.E, Franklin 22 May (JM) and Ft. De Soto Park 26 Mar-21 Apr (Tom Bell et al). Sixth for Florida, 5th to be verified, and 2nd for Everglades N.P., Monroe a Bar-tailed Godwit remained at Flamingo 28 Mar-2 Apr (acc.; Doug Gochfeld, m.ob.). Florida’s 6th Surfbird was at Cedar Key 14 Mar (acc.; ph. Bob Wallace); all but one of the six reports are verified and all but one from the Gulf coast. Sixty-five Red Knots made an all-time high count in the panhandle at Gulf Islands N.S., Escambia 25 Mar (DGr, AnH, JG). Elsewhere on the Gulf, the highest count of knots was 600 at Ft. De Soto Park 3 May (MG), while the Atlantic high count was only 132 at Huguenot Memorial Park, Jacksonville 15 May (Patrick Leary). White-rumped Sand- pipers were scarce in the peninsula, with the highest count of 8 at Cutler Wetlands, Miami- Dade 6 May (RoT). At Merritt Island N.W.R., a Pectoral Sandpiper was late 24 May, as was a Stilt Sandpiper 23-24 May (ph. Tom Dunker- ton, JC et al). The southernmost Purple Sand- 410 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS piper was at Sebastian Inlet S.P from winter through 8 Mar (ToB). The only Wilson’s Phalaropes were singles on or near the Gulf coast at Pasco 29 Apr-1 May (KT et al), St. Marks N.W.R. 16 May QeS), and Santa Rosa 1., Escambia 10 May (RAD). As rare were a Red- necked Phalarope at Port Canaveral 11 Mar (DF) and 10 off Miami 22 May (RoT). More than 1000 Bonaparte’s Gulls staged at the mouth of Ponce de Leon Inlet 6 Mar (ph. MBr). An ad. presumed Herring Gull x Lesser Black-backed Gull hybrid was found at Central Disposal Facility, Brevard 10 Mar (ph. MH). The relatively recent revival of “gulling at dumps” in Florida, together with comprehen- sive identification guides, have resulted in the change of status of Iceland Gull and Thayer’s Gull in the state. Each species is now annual, but rare and local, and the FO.S.R.C. no longer reviews reports of the former. This spring at Tomoka Landfill, Daytona Beach, Volusia, an ad. Thayer’s Gull was found 15 & 19 Mar and a first-cycle Thayer’s 19 & 22 Mar (p.a. MBr, MH); at Central Disposal Facility, another first- cycle was identified 5 Mar (acc.; MH). A puta- tive first-cycle Slaty-backed Gull at Tomoka Landfill and Daytona Beach Shores 15 & 18 Mar, respectively (ph. MBr), will be Florida’s 2nd if accepted. A third-cycle Glaucous Gull at Port Canaveral 14 May (ph. Earl Horn) was late and of an age rarely seen in Florida. No Black Noddies were reported from Dry Tortugas N.P this season (LM). Four Sooty Terns at Ft. McRae, Pensacola 22 Mar (DGr, AnH, JG) were unusual, while 115 (with 3 Bridled Terns) at and e. of the Gulf Stream off Ponce de Leon Inlet on a pelagic trip 15 May was a high number; on the same trip, 64 Arc- tic Terns e. of the Gulf Stream was the highest number ever recorded in Florida; also on that trip were 6 Pomarine and 4 Parasitic Jaegers (MBr et al). Eight nests of Gull-billed Terns among about 50 Black Skimmer nests at Gulf Islands N.S. 24 May was a record number lo- cally (RAD). Rare anywhere in the state in spring. Black Terns were at L. Apopka 25 & 28 Apr (2; HR), South Anclote Bar 9 May (4; fide BAh), and Fort Zachary Taylor 24 Apr (2; CG). Forty was the high count of Roseate Terns at Fort Zachary Taylor 18-28 Apr (CG), and 21 were counted at Dry Tortugas N.P. 30 Apr (GQ). A nearly 21 -year-old Royal Tern on the Gulf at Indian Shores Beach, Pinellas 19 May had been banded 25 Jun 1989 in North Carolina (SP). DOVES THROUGH WOODPECKERS A White-crowned Pigeon was n. at Evergreen Cemetery, Ft. Lauderdale, Broward 27 Apr QHu, RuT). Little is known about the migra- tory movements of Common Ground-Doves FLORIDA A first for Pinellas County, Florida, this Brown-crested Flycatcher remained at Fort De Soto Park 17 (here 29) March-20 April 2010. Photograph by Lyn Atherton. Bahama Mockingbird, not annual in Florida, is typically encountered as a vagrant on the peninsula's southeastern coast or on the Keys. At Fort De Soto Park, Pinellas County, this Bahama Mockingbird was studied 11-17 May 2010 — the first of its species on the Gulf coast north of Key West and the Dry Tortugas. Photographs by Tom Dunkerton (left, 16 May) and Ken Allen (right, 14 May). This male Shiny Cowbird at Fort De Soto Park, Pinellas County, Florida 14-15 (here 15) May 201 0 was one of several on the Gulf coast this season, with records west to Louisiana. Photograph by Charles Buhrman. in Florida; a few have struck towers and ap- peared in locations in spring and fall where they are not known to breed, as did one at Genius Drive Nature Preserve, Winter Park 16 May (BHA et al.). Single White- winged Doves were at lo- cations where Florida’s introduced population is not known to breed: Cedar Key 24 Mar (MG) and near Lake City, Co- lumbia 20 May (Brad Bergstrom). Irregularly distributed along the Gulf coast, single Mangrove Cuckoos were identified at Big Hickory L, Bonita Springs, Lee 18 Mar Qudie Von Eiff, ph. Betsy Sandstrom et al.) and at E. G. Simmons Park, Ruskin, Hillsborough 26 Apr (Ray Webb, fide David Goodwin). Un- precedented was the in- flux of Black-billed Cuck- oos this spring in the pan- handle, with at least 11 reports from 21 Apr-7 May (RAD); 2 in the big bend in Franklin (JM) and at Dry Tortugas N.P (LM), and singles in the peninsula at Alachua (CGo), Pinellas (EK), and Miami-Dade (RoT), were above average. Only one Smooth-billed Ani was seen at the usual Old Griffith Rd., Dania Beach, Broward location throughout the season OHu, RuT, m.ob.); one other was at Royal Palm, Everglades N.P, Miami-Dade all spring QHB, m.ob.). Most unexpected was a Short-eared Owl, apparently from the Antillean popula- tion, photographed 48 km offshore Pinellas 11 Apr (Ryan Palmer). Western hummingbirds included a Buff-bellied at Trenton, Gilchrist 2- 3 Apr (Pamela Morse); a Broad-tailed Hum- mingbird banded in winter in Okaloosa last seen 23 Mar (7th for the panhandle; acc.; fide RAD); a male Rufous Hummingbird at Day- tona Beach 22 Mar (ph. MBr); and 2 Selaspho- rus at Cedar Key through 30 Mar (DHe). In Florida, seasonal movements are not well un- derstood for the Red-headed Woodpecker: singles at Cedar Key 21 Apr (DHe) and in palm trees at Sebastian Inlet S.P, Indian River 2 May (AB) were unexpected and in areas where they do not breed. FLYCATCHERS THROUGH THRUSHES Rarely identified Empidonax included a Yellow- bellied Flycatcher at Ft. Pickens, Escambia 4 May (L&RAD) and one calling at Dry Tortugas N.P 26 Apr (LM); a vocalizing Alder Flycatch- er at Gainesville 24 Apr (acc.; Mike Manetz), Alachua’s first; and Least Flycatchers at L. Lafayette, Leon 31 Mar (RC), L. Apopka 2 Apr (HR), and Bill Baggs Cape Florida S.P, Miami- Dade from winter through 10 Apr (2; RD). The Vermilion Flycatcher and Say’s Phoebe that wintered at Ft. Walton Beach Spray Treatment Fields, Okaloosa remained through 4 & 23 VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 411 FLORIDA Mar, respectively (Neal Cronic, John Grossa). Interesting Myiarchus were single Ash-throated Flycatchers at Paynes Prairie 6 Mar (Bob Car- roll, John Killian et al.) and L. Apopka 5 Mar-2 May (HR); Brown-crested Flycatchers at Ft. De Soto Park 17 Mar-20 Apr (a Pinellas first; RoS, Lyn Atherton et al), Matheson Hammock Park, Miami-Dade 5 Mar (RD), and at Sweet- water Strand, Big Cypress National Preserve, Monroe 25 Mar (2; JHu); and lone La Sagra’s Flycatchers at Bill Baggs Cape Florida S.E from winter through 1 May (RD), No Name Key, Monroe 24 Apr (CG), and Dry Tortugas N.P. 15 Apr (LM). One Tropical Kingbird and 2 Cassin’s Kingbirds first identified in winter at Stormwater Treatment Area 5, Hendry were last seen 9 Mar and 24 Apr, respectively (acc.; William & Eleanor Marr et al.). A report of a Loggerhead Kingbird at Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden 22 Mar was with- out details (fide CG). What was apparently a Maynard’s White- eyed Vireo, V g. maynardi, was photographed at Fort Zachary Taylor 21 Apr (MG, CG); this little-known subspecies, limited to the Keys, is distinguished by a large bill and underparts that are dull and mostly lacking the yellow of the nominate subspecies. A possible Thick- billed Vireo at Key West 22-26 Mar (CG et al.) was conclusively identified; undetailed were singles at Everglades N.E, Monroe 29 Mar (RT et al.) and Dry Tortugas N.E 19-20 Apr (eBird). Rare in the state, single Warbling Vireos were reported at Ft. Pickens 28 Apr (L&RAD), and Dry Tortugas N.P. 30 Mar (MH; Florida’s earli- est credible report) and 30 Apr (ph. GQ et al.). Rare but more frequently seen were single Philadelphia Vireos at St. George Island S.E, Franklin 27 Apr Oim Cavanagh), and Dry Tor- tugas N.E 30 Apr (GQ), with up to 3 at L, Apopka 4-11 Apr (HR). Another rarity in the panhandle, lone Black-whiskered Vireos were found at Ft. Pickens 4-9 May, with 2 there 8 May (L&RAD et al), and singles were at Gulf Breeze 5 & 27 May+ (LD). Lone Cliff Swallows were at Paynes Prairie 14 Mar (Adam & Gina Kent) and L. Apopka 9 & 25 May (HR), with 2 at Ft. De Soto Park 30 Mar (RoS). All Cave Swallow reports involved loners at L. Apopka 9 May (HR), Honeymoon Island S.E 20 Apr (EK), and Cockroach Bay, Hillsborough 13 Mar (CC et al.), except at Fort Zachary Taylor, where up to 5 were counted 16 & 28 Apr (CG). One of only 2 Red-breasted Nuthatches reported last winter was last seen at St. Marks N.W.R. 28 Mar OeS)’ A. Brown Creeper was late in s. Santa Rosa 11 Apr (Thomas Barbig), as was an American Robin at Titusville 31 May-2 Jun (MH). The report of the season was the first verified Red-legged Thrush for the state and first anywhere away from the Caribbean: an ad. was a one-day wonder at Maritime Hammock Sanctuary, Melbourne Beach, Brevard 31 May (acc.; ph. Marcus & Tracy Ponce). Unexpected was the Gulf’s first Bahama Mockingbird n. of Key West at Ft. De Soto Park 13-17 May (ph. Ken Allen, Chris Rasmussen et al). At Florida’s two sites where Sprague’s Pipits occur annually, the last sight- ing at Eglin A.FB., Okaloosa involved 4 on 14 Mar (Lenny Fenimore) and one at Apalachico- la Airport, Franklin 4 Apr (JM). WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES Blue-winged and Golden-winged Warblers were in near normal numbers, with 10 Blue- wingeds at five locations in the cen. and s. peninsula (RoS, BP, JHu, RuT, RoT, CG) and 5 Golden-wingeds at five Gulf coast sites OM, DHe, Kathryn Young et al., JF, CG). Late were an Orange-crowned Warbler at Fort Zachary Taylor 23 Apr (CG) and a Yellow-rumped at Gainesville 16-18 May (CGo, RR et al). Only 2 Nashville Warblers were reported: singles at Ormond Beach, Volusia from winter through 3 Apr (ph. MW) and at Fort Zachary Taylor 21 Apr (CG). A Gulf coast high count, 166 Black- polls were noted 10 May at Green Key, Pas- co— also a new location for a Black-throated Gray Warbler 12 Apr (all KT). Other western- ers were photographed: a female Townsend’s Warbler at Bill Sadowski Park, Miami-Dade 27 Mar (Trey Mitchell) and Florida’s 6th accepted MacGillivray’s Warbler, a male at Loxahatch- ee N.W.R. 20 Apr (acc.; Donald Coody). Rare in spring, 9 Chestnut-sided Warblers (GR, JuH, EH, BP, CG, GQ, LM), 5 Black-throated Green Warblers QuH, EH, BP), 4 Blackburn- ian Warblers (LD, EH, BP, LM), 6 Bay-breast- ed Warblers (LD, ph. Danny Bales, EH, JF, LM), and 5 Cerulean Warblers (Jean Turner, EH, CG, LM) were all on the Gulf coast. Two Black-throated Greens were at Leesburg 5 Mar (GQ). At Bill Baggs Cape Florida S.P., 22 Worm-eating Warblers were banded 22 Apr, as were 3 Swainson’s 27 April (RD). There were only 2 Connecticut Warblers reported: a male banded at Tomoka S.E, Ormond Beach 30 Apr (ph. MW) and one at San Felasco Hammock Preserve S.E, Alachua li May (John Hinter- mister). Two Mourning Warblers, casual in Florida, were reported without details at Ft. Pickens 9 Apr (Thomas Barbig) and Leffis Key, Manatee 13 May Qohn Ginaven). A Wilson’s Warbler at Fort Zachary Taylor 1 Mar-14 Apr (CG) made the only report for that species. A female Western Spindalis at Bill Baggs Cape Florida S.E 5-9 Apr (Simon Buckingham, RD) was the only one of the spring. The Green-tailed Towhee that wintered at Ft. Pickens, Florida’s 3rd, lingered until 12 Mar (L&RAD). Lone Clay-colored Sparrows were at L. Apopka 10 Mar (HR), Markham Park, Broward 27 Mar and Eco Pond, Ever- glades N.E, Monroe 4 Mar (ph. Drew Fulton). In the panhandle, 3 Lark Sparrows remained at Ft. Pickens through 10 Mar (L&RAD), 2 at Perdido Key, Escambia were present 28 Mar (Lloyd Davis), and 2 paused at Pensacola 16 Apr QP); one was at Cedar Key 21 Apr (DHe). Single reports were received for several sparrow species: a Henslow’s Sparrow at Lake Jackson, Leon 9 Apr (RC); up to 9 White-crovmed Spar- rows at L. Apopka 9-23 Apr (HR); a Dark-eyed Junco at Tallahassee, Leon 5 Mar (Gail Menk), and at its s. limit at Gainesville, a single Fox Sparrow from winter through 4 Mar (GR, Ruth Palenik). Single Lincoln’s Sparrows were at Dry Tortugas N.P. 26 Apr (LM) and Gulf Breeze 26- 28 Apr (L&RAD). Western Tanagers were at Tallahassee from winter through 7 Apr (FR), Gainesville 17-29 Mar (up to 2; Carol Willis, Ralph Bowden, John Martin), and Keystone Heights, Bradford 28 Mar (CGo). Another ca- sual westerner was a male Black-headed Gros- beak at Kendall Indian Hammocks Park, Mia- mi-Dade 29 Apr-2 May (BR, JHB). Sixty-two Rose-breasted Grosbeaks at St. George Island S.E 27 Apr (Linda Felker) was a recent high number for the state. A Lazuli Bunting at Oviedo, Seminole from fall through 27 Apr (Mary Acken, ph. Ken Schmidt) was Florida’s 10th and the 3rd consecutive year at this loca- tion. Unprecedented numbers of Dickcissels visited the state; about 125 were at 14 sites from the panhandle (L&RAD) to Dry Tortugas N.P. (LM), with a high of 62 at Ft. De Soto Park 28 Apr (RoS, BP et al). Always exciting, a pair of Yellow-headed Blackbirds enlivened Cocoa, Brevard 18 Mar-23 Apr (DF, Doug Spahr et al), as did a male at East Lake Park, Hillsborough 10 Mar-5 Apr (Doug Wassmer, Lilian Saul). As usual. Shiny Cowbirds showed a circum-Gulf movement, with singles at Key West and Stock I. 12 & 26 Apr (CG) and Ft. De Soto Park 28 Apr (MG) and 14-15 May (ph. Charles Buhrman, SP et al); duos at Alligator Point, Franklin 23 May QM), and St. Andrews S.E, Bay 18 May (Tom Strike); and a loner at Ft. Pickens 4 May (L&RAD et al). Paul W. Sykes, Jr. found Brown-headed Cowbirds “a lot more numerous around the feeders at the Painted Bunting Study Sites than in the previ- ous years in the Duval County area in mid- May 2010.” For the 5th year, a female Bul- lock’s Oriole wintered at a Tallahassee feeder, this season remaining through 4 Apr (FR). Single Pine Siskins lingered into early spring near opposite coasts at Titusville 7 Mar (MH) and Lutz, Pasco 18 Mar (Dave Bowman); in addition, an American Goldfinch at Gaines- ville was late 15 May (Tom Hoctor). 412 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS FLORIDA Contributors (and members of the Florida Ornithological Society Field Observations Committee, in boldface): Brian Ahern (BAh), Bruce H. Anderson, Andy Bankert, John H. Boyd, Tom Brock (ToB), Michael Brothers (MBr), Rodney Cassidy, Larry and Diana Con- nor, Cameron Cox, Kevin Daily, Lloyd Davis, Robin Diaz, Lucy & Robert A. Duncan, Char- lie Ewell, Judy Fisher, David Freeland, Mur- ray Gardler, Carl Goodrich, Caleb Gordon (CGo),Jeff Gore, Daniel Greene (DGr), Eric Haney, Al & Bev Hansen, Mitchell Harris, Ann Harvey (AnH), Dale Henderson (DHe), Judy Hopkins QuH), John Hutchison OHu), Ed Kwater, Larry Manfredi, John Murphy, Scott Patterson, James Pfeiffer, Peggy Powell, Bill Pranty, Gallus Quigley, Brian Rapoza, Harry Robinson, Ginny Rose, Rex Rowan, Fran Rutkovsky, David Simpson, Jean Simp- son OeS), Ron Smith (RoS), Joyce Stephancic QoS), Russ Titus (RuT), Roberto Torres (RoT), Ken Tracey, Meret Wilson. O Bruce H. Anderson, 291 7 Scarlet Road Winter Park, Florida 32792, (scizortail@aol.com) Andy Bankert, 365 Spoonbill Lane Melbourne Beach, Florida 32951, (abankert@fit.edu) Ontario | Alan Wormington The spring was characterized by bizarre heat waves across the province, which set many records both locally and Re- gionally. The first warm period was in mid- March, when winter instantly turned into spring just about everywhere, when virtually all snow cover vanished from the province. At Timmins, Cochrane District (in the central portion of northern Ontario), it reached 59° F on 15 March. This was followed by another heat wave from late March through about 6 April, again centered in northern Ontario. At Timmins, the temperature peaked at 84° F on 2 April, which is nothing short of bizarre. During this period, even large lakes became ice-free across the north, which was unprece- dented. Just a week later, on 9 April, Timmins received 15 cm of fresh snow, which briefly changed the landscape. But this change was short-lived, as throughout northern Ontario the heat quickly returned and temperatures well above average persisted until the end of the month. As expected in the south, many record-early arrivals were set due to the warm weather. In the north, however, the effects were minimal. Some early species such as ducks, gulls, Killdeer, and blackbirds ap- peared earlier than normal, but early Neotropical migrants were absent. A cold spell blanketed the southern por- tions of the province for about a week after 5 May, when on 8 May a major late-spring snowstorm covered central parts of the province, including Manitoulin District and North Bay. Groundings of swallows during this period were widespread across the south. This cold spell, too, was short-lived, as again blistering heat quickly returned, and Tim- mins recorded high temperatures of 85° F on 19 May and 95° F on 25 May. Needless to say, the overall favorable conditions set the stage for an extremely early and productive nesting season throughout the entire north. Significant rarities during the period in- cluded Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Anhin- ga. White-faced Ibis, a fulva Cave Swallow, Sage Thrasher, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Pink-sided Junco, Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, and Eurasian Siskin. Abbreviations: H.S.A. (Hamilton Study Area), K.FN. (Kingston Field Naturalists), N.P.H. (Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch), Point Pelee (Point Pelee Birding Area, a standard C.B.C. circle centered just n. of Point Pelee N.P), Mentioned often is Thunder Bay and Thunder Cape (Thunder Cape B.O.), both of which are in Thunder Bay District. Ontario is divided into “north” and “south” regions by 47° N latitude. A place name in italics refers to a county, district, or regional municipality. WATERFOWL Flocks of Black-bellied Whistling-Duck in- cluded 13 birds in Simcoe at Tiny Marsh 2 May (AMM) that were then re-sighted 16 km ne. at Riverside 4 May (MH); another flock of 10 was at Windsor (Peche I.), Essex 15 May (WAW). These are the 4th and 5th records for Ontario. Only 4 Greater White-fronted Geese were found in the south, at Oshawa Second Marsh, Durham 16 Mar (THo), in Ottawa at Nepean 17 Mar (CED et ah), s. of Kars 30 Mar (LS, RJC), and at Ravenshoe Rd. floodlands, York 29-30 Apr (PW). Large numbers of Greater Snow Geese again passed through e. Ontario, including 60,000+ birds in the Corn- wall-Williamsburg area of Stonnont, Dundas, and Glengany 15-16 Mar (BLM et al.); 16 birds at Alfred, Prescott and Russell 18 May (RDJ, JRC) were late, with one still there 30 May (RK). After last spring’s influx of Ross’s Geese in the south, remarkably only a single Ten Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks at Windsor, Essex County, Ontario on 1 5 May 2010 made the fifth record for the province; an even larger flock, of 1 3, was present earlier in the month, at Tiny Marsh and at Riverside, 2 and 4 May, respectively. Photograph by W. Alan Wright. VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 413 ONTARIO Two White-faced Ibis appeared singly at Big Creek Marsh, Essex County, Ontario in spring 2010, with this apparent one-year-old bird being present 25 April through 10 (here 9) May. Photograph by Jean Iron. King Rail is rare even in the extreme southern part of Ontario, but this bird was much farther north, at North Bay, Nipissing District, where it was found dead on 27 May 2010. Photograph by Steve Belfry. This nicely marked Curlew Sandpiper was a one-day wonder at Blenheim, Chatham-Kent Regional Municipality, Ontario 17 May 2010. Photograph by Garry T. Sadler. bird was found this spring, at Long Sault Parkway, Stormont, Dun- das, and Glengarry 18 Mar (HV). An extremely early Brant was present e. of Bourget, Prescott and Russell 17-19 Mar (RJC, LS et al.); singles at Long Point (Gravelly Bay), Noijolk 22 May (MSWB et al.) and Indian Point, Manitoulin 28 May (RRT, JTa) were unusual spring records for these loca- tions. Peak Brant counts in e. Ontario were on 17 May, with 1600 birds at Kingston, Frontenac and 650 at Camden East, Lennox and Addington (both K.F.N.). The 27,000 Canada Geese flying over Kingston 16 Mar (SN) was a significant spring number for that area. A pair of ad. Mute Swan with 2 yearlings was at Bayfield Sound 6 Apr (CH) and later nested at nearby Portage Bay (TMo), pro- viding Manitoulin with its first nesting record. For the 3rd straight year, a pair of Trumpeter Swan nested at Atikokan, Raifiy River, with 5 new hatch- lings there 29 May (RWEB), The 700 Gadwalls at Hillman Marsh 10 Mar (AW, DJW) was a record- high spring count for Point Pelee. Single male Eurasian Wigeons were found at Presqu’ile PR, Northumberland 17 Mar (FMH et al), Cranberry Marsh, Durham 28 Mar (DK et al.). Big Creek Marsh, Essex 1-2 Apr (RJLJ, LAJ et al), West- meath PR, Renfrew 7-10 Apr (CRM et ah), Gosport, Northumberland ca. 10-22 Apr (JB et al). Port Perry, Durham 30 Apr (MJCB), Lindsay, Victoria 10 May (SCBl et al.), Luther Marsh, Wellington 12 May (MDC, PGr, ML, BKW), and at Amher- stview, Lennox and Adding- ton 21 May (VPM,AKBR). An apparent Mallard x Gadwall hybrid (“Brewer’s A phalarope in Ontario during the month of March is unprecedented. This Wilson's Phalarope present from 19 March through at least 24 April (here 30 March) 2010 at Blenheim, Chatham-Kent Regional Municipality may also have been record early for the entire Great Lakes region. Photograph by Alan Wormington. Duck”) was near Grafton, Northumberland 26 May (MJCB, RWFR WDG). High counts of King Eider off Stoney Creek, Hamilton includ- ed 21 birds 9 Mar (KAMcL) and 17 birds 19 Mar (THo). Multiple Harlequin Ducks includ- ed 3 along the L. Ontario shoreline from Port Credit, Peel to Humber Bay, Toronto 2 Mar-12 Apr (m.ob.), 3 at Bronte, Halton 4 Apr QKB), and up to 9 at Prince Edward Pt., Prince Ed- ward 24 Apr-27 May (m.ob.); singles were at Cobourg, Northumberland 6-28 Mar (CEG et al), Stoney Creek 19 Mar (THo), Pelee L, Es- sex 24 Apr-1 May (YRT et al), Sault Ste. Marie, Algoma 29 Apr-2 May (RDK et al), and Presqu'ile P.P. 14 May (FMH). The 9500 White-winged Scoters from Grimsby to Fifty Point, Niagara 16 Mar (AW) was a significant count. The wintering male Barrow’s Goldeneye at L. Wolsey Manitoulin since 6 Jan (CTB, RCT et al.) was last reported on 13 Mar; the 3 (2 males, one female) at Presqu’ile PR 29 Mar (RDJ, JRC, DWM et al.) were spring migrants. Up to 5 Ruddy Ducks were at Hearst, Cochrane 30-31 May-r (KGB et al). LOONS THROUGH IBISES An imm. Pacific Loon at Long Point (Outer Bay) 16 May (RR, RWS et al.) provided a 2nd local record for the species. The 585 Common Loons flying over inland sites at ne. Lambton during just two early a.m. hours 6 May (PSB) were taking the shortest route for birds mi- grating from L. Erie to L. Huron. A Red- necked Grebe was at Pelee 1. 28 Apr (KGB), where the species is rare. In the south, only 4 Eared Grebes were found, with singles at Presqu’ile RP. 22 Mar (RT, AS), Lindsay 10 May (m.ob.), and in Elgin at Aylmer 16 May-5 Jun and at Port Stanley 17-24 May (both LW, DAM et al); in the north, 3 were at Emo, Rainy River 3-5 May (AW, RPC et al), where the species has nested in the past. Sin- gle Western Grebes were found at Port Credit 414 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS Ontario continues to accumulate records of Sage Thrasher, including this bird at Harris Hill, Rainy River District on 4 May 2010, the province's fourteenth record. Photograph by Alan Wormington. 18-21 Mar (RDMa et al.), Etobicoke, Toronto 10-18 Apr (m.ob.), and Van Wagners Beach, Hamilton 9 May (MD). Out-of-range Ameri- can White Pelicans included 6 at L. George, Algoma 16 Apr (DLE), 3 at Sheguiandah Bay, Manitoulin 2 or 3 May (fide RCT), 2 at Sault Ste. Marie 10 May (RDK et al.), 6 at Matchedash Bay, Simcoe 11 May (LlC et al.), one at Dundas Marsh, Hamilton 13-14 May (TT et al), one at East Point Park, Toronto 15 May (TMc, MAK), 3 at Hillman Marsh, Essex 17-18 May (BSC, LC et al.), and one at L. Scu- gog, Durham 28-31 May+ (WDB et ah). A Double-crested Cormorant at L. Opeongo 7 Apr (JS) was record early for Algonquin PR, Nipissing. Quite astonishing was a female An- hinga well n. at Sault Ste. Marie 1 May (DMB et al), establishing just the 6 th record for On- tario; the bird was last seen flying into adja- cent Michigan. A Great Egret at Ignace, Kenora 21-22 May (AML) was exceptionally far north. A very early Snowy Egret at St. Catharines, Niagara 13 Apr QMi), and another at Point Pelee 7-12 May (MWH, JAH et al.), made the only re- ports. Similarly, an ad. Little Blue Heron at Cranberry Marsh 9-10 May (RRP et al.) was also the only spring report. Single Tricolored Herons were found at Echo Bay, Algoma 21 May (DBH, VCH) and Amherst 1., Lennox and Addington 25-29 May (VPM et al). Only 4 Cattle Egrets were found, singles at Blenheim, Chatham-Kent 11 Apr (MC,JMcG), Amherst- burg, Essex 16 Apr (RJLJ) and another 11-12 May (m.ob.), and Erieau, Chatham-Kent 1-14 May (m.ob.). A Green Heron at Oshawa Sec- ond Marsh 2-3 Apr (RRP et al.) was probably ONTARIO record early for Ontario; another early bird was at Windsor 13 Apr (TJP, EML et al). Birds specihcally identihed as Glossy Ibis were 3 at Long Point Tip 22 Apr (JBF, RWW). In Sim- coe, 2 at Nottawa 18 May (BG, DMG) were then seen at Tiny Marsh 20 May OTe)- Two different White-faced Ibis appeared at Big Creek Marsh, Essex, with a hrst-year bird 25 Apr-10 May (TOu et al.) and an alternate- plumaged ad. 8-13 May (LAE, KEH et al.). An ad. earlier at nearby Tecumseh, Essex 6 May (DD et al.) was probably the same bird. Ple- gadis ibis that remained unidentified were one at Long Point (Courtright Ridge) 22 Apr (BAT), one at Blenheim 6 May Oh RB), 2 at Long Point Tip 8 May (MVAB, CDP), one at Long Point (Old Cut) 15 May (DS, HBM et al.), and one at Rattray Marsh, Peel 22 May (AIJ). RAPTORS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS A Black Vulture was at Grimsby 19 Mar (BRH, TGT et ah), then in Hamilton at Dundas 19- 20 Mar (RZD et al.) and Rock Chapel 20 Mar (TK et al). Yet another mobile bird was at Dundas and Hamilton Harbour 11-24 Apr (GW et al), and then likely the same bird was seen flying eastward at Grimsby 27 Apr (N.P.H.). Other singles were at Port Rowan to Turkey Point Marsh, Noifolk 24 Mar QRA et al.), Smith Bay, Prince Edward 28 Mar (RTS), and Comber, Essex 23 Apr (BRG). Reports of sin- gle Mississippi Kites included an ad. at Point Pelee 12 May (DRSa, JEB, LVM, ADo) and a first-year imm. at Holiday Beach, Essex 31 May (LAJ, RJM). A Northern Harrier at Heron Bay, Thunder Bay 13 Mar (WM) was very early for L. Superior. A Cooper’s Hawk at Minnitaki, Kenora 12 Apr (CDE) was at the species’ n. limit in Ontario. A dark-morph Broad- winged Hawk was at Grimsby 13 Apr (N.P.H.). A juv. gray-morph Gyrfal- con at Point Pelee 2 Apr (BRH) fur- nished a 7th local record and was the only report for the south. A King Rail found dead at North Bay, Nipissing 27 May (CR) was ex- ceptional that far n. in the province; one at Hillman Marsh 26 May (DJW) was the only other report. An early Virginia Rail was heard calling at Kanata, Ottawa 28 Mar (BMD). A Black-bellied Plover at Thunder Bay 3 May ORB) was very early for the north. Five American Golden-Plovers at Amherst I. 25 Apr-1 May, and 2 at Kaiser Crossroad Wet- land, Prince Edward 25-29 Apr (both K.EN.), were rarities that far e. in Ontario during spring. Two color-marked Piping Plovers at Presqu’ile P.P 13 May had been banded in 2009 as nestlings in Michigan; one was still present the next day (FMH et al.). Other marked birds at Presqu’ile included different singles 22-24 (MR, FMH et al.) & 25 May (WDG). At the Carter Bay, Manitoulin nesting site, last year’s nesting male along with 2 one- year-olds were present 15 May, but only the male was present 22-31 May+ QD et al.). At Point Pelee, American Avocets were all at Hillman Marsh, with 2 seen 9 May (WGL, KAMcL et al.), one 13 May (m.ob.), and 2 on 16 May QDV); elsewhere, one was at Big Creek Marsh, Norfolk 6 May (m.ob.) and an- other at Hamilton, Hamilton 15-18 May (DRD, CEE et al). An early Spotted Sand- piper was at Port Franks, Lambton 1 Apr (MPA). As usual, big numbers of Willets were at Point Pelee, with 130 there 30 Apr (JB) and another 25 birds 2 May (KAMcL); other local Table 1 . Records of Long-billed Dowitcher in Ontario, spring 2010. No. Date($) Location 0bserver($) 1 13-18 Apr Amherst 1., Frontenac VPMetal. 1 24-29 Apr Vinemount, Hamilton ACDetal. 1 30 Apr Amherst 1., Frontenac AK 4 1 May Tavistock, Oxford JMH 12 2 May Townsend, Haldimand RWS,BDJ, RGS.JEH 4 3 May Blenheim, Chatham-Kent RWS,BDJ, RGS,JEH etal. 15 6 May Blenheim, Chatham-Kent Jl et al. 9 6 May n. of Point Pelee N.P., Essex KAMcL, WGL etal. 1 6 May Tip of Point Pelee N.P., Essex BMD, BFD etal. 1 6 May Watford, Lambton PSB 8 8 May Hillman Marsh, Essex BRH, EWH 1 8-10 May Bruce Mines, Algoma DMB, KAMcl etal. This Western Tanager was caught and banded 5 May 2010 at Thunder Cape, Thunder Bay District, Ontario, a location where the species has been recorded annually in recent years. Photograph by John M. Woodcock. VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 415 ONTARIO Oregon Juncos are rare but regular in Ontario — but rarely are they as well marked as this splendid male at Marathon, Thunder Bay District, noted 8-15 (here 8) April 2010. Photograph by Michael I Butler. Ontario's eleventh Golden-crowned Sparrow was this individual at West Bay, Manitoulin District 3-6 (here 5) May 2010. Photograph byErv/inJ. Meissner. counts in the south were 11 at Bronte and Burlington 2 May (DRD et al.), 7 at Lynde Shores C.A., Durham 2 May (DK et al), and 4 at Morgans Pt., Niagara 2 May (BEF, JMF, KJR, DMR). The 9 at Thunder Bay 1 May (GG), and another there 23 May (NGE et al), were rare sightings for the north. Two Whimbrels at Burlington 12 May (IM et al.) were record early for the H.S.A. Marbled Godwits in the south were 10 at Hillman Marsh 30 Apr (JB et al), one at Cobourg 2 May (KN et al), and 4 at Blenheim 3 May OEH, BDJ, RGS, RWS et al). The 107 Red Knots at Presqu’ile P.P. 30 May (BMD) was a good count for this declin- ing species. Single Western Sandpipers at Amherst L 16 Apr (K.EN.) and Norwich, Oxford 23 May QMH) were the only reports for this rare spring migrant. An apparent Dunlin x White- rumped Sandpiper hybrid was at Watford, Lambton 5-10 May (PSB et al); this putative hybrid has been detected several times in On- tario. The 48 Pectoral Sandpipers at Green- way Lambton 23 Mar (MPA) was a good count for the early date. A Purple Sandpiper at Niagara Falls 29 Apr (JMP) was probably a wintering bird, but sin- gles at Presqu’ile RE 22 May (FMH, MR et al.) and Amherst I. 28 May (AK) were rare spring mi- grants. Two Dunlins at Hillman Marsh 18 Mar (DJW) were record early for Point Pelee. An ad. Curlew Sandpiper was at Blenheim 17 May (GTS). A basic-plumaged male Ruff at Point Pelee 14-15 Apr (AW et al) provided the only report for the en- tire province. Several decades ago. Long-billed Dowitchers were virtually unheard of in Ontario in spring. But occurrences of the species during the spring 2010 (Table 1) were widespread across the s. part of the province, which included significant numbers total- ing at least 59 birds. Three Wilson’s Snipe suc- cessfully wintered at a traditional seep at Marathon, Thunder Bay (MTB et al), which is ex- ceptional for the north. A Wilson’s Phalarope at Blenheim 19 Mar-24 Apr (MJI, DJI et al.) was record early for Ontario and perhaps also for the entire Great Lakes Region. There was a scattering of Red-necked Phalaropes across the south, with 6 at Amherst L 23 May (RS) the largest number reported. GULLS THROUGH SWIFTS Two Bonaparte’s Gulls at Presqu’ile Bay, Northumberland 8 Mar (WDG) were locally record early. The only Black-headed Gull found was an ad. at Queenston, Niagara 14-26 Mar (TBJ, CLW et al). Little Gulls at Oshawa Second Marsh peaked at 47 birds 23 Apr (THo). Ad. Laughing Gulls at Point Pelee 5-12 (BMD, BED et al), 8-10 OMP et al), & 13 May QKB) were thought to be different indi- viduals; ads. elsewhere were at Pelee L 29 Apr (KGB) and another 8 May (KGB, RWFP), Long Point Tip 7 May (MVAB et al), and Mor- gans Pt., Niagara 31 May (BEF, JMF). Franklin’s Gulls were surprisingly few, with singles at Erie Beach, Chatham-Kent 24 Apr and another 6 May (both JTB et al), and Point Pelee 9 May (KAMcL, WGL) and another 13 May (AEK, CC et al.) being the only sightings. A third-alternate California Gull at Wheatley Harbour 6 May (JI et al) was the 9th record for Point Pelee. A first-cycle Thayer’s Gull at the Gravel R. mouth, Thunder Bay 10 Mar (MTB, MLA) was presumably an early spring migrant, as a wintering bird on L. Superior would be exceptional A Lesser Black-backed Gull at Point Pelee 17 May was an apparent in- termedius (AW), a subspecies not nearly as rare in Ontario as formerly thought. The 100 Black Terns at Port Perry 16 May (DK, JMcK) was a high count for spring. At Deschenes Rapids, Ottawa, 2 Arctic Terns were present 16 May (MAG), increasing to 5 on 17 May (RAB, CAL); 2 remained through 28 May. The 31 Forster’s Terns at Dundas Marsh 4 May (JKB) was the highest count for the H.S.A. since the 1970s; one at the Rainy R. mouth, Rainy River 5 May (AW, RPC) was lo- cally rare. An ad. Parasitic Jaeger at Point Pelee 13 May (GTH et al.) was the only report in the south. A Eurasian Collared-Dove was at the Tip of Long Point 23 May (MVAB et al). Single White -winged Doves were found at Long Point Tip 21 May (MVAB, JCK, NAP, EP) and n. of Port Rowan, Norfolk 29 May (DLL, EP). A Mourning Dove at Eton-Rugby, Kenora 7 Apr (MGI, HMI) was very early for that far north. A peak of 18 Short-eared Owls at Amherst 1. 24 Mar (PJG) was a good count for this declining species. The wintering Boreal Owl at Wolfe I., Frontenac since 28 Dec (K.EN.) was present through at least 21 Mar. Single, calling North- ern Saw-whet Owls at Finmark, Thunder Bay 4 Mar (MCF) and Cobalt, Timiskaming 13 Mar (BDM) were probably both recent arrivals. A very early Common Nighthawk was at Thick- sons Woods, Durham 1 May (WDB). An East- ern Whip-poor-will in Manitoulin 21 Apr (LG, EG) was locally record early. A very early Chimney Swift was at Thicksons Woods 10 Apr (THo). WOODPECKERS THROUGH WMWiNGS A Red-bellied Woodpecker at Thunder Cape 2 May (NB, JMW, CS) and another at Win- dermere, Muskoka 22 May (DBri) were local rarities. One or more were at the traditional breeding site at the Rainy R. mouth 30 Apr+ (DHE et al). A first-year female Yellow-bel- lied Sapsucker x Red-naped Sapsucker hy- brid at Long Point Tip 3 May (MVAB) was certainly an oddity. A Black-backed Wood- pecker at Albion Hills C.A., Peel 2 Apr (MJ) was the only one noted in the south away from traditional areas. A Western Kingbird at Thunder Cape 18 May (JMW et al.) was the only provincial sighting. An early Eastern Kingbird was at Lancaster, Stormont, Dundas, 416 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS ONTARIO and Glengarry 19 Apr (LMa, JL). A Scissor- tailed Flycatcher was at Hillman Marsh 11 May (MAS). A Loggerhead Shrike at Thunder Bay 3-5 May (AW, RPC et al.) was a rarity for the north. The only White-eyed Vireo away from the extreme s. was at Presqu’ile P.P. 2 May (WDG). Record-early vireos for Algo- nquin P.P. were a Blue-headed at Cache L. 18 Apr (RGT et al.) and 2 Red-eyeds near Brown L. 1 May (DL). A Warbling Vireo at Port Lambton, Lambton 22 Apr (BAM) was early, as was a Red-eyed Vireo at Long Point 22 Apr (JCK, BAT). A Black-billed Magpie at Red Lake Rd., Kenora 3 May (MSD) was a bit n. of its usual range. Two American Crows at Moose Factory, Cochrane 20 Mar (WJC) vcere locally early. A Fish Crow at Long Point P.P. 15 May (RDMc, DAS, GEW, MVAB et al.) was the 17th Ontario record. A pair of Common Ravens successfully nested at Presqu’ile P.P. (FMH et al.), a local first and at the species’ s. limit in Ontario. The 5 Horned Larks at Thunder Bay 13 Mar (SCBr, MGB) were lo- cally very early. The 12 Northern Rough-winged Swallows at Big Fork 3 May (AW, RPC) made a high count for Rainy River. Bank Swallows ground- ed by cold weather included 9000 at Long Point (Old Cut) 5 May (RWW et al.) and 3000 at the Tip of Point Pelee 8 May QHS, WBe). Cliff Swallows similarly grounded on 8 May included 400 at Long Point Tip (MVAB, JCK et al.) and 200 at the Tip of Point Pelee QHS, WBe). A Cave Swallow of the nominate fulva subspecies from the Caribbean was at Point Pelee 8 May WBe) and was well described. An apparent Cliff Swallow x Barn Swallow hybrid was at Mitchell’s Bay, Chatham-Kent 11 May (DRSa, LVM et al). A Sedge Wren at Thunder Bay 2 May (AW, NGE et al.) was exceptionally early for the north. Also early for the north was an Eastern Blue- bird at Devlin, Rainy River 6 Apr (MSD). The wintering Townsend’s Solitaire at Evansville, Manitoulin since earlyjan (WBa, SB et al.) was last reported 2 Mar. One at Pelee 1. 21 May (GCG) was a very late spring migrant. A Swainson’s Thrush at Thunder Bay 2 May (AW, BJM et al.) was early for the north. The wintering Varied Thrush at Cold Creek C.A., York since 5 Jan (GS et al.) was last seen 2 Apr. A northerly Northern Mockingbird was at Ignace 4 May (AML). A Sage Thrasher at Harris Hill, Rainy River 4 May (AW, RPC) fur- nished the 14th record for Ontario. Two courageous Brown Thrashers successfully overwintered in the north, with one at Sault Ste. Marie since 12 Nov (US et al.) last seen on 4 Apr, and the other at Wabigoon L., Keno- ra since 16 Dec (MIV et al.) last seen 1 Apr. Two European Starlings at Moosonee, This Blue Grosbeak at Rondeau Provindal Park, Chatham-Kent Regional Municipality, Ontario 8-15 (here 14) May 2010 was first thought to be a young male, but later it was determined to be an adult female. Photograph by Michael J. Irwin. Exceptionally far north for a Painted Bunting, this bird was found along the Lake Supe- rior shore at Rossport, Thunder Bay District, Ontario, where it visited a feeder 21 May 2010. Photograph by H. Gordon Smith. Cochrane 20 Mar (WJC) were locally early. The 228 Bohemian Waxwings at Long Sault Parkway 21 Mar (HV) was a good count for the date and lo- cation. WARBLERS THROUGH TANAGERS Single Blue-winged War- blers at Windermere, Muskoha 22 May (DBri) and Magnetawan, Parry Sound 28 May (AMM) were local rarities. A Golden-winged Warbler at Thunder Cape 18 May OMW, MEW, CS, JJ) was a rarity for L. Superior. A Nashville Warbler at Spruce Bog Boardwalk in Algonquin P.P. 20 Apr (TO’D, SO) was locally record early by six days. Also locally record early was a Northern Parula at Rondeau PP 18 Apr QTB, BAM). Very early Yellow- rumped Warblers were at Beachville, Oxford 18 Mar (JMH) and Lake Kaga- wong, Manitoulin 23 Mar (RCT). A male Audubon’s Warbler at Long Point (Old Cut) 26 May (MVAB) marked the latest spring date ever for this Ontario rarity. Very early for Toronto was a Black-throated Green Warbler at High Park 7-12 Apr (SMF et al.). Single Yellow-throated Warblers were found at Point Pelee 3 (BMD, BED et al.), 16-18 (DJW et al.), 22 (TL), & 23 May (HM et al.); elsewhere, singles were at Long Point Tip 3-4 (MVAB et al.) & 30 May (RWW, JDM) and at Rondeau PP 13 May (RAV et al). Kirtland’s Warbler is now an annual spring migrant at Point Pelee, with single birds there 7 (record early; m.ob.), 14 (m.ob.), & 22-23 May (AW, WGL, KAMcL et al.); another was at Long Point (Courtright Ridge) 29 May (DJTH). A Blackpoll Warbler at Prince Ed- ward Pt. 30 Apr QHE, RDW) was record ear- ly for the Kingston Birding Area, and one at Britannia 2 May (RAB, VBL) was record early for the Ottawa Birding Area. Single Prothono- tary Warblers at Thicksons Woods 25 May (GC, WDB) and Leslie Street Spit, Toronto 29 May (PNP) were the only ones away from the extreme south. Worm-eating Warblers were scarce this spring, with only 4 at Long Point 24 Apr-14 May (fide MVAB) and 5 at Point Pelee 1-17 May (fide AW); singles at East Point Park, Toronto 3 May (MAK) and Guelph, Wellington 6 May (MDC) were the only ones found away from L. Erie. A total of 15 territorial male Louisiana Waterthrushes were located in the Norfolk Eorest Important Bird Area, Norfolk during late Apr-early May QRA, AEH, DSB). A Connecticut Warbler at km 35 of the Barron Canyon Rd. 24 May (BFS) was the 7th record ever for Algonquin PP, while one at Prince Edward Pt. 14 May (VPM, AKBR) and another at Bensfort Bridge, Peterborough 22 May (DAS) were local rarities for spring. A Common Yellowthroat at Presqu’ile EE 25 Apr (AB, JR) was locally record early. It was an excellent season for Summer Tanagers, with concentrations of I6-1- at Point Pelee 5-23 May (fide AW), 5 at Long Point 4-23 May (fide MVAB), 5-1- at Pelee 1. 2- 18 May (fide KGB), and 3 at Rondeau 1-20 May (fide BAM); wayward singles away from the extreme south included Cabbagetown, Toronto 2 May (PMP), Sault Ste. Marie 4 May (RDK), Thicksons Woods 6 May (GL et al). VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 417 ONTARIO This Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch remained at Marathon, Thunder Bay District, Ontario from 20 December 2009 through 13 (here 12) March 2010. Even though it was present for two and a half months, it proved to be quite elusive. Photograph by Nicholas 6. Escott. Kincardine, Bruce 10 May QAT), Tehkunnnah Township, Manitoulin 13-16 May (THi, KH et al.). Prince Edward Pt. 15 May (RTS et ah), Darlington P.P. 15 May (2; PK, THo), and Presqu’ile P.P. 15 May (WDG). Western Tan- ager is definitely occurring in Ontario with greater frequency, and this spring, singles were found at Thunder Cape 5 May QMW, MEW, NB, CS,JJ), Point Clark, Bruce 1 May (LD, SD), Darlington PR 15 May (THo), and Sarnia, Lambton 28-29 May (EM et al). SPARROWS THROUGH FINCHES Record early for their respective regions, a Chipping Sparrow was at Bronte Creek P.P, Halton 28 Mar (MWJ), and 2 were at Burpee, Manitoulin 31 Mar (BB). A Eield Sparrow at Providence Bay, Manitoulin 31 Mar (CTB, RCT) was locally record early by 28 days. One at Thunder Cape 21 May OMW, MEW, CS, JJ) was a rarity for the north. Single Lark Spar- rows were at Pelee 1. 10 Apr (LB) and 19 May (KGB et al.), Gravenhurst, Muskoka 11-14 May OH et al), and Prince Edward Pt. 14 May (VPM, AKBR). A male Lark Bunting was at Long Point P.P. 20 May (ATS). Single Henslow’s Sparrows at Point Pelee 2 (BAM et al.) & 24 May ODV) were the only spring mi- grants found. A late Pox Sparrow was at Har- ris Hill 10 May (AW). The wintering Harris’s Sparrow at Bracebridge, Muskoka since 18 Jan (BD et al.) was last reported 9 Apr. The only reported migrants in the south were singles at Bowmanville, Durham 14 Apr (OST), East Harrow, Essex 27-29 Apr (CDS et al), and McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve, Durham 4 May (THo). A Golden-crowned Sparrow at West Bay 3-6 May (OJ, AJ et al.) was new to Manitoulin and only the 11th record for On- tario. Rarely reported in the north, a well- marked male Oregon Junco was at Marathon 8-15 Apr (MTB et al.). In the south, another male was at Balderson, Lanark 17-27 Mar (PS, GO). Much rarer was a Pink-sided Junco (mearn- si) at Walsingham, Nor- folk 16-20 Apr (TG, PGe), one of only a few recorded in the province. Lour Lapland Longspurs at Guelph Junction, Hal- ton 23 May (RZD) were very late for the south. A female Smith’s Longspur at Thunder Cape 24 May OMW, MEW, CS, JJ) was a local rarity for L. Supe- rior. Sightings of single migrant Northern Cardi- nals in the north, where the species is still rare, in- clude Thunder Bay 15 Apr (NGE) and 22 May (SCBr), Mclnnis Creek, Rainy River 1 May (RLo, VL), and Thunder Cape 27 May QMW, MEW, CS, JJ). A wintering cardinal at Haileybury, Timiskaming since 20 Feb (ADu et al.) remained into the spring period. Four Blue Grosbeaks are about normal for this overshooting spring migrant: a male at Ron- deau PR 6 May (EV et al.), female at Pelee 1. 7-10 May (FP et al), female at Rondeau RP. 8- 15 May (CN et al.), and male at Point Pelee 15 May (LMc, JK et al.). Flying s. off Fish Point, Pelee 1. were 126 Indigo Buntings 15 May (KGB). A female-type Painted Bunting at Rossport, Thunder Bay 21 May (HGS) was an exceptional rarity for the n. shore of L. Supe- rior. Dickcissel sightings were one at Pelee 1. 7 May (KGB, RWFR PFJE), one at Long Point Tip 21 May (MVAB), one at Point Pelee 21 May (m.ob.), with 2 there 24 May (AW, WGL), and one at Thunder Cape 27 May OMW, MEW, CS, JJ). An Eastern Meadowlark on L. Superior at the Wolf R. mouth 23 May (NGE et al.) was a rarity for Thunder Bay. Out-of-range Yellow- headed Blackbirds were found at Queenswood Heights, Ottawa 27-29 Apr (MGT et al.), Lind- say 1-21 May (m.ob.). Hay Bay, Lennox and Addington 6 May (CF), Blenheim 16-19 May (RJ et al.), Embrun, Prescott and Russell 17 May (DBru), and Ice L., Manitoulin 23 May (CGB, LMB, DRSc et al.). In the extreme south, the only verified Brewer’s Blackbird was a male at Long Point (Courtright Ridge) 21 Apr (SAM, JCK); the 320 birds at Rainy River 4 May (AW, RPC) may have included some spring migrants still passing through. A male Baltimore Oriole appearing during a heat wave near Westover, Hamilton on the exceptional date of 19 Mar (BNC) is hard to explain; possibly the bird was wintering locally. The wintering Gray- crowned Rosy-Finch at Marathon since 20 Dec (MTB, MLA et al.) was last reported 13 Mar. Two male House Finches at Devlin, Rainy Riv- er 1 Apr (MSD) were very early spring mi- grants; on the same day, 2 males also appeared at Thunder Bay QMW), where a small breed- ing population exists. Of unknown prove- nance, an unbanded male Eurasian Siskin was at Marathon 12-22 Apr (MTB et al). Reports of European Goldfinch — all treated as escapees or their progeny — continue to increase, with single birds at New Liskeard, Timiskaming 25 Feb-11 Mar (LDF et al.). Harmony, Perth 18 Mar (MPD, RD), Murillo, Thunder Bay 23-25 Mar (RLa), Jerseyville, Hamilton 26-28 Mar (DM), Port Burwell, Elgin 5 Apr (BCB), and Cavan, Peterborough 4-5 May (SM et al.). It seems probable that breeding birds will even- tually be detected in the province. Addenda; For Spring Season 2009 (North American Birds 63: 417-424), add the follow- ing significant sightings: Eared Grebe at Emo, Rainy River 28 May Qohn E. Van den Broeck); ad. Arctic Tern at Peterborough, Peterborough 25 May (Cohn D. Jones et ah); Yellow-throat- ed Warbler at Point Pelee, Essex 29 Apr (Stephen T. Pike, Julie Liptak, Richard P. Carr); Lark Sparrow at Arnstein, Pairy Sound 3 May (Alice Oliver); Pink-sided Junco (meamsi) at Thunder Cape, Thunder Bay 12 May (John M. Woodcock et al); and Gray- crowned Rosy-Finch at Kashabowie L., Thun- der Bay 4-6 Apr (Mary Vasco). Corrigenda: For Spring Season 2009 (North American Birds 63: 417-424), one of the Eurasian Wigeons at Point Pelee was present 29 Apr through only 1 May, not 3 May as list- ed. For the Red-necked Phalarope at Hillman Marsh 17 May, the correct spellings for the observers are Donald C. Ford, Erik P Braaten, and Lauralee R. Morris. Delete the Little Blue Heron at Point Pelee 4-5 May, as it was not ac- cepted by the Ontario B.R.C. Subregional editors (boldface) and cited ob- servers: Jody R. Allair, Martha L. Allen, Maris R Apse, Bonnie Bailey, Debbie S. Badzinski, Seija Bailey, Wayne Bailey (WBa), Margaret J.C. Bain, Jerry Ball, James R. Barber, W. Den- nis Barry, Nick Bartok, Christopher T. Bell, David M. Bell, Wayne Bennett (WBe), Antho- ny C.T. Bigg, John E. Black, Susan C. Blayney (SCBl), Christopher G. Blomme, Liisa Marie- Jeanne Blomme, Raymond Blower, Albert Boisvert, Bruce C. Bolin, Robert A. Bracken, Michael S.W. Bradstreet, David Britton (DBri), Lisa Brohl, Ralph WE. Brown, Diane Brunet (DBru), Jacob K. Bruxer, Michael G. Bryan, Susan C. Bryan (SCBr), James T. Burk, Peter S. Burke, Kenneth G. Burrell, Michael V.A. Burrell, Michael T. Butler, Michael D. Cad- 418 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS ONTARIO man, Richard R Carr, John R. Cartwright, Robert J. Cermak, Chris Charlesworth, Bar- bara N. Charlton, Barry S. Cherriere, Linda Cherriere, Glenn Coady, William J. Crins, Linda 1. Crome, Mark Cunningham, Martin Daly, Maureen R Davis, Robert Davis, Michael S. Dawber, Constance E. Denyes, David D’hondt, Bill Dickinson, John Diebolt, Ben E Di Labio, Bruce M. Di Labio, Robert Z. Do- bos, Lome Dowling, Sue Dowling, Alex Dob- son (ADo), Andrew C. Don, David R. Don, Alex Dubec (ADu), Carolle D. Eady, Raul EJ. Eagles, Cheryl E. Edgecombe, David H. Eld- er, Joel H. Ellis, Nicholas G. Escott, David L. Euler, Myles C. Ealconer, Blayne E. Farnan, Jean M. Farnan, Steven M. Favier, Linda D. Fielder, C. Fleming, Lev A. Frid, J. Brett Fried, Mark A. Gawn, Paula Gent (PGe), Ted Gent, Graeme C. Gibson, William D. Gilmour, Elsie Glanville, Les Glanville, Peter J. Good, Geof- frey Gooding, Clive E. Goodwin, Paul Grant (PGr), Barry Griffiths, Dynese M. Griffiths, Brett R. Groves, Donald B, Hall, Vivian C. Hall, Audrey E. Heagy, Frederick M. Hellein- er, James E. Heslop, G. Tom Hince, Kathy Hill, Terry Hill (THi), Tyler Hoar (THo), Brandon R. Holden, Eric W. Holden, James M. Holdsworth, Kyle E. Holloway, Charlie Hore, Janice House, Michelle Hudolin, Joanne A. Hubinger, Mark W. Hubinger, David J.T. Hus- sell, Harold M. Ingebrigsten, Marian G. Inge- brigsten, Jean Iron, David J. Irwin, Michael J. Irwin, Marcie L. Jacklin, Anita M. Jacobsen, Jennifer Jefferys, Mark W. Jennings, Roy D. John, Thomas B. Johnson, Rick Johnston, An- nette Jones, Barry D. Jones, Ten A. Jones, Os- ker Jones, Russ J.L. Jones, Andreas 1. Jonsson, Matt Joste, Dan Kaczynski, Andrew E. Keav- eney, Jeannie Kelly, Jeremiah C, Kennedy, Richard Killeen, Michael A. King, Tim King, Robert D. Knudsen, Philip Kotanen, Albert Kuhnigle, Ron Lacey (RLa), V. Bernard Ladouceur, Amanda M. Lahaie, William G. Lamond, Tom Lane, Elizabeth M. Learmouth, Jim Leblanc, Dayna L. LeClair, David LeGros, Mike LePage, Christina A. Lewis, Gary Little, Robert Locking (RLo), Vivian Locking, Hugh B. MacArthur, Lynn Macdonell (LMa), Stuart A. Mackenzie, V Paul Mackenzie, Blake A. Mann, Eric Marcum, Lou V. Marsh, David A. Martin, Reuven D. Martin (RDMa), Louise McAsh, R. James McCoy, Jon D. McCracken, Ian McGovern, Jason McGuire QMcG), Ken- neth A. Mcllwrick (KAMcI), Theresa McKen- zie (TMc), Scott McKinlay, J. McKnight (JMcK), Kevin A. McLaughlin (KAMcL), R. Douglas McRae (RDMc), Hue Metcalfe, Wayne Michano, Christopher R. Michener, Alex M. Mills, John Mitterer QMi), Brian J. Moore, David W. Moore, Tom Moore (TMo), Brian L. Morin, David Morris, Bruce D. Murphy, S. Naylor, Kenneth Niles, Cy Noble, Sue O’Donnell, Tom O’Donnell (TO’D), Gloria Opzoomer, Thomas Ouchterlony (TOu), Eleanor Page, Charla D. Patterson, James M. Pawlicki, Neil A. Pearson, Piers M. Perrin, Felicity Pope, Richard W.E Pope, Thomas J. Preney Paul N. Prior, Rayfield R. Pye, Peter A. Read, Ron Ridout, Maureen Riggs, Joe Rothermund, A.K. Bud Rowe, Cynthia Roy, Diane M. Roy, Kayo J. Roy, Garry T. Sadler, Daniel R. Salis- bury (DRSa), Dianne Salter, Michael A. Savi- no, Andrew T. Sawyer, Ursula Schleen, Jerry Schmanda, David R. Scott (DRSc), Robert Scranton, Bruce E Simpson, Geoff Simpson, Langis Sirois, Jeffrey H. Skevington, H. Gor- don Smith, Roy B.H. Smith, Richard G. Snider, Paul Sprague, R. Terry Sprague, Caro- line D. Staddon, Robert W. Stamp, Andalyne Stapley, Christopher Sukha, Donald A. Sutherland, James Tasker QTa). Ronald R. Tasker, Barbara L. Taylor, Oswald S. Tee, John Terpstra 0To)> Tys Theysmeyer, Thomas G. Thomas, Rodney C. Thompson, Marlene G. Thoms, Brendan A. Toews, Richard Tof- flemire, Ronald G. Tozer, James A. Turland, Y. Robert Tymstra, Joshua D. Vandermeulen, Hans van der Zweep, Emile van Nispen, Ro- han A. van Twest, Margaret 1. Von Bargen, George E. Wallace, Dean J. Ware, Ron D. Weir, Gavin Wells, Paul Wigglesworth, Linda Wladarski, Christopher L. Wood, Ross W. Wood, John M. Woodcock, Maureen E. Woodcock, Alan Wormington, W. Alan Wright, Bryan K. Wyatt. © Alan Wormington, R.R. #1 Leamington, Ontario N8H 3V4 (wormington@juno.com) Eastern Highlands & Upper Ohio River Valley | Victor W. Fazio, lil Gabe Leidy RickWiltraut This was among the warmer spring sea- sons the Region has experienced. Many early waterfowl, especially geese, were north of the area before the advent of the sea- son. Extensive flooding from the quick thaw was well received in March by the aptly named puddle ducks. A cooperative Tufted Duck, representing a third state record for Pennsylvania, was discovered among the Ring-necked Ducks using water treatment ponds as stopover sites during their north- bound migration. A strong flight of Long- tailed Ducks was detected farther west than normal. Ohio birders delighted in an invasion of Purple Gallinules. Long overdue, Pennsyl- vania recorded its first White-faced Ibis. Hawk migration along the Lake Erie shoreline was subdued, with persistent unseasonably warm temperatures and strong south winds throughout April allowing a steady flow of migration absent the usual sharp spikes after a break in inclement weather. Eurasian Col- lared-Doves have finally reached critical mass, producing Ohio’s first nesting record. Yet an- other intriguing pair of Merlins took up resi- dence at yet another extreme location; in cen- tral Ohio at the western edge of the Ap- palachian foothills. The mid-May warbler mi- gration within the Lake Erie Basin was gener- ally regarded as exceptional; some veterans called it the best in thirty years. Among the highlights was the most extraordinary flight of Golden-winged Warbler in two decades. Abbreviations: B.E.S.R (Bald Eagle S.R, Cen- tre, PA); B.S.B.O. (Black Swamp B.O.); Buck Creek (Buck Creek S.R, Clark, OH); Caesar Creek (Caesar Creek S.R, Warren/Greene, OH); Deer Creek (Deer Creek W.M.A. and Deer Creek S.R, Fayette/Pickaway, OH); Funk Bottoms (Funk Bottoms W.A., Ashland/Wayne, OH); Green Bottom (Green Bottom W.M.A. , Cabell, WV); Hoover (Hoover Res., Delaware/Franklin, OH); L.A. (L. Arthur, But- ler, FA); Magee (Mage Marsh W.A., Lucas/Ot- tawa, OH); Middle Creek (Middle Creek W.M.A., Lane aster /Lebanon, FA); Ottawa (Ot- tawa N.W.R., Lucas/Ottawa, OH); Fresque Isle (Fresque Isle S.R, Erie, FA). VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 419 EASTERN HIGHLANDS & UPPER OHIO RIVER VALLEY Long overdue for Pennsylvania, the state's first documented White-faced Ibis turned up on the remarkably early date of 21 March 2010 on Mud Level Road in Cumberland County. Photograph by Frank Haas. WATERFOWL THROUGH HEROHS Five Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks were at Deer Valley Golf Course, Dauphin, PA 30 May (fide T. Johnson, ph.). The flock of 26 Snow Geese at Ottawa 7 Mar (DV et al.) led the few Ohio reports. Single Greater White-fronted Geese were in Ottawa, OH 14 Mar (EB, GLy) and Tuscarawas, OH 13 Mar (The Bobolink), and 2 were at Middle Creek 6 Mar (CC), where the peak Snow Goose count was 120,000 on 10 Mar (Pennsylvania Game Commission). Single Ohio Ross’s Geese were in Sandusky 8 Mar (BC) and near Proctorville, Lawrence 3-5 Mar (B. Borda, MG, T. Deal). In Pennsylva- nia, Ross’s Geese were in Chester, Northamp- ton, Berks, Butler, and Lancaster 5-14 Mar (m.ob.). A very rare blue-morph Ross’s Goose was at Middle Creek 5-12 Mar (DB, JB, m.ob., ph. RW). Of four Ohio reports of Cackling Goose, one at Tappan L., Harrison 5 Mar (D. Hershberger) was unexpected. An excellent count of 3200 Tundra Swans was at Jack’s Mt., Mifflin, PA 10 Mar (GG), and the peak count at Middle Creek was 2300 the same day (Pennsylvania Game Commission). A flock of 40 Brant was seen on the Susquehanna R., Lancaster, PA 12 May (CC), previewing a fallout that includ- ed 70 there 19 May (RK), 27 at L, Onte- launee, Berks, PA 18 May (KL, MW), and 150 on the Delaware R., Delaware 18 May (A. Guarente). Seven Eurasian Wigeons in Ohio was a good showing. Singles were pres- ent at T. J. Evans Park, Licking 1- 6 Mar (M. Bowman, S. Pendleton, m.ob.), in Paulding 10-12 Mar (DMD, J. Hildreth), in Ottawa 14 Mar (K. Ostermilier), at Pickerel Creek W.A., Sandusky 26 Mar (R. Grahl), at Funk Bottoms W.A., Wayne 27 Mar-10 Apr (The Bobolink), at Big Island W.A., Marion 24 Apr OBb Jack & Jay Stenger), and again at Pickerel Creek W.A. 8 May (S. Landes). In Pennsylvania, singles were at Sco- tia Pond, Centre 23 Mar (N. Ker- lin) and Middle Creek 28-29 Mar (K. Ripka et al). Heavy rains and ensuing flooded fields grounded waterfowl en masse in Ottawa 14 Mar: 9900 Mallards, 2080 North- ern Pintails, and 680 American Wigeons were among the totals (EB, GLy). Rounding out a sub- stantial flight of pintails were 1000 each at Deer Creek 9 Mar (RR) and Funk Bottoms 20 Mar (The Bobolink). A Redhead pair remained in Erie 8 May (EB, GLy). Notable for Ohio’s s. Appalachians, a pair of Ring- necked Ducks was in Athens 3 May-r (GC), and a male was in Adams 30 May Q- McCor- mac, G. Cornett). In n. Ohio, a pair remained at Sandy Ridge Reservation, Lorain 26 May (T. Fairweather, m.ob.), and one was in Mahon- ing 30 May (B. Jones). Another tardy bird was at Shepardstown, Jefferson, WV 19 May (E. Neely, J. Neely). A female Tufted Duck found at Upper Uwchlan Township W.T.E, Chester, PA 18 Mar (HM) was seen by hundreds of birders daily through 27 Mar — the 3rd recorded in the Keystone State. Lesser Scaup numbers peaked at 5060 at Ottawa 4 Apr (DV et al). Good counts of White-winged Scoters in Pennsylvania in- cluded 15 at B.E.S.P. 26 Apr (G. & S. Young) and a Berks fallout of 23 at Blue Marsh L. and 51 at L. Ontelaunee 12 May (RK, J. Silagy KL, MW). Two late White-winged Scoters were at Yellow Creek S.P., Indiana 22 May (L. Carna- han, M. Higbee). Just 6 Ohio Surf Scoters were reported 20-30 Mar from the interior counties, 20% of the average flight. Eight on the Ohio R., Allegheny, PA 12 Apr (GM) rep- resented the peak tally for the Region. Rare in sw. Ohio, a Black Scoter was at Caesar Creek 24 Mar (JLh). Two or three times a decade, Long-tailed Ducks stage a flight involving dozens of bird through sites where normally we see 10-20 in spring; these have always been in Apr. This Mar saw one of the largest flights on record, with at least 145 birds tal- lied across 17 counties (Table 1). The best counts of Long-tailed Ducks in Pennsylvania included 42 at L. Oneida, Butler 23 Mar (D. Wilton, D. Darney) and 65 on the Susque- hanna R. 26 Mar (RK). The 7 on the Shenan- doah R., Jefferson in the Eastern Panhandle 26 Mar (MO) were within the normal flyway, while a flock of 8 at on the Ohio R., at the Hannibal Lock and Dam, Wetzel, WV 22 Mar (W. Jarrell) was part of the w. flight into Ohio. A vocal Common Merganser was at Clenden- ing L., Harrison, OH 23 May (S. Pendleton). A female and 2 young Common Mergansers (ph. MO) provided a first breeding record for the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. A fe- male with 12 young in late May once again provided evidence of breeding at Dry Fork, Tucker, WV (C. Rucker). The ad. male Harle- quin Duck at Presque Isle reported during the winter was last observed inside a duck trap 17 Mar OM). Three Buffleheads at the Hannibal Lock & Dam on the Ohio R. 26 May were late for West Virginia (W. Jarrell). One of the winter season Hooded Merganser x Common Goldeneye hybrids was still along the Cleveland lakefront 6 Mar (N. Anderson). On the Kittatinny Ridge in Berks, PA, Ruffed Grouse populations have apparent- ly increased as a result of lumbering oper- ations (RK). A Wild Turkey was observed on a 4th-story window ledge in downtown Cleveland 8 Apr (E Barding). Ohio Red- throated Loons were found at Pleasant Hill L., Ashland/Richland 27-28 Mar (BG, m.ob.) and Caesar Creek 10-12 Apr (RA, JHg, LG, LK). In Pennsylvania, Red- throated Loons were scarce, with only five reports 2-26 Apr (m.ob.). One was found at a Worthington, Marion, WV parking lot and released 7 Apr unharmed (S. Olcott). Table 1. Representative counts of a record flight of Long-tailed Duck in Ohio, March 2010. 6 Mar 2 Charles Mill L., Ashlmd/Richlond L. Schlabach 17 Mar 1 Delaware W.A., Delaware C. Bombaci 21 Mar 3 La Due Res., Geauga 1. Schmidt, 8. Fish 22 Mar 12 Pleasant Hill L.,AshlandlRichland G. Cowell 22 Mar 14 Evans L, Mahoning C Holt 22 Mar 12 Pine L., Mahoning C Holt 22 Mar 2 Griggs Dam, Franklin T. Slemmer, DL 23 Mar 30 Berlin Res., Mahoning/StarkIPortage B. and D. Lane 23 Mar 6 Guilford L., Columbiana B. and D. Lane 23 Mar 18 Walborn Res., Stark fide B. and D. Lane 23 Mar 7 Richland quarry J. Herman 24 Mar 1 C. J. Brown Res., Clark C White 26 Mar 4 Mosquito L., Trumbull J. Petruzzi 27 Mar 6 Oberlin Res., Lorain EB,GLy 420 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS EASTERN HIGHLANDS & UPPER OHIO RIVER VALLEY This American White Pelican caught the attention of most members attending the Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology meeting on 1 5 May 201 0 at Presque Isle State Park, Erie County. It furnished the eleventh record of the species for the site. Photograph by Jerry McWilliams. A Common Loon dallied on the Ohio R., Hamilton 20 May (h Renfrow). A flock of 130 Horned Grebes was seen 21 Mar at Guilford L., Columbiana (BDL), and about 130 were at L. Arthur, Butler, PA that same day (fide PH). In Pennsylvania, the best count of Red- necked Grebes was 5 at Keystone Res., Arm- strong 30 Apr (K. Byerly); another was at Lakeshore M.E, Lake 11 Apr (JP); and anoth- er touched down on Shreve L., Wayne, OH 20 Mar (SS). Single Ohio Eared Grebes visited Buck Creek 10 Mar (RA, JHg) and a roadside wetland in Darke 28 Apr (R. Schlietz). An Eared Grebe was at LA. 21 Mar (m.ob.). Four American White Pelicans spent 7-9 May at Old Woman’s Creek State Nature Preserve, Erie, OH (DS, DL, K. Tarvin). After lift-off on the 9th, the foursome headed w, to be seen over Sandusky Bay (R. Schneider) and later over Magee (AMi). Nine passed over Magee 14 May (KK), and flyby singles were recorded 29 Apr in Hamilton (J. Frodge) and from South Bass I., Ottawa, OH 23 May (M. Mcln- tire, fide L. Brohl). In Pennsylvania, one was at Presque Isle 15 May Q- Marz, ph. JM et al). Healthy numbers of American Bitterns across the Region included 22 migrants noted at Quakertown Swamp, Bucks, PA 5 Apr-13 May (fide AM). In Pennsylvania away from Erie, Least Bitterns were seen in Centre 13 May (MOD), Cumberland 12 May (VG), and Lancaster 19 May (B. Schutsky). Ohio Snowy Egrets, away from the L. Erie marshes, were at Merwin St., Cuyahoga 9-10 Apr (Tom & Mary Anne Romito, m.ob.), at Snipe Marsh, Delaware 3 May (SW), and Lost Bridge, Hamilton 18 May (2; JC, N. Cade). A Snowy Egret at Presque Isle 5-6 May was unusual for that locale (B. Berchtold), as was a bird in Clarksburg, Harrison, WV 23 Apr (D. Saeler). Single Ohio Little Blue Herons visited Merwin St., Cuyahoga 9-10 Apr (AMi, PL, M. Valen- cic), Lucas 3 May (MA), and Battelle Darby Creek Metropolitan Park, Franklin 4 May (DL, DS). A Little Blue Heron was at Long- wood, Chester, PA 8 May (L. Lewis). Away from L. Erie, Ohio Cattle Egrets included 6 in Hamilton 27 Apr (]C), 5 in Darke 4 May (A. Young), and singles in Clermont 4 May 0- Eastlake, K. Hutton), Englewood Reserve, Montgomery 14 May 0- Moore), and the Oxbow, Hamilton 22 May (P. Krusling). A bird near Lexington, Richland 9 Apr (GC, J. Her- man) was early. Single Cattle Egrets near State College, Centre, PA 5 May and Raystown L., Huntingdon, PA 8 May (D. Ombalski, GG) were unusual for those locales. Four Yellow- crowned Night-Herons returned to Colum- bus, OH 4 Apr (B. Adams, BWh). One pho- tographed at the Ohio Bird Sanctuary, Rich- land, OH 24 Apr (fide]. Herman) was a first for that heavily birded county. A Yellow- crowned Night Heron on Lycoming Creek, Lycoming, PA 9-11 Apr was unusual for that locale (T. & D. Ferry, S. Pinkerton). Four Glossy Ibis at Highlandtown W.A., Columbiana, OH 26 Apr (D. & J. Koch) dwin- dled to 3 on 27-28 Apr (LK, BDL); another hung around 9-14 May at Big Island W.A., Marion, OH (D. Lehner, B. Bowers, m.ob.). A White-faced Ibis at Mud Level Rd., Cumber- land, PA 21 Mar provided a first state record (VG, ph. E Haas, m.ob.). VULTURES THROUaH TERNS A single Black Vulture passed Edgewater S.P., Cuyahoga 31 Mar (EB, JBr), and 4 kettled over Summit, OH 1 Apr (DV). In Pennsylvania, one at Presque Isle 18 Mar added to the now an- nual appearance along L. Erie shores QM). Single Mississippi Kites in Pennsylvania in- cluded one at Blue Marsh L., Berks 17 Apr Q- Silagy) and Hawk Mt. Sanctuary, Berks/ Schuylkill, PA 8 May (L. Goodrich). One near Mt. Hope, Holmes, OH 15 Apr (R. Hershberg- er) was among the earliest for the state. A Swallow-tailed Kite was well described in Chester, PA 11 Apr (fide B. Blust). Sharp- shinned Hawk high counts included an early 277 at Conneaut, Ashtabula 1 Apr (EB, GLy R. Hershberger) and 385 past Edgewater S.P., Cuyahoga 30 Apr (JBr et al). Broad-winged Hawks, too, were moving on an early front when 26 passed Magee 10 Apr (EB, GLy), al- though a large flight never materialized. An ad. Northern Goshawk was at Ottawa 4 Apr Qack & Janet Volker, fide DV), and an imm. photographed 30 Apr from a Cuyahoga hawk- watch QBr et al.) was an exceptional event for Ohio. Four Northern Goshawks were tallied in Erie, PA 24 Mar-30 Apr (JM et al). A late Northern Harrier tarried near Phillipi, Bar- bour, WV 20 May (J. Del Colle). Killdeer Plains W.A., Wyandot, OH hosted a juv. Gold- en Eagle 7 Mar (C. Harner et al). A total of 201 Golden Eagles passed Tussey Mt. hawk- watch, Centre/Huntingdon. PA, the 2nd highest spring count ever, with 61 seen 8-9 Mar (j. Kauffman, N. Bolgiano, C. Widmann et al). Most significant of Ohio Merlin reports was a pair 24 May in Knox, where they remained into the summer season and were observed mating “dozens of times” (D. McCament). A vocalizing Merlin returned to Promised Land S.P, Pike, PA 11 Apr, where they have nested successfully for three consecutive years (RW). A Merlin observed at Canaan Valley N.W.R., Tucker, WV 20 May (K. Sturm) was not far from that state’s first nesting in 2009. A King Rail was heard at Mallard Club Marsh W.A., Lucas, OH 5 May (BC). Famous for their capacity to wander widely, Purple Gallinules occasionally undertake flights into the Midwest, where on occasion, as they did in 2010, they re- main to breed. In Ohio, previous "flights" have involved 4 birds in May 1877 to Cincinnati and a flock of 6 in Mar 1989. Otherwise, singles make up the remainder of about 30 birds that have appeared prior to 2010. in May, we added at least 6 more to the tally. First to appear, a long- staying cooperative bird at Columbiana Reservation, Lo- rain 2-23 May (T. Martincic, L. Paul, m.ob.), followed by one in Medina yard and another in an Ottawa marsh 4 May (fide J. McCormac, Kim Kaufman); all 3 were in n. Ohio. Another was found in the sw. at Spring Valley W.A., Greene/Warren 9 May (C. Braden, S. Lessig). Most interest- ing were up to 2 birds from 7 May-t- near Clear Fork Res., Richland (J. Herman, ph. BG, m.ob.) in n.