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To dontate go online to: aba.org/donate/nab.php Or send donations to: The Friends of NAB, ABA, 4945 N. 30th Street, Ste 200 Colorado Springs, CO 80919 ON THE COVER: The critically endangered Ridgway's Hawk, endemic to the island of Hispaniola, was once widespread, but there are now per- haps only 280 individuals remaining, restricted to a few hundred square kilometers in Los Harrises National Park, Dominican Republic. This image was taken there on 1 April 201 1 , near Los Limones, a key study site for this species. Photograph by Jesse Fagan. Spring Migration: M^a rch through May 2011 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS • AMERICAN BIRDING ASSOCIATION • VOLUME 65 • NUMBER 3 • 2011 390 Apparent Eastern Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis borealis ) nesting in Alaska Brian L. Sullivan 394 The Changing Seasons: The eBird Era Marshall J. Iliff, Brian L. Sullivan, and Christopher L. Wood 538 Birds of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico: An update on the status and distribution of selected species Barbara MacKinnon H., Jill L. Deppe, and Antonio Celis Murillo 554 Status and distribution of Type 1 Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra ): an Appalachian Call Type? Matthew A. Young, Ken Blankenship, Marilyn Westphal, and Steve Holzman 562 Pictorial Highlights The Regional Reports 406 Atlantic Provinces & St. Pierre et Miquelon Blake Maybank 408 Quebec Pierre Bannon, Olivier Barden, Normand David, and Samuel Denault 410 New England Marks. Szantyr 414 Hudson-Delaware Shaibal S. Mitra, Robert 0. Paxton, Frank Rohrbacher, and Richard R. Veit 419 Middle Atlantic Mark T. Adams and Matt Hafner 427 Ontario Alan Wormington 433 Eastern Highlands & Upper Ohio River Valley Gabe Leidy, Rick Wiltraut, and Ron Canterbury 439 Illinois & Indiana James D. Hengeveld, Keith A. McMullen, and Geoffrey A. Williamson 443 Western Great Lakes Adam M. Byrne 446 Iowa & Missouri Joshua P. Uffman 451 Tennessee & Kentucky Chris Sloan and Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. 457 Alabama & Mississippi Steven W. McConnell 4fi1 Arkansas & Louisiana Steven W. Cardiff 468 Northern Canada & Greenland Cameron D. Eckert 470 Prairie Provinces Rudolf F. Koes and Peter Taylor 473 Northern Great Plains Ron Martin 475 Southern Great Plains Joseph A. Grzybowski and W. Ross Silcock 479 Texas Eric Carpenter, Mark W. Lockwood, and Willie Sekula 484 Colorado & Wyoming Tony Leukering and Bill Schmoker 490 New Mexico Sartor 0. Williams, III 495 Arizona Mark M. Stevenson and Gary H. Rosenberg 499 Great Basin Rick Fridell 561 Alaska ThedeTobish 504 British Columbia Chris Charlesworth 506 Oregon & Washington David S. Irons, Brad Waggoner, and BillTweit 512 Northern California Stephen C. Rottenborn, Michael M. Rogers, Jeff N. Davis, and Ed Pandolfino 517 Southern California Guy McCaskie and Kimball L. Garrett 521 Baja California Peninsula Richard A. Erickson, Roberto Carmona, and Gorgonio Ruiz-Campos 525 Mexico Hector Gomez de Silva, Amy McAndrews, and Jorge Montejo 528 Central America H. Lee Jones and Oliver Komar 534 West Indies & Bermuda Robert L. Norton, Anthony White, Andrew Dobson, and Eddie Massiah 536 Hawaiian Islands Peter Donaldson Florida Bruce H. Anderson and Andy Bankert Idaho & Western Montana David Trochlell Evening Grosbeaks. Photograph by Kimberly Roush. See page 499. American Birding® ASSOCIATION CHAIR Louis Morrell BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jane Alexander Dick Ashford Lynn Barber Charles Bell Carl Bendorf Michael Bowen Kenn Kaufman Robin Leong Louis Morrell John C. Robinson Charles Teske Bob Warneke PRESIDENT Jeffery A. Gordon FINANCE Lisa Slocum COMMUNICATIONS David Hartley BIRDERS' EXCHANGE Betty Petersen MEMBERSHIP LeAnn Pilger Liz Gordon PAST PRESIDENTS Dick Ashford (2009-2010) Thomas Pincelli (2007-2009) 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 J0URNA1 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@ginail.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. Fazio III, Rick Fridell, Kimball L. Garrett, Hector Gomez de Silva, Joseph A. Grzybowski, Matt Hafner, James Hengeveld, Pam Hunt, David Irons, Greg D. Jackson, H. Lee Jones, Rudolf E Koes, Oliver Komar, Tony Leukering, Mark Lockwood, Bruce Mactavish, Blake A. Mann, Nancy L. Martin, Ron E. Martin, Eddie Massiah, Blake Maybank, Guy McCaskie, Steve McConnell, Keith A. McMullen, Robert L. Norton, Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr., Edward Pandolfino, Robert O. Paxton, Simon Perkins, Wayne R. Petersen, Randy Pinkston, Michael M. Rogers, Frank Rohrbacher, Gary H. Rosenberg, Stephen C. Rottenborn, Gorgonio Ruiz-Campos, William Schmoker, Douglas Schonewald, Willie Sekula, W. Ross Silcock, Chris Sloan, Josh Southern, Mark M. Stevenson, Dan Svingen, Peder Svingen, Peter Taylor, Thede Tobish, David Trochlell, Bill Tweit, Richard R. Veit, Brad Waggoner, Ron Weeks, Walter Wehtje, Jr., Anthony W. White, Sartor O. Williams III, Geoffrey A. Williamson, Rick Wiltraut, Alan Wormington SUBSCRIPTIONS GRAPHIC DESIGN ADVERTISING LeAnn Pilger James M. Harris Ken Barron North American Birds (ISSN 1525-3708) (USPS 872-200) is published quarterly by the American Birding Associa- tion, Inc. Periodicals postage paid at Colorado Springs, Colorado, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: return postage guaranteed; send address changes and POD forms 3579 to North American Birds, 4945 N. 30th Street, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80919-3151; (800) 850-2473. Subscription prices: $30/year (US) and US$35/year (Canada). Copyright © 2011 by the American Birding Association, Inc., all rights reserved. Printed by Publishers Printing, Shepherdsville, Kentucky. The views and opinions expressed in this magazine are those of each contri- buting writer and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the American Birding Association or its management. ABA is not responsible for the quality of products or services advertised in North American Birds, unless the products or services are being offered directly by the Association. GST Registration No. R135943454. 388 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS DRY TORTUGAS SPRING 2012 WITH FLORIDA NATURE TOURS Join our expert leaders for the birding adventure of a lifetime. Include one of our mainland tours and see all the Florida specialties. We have the very best prices & itineraries designed to see the most species in the least amount of time. Save hundreds of dollars and we will also donate $100 to your favorite birding or conservation organization. See our web site for all the details. Dry Tortugas Tours 2012 dates: 4/13-16, 4/20-23,4/24-27, 5/3-6,5/7-10 South Florida Tours 2012 dates: 4/16-20,5/6-10 Florida Super Tour 2012 dates: 4/27-5/3 www.floridanaturetours.net birdsatfnttg'bellsoulh.net 407-384-9766 AviSys Version 6 As Simple As You Wish ~ As Powerful As You Need Latest Clements Taxonomy! 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Some sets include written scripts or taped narration and bird sounds. Perfect for educators, libraries, birders, artists, and commercial use. Visit us on the Web at http://birds.cornell.edu/closlides Write or call for a free catalog Cornell Lab of Ornithology Visual Services 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850 (607)254-2450 birdslides@cornell.edu Looking for a Birding Adventure P Go offshore with Seabirding For more information contact Brian Patteson Seabirding P.0. 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 and alcids Spring & summer trips for Gulf Stream specialties including rare Pterodromas andtropiebirds Late summer trips for White-faced Storm-Petrel VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 389 BRIAN L. SULLIVAN • CORNELL LAB OF ORNITHOLOGY • 49 HOLMAN ROAD, CARMEL VALLEY, CALIFORNIA 93924 • (HERALDPETREL@GMAIL.COM) Figure 1. Male Eastern Red-tailed Hawk, Gunsight Mountain, Alaska, 9 May 2011. Photograph by Brian L. Sullivan. Abstract This paper describes the first known nesting attempt by an apparent Eastern Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis borealis) with a Har- lans Hawk (B. j. harlani) in Alaska. The pair was observed 8-10 May 2011 nesting in cen- tral Alaska in the vicinity of Gunsight Moun- tain, roughly 190 kilometers northeast of An- chorage. Although both Western Red-tailed Hawks (B. j. calurus ) and Eastern Red-tailed Hawks have been observed at that location during spring migration, the present record documents the first nesting attempt by an ap- parent Eastern with a Harlan’s in Alaska. introduction Prior to a spring trip to Alaska in 2011, 1 sent an email query to the Alaskan birding com- munity for information on known pairs of nesting Harlan’s Hawks ( Buteo jamaicensis harlani). My goal was to document nesting Harlan’s with photographs, as little is known of this subspecies during the breeding season. While many specimens exist, few are from the nesting season, and the distributions of color morphs within breeding examples of the tax- on are essentially unknown, as is plumage variation within the morphs. Although most of Alaska’s nesting Red-tailed Hawks are cer- tainly Harlan’s, distribution of Harlan’s, and the distributions of other Red-tailed Hawk taxa, are incompletely known. For the 2011 visit, I also wanted to document birds typical of subspecies other than harlani. During pre- vious years, both Eastern (subspecies bore- alis) and Western (subspecies calurus) Red- tailed Hawks have been observed passing the Gunsight Mountain Hawkwatch (Liguori and Sullivan 2010), so it has seemed logical that both taxa are breeding, or attempting to breed, in central Alaska. Field encounter Paul Fritz, Bob Winckler, and White Keys re- ported observing a light-morph Red-tailed Hawk with a wholly red tail carrying nesting material (sticks) near the Gunsight Mountain Hawkwatch in late April. Hoping to document this bird with photographs, I visited the site 8- 10 May 2011. With numerous spring migrant raptors passing overhead, I spent roughly 12 hours watching raptors at the site, photograph- ing any birds that 1 could. The nesting pair at the site was not immediately obvious, and it took several hours to see the male, which 1 fi- nally observed as it soared low over the territo- ry around noon. I watched the bird closely in 390 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS APPARENT EASTERN RED-TAiLED HAWK NESTING IN ALASKA Figure 2. Male Eastern Red-tailed Hawk, Gunsight Mountain, Alaska, 9 May 201 1 . Photograph by Brian L. Sullivan. Figure 3. Breeding territory of the Gunsight Mountain breeding pair, 9 May 2011. Photograph by Brian L. Sullivan. the spotting scope (20-60x Zeiss) for several minutes as it rose higher overhead, chasing away a two Common Ravens (Cotvus corax) that passed. 1 was able to note a suite of field marks typical of light-morph Eastern Red- tailed Hawk, including the following, in order of decreasing importance for subspecific identi- fication: golden nape; wholly red tail with nar- row, evenly spaced black bands (typical of East- ern Red-tailed in the northern Great Plains, and possibly boreal western Canada); brown upper- parts with extensive pale mottling on the up- perwing coverts and scapulars; and buffy un- derparts with blobby brown belly band and un- derwing covert markings (Figures 1-2). 1 was able to observe the male for approxi- mately 1.5 hours over the course of three days. It spent much of that time hunting from a perch, and it was only after the male had cap- tured prey that the female appeared. The male captured a small rodent (unidentified) late in the afternoon of the first day and carried it a few hundred meters to the east, where it met the female and dropped the prey. The female flew in from farther east to accept the prey but then sat on a dead spruce top with it, ate it, and then preened for 20 minutes before disap- pearing into the spruce forest to the east. About an hour later, the male caught a Snow- shoe Hare (Lepus americanus ) and delivered it to the female. The female again materialized, picked up the prey, ate, and preened, and then disappeared back into the spruce. The female was studied at length through the spotting scope but could not be pho- tographed. The female was a typical light- morph Harlan’s, with clean white underparts, bold, blobby belly band, dark brown upper- parts with little pale mottling, and a grayish mottled tail with a reddish tip. Not once in three days did the female soar or fly over the territory, instead quickly retreating from view after perching, presumably heading back to the nest. Given the relatively secretive behavior of the pair, and the females long absences, I sus- pect that she was incubating. Twice I attempt- ed to get closer to the nest, but deep snow pre- vented close access, and I had to be content to view the territory from the road above. Over the course of my observations, the male chased migrant Red-tailed Hawks from the ter- ritory, as well as ravens, but when an adult male Gyrfalcon ( Falco msticolus ) passed over the ter- ritory, the male did not respond. The male was also photographed performing typical Red- tailed Hawk courtship flight, consisting of re- peated kek calls and sinusoidal flights. I assessed the overall territory based on the area defended by the male, and estimated it to be roughly 3 km2, similar to territory size not- ed by Janes (1984). The territory consisted of an extensive Black Spruce (Picea mariana ) bog bordering a medium-sized lake, just southeast of Milepost 120 on the Glenn High- way (Figure 3). Discussion Although there are reports of nesting between dark-tnorph Western Red-tailed Hawks and Harlans Hawks in Alaska (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959, Kessel and Springer 1966, Gib- son and Kessel 1997), review of the speci- mens referenced herein indicate that the birds identified as Westerns show some characters indicative of intergradation with Harlan’s and that several could in fact be harlani variants (pers. obs.; W. S. Clark, pers. comm.). Eastern Red-tailed Hawks that breed in the northern Great Plains, north into Alberta (Figures 4-5), look very similar to the Gun- sight Mountain bird. This area of Alberta is a zone of overlap for multiple nesting Red- tailed Hawk subspecies, and individuals that appear to mix plumage aspects associated with multiple taxa are common. A few aspects of the Gunsight Mountain bird’s plumage overlap with typical cahtnis: fully banded tail (in dorsal aspect), rufous tones in underparts, and lightly barred leggings. So while the sub- specific identification of the Gunsight Moun- tain male may not be determinable with cer- tainty, the bird is clearly not a Harlan’s Hawk or an intergrade with Harlan’s Hawk, based on study of its plumage. VOLUME 65 (2011) NUMBER 3 391 APPARENT EASTERN RED-TAILED HAWK NESTING IN ALASKA Figure 4. Adult Eastern Red-tailed Hawk, Calgary, Alberta, 4 June 201 1 . This bird's plumage is typical of many Eastern Red-tailed Hawks on the northern Great Plains and is similar to the male Red-tailed breeding at Gunsight Mountain. Photograph by Ron Kobe. Figure 5. Adult Eastern Red-tailed Hawk, Cochrane, Alberta, 12 May 2011. This bird is similar in plumage to the male Red-tailed breeding near Gunsight Mountain and shows plumage typical of many Eastern Red-taileds that breed on the northern Great Plains. Photograph by Ron Rube. Our understanding of Red-tailed Hawk subspecies distribution in the North is limited, and only focused efforts to document nesting birds will begin to solve the mystery. Birds of the Canadian boreal forest were previously de- scribed as B. j. abieticola (Todd 1950). That subspecies has more recently been considered an intergrade between borealis and calurus (Wheeler 2003), but more work needs to be done on the breeding grounds to determine whether it should be maintained as a sub- species. In general, very little work has been done on Red-tailed Hawks during the nesting season in the boreal forest, and it seems very likely that multiple subspecies nest in Alaska and northwestern Canada, as has recently been documented in the northern Great Plains (e.g., Sullivan and Liguori 2010). Both Western and Eastern Red-tailed Hawks have been photographed on migration at Gun- sight Mountain, and now this clearly non-ftar- lani breeder has been documented nesting in central Alaska. Is the once-disjunct range of Harlan’s now being penetrated by Eastern and Western Red-taileds? Are the boundaries be- tween Red-tailed Hawk subspecies becoming increasingly muddled due to human alteration of the landscape (or climate)? More study is needed to resolve these and many other ques- tions regarding the geographic variation in Red-tailed Hawks. Acknowledgments I thank Jerry Liguori for engaging discussions on this topic and for review of earlier drafts of this paper. 1 thank Brian Wheeler, William S. Clark, and Pete Gustas for their thoughts on the identity of the Gunsight Mountain bird; Paul Fritz, Bob Winckler, White Keys, and oth- er members of the Mat-Su Birders (Matanus- ka-Susitna Bird Club) for providing leads on the nesting hawks at Gunsight Mountain; and Ron Kube for providing photographs of similar Red-tailed Hawks from the Alberta area. Audubon Alaska and Cornell Lab of Ornithol- ogy provided additional support for this trip. Literature cited Gabrielson, 1. N., and E 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. Janes, S. W. 1984. Influences of territory com- position and interspecific competition on Red-tailed Hawk reproductive success. Ecology 65: 862-868. Liguori, J., and B. L. Sullivan. 2010. Compar- ison of Harlan’s with Western and Eastern Red-tailed Hawks. Birding 42: 230-237. Sullivan, B. L., andj. Liguori. 2010. A territo- rial Harlan’s Hawk ( Buteo jamaicensis har- lani ) in North Dakota, with notes on sum- mer records of this species from the north- ern Great Plains. North American Birds 64: 368-372. Todd, W. E. C. 1950. A northern race of Red- tailed Hawk. Annals of the Carnegie Muse- um 31: 289-296. Wheeler, B. K. 2003. Raptors of Western North America. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey. O 392 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS In Memoriam: 11 January 1967 - 26 August 2611 After a six-month battle with sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma, Lawrence Semo of Westminster, Colorado, a Regional Editor for North American Birds and long-time contributor to the journal, passed away at his parents’ home in Wascott, Wisconsin. Larry was born in Portage, Wisconsin, the son of John Semo and Elizabeth (Szepe) Semo. His intense interest in birds started early in his life, and by age 7, he was birding in the boreal forests of northwestern Wisconsin near the shores of Lake Superior. The wild country surrounding Larry whetted his love for nature and his desire to study how ecosys- tems function. After receiving his degree in wildlife biology from the Univer- sity of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Larry worked as a bander at Hawk Ridge in Duluth, Minnesota for several years and then for the De- partment of Natural Resources in northern Wisconsin. He was one of a handful of active birders in northwestern Wisconsin in the late 1980s and early 1990s and made many notable discoveries in the re- gion during that time. In 1993, Larry was invited to join the environmental consulting firm SWCA, Inc. in Austin, Texas, to work on projects involving the endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler and Black-capped Vireo. In 1999, he moved to Colorado and became the senior ornithologist/ ecologist in SWCAs recently established Denver office. When Larry moved to Colorado, he quickly became a leader in the birding community. Beginning in 2007, he served as Regional Editor for the Colorado and Wyoming region for North American Birds and as the list report editor for the American Birding Associa- tion. His many other contributions include being editor for Col- orado for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon So- ciety’s eBird program, and a distribution and identification consult- ant for the Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America, the Na- tional Geographic Society Field Guide to Birds of North America, and The Sibley Guide to Birds. Within Colorado, Larry was also an active volunteer and board member of the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory and an identifica- tion instructor for the Master Birding Program of the Audubon Soci- ety of Greater Denver. He also served as Chair of the Colorado Bird Records Committee (2005-2011), for which he helped develop the state’s paperless review process. His work with the records com- mittee and North American Birds resulted in a comprehensive record-keeping process that pop- ulated an extensive database of Colorado bird sightings. These contributions, among others, earned him the honor of being the eleventh recipient of the Ron Ryder Award for providing dis- tinguished service to Colorado Field Ornithologists, which was awarded in May 2011. Larry was very active in the field and conducted numerous studies on a variety of species, including several endangered species; he also carried out distri- butional and population studies on more common North Ameri- can species. He was a peer re- viewer of scientific manuscripts submitted to various ornithological journals and regularly con- tributed to Colorado Bird s and other peer-reviewed journals. Larry traveled the world to see and photograph birds and other wildlife and was also very interested in dragonfly identification and photography. He was a huge sports fan and especially enjoyed watch- ing the Packers and Brewers. Larry frequently visited the Wascott area to visit his family, hunt, fish and bird. The birding community and North American Birds family have lost a dedicated scientist, contributor, teacher, mentor, and friend. Larry will be deeply missed by all who knew him. O — Mark Lockwood, Alpine, Texas — Paul Sunby, Austin, Texas — Rachel Hopper, Fort Collins, Colorado Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) accounts for approximately 3% of all adult cancers. Sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma (SRCC) is a very rare, aggres- sive, and deadly form of the disease. Symptoms of RCC are usually not recognized until veiy late in the disease process, and as it was for Larry, most patients are diagnosed after their cancer has already metastasized. Currently, there is no treatment for late-stage SRCC, and funding for re- search is desperately needed. Lany’s family asks that anyone wishing to make a contribution to this research in his honor consider the Kidney Cancer Association, which can be reached at P.O. Box 3516, Oak Brook, Illinois 60522-3516, or online at . Larry Semo in the field with his beloved spaniel, Belden; Wascott, Wisconsin, 26 June 2011. Photograph by Rachel Hopper. VOLUME 65 (2011) NUMBER 3 393 MARSHALL J. ILIFF • CORNELL LAB OF ORNITHOLOGY • 282 PERHAM STREET, WEST ROXBURY, MASSACHUSETTS 02132 • (MILIFF@AOL.COM) BRIAN L. SULLIVAN • CORNELL LAB OF ORNITHOLOGY • 49 HOLMAN ROAD, CARMEL VALLEY, CALIFORNIA 93924 • (HERALDPETREL@GMAIL.COM) CHRISTOPHER L. WOOD • CORNELL LAB OF ORNITHOLOGY • 159 SAPSUCKER WOODS ROAD, ITHACA, NEW YORK 14850 . (CHRIS.WOOD@CORNELL.EDU) Figure 1 . To avoid catastrophic levee breaches near the southeastern Louisiana population centers of Baton Rouge and New Orleans, emergency floodways were opened during early and mid-May as "relief valves." As water poured out of the Mississippi River through the Morganza Spillway and into the Atchafalaya Basin, vast areas of forest were inundated by waters up to 10 meters deep. Of course, in the midst of the breeding season, this resulted in the direct loss of countless colonial waterbird and songbird nests and surely to in- direct losses due to lost access to food resources. Concerned individuals were able to conduct some very limited emergency rescue ef- forts in the Atchafalaya Basin, including saving newly hatched Osprey chicks from nests such as this one about to "go under" at Cow Island Lake, St. Martin Parish 1 4 May 201 1 . Photograph by Charles Hohorst. The spring of 201 1 was unforgettable. Record-setting floods from the northern Great Plains to Louisiana, eclipsing even the great floods of 1927 and the remarkable floods of 1993. Outbreaks of tornadoes across enormous areas of the Plains and Southeast, resulting in at least 552 deaths in the United States — mak- ing the season second only to 1925 in fatali- ties and topping 2004 in total number of re- ported tornadoes. A huge tsunami, the largest in 40 years, washing over the Northwestern Hawaiian Is- lands, killing perhaps a million seabirds there, caused by a 9.0 earthquake that killed over 20,000 people in Japan. Severe drought conditions that brought de- sertification across Texas and the Southwest. Widespread brush and forest fires in parched landscapes from Arizona to Texas, with almost four million acres burned in Texas alone, twice the previous record. And along the Gulf coast, oil residue from the Deepwater Horizoi l/Macondo disaster per- sists in the marshes and in the wildlife there. Regional editors have provided extensive commentary on these phenomena in their in- troductions and in Special Attention boxes, and we urge readers to read through their re- ports. The images of the spring will forever re- main with us: some of our favorite Texas and Arizona birding haunts ablaze; the tornadic havoc that leveled Joplin, Missouri; whole communities along the Mississippi River lost beneath floodwaters, even as neighbors in Texas watched reservoirs dry to dust; dam- aged Japanese nuclear plants smoldering and leaking. Most of us have experienced no com- parable period of history: beginning in March with the earthquake and tsunami, one could scarcely turn on the television without wit- nessing scenes of terrible destruction of frag- ile habitats and human communities. The im- ages and the scale of destruction seemed sur- real, almost cinematic, both to many who fol- lowed the stories through the media and to many who experienced them first-hand. And they continued into early autumn. With the exception of the earthquake/ tsunami, and some of the fires (set by people), most North American meteorologists link the natural phenomena of 2011 to La Nina condi- tions that began in the middle of 2010 and started to weaken in mid-201 1. But we’ve been through La Nina cycles before, and 2011s un- interrupted procession of natural disasters seemed far worse. And that impression may not just be our very human tendency to imag- ine apocalypse: many scientists (see Carey 2011, Field et al. 2011) attribute the recent cy- cle of extreme weather events to global cli- mate change. Whatever the cause or causes, the economic costs of 2011 disasters were in the tens of billions, and the damage to habitats of many types, in almost every Bird Conserva- tion Region, was incalculable. During catastrophes, birds are fortunate to have wings, and some clearly fled the abun- dant natural and human-caused disasters of spring 2011 and later. But with so many young in the nest at this time of year, there were clearly great losses in the Hawaiian is- lands, in the paths of the 1800+ tornadoes re- ported, and in flooded areas, especially those areas where floodways were opened (Figure 1) to prevent inundation of heavily populated areas. Where not flooded, the center of the continent was often extremely hot and dry, es- pecially in the southern-central United States, and grassland species apparently failed to nest across enormous areas, with many birds flee- ing the drought-stricken heartland (Figures 2, 3) and a few species, such as Dickcissel, at- tempting to nest far from their typical core range, as they often do during droughts. Some birders on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, mindful of the effects of severe drought on such birds, searched habitats specifically for these refugees, finding Dickcissels in loca- tions as far fetched as western Montana, Ne- vada, Quebec, Washington, and Baja Califor- nia. In several cases, even birds of the South- west were found far from habitat and home, such as a Broad-billed Hummingbird in Okla- 394 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS THE CHANGING SEASONS: THE EBIRO ERA Figure 2. Cassin's Sparrows appeared east of the usual range as never before, certainly because of the continued ravages of drought essentially throughout the species' range. The saga of Arkansas's first Cassin's Sparrows unfolded in rural Little River County, begin- ning with Charles Mills's discovery of a singing male 6 (here 8) May 201 1 . Two singing males were present the next day, and up to four by the end of the month. There is just one prior record of the species in the state. Photograph by Charles Mills. homa; Common Black-Hawks in Colorado and Kansas; and Painted Redstarts in coastal Alabama, in Odessa, Texas, in Morton Coun- ty, Kansas, and in lowland San Lui's Potosf, Mexico. One can imagine that some of these birds were drought-stressed wanderers as well, though weak patterns of dispersal have been seen in all three species in recent years. As ever, spring migration started and stalled across the continent with the passages of warm fronts and cold fronts, and though these have a general connection to La Nina condi- tions, the influxes of migrants that birders wit- nessed and recorded were often localized, un- expected phenomena, such as the massive fall- outs of warblers in coastal New England and off Atlantic Canada (Figures 4-7). Other groundings lasted longer and were much more widespread, such as the scores of tanagers, in- cluding quite a few Summer Tanagers (Figure 8), that appeared at feeding stations from Al- berta to Quebec and North Dakota to Mis- souri, during several severe cold snaps in May. And there were still other patterns in bird records perceivable in spring 2011, many of which have received close analysis in this col- umn in years past: “eastern” warblers turned up in hu ge numbers from Colorado to Texas, where they often concentrated at the few avail- able water sources; Black-bellied Whistling- Ducks, Glossy and White-faced Ibises, Missis- sippi Kites, White -winged Doves, and Eurasian Collared-Doves continued to pioneer north- ward as vagrants and to consolidate extensions of range closer to their core ranges; Kirtland’s Warblers, whose populations are increasing, Figure 3. At Fort Fisher, New Hanover County, North Carolina, Bruce Young found a female Chestnut-collared Longspur on 22 April 2011, two days after a Cassin's Sparrow appeared not far away. The longspur tarried there until 2 May. The breeding range of Chestnut-collared Longspur does not overlap exten- sively with the zone of drought and fires, as does the range of Cassin's Sparrow, but the longspur may also have been a refugee from extremely dry conditions across the southern Great Plains, where these longspurs winter. Photograph byAlilyoob. turned up as migrants, with one in Indiana, two in Ohio, and 12 (!) in Ontario; and even Roseate Spoonbill's breeding range edged northward, with first-ever nesting in Georgia this season. But in place of the broad-brush approach to these many patterns, whether local or conti- nental in scale, whether peculiar or familiar, whether driven by drought spanning a dozen states or by a small fogbank at sea, we would like to step back and ask the question: With millions of us to witness the birds of spring, and tens of thousands now recording and re- porting their sightings, how do we make sense of all that we see, in this technological- ly well-connected but often overwhelming era of climate change? As many Changing Seasons authors have attested, we feel almost obliged, as people in- terested in understanding the relationships between climate systems and birds, to draw causal connections from bird reports that are patchy and anecdotal. Indeed, this has been almost a mantra of ornithologists who have composed this essay over the decades. We would like to make concrete suggestions for moving beyond anecdote, so that we can be- gin to understand more clearly both the long- term changes in birds' distribution, abun- dance, and migration patterns and also those exceptional short-term “flights” of birds that VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 395 THE CHANGING SEASONS: CORNUCOPIA Figures 4-7. A dramatic fallout of Neotropical migrant passerines at Machias Seal Island, New Brunswick, mostly of warblers, was captured on film by the lighthouse keeper on 24 May 2011. Among the species visible in these images are many Common Yellowthroats, Ovenbirds, American Redstarts, and Magnolia Warblers, plus smaller numbers of Blackpoll, Yellow, and Blackburnian Warblers. Photo- graphs by Ralph Eldridge. may be linked to sudden changes in weather patterns, food availability, or both. Long-time readers of this column will al- ready know where we’re going with this: yep, eBird. North American Birds and eBird For as long as people have been looking at birds, observations have been recorded in some fashion. Whether through the collection of specimens or logging in personal note- books, there is a fundamental human desire create a record of our observations — some- thing to help us make sense of the changes in the bird world, and to pass down to future generations — and the pages of this journal have collated and interpreted these observa- tions for many decades, as have numerous state and provincial journals, records databas- es, and records committees’ archives. As all re- gional and subregional editors know, the tasks of solicitation, compilation, and evaluation can be daunting, even exhausting, labors of love that can consume as many hours as one is willing to devote. With growing numbers of birders and ever-changing technologies, ob- servations now come from numerous sources and in many formats — written letters, emails, tweets, listserve posts, photo-sharing web- sites, word of mouth, and more — the chal- lenge of analyzing bird records has intensified markedly in the past decade. Thankfully, some of the new technologies can help simplify the processes involved in analyzing bird records, especially the processes of bird recording and data management. This essay will focus on the advantages that new technologies bring to the frontier that North American Birds and its predecessor journals have occupied since the earliest days of “birding.” The internet-based checklist program eBird () was first introduced in this journal by Fitzpatrick et al. (2002); eBird v2 was the subject of a Changing Seasons essay three years later (Sullivan and Wood 2005); and many sections of this essay have featured eBird in various contexts since that time. Since the release of eBird v2 in 2005, the project has experienced steady growth, increasing rough- ly 20-40% per year. Now with global coverage, eBird gathers up to three million bird observa- tions per month from North American birders alone. In fall 2011, eBird v3 was released, and with this latest version, we realize a vision for how eBird and the North American Birds net- work have become mutually beneficial part- ners in the global effort to document the changing status and distribution of birds. Us- ing examples from the spring of 2011, we will showcase here some of the ways that eBird can be used to facilitate our understanding of bird records— and how eBird and North American Birds can continue to strengthen their comple- mentarity and partnership. North American Birds is more than a jour- nal: it is a network of people charged with soliciting, compiling, and reviewing reports of birds and with interpreting regional and continental patterns of bird distribution. eBird also has a network of editors who re- view unusual bird records, but the chief in- novation of eBird over other kinds of bird-re- 396 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS THE CHANGING SEASONS: THE EBIRD ERA | Figure 8. The Cypress Hiiis, Alberta area hosted this Summer Tanager, the province's sixth, on 25 May 201 1 . Across southern Canada in mid-May 201 1 , tanagers of three species were grounded by cold weather, appearing in backyards and provincial parks, where some attended feeding stations. At least 44 Summer Tanagers were noted across Canada in spring, and in late May, one visited Aloha, Washington, where quite rare at any season. Photograph byJ. Kennedy. porting networks is that all bird observations, including those of common species, are maintained in a central database that can be queried using many different parameters and methods. Because eBird records have a stan- dard data format, it is possible to discover patterns in space and time with relative ease, both with customized maps (ideal for per- ceiving spatial patterns) and with bar charts and graphs (best for perceiving temporal pat- terns). As more observers add their bird records into eBird, the historical context for recent observations also begins to take shape. The database now contains nearly 70 million records, and although these are mostly twenty-first century records, more and more eBird users are recognizing the val- ue of entering older records, in order to make the database a more useful tool and to leave their observations as part of their lega- cy to observers of the present and future. Volunteers have been helping veteran ob- servers to get their records in the system, are formatting and uploading older datasets, and are strategizing for ways to upload data from bird records committees. The thought of life- time of observations being lost to posterity is sad indeed; how much more satisfying it is to be able to see these decades’ worth of data displayed together in eBird! We believe strongly that eBird can serve as the common repository for all historical records of birds — including those that have historically flowed through the North Ameri- can Birds network. And with eBird fulfilling its potential as database for all bird observa- tions, we believe too that North American Birds regional reporting can become more en- gaging and more effective in interpreting the seasonal patterns that arise in eBird data. The common and the rare eBird’s ultimate goal is simple: for every bird- er to submit a complete checklist every time he or she goes birding. This creates a volumi- nous dataset that not only includes records of rare and unusual birds but also builds baseline data on commoner birds in all regions and all seasons — something that has never been at- tempted. As recent bird atlas work has demon- strated, understanding the status and distribu- tion of commoner birds is critically important, and eBird is designed to collect, organize, and promote analysis of these patterns. While large-scale surveys like the Breeding Bird Sur- vey and Christmas Bird Count have provided decades-long snapshots of our commoner birds, which have allowed us to develop trend information, eBird is the first system designed to monitor any bird , any time, anywhere. As participation continues to in- crease, eBird will provide an additional source of informa- tion on trends, helping us to identify, for instance, declines in species that may not be well covered by the seasonal surveys and counts. Rarity is geographically rel- ative, as readers of this jour- nal well know, and a species’ status may also change over time, with yesterday’s local rarity now a commonplace species, or vice-versa. Some- times, the change is status is quite rapid. Think of Black- bellied Whistling-Duck, White-faced Ibis, and Eurasian Collared-Dove: just 10 years ago, these species were considered rarities in places where they are now regularly seen in numbers. Or think of Northern Bobwhite, Loggerhead Shrike, and Upland Sandpiper, once numerous in many places where now scarce or absent. As a species expands its range, the pioneers are considered rarities, but because North American Birds regional re- ports normally focus on the most dynamic changes (for instance, the first waves of colo- nizing Eurasian Collared-Doves in a region), many species drop off the radar screen when records become too numerous to digest and analyze in the current format of a regional re- port. We can never really know in advance what the fate of a species will be over time or what value future generations of observers will attach to changes in the status and distri- bution of a species. A key premise of eBird is that information on all birds — rare and com- mon alike — is vitally important in our rapid- ly changing environment. With our new abil- ity to maintain a shared database of all bird observations comes a new obligation, we be- lieve, for our collective thinking about bird observations to evolve. eBird’s broad scope, widespread use, and voluminous database are creating an ever- richer resource for students of bird distribu- tion. The development of the eBird network has enabled data gathering at scales never be- fore attainable, and the database continues to grow. eBird’s strength is its ability to represent patterns of bird distribution in space and time. Below we will explore how eBird data and tools make it easier to investigate large- scale patterns of bird distribution in both temporal and spatial terms. It is our hope that these types of analyses will become increas- ingly frequent in the regional reports in North American Birds, whose readers will be able to turn to eBird for the raw data used to produce the narrative analyses in the journal. A fresh look at arrival dates “Some [regional editors] tend to be too subjective and to generalize on the basis of flimsy, localized impres- sions. [. . .] Some editors emphasize early and late dates for many species with little attempt to ana- lyze the major trends in migration.” — Ralph Andrews, “The Changing Seasons,” spring 1968 ( Audubon Field Notes 22: 502) “Today, although computers could ease the analytic chores suffered by [George H.] Lowery, the data upon which discussions of spring and fall migrations in ‘Changing Seasons’ are based remain largely the result of uncoordinated efforts and ran- dom observations.” — Charles R. Smith and Donald A. McCrimmon, Jr., “The Changing Seasons,” spring 1979 ( American Birds 33: 749) VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 397 THE CHANGING SEASONS: CORNUCOPIA Patterns of arrival in spring migrants are the subject of much recent discussion and study, particularly in New England and adjacent areas, where records of arrival have been maintained for many decades (see, e.g., Mason 1995, Butler 2003, Vitale and Schlesinger 2011), largely at the local and state levels. As they are elsewhere, re- porting systems in New England are changing rapidly, and both Vermont and New Hampshire now use eBird exclusively for centralized bird-reporting, both for intra- state data management and for contributions to the New England subregional edi- tors for North American Birds. As people who have monitored the flow of bird records (and bird information generally) through many media over the past two decades, we have noticed that reports of birds that reach one network are often missed by other networks. The analysis below highlights examples of these dispar- ities, in this case, using the New England regional reports for spring and the eBird database as it was in 2009 (Table 1). We understand that the mission of North American Birds regional reports has never been to supply a final or exhaustive com- pendium of approved records; indeed, even state and provincial journals and records committees, whose prerogative is to decide which records become part of the authoritative avifaunal history of their area, are likewise constrained by dead- lines and word limits and also find it necessary to re-evaluate all manner of mate- rial on a regular basis. No matter how diligent the network of editors, no matter how exhaustive the reporting, no print publication could ever hope to process every significant bird record, much less records of more numerous species. So it is not our intent in the discussion below to suggest that North American Birds network has “missed” potentially valid records of early spring arrivals that it should have discovered and countenanced. Instead, our explorations below are in- tended to suggest new methods for investigating bird records — and for enriching analysis of these data in the pages of North American Birds. If our common goal is to have the most complete picture possible of bird status and distribution, then, we believe, it is imperative that we all share the ability to contribute to a common data- base and to query that database. And if North American Birds regional editors and readers alike have all of this information at their fingertips, as close as the nearest laptop, tablet, or smart device, then we could be unencumbered by the ponderous specifics contained in most current regional reports — the what , where , when, and who that comprise an individual “record.” Even the most dutiful readers, and the journal’s chief editor, confess: it can be sometimes be a real slog to read through the thicket of the particulars. Regional editors and readers alike would thus be freer to focus more on what all of these particular data points mean. We believe the strength of this journal has always been in the various editors’ abilities to put records into deep context, from the local to the continental level. No other deadline-driven bird publication on earth has attempted that. And we believe a strong and seamless re- lationship between North American Birds and eBird would allow North American Birds to flourish beyond anything that Frank Chapman imagined when setting up Bird-Lore reporting networks at the close of World War I. In the annual “Spring Migration” issue of this journal, regional reports and es- says typically consider patterns in bird arrival. For many birders, this is one of the most exciting times of year, as colorful, melodious Neotropical songbirds banish winter and herald the pleasures of summer. Spring arrival dates, and changes in the patterns of arrival dates over the decades, have provided perennial grist for mill, though numerous editors and guest authors have pointed out that our per- ception of patterns tend to be mostly speculative rather than scientific — influ- enced by the presence or absence of birders in an area, the type or focus of bird- ing activity, the abilities of birders, by weather patterns, and by the “weekend ef- fect,” that is, the fact that most birders are active on weekends rather than week- days (Sparks et al. 2008). Arguably, the bulk of arrivals of Neotropical migrants in New England fall into three main cohorts (sometimes termed “migrons” [Hubalek 2005]) from late April through mid-May. Representative constituent species in these groups are: Late April species: Yellow Warbler, Ovenbird, Warbling Vireo Early May species: Baltimore Oriole, Yellow-throated Vireo, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Orchard Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak Mid-May species: Red-eyed Vireo, Blackpoll Warbler, Mourning Warbler Using both North American Birds regional reports and eBird data, we’ll look at arrival patterns in the past three spring migrations. Spring 2009: Simon Perkins noted: “For a full week at the end of the month, another strong and persistent airflow from the southwest cul- minated in temperatures reaching the high 80s Fahrenheit on 25-26 April and topping out in the mid-90s on the 28th. This deep wind flow “air-mailed” huge numbers of migrants north- ward and accounted not only for many early arrivals but also delivered many on-time species in numbers far above average. This in- flux in late April included a wide assortment of taxa, from bitterns to buntings, but warblers were especially well represented. By the end of April, no fewer than 29 species of warbler were already ‘in’.” Spring 2010: Mark Szantyr summarized anoth- er very warm spring with some early arrivals: “With these warmer temperatures 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, es- pecially 14 May, in Massachusetts, and 2 and 11 May in Maine. Early and greater-than-usual numbers of Blackpoll Warblers in southern New England provided odd mixtures in mi- grant warbler waves. One observer noted that he had as many (or more) Blackpolls as Yellow- rumped Warblers in an early May encounter. Likewise, a record-early date for Hooded War- bler in Connecticut was likely related to this weather pattern, and Mourning Warblers were both early and plentiful.” Spring 2011: Szantyr wrote: “Overall, spring migration seemed early and quick.” “It was once the case that the spring migration was timed by the appearance of April species, early May species, late May species, and early June species. In recent years, the species have been all mixed up, with typically late birds appear- ing in April and May, and typically early mi- grants still being seen in late May and June. [...] Migration now seems very quick and species, on a whole, are showing up earlier and earlier in the migration period. This year, it seemed that most of the significant passerine migration in southern New England was near- ly over well before the end of May.” 398 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS THE CHANGING SEASONS: THE EBIRD ERA Table 1 . Comparison of tallies of early spring migrants as reported to North American Birds and to eBird as of 27 June 2009. eBird data were analyzed carefully by the authors to exclude duplication of individual birds between checklists. Note that the current eBird database currently contains more records than indicated in Table 1, as observers continue to augment the database with reports from 2009. Species New England regional report eBird Red-eyed Vireo Five Massachusetts locations, 23-30 April Two Massachusetts locations, 25-30 April Magnolia Warbler 8 in six Massachusetts locations, 27-29 April 6 in five Massachusetts locations, 25-29 April Black-throated Blue Warbler 15 in five Massachusetts locations, 28-30 April 30 in ten Massachusetts locations, 28-30 April Black-throated Green Warbler 30 in seven Massachusetts locations, 25-30 April 79 in 33 Massachusetts locations, 25-30 April Yellow-throated Warbler Singles in three Massachusetts locations, 26-30 April Singles in three Massachusetts locations, 26-30 April Hooded Warbler 4 in three Massachusetts locations, 26-29 April 3 in two Massachusetts locations, 26-29 April Rose-breasted Grosbeak 18 in eight Massachusetts locations, 21-30 April 30 in 19 Massachusetts locations, 21-30 April (plus singles at two sites 11-21 April) Indigo Bunting 11 in seven Massachusetts locations, 15 in 13 Massachusetts locations, 21-30 April (plus singles at two sites 11-21 April) Orchard Oriole 14 in seven Massachusetts locations, 25-30 April 29 in 17 Massachusetts locations, 25-30 April Baltimore Oriole 22 in six Massachusetts locations, 25-28 April 102 in 33 Massachusetts locations, 25-28 April Total species of warbler 29 species 26 species These summaries set the stage for the discussion below. In sum, all three spring seasons were warmer than av- erage, with migrations that hit New England earlier than the historical av- erage, as was clear to veteran ob- servers, record-keepers, and editors alike. But for the cohorts of late April (e.g., Yellow Warbler) and early May species (e.g., Baltimore Oriole, Yel- low-throated Vireo), 2009 should be characterized as “record early,” 2010 is best described as nearer the recent average, and 2011 was second only to 2009 in the variety and volume of birds arriving ahead of schedule. These patterns show up clearly when the records are plotted (Figures 9-11), although in 2011, the arrival of Yel- low Warblers was actually slightly ahead of the 2009 arrival. But what do we really mean by arrival dates? How are arrival timings typically described in North American Birds and its antecedent jour- nals? And might it be possible to use eBird, which like the North American Birds network gathers data in an opportunistic fashion, to evaluate changes in arrivals in a more system- atic and perhaps more scientific manner? In a crude sense, the arrival of birds into a region is a clear and real phenomenon: from January to mid-April, for instance, there is not a single Yellow Warbler in New England, yet by mid-May, it is one of the most common birds there. This massive change occurs in less than a month, and the major arrival event nor- mally occurs much more rapidly — often over just a few days. As a journal devoted to bird news, North American Birds usually notes the earliest records from a region as well as more widespread patterns of earlier-than-average ar- rivals, if these are perceivable. The standard for inclusion of a record or records — newsworthi- ness— varies between regions and editors, of course, but typically the regional reports con- tain information deemed significant for stu- dents of regional birdlife and for both short- and long-term understanding of changes in the avifauna of a region. Thus, for authors of a new monograph on birds of a particular state, a record-early arrival noted in North American Birds could be valuable information — on par with records of extralimital species, species whose ranges are expanding or contracting, hybrids, high counts, unusual instances of nesting successes or failures, influxes of irreg- ular species or subspecies, tropical-cyclone- driven birds, aberrantly plumaged birds, large- scale mortality events, and all the many other noteworthy avian records that the regional re- ports attempt to include. But for scientific pur- poses, an individual early arrival record does not have a much meaning (Mills 2005, Sparks et al. 2007), as it does not communicate any- thing substantive about the species’ main mi- gration. Without context, it is similar to a record of a vagrant bird, more a curiosity than an indicator. eBird offers the ability to move beyond the constraints of prose reports that are limited to what appears to be newsworthy. Focusing on the earliest arrivals, for example, can be mis- leading; these records could involve just a sin- gle exceptionally early bird, and it could well be that the arrival of most of the species’ pop- ulation was in fact later than usual. As with rare birds, patterns in spring arrivals are most meaningful when data are abundant and evenly, consistently analyzed: a very early bird is fascinating, but from the perspective of a bi- ologist, the arrival of the bulk of the popula- tion that is more meaningful. eBird’s data tools permit investigation of both the outliers and the main push of migrants through an area. Even when total numbers of migrants and their dates are tallied in a regional report, it is impossible to deduce what kind of effort was involved to detect these birds. And, as we are always quick to point out, the species we currently consider “common” tend to get lit- tle or no close analysis in North American Birds or other bird information networks, and indeed most reporting networks before eBird have not tracked such species unless they were observed in exceptional contexts. North American Birds regional editors solicit infor- mation on exceptional records primarily be- cause these are the records that incrementally revise our understanding of a region’s avifau- na— but also, importantly, because these are the records that are manageable and includ- able in a report of 5000 words or so. No re- gional report could hope to analyze many hundreds of species in detail each season, par- ticularly with the current burden of produc- ing the specifics of each record. But what if that burden shifted toward eBird? Table 1 compares the totals listed in the 2009 New England regional report to records from eBird for the same period. While the North American Birds network in this case sometimes gathers more records of less-common species than does the eBird net- work, the eBird totals for commoner species, such as Orchard and Baltimore Orioles, were up to four times greater during the same pe- riod (through autumn 2009). As a glance at Table 1 will show, eBird’s focus on all birds rather than on mostly exceptional birds pro- vides an opportunity to see the exceptional birds in the larger context of migration, both of their conspecifics and of all Neotropical migrants, whether from their usual seasonal cohort or others. As Steve Dinsmore (2002) has pointed out, very early birds in spring need to be carefully documented and re- viewed, but it is currently very difficult for birders to know which species should be doc- umented most carefully on a given date. The data-rich environment provided by eBird has the capacity to give regional editors and bird- ers a clearer understanding of what an “ex- ceptionally early” bird truly is — a label that has arguably been variable, arcane, and sub- jective in the many regimes of bird reporting around the continent. But tabular summaries of migrants do not communicate very much information about spring arrivals. Much literature on shifting spring arrival dates (see Leukering and Gib- VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 399 THE CHANGING SEASONS: CORNUCOPIA bons [2005] for an excellent summary) has used median arrival dates, whereby arrival dates are collected from many observers and the statistical median for a given season or multiple seasons is taken as the “arrival date.” But the median arrival date, as construed in much past literature, has not proved to be ac- curate, nor has it provided a useful value that Figure 9. Frequency vs. date for Baltimore Oriole in southern New England (Connecti- cut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts) from 15 April-15 May in the years 2009 (blue), 2010 (red), and 2011 (green). Figure 10. Frequency vs. date for Yellow Warbler in southern New England (Connecti- cut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts) from 15 April-15 May in the years 2009 (blue), 2010 (red), and 2011 (green). is comparable across taxa or across years. Dinsmore’s (2002) suggestion to solicit docu- mentation on migrants that were more than a standard deviation earlier than this date was apparently the first remedy suggested in this journal to define outliers by statistical meth- ods. This calculation, however, varies widely with observer activity. If, for example. Yellow Warblers arrive on a broad front on 24 April, a Thursday, but 95% of the birders get out birding on Saturday the 26th and submit their arrival dates, then the median arrival date will be on Saturday. If the ar- rival date instead falls on a Sat- urday, and 95% of birders are out birding that day, then the median will fall on Saturday, the actual day of arrival. Be- cause birders tend to be most active on weekends, arrival dates calculated as a median of all available dates usually tend to be skewed well later than actual arrivals — even a single missed morning of birding may mean a widespread arrival event goes undocumented. In eBird, records of birds, in- cluding spring migrants, can be displayed graphically. The passage of common migrants through an area tends to con- form roughly to the shape of a bell curve, with relatively few transients present on the earli- est and latest dates. eBird data can be used to generate graphs at a variety of spatial and tem- poral scales, including graphs of frequency (percentage of complete checklists reporting a species), abundance, birds/hour, and other metrics. Species that migrate through an area in spring and fall but do not nest or winter will have graphs that show two bell-curve-like peaks per year, while those present only in winter or only in summer have one peak, which varies in different ways, depending on the species. What if the patterns of spring arrivals were explored by calculating these curves and ana- lyzing certain snapshots of time within them? The extreme early date is just one of these snapshots; the peak of arrival is another. Other snapshots might be 10% of peak arrival, 20% of peak arrival, or 50% of peak arrival. Within eBird, frequency (the percentage of complete checklists that include a given species) is a very useful metric for exploring and understanding bird distribution, particularly in the context of a non-standardized activity like birding. Unlike simple tabulations of records (e.g., “25 Balti- more Orioles in April 2009 was unusually high”), frequency is largely independent of sample size. Implicitly, the types of tabulations used in many regional reports assume a more or less comparable level of participation and re- porting from year to year. eBird frequency uses the sample size in its calculation, so while a tabulation of records gets higher with increased effort (i.e., if the observation hours were dou- bled, would there have been 50 Baltimore Ori- oles in April 2009?), frequency is essentially unaffected by an increasing sample size. Figures 9-11 show a slice of the frequency graph, namely from first arrivals to the spring peak, including the steep slope indicative of the arrival of thousands of migrants. These graphs represent species whose peaks tend to be in late April (Yellow Warbler) and early May (Baltimore Oriole, Yellow-throated Vireo) in New England, with the vireo being much less numerous than the oriole. These graphs were *2009 YTVt “2010 YTVI 2011 YTVI Figure 1 1 . Frequency vs. date for Yellow-throated Vireo in southern New England (Con- necticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts) from 15 April-15 May in the years 2009 (blue), 2010 (red), and 2011 (green). Table 2. Southern New England (Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut) arrival dates calculated from eBird data using four different methods. ** = 13 April 2009 Yellow Warbler record reviewed as not valid; 17 March 2010 Baltimore Oriole and three Connecticut reports of the species 5-12 April 2010 also not included; 17 and 23 April 2010 Yellow Warbler still under review and not included. Early date (second ear- liest in parentheses) Median Expert median 20% of maximum Yellow-throated Vireo (2009) 25 Apr (26 Apr) 9 May (n=81) 3 May (n=15) 26 Apr Yellow-throated Vireo (2010) 31 Mar (24 Apr) 10 May (n=103) 4 May (n=15) 30 Apr Yellow-throated Vireo (2011) 24 Apr (26 Apr) 12 May (n=121) 7 May (n=15) 30 Apr Yellow Warbler (2009) 18 Apr (20 Apr)** 2 May (n=295) 26 Apr (n=15) 26 Apr Yellow Warbler (2010) 29 Apr (30 Apr)** 5 May (n=325) 1 May (n=15) 1 May Yellow Warbler (2011) 19 Apr (19 Apr) 1 May (n=434) 25 Apr (n=15) 24 Apr Baltimore Oriole (2009) 25 Apr (25 Apr) 3 May (n=344) 28 Apr (n=15) 28 Apr Baltimore Oriole (2010) 21 Apr (25 Apr)** 5 May (n=377) 1 May (n=15) 2 May Baltimore Oriole (2010) 15 Apr (21 Apr) 5 May (n=455) 28 Apr (n=15) 27 Apr 400 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS THE CHANGING SEASONS: THE EBIRD ERA Figure 12. Making the third record of the species for Jones Beach, Nassau County, New York, this White-winged Dove was well studied during its one-day visit there 1 5 May 201 1 . Vagrants of this species, as in other regular wanderers, have been faithfully documented in the pages of North American Birds over the years. But as some species continue to proliferate, tracking these records becomes in- creasingly difficult and time-consuming. Technology like eBird provides a solution, allowing editors and everyone else the conven- ience of consulting both historical and current records on a single, interactive map — far easier than sorting through hundreds of journals and dozens of books. Photograph by Andrew Baksh. generated using excel for this article, but iden- tical output is available direction through eBirds “Explore Data” page. Rather than extreme dates (for which excep- tional arrivals, or overwintering birds, could skew the pattern) or median arrivals (which is strongly subject to “weekend effect” and incon- sistent reporting), we propose using a set fre- quency value from eBird to standardize discus- sions of spring arrivals. Species such as Yellow- throated Vireo and Baltimore Oriole have very different statuses and thus different frequencies in New England — the vireo appears on a maxi- mum of 9.5% complete checklists, the oriole on a maximum of 62.5% in the period under con- sideration— but we should have a normative way to compare arrivals in both species from year to year as well as compare arrivals between such migrants. The first steep segment of the arrival curve, when the species’ frequency in- creases sharply (with the first mass arrivals), is probably the most significant section of the curve, and so we propose defining 20% of max- imum occurrence (thus, 0.2 x 0.095 for the vireo, or 0.2 x 0.625 for the oriole), derived from eBird data, as a standard means of com- paring spring arrivals for the purposes of re- gional reports. The 20% values are easily calculated from Figures 9-11, and for the sake of comparison, we offer three methods of calculating arrivals using the same eBird dataset. Extreme first (and second) arrival dates were pulled direct- ly from the eBird data. To calculate the medi- ans, we downloaded all reports of these three species (Yellow-throated Vireo, Yellow War- bler, and Baltimore Oriole) from eBird for April-May of those three years — a total of 17,444 records! The first-of-season report for each observer was isolated and the median calculated from those. Since many of these observers reported only once or twice (thus skewing the median towards later arrival), we also identified fifteen eBird users who report regularly and recorded arrival dates for all three species in all three years. Those “expert medians” are shown as well. As we can see in Table 2, early dates identi- fy outliers but are usually not relevant when trying to determine the dates of widespread ar- rival. In 2009, extreme dates varied from the 20% dates by 1 day (Yellow-throated Vireo), 8 days (Yellow Warbler), and 3 days (Baltimore Oriole); in 2010 by 30 (an all-time record ear- ly arrival — documented by specimen — for Yel- low-throated Vireo), 2, and 11 days, respec- tively; and in 2011 by 6, 5, and 12 days, re- spectively. Deriving the median arrival date (using all observations), as Table 2 shows, will skew the arrival date to a later portion of the arrival curve; compared to the 20% figures, this method underestimates the arrival date by 11-13 days for Yellow-throated Vireo, by 4-7 days for Yellow Warbler, and by 3-8 days for Baltimore Oriole. The concordance between expert median and 20% max suggests that these two methods may be the best to identify arrival dates consistently, but note that even the expert median is still skewed towards later arrival dates, showing later arrivals of 5-8 days for a less-common species (Yellow-throated Vireo) but 0-1 days for commoner species (Yel- low Warbler and Baltimore Oriole). We propose using metrics such as these to quantify arrival dates at the regional level. Not only do graphics drive home the funda- mental differences in migratory timing and how they compare to past years, but other methods of defining arrival risk misrepre- senting actual patterns. These considerations are important not just for dialogue among birders; scientists studying the effects of global warming on migration patterns have taken a great interest in spring arrivals in re- cent years (e.g., Mason 1995, Marra et al. 2005, Mills 2005, Wilson 2007). eBird can become not just the locus for data entry for long-term studies of changes in migration phenology: it can be a site where scientists and birders consider, together, how to inter- pret data on birds and climate change, so much of which currently in contained in technical publications of which few birders are aware (e.g., Matthews et al. 2004). Of course, there are limits to what phe- nomena can be explored reliably through cit- izen-science efforts. Detectability, for in- stance, is not factored into eBird data prod- ucts, so in many areas, species such as thrush- es show steep and fast arrivals in spring, peak once all birds have arrived and are territorial, and then drop steadily as the birds stop singing and become secretive while molting. The fall migration of thrushes often appears as a much smaller peak in eBird frequency graphs, because thrushes do not sing in au- tumn migration. In places where nocturnal migrants are monitored, however, the fall peak of thrushes may appear much larger than the spring peak. And this point brings another limitation to mind: our hireling prac- tices evolve over time and also differ, some- times dramatically, among areas and ob- servers. Twenty years ago, for instance, rela- tively few people knew how to identify birds heard in nocturnal migration. Nowadays, more and more people can identify calls of Wood, Swainson’s, Hermit, Gray-cheeked, perhaps even Bicknell’s Thrushes as they pass overhead at night. But even with this im- provement in our understanding of flight calls, how do different observers arrive at numbers of individual migrants they hear (and report to eBird)? How many times can a sin- gle thrush be heard to call as it passes over? As birders and as researchers, we still have much to learn about counting of birds in many contexts, but with metrics such as fre- VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 401 THE CHANGING SEASONS: CORNUCOPIA North Dakota Montana / iBriunswIck _ -j Nova Maine Scotia . • Vermont . New • Hampshire V^Ma&sacriusetts ^Rhod© Island !-p\Connocticut New Jersey i \GDel|ware Maryland . §f Minnesota*^: Wisconsin* ildaho South Dakota Michigan^ mIb m ... New York Pennsylvania i Illinois Indiana Nevada Kansas Missouri Kentucky Virginia Tennessee . //.North ihoma At bn a ‘District of Columbia North Atlantic Ocean Gulfol rCaWofTtw«>j; Figure 13. Cassin's Sparrow reports from eBird through 2010. Each square is 100 km; squares with purplish coloration indicate that at least one record is known from that quadrant. The degree of darkness indicates frequency of reports from complete checklists; 0-2% (lightest lavender; thus indicative of vagrants), 2-10% (lilac), 10-25% (thistle), and 25-40% (true purple), and 40-100% (eggplant- only in southwestern Kansas). North Dakota Nev/ Brunswick /Montana SyMfiington :|Vlinno8bfa- £Nova. Consulted 10 October 2011. Dinsmore, S. J. 2002. The Changing Seasons: Musings of a migrant birder. North Ameri- can Birds 56: 270-276. Hubalek, Z. 2005. Co-fluctuation among bird species in their migration timing. Folia Zo- ologica 54: 159-164. Fitzpatrick, J. W., E Gill, M. Powers, J. V. THE CHANGING SEASONS: THE EBIRD ERA Wells, and K. V Rosenberg. 2002. Intro- ducing eBird: the union of passion and pur- pose. North American Birds 56: 11-12. Leukering, T., and B. Gibbons. 2005. The Changing Seasons: Spring 2005 — early and late. North American Birds 59: 386-394. Marra, R P., C. M. Francis, R. S. Mulvihill, and E R. Moore. 2005. The influence of climate on the timing and rate of spring bird mi- gration. Oecologia 142: 307-315. Mason, C. E 1995. Long-term trends in the arrival dates of spring migrants. Bird Study 42: 18-189. Matthews, S., R. J. O’Connor, L. R. Iverson, and A. N. Prasad. 2004. Atlas of climate change effects in 150 bird species of the north- eastern United States. General Technical Re- port NE-318. USDA, Forest Service, North- eastern Research Station, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. Mills, A. M. 2005. Changes in the timing of spring and autumn migration in North American migrant passerines during a peri- od of global warming. Ibis 147: 259-269. Smith, P. W. 1976. The Changing Seasons. American Birds 30: 805-810. Sparks, T. H., D. R. Roberts, and H. Q P. Crick. 2001. What is the value of first arrival dates of spring migrants in phenology? Avian Ecology and Behavior 7: 75 85. Sparks, T. H., K. Huber, and P. Tryjanowski. 2008. Something for the weekend? Exam- ining the bias in avian phenological record- ing. International Journal of Biometeorology 52: 505-510. Field, C. B., V Barros, T. E Stocker, D. Qin, D. Dokken, K. L. Ebi, M. D. Mastrandrea, K. J. Mach, G.-K. Plattner, S. Allen, M. Tignor, and R M. Midgley (eds.). 2011. Intergovern- mental Panel on Climate Change Special Re- port on Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom. Sullivan, B. L., and C. L. Wood. 2005. The Changing Seasons: A plea for the common birds. North American Birds 59: 18-30. Thompson, M. C., and C. Ely. 1992. Birds in Kansas. Volume II. University Press of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas. Vitale,]., and W. H. Schlesinger. 2011. Histor- ical analysis of the spring arrival of migra- tory birds to Dutchess County, New York. Northeastern Naturalist 18: 335-346. Wilson, W. H., Jr. 2007. Spring arrival dates of migration breeding birds in Maine: sensi- tivity to climate change. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 119: 665-677. Wormington, A. in ms.. The Rare Birds of On- tario: A Catalogue of Distributional Records. V01UME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 405 Provinces & St. Pierre et Miquelon •Killinek I. LABRADOR SEA m Torngat Mtns N. P .Heb'on LABRADOR Cape Harrison • Nam / Hopedale V Cartwright * Gannei Island Z ■ Ecological Reserve Strait of Belle Isle Esker* .. . . . .