-cen. Ohio. We will continue their story in the summer report. VOLUME 64 (2010) NUMBER 3 421 EASTERN HIGHLANDS & UPPER OHIO RIVER VALLEY An American Coot lingered in Athens 22 May (GC). The 100 Sandhill Cranes over Paulding 5 Mar (DMD) is among the largest spring flocks recorded in Ohio. Single Black- necked Stilts appeared at Fernald Preserve, Hamilton 3-4 (GSr, H. Swiger, S. Walpole, m.ob.) & 25 May (DL, DS) and at Ottawa 25 May (R. Foppe). American Avocet flocks of 30 at Maumee Bay S.P., Lucas 24 Apr (D. Bollin) and 25 at Cowan Lake S.P., Clinton 29 Apr (LG, RP, A. Claybon, JLh) are among the high- est spring counts for Ohio. The only American Avocet report from Pennsylvania was one at Presque Isle 6 May (M. Plyler), while one dropped in at Gallipolis Ferry, Mason, WV 18 May (MG). The spring Willet flight through the Region continues to impress; 91 Ohio birds included 32 at Winton Woods, Hamilton 1 May (GF, RE), 23 at Pipe Creek W.A., Erie 5 May (LRi), and 12 at East Eork S.P, Clermont 3 May (RE, GF, DM). In Pennsylvania, single Willets were at Presque Isle 2 & 17 May QM) and at West Fairview, Dauphin 12 May (RK), while 6 were at Prince Gallitzin S.P., Cambria 8 May 0- Salvetti), and 15 were at Middle Creek 27 Apr 0- Binder, m.ob.). An excellent count of 48 Willets was at Mt. Pleasant Rd., Lebanon, PA 25 Apr 0- Heller et ah). The 46 Lesser Yel- lowlegs in Mason 8 May (WA, MG) made a high count for West Virginia. In Pennsylvania, an Upland Sandpiper at Cochranville, Chester 30 Apr was locally rare (K. Fryberger et ah). A remarkable 77 Solitary Sandpipers were counted at a drawdown at North Park, Al- legheny, PA 13 May (L. Musher). A Solitary Sandpiper at Tappan L., Harrison, OH 27 Mar (L. Schlabach) was very early. A brief but pro- nounced Whimbrel migration through Ohio produced flocks of 120 at Maumee Bay S.P, Lucas (GLi) and 50-60 at Hoover Res., Franklin 23 May (B. Baran), while 25 May saw 30-40 in Lake (JP), 6 in Franklin (J. Kuenzli), and a hrst at Indian Lake S.P, Logan (DL, RRs, DS, TSh). The only Whimbrel report in Penn- sylvania was one at Presque Isle 23 May (D. Wilton). Marbled Godwits were in Ottawa 13- 15 May (DL, DS, m oh.) and Sandusky 22 May (H. Mason et al). At least 50 Pectoral Sand- pipers were along Mud Level Rd., Cumberland, PA 8 Apr (VG). A Red Knot visited Conneaut Harbor, Ashtabula 19 May OP)- Always rare in spring, a Western Sandpiper was found near Apple Creek, Wayne, OH 4 May (ph. J. Miller, m.ob.). Eight White-rumped Sandpipers were found in Ohio, all singles. Rare but regular, Ohio Stilt Sandpipers were present at Eernald Preserve, Hamilton 3-4 May Q. Kappa et al.) and Pickerington Ponds Metropolitan Park, Franklin 19 May (BWr). Very rare in Pennsyl- vania in spring, a Stilt Sandpiper was seen and photographed at Plymouth Flats, Luzerne 12 May (R. Koval, ph. K. Ripka). A black Ruff was discovered at Big Island W.A., Marion 25 Apr (DL, DS), where it remained through 1 May (m.ob.). The 47 Short-billed Dowitchers 14 May in Hamilton were notable for sw. Ohio Oack & Jay Stenger), as was a flock of 135 far- ther up the Ohio R. at Gallipolis Ferry, Mason, WV 17 May (WA). A flight of 10 Wilsons Phalaropes 27 Apr-20 May through Ohio in- cluded birds in Darke (P Dubuc), Hamilton (B. Leonhart, D. Russell, m.ob,), and Franklin (2; Bob & Elaine McNulty). In Pennsylvania, 2 Wilsons were at Julian Wetland, Centre 3-4 May (MOD, m.ob.), 2 at Mt. Pleasant Rd., Lebanon 3 May-f (C. Berthoud, m.ob.), 2 at Waymart, Wayne 3 May (C. Eischer), one at Boyce-Mayview Park, Allegheny 8 May and (perhaps the same bird) at Imperial, Allegheny 8 May (A. Eleckenstein, S. Gosser). Up to 2 Red-necked Phalaropes could be found at Pickerington Ponds Metropolitan Park, Franklin 17-22 May Qf-h, DL, Rob Lowry, DS, BWr), and another duo was photographed 30 May in Auglaize (RRs). In Pennsylvania, a Red-necked was in Chester 14 May (L. Lewis et al), 4 were at Julian Wetland, Centre 18-19 May (D. Weber, MOD), one was in Franklin 6- 7 May (B. Keener), one was at Bald Knob, Al- legheny 27 May (B. Smith), 2 were at Mt. Pleas- ant Rd., Lebanon 19-20 May (C. Berthoud et al,), and one was in Cambria 24 May (M. Hunt). Excellent Pennsylvania counts of Wilson’s Snipe included 70-80 at Mud Level Rd., Cumberland 8 Apr (VG), 39 at Bradford Dam, Bucks (R. French), and 28 in Chester 14 Apr (NP). A strong count of 698 Bonaparte’s Gulls came from the Ohio R. in Allegheny, PA 11-13 Apr (GM, M. Vass). The only Little Gull passed Lakeshore Metropolitan Park, Lake 2 Apr (JP). A Little Gull at L. Arthur, Butler, PA 13 Apr was unusual for that location (DW, S. Thomp- son, GM), and 3 were on the Susquehanna R., Lancaster, PA 24 Apr (MWe). Black-headed Gulls were found at Marysville, Dauphin, PA 14-19 Mar (CK, A. Markel, MWe) and Mud Level Rd., Cumberland, PA 20 Mar (RK et al). Single Laughing Gulls visited Pleasant Hill L., Ashland/Richland, OH 24-27 Mar (L. Hoch- stetler), Caesar Creek 2 May (R. Foppe, LG, R. Powell, m.ob.), and a flooded Sandusky field 20 May (TK); the latter location also hosted a Franklin’s Gull 8 May (S. Landes), and anoth- er was found at Lost Bridge, Hamilton 2 May (E. Baumgardner, J. & M. Lippert). A lingering Iceland Gull was recorded on Kelleys L, Erie 19 Mar (TB), and single Glaucous Gulls were in Sandusky 13 Mar (EB, GLy) and Lake 11 Apr (JP). Inland Ohio Lesser Black-backed Gulls have become a spring fixture: a flyby in Delaware 2 Mar (SW), another in Delaware 17- 21 Mar (SW), up to 4 ads. in Stark 25-28 Mar (K. Miller, B. Morrison), and 2 in Columbiana 25 Mar (R. Macko). Away from shore, but within the L. Erie plain, 2 were at Oberlin Res., Lorain 27 Mar (EB, GLy), 3 in rural Lorain 13 Mar (EB, GLy), up to 3 at Eindlay Res., Han- cock 27-31 Mar (BWh, m.ob.), and one at an Ottawa landfill 20 Apr (KK). Two Arctic Terns on the Ohio R., Allegheny, PA 29 May was the first record for sw. Pennsylvania (ph. GM). DOVES THROUGH FINCHES Ohio’s first documented Eurasian Collared- Dove nest was discovered 23 May in Logan (TSh, B. Sparks, BWh). Additional Ohio sightings came from Wood 29 Mar (TK), Lucas 15 May (S. Duris, GLy), Hardin 18 May (RR), Cuyahoga 29 May QP), and Mercer 30 May (RRs). Three Eurasian Collared-Doves were in Franklin, PA 12 May (VG). In Pennsylva- nia, the Snowy Owl reported during the win- ter at Springboro, Crawford, remained until 6 Mar (m.ob.). Transient Ohio Chuck-will’s- widows were heard in Clennont 28 Apr (DM) and Holmes 29 May (R. Hershberger). Pour Eastern Whip-poor-wills at Magee 30 Apr (fide KK) was a nice count for that migrant trap. A Yellow-billed Cuckoo at Bender Mt., Cincinnati 17 Apr represents an exceptional early record for Ohio (P. Krusling). What is now an average flight saw only eight reports of Olive-sided Elycatcher in Ohio 9-24 May. Pennsylvania fared much bet- ter, with at least 21 sightings 7-23 May (m.ob.). A four-day stay at Kilby Rd. gra.vel pits, Hamilton 17-20 Apr was the longest on record for an Ohio Scissor-tailed Elycatcher — allowing many to enjoy this stray (V Wilson, WH, P Gardner, m.ob.). Early swallows in- cluded a Bank Swallow n. to L. Erie in Erie, PA 9 Apr (JM), a Northern Rough-winged Swal- low in Jefferson, WV 24 Mar (MO), and a Barn Swallow in Mahoning, OH 28 Mar (B. Jones). Eclipsing them all, a Cliff Swallow in Delaware 22 Mar (BWr) represents a record-early arrival for Ohio. A Loggerhead Shrike in s. Berkeley, WV 21 Mar (J. Little) is to be expected, but another near Winesburg, Holmes, OH 12 Apr (The Bobolink) was exceptional. Northern Shrikes in Pennsylvania included singles in Carbon, Allegheny, Erie, and Wayne 7-20 Mar (m.ob.). Bell’s Vireos returned to traditional Ohio locations 30 Apr at Kilby Rd., Hamilton (WH), 10 May at Springfield, Clark (DO), 18 May at Hilliard, Franklin (R. Lowry), and a surprise migrant was found 14 May in Pauld- ing (DMD). Three early Blue-headed Vireos were singing in Allegheny N.E, Forest, PA 5 Apr (E McGuire). A Common Raven near Eleanor, Putnam, WV 23 May (C. Ellis) was a local oddity. Cavity-excavating Red-breasted 422 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS EASTERN HIGHLANDS & UPPER OHIO RIVER VALLEY Nuthatches were at a new location at High- land Park Cemetery, Cuyahoga 12-31 Mar (I. Schmidt). A Winter Wren was noted carrying material 1 1 Apr at Clear Creek Metropolitan Park, Hocking (DSr), and 2 singing males were present at the Ledges, Cuyahoga Valley N.P., SutTitnif 30 May (EB, GLy). A Sedge Wren was found in downtown Cleveland 14 May (T. Colborn, M. Egar). A House Wren in Mahon- ing, OH 30 Mar (B. Jones) was exceptionally early. Late migrant Golden-crowned Kinglets were noted at Magee 22 May (C. DiFabio et al.) and Beatty Landing, Lake, OH 19 May (R. Thompson), while 2 territorial birds were recorded at Maumee S.E, Lucas, OH 16 May (MA). Problematic was an individual at The Wilderness Center, Stark, OH 15 May (S. Bod- icker). An exceedingly early Blue-gray Gnat- catcher was at Schwenksville, Montgomery, PA 11 Mar (J. Warren). A Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Elkins, Randolph, WV 29 May K. Aldinger) was unexpectedly late. A Wood Thrush reached East Fork S.E, Clermont, OH 4 Apr (B. Stanley). A widespread Golden-winged Warbler pas- sage through Ohio saw 33 birds reported statewide. Representative were 3 in Niles, Trumbull 7 May (C. Babyak), 2 at Metzger Marsh W.A., Lucas 8 May (RT), and "multiple birds nearly every day” 6-10 May at Magee {fide KK), with a peak count of 5 there 15 May (A. Kearns, N. Kearns). Brewster’s Warblers were found in Delaware 26 Apr OBt, SW), at Metzger Marsh W.A., Lucas 4 May (R. Nirschl), and at Magee 14 May (fide KK). Lawrence’s Warblers were found at Presque Isle 2 May (JM) and Delaware Water Gap National Recre- ation Area, Pike, PA 1 May (RW). An Orange- crowned Warbler at Woods Edge Park, Lan- caster, PA 17 Mar (JB, DB) had likely wintered there. A Nashville Warbler found during the winter was still present at LASA Susquehanna Water Pollution Control Plant, Lancaster, PA 7 Mar (T. Garner, JB, DB). A Tennessee Warbler at Shawnee S.P., Scioto 18-21 Apr and a Black- throated Blue Warbler there 20 Apr (R. McGill, B. McGill) are among the earliest records for Ohio. With its departure 11 Apr, the wintering Cape May Warbler in Hocking established a new late (winter) date for Ohio 0- Fry)- An early Cape May Warbler was at Pinchot S.P., York, PA 29 Apr (RK), and an early Blackburn- ian Warbler appeared 12 Apr at Zaleski S.E, Vinton (B. Simpson). The East Beach at Magee Marsh W.A., Lucas hosted 2 singing male Kirt- land’s Warblers 14 & 21 May — to the delight of 1000-H birders (KK, I. Campbell, C. Boix, m.ob.). Among the earliest for Ohio, and per- haps the earliest record for the L. Erie Basin, a Prairie Warbler on the Magee Marsh Bird Trail 5 Apr (1. Krise) was part of the conspicuous overflight of migrants the hrst week of Apr. Rare but annual within the L. Erie Basin, a Yel- low Palm Warbler was at Magee 12 Apr (ph. K. Overman). Eight Blackpoll Warbler reports from Ohio 29 Apr-1 May represented a broad flight 10 days before the norm. A count of 19 Cerulean Warblers along the Delaware R., Monroe, PA 24 May (RW) was encouraging. A Swainson’s Warbler returned to Pricket’s Fork, Marion, WV 28 Apr (J. Herron), and singles were singing from two separate locations in adjacent Monongalia 7 May (D. Courtney). A Black-and-white Warbler returned to Pipe Stem S.P, Summers, WV 18 Mar (Jim & Judy Phillips). Strong winds brought American Red- starts to both se. Ohio in Athens (D. Weber) and the shoreline of L. Erie at Headlands Beach S.E, Lake, OH 3 Apr (H. Clebsch). An ex- tremely early (most likely overwintering) Ovenbird was at North Park, Allegheny, PA 4 Mar (M. Scanlon). A pair of Kentucky War- blers was discovered in Oak Openings Pre- serve Metropolitan Park, Lucas 31 May (M. & C. Gordon). Connecticut Warblers were found in good numbers this spring, with 20 birds re- ported in Ohio, and in Pennsylvania, 4 were at Presque Isle 14-17 May QM). The first to ar- rive was one at Green Bottom 25 Apr (MG), probably a new early record for West Virginia if not the Region. The sum of 90 Mourning Warblers mist-netted at Navarre Marsh, Ot- tawa, OH (B.S.B.O.) in May was impressive. An early migrant was at Magee 1 May (B. Zwiebel). In Pennsylvania, 12 Yellow-breasted Chats at Nottingham Park, Chester 30 May was an excellent count (HM, DF). A Spotted Towhee visiting a Holmesville, Holmes feeder ended its 12-day stay 8 Mar (BDL, R. Miller, SS). A territorial Clay-colored Sparrow was in Stark 29 Apr-f, although breeding was unconfirmed (T. & B. Spon- seller). Migrants were in Lake 29 Apr QP) and Lucas 1 & 23 May (GLi, J. Abke, MA). For the 3rd spring season in a row, a Clay-colored Sparrow appeared at Van Wert, Juniata, PA 10 May (A. Renno, C. Kauffman). Other single Clay-coloreds in Pennsylvania visited Jacobs- burg Environmental Education Center, Northampton 8 May (S. Kloiber, K. Sieminski), near Newville, Cumberland, PA 22 May (RK), and near Easton, Northampton- — a bird present since Feb, eventually seen copulating with a Chipping Sparrow 22 Apr (A. Koch). A late American Tree Sparrow was seen and heard at Scotia Barrens, Centre, PA 2 May (MOD). Lark Sparrow continues to surprise away from known breeding locales in Ohio; 3 in Delaware 10 May (SW), with another there 12 May 0- Bantz), were eclipsed by an astonish- ing 9 at various Hamilton gravel pits 1 May (E Wharton). Quite tardy was a Fox Sparrow at Erie Street Cemetery, Cuyahoga 19 May (PL, S. Wright). A White-throated Sparrow lingered in Erie 29 May (SY). Ohio’s wintering Golden- crowned Sparrow was last reported from its Hancock feeder 18 Apr (R. Sams). Rarely en- countered, although possibly overlooked in Ohio, a Gambel’s White-crowned Sparrow was in North Perry, Lake, OH 13 May (JP). A Dark- eyed Junco tarried through 31 May in Erie (SY). For the 2nd consecutive year, migrant Smith’s Longspurs were located in w. Ohio; a flock of 13 was well documented in Wyandot 26 Apr (ph. JBr, R. Crossley). An early Rose-breasted Grosbeak was in Erie, PA 9 Apr (fide K. Andersen). A Dickcissel near Bake Oven Knob, Lehigh. PA was unusual for that locale (B. Hoopes), one was in Hat- field, Allegheny, PA 4 May (fide C. Borek), and 2 were singing near Chambersburg, Eranklin, PA 30 May (B. Oyler). The Dickcissel at Cochranville, Chester, PA reported during the winter was last seen 3 Mar (HM). A Western Meadowlark returned to Wood 15 Apr (BC), and one was heard singing near McAlevys Fort, Huntingdon, PA 24 Apr 0- Dunn). Ohio Yellow-headed Blackbirds showed up in sever- al unusual locales this spring: in Columbiana 13-15 Apr (BDL, S. Fader), at Sylvania, Lucas 17 Apr (D. Hess), at Battelle Darby Creek Met- ropolitan Park, Eranklin 3 May (L. Deering), and in Adams 22 May Q- & M- Schmucker, John Troyer, Jr.). An exralimital Brewer’s Black- bird was in Madison, Lake 9 May OP)- An ex- cellent count of 18 Orchard Orioles was made at Bucktoe Creek Preserve, Chester, PA 17 May 0- Sebastiani). The male Baltimore Oriole at New Hope, Bucks, PA finished its 6th consecu- tive winter 5 Apr, 10 days earlier than last year (S. Meyers); an early migrant appeared in Huntingdon, PA 10 Apr (D. Wentzel). A singing White-winged Crossbill at Girdled Road Reser- vation, Lake 16 Mar OP) furnished the only re- port, following last year’s record flight. In Pennsylvania, a White -winged Crossbill was at Waterford, Erie 22 Apr (fide S. Stull). Up to 15 Red Crossbills were at Cowan’s Gap S.E, Eitl- ton, PA 28 Mar (D. Snell et al.). Ohio Pine Siskin reports were sporadic, totaling 9 birds, while only 6 were reported in Pennsylvania 1 7 Mar-24 May (m.ob.). Initialed observers (subregional compilers in boldface type): OHIO: Matt Anderson (MA), Rick Asamoto (RA), Tom Bartlett (TB), Jed Burtt QBt), Jason Cade QC), Gary Cowell (GCo), Glen Crippen (GC), Becky Cullen (BC), Doug & Micki Dunakin (D&MD), Rob Edelen (RE), Ginny Fantetti (GF), Bruce Glick (BG), John Habig 0Hg)> William Hull (WH), Kenn Kaufman (KK), Laura Keene (LK), Tom Kemp (TK), Bob and Denise Lane VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 423 EASTERN HIGHLANDS & UPPER OHIO RIVER VALLEY (BDL), Jay Lehman OLh), Greg Links (GLi), Doreene Linzell (DL), Paula Lozano (PL), Aaron Milenski (Ami), Donald Morse Jr. (DM), Doug Overacker (DO), John Pogacnik QP), Robert Powell (RP), Russell Reynolds (RRs), Larry Richardson (LRi), Robert Royse (RR), Dan Sanders (DS), Troy Shiveley (TSh), Dave Slager (DSr), Su Snyder (SS), Gary Steg- ner (GSr), Renee Tressler (RT), Doug Vogus (DV), Ben Warner (BWr), Bill Whan (BWh), Sean Williams (SW), Sheryl Young (SY). PENNSYLVANIA: Devin Bosler (DB), Justin Bosler QB), C. Chalfant (CC), Devich Farbot- nik (DF), Vern Gauthier (VG), Greg Grove (GG), Paul Hess (PH), Chad Kauffman (CK), Ramsay Koury (RK), Rudy Keller (RK), Ken Lebo (KL), Geoff Malsoh (GM), Holly Merk- er (HM), Matt O’Donnell (MOD), Jerry McWilliams QM)- August Mirabella (AM), Nick Pulcinella (NP), Dave Wilton (DW), Rick Wiltraut (RW), Mike Weible (MWe), Matt Wlasniewski (MW), WEST VIRGINIA: Wendell Argabrite (WA), Mike Griffith (MG), Matt Orsie (MO). Victor W. Fazio, III, 18722 Newell Road, Floor 2 Shaker Heights, Ohio 44122, (bcvireo@sbcglobaLnet) Gabe Leidy, 10604 Snow Road Parma, Ohio 44130, (nparula@yahoo.com) Rick Wiltraut Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center 835 Jacobsburg Road, Wind Gap, Pennsylvania 18091 (rwiltraut@state.pa.us) Illinois & Indiana INDIANA LAKEFRONT: A = Hammond Lakefront Sanctuary B = Miller Beach C = Dunes SP 5 Beverly Shores D = Mich. City Harbor Jackson ParkM Lake Coliimel Goose Lake Prairie ■ *• Midewin Natl. Tallgrass Prairie Willow Slough WMA m Sand Ridge SF ClirilonU ■ atom .Cnrinnc Lake a Lake Springfield shelbwille Pigeon Kingsbury WMA r.wmA Fox Is. Park'. Grand Kankakee Marsh \^Jasper-Pulaski WMA ■ Salamonic TNC Kankakee Sands i Pine Creek WMA | Gcist I ^ pgg USuminit Lake Brookville Kes.l ■ Lake Lemon Muskatatuck NWR <--- ^rshirejfiif^^ NDIANA James D. Hengeveld Keith A. McMullen Geoffrey A. Williamson The spring 2010 season was one of ex- treme highs and lows, beginning with cooler temperatures than normal dur- ing the month of March throughout the Re- gion. April experienced a significant warming trend, with near-record temperatures occur- ring in the southern portions of the Region. It was rather windy during several strong frontal systems; however, large waves of Neotropical migrants were not observed ar- riving with these fronts. Several observers de- scribed this season as one of the worst spring migrations in years. The migration did have some bright spots, as a few migrants arrived early with the warm April temperatures, and large waves of migrants appeared throughout the Region in early to mid-May. Rarities found during the period included Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Fulvous Whistling-Duck, Cinnamon Teal, Neotropic Cormorant, Prairie Falcon, Purple Gallinule, Mountain Plover, Ruff, Burrowing Owl, Varied Thrush, Western Tanager, and Painted Bunting. Abbreviations: Bev. Sh. (Beverly Shores, Porter, IN); Cane Ridge (Cane Ridge W.M.A., Gibso?i, IN); Carlyle (Carlyle L., s. Illinois); Dunes (Dunes S.P., Porter, IN); Eagle Cr. (Eagle Creek Park, Indianapolis); FWA. (Fish and Wildlife Area); Goose Pond (Goose Pond F.W.A., Greene, IN); Hennepin (Hennepin-Hopper Lake Restoration Area, Putnam, IL); Horseshoe (Horseshoe L., Madison, IL); L. Monroe (Mon- roe, IN); Montrose (Montrose Pt. in Chicago’s Lincoln Park); N. Pt. Marina (North Point Ma- rina, Winthrop Harbor, Lake, IL). WATERFOWL THROUGH GREBES A new Indiana high count of 11 Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks was logged 18 Apr at Goose Pond (MC). A single Black-bellied found at Central Park, Hamilton, IN 20 Apr (SH, ph. RR et al.) provided a first county record. The Goose Pond whistling-duck flock, which re- mained through at least 22 Apr (EMH), was accompanied on 18 Apr by a single Fulvous Whistling-Duck (MC), which remained through the end of the period. The largest Ross’s Goose flock on record in the Region was tallied 4 Mar at L. Springfield, Sangamon, IL when an estimated 1000-2000 were there among 133,000 Snow Geese (HDB). Trumpeter Swans remain on the increase, as migrants joined small wintering flocks, especially in the s. tier. An excellent count of 165 was made 1 Mar in the Santa Fe Bottoms, Clinton, IL (DMK, MSS). A male Cinnamon Teal brightened the day in Mason, IL 4 Mar (DFS). The tally of 351 American Wigeons at Goose Pond 24 Mar (DRW) was Indiana’s highest in more than 10 years. A male Harle- quin Duck was at Whihala Beach, Lake, IN 22 Mar QMu), and an- other male lingered in Chicago through 8 Apr (DFS). Reports of scoters were below average for the Region. Notable away from the lake- front were 2 Surf Scoters at Eagle Cr. 21 Mar (SS) and 3 at Keokuk Lock and Dam, Han- cock, IL 30 Apr-2 May (MHB). Long-tailed Ducks were seen in good numbers along L. Michigan, highlighted by 56 at Zion, Lake, IL 7 Mar QSS) and 38 at Montrose 28 Mar (RDH, TK). Of the 3 reported in Indiana, 2 were away from the lakefront: one was at Bev. Sh. 13 Mar (BJG), another was at Goose Pond 23 Mar (DW), and the last was at Eagle Cr. 8 Apr (LP). Encouraging, given the paucity of Ruffed Grouse sightings in Indiana the past several years, were reports of drumming birds in Hoosier N.F, Jackson 15 Apr (W&MH), in the Monroe portion of Morgan-Monroe S.F 26 Apr (MC), and in Hoosier N.E, Lawrence 8 May (AK, NK). Only 24 Greater Prairie- Chickens were counted at Prairie Ridge S.N.A., Marion, IL 24 Mar (RES). By contrast, Wild Turkeys were noted in excellent num- bers, exemplified by 167 in Woodford, IL 7 Mar (MEF MJW). This Black-bellied Whistling-Duck lingered for three days, 20-22 (here 20) April 2010, in Hamilton County, Indiana, where it furnished a first record for the county. Photograph by Robert Ripma. 424 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS Though down from the past two years, good numbers of Red-throated Loons were recorded, including 3 at Illinois Beach S.R 3 Apr (CAT) and 13 at Dunes 2 Apr OJM)- An ad. Pacific Loon in basic plumage discovered on L. Lemon, Monroe, IN 1 May (DRW, BD, DA, JM) stayed through 5 May (DCr). It was a good spring for Eared Grebes. The earliest was at Michigan City Harbor, LaPorte, IN 30 Mar (JC); 3 birds in breeding plumage were at Eagle Cr. 13 Apr (LAB, SAP, JF); and a bird at the O’Fallon W.T.R, St. Clair, IL 2-7 May (ph. EWW, KAM, m.ob.) was tardy. A Red-necked Grebe in breeding plumage was on L. Gibson, Gibson, IN 19 Mar (AK) through 21 Mar (GB, LB), and 2 were at Dunes 27 Mar QKC, SRB, BJG, RJP KJB). A Western Grebe provided a welcome spring encounter at Waukegan, Lake, IL 18-29 Mar (BAH, ph. NAL). PELICANS THROUGH HERONS American White Pelicans passed through the Region in large numbers once again this spring. The largest tally of 2000 was made 15 Mar at Horseshoe (FRH), while Indiana had successive state record-high counts of 184 and 217 at Willow Slough 26 OBH) & 27 Mar OJM), respectively, topped by 259 at Goose Pond 1 Apr (LWS, BE). Single Neotropic Cor- morants made appearances in Illinois at Horseshoe 8 May (FRH) and nearby 22 63: 27 May (ph. WMR), and at L. Calumet, Cook 28 May+ (tWJM, APS, m.ob.). A total of 2429 Double-crested Cormorant nests were tallied at the steel plants on the E. Chicago, IN lake- front 18 May QSC et al). Waders appeared in good numbers and were broadly distributed as the result of inte- rior flooding in the s. tier of the Region. Widespread sightings of American Bitterns were topped by 8 at Goose Pond 19 May (LWS), while the 6 Least Bitterns at Eagle Marsh, Allen 22 May (RPR, PM et al.) repre- sented the highest count ever for ne. Indiana. An early Great Egret appeared at Goose Pond 14 Mar (LWS), and single Snowy Egrets were seen at Goose Pond 28-29 Apr (MC, LWS) and 23 May (MRB), and at Cane Ridge 9 May (GB). A tally of 113 Black-crowned Night- Herons made 8 May at the L. Calumet colony in Chicago (WJM, SBB, JN) was less than half of recent years’ counts and less than a tenth of those from 15-20 years ago, but it was the Re- gion’s peak tally this spring. On 26 May, an imm. White Ibis at Goose Pond (DRW, EC) furnished Indiana’s 3rd record ever in the month of May. Single Glossy Ibis were discov- ered at Goose Pond 3 May (BJG, KG) and at Thompson L., Fulton, IL 30 May (KBR). Three Glossy Ibis accompanied 5 White-faced Ibis at Goose Pond 8 May QlD, LWS, JDB, TeG). Three White-faceds were at Mermet L., Massac, IL 24 Apr (KAM, MSS, DMK), 2 were in s. Cook, IL 4 May (ph. WSS), and 3 were at Cane Ridge 10 May (TG, ph. SG); 6 other sin- gles were seen in the Region. HAWKS THROUGH GALLINULES Ospreys returned to the Region early; one was at John J. Duffy EP, Cook, IL 28 Mar (CBT), and 3 were at L. Calumet, Cook, IL 30 Mar (WJM). For the 4th spring in a row, several Mississippi Kites were found n. of their s. stronghold; the phrase “north of their normal range” may soon be inapplicable to this species in the Region. A single was at Eagle Cr. 7 May (G&JO), and another flew over Dunes 9 May O&JS)- Two returned 9 May to Rockford, Winnebago, IL (DTW), where they nested last summer; 2 were there 30 May (DTW, BCW); and a nest-building pair was found in Greene, IN 23 May (MRB, MC, JS, J&SH). Two migrant Swainson’s Hawks were noteworthy in cen. Illinois: 4 May in Sanga- mon (ph. HDB) and 13 May at Meredosia N.W.R., Cass (tGN, APS, MJW). Very rare in spring was a Prairie Falcon in Rockford, Win- nebago, IL 14 Apr (tDTW). Three Yellow Rails were noted: 24 Mar at Prairie Ridge S.N.A., Jasper, IL (RES, SAS, CLH), 24 Apr at Salamonie Reservoir Spill- way, Wabash, IN O^H), and 7 May in Chica- go (a window-killed bird; fide DFS). More un- usual were Black Rails detected 15 Apr in Hancock, IL (tMHB); 1 May in Fayette, IL (DMK) and at TNC Kankakee Sands, Newton, IN (KT, CR); and 16 May at Goose Pond (MC). King Rails were detected at an impres- sive eight different units at Goose Pond throughout the spring (fide LWS). Two Purple Gallinules frequented a LaPorte, IN backyard 6 May+ (DdA, ph. LSH, m.ob.); one at the Mi- nonk Sewage Lagoon, Woodford, IL 8 May was also an unexpected find (ph. MJW, TH). SHOREBIRDS THROUGH TERNS Piping Plover reports away from L. Michigan included singles 3 May at Carlyle (KAM, MSS) and 30 May in Marion, IL (CLH, MSS, DMK). The Region’s first spring and 3rd overall record of Mountain Plover occurred near Ar- eola, Douglas, IL 24 Apr (ph. GSL). Six Black- necked Stilts at Goose Pond 1 Apr (DW) set a new early arrival date for Indiana; 15 were tal- lied 21 Apr at E. Cape Girardeau, Alexander, IL (KAM, MSS). A new site record for stilts was established on 5 May for Kingsbury EWA., LaPorte, IN, where 3 were seen 0JM)> and a new county record was established for Montgomeiy, IN, where a pair was seen 23 May (SF). Indiana’s only American Avocet this spring was a female 21 Apr at Dunes (KJB, ILLINOIS & INDIANA In the past few decades, Mississippi Kites have been ap- pearing and even nesting at locations well north of their historic range. This kite was one of a nesting pair discovered in spring 2010 (here 9 May) in Greene County, Indiana. Pho- tograph by Michael R. Brown. JJM), early for the lakefront; 12 were at Sangchris L., Sangamon, IL 25 Apr (ph. HDB). A Solitary Sandpiper at the Restle Unit in nw. Monroe 25 Mar (VW) provided Indiana’s 2nd earliest record ever, and a fine count of 123 was made in Porter, IN 30 Apr (RJP, PK). Of the 6 Whimbrels reported, 4 were seen at N. Pt. Marina 21 May (EWW). There was an above-average movement of godwits through the Region. Four Hudsonians arrived at E. Cape Girardeau, Alexander, IL 11 May (KAM, RM), 9 were noted at Hennepin 14 May (ph. MJW), and 6 were found in Knox, IL 13-14 May (MJB, PJR, DJM); a single at Cane Ridge 17 May (TG, SG, PL, Y63:JH) provided Indi- ana’s first spring record in five years. At Goose Pond, a Marbled Godwit was seen 18-19 Apr (MC, ER), and a group of 18 was at L. Monroe 29 Apr (ARD, J&SH); others included 2 at Thompson L., Fulton, IL 13 May (KBR) and singles in n. Porter, IN 14 May QCK), at Hen- nepin 16 May (MAM, JSm), and at Emiquon N.W.R., Fulton, IL 19 May (KAM, MSS). Rare in Indiana in spring, a Baird’s Sandpiper was at Wakarusa W.TP, Elkhart, IN 15-16 May (RT, DS et al). An early and impressive count of 8 Stilt Sandpipers was logged at Goose Pond 21 Apr (LWS), and 3 early Long-billed Dowitch- ers were noted at Patoka N.W.R., Gibson, IN 21 Mar (DC, BT). Following last year’s discov- ery of a downy chick at Goose Pond, Indiana’s first Wilson’s Snipe nest with eggs was found at the Mississinewa Res. spillway, Wabash 25 Apr OJM). Equally exciting was an ad. Wil- son’s Snipe with 3 young at Prairie Ridge S.N.A., Jasper, IL 25 May (ph. RES, SAS, VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 425 ILLINOIS & INDIANA This male Varied Thrush was the first seen along the Indiana lakefront in spring in more than two decades. It was present at a feeder in Beverly Shores 3 March 2010 and remained for at least five days (here 5 March). Photograph by Pete Grube. CLH). Very impressive numbers of Wilson’s Phalaropes passed through the Region in late Apr and early May, indicative of an eastward shift in their usual northbound route through w. Missouri and cen. Kansas, In Indiana, counts of 8, 9, and 13 Wilson’s Phalaropes came from Warrick 26 Apr 0HC> SG), Goose Pond 28 Apr (MG, LWS), and Cane Ridge 28 Apr (GB, LB), respectively. In Illi- nois, Walters tallied an incredible 210 in Ma- son 3 May, and 80 were counted 4 May at Hen- nepin (GN, APS, AFS). We received an above- average eight reports of Red-necked Phala- ropes from the Region, all in Illinois. Laughing Gulls were reported from five lo- cations, all ads. except for a second-cycle bird at Carlyle 15-16 May (DMK). An impressive spring tally of 18 Franklin’s Gulls came from Rock Island, IL 13 May (DJM, MJB), and a California Gull was reported at N. Pt. Marina 30 Apr (ph. GN). Thayer’s and Iceland Gulls were scarce this season. Nine Lesser Black- backed Gulls were tallied at N. Pt. Marina 22 Mar (EWW); away from the lakefront, an ad. was at L. Monroe 29 (DRW) & 31 Mar (MC). On the Lake, IN lakefront, 5 Glaucous Gulls were seen 17 & 19 Mar (MT); a first-cycle bird remained at N. Pt. Marina 11 May+ (ph. EWW, KAM, MSS, TLK, m.ob.). Relatively early were 2 Caspian Terns at Dunes 27 Mar (KJB,JKC, SRB, LSH,J&EH). The Region ex- perienced an impressive Black Tern flight, highlighted by about 3000 at Emiquon N.W.R., Fulton, IL 13 May (MJW). OWLS THROUGH THRUSHES Barn Owls continue to rebound from reduced population levels in Illinois, with reports from an astounding seven s. Illinois locations. Most notable were 2 ads. and 4 young from the cen. Illinois location of Prairie Ridge S.N. A., Jasper (ph. RES, CLH); 2 ads. utilized a nest box far- ther n. in Iroquois, IL 7 Apr-29 May QBx, ph. RH). A bigger surprise was a one-day wonder Burrowing Owl found 22 May in the Mis- sissippi R. floodplain in Monroe (LV, ph. WMR, ph. KAM, MSS). Nightjars were tardy and scarce this spring. Two Eastern Whip- poor-wills were found in the Lake, IN lakefront migrant traps 1 May OJM, m.ob.). It was a good spring for Olive- sided Elycatchers away from L. Michigan, with 18 reported, with a high count of 3 in Sang- amon, IL 22 May (HDB). A wave of early Willow Elycatch- ers in Indiana 3 May included one at L. Monroe (J&SH), one at Goose Pond (MC), and 2 at Dugger EW.A., Siiliivan (AK). Western Kingbirds appeared in several locations away from the Madison/St. Clair, IL breeding locations. In Illinois, singles were noted 4 May in Putnam (ph. GN, APS, AFS), 8 May at Cuba Marsh, Lake (ph, CSF), 16 & 18 May in Winnebago (TL), 23 May in Mason (KBR), and 30-31 May at Headwaters C.A., Kane (SAC, DFS); a pair took up resi- dence in s. Gibson, IN 6 May+ (SG et ah). An early Eastern Kingbird appeared in Morgan, IN 6 Apr (DJ). A Scissor- tailed Elycatcher was a nice surprise 23 May from the Santa Ee Bot- toms, Clinton, IL (DMK). Of the 4 Loggerhead Shrikes reported in Indiana, one was in Newton 1 May (EMH), 2 were in Lawrence 8 May (AK, NK), and one was in Spencer 9 May (DD). Good numbers of vireos were counted in the Region, highlighted by 24 White-eyed Vireos at Pomona, Jackson, IL 3 May (KAM, MSS), 71 Bell’s Vireos 26 May at Hawthorn Mine, Sullivan, IN (DRW, PC), 7 Blue-headed Vireos 15 May at Waukegan, Lake, IL (DTW), and a state-record 152 Red-eyed Vireos in Brown and Monroe, IN 19 May OfD)- Early Yellow-throated Vireos were reported in Indi- ana at L. Monroe 3 Apr (DL), in Hoosier N.E, Monroe 4 Apr (DL), and in Franke Park, Ft. Wayne 5 Apr QB). Part of a fine flight of Philadelphia Vireos, 4 were noted at Carlyle 9 May (DMK), and 3 birds each were seen in Greene, IN 8 May (MC) and at Bev. Sh. 15 May OJM)' Early swallow reports included a Northern Rough-winged Swallow 28 Mar in St. Clair, IL (TJD), a Bank Swallow 4 Apr at L. Lemon, Brown, IN (J&SH), a Barn Swallow 27 Mar at Pine Hills, Union, IL (TAM, DMK), and 25 Cliff Swallows 30 Mar in Massac, IL (KAM, MSS). During a lakewatch at Dunes 30 Apr, an Indiana record 3690 Blue Jays were tallied QKC, JJM, KJB). An excellent tally of 62 Fish Crows was made 2 May at Cypress Creek N.W.R., Pulaski, IL (EWW); 10 were noted in 426 nw. Warrick, IN 22 Apr (ES); and 6 were at Patoka EW.A., Pike, IN 23 Apr (SG). Three Fish Crows at Beall Woods ER, Wabash 14 Apr were n. and e. of known s. Illinois breed- ing locations (CLH). Two Red-breasted Nuthatches lingered at Waterfall Glen ER, DuPage, IL 22 May (KAM, MSS). Eighty-eight Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, a state record, were tallied in Brown and Mon- roe, IN 19 May OfD)- Indiana’s 2nd earliest Wood Thrush ever was at Howell Wetlands in Evansville 30 Mar (TG). A male Varied Thrush was discovered at a feeder in Bev. Sh. 3 Mar (BJG), and it remained there through 7 Mar (PBG, NG, BH). An excellent count of 78 Gray Catbirds was made in Chicago’s Jackson Park 5 May (PRC). WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES An Orange-crowned Warbler in Chicago 8 Apr (DFS) was early. Nashville Warblers were quite abundant this season, with multiple double- digit counts led by 17 each in Sangamon, IL 5 May (HDB) and Cook, IL 8 May (GAW,JV, JBe). An excellent tally of 55 Northern Parulas came from Pine Hills, Union, IL 14 Apr (KAM, MSS). The Region’s first Yellow Warbler of the season was surprisingly in the n. tier at Salamonie Res., Wabash 13 Apr QAH), providing the 4th earliest record for n. Indiana. Notable were 102 Magnolia Warblers banded 13 May at the Adams Nature Sanctuary, Adams, IL (VMK). A Blackburnian Warbler at Franke Park in Ft. Wayne, IN 17 Apr (]B) was early, and the 25 Yellow-throated Warblers seen in Brown the fol- lowing day O&SH) represented the highest ever count for Indiana. A Prairie Warbler at L. Monroe 10 Apr (DA) was Indiana’s 3rd earliest. Rare in the Region, a Yellow Palm Warbler was found at Eagle Creek 16 Apr (LP). The 35 Cerulean Warblers logged 19 May in Brown and Monroe QID) furnished Indiana’s highest count ever. Significant counts of American Redstarts were 74 in Brown and Monroe, IN 19 May (JID), 47 at Pomona, Jackson, IL 3 May (KAM, MSS), and 47 in Sangamon, IL 15 May (HDB). A singing Worm-eating Warbler at L. Monroe 7 Apr (MC) shaved eight days off of In- diana’s earliest previous arrival date; an excel- lent tally of 16 came from Brown and Monroe, IN 19 May OID)- Exciting was the discovery of a female Swainson’s Warbler 3 May on a terri- tory utilized by a pair last summer in Jackson, IL (KAM, MSS); efforts to relocate the bird over the next several weeks were unsuccessful. Thir- ty-five Ovenbirds were banded at the Adams Nature Sanctuary, Adams, IL 13 May (VMK). At Howell Wetland in Evansville, a Northern Wa- terthrush showed up 30 Mar (TG), furnishing Indiana’s 3rd earliest record. Significant counts of 36 Kentucky Warblers and 26 Hooded War- NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS ILLINOIS & INDIANA biers came from Brown and Monroe, IN 19 May (JID). A singing Connecticut Warbler at Dunes 6 May (MT) set an early record for the Indiana lakefront, and a Yellow-breasted Chat at Saun- der’s Woods, Gibson 11 Apr (LB, GB) tied Indi- ana’s earliest arrival date. A Western Tanager made a noteworthy spring record 30 Apr from Thatcher Woods ER, Cook, IL (tDAz). For the Indiana lake- front, a new high count of 175 Chipping Sparrows was recorded during a lakewatch at Dunes 25 Apr (BJG). It was a good spring for Clay-colored Sparrows; an early individual was at Eagle Marsh in Ft. Wayne 13 Apr (EP); 4 were found at the Hammond Sanctuary, Lake, IN, including 2 on 30 Apr (MT); and an amazing 14 were counted in Rockton, Win- nebago, IL 13 May (DTW, BCW). Nachusa Grasslands in Lee, IL hosted high counts of 14 Lark Sparrows and 21 Grasshopper Sparrows 15 May (EWW). A nice count of 21 Henslow’s Sparrows came from Iroquois County C.A., IL 16 May (GAW, TK). A Le Conte’s Sparrow re- mained in e. Monroe, IN 21-29 Apr (ER); one at Whihala Beach, Lake 1 May OJM) provided the Indiana lakefront’s only record; and 3 were reported in Illinois. Three Nelson’s Spar- rows were reported from Illinois: 11 May in Sangamon (HDB), 13 May at Prairie Ridge S.N.A., Jasper (RES, CLH), and 15 May at Chicago’s Lincoln Park (JHP, JN). Dark-eyed Juncos lingered through 9 May at Montrose (MD) and at a Highland, Lake, IN feeder through 15 May (MT). The peak Smith’s Longspur count was 50+ in Parke, IN 10 Apr (AK); 3 tardy individuals were at Bartel Grass- lands ER, Cook, IL 4 May (AA). Unexpected was an ad. male Painted Bunting found window-killed in Chicago 4 May (*Chicago Bird Collision Monitors). This was the first spring season since 2000 that Painted Buntings did not return to the E. St. Louis, IL breeding location (Jide DMK). On 11 and 17 Apr, a singing Western Mead- owlark was a rare find for Boone, IN (RLH et a!.). An early Baltimore Oriole was found at Twin Swamps Preserve, Posey, IN 12 Apr (TG), and an incredible 225 were tallied at Hennepin 17 May (EWW). Predictably, fol- lowing a poor showing of finches during the winter, few were reported this season. Two Purple Finches were late w. of Indianapolis 21 May (PDRH), and 2 late Common Redpolls were noted in Cook, IL 16 Mar QCB). The only Pine Siskin reported in Illinois was a sin- gle in Sangamon 21 Mar (HDB), and the latest of only a handful reported in Indiana was in Indianapolis 9 May (KF). Contributors cited (subregional editors in boldface): David Albin (DdA), Don Allen, Dan Anzia (DAz), Amar Ayyash, Susan R. Bagby, Lou Anne Barriger, Michael J. Baum, John Bax- ter QBx), Frank K. Bennett, Josh Berman QBe), H. David Bohlen, Gary Bowman, Lisa Bowman, Kenneth J. Brock (Indiana), Jerry Brown, Jim D. Brown, Michael R. Brown, Joan C. Bruch- man, Maury H. Brucker, Samuel B. Burckhardt, Jim H. Campbell, John K. Cassadyjohn S. Cas- trale, Fred Churchill, Michael Clarke, Jamie Claus, Paul R. Clyne, Scott A. Cohrs, Dan Collins, David Crouch (DCr), Tim J. Dever, Michelle Devlin, Bob Dodd, Jerry 1. Downs, Andy R. Durkin, David Dugas, Brad Feaster, Kathy Feldman, Carolyn S. Fields, Sean Fitzgerald, Matthew E. Fraker, Jeannette Fra- zier, Steve Gifford, Terri Greene (TeG), Tim Griffith, Brendan J. Grube, Kris Grube, Nila Grube, Peter B. Grube, P. D. Ryan Hamilton, John & Elaine Harley, Yvonne & Joe Harris, C. Leroy Harrison, Ted Hartzler, James A. Haw, Roger L, Hedge, Bruce A. Heimer, James & Su- san Hengeveld, Jed B. Hertz, Lynea S. Hinch- man, Richard Hickson, Frank R. Holmes, Wes & Mike Homoya, Edward M. Hopkins, Steve Housefield, Robert D. Hughes, Bob Huguenard, Doug Johnstone, Dan M. Kassebaum, Amy Kearns, Noah Kearns, Tom Kelly, John C. Kendall, Vernon M. Kleen, Patrick Krueger, Tim L. Kuesel, Gregory S. Lambeth, Nolan A. Lameka, Philip Lax, Dan Leach, Tom Little, Michael A. Madsen, Travis A. Mahan, Walter J. Marcisz, Paul McAfee, Jeffrey J. McCoy, Keith A. McMullen, Robert Meade, Jim Mitchell, D. James Mountjoy, Josh Murphy OMu), Greg Neise, Joan Norek, Greg & Joyce Osland, Randy J. Pals, Steve A. Pancol, Larry Peavler, Ed Powers, John H. Purcell, Rodger P Rang, Christopher Reidy, Phil J. Reyburn, Kevin B. Richmond, Eric Ripma, Rob Ripma, William M. Rudden, Mark S. Seiffert, Spike Selig, Wes- ley S. Serafin, Robert E. Shelby, Andrew P. Sigler, Scott A. Simpson, Jeff Smith QSm), Jim S. Solum, Evan Speck, Lee W. Sterrenburg, Alan F Stokie, Dan Stoltzfus, Douglas F Stotz, Jim Sullivan, Jack & Jason Swelstad, Brian Taylor, Craig A. Taylor, Craig B. Thayer, Michael Topp, Ray Troyer, Kevin Tungesvick, Lorrie Vit, Jenny Vogt, Eric W. Walters, Donald R. Whitehead, Vern Wilkins, Barbara C. Williams, Daniel T. Williams, Jr., Geoffrey A. Williamson (Illi- nois), Matthew J. Winks, Dennis Workman. Many others submitted observations but could not be personally 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) - ■v"« Jo a visitor, it’s barren desert. , To our supporters, it’s bustling with life. Join us today. Visit nature.prg or call 1-888-2 JOIN TNG. ^TheNaturefM Lonservancyp^ . . ■SAWNQ'ftlEUSTOREATPUCESONEAMft-' This message is made possible by the generous support of this publication VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 427 I Western Great Lakes Adam M Byrne The 2010 spring season was one of the warmest on record. All three states re- ported above-average temperatures in March and April, putting plant growth nearly two weeks ahead of schedule. The Upper Peninsula and northern Wisconsin experi- enced severe drought conditions. Minnesota precipitation levels were also well below aver- age everywhere except in the northwest, where two storms brought very heavy rainfall in the last week of May. There was an early pulse of migrants that accompanied the extremely warm weather in early April. Otherwise, spring migration in May disappointed birders with its dearth of warblers and other migrants. Observers in both Michigan and Minnesota commented on the lack of migrants, with later migrants seen in low numbers and over a very contracted period of only a few days. Southern warblers were especially scarce in Michigan, with few outside of usual locations. May did produce Minnesota’s fifth record of Black Vulture, sev- enth Black-throated Gray Warbler, only the second Laughing Gull since 1997, a Whoop- ing Crane, and a Western Sandpiper. Michi- gan also had several noteworthy rarities, among them Cinnamon Teal, Anhinga, Purple Gallinule, Fish Crow, Mountain Bluebird, and McCown’s Longspur. WATERFOWL THROUGH IBIS Wisconsin had a peak count of 740 Greater White-fronted Geese in Rock 21 Mar (TP), while Minnesota had reports from 37 counties. Greater White-fronteds were quite scarce in Michigan, with only singles in Saginaw 12 Mar (JDS), Berrien 18 Mar (HB), and Muskegon 2 May QVK). Ross’s Goose was found in only 16 Minnesota counties, down from last year’s 27; Wisconsin’s only reports were singles in Dodge 8 Mar (DT) and Rock 13 Mar (TP, PS). Cack- ling Geese were found in 40 Minnesota coun- ties, including a first for Wabasha 13 Mar (PEJ), while Michigan had 2 on 10 Mar (DP) and one on 3 Apr (JVA) in Saginaw. Drake Cin- namon Teal were found in Carver, MN 18-27 Apr (]C, DV/K, MD, PEB, m.ob.) and Monroe, Ml 22-24 May (AMB, CP). Six Harlequin Duck reports from five counties were unprecedented for Wisconsin; Michigan had up to 5 Harle- quins until 15 May in Mason (DD). Five Surf Scoter reports from Wisconsin was about nor- mal, while Minnesota had a male in Steams 5- 7 Apr (PCC), a male and a female in Otter Trail 26-27 Apr (fide D&ST), and singles in St. Louis 8 & 17 May (PHS). A Black Scoter in Kalama- zoo, MI 20-21 Apr (KH) was unusual away from the Great Lakes; Wisconsin reported 8 birds from six counties. A Barrow’s Goldeneye was in Columbia, WI 13 Mar (TP, QY, PS), and 2 were in St. Louis, MN: an ad. male 16 Mar (KJB) and ad. female 23-27 Mar (KJB, PHS). Wisconsin had only one Gray Partridge re- port, from Brown 4 Mar (RR), but an excep- tional nine Spruce Grouse reports came from six counties. Michigan again reported almost no Northern Bobwhites, while s. Wisconsin had reports from five counties. Wisconsin had another excellent spring for Red-throated Loons, with 15 reports along the Great Lakes shorelines, including 16 birds in Sheboygan 27 Mar (AP). All of Minnesota’s Red-throated Loons were in St. Louis from 28 Apr-30 May, with impressive high counts of 102 on 27 May (PHS) and 63 on 26 May (KJB). A Pacific Loon at Duluth, St. Louis, MN 26-27 May (KJB, PHS) may have been the same bird found at Stoney Point, St. Louis 28 May (KJB). Michi- gan had a Pacific Loon in Chippewa 31 May (PCC). An Eared Grebe in Benton, MN 22 May QWH) furnished the county’s first record. Wisconsin had seven Eared Grebe reports from six counties, while Michigan had eight in six counties. Wisconsin had a Western Grebe in Fond du Lac 16-17 May (SD), and Minneso- ta had a Clark’s Grebe in Marshall 18 May (fide JMJ). An unidentified Aechmophorus grebe was in St. Louis, MN 26-27 May, where either species would be unusual (KJB, MLH, PHS). A brief sighting of an Anhinga flying from Ontario into Michigan at Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa 1 May was a big surprise and poten- tially Michigan’s 2nd record (KZ). Minnesota reported Snowy Egret from four counties, in- cluding a first for Watonwan (CH). Wisconsin and Michigan each had only one Snorvy Egret report, singles in Racine 16-21 Apr 0D, DG) and Bay 5-8 May QMS, GP), respectively. Little Blue Herons were in Fillmore, MN 17 Apr-29 May (NBO) and Eau Claire, WI 8-26 May (AG, DS). Michigan and Minnesota reported good numbers of Cattle Egrets, while Wisconsin had only one in Dane 15-17 Apr (DL, TW). The only Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was an ad. in Macomb, MI 8 May (LB). Michigan had a Glossy Ibis in Monroe 22 May (AMB, BM) and 2 Plegadis ibis in Mason 24 Apr (BMo). Wis- consin had a Glossy Ibis in Dane 30 Apr (ST) and 2 in Fond du Lac 3-31 May, along with White-faced Ibis reports from five counties in early May followed by a single bird in Fond du Lac. Minnesotans reported many White-faced Ibis, particularly from Lac Qui Parle, where at least 3 were identified in a flock of 15 ibis on 23 Apr (SMC), a single was reported 1 May (AS), 4 ads. were seen 7 May, and a final single was noted 23 May (BJU). Elsewhere in Minnesota, an ad. White-faced was in Blue Earth 23 May (RMD, CH), one was in Nicollet 1 May (with an unidentified Plegadis', RMD), and an ad. was in Sherburne 24 May (PLJ). Four Plegadis ibis were also seen in Dakota, MN 1 May (PEJ). ¥ULTURES THROUGH SHOREBiRDS Minnesota’s 5th Black Vulture was in St. Louis 15-16 May QCG, JGr, PHS, PRH). Michigan had single Black Vultures in Cass 30 Mar (JTW) and Huron 15 May (ME). The only Mis- sissippi Kite was in Chippewa, MI 28 May (p.a., JB, JH). A Swainson’s Hawk in Itasca, MN 4 May (PW) provided a first county record. Michigan reported 10 Swainson’s Hawks this spring, including an unusual re- port from Marquette (SH), while a young light- morph Swainson’s was banded in Douglas, WI 2 May (SW). The only Prairie Falcons were in Meeker 22 Apr (DMF) and Lac Qui Parle 24 Apr (DDo), both Minnesota. Minnesota had a very early Yellow Rail in Winona 17 Apr (KAK) and first county records in Rice 19-20 Apr Minnesota's fifth Black Vulture was attracted to a skunk car- cass at Stoney Point, St. Louis County 15-16 {here 16) May 2010. Photograph by Peder H. Svingen. (TFB) and Chisago 22 May (PEB, DWK); aver- age for Wisconsin were six Yellow Rail reports from six counties. Michigan’s only King Rail was in Monroe 6-24 May (AMB, BM, PCC, CP), while Wisconsin had an above-average four reports from four counties. A Purple Gallinule delighted birders in Iosco, Ml 13-28 428 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS WESTERN GREAT LAKES May (RL, m.ob.). An impressive 25 Common Moorhens at Pointe Mouillee S.G.A., Monroe, MI (AMB) is clearly the result of intensive habitat management in recent years; Minneso- ta had single moorhens in Lac Qui Parle 1 (AS) & 7-8 May (BJU). An unbanded ad. Whoop- ing Crane visited Marshall, MN 21 & 23 May (GAK, PHS, JMJ); this bird was not considered to be part of the reintroduction efforts. Minnesota had 2 Piping Plovers on 2 May (PHS, MLH), one on 3 May (NAJ), and one on 16 May (SCZ), all in St. Louis. Wisconsin had an average spring for Piping Plover, with 6 birds in five counties. Wisconsin’s nesting Black-necked Stilts arrived on 1 May in Dodge (GM); Minnesota had 2 stilts in Brown 15 May (SPS) and an ad. female in Marshall 23 May (PHS, JMJ). American Avocets put on a good show in Wisconsin, with eight reports from five counties. Minnesota had an out-of-range avocet in St. Louis 2 May (PHS), while Michi- gan had 4 in Huron 14 Apr (ME) and one in Grand Traverse 9 May (EK). A record-high count of 327 Willets in Dakota (CMB) easily topped Minnesota’s previous record of 78! Michigan also had good numbers of Willet, with more than 70 birds in seven counties. Wisconsin reported exceptional Whimbrel numbers, including 1500 in Door 25 May (MG), which may represent 10% of the Hud- son Bay population. Michigan had a peak of 237 Whimbrels in Monroe 22 May (AMB, BM), while Minnesota’s peak was 60 in St. Louis 27 May (l&LK). The only report of the declining Red Knot was a lone bird in Douglas, WI 26 May (DT). A well-documented Western Sand- piper in Dakota, MN 13-14 May DWK, CMB, m.ob.) provided a rare spring record. Surprisingly, all three states reported Ruff: one on 8 May in Mason, Ml (DD), one on 8-9 May in Dane, WI (BB, m.ob.), and one 10 May in Wright, MN QJS, RPE, MJ,JP). GULLS THROUaH NIGHTJARS An ad. Laughing Gull in Steams 2 May (PCC) furnished only the 2nd Minnesota record since 1997. Both Wisconsin and Michigan had at least four Laughing Gull reports and above-average numbers of Franklin’s Gulls. Wisconsin’s only Little Gull of the season was in Manitowoc 23 May (CS), while Michigan had 9 birds in four counties. A California Gull frequenting Illinois ventured into Kenosha, WI 11 Mar and 11 May QD, RF). Three late migrant first-cycle Thayer’s Gulls were in St. Louis, MN 16, 26-27, & 30 May (PHS). A sec- ond-cycle Iceland Gull in St. Louis 30 Apr-12 May established the 2nd latest date on record for Minnesota (PHS). Lesser Black-backed Gulls continue to increase in number, exem- plified by reports from nine Wisconsin coun- ties. Minnesota had 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls in Dakota 1 May 0PM) > first-cycle and third-cycle birds. An impressive 400 Com- mon Terns in Baraga 14 May made Michigan’s highest reported total since 2000, and 1187 Common Terns in St. Louis 14 May (PHS) was Minnesota’s best total since 2004. Minnesota had a Parasitic Jaeger in St. Louis 29 May (PHS); Michigan had 3 Parasitics and an unidentified jaeger in Chippewa 22-28 May (MiD, PCC). Wisconsin reported 5 Parasitics in Douglas 26 May, with potentially one lin- gering through 29 May (p.a., TW). Eurasian Collared-Doves were reported in 32 Minnesota counties, including firsts from Sherburne 8 Apr (EM) and Nortnan 1 May OMJ), while Wisconsin had reports from sev- en counties. Up to 3 Streptopelia doves were present in Berrien, MI, but it is unclear if any were pure Eurasian Collared-Doves. White- winged Doves were found in Carver, MN 15 Apr (FP), Milwaukee, WI 23-24 May QW), and Lac Qui Parle, MN 28-31 May (HHD, BJU). Lingering Snowy Owls were reported from all three states, with the latest on 2 May in Keweenaw, Ml (MH). Minnesota reported Northern Hawk Owls from eight counties, including breeding activity in Aitkin, Lake, and St. Louis. Wisconsin’s wintering hawk owl in Burnett was last seen 2 Mar (DSa), while birds in Chippewa, MI were last seen 12 Mar (fide SH). Four Boreal Owls were record- ed in Mar at Whitefish Pt., Chippewa, MI. Chuck-will’s-widows returned for their 6th seasons in Jackson, WI 1 May-r OLO) and Berrien, MI 5 May+ (fide JTW); Michigan had another caught during owl banding at White- fish Pt. 16 May (CN). FLYCATCHERS THROUGH WARBLERS Acadian Flycatchers are generally limited to the se. quarter of Minnesota, so one in Yellow Medicine 17 May (WCM) was unusual; anoth- er first county record came from Steele 23 May (PSu). Minnesota hosted Say’s Phoebes in Clay 8 May (RHO) and Nobles 14-15 May (KRE, DOK, DAC, m.ob.). Wisconsin had Western Kingbirds in Kewaunee 23 May (DT), Bayfield 24 May (RB), and Burnett 30 May (TW), while Michigan and Minnesota had singles in Iosco 15 May QBu) and St. Louis 25 May (SC), re- spectively. Eastern Kingbirds in Midland, MI 10 Apr QZ) and Barron, WI 11 Apr (RP) were early. The only Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was an ad. male in Redwood, MN 24-26 Apr (CPI, RPE, BTS, D&BM). Loggerhead Shrikes were reported from 11 Minnesota counties, down from last year’s 16; Michigan had singles in Berrien 16-17 Apr QM) arid Alger 24 May (SHi), and Wisconsin had one in St. Croix 16 May (LP). Minnesota had a lone White-eyed Vireo in Winona 2 May (AN), while Wisconsin had nine records from five counties. Early in Wisconsin were a Warbling Vireo in Dane 17 Apr (DM) and a Purple Martin in Marquette 16 Mar (RH). At least one Fish Crow returned to Berrien, Ml 9 Apr-i- (p.a., MHy TB, BBu), rep- resenting the Region’s 2nd record. Minnesota had Carolina Wrens in Hennepin (RBy) and Carver (DAT), both 30 May, while Wisconsin had reports from eight counties. Noteworthy in Michigan were early Blue-gray Gnatcatch- ers in Berrien 6 Apr (MM) and Wayne 8 Apr QCr) and the state’s 5th Mountain Bluebird in Keweenaw 13 Apr (MHe). Intriguing were 2 Townsend’s Solitaires singing and apparently engaged in courtship behavior in Marquette, WI 16 Mar (RH); Minnesota had single soli- taires in St. Louis 18 Mar (PHS) and Blue Earth 22 Mar (fide CH). Michigan had an early Wood Thrush in Wayne 11 Apr (WP), while one in Pipestone, MN 24 May (KL) provided a first county record. Minnesota’s 4 Varied Thrushes in four counties made the only re- ports. Northern Mockingbirds were again re- ported in good numbers in both Wisconsin and Minnesota. Bohemian Waxwings lingered in both Wisconsin and Minnesota, highlight- ed by an impressive 150 still present on 10 Apr in Bayfield, WI (RB). Blue-winged Warblers were found as far n. in Minnesota as Pine and Cass, while singles in Delta 14 QK) & 22 May (fide SH) were noteworthy for Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Early was a Golden-winged Warbler in Ozau- kee, WI 18 Apr (JCu). Noteworthy in Min- nesota were a Northern Parula in Nobles 15 May (first county record; D&BM), a Black- throated Blue Warbler in Lac Qui Parle 24 May (BJU), and an ad. male Black-throated Gray Warbler in St. Louis 25 May (KJB). Wis- consin’s only Yellow-throated Warbler reports came from Grant 17 Apr-31 May (ASt), while their returning Kirtland’s Warbler population had arrived on the breeding grounds 10 May (JT), a bit earlier than average. Away from tra- ditional Minnesota locales were Prothonotary Warblers in Brown, Lac Qui Parle, Nicollet, and Redwood (first county record, 18 May; WCM). Michigan had Worm-eating Warblers in Lenawee 1 May (SJ) and Berrien 17 May+ (KM), while Wisconsin had one in Milwaukee 3 May (MO). Michigan had three Kentucky Warbler reports, including the Upper Penin- sula’s 3rd record in Ontonagon 22 May (RR), while Minnesota had only one, in Rice 22 May (DAB). A very early Mourning Warbler was found in Tuscola, Ml 1 May QVA). TANAGERS THROUGH WEAVER FINCHES Summer Tanager numbers were down from VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 429 WESTERN GREAT LAKES 2009 but still impressive: Wisconsin reported 21 birds; Minnesota had one in Martin 17 May (fide PHS); and Michigan had 10 birds from five counties. Minnesota hosted the only Western Tanagers, singles in Hennepin 3-9 May (CK), St. Louis 1 May (fid DOK), St. Louis 10 May (fide JWL), and Washington 9-13 May (fide PHS). The only Spotted Towhee was a male in Rock, MN 23 May (CLW). Michigan reported at least 5 Lark Sparrows; Wisconsin had a small invasion, with reports from 23 lo- cations; and Minnesota had an out-of-range Lark Sparrow in Lake 23 Apr QWL). The only Lark Bunting reported was a male in Marshall, MN 28-29 May (BRB). Record early for Min- nesota was a Henslows Sparrow in Nicollet 10 Apr OPM- JLO, DAB, JWH); also early were Le Conte’s Sparrows in Nicollet 10 Apr and Dakota 11 Apr. The only Nelson’s Sparrow re- port was of one in Burnett, W1 26 May (DT). Michigan’s 2nd McCown’s Longspur was found in Keweenaw 16-17 May (ZG, SH, MH, DF). Smith Longspurs were reported in all three states: 4 in Nicollet, MN 9-11 Apr (RMD, CG, JPM, PEB, m.ob.); one in Dane, W1 30 Apr-1 May (ST); and one in Beirien, Ml 1 May (TB). Blue Grosbeaks were found in Racine, WI 15 May (MW, DW) and Dakota, MN 21 May (KS). Michigan’s wintering Dick- cissel was last seen in Beirien 10 Apr (lA); the state’s first spring arrival was in the same county 30 Apr (MHy). Minnesota had the only Great-tailed Grackle reports: up to 4 in Jackson 27-31 Mar, and an ad. male in Lac Qui Parle 15 May (BJU). Pine Grosbeaks lingered in six Min- nesota counties, with the latest on 7 Apr. Red Crossbills were very scarce. Minnesota had re- ports from two counties in Mar and subse- quently only one more on 31 May in Cass (KRE, m.ob.). Likewise, Wisconsin had only a single Red Crossbill sighting in Florence 27 May (B&KK). White-winged Crossbills were more numerous in Mar but still scarce in Apr and May. The only Eurasian Tree Sparrow re- port came from Juneau, Wl 25 Apr (AB). Contributors (subregional editors in bold- face): Irene Adams, Tim Baerwald (TB), Karl J. Bardon, David A, Bartkey Heidi Beardsley, Tom E Boevers (TFB), Jason Bojczyk QB), Jerry E. Bonkoski QEB), Brad R. Bolduan (BRB), Ryan Brady (RB), Lisa Brown, Conny M. Brunell, Bob Bucci (BB), Anna Buckardt (AB), Paul E. Budde, Jeff Buecking QBu), Brad Bumgardner (BBu), Adam M. Byrne (AMB), Robert By- strom (RBy), David A. Cahlander, Philip C. Chu, Scott M. Clark (SCM), Shawn Conrad (SC), Julie Craves 0Cr),John Curnutt OCrt), John Cyrus (JC), Jerry DeBoer (JD), Scott Diehl, Herh H. Dingmann, David Dister (DD), John Dixon Diana Doyle (DDo), Mike Duckham (MiD), Matt DuFort (MD), Robert M. Dunlap, Kim R. Eckert, Ron P. Erpelding, Monica Essenmacher, Rick Fare, David Flaspohler (DF), Dan M. Floren (DMF), Zach Gayk, Anne Geraghty Janet C. Green, John C. Green (jGr), Maureen Gross, Chad Gustafson, Dennis Gustafson, Kara Haas, Skye Haas (SH), Chad Heins, Michael L. Hendrickson (MLH), Max Henschell (MH), Scott Hickman (SHi), John W. Hockema QWH), Pete R. Hoeger, Randy Hoffman, Joanie Hubinger QH), Matt Hysell (MHy), Nancy A. Jackson, Paul E. Jantscher, Scott Jennex (SJ), Paul L. Johnson, Jeanie M. Joppru, Mark Junghans, Carla Kahle, Edward Kaminski, Joe Kaplan QK), Bob & Kay Kavanagh (B&KK), Don O. Kienholz, Doug W. Kieser, Karla A. Kinstler (KAK), Gre- gory A. Knutsen, Jan & Larry Kraemer O&LK), Robert Lashe, David Laufenberg, James W. Lind, Kyle Lindemer, Mike Mahler, William C. Marengo, Jessica Marquardt QM), Daniel Marshalek (DM), Dennis & Barbara Martin (D&BM), Gary Masemore, James P. Mattsson 0PM)> Bob Morman (BMo), Brad Murphy (BM), Chris Neri, Andrew Nyhus, Michelene O’Connor, Robert H. O’Connor, Ju- dith O’Neale OON), James L. Otto OLO), Nan- cy B. Overcott, Andy Paulios, Walt Pawloski, Larry Persico, Rick Pertile (RP), David Peters, Frank Peterson, Glenn Peterson, Curt Plotz (CPl), Tom Prestby Jerry Pruett, Caleb Put- nam (CP), Jack Reinoehl, Ryan Rickaby Ryne Rutherford, Derek Sando (DSa), Paul Schilke (PS), A1 Schirmacher (AS), Dave Slager (DS), Brian T. Smith, Joe M. Soehnel, Jeff D. Som- mer, Charles Sontag, Alex Stark (ASt), Jeff J. Stephenson, Steve P. Stucker, Paul Suchanek (PSu), Peder H. Svingen (PHS), Dan A. Tail- man (DAT), Daryl Tessen (DT), Steve Thiessen (ST), Dan & Sandy Thimgan (D&ST), Joel Trick, Bill J. Unzen, Jim VanAllen O^A), Jonathan Vande Kopple O^K), Jane Wald- baum QW), Phil Wegener, Step Wilson, Christopher L. Wood, Tom Wood, Jonathan T. Wuepper (JTW), Quentin Yoerger, Jerry Ziarno, Shawn C. Zierman, Kirk Zufelt. Adam M. Byrne, 11771 Rachel Lane DeWitt, Michigan 48820, (byrnea@msu.edu) Iowa & Missouri Stephen J. Dinsmore Joshua P. Uffman The 2010 spring season began as an ex- tension of the cold, snowy winter. Ear- ly March saw continued below-normal temperatures and snowfall, especially in Iowa, and most lakes were still frozen in ear- ly March, even in Missouri. The weather pat- tern abruptly changed, and by mid-March, even northern Iowa was snow-free. A late March snowstorm, the last of the season, trekked across the middle of the Region and ushered in temperatures that reached the eighties across both states. April was warm — the fifth warmest ever in Iowa — and had gen- erally pleasant weather, which was probably responsible for the many record-early arrival dates this year. May was a month of extremes! Missouri began the month cool and wet, a pattern that continued until mid-month and was followed by warm and dry conditions. Iowa saw a warm beginning and end inter- rupted by a two-week cooling pattern that be- gan with a freeze across all of Iowa (and northern Missouri) on 9 May. The late freeze may have affected food supplies for insectivo- rous birds and could help explain why the passerine migration was worse than normal across the Region. This spring was probably near normal in terms of vagrants; among the rarer finds were Pacific Loon, Neotropic Cormorant, Black Rail, Purple Gallinule, Laughing Gull, Bur- 430 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS IOWA & MISSOURI A rarity in Iowa, this stunning adult Little Blue Heron was present 9-12 (here 11) May 2010 in Boone County. Photograph by Paul 0. Roisen. rowing Owl in both states, an unidentified raven, Rock Wren, Western Tanager, and Black-headed Grosbeak. Abbreviations: E.B.C.A. (Eagle Bluffs C.A., Boone, MO); Hawkeye (Hawkeye Wildlife Area, Johnson, lA); Mingo (Mingo N.W.R., Stoddard/Wayne, MO); O.S.C.A. (Otter Slough C.A., Stoddard, MO); R.M.B.S. (Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, St. Charles, MO); Riverton (Riverton Wildlife Area, Fremont, lA); S.C.R. (Squaw Creek N.WR., Holt, MO); Saylorville (Saylorville Res., Polk, lA). WATERFOWL THROUGH RAPTORS With the rapid ice melt the first half of Mar and subsequent warming trend, the move- ment of waterfowl through the Region this spring was swifter than normal. The only Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks reported were 6 at Mingo 23 May (tCBa). Greater White- fronted Geese were reported in numbers only from Iowa, where 900 in Polk 14 Mar (BE) was the peak. Peak counts of Snow Geese totaled 100,000 in each state: 8 Mar at Swan Lake N.W.R., Chariton, MO (SK, LL) and 15-17 Mar in Woodbury, lA (GLV). Ross’s Goose, no longer a rarity in the Region, peaked at an es- timated 6000 in Fremont, lA 21 Mar (KDy). Few Cackling Geese were noted, none past mid-Apr. Single Mute Swans, always of un- known provenance in the Region, were noted 26 Apr in Jasper, lA (MPr) and 4 May in Linn/Livingston, MO (SK). Trumpeter Swan, now the default swan in most parts of the Re- gion, was widely reported in Iowa, with a peak of 23 in Polk 18 Mar QG); 3 at O.S.C.A. 13 Mar (CBa) was the only Missouri report. Tun- dra Swan is most easily found in ne. Iowa, where an unusually large concentration of 110 was notable in Witmeshiek 21 Mar (Dennis Carter); 3 at O.S.C.A. 13 Mar (CBa) provided the only Missouri report. A few American Black Ducks were reported in Mar in both states, but the only late individual was in Audubon, lA 9 May (SJD). Cinnamon Teal were reported from both states this spring. The lone Missouri individual was at S.C.R. 3 Apr (DW), while in Iowa there were singles at Riverton 9-10 Apr (KDy, JG), at Luton W.M.A., Woodbury 21-27 Apr (GLV, TLu), and at Union Slough N.W.R., Kossuth 1 May (MCK). All three scoters were seen in Iowa: single Surfs were in Tama 22 Mar (MPr), at Errington Marsh, Polk 4 Apr (BE), and at Say- lorville 11 May (SJD); an ad. male White- winged was at Ada Hayden Park, Story 5 May (SJD); and a Black was at Pleasant Creek S.R.A., Linn 30 Mar-17 Apr (Dale Eye, m.ob.). Other notable waterfowl reports included 450 American Wigeons at O.S.C.A. 11 Mar (CBa) and 409 Red-breasted Mergansers in Polk, lA 7 Mar QG). Gray Partridge disappeared as the snow cover melted, with only one or 2 noted in six Iowa coun- ties. Three single Ruffed Grouse in Winneshiek, lA 21-29 May (Dar- win Koenig, JG) were the only ones reported. Greater Prairie- Chickens continue to hang on, al- beit in painfully small numbers. Up to 12 were observed at two w. Missouri locales 13-15 Mar, and only 5-7 were at Dunn Ranch, Harrison, MO 23 Mar-7 Apr (SK, TMc). In Iowa, gatherings of few- er than 10 were at the Kellerton lek, Ringgold in Mar-Apr (m.ob.). A Pacific Loon in alternate plumage at Smithville L., Clay 3 May made about the 4th Missouri spring record (DW, tKM). Com- mon Loons were found at 13 Iowa and three Missouri locales, with one remaining at O.S.C.A. through 31 May (CBa). Red-necked Grebes are quite rare during spring migration in Missouri, so one at O.S.C.A. 8 May was notable (SD, BRe). In n. Iowa, where they nest, up to 5 were ob- served 15-17 May at Grover’s L., Dickinson (LAS, Mark H. Brown), and one or 2 were at Harmon L., Winnebago and Eagle L., Hancock 18 May (CJF). Single Western Grebes were at three n. Iowa sites 8-23 May (m.ob.). American White Pelicans peaked 4-10 Apr, with 320 at L. Colchester, Warren, lA QG). Neotropic Cormorants are increasing in the Region, so a subad. at Pierce Creek Recreation Area, Page, lA 3 Apr-4 May was not surprising (tSJD, m.ob., ph.); presumably the same bird moved to Rapp Park, Page, lA 16-31+ May (KDy, ph.). A Double-crested Cormorant colony with nine nests was near Crystal L., Hancock, lA (CJF). American Bitterns were re- ported in 18 Iowa counties starting 2 Apr, with peak counts of 5-7 birds. The 110 Great Egrets on a nesting island at Pool 13, Clinton, lA 2 May was the highest reported for the Re- gion (SJD). Single Snowy Egrets were found in three s. Iowa counties after 1 May, while Little Blue Herons were found in six Iowa counties 14 Apr-23 May. A Tricolored Heron at Mingo 8 May (SD, BRe) was a notable find. Up to 36 Little Blue Herons and 21 Cattle Egrets were at C.B.C.A. 24-26 May QPU, MT). Four Yellow- crowned Night-Herons at S.L.N. 12 Apr were fairly early (SK). Plegadis ibis had a good showing across the Region, with 3 unidenti- fied to species but record early in Plymouth, lA 30 Mar (POR). A Glossy Ibis at C.B.C.A. 5 May was a first for the area (PW, A1 Smith, ph.). White-faced Ibis peaked in late Apr-ear- ly May, with groups of 12-28 seen at three w. Missouri sites and groups of 17-28 in three sw. Iowa counties (m.ob.). A single Black Vulture feeding with 2 Turkey Vultures in Vernon, MO is another in- dicator that this species is expanding its range northward (BE). Migrant Ospreys were first noted in both states 27-28 Mar. In Iowa, single Mississippi Kites were observed in Warren 1 May QG) and Kossuth 27 May (MCK), while up to 3 were over possible nesting grounds in Polk by late May (Ann M. Johnson, JB, Phil J. Walsh). All Missouri reports were from the Mississippi R. Valley, with a high of 1 1 at Sev- en Island C.A., Mississippi 31 May (CBa). Typ- ically, a few Northern Harriers are found lin- gering through the end of May in the Region. However, this year, none were reported from Missouri, and there were no Iowa reports after 1 May. A juv. Northern Goshawk at Ada Hay- den Park, Stoiy, lA 13-16 Mar was likely lin- gering from the winter season (Wolf Oester- reich). A Broad-winged Hawk was record ear- ly for the state at Twin Ponds, Chickasaw, lA 3 Apr (tPH). A single Swainson’s Hawk 31 Mar Hamilton (MPr) was the first of 87 individuals reported from 17 w. Iowa counties, including a high of 15 at Hitchcock Natural Area, Pot- tawattamie 7 Apr OT). In Missouri, the first was 16 Apr in Buchanan (KM), with only 4 other w. Missouri reports through 15 May. At least 3 individuals were well e. of their range at C.B.C.A., at E.B.C.A, and in Van Burcn, lA 10 Apr-16 May. The 117 Red-tailed Hawks at Hitchcock Natural Area, Pottawattamie, lA 26 VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 431 IOWA & MISSOURI This cooperative Yellow-breasted Chat was photographed 30 May 2010 at Shimek State Forest, Lee County, Iowa, near the northern edge of the species' breeding range in the state. Photograph by Jay Gilliam. Mar QT) was the peak spring migration count. Five Harlans were in four Iowa counties 26 Mar-10 Apr (m.ob.), and one lingered from the winter season through 24 Apr in Webster, MO (AK), The 3 Kriders at Poosey C.A., Liv- ingston, MO 12 Mar (SK) was the only report of this subspecies. An imm. Golden Eagle was in Clayton, lA 1- 8 Apr (Larry Stone). Ten sin- gle Merlins were in Iowa Mar-Apr, while Mis- souri singles were at three locales, with the last reported in Greene 8 May (DB, BB, fide DRi). Migrant Peregrine Falcons were ob- served through 13 May at Woodbury, lA (GLV), and one or 2 were noted at eight Mis- souri locales through 8 May. The only Prairie Falcon lingered from the winter season in Woodbuiy, lA until 3 Mar (TLu). RAILS THROUGH TERNS Iowa marshbird survey highlights included a single Black Rail 28 May at Union Slough N.W.R., Kossuth (tJDL) and one or 2 King Rails at hve sites 27 Apr-25 May (TMH, SJD). A single Purple Gallinule at Mingo 23 May (CBa, ph.) was the first reported in several years for Missouri. One to 2 Common Moorhens were in four Iowa counties (TMH), while at least 6 and a nest were at Mingo 26- 29 May (CBa, Trenton Uffman). An impres- sive 2000 American Coots were at Mt. Ster- ling Marsh, Van Buren, lA 27 Mar (RLC). Sandhill Cranes had a good showing across the Region, with breeding pairs returning to Iowa by 13 Mar in Winneshiek (Lee Zieke) and Louisa (DP). Nesting was again con- firmed at Riverton (KDy), while nesting at Ventura Marsh, Cerro Gordo, lA was a hrst modern record for the county (CJF). The largest groups reported were 39 at O.S.C.A. 5 Mar (CBa), 30 at Otter Creek Marsh, Tama, lA 1 Apr (MPr), and 23 at Pool Slough, Allama- kee, lA 17 Apr (Fred Lesher). The shorebird migration was unimpressive across the Region due to high wa- ter at many favored sites. The season’s only Snowy Plover and 250-r Semi- palmated Plovers were at S.C.R. 2 May (DW). Piping Plovers were in two Mis- souri counties and three Iowa counties 3-14 May, with a peak of 5 at Mid- American Ponds, Pottawat- tamie, I A (JG). In Missouri, a record-early Black-necked Stilt was at O.S.C.A. 23 Mar (tCBa), with a peak of 148 in Dunklin, MO 30 Apr (CBa). They again contin- ued to move northward into Iowa, with 5 at Otter Creek Marsh, Tama 28 Apr (]F) and a single at Luton W.M.A., Woodbury 8 May (GLV, TLu). One to 3 were in four n. Missouri counties 6 Apr-22 May, of which a possible breeding pair remained at C.B.C.A. through the end of the period (MT). The 5 American Avocets in Woodbury 3 Apr (GLV, POR) were record early for Iowa. Most avocets moved through 28 Apr-2 May, with counts of 12-73 in 5 cen. Iowa counties and at S.C.R. Lesser Yellowlegs were a bit early in Mis- souri, with 3 at O.S.C.A. 7 Mar (CBa) and a peak of 800 at Riverton 13 May (KDy). Up- land Sandpiper peaked early in Iowa: 18 were around the Kellerton Prairie Chicken lek, Ringgold 9 Apr (Bill Scheible), and 10-12 were at Dunn Ranch, Harrison, MO 17 Apr (SK, TMc). Whimbrel made appearances in both states, with a single at Riverton 13 May (tKDy) and 2 seen in flight 16 May at Con- fluence Point S.P., St. Charles, MO (Charlene Malone et al.). Hudsonian Godwits were well represented across the Region 16 Apr-30 May, with high counts of 18 across Holt and Buchanan, MO 16 Apr (KM), 16 at Owego Wetlands Woodbury, lA 30 Apr (GLV), and 37 in Saline, MO 11 May (SK). Two Marbled Godwits were at R.M.B.S. on 7 May OPU), while singles were at three Iowa locations 29 Apr-8 May. White-rumped Sandpipers peaked at 600 at Riverton 13 May (KDy), and 78 were still present 31 May at Dan Green Slough, Clay, lA (LAS). Dunlin peaked in Iowa 8 May, when 100 were at Hawkeye (CRE) and 115 at Dunbar Slough, Greene OG). Stilt Sandpipers peaked at 358 at River- ton 13 May (KDy) but were otherwise scarce across the Region. A single Buff-breasted Sandpiper, rarely observed in spring, was at E.B.C.A. 7 May (RD). Short-billed Dowitchers peaked at 113 at Dunbar Slough, Greene, lA 11 May (SJD). Eour Long-billed Dowitchers were early at O.S.C.A. 7 Mar, and an impres- sive 1600 were there 10 Apr (both CBa). An excellent showing of Wilson’s Phalaropes oc- curred across the Region: 227+ were at E.B.C.A. 3 May (RD), and 650 were at River- ton 13 May (KDy). Single Red-necked Phalaropes were in three Iowa and two Mis- souri counties through 22 May, with a record- early bird at Lamoni, Decatur, lA 10 Apr (tjeff R. Livingston, TNJM). Returning gulls found abundant food in the recently thawed lakes, and the cool Mar weather caused many to linger later than nor- mal. An ad. Laughing Gull below the Say- lorville dam was the 2nd earliest ever in Iowa 4 Apr (TBE, tJG, ph.), and 1-2 were at R.M.B.S. 7-8 May 0PU> John Solodar). Iowa hosted up to 4 ad. Thayer’s Gulls at Lock & Dam 14, Scott during the first week of Mar (SMF, JE, DP) and another ad. at Cedar L., Linn 13 Mar (JE). At Smithville L., Clay, MO, an ad. Thayer’s 7 & 14 Mar (TBE) and a first-cycle Iceland Gull 14 Mar (DW, TKM, BF) were record late and unusual away from the Missis- sippi River. Single ad. Lesser Black-backed Gulls were at Lock & Dam 14, Scott, lA 2 Mar (SMF) and at R.M.B.S. 2 May (TJPU), the lat- ter the latest Missouri spring record. One or 2 Glaucous Gulls were at Lock & Dam 14, Scott, lA until 4 Mar (SMF, JF). Least Terns returned to utilize nesting barges at R.M.B.S. 11 May (Vincent Giammaria), with 23 there by 30 May OPU)- In Iowa, a single Least Tern was at Rapp Park, Page 19 May (KDy). The 300 Black Terns in Dubuque, lA 14 May (CRE) provided the high count for the Region. DOVES THROUGH WAXWINGS White-winged Doves continue to be regularly reported across the Region. Singles were found 19 Apr at Tarkio, Atchison, MO (Ryan Evans, JideJH), 14 May at a Newton, MO res- idence (Rod Sallee, fide LH, ph.), 18 May at Waterloo, Black Hawk, lA (Francis L. Moore, ph.), 27 May at Mason City, Cerro Gordo, lA (tCJF), and a pair was present from mid-Apr+ in Shenandoah, Page, lA (KDy, ph.). Single Black-billed Cuckoos 1 May both at Yellow River S.E, Allamakee (Charles L. Winter- wood) and at Starr’s Cave, Des Moines (CF) were early. The Greater Roadrunner present in Joplin, Newton, MO since last summer was found injured and died in Apr (LH). Single Barn Owls were in Decatur, lA 23 Mar (NJM) and Jasper, MO 8 May (LH). Bur- rowing Owls made appearances in both states: 9 Apr at Prairie S.E, Barton, MO (TDana Hois- ington et al, ph.) and in Dickitrson, lA 26 May (Neil Bernstein, fide SJD, Michael Sundberg, ph.). Nesting Long-eared Owls were found in 432 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS IOWA & MISSOURI Black-headed Grosbeaks made a significant showing in northwestern Missouri in spring 2010, with at least four noted in May. This immature male was present 27 December 2009 through 2 May 2010 (here) near Kansas City in Platte County. Photograph by Lisa Owens. two Livingston, MO pine groves: a nest with eggs 1 Apr and a nest with 3 fledglings 27 May (tSK). Short-eared Owls were found in six Iowa counties through Apr (m.ob.), while in Missouri, at least 30 visited a farm in Jasper 8 Mar (Robert Heth, fide LH), with the last re- port of 15 at Mora Prairie, Benton 27 Mar (SK). Single Common Nighthawks arrived slightly early for n. Missouri in Clay and Liv- ingston 1-2 May, and 3 were in Appanoose, lA by 5 May (RLC). Chuck- wiU’s-widows were heard at two s. Iowa locations beginning 24 May, and 3 were in Holt, MO 8 May, where rare (DE, JL, KG). Two Eastern Whip-poor-wills in Washington, MO 31 Mar were early (SD), while 10 heard in Fremont, lA 24 Apr was the most reported (KDy). Chimney Swifts were somewhat early in s. Missouri, with 2 at Dex- ter City Lake, Stoddard 1 Apr. (CBa) and one in Missouri 6 Apr in St. Louis OPU)- A Ruby- throated Hummingbird in Warren 20 Apr was record early for Iowa QG). Red-shafted Elick- ers were in Woodbury, lA in Mar and Apr (TLu, GLV). Pileated Woodpeckers are being found with increasing frequency in nw. Mis- souri to the upper Des Moines River. This spring, they were noted in five w. Iowa coun- ties, including a first confirmed nesting in Warren 30 May (Jim Sinclair) and a first-year bird in Holt, MO 8 May (DE, JL, KG). Three Olive-sided Elycatchers remained in Decatur, lA 31 May (NJM). Yellow-bellied Fly- catchers were noted in four Iowa and three Missouri counties beginning 1 1 May, with one present 31 May in Linn, lA (Bill Tollefson). An Acadian Flycatcher was singing outside its ex- pected Iowa range at Smith Wildlife Area, Kos- suth 25 May (MCK). Alder Flycatchers peaked at 9 at Smith Wildlife Area, Kossuth, lA 25 May (MCK), with 1-2 in both states through 29 May. A single Willow Flycatcher arrived in Greene, MO 8 May (DB, BB,fide DRi), and a likely nesting pair was present at R.M.B.S. 22 May (MT). The high count of Least Flycatch- ers was 36 in Clay, MO 8 May (KM). Western Kingbirds continued to expand their range al- most to the Mississippi R. in Louisa, lA 9 May QWR, CF), and two nesting pairs were in St. Louis by 18 May (PL, MT). Likewise, Scissor- tailed Flycatchers continued their range ex- pansion throughout Missouri, with 2 found at three separate St. Charles sites, singles in Liv- ingston and Boone, and nesting pairs in Buchanan and Clay (m.ob.). Loggerhead Shrikes were noted in s. Iowa beginning 15 Mar, with 15 singles observed and a possible nesting pair in Cerro Gordo 15 Apr (CJF). In Missouri, nesting pairs were in St. Clair 14 Mar (PW) and near Bigelow Marsh, Holt 14 May (Mark Robbins, m.ob.). Unlike during the past two winters. Northern Shrikes were reported in only average numbers, with 3 lingering through 13 Mar in two Iowa counties (m.ob.) and up to 2 near Skid- more, Nodaway, MO through 23 Mar (KG, fide JH). White-eyed Vireos were found in eight se. Iowa counties starting 24 Apr (m.ob.); a Yellow- throated Vireo in Ames, Story 15 Apr (SJD) was record early for Iowa. Red-eyed Vireos arrived in Decatur, lA, 24 Apr, ty- ing the earliest spring record (NJM). A Fish Crow was n. of its expected Missouri range and possibly the first observation for Swan Lake N.W.R., Chariton 3 May (SK, LL). An unidentified raven seen bathing 22 May in a flooded field in Fremont, lA (tKDy) did not linger for study. Iowa saw many swallows ar- riving earlier than expected, including 3 Tree Swallows 11 Mar at Mt. Sterling Marsh, Van Buren QWR), 2 Northern Rough-winged Swal- low in Decatur 5 Apr (NJM), and a Cliff Swal- low 9 Apr at Gray’s L., Polk (JB). Few Red-breasted Nuthatches were in the Region this spring, with one or 2 in five Mis- souri locales 2 Mar-23 Apr and up to 4 in 11 Iowa counties, including a pair that lingered at Riverview Cemetery, Algona, lA (MCK). A Rock Wren in Bremer 2-15 May is one of the eastern- most records of this species in Iowa (tAaron Anholt, m.ob., ph.). The prolonged sub-freez- ing temperatures and heavy snow cover of the 2009-2010 winter took its toll on Carolina Wrens across the n. half of the Region. Only five s. Iowa counties reported wrens, while comparisons of the 2009 and 2010 North American Migration Count data indicate sharp declines in four nw. Missouri counties. Iowa’s first Bewick’s Wren of the season was at Camp Wesley Woods, Warren 4 Apr (Jim Sinclair); the only other report was at the junkyard near Ar- gyle, Lee 18 Apr-31 May (m.ob.). A record-ear- ly Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was seen in Decatur, lA 5 Apr (NJM). Swainson’s Thrush numbers peaked in Missouri 7-8 May with 100+ Holt and Nodaway (DE, JL) and 40+ in Wasliington QPU). In Iowa, 147 Swainson’s and 20 Gray- cheeked Thrushes’ nocturnal flight-calls were recorded 16 May at Grimes, Polk QB). A Varied Thrash paid a quick visit to the yard of Mark Lenz at Whittemore, Kossuth, lA 24 Apr (fide MCK). Sprague’s Pipits were not reported from either state, while American Pipit peak counts included 161 at O.S.C.A. 7 Mar (CBa) and 100 at Otter Creek Marsh, Tama, lA 26 Mar QP)- WARBLERS THROUGH TANAGERS With few exceptions, the spring warbler mi- gration was deemed lackluster throughout the Region. The only notable fallout came 7 May in Iowa, and most birds departed the Re- gion when the weather cleared 20-21 May, There were fewer records of migrant warblers than normal after 22 May in either state. The warm Apr weather produced an early Ten- nessee 6 Apr in Webster, MO (AK), and the many early records for Iowa included a Nashville 17 Apr at Iowa City, Johnson QPa). a Northern Parula 7 Apr at Lacey-Keosauqua S.P., Van Buren (CF), a Chestnut-sided 28 Apr at Smith L., Kossuth (fide MCK), a Palm 18 Apr at Jester Park, Polk (JB), and a Kentucky 24 Apr at Lacey-Keosauqua S.P. (CRE). Gold- en-winged Warblers were widespread in Iowa 2-21 May; 3 were seen in Missouri 7-8 May. In Iowa, a Lawrence’s Warbler was seen 29-30 May at Yellow River S.F, Allamakee (Steve Ewer), and a Brewster’s Warbler was seen 10 May at Hickory Hill Park, Johnson QPa). Cape May Warblers were well represented in both states, with 6 at Oakland Mills Park, Henry, lA 1 May (CRE), 8 at T.G.P. 8 May (PL), and 6 in Chickasaw, lA 21 May (PH); 4 singles in w. Missouri 8-17 May and nine reports of sin- gle birds from Iowa rounded out the reports. Black-throated Blue Warblers were found only in Iowa — singles 15 May in Linn QF), 23 May in Kossuth (MCK), and 29 May in Boone Qeff Nichols, ph.). Yellow-throated Warblers pushed their range limits in the Region, with 2 in Buchanan, MO 8-31 May (Tom Nagel, Bryan Evans) and one in Cherokee, lA 17 May (SJD, ph.). Iowa’s only Prairie Warbler was a male at Moorehead Park, Ida 17 May (SJD, ph.). Three Bay-breasted Warblers in w. Mis- souri 8-12 May were unusual; only 5 were re- ported from Iowa. Out-of-range Cerulean Warblers were seen at Roaring River S.P., Bai - ty, MO 8 May (AK,JCa), in Guthrie, lA 9 May VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 433 IOWA & MISSOURI (SJD), along the Raccoon R., Sac, lA 13 May (2; Pete Ernzen), and at Smith Wildlife Area Kossuth, lA 18 & 25 May (MCK). Louisiana Waterthrush, an early migrant, was first not- ed 24 Mar in Webster, MO (AK) and 31 Mar in Des Moines, lA OWR). A good Connecticut Warbler movement included 4 birds in Mis- souri 7-17 May and 12 birds in Iowa 14-27 May; most were from the e. half of the Region. SPARROWS THROUGH FINCHES A flurry of 5 Spotted Towhees was noted in w. Iowa 21 Apr-18 May. Migrant Clay-colored Sparrows were noted in both states late Apr-mid-May, but more unusual were possi- ble late May nesters in Howard, Kossuth, Mitchell, and Winneshiek in n. Iowa. Henslows Sparrow is now fairly common in s. Iowa, and a conservative count of 50 at Neal Smith N.W.R., Jasper (Karen Viste-Sparkman) hints at their abundance in some areas. Le Conte’s Sparrow, a scarce spring migrant in the Region, lingered until 2 May in Scott, MO (CBa et al.) and 15 May in Greene, lA (SJD). The lone Nelson’s Sparrow was noted 15 May at Snake Creek Marsh, Greene, lA ODL)- Zonotrichia were scarcer than normal in both states, with few lingering past mid-May. Lap- land Longspurs lingered into May in both states: 8 in Buchanan, MO 5 May (LL) and one in Kossuth, lA 2 May (MCK). Smith’s Longspurs appeared in both states: 100 were estimated 17 Apr in Harrison, MO (SK, TMc) and 2 May in Kossuth, lA (MCK). Snow Buntings are not often found in numbers in the Region in Mar, so 70 in Kossuth, I A 4 Mar (MCK) was a notable count. Single male Western Tanagers appeared in each state this spring: 7 May at Joplin, Jasper, MO (tLH) and 9 May at Credit I., Scott, lA (TWilliam Hickerson, ph.). Missouri hosted the only Black-headed Grosbeaks this spring, including a wintering imm. that lingered through 2 May at Kansas City, Platte (tLisa Owens), ad. males 9 May at Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary, Clay (DW) and 12-13 May at St. Joseph, Buchanan (Dave & Jan McClurg, TJH, m.ob.), and a second-year male 20-31 May-r at Skidmore, Nodaway (KG). Rounding out the “western” flavor were 3 Lazuli Buntings in Missouri: 11 May near Freeman, Cass (TGinny Culver, ph.), 10- 17 May in Laclede (Archie & Dorothy Mur- dock, ph.), and 13-17 May at St. Joseph, Buchanan (JH). An influx of Painted Buntings in Missouri included 2 in Bany 8 May (AK, JCa), one in Buchanan 10 May (SK, LL), one in Taney 2-31-1- May (Louis Harris), and one in Cooper 19-31+ May (Susan Meadows, Mary Barile). Rusty Blackbird, a species of conser- vation interest, appeared in good numbers in Iowa, with flocks of up to 300 birds 13-21 Mar in Dallas, Fremont, Polk, and Warren. Great-tailed Grackle has clearly solidified its presence in the Region: an astounding 2500 were seen in Buchanan, MO 13 May (LL). Winter finches were almost non-existent this spring. Late Purple Finches appeared at two Iowa locales: 14 May at Ames, Story (TMH) and 20-22 May in Johnson (CRF). Up to 3 Pine Siskins appeared at three widely scat- tered Iowa locales 24 Mar- 14 May. Contributors: IOWA: John Bissell QB), Ray- mond L. Cummins (RFC), Stephen J. Dins- more (SJD), Keith Dyche (KDy), Chris R. Ed- wards (CRF), Bery Engebretsen (BE), Carolyn J. Fischer (CJF), James Forde 0F)> Steve M. Freed (SMF), Chuck Fuller (CF), Jay Gilliam OG), Tyler M. Harms (TMH), Paul Hertzel (PH), Ann M. Johnson (AMJ), Matthew C. Kenne (MCK), Jonathan D. Lautenbach ODL), Tucker Lutter (TLu), Nathan J. Miller (NJM), Jason Paulios QPa), Diana Pesek (DP), Mark Proescholdt (MPr), Paul 0. Roisen (POR), John W. Rutenbeck (JWR), Lee A. Schoenewe (LAS), Jerry Toll QT), Ger- ald von Ehwegen (GLV). MISSOURI: Chris Barrigar (CBa), Barb Blevins (BB), David Blevins (DB), Jeff Cantrell (JCa), Stephen Dilks (SD), Ryan Douglas (RD), David East- erla (DE), Bob Fisher (BF), Kirby Goslee (KG), Lawrence Herbert (LH), Jack Hilsabeck (JH), Bradjacobs (BJ), Andrew Kinslow (AK), Steve Kinder (SK), Larry Lade (LL), Joseph Landewee QL), Pat Lueders (PL), Kristi Mayo (KM), Terry McNeely (TMc), Bill Reeves (BRe), Dean Rising (DRi), Mike Thelen (MT), Joshua P Uffman QPU)- Doug Willis (DW), Phil Wire (PW). (© Stephen J. Dinsmore, 571 1 Valley Road Ames, Iowa 50010, (cootjr@iastate.edu) Joshua P. Uffman, 707 Ashton Way Circle Eureka, Missouri 63025, (birdsandbugs@sbcglobal.net) I Tennessee & Kentucky Embayment F = Land Between the Lakes = Blood River Embayment Smiihland I Ballard WMA* Long Point Unit. 9 ReelfootNWR^' Paris\ Landing SP ''r'f"'.' Tenressm Big Sandy Unit KENTUCKY MarkJand Sauerheber Unit. ^ Dam Sloughs WMA Falls of the ^ ‘ Bemhelm Forest Mammoth CaveNP ■ 'McElroyL/ j r ClumeyL f', Minora ,..kS,Hatchery/a Bed Hr/er Ootgi-. BmeJ f Geological Area \ Na!t,C,/ p’toe^^e/adr Mtn. -Cumberland Gap NHP m ^Shelby Farms p. _ Ensley Attorns Pickwick Landing SP Fork urn S-HolsionLoie SIrarpiRme. Kingston Shat/ Valley NWR HrwasseeWRm Duck Rtver Unit SoddyMtnm^^ ■ Great Smoky Ciayets House TENNESSEE ^■She/byfioffoms Radnor Lake State NaturalArea Chris Sloan Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. T1 : he spring 2010 season’s weather was relatively dry and warm overall. Mean tem- peratures overall were slightly warmer than normal across the Re- gion during March but well above normal during April and May. March was dry across much of Re- gion, driest in north-central Ken- tucky and near normal in the west. April continued to be dry across most of the Region, but the entire Region re- ceived above-average rainfall during May. Most stations recorded nearly twice the nor- mal rainfall during the month, in large part due to a two-day period of rainfall 1-2 May that was record-setting in some areas, espe- cially central portions of both states. Over the two-day period, up to 25 cm (10 inches) of rainfall occurred in Warren County, Ken- tucky, and more than 22 cm (9 inches) fell in Nashville, causing significant flooding. The transient lakes of southern Kentucky swelled to their highest levels in several years. Area rivers also flooded, resulting in the highest spring reservoir levels in more than a decade. Generally, passerine migration was relative- ly light and late, although a few record-early dates were reported. Rarity highlights includ- ed Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Eurasian Wigeon, Pacific Loon, Neotropic Cormorant, Glossy Ibis, White-faced Ibis, Yellow Rail, Purple Gallinule, Whimbrel, Great Black- backed Gull, Swainson’s Hawk, Western Kingbird, and Yellow-headed Blackbird. 434 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS TENNESSEE & KENTUCKY Again this spring, shorebirds were neither particularly diverse nor numerous, despite the presence of some good habitat. The pres- ence of lingering boreal finches was minimal. Publication of any unusual sightings in the seasonal report does not imply that these re- ports have been accepted by state records committees. Reports of out-of-season birds and rarities should be accompanied by writ- ten and/or photographic documentation. Abbreviations: Barren River L. (Allen/Barren, KY); Chaney L. (Warren, KY), Ensley (Ensley Bottoms, including the EARTH Complex, in sw. Shelby, TN); McElroy L. (Warren, KY); Radnor L. (Radnor Lake State Natural Area, Nashville, TN); S. Holston L. (Sullivan, TN); Sauerheber (Sauerheber Unit Sloughs W.M.A., Henderson, KY); Standifer Gap (Stan- difer Gap Marsh, Hamilton, TN). WATERFOWL THROUGH IBISES Five Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks near Rumsey, McLean, KY 20 May (ph. MGa) will represent a first fully documented record for Kentucky. For the 3rd consecutive year, the species was conspicuous in Shelby, TN 1 May+, with a high count of 37 from four lo- cations (including 26 at Ensley) 24 May ORW). One was also at Martin, Weakley, TN 25 Apr (DPi), and 7 were at Oneal L., Hatchie N.W.R., Haywood, TN 17 May (DK), As has happened in recent years with Western King- bird and Scissor- tailed Flycatcher, it seems that this former vagrant may become (or may already be) an established breeder in sw. Ten- nessee. The last of the wintering flock of Tun- dra Swans in Henderson, KY (42) were seen 1 1 Mar (CC). One was in Greene, TN 7 Mar (DMi). The imm. Trumpeter Swan at L. Gra- ham, Madison, TN was last reported 1 Mar QKu). Waterfowl migration was relatively dull, with only a few noteworthy high counts, including 700 Gadwalls and 600 Green- winged Teal in w. Fulton, KY 24 Mar (BP, EHu, MMn) and 98 Redheads on L. Cumberland, Russell, KY 2 Mar (RD). A male Eurasian Wigeon at Steele Creek Park, Sullivan, TN 6 Mar (ph. LMcD) added to the ca. 17 state records and was only the 2nd for e. Ten- nessee. Tardy waterfowl included a pair of Gadwall at McElroy L. through 23 May (DRo et al), a Northern Shoveler at McElroy L. through 20 May (BP, EHu), 2 male Redheads in s. Warren, KY 12-19 May (DRo), and a fe- male Ring-necked Duck at McElroy L. into Jun (DRo et al.). Unusually, no scoters were reported from Tennessee. There were three Kentucky reports of Surf Scoter: 2 at Lexington 27 Mar (LSh,^de DL); 2 on the Ohio R., Bracken 1 Apr (ph. JBr, Although Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks have become regular in extreme southwestern Tennessee in the past several years, a fully documented record had eluded Kentucky until this flock of five birds was photographed in McLean County 20 May 2010. Photograph by Melissa Gaither. Eurasian Wigeon continues to be an extremely rare visitor to the Tennessee & Ken- tucky region. This male was present in Sullivan County, Tennessee 6 March 2010. Photograph by Larry McDaniel. EHa); and one on L. Linville, Rockcastle 2 May (RD). Two White-winged Scoters were on the Ohio R. at Louisville 1- 11 Mar (EHu, TB, BP et al). A Long-tailed Duck was present on L. Barkley, Lyon, KY 25 (BP, EHu, MMn) & 27 Mar (DRo); a female was also at Nickajack L., Marion, TN 7-17 Mar (TRetal.), and 2- 3 continued at J. Percy Priest L., Davidson, TN through 6 Mar (S&CR). Nesting Hooded Mergansers in Kentucky were detected in Hardin (FC), Jefferson (BY, MY), and Fulton (BY, MY). In Tennessee, Hooded Merganser is an expected breeder only along the Mississippi R. corridor, so the fol- lowing breeding records were noteworthy: a fe- male with 8 young in Maiuy mid-Apr (fide SSo), a female with 6 young at Shelby Park, Nashville 26 Apr (ph. ES), and a female with 2 young in Washington 8 May (GE), the latter representing the first confirmed breeding in ne. Tennessee. A male Common Merganser at S. Holston L. 7 Mar (RiK) was the only one re- ported in Tennessee. A Pacific Loon in nearly full alternate plumage was present on Cave Run L., Bath/Rowan, KY 23-24 Apr (BP, ph. EHu, AN). A pair of Pied-billed Grebes lingered at McElroy L. through May, with a nest located there 30 May (ph. DRo). There were four re- ports of Eared Grebe: 3 on John Sevier L., Hawkins, TN 15 Mar (SHu); one to 2 of the wintering birds at S. Holston L. through 17 Mar (RiK, m.ob.); the previously reported bird on j. Percy Priest L., Davidson, TN through 18 Mar (SSo); and one on Kentucky L., Marshall, KY 25 Mar (BP, ph. EHu, MMn). A Western Grebe was reported on Kentucky L., Marshall, KY 4 May (tKCo, MC). Five American White Pelicans on Barren River L., KY 28 Mar (DRo, DB) and 6 along the Ohio R. , Union, KY 30 Mar (CC) were e. of the nor- mal migratory route for the species. Seven at S. Holston L. 17 May (with 2 lingering through 22 May) (WC, m.ob.) furnished the 6th record for ne. Tennessee. Numbers of nesting Double-crested Cormorants on L. Barkley, KY continue to increase, with at least a few dozen nests (m.ob.) and ca. 750 nests QBr, KD) noted at colonies in Lyon and Trigg, respectively. A Neotropic Cormorant was at Oneal L., Hatchie N.W.R., Haywood, TN 25 Apr (ph. JRW, ph. JG). One to 2 American Bitterns were reported at five Kentucky sites 12 Apr-19 May (BL; DRo, KOS; EHa; SR; MMr); 2 at Brainerd Lev- ee, Hajnilton, TN 8 May (KAC) were the only ones reported in Tennessee. One to 5 Least Bitterns were reported at seven Kentucky sites in Henderson, Hopkins, Muhlenberg, Ohio, and VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 435 TENNESSEE & KENTUCKY This Neotropic Cormorant was at Oneal Lake at Hatchie Na- tional Wildlife Refuge, Haywood County, Tennessee on 25 April 201 0. Most Tennessee records of this species are from the southwestern part of the state. Photograph by Jeff R. Wilson. This White-faced Ibis was photographed at John Sevier Lake, Hawkins County, Tennessee 12 May 2010. There are approximately ten previous state records, but this constitutes only the third away from the Mississippi River corridor. Photograph by Susan Hubley. Union 28 Apr-19 May (BP, EHa et al.). In Ten- nessee, the only reports were from Standifer Gap, a known breeding location, 2 May-f (DPa). Six Yellow-crowned Night-Herons in Elizabethton, Carter, TN 16 Mar (GW) estab- lished a new arrival date for ne. Tennessee. A Glossy Ibis was present along Clear Cr., Hop- kins, KY 20 May (AK, ph. TJo). A Plegadis ibis was seen in flight over Sauerheber 17 Apr (tDRo, DA). A White-faced Ibis at John Sevi- er L., Hawkins, TN (ph. SHu) furnished ap- proximately the 10th state record but only the 3rd away from the Mississippi R. corridor. Great Smoky Mountains N.P, Blount, TN 27 Apr (WB). Two Mississippi Kites over St. Matthews, Jejfjferson, KY 15 May (MSt) and sin- gles in Robertson, TN 18 May (TL), at L. Cum- berland, Russell, KY 21 May (RD), and at L. Tansi, Cumberland, TN 29 May (EL) were far outside of known summer ranges. An ad. light-morph Swainson’s Hawk, a casual va- grant to the Region, was at Eagle Lake Refuge, Shelby, TN 24 Apr (tJRW). There were only two Kentucky reports of Merlin: one to 2 in s. Wairen 15 Mar (DRo) and one in Trigg 4 Apr (BL); in Tennessee, Merlins were reported from five counties, all in e. Tennessee: Knox, Greene, Hawkins, Washington, and Hamilton. There were at least six scattered reports of mi- grant Peregrine Falcons in Kentucky 27 Mar-14 May; in Tennessee, 4 were reported from along the Mississippi R., and the rest came from three e. Tennessee counties: Greene, Johnson, and Hamilton. A pair initiated a nest in downtown Frankfort, Franklin, KY during late Apr (KH et ah), representing the first to be discovered off the Ohio R. corridor. A King Rail heard at Sauerheber 15 Apr (BP, EHu) was the only one re- ported in Kentucky. At least 5 Virginia Rails were encountered at Sauerhe- ber 17 Apr (DRo, KOS). Multiple Virginia Rails were heard vocalizing at Kingsport, TN from win- ter through early May (RP), and Virginias were present at Standifer Gap through the period (fide KAC), although no nests had been found as of 1 Jim. A Yellow Rail was flushed at Standifer Gap 1 May (tLW). A Common Moorhen was in Kings- port, TN 2 Apr (RP), and 3 were found in Muhlen- berg 5 May (EHa). Approximately 7100 Sandhill Cranes were still in w. Hardin, KY 1 Mar (EHa), but fewer than 100 were there 6 Mar (EHa). One in the company of an injured bird at Bon Ayr, Bar- ren, KY 20 May (DRo) and 2 at Shaker Village, Mercer, KY 22 May (DL, ASK) were quite tardy. Shorebird migration was not spectacu- lar, with the following peak counts reported: at least 1100 American Golden-Plovers in w. Fulton, KY 18 Apr (BY, MY) that represented a new state high count; at least 200 Semi- palmated Plovers and 50-60 White-rumped Sandpipers in w. Fulton, KY 7 May (BP, EHu, MMn); and at least 1500 Greater Yellowlegs in Lake, TN 4 Apr (MGr). A high count of 21 Baird’s Sandpipers at Ensley 2 May (]RW) was extraordinary, especially in spring. Wilson’s Phalaropes were widely reported in higher- than-normal numbers across the Region 26 Apr-7 May, with highlights being new Ken- tucky high counts of at least 50 and at least 85 at Sauerheber (CC et al.) and Lake No. 9, Ful- ton (DRo), respectively, both 28 Apr, and 49 at Ensley 1 May (JRW). Early shorebirds for Kentucky included 3 American Golden- Plovers on Kentucky L., Marshall 9 Mar (HC); 3 Least Sandpipers at Chaney L. 15 Mar (DRo); a Dunlin at Chaney L. 15 Mar (DRo); and a Long-billed Dowitcher in s. Warren 21 Mar (DRo). Small numbers of Black-necked Stilts, which are regular breeders only in sw. Ten- nessee, were reported in four Kentucky coun- ties, with the following highlights: small numbers at scattered locales in w. Fulton dur- ing late Apr and May, with up to 8 present 15 May (BY, MY); singles in w. Henderson 23 Apr and 21-22 May (CC); 2 in s. Logan 15 May (ph. FL) that represented a county first; and 2-5 off and on at McElroy L. 5 May+ (S63:DH, DRo), with apparent nesting by at least two pairs there by 30 May (DRo). In Tennessee, extralimital Black-necked Stilts included one at Oneal L, Hatchie N.W.R., Haywood 30 Apr (AT), 2 at Duck River Unit, Tennessee N.W.R., Humphreys 5 Apr (CF), and 2 at Brainerd Lev- ee, Hamilton, TN 23 May (BW), the latter rep- resenting only the 2nd record for se. Ten- nessee. American Avocets were found on three occasions: 3 at the Falls of the Ohio, Je/- ferson, KY 22 Apr (ph. EHu et al.); 5 at John Sevier L, Hawkins, TN 19 May (SHu); and 2 SA' Jflv RAPTORS THROUGH TERNS A Swallow-tailed Kite was at Cades Cove, Purple Gallinules have long been known to become caught up in strong cyclonic weather systems and strewn far and Uide downwind of the main flow. While numerous weather systems that could potentially result in such extralimital re- ports occur on a somewhat regular basis, only a small percentage of them apparently end up moving birds perceptibly. What makes for a “good" storm In this case is unknown, but it is possible that passage of such a storm must coincide in some manner with a strong migratory movement of the species. A strong weather system that pushed an abundance of moist air from the Gulf of Mexico region into the Midwestern United States 1-2 May 2010 was responsible for the subsequent arrival of at least 5 Pur- ple Gallinules in the Region during the first week of May as follows: one at Hardy Slough, Sauerheber 3-4 May (ph. CC, EHu); one at McElroy L. 4-8 May (ph. DRo et al.); one found injured and taken to a rehabilitator in Franklin, TN 5 May (LP, fide LMcC); one along Aurora Ferry Road, Boone, KY 6-8 May (LMcN, vt. KCa, JC, OMa, RM); and one at Ft. Loudoun L., Knox, TN 9 May (SHo). 436 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS TENNESSEE & KENTUCKY Wilson's Phalaropes put in a brief but unprecedented appearance in the Tennessee & Kentucky region during the last few days of April and the first few days of May 2010. These birds were part of a group of at least 50 found in Henderson County, Kentucky 28 April. Photograph by Eddie Huber. at Ballarci W.M.A., Ballard, KY 20 May (TS, ph. KN) that tied Kentucky’s late spring de- parture date. Willets put in a good showing in Kentucky, with one to 39 reported on ten occasions at seven locales 20 Apr-9 May; 4 at Isonville, El- liott (ph. EM) were relatively unusual for e. Kentucky. Conversely, only 2 Willets were re- ported from Tennessee, singles at John Sevier L., Hawkins 6 May (SHu) and at Brainerd Lev- ee, Hamilton 5 May (TR), An Upland Sand- piper at McElroy L. 4 May (DRo) was the only one reported in Kentucky. In Tennessee, Up- lands made their usual early Apr push along the Mississippi R. corridor, with 6 at Shelhy Farms, Shelby 3 Apr ORW), 2 in Lake 8 Apr (MGr), and one at Eagle L. Refuge, Shelby 11 Apr ORW). There were two reports of Whim- brel: one at Lexington, KY 12 Apr (tDS) that was extraordinarily early; and 3 in w. Fulton, KY 15 May (tBY, MY). Thirteen Least Sand- pipers on Kentucky L., Marshall, KY 9 Mar (HC) were probably continuing from winter but could have been early migrants; 3 tardy birds were still at Chaney L., Warren, KY 30 May (DRo). Single Baird’s Sandpipers in w. Fulton 29 Apr (DRo) and 7 May (BP, EHu, MMn) were the only ones reported in Ken- tucky. In Tennessee, in addition to the high count reported above, one Baird’s was at Ens- ley 28 Apr ORW), and 3 were there 11 May QRW). Long-billed Dowitchers were found more frequently than normal in Kentucky, with one to 25 reported on about 20 occa- sions at seven locales 21 Mar-12 May. Sixty- six American Woodcocks were banded at Central Kentucky W.M.A. and the Bluegrass Army Depot, both Madison, KY, during Mar as part of an ongoing Eastern Kentucky Univer- sity study on habitat use (AN et al.). Four Laughing Gulls were reported, all in Kentucky (2 each in Jefferson and Marshall) 26 Apr-12 May (BP et al., RA). An ad. Franklin’s Gull at Barren River L. 1 May (DRo) was the only one reported. A Bona- parte’s Gull on L. Barkley, Lyon, KY 16 May (BY, MY) was quite tardy. Three Lesser Black- backed Gulls were reported on Kentucky L. and L. Barkley, KY during Mar. Two Great Black-backed Gulls were found in Kentucky: the third-cycle bird that was first seen on Kentucky L. above Kentucky Dam in early Feb was seen at the same location 18-19 (DRo) & 25 Mar (BP, EHu, MMn), and a first- cycle bird was present on L. Barkley, Lyon, KY 25 Mar (MMn, ph. EHu, BP). Tern migration was quite unremarkable across the Region. Black Terns were scarce in Kentucky, with only three reports of single birds 15-19 May; 30 at Reelfoot L., Lake, TN 21 May (MT) was a noteworthy high count. There were only three reports of Common Tern: 9 on L. Barkley, Lyon, KY 16 May (BY, MY); 5 over McElroy L. 18 May (DRo); and a banded in- dividual at Old Hickory L., Davidson/Sumner, TN 27 May (ph. CS), the latter also being un- usually late. DOVES THROUGH FINCHES A Eurasian Collared-Dove in Sullivan, TN 3 May (RiK) was a local first; this species is ex- panding at a slower pace in ne. Tennessee than perhaps elsewhere in the state. Black- billed Cuckoos were typically scarce, with five Kentucky and three Tennessee (all from e. Tennessee) reports 24 Apr-29 May. A Short- eared Owl at the Bluegrass Army Depot, Madison, KY 2 Mar (AN) was the only one re- ported. A Northern Saw-whet Owl was seen at Central Kentucky W.M.A. , Madison, KY 3 Mar (AN). Early Ruby-throated Humming- birds were documented at Louisville 24 Mar (tTJe), at Mt. Vernon, Rockcastle, KY 25 Mar (tBD), at Louisville 31 Mar (tTY), and at Pa- ducah, KY 31 Mar (tTT). A hummingbird re- ported at Lone Oak, McCracken, KY 13 Mar (LSc) could have been either an early Ruby- throated or another species. Only 2 Olive-sided Flycatchers were report- ed in Kentucky, both 13 May: one in Pike (EHu, BP) and one in Lyon (BL). Single Olive- sideds were reported in Tennessee on three oc- casions: in Anderson 3 May (DRa), at Walnut Log Rd., Obion 12 May (MT), and at Radnor L. 13 May (DK). Single calling Yellow-bellied Flycatchers at Radnor L. 20 May (FF) and in Jefferson, KY 30 May (BP) were the only ones reported. There were four reports of Alder Fly- catcher away from their localized breeding range in ne. Tennessee: one in Madison, KY 4 May (AN); one singing in Howenwald, Lewis, TN 11 May (BPu); a bird that was behaving as if territorial in Pike, KY 13 May (BP, EHu); and one singing in Putnam, TN 20 May (SJS). One Western Kingbirds remain very rare visitors to most of the Tennessee & Kentucky region. This one was found on the relatively early date of 22 April 201 0 in Allen County, Ken- tucky. Photograph by David Roemer. at a known breeding location on Roan Mt., Carter, TN 7 May (RoK) established a new early arrival date for ne. Tennessee. Least Fly- catchers were heard singing “everywhere” near the summit of Black Mountain, Harlan, KY, with three nests observed under construc- tion 14 May (BP, ph. EHu). An Eastern King- bird in Sullivan, TN 7 Apr (MSi) tied the early arrival date for ne. Tennessee. A Western Kingbird was present near Maynard, Allen, KY 22 Apr (ph. DRo). In Tennessee, Western Kingbirds and Scissor-tailed Flycatchers were widely reported from Shelby, where both species are now established breeders. Three Scissor-tailed Flycatchers were reported from near Savannah, Hardin, TN 7 May (AT). In Tennessee, Loggerhead Shrikes continue VOlUME 64 (2010) NUMBER 3 437 TENNESSEE & KENTUCKY Least Flycatcher is an extremely local breeder in Kentucky, being found regularly only near the summit of Black Mountain in Harlan County. This bird was one of three found building nests there 14May2010. Photograph by Eddie Huber. This female Yellow-headed Blackbird was at Oneal Lake, Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge, Haywood County, Tennessee on 25 April 2010. The species is found annually in the Ten- nessee & Kentucky region but is always a welcome find. Photograph by Gay Hodges. to be somewhat common along the Mississip- pi R. corridor and very local, but regular, in ne. Tennessee — but very rare anywhere in be- tween. A Bell’s Vireo in s. Jefferson 22-31 May (RA) was the only one reported in Kentucky away from known breeding areas. Three to five pairs were heard singing in May and like- ly bred at Ft. Campbell, Montgomery, TN (DMo), representing Tennessee’s only known breeding population. One at Cates Landing, Lake, TN 19 & 21 May (SSo; ph. MT) was thought to be breeding but was not found on subsequent searches. A Fish Crow at Norris Dam, Anderson, TN 4 Apr (C&PS) furnished a first county record and may indicate that the recently established small population in neighboring Knox is expanding. Two Com- mon Ravens at Frozen Head S.P., Morgan, TN (SSo) were a rarity for the Cumberland Plateau. A few lingering or migrant Red- breasted Nuthatches appeared at scattered lo- cales into late Mar, with singles in Pulaski, KY 15 Apr (RD) and Madison, KY 18 Apr (SM, RBr) being the latest reported. Single Marsh Wrens were found on only four occasions at three Kentucky sites 17 Apr-5 May; 3 were re- ported in Tennessee, in- cluding one at Standifer Gap 7 Mar (TR et al.) that likely wintered. Continu- ing a somewhat puzzling trend towards scarcity. Sedge Wren went unre- ported in the Region dur- ing the season. The win- tering Gray Catbird in Jes- samine, KY lingered through Mar (DW). An American Pipit at Gallatin Steam Plant, Sumner, TN 9 May (CS) and 2 in s. Wairen, KY 17 May (DRo) were tardy. After a near complete absence of Cedar Waxwings across much of the Region dur- ing late winter and early spring, flocks sprung onto the scene during the first week of May and re- mained numerous into the 3rd week of the month. A Gray-cheeked Thrush in Sullivan, TN 21 May (LMcD) tied the late date for ne. Tennessee. Golden-winged War- blers were scarce in the Region during the sea- son, with very few reports away from nesting areas. The breeding population at Hampton Creek Cove, Carter, TN had 16 singing males 1 May (RBi). A Chestnut-sided Warbler singing as if territorial was present ne. of Greeley, ne. Lee, KY 31 May (BP). A Magnolia Warbler at Draut Park, Jefferson, KY 31 May (MY) was tardy. A Black-throated Blue Warbler at Peeler Park, Davidson, TN 18 Apr (BH) was early; a female in Lyon, KY 10 May (BY, MY) was ex- tremely rare during spring for so far west. A one-day count of 53 Cerulean Warblers along an 82-km annual survey route in Putnam, TN 20 May (SJS) surely ranks as one of the high- est single-day totals ever recorded for this species. A Prothonotary Warbler in Unicoi, TN 9 Apr (RiK, m.ob.) established a new ear- ly arrival date for ne. Tennessee. A Swainson’s Warbler near Natural Bridge S.P., Powell, KY 10 Apr (TW) established a new early arrival date for the state. A Cape May Warbler in Knox, TN 1 Apr (tDE) may have been ex- tremely early or a wintering individual. Single Connecticut Warblers were reported on four occasions in Kentucky 12-23 May and on three occasions at three locations in Ten- nessee 8-15 May. Mourning Warblers were relatively scarce in Kentucky, with one to 2 re- ported on six occasions at four locales 4-20 May. In Tennessee, one to 3 were reported on six occasions at four locations 8-18 May. A male Common Yellowthroat in Blount, TN 13 Mar (K.T.O.S.) was either an early migrant or had wintered. Sixteen territorial Bachman’s Sparrows were tallied at Ft. Campbell, Trigg, KY as part of an ongoing University of Tennessee study there (EHo, fide DMo). A Vesper Sparrow in Land Between the Lakes N.R.A., Lyon, KY 16 May (TBY, MY) was very tardy. Lark Spar- rows put in another good showing: one to 6 were reported at ten Kentucky locales in Henderson (four locations), Logan, Marshall, Boone, Union, and Wairen (two locations); at least 11 birds were seen at Ft. Campbell, Trigg, KY 8-27 May (EHo,iide DMo). In Ten- nessee, one to 2 were reported in Carroll, Gibson, Hardin, Tipton, and Rutherford 23 Apr-9 May. A Fox Sparrow at Briarwood, Je/- ferson, KY 22 Apr (JBe, PB) was exceptional- ly tardy. Nine singing male Dickcissels re- turned to Washington, TN (RBi, m.ob.) for the 15th straight year for this very local e. Tennessee breeder. With mild weather and natural food sup- plies appearing to be in good supply, Rose- breasted Grosbeaks were not as numerous at feeding stations this spring. The Indigo Bunting that wintered near Cadiz, Trigg, KY lingered into early spring and was last noted 22 Apr (WG). Bobolink reports of interest in- cluded a flock of 20 s. of Grayson, Carter, KY 4 May (EM) that was relatively far e. and a flock of “easily 500, mostly females,” in w. Fulton, KY 15 May (BY, MY), with at least 300 seen in the same area 18 May (HC, ME). One had returned to Tennessee’s only known breeding location in Washington by 4 May (DH, RiK). A Western Meadowlark s. of Mt. Zion, Alien, KY 10 Mar (tJBy, MB) represent- ed a county first. Eight Brewer’s Blackbirds were last seen at the wintering area in e. Grayson, KY 6 Mar (SK, JKi). Six in Se- quatchie, TN 27 Mar (KAC) were unusually far e. but were at a regular location. An imm. male Yellow-headed Blackbird, a casual visi- tor to the Region, was at Hatchie N.W.R., Haywood, TN 25 Apr (ph. GH). A female Bal- timore Oriole in Hamilton, TN 2 Mar (MLB) was likely wintering. A few Purple Finches lingered into late Mar, with a slight peak in numbers (likely migrants) noted during the first week of Apr (m.ob.); one in nw. Hart, KY 8 May Q^t) and 2 in Washington, TN 9 May (GE) were the latest to be reported. A Pine Siskin in a yard sw. of Hubble, n. Lincoln, KY 23 Apr (ph. JE) was the only one reported away from breeding areas in ne. Tennessee. 438 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS TENNESSEE & KENTUCKY Cited contributors (subregional editors in boldface): Ryan Ankeny, Audubon Society of Kentucky (ASK), David Ayer, Jamin Beachy OBy), Mathan Beachy, Tom Becker, Jane Bell QBe), Pat Bell, Warren Bielenberg, Rob Biller (RBi), John Brittain 0^0, David Brown, John Brunjes OBr), Rhonda Bryant (RBr), Mary Lynn Buttram (MLB), Kevin A. Calhoon (KAC) (se. Tennessee), Kathy Caminiti (KCa), Joe Caminiti, Fred Carroll, Phillip Casteel (middle Tennessee), Hap Chambers, Wallace Coffey, Kathy Cohen (KCo), Michael Cohen, Charlie Crawford, Becky Daugherty, Roseanna Denton, Kerri Dikun, Melissa Easley, Dean Edwards, Glen Eller, Jackie Elmore, Frank Fekel, Clayton Ferrell, Melissa Gaither (MGa), Willard Gray, Mark Greene (MGr), Joe Guinn, Steve & Debbie Hamilton (S&DH), Erin Harper (EHa), Barbara Harris, Kate Hey- den, Emily Hockman (EHo), Gay Hodges, Don Holt, Susan Hoyle (SHo), Eddie Huber (EHu), Susan Hubley (SHu), Tabatha Jennings (TJe), Tim Johnson (TJo), Kentucky Ornitho- logical Society (KOS), David Kirschke, Janet Kistler QKi), Steve Kistler, Rick Knight (ne. Tennessee) (RiK), Roy Knispel (RoK), Knoxville Chapter of Tennessee Ornithologi- cal Society (K.T.O.S.), Amy Krzton-Presson, John Kuehnel OKu), David Lang, Tony Lance, Edmund LeGrand, Bill Lisowsky Frank Lyne, Scott Marsh, Don Martin (DMa), Robbie Mar- tin, Laura McCall (LMcC), Larry McDaniel (LMcD), Lee McNeely (LMcN), Don Miller (DMi), Mark Monroe (MMn), Mike Morton (MMr), Evelyn Morgan, Daniel Moss (DMo), Kim Neal, Andy Newman, Brainard Palmer- Ball, Jr., Lou Ann Partington, David Patterson (DPa), Rick Phillips, David Pitts (DPi), Bill Pulliam (BPu), David Rankin (DRa), Scott Record, David Roemer (DRo), Tommie Rogers, Steve & Cyndi Routledge (S&CR), Ed Schneider, Luann Schoo (LSc), Lou Shain (LSh), Marty Silver (MSi), Chris Sloan, Car- olyn & Phil Snow (C&PS), Scott Somershoe (SSo), Stephen J. Stedman (SJS), Matt Stickel (MSt), Tim Stovall, Dave Svetich, Mike Todd (w. Tennessee), Allen Trently, Tamie Tyra, Gary Wallace, Betty Wampler, Todd Weinkam, Doris Westerman, Jeff R. Wilson, Libby Wolfe, Ben Yandell, Mary Yandell, Tara Young. 0 Chris Sloan, 224 Hicks Road, Nashville, Tennessee 37221 (csloan1973@gmail.com) Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission 801 Schenkei Lane, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601 (brainard.palmer-ball@ky.gov) Alabama & Mississippi i Florence Wheeler WalerloQ V • i Huntsville /Muscle %^WheelerNWR Shoals Decatur GULF OF MEXICO Steven W. McConnell Weather in Alabama and Mississippi shifted from a continuation of the late winter trend of cooler temper- atures and low precipitation amounts to above-average temperatures, which arrived with persistently stable high-pressure in April. Temperatures averaged about 2° C above nor- mal in May, while rainfall averaged right around normal across both April and May. After diverse and rarity-filled fall and win- ter seasons, there was certain to be a down- turn eventually. However, the crash was sud- den, as our spring season came and went like the proverbial lamb. On the ground, observer expressions such as “dull,” “slowest in many years,” or “we’re going home early” were hard to miss. Most took comfort imagining mi- grant waves overhead in the clouds, leapfrog- ging their locations and streaming farther north. The best coastal birding circumstance occurred rather late in the season 3-4 May, an event several veterans described as the “best fallout in years.” What a difference a day can make! The migrant pulses 8-9, 20-22, 24, and 27-28 April helped tantalize and keep interest levels up but were comparatively minor. About mid-way through the season, our Region’s birders were forced to shift their con- cern and focus to the impending calamity posed by the largest Gulf of Mexico oil spill since the 1979 IXTOC accident off Mexico. Following the 20 April Deepwater Horizon platform blowout and destruction off Louisiana, an area of floating oil and sheen expanded to cover much of the northern Gulf. It seemed inevitable that our coastal marshes would be severely impacted and nesting colonies of many species on barrier is- lands would be threatened. Significant amounts oil reached Alabama in early May and, later in June, also found its way onto Mississippi beaches. As this report is in final preparation, the wellhead has been capped and the cleanup efforts have been able to make some progress. The ultimate impact on the birdlife of our Region will take years if not decades to sort out. Abbreviations: B.A.S. (Birmingham Audubon Society, Birmingham, AL); Dauphin (Dauphin L. Mobile, AL); FS.C.R. (Farquhar State Cattle Ranch, Cedarville, Hale, AL); Ft. Morgan (Ft. Morgan State Historical Park, Baldwin, AL); G.C. (Gulf Coastal Region of s. Alabama); G.B.N.E.R.P. (Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Preserve, Jackson, MS); I.C.E (Inland Coastal Plain Region of s.-cen. Alabama); Monte Sano (Monte Sano S.E, Madison, AL); M. R. (Mountain Region of n. Alabama); Nox- ubee (Noxubee N.W.R., Noxubee/Oktibbe- ha/Winston, MS); Seaman (Seaman Road la- goons, Jackson, MS); TV (Tennessee Valley Region of n. Alabama); Wheeler (Wheeler N. W.R., Limestone/Morgan/Madison, AL); Ya- zoo (Yazoo N.W.R., Washington, MS). WATERFOWL THROUGH IBIS The number of Black-bellied Whistling-Duck reports was fewer than in recent years, leaving one to wonder if previous territorial gains were relinquished this season or if only a brief regrouping was taking place before the inva- sion continued. Four Mississippi reports spanned 16-29 May, with 36 at Yazoo QT) the maximum count. Two lingering Greater White-fronted Geese 1-12 Mar in Mobile, Mo- bile, AL (CK) were locally rare. Participants in the B.A.S. spring count 1 May (Jefferson/Shel- by/St. Clair, AL) counted 303 Canada Geese to establish a new M.R. maximum (m.ob.). New Alabama spring inland or TV maxima were attained 19 Mar in Colbert (DJS) for mi- grating Northern Shoveler (150), Green- winged Teal (100), and Ring-necked Duck (150). Scoter reports seemed rather meager VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 439 ALABAMA & MISSISSIPPI In Alabama, observers found an unexpected concentration of breeding Pied-billed Grebes in April/May 201 0 at the Farquhar State Cattle Ranch at Cedarville, Hale County, where seven nests (here 20 April) were documented. Photograph by Bill Summerour. This Hudsonian Godwit stopped over for a few days at Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge, Washington County, Mississippi (here 28 April 2010) before continuing its northward trek. The species is very rare in spring in the state. Photograph by Rob Heflin. A welcome spring influx of Wilson's Phalaropes was documented 24-30 April 201 0 in Mis- sissippi, with at least eleven reports from five locations. The group of four shown here (24 April) at Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge in Washington County increased to an impressive 85 four days later. A return visit the next day found only one. Photograph by Rob Heflin. this season, with only a Black and 2 White-wingeds seen 19 Mar at G.B.N.E.R.P. (JNW). A single Long-tailed Duck 4-12 Mar in the Bon Secour R., Baldwin, AL (FF) was a rare treat. Pied-billed Grebes, an erratic breed- er in the Region, lingered at the FS.C.R. 20 Apr-12 May; several visits dur- ing the period produced at least seven nests containing both eggs and young (ph. BS, JAT). A surprising total of 19 Horned Grebes, some in al- ternate plumage, were discovered 23 Mar on L. Purdy, Jefferson/Shelby, AL (GDJ), providing a new M.R. maximum. Birders departing Dauphin 8 Apr were astounded to witness a flamingo flying eastward just over their car on the island access bridge (RHa)! Un- fortunately, this large wader could not be relocated, so the species (and pos- sibly its provenance) could not be determined. Single Anhingas were seen in the T.V, where the species is rarely seen: 1 May at Wheeler (RSH, DCH, RR) and 7 May in Lauderdale (DJS, JTG, SWM). American Bitterns were seen at Wheeler 27 Mar (KU) and 1 May (L&DB) and at Noxubee 26 Apr (TLS, MS). Black-crowned Night-Herons made a strong showing 1 May during the B.A.S. count, when 9 were totaled, a new spring M.R. maximum (m.ob.). An impressive White Ibis congregation of 700 birds was noted 27 Mar at Little Eagle L., Humphreys, MS (RH). Four Glossy Ibis reports were made this season. Three of these were from Mississippi (maximum count of 3), but the highest count was from the U.S.S. Alabama Battleship Park, Mobile, AL, where 23 were found 31 May QW). A White-faced Ibis was ob- served 19 May at Yazoo QT). where Mississippi’s first nesting record was es- tablished in 2009. No breeding activity was reported this season. RAPTORS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS Ospreys have become a welcome sight across our Region, and reports of nesting are becoming more regular. This season, four reports were submit- ted for 9-10 ads. attending three nests. Three wandering Swallow-tailed Kites were enjoyed at locations well n. of their traditional Alabama strong- holds. Two birds were seen over the Cahaba R. near Sprott, Perry 1 May (TRP), but the kite 25 Apr near Hartselle, Morgan furnished only a 4th T.V record (SWM). The latter arrived on the heels of stiff, southerly winds fol- lowing passage of a strong frontal boundary. Mississippi Kite observations (of up to 4 birds) from four different M.R. sites 29 Apr-17 May continued the recent trend of expansion into this portion of Alabama (m.ob.). In Mis- sissippi, the 60 counted apparently going to roost at dusk 21 Apr near Saucier, Harrison furnished an impressive spring total Q&SS). Notable Bald Eagle reports included 5 counted 1 May on the Wheeler spring count (m.ob.) and a nesting pair 8 May in Shelby, AL, where species is a rare breeder (ME). A Northern Harrier in Marengo, AL 15 May was quite late (DS). Very rare for spring, an light-morph ad. Swainson’s Hawk was briefly observed but well described at Ansley Hancock, MS 8 Apr (TNB). The Red- tailed Hawk total of 23 found during the Wheeler spring count 1 May tied the maximum spring T.V record (m.ob.). A pair of Common Moorhens at the FS.C.R. 12 May was at the n. edge of their expected range QAT). A late Sandhill Crane was seen in Baldwin, AL 25 Apr, where the species is never numerous (MJJ). Spring American Gold- en-Plover migration through our Region usually occurs rapidly as attested by eight reports received during the narrow window 21-29 Mar. The high- est tallies were the 470+ counted 24 Mar near Magnolia Springs, Baldwin (DP), a new Alabama maximum, and 110 at Seaman 25 Mar (m.ob.). Black- necked Stilts were noted nesting again at a small field pond near Leighton, Colbert, AL 15-25 May for only the 3rd inland breeding attempt in the state (m.ob.); no young were reported. Three migrating Willet flocks were re- ported 1-2 May; 17 were at the county lake in Oktibbeha, MS (TLS, MS); 9 were found during the Wheeler spring count (JMH); and a nice total of 36 was tallied at two Colbert, AL sites (PDK, FS, SAW). Upland Sandpipers made a strong spring showing, with reports from eight coastal locations; 10 at a Baldwin, AL sod farm 27 Mar (DM) and 9 at Seaman 1 Apr (m.ob.) were highlights. Whimbrels were again found staging in the Grand Bay area of 440 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS ALABAMA & MISSISSIPPI Mobile, AL, where 345 were observed 1 May (CH). Long-billed Curlew is rarely found in our Region, making the five Mississippi reports of up to 10 individuals (2 Mar in Harrison [CD]) quite exciting. A Hudsonian Godwit at Yazoo 26-28 Apr (ph, RH) was an even rarer spring find. Six Marbled Godwit observations were received; the highest count was 7 at Dauphin 18 Apr QAB). Four Baird’s Sandpipers at Dauphin 17 Apr furnished a high count (RAD, LRD) for spring; remarkably, three other reports of the species were received. An amazing two-site Dunlin count of 1980 was made at G.B.N.E.R.P. 19 Mar (jNW). Only one Buff-breasted Sandpiper observation was submitted: a single bird 1 Apr at Seaman (m.ob.). A strong movement of Wilson’s Phalaropes was noted through Mississippi 24-30 Apr (11 re- ports), with a maximum of 85 at Yazoo 28 Apr (ph. RH). Alabama observers only provided two reports, both later in the season, 1-12 May (CH, JAT). GULLS THROUGH FLYCATCHERS A local spring maximum was furnished by the 350 Bonaparte’s Gulls at Lo- gan Martin Dam, St. Clair/Talladega, AL 21 Mar (GDJ, DGJ). Up to 3 Kelp Gull X Herring Gull hybrids were seen 26 Mar and 4 May on a dredge spoil island in Mobile Bay, where the combination was first documented during the summer of 2009. The unexpected twist this season was finding one bird sitting on a nest 4 May, which furnished evidence of Alabama’s first breed- ing attempt for these “Chandeleur Gulls”(RC, ph. BS)! Good spring Black Tern counts were furnished by the 35 at Ft. Morgan 16 May (MJJ) and 30 at Gulf Island N.S. 29 May, Harrison, MS (BT, JT). An impressive Black Skim- mer flock of 700 birds was present at Moses Pier, Harrison, MS 29 Apr (OG). White-winged Doves appear to be continuing their expansion through inland Alabama. A lone bird was seen in Shelby 14 May (ph. MB). Inca Dove continues to maintain a presence in coastal Mississippi. Three reports were documented 3 Mar-6 Apr, including a high count of 4 in Hancock 3 Mar QNW, tGK, tRY). Are these scouts regrouping for the next push, or has the rest of their platoon already flown on and so far remain undetect- ed? Two out-of-place Eastern Whip-poor-wills were heard calling at Old Cahawba, Dallas 19 May, furnishing the southernmost Alabama breeding season report ever OAT). Two early Chimney Swifts were seen at Auburn, Lee, AL 19 Mar (AB). A new T.Y maximum total of 50 Eastern Wood-Pewees were detected 1 May during the Wheeler spring count (m.ob.). A 2nd Alabama nesting record for Willow Flycatcher was established 12-31 May+ when at least 2 ads. and a nest with eggs were observed at the ES.C.R. QAT, ph. BS). A lat- er visit found the nest destroyed. The location was unexpectedly far s. and furnished only the 4th I.C.P. record for the species. More expected were the 4 singing males 29 May at the Morgan, AL site near Hartselle where the species has nested in the past several years (MSG). The only Vermilion Fly- catcher reported this season was a single bird in Forrest, MS 7 Mar (LB). A small surge of Western Kingbirds through our Region 27-29 Apr was docu- mented by five reports (three from Alabama and two from Mississippi) , all of single birds. An early flight of 50 Eastern Kingbirds was noted at St. Catherine Creek N.W.R., Adams, MS 13 Mar (CS). Gray Kingbirds are slow- ly becoming more expected on the Alabama coast, following their 1997 dis- appearance. This season, three reports (of one to 3 birds) came in from Ft. Morgan and Dauphin 22 Apr-15 May. Seven Scissor-tailed Flycatchers were seen 23 Mar-20 May at five locations in our Region; at least two of these birds were returning to sites where breeding had been recently documented. VIREOS THROUGH MANNIKINS The B.A.S. spring count 1 May totaled 185 White-eyed Vireos for a new in- land Alabama spring maximum. A Warbling Vireo responded to tape at Waterloo, Lauderdale, AL 7 May (SWM, DJS, JTG), where the species has been documented breeding several times over the last decade. Another bird found in Monte Sano was likely a migrant 9 May (AH). The only Black- whiskered Vireo report was of 2 birds on Dauphin 17 May (EC), ty- Kelp Gull X Herring Gull hybrids were found again in spring 2010 on a dredge spoil island in Mobile Bay, Mobile County, Alabama. Up to three adults were observed, and this nest- ing bird was discovered 4 May (here), a first for Alabama. Photograph by Bill Summerour. White-winged Dove has established itself on the Alabama coast and is expanding northward. This individual, photographed 1 4 May 201 0 in Montevallo, Shelby County, provides only the sixth record for Alabama's Mountain Region. Photograph by Mac Braid. Three Shiny Cowbirds were seen 15 (here) and 16 May 2010 on Dauphin Island, Ala- bama. Although the species has appeared almost annually in the Alabama and Missis- sippi Region in recent times, it is unusual to record more than one bird per location. Photograph by Tom Siegwald. VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 441 ALABAMA & MISSISSIPPI ing the latest Alabama date ever. Two Tree Swallows were found at Opelika, Lee 13-15 May (CSW), along the s. edge of the known Alabama breeding range for this expanding species. Observers in the B.A.S. spring count 1 May found 674 Cliff Swallows in jcjjer- son/Shelby/St. Clair, AL. On the same day, participants in the Wheeler count compiled 1304 Cliff Swallows — -a new Alabama spring maximum. One wonders if the bridges are full yet. Cave Swallows had a minor showing this season, with singles 3 Apr at Ansley Han- cock. MS (JNW) and 22 Apr at Ft. Morgan (RAD, LRD, C&PB). A Barn Swallow in Mo- bile, AL was an early migrant 4 Mar (KH). A Red-breasted Nuthatch in Washington, AL 14 Apr seemed rather late (MR), as were a Gold- en-crowned Kinglet 25 Apr in Hinds, MS (HJ) and a Hermit Thrush 2 May at Brookhaven, Lincoln, MS (BB). The Tennessee Warbler at Ft. Morgan 28 Mar (MJJ) and the Yellow Warbler at Seaman 4 Mar (m.ob.) were very early. On the other hand, an Orange-crowned Warbler in Lauderdale, AL 1 May was late (DJS). Three Black-throated Blue Warblers were seen, singles 26 Apr (MM) and 4 May (K&RW) at Monte Sano and 16 May at Ft. Morgan (MJJ). A rare Audubon’s Warbler was documented 16 Apr, a female at Ft. Morgan (GDJ, RSH). Cerulean Warblers were at Monte Sano 7 QE) & 28 Apr (MM); the species has been regularly found there in re- cent years and apparently successfully fledged young during 2009. Five Ceruleans were counted on the latter date. A surprising 103 Common Yellowthroats were tallied 1 May on the Wheeler spring count, surpassing the previous T.V maximum. A Savannah Sparrow in Baldwin, AL 10 May (BS) was rather late. On the heels of an excel- lent winter season in Alabama for the species, an ad. male Western Tanager in Mobile 28-30 Mar was not unexpected (SB). This report was the 7th for Alabama in an 18-month period — after 10 years with no accepted state records. An excellent count of 200 Dickcissels was made at Ft. Morgan 27 Apr (CHen, JO). A male Yellow-headed Blackbird visited the Pascagoula River Marsh Coastal Preserve, Jackson, MS 11 May (JNW). A late Rusty Blackbird was at Guntersville Dam, Marshall, AL 21 Apr (MM). Three Shiny Cowbirds were noted on Dauphin 15-16 May (HEH, T&JS, EC), and Dauphin had five Bronzed Cowbird reports (all of singles) 3 Apr-20 May (HEH, T&JS, EC); Bronzeds were also at four Han- cock/Jackson, MS locations. The continuing Hooded Oriole at Pass Christian, Hanison, MS — the state’s first — apparently departed 6 Mar. Nutmeg Manikins have been reported in our Region more frequently in recent years; this season had eight observations 2-25 Apr from the G.C., with the maximum count of 10 birds from Dauphin 25 Apr QNW). Initialed observers (subregional editors in boldface): Andy Bankert, Larry Basden, Bill Baxter, Ned Boyajian, Mac Braid, Cecil & Pam Brown, Lynn & Duane Brown, Stephen Bru, J. Allen Burrows, Eugenia Carey, Roger Clay, Charley Delmas, Lucy R. Duncan, Robert A. Duncan, John Ehinger, Michael Elrod, Erank Earrell, Jeff T. Garner, Olivia Graves, M. Scott Gravette, Andrew Haffenden, R. Stan Hamil- ton, Dana C. Hamilton, Jim M. Harris, Ralph Havard, Rob Heflin, Carol Henning, Chazz Hesselein, Kathy Hicks, Howard E. Horne, De- bra G. Jackson, Greg D. Jackson (Alabama), Heath Jordan, Michael J. Jordan, Christine Kel- ley, Paul D. Kittle, Gene Knight, Steven W. Mc- Connell, Matt Morrow, Jan Osborn, David Plumb, Tommy R. Pratt, Rick Remy Matthew Rouse, Marion Schiefer, Terence L. ScMefer (Mississippi), Don Self, Eloyd Sherrod, Tom & Joan Siegwald, Damien J, Simbeck, Jack & Sarajane Smith, Bill Summerour, Christopher Swanson, Blair Tirpak, John Tirpak, John A. Trent, Kim Upper, Jacob N. Walker, Jennifer Wang, Ken & Ruffina Ward, Shirley A. Way- land, C. Stewart White, Ronald Yarborough. ^ Steven W. McConnell, 29 Village Drive NE Hartselle, Alabama 35640, (swmavocet@aol.com) Arkansas & Louisiana MCraig'FishHatchety •Harrison • Fayetteville Big Lake NWR ARKANSAS Ft. Smith Bald u Knob NWR Holla • ■ m Bend NWR L Dardanelle Hulsey Slate Joe Hogan State Fish riatchery Piffle Rock " I 3* White ‘ DeGray Lm ■ Riverm m NWR ArkadelphiaOxi- m dation Ponds OakwoodMc^^ Millwood L ^ L. Chicotl i Overflow NWR Cross •Monroe ' Shreveport , LOUISIANA \ Red River Toledol', NWR Catahoula Bender L ■ Res. ^ Alexandria* ^ . Cheneyville* ^ Lake Rice Charles Country Cameron Parish Rutherford Beach Lafayette LacaJsine ^tch^ NWR Rouge V Basin ' / Grand Reserve-Bonnet Carre Spillway GULF OF MEXICO Steven W. Cardiff Climatologically, spring 2010 was not very spring-like. A relatively harsh win- ter made for a late onset of spring leaf- out, followed by a quick transition into a hot and dry second half of the period, with above- average temperatures in May and the gradual onset of light to moderate drought conditions in southern portions of the Region. Of course, from 21 April through the end of the period, it was difficult to concentrate on anything other than the Deepwater Hori- zon oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico off the Louisiana coast. Space constraints preclude an in-depth analysis of the early stages of what would become the worst environmental disaster in history. Suffice it to say that we will likely never know the full short-term impacts of the disaster on the affected marine ecosys- tems, but there would have been a significant immediate toll on pelagic organisms at “ground zero” (which happened to be located in one of the more productive areas of the 442 Gulf for seabirds, marine mammals, and sea turtles) and beyond, as the oil slick expanded. Within two weeks, oil had reached the shores of the Mississippi River delta and the Chan- deleur Islands, and by mid-May patches of the massive slick were affecting barrier islands as far west as the Isles Dernieres; things would only get worse into the summer. By coincidence, a statewide census (con- ducted by Coastal Bird Conservation through the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program, and with assistance from the Louisiana State University Museum of Natu- ral Science) of waterbird nesting colonies, breeding Wilson’s Plovers, American Oyster- catchers, and other species had already been planned for May and June, which provided an opportunity to obtain critical “pre-oiling” data on these target species and other birds from most of the Louisiana coast. Thank goodness there were some bright spots during the season that provided needed distraction from the doom and gloom. The “stand-out” hird-generating weather event of NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS ARKANSAS & LOUISIANA Abbreviations: B.K.N.W.R. (Bald Knob N.W.R., White, AR); B.R.A.S.S. (Ba- ton Rouge Audubon Society Sanctuary, Johnsons Bayou, Cameron, LA); C.EH. (Craig Fish Hatchery, near Centerton, Benton, AR); C.EP. (Craighead Forest Park, Craighead, AR); C.N.E (Camp Nine Farm, near Arkansas City, Desha, AR); M.S.E (Morganza Spillway Forebay, Pointe Coupee, LA). Coun- ties/parishes (italics) are indicated only for the initial mention of a specific locality, and states are indicated only for the initial mention of counties/parishes, except to avoid confusion. For records of “review list” species, documentation has been received and records have either been ac- cepted 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 Oames and Neal 1986), plus the Arkansas Audubon Society online bird record database, and, for Louisiana, 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 forthcoming Birds of Louisiana (Remsen, Cardiff, Dittmann, and Dickson). the spring began 24 April, as a relatively weak upper-level low-pressure sys- tem moved eastward through the Region. What seemed relatively unre- markable on a weather map brought a rather spectacular assortment of western migrants into coastal southwestern Louisiana. Coinciding with the Louisiana Ornithological Society (LOS) spring meeting in Cameron Parish and dubbed by one contributor as the “Western Overflow Weekend” (WOW), LOS participants were treated to a nice variety of western vagrants and normally scarce coastal migrants. Another interesting and relatively late grounding of migrants occurred at Grand Isle 16 May, likely as a result of afternoon convectional rains. David Muth writes: “We hit the woods about 12:15 after a rain shower. It started very slowly. Then it picked up. A lot. Before the day was over, we counted about 200 individual warblers of 14 species, about 50 Catharus thrushes, over 200 Red-eyed Vireos, about 30 Yellow-billed Cuckoos, 15 or so Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, and a scat- tering of other migrants. Not bad for May 16.” Another good diversion from the oil disaster was the “all-out shorebird blitz” on 2 May. Intensive coverage of southwestern Louisiana’s “prairie” (or rice-growing) region ac- counted for over 56,000 shorebirds of 26 species. Plans are to repeat this ef- fort each year to provide annual “snapshots” of the shorebird “presence” in this critically important region. WATERFOWL Four Fulvous Whistling-Ducks at B.K.N.W.R. 10 May (ph. RH), 2 there 14- 15 May (K&LN, TB, RH), and 4 at C.N.E 11 May (DB) added to the hand- ful of previous Arkansas spring occurrences. A very late (and perhaps un- healthy) Greater White-fronted Goose seen at M.S.E 21 May (ph. BL) was also somewhat e. of normal. Fifty Ross’s Geese (mixed with a smaller num- ber of Snows) at Alice-Sidney Fish Farm, Chicot 5 Mar (DS) was a relatively high number for Arkansas. Two subad. Trumpeter Swans wintering near Monroe, Ouachita, LA remained in the area until 4 Mar (SLP). An uniden- tified Tundra/Trumpeter Swan at Searcy, White, AR 28 Apr (KN) was ex- ceptionally late for the Region. Also late was a pair of Gadwalls at C.EH. 16 May (MAM, JP). Mottled Ducks are expected in small numbers in se. Arkansas but are still unusual in the n. portion of the state, where singles were found at Raft Creek Bottoms W.M.A., White 24 Apr and at Treadway’s Fish Farm, near Hickory Plains, Prairie 22-25 Apr (both K65:LN, DB); per- haps even more interestingly, the latter bird was a male paired with a hen Mallard. Two Mottleds in West Baton Rouge, LA 31 May (BL) were also un- usual for the Baton Rouge area (at least away from M.S.E, where now reg- ular), but a female with 3 large young near Natchitoches, Natchitoches 2 May QVH) represents a more substantial n. breeding range extension. Re- ports of always rare Cinnamon Teal included 2 males and a female at Cameron Prairie N.W.R., Cameron, LA 20 Mar (ph. PEC), with a pair con- Louisiana's first record of Western Grebe in the month of April, and only about the fifth ever from the state's interior, was furnished by this bird, which frequented Lake Claiborne, Claiborne Parish 12 (here) through 14 April 2010. Photograph by Stephen L Pagans. Only about the seventh well-documented individual for Louisiana, this subadult White- tailed Hawk was an unexpected surprise at Fabacher Road, southwestern Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana 1 1 March 2010. Photograph by Tom Finnie. Representing Louisiana's eighth breeding occurrence (all since 1994), but only the third documented set of eggs, this Snowy Plover nest was located at Rutherford Beach, Cameron Parish, Louisiana 23 April 2010. Photograph by Donna L Dittmann. VOLUIWE 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 443 ARKANSAS & LOUISIANA tinuing there -through 3 Apr (PEC, BMM, ph. DP, ph. TF), and an ad. male at B.K.N.W.R. 23 Apr (K&LN). A wintering male Redhead at L. Atalanta, Rogers, Benton, AR lingered through the very late date of 28 May OR MAM). A Surf Scoter at Caney Creek Res., Jackson 6 Mar QB, ph. SEP) pro- vided one of few occurrences for n. Louisiana. The only other scoter reports were of 2 Blacks on L. Pontchartrain at New Orleans, Orleans, LA 7 Mar (PAW, DPM) and an ad. male Black at Rutherford Beach, Cameron, LA 26 Apr QRS et al.). Apparently the first to be found in spring in southeastern Louisiana, this probable male Red-necked Phalarope at the Chaland Headlands barrier island chain, Plaquemines Parish 6 May 201 0 was also only about the sixth spring occurrence for the state. Photo- graph by Donna L Dittmann. LOONS THROUGH STORK A Common Loon at Rutherford Beach 9 May (DPM) was relatively late, as were 2 Horned Grebes at L. Fayetteville, Wnshington, AR 17 Apr (MAM, JP) and another at L. Beaverfork, Faulkner, AR 11 May (ph. Michael Linz). A Western Grebe at L. Claiborne, Claiborne 12-14 Apr Qohn Dillon, ph. SLP, RS et al.) represented the hrst Apr occurrence, and only about the 5th in- terior report, for Louisiana. About 220 Northern Gannets seen from shore in Cameron 20 Mar (PEC) made a good count for the sw. coast; up to 28 per day were still present in the Gulf of Mexico from Grand Isle, Jefferson to the Chaland Headlands, Plaquemines 5-6 May (SWC, DLD). Continuing the re- cent trend of non-storm-related inland occurrences, an ad. Brown Pelican was found at Cotile L., Rapides, LA 5 May OVH), and another was seen fly- ing down the Mississippi R. at Baton Rouge the same day 0- V. Remsen). An ad. Brown Pelican photographed at the Queen Bess 1. colony in Barataria Bay near Grand Isle 6 May had a bright red pouch, supposedly in- dicative of the Pacific subspecies califomicus (SWC, ph. DLD). Considered rare in nw. Arkansas, a Least Bittern at Frog Bayou W.M.A., Crawford 30 May QCN, Jacque Brown) was at the same location where the species bred the previous summer. A Cattle Egret at Harrison, Boone 1-2 Apr (Sheree Rogers) was considered rare and early for that area of n.