•Churchill Falls Red ^L'Ansi Schefferville (PQ) Mealy • Smallwood- .Goose Bay Bay ^L'Anse-aux-Meadows ®» St. Anthony . . . _ Gander NEWFOUNDLAND Labrador City ^ J 2 X Wabush mo-, Gras * ■ • Bonavista Oulfof •Moms Terrs ^ Anticosti l . St. •Corner N P ' Avalon Lawrence • Brook Peninsula Port-aux- QUEBEC Sept-lles • rh i h roh Saint-Pierre ^ Race t ^towrf6* Cabot Stmt et Miquelon . DC | | East * Cape Breton Highlands N.P ° Bathurst J, P) ■ # Sydney • Cape Breton I. BRUNSWICK s”c|'0"*B Fredericton# Jojjn ^ Q Grand V - y u Cape 0 St. Mary's —A #Canso c NOVA SCOTIA • Halifax-Dartmouth Mananl. — *Lunenberg J MAINE |p^D^ ~ Cape Sable I. Lettered Nova Scotia Sites: A Pictou B Amherst C Truro D Wolfville E Digby Blake Maybank A one-word summary of this spring’s mi- gration in the Atlantic Provinces: dull. We’ll start with the weather, which was dull. The Maritime Provinces were cloudier than usual, especially after mid- April, and persistent southwesterly winds added fog to mix wherever southerly winds blew onshore. Despite the cloud cover, pre- cipitation totals were at or below normal, and the temperatures were above average, espe- cially at night, when the clouds suppressed nocturnal cooling. The last frost in mainland Nova Scotia was 23 April, three weeks earlier than average. In Newfoundland and St. Pierre et Miquelon, the prevailing winds were east- erly, which delayed migration and also pro- duced many gray days. Roger Etcheberry de- scribed May as “the worst ever,” with only 60 hours of sunshine through the month, against the long-term average of 166 hours. As with the weather, so with the migra- tion— dull. While a few birds arrived early in April, migration was much delayed for the most part, and there were few rarities or over- shooting birds to lighten the hearts of birders. When the sun did make a rare appearance in May (around the 22nd), there were hopes for a change, but unfavorable conditions contin- ued well into June, though a dramatic fallout of migrants was noted in the third week of May in southern New Brunswick and espe- cially offshore, at Machias Seal Island. Abbreviations: C.S.I. (Cape Sable I., NS); Grand Manan (Grand Manan archipelago, NB); H.R.M. (Halifax Regional Municipality, NS); Newfoundland (the island of Newfound- land, part of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador). WATERFOWL THROUGH SHOREBIRDS A Cackling Goose at the Canning Aboiteau, Kings 21 Mar (Richard Stern) was the only rare goose reported this spring and made the 11th record for Nova Scotia. The provenance of the ad. Trumpeter Swan of at Maclure’s Pond, PEI 3 May (Angella Kelly, m.ob.) is not known, but the bird was presumably from the rapidly expanding population of introduced Trumpeters in the Great Lakes region. If ac- cepted, this would represent a first Regional record. There were five reports of Eurasian Wigeon in the Maritime provinces, three in Nova Scotia and two in New Brunswick, an average spring count; one of the Nova Scotia birds was on Brier 1.13 May (EM et al.), a first local record for that well-watched island. Eurasian Teal also made an average showing in the continental portion of the Region, with a single bird in New Brunswick and three re- ports from Nova Scotia, including 2 males to- gether at Ragged Harbour, Queens 21 Mar (EM). Farther afield, one was at St. Pierre 10- 16 Apr (RE). There was a minor early influx of Redheads into the s. part of the Region, with 4 males and 2 females at Westfield, NB 1-2 Mar (Allen Gorham, m.ob.) and 2 males on C.S.I. 5 Mar (JN). In Newfoundland, where Red- heads are still very rare, a male at the Grand Codroy R. estuary 23-29 Apr (Tina Leonard, JC, DB) was noteworthy. The 3 male Redheads that wintered at St. Pierre were last seen 12 Mar (LJ). A male Tufted Duck appeared on C.S.I. 1 Apr (JN), the only one reported away from Newfoundland. Ruddy Ducks made the news in Newfoundland and Labrador; a male at St. John’s 7-late Apr (JC et al.) was likely the first spring record for the province, and it was followed by another, a male at Goose Bay, Labrador 17-18 May (ph. TC). An influx of Brown Pelicans was very odd — seven reports from along the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia within an eighteen-day period starting 27 Apr, all the birds seen by fishermen or ferry operators. The sightings were: 27 Apr off Tiverton, Digby (Richie Crocker, fide CH), 28 Apr off C.S.I. (Eric Cunningham, fide Clyde Stoddart), 30 Apr at Chester Harbour, Lunenburg ( fide Hillary Dionne), 1 May off Port Bickerton, Guysbor- ough (Andrew Kaiser, fide Ally Manthorne), 1- 4 May at East Port l’Hebert, Queens (fideJN), 10 May off St. Peters, Richmond (Myles Richards, fide BD), and 14 May off Blindfold, Lunenburg ( fide Sylvia Fullerton). The species is conspicuous, so it is hard to know how many birds were involved in the flight, but minimally 4 individuals are indicated by the dates/locations. The spring heron flight was the lightest in many years, with only four southern species reported: 11 Great Egrets in total, a Little Blue Heron and 3 Snowy Egrets in Nova Scotia, and single Green Herons in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. A Black- crowned Night-Heron was quite unexpected at Port aux Basques, NL in mid-Apr (Cory LeRiche, Amy Lee Riche); the species is very rare in the province, especially in spring. Great Blue Herons are extremely rare along the coast of Labrador, but David Wolfrey pho- tographed one at Rigolet 17 May. Turkey Vultures, increasingly common in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, are building their presence in Prince Edward Island, where 21 were reported, including a group of 7. Nova Scotia’s 33rd Black Vulture patronized an offal feeder near Fairmont, Antigonish 20- 24 Mar (Randy Lauff). Most of the Sandhill Crane reports were confined to New Bruns- wick (where breeding was confirmed last year), Labrador (where breeding is strongly suspected, particularly in the Goose Bay re- gion), and Nova Scotia (where breeding is awaited). The exception was a lone Sandhill Crane at East Point, PEI 30 Apr (Fred Chever- ie), where still provincially very rare. It was a quiet spring for European vagrants in New- foundland. There were but two reports of Eu- ropean Golden-Plover, both from Newfound- land: one at Fermeuse 2 May (DB), and one at Cape Bonavista 8 May (Ed Arenson) that was joined by 2 others 15 May (Jon Joy). Three or four pairs of American Oystercatchers re- turned to C.S.I. (the only site in the Region where the species is annual), but a flyby at the Point Lepreau, NB migration monitoring sta- tion 13 Apr (Richard Blacquiere, Bev Schnei- der) was a complete surprise. A Eurasian Whimbrel at Woolastook Park, NB 28-29 May (Moira Campbell, m.ob., ph.) provided one of few provincial records. Red Knots are very rare in the Region in winter and early spring away from C.S.I., so the appearances of 2 at Renews, NL 5 Mar (m.ob.) and 20 at Grand Barachois, St. Pierre 9 Mar (LJ) were most unexpected. The Renews birds disappeared after one day, but 6-8 lingered at St. Pierre through 19 May. Black-tailed Godwits appear every two or three years in Newfoundland in spring, but this year the province its the first double- header: 2 at Trinity Bay 20-25 May (Jon Joy et al., ph.). Two Short-billed Dowitchers at Wa- terside, NB 2 May (BD) made for a very rare spring occurrence. A provincially rare Wil- son’s Phalarope was at Charlottetown, PEI 13 May (DO). GULLS THROUGH THRUSHES Following a winter without an Ivory Gull, it was a surprise when an ad. was observed fly- ing westward past Baccaro Pt., NS 5 Mar (Sid & Bettyjune Smith). An ad. Franklin’s Gull at 406 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS Goose Bay, Labrador 15-16 May (ph. TC) was just the 2nd for Labrador. Laughing Gulls in the Region this spring kept to the west: 2 ads. graced Grand Manan, NB 15 May (Don Gib- son); an ad. wandered in New Brunswick from Robichaud 28 May to Cape Tormentine 31 May (both ST); and an ad. was at East Pt., PEI 22 May (DO), the province’s 12th. The Black-tailed Gull at St. John’s, NL was last re- ported 23 Apr. There were at least 10 Com- mon Gulls in Newfoundland (where expect- ed), but one at Basin Head, PEI 29 Mar (Scott Sinclair, Gary Schneider) was but the province’s 9th. Newfoundland’s wintering Yellow-legged Gull was last seen in early Mar, but an identifiably different individual was present briefly 13 Mar (BMt, DB). Lesser Black-backed Gulls are routine in the Mar- itimes and Newfoundland, but groupings are scarce, such as 9 ads. near Fredricton, NB 2 May (Bill Winsor) and 7 ads. near Sheffield, NB 16 May (BS). The species is still rare in Labrador, so one at Ross Bay Junction 14 May (BD, Gordon Saunders) was notable. The wintering Slaty-backed Gull at St. John’s was last seen 13 Mar. The Caspian Tern that spent 27 Apr at Brier 1. (CH) furnished the island’s first spring record. Black Terns in Nova Sco- tia away from the Amherst Pt. marshes are unusual, but the 2 at Lawrencetown Beach, H.R.M. 22 May (Andy Stadnyk) were still well within their migration window. A documented White-winged Dove at Frenchman’s Cove, NL 11 May (ph. Robert White) confirms that the species should be considered annual in the province. A Yellow- billed Cuckoo, Regionally rare in spring, was found at St. Andrews, NB 28 May (Tracey Dean). The only spring report of Snowy Owl came from Sackville, NB 25 Mar (Remy Rey- jal). A Common Nighthawk, exceptionally rare at St. Pierre, was seen at very close range by Gilles Gloaguen on Grand Barachois 31 May. Chimney Swifts are also rare there, so one near the town of St. Pierre 26 May (PH) followed by another in the village of Miquelon the next day (Jean-Marie Orsiny) were welcome. Two early Ruby-throated Hummingbirds appeared in New Brunswick 18 & 20 Apr, but most arrived behind sched- ule, in late May. A locally rare Eastern Wood- Pewee arrived in St. Pierre 31 May (PH). An Eastern Phoebe singing at Port Blandfold, NL 17 May (Rod Cox) made a provincially rare spring record; one or 2 are noted there each autumn. A singing White-eyed Vireo at Mi- nesville, NS 13 May (ph. Chris Pepper) was the only report this spring. Purple Martins are less-than-annual spring vagrants in the ne. section of the Region; one was record ear- ly near Cape Race, NL 10 Apr (DB), and one ATLANTIC PROVINCES & ST. PIERRE ET MIQUELON] at St. Pierre 29 Apr (LJ) was also record ear- ly (the previous early date was 1 May). The lone Black-capped Chickadee in the village of St. Pierre, first reported in 2006, continued through the season. The only Carolina Wren this spring was in n. New Brunswick, at Grand Falls 22 Apr (Grant Milroy); almost all the previous provincial records were in the south. New Brunswick also had the only Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, 8 May, on Grand Manan (Roger Leblanc et al.). Eastern Blue- birds are nearly annual now in Prince Ed- ward Island; this spring, one was noted at Breadalbane 29 Apr (Betty Fowler). WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES There were few spring rare warbler over- shoots, and most were in Apr, before the ad- verse weather for migration set in. A Yellow- throated Warbler arrived briefly 7 Apr at a feeder in Deep Cove, Grand Manan (Elaine Maker, fide DI) but moved later that day to nearby Seal Cove, where it sang through 18 Apr (DI). A brilliant male Prothonotary War- bler thrilled Marsha Tedford as it lingered in her garden and fed on windowsill insects in Carleton River, Yannouth , NS 5-6 Apr. A Ken- tucky Warbler sang briefly near Blind Bay, H.R.M. , NS 23 Apr (BMy, Martine Dufresne), and a male Hooded Warbler was on Grand Manan 15 May (DI). A Field Sparrow at Alma, NB was a surprising find 20 Mar (ph. Gilles Belliveau), quite early. Two Grasshop- per Sparrows were on Machias Seal I., NB 16 May (REl), one dead and one alive. Two Ore- gonjuncos were reported in Nova Scotia, one at Sampsonville, Richmond 11 Apr ( fide IM, ph.) and one at Rose Bay, Lunenburg 15 Apr (EM, Anne Mills). The poor spring weather greatly dimin- ished the numbers of the Annual Spring Rain- bow— overshooting grosbeaks, buntings, ori- oles, and tanagers from the south. The totals were the lowest in more than 20 years, with only 16 Indigo Buntings (one at St. Pierre), 10 Summer Tanagers, 3 Blue Grosbeaks (2 in Nova Scotia, one in New Brunswick), and 2 Orchard Orioles, both in Nova Scotia. New Brunswick hosted 2 Painted Buntings, the first a male on Grand Manan 29 Apr (ph. Theo Laffoley), the next an obliging female at a feeder in Pointe Vert 12-19 May (Roger Gui- tard, m.ob.). There were no Rose-breasted Grosbeaks reported at St. Pierre this spring; the species has been seen in spring on the French islands in 34 years out of 38. The sex of an imm. Yellow-headed Blackbird near Middleton, Annapolis, NS 19 Mar-4 Apr (WN et al.) could not be determined. Contributors (subregional editors in bold- face): Frederic & Patricia Allen-Mahe, John Belbin, Patrick Boez, Dave Brown, Tony Chubbs, Jared Clarke, Brian Dalzell, Ralph & By and large, May weather was not suitable for nocturnal migration, but when anxious migrants push on, heedless of Ji ladverse conditions, fallouts can occur. This spring, there was one especially notable fallout, when passerines flew northeastward across the Gulf of Maine, a route that is now known to be an important migration corridor. Ralph Eldridge, a lighthouse keeper on Machias Seal I., NB, reported the following on 25 May: "The wind drop and shift overnight seems to have encouraged heavy migrant movement. The movement through here was one of the largest that I've ever seen. The fog and rain showers prompted a fallout. There was a good mix of species, in- cluding shorebirds, thrushes, and catbirds, but the mass was warblers. At one point during the night, while I was on the light- house taking a few photos, I counted 15 warblers perched on me, of 1 1 species. They feel odd when they cling to your beard or cozy down to sleep in your hair. A Blackburnian Warbler and Yellow Warbler squabbled for several minutes to see which would perch on my right index finger, both oblivious to the finger's movements as I took photos and made camera adjust- ments. Eventually both the warblers lost the perch to a male Common Yellowthroat. That fellow kept his position for nearly a half an hour, interrupted only briefly when I had to reach into my pocket a couple times." As dawn broke, the same fallout was noted on the southern New Brunswick mainland, though not elsewhere in the Re- gion. Merv Cormier encountered large numbers (and 20 species) of warbler along Black Beach in Saint John, including a rare female Blue-winged Warbler. Eldridge did not note any exceptional mortality among the birds, and that may be due to the much less powerful lights now in use at the remaining lighthouses in the Region, though many birds probably perished at sea. Brian Dalzell provides the following perspective: "We do have some idea what historic fallouts may have looked like, thanks to reports from lighthouse keepers (such as Addison Naves) at Gannet Rock in the early 1960s. His journals are in the archives of the Grand Manan Museum and make fas- cinating reading. They had to shovel dead birds up in the morning like snow after such fallouts, often in the spring, but more so in the fall. As recently as the early 1990s, lighthouse keepers there told me of filling two five-gallon buckets at dawn with dead birds (5004) after fallouts in early September. I wouldn't doubt a million or more birds met their doom at this light- house from its inception in the 1860s up until the light was changed about 15 years ago. How they persevere despite such odds is a miracle." VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 407 ATLANTIC PROVINCES & ST. PIERRE ET MIQUELON Eldridge (REl), Roger Etcheberry, Patrick Hacala, Carl Haycock, Ulli Hoger, Durian In- gersoll, Laurent Jackman, Jonathan Joy, Bruce Mactavish (BMt), Blake Maybank (BMy), Dan McAskill, Ken McKenna, lan McLaren, Eric Mills, Susann Myers, Wayne Neily, John Nickerson, Dwaine Oakley, David Seel- er, Hans loom. O Blake Maybank, 144 Bayview Drive White's Lake, Nova Scotia B3T 1Z1 (maybank@ns.sympatico.ca) Quebec Ungava Peninsula t Kuujjuaq m Matagami o • lies* o Baie- Comeau -''c ®Amos L. Saint-JeanM • Rouyn Tadoussac*. Cap-Tourmente Marie* Mont- * Quebec City* Laurier Berthierville* Montreal* # *Victoriaville Gatineau ‘ ' ; ' t •Sherbrooke L Champlain B^-Febvre ^ ®Matane • Gaspe * Perce Lawrence Pierre Bannon Olivier Barden Normand David Samuel Denault Spring temperatures were very close to normal all across the Region except in northern Quebec, where they were slightly below average. On the other hand, precipitation levels were above normal, espe- cially in the south, where most of the popula- tion of the province lives. In March, snow lev- els were very high in the Eastern Townships and in Quebec City. The frequent, abundant rains, strong winds, and melting snow from mid-April through May in the Eastern Town- ships and Monteregie caused water levels to rise in several rivers. The Richelieu River was particularly affected, reaching a historic high level on 23 May. WATERFOWL THROUGH IBIS Single Pink-footed Geese were located at Saint-Stanislas 19 Mar (B. Barnhurst, M. McIntosh) and at Chambly 29 Mar (RB). Snow Geese peaked at 15,000 at Plaisance 31 Mar-1 Apr (RS), a record high number for the Outaouais region. Single Barnacle Geese visit- ed Victoriaville 25 Apr-3 May (CR), Lot- biniere 9 May (D. Gagne), and Matapedia 14 May (P Henri). A Trumpeter Swan at Ayers Cliff 23-24 Apr was the 2nd for the Eastern Townships (ph. I. Deschenes). The only Tun- dra Swan turned up at Saint-Gabriel-de-Bran- don 30 Apr-9 May (S. Dupre). Twelve Eurasian Wigeons showed up between mid- Apr and late May. Seven Eurasian Teal were also reported, and single Green-winged Teal x Eurasian Teal hybrids were at La Pocatiere 8 Apr (CA, CG) and at Baie-du-Febvre 10 & 21 Apr (L. Roy, A. Dery, G. Cyr et al). Single Canvasbacks appeared at Granby 5 Apr (MA) and at Gaspe 24 Apr (A. Anctil, H. Johansen). A Northern Bobwhite was noted at Cantley 1 1 Apr (S. Legros), and another was at Tres Saint-Redempteur 23 May (L. Laviolette), un- doubtedly birds of captive origin. Red-throated Loons peaked at 3000 at Riv- iere-Ouelle 25 Apr and at an amazing 11, 000 there 29 May (CG, CA); 4000 were also at Sainte-Anne-des-Monts 21 May (PP et al.). A record-early Double-crested Cormorant was spotted at Verdun 15 Mar (D. Ouellette). A Brown Pelican at Grande-Entree, Magdalen Is. 10-26 May was the first in spring and about the 10th for the Region (ph. M. Cyr, CC. Dion). Single Snowy Egrets were encountered at La Pocatiere 23 May (CA) and at Sher- brooke 31 May (R Marcotte, V Beaucher), and a Little Blue Heron was photographed at Matane 25 May (JP. Meunier). Single Cattle Egrets made appearances at Sabrevois 16 Apr+ (E Boulet et a!.), Saint-Elzear 11 May (fide B. Arsenault), and Baie-du- Febvre 30 May 0- Gali- nas). A Glossy Ibis was at Baie-du-Febvre 1-10 May (A. Cyr et al.), 2 were at Saint-Blaise 1 May (R. & G. Boulet, C. Briand), and one visited Saint-Ignace- de-Loyola 6 May (M. & M. Boulard). VULTURES THROUGH DOVES For the first time, nests of Turkey Vulture were found at two locations on the island of Montreal (fide S. Duval). Unfortu- nately, both nests were unsuccessful. A well-described dark-morph Broad-winged Hawk was studied at Scott 15 May (S. Rioux). A belated report of a Broad- winged at Clarenceville 17 Mar 2010 provid- ed a new record-early date for the Region (ph. M. Gauthier). For the 2nd consecutive year, a Sandhill Crane at Dundee 17 Mar established a new Regional record-early date (ph. D. Gagnon). Single Marbled Godwits were seen at Sainte-Croix-de-Lotbiniere 7 May (L. Roy, A. Dery) and Baie-du-Febvre 31 May (A. Sheinck, G. Turcotte). Four Sanderlings feed- ing in a field at Saint-Barthelemy 16 Apr (R Lamothe) provided a new Regional record- early date. A Wilsons Phalarope at Havre- aux-Maisons 26 May (B. Vigneault) furnished a first spring record for the Magdalen Islands. Always rare in spring, an ad. Sabine’s Gull was at Tadoussac 28 May (RP). Migrant Little Gulls brightened Victoriaville 28 Apr (G. Huot, CR) and Tadoussac 6-13 May (RP). A Laughing Gull was identified at La Malbaie 30 May (A. Rasmussen, P & K. O'Connell). A Great Black-backed Gull at Schefferville 27 May was unusual away from the coast at this latitude (SD). A Pomarine Jaeger was note- worthy at Forillon Park 26 May (ph. A. Cloutier, JD. Dupuis). Up to 5 Long-tailed Jaegers at Tadoussac in late May was an excit- ing find (RP et al). Single White-winged Doves were found at Saint-Joachim-de-Cour- Although there are approximately a dozen records of Brown Pelican for Quebec, the to- tal number of birds involved may not exceed six. This individual photographed at Grande-Entree 1 6 May 201 1 represented the second for the Magdalen Islands. Photo- graph byJean-Claude Richard. 408 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS QUEBEC] The occurrence of massive "reverse" passerine flights in spring along the n. shore of the St. Lawrence River es- tuary has been noted in past issues (e.g., North American Birds 58: 338). In May 2009, the Observatoire d'oiseaux de Tadous- sac (00T) dedicated its first spring migration monitoring sea- son to the documentation of this phenomenon, employing both mist-netting and observation of migrants over a period of two weeks. In the following year, an extended study season spanning five weeks was characterized by very warm weather, blue skies, and very few migrants. A collaboration between the 00T and Laval University's faculty of Forestry Sciences paved the way for a third study season in 201 1 . Olivier Barden, a Master's degree candidate, was the dedicated counter, while a team mostly comprised of volunteers banded migrants. An early hint of what was to come had been witnessed at nearby Bergeronnes by Samuel Belleau and Pascal Cote 2 May, when in excess of 35,000 migrants were seen heading south- westward. Ruby-crowned Kinglets, White-throated Sparrows, and Common Grackles were in the multiple hundreds each, American Robins exceeded 6000, and an estimated 24,000 Dark-eyed Juncos flew past in 2.5 hours. It was amidst decidedly unpleasant weather at the Tadous- sac dunes 11 May-2 Jun 2011 that the fieldwork took place (see Table 1). The first eight days were plagued by cold tem- peratures and persistent northeasterly winds adverse for mi- gration. Late May was characterized by a series of painstaking- ly slow low-pressure systems dumping large amounts of rain to the south of Tadoussac. After the passage of these systems, southwesterly winds and a lack of precipitation produced mas- sive reverse migration events 23-24 May (54,754 and 31,044 birds, respectively) and 1-2 Jun (41,086 and 22,643 birds, re- spectively). All told, some 180,000 reverse migrants were counted over a span of 23 days, 90% of which were warblers. An intriguing result was the relative abundance of spruce budworm specialists, especially Tennessee and Cape May Warblers. With such a large sample of birds, the presence of a few vagrants was not unexpected. Species rare for the North Shore include 3 Chimney Swifts, 4 Eastern Wood-Pewees, 5 Scarlet Tanagers, one Pine Warbler, one Clay-colored Sparrow, and 5 Indigo Buntings. Migrants rare throughout the province include 3 Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, a female Golden-winged Warbler 23 May (first for the North Shore), a Connecticut Warbler 25 May, a male Lark Bunting 26 May, a male Prothonotary Warbler 26 May (first for the North Shore), a Dickcissel 1 Jun, and a Blue-winged Warbler 2 Jun (2nd for the North Shore). Table 1 . Counts of select species on peak dates of passage at Tadoussac, Quebec. Total refers to entire survey period, 1 1 May through 2 June 201 1 (Olivier Barden et a!.). Species /Date 19 May 23 May 24 May 25 May 26 May 30 May 1 Jun 2 Jun Total Red-eyed Vireo 1 6 12 1 18 13 36 35 128 Tree Swallow 1 387 371 83 41 10 0 12 1188 Red-breasted Nuthatch 4 9 20 25 3 6 3 1 103 Cedar Waxwing 0 11 43 1 149 512 6693 2975 10,400 Tennessee Warbler 30 421 516 262 602 773 4244 2032 9002 Orange-crowned Warbler 1 10 19 1 9 1 3 4 49 Nashville Warbler 159 267 206 150 90 37 35 19 1028 Northern Parula 40 70 38 23 41 20 33 29 317 Yellow Warbler 1 12 6 1 1 3 78 209 312 Chestnut-sided Warbler 26 83 57 13 23 3 39 22 272 Magnolia Warbler 39 529 387 206 248 21 56 137 1675 Cape May Warbler 341 518 532 390 395 21 125 972 3389 Black-throated Blue Warbler 28 74 37 36 18 7 9 13 256 Yeilow-rumped Warbler 1429 7589 5942 881 580 48 94 2095 20,466 Black-throated Green Warbler 30 124 108 11 62 23 53 38 460 Blackburnian Warbler 13 104 80 7 20 6 20 36 289 Bay-breasted Warbler 84 326 301 44 80 30 93 274 1258 Blackpoll Warbler 4 23 87 15 65 247 1629 2927 4999 Black-and-white Warbler 20 62 25 2 8 2 4 1 136 American Redstart 14 75 79 12 102 8 84 48 431 Wilson's Warbler 1 15 43 6 49 1 118 41 282 Canada Warbler 0 8 12 3 32 2 66 10 139 unidentified warbler 7044 43465 21433 3195 3217 367 27041 10290 116,939 Chipping Sparrow 111 26 18 24 11 5 7 5 338 Pine Siskin 25 153 149 9 21 5 26 23 1240 American Goldfinch 7 99 230 109 15 47 106 86 790 val 25-26 May (ph. Y. Roy) and at Rimouski 27 May (D. Ruest). HUMMINGBIRDS THROUGH THRUSHES A Ruby-throated Hummingbird at Riviere-du- Loup 18 Apr (M. Rioux) bested the previous record established nine years ago by two days. The spring’s only Red-headed Woodpecker was sighted at Cantley 15 May (L. Laperriere, W. Darou). Among more interesting Red-bel- lied Woodpecker reports out of a relatively poor crop, a continuing pair at the Morgan Arboretum in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue (m.ob.) was of note, as was a female at Mont- magny 16-17 May (C. Robert). A Least Fly- catcher at Plaisance 24 Apr (RS) was very ear- ly, though not a record. A Say’s Phoebe at Les Bergeronnes 28-30 May provided the Region’s 21st record and 5th in this century (JG. Beaulieu). A Western Kingbird made a char- acteristically short one-day visit at Baie-du- Febvre 29 May (]• Desmeules, M. Barry, N. Soucy, ph. M. Isabelle). A single Loggerhead Shrike was seen at Quy- on 10 May (fide F Shaffer), at the site where the species nested during the previous summer. A White-eyed Vireo at lie de la Visitation, Mon- treal 17 May (]. Coutu) was noted exactly one year after the Regions previous record. The Black-billed Magpie reported in Temiscamingue last winter was still present at Lorrainville and Bearn 15-20 Mar (L. Lessard, J. Frechette et al., ph. R. Ladurantaye). White-breasted Nuthatch is accidental in the Magdalen Is., so single birds at Portage-du-Cap 22 Apr (GC) and Grande- Entree 19 May (JC. Richard) were genuine va- grants. A Brown Creeper just n. of Schefferville 27 May (SD) furnished what is most probably the northernmost record in the province. Up to 9 Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were reported throughout, including one at Sainte-Therese- de-Gaspe 26 May (A. Couture); most surpris- ing was this season’s lack of sightings from known breeding sites. A female Northern Wheatear was intercepted on migration at Schefferville 25 May (SD), not too far from its presumed breeding grounds. A skittish Field- fare, the province’s 2nd this year, accompanied migrant American Robins in the village of Ta- doussac 27-28 Apr (RP, Y. Vibert). VOLUME 65 (2011) NUMBER 3 409 QUEBEC WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES A Brewster’s Warbler was at Quebec City 30 May (L. Messely). Early Black- throated Blue Warblers at Baie-d'Urfe 0- Harwood Gregson) and lie des Soeurs (PB) tied the provincial ar- rival mark of 27 Apr. A Black-throated Green Warbler heard at Saint- Armand 16 Apr (N. Bourdon) improved that species’ mark by five days, and the same is true of a Yellow-throated Warbler at Iberville 29-30 Apr (M. Gagnon). Additional records of this species, most often seen in late fall, came from Hudson 7 May (W. Grubert) and Gatineau 29 May, the latter a first spring record for Outaouais (G. Seutin). Re- ported for the 4th consecutive spring was Worm-eating Warbler, of which one was at Thetford Mines 13 May, a first for Chaudiere- Appalaches (R. Jacques). A Louisiana Wa- terthrush at lie des Soeurs 10 Apr (ph. PB, E Grenon) furnished a new provincial record- early date by more than three weeks. Another one was found at Fortune L. in Gatineau Park 23 May (J. Dubois, G. McNulty). A Kentucky Warbler skulked at Cap Tourmente 30 May (C. Nadeau). A migrant Connecticut Warbler was singing at Saint-Hubert 24 May (RB). After a little more than a decade of sparse spring records, Hooded Warbler is showing signs of regaining its reputation as one of the more reg- ular vagrant warblers in spring in the Region, as had been the case since the mid-1970s in Montreal. On 15 May, a female Hooded War- bler was sighted at Saint-Basile-le-Grand, Mon- teregie (G. Ethier), while a male was being en- joyed at Rosemere, Laurentidcs (DJ. Leandri). Closing out the best spring for this species since 1983 was a male at Cap Tourmente 25 May (JD. Poulin, J. Boissonnault, j. Bernier). A Clay-colored Sparrow at Granby 18-22 Apr was briefly joined by another 19 Apr; the initial observation beat the provincial record early date by nine days (MA, fide MB, ph.). The Golden-crowned Sparrow photographed at Havre-Aubert, Magdalen Is. deep into win- ter was last seen 29 Mar (GC, fide S. Cyr). A female Oregon Junco was reported at Aylmer 18 Apr (R. Dubois). Male Summer Tanagers were at Summit Park (Montreal) 13 May (P McCutcheon, C. Menard et al., ph. JP. Milot) and at Chelsea 17 May (M. Des Ruisseaux); a female was at Sainte-Croix de Lotbiniere 7 May (ph. B. Fortin). A first-spring male Black-headed Grosbeak was reported at Saint-Stanislas 7 May (L. Goneau), the provinces 7th record, all but one since 2000. A male Blue Grosbeak graced Bonaventure 14-17 May (ph. B. Carey). Rare at any season near Montreal, a male Dickcissel was at Re- pentigny 15-16 May (C. Desjardins, G. Morin); another male turned up at Rose- bridge, Gaspesie 14-15 May (ph. J. Dion); and a female was at Riviere-a-Pierre, Capitale-Na- tionale 29 May (L. Borgia et al.). What was surely the Western Meadowlark that wintered at Les Escoumins turned up in the neighboring village of Les Bergeronnes 4- 18 Apr (E. Bouchard, V. Bouchard, S. Belleau et al., ph.). A Brewer’s Blackbird was at Riv- iere-Saint-Jean 8 May (ph. R. Poulin). Orchard Orioles were savored at three locations this spring: a female at Pointe-aux-Chenes 14 May (Y. Gauthier), a first-spring male at Saint- Georges-de-Beauce 14-17 May (G. Maheux, fide R Turgeon, ph.), and another young male at Saint-Timothee 21 May (D. Gendron, ph. R. Saint-Denis). A European Goldfinch of the caniceps group frequented feeders at Mont- Laurier 4 Apr (ph. M. Laporte, fide R. LeBrun). Whether these are new releases, or survivors from the 2009 “outbreak” now tagging along with migrant finches, is not known. Contributors (subregional editors in bold- face): Michel Aube, Claude Auchu, Pierre Bannon (Montreal), Olivier Barden, Alain Beauchamp (Beauce-Appalaches), Raymond Belhumeur, Monique Berlinguette (Haute- Yamaska), Gaston Chiasson, Samuel Denault, Claire Douville (Lower St. Lawrence), Chris- tiane Girard, Renaud Pintiaux, Pierre Poulin (Gaspesie), Alain Richard (Magdalen Is.), Jean-Franqois Rousseau (Quebec City), Claude Roy (Bois-Francs), Germain Savard (Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean), Roland Schryer, Daniel Toussaint (Outaouais). O Pierre Bannon, 1517 Leprohon Montreal, Quebec H4E 1 PI, (pbannon@videotron.ca) Olivier Barden, 955 Lienard, Apt. 5 Quebec, Quebec G1V 2W6, (iridosornis@gmail.com) Normand David, 10385 A rue Clark Montreal, Quebec H3L 2S3, (normanddavid@videotron.ca) Samuel Denault, 75 Beauchemin Saint-Basile-le-Grand, Quebec J3N 1 J6 (samuel.denault@videotron.ca) New England Mark S. Szantyr cc n pring? What spring?” “Overall, spring migration seemed early and quick.” These quotes come from two New England state editors in response to a spring in New England that was at times warm but just as frequently cold and wet. Long stretches of rain and fog produced lulls in migration, and these were followed by strong movements of birds during the clear periods. Scott Kruit- bosch offers an overview: “March was slightly cooler than average across New England. Southern and eastern coastal zones, and espe- cially eastern Maine, came in a bit above av- erage. However, central and western areas and the interior kept the Region as a whole on the cool side. Precipitation was somewhat above average, with the exceptions being southeast- ern areas from the Cape to Rhode Island as well as far eastern Maine. April was even wet- ter, with all states coming in above normal levels. Every state except for Maine also had above-average temperatures, as they generally increased in deviation from the mean from north to south. May brought full unity in re- gards to temperature, as all of the New Eng- land states were warmer than normal. This did not hold true for precipitation, as above- average rainfall fell in the north while less fell in the south, leaving Massachusetts and Rhode Island just below average for May. Overall, these three months in New England were warmer and wetter than average, but not nearly as significantly or historically as the same period was in 2010.” In the third week of May, an astounding 410 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS NEW ENGLAND coastal and offshore fallout of warblers was witnessed. Ralph Eldridge, on Machias Seal Island, New Brunswick, and Geoff Dennis, on Monhegan Island, Maine, recorded hundreds or even thousands of warblers on every tree, bush, and structure and along the wrack line, feeding on sand fleas and even taking hand- outs of insects even perching on the ob- servers. The fallouts were a product of a wind shift overnight, with rain and fog also factors. Kruitbosch comments: “The fallout in Maine for Seal Island happened the same morning as my little fallout at Stratford Point, Connecti- cut, with Ovenbird, Kentucky and Canada Warblers, Eastern Wood-Pewee, and a bunch of birds never recorded at the site. It was re- lated to a warm front that brought thunder- storms with it in the early morning, plus then a thick coastal fog. The birds rode the south winds until they had too much rain and hit too much fog.” Another aspect of spring migration noted by subregional editors was the unusual mix of species recorded during each of the three months. In the past, spring migration in New England was marked predictably by the ap- pearance of April species, early May species, late May species, and early June species. In re- cent years, the species’ arrival patterns have been all mixed up, with typically late birds appearing in April and May, and typically ear- ly migrants still being seen in late May and June. Migration for some species now seems more compressed and rapid, and many species are showing up earlier and earlier in the migration period, but passage of other species is often oddly protracted, with many stragglers. This spring, it seemed that most of the significant passerine migration in south- ern New England was nearly over well before the end of May, but the same was not true for the far northern reaches of the Region. Abbreviations: A.R.C.C. (A.R.C. of Connecti- cut); B.O. ( Bird Observer ); L. Champlain (Ver- mont side of L. Champlain); M.A.R.C. (Mass- achusetts A.R.C.); Nantucket (Nantucket I., Nantucket , MA); Plum I. (Newburyport, New- bury, Rowley, Ipswich, including Parker River N.W.R., Essex, MA); Tuckernuck (Tuckernuck I., Nantucket, MA). WATERFOWL THROUGH IBISES The saga of the 5 Black-bellied Whistling- Ducks continues. Five were reported at Duxbury, MA 29 Apr (L. Massey); one or more were audio-recorded coming to roost af- ter dark at Great Meadows N.W.R., Concord, MA 3 May (JT); and 3 were observed there the next day (J- Offermann). New Hampshire recorded its first Pink-footed Goose at Wal- pole 2 Apr (T. Schottland, D. Clark). The bird’s bill pattern was very similar to that of the Pink- footed observed in New jersey two weeks earlier. Greater White-fronted Geese were reported in above-average numbers, with approximately 25 recorded across the Region. A meticulous observer in Grand Isle, VT photographed a migrant flock of geese and by careful study of the images was able to identify a Greater White-fronted Goose, 21 apparent Greater White-fronted Goose x Canada Goose hybrids, and 25 Canada Geese (D. Hoag). Significant Snow Goose reports in- clude 1000 in Addison, VT 19 Mar and 30,000 plus 2 ad. Ross’s Geese in Alburgh and Swanton, VT, with another 10,000 Snows across the adjacent Canadian border 31 Mar (TM). Twenty- two blue-morph Snow Geese grounded in Middlefield 8 Mar (M. Barriger) and 17 at nearby Durham 9 Mar (K. Mueller) made high counts of this morph for Con- necticut. An ad. Ross’s Goose was at Bristol, RI 8-14 Mar (JK). Approxi- mately 16 Cackling Geese were reported in the Region, 10 of these at Newport, RI 14 Mar (DF, ST). Trumpeter Swans were again reported in the Region. Two were noted at a small, suburban pond in Woodbridge, CT 21 Mar-2 Apr (FG et al.), and one was at Biddeford, ME 8-10 Apr (DL). This bird, having only one eye, was likely the same bird found in Prince Edward Island in May. The source of these birds is not known, but most as- sume they are part of the rapid spread of Trumpeters from the introduced Great Lakes population. The only Tundra Swan was one reported at Greenwich, CT 17 Mar 0- Wells). Most dabbling ducks were reported in nor- mal numbers, with perhaps a few more Northern Shovelers than average being ob- served across the Region. The number of Eurasian Teal reported across New England continues to increase. Eight reports in total came from Maine, Massachusetts, and Con- necticut, and single Eurasian Teal x Green- winged Teal were noted in Maine (DL) and Connecticut (FM), both 31 Mar. Diving ducks were in seasonally normal numbers in the Region. A Tufted Duck was at Seakonk, MA 20 Mar (JK), and 2 more were nearby at East Providence, RI, with a male at Bold Pt. 5- 27 Mar (G. Fitch) and a different male at the East Providence Res. 15-19 Mar (m.ob.). An apparent Tufted Duck x Lesser Scaup hybrid was photographed from the East Bay Bike Yet another Trumpeter Swan appeared in New England in spring 2011, this one at Biddeford, Maine 10 April. Photo- graph by Derek Lovitch. Path, East Providence, RI 8 Mar (DF). At least 3 King Eiders were reported from the reliable n. shore of Massachusetts. Common Eiders with young were photographed at Gloucester, MA 16 May (M. Lockwood, R. Lockwood). Harlequin Ducks were well reported from the Massachusetts and Rhode Island coasts; in Connecticut, where the species is uncom- mon, a male was off Stratford 15 Apr (S. Kruitbosch), another or the same male was seen off Greenwich 14 May (D. Etheridge), and a female was located at the latter location 23 May (M. Sampson). Barrow’s Goldeneye was reported across the Region in normal numbers; 2 males and a female were on L. Champlain at Addison, VT 5 Mar-3 Apr (TM et al), where the males were seen courting fe- male Common Goldeneyes. White-winged Scoters were seen in good numbers, with about 10 reported from the Lovitch yard in Pownal, ME 25 May. A major flight of the Continuing the pattern of spring occurrences in New England, this adult White- faced Ibis visited Scarborough Marsh, Maine on 12 April 2011. Photograph by Derek Lovitch. VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 411 NEW ENGLAND This Buff-breasted Sandpiper, providing the first spring record for this species in Con- necticut, was found well inland at East Hartford and stayed only a few days, 28-30 (here 30) April 2011 . Photograph by Mark S. Szantyr. This Iceland Gull, possibly of the nominate subspecies, was photographed at West- brook, Maine 20 March 2011. Photograph by Derek Lovitch. species was noted across New Hampshire’s lakes and ponds 20-22 May, said to be the largest fallout of the species in the state since 2006, with about 358 total (EM). Mergansers of the three species were well reported, with high counts including 1700 Common Mer- gansers at Addison, VT 12 Mar (TM), 1241 Common Mergansers staging on the Ken- nebec R. between Bowdoinham and Augusta, ME 31 Mar (DL), and 21 Red-breasted Mer- gansers off the Charlotte Town Beach, L. Champlain, VT 10 Apr (TM), topping last spring’s count of 10 there. Off the coast, loons were well reported, with a high count of 1200 Red-throated Loons from Truro, MA 31 Mar (BN). Three Pacific Loons were noted between Provincetown and Ply- mouth, MA 5-31 Mar (JT, BN, ML), one of which was breeding plumage (20 Mar; ML); another was noted at Ogunquit, ME 8 Mar (DL). Block I. had four reports of Pacific Loon: one in breeding plumage 18 Mar (R Capobian- co), 2 birds 15 May (S. Tsagarakis et al.), and one 20 May (R O’Neill). An incredible 244 Common Loons were off Charlotte Town Beach, VT 1 May (TM, A. Strong). An Eared Grebe was at Chatham, MA 26 Mar (E At- wood), and 4 Red-necked Grebes, irregular in Con- necticut, were off Stratford 24 May (FM). For the 7th year in a row, a Red-billed Tropicbird returned to Seal Island N.W.R. off the coast of Maine 25 May and remained through at least 9 Aug. An American White Pelican was found dead at Guilford, CT 3 Mar (T. Shaw). A Least Bittern was found 28 May at Shellburne Pond, VT (TM). Seven total Tricol- ored Herons included one at Scarborough Marsh, ME 12 May (DL) and 3 in Rhode Island. There were fewer re- ports of Cattle Egret than usual this season. Notewor- thy was a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron well inland at South Windsor, CT 14 Apr (G. Wlochowski). White- faced Ibis has been reported annually in New England for a decade, and 4 were re- ported this spring. An ad. was photographed at Madi- son, CT 21-22 Apr (P. Fus- co), with other singles at Scarborough Marsh, ME 12 Apr (DL), Plum I., MA 22-26 Mar (S. Haydock), and Ipswich, MA 8-16 May (M. J. Iliff et al.). Although Ip- swich and Plum 1. are not that far apart, there is no doubt that 2 birds were involved. On 26 Apr, while a group of birders was observing the Plum Island White-faced, a one-eyed Peregrine Falcon began making passes at the bird and subsequently attacked and drowned the ibis as throngs observed, photographed, and videotaped the event. The compelling footage was circulated via the Internet. KITES THROUGH ALCIDS It is hard to keep track of all the kites being reported in New England these days. New Hampshire’s 4th Swallow-tailed Kite (and first since 1979) was seen at Hinsdale flying up the Connecticut R. valley 26 Apr (EM). Another was at Falmouth, MA 29-30 May (B. Porter, M. Pearson, R. Barstow, I. Davies, E. Nielson) — photographed in the same frame as a Mississippi Kite on the latter date! Nu- merous Mississippi Kites were reported in Massachusetts in late May, among them 7 at Truro and single birds at Westwood, Scituate, Warren, and Falmouth. For the 4th year in a row, Mississippi Kites were observed in May in the vicinity of Great Pond, Simsbury, CT. This year, 2 were first observed on 21 May (PD) very near the site of the previous nest- ings in the state. Another bird was seen over Norwalk, CT 21 Apr (L. Flynn). At the estab- lished nesting location in Newmarket, NH, birds were once again seen collecting nesting material in May (EM). Rhode Island reported at least 5 Mississippis, including one at North Kingston 16 May (DF, ST) and 2 at Charlestown 31 May (DF, ST). Last year’s breeding pair returned, but the dates and lo- cation have been kept secret, per the request of the landowner. At Powdermill Pond in sw. New Hampshire, Eric Masterson reported 586 Broad- winged Hawks 27 Apr, the largest on record in the state for spring. A Golden Eagle was at Barre Falls, MA 6 Apr (B.O.). At Manomet, MA, a Eurasian Hobby was stud- ied at by Ian Davies from his dining room window 18 May. It was relocated that day at Manomet Pt., where photographed by Davies and Jeremiah Trimble — a first state record and potentially only the 2nd accepted record for the Lower 48 states. A Yellow Rail was reported from an inland marsh at Harwinton, CT 14 May (p.a., P. Car- rier, W. Williams, fide GH). Five reports of King Rail made an exceptional spring number: one was heard calling at a drained beaver pond in Shelton, CT 11 May (D. Varza), and reports in Massachusetts came from Truro 30 Apr (one; JT), West Bridgewater 13 May (2 birds; S. Arena), and Bolton Flats 22 May (one bird; R. Jenkins). An apparent King Rail x Clapper Rail hybrid was described from Stratford, CT 22 May (FM et al.). Two Common Gallinules were at Ferrisburgh, VT 25 May (TM, S. An- tell). Of 19 Sandhill Crane reports Regionwide, 10 were from Massachusetts (B.O.) and nine were from Connecticut (fide GH). American Golden-Plovers were seen in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, but perhaps the most interesting record came from Run- nymede Farm 9-10 Apr (EM), the first spring record in New Hampshire in 20 years. Two Black-necked Stilts were at Allen’s Pond, South Dartmouth, MA 29-31 May (K. Bartels, m.ob.). Thirty-one Solitary Sandpipers on the Merrimack R. in New Hampshire 12 May (EM) furnished a new high spring record for the species. Two Marbled Godwits found along the Connecticut R. n. of Hanover, NH 30 May (EM) were very rare for interior New England. Away from the coast, record high counts of 5 White-rumped Sandpipers and 39 Dunlins at Ferrisburgh, VT 27 May (TM) 412 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS were probably related to flooding. A Curlew Sandpiper visited the Charlestown Breach- way, Charlestown, RI 21-22 May (P. LEtoile, m.ob.). Connecticut logged its first spring record of Buff-breasted Sandpiper at East Hartford 28-30 Apr (R Cianfaglione, m.ob.). Single Ruffs were at Great Bay, NH 20-23 Apr (fide EM), the Connecticut R. valley, NH 20 May (EM), and Stratford, CT 4-17 May (FM et al.). A female Wilsons Phalarope was at Rowley, MA 30 Apr 0- Berry). Seven Red- necked Phalaropes were between Port Clyde and Monhegan I., ME 20 May (DL), and 30 were in Block Island Sound, Rl 16 May (J. St. Jean), with 4 there the next day (RE). Where less often noted, 3 Red-necked Phalaropes were at New Haven harbor, CT 15 May (N. Bonomo), and inland reports following heavy thunderstorms 20 May included 4 on Bantam L., Litchfield, CT (D. Rosgen et al.) and 3 on Mansfield Hollow Res., Mansfield/North Windham, CT (P. Rusch). A female Red Phalarope was at the Sanford Sewage facility, ME 24 May (DL), and one was in Block Island Sound, RI 16 May (DF, ST). Little Gulls were reported more frequently this spring than usual, with numerous reports from the North Shore of Massachusetts. Re- ports of single ads. from Rhode Island came from Cox’s Ledge 19 Mar (CP et al.) and Little Compton 15 May (RE). Both Massachusetts and Rhode Island had single Black-headed Gulls. The Mew Gull discovered 24 Feb at Lynn Beach, MA remained through the first week of Mar (m.ob., ph.). The wintering Her- ring Gull x Glaucous Gull hybrid was last seen at Fairfield Center, ME 14 Apr (DL, L. R. Bevi- er, D. Mairs). An ad. Yellow-legged Gull at Hyannis, MA 9-17 Apr (p.a., K. Miller et al.) would make a first, long-awaited first state record; 2 ads. were noted in Newfoundland this spring, one of which had wintered. An Ice- land Gull, either of the nominate subspecies or perhaps a leucistic kumlieni, was at Westbrook, ME through at least 20 Mar (DL, R. Crossley). Lesser Black-backed Gulls were again widely reported, including inland. Vermont recorded its 12th, an ad. at Charlotte Town Beach 6 Apr (TM). Glaucous Gulls were noted in near-nor- mal numbers; away from the coast, one was at Quabbin Res., MA 20-21 May (B.O.) and an- other at Stratford, CT 28 Mar (PD). About 21 Caspian Terns were reported dur- ing the season: one in Maine on Monhegan I. (DL), 10 in Massachusetts (B.O.), 3 in Rhode Island (RF), and at least 7 in Vermont, at Shelburne Pond 28 May (TM). Fifteen ad. Arctic Terns were at Rockport, MA 17 May (R. Heil). The most notable of a handful of Forsters Tern reports was a single bird well photographed at Horseshoe Pond, NH (D. NEW ENGLAND Two nestings of Northern Saw-whet Owl were confirmed in Rhode Island in spring 2011; this fledgling posed in its nest box at Little Compton 1 May. Photograph by Geoff Dennis. This Clay-colored Sparrow, a scarce spring migrant in the Northeast, joined Chipping Sparrows at a feeder on Monhegan Island, Maine 18 May 2011. Photograph by Geoff Dennis. LaValley, ph. S. Young). In- land New Hampshire had 9 Black Terns in total (EM). The Massachusetts coast had good numbers of Para- sitic Jaegers, plus a few Po- marines. One Parasitic was off Stamford, CT 25 May (P. Dugan). Jaeger reports are always noteworthy in Con- necticut waters, more so when their appearance is not the result of a large weather system. Most no- table of the alcid reports for the season were 21 Com- mon Murres at Cox’s Ledge, RI 19 Mar (CP). DOVES THROUGH FINCHES Four Eurasian Collared- Doves, all in the Bay State, leads one to believe that maybe, just maybe, this species has finally started moving into the Northeast. At least 4 White-winged Doves, a record high count in spring for the Region, in- cluded 3 in Massachusetts and one on Monhegan I., for the 3rd spring in a row (GD). Two pairs of Northern Saw-whet Owls bred in Rhode Island this spring, both in nest boxes. Four nestlings were seen at Little Compton 3 May (GD) and one at West Greenwich 20 May (m.ob., fide RF). Three Chuck-will’s-widows in Massachusetts made an above-average total for the season (B.O.). Down from last season’s 12 Red-headed Wood- peckers, the Region tallied 6 this spring, 5 from Connecticut (fide GH); no evidence of nesting was reported this season. Many flycatcher species arrived on the ear- ly side, among them a Yellow-bellied at Hart- ford, CT 9 May (PD) and an Acadian at Little Compton, RI 30 Apr (GD). On 25 May, ob- servers in s. Maine recorded eight species of flycatcher, missing only Willow Flycatcher for a clean sweep (DL). A Scissor-tailed Flycatch- er was at Plum I. 29 Apr (W. Tatro, J. Saperia), unusual in spring in the Region. Massachu- setts recorded about 14 Northern Shrikes for the season (B.O.); an imm. at South Windsor, CT 14-23 Mar (PD) was the only other bird reported in the Region. Over the past decade, Common Raven has become a regular feature in s. New England at every season; neverthe- less, it is surprising that three and possibly four nests were located very near the coast this season. Rhode Island had two confirmed nests, one in a Department of Public Works’ road-salt storage shack in South Kingston, the other in an upturned railroad bridge less than a mile from downtown Providence (fide RF). A nest at Clinton, CT late Mar-Apr (J. Con- nelly) was on a construction crane along Route 1, within a mile of Long Island Sound. An early Gray-cheeked/Bicknell's Thrush was at Providence, Rl 3 May (RE). Bohemian Waxwings were seen in good numbers in Maine and Vermont, with flocks numbering in the hundreds early in the season and Maine recording a “wicked late” bird 7 May in Freeport (DL) — and Vermont an even later bird at Franklin 22 May (TM). The fallout of warblers around 21 May was nothing short of incredible. On Monhegan I., ME, warblers were reported all along the shoreline and in every tree and shrub (GD et al). Birders walking the wrack line flipped over detritus, exposing sand fleas, and war- blers rushed in, sometimes to the birder’s feet to take advantage of this feast. In some cases, VOLUME 65 (2011) . NUMBER 3 413 NEW ENGLAND warblers were noted and photographed tak- ing insects from the hands of birders on the shore. This fallout occurring during clearing weather that followed nine days of cold, raw drizzle. At Swan Point Cemetery in Provi- dence, Rhode Island, highlights included 13 Tennessee Warblers 30 Apr-17 May, an Or- ange-crowned Warbler 7 May, early Magnolia Warblers 29-30 May, 7 Cape May Warblers 5- 13 May, 4 early Black-throated Blue Warblers 29 Apr, and a male Mourning Warbler 14 May (RF). The bird of the season for Rhode Island, however, was a first-state-record Swainson’s Warbler banded and photographed at Clay Head, Block I. 22 May (K. Gaffert). In Con- necticut, early warblers included a Magnolia Warbler at South Windsor 25 Apr (PD) and a Bay-breasted Warbler in Hartford 28 Apr (PD), and other highlights were a Brewster’s Warbler, 3 Lawrence’s Warblers, 3 Yellow- throated Warblers, a Prothonotary Warbler, and a Kentucky Warbler (fide GH). Massa- chusetts had a Golden-winged Warbler at Medford 30 Apr (MR) and a Prothonotary Warbler at Brewster 7 Apr (D. Clapp). Hudson-Delaware Shaibal S. Mitra Robert 0. Paxton Frank Rohrbacher Richard R. Veit Observers across the Region agreed that spring 2011 was exceptionally wet, with persistent weather systems impeding landbird migration for extended pe- riods. April was particularly wet, with damag- ing floods reported over much of northern New York, but a break in the weather toward the end of the month was accompanied by a huge push of migrants. Part of a widespread influx of the species that reached as far as Illinois and North Car- olina, a Cassin’s Sparrow turned up at Truro, MA 15-19 May (J. Young, m.ob.). Single Clay- colored Sparrows were at Kennebunk Plains, ME 22 May (DL) and Newport, R1 18 May (W. Munns). A Grasshopper Sparrow was early at Windsor, CT 7 May (PD), and 3 were at Charlestown, RI 30 May (B. Gearhart). A Har- ris’s Sparrow lingered at Duxbury Beach, MA 1 Mar-28 Apr (R. Bowes, m.ob., ph.) . Seven Summer Tanagers were tallied, with at least 6 of those in Rhode Island (fide RF), the other in Connecticut (GH). An imm. male Western Tanager was at Milford, CT 19 May (S. Mar- tin). Four Blue Grosbeaks Regionwide made a lower count than in recent spring seasons; two Dickcissel reports was about average and three Yellow-headed Blackbirds a bit above average for spring. Small groups of White-winged Crossbills were widespread this season, and a Red Crossbill at Ashford, CT 24 Apr (FG) was the only report. During Mar-early Apr, flocks of Common Redpolls, some numbering in the hundreds, were reported across much of the Beginning on 24 April in southern parts of the Region and a day or two later to the north, waves of birds were encountered, including early Neotropical migrants alongside short- and medium-distance migrants and record- setting hawk flights. As has been the case in several recent springs, many species of Neotropical migrant arrived about a week earlier than their long-term averages, and mid-May, formerly the peak of the passerine passage, was seemingly bereft of migrants over large portions of the Region. Abbreviations: Bombay Hook (Bombay Hook N.W.R., Kent , DE); Braddock Bay (Braddock Bay B.O., Rochester, NY); Brigantine (Brigan- tine Unit, Forsythe N.W.R., Atlantic , NJ); Cape May (Cape May, Cape May , NJ); Derby Hill (Derby Hill Hawkwatch, Oswego, NY); Hamlin Beach (Hamlin Beach S.P, Monroe, NY); Heislerville (Heislerville W.M.A., Cum- berland, NJ); Jamaica Bay (Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Gateway National Recreation Area, Queens, NY); Jones Beach (Jones Beach S.P., Nassau, NY); Manitou (Manitou, Monroe, NY); Montezuma (Montezuma N.W.R., Seneca, NY); Moriches (Moriches Inlet, Suf- folk, NY); Prime Hook (Prime Hook N.W.R. and Prime Hook W.M.A., Sussex, DE), Robert Region. Hoary Redpolls reports included 2 at West Concord, MA 10 Mar (D. Sibley), one at Cumerland Farms, MA 13-17 Mar QT), and one at Marlboro, MA 16 Mar-5 Apr (T. Spahr). Many small groups of Pine Siskins were reported; 2 ads. accompanied 2 juvs. at Sterling, CT 31 May (R. Dixon). Though numbers are still low compared to historical totals, small flocks of Evening Grosbeaks were noted in many locations. Initialed observer and contributors (subre- gional compilers in boldface): Audubon Soci- ety of New Hampshire, J. Berry (Massachu- setts), I. Davies, G. Dennis, R Desjardins, R. Emerson, R. Farrell (Rhode Island), D. Finizia, F Gallo, G. Hanisek (Connecticut), J. Roger, D. Lovitch (Maine), M. Lynch, Maine Audubon Rare Bird Alert, F Mantlik, E. Mas- terson (New Hampshire), T. Murin (Ver- mont), B. Nikula, C. Pedro, M. Rines (Massa- chusetts), S. Talbot. © Mark S. Szantyr, 80 Bicknell Road #9 Ashford, Connecticut 06278, (birddog55@charter.net) Moses S.P (on Fire I., Suffolk, NY); Sandy Hook (Sandy Hook Unit, Gateway National Recreation Area, Monmouth, NJ); Savannah (Savannah, Wayne , NY, including Montezuma W.M.A.); South Cape May Meadows (William C. & Jane D. Blair Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge, Cape May, NJ). WATERFOWL THROUGH PELICANS Continuing a trend of increasing northward occurrence evident for over a decade, 5 Black- bellied Whistling-Ducks were found on the Orange, NY side of the Walkill River N.W.R. 23 May (RSt). These birds were seen by many, sometimes on the Sussex, NJ side of the border (e.g., by S. Lane on 24 May) through 26 May. New Jersey recorded its first Pink-footed Goose at Schlegel L., Bergen 7-16 Mar (D. Morel, JW, m.ob.). This species has occurred annually in the Northeast in recent years, in- cluding in neighboring New York and Penn- sylvania. More than two-dozen Greater White-fronted Geese were recorded this spring, including one in New Jersey, at Cape May 2-3 May (TLeu, DLP), and several no- table single-site counts distributed widely across New York: 4 at Sunken Meadow S.P, Suffolk, Long I. 5 Mar (J. Gluth); 12 near Pine I., Orange 4 Mar (JH, m.ob.); and 7 at Barre, 414 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS HUDSON- DELAWARE A scarce species in upstate New York at any season, this Cattle Egret was pho- tographed 30 May 201 1 in Niagara County. Photograph by Willie D'Anna. Orleans 29-30 Mar (JM, JP, R. Salembier). An- other species accorded boldface status in the Region just a few years ago but now expected annually is Ross’s Goose. This spring featured about two-dozen Ross’s distributed across all three states: a flyover at Middle Run Natural Area, New Castle , DE 25 Mar (DIS); one at Brigantine 17 Mar (K. Arcuri, E. Bristow) through 5 Apr (TR); 2 among Canada Geese at Shelter Cove Park, Toms River, Ocean , NJ from winter through 17 Mar (Steve Weiss); one at Featherbed Lane W.M.A., Salem, NJ 3-5 Mar (M. Wolfe et al.); and at least 20 distributed widely across New York, including a very no- table count of 9 at Pine 1., Orange 6 Mar (JH, m.ob.). There were 2 Black Brant at L. Como, Monmouth, NJ 12 Mar (PG) and a Barnacle Goose among the other rare geese noted above at Pine I., Orange, NY 4-5 Mar (KMcD, m.ob.). The Regional tally of Richardson’s Cackling Geese exceeded 110 this spring, with a single- site maximum of 37 at Hartland, Niagara, NY 12 Mar (fide MM); at least 5 on Long L, NY (R. Grover et ah); and singles at Cape May 13 &r 18 Mar (TR, m.ob.). Rounding out the unusu- al geese were two reports of Snow Goose x Canada Goose hybrids, from Myers Pt., Tomp- kins, NY 8 Mar (MI, TLz) and Hamlin, Mon- roe, NY 13 Mar (GL, KS). About 20 Eurasian Wigeons were reported, the bulk of these somewhat surprisingly from upstate New York. Eurasian Teal were more numerous than usual, with at least one in Delaware at Broadkill Beach Rd., Sussex 18 Mar-1 Apr (BGP) and again 19 Apr (PJL, SSM); singles in New Jersey at L. Takanassee, Monmouth 4 6a: 21 Mar (R. Duffy; SB), in At- lantic 9 Mar (JDo, CS), and at Heislerville 18 Mar-2 Apr (TLeu, m.ob.); and 6 in New York, including 2 males at Water Mill, Suffolk 6 Mar (PJL, SSM). Green-winged Teal x Eurasian Teal hybrids were also reported, all from sites also hosting typical-looking Eurasians. Counts of 25,000 Greater Scaup at Sandy Hook, Monmouth, NJ 15 Mar (RSc), 25,000 at Plumb Beach, Kings, NY 1 Mar (CF, DG), and 20,000 at Dead Horse Bay, Kings, NY 13 Mar (R. Bourque) may have involved some dupli- cation among these closely clustered sites but are nevertheless encouraging and in keeping with hints of recovery in Regional counts over the past few years. Similarly, a count of 1550 Lesser Scaup at Eastport, Suffolk, NY 13 Mar (SSM) was in keeping with large counts from recent springs. A Ring-necked Duck x scaup species hybrid was found 12 Mar at Stewart Park, Tompkins, NY (TLz, JMcG, HB), and a Tufted Duck x scaup hybrid was noted the same day at Massapequa, Nassau, NY (PJL, SSM). Formerly rare in the Region away from e. Long L, Common Eider wintering popula- tions have shifted southward dramatically over the past two decades. This year, 5 were at Cape Henlopen S.P., Sussex, DE 15 Mar (FR), and as many as 114 were found as far s. as Barnegat Inlet, Ocean, NJ 17 Mar (RSc). The latest of about 10 King Eiders were 2 males at Sandy Hook 25 May (JW), where one had been present since 25 Apr (SB, m.ob.). The same 2 males appeared six days later about 160 km to the north- east at East Marion, Suffolk, NY 31 May+ (ph. JSe). Eared Grebes continued from winter at East Hampton, Suffolk, NY (C. Starace), Aurora Bay, Cayuga, NY (HB, TLz, JMcG), and Dunkirk Harbor, Chautauqua, NY (fide MM). The last dates for these birds were clustered very tight- ly, at 12 Mar, 12 Mar, and 14 Mar, respective- ly. Additional records this spring included singles at Dorchester Park, Broome, NY 6 Apr (CLW), Yates, Orleans, NY 14 Apr (JP), and Hamlin Beach 7 May (JBa, CLW, AG). Sea- watches from East Hampton produced no- tably early Sooty Shearwaters 14 & 23 Apr (both AnW). Very unusual in w. Long Island Sound was a shearwater at Rye, Westchester, NY 17 May (BVD), thought most likely to be a Manx. A pelagic trip to n. Wilmington Canyon 20 May tallied 16 Leach’s Storm-Pe- trels in New Jersey waters (PG et al.). This species is seldom reported from New York wa- ters, but one was a highlight of an offshore birding/hshing trip to Block Canyon 21 May (JSm, AnW). A female Magnificent Frigatebird was seen at Cape May 30 May (W. Roache et al.). An Anhinga reported from the Cape Henlopen Hawkwatch 20 Apr (SGr, LMS, TS) would be Delaware’s first vetted record if accepted by the Delaware Rare Birds Committee. Another was seen by many at Cape May 30 Apr (VE et al.). American White Pelicans were recorded in good numbers again this spring, with one at Assiscong Marsh, Hunterdon, NJ 6 Apr (SPG, FS), 2 at Braddock Bay, 11-12 Apr (m.ob.), reminiscent of 2 there in Apr 2009; 2 at Savannah 5 May (W. & M. Rowley) and nearby Montezuma through 8 May (J. & C. Slattery, m.ob.); one at Nummy L, Cape May, NJ 24 May (S. Seymour); and one at Sauger- ties, Ulster, NY 31 May (FM). HERONS THROUGH RAPTORS A Little Egret at Fowler’s Beach 22-23 May (ES, BGP) moved to Prime Hook Road 24-28 May (V. Ford). Several south-coastal herons made notable early appearances in upstate New York, including at least 4 Snowy Egrets along the Lake Ontario Plain during Apr; a Little Blue Heron at Sapsucker Woods, Tomp- kins 5 May (WH et al); Tricolored Herons at Bashakill 28 Apr (JH) and Braddock Bay 27 Apr (DT); and a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron at Tifft Nature Preserve 26 Apr (A. Humann). This Slaty-backed Gull at Porter, Niagara County, New York 1 6 March 201 1 was probably the same individual as noted at nearby Wilson, New York 22 March by Chris Newton and Jim Pawlicki. Another, or possibly the same bird, had been seen a few miles away at Lewiston Reservoir in February. Photograph by Willie DAnna. VOLUME 65 (2011) NUMBER 3 415 HUDSON-DELAWARE returned 22-31 May+ (J- Kent, m.ob.). The warm front of 26-27 Apr brought 39,417 Broad-winged Hawks past Braddock Bay, the greatest single-day flight ever recorded there. Farther e. along the Lake Ontario Plain, Derby Hill recorded 4901 Broad-winged Hawks 27 Apr. Also associated with this front were 3 of an exceptional 6 Swainsons Hawks this spring: along Little Neck Rd., near Prime Hook, DE 23 Apr (BGP, ph. FR); at Wilson, Niag- ara, NY 27 Apr (WD’A); at Hogan Pt., Greece, Monroe, NY 27 Apr (DT); at Braddock Bay 28 Apr (LT et al.); and at Derby Hill 22 Apr (SC, BPu) and 22 May (DW). The occurrence of Western Red-tailed Hawk in our Region remains poorly understood, so a well-studied individual at Gaines, Orleans, NY 1-3 Apr (ph. WD’A, DT, JP) provides wel- come grist for the knowledge mill. This male Hoary Redpoll was one of two seen by Betsy Potter and Willie D'Anna in their yard at Wilson, New York 1 7 March 201 1 . Photo- graph by Willie D'Anna. Ad. White Ibis were recorded at Mt. Loretto Unique Area, Richmond, NY 25 Apr (J. Stet- son), moving to Great Kills Park 29 Apr+ (SIW, m.ob.), and at Benny’s Landing, Cape May, NJ 8 May (R. Horn, K. Roye-Horn). Four White-faced Ibis in coastal New Jersey were slightly fewer than in recent years, but at least 4 in upstate New York were very unusual: 2 at Stewart Park, Ithaca 7 May (TLz, m.ob.) pro- vided a first Tompkins record; another was at Montezuma 16 May (DW); and one pho- tographed at Perinton, Monroe, NY 18-20 May (ph. B. Cady, m.ob.) was a first for New Yorks intensely birded Genesee region. Black Vulture continues to expand into por- tions of se. and w. New York where it was rare until recently, as shown by at least 3 on Long l. , 5 in the Niagara Frontier region, and a total of 8 passing Braddock Bay. As last year, Swal- low-tailed Kites were seemingly everywhere from late Apr through early May. No fewer than 8 were found in New Jersey, most from 17-29 Apr; one was at Middle Run Natural Area, New Castle, DE 23-24 Apr (A. Burns, m. ob.); and others were found at three sites in New York; Robert Moses S.P. 25 Apr (JQ), Wolforts Roost Country Club, Albany 29 Apr (J. Ford), and Rhinebeck, Dutchess 2 May (J. Clinton, Jr.). Mississippi Kite also consolidat- ed some recent shifts in its status. As many as 10 were seen at Cape May 30 May (MO’B, m.ob.), with other New Jersey reports from Mercer and Sussex during late May. Other mi- grants were seen in Delaware, at the Dupont Nature Center, Sussex 27 May (JSn), and in New York, at Bashakill 22 May (A. Gilbert) and Frisbee Hill, Greece, Monroe 28 May (LT et al.). The breeders at Root, Montgomeiy, NY RAILS THROUGH ALCIDS At least 10 King Rails were reported from Delaware, 5 from New Jersey, and one from as far n. as Beechwoods S.P, Wayne, NY 20 Apr (DD). Sandhill Cranes continue to increase in the Region, with 3 at Broadkill Beach Rd., Sussex, DE 3 Apr (D. Granger) and 2 over the Cape Henlopen Hawkwatch, Sussex, DE 18 Apr (SGr et al). In upstate New York, the Genessee region alone tallied over 72 reports, including a maximum of 13 at Braddock Bay 17 Mar (LT et al.), and multiple cranes were also reported from each of the Niagara Fron- tier, St. Lawrence, Hudson-Mohawk, and Lower Hudson Valley regions. The highest count of American Golden-Plover was 7 at Bombay Hook 8 May (CB), a traditional spring site, whereas others at Savannah 21 & 23 Apr (DN, JMcG); Port Chester, Westch- ester, NY 20 May (JA); Manitou 23 May (DT); and Montezuma 30 May (JMcG, TLz, KR, SH) were unusual for these locations during spring. A Piping Plover at Sandy Pond, Os- wego, NY 10-21 May (L. Grove, ph. Scott Warsen, m.ob.) provided the first local record since 1984 and warranted an article in the lo- cal newspaper. No American Avocets were recorded n. of Delaware, but Black-necked Stilts in New Jersey and New York included one at Heislerville 7 May; 3 at Manahawkin W.M.A., Ocean, NJ 16 May (SB et al.); one at Brigantine 28 May 0- Demko); and 2 at Se- bonac Inlet, Suffolk, NY 25-29 May (RBA, SSM, m.ob.). Only in recent years has West- ern Willet been recognized as occurring in spring in coastal New York, so 3 individuals studied at Moriches 22, 28, & 30 May (PJL, SSM) are worth noting. The individual from 28 May was in the winter-like first-summer plumage typical of most recent May-Jun records on Long L, but the others were in breeding plumage and were likely late mi- grants. Four Willets from upstate New York were more than usual for spring and included breeding-plumaged Westerns photographed at Myers Pt., Tompkins 28 Apr (S. Krasnoff, m.ob.) and Hamlin Beach 8 May (JeB, ph. CLW), plus presumed Westerns at Oneida L., Oswego 30 May (DW) and Derby Hill 31 May (BP). A Eurasian Whimbrel was a spectacular find at Brigantine 15 May (TR); amazingly, it was joined by another on 17 May (TR). A breeding-plumaged Bar-tailed Godwit of the nominate subspecies at the same site 12 May (MF) was presumably a bit less of a shock in view of the appearance last spring of a simi- larly plumaged individual, possibly the same bird. A Marbled Godwit was notable at Ham- lin, Monroe , NY 20 May (ph. AG, m.ob.). The spring’s high count of Red Knots in Delaware Bay was just 12,804 on 23 May (Amanda Dey). Curlew Sandpipers were pres- ent at Heislerville 3-28 May (m.ob.), with maximum single-day counts of 3 on 11 May (Sam Galick, TLeu) and 2 on later dates through 21 May (m.ob.). The only other Curlew Sandpiper reported was one at the Meadowlands Important Bird Area, Bergen, NJ 26-27 May (M. Newhouse, CT et al.). The season’s only Ruff was photographed at Bom- bay Hook 4 May (ph. JSn). Wilson's Phalaropes were found at Bombay Hook 10 May (M. Moore), Ted Harvey W.M.A. 14 May (2 birds; MDA, J. Sebastiani), South Cape May Meadows 25 May (TR et al.), the Elba Mucklands, Genesee, NY 1 May (KF), and Chazy R. mouth, Clinton, NY 28 May (JO). Red Phalaropes were encountered in good numbers on two offshore trips, with 66 near Wilmington Canyon 20 May (PG et al.) and 33 near Block Canyon 21 May (JSm, AnW). More unusual was one ashore and away from the outer coast at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, NY 20 May (ph. J. Wolf). The only Black-legged Kittiwake recorded this spring was a very late first-summer bird off Moriches 14 May (PJL). Numbers of Bona- parte’s Gulls in the Region remain depressed. Few counts exceeded 100, and the maximum of 1500 along the Niagara R., Erie, NY 22 Apr (D. Gordon) wasn’t remotely approached by any other reports. In view of this ongoing trend, a mediocre showing of 7 Black-headed Gulls in New Jersey and New York is hardly surprising. As usual, Little Gulls were most numerous in w. New York, with a high count of 48 along the Niagara R. at Lewiston, Niag- ara 16 Mar (JP). About 5 were reported from New Jersey, 2 from Delaware, and none from 416 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS HUDSON-DELAWARE Long Island. A Laughing Gull was unusual near L. Ontario at Fair Haven, Wayne , NY 27 May (DW, BPu). The season’s only Thayer’s Gulls were found at Leroy, Genesee, NY 5 Mar (DT) and at Riga, Monroe, NY 22 Mar (DT), the latter persisting through 25 Mar (K. Frisch). Not satisfied with these, Dave Tetlow found the season’s only California Gull at the latter site 24 Mar, an especially unusual record away from the Niagara R., the species’ only site of regular occurrence in the Region. Counts of Lesser Black-backed Gull at Spruce Run Res., Hunterdon, NJ swelled from 100 on 3 Mar (FS) to a remarkable 377 on 27 Mar (FS), the increase suggestive of the peak of migration for adults. Consistent with this idea, upstate New York’s maximum of 13 at Riga (DT) was noted 22 Mar, and 4 closely watched wintering ads. on Long I., NY were last recorded on dates 10-25 Mar ( fide SA). A second mode involving imms. was noted al- most two months later, with locally impres- sive counts such as 15 around w. Great South Bay, Suffolk, NY 16-18 May (SSM), 4 at Prime Hook 21 May (W. Ellison), and 11 around Cape L, Cape May, NJ 23 May (CJV). Well- documented reports of Slaty-backed Gull along the w. Lake Ontario shore at Porter, Ni- agara, NY 16 Mar (WD’A, BPo) and Wilson, Niagara, NY 22 Mar (JP) were suspected to involve the same bird and possibly the one seen near there during Feb. A first-summer Bridled Tern was a spectac- ular find on the pelagic trip toward Wilming- ton Canyon 20 May (PG et al.). Very few spring records exist for the Northeast, possibly none prior for New Jersey. Gull-billed Terns were recorded from traditional sites in all three states, with a high count of 8 at Jones Beach 8 May (MMcB). Away from the mega-colony on Great Gull I., Suffolk, NY, Roseate Terns were reported in modest numbers from many sites, including Sandy Hook 8-12 May (SB et al.), Breezy Pt., Queens, NY 22 May (AB), Robert Moses S.P. 3 May+ (SSM et al.), Moriches 14 May+ (SSM et al), Shinnecock 17 May+ (JDC, SS et al.), and several sites along Long I.’s North Fork (JSe et al.). Offshore trips to Wilm- ington Canyon 20 May and Block Canyon 21 May reported one (ph. PG et al.) and 2 (AnW, JSm) Arctic Terns, respectively, and another was reported from a shore-based seawatch at Robert Moses S.P. 22 May (BB, RJK). Addition- al excellent finds for the 20 May pelagic to- ward Wilmington Canyon were Long-tailed Jaeger and South Polar Skua, both described as imms. and about 80 km off Wildwood Crest, Cape May, NJ (PG et al.). Two Dovekies offshore toward Block Canyon 21 May (JSm, AnW) were the only ones reported this spring. The late May date is consistent with recent trends, as described in last spring’s report. The high count for Razor- bill was 230 off Freeport, Nassau, NY 27 Mar (PG et al.). This trip also recorded 2 Common Murres, a species detected with increasing regularity in recent years. The spring’s only Black Guillemot was recorded at the Region’s most reliable site for this species, Montauk Pt., Suffolk, NY 13 Mar (AnW), and the only Atlantic Puffins were 18 encountered offshore toward Block Canyon 21 May (JSm, AnW). DOVES THROUGH WAXWINGS Three Eurasian Collared-Doves were seen at Selbyville, Sussex, DE, a long-established breeding site, and another was at Prime Hook Beach 22 May (ES, BGP). In New York, at least one continued at the traditional site near Hamlin, and another was well described on Long I., at East Marion, Suffolk 5 May (L. Kras, fide SA). White-winged Doves appeared in each state: at Jones Beach 15 May (ph. AB, DF, m.ob.), at Cape May 29 Apr (SL et al.) and 19 May+ (FS, m.ob.), and at Rehoboth Beach, DE 30 May (LMS). A Chuck- will’s-widow at Manitou 27 Apr (DT) was the 5th record for the Genesee region of upstate New York, but no breeders were found in coastal New York by seasons end, and just a single migrant was recorded there, at Prospect Park 30 Apr (RJ, m.ob.). The Lewis’s Woodpecker present at a feeder near Honeoye, Ontario, NY since fall 2010 remained through 9 Apr (ph. F & E. Jordan, m.ob.). Red-headed Woodpeckers were reported from seven likely breeding lo- cations in w. New York’s Niagara region (MM et al.), but numbers were reported down at Fort Drum (JSB), and coastal New York pro- duced just one wintering bird and one mi- grant this spring. The season’s only Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was a cooperative ad. male at Cape May 23-30 Apr (ph. TLeu, m.ob.). An exceptional total of 40 Blue-headed Vireos was recorded at Sandy Hook 24 Apr (S. Treesh). Common Ravens continued to expand into low-lying and densely settled areas. Nesting was at- tempted for the 3rd consecutive year at Kew Gardens, Queens, NY, but this year, the nest was abandoned some time in the 18-23 Apr period (SA et al.). With the exception of Man- hattan, there were multiple reports from all counties in New York City and Long Island, and the species was noted as continuing to in- crease in the Niagara region, including in ar- eas away from the Allegany Plateau. As usual, a few Cliff Swallows arrived early: 6 Apr at Cape May (m.ob.), 7 Apr at Hempstead Lake S.P, Nassau, NY (S. Schellenger et al.), and 10 Apr at Braddock Bay (DT). Following last fall’s major Black-capped Chickadee irruption, about 8 were recorded in Delaware during Mar and Apr (fide FR). The plight of Sedge Wren in the Region con- tinues to cause alarm. None were recorded in Delaware, New Jersey, or in the Genesee or St. Lawrence regions of New York, at least through the end of May. The only reports were of a migrant in Tompkins, NY 22 May (JBa, CLW) and a likely breeder at Iroquois N.W.R., Genesee/Orleans, NY 22 May (KF). In New York, a Townsend’s Solitaire at Point Peninsula, Jefferson continued from winter through 20 Mar (JBr, m.ob.), as did a Varied Thrush at Wurtsboro, Sullivan through 3 Mar (JH). Bohemian Waxwings persisted much later than usual in w. and n. New York, through 10 Apr at Bethany, Genesee (D. Beat- tie), 27 Apr at Hogan Pt., Greece, Genesee (DT), and 30 Apr at Indian Creek Nature Center, Canton, Saint Lawrence (JSB, m.ob.). WARBLERS THROUGH SPARROWS An analysis of arrival dates for 22 common and widespread warbler species across 10 reporting regions in New York illustrates the extent to which these dates have advanced for many Neotropical migrants in our Region. Without exception, each species’ average arrival date in 2011 preceded its 25-year average, the differ- ences varying from 1.6 days earlier for North- ern Waterthrush to 6.5 days earlier for Black- burnian Warbler (R. Spahn, in prep, for The Kingbird). The analysis controlled for regional differences in the timing of migration, which varies by as much as 13.7 days between coastal New York and the Adirondack-Champlain re- gion, and the pattern observed does not appear to be a unique artifact of this particular season, given that this year’s dates were very similar to (actually fractionally later than) last year’s. Ex- ceptional counts of 85 Tennessee and 17 