-cen. Arkansas. A subad. Black-crowned Night-Heron at C.EH. 22 May (MAM, JP) was unusual for nw. Arkansas. An exceptionally early but unidentihed Plegadis ibis was at Alma, Crawford, AR 27 Mar QCN, BB). Continuing the recent trend toward earlier spring arrivals in s. Louisiana, 5 Wood Storks were at Sherburne W.M.A., Iberville 8 May (DLD, SWC), and another was at Catahoula N.W.R., LaSalle 21 May Oonathan Clark). A first for the central Louisiana coast, this Red-necked Phalarope at Whiskey Island in the Isles Dernieres barrier island chain, Terrebonne Parish 20 May 2010 also represented only about the seventh spring occurrence and a new late spring date for the state. Pho- tograph by Dave Patton. RAPTORS THROUGH RAILS Rare breeders in Arkansas, a nesting pair of Ospreys was at L. Dardanelle, Yell 3 Apr-12 May (K&LN) at the same location of an unsuccessful nesting attempt in 2009. Reports of early migrant Swallow-tailed Kites in s. Louisiana included singles at Paulina, St. James 5 Mar (ph. CL) and near Lake Arthur, Jefferson Davis 22 Mar (DLD). A White-tailed Kite at Peason Ridge W.M.A., Sabine 24 Mar QJ) added to the few sightings for cen. Glaucous Gulls seem to be on the increase in Louisiana, and for the second consecutive spring, multiple individuals were found together; these two almost identical first-cycle birds on the Cal- casieu River jetties near Cameron, Cameron Parish 18 April 2010 could be differentiated by the shape of their nostrils! Photographs by Dave Patton. 444 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS Louisiana, and an apparent pair not too far s. of there near Dry Creek, Beauregard 5 Apr+ (ph. Greg Holland) would potentially add to the growing cluster of other breeding at- tempts in that general area of sw. Louisiana. Early Mississippi Kites appeared at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 16 Mar Qudith O’Neale), Baton Rouge 24 Mar (Carol Foil), and Little Rock, Pulaski, AR 3 Apr QD, Samantha Dixon); the first nest confirmed for nw. Arkansas was found under construction at Fayetteville 29 May (Ricky Corder et al). Most interesting among several Louisiana reports of Swain- son’s Hawks were a wintering bird or early migrant at e. New Orleans 19 Mar (GO) and a bird carrying nest material in sw. Calcasieu on the rather early date of 5 Apr (EIJ). Partic- ularly surprising (after none were found in Louisiana the preceding fall/winter) were imm. 'White-tailed Hawks at Fabacher Rd., extreme sw. Calcasieu 11 Mar (ph. TF) and near Holmwood in extreme se. Calcasieu 27 Mar (p.a.; ph. Tommy Harold); these would be only about the 7th and 8th documented in- dividuals found in the state. Always a good bird in Arkansas, a King Rail was at Choctaw Island W.M.A., Desha 21 May (DB, Karen Rowe, Jason Jackson et al). SHOREBIRDS Most notable among several Arkansas reports of Black-bellied Plovers was an impressive concentration of 75 at B.K.N.W.R. 20 May (K&LN, TB, BA, RP); estimates of 400 in the Port Fourchon/Elmer’s 1. area of Lafourche/Jef- ferson, LA 3 & 17 Apr, and 300 there 16 May (PAW, DPM, CCS), were also fairly remarkable counts even for the coast. A Snowy Plover at- tending a nest with three eggs at Rutherford Beach 23-24 Apr (SWC, ph. DLD, BMM) rep- resented about the 8th confirmed breeding oc- currence and only the 3rd involving eggs; 2 different males at Chaland Headlands 5-6 May (SWC, ph. DLD) were unexpectedly late and far e., but neither bird acted territorial, no fe- males were seen, and none were found during return visits in late Jun. Late coastal Piping Plovers included 2 at Whiskey L, Isles Dernieres, Terrebonne 20 May (SWC) and one near Cameron 21 May (EIJ, Phillip C. Stouf- fer). A pair of American Oystercatchers with 2 fairly large chicks at Queen Bess 1. 16-17 Apr (SWC, ph. DLD) would suggest that nesting had initiated in late Feb or early Mar. Two Black-necked Stilts at C.FR 9 May (ph. RH) were unusual in extreme ne. Arkansas and possibly the first for Craighead. Twenty-two Spotted Sandpipers at the Kin- caid L. spillway, Rapides 29 Apr O'VH) was a very high inland count and possibly one of the highest ever for anywhere in Louisiana. ARKANSAS & LOUISIANA Perhaps the next best thing to its norma! desert habitat, the sands of Rutherford Beach provided at feast a temporary sense of security for this east-of-normal Lesser Nighthawk in Cameron Parish, Louisiana 24 April 2010. Photograph by Donna L. Dittmann. Louisiana's fourth Tropica! Kingbird, near Thornwell, Jefferson Davis Parish, was a nice bonus bird during the "all-out shorebird blitz" on 2 May 201 0. Photograph by Donna L Dittmann. An estimated 800 Willets at Port Fourchon 7 Mar (RDP) was, surprisingly, among the largest Louisi- ana counts ever. An Up- land Sandpiper at C.FH. 16 May (MAM) estab- lished a new late spring date for Arkansas; 124 near Welsh, Jefferson Davis, plus 2 in adjacent Calcasieu 2 Apr (PEC), made the 2nd highest to- tal ever for Louisiana. Two Whimbrels, very rare in Arkansas, were at B.K.N.W.R. 20 May (K&LN, TB); 1260 (1050 in one set of fields) found by one party in Lafayette and Vermilion 2 May (EIJ, DPM) was possibly a new high for Louisiana. Rela- tively far e. Hudsonian Godwits included very early sightings of one at Saul’s Fish Farm, Prairie, AR 19 Apr (K&LN) and 2 at Raft Creek Bottoms W.M.A. 25 Apr (KN, DB), 6 near Saul’s Fish Farm 10 May, and 2 at B.K.N.W.R. 17 May (both K&LN), and a different bird there 20 May (K&LN, TB); 44 at C.FH. 10 May (MAM, AG) made a new record count for Arkansas. Mar- bled Godwit is a surprisingly rare spring mi- grant through the interior, so one near Ka- plan, Vermilion, LA 2 May (ph. PEC) was an excellent find. Twenty-two Ruddy Turnstones at B.K.N.W.R. 20 May (K&LN, TB) was the 3rd highest total ever for Arkansas, and a Red Knot there the same day (ph. K&LN, TB, BA, RP) was only the 2nd spring occurrence for the state. Rare spring inland Sanderlings in- cluded one at C.FH. 10 May (AG) and 3 at B.K.N.W.R. 20 May (K&LN, TB). About 2000 Semipalmated Sandpipers at Port Fourchon 16 May (PAW, DPM) ranked among the high- est ever counts for Louisiana. Additional high numbers of peeps from far inland included 230 White-rumped Sandpipers at C.N.E 3 May (DB) and 358 at C.FH. 10 May (MAM); 28 Baird’s Sandpipers at C.N.E 3 May (DB); and 102 Baird’s in Acadia 2 May (PEC), a sur- prisingly high tally slightly inland in Louisiana. A very early, far inland Dunlin was detected at Poole’s Fish Farm, near Hickory Plains, Prairie, AR 27 Mar (K&LN). About 9000 Dunlins at Port Fourchon/Elmer’s 1. 3 Apr (PAW, DPM) provided another huge count from that well-covered area. Rounding out the spring’s assortment of nice inland shorebird tallies were 875 Wilson’s Phalaropes in s. Jefferson Davis 2 May (SWC, DLD), 170 at C.N.E 3 May (DB), and 89 at C.FH. 10 May (MAM). A male Red-necked Phalarope at e. Chaland Headlands 6 May (ph. DLD, SWC) was apparently the first spring record for se. Louisiana, and another on Whiskey 1. 20 May (SWC, ph. DP) was a first for the cen. Louisiana coast; there are only about five pre- vious spring reports for the state, all from Cameron. Direct evidence is seldom obtained for American Woodcocks breeding in the Re- gion, so an ad. with a chick near Cozahome, Buffalo National River, Marion/Searcy 10 Apr (Ray Wiggs) was of great interest. GULLS THROUGH WOODPECKERS Franklin’s Gulls are surprisingly scarce in spring in the Region’s interior, so 4 near Natchitoches 2 May (J'VH) were of interest, as were several in Arkansas, including 4 at Bois D’Arc L., Hempstead 1 May (K&LN), 6 at C.FH. 5 May and about 28 there 13 May VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 445 ARKANSAS & LOUISIANA This kingbird spiced up the emergency "pre-oiling" bird surveys on the Chaiand Headiands barrier islands, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana 6 May 2010; it could not be identified beyond Tropical/Couch's. Photograph by Donna L Dittmann. Since Louisiana's first record of Shiny Cowbird back in 1989, fears that the species would proliferate have not materialized, and there are no well-documented records of females in the state. The species remains rare, bordering on annual only at Grand Isle, Jefferson Parish, where this adult male was taking a bath break on 16 April and was subsequently reported through 24 April. Photograph by Donna L. Dittmann. (both MAM et al.), and one at B.K.N.W.R. 17 May (K&LN). An ad. Lesser Black-backed Gull wintering at L. Dardanelle remained un- til 13 Mar (K&LN) and became only the 3rd Arkansas occurrence during the spring peri- od; now almost expected in small numbers on the Louisiana coast, at least 10 were found there during the period. Possibly as many as 5-6 imm. Glaucous Gulls frequented the Louisiana coast, with sightings of one at Elmers 1. 28-30 Mar (vt, JWH, MJM et al), possibly the same bird there 26 Apr (ph. MJM), one at Queen Bess I. 16-17 Apr (ph. DLD, SWC), 2 at the Calcasieu R. jetties near Cameron 18 Apr (ph. DP, BMM), and one on Rutherford Beach 23-24 Apr (SWC, ph. DLD, vt. PAW, ph. RDP et al.). 1mm. Great Black- backed Gulls were located at Chaiand Head- lands 5 May (SWC, ph. DLD) and near Cameron 23 May (BMM, ph. PEC). About the 15th for Arkansas, and only the 2nd for the spring period, an ad. Black-legged Kittiwake was briefly studied at the Millwood L. spill- way, Little River 16 Mar (Charles Mills). An- other scarce interior spring migrant in Louisiana, 8 Caspian Terns at Pineville, Rapi- des 30 Apr OVH) were also relatively early. A Least Tern near Grand Isle 21 Mar (vt. PAW, DPM) was near record early for Louisiana; 160 at C.N.E 23 May (DB) represented a new spring high count for Arkansas. A boat ven- ture into the Gulf of Mexico just off Cameron 4 Mar yielded a minimum of 7 Pomarine Jaegers (ph. DP, ph. BMM); this is the expect- ed “wintering” species in Louisiana waters. The influx of of w. species in late Apr brought a minimum of 9 Lesser Nighthawks to coastal Cameron, with at least 4 at B.R.A.S.S. 24-26 Apr (ph. PEC, ph. DP, vt. JWH, ph. TF, JVH) and at least one lingering there until 1 May (ph. TF, ph. TM); another 3 were found at Rutherford Beach 24 Apr (ph. DLD, SWC), one was at Hackberry Ridge sw. of Johnsons Bayou 25 Apr (PAW), and one was at Oak Grove 26 Apr QRS et al.). Arkansas’s 6th Calliope Hummingbird, an ad. male wintering at Little Rock, was last seen 31 Mar Qames & Norris Major), and a wintering ad. female Rufous Hummingbird there remained through 28 Mar (Carolyn Bet- tinger). In Louisiana, a female Rufous that ar- rived at Paulina 20 Mar stayed through the very late date of 5 May (CL, Irvin Louque, Sr.). A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at B.R.A.S.S. 27 Apr (BMM) was relatively late for the im- mediate coast. A “vagrant” Downy Wood- pecker found at Grand Isle 23 Jan remained through 21 Mar (DPM, PAW). FLYCATCHERS A scarce spring migrant in the Region, an Olive-sided Flycatcher near Goshen, Wash- ington 29 Apr QP) was early, especially for the far interior; at least one at B.R.A.S.S. 27-30 Apr (BMM, JVH, JC) was also early. A Least Flycatcher at Bayou Sauvage N.W.R., Orleans 6 Mar (PAW) was likely the same wintering bird found there 23 Dec; another near Caernarvon, upper Plaquemines, also 6 Mar (EJR, HT), had also presumably wintered. Reports of Empidonax considered scarce mi- grants in nw. Arkansas included a Yellow-bel- lied at L. Fayetteville 17 May QCN, MAM), 2 more at Fayetteville 29 May (MAM), and a Willow Flycatcher at Chesney Prairie N.A., Benton 15 May QCN et ah). An Eastern Phoebe at New Orleans 3 May (vt. GO) was exceptionally late for so far s. of the breeding distribution. A very rare Say’s Phoebe made an appearance at the Sherburne W.M.A. South Farm unit, near Ramah, Iberville 11-18 Mar (ph. Joshua T. Sylvest, MM, Cham Mehaffey, vt. Jane Patterson, David L. Ander- son); there has been a cluster of fall/winter sightings in that general area in recent years,, and this bird had most likely wintered unde- tected in the area. Also a presumed lingering winterer was an Ash-throated Flycatcher in extreme sw. Calcasieu 9 Mar (ph. TF), but one at Oak Grove 24 Apr (ph. JRS, James M. Maley) was obviously a spring migrant asso- 446 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS ARKANSAS & LOUISIANaI ciated with the major w. influx of late Apr. A wintering Brown-crested Flycatcher found 28 Feb near Caernarvon was last observed 6 Mar (EJR, ph. FIT). Two Great Kiskadees, presum- ably a resident pair, were once again reported at the White Lake C.A., Vermilion during a field trip there 20 Apr QVH et al.). Louisiana’s 3rd Tropical Kingbird, first dis- covered at Caernarvon 20 Feb, was last ob- served 6 Mar (EJR, HT), and the state’s 4th was found near Thornwell, Jefferson Davis 2 May (SWC, ph. DLD, Kevin Colley, JA). A Tropical/Couch’s Kingbird at Chaland Head- lands 6 May (SWC, ph. DLD) could not be confirmed to species. An amazing 60 or so Western Kingbirds were reported from coastal Cameron 23-25 Apr (PEC, PAW, MW, GG m.ob.), including unprecedented (for spring) concentrations of up to 25 at single locations; 5 at Little Rock, where the species is a rare breeder, 15 May (K&LN) included two nesting pairs. The lone Gray Kingbird of the season was documented near Port Four- chon 31 May (ph. Don Norman). A Scissor- tailed Flycatcher near L. Martin, St. Martin 22 Mar (Matt Pardue) was very early and rela- tively far east. VIREOS THROUGH PIPITS Presumed spring migrant Blue-headed Vireos are occasionally found on the coast well after wintering birds have departed, e.g., one at B.R.A.S.S. 24 Apr (ph. PEC), but 18 at B.R.A.S.S. 27 Apr (BMM, MGH, GFS, NR) was completely unprecedented and likely repre- sented a pulse of circum-Gulf migrants blown eastward. A singing Yellow-throated Vireo at Fort Polk, Venion 3 Mar (|J) was a dramatical- ly new early record for Louisiana. A Philadel- phia Vireo at Fayetteville 29 May (MAM) was Arkansas’s 2nd latest spring occurrence. Un- doubtedly associated with late Apr’s influx of w. species, another fairly spectacular fallout of a typically scarce “western circum-Gulf’ mi- grant involved 8 Warbling Vireos in the John- sons Bayou area 25 Apr (PAW, CCS, BMM), and a whopping 30 at B.R.A.S.S. 27 Apr (MGH, GFS, NR). About 210 Red-eyed Vireos at Grand Isle on the relatively late date of 16 May (PAW, DPM) ranked as one of the largest- ever spring fallouts for the species. For the 2nd consecutive spring, a Yellow-green Vireo was present at B.R.A.S.S. 8-31 May (BMM, PAW, ph. Gary Broussard, ph. PEC, JWH); this is about the 9th well-documented Louisiana occurrence. In contrast to the recent upward trend in frequency, only one Black-whiskered Vireo was reported, as usual at Grand Isle 16 May (DPM). A few American Crows have become resi- dent on Grand Isle in recent years, and breed- ing was once again confirmed 8 Apr, when one of 6 individuals was observed sitting on a nest (PAW). Completely unexpected was a Horned Lark seen briefly on Trinity I., Isles Dernieres, Teirebonne 19 May Qosh Soileau, SWC). Further evidence of Tree Swallows breeding in Louisiana came from Cotile L., where a presumed pair was seen 4 May QVH; a few have nested here for several consecutive years), and from Black Bayou Lake N.W.R., Ouachita, where up to 8 individuals were present 19-29 May, including a young bird be- ing fed at a nest cavity 24 May (ph. SLR JB). Presumed breeding Cave Swallows returned to bridges on Gum Island Rd. in extreme sw. Calcasieu, with at least 6 ads. present 13 May (ph. TF), and near Gueydan, Veimilion, where one ad. was observed 2 May (ph. PEC). A new colony involving at least seven pairs with nests was discovered on the I- 10 freeway in extreme w. Jefferson Davis just ne. of Iowa 22 Apr-31 May (ph. EIJ, ph. TRJVH, vt. JWH). Another “vagrant/colonist” found at Grand Isle this spring was a singing Carolina Wren 8 Apr-16 May (PAW, DPM). A family of Eastern Bluebirds at Hackberry, Cameron 15 May (PEC) was certainly at the sw. limit of the breeding distribution in Louisiana and may represent the first confir- mation of breeding in the parish. A very late Hermit Thrush at B.R.A.S.S. 27 Apr (BMM) was undoubtedly a migrant rather than a local winterer; likewise, a very late coastal Ameri- can Robin at Grand Isle 16 May (DPM) may have been a migrant or dispersing individual, as none had been reported there for weeks. Coincident with the strong push of w. birds during late Apr, a Varied Thrush glimpsed at Grand Isle 27 Apr (p.a., GO, TT, MM) would be Louisiana’s 6th and the 3rd from spring. Whether a migrant or lingering winterer, a Sprague’s Pipit at Poole’s Fish Farm 3 Apr (JD, Karen Holliday, Patty McClean) was only the 2nd spring report for Arkansas since 1986. Unexpectedly late American Pipits included a lone bird at Baton Rouge 24 Apr QC, Michael Hilferty) and 15 at Hackberry Ridge, also 24 Apr (PEC). WARBLERS Nashville Warbler is another scarce-in-spring, mostly western circum-Gulf migrant that ap- peared in record numbers in Cameron in late Apr, with up to 17 per day recorded in the Johnsons Bayou area 24-25 Apr (MW, PAW, CCS, BMM); one at L. Fayetteville 17 May (MAM) was late. A Yellow Warbler at St. Bernard S.P., St. Bernard, LA 5 Mar (MM, Ja- nine Robin, GO) had presumably wintered lo- cally; 34 at Grand Isle 16 May (PAW, DPM) was a nice count for so late; and 2 at B.R.A.S.S. 31 May (vt. JWH) were very late. Rarely de- tected in Louisiana away from coastal migrant traps, a male Cape May Warbler was a good find at Pearl River W.M.A., St. Tammany 28 Apr (Harvey L. Patten). A male Black-throated Blue Warbler at Grand Isle 28 May (ph. MW) tied the late spring date for Louisiana. At least 2 Audubon’s Warblers visited B.R.A.S.S. dur- ing the “western fallout” 24-26 Apr, including a probable ad. female 24 Apr (MW, ph. PEC, m.ob.) and an ad. male 25-27 Apr (ph. GG, ph. TE, BMM). A Prairie Warbler at Grand Isle 15 Mar (TT) could have been either a winter- ing bird or a very early spring migrant. A singing Kentucky Warbler at Honey Island W.M.A., St. Tammany 20 Mar (RDP) was the 2nd earliest ever for the Louisiana mainland. Seldom detected in spring, male Mourning Warblers were found at Forsythe Park, Oua- chita 3 & 17 May (ph. SLP). Another good w. stray was a relatively obliging female MacGillivray’s Warbler at B.R.A.S.S. 24-27 Apr (PAW, ph. DP, ph. RS, ph. JA, ph. TF, BMM); there are only about a dozen previous state oc- currences, only three of which are from spring. A female Common Yellowthroat at Choctaw Island W.M.A. 5 Mar (DS) had more Perhaps the "signature" of the late Apr surge of w. species into Cameron was the remarkable influx of sparrows. With only a handful of previous late Apr-early May occurrences on the coast, Chipping Sparrows were found by the dozens, and perhaps as many as 200 were reported from coastal Cameron 24-25 Apr (MW, PEC, BMM, PAW, CCS, SWC, DID, m.ob.), with modest numbers detected through 27-28 Apr (BMM, JVH); many more Chippings, as well as other species, likely were not officially reported. Surprisingly rare in spring (although there have been some fairly large counts the past few years), and certainly less reliable than in fail, at least 15 Clay-colored Sparrows were scattered along the coast e. to Rutherford Beach 24-27 Apr (PEC, PAW, BMM, CCS, RDP, SWC, DID). At least 10 Vesper Sparrows at Rutherford Beach 24 Apr (SWC, DID), another at Sabine Pass the same day (PEC), and 3 near B.R.A.S.S. 28 Apr (JVH) were unprecedented numbers; the species had been previously record- ed on the coast into late Apr only a half-dozen times, lark Sparrows are somewhat more expected on the sw. coast in small numbers in spring, but the three dozen or so found 24-25 Apr far exceeded any previous spring totals and included 10 at Rutherford Beach 24 Apr (SWC, DID) and up to 23 in the Johnsons Bayou area 24-25 Apr (PAW, CCS, BMM, MW, PEC). White- crowned Sparrows, usually singles, can linger or trickle through into late Apr, but up to 43 in the Johnsons Bayou area 24-25 Apr (MW, PAW, BMM, CCS) set a new late spring benchmark. Lincoln's Sparrow is another expected low-level spring migrant, but 16 found in the Johnsons Bayou area 24 Apr (MW) made the 2nd highest spring total ever. VOLUME 64 (2010) NUMBER 3 447 ARKANSAS & LOUISIANA than likely wintered in the area but nonethe- less provided one of few Arkansas occurrences from Mar. A Wilsons Warbler at L. Fayet- teville 29 May (]P) was one of the latest ever for Arkansas. Early and unusually numerous for this “western circum-Gulf” migrant, 4 Canada Warblers were in the Johnsons Bayou area 24 Apr (MW), and a record high count of 12 came from B.R.A.S.S. 27 Apr (BMM). A Yel- low-breasted Chat at Grand Isle 2 Mar (DPM, PAW) had most likely wintered there and es- caped earlier detection. TANAGERS THROUGH DICKClSSEL A Western Tanager at Metairie 11 Mar (Dan Carroll, vt. GO) was probably a wintering bird, and an inland ad. male visiting a feeder at Washington, St. Landry, LA 31 Mar-early May (ph. Cheryl Bordelon) was also more suggestive of a winterer. A minimum of 3 Western Tanagers at B.R.A.S.S. during the late Apr-early May invasion included a bright ad. male 24 Apr-1 May (vt. JWH, ph. Kevin Leigh, Danny M. Dobbs, m.ob.), a fe- male 24-28 Apr O^H, ph. IF), and another female 7 May (DP). Not too surprising, con- sidering the substantial winter influx into Arkansas, American Tree Sparrows lingering into the spring period included 2 at Chesney Prairie N.A. 14 Mar (MAM, JP) and one at Rogers 21 Mar (ph. Karen Garrett). There are relatively few Regional records of wintering Clay-colored Sparrows, so one closely moni- tored near Milton, Lafayette 3 Mar-22 Apr (ph. EIJ, CJ; banded 25 Mar) was certainly of interest and provided a valuable “departure” date. A Clay-colored at Grand Isle 18 Apr (Joelle Finley, ph. Ken Harris) was possibly the first spring occurrence for this well-cov- ered locale and one of very few spring reports from anywhere in se. Louisiana. A very late (for the coast) Field Sparrow was at B.R.A.S.S. 11 Apr (ph. PEC). A Vesper Sparrow at Fayetteville 1 May (MAM) was, surprisingly, the 2nd latest ever for Arkansas. Lark Sparrows are considered rare in e. Arkansas, so singles at C.EP. 23 Apr (RH) and near Elaine, Phillips 15 May (Leif Anderson, Teresa Mathews) were of interest. Unusual numbers of Savannah Sparrows lin- gered close to the coast well into the spring (or were pushed westward during late Apr?), e.g., 158 counted in the Johnsons Bayou area 25 Apr (PAW, CCS, BMM) and 304 tallied just in s. Jefferson Davis during the 2 May shore- bird census (SWC, DLD). A good bird for Grand Isle (especially in the forest interior!) was a Grasshopper Sparrow 19 Apr (ph. JRS); one at B.R.A.S.S. 25 Apr (ph. PEC) and the same or another there 27 Apr (BMM) was also likely a displaced w. migrant. A Song Sparrow in DeSoto 6 May (HH, Pat Hervey) was record late for Louisiana, and a Harris’s Sparrow there 14 Apr (ph. HH) was the state’s 4th lat- est ever, and only the 3rd record in Apr. A Dark-eyed Junco near Beaver L. 21 Apr (AG) was quite late. Adding to last spring’s rash of unusually early Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, one at Mon- roe, Ouachita 13 Apr (ph. SLP) for n. Louisiana. Wintering Black-headed Gros- beaks lingering into the spring period in Louisiana included one at Harahan, Jefferson through at least 7 Mar (found 20 Feb; Lizette Wroten, ph. Craig Wroten, TT) and another at Butte La Rose, St. Martin until 1 Apr (found 18 Dec; Jim Delahoussaye). If truly a migrant, then an ad. male Blue Grosbeak at Abita Springs, St. Tammany 22 Mar (Lana Gramlich) was record early, but a female- type in Lafayette 27 Mar (EIJ) was almost certainly a wintering bird. A male Lazuli Bunting at Fayetteville 9 May (David Jack- son, ph. JCN) was about the 15th for Arkansas, all but one having occurred during spring. A female-type Painted Bunting at Grand Isle 21 Mar (DPM) was presumably the same bird present during the preceding winter; 60 in the Johnsons Bayou area 24 Apr (RDP) and 38 in the Cameron^ ohnsons Bayou area the same day (PAW, CCS, BMM) were possibly the highest Louisiana spring counts since the 1950s. Dickcissels made a good showing in s. Louisiana, with flocks in the hundreds encountered in Cameron 24 Apr (PEC, SWC, PAW m.ob.), 200 found at Baton Rouge 30 Apr (vt. JWH), and 645 (some territorial, but many in large migrant flocks) noted in s. Jefferson Davis 2 May (SWC, DLD). BLACKBIRDS THROUGH FINCHES There were a few reports of wintering or ear- ly migrant Yellow-headed Blackbirds close to the coast, including 2 near Chloe, Calcasieu 4 Mar (BMM) and 2 at Cameron Prairie N.W.R. 20 Mar (PEC), followed by a burst of late Apr-early May sightings coinciding with the “western surge”: 5 near Cameron 24 Apr (PAW, CCS, BMM), 2 at Johnsons Bayou 25 Apr (PEC), one much farther e. at Grand Isle 24 Apr (ph. EIJ, CJ), one well inland at Lecompte, Rapides 26 Apr (ph. JJ), another at Baton Rouge 28 Apr (Walker Wilson), and 2 more near Cameron 9 May (PAW, DPM). Last year’s extralimital territorial male Boat- tailed Grackle returned to the s. edge of Ba- ton Rouge 1 Apr+ and was joined by a female 5 Apr-i- (SWC, DLD). A Great-tailed Grackle near Boxley 27 Mar Qack Stewart, Tim Barr, Stephanie Kribs) was e. of the expected dis- tribution in Arkansas and an apparent first for Newton. A male Shiny Cowbird at Oak Grove 2 Apr-13 May (ph. MW, ph. TF, ph. TM, ph. DLD, vt. JWH, JVH) was one of the earliest ever for Louisiana and, surprisingly, only about the 5 th well-documented occur- rence for heavily covered Cameron; an ad. male at Grand Isle 16-24 Apr (SWC, ph. DLD, vt. PAW, DPM, EIJ, m.ob.) was some- what more expected, as the species is now detected there almost annually. Although Bronzed Cowbirds colonized Grand Isle years ago and are now well established (e.g., 100 there 5 May; DLD, SWC), they were not known to occur on adjacent scrubbier barri- er islands — that is, until a pair was seen on w. Chaland Headlands 5 May, and 2 more were found at e. Chaland Headlands 6 May (both SWC). A Baltimore Oriole at Fayet- teville 8 Mar-2 Apr QCN) had presumably wintered somewhere in the area; there is at least one previous occurrence involving win- tering birds remaining through Mar, but this may be the first definite incidence of linger- ing into Apr. On 24 Apr in Cameron, “hun- dreds” were noted moving eastward through coastal cheniers (m.ob.). A male Bullock’s Oriole visiting a Baton Rouge feeder since 13 Feb set a new late date for a wintering bird by remaining until 9 Apr (ph. Wendy Lovelace, ph. John Lovelace, fide Dennis Demcheck); an ad. male at B.R.A.S.S. 25 Apr (ph. PEC), another choice bird delivered during the “western wave,” made it back-to- back years for this casual spring migrant at that site. The only report of cardueline finch- es was of 7 late Purple Finches in Washing- ton, LA 7-8 Mar (CCS). Initialed observers (subregional editors in boldface): Bill Alexander, Jennifer Alexander, Dick Baxter, Bill Beall, Joan Brown, Terry But- ler, Steven W. Cardiff (Louisiana), Paul E. Conover, Jacob Cooper, Donna L. Dittmann, Jim Dixon, Tom Finnic, Gay Gomez, Andrea Green, Jeff W. Harris, Michael G. Harvey, Hu- bert Hervey, Ron Howard, Jay Y Huner, Cecile Johnson, Erik 1. Johnson, Jim Johnson, Bren- nan Landry, Celeste Louque, Thomas Maddox, Mary Mehaffey Michael A. Mlodinow, Michael J. Musumeche, David P. Muth, B. Mac Myers, Joseph C. Neal (Arkansas), Kenny Nichols, LaDonna Nichols, Glenn Ousset, Stephen L. Pagans, Joanie Patterson, Dave Patton, Robert Pearrow, R. D. Purrington, E. J. Raynor, Noah Reid, Jacob R. Saucier, Dan Scheiman, Glenn E Seeholzer, Rosemary Seidler, Curtis C. Sorrells, Hannah Tetreault, Tom Trenchard, Phillip A. Wallace, Melvin Weber. Steven W. Cardiff, 435 Pecan Drive St. Gabriel, louisiana 70776, (scardif@gmail.com) 448 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS Northern Canada & Greenland > GREENLAND ) f {KAIAALIIT NUNAAT) -{ (Dfiflmaricl 1: “"V'. Narsarsuaq & Qasslarsuk Cameron D. Eckert This season saw the publication of two regional bird checklists: a 15-year up- date to the Whitehorse checklist, and the first-ever Dawson City checklist. White- horse birders were amazed by the significant changes to the areas birdlife, especially the addition of 47 new species in the past decade or so, while Dawson birders were inspired by our relatively scant knowledge of area’s birds to get out in the field and improve their checklist. No doubt the next edition will be much expanded and more accurate. Environ- ment Canada reported an early spring across the Region, and this was reflected by a re- markably early Trumpeter Swan migration in southern Yukon, as well as advance arrivals for a few species in other areas. WATERFOWL THROUGH SHOREBIRDS Tallies of 310 Greater White-fronted and 70 Snow Geese were recorded at Faro on 8 and 9 May, respectively QJ)- A flock of 11 Snow Geese was seen feeding along the Yukon R. in Dawson, cen. Yukon 8-11 May (ph. CC); and a flock of 71 was at the s. end of L. Laberge, s. Yukon 20 May (CE). An exceptionally early lone Brant reported from M’Clintock Bay, s. Yukon 21 Apr (fide JJ) appeared at Wolf Cr. the following day QH), and then lingered at the s. end of L. Laberge through early May (CE; JJ). Two Cackling Geese, a rare but reg- ular s. Yukon migrant, were nicely pho- tographed at the Mendenhall R. wetlands 21 May (ph. JK). A single Cackling Goose was seen among 60 Snow Geese (including one blue morph) at Arctic Bay in Nunavut 31 May (CK). The timing of the Trumpeter Swan mi- gration at M’Clintock Bay, s. Yukon was ex- ceptionally early, with unprecedented num- bers seen in early to mid-Apr; a high count of 2355 was recorded there 7 Apr; numbers at nearby Tagish Narrows peaked at 1108 on 3 Apr (JJ). An impressive evening flight of 3800 Tundra Swans over Albert Cr., se. Yukon was recorded 21 Apr (CE). While Eurasian Wigeon is a regular spring migrant in the Yukon Southern Lakes area, there are few reports from other parts of the territory; a male was at the s. end of Kluane L., sw. Yukon 24 Apr (LF). The only Eurasian Teal reported this season was a male at M’Clintock Bay, s. Yukon 24 Apr (ph. JJ). Early ducks at M’- Clintock Bay, s. Yukon were 2 male Redheads and a male Ring-necked Duck 30 Mar (JJ). Single male Cin- namon Teal, casual in the Region, were seen at Tagish, s. Yukon 9 May QD, PD) and Haines Junction, sw. Yukon 27 May (DB, SD). A White-winged Scoter on the Yukon R. in Dawson, cen. Yukon 21 May (SJ) was sur- prisingly the first local record. A pair of Hooded Mergansers, a species not yet con- firmed breeding in the Yukon, was at Bob L., s. Yukon 26 May QH et al). A total of 33 Ruddy Ducks was recorded at the Whitehorse sewage ponds, s. Yukon 8 May (DY et al). A count of 60 Horned Grebes was recorded at the Dezadeash R. wet- lands, sw. Yukon 3 May (LF). A soaring Turkey Vulture was reported from Whitehorse, s. Yukon 13 May (HC). A Sora was a new species for Norman Wells, NT 21 May (DW). The annual Crane Festival in Faro, cen. Yukon witnessed a stunning migratory movement of over 30,000 Sandhill Cranes 8 May (ph. JJ). An ad. male Pacific Golden- Plover, now considered rare but regular in spring in the Yukon Southern Lakes, was at L. Laberge 28 May (CE). Rare spring migrants at Watson L., se. Yukon were a late Sanderling 29 May and a White-rumped Sandpiper 23 May (ph. JJ). A count of 68 Wilson’s Snipe at the sewage ponds Faro, cen. Yukon 9 May Qj) was a clear indication of a strong migratory move- ment. Wilson’s Phalarope is a very rare breed- er anywhere in the Region; a total of 8 was seen at Swan L., s. Yukon 29 May (HG, THa). GULLS THROUGH FINCHES A Long-tailed Jaeger, casual in spring in s. Yukon, was at Judas Cr. 23 May (ph. CE, PS). An ad. Franklin’s Gull, casual in the Yukon, was at Watson L. 31 May (ph. JJ). Herring Gull migration at M’Clintock Bay, s. Yukon peaked with a count of 740 on 22 Apr (JJ). A stunningly beautiful ad. Little Gull at L. Laberge, s. Yukon 4 May (ph. CE, ph. JJ, HG) provided the Territory’s 3rd well-documented record. A Ring-billed Gull at Norman Wells, NT 2 May (DW) established a first local record. A first-year Glaucous-winged Gull seen on the Yukon R. in Whitehorse, s. Yukon 6 May was at L. Laberge the following day (CE). A flock of 37 Sabine’s Gulls, a casual species in s. Yukon, was flying northward along Marsh L. 29 May (tCE, PS, SVD). The Eurasian Collared-Dove that wintered in Hillcrest, s. Yukon was enthusiastically calling for a mate through the season (LC; MR; MW et al.); and its chances were not too bad, given that singles were also reported nearby from Burma Rd., n. of Whitehorse, s. Yukon 30 May-4 Apr (ph. CS) and at Little Atlin L., s. Yukon 10-14 May (ph. KG). A Mourning Dove, rare in the Region, was at Norman Wells, NT 30 May (DW). A Snowy This striking adult Little Gull at Lake Laberge, southern Yukon on 4 May 2010 marked only the third Yukon record but the first to be well photographed. Photograph by Cameron Eckert. Owl was seen at Ft. Good Hope, NT 3 Apr (VJ). The Yukon’s long-awaited first well-doc- umented Barred Owl was heard at Albert Cr., se. Yukon 20 Apr (THe); it was recorded and photographed 21 Apr (ph. CE, THe, TMK) and remained in the area through the season. A Northern Flicker at Mayo, cen. Yukon 28 Apr was one of a few species that were early there this year (MOD). An Eastern Kingbird, rare in s. Yukon, was at Horse Cr. 29 May (AP). The recent Winter Wren split will require close scrutiny of every bird in the North, where both are rare; a wren recorded at Teslin, s. Yukon 7 May proved to be a Pacific Wren (vr. THe, PK). A Marsh Wren was feeding in riverbank willows at Ft. Simpson, NT 14 May (ph. DT) established the first local record. An early Hermit Thrush was at Mayo, cen. Yukon 27 Apr (MOD). An VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 449 NORTHERN CANADA & GREENLAND Barred Owls have been reported in the Yukon over the years, but this individual at Albert Creek 21 (here 22) April 2010 established the first well-documented record for the territory. Photograph by Cameron Eckert. amazingly early male Varied Thrush was seen in Whitehorse 4 Mar (ph. KW). European Starling is a sporadic breeder in the Region; 2 were at Norman Wells, NT 2 May (DW), An influx of Tennessee Warblers was noted in Whitehorse, s. Yukon through the last week in May (m.ob.). A Yellow-rumped Warbler at Mayo 25 Apr (MOD) set a new early arrival date for cen. Yukon. The w. extent of Palm Warbler range remains a question, and so any observations are appreciated; one was at Nor- man Wells, NT 19 May (DW). A male West- ern Tanager, w. of its range, was seen at McIn- tyre Cr. in Whitehorse, s. Yukon 18 May (ph. PS). Single Clay-colored Sparrows, rare in Northwest Territories and casual in the Yukon, were reported from Norman Wells, NT 17 May (DW), Whitehorse, s. Yukon 29 May (ph. CE, PS, SVD), and Wye L., se. Yukon 29 May (JJ). An exceptional Pox Spar- row migration observed across s. Yukon pro- duced a high count of 81 at an Aishihik Rd. feeder 25 Apr (RRH). Single territorial Swamp Sparrows w. of their range in s. Yukon were at Tagish 29 May (CE, PS, SVD) and Teslin 30 May (THe). Also w. of its range was a singing White-throated Sparrow at Pish L., Whitehorse, s. Yukon 23-29 May (AP). A classic male Oregon Junco, casual in s. Yukon, was at M’Clintock Bay 22 Apr (ph. JJ); another was at an Aishihik Rd. feeder 25 Apr (RRH). A flyby Bobolink at Watson Lake, se. Yukon 29 May did not touch down for either photo- graph or prolonged observation (]J). An ex- ceptionally early Red-winged Blackbird in Mayo, cen. Yukon 21 Apr subsisted on Moun- tain Ash berries (ph. MH). A Brown-headed Cowbird, casual in cen. Yukon, was at Daw- son 27 May (CC). A male Brambling, the Yukon’s 4th but the first in 19 years, frequent- ed a L. Laberge feeder 27 Apr-3 May (ph. KO). Purple Pinches are at the edge of their range at Mayo, cen. Yukon; a pair frequented a feeder there 3-4 May (MOD). A massive feeding flock of about 1500 Common Red- polls played havoc with banding operations at Albert Cr., se. Yukon 22 Apr (CE, TMK, SD). Observers (subregional editors in boldface): David Blakeburn, Corey Cartwright, Hilary Cooke, Judy Dabbs, Paul Dabbs, Shyloh van Delft, Susan Drury, Cameron Eckert, Lloyd Preese, Ken Gabb, Helmut Grunberg, Thomas Hafen (THa), Jim Hawkings, Todd Heakes (THe), Melody Hutton, Jukka Jantunen, Se- bastian Jones, Vince Jones, Jozien Keijzer, Clare Kines, Piia Kukka, Ted Murphy-Kelly Mark O’Donoghue, Adam Perrier, Michael Reynolds, Robyn Rufiange Holway Pam Sin- clair, Cathy Stannard, Douglas Tate (North- west Territories), Mary Whitley, Dave Wilder- spin, Keith Williams, Devon Yacura. © Cameron D. Eckert, 1402 Elm Street Whitehorse, Yukon, VIA 4B6, (cdeckert@northwestel.net) Prairie Provinces Rudolf F. Koes Peter Taylor Spring arrived early across the south of the Region, melting most snow by mid- March. April was warm and dry in south- ern Manitoba, causing trees to leaf out weeks earlier than normal; it was colder and wetter to the west. May brought cold conditions and large amounts of precipitation, including wet snow, to much of the Region; severe flooding took place and dried-out water bodies, such as Reed Lake in Saskatchewan, were replenished. Migration on the whole was not noticeably early. Except for a few good fallout days in Al- berta and a variety of rare gulls, the season could be considered rather lackluster. GEESE THROUGH SHOREBIRDS The bulk of the Snow Goose migration passed through Saskatchewan; an estimated 1,000,000-2,000,000 covered fields near Buck L. 3 Apr (AS, GT). Glenmore Res., AB attract- ed 300 Trumpeter Swans, a high number, on 4 Apr (TK), and small numbers were widely reported in Manitoba. A possible Bewick’s Swan was noted near Strathmore, AB 10 Apr (RWo), and a Mute Swan of unknown prove- nance lingered at Glenmore Res. 30 Mar-11 Apr (ASl, m.ob.). At least 29 Eurasian Wigeons were spotted in s. Alberta 21 Mar-13 May (m.ob.). Concentrations of Northern Pintails, 10,000 each, were at Ensign and Blackie, AB 27 Mar (TK), while the species was unusually scarce in e. Manitoba, where there was little standing water in Apr. A Eurasian Teal was seen intermittently at Shep- ard, AB 24 Mar-17 Apr (TK, m.ob.). A Long- tailed Duck was a rare spring visitor at Natal- ie L., MB 9 May (RK). Live Pacific Loons were at Cold L., AB dur- ing inclement weather 23 May (TH, PP). The few waders reported included a Great Egret near Dundurn, SK 27 Apr OPo), a Snowy Egret at Whitewater L., MB, and up to 2 White-faced Ibis in the Woodlands, MB area 26 May QSw, LV, GH, JS). Peak tallies at the Windygates, MB hawkwatch were 130 Bald Eagles and 184 Sharp-shinned Hawks, both 30 Mar, 2345 Red- tailed Hawks 29 Mar, and 26 Golden Eagles 17 Mar (A&DS et al). A Virginia Rail at Banff, AB 21 Mar had no doubt wintered Q&MM, JP), but one near Richer, MB 17 Apr was a record- early migrant (PD, LJ, PM, AM). Also excep- tionally early were 3 Soras heard at Sandilands, MB 22 Apr (AD). A Whooping Crane report near Winnipeg Beach, MB 20 May could not be confirmed (DM). Shorebirds elicited few comments, but Black-bellied Plover tallies included 600 in 450 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS PRAIRIE provinces] Manitoba's fourth White-winged Dove briefly visited a Winnipeg yard 1 1 May 201 0. Unfortunately, no other details are avail- able at press time. Photograph by unknown photographer. the Brooks, AB area 12 May Q&MM), “large numbers” near Tilley, AB 13 May (RC), and 700 near Cheadle, AB 22 May (RC). A Black- necked Stilt at Blumenort, MB 24 May was rare O&VR). A record-high 1530 Whimbrels were found in the Fincastle, AB area 21 May (LB et ah). A Western Sandpiper at Oak Ham- mock Marsh 20 May was a local rarity (RK). GULLS THROUGH WOODPECKERS Two thousand Bonaparte’s Gulls massed at Moose L., MB 9 May (L&BdM). Up to 4 Ice- land Gulls were in the Calgary, AB area 25 Apr-2 May (m.ob.), while one was at the Brady Rd. dump, Winnipeg, MB 12-14 Apr (ph. TK, m.ob.). Unprecedented Lesser Black- backed Gull numbers were reported: 2 at the Brady Rd. dump 12-14 Apr (ph. TK, m.ob.), up to 5 in the Calgary area 16 Apr-2 May (m.ob.), and 6+ total at Regina, SK 16 Apr-2 May (BL, m.ob.). Single Glaucous-winged Gull reports came from the Calgary area 2 QD) & 7-9 May (MH). A bird identified as a Glaucous Gull x Glaucous-winged Gull hy- brid at Shepard 8 May (p.a., ph. TK) would represent the first report of this cross for the Prairie Provinces. Glenmore Res. attracted 23+ Sabine’s Gulls 15 May (TK), while 150-r were forced down by poor weather at Cold L. 23 May (TH, PP). Also at Glenmore Res. was an Arctic Tern 23 May (RW, CY). A Parasitic Jaeger and 2 unidentified jaegers were noted at Cold L. 23 May (TH, PP). A White-winged Dove, Manitoba’s 4th, was photographed at Winnipeg 11 May (fide RK). A red-morph Eastern Screech-Owl at Maple Creek, SK 27 Mar-28 Apr was an extreme rar- ity there (AH). Concentrations of Common Nighthawks are rarely reported in spring, but 300-1- were at Onanole, MB 26 May (KK). A flyby White-headed Woodpecker at Crows- nest Pass, AB 11 May (IG) provided the province’s 2nd report; there are no accepted records for Alberta so far. PASSERINES Violet-green Swallows were more prominent than usual in Calgary, e.g. 15+ were noted 25 Apr (BS, TS et al.). A Rock Wren 30 May (ph. CA) and a Wood Thrush 21 May (KDS) were rare at Riding Mountain N.R, MB; another Wood Thrush was at Winnipeg 26-28 May (RK, m.ob.). Few migrating Catharus thrush- es were observed in s. Manitoba, but a record- high 652 Swainson’s Thrushes were tallied during the 29-30 May Calgary May Species Count (m.ob.). A wave of 860+ American Robins passed St. Adolphe, MB 30 Mar (BSh). Out-of-range Northern Mockingbirds were at Calgary 19 May (BW) and 30 km n. of St. Martin Junction, MB 21 May (RM, ph.). Manitoba’s 2nd confirmed Blue-winged Warbler was captured and banded at Delta 20 May QL). Also noteworthy were an Audubon’s Warbler (or possibly an inter- grade) at Winnipeg 23 Apr (ph. RWi) and a Hooded Warbler near St. Anne 18 May (ph. J&VR). It was not a notable spring for tan- agers in s. Manitoba, but single Westerns vis- ited Brandon 30 Apr-1 May (ph. JH) and Winnipeg 22 May (fide DB, ph.). A coopera- tive Spotted Towhee lingered at Winnipeg 16-18 May (ph. AA, m.ob.). Hundreds of Clay-colored and Savannah Sparrows were recorded during the May Species Count at Calgary in late May. A Vesper Sparrow at Winnipeg 14 Apr was early (WC), while a Lark Bunting at Oak Hammock Marsh 20 May provided the only provincial record of the season (RK). Northern Cardinal reports were particular- ly numerous in s. Manitoba; farther afield was a pair at Prince Albert, SK 7 Mar (DH). A Rose-breasted Grosbeak at Ilford, MB ca. 30 May was well n. of its usual range (ES), while a male Black-headed Grosbeak was back on territory near Coulter, MB for the 5th year in a row (m.ob.). An Indigo Bunting near Duchess, AB 23 May QB) and a Lazuli Bunting at Lyleton, MB 27 May (RP, AM, LJ, NB) were both locally rare. A flock of 600 Rusty Blackbirds near Lac du Bonnet, MB 17 Apr (PT) was an encouraging sight; the only other sizeable flock reported consisted of 90+ birds at Grosse Isle, MB 12 Apr (KG). Observers (subregional compilers in bold- face): C. Artuso, A. Aug, D. Barry, J. Bear, L. Bennett, N. Butchard, W. Christianson, R. Clarke, A. Davis, J. Davis, L. & B. de March, K. De Smet, P Douglas, 1. Gardiner, K. Gard- This Blue-winged Warbler, banded at Delta on 20 May 2010, gave Manitoba its second well-documented record. The first confirmed provincial record was also at Delta, in November 1987. Photograph by Ana Gonzalez. ner. M. Harrison, A. Hartley, D. Heffernan, T. Hince, G. Holland, J. Horton, L. Jansson, K. Kingdon, R. Koes, T. Korolyk, G. Kratzig, J. Levac, B. Luterbach, E Machovec, J. 61 M. Mc- Donald, D. McPherson, A. Mickey, R. Mooi, J. Pilney, J. Poison 0Po)> R- Porteous, P. Pratt, J. & V Reimer, A. & D.Schritt, J. Scriven, B. Shettler (BSh), T. Simmons, E. Sinclair, A. Slater (ASl), A. Smith, B. Storms, J. Swartz OSw), P Taylor, G. Thomson, L. Veelma, B. Walker, R. Wershler, R. Wiebe (RWi), R. Woods (RWo), C. Young. Rudolf F. Koes, 135 Rossmere Crescent Winnipeg, Manitoba R2K 0G1, (rkoesifflmts.net) Peter Taylor, P. 0. Box 597 Pinawa, Manitoba ROE 110, (taylorp@granite.mb.ca) VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 451 Northern Great Plains Lake Alice NWR Lostwoodm Turtlj Mtiw NWR ■ Minol* SalyerNWR , Grandl ’ L Sakakawfii ^ ^ ForkS \ .,f^^:^^'^^^arTisonDam '^Arrowwood NORTH ^ . * NWR Bowdoio NWR ■v«(„ -• Great Falls''''''owai^ FonFtlkL Ron Martin The season began with a heavy snow pack, but above-average temperatures in March and April soon turned the snow into moderate flooding in the eastern Dakotas. March was unusually foggy, with light winds in eastern Montana and North Dakota. The first half of May was very cool, but temperatures warmed over the second half of the month. Lakes, marshes, and reservoirs were at near record levels by the end of the season. For the first time on record, only a trace of snow fell in March and April at Glasgow, Montana. Warm temperatures in April and late May seem to have encouraged flyover by migrants. Several North Dakota birders noted that it was the poorest migration in years. The season’s high- lights included Arctic Tern in South Dakota, Black-bellied Whistling-Duck and two Great- tailed Crackles in North Dakota, and a Lesser Black-backed Gull in Montana. WATERFOWL THROUGH HAWKS Furnishing the 3rd report of the species for North Dakota, a Black-bellied Whistling- Duck was in Barnes 11 May (p.a., JS); there is one accepted record for the state. A Cackling Goose of subspecies minima reported at Free- zout L., MT 9 Apr will be reviewed by the Montana Rare Bird Committee (p.a., MS). Three Bewick’s Swans were among 3500 Tun- dra Swans at Freezout L., MT 25 Mar (MS); this Eurasian subspecies was also noted there 15 Mar and 18 Apr (MS). The 18th and 19th reports for North Dakota, single Eurasian Wigeons were at Fargo 6-9 May (p.a., KRC, DWR) and in Ward 12 May (p.a., RS). Very rare in spring in South Dakota, four American Black Duck reports spanned 30 Apr-21 May. Casual in spring, a Surf Scoter was in Stuts?nan, ND 12 May (p.a., GE). A Florned Grebe was early 8 Mar in Charles Mix, SD (RM). Casual in w. South Dakota, a Red- necked Grebe was in Butte 4 May (p.a., BJU). Cattle Egrets were early 10 Apr in both Brown (GO) and Hughes, SD (RDO). In North Dakota, Cattle Egrets were far w. in Stark 14 Apr (JK) and in Minot 13 May (REM). Casual in the Dakotas, Yellow-crowned Night-Herons were in Minnehaha, SD 2 May (p.a., S.D.O.U.) and in Stutsman, ND 7-17 May (p.a., MAO). A White-faced Ibis was early 12 Apr in Ziebach, SD (DB). An avalanche of Glossy Ibis in South Dakota this spring fol- lowed only four previous records for the state. Glossy Ibis were re- ported from six counties 10-30 May (p.a., RDO, KM, BJU), with a peak of 9 in Brown 11 May (p.a., BJU). Another indication of the ever-in- creasing number of Turkey Vultures observed in North Dakota was the 45 individuals noted at Fargo 10 Apr (RHO). Dark-morph Broad- winged Hawks made a strong showing, with single ads. 30 Apr in Nelson, ND (REM, CDE) and 8 May in Walsh, ND (REM). An imm. dark morph was among an unusually large flock of 14 imm. Broad-winged Hawks 30 May at Minot, ND (VE.N.T). The late movement of Broad-winged Hawks also was noted in ne. Montana, with singles in Westby and Plenty- wood 27 May (EH). RAILS THROUGH DOVES Casual in South Dakota, a Common Moorhen was in Brown 28 May (p.a., BJU). Five Whooping Crane reports were received for North Dakota, and a peak of 11 was noted 5- 10 Apr in Charles Mix, SD (RM). A notable peak of 12,728 American Golden-Plovers was in Spink, SD 18 May (BJU). The only Whim- brel reported was from Meade, SD 2 May (RSL). Casual e. of the Missouri R. in South Dakota, a Long-billed Curlew was in McPher- son 11 May (p.a., BJU). A new high count for North Dakota, 4256 Ruddy Turnstones were in the Devil’s L. area 22 May (PHS). Rare in Montana, a Red Knot was at Bowdoin N.W.R. 12 May (DC). Casual in spring in the Dako- tas, a Western Sandpiper was in Mountrail 1 May (p.a., REM). American Woodcock re- ports continue to increase in North Dakota, with the species expanding northward and westward in the state. Farthest nw. were 2 at J. Clark Salyer N.WR. 16 Apr, where a single was noted last year (REM, CDE). The only Mew Gull reported was in Stan- ley, SD 1-4 Apr (RDO). The first report for the Bismarck area, and the 2nd spring sight- ing in North Dakota, an Iceland Gull was at the Bismarck Landfill 27 Mar (p.a., CDE, HCT). The 12th report for South Dakota, an Iceland Gull was at Pierre 27 Mar and 3 Apr (RDO, KM). The 4th report for Montana, an ad. Lesser Black-backed Gull was at Et. Peck 23-24 Apr (p.a., CC); another was late at Pierre, SD 22 May (DB). A potential 3rd record for South Dakota, an Arctic Tern was at Pierre 12 May (p.a., RDO). The 11th report for North Dakota, a White-winged Dove was at a Cass feeder 29 Apr-8 May (p.a., LLG, JMG); the same feeder hosted a White- winged Dove on 1 May 2009. OWLS THROUGH THRUSHES Barred Owls were reported from the usual Lincoln, SD location 15-23 May (m.ob.). In North Dakota, a Barred Owl was calling in Walsh 17 Apr, the first record for that county in many years (REM, CDE). A calling Barred Owl at Fargo, ND 19 May marked the 2nd consecutive spring for the species in that area (KRC, BJA). Short-eared Owls made a strong showing in North Dakota, with many reports statewide. Peaks included 30 in Grand Forks 7 Apr (DOL) and 21 in Towner 11 Apr (REM). Possible nesting Northern Saw- whet Owls are being recorded more frequently in ne. North Dakota in spring. At least 8 calling birds were noted in Mar-Apr in Grand Forks and Pembi- na (DOL). Casual in South Dakota, a Chuck- will’s-widow was in Yankton 18 May (p.a., MO). Perhaps a first for the Region, 4 Black Swifts were tallied in Cascade, MT 8 May (LC). Extralimital reports of Red-bellied Woodpeckers in North Dakota continued this spring. Four reports for cen. North Dakota spanned 8-31 May. Pileated Woodpeckers continued in Brookings, SD, with reports 20 Mar and 3 Apr (p.a., JSP). Making just the 7th report for North Dako- ta, a Plumbeous Vireo was in Jamestown 15 May (p.a., LDl). Unusually far w. were Philadelphia Vireos in Pennington, SD 26 May (p.a., JF) and in Plentywood, MT 27 May (p.a., EH). Casual away from the Black Hills, a Clark’s Nutcracker was in Harding, SD 15 May (CEM). A Common Raven nest was found 23 Mar in Grand Forks, ND, the first nesting record for the county (DOL). This species can now be found regularly in all counties n. of Hviq''. 2 in North Dakota. In Montana, a Com- mon Raven was unusual 3 Mar near Glasgow (CC). Fourteen Purple Martins were noted at Plentywood, MT 2 May (TN), the only known nest site in the state. Two Purple Martins were also seen 4 May in Richland, MT (MO). A no- table peak of 2500 Tree Swallows was in Kidder, ND 7 May during a spring snowstorm (CDE). A Rock Wren was unusually far e. in Minneha- ha, SD 16 May (p.a., TJ). A notable peak of 110 Ruby-crowned Kinglets was in Armour Park in Fargo, ND 11 May (KRC). The earliest record for South Dakota, a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was in Hughes 12 Apr (p.a., KM). The thrush mi- gration was very poor this spring. WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES A Blue-winged Warbler in Larimore, ND 29 May provided about the 18th report for the state (p.a., TL). Elsewhere in North Dakota, a 452 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS Worm-eating Warbler was photographed at Cross Ranch S.P. 30 May (p.a., KS, SS), the 12th report for the state. A Kentucky Warbler at Turtle River S.P., Grand Forks, ND 23 May made the first report since 2003 and the 8th report for the state overall (p.a., REM, CDE). Becoming more regular in South Dakota, a Prothonotary Warbler was in Union 18-22 May (p.a., MO, KM, RDO, DC). Casual in South Dakota, a Cerulean Warbler was in Lin- coln 14 May (p.a., DC), and a Worm-eating Warbler was in Lincoln 21 May (p.a., KCJ). Rare warblers in e. Montana included a Cape May Warbler 28 May at Medicine Lake N.W.R. (p.a., EH) and a Blackburnian Warbler 27 May at Westby (p.a., EH). Casual in Montana, and about the 12th report, a Connecticut Warbler was at Westby 28 May (p.a., EH). A towhee singing both Eastern and Spotted songs was at the w. edge of the Turtle Mts., Bottineau, ND 23 May (DOL); hybrids are reg- ularly encountered in this area. Two Nelson’s Sparrows were early 25 Apr in Sargent, ND (MAO, DWR). Two Nelson’s Sparrows were unusually far w. at Ft. Peck, MT 29 May (EH). Lapland Longspurs were late 6 May in Han- kon, SD (BJU). Three Smith’s Longspurs in Towner, ND 11 Apr provided the earliest record for the state (REM). Casual in South Dakota, a McCown’s Longspur was in Butte 11 Apr (p.a., ND). The earliest record for North Dakota, a Lazuli Bunting in Cass 1-4 May (LLG, JMG) was also well e. of the species’ range in the state. The 9th report for Montana, a Blue Grosbeak was noted 31 May near Bridger, an area where the species has been seen in recent years (p.a., SH, BJ). Unusual in the spring season in Montana, 2 Rusty Blackbirds were at Ft. Peck 14 Mar QC). Rusty Blackbirds were late 14 May in Lincoln, SD (DC). The 6th and 7th reports for North Dakota, single Great-tailed Grackles were in Sargent 23 Apr (p.a., MAO) and in McHenry 31 May (p.a., REM). White-winged Crossbills appeared to nest widely in North Dakota in cemeteries and spruce plantings this spring. Fledglings were seen in Towner 8 May (REM) and in Pierce 16 May (REM, DOL). Contributors (state editors in boldface): MONTANA: Chuck Carlson, John Carlson, Larry Carter, Dan Casey, Ed Harper, Stan Heath, Barb Jaquith, Ted Nordhagen, Mau- reen O’Mara, Mike Schwitters. NORTH DAKOTA: BobJ. Anderson, Keith R. Corliss, Gary Edwards, Corey D. Ellingson, Joe M. Gregg, Linda L. Gregg, Larry D. Igl, Jesse Ko- lar, Dave O. Lambeth, Todd Larson, Ron E. Martin, Robert H. O’Connor, Mark A. Otnes, Dean W. Reimer, Ryan Shively, Jason Smith, Kristian Stenslie, Solvei Stenslie, Peder H. Svingen, H. Clark Talkington, Victor Emanuel Nature Tours (VE.N.T.). SOUTH DAKOTA: Doug Backlund, Doug Chapman, Nancy Drilling, Jennifer Fowler, Kent C. Jensen, Toddjensen, Richard S. Latuchie, Ron Mabie, Charlie E. Miller, Kenny Miller, Gary Olson, Ricky D. Olson, Mark Otnes, Jeffrey S. Palmer, South Dakota Ornithologists Union (S.D.O.U.),BillJ. Unzen. © Ron Martin, 16900 125th Street SE Sawyer, North Dakota 58781-9284, (jrmartin@srt.com) Southern Great Plains | Joseph A. Grzybowski W. Ross Silcock Spring 2010 had much to hold birders’ interest. As has become routine, more species are wintering successfully and more migrants are arriving early. Although uncommon and rare gulls were not as promi- nent as in recent springs, records of interest ran the gamut from late dates to westward range expansions. Hybridization between Glossy Ibis and White-faced Ibis continues to increase in Oklahoma. Abbreviations: Cheyenne Bottoms (Cheyenne Bottoms W.M.A., Stafford, KS); Crescent L. (Crescent Lake N.W.R., Garden, NE); Hack- berry (Hackberry Flat W.M.A., Tilhnan, OK); Hefner (L. Hefner, Oklahoma, OK); Mc- Conaughy (McConaughy Res., Keith, NE); Quivira (Quivira N.W.R., Barton, KS); Red Slough (Red Slough W.M.A., McCurtain, OK); Salt Plains (Salt Plains N.W.R., Alfalfa, OK). WATERFOWL THROUGH GROUSE Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks were found at Red Slough, their Regional base, as early as 12 Apr (5 birds; DA), with one n. to Tulsa, OK 22 May (TM et al.) and 2 in Barton, KS 26 May (RG). Very rare in the Region, a Fulvous Whistling-Duck was at Hackberry Flat 13-22 May QAG, VF, m.ob.). Greater White-fronted Geese lingered in Harvey, KS until 23 May (CM), with 4 still at Cheyenne Bottoms 19 May (RP). The 400,000 Snow Geese in Ante- lope, NE 14 Mar (MB) made an impressive sight; tardy were the 14 in Nemaha, NE 29 May (CNK). Now the default swan in the Re- gion, about 40 Trumpeters were reported, mostly in Nebraska and Kansas (fide WRS, fide MC) but with 8 s. to Cleveland, OK 2 Mar (CJM). Rather late for Oklahoma were singles in Gaifield and Harper 25 Mar (B&LM, ErB, SSe, LB). The only reports of the rarer Tundra Swan were of up to 5 at Quivira 5-17 Mar (fide MG) and one in Loup, NE 24 Mar QSe). More often detected in Nebraska, a male Eurasian Wigeon was found in Sedgwick, KS 7 Mar (LL). Lingering was an American Wigeon in Ellis, KS 31 May (TM). Up to 3 Mottled Ducks were at Red Slough, where still rare, 9 Mar-18 May (DA, BH et ah). Cinnamon Teal were more widespread and numerous than usual, particularly eastward; singles were at Red Slough 16 Mar (DA, BH) and in Johnson, KS 17 Apr (ML, CFa), and one to 2 were at Lincoln, NE 7-9 Apr (LE). Potentially breed- ing, several Cinnamon Teal pairs were found on playas in Perkins, NE 26 May (TJW); a lin- gerer was southerly in Ellis, KS 31 May (TM). A very impressive 40,000 Redheads were found at Cheyenne Bottoms 5 Mar (BJ). Ne- braska reported 60 Greater Scaup 7 Mar-8 May (fide WRS). Scoters are still considered rare during spring. This season, single imm. male Surf Scoters were at McConaughy 12 May (TH), in Sarpy, NE 21 May (LRu, WRS, SG, PS), and in Oklahoma, OK 20-24 Apr (TU et al). The only White-winged Scoter was in Pawnee, OK 7 Mar (B&AH), and an ad. male Black Scoter was found in Lincoln, NE 7 Apr VOLUME 64 (2010) NUMBER 3 453 SOUTHERN GREAT PLAINS This Fulvous Whistling-Duck appeared 1 3 May 201 0 at Hack- berry Flat Wildlife Management Area, Tillman County, Okla- homa. Photograph by Joseph A. Grzybowski. A dark-morph Reddish Egret made a surprise appearance 27 May 2010 at the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, Alfalfa County, Oklahoma. Photograph by Jane and Lynn Miller. (LE et al). A probable Common Goldeneye x Barrows Goldeneye hybrid was in Lincoln, NE 21 Mar (TIT, TJW). A Common Merganser in Shawnee, KS 22 May (CMo) was tardy, as was a Red-breasted Merganser in Johnson, KS 21 May (MG, NA). Somewhat encouraging was the discovery of 2 Lesser Prairie-Chickens as far e. as Barber, KS 23 Mar (MR, KBr). LOONS THROUGH FALCONS A Pacific Loon was in Lancaster, NE 30 Mar (LE), and a Yellow-billed Loon was sighted at Hefner, Oklahoma 1 Mar (M&CB et al.) through 24 Apr QWcl, NV), An ad. Red- necked Grebe was in Antelope 8 May (BEH, WE, PR, MB), and the only Clark’s Grebe re- ported was at Cheyenne Bottoms 17-19 May (ML, EL, RP). Brown Pelican and Neotropic Cormorant are showing up northward more often in recent years; single Brown Pelicans were at Hefner 26 Mar (PV), Hackberry Plat 18-19 Apr (MH et al.), and at Quivira 12 May (BJ, J&EM), and Nebraska’s 11th Neotropic Cormorant record was of 2 in Lancaster 15-16 May OR, JC, SSc, EOD; ph.). A wintering Neotropic Cormorant lingered at Red Slough 2-3 1 Mar; as many as 6 were present there 20 May (DA, BH et al.). Very rare in the n. part of the Region, an Anhinga was in Rice, KS 1 Apr (RP, CSw), and another was in Johnson, KS 13 Apr (RP, CSw). Least Bitterns were noted w. to Hackberry Plat 30 May (L&MT) and nw. to Crescent L. 21 May (CG) and to Lincoln, NE 14 Apr (TJW), the latter bird quite early for Nebras- ka. Westerly was a Great Egret in Scotts Bluff, NE 22-23 May (AK). A rare spring find for Nebraska was an ad. kittle Blue Heron in Lan- caster n Apr (DL). Two Tricolored Herons were at Red Slough by 27 May (MJ, BH), and one was rare in Sedgwick, KS 18 Apr (PG). No small surprise was a Reddish Egret 27 May at the Salt Plains (ph. J&LM) — only the 2nd documented for Oklahoma. A Green Heron was northwesterly in Scotts Bluff, NE 22-23 May (AK); one that wintered at Red Slough was noted 2-10 Mar (DA, BH). In Kansas, a large Black-crowned Night-Heron colony with 100-r nests was at the Garden City Zoo 31 May (T&SS). The growth in Glossy Ibis numbers for the Region continues, with 12 reported from Nebraska 24 Apr-29 May (fide WRS), 8 of these from the e. Rainwater Basin QGj, LE, L&BP). Only one hybrid was suspected in Ne- braska, in Clay 8 May OGJ), but 6-8 were found at Hackberry Flat 1 May among a collection of several hundred White-faced Ibis that also included at least 5-6 Glossies QAG, m.ob.). De- spite many good photographs of Glossy Ibis in Nebraska, the scarcity of hybrids there relative to Oklahoma is puzzling. White-faced Ibis is rare east- ward; up to 2 were at Red Slough 7-30 May (DA). A very early Turkey Vulture was in Lancaster, NE 7 Mar (ZC). The only nesting Ospreys reported were in Cherokee, OK 7 May QWi). A huge ag- gregation of 800 Bald Eagles was at Calamus Res., Loup/Gaifield, NE 24 Mar OSe); this species is now nesting at numerous locations in the Region. A rarity anywhere in the Region, but most likely in sw. Oklahoma, a Harris’s Hawk was in Cleveland 18 Mar (LD). Red- shouldered Hawk continues to expand its range westward, with one w. to Morton, KS 10-13 May (TC, DWg). A Perruginous Hawk pair at a nest in Morton, KS 10-13 May (TC, DWg) was noteworthy; the species has be- come scarce in many parts of its range. There were two reports of late Rough-legged Hawk, singles in Gray, KS 3 May (SS) and Seward, NE 6 May (LE). Easterly Golden Eagles were a juv. at Quivira 23 Mar (BJ) and one in Hall, NE 6 Mar (TK). Merlins have become numer- ous enough over recent years to now go un- der-reported. Good numbers of Peregrine Fal- cons were reported, the last one being in Ri- ley, KS 21 May (TC). A Prairie Falcon in Shawnee, KS 1 Mar (CMo) was easterly. RAILS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS Black Rail reports came from Douglas, KS 9 May (one; BA) and Quivira 17 May (2; MR). King Rails are currently established at Red Slough and Hackberry Flat; one was noted n. to Douglas, KS 18 Apr (MG, NA). Common Moorhens are a Red Slough staple but rarer elsewhere in the Region; singles were found n. to Seward, NE 20 May (MK, JideJGJ) and Lincoln, KS 14-16 May (fide MC), with up to 2 at Hackberry Flat 2-30 May (M&MP, m.ob.). While expected only at Red Slough, the count of 17 Purple Gallinules there 20 May indicates increasing abundance (DA). Clearly outliers to their populations were breeding pairs of Sandhill Cranes returning again this season to their Moirill, NE territo- ry 24 Mar (KD) and a Scotts Bluff, NE location This Common Crane appeared in Hershey, Lincoln County, Nebraska 8- 24 (here 18) March 2010; single Common Cranes have been detected in the area during winter or migration since 2007, and it is likely that the same individual is involved. Photograph by Virginia Clark. 454 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS SOUTHERN GREAT PLAINS This Lesser Nighinawk, only the second documented for Oklahoma, inhabited a ranch yard near Boise City, Cimarron County on 22 April 201 0. Photograph by Dan Robinson. 7 Apr (KD). A Common Crane was located again this season in Buffalo and Garden, NE 8- 24 Mar (fide WRS). An ad. Whooping Crane in Hall, NE 5 Mar-3 Apr OLE) was early, fol- lowed by 2 ads. in Kearney, NE 20 Mar-5 Apr (fide JLL); these early migrants lingered for some time, in contrast to the remaining 48 birds, which passed through 23 Mar-21 Apr (fide JLL). A mind-boggling 76 Whooping Cranes were at Quivira 1 Apr (BJ, MR), likely the largest concentration of migrants in many decades; the species’ low point of 21 birds was recorded in 1941. The highest counts of American Golden- Plover included 2000 in Wagoner, OK 2 Apr OMc, JH) and 1168 at a single location in Chase, KS 18 Apr (TB). With the once-exten- sive sandy habitat at McConaughy being in- undated as the reservoir level rises, reports of Snowy and Piping Plovers in the n. and w. parts of the Region are fewer; 3 Snowies were scattered through the e. Rainwater Basin 30 Apr-18 May 0GJ> PD). McConaughy hosted only 12 Piping Plovers 28 May 0GJ)> where previously the population had peaked at 330+ individuals and 183 nests in 2004. A Semi- palmated Plover at Hackberry Flat 18 Mar (L&MT) was very early. At least 16 nests of Mountain Plover were located in the s. Pan- handle of Nebraska, monitored by joint ef- forts of the Rocky Mountain Bird Observato- ry, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, and Nebraska Environmental Trust. Isolated Black-necked Stilts were in Clay, NE 14 May (PD), in Scott, KS 24 Apr (T&SS), and at Red Slough 20 May (DA); early were birds at Hackberry Flat 14 Mar (LH). An early Upland Sandpiper was in Tulsa, OK 14 Mar (BC). Generally a rare spring mi- grant in the Region, 85 Whimbrels were re- ported 24 Apr-13 May, including 33 at Hack- berry Flat 5 May (L&MT, CB et al.) and 30 in Os- age, KS 11 May (DL). Long-billed Curlews ar- rive early, but 17 in Finney, KS 22 Mar (T&SS) were a surprise, as were the amazing 1838 counted there 2 Apr (T&SS). A Long-billed Curlew fitted with a satel- lite transmitter flew from nw. Mexico 8 Apr, arriv- ing at Crescent L. the next day (CG, JGJ, SJD). An early Marbled Godwit was in Cleveland, OK 23-25 Mar (AF; m.ob.). Recently discovered breeding in Nebraska, 2 Marbled Godwits were “giving the observer hell” in Sheridan 23 May (WM). A Western Sandpiper in Dakota, NE 10 Apr (TBFH) was record early by two days. Single Ruffs were in Sedgwick, KS 23 Apr (male;JN) and in Sum- ner, KS 7 May (female; GY, KG, SSi). All Short-billed Dowitcher reports were 3-21 May, as expected, with the best count being 15 in Colfax, NE 14 May QJ). Red-necked Phalarope is a low-density migrant through the Region in spring; singles were in Lancast- er, NE 12 May (LE), at Quivira 17 May (DS, JS), at Hackberry Flat 8 May (L&MT, K&SM), and in Canadian, OK 14 May (BD). GULLS THROUGH WOODPECKERS Vagrant Laughing Gulls were located in Riley, KS 9 May (DRi, RRo, EBl) and at Hackberry Flat 12-14 May (2 birds; L&MT et al.). Cali- fornia Gull is rare away from McConaughy; this season, only 2 were found, those being in Lancaster Tl Mar (EB). A worn first-cycle Herring Gull at Hackberry Flat 13 May QAG) was tardy. The last of 4 Thayer’s Gulls report- ed was in Lancaster, NE 21 Mar (LE, JGJ). An- other rare spring migrant. Lesser Black- backed Gulls were westerly in Morton, KS 10- 13 May (TC, DWg) and in Lancaster, NE 26- 30 Mar (DL, m.ob.). Last of about 7 Glaucous Gulls reported was an imm. at McConaughy 25 Apr (JMo). One of few Regional reports, a Great Black-backed Gull was at Cheyenne Bottoms 13 Mar (KG, CM, JC). A Sabine’s Gull in Johnson, KS 28 Mar (CM, NL, TB) was one of very few observed in spring. White-winged Dove continues to increase and expand northward more through cen. and w. portions of the Region and is now common to s.-cen. Kansas (fide MC). Following a simi- lar pattern, but in smaller numbers, is Inca Dove; singles were in Muskogee, OK 23 Apr (JWi) and Finney, KS 1 May (MO). Few Black- billed Cuckoos were reported, singles in Tulsa, OK 1 May OLJDr), Haney, KS 7 May (CM), and Butler, KS 25 May (JC). Greater Roadrun- ner continues to consolidate its s.