Black- burnian Warblers at Ithaca, Tompkins, NY 17 May (JMcG), and of 62 Black-and-white and 32 Worm-eating Warblers at Belleplain S.F, Cape May, NJ 24 Apr (SPG, TR), provided wel- come data in contrast to long lists of poor counts from recent springs in general and this spring in particular. A male Audubon’s Warbler seen by many at Cape May 17-19 Apr (ph. Sam Galick, m.ob.) was the rarest warbler of the season. At least 13 Yellow-throated Warblers in New York City and Long I., NY (fide SA) were more than usual and included birds in appropriate breeding habitat in late May. Elsewhere along and beyond the periphery of the species’ breeding range in New York, individuals were found at Point Gratiot, Chautauqua 17 Apr (JP); Allegany S.P, Cattaraugus 10 May (T. Baird); Lansing, Tompkins 8 May (KR); Chenango Valley S.P, Broome 24 May (W. VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 417 HUDSON-DELAWARE Kuk); Ashokan Res., Ulster 17 Apr (FM); and Larchmont Res., Westchester 19 Apr (T. Gui- da). Prothonotary Warblers were also more numerous than usual in New York, with at least 10 in New York City and Long 1. (fide SA) and about a dozen more widely distrib- uted from the Niagara Frontier to the Hudson Valley. Another southern species increasing in the n. parts of the Region was Kentucky War- bler, with at least 4 this spring in the species’ New York stronghold in the Lower Hudson Valley, 3 in New York City, and 2 in Suffolk, Long I., where rare. Even more notable were records from upstate New York at Clinton, Oneida 24-25 May (M. Perry), Cazenovia, Madison 21-22 May (JR), and Broome 5 May (D. Watkins). Three Connecticut Warblers were more than usual for this Regionally rare spring migrant: Hamlin Beach 27 May (DT), Manitou 27 May (LT), and Baldwinsville, Onondaga, NY 13 May (JBr). Clay-colored Sparrow continues to in- crease as a spring migrant and breeder, partic- ularly in n. and cen. New York. Arrival at Fort Drum, Jefferson (JSB), the core breeding area in New York, came 9 May, with 6 more re- ported to the w. in the Genesee region 3-20 May (DT, AG, m.ob.); in addition, 4 were seen to the s. in the Oneida Lake Basin region 2-23 May (fide BP), 2 to the e. in the Adiron- dacks (LM et ah), and 2 singles far to the se., at Benedict Park, Montgomery, Orange 19 May (D. Powell) and Central Park, New York 21 May (ph.;Jide DF). A Henslow’s Sparrow was heard along Prime Hook Beach Rd. 24 Apr (APE); apart from this rare encounter with a migrant, the species was recorded only at Fort Drum, where arrival was 5 May (JSB). TANAGERS THROUGH FINCHES At least 15 Summer Tanagers were tallied in New York City and Long 1. (SA, AB, JDr, AxW, m.ob.), including a pair of probable breeders at East Hampton, Suffolk (A. Coller- ton). As was the case with several species of southern warblers this spring, the surge in records in se. New York was accompanied by an extralimital record far to the n. and w., in this case a female at Braddock Bay 13 May (KF, DT). This spring was average at best for northward-trending Blue Grosbeaks, with about eight reports distributed among seven of New York’s nine southeasternmost coun- ties. At least one territorial male was noted at Easport, Suffolk (GB, TWB et al.), in the Pine Barrens region of Long L, where breeding ac- tivity has been noted since 1999. Two Paint- ed Buntings were recorded in New Jersey, an ad. male at Absecon, Bergen 10-14 Apr (RF, m.ob.) and an imm. male at Cape May 7 May (VE et al). About 15 Dickcissels Regionwide were more than usual for spring. These in- cluded 5 along Hunting Quarters Rd., Kent, DE 24 May (R. Ringler et al.); a pair near Mil- ford, Sussex, DE 26 May (M. Bowen); singles at Cape May 30 Apr (CJV) and in Camden, NJ 26 Apr-7 May (MDA, m.ob.); and at least 6 in New York. Particularly notable among the last were territorial birds at two sites on Long L, where suggestions of breeding had been scant or absent since the nineteenth century: a pair at Garvies Point Rd., Glen Cove, Nas- sau 29 Apr (ph. P Gildersleeve, M. Norman- dia) and a male in the Pine Barrens at Calver- ton, Suffolk 20 May (DK, RM). Two Yellow- headed Blackbirds were seen near Sharpton, Salem, NJ 6 Mar (G. Johnson et al), with one continuing until 20 Mar (m.ob.). Others were at Liberty S.R, Hudson, NJ 2 May (J. Bolden) and at Jamaica Bay 25 May (D. Eib). Two Brewer’s Blackbirds continued from win- ter near Sharpton, Salem, NJ 5 Mar (SB, FW), one continuing through 12 Mar (J. Schlick- enrieder). Orchard Orioles continue to push northward in New York. Illustrative of this trend were 6 at Derby Hill 14 May (BPu et al.); several records from Herkimer, NY, where the species is still regarded as unusual (fide BPu); and one as far n. as Crown Point, Essex, NY 14 May (GNL). A major irruption of Common Redpolls ex- tended throughout New York, where counts of 400+ were recorded at several upstate sites, and southward to Cape May, where as many as 28 were recorded 11 Mar (CJV). Among these flocks were reports of Greater Redpolls, subspecies rostrata, from Honeoye Falls, Mon- roe, NY 9 Mar (BC); Canton, St. Lawrence, NY 6 Mar (JSB); and Cumberland Head, Clinton, NY 6 Mar (BK). Hoary Redpoll was also very widely reported in New York. About 40 were noted across all but the southeasternmost portions of the state, and the single-site max- imum of 6 at Honeoye Falls (ph. BC) includ- ed an example of the nominate subspecies, lit- tle known in the Region. Observers (subregional compilers in bold- face): John Askildsen, Seth Ausubel (Long I. and New York City: 118-17 Union Turnpike, Forest Hills, NY 11375), Andrew Baksh, Scott Barnes (North Coast region, NJ: Sandy Hook Bird Observatory, P. O. Box 553, Ft. Hancock, NJ 07732), Hope Batcheller (Finger Lakes re- gion, NY: 250 Rabbit College Rd., Peters- burgh, NY 12138), Jessie Barry (JBa), Chris Bennett, Gail Benson, Bobby Berlingeri, Michael Bochnik (Lower Hudson River Val- ley, NY: 70 Hutchinson Blvd., Mount Vernon, NY 10552), Jeffrey S. Bolsinger (St. Lawrence region, NY: 98 State Street, Canton, NY 13617), Joseph Brin (JBr), Thomas W. Burke, Brad Carlson, Keegan Corcoran, Mark Craw- ford, Seth Cutright, Doug Daniels, Willie D'Anna, Marty DeAngelo, Joe DiCostanzo, Ja- cob Drucker, 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, Corey Finger, Kurt Fox, Mike Fritz, Doug Fu- tuyma, Samuel P. Galick, Arie Gilbert, Doug Gochfeld, Sue Gruver (SGr), Paul Guris, Andy Guthrie, John Haas, Scott Haber, Wes- ley Hochachka, Marshall lliff, Rob Jett, David Klauber, Robert J. Kurtz, David La Puma, Lau- rie Larson (New Jersey), Greg Lawrence, Gary N. Lee, S. Lego, Tim Lenz (TLz), Tony Leukering (TLeu), Patricia J. Lindsay (Long I., NY: 28 Mystic Circle, Bay Shore, NY 11706), Larry Master, Robert May, Michael McBrien, Melanie McCormick (Adiron- dack-Champlain region, NY: P. O. Box 366, Keene, NY 12942), Kenneth McDermott, Jay McGowan, Joe Mitchell, Shaibal S. Mitra, Mike Morgante (Niagara Frontier region, NY: 6405 Woodberry Court, East Amherst, NY 14051), Frank Murphy, Vincent Nichnadow- icz, Dave Nutter, Michael O’Brien, Jim Os- born, Jim Pawlicki, Bruce G. Peterjohn, Betsy Potter (BPo), Bill Purcell (BPu; Oneida Lake Basin, NY: 281 Baum Rd., Hastings, NY, 13076), Joan Quinlan, Tom Reed, Frank Rohrbacher (Delaware: 5 Neva Ct., Wilming- ton, DE 19810, rohrbaf@aol.com), Ken Rosenberg, Jeanne Ryan, Ryan Schain (RSc), Frank Sencher, John Sep QSe), John Shemilt (JSm), Jeff Shenot (JSn), Ed Sigda, Sean Sime, Lynn M. Smith, Robert Spahn (Genesee re- gion, NY: 716 High Tower Way, Webster, NY 14580), Tom Stock, Rob Stone (RSt), Derek 1. Stoner, Kimberly Sucy, Christopher Takacs, David Tetlow, Luke Tiller, Benjamin Van Doren, Christopher J. Vogel, Fred Weber, David Wheeler, Alex Wilson (AxW), Angus Wilson (AnW), Seth 1. Wollney, Christopher L. Wood, John Workman, Will Yandik (Hud- son-Mohawk region, NY: 269 Schneider Rd., Hudson, NY 12534), Matthew A. Young (Susquehanna region, NY: Cornell Lab of Or- nithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850). C Shaibal S. Mitra, Department of Biology College of Staten Island, 2800 Victory Boulevard Staten Island, New York 10314 (shaibal.mitra@csi.cuny.edu) Robert 0. Paxton, 460 Riverside Drive, Apt. 72 New York, New York 10027, (rop1@columbia.edu) Richard R. Veit, Department of Biology College of Staten Island, 2800 Victory Boulevard Staten Island, New York 10314, (veitrr2003@yahoo.com) Frank Rohrbacher, 5 Neva Court Wilmington, Delaware 19810, (rohrbaf@aol.com) 418 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS Middle Atlantic MarkT. Adams Matt Hafner This was generally a warm spring that be- came drier as it progressed. March tem- peratures were uniformly near normal, but April saw above-normal temperatures, ex- cept in the Virginia Piedmont and along the Maryland Eastern Shore, which endured record warmth. May’s temperature pattern showed a distinct west-to-east gradient, with normal temperatures in the Mountains and Valleys, somewhat higher temperatures in the Pied- mont, and heat that was well above normal on the Coastal Plain. Spring precipitation showed a west-to-east gradient throughout the spring, with wetter conditions in the Mountains and Valleys and distinctly drier conditions on the Coastal Plain. By 31 May, the annual rainfall was 16.5 cm (6.5 inches) below normal at Nor- folk, Virginia and 12.7 cm (5.0 inches) below normal on the Virginia Eastern Shore. Observers enjoyed a diverse set of spring rarities that included Cinnamon Teal, Purple Gallinule, Long-billed Curlew, Eurasian Whimbrel, Red Phalarope, Violet-green Swal- low, Western Kingbird, and continuing Allen’s Hummingbird. In addition to our many indi- vidual contributors, we thank Adam D’Onofrio, YuLee Larner, Robert E Ringler, Jo Solem, and Bill Williams for their assistance in compiling and interpreting the spring season’s records. Abbreviations: Assat. (Assateague I., Worces- ter, MD); Back Bay (Back Bay N.W.R., Virginia Beach, VA); C.B.B.T. (Chesapeake Bay Bridge- Tunnel, spanning Virginia Beach and North- ampton, VA); C.C.B. (Center for Conservation Biology at the College of William & Mary and Virginia Commonwealth University); Chine. (Chincoteague N.W.R., Accomack, VA); Craney (Craney Island Disposal site, Portsmouth, VA); False Cape (False Cape S.P., Virginia Beach, VA); Hog (Hog Island W.M.A., Surry, VA). WATERFOWL THROUGH EGRETS Rare transients and winter visitors, single Greater White-fronted Geese were at Pooles- ville, Montgomery, MD 1-6 Mar (BA, m.ob.), Chesapeake College, Queen Anne’s, MD 11 Mar (JLS), and Chesterwood Park, Baltimore , MD 29 Mar (FK). A blue-morph Ross’s Goose was photographed at a Rte. 309 pond, Queen Anne’s 8 Mar (JLS); the Region has two other records, both from Chincoteague. Notable Ross’s Geese in the Virginia Moun- tains & Valleys region, where the species is rare but increasing as a transient and winter resident, in- cluded singles at Willow L., Rockbridge, VA 27 Mar (AL, ph. DR) and near Stuart’s Draft, Au- gusta, VA 5 Apr (AL, TH). A Ross’s Goose at Morgantown, Charles 27 Mar-1 Apr (RG, JG, m.ob.) made a first county record and was the only non-Eastern Shore spring record in Mary- land. Two Brant at Smith I., Somerset, MD 17 Apr (KGr, m.ob.; ph. ADr) were the only non- coastal record. A Cackling Goose pho- tographed at Langford, Kent, MD 17 Apr (JM) was very late. A male Eurasian Wigeon visited Paper Mills Flats, Baltimore 3-16 Mar (BC, m.ob.); another floated on the Rappahannock R. at Leedstown, Westmoreland VA 13 Mar (FA). An ad. male Cinnamon Teal pho- tographed at Back Bay 15 Apr (ph. RLAk, SD, KM) was just a 5th or 6th accepted state record. Two Green-winged Teal x Eurasian Teal hybrids were at Oxbow L., Anne Amndel, MD 27-30 Mar, with one continuing through 7 Apr (JSh, m.ob.); singles visited at Tanyard, Caro- line, MD 27 Mar-2 Apr (BH et al.) and Chesa- peake Landing, Kent 12 Mar (WEI). A Eurasian Teal was nicely documented at Dutch Gap C.A., Chesterfield, VA 3 Apr (ph. HB); sin- gles were also at Chesapeake Farms, Kent 5-21 Mar (DSt et al.) and on Elliott L, Dorchester, MD 27 Mar (HTA). A Harlequin Duck at Ft. Armistead, Baltimore City/Anne Arundel, MD continued from the winter through 7 Apr (m.ob.); another was at C.B.B.T. 17 Mar (TH). A notable count of 44 Surf Scoters was made at Ragged Island W.M.A., Isle of Wight, VA 19 Mar (NF); one was well inland at Mill Creek L., Amherst, VA 25 Mar-3 Apr (MJ). Two White-winged Scoters continued from the winter at Mill Creek L. 2 Mar, with one through 10 Apr (MJ, m.ob.). Up to 2 White- wingeds were near the Kerr Lake Visitor’s Center, Mecldenberg, VA 3-17 Apr (PG et al.), and singles were at Violette’s Lock, Mont- gomery 1-20 Mar (DCz, m.ob.) and at Piscat- away Cr., Prince George’s, MD 13 Mar (RO). A Black Scoter at Stuart’s Draft, Augusta 5 Apr (AL) made a first spring record for the coun- ty. Another was inland at Riley’s Lock, Mont- gomery 21-22 Mar (DCz). Long-tailed Ducks visited three inland Virginia ponds 27 Mar: 7 in Albemarle (MS et al.), 4 in Augusta (AL), and 4 in Amherst (KH); one was on the Shenandoah R., Rockbridge 14 Apr ( fide DL). All but 3 of the 1 1 1 Hooded Mergansers on a King George, VA pond 2 Apr (FA) were drakes. Up to 3 Common Mergansers were on the Susquehanna R., Harford, MD through May. Though breeding has not yet been con- firmed, May records on the Susquehanna R. are becoming more frequent. Notable Red-throated Loon records in Maryland included singles at Riley’s Lock, Montgomery 23-25 Mar (DCz, m.ob.) and 12 Apr (DCz) and at Piney Run, Carroll 16 Apr (JB, JSa). Probably the individual noted there in the previous winter, a Pacific Loon was near the Kerr Lake Visitor Center, Mecklen- berg 3 & 9 Apr (PG, AD, TT). An excellent migration of 273 Common Loons was record- ed in the first hour after dawn at Southwest Area Park, Baltimore 14 Apr (MH, KEC). An ad. Pied-billed Grebe, a rare breeder, was with 4 feathered young near Roxbury, Charles City, VA 24 May (BW). Nine Red-necked Grebes were recorded in eight counties 1 Mar-8 Apr. Single Eared Grebes were reported in Mary- land at North Beach, Calvert/Anne Arundel 14- 24 Apr (BHa, m.ob.), at Benedict, Charles 28 Mar-9 Apr (JLS), at Huntingfield Creek, Kent 17 Apr (WEI, NM), and at Cove Rd., Wicomi- co 31 Mar-20 Apr (RG, m.ob.). A Sooty Shearwater sighted on an Ocean City pelagic 20 Mar made a first Mar record for Maryland (MHo et al.). An American White Pelican stopped on the James R., Prince George, VA 9 Mar (DHo); 2 were seen shortly thereafter, flying 3 km to the east (fide AB). The American White Peli- can flock at Blackwater N.W.R., Dorchester- peaked at 38 birds (HTA et al.). A female and 2 male Anhingas were excellent finds at Car- roll Park, Baltimore City 11 May (tMH). Six Anhingas at Blackwater R., Franklin 24 Mar (fide SL) made the most notable Virginia record; 9 others were at more expected loca- tions in se. Virginia. HERONS THROUGH SH0REBIRDS Interesting Albemarle records included 2 American Bitterns at the confluence of the North and South Rivanna Rivers 13 Apr and a Least Bittern in a small marsh 9 May (both SMi). Up to 60 Great Blue Herons were court- ing and building nests at a newly discovered rookery along the James R. in downtown Richmond, VA 12 Mar (RAS). A Snowy Egret was unusual at King Family Vineyard, Albe- marle 15 May (MTA). The black-billed Great Egret that returned to Chine, each spring 2008-2010 was not reported this year, but a bird with a yellowish bill with extensive black VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 419 MIDDLE ATLANTIC on the culmen was photographed there 20 Apr (ESB). Single Cattle Egrets away from their typical locations were in n. Charlotte, VA 13 Apr (MS), on Rte. 360, Chesteifield 15 Apr (JE), at Swan Harbor Farm, Harford 21 Apr (EBe), at Homestead Farm, Montgomery 22 Apr (DCZ), and at Fulton Pond, Howard, MD 3 May (DCu, m.ob.). Two Yellow-crowned Night-Herons at Waynesboro, VA 13 Apr (PN, VL) tied the state’s extreme early date; one at Fager’s I., Worcester 20 May (MAT, DCz) was the only Maryland report away from known breeding areas. Still rare in Maryland, espe- cially in spring, an ad. White Ibis was a good find at West Ocean City Pond, Worcester 2 Apr (MHo). A notable Glossy Ibis was at Lilypons, Frederick, MD 30 Apr (MW). Very rare in the Ridge & Valley region of Maryland, 2 Glossy Ibis were excellent finds at Mt. Aetna, Wash- ington 15 May (BLa, m.ob.). Two White-faced Ibis stopped at Chine. 18-20 Apr (]Ma, fide RHi; ph. ESB), with singles there 7 & 9 May (CL, WE). A Wood Stork soared over Berwyn Heights, Prince Georges 25 May (ph. LT). Four individual Swallow-tailed Kites were sighted in just a week: at Kings Grant, Vir- ginia Beach, VA 18 Apr (CW); at Kent I., Queen Anne’s 24 Apr (MSc, m.ob.); and at Swan Creek (SA) and Ft. Smallwood (SR et al.) in Anne Arundel 25 Apr. It was an excel- lent Mississippi Kite spring in Maryland: 15 birds passed the Ft. Smallwood Hawkwatch, and at least 12 others were seen across the state. An ad. Mississippi Kite hanging around Hughes Hollow, Montgomery 28 May+ was suspected of nesting, though no kite nest has been found in Maryland yet. A rare Bald Eagle four-chick brood was documented on the James R. in Hopewell, VA 18 Apr (fide AD). A Merlin zoomed past the College Creek Hawk- watch, James City, VA 21 May (BTa) for a new local late date. A Peregrine Falcon pair nested again on the Riverfront Plaza, downtown Richmond. Four eggs were laid 20-27 Mar, though only one chick survived (fide AD). Thirteen King Rails and an American Coot were good finds at Back Bay 26 May (RLAk, GM, SD). Up to 2 Kings or hybrids were heard along the Lawnes Cr. marshes Suny, VA dur- ing kayak surveys 27 Apr-30 May (NF); the site is well known for King x Clapper hybrids. A King Rail was in a Hog marsh 18 May (AD). Notable Soras included 2 at King Family Vine- yards, Albemarle 19 Apr (SMi). A Purple Gallinule was a rare spring visitor at Hughes Hollow, Montgomery 2-18 May (DP, m.ob.). A Common Gallinule visited Lilypons, Frederick 1-17 May (BC, m.ob.), a county and location where the species has been regular. Though there are no recent nesting records for the county, a Common Gallinule pair at Swan Harbor Farm, Harford 1 May+ (ML, m.ob.) was still present in June. Transient Common Gallinules spent a day each at King Family Vineyard, Albemarle 15 May (SMi, MTA; ph. SMi), Langford, Kent 18 May (RO, m.ob.), and Hog 21 May (DC, AW). Lingering American Coots were at Hog 18 May (AD) and Henricus Park, Chesteifield 24 May (AB). Two Sandhill Cranes circled over Hog 26 Apr (BTa, BW); singles were over Ft. Hunt Park, Fairfax, VA 11 Mar (EMH), Richmond, VA 30 Apr (AM), and Hog 24 May (BTa). Rare in spring, single American Golden- Plovers were nice finds at Hart-Miller I., Bal- timore 4 Apr (RFR, KGr) and Sassafras, Kent 20 May (DS, MG). Two Piping Plovers at False Cape 15 Mar (RLAk, CH, GM) were early there; 11 were at Back Bay/False Cape 25 Mar (RLAk, SD); and one at Poplar L, Tal- bot, MD 18-19 Apr (CE, LBa) was just the is- lands 2nd record. Nine American Oyster- catchers were notable in Wicomico 9 Apr (DS), where the species is very rare. Also away from the immediate coast, 12 were at Goodwin L, York 10 May and 4 near Seaford, York the same day (BW, AW, LS). A three-egg American Oystercatcher nest on Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, Hampton/Norfolk, VA 9 May (BW et al.) was the first known breed- ing attempt for this site; the species has nest- ed successfully on multiple occasions at C.B.B.T. Rare in Caroline, VA, a Black-necked Stilt was a nice find 13 Apr (MB, BBa). Six- teen stilts at Craney 26 May (BW et al.) were later found to be nesting successfully (more news in the summer report). Along Chin- coteague causeway, Accomack, VA, 4 stilts were noted by 23 Apr (BHo), with three nest- ing pairs confirmed by 21 May (LM), 11 ads. 25 May (MS et al.), and a peak 29 ads. plus a four-egg nest 27 May (RBo). Rare in Talbot away from Poplar I., 2 stilts were at Pickering Creek Audubon Sanctuary 10 May (JG, m.ob.). A first for Bloodsworth I., Dorchester, in the Chesapeake Bay, a single Black-necked Stilt was seen 29 May (HTA et al.). The 10 Black-necked Stilts at Truitt’s Landing, Worcester 16 Apr (BH et al.) made a new Maryland high count. Breeding has not yet been confirmed in that state, but the species has become annual in spring and early sum- mer. Single American Avocets were at Craney 7 Apr (BW et al.) and at Poplar I., Talbot 13 Apr (WB et al.), and 12 were at Violette’s Lock, Montgomery 16 Apr (DCz) — a very high count for Maryland’s w. shore. The only Upland Sandpiper reported in Virginia was at Woodward Turf Farm, Fauquier 18 Apr (TMD); Maryland singles were at Swan Harbor Farm, Harford 22-23 Apr (MH, m.ob.) and Assat. 25 Apr (JLS, EB). The 3rd annual C.C.B. Whimbrel Watch conduct- ed at Box Tree Cr., Northampton recorded 5345 birds 17-28 May. The 22 May peak count of 2108 (FSm et al.) exceeded the 1972 birds counted 24 May 2009. The 90 Whim- brels at Elliott I., Dorchester made an excellent Maryland count away from Worcester (HTA et al.). A Eurasian Whimbrel at Assat. 18 Apr-10 May (JL-S, m.ob.) made just a 3rd Maryland record. A Long-billed Curlew at Swan Cr., Anne Arundel 23 May (SA, EC, m.ob.) furnished the 5th state record, and a Marbled Godwit at Swan Harbor Farm, Har- ford 21 May QM, m.ob.) was only a 2nd coun- ty record. Rare in the Piedmont, 2 Ruddy Turnstones at Harney, Frederick 15 May (AWi) were a nice Maryland find. Peak Red Knot counts included 1853 on the n. end of Par- rarnore I., Accomack 24 May and 1834 on Hog L, Northampton 26 May (MM, LMo). Very rare in the spring, a Western Sand- piper was photographed at Berlin, Worcester 14 May (ML et al.). Single White-rumped Sandpipers were early at Truitt’s Landing, Worcester (MH et al.) and Blackwater N.W.R., Dorchester (JLS), both 30 Apr. Twelve at Goodwin I., York 28 May (AMc) and 2 in Charles City the same day (AB) were on more expected dates. Single Long-billed Dowitch- ers were rare finds at Tanyard, Caroline 27 Mar (ph. JB, BH) and at Deal I., Somerset 15 Apr (JLS); 4 were at Fairmount W.M.A., Som- erset 16 Apr (JLS). A Purple Sandpiper at Grandview Nature Preserve, Hampton 13 Mar (EE) was at a location where the species is probably annual (on offshore gapped break- waters) but seldom reported in recent years. Extreme high tides concentrated 15,000 Dun- lins on Wreck I., Northampton 20 Mar (MBy, BWa). One Wilson’s and 4 Red-necked Phalaropes were at Craney 12 May (RB, BTa, BW); 5 Red-neckeds were there 26 May (BTa et al.). A single Wilson’s Phalarope was far in- land at Mt. Aetna, Washington, MD 24 May (JG et al.). An ad. male Red Phalarope in breeding plumage was at Back Bay 17 Apr (ESB), on the heels of an unusual extreme weather event that produced over 180 torna- does, including many in the Region. GULLS THROUGH FLYCATCHERS Up to 5 Little Gulls were at Lapidum/Port De- posit, Harford/Cecil 13-20 Mar (TF, m.ob.); 2 were at Back R., Baltimore 16-26 Mar (KEC, m.ob.); and one was at Choptank, Caroline/Talbot/Dorchester 23 Mar (JB). Single Black-headed Gulls continued from winter at three Maryland locations: last reports were 5 Mar at Paper Mill Flats, Baltimore, 5 Mar at Daniel Crouse Memorial Park, Caroline, and 18 Mar at Port Deposit, Cecil (m.ob.). Anoth- 420 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS MIDDLE ATLANTIC er was along the Back R., Baltimore 17-18 Mar (KEC, m.ob.). A first-cycle Iceland Gull was at Brown’s I., Richmond 7-9 Apr (AB). An ad. and a first-cycle Iceland Gull were at Rudee Inlet, Virginia Beach 4 Mar (NF); a first-cycle bird was there 17 Mar (TH); and another was at False Cape 15 Apr (ph. RLAk, SD, KM). Single Iceland Gulls were also notable in Maryland at Skimmer I., Worcester 24 Apr (MO) and at Salisbury, Wicomico 27 Apr (DHa). A first-cycle Thayer’s Gull was pho- tographed at Salisbury Landfill, Wicomico 6 Apr (ML), potentially the same bird seen oc- casionally there during the previous winter. Thirty-eight Lesser Black-backed Gulls were counted at Chine. 14 Apr (JBu, CMo), and 275 were at Back Bay/False Cape 15 Apr (RLAk, SD, KM). A first-cycle Glaucous Gull stayed at Chine. 14 Apr-26 May (BWa, BTr; ph. CMo, JBu); another was at Craney 12-26 May (BTa et a!.; ph. BW). Spring Lesser Black- backed Gull counts have been increasing on the Maryland coast. Double-digit numbers are now regular, and 70 birds at Assat. 18 Apr (JLS) was the best spring count. The season’s only Black-legged Kittiwake was late and seen from shore at Assat. 25 May (DY). Two Gull-billed Terns each at Craney and at the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel 21 Apr (RB et al.) tied the Virginia extreme early date; at least 13 pairs were incubating at the latter location 17 May (RB), now one of only two known nesting sites in Virginia. Eleven Caspi- an Terns at Tailrace Park, Kerr L., Mecklenberg 3 Apr (PG) made a high count for the Virginia Piedmont. In Rockingham, VA, 4 Caspian Terns were at L. Shenandoah 9 Apr, and 5 were at Silver L. 12 Apr (both DL). A dead Royal Tern found on Clump L, Accomack 12 May had been banded as a chick on Metomp- kin I., Accomack 30 Jun 1984 (fide BW). This bird was only six months younger than the Royal Tern longevity record of 27.39 years ( fide JW). A Least Tern at Violette’s Lock, Montgomery 18 May (DCz, m.ob.) provided one of the few county records. A Eurasian Collared-Dove was seen at Cedartown Rd., Worcester 29 May (MHo). A White-winged Dove flew past the College Creek Hawkwatch, James City 15 May (BTa), and a singing male was at Cape Charles, Northampton 31 May (ph. ESB), the 5th record there in recent years. The hatch-year female Allen’s Hummingbird discovered 20 Nov in a Chester, Chesteifield yard wintered and was last seen 15 Apr (ph. JK, m.ob.). Maryland had three May reports of single Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. An Alder Flycatcher singing at First Landing S.P., Virginia Beach 25 May (BTa) was surprising; there are no other spring reports from the outer coast. After a banner 2010 for spring migrant Alder Flycatchers in Maryland, very few were reported this season. A Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was a one-day wonder in Campbell, VA 23 May (MJ et al). SHRIKES THROUGH FINCHES A Loggerhead Shrike along Russell Rd., Clarke, VA 19 Mar (J&BJL) was in an area fre- quented by shrikes in recent years. Another was along Flat Race Rd., Mecklenberg 3 Apr (PG). The Northern Shrike that wintered at Chino Farm’s, Queen Anne’s lingered through 8 Apr (DS, MG), a typical late departure date. Nesting of Common Ravens in Prince George’s/Howard, MD was confirmed at T. Howard Duckett Dam, Rocky Gorge Res. (JSh, JS), which is essentially on the Fall line. The Virginia bird of the season was a remark- able ad. Violet-green Swallow found by Pete Myers that established a first state and Re- gional record at a small w. Albemarle pond 26 Mar (ph. PM, BTe, DSh et al.). A strong, early spring storm dumped an inch of snow on the area overnight, and the swallow could not be relocated the next day, despite intensive ef- forts. A leucistic Carolina Chickadee at Win- tergreen Mt., Nelson, VA 23 Apr (ph. MF) was entirely white other than a brown bib and crown and dark eyes. The invading Black- capped Chickadees had mostly exited the Re- gion by early to mid-Apr; the latest were 2 at Shenandoah, VA (RS) and a single in Harford (MB, BBa), both 1 May. Belatedly, we received word that a well-described Boreal Chickadee was seen at a home near Millwood, Clarke, VA 2 Jan ("(Margaret Wester, Michael Wilson) during the Calmes Neck C.B.C.; the record has been accepted by the Virginia Avian Records Committee in Category 2 (no physi- cal evidence). The few other Virginia records are likewise unconfirmed and also from the n. section of the state, and all occurred during widespread irruptions of the species and of Black-capped. The nearest report to the Clarke record this past winter was from downstate New York. A Tufted Titmouse building a nest in Ridgeview Park, Waynes- boro, VA 26 Mar made an unusually early breeding record (VL). Two Sedge Wrens were nice finds at Elliot I., Dorchester 7 May (RO); a single was at Old Legislative Rd., Allegany, MD 21 May (BB et al.). A flock of 170 Amer- ican Pipits at a King William, VA farm 9 Apr (FA) made a good count; a single at Little Meadows L., Garrett 19 May was very late. An Orange-crowned Warbler at Rockwood Park, Chesterfield 9 Mar (WE) provided a rare record of a spring migrant from cen. Virginia. Another was at Violette’s Lock, Montgomery 10 Apr (DCz). Early warblers in Richmond included a singing Black-throated Green War- bler 7 Apr (ME) and an exceptionally early Blackpoll Warbler 8 Apr (ASt). A local record- early egg date for Prothonotary Warbler was made at Dutch Gap C.A., Chesterfield, VA 18 Apr (fide AD). A male Western Tanager was a welcome visitor to a backyard in Roanoke, VA 1-10 Mar (B&KJ, m.ob.). A Clay-colored Sparrow continued from the winter at Mason Rd., Worcester through 1 Mar (m.ob.), and singles were on the Riverwalk Trail, Danville, VA 23 Apr (MFo, PG; ph. RBR) and at Willow L., Rockbridge 28 Apr-1 May (AM; ph. DR). A singing Nelson’s Sparrow was discovered dur- ing a kayak survey along Lawnes Cr., Suny 29 May (NF); although the record seems late, migrant Nelson’s frequently sing in the Re- gion’s marshes well into early Jun before mov- ing northward to breeding areas. A C.C.B. marsh sparrow study captured 59 birds in Mar, including 30 Nelsons, 14 Saltmarsh, and 15 Seaside Sparrows; all taxa of both Nelson’s and Saltmarsh Sparrow were represented (FSm et al.). An unexpected Saltmarsh Spar- row was at Sandy Point S.R, Anne Arundel 15 May (ph. DHa). A very tardy Swamp Sparrow lingered at Grandview Nature Preserve, Hampton 11 May (BW). A Virginia Beach oceanfront feeder hosted 2 Painted Buntings through at least 18 Mar (ph. TH). Two singing male Dickcissels were at Shirley Plantation, Charles City 14 May (ph. LB et al.); up to 4 singing males and a fe- male carrying food were seen there as late as 28 May (BW, AB). Dickcissels were reported in late May from many Maryland locations, an indication of the excellent summer season, with a high of 6 on Egypt Rd., Dorchester and 5 at Chino Farms, Queen Anne’s. High Rusty Blackbird counts, both 18 Mar, included 160 at Dismal Swamp N.W.R., Suffolk/Chesa- peake, VA (RLAk, EE, RH); and 150 at Hunt- ley Meadows, Fairfax (BL, SH). The former location still had 23 birds, most of them dis- playing and singing, 14 Apr (ESB, RLAk). Nineteen Red Crossbills, probably Type 1, near the West Virginia border on Briery Branch Rd., Rockbridge 1 May (WL) made the season’s high count; several Virginia observers have begun audio-recording Red Crossbills, in an effort to determine which Types occur in the state. We encourage observers to send their recordings to Matthew A. Young (may6@cornell.edu) for analysis and archiv- ing at the Macaulay Library. A male White- winged Crossbill continued through 2 Apr at a Henrico, VA feeder (TD, m.ob.); 4 at Frost- burg State University, Allegany 8 Mar (MT et al.) were the only ones reported in Maryland. Single Common Redpolls were near Blue- mont, w. Loudoun, VA 1 Mar (ph. JC), at West Friendship, Howard, MD 1-8 Mar (SHo, VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 421 MIDDLE ATLANTIC m.ob.), in Middlesex , VA 13-14 Mar (ph. G&rCF,fide TS), and at Fisherville, Augusta 3- 13 Mar (H&BL), the latter being the first county record since 1994. Five were at Hart- Miller I., Baltimore 7 Mar (RFR et al.) and 6 at New Germany, Ganett 31 Mar (GG). Pine Siskins were present across the Region into early May; singles at Cape Charles 8 May (ESB) and at Williamsburg, VA 9 May (BW) were the last reports. An Evening Grosbeak photographed at Woodstock, Howard 26 Apr (RR) made the sole report in the Region. Contributors: Mark T. Adams, Robert L. Ake, Henry T. Armistead, Stan Arnold, Fred At- wood, Bob Augustine, Laura Baldwin (LBa), Besty Bangert (BBa), Lewis Barnett, Ruth Beck, Bruce Beehler, Elaine Beery (EBe), Wayne Bell, Ruth Boettcher (RBo), Arun Bose, Ed Boyd, Jim Brighton, Edward S. Brinkley, Harry Brown, Joelle Buffa (JBu), Mike Burchett, Mitchell Byrd (MBy), Ed Carl- son, Brad Cernohorsky, David Clark, Joe Coleman, Keith E. Costley, David Cummings (DCu), Dave Czaplak (DCz), Todd M. Day, Shirley Devan, Todd Dixon, Adam D’Onofrio, Art Drauglis (ADr), Wendy Ealding, Mary Elfner, Walter Ellison (WEI), Elisa Enders, Claire Ewing, Marshall Faintich, Tom Feild, Gerry & Carol Fisher, Nick Flanders, Mary Foster (MFo), George Gaffney, Maren Gim- pel, Paul Glass, Kevin Graff (KGr),Jim Green, Ron Gutberlet, Dan Haas (DHa), Ellen M. Haas, Matt Hafner, Chris Hernandez, Rob Hilton (RHi), Tim Hodge, Mark Hoffman (MHo), Bill Hohenstein (BHo), Sandy Holton, David Hopler (DHo), Scott Housten (SHo), Bill Hubick, Renee Hudgins, Karl Huebner, Bill & Katie James, Mark Johnson, Julie Kac- marcik, Fred Koors, Brad Lanning (BLa), Alan Larner, Vic Laubach, Bev Leeuwenberg, William Leigh, Diane Lepkowski, Jon & B. J. Little, Steve Living, Candice Lowther, Harry & Beth Lumadue, Mikey Lutmerding, Ken Markley, Joel Martin (JMa), Nancy Martin, Melanie McCormack, Andrew McGann (AMc), Larry Meade, Alex Merritt, Stauffer Miller (SMi), Alex Minarik (AMi), Geralyn Mireles, Jim Moore, Linda Morschauser (LMo), Clyde Morris (CMo), Pete Myers, Pe- ter Nebel, Mike Ostrowski, Robert Ostrowski, Dave Powell, Richmond Audubon Society, Sue Ricciardi, R. Bruce Richardson, Robert E Ringler, Dick Rowe, Russ Ruffing, Jared Satchell (JSa), Tom Saunders, Mark Schilling (MSc), Lee Schuster, David Shoch (DSh), Jay Sheppard (JSh), Rob Simpson, Jo Solem, Dan Small, Fletcher Smith (FSm), Amanda Spears, James L. Stasz, Mike Stinson, Derek Stoner (DSt), Anita Storino (ASt), Brian Taber (BTa), Brenda Tekin (BTe), Matt Tillett, Mary Ann Todd, Tina Trice, Barry Truitt (BTr), Liz Tymkiw, Bryan Watts (BWa), Mike Welch, John Weske, Arlene Williams, Bill Williams, Cathy Williamson, Andy Wilson (AWi), David Yeany. Mark! Adams, 2300 Rocky Run Charlottesville, Virginia 22901 (markadamsphd@yahoo.com) Matt Hafner, 2318 Putnam Road Forest Hill, Maryland 21050, (mhl920@aol.com) Florida Dry Tortugas NP a •Key West Bruce H. Anderson Andy Bankert High temperatures, lack of rain, and widespread fires in the central and southern peninsula typified spring 2011. The Duncans at Pensacola summarized the season as “the dullest spring migration in over 40 years of hireling, ” with “modest fall- outs” at Ft. Pickens, Escambia County 29 April and 13 May. At the opposite end of the state, Carl Goodrich’s assessment of the season included the “poor- est migration of passerines” he had witnessed at Key West, with continuous southeasterly winds and only one front reaching the area, causing a small fallout 5 April. John Boyd, reporting on Miami-Dade County and Monroe County, remarked that “the weather seemed to go directly [from winter] to early summer,” with migration slower than nor- mal. There were few notable ag- gregations, with moderately high numbers such as 65 Yellow-billed Cuckoos and 48 Scarlet Tanagers at Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park, Franklin Coun- ty 20 April (RC); 350 Blackpol! Warblers on Fort George Island, Duval County 8 May (KDi); and 20 White-eyed Vireos at Charles “Sonny” McCoy Indigenous Park, Key West 6 April (CGd). Without more favorable winds to bring trans-Gulf migrants to our coast, or more weather systems to ground migrants, some species were exceptionally rare or not reported at all, such as Wood Thrush and Cerulean Warbler. Several of the winter’s rar- ities did not depart until spring, such as Sage Thrasher and Green-tailed Towhee. West In- dian strays included La Sagra’s Flycatchers, a Western Spindalis, and Bahama Mocking- birds, one of which was the first to be banded in the United States. Abbreviations/definitions: big bend (the part of Florida from the Apalachicola R. and through Jefferson ); EO.S.R.C. (Florida Ornitho- logical Society Records Committee); L. Apopka (L. Apopka Restoration Area, in Orange unless otherwise stated); panhandle (that part of Florida from the Apalachicola R. through Es- cambia); Paynes Prairie (Paynes Prairie Pre- serve S.P, Alachua ); record (only those reports verifiable from photograph, videotape, or spec- imen evidence); report (any observation); S.T.A. (Stormwater Treatment Area). WATERFOWL THROUGH FALCONS A White-faced Whistling-Duck at S.T.A. 5, Hendry 14 May (ME) was the 3rd report there in 2011; the provenance of these birds is un- known. Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks, con- fined mainly to the interior peninsula, contin- ue to spread, with 2 each at two Leon lakes (Dana Bryan, AW) and 2 in the panhandle at Ft. Pickens for the 6th area report (L&RAD); in the ne. and s. peninsula, 6 wandered to Big Talbot I., Duval (PL) and 9 to Homestead, Mi- 422 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS FLORIDA ami-Dade (RoT). A Ross’s Goose paused at Tal- lahassee, Leon 5 Mar (RC, ph. JC), as did a Snow Goose at L. Apopka 13 Mar (HR). A Tundra Swan lingered at Paynes Prairie through 13 Mar in the company of 2 Snow Geese that were last seen 20 Mar (Chuck Lit- tlewood). Recently, free-flying Mute Swans have been seen year-round in n. Brevard , near the coast at Merritt I., and they nested suc- cessfully at Viera (DF) for at least the 3rd year. Farther n., 3 Mutes were photographed at Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve, St. Johns 8 Mar (Diane Reed). The rare pair of American Black Ducks that wintered at Cockroach Bay, Hillsborough was last reported 13 Mar (BAh, RoS et al). An apparent Blue-winged Teal x Cinnamon Teal hybrid remained at Green Cay Wetlands, Palm Beach 9-12 Mar (ph. Eva Matthews). Nine duck species remained into May; notable were single pairs of Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, and Ring-necked Duck at S.T.A. 5 on 28 May (ME et al.); a Canvasback at Orange L., Alachua 4 May (RR, John Hintermister et al.); 22 Redheads and 4 Lesser Scaup at Gulf Harbors, Pasco 29 May (BP et al.); and single Black Scoters at Gulf Breeze, Santa Rosa (Car- alyn Zehnder, Will Duncan, LD) and Alligator Point, Franklin (JC) 29 May. Rarest of the scoters in Florida, a lone White-winged Scot- er was at L. Henrietta, Leon 1 Mar (ph. AW), while 7 were found at Ft. Pickens 7 Mar (L&RAD). Another big bend rarity was a Long-tailed Duck at Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island S.P. 20 Mar (RC). At least 175 Common Loons staged about 37 km off Palmetto, Manatee 19 Mar (EP). Single Horned Grebes at Kennedy Space Cen- ter, Brevard 20 May (DF) and Spring Hill, Her- nando 22 May (A&BH) were tardy. Two Amer- ican Flamingos were photographed at Lakes Passage w. of Key West 1 Mar (Rob O’Neal). On a pelagic trip to the Gulf Stream off Ponce de Leon Inlet, Volusia 14 May, 3 Black-capped Petrels, one Cory’s and 10 Audubon’s Shear- waters, 14 Wilson’s and single Leach’s and Band-rumped Storm-Petrels, lone White- tailed and Red-billed Tropicbirds (acc. FO.S.R.C.), and a Brown Booby were record- ed (tMBr et al). Also in Volusia’s Gulf Stream, on 28 May, Brothers counted one Audubon’s Shearwater, 40 Wilson’s and duos of Leach’s and Band-rumped Storm-Petrels, and a White-tailed Tropicbird. From a boat in the Atlantic off Key Biscayne, Miami-Dade , an Audubon’s Shearwater and rare Red-footed Booby were found 4 May (RoT et al.). In Mon- roe away from Dry Tortugas N.P., Goodrich saw single Brown Boobies at Boca Chica Key 13 & 15 Mar and 14 Apr and a Masked Boo- by off Fort Zachary Taylor Historic S.P., Key West 9 Apr. In the big bend, where breeding is rare, j about 400 Brown Pelicans were counted at a breeding colony on a spoil island at Apalachicola, Franklin (RC). At least two groups of up to 5 Brown Pelicans wan- dered inland to Altamonte Springs, Seminole (PH) and the Orlando area, Orange (BHA, PH) throughout the season; a loner was spotted at L. Kissimmee, Osceola 30 Apr (JT). Single Great White Herons wandered n. to Paynes Prairie 29 Mar+ (Cole Fredericks, Glenn Price et al.), L. Apopka 6 This Band-rumped Storm-Petrel off Volusia County, Florida was one of two identified in the county's Gulf Stream waters 28 May 201 1 . Photograph by Michael Brothers. Apr (HR), and Sebastian Inlet S.P., Bre- vard/Indian River 3 & 5 Mar (Jerry Diederich), while 3 were at S.T.A. 5 on 14 May (ME). White-faced Ibis contin- ue year-round in Florida, although there are no recent records of breeding: singles were reported at Pensacola 27 Mar-3 Apr (AlH et al.); L. Apopka 6 Apr-26 May (HR); and Cockroach Bay 31 Mar-1 Apr (CC et al.). Up to 2 White-faced Ibis were at Tallahassee 2-3 Mar (RC, AW, DoR), and at Trinity, Pas- co an imm. remained from winter through 10 Apr and an ad. visited 21-30 Apr (Charlie Fisher, BP et al.). Roseate Spoonbills continue to increase inland in the peninsula, with up to 24 through- out the season at L. Apopka (HR). A White-tailed Kite at Three Lakes W.M.A., Osceola 14 Mar (Carolyn Cirni- no et al.) was the only report for this rare species. Mississippi Kites are local breeders in the n. peninsula; this spring, reports of this kite were widespread into the cen. peninsula, with singles as far s. as Brooker Creek Preserve, Pinellas 12 May (fide RoS) and near Dade City, Pasco 30 May (KT). Never confirmed as breed- ing in Florida, single North- ern Harriers were noted at Lochloosa Wildlife Conser- vation Area, Alachua 21 May (RR, Mike Manetz) and Pensacola 24 May (Cheryl Bunch). A count of about 40 Peregrine Falcons came from North Peninsula S.P, Flagler 27 Mar (Meret Wilson). This immature Red-footed Booby was off Key Biscayne, Miami-Dade County, Florida 4 May 201 1 . Photograph by Roberto Torres. At Daytona Beach Shores, Volusia County, Florida, this first-cycle Thayer's Gull re- mained 1-15 (here 10) March 2011. Photograph by Michael Brothers. VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 423 FLORIDA Casual in Florida's big bend, this Black-whiskered Vireo was discovered at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Wakulla County 9 April 2011. Photograph by John Erickson. A Cliff Swallow attending a nest under a bridge over Lake Seminole, near Sneads, Jackson County 29 May 201 1 was at a recently discovered colony, confirming only the fourth breeding record for Florida. Photograph by John Murphy. RAILS THROUGH JAEGERS A Yellow Rail stopped at Alligator Point 24 Apr (JMu), while an injured Black Rail was captured in a New Port Richey, Pasco yard and taken to a rehab clinic 7 May (BP, Eva Dupuis). At Dry Tortugas N.P, a Sora was spotted 7 May (MBe). Twenty Purple Gallinules at Taminco Sanctuary, Santa Rosa 10 May (LK, Bruce Furlow, LG) was a recent high count for the panhandle. Exotic Purple Swamphens continue to expand their range, with singles reaching Orange at Orlando Wet- lands Park 3 (GBe) & 7 Apr (fide Mark Sees) and Lake at L. Apopka 14 Mar (HR). Follow- ing a major effort to eradicate swamphens, a count of 109 at S.T.A. 5 on 14 May (ME et al.) showed that this large exotic is in Florida to stay! Seventy Sandhill Cranes at Milton, San- ta Rosa 4 Mar (LK) represents an all-time high for the panhandle. Up to 5 Whooping Cranes, probably from the introduced migratory pop- ulation, remained at Paynes Prairie from win- ter through 2 May (AKr, Caleb Gordon et al.), while 2 at L. Apopka 10 & 29 May (HR) were likely from the nonrni- gratory/resident group, also in- troduced. American Golden-Plovers were scarce; singles were re- ported from Carrabelle, Franklin 16 Apr (RC), Ft. De Soto Park, Pinellas 17 Apr (DM), and Cutler Wetlands, Miami-Dade 3-6 Apr (Paul Bithorn, CS, RF et al.). Shore- bird surveys totaled 6 Piping Plovers and 88 Red Knots at Shell Key, Pinellas 10 Apr (Ro&LS) and 16 Piping Plovers at Little Talbot I. 3 Mar (PL). The only Upland Sand- piper reported was one at Cockroach Bay 1-6 Apr (CC et al.). Whimbrels were in about near-normal numbers, with highs of 9 at St. Marks N.W.R., Wakulla (AW) and 7 at Ponce de Leon Inlet (MBr), both 25 Apr. Ft. De Soto Park hosted the only Long-billed Curlew 6 Mar-21 Apr (RoS et al.). White-rumped Sandpipers were recorded at six peninsu- lar locations, with up to 118 at L. Apopka 1-26 May (HR). Ca- sual in Florida, a Bairds Sand- piper was described from Mer- ritt Island N.W.R. 18 May (DF & Al Bray ton). A Purple Sand- piper at Ponce de Leon Inlet 19 May (MBr) and a lone Wilson’s Snipe at Four Corners Mine, Polk 12 May (PT) were late. At Harold A. Campbell Public Use Facility, Palm Beach, about 1000 Stilt Sandpipers 8 May (CW) made a high count for Florida. The seasonal distribution of American Woodcock in Flori- da is poorly understood; an injured wood- cock was found in Ormond Beach, Volusia 17 May (fide MBr; *Florida Museum of Natural History). Phalaropes are rare in spring, and the following reports pleased birders: 2 Wil- sons at St. Marks N.W.R. 8 May (Jean Simp- son); 2 Red-neckeds at Harold A. Campbell Public Use Facility 14-16 May (CW, BrH); and about 25 phalaropes in the Gulf Stream off Ponce de Leon Inlet 14 May, mostly Red- necked, plus 2 Reds (MBr et al.). Laughing Gulls visit larger lakes and land- fills in the interior of the peninsula and are most conspicuous in the spring, when vocal flocks of ads. pass over the cen. peninsula from w. to e.; a concentration of about 215 was tallied at Four Corners Mine 12 May (PT). A rare spring Franklin’s Gull paused at Cutler Wetlands 22 Apr (CS). At Daytona Beach Shores, Volusia, Brothers identified a first-cycle Thayer’s Gull 1-15 Mar (acc. FO.S.R.C.) and first-cycle Iceland Gulls 11, 15, 21, & 24 Mar and 1 Apr. Reports of other lone Icelands came from Huguenot Memorial Park, Duval 6 Mar (KDi) and Fernandina Beach, Nassau 30 Mar (Justin Rink). Like Ice- land, numbers of Glaucous Gulls have in- creased in recent years; this spring, single Glaucous Gulls appeared at Matanzas Inlet, St. Johns 3 Mar (GDa); at Daytona Beach Shores 2, 8, & 21 Mar (2 birds on the first two dates) and 6 & 16 Apr (MBr); and at Lanark Village, Franklin 28 Apr (JC). Also in Franklin, a Lesser Black-backed Gull paused at Apalachicola 6 Mar, as did a Great Black- backed Gull at Alligator Point 8 May (JMu); both species are casual in the big bend. On the 14 May pelagic trip off Ponce de Leon In- let, 8 Sooty Terns, 4 Bridled Terns, and a Po- marine Jaeger were spotted in the Gulf Stream (MBr et al). Other May jaegers included sin- gle Poinarines off Miami, Miami-Dade 4 May (RoT, RF) and Dry Tortugas N.P. 7 May (MBe). Very local inland in the cen. and s. peninsula, a high count of 95 Gull-billed Terns with 33 nests came from Four Corners Mine 12 May (PT). At the same location, 138 Black Terns, another spring rarity both inland and along the Atlantic coast, were counted. Eight Roseate Terns at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic S.P, Key West 30 Mar were early (CGd). In Collier at Marco I., 1145 Black Skimmers were tallied with 103 nests 26 May (Ted Below). At Daytona Beach Shores, where thousands of gulls roost just beyond the surf in the Atlantic, up to 6 Parasitic Jaegers ha- rassed the gulls as they returned to roost al- most daily through 21 Mar (MBr). DOVES THROUGH SWALLOWS A White-winged Dove at Ft. Clinch S.P, Nas- sau 24 Apr (PL) was a rare sight, as the species has not yet colonized the ne. peninsu- la n. of Volusia. A presumed early arrival rather than a winterer was a Mangrove Cuck- oo at Sugarloaf Key, Monroe 27 Apr (CGd). Farther n., Mangrove Cuckoos were first not- ed in FUllsborougl i at Wolf Branch Creek En- vironmental Lands Acquisition and Protec- tion Program 21 May (4; Rocky Milburn et al.) and in Pinellas at Weedon Island Preserve 22 May (one; RoS). The only report of Smooth-billed Ani was of a loner near Lake Worth Lagoon, Palm Beach 26 May (CW). A Groove-billed Ani remained at Boyd Hill Na- ture Preserve, Pinellas 25 Mar-23 Apr (Tom Funari et al.). Twelve was the count of Bur- 424 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS FLORIDA rowing Owls at Florida’s westernmost colony at Eglin A.EB., Okaloosa 29 May (Lenny Fen- imore, Don Ware); the colony seems to be holding its own. Not totally unexpected was a Long-eared Owl at Dry Tortugas N.P. 13 Apr (ph. Cheryl Lachance; acc. EO.S.R.C); one was photographed there 17 Apr 2003 (LaM). A migrant Lesser Nighthawk at Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island S.R 1 May (ph. RR, Greg McDermott) was the 5th for that loca- tion. A Common Nighthawk at Ft. Pickens 13 Mar (B&JC) was the earliest panhandle report for this species by seven days (RAD). In the peninsula, Rufous Hummingbirds first noted in fall 2010 remained through 12 Mar at St. Johns, St. Johns (GDa); 28 Mar at Lakeland, Polk (Joe Misiaszek); and 4 Apr at Altamonte Springs, Seminole (PH). Aside from Acadian Flycatchers that breed in n. Florida, the only Empidonax species re- ported were an Alder Flycatcher seen and heard at Ft. Pickens 28 Apr (p.a., A1H) and a Least Flycatcher at Merritt I. 7 May (DF). A Say’s Phoebe in its 3rd season at Astatula, Lake was last seen 6 Mar (acc. EO.S.R.C.; PH, GBe). Casual in the s. peninsula, a Vermilion Flycatcher was at Fisheating Creek W.M.A., Glades 5-7 Mar (Greg & Leslie Corbett et al.). Single Ash-throated Flycatchers seen last winter remained at L. Apopka through 3 Apr (HR) and at Kendall Indian Hammocks Park, Miami-Dade through 6 Mar (Stephen Paez). Reports of lone Brown-crested Flycatchers came from Miami-Dade at Research Road, Everglades N.P 12 Mar (JHB) and Clll-E Canal 19-23 Mar (MBe, CS). Rounding out the rare M yiarchus species were lone La Sagra’s Flycatchers at Bill Baggs Cape Florida S.R, Miami-Dade , probably the same individ- ual that first appeared last Dec, last seen 19 Mar (RD), and Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Palm Beach 26-29 Apr (RuT, JHu). A silent Tropical/Couch’s Kingbird was pho- tographed at Ft. De Soto Park 17 Apr (Jason Daly; acc. EO.S.R.C.); Tropical Kingbird is the only species of this group verified in Florida. Two Gray Kingbirds at Key West IF - ST N |fP? : J/MrM A Bahama Mockingbird at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, Miami-Dade County, Florida 21 April 201 1 (left) became the first of its species ever banded in the mainland United States. Another was found at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Key Largo, Monroe County on 7 May 201 1 (right). Photographs by Robin Diaz (left) and John H. Boyd. This Dark-eyed Junco was a surprise on the deck of a cruise ship about 1 38 kilometers off Florida's Nassau County 29 March 201 1 . Photograph by Jared Satchel!. Tropical Forest & Botani- cal Garden, Stock I. 19 Mar (CGd) were early. A late Scissor-tailed Fly- catcher on a fence strad- dled the Alabama line near Century, Escambia 28 May (Jon Yoder). Single Fork-tailed Flycatchers were welcomed at Ft. Lauderdale, Broward 15 Apr (JHu) and Fort Zachary Taylor Historic S.P., Key West 4-5 May (LaM, CGd). Rare any season, lone Bell’s Vireos were identified at Clll-E Hammock 19 Mar (MBe), Bill Baggs Cape Florida S.R 2 & 4 Apr (RD), Key West Tropical Forest & Botani- cal Garden 5 Apr (CGd), and Genius Drive Na- ture Preserve, Winter Park, Orange 9 Apr (BHA, PH). Very rare in spring, single Philadelphia Vireos paused at Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island S.R 17 Apr (RC), Wee- ki Wachee, Hernando 10 May (MG), and Ft. De Soto Park 18-19 May (EP et al.). South of the normal breeding range, 2 singing Red-eyed Vireos at Riverbend Park, Jupiter, Palm Beach 29 May (CW) were late, while single Black- whiskered Vireos at St. Marks N.W.R. 9 Apr (John Erickson) and Ft. Pickens 1 May (Linda Felker) were n. of their normal breeding range. Two Northern Rough-winged Swallows were r A In 1975, Paul W. Sykes, Jr. discovered Cliff Swallows nesting under a bridge at Port Myacca, Martin on the se. side of L. Okeechobee. In that year, two pairs nested, and 2 young fledged. 3 f\ Apparently, Cliff Swallows continued to use that site until 1982 (Stevenson, H.M., and B.H. Anderson. 1994. The Birdlife of Florida. University Press of Florida, Gainesville). This was the first breeding record for Florida, hundreds of kilometers from the nearest known breeding colonies in South Carolina and Alabama. In 1997 and 1998, a small coastal colony was located in Franklin near Indian Pass on St. Vincent I. on a wooden boathouse. Three pairs attempted nesting in 1997 and two in 1998, but young were fledged only in 1997 (Lewis, T. E., and D. B. McNair. 1998. Second breeding locality of Cliff Swallows in Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 26: 117-121). in Apr 201 0, 44 km from the Port Myacca site, at Okeelanta, Palm Beach, s. of L. Okeechobee, Roberts and Berney (in press, Florida Field Naturalist ) discovered and monitored Cliff Swallows nest- ing under a bridge that spans a canal; at least four pairs fledged young. Berney documented the swallows returning this spring, when breeding commenced. In Jan 2011, Berney visited the pan- handle and a bridge near Sneads over L. Seminole in Jackson, where, in addition to 17 Barn Swallow nests, he located at least 28 Cliff Swallow nests. Berney was told that the L. Seminole colony had been active at least four years. On 29 May, Murphy found at least 7 Cliff Swallows at that bridge. In Jun, a pair of Cliff Swallows fledged young at a bridge over the St. Johns R., Orange (JT). The mostly sandy substrate of the cen. and s. peninsula limits breeding for species that regularly employ mud in their nests; Barn Swallows are rare and local breeders in those areas of the state. It seems prudent to scrutinize all Barn Swallow colonies in Florida for breeding Cliff Swallows. VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 425 FLORIDA noted building nests on the very early date 2 Mar at New Port Richey (KT). Also early, 10 Barn Swallows were observed building nests at Ormond Beach 4 Apr (MBr). Twenty-one Bank Swallows at five cen. peninsular locations made the only reports for this rare spring mi- grant. Another spring rarity, lone Cliff Swal- lows passed by Green Key, Pasco 13 Apr (KT) and L. Apopka 1 May (HR); however, the species was found breeding at three distant lo- cations in the peninsula and panhandle. Away from their Miami-Dade nesting colonies, a Cave Swallow was identified at Ft. De Soto Park 5 Apr (fide RoS). Seven pairs of Barn Swallows were nesting s. at Port Mayaca 15 May while farther s., three pairs were nesting just n. of Broward in Palm Beach 29 May (MBe). NUTHATCHES THROUGH FINCHES Only casual in Florida in spring, 2 Red-breast- ed Nuthatches remained at Cedar Key, Levy through 1 & 18 Apr, respectively (DHe et al); farther s., one appeared at Green Key 3 Apr (KT). In Pinellas, 2 Golden-crowned Kinglets were likewise far s. and late at Honeymoon Is- land S.R 23-24 Apr (Jason Guerard et al.), while lone American Robins were seen at Brooker Creek Preserve 15 May (fide RoS) and Ft. De Soto Park 22 May (John Mangold). The first Bahama Mockingbird banded in the United States was at Bill Baggs Cape Florida S.P. 21 Apr (Evan Adams, Kate Williams, fide RD). Another was at Hugh Taylor Birch S.R, Broward 2-3 May (Judd Pesold et al.); some later reports through 9 May were likely a young Northern Mockingbird that was fre- quenting the area (MBe). Another Bahama Mockingbird was photographed at John Pen- nekamp Coral Reef S.P, Monroe 7 May (JHB). The Sage Thrasher that wintered at Ft. Pick- ens remained through 6 Mar (B&JC; acc. FO.S.R.C.). Two Sprague’s Pipits that win- tered at Apalachicola airport, where they are annual, were last reported 2 Apr (JMu). There were fewer reports of the normally rarer warbler species during this spring, when migrants were scarce throughout much of the state: 3 Blue-winged Warblers (RD, CGd), 2 Golden-winged Warblers (RoS et al.), 2 Chestnut-sided Warblers (CS, JC), 3 Black- burnian Warblers (DF, TM et al.), and 7 Bay- breasted Warblers (Erik Haney, TM et al., Vince McGrath); except for singles of Chest- nut-sided and Blackburnian Warblers, these largely trans-Gulf migrants were all located on the Gulf coast. Very late, an Orange- crowned Warbler was at Melbourne Beach, Brevard 9-10 May (ph. AB). Single reports were received of a Wilson’s Warbler at Bill Baggs Cape Florida S.P. 7 May (CS) and a Nashville Warbler at Genius Drive Nature Preserve 9-10 Apr (BHA, PH, Cheri Pierce). A Yellow Warbler of subspecies gundlachi sang at Matheson Hammock Park, Miami-Dade 14 May-11 Jun (CS, JHB), slightly n. of the nor- mal n. limit of their breeding range. Annual in Florida, a Black-throated Gray Warbler at Palatka, Putnam 20 May (Grace Kiltie) was in the ne. peninsula, where the species has rarely been reported. Almost annual, a male MacGillivray’s Warbler was photographed at Clll-E Hammock 12-23 Mar (RoT et al.; acc. FO.S.R.C.). A Swainson’s Warbler at Charles “Sonny” McCoy Indigenous Park 21 Mar (CGd) was early; the only other Swainson’s reported was at Evergreen Cemetery, Ft. Lauderdale 2 Apr (MBe et al.). Not known to breed in Florida, a late Ovenbird was heard singing during a B.B.S. route ne. of Andrews, Nassau 28 May (DF). Connecticut Warblers were on time at ten locations 11-22 May; all were along the Atlantic coast, except one at Cockroach Bay 22 May (CC). A vocal female Western Spindalis was iden- tified at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic S.P 16 Mar (CGd). The Green-tailed Towhee that wintered at Ft. Pickens remained through 14 Apr (RA&LD). A casual breeder in n. Florida, a Chipping Sparrow was found on a B.B.S. route at Hilliard, Nassau 28 May (DF). Clay- colored Sparrows were at Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island S.R 23 Apr (JMu), Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands, Brevard 5 Mar (2; Jim Armstrong), and Markham Park, Broward 2 Apr (JHB). Single Lark Sparrows were found at Cedar Key 14 Apr (DHe), Grand Island, Lake 1 Mar (DoR), L. Apopka 1 Apr (HR), and St. Petersburg, Pinellas from winter through 17 Apr (D&LM et al.). Regu- lar on the n. Gulf coast of the peninsula, 2 Saltmarsh Sparrows were identified at Honey- moon Island S.P. 13 Mar (DGa, Barry Rossheim). A Fox Sparrow that wintered in Gainesville remained through 5 Mar (RR, AKr). A Lincoln’s Sparrow, at L. Apopka where at least 2 wintered, was last seen 10 Apr (HR). Jared Satchell was surprised when he found a Dark-eyed Junco on the deck of a cruise ship about 138 km off Nassau 29 Mar. Five was a high count of Dickcissels at Rocky Glades Small Game Hunting Area, Miami- Dade 5 Mar (CS). Another Dickcissel was dis- covered at Pensacola 10 Mar (LG). A male Yellow-headed Blackbird paused at Oakland Park, Broward 20 Mar (RuT), and 2 females were discovered at Sarasota’s Celery Fields Park 16 Apr (Sharon Pratt). Following a winter when Rusty Blackbirds invaded the cen. peninsula, about 100 lingered s. at Gainesville through 5 Mar (Lloyd Davis). Up to 3 Shiny Cowbirds at Flamingo, Everglades N.P., Monroe 4 & 30 Apr (Geoff & Heidi LeBaron, MBe) and a male in song at Green Key 9 Mar and 19 Apr (BP, DGa et al.) were coastal, as are most records of this species, but a male at Port La Belle, Hendry 7-8 May (Alan Murray) was inland, where the species is ca- sual. Away from sw. Florida, where Bronzed Cowbirds are resident, as many as 6 were at Progress Village, Hillsborough 17 Apr-13 May (Ed Kwater, BP et al), and a male was far w. at Pensacola 28 Apr (Ann & Dan Forster). A male Orchard Oriole singing at Belle Glade Marina, Palm Beach 21 May (BrR) was where a nest of this species was found summer 2010 (BrH), far s. of its usual breeding range in the n.-cen. peninsula. Except for an isolated population in Broward , House Finches have been slow to expand s. on the Atlantic coast, where they are established s. to at least n. Brevard' a male House Finch in song at Vero Beach, Indian River 10 May (Billi Wagner) demonstrated this species’ continuing adaptability. After the invasion of Pine Siskins last winter, one was s. at Immokalee, Collier 12 Apr (David McNi- cholas); the last siskins report included 3 on 26 Apr from a group that had numbered about 30 at Weeki Wachee (MG). A late fe- male American Goldfinch was at Merritt Is- land N.W.R. 9 May (Joyce Stefancic). Contributors (and members of the Florida Ornithological Society Field Observations Committee, in boldface): Brian Ahem (BAh), Bruce H. Anderson, Andy Bankert, Gail Becker (GBe), Mark Berny (MBe), John H. Boyd, Michael Brothers (MBr), Brenda & Jer- ry Callaway, Rodney & Lydia Cassidy, Jim Ca- vanagh, Cameron Cox, Kevin Daily (KDi), Gary Davis (GDa), Robin Diaz, Lucy & Robert A. Duncan, Margaret England, Char- lie Ewell, Roxanne Featherly, David Freeland, David Gagne (DGa), Murray Gardler, Larry Goodman, Carl Goodrich (CGd), Al & Bev Hansen, Alex Harper (AlH), Dale Henderson (DHe), Brian Hope (BrH), Paul Hueber, John Hutchison (JHu), Les Kelly, Andy Kratter (AKr), Patrick Leary, Larry Manfredi (LaM), Don & Lorraine Margeson, Tom Mast, Paul Miller, John Murphy (JMu), Eric Plage, Peg- gy Powell, Bill Pranty, Dotty Robbins (DoR), Bryant Roberts (BrR), Harry Robinson, Rex Rowan, Carlos Sanchez, Ron & Lori Smith (Ro&LS), Pete Timmer, Russ Titus (RuT), John Thornton, Roberto Torres (RoT), Ken Tracey, Chuck Weber, Andy Wraithmell. O Bruce H. Anderson, 2917 Scarlet Road Winter Park, Florida 32792, (scizortail@aoI.com) Andy Bankert, 365 Spoonbill Lane Melbourne Beach, Florida 32951, (abankert@fit.edu) 426 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS Ontariol Alan Wormington Once again, all compilers throughout Ontario were unanimous in their de- scription of the weather this spring — cold and wet! In the north, the record snow- falls of winter were slow to vanish, and many large lakes did not become fully ice-free until the middle of May. Even at Point Pelee in the extreme south, remnant snowdrifts from win- ter could still be found on the ridiculous date of 14 April, and this was followed by a fresh 10-cm snowfall on 18 April! But toward the end of the season, generally normal condi- tions prevailed, and birds quickly proceeded to their breeding grounds. A study conducted at Pelee Island in Essex County documented numerous days when large numbers of passerines were flying southward off Fish Point in apparent reverse migration. On 10 May, a total of 5811 passer- ines were tallied, including 85 Eastern King- birds, 407 Nashville Warblers, 54 Chestnut- sided Warblers, 104 Magnolia Warblers, 292 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 45 American Red- starts, 35 Scarlet Tanagers, and 304 Baltimore Orioles (KGDB et al.). The same phenome- non is often a normal event at nearby Point Pelee, but that location witnessed relatively few days with any significant flights of birds flying southward off the Tip. Exceptional rarities found during the peri- od include two each of Neotropic Cormorant, Bell’s Vireo, and Painted Bunting, and single Mew Gull, Least Tern, and Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch. Abbreviations: H.S.A. (Hamilton Study Area), O.B.A. (Ottawa Birding Area), Point Pelee (Point Pelee Birding Area, a standard C.B.C. circle centred just n. of Point Pelee N.P.). Men- tioned 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 along 47° N latitude. A place name in italics refers to a county, district, or regional municipality. WATERFOWL A total of at least 75 Greater White-fronted Goose was found across the s., with the largest concentrations being 32 at Dunrobin, Ottawa 9 Apr (BMD), 14 at Port Royal, Nor- folk 15 Mar (JHS, RPS et al.), 6 at Whitby, Durham 13 Mar (GC), 6 at Kinburn to Carp, Ottawa 20-25 Mar (JHS et al), 6 at Roseneath, Northumberland 5 Apr (REF), and 5 at Green- way, Middlesex 16 Mar (JAT et al.). Sightings of Ross’s Goose in the s. have be- come routine, and this spring 26+ were found; the only concentrations were 4 at Carp 24-25 Mar (BMD et al.), 4 among the Greater Snow Goose concentrations at Lancaster 25 Mar (TLH), and 4 at Gordon Township, M anitoulin 16 Apr (SH, RM, HM et al.). An exceptional 11,000+ Brant were grounded at Ottawa 26 May (m.ob.), and 1400 at Presqu’ile P.P., Northumberland 11 May (RDM) was a good count for that location; 9 at Erie Beach, Chatham-Kent 24 May (SRC) made a rare spring sighting for w. L. Erie. The highest counts of Cackling Goose across the s. includ- ed 25 at Townsend, Haldimand 1 Apr (BRH), 12 at Frenchman’s Bay, Durham 27 Mar (DSK), 10 at Hillman Marsh, Essex 11 Mar (AW), and 9 at Oshawa Second Marsh, Durham 24 Mar (TLH). An exceptional count of 365 Mute Swans was made along the Detroit R. at La Salle, Essex 9 Apr (PDP). Trumpeter Swan was confirmed nesting for the first time in the O.B.A. at Blacks Corners, Lanark ( fide CAL). During cold, snowy springs, numbers of Tun- dra Swan are reluctant to proceed to their tra- ditional staging areas adjacent s. Lake Huron; instead they tend to drift westwards along the L. Erie shoreline, where conditions are more favorable. Such was the case this spring at Point Pelee, where 4700 on 11 Mar (AW) was locally a record-high count. Single male Eurasian Wigeons were found at Laurel Creek Res., Waterloo 3-7 Apr (KGDB et al.), Clear Creek, Norfolk 5 Apr (TLH), Amherst 1., Lennox and Addington 19 Apr (BRH, JEH), Blenheim, Chatham-Kent 25 Apr (JDV), Port Royal 12-28 May (RPS, AJu et al), Townsend 18-22 May (AHIJ, HSS), and Russell, Prescott and Russell 28 May (GP); one at Presqu’ile P.P. 17 Mar increased to 2 birds 18-28 Mar, with a Virtually unknown in Ontario prior to the late 1 980s, massive flocks of Greater Snow Geese now regularly stage in spring in the easternmost parts of the province along and near the St. Lawrence River . This photograph, taken 27 March 2011, shows just a small fraction of the half-million birds that were estimated to be present this spring in the vicinity of Lancaster, Stor- mont, Dundas, and Glengarry Counties. Photograph by Brian 1. Morin. f fl Prior to the late 1980s, Greater Snow Goose (subspecies atlantica ) was essentially unknown in Ontario. However, in re- 3 f\ cent times during spring migration, massive numbers routinely stage along the St. Lawrence R. and adjacent inland areas in the extreme e. sections of the province. This spring, the first migrants were 230 at Cornwall, Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry 12 Mar, with numbers there increasing to 21,000 on 15 Mar and 26,000 on 16 Mar (all BLMnj.The maximum con- centration was 407,000 from sw. of Lancaster e. to the Quebec border 27 Mar, with yet another 73,000 into adjacent Quebec e. to Saint-Zotique (TLH); this 30-km stretch of the St. Lawrence R. is also known as Lake St. Francis. The one-day total alone of 480,000 apparently represents 50% of the entire population of this subspecies. Later in the season, on 5 May, an aerial survey over the e. counties conducted by the Canadian Wildlife Service tallied 38,000+ still present; these were found in a broad area from the St. Lawrence R. n. to Alfred, Prescott and Russell (JH, BLMn). Another late group of 4000 lingered at Na- van, Ottawa 22 Apr-7 May (m.ob.). The last migrants included 16 at Alfred 18 May (unknown observers), one there 30 May (RK), and another single at Ottawa, Ottawa 3 Jun (RMP). The most westerly concentrations were at Ottawa [fide CAL) and 800 at Kaiser Crossroad Wetland, Prince Edward 19 Mar [fide PJG). VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 427 ONTARIO Who would have guessed that Ontario's second Neotropic Cormorant would appear at exactly the same location as the first? This bird at Wheat- ley Harbour, Essex County remained 24-27 (here 24) April 2011. Later in the season, yet another Neotropic Cormorant appeared at Long Point, for a third provincial record. Photograph by Alan Wormington. Always a show-stopper, this Purple Gallinule was observed feeding on earthworms during its stay in a residential backyard at Kincardine, Bruce County, Ontario 14-23 (here 23) May 2011. Photograph by James A. Turland. More than half of all Mississippi Kites recorded in Ontario have been at Point Pelee, including this year-old bird at the Tip on 24 May 2011. Photograph by Garry T. Sadler. single there 29 Mar (m.ob.). A Eurasian Teal at Forestville, Norfolk 5 Apr (LVM, ADo, DRS et al.) made the 2nd record for the Long Point area; at the same location was a Green-winged x Eurasian cross 17 Apr (RR). Interesting Aythya hybrids reported includ- ed an apparent male Tufted Duck x scaup at Oshawa Second Marsh 4 Apr (TLH) and a Ring-necked Duck x Greater Scaup at Wheat- ley Harbour, Essex 7 Apr (DJW). King Eider sightings away from their usual haunts on w. Lake Ontario included one at Cobourg harbor late Feb-24 Mar (CEG et al.); at Point Pelee, a male 9 Apr (AW, RPC, AGP) and a female 17 May (DRS, JEB et al.) were both spring mi- grants. Two female Common Eiders were at Burlington Lakeshore, Halton 21-24 May (RZD, BNC, DRD, CEE et al.), and 3 birds, 2 females and an imm. male, were at Thickson’s Bay, Durham 22 May (BEH, MDo). A first-year male Harlequin Duck on the Grand R. just downstream from Lake Belwood, Wellington 13 Mar (SBG, LMG et al.) provided an ex- ceptional inland record away from the Great Lakes. There were few records elsewhere, but up to 7 were at Prince Edward Pt., Prince Edward 18 Apr-8 May (m.ob.), and 3 were at Whitby Harbour, Durham 27 Mar-24 Apr (DSK et al.); singles were at Long Point Tip, Norfolk 19 Apr (CAS) and below Niagara Falls, Niagara 12-20 May (MMM et al.). Two Black Scoters at Point Pelee 23 May (AW) were locally record late. A wintering male Barrows Golden- eye off Oshawa Second Marsh since 19 Dec (DSK et al.) was last seen 4 Apr, and the one wintering at Presqu’ile RP. was last seen 14 Mar (WDG); single males at L. Wolsey, Manitoulin 4-5 Apr (RCT et al.) and Prescott, Leeds and Grenville 22 Apr (DMo) were spring migrants. LOONS THROUGH IBISES An imm. Pacific Loon at Point Pelee 9-11 May (RZD et al.) made the only report for the south. The 450 Horned Grebes at Point Pelee 1 Apr (BRH) was a high count for that loca- tion, and 3219 Red-necked Grebes at Etobi- coke, Toronto 3 Apr (WER) represents a record-high count for the Greater Toronto Area. Single Eared Grebes were found at Os- hawa harbor, Durham 1 Apr (JDL), Etobicoke 6 Apr-2 May (NCM et al.), Point Pelee N.E 13 Apr (JDV), Pinery P.R, Lambton 23 Apr (ASa), Blenheim 25 Apr-11 May (JDV et al.), Pelee 1. 27 Apr (BRH, KGDB), Hillman Marsh 29 Apr-2 May (MBR et al), and Tavistock, Oxford 25 May (JMH et al). Single Western Grebes were at Leslie Street Spit, Toronto 13 Mar ORB, CKB), Etobicoke 4-8 Apr (BLMe et al.), and another at Etobicoke 22 Apr that moved to nearby Port Credit harbor, Peel 27- 29 Apr (GVR et al.). An unidentified Aech- mophorus grebe was at Sault Ste. Marie, Algo- ma 6 May (KAMk). Multiple sightings of American White Pelican across the s. un- doubtedly involved some duplication: one at St. Catharines, Niagara 6 Apr (DVW), one at Brantford, Brant 8-22 Apr (RCh et al.), one over London, Middlesex 13 Apr (SBu), one at Mountsberg Res., Hamilton/Wellington 14 Apr (SD), one at Dundas Marsh, Hamilton 14-21 Apr and 2-6 & 22-26 May (MDa et al.), 2 at Maiden I., Manitoulin 22 Apr (JT), 6 at Essex, Essex 4 May (JWH), and 7 at Point Pelee 12 May (SER, MRo et al.). Three at Kettle Pt., Lambton 10 May (AHR) were certainly the 3 seen at Baie Du Dore, Bruce 11-12 May (DHS et al.). Single ad. Neotropic Cormorants were at Wheatley Harbour 24-27 Apr (BRH et al.) and Long Point Tip 17-18 May (RD, MJT, RWW), representing the 2nd and 3rd records for Ontario; the first provincial record was also at Wheatley Harbour, 3-6 May 2005. A very early Double-crested Cormorant arrived at Remic Rapids, Ottawa 12 Mar (JMT). \ Snowy Egret at Point Pelee 24 Apr (JDV) ancj another at Big Creek Marsh, Essex 1-6 May (DG et al.) were the only observations. Like- wise there were only two Little Blue Heron 428 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS ONTARIO A totally unexpected species in northern Ontario, this Least Tern was found at Atikokan (Steep Rock Lake), Rainy River District on 10 May 2011, to provide the province with its fifth record. After discovering the bird, the finder returned home to fetch a canoe and a friend, which allowed photographs to be taken. Photograph by David H. Elder. Seldom recorded inland in North America, this Mew Gull of the nominate sub- species made a brief appearance at Cobourg, Northumberland County, Ontario on 23 March 201 1, for one of few provincial records. Photograph by Jean Iron. In contrast to its abundance across much of North America, Eurasian Collared- Dove remains very rare in Ontario. This one visited a feeder at Devlin, Rainy River District 14-18 (here 15) May 2011. Photograph by Michael 5. Dawber. sightings, both of ads., at Wheatley Harbour 6 May (LEA, FEA) and at Erie View, Norfolk 27 May (SDM, SMM, JSM). Surprisingly, there were only 5 Cattle Egrets, singles at Point Pelee 20 Apr (RJC), Thicksons Woods, Durham 24 Apr (GC), Rondeau, Chatham- Kent 16-17 May (BAM et al.) , Albuna, Essex 23 May (MKM), and Waterdown, Hamilton 30 May (IMR). A Green Heron at Stanley, Thun- der Bay 22 May (REB, JOB, MGB, SCB) was a rarity for the north. Birds specifically identi- fied as Glossy Ibis were singles at Pelee I. 27 Apr (BRH, KGDB), Miller Lake, Bruce 1 May (KT et al.), Port Lambton, Lambton 14 May (BAM), and Point Pelee 19 May (TS et al.); 2 were at Point Pelee 23 May (BAM et al.). An ad. White-faced Ibis was found at Oshawa Second Marsh 14 May (JM, JV). Two Plegadis ibis at Warings Corner, Prince Edward 31 Mar (JDe, ADe) were extremely early, and presum- ably the same birds were found nearby at Big I. 14 Apr (RTS). Single unidentified Glossy/ White-faced Ibis were at Presqu’ile PP. 13 May (AK) and Point Pelee 17 May (MB). RAPTORS THROUGH SH0REBIRDS The wintering Black Vulture at Shuniah land- fill, Thunder Bay since late Dec was last re- ported 15 Apr (MTB). Others were one at Grimsby, Niagara 29 Mar (BSC) and then likely the same bird 30 Mar at Dundas, Hamil- ton (BKW), one at Scarborough, Toronto 14 Apr (WTF), one at Grimsby 17 Apr (CRL), 3 at Dorland, Oxford 23 Apr (JMH, MCH), and one at London 1 May (BY). A first-year Mis- sissippi Kite at Point Pelee 24 May (GTS, LJS) was the sole observation this season. Bald Ea- gle was confirmed as breeding for the first time in the O.B.A. at Shirleys Bay, Ottawa (BMD et al.). A wintering Sharp-shinned Hawk at Devlin, Rainy River 21 Jan-24 Mar (MSD) was considerably far north. Always rare in spring, single Swainson’s Hawks were found at Vinemount, Hamilton 9 Apr (GS), Point Pelee 7 May (PSB, KRK, AJa et al), and Presqu’ile P.E 8 May (LKH, FMH); the one at Long Point (Courtright Ridge) 28 Apr-28 May QS, JCC, RWW) was unusual for its lengthy stay. A late Rough-legged Hawk was at Rondeau P.P., Chatham-Kent 20 May OHS, RPS, BP et al, ph.). An ad. Gyrfalcon was at L. Wolsey 1-3 Mar (RCT et al); interestingly, the same bird was at the same location in Feb 2010; other singles were at Wolfe I., F rontenac 9 Mar (CMu) and Cobourg harbor, Northum- berland 12 Mar (MJCB). Nine Peregrine Fal- cons had returned to six cliff-nesting sites s. of Thunder Bay 31 Mar (BDR, BJM). At least one Yellow Rail was calling at Car- den Alvar, Kawartha Lakes 30 Apr-7 May Oh ETB et al.); another was at Sandy L., Peterbor- ough 11 May (TLH). King Rail went entirely unreported in the province this spring. A Purple Gallinule patrolled a residential backyard at Kincardine, Bruce 14-23 May (ABi et al.). Single Piping Plovers at Darlington PR, Durham 27-30 Apr (RL et al.), Toronto Is., Toronto 1 May (GCP), and Presqu’ile P.P. 4 May (RDM), plus a different bird there 10 May (FMH), were all spring migrants. American Avocet sightings were limited, with just the following: 32 at Presqu’ile P.P 23 Apr (RDM et al.), 27 at Point Pelee 26 Apr (AW), one at Randall, Simcoe 19-20 May (SAMe et al.), and one at Miramichi Bay, Bruce 28- 29 May OAT et al.). As usual, Point Pelee had the bulk of Willet numbers, with a total of 108 birds 24 Apr-2 May and a maximum count of 79 on 2 May (KAMn et al); other re- ports included 4 at Long Point Tip 26 Apr (RWW), 3 at Leslie Street Spit 23 Apr (LP), one at Kaiser Crossroad Wetland 1 May (RTS), and singles at Presqu’ile RP 24 (FMH) & 30 Apr (RDM). There were several Marbled Godwit sightings in the s., but the most unusual ob- servation was of 13 in the n. at Hurkett Cove, Thunder Bay 22 May (WFG). A Ruddy Turn- stone at Point Pelee 29 Apr-1 May (MBR et al.) was locally record early A Purple Sand- piper at Alfred 28 May (MVAB) was the only one found. The only Stilt Sandpiper intercepted in the s. was at Point Pelee 22 May (BRH et al.). A Buff-breast- ed Sandpiper at Moosonee, Cochrane 30 May (EBM, JBM) likely represented the first-ever spring record for s. James Bay. A male black-morph Ruff at Drumquin, Halton 1 May (DEP) was the only one found. As last spring, there was a flurry of Long-billed Dowitchers reported at Point Pelee, with at least 41 birds 25 Apr-11 May (fide AW) and 32 on 3 May alone (RGS, JEH, RWS, BDJ); the only other sightings were of single birds at Blenheim 29-30 Apr (BAM) and Point Clark, Bruce 1 May QAT). A Wilson’s Snipe at North Bay, Nipissing 18 Mar (GrM, SM) was very early for that far north. GULLS THROUGH GOATSUCKERS The only Black-headed Gulls found were ads. at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara 23 Apr (PSB) and Point Pelee 18 May (CHC et al.). Little Gulls at Oshawa Second Marsh peaked at 81 birds, all but one being ads., on 25 Apr (TLH). Laughing Gull was unusually scarce, with only 4 found: Pelee I. 28 Apr (BRH, KGDB), Point Pelee 19 May (PAR et al.), and Long Point Tip 25-30 May, plus a different VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 429 ONTARIO Recorded in Ontario for the first time in 1978, Fish Crow is now an annual spring visitor. This one at Point Pelee 25 May 201 1 was one of several that were found this season in the province. Photograph by Alan Wormington. This Mountain Bluebird made a first record for the Hudson Bay Lowlands of On- tario when it appeared at Moosonee, Cochrane District 8-9 (here 8) May 2011. Photograph by Steven 1. Marson. One of four in Ontario in spring 2011, this Townsend's Soli- taire was at Rondeau Provincial Park, Chatham-Kent Re- gional Municipality, Ontario 24-30 (here 30) April 2011. Photograph by P. Allen Woodliffe. bird there 28 May (both RWW). Franklin’s Gull was also scarce, with likewise only 4 reported in the s.: Point Pelee 28 Apr (JSB), Long Point Tip 2 May (CAS), Port Credit harbor 25 May (DEP), and Deschenes Rapids, Ot- tawa 26 May (BMD). An ad. Mew Gull of the nominate subspecies at Cobourg 23 Mar (SAEP et al.) furnished one of only a few records for Ontario and the Great Lakes. A Cali- fornia Gull was at Oshawa Second Marsh 9 Mar (TLH). Lesser Black-backed Gull was numerous at some locations, with likely 25-30 at Point Pelee alone (fide AW). The 21 Glaucous Gulls at Kettle Pt. 15 Apr (AHR) made a large congregation for spring. A Least Tern at Atikokan, Rainy River 10 May (DHE) was a new species for n. On- tario and only the 5th for the province. One hundred thirty- one Caspian Terns were counted resting in a plowed field just s. of Cook’s Bay, York 8 May (RBHS, WWMP). A Common Tern at Winona Lakeshore, Hamilton 5 Apr (KAMn) was record early for H.S.A., while one at Point Pelee 7 Apr (AW) was also ear- ly. Arctic Terns noted at Ot- tawa along the Ottawa R. in- cluded up to 14 birds 26 May and 30 the next day (m.ob.). Two at L. Dore, Renfrew 27 May (BMD) were inland, and one offshore at Os- hawa, Durham 24 May (TLH, CF) was like- wise significant. A light-morph ad. Parasitic Jaeger at Point Pelee 10 May (MWH, JAH et al.) was probably the same bird seen at near- by Pelee 1. 