-cen. Kansas range, with reports as far n. as Trego 18 May (JC) and Butler, where nest-building was un- This female Lawrence's Warbler was an exceptional discovery 7 May 2010 at Meade State Park, Meade County, Kansas. Photograph by Tom Flowers. VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 455 SOUTHERN GREAT PLAINS Nebraska's second Hermit Warbler appeared 21 May 2010 at Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Garden County. Photograph by Cory Gregory. This Yellow-billed Loon spent much of the late winter and spring of 201 0 at Lake Hefner, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma (here 17 April). Photograph by Pat Velte. derway 4 May (PJ, BG. KBr, MR). A Lesser Nighthawk in Cimarron, OK 22 Apr (DR) pro- vided a yard bird — and only the 2nd docu- mented record for Oklahoma. Early was a Common Poorwill in Lincoln, NE 22 Apr (LD). Ruby-throated Hummingbirds westward in- cluded one in Lincoln, NE 5 May (TJW), 3 at feeders in Finney, KS 1 May (MO, T&SS), and one in Barton, KS 2 May QM, RG, KE). Far less often observed in spring in the Region, single Broad-tailed Hummingbirds were in Finney, KS 6 May (T&SS) and Scotts Bluff, NE 25 May (VN, fide KD). A Lewis’s Woodpecker in Dawes, NE 13-16 May (TH, m.ob.) provided one of few recent records for Nebraska, while a Red-bellied Woodpecker in Scotts Bluff, NE 8-10 May (KD) was one of few reported that far west. Perhaps the bird of the season was a Williamson’s Sapsucker that continued to be seen at Wilson L., Ellsworth, KS through 3 Mar (fide MC). Red-naped Sapsucker is a rare mi- grant along the w. edge of the Region; one was in Cimanvn, OK 22 Apr (BKP). FLYCATCHERS THROUGH MIIVIIDS A Western Wood-Pewee was easterly in Knox, NE 27 May (CF). All 7 Yellow-bellied Fly- catchers reported were in e. Kansas 7-29 May (fide MC). Six Hammond’s and 2 Dusky Fly- catchers were found in Cimarron, OK 5-6 May GAG, DR, GDS, JWA). Migrant Cordilleran Fly- catchers were reported only from the Nebraska Panhandle, 4 birds 15-23 May (RSi, D&JP, AK). Quite a surprise was a Black Phoebe found in Cimanvn, OK 15 Apr-3 May (DR et al). A Say’s Phoebe at Quivira 4 Apr (BJ) was easterly. Other Regionally rare flycatch- ers included a Vermilion in Cimanvn, OK 15 Apr (DR), an Ash-throated easterly in the Oklahoma Panhandle in Texas, OK 26 May (LMa), and a Cassin’s Kingbird in Mor- ton, KS 10-13 May (TC, DWg). The last Northern Shrike for the season was as far s. as McPherson, KS 5 Apr (DW). White-eyed Vireos made it n. to Ne- braska, with two sight- ings of likely the same bird in Sarpy 2 & 20 May (PS, JR) and one in John- son 2 May (CNK). Re- ports in Nebraska of Yellow-throated Vireo away from the e. part of the state are increas- ing; one was as far w. as Custer 11 May (TH); another was early in Geary, KS 18 Apr (C&JO). An uncommon migrant in the w. part of the Region, 2-3 Plumbeous Vireos were in Morton, KS 10-13 May (TC, DWg), and one was in Monill, NE 13 May (LJH). Westerly were 2 Philadelphia Vireos in Mor- ton, KS 10-13 May (TC, DWg), and the 5 in Johnson, KS (MG, ML, NA) constituted a ver- itable fallout for this low-density migrant. A Steller’s Jay, normally an erratic winter visitor in extreme w. portions of the Region, was even more unexpected in Cimarron, OK 5 May (DR). Pinyon Jays were noted building a nest in Sioux, NE 16 May (WM, m.ob.). Num- bers of Fish Crows continue to increase in Kansas, notably during Mar-May in Sedgwick QC, m.ob.); up to 4 were in Lyon in Apr (ML, MG, NA, TS, CFa), and 2-3 were in Johnson 5 May (NL, TB), indicating continued west- ward and northward expansion. Two Tree Swallows made it to Lancaster 10 Mar (LE), a record-early date for Nebraska. Early Bank Swallows appeared 6 Apr at Red Slough (25 birds; DA), with one making it to Lancaster, NE 7 Apr QMo). Two Rock Wrens were easterly in Antelope, NE, the first arriving 5 May (MB). A Bewick’s Wren was located nw. to Furnas, NE 11 Apr (LO). Blue-gray Gnat- catchers arrived early in Tulsa 9 Mar (AJ) and in Sarpy, NE 6 Apr (L&BP). Two Townsend’s Solitaires lingered until 6-7 May in Cimarron, OK QAG, DR), Veeries, likely of the w. sub- species, were found in Nebraska at Crescent L. 14 May (CG), in Box Butte 14 May (RSi), and in Dawes 16 May (RSi). Gray Catbirds located in Rogers, OK 5 Mar (MLu) and Otoe, NE 30 Mar (SQ) had likely wintered. WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES Kansas observers reported 14 Golden- winged Warblers, with one w. to Sedgwick 13 May (TE), but the only Golden- winged found in Nebraska was in Sarpy 13 May QR). With both Blue-winged and Golden-winged War- blers being rare across most of the Region, a Lawrence’s Warbler banded in Meade, KS 7 May (TF) was an extreme rarity. Eastern war- blers westerly included Tennessee Warblers at Crescent L. 14 May (CG) and in Sheridan, NE 15-16 May (RSi, JWo); a Nashville Warbler in Dawes, NE 16 May (CNK); Northern Parulas in Cimanvn, OK 6 May QAG) and at Crescent L. 26 May (ph. CG); and a Chestnut-sided Warbler 10 May in Comanche, OK (K&SM). Two Virginia Warblers were found in Cimar- ron, OK 6-7 May (DR, JWA, JAG, GDS), with one in Morton, KS 10-13 May (MNR). A most fortuitous find was a male Hermit Warbler at Crescent L. 21 May (ph. CG), only the 2nd for Nebraska. Other rare warblers included a Cape May Warbler 5 May in Johnson, KS (NL, TB) and 2 Black-throated Gray Warblers plus a Black-throated Blue in Morton, KS 10-13 May (TC, DWg). Edging westward were a male Yellow-throated Warbler in Cleveland, OK beginning 11 Apr (ASt) and 2 in Payne, OK 30 May (BD). A westerly Pine Warbler discovered in Lincoln, NE 13 Apr QMo) was still present there 23 May (DL). Quite excep- tional was a most westerly Palm Warbler 5 May in Cimarron, OK (DR); others were also westerly in Custer, NE 7 May (TH) and Dawes, NE 16 May (RSi). A Bay-breasted Warbler in Washington, NE 31 May (GR) was tardy. Long absent from cen. Oklahoma, a Prairie Warbler was located in Cleveland 25 Apr (TRR, DK). Beyond the normal bounds were a Worm-eating Warbler in Lancaster, NE 12 May (LE) and Hooded Warblers at Tulsa 5 & 22-24 May (BC et al.), in Sarpy, NE 13 May QR), in Sedgwick, KS 16 May (PG), and in Lancaster, NE 18 (LE) & 20 May QGJ)- A Swainson’s Warbler had arrived in Leflore, OK by 10 Apr (MRe). Summer Tanagers in n. or w. locations in- cluded 2 in Loup, NE 3 May (LK), one Cimar- ron, OK 6 May QAG), one in Morton, KS 10- 13 May (TC, DWg), one at Crescent L. 21 May 456 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS SOUTHERN GREAT PLAIN^ (ph. CG), and one in Sheridan, NE 29 May (BP). While only one Green- tailed Towhee was reported for Nebraska, that in Scoffs Bluff 13 May (RSi), 3 were located in Morton, KS 10-13 May (TC, DWg) and 5 in Cimarron, OK 5-7 May (DR, JWA, GDS, JAG). Four Bach- man’s Sparrows were located in Osage, OK 20 Apr QL, m.ob.), an outlying location. Also a possible outlier was a Rufous-crowned Spar- row in Seward, KS 3 May (HA). Very early for Nebraska was a Chipping Sparrow in Lancast- er 1-5 Mar (ph. CS). Providing some excite- ment were 3 singing Baird’s Sparrows discov- ered 15 May in Sioiuc, NE (TH, WM). Tardy was a Slate-colored Junco in Dodge, NE 11 May (RV), with another in Cimarron, OK 5 May GAG). Gray-headed Juncos are quite un- usual in Oklahoma; 3 were located in Cimar- ron, OK 5-6 May QAG, DR), with another in Scotts Bluff, NE 12-15 Apr (AK), and one was both easterly and late in Lincoln, NE 22 May (TJW). A Lapland Longspur in Custer, NE 26 Apr (TH) was tardy, as was a female Smith’s Longspur in Lancaster, NE 2 Apr (GW). Rose-breasted Grosbeaks w. of typical mi- gration corridors included 3 in Cimarron, OK 5-7 May (GDS, JWA, DR, JAG) and one in Scotts Bluff, NE 13 May (ECT). Again this sea- son, Lazuli Buntings were more numerous this spring into e. portions of the Region in all three states (fide WRS, MC, JL). Among some early arrivals was an Orchard Oriole in Lan- caster, NE 18 Apr (KB). A “dull male” White- winged Crossbill in Cherry, NE 11 Apr (MMi, fide PD) was most unexpected. Lesser Goldfinches wandering into Nebraska includ- ed one at Crescent L. 27 May (CG) and 2 in Scotts Bluff 31 May (KD); one in Finney, KS 30 May (TS) was also extralimital. More diffi- cult to find for some time in the Region, 28 Evening Grosbeaks were seen in Dawes, NE and 2 in Sheridan, NE 16 May (TH, D&JP, B&DW, m.ob.). Cited observers; NEBRASKA: Kelli Bacon, Elliot Bedows, Mark Brogie, John Carlini, Zachary Cheviron, Clem N. Claphake, Vir- ginia Clark, Linda Deeds, Kathy DeLara, Stephen J. Dinsmore, Paul Dunbar, Larry Einemann, William Flack, Craig Fosdick, Cory Gregory, Suzanne Gucciardo, ‘Tim Haj- da, Luke J. Hamilton, Bill E Huser, Jan John- son, Joel G. Jorgensen, Tyson Kahler, Alice Kenitz, Lanny Kizer, Michelle Koch, Jeanine L. Lackey, Dan Leger, Mark Miller (MMi), Wayne Mollhoff, Jim Mountjoy OMo), Valerie Newman, Edward O’Donnell, Linda Ollinger, Loren and Babs Padelford, Don and Jan Pase- ka, Becky Potmesil, Susan Quinn, Justin Rink, Gary Roberts, Paul Roisen, Linda Rudolph (LRu), Shari Schwartz (SSc), John Sebastiani QSe), Ruben Siegfried (RSi), W, Ross Silcock, Phil Swanson, Edna Claire Thomas, Richard Vitters, Bruce & Donna Walgren, T.J. Walker, Gordon Warrick, Janice Wobbenhorst QWo). KANSAS: Nic Allen, Bob Antonio, Henry Armknecht, Tim Barksdale, Emilie Blevins (EBl), Ken Brunson (KBr), Ted Cable, Jeff Calhoun, Mark Corder, Karole Erikson, Tom Ewert, Chris Fagyal (CFa), Tom Flowers, Matt Gearheart, Rob Graham, Bod Gress, Paul Griffin, Kevin Groeneweg, Pete Janzen, Barry Jones, Eileen Land, Mark Land, Dan Larson, Nancy Leo, Larry Longadin, Terry Mannell, Cheryl Miller, Jay Miller, John & Edna Mitchell, Carol Morgan (CMo), Jay Newton, Marie Osterbuhr, Chuck & Jaye Otte, Robert Penner, Mike Rader, Dave Rintoul (DRi), Mary Nelle Rogers, Rachel Roth (RRo), John Schukman, Dave Seibel, Scott Seltman, Tom Shane, Tom & Sara Shane, Shawn Silliman (SSi), Charlie Swank (CSw), David Welfelt, David Wiggins (DWg), Gene Young. Oklaho- ma: Dave Arbour, James W. Arterburn, Eric Beck (ErB), Luke Bell, Martin & Carol Blick, Cyndie Browning, Bill Carrell, Bill Diffin, Lyndell Dillon, Josie Driskill, Vic Fazio, Andy Feldt, Joseph A. Grzybowski, Larry Hancock, Jim Harmon, Berlin Heck, Ben & Angie Holt, Mark Howery, A. James, Matthew Jung, Deb- by Kaspari, Jo Loyd, Merry Ludewig, Larry Mays (LMa), Bill & Lela McCracken, Jeri McMahon QMc), Kurt & Sharon Meisenzahl, C.J. Metcalf, Jane & Lynn Miller, Terry Mitchell, Brandon K. Percival, Mark & Mary Peterson, Mia Revels (MRe), Dan Robinson, T.R. Ryan, Sue Seltman (SSe), Gary D. Schnell, Ana Starr (ASt), Lou & Mary Truex, Terri Underhill, Nadine Varner, Pat Velte, Jay Withgott QWi), Jimmy Woodard QWd). © Joseph A. Grzybowski, 715 Elmwood Drive Norman, Oklahoma 72072, (j_grzybowski@sbcglobal.net) W. Ross Silcock, P. 0. Box 57 Tabor, Iowa 51673, (silcock@rosssikock.com) Texas Mark W. Lockwood Eric Carpenter Willie Sekula The colder-than-typical winter seemed to linger, with below-average tempera- tures in many areas of the state persist- ing into the spring season. This chilly weath- er, combined with abundant rainfall in many areas (including in northern Mexico), seemed to have an obvious effect on trans-continental migrants, with many species trickling into Texas somewhat late. Western hummingbirds seemed especially tardy in their arrivals, with the majority of migrants and breeding species not arriving in numbers until May. As with last spring, there was a clear push of western birds eastward: numbers of Vesper Sparrow, Lark Sparrow, Clay-colored Sparrow, Lazuli Bunting, Western Tanager, and Bul- lock’s Oriole were all well above average in the eastern half of the state. Many of the state’s 256 counties receive very little atten- tion from birders. Kostecke’s efforts in Robert- son County and Arnold’s in Leon County this spring added many first county records, in- cluding species that are regular migrants through the eastern half of the state. WATERFOWL THROUGH ANHINGA Only a straggler to the Trans-Pecos, 4 Black- bellied Whistling-Ducks at McNary Res. 15 May were the first documented in Hudspeth QPa). The 2 Trumpeter Swans, including one that was banded, present during the winter near Whiteface, Cochran remained until 12 Mar (KM). A male Eurasian Wigeon was a nice prize at the wastewater ponds in El Do- VOLUME 64 (2010) NUMBER 3 457 TEXAS This second-year male Surf Scoter lingered late at Port Bolivar, Galveston County, Texas 22-26 (here 26) May 2010. Photograph by Joseph Kennedy. The spring of 201 0 was exceptional for inland records of Whimbrel in Texas. The high- light was the amazing discovery of this flock of 25 at Fort Hood, Coryell County on 2 May. Photograph by Tom Dove. The discovery of a Fork-tailed Flycatcher in Texas, or anywhere in the United States for that matter, is always noteworthy and draws many observers. This individual was no exception dur- ing its brief stay at High Island, Galveston County on 24-25 (here 24) April 2010. Photograph by Linda Price. rado, Schleicher 27 Mar (ph., tSJ). Inland scoters were limited to a White- winged at John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Kaufman 14 Mar (GC, DDC, DL) and a Surf at Hornsby Bend, Travis 11 Mar (ph. PE, m.ob.). A lingering Surf Scoter off Port Boli- var, Galveston 22-26 May was late (GO, AB, JKe). The Long-tailed Duck present on Walter E. Long L., Travis since Jan was last seen 10 Mar (m.ob.). Two different fe- male Hooded Mergansers with ducklings were not- ed at Alazan Bayou, Nacogdoches 5-7 & 15 Apr (DW), and another brood was at White Rock L., Dallas 15 May (CR). Other lingering Hooded Mergansers included a fe- male at San Bernard N.WR., Brazoria 12 Apr (RW) and a pair at the Baytown Nature Center, Harris 8 May (DDi). Ex- tremely late was a Red- breasted Merganser on N. Deer I., Galveston 24 May (WB et ah). A drake Masked Duck was a one-day wonder along Hwy. 77 n. of Armstrong, Kenedy 21 Apr (tDDa). An ex- traordinary total of 620 Ruddy Ducks was counted on L. Bob Sandlin, Franklin 5 Mar (DB, LBr). Six Lesser Prairie-Chickens w. of Simms, Deaf Smith 21 Mar (BP, ST) made one of few recent reports from the w. Panhandle. The only Red-throated Loons of the season were singles at L. Tawakoni, Van Zandt 14-15 Mar (RB, GC) and at Lake O’ The Pines, Marion 14 Mar (TF). Up to 4 Pacific Loons were in their usual haunts around Offats Bayou, Galveston, with 2 lingering until at least 26 Apr (m.ob.). One Pacific Loon was seen sporadically on L. Tawakoni, RainsP^an Zandt 9 Mar-15 May (RKi, RB, GC, SGI); another was present through the end of season in Port O’Connor, Calhoun (BFr). Lake O’ the Pines, Marion held 173 Horned Grebes 12 Mar (DB, LBr). A high count of 420 American White Pelicans at Mc- Nary Res., Hudspeth 11 Apr OPa) was likely a record number for the Trans-Pecos. Inland Brown Pelicans included singles at L. Pales- tine, Henderson 25 Mar (DH), L. Lewisville, Denton 29-31 Mar (LC), Independence Creek Preserve, Tenell 18-19 May (ph. StC), and Fayette County Res., Fayette 30 May (ph. ByS). On the coast, an impressive 2160 were tallied on Sundown I., Calhoun 21 May (BFr). Away from their normal migration corridor were lone Anhingas along the N. Concho R. in nw. Tom Green 13 Mar (GW) and at Rio Grande Village, Big Bend N.P., Brewster 15 Apr (EH). HERONS THROUGH RAPTORS Three American Bitterns in Bryan/College Station, Brazos 12 Mar (LSa) made a good in- land total; one at Balmorhea S.P., Reeves 13-18 May (ML) was unexpected in the Trans- Pecos. A Little Blue Heron in Abernathy, Hale 26 Apr (RRi) was a great find for the South Plains. A Reddish Egret on Belton L., Bell 28 May-i- (ph., GE) was unexpected; the species is casual there in spring. A Green Heron per- sisted at Lubbock, Lubbock through 14 Mar (AnH). Inland Glossy Ibis include singles in Briscoe 17 Apr (BP) and Richland Creek W.M.A., Navarro 12 May (CS et ah), as well as 4 at John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Kaufman 27 Apr-23 May (m.ob.). Eight Wood Storks on the Katy Prairie, Waller 23 Apr-10 May (HL) and another at Brazos Bend S.P., Fort Bend 26 Apr (KBe) were harbingers of a very early movement of this species; individuals were seen in increasing numbers throughout May. An especially large group of 45 was near the Navasota R., Brazos 8 May (DVo). The most westerly Swallow-tailed Kite was one over McKinney Falls S.R, Travis 22 Apr (CuH). A courting pair was at Double Bayou Park, Chambers 26 May 0Ke)> and individuals were also seen through season in w. Brazoria, suggestive of local breeding (fide CBr). Con- sistent spring records of White-tailed Kite at Ft. Hood, Coryell, with sightings this season on 10 Mar (RHo) and again on 30 Apr (GE, RKo), may be indicative of breeding, but no evidence has been found. White-tailed Kite numbers continue to grow at Rio Bosque Wet- lands Park, El Paso, with two pairs on nests 16 May+ QSp)- Other individuals were noted at Rio Grande Village, Big Bend N.R, Brewster 28 Apr (MF) and near Saragosa, Reeves 26 May (KBr). An ad. Bald Eagle near the dam at Choke Canyon S.R, Live Oak 16 May (WS) was at an odd location on an unusual date. At least four Cooper’s Hawks nests in Houston, Harris this spring underscored the recent emergence of this species as a breeder there (|Ke, BE et al). Another nest found in El Paso in mid-Apr (Al) was the first confirmed nest- ing attempt there, though no young birds were noted during the season. Single Common Black-Hawks were noted as vagrants in three locations this season, including e. of Texico, Fanner 4 Apr (tDHa), at Lubbock, Lubbock 1- 458 NORTH AMERICAN BIROS TEXAS Bell's Vireo is a drcum-Gulf migrant and as such is generally a rarity on the Upper Texas Coast. Three were found in spring 2010, including this individual on west Galveston Is- land 26 April. Photograph by Jim Stevenson. Brown Jays have virtually disappeared from Texas and the United States, so any individ- ual found in the state is of great interest. Three were regular visitors to feeders in San Ygnacio, Zapata County during the winter 2009-2010 season, and this adult remained until 17 April (here 1 March). Photograph by Alan Wormington. 8 May (CC, ph., m.ob.), and at Fayette Coun- ty Res., Fayette 30 Mar-13 Apr (LWa, SVS, ph., m.ob.), the latter likely being the eastern- most ever in the state. Far-flung Harris’s Hawks included one near Pantex, Carson 17 Mar (MSc) and 2 in Castro 3 Apr (BP). The Roadside Hawk present at Falcon S.P., Starr during the winter season was last seen 12 Mar (m.ob.). Out of range was a White-tailed Hawk along the Brazos R. bottoms, Burleson 6 Mar (DSc). The highlight for the South Plains was a Zone- tailed Hawk over the Wellman Rest Area, Terry 19 Mar (AnH), a first for this region. A westerly Crested Caracara was at Rio Grande Village, Big Bend N.P., Brewster 21 Mar (DG); a pair at the Stelzer Ranch, Kent bred for the 4th consecutive year, with one fledgling noted by 31 May (DSt). American Kestrels lingered on the Upper Texas Coast (hereafter, U.T.C.), with a pair of birds in Chambers 26 May QKe) and another at Crys- tal Beach, Galveston 29 May (WB). RAILS THROUGH TERNS A surprising inland Black Rail was seen and heard at Hazel Bazemore Park, Nueces 17 Apr-4 May QM, m.ob.). Rarely detected as a migrant, a King Rail was a nice find at L. Bob Sandlin, Titus 6 Mar (PB et al.). Always an un- expected treat as a migrant, 3 Whooping Cranes stopped briefly at Ft. Hood, Coryell 19 Mar (ph., GE). An impressive 75 Semipalmat- ed Plovers were tallied at John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Kaufman 2 May (RRa). A Piping Plover was a nice find at Miller’s Creek Res., Throckmorton 3 Apr (GC, BlC, SGI, TDr). The Choke Canyon S.P., McMullen Northern Jagana remained through 16 Apr (m.ob.), when heavy rains flooded the area. Another Northern Jagana in nearly ad. plumage was seen at Santa Ana N.W.R., Hidalgo 4-7 Apr (tHH; ph., tChH). Impressive inland counts of migrating Willets were highlighted by 125 at Stillhouse Hollow Res., Bell 26 Apr (GE), 57 at Mitchell L., Bexar 2 May (GSc), and 80 at White Rock L., Dallas 27 Apr (CR). Whimbrels made a good showing in cen. Texas, with numerous sightings including a high count of 25 birds at Ft. Hood, Coryell 2 May (DCi, ph. TDo). Far- ther west, one was noted at Lake O. C. Fisher, Tom Green 15 May Q^P). 3 in Floyd 28 Apr (BG), and 2 at Balmorhea L., Reeves 21 Apr (RPi) and possibly the same birds there 5 May QM). Four Hudsonian Godwits made a rare westerly appearance in the L.R.G.V. at Falcon S.P., Starr 10 May (ph. MBS). Marbled Godwits had a strong showing in the Panhandle and South Plains, with four sightings, highlighted by 9 in Hall 17 Apr (BP) and 7 at L. Rita Blan- ca, Hartley 25 Apr QMc). Unexpected was a Ruddy Turnstone near Quanah, Hardeman 30 Apr (SW). The Purple Sandpiper near Port Is- abel, Cameron was present the entire season (ScC, m.ob.). An impressive 51 Dunlins were at John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Kaufman 10 Apr (GC, RRa); early were 3 near Tahoka, Lynn 19 Mar (AnH). Lone Ruffs were documented at Anahuac N.W.R., Chambers 11 Apr (tDM, ph. RHi et al.) and in e. Waller 14-25 Apr (ph., tMG, TAW). Free- man noted a female Amer- ican Woodcock near Ut- ley, Bastrop 19 Mar that was using the broken- wing distraction display, surely near a nest or young birds. The wintering Little Gull at White Rock L., Dallas was last seen 5 Mar (LH). A California Gull was present in Abernathy, Hale 19 Mar-2 Apr (RRi). A first-cycle Thayer’s or Thayer’s/Iceland inter- grade was at a Harris land- fill 5 Apr (ph. MR). A Glaucous Gull was at Quintana, Brazoria 14 Mar (ph. JRa, AW), while another bird was at Cor- pus Christi, Nueces 5 Mar (MR, ShC, WS). Two Glaucous Gulls were found at L. Ray Hubbard, Dallas 22 Mar (CR). A first-cycle Sabine’s Gull observed feeding amid Sargassum at Toilet’s L, Brazoria 22 May OSc) provided a very rare spring Texas record. A first-cycle Black-legged Kittiwake was at the base of the Port Aransas jetties, Nueces 4 Apr (ph., tMR, ShC). Lone Least Terns made annual Trans-Pecos spring appearances at Rio Bosque Wetlands Park, El Paso 11 May (]Fo, JSp) and Ft. Hancock Res., Hudspeth 15 May QPa)- Least Terns continue to expand their breeding range in n.-cen. Texas, with 2 attempting to nest at John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Kaufman 30 May (CR, BoS). An early Black Tern was reported from San Luis Pass, Galveston 4 Mar QSt). PIGEONS THROUGH WOODPECKERS Up to 12 White-tipped Doves were vocalizing at the Inflight Ranch, Live Oak 8 May (AC, MC). Somewhat early Black-billed Cuckoos were noted at Corpus Christi, Nueces 16 Apr (MR), Kleb Woods, Harris 17 Apr (FC et al.). and Goose Island S.P, Aransas 18 Apr (CW). One observed at Breckinridge Park, Collin 11 May was a nice inland find (PFr). A Groove- billed Ani in Pattison, Waller 15 May (NCJ) provided the latest spring record for the U.T.C. Another bird at Warbler Woods, Guadalupe (ph. SSc) the same clay was likely a spring overshoot. A small owl flushed out of tree along the Rio Grande R. in Laredo, Webb 11 Mar (RRo) was thought to be a Ferrugi- nous Pygmy-Owl. Two Long-eared Owls lin- gered at Rio Bosque Wetlands Park, El Paso until at least 16 Mar OSp)- while 2 at Cole- man Park, Terry 24 Apr (ph. AnH) were as- sumed to be late migrants. The coastal influx of w. species the last weekend of Apr includ- ed several Lesser Nighthawks on the U.T.C. , with the most easterly being at Sabine Pass Battleground S.?., Jefferson 23 Apr (HT, MY). Three Common Poorwills were noted in Somervell 22 May (TDr). An Eastern Whip- poor-will was at Kleb Woods, Hams 21 Apr (FC); this species is now seldom detected in the spring on the U.T.C. One heard near VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 459 TEXAS With only five previous state records, this adult Black-vented Oriole was one of the highlights of the spring 2010 season in Texas. It was attracted to a watering station at South Padre Island, Cameron County 10-11 (here 1 1 ) April. Photograph by Brad McKinney. Salineno, Stan 1 May was late (KO, JY). White-eared Hummingbirds continue to be present in the Davis Mts., Jeff Davis', 2 were back at the Davis Mountains Resort 12 May-r (ph., tML, KBr). Two Buff-bellied Humming- birds were in Montgomery this spring, with one bird at Stagecoach 19-27 Mar (ph. KAn) and another in Conroe 16 May (CBo). A pair of Buff-bellied Hummingbirds was thought to be on territory near Utley, Bastrop 10 May-r (BFr). The wintering female Calliope Hum- mingbird in Houston, Harris was last seen 10 Apr (WR), while the male Broad-tailed Hum- mingbird was last seen 31 Mar (WR). A Green Kingfisher at Santa Elena Canyon, Brewster 7 Mar (LT) was of interest, as it was w. of Rio Grande Village, the only slightly regular spot for the species in the region. Much farther w. than expected was an ad. Red-headed Wood- pecker in Sparberry, Midland 12 Mar-14 Apr (ph. RMS, MSt). A Red-naped Sapsucker in Crosby 11 May was considered late for the area (CC). Quite easterly was a Ladder- backed Woodpecker at High I., Galveston 14 Mar (TH). Yet another El Paso area lowland record of Downy Woodpecker occurred when a female was found at Rio Bosque Wetlands Park 10 Apr OSp)- A Pileated Woodpecker seen along the Mission R., Refugio 23 Apr (AC, MC) was away from the species’ usual Guadalupe R. haunts. FLYCATCHERS THROUGH SWALLOWS A Yellow-bellied Flycatcher at Lost Maples S.N.A., Bandera 22 May was slightly w. of the species’ typical migration corridor (MH). An unmated male Buff-breasted Flycatcher was found during surveys of the Davis Mountains Preserve, Jeff Davis 16 Apr-r (ph., TML). With the smallest number of birds since the 1999 discovery, the future may be bleak for this species in Texas. A male Vermilion Flycatcher in Nacogdoches 23-26 Mar provided one of the few spring records for the Pineywoods (SSt et ah). A young male was at Village Creek Drying Beds, Tairant 23 Mar (JSi). Up to 9 Dusky-capped Flycatchers were on at least six territories in the Davis Mountains Preserve, Jeff Davis 7 May-i- (ph., TML). More unexpect- ed was a single singing Dusky-capped at Ft. Davis, Jeff Davis 16 May (TKBr). An Ash- throated Flycatcher was seen in Galveston, Galveston 24 Apr (SGr). A Great Kiskadee persisted at the Lubbock Cemetery, Lubbock through 7 Mar (BG), while 2-3 were present near Manor, Travis 4-10 May (ph. DGu). A pair of Tropical Kingbirds was discovered building a nest in Rockport, Aransas 21 Apr (BLy VE). At least one pair of Couch’s King- birds was back at Cottonwood Campground, Brewster 4 Apr+ (MF). A well-described Couch’s Kingbird was at Baytown, Hants 8 May (DDi, JB). A Cassin’s Kingbird was near Dumas, Moore 23 May (SB). Very strong west- erly winds 24-25 Apr pushed unprecedented numbers of Western Kingbirds to the coast from South Padre 1. to the U.T.C. One of the higher counts was of 35 birds at San Luis Pass, Galveston 25 Apr (HS). Two Western Kingbirds in Central Heights, Nacogdoches 25 Apr (MHW, DW) were of particular interest. A Fork-tailed Flycatcher spiced up the mi- gration on the U.T.C. with an appearance at High L, Galveston 24-25 Apr (t, ph. m.ob.). The Rose-throated Becard present from the winter at Estero Llano Grande S.P., Hidalgo lingered until 1 May (HH et al). An imm. male Rose-throated Becard was seen briefly at Salineno, Starr 3 Apr (tCBe). A Northern Shrike was near McLean, Gray 1 Mar, and 2 were in the Rita Blanca Grasslands, Dallam 13 Mar (BP). Bell’s Vireo is rarely detected in spring on the U.T.C., so reports from High 1. 17 Apr (m.ob.), w. Galveston L, Galveston 26 Apr (ph. JSt), and Quintana, Brazoria 27 Apr (ph. GL, SHe) were noteworthy. A Bell’s Vireo at Ft. Boggy S.R 4 May provided a new Leon record (KAr) , while one in Lamb 9 May (StC) was thought to be a migrant and not a local breeder. A Yellow-throated Vireo at Davis Mountains S.R, Jeff Davis 23 Apr (BG) pro- vided a rare county record, as did one in El Paso, El Paso 24 May (BZ). A Plumbeous Vireo was found at Corpus Christi, Nueces 18 Apr QM, ph. WS, MR), and one visited Port O’Connor, Calhoun 25 Apr (BFr). A large and very late fallout of Blue-headed Vireos oc- curred at High L, Galveston and Sabine Woods, Jefferson 27 Apr; all were gone the next day (m.ob.). In keeping with recent El Paso sightings, a Hutton’s Vireo was at the El Paso Zoo 3 Apr OKO- Along the Mission R. on the Fennessey Ranch, Refugio, 3-4 singing Red-eyed Vireos were observed 23 Apr (AC, MC); there are no known breeding records for this river drainage. Single Yellow-green Vireos away from nesting habitat were found at Port O’Connor, Calhoun 13-25 Apr (BFr), Port Aransas, Nueces 14 May QM), and South Padre L, Cameron 16-17 May (ScC). At least one of the Brown Jays at San Ygna- cio, Zapata lingered through at least 17 Apr ORi). One of the better finds of the season was flock of 40-50 Pinyon Jays near Truscott Brine L., Knox 1 Mar (SWe). A Tamaulipas Crow was discovered at the Brownsville Landfill, Cameron 26 Mar (TSD, ph. BiC); it is assumed to be part of a pair of birds that was reported in the area through at least 5 May (ph. LZ). More evidence of an expanding range in n.-cen. Texas were 5 Fish Crows not- ed at Loy L., Grayson 7 Mar (ES, JCr, DCr), plus one at Hagerman N.W.R., Grayson 16 Mar-1 Apr QCh. hlC, PFr). Of local interest was a Common Raven near Paducah, Cottle 10 Apr (BS). A late Tree Swallow was in Atas- cosa 22 May (LBl), TITMICE THROUGH WARBLERS Two of the Juniper Titmice at El Paso, El Paso lingered until 3 Apr (BZ). A Brown Creeper was spotted 6 Mar in El Paso, El Paso (ph. JPa), where the species is a rare migrant. Two lingering House Wrens were noted in Waller 6 May (HL). The wintering Rock Wren at Seabrook, Hants was last reported 15 Mar (HT, MY), while another was found near Yorktown, Dewitt 22 Mar (DM). An extreme- ly late Ruby-crowned Kinglet was in nw. Kim- ble 30 May (ph. MB). The Northern Wheatear that wintered near Olmos, Bee was present until 29 Mar (m.ob.). The strong showing of Western Bluebirds from the win- ter continued into the spring, with individu- als lingering until Apr in the El Paso area QPa, JSp) and 2 at the Truscott Cemetery, Knox 11 Mar (ph. PS). A Veery at Quanah, 460 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS TEXAS Hardeman 30 Apr (SW) was a rare sighting for the w. part of the state. A Russet-backed Swainson’s Thrush was in El Paso, El Paso 12 May QPa); this subspecies is a rare migrant in the w. Trans-Pecos. Wood Thrushes were in Canyon, Randall 13 Apr (GM) and Coleman Park, Terry 2 May (AnH, AvH). A female Var- ied Thrush was at the Independence Creek Preserve, Terrell 21 Mar (ph., tLWr). Linger- ing Brown Thrashers along the immediate coast included singles at High I., Galveston 5 May (DCr) and at Katy Prairie, Hands 8 May (BiT, BrT). An out-of-place Long-billed Thrasher was at Midland Draw, Midland 15- 29 May (ph. BLu). A very late American Pipit was at Paul Rushing Park, Harris 8 May (ByS, DVa). Sprague’s Pipits lingered to nearly record-late dates, with singles at King Ranch, Kenedy 5 May (TL) and near La Ward, Jackson 19 May (BFr). The Phainopepla at Lubbock, Lubbock in winter remained until 1 Apr (BG). A late Blue-winged Warbler was at Lake Tawakoni S.P, Hunt 11 May (RKi). A Golden- winged Warbler was found along Big Bend’s Window Trail, Brewster 11 May (PK). Ten- nessee Warblers are rare migrants in the Trans-Pecos; singles were at Big Bend’s Dugout Wells, Brewster 16 Apr (ME) and in El Paso, El Paso 18 Apr (ph. JPa). A late mi- grant Nashville Warbler was at High I., Galve- ston 2 May (BiT, BrT, CTL). A Virginia’s War- bler in Galveston, Galveston 26 Apr (tJG) was a great find. Northern Parulas out west in- cluded singles at Rio Grande Village, Brewster 10 Apr (ph. ML), at Lubbock, Lubbock 1 May (AnH), and in Lamb 9 May (StC). Out-of- range Tropical Parulas included singles at Port O’Connor, Calhoun 21 Apr (BFr) and Ft. Clark Springs, Kinney 19-26 Apr (ph. LSt). A late Myrtle Warbler was seen at High L, Galveston 1 May (RW et al.). A male Black- throated Blue Warbler was found in Tahoka, Lynn 2 May (AnH, AvH). A male Black-throat- ed Gray Warbler at the Sarita Rest Stop, Kle- berg 3 Apr (MLi) was probably a lingering bird from the winter. A Black-throated Green Warbler was of note at Farwell, Parmer 9 May (StC, BG). A Hermit Warbler made a rare ap- pearance along the coast at Port Aransas, Nue- ces 3 Apr (ph. MR, ShC). Yellow-throated Warblers made news at Big Bend’s Santa Ele- na Canyon, Brewster Apr (GSe), Lake Wichi- ta Park, Wichita 23 Apr (DP), and Panther Junction, Brewster 9 May (PFu). Palm War- blers at Lake Tawakoni S.P, Hunt 21 Apr (RKi) and Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches 27 Apr (DW) were nice finds; one at High I., Galve- ston 1 May QL et al.) was late. A Prairie War- bler was at White Rock Lake Fish Hatchery, Dallas 16 Apr (CR), and another was at Lake Tawakoni S.P., Hunt 2 May (GC, SGI, RB). Blackpoll Warblers found well away from the coast included one at L. Ray Roberts, Cooke 3 May (SGI), one at Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches 11 May (DW), 3 at Plano, Collin 15 May (PFr, m.ob.), and most notably one at El Paso, El Paso 24 May (BZ). An ad. Black-and-white Warbler with a recently fledged juv. at Ft. Boggy S.P, Leon 4 May (KAr) adds to the very scant direct evidence of this species nesting in the Central Brazos Valley. A Prothonotary Warbler was noted at Lubbock, Lubbock 27 Apr (CC, StC). A Swainson’s Warbler at Lafitte’s Cove, Galveston 2 May (ph. MSI) was a late migrant. A Worm-eating Warbler at Rio Grande Village, Brewster 25 Apr (BiH, JH) was a good find. Ovenbird made a good show- ing in the nw. portion of the state, with singles at Coleman Park, Terry 2 May (AnH, AvH), Lubbock, Lubbock 3 May (KD), and Canyon, Randall 8 May (PR). Kentucky Warblers were found in Tarrant 8-13 May (RC) and Big Bend’s Cottonwood Campground, Brewster 21 May (WS). There was a noticeable easterly push of MacGillivray’s Warbler this season, with singles found as far e. as Quintana, Bra- zoria 2 May (ph. JFi) and Anahuac N.W.R., Chambers 2 May (CTL). Hooded Warblers wandering westward included singles at Springlake, Lamb 10 Apr (ph. AnH) and Mid- land, Midland 24 May (RMS, m.ob.). Painted Redstart appears to be increasing as a summer resident in the cen. Davis Mts., Jejff Davis: two pairs were located 8 May-i- (ML). SPARROWS THROUGH FINCHES A lingering Green-tailed Towhee was at Choke Canyon, Live Oak 23 Apr (WS, CW). A Spotted Towhee lingered at Sabine Woods, Jefferson until 24 Apr (BIC et al.). A cold front from the west displaced Clay-colored Spar- rows eastward, with 4 at Quintana, Brazoria 24 Apr OFi), 25 at Sabine Pass, Jefferson 24 Apr 20 at San Luis Pass, Galveston 25 Apr (HS), and one along Pilot Rd., Jefferson 30 Apr (DM). Up to 2 Brewer’s Sparrows made an unexpected appearance at South Padre I., Cameron 24-25 Apr (MO, ScW). The front that passed through the U.T.C. in late Apr brought large numbers of Vesper Spar- rows, e.g., 60 at San Luis Pass, Galveston 25 Apr (HS) and 25 Sabine Pass, Jefferson 25 Apr OKe). Large numbers of Lark Sparrows were also found on the U.T.C. in association with the same front on 25 Apr, with 200-300 in the Sabine Pass area, Jefferson QKe). 75 at San Luis Pass, Galveston (HS), and 50 at Quin- tana, Brazoria OFi). Lark Buntings lingered in South Texas; 35 were at the King Ranch, Kle- berg 1 May (CK) and 10 still there 11 May (TL, AT). Very late lingering Savannah Spar- rows included 3 at Brookshire, Waller 14 May (HL) and 2 at Richland Creek W.M.A., Navar- ro 12 May (CS). An amazing 4 Baird’s Spar- rows were reported in ne. Webb 2 Apr (BFr). A Nelson’s Sparrow was at the s. terminus of the species’ range at South Padre 1., Cameron 1 May (ph. HH et al). A Swamp Sparrow was still at Anahuac N.W.R., Chambers 2 May (CTL). Late lingering White-throated Spar- rows included singles at High I., Galveston 30 Apr (DDo) and El Paso, El Paso 11 May QFo, JSp). A Harris’s Sparrow at Balmorhea S.P, Reeves 4 May (TJ) was a rare find, in addition to being late, while another in Waller the same day was also late (HL). A Gray-headed Junco was found at Kickapoo Caverns S.P, Edwards 6 Mar (ML). A Hepatic Tanager was reported in Weslaco, Hidalgo 4 Apr (BFr). A male Scarlet Tanager was a surprise at Rio Grande Village, Brewster 3 May (MMo, VM). Western Tanagers were very much in evidence on the U.T.C., particu- larly in late Apr, with up to 6 scattered through the region. A female Crimson-col- lared Grosbeak was reported from Texas City, Galveston 23 Apr (tLM); if accepted it would represent the 2nd record for the U.T.C. Two Black-headed Grosbeaks were found at Lake Wichita Park, Wichita 9 May (ScL). The male Blue Bunting present at Laguna Atascosa N.W.R., Cameron was last reported 14 Mar (m.ob.). Lazuli Buntings occurred in above- average numbers in the e. half of the state, with individuals reported from Hagerman N.W.R., Grayson 30 Apr QCh) to South Padre 1., Cameron 27 Apr-2 May (ph. RV, MG) and up to 9 along the U.T.C. (m.ob.). Lush condi- tions in South Texas provided excellent nest- ing habitat for Dickcissels. This was highlight- ed by at least 1000 on territory in Live Oak 1 May (AC, MC). Away from the coast, a high count of 100 Bobolinks was made at the John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Kaufman 7-8 May (GC, BoS, RRa, SGI). Farther w. Bobolinks made news at Morton, Cochran 18 Apr (AnH), in Big Bend N.P., Brewster 26 Apr (RS), at Rio Grande Vil- lage, Brewster 27 Apr (RHa, SHa), and near Crosbyton, Crosby 20 May (KH). Yellow- headed Blackbirds were well represented in the e. half of the state. Larger numbers than normal were reported, particularly in late Apr and early May; most notable among these were 8 at Alazan Bayou W.M.A., Nacogdoches 25 Apr (DW), 96 at High I., Galveston 26 Apr (RL, SLa), and 100 in McGregor, McLennan 29 Apr OSn). A Brewer’s Blackbird in Port Boli- var, Galveston 24 Apr (RW) was late for the U.T.C. Great-tailed Grackles continue to make inroads in the Pineywoods, with a high of 6 at Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches 20 Mar (SuL). Bronzed Cowbirds were e. of the typi- VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 461 jhop ifi A3A £lajl3£) DJJil i}63 ■ mhu MA yj£5^f Code 0000,, . « V/SA Rufous Humming^'"* iCard Code 00002) w AmericanBirding® s s o C I A 1 APPLYTODAYFORTHE AMERICAN BiRDING ASSOCIATION VISA® PLATINUM CARD *No Annual Fee * Low Introductory Rate * No balance transfer fee for six months It's the only card that ensures a percentage of every purchase you make will go toward the American Birding Association, to help support a variety of activities and programs designed to inspire all people to enjoy and protect wild birds. Choose from two distinct designs: Red-billed Tropicbird or Rufous Hummingbird. To apply call 1-800-853-5576 ext. 8396 or apply online today www.americanbirding.org The creditor and issuer of the American Birding Association VISA Platinum Card is U.S. Bank National Association NO. TEXAS cal range, with singles at White Rock L., Dal- las 24 Apr (RM) and Fayette 20 Apr (FW). A stunning ad. Black-vented Oriole visited South Padre 1., Cameron 10-11 Apr (ph. GT; ph., tScC et al). As was true of several other primarily w. birds, Bullock’s Orioles were pushed eastward in late Apr; up to 6 were seen in Brazoria and Galveston 24-26 Apr (m.ob.). The Audubon’s Orioles resident in Utopia, Uvalde in recent years dwindled to 2 by 3 Apr (MH), and another was found near Bandera, Bandera 7-8 Mar (ph, MMa). A surprising number of Purple Finches lingered in nw. Texas: one at Paducah, Cottle 10 Apr (BSu), one near Dodson, Collingsworth 24 Apr (BP), and 2 in Wichita 24 Apr QuM, TM). A single Lesser Goldhnch was observed in Robertson 15 May (RKo) and provided the first Central Brazos Valley record since 1982. Cited observers (subregional editors in bold- face): Kenneth Anderson (KAn), Keith Arnold (KAr), Ron Baltzegar, Peter Barnes, Ken Beazley (KBe), Chris Benesh (CBe), John Berner, Lytle Blankenship (LBl), Mike Blood- sworth, Carol Bookout (CBo), David Brother- ton, Luanne Brotherton (LBr), Charlie Brow- er (CBr), Alastair Brown, Kelly Bryan (KBr), Winnie Burkett, Shelly Burnett, Blaine Carnes (BlC), Eric Carpenter (Central Texas: 5604 Southwest Pkwy, #2222, Austin, Texas 78735. email: ecarpe@gmail.com), Cameron Carver, Bill Case (BiC), Ray Chancellor, Jack Chiles QCh), David Cimprich (DCi), Sheridan Cof- fey (She), Lisa Cole, Scarlet Colley (SeC), Fred Collins, Steve Collins (StC), Greg Cook, Arlie Cooksey, Mel Cooksey, Dede Crusinber- ry (DCr), Jim Crusinberry QCr), D.D. Currie (DDC) (North-Central Texas: 2703 Colleen Dr., Arlington, TX 76016. email: ddbirder® sbcglobal.net), David Dauphin (DDa), Steve DeOrsey, Drew Dickert (DDi), Ken Dixon, David Dolan (DDo), Tom Dove (TDo), Ted Drozdowski (TDr), Gil Eckrich, Bill Eley, Vic- tor Emanuel, Peter English, Tim Fennell, Joe Fischer OFi). Mark Flippo, Jane Fowler QFo), Brush Freeman (BFr), Bert Frenz (BeF) (East Texas: 221 Rainbow Dr., #12190, Livingston, TX 77399-2021. email: bert2@ bafrenz.com), Paige Frome (PFr), Paul Fushille (PFu), Brian Gibbons, Steve Glover (SGI), Steve Gross (SGr),John Groves, David Guenther, David Gunlock (DGu), Mary Gustafson, Cullen Hanks (CuH), Rob Harlan (RHa), Sandy Harlan (SHa), Tommy Harold, Chris Harrison (ChH), Dale Hartsheld, David Hawksworth (DHa), Susan Heath (SHe), Mitch Heindel, Anthony Hewetson (AnH) (Northwest Texas: 4407 36th St., Lubbock TX 79414. email: terrverts@yahoo.com),, Aveline Hewetson (AvH), Ron Hillstrom (RHi), Kelly Himmel, Bill Holmes (BiH), Jean Holmes, Bob Honig (BoH), Richard Hoover (RHo), Eric Horvath, Lee Hoy, Huck Hutchens, Ada Ibar- ra, Nathan Curt Johnson (NCJ), Suzanne Johnson, Tom Johnson, Joe Kennedy QKe). Richard Kinney (RKi), John Kiseda OKi), Chris Knolle, Peter Kondrashov, Rich Kostecke (RKo), Harvey Laas, Rosanna Lane, Sarah Lane (SLa), Tom Langsehied, Greg Lavaty, Cin-Ty Lee (CTL), Jason Leifester, Michael Lindsey (MLi), Dell Little, Mark Lockwood (ML), Scotty Lofland (ScL), Susie Lower (SuL), Bill Lupardus (BLu), Barry Lyon (BLy), Michele Markey (MMa), Lalise Mason, Richard May, Glen McCain, Kevin McDonald, Jon McIntyre, June McKee OuM), Terry McK- ee, Jody McKenzie 0Mc)> Marilyn Moxon (MMo), Vince Moxon, Derek Muschalek, Michael O’Brien, Kyle O’Haver, Glenn Olsen, Jay Packer QaP). Jim Paton QP^) (Trans- Pecos: 4325 Boy Scout Lane, El Paso, TX 79922. email: jnpaton@att.net), Dan Patrick, Barrett Pierce, Randy Pinkston (RPi), Ross Rasmussen (RRa), Janet Rathjen QRa). Mar- tin Reid, Jim Ringo QPi). Robert Rios (RRi), Will Risser, Bron Rorex, Roger Rose (RRo), Preston Ruland, Chris Runk, Roger Sander- son, Laura Sare (LSa), Susan Schaezler (SSc), John Schenck QSc), Monty Schoenhals (MSc), Georgina Schwartz (GSe), David Scott (DSc), Willie Sekula (South Texas: 7063 Co. Rd. 228, Falls City, TX 78113-2627. email: wsekula@copper.net), George Sely (GSe), Cliff Shackelford, Jim Sipiora (JSi), Margaret Sloan (MSI), Howard Smith, John Sneed OSn), Elke Soliday, John Sproul QSp), Diane Stelzer (DSt), Jim Stevenson OSt), Bob Stone (BoS), Byron Stone (ByS), Louisa Stone (LSt), Mary Stortz (MSt), Rose Marie Stortz (RMS), Sarah Stovall (SSt), Mary Beth Stowe (MBS), Brady Suber, Paul Sunby, Brady Surber (BSu), Bill Tarbox (BiT), Bryan Tarbox (BrT), Susan Thompson, Guy Timm, Aaron Tjelmeland, Heidi Trudell, Lisa Turecek, Rene Valdes, Deborah Valdez (DVa), Stan Van Sandt (SVS), Darrell Vollert (DVo), Christian Walker, Lee Wallace (LWa), Ron Weeks (U.T.C.: 110 Indi- an Warrior, Lake Jackson, TX 77566. email: ronweeks@sbcglobal.net), Steve Welborn, Steve Wellborn (SWe), Fred Wernette, Scott Whittle (SeW), Greer Willis, David Wolf, Mimi Hoppe Wolf (MHW), Adam Wood, Lisa Wrinkle (LWr), John Yochum, Matthew York, Lee Ziegler, Barry Zimmer. O Mark W. Lockwood, 402 East Harriet Avenue Alpine, Texas 79830 (mark.lod) are not in- cluded in this report. GEESE THROUGH IBISES The latest report of Greater White-fronted Goose was of one at Nucla 26 Apr (CDe, BW), which also provided a Montrose first. A dark- morph Ross’s Goose was reported from s. Phillips 6 Mar (JR, RL); this morph is very rare anywhere. A female Eurasian Wigeon was documented from Haxtun, Phillips 2 Apr (TD); it would represent only the 2nd record of the sex in Colorado. The male Blue-winged Teal X Cinnamon Teal returned to Boulder 6 Apr (WS) for its 9th spring. Two Cinnamon Teal were noted at Silverton, San Juan 2 May (RL) and provided only the 2nd or 3rd record for that high-elevation county. Wintering or early migrant Long-tailed Ducks barely made the season at three e. Colorado sites in the first week of Mar. A Common Goldeneye was a surprising find along CR 2 in deep-water-poor Phillips 6 Mar (JR, RL), while an ad. male Bar- row’s Goldeneye provided a first for well-bird- ed and deep-water-poor Chico, Pueblo on the same date (BM). A Hooded Merganser, rare in the San Luis Valley, was a nice find at Home L., Alamosa 18 Apr (JB), and a male Common Goldeneye x Hooded Merganser hybrid was out of the ordinary at Chatheld, JejJcrson 13 Mar (TD). A peregrinating Dusky Grouse was inexplicably near downtown Ft. Collins, Larimer 23 May (ph.; fide E. DeFonso). Six Gambel’s Quail at the Ute Mountain Tribal Park, Montezuma 14 May QB) provided anoth- er of the few records of this species from southwesternmost Colorado. A nice spring flight of 30 Common Loons was recorded in Colorado 2 Apr-17 May (m.ob.). The first American Bittern of the spring was at Lower Latham Res., Weld 1 Apr (MH, DK), pushing the arrival envelope for the species but eclipsed by the rare-at-any- This Common Black-Hawk withstood the scrutiny of both birders and non-birding recreationists at a popular nature center in Fountain, El Paso County, Colorado on 16 May 2010; it was not seen thereafter. Photograph by Bill Maynard. VOlUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 463 COLORADO & WYOMING A rarity anywhere in the continent's interior, this Tricolored Heron was photographed 20 May 2010 in Fremont County south of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Photograph by Bryan Patrick. season Least Bittern at Sawhill Ponds, Boulder 24 May (tM. Arp). Great Egrets in unusual locales included singles on the West Slope at Zinks Pond, La Plata 5 Apr (CDe, BW) and Steamboat Springs, Routt 6 Apr (CDo) and one at Frantz L. 5 May (RM) that provided only the 2nd or 3rd Chaffee record. Rare for Wyoming, one was in Fremont 7 May (JDo). The West Slope also got in on the Snowy Egret action, with individuals gracing sites in Gaijield 8 May (S&M Flarris), Moffat 16 Apr and 23 May (both EL), and Routt 6 May (CDo, EL). In Wyoming, out-of-range Snowy Egrets included 2 at South Park W.M.A., Teton 18-19 May (SP) and one in Fremont 30-31 May QDo). Three Little Blue Herons was a high seasonal number, particularly as all were ads., with up to 2 at Walden Ponds, Boulder 13 Apr-25 May (WS) and one at Sheridan L., Kiowa 24 Apr (D. Maynard); one was found not far from Walden Ponds at Teller L., Boul- der 6 May 0- Lamoureaux). A Tricolored Heron provided a Fremont first 18 May+ at the new Holcim Wetlands at Portsmouth (RM). Cattle Egrets away from the e. plains and the San Luis Valley included singles at Pastorius 23 Apr (m.ob.); DeWeese Res., Custer 11 Apr (RM); Howard, Fremont 5 May (RM); and in Chaffee 21 May (RM), with up to 2 at Hayden, Routt 10-15 May (NM, TL, PL) and 3 at De- Weese Res, 17 May (RM). Rare for Wyoming, one was at the Lockner Rd. marsh in Natrona 18 Apr (B. Rickman, CM). A Green Heron was at an unusually high elevation at De- Weese Res, 11-25 May (RM), and another was in La Plata 30 May (E. & E Lyon), where very rare. Single ad. Yellow- crowned Night-Herons at Fountain, El Paso 16-22 Apr (KL) and Fort Collins 20-21 Apr (D. Elens, R. Hopper) round- ed out the rare ardeids for the season. The only well-documented Glossy Ibis (of 16 reported) were singles at Pastorius 25 Apr (SA), Vail, Eagle 2 May (H. Schultz), and Red Lion S.W.A., Logan 21 May ODr). RAPTORS THROUGH PHALAROPES We received 29 Colorado reports of Broad-winged Hawks this spring (24 Apr-25 May), all from e. Colorado (as expected) and all of singles except for the 8 passing Dinosaur Ridge, Jefferson 1 May (SS). An additional report from Larimer 5 Mar was so early as to cause concern for the accuracy of the identification, as the bird was Two ad. Mississippi Kites at Chico, Pueblo 16 May (BM) accounted for a first local record and would have provided the most interesting raptor record of the day (and season) were it not for the ad. Common Black- Hawk not far away at Fountain Creek (KL, L. Edwards). This species has recently become much more regular in the state, though there are still fewer than 10 records. A presumed ad. post-breeding wanderer has been noted in neighboring Fremont each of the past three years, and many would love to know whether it is the same individ- ual accounting for this spring's record. With a known breeding population on the Canadian R. in n. New Mexi- co, some birders are contemplating the possibility of ex- pansion of breeding by the species into Colorado. not photographed. Singles were reported from Wyoming in May from Natrona (S. Scott) and Laramie (GJ). The last Rough-legged Hawk of the season was in Routt 18 Apr (CDo). The first Black Rail of the season was heard 27 Apr in the Colorado hotbed for the species that is the Ft. Lyon marshes. Bent (BKP). Six Sandhill Cranes 2 Mar were an unusual sight for the county at Zink’s Pond 0- Zink). Very rare for Wyoming, a Snowy Plover was at Saratoga L., Carbon 14 May. A Black-bellied Plover at San Luis Lakes, Alamosa 24 May QB) provided a rare local record, as did a reported 6 May American Golden-Plover in Boulder (J. Tuma- sonis); a Semipalmated Plover at Pastorius 28 Apr-2 May (JB); and single Black-necked Stilts at Rio Blanco Res., Rio Blanco 11 May (DH), Craig, Moffat 12 May (FL), and Pasto- rius 19 May 0- Winegardner). A Greater Yel- lowlegs was early 3 Mar at Cherry Creek Res., Arapahoe (M. Keithler). Five Willets at the Hwy. 149 ponds. Mineral and 5 Willets at Sil- verton, San Juan (both RL) may well have pro- vided firsts for these high-elevation counties. In the curlew department, 2 Upland Sand- pipers in w. Weld were quite early 10 Apr (S. Riffe), while the dozen Long-billed Curlews at Meeker 19 Apr (DH) provided a Rio Blanco high count. A whopping 131 Marbled God- wits was quite the sight at Hayden, Routt 28 Apr (NM), with “only” 40 there the next day. Water-poor and underbirded Dolores got into the shorebird action this spring with a report of 19 Marbled Godwits at Ferris L. 1 May (G. Dunmire). A Semipalmated Sandpiper was a very nice find in sw. Colorado at Pastorius 16 May (jB, SA), and a Short-billed Dowitcher at Jackson, Teton 15 May (SP) was very rare for Wyoming. Red-necked Phalaropes put in a de- cent showing on the West Slope, but only 3 were found in e. Colorado this spring, at Red Lion S.W.A. 21 May QDr). GULLS THROUGH VIREOS Bonaparte’s Gull put in a strong West Slope showing this spring (4 Apr-1 May), with sev- en reports of 21 individuals in five counties r n Shorebird migration, particularly in spring, is skinny on the ground in w. Colorado, with only some 10 species being of 3nregular occurrence in numbers on the West Slope. A few local birders are altering our understanding of the phenom- enon by focusing effort on some of the few good shorebirds sites there, with the crew in nw. Colorado being especially ded- icated. The Yampa River S.W.A., Poutt received shorebirding effort this spring, with great results. The Semipalmated Plover there 6 May (CDo) may well have been the local plover highlight in most springs, but was outshone by as many as 3 Black- bellied Plovers 1-13 May (CDo, ph. TL) and greatly outclassed by the season's piece de resistance, a basic-plumaged Ameri- can Golden-Plover at the Yampa River S.W.A. 9-10 May (ph. TL). The species is rare anywhere in Colorado in spring, so an individual in nw. Colorado is a real eye-opener. In addition to the aforementioned Cattle Egrets, other sightings of interest from the locale include a county high tally of 12 American Avocets 6-9 May, a Whimbrel 7 May (quite rare on the West Slope; FL), 3 Long-billed Curlews 8-15 May, Marbled Godwit occurrence 30 Apr-15 May, with a high count of 55 on 30 Apr-1 May, up to 2 Semipalmated Sandpipers 7-1 1 May (FL), and a first valley Pectoral Sandpiper 8 May (CDo, FL). 464 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS COLORADO & WYOMING' Acorn Woodpecker is regular in Colorado at only one colony in the far southwestern part of the state, so when a male visited a backyard in Niwot, Boulder County 25-26 (here 26) May 2010, it provided both a pleasant surprise and a county first. Photograph by Bill Sthmoker. (Eagle, Garfield, Moffat, Rio Blanco, Routt). The 8 Franklin’s Gulls at the Hwy. 149 ponds 1 May (RL) apparently provided a county first, while the peak of 50 Ring-billed Gulls at the Yampa River S.W.A. 30 Apr-28 May (FL) provided for a county maximum. Continuing recent trends, Iceland Gull was noted in Colorado this spring, with 2 first-cycle birds at Windsor L., Weld 27-28 Mar (tN. Komar, J. Bruening); these individuals probably account for reports of individuals of similar ages at nearby locales. Five ads. and another (age unreported) in Boulder and Weld were all the Lesser Black- backed Gulls that Colorado could muster this spring, while 3 Glaucous Gulls, all in Weld, was a bit higher than typical. The 5 Caspian Terns (24 Apr-17 May) also made for an above-average seasonal count, with all but the rare-in-southwestern Colorado individual at Pastorius 4 May (SA) being in se. Colorado. The first spring migrant Band-tailed Pigeon visited the observer’s No Name, Garfield yard 20 Mar (T. McConnell). Thirteen reports of 16 Colorado White-winged Doves in nine counties make for an excellent illustration of the distribution of breeding season reports of this species. Reports from Wyoming also seem to be increasing, with one in Lander, Fremont 24 May (ph. S. Watt, JDo). A Yellow- billed Cuckoo was a shade early in Cheyenne 6 May (GW et al.). Two of the season’s five Lesser Nighthawk reports were documented: a road-killed bird at Colorado City, Pueblo 15 May (DS) and 2 at Walden Ponds 29 May (B. Guarente). A Black Swift was not only slight- ly early 24 May at Keota, Weld (DK, M. Goldthwaite) but well out on the plains, where exceedingly rare. Calliope Humming- bird, though a regular fall migrant in numbers through Colorado, is incredibly rare as a spring migrant, despite breeding as close as sw. Wyoming. Thus, the 2 Calliopes found in the state this spring are of great interest: one at Rifle, Garfield 9 May (A. Dahl) and a female captured in a mist net at Chico, El Paso 17 May (BM, BPG). Single Lewis’s Woodpeckers in Meeker 8-12 May (DH) and Craig, Moffat 23 May (K. Hepworth) provide rare nw. Col- orado records. More unexpectedly, in Wyoming, a Lewis’s Woodpecker was near Little America, Sweetwater 17 May (RS). The Durango, La Plata colony of Acorn Wood- peckers, the only known breeding site in the state, continues; well-birded Boulder scored its first with an individual visiting a Niwot residence 25-26 May (D. & P. Fletcher, ph. BS). A Red-headed Woodpecker at 2898 m at Wilkerson Pass, Park 3 Mar (R. Taylor) was mind-boggling, not only due to the high ele- vation but also for the date of occurrence. Westerly in Natrona, WY, single Red-headeds were in Casper 25 May (SS) and at Evansville the next day (CM). Two Alder Flycatchers were documented in Colorado, singles at Chico, Pueblo 19 May (M. Peterson, tJDr) and Hereford, Weld, also 19 May (DAL). Northerly Black Phoebes in- cluded one at Chatfield S.R, Douglas 7-11 Apr (]. Kellner, GW), one at Twin Lakes, Boulder 9 May (WS), and one at Bear Creek Park, Je/- ferson 16 May (MH). Ash-throated Flycatch- ers are relatively common denizens of the pinyon-juniper woodland community of Col- orado, which extends n. along the Front Range into El Paso. A few individuals annual- ly extend their migration a bit too far, and this season was no exception, with individuals re- ported from Boulder and Larimer in May. Very early was the Eastern Kingbird at Canon City, Fremont 12 Apr (RM), while singles at Denny L., Montezuma (B. & N. Macurda) and Zink’s Pond 16 May (B. Reynolds, SA) were in sw. Colorado, where uncommon at best. The five reported White-eyed Vireos in e. Colorado during the season was slightly above average, with reports coming from Prowers (2), Wash- ington, Lar imer, and El Paso. A Bell’s Vireo in Gregory Canyon, Boulder 19 May (E. Miller, S. Wagner) was w. of normal and out of habi- tat. The 11 Yellow-throated Vireos reported (all from e. Colorado; 17 Apr-22 May) may be an unprecedented number. Unlike in fall, Cassin’s Vireo is a scarce spring migrant through the Region, so the 10 reported (22 Apr-12 May) was a large number, with the in- dividual at Casper 12 May (CM) being of most interest. A Blue-headed Vireo at Chico, Pueblo 6 May (BKP et al.) and a Philadelphia Vireo at Port Collins 19 May (R. Sparks) were both well documented. SWALLOWS THROUGH WARBLERS Purple Martins found in e. Colorado are as- sumed to be referable to the subspecies subis (the subspecies hesperia nests locally in aspen in the w. mts.). An ad. male reported from Neenoshe Res., Kiowa 1 May (D. Nelson) was, considering its proximity to Kansas, pre- sumed to be subis. The Juniper Titmouse that established a territory at the Dinosaur Ridge Hawkwatch, Jejfjferson 7 Mar-2 Apr (K. Clark, J. Lupfer) was roughly 120 km n. of the species’ normal range. Carolina Wren contin- ues to expand into Colorado, with 5 reported during the period (singles at three sites in Boulder and singles in Prowers and Pueblo). Two Winter Wrens (sensu stricto) were re- ported: a singing bird at Pountain Creek 3 Apr (KL) and one in Loveland, Larimer 8 Apr (EC). A “Winter Wren” at Sundance, Crook, WY 25 May QA, Jen Adams) was not distin- guished to the species level. Considering that Pacific Wren is known to breed in the nearby Black Hills of South Dakota, it may be the more likely to occur in ne. Wyoming that late in the season. Very rare for Wyoming, and especially Jackson, a Western Bluebird was discovered in a burned area along the Gros Ventres in mid- May (fide SP). A Russet-backed Swainson’s Thrush was reported from Chico, El Paso 13 May (BPG); the C.B.R.C. is currently re- searching the status of this subspecies in the state. Three Wood Thrushes were document- ed in Colorado, slightly more than average. VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 465 COLORADO & WYOMING The long-staying Golden-crowned Sparrow at Red Rocks Park, Jefferson County, Colorado was in first-winter plumage in late March (left, 26 March) but had completed its pre-alternate molt before departing (right, 9 May). Composite photograph by Bill Schmoker (left) and Marilyn Rhodes (right). with singles at Chico, Pueblo 29 Apr-3 May (BKP), Colorado City, Pueblo 19-31 May (DS), and Colorado Springs, El Paso 20-21 May (R. Hinds, KL). Very rare for Wyoming, a Wood Thrush was heard singing in Casper 26 May (G&JL). Rarely detected, but most likely annual in small numbers (though most Colorado records are from fall), a Sprague’s Pipit was reported from near Burlington, Kit Carson 18 Apr (SS). Two Blue-winged Warblers and 2 Golden- winged Warblers graced Colorado this spring, the former at Rocky Ford S.W.A., Otero 15 May ODr) ^nd Rock Canyon, Pueblo 26 May (BKP), the latter at Lamar, Prowers 16 May (M. Miller) and along the Animas R. 20 May (ph. H. Morris, SA), a first for La Plata. Nashville Warbler put in a good showing, with at least 15 reported from across the state (22 Apr-15 May). Very rare for n. Wyoming, A As of 1 992, there were only 1 9 records of Northern Parula for Colorado (R. Andrews, R. Righter, Col- orado Birds. Denver Museum of Natural History). Since then, numbers have increased each year, with detections during the past three years increasing dramatically. Northern Parulas staged an unprecedented incursion into Colorado during spring 2010, with at least 36 individuals observed 8 Apr-23 May. All were from the e. plains ex- cept for one from nw. Colorado at Craig, Moffat 23 May (FL), where very rare. One wonders if climatic or meteor- ological events may have caused migratory shifts result- ing in this phenomenon or if increased birding effort has resulted in the exponential Increase in numbers of obser- vations. Remarkably, only one Northern Parula was ob- served In Wyoming this spring, a bird in Cheyenne, Laramie 2) May (GJ). but at a location where found last year, a pair of Virginia’s Warblers was near Ten Sleep, Washakie in the Big Horn Mts. 20 May (C. Grimes). The Lucy’s Warbler population in the extreme sw. corner of Colorado continues, with birds noted there by 15 May. The 8 Chestnut-sided Warblers reported in Colorado 8-20 May (from Prowers, Baca [2], Bent, Pueblo, Custer, Douglas, and Larimer) was above average, while Wyoming had sin- gles at Hereford Ranch 24 May (GJ) and well w. at Fontenelle 29-31 May (M. Resch). The 8 Colorado Magnolia Warblers was near the av- erage, while Wyoming had singles at Hereford Ranch 22 May QA) and Edness K. Wilkins S.R, Natrona 24 May (CM). The Cape May Warbler at Lamar 26 Apr (J. Stulp) was the first in two years for Colorado and provided for the state’s earliest of 14 spring records. A Black-throated Blue Warbler visited Casper 24 May (G&JL), while a Black-throated Gray Warbler near Boulder, Sublette 29 May (D. & C. Farr) was quite far n. of usual in Wyoming. Colorado’s 5 Black-throated Green Warblers was slightly above normal, and Wyoming also scored one at Cheyenne 21 May QA et ah). A Blackburnian Warbler, potentially the 46th record for Colorado, was reported from Boul- der 8 May (C. Labio). The Pine Warbler that wintered in Pueblo remained through at least 6 Mar (BKP). Only one Prothonotary Warbler was re- ported, at Loveland 15 May (EC), while the 5 Worm-eating Warblers detected (5-17 May) was typical. The warbler highlight of the sea- son was Colorado’s 8th Swainson’s Warbler, a one-day wonder on the Mitchek Ranch in Cheyenne 1 May (S. Larson, ph. BM). Incredi- bly, the state also recorded its 10th and 11th Connecticut Warblers, with a male banded at Chico, El Paso 17 May (BPG, S. Brown; the 2nd banded in the state) and another skulk- ing at Walden Ponds 22-23 May (WS). Rarely seen in Wyoming, a Mourning Warbler was in Casper 26 May (G&JL). The 12 Colorado Hooded Warblers across the e. plains 23 Apr-15 May was normal. More unusual was a female Hooded Warbler at Sprague L. in Rocky Mountain N.P, Larimer 24 May (S. Roederer); only one was found in Wyoming, that being a bird at Hereford Ranch 22 May (CFO). A Canada Warbler found very far w. at Fontenelle, WY 28-29 May (RS, J. Steenberg, A. & W. Hines) represents a very rare record for the state. SPARROWS THROUGH FINCHES A wintering Harris’s Sparrow through 19 May at Thermopolis, Hot Springs (V Herren) was tardy. The Golden-crowned Sparrow at Canon City ended its 4th winter there after 19 Apr (RM), while the winterer at Red Rocks, Jeffer- son lingered quite unseasonably until at least 14 May (MH). Summer Tanagers are regular overshooting migrants to Colorado in spring, but this spring’s 19 was a high number; one made it to Wyoming 19-24 May in Saratoga (ph. FB), preceded there by a westerly Dick- cissel 18 May (FB). Rare for sw. Colorado, 4 male Bobolinks were at Zink’s Pond 14-15 May (SA). Two Rusty Blackbirds tarried along the Wheatridge Greenbelt, JeJ/erson 5-23 Mar (M. Chavez). Great-tailed Grackles returned in Apr and May, respectively, to two locations in Natrona (CM, DF). Rare for Wyoming, a Baltimore Oriole visited Saratoga 24 May (ph. FB). Scott’s Oriole is a locally rare nester in w. Colorado and rare and irregular in the juniper breaks of the se. portion of the state. Nesting was considered likely at a new w. location in Jim Canyon, Gaifield, where a male was seen 27 May (CDe, BW). Quite unusual was the presence of 2 ad. male Pine Grosbeaks at low elevation in Du- rango, La Plata 20 Mar (SA). White- winged Crossbills nest sporadically across the spruce- fir belt of the high elevations of the Region, so the breeding pair in Grandview Cemetery in Fort Collins was a big hit. Though the pair en- countered problems during nesting, two nests were successful (DAL). Although Common Redpoll is rare in the mts., one coming to a feeder in Carbondale, Garfield 29 Mar (D. Fil- by) represented another datum in a surprising- ly regular pattern of seasonal occurrence there. Undocumented rarities: We do not include, above, undocumented Colorado reports of re- view species. Such reports this season were: Eurasian Wigeon (Baca, Mesa); Mexican Duck (Boulder, Rio Grande); Tricolored Heron 466 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS COLORADO & WYOMING (Weld); Glossy Ibis (Arapahoe, Bent, Garfield, Otero, Prowers, 2 in Pueblo, Routt, Weld); Glossy Ibis x White-faced Ibis hybrid (Wash- ington)-, Gyrfalcon (Jefferson)-, Hudsonian Godwit (Weld)-, Short-billed Dowitcher (Ara- pahoe, Larimer, Otero, Weld); Black-headed Gull (Weld)-, Laughing Gull (Crowley)-, Slaty- backed Gull (Weld)-, Glaucous-winged Gull (2 in Weld)-, Inca Dove (Larimer)-, Lesser Nighthawk (Baca, Cheyenne, Pueblo)-, Eastern Wood-Pewee (Larimer, 2 in Pueblo, Washing- ton)-, Alder Flycatcher (El Paso, Lincoln, Lo- gan, Pueblo)-, Vermilion Flycatcher (Baca, Bent)-, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Bent, Wash- ington)-, Blue-headed Vireo (Prowers)' Philadelphia Vireo (Baca, Larimer, Prowers)-, Cactus Wren (Baca)-, Gray-cheeked Thrush (2 in Bent, Kit Carson, Larimer, Lincoln, Wash- ington, 2 in Weld)-, Wood Thrush (Bent)-, Sprague’s Pipit (Lincoln); Cape May Warbler (Lincoln); Yellow-throated Warbler (1-2 in Prowers, Weld); Pine Warbler (Weld); Prairie Warbler (Prowers); Kentucky Warbler (Custer, 2 in Prowers, Pueblo); Mourning War- bler (Prowers); Canada Warbler (Pueblo); Scarlet Tanager (Arapahoe, Prowers); Hooded Oriole (Montrose). Also, 2 Chihuahuan Ravens reported at Navajo Res., Archuleta 1 Apr require documentation, as there are no confirmed records from this part of the state. Cited observers (subregional editors in bold- face): Jean Adams, Susan Allerton, Jim Beatty (sw. Colorado), Francis Bergquist, Elaine Co- ley, Todd Deininger, Coen Dexter (CDe, w- cen. Colorado), Craig Dodson (CDo), Jim Downham 0Do)> John Drummond QDr), Doug Faulkner (Wyoming), Brian P. Gibbons, Mike Henwood, Dona Hilkey, Greg Johnson, Doug Kibbe, Gloria & Jim Lawrence, David A. Leatherman, Kara Lewantowicz, Roger Linfield, Tom Litteral, Forrest Luke (nw. Col- orado), Bill Maynard, Nancy Merrill, Chris Michelson, Rich Miller, Susan Patla, Brandon K. Percival (se. Colorado), Joe Roller, Bill Schmoker (BSc; Colorado Front Range), Lar- ry Semo (ne. Colorado), Scott Severs, Dave Silverman, Rick Steenberg, Walter Szeliga, Glenn Walbek (n.-cen. Colorado), Brenda Wright. Many other individual observers con- tributed information to this report hut could not be acknowledged here; they all have our appreciation. O Lawrence S. Semo, SWCA Environmental Consultants 295 Interlocken Boulevard, Suite 300 Broomfield, Colorado 80021 (lsemo@swca.com) Tony Leukering, 102 Delaware Avenue Villas, New Jersey 08251 (greatgrayowl@aol.com) Bill Schmoker, 3381 Larkspur Drive Longmont, Colorado 80503 (bill@schmoker.org) I'heJth Edition of the ABA Checklist OFWHi&BA tHECki:i: A completely revTsed edition of the ABA Checklist of the Continental United States and Canada -• a total of 957 species • ; , • 33 species new to the ABA Checklist' • • 3 species removed from the list • • several new species as a result of "splits" • , , • 14 species renamed* • detaifed'accounts of more than 200 Code 4, 5, and 6 S ABA Checklist Birds of the Continental United States and Canada AmencanBirding Seventh Edition ■ s VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 467 Idaho & Western Montana of a Northern Parula 28 May (SB), a Black- and-white Warbler 30 May (RM), and an Ovenbird 31 May (SB). Montana’s contribu- tion of rare warblers included a Tennessee Warbler at Ennis L. 28 May (JP) and a Black- poll Warbler in Thompson Falls 12 May QG)- Rose-breasted Grosbeaks made a better-than- usual showing, with 6 reported in w. Montana and one in Idaho. The only extralimital Com- mon Grackle was reported in Garden Valley, ID 23 May (LH). Great-tailed Grackle reports were up in s. Idaho, with singles noted in Canyon 8 Apr (LD) and Jefferson 16 May On 23 March 2010, a Carolina Wren was discovered by Jerry McGahan on his property in Arlee, Montana (here 18 April). Fortunately, the bird stayed for the duration of the season and delighted many birders who made the pilgrimage there to see it. It pro- vided a first record for Montana. Photograph by Wayne Tree. David Trochlell The winter season’s relatively mild weather continued through March and into April, as evidenced by a plethora of record-early migrant birds. But late April and May featured unusually cool, wet weath- er that effectively stalled late spring bird mi- gration and caused numerous and dramatic fallouts of migrants. GEESE THROUGH GULLS Extralimital Montana Greater White-fronted Geese were reported at Warm Springs 17 Mar (NK), Lake 7 Apr (BR), Flathead 25 Apr (BT), and Hamilton 25 Apr (NB). A Mute Swan of unknown provenance near Helena about 17 Mar (BM) made the first Montana report in many years. Thirteen Eurasian Wigeons were noted in the Region, representing a good sea- son’s tally. Commendable peak counts at Warm Springs, MT included 1288 American Wigeons 25 Mar, 4448 Northern Shovelers 16 Apr, 2231 Canvasbacks 25 Mar, and 2647 Ruddy Ducks 16 Apr (GS). The only Long- tailed Duck reported was in Gooding, ID 20- 27 Mar (LL). The most celebrated duck of the season was a Tufted Duck that staged e. of St. Maries 27 Mar-10 Apr (ph. TG), providing a 4th Idaho record. Montana’s Lee Metcalf N.W.R. hosted the following locally rare waders: a Great Egret 22 Apr-14 May (BD), 2 Black-crowned Night-Herons 25 Apr (PH), and 2 White-faced Ibis 12 May (SF). A Glossy Ibis, now an annual visitor in e. Idaho, was nicely documented near Hamer 19 Apr (ph., tDCl). A Broad-winged Hawk seen near Bozeman, MT 21 May QP) represented the 2nd local spring record. Record late was a Rough-legged Hawk in Fremont, ID 9 May (CW). Gyrfalcons are not usually reported in spring, making Montana singles in Lake 3 Mar (BR) and at Canyon Ferry W.M.A. 2 Apr (BM) especially noteworthy. Rarely reported in n. Idaho, a Long-billed Curlew was near Troy 3 Apr (CS). A Snowy Plover photographed in Ada 8-16 May QC) was significant, as there are only two accept- ed spring precedents in Idaho. Adverse weather held a remarkable 3000-r American Avocets at Ennis L., MT 26 Apr (JP), a spec- tacle that exceeded previous record counts there. Two apparently territorial Solitary Sandpipers were discovered in Glacier N.R 22 May QC), where breeding is suspected but re- mains unverified. Especially rare in spring were Whimbrels noted at Camas N.W.R., Je/- jerson, ID 17 Apr (SB) and in Fremont, ID 9- 15 May (ph., tCW). A Sanderling that stopped in Fremont, ID 13 May provid- ed a first spring record for Latilong 16 (CW). Unex- pected in any season in Ida- ho but especially in spring was a Stilt Sandpiper in Ada 14 May (HK). Especially surprising were 6 Short- billed Dowitchers of sub- species caurimis document- ed in Fremont 5-15 May (ph., tCW); there is only one accepted spring season record of the species in Ida- ho. The season’s rare gull tally included a Mew Gull and 2 Thayer’s Gulls in Flathead, MT 11 Apr (DC), 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls in Boise, ID 6-13 Mar OC), and a Glaucous-winged Gull in Owyhee, ID 24 Apr QC). OWLS THROUGH ORIOLES For the 6th consecutive year. Northern Hawk Owl breeding was confirmed in Glacier N.R, where a pair of ads. with fledglings was dis- covered 22 May QC). A pair of locally rare Pileated Woodpeckers was seen excavating a cavity ne. of Bozeman, MT 23 May (GK); no local breeding records are known. A Logger- head Shrike was a rare find n. of Moscow, ID 4 Apr (TG). A pair of Blue Jays was near Bridger, MT 29 Apr for only the 2nd time in the past 14 years, and nesting was later confirmed there 20 May (DE). A surprising first record for Mon- tana and the Region was a Carolina Wren in Arlee 23 Mar-31 May QMc). Way ahead of schedule was a Mountain Bluebird near Eure- ka, MT 28 Feb (LY), which represented the 2nd earliest arrival there in over 20 years. A pairing of a male Western Bluebird and female Mountain Bluebird reportedly produced a brood near Troy, MT 15 May (DJ). Wayward Idaho Sage Thrashers showed up near Genesee 20 Apr (TG) and Deary 1 May (DK). The tally of rare warblers at migrant traps in Jefferson, ID was fairly typical, with reports (DCl), plus 4 in Owyhee 31 May (RM). Record early by two weeks in Latilong 38 was a Brown-headed Cowbird in Harrison, MT 17 Apr (MB). Western Montana’s 3rd Baltimore Oriole graced Bozeman 27 May (AG). Repre- senting a first occurrence in w. Montana was a Bullock’s Oriole x Baltimore Oriole hybrid photographed near Florence 9 May QM). Contributors (subregional editors in boldface): Ned Batchelder, Mike Becker, Steve Butter- worth, Wayne Camacho, Kathleen Cameron, Jay Carlisle, Keith Carlson (KCl), Dan Casey, Darren Clark (DCl), Bob Danley, Lynn Daven- port, Rich Deen, Mark Donahue, Dave Ellis, Sid Frissell, William Goodsoe, Terry Gray, Jim Greaves, Daryl Gustafson, Andrew Guttenberg, Lou Ann Harris (LAH), Paul Hayes, Stanley Heath, Jim Holcomb, Louinda Huston, Steven Hughes (SHu), Don Jones, Deanna Kinziger, Nate Kohler, Harry Krueger, Joanie Leyba, Leanne Lloyd-Fairey, Bob Martinka, Judy Ma- son, Jerry McGahan QMc), Robert Mortensen, John Parker, Jeff Pentel OPe). Bob Rost, Shirley Sturts, Gary Swant, Bruce Tannehill, Chuck Trost, Zeke Watkins, Cliff Weisse, Poo Wright-Pulliam, Lewis Young. David Trochlell, 2409 East N Avenue la Grande, Oregon 97850, (dtrochlell@frontier.com) 468 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS New Mexico 1 Bosqmdel S« /'Apache N.W.R. Mali# / /Elepltani Butte L • Satfimanfo Roswoll ^ /Consequences < iCaballoL. 'ClOUdCrOft San Andres i Hobbs i Carlsbad Moniley L •! ^ mill ’Raltldnake SpQsi .Columbus I Sartor 0. Wiftiams III Spring 2010 began cooler and wetter than usual, and intermittent cold snaps continued into early May south to the Mexican border; observers noted that mi- grants were both late and scarce. Strong and persistent westerly winds in April and May might have been responsible for depositing several unusual species, including two Ruffs, an Elegant Tern, and New Mexico’s first Black Turnstone. My thanks to Bill Howe and John Parmeter for proofreading. 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); P O. Canyon (Post Office Canyon, Peloncillo Mts.); R.G.N.C. (Rio Grande Nature Center, Albuquerque); R.G.V. (Rio Grande Valley); R.S. (Rattlesnake Springs area, Eddy); U.N.M. (University of New Mexico, Albuquerque). WATERFOWL THROUGH RAPTORS An ad. Black-bellied Whistling-Duck made a brief stop at Sumner L. 14 May QEP et al, ph. JO, ph. MJB, ph. NP); it was not found 15 May or later. Mexican Ducks continued to out- number Mallards along the s. border; on 8 May, Mexicans outnumbered Mallards 157 to 31 in Hidalgo (AC), 44 to 2 in Luna (LM), and 47 to 18 in Dona Ana (MS). Greater Scaup lin- gering in the R.G.V. were a female at R.G.N.C. 9 Apr (ph. NH), a pair at Socorro 5-21 Mar (ph. JWS, CMB, NH), a female at Bosque 4 Apr (WH) and a pair there 11 Apr (ph. JWS), and a female at Truth or Consequences 4 May (ph. DC). Unexpected were 6 Montezuma Quail at San Simon Cienega 8 May (MM). The wintering Red-throated Loon at E.B.L. was still present 10 Mar (ph. DC), 12 Mar QEP), and 28 Mar (ph. NH); a briefly detailed one was at Conchas L. 20 Mar QO). A Red-necked Grebe at E.B.L. 23-30 Mar (ph. DC) may have been the individual that wintered there. An impressive 300 Eared Grebes were at Clovis 27 Apr (WH). Brown Pelicans were again in the news, with 2 at Morgan L. 23 Apr (ph. TR), where one lingered through 15 May (ph. C. Braun, ph. TR), one at L. Roberts 28 May (LM), and at least 2 at E.B.L. 6-12 May (m.ob., ph. JJ, ph, NP, ph. DC). Neotropic Cormorants beyond usual range were an ad. n. to the Alameda bridge 5 Mar (ph. WH, JER NP) and an imm. at Clovis 27 Apr (WH). Double-crest- ed Cormorant colonies contained 13 active nests at Abiquiu L. 24 May (M. Watson), 39 nests at Santa Rosa L. 31 May (WH), and 16 nests at Clovis 27 Apr (WH). A Least Bittern was singing at Bosque Re- dondo 29 May one was vocal at E.B.L. 8 May (DK), where there were 2 on 14 May (ph. DC). Surveys in the sw. for nesting Great Blue Herons found 13 active nests at Quemado L. 20 May, single nests at Apache Creek 20 May and Snow L. 21 May, two nests at Mule Creek 22 May, and seven nests at Gila Hot Springs 22 May, but none were found at historic sites at Alma or Glenwood (SOW, PM). An ad. Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was at Las Cruces 5 May (ph. V. Crane); the species, which has re- cently extended its breeding range n. across the Mexican Plateau to cen. Chihuahua (ph. M. Bujarda), has been annual in New Mexico since 2000 and has nested twice. Among the thousands of White-faced Ibis flooding through the state were sin- gle ad. Glossy Ibis at Bosque Redon- do 30 Apr (WWi) and at Bosque 25 Apr (ph. CW), 30 Apr (CR), 2-3 May OEP, CS), and 17 May (CLB, ph. CW, ph. MJB); an apparent Glossy Ibis x White-faced Ibis hybrid was at Bosque Redondo 22 May OEP). A new Osprey breeding locale at Fenton L. had a pair at a nest 18 Apr (R. Murphy); else- where, pairs returned to Navajo Dam (TR), McGaffey L. (DS), and Ramah L. (DS), and some 20 pairs were holding territories in n. Rio Arriba (DS). A Swallow-tailed Kite was a shock flying over the prairie some 40 km n. of Roswell 31 May (CR); it provided New Mexi- co’s 8th credible record and the first in spring. A White-tailed Kite wandered n. to L.VN.W.R. 15 Apr (B. Gillock, ph. P. Garcia); farther s., one to 2 were at Bosque Mar-May (CS, CR, CMB, ph. NH), and singles were s. of Columbus 16 Apr (LM), w. of Columbus 26 May (SOW), and at Animas 28 May (SOW). Concentrations of migrant Mississip- pi Kites numbered 30 at B.L.N.W.R. 15 May QEP) and 42 at Tucumcari 19 May (WWe); noteworthy were 3 n. to Clayton 21 May (DW) and one at Encino 31 May (CR). Five Bald Eagle nests were active in traditional ter- ritories in n. New Mexico by Apr, two in Rio Arriba and three in Colfax (m.ob.); late was an ad. at Zuni’s Nutria L. 8 Apr (T. Johnson). Common Black-Hawks continued to appear beyond historical range, including one e. to Texico 4 Apr (DH), others at two Santa Rosa sites in May (DH, JER WH), and one at R.S. 7 May (ph. E. Harper); the species was unusu- ally conspicuous in the R.G.V n. to Santo Domingo 19 May (CL), Algodones 16 May QM), Albuquerque’s South Valley 21 May (DH), Belen 9 May (DH), and Bosque 12 May QEP). Notable for Doiia Atra was a Harris’s Hawk at Santa Teresa 31 May QNP). A Broad- winged Hawk was w. to Kingston 1 May (ph. JNP); singles were noted from the R.G.V east- ward 18 Apr-7 May at Corrales (B. Vaughn, G. Garber), Cedar Crest (DL), Socorro (ph. GF), Bosque (CS), Percha (NP), Portales OEP), Tatum OEP), and R.S. (SW). A Gray Hawk pair returned to the Black R. area, Eddy 17 Apr (SW), where the birds were present through the season (m.ob., ph. GF); two ter- ritories were occupied in Guadalupe Canyon 8 May (RW, RAR, SOW). Very early was a Swainson’s Hawk in w. Dofia Ana 2 Mar (LM). A Zone-tailed Hawk was at Bosque 15 May Historically only an occasional visitor to New Mexico, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron has become annual in the state over the past decade and has nested twice. This adult was at Las Cruces, Doha Ana County 5 May 2010. Photograph by Vic Crane. VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 469 NEW MEXICO New Mexico's second Clapper Rail was this vocal individual at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro County 1-12 (here 2) May 2010 — the second consecutive spring in which the species has been detected there. Photograph by Nicholas D. Pederson. (CMB), where rarely found. The latest Merlin was one at Percha 3 Apr (CR). RAILS THROUGH ROADRUNNER For the 2nd consecutive year, a Clapper Rail was documented at Bosque, hrst heard on the evening of 1 May (v.r. JO), and seen and heard on multiple dates through 12 May (m.ob., ph. NP); the bird was so similar to last years rail as to cause speculation that it was the same individual. Common Moorhens were con- spicuous in the R.G.Y from Bosque to Percha (m.ob.); the one that wintered at Deming was last seen 27 Mar (LM). A Semipalmated Plover provided a local hrst at Playas 8 May (AC); a high 7 were at Bosque 12 May (NP). The earliest migrant Black-necked Stilts were 3 at Lordsburg Playa 3 Mar (KB) and one at Belen 8 Mar (J. Stuart); an ad. was seen tend- ing small chicks n. of Radium Springs 8 May (MS). Scarce in spring, single Soli- tary Sandpipers were at R.G.N.C. 14 Apr (GO), Lordsburg 16 Apr OEP, WWi), and the Animas Valley 7 May (MJB). Unusually early was a Willet at Bosque 3 Mar (DL); high count was 54 at Deming 30 Apr (LM). A good Whimbrel sea- son found singles at Morgan L. 20 May (WWi), Sumner L. 14 May OEP, WWi, ph. JO), and Clovis 18 May (ph. JPB); one was at Bosque 1-2 May (CR, JEP, CW, MJB, NP, ph. JO) and presumably another was there 15-16 May (CR, J. (Sr M. Hirth). A Hudsonian Godwit was a treat at B.L.N.W.R. 15-16 May OEP, CR, ph. JO). A Ruddy Turnstone made a brief visit to Bosque 1 May (CR, MJB, ph. NP), but that record was soon overshadowed by New Mexico’s hrst Black Turnstone, an ad. at E.B.L. 11-15 May (ph. DC, JEP, m.ob., ph.). Sanderlings made a major push through the state in mid-May with reports from Socorro, Sierra, Otero, De Baca, and Eddy, highlighted by a flock of 25 at Sumner L. 19 May (ph. DK); early was one at Mor- gan L. 18 Apr (ph. TR). Reports of Semipalmated Sandpiper with details were singles at Sumner L. and B.L.N.W.R. 15 May OEP); re- ports of dozens at the latter locale remain unconhrmed. Earliest White-rumped Sandpipers were singles at Bosque 9 May (MJB, NP) and at L. Avalon 11 May (SW); high count was 1 1 at Texi- co 19 May (DK), while 2 were at Santa Rosa 15 May (DH) and singles were at Sumner L. 14-16 May (m.ob.), Clovis 13 May OEP, JO), and B.L.N.W.R. 15 May OEP). Rare in spring, 3 Pectoral Sandpipers were at B.L.N.W.R. 11 Apr (CR), where singles were seen 28 Apr OS) and 8 May OEP). Dunlins at Bosque in- creased from 2 on 12-13 Mar OEP, WWi, DH) to 7 by 10-18 Apr (CMB, NH, MJB, NP); oth- ers were 2 at E.B.L. 4 Apr (ph. NH) and 5 at Caballo L. 18 Mar (CMB). A remarkable 2 fe- male Ruffs were at Bosque 1 May (CR, m.ob., ph. MJB, ph. NP) and, although only rarely together, they obligingly differed in leg color, one with greenish legs and one with yellowish legs; the green-legged one lingered until 2 May (m. ob., ph. NH, ph. GF, ph. JO). These birds lifted New Mexico’s Ruff total to seven credible records. Some 17 Wilson’s Snipe were winnowing at dawn s. of Chama 8 May (WH). Earliest Franklin’s Gull was one at Tucum- cari L. 20 Mar (JO); high counts were 82 at B.L.N.W.R. 27 Apr QS) and 91 at R.G.N.C. 3 May (CR). California Gulls where seldom re- ported were singles near Santa Fe 17 May (ph. JPB) and Clovis 21 May QEP, WWi). An ad. Sabine’s Gull was at Stubbleheld L. 22 Apr OPB); there are but three previous spring records for New Mexico. A Least Tern was ear- ly at B.L.N.W.R. 14 Apr QS); one wandered w. to E.B.L. 16 May (ph. JPB). Single Caspian Terns were at Morgan L. 15 May (TR) and the Santa Ee Canyon Preserve 29 Apr OPB). New Mexico’s 3rd Elegant Tern blew in to Bosque 2 May (WWe, ph. NH, ph. GE ph. JO). A float trip on the upper Gila R. found a Eurasian Collared-Dove in the middle of the Gila Wilderness 5 Apr (MB). A White-winged Dove was at Clayton 21 May (DW), where nesting is undocumented. A Common Ground-Dove was singing near the Playas Sid- ing marker 28 May (SOW). A Monk Parakeet was building a nest in a shopping center yuc- ca near the Alameda bridge 14 May Q. Ruth, ph. DK); the nest was later completed but the apparently single bird was not seen after 19 May (DK). Although a population exists in El Paso, Texas, Monk Parakeet was last reported Typically a scarce migrant through New Mexico, these Sanderlings were part of an impressive flock of 25 at Sumner Lake, De Baca County 19 May 2010. Photograph by David J. Krueper. One of an unprecedented two female Ruffs at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro County, New Mexico 1 May 2010, this individual lin- gered through 2 May 2010 (here). Photograph by Gary K. Froehlich. 470 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS NEW MEXICO New Mexico's third Elegant Tern showed up at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro County 2 May 2010, dur- ing a period of strong westerly winds. Photograph by Gary K. Froehlich. in New Mexico (in Albuquerque) in 1986. Among the few Yellow-billed Cuckoo reports was an early one at Percha 1 May (NP); one was at Hillsboro 29 May (ph. DC). One of the pioneering Greater Roadrunners at Farming- ton was killed by a cat 12 Mar (fide TR). OWLS THROUGH SHRIKES A Northern Pygmy-Owl in Clanton Canyon, Peloncillo Mts. was giving only single-note calls 17 Apr QEP, WWi). Noteworthy for the Organ Mts., an Elf Owl was in Bar Canyon 12 May (DG). A Long-eared Owl nest at Kirtland A.EB. had 3 nestlings 19 May (MJB, ph. ON). A migrant Northern Saw-whet Owl was on the Rio Grande at Embudo 23 Mar (ph. B. Run- yon). Lesser Nighthawks pushed n. to Sumn- er Dam, where 3 were seen and heard 14 May (MJB, NP) and at least one was present 15 May QEP)- A Mexican Whip-poor-will was singing at the Tree Spring trailhead, Sandia Mts. 19 May QEP)- A Chaetura swift was at Farmington 18 May (TR), and another was near El Vado L. 8 May (N. Cox, M. Ristow); in the e., one to 4 Chimneys were at Tucumcari (WWe) and Clovis 0EP,JO) 9-19 May. Note- worthy for Eddy, a male Magnificent Hum- mingbird was at R.S. 23 Apr (B. Nieman); Lu- cifer Hummingbirds returned to R O. Canyon 29 Mar, where a female was gathering nest ma- terial 26 Apr (CDL). An ad, male Costa’s Hummingbird was in Guadalupe Canyon 8 May (RW, RAR, SOW). Always noteworthy in spring, a Calliope Hummingbird was near Pinos Altos 5 Apr, and a Rufous was there 4 May (K. Blisard); Rufous is now regular in spring at R 0. Canyon, where the first arrived 22 Mar and numbers peaked (up to 7 per day) 9-13 Apr (CDL). An Elegant Trogon in Indian Creek Canyon 7 May (MJB, NP, JJ) provided the first Animas Mts. report since 2004. Note- worthy for the prairie, single Belted Kingfish- ers were at the N.R.T. stock tank 9 Apr (GF) and 13 May OEP). Lewis’s Woodpeckers in unusual locales in- cluded singles e. to Boone’s Draw 5 May QMB, CLB) and Trigg Rd., e. San Miguel 7 May (MDM), plus singles in Albuquerque’s North Valley 24 Mar (K. Herzenberg), at E.B.L. 7-8 May OPB, DK), Magdalena 9 May (SW), and near Riverside, Grant 6 Mar (fide RS) and 1 May (LM). An ad. Red-headed Woodpecker was w. to Espanola in late May (fidej. Fried- man). Noteworthy Acorn Woodpeckers were up to 8 on Borrego Mesa, Santa Fe in May (ph. JPB), one at U.N.M. 26 May (CW), and one at Santa Teresa 31 May QNP)- One to 2 Gila Woodpeckers were seen 8-27 May at San Si- mon Cienega (MM, SOW), where apparently now resident. Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers with documentation were a male at Socorro 21 Mar (ph. NH) and a female near Radium Springs 8 May (MS). A Downy Woodpecker was a sur- prise at the Mesa Rest Area 16 May (CR); one reached Deming 30 Apr (LM). An apparently pure female Yellow-shafted Flicker was at Portales 17 Apr (ZJ). Northern Beardless-Tyrannulets were vocal at four Guadalupe Canyon sites 8 May (RW, RAR, SOW). Still unverihed in New Mexico, a likely Alder Flycatcher was heard and seen at Galisteo 23 May QPB et al.); its song was immediately iden- tified by A. Fenner, who was familiar with both Alders and Wil- lows from breeding bird surveys in upstate New York. For the 3rd consecutive year. Buff- breasted Flycatchers were breeding in the Animas Mts., with three pairs and one nest found 7-8 May (ph. MJB, ph. JJ, NP). Black Phoebes in the n. were 3 at Farmington 25 May (TR), one on the Chama R. near Heron L. 8 May (WH), and 2 in Taos where the Rio Hondo enters the Rio Grande 28 Mar (C. Bylsma); in the e., 2 were near Watrous 19 May (MDM) and one was along Atarque Creek, e. San Miguel 23 Apr and 7 May (MDM); one was catching and eating mosquitofish near Radium Springs 8 Mar (MS, JZ). Unexpected in the Black Range, a male Vermilion Flycatcher was near Kingston 12 Mar (ph. DC); now expected just about anywhere in the e., Vermilions there this season included singles at Sumner Dam 15-29 May QEP), Fort Sumner 30 May (ph. CW), two pairs along Trigg Rd., e. San Miguel 23-24 Apr (MDM), one at Roswell 8 May (fide JS), and one at Waldrop Rest Area, e. Chaves 15 Apr (AC, NM-C). A Dusky-capped Fly- catcher was vocal in pines along the Redrock Rd., n. Burro Mts. 7 May (B. Zimmer), a new locale for this expanding species. A pair of Thick-billed Kingbirds was in Guadalupe Canyon 8 May (RW, RAR, SOW), where the species has been scarce in recent years. Very early was an Eastern Kingbird near Milnesand 17 Apr (CR); noteworthy was one at Cerrillos 17 May (ph. JPB). A Scissor-tailed Elycatcher was nest-building at Ramon, ne. Lincoln 29- 31 May (CR, JEP, DH); far w. were singles at Silver City 28 Apr (fide RS) and Santo Domin- go 13 May (fide CL). Two ad. Northern Shrikes lingered along Trigg Rd. 12-13 Mar (ph. MDM). VIREOS THROUGH WAXWINGS Another good White-eyed Vireo season pro- Unexpected east to the edge of the prairie in New Mexico, this Crissal Thrasher nest with its three unmarked eggs near Milnesand 25 April 201 0 provided a first record of breeding for Roosevelt County. Photograph byLawryA. Sager. VOlUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 471 NEW MEXICO One of an impressive three found in New Mexico in spring 201 0, this Yellow-throated Warbler at Manzano Lake 22-25 (here 24) April marked a Torrance County first. Photograph by Nicholas D. Pederson. duced singles at N.R.T. 8 May (CLB), at R.G.N.C. 16 May (m.ob.), and along the Rio Grande below Williamsburg 31 May (ph. DC). One to 2 Bell’s Vireos were singing below Sum- ner Dam on various dates 29 Apr-29 May QO, CLB, JER CR), and singles were at N.R.T. 16 OEP, JO) & 29 May QEP); one singing at Playas Siding 28 May (SOW) provided a new Hidalgo locale. A male Black-capped Vireo was singing vigorously below the Sitting Bull Falls Picnic Area 31 May (CR), marking the 2nd consecutive spring the species has appeared in the Guadalupe Mts. A record Yellow-throated Vireo season found singles at Santa Rosa 22 May OEP)- Sumner Dam 14 May QO), N.R.T. 7-10 May (ph. JO, JEP), Boone’s Draw 8 May (CLB), Pep 1 May (ph. JO, JEP, WWi), and Tatum 27 Apr (ph. JO). Maintaining an Organ Mts. presence was a Hutton’s Vireo in Fillmore Canyon 10 Apr (DC). A probable Philadelphia Vireo at N.R.T. 9 May QO) provided the lone report. Single Red-eyed Vireos were w. to E.B.L. Dam 18 May (ph. DC) and Caballo Dam 14 May (CLB); in the e., sin- gles were at N.R.T. 6 63: 8 May 00, JEP), and 2 were at R.S. 13 & 20 May (SW). Unexpected was a Steller’s Jay at Percha 12 Mar OEP). as were singles at Deming 1 Mar (LM) and s. of Deming 8 May (D. Williams). Two vocal Chi- huahuan Ravens were s. of Datil 9 May (SW). Cave Swallows did not return to Carlsbad Caverns N.R until 4 Mar (SW), several weeks later than usual. Only one Mexican Chickadee was found in the Animas Mts. 7-8 May (MJB). A Bridled Titmouse lingered at Per- cha 9-10 Apr OEP, CW); one wandered across the desert to Deming 12 Mar (LM). A Carolina Wren was singing in the Gila Valley near Riverside 1 May (LM). Late was a Winter Wren along the Vermejo R. near Stubblefield L. 10 May (CH). A Marsh Wren was among high rise buildings in downtown Albu- querque 16 Apr (WH); another found U. N.M.’s duck pond 3-7 Mar (CW). Note- worthy for w. San Miguel were 4 Eastern Blue- birds on the Pritzlaff Ranch near San Ignacio 28 Mar, where 2 lingered 28 May (R. Hunt). Five Townsend’s Solitaires were in upper Wa- ter Canyon, Magdalena Mts. 23 May, includ- ing a nest-building pair (DH). The Gray Cat- bird that wintered at Socorro continued through 10 Apr (m.ob., ph. CW), and the same or another was there 24-25 Apr and 1- 2 May (NP, CW, CR, JEP); one was w. to the Gila R. near Alum Camp 3 May (MB). Single wintering Brown Thrashers were last seen at Santa Fe 19 Apr (ph. JPB), Galisteo 21 Apr (JideJPB), and Corrales 25 Apr (DK); note- worthy for Mora was one near Watrous 19 May (MDM). An ad. Bendire’s Thrasher was feeding a fledgling at Deming 19 May (LM). A Curve-billed Thrasher was n. to the Mills Canyon area 2 May (SW). Providing a Roo- sevelt first, a pair of Crissal Thrashers at a nest with eggs was 22 km nw. of Milnesand 25 Apr (ph. LS). A Cedar Waxwing pair was building a nest on the U.N.M. campus 25 May (CW), a new nesting locale for this ex- panding species. WARBLERS Providing a Lincoln surprise was an Olive Warbler in the Gallinas Mts. near Corona 1 1 Apr (CR, ph. MH). Single Tennessee Warblers with details were at N.R.T. 9 May OEP) and E.B.L. Dam 15 May (CR). Northern Parulas made another good showing 3 Apr-25 May, with singles in the e. at Sumner Dam, N.R.T., Boone’s Draw, and R.S. and in the R.G.V at Corrales, R.G.N.C., Socorro, Bosque, and E.B.L. (m.ob.); one was w. to the Black Range in Chloride Canyon 8 May QMB)- Single Chestnut-sided Warblers were at R.S. 9-11 May OEP) and Edgewood 29 May (C. Cook). A Magnolia Warbler was w. to Acoma Pueblo 17 May (M. E. Brooks); others were singles at Galisteo 20 May (ph. JPB) and N.R.T. 8 May OEP, ph. JO). The male Black-throated Blue Warbler that wintered at Las Cruces was last reported 18 Apr (fide DC); a Black-throated Green was at R.S. 24 Apr (CLB), and another was in Curry s. of Cannon A.EB. 18 May OL). Notably early was a male Hermit Warbler e. to the Organ Mts. 11 Apr (DC); 2 were in Clan- ton Canyon (fide AC) and one in Guadalupe Canyon (RW, RAR, SOW), all 8 May. A busy Yellow-throated Warbler season found singles One of two documented in New Mexico this spring, this male Baltimore Oriole at Ran- chos de Taos 18 May 2010 provided a Taos County first. Photograph by Sandy Seth. 472 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS NEW MEXICO at E.B.L. 15 Apr (ph. DC), Manzano L., Tor- rance 22-25 Apr (GO, ph. P. Trine, JEP, ph. NP, CW), and Socorro 29 Apr (GO et al). Single male Blackpoll Warblers were at the Alameda bridge (MH) and U.N.M. (CW, MJB) 13 May, and N.R.T. 8 May QEP)- One to 2 Black-and- white Warblers were at seven sites in Bernalil- lo, Socorro, De Baca, Roosevelt, and Curry 22 Apr-23 May (m.ob.). American Redstarts where rarely reported were an early one at the Shalem Colony bridge. Dona Ana 16 Apr QD) and one at Yeso 15 May (CW); the species was present almost daily at N.R.T. 2-22 May (m.ob.), with apparently rapid turnover of in- dividuals. A Prothonotary Warbler was at the Shalem Colony bridge 15-16 Apr (R. Castet- ter, JD, MS, ph. JZ, ph. K. Stinnett). A Worm- eating Warbler at 2145 m at Tijeras 23 Apr (L. Metheny) provided the lone report. A Swain- son’s Warbler in roadside elms in s. De Baca some 55 km s. of Fort Sumner 30 Apr (SW) could not be relocated. Kentucky Warblers made a strong showing, with one w. to Pleasanton 8 May (EW) and another in the Black Range along Percha Creek w. of Hills- boro 13 May (ph. DC); others were singles at Ned Houk Park n. of Clovis 6 May (WWi), N.R.T. 6 May (ph. JO), and E.B.L. 8 May (ph. DK). Following the pattern of recent years. Hooded Warblers were much in evidence, with one w. to the Quemado area 16 May (E. & T. Benz), 2 singing at Corrales 23 May (ph. WH), and singles in Pueblo Canyon, Los Alamos 1 May (S. Fettig, ph. T. Hodapp), Gal- isteo 24-25 Apr (ph. JPB, BF) and 8 May (R. Tucker), L.YN.W.R. 18 May (DK), a female at Sumner Dam 14-16 May (NP, CW, MJB, CR) and a male there 22 May QEP, WWi), and Tatum 7 May OEP, ph. JO). Painted Redstarts providing county firsts were one in Paradise Canyon near Clayton, Union 3 May (T. Buhl) and another at Eunice, Lea 4 Apr (ph. P Mc- Casland); noteworthy for Lincoln was one e. of Capitan at Salazar Canyon 11 Apr (CR), while in the R.G.V., one was at Percha 14 Mar (DH). TANAGERS THROUGH FINCHES Hepatic Tanagers were active in the Manzani- to Mts., with a pair nesting in Otero Canyon 23 May (A. Gorbet) and two pairs in Madera Canyon 20 May (CW); unusual was one at U.N.M. 19 May (CW, MJB), while in the e. were one at Boone’s Draw 1 May (JEP, WWi, JO) and 2 at N.R.T. 13 May QEP). Summer Tanagers in the e. plains were singles at Ned Houk Park, Curry 13 May QEP) and Boone’s Draw 1 May QO)- Single ad. male Scarlet Tan- agers were at Bosque 29 Apr 0- Arnold) and N.R.T. 9 May QEP, ph. JO). A massive wave of Western Tanagers inundated the middle R.G.V. and adjacent mountains 12-16 May; the spectacle was noted by the general public, with the “tremendous abundance” of birds variously described as a “huge wave,” a “fall- out,” and a “barrage,” and with the birds de- scribed as “dripping from the trees.” Judging by the birds’ numbers and behavior at feeders, observers felt that many appeared to be food- stressed. A Green-tailed Towhee was e. to Por- tales 11 May (ZJ); late was one at the Mesa Rest Area, n. Chaves 31 May (CR). Generally considered resident where found, and rarely noted on the plains, a Rufous-crowned Spar- row was at N.R.T. 14 May OEP). More evi- dence of Chipping Sparrows breeding in the Corrales bosque was provided by 6 singing there in Apr and up to 3 males on territory into mid-May (DK). Migrant Field Sparrows were 2 at Glenrio 22 Apr (WH) and singles at N.R.T. 9 May OEP) and Waldrop Rest Area 18 Apr (DH). A Grasshopper Sparrow pair was feeding nestlings near Hobbs 31 May (DH). Intriguing was a Fox Sparrow singing at Chama 8 May (WH). Late was a Song Sparrow at R.S. 20 May (SW); 2 in the Zuni Mts. along Bluewater Creek 21 May (H. Schwarz) were at the s. edge of the New Mexico breeding range. Single Harris’s Sparrows were at Farmington 12 Mar (TR) and Corrales 14 Mar (DK). The Golden-crowned Sparrow that wintered at Bosque was last seen 15 Apr (CS). A Yellow- eyed Junco continued at a feeder n. of Silver City through Mar (KB), and another was near P O. Canyon 7 May (CDL); up to 10 were in the Animas Mts. 7-8 May (NP, MJB, JJ). Possi- ble Yellow-eyed Junco x Red-backed Junco hy- brids were singles at Mogollon 8 May (EW) and on Jack’s Peak, Burro Mts. 16 Apr QEP). A male Northern Cardinal was singing at Santa Rosa 29 Apr-31 May QO, JEP, WH). North in the R.G.V was a male Pyrrhuloxia in Albu- querque’s South Valley 4 Mar-17 Apr (DH, ph. MJB, ph. CW, NP WH), and another was at Belen 11 Apr (DH), where reportedly present since Mar; surprising was a male singing se. of Fort Sumner 30 May (CW). Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were reported in 14 counties from San Juan e. to Union and s. to Grant, Dona Ana, and Roosevelt; noteworthy was one in the Black Range n. of Kingston 8 May (ph. CW). A Varied Bunting was in Guadalupe Canyon 8 May (RAR, SOW, RW). North was a male Painted Bunting singing at Santa Rosa 31 May (WH); a female was at Sumner Dam 29 May (JEP). Remarkably early was a male Dickcissel at Silver City 18 Apr (E. Halbedel); another male was singing at Galisteo 27 May QPB). A Bobolink was at Santa Fe 27 May (ph. JPB). Pairs of Brewer’s Blackbirds were fairly common, and breeding, in the Mogollon Mts. in the Snow L. and Willow Creek areas 21 May (SOW, PM). Providing a first New Mexi- co report was a male Shiny Cowbird at R.S. 29 May (SW), but it could not be relocated and photo-documentation was not obtained. Bronzed Cowbirds continued to spread over the state, with reports from 12 counties in- cluding one n. to Placitas, Sandoval 15 May (ph. JM); others on their n. frontier were sin- gles at Sumner Dam 16 May (CR) and in Cur- ry s. of Cannon A.EB. 15 May (]L), plus a male at N.R.T. 15 May (DH) and a female there 14-22 May QEP, CR). Nicely document- ed were single ad. male Baltimore Orioles at Ranchos de Taos 18 May (ph. S. Seth) and near Escondida L. 14 May (ph. S LaBrier); a male Baltimore Oriole x Bullock’s Oriole hy- brid was at Bosque 11-16 May (ph. D. Perry, m.ob., ph.). Last of the Sandia Crest rosy- finches was a three-species flock of 31 on 4 Apr (JEP). Late were 82 Pine Siskins at Dem- ing 19 May (LM); up to 4 near Radium Springs 16-31 May (MS, JZ) were suspected of nesting locally. After going unreported in the SW. during the winter, Lawrence’s Goldfinches reappeared at sites they had vis- ited in the fall, with 4 at Columbus 14 Mar (DH) and 2 near Radium Springs 1-7 Apr, where one lingered to 14 Apr (MS, ph. JZ). Far s. for the season, an American Goldfinch was on the Gila R. above Mogollon Creek 7 May (MB). The apparently lone Orange Bish- op at Las Cruces was molting into breeding plumage by 18 Apr (ph. C. Martens). Initialed observers: Jonathan P Batkin, Matt J. Baumann, Karen Beckenbach, Charles L. Black, James M. Black, Matthew Brooks, Ce- lestyn M. Brozek, David Cleary, Alan Craig, John Douglas, Bernard Foy, Gary Froehlich, David Griffin, David Hawksworth, Chuck Hayes, Nancy Hetrick, Michael Hilchey, William Howe, Zach Jones, James Joseph, David Krueper, Colin Lee, David Ligon, C. D. Littlefield, James Lofton, Martin D. Mac- Roberts, Larry Malone, James McPhee, Patri- cia Mehlhop, Mel Moe, Narca Moore-Craig, Jerry Oldenettel, Gale Owings, John E. Parmeter, James N. Paton, Nicholas Pederson, Tim Reeves, Rose Ann Rowlett, Christopher Rustay, Jeffrey Sanchez, Catherine Sandell, Marcy Scott, John W. Shipman, Roland Shook, Dale Stahlecker, Richard Webster, Donald Weidemann, Steve West, William West, S. O. Williams, William Wittman, Cole Wolf, Eleanor Wootten, James Zabriskie. Sartor 0. Williams III, Division of Birds Museum of Southwestern Biology University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131 (sunbittern@earthlink.net) VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 473 Arizona Mark M. Stevenson (Non-passerines) Gary H. Rosenberg (Passerines) Arrival of the bulk of northbound mi- grants seemed delayed by as much as two weeks, and migrant densities were reported as low, perhaps due to dispersal across the landscape following a wet winter. In late May, the “Horseshoe” forest hre in the Chiricahua Mountains threatened South Fork Cave Creeks renowned habitat but a massive effort by firefighters and favorable conditions resulted in mostly moderate burning. Abbreviations: A.B.C. (Arizona Bird Commit- tee), B.T.A. (Boyce Thompson Arboretum S.R), B.W.D. (Bill Williams Delta, L. Havasu), G.W.R. (Gilbert Water Ranch), H.R.P, (Hassayampa River Preserve), L.C.R.V. (lower Colorado R. valley), N.I.R. (Navajo Indian Reservation), Sweetwater (Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson). WATERFOWL THROUGH FALCONS At Safford, 2 Snow Geese lingered from win- ter through the late date of 25 Apr (MR MMS). Brant is well less than annual in the state, so singles at both B.W.D. 20 Apr (ph. JWe; K. Blair) and Long L., near Show Low 20 Apr (ph., tj. Streit) were surprising. A female Wood Duck near Yuma 24 Mar (L. Piest) was late for the L.C.R.V. A male Eurasian Wigeon put in at Flagstaff 1 1 Apr {fide L. Harter). Rare and late, a female Greater Scaup was at Will- cox 27 May+ (ph. DS). The wintering White- winged Scoter at B.W.D. was reported through 27 Mar (m.ob.). Though seldom checked, the downstream side of Glen Canyon Dam at- tracts numerous diving ducks, this season in- cluding 3 Long-tailed Ducks 2 Apr-3 May (ph. SP) and 2 Barrow’s Goldeneyes 4 Apr (SP). A Pacific Loon was very late at Gila Bend 28 May (B. Carlson). Single Common Loons at Upper L. Mary 6 Apr QWl), Patago- nia L. 12 Apr (R. Palmer), Granite Reef 23 Apr (J. Kopitzke), and the lower Agua Fria R. 20-26 May (MH) were also on the late side. Clark’s Grebe remains a rarity away from the larger reservoirs in the state: singles were at Sweetwater 23 Mar (G. Bieber, JB), Patagonia L. 15-15 Apr (D. Touret), and Upper L. Mary 23 Apr (T. Linda), and 2 were at Willow L. 24 Apr (MN). Unseasonable influxes of Brown Pelicans have been more frequent in the past few years, and this season saw that trend contin- ue: 9 were reported 2 Apr-27 May, with the outlier well n. to Cholla L. 5 May (E. Hough). Neotropic Cormorants continued their small- scale centripetal spread, with one continuing at B.W.D. through 20 Apr (K. Blair, ph. JWe), 3 at Lynx L. 6 Mar (ph. F Guerero), one at Willow L. 2 Apr (MN), and another at Roo- sevelt L. 18 May Q- Kopitzke). The concur- rent population increase of Double-crested Cormorants was reflected in the 196 active nests found around Roosevelt L. in May (fide TC). At G.WR., an American Bittern was late 12-20 May (jS). A hrst for Gila, 10 Snowy Egret nests were found at Roosevelt L. 5 May 0- Wike, fide TC). A Tricolored Heron at Willcox 26 Apr-1 May (ph. J. Barr, DS) made only the 2nd Apr record for Arizona. Osprey is unusual after early May in se. Arizona, so one at Tucson through May 0- Higgins, MMS) was of note. A White-tailed Kite near Eden 18 Mar Q. & L. Estis) was unusual in Gra- ham. A Sharp-shinned Hawk was late at Mt. Ord 8 May (C. & K. Radamaker). Rare in the desert lowlands, a Northern Goshawk was at San Bernardino N.W.R. 5 Mar (REW). After a gap in observations, a Red-shouldered Hawk was reported again at H.R.P 5 Mar-8 May (MH; ph. TD). Spring migrant Broad-winged Hawks have been reported more frequently in recent years and were widespread in small numbers this season. Singles were over Mesa 16 Apr (ph. J. Miller), over Sulfide del Rey Pinal Mts. 24 Apr (tDPe), in the Verde Valley 25 Apr (ph. H. Hansen), at John Hands, Chir- icahua Mts. 30 Apr (H. Snyder), and in Miller Canyon, Huachuca Mts. 3 May (R. Hoyer). Up to 5 Gray Hawks at H.R.P. 27 Mar+ (MH, TC) made a remarkable number at the far nw. periphery of their range. An ad. Gray Hawk at Skull Valley 6 May (CST) was farther n. yet. On their ne. periphery, 2 were found along the Gila R. e. of Safford 10 May (S. Black- man). This handsome raptor has been ex- panding its range in Arizona. The Short-tailed Hawk that wintered in Tucson was last re- ported 12 Mar (B. Scott). In the nearby Santa Catalina Mts., one was spotted 24-25 Apr (tJ.Yerger), another was over Huachuca Canyon 4 May Q- Hays et ah), and there were sporadic reports of one from Barfoot Park in the Chiricahua Mts. 1 May-r. Rare in the L.C.R.V area in spring and summer, an imm. Zone-tailed Hawk was at Wellton 9 May (PEL). There were again several reports of wandering Crested Caracaras, with the most unusual coming from w. Aravaipa Canyon 18 Apr (L. Liese). CRANES THROUGH WOODPECKERS Sandhill Cranes are seldom seen away from wintering areas, so one at Sweetwater 18 Mar (T. Greenawalt, ph. K. Tynan) was unexpect- ed. Another crane was late at Arlington 11 Apr (C. Babbitt). Rare spring migrants, 5 Black-bellied Plovers were reported 30 Apr-18 May. At Paloma, Snowy Plovers nest- ed for at least the 3rd consecutive year, with 5 ads. and 3 chicks present 11 Apr (W. Gross!) . Reports of several pairs of Black-necked Stilts with chicks at Thatcher ST.R 19 May con- firmed nesting there; two pairs of American Avocets were also seen nesting there that day (TC). A Whimbrel at Willcox 1 May Q- Hirth, ph. AC, MMS) furnished one of few recent records for se. A lone Whimbrel was at Gila Bend 15 May (KR, G. Nunn); they have been annual in spring in the Arlington-Gila Bend agricultural areas recently. A Marbled Godwit was early at L. Pleasant 1 Apr (vt. TD). A flock of 47 Marbled Godwits at Glendale 1-3 May (MH et al.) was a large number for cen- tral Arizona. Semipalmated Sandpiper is casu- This White-rumped Sandpiper was at Willcox, Arizona 1 9-21 (here 20) May 201 0, where most state records of this species have been found. Photograph by Gary Rosenberg. 474 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS ARIZONA! This Elegant Tern (left) was found in the foreground of a photograph of Black Skimmer, both at Lake Havasu City, Arizona 28 May 2010; both species are considered casual in the state. Photographs by John West al as a spring migrant; singles were at Willcox 26 Apr (GHR, DS) and 14-17 May 0- Mohlmann et al.). A casual late spring mi- grant, a White-rumped Sandpiper was at Willcox 19-21 May (B. Zimmer; ph. GHR), the site of a majority of Arizona records of this species. Also at Willcox, a Pectoral Sand- piper on 5 May (ph. R. Fray) was the only one reported this spring. A Red Phalarope at Gilbert 31 May-3 Jun (ph. R. Witzeman) was a good find in spring. An ad. Heermann’s Gull wandered up to Benson S.T.P. from the Gulf of California 29 Apr (ph. PC). Outstanding were an ad. Mew Gull at Wahweap, L. Powell 2 Apr (ph. SP) and an ad. Western Gull at Glendale 26 Apr (vt. TD). There have been few recent records of either species in the state, though there was a Mew Gull in the preceding winter. A Sabine’s Gull, very rare as a spring migrant, was at Benson S.T.P. 15 Apr (ph. A. Ripley). Least Tern numbers were down from recent springs, and the few reports came from Greater Phoenix: one was at G.WR, 11 May (ph. B. Grice), and another was in Glendale 15-31 May (KR, TD). All tern species are rare as spring migrants in Arizona away from the L.C.R.V. A Caspian Tern was at Willow L. 24 Apr (MN), and 2 were at Benson S.T.P 20 Apr (A. Ripley). A Black Tern was at Benson S.T.P. 17-18 May (KK), another was at Willcox 18- 19 May (|S), and 2 were at Palo Verde 22 May (C. Babbitt, DPe). Thirteen Forster’s Terns were reported away from the L.C.R.V. 17 Apr-22 May, a larger number than usual. From among the always-rare tern species, sin- gle Elegant Terns were at Patagonia L. 1 1 May (tG. Bieber), Lake Havasu City 28 May (ph. JWe), and Glendale 30-31 May QS, ph. MH, J. Holloway). The Lake Havasu City Elegant Tern was serendipitously discovered in a photograph of a Black Skimmer there 28 May (ph.JWe)! The only reports of Ruddy Ground-Doves came from near California Gulch, with up to 2 seen 11-28 May (KK, LH). Vaux’s Swift is casual across the N.I.R., so one at Cameron 7 May (JWl) was notable. Out-of-range Broad- billed Hummingbirds were at H.R.P. 20 Mar (ph. G. Botello), Phoenix 4 Apr (DPe), Tempe 9 Apr (DPe), and well n. to Clarkdale 11 Apr (ph. D. Von Gausig). Though still few, the number of sightings of Broad-billed in Greater Phoenix is rising. Nesting Broad-billeds were found for the first time in Graham along the Gila R. near San Jose 10 May and ne. of Thatcher 28 May (S. Blackman). The first White-eared Hummingbird arrived 26 Apr+ at Miller Canyon, Huachuca Mts. (T. Beatty), and another pul in an appearance in E. Whitetail Canyon, Chiricahua Mts. 14 May (RT). A Berylline Hummingbird arrived at Miller Canyon 10 May+ (T. Beatty). A Berylline in lower Madera Canyon 12 May (G. Bieber, B. Zimmer) was accidental in Pima, and then apparently relocated up canyon in more typical habitat al the Madera Kubo 21 May -I- (LH). Lucifer Hummingbirds arrived at their Ash Canyon, Huachuca Mts. epicenter beginning 30 Mar-i- (M. J. Ballator); 8 others were reported at scattered feeders along the e. Huachuca foothills. A male Lucifer appeared again on the w. flank of the Dragoon Mts. 6 May+ (ph. A. Ripley). Breathtaking was an Elegant Trogon rest- ing in a Phoenix yard 16 May (ph. T. Pinter), more than 230 km n. of the nearest breeding area. Maricopa’s first Green Kingfisher contin- ued at H.R.P. through 8 May (m.ob.). There were sporadic reports of a Green Kingfisher along the San Pedro R. s. of Hwy. 90 7 Apr-13 May (j. Kellerman, ph. B. Herrmann), likely continuing from winter. A Lewis’s Woodpeck- er remained in ne. Tucson until the late date of 28 Apr (BN). The movement of Acorn Woodpeckers into the lowlands that began last fall continued, with one remaining in ne. Tucson through 7 Apr (MR MMS), one in Tempe 1-6 Mar (J. Nichols), and 3 in Ah- walukee 7-22 Apr (P Deviche). A pair that wintered at Arizona State University, Tempe 0- Taylor) was noted carrying food to a nest cavity in a palm tree 31 May (ph. P Deviche). Remarkably, a similar nest was on campus in May 2000 but failed. A migrant Williamson’s Sapsucker was in the lowlands at B.T.A. 20 Mar (CST). A yellow-shafted Northern Flick- er was a nice find in a Phoenix yard 1-23 Mar (ph. H. Bond). FLYCATCHERS THROUGH THRASHERS Greater Pewees were n. of their normal breed- ing range at Black Canyon, Navajo (where they have been found previously) 4-8 May (E. Hough) and at Picture Canyon, Flagstaff 16- 18 May (K. Murphy). A Hammond's Fly- catcher at Black Mesa 6 Apr (CL) was early for the N.I.R. Early Pacific-slope Flycatchers were at Morgan City Wash 13 Mar (TC) and at B.T.A. 28 Mar (P. Moulton); this species normally begins passage in Arizona during early Apr. It appeared to be a good year for Buff-breasted Flycatchers in se. Arizona, with numerous reports away from usual breeding areas: 2 were found along the Proctor Loop Trail at lower Madera Canyon 26 Apr-1 jun (CC et al.); one was along the Carrie Nation Mine Trail there 3 May (MMS); at least 10 VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 475 ARIZONA A rare find in Arizona, this Mew Gull was at Wahweap Marina on Lake Powell 2 April 2010. Photograph by Shawn Putz. were in Temporal Canyon (e. side of Santa Rita Mts.) 8 May (MB); and one was in Rose Canyon, Santa Catalina Mts. 25 May-1 Jun (CC). The Eastern Phoebe that was at Patag- onia L. during the early winter was reported again 4 Mar (S. Tucker et ah). An early Dusky- capped Flycatcher was heard at Madera Canyon 31 Mar (MMS, MP), while one along Juan Miller Creek Rd., Greenlee was n. of usu- al occurrence in Arizona. A Thick-billed Kingbird was away from normal nesting areas at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum out- side Tucson 26 May (H. Mancuso; ph. W. Wilson). A White-eyed Vireo, casual in the state, was reported at Page Springs 5 May (tM. Bernard). An early Bell’s Vireo was at Seven Springs 3 Mar (B. Butler). Also worth noting, one Bell’s Vireo was in Prescott 11 Apr (DM), and another was at Imperial N.W.R. 8 May (HD), both areas of casual occurrence for this species. A Gray Vireo was at an odd location for a migrant along Woodland Rd. in ne. Tuc- son 26 Mar (BN). Elsewhere, one was in South Mountain Park, Phoenix 23 Apr (ph. G. Botello), and 2 were in Pima Canyon, San- ta Catalina Mts. 30 Apr (RH, PK); this species is still seldom reported away from breeding areas in the state. A Yellow-throated Vireo was reported in Madera Canyon 22 May (WR); re- ports of this species have increased in recent years, but it is still considered rare or casual in the state. A Warbling Vireo in Nogales 12 Mar (MM) was likely an early migrant. Scattered lowland reports of Steller’sjay continued into the spring, with one at Tumacacori 24 Mar 0- Karp), one in Tucson 28 Mar (R. Payne), one near Hwy. 90 along the San Pedro R. 5 May (MM), and one along Sonoita Cr. near Patag- onia 18 May (RBe). A Blue Jay was reported along the E. Verde R. near Payson 30 Mar (tG. Wall); this species is a casual vagrant to Arizona and will be eval- uated by the A.B.C. Quite strange were single Pin- yon Jays taking up resi- dence in Hereford 21 Nov-7 May (T. Battiste) and in Willow Canyon, Santa Catalina Mts. 22 Mar-8 May (ph. MA). Migrant Purple Mar- tins are seldom seen in se. Arizona, so an early re- port of one at Whitewater 3 May (DS) and another along Portal Rd. 17 May (RT) were noteworthy. A rather late Tree Swallow was at Willcox 20 May (GHR), A very late Marsh Wren was singing along the San Pedro R. near Dudleyville 14 May (TC). A late Townsend’s Solitaire was in Madera Canyon 25-26 May QB); although this species winters regularly in the oak zone across se. Arizona, virtually all have migrated n. by the beginning of May. The Rufous-backed Robin that wintered at Tumacacori was last reported 6 Mar Q- Mc- Cabe). The Rufous-backed Robin that win- tered at the B.T.A. was likely the individual re- ported there 2-23 Apr (R. Widner). Relatively large numbers of American Robins appeared to be migrating through the se. lowlands dur- ing Mar- Apr, with some observers reporting up to 300 at certain locations. These high numbers tailed off by mid-Apr. The Varied Thrush that wintered at Tumacacori was re- ported again 4-23 Mar (M. Gustafson). At least 5 Gray Catbirds were reported across se. Arizona this spring, about normal numbers for this scarce migrant. A singing Brown Thrasher was along Wet Beaver Cr. 18 Apr (CL); although there are usually a few winter- ing somewhere in Arizona, it remains a casu- al migrant in both spring and fall. WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES A Blue-winged Warbler, casual in the state, was reported from Madera Canyon 11 Apr (TR. Payne). Six Northern Parulas were found during the spring, about average for Arizona. More unusual was the report of a Tropical Parula from Molino Basin, Santa Catalina Mts. 31 May (tj. Hand, tB. Scott); there are fewer than hve total records of this vagrant from Mexico in the state, and this sighting will be evaluated by the A.B.C. Very exciting was a Yellow-throated Warbler found at Sweetwater 19 May (B. & C. Ewald, D. Hardin, P. Taylor; ph. AC); this stunning war- bler is still a casual visitor at any season in the state. A Grace’s Warbler at San Simon Ciene- ga 12 May (REW) was at an odd lowland lo- cation well away from breeding areas. A Black-and-white Warbler that wintered at Sweetwater was reported until at least 30 Mar (E Heath, M. Klinkle). A Black-and-white was in full song in Miller Canyon 1-7 May (ph. I. & P. Sanchez, T. Battiste), and another was along Sonoita Cr. 21 May (S. Blackman). American Redstarts were at Las Cienegas N.C.A. 16-20 May (C. Green et ah), at Rimmy Jim Tank n. of Flagstaff 24 May QWl), and at Cameron Seep 30 May QWl). The only Oven- bird reported during the spring was one at the Slaughter Ranch e. of Douglas 21 May (REW). No fewer than 15 Northern Wa- terthrushes were reported, a greater-than-usu- al number for a single spring. Remarkable among them was one at Havasu N.W.R. 29 Apr (D. DeLorenzo), about a month late in the L.C.R.V. Kentucky Warblers were report- ed from Patagonia 5 May (M. Pretti) and from Las Cienegas N.C.A. 13 May (KK); there have been relatively few reports of this species in recent years. Hooded Warbler is still a casual visitor to Arizona; one was at Las Cienegas N.C.A. 14 May (PC), and another was at the Cameron Trading Post 24 May QWl). A Red- faced Warbler arrived a bit early in Madera Canyon 5 Apr (R. Tess), while one along the San Pedro R. near Hereford 7 Apr (ph. I. Han- kin) was at an unusually low elevation for the species in Arizona. No fewer than 13 Painted Redstarts were reported from “lowland” loca- tions across s. Arizona during mid- to late Mar, suggesting there was a widespread movement n. into the state at that season. A Fan-tailed Warbler was well described from Ramsey Canyon 7 May (tA. Weinrich), then seen off and on until 10 May; if accepted, this would represent only a 7th Arizona record and the first since 1997. The Rufous-capped Warbler that has been resident in Florida Canyon during the past few years was report- ed 30 Apr (R. Jeffers) and again 14 May (PK), confirming its continuing presence there. An- other reported from Garden Ganyon 21 Apr (R. Thompson) was undocumented. A male Hepatic Tanager returned to the Tusayan Museum, South Rim of the Grand Ganyon 26 May (BG), where there were three in 2008. A Summer Tanager was reported from Dudleyville on the early date of 30 Mar (M. Weber); an imm. male at Sweetwater 5 Apr (JB) was also early. An apparent Summer Tanager x Western Tanager hybrid returned 21 May to Red Rock S.P. (ph. BG), where one was first found in 2006; very few reports of this hybrid combination have been docu- mented. Amazingly, the male Flame-colored Tanager returned to Madera Canyon for an 8th consecutive year 27 Mar+ (T. Thompson, 476 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS ARIZONA M. Kehl; ph. LH, W. Lynn). Rufous-winged Sparrow appears to be expanding its range in se. Arizona; this spring, it was located at sev- eral localities away from known breeding ar- eas, including Sierra Vista, Ash Canyon, Fort Huachuca, Bisbee, Benson, and Sycamore Canyon. A Clay-colored Sparrow in a Tucson yard 27 Apr (DS) was a real surprise. A Gam- bel’s White-crowned Sparrow in Tucson 13 May (DS) was late for this subspecies in s. Arizona. A dorsalis Gray-headed Junco at Por- tal 30 Apr (REW) was very late for anywhere in s. Arizona. Two Yellow-eyed Juncos were reported from Kitt Peak 13 Apr (E. Halbedel), where this species is considered irregular. The status of Rose-breasted Grosbeak in Arizona in spring continues to change, with no fewer than 24 reports from Apr and May; amazingly, this has become a “normal” num- ber in recent years. One of the more interest- ing reports of the spring was of a male Rusty Blackbird, casual anywhere in Arizona, along S. Fork of Cave Cr., Chiricahua Mts. 30 Mar (R. Baxter, F Baker; ph. MB). A Streak-backed Oriole reported along Sonoita Cr. below Patagonia L. 13 Apr (tS. Blackman) will be reviewed by the A.B.C. An apparent Baltimore Oriole x Bullock’s Oriole hybrid was at Para- dise 9 May Q- Engelmann; ph. J. Lewis). A fe- male Purple Finch, casual in Arizona, was in Paradise 22 Feb-4 Mar (ph. J. Lewis). Cassin’s Finches made a minor push through s. Ari- zona this spring, with several lowland reports mid-Mar-May. Lawrence’s Goldfinch is typi- cally an irregular but sometimes very com- mon winter visitor across sw. Arizona. The winter of 2009-2010 was a “good” season for Lawrence’s, and numbers of them around during the winter translated into greater- than-usual numbers in Mar. Amazingly, two pairs were discovered at H.R.P 27 Mar, with nest-building observed 2 Apr (M. Herring). By 8 May, at least 19 individuals were present there, and an estimated dozen pairs were breeding (TC). Elsewhere, similar large num- bers were reported from the Planet Ranch and Bill Williams R. 30 Apr-1 May (F Rowland), while another 4 were at Imperial N.W.R. 8 May (HD). Contributors: Moez Ali, Robert Behrstock, Jerry Bock, Matt Brown, Cliff Cathers, Peter Collins, Andrew Core (Tucson), Troy Cor- man, Tommy DeBardeleben, Henry Detwiler, Brian Gatlin, Laurens Halsey Melanie Her- ring, Rich Hoyer, Keith Kamper, Philip Kline, Chuck LaRue, Paul E. Lehman, Michael Marsden, David Moll, Brian Nicholas, Michael Nicosia, Dave Pearson (DPe), Molly Pollock, Shaun Putz, Kurt Radamaker, Gary H. Rosenberg, Will Russell, John Saba, Dave Stejskal, Mark M. Stevenson, Rick Taylor, Carl S. Tomoff, Richard E. Webster, Jason Wilder, John West. Mark M. Stevenson, 4201 East Monte Vista Drive, #J207 Tucson, Arizona, 85712-5554 (drbrclr@att.net) Gary H. Rosenberg, P. 0. Box 91856 Tucson, Arizona 85752-1856 (ghrosenberg@comcast.net) Great Basin j Rick Fridell The spring season in the Great Basin pro- vided many exceptional sightings led by a series of rare raptors documented in Nevada, including White-tailed Kites, pos- sible nesting Common Black-Hawks, two Har- ris’s Hawks, confirmed nesting Red-shoul- dered Hawks, and two Zone-tailed Hawks. Additional Nevada highlights included an adult Heermann’s Gull, an Arctic Tern, and the state’s second accepted Bronzed Cowbird. Utah sightings were highlighted by growing numbers of Neotropic Corrmorants and the second documented Pomarine Jaeger record. Abbreviations: Antelope Island (Antelope Is- land S.P. and Causeway, Davis, UT); Ash Meadows (Ash Meadows N.W.R., Nye, NV); Bear River (Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, 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.V.P. (Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve, Clark, NV); Lytle (Lytle Ranch Preserve, Washington, UT); Pahranagat (Pahranagat N.W.R., Lincoln, NV); Quail Creek (Quail Creek S.P, Washing- ton, UT); Sand Hollow (Sand Hollow S.P, Washington, UT); Zion (Zion N.P, Washing- ton, UT). WATERFOWL THROUGH TERNS A drake Eurasian Teal visited H.B.VR 7-10 Mar QBr, RM). A female White-winged Scot- er remained 1 Mar-22 Apr at Quail Creek (RD, RF et al). A Yellow-billed Loon first dis- covered 4 Dec wintered at Quail Creek through 12 Mar (RF et al.). Utah Neotropic Cormorant observations continued to in- crease this season, with 15 individuals report- ed from five locations. The first was observed 12-13 Mar at the Hurricane Sewage Ponds, Washington (ph. RD, S&CS). Additional ob- servations included up to 7 at various Salt Lake locations (18 Apr-r; ph., TRY et al), one at Farmington Bay (18 Apr; S&SC, J&KB), 2 at Clinton Park, Davis 6-7 May (ASm, WS), and 4 at East Bay Park, Utah (22-25 Apr; ph. RW, tMMo et al.). A Green Heron was n. of expected range 13 May at Dyer Pond, Esmer- alda, NV (MM). Glossy Ibis continued their expansion in the Region, with individuals documented 25 Apr at Bear River (ph. JBi), 25 Apr-3 May at Wetlands Park, Las Vegas, Clark, NV (ph. CL, PV), 9 May at Logan, Cache, UT (ph. RO, SC), and 22 May at Dyer Pond, Esmeralda, NV (ph. GS et al., m.ob.). Nevada cornered the market on rare raptors this season. The Pahranagat White-tailed Kites continued through the season (CL). White- tailed Kites were also discovered 17 Apr at Wetlands Park, Las Vegas, Clark, NV (CR, JKl et al.) and 1 May at Overton W.M.A., Clark, NV (ph. CL). An ad. Common Black-Hawk was photographed 29 May at Meadow Valley Wash, Lincoln, NV (ph. CL); 2 ads. and an imm. were observed 30 May (ph. MM, GS), suggesting possible nesting. Although a few pairs breed annually in riparian corridors in Washington, UT, Common Black-Hawks are seldom observed in Nevada, and no recent breeding has been documented. Single Harris’s Hawks were found at Wetlands Park, Las Ve- gas, Clark, NV 13 Apr (ph. PD, fide MM) and at Overton W.M.A. 8 May (TJ&MC). Red- shouldered Hawks successfully nested in Pahrump, Nye, NV (CL, DF); the pair was ob- served at a nest 2 Apr and fledged 2 chicks 29 May (CL et al.). Zone-tailed Hawks were pho- tographed in the Clover Mts., Lincoln, NV 2 VOLUME 64 (2010) NUMBER 3 477 GREAT BASIN Following the first documented record of Glossy Ibis in August 2006, the species has be- come almost regular in Utah. Two were found in spring 2010, including this adult pho- tographed 25 April at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder County. Photograph by Jack Binch. A Least Tern was ob- served at Sand Hollow 7 May 0‘SjKB). An Arctic Tern found 23 May at Ash Springs, Lincoln, NV (ph. GS) was relocated 30 May-5 Jun at nearby Key Pittman W.M.A. (GS, MM et ah). Utah’s 2nd documented Pomarine Jaeger was found 25 Apr (RD, MH, RF); the ad. jaeger remained through 29 Apr, providing local birders a rare opportuni- ty to study this seldom observed species. SWIFTS THROUGH May (CL) and at Pahranagat 23 May-t- (GS, MS et al). At least 5 Yuma Clapper Rails were docu- mented at Ash Meadows 24 Mar-19 May (CL). Whimbrels were observed at Bear River 18-25 Apr (KP, G&MH), at Sand Hollow 21- 24 Apr (ph. RF), and at Logan, Cache, UT 9 May (ph. RO, SC). A Ruddy Turnstone visited Antelope Island 8-9 May Ohi, BH), and one was photographed 23 May at Ash Meadows (CL). An astounding flock of up to 150 Red Knots lingered 8-16 May at Antelope Island OBi, BH, KP, TA). A Baird’s Sandpiper made a rare spring appearance at Antelope Island 14 Mar (ph. JBl). Short-billed Dowitchers were reported at Logan, Cache, UT 26 Apr (RO, LW) and at Farmington Bay 3 May (J&KB). An ad. Heermann’s Gull made a rare appear- ance in the Region at Ash Meadows 4 May (ph. CL), and an ad. Mew Gull was reported 16 Apr at Virginia L., Reno, Washoe, NV (AdQ). The wintering Western Gull hrst found 28 Dec at Virginia L., Reno, Washoe, NV lingered through at least 8 Mar (FP, MM). FINCHES A Vaux’s Swift was reported 17 May at Ash Meadows (CL). Anna’s Hummingbirds were observed n. of their expected range 16 May at Pyramid L., Wcts/ioe, NV (TF, ML) and 27 May at Torrance Ranch, Esmeralda, NV (F&GR DM). Acorn Woodpeckers were found 6-12 May at Silver Saddle Park, Carson, NV (RL), 17 May at Wellington, Lyon, NV (J&DP), 25 May at Galena Creek Park, Wcislioe, NV (GR), and 30 May at Kolob Meadows, Washington, UT (RF). Well-documented Eastern Phoebes were observed 4-7 Apr at Antelope Island (t, ph. J&KB. ph. PH) and 19 Apr at Logan, Cache, UT (tRR). A Gray Jay made a rare Rich, UT appearance 25 May (ph. PH), and an out-of- range Black-billed Magpie was reported near Gunlock, Washington, UT 31 May (LT). A possible Chihuahuan Raven was found by a tour group 16 Apr at the Island in the Sky unit of Canyonlands N.P., Grand, UT (p.a., tBL, ph. JF et al.). A vagrant Purple Martin was photographed 23 May at Ash Meadows (CL). A Gray Catbird was found at Ash Springs, Lincoln, NV 31 May (GS, DG, RS). Northern Parulas were reported at Provo, Utah, UT 12-14 May (ph. JBl, EH, ph. JC), at Pahranagat 23 May (ph. EHo), and at Dyer, Es- meralda, NV 27 May (F&GP, DM). A singing Pine Warbler was reported at Parley’s Canyon, Salt Lake, UT 15 May (p.a., JL). A Palm War- bler was photographed at Pahranagat 18 May (fide CL). Utah Black-and-white Warhlers were found at Utah Lake S.P., Utah 5 May (NB), at Antelope Island 8 May QBi, BH), and at Springville, Utah 13 May (AT). Black-and- white Warblers were observed in Nevada at the Circle L Ranch, Esmeralda 9-24 May, at Tonopah, Nye 24 May (F&GP, DM), and at Torrance Ranch, Esmeralda 24 May (F&GP, DM). Fewer American Redstarts than usual were reported this spring, with singles at Dyer Pond, Esmeralda, NV 21 May (GS), at Utah Lake S.P, Utah, UT 22 May (EH), at Arlemonte Ranch, Esmeralda, NV 23 May (CL et al.), at Pyramid L., Washoe, NV 27 May (PR), and at Pahranagat 31 May (GS, DG, RS). Prothono- tary Warblers graced Lehi, Utah, UT 10 May (MK) and Parley’s Nature Park, Salt Lake, UT 23-24 May (E&BL). The only Ovenbirds re- ported were from 23 May at Ash Meadows (AS) and 30 May at Veyo, Washington, UT (LT). Northern Waterthrushes were found in Salt Lake, Rich, Tooele, Utah, and Wasatch, UT and Clark, Esmeralda, and Pershing, NV 8-23 May. A well-documented Kentucky Warbler was found at Corn Cr. 12 May (tM&JC). Male Hooded Warblers were photographed at Corn Cr. 24 Apr (PJ, CR, CL), at Lytle Ranch 8 May (ph., tJ&KB; S&SC, MH), and at Circle L Ranch, Esmeralda, NV 25 May (E&GP, DM). Painted Redstarts returned this season to Zion Canyon, with at least 2 territorial males singing 30 Apr+ (DW et al.). A Painted Red- start was also observed in seldom-visited Parunuweap Canyon, Kane, UT 30 May (tCL). An Arctic Tern first discovered 23 May 201 0 (here) at Ash Springs, Lincoln County, Nevada was refound 30 May at nearby Key Pittman Wildlife Management Area, where it remained through at least 5 June. Photographs by Greg Scyphers. 478 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS GREAT'BASINi A cooperative Grasshopper Sparrow lin- gered 30-31 Mar at the Provo Airport Dike, Utah, UT (DS et al.). Harris’s Sparrows were re- ported 12 Mar at Grafton, Washington, UT (S&CS), 15 Mar-1 May at Utah Lake S.E, Utah, UT (LD, JBl et al), and 6 Apr-5 May at Logan, Cache, UT (ph. MF). A Lapland Longspur was found at Carson L., Churchill, NV 19 Mar (MM). Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were reported 24 Apr-31 May in Clark, Elko, Esmeralda, and Washoe, NV and Cache, Davis, Salt Lake, Summit, Utah, Washington, and Wayne, UT. Wayward Bobolinks were found 17 May at Ash Meadows (CL), 18 Mar at Antelope Island (KP), and 21 May at Silver Peak, Esmer- alda, NV (GS). One of the highlights of the season was a female Bronzed Cowbird visiting Ash Meadows 7-14 May (ph. CL et al.); there is only one previous accepted state record. A Hooded Oriole was out of range at Winnemuc- ca, Humboldt, NV 13 May (RK, OK). Four Red Crossbills at the Corn Cr. desert oasis 1 May (JK) were likewise out of place. Contributors and cited observers: Melody Asher, Tim Avery, John Bellmon QBe), Joel & Kathy Beyer, Jack Binch OBi), Ned Bixler, Jeff Blisky QBl), Je Anne Branca OBr), Jeffrey Brown, Stephanie Cobbold, Jeff Cooper, Mar- ian & Jim Cressman, Paul Dacko, Robert Dobbs, Larry Draper, Victor Emanuel, Dar- lene Feener, Bill Fenimore, Mike Fish, John Fitzpatric, Ted Floyd, Rick Fridell, Dennis Ghiglieri, George & Martha Happ, Paul Hig- gins, Eric Hough (EHo), Eric Huish, Meribeth Huizinga, Bob Huntington, Paul Jared, Joe Kahl, Robert Keiffer, John Klicka Knight, Megan Knorpp, Oliver Kolkmann, Edson & Beth Leite, Mark Lenz, Jerry Ligouri, Rob Lowry, Carl Lundblad, Tamra Lyman, Barry Lyon, Mark Margerum (MMa), Martin Meyers, Randall Michal, Don Molde, Milton Moody (MMo), Deedee O’Brien, Ryan O’Donnell, Scott Page, Jim and Debby Parker, Fred Petersen, Gail Petersen, Kristin Purdy, Alan de Queiroz, Phil Robertson, Leena Rogers, Georgia Rohrs, Chris Ruiz-Gardner, Ron Ryel, Matthew Schamberger, Greg Scyphers, Dennis and Rebecca Serdehely, Dennis Shirley, Alison Shock, Arnold Smith (ASm), Wes Smith, Steve 6s: Cindy Sommer- feld, Rose Strickland, Jessica Stokes, Mike Swink (MSw), Alton Thygerson, Carolyn Ti- tus, Larry Tripp, Paul van Els, Leah Waldner, David Wheeler, Hillary White, Robert Williams, Richard Young. © Alaska CHUKCHI SEA BEAUFORT SEA PrudhoeBay Gambell St Lawrence I. St Matthew I. BERING SEA ul. / ' Buldirl. * Amchitkal.' Adakl. Dutch Harbor , There were fewer Aleutian storm tracks during the peak mi- gration season (May through ear- ly June), which meant that northerly or even easterly flows and high pressure reduced Asian species diversity and any jkagway fallouts. But decent west- erly flows from moderate low-pressure surges at both ends of the spring produced some interest- ing records from the central and western Aleutians. ThedeTobish In evaluating the season’s weather data archives, one sees that spring 2010 had generally cooler, drier conditions, except in Southeast, where it was sunnier and warmer than the average. The Interior dried out quickly from a relatively early thaw, which ushered in an early and active fire sea- son. Cooler, windy conditions dominated most of the North Gulf of Alaska coastal ar- eas, possibly as a result of cooling sea surface temperatures in the North Pacific. As always for such a vast Region, this spring’s migration did not lend itself to simple generalizations. Early migrants tended to be early to on time in the Interior and southern Southeast but seemed average or slightly late in south- coastal Alaska. Arrivals at the latter end of the spring seemed a bit protracted. WATERFOWL THROUGH HERONS Shemya observers located and photographed a Tundra Bean-Goose along the runway 18 May (ph. MTS), the only one documented for the season of this occasional spring migrant, found mostly in the cen. and w. Aleutians. The dates noted for Emperor Geese departing wintering areas seemed a bit late, while a mi- grant on the Susitna R. flats across from An- chorage 1-2 May (NS) was casual for Upper Cook Inlet. Snow Geese made news in South- east, mainly with late records, as well as in Southwest Alaska. Several very late fiocks were noted 15 May at widely separated South- east locations, including 60 at Ketchikan (SCH), 100 in Juneau (GBV), and 140 near Gustavus (BBP). A single straggler at Juneau 30 May was the season’s latest from Southeast locales (GBV). In the w. Aleutians, where Snow Goose is casual, singles were found at Shemya 18 May (MTS) and at Attu 20 May (UAF), and at least 2 more surfaced at She- mya 27-28 May, one of which remained through 10 Jun (MTS). Another waif Snow Goose was in the Bering Sea at St. Paul 1. 22 May (Wilderness Birding Adventures). Large numbers of Brant were found in n. Southeast, notably 2125 on the beaches near Gustavus 9 May (BBP), which was certainly one of South- east’s highest counts. Additional significant Brant sightings included a single at Pt. Bridget near Juneau 14 Apr (PMS), one of the earliest local arrival dates, and 2 at Adak 10-17 May (IH). Brant are not observed annually in the cen. and w. Aleutians. Easily one of the earli- est Trumpeter Swan arrival dates for Upper Cook Inlet was a lone bird resting on still frozen marsh in the Old Matanuska Townsite near Palmer 16 Mar (DL). Most Trumpeters, even those that may have wintered farther s. in the Region, enter these latitudes two to three weeks later. Whooper Swans showed well across the breadth of their Alaska winter range. What were likely birds staging w. from winter sites or making intra-island move- ments, Adak was visited by an imm. and 6 ads. 29 Mar, then 4 probably different ads. at another lake 9 Apr, and later 10 ads. 14-20 Apr (IH); two family groups totaling 9 lin- gered through 23 Apr. Other Whoopers in- cluded a one-day single at St. Paul 1. 7-13 May (St. Paul Tour) and 2 at Murder Pt., Attu 12 May (UAF). Gadwalls along the nw. coast, where casu- al, were seen in the Kakagrak Hills near Cape VOLUME 64 (2010) NUMBER 3 479 ALASKA This Gray Heron, observed at various sites around Shemya Island, Alaska 29 April-2 May (here 30 April) 2010, constituted a first for the Aleutians and the state's third record. Photograph by Dennis L Shirley. Alaska's first accepted record of Solitary Snipe was furnished by this bird, found at Alexai Point, Attu Island 24 May 2010. Photograph by John Puschock. Krusenstern, including a drake 24 May, two pairs 2 Jun, and a lone male 5 Jun (LHD, NRH). Forty Eurasian Wigeons at Shemya 2 May (DLS) made the springs highest count; a male on Kanuti L. in the nw. Interior 5 May (CFI) provided a 2nd local area record; and a male at Elaines 7 May (NRH) was one of few from that locality, which is tucked in away from the outer coast. A male at Kenai 27 Mar (TB) was notable; previous records of newly arrived Eurasian Wigeons in Mar, mostly in South-coastal Alaska between Homer and An- chorage, are also likely West Coast-wintering birds starting to move. Although annual in late spring and summer in Southeast, a count of 14 Blue-winged Teal at Gustavus 25 May (BBP) was an excellent total and a new local peak, while a male at Kanuti L. 6 May (CH) was an early find in the nw Interior. Over the past decade. Cinnamon Teal has become a rare and annual spring migrant and summer vis- itor in Southeast, but a male in Juneau 28 Mar (PAR) and again 4 Apr (ph. NRH) provided the Regions earliest record. Most spring birds are first detected in mid- to late May. What may have been 2 different Eurasian Teal were located in the Juneau area 12-17 & 19 Apr (ph. PMS). This sub- species breeds in the Aleutians, and spring males are otherwise rare on Alaska's Pacific Coast. It was a banner year for the rarer Aythya ducks in Southeast, highlighted by 9 Canvasbacks flying over Glacier Bay 5 May (NKD) and another 8 at Haines 7 May (NRH); 5 Redheads near Gustavus 10 & 20 May (BBP) and 6 at Juneau’s Auke L. 29 Apr (NRH); and a big count of 44 Ring-necked Ducks in Juneau 6 May (PMS). These species are annual or intermittent in spring, with especially Redhead and Canvasback in typically very small numbers. Two pairs of Canvasbacks remained in a coastal lagoon near Cape Krusenstern on the nw. coast 24 May-5 Jun (LHD, NRH), an area where this Interior breeder is sporadic. A mid-May hiatus of storm events likely limited the numbers of migrant ducks in the Aleutians, as Tufted Duck was found only at Shemya 23 Apr (2 males; DLS). A flyby Tufted Duck off the Point at Gambell 30 May (Wings) was one of very few from St. Lawrence Island; the species is casual in the n. Bering Sea. It sounded like an exceptional year for migrating eiders pass- ing the Point at Gambell. Up to 20 Steller’s Ei- ders per day were noted on most days of this seasons coverage, with a marked surge up to 188 found 6 Jun (PEL). Spectacled Eiders are normally noted in very small numbers in spring at Gambell, but this year’s highlights included a pure flock of 30 from 25 May (PEL) and an amazing group of about 150 in a bay s. of Gambell 30 May (Wings). The same bay produced an estimated 2000 King Eiders 30 May, with 1000 there the next day (Wings). An imm. King Eider was found at Juneau’s Outer Pt. 8-19 Mar (ph. PMS, BUK, JR), while another distant eider in scoter flocks in Glacier Bay’s Tarr inlet 23 May was thought to be this species (NKD). King Eiders are casual in Southeast waters, primarily as winter or early spring visitors. Extralimital Barrow’s Goldeneye reports came in from Attu 14 May (UAF) and out in the Bering Sea from Gambell, a first ever for St. Lawrence 1. 31 May (ph. GK). This taiga breeder is casual in the Bering Sea. This season’s lone Smew was female-type at Adak 15-18 May (IH, Wilder- ness Birding Adventures, ph. AJL). Although Ruddy Ducks occur semi-annually on larger e. Interior lakes in summer, spring migrants are unusual. A male was at Fairbanks airport’s float ponds 15 May (JD, ND), and 2 were on Juneau’s Norton L. 29-30 May (BAA, PAR). There are few prior spring Southeast reports. Arctic Loon reports were above average, with a season tally of 10 from Gambell 29 May-7 Jun (m.ob.). In the Aleutians, reports were confined to Shemya Pass, with up to 4 noted there 25 Apr and the last found 23 May (DLS, MTS). These birds, in transitional plumages, likely wintered in the area and de- parted for points north in late May. The Gam- bell seawatch tallied a decent 79 Yellow- billed Loons for the season 22 May-7 Jun, with a high of 15 on 4 Jun (PEL). A Pied- billed Grebe was located in suitable breeding habitat on Juneau’s Norton L. 24 May (RJG) — notable because most spring reports are in tidewater habitats. There are only two published Alaska breeding records. At least one Brandt’s Cormorant was located 17 & 23 Apr in the Ketchikan area (SCH, LHD), where small numbers have been found annu- ally in winter and where a few have lingered into late Apr or early May. Shemya observers documented a Gray Heron at scattered sites around the island 29 Apr-2 May (ph. DK, ph. DS), a first in the Aleutians and only the Region's 3rd overall. Two fall reports from St. Paul 1. constitute the only prior Alaska records. On Attu, a Chinese Pond-Heron was a surprise arrival following one of the few mid-season storms, as it flushed out of Henderson R. 20 May (*UAF). This bird follows the Region’s only previous report, an early Aug bird in similar ad. plumage on St. Paul Island. These two addi- tions to the Aleutians list means that the ar- chipelago boasts records of nine of the total 12 ardeids on the Alaska checklist. HAWKS THROUGH ALCfDS A flurry of eagle sightings came in from the w. Aleutians. An imm. Bald Eagle in very worn 480 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS ALASKA Nicely documented as it foraged around the Ketchikan, Alaska waterfront 23 April 2010, this first-cycle Little Gull represents the state's earliest record in spring. Most of Alaska's ten reports come from the state's Southeast. Photograph by Luke H. DeCicco. This Least Flycatcher was an early arrival on 31 May 2010 at Ketchikan, Alaska , where it was first located by its song. It was only the second Least found in Southeast away from the Alaskan mainland, where the species is most often noted along the larger interior- draining rivers. Photograph by Steven C. Heinl. plumage was at Shemya 23 May (MTS, ph. CS), where an imm. White-tailed Eagle soared over the island and off to the n. 26 Apr (DLS, ph. JG). Another imm. White-tailed Ea- gle was at Attu 21 & 24 May (UAF, EWC). Re- ports of White-tailed Eagle outnumber those of Bald from the Near Islands in the w. Aleu- tians, even though Bald Eagle nests w. to Kiska and occasionally at Buldir. Notable spring reports of Harlan’s Hawk included sin- gles in Juneau 4 & 18 Apr (GBV), where this subspecies is a rare migrant and where a win- tering individual was last observed 28 Mar (ph. GBV). The Gunsight Mt. hawkwatch site n. of Palmer in the Talkeetna Mts. produced a record spring one-day tally of 350 Harlan’s, including 29 light morphs, 18 Apr (PF); at one point, 62 Harlan’s were counted in a 15- minute stretch! Even though radio-tracking methods have documented the extent to which Alaska’s Gyrfalcons wander into the Bering Sea in winter, an individual following an icebreaker in the Bering Sea some 40 km e. of the Pribilofs 10 Mar (ph. AJL) was none- theless impressive. Another Gyrfalcon at Adak 19 May (Wilderness Birding Adven- tures) fell within the range of previous inter- mittent reports from the cen. Aleutians. Sin- gle Soras were reported at Gustavus 5 May (BBP) and at two locations in Juneau 26 & 29 May (GBV, BAA), where most sightings of this rare Southeast migrant occur. Soras have bred a few times on the Southeast mainland. Juneau’s winter American Coot was last seen at its favored fish hatchery site 10 Apr (m.ob.), while the season’s lone migrant came also from Juneau at the productive Pioneer Marsh 5-7 May (PAR et al). No doubt influenced by a lack of storm sys- tems, the season’s shorebird passage had be- low-average diversity and particularly of Palearctic species — e.g., 4 Wood Sandpipers at Shemya was the season’s high count, and Common Sandpiper went unreported alto- gether. Up to 6 Lesser Sand-Plovers for the season were recorded at Gambell 24 May-5 Jun (PEL vt., Wings), with mostly sporadic singles from other island sites; at least 6 Com- mon Ringed Plovers were also at Gambell, where this species is annual in spring, 23 May-earlyjun (vt. PEL et al.). A lone Spotted Redshank at Shemya 18 May (ph. MTS) was a rarity, as was a Common Greenshank at Gam- bell 24 May (vt. PEL). Single Black-tailed Godwits, different birds, were at Shemya 19 & 26 May (DMk, ph. DLS, ph. MTS), and an- other was at Attu 20 May (UAF). Attu ob- servers ended up with a snipe trifecta: several mid-May Common Snipe were seen (UAF); a sharp-looking Solitary Snipe was found for- aging near a creek in the Massacre Bay inter- tidal zone 24 May (*UAF); and a Pin-tailed Snipe was flushed from dry habitat near Casco Cove 17 May (*UAF). The Solitary Snipe fol- lows a fall record from St. Paul 1. 10 Sep 2008, while the Pin-tailed follows only three previous Alas- ka records, all from Attu. A Common Snipe was at Gambell 24-27 May (PEL), where casual. In addition to Eurasian shorebirds, other Aleu- tian/Bering Sea shorebird notables included a Black- bellied Plover at Gambell, where casual, 28 May (vt. PEL); a rare Bering Sea Solitary Sandpiper at St. Paul 1. 16-17 May (St. Paul Tour), about the 3rd in spring for the Pribilofs; a Lesser Yellowlegs at She- mya 27-30 Apr (DLS); one each Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs together at Gambell 25 May (vt. PEL), where both are ca- sual; and extralimital Least Sandpipers, includ- ing one or possibly 2 at Adak 13 & 20-28 May (Wilderness Birding Ad- ventures, ph. AJL, IH) and one at Gambell 22-27 May (DMk, vt. PEL). An estimated 500 Black-bellied Plovers made an exceptional concentration for the Region at Gustavus 9 May (BBP). Although remarkably early, a lone Killdeer photographed on floating Knik Arm ice in Anchorage 28 Mar (ph. ND) has precedent: an older record from 22 Mar. Two Hudsonian Godwits were observed inter- mittently on a coastal lagoon near Cape Krusenstern 1-10 Jun (LHD, NRH) at the pe- riphery of the species’ known breeding areas. Bar-tailed Godwit reports this spring included strong counts from across the species’ known landfall sites, highlighted by North Gulf Coast singles at Cordova’s Odiak Slough 23 May (ph. MB) and at Kodiak 21 May (ph. RF). Red Knots rarely make landfall in Southeast in spring, so this season’s counts at several sites were noteworthy: 2 at Ketchikan 6 May (SCH) and then one there 9 May (AWP) and up to 5 in the Gustavus area 8-22 May (NKD). A sin- gle Western Sandpiper reached Kodiak some- what early 29 Apr (RF); the species is not recorded annually there in spring. The North Gulf Coast typically harbors massive concentrations of sandpipers in early May each spring. Extreme counts usually come from hotspots in the Copper R. delta and nearby Cordova intertidal sites, but no- table counts this year originated in the Gus- tavus area, including a peak of 10,000 mostly Western Sandpipers and Dunlins 29 Apr (NKD). Overshooting Stilt Sandpipers reached the Bering Sea coast, where occasion- al in spring, at St. Paul 1. 31 May (one; St. Paul Tour) and at Cape Krusenstern, where 6 were counted 23 May and one remained through 5 Jun (LHD, NRH). Three Buff- breasted Sandpipers located in hilly tundra near Cape Krusenstern 2 Jun and then one in the same area two days later (LHD, NRH) were typical of occasional spring overshoots that reach the Bering Sea. Both Buff-breasted Sandpiper and Stilt Sandpiper reach their Alaska breeding limits on the n. coast w. to Barrow. Three Ruffs was about average for spring at Gambell 30 May (DMk, vt. PEL et al), while a female in coastal tundra at Cape VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 481 ALASKA This Northern Wheatear, photographed on intertidal rocks in Sitka 3 May 2010, provided the first substantiated record for Alaska's Southeast, where there are only a few old sight records. This individual certainly wintered somewhere in the Americas. Photo- graph by Paul H. Norwood. Photographed on the first day of its two-day stay at a ranch near the Naha River mouth on Revillagigedo Island, Alaska 27-28 May 2010, this female Brewer's Blackbird was eas- ily identified by its dark eye and brownish (rather than slate-gray) face and throat. Pho- tograph by Steven C. Heinl. Krusenstern 2 & 5 Jun (LHD, NRH) was more unusual for the mainland. A lone Wil- son’s Phalarope at Juneau 19-20 May (PAR, GBV) was the season’s only report of this rare spring/early summer migrant. A hrst-cycle Little Gull at the Ketchikan waterfront 23 Apr (ph. LHD) represents Alas- ka’s 10th report and the earliest of the spring sightings. While fishing off the e. side of Ko- diak, Allen photographed an ad. Black-head- ed Gull 21 May QBA). This regular cen. and w. Aleutian migrant is casual e. of there in North Pacihc and North Gulf of Alaska wa- ters. Casual for the n. Bering Sea was a subad. brachyrhynchiis Mew Gull at Gambell 1 Jun (Wings, vt. PEL), where there are scattered documented reports from spring and fall. Ob- servers anxious for spring documented big staging numbers of gulls near the Kenai R. mouth 28 Mar, which in- cluded an estimated 6000 Herring (and Glaucous- winged X Herring hy- brid), 100 Mew, and 300 Glaucous-winged Gulls (TB); a Slaty-backed Gull was reported among the hordes (details needed). Although these may prove to be typical early spring numbers, there are few historic data docu- menting the timing, loca- tion, and numbers of northbound concentra- tions from Cook Inlet away from Kachemak Bay. Very rare in South- east, mainly in fall and late winter, at least 2 Slaty-backed Gulls were documented in the Sitka area 31 Mar-14 Apr (PHN, ph. MRG). Among the roughly 20,000 gulls concentrated around her- ring spawn off Pt. Bridget n. of Juneau were an esti- mated 6000 Thayer’s Gulls 3 May (PMS), about half of some previ- ous high counts. This area annually holds huge numbers of gulls, includ- ing the Region’s largest aggregations of Thayer’s, which must stage here before probably heading overland to Canadian Arctic breeding grounds. Another Thayer's was documented in the Bering Sea, an ad. in pack ice roughly 100 km n. of Unimak I. 28 Apr (ph. AJL). There are a few prior s. Bering Sea records at this time of year; some of these may represent wintering birds. Aleutian Tern is ca- sual at sea in the n. Bering Sea and on St. Lawrence L, so a single flyby at the Point at Gambell 8 Jun (PEL) was significant and one of few reports there. Lehman deemed it a good year for Black Guillemots around Gambell, where both ap- parent migrants and lingering birds were not- ed into Jun, with peak counts of 9 on 27 May and 13 from 9 Jun (PEL). This year’s late-win- ter n. Bering Sea cruises by the U.S. Geologi- cal Survey into the pack ice netted an amaz- ing 106 Kittlitz’s Murrelets (KK, AJL), mostly seen as pairs in the monstrous St. Lawrence I. polynya, but numbers were also counted in leads s. of St. Matthew 1. and e. of the Pri- bilofs. The maximum one-day tally was 39 at the w. edge of the St. Lawrence polynya 28 Mar. These numbers follow and build on last winter’s surveys, which were the hrst to reveal the species’ presence in the pack ice. Ideal viewing conditions off Adak’s Clam Lagoon allowed an exceptional count of 154 Kittlitz’s Murrelets with 21 or more Marbled Murrelets 20 May (Wilderness Birding Adventures). DOVES THROUGH THRUSHES The first arrivals of Band-tailed Pigeons in s. Southeast were 3 at a Ketchikan feeder 12 Apr that grew to 12 birds by 28 May (CAP); an- other was a good find offshore at Metlakatla on Annette 1. 30 Apr (ph. JB). After wintering at several Southeast sites for the first time in the Region, Eurasian Collared-Doves started to increase in late May, with at least 13 birds present in Ketchikan by early Jun. Several of the wintering birds were singing and per- forming display flights by early Apr, with pos- sible copulation also noted in Ketchikan. A single Eurasian Collared-Dove showed up at a Metlakatla feeder 20 Apr OB), new for that lo- cality while 2 were found at Sitka 28-31 May (AT, MRG). By early Jun, it was becoming ap- parent that a major infiux was underway. Mourning Doves were reported in above-av- erage numbers for spring, when they are typ- ically rare and not annual. A single at Sitka was extremely early 20 Apr (PHN), while one at the Stikine R. delta 29 May (ph. BN) and a pair at Wrangell 29-31 May (BHD) exhibited more typical timing. A Northern Hawk Owl was heard calling in favored winter habitat on Douglas 1. near Juneau 25 Apr (ph. GSB). This Interior breeder is an extremely rare win- ter bird in Southeast, most often recorded at the n. end of the archipelago, where it has bred. Poliowing last fall’s excellent Anna’s Hummingbird showing in Southeast, singles turned up at feeders in Juneau 21 & 26 Mar (ph. PAR) and Wrangell 19 Mar (RC). There are far fewer spring reports of this otherwise rare fall visitor, mostly in Southeast. Given the timing of this spring’s reports, these could have been Alaska-wintering birds on the move. No one expects migrant Red-breasted Sapsuckers to show up in Fairbanks in late Mar, so it was quite a surprise to find out that one showed up a feeder there 30 Mar (Alaska Bird Observatory, /ide ND); this marks the In- terior’s 3rd record for this common Southeast breeder, all from spring, and there is an older fall/winter report from Kenny L. in South- coastal Alaska. A singing Least Flycatcher found in Ketchikan 31 May (ph. SCH) represented the 2nd report for both the Alexander Archipela- 482 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS ALASKA go and Ketchikan. This common species from e. of the Coast Range is found almost annual- ly in the state and in the mainland Southeast river corridors. Three Hammond’s Flycatchers in the Juneau area 9 May (GBV, PMS) were felt to be early and more than a typical number away from the species’ favored mainland ri- parian corridors, where they are uncommon migrants and breeders. A singing Cassin’s Vireo in Juneau 13 May (PAR) was early and the season’s only report of this rare late spring/summer visitor, usually recorded the mainland Southeast. Ketchikan’s hrst arrival Warbling Vireo 14 May (SCH) was early, while another at Gustavus 18 May (NKD) was very early for n. Southeast. Warbling Vireos are fairly common breeders to the e. of Gustavus in the Haines-Skagway area, but this was the town’s first report of any vireo species. Black- billed Magpies can be fairly common winter birds in n. Southeast, but a flock of 58 in Juneau 21 Mar (GBV) represented a new local high count. Each winter season’s peak magpie tally comes in early spring, as winter birds stage for dispersal to breeding areas. There are two documented Southeast breeding records for Black-billed Magpie, from the Alsek R. drainage and the upper Chilkat Valleys. With approximately 15 Alaska records scattered across the Region, Purple Martin re- mains casual in spring and summer. A female Purple Martin in Juneau 21-22 May (GBV, PAR) provided only the 3rd for Southeast of this species, which breeds as close as Vancou- ver I., BC. Known as a rare migrant and casu- al breeder, primarily on the mainland in s. Southeast, single Northern Rough-winged Swallows in Gustavus 12 & 18 May (BBP, NKD) were rare and notable for n. Southeast. Preceded by only four previous local Apr records, a Cliff Swallow in Juneau 28 Apr (PMS, MWS) established a record-early date for that locale. Another Cliff Swallow was far afield at St. Paul 1. 27 May (St. Paul Tour), where there are a handful of spring reports. Also extremely rare in the Bering Sea was a cinnamon-bellied Barn Swallow at St. Paul 30 May (St. Paul Tour). A single Chestnut- backed Chickadee near Homer’s Beluga L. 8 May (AJL, BD, LM, SH) was considered a very rare find on the n. side of Kachemak Bay, where they are otherwise poorly known. A lone Golden-crowned Kinglet in Deska R. forests n. of Wasilla (DF) and 2 in Talkeetna (CM), both 28 Mar, were well n. of normal winter areas but still seemed too early to be migrants. Golden-crowneds typically reach their winter limits in Upper Cook Inlet, where small numbers are sporadic n. of Tur- nagain Arm. Another Golden-crowned report from Mile 52 of the Chena Hot Springs Rd. n. of Fairbanks 30 May (ND) was an unusual find well n. of the Alaska Range. A male Taiga Flycatcher arrived at Shemya 26 May (MTS), just after a storm — the spring’s only report of this rare w. Aleutian migrant. Several significant and out-of-range Northern 'Wheatears included one on inter- tidal rocks in Sitka 3 May (ph. PHN, JN), the first substantiated record for Southeast, and singles offshore at Adak 15 May (Wilderness Birding Adventures, ph. AJL), one of very few Aleutian spring reports, and at St. Paul 1. 23 May (St. Paul Tour). The Southeast bird fol- lows several very old sight reports from Juneau and Haines and is only about the 3rd for the Pacific Coast outside the fall season. A female-type Stonechat was found on the low- er mountainside at Gambell 3 Jun (Wings, m.ob., tPEL), the site of majority of the Re- gion’s reports. The season’s earliest Mountain Bluebird report came from Juneau, where at least up to 2 hung around the wetlands 11 Apr-1 May (GBV, ph. MWS). A male near Mile 24 of the Taylor Hwy. in the e. Interior 23 Apr (SU, TU) was the earliest arrival from the breeding end of the species’ range in Alas- ka. For the 3rd year in a row, 3 Mountain Bluebirds visited a Delta Junction residence 25 Apr (fide ND), in the general vicinity where nesting has been most consistent over the past two decades. Notable Bering Sea Gray-cheeked Thrush reports included a sea- son total 15 from Gambell 27 May-6 Jun (PEL) and one at St. Paul 31 May (St. Paul Tour), where the species is distinctly casual in spring. Extralimital on the Bering Sea coast, a Swainson’s Thrush hung around willow thickets at Cape Krusenstern 24 May (LHD, NRH), where there are a few prior spring sightings. Hermit Thrush made an above-av- erage showing in the Bering Sea, with 4 for the season at Gambell 26 May-7 Jun (PEL, Wings) and singles at St. Paul I. 22-23 & 30 May (St. Paul Tour). The season’s only Eye- browed Thrush reports were singles at St. Paul I. 31 May (St. Paul Tour) and Shemya 1 Jun (MTS). Following last summer’s first-ever nesting record at Kodiak, another 8-10 Amer- ican Robins were singing around town 4 May-12 Jun (RAM). These add to an increas- ing spring presence of robins in the Kodiak town area, where the species has historically been fairly common in winter but essentially absent after May. A lone Varied Thrush that ventured offshore in the Bering Sea to St. Paul 1. 15-19 May was joined by another on the 20th (St. Paul Tour). Probably as a result of more consistent coverage at Bering Sea sites, this taiga breeder has become very rare but possibly annual in spring and fall on the is- lands. Three pairs of White Wagtails that “set- tled in” presumably to attempt to nest around Gambell village by early Jun (PEL) was about average for that site. WARBLERS THROUGH WEAVER FINCHES The spring lacked many warbler highlights, probably because the season remained cold until very late May, and most species were late to arrive. A Yellow-rumped Warbler was some- what early and an overshoot to the Arctic coast at Barrow 26 May (AB), where one of earliest historical reports was a week earlier. A West- ern Tanager was a rare find for Gustavus in n. Southeast 23 May (BBP) and away from the species’ favored riparian corridors. The sea- son’s roaming Fox Sparrow reports included a Red and a Sooty at St. Paul I. 18 & 30 May, re- spectively (St. Paul Tour), where casual; at Gambell, where this species has become near- ly annual in spring, one Sooty was seen 1 Jun (]LD). Both sites include many more fall re- ports, especially of Sooty, over the past 10 years. Lapland Longspurs recorded 20 Mar at both Seward (CG) and in coastal Anchorage (TT, LJO) were no doubt birds that wintered along the North Gulf Coast; they preceded the more typical arrival dates these sites by three weeks. It was a decent year for Rustic Buntings. Aleutian birds included one at Attu 22 May (UAF) and singles at Shemya 8 63; 29 May and 2 Jun (MTS); up to 2 were at Gambell 26- 28 May (PEL), and another was noted 31 May-1 Jun (Wings, vt. PEL). The Rustic that wintered at a Ketchikan feeder was last noted there 2 May QFK)- A female Brewer’s Blackbird was a great spring find at a ranch on the Naha R., Revillagigedo I., not too far from Ketchikan 27- 28 May (ph. SCH). More than half of the 15 Alaska records come from the Ketchikan area, and the majority of the Region’s reports come in fall and winter. This blackbird was first recorded in Alaska at Barrow 25 Jun 1942, but since then, it has been recorded only in South- east. Brown-headed Cowbirds made an average showing in Southeast, with singles located in Ketchikan 12 May OHL) and at Gustavus 24 May OV); at least 3 hung around Juneau 22-28 May (ph. GBV, RJG). More unusual and casual n. of the Alaska Range was a Brown-headed Cowbird report from the e. Interior near Eagle on the upper Yukon R. 30 May (Alaska Bird Observatory, Jidc ND). The handful of Interior cowbird records is fairly evenly split between spring and fall. The Brambling movements were all tied to storm activity. One was at Attu 15 May, and 7 was the peak count there 22 May (UAF). At Shemya, the first arrival came in with a Lap- land Longspur flock 24 May, and a flock of 40 came in with a storm 28 May (MTS). Four VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 483 ALASKA birds was the high count at St. Paul I. 26 May (St, Paul Tour), while up to 2 appeared at Gambell 25-28 May, followed by one on 3 Jun (vt. PEL et al). Three Gray-crowned Rosy- Finches were observed on Bear Mt., Baranof I., near Sitka 22 May (PHN), These Southeast birds, which represent the s. end of the range of the subspecies littomlis, are rarely observed because of the relative inaccessibility of this favored habitat. An Oriental Greenfinch was reported without details from Attu 25 May (UAF). A male Eurasian Bullfinch at Shemya 15 May (ph. DLS) represented the Aleutians’ 9th spring record. Lone Hawfinches appeared at Adak 19 May-Jun (Wilderness Birding Ad- ventures, IH) and at Attu 23-24 May (UAF). At least 4 House Sparrows were present through the period in the Ketchikan area, and two active nests were located at the end of May (AWP, SCH). Corrigenda: Further analysis of a photograph of a Tringa shorebird taken at Barrow 25 Jun 2009, and reported in the spring 2009 region- al report as a Common Redshank, does not support the original identification; that record should be deleted. For the autumn 2009 re- port, the sentence on Yellow-rumped War- blers in Unalaska should be replaced with the following: “A single Yellow-rumped Warbler was drawn to the Strawberry Hill spruce groves in Unalaska 22 Sep and it (or another) was located in the same general area 10 Oct and was joined by another, as 2 were in the same area 11 Oct (ph. AP, SG).” Contributors and observers: B. A. Agler, J. B. Allen, R. H. Armstrong, G. S. Baluss, A. Bankert, J. Beal, B. Benter, S. Berns, J. Brady- Power, T. Burke, M. Cady, R. Chadwick, E. W. Clark, J. E. Dearborn, L. DeCicco, D. E Delap, B. H, Demerjian, N. Deschu, L. DevaneyJ. De- Witt, N. DeWitt (Interior), B. Dittrick, N. K. Drumheller, S. DuBois, L. Edfelt, S. Echols, P. Eldridge, T. Eskelin, T. Evans, R. Fletcher, D. Fox, P. & C. Fritz, C. A. Fultz, T. Galloway, D. D. Gibson, R. E. Gill, J. Gilsdorf, M. R. Goff, R. J. Gordon, T. L. Goucher, C. Griswold, M. K. Hart, C. Harwood, S. Hauser, N. Haydukovich, S. C. Heinl (Southeast), 1. Helmericks, K. Hocker, E & T. Hunt, D. Hurley]. Johnson, W. Keys, M. Kissling, E. Kistler, J. F Koerner, G. Koonooka, D. Krug, K. Kuletz, A. J. Lang, J. Leighton,]. D. Levison, T. Lewis, D. Lloyd, M. & R. A. Macintosh, D. Mackay (DMk), D. MacPhail, C. Mannix, M. McCafferty S. J. Mc- Curdy, B. Meiklejohn, N. Mollett, L. Moore- head, B. Neuman, J. Morse, J. & P. H. Nor- wood, B. B. Paige, B. Pawuk, B. Peluso, A. W. Piston (Southeast),]. E. Piston, D. &[ S. Porter, P. Pourchot, D. Prentki, ]. Puschock, ]. Reynolds, P. A. Rose, D. Rudis, K. Russell, L. Scharf, R. L. Scher, M. W. Schwan, M. T. Schwitters, N. Senner, D. Shaw, D. L. Shirley G. Smith, D. W. Sonneborn, K. Stenek, St. Paul Tour (S. Lorenz, S. Hegarty C. Cavaros), S. Studebaker, P. M. Suchanek, A. Swingley M. E. Tedin, A. Thoms, T. Tobish, W. Tweit, UAF (University of Alaska Museum: D.W. Son- neborn,]. Withrow et ah), B. Uher-Koch, S. & T. Urvina, G. B. Van Vliet, P Vanselow, M. L. Ward, Wilderness Birding Adventures (B. Dit- trick, A. Lang et al.),Wings, Inc. (E E. Lehman, R. Hoyer, ]. L. Dunn et al.), R. Winckler, ]. Withrow, K. Zervos, S. Zimmerman. O Thede Tobish, 2510 Foraker Drive Anchorage, Alaska 99517, (tgtljo@gci.net) British Columbia !1 lAtlin □ease :e< fiyj.. Lake* Fort* Nelson Mackenzie . 0 Masset •prince Rupert • i Fort St. John •i Dawson Creek • Queen _ Charlotte *■ Islands Queen Charlotte '-J.’ City Tofino* Vancouver Island * Prince George Williams Lake* Revelstoke Kamloops ►Vernon '\ Vancouver^ Kelowi^ Cranbrook .A Victoria DECEMBER 2009 THROUGH MAY 201 0 Chris Charlesworth The winter started in early December with a garden variety of Arctic air set- tling over the British Columbia. Most of the valley snows fell during this month. But af- ter the first week of January, that was about it for winter, as the colder air retreated, although the extreme northeastern part of the Region held onto the colder air until mid-February. The mild weather melted away the snow by mid-January in many southern interior loca- tions. The interior was mainly dry in the New Year, while the coast experienced rainy periods in January, more so on the central coast. The province was split in two through the spring period, with coastal sections experienc- ing near-normal temperatures and precipita- tion, with the notable exceptions of the north coast and Haida Gwaii, which were soaked during March. The interior started off with one of the warmest Marches on record in many ar- eas, April had near-normal temperatures but was very dry, and May was damper and a bit cooler than normal. Winter snow packs were below normal in most areas, with the excep- tion of the far northeast, but even there snow was gone from the lowlands by mid-April. WATERFOWL THROUGH RAILS In the interior, where Snow Geese are rare mi- grants, they appeared in flocks this spring. In the Kootenays, both East and West, numerous flocks were seen 1-12 May with the largest be- ing of 70 birds (fide GsD). At the Salmon Arm Mudflats, there were 18 Snow Geese 29 Apr (TH). Rare anywhere in the province, an ad. Ross’s Goose was at Brunswick Pt. in Ladner 28-29 Apr (NH et al). Rare winter residents in the Okanagan Valley Greater White-fronted Geese were tallied at several locations: in Kelowna’s Rutland area, 3 were seen 2 Dec (RC); 4 were at the Maude Roxby Bird Sanc- tuary in Kelowna 23 Jan (CC et al); one was along the w. side of Osoyoos L. 3 Jan (fide DB); one was along the shores of Skaha L., s. of Penticton, 9 Mar QL); and in the Kootenay region, 150 were at Creston (RW) and 120 at Lardeau, both 4 May (MJ). Eurasian Wigeons are regular spring migrants in the interior but are rare winter visitors to the Region; a male spent most of the winter at the S.S. Sica- mous — the largest remaining steel-hulled sternwheeler in Canada, restored and moored in Penticton QG, RCa, m.ob.). Another male was along the w. shore of Osoyoos L. on the local C.B.C. 3 Jan (fide DB). A regular location for spring Eurasian Wigeon is Robert L., where a male was present 4 Mar (GW, m.ob.). Up to 5 were tallied along Otter Cr. n. of Ver- non (RC); in the Kootenay region, singles were noted at Nelson 12 Apr (Stephen Manuel), at Eernie 15 Apr (KK), and at Wasa 484 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS BRITISH COLUMBIA Rarely accessible by road in winter, the high mountains of British Columbia had far iess snow than normal in winter 2009-2010, allowing access to habitats seidom visited by birders at this season. This White-tailed Ptarmigan was photographed near Cathedrai Park 14 February 2010. Photograph by Chris Charlesworth. L. 4 May (Ruth Goodwin). Single Eurasian Teal were seen at Beach Grove Park in Tsawwassen 10 Mar (RS) and at Tod Creek Flats near Victoria 17-19 Jan QO- Also on Vancouver 1., one was at the mouth of the Englishman R. near Parksville 3 Apr (GM). Extremely rare in the interior in the winter, 2 Blue-winged Teal were tallied on the Osoyoos C.B.C., along the Okanagan R. 3 Jan (fide DB). Among thousands of scoters and other wa- terbirds taking advantage of the herring spawn on Vancouver I., a first-year male King Eider was at Columbia Beach near Parksville 6 Apr (GM). A male White-winged Scoter was at Waldie I. near Trail 16 May QA). In Prince George, up to 3 Harlequin Ducks spent much of Dec on the Nechako R., first seen 1 Dec (EH) and again on the C.B.C. 20 Dec (fide CA). Rare winter visitors to the s. interior, a female Long-tailed Duck was along the Kelowna waterfront 6 Jan-7 Feb (RC, CC, PL, RW), with another female at the Columbia R. near Castlegar 21 Mar (Peter Mclver). At the Castlegar Sewage Ponds, a Long-tailed Duck was observed 12 May (AS). With the lack of snow in many areas of the s. interior over the winter, access into the high mts. was possible; this aided two observers in finding a White- tailed Ptarmigan near Cathedral Mt. 14 Feb (CC, RT). Two Pacific Loons were seen on Woods L., on the Lake Country C.B.C. 14 Dec (PL et ah), and another was on Osoyoos L. 10 Jan (RC et ah). An imm. Yellow-billed Loon was seen off Parksville 28 Dec (GM et al); up to 3 were on Osoyoos L. 16 Jan-16 May (DB, m.ob.), and one was at Lardeau in the Koote- nays 14-18 Mar (MJ). A Brown Pelican was seen on rocks at Clover Pt., Victoria 10 Mar (Alan MacLeod). Rare spring migrants in the interior of the province, single Broad- winged Hawks were noted at Cranbrook 5 May (Lucille Campbell) and over Rabbit L., e. of Okanagan Falls 21 May (RC et al). A male American Kestrel on the Quesnel C.B.C. 19 Dec (PR) was a rarity. Very rare in winter in the s. interior, a Pere- grine Falcon successfully spent the season along the Kelowna waterfront at the Rotary Marshes, seen first 10 Dec (RC, m.ob.). Gyr- falcon reports came in from Boundary Bay near Delta, where 2 were seen 3 Jan Qohn Tee), and from the interior, where one was along Hwy. 5A s. of Merritt 16 Jan (Alan Burg- er). A Sora was a good find in the Vantreight bulb fields in Saanich 15 Jan QG). SHOREBIRDS THROUGH OWLS Furnishing one of a handful of records for the province in recent years, a Snowy Plover was described well at Long Beach on the West Coast of Vancouver 1. 24 May (Steve Baillie). Numbers of Black-necked Stilts in the interior were low this spring, with 2 at Duck L. near Creston 5 Mar (RW), 10 at Eliza- beth L. near Cranbrook 16 Apr (DN), and 2 at Robert L., Kelowna 27 Apr QM)- A Willet spent the winter in Oak Bay near Victoria 12 Dec-27 Jan (AC, m.ob.). Rare in winter. Spotted Sand- pipers were reported from Lantzville, Vancouver 1. 2 Dec (RH), Esquimau La- goon, Victoria 5 Dec (AC), Maplewood Flats in N. Vancouver 23 Dec (Rob Lyske), and Amble- side Park in W. Vancouver 18 Feb (DT). A fe- male Ruff was at the Iona Sewage Ponds in Richmond 11 May (M. Wynja), and one in full breeding dress was on Haida Gwaii 30 Apr-7 May (Peter Hamel, Margo Hearne). A Marbled Godwit was at Wilmer in the Kootenays 10 May (Randy Hopkins). On Vancouver L, an ad. Hudsonian Godwit was at the Tofino Mud- flats 27-28 May (AD). In the Okanagan Valley, where Franklin’s Gull is a rare visitor, one was seen at the s. end of Vaseux L. 21 May (RC et al.). Up to 4 Mew Gulls made a high count in the Okanagan along the waterfront in Pentic- ton 10 Jan (RC, m.ob.). Eleven Glaucous Gulls were seen between Nile Cr. and Deep Bay near Parksville 23 Mar, where 2 had been seen 26 Dec (GM); elsewhere, singles were on the Castlegar C.B.C. 3 Jan (fide GsD) and at Duncan 1 Feb (ad.; DM); and 2, a third-cycle and an ad., were at Boundary Bay in Delta, Vancouver 1.31 Dec (IP). Whether an increase in coverage and observer knowledge or an in- crease in actual birds is the case, sightings of Iceland Gulls have skyrocketed in British Co- lumbia over the past decade. A second-cycle bird was at Beach Cr. in Qualicum 11 Feb (GM), and 2 ad. Kumlien’s were at the mouth of French Cr. near Parksville 13 Mar (GM). Again near Parksville, an ad. was at Deep Bay and a first-cycle at Nile Cr., both 23 Mar (GM). In the Okanagan Valley, where sight- ings of Iceland Gulls have also increased, ad. Kumlien’s were at the mouth of Vernon Cr. in Vernon 24 Feb (CS, Ethan Geller) and at the Maude Roxby Bird Sanctuary, Kelowna 13 Mar (RC). An ad. Slaty-backed Gull was seen at Boundary Bay, Delta 16 Jan (MT, PK), and a third-cycle was photographed at Qualicum Beach on Vancouver 1. 21 Mar (Mike Yip). An ad. Lesser Black-backed Gull, possibly the same bird that has returned for the past nine years, wintered in the KelownaWernon areas, seen 4 Dec at the Kelowna Landfill and local beaches through at least 4 Mar (CC, RC, m.ob,). In the Kootenays, an ad. Sabine’s Gull was a good find at Shoreacres 5 May (RWe). A stunning 1424 Ancient Murrelets were counted from the Powell River Ferry on the Little River C.B.C. 30 Dec (GM, m.ob.). A Parakeet Auklet at Clayoquot Canyon, 50 km w. of Tofino, was a fantastic sighting 17 Apr (Roger Foxall, MTo et al.). It was a fairly good season for Northern Hawk Owls throughout the interior, with at least 20 reported. The highest number came from the Cariboo re- gion, where at least 12 were found in the Williams L./Horsefly area (PR). In the Okana- gan, a very cooperative Northern Hawk Owl was at Naramata 29-31 Jan (DM, m.ob.). On the Lower Mainland, single Great Gray Owls hung out in Colony Farm Park, Coquitlam, and another was in Campbell Valley Park, Langley 25 Dec-9 Feb (m.ob.). Snowy Owls appeared in dribs and drabs in the s. interior of the province, with one at the Village Green Mall in Vernon 1 Dec (fide Peter Blokker) and a sick imm. at the Kelowna Yacht Club 7 Dec (RC, m.ob.); the bird was captured and taken into captivity by the local S.P.C.A. In the Kootenays, a Snowy Owl was seen on the Lake Winderere C.B.C. 26 Dec (fide GsD), and one was near Princeton at Separation L. 10-11 Jan (Madelen Schouten). Ad. Snowy Owls are a rare sight in s. British Columbia, so one at the Kelowna Airport 27 Feb was of note (TS, CC, AG). DOVES THROUGH FINCHES Eurasian Collared-Doves staged a mini-inva- sion into the Kootenays, being reported on both the Creston C.B.C. 28 Dec and the Lake Windermere C.B.C. 26 Dec (fide GsD). On 22 VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 485 BRITISH COLUMBIA This male Brambling visited a feeder in Hagensborg, British Columbia 4-6 (here 5) De- cember 2009. Photograph by Joan Cole. Apr, 5 were tallied in Nakusp (GsD), 2 were at Shoreacres (RWe), and one was at Lardeau (MJ), all local firsts. British Columbia’s 2nd Oriental Turtle-Dove, a juv., was pho- tographed at the Alaksen N.W.R., in Ladner 18 Feb (CD, PD). Canada and British Columbia’s 3rd Acorn Woodpecker visited a feeder in Princeton 24-28 May (Patricia Elwell, m.ob.). The rarest of Canada’s breeding woodpeckers, a White-headed Woodpecker was seen off and on at Shrike Hill e. of Oliver from 24 Mar (RC) through 18 Apr QV, AM). A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at Hastings Park Sanctuary in Van- couver 19 Apr was a nice find (Douglas H. Cooper), and a Red-breasted Sapsucker was in Naramata 21-31 Jan QG, m.ob.). Very rare in winter in the interior, single Say’s Phoebes were tallied on the Lake Win- dermere C.B.C. 28 Dec (fide GsD) and the Os- oyoos C.B.C. 3 Jan {fide DB). On the Lower Mainland, a Say’s Phoebe at Sea L, Richmond 17-19 Mar was of note (MTo, m.ob.), and pos- sibly the same bird was at Iona 1. 5-6 Apr (PC). A very rare bird anywhere in British Co- lumbia away from the Peace R. area, an East- ern Phoebe was found in Parksville 21 Apr (Jamie Fenneman, RM). At Colony Farm in Coquitlam, an Ash-throated Flycatcher was seen 26 May (JideJude Grass). A Loggerhead Shrike in the Okanagan along the Fairview Rd. near Oliver 20-21 Mar was a fantastic find (CC, RT et al). The usual reports of Blue Jays trickled in from across s. British Columbia, with up to 11 tallied on the Creston C.B.C. 28 Dec (fide GsD). Also in the Kootenays, one was at Slocan 11 Feb (RW, RWe). Three Blue Jays spent much of the winter in the Quesnel area {fide PR), and another wintered in the Trader’s Cove area of Kelowna, throughout the winter period at least (CC, m.ob.). The West- ern Scrub-Jay first found in May 2009 contin- ued in the Maple Ridge area throughout the winter and spring periods (Roger Craik, m.ob.). Two Barn Swallows were seen at Ro- tary Beach, Kelowna 20 Feb, an extremely early record (CC, RT). In the Kootenays, a Purple Mar- tin was reported on 23 Apr at Windermere (Cam Gillies). The Bewick’s Wren invasion in the Okanagan Valley contin- ues; one was found singing along Road 22 near Osoyoos 7-27 Feb (CC, RT, m.ob.), and 2 were in nearby areas 27 Feb (DB et al.). A Rock Wren, rare in winter, was on cliffs along the e. side of Osoyoos L. on the local C.B.C. 3 Jan (CC), and on the same count, a male Mountain Blue- bird was in Richter Pass 3 Jan (DB). Along the coast, where Mountain Bluebirds are rare mi- grants, several were at the Nanaimo R. estuary 31 Mar-10 Apr QC, m.ob.). A pair of Moun- tain Bluebirds was at Sea L, Richmond 26-28 Mar (Keith Riding, m.ob.), and a female was at Boundary Bay 10 Apr (IP), with 4 there the next day (RS). A female Mountain Bluebird visited the Reifel Refuge in Ladner 13 Apr (RW), and up to 6 were at the Englishman R. estuary near Parksville 18 Apr (GM), In the Okanagan, a Gray Catbird wintered success- fully at Haynes Pt. in Osoyoos, first reported 26 Dec (DB, m.ob.). Near Victoria, a Red-throated Pipit at Mar- tindale Flats was seen by many 8-11 May (Michael Bentley, m.ob.). A singing male Blackpoll Warbler was a nice find at Goat’s Head Peak near Peachland in the Okanagan 23 May (Scott Thomson). A Palm Warbler was at the Reifel Refuge in Ladner 18 Apr (Mike Newey et al). On Vancouver L, a fe- male American Redstart was at the Kaye Road settling ponds near Parksville 8 May (GM). Up to 3 American Tree Sparrows were at the Nanaimo R. estuary 31 Dec-14 Jan QC, m.ob.). One was at Brunswick Pt. in Ladner 17 Jan (IP), and up to 6 frequented a weedy patch at Iona 1. 23 Jan-19 Apr (PC, m.ob.). A Chipping Sparrow was photographed at a feeder in Williams Lake 20-22 Dec (PR, SP, KA); another was photographed near Rayleigh n. of Kamloops 4-16 Feb (RH). A rarity on Vancouver L, a Clay-colored Spar- row was at a feeder in Parksville 9 Dec (Neil Dawes, m.ob.); another was at Colony Farm, Coquitlam 27-28 Apr (Les Lee, Derek Matthews). A Black-throated Sparrow was along Strawberry Cr. w. of Osoyoos 7 May (DB), and a Sage Sparrow was found along Nighthawk Rd., w. of Osoyoos 16 Apr (DB). Lincoln’s Sparrow sightings appear to be in- creasing in the winter throughout the s. inte- rior of the province. One was seen on the Nar- cosli C.B.C. in the Cariboo 14 Dec (PR, SP), and 3 were tallied on tbe Penticton C.B.C. at Esplanade Trails 20 Dec {fide RCa). A Swamp Sparrow at Scout 1. was a nice addition to the Williams Lake C.B.C. 20 Dec (PR), as was one along the Okanagan R. on the Osoyoos C.B.C. 3 Jan {fide DB). Near Tofino, 2 Swamp Spar- rows were on Stubbs I. 26 Dec (AD). On Van- couver L, a Swamp Sparrow was at the So- mass R. estuary near Port Alberni 23 Jan (RM), and in the Okanagan, one was heard in a marsh at Desert Cove near Vernon 13 Mar (CC, RT). Single imm. Harris’s Sparrows were at a feeder in Williams Lake 7 Dec-1 Jan (PR, m.ob.) and at Road 22 near Osoyoos 26 Dec (DB). A rare but regular visitor to s. British Columbia, White-throated Sparrows were noted in several locations; one was at a feeder at Swan L., Victoria 4 Dec-5 Jan (IC, m.ob.); one was in Stanley Park, Vancouver 8 Dec-25 Jan (RL, m.ob.); 3 were at Desert Cove in Ver- non 2 Feb (AG, RC, SB); one was at feeder in the Murrayville area of Langley 6 Apr (DT); one was at Kelowna feeder 16 May Qini An- derson); and another was singing in a West Bench yard in Penticton 19 May (RCa). Rare in winter in the interior, an imm. Golden- crowned Sparrow was photographed on the Kelowna C.B.C. at Wilson’s Landing 19 Dec (Les Gyug, Don Guild). A male Rose-breasted Grosbeak visited Warfield near Trail in the West Kootenays 29 May {fide EB), and another was at Invermere 23 May (RH). A male Lark Bunting was well described at Castlegar 7 May (Dorothy Beet- stra). A male Indigo Bunting was pho- tographed at New Denver 22 May (Richard Johnson), and another was also photographed at Bone Creek, near Blue R. 26-28 May {fide CC). A male Brambling was photographed at a feeder in Hagensborg, near Bella Coola 4-6 May Cole). Two Gray-crowned Rosy- Finches were watched along the West Vancou- ver Seawall 12 Mar (Quentin Brown). Rare in winter, a Yellow-headed Blackbird was a nice addition to the Kelowna C.B.C. 19 Jan (TF); a female was found near Osoyoos at Road 22 on 10 Jan (CC, RT). A Rusty Blackbird frequent- ed the Kelowna Landfill 10 Dec-19 Jan (RC, MF, m.ob.); another was on the Quesnel C.B.C. 19 Dec {fide PR). On Vancouver L, a male Rusty Blackbird was at Kings Pond in Victoria 27 Dec-19 Jan (MA, m.ob.). Com- mon Grackles have established themselves in the e. Kootenay town of Fernie, where a high count of 10 was made 20 Apr (KK). An ad. male Hooded Oriole at Tlell 25-26 May fur- nished a first record for Haida Gwaii Qason Shafto, Christine Pansino). In a rather poor 486 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS BRITISH COLUMBIA] season for redpolls in s. British Columbia, 2 Hoary Redpolls were seen on the Lake Coun- try C.B.C. along Beaver Lake Rd. 14 Dec (DB). Observers (subregional editors in boldface): Cathy Antoniazzi, Kris Andrews, Janice Arndt, Mike Ashbee, Avery Bartels, Ed Beynon, Samantha Brett, Doug Brown, Peter Candido, Russell Cannings, Richard Can- nings (RCa), Jon Carter, Don Cecile, Chris Charlesworth, Aziza Cooper, Ian Cruick- shank, Gary Davidson (GsD), Pete Davidson, Christopher DiCorrado, Adrian Dorst, Michael Force, Jeremy Gatten, Ann Gibson, Nathan Hentze, Elizabeth Hewison, Ted Hillary, Ralph Hocken, Marlene Johnston, Paul Kusmin, Kevin Knight, Pam Laing, Jan- na Leslie, Rob Lyske, James MacGregor, A1 McTavish, Guy Monty, Richard Mooney, Dar- ryl Myhr, Dean Nicholson, Ilya Povalyaev, Sandy Proulx, Phil Ranson, Lesley Robertson, Tanya Seebacher, Chris Siddle, Andy Step- niewski, Richard Swanston, Mike Tabak, Mike Toochin (MTo), Ryan Tomlinson, Dan- ny Tyson, Linda Van Damme, John Vooys, Rita Wege (RWe), Rick Wright. Chris Charlesworth, Avocet Tours, 571 Cawston Avenue Kelowna, British Columbia, VI Y 6S5 (c_charlesworth23@hotmail.com) Oregon & Washington No Point : y ' .Wenatche||^ ■feic Tacoma Olympia ^ ’ ^ Y ^ Pries! Raf^ \ mmmmm •Othello Walla Walla River Delta ' Detroit S i RaB 2" I ,Eu9en8 © | Florencej Coos Bay ^Cape Blanco MaiheurN.W.R. Summer « Medford I Klamath Falls • Broolofigs David Irons Douglas Schonewald Brad Waggoner Bill Tweit Invariably, weather plays a significant role in defining any migration season. A cold, wet spring was punctuated by May temper- atures that were the Region’s fifth coldest on record. On 21-22 May, rain turned to snow in the high desert country of southeastern Ore- gon, grounding thousands of migrants. Chilly temperatures persisted through Memorial Day weekend, producing local fallouts of warblers, tanagers, sparrows, and buntings that were sometimes spectacular. While shocking rarities were exceedingly scarce, a nice assortment of extralimital strays accented the season. Birders aboard cruise ships once again enhanced off- shore coverage, and strong onshore winds at the onset of May pushed ashore tubenoses that are rarely seen from land. Abbreviations: Ankeny (Ankeny N.W.R., Mar- ion), Baskett Slough (Baskett Slough N.W.R., Polk), E.E.W. (E.E. Wilson W.M.A., Benton), Finley (William L. Finley N.W.R., Benton), FR.R. (Fern Ridge Res., Lane), N.S.C.B. (North Spit Coos Bay, Coos), O.S. (Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor), PN.P (Point No Point, Kitsap), RS.B. (Port Susan Bay, Snohomish), PT. (Puget Trough), Ridgefield (Ridgefield N.W.R., Clark), S.L.W.M.A. (Summer Lake W.M.A., Lake), W.W.R.D. (Walla Walla R. delta, Walla Walla) WV (Willamette Valley). “Eastside” and "westside” indicate locations e. and w. of the Cascade crest, respectively. WATERFOWL THROUGH STORM-PETRELS During a major flight of Greater White-front- ed Geese 30 Apr, more than 5000 passed over Eugene in two hours (Dl); this represents the WV’s 2nd highest ever one-day count. Twenty White-fronteds over Seattle 27 May were at least two weeks tardy (P Rose). The wintering Tide Greater White-fronted Goose (subspecies elgasi) lingered at Carnation, King until 20 Mar (G. Oliver, O. Oliver), while another at Nisqually remained until 21 Apr (m.ob.); most records of this taxon have been Sep-Dec. The season's only Emperor Goose, which win- tered near Glide, Douglas, was last seen 23 Mar (M. Hamm). As the continent-wide pop- ulation of Snow Geese continues to balloon, each migration season seems to produce a no- table increase in the passage through e. Wash- ington. Favored McNary N.W.R. hosted 5000 Snows on 4 Mar (M&MLD), establishing a new benchmark for that subregion, where as recently as 2005 the record count was 250 (2005, Birds of Washington, Wahl et ah, eds.). A Snow at Palmer L., Okanogan 30 May was nearly a month late (AS). Two Blue Geese in- habited Fir I., Skagit 4 Mar-6 Apr (RM), while another at Othello, Adams 26 Mar (BF) was in e. Washington, where this morph is still not reported annually. Though less than half last spring’s record tally (67), 32 Ross’s Geese 22 Mar-1 May was still double the recent average for e. Washington. Most westside Ross’s are found at inland locales, but 3 of this season’s 4 were coastal; one wintering at Coos Bay re- mained until 12 Mar, and 2 were at Willapa Bay, Pacific 27 Apr QG). The flight of 5500 Brant past Boiler Bay 3 May (PP) was a single- day record for Oregon and accounts for near- ly 4% of the Pacific Flyway population (2009. United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Wa- terfowl Population Status, 2009). A minima Cackling Goose at Bellevue, King 30 May was three weeks late (MBr). A Trumpeter Swan at Minkler L., Skagit 16 May (GB) was a month tardy; Trumpeters typically depart by mid- Apr. Three at Hatfield L., Deschutes 18 May+ (H. Horvath) were even more surprising. A concentration of 267 Eurasian Wigeons near Samish 1., Skagit 3 Mar (RM) was just shy of the Regional record; 300 were there in Feb 2008. One lingering into Jun at RS.B. was un- usually late (SM). Following last spring’s record showing, 23 Eurasians in e. Washing- ton Mar-13 May marked a return to normal; aside from the Klamath Basin, this species continues to be far less expected on Oregon’s eastside, where just 6 were noted this season. Three Eurasian Wigeon x American Wigeon hybrids were in e. Washington, where this cross was first noted only about five years ago. Additional dabblers of mixed parentage in- cluded a Mallard x Northern Pintail at Ho- quiam. Grays Harbor 20 Mar (MBa) and single Cinnamon Teal x Blue-winged Teal at RS.B. 9 May (ph. SM) and Crab L., Grant 30 May (SM, RM, TC); these crosses are now detected an- nually or nearly so in the Region. Increasing observer effort has revealed that Eurasian Teal occur annually e. of the Cascades, where this taxon was virtually unknown a decade ago; this season's 4 included 3 in Washington 4 Mar-13 May and Crook's 2nd at Houston L. 24 Mar (CG). On the westside, Eurasian numbers were subpar, with just six reports 1 Mar-24 Apr. Four Eurasian Teal x Green-winged Teal intergrades, all in w. Washington, included one slightly late at RS.B, 9 May (SM). Six Tuft- VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 487 OREGON & WASHINGTON Although waterfowl hybridize somewhat frequently, intergeneric crosses like this apparent Common Goldeneye x Hooded Mer- ganser hybrid found at Kitsap Lake, Kitsap County, Washington 5 April 201 0 are extremely rare. Photograph by Ryan Merrill. ed Ducks was 150% of the seasonal norm and included returning males at ER.R. (5th year) 27 Mar-3 Apr (D. Schrouder) and Portland (2nd year) 13 Mar-11 Apr (A. Clausing), plus e. Washingtons latest ever at Sprague L., Adams 4 May (M. Cummins). Present since Jul 2009, the female King Eider continued at O.S. through the period (m.ob.). Despite being an- nual e. of the Cascades in fall, 2 Surf Scoters at Osoyoos L., Okanogan 21 May (AS, ES) were the first spring birds on the eastside since 2003. Now detected annually in the Region, this season’s Common Goldeneye x Barrow’s Goldeneye hybrid graced Bainbridge E, Kitsap 5 Apr (BW). A far less expected Hooded Mer- ganser X Common Goldeneye consorted with Common Goldeneyes at Kitsap L., Kitsap 11 Mar (ph. RM, vt. BW); a male at Bass L., Wahkiakum on 6 Nov 2006 is the Region’s only prior record of this intergeneric hybrid. Rare during spring in e. Washington, 3 Pa- cific Loons were noted 17 Apr-26 May, the latter being about a month late. Northbound movements of Pacifies along the Oregon coast peaked in early May, with 18,000 counted during a 4.5-hour seawatch at Boiler Bay 8 May (PP). Three Yellow-billed Loons in w. Washington 5 Mar-3 Apr was near normal, while another at Rocky Reach Dam, Chelan 18 Apr (B. Meilleur) was about the 10th for e. Washington. Though Red-necked Grebes breed at Klamath L., northbound migrants are rare elsewhere e. of the Cascades; thus singles at Haystack Res., Jefferson 24 May (K. Owen) and Krumbo Res., Harney 29 May (A&CH) were noteworthy. A subpar 4 Clark’s Grebes were noted from w. Washington this spring. A Short-tailed Albatross off Douglas 5 May (ph. M. Bancroft) furnishes about the 10th modern record for Oregon. The only Laysan Albatrosses were in Oregon waters, with 2 off Newport 6 Mar (GGi) and another off Douglas 4 May (fide HN). On 3 May, strong winds along the Oregon coast pushed many tubenoses near shore, including up to 6 Black- footed Albatrosses seen from Lincoln over- looks (PP). Eifty-five Murphy’s Petrels (46 in Oregon, 9 in Washington) were seen from the MS Amsterdam 1 May (tRM), and 6 more were observed from another cruise ship in Oregon waters 12 May (JG, OS); Murphy’s have proven annual during spring in the Region’s waters, with most found at least 75 km off- shore. Two Mottled Petrels were off Westport 1 May (K. Aanerud); though expected far off- shore, this species rarely wanders into the nearshore waters visited by conventional pelagic trips. Pink-footed Shearwaters were also blown inshore, with 14 seen from land in Lincoln 3 May (PP). Additionally, a near- record 15,000 Sooty Shearwaters were count- ed from Boiler Bay 3 May (PP); 16,710 off Grays Harbor 15 Apr 1972 is the highest pub- lished spring count from the Region. Two- thirds of this season’s 9 Manx Shearwaters (18 Apr-17 May) were seen from land in Lincoln 3 May (PP); 51 spring Manx have been reported since 2003. At least one Ashy Storm-Petrel seen off Grays Harbor, WA May 1 (tRM) would be Washington’s 3rd, pending review; large numbers (350-t-) of Leach’s Storm-Petrel were seen that day for comparison. PELICANS THROUGH CRANES Aside from 21 at Vancouver 17 May (fide HN), no American White Pelicans were re- ported in w. Washington during spring; since 2003, they have been near annual in the P.T. and along that state’s outer coast. In w. Ore- gon, the high count was 40 at ER.R. 8 May QS), while one at North Bend, Coos 6-7 May (RN) furnished a rare coastal report. A Brown Pelican in the Strait of Juan de Euca at Port Angeles, Clallam 10 Mar (R Myers) was like- ly a stray from the wintering coastal birds; 60 were still at Newport 5 Mar (D. Jaques). Brown Pelicans also entered the P.T. early, with one at Alki Pt., King 11 Apr (G. Smith) and 2 at EN.R 5 May (VN); the first usually appear in Jul. Northbound migrations of Brandt’s Cormorants go unnoticed or unre- ported most years; thus a flight of 1200 at Boiler Bay 21 Apr (PP) is significant. A Cattle Egret at Portland 15 Mar (fide HN) and 2 e. of Burns, Harney 21 May (R. Armstrong) pro- vided rare spring reports for the Region, where just 11 (6 in 2002) had been recorded Mar-May over the previous decade. In the wake of last spring’s record wanderings, it was perhaps surprising that stray White-faced Ibis reports were limited to singles at Hatfield L., Deschutes 12 Apr 0- Moodie) and Houston L., Crook 15 Apr (CG); none reached e. Wash- ington or the westside, where they have turned up nearly annually in recent springs. Presumably the same White-tailed Kite ac- counted for sightings in semi-urban Mil- waukie, Clackamas 27 Mar (N. Suydam) and nearby se. Portland 31 Mar (HN); this species is rare in areas of dense human habitation and not often found in the n. third of the Willamette Valley. Bald Eagles are rapidly ex- panding as a breeding species in e. Washing- ton. This season, new nest sites were discov- ered near Vantage (BW, TA) and at Crab L. (SM, RM, TC). The lone Northern Goshawk reported from the westside passed over Port- land’s Mt. Tabor Park 4 Apr (A&CH). Swain- son’s Hawks were exceptionally rare on the westside prior to the late 1990s but have be- come annual there since 2003. This spring, single migrants were noted from Eugene 15 Apr (D. DeWitt), near Gamble Bay, Kitsap 8 May (BW, m.ob.), and Sequim, Clallam 17 May (ph. RM). A Harlan’s Hawk near Vantage 1 May was Washington’s latest spring record for this taxon (T. Clark, SM). A Golden Eagle over Hillsboro, Washington was rare for spring in the n. WV, where most reports come Oct-Eeb. A northbound Gyrfalcon stopped at Elorence, Lane 14 Mar (DFr); though nearly annual in occurrence in w. Oregon during winter, they are rarely found there after 1 Mar. Prairie Falcons are not annual spring tran- sients in w. Washington, so one at Mossyrock, Lewis 10 Apr (MM) was surprising. A single Sandhill Crane along the lower Salmon R., 488 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS OREGON & WASHINGTON Lincoln 8 May Q- Doyle et al.) was unexpect- ed for the outer coast. SHOREBIRDS THROUGH WOODPECKERS Four Black-bellied Plovers (17 Apr-27 May) graced e. Washington, where they are relative- ly rare in spring; there were no large flocks noted from the Klamath Basin, where 500+ are recorded in some years. An American Golden- Plover at n. Willapa Bay, Pacific 12 May repre- sents a typical spring for w. Washington QB). A spring-record 12 Pacific Golden-Plovers (about triple the norm) were all on the west- side 25 Apr-20 May; 9 Pacifies (2005) was the previ- ous seasonal high. A Snotvy Plover at the mouth of Hood R. 17 May (tSJ) was a Hood River first and apparently the first ever in the Columbia Gorge. Another Snowy at the W.W.R.D. 29-31 May (ph. SM, RM, TC) was just the 6th for e. Washington; prior e. Wash- ington records have all come 27 Apr-28 May. Rare, but now annual in w. Washington, 3 Black-necked Stilts visited Ridgefield 28-30 Apr (R. Windemuth); prior to 2000, this species was considered a mega-rarity in w. Washington. Another out-of-place stilt vis- ited Portland’s Oaks Bottom 27 Apr (A&CH). Three west- side American Avocets were all in the WV. — a single at ER.R. 18-20 Apr (DI, SR JS) and 2 at the Diamond Hill Rd. wetlands, Linn 9 May (M. Nikas). Fully half of the sea- son’s 36 Solitary Sandpipers 10 Apr-16 May were in w. Oregon; though this is a typi- cal spring tally for the Region, the eastside showing was quite poor, with just seven re- ports (all from Washington). On the eastside, single Willets at Hatfield L., Deschutes (H. Horvath) and Field L., Okanogan 15 May (K. Kemper) were in areas where barely annual. Similarly, a Willet at Florence, Lane 14 May (DFr) was along a section of the Oregon coast where less than annual. Three Whimbrels in e. Washington made a high number, singles at the W.W.R.D., Walla Walla 8 May (ph. M&MLD), at Reardon Ponds, Lincoln 17 May 0. Isacoff), and the W.W.R.D., Walla Walla 25 May (M&MLD). There were just 12 prior spring records for e. Washington. As has be- come the seasonal norm, 3 Long-billed Curlews visited inland westside locales; one at Crockett L., Island 25 Apr 0- Bird, M. Blan- ton) was a rare stray to the P.T., while singles at ER.R. 12 May (S. Clawson) and Baskett Slough 18 May (D. Faxon) were in the WV, where now annual in spring. Marbled Godwits are also rare inland on the westside, so singles at Blaine, Whatcom 25 Apr-10 May (W. We- ber) and Discovery Park, King 17 May Q- Alexander) were noteworthy. On the eastside, where rare-but-annual northbound migrants, single Marbleds visited W.W.R.D., Walla Walla 13-16 May (M&MLD) and Scootenay L., Adams 16 May (MBa), and another 2 were at S.L.W.M.A. 23 May (R Otley). A swarm of 350 storm-grounded Marbleds in the Floras Cr., Cuny pasturelands 26 Apr (TR) was an all- time high count for Oregon, where fiocks rarely number more than 50 birds; 250 Mar- bleds were at Bandon 27 Apr 1988. Two Ruddy Turnstones graced e. Washing- ton, where they are rare at any season and par- ticularly so in spring: one was at Swallows Park, Asotin 14 May (KCr), and another in- habited Dodd Rd., Walla Walla 15-16 May (K. Black, M&MLD). Two Black Turnstones ven- tured inland to Fernhill Wetlands, Washington 2 May (L. Norgren, ph. GG); these furnish the 15th and 16th inland birds (nearly all from w. Oregon) for the Region, where previous spring records have fallen 25 Apr-14 May. This sea- son’s flight of Red Knots was without recent precedent. An extraordinary congregation of 5665 Red Knots at Grass Creek, Grays Harbor 8 May was just shy of the Washington record 6000 tallied in 1981 QB), and on the same day 12 at Dungeness Bay, Clallam 8 May were in the P.T., where not annual during spring (K. Tran). Though paltry by Washington standards, 252 knots at S.J.C.R. 20 May (MP) nearly doubles the previous Oregon record; 143 were Tillamook Bay 10 May 1976. On 3 May, another 66 knots flew past Boiler Bay (PP), and 30 more were at Bandon (KCs). A Red Knot at Dodd Rd., Walla Walla 15 May (M&MLD) was highly unex- pected; there have been but 10 spring birds e. of the Cascades over the past decade, 6 of which were found in 2000. Though very uncommon east- side migrants in fall, north- bound Sanderlings are not quite annual there, so singles at Swallows Park, Asotin (KCr) 9-12 May and W.W.R.D. 29 May (M&MLD) were unusual; 7 Sanderlings near the east/west divide at Hood River 20 May (SJ) were equally un- expected. Normal for spring, 5 Semipalmated Sandpipers were on the westside, includ- ing 3 at P.S.B. 9-15 May (SM) and rare coastal birds near South Bend, Pacific 12-16 May (TA) and Nehalam, Tillamook 16 May (RH); though wide- spread in the Region in fall, the bulk of spring reports come from the PT. Three Semipalmat- eds together at Duley L., Okanogan 23 May (AS, ES) was remarkable for tbe eastside, where northbound birds are not annual; these were the first spring birds in e. Washington since 2006. A northbound Baird’s Sandpiper near Kent, King 26 Apr was noteworthy (MBr, S. Pink). A single Baird’s at S.L.W.M.A. 2 May (SD) constituted the only eastside report. This male Blue Grosbeak turned up at Hatfield Marine Science Center in South Beach, Lincoln County, Oregon 27 May 2010 (here), providing Oregon's eighth record of the species. Photograph by Roy Lowe. VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 489 OREGON & WASHINGTON Pectoral Sandpipers invaded w. Washing- ton in spring 2009 (55 tallied), but this year’s reports were limited to singles at Monroe, Snohomish 9 May (P. Fahey) and at P.S.B. 15 May (SM); although w. Washington averages about 5 per spring, northbound flights of Pec- torals vary considerably from year to year. Oregon’s only 3 Pectorals were at Fernhill Wetlands 16 May (SS, RH). An ad. female Ruff at Baskett Slough 16 May (AC, ph. T, Gholsten, M. Schneider) marked the 6th con- secutive spring that a Ruff has appeared in the Region, where historically nearly all records involved fall juvs.; all but one of the recent spring records has fallen 29 Apr-25 May. Though measly in comparison to peak spring counts along the Washington coast, the 600 Short-billed Dowitchers that passed Boiler Bay 3 May (PP) made a seasonal record for Oregon, which has no major staging estuar- ies. A hendersoni Short-billed Dowitcher joined a dozen caiihmis at Deer Lagoon, Is- land 25 Apr (SM, vt. BW). This taxon has been detected in Washington three out of the past four springs and may prove to be a some- what regular northbound migrant through the Region, where formerly considered casu- al. Nine Short-billeds at S.L.W.M.A. 2 May (SD) established a new spring record on the eastside; these plus another at W.W.R.D. 8 May (M6s:MLD) were the hrst northbound Short-billeds e. of the Cascades since 2007. An assemblage of 500 Long-billed Dowitchers at S.L.W.M.A. 2 May (SD) is one of the high- est-ever spring counts anywhere in the Re- gion and matches the 2nd highest Apr-May tally for the eastside; 779 Long-billeds were at S.L.W.M.A. on 1 May 1987. After back-to- back springs marked by hve-digit tallies of Red-necked Phalaropes from Boiler Bay, this season was bereft of major inshore flights; 4000 passing Lincoln 3 May (PP) was the high count. Far offshore. Red Phalarope numbers were excellent — 1700+ on two days reported from the Amsterdam — while shore-based trips found only 10 total. A male Red at New R., Coos 23 May (KC, DL) furnished the only on- shore detection. South Polar Skuas are rare in the Region’s waters before Jul; thus an ad. off Westport 22 May was noteworthy. Conversely, 3 Pomarine Jaegers off Oregon 1 May (RM) were the only sightings during a season when they are typi- cally common migrants. A Parasitic jaeger at Dungeness Bay, Clallam 30 May was in the P.T., where very rare during spring (B. Boekel- hiede). Long-tailed jaegers, usually scarce in spring, also defied the conventional wisdom. On 1 May, 19 were seen from the Amsterdam (RM), and 9 more were off Newport (GG); these, plus 2 out of Westport 22 May (BT), made for an exceptional showing. The only westside Franklin’s Gull flew past Boiler Bay 3 May (PP). Franklin’s invaded e. Washington, with no fewer than 34 detected 16-29 May; flocks of 15 at Vantage, Kittitas 26 May (TA, BW et al.) and 12 at W.W.R.D. 27 May (M&MLD) augmented a tally that was six- fold the seasonal norm for that subregion. A single Mew Gull at Ringold, Franklin 15 Mar (K. Knittle, T. Mansfield) provided, surpris- ingly, the only e. Washington report. A Her- ring Gull still at the W.W.R.D., Walla Walla 29 May was about three weeks tardy (SM, RM, TC). After a three-year run that produced a seasonal average of 32 Glaucous Gulls, order was restored, with just 7 reported 15 Mar+; prior to the recent spike, the Region averaged about 8-10 per spring. In most years, 1-2 birds linger well into May and sometimes jun; this season, one was still at Lincoln City 18 May (RH), and another remained through the period at Westport (m.ob.). Observers aboard the Amsterdam tallied 322 Sabine’s Gulls 1-2 May (RM), and others aboard the Star Princess had 214 more in Oregon waters 12 May QG, OS); these numbers dwarfed those found during shore-based trips, which pro- duced a total of just 56 birds. An astounding 50 Common Terns at O.S. 11 Apr were record-early for Washington (BS); north- bound migrants generally arrive in early May. The entirety of this season’s Arctic Tern re- ports (13 birds) came from the Amsterdam. A Forster’s Tern at Fernhill Wetland 14 May (D. Manzer) was the only westside detection. Nine Ancient Murrelets tallied at three loca- tions off Clallam 12-17 May (RM), plus anoth- er ad. off Newport 16 May (T. Shelmerdine), adds to recent evidence that suggests this species may be breeding in the Region. On 23 Apr, a well-described Parakeet Auklet was at Boiler Bay (tPP); live birds are almost never seen from land in the Region, but in recent years’ enhanced coverage has proven that they inhabit the Region’s offshore waters (60 km+) Nov-May. This season, 24 Parakeets were en- countered off Oregon during May (JG, RM), and another was off Washington 1 May (RM). On 15 May, the season’s lone inshore Horned Puffin was at Boiler Bay, where the species is seen almost annually in spring (W. Hoffman). A group of 225 Band-tailed Pigeons gath- ered along a roadside near Grande Ronde, Yamhill 14 May (CK, PS) was surprising dur- ing a season when this species should be paired off and attending to nesting duties. A Band-tailed well to the e. of normal haunts visited Fields 23 May (RH); this species has been near annual in se. Oregon of late, and re- ports are on the increase elsewhere in the e. reaches of the Region. Washington’s 9th White-winged Dove graced Tokeland, Pacific 31 May (ph. A. Grad); all records have been May-Nov. A Burrowing Owl enlivened Ren- ton, King 16-22 Mar, providing w. Washing- ton’s 8th record (and 6th for spring) during the past 30 years (R Webster, m.ob.). Multiple large flocks of northbound Black Swifts passed along the Oregon coast 25-27 May; 75 at N.S.C.B. 26 May (TR), 50 at Flo- rence 26 May (DFr), and 66 at New R., Coos 28 May (TR) were the high counts. An incred- ible 12,075 Vaux’s Swifts roosted at Monroe, Snohomish 30 May, providing the highest spring count of the year for North America (fide L. Schwitters); Washington only other higher count was of 15,560 roosting at the same location in Sep 2008. Single Black- chinned Hummingbirds wandered w. of the Cascades in both states, with one at Glide, Douglas 8 May (R. Maertz) and another at Un- derwood, Skamania 14 May (RK); this species is very rare in w. Washington, with most records coming from e. Skamania. A male Anna’s Hummingbird x Rufous Humming- bird inhabited Marymoor Park, King 21 Mar-22 Apr, providing the first definitive record for this cross in Washington (ph. M. Hamilton, m.ob.); this is at least the 3rd such bird in the Region, where this cross was first documented in 2008. All 3 of the season’s Cos- ta’s Hummingbirds were in Oregon, with 2 in Bend, where annual, 17-21 Apr (L. Rems, D. Tracy) and a less-expected westside bird at McMinnville, Yamhill 12 May (CK). On the westside, where Calliope Hummingbirds are no longer a spring novelty, 28 birds detected 16 Apr-27 May was subpar by recent stan- dards; interestingly, all but 2 of 23 in Oregon birds appeared before 9 May, while all 5 in Washington came 6-12 May. The Region had averaged about 40 westside birds per spring over the previous three years. Our editors con- tinue to receive reports of female-type Broad- tailed Hummingbirds accompanied by mini- mal, if any, documentation. To date, there has been scant evidence to support the notion that this species occurs regularly in the Region, thus given the potential for confusion with fe- male/immature Rufous Hummingbirds, we re- main reluctant to publish such reports. A Ru- fous Hummingbird at Vantage 28 May was a month late for an apparent migrant (SM, TC). Six Lewis’s Woodpeckers in w. Oregon 16 Mar- 18 Apr were likely holdovers from the late fall/winter incursion, while one that graced Ridgefield 13 May (fide CW) was in w. Washington, where not annual in spring. Acorn Woodpeckers once again wandered far from traditional haunts. One at Mt. Bolivar in e. Coos 25 Apr (TR) was the first in that coun- ty in 20 years, while another at Olympia 16 490 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS OREGON & WASHINGTON On 22 May, unseasonably cold, snowy weather in the Harney Basin produced a Gray Flycatcher fall- out of epic proportions in and around Malheur N.W.R. Some observers estimated that they saw as many as 500 Grays on this day; others indicated that no matter vAere they traveled or what habitat they were in. Gray Flycatch- ers carpeted the landscape. In addition to expected perches like Big Sagebrush (Artemesia tridentato) and fencelines, many of these half-frozen waifs were out in the marshes (sometimes on floating vegetation), in wil- lows, and on roadways where some did not have enough energy to avoid their demise. Nearly every Empidonaxfly- catcher seen on this day was a Gray, with only a handful of Dusky, Hammond's, and Pacific-slope/Cordilleran Fly- catchers noted among this grounded swarm (RH et al.). May {fide CW) was just the 6th for w. Wash- ington. Additional singles at West Linn, Clackamas 16 Mar (M. Reese, j. Allen) and Sauvie 1. 