14 May (EWM, BRH, KGDB); oth- er reports of light morphs likely involved a single bird off Oshawa 24 May (TLH) and Humber Bay West, Toronto 25 May (ALA). A Eurasian Collared-Dove remained at Devlin 14-18 May (MSD et al.); despite the colo- nization of many regions of the continent, the species remains very rare in Ontario. A White-winged Dove was at Booth’s Harbour, Norfolk 27 May (MLW). A Northern Saw- whet Owl at Devlin 8 Mar (MSD) was a new- ly arrived spring migrant. Single Chuck- will’s-widows at Stratford, Perth 14 May (SJT) and Toronto Is. 20 May (CMK) were both sig- nificant records for their locations. WOODPECKERS THROUGH L0NGSPURS The first confirmed breeding of Red-bellied Woodpecker for the O.B.A. was at Pakenham, Lanark (RPH et al.). In the n., at least one breeding pair was again present at the Rainy R. mouth, Rainy River (MSD et al.); elsewhere in the n., single migrants were at Thunder Cape 10 & 29 May (both JMW et al.). An Acadian Flycatcher at Pelee I. 26 Apr (KGDB) was likely record early for Ontario, and an- other at Point Pelee 27 Apr (DGM) was also very early; one at Moffatt Swamp, Wellington 31 May (FJU) was at the n. edge of the species’ range in the province. A calling Wil- low Flycatcher at Sundridge, Parry Sound 29 May (SJO) was at its n. range limit in s. On- tario. The only sightings of Western Kingbird were both 31 May: Long Point Tip (RWW et al.) and Thunder Cape (CEK, JMW). An East- ern Kingbird at Point Pelee 1 1 Apr (AW) was locally record early, while another early bird was at Lancaster 19 Apr (LM, JLe). Single Loggerhead Shrikes at Point Pelee 11 Apr (AW) and Leason’s Marsh, Manitoulin 21 May (RCT et al.) were the only spring migrants to be reported. A Northern Shrike at Long Point P.P 1 May (SAMa, TJ) was locally record late. A Bell’s Vireo at Point Pelee 13 May (DH et al.) was a 10th local record, while another at Long Point (Courtright Ridge) 26-28 May (JCC, EP, NY) was a 3rd local record. Again this spring, there was a series of Fish Crow sightings, with one at Toronto Is. 9 May (CMK), 2 at Point Pelee N.P 16 May (BRH, EWH et al.) and one there 25 May (MJN, AW et al.), one at Wheatley Harbour 17 May (DJW), one at Rondeau P.P. 29 May (KJB, PAW et al.), and one at Long Point Tip 31 May (RWW et al.). Single Common Ravens at Lon- don 19 Mar (VW) and 30 Apr (AR) and at Erie Beach 29 Apr (SRC) were unusual sight- ings for the extreme south. A very early Horned Lark arrived at Rainy River, Rainy River 9 Mar (MSD). After the massive irruption of Black-capped Chickadees last fall, returning migrants at Point Pelee were seen in small numbers 11-24 Apr (AW et al.). Single wintering Boreal Chickadees were last seen at Presqu’ile PR 20 Mar (m.ob.) and Uxbridge, Durham 12 Apr (DLT); one at Cabot Head, Bruce 7-8 May (MMac et al.) was a migrant and a first-ever spring record there. A White-breasted Nuthatch at Thunder Bay 26 Mar (NGE) was an early spring migrant. An exceptional find was a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher at Moosonee 14- 15 May (CJN), only the 3rd record for s. James Bay; a record-early arrival for the H.S.A., a gnatcatcher appeared at Grimsby 2 Apr (ES). A female Mountain Bluebird at 430 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS Bi ONTARIO This Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch hit a window and was temporarily stunned, allowing its portrait to be taken at Dillon, Parry Sound District, Ontario on 1 6 March 201 1 . Photograph by Edie L. Outram-Verite. Vinemount 19-24 Mar (BNC, RZD, DRD, CEE et al.) was a 2nd record for the H.S.A., while a male at Moosonee 8-9 May (EBM et al.) was a first record for the Hudson Bay Lowlands of Ontario. Single Townsend’s Soli- taires were found at Bedford Mills, Frontenac 19 Mar (MEC), Thunder Bay 25-31 Mar (BJM et al.), Rondeau RP. 24-30 Apr (DNP, PAP et al.), and Point Pelee 3 May (LJN). A Varied Thrush wintering at Moscow, Lennox and Addington since 8 Dec (CMc, BM et al.) was last seen 12 Mar, and one wintering at Bam- berg, Waterloo since 17 Dec (EE, BE et al.) was present until at least 12 Mar; another at Dryden (Zealand L.), Kenora 18-21 Apr (EPI) was a spring migrant and was the only other report. A Brown Thrasher wintering way n. at Dryden since 28 Dec (GaM et al.) was last seen 16 Apr. There were still “several hun- dred” Bohemian Waxwings at Kinsale, Durham 23 Apr (ABr), and a very late single was at Brighton, Northumberland 10 May (RIS). Arriving Lapland Longspurs at Mooso- nee were 6 birds 19 Apr (CJN). WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES A Blue-winged Warbler at Rondeau RP. 15 Apr (FDW) was locally record early. A Golden- winged Warbler at Sault Ste. Marie, Algoma 14 May (KWZ) was one of only a few local records. Two Yellow-rumped Warblers at De- vlin 8 Apr (MSD) were very early for the north. A male Audubon’s Warbler at Algo- nquin RP. (km 15 on Hwy. 60), Nipissing 23 May QLRi) provided a 2nd park record and the only report for the season. It was an ex- ceptional spring for Yellow-throated Warbler, with at least 23 individuals (Table 1) found in the extreme south. This is a remarkable num- ber of overshooting migrants for a species that has yet to be found breeding in the province. After an early Blackpoll Warbler at Point Pelee 28 Apr (LAF), an exceptional 7 were found there 30 Apr (STP). Worm-eating War- bler was present in typical numbers, with 8-9 at Point Pelee 21 Apr-23 May (fide AW) and 5 at Long Point 26 Apr-2 May (fide SAMa, RR); sightings away from L. Erie were limited to singles at Cobourg 7 May (CEG, JEG), Thick- sons Woods 15 May (RBS), and Prince Ed- ward Pt. 22 May (RTS). Connecticut Warbler arrived early at a number of locations, includ- ing singles at Point Pelee 10 May (JDr, ZB) and Beachville, Oxford 12 May (JMH). Record early for Point Pelee were different Mourn- ing Warblers 2 (SER) & 2-3 May (GTH et al.). A singing male Hooded Warbler along the Black R. 29 May (DAS) was apparently a first record for Ka- wartha Lakes ; if nest- ing, it was quite far north. A Yellow- breasted Chat at Point Pelee 22 Apr (MMu, ASm) was possibly a record-early occurrence for Ontario. The wintering male Spotted Towhee at Port Burwell, Elgin since 15 Jan (ABA et al.) was last seen 8 May, when it was singing. A female Eastern Towhee wintering well n. at Murillo, Thunder Bay since mid-Jan was last seen 3 May; a male present since late Jan at the same location was last seen 15 Apr (both WK et al.). American Tree Sparrow remained late in Table 1 . Records of Yellow-throated Warbler in Ontario, spring 201 1 . Date(s) Location Observer(s) 23 Apr Point Pelee N.P., Essex IMR, SBa etal. 23 Apr Dundas Marsh, Hamilton KS, ASu 24 Apr-18 May Rondeau P.P., (hatham-Kent (#1 of 3) RBM, AMMetal. 26 Apr Van Wagners Beach, Hamilton RZD, DRD, CEE 27 Apr Pelee L, Essex KGDB, BRH 28-29 Apr Rattray Marsh, Peel ACDetal. 29 Apr Burnaby, Niagara BEF, JMFetal. 29 Apr Etobicoke, Toronto RL 30 Apr Point Pelee N.P., Essex m.ob. 30 Apr Presqu'ile P.P., Northumberland DGG 4 May Cobourg, Northumberland WJL 4-5 May Long Point (Courtright Ridge), Norfolk JCC, JS 7 May Prince Edward Pt., Prince Edward JHE, RDWetal. 8 May Rattray Marsh, Peel WER 8 May Sturgeon Creek, Essex Jletal. 8 May Point Pelee N.P., Essex (Sanctuary Picnic Area) m.ob. 8 May Point Pelee N.P., Essex (W of Visitor Centre) MWH, JAH.TAH 8-10 May Point Pelee N.P., Essex (NE Woodland Nature Trail) m.ob. 9 May Rondeau P.P., C hatham-Kent (#2 of 3) BAM 9-18 May Rondeau P.P., Chatham-Kent (#3 of 3) FAR RVP,SP etal. 11 May Point Pelee N.P., Essex (Tip) MMc 23 May Point Pelee N.P., Essex JHS, RPSetal. 27 May Windsor, Essex JMH Considering the recent population increase of Kirtland's Warbler, to 1773 territorial males located during the 2010 breeding season (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service), it stands to reason that an equal increase in observed migrants would be expected. This is certainly the trend in s. On- tario, where migrants are now recorded annually, almost ail of which are in spring. This spring, the first Kirtland's Warbler was found at Rondeau P.P. 2 May (RGS, JEH, BDJ, RWS), which is a record-early occurrence for the province. At Pelee I., one was seen flying southward off Fish Pt. 1 0 May (MVAB et al.). One at long Point P.P 1 1 May (Jla et al.) was the 4th record for the Long Point Checklist Area. Within the Point Pelee Birding Area, a remarkable 9 Kirtland's Warblers were deemed to have been present based on factors including date of observation, location, sex, and age. These 9 individuals were present 6 (MLM, JHA, FNA et al.), 8 (RSH, KTH et al.), 10 (RJC et al.), 10 (mob.), 11 (AQ et al.), 13 (RB, ABe, WJH et al.), 13 (MS, CO), 19 (JB, BB), & 23 May (unknown observers). With a grand total now of 37 occurrences since the first in 1915, Point Pelee has recorded more migrants of this species than any other location. VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 431 ONTARIO the s., including singles at Algonquin P.P. (Ca- noe L. Access Point) 10 May (JLRi), Rondeau P.P 8-12 May (SRC, MPM et al.), and Long Point townsite 16 May (RZD, BNC); 3 in the n. at Moosonee 23 May (EBM) were also late. A very early Chipping Sparrow was at Point Pelee 18 Mar (SER). A Field Sparrow at Thunder Cape 9-10 May (JMW et al.) was a rarity for the north. Single Lark Sparrows were found 2 May at Point Pelee (CRL, TGT et al), 14 May at Swastika, Timiskaming (MJL), 26 May at Burke Settlement, F rontenac (MASa), and 30 May at Hamilton Harbour, Hamilton (KAMn); at the Tip of Long Point there were 3 different individuals, one 5-8 May and 2 on 6 May (all RWW, DLL et al.). A Lark Bunting at Hare I. near Thunder Cape 19 May (CEK) was a rarity for anywhere in the province. Single Henslow’s Sparrows at Long Point P.P. 29 Apr (SAMa), Pelee I. 6 May (KGDB, BDW, NGM), and Point Pelee 7 (RJLJ, SDB) & 14 May (MS et al.) were the only spring migrants found. A Le Contes Sparrow at Pittock L. 18-23 Apr (JMH et al.) was only the 2nd for Oxford , and another at Prince Edward Pt. 7 May (BAH et al.) was sig- nificant for the Kingston Birding Area. A Nel- son’s Sparrow at Bronte, Halton 29 May (MWJ et al.) was only the 2nd spring record for the H.S.A. Single Fox Sparrows at Point Pelee 10 May (SEL, WGL) and Rondeau PP 11 May (BAM) were very late for the extreme south. The imm. Harris’s Sparrow wintering at Port Burwell since 23 Feb (JPS et al.) was last seen 7 May, while the imm. at Bracebridge, Musko- ha since 11 Dec (SJS, JLRe et al.) was present through at least 7 Apr. The only spring mi- grants reported in the s. were singles at Carnarvon Township, Manitoulin 27 Apr (NL) and Port Burwell 9 May (ABA et al.). A Pink-sided Junco (subspecies mearnsi) was at Eagle River, Kenora 28 Apr (TME, CDE). Summer Tanager was present in good num- bers, including 9+ at Point Pelee 11-22 May (fide AW), 7 at Pelee I. 28 Apr-16 May (fide KGDB), 6 at Long Point 27 Apr-29 May ( fide SAMa, RR), and 3 in the H.S.A. 6-19 May ( fide RZD); more significant records were singles at Cape Hurd, Bmce 11 May (RJS) and Rossport, Thunder Bay 12 May (HGS). Single Western Tanagers were found 19 May at Rondeau PP (KEH et al.) for the 2nd local record, 21 May at Point Pelee (KGDB, BRH), and 22 May at Windsor, Essex (MASh). At Devlin, a male Northern Cardinal was present 8-9 May, then a female 1 1 May (both MSD). The only Blue Grosbeak was a female well n. at Thunder Cape 31 May-1 Jun (CAS, CEK, PLB et al). Single male Painted Buntings in dazzling col- ors were at Pembroke, Renfrew 10-12 May (DC et al.) and Coldwater, Simcoe 10-14 May (DJKE et al.). Perhaps due to drought condi- tions in the United States, Dickcissel sightings were above average, with 8 at Point Pelee 6- 25 May (fide AW) and 4 at Pelee I. 6-13 May (KGDB et al.); none were reported elsewhere. The only Western Meadowlarks found in the s. were singles at Bronte 11 Apr (RCu), Soup Harbour, Prince Edward 15 Apr (TLH), Pelee I. 26 Apr (KGDB), and Point Pelee 1 May (AW et al.). Single Yellow-headed Black- birds at Bronte 6 May (MWJ et al.) and Gosport, Northumberland 27-28 May (LH, RH) were local rarities. An Orchard Oriole at Thunder Cape 31 May-4 jun (JMW, CAS, CEK, PLB) was a rarity for the north. A Gray- crowned Rosy-Finch was at Dillon, Party Sound 16 Mar (ELOV, DLV), where it hit a window and was temporarily stunned; there are very few records for the south. House Finch is now very rare in Manitoulin, so one that appeared at Providence Bay 9 Mar (WM, DMa) can be categorized as a very early spring migrant. A Common Redpoll at Point Pelee 16 Apr (AW) was late for the extreme s., while a very late Greater ( rostrata subspecies) was at Thicksons Woods 17 Apr (GC). After a winter when Hoary Redpoll was widely re- ported in the s., late singles remained at sev- eral sites, including Kagawong, Manitoulin 7- 12 Apr (RCT), Devlin 25 Apr (MSD), and Ot- tawa 30 Apr OHS). Pine Siskin is rarely con- firmed as a breeder in the extreme s. of the province, but 2 newly fledged juvs. were seen being fed by ads. at Essex 8 May+ (JWH). Addendum and corrigenda: For the spring 2010 season (North American Birds 64: 413- 419), add one Western Grebe at Point Pelee 13 May (Joshua D. Vandermeulen et al.); delete 3 Harlequin Ducks at Bronte 4 Apr; and delete Smith’s Longspur at Thunder Cape 24 May (photographs show a female Bobolink). Subregional editors (in boldface) and cited observers: Alfred L. Adamo, Aaron B. Al- lensen, Faye E. Allin, Lance E. Allin, Frances N. Alvo, Jack H. Alvo, Margaret J. C. Bain, Jer- ry S. Ball, Sandra Bateman (SBa), Eleanor T. Beagan, Andrea Beatson (ABe), Ross Beatson, Bev Beaumont, John Beaumont, Christopher T. Bell, Adrian Bick (ABi), John E. Black, Christopher K. Boccia, James R. Boccia, Daniel Q. Bone, Ann Brockelman (ABr), Zoe Brocklehurst, M. Brown, Jeremy O. Bryan, Michael G. Bryan, Rachel E. Bryan, Susan C. Bryan, Steven Buccerelli (SBu), Keith J. Burk, Peter S. Burke, Kenneth G. D. Burrell, Michael V. A. Burrell, Patricia L. Burri, Michael T. Butler, Shane D. Butnari, Richard P. Carr, Robert J. Cerrnak, Roger Chaput (RCh), Stephen R. Charbonneau, Janice C. Chard, Christopher H. Charlesworth, Barbara N. Charlton, Donna Chase, Barry S. Cherriere, Mark E. Chojnacki, Glenn Coady, Robert Cur- ry (RCu), Martin Daly (MDa), Sandra Davey, Michael S. Dawber, Arlene DeVries (ADe), John DeVries (JDe), Bruce M. Di Labio, Richard Dobbins, Robert Z. Dobos, Alec Dob- son (ADo), Andrew C. Don, David R. Don, Mark Dorriesfield (MDo),Justen Dralle (JDr), Carolle D. Eady, Timothy M. Eady, Cheryl E. Edgecombe, David H. Elder, David J.K. Ellis, Joel H. Ellis, Nicholas G. Escott, Bev Ewert, Elmer Ewert, Blayne E. Farnan, Jean M. Far- nan, Walter T. Fisher, Lev A. Frid, Christian Friis, Roger E. Frost, Dennis G. Garratt, Lynn M. Geddes, Sean B. Geddes, David Gignac, William D. Gilmour, Peter J. Good, Clive E. Goodwin, Joy E. Goodwin, William F. Greaves, Steve Hall, Brad A. Hamilton, Thomas A. Hanrahan, Karl T. Heide, Randal S. Heide, Frederick M. Helleiner, Lois K. Hellein- er, D. Henderson, Brian E. Henshaw, James E. Heslop, G. Tom Hince, Laurie Hill, Rick Hill, Tyler L. Hoar, Brandon R. Holden, Eric W. Holden, James M. Holdsworth, Mary C. Holdsworth, Raymond P. Holland, Kyle E. Holloway, Joanne A. Hubinger, Mark W. Hub- inger, Jack Hughes, James W. Hunt, Wendy J. Hunter, Jean Iron, Edward P. Iskra, Marcie L. Jacklin, Alvaro Jaramillo (AJa), Mark W. Jen- nings, Barry D. Jones, Russ J.L. Jones, Todd Jones, Andreas H.I. Jonsson, Adrian Juurlink (AJu), Daniel S. Kaczynski, Wendy Kehoe, Richard Killeen, Christopher M. Kimber, Calvin E. Knorr, Karl R. Konze, Albert Kuh- nigk, John Lamey (JLa), Sarah E. Lamond, William G. Lamond, Cody R. Law, Robin Law- son, Michael J. Leahy, James Leblanc (JLe), Dayna L. LeClair, Christina A. Lewis, J. Dou- glas Lockrey, William J. Logan. Nancy Lyne, Lynn Macdonell, Hannah Maciver, Robert Maciver, B. MacKenzie, Stuart A. Mackenzie (SAMa), Maggie MacNeil (MMac), Dace Maenpaa (DMa), Willy Maenpaa, Blake A. Mann, Eric B. Marcum, James B. Marcum, Lou V. Marsh, Michael K. Matheson, Michael McAllister (MMc), Malcolm P. McAlpine, Anne M. McArthur, Richard B. McArthur, Ja- son S. McIntosh, Scott D. McIntosh, Susan M. McIntosh, Grant McKercher (GrM), Shirley McKercher, Gary McKibbon (GaM), Kevin A. McLaughlin (KAMn), C. McNeill (CMc), David G. McNorton, R. Douglas McRae, Ken- neth A. Mcllwrick (KAMk), Susan A. Menzies (SAMe), Martha L. Miller, Nathan G. Miller, Bernard L. Monette (BLMe), Brian J. Moore, Michael M. Morgante, Brian L. Morin (BLMn), David Morin (DMo), Claire Mueller (CMu), J. Munroe, Norman C. Murr, Margaret Murray (MMu), Christina J. Nielsen, Michael J. Nelson, Linda J. Nuttall, Stephen J. O’Don- 432 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS ONTARIO nell, Chantale Ouellette, Lynn Pady, Eleanor Page, Giovanni Pari, Martin J. Parker, Donald E. Perks, Sarah A.E. Petrasek, Brian Pfrimmer, Stephen T. Pike, Adam C. Pinch, Frank A. Pinilla, Robert V Pinilla, Sally Pinilla, Gavin C. Platt, Winnie W.M. Poon, Richard M. Poulin, Paul D. Pratt, Donald N. Pye, Patricia A. Pye, A. Quenneville, Brian D. Ratcliff, Peter A. Read, Joanne L. Reid (JLRe), Marianne B. Reid, Wayne E. Renaud, lan M. Richards, Jan- ice L. Richmond QLRi), Alfred H. Rider, Ron Ridout, Maureen Riggs, Garth V. Riley, Mark Robinson (MRo), Andrew Ross, Sarah E. Ru- pert, Garry T. Sadler, Linda J. Sadler, Daniel R. Salisbury, Mark A. Saunders (MASa), Andrew Sawyer (ASa), David H. Schaus, Robert B. Scranton, R. Ian Shanahan, Howard S. Shapiro, Gerry Shemilt, Murray A. Shields (MASh), Jeff Siddal, Eric Single, Jeffrey H. Skevington, Richard P Skevington, Amanda Smith (ASm), H. Gordon Smith, Roy B. H. Smith, Richard G. Snider, T. Sobat, R. Terry Sprague, Stephen J. Sprague, Robert W. Stamp, Rod J. Steinacher, Joseph P. Stephenson, Michel Striganuk, Christopher A. Sukha, An- narita Superina (ASu), Kellie Superina, Don- ald A. Sutherland, J. Michael Tate, Barbara L. Taylor, D. Lynn Taylor, Jim Taylor, Ken Teas- dale, Thomas G. Thomas, Rodney C. Thomp- son, Stephen J. Thorpe, Mick J. Townsend, Ronald G. Tozer, James A. Turland, Fred J. Urie, Jay Vandergaast, Joshua D. Vander- meulen, Edie L. Outram-Verite, Daniel L. Verite, Dean J. Ware, Ron D. Weir, Martin L. Wernaart, D. Vaughn Weseloh, Val Williams, Ross W. Wood, John M. Woodcock, P. Allen Woodliffe, Brett D. Woodman, Alan Worm- ington, E Dale Wurker, Brian K. Wylie, Bar- bara Yeo, Nathaniel York, Kirk W. Zufelt. ^ Alan Wormington, R.R. #1, Leamington, Ontario N8H 3V4 (wormington@juno.com) Eastern Highlands & Upper Ohio River Valley Gabe Leidy Rick Wiltraut Ron Canterbury For Ohioans in the Cincinnati area, this spring was the wettest ever recorded (in 140+ years), leading to high concentra- tions and diversity of shorebirds and waders. Elsewhere in Ohio, the rainfall totals nearly broke records, and they were certainly above average across much of western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. April rains were especially intense. The northern parts of the Region saw cool and very wet conditions persisting late, with ice still present on Lake Erie into mid- April. May was not as rainy and was cooler than usual. Unseasonably cool periods during the end of April, in early May, and especially the record-low temperatures in western and central portions 16-17 May stalled migrants for a week or two, but May’s migration over- all was the most typical and timely passage in several years, though the hawk flight came late, delayed by many cloudy, cold days with northerly and easterly winds. Abbreviations: B.E.S.P. (Bald Eagle S.P., Cen- tre, PA); Buck Creek (Buck Creek S.P, Clark, OH); Caesar Creek (Caesar Creek S.P, War- ren, OH); Killdeer (Killdeer Plains W.A., Wyandot/Marion, OH); Magee (Magee Marsh W.A., Lucas/Ottawa, OH); M.C.W.M.A. (Mid- dle Creek W.M. A., Lancaster /Lebanon, PA); Metzger (Metzger Marsh W.A., Lucas, OH); M.L.R. (Mud Level Rd., Cumberland, PA); Ot- tawa (Ottawa N.W.R., Ottawa, OH); O.N.W.R.C. (Ottawa N.W.R. monthly census, Ottawa, OH); P.I. S.P (Presque Isle S.P, Erie, PA); Y.C.S.P. (Yellow Creek S.P, Indiana, PA). WATERFOWL THROUGH IBISES Forty-three Greater White-fronted Geese, the high count for Ohio, gathered at Killdeer 17 Mar (DS). The Barnacle Goose found in Feb at Green Lane Res., Montgomery, PA lingered until at least 1 Mar (GF). One hundred fifty Snow Geese over Buck Creek 1 Mar (B. Menker) made the highest count in Ohio this season. Because most Snow Geese migrate through e. rather than w. Pennsylvania, 800- 1000 near State College, Centre 2 Mar (D. & C. Ombalski) was a high count there. In Ohio, 19 reports totaling 21 Ross’s Geese in- cluded 3 in Delaware 1 Mar (Sean Williams). In Pennsylvania, 19 Ross’s Geese were in seven counties 1 Mar-20 Apr (m.ob.), includ- ing 7 at M.C.W.M.A. 8 Mar (AT et al.) and 6 along Encks Mill Rd., Cumberland, PA 18 Mar (VG, RKo, AMa). One at L. Perez, Huntingdon, PA 18 Mar (S. Kolbe, J. Kauffman) marked the first county record. Cackling Goose reports in Ohio were well distributed (11 birds, six reports), with 5 at Killdeer 7 Mar (PB, KO) the largest group. A Cackling Goose at PI. S.P 5 Mar was just the 2nd for Erie (MW, ph. JM). About 3100 Tundra Swans were tallied in sw. Pennsylva- nia 7 Mar ( fide PH). The O.N.W.R.C. record- ed 1034 Gadwalls 3 Apr (Doug Vogus et al.). Eurasian Wigeons were recorded at six Ohio locales: in Mahoning 1 Mar (CH), at Deer Creek 1-3 Mar (B. Royse), in Wayne 14-28 Mar (K. Miller, m.ob.), at Killdeer 17 Mar-3 Apr (D Linzell et al.), in Wyandot 17 Mar-3 Apr (DS, m.ob.), at Big Island W.A., Marion 21-24 Mar (D. Lehner), and at Ottawa 9-10 Apr (D. Gesualdo, M. Gordon). In Pennsylva- nia, 9 Eurasian Wigeons included one re- maining from winter season at Green Lane Res., Montgomery 1 Mar (GF), singles at Black Swamp, Lawrence 5-9 Mar (DW, ST et al), Kuhn’s Pond, Cumberland 7-11 Mar (M. Kotz et al.), L. Ontelaunee, Berks 13-27 Mar (A. Hurst, M. Wlasniewski), P.I. S.P. 15 Mar (MW), Geneva Marsh, Crawford 27 Mar (GM), and Penn Twp., Cumberland 20 Mar (VG, AMa, MS, BWe), with 2 on the Susque- hanna R. at Millersburg, Dauphin 13 Mar (S. Bills et al). Seven hundred Northern Pintails This Brown Pelican present at Boone Reservoir, Washington County 13-14 (here 14) April 201 1 provides only the fifth documented record of the species for Penn- sylvania. Photograph by Geoff Malosh. 433 VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 EASTERN HIGHLANDS & UPPER OHIO RIVER VALLEY except for 3 in Lucas/Wood 17-19 Mar (T. Kemp, D. & M. Johns); in Pennsyl- vania, 110+ White-wingeds were noted in 12 counties 21 Mar-15 May (m.ob.), including a high of 30 late at B.E.S.E 14 May (B. Bermudez). In West Virginia, one was found Belleville Dam, Wood through 6 Mar (MG, WA). The male Harlequin Duck on the Delaware R., Northampton, PA was still present 5 Mar (R. Kane). A long-staying Black Scoter at Funk Bottoms 25 Mar-6 Apr was an inland Ohio rarity (SS, BG, m.ob.). Black Scoters in Pennsylvania in- cluded one on the Susquehanna R. at McElhatten, Clinton 3-4 Mar (B. Zbeg- ner), one at Pymatuning L., Crawford 13 Mar (S. Collins), one near Wrightsville, Lancaster 13-14 Apr (M. Epler, D. Cleary), 2 at L. Ontelaunee, Berks 6 May (E. Leaman), 2 at Minsi L., Northampton 23-24 May (K. Siemins- ki, S. Kloiber), and one quite late at West Fairview, Dauphin 26-28 May (D. Hoffman, RKo); West Virginia had one at Cheat L., Monongalia 22 Mar (TB, DC). A high count of 35 Black Scoters came from Memorial L., Lebanon, PA 16 Mar (D. Rudy). Long-tailed Ducks staged a strong flight in Ohio, with no- table counts of 14 at Pine L., Mahoning (CH), 11 at Mosquito L., Trumbull 13 Mar (C. Babyak), and 6 at Oberlin Res., Lorain 9 Apr (E. Bruder). Inland in Pennsylvania, 195+ Long-tailed Ducks were spotted in 17 counties 6 Mar-17 Apr (m.ob.), including nice counts of 28 on the Allegheny R. at Tionesta, For- est 16 Mar (E McGuire), 28 on the Susquehanna R. at West Fairview, Dauphin, PA 23 Mar (VG), and 36 at Pymatuning L., Crawford 14 Mar (LM). At least 180 Long-tailed Ducks were at P.I.S.P 13 Mar (JM). A Long-tailed Duck re- mained into late Mar at Davis, Tucker, WV 26-29 Mar (CR, RB). At Kelley’s I., Erie, OH, 1262 Buffleheads and 2180 Common Goldeneyes were counted 21 Mar (T. Bartlett). Nesting Common Mergansers were along Little Beaver Cr., Columbiana, OH 29 Apr (M. West, fide B&DL). Twenty-four Ruffed Grouse made a strong count for recent times in Indiana, PA (fide PH). Red-throated Loons were seen at eight Ohio locales, including 2 at Evans L., Mahoning 9 Apr (B&DL). In Pennsylvania, 25 Red-throateds were sighted in 11 counties 23 Mar-11 May. A movement of Common Loons in Pennsylvania 5 Apr included 600 at L. Wilhem, Mercer (]. Stanley) and 308 at Y.C.S.R (MH). A Homed Grebe at Prairie Oaks Metro Park, Franklin, OH was tardy 30 May (DS, D. Linzell), and a high count of 350 came from B.E.S.E 5 Apr (GG). Red-necked Grebes were reported from the following Ohio coun- ties: Clermont 3 Mar (D. Morse, Jr.), Cuyahoga 29 Mar (JP), Pickaway 29 Mar-5 Apr (B. Royse, m.ob.), Wyandot 8 Apr (BW, B. Conlon), Mahoning 9- 10 Apr (2 birds; CH, B&DL), Warren 16-17 Apr (RA, m.ob.), and Hanison 20 Apr (SP). In Pennsylvania, 12 total Red-necked Grebes were in seven coun- m Hamilton, uh tz Mar (.ng; was a signifi- cant count for the Region. Ohio’s 2nd Gar- ganey, an ad. male, was enjoyed by hundreds of birders, including many from outside the Region, 29 Apr-13 May (J. & E. Leon, m.ob.). Canvasback and Redhead singles lingered at Ottawa 14 May (N. Leesburg, SW), and an- other Canvasback was at Pymatuning S.P., Ashtabula 27 May (MV). Two Greater Scaup in Lorain remained through end of period (GL). Lesser Scaup numbered 5032 on the O.N.W.R.C. 3 Apr (DV et al.) and 2000+ on the flooded Great Miami R., Hamilton, OH 12 Mar (NC). Up to 422 Ring-necked Ducks were at Y.C.S.R in Mar (L. Carnahan), and a pair lingered at New Beaver, Lawrence, PA through at least 31 May (MV). Surf Scoters in Ohio totaled 21 birds in 10 reports. In Penn- sylvania, 24 Surfs were found in seven coun- ties 7 Apr-19 May (m.ob.), and a late Surf Scoter was at Byrd Dam, Mason, WV 4 May (WA). In Ohio, 13 White-winged Scoters were reported, mostly inland and all singles, The passage of American White Pelicans through Ohio was extraordinary, with 82 reported from a dozen locations (Table 1). The increase in migrants and wintering birds has been noted throughout the East and Midwest and recalls that of Sandhill Cranes, though none are known to have nested in the East. In Pennsylvania, an American White Pelican was at P.I.S.P. 23-24 (M. Franz) & 29 May (S. Kinzey), and one was at L. Wilhem, Mercer 25 Apr (ph. S. Kinzey). In West Virginia, 2 were seen flying over Byrd Dam, Mason, WV 20 Mar (RT). Location No. Date(s) Observer(s) Cowan L., Warren 3 13-21 Mar L. Gara, m.os. Crooked Run Nature Park, Clermont 7 13 Mar Suzanne Clingman Athens 2 16 Mar Lynda Andrews, Joe Hazelbaker Buck Creek S.P., Clark 5 17-25 Mar Micahel Hatfield, Doug Overacker, m.ob. Killdeer Plains W. A., Wyandot 1-2 19-20 Mar Paul Gardner, Dave Lehner, Andy Sewell Hueston Woods S.P., Butler/Preble 2 18-19 Mar John Moore Grand Lake St. Mary's, Mercer 5 26-27 Mar Russell Reynolds Evans L., Mahoning 2 7-10 Apr Bob & Denise Lane, Craig Holt, John Guy Petruzzi Ottawa 2 12 Apr Claire Johnson Pickerel Creek W.A., Sandusky 20 30 Apr-2 May Mike Gordon, m.ob. Maumee R. to Walbridge Park, Lucas 14 4 May Nancy Cramer, John Blodgett, Mary & Sherry Plesner Ottawa 20 22 May Pat Johnson One of three adult Purple Gallinules that were present in Pennsylvania during May 2011, this one lingered at Presque Isle State Park, Erie County 30 April (here) through 18 May — only the second for that well-birded location. Photograph by Brian Berchtold. This immature Northern Goshawk photographed passing through Cuyahoga County's Edgewater State Park 10 April 2011 became the first ever photographed in north- eastern Ohio. Photograph by Dane Adams. 434 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS ties 5 Mar-20 May (m.ob.). A few Eared Grebes lingered for Ohioans: at Buck Creek 24 Mar-9 Apr (RA, m.ob.), in Cuyahoga 27 Mar-8 Apr (JB, Richard Banish, m.ob.), at Killdeer 8-9 Apr (BW, Bob Conlon, Andy Sewell), and at Caesar Creek 16-17 Apr (RA, JC). Single Eared Grebes were in Pennsylva- nia at Colyer L., Centre 23 Mar (GG et al.) , P.I.S.P. 2-8 Apr (MW, JM), and L. Wilhelm, Mercer 25 Apr (DW, ST). A Western Grebe was discovered on Evan’s L., Mahoning, OH 9- 10 Apr (R. Golterman). A wandering Brown Pelican was on Boone Res., Washington, PA 13-14 Apr (K. Rogers, m.ob., ph. GM). There were four sightings of Anhinga in Northamp- ton and York, PA 3-8 May (M. Loyko, D. Altif, L. Carpenter, A. Koch). American Bitterns were widespread in Ohio on potential breeding grounds and in passage; 30 birds made the best total in years, topped by 3 at Charlie’s Pond, Pickaway 24 Apr (G. Fluke) and 3 at Miami-Whitewater Wetland, Hamilton 19 May (JC). Scarce in Ohio, a Least Bittern was seen crossing a busy Franklin street 6 May (T. Hutson), and 2 were at Miami-Whitewater Wetlands, Hamilton 19 May (B. Wulker). Many Snowy Egret sight- ings in Hamilton, OH 22 Apr+ may have in- volved the same bird, but 2 were seen 24 May (B. Wulker). Other Ohio sightings included singles in Montgomery 11 Apr (E. & B. Neubauer) and in Franklin 14 & 17 May (R. Looker, DS1, B. Sparks, BW). Ohio Little Blue Herons included 2 in Hamilton 21 Apr (W. Hull) and one there 5 (P. Krusling) & 29-31 May (A. Scruggs, JC), with other singles in Lake 1 May (JP), Richland 4 May (C. Harner), and Franklin 23-24 May (D. Peters, fide B. Simpson), plus up to 3 in Franklin 27-31 May 0- Watts, B. Kinkead, DS). A Snowy Egret at Upper St. Clair, PA 13 Apr was a first for Al- legheny 0- McDonald et al.), and in West Vir- ginia, David Myles found one in Berkeley 15 May. A Little Blue Heron near Belleville, Mif- flin, PA 25 May was unusual for that location (D. Brackbill), as were singles at Independ- ence Marsh, Beaver, PA 7 Apr (B. Smith et al.) and Green Bottom, Cabell, WV 23-28 Apr (TDe, WA, MO). Away from known Ohio breeding range, Cattle Egrets were found in Richland (G. Cowell) and in Darke (R. Schieltz), both 12 Apr, in Warren 25 Apr-27 May (C. Mathena, L. Gara, B. Powell, m.ob.), in Butler 14-16 Apr (N. & D. Haynes), in Delaware 1 May (L. Meyst, fide B. & E. Mc- Nulty), and in Greene 4-5 May (C. Beckman, M. Boyd), with 4 in Hamilton 26 Apr (W. Hull). Fourteen Cattle Egrets were reported in Pennsylvania 21 Apr-31 May; 4 near State College 26-28 Apr were locally unusual (C. Widmann). A Yellow-crowned Night-Heron EASTERN HIGHLANDS & UPPER OHIO RIVER VALLEY ■f T •- A*' ' ' i lL " ' * A t y*-** s s „ * ^ * - - * T v x x t . X **• * X - 1 I A* * t*. »^T . ^ V* x a Tl - * i i This flock of Red Knots at Bucktoe County Preserve, Chester County, Pennsyl- vania 31 May 201 1 was noted during a watch for shorebirds leaving their annual stopover sites in the Delaware Bay. Photograph by Holly Merker. This adult Mew Gull, apparently of the nominate subspecies, was discovered in a flock of Ring-billed Gulls on the Ohio River at Monaca, Beaver County, Pennsylvania 1 3 March 201 1 . If accepted by the Pennsylvania Ornithological Records Committee, it wouid represent Pennsylvania's fourth record of an Old World Mew Gull. Photograph by Geoff Malosh. occupied a Holmes swamp 20 May (R. Rowe). An ad. White Ibis in a flooded Ashland field 9 Apr (L. Hostetler) did not linger long. A flyby Glossy Ibis at Metzger Marsh W.A., Lucas 13 May (JB, D. Gesu- aldo, 1. Krise) was the only one re- ported in Ohio; 53 were tallied in nine counties in Pennsylvania 12 Apr-29 May (m.ob.). A Wood Stork was seen near Waynesboro, Franklin, PA 24 May (D. Binga- rnan, D. Gearhart). VULTURES THROUGH TERNS In Ohio, extralimital Black Vultures passed Ashtabula 17 (EB, BG) & 20 Mar (JP) and Oak Harbor, Ottawa 27 Apr (KK). Three at RI.S.E 17 Mar were unusual there (R. Snyder, JM), as was one at Lewisville, Indi- ana, PA 18 Mar (M. Cunkleman). In Ohio, a Swallow-tailed Kite re- ported in Athens 25 Apr (J. Hazel- baker) mirrored many similar re- ports from nearby states. In Penn- sylvania, single Swallow-taileds were seen at State Game Lands 169, Cumberland 30 Apr (AMa) and near Lancaster, Lancaster 28 May (T. Garner). Rare, but now annual, 3 Mississippi Kites were seen in Ohio: in Lake 2 May (JP), in Darke 12 May (A. Boone), and in Ashta- bula 22 May (CH). In Pennsylvania, sightings came from Hawk Moun- tain Sanctuary, Berks 29 Apr (C. Concepcion, B. Khadka, fide L. Goodrich), near Uhlerstown, Bucks (P. Cooper), at Downington, Chester 26 Apr (ph. HM), at Malvern, Chester 21 May (NP), at Bucktoe Creek Preserve, Chester 23 May, with at least 2 at that location 27-31 May (LL, m.ob.), and in Juniata 19 May (T. Peter- sheim). An exceptional flight 10 Apr produced 1036 Sharp-shinned Hawks over Conneaut, Ashtabula — a new high count for Ohio (EB, GL, J. Talkington), with 685 to the e. in Cuya- hoga (JB et al). Northern Goshawks passed Ohio hawkwatches in Cuyahoga (JB, D. Adams, ph.), Ashtabula 10 Apr (EB, GL, J. Talkington), and Lake 26 Apr (JP), while a carefully ob- served ad. in Hamilton 11 May (JQ was unex- pected. Hawkwatchers in Ashtabula, OH estab- lished a new local high count with 381 Red- shouldered Hawks 17 Mar (EB, BG). Broad- winged Hawk passage peaked 25 Apr, when 3243 transited Ashtabula (BG et al). A light- morph juv. Swainson’s Hawk was well ob- served at the Conneaut, Ashtabula hawkwatch 10 Apr (EB, GL, J. Talkington). Dark-morph Red-tailed Hawks, rare in Ohio, were recorded in Ashatbula 17 Mar (EB, BG) and in Lucas 10 Apr (D. Buchner). In Pennsylvania, dark- morph Red-tailed Hawks were seen at M.C.W.M.A. 4 Mar (AM, J. Mirabella) and P.I.S.P. 23 Apr (MW, JM). Ohio Golden Eagles were noted in Mahoning 27 Mar (Jim Dolan) and Cuyahoga 13 Apr (JB). Four Golden Eagles at P.I.S.P. 28 Mar-11 Apr made a high count for the season there (JM); late Goldens in Pennsyl- vania included singles at Mount Joy, Lancaster 25 Apr Q. Heller), at Y.C.S.P 27 Apr (MH), in York 28 Apr (A. Pettigrew), and at Waterloo Mills Preserve, Chester 1 May (KF). Eighteen Merlins made an exceptional tally 25 Apr in VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 435 EASTERN HIGHLANDS & UPPER OHIO RIVER VALLEY Furnishing Ohio's second record of Royal Tern, this bird at Hoover Reservoir 3-7 (here 7) March 201 1 may have been brought northward by a storm system that originated in the Gulf of Mexico. Photograph by Dane Adams. This male Mountain Bluebird entertained many observers at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania 30 March through 14 (here 3) April 2011; there are just five previous records for the state. Photograph by Geoff Malosh. Ashtabula, OH (BG et al.). A pair of Merlins in Erie, PA 8+ May (Joe & Bonnie Klan) was seen carrying prey and was thought to be possibly breeding, a potential brst for the county. A King Rail inhabiting a roadside ditch in Brown, OH 21 May (B. Stanley) was most un- expected for the area. In Pennsylvania, Kings were seen near Fogelsville, Lehigh 26-30 Apr (D. Neimeyer, m.ob., ph. RW), at Cheslen Pre- serve, Chester 23-28 May (CC et al.), and at Geneva Marsh, Crawford 28-31 May (LM, ST, DW, CN). A Virginia Rail at Green Bottom, Ca- bell, WV 1 Mar (WA) had probably wintered. A Purple Gallinule at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, Franklin, OH 8 May (DS1) was the only follow-up to last years flight. Purple Gallinules in Pennsylvania included ads. at Royersford, Montgomery for several weeks in early to mid- May (ph. K. Lewis), at Hay Creek Res., Berks 25 May (ph. R. Hoffman), and at Pl.S.P. 30 Apr-18 May (ph. B. Berchtold, m.ob.). A Piping Plover stopped at Pl.S.P. 26 Apr (S. Sargent), and 56 Semipalmated Plovers at Ellis L., Hamilton, OH 21 May was a notable con- centration (A. Oliver). Now apparently annual in Ohio, Black-necked Stilts were recorded from Ottawa 21-25 Apr (D. Buchner, D. Johns, m.ob.), Killdeer 13-15 May (Manon Van Schoyck, S. Sober, m.ob.), Warren 24 May (2 birds; D. Pursell), and Franklin 26-27 May, where a pair was seen copu- lating (DS1, B. Sparks, BW). In Ohio, a significant flock of 57 American Avocets was found 17 Apr in Ottawa (R Johnson), while 8 were at Buck Creek 25 Apr (D. Linzell, MHa) and 3 were in Delaware 5 May (T. Bain). Fifteen Willets at Ellis L., Hamilton 1 May (M. Busam, C. Saunders) was the Ohio high count this spring. In Pennsylvania, sightings of Willets included one at Blue Marsh L., Berks 28 Apr (R. Hoffman, K. Lebo.J. Silagy), 4 at Moraine S.P., Butler 1 May (MV, CN), one at Py- matuning L., Crawford 28 Apr-1 May (LM, R. Ford, MV, CN), 4 at Shenango Riv- er Res., Mercer 2 May (Neil Troyer), and one at Camp Soles L., Somerset 8 May (J. & M. Moses, C. Payne, J. Payne). In Ohio, an Upland Sandpiper was in Champaign 11 Apr (T. Beachy), 4 were in Ottawa 13 May (JB), and one was in Franklin 25 Apr+ (DS1, m.ob.). A Whimbrel at Magee 1 May (KK) was early; an- other was at Imperial, Allegheny, PA 27 May (ph. GM, m.ob.). Marbled Godwits appear to be increasing as spring migrants in Ohio. Sightings included 4 in Hamilton 11 Apr (A. Bess, E Frick), 3 at Buck Creek 1 May (B. Menker), and singles in Ottawa 6-7 May (B&DL, L. Helm, V Derr, m.ob.) and Lucas 22 May (D. & M. Johns). A Marbled Godwit was at Pl.S.P 20 May (ph. JM). Hundreds of Ruddy Turnstones over Bucktoe County Preserve, Chester , PA 31 May was a new high count for that county (LL et al.). Dedicated shorebirders at Bucktoe County Preserve, Chester, PA were rewarded with 70 Red Knots 27 May and 100+ there 31 May (LL, HM, W. & L. Ryan). A total of 76 White-rumped Sandpipers was recorded from four Hamilton locations 27-30 May (W. Hull, A. Scruggs, J. Stenger), indicative of the exceptional shorebird passage through sw. Ohio this season. Some 225 Semipalmated Sandpipers along Rte. 2 and the Ohio R., Ma- son 25 May (MG, WA, MO) constituted a great West Virginia count. Western Sandpipers in Pennsylvania included singles at State College, Centre 23 May (DW) and Pl.S.P 30 May (ST). Two hundred Dunlins were tallied at Bucktoe County Preserve, Chester, PA 27 May (LL et al), and 150 were at Leaser L., Lehigh, PA 23 May (BWe). Exceptional at this season, a Bairds Sandpiper was in Lorain, OH 27 May (EB). A Baird’s at Dunnings Creek Wetlands, Bedford, PA 19 May (T. Dick) was unusual for spring. In cen. Ohio, 2000+ Pectoral Sand- pipers were noteworthy at Batelle Darby Creek Metro Park, Franklin 13 Apr (BW). A rare spring Stilt Sandpiper was at Fernald Preserve, Hamilton, OH 3 May (JC), and 5 were in Franklin, OH 22 May (DS1). A Ruff at Haafsville, Lehigh, PA 20 May made the 2nd county record (BW, ph. D. Welch). Some 94 Wilsons Snipe at M.L.R. 5 Apr (BWe) made a nice gathering. Three reports of Wilson’s Phalaropes surfaced in Ohio: 3 in Ottawa 29 Apr (D. & M. Johns), 2 in Franklin 30 Apr (DS1), and 2 in Hamilton 2 May (E Frick, M. Busam, JC). Wilson’s Phalaropes in Pennsylva- nia included one at Pymatuning L., Crawford 28 Apr (LM, R. Ford, B. & M. VanNewkirk) and one at M.L.R. 28-30 Apr (AMa, MS, B. Oyler); one was in West Virginia at Byrd Dam, Mason 1 May (MG, WA). Red-necked Phalaropes put in an excellent showing in Pennsylvania, with 2 at the Penn-Warner Tract, Bucks 19 May (DF), one at Moraine S.R, Butler 16 May (Deb Darney), one along Horner’s Rd., Cumberland 14 May (H. Weigh AMa, VG, J. Renniger, RKo), one at M.L.R. 15 May, followed by 2 there 23 May (AMa), one at Conewago Rails to Trails, Lancaster 19 May (T. Becker, K. Mongold, M. Epler), one along Mount Pleasant Rd., Lebanon 19 May (M. Epler), one at Green Pond, Northampton 16-19 May (DD, m.ob.), one at Nazareth, Northamp- ton 18 May (M. & C. Schall), and one at L. Redman, York 13-14 May (L. Carpenter, R. Cleary, P. Robinson). In Ohio, 2 were a treat in Ottawa/Lucas 23 May (B. Cullen, KK). A strik- ing female Red Phalarope appeared after a strong easterly storm at a sewage lagoon at Longwood Gardens, Chester, PA 17-18 May (LL, m.ob.), and another was at Peace Valley Park, Bucks, PA 18 May (DF), surely the result of the same storm system. A Black-legged Kittiwake passed through Lake 1 Apr (JP). A Little Gull in sw. Ohio in Hamilton 24-27 Apr (E Frick, W. Hull, m.ob.) furnished one of fewer than 10 state records away from L. Erie. About a dozen Little Gulls on the Susquehanna R. in Pennsylvania in- cluded 3 near Columbia, Lancaster 19 Mar and later (EW), one at Wrightsville, York 20 Mar 436 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS (M. Lombard et al. ) , 2 near Columbia/ Wrightsville, Lancaster/York 7 Apr (M. Lom- bard), 3 at West Fairview, Dauphin 1-5 Apr (RKo, m.ob.), and 3 at Marysville, Dauphin 3 Apr (HM), plus another there 17 Apr (RK, MS). Away from the Susquehanna R., 2 were at Memorial Lake S.P, Lebanon 23 Mar (T. Beck- er, j. Derr), one was on the Juniata R. in Hunt- ingdon 28 Mar (I. Gardner), one at M.L.R. 1 Apr (VG), and one at P.I.S.P 30 Apr (DW). Solo Laughing Gulls visited Casear Creek lb- 28 Apr (JC, D. Linzell) and Buck Creek 20-24 Apr (RA, D. Overacker, MHa). Other Laugh- ings included singles near Shawnee S.P, Bed- ford, PA 1 May (ST), at Duck Hollow, Alleghe- ny, PA 11 May (K. Saunders, Y. Cohen), and at M.L.R. 21 May (AMa); up to 18 at Shady Brook Farm, Bucks, PA 5-15 Apr (B. Keim) made the high spring count. Franklin’s Gulls in Pennsyl- vania included singles at Blue Marsh L., Berks 28 Apr (R. Hoffman, K. Lebo, J. Silagy), along Mud Level Rd., Cumberland 21 May (AM, B. Oyler, D. Snell), and at South Avis, Clinton 30 May (ph. N. Frank). Single Franklin’s were at Canaan Valley, Tucker, WV 8 Apr (SK) and at Byrd Dam, Mason, WV 3 May (WA), while in Ohio, one was at Buck Creek 3 May (MHa). Black-headed Gulls in Pennsylvania were at Columbia, Lancaster 19 Mar (EW), Marysville, Dauphin/Peny 22-24 Mar (RKo, AM, MS, L. Carpenter), Fisherman’s/Wissler Run Park, Lancaster 23 Apr (T. Raub), Conemaugh Twp., Somerset 1 May (T. Roberts), and Penn- Warn- er Tract, Bucks 17-19 May (DF). Nine Glaucous Gulls passed Lakeshore Metro Park 2 Mar, along with a Thayer’s and 2 Iceland Gulls (JP), and a first-cycle Iceland was at Conneaut Harbor, Ashtabula 17 May (CH). Up to 4 Iceland Gulls at Green Pond, Northampton, PA 14-20 Mar (DD, M. Schall) was a nice number for that location. A Great Black-backed Gull was in Delaware, OH 16 Apr (Sean Williams). Inland Ohio Lesser Black- backed Gulls were found at usual locales — Delaware W.A., Delaware 16 Mar (S. Williams) and Caesar Creek 22 Apr (J. Lehman) — but less expected were singles at M.L.R. 6 Mar (AMa) and Dashhelds, Allegheny 12 Apr (MV, GM). In Pennsylvania, a Mew Gull was well documented in Beaver 13 Mar (M. Vass, ph. GM), a 4th record for the state. An ad. Califor- nia Gull was well studied at Struble L., Chester 4 Mar (L. Lewis). Black Terns were scarce this spring, with 4 singles reported in Ohio: at Buck Creek 2-3 May (RA, B. Kinkead), at Ottawa 11- 15 May (SW, N. Leesburg), at Metzger 20 May (K. & C. Graham), and at Winton Woods, Hamilton 31 May (D. Brinkman). Fifteen at Dunnings Creek Wetlands, Bedford, PA 10 Apr was the high count in that state (TD). An ad. Arctic Tern was a marvelous find at Killdeer 15 EASTERN HIGHLANDS & UPPER OHIO RIVER VALLEY May (p.a., J. Dunn, C. Mathena, S. Tackett). Ohio’s 2nd Royal Tern at Hoover Res. 3 Mar (Ken Davis) was initially entered into eBird as a Caspian Tern, triggering an eBird alert; the bird was relocated 6-7 Mar, correctly identified, and enjoyed by many. DOVES THROUGH FINCHES Eurasian Collared-Doves showed up in Ohio at Lakeshore Metro Park, Lake 15-16 Apr (JP), at Metzger Marsh 27 Apr (RN), and in Clark 1-21 May (D. Overacker). In Pennsyl- vania, singles in Centre 23-30 Apr (J. Dunn) and Westmoreland 1-13 May (D. Mohney) made first county records, with others at Par- adise, Lancaster 8 May 0- Heller) and at Man- chester, York 13-14 Apr (D. Humbert), plus 2 at Fontana, Lebanon 28 May (NP). A White- winged Dove visited a feeding station in Lake- wood, Cuyahoga, OH 28-29 Apr (P Lozano, B. Finklestein). A Barn Owl showed up at Magee’s boardwalk 6 May (G. Links, M. War- ren). Early Apr movements brought a Long- eared Owl to Mount Hope, Holmes 6-9 Apr (GMi, R. Hershberger, SS, m.ob.), 6 to Maumee Bay S.P, Lucas 7 Apr (SD), one to Magee 7 Apr (D. Johns), and 2 to Headlands Beach S.P, Lake 10 Apr (M. Rohr). Twenty-six Short-eared Owls were reported from Ohio, including both migrants and winter residents. Northern Saw-whet Owls in Ohio were de- tected in Adams 2-3 Mar (M. Zloba), in Franklin 9 Mar (BW), in Medina 15 Mar (GL), at Kelley’s I., Erie 22 Mar (6 banded; T. Bartlett), and in Lucas 4 Apr (SD). Chuck-will’s-widow was reported in two Ohio counties, Adams 30 Apr (J. Davis) and Clennont 13 May (B. Stanley); Pennsylvania reports included one in Berks 15 May (J. Zehr) and one at Fort Indiantown Gap, Lebanon 1 May (T. Becker), possibly last year’s bird. A remarkably early Chimney Swift showed up 22 Mar in Harrison, OH (SP), and another early bird was at Upper St. Clair, Al- legheny, PA 9 Apr (ST). The female Anna’s Humming- bird present during the winter season at Shartlesville, Berks, PA was last seen in mid- Mar (fide S. Weidensaul), and a Rufous Hum- mingbird was seen at Whitetail Wetlands, Bedford, PA 5 May (T. Dick) . Thirteen Olive-sided Flycatchers were re- ported in passage through Ohio, a typical spring count. A Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was seen and photographed near Kempton, Berks, PA 20 May 0- Brett). An extremely early Great Crested Flycatcher was observed in Harrison, WV 10 Mar (JS). An early Barn Swallow was at M.C.W.M.A. 20 Mar (C. Berthoud). The only Loggerhead Shrike reported in Ohio this sea- son was in Franklin 9 Apr (P Hurtado). North- ern Shrikes were found at Killdeer 7-18 Mar (PB, KO, D. Linzell, C. Mathena), in Wood 21 Mar (B. 6? R. Rinehart), in Geauga 22 Mar (D. Best), at Magee 23 Mar (M. Valencic), at Kill- buck Marsh W.A., Holmes 26 Mar (SS), and on the O.N.W.R.C. 3 Apr (DV et al.). In Pennsyl- vania, Northern Shrikes were reported seven counties 1-20 Mar, including Carbon, Centre, Crawford, Cumberland, Lawrence, Lebanon, and Venango. A White-eyed Vireo in Cameron, PA 14 Apr (M. Johnson) was unusual for both the date and location. Ohio Bell’s Vireo reports were slightly up, with six: at Magee 11 May (JB), in Clark 12 May (D. Overacker), at Ellis L., Hamilton 12-14 May (B. Wulker, M. Busam, L. Houser), at Hilliard, Franklin 18 May (R. Lowry, DS, D. Linzell), at the Kilby Rd. Gravel Pit, Hamilton 15-19 May (JC, D. Brinkman), and at the Voice of America facili- ty, Butler 28 May (A. Scruggs). A holdover from the winter season, a Common Raven was observed in Knox, OH through 27 Mar (GMi, SS, m.ob.). Four were at Upper Perkiomen Valley Park, Montgomery, PA 25 May (KC, M. Shope); one at the Darlington Tract, Delaware, PA 1 Mar was only the 2nd county record (AG); and one near Lowville, Erie, PA 24 Apr was also locally unusual (MW). A Fish Crow was reported in Columbiana, OH 20 May (p.a., John Guy Petruzzi), and 2 passed over Magee 21 May (p.a., RN, R. Harlan, T. Hostetler, K. Beers, m.ob.). Two Wood Thrushes arrived in Pike Twp., Berks, PA 11 Apr (RK). A Townsend’s Soli- taire was seen at Meadville, Crawford, PA 15 Apr (R. Leberman), and a male Mountain Bluebird was at M.C.W.M.A. 31 Mar-14 Apr The first of its kind recorded in spring at the location since 1934, this Nelson's Spar- row turned up at Presque Isle State Park, Erie County, Pennsylvania on 1 1 May 2011. Photograph by Jerry McWilliams. VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 437 EASTERN HIGHLANDS & UPPER OHIO RIVER VALLEY (Sid & Evelyn Hostetter, E. Koppel, m.ob., ph. GM). Two early Sedge Wrens were found at Shor Park, Clermont , OH 25 Apr (E Renfrow), and another was seen in Hamilton , OH 20 May (B. Wulker). In Pennsylvania, a Sedge Wren was reported from Geneva Marsh, Crawford 1 May (R. Ford, D. Masters). A Swainson’s Thrush was incredibly early at Jeffrey Park, Franklin, OH 6 Apr (BW); a late Hermit Thrush was at Oak Openings MetroPark, Lu- cas, OH 19 May (M. Anderson). A female Var- ied Thrush discovered in a Holmes, OH wood- lot tantalized observers with fleeting glimpses 20-21 Apr (AT, m.ob.). A wintering Gray Cat- bird was last observed at Villa Angela S.P, Cuyahoga, OH 5 Mar (N. Andeson). About 5500 Lapland Longspurs staged in Mercer, OH 3 Apr (EB, JB, GL), and 30 were along East Zahnizer Rd., Mercer 20 Mar (Joseph Hockstetler, Neil Troyer, Samuel Troy- er), an excellent count for Pennsylvania, with a few remaining at least through 12 Apr. In Ohio, a Lawrence’s Warbler was at Withrow Nature Preserve, Hamilton, OH 30 Apr (M. Gilsdorf) , and Brewsters hybrids were record- ed at Mount Airy Forest, Hamilton 30 Apr (A. Bess), Carlisle Res., Lorain 4 May (M. Smith), and Highbanks Metro Park, Franklin 4-7 May (B. Kinkead, B. Miller, C. Bombaci, m.ob.). Thirteen total Golden-winged Warblers made up a typical Ohio passage. A Yellow-throated Warbler at PI. S.P. 29-30 Apr (M. Franz) was unusual there. An Audubon’s Warbler was documented at Magee 26 Apr 0- Fox, KO). A Kirtland’s Warbler spent four days at Colum- bus, Franklin, OH 4-7 May (P. Hurtado, m.ob.), and another was heard in Cuyahoga, OH 29 May (JB, I. Krise). Fifteen Connecticut Warblers were recorded in Ohio during May, including 3 in Ottawa 28 May (M. Shieldcas- tle). In Pennsylvania, 5 Connecticut Warblers were at PI. S.P 13-21 May (MW). An early Mourning Warbler arrived at Navarre Marsh, Ottawa, OH 1 May (KK). A Kentucky Warbler at Whetham, Clinton, PA 15 May was rare there (D. Ferry). Thirteen Yellow-breasted Chats at Nottingham Park, Chester, PA 29 May (HM, DF) made an excellent count. Ohio produced a handful of Clay-colored Sparrow reports: 25 Apr at last year’s breeding location in Stark (T. & B. Sponseller), 27 Apr at Lakeshore Metro Park, Lake (JP), 1 May on the O.N.W.R.C. (DV et al.), 7 & 14 May at Magee (SW), and 8 May in Franklin (DS1, B. Warner). Away from their normal breeding areas in Pennsylvania, Clay-colored Sparrows were at PI. S.P 6 & 12 May (MW) and at Me- morial Lake S.P., Lebanon 13 May (R. Miller), and one returned for the 3rd year in a row to Van Wert , Juniata, PA 10-12 May (A. Renno, C. Kaufman). Lark Sparrows in Ohio includ- ed singles in Cuyahoga 19-21 Apr (C. Caprette) and at Oak Openings Metro Park, Lucas 23 Apr (JP); Pennsylvania singles were at Farmington, Fayette 10 May ( fide L. Dur- gin) and at P.I. S.P. 14 May (B. VanNewkirk et al.). A Nelson’s Sparrow beautifully pho- tographed at PI. S.P 11 May provided the first spring record there since 1934 (ph. JM) ! A wintering Harris’s Sparrow at a Wayne resi- dence held on through 13 Apr (AT, m.ob.). Seven Gambel’s White-crowned Sparrows vis- ited Lakeshore Metro Park, Lake 10 May (JP). Summer Tanagers in Pennsylvania included a male at Frick Park, Allegheny 1 May (M. David) and one in Bristol Twp., Bucks 14-22 May (D. Filler). A Blue Grosbeak near Phillipsburg, Clearfield, PA 24 May (S. Lewis, R. Stone) was unusual there. Painted Buntings in Pennsylvania including a male at Oakland, Allegheny 27 Apr (C. McNamara) for a 2nd county record and another at Milroy, Mifflin 6- 7 May (D. & F Shirk), a first county record. Single Dickcissels were near Christiana, Lan- caster, PA 13 May (CC), in Cameron, PA 14 May (M. Johnson), and near Newburg, Cum- berland 28 May (AMa), with up to 6 on a farm in Chester, PA 25 May (KF, J. Sebastiani et al.). In e.-cen. Ohio, a Western Meadowlark spent 5-21 Apr in Holmes (Cheryl Harner, GMi, Robert Hershberger, m.ob.). A very coopera- tive Yellow-headed Blackbird was observed at the Byrd Dam, Mason, WV 23 Apr (RT, WA, MG, DP, GR). A female Brewer’s Blackbird was well described from Dyberry Twp., Wayne, PA 23 Mar (C. Fischer). A Bullock’s Oriole tar- ried at a Woodsfield, Monroe, OH feeder 13-22 Apr (Bob & Martie Heins, m.ob.). Four Balti- more Orioles that spent the winter visiting feeders in a West Grove, Chester, PA yard were noted through mid-Apr (KF). Two hundred twenty-one Baltimore Orioles passed Lake- shore Metro Park, Lake 10 May (JP). The only White-winged Crossbill reported in Ohio was at Oak Harbor, Ottawa 6 Mar (fide KK). The only Red Crossbills mentioned were 2 over Tussey Mountain Hawkwatch, Hunting- don, PA 16 Mar (S. Kolbe). Common Redpolls were reported mostly as singles in Pennsylva- nia, with reports from 16 counties 1 Mar-2 Apr, the highest count being of 25 at Black Swamp, Lawrence 9 Mar (C. McKee). About 360 Commons were in Lake 19 Mar (JP), Ohio’s high count for spring. Three different Hoary Redpolls showed up at Lakeshore Metro Park, Lake, OH on 6, 11-16, & 23 Mar; another was in Franklin, OH 19 Mar-8 Apr (Steve Jones, m.ob.). Hoary Redpolls in Penn- sylvania included 2 at Black Swamp, Lawrence 2-6 Mar (C. DeStein, LM, R. McDermott, ST, DW) and one at PI.S.P. 19-20 Mar (JM, MW). Six Ohio Evening Grosbeaks graced a Lake property 10 May (JP); 5 were in Butler, PA 10- 14 May (Linda & Larry Henz). Observers: Ohio (initials used for frequently cited observers): Dane Adams, Lynda Andrews, Matt Anderson, Nancy Anderson, Rick Asamo- to (RA), Carol Babyak, Emil Bacik (EB), Tom Bain, Richard Banish, Tom Bartlett, Tom Beachy, Cindy Beckman, Ken Beers, Paul Berri- gan (PB), Andy Bess, Dan Best, John Blodgett, Charlie Bombaci, Aaron Boone, Michael Boyd, David Brinkman, Erik Bruder, Jen Brumfield (JB) , Dale Buchner, Mike Busam, Jason Cade (JC) , Neill Cade (NC), Chris Caprette, Suzanne Clingman, Bob Conlon, Gary Cowell, Nancy Cramer, Becky Cullen, Julie Davis, Ken Davis, Jim Dolan, Vicki Derr, Jon Dunn, Sherrie Duris (SD), Bob Finklestein, Gretchen Fluke, John Fox, Frank Frick, Larry Gara, Paul Gardner, Dan Gesualdo, Bruce Glick (BG), Mark Gils- dorf, Mike Gordon, Ron Harlan, Cheryl Harn- er, Michael Hatfield (MHa), Nancy & Dick Haynes, Joe Hazelbaker, Linda Helm, Robert Hershberger, Craig Holt (CH), Leslie Houser, Levi Hostetler, Tim Hostetler, William Hull, Paul Hurtado, Timothy Hutson, Dennis & Martha Johns, Claire Johnson, Pat Johnson, Kenn Kaufman (KK), Bill Kinkead, Irene Krise, Paul Krusling, Bob & Denise Lane (B&DL), Nick Leesburg, Dave Lehner, Jay Lehman, Gabe Leidy (GL), John & Evan Leon, Greg Links, Doreene Linzell, Ron Looker, Rob Lowry, Paula Lozano, Charlotte Mathena, Bob & Elaine Mc- Nulty, Brian Menker, Lois Meyst, Bruce Miller, Greg Miller (GMi), Kent Miller, John Moore, Donald Morse Jr., Ed & Bev Neubauer, Rick Nirschl (RN), Ann Oliver, Doug Overacker, Karl Overman (KO), Scott Pendleton (SP), Di- ane Peters, John Guy Petruzzi, Mark & Sherry Plesnert, John Pogacnik (JP), Bob Powell, Brad Pursell, Frank Renfrow, Russell Reynolds, Bill & Roxanne Rinehart, Marilyn Rohr, Randy Rowe, Bob Royse, Dan Sanders (DS), Charlie Saunders, Regina Schieltz, Albert Scruggs, Andy Sewell, Bruce Simpson, Dave Slager (DS1), Mike Smith, Su Snyder (SS), Sean Sober, Brad Sparks, Terry & Barb Sponseller, Bill Stan- ley, Jay Stenger, Sue Tackett, Jerry Talkington, Andy Troyer (AT), Matt Valencic, Manon Van Schoyck, Mark Vass, Doug Vogus (DV), Ben Warner, Mary Warren, John Watts, Mike West, Bill Whan (BW), Sean Williams, Sam Woods (SW), Brian Wulker, Mark Zloba. Pennsylvania (subregional editors in bold- face): Chuck Chalfant (CC), Kevin Crilley (KC), Dave DcReamus (DD), Tom Dick (TD), David Eberly, Devich Farbotnik (DF), George Franchois (GF), Kevin Fryberger (KF), Vern Gauthier (VG), Greg Grove (GG), Al Guarante (AG), Paul Hess (PH), Margaret Higbee (MH), Rich Kane, Rudy Keller (RK), 438 NORTH AMERICAN BIROS Ramsay Koury (RKo), Larry Lewis (LL), Ge- off Malosh (GM), Andrew Markel (AMa), Au- gust Mirabella (AM), Jerry McWilliams (JM), Holly Merker (HM), Lukas Musher (LM), Clare Nicolls (CN), Nick Pulcinella (NP), Matt Sabatine (MS), R. Snyder (RS), Shannon Thompson (ST), Mark Vass (MV), Billy Weber (BWe), Drew Weber (DW), Mike Weible (MW), Dave Wilton (DW), Rick EASTERN HIGHLANDS & UPPER OHIO RIVER VALLEY i Wiltraut (RW), Eric Witmer (EW). West Virginia: Wendell Argabrite (WA), Catherine Bailey (CB), Randy Bodkins (RB), Terry Bronson (TB), Derek Courtney (DC), Todd Deal (TDe), Mike Griffith (MG), Stephen Kimbrell (SK), Matt Orsie (MO), David Patrick (DP), Gary Rankin (GR), Casey Rucker (CR), Rennie Telbert (RT), Jodie Sylvester (JS). O 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@pa.gov) Ron Canterbury, Department of Biological Sciences University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45221 (ron.canterbury@uc.edu) Illinois & Indiana Lowden- Jackson Miller SF Lake Calumet Goose Lake Prairie a ■ Midewin Nall. ^ _ , Tallgrass Prairie \ Willow Slough WMA ~a Sand Ridge SF Clintona a Siloam Lake Springs m Lake m Lake Springfield Shelbvville INDIANA LAKEFRONT: A = Hammond Lakefront Sanctuary B = Miller Beach C = Dunes SP & Beverly Shores D = Mich. City Harbor a Kingsbury WMA r'wma m Grand Kankakee Marsh Fm j$ Pa* ' TNC Kanakas Sa*sSa'Zm'e Pine Creek WMA Forest Glen ■ Preserve Jasper-Pulaski WMA Eagle ■ Creek Lake Park a Waveland Geist a Res . "Summit Carlyle Lake Qlne ILLINOIS Union Co. WMA'? Broakvilte Res. I Lake Lemon Muskatatuck NWR Lake Gibson . J NDIANA James D. Hengeveid Keith A. McMullen Geoffrey A. Williamson Rain, rain, and more rain was the theme this spring, as Indiana experienced its wettest spring on record, with approx- imately 20 cm more rain than the three- month average, and the Region as a whole had its second highest precipitation levels in the 117 years they have been measured. April in particular was very soggy; both states re- ceived record amounts of rain for the month. Many customary birding sites could not be accessed because of the associated Hooding. Sightings of note included Anhinga, Tricol- ored Heron, Ruff, Ross’s Gull, Burrowing Owl, Mountain Bluebird, Kirtland’s Warbler, and Cassin’s Sparrow. Abbreviations: Carlyle (Carlyle L., s. Illi- nois); Dunes (Dunes S.E, Porter , IN); Eagle Cr. (Eagle Creek Park, Indianapolis, IN); ER (Forest Preserve); EW.A. (Fish and Wildlife Area); Goose Pond (Goose Pond F.W.A., Greene, IN); Green Tower (in Dunes); Hen- nepin (Hennepin-Hopper Lake Restoration Area, Putnam , IL); L. Gibson ( Gibson , IN): Montrose (Montrose Pt., Lincoln Park, Chica- go); Prairie Ridge (Prairie Ridge State Natural Area, Jasper and Marion, IL). WATERFOWL THROUGH GREBES For the 4th consecutive spring, Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks graced s. Illinois, with 7 at Union County C.A. 23 Apr (ph. KAM), 3 in Massac 28-29 Apr (ph. KAM, MSS, CAT), and 3 in Union 6 May (VMK, TRE). Another whistling-duck seen at Goose Pond 24 May (BF) was confirmed to be a Fulvous 27 May (LWS). At Kankakee EW.A., Starke, 53 Ross’s Geese 6 Mar (EMH) represented Indiana’s 3rd largest count ever. Large swan concentrations included 64 Mutes at Spring L., Tazewell, IL 22 May (DH) and 40 Trumpeters in Wayne, IL I Mar (CLH). A male Eurasian Wigeon in McLean, IL 21- 25 Apr (TH, ph. MEF, m.ob.) was Illinois’s 5th in the past 10 years. A tame male Cinnamon Teal took residence in Chicago's Lincoln Park II Mar-24 Apr (ph. RKr, m.ob.), and another was noted in LaSalle, IL 29 Mar (ph. TH). Three Canvasbacks lingered through 29 May at Hennepin (TH), while Redheads stayed un- til 28 May, with 4 at Hennepin (DTW) and one in Warren, IL (CAT). The 800 Redheads at Carlyle 19 Mar (DMK) were notable. The wintering Harlequin Duck at Whihala Beach, Lake, IN lingered through 12 Mar (MT), and Chicago’s 2 Harlequins remained late, until 21 Apr (ph. Y-YP). Away from L. Michigan, 7 Surf Scoters were on Hardy L., Scott, IN 27 Mar (T&CB), and 14 others were in eight dif- ferent counties throughout the Region. Two White-winged Scoters at Evanston, Cook, IL 7 May (JIE, JDW) were notably late; relatively common inland this season, White-wingeds were seen at nine locations throughout the Region. Single inland Black Scoters were in Marshall, IL 2 Apr (CAT) and at Eagle Cr. 4 Apr (LP et ah), and one of 3 on L. Lemon, Monroe, IN 8 Apr stayed through 28 Apr (J&SH). An excellent 55 Long-tailed Ducks were noted in Lake, IL 1 Apr (BJS); one at This spring saw record flooding in portions of the Region's s. tier, particularly in s. Illinois, where con- ditions prompted the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to breach the levee at Birds Point, Missouri. Though the breach lessened tloodwater effects on homes and busi- nesses in s. Illinois, foraging habitat for waders and shore- birds was submerged in deep water, making food difficult to find. Shorebirds were the most affected and were forced from their usual haunts into agricultural fields. The floodplains of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers became vast areas of open water too deep for even the largest of the foraging shorebird species, Black-necked Stilt. Stilt num- bers were greatly reduced in s. Illinois, but greater num- bers occurred elsewhere in the Region, likely including birds that continued northward, searching for available habitat. Perhaps also due to these conditions, the Region experienced an influx of whistling-ducks. Winthrop Harbor, Lake, IL 6 May (JY EG) was unusually late. Inland Long-tailed Ducks were found in five Indiana counties, includ- ing 2 in Steuben 8 Apr (JAH). A Common Goldeneye at Clinton L., DeWitt, IL 27 May (MEF) and a Common Merganser in Will, IL 26 May (JAS) were late. A rufous-morph Ruffed Grouse was found in Brown, IN 15 Apr (DD), and 2 were in Scott, IN 17 Apr (AK, NK, DL). Surveys not- ed 73 Greater Prairie-Chickens at their refuge at Prairie Ridge 1-2 Mar (RES, SAS, CLH). The 43 Red-throated Loons seen from the Green Tower 30 Apr (JJM) made an impres- sive count; one in Chicago 4 May (SBB) was late. An astounding 492 Common Loons were tallied in Lake, IL 3 Apr (DBJ). Two molting Red-necked Grebes were at Muscatatuck N.W.R., Jennings, IN from 8 Mar (AK, DC) through at least 27 Mar (T&CB); others were noted in Kane, IL 11 Apr (SAC) and at Eagle Cr. 27 Apr (RFB). Among 20 Eared Grebes re- ported, 3 were at Monmouth S.T.P., Warren, IL 21 May (DJM); the latest was in Wabash, IL 27 May (CLH, RES). VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 439 ILLINOIS & INDIANA These seven Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks, found 23 April at Union County Conservation Area, Union County, Illinois, were part of an influx of 1 3 in the state in spring 2011 . Photograph by Keith A. McMullen. CORMORANTS THROUGH FALCONS Neotropic Cormorants (p.a.) were reported 8 & 10 Apr at Clinton L., DeWitt , 1L (ph. MEF, DMK, KAM, MSS) and 1 May at Horseshoe L, Madison , IL (ph., tFRH). Anhingas returned again to s. Illinois, with 4 at Cache River S.N.A., Johnson 28 Apr (KAM, MSS). Three successive record Indiana counts of American White Pelicans were registered at Goose Pond: 284 on 27 Mar (VW), 324 on 31 Mar (DRW, DA, RK), and 350 on 9 Apr (DA). A good bit- tern season was highlighted by 9 Americans in Greene and Sullivan, IN 11 Apr (LWS), an ear- ly Least 9 Apr at Mermet L., Massac, IL (KAM), and 11 Leasts 7 May at American Bot- toms, Monroe, IL (C&PD). Many large tallies of Great Egrets included 300 at L. Renwick, Will, IL 15 Apr (SFz), 300 in Monroe, IL 29 May (DMK), and Indiana’s spring record of 111 at Goose Pond 8 May (LWS). Two in Madison 3 Mar (KAM) were Illinois’s earliest since 1993. The heron and egret highlight was an ad. Tricolored Heron at Goose Pond 22 Apr (LWS). Chicago’s recently established Black-crowned Night-Heron rookery in Lin- coln Park contained 260 birds 12 May (MM), and the East Chicago, Lake, IN rookery had 260 Black-crowned Night-Heron nests 12 May (JSC et al.). On 31 Mar, ad. Yellow-crowned Night-Herons in Terre Haute (ph. MJ) and in Monroe (ph. VW) provided Indiana’s 2nd and 3rd Mar records. Single White Ibis were seen in Massac , IL 28-29 Apr (FKB) and at Union County C.A., IL 1 May (JLi, DJM et al.). Four Glossy Ibis were in Jasper, IL 27-28 Apr (CLH, RES). Ten White-faced Ibis were reported in Illinois, including 2 at American Bottoms, Monroe 25 May (C&PD) and 2 at Frank Holten S.P., St. Clair 7 May (ph. RC). Two unidentified Plegadis ibis were seen in Indiana. A Black Vulture near Geneva 30 Mar (JAH) marked the first record for Adams, IN. A mini- invasion of Northern Goshawks included an ad. at Willow Slough EW.A., Newton , IN 13 Mar (JBH), 2+ at Eagle Cr. 27 Mar-10 Apr (LP, JF, ER, RR et al.), and an imm. at Dunes 9 Apr (JCK, LSH, JJM, KJB). Four Swainson’s Hawks were at their traditional Kane and McHenry, IL sites 10 Apr (RAM, ALM), but unexpected were Swainson’s Hawks in s. Randolph, IN 28 Apr (AB) and at the Green Tower 9 May (KJB, JCK). The 19 Golden Ea- gles reported in Indiana made a record spring total. A Prairie Falcon was a fortuitous find 16 Mar in DuPage, IL (ph. SFz). Mississippi Kites continued their expansion north- ward in the Region. One in e. Jay, IN provided a first county record 12 May (AB), and another in Santa Claus, Spencer, IN 18 May (BT) was away from known breeding sites. The cen. and n. tiers of Illinois were inun- dated with 14 reports of single birds: at Lake Villa, Lake 2 Apr (RB); at L. Springfield, Sangamon 18 Apr (HBD); at Catlin, Vermilion 11 May (ph. BS); at Westchester, Cook 11 May (DFS); at May's Lake F.P., DuPage 11 May (VS); at Siloam Springs S.P., Adams 20 May (KAM); at Quincy Bay, Adams 23 May (AGD); at Montrose 23 May (RB) and in Ur- bana, Champaign 23 May (TH); in Fulton 25 May (KBR); in Bloomington, McLean 28 May (LA, GH); in Oak Forest, Cook 30 May (BAS); in Woodford 31 May (TH) and in Evanston, Cook 31 May (JSS). The n. breeding outpost in Rockford, IL, established in 2008, had a kite 1 1 May, with 5 there 27 May(LGB). RAILS THROUGH TERNS At least 20 King Rails were reported in the Re- gion. A Virginia Rail in nw. Cook, IL 23 Mar (SS) was very early. Regionwide reports of Common Gallinules included a near-record total of 86 from Indiana. The tally of 13,300 American Golden-Plovers in Jasper, IL 18 Apr (CLH, RES) topped all counts since 1994. Piping Plovers included one at Carlyle 17 Apr (DMK), 3 at Waukegan, IL 17 Apr (PWS, ph. JSw, AFS, ph. AS, m.ob.), with 3 more there (different birds, based on bands) 27 Apr QOS, JWL), another at West Beach, Porter, IN 6 May (SM), and 2 at Miller Beach, Lake, IN 14 May (MT et al.). Black-necked Stilt numbers in Indiana culminated in L. Gibson tallies of 66 ads. and 19 nests (containing 66 eggs) 19 May (AK, CEM) and 85 ads. 25 May (CEM), the latter Indiana’s all-time high count. Re- ports of stilts extended into Illinois’s n. tier, with 2 in Kankakee 29 Apr (JBH), one in Cook 30 Apr (AAA), 2 in Lake 7 May (ph. JRRS, KKM, RDH), and 3 in Will 11 May (JAS, CMA). Three flocks, each of 21 American Av- ocets, were noted in Waukegan, IL 23 Apr (AS), at Goose Pond 24 Apr (DL), and at Car- lyle 25 Apr (DMK). A tally of 75 Spotted Sandpipers at Chau- tauqua N.W.R., IL 7 May (RGB, SNB) was no- tably large. An early Greater Yellowlegs re- turned 3 Mar in St. Clair, IL (TJD). Five Up- land Sandpipers at Prairie Ridge 23 May (CLH) were among the Region’s nice total of 30+. A Whimbrel at Kankakee Sands, Newton, IN 12 May (JBH) and another at Montrose 19 May (ph. AAA, JIE) were outshone by 4 at Waukegan, IL 21 May (KAM, CAT, TLK). Among the Region’s 14 Hudsonian Godwits were 4 in St. Clair, IL 23 Apr (TJD) and 6 at TNC Kankakee Sands, Newton, IN 30 Apr (JJM). A strong Marbled Godwit movement involved 64+ individuals, including 15 near Francisco, Gibson, IN 19 Apr (SG), 10 at Car- lyle 24 Apr (DMK), and 26 at Forsythe Park, Lake, IN 26 Apr (CAM). Two Sanderlings at Dunes 10 Apr (BB, BJG, PBG) were record early for Indiana. Two Pectoral Sandpipers in s. Clinton, IL 4 Mar (KAM) were early. Indi- ana’s first Purple Sandpiper ever recorded in May was at Hammond Sanctuary, Lake 14 May (RJS, PDRH, DW); this is only the 10th spring season record for the Region. Indiana’s first Ruff in nine years was found near Muncie, Delaware 29 Apr-6 May (ph. AB, m.ob.). Two early Long-billed Dowitchers in basic plumage were seen at Patoka River N.W.R., Gibson, IN 27 Mar (ES). A Wilson’s Snipe nest with four eggs was found on the Mississinewa Res. spillway, Miami, IN 2 May (JJM). An all-time Indiana high for American Woodcock was set with 32 at Bluegrass 440 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS ILLINOIS & INDIANA EW.A., Warrick, IN 7 Mar (ES). Red-necked Phalarope reports included one in McLean, IL 16 May (TH), 3 in Monroe, IL 17 May (ph. C&PD), and a female in Allen, IN 19 May (RPR). In general, gull numbers were very low this spring. An imm. Black-legged Kittiwake at Montrose 25-31 Mar (ph. KH, ph. AAA, m.ob.) became weak and was brought to a wildlife rehabilitation center 31 Mar but did not survive the night. A first-cycle Little Gull was reported from E. Fork L., Richland, IL 19 Mar (CLH). The gull of the season was an ad. Ross’s Gull at Montrose 27 Mar (ph. Y-YP, KW), the Regions 3rd. A total of 5 Laughing Gulls was reported. An apparent Laughing Gull x Ring-billed Gull hybrid was at Chicago and neighboring Hammond Sanctuary, IN 5- 14 Mar (ph. MT, ph. AAA). Lingering gulls included a first-cycle Thayer’s 29 May (MLPR, ph. GAW et al.) and an Iceland 20 May (DKA), both at Montrose. A Caspian Tern in White 19 Mar (KAM, MSS) was record early for Illinois by five days. The Black Tern in Johnson, IL 22 Apr (KAM) was also early. In a fine spring for Common Terns, high tallies 15 May included 233 on the Indiana lakefront (JCK) and 210 at Montrose (GAW, NG). DOVES THROUGH CROWS A White-winged Dove in a River Forest, Cook backyard 10-14 Apr (ph. JSA, m.ob.) was Illi- nois’s earliest on record; another was at a West Lafayette, IN feeder 28 Apr (MA, EMH). A very early Black-billed Cuckoo was heard in Hoosier N.E, Orange, IN 16 Apr (AK, NK), and an astounding 8 were at Plum Creek EE, Cook, IL 21 May OWL)- Bam Owls were reported from five s. Illinois counties. The wintering Snowy Owl at Westville, LaPorte, IN lingered through 1 1 Mar (PK). A Burrowing Owl was a nice surprise at the Lost Mound Unit of the Upper Mississippi River N.W.R., Jo Daviess, IL 28 Apr (RE, ph. SB). Short-eared Owls lingered through 1 May, with one at Glenview, Cook, IL (MS). Northern Saw-whet Owls were noted at Colored Sands EE, Winnebago, IL 26 Mar (JL) and Chicago’s Grant Park 12 Mar (DEW). An exceptional tally of 40 Eastern Whip-poor- wills came from Siloam Springs S.R, Adams, IL 21 Apr (AGD). Superb woodpecker counts from the Green Tower included 91 Yellow-bel- lied Sapsuckers 5 Apr (BB) and 1127 Northern Flickers 10 Apr (KjB et al.). A calling Olive-sided Flycatcher in Lawrence 27 May (AK) was the latest on record for s. Indiana, while an early Great Crested Flycatcher was in Ruster Park, Indi- anapolis 10 Apr (MCR). Western Kingbirds were reported only from their breeding sites: at Granite City, IL 1 1 May (KAM) and East St. One of many Mississippi Kites reported in the northern parts of Illinois and Indiana in spring 201 1, this bird was photographed at Catlin, Vermilion County, Illinois 1 1 May, well away from the species' normal range in the state. Photograph by Bob Schifo. Staff at the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge monitored a den of Coy- otes at the Lost Mound Unit in Jo Daviess County, Illinois for a National Geographic special. Imagine their surprise when on 28 April 2001 a Burrowing Owl popped out of the den! Photograph by Stan Bousson. Louis, IL 31 May (2; DMK). A tally of 120 Eastern King- birds at Carlyle 7 May (DMK) tied the Illinois spring record high count. Five Scissor-tailed Flycatch- ers were reported: an ad. male in Massac, IL 30 Apr (TAM), one at Choteau I., Madison, IL 7 May (ph., tFRH), one at Terre Haute, IN 11 May (AH, Jide JS), a female in Jackson , IL 20 May (CLH), and one at Cobus Creek C.P, Elkhart, IN 30 May (GC, LS, m.ob.). A total of 26 Loggerhead Shrikes was reported in Illinois, the northernmost at Montrose 6 May QWL- PP). Vigo’s first Loggerhead Shrike in 26 years was near Terre Haute, IN 3 Apr (MJ). A Red-eyed Vireo in Jackson 9 Apr (KAM) was record early for Illinois by two days. Exemplifying Indiana’s best-ever Blue Jay flight was a record 6230 from the Green Tower 10 May (JKC, JCK, BB, KJB). The Re- gional spread of Fish Crows continues: 12 at four Posey locations 23 Mar (ES) furnished Indiana’s first Mar record; subsequent reports from four other Indiana counties included 14 in Warrick 12 May (ES). SWALLOWS THROUGH WARBLERS A notable 400 Purple Martins were at Carlyle 24 Apr (DMK). Lingering Red-breasted Nuthatches were at Waukegan, IL 25 May (AS) and Montrose 29 May (MLPR). Notable wren counts included 61 House Wrens in sw. Bureau, IL 7 May (DFS), 28 Sedge Wrens at Iroquois County C.A., IL 29 May (TFK, GAW), and 29 Marsh Wrens at the Grant St. wetland in Gary, IN 28 May (JKC et al.). Two male Mountain Bluebirds graced Illinois this spring: one at Towanda, McLean 9-11 Apr (ph. MJW, m.ob.) and the other at Waukegan 8 May (NS, ph. AS). The Region has seven prior accepted records. A Veery at Eagle Slough, Vanderburgh, IN 13 Apr (TG, SG) and Swainson’s Thrushes in Floyd, IN 11 Apr (T&CB) and Chicago also 11 Apr (tPRC, ph. Y-YP) were early. From the Green Tower, an Indiana lakefront record 2270 Lapland Longspurs were counted 17 Mar (JJM, BJG); near L. Gibson, 2 seen 17 May were very late (CEM). An impressive 350 Smith's Longspurs VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 441 ILLINOIS & INDIANA were logged in Montgomery, IN 31 Mar (LP et al.), and 300+ were tallied at Prairie Ridge 10 Apr (CLH). Three passing the Green Tower 30 Apr (JJM) provided a rare lakefront record, and one at Prairie Ridge 11 May (CLH, RES) tied Illinois’s record late date. A Tennessee Warbler at Mermet L., Massac 9 Apr (KAM) bested Illinois’s earliest arrival date by four days; also early was a male at the Heron Rookery, Porter, IN 14 Apr (BB). The 14 Orange-crowned Warblers in Chicago’s Jack- son Park 7 May (PRC et al.) provided a record- high Illinois spring tally. Notable Northern Parula counts included 42 at Pomona, Jackson, IL 13 Apr (KAM) and 28 in Warwick, IN 14 Apr (JHC). The 126 Yellow Warblers tallied in Chicago’s L. Calumet area 7 May (WJM, MLB, SBB, JIN) furnished a new Illinois record. Noteworthy was an Audubon’s Warbler in La- Grange, IN 27 Apr (SP). A record count of 2857 Yellow-rumped Warblers at the Green Tower 26 Apr (BB, KJB) highlighted the species’ strong season. Indiana’s 2nd earliest Black-throated Green Warbler was in Warrick 3 Apr (JHC). In Wanen, IN 14 May, an incred- ible find was a Kirtland’s Warbler studied at close range for 4-5 minutes (SU). The 75+ Blackpoll Warblers at Clinton L., DeWitt 14 May (DTW et al.) provided Illinois’s 2nd high- est spring total. Early were a Blackpoll Warbler near L. Gibson 23 Apr (EMH) and a Cerulean Warbler at Eagle Slough, Vanderburgh, IN 13 Apr (TG, SG). The 2 American Redstarts at Pomona, Jackson 13 Apr (KAM) tied the early arrival date for Illinois. On a canoe trip in Lawrence, IN, 56 Prothonotary Warblers were recorded 29 May (AK, NK). A tally of 16 Worm-eating Warblers in ne. Lawrence 14 May (DL) tied Indiana’s record. Early arriving were a Kentucky Warbler in Warrick, IN 14 Apr (JHC), a Mourning Warbler in St. Charles, Kane, IL 1 May (tJJD), and a Hooded Warbler in Ruster Park, Indianapolis 10 Apr (MCR). SPARROWS THROUGH WEAVER FINCHES The season’s lone Spotted Towhee was a male at Illinois Beach S.E, Lake, IL 23 Apr (PWS, JSw, ph. MLT). Illinois’s 2nd and the Region’s 4th Cassin’s Sparrow graced Winthrop Har- bor, Lake, IL 3-6 May (ph. EWW, ph. MC, m.ob.). American Tree Sparrows lingered through 7 May at Deer Grove West EP., Cook, IL (JV, CLW, GAW) and at Winthrop Harbor, Lake, IL (LGM). A fine tally of 12 Clay-colored Sparrows occurred at Rockton, Winnebago, IL 7 May (DTW, BCW). Among 10 reported Le Conte’s Sparrows, 2 were at Prairie Ridge 16 Mar (CLH). The Regions 3 Nelsons Sparrows included one at Chicago’s Jackson Park 13 May (SF, RLS) and 2 at Montrose 21 May (J1E, NLB, JDW, BMW). A Harris’s Sparrow was e. of Spunky Bottoms, Brown, IL 3-5 Apr (RQR, ph. TW, CD), and a first-year bird was in Elkhart, IN 28 Apr (ph. RS). The 514 White-crowned Sparrows at Chicago’s Jackson Park 7 May (PRC et al.) provided Illinois’s highest spring tally in 11 years. Gambel’s White-crowneds, rare in the Region, were noted in Chicago’s Lincoln Park 15 May (ph. J IE) , 21 May (GAW), 22-23 May at Montrose (MC, EG), and 28 May (GAW); others were observed else- where in Chicago 11 (DS) and 23 May (EG). A Scarlet Tanager in Pomona, Jackson 9 Apr (KAM) was record early by one day for Illinois. A notably large total of 225 Indigo Buntings was observed in Union, IL 7 May (VMK, TRE). A male Painted Bunting arrived in East St. Louis, St. Clair, IL 31 May (DMK), where the species has summered in recent years. An ad. male Yellow-headed Blackbird was found at Lebanon Business Park, Boone, IN 17 (RLH, ph. C1H, CH) & 18 Apr (MLS, SH et al.), and single birds were seen at three different nw. In- diana sites. The 1500 Rusty Blackbirds at Mon- ee Res., Will 12 Mar (DFS) provided Illinois’s best spring count in five years. The 24 Orchard Orioles tallied in Lawrence 14 May (AK, NK) tied the 2nd highest daily count for Indiana. A watch at the Green Tower 7 May yielded 239 Baltimore Orioles (KJB, SRB, LN et al.), Indi- ana’s 3rd highest total. Peak Purple Finch numbers included 50 in Bloomington, Monroe, IN 10 Apr (SBe) and 21 in Woodford, IL 23 Apr (MEF). The only Common Redpolls reported were 5 in Chicago 3 Mar (CHn) and 2 at Mon- trose 14 Mar (DKA). Numerous Pine Siskin re- ports were highlighted by 40 in Westville, La- Porte, IN 9 Mar (PK); one in Lawrence, IN 21 May (AK), 3 in Chicago 21 May (GAW), and 2 in Barrington, Lake, IL 31 May (CW) were late. The peak tally of Eurasian Tree Sparrows was 80 at Spunky Bottoms, Brown, IL 5 Apr (CD); n. Illinois sightings came from Rock Island 19 Mar (JAS), Putnam 2 Apr (CAT), and Green River C.A., Lee 4 May (GN). Contributors cited (subregional editors in boldface): Cindy M. Alberico, Don Allen, Les Allen, Jill S. Anderson, David K. Antieau, Mark Arvin, Amar A. Ayyash, Susan R. Bagby, Mar- garet L. Baker, Larry G. Balch, Tom & Colleen Becker, Sandy Belth (SBe), Frank K. Bennett, Richard Biss, Richard G. Bjorklund, Sigurd N. Bjorklund, Nicholas L. Block, H. David Bohlen, Aaron Boone, Stan Bousson, Kenneth J. Brock (Indiana), Brad Bumgardner, Samuel B. Burckhardt, Robert F Buskirk, Richard Call, Jim H. Campbell, John K. Cassady, John S. Castrale, Gary Chupp, Paul R. Clyne, Scott A. Cohrs, David Crouch, Matthew Cvetas, David Daniels, Carl & Pen DauBach, Tim J. Dever, Alfred G. Dierkes, Colin Dobson, Jon J. Duerr, Thad R. Edmonds, Joshua I. Engel, Russell En- gelke, Brad Feaster, Sean Fitzgerald (SFz), Matthew E. Fraker, Jeannette Frazier, Sue Friscia, Steve Gifford, Nathan Goldberg, Tim Griffith, Brendan J. Grube, Peter B. Grube, Ethan Gyllenhaal, P. D. Ryan Hamilton, Given Harper, C. Leroy Harrison, Don Hartzler, Ted Hartzler, James A. Haw, Chris Hedge, Cloyce Hedge (ClH), Roger L. Hedge, James & Susan Hengeveld, Jed B. Hertz, Christopher Hession (CHn), Lynea S. Hinchman, Kanae Hirabayashi, Andrew Hoffman, Frank R. Holmes, Edward M. Hopkins, Steve House- field, Robert D. Hughes, Marty Jones, David B. Johnson, Dan M. Kassebaum, Amy Kearns, Noah Kearns, Thomas F. Kelly, John C. Kendall, Robert Kissel, Vernon M. Kleen, Robert Kramer (RKr), Patrick Krueger, Tim L. Kuesel, Dan Leach, James Lichtenstein (JIT), Joseph W. Lill, John Longhenry, Travis A. Ma- han, Karen K. Mansfield, Walter J. Marcisz, Caroline A. Marsh, Jeffrey J. McCoy, Keith A. McMullen, Susan MiHalo, Chuck E. Mills, Robert A. Morgan, Anita L. Morgan, D. James Mountjoy, Mike Mulcahy, Luis G. Munoz, Greg Neise, Landon Newmann, Joan 1. Norek, Larry Peavler, Yan-Yi Peng, Phyllis Petrilli, Sam Plew, Robert Q. Randall, Rodger P Rang, Michael L. P. Retter, Mark C. Rhodes, Kevin B. Richmond, Eric Ripma, Rob Ripma, Ryan J. Sanderson, Beau J. Schaefer, Bob Schifo, Nate Schirmach- er, Mark S. Seiffert, Adam Sell, Leland Shaum, Robert E. Shelby, Randy L. Shonkwiler, Beth A. Simkins, Scott A. Simpson, Jeffrey R. R. Skrent- ny, Dawn Smith, Jeff A. Smith, Jim S. Solum, Evan Speck, Vicky Sroczynski, Mary Lou Starke, Stan Stec, Lee W. Sterrenburg, Alan F Stokie, Douglas E Stotz, Rodney Strayer, Jim Sullivan, Jeffrey O. Sundberg, Mark Swanson, Janice Sweet (JSw), Paul W. Sweet, Brian Tay- lor, Craig A. Taylor, Michael Topp, Michael L. Trahan, Sue Ulrich, Jenny Vogt, Eric W. Wal- ters, Kwang-shang Wang, Dave Wantz, Tony Ward, Jason D. Weckstein, Chuck Westcott, Donald R. Whitehead, Vern Wilkins, David E. Willard, Barbara C. Williams, Daniel T. Williams, Jr., Christine L. Williamson, Geof- frey A. Williamson (Illinois), Benjamin M. Winger, Matthew J. Winks. Many others sub- mitted observations but could not be personal- ly acknowledged; all have our thanks for their contributions. lames 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 6061 3 (geoffrey.williamson@comcast.net) 442 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS Western Great Lakes Adam M. Byrne The 2011 spring season was generally cool and wet, with all three states re- porting below-average temperatures and above-average precipitation. April brought significant precipitation to Minneso- ta, causing major flooding across much of the state. Severe storms producing tornadoes moved through Wisconsin in April and Min- nesota in May, including one that destroyed a Minnesota heronry along the Mississippi Riv- er near Minneapolis. A few brief pushes of warm air in early and late April in Michigan led to some major migration influxes, includ- ing an enormous push of Sharp-shinned Hawks on 1 May. Otherwise, migration was very slow and protracted across most of the Lower Peninsula, while birders in the Upper Peninsula were treated to a much more en- joyable migration in May. Wisconsin birders reported some exceptional warbler fallouts in early May, while the remainder of the month was more normal. ft was a good year for rarities in Minneso- ta, with two Laughing Gulls, a Band-tailed Pi- geon, the first documented Barn Owl since 2006, and a Glossy Ibis. Highlights from Wis- consin included a Black-bellied Whistling- Duck, Curlew Sandpiper, three different Black-throated Gray Warblers, Golden- crowned Sparrow, Great-tailed Grackle, Bul- locks Oriole, and Eurasian Tree Sparrow. Noteworthy in Michigan were a Cinnamon Teal, the state’s first photographed spring Western Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Mew Gull, California Gull, and a long-staying White Wagtail. WATERFOWL THROUGH IBIS Wisconsin's 6th Black-bellied Whistling- Duck was early in Chippewa 17-29 Apr (HLS), while Minnesota had 2 in Watonwan 14 May (CH, TR, AK). Greater White-fronted Geese were widely reported in Wisconsin, with a peak of 540 in Dane 18 Mar (ST), and Ross’s Geese were found in above-average numbers, including a bird from Dec 2010 that lingered through 18 May in Manitowoc (CS) and a record-late bird in Bayfield 12-26 May (EB). Noteworthy for Michigan’s Upper Peninsula were 29 Greater White-fronteds in Mackinac 19 Mar (LD), remnants from flock of 63 that arrived there 20 Feb. Ross’s Goose numbers in Michigan matched the previous record from 2009, with up to 21 reported. Minnesota’s last reports of Greater White- fronted and Ross's Geese came 17 & 25 May, respectively. Minnesota also hosted an ad. Brant of the hrota subspecies in Grant 9 Apr (RMD, DAB, tn.ob.) and an impressive Tun- dra Swan count of 12,500 in Lac Qui Parle 9 Apr (BJU). A male Eurasian Wigeon was in Bayfield, WI 12-14 May (NA, TP). Michigan’s 6th Cin- namon Teal, and first for the Upper Peninsu- la, was in Delta 24-25 Apr (p.a., SH, DL, GR m.ob.); Minnesota had drakes in Grant 9 Apr (RMD, DAB, m.ob.) and Lac Qui Parle 18 Apr (BJU). Quite unexpected was a male Eurasian Teal in Freeborn, MN 9 Apr (PEJ). A female King Eider in Monroe 23 Apr (p.a., AMB) was Michigan’s first spring record since 1994; Minnesota had an imm. male King Eider in St. Louis 5 May QLK, KRE). Impressive were 10 different Harlequin Ducks in Michigan. Min- nesota had an ad. male Harlequin Duck in St. Louis 11 May (JLK, PHS) and 2 in Lake 1-13 Apr (fide JWL), while Wisconsin’s only report was a female from winter that lingered through 23 Apr in Sheboygan (CSc). White- winged Scoters were seen in five s. Minnesota counties, including county firsts for Chippewa 12 Apr (DG) and Fillmore 18 Apr (JWH). Black Scoters were found in seven Wisconsin counties after 7 Mar, with the latest lingering in Douglas 23 May (DT); noteworthy for Michigan was an inland Black Scoter in Hills- dale 21-25 Apr QR)- Several Michigan birders witnessed an enormous migration of Long- tailed Ducks on 19 May in Delta, with 62,400 moving past Portage Marsh (JK) and 22,880 at Peninsula Point (SH, LD, RL). Minnesota had a Barrow’s Goldeneye linger in Wright through 5 Mar and an ad. male in St. Louis 8 Apr (PHS). Michigan had drake Barrow’s Goldeneyes in Kent 10-15 Mar (CP, m.ob.) and Houghton 30 Mar (MH), while Wisconsin had one in Bayfield 5-9 Apr (RB). The true status of Northern Bobwhite in the Region is very unclear; this season, there were only 3 bobwhite in two Wisconsin counties and reports from five Michigan counties. Wisconsin had only 2 Gray Par- tridge in Dane 8 Mar (IB), while Minnesota had reports from 13 counties. Targeted field- work revealed an incredible 30 Spruce Grouse in six n. Wisconsin counties (NA). Whitefish Point, Chippewa, MI logged a record one-day count of 187 Red-throated Loons 5 May (JB). Wisconsin reported an above-average number of Red-throateds, and one in Isanti 7 May (HHD) provided a first county record and Minnesota’s only record away from L. Superior. Pacific Loons were found in all three states. Minnesota had a first county record in Lac Qui Parle 5 May (BJU) and one in Cass 28 May (BAW, ABi), while Wisconsin had singles in Dane 11 Apr-1 May (PF) and Washington 18 Apr (p.a., TS). Michigan’s only Pacific Loon was in Baraga 6 May (p.a., SH). An above-average number of Red-necked Grebes was reported from Wis- consin, including 19 in Douglas 28 Apr (NR); one in Luce, Ml 16 Apr (LD) was both early and an unusual inland record for the Upper Peninsula. Good numbers of Eared Grebes Michigan's third White Wagtail, found by Adam Byrne, entertained hundreds of birders at Pointe Mouillee State Game Area, Monroe County 9-25 (here 1 1 ) April 201 1 . The bird appears to be of subspecies ocularis. Photograph by Mark Wloch. VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 443 WESTERN GREAT LAKES were reported in both Michigan and Wiscon- sin. Michigan had Eared Grebes in six coun- ties; Wisconsin had 41 birds in 19 counties, including 10 in Racine 1 May (JDB,JD, JW). Minnesota birders had first-county-record Eared Grebes in Chisago 11 Apr (CB) and Kanabec 20 Apr (CAM). Wisconsin had 5 Western Grebes in three counties, while Min- nesota had the only Clarks Grebe, in Nicollet 7 May (KRE, m.ob.). An exceptionally early Least Bittern was found in Kent , MI 18 Apr (CP, JL, NG). All three states reported both Snowy and Cattle Egrets, but only Minnesota had Little Blue Herons, singles in Sibley 24 Apr (DBM) and Rice (DAB). An impressive 192 Black- crowned Night-Herons were found in a nest- ing colony in Monroe 30 May (AMB, CP). Yel- low-crowned Night-Herons were found in Dane , W1 28 Apr (PC) and Hennepin , MN 21 May (KS). Glossy Ibis has become the scarcer of the Plegadis ibis of late, with the only re- port being one in Fillmore, MN 9 May (JWH, JPr). In contrast, Minnesota had 8 White- faced Ibis in five w. counties, as well as an ad- ditional 36 Plegadis ibis in four counties. Wis- consin had White-faced Ibis in Waukesha 29 Apr (p.a., DeG), Dodge 5-23 May (TS), and Dunn 8-9 May (JP), while Michigan had 6 in Monroe 8 May (p.a., AMB, HV) and one in Muskegon 13 May (p.a., PV, BD). VULTURES THROUGH SHOREBIRDS Minnesota’s 6th and 7th Black Vultures were in Ramsey 11 May (TAN) and Carver 15 May (RBW), while Michigan had a Black Vulture frequent the hawkwatch in Keweenaw 25 Apr-2 May (p.a., AG). A Mississippi Kite was observed in Huron, Ml 31 May (LD). An in- credible migration of Sharp-shinned Hawks was noted in Michigan on 1 May, with 6357 recorded in Chippewa and 2685 in Huron (ME). Michigan’s first Krider’s Hawk was well documented in Berrien 30 Apr (MHy). Michigan reported 10 Swainson’s Hawks from four counties, while Wisconsin had one in Jefferson 1 May (p.a., MK) and 2 in Sauk 3 May (p.a., AH). Lac Qui Parle, MN hosted a Ferruginous Hawk 21 Mar and a Prairie Fal- con 9 May (BJU). Golden Eagles were report- ed in good numbers across the Region. A Yel- low Rail in Carver, MN 22 Apr (JC) furnished a first county record, while Michigan had only one report of up to 2 in Delta 16 May+ QK). Wisconsin had no Yellow Rail reports, but birders there did find 2 different King Rails in Dodge 6 (DT) & 8 May (PF) and an- other in Waukesha 7 May (MKe). Michigan’s only King Rail was in Bay 19 May (p.a., MPT). Common Gallinules were again pres- ent in high numbers at Pointe Mouillee S.G.A., Monroe, Ml, with a peak of 42 on 20 May (AMB). Minnesota had singles in four counties, while Wisconsin reported 26 in nine counties. Birders from all corners of Michigan com- mented on the poor shorebird migration, both in diversity and numbers. One excep- tion was a flock of 390 Black-bellied Plovers in Huron 22 May (CP). Minnesota had single Piping Plovers in Lac Qui Parle 24 Apr (BJU) and Wright 13 May (PCC), while Wisconsin had 6 birds in two counties. In Wisconsin, Black-necked Stilts again nested in Dodge, with up to 8 being present on 26 May (CSc); the only other Regional report came from Co- lumbia, WI 16 Apr (AP). American Avocets and Willets were noted in good numbers Re- gionwide. Wisconsin reported 79 avocets, in- cluding a high of 28 in Manitowoc 2 May (SM), and an impressive peak of 1 15 Willets in Milwaukee 27 Apr (SL). Avocets were found in 15 Minnesota counties, with a high count of 18 in Goodhue 25 Apr (RBW), and Willet reports came from 18 counties. Whim- brel numbers were down compared to last year but probably near average in Michigan; most noteworthy was a very early Whimbre! in St. Louis, MN 22-29 Apr (PHS, JLK, m.ob.). Godwits appeared in average num- bers, except for Michigan, where no Hudson- ian Godwits were found. Minnesota had sin- gle Red Knots in Wright 21 May (PEB, DWK) and Lac Qui Parle 28 May (BJU), while Michi- gan had 2 in Bay 25 May (RE) and 8 in Chippewa 26 May (JB). Providing Michigan its first photographically documented spring record was a Western Sandpiper in Monroe 29 Apr (AMB, DP, BM). Curlew Sandpipers were found in Dodge, Wl 11 May (p.a., Pfi ST) and Saginaw, MI 24 May (DPe). Unusual in spring was a Buff-breasted Sandpiper in Lac Qui Parle 11 May (BJU). GULLS THROUGH NIGHTJARS Rare in spring were 2 Black-legged Kittiwakes on 21 Mar and another on 17 Apr in Allegan, MI (RiB). Surprisingly, the only Little Gull was an ad. in Lac Qui Parle 29 May (BJU). Laugh- ing Gull is still accidental in Minnesota, so single ads. in St. Louis 28-29 Apr (JLK, KRE, PHS, JCG, MLH) and Le Sueur 3 May (RBW, RMD, CMB, DWK) were noteworthy; Wiscon- sin and Michigan each reported 4 individuals. Michigan’s first Mew Gull since 1994 delight- ed birders in Bay 10-19 May (p.a., GEP, MW, m.ob.). Michigan also hosted a California Gull in Benien 23-24 May (TB, MHy, CP); Min- nesota had an ad. California Gull in Stevens 13 Apr and 2 ads. in Lac Qui Parle 23 Apr (both BJU). Late in Minnesota were a first-cycle Thayer’s Gull 31 May and a first-cycle Iceland Gull 29 Apr, both in St. Louis (PHS). Iceland Gulls lingered through 2 May (JF) and 3 May (DD) in Wisconsin and Michigan, respective- ly. A peak count of 11 Lesser Black-backed Gulls came from Monroe, MI 9 Apr (AMB). Record late for Minnesota was a second-cycle Great Black-backed Gull in St. Louis 29-31 May (PHS). A Parasitic Jaeger was also in St. Louis 25 May (MHa). Wisconsin had a Para- sitic in Douglas 23 May (RJ), while Michigan had unidentified jaegers in Chippewa on 24 & 27 May. A Band-tailed Pigeon was in St. Louis, MN 22-24 May (AKa). Eurasian Collared-Doves continue to colonize Minnesota and Wiscon- sin, yet Michigan had only one on 12 Mar at the long-standing Grand Traverse site (SS). Michigan had White-winged Doves in Chippewa 29-30 May (BA, PCC, LD, SH, MHu) and Washtenaw 7-9 May (JBu). A Bam Owl in Lac Qui Parle 1 Apr (BJU) made Min- nesota’s first record since 2006. Winter owls were scarce Regionwide, with the bulk of re- ports coming from Minnesota, where there were 2 Snowy Owls, a few Northern Hawk Owls into Mar plus a pair with 2 fledglings in Roseau 22 May (BJS), Great Gray Owls in six counties, and Boreal Owls that successfully bred in Lake (SGW). Michigan had no North- ern Hawk or Great Gray Owls and only 2 Bo- real Owls in Chippewa 2 & 24 Apr, while Wisconsin reported only one Great Gray in Washburn 5 May (M.G, AM). Chuck- will’s- widows returned for their 7th seasons in Jackson, WI 4 May+ (JO) and Berrien, MI 6 May+ (p.a., MB). WOODPECKERS THROUGH WARBLERS The only American Three-toed Woodpecker reported was in Roseau, MN. Western King- birds were reported from 17 Minnesota coun- ties, while Michigan hosted the only Scissor- tailed Flycatchers, single birds in Keweenaw 12-16 May (p.a., KK, MH, JDP), Chippewa 15 May (p.a., MA), and Iosco 24 May (p.a., MS). Minnesota had Loggerhead Shrikes in 14 counties, while Michigan and Wisconsin each had one record, singles in Delta 11 May (p.a., DL, CBu) and Taylor 17 May (PR), respec- tively. A White-eyed Vireo in Lac Qui Parle 28 May (BJU) was Minnesota’s only report, while Wisconsin had 5 White-eyeds in three coun- ties; both states had Bell’s Vireos in eight counties. Out of range were a Clark’s Nut- cracker in Lac Qui Parle, MN 11 Mar (BJU) and a Black-billed Magpie in Bayfield, WI 5-6 May (BP). At least one Fish Crow returned for a 3rd year to Benien, MI 9 Apr-21 May (p.a., BA, CB). Boreal Chickadees were espe- cially numerous at Whitefish Point, Chippe- 444 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS WESTERN GREAT LAKES ] wa, MI, where large flocks exceeding 20-30 birds were noted in late May. The only Moun- tain Bluebirds reported were males in Min- nesota’s Lac Qui Parle 20 Mar (BJU) and Stevens 10 Apr (KRE, PME). Wintering Townsend’s Solitaires and Varied Thrushes lingered in both Minnesota and Wisconsin, while a solitaire in Michigan remained through 7 Apr in Marquette. A Sage Thrasher was found in Bayfield , WI 31 May (DV). Cer- tainly the bird of the season, a long-staying White Wagtail entertained hundreds of bird- ers from across the United States and Canada at Michigan’s Pointe Mouillee S.G.A., Monroe 9-25 Apr (p.a., AMB, m.ob.). Minnesota had a Sprague’s Pipit in Lac Qui Parle 5 May (BJU). All three states reported large numbers of Bo- hemian Waxwings, highlighted by an impres- sive peak of 2300 in St. Louis, MN (PHS, MSo) and a late report from Keweenaw , MI 16 May (AG). A probable migrant in Lac Qui Par- le 28 Apr (BJU) was the only Chestnut-col- lared Longspur report, aside from the usual late May sightings in Clay, MN. The only Smiths Longspur sightings came from a band of s. Minnesota counties in Apr-early May. In Minnesota, noteworthy were Blue- winged Warblers in Itasca 24-26 May (SC, EEO) and Watonwan 21 May (HHD), North- ern Parula in Douglas 15 May (ARW), a male Audubon’s Warbler in Lake 27-28 Mar (JWL, PHS), Prairie Warbler 20 May (CH, AK, TR) and Prothonotary Warbler 25 May (DC) in Waseca, Louisiana Waterthrushes in Lac Qui Parle 9 May (BJU) and Lyon 13 May (WCM), and Kentucky Warblers in Hennepin 8-9 May (JCo, m.ob.) and Blue Earth 22 May (HHD). Wisconsin birders found early Orange- crowned Warbler 15 Apr (MMD) and North- ern Parula 5 Apr (JPe) in Dane and Northern Waterthrush in Milwaukee 10 Apr (JM), and impressive concentrations of 28 Bay-breasted Warblers and 70 American Redstarts in Trem- pealeau 13 May (CW) and 22 Black-and- white Warblers in Racine 14 May (EH). Un- usual in Wisconsin were single Black-throat- ed Gray Warblers in Dane 1 (EW, JL) & 21 May (p.a., VM) and another in Waukesha 22 May (p.a., MK). A very rare Sutton’s Warbler (Yellow-throated Warbler x Northern Parula hybrid) was described from Brown, WI 16 May (JS). In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, a Prothonotary Warbler in Marquette 8 May and a Hooded Warbler in Iron 5 May (WN) were equally rare. Michigan also had 2 Audubon’s Warblers, singles in Livingston 12-13 Apr (m.ob.) and Iosco 24-29 Apr (SH, JFo, KO). Lastly, Kirtland’s Warblers arrived on the Michigan breeding grounds in strong num- bers again, and Wisconsin had 22 ads. return to four counties. T0WHEES THROUGH WEAVER FINCHES Michigan’s Green-tailed Towhee in Oakland was last seen 11 Mar (KMD). Minnesota had Spotted Towhees in St. Louis 30 Apr (PHS) and Lac Qui Parle 1 1 May (BJU) and an appar- ent Spotted Towhee x Eastern Towhee hybrid in Blue Earth 6 May (CH). Michigan had late American Tree Sparrows in Chippewa 28 May (MoH) and Keweenaw 25 May (LD, JK), single Lark Sparrows in Baraga 6 May (MHa) and Berrien 11 May (TB), and a Nelson’s Sparrow in Benien 30 May (TB). Late Fox Sparrows in- cluded a singing bird in Delta, MI 18 May (LD) and one in Outagamie , WI 18-29 May (DT). Wisconsin had 16 Harris’s Sparrows in nine counties and a Golden-crowned Sparrow in Polk 14 May (p.a., RM); Michigan had only a single Harris’s Sparrow in Livingston 3-5 May (LH). All three states reported Summer Tan- agers in above-average numbers. Western Tan- agers were in Minnesota’s Marshall 11 May and Becker 14 May (fide JM]) and Polk 27-28 May (JTJ), while Wisconsin had males in Dou- glas 30 Apr-6 May (JMM), Taylor 5 May (LoH), and Bayfield 12-15 May (BTS); Michi- gan had 2 different males in Delta 17-18 (p.a., MBe) & 19-23 May (p.a., LD, m.ob.). Min- nesota hosted a male Black-headed Grosbeak in Lac Qui Parle 13 May (BJU) and a male Lazuli Bunting in Becker 28 May (FGo). Wis- consin had single Blue Grosbeaks in Milwau- kee 2 May (CHo) and Outagamie 18 May (DT) and a Painted Bunting in Dane 2 May (SSc). A male Painted Bunting visited a feeder in Bay, MI 9-12 May (p.a., JRa, m.ob.). Wisconsin’s 3rd Great-tailed Grackle was present in Calumet 13-14 Apr (p.a., AR), while Minnesota birders reported 2 Great- taileds in Martin 26 Apr (TAT) and one in Lac Qui Parle 18 Apr (BJU). The only Bullock’s Oriole was a male in Sheboygan, WI 7-16 May (DLu). Winter finches were generally scarce in Michigan, with the bulk of the reports coming from the Upper Peninsula; the only noteworthy record was a late Hoary Redpoll in Marquette 20 Apr (SH). Minnesota reported good numbers of both redpolls, with a peak of 510 Common Redpolls in Hubbard 11 Mar (MAW) and at least 24 different Hoary Red- polls. Wisconsin had up to 4 Hoary Redpolls at a feeder in Bayfield 14 Mar-2 Apr (RB) and a single bird in Florence 23 Mar (BKK). Two Eurasian Tree Sparrows were in Columbia, WI 23-29 Apr (JSW). Contributors (subregional editors in bold- face): Nick Anich, Mark Armstrong, Bob Arthurs, Tim Baerwald, David A. Bartkey, Craig Bateman (CB), Ian Batterman, Mike Berg (MBe), Jason Bojczyk, Ryan Brady (RB), Rick Brigham (RiB), Eric Bruhnke, Marvin Budd (MB), Paul E. Budde, Christie Burke (CBu), James Buschmann (JBu), Adam M. Byrne, Paul Capobiancon (PC), Philip C. Chu (PCC), Joe Conley (JCo), Shawn Conrad, Dan Cunning- ham, John Cyrus (JC), Jerry DeBoer (JDB), Bri- an Delamarter, David Dister, John Dixon (JD), Herb H. Dingmann, Louie Dombroski, Matt Dufort, Robert M. Dunlap, Kim R. Eckert, Paul M. Egeland, Roger Ericsson, Monica Essen- macher, Peter Fissel, James Frank OF), James Fox QFo), Neil Gilbert, Mike Goodman, Arthur Green, Dennis Gustafson (DeG), Dan Guynn (DG), Skye Haas (SH), Matti Hakkila (MHa), Lyle Hamilton (LH), Lori Hanson (LoH), Morty Harwood (MoH), Chad Heins (CH), Max Henschell (MH), Steve Hoin (SHo), Aaron Holschbach, Carol Howard (CHo), Matt Hysell (MHy), John W. Hockema, Eric Howe, Mark Hubinger (MHu), Paul E. Jantscher, Joanne & Terry Johnson (JTJ), Robbye John- son, Jeanie M. Joppru, Joe Kaplan QK), Anne Karakatsoulis (AKa), Karen Karl, Bob & Kay Kavanagh (BKK), Matthew Kemp (MKe), Doug W. Kieser, Mark Korducki (MK), Jan & Larry Kraemer (JLK), Andrew Krens (AK), Demetri Lafkas (DL), Ryan Laforce, Jonathan Lautenbach (JL), James W. Lind (JWL), Jess Long (JL), Dennis Lubach (DLu), Steve Lubahn, Robin Maercklein, William C. Maren- go, Dennis & Barbara Martin (DBM), Kathy McDonald (KMD), Mike McDowell (MMD), John & Mary Meller (JMM), Anne Merritt, Jym Mooney (JM), Vickie Mulkerin, Steve Murkowski, Brad Murphy (BM), David N. Neitzel, Thomas A. Nelson, William Newton, Earl E. Orf, Jim Otto, Karl Overman, Beatrice Pajala, Gary Palmer, Andy Paulios, David Pavlik (DP), David Peters (DPe), Glenn & Ellen Peterson (GEP), Jesse Peterson (JPe) J.D. Phillips (JDP), Janine Polk (JP), Tom Prestby, Jerry Pruett (JPr), Caleb Putnam, Judy Ranson (JRa), Andy Reimer, Jack Reinoehl (JR), Nan- cy Richmond, Paul Risch, Trent Robbins, Tom Schaefer, Joe Schaufenbuel, Steve Schmikla (SSc), Carl Schroeder (CSc), Bob & Teri Short (BTS), Beth & Jeff Siverhus (BJS), Hank & Lou Sletner (HLS), Scott Sneed (SS), Charles Son- tag (CS), Matt Sorensen (MSo), Karen Sowiz- ral, Mike Stake (MS), Peder H. Svingen, Jack Swelstad (JS), Daryl Tessen, Steve Thiessen, Millie & Peter Thomas (MPT), Tom A. Tusti- son, Bill J. Unzen, Holly Vaughn, Dick Verch, Phil Vreeman, Alexander R. Watson, Marlene A. Weber (MAW), Jennifer Wenzel, Chris West, Ben A. Wieland, Myles Willard (MW), Robert B. Williams, Steve G. Wilson, Jerome & Sharon Woelfl (JSW). @ Adam M. Byrne, 11771 Rachel Lane DeWitt, Michigan 48820, (bymea@msu.edu) VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 445 Iowa & Missouri Joshua P. Uffman The spring season was characterized by a constant battle of cold and warm fronts. March began cold, but by the third week, heat, humidity, and thunderstorms made it feel more summer-like. This system was then replaced by cold air and another 17 cm of snow in central Missouri. This see-saw pattern repeated in April, when temperatures soared 5-7° F above the norm beginning 3 April. By 10 April, locations from northern Missouri to Des Moines, Iowa reached 90° F, again triggering severe storms and tornadoes in Iowa. Cooler weather returned the second half of the month, and precipitation totals in- creased. In northern Iowa, this system brought the last snow for the season, while in southern Missouri, torrential rainfall led to widespread flash flooding. Through the end of April into early May, temperatures averaged 10° F below normal and then soared to record highs 9-11 May. Throughout May, numerous strong to severe storms occurred — the most notable being the EF-5 tornado that devastat- ed Joplin, Missouri 22 May. The rollercoaster weather pattern brought an interesting mix of birds to the Region. Rar- ities included Eurasian Wigeon, Neotropic Cormorant, Anhinga, Glossy Ibis, Black Rail, Roseate Spoonbill, Snowy Plover, Ruff, Black- legged Kittiwake, Burrowing Owl, Painted Bunting, and Black-headed Grosbeak. Abbreviations: C.B.C.A. (Columbia Bottom C.A., St. Louis, MO); D.C.C.A. (Duck Creek C.A., Bollinger, Stoddard, and Wayne , MO); Dunn (Dunn Ranch, Harrison, MO); E.B.C.A. (Eagle Bluffs C.A., Boone , MO); F.R.C.A. (Four Rivers C.A., Vemon/Bates, MO); Hawk- eye (Hawkeye W.A., Johnson, IA); M.N.W.R. (Mingo N.W.R., Stoddard/Wayne, MO); O.S.C.A. (Otter Slough C.A., Stoddard, MO); R. M.B.S. (Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctu- ary, St. Charles, MO); Riverton (Riverton Wildlife Area, Fremont, 1A); S.L.R. (Swan Lake N.W.R., Chariton, MO); S.C.R. (Squaw Creek N.W.R., Holt, MO); Saylorville (Say- lorville Res., Polk, IA). WATERFOWL THROUGH RAPTORS Whistling-duck records in Missouri continue to accumulate, with single Black-bellieds in Clay 23-29 Apr (KM, ph. DW) and Greene 9 May (GSw, CBu, GSa). Four in Dunklin 26 May (ph. TJ) was the high count, which is also where the only 4 Fulvous Whistling- Ducks were noted, on 30 Apr (ph. TJ). In Iowa, 14,090 Greater White-fronted Geese were in Fremont 5 Mar (SJD), while counts of ranging from 6500 to 17,500 in three counties through 25 Mar surpassed Snow Geese totals for the first time in areas away from the Mis- souri River. Other peak goose counts in Iowa included 100,000 Snow Geese in Woodbury (GLV), 400 Ross’s Geese in Page (SJD), and 2000 Cackling Geese in Cerro Gordo (PH), all 11-12 Mar. Trumpeter Swans visited a quarter of Iowa's counties in Mar, with groups of 13- 31 in four of those. In Missouri, they were found at three nw. locations, with the last 2 at S. C.R. 7 Apr (KM). Five Tundra Swans at Meier Wildlife Area, Hardin, IA 4-5 Mar (MP) represented the only report of the species. A male Eurasian Wigeon at S.C.R. 30 Apr-2 May made the 8th Missouri record (acc., ph. Allen Smith, m.ob.). An American Black Duck remained at Cardinal Marsh, Win- neshiek, IA 18 May (LR). Above-average num- bers of Cinnamon Teal were in the Region 2 Apr-21 May. In the w., single males were at five Iowa sites, and up to 2 were at S.C.R. Far- ther e., single males were at C.B.C.A. (ph. JPU), in Warren, MO (J™ Jackson, Don Hays), and in Keokuk, IA. A gathering of at least 14,000 Mallards and 6600 Northern Pin- tails at Riverton in early Mar must have been quite a sight (SJD, KDy). An ad. male Greater Scaup at E.B.C.A. 14 May (acc., RD, PMc) was the latest Missouri record. Missouri scoters included a female Surf in Nodaway 30 Mar-6 Apr (DE, m.ob.), an ad. male White-winged through 5 Mar at R.M.B.S. (PL), and 5 White-wingeds in Greene 1 Apr (CBu). However, a hat-trick of scoters at Pleasant Creek Recreation Area, Linn, IA 30-31 Mar was the scoter highlight QF, m.ob.): a male and a female Surf, a female White-winged, and a male and a female Black. Other Iowa scoters included a male White- winged in Johnson 15 Mar O^X a female White-winged in Guthrie 1-14 May (RIA, PA, DTh, ph. SJD), a male Black in Story 9 Apr (WO), and 2 first-year male Blacks in Union 28 Apr (RIA, PA). Long-tailed Ducks visited each state, with a female in Hamilton, IA 7 May (MTW, WO) and a subad. male at E.B.C.A. 11 May (ph. Kathleen Anderson, EW). In Iowa, single Gray Partridge were in Mar- shall and Howard. The outlook for Greater Prairie-Chickens continues to be bleak, with only 5 at Dunn (SK, TM, Mark McNeely) and 3 at the Kellerton lek in Ringgold, IA (DTh, DAk). Single Common Loons were in each state 27 May in Kossuth, IA (JN) and at ER.C.A. (KM). A snowstorm 19 Apr stalled migrating Eared Grebes flocks of 20-26 birds at four Iowa sites 20-24 Apr. The larger grebes Furnishing the eighth record of the species for Missouri, this male Eurasian Wigeon at Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge 30 April through 2 May (here) 201 1 delighted many in attendance at the Audubon Society of Missouri's spring meeting. Pho- tograph by Allen Smith. 446 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS IOWA & MISSOURI only appeared in Iowa, with 1-2 migrant Red- necked Grebes at six locations 18 Apr-2 May and possible nesters in two Dickinson loca- tions 24 & 28 May. Single Western Grebes were in four Iowa counties 19 Apr-26 May. Neotropic Cormorants have become regular visitors to sw. Iowa and nw. Missouri. In each state, the first arrived 2 Apr and the last were seen 14 May. This includes three separate re- ports of 1-2 in Holt, MO (acc., KM, Walter Wehtje, ph. DW, DE) and singles in Iowa in Guthrie (TRIA, tPA, tDTh, TAJ), Greene (tSJD, tTMH), and Harrison (TChris Rustay). However, the 3 in Mississippi 22 Apr (acc., ph. CBa) and another at O.S.C.A. 14 May (acc., CBa) made the 2nd and 3rd e. Missouri records. Similarly, Anhingas again visited the se. Missouri Lowlands: the first was at M.N.W.R. 9 Apr (RD, Kyle McCommis), fol- lowed by a female in Mississippi 22 Apr (CBa), 10 in Dunklin 18 May (ph. Tj), and 13 at O.S.C.A. 21 May (ph. JPU, Hannah Uff- man), the last count being the 2nd highest in modern times. Southern waders made a good showing in Iowa. The warm front 15 Mar brought the 2nd earliest Great Egret to Polk (Doug Shee- ley), and high counts of 57-93 were tallied in three counties. Starting 9 Apr, 1-2 Snowy Egrets were in seven s. Iowa counties, includ- ing 5 at Riverton 11 May (KDy). Single Little Blue Herons visited three Iowa sites through 31 May. A Yellow-crowned Night-Heron at Fassnight Park, Greene, MO 18 Mar (Dorothy Thurman) was record early by nine days. One of the more notable sightings this spring was the 226+ White Ibis in Dunklin, MO 26 May (acc., ph. Tj), possibly a result of the severe flooding of the Mississippi R. s. of St. Louis. The only other sighting included an ad. and an imm. together at O.S.C.A. 22 May (Joe Eades). Plegadis ibis had an excellent flight across the Region. The first to arrive and the last seen were identified only to genus: 2 in Woodbury 3 Apr (RWR) tied the earliest ar- rival for Plegadis in Iowa, and 8 were at ER.C.A. 27 May (KM). In Iowa, a Glossy Ibis accompanied 11 White-faceds at Secret L., Fremont 27 Apr (tKDy). In se. Missouri, where Glossy was once the more expected dark ibis, 1-3 were at O.S.C.A. with 10 White- faceds 14-17 May (ph. CBa, TJ). Away from se. Missouri, 1-2 Glossies were in Holt, Linn, and Buchanan 11-25 Apr, all with White- faceds. White-faced Ibis numbers peaked at 30 in both states: at S.C.R. 3 May (KM) and in Fremont, 1A 24 May (KDy). Additionally, up to 9 were noted at six other widespread Mis- souri sites, and up to 26 were in 14 Iowa counties through 21 May. A Roseate Spoon- bill was a first for spring in modern times and Y This stunning flock of 226 White Ibis in Dunklin County 26 May 201 1 far exceeds any modern high counts in Missouri. Photo- graph by Tim James. This first-spring Black-legged Kittiwake was record late in Missouri at Smithville Lake in Clay County 25 April 2011. Photograph by Doug Willis. furnished the 11th Mis- souri state record at D.C.C.A. 10 Apr (acc., ph. RD, ph. CBa, EW). One of the more signifi- cant flights of the spring at Hitchcock Nature Area, Pottawattamie, IA came 22 Mar: 14 Sharp-shinned Hawks, a dozen record- early Broad-winged Hawks (JT, Sandy Reinken), an outstanding record spring count of 454 Red-tailed Hawks (JT), and 2 Golden Eagles (CNK). Additional- ly, 8 Ospreys were noted at the hawkwatch there 28 Apr (JT). Four Mississippi Kites returned to Ot- tumwa, Wapello, I A 9 May (Grant Gardner), and 1-2 were in Polk, IA over the remainder of the season (RIC, AB). In sw. Missouri, where currently listed as rare, observations of 1-2 occurred in five counties 30 Apr-25 May. Bald Eagles peaked at 88 at Riverton, IA 6 Mar (KDy) and at 116 in Kossuth, IA 14 Mar (MCK). Single Northern Harriers were at three sites in each state during May. Broad- winged Hawks peaked at 22-59 at three Iowa locales 22-30 Apr. In sw. Missouri, the first Swainson’s Hawk returned to its Greene nest- ing grounds 22 Mar, and by 18 Apr, three Greene nests were occupied (CBu). Swain- son’s Hawk numbers were higher in Iowa, with 11-16 in three w. counties and peak counts of 24 and 37 in Pottawattamie 17 & 28 Apr, respectively (DCD, JT). The easternmost bird in Missouri was at E.B.C.A. (RD), and easterly singles in Iowa were noted in Tama (MP) and Mitchell (RGo). On 5 Mar, single Golden Eagles were in Fremont (SJD) and Hardin (Dan Williams), and the latest was re- ported in Cerro Gordo 16 Apr (CJF). The Mer- lin flight was average, with the latest singles noted 7 May in both Appanoose (SJD) and Warren (JS, JG). Missouri hosted the only Prairie Falcons, singles at S.L.R. 5 Mar (SK, m.ob.) and in Dade 26 Mar (GSa). RAILS THROUGH TERNS It was a banner year for elusive rails in Iowa, with 4 Yellow Rails at Voas Nature Center, Dallas 25 Apr (TL), singles at Harrier Marsh, Boone 25 Apr and 6 May (DCH), and one in Page 4 May (KDy). A very vocal Black Rail was near Hoosier Cr ., Johnson, IA 27 May-2 Jun (TCRE, TAB, TAJ, TGDW). Up to 3 Com- mon Gallinules per site were found at two Iowa and three Missouri locations 5-26 May. Successful Sandhill Crane nesting at Union Hills Waterfowl Production Area, Cerro Gordo VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 447 IOWA & MISSOURI This female Painted Bunting was farther north than expected in Greene County, Iowa 12 May 2011. Photograph by Stephen J. Dinsmore. (CJF) made the only new Iowa breeding loca- tion reported, and a pair with 2 colts discov- ered at E.B.C.A. 1 May (acc., Bonnie Heidi, Eric Wood, PMc) provided the first docu- mented record of successful nesting (with surviving young) in recent times for Missouri. Iowa’s highest counts were of 21 in Allamakee 17 Apr (RWZ) and 20 in Tama 23 Apr (JF). Two juv. Whooping Cranes from the reintro- duction project at Necedah N.W.R., W1 flew over Lansing, Allamakee, IA 4 Apr (RWZ). Fifty-nine Black-bellied Plovers were in Missouri’s nw. corner 5 May (MR, MA). A flock of 953 American Golden-Plovers, al- most all in alternate plumage, was still at a Stoddard , MO farm on the late date 17 May (Chris Barrigar), possibly a result of the cool- er weather earlier in the month. Three Snowy Plovers visited the Region: the first was Mis- souri’s 2nd earliest at S.C.R. 4 Apr (DW), an- other 23 May at S.L.R. was farther e. than ex- pected (SK), and the last was at Riverton 22- 23 May (ph., tKDy). Impressive counts of Semipalmated Plovers included 244 at River- ton 30 Apr (SJD) and 318 between three nw. Missouri sites 5 May (MR, MA). Single Piping Plovers were in Holt, MO 24 Apr-5 May (MR, DW) and at three Iowa sites 23 Apr-14 May. The only report of multiples, 3-4, was at Mid- American Ponds, Pottawattamie 29 Apr (KDy) and 20 May (POR). Three Black-necked Stilts were record early at O.S.C.A. 19 Mar (ph. CBa), and 523 in Dunklin, MO 23 Apr estab- lished a new record high count (TJ). In Iowa, singles were at four sites 17 Apr-12 May, with 2 in Hamilton 5 May (SJD). American Avocets peaked at 30 at Riverton 1 May (m.ob.) and at 57 at S.C.R. the same day (MR, JK). Counts of 6-26 were reported from two other Missouri locales and 11 widespread Iowa counties through 13 May. The first 3 Willets were at Swan Lake S.P., Carroll, IA 18 Apr (Stan Human), and high counts included 18-35 at one Missouri and three Iowa locales through 10 May. Lesser Yellowlegs peaked at an impressive 9100 in nw. Missouri 5 May (MR, MA). An Upland Sand- piper in Dade 24 Mar (CBu, Ruth Grant) made the 2nd earliest arrival for Missouri. Whimbrels stopped in both states, with the first at Riverton 30 Apr (ph. SJD); in Mis- souri, 2 were in Dunklin 20-21 May (TJ) and 7 at FR.C.A. 27 May (ph. KM). Godwits had better-than-average flights. The first Hudsoni- ans arrived 11 Apr, with singles near Lake View, Sac (PE) and 17 at Sand L., Marshall (MP), both in Iowa, and 6 in Livingston, MO, a flock that had a Marbled Godwit in tow (SK) . High counts again came from nw. Mis- souri and sw. Iowa, where 150 Hudsonians were at Riverton 20-26 Apr (KDy) and up to 89 in Holt through 16 May (DE, SK). In the e. part of the Region, high counts were above average, with 17 in Marshall 7 May (MP) and 7 in Jackson 12 May (CRE), both in Iowa, and 26 in Dunklin 12 Apr (TJ) and 2 at O.S.C.A. 19 Apr, both in Missouri (CBa). Three Mar- bled Godwits were record early at S.C.R. 7-16 Apr (SD, LL), and 20 at S.L.R. 16 May was a record-high count (acc., SK). In Iowa, the first Marbled arrived 8 Apr in Hardin (MP), and up to 6 were in seven other Iowa counties through 14 May. Up to 5 Ruddy Turnstones visited four Iowa and five Missouri locales 5- 25 May. Northwest Missouri and Riverton, IA held large numbers of small shorebirds, with counts from mid-Apr through late May (SJD, KDy, MR, MA, DE) including 349 Least Sand- pipers in Holt, 600 Semipalmated Sandpipers and 500 White-rumped Sandpipers at both locations, 154 Baird’s Sandpipers at Riverton, 3450 Pectoral Sandpipers across three nw. Missouri locales, and 73 Stilt Sandpipers at Riverton. The break in rainfall 25 May al- lowed for a count of 800+ Semipalmated and 300+ White-rumped Sandpipers at E.B.C.A. (PMc). Rare spring finds, an ad. Western Sandpiper was photographed in Fremont, IA 29 Apr (ph. SJD), and a Buff-breasted Sand- piper turned up at S.C.R. 1 May (ph. DW). Ruffs visited each state, with the 2nd earliest Iowa record coming from Story 11 Apr (tWO), another in Woodbuiy, IA 10-11 May (tTLu, tPOR), and the potential 17th Mis- souri record at S.C.R. 27 Apr (ph. DW). Some 6500+ Long-billed Dowitchers in nw. Mis- souri (MR, MA, LL) and an additional 1100 in sw. Iowa (KDy) represented a significant flight 5 May. Wilson’s Phalarope numbers peaked at 530 in Holt, MO 5 May (MR, MA), while 9 potential nesters were at Riverton, IA 24 May (KDy). Up to 3 Red-necked Phala- ropes were widespread at three Missouri and two Iowa sites 30 Apr-26 May. A first-cycle Black-legged Kittiwake was record late for Missouri at Smithville L., Clay 25 Apr (ph. DW). Laughing Gulls visited each state, with one at L. Manawa, Pottawattamie, IA 19 May (TLJP, tBKP) and 5 ads. at R.M.B.S. 28 May (JPU, Dave Becher). One to 2 Thayer’s Gulls visited two Polk locations 6-31 Mar (m.ob.); one at R.M.B.S 11 Mar (m.ob.) was lingering from the winter season. Single ad. Lesser Black-backed Gulls were at three Iowa sites 4 Mar-8 Apr, and 2 were away from the Mississippi R. in Missouri in Macon in Apr (acc., ph., tPeter Kondrashov) and at Smithville L., Clay (ph. DW). An imm. Glau- cous Gull continued through 11 Mar at R.M.B.S. (PL, m.ob.), and singles were in Iowa at Saylorville Res., Polk 11-18 Mar (DTh, SJD, JG) and in Story 11 Mar (WO). Up to 12 Least Terns with five nests were at MidAmerican Ponds, Pottawattamie 20-22 May (POR, AB), and the high count was 28 in Dunklin, MO 30 May (CBa). High counts of Black Terns in- cluded 280 at Riverton 20 May (KDy) and 101 in Holt, MO 14 May (DE, m.ob.). DOVES THROUGH WAXWINGS White-winged Doves turned up in Greene, MO 23-25 May (Jill Hayes, DB) and in An- drew, MO 10 May (Ryan Evans, JideJH); 2 in Page, IA 13 Mar (KDy) were possibly different birds than last year’s nesters there. In their sw. Missouri range, single Greater Roadrunners were in three counties 5 Apr-29 May. Up to 2 Barn Owls were in three s. Missouri counties 7-27 May. Burrowing Owls visited each side of Missouri: one in Greene 3-7 Mar (acc., CBu, ph. Lisa Berger, ph. PMc) and one in Dunklin 20 Apr (acc., ph. TJ), the 2nd e. Missouri record. During Mar, single Long-eared Owls were in two s. Iowa counties (m.ob.), and 2-5 were at three n.-cen. Missouri sites (SK). One to 3 Short-eared Owls were in five Iowa coun- ties, with the last in late Apr at Neal Smith N.W.R., Jasper (KVS). In Missouri, 8 were at 448 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS IOWA & MISSOURI]1 Dunn 2 Apr (Randy Arndt, fide Tom Nagel), while the latest individual was still far s. in Dunklin 16 Apr (TJ). Northern Saw-whet Owls had an excellent flight through Iowa 1- 24 Mar, with singles at four locations and a high count of 4 in Ida 5 Mar (DoP). Six Chuck-will’s-widows in n.-cen. Missouri made a good count 14 May (SK). In Iowa, Eastern Whip-poor-wills arrived 12 Apr in Decatur (Matt Torres) and Clarke (Steve Har- vey) but went unreported n. of Clarke and Lu- cas. Possibly nesting Yellow-bellied Sapsuck- ers were noted in six nw. Iowa counties in late May. A Ruby-throated Hummingbird at Bull Shoals L., Taney, MO 21 Mar (Clark Creighton) was record early by two weeks. One to 2 Olive-sided Flycatchers were in six Missouri counties 7-28 May, and 6 were in six Iowa sites 11-30 May. Yellow-bellied Fly- catchers were found in good numbers 9-29 May, with high counts of 3 at three separate cen. Missouri sites (PMc), a high count of 7 in Story, IA (CG), and 1-2 farther w. in Clay, MO (KM) and Kossuth, IA (MCK). An Acadian Flycatcher in Kossuth, IA was farther n. than expected 29 May (MCK). Alder Flycatchers were record early in each state, with one 3 May in Boone, MO (PMc) and another 7 May at Ledges S.P, Boone, IA (WO). Peak counts in Missouri included 15 in Livingston 23-24 May (SK) and 12 at FR.C.A. 27 May (KM). Least Flycatcher reports extended until the end of the season in Kossuth, IA (MCK). Two Great Crested Flycatchers in Stoddard, MO 5 Apr (CBa) were record early by two days. Western Kingbirds continue to fill in gaps as they move farther northward and eastward. This spring, the first arrived in Jasper, MO 21 Apr (LH), and by 29 May, they had reached Kossuth (MCK) and Chickasaw (KVS) in n. Iowa and were as far e. as Johnson, IA (Christopher Brochu, CRE, JLF) and St. Louis, MO (MT). Similarly, Scissor-tailed Fly- catchers made it as far n. as Livingston, MO 16 Apr (TM, SK), and 2 at O.S.C.A. 27 May were the easternmost reported (SD). Loggerhead Shrike reports continue to dwindle in Missouri, with only 1-2 in three counties 5 Apr-20 May. They fared better in Iowa, with 1-2 in 17 counties starting 10 Mar. Northern Shrikes were only in Iowa, with singles in four counties 6-30 Mar. White- eyed Vireos were noted as far n. as Sac begin- ning 30 Apr. Blue-headed Vireos arrived record early with the warmer air 9 Apr at two se. Missouri sites: Hawn S.P, Ste. Genevieve (acc., MT, ph. Mike Grant) and O.S.C.A. (acc., RD). Fish Crows ventured n. of the Missouri R. at S.L.R. 24 May (SK). Four Northern Rough-winged Swallows in Des Moines 30 Mar (JLF) were record early for Iowa. Few Red-breasted Nuthatches were noted in the Region until May, when singles were found at four Missouri and a dozen e. Iowa locales, including a high of 3 at Algona Kossuth, IA 12 May (MCK). After the 2nd consecutive harsh winter, observers in nw. and n.-cen. Missouri continued to note a de- cline in Carolina Wren numbers. Starting 13 Apr (CF), a pair of Bewicks Wrens again re- turned to the junkyard in Lee, IA (m.ob.). In their sw. Missouri range, 2 possible nesters were in Greene 21 May (AK, CBu, GSa), and two nesting pairs were in Newton (JC ), while singles were at the edge of range 28 Mar-9 May in Clay, Boone, and Washington. A win- tering Marsh Wren was at O.S.C.A. through 2 Mar (CBa), while 2 calling at Fremont 13 Apr were record early by one day (KDy). The Catharus thrush migration was rather uneventful in Missouri, but Iowa observers filled that gap. Veeries peaked 14-17 May, when 3 were in three Iowa counties, and those at Backbone S.P, Delaware, IA 23 May (CRE, RIA, PA) were probable nesters. Up to 6 Gray- cheeked Thrushes were in 14 Iowa counties 1- 21 May. Swainson’s Thrush high counts in- cluded 29-30 in two w. Missouri counties 30 Apr and 10-60 in six Iowa counties 14-20 May, with 20 at four Kossuth, IA locations through 31 May (MCK). Heavy snowfall in Iowa 19 Apr grounded at least 19 migrating Hermit Thrushes at A. A. Call S.P, Kossuth (MCK), with high counts of 10 the following day in two e. Iowa counties. Another, in St. Louis City on 12 May, tied the latest Missouri spring record (Dave Becher, m.ob.). A Gray Catbird, possibly a wintering individual, was in Boone, MO 30 Mar (RD), while one in rural Jefferson 20 Apr tied the 3rd earliest Iowa record (DCP). Lapland Longspurs had a significant flight 13 Mar in Iowa with 1200 in Greene (JG), 2500 in Worth (PH), and 7000-10,000 in Story (CK). Smiths Longspurs returned to the Region 12 Mar, with 18 in Boone, MO (Joe Lafleur, RD) and flocks of 30-100 in three s. Iowa counties 8-19 Apr. A flock of 900 Snow Buntings in Worth 12 Mar (CJF) was by far the largest of the three Mar flocks. WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES Missouri birders described the spring migra- tion as lackluster, with few peak days, whereas in Iowa, many species were observed in abun- dance. One such species, Golden-winged War- bler, was widespread in e. Iowa starting 30 Apr and extending w. to Ida and Sac (PE), with peak counts of 8-10 in four se. counties. A Brewster’s Warbler was in Polk, IA 30 Apr (BE). Away from their se. Iowa range, a single Blue-winged Warbler was in Cerro Gordo 8 May (RGo), and 2 were in Woodbuiy 10-11 May (TLu). Tennessee Warblers were abun- dant in Iowa, with counts of 100-400 at three scattered sites 12-17 May. At O.S.C.A., an Or- ange-crowned Warbler 2 Mar (CBa) was likely a holdover from the winter season, and a Nashville Warbler 8 Apr (CBa) tied the earliest record. Three Northern Parulas 25 Mar in se. Missouri were the 2nd earliest for the state, and a Chestnut-sided Warbler at Marion, Linn 30 Apr (JDu) was the 2nd earliest for Iowa. Gatherings of Cape May Warblers in Iowa in- cluded 10 in Scott 12 May (WMZ) and 12 in Ceiro Gordo 16 May (RGo). A male Black- throated Blue Warbler in St. Louis 8 May (Doug Corbett) made Missouri’s only report, but 3 were in Iowa: in Johnson 7 May (JLF, CRE), at Lake Wapello S.P, Davis 7 May (SJD), and at Parker’s Woods, Caro Gordo 26 May (RGo), the latter a female that tied the 2nd lat- est Iowa record. Typically, Yellow-rumped Warblers have dwindled in number by 15 May, so 186 along the L. Meyer shoreline in Win- neshiek, IA (LR) is a notable number for the date. Blackburnian Warblers were well report- ed across 14 Iowa counties, with high counts of 6 at Lake Wapello S.P, Davis 17 May (CRE) and 8 at Hickory Hill Park, Johnson 18 May (CRE). A Yellow-throated Warbler was record early by a day in Taney, MO 20 Mar (JPU). Pine Warblers were more widespread in Iowa than usual, with singles reported in nine counties starting 13 Apr. Casual in n. Missouri, a Prairie Warbler was in nw. Livingston 27 May (SK, MC). Four Palm Warblers were likely lingering from the winter season at O.S.C.A. 19 Mar (CBa). In Iowa, they arrived 20 Apr at Hicko- ry Hill Park, Johnson (DAk) and were wide- spread in the e., with 19-36 noted in four counties. Single Bay-breasted Warblers were in the w. at two Missouri and two Iowa sites start- ing 5 May. Cerulean Warblers were noted in 1 1 Iowa counties beginning 7 May in Tama (TSS) and Davis (CRE). In Missouri, 8 in Bany 30 Apr (Jeny & Margie Williams) and 8 in Chris- tian 10 May (CBu, Marvin Dejong, GSw) made the high counts. American Redstart migration peaked in Iowa 14-16 May with counts of 30- 100 at three sites and 34 still at L. Macbride, Johnson 30 May (DAk). Single Worm-eating Warblers were out of their Iowa range at Lis- comb, Marshall 3 May (MP) and at Ashworth Park, Polk 13 May (AB). A Northern Wa- terthrush at Hawkeye tied the earliest Iowa record 18 Apr (JLF). Connecticut Warblers ar- rived 16 May with a female in Polk, IA (DTh) followed by 1-2 in three Missouri locales and singles in eight Iowa counties through 27 May. Eight Mourning Warblers was the high count in Story, IA 20 May (CG). A remarkable count of 16 Hooded Wablers in Christian 30 Apr (DB) was a record single-day count for Mis- VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 449 IOWA & MISSOURI And when you get you hands dirty in programs like National Public Lands Day you help spruce up your beautiful lands. Last year, on this day, nearly 80,000 volunteers built trails, bridges, planted native trees and removed trash. To find out how you can help, go to www.npld.com or call 800-VOL-TEER (800-865-8337). HELPING HANDS FOR AMERICA’S LANDS day © 2004 Muench Photography. Inc. souri. In Iowa, overshooting Hoodeds were found in six counties as far n. as Wright through 28 May. Missouri’s 4th Golden-crowned Sparrow lingered through 16 Mar in Osage (acc., SD), while the male Spotted Towhee in this same yard was last seen 14 Apr (SD). The rest of the Spotted Towhees were in the w. part of the Re- gion, as expected: one in Newton, MO 2-26 Mar (JC) and up to 3 at four Iowa sites 1-8 May. A pair of Bachman’s Sparrows along the Glade Top Trail, Taney, MO 18 May (JC) was not re-found during an intensive search 31 May (PMc). Clay-colored Sparrows were well reported, with peak counts of 20-30 in two w. Iowa locations 1-2 May (JB, MCK) and sin- gles as far e. as Johnson, 1A (CJC, DAk) and Stoddard (CBa) and St. Louis (MT) in Mis- souri. Additionally, three nests were found 28 May in Howard (LR), and one was singing on territory 28 May at Freda Haffner Kettlehole, Dickinson (LAS). Single Le Conte’s Sparrows were in four w.-cen. Iowa counties 3-25 Apr, and Nelson’s Sparrows were in one Missouri and five Iowa counties 25 Apr-14 May, in- cluding 5 in Boone , IA (DCH). An unprece- dented invasion of Summer Tanagers oc- curred 1-21 May, when record numbers ar- rived at feeders in Iowa, n. of their expected range. The first was expected in Lee 30 Apr (CF); however, then 2 arrived in Kossuth (ph. RyS, MCK), 3 were at feeders in six other n. counties, and 5 attended a Clay feeder (LAS). Black-headed Grosbeaks made appearances at feeders in both states: an ad. male in Greene, MO 1 May (Jill Hayes), a first-year male in Warren, IA 6-7 May (TAJ, TAB), and another first-year male in Madison through 23 May (Eugene & Eloise Armstrong, tDTh). Two male Lazuli Buntings were in Iowa, 14- 17 May in Greene (tjeanne Myers) and 30 May in Hardin (tMP), and a female Painted Bunting was unexpected at Dunbar Slough, Greene 12 May (tSJD, tTMH). A singing Western Meadowlark was far se. near O.S.C.A. 15-25 May (ph. CBa, JPU). A Yellow-headed Blackbird in Woodbury was Iowa’s 2nd earliest (GLV). Rusty Blackbirds were only noted in Iowa, arriving 5 Mar and building to 450 at four locations through 8 Apr. Brewer’s Blackbirds peaked at 525 in Dade, MO 28 Mar (CBu, GSw), and in cen. Iowa, one large group of 200 was found in mid-Apr (CJL). A lone male Great-tailed Grackle was early at Ada Hayden Park, Story, IA 3 Mar (WO), and one at Bakewell’s Pond, Allamakee, IA 21 Apr (JS) was ne. of the species’ usual range. In w. Missouri, few were noted; a single at C.B.C.A. 2 Apr (JPU) was the easternmost reported. The first Baltimore Oriole in Webster, MO 5 Mar (acc., AK) might have wintered. In Iowa, the cold and wet con- ditions of early May left little natural food for arriving orioles. As a result, Baltimore and Or- chard Orioles in mid-May ravaged feeders as never before. They were widely reported in the n. part of the state, with high counts of 27 Baltimores at single residences at Algona, Kos- suth (Sande Rodemeyer, fide MCK) and in Bremer (ALA). Additionally, up to 15 Orchard Orioles were at the feeders in Bremer (ALA). The season’s only Common Redpoll appeared 6 Mar at a feeder in Mystic, Appanoose, IA and then vanished (Tom Johnson). Low numbers of Purple Finches and Pine Siskins were pres- ent through May in Iowa. The last Purple Finch was record late and appeared unhealthy at Fairmount Cemetery, Scott 28-29 May (WMZ). A juv. Pine Siskin was observed be- ing fed in Polk in mid-May (MJ), and the last was reported in Kossuth 25 May (MCK). Contributors (subregional compilers in bold- face): IOWA: Danny Akers (DAk), Pam Allen (PA), Aaron Anhalt (ALA), John Bissell (JB), Aaron Brees (AB), Christopher Caster (CJC), Robert I. Cecil (RIC), Raymond L. Cummins (RLC), Larry Dau (LGD), Stephen J. Dins- more (SJD), Jim Durbin (JE>u), Keith Dyche (KDy), Chris R. Edwards (CRE), Bery Enge- bretsen (BE), Pete Ernzen (PE), Carolyn J. Fischer (CJF), James Forde (JF), Chuck Fuller (CF), Jay Gilliam (JG), Rita Goranson (RGo), Cory Gregory (CG), Tyler M. Harms (TMH), Douglas Harr (DCH), Paul Hertzel (PH), Maridel Jackson (MJ), Ann Johnson (AJ), Matthew C. Kenne (MCK), Carl Kurtz (CK), Tucker Lutter (TLu), Jacob Newton (JN), Wolfgang Oesterreich (WO), Mark Proescholdt (MP), Larry Reiss (LR), Paul O. Roisen (POR), Lee A. Schoenewe (LAS), Jim Sinclair (JS), Rob Thelen (RTh), Dennis Thompson (DTh), Jerry Toll (JT), Gerald von Ehwegen (GLV), Gerald White (GDW), Rick Zarwell (RWZ), Walter Zuurdeeg (WMZ). MISSOURI: Mike Andersen (MA), Chris Bar- rigar (CBa), John Bollin (JB), Charley Bur- wick (CBu), David Blevins (DB), Jeff Cantrell (JC), Myrna Carlton (MC), Stephen Dilks (SD), Ryan Douglas (RD), David Easterla (DE), Lawrence Herbert (LH), Jack Hilsabeck (JH), Tim James (TJ), Jon King (JK), Andrew Kinslow (AK), Steve Kinder (SK), Larry Lade (LL), Pat Lueders (PL), Kristi Mayo (KM), Paul McKenzie (PMc), Terry McNeely (TM), Mark Robbins (MR), Greg Samuel (GSa), Greg Swick (GSw), Mike Thelen (MT), Joshua P. Uffman (JPU), Edge Wade (EW), Doug Willis (DW). (© Joshua P. Uffman, 707 Ashton Way Circle Eureka, Missouri 63025, (birdsandbugs@sbcglobal.net) 450 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS Tennessee & Kentucky KENTUCKY Maryland Sauertieber Unit, Dam SIWgnsmA Fall, of, he Ohio. ^ g^, \ V. . " ■ • Bernheim Forest Smithland Dama Ballard WMA * ' ■ L Peewee Mammoth Cave NP } Peabody WMA a McElroy L/ \ ForkNRA Minor Liar t rM\Hatchery/Cav Daniel >m. Red River Gorge Boone .1 ! Geological Am m.fy' ey L Shelby Bottoms Radnor Lake State Natural Area Sharp's Ridge a Kingston Steam Plant S' HiwasseeWRm NichaJl2T'ammBaineni^e Shady Valley Pickwick Landing SP Craven's House TENNESSEE Chris Sloan Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr, Weather conditions during spring were overall warmer and wetter than normal. March began only slightly warmer than normal across most of the Region, but April was quite a bit warmer than normal, with temperatures as high as 90° F reached at Louisville on the 10th. May tem- peratures varied from normal to slightly above normal Regionwide. The real story of the spring season, however, was the rainfall. March began near normal across Kentucky, but precipitation was well above normal dur- ing April, when Louisville (35.6 cm), Lexing- ton (32.3 cm), and Paducah (40.4 cm) all es- tablished new record rainfall totals for the month. During May, precipitation returned to near normal across south-central Kentucky but remained higher than normal across the remainder of the state, including at Paducah, where about two times the normal rainfall was recorded. Excessive rainfall also occurred across much of the remainder of the eastern and central United States during April, result- ing in unprecedented flooding along the Re- gion’s major river floodplains; consequently, reservoir levels were also exceptionally high from late April to the end of May. The effects of this flooding on the birdlife of the Region are unknown; certainly some species nesting in river floodplains lost early nests, but reced- ing waters resulted in the presence of a sig- nificant amount of shorebird habitat, espe- cially during May. The most significant short- term impacts may have been to birders, who found access limited in many areas along the major rivers. Reports of rarities included a flock of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks, Pa- cific Loon, White-faced Ibis, Yellow Rail, Buff-breasted Sandpipers, a state-first Gray Kingbird, and continuing Varied Thrush in Kentucky, and Pacific Loon, Tricolored Heron, White-faced Ibis, Prairie Falcon, Pur- ple Gallinule, Ruff, and White-winged Dove in Tennessee. Abbreviations: Chaney L. ( Warren , KY); Ensley (Ensley Bottoms, in- cluding the EARTH Complex, sw. Shelby, TN); John Sevier L. ( Hawkins , TN); L.B.L. (Land Be- tween the Lakes National Recre- ation Area, KY/TN); McElroy L. ( Warren , KY); Melco (Melco flood retention basin, s. Jefferson, KY); Sauerheber (Sauerheber Unit Sloughs W.M.A., Henderson, KY); Standifer Gap (Standifer Gap Marsh, Hamilton, TN). WATERFOWL THROUGH IBISES Ten Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks were ob- served at the same McLean, KY location where the state’s first report of the species occurred the previous year 14-16 May (ph. MGa, JG et al.). In Tennessee, the species appears to be firmly established as a breeder in Shelby, with a high count of 43 on 16 May at Ensley (J\Va). A Ross’s Goose lingered at Freeman L., Hardin , KY through 4 May (BPa, JD, MM, EHu). Two of Sauerheber’s wintering flock of Tundra Swans lingered there through 9 Apr (CC et al.), and one each remained at John Se- vier L. (SHu), and in Greene, TN (DMl) through 3 Apr. An imm. was in s. Warren, KY 3-18 Mar (DR). Three Gadwalls w. of Rumsey, McLean, KY 15 May (BPa, EHu) were rela- tively tardy. Blue-winged Teal were not espe- cially numerous, with a tally of 400-500 in w. Henderson, KY 12 Apr (BPa, EHu) represent- ing a relatively modest peak count during the season. A male Blue-winged Teal x Northern Shoveler hybrid was present at Chaney L. 5 Apr (tBPa, EHu). A tally of 320 Northern Shovelers at McElroy L. 6 Apr (DR) repre- sented Kentucky’s peak count. A few birds lingered in w. Kentucky into mid-May, with 5 at Morgan Pond 16 May (EHu, BPa) and at least 4 along Cypress Cr., n. McLean, through 24 May (BPa, EHu). Peak counts of Redheads included 48 in Marion, TN 6 Mar (TR), ca. 140 on Barren River L., Allen/Barren, KY 8 Mar (DR), and ca. 300 on McElroy L. 12 Mar (DR); one at McEl- roy L. 3 May (TD) was relatively tardy. A pair of Ring-necked Ducks lingered on a transient pond in s. Logan, KY into Jun (FL et al.); one was in Hamilton, TN 14 May (fide KAC). A few Lesser Scaup lingered into mid-May, with 4 on L. Barkley, Lyon, KY 16 May (EHu, BPa) and one on McElroy L. 24 May (TD) being the latest. A flock of 48 Greater Scaup on Watauga L., Carter, TN 11 Mar (TM) estab- lished a new high count for ne. Tennessee. An ad. male Surf Scoter on the Ohio R. at Louisville 12 Mar (T&CBe) was the only one reported. There were five reports of White- winged Scoter, all from Kentucky: one on the Ohio R. at Louisville 14-15 Mar (EHu); 8 on Kentucky L., Lyon 29 Mar (HC, DR); 2 on L. Barkley above the dam and one on Kentucky L., Marshall, both 1 Apr (BPa, EHu); and 2 at McElroy L. 1 May (TD, BPa, KOS) that repre- sented a new late departure date for the state. The only Black Scoter was a female at Pick- wick Dam, Hardin, TN 15 Mar (JRW). Single Long-tailed Ducks at S. Holston L., Sullivan, TN through 22 Mar (m.ob.) and on the Ohio R. at Brent, Campbell, KY 28 Mar (FR) were the only ones reported. Two Common Gold- eneyes (perhaps injured) lingered on Ken- tucky L. above the dam in Marshall, KY through 16 May (BPa, EHu). A female Hood- ed Merganser with young at the Long Creek Refuge, L.B.L. , Trigg, KY 5 May (BLi) repre- sented a first confirmed breeding record for the N.R.A. and the county; one with 4 young at Eagle Bend Fish Hatchery, Anderson, TN 5- 13 May (RH, DMy) furnished a rare breeding record away from w. Tennessee. A female Red- breasted Merganser at Ensley 6 May (JRW) was relatively late. Tardy Ruddy Ducks in Kentucky included a male on L. Reba, Madi- son through 15 May (ANn), one on Morgan Pond 16 May (EHu, BPa), and 3 on McElroy L. 24 May (TD). Single Pacific Loons were observed at Pick- wick Dam, Hardin, TN 30 Mar (JRW) and in Vickers Bay, Kentucky L., Lyon, KY 2 Apr (tHC, ANy, TT). Generally small numbers of Although now established as a breeder in southwestern Tennessee, Black-bellied Whistling-Duck remains an extremely rare vagrant to Kentucky. This flock of 10 represents only the third fully documented record for the state. They tarried 14-16 (here 14) May 2011 at the same place where the state's first flock was found in 2010. Photograph by Melissa Gaither. V01UME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 451 TENNESSEE & KENTUCKY In addition to an established presence on the large rivers and reservoirs in the western part of the Tennessee and Kentucky region, Lesser Black-backed Gulls continue to show up at new locations farther east just about every year. This first-cycle bird was a first for War- ren County, Kentucky 27-31 (here 28) March 201 1 . Photograph by Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. A second record for the county, these Piping Plovers turned up at Old Hickory Lake, Davidson County, Tennessee 20 April 2011. The bird on the right was banded as a chick in Saskatchewan in June 2001 . Photograph by Scott Somershoe. Common Loons continued to pass through into mid-May, with the following reports of tardy birds: 2 on McElroy L. 24 May (TD), one in e. Muhlenberg , KY 24 May (ET), and one at Petersburg, Boone , KY through 29 May (LM). Three Red-necked Grebes were report- ed: the wintering bird on L. Reba, Madison, KY continued through 13 Apr (ANn et ah); one was on L. Cumberland, Russell, KY 12 Mar (ph. RD); and one remained at Robco L., Shelby, TN through 6 Apr (JRW). An Eared Grebe was on Robco L., Shelby, TN 8 Mar (JRW), and 3 were on McElroy L. 24-25 Apr (DR, TD, tBPa, EHu). One, nearly in full breeding plumage, was at the traditional win- tering location at S. Holston L., Sullivan, TN 15-26 Mar (RKn, GE, RLK) after a complete absence there since October. Anhingas were reported in above-average numbers along the Mississippi R. in Ten- nessee. In Shelby, one was at Horn Lake Cut- off 3-8 May (JRW); 2 were there 15-17 May (KO JWa, GK); and 14 were at Poplar Tree L., Shelby Forest S.P 5 May (VR). Two were also at Reelfoot L., Lake 25 May (SS). A noticeable flight of American White Pelicans e. of their normal range occurred during Mar and early Apr, with the following reports of interest: a northbound flock of 300 at Earlington, Hopkins, KY 9 Mar (ER); at least 35 over se. Allen, KY 10 Mar (tMBy et al.); 7 on the Ohio R., Bracken, KY (opposite Chilo, OH) 13 Mar (SC); at least 20 over Warren, KY 14 Mar (DR); 4 at Hiwassee Refuge, Meigs, TN 17-20 Mar (CM); 15 on the Ohio R. at Louisville 21-22 Mar (MPv, ph. KB); 80 on McElroy L. 26 Mar (DR, TD), with 4 there 9 Apr (MBy et al.) and one there 23 Apr (TD, ph. CAS, DR); one in Marion, TN 7 Apr-1 May (TC); and one at Rankin Bot- toms, Cocke, TN 16 Apr (MR). In addition, on 16 May, 30 and 8+ were still below Kentucky and Barkley dams, respective- ly (BPa, EHu). New nest- ing colonies of Double- crested Cormorants were found on the Holston R. (two nests), Hawkins, TN 2 Apr (WC) and Bull Run Steam Plant (three nests), Anderson, TN 14 May (RH, DMy). There were five Kentucky reports of single American Bitterns 1-10 Apr in Hart (JSo), Henderson (CC), Hopkins (EHa), Jefferson (MA, DSe), and Trigg (DW, fide JPo). In Ten- nessee, American Bitterns were reported in above-average numbers, with single individu- als reported from Greene 17 Mar (DMl), Kyk- er Bottoms, Blount 2 Apr (RH, DMy), Horn Lake Cutoff, Shelby 9 Apr (JRW), Williamson 1 Apr (RC), Standifer Gap 14-25 Apr (DPn; KAC), and Walnut Log Rd., Obion 4 May (MTo); and 2 were at Kyker Bottoms, Blount, TN 19-20 Apr (C&PS). A Least Bittern at Sauerheber 12 Apr (BPa, EHu) was early; also reported were 4 at Clear Creek W.M.A., Hop- kins, KY 20 Apr (EHa), 2 at Sinclair W.M.A., Muhlenberg, KY 21 Apr (EHa), with one still there 18 May (EHa), and singles in s. Jeffer- son, KY 23 Apr (EHu), e. of Drakesboro, Muh- lenberg, KY 4 May (BPa, EHu, JD, MM), and at South Shore W.M.A., Greenup, KY 9 May (SF); a high count of 5 came from Black Bay- ou W.M.A., Lake, TN 25 May (SS). Surpris- ingly, Least Bitterns were not reported from Standifer Gap. A few Snowy Egrets were re- ported e. of their normal range, including sin- gles at Sauerheber 14 Apr and 30 May (ph. CC), at Mt. Zion, Pulaski, KY 20 Apr (RD), near Woodburn, Warren, KY 2 May (TD), at John Sevier L. 25 Apr (SHu), and along S. Holston R., Sullivan, TN 26 Apr (WC), as well as 4 in flooded areas of n. McLean, KY 24 May (BPa, EHu). At least one Little Blue Heron was seen at the heronry on L. Barkley, Lyon, KY by 1 Apr (BPa, EHu); the most interesting reports of Little Blues e. of their traditional range included one at Chaney L. 5 Apr (EHu, BPa), with 2 there 24 May (TD), one at Pumphouse Pond, Pulaski, KY 20 Apr (RD), one e. of Flaherty, Meade, KY 23 Apr (RP), one at Standifer Gap 25 Apr (KAC), one at John Sevier L. 7 May (SHu), and at least 55 in flooded areas between Rumsey and Sacramen- to, McLean, KY 23-24 May (BPa, EHu). A Tri- colored Heron, which is typically only a rare post-breeding vagrant to the Region, was at Black Bayou W.M.A., Lake, TN 26 May (SS). At least one Cattle Egret was seen at the heronry on L. Barkley, Lyon, KY by 1 Apr (BPa, EHu); the most interesting reports of Cattle Egrets e. of their traditional range in- cluded one in Crossville, Cumberland, TN 5 Apr (NB,/icie EL), one at Nickajack L., Mari- on, TN 7 Apr (TR), 6 e. of Flaherty, Meade, KY 23 Apr (RP), one at Petersburg, Boone, KY 24 Apr (LM), one w. of Cecilia, Hardin, KY 4 May (BPa et al.), and dozens scattered along flood- ed areas between Rumsey, McLean and Van- detta, Hopkins, KY from mid- to late May, with 150+ there 23-24 May (BPa, EHu). Six Yel- low-crowned Night-Herons, including two pairs building nests, were seen at the Jenny Hole/Highland Creek Unit, Sloughs W.M.A., Union, KY 13 Apr (ph. CC); at least 12 were noted in flooded backwaters of Cypress Cr., Marshall, KY 5 May (BPa, EHu, JD, MM). An astounding flock of 50+ White Ibis was photographed flying over Hatchie N.W.R., Haywood, TN 14 May (ph. MTh, fide GK); also reported were 7 in Dyer, TN 22 May (JRW, WGC). There were two Kentucky re- ports of White-faced Ibis: 2 just w. of Sauer- heber 17 May (tJMr) and one at McElroy L. 26-27 May (tTD, DR). In Tennessee, a first- spring bird was at Ensley 17 May (QBG, ph. JRW et al), and an ad. was near Ridgely, Lake 25-26 May (SS). RAPTORS THROUGH TERNS An Osprey over L. Barkley, Trigg 2 Mar (BLi) was the earliest to return to Kentucky. Also relatively early for the respective locales were singles at Cave Run L., KY 13 Mar (DPk), along the Cumberland R. in downtown Nashville, TN 14 Mar (CAS), and along the Ohio R. at Louisville, KY 20 Mar (T&CBe). There were a few reports of vagrant Mississip- pi Kites far e. of their norma! range, including 452 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS one at the Brown’s Ford Boat Ramp, Barren River Lake, Allen, KY 7 May (tJBy); one at Radnor Lake State Natural Area, Nashville, TN 8 May (CAS, SS, ES); one at Shelby Bot- toms, Nashville, TN 11 May (PC); one at Dawson Springs, Hopkins, KY 21 May (ER); 5 along Pinchgut Cr., se. Allen, KY 25 May (TJBy, tDB), with one to 3 lingering there un- til 30 May (JBy, MBy et al.); one in Chester, TN 30 May (MW); and an ad. at the Flat Rock Church off US 27, McCreary, KY 30 May (RD). An imm. Golden Eagle was seen over Barren River L. dam, Banen 1 Apr (DR). Sin- gle Broad-winged Hawks at Cove Lake S.P, Campbell, TN 12 Mar (NM) and in Washing- ton, TN 19 Mar (RBi) were exceptionally ear- ly. A light-morph Rough-legged Hawk at Joachim Bible Refuge Unit of Lick Creek Bot- toms W.M.A., Greene, TN 12 Mar-3 Apr (DMl, m.ob.) was tardy for Tennessee. A late Northern Harrier was in DeKalb, TN 20 May (JF). There were nine reports of single Mer- lins at eight Kentucky locales and four reports from four Tennessee locales 3 Mar-10 May. There were nine reports of single Peregrine