29 May (D. Mandell) were merely short-distance strays. The Yellow-bellied Sap- sucker that wintered E.E.W. was last seen 4 Mar, and another visited Gresham, Multnom- ah 17 Mar (fide HN). Single Red-naped Sap- suckers reported from two Portland area lo- cales 10 & 18 Mar came with no details, leav- ing cause to wonder if they were Red-naped Sapsucker x Red-breasted Sapsucker hybrids, which are often identified as Red-napeds on the westside. A Red-breasted Sapsucker at Bennington L., Walla Walla 23 May (fide M&MLD) was remarkably late and far e. of the Cascades, where exceptionally rare. FLYCATCHERS THROUGH THRASHERS An Olive-sided Elycatcher at Portland’s Mt. Tabor 17 Apr (S. Carpenter) was a full two weeks ahead of schedule, as this species typi- cally arrives about 1 May. A Least Elycatcher at Battle Ground, Clark 31 May Q- Danzen- baker) was just the 5th in spring for w. Wash- ington, while 5 in e. Washington 1-30 May constituted a typical spring there; note that the 1 May bird at Sentinel Bluffs, Grant (SM, TC) was that state’s 2nd earliest ever. A Wil- low Elycatcher at Sentinel Bluffs 1 May was three weeks early (SM, TC); about every oth- er year, a Willow Elycatcher is found and well documented in Washington several weeks ahead of the main influx. Seven Gray Elycatchers in the w. Oregon lowlands 28 Apr-18 May was about triple the seasonal norm. Dusky Elycatchers are very rare in w. Washington lowlands, so one at Spanaway Marsh, Pierce 8-17 May was note- worthy (CW, RM, BL). Six Duskies at Dorris Ranch Park near Springfield, Lane 5 May (L. McQueen et al.) highlighted 20+ reports from the WY, where this species is proving to be a very uncommon lowland migrant. Washing- ton’s 14th Black Phoebe was a one-day won- der at Mercer L, King 26 Mar (J. Conforti, ph. RM); this species has been increasing its range northward, though most records are from sw. Washington. One at Burns 10 Apr (H. Hor- vath) adds to about five prior records for Har- ney. A wintering Eastern Phoebe that persisted at Cape Blanco until 25 May (T. J. Wahl) and another photographed near Hampton, De- schutes 31 May (B. Wong) were the first spring birds in the Region since 2006; these are Ore- gon’s 13th and 14th records, more than half of which have come during May/Jun. About av- erage for the past five years, 9 Say’s Phoebes were noted in w. Washington 4 Mar-4 Apr; prior to 2005, 5 was considered a banner spring for this species. Just 3 Say’s were noted from w. Oregon, which averages about 10 per spring. Four Ash-throated Flycatchers in w. Oregon 25 May+ was a normal spring show- ing. Fair numbers of Western Kingbirds moved through w. Washington this spring, highlighted by a maximum of 10 at PN.P 8 May (BW), and single coastal birds, where not annual, at Wa’atch R., Clallam 12 May (RM) and O.S. 20 May 0- Reynolds, B. Uher-Koch). Singles at North Bend, Coos QM) and Thorn- ton Creek, Lincoln (DFx) 18 Apr were record early for both counties; though inland birds are expected by this date, northbound birds are rare w. of the Coast Range before early May. Both westside Loggerhead Shrikes were in Oregon and later than normal: at Sandlake, Tillamook 2 May (W. Gross) and s. of Brownsville, Linn 8-9 May (M. Nikas); most of the westside’s spring birds appear in Mar. A Hutton’s Vireo enlivened Hardy Canyon, Yakima 17 May (RK); there are fewer than 10 e. Washington records away from Klickitat. A Red-eyed Vireo near Bonneville Dam, Mult- nomah 15 May was about two weeks ahead of the normal arrival date for w. Oregon (R. Luft). The lone Blue Jay of the season was, surprisingly, in Oregon’s Coast Range at Siletz, Lincoln 19 May (J. Kaczmarek). Con- tinuing this winter’s trend of lowland wander- ing Clark’s Nutcrackers, one visited Port An- geles 8 Apr 0- Mullaly). In w. Washington, single Black-billed Magpies near Hunts Point, King 6 Apr (T. Klein-Lebbink) and near Cas- tle Rock, Cowlitz 22 May (0. Oliver, G. Oliv- er) were presumed holdovers from this win- ter’s mini-irruption w. of the Cascades. Five Bushtits of the plumbeus subspecies were at Potholes S.P. 31 Mar (MGiMLD), not far from where this isolated population was first dis- covered about a decade ago. It is hard to know how numerous plumbeus are in this area, as much of the habitat is inaccessible. Two Rock Wrens strayed to the westside, where not quite annual in spring; one inhabited Port- land’s Mt. Tabor Park 17 May+ 0- Williamson, m.ob), and another was at Port Orford, Cuny 22 May (K. Anderrson). Aside from Skama- nia, where somewhat regular. Canyon Wrens are rare elsewhere on the westside; thus 2 such birds in season is exceptional: one visit- ed Mt. Si, King 23 Mar (L. Boyle), and anoth- er was singing at Oakridge, Lane 23 Apr (C. Ferland). A House Wren s. of Ashland, Jack- son 21 Mar (JG, OS) was about three weeks early. Sixty-four Marsh Wrens at PS.B. 18 Apr (SM) is the 2nd highest count ever for w. Washington. An American Dipper was at Palouse Falls S.P, Franklin 25 Apr (Michael WoodrufO; finding this species anywhere in the shrub-steppe zone of e. Washington is cause for celebration. A nest-building pair of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers s. of The Dalles, Was- co 23 May (M. Monroe) marked a northward extension of the ongoing range expansion on Oregon’s eastside; since 2003, this species has been reported annually as far n. as Crook. For the 4th consecutive spring, the w. Washington lowlands were invaded by Moun- tain Bluebirds; 27 detected 5 Mar-8 May was four to five times the long-term seasonal av- erage; the highest count was 10 at Cockreham L, Skagit (GB). Oregon had just 8, though 6 were together at Troutdale, Multnomah 10 Apr (fide HN). Townsend’s Solitaires are at best an uncommon spring migrant w. of the Cascades in both states, but the gathering of 14 at PN.P 22 Apr (RM, BW, TA, VN) was unprecedent- ed. A Veery found on Sauvie 1. 29 Mar (DM, ph. A. Frank) may well be the first spring record for w. Oregon; 3 were back at their only known westside breeding location, Newhalem Ponds, Whatcom by 31 May (P Wegener). A pair of Wrentits near Troutdale 14 Mar+ (DM, m.ob.) was a surprising first for Multnomah, as there are no confirmed re- ports from neighboring counties. All but one of 6 Northern Mockingbirds was on the east- side; one at Gifford, Stevens 29 May (T. Dur- nell) was well n. of where they are usually re- ported in e. Washington. The lone westside mockingbird was at North Bend, Coos 21 Apr QM). Single Sage Thrashers at Brownsville 19 May (T. Snetsinger) and N.S.C.B. 26 May (TR) were the only westside detections. WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES A Tennessee Warbler at Eugene 27 May (D. Gleason) was rare in spring for w. Oregon; northbound birds are annual in se. Oregon. Another Tennessee at Wannapum S.P, Kittitas 28 May (tSM, TC), was about the 22nd for Washington and the only “eastern” warbler VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 491 OREGON & WASHINGTON reported all season from that states eastside. The later pulses (26 Apr+) of Orange- crowned Warblers at Eugene’s Skinner Butte once again included several apparent celata\ the Regional status of this subspecies remains murky, though it is presumed to be a low-den- sity spring and fall migrant. A fallout of 200 Yellow Warblers enlivened Cascade Head, Tillamook 27 May (PP). This season’s Chest- nut-sided Warbler was along Denio Cr. s. of Fields 30 May (SK et al). A Region-wide push of Yellow-rumped Warblers was noted 18-21 Apr. Highlighting this flight were the 5500 that flooded past P.N.P 20 Apr (VN); this count surpasses the previous Washington record of 5000, which passed this location in Apr 2005. A Palm Warbler at Tillamook 1 May (WG) made the lone report of the sea- son. A female Blackpoll Warbler was at Mal- heur 30 May (AC); traditionally a fall vagrant in the Region, this species has now been de- tected on the eastside in four successive springs. For the 2nd consecutive spring, a Black-and-white Warbler was graced w. Washington, with one at Ridgeheld 30 Apr (tT. Hicks); Washington averages about one per year, with records widely scattered throughout the seasons. Three in Oregon in- cluded an early westside bird at Portland 24 Apr (fide GG) and 2 at Harney oases, where annual in spring, 27-30 May (AC). Hooded Warbler, formerly extremely rare in the Re- gion at any season, has proven annual in spring in recent years; surprisingly, none of this season’s 3 (recorded 20 May-1 Jun) was at a classic vagrant trap. A Yellow-breasted Chat at Ridgeheld 8 May was a day off from being record early for w. Washington (BF). Three more reports 15 May+ indicate this species’ continuing comeback in w. Washing- ton. Another chat strayed to Cascade Head 29 May (PP); this species breeds along coastal slope only as far n. as cen. Coos and is rare coastally farther north. A Clay-colored Sparrow at Oroville, Okanogan 24 May (AS, ES) furnished the lone report from e. Washington. Single Brewer’s Sparrows, very rare in w. Washington, were near Carnation, King 23 Apr (S. Cormier-Aa- gaard) and at Newhalem, Whatcom 7-9 May (B. Wilkerson). On the westside. Vesper Spar- rows are rare away from breeding locations, so singles at Seattle 21 Apr (TA), on San Juan 1., Island 25 Apr (MBa, MM), and Browns- mead, Clatsop 23 May (MP) were noteworthy. This season’s extralimital Lark Sparrows were both in Oregon: one was at Seaside 10 Apr (S. Warner), the other at Ankeny 23 May (R. Gerig). A Sage Sparrow at Newport 11 Mar (C. Philo) was the hrst spring bird on the westside since 2007. A male Lark Bunting at N.S.C.B. 22 May (TR, H. Rodenkirk) was the Region’s hrst in spring since 2002. A Grasshopper Sparrow, w. Washington’s 7th (2nd for spring), visited Fort Lewis, Thurston 23 May (R. Shaw). Single altivagans Fox Spar- rows were identihed at Juanita Park, King 16 Apr (RM) and Davenport, Lincoln 20 Apr (RM); this taxon, which might be mistaken for a Red Fox Sparrow (iliaca/zaboria) , is a low-density migrant in our Region, with most detections occurring Mar-Apr. Harris’s Spar- rows once again showed poorly, with 2 win- tering birds at McNary Dam 22 Mar (SF, DI) representing the only report; the Region aver- ages about 5 per spring. A Golden-crowned Sparrow x White-crowned Sparrow hybrid at a Eugene feeder 21 Mar (ph. AC) adds to a growing list of sightings for this cross, which is now detected annually in the Region. A La- pland Longspur at Semiahmoo, Whatcom 16 Apr was a rare northbound migrant for the RT. (fide CW). A molting hrst-year male Rose-breasted Grosbeak at Bonney L., Pierce 26 Mar-10 Apr (V Blitz, m.ob.) was nearly two months ahead of the expected window for vagrants and was presumed to have wintered locally. Twelve more Rose-breasted were recorded 20-30 May, with all but one in Oregon; 10 per spring is the Regional average. A cooperative male Blue Grosbeak at the Hatfield Marine Science Center, in South Beach, Lincoln 27 May+ (ph. R. Lowe, m.ob.) was Oregon’s 7th. A Lazuli Bunting at L. Quinault, Grays Harbor 27-28 Apr (fide BS) was very rare for Washington’s outer coast. Single male Indigo Buntings brightened Bandon, Coos 25 May (ph. M. Welsch) and Denio Canyon, Harney 30 May (SK et al.); this species occurs nearly annual- ly in spring in se. Oregon. A Rusty Blackbird near Monroe, Snohomish 22 Mar-15 Apr was only the 5th spring record for w. Washington; most Rusties are found mid-Oct-late Jan. Washington’s 16th Common Crackle visited Burien, King 25 Apr (tj. Kaufman); most of Washington’s records have been Mar-Jul, and this was only w. Washington’s 5th. Single Commons at Fields 21 May (M) and French- glen 24 May (G. Grier) were in Harney, where nearly annual in May. Two Great-tailed Crackles inhabited Burns Junction, Malheur 15 May+ (K. & L. Cottrell), and another vis- ited Tualatin River N.W.R. 29 May (E. Knight). An extraordinary count for spring in w. Washington, 210 Brown-headed Cowbirds passed over RN.P, 7 May (BW, RM, VN). Though nearly annual in spring on the west- side, 3 Hooded Orioles in e. Oregon during a season is utterly without precedent; singles graced Malheur 5 May (M. J. Gibson), Lake- view, Lake 27 May (K. Spencer), and Fields 29 May (D. VanderPluym, AC). Wintering Hoodeds at Gaston, Washington and Port Or- ford, Cuny were present into Mar. After suc- cessive springs with no reports, single male Baltimore Orioles at Hines, Harney 22 May (L. Hammond) and Neskowin, Tillamook 29 May (WG, J. Hurt) marked a return to the season- al norm. A first-year female Bullock’s Oriole that wintered at Coos Bay was last seen 6 Apr (L. Haun), while another at Grants Pass, Josephine 1 1 Apr (DV) was nearly two weeks early for sw. Oregon. A gathering of 40 Cassin’s Finches at Crystal Mt., Pierce 15 Apr (BW) constituted an extraordinary count for w. Washington. Lesser Goldfinches have re- established themselves in Clark in w. Wash- ington, as evidenced by 9 noted 1 Mar- 17 May; none were detected n. of Clark this spring. Virtually unrecorded in e. Washington away from Klickitat a decade ago. Lessors con- tinue to be found at far-flung locations, with singles at Washtucna, Adams 9 May (R. Hill) and Bennington L., Walla Walla 24 May (M&MLD). Three Evening Grosbeaks at Sun Lakes, Grant 30 May provided a rare Colum- bia Basin record (SM, RM, T. Clark). Corrigendum: We incorrectly stated in our Spring 2009 report that a Whimbrel at Sydney L., Okanagon was just the 4th spring record for e. Washington, when in fact it was the 12th. Initialed observers: Gary Bletsch, Matt Bar- tels, Marv Breece, Joe Buchanan, Keith Carl- son, Kathy Castelein, Tracy Clark, Alan Con- treras, Mike & Merry Lynn Denny, Steve Dougill, Daniel Farrar, Darrel Faxon, Bob Flo- res, Chuck Gates (Crook), Jeff Gilligan, Greg Gillson (Washington, thebirdguide pelagics), Adrian & Christopher Hinkle, Rich Hoyer, Stuart Johnston (Hood River, Klickitat), Carol Karlen, Russ Koppendrayer, Steve Kornfeld, Bruce Labar, Dave Lauten, Maitreya, David Mandell, M. Mathis, Ryan Merrill, Joe Met- zler, Steven Mlodinow, Russ Namitz, Vic Nel- son, Mike Patterson (Clatsop), Phil Picker- ing, Tim Rodenkirk (Coos, Curry), Stefan Schlick, Owen Schmidt, Bill Shelmerdine, Andy Stepniewski, Ellen Stepniewski, John Sullivan Paul Sullivan, Dennis Vroman (Josephine), Charlie Wright (eBird). O David Irons, 2544 N.W. Marshall Portland, Oregon 97210, (llsdirons@msn.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 981 1 0 (wagtail@sounddsi.com) BillTweit,P.O. Box 1271 Olympia, Washington 98507, (Sebnabgill@aoI.com) 492 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS Northern California Stephen C. Rottenborn Michael M. Rogers Jeff N. Davis Ed Pandolfino As El Nino conditions waned during the period, above-average rainfall contin- ued into April in much of the Region. Temperatures in May were cooler than average in a number of areas, and when combined with late precipitation, they produced late, high-elevation snowfalls that resulted in mor- tality of untold numbers of migrant insecti- vores. Whereas the warm water typical of El Nino conditions is often associated with low nearshore productivity, strong northwesterly winds throughout the period produced strong upwelling and adequate food supplies for some breeding seabirds, such as Cassin’s Auk- let. Notable rarities included the Region’s first spring Great Shearwater, a returning Common Black-Hawk, and a Painted Redstart, while Least Bell’s Vireos staged the strongest show- ing since their extirpation as a regular breeder from the Region. Abbreviations: C.B.R.C. (California B.R.C.); C.R.E (Cosumnes River Preserve, Sacramen- to); C.V (Central Valley); El. (Southeast Far- allon 1., San Francisco); G.G.P. (Golden Gate Park, San Francisco); H.R.S. (Hayward R.S., Alameda); O.S.P. (Open Space Preserve); PRBO (PRBO Conservation Science); S.E (San Francisco, not State Forest). Reports of exceptional vagrants submitted without doc- umentation are not published. Documenta- tion of C.B.R.C. review species will be for- warded to Guy McCaskie, Secretary, P. 0. Box 275, Imperial Beach, California 91933. WATERFOWL The cool, wet spring yielded unusually late re- ports of lingering waterfowl. Thousands of Greater White-fronted Geese, with some white geese among them, were all over the Fall River Valley area, Shasta 9 May (KAb, KPa). Coastal migrant White-fronteds were seen over Coyote Valley, Santa Clara 7 May (2 birds; RPh et al), at Bodega Harbor, Sonoma 21 May Oustin Bosler), and over Seacliff S.B., Santa Cruz 29 May (DLSu). Other notable goose reports included 4 Brant at H.R.S. 26 Apr (RJR), lingering Cackling Geese at H.R.S. 16 May (RJR) and at the Carmel R. mouth, Monterey 17 May (BTM), and the first nesting attempt by Canada Geese on El. (abandoned by late May; PRBO). A Tundra Swan in Visalia 18-19 Apr (Richard Norton, JLt) was a rare find for Tulare. San Mateo’s Gadwall x North- ern Shoveler hybrid finished a 2nd winter at Redwood Shores through 27 Mar (Sonny Mencher et al.). Lingering Eurasian Wigeons included a notable 3 birds at Huichica Creek W.A., Napa 28 Apr (MBe) and a male in Alvi- so, Santa Clara 3 May (Amy McDonald). Oth- ers in less-expected inland locations included a male along Lassen Rd. 2 km e. of Hwy. 99, Tehama 26-27 Mar (MSk, BED), one at Quin- cy, Plumas 1 & 17 Mar (BBg), a male near Loy- alton 20-21 Mar (Sierra’s first; JLx,JSL et al.), and 2 males at Lincoln W.T.P., Placer 1 Mar (Chad Aakre), with one lingering until 18 Apr (Frank Gray). A Blue-winged Teal pair with small young near Collinsville 25 May (ph. Phil Gulley) provided the first breeding confirma- tion for Solano. A Blue-winged Teal x North- ern Shoveler hybrid at the Palo Alto G.C., San- ta Clara 4 Apr (RCP) may have been the same bird present there 18-22 Apr 2009. Seven Eurasian Teal were reported from six counties through 14 Apr. Redhead pairs lingered through 28 May at both H.R.S. (RJR) and Struve Slough, Santa Cruz (ph. DLSu, LGo, ph. JPo). Four Ring-necked Ducks lingered at College L., Santa Cruz through 15 May (DLSu). Tufted Ducks continued at Big Lagoon, Humboldt through 1 Mar (TWL) and at L. Merritt, Alameda through 30 Mar (Beth Branthaver); a female was found in San Rafael, Marin 1 Apr (fide DSg). A Surf Scoter at Woodland W.T.P 20 Apr (TEa) was Yolo’s first in spring; other inland records included singles at Kutras L., Shasta 21 Apr (ph. Don Marsh) and O’Neill Forebay, Merced 10 May (DMo, PJM). White- winged Scoters were reported in double-digit numbers only at Humboldt Lagoons S.E, Hum- boldt 14 Mar (25; ScC) and Pescadero S.B., San Mateo 18 Apr (37; GrH). Seven Long-tailed Ducks in three coastal counties through 8 May was a modest spring showing. Lingering Com- mon Goldeneyes included one in San Rafael, Marin 20 May (Len Blumin) and 4 in Alviso, Santa Clara 31 May (MMR, RGJ). A pair of Barrow’s Goldeneyes at Shoreline L., Santa Clara 28 Mar (RCP) was quite late; even more notable was one at Quincy, Plumas 12 May (BBg). Two male Hooded Mergansers lingering through 19 May at College L. (LGo, JPo) were the latest ever for Santa Cruz. A single Hooded near Mono L.l May (Greg Reis) was also no- table, both for the late date and the Mono loca- tion. Inland Red-breasted Mergansers were found at L. Shastina, Siskiyou 21 Apr (pair; RE) and at the n. end of L. Almanor, Plumas 8 May (CPD, David Arsenault). LOONS THROUGH PELICANS A Red-throated Loon at Monte Bello O.S.P., Santa Clara 8-9 Mar (GHr) was on a small pond in the Santa Cruz Mts., an extremely un- usual location for the species. A strong move- ment of migrating Pacific Loons on 3 May in- cluded 46,500 at Pigeon Pt., San Mateo (DMo) and good numbers along the Mendocino coast (RLeV). Individuals inland, where rare, were at Paicines Res., San Benito 9 May (DLSh) and L. Almanor, Plumas 26 May (Scott & Amber Edwards). A total of 7 Common Loons in the C.V. and the Sierra was an average showing; one of these, at Yuba City 1-2 May (Dan Ska- los, JLa, JSL), provided a 2nd record for Sutter. All 10 Red-necked Grebes, also about average, were on tidal waters as expected. The Pt. Arena Cove, Mendocino Laysan Al- batross was seen through 23 Mar Qe^nne Jackson). Single Laysans were off Pt. Pinos, Monterey 1 (Mike Johns) & 8 May (ph. DR, RT, RgW, m.ob.), and 3 were off San Francis- Great Shearwater had been recorded in northern California waters on seven prior oc- casions, all in fall and winter, before this bird near Cordell Bank, Marin County on 26 April 2010 provided Northern California with its first spring record. Photograph by David Wimpfheimer. VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 493 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA Although regularly seen from the Marin Headlands in fall, migrating Broad-winged Hawks are detected far less frequently in Northern California in spring, with none re- ported in many years. This season, a notable total of four Broad-winged Hawks included this adult photographed over Ed Levin County Park on 18 April 2010, the third spring record for Santa Clara County. Photograph by Steve Tracey. CO 16 May (AJ, HuC, m.ob.). Black-footed Al- batross was seen more regularly than usual, though still in small numbers, from El. in Apr and May (PRBO). Petrels seen during a repo- sitioning cruise, which spent the daylight hours of 30 Apr 50-75 km off the coast from Monterey to Mendocino, included 199 Cooks Petrels and 15 Murphy's Petrels scattered along the route and a “Dark-rumped” off Sonoma (Ryan Merrill et al); among these sightings, 2 Cook’s Petrels off Santa Cniz pro- vided the county’s 2nd record. The only Flesh-footed Shearwaters reported were 2 on Monterey Bay, Monterey 8 Mar (ShJ) and one off Noyo, Mendocino 16 May (ph. RLe'V, m.ob.). A Great Shearwater just ne. of Cordell Bank 26 Apr (SNGH, ph. D’Wm, m.ob.) was the Region’s first in spring and the first for Marin. Thorn’s spring seawatches from Pigeon Pt., San Mateo have shown Manx Shearwater to be a regular visitor there; this season, singles were observed 13 Mar and 8 Apr (RSTh). A Black Storm-Petrel 29 km w. of Pigeon Pt. 6 Apr QND) provided San Mateo’s first spring record. A Brown Booby was on Ano Nuevo 1., San Mateo 16 Mar (ph. Michelle Hester). Twenty-five American "White Pelicans were at L. Don Pedro, Tuolumne 6 Apr OTu); the species is infre- quently observed in the county. BITTERNS THROUGH CRANES Perhaps owing to a wet spring, American Bit- terns were reported in above-average num- bers, with 12 reported from Gray Lodge W.A., Butte 17 Apr (]. Miyara) and 12 the same day at Payne’s Creek Wetlands, Tehama (Robin Walcott). Singing Least Bitterns were at two locations in C.R.P. 8 & 16 May QTr), and an- other was at Gustine W.T.P, Merced 26 May (PJM). An imm. Little Blue Heron at Bear Creek Res., Merced/Mariposa 7 May OSL) was the first ever for the latter county. Coastal Cattle Egrets were scattered across six counties, with a high count of 18 at Moonglow Dairy, Monterey 17 Apr (RC, DR). One at Glen- shire e. of Truckee 17-24 Apr (ph. Randy Allen, ph. MMy m.ob.) was thought to be the first for Nevada. Good numbers of White- faced Ibis reached the coast from Monterey to Humboldt, with double- digit totals over Oak Hills, Monterey 25 Mar (16; BGE), at H.R.S. 8 Apr (15; RJR), over Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve, San Mateo 18 Apr (16; LBt, RSTh), at the Gilroy W.T.P, Santa Clara 12 May (14; MJM, JAC), and at Moro Cojo Slough, Monterey 20 May (19; RE). The last of the wintering imms. at Palo Alto, Santa Clara was seen 24 Apr (MMR et al). The White Stork first noted last fall was reported again, this time in Anderson, Shasta 12 Mar (RoS). Bald Eagles, including many imms., were widely reported. Nesting continued at Kent L., Marin (3rd year there; JGE) and at Calav- eras Res., Santa Clara (ph. m.ob.); Santa Clara also hosted a 2nd nesting pair at Coyote Res. (RCP). Sononia’s Common Black-Hawk continued at Laguna de Santa Rosa near Se- bastopol 4 Mar-30 May (ph. Stan Moore, LHg). Broad-winged Hawks included single ads. 18 Apr over both Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve, San Mateo (LBt, RSTh) and Ed Levin C.P., Santa Clara (RWR, ph. Steve Tracey et al.), and imms. near Rancho San An- tonio O.S.P, Santa Clara 10 May QMD) and at Simis Ranch, Mono 26 May (KNN). Coastal migrant Swainson’s Hawks were seen over Menlo Park and Burlingame, San Mateo 16 Mar (dark ad.; Martijn Verdoes, RSTh), over Capitola, Santa Cruz 23 Mar (light ad.; DLSu), near Salinas, Monterey 18 Apr (light ad.; KW), and over Coyote Valley, Santa Clara 30 Apr (light imm.; ph. RPh et al.). Har- lan’s Hawks in Humboldt and Yolo lingered into the first few days of Mar, and new birds were found along Salem Rd., Solano 1 Mar (light ad.; ph. Zach Smith) and ne. of Oxalis, Fresno 13 Mar (ph. BLS). The 2 Rough-legged Hawks reported were notable for being very late: 15 Apr at Bear R. Ridge, Humboldt (TKz) and along Hwy. 120 in Manteca, San Joaquin 23 Apr (ph. Jill Rucker). The Del Norte Crest- ed Caracara was last reported near Ft. Dick 14 Mar (ADB, Eileen Cooper). Five May records of Merlin included three well into the month: the latest ever for H.R.S. 13 May (RJR), one in e. McKinleyville, Humboldt 16 May (KGR), and Santa Clara’s 2nd latest, at the Gilroy W.T.P 20 May (Nellie Thorngate, Jide SCR). A Gyrfalcon report from Red Bluff, Tehama 4 Mar (tKim Boodie) awaits C.B.R.C. review. Rail surveys in Fagan Marsh, Napa turned up 10-11 Black Rails 11 Mar-29 Apr (Eric Licht- wardt. Matt Ricketts); 2-4 were found in Up- per Bidwell Park, Butte 1 Apr (tRobin & Richard Wolcott), a breeding location first discovered in Jul 1999. A pair of Sandhill Cranes returned to Bridgeport Valley, Mono for a 4th summer 26 Mar-i- OiDP). SHOREBIRDS A first-summer American Golden-Plover was found at the Salinas W.T.P., Monterey 18-19 Apr (ph. KW, ph. DR). Reports of Pacific Golden-Plovers in Mar in Mendocino, San Joaquin, Alameda, and Kings were followed by singles 12 Apr at the Fresno W.T.P, Fresno (GaW, PSt) and at H.R.S. (Noah Arthur). More unexpected was a mostly basic- plumaged imm. at Terrace Pt., Santa Cruz 30 Apr-16 May (ph. David Sidle, m.ob.) that was joined by an ad. 4-12 May (Pat Mahoney, ph. SGe, m.ob.), and then reappeared in partial alternate plumage at the same location 31 May to establish a new late date for the coun- ty. Mountain Plovers lingered later than usual in Panoche Valley, San Baiito, with 35 present 13 Mar (MWE, DSg). At the Berkeley waterfront, Alameda 18 May, an American Avocet tending 3 downy young, and 3 other avocets on nests, con- firmed the first breeding in Berkeley in many years (ES, CCb), At least 33 Solitary Sand- pipers in 14 counties 16 Apr-15 May repre- sented higher numbers than average. Whim- brels were found again this spring near McArthur, Shasta, with 12 present 16 Apr (KAb, KPA); 3 others were far inland at Low- er Klamath N.W.R., Siskiyou 23 May (RE). In- land Ruddy Turnstones were detected near Corcoran, Kings 8-9 May (2 birds; RH), at Lower Klamath N.W.R., Siskiyou 11 May (Dave Menke), and at the Davis Wetlands, Yoio 14 May (TEa). An inland Sanderling near Lemoore, Kings continued through 29 Mar QLt); 3 were at Crowley L., Mono 7 May (KNN), and one was at the Woodland W.T.P, Yolo 19 May (ph. JCS). The lone Semipalmat- ed Sandpiper report was from the Salinas W.T.P, Monterey 8 May (KW). A Baird’s Sand- piper was found at this same location 18 Apr (ph. KW); another was at the Woodland 494 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS NORTHERN CALIFORNIA California's most northerly Painted Redstart, and the second inland record for Northern California, was discovered in mid-March 2010 in an Auburn neighborhood in Placer County. A photograph posted to the Audubon California Facebook page spread the word about the bird, which stayed through 30 (here 17) May and was enjoyed by many. Photograph by Daniel Lee Brown. W.T.P., Yolo 19 May (ph. JCS), and an impres- sive 5 were at Schooner Bay, Marin 25 Apr (RS). Santa Cruz's wintering Rock Sandpiper was last noted 3 Apr (SGe). Ruffs were locat- ed s. of Stratford, Kings 28 Mar OSy), at the Yolo Bypass W.A., Yolo 20 Apr (female; TEa), and at the Salinas W.T.E, Monterey 22-23 May (female; ph. KW et al). Winnowing Wilson’s Snipe at two locations in C.R.P 18 & 24 Apr QTr) were likely migrants, as they were not detected thereafter. Two Red Phalaropes slightly inland at H.R.S. 20 May (RJR) were preceded by an early bird unusually far inland at Shasta Valley W.A., Siskiyou 15 Apr (RE). GULLS THROUGH ALODS Coastal Eranklin’s Gulls included singles at Seacliff S.B., Santa Cruz 25 Apr (DLSu), Table Rock, Santa Cruz 1 May (DLSu), and Pescadero S.B., San Mateo 27 May-1 Jun (GrH et al.). Inland, 4 were s. of Corcoran, Kings 2 Apr (REi), singles were along 4th Ave., Tulare 16 Apr OLt) and at Sierra Valley, Plumas 29 May OSL, m.ob.), and 12 were at Tule Lake N.W.R., Siskiyou 10 May (Steve Nelson, RE). A Western Gull on the American River Park- way, Sacramento 20 Mar QML) was the far- thest inland of any reported this season. At 18,186 nests, the Mono L., Mono population of California Gulls was at its 3rd lowest since censuses began in 1983 (KNN); however. Nelson noted that low numbers are not un- usual in cool springs, which affect the phe- nology, abundance, and size of the inverte- brates that comprise much of the gulls’ diet. California Gulls nested again at EL, where more than 700 birds and 86 nests were noted by the end of the period. Surprisingly, the species nested for the first time in Yolo, at the Davis W.T.E ; nests were first noted 19 May (TEa), and by 28 May, 62 nests were tallied (Ed Whisler). California Gulls had been recorded nesting in the C.V previously only in Sutter in 1910 and Stanislaus in 1925 (fide DS). The total of 19 Glaucous Gulls was about average; the only individual inland was near Jepson Prairie, Solano 3 Mar (Zach Smith). As has become typical, 3 lingered into May, the latest being at the Gazos Cr. mouth, San Mateo 15-16 May (DSg, AME). A single Least Tern returned 27 May to the Sacramen- to Regional W.T.E, Sacramento (CCo, m.ob.), where a pair has nested the past two years. Terns are infrequently noted in many Sierran counties; this season, notable records includ- ed 8 Common Terns at Bear Creek Res., Mari- posa 7 May QSL), 120 Caspians at Phoenix L., Tuolumne 20 Apr (SUm), and one Caspian at Boca Res., Nevada 13 May (RCD, Brian O’- Connor, ECB). High counts of migrant Black Terns included up to 12 at H.R.S. 6-13 May (RJR et al.) and 75 at Sacramento N.W.R., Glenn 8 May (Nancy Nelson). Black Skimmers in traditional nesting and staging areas inside S.E Bay in- cluded counts of up to 8 at Redwood Shores, Suit Mateo, 14 in Mountain View, Santa Clara, and 7 at H.R.S. Mi- grants elsewhere included 3 at Pigeon Pt., San Mateo 7 May (RSTh) and sin- gles at Zmudowski S.B., Monterey 9 May (Amy McDonald, DR, RC) and the Pilarcitos Cr. mouth, San Mateo 18 May (AJ). A Pigeon Guillemot on EL had been banded as an ad. in 1988, making it at least 25 years old and es- tablishing a longevity record for the species (Pete Warzybok, Russ Bradley). A Thick-billed Murre 30 km off Noyo Harbor 16 May (TEa, ph. m.ob.) pro- vided the 2nd record for Mendocino' 2 Xantus’s Murrelets were observed on the same trip. Parakeet Auklets report- ed on 30 Apr during the aforemen- tioned repositioning cruise included 2 off Monterey, one off San Mateo, and 6 off Sonoma (Ryan Merrill et al.; p.a.). DOVES THROUGH THRUSHES A Band-tailed Pigeon at Lemoore, Kings 29 Apr (ErO) was a good find for the s. C.V. floor. Standout Eurasian Collared-Doves included 2 at Mariposa 27-29 May (Lowell Young, Kris Randall), providing a first for Mariposa, and a bird carrying nesting material in Alviso 12 May (Robin Carle), establishing the first breeding record for Santa Clara. Two young Northern Saw-whet Owls poking their heads out of a hole in a dead pine at Pt. Lobos S.R., Monterey 15-20 May drew a crowd Q™ Cov- ell, Paul Reps, Stan Dryden, ph. m.ob.) and represented the first active nest found in Mon- terey. Two Black Swifts at the San Joaquin Ex- perimental Range, Madera 30 Apr OTz) and 2 others at Lost Lake Park, Madera/Fresno 11 May OTa) represented the only reports of this species away from coastal counties. A Vaux’s Swift at Pt. Lobos State Reserve 3 Mar QRy Shantanu Phukan) was the earliest apparent migrant for Monterey by more than a month and for the Region by about a week. A male hybrid hummingbird captured near Scotts Val- ley, Santa Cmz 7 Mar (ph. Rita Colwell, BRM) was thought to he offspring from a pairing of Anna’s and Allen’s based on plumage charac- teristics. A feather was collected for genetic analysis, which may confirm this rarely re- ported hybrid combination. A male Allen’s Hummingbird also captured near Scotts Val- ley, Santa Cruz 4 May (Rita Colwell) was orig- inally captured there as an ad. in Mar 2007, making it at least 5 years old and setting a new longevity record for the species. Eight reports of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers included Lake's 4th at Clear Lake S.E 3 Mar (Brad Barnwell). The first nesting record of Nuttall’s Wood- pecker for S.E was confirmed 31 May when a pair with a fledgling was observed at Potrero Hill Recreation Center (Kevin Liberg). Gray Elycatchers were widely reported, with a high count of 29 from the San Joaquin Experimental Range, Madera 23 Apr (fide Doug Drynan). Making its 5th annual appear- ance, a Dusky Elycatcher sang away from the species’ normal breeding range at Big Basin Redwoods S.E, Santa Cruz 3 May+ (DLSu, Kathy Kuyper, Glen Tepke). Among the usual smattering of other Dusky Elycatcher reports was a high count of 12 from the San Joaquin Experimental Range, Madera 30 Apr (fide JTz). A Say’s Phoebe singing out of place in n. Eresno, Fresno 24 May QND) was presumably the same bird that sang at this location 24-27 May 2009. Marking the first record for Yolo, an imm, male Vermilion Elycatcher was pho- tographed w. of Davis, having arrived some- time in winter and departed some time in Mar (fide RAd). Word did not reach birders until after the bird had disappeared. Tropical King- birds included one at Struve Slough, Santa Cmz, a holdover from winter remaining until 19 Mar (AGa, DLSu, m.ob.), and one at Man- chester, Mendocino 18 Apr (RGT). Least Bell’s Vireos made an interesting showing. A singing male of this subspecies VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 495 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA was found at the Yolo Bypass W.A., Yoio 16 Apr (CrS); a different singing male was dis- covered there the next day (KPa), and both remained through the period. Another was at the Putah Creek Sink, Yolo 2 May (MWE, Debi Lamm), an apparent pair was at L. Suc- cess, Tulare 5 May (SDS), and another singing male was at San Luis N.W.R., Merced 21 May-i- Oane Walker). Such observations contribute to a collection of similar reports over the past several years, fueling hope that this species may be staging a comeback as a breeder in the Region. Another at Menlo Park 17 May-3 Jun (PJM, m.ob.) provided the 2nd record for San Mateo and the first since 1905. A Plumbeous Vireo in Sacramento, Sacramento, a winter leftover last seen 6 Mar (CCo, KLL, ph. DKo, ph. Linda Pittman, m.ob.), and a singing male in Davis, Yolo 14 May (TEa, JCS) were good finds for the C.V Common Ravens continue to expand their range in the Region. Birds are now ensconced along the upper Big Sur coast, Monterey (fide DR) and in much of Sacramento (fide CCo). A nest discovered on El. 19 May (PRBO) was the first for the island since 1911. More locally. Oak Titmice have been expanding their range in Santa Cruz. Illustrating their adaptability, a pair was building a nest in a vertical pipe in a small community garden in Capitola 25 Mar (DLSu), well away from the oaks that usually characterize their habitat. An apparent pair of Bushtits at n. L. Tahoe, Placer 26 Apr (WRi) included one bird of the interior form and one bird of the coastal form, representing what must be an unusual pairing in this area, where the interior form predominates. A pair of Brown Creepers nesting near L. Solano, Yolo QTr) established a rare breeding record for the C.V. Among about a dozen reports of Townsends Solitaires was one of a bird at Mokelumne Day Use Area 13-16 Mar (LzW et al.), just the 3rd or 4th for San Joaquin. THRASHERS THROUGH WARBLERS A Gray Catbird was photographed in Carmichael, Sacramento 10 Mar (observer unknown; fide DKo), only the 8th spring record for our Region in the past two decades. Our 2 Sage Thrashers away from breeding ar- eas were both from the n. portion of the Re- gion: Shastas 4th near McArthur 11 Apr (ph. Don Marsh) and another in Areata Bottoms, Hiunboldt 28 Apr-1 May (ph. KGR, RbL, m.ob.). Live Northern Parulas were all coastal, with 3 in Monterey and one each in Humboldt and Marin. The only Chestnut- sided Warbler was on Pt. Reyes, Marin 18 May (RS). Humboldt produced 3 Palm War- blers: at Areata Marsh 5 Mar (Kate Rowe), in Eureka 19 Mar (SMcA, KGR), and at the Ar- eata Oxidation Ponds 1-20 Apr (RbE, John Oliver). Our only other Palm Warbler was at H.R.S. 25 Apr (Zach Baer, EPi, Caroline Pi- lotte). Pour Black-and-white Warblers in- cluded a male banded at Humboldt Bay B.O., Humboldt 18 Mar (Kim Hollinger), inland re- ports from Yolo (along Putah Cr. 14 Apr; Irene Engilis, Alan Hitch) and Mono (at Mono Lake C.P 16 May; JiDP), and one on El. 16-19 May (PRBO). American Redstarts were on Wood- ley 1., Humboldt 4-23 Mar (KGR, TKz, SeC), at Pt. Reyes, Marin 18 May (RS), and at Oasis, Mono 29 May (Tom Wurster, Liga Auzins). Modoc’s first Prothonotary Warbler, at Three Springs Ranch 30 May (ph. SCR), was re- markably cooperative, while Santa Clara’s 2nd (first in spring) in Sunnyvale 23 May (tSteven Argue) could not be re-found. Santa Cruz hosted 2 Ovenbirds, one in Whalebone Gulch 19 May (DLSu), the other at Light- house Pield S.B. 23-24 May (ph. SGe, DLSu). Our other Ovenbird was the first one pho- tographed in Sieira along Dog Valley Rd. 19 May (ph. jane Thompson, Diane Wong). Northern Waterthrushes continued from win- ter on Pt. Reyes, Marin 15 Mar (DMo) and at Charleston Rd. marsh, Santa Clara 27 Mar (WGB). Another Northern Waterthrush at Ft. Bidwell 30 May (SCR) was likely Modoc’s 3rd. A Kentucky Warbler was on EL 26 May (Pete Warzybok, Annie & Dave Manuwal) but managed to evade the mist nets. As with near- ly all our spring records for the species, both our Hooded Warblers were singing males: one in Bolinas, Marin 11 May (KH) and one at New Brighton S.B., Santa Cruz 12 May (DLSu). The warbler highlight of the season was a Painted Redstart in Auburn, Placer present from mid-Mar-i- (Kevin Webb, ph. Nancy Warren Tellefson, m.ob.). This singing male delighted many photographers with its confiding nature and provided the 9th Regional record, only the 2nd inland Re- gional record, the most northerly record for the state, and the most northerly inland record for the state by over 350 km. SPARROWS THROUGH FINCHES Two Green-tailed Towhees were remarkable for Kings, with one along the Tule R. 26 Apr (SDS) and another at Boggs Slough 15 May (MSy). A Black-throated Sparrow near New Pine Cr., Modoc 31 May (SCR) was unexpect- ed away from the extreme e. part of the coun- ty. Swamp Sparrows were at the Ukiah S.T.P., Mendocino 6 Mar (CEV) and at H.R.S. 3 & 17 May (RJR, Bob Dunn). Fifty-eight White- throated Sparrows constituted a typical spring showing for the Region, with 4 birds lingering into early May. Harris’s Sparrows continued from winter at Orick Bottoms, Humboldt 15 Mar (LuB) and Redding, Shasta 21 Mar (BY). Apparent White-crowned Spar- row X Golden-crowned Sparrow hybrids were along Alviso Slough, Santa Clara 24 Apr (MMR) and at Sebastopol, Marin 31 Mar-1 Apr (ph. LHg). Our only Lapland Longspur reports came from Cock Robin 1., Humboldt 4 Mar (2 birds; Brent Campos) and H.R.S. 13- 14 Apr (RJR, Zach Baer). Placer’s now annual Summer Tanager re- turned to the same location near Colfax for its 5th year on 4 May (Pam & Larry Risser). Oth- er Summer Tanagers included one near Pin- nacles N.M., San Benito 6 May (tChris Tryde) and another in Ft. Bragg, Mendocino 15-18 May QRW, REH, CEV, m.ob.). A spring total of 25 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks was second only to the 27 we recorded last year. Perhaps, then, we should not be surprised by the 2 ap- parent Rose-breasted Grosbeak x Black-head- ed Grosbeak hybrids reported this year: one from Gazos Creek Rd., San Mateo 17 Apr-r (Steve Tracey, AME, DSg) and another in Old Shasta, Shasta 31 May (ph. B&CY). Indigo Buntings were also reported in numbers ex- ceeding all but one previous spring, with 11 birds spread across eight counties. Four Mod- oc Bobolinks, one at New Pine Cr. 29 May and 3 e. of Ft. Bidwell 30 May (both SCR), were likely migrants, as both sites are not in histor- ical breeding areas for the species. Humboldt’s wintering Rusty Blackbird continued through 4 Apr at Areata Bottoms (RbE). Orchard Ori- oles included an imm. male continuing from winter in McKinleyville, Humboldt 6 Apr (KMS), an ad. male in G.G.R 29 Mar-7 Apr (Steve Lewitzky m.ob.), and Shasta’s 2nd, a female in Old Shasta 19-23 May (ph. B&CY). Nevada finally recorded its first Hooded Ori- ole, but just barely. The bird was in Penn Val- ley, just across the line from Yuba 29 Apr-r (Bruce & Mary Kirk, ph. RCD). Another no- table Hooded Oriole was Plumas’s 2nd in Graeagle 20-28 May (Sharon & Rob Adams, ph. m.ob.). A Scott’s Oriole along Sherman Pass Rd. 3 May (RAB) was the most westerly record ever for Tulare. Cited observers (county coordinators in boldface): Ken Able (Lassen), Roger Adam- son, Robert A. Barnes, Alan D. Barron (Del Norte), Leonie Batkin, Bob Battagin, Edward C. Beedy, Murray Berner (Napa), William G. Bousman (Santa Clara), Lucas Brug, Scott Carey, Rita Carratello, John A. Cole, Chris Conard (Sacramento), Chris Corben, Hugh Cotter, J. Michael Danzenbaker, Rudy C. Dar- ling (Nevada), Jeff N. Davis (Madera), Bruce E. Deuel (n. C.V counties), Colin E Dilling- ham (Plumas and Sierra), Todd Easterla, Mark W. Eaton (San Francisco), Alan M. Eis- 496 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.! ner, Bruce G. Elliott, Ray Ekstrom (Siskiyou), Elias Elias (Del Norte), Jules G. Evens, Rob Fowler (RbF; Humboldt), Rick Fournier (RE), Alexander Gaguine, Steve Gerow (Santa Cruz), Steve A. Glover (Contra Costa), Lois Goldfrank, Keith Hansen, Rob Hansen, Garth Harwood, Steve N. G. Howell, Richard E. Hubacek, Lisa Hug, John E. Hunter (Trinity), Alvaro Jaramillo, Richard G. Jeffers, Robert J. Keiffer (Mendocino), Dan Kopp, Tony Kurz, Kimya L. Lambert, Jeri M. Langham, Jim Laughlin, Robin L. C. Leong (Solano), Tom W. Leskiw, Ron LeValley, John Lockhart, Jim Lomax, John S. Luther, Michael J. Mammoser, Blake T. Matheson, Sean McAllister, Peter J. Metropulos (San Mateo), Martin Meyers, Bar- bara R. Monahan, Dominik Mosur, Kristie N. Nelson (Mono), Frances Oliver (San Joaquin), Ed Pandolfino (Placer), Jim & Debby Parker, Kathy Parker, Ryan Phillips, Eric Pilotte, Jeff Poklen, Gary W. Potter (Fresno), Robert C. Power, Robert W. Reiling, Will Richardson, Robert J. Richmond (Alameda), Don Rober- son (Monterey), Michael M. Rogers, Kerry G. Ross, Stephen C. Rottenborn, Ruth A. Rude- sill (Sonoma), Jennifer Rycenga, Rob Santry, Adam Searcy (Marin), Jeff Seay (Kings), De- bra L, Shearwater, Shearwater Journeys (ShJ), David Shuford, Daniel Singer, Mike Skram, Keith M. Slauson, Mark Stacy, Rich Stallcup, John C. Sterling (Modoc, Alpine, Calaveras, and Yolo), Tim Steurer (El Dorado and Amador), Penny Stewart, Emilie Strauss, David L. Suddjian (Santa Cruz), Brian L. Sul- livan, Steven D. Summers (Tulare), Craig Swolgaard, Richard Ternullo, Ronald S. Thorn, Jim Tietz (EL), Richard G. Trissel, John Trochet, John Turner, Steve Umland (Tuolumne), Frank Vanslager, Kent Van Vuren (Merced and San Benito), David Vander Pluym (Mariposa), Chuck E. Vaughn, Jerry R. White (Lake), David Wimpfheimer, Roger Wolfe, Gary Woods, Bob & Carol Yutzy (Shasta). Many more observers are not specif- ically cited; all are appreciated, Stephen C. Rottenborn (Loons to Frigatebirds, Larids to Alcids) 983 University Avenue, Building D Los Gatos, California 95032 (srottenborn@harveyecology.com) 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 Thrushes) 7815 N. Palm Ave, Suite 310, Fresno, California 93711 (jdavis@harveyecology.com) Ed Pandolfino (Thrashers to Finches) 5530 Delrose Court, Carmichael, California 95608 (erpfromca@aol.com) Southern California | Guy McCaskie Kimball L Garrett It was a very quiet spring season for va- grants. Numbers of expected western mi- grants were generally felt to be low through most of the Region, except on the northern deserts of Kern and Inyo Counties, where there were some good pulses of mi- grants and (at least at the eastern Kern oases of Butterbredt Spring and Galileo Hill Park) a number of interesting vagrants as well. Off- shore, there were unprecedented numbers of Cook’s Petrels, with three other Pterodroma species reported. Abbreviations: B.S. (Butterbredt Spring at the s. end of the Sierra Nevada above Cantil, e. Kern); C.L. (China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station, extreme ne. Kem); E.A.EB. (Edwards A.EB., se. Kem); EC.R. (Furnace Creek Ranch, Death Valley N.R, Inyo); G.H.P. (Galileo Hill Park in extreme e. Kem); H.C.P. (Huntington Central Park in Huntington Beach, Orange); N.E.S.S. (n. end of the Salton Sea, Riverside); P.P. (Piute Ponds on Edwards A.EB., ne. Los Angeles); S.E.S.S. (s. end of the Salton Sea, Im- perial); V.C.G.P. (Ventura County Game Pre- serve near Pt. Mugu Naval Air Station, Ventu- ra). Because most rarities in s. California are seen by multiple observers, only the observ- er(s) initially finding and/or identifying the bird are included. Documentation for species on the California Bird Records Committee (C.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 IBIS A Fulvous Whistling-Duck, now a casual straggler to California, was at Finney L., Im- perial 15-25 Apr (GMcC, HBK). Brant winter- ing in the Gulf of California moved north- ward through the se. part of the Region in late Mar and Apr, with stragglers remaining at the Salton Sea through May, as is typical; single birds inland at L. Cuyamaca, San Diego 30 May (CGE), C.L. 29 Apr (RAB) and 24 May (SLS), E.A.EB. 4 May (MSanM), along with 9 in the Riverside portion of the Prado Basin 24 May QEP) and 3 in Lancaster, Los Angeles 21 Apr (RB), were noteworthy. One of the 5 win- tering Eurasian Wigeons on Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo remained through the late date of 7 May (TME). A male Harlequin Duck, rare s. of San Luis Obispo, was at Dockweiler Beach, Los Angeles 28 Mar (RB); the male near Cayu- cos, San Luis Obispo in Dec was still present 11 Apr (RHZ), and a female flew northward past Pt. Piedras Blancas, San Luis Obispo 2 May (RAR). A Surf Scoter in Murrieta, River- side 18 May (CMcG) and 2 at N.E.S.S. 29 May (CAM) were the only scoters found inland. A Long-tailed Duck at Playa del Rey Los Angeles 26-30 Mar (RP) was the only one reported. Six White-tailed Ptarmigan at Brown L. w. of Bishop, Inyo 15 May (RJS, SLS) were in an area where this introduced bird is established. A Yellow-billed Loon at Castaic Lagoon 8 Mar-30 Apr (JA) was the 2nd recorded in Los Angeles, and 6 were reported flying northward past Pt. Piedras Blancas between 21 Apr and 22 May (RAR) during a three-month survey of migrating Gray Whales at that location. A Red-necked Grebe at Santa Barbara 24 Mar (WTF) and another at Newport Beach, Or- ange 29 Apr-7 May (RT) were the only two reported. A Horned Grebe at L. Palmdale, Los Angeles 14 May-2 Jun (MSanM) was either an exceptionally late migrant or attempting to summer locally. Two Laysan Albatrosses over deep water off Pt. Conception, Santa Barbara 1 May (TMcG), 5 over deep water sw. of San Nicolas VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 497 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA This immature Yellow-billed Loon inland on Castaic Lagoon, Los Angeles County, California provided a nice comparison with a basic-plumaged Common Loon (right) when photographed on 8 March 2010. Photograph by Larry Sansone. This Wilson's Plover was photographed on the second day of its 12-16 April 2010 stay at Bolsa Chica, Orange County, California. Photograph by Linda LeRoy. 1.16 May (TMcG), and 4 sw. of San Clemente 1. 30 May (WTH) were no doubt in areas where regular in small numbers. A Murphy’s Petrel was photographed over 200-fathom waters w. of Pt. Conception 1 May (TMcG, MT), providing one of a very few records for S. California waters. Three Dark-rumped Pe- trels, presumably Hawaiian Petrels, were seen from the NOAA ship Miller Freeman conduct- ing the April Sardine Cruise: one at 294.6 km sw. of San Clemente 1. 4 Apr (GSM), another at 184 km sw. of Pt. Arguello, Santa Barbara 14 Apr (GSM), and the last at 221 km sw. of Pt. San Luis, San Luis Obispo 16 Apr (GSM). Cook’s Petrels were common over deep wa- ters, as evident by over 800 counted between Los Angeles and Monterey 2-22 Apr (GSM) during the Sardine Cruise, 30 between 55 and 83 km off San Luis Obispo 30 Apr (RyM), 63 w. of Pt. Conception 1 May (TMcG, PEL), and 173 sw. of San Nicolas 1. 16 May (TMcG, PEL). A Stejneger’s Petrel 147.3 km sw. of Pt. Conception, Santa Barbara 14 Apr (GSM) was seen during the Sardine Cruise; there are only seven accepted records of the species for California. A Manx Shearwater at Pt. Piedras Blancas 1 May (RAR) was the only one reported. Two Red-billed Trop- icbirds were at widely separated locations in Los Angeles waters se. of San Clemente 1. 17 May (TMcG), and 6 more were in that same area 29-30 May (WTH). Live Brown Boobies off San Diego between 7 Mar and 15 May (MJB, PEL, BW) add to the growing num- ber found along the coast. A Little Blue Heron at Seal Beach, Orange 20 May-7 Jun (JE) was the only one found away from coastal San Diego. The only Red- dish Egrets reported were one in coastal San Diego and 2-3 in coastal Orange, where now rare but regular. At least 6 Yellow-crowned Night-Herons were around San Diego, includ- ing a pair at Mission Bay and another pair in Imperial Beach, showing this species has ex- panded its range northward to include ex- treme sw. California. A Glossy Ibis was pho- tographed at S.E.S.S. (Unit 1 of Salton Sea N.W.R.) 8 Mar (RiH). HAWKS THROUGH ALCIDS A Broad-winged Hawk, rare to casual as a spring migrant in California, was over Tujun- ga, Los Angeles 17 Apr (KLG). About 3100 Swainson’s Hawks passed over Borrego Springs, San Diego between mid-Eeb and mid- Apr, with the highest number being 256 on 27 Mar (HC); 45-50 over Sunland, Los Ange- les 14 May (AV) was a high number for this late date, one over Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo 14 Apr (BKS) was on the coast, and another at S.E.S.S. 31 May (KLG) was excep- tionally late. Reports of Zone-tailed Hawks in- cluded a late bird near San Juan Capistrano, Orange 3-19 May (ZP) and a migrant over Oceanside, San Diego 11 Mar (KC). A Harris’s Hawk of unknown provenance was in Yucca Valley, San Bernardino 2 Apr (DB). One of the 2 wintering Pacific Golden- Plovers near Imperial Beach remained through the late date of 1 May (RTF). A Wil- son’s Plover was at the Santa Margareta R. mouth, San Diego 2 Apr (JF), and what may have been the same bird was at Bolsa Chica, Orange 12-16 Apr (LLeR). A “pure” American Oystercatcher was in Laguna Beach, Orange 20-22 May (NK), and another was at Long Beach Harbor, Los Angeles 3 May+ (RoH); a black-and-white oystercatcher at Pt. Piedras Blancas 24 May (RAR) may have been an American, but even a hybrid this far n. would be exceptional. A Solitary Sandpiper at Santa Barbara 14 Mar-27 Apr (EC, KB) and anoth- er in the Riverside portion of the Prado Basin 1 Mar QEP) probably wintered locally; 8 mi- grants on the coast, including one on San Clemente 1. 26 Apr QTS), plus 14 more in- land, were more than average; all were detect- ed from 8 Apr through 2 May, other than an exceptionally late one at Playa del Rey 28 May (DS). Two Hudsonian Godwits that remained at PP. 15-25 May (M&JS) bring the total found in spring in this Region to six. Thirteen Sanderlings inland away from the Salton Sea between 7 and 25 May was fewer than ex- pected. Single Semipalmated Sandpipers at C.L. 8 & 18 May (AH, SLS) were in the e. half of the Region, and one in Ocean Beach 24-27 Apr (PEL) was the first to be found in San Diego in spring. A Baird’s Sandpiper, rare in spring, was in Lancaster 21-23 Apr (RB), and another was at C.L. 24 May (SLS). A Stilt Sandpiper at State Line, San Bernardino 14 May (ES) and another at Bolsa Chica, Orange 9-10 May (BED) were the only two reported away from S.E.S.S. The Ruff that spent the winter at V.C.G.R was last seen 2 May (LS). A Red Phalarope, rare inland, was at S.E.S.S. 13 Mar (KL). Single Sabine’s Gulls were inland at E. Palmdale 23 Apr (MSanM), Lancaster 22 May (WTF), and at C.L. 13 & 18 Apr (SG, SLS). A Little Gull at L. Perris, Riverside 1-14 Mar (HBK) was believed to be the same bird pres- ent here 1-10 Mar 2009. Franklin’s Gulls were less numerous than in recent years, with 42 reported in the e. half of the Region between 27 Mar and 30 May, along with one on the coast at Pt. Piedras Blancas 17 Apr (RAR). Single Mew Gulls were well inland at widely separated locations at N.E.S.S. 12 & 26 Mar (CMcG). An ad. Lesser Black-backed Gull 498 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA! Two Hudsonian Godwits were found together at Piute Ponds on the Edwards Air Force Base, Los Angeles County, California 15-25 (here 15) May 2010. Photograph by Kelli Heindel-Levinson. This adult Little Gull, photographed on 12 March 2010, remained with Bonaparte's Gulls on Lake Perris, Riverside County, California for two weeks, 1-14 March. Photograph by Mfes T. Fritz. was around Mystic L., Riverside 24-27 Mar (CMcG). What was believed to be the same Sooty Tern present last summer was at Bolsa Chica 4 Apr (BED) and 25 May (PK). Up to 5 Least Terns were inland at S.E.S.S. 30 Apr-31 May-i- (GMcC). A Gull-billed Tern at Bolsa Chica 7-17 Apr (PK) was the only one on the coast n. of San Diego. Three South Polar Skuas 37 km e. of San Clemente 1., another 37 km w. of Pt. Loma, San Diego 17 May (PEL), and 6 se. of San Clemente 1. 29-30 May (WTH) marked the arrival of these birds from the s. into California waters. A Long-tailed Jaeger, rare in spring, was se. of San Nicolas 1. 16 May (TMcG). A flock of 5 Parakeet Auk- lets was reported flying past Pt. Piedras Blan- cas 8 May (RAR); there is no accepted Cali- fornia record of a healthy bird of this species this close to shore. PIGEONS THROUGH VIREOS Reports of Band-tailed Pigeons away from ar- eas of regular occurrence included single birds in the Owens Valley near Big Pine, Inyo 19 Apr (C63:CE), on the coast at Pt. Loma, San Diego 14 May (PEL), and offshore on San Clemente 1. 25 Apr (SBF). Nine White- winged Doves on the coast between 18 Mar and 20 May was less than expected. A winter- ing Ruddy Ground-Dove in Blythe, Riverside remained through 17 Apr (RH). An excep- tionally early Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Oceano 27 May (RoM, MLS) provides one of only a few records for San Luis Obispo. A calling Common Nighthawk near Lone Pine, Inyo 18 May QTZ) was early; Yellow-billed Cuckoo and Common Nighthawk are two of the lat- est-arriving breeding birds in California, with neither expected before late May. Monitoring of Black Swifts migrating northward along the Santa Ynez Mts. above Santa Barbara 9-28 May resulted in a total of 1112, with a high count of 628 in 7.5 hours on 23 May (WTF); elsewhere on the coast were 36 over Pt. Loma 22 May (EGK, BJS), 6 over Huntington Beach, Orange 27 May (SGM), 19 over Westchester, Los Angeles 23 May (KGL), 250 over Ventura 23 May (RMcM), and 16 at scattered locations along the coast of San Luis Obispo between 5 & 24 May. Inland, where reported much less fre- quently, 3 Black Swifts were near Seeley, Impe- rial 11 May (MJB), one was over the San Jac- into W.A., Riverside 17 May (HBK), and an- other was at L. Palmdale 10 May (MSanM). A Chimney Swift, now much rarer in California than 30 years ago, was near downtown Los Angeles 17 May (KLG). About 3000 Vaux’s Swifts entering a roost in downtown San Diego 25 Apr (CA) was an impressive sight. Small numbers of Acorn Woodpeckers ap- peared to move eastward into the high desert, as indicated by reports of at least 9 in e. Kent, Los An- geles, and Riverside be- tween 8 Apr and 3 Jun. The breeding range of Say’s Phoebes continues to expand coastally; about seven territories in s. coastal Santa Barbara in Apr and May (DMC) were in an area where breeders were virtually absent prior to 2001. Ver- milion Flycatchers were scattered through much of the Region, but one on San Nicolas 1. 17 Mar (JMcM) was of note, as this species is casual on the Channel Islands. A Great Crested Flycatcher in Olivenheim 26-27 May (SD’V, PAG, SES) follows last year’s first ever spring record for California, also in San Diego. Brown- crested Flycatchers were noted somewhat n. of proven breeding areas, with birds at Mesquite Spring 8 May (CGL) and nearby Scotty’s Castle 29 May (AH), both in Death Valley N.P., Inyo. The lone Scissor-tailed Flycatcher reported was at Malibu Lagoon, Los Angeles 19 May (BrS). Spring Yellow-throated Vireo records in the Region span a wide date range from Apr to Jul; this year, one was in Campo, San Diego 26 Apr (JMcM), and additional records will fol- low in the summer season report. Red-eyed Vireos at C.L. 12 May (SLS) and San Clemente 1. 14-15 May QTS) were somewhat early; another was s. of Independence, Inyo 4 Jun OMH). SWALLOWS THROUGH WARBLERS A migrant Purple Martin at Haiwee Res. 1 May (ADeM) was the first for Inyo since 2006; another migrant at Finney L. 28 May (GMcC) was in Imperial, where very rare. Mountain Chickadees have established a small breeding population in well-landscaped residential ar- eas of s. Orange, but a pair in e. Anaheim 18 May (DRW) was well to the w. of those areas. An Oak Titmouse on Pt. Loma, San Diego 6 Apr (SBM) was well away from areas of ex- pected occurrence. Of note was a juv. male Bushtit of the interior subspecies plumbeiis near Bishop, Inyo 22 May that showed black in the auriculars, a trait only very rarely not- ed in these westernmost interior populations O&DP). Red-breasted Nuthatches were virtu- ally absent during the winter, so one in Or- ange, Orange 30 Apr (NAG) was unexpected. Four Townsend's Solitaires remained in upper Trabuco Canyon in the Santa Ana Mts., Or- ange as of 7 Apr (NAG). A singing Swainson’s Thrush on Cerro Alto Rd. 3 Apr provided the earliest spring record ever for San Luis Obispo QSR). Casual in spring, a Brown Thrasher was in Inyokern, Kent 26 Apr (LAB). Vagrant warblers were generally scarce this spring, with only the n. deserts producing fair numbers of vagrants; the well-birded oases of Galileo Hill Park and Butterbredt Spring in e. Kent were particularly productive. A Ten- nessee Warbler in La Jolla, San Diego 28 Mar (PEL) likely wintered locally. Virginia’s War- blers are very rare in spring away from their limited breeding areas, so one at Scotty’s Cas- tle, Death Valley N.P 8 May (CGL) was of note; another was “adequately described” near Weldon, Kent 30 Apr (LH). Northern VOLUME 64 (2010) • NUMBER 3 499 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Photographed on 16 May 2010 at Point Loma, San Diego County, this male Northern Parula was one of 22 reported in Southern California this spring; many such migrants are attracted to flowering silk oaks {Grevillea robusta) in the region in May. Photograph by Thomas A. Blackman. This male Hooded Warbler near El Centro, Imperial County 13 May 2010 was the first to be photographed in the Salton Sink and was one of fourteen reported in Southern Cali- fornia this spring. Photograph by Kenneth 1. Kurland. Parulas were widely found but in numbers well below last springs showing: 12 were not- ed in coastal areas 10 May-6 Jun, including a pair remaining to nest in Orange (details to follow in summer report), and another 10 were on the deserts 5 May-3 Jun. Only singles of the following regular eastern strays were found this spring: a Chestnut-sided Warbler at H.C.P. 23 May (BED), a male Black-throat- ed Blue Warbler at G.H.P. 23 May (M&LC), a Black-throated Green Warbler on San Nicolas 1. 12 May (JMcM), and a Yellow-throated Warbler at B.S. 9 jun (AH). Magnolia War- blers were at B.S. 1 jun (BE) and Pt. Loma 8 jun (TP). The tiny but regular spring move- ment of Palm Warblers in the Region seems consistently earlier than the migration win- dows we see for other “eastern” species; this year, one was in Costa Mesa, Orange 10 Apr (DRW), 2 were at Playa del Rey 27 Apr (RS), and one was at Bonelli R.P, San Dimas, Los Angeles 1 May (AKL); whether some of these birds might have wintered in or near the Re- gion remains speculative. Several wintering Black-and-white War- blers continued into Apr; additional late spring va- grants included 7 on the deserts 24 Apr-20 May, one in Los Osos, San Luis Obispo 8-9 May QSR), singles near San Diego 14 (GN) & 18 May (PEL), and one in Placerita Canyon, Los Angeles 29 May (LC). A limited showing of American Redstarts included 6 in Kern and Inyo 15 May-9 jun, one near Parker Dam, San Bernardino 1 May (TAB; possibly win- tered locally) , and singles in San Diego at Santee 23 Mar-3 Apr (CH, PEL; un- doubtedly wintered local- ly), University City 18 May (GN), and Pt. Loma 4 jun (RG). A Prothono- tary Warbler was on Pt. Loma 21-23 May (MG). New for the Salton Sink was a Worm-eating War- bler photographed at Salton Sea State Recre- ation Area, N.E.S.S. 24 Apr (DLB); another was at B.S. 9-10 jun (AH). The only Ovenbirds were singles at B.S. 24 May (KHL) and 1 jun (BP), and at G.H.P 29 May (M&LC). Surprisingly, only 2 Northern Wa- terthrushes were found, at Pt. Loma 4 May QWo) and G.H.P. 14-15 May (K&BK). Two Kentucky Warblers were found at G.H.P. — a tailless bird 16 May that re- mained for about a week (K&BK) and one with a full tail 25 May (SLS). Early Hooded Warblers were n. of Bishop 22 Apr (C&CE), on San Clemente I. 25-26 Apr (SMS), and at Pt. Loma 27-28 Apr (PAG, DWA); subsequent birds were on the coast on San Nicolas 1. 17 May (jMcM), San Clemente 1. 17 May (TWH), Playa del Rey 25 May (DS), Pt. Loma 3 jun (RK), and H.C.P. 5-9 jun (BED, and on the deserts, at least 4 were in e. Kent 20- 29 May, one was near Bish- op 24-28 May O&DP), and the first ever to be photographically documented in the Salton Sink was near El Centro 13 May (KZK). A rare spring migrant Painted Redstart was at B.S. 5 jun (RjN). SPARROWS THROUGH FINCHES An American Tree Sparrow in Ridgecrest, Kem 14 Apr (PW) might have wintered un- detected in the area, as there are few records of spring migrants in the Region. Brewer’s Sparrows often congregate in spring in arid scrub habitats but disappear without breed- ing; there are no recent breeding records for San Luis Obispo, but 9 were singing and acting territorial in Ephedra scrub on the Carrizo Plain N.M. 22 Apr-5 May (AES), and several more were singing along the San Diego Creek drainage nw. of California Valley 29 Apr QSR). A singing Black-chinned Sparrow in Griffith Park, Los Angeles 13 May (DSC) was in an area where the species has not been recorded breeding. Black-throated Sparrows were singing at the nw. edge of their range in Carrizo Plain N.M. 23-24 Apr (2; AES) and the San Diego Creek drainage 29 Apr QSR); breeding has yet to be confirmed for San Luis Obispo. A rare spring coastal migrant Black- throated Sparrow was in Torrance, Los Ange- les 16 Apr (DSC). A Lark Bunting was near Cuyama, Santa Barbara 16-18 Apr QMC)- Late lingering Zonotrichia included a White- throated Sparrow in Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo 16-18 May (BKS) and a Golden- crowned Sparrow on Pt. Loma 26 May (SES). Harris’s Sparrows were at EC.R. 18 Mar (J&DP) and Inyokern, Kem 25-29 Apr (RAB); the wintering bird near Cantil, Kern was last seen 14 Apr (MSanM). The status of Summer Tanagers in the Re- gion is very complex, with vagrants of two subspecies occurring through much of the This male Black Rosy-Finch with Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches at a feeding station in Aspendell, Inyo County, California remained just long enough to be photographed on 7 March 2010. Photograph by Nancy Overholtz. 500 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA i I • year, plus local breeding populations of i cooperi', on the n. coast, one was in Los Osos, San Luis Obispo 10 May OSR), and a male in Ventura 1 Apr probably wintered locally (DR). The glut of San Diego wintering Sum- mer Tanagers was augmented by 3 spring birds 30 Apr-18 May; there was a good show- ing this spring in Inyo, with at least 13 birds 7 May-7 Jun, some in potential breeding habi- tat (T&JH), but the only one in Kem was at B.S. 3 Jun (SS). An ad. male Northern Cardi- nal, apparently of the sw. subspecies superbus, was near Inyokern 16 Apr; a natural vagrant might not be out of the question there, though escapees of both e. and sw. cardinals have been noted at widely scattered localities. Ten Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, well below last year’s totals, were in coastal counties 18 Apr-5 Jun; another 10 were on the deserts, mostly in Inyo, 8-30 May. A scattering of Indi- go Buntings included birds as early as 2 May at Camp Pendleton, San Diego (SB) and 6 May on Pt. Loma (G&NA). The only Bobolink was a male at C.L. 21 May (SLS). A male Common Crackle was at El Dorado Park in Long Beach, Los Angeles 1 Mar QW), a site with several previous winter records. There are few places left for Great- tailed Crackles to expand in the Region, but three pairs nesting in Ventucopa 10 May (WTF) provided the first nesting record for the Cuyama Valley of Santa Barbara. Bronzed Cowbirds were at expected localities in e. Riverside and Imperial, farther n. along the Colorado R. in San Bernardino, 3 were s. of Parker Dam 1 May and one was at Big River 2 May (TAB). A singing imm. male Orchard Ori- ole in Goleta, Santa Barbara 21 Mar (HPR) may have been the bird present in nearby Isla Vista in Dec and Jan, a wintering female at the San Diego Zoo remained through 8 Apr (TRS), and an ad. male in Encinitas 2-5 Apr (SB) probably wintered locally; additionally, ad. males were in Inyokern 1 May (RAB) and Ridgecrest 12 May (SLS). An imm. male Balti- more Oriole in Goleta 19 Mar-18 Apr (HPR) and a female there 10 Apr (NAL) likely win- tered locally; a male was at G.H.P. 26 May (SS). A male Baltimore Oriole x Bullock’s Oriole hy- brid was photographed in Long Beach 20 Mar (M&JS). A Scott’s Oriole was at the nw. ex- treme of the , species’ range in the Caliente Range of Carrizo Plain N.M. 23 Apr (AES) Pine Siskins were observed building nests in the Laguna Mts. 24 Mar (MSa), and 8 birds, including one with nest material, were in the Cuyamaca Mts. 2 May QD); nesting was pre- viously unconfirmed in San Diego. A Black Rosy-Finch, a casual visitor to easternmost California, was photographed with Gray- crowneds at Aspendell, Inyo 1 Mar (RJS, SLS). Cited observers (County coordinators in boldface): Kevin Aanerud, Jim Abernathy, Christopher Adler, Douglas W. Aguillard, George and Nancy Appel (G&NA), Robert A. Barnes, Richard Barth, Linda A. Bates, Mark J. Billings, Steve Brad, Danner Bradshaw, Kyle Braunger, Dan L. Brown, Evan Caves, Jamie M. Chavez, Larry Clarfield, Kevin Clark, Hal Co- hen, David M. Compton {Santa Barbara), Mark and Lori Conrad (M&LC), Daniel S. Cooper, Brian E. Daniels, A1 DeMartini, Jay Desgrossellier, Susan D’Vincent, Tom M. Edell (San Luis Obispo), Claude G. Edwards, Claus and Connie Engelhardt (C&CE), Stuart B. Fety, Brian Fitch, John Fitch, Joelle Fournier, Wes T. Fritz, Kimball L. Garrett (Los Angeles), Neil A. Gilbert, Pete A. Ginsburg, Matt Gould, Stan Gray, John F. Green (Riverside), Richard Griebe, Christine Harvey, Tom & Jo Heindel (Inyo), Kelli Heindel-Levinson (Kem), Taylor W. Higgins, Roger Higson, Justin M. Hite, Robert Hoffman (RoH), Andrew Howe, Rich Hoyer (RiH), Liam Huber, W. Terry Hunefeld, Oscar Johnson (Ventura), Eric G. Kallen, Nan- cy Kenyon, Howard B. King, Peter Knapp, Alexander E. Koonce (San Bernardino), Rusty Kuehl, Kenneth Z. Kurland, Ken and Brenda Kyle (K&BK), Kevin G. Larson, Andrew K. Lee, Paul E. Lehman, Linda LeRoy Nick A. Lethaby Kevin Liberg, Carl G. Lundblad, Cur- tis A. Marantz, Sara B. Mayers, Guy McCaskie (Imperial and San Diego), Chet McGaugh, Todd McGrath, Jimmy McMorran, Robert Mc- Morran, Ron Melcer (RoM), Ryan Merrill (RyM), G. Scott Mills, Gretchen Nell, Richard J Norton, Jim and Debby Parker Q&DP)^ Robert T. Patton, Zachary Perry, James E. Pike, Richard Pine, Tim Plunkett, David Rankin, Hugh P Ranson, Richard A. Rowlett, Jim S. Royer, Matt Sadowski (MSa), Mike San Miguel, Larry Sansone, Mark and Janet Scheel (M&JS), Alan E Schmierer, Brad K. Schram, Maggie L. Smith, Susan E. Smith, BJ Stacey, Justyn T. Stahl (San Clemente Island), Trent R. Stanley, Bruce Starrett (BrS), Robert J. Steele, Susan L. Steele, Don Sterba, Russell Stone, Emilie Strauss, Shawn M. Sullivan, Steve Summers, Monte Taylor, Richard Thunen, Aino Vimb, Joyce Waterman QWa), Douglas R. Willick (Orange), Peter Woodman, Brian Woodward, Joe Worley QWo), Roger H. Zachary, Jerry T. Zatorski. An additional 25± observers who could not be individually acknowledged sub- mitted 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 Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90007 (l