Falcons (other than territorial pairs) in Ken- tucky and six in Tennessee 4 Mar-24 May. A Prairie Falcon was at Ensley 8 May (JRW). A Yellow Rail was present at Surrey Hills Farm, ne. Jefferson, KY 29 Mar (ph. BPa et al.). There were three Kentucky reports of Virginia Rail: singles at Sauerheber 12 Apr (BPa) and at Melco 24-26 Apr (MA, EHu, BPa), and 2 heard e. of Drakesboro, Muhlen- berg 4 May (BPa, EHu, JD, MM). In Ten- nessee, up to 2 were at Meadowview in Kingsport 17 Mar-30 Apr (RP, m.ob.), one was at Shady Valley, Johnson 30 Apr (fide RLK), and one or more were present through the period at Standifer Gap; all are known breeding locations, but no nests were found during the period. A King Rail was reported from Bradley, TN 19 Apr (DCh). A tally of 35 Soras at Sauerheber 12 Apr (BPa, EHu, CC) probably represented a relatively normal peak count for that location; elsewhere, one to 7 were seen/heard at eight additional Kentucky locales 17 Apr-19 May. In Tennessee, singles were at Discovery Center Marsh, Rutherford 9 Apr (TW, BI, CSm) and Standifer Gap 10 & 24 Apr (TBa; KAC), and 9 were at Ensley 17 May (GK, JWa). A Common Gallinule w. of Buttonsberry 24 May (BPa, EHu) was the only one reported in Kentucky. In Tennessee, a re- markable six nesting pairs were found at Black Bayou W.M.A., Lake 25 May (SS); else- where in Tennessee, singles were at Standifer Gap 1-11 May (DCh et al.) and John Sevier L. 21 May (SHu). A Purple Gallinule at Stan- difer Gap 30 Apr-4 May (LK, AR, m.ob.) fur- nished probably only the 5th or 6th record for TENNESSEE & KENTUCKY Although Marbled Godwlts appear annually in the Tennessee and Kentucky region, they are uncommon migrants, as here in Warren County, Kentucky 16 April 2011. Photograph by Eddie Huber. This Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Old Hickory Lake, Davidson County, Tennessee 27 April 201 1 was rare for middle Tennessee, especially during spring, when migrants are rare anywhere in the state. Photograph by Scott Somershoe. se. Tennessee. Tallies of at least 2000 American Coots at McElroy L. 24 Mar (TD) and 4000 at Hardy Slough, Sauerhe- ber 7 Apr (DR) represent- ed the season’s peak counts; a few birds lin- gered on transient ponds and flooded areas in w. Kentucky into late May, but no evidence of nest- ing was detected. A few flocks of Sandhill Cranes continued to move through during the first week or so of Mar; tardy birds included one at Pu- laski County Park, KY 7 May (RD) and 2 at McEl- roy L. 11 May (TD). An impressive high count of 137 Black-bel- lied Plovers was tallied in flooded bottoms between Rumsey, McLean, KY and Vandetta, Hopkins, KY 20 May, representing a new one-day state high count, with individual flocks of 51 and 33 being observed along Narge Cr. n. of KY 254, Hopkins, and along Pond Drain e. of Patter- son Rd., McLean, respectively (BPa, EHu, MM); 42 were w. of Buttonsberry 23-24 May (BPa, EHu et al.). Two American Golden- Plovers at McElroy L. 11 Mar (DR) were ear- ly; peak counts of 350 there 30 Mar (TD) and 2 Apr (DR) were extraordinary for so far e. in the Region; 2500 were counted between Union City and Kenton, Obion, TN 28 Mar (MGr). Two Piping Plovers at Old Hickory L., Davidson, TN 20 Apr (ph. SS) furnished the 2nd county record; one was later confirmed to have been banded as a chick in Saskatchewan in Jun 2001. An impressive count of 1060 Semipalmated Plovers came from n. McLean, KY 23 May (BPa, EHu), and 1100-1300 there 24 May (BPa, EHu et al.) represented a new state one-day high count. Black-necked Stilts continue to show up e. of the Mississippi R. corridor in increasing numbers, with the following reports of inter- est: up to 3 at McElroy L. 4 Apr-11 May (DR, TD, BPa, EHu et al); one at Wal-Mart Distri- bution Center, Greene, TN 5 Apr and 5 May (BB; DMl); 2 at Morgan Pond, Christian, KY 11 May (BWi, SW); and 3 along Cypress Cr. e. of Sacramento, McLean, KY 20 May (MM, ph. EHu, ph. BPa) that represented a county first — although a few days later, a pair was present w. of Buttonsberry, and at least 13, in- cluding a few pairs, were present along McEl- wain Rd. w. of KY 81, McLean, KY, all 24 May (ph. BPa, EHu). There were five reports of American Avocet: 9 at McElroy L. 12 Apr (TD), with 24 there 23 Apr (ph. CAS, DR, TD), one at Old Hickory L., Davidson, TN 26 Apr (KO), and one along Hwy. 103, Dyer, TN 21 May (TW, CSm), with 4 there 22 May (JRW WGC), 2 of which were observed mating! A Solitary Sandpiper at Melco 22 Mar (EHu) was early. Willets were widely reported in above-average numbers. One to 56 were ob- served on 14 occasions at eight Kentucky lo- cales 20 Apr-16 May, with the largest flocks being 31 at Chaney L. 25 Apr (TD, DR), at least 42 at Melco 25 Apr (EHu, MA), and 56 along Chamberlain Lane, ne. Jefferson 2 May (JBe, PB, BPa). In Tennessee, up to 18 were re- ported on 10 dates at eight locations 16 Apr-9 May, with a modest high count of 18 at Duck River Unit, Tennessee N.W.R., Humphreys, TN 26 Apr (CF). Two Lesser Yellowlegs were ob- served in w. Henderson, KY by 1 Mar (CC); at least 225 at McElroy L. 20 Apr (BPa, EHu) represented a very modest peak count for the VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 453 TENNESSEE & KENTUCKY Though rare in Tennessee, several White-winged Doves, including these two, were pres- ent from spring through at least mid-August (here 30 April) 201 1 at President's Island, Shelby County, Tennessee and appear to have bred. Photograph by Scott Somsrshoe. Marking a first record for the Tennessee and Kentucky region, this Gray Kingbird de- lighted birders in Boone County, Kentucky 24-26 (here 26) April 2011. Photograph by Joe Caminiti. season in Kentucky. An astonishing 10,000+ Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs were in flooded fields and roads in Dyer, Lauderdale, and Lake, TN 22-23 Apr, including 1332 Greaters and 4680 Lessors along Hwy. 79, Dyer (JRW). Two Whimbrels at Ft. Loudoun L., Knox, TN 24 May (SHo) were the only ones reported. Up- land Sandpipers were found on five occasions in Kentucky: 2 at McElroy L. 6 Apr (DR), with singles there 24 Apr (BPa, EHu, TD, DR) and 1 May (DR, BPa, KOS); 3 s. of Richmond, Madison 26 Apr (ANn); and one ne. of Van- detta, Hopkins 23 May (ph. BPa, EHu) that was quite tardy. The only reports from Ten- nessee were of 3 at Cocklebur L., Shelby 15 Mar (JRW) and one at Ensley 9 Apr (JRW). There were three reports of Marbled God- wit: 3 at McElroy L. 1 1 Apr (EHu, tBPa); one at the Western Kentucky University Farm, Warren, KY 16 Apr (ph. BPa, ph. EHu); and one at Old Hickory L., Davidson, TN 27 Apr (ph. MO). A Hudsonian Godwit was at Ens- ley 1 1 Apr (JRW), and 9 were along Hwy. 79, Dyer, TN 22-23 Apr (JRW). Four to 19 Rud- dy Turnstones were observed on six occasions in n. McLean, KY and ne. Hopkins, KY 15-24 May (MM, EHu, BPa et al.); the only other re- ports were of 4 at McElroy L. 24 May (TD) and one at Ensley 26 May (JRW). All Kentucky re- ports of Sanderling came from the margins of re- ceding floodwaters in agricultural land of n. McLean and ne. Hopkins, where 3-10 were ob- served on five occasions 15-24 May (BPa, EHu, MM). In Tennessee, 2 were at Ensley 5 Apr (JRW), and one was along Hwy. 79, Dyer 22- 23 Apr (JRW). A Semi- palmated Sandpiper at Standifer Gap 20 Mar (TTR) furnished one of the earliest spring arrivals for the state; 5 at Ensley 5 Apr (JRW) and one at Standifer Gap 10 Apr (TBa) were also earlier than normal. Peak counts of Semipalmated Sand- pipers included 2000- 2500 w. of Buttonsberry and at least 760 along J. 1. West Rd. w. of Pond Drain, McLean, both 23 May (BPa, EHu); and 2400-2600 w. of Buttons- berry, 300 along J. 1. West Rd. w. of Pond Drain, McLean, and 300 along McElwain Rd. w. of KY 81, McLean, all 24 May (BPa, EHu); the last total represents a new one-day state high count for Kentucky. A color-banded Semipalmated Sandpiper ob- served in the Lower Hickman Bottoms, w. Fulton, KY 31 May (ph. HC) was banded in Suriname, South America, sometime during 2009-2011 by workers with New Jersey Audubon Society (fide DMz). A Western Sandpiper at Ensley 5 Apr (JRW) was early; a tally of 19 at McElroy L. 16 Apr (TD, BPa, EHu) tied Kentucky’s high count for spring; and 3 in s. Jefferson, KY 22 Apr (EHu, tBPa) represented the easternmost confirmed spring report ever for the state. Two Least Sandpipers at McElroy L. 12 Mar (DR) were early. Peak counts of White-rumped Sandpipers included 35-40 w. of Buttonsberry and at least 25 along J. I. West Rd. s. of Pond Drain, McLean, KY, all 23 May (BPa, EHu); at least 50 w. of Buttons- berry and 10 along McElwain Rd. w. of KY 81, McLean, KY, all 24 May (BPa, EHu); and 100 in Lake, TN 26 May (SS). Baird’s Sandpipers were unreported away from Ensley, where sin- gles were recorded on six dates 5 Apr-26 May (JRW). Two Pectoral Sandpipers at McElroy L. 8 Mar (DR) were the earliest to be report- ed; at least 300 at and near Sauerheber 31 Mar (BPa, EHu, CC) represented a very modest peak count for the season. Three Dunlins at McElroy L. 22 Mar (DR) were quite early, with up to 70 counted there 24 May (TD); 1020 were counted at six locales in flooded bottoms between Rumsey, McLean and Van- detta, Hopkins 20 May established a new one- day state high count, with 512 of those in one location in Hopkins, KY (BPa, EHu, MM); and at least 700 were w. of Buttonsberry 23 May (BPa, EHu), with at least 800 counted there 24 May (BPa, EHu et al.). Tennessee’s modest peak count was 70 in Lake 24 May (SS). Two Stilt Sandpipers at Ensley 5 Apr (JR\V) were early. A Buff-breasted Sandpiper w. of But- tonsberry 23 May (ph. BPa, ph. EHu) followed by 2 there 24 May (tBPa, EHu) represented the first confirmed spring reports for Kentucky; one at Old Hickory L., Davidson, TN 27 Apr (ph. SS) also provided an extremely rare spring record. A Ruff was at Ensley 28 Apr (JRW). The season’s peak counts of dowitchers all occurred at McElroy L., with 40 Short-billeds there 1 & 14 May (TD, BPa, KOS, TD) and 74 Long- billeds there 25 Apr (TD, DR). Wilson’s Phalaropes were found in Kentucky only at McElroy L., with 3 first seen there 26 Apr (TD), up to 6 there 27 Apr (TD), and one last seen there 6 May (BPa, EHu, JD, MM). In Tennessee, there were five reports from five w. Tennessee locations 22 Apr-4 May, with a high count of 12 at Ensley 3 May (JRW). There were two re- ports of Red-necked Phalarope: 2 e. of Poplar Grove, McLean, KY 20 May (MM, ph. BPa, ph. EHu) and one w. of Buttonsberry, McLean , KY 23-24 May (BPa, EHu). A Laughing Gull at McElroy L. 20 Apr (TD, DR, BPa, EHu) was the only one reported in Kentucky. In Tennessee, an ad. was at Nicka- jack L., Marion 3 May (KAC), and 2, along with a Franklin’s Gull, were along Hwy. 79, Dyer, TN 22-23 Apr (JRW). Franklin’s Gulls were found in Kentucky only at McElroy L., where 2 were present 23 Apr (TD, ph. CAS, DR) and one on 3 May (TD). A first-cycle Lesser Black-backed Gull at McElroy L. 27-31 Mar (DR, TD, ph. BPa, EHu) represented a first for Warren. Elsewhere, an ad. on the Ohio R. at Louisville 27 Mar (ph. EHu) represented the only other Kentucky report away from Kentucky L. and L. Barkley. Two first-cycle Glaucous Gulls were still on Kentucky L. at or near Kentucky Dam 29 Mar (DR, HC). Least Terns were late in arriving or being de- tected, probably the result of extensive Mis- sissippi R. and lower Ohio R. flooding. It was a good season for Black Terns, with one to 42 reported on at least 13 occasions at eight Ken- tucky locales 2-26 May. A mixed flock of Common and Black Terns, about 50 individu- 454 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS TENNESSEE & KENTUCKY) als, at J. Percy Priest Dam, Davidson, TN 8 May (CAS, SS, ES) appeared to be migrating. Single Common Terns on Kentucky L. above Kentucky Dam 5 & 16 May (BPa) were the only ones reported in Kentucky. A tally of at least 170 Forster’s Terns at Kentucky Dam 5 May (BPa, EHu,JD, MM, HC) represented the peak count. A Caspian Tern at Pickwick Dam, Hardin, TN 30 Mar (JRW) was early. PARAKEETS THROUGH FINCHES A Monk Parakeet was at Karns, Knox, TN 22 Apr (ph. KR). A White-winged Dove was re- ported at Panorama Shores, Calloway, KY 22 May (tKCo, MC), and 2 were at Presidents I., Shelby, TN 30 Apr (ph. SS), with one still present 6 & 27 May (JRW). Cuckoos were in- conspicuous until mid-May, with six Ken- tucky reports of Black-billeds in the following counties: Spencer 30 Apr (BWo); Boone 8 & 10 May (TY); Allen 15 May (DB, MBr, SB, fide MBy); Fayette 21 May (DS v,fide DL); and Hart 27 May (SK). In Tennessee, an above-average number of Black-billeds included singles at Walnut Log Rd., Obion 4 May (ph. MTo); Eliz- abethton, Carter 5 May (DH); Peeler Park, Davidson 7 May (PC); Shelby Park, Davidson 7 May (BH, MH); Roan Mountain S.P., Carter 7 May (JMc); and Hohenwald, Lewis 12 May (BPu). A Black-billed Cuckoo nest with 3 nearly fledged young was at Hampton Creek Cove, Carter, TN 24 May (NS). In Kentucky, single Barn Owls were report- ed in Madison (ANn), Hart (JBn, fide SK), Scott (DL), and Lincoln (ANn). Short-eared Owls lingered at a wintering site in Merry Oaks, Barren, KY through 20 Mar (LC, CG); also reported were singles w. of Petroleum, Allen, KY 19 Mar (JBy, AB, TBr, JMa); at two sites in e. Jefferson, KY 20 Mar (MY, BWo); at Joachim Bible Refuge Unit of Lick Creek Bot- toms W.M.A., Greene, TN 28-29 Mar (DK, m.ob.); and in Lawrence, TN 13 Apr (SS); at Spindletop Farm, Fayette, KY, 3 were noted 7 Apr (BLf). Three Northern Saw-whet Owls were in a likely breeding area on Unaka Mt., Unicoi, TN 30 Apr (JMc). A Chuck- will’s-wid- ow ca. 10 km ese. of Morehead, Rowan, KY 19 Apr (SF) was relatively far east. A male Ruby- throated Hummingbird at Calvert City, Mar- shall, KY 25 Mar (ph. TS) was early. There were five reports from Kentucky and seven reports from Tennessee of single Olive- sided Flycatchers 30 Apr-21 May. The only Yellow-bellied Flycatchers reported were sin- gles at McKenzie, Henry, TN 10 May (MTo), Berea Forest, Madison, KY 13 May (ANn), and Radnor Lake State Natural Area, Nashville, TN 20 May (FF). An Alder Flycatcher at Roan Mt., Carter, TN 10 May (RBi, SS) was a slight- ly early arrival to the species’ very small breeding range in the Region; elsewhere, one to 2 were reported on seven occasions at six Kentucky locales and three Tennessee locales 8-22 May. A Gray Kingbird sw. of Rabbit Hash, Boone, KY 24 & 26 Apr (TLM, ph. JC) will represent a first state and Regional record if accepted by the Kentucky B.R.C. A Western Kingbird had arrived in Memphis, Shelby, TN by 28 Apr (JRW), and there were nine active nests, including one involving a second-gen- eration Western Kingbird x Scissor- tailed Fly- catcher hybrid, in Shelby, TN 26 May (JRW). The only other Scissor- tailed Flycatcher re- ported was in Rutherford, TN 8 Apr (SS). A Bell’s Vireo was present at the Louisville landfill again this year 18-23 May (ph. RA); others away from known breeding areas in- cluded one heard singing sw. of Rumsey, McLean, KY 20 May (MM, EHu, BPa); and one just w. of Sauerheber 22 & 30 May (JMr). The only report from Tennessee, where the species is not an established breeder, was one at Hwy. 103 and Great River Rd., Dyer 21 May (TW, CSm). A Red-eyed Vireo at Beaman Park, Davidson, TN 8 Apr (MSm) was early. A Philadelphia Vireo in Knox, TN 5 May (KDE) made a rare spring record for e. Tennessee. Fish Crows are continuing their slow expan- sion in the Region. Two sw. of Rabbit Hash, Boone 27 Apr (BPa, EHu, MM) represented a first for n. Kentucky; one in Jacksboro, Camp- bell, TN 12 Mar (NM) marked a first county record. Single Common Ravens on the Road Creek Mine, Pike, KY 17 Mar (SF) and at Dewey L., Floyd, KY 18 Apr (SF) were away from known breeding areas. A Bank Swallow at Clifty Pond, Pulaski, KY 24 Mar (RD) and 2 at Bernheim Forest, Bullitt, KY 25-26 Mar (BWo; DSe, MA; BBC) were extraordinarily early. A Cliff Swallow at Kentucky Dam 15 Mar (HC et al.) and a Barn Swallow in Allen, KY 13 Mar (JBy) were early. A few Red-breasted Nuthatches continued to linger from winter into mid-Apr; a notice- able flurry of reports of migrants occurred during late Apr and early May, with the latest being singles at Shelby Park, Nashville, TN 30 Apr (PC, MSm, MZ); along Cypress Cr., Mar- shall, KY 5 May (BPa, EHu, JD, MM); at L.B.L., Lyon, KY 5 May (JBe, BPa et al.); and on the Anchorage Trail, Jefferson, KY 11 May (JBe, PB, BBC). A Brown Creeper near the Grayson L. dam, Carter, KY 24 Apr (tVS) was relatively late. A singing Bewick’s Wren just w. of Burlington, Boone, KY 4 May (LM) was ex- ceptional as the first well-documented report in the state in two years; a small breeding population continues in middle Tennessee, with 2 reported in Rutherford 7 Apr (TW). A House Wren at Sauerheber 23 Mar (CC) was either very early or continuing from winter. Over the past 20 years, Clay-colored Sparrows have become annual visitors to the Tennessee and Kentucky region dur- ing spring migration. This bird was found in Jefferson County, Kentucky 8 May 2011. Photograph by Karen Bonsell. The only Marsh Wrens reported were singles in Greene, TN 12 Mar, 3 Apr, and 7 May (DM1); se. of Mt. Zion, Allen, KY 17-19 Mar (MBy et al.); at Clear Creek W.M.A., Hopkins, KY 20 Apr (EHa); at Standifer Gap 25 Apr (KAC); and at Surrey Hills Farm, Jefferson, KY 21 Apr (BPa). Sedge Wren was surprisingly unreported. A Golden-crowned Kinglet at Bernheim Forest, Bullitt, KY 24 Apr (SD) and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Lexington 21 May (DL, ASK) were relatively tardy. A nice fallout of thrushes was noted across the Region dur- ing the first two weeks of May. Three Veeries at Roan Mt., Carter, TN 25 Apr (RLK) tied the early arrival date for ne. Tennessee. The male Varied Thrush nw. of Sharpe, w. Marshall , KY was last seen 14 Mar (LH). A Gray Catbird se. of Mt. Zion, Allen, KY 28 Mar (tDB) was ex- ceptionally early. Cedar Waxwings were near- ly absent during Mar and the first three weeks of Apr but returned on the scene during the last week of Apr; in Kentucky, they were abundant through the 3rd week of May. Three Golden-winged Warblers at Hamp- ton Creek Cove, Carter, TN 19 Apr (FA) es- tablished a new early arrival date for ne. Ten- nessee. This site is a stronghold for the species, so it was discouraging to find a fe- male Blue-winged Warbler attending a nest with 5 young there (apparently its mate was a male Golden-winged Warbler) 22 May (MSa, RBi, NS); this nest was subsequently depre- dated. Single Orange-crowned Warblers were reported at nine Kentucky locales 20 Mar-8 May; the earliest was seen at Camp Catalpa, Madison, KY 20 Mar (tANn); one at Shelby Park, Davidson 13 Apr (PC) was the only one reported from Tennessee. A male Black- VOLUME 65 (2011) NUMBER 3 455 TENNESSEE & KENTUCKY throated Blue Warbler at L.B.L., Lyon , KY 16 May (ph. BPa, EHu) was rare for the w. por- tion of the state. Relatively tardy warblers in- cluded a Yellow-rumped at Louisville, KY 19 May (MA), a Blackpoll at Johnson City, TN 25 May (KN), a Palm in Mercer, KY 25 May (ph. JSw), and a Black-throated Green at Sauerhe- ber 30 May (CC). A Yellow-rumped exhibit- ing plumage and vocal characteristics sug- gesting an Audubon’s x Myrtle cross was at Knoxville, TN 27-29 Mar (ph. KDE). A Black- poll Warbler se. of Mt. Zion, Allen, KY 14 Apr (TMBy et al.) established a new early arrival date for the state; 2 in Hamilton , TN 17 Apr (KAC) were also very early. A Wilson’s War- bler in Murfreesboro, Rutherford , TN 30 Apr (TW, CSm) and single Canada Warblers at Hampton Creek Cove, Carter, TN 22 Apr (RBi) and Radnor Lake State Natural Area, Nashville, TN 24 Apr (ph. CAS) were unusu- ally early. Three Worm-eating Warblers at Beaman Park, Davidson, TN 8 Apr (MSm) were early. A Swainson’s Warbler, always rare in middle Tennessee, was on territory at Shel- by Bottoms, Nashville, TN 18-21 May (PC, rn.ob.). A Louisiana Waterthrush nw. of Rid- ers Mill, Hart, KY 12 Mar (BA) represented a new early arrival date for the state. Northern Waterthrushes were exceptionally abundant, with a remarkable single location total of 13 at Bell’s Bend Park, Davidson, TN 29 Apr (CAS). There were only four Kentucky and five Tennessee reports of Connecticut Warbler 11-21 May. Single Mourning Warblers were found on only four occasions in Kentucky 6- 15 May; one at Shelby Park, Nashville, TN 24 Apr (PC, SHy, MZ) was early. Elsewhere in Tennessee, one to 4 individuals were reported on seven occasions at five locales 4-20 May. An American Tree Sparrow lingered in a Louisville yard through 7 Apr (BPa). Single Pox Sparrows at feeders in Johnson City, TN 5 Apr (RKn) and Elizabethton, Carter, TN 5 Apr (GW) were late. A Clay-colored Sparrow was present at Shippingport I., Louisville, KY 8 May (ph. KB). A Vesper Sparrow singing next to the Hill Crest Cemetery s. of Plumville, e. Mason, KY 14 May (IKS) was ei- ther a tardy migrant or possibly on territory. Kentucky reports of Lark Sparrow included 2 in Hart 2 Apr (tJSo); one along Mt. Zion Loop Rd., Pulaski 16 Apr (RD); one along Vance Rd., Waircn 29 Apr (BPa, EHu, CBs), with 2 gathering nesting material there 30 Apr (BPa, KOS); 2 at the Cedar Grove Industrial Park, Shepherdsville, Bullitt 1 May (ph. RA); and one ne. of Poplar Grove, McLean 15 May (BPa, EHu). In Tennessee, away from the few known local breeding areas, a Lark Sparrow at Standifer Gap 25 Apr (KAC) was only the 4th or 5th for se. Tennessee. A Henslow’s Sparrow at Rock Creek Park, Unicoi, TN 14 Apr (MSa, RLK) was noteworthy both for being far from known breeding colonies and for being found in a tiny 70 m2 patch of short grass surround- ed by extensive forest. A tardy Dark-eyed Jun- co was present in a yard at Lexington, KY 4 May (G&CT). A Summer Tanager in Johnson City, TN 5 Apr (GD) established a new early arrival date for ne. Tennessee. There were two reports of nesting Rose-breasted Grosbeaks in Boone, KY: an active nest at Middle Creek Park in ear- ly May (KCa, JC) and a pair building a nest at Gunpowder Creek Nature Park 14 May (EG). Dickcissels are rare breeders in e. Tennessee, so 3 in good habitat in Hamilton 3 May+ (LW et ah), 15 in Washington, the first reported from Sullivan in 44 years, and several reports from Blount were encouraging ( fide RLK). A Bobolink in Washington, TN 21 May (DMl) could have been on territory. A Western Meadowlark at McElroy L. 1 Apr (DR) was the only one reported. Two to 40 Brewers Black- birds were observed in s. Warren, KY on sever- al occasions 12 Mar (DR)-5 Apr (BPa, EHu), with more than 100 reported coming to roost with other blackbirds in Union, KY 31 Mar (BPa, EHu). In Tennessee, a single female was far from its expected w. Tennessee habitat at Standifer Gap 1 & 21 Mar (TR; CDB et al). Small numbers of Purple Finches continued from winter into mid-Mar, with an influx of migrants noted during Apr and few birds lin- gering into May, the latest being 2 at Berea, Madison, KY 9 May and one there 10 May (RF, RBa); a female in Hamilton, TN 10 May (LW); one s. of Stanford, Lincoln, KY 14 May (JE); and a male at a feeder in Carter, TN 24 May (B&rJP). Up to 20 Red Crossbills visited a feed- er in Erwin, Unicoi, TN 20 Apr-mid-May (DCa, rn.ob.), and 2 were at Roan Mt., Carter, TN 30 Apr (FA). A few Pine Siskins continued from winter into late Mar, with a noticeable influx of migrants occurring during Apr; a few birds remained scattered into the 2nd week of May, with one at Glasgow, Banen, KY 19 May (LC), one flyover w. of Buttonsberry 23 May (BPa), and one at Lexington 28 May (JPu) rep- resenting the latest individuals reported. Cited contributors (subregional editors in boldface): Fred Alsop, Ryan Ankeny, Audubon Society of Kentucky (ASK), Michael Autin, Bonnie Avery, Tim Baker (TBa), Rebec- ca Bates (RBa), Jarnin Beachy (JBy), Matthan Beachy (MBy), Beckham Bird Club (BBC), Tom & Colleen Becker (T&CBe), Nan Beesley, Jane Bell QBe), Pat Bell, Carol Besse (CBs), Rob Biller (RBi), Clyde D. Blum (CDB), Karen Bonsell, John Brittain (JBn), Ben Britton, Abraham Brubaker, Daniel Brubaker, Matthew Brubaker (MBr), Stephen Brubaker, Timothy Brubaker (TBr), Teddy Caldwell, Kevin A. Calhoon (KAC) (se. Ten- nessee), Joe Caminiti, Kathy Caminiti (KCa), Phillip Casteel (middle Tennessee), David Caton (DCa), David Chaffin (DCh), Hap Chambers, Suzanne Clingman, Wallace Cof- fey (WC), Kathy Cohen (KCo), Michael Co- hen, Richard Connors, Linda Craiger, Charlie Crawford, W. Glen Criswell (WGC), Rosean- na Denton, Gil Derouen, Scott Dickman, Jon Dunn, Tom Durbin, K. Dean Edwards, Glen Eller, Jackie Elmore, Frank Fekel, Clayton Ferrell, Robert Foster, Scott Freidhof, Judy Fuson, John Gaither, Melissa Gaither (MGa), Carla Glass, Q. B. Gray, Mark Greene (MGr), Ed Groneman, Mark Hackney, Erin Harper (EHa), Barbara Harris, Larry Heavrin, Ron Hoff, Don Holt, Susan Hollyday (SHy), Susan Hoyle (SHo), Eddie Huber (EHu), Susan Hubley (SHu), Bob Ingle, Kentucky Ornitho- logical Society (KOS), Gail King, Linda King, David Kirschke, Steve Kistler, Rick L. Knight (RLK) (ne. Tennessee), Roy Knispel (RKn), David Lang, Ben Leffew (BLf), Edmund LeGrand, Bill Lisowsky (BLi), Frank Lyne, Jerome Martin (JMa), Joe McGuiness (JMc), Lee McNeely, Tom McNeil, John Meredig (JMr), Don Miller (DMl), David Mizrahi (DMz), Mark Monroe, Nell Moore, DollyAnn Myers (DMy), Charles Murray, Anne Newber- ry (ANy), Andy Newman (ANn), Kathy No- blet, Ken Oeser, Mike O’Malley, Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. (BPa), Ross Parker, David Pat- ick (DPk), David Patterson (DPn), Michael Peveler (MPv),John Pollpeter (JPo), Brookie &Jean Potter, Bill Pulliam (BPu), Joe Pulliam (JPu), Ed Ray, Frank Renfrew, Virginia Reynolds, Amy Rider, David Roemer, Tommie Rogers, Mike Roussin, Vicki Sandage, Mike Sanders (MSa), Ed Schneider, Nora Schubert, Kurt Schwarz, Chris A. Sloan (CAS), Chad Smith (CSm), Mike Smith (MSm), Tammie Smith, Carolyn & Phil Snow, Jeff Sole (JSo), Scott Somershoe, Dave Stewart (DSe), Dave Svetich (DSv), Joe Swanson (JSw), Evan Tan- ner, Teresa Thomas, Mike Threlkeld (MTh), Mike Todd (MTo) (w. Tennessee), Gretchen & Charles Tremoulet (C&rGT), Jay Walko (JWa), Gar)' Wallace, Sandra Watson, Melin- da Welton, Dea Westfall, Barbara Wilson (BWi), Jeff R. Wilson (JRW), Terry Witt, Bar- bara Woerner (BWo), Libby Wolfe, Mary Yan- dell, Travis Young, Mary Zimmerman. (© Chris Sloan, 2036 Priest Road Nashville, Tennessee 37215, (csloan1973@gmail.com) Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission 801 Schenkel Lane, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601 (brainard@mindspring.com) 456 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS Alabama & Mississippi Florence Wheeler Waterloo \ ^Dam w Wheeler NWR Decatur Bankhead NF Guntersville 1 • Birmingham Tuscaloosa * Harpersville ALABAMA Marion Auburn# # Montgomery GULF OF MEXICO Steven W. McConnell Spring 2011 will be remembered by bird- ers in our Region for two reasons: birds and weather. Weather conditions across the Gulf con- spired to produce good numbers and diversity of migrants on multiple occasions. Late in March, slow-moving fronts kept the coastal woods at Fort Morgan, Alabama “full of birds” until the Sargents and their Hummer/Bird Study Group banding team arrived 1 April. That initial activity was followed by a relative- ly quiet period until 14-17 April, when a Gulf- penetrating cold front caused a fallout at near- by Gulf Breeze, Florida (and dozens of torna- does across the Southeast and Midwest). After another slowdown, the spigot opened again, and “very birdy” conditions returned 27-28 April on Dauphin Island, Alabama. Unfortu- nately, the weather associated with the latter movement also brought an unprecedented number of severe thunderstorms to middle and northern Mississippi and then Alabama. Included in this onslaught were numerous su- per-cells and many violent, long-track torna- does that caused unprecedented destruction across the Region. Finally, late in the season, an unforecasted northern Gulf rain event 13 May brought some late-season migrants down to eye level at Dauphin Island, where they were enjoyed by a few fortunate observers. Aside from the appearance of migrants in gen- eral, a few rarities were also noted, including a second and a third state record. Abbreviations: B.A.S. (Birmingham Audubon Society, Birmingham, AL); Coldwater (Cold- water River N.W.R., Quitman/Tallahatchie, MS); Dauphin (Dauphin I., Mobile , AL); Delta (Mississippi River Delta Region of w. Missis- sippi); Ft. Morgan (Ft. Morgan State Fiistori- cal Park, Baldwin , AL); G.C. (Gulf Coastal Re- gion of s. Alabama); I.C.R (Inland Coastal Plain Region of s.-cen. Alabama); Monte Sano (Monte Sano S.P, Madison , AL); M.R. (Moun- tain Region of n. Alabama); Noxubee (Nox- ubee N.W.R., Noxubee/Oktibbeha/Winston , MS); Seaman (Seaman Rd. lagoons, Jackson, MS); T.V. (Tennessee Valley Region of n. Ala- bama); Wheeler (Wheeler N.W.R., Lime- stone/Morgan/Madison, AL); Yazoo (Yazoo N.W.R., Washington, MS). WATERFOWL THROUGH IBIS Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks returned again to Blakeley I., n. of Mobile, Mobile, AL. Observations were made 7-28 May, with a high count of 16 (CL, CH, EJ). An ad. dis- covered on Dauphin 22 Apr (ph. SH) pro- vided a rare island record. Mississippi reports were received from seven locations from within the coastal counties and Delta, in- cluding 61 at Pascagoula Beach, Jackson 5 Apr (CK). Only one Fulvous Whistling- Duck report was received this season: 28 Apr-19 May at Seaman (rn.ob.). Three Greater White-fronted Geese lingered s. of Magnolia Springs, Baldwin, AL 5-15 Mar (m.ob.), and 2 were at Coldwater, MS 10 Apr (AM, GK, BR). Less surprising, but still a no- table total, were the 9 Ross’s Geese in Laud- erdale, AL 1 Mar (DJS). Ross’s are still rare in the M.R., making the lone bird at Springville, St. Clair 29 Mar (JD) and the 2 that dropped in for a lengthy stay at a pub- lic park in Birmingham, Jeffer- son 28 Apr+ (GDJ, ph. GJH, m.ob.) noteworthy. North- bound shoveler and teal con- centrations historically peak in n. Alabama during early March. At Wheeler, 2278 Northern Shovelers and 800 Green-winged Teal were counted 2 Mar (CDC), estab- lishing new Alabama spring maxima. Another census 16 Mar found these numbers re- duced about 40%. An Ala- bama spring record was set by 24 Greater Scaup found in the Tennessee R. at the mouth of Town Cr., Colbert 15 Mar (DJS). A late Greater Scaup was noted off Dauphin 20 Apr (R&DC); a rare Long-tailed Duck found 24 Apr at Dauphin lingered for only the day (JSt). The Red-throated Loon at Oktibbeha County L., Oktibbeha, MS 1-6 Apr (m.ob.) provided only the 2nd area spring record. Three reports of Pacific Loon were received: at Bay Springs L., Tishomingo, MS 20 Mar (tWP), Horn 1., Jackson, MS 16 Apr (JNW), and Spring Cr. at the Tennessee R., Laud- erdale/Lawrence, AL 31 Mar (DJS). The latter furnished only the 2nd spring inland Ala- bama record. A prime time to look for Eared Grebes moving throughout our Region is mid-Mar, and one was seen in the Tennessee R. at the mouth of Town Cr., Colbert 15 Mar (DJS), with another seen on Oktibbeha Coun- ty L., Oktibbeha, MS 20 Mar (TLS), for only the 3rd local spring record. The last report re- ceived of the wintering Western Grebe at L. Mitchell, Coosa, AL was from the very late date of 16 May (MSh, TK). American White Pelicans continue to spread throughout our Region and to form very impressive flocks. A new Alabama spring record was established by the 633 counted flying over Cat I., Mobile 17 Mar (HEH). An excellent spring count of 230+ was reported near Wilson Dam 19 Mar (PN), and the 304 in the Tennessee R. at the mouth of Town Cr., Colbert 3 Apr (DJS) broke the inland Alabama spring record. Any An- hinga observations from the n. half of the Re- gion are always cause to consider the possi- bility of breeding. Two Mississippi reports were collected this season, including from Noxubee 26 Mar-31 May+, where the peak count of 15 birds came 29 Apr and where nesting has occurred in recent years. A flock of 12 was seen flying near Plymouth Bluff, Lowndes 23 Apr (TLS, MS); no nesting colony is known in this area. More American Bitterns were detected this season than usual, with 1 1 reports received of 13 birds 9 Mar-28 May from across the Re- gion (m.ob.). Not to be outdone, Least Bittern was also very well represented this season by the 37 birds totaled from four Mississippi and two Alabama sites 8 Apr-29 May. The Missis- sippi marsh bird surveys at the Pascagoula River Marsh Coastal Preserve, Jackson and at the Hancock County Marshes Coastal Pre- White-rumped Sandpipers are among the latest of shorebird migrants, typically found in Alabama and Mississippi from late May through early June. This bird was photographed 22 May 2011 at one of the Blakeley Island dredge ponds in Mobile County, Alabama. Photograph by Bill Summerour. VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 457 ALABAMA & MISSISSIPPI This Curlew Sandpiper, probably a female, was photographed 25 May 201 1 at the Blakeley Island dredge ponds, Mobile County. Alabama had only two accepted records for the species, the most recent being from 1980! This report provides the state's first photographic evidence for the species. Photograph by Bill Summerour. This first-cycle Glaucous Gull lingered late, being seen 17-25 (here 17) April 2011 on the west end of Dauphin Island, Mobile County, Alabama. Photograph by Bill McAllister. Rare in Mississippi, this third-cycle Great Black-backed Gull was seen several times 3- 27 (here 12) April 2011 at either Biloxi or Gulfport, Harrison County. Photograph by Jennifer Wang. serve, Hancock accounted for almost all of this total (]NW, MW). Ninety-three Great Blue Herons were tallied on the B.A.S. spring count 30 Apr, and 309 in nw. Alabama established a new local spring maximum 6 May (DJS, JTG). Six- ty Great Egrets made a M.R. spring record at Logan Martin Dam, St. Clair/Tal- ladega 27 Apr (GDJ, DGJ). A visit to Cat 1., Mobile 17 Mar, where the Reddish Egret is known to nest, found 12, for a new spring Alabama maximum (HEH). This group included a rare white morph. Another (or the same?) white morph was seen at nearby Dauphin 16 Apr (GDJ). An early Green Heron was heard at the Tupelo W.T.R, Lee, MS 19 Mar (WP). An impressive 38 Black-crowned Night-Herons were counted on Cat I., Mobile, AL 17 Mar, for a new G.C. spring maximum (HEH). Eleven seen during the B.A.S. count 30 Apr set a new M.R. spring record (GJH, JS). White Ibis is no stranger to Noxubee, where the species is a regular nester; however, this season, their numbers were higher than normal, especially the 400 counted 14 May (ZL, D&rJP). A survey of Coldwater 28 May found 113 White Ibis, an excellent total for n. Missis- sippi (GK, SK). Plegadis ibis reports seemed to be below normal. Only two Glossy Ibis sightings were turned in: a single bird on Dauphin 22 Apr (SH) and 7 found at Yazoo 5 May (JTir). Two observations of the rarer White-faced Ibis were also submitted: up to 3 birds seen at Seaman 14 Apr-19 May (m.ob.) and 2 at Yazoo 5 May (JTh). a Glossy/White-faced Ibis was on the Mississip- pi State University south farm, Oktibbeha, MS 24-27 May (KHD), where either species is locally rare; another was noted at Riverview, St. Clair, AL 23 Apr (GDJ, DGJ), establishing only the 8th M.R. record. RAPTORS THROUGH SH0REBIRDS Swallow-tailed Kites made a detectable push across coastal Alabama 6 Mar, when 15 birds were counted at three different sites to tie the state spring max- imum (CH). Eight Mississippi Kite records were accumulated 1 Apr-27 May from the n. half of the Region (m.ob.), with 3 birds the highest count. An as- tounding 300+ were counted s. of Vicksburg, Warren, MS 6 May (m.ob.), in the heart of kite country. The quantity of Bald Eagle reports seemed to be about normal, with five split between our two states. Four of these included observations of young in a nest. A Peregrine Falcon in Oktibbeha, MS 22 Apr (TLS, MS) was a rare spring find for the area. Following up on the successful effort in Jan, two more nocturnal banding sessions in the marsh at Point aux Pins (Grand Bay Savanna, Forever Wild property), Mobile, AL again documented the presence of our most secretive crakes. Ecstatic searchers 15 Mar were able to capture 3 Yellow Rails and ob- serve another in flight, only the 4th Alabama spring record. In addition, a Black Rail was a surprise capture there (b., ph. ECS, m.ob.). A return trip 6 Apr produced 2 more unbanded Yellow Rails, furnishing only the 5th docu- mented spring record for Alabama (b., ph. ECS, m.ob.). An ad. Purple Gallinule 22 May and up to 2 ad. Common Gallinules 22-28 May at Coldwa- ter made rare finds for n. Mississippi (GK, WP). A late spring trip to Blakeley I., Mobile, AL 18 May provided a surprisingly high count of 41 American Coots (CL). Two rather late Sandhill Cranes were reported from s. Alabama: one in Geneva 30 Apr (RW) and another in a residential area at Fairhope, Baldwin 8 May (BB, ph. BSu). The latter was was not obviously injured or dis- tressed but was captured and transported to safer habitat nearby. Ten American Golden-Plover sightings were reviewed from this season, split almost evenly between our two states. Maximum passage counts were 39 in Colbert, AL 27 Mar (SRM) and 10 at Seaman 31 Mar (m.ob.). Alaba- ma’s wintering Mountain Plover was last seen 6 Apr at the same Baldwin County sod farm where it had spent the previous ten weeks (DP). Black- necked Stilts were noted at two locations in the n. end of our Region where they are rarely found. Two were present near Leighton, Colbert, AL 2-4 May (ph. BC, SRM), and 2 more were at Catalpa Creek Bottoms, Lowndes, MS 21 Apr (TLS), only the 4th area spring record. Solitary Sandpiper is an expect- ed migrant, but the 31 totaled during the Wheeler spring count 30 Apr broke the previous T.V. maximum. Upland Sandpipers were represented by five reports spanning 31 Mar-3 May, three from Mississippi and two from 458 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS Alabama; the maximum count was only 2 birds. A large Whimbrel flock returned again this spring to the Alabama coast and stopped over briefly n. of Grand Bay, Mobile at the now traditional site (JAB, CK). The biggest flock size reported was 180. Marbled God- wits seemed especially evident this season, with 12 reports covering the period 14 Mar-28 May. The coastal Mississippi census was once again the largest, with 44 at Biloxi, Harrison 22 Mar (JW) and 37 at or near this location 25 Mar (GK, SK). Rare inland sight- ings were provided by 2 Marbleds in Laud- erdale, AL 16 Apr (ph. DJS) and by one at Catalpa Creek Bottoms, Lowndes, MS 16 Apr (TLS, ZL), a first area spring record. Red Knot data, collected only from the coastal region, included a flock at the w. end of Dauphin 16 Apr-31 May that peaked at 19 birds on 31 May, plus four reports from Mis- sissippi 2 Apr-May topping out at 30 birds in Harrison 2 Apr (BS). An impressive 225 White-rumped Sandpipers were at Coldwater 22 May (GK, WP). Baird’s Sandpiper was well represented by five reports, including a maxi- mum of 8 in Colbert, AL 27 May (DJS). A quite unusual place to find a shorebird of any kind was at the Brushy L. deep in the woods at Bankhead N.E, Winston, AL, where a Bairds was discovered 12 May (ECS); this lake cov- ers about 13 hectares. Migrants certainly turn up anywhere! Up to 6 late Pectoral Sand- pipers were documented near Leighton in Colbert, AL 25-27 May (DJS). Thirty-six Dun- lins were still on the coast w. of Dauphin 31 May (HEH, BCG, DWD). The shorebird high- light of the season certainly had to be the molting Curlew Sandpiper at Blakeley I., Mo- bile 25 May (ph. BSu) — Alabama’s 3rd and the first in 31 years! During unsuccessful search- es at Blakeley I. for this rare bird, a late Stilt Sandpiper was seen 28 May (HEH, DWD). Unlike last spring, only six Wilson’s Phalarope sightings were collected this sea- son, including 3 in Colbert, AL 1 May (DJS) and 3 at a turf farm in Lafayette, MS 27 Apr (GK, NL). GULLS THROUGH FLYCATCHERS A Franklin’s Gull was 17 days earlier than the previous spring area record at Columbus L., Lowndes, MS 30 Mar (TLS). Two Franklin’s were also seen at Sardis L., Panola, MS 7 May (GK, SK), in an area where the species is rare but regular. The second-cycle Lesser Black- backed Gull found 31 Mar at Town Creek Marsh, Colbert (ph. DJS) was the tardiest ever for inland Alabama. A first-cycle Glaucous Gull was a welcome sight on Dauphin 17-25 Apr (GDJ, m.ob.), where the species is rarely ALABAMA & MISSISSIPPI In spring 201 1 (here 31 May), three Sooty Tern nests were found on Dauphin Island, Mobile County, Alabama, where the species is known to have nested in 2008 and 2009. The confirmation of breeding is especially welcome, as no information was received during 2010, owing to oil spill cleanup activities in the area. This remains the only doc- umented nesting site of Sooty Tern in the state. Photograph by David Dortch. Up to three Yellow-headed Blackbirds were seen at Dauphin Island, Mobile County 10 April-7 May (here 16 April) 2011, including this immature male. Reports of the species in Alabama have increased in recent years. Photograph by Bill McAllister. found. Also rare, a third-cy- cle Great Black-backed Gull spent 3-27 Apr at various spots along the Mississippi coast between Gulfport and Biloxi, Harrison (ph. JW, NB, JNW). Sooty Terns returned to nest again this season on the detached section of Dauphin w. of the cut made by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Three nests were seen 20 May, with 6 ad. terns at- tending. No reports on the status of the Sooty Tern nests during the 2010 oil spill and cleanup have been made public, if they exist, and so confirmation that they returned to breed again where they were during the two seasons prior is certain- ly welcome news. Five Caspian Terns at Wheeler 16 Mar made a new early ar- rival record for the T.V. (CDC). Nesting surveys on the detached w. portion of Dauphin documented an impressive increase in Com- mon Tern numbers from 92 individuals 20 May to 400+ on 31 May (JW, HEH). The latter is the highest spring Alabama total in recent years and hopefully repre- sents a further increase in nesting activity for the species. A boat trip to this same area 25 May discov- ered a breeding-plumaged, orange-billed Thalasseus tern resting on the beach with Sandwich Terns and other tern species nearby for comparison (HEH, RAD, LRD, ph. DWD). A photograph examined by crested- tern experts suggests the possibility of a Cayenne Tern ( eurygnatha subspecies of Sand- wich Tern) or possibly an Elegant x Sandwich hybrid; either would be new for Alabama. A nest survey at and beyond the w. end of Dauphin 19 May found four separate breeding Black Skimmer colonies totaling 400 individ- uals (JW, MSo). Far exceeding this excellent count were the 1500 at Moses Pier, Harrison, MS 2 Apr (JR, MMe, SE); only 700 were found there in spring 2010. Two Inca Dove reports came from Delta counties but strangely none from coastal Mis- sissippi, where the species has (or had?) a toe- hold for several years. One was at Sumner, Tal- lahatchee 12 Mar (ph. GK, SK), with 2 at Natchez, Adams the same day (PW). The only Black-billed Cuckoo report was at Starkville, Oktibbeha, MS 28 Apr (ZL), where the species is rarely found. Three early Chimney Swifts were seen s. of Greenville, Butler, AL 16 Mar (RER). Also early were single Ruby-throated Hummingbirds at Gallion, Marengo, AL 8 Mar (D&JS) and farther n. at Columbus, Lowndes, MS 16 Mar (D&JP). Early migrant records con- tinued to be set by flycatchers. Two Acadian Flycatchers heard at Noxubee 14 Apr (ZL) missed the area’s arrival record by only a few days. However, one at Tannehill S.P, Tuscaloosa 5 Apr (MSh, TK) set a new early record for in- land Alabama. Two n. Mississippi reports of Willow Flycatcher were received: one at Cold- water 19 Apr (tGK, SK), where the only docu- V0LUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 459 ALABAMA & MISSISSIPPI f* A The residents of Mississippi and Alabama are no strangers to the type of severe weather that raked our states 26-27 Jfl Apr. However, the quantity and broad scope of destruction brought by these repeated and ferocious storms was un- precedented and surpassed even the "Super Outbreak" of Apr 1 974. Some 94 tornadoes are confirmed to have touched down in our Region during this 48-hour period, with nine of those rated in the "violent" range of category EF-4 or EF-5. Incredibly, four EF-5 monsters were documented on 27 April. Prior to that date, the Storm Prediction Center (Norman, OK) only had 52 EF-5 tornados listed in their post-1950 database ()! There were 275 fatalities in our two states alone, and the costs in property damage are currently estimated in the many billions. From a his- torical perspective, I think when our parents and grandparents talked about storm cellars or shelters, they had something be- low ground level in mind. During recent decades, more and more homeowners in our part of the Dixie (Tornado) Alley have come to consider their tornado "safe" areas to be in bathrooms, halls, or closets, even if they are above ground level. After hearing some of the heart-wrenching testimonies from last April, I predict many will reconsider that assumption. Obvious evidence of avian impacts from this set of violent storms was difficult to find. Tornado damage paths are pretty insignificant when compared to larger cyclones. Even a wide storm such as the EF-5 Hackleburg (Alabama) funnel can only level a few hundred square kilometers during its lifetime; hurricanes damage far larger areas. Only one Mississippi observer reported a direct interaction between birds and the storms. He reported that a Bald Eagle nest at Noxubee N.W.R. used suc- cessfully for the last three seasons was destroyed when the supporting tree was blown down 26 Apr. Two of the three nestlings were killed (LC). By late Apr, 40 or more bird species are either commencing or are well into their first seasonal nesting attempt in our states. I can visualize without too much difficulty a strong tornado destroying hundreds or even thousands of nests if it en- counters wooded habitats and churns them to bits. In these cases, clearly nests, eggs, and nestlings would be destroyed. But what becomes of the adult birds? Assuming they anticipate the arriving funnel by the sudden barometric pressure drop, how many, if any, are able to flee the tornado and survive? With no first-hand knowledge of how to answer this question, 1 did what most folks tend to do these days: try an Inter- net search. I found an article about a Red-tailed Hawk found alive in the rubble a week after the vicious Joplin, Missouri tor- nado (it was rehabilitated and released). Another site described a sad scene at a Minneapolis heron rookery following a di- rect tornado hit. An essay, by Whit Gibbons, titled "How Do Floods and Tornados Affect Wildlife?" provided some perspective as well (). merited state nesting took place previously, the other at Nanih Waiya W.M.A., Neshoba 18 May (tNW, JM, TLS), where territorial birds have been found before. A new early record for in- land Alabama was furnished by the calling Great Crested Flycatcher at the Auburn fish- eries ponds, Lee 18 Mar (RS, JP, MT). Western Kingbird is more often found during fall than spring in the Region, making the lone bird at Ft. Morgan 7 May (MJj) an uncommon find. An Eastern Kingbird at Noxubee 29 Mar (TLS) missed the earliest arrival date for the area by three days. Although no nesting activities were reported, the continuing trickle of Gray King- birds into the Region indicates the species maintains a presence on the G.C. This season, one was found on Dauphin 28 May (T&rJS, HEH), and up to 2 were detected at Ft. Morgan 7-19 May (WM, MJJ). Five Alabama observa- tions of nine Scissor-tailed Flycatchers were made 30 Apr-28 May; this species continues to consolidate a presence here at the edge of its breeding range. Three of these sightings were at locations where nesting had previously been documented. VIREOS THROUGH BLACKBIRDS A Red-eyed Vireo at L. Purdy, Shelby 19 Mar (HHW) set a new early record for inland Ala- bama. A rather late Black-whiskered Vireo was discovered on Dauphin 13 May (CH), where the species is expected earlier in spring. The Tree Swallows at Choctaw County L., Choctaw, MS 30 Apr were carrying nest mate- rial, providing the first county breeding evi- dence (TLS, MS). The 3 Bank Swallows wing- ing over Wheeler 16 Mar (CDC) beat the pre- vious inland Alabama arrival record by three weeks! An impressive 36 Bank Swallows were tallied in Lauderdale/Colbert, AL 17 May (DJS, CB). Cave Swallows seem to have become rare but regular spring visitors to the coast of our Region. This year, 4-5 were noticed at Ft. Mor- gan 5 Apr (JT, MMo). The species was more in evidence in Mississippi than usual, with five reports received 6 Mar-5 May, including a maximum of 3 birds at Jackson Ridge, Han- cock 6 Mar (NB). A small influx of early Barn Swallows was noticeable in s. Alabama, in- cluding 5 birds at Ft. Morgan 5 Mar (MJJ), several at the Dauphin pier 6 Mar (CH), 3 se. of Midway, Bullock 6 Mar (JAT), and 2 more near the same location 7 Mar (ECS). A Golden-crowned Kinglet was getting quite late at Auburn, Lee, AL 27 Apr (CG). A surprising 170 American Pipits were counted at Sprague, Montgomery 6 Mar (LFG), making a new spring Alabama maximum. Black- throated Blue Warblers are usually difficult to find in our Region away from ne. Alabama. This season, singles were detected at Monte Sano 23 Apr (KWa) and during the Wheeler spring count 30 Apr (RSH, DCH). More unex- pected were the 2 singing males near Morvin, Clarke, AL 7 May (D&JS) and the lone bird on Cat I., Harrison, MS 29 Apr (JW). Four Yel- low-throated Warblers se. of Midway, Bullock 2-3 Mar (JAT) established a new early I.C.P. arrival date. Also early, a Prairie Warbler was found at the Birmingham Botanical Garden, Jefferson, AL 18 Mar (TK) and a Bay-breasted Warbler at Monte Sano 22-23 Apr (MMo, SRM) established an early T.V record. Black- poll Warblers made an impressive showing 28 Apr on Dauphin, with at least 50 counted at one location (DWD). A pre-season request for Cerulean Warbler spring sightings seemed to pay dividends, as 15 birds were reported 8 Apr-25 May from 12 different locations, most- ly from the n. portions of our states. Three or more males found at Jeff Bushy Park, Choctaw, MS 17 Apr (TLS, MS) made the highest count. Early Prothonatory Warblers were noted at Marion, Perry, AL 19 Mar (KW, MSh), for a new I.C.P arrival record, and at Noxubee 21 Mar (TLS), four days earlier than their previ- ous record. Swainson’s Warbler made a good showing this season, with 13 reports collected of some 36 birds. The most notable were the 14 banded at Ft. Morgan 1 Apr (b. RRS, MBS). Participants in the Wheeler spring count turned up 41 Kentucky Warblers 30 Apr, for a new T.V maximum. A rarely detected Mourn- ing Warbler was discovered in Colbert, AL 17 May (DJS, CB). Common Yellowthroats at Wheeler 2 Mar (CDC) and in Shelby, AL 16 Mar (KW) were either rare wintering birds or early arrivals. A Hooded Warbler at Noxubee 29 Mar (TLS) was locally early. The stunning Painted Redstart discovered during the morn- ing of 16 Apr at the Shell Mounds on Dauphin delighted many ornithological society meeting attendees during its day long stay (RC, LW). After initially disappearing, apparently the same bird was re-found (!) at the Audubon Sanctuary about 1.6 km away, where it contin- ued to put on a show until nearly dark. This find furnished only the 2nd Alabama record and the first to be fully documented. Chipping Sparrows were in strong evidence during the Wheeler spring count 30 Apr, with 39 totaled for a new T.V seasonal record. Lark Sparrows continue to maintain a strong pres- ence in our Region, as evidenced by the 51 counted at seven different sites 10 Apr-29 May. Although most Savannah Sparrows have exited the coastal areas by early spring, the 48 460 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS ALABAMA & MISSISSIPPI found along the Mobile Causeway, Mobile, AL 31 Mar (JW) established a new G.C. maxi- mum. A new late G.C. departure date was set by the lingering Savannah at nearby Blakeley 1. 18 May (CL). Western Tanagers are rarely found in our Region, making the 3 detected this season very notable. A male at Mobile, Mobile, AL 19 Mar (PH) was followed by 2 fe- males seen by many at different sites on Dauphin 16-18 Apr (DWD, m.ob.). Even more unusual are those found inland, such as the male at Oktibbeha County L., MS 22 Apr (tTLS, MS), a first area record. Two Rose- breasted Grosbeaks, a male and female, estab- lished an early I.C.E arrival at Andalusia, Cov- ington, AL 3 Apr (TS). A singing male Painted Bunting was found again in Montgomery, AL 22 May (LFG), where the species has been a rare breeder for several years. Three Painted Buntings were found that same day at Cold- water (GK, WP), where the species is also a rare nester. An amazing 368 Dickcissels were totaled during the Wheeler count 30 Apr, for a new Alabama spring record. A new Alabama arrival record for Bobolink was furnished 26 Mar by a male on the Ft. Mor- gan peninsula, Baldwin (ph. RM). Participants taking part in the Birmingham area count 30 Apr recorded 1541 Bobolinks at Harpersville, Shelby for the highest M.R. one-day total ever (MSh, AGM, JMI). Two seasonally late Western Meadowlark sightings were only the 4th and 5 th for Alabama during the past 30 years. A singing bird 12 Mar at Lake Land Farms near Marion, Perry furnished only the 7th l.C.P. record (GjH, RSH, DCH), while the individual banded 2 Apr at Ft. Morgan established the new G.C. late record (b. , ph. FB, RRS, MBS). Two different Yellow-headed Blackbirds, one an imm. male and the other a female, were ob- served several times 10-18 Apr on Dauphin, where the species is rare (BMcK, HEH, BMcA, m.ob.). It was not determined if the imm. male 5-7 May farther e. on Dauphin was the same bird or another (EC, m.ob.). A new late T.V de- parture date was set 6 Apr by the 8 Brewer’s Blackbirds at Leighton, Colbert, AL (DJS). Three Bronzed Cowbird reports of 9 total birds were received from Hancock, MS 22 Mar-14 May, where the species has apparently established a regular presence. The highest count was 4 cow- birds at Ansley 5 Apr and 14 May (NB). Initialed observers (subregional editors in boldface): Fred Bassett, Clyde Blum, Barry Booth, Ned Boyajian, J. Allen Burrows, Euge- nia Carey, Bala Chennupati, Rynetta Coetzee, C. Dwight Cooley, Lawrence Croft, Raylene & Dean Cutten, Jim Deason, David W. Dortch, Lucy R. Duncan, Robert A. Duncan, Susan Epps, Lawrence E Gardella, Ben C. Garmon, Jeff T. Gamer, Cory Groover, R. Stan Hamil- ton, Dana C. Hamilton, Katie Hanson-Dorr, GregJ. Harber, Paul Helminger, Chazz Hesse- lein, Samuel Hodges, Howard E. Horne, J.M. Imhof, Debra G. Jackson, Greg D. Jackson (Alabama), Michael J. Jordan, Ty Keith, Chris- tine Kelley, Gene Knight, Shannon Knight, Craig Littiken, Zachary Loman, Nick Lund, Rose Marsh, William Matthews, Bill McAllis- ter, Joe McGee, Bailey McKay, Mary Mehaffrey, Anne G. Miller, Matt Morrow, Sue R. Moske, Allan Mueller, Phyllis Nofzinger, Diane &Jim Patterson, Wayne Patterson, David Plumb, Ja- cob Popham, Robert E. Reed, Janine Robert, Becky Rosamond, Ben Sandstrom, Martha B. Sargent, Robert R. Sargent, Tom Savage, Mari- on Schiefer, Terence L. Schiefer (Mississippi), Don & Judy Self, Maureen Shaffer, Jim Sher- rill, Tom &Joan Siegwald, Damien J. Simbeck, Eric C. Soehren, Michael Somerville, Ryan Steiner, John Stowers, Bill Summerour, Matt Tillett, Jeff Timmer, John Tirpak, John A. Trent, Jacob N. Walker, Jennifer Wang, Ken Ward, Pullen Watkins, Lorna West, Randy White, Ken Wills, Nick Winstead, Mark Woodrey, Harriet H. Wright. @ Steven W. McConnell, 29 Village Drive NE Hartselle, Alabama 35640, (swmavocet@aol.com) Arkansas & Louisiana | m Craig Fish Hatchery „ •Harrison • Fayetteville Big Lake NWR ARKANSAS Ft. Smith Holla Bald * • ■ Bend NWR a Knob NWR L. Dardanelle _ , ~ ML. Conway Hulsey State _ Joe Hogan States Fish Hatchery *Qck * Fish Hatchery ( \ DeGray L.m ® ■ ArkadelphiaOxi- ■ dation Ponds Millwood L. Cross L Shreveport ' „ LOUISIANA \ Red River Toledo V, NWR Catahoula BendSr L. U Res \ Alexandria* Cheneyville® Lake Rice Charles Country Lafayette Rutherford Beach ■ AST \tchafalaya Basin / Grand Jim Lacassine nwr Basin Reserve-Bonnet Carre Spillway GULF OF MEXICO Steven W. Cardiff Spring 2011 brought the first anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon/Macondo oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. Post-dis- aster coastal bird surveys continued, both to establish baseline data and to monitor for residual oil pollution and oiled birds. Prelim- inary results have been generally encourag- ing, mainly in the sense that spring 2011 bird activity seemed relatively “normal” in the Re- gion. Although considerable weathered oil residue remains over large areas, there was lit- tle evidence of continued direct oil contami- nation of birds from fresh “wet” oil. Eventual survey data analyses will help reveal any pop- ulation trends or changes in spatial distribu- tion that might be attributable to oiling or to the massive human disturbance that occurred during oil clean-up activities. However, long- term impacts of oil contamination in the food-chain remain a major concern. David P. Muth, in a posting to the LABIRD listserv, sums up the concern well: “While direct im- pacts [of the Deepwater Horizon disaster] to wildlife were sensational and well covered, in the end they were not nearly as serious as we all at first feared they would be. However, we are now seeing the first indication of what many of us have feared, that all that oil in the system is likely to have long-term, sub-lethal, indirect, pernicious effects, as indicated in a newly published study of a coastal icon, the Cocahoe Minnow, beloved of anglers, redhsh, and every bird that catches minnows in our marshes (). We need not panic. The Gulf of Mexico is not Prince William Sound. Our marshes are still vast, and there are vast numbers of fish and birds that were not exposed. But we can’t be complacent just because we are no longer wit- ness to the gruesome sight of birds hopeless- ly mired in oil. It ain’t over.” Perhaps the more prominent theme of the season was the contrast of flooding along the Mississippi River system against a backdrop of progressively worsening drought, especially in VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 461 ARKANSAS & LOUISIANA Representing one of few spring occurrences for Arkansas and establishing a new late date for the species in the state, this male Long-tailed Duck resided at Saul's Fish Farm, Prairie County from 26 (here 27) March through 8 April 2011. Photograph by Dan Scheiman. A rare fall migrant and wintering species in Louisiana, and seldom so nicely documented, this Golden Eagle at Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge, Union Parish 1 March 201 1 was also one of very few ever found into the early spring migration period. Photograph by Stephen L, Pagans. Within weeks of being released at White Lake Conservation Area, Louisiana, some members of the new "resident" Whooping Crane flock began to wander considerable distances from the release site, including these 4, found about 100 kilometers to the north-northeast in Evangeline Parish 28 May 2011. Photograph by S. Mac Myers III. This Hudsonian Godwit at Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge, White County, Arkansas 1 2 April 201 1 was presumably one of the five record-early birds found there the previous day. These dates would be considered very early even for southwestern Louisiana, so such an early appearance in northern Arkansas is all the more remarkable. Photograph by Dan Schieman. western and southern Louisiana. Record or near-record spring floods on the lower Missis- sippi during late April and May threatened to over-top and/or breach levees from Baton Rouge to New Orleans, requiring the extended opening of relief floodways, including the Morganza Spillway into the Atchafalaya Basin above Baton Rouge and the Bonnet Carre Spill- way into Lake Pontchartrain above New Orleans. The Morgan- za had not been opened since 1973. The diversions kept the main Mississippi River flow with- in its banks, but high water inside the main levees and through the floodway riparian systems un- doubtedly resulted in massive losses of bird nests and young during the peak of breeding season. Additionally, avian access to food re- sources would have been limited. Meanwhile, a stones throw from the flooding, the general landscape was parched. Drought conditions were especially noticeable along the coast, where the scarcity of fresh water probably took its toll on marsh birds and transient songbirds. The second annual southwestern Louisiana “Shorebird Blitz” was conducted 29 April. In- tended to provide a snapshot of spring shore- bird diversity and abundance and to bring at- tention to the conservation importance of our “working wetlands,” the Blitz produced about 64,000 shorebirds of 28 species, mainly within the “core” prairie (rice-growing) region south of 1-10 between Lafayette and Lake Charles; numbers were up from last year’s 56,000 indi- viduals, despite less coverage and seemingly less shorebird habitat (the latter perhaps at- tributable to a combination of the drought and more widespread utilization of dry “drill- planting” rice cultivation techniques). Dozens of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks dropping onto an apartment com- plex lawn in eastern New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana 21 March 201 1 : scenes such as this one are a testament to this species' adaptability, which has helped facilitate a rapid spread through Louisiana and into southern Arkansas. Photograph by Glenn Ousset. immmr- 462 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS ARKANSAS & LOUISIANA Abbreviations: B.K.N.W.R. (Bald Knob N.W.R., White, AR); B.R.A.S.S. (Baton Rouge Audubon Society Sanctuary, Johnsons Bayou, Cameron, LA); C.FH. (Centerton Fish Hatch- ery, near Centerton, Benton, AR); C.F.R (Craighead Forest Park, Craighead, AR); C.N.F (Camp Nine Farm, near Arkansas City, Desha, AR). Counties/parishes (in 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 “re- view list” species, documentation has been received and records have either been accept- ed by, or acceptance is pending by, the re- spective state bird records committee. Signifi- cance for Arkansas records is based on Arkansas Birds, Their Distribution and Abun- dance Qames 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 Natu- ral Science, as well as the most recent draft of the forthcoming Birds of Louisiana (Remsen, Cardiff, Dittmann, and Dickson). WATERFOWL THROUGH ANHINGA Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks continue to become more common and widespread through much of the Region, but one at Little Rock, Pulaski 22 Apr (D&SS, KH, Donna Haynes, Dottie & Doris Boyles) was some- what farther n. than usual. Similarly, a Mot- tled Duck at Raft Creek Bottoms, White 25 Apr and 2 at B.K.N.W.R. 26 May (KN) were n. of their usual haunts in se. Arkansas. A male Cinnamon Teal x Blue-winged Teal hybrid was discovered at L. Atalanta, Benton, AR 15 Apr (ph. JBr, JP, MAM). A female Greater Scaup at C.FH. was unusually late 23 Apr (MAM, JP), but up to 13 lingering as late as 25 May on L. Pontchartrain at New Orleans, Orleans (Ed Wallace, ph. JPS, DBo), and at least one near Johnsons Bayou, Cameron, LA through 27 May (ph. PEC, BMM), were un- precedented for so late in spring on the coast. An imm. male Surf Scoter at C.FH. 29 Mar-15 Apr (ph. JCN et al.) was presumably a spring migrant and represented only the 2nd spring occurrence for nw. Arkansas; up to 6 per day were noted through May on the Cameron coast (ph. PEC, BMM, DBo, JVH). Unusual numbers of late Black Scoters were also re- ported from Cameron, with up to 8 accounted for into late May (ph. PEC,JBo, JVH et al.). A male Long-tailed Duck present at Saul’s Fish Farm, Prairie 26 Mar-8 Apr (AM, ph. DS et al.) provided Arkansas with its latest spring occurrence; interestingly, three of four previ- ous Mar-early Apr occurrences are from the same area. An imm. male Common Goldeneye ne. of Thornwell, Jefferson Davis 29 Apr (ph. DLD, SWC) was the latest ever for Louisiana and unusual for the state’s sw. rice- growing region. Very scarce in spring, especially as late as May Arkansas re- ports of Red-breasted Mergansers in- cluded 6 at Treadway Fish Farm, Prairie, plus 2 at fish farms n. of Carlisle, Prairie 26 Mar (all KH, AM, JD, DR), one at B.K.N.W.R. 1 May (ph. D&SB), and one at L. Fayetteville, Washington 19 May (MAM). Two Red-necked Grebes at C.FP. 21 Mar (ph. RH) represented about the 11th occurrence for Arkansas, about the 4th from spring, and the first for Craighead. An Eared Grebe at Saul’s Fish Farm 26 Mar (KH, AM, JD, DR) was the only one reported. The in- creasingly famous wild American Flamingo “HDNT” paid its 3rd visit (previously noted in fall 2007 and spring 2009) to Louisiana, this time returning to Grand Chenier, Cameron 21 Apr-31 May; in the apparent ab- sence of its longtime companion, es- capee Greater Flamingo “492,” the bird spent considerable time associat- ing with feral Canada Geese in a pas- ture (Kenton Bonsall, ph. C&BS, ph. JWB, ph. KL, ph. TF, JVH). Magnifi- cent Frigatebirds are remaining later into the fall and early winter and ap- pearing earlier in spring, e.g., up to 3 (including 2 ad. females) were at Grand Isle, Jefferson, LA 18-19 Mar (JBo, DBo), an ad. male was at nearby Leeville, Lafourche, LA 4 Apr (SWC, DLD), and singles were in Cameron 13 & 21 Apr (DBo, JBo); 6 near Sabine Pass, Cameron 21 May (DBo) was a good number for the w. coast. Four Anhingas at Maumelle, Pulaski 8 Apr (KH) were noteworthy for cen. Arkansas, and 22 at Wapanocca N.W.R., Crittenden 18 May (ph. RH) was an excellent count away from sw. Arkansas’s well-known Grassy L., Hempstead. HERONS THROUGH CRANES Up to 4 American Bitterns at Woolsey Wet Prairie near Fayetteville, Washington 12 Mar-12 May (JBr, JCN, m.ob.) was an excep- tional number and duration of stay for Arkansas, especially for the nw. part of the state. An estimated 6000 White Ibis at B.K.N.W.R. 26 May (KN) was an order of mag- nitude higher than previous Arkansas maxi- Another incredibly early shorebird for the far interior of the Arkansas and Louisiana region was this Sanderling, one of a dozen at Camp Nine Farm, Desha County, Arkansas on 3 April 2011, which beat the previous early date by almost two weeks. Photograph by Dick Baxter. X This leucistic or possibly albino Dunlin was found near Kaplan, Vermil- ion Parish, Louisiana 21 March 2011. Photograph by Paul £ Conover. Providing just the second record for the central Louisiana coast, this Red-necked Phalarope at Big Timbalier Island, Terrebonne Parish 18 May 201 1 also represented only about the eighth spring occurrence for the state. Photograph by Steven W. Cardiff. ma, not to mention coming from unusually far n.; 258 in nearby Faulkner 21 May (Michael Linz) was also noteworthy for the area. An ad. Glossy Ibis near Claypool’s Res., Poinsett 29 Apr (ph. D&SB, K&LN) added to the relative- ly few well-documented records in ne. Arkansas. There were scattered Arkansas re- ports of White-faced Ibis totaling 19 individu- als at seven locations 14 Apr-21 May (m.ob.). The species tends to be more numerous inland in fall but is also being detected more fre- quently in spring; most of these probably rep- resent transients heading toward breeding VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 463 ARKANSAS & LOUISIANA Aside from a pending record in fall 2008, this Black-headed Gull at Mouton Cove near Abbeville, Vermilion Parish 16 March 201 1 provides the only record of the species for Louisiana. Photograph by Michael J. Musumeche. Representing about the eighth spring occurrence for Louisiana, this Little Gull at Cameron, Cameron Parish 12 (here 22) April through 31 May 2011 was also by far the latest and longest-staying individual recorded. Photograph by Dave Patton. Arkansas's second Northern Shrike, and the first from the spring period, was this adult at Woolsey Wet Prairie near Fayetteville, Washington County 6-10 (here 9) March 2011. Photograph by Joseph C. Neal. Coincident with an unprecedented northeastward spring dispersal into the eastern United States, Cassin's Sparrows were discovered in both northwestern Louisiana and southwestern Arkansas in May 201 1 . The first individual detected was this singing male along the Red River at Bossier City, Bossier Parish 1 May 201 1 . A sec- ond male had arrived by 14 May 2011, and a female was present beginning 21 May. Photograph by Jeff Trahan. Rumors of Great Kiskadees nesting at the White Lake Conservation Area head- quarters in Vermilion Parish were confirmed in 201 1 with the discovery of a pair at this nest (with incubating adult barely visible) 7 April 201 1 . There were no later reports indicating successful nesting, which has still not been documented in Louisiana. Photograph by Toddy Guidry. sites in the Great Plains region, but local breeding may also be a possibility. Turkey Vultures are surprisingly rare in the Grand Isle-Fourchon area, so singles at Grand Isle 19 Mar (DBo) and near Port Fourchon, Lafourche 28 Apr (DLD) were of interest. A pair of Ospreys at a nest at L. Dar- danelle. Yell through at least 29 May (K&LN) marked the 4th consecutive year of nesting activ- ity there for this rare Arkansas breeder; it is unclear if any at- tempts have been successful. Two Swallow-tailed Kites observed in Pulaski 15 May (Larry & Lori Martin) was the only report re- ceived for this relatively rare visitor to Arkansas. Just the 10th for Arkansas, a White- tailed Kite was found at Holla Bend N.W.R., Pope 26 May (Chris Kellner, ph. Tim Carr et al.) ; interestingly, all but two of the Arkansas occurrences are also from spring, but this is the first for May. Although there is increasing evidence of residency, most of Louisiana’s winter-breeding Bald Eagles presumably sum- mer n. of the Region. But spring departure is poorly documented, so an apparent pulse of migrants involving 6 ads. moving primarily westward or northwestward near St. Gabriel 16 Apr (JVR) was of interest. A Northern Har- rier near Leeville 11 May QBo) was very late for the coastal zone. Concentrations of 6 Swainson’s Hawks at West-Ark Sod Farm, Crawford 16 Apr (K&LN) and 15 there 21 Apr (JCN) were relatively high numbers for Arkansas, and one near Holla Bend N.W.R., Yell 14 May (K&LN) was relatively far e. of typical range. Most noteworthy among nu- 464 NORTH AMERICAN BIROS ARKANSAS & LOUISIANA This "mystery grackle" near Port Fourchon, Lafourche Parish, Louisiana 25 May 201 1 had the yellow-eyed, flat-crowned, and gigantic-tailed look typical of a male Great-tailed Grackle, but song, salt marsh habitat, and location in extreme southeastern Louisiana (where Great-taileds are still virtually unknown) were more suggestive of Boat-tailed Grackle. Photograph by Donna L. Dittmann. merous reports in w. Louisiana was a large concentration of 47 in Caddo 16 Apr (John T. McBride) and 3 very late coastal birds (in- cluding a possible territorial pair) near Sabine Pass, Cameron 14-21 May (PAW, BMM, DBo). An imm. Ferruginous Hawk near Johnsons Bayou 27 Mar (ph. PEC, BMM) was presum- ably one of the 2 wintering birds discovered in the area during late 2010. A flyby Golden Ea- gle was an unexpected surprise at Upper Oua- chita N.W.R., Union, LA 1 Mar (ph. SLP). Rare spring nw. Arkansas Merlins included a bird thought to be a Prairie Merlin (subspecies richardsoni ) at Mt. Sequoyah, Fayetteville 15 Mar, and another thought to be a nominate bird at Woolsey Wet Prairie 26 Apr (both MAM). Very late was a Peregrine Falcon in Bossier, LA 28 May (ID, JT et al). A freshly dead Clapper Rail found at Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge, LA 18 Mar (Bruce Hill, *L.S.U.M.N.S.) was a shocker and repre- sented one of few occurrences ever away from the immediate coast and by far the farthest in- land. A rare visitor to n. Arkansas, a Purple Gallinule was at Woolsey Wet Prairie 26 Apr, with possibly the same bird re-sighted 12 May (MAM), and a county-first Common Gallinule was near “the Sunken Lands,” Craighead 30 Apr (Marty Lynch et al.). A Whooping Crane reintroduction effort in sw. Louisiana was initiated during late Feb, when 10 captive-reared individuals were placed at the White Lake C.A., s. of Gueydan, Vermil- ion, in hopes of re-establishing Louisiana’s long lost resident population. Upon being freed, however, at least some of these individ- uals commenced to wandering well beyond the conservation area boundaries, with 4 in- dividuals seen as far as 100 km nne. in Evan- geline by the end of May (ph. BMM). SH0REBIRDS Surprisingly rare spring migrants through the deep interior, 5 Black-bellied Plovers at Tread- way.Fish Farm 18 May (K&LN) made the only Arkansas report of the species this season. Three Semipalmated Plovers slightly inland in s. Vermilion 5 Mar (DBo) could have been rare non-coastal winterers (or possibly “com- muters”) or very early migrants. A Piping Plover at the Rigolets Pass, Orleans 2 Mar (MMe, GO, TT) was unusual away from the species’ normal haunts on the coast’s “outer rim.” A Black-necked Stilt at C.EH. 26 Apr (ph. JBr) was just the 2nd ever for nw. Arkansas; one at Ashdown 1 May (CM) was also relative- ly unusual for sw. Arkansas and a possible first for Little River. Ten American Avocets at C.N.F 3 Apr (ph. D&SB) were very early; the only “earlier” Arkansas occurrences are from 10 Feb and 6 Mar, both of which could conceivably pertain to wintering birds rather than migrants. Twenty-four Wil- lets near Kaplan, Vermilion 8 Mar (PEC) were several weeks earlier than previous inland spring oc- currences (presumed to involve migrant Western Willets); an al- ternative hypothesis would be that birds wintering on the coast are learning to “commute” short dis- tances inland to forage. An Arkansas record 107 Willets were at B.K.N.W.R. 25 Apr (KN), and 22 Upland Sandpipers near Ches- ney Prairie, Benton 23 Apr (JCN) was also a sizable count for the state. Whimbrels in n. Vermilion 5 Mar (DBo) and 19 Mar (PEC, DP) could have been either very rare inland winterers or very early migrants; spring migrants typically arrive on the coast in late Mar, and the earliest inland occurrence is from early April. An unexpected- ly early influx of Hudsonian Godwits into Arkansas included 5 record-early individuals at B.K.N.W.R. 11 Apr (K&LN), one still there 12 Apr (tying the previous early occurrence; ph. D&SS), 2 at Saul’s Fish Farm (K&LN) and sin- gles at C.N.F (DB) and C.EH. (JCN, JBr, JP, MAM), all 15 Apr, and one at Treadway Fish Farm 17 Apr (D&SB). These reports are all ear- ly even by Louisiana standards, where the ear- ly arrival record is 8 Apr; but, interestingly, there were no correspondingly early reports of Hudsonians in sw. Louisiana, where the species is fairly common in spring. Twelve Sanderlings at C.N.F 3 Apr (ph. D&SB) was not only a large number for this rare inland spring mi- grant but smashed the previous Arkansas early arrival date by almost two weeks; 8 there 14 Apr (ph. D&SB) were also outstanding. Rela- tively early Semipalmated Sandpipers included 3 near Cameron, Cameron 24 Mar (ph. DBo) and 2 sw. of Gueydan 26 Mar (DLD, SWC, PEC). A late Baird’s Sandpiper was near Cameron 21 May (DBo). An albino/leucistic Dunlin was near Kaplan 20 Mar (ph. PEC, DP). A Wilson’s Phalarope in non-breeding plumage in Vermilion 17 Mar (DBo) was most likely a very early spring transient, although wintering is also a possibility, considering oc- currences during Jan/Feb in the general area. Wilson’s Phalaropes made a good showing in Arkansas, with relatively high counts of 68 near Siloam Springs, Benton 26 Apr (JCN) and 136 at Fourche Dam Pike, Pulaski 28 Apr (DB). For the 2nd consecutive spring, a Red-necked Phalarope was found on Louisiana’s cen. barri- er islands, this time on the w. tip of Big Tim- balier 1., Terrebonne 18 May (ph. SWC, ph. DLD); this is about the 8th spring occurrence for the state. GULLS THROUGH TERNS One of the more exciting finds of the season was the imm. Black-headed Gull at Mouton Cove, s. of Abbeville, Vennilion 16 Mar (ph. MJM); this would officially become the first record for Louisiana, although there is an un- reviewed report of a bird photographed at Shreveport in fall 2008. An estimated 1600 Bonaparte’s Gulls near Cameron 27 Mar (DBo) complemented other such high counts recorded during the species’ late Mar-early Apr migration peak; a very late-lingering imm. at Cameron was last seen 21 May (DBo). An imm. Little Gull at Cameron 12 Apr-31 May (ph. DBo, ph. DP, ph. MJM, ph. KL, ph. RDP, ph. MMe, ph. TT, JVH) was about the 8th spring occurrence for Louisiana, not to mention the longest- and latest-lingering ever. A breeding-plumaged ad. Franklin’s Gull at Baton Rouge 16 Mar (Richard Gibbons) was presumably the same anomalously plumaged individual reported there in mid-Feb. An impressive 108 Franklin’s near Siloam Springs 24 Apr (JCN, H. David Chapman) was a new spring high count for Arkansas, and 8 at Holly Beach, Cameron 22 May (PEC) was a relatively high number for the date. A Lesser Black-backed Gull near Tontitown, Washington 14 Mar (ph. JCN) was only about the 3rd found in Arkansas away from famous L. Dardanelle and the first for n. Arkansas; a wintering ad. found at L. Dardanelle, Yell 10 Dec 2010 was last observed there 12 Mar (K&LN et al). Rare Glaucous Gulls were well documented at Grand Isle 8 Apr (ph. CB), at Raccoon 1., Terrebonne 21 Apr (ph. Alan Kneidel, Justin Hite), and at Cameron 29 Apr-2 May (RS, ph. SBr, DFL, JBo). Great Black-backed Gulls were reported from Elmer’s I. (just w. of Grand Isle), Jefferson 1 Mar (ad.; ph. CB), Whiskey I., Terrebonne 3 Mar (imm.; ph. Mary Chris Harrison), and East Grand Terre I., Jef- ferson 15 Mar (imm.; ph. JBo). VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 465 ARKANSAS & LOUISIANA Two Sooty Terns associating with the mas- sive Laughing Gull and mixed tern colony at Raccoon I. 31 May Oho) provided circumstan- tial evidence that a few continue to breed at this site, where two pairs nested in 2009. Sev- enteen Least Terns at Bayou Sauvage N.W.R., Orleans 18 Mar (GO) was a surprising number for the record-tying early date. One at Grand Isle 19 Mar (DBo, JBo) was also very early, and up to 250 there by 27 Mar (RDP) was an un- precedented number for so early. About a dozen pairs of Least Terns were at the Lacas- sine colony, Jefferson Davis 21 Apr (DBo, JBo); this is the 5th consecutive year that breeding activity has been detected at the site along the 1-10 freeway, which is about 50 km inland from the Gulf of Mexico. Also of interest were 6 Least Terns exhibiting courtship behavior at Bonnet Carre Spillway, St. Charles , LA 16 Apr (ph. BJS), further suggesting that coastal Least Terns are expanding their breeding distribu- tion into the s. interior of the Region. In the absence of mid- to late winter sightings, the small numbers of Black Terns that have re- cently been appearing in Mar in Cameron, in- cluding 4 there 15 Mar (BMM, DP), are best considered early spring migrants. Thirty-one Common Terns in Cameron 27 Mar (PEC, BMM) was a sizable influx so early. DOVES THROUGH TYRANT FLYCATCHERS Although slowly becoming more frequent in Arkansas, there was but one report of White- winged Dove there this season: one at Ogden, Little River 1 May (CM). A Short-eared Owl at Thornwell 27 Mar (ph. Kevin M. Berken) was very late for Louisiana, and one at the West- Ark Sod Farm 17 Apr (JCN, Joan Reynolds) was also one of the latest ever for Arkansas and only the 2nd record in Apr since at least 1985. In contrast to last springs influx, there were just two reports of the rare Lesser Nighthawk, one near Cameron 20 Apr (ph. DBo), the other at B.R.A.S.S. 28-29 Apr (ph. PEC, ph. TF, ph. EIJ, ph. DBo). Arkansas’s ear- liest-ever Eastern Whip-poor-will was a singing bird at Alexander Mt., Saline 16 Mar (JPe). Baton Rouge’s wintering Vauxs Swifts continued to be detected into early spring, with a minimum of 6 voice-confirmed indi- viduals noted to the exceptionally late date of 13 Apr (BJO). On the heels of a banner win- ter for Buff-bellied Hummingbird in Louisiana, perhaps it was not surprising that there were a few sightings into the late spring, including an apparent migrant at B.R.A.S.S. 20 Apr (DBo, JBo), and at least 2 late-linger- ing wintering birds at Grand Isle last observed 30 Apr (ph. EIJ). A male Ruby-throated Hum- mingbird at Alexander Mt. 19 Mar was very early for so far n., and the first female arrival there 24 Mar was also notably early (both JPe); one at Grand Isle 27 May (DBo) was rather late for the immediate coast. A Red- headed Woodpecker at Little Chenier, Cameron 30 Apr (DLH, Denise LHoste) was the only report from the coast, where the species is a rare visitor; if these spring coastal birds are truly migrants, then it’s unclear where they would be coming from unless they are simply dispersing randomly or mov- ing southward to exploit spring fruit re- sources. A state-first Ladder-backed Wood- pecker was encountered at Sabine Pass in ex- treme sw. Louisiana 14 May (ph. PEC, ph. DP, ph. RDP, ph. BMM et al.). Four Olive-sided Flycatchers in the John- sons Bayou area 14 May (vt. PAW et al.) was a large one-day total for this very scarce spring migrant. Relatively early for Louisiana’s n. in- terior were an Eastern Wood-Pewee and an Acadian Flycatcher at D’Arbonne N.W.R. 13 Apr (ph. SLP). A singing Willow Flycatcher near Sabine Pass 14 May (ph. PEC, vt. PAW) added to the very few solid occurrences of mi- grants in Louisiana. A wintering Ash-throated Flycatcher at Bayou Sauvage N.W.R. was last observed 7 Mar (vt. PAW). In recent years there have been several reports of Great Kiskadees at the White Lake C.A. headquar- ters, but rumors of nesting had not been con- firmed until this spring, when a nest with an incubating ad. was discovered 7 Apr (ph. Tod- dy Guidry, ph. BMM, JVH). At least one kiskadee was seen off and on for the 3rd year in a row at the Oak Grove sanctuary, Cameron 13 Apr-14 May (ph. JBo, SWC, ph. DLD, ph. JWB, ph. BMM, ph. DLH, vt. PAW). Two lin- gering wintering Tropical Kingbirds at Caernarvon, Plaquemines, LA were joined by a 3rd (!) individual 13 Mar (ph. JeffW. Harris, JVH et al); perhaps almost as amazing, some of these birds persisted into Apr, with 2 on 3 Apr and one still present 22 Apr (vt. PAW). Also remaining unusually late for wintering birds were 2 Western Kingbirds at the Caernar- von site through 21 Apr (vt. PAW), and the “mystery Tyrannus" (thought by many to be a Western Kingbird x Scissor-tailed Flycatcher hybrid) and 3 Scissor-tailed Flycatchers there through 3 Apr. (vt. PAW). Presumed migrant Scissor-tailed Flycatchers well e. of normal, es- pecially for spring, were at Bonnet Carre Spill- way 16 Apr. (ph. BJS) and near St. Gabriel 24 Apr (JVR). A Gray Kingbird at Grand Isle 27 May (ph. DBo) was the only one reported. SHRIKES THROUGH MOCKINGBIRD A Northern Shrike discovered at Woolsey Wet Prairie 6-10 Mar (Neil Nodelman, MAM, ph. JCN, JoP) was just the 2nd for Arkansas and the first from the spring period. A Bell’s Vireo at Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center 20 Apr (Mitchell Pruitt), and another singing male near there 15 May (ph. DB, Adam Leslie), were good birds for ne. Arkansas and possibly the first occurrences for Craighead: one at L. Fayetteville 3 May (MAM) was considered a transient. A Blue-headed Vireo at B.R.A.S.S. 14-15 May (ph. TF, ph. PEC) was about the 3rd latest ever for Louisiana; such late occur- rences at well-covered coastal sites are thought to involve late migrants rather than lingering winterers. Another Blue-headed at L. Fayetteville 26 May (MAM) was one of the lat- est for Arkansas. Continuing a recent trend, 22 Warbling Vireos at B.R.A.S.S. 16 Apr (PEC, BMM) was a very high count for this normal- ly scarce spring migrant, and a respectable 8 were also there 28 Apr (PEC); one there 31 Mar (ph. BMM) was fairly early. After just one Black-whiskered Vireo report during spring 2010, at least 3-4 were found in 2011, includ- ing one present at Grand Isle 12 Apr (ph. ST), at least 2 there 16-17 Apr (ph. DPM, ph. DLD, ph. SWC), and one near Cameron 13 Apr (JBo). A Horned Lark at Homer, Claiborne 27 May (ph. JoD) was away from the species’ re- stricted Louisiana breeding distribution in the state’s extreme nw. and ne. corners. A Purple Martin at Big Timbalier I. 18 May (SWC) was fairly late for a migrant. Three Northern Rough-winged Swallows near Sabine Pass 21 May (DBo) were unusual so late on the immediate coast. About 100 Bank Swallows at L. Fayetteville 13 May (JCN) was the highest spring total in recent decades; 2 near Port Fourchon 25 May (SWC, DLD) and one at Whiskey I. 31 May (JBo) were very late for Louisiana, especially on the immediate coast. The 5th Arkansas occurrence of Cave Swallow, and the first away from the L. Mill- wood area of sw. Arkansas, involved a road- killed individual in Pulaski 4 May (ph. Guy & Joan Luneau); another near the Millwood L. spillway, Little River 26 May (ph. CM) would be the 6th state record and was a freshly plumaged juv., suggesting local breeding. In Louisiana, the species continues to proliferate in the sw. , with breeders confirmed returning to most of the known colonies and several new colonies discovered during the season as far e. as the Kaplan area (Eric Liffman, Melvin Weber, m.ob.). Southwest of Gueydan, pairs were nest-building as early as 26 Mar (ph. DLD, PEC, SWC), suggesting arrival there as early as mid-Mar, and fledged young were noted near Thornwell by 29 Apr (ph. DLD, SWC). White-breasted Nuthatches are excep- tionally rare in s. Louisiana at any time of year, but one seen repeatedly in East Baton Rouge 4 Mar+, with 2 present 16 Mar, was in- 466 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS ARKANSAS & LOUISIANA triguing and suggestive of a nesting pair well s. of the known breeding distribution (ph. Charles Williams). The spring departure/mi- gration of Marsh Wren is poorly understood in Louisiana, so an apparent migrant at Baton Rouge 29 Apr (ph. JoH et al.) was an impor- tant find; 8 presumed winterers in salt marsh near Port Fourchon were still present 28 Apr but gone by 25 May (SWC, DLD). Six territo- rial Marsh Wrens on Trinity I. 10 May, 9 on Whiskey 1. 11 May, and 7 on Big Timbalier I. 18 May (SWC, DLD) provided further evi- dence of breeding on the cen. barrier islands, an area formerly considered to represent a gap between sw. and se. Louisiana breeding popu- lations; these birds are being found in mixed mangrove/salt grass/cane habitat. Two late Golden-crowned Kinglets were at Grand Isle 28 Mar (JBo), and different Ruby-crowned Kinglets in the Johnsons Bayou area 14 & 15 May (both ph. PEC) were also very late for the immediate coast. An Eastern Bluebird at Hackberry, Cameron 15 Apr (DBo) added to a number of other re- cent reports suggestive of breeding just inland from the immediate sw. Louisiana coastal marsh belt. Very early Swainson’s Thrushes included singles near Cameron 5 Apr (ph. DBo) and at L. Fayetteville 9 Apr (MAM). Very late, a Gray-cheeked Thrush was at Grand Isle 27 May (DBo), and Hermit Thrushes were near St. Gabriel 23 Apr (ex- pected subspecies faxon i; JVR) and at Baton Rouge 29 Apr (BJO). A Wood Thrush at Grand Isle 15 Mar (JBo) was assumed to be the same bird that was known to have win- tered there. Of “uncertain status” was the American Robin at Grand Isle 10 May (JBo): wintering birds had long since departed (e.g., none found on the island during heavy cover- age 16-17 Apr), and the species is not known to breed there; there are, however, a few oth- er recent anomalous late spring and early summer records. An ad. Northern Mocking- bird at Big Timbalier I. 18 May (SWC) was ei- ther incredibly late or suggestive of local breeding on some of the more heavily vege- tated barrier islands. WARBLERS An Ovenbird at Pearl River W.M.A., St. Tam- many, LA 26 Mar (Donata Henry, Stefan Woltman, Nicole Michel, Bruce Fleury) was very early but conceivably could have win- tered locally. A Louisiana Waterthrush was relatively early in Webster 14 Mar (ph. Richard Temple). Two Golden-winged War- blers at B.R.A.S.S. 14 May (PAW) were late. Twenty-four Blue-winged Warblers at B.R.A.S.S. 16 Apr (BMM, PEC) was easily one of the top Louisiana high counts for the species. The only report of a Brewster’s War- bler involved a Blue-winged-like bird with strong yellow wing bars at B.R.A.S.S. 31 Mar (DBo). As is true for several other species of “western circum-Gulf” migrants, Mourning Warblers generally bypass s. Louisiana in spring and are rare on the coast; thus, 2 at B.R.A.S.S. 28 Apr (ph. RS, DBo), and one near Sabine Pass 14 May (PAW, RDP et al.) were excellent finds. A relatively late coastal Kentucky Warbler was near Johnsons Bayou 14 May (PAW, DPM, RDP, DP). Two male Common Yellowthroats at Two Rivers Park, Pulaski 17 Mar (Ken Dayer, Lyndal York) were thought to be very early arriving mi- grants, although 2 females were found in the area back on 7 Feb 2011. Rare Cape May Warblers were noted at B.R.A.S.S. 20 (DBo, JBo) & 28 Apr (ph. PEC), near Port Four- chon 28 Apr (ph. SWC), at Grand Isle 1 May (ph. EIJ), and, more unusually, inland at Ba- ton Rouge (DFL) and C.ER (RH), both 4 May, and late near Sabine Pass 14 May (vt. PAW, RDP et al). A Cerulean Warbler near St. Gabriel 16 Apr (JVR) and one at B.R.A.S.S. 3 May (BMM) were the only reports of this de- clining species. Apparently record early was a Magnolia Warbler at B.R.A.S.S. 16 Apr (BMM, PEC, DBo), and a Blackpoll Warbler observed at Grand Isle 10 Apr (PAW, RDP, DPM) was relatively early. A Black-throated Blue Warbler near Rockefeller Refuge head- quarters 28 Apr (ph. EIJ), and another very late near Sabine Pass 21 May (DBo) were the only reports of this rare spring migrant. Sev- eral relatively late Palm Warblers were en- countered on the cen. barrier islands, includ- ing one at East Timbalier I. 5 May (DLD), 3 on Trinity I. 10 May (SWC, DLD), and 2 on Whiskey I. 11 May (DLD, SWC). A female Yellow-rumped Warbler at L. Fayetteville 26 May (MAM) was possibly the latest ever spring record for Arkansas. Prairie Warblers are always noteworthy on the coast in spring, but one at Grand Isle 22 May (ph. RDP) was record late. Early Black-throated Green War- blers were at Keithville, Caddo 18 Mar (Larry R. Raymond) and near Cameron 31 Mar (DBo); although it seems counter-intuitive, first arrivals of this species are often earlier at far inland versus coast sites. Another very early and relatively scarce coastal spring parulid was a Canada Warbler at B.R.A.S.S. 16 Apr (ph. PEC, BMM, DBo et al.). T0WHEES THROUGH DICKCESSEL An Eastern Towhee in scrub near Port Four- chon 5 Apr (SWC) and at least one at Grand Isle 12 Apr (ST) may have involved spring migrants, as none were detected wintering in those fairly well-covered areas; there are no previous spring occurrences from the se. Louisiana coast, but one was found on an oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico 195 km s. of Morgan City, LA 22 Apr 2000. Louisiana’s 2nd Cassin’s Sparrow, a singing male discovered by Terry Davis (who also found Louisiana’s first in 2008) at Bossier City, Bossier 1 May, was joined by a 2nd singing male by 14 May+, and by a female 21 May+, with a copulation observed on that date (TD, ph. JT, Nancy L. Newfield, ph. JPS, JVH, ph. DP, ph. JBo). Just a few days later, Arkansas’s first Cassin’s Sparrow was documented in s. Little River 6 May (ph. CM); follow-up visits produced 2 singing males on 7 May+, and by the end of the month, 3 singing males and a possible fe- male had been recorded at the site (ph. CM, Helen Parker, KH, JD). A Clay-colored Spar- row at Fayetteville 9 Apr (MAM) was possibly record early for a spring migrant in Arkansas (an older record from early Mar could have pertained to a wintering individual); one at B.K.N.W.R. 30 Apr (KN, ph. DB) was relative- ly far e. for the species. Song Sparrows seldom linger into Apr in Louisiana, so 2 still on the coast in Cameron 12 Apr (both JVH) were cer- tainly unexpected, and a much later individ- ual in Claiborne 7 May (JoD) was unprece- dented. Rare ne. Arkansas Lark Sparrows in- cluded a possible first for Crittenden at Wa- panocca N.W.R. 8 Apr, and another at Crow- ley’s Ridge Nature Center 20 Apr (both ph. RH). Record late by a day was a Swamp Spar- row still on the coast near Sabine Pass 5 May (v.r. DFL). A Western Tanager at Metairie, Jef- ferson 12-22 Mar (ph. Tim Daigre) was almost certainly a wintering bird, as were single fe- male Rose-breasted Grosbeaks at L. Fayet- teville 4 Mar (JP) and at Baton Rouge 5 Mar (Jacob Cooper). A male Rose-breasted at Grand Isle 8-9 Apr (JVR) was marginally ear- ly, and one at D’Arbonne N.W.R. 13 Apr (ph. SLP) was almost record early for Louisiana’s n. interior. Black-headed Grosbeaks are rare but regular fall and winter visitors to Louisiana, but spring migrants are detected much less often. Thus, an ad. male associat- ing with other spring migrants at New Or- leans 12-13 Apr (ph. DPM,Joelle Finley) was quite unexpected, especially in se. Louisiana. A Lazuli Bunting at Fayetteville 13 May (ph. Calvin Bey) represented about the 15th for Arkansas. The 1 14 Dickcissels near Maysville, Benton 14 May (JCN) made a record spring total for Arkansas. BOBOLINK THROUGH FINCHES Fourteen Bobolinks on Big Timbalier I. 18 May (SWC, DLD) was a decent number for so late on the coast; one at Baton Rouge 17 May (JVR) was late for Louisiana’s s. interior. VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 467 ARKANSAS & LOUISIANA There were more than a dozen reports of Yel- low-headed Blackbirds combined from Louisiana and w. Arkansas, most interesting of which were a sizeable concentration (espe- cially so early) of at least 32 at Rockefeller Refuge headquarters 13 Mar (ph. C&BS), an- other good-sized flock of 16 at Siloam Springs 23 Apr (JCN), a relatively late bird at B.R.A.S.S. 13 May (ph. BMM et al.), and an- other late individual on Big Timbalier 1. 18 May (ph. DLD, SWC). Boat-tailed Grackles continue to probe the s. outskirts of Baton Rouge, where solo males were spotted near St. Gabriel 2 Mar and 1 May (both JVR), and a territorial male returned briefly 18-23 Mar (female also present on latter date; SWC, DLD) and 13 May (JVR) to a site at the s. edge of Baton Rouge where breeding occurred the previous two years. A confusing large grackle near Port Fourchon 25 May (ph. DLD) had yellow eyes and more Great-tailed-like pro- portions but sang like a Boat-tailed and was in saltmarsh habitat. Boat-tailed is the default species in se. Louisiana, where there are only a few previous sight records of Great-tailed (none from the Port Fourchon-Grand Isle area), and Gulf Coast Boat-taileds typically have brown eyes. A Bronzed Cowbird at Gon- zales, Ascension 1 May (ph. Sherri Utley) was in an area where there have been few occur- rences. A male Shiny Cowbird at Grand Isle 16 Apr (ph. SBr) was at Louisiana’s most con- sistent locality for the species; the species is much rarer on the w. Louisiana coast, but an- other male at Oak Grove, Cameron 29 Apr-15 May (SWC, ph. DLD, ph. JVH, ph. PEC) made the 3rd consecutive year for the species at that site. An itnm. male Bullock’s Oriole at Metairie 25 Mar (ph. GO, Dan Carroll) had most likely wintered there, as may have also been the case for a first-year male Baltimore Oriole at L. Fayetteville 11 Apr (MAM). Arkansas’s 2nd Scott’s Oriole, an inun. male first seen at Benton, Saline in early Feb, reap- peared at the same yard 29 Mar-5 Apr (ph. Peggy Roberson, fide DS). A count of 120 Pine Siskins at a Monroe yard’s feeders 21 Apr was a surprising count, especially so late (ph. SLP). A late American Goldfinch was at Baton Rouge 16 May (ph. JoH). Initialed observers (subregional editors bold- faced): Dick Baxter, Sarah Baxter, James W. Beck, Colin Boeh, Devin Bosler (DBo), Justin Bosler (JBo), Sue Broussard (SBr), Jacque Brown (JBr), Steven W. Cardiff (Louisiana), Paul E. Conover, Terry Davis, John Dillon (JoD), Donna L. Dittmann, Jim Dixon, Tom Finnie, John Hartgerink (JoH), Karen Holli- day, Ron Howard, Jay V. Huner, Erik 1. John- son, Daniel F. Lane, Kevin Leigh, David LHoste, Mary Mehaffey (MMe), Charles Mills, Michael A. Mlodinow, Allan Mueller, Michael J. Musumeche, David P Muth, B. Mac Myers, Joseph C. Neal (Arkansas), Kenny Nichols, LaDonna Nichols, Brian J. O’Shea, Glenn Ousset, Stephen L. Pagans, Joanie Pat- terson, Dave Patton, Janine Perlman (JPe), R. D. Purrington, David Ray, J. V Remsen, Brae Salyers, Carrie Salyers, Dan Scheiman, Samantha Scheiman, Rosemary Seidler, John P. Sevenair, B. J. Stacey, Scott Terrill, Jeff Tra- han, Tom Trenchard, Phillip A. Wallace. O Steven W. Cardiff, 435 Pecan Drive St. Gabriel, Louisiana 70776, (scardif@gmail.com) Northern Canada & Greenland Cameron D. Eckert A late spring was observed across the Re- gion, with some species arriving a week or ten days behind normal sched- ule. However, when the weather finally did improve toward the end of May, the migra- tion seemed to catch up rather quickly. Wa- terfowl and shorebirds did not appear to be affected by the delay, and high counts were noted for some species. In Northwest Territo- ries, a widespread snowfall in mid-May caused some spectacular passerine fallouts, particularly sparrows. As always, rarities add to the excite- ment of spring migration, and Northwest Territories birders de- tected two new species for the ter- ritory, while birders in other parts of the Region enjoyed an assort- ment of unexpected finds. WATERFOWL THROUGH SHOREBIRDS Thousands of Canada, Snow, and Greater White-fronted Geese staged at Seagull I. near Norman Wells, NWT 10 May, and tens of thousands of these species migrat- ed through on a warm tailwind after a big snowstorm there 14 May (RP). Over a thou- sand Greater White-fronted Geese were seen passing Rabbitkettle L., Nahanni N.P., NWT 13 May (DT, MC). Counts of 600 Snow Geese and 50 Canada Geese were recorded at Neta L, Nunavut 23 May (JP). Snow Goose is an uncommon migrant in s. Yukon; reports this season included 68 at L. Laberge 11 May (CE), 33 at Tagish 15 May (SVD), and 7 at Watson Lake 10 May (SD). Trumpeter Swan migration in the Yukon Southern Lakes area peaked 25 Apr with counts of 1191 (1061 ads., 130 imms.) at M'Clintock Bay, and 1100 at Tagish (JJ). A male Wood Duck, casual in the Yukon, was first seen at Shallow Bay 16 May (ph. JJ, CE) and continued at the s. end of L. Laberge through May (m.ob.). Rare in s. Yukon, a male Cinnamon Teal first seen 9 May at L. Laberge managed to find a mate by the time it was seen again 14 May (ph. CE). Sixty King and 200 Common Eiders were re- ported from Neta I., Nunavut 22 May (JP)- An ad. male King Eider being chased by Com- mon Ravens at Arctic Bay, Nunavut 4 May (Nl, CK) was early, given that the floe edge was still about 100 km away. An unusually large flock of about 100 Wil- low Ptarmigan, possibly migrating through the area, was noted at Norman Wells, NWT 13 Apr (AV). Four White-tailed Ptarmigan were seen near St. Elias L., sw. Yukon 16 Mar (TS). A lone Sharp-tailed Grouse was along von Wilczek Cr., s. Yukon 28 Apr (BS); and 2 were seen near the edge of their range at Inu- vik, NWT 25 May (MR). A Pied-billed Grebe, rare anywhere in the Region, was at Shallow Bay, s. Yukon 16 May (CE, JJ). Five American White Pelicans were at Akimiski I., Nunavut 21 May (fide KA). An ad. Bald Eagle near Re- pulse Bay, Nunavut 23 May (RU) was well n. 468 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS NORTHERN CANADA & GREENLAND This Bar-tailed Godwit at Deep Creek on Lake Laberge, Yukon 28-29 (here 29) May 201 1 was a highlight of the annual Yukon Birdathon. Photograph by Boris Dobrowolsky. of its regular range. Three dark-morph Swain- son’s Hawks were seen over Whitehorse 28 Apr (ph. JJ); this species is a rare spring mi- grant in the Yukon Southern Lakes. A pair of white-morph Gyrfalcons was observed copu- lating near their traditional aerie near Arctic Bay, Nunavut 19 Apr (ph. CK). A record-ear- ly Sora was flushed in a trailer court at Nor- man Wells, NWT 26 Apr (DWi). A estimated 48,000 Sandhill Cranes, just a small portion of the migration, was recorded at Faro, cen. Yukon 6-7 May (SB). An estimated 700 passed over Rabbitkettle L., NWT 13 May (DT, MC). American Golden-Plover numbers have been low in s. Yukon for many years; a count of 140 at Lake Laberge 14 May (CE) was ex- ceptional. Pacific Golden-Plover is a rare but regular spring migrant in s. Yukon; 4 were at L. Laberge 11-14 May (CE), and one was at Shallow Bay 16 May Qj). A Lesser Yellowlegs, perhaps a first for ne. Greenland, was at Zack- enberg 28 May (ph. LHH). Two Wandering Tattlers, rare and localized in Northwest Terri- tories, were on the beach of a mostly frozen Glacier L., Nahanni N.P 19 May (DT). A col- or-banded Hudsonian Godwit seen at L. Laberge, s. Yukon 24 May (ph. CE) had been banded in Jan 2011 at Isla Chiloe, Chile. A Bar-tailed Godwit, the Yukon’s 4th record, at Deep Cr., on L. Laberge 28-29 May (AP; ph. CE; BD) was the headline rarity on the Yukon Birdathon. Shorebird migration was in full swing at L. Laberge, s. Yukon 14 May, as evi- denced by counts of 500 Pectoral Sandpipers and 300 Long-billed Dowitchers (CE). A Buff- breasted Sandpiper, casual in s. Yukon, was at Judas Cr. 22 May (CE, PS). GULLS THROUGH FINCHES An ad. Long-tailed Jaeger, a very rare s. Yukon migrant, was seen at M’Clintock Bay 13 May (BUK). An ad. Little Gull, casual in the Yukon, was a delightful find at L. Laberge 12 May (ph. CE). Nares L. in s. Yukon is known as a key staging point for migrant Mew Gulls; a count of 800 was recorded there 7 May (CE). The first Glaucous Gulls, all ads., ap- peared at Arctic Bay, Nunavut 8 May (CK), slightly ahead of normal, and a high count of 191 was recorded there 24 May (CK, TK). The first imm. Glaucous Gulls were seen at Arctic Bay 31 May (CK). Four Thick-billed Murres and 12 Black Guillemots were at Neta L, Nunavut 22 May QP). Participants on the annual Spring Bird Walk in Yellowknife were surprised by a White-winged Dove, a first for Northwest Territories, 27 May (VJ, ph. RH, m.ob.). A Eurasian Collared-Dove, now rare but regular in s. Yukon, returned for its 2nd season to a farm along Little Atlin L. 22 May (ph. KG). Southern Yukon owl surveys recorded 9 Great Horned Owls along Kusawa Lake Rd. 6 Apr (BD, HG); 11 Great Horned and 5 Boreal Owls along Marsh L. 7 Apr QJ, SVD); 5 Great Horneds and a remarkable 21 Boreals s. of Teslin 11 Apr QJ, SVD); and 6 Great Horneds, 4 Boreals, and a Northern Saw-whet (rare in s. Yukon) along Little Atlin L. 15 Apr QJ, SVD). Two Snowy Owls were seen at Neta I., Nunavut 23 May QP). In the Sahtu region, NWT, single Great Gray Owls were at Norman Wells 5 Mar (RP) and along the Deline winter road 10 Mar (DWh). Three Short-eared Owls were hunting the flats in Ft. Simpson, NWT 28 Apr and for a few days thereafter (ph. DT, LM). A Northern Saw-whet Owl, rare in s. Yukon, seen at Marsh L. 1 May (MT, ph. CE, JJ, JM) continued through the season. In Northwest Territories, single Pileated Woodpeckers, scarce anywhere in the Region, were reported from the Mackenzie Hwy. s. of Netla R. 8 Mar (DA) and Ft. Simpson 26 Apr (TM). An Eastern Phoebe, at the w. edge of its range, was in Ft. Simpson, NWT 9 May (DT). A Blue-headed Vireo, uncommon in sw. Northwest Territories, was at Hay River 24 May (ph. GV). Cold spring conditions can be problematic for migrant swallows; a flock of 200 Tree Swallows appeared to be in a state of semi-torpor in Whitehorse, s. Yukon 14 May (KW). Five Violet-green Swallows were seen at the top of Nahanni Butte, NWT 28 May (SW, KM), near the e. edge of their range. A pair of Mountain Bluebirds, rare in sw. North- west Territories, was at Hay River 22 Apr (ph. GV), and one was at Ft. Simpson 26 Apr (MS, CB). A Marsh Wren on terri- tory at Hay River, NWT was observed building a nest 15 May (ph. GV, RV). The ranges of Winter and Pacific Wrens will take time to clarify in the north; thus far, only Pacific Wren has been documented in the Yukon. A Pacific Wren was heard along Cosh Cr. 28 May QJ, TMK, v.r. BS). A sin- gle American Dipper, rare in Northwest Territories, was seen in Brintnell Cr. 19 May (DT). A brilliant male Smiths Longspur, rarely observed on migration, was at L. Laberge, s. Yukon 14 May (ph. CE); another was at M’Clintock Bay, s. Yukon 17 May QJ; HG). Early Snow Bunting observa- tions from Nunavut (NS; BZ) were consistent with one report of an overwintering bird at Qikiqtarjuak (MK). The first Snow Buntings of spring returned to Rankin Inlet, Nunavut 8 Apr (fide BZ). Farther north, an early flock of about 20 male Snow Buntings was seen near Arctic Bay, Nunavut 19 Apr (NI), with the first females arriving in late May (CK). A total of 511 Snow Buntings was tallied along the Mackenzie Hwy. between Hay River and Ft. Simpson 10 Apr (MAH, DT). A Yellow- rumped Warbler was an early arrival at Mayo, cen. Yukon 25 Apr (MOD). Several Ovenbirds discovered five years ago at the nw. edge of the species’ range along Cosh Cr., se. Yukon have persisted; 2 were singing in those very same aspen stands 28 May QJ, TMK, BS). An Amer- ican Redstart, rare in the Whitehorse area, s. Yukon, was at Judas Cr. 29 May (SVD). A late spring snowstorm across the Mackenzie Valley, NWT 12 May grounded hundreds of Fox and White-crowned Spar- rows in Ft. Simpson (ScC, MAH, SH, LM, This White-winged Dove photographed 26 May 201 1 at Yellowknife, Northwest Ter- ritories was an expected first for the Northern Canada region, as the species is now reported annually in southern Canada. Photograph by Reid Hildebrandt. VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 469 NORTHERN CANADA & GREENLAND MS); in Norman Wells, the snow brought “thousands” of Dark-eyed Juncos flocking to feeders (RP), while at Rabbitkettle L. in the Mackenzie Mts., the fallout was dominated by American Pipits, Dark-eyed Juncos, and Lap- land Longspurs (DT, MC). A Watson Lake, s. Yukon feeder hosted 25 Fox Sparrows 3-4 May (SD). A Song Sparrow that successfully wintered at Ft. Simpson, NWT began singing in late Mar and was seen through 1 May (LM, ph. DT). A male Rose-breasted Grosbeak pro- vided a first local record for Teslin, s. Yukon 25-26 May (ph. JS, HS). A male Bobolink, a first for Northwest Territories, was near 2 Yel- low-headed Blackbirds at Ft. Liard 22 May (ph. AL, EL). A male Yellow-headed Black- bird, casual in the Yukon, was at Albert Cr. 21 May (JJ, TMK), and another male was at Lit- tle Atlin L. 22-24 May (ph. KG). A flock of over 70 Rusty Blackbirds included about 3 Red-winged Blackbirds and 3 Common Grackles at Hay River, NWT 3 May (GV). A flock of 100 Rusty Blackbirds was reported from Watson Lake, se. Yukon 4 May (SD). Some 200+ Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches first found at Tutshi L. along the British Co- lumbia section of the South Klondike Hwy. 26 Mar (SVD) moved a few km north, causing a Yukon “twitch” (JJ; BS). A small flock of up to 15 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches was seen in Whitehorse, s. Yukon 28-30 Mar (ph. KW). Purple Finch is at the edge of its range at Mayo, cen. Yukon; the first male and female appeared there 3 & 4 May, respectively (MOD). Unusually early and abundant wide- spread nesting by Common Redpolls in low- land areas across southern and central Yukon may have been triggered by last summer’s bumper White Spruce cone crop combined with a cold spring that made conditions less favorable for the birds to continue their north- ward migration or move to higher elevations. Observers (subregional editors in boldface): Danny Allaire, Ken Abraham, Selena Boothroyd, Carrie Breneman, Scott Cameron, Marcel Cholo, Boris Dobrowolsky, Susan Drury, Cameron Eckert, Ken Gabb, Helmut Grunberg, Mary-Ann Hannaford, Sharon Her- ring, Reid Hildebrant, Lars Holst Hansen, Niore Iqalukjuak, Vicky Johnston, Ainsley Latwaitis, Eric Latwaitis, Jukka Jantunen, Clare Kines (Nunavut), Travis Kines, Morris Kuniliusee, Tonya Makletzoff, Karen McColl, John Meikle, Lisa Moore, Ted Murphy-Kelly, Mark O’Donoghue, Adam Perrier, Richard Popko, Jennifer Provencher, Malegana Rol- land, Ben Schonewille, Henderien Schonewil- le, John Schonewille, Nancy Shaver, Pam Sin- clair, Terry Skjonsberg, Mike Suitor, Malcolm Taggart, Douglas Tate (Northwest Territo- ries), Brian Uher-Koch, Ron Ulikitar, Shyloh van Delft, Alasdair Veitch, Gary Vizniowski, Robyn Vizniowski, Doug Whiteman (DWh), Scott Whitmore, Dave Wilderspin (DWi), Keith Williams, Brian Zawadski. (© Cameron D. Eckert, 1402 Elm Street Whitehorse, Yukon Y1 A 4B6, (cdeckert@northwestel.net) Prairie Provinces Rudolf F. Koes Peter Taylor Snow and ice lingered later than usual across the Region, while wet, snowy, and cold spells in April and May created un- favorable conditions for both birds and bird- ers. Winter visitors lingered beyond normal departure dates, duck and shorebird numbers were low, and migration in general was much later than normal. Many flycatchers, vireos, and warblers were still absent by the end of May. One stretch of inclement weather in mid- May created fallout conditions and brought a spate of rarities to southern Manitoba. WATERFOWL THROUGH TERNS A Ross’s Goose at Frank L., AB 17 Mar was early (RC). Trumpeter Swan reports came from several locations between Pinawa and Pine Falls, MB, 6 Apr-late May (SKy, SK, LG, VK) and Wasagaming, MB 18 May (CA). One at Calgary, AB 12 Mar had wintered there with a Tundra Swan on the Bow R. (JD). An as- tounding concentration of 8836 Tundra Swans was noted on the Carrot R. valley near The Pas, MB 8 May (JK)- A Cinnamon Teal was near Brandon, MB 9 May (KD), while a Cinnamon Teal x Blue-winged Teal hybrid was at Winnipeg, MB 25-26 May (AM, m.ob., ph.). An early Redhead was at Winnipeg 13 Mar (RS, JW). A Bufflehead x Common Gold- eneye hybrid was at Calgary 5 Apr (GY et al.). At least 500 Red-breasted Mergansers thronged along the ice edge at Twin Lakes Beach, MB 26 Apr (RSt, DS). A Spruce Grouse at Oak Hammock Marsh, MB 25 Apr was well outside its normal range (RN, AE, JP). Two Pacific Loons were at Cold L., AB 28 May (TH, PP), while an early Com- mon Loon flew over Winnipeg 11 Apr (JH). Saskatchewan hosted Great Egrets at Saska- toon 25 Apr (SW) and Regina 21 May (BQ). A Snowy Egret was a rarity at Weyburn, SK 23 May (VT). A Cattle Egret was at Etzikom, AB 15 May (V&FF), 2 were at Rice L., SK 29 May (LD et al), and the usual few were not- ed in sw. Manitoba. Two Green Herons at Winnipeg lingered 20 May-Jun (AC, rn.ob.), raising the possibility that they were nesting; another Winnipeg bird was noted 23 May (RSt, m.ob.). A Turkey Vulture at Mt. Lorette, AB 18 Mar was early (JE> et al), and singles at Fish Creek PR, AB were at an un- usual location 3 & 26 Apr (M&LG, DV). The total tally of Red-tailed Hawks at Windygates, MB was a record-high 10,896 from 23 Feb through 18 Apr. Peak counts were 3150 on 6 Apr, 2528 on 9 Apr, and 2118 on 11 Apr, at least a week later than normal. Other high numbers there included 169 Bald Eagles 22 Mar and 266 Sharp- shinned Hawks 9 Apr (PG, AS, m.ob.). A good Rough-legged Hawk flight in s. Alberta included a leucistic bird near Carseland 17 Apr (TK). A very tardy Gyrfalcon visited Taber, AB 15 May (LBe). Whooping Cranes were reported in all three provinces, includ- ing 2 near Okotoks, AB 10 Apr (RH, SH), one near Olds, AB 18 Apr (CL), and one be- tween Melita and Medora, MB 28 Apr (fide GM). Reports of flocks of approximately 25 e. of Winnipeg 11 Apr, 15 at Spiritwood, SK 9 May, and 21 at Osier, SK 9 May could well have involved misidentified birds. Shorebird migration on the whole was rather dismal. Many areas may have been too wet, forcing the birds to overfly traditional stopover spots. A noteworthy exception was the count of 3500 Black-bellied Plovers near Tilley, AB 21 May (A&DW). Other unusual 470 NORTH AMERICAN BIROS PRAIRIE PROVINCES A feeder near Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park, Alberta attracted this North- ern Parula on 29 May 2011. There are about six previous records of the species in the province. Photograph by A. Wieckowski. Manitoba's sixth White-winged Dove, and fifth in the past decade, visited a feeder near Dufresne 19-22 (here 20) May 2011. Photograph byJ. Hays. This Band-tailed Pigeon, Manitoba's tenth, visited regional editor Rudolf Koes's Winnipeg garden from 12-14 (here 13) May 2011. Photograph by Christian Artuso. After a stay of five days, from 9 (here) through 13 May 2011, near Beausejour, Manitoba, this Summer Tan- ager unfortunately succumbed to the cold. Photograph by N. Schinkel. sightings included an early Killdeer at Win- nipeg 10 Mar (CC), 2 Black-necked Stilts at Goose L., SK 5 May (MH), 3 early Whimbrels near Granum, AB 25 Apr (TM), one Whim- brel at Jasper N.P, AB 31 May (GGu; a first for the park), and 26 Hudsonian Godwits at Frank L. 1 May (1A, NSe). Sabine’s Gulls made news in Alberta, with exceptional num- bers in late May: one was at Calgary 23 May (BW, TK), 40+ were at Upper Therien L. 26 May (TH, PP), 80+ were at Cold L. 28 May (TH, PP), 30 were se. of Frank L. 28-29 May (RW), and 9 were at Frank L. 29 May (1H, BB, DG). Terry Korolyk identified no fewer than 19 Thayers Gulls at Calgary 26 Mar-31 May. A single Thayers was seen 30 Apr-2 May at the Regina, SK Correctional Facility Pond, where an ad. Lesser Black-backed Gull was present 2 Apr-1 May, an imm. was noted 28 Manitoba's second Summer Tanager of spring 201 1 was a one-day wonder at Starbuck on 10 May. Photograph byC. Penner. Apr, and 4 Glaucous Gulls 2 May (BL). Regionwide, there were at least 8 additional Glaucous Gulls, and a Glaucous-winged Gull x Herring Gull hybrid was at Glen- more Res., Calgary 17 May (TK). A Black Tern at Calgary 26 Apr (GY) was early, while single Arc- tic Terns near Strathmore, AB 27 May (YA, IP) and at Cold L. 28 May (TH, PP) were rare. PIGEONS THROUGH FINCHES A Band-tailed Pigeon at Winnipeg 12-14 May (RK, m.ob., ph.) was the 10th for Manitoba, while a White-winged Dove 19-22 May near Dufresne, MB (GH, DH; ph. JH) was the 6th for the province and the 3rd since May 2010. An Eastern Screech-Owl noted at Cypress Hills, SK during winter 2010-2011 was seen several times in the period 11 Mar- 19 Apr (MN-H, AH). Short-eared Owls were scarce, except for 15 noted in the Frank L. area 23 & 28 Mar (RKu, JD). A Great Crested Flycatch- er at Headingley, MB 7 May was early (BS), while a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at Holland, MB 11-15 May evaded all but the original ob- server (LR, fide KDS). Although the remnant Loggerhead Shrike population around Win- nipeg seems to have been extirpated, a few birds continue to appear in se. Manitoba; one V01UME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 471 PRAIRIE PROVINCES During a cold spell in mid-May 2011, three Summer Tanagers were photographed in Manitoba. This bird was found near Win- kler on 12 May. Photograph byP.Froese. This Western Tanager frequented a feeder at Richer, Manitoba from 1 1 (here 13) through 14 May 2011, during a period of in- clement weather. Photograph by K. Kilgour-Klann. was just n. of the U.S. border at Sprague 27 May (RN). A Northern Shrike at Calgary 22 Apr was tardy (HS), while a Blue-headed Vireo at Winnipeg 17 Apr was early (GB). Swallows undoubtedly suffered severe mor- tality during the May cold spells. A Blue-gray Gnatcatcher at Last Mountain N.W.A. 28 May (RD, ASm, ph.) provided the first documented record for Saskatchewan. Outside of their restricted s. Alberta range were Sage Thrashers at Taber 11 May (LBe) and at Milo 13 May (IP). An overwintering Brown Thrasher at Regina, SK was last report- ed 9 Mar (fide GK). Two Bohemian Waxwings at Calgary 7 May were well beyond their usu- al departure date (PC). An early Nashville Warbler was at Mt. Lorette 20 Apr (JD). Al- berta’s 8th well-documented Northern Parula was photographed at Writing-on-Stone P.P. 29 May (A&rDW, BP, LGr). A tally of 11+ Cape May Warblers at Gorge Creek near Calgary 29 May was high for the area (CY, LB). A leucis- tic Yellow-rumped Warbler at Winnipeg 7 May was a novel find (SO, ph.). A Common Yellowthroat at Sandilands Provincial Forest, MB 28 Apr (GB, DD) was exceptionally early. Rare for Manitoba was a Spotted Towhee at Winnipeg 8 May (GG). American Tree Spar- rows paused in high numbers in s. Alberta (m.ob.) and s. of Pinawa, MB (PT, RZ). Flocks of migrant Chipping Sparrows in s. Alberta in late May were much later than usual, but a Song Sparrow at Estevan, SK 7 Mar (KH) was early. Alberta’s 6th Summer Tanager, an imm. male, visited the Cypress Hills area 25 May QKe, ph.), one was at Regi- na 16 May (TF), and singles were pho- tographed in Manitoba near Beausejour 9-13 May (NS), at Starbuck 10 May (CP), and near Winkler 12 May (BF). Also in Manitoba were Western Tanagers at Onanole 7 or 8 May (SS), at Richer 11-14 May (KK-K, ph.), and near Seven Sisters Falls for about a week in mid-May (BPo). A pair of Northern Cardinals was at Prince Albert, SK 25 Mar; breeding was suspected there in 2010. The female was seen collecting twigs 4 Apr (DHe). Others were noted at Calgary 10 Apr (DV) and at White City, SK 22-31 May (BL). Reports in Manitoba are too numerous to tally. A very early Brown-headed Cowbird was noted near Blumenort, MB 9 Apr (VR). In keeping with the slow spring, both Common and Hoary Redpolls lingered in s. Alberta and s. Manito- ba until late Apr and early May. Observers (regional compilers in boldface); I. Anderson, C. Artuso, Y. Attia, L. Bailey, B. Bar- netson, L. Bennett (LBe), G. Budyk, R. Clarke, A. Courcelles, P. Cram, C. Curtis, J. Davis, K. DeSmet, R. Dickson, D. Dodgson, L. Duchek, A. Enns, V. & E Felesky, T. Ford, B. Froese, M. & L. Geldorp, D. Gibson, L. Gies- brecht, P Goossen, G. Grieef, L. Griffiths (LGr), G. Gulash (GGu), M. Haga, I. Halla- day, S. Hartig, A. Hartley, D. Hays, G. Hays, J. Hays, K. Hedegard, D. Heffernan (DHe), T. Hince, R. Hoffort, J. Kayer, V. Keenan, S. Keith, S. Kelly (SKy), J. Kennedy (JKe), K. Kilgour-Klann, R. Koes, T. Korolyk, G. Kratzig, R. Kube (RKu), C. Linnard, B. Luter- bach, T. McNeill, A. Mickey, G. Monty, M. Mulligan, M. Nagel-Hisey, R. Nickel, S. Oikawa, B. Parsons, C. Penner, J. Peters, B. Porth (BPo), I. Povalyaev, P. Pratt, B. Quiring, V. Reimer, L. Rutherford, S. Sallows, N. Schinkel, A. Schritt, R. Seguin, N. Seneviratne (NSe), B. Shettler, H. Simonds, A. Smith (ASm), D. Staniforth, R. Staniforth (RSt), P. Taylor, V Thomas, D. Vernon, J. Whitelaw, A. & D. Wieckowski, B. Wilson, S. Wilson, R. Worona, G. Yaki, C. Young, R. Zach. © Rudolf F. Koes, 135 Rossmere Crescent Winnipeg, Manitoba R2K0G1 (rkoes@mts.net) Peter Taylor, P.O.Box 597 Pinawa, Manitoba ROE 1L0 (taylorp@granite.mb.ca) 472 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS Northern Great Plains Lake Alice NWR m99 BowdoinNWR lvre* m*. C. M. Russell NWR# ^r\ m\ It Falls tyFbrtP/ck L #LewiS,0Wn Miles & Billings tASttRR ‘ MONTANA Ron Martin The severe winter of 2010-2011 contin- ued into March and April across much of the Region. All three months of the spring season had below-average tempera- tures and average or above-average precipita- tion. Temperatures were 9° F below average in March in Bismarck, North Dakota and 11° F below average at Glasgow, Montana. April and May came in about 4° F below average for most areas. The below-average temperatures for April in Glasgow made the sixth consecu- tive month of this cold trend. Blizzard conditions occurred 11 March in some areas of North Dakota. Another major widespread snowfall occurred 22 March, with 20 cm in Glasgow, Montana and 25 cm at Minot, North Dakota. Yet another storm hit Glasgow on 16-17 April. The last major storm came on 29-30 April, when much of western North Dakota and eastern Montana received heavy snow. Grassy Butte, North Dakota had 34 cm and high winds. Snow drifts at Westby, Montana reached 2-3 m. Glasgow, Montana finished the winter season with 275 cm of snow, a new record, as did Grassy Butte, North Dakota, with 267 cm. Other areas also received two to three times their average. Snow drifts were still visible well into May in North Dakota. As the record snows melted, the flooding began in late March. Nearly every river in North Dakota and eastern Montana ran above flood stage for weeks, and many were still at flood stage at the end of the season. When May arrived, the snow turned into rain, exac- erbating the flooding. Some areas of eastern Montana had up to 25 cm of rain in May, and most areas of North Dakota and far eastern Montana had 15 cm or more. Wet conditions were also widespread in South Dakota. The wet conditions kept farmers from seed- ing crops in many areas. Northwestern North Dakota was the most severely affected, with as little as 10 per cent of the land seeded in some counties. Overland flooding in prime grassland areas in McHenry County and the Sheyenne National Grasslands of North Dakota wreaked havoc on grassland-dependent species. The saga of the rising water at Devils Lake, North Dakota also continues. The lake has risen 9 m since 1993, now consuming 25 square miles with each new foot of elevation. The lake level is now 1.2 m from flowing naturally into the Red River drainage. Nearly one bil- lion dollars has been spent raising roads, diking towns, and building outlets since 1993, with no end in sight. By the end of the season, the Souris River at Minot, North Dakota was still at major flood stage, Bismarck, North Dakota was preparing for major flooding on the Missouri River, and the Montana snowpack had not yet begun to melt. Flooded roads were legion across the Dakotas, and many prime birding areas were flooded and inaccessible. The generally wet and cold weather kept the raptor migration very visible, with good numbers across the Region. The shorebird migration in North Dakota was very poor, no doubt due to the record water levels. The war- bler migration was spectacular, with cool weather and persistent easterly winds driving birds west of their normal haunts. The 20 species of warblers recorded in North Dakota 10-11 May was quite early for such diversity. A major fallout of sparrows occurred at West- by, Montana 6 May. WATERFOWL THROUGH IBIS Greater Scaup peaked at 302 at the Grand Forks, ND Sewage Lagoons 21 Apr (EEF), and a single 29 May in McPherson (JDW) provided the latest spring sighting for South Dakota. Casual in spring in South Dakota, scoters made a strong showing. Surf Scoters were in Yankton 19 Mar (RND) and 23 Apr (TJ) and at Pierre 30 Apr and 2 May (RDO). A White-winged Scoter was in Minnehaha 30 Apr (TJ), and the rarest of the group, a Black Scoter was in Yankton 23 Apr (TJ). The Greater Sage-Grouse lek count in North Dakota yielded only 63 males, continuing the concern for this species’ survival in the state (North Dakota Game and Fish Department). A Greater Sage-Grouse in Pennington, SD 3 Apr was out of the species’ normal range (RSL). Persistent flooding in Grand Forks and the Sheyenne National Grasslands in North Dakota is causing con- cern for Greater Prairie-Chicken populations in those areas. Recent significant declines not- ed at lek counts continued this spring (DNS, DOL). Accidental in spring, and the 9th report for South Dakota, a Red-throated Loon was in Yankton 26-27 Mar (BFH, RND, ph.). An American Bittern was early in Fargo, ND 4 Apr (fide KRC). A new early date for South Dakota, a Great Egret was in Yankton 17 Mar (RND). Two Snowy Egrets in Ward, ND 14 May (SDL) provided a first record for the county. Casual at Freezout L., MT, a single Snowy Egret was seen 10 May (MS). A poten- tial 7th record for Montana, a Little Blue Heron was at Bowdoin N.W.R. 22 May (p.a., SJD, TH). A Cattle Egret was unusual at Medi- cine L., MT 25 May (EH). Casual in the Dako- tas, Yellow-crowned Night-Herons were in McLean, ND 18 May (TW), Perkins, SD 14 May (DC), and Brown, SD 18 May (GO). The earli- est spring record for South Dakota, White- faced Ibis were already in Hand 8 Apr (DB). The 5th report for North Dakota, a Glossy Ibis was at Long Lake N.W.R. 3 May (p.a., MJR). Other Glossy Ibis were noted from three South Dakota counties 7-26 May (p.a., RDO, BJU). RAPTORS THROUGH SH0REBIRDS Unprecedented for North Dakota, 34 Ospreys were counted in four hours at Bismarck 23 Apr (DNS). New high counts for North Dako- ta, 102 Bald Eagles passed Bismarck 19 Mar (CDE), and 126 were seen in Cass 26 Mar (DWR, KRC). The lone Red-shouldered Hawk report came from Fargo, ND 19 Mar (DPW). Hundreds of Red-tailed Hawks mi- grated over Ft. Peck, MT 7 Apr, preceded ear- lier in the day by thousands of Sandhill Cranes (CC, JC). More regular in recent years in South Dakota, a Common Gallinule was in Charles Mix, SD 11 May (RM). Virginia Rail numbers were down, with high water the likely culprit. Considered accidental in spring in the Northern Great Plains, and representing just the ninth record for South Dakota, this Red-throated Loon was in Yankton County 26-28 (here 28) March 2011. Photograph by Roger Dietrich. VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 473 NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS This Lewis's Woodpecker, one of two in North Dakota in spring 2011, was observed in Wells County 23-24 (here 23) May 201 1 . There are fewer than twenty records for the state. Photograph by Larry Jones. Displaced by high water, 30 Piping Plovers were seen on gravel roads around Westby, MT 10 May (MS). Piping Plovers were nesting on gravel roads at Medicine Lake N.W.R., MT and at several locations in North Dakota. A casual nester in North Dakota, a Black-necked Stilt pair was seen nest-building in Grand Forks 26 Apr (DH); the nest eventually failed due to flooding. Early shorebirds in South Dakota in- cluded a Willet 7 Apr in Meade (EEM) and Pectoral Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher, and Wilson’s Phalarope in Yankton 23 Mar (RND). Rare Montana shorebirds were 4 Hud- sonian Godwits at Ft. Peck 1 May (CC), a Rud- dy Turnstone at Bowdoin N.W.R. 22 May (SJD, TH), and single Red Knots at Freezout L. 20 & 27 May (MS). In spring migration, a few single reports of American Woodcock is the norm for e. North Dakota city parks and migrant traps. On 3 Apr, following up on reports of several American Woodcocks in Grand Forks, Lam- beth tallied a peak of 24 individuals. Multiple birds were also reported the same day in Fargo (fide LLG, DPW). On 8 Apr, 16 were in the Grand Forks Cemetery (DOL). JAEGERS THROUGH PIPITS A potential 4th record for North Dakota, a Po- marine Jaeger was reported from Des Lacs N.W.R. 11 Apr (p.a., RR). Casual in spring, an Iceland Gull was at Pierre 5 Mar (RDO). Very rare away from the Missouri R. corridor in South Dakota, Lesser Black-backed Gulls were in Lincoln 2 Apr (TJ) and Grant 11 Apr (BJU). In North Dakota, Lesser Black-banded Gulls peaked at 2 at the Bismarck Landfill 22 Apr (HCT) and at 3 in West Fargo 24 May (KRC). In Montana, a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Ft. Peck 9-17 Apr (CC) provided the 6th record for the state. Also at Ft. Peck, a proba- ble second-cycle Glaucous Gull x Her- ring Gull hybrid was photographed 13 Apr (CC). The 6th report for South Dakota, a Great Black-backed Gull was in Grant 16 Mar (p.a., BJU). Rare in e. Montana, 2 Barn Owls were near Hinsdale 13 Apr (D&rHM). The latest spring report for South Dakota, a Snowy Owl was in Day 1 May (JK)- The Northern Hawk Owl wintering near Glenfield, ND re- mained through at least 3 Mar. Anoth- er individual was noted in Grand Forks , ND 14-17 Mar (EEF, SJA). North Dakota has fewer than 20 records of Lewis’s Woodpecker, but this spring 2 were photographed: one frequented a feeder at South Heart, Stark 14-19 May (LT), and another was in Wells 23-24 May (LDJ). Rare away from the Little Missouri R. valley in North Dakota, Western Wood-Pewees were reported 24 & 27 May in Divide ( CC ). A call- ing Alder Flycatcher was early 11 May at Minot, ND (REM). Rare in Montana, and un- usually far w., a Philadelphia Vireo was at Free- zout L. 21 May (WT, MS). An unusually high number of Philadelphia Vireo sightings came from w. North Dakota, with 5 reported 19-26 May. In South Dakota, westerly reports of Philadelphia Vireo included one in Perkins 22 May (BJU) and one in Harding 25 May (DB). On 26 May, a late migrant or possibly nesting Brown Creeper was n. of Bismarck, ND, as was a Winter Wren (ER). Rare migrants in the Red River valley of North Dakota, Mountain Blue- birds were in Grand Forks 17 Mar (EEF) and at Fargo 3-4 Apr (KRC, DWR). Hundreds of Swainson’s Thrushes were in Westby, MT 11 May (TN), the largest number ever seen there. A Swainson’s Thrush was very early in Min- nehaha, SD 3 Apr (p.a., MJ). An early Ameri- can Pipit was in Hand, SD 19 Mar (DB). L0NGSPURS THROUGH FINCHES Rarely reported in South Dakota, McCown’s Longspurs were in Corson 7 Apr (DNS) and in Perkins 12-15 May (RDO). The earliest ever for South Dakota, a Chestnut-collared Longspur was in Custer 9 Mar (p.a., MMM). The 18th report for North Dakota, a Blue- winged Warbler was in Bowdon, Wells 11-13 May (LDJ). South Dakota reports of Blue- winged were from Lake 9 May (JSP) and Brook- ings 21 May (KCJ). A Nashville Warbler was far w. in Harding, SD 25 May (DB). Northern Parula reports were well above average, with seven South Dakota sightings. Unusually far w. was a single in Perkins 15-16 May (TJ). Multi- ple reports of Northern Parulas from Fargo, ND spanned 10-24 May, with unusual wester- ly reports from Bismarck 10 May (CDE) and Lake llo N.W.R. 20 May (REM, SDL). A Yellow Warbler was early in Pennington, SD 23 Apr (CEM). Many reports were tallied for Cape May Warbler in South Dakota, where the species is typically a rare migrant. North Dako- ta also had a spectacular showing of Cape Mays, with over 50 reports. Four Audubon’s Warblers in North Dakota 22 Apr-30 May made an above-average total. Numerous re- ports of Black-throated Green Warbler were re- ceived from the Dakotas, including 20+ from North Dakota; one in Perkins, SD 14-15 May (DS, JSP) was far w. of normal. More than 40 reports of Blackburnian Warbler in North Dakota included an unprecedented peak of 15 at Fargo 24 May (BJA). Always a rare migrant in the Dakotas, Pine Warblers were in Grant, SD 23 Apr (BJU), in Traill, ND 30 Apr-3 May (SAW), and at Fargo, ND 14 May (DWR). Bay- breasted Warblers followed the trend of other species, with many reports in the Dakotas, in- cluding numerous reports from the w. half of those states. A new high count of 14 was tal- lied at Fargo, ND 25 May (DPW), with an ear- ly single at Minot 9 May (REM) and a rare Montana spring record from Westby 27 May (p.a., TN). Casual in the Dakotas, single Worm-eating Warblers were in Walworth, SD 18 May (MO) and in Burke, ND 17 May (JG, DW), the latter making the 13th report for the state. Seventeen Connecticut Warbler reports in North Dakota included a peak of 5 in Fargo 24 May (BJA). Casual in North Dakota, MacGillivray’s Warblers were in Burke 17 May (JG, DW) and McHenry 24 May (REM, VE). Rare in South Dakota, a Kentucky Warbler was in Lake 22 May (TJ). Casual in the Dakotas, Hooded Warblers were in Cando, ND 18 May (PE) and in Lake, SD 21 May (JSP)- Very rare in e. North Dakota, Yellow-breasted Chats were reported from Fargo 19 May (ER) and from Wells 22 & 30 May (LDJ). A Slate-colored Fox Sparrow was pho- tographed at Grand Forks 4 May (p.a., DOL, ph.), the first record of this subspecies group for North Dakota. A late Lincoln’s Sparrow was in Grant, SD 28 May (DJU). A peak of 2975 Dark-eyed Juncos was tallied in McHen- ry, ND 3 Apr (REM). Summer Tanagers made an unprecedented showing, with seven South Dakota reports spanning 10-23 May. Five North Dakota sightings 8-26 May included 3 at Jamestown 17 May. A Scarlet Tanager was far nw. in Divide, ND 27 May (CC). A possi- 474 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS ble 3rd record for South Dakota, a Painted Bunting was in Harding 25 May (p.a., DB, ph.). Out-of-range Eastern Meadowlarks in South Dakota were in Grant 5 Apr (BJU) and Union 29 Apr (TJ); in North Dakota, one was at Tewaukan N.W.R. 13 Apr (SHe). The 8th report for North Dakota, a Great-tailed Grackle was in Bames 12 Apr (p.a., JML, ph.). Fledgling Red Crossbills were at Den- bigh Experimental Forest, ND 24 May (REM), where they occasionally nest. Very rare in the Region except in the Black Hills of South Dakota, an Evening Grosbeak was in Valley, MT 19 May (MD). Contributors (state editors in boldface): MONTANA: Chuck Carlson, John Carlson, Stephen J. Dinsmore, Mona Doebler, Tyler Harms, Ed Harper, Don & Holly Minnerath, Ted Nordhagen, Mike Schwitters, Wayne Tree. NORTH DAKOTA: Bob J. Anderson, Sandy J. Aubol, Carey Cooper, Keith R. Corliss, Corey D. Ellingson, Victor Emanuel, Patrick Esterly, Eve E. Freeberg, Linda L. Gregg, Joe Grzybowski, Deborah Hanson, Samantha Hetler, Larry D. Jones, David 0. Lambeth, Sherry D. Leslie, Jean M. Legge, Ron E. Martin, Mike J. Rabenberg, Dean W. Riemer, Eric Ripma, Russ Rytter, Dan N. Svin- gen, H. Clark Talkington, Lee Talkington, Sharon A. Watson, David Wiggins, Dennis P. Wiesenborn, Travis Wooten. SOUTH DAKO- TA: Doug Backlund, Doug Chapman, Roger N. Dietrich, Bill E Huser, Kent C. Jensen, Todd Jensen, Joyce Kringen, Richard S. Latuchie, Ron Mabie, Michael M. Melias, Charlie E. Miller, Ernest E. Miller, Gary Ol- son, Ricky D. Olson, Mark Otnes, Jeffrey S. Palmer, Mark Schmidtbauer, Dave Swanson, J. David Williams, Bill J. Unzen. <& Ron Martin, 16900 125th Street SE Sawyer, North Dakota 58781-9284, (jrmartin@srt.com) Southern Great Plains W. Ross Silcock Joseph A. Grzybowski Contrasts are part of the character in the Southern Great Plains, where almost no year is “normal,” and extremes in temperature and precipitation are frequently recorded. This season was characterized by extremes in the distribution of water: southerly areas experienced the extreme drought conditions that continue to plague the Southwest, while northern parts of the Region endured extremes of high precipita- tion and heavy snow melt from the Rockies. Observers in Nebraska found both warblers and shorebirds in good numbers and diversi- ty; neither was the case farther south. The drought clearly forced Cassin’s Sparrows and probably other species (perhaps even Painted Redstart) out of the Southwest and into the southern part of the Region. Abbreviations: Cheyenne Bottoms (Cheyenne Bottoms W.M.A., Barton, KS); Hackberry Flat (Hackberry Flat W.M.A., Till- man, OK); McConaughy (L. McConaughy Res., Keith, NE); Quivira (N.W.R. , Stafford, KS); Red Slough (Red Slough W.M.A., Mc- Curtain, OK). WATERFOWL THROUGH IBISES Three Greater White-fronted Geese, at least one injured, and 8 Snow Geese lingered in Clay, NE 17 May (PD, BF); a Snow Goose was as far s. as Tulsa, OK 25 Apr (FS, SMe). The 500,000 Snow Geese in Harlan, NE 9 Mar (JGJ) made an impressive tally. The best count of Ross’s Goose was of 155 in Clay, NE 16 Mar (LE). Nebraska has five spring records of Brant, all of subspecies hrota; so a Black Brant in Adams 4-6 Mar (PD) was exception- al. Four reports totaling 19 Tundra Swans were received 12-31 Mar (PJ, MB, LF, BJ), 12 of these at Quivira 31 Mar (BJ); this species is a rare Regional migrant. No Trumpeter Swans were reported from Oklahoma, but 13 were in Kansas 8 Mar-4 Apr (fide LM). Six unidenti- fied swans were at Quivira 23 Mar (JN). Now a Regional rarity, an American Black Duck was identified at Quivira 18 & 31 Mar (BJ). Mottled Duck continues at Red Slough, where 1-3 were found 15 Mar-5 Apr (DA). A Eurasian Wigeon in Sarpy, NE 14 May (MB) was rather tardy. Cinnamon Teal, uncommon migrants in w. parts of the Region, were re- ported e. to Sequoyah, OK 1-3 Mar (SB, JM et al. ), Johnson, KS 23 Mar (SMc), and Douglas, KS 22-29 Apr (JK). The 40,000 Northern Pin- tails in Harlan, NE 10 Mar (JGJ) was impres- sive. Greater Scaup have recently become more widely reported; 95 were in Nebraska (fide WRS), including 50 at McConaughy 23 Mar (TJW), and 20 were reported from Kansas (fide LM). Scoter reports this season were limited to 3 White-wingeds in Pawnee, OK 3 Mar (MP) and 3 in Quivira 23 Mar ON). The only Long- tailed Ducks reported were 3 in Russell, KS 23 Mar (RW). A very late ad. male Common Merganser was in Madison, NE 23 May (LE). Three Red-throated Loons were in Linn, KS 25 Mar (DS), with singles in Johnson, KS 21-31 Mar (ML, m.ob.) and Cedar, NE 26-27 Mar (BFH, RD; ph. MB). Lingering Common Loons were in Tulsa, OK 23 May (BC), Pot- tawatomie, KS 20 May (DB), and Johnson, KS 21 May (SE). A record-early Western Grebe for Nebraska was in Platte 30 Mar (JGJ). Clarks Grebe is rare in the e. portion of the Region; one was in Brown, KS 2 May (RR). A vagrant Brown Pelican was in McPherson, KS 25 Mar (MPl, KM). Neotropic Cormorants arrived by 21 Mar at Red Slough (DA), where regular, and 26 Mar in Johnson, KS (TS), where quite rare; elsewhere, 4 were at Cheyenne Bottoms 17 May (MRo, BB) and one in Oklahoma 29 Apr (JAG). A single An- hinga arrived early at Red Slough 15 Mar (DA). An American Bittern was early in Tul- sa, OK 19 Mar (TM). Nebraska’s only report of Least Bittern was northerly, in Antelope 28 May (MB). Two Great Egrets in Cedar, NE 17 Mar (JJ) were early, as was a Snowy Egret in Lancaster, NE 6 Apr (R&SW) and as were 2 Snowies in Oklahoma 21 Mar (JW). A Little Blue Heron was n. to Lancaster, NE 7 & 10 May (LE). Tricolored Heron, rare away from Red Slough, appeared in Sedgwick, KS 18 Apr (PJ) and in Oklahoma 21-28 May (MJ et al.). A northerly imm. Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was seen in Seward, NE 24 Apr VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 475 SOUTHERN GREAT PLAINS A regular rarity along western stretches of the Southern Great Plains, this Plumbeous Vireo was photographed in Cimarron County, Oklahoma 11 May 2011. Photograph by Berlin Heck. This Cassin's Vireo in Morton County, Kansas 1 1 May 201 1 provides one of only a handful of spring records for the Southern Great Plains region. Photograph by David Wiggins. (JC, SSc) and (possibly same bird) 27 May (LE). White Ibis away from Red Slough were in Tulsa 6 Mar (early; TM) and Alfalfa , OK 17 Apr (MP). Glossy Ibis numbers continue to increase northward in the Region to Nebras- ka, where 5-6 were reported 17 Apr-17 May (PD, BF, MB, JGJ); 2 other Plegadis there were considered hybrids with White-faced (JGJ). Two Glossies were reported in Kansas 21 Apr and 15 May (SS, PJ), and 6 were found in Oklahoma 14 Apr-5 May (L&MT, DA, TH,JL). EAGLES THROUGH CRANES Unusually high counts of Bald Eagles for spring were the 160+ at Calamus Res., Loup/Gaifield , NE (B&KG) and 144 in Lancaster , NE 5 Mar (JGJ). Northern Goshawks, rare in the Region, were noted in Shawnee, KS 1 Mar (imm.; JHa) and Scotts Bluff, NE 30 Mar (imm.; SJ, ph. DG). A Common Black-Hawk was in Morton, KS 10 Apr (TC, ER, DWg); the first for the Region, it may be part of a pattern of birds expanding northward into s. Colorado. A westerly Broad- winged Hawk was in Grant, KS 22 Apr (KH), and another was in Cimar- ron, OK 24 Apr (DR); a dark-morph Broad-winged, very rare in the Region, was in Sedgwick, KS 18 Apr (PG, CV). The 2 Harlan’s Hawks in Saunders 20 Apr (CNK) provided a new late date for Nebraska. Easterly was an imm. Ferruginous Hawk in Dakota, NE 30 Apr (BFH), as was an imm. Golden Ea- gle in Sarpy, NE 21 Mar (RWr). A Rough-legged Hawk in Osage, KS 22 May (MG, NA) was very late. A Peregrine Falcon nest box in Topeka, KS was occupied this spring by birds fledged in Lincoln, NE (JGJ)- The pair consisted of a male fledged in 2007 and a female fledged in 2009 (JGJ). Prairie Falcons e. of usual range were in Wyandotte, KS 2 Apr (CH), Pawnee, NE 6 Mar (RSt), and Lancaster, NE 1 Mar (LE). The lone Yellow Rail re- ported was in Douglas, KS 18 Apr (DL, RB). The reg- ular Black Rail site at Quivira yielded an impres- sive 5 on 22 May (JCa et al.). King Rails away from Red Slough were reported only from Hackberry Flat 4 Mar (L&MT) and 21 Apr (K&SM, MA). Purple Gallinules, a Red Slough specialty, appeared there 26 Apr (DA), with 24 noted there by 31 May (DA). Common Gallinules were noted n. this season to Douglas 22 Apr (CNK), Lan- caster 25-26 Apr (LE, RSt, DLe, JGJ), and Sarpy 18 May (BF), all in Nebraska; at Red Slough, the peak count was 31 on 20 Apr (DA). Oddball Sandhill Cranes breeding in w. Nebraska continued this year, with pairs in Scotts Bluff 9 Apr for a 3rd year (KD) and Morrill 5 May (KD). A Sandhill Crane in Tul- sa, OK 13 Mar (BC) was easterly. A Common Crane was reported again in Nebraska, from Buffalo 25 Mar ( fide KS). An obliging Hood- ed Crane in Hall, NE was studied from 25 Mar through 11 Apr (p.a.; ph. WW, ph. CC; ph. MU; m.ob.); this may be an escapee from an Idaho aviary in 2006, but the bird clearly had no band. The highest counts of Whoop- ing Crane were 19 in cen. Nebraska 2 Apr (BW) and 10 at Quivira 3 Apr (BJ). At least 51 Whoopings were noted in Nebraska 2-3 Apr ( fdeJLL ). PLOVERS THROUGH WOODPECKERS The 200 Black-bellied Plovers in the Rainwa- ter Basin 21 May (JGJ) was an excellent count. An American Golden-Plover in Buffa- lo, NE 12 Mar (ph. JAG) was the 2nd earliest on record for the state. With no exposed sand at a very full McConaughy, Snowy Plovers were scarce in Nebraska, with only 5 report- ed all season ( fide WRS). Three Piping Plovers were in Pawnee, KS 23 Apr (SS), with singles in Alfalfa, OK 15 Apr (BC), in Okla- homa 28 Apr QB), and at Hackberry Flat 6 May (L&MT). Mountain Plovers were re- ported from expected locations in s. Kimball, NE 12 Apr 0J) and 31 May (L&BP) and in Cimarron, OK 1 Apr (DR). Easterly reports of Black-necked Stilt included singles at Red Slough 11 Apr and 31 May (DA), 3 in Cleve- land, OK 23 Apr (JAG), one in Canadian, OK 1 May (BD), and one in Sarpy 18-20 Apr (CNK, m.ob.). A tardy Solitary Sandpiper was in Tulsa, OK 26 May (BC), while an ear- ly Lesser Yellowlegs was in Douglas, NE 12- 13 Mar (JWH, JR). Upland Sandpipers ap- peared in good numbers in the Kansas Flint Hills; 573 were tallied in Butler 28 Apr (RP, SF) and 337 in the same county a day earlier (RP, SF). Whimbrels were more evident than usual, with a total of about 55 in the Region 25 Apr-23 May, including 19 at Quivira 16 May (MR). An amazing 843 Long-billed Curlews were in w. Finney, KS 1 Apr (T&SS, MO). A female Long-billed Curlew fitted with a satellite transmitter left the wintering area in ne. Mexico 29 Mar and arrived in the w. Sandhills of Nebraska 1 Apr (fide JGJ). Ex- cellent counts of Hudsonian Godwits were the 750 at Cheyenne Bottoms 2 May (MR) and 277 in the Rainwater Basin 7 May (JGJ). Early migrant Marbled Godwits were at Red Slough 23 Mar (DA) and in Oklahoma, OK 31 Mar (fide BD). A surprising count was that of 33 Ruddy Turnstones at Cheyenne Bottoms 18 May (MRo, BB). A very early Sanderling was in Oklahoma, OK 1 Apr (JAG), and quite early were single Semipalmated Sandpipers at Hackberry Flat 2, 4, & 10 Mar (L&MT). Ear- ly arriving for Nebraska were the 4 Dunlins in Seward 2 Apr (RSt, EB). Seven thousand Stilt Sandpipers were at Cheyenne Bottoms 17 May (MRo, BB). The declining Buff- breasted Sandpiper was found mostly in its narrow migratory corridor: 53 were in Butler, KS 27 Apr (RP, SF) and 180 in the e. Rainwa- ter Basin 10 May (JGJ)- Short-billed Dow- itcher is mostly a May migrant in the Region, so 3 in Seward, NE 24 Apr (JC, SSc) were un- expected. About 2100 Long-billed Dowitch- ers were in the Rainwater Basin 7 May (JGJ), while one was early there 13 Mar (JGJ). Wil- son’s Phalarope was in large numbers in cen. 476 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS SOUTHERN GREAT PLAINS Having a house in Cimarron County, in the Oklahoma Panhandle, has certain advan- tages— such as finding the state's third Hepatic Tanager, here 9 May 2011 . Photo- graph by Dan Robinson. On 29 May 201 1, a female Bronzed Cowbird was captured in a cowbird trap on the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge, Comanche County, Oklahoma, part of the species' slow expansion from core range. Photograph by John Ault. Kansas, estimated at 4000 at Cheyenne Bot- toms 18 May (MRo, BB) and “thousands” at Quivira 2 May (MR). Easterly was a Red- necked Phalarope in Sarpy, NE 16 May (CNK). A Regional rarity was the alternate - plumaged female Red Phalarope in York, NE 21 May (vt.JGJ). A Black-legged Kittiwake was at Mc- Conaughy 27 Mar (PD). Laughing Gull is a rare-but-regular spring migrant in the Re- gion; singles were at McConaughy 27 May (JGJ) and in Cherokee, OK 7 May (JM et ah). Quite tardy was a Glaucous Gull in Oklaho- ma 31 Mar (BD). Six California Gulls were found in Nebraska 13-31 Mar (fide WRS), with one in Oklahoma 31 Mar (JAG). A Her- ring Gull at McConaughy 27 May (JGJ) was tardy. An Iceland Gull was a great find at Cheyenne Bottoms 29-30 Apr (SS, m.ob.), one of fewer than 10 records for the state. The 7 Thayer’s Gulls at McConaughy 27 Mar (3 ads., 4 juvs.; PD) tied the spring high count for Nebraska. The expected few Lesser Black-backed Gulls were all in Nebraska; 8 were noted 10 Mar-23 Apr (fide WRS), in- cluding 4 at McConaughy 27 Mar (PD). The only Great Black-backed Gulls reported were 2 juvs. in Harlan, NE 2 Mar (PD); one was still there 31 Mar (KS). The 32 Common Terns at McConaughy 27 May (JGJ) made a high spring record count. White -winged Doves continue their north- ward march into Nebraska (fide CWH, THa, TJW, MW). Record-early Common Poorwills were in Lincoln, NE 12 Apr (LD) and in Pot- tawatomie, KS 7 Apr (RK). An exceptional find in the Region was a Broad-billed Hum- mingbird in Comanche, OK 23-29 Apr (K&SM, L&MT); there are fewer than five Regional records. Black-chinned Humming- birds were noted northerly in Pawnee, KS 26 May (SS) and in Rawlins, KS, where 2 (possi- bly nesting) were seen 31 May (PJ). A Ladder- backed Woodpecker wandered to Morton, KS 3-8 May (KH, SG, fide LM), with a Red-naped Sapsucker there 10 Apr (TC, ER, DWg). FLYCATCHERS THROUGH PIPITS Two Say’s Phoebes arrived very early in Harp- er, OK 1 Mar (EBe); other easterly Say’s were in Washington, NE 1 May (JT) and Harvey, KS 22 Apr (CS). An early Vermilion Flycatcher was back at its Regional outpost in Cimarron, OK by 26 Mar (DR et al). A Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was northerly in Riley, KS as early as 7 Mar (AC); farther n. in Nebraska, the only reports were of singles in Lancaster 27 Apr (KP) and Buffalo 4 May (LR, RH). An Ash-throated Flycatcher in Cleveland, OK 5 May (RGu et al.) was unexpected so far east. White-eyed Vireos were found n. to Seward, NE 11 May (JG) and Lan- caster, NE 21 May (JC, SSc). A Yellow-throated Vireo in Morton, KS 5 May (TC) was westerly. Plumbeous Vireos were re- ported in good numbers, with at least 8 in w. Nebras- ka 27-31 May (JGJ, L&BP); migrants were in Morton, KS 6-8 May (fide LM) and Cimarron, OK 11 May (BH). A Cassin’s Vireo doc- umented in Morton, KS 8 May (DWg) furnishes one of few spring records for the Region. Fish Crow con- tinues to increase in cen. Kansas, with a surprising 40+ in Sedgwick 6 Apr (JCa), 2 in Johnson 15 May (MCo), 12 in Douglas 6 Apr (JBa), and one in Coffey 22 May (MG, NA). In Kansas, DNA evi- dence was used to confirm the identification of ravens in Morton as Common Ravens; 2 ads. and 3 juvs. were present there 21 Mar (TC). Another raven was in neighboring Stanton 25 Mar (T&SS). Common Ravens may be replacing the declining Chihuahuan Ravens in this area and in open grasslands of the Oklahoma Panhandle. Arriving early were 2 Bank Swallows in Lancaster, NE 3 Apr (LE) and one at Red Slough 29 Mar (DA). Two Rock Wrens were at an Omaha feeder 4-5 May (fide NR; ph.); one at Quivi- ra 10 Apr (BJ) was e. of normal. A Bewick’s Wren in Gage, NE 22 Mar (LE) was norther- ly. Tardy Ruby-crowned Kinglets were in Sarpy, NE 26 May (L&BP), Tulsa, OK 22 May (DKi), and Kimball, NE 28 May (JGJ). Two vagrant Western Bluebirds were in Cimarron, OK 20 Mar (DR). Unexpectedly easterly was a Townsend’s Solitaire in John- son, KS 6 May (MC). Veery is a rare spring migrant in the Region; birds thought to be of the w. subspecies s alicicolus were in Grant, KS 13 (J&CS) & 25 May (KH, SG), while likely eastern fuscescens were found in John- ston, OK 30 Apr (DW), Cherokee, OK 14 May (CB,JS), Lancaster, NE 21 May (2; LE), Hall, NE 21 May (SM), and Platte, NE 21 May (D&JP). Migration of Swainson’s Thrush peaks later in w. Nebraska; 150 were tallied in Kimball 28 May (JGJ). A late Hermit Thrush was in Graham, KS 15 May (HA), and a Gray Catbird in McCurtain, OK 5 Mar (DA) may have wintered. L0NGSPURS THROUGH FINCHES Five thousand Lapland Longspurs were esti- mated in Cuming, NE 11 Mar (JJ). A Blue- winged Warbler, normally rare and found only in the easternmost parts of the Region, was noted in Barton, KS 8 May (RG), with 2 early arrivals in Adair, OK 19 Apr (MRe) and 4 more in e. Nebraska (fide WRS). This was a good spring for Golden-winged Warbler, with 10+ in Nebraska 4-19 May (fide WRS), 10 in Kansas 30 Apr-20 May (fide LM), and one in Oklaho- ma 4 May (DA); all were near the e. edge of the Region. The 90+ Tennessee Warblers in Sarpy, NE 12 May (JR) made a near-record tally. Four Tennessee and 2 Nashville Warblers were found in the Nebraska Panhandle, where rare, 28-31 May (JGJ, L&BP), as were Northern Parulas, with 1-2 in Kimball 30-31 May (L&BP). A Chestnut-sided Warbler was early in Marshall, OK 20 Apr (DW), and 2 in Kim- ball, NE 28-31 May (JGJ, L&BP) were wester- ly, along with 1-3 Magnolia Warblers 31 May (L&BP, JGJ). Seven Cape May Warblers, a very VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 477 SOUTHERN GREAT PLAINS rare Regional migrant, were reported in Ne- braska and Kansas 14-30 May (fide WRS, fide LM), including one westerly in Kimball 30 May (L&BP). A female Black-throated Blue Warbler was in Sioux, NE 15 May (RSt, EB), and another was in Morton , KS in early May (fide LM), both very westerly. A Townsends Warbler was in Decatur , KS 15 May (HA). Also more frequently reported this spring was Blackburnian Warbler: 29 were in Nebraska 5- 31 May (fide WRS), 8 in Kansas 1-20 May (fide LM), and at least 5 in Oklahoma (fide JAG). Westerly Blackburnians were in Comanche 22 May (K&SM) and Kimball, NE 28-31 May (2 birds; JGJ, L&BP). Always exceptional in the Region, a Black-throated Gray Warbler was found in Cimarron, OK 9 May (DR). Possibly expanding westward, Yellow-throated War- blers appeared again in Cleveland, OK 22 Mar-19 May (RGu, CJ, JKi), as well as in Okla- homa, OK 1 Apr (JH), Marion, KS 23 Apr (TW), Harlan, NE 17 Apr (LR, RH, G&WH), and Morton, KS 10 Apr (TC, ER, DWg), the latter two records westerly. Also westerly was a Prairie Warbler in Morton, KS in early May (fide LM). Palm Warbler put in a good show- ing, with 34+ in Nebraska (fide WRS) and one w. to Kimball, NE 30 May (L&BP). Similarly, there were 15 Regional reports of Bay-breasted Warbler (fide WRS, fide LM, KW, BC, TM), one w. to Morton, KS in early May (fide LM). Re- ports of the declining Cerulean Warbler in- cluded 4 singing males in se. Nebraska 5-28 May (JT, RS, KS, m.ob.), a westerly female in Sedgwick, KS 20 May (JN), and singles in Washington, OK 17 May (MP), Atoka, OK 20 Apr (MJ, LG), and McCurtain, OK 27 Apr (MP, BH) and 18 May (JCo). Prothonotary Warblers were nw. of usual in Platte, NE 16 May (GR) and Colfax, NE 21 May (D&JP). Westerly were Worm-eating Warblers in Morton, KS 10 Apr (TC, ER, DWg) and Sedgwick, KS 27 Apr (PG). Swainson's Warbler was reported only from its McCurtain, OK stronghold; 7 were early there 9 Apr (MRe). A very early Northern Wa- terthrush was in Lancaster, NE 17 Apr (DLe). A westerly and early Louisiana Waterthrush was in Rush, KS 23 Mar (SS, SSe), and another was early in Jefferson, KS 22 Mar (GC). A Ken- tucky Warbler in Antelope, NE 18 May (WF) was nw. of its normal range. A Connecticut Warbler, also a Regional rarity, was in Lancast- er, NE 26 May (LE). Hooded Warblers were found w. to Sioux, NE 31 May (HKH) and Mor- ton, KS in early May (fide LM). Perhaps the bird of the season was a Painted Redstart in Morton, KS 5 May (TC), a bird possibly fleeing severe drought conditions farther south. Adding to the confusion over various inter- grades of Spotted and Eastern Towhees in Ne- braska was one in Sarpy 25 Mar that looked like an Eastern but gave only calls of Spotted Towhee (RWr). Cassin’s Sparrows staged a ma- jor influx n. and e. of its usual sw. Regional range, presumably due to the intense drought through most of its breeding range; 10 were in sw. Stafford, KS 14 May (SS, DK), one was at Quivira 21 May (BJ), and another was e. to Sedgwick, KS 22 May (PJ). In Oklahoma, Cassin’s were found as far e. as Tulsa 30 Apr (BC), and singles were in Payne 23 May (TO), Pontotoc 25 Apr (fide DW), and Johnston 26 Apr (fide DW). A Black-throated Sparrow, an Oklahoma Panhandle specialty, was early in Cimarron 26 Mar (NV, JW), as was a Clay-col- ored Sparrow in Cleveland, OK 29 Mar (JAG). Surely also affected by drought, Lark Buntings appeared by the “thousands” in Kimball, NE 30 May (L&BP); the species was also “abun- dant” in w. Kansas in May (fide LM). An early Swamp Sparrow was in Antelope, NE 20 Mar (MB), while a late Harris’s Sparrow was in Johnson, KS 25 May (MCr), and 3 late White- crowned Sparrows were in Kimball, NE 31 May (JGJ). Two Gray-headed Juncos were ex- tralimital in Sioux 8-9 May (HKH). A male Hepatic Tanager in Cimarron, OK 9 May (DR) made a fine addition to a backyard list. Westerly Summer Tanagers were in Lin- coln, NE 9 (TJW) & 22 May (LD), Wheeler, NE 17 May (RSt, EB), and Payne, OK 25 Mar ( fide DE), the latter also early. A Scarlet Tan- ager was w. to Hackberry Flat 5 May (L&MT), whereas Black-headed Grosbeaks were easterly in Butler, KS 13 May (BBr), Cleveland, OK 4 May (AH), and Payne, OK 7 May (TH). A good count of Blue Grosbeaks was the 55 in Stafford, KS 14 May (SS, DK). Lazuli Bunting is becoming a Regionwide spring migrant; there were at least 12 reports from e. counties in all three states (fide WRS, fide LM, fide JAG). A Lazuli in Cleveland, OK 24 Apr (JAG) was early. A Painted Bunting was n. to Comanche, KS 17 May (MR, m.ob.). The earliest Yellow-headed Blackbirds in Nebraska are often single males found with Red-winged Blackbirds; one such bird was in York 12 Mar (RSt, EB). A banding station in Douglas, NE captured 236 different Baltimore Orioles 13-15 May; 67 of them (26%) were re- turns from prior years (fide WRS). The only report of Cassin’s Finch, a rare Nebraska Pan- handle winter visitor, was of 2 in Kimball 12 Apr (JJ). The only reports of Red Crossbill were from the Nebraska Panhandle; two of the four reports involved flocks of 25 and 50 birds containing about 50% begging juvs.: these were in Sheridan 17 May (THa, WM) and Dawes 30 May (PD), respectively. Only 2 Common Redpolls were reported, both in Ne- braska; one, in Adams, NE 27 Apr (ph. PD) was very late. A Lesser Goldfinch in Finney, KS 5 Mar (T&SS) is part of a growing set of reports from sw. Kansas. Almost absent in re- cent years, 4 Evening Grosbeaks appeared in Thomas, NE 11 Apr (THa). Cited observers: NEBRASKA: Elaine Bachel, Mark Brogie, John Carlini, Linda Deeds, Kathy DeLara, Roger Dietrich, Paul Dunbar, Larry Einemann, Larry Falk, Bill Fink, William Flack, Bob & Kathi Gerten, Diane Gilles, Joseph A. Grzybowski, Joe Gubanyi, Tim Hajda (THa), John W. Hall, Robin Harding, Glen & Wanda Hoge, Helen K. Hughson, C. W. Hunt- ley, Bill E Huser, Jan Johnson, Steve Johnson, Joel G. Jorgensen, Clem N. Klaphake, Jeanine L. Lackey, Dan Leger (DLe), Wayne Mollhoff, Steve Morris, Loren & Babs Padelford, Don & Jan Paseka, Kevin Poague, Lanny Randolph, Neal Ratzlaff, Justin Rink, Gary Roberts, Rick Schmid, Shari Schwartz (SSc), W. Ross Sil- cock, Kent Skaggs, Ruth Stearns (RSt), Jerry Toll, Mark Urwiller, Matt Walker, T.J. Walker, Walt Wehjte, Ben Wheeler, Ron & Susan Whit- ney, Rick Wright (RWr). KANSAS: Nic Allen, Henry Arnrknecht, Jill Baringer (JBa), Roger Boyd, Bob Broyles (BBr), Doris Burnett, Bill Busby, Ted Cable, Jeff Calhoun (JCa), Allen Casey, Glenn Caspers, Marshal Coleman, Mike Cooper (MCo), Mark Corder (MCr), Sarah El- lis, Tom Ewert, Suzanne Fellows, Matt Gear- heart, Rob Graham, Paul Griffin, Sam Guy, Jeff Hansen (JFIa), Kellye Hart, Craig Hensley, Pete Janzen, Barry Jones, Daniel Kerr, Jonathan King, Ron Klataske, Mark Land, Dan Larson, Steve McDaniel (SMc), Kathy McDowell, Lloyd Moore, John Northrup, Marie Osterber, Robert Penner, Marie Plinsky (MPl), Mike Rader, Ed Raynor, Mark Robbins (MRo), Rosella Royer, Carolyn Schwab, David Seibel, Scott Seltman, Steven Seltman (SSe), Tom & Sara Shane, Jer- rold & Carol Spady, Terry Swope, Curt Van- Boening, Tristan Weinbrenner, David Wiggins (DWg), Ryan Williams. OKLAHOMA: Mike Allen, David Arbour, Jim Bates, Eric Beck (EBe), Sandy Berger, Cyndie Browning, Bill Carrell, Bill Diffin, Dwayne Elmore, Lonnie Gambel, Joseph A. Grzybowski, Richard Gunn (RGu), Joe Hawkins, Berlin Heck, Angie Holt, Torre Hovak, Cecil Johnson, Matt Jung, Jen- nifer Kidney (JKi), Dan King (DKi), Joseph Lautenbach, Jeri McMahon, Kurt & Sharon Meisenzahl, Steve Metz (SMe), Tim O’Connell, Terry Mitchell, Mark Peterson, Mia Revels (MRe), Dan Robinson, Frank Sandford, Josh Smith, Lou & Mary Truex, Nadine Varner, Doug Wood, Jimmy Woodard. © W. Ross Silcock, P. 0. Box 57 Tabor, Iowa 51673, (silcock@rosssilcock.com) Joseph A. Grzybowski, 715 Elmwood Drive Norman, Oklahoma 72072, (jgrzybowski@ucok.edu) 478 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS Texas | Eric Carpenter Mark W. Lockwood Willie Sekula The depressing story in Texas for the spring of 2011 was the continuing se- vere drought. As summer began, over 90% of the state was categorized as being in Extreme Drought or Exceptional Drought, with only pockets of north-central and north- eastern Texas posting lesser categories of drought. Statistics from the National Climatic Data Center show that March through May was the driest Texas spring season on record; the period from October 2010 through May 2011 also ranks as the driest eight consecu- tive months Texas has withstood. Combined with high temperatures and gusty southerly winds that dominated the season, it was not surprising that wildfires were widespread. From November through the end of May, nearly three million acres were scorched across the state. The Rockhouse fire alone, which started in early April near Marfa, burned for well over a month and damaged over 121,400 ha (about 300,000 acres) in Jeff Davis and Presidio. A handful of other fires exceeded 50,000 ha in size before they were controlled, including the Deaton Cole fire in Val Verde (70, 800 ha), the Cooper Mountain Ranch fire in Kent and surrounding areas (65,560 ha) and the Possum Kingdom com- plex of fires in and around Palo Pinto (59,900 ha). Besides the sheer area affected, the very dry conditions helped many of the fires burn so intensely as to destroy woodland habitats completely, unlike in lesser brush fires. The detrimental conditions clearly had ad- verse effects on birds. There were early signs that many breeding species would delay or give up completely on nesting (see the June/]uly nesting season report). Bolstered by the southerly winds, migrants were best served to fly over as much of Texas as possi- ble. For those that could not avoid the parched environment, finding adequate food and water was a challenge, and there were several reports of stressed migrants. This was particularly true in West Texas, where the conditions seemed to cause more than a few migrants to linger into the summer months. A cool front that passed through Texas on 1-2 May may have been what “saved” the spring for birders who were able to get out and enjoy it. This was particularly true at in- land locations in central Texas, where a gaudy (at least for inland sites) variety and number of migrants lingered for several days. Outside the irruption of Cassin’s Sparrows into the eastern half of the state, the common theme this season was “eastern warblers gone west” (Table 1). The drought and wildfires in Texas and nearby Mexico likely played a role in both of these events. WATERFOWL THROUGH GREBES Out of range were lone Fulvous Whistling- Ducks at John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Kauf- man 23 Apr (GCo, BoS, CR) and at Cook’s Slough, Uvalde 8 May (MG). Seven Blue- winged Teal, including 4 young, were notable in Rusk 26 May (DWe), a rare case of documented breeding in ne. Texas. A Cinnamon Teal first report- ed 28 Feb was still present at L. Tyler, Smith 10 Mar (JWr, PHa). A pair of Cinnamon Teal remained at Hornsby Bend, Travis (m.ob.) through the end of the period. A Greater Scaup still present in Texas City, Galveston 7 May (LM, GMa) provided the latest spring record ever for the Upper Texas Coast (hereafter, U.T.C.). More expected as a fall migrant, 2 Surf Scoters at L. Colorado City, Mitchell 7 May (JaP) were a surprising spring find. The only Black Scoter was one at Rollover Pass, Galveston 2 May (DeM, GCh). A Long-tailed Duck lingered at the Bolivar Ferry Land- ing, Galveston 8-16 Apr (StL, m.ob.). Late Common Mergansers included one at McNary Res., Hudspeth 21 May (JPa) and an- other at Ft. Hancock Res., Hud- speth 26 May (BZ). Also late was a Red-breasted Merganser at Stillhouse Hol- low Res., Bell 17 May (RP). A Masked Duck visited the King Ranch, Kleberg 8 Mar-30 Apr (tTL, MG, BK, CT), and another showed up at Sabal Palm, Cameron 22 May+ (MP, tm.ob.). Twenty Northern Bobwhite at the Sabine Mining Company property, Harrison 16 Apr (PB et al.) was an encouraging count from ne. Texas. The Pacific Loon on L. Buchanan, Llano/Burnet during the winter was found through at least 24 Mar (m.ob.); rare for the Panhandle was one in Hutchinson 13 Apr (RC). A Common Loon at L. McClel- lan, Gray 7 May (PS) was rather late. Provid- ing one of very few records of Least Grebe for Fayette, 2 were on the Colorado R. near La Grange 30 Mar (CS). FRIGATEBIRD THROUGH RAPTORS The earliest Magnificent Frigatebirds were 3 near the Bolivar Ferry, Galveston 9 Apr (TMc). Two pairs of Double-crested Cormorant pres- ent the entire season in Lubbock, Lubbock (StC, AH) gave indications of breeding. Away from coastal areas, noteworthy Brown Peli- cans included one at Balmorhea L., Reeves 27 Mar (RTe), 3 (including one ad.) on Belton L., Bell 30-31 Mar (GE, TP, RP), one at Lake Casa Blanca S.P., Webb 28 Apr (KO), 2 at Bal- morhea L., Reeves 30 Apr (EH), one at L. Six, Lubbock 14 May (StC), and an ad. e. of Sono- ra, Sutton 27 May (MLo). Not expected in w. Texas, an American Bittern lingered at Rio Bosque Wetlands Park, El Paso 10-12 May (JSp). An early Least Bittern was at the Port Aransas Birding Center, Nueces 16 Mar (JoM). Still quite rare in the Panhandle was a Great Egret in Potter 30 Mar (BP). Out of range was a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron at Canutillo, El Paso 30 May (JSp). Single inland Glossy Ibis lingered only briefly at Hornsby Bend, Travis (EC) and at Temple, Bell (RP), both 15 Apr; others visited Mitchell L., Bexar 1 May A pair of Tropical Kingbirds at Galveston Island, Galveston County, Texas, present from 14 (here) May 201 1 into the summer, nested successfully, providing the northernmost breeding record for the species. Photograph by Joseph Kennedy. VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 479 TEXAS Quite unexpected was a Double-toothed Kite on the Upper Texas Coast at Boy Scout Woods, High Island, Galveston 4 May (ph., tDH). The observer took sev- eral photographs of the bird, but its identification was not determined until over a month later. This species' range comes no closer to Texas than s. Mexico, and it is not known to be migratory or particularly prone to vagrancy, although recent records have come from new areas in w. Mexico, such as Nayarit. The species is not known to be held in captivity anywhere. The Texas Bird Records Com- mittee will review the record, a potential first for the state and for the United States, very carefully, including the question of the bird's provenance. (DE) and Choke Canyon, McMullen 8 (SGr, RW) & 30 May (WSe). Unexpected inland Roseate Spoonbills included 2 ads. at John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Kaufman 30 Apr (GCo, BoS). Up to 2 Black Vultures were at Independ- ence Creek Preserve, Tarell 29 Apr-2 May (RKo), with 3 there 28 May (RKo). Reports of Swallow-tailed Kites from the e. edge of the region included 2 near Salado, Bell 9-10 Apr (SCr, ph. RP) and a pair found nesting in Decker Prairie, Montgomery 19 Apr (AJ). Two pairs of White-tailed Kites appeared to be nesting at Rio Bosque Wetlands Park, El Paso (JSp), though no young were noted; other w. Texas sightings came from Rio Grande Vil- lage, Brewster 7 Mar (CWa) and 5 May (DSp), near Balmorhea 16 Mar (BTa), and at Devil’s River S.P., Val Verde 22 Mar (RKo, MLo). Per- haps potential breeders, a pair of Harris’s Hawks was present all season in Lubbock, Lubbock (CCa, StC, AH). Westerly Broad- winged Hawks included singles at Marathon, Brewster 16 Apr (MYo), at El Paso 26 Apr (JPa), and in the Chisos Basin, Brewster 29 Apr (JY). A Gray Hawk along San Felipe Cr., Del Rio, Veil Verde 26 Mar (ph. KG) was unex- pected. A light-morph Short-tailed Hawk was observed at Pollywog Pond, Nueces 20 Apr (tJoM). Far less than annual in e. Texas, lone Swainson’s Hawks were at Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches 8 Apr (DWo, MHW) and at Alazan Bayou, Nacogdoches 16 Apr (DWo, RTr). Up to 3 Zone-tailed Hawks were around Utley, Bastrop through the season, including a fresh juv., indicative of local breeding (BrF); singles at Rio Bosque Wetlands Park, El Paso 26 Mar (JSp) and Port O’Connor, Calhoun 28 Mar (PHo) were fine finds. A Ferruginous Hawk was near Anahuac N.W.R., Chambers until at least 9 Apr (BO, CH et ah). American Kestrels bred again in Temple, Bell 11 May+ (SSy), with 3 nestlings observed late in the season. Late was a Merlin at Anahuac N.W.R., Chambers 14 May (DSa). RAILS THROUGH JAEGERS A Yellow Rail still present at the TNC Texas City Preserve, Galveston 7 May (LM, GMa) was the latest ever for the U.T.C. Up to 6 King Rails at John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Kauf- man 19 Mar (m.ob.) made an impressive local count. Two Sandhill Cranes s. of Parnpa, Gray 7 May (PS) were unusually late. Five Snowy Plovers at Ft. Hancock Res., Hudspeth 3 May (BZ) were the first in the El Paso area in sev- eral years. A nice inland count of 4 Piping Plovers came from John Bunker Sands Wet- lands, Kaufman 16 Apr (GCo, TDr, RR, BoS, CR). A whopping 20,300 American Avocets staged at Bolivar Flats, Galveston 2 Apr (JeM); 2 at the Sabine Mining Company, Hanison 8 May (LP) were very uncom- mon for the Pineywoods. An impressive count for w. Texas was 35 Willets near Rio Bosque Wetlands Park, El Paso 11 May (JFo, JSp). A high count of 700 Lesser Yellowlegs was noted at John Bunker Sands Wetlands, Kaufman 2 Apr (RR). Separate groups of 3 and 8 Whimbrels at L. Buchanan, Llano 2 May (ph. TiF, ByS) likely provided first records for the Edwards Plateau. A surprising 38 Hud- sonian Godwits flying over L. Buchanan near Tow, Llano 15 May (ph. TiF) were also perhaps a first for the Edwards Plateau. Rare for ne. Texas, a Mar- bled Godwit was present at L. Bob Sandlin, Titus 27 Mar-2 Apr (LP, PHa, m.ob.). Rare in ne. Texas, a Ruddy Turnstone visited Sabine Mining Company, Harrison 21 May (PB, DWe). Rare but regular, 2 Semipalmated Sandpipers at the Ft. Hancock sewage ponds, Hudspeth 3 May (BZ) had dwindled to one by 7 May (JPa). An amazing 350 Baird’s Sand- Observers in Texas commented that spring 201 1 migration seemed to be running late, as was this case with this Sprague's Pipit at Marathon, Brewster County on the very late date of 28 May 201 1 . Photograph by Byron Stone. pipers were at Hagerman N.W.R., Grayson 23 Apr (RR), and 300+ Buff-breasted Sandpipers along the Brazos R. bottom, Burleson 30 Apr-1 May likewise made an impressive count (DSc, JG, RiD). A Buff-breasted at the Junction sewage ponds, Kimble 5 May (RW) was the farthest west. Long-billed Dowitchers were in high numbers this season, with 3000 found 2 & 24 Apr at John Bunker Sands Wet- lands, Kaufman (RR). A late pulse of Wilson’s Snipe on the U.T.C. included 3 at Anahuac N.W.R., Chambers 1 May (LF, BN et al.) , with one still there the next day (DwM); another was at High L, Galveston 1 May (LF). More expected as a fall migrant, a Red-necked Phalarope was at McNary Res., Hudspeth 7 May (JPa), the only one recorded in the Trans-Pecos this spring. A first-cycle Black-legged Kittiwake visited Rollover Pass, Galveston 26 Mar (ph. BO, VE), while the wintering bird at the L. Livingston spillway, San Jacinto/Polk remained through 14 Mar (tm.ob.). The 2 first-cycle Little Gulls present from the winter at Port Aransas, Nue- ces continued through 15 Mar, with one lin- gering until 30 Mar (TJoM, MC, m.ob.). Far- ther north, an ad. Little Gull at White Rock L., Dallas 5-14 Mar was joined by another ad. 8-9 Mar (TCR, m.ob.). On the U.T.C., a first- cycle bird was found at Sea Rim S.P., Jefferson 2 Apr (TJWh, ph. HS, TeF). Inland, a Laugh- ing Gull was at Village Creek Drying Beds, Tarrant 20 Mar (GCo, EW); 3 were at L. Tawakoni, Van Zandt 31 May (RKi). Notably late was a first-cycle Herring Gull just w. of Tornillo Res., El Paso 11 May (JSp). The last report of Lesser Black-backed Gull was of an ad. at Quintana, Brazoria 14 May (JFi). The first-cycle Glaucous Gull found in late winter at L. Buchanan, Llano remained until 27 Mar (m.ob.). Two Sooty Terns were a surprise at Rockport Beach Park, Aransas 23 Apr (CWo, JB, MI); one visited East Beach, Galveston 29 May (GL). Two pairs of Gull-billed Terns on the edge of a Least Tern colony at L. Amistad, Val Verde 23 May+ (ph. WH) appeared to be engaging in pre-nesting behavior. A well-de- scribed Arctic Tern from Rollover Pass, Galve- ston 26 May (tDF) will be reviewed by the T.B.R.C. PIGEONS THROUGH WOODPECKERS White-winged Doves continue their expan- sion into e. Texas, with a first Trinity record 29 Mar (PC). Late Common Ground-Doves were at Lafitte’s Cove, Galveston 20 Apr (MLi) and at Warren L., Harris 21 May (DD). Two Ruddy Ground-Doves were briefly studied near Quemado, Maverick 2 Apr (tBrF). Very rarely reported and even more rarely docu- mented in w. Texas is Black-billed Cuckoo, so 480 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS TEXAS Texas's Big Bend National Park was a mecca for vagrant eastern warblers in spring 201 1 . Among the rarest was this late Prairie Warbler at Sam Nail Ranch on 31 May (here) and 1 June. Photograph by Lee Hoy. A regular migrant through the western third of the Texas, a MacGillivray's War- bler at Sabine Woods, Jefferson County on 18 April 201 1 was a rarity along the eastern edge of the state. Photograph by Dwayne Litteer. Cassin's Sparrows staged an unprecedented irruption into the eastern half of Texas and beyond in spring 2011. Numbers reported along the Upper Texas Coast reached up to 35 individuals per location, including this individual in Harris County 27 May 201 1 . Photograph by Joseph Kennedy. single birds at Dugout Wells, Big Bend N.P., Brewster 29 Apr (NH) and Sam Nail Ranch, Big Bend N.R, Brewster 10 May (JWh) are noteworthy. A Flammulated Owl was rescued from the swimming pool at Balmorhea S.P, Reeves 31 May (TJ, MLo) — a late date for this migratory species to be at a lowland location. A vocalizing Elf Owl spent at least one night in Fredricksburg, Gillespie 11 Apr (KR). A vo- calizing Long-eared Owl was detected w. of Utopia, Uvalde 2 Mar (MHe). Out-of-range Lesser Nighthawks included singles at Galve- ston Island S.P, Galveston 3 Apr (ph. JSt) and at Quintana, Brazoria 11 (ph. JFi et al.) & 19 Apr (TMo). Probably a regular annual visitor to cen. Texas but never predictable, a Green Violetear visited feeders in Temple, Bell 26-28 May (SaL, TRP, ph. GE, JCh). Five Broad- billed Hummingbirds at scattered Trans-Pecos locations this season added to the accumula- tion of records for the state. A Blue-throated Hummingbird in the Christmas Mts., Brew- ster 8 May (COJ) was out of range, and 3 were at the Davis Mountains Resort, Jeff Davis 25 Apr-20 May (KB). Bryan banded a staggering 78 Lucifer Hummingbirds at three study sites on the Terlingua Ranch, Brewster 12 May, il- lustrating the effects of the drought and the draw of feeders in such harsh conditions. Ruby-throated Hummingbird is now known to be a fairly common fall migrant through the cen. Trans-Pecos, though spring records are few. A few male Ruby-throateds were found through the season in Brewster and Jeff Davis ; a female banded at the Terlingua Ranch, Brewster 12 May (KB) was believed to be the first female banded in the Trans-Pecos in spring. Late Annas Hummingbirds includ- ed one at Independence Creek Preserve, Ter- rell 29 Apr-1 May (RKo) and one in the Christmas Mts., Brewster 24 May (COJ). Rare for the spring, lone Calliope Hummingbirds were at El Paso 13-25 (BZ) & 28 Mar QPa). A migrant male Broad-tailed Hummingbird was at Stillhouse Hollow, Bell 27-28 Mar (ph. GE); another male first seen in San Antonio, Bexar in early Jan lingered through at least 11 Apr (ph. LR). A fully green-backed ad. male Selas- phorus , presumably an Allen’s, visited Terlin- gua, Brewster 11-13 Mar (MF). Quite unex- pected for the season was a Hairy Woodpeck- er at Brazos Bend S.P, Fort Bend 22 May (JFa). FLYCATCHERS THROUGH SWALLOWS A Greater Pewee was an excellent find in the Franklin Mts., El Paso 7 May (tBZ); slightly more expected was one on the Davis Moun- tains Preserve, Jeff Davis 9 Apr (tFR). A Least Flycatcher at El Paso 25-28 May (BZ) was both rare and late. The Hammond’s Flycatch- er that wintered at Rosehill Cemetery, Corpus Christi, Nueces was last report- ed 13 Mar (MC). A Gray Fly- catcher at Balmorhea S.P, Reeves 29 May was very late (ByS). Buff-breasted Flycatch- er continues to hang on at its lone Texas outpost; only one pair was found this spring in the Davis Mountains Preserve, Jeff Davis 6 May-4 Jun (tMLo). A westerly Eastern Phoebe was at El Paso 8 Apr QPa). Two pairs of Dusky- capped Flycatchers were in the Davis Mountains Preserve 7 May+ (MLo). Odd for the loca- tion and date was an Ash- throated Flycatcher at Quin- tana, Brazoria 20 Apr (WR), while one was e. of the species’ normal range at River Legacy Park, Tarrant 5 May (GCo). A very early Great Crested Fly- catcher seen in Angelina 18 Mar (NB) bested the previous Pineywoods early date by 10 days. Great Kiskadees contin- ue to press northward, with the most notable individuals near Martindale, Guadalupe/ Caldwell 23 Apr (ByS), around Junction 29 Apr+ (ph. RS, m.ob.; a first for Kimble ), and at High I., Galveston 12-15 Apr (WB et al.). A Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher excited birders at High I., Galveston 25-28 Apr (ph. MKo, SWo et al.). A Trop- ical Kingbird pair nested at Galveston, Galveston 14 May+ (JKe), with juvs. found later in the month; the Rockport, Aransas pair nested for the 2nd consecutive year (RW, m.ob.). Notable Couch’s Kingbirds in- cluded a pair at Cottonwood Campground, Big Bend N.R, Brewster 19 Apr+ (m.ob.), an- other at the Independence Creek Preserve, Val Verde 29 Apr and 29 May (RKo), and a pair at Devil’s River S.P, Val Verde 8 Apr+ (BrF, MLo). An Eastern Kingbird visited Balmorhea L., Reeves 30 May (ByS). An ad. Fork-tailed Flycatcher at Pollywog Pond 30 Apr (ph., TBC) provided a new Nueces record and was the 5th for the Coastal Bend. A Bell’s Vireo at Canyon, Randall 16 May (MS) and one at Muleshoe N.W.R., Bailey 22 May (DHa) provided further evidence that this species is spreading rapidly northward and westward as a breeder. An amazing find was a singing Black-capped Vireo at Cedar Ridge Preserve, Dallas 27 May (CR); this species has been virtually absent from the Dallas/Fort Worth area for 25+ years. A Yel- low-throated Vireo at Sabine Woods, Jefferson 2 Mar (CCo) furnished a new early arrival VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 481 TEXAS date for the subregion. Several El Paso records of Plumbeous Vireo were notably late: 2 on 28 May (BZ), one on 29 May (JPa), and one at Rio Bosque Wetlands Park on 31 May (JSp). A Cassin’s Vireo was well stud- ied in Utopia, Uvalde 14 May (MHe), and a late one was at Sam Nail Ranch, Big Bend N.P, Brewster 30 May (LHo). A Red-eyed Vireo at Pan- ther Junction, Brewster 30 May (AD) and one at El Paso 10 May (ph. JPa) were w. of the typical migration. A Yellow-green Vireo visited Par- adise Pond, Port Aransas, Nueces 12 May (JoM). A Black-whiskered Vireo was a surprising visitor to the Port Aransas Birding Center, Nue- ces 10 Apr (ph., tMKo; JoM, MBe); another was at Paradise Pond, Nue- ces 16 May (TJoM). A Chihuahuan Raven at the Valenzuela Landfill, Nueces 9 Mar (JoM) was well e. of the species’ normal haunts; one at High 1., Galveston 20 Apr (RCa, ph. TH, JHe) made the first U.T.C. record since 1999. A Purple Martin was farther w. than expected at Sheffield, Terrell 18 Mar (BN). An early Bank Swallow was at Tuna Rd., Galveston 1 Apr (JKe), and a count of 150 at John Bunker Sands Wet- lands, Kaufman 8 May (RR, CR) was also unexpected. CHICKADEES THROUGH L0NGSPURS Two Carolina Chickadees at Aransas N.W.R., Aransas 8 Mar (J°M) may have been on territory. A lingering Mountain Chickadee was at Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site, El Paso 14 Mar (BTa). Red-breasted Nuthatches remained at High I. until 12 Apr (JKe), El Paso until 1 May (JPa), and in the Davis Mts., Jeff Davis until 25 May (KB). More note- worthy was a pair that built a nest in Lubbock, Lubbock and persisted through 8 Apr (AH, ph. DV, MV), providing a first nesting attempt for the South Plains. A White-breasted Nuthatch was at Spring Creek Park, Harris until 11 Mar (GP). Extraordinarily late Brown Creepers includ- ed singles at L. Ransom Canyon, Lubbock 28 May (SB, m.ob.), Big Bends Cottonwood Campground, Brewster 1 May (WSp, m.ob.), and Well- born, Brazos 13 May (LHa). Lingering House Wrens were noted at El Paso 25 (JSp) & 28 May (BZ). Two Ruby-crowned Kinglets at Addicks Res., Harris 16 May (JHi, DD) were the latest ever for the U.T.C. Also late were singles at El Paso 24-26 May (JPa) and at Rio Bosque Wetlands Park, El Paso 31 May (JSp). Veery is usually a very hard migrant to find away from the coast, but this season saw an above-average number of reports, with singles in An- gelina 21 Apr (LD), Brazos 1 May (DVo), and Marion 3 May (AH), at Utopia, Uvalde 24 Apr and 22 May (MHe), at L. Tawakoni S.P, Hunt 10 May (RKi), and at Cochran, Cochran 15 May (AH). Likewise, scarce Gray-cheeked Thrushes were located at Midland, Midland 4 May (RMS), Buffalo Lake N.W.R., Randall 8 May (BP), Lubbock, Lubbock 13 May (KD), River Legacy Park, Tarrant 22 May (SG), Panther Junction, Brewster 24 May (HT, MYo), and Odessa, Ector 28 May (MN). Poorly documented in Texas, a Swainson’s Thrush of the ustulatus (Russet- backed) subspecies group was at El Paso 9-10 May (ph. JPa), and single swainsoni (Olive-backed group) were at Rio Grande Village, Brewster 29 Apr (MLo) and the Christmas Mts., Brewster 30 Apr (ph. MLo). A very late Hermit Thrush was at Houston, Harris 6-7 May (JHi). A Wood Thrush at Sabine Woods, Jefferson 2 Mar (CCo) was very early, and one at Canyon, Randall 21 May (GMc) made a rare find for the Panhandle. The wintering White-throated Thrush at Estero Llano Grande S.P, Hi- dalgo lingered until 27 Mar (tm.ob.), and a spectacular find was one on the King Ranch, Kenedy 22-23 Mar (ph. JSi, TL, DJ). A Clay-colored Thrush wandered n. to San Antonio, Bexar 10 Apr (AG, ph. BW). The Rufous-backed Robin present at Bentsen S.P, Hidalgo was last reported 10 Mar (tm.ob.). A Varied Thrush was at L. Palo Duro, Hansford 10 May (ph. JDe). Gray Catbirds made a good showing in the Trans-Pecos; most notable was one at El Paso 10-11 May (ph. JPa). A Long-billed Thrash- er was at Big Bend’s Sam Nail Ranch, Brewster 29 Apr (BZ); also of in- terest was a Sage Thrasher at the King Ranch, Kleberg 8 Mar (TL). A Table 1. Eastern warblers found in the western half of Texas during spring 2011. Tennessee Warbler 30 Apr Independence Creek Preserve, Terrell (GE) 16 May Sam Nail Ranch, Brewster (TDa) Northern Parula 29 Mar Rio Grande Village, Brewster (MF) 22 Apr Marathon, Brewster 22 Apr (MYo) Chestnut-sided Warbler 1 May Cattail Falls, Brewster (DWi) 14-16 May Sam Nail Ranch, Brewster (TDa) 26 May Sam Nail Ranch, Brewster (MF) Magnolia Warbler 11 May Lubbock, Lubbock 1 1 May (CCa et al.) 14 May Rio Grande Village, Brewster (TDa) 22-26 May Sam Nail Ranch, Brewster (TB) 30 May-1 Jun Sam Nail Ranch, Brewster (LHo) Black-throated Blue Warbler 9 May Midland, Midland (DoM, JMe) 12 May Fort Davis, Jeff Davis (SK) 17 May Utopia, Uvalde (MHe) 20 May Midland, Midland (DoM, JMe) Blackburnian Warbler 1 May Independence Creek Preserve, Terrell (RKo) 14 May Dugout Wells, Brewster (TDa) 30 May-1 Jun Sam Nail Ranch, Brewster (LHo) Prairie Warbler 24 Apr Lubbock, Lubbock (StC) 30 May-1 Jun Sam Nail Ranch, Brewster (LHo) Bay-breasted Warbler 1 May Independence Creek Preserve, Terrell (RKo) Cerulean Warbler 5 May Davenport Ranch, Terrell (ph., BS) Prothonotary Warbler 30 Apr Independence Creek Preserve, Terrell (RKo) 28 May Midland, Midland (DoM, JMe) Worm-eating Warbler 10 Apr Uvalde, Uvalde (ph. TDa) 24 Apr Utopia, Uvalde (MHe) 27 Apr Lost Maples State Natural Area, Bandera (DeM) 28 Apr Fort Davis, Jeff Davis (KB) 4 May Utopia, Uvalde (MHe) Ovenbird 10 May Lubbock, Lubbock 1 1 May (CCa et al.) 15 May Morton City Park, Cochran (AH) 15 May Buffalo Springs L., Lubbock (StC) Louisiana Waterthrush 4 May near Fort Davis, Jeff Davis (MHa, ph. Rl) Kentucky Warbler 20 Apr Odessa, fcfor(ph.MA) 29 Apr-4 May Utopia, Uvalde (MHe); 4 birds 1 May Cattail Falls, Brewster (DWi) 7 May Lubbock, Lubbock (ph. CCa, StC) Mourning Warbler 26 May Sam Nail Ranch, Brewster (MF) 28 May Terlingua, Brewster (MF) Hooded Warbler 7 Apr Panther Junction, Brewster (LT) 10-13 Apr Midland, Midland (IP, fP] 14 Apr-3 May Utopia, Uvalde (MHe); 3 birds 15 Apr Odessa, Ector (CWh) 25 Apr Fort Davis, Jeff Davis (SK) 29 Apr Sam Nail Ranch, Brewster (ph. GSm, BZ) 1 May Panther Junction, Brewster (LT) 6 May Panther Junction, Brewster (AD) 28 May Midland, Midland (DoM, JMe) Canada Warbler 24 May Buffalo Springs Lake, Lubbock (ph. JeH) 26 May Sam Nail Ranch, Brewster (MF) 482 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS TEXAS Sprague’s Pipit was at Marathon, Brewster on the remarkably late date of 28 May (ph. ByS). A specimen of a Lapland Longspur was found in Marathon 4 Mar (HT, MYo); there are few- er than ten records of this species for the Trans-Pecos. WARBLERS Three very late Nashville Warblers were in Panola 28 May (LP, PHa). A late Black-throat- ed Blue Warbler was at Quintana, Brazoria 21 May (JR)- This species made a good showing in e. Texas, with singles at Tyler S.P., Smith 1- 3 Apr (BrS, BS) and Angelina 10 May (LD). Two Black-throated Gray Warblers at El Paso 28 May (JPa, BZ) provided a record-late date. Also late were 2 Townsend’s Warblers at Rio Bosque Wetlands Park, El Paso 31 May (JSp) and one at El Paso the same day (BZ). Coastal Townsend’s Warblers were at Lafitte’s Cove, Galveston 22-23 Apr (JKa, GL) and Mustang I., Nueces 26 Apr (JoM). What appeared to be a Townsend’s Warbler x Black-throated Green Warbler hybrid was at High I., Galveston 19- 22 Apr (ph., m.ob.). A Blackburnian Warbler at Tyler S.P., Smith 5 Apr (BS) was early. A Grace’s Warbler made an unusual appearance at El Paso 20 Apr (BZ). A Prairie Warbler at Ft. Hood, Coryell 29 May (JDo) provided a rare Hill Country record. Palm Warblers lin- gered on the U.T.C., with several birds found in May, most notably one at High 1., Galveston 9 May (ph. MKu). This species also was found in above-average numbers in the Pineywoods, where singles were seen in Cass 3 May (AH), Smith 3 May (PB), and Angelina 4 May (AH). Early arriving migrants included a Bay-breasted Warbler noted at Sabine Woods, Jefferson 13 Apr (JA) and a Blackpoll Warbler at Brazos Bend S.P., Fort Bend 12 Apr (GL). Inland Cerulean Warblers in the e. part of the state included singles at Tyler S.P., Smith 17 Apr (BS) and in Brazos 12 May QoH, LHa). In the Trans-Pecos, Ovenbirds were found on seven occasions in Big Bend N.P., Brewster 28 Apr-26 May, and one was found at Frijole Ranch, Guadalupe Mountains N.R, Culberson 8 May (ph. StW). A singing North- ern Waterthrush at Galveston, Galveston 22 May (JKe) was late. A Louisiana Waterthrush at Houston, Harris 19 May (ph. SO) provided a new late date for the U.T.C. If accepted by the T.B.R.C., a female Connecticut Warbler reported from Terlingua, Brewster 8 May (tMF) would provide a first Trans-Pecos record. A MacGillivray’s Warbler was at Sabine Woods, Jefferson 18 Apr (ph. DLi). A Golden-crowned Warbler was at Packery Channel, Nueces 1 Apr (tJoM). Quite unex- pected was a brilliant Painted Redstart in Odessa, Ector 22-23 Mar (MA, ph. SSc). Painted Redstarts were again found in Guadalupe Mountains N.P., Culberson, with singles in the Bowl 3 Apr (JMa) and McKit- trick Canyon 1 May (PJ). At Big Bend N.R, Brewster, a Slate-throated Redstart was report- ed from Boot Spring 16 Apr (tCA, RaD, LH) and Pinnacles Trail 22 May (DLa). GRASSQBITS THROUGH FINCHES The Yellow-faced Grassquit remained at Goose Island S.P., Aransas until 20 Mar (tm.ob.). A Green-tailed Towhee at Port Aransas, Nueces 26 Apr (JoM) was a very good find for the barrier island. A late East- ern Towhee was at Ft. Hood, Bell 22 May (GE, GSc). The big news of the season was the arrival of large numbers of Cassin's Sparrows in the e. half of the state in late Apr and early May. This species is usually con- fined to the Hill Country and westward, but severe drought was surely responsible for the eastward exodus, docu- mented as far away as Illinois, Massachusetts, and North Carolina. Individuals were found in the double-digits in many locations, including 18 singing near Pattison, Waller 8 May (ph. HL) and 37 at the Katy Prairie, Waller 15 May (BH). There were no previous records for ne. Texas prior to this season, when one was in Harrison 1 May (LP) to be fol- lowed by singles in Gregg, Smith, Washington, Henderson, and Rusk 11-26 May (m.ob.). Adding to this amazing in- cursion were up to 7 in Dallas 13-31 May (TDr, RR, CR). A lingering Clay-colored Sparrow and a Vesper Sparrow were at Marathon, Brewster 28 May (ByS). A Black-throated Sparrow was at Whiteface, Cochran 27 Mar (AH). Late was a Savannah Sparrow at Marathon, Brewster 28 May (ByS). A Baird’s Sparrow was at Rio Grande Village, Brewster 1 May (JCo, RiC), but far more unexpected was one at Sonora, Sutton 7 May (ByS, LS et al.). A Harris’s Spar- row near Pattison, Waller until 8 May (HL) provided a record-late date for the U.T.C. Two Gray-headed juncos in the Davis Mts., Jeff Davis 7 May (MLo) were also late. Out of place were single Hepatic Tanagers at El Paso 5 (BZ) & 7 May (ph. JPa). Westerly Scarlet Tanagers were in the Chisos Basin, Brewster 27 Apr (MYa) and at Rio Grande Village, Brewster 4 May (HT, MYo). A Western Tanag- er was found in e. Texas in Wood 5 May (BrS). A Flame-colored Tanager was picked up in McAllen, Hidalgo 3 Mar (*GK; Texas Cooper- ative Wildlife Collection, specimen #16153). The Crimson-collared Grosbeak present since the fall at Pharr, Hidalgo lingered until 11 Apr (m.ob.). A Black-headed Grosbeak was pres- ent at Marshall, Harrison 1 Mar-15 Apr (PH); easterly migrants included one in Dallas, Dal- las 3 May (RSa) and singles in Tarrant 6 (JoC) & 7 May (CA). A Blue Bunting at Corpus Christi, Nueces 19 Mar-31 Mar (ph., tMC) was a first for the Coastal Bend. The Blue Bunting pair present at Bentsen S.P., Hidalgo stayed until 15 Mar (tm.ob.). Easterly Lazuli Buntings included one at Lake Livingston S.R, Polk 4-5 May QuH). An indigo Bunting at El Paso 27 Mar (BZ) was nearly a month early. Varied Buntings e. of the species’ normal range were at Crownridge Natural Area, Bexar 29-30 Apr (ph. WM, DE) and near Utley, Bas- trop 4 May (BrF). An early male Painted Bunting was at High I., Galveston 27 Mar (ph. BTo). Bobolinks pushed a little farther westward than usual, with singles in w. Travis 1 May (KA, MBu, EC, PS) and at Mason Mountain W.M.A., Mason 6 May (DSa, AH), providing overdue first records for the Hill Country. Out of range in East Texas, 2-3 Western Mead- owlarks were singing in Rush 6-9 Apr, and 2 were in Gregg 27 May (LP). A count of 127 Rusty Blackbirds at Houston’s Bear Creek Park, Harris 5 Mar (TZ) was encouraging. A very late Rusty Blackbird was at Paradise Pond, Nueces 17 Apr (ph. MKo). A Boat-tailed Grackle was at the King Ranch, Kleberg 1 Mar (JSi). A male Hooded Oriole was described at High I., Galveston 20 Apr (CWe). The Black- vented Oriole that wintered at Bentsen S.P, Hidalgo stayed through 20 Mar (m.ob.); what was presumably another individual was pres- ent on South Padre I., Cameron 28 Apr-6 May (ScC, ph. IB, tm.ob.). Lingering Pine Siskins were at El Paso 28 May (BZ) and Independ- ence Creek Preserve, Terrell 29 May (RKo). Out-of-range Lesser Goldfinches were report- ed at Sabine Woods, Jefferson 28 Apr (RZ), Kilgore, Rush 24 Jan-5 Mar (PHa), and Kurten, Brazos 7 May (ph. ShW). Cited observers (subregional editors in bold- face): Madaleine Alexander, Charley Amos, Kenny Anderson, John Arvin, Terry Baldwin, Peter Barnes, Jessie Barry, Mikael Behrens (MBe), Susan Bergeson, Nancy Bird, India Bowles, Kelly Bryan, Winnie Burkett, Maggie Burnett (MBu), Rudy Cadra, Russell Can- nings (RCa), Eric Carpenter (Central Texas), Cameron Carver (CCa), Gordon Chastain (GCh), Jeff Cheney (JCh), pat Coe, Jim Cole- man (JCo), Rita Coleman (RiC), Scarlet Col- ley (ScC), Steve Collins (StC), Cody Conway (CCo), Greg Cook (GCo), Mel Cooksey, Joe Cox (JoC), Bob Creglow, Steve Critchfield (SCr), D. D. Currie (DDC) (North-Central Texas: 2703 Colleen Dr., Arlington, TX 76016. email: ddbirder@sbcglobal.net), Tripp Davenport (TDa), Angie Dean, Louis Debe- taz, Jim Derington (JDe), Drew Dickert, Ken VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 483 TEXAS Dixon, Jessica Donohue (JDo), Ted Droz- dowski (TDr), Rachel Dugas (RaD), Rich Dunn (RiD), Gil Eckrich, Victor Emanuel, Dodge Engleman, John Faragher (JFa), Tim Fennell (TiF), Terry Ferguson (TeF), Joe Fis- cher (JFi), E)ean Fisher, Mark Flippo, Laurie Foss, Jane Fowler (JF°)> Brush Freeman (BrF), Bert Frenz (BeF) (East Texas: 221 Rainbow Dr., #12190, Livingston, TX 77399- 2021. email: bert2@bafrenz.com), Andy Gar- cia, Jackie Giouard, Karen Gleason, Steve Glover, Steve Gross (SGr), Mary Gustafson, Lisa Hahner, John Hale (JoH), Linda Hale (LHa), Peggy Hall, Cullen Hanks, Marty Hansen (MHa), David Hanson, Peggy Hard- ing (PHa), Ed Harper, Jerry Hatfield (JeH), Dave Hawksworth (DHa), Nancy Heargie, Jo Heindel (JHe), Mitch Heindel (MHe), Tom Heindel, Justine Henley (JuH), Anthony Hewetson (Northwest Texas: 4407 36th St., Lubbock TX 79414. email: terrverts@yahoo. com), William Hilton, Jim Hinson (JFh), Pe- tra Hockey (PHo), Bob Honig, Lee Hoy (LHo), Marshall Iliff, Russ Ingram, Pete Janzen, Dexter Johnson, Tom Johnson, Andy Jordan, Joanne Kamo (JKa), Bill Keim, Joe Kennedy (JKe), Steve Kennedy, Gayle King, Richard Kinney (RKi), Marcin Kojtka (MKo), Rich Kostecke (RKo), Mark Kulstad (MKu), Harvey Laas, Donnette Lafleur (DLa), Tom Langschied, Greg Lavaty, Michael Lindsey (MLi), Dwayne Litteer (DLi), Mark Lock- wood (MLo), Stephan Lorenz (StL), Sandy Lowry (SaL), John Magera (JMa), Greg Ma- son (GMa), Lalise Mason, Glen McCain (GMc), Jeff McIntyre (JeM), Jon McIntyre (JoM), Tom McKinney (TMc), Don Merritt (DoM), Joann Merritt (JMe), Tom Morris (TMo), Dwight Mudry (DwM), Wally Mur- doch, Derek Muschalek (DeM), Midland Nat- uralists, Bruce Neville, Brian O’Shea, Kyle O’Haver, Carolyn Ohl-Johnson (COJ), Sue Orwig, Jay Packer (JaP)> Greg Page, Mike Paige, Jim Paton (JPa) (Trans-Pecos: 4325 Boy Scout Lane, El Paso, TX 79922. email: jn- paton@att.net), Tim Perkins, Barrett Pierce, Randy Pinkston, Eileen Piwetz, Jim Piwetz, Linda Price, Ross Rasmussen, Lora Render, Will Roundtree, Forrest Rowland, Chris Runk, Kent Rylander, Boyd Sanders, Brian Sanders (BrS), Roger Sanderson (RSa), Laura Sare, Bob Sargent, David Sarkozi (DSa), Steven Schafersman (SSc), Monty Schoen- hals, Georgina Schwartz (GSc), David Scott (DSc), Willie Sekula (WSe) (South Texas: 7063 Co. Rd. 228, Falls City, TX 78113-2627. email: wsekula@COPPER.NET), Chuck Sex- ton, Jim Sinclair (JSi), Gary Small (GSm), William Spann (WSp), David Speiser (DSp), John Sproul (JSp), Jim Stevenson (JSt), Har- lan Stewart, Bob Stone (BoS), Byron Stone (ByS), Rose Marie Stortz (RMS), Robert Stub- blefield, Paul Sunby, Steve Synder (SSy), Bri- an Tarbox (BTa), Clay Taylor, Richard Temple (RTe), Bill Townsley (BTo), Heidi Trudell, Robert Trass (RTr), Lisa Turecek, Dick Van- dewege, Mimi Vandewege, Darrell Vollert (DVo), Christian Walker (CWa), Daniel Weaver (DWe), Ron Weeks (Upper Texas Coast: 1 10 Indian Warrior, Lake Jackson, TX 77566. email: ronweeks@sbcglobal.net), Car- ol Wells (CWe), Ed Wetzel, Carl White (CWh), Jana Whittle (JWh), Brad Wier, Shirley Wilkerson (ShW), Doug Williams (DWi), Stu Wilson (StW), David Wolf (DWo), Mimi Hoppe Wolf (MHW), Chris Wood (CWo), Sam Woods (SWo), Judith Wright (JWr), Matthew Yarborough (MYa), John Yerger, Matt York (MYo), Roger Zachary, Teri Zambon, Barry Zimmer. Eric Carpenter, 5604 Southwest Parkway #2222 Austin, Texas 78735 (ecarpe@gmail.com) Mark W. Lockwood, 402 East Harriet Avenue Alpine, Texas 79830 (mark.lockwood@tpwd.state.tx.us) Willie Sekula, 7063 County Road 228 Falls City, Texas 78113-2627 (wsekula@copper.net) Colorado & Wyoming Tony leukering Bill Schmoker Colorado and Wyoming’s spring season saw a distinct overall swing from warm and dry early to cool and wet late. March saw nearly every major drainage in both states above normal in temperature rankings. The Platte River and Rio Grande River drainages in Colorado were driest, with March precipitation rankings much below normal, also true of the Bighorn River drainage in Wyoming. The remainder of southern Wyoming and eastern Colorado had below-normal precipitation in March, while Wyoming’s northeastern section was above normal and the Snake River basin was much above normal. April had below-normal temperatures over much of Wyoming, with the central and southeastern parts of the state near normal. April’s near-normal temperature rankings continued through most of Colorado, al- though the state’s southeastern section stayed above normal. Precipitation rankings for April in both states generally followed tem- perature rankings, with cooler areas also wet- ter. Major anomalies in this pattern were Wyoming’s Yellowstone River and Wind River basins, which ranked much below normal precipitation in April. May recorded mostly cooler and wetter rankings than average throughout the Region. May’s temperature rankings for both states were below or much below normal in all drainages. As for May precipitation rankings, all but southeastern Colorado witnessed above, much above, or record wettest (in Wyoming’s Snake, Wind, and Belle Fourche River basins). By the end of the season, all drought categorization was gone from Wyoming as well as western and northern Colorado. However, conditions graded sharply from abnormally dry in the central Colorado plains to Exceptional Drought (the most severe ranking assigned by the U. S. De- partment of Agriculture) along the Col- orado-Oklahoma border, with the plains of southeastern Colorado getting more parched as the season progressed. Though a huge variety of species passes through the Region each spring, most birders focus on passerine migration — and character- ize the quality of the spring migration based on encounters with Neotropical migrant passerines. This season saw what may well be the “best” spring migration in history, though not due to a large number and diversity of 484 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS very rare birds (as in 2010) but simply due to the astonishing number of lesser rarities, par- ticularly “eastern” warblers, and the sustained aspect of the flight, with a large number and variety of migrants found throughout the re- gion (particularly in eastern Colorado) through May and well into summer. Two sparrow species drew probably the most at- tention, with Colorado’s first chaseable Black- chinned Sparrows lingering in Colorado Na- tional Monument and a Rufous-collared Spar- row leaving no doubt as to its identity but much to its provenance. Due to space constraints and a very busy spring in the Region, various late-spring/sum- mer phenomena will be covered in the summer report, including range expansion of Black- chinned Hummingbird and Lesser Goldfinch and the incredible late-season migration of many passerine (and other) migrants. Abbreviations: Chatfield (Chatfield Res. and S.R, Douglas/Jefferson ); Cherry Creek (Cherry Creek Res., Arapahoe ); Chico (Chico Basin Ranch, El Paso/Pueblo ); Crow Valley (Crow Val- ley Campground, Pawnee National Grassland, Weld); Flaming Gorge (Flaming Gorge Recre- ation Area, Sweetwater, WY); Fossil Creek (Fossil Creek Res., Larimer ); Hereford Ranch (Wyoming Hereford Ranch, Laramie, WY); Spring Creek (Spring Creek Res., Eagle)', Table Mountain (Table Mountain S.W.A., Goshen, WY); Valeo (Valeo Ponds S.W.A., Pueblo ); Woodruff (Woodruff Narrows Reserve, Uinta, WY). “West Slope” denotes locations w. of the Rockies. Due to reporting biases, all locations can be assumed to be in Colorado except that each Wyoming location is noted as such the first time it appears in text. Only the observ- ers) initially finding and identifying cited records are identified here. Undocumented re- ports from Colorado of Colorado B.R.C. (C.B.R.C.) review species () that are deemed probably correct are summarized at the end of this report. WATERFOWL Farther w. than typical for such a large num- ber were 3700 Snow Geese passing over Lin- coln 14 Mar (R. Maercklein). The 6 Snow Geese at Twin Lakes, Lake 30 Apr (TK) were not only late but well up in the mts., where quite rare. The largest count of Ross’s Geese was of 45, at Thurston Res., Prowers 31 Mar (JSt), while individuals in Broomfield 9 Mar (EZ), Chaffee 6 Mar-8 Apr (SY), and Boulder 7-17 Apr (TF, CN) were w. of normal. Two tav- emeri Cackling Geese, a subspecies rarely re- ported in the Region though probably over- looked here, were noted in sw. Weld 10 Apr (SGM), while eight Wyoming Cackling Goose reports spanned 9 Mar-8 Apr. With the occur- rence of a Mute Swan in Natrona 22 Mar (ph. J. Morton), Wyoming joins Colorado in hav- ing to decide what to do about such records. Four subad. Trumpeter Swans graced Sweitzer S.P, Delta 14 Mar (AR), while 3 were near Sal- ida, Chaffee 14-15 Mar (SY). A single Tundra Swan was in Boulder through 29 Mar (m.ob.). Sitting astride a major meeting of biogeographic regions, Colorado and Wyoming host numerous hybrids, particularly on migration. This season, an abnor- mally high number of hybrid waterbirds were found, at least partially due to the arrival here of a birder with ex- tensive experience identifying hybrids. A Greater White- fronted Goose x Canada Goose was at Belmar Park, Jef- ferson 20 MayA (ph. RMa). A male Gadwall x Mallard was photographed in sw. Weld 10 Apr (SGM); a male Mal- lard x Northern Pintail was at Duck L, Larimer 19 Mar (SGM, NK); and single Blue-winged Teal x Cinnamon Teal hybrids were identified in Jefferson 19 Apr (P. Roberts), Arapahoe 23 Apr (R. Nuissl), Weld 7 & 30 May (2 birds, SGM), and Boulder 1 2 May (SGM, TF, CN). Mlodinow found up to 2 Clark's Grebe x Western Grebe hybrids at McIntosh Res., Boulder 17 Apr-8 May, as well as 2-4 hybrids at Windsor L, Weld 21-23 Apr, 2 at Holbrook Res., Otero 1 May, and one at Drake L., Weld 5 May. Single Glossy Ibis x White-faced Ibis hybrids were found at Canon City, Fre- mont 30 Apr (MP, SGM, BKP) and Beebe Draw, Weld 13 May (ph. MS). Two Wood Ducks were at atypically high elevation at Salida 8 Apr (SY). Single male Mexican Ducks were significant finds at Boul- der Res. and at Firestone, Weld 12 May (TSGM, TF); an apparent male Mexican Duck x Mallard at Golden Ponds, Boulder 15 May (SGM) was paired with a “normal” female Mallard. Even more unusual, an apparent Mottled Duck in Albany 6 May (p.a., SB, JSa) would provide a first for Wyoming, if accept- ed. Interesting high counts of migrant ducks included 4000 Northern Shovelers at Barr L., Adams 25 Mar (SY); 700 Canvasbacks at Twin Buttes Res., Albany, WY 8 Apr (SB et al.); 1400 Redheads at Ryan Gulch Res., Larimer 5 Mar (CW); 1500 Lesser Scaup at Hutton Lake N.WR, Albany, WY 9 Apr (SB et al); 150 Buffleheads at Valeo 9 Apr (P. Shaffner); 115 Barrow’s Goldeneyes at Spring Creek (CW, KS); 1000 Common Mergansers at Cherry Creek 1 Mar (Denver Field Ornithologists); 125 Red-breasted Mergansers at Windsor L. (DB, CT); and 1000 Ruddy Ducks at Fossil Creek 21 Apr (SGM). The sea duck clan was represented by a Surf Scoter at Pueblo Res., Pueblo 27 Apr (BKP), a White-winged Scoter at Wolford Mountain Res., Grand 13 May (TF), and a Long-tailed Duck in Denver 6-11 COLORADO & WYOMING Mar (m.ob.) and another in Hot Springs, WY 1 Apr (S. Chamberlain). White-winged Scot- ers are quite rare in the Region in spring. QUAIL THROUGH RAPTORS Gambel’s Quail were noted four times in sw. Montezuma, where rarely encountered, in the latter half of May. Migrant Common Loons were noted in 17 Colorado and seven Wyoming counties 27 Mar-31 May, with the high count of 30 coming from Flaming Gorge 24 Apr (SB et al.). Peak counts of Horned Grebes were of 145 and 156 at Fossil Creek 19 Mar (SGM, NK) and 21 Apr (SGM), respec- tively, and 100 at Big Johnson Res., El Paso 9 Apr (SGM, MP). The only Red-necked Grebe of the spring, a bird in alternate plumage, was a nice find at Cherry Creek 17-20 Apr (BA). An obliging juv. Neotropic Cormorant tar- ried at Cherry Creek 8-25 Apr (Bill Aseriades, Nick Bonomo, Phil Rusch). Amazingly numer- ous w. of the Front Range, single Great Egrets were in Alamosa, Chaffee, Delta, Lake (Crystal Lake, 23 Apr-3 May; TK), Mesa, Montrose (Nu- cla, 23 Apr; CD, BW; county first), and Uinta, WY (Bear River Bridge, 27 May; JW), with 2 at Pastorius Res., La Plata 21 Apr (SA et al.) and one still there 7 May (AD). Snowy Egret also had a banner season in the mts. and on the West Slope, with up to 4 at once in Chaffee 10 Apr+ (SY) an unprecedented showing there. Additionally, there were records spanning 21 Apr-31 May from Custer, Delta, La Plata, Mesa, Routt, and Summit, CO and from Sweetwater and Uinta, WY. Along with the Snowy Egrets, Little Blue Heron also made a better-than-aver- age showing, with individual ads. in Adams along the South Platte R. 27-28 Apr (J. Cech) and at Barr Lake S.P 13 May (J- Parker), and an imm. in El Paso at Kettle Lakes, U.S. Air Force Academy 24-28 May (G. C. Speights, MG). An ad. Tricolored Heron made a brief appearance at Westminster, Jefferson 30 Apr (LS), while it or another graced the se. corner of Chatfield Res., Douglas 2-13 May (R. Lentz). A white- morph Reddish Egret pranced at Huerfano Res. 14-17 May (D. Silverman); there are ten accepted Colorado records. Cattle Egrets on the West Slope, where a bit rare, included 2 near Mack, Mesa 16 Apr-8 May (GW et al.) and one at Pastorius Res. 21 Apr (SA et al.). The only Green Heron away from known breeding areas was the single at Salida 17 May (SY). A very high count was of 200 Black-crowned Night- Herons at Denver City Park, where the species breeds, 25 Apr (DA). A Mississippi Kite was well away from known breeding areas at Golden Ponds, Boul- der 28 May (BGu), while 32 over s. Pueblo, Pueblo 26 May (V. Truan) was an incredible count that far w. and that late in the season. VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 485 COLORADO & WYOMING Cooper’s Hawk breeds only very sparingly on Colorado’s e. plains, so an imm. along the Cimarron R., Baca 30 May (TRL) was unusu- al so late there. More astounding was the ad. Common Black-Hawk at Delta, Delta 26-27 May (R. Lambeth, ph. tM. O’Brien). An in- credible 80+ Broad-winged Hawks were re- ported 9 Apr-30 May from 19 Colorado and at least two Wyoming counties, including high- elevation Summit, CO and Park, WY. West slope records came from Paonia, Delta (29 Apr; JB), Grand Junction, Mesa (30 Apr; R. Linheld), Colorado N.M., Mesa (14 May; BW), and Uravan, Montrose (5 May; CD, BW). Apparent ad. Krider’s Red-tailed Hawks were photographed at two Boulder locales 2 Apr (CN, SGM); Krider’s has been well document- ed quite a few times in the past several years after decades without acceptable records. CRANES THROUGH SHOREBIRDS The highest count of Sandhill Cranes received was of 15,000 at Monte Vista N.W.R., Rio Grande 27 Mar (TF), but the 22 over Leadville in high-elevation Lake 3 Apr (TK) provided for the most interesting occurrence. Of 10 reports totaling 16+ Black-bellied Plovers, 2 at Fruitgrowers Res., Delta 12-29 Apr (LS), one at San Luis Lakes S.W. A., Alam- osa 13 May (j. Lewis), and 4 at Table Moun- tain 13 May (SB, JSa) were most unusual. Snowy Plover was found thrice on the West Slope, where casual: at Highline Res., Mesa 5 May (JB) and at Sweitzer S.R 1 1 May (B. & E. Gustafson) and 21-23 May (AR). The 14 re- ports of Semipalmated Plover included an early and long-staying bird at Cherry Creek 26 Mar-30 Apr (BA) and occurrences away from the eastern plains in Chaffee, Custer, Delta (twice), Fremont, La Plata , and Mesa (twice), as well as in Fremont, WY. The male Piping Plover at Table Mountain 13 May (SB, JSa) was a rare find. The earliest report of Black-necked Stilt came 2 Apr from Totten Res., Montezuma (2; AD), which matched the previous early date on the West Slope. The 150 Willets at Holbrook Res. 30 Apr (SGM) made a very high count. The spring saw the strongest flight ever of Hudsonian Godwits in the Region, with five reports of as many as 12 birds, including a bird color-banded on Chiloe Island, Chile; none was documented. A flock of 8 Red Knots at Woodruff 15 May (T. Avery, J. Bilsky) represented the only re- port of this rare Regional migrant. Of five Sanderling reports, the most interesting was of one on the West Slope at Sweitzer S.P 30 Apr (LA). The first Pectoral Sandpiper of the season was, quite unexpectedly, in the San Luis Valley at San Luis Lakes S.W. A. 17 Mar (tTF). Two Dunlins were mostly in basic A Whimbrel at Boulder Res. 24 Apr (CN) may have looked lonely, but it was on the early side of Col- orado occurrence timing and presaged an incredible and unprecedented season for the species in Colorado (24 Apr-21 May). During the course of the four-week flight season, some 364 were noted, including a whopping 179 at Neenoshe Res. 29 Apr (DAL) and 98 at Loloff Res., Weld 5 May (LK, GW, KMD); the previous Colorado high count was of 90. Seven counties on the e. plains recorded the species, including lightly birded Lincoln (26 on 5 May n. of Limon; CW, KS) and under-birded Huerfano (3 on 13 May, Lathrop S.R; BKP).Two were at Table Mountain 1 May (DJ). plumage at Cherry Creek 15 Apr (F&NH), while one at Spring Creek 26 Apr (CW, KS) provided a rare mountain record. The 145 Red-necked Phalaropes at Twin Lakes, Lake 30 Apr (TK) accounted for the “high” Col- orado count in multiple respects, considering that the site is at 2801 m. GULLS THROUGH WOODPECKERS A Franklin’s Gull was early 11 Mar at Chat- field, Jefferson/Douglas (GW), while single Bonaparte’s Gulls were quite late 21 May at Fruitgrowers Res. (m.ob.) and 31 May at Seedskadee N.W.R., Sweetwater, WY QW). An imm. Herring Gull was both late and in sw. Colorado, where rare, 1 May at McPhee Res., Montezuma QDB). The 9 Thayer’s Gulls at Black Hollow Res., Weld 14 Apr (SGM) made for a very high count, particularly for so late in the season. Lasts of the season were singles of Thayer’s Gull in Weld 23 Apr (SGM), Less- er Black-backed Gull at Lake Hattie Res., Al- bany, WY 6 May (SB, JSa), and Glaucous Gull in Weld 16 Apr (SGM). This season saw a plethora of Caspian Terns, with West Slope records from Mesa, CO and from Park, Sweet- water, and Uinta, WY (2 Apr-27 May); 14 Caspians at Woodruff 1 May (JW) made the highest count. Considering the dearth of Common Terns (seven reports totaling 23; 27 Apr-22 May), the four reports of Arctic Tern are even more surprising, though only two Black-legged Kittiwake is rare in both Colorado and Wyoming, with most records from Colorado and from late fall and early winter. A first-cycle Black- legged Kittiwake was found 4 Apr at Windsor L (not to be confused with nearby Windsor Res.) (M. Driscoll), proba- bly attracted by the same shad run that supported large numbers of other piscivores there, e.g., Red-breasted Mergansers. On 5 May, two first-cycle birds were present (ph. SGM), though only one was seen subsequently, through 26 May. were documented: a first for heavily birded Chico, Pueblo 25 May (BM) and the next day at Windsor L. (SGM). With the lower elevations now well colo- nized, Eurasian Collared-Dove is filling in the high-elevation holes in its Colorado range, as exemplified by reports from Clear Creek and Pitkin this season. The other rapidly coloniz- ing dove species, White-winged Dove, was re- ported from 16 Colorado counties on both sides of the state and from Laramie, Albany, WY 29 Apr (DJ). The first report of Black Swift for the year came early and at low ele- vation, 18 May at Valeo (BKP). A male Ruby- throated Hummingbird was an excellent find at La Veta 13 May (R & P. Neldner), a Huer- fano first and the southwesternmost record for e. Colorado. A Lewis’s Woodpecker was a surprise in Boulder, Boulder 29 May (CN), as the species has mostly disappeared from pre- vious haunts along the foothill edge n. of El Paso, though there are a few holdouts scat- tered from Douglas n. through Larimer. Red- headed Woodpecker provided one of the in- teresting phenomena this spring, as the species was found in much larger numbers and farther w. than is typical, with one Jeffer- son and three Boulder reports. A Red-bellied Woodpecker was also w. of normal in Larimer 29 May (ph. MS). Although at least one of the many wintering Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers was present through 4 Apr ( Larimer ; DAL), the individual at Lamar, Prowers 9 Apr (A. Guarente) was almost certainly a migrant, while the first migrant Red-naped Sapsucker of the season was found in the mts. at Salida 6 Apr (SY), and an unidentified sapsucker was at Crow Valley 16 Apr (C. Fredericks). A Downy Woodpecker of one of the e. taxa (me- dianus ?) was out of place in the mts. at Lake Estes, Larimer 15 May (ph. SGM). FLYCATCHERS THROUGH L0NGSPURS Alder Flycatchers were reported 19-30 May from Colorado, though the only documented reports were from the last days: Boulder 29 May (CN, ph. BS), Prewitt Res., Washington 29 May (SGM), plus 2 in Baca 30 May (TRL). Willow Flycatcher reports spanned 14 May+, with the high count of 3 coming from Prewitt Res. 25 May (LK), though 12 Alder/Willow were at Lake Estes 28 May O' Nelson). Al- though Least Flycatcher has bred recently in at least four West Slope counties, the only re- port this spring came from Escalante Canyon, Delta 20 May (SGM). Black and Eastern Phoebes continue to expand their ranges in s. and e. Colorado and to produce hybrid off- spring (Pieplow, N., T. Leukering, and E. Co- ley. 2008. An apparent hybrid Black x Eastern 486 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS Colorado & Wyoming! Phoebe from Colorado. Western Birds 39: 209- 219), with multiple reports of hybrids this season from Fremont. We encourage submis- sion of details of all hybrid phoebes. Phoebes out of range included Blacks on two Purga- toire R. bridges just downstream from Trinidad, Las Animas 26 Mar+ (MP), an East- ern near Wetmore, Custer 16 Apr (RMi), and breeding pairs of Easterns at Chatfield, Dou- glas 2 Apr+ (one pair; JK) and along S. Boul- der Cr., Boulder 3 May+ (two pairs; CN, M. McNaughten). A male Vermilion Flycatcher displayed at the Thompson Ranch 23 May (MP) through at least 9 jun (ph. TRL), pro- viding a first for Lincoln. Ash-throated Fly- catchers n. of typical range included singles at Last Chance, Washington 16 May (LK), Chat- field, Douglas 18 May (T. Bunker), Upper Wind River Canyon, Fremont , WY 21 May (DJ), and Confluence Ponds 29 May (CN, N. Moore). One was at high elevation at Manitou L., Teller 30 May, as was the Loggerhead Shrike there that day (MG). A Cassin’s King- bird at Fossil Creek 29 May (SGM) was late and out of place. Though Eastern Kingbird breeding range does reach to nw. Colorado, the 2 at Dinosaur N.M., Moffat 24 May (SS) were farther nw. than normal. Single Plumbeous and Cassin’s Vireos at Mitchek Ranch, Cheyenne 1 May (LK) were a bit e. of normal. A Philadelphia Vireo at Chico, El Paso 12-28 May (NG) was the only one documented. Male and female Purple Martins were quite the surprise along the Cache la Poudre R. in w. Weld 26 May (SGM); the timing is spot on for western Purple Mar- tin migration, but the location on the e. plains suggest that the birds may have been referable to nominate subis , quite rare in Colorado. The 6 Mountain Chickadees at Firestone 8 Apr (SGM) were quite late for such a large number on the plains, while Bushtits tarried in Arapa- hoe until at least 10 May (RMa). After a sizable fall/winter flight, it was no surprise that num- bers of Red-breasted Nuthatches on the Col- orado plains this spring were high, but the six reports of 7 birds there after 20 May were of interest. Helping to establish the breeding range of Eastern White-breasted Nuthatch ( carolinensis ) in Colorado was the record of 2 at Fort Morgan, Morgan 21 Apr (CW); the sin- gle at Hygiene, Boulder 17 Mar (SGM) might have been a wintering bird, but the reports of singles at and near the foothill edge at Golden Ponds 28 Apr (SGM), Loveland, Larimer 17 May (CW, KS), and Lyons, Boulder 28 May (MS, TF) were most unexpected. A Golden-crowned Kinglet was quite late 26 May at Chico, Pueblo (BKP), while single Ruby-crowned Kinglets 29 May on the plains in El Paso (MG), Larimer (MS), and Washing- ton (SGM) were only modestly so. Eastern Bluebirds were found in the w. half of the e. plains of Colorado and along the foothill edge in much higher numbers than is typical, pre- sumably as a result of the more westward ex- tension of wintering birds; the 3 in Laramie 21 May (BGo et al.) were of note in Wyoming. Though we received only one report from Wyoming, Veery numbers in Colorado were fairly high 14 May+, with birds arriving at or near some breeding locations in n. Colorado 15 May; there were 23 reports of 25 migrants on the e. plains. Only half of the Gray- cheeked Thrush reports were documented: Fox Ranch, Yuma 29 May (TF) and w. of Mid- way, Baca 31 May (ph. TRL). The high count of Swainson’s Thrush was of only 115 at Boul- der 28 May (BGu). The faxoni/euborius Her- mit Thrush documented 16 Apr at Crow Val- ley (SGM) accounts for one of only a few doc- umented records from Colorado. Northern Mockingbirds began returning 1 Apr, while a Sage Thrasher at Salida 4 Mar (SY) was a tad early, particularly for a montane location. Among six reports of Bohemian Waxwing, all from Routt through 29 Mar, one was of 300 birds on 20 Mar (eBird); interestingly, the three Wyoming reports spanned 31 Mar-5 Apr. West of normal were single Chestnut- collared Longspurs in Boulder 21 & 25 Apr (CN), as were 2 McCown’s Longspurs at Sedalia, Douglas 25 May (N. Ford) and one in Boulder 12 May (SGM). McCown’s Longspur breeds in small numbers in a limited area in- cluding s. Elbert and ne. El Paso, but Sedalia is well outside of that area. WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES The only Golden-winged Warblers graced Mitchek Ranch 4-8 May (CN) and Lamar 1 1 May (B. Kaempfer). The sole Wyoming Ten- nessee Warbler was at Laramie 16 May (SB). While we appreciate the effort to differentiate subspecies of Nashville Warbler in the Re- gion, we urge caution, as we find the putative plumage differences between nominate Nash- ville and w. ridgwayi (Calaveras Warbler) dif- ficult to detect in the field; moreover, the tail- wagging behavior purported to be diagnostic for ridgwayi may not be. Only 7 Virginia’s Warblers were reported this season from Col- orado’s e. plains (29 Apr-13 May), a very small number, while Wyoming reported only one (31 May at Cheyenne, Laramie', BGo). Oddly, the first Northern Parula of the season was found at montane Salida 17 Apr (SY); the only other report away from the plains came from DeWeese Res., Custer 20-22 May (RMi), where there was a male Chestnut-sided War- bler in the same period (RMi, ph. R. Hinds) and a Magnolia Warbler on the first date (RMi). A Northern Parula 14 May (DJ) and a Chestnut-sided Warbler 17 May (SB et al.) were both at Hereford Ranch, and both were unique in the state. West Slope warblers of note were a Chestnut-sided Warbler at Loudy- Simpson Park, Craig, Moffat 23 May (LA); a Blackpoll Warbler there 21 May (LA); single Black-and-white Warblers at Paonia 14 May (JB) and Meeker, Rio Blanco 22 May (CW); and a Worm-eating Warbler at Palisade, Mesa 21 May (DAL). Single Black-throated Gray Warblers were at Hereford Ranch 7 May and Burlington Trail Rd., Laramie 14 May (both DJ). Single Blackburnian Warblers were excel- lent finds at Two Buttes S.W.A., Baca 1 May (JK, tRO) and at Boulder (tM. Boswell) and Prewitt Res. (GW, tLK), both 25 May, but the male at Dinosaur N.M. 22 May (tSS) was on the West Slope, where exceedingly rare. A Yel- low-throated Warbler at Boulder 22-27 May (CN), only the 5th for Boulder, was greatly ap- preciated in what is probably the most heavi- ly birded county in the Region. Unique for Wyoming were a Palm Warbler at Cheyenne 21 May (BGo et al.), a Blackpoll Warbler at Hereford Ranch 17 May (SB et al.), and a Black-and-white Warbler at Laramie 16 May (SB). Bay-breasted Warblers were ogled at Colorado City, Pueblo 27 May (tDS), Chico, El Paso 28 May (LE, IBM), and Chico, Pueblo 28-29 May (tBM). Two American Redstarts and a male Hooded Warbler brightened Guernsey S.P., Platte, WY 17 May (SB et al.), and an American Redstart visited Hereford Ranch 30 May (BGo). A first-year male Pro- thonotary Warbler banded in El Paso 18-28 May (NG) provided a first for Chico. Worm- eating Warblers were strictly a Saturday phe- nomenon this spring, with individuals in the ne. corner of Bent 7 (MP, BKP) & 14 May (MP), along with the aforementioned Mesa record. Male Mourning Warblers were coop- erative at Canon City 17-22 May (RMi) and s. of Lamar, Prowers 31 May (ph. JSt). The only Kentucky Warbler of the season was late, seen 31 May near Pritchett, Baca (ph. TRL). As with Northern Parula, the first Hooded War- bler was, oddly, found in the mts., a male at DeWeese Res. 28 Apr (RMi); 2 females were there 20 May (RMi). A male Eastern Towhee was documented from Broomfield 19 Apr (E. Zorawowicz); if accepted, it would provide a very rare spring record of an individual not found wintering locally. Illustrating how common Clay-colored Sparrow can be in migration in e. Colorado, 18 were with about 25 Brewer’s Sparrows on the foothill edge at Lykins Gulch, Boulder 17 May 0- Such, MS et al.). A Field Sparrow was very far w. at Black Hollow Res. 5 May (tSGM). Black-chinned Sparrow provided VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 487 COLORADO & WYOMING one of the events of the year, as 1-2 were not- ed at Colorado N.M. 9 Apr+ (L. Frid, m.ob.). The states other records are from s. Prowers in 2006 and, in summer 2010, several breeding birds in La Plata. The only Black-throated and Sage Sparrows found outside their respective breeding ranges in the Region were in Boulder , 24-26 May (R Gent) and 4 Apr (ph. CN), re- spectively. Male Lark Buntings were noted in sw. Colorado, where rare, at CR 700, possibly a first for Archuleta, 8 May (R Derven, SA) and near Highline Res. 20 May (JDB et al.). A Grasshopper Sparrow was reported from Lake Estes 22 Apr (G. Matthews); the species is only very rarely noted in Colorado away from the e. plains. The 35 Lincolns Sparrows at Franz Lake, Chaffee 22 May (BT) was a high number for so late in the season at a location where the species does not breed, particularly as that provided the high count for the season. A White-throated Sparrow 12 Mar in Albany (SB) provided the sole Wyoming report, while the only such Harris’s Sparrow was late in Goshen 20 May (SB et al.). A wintering imm. Golden-crowned Sparrow that arrived 19 Dec at Teller Farms Open Space, Boulder (S. Sev- ers) stayed exactly four months from the date of detection. A singing Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis ) was a completely unexpected find at high-elevation Georgetown, Clear Creek 8 May+ (A. & T. Davis), considering that the closest known population of this widespread and variable Neotropical species is south of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec! Though unlikely to repre- sent a wild vagrant, the bird was nonetheless visited by numerous local and continental birders. Rufous-collared Sparrow is thought to be sedentary within its large range, with few data available even on altitudinal movements. The first Summer Tanager of the year, an imm. male, brightened Durango 9-10 Apr (R. Morris) and provided, possibly, a La Plata first; another (sex and age unreported) pro- vided a first for Eagle 21 May (NK, CW). Summer Tanager was unknown on the West Slope until recently, when it was found to be present through summer at Yellow Jacket Canyon, Montezuma. A female Scarlet Tanag- er was at Chico, Pueblo 26 May (K. Carragher, +BKP, tBM). The 2nd Colorado Breeding Bird Atlas continues to turn up interesting records, as highlighted this season by a female North- ern Cardinal found in a homestead shelterbelt w. of Midway 31 May (TRL); the landowners had reported to the observer that they had seen a “bright red bird” a few days previously, perhaps this bird’s mate. The species is slowly spreading westward from its three Colorado toeholds where the South Platte R., Republi- can R., and Arkansas R. meet the state line. Though decidedly not rare as breeders — be- ing found all along the foothill edge in e. Col- orado— Lazuli Bunting x Indigo Bunting hy- brids are scarce as migrants, so of interest were the single males s. of Lamar 10 May (JSt) and, particularly, at montane Franz L. 22 May (BT). Three Wyoming Rose-breasted Gros- beak reports, all from Laramie, spanned 8-30 May. The male Dickcissel at Lower Latham Res., Weld 14 May (F&NH) was the harbinger of a good summer for the species in Colorado. Migrant Bobolinks were noted at a few atypical locations, highlighted by the male near Mack 21 May (m.ob.). Not that long ago, Great-tailed Crackle was virtually unknown from Wyoming, putting this springs seven re- ports from three counties — including 16 at Meeboer L., Albany 23 Apr (SB) — into con- text. Orchard Orioles were more widespread as migrants than usual, particularly occurring farther w. on the e. plains than is typical. However, the imm. male along the Yampa R., Routt 31 May (N. Merrill) was on the West Slope, where the species is decidedly rare. A Baltimore Oriole (age and sex unreported) was w. of normal at Chico, El Paso 28-29 May (m.ob.), but the males (age unreported) at Laramie 23 May (DJ) and Lyons 27 May (MS, TF) were well w. of typical. Single Bullock’s Oriole x Baltimore Oriole hybrids were noted in Baca , Boulder, Pueblo, Sedgwick, and Wash- ington. An ad. male Scott’s Oriole put in a brief appearance in Boulder 16 May (ph. D. & K. Wellman), a 2nd for Boulder. Both Gray- crowned and Black Rosy-Finches lingered through 20 May in Summit, while the 4 Brown-capped Rosy-Finches reported from Sheridan, WY 27 May (J. Hanfman) were well n. of normal. The Purple Finch at Laramie 3 Mar (SB) was Regionally unique, as was the Common Redpoll in Crook, WY 12 Mar (T. Ludwick). After the sizable fall/winter flight, Pine Siskins tarried on Colorado’s e. plains deep into spring, with the latest report being of 2 in the far se. well away from any conifers, along the Cimarron R. 30 May (TRL). Though some expected the species to be found breeding in various plains towns (as has occurred after large flights), few reports noted any such details. As occasionally hap- pens, Evening Grosbeak ranged into the low- lands this spring, feeding on the abundant mast of Siberian Elm ( Ulmus pumila ), particu- larly in Fremont, Mesa, and Pueblo. Undocumented rarities: The following re- view species were reported in the period from Colorado without documentation: Little Blue Heron (2 juvs.; Pueblo); Red-shouldered Hawk ( Larimer , Logan); Hudsonian Godwit (Boulder, Kiowa twice [including a bird band- ed on Chiloe L, Chile], Otero twice); Short- billed Dowitcher (Alamosa, Arapahoe, Kiowa, Larimer, Otero, Pueblo, Routt, Weld); Laughing Gull (Bent, Logan, Pueblo); Mew Gull (Arapa- hoe, Weld); Herring x Glaucous-winged Gull (Weld); Iceland Gull (Jefferson); Herring Gull x Glaucous-winged Gull (Arapahoe, Bent); Arctic Tern (Bent, Boulder); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Prowers, Washington); Alder Flycatcher (Boulder, El Paso, Gunnison, Kit Carson, Washington); Black Phoebe (El Paso, Mesa); Vermilion Flycatcher (Montrose); Scis- sor-tailed Flycatcher (Lincoln, Yuma); Blue- headed Vireo (Larimer); Philadelphia Vireo (Logan, Prowers twice); Purple Martin (Weld); Sedge Wren (Boulder, Weld); Gray-cheeked Thrush (El Paso, Phillips); Wood Thrush (Lin- coln); Snow Bunting (Arapahoe); Blackburn- ian Warbler (Boulder [in Apr], Moffat, Wash- ington, Yuma); Pine Warbler (Larimer); Bay- breasted Warbler (Douglas, Larimer); Louisiana Waterthrush (Bent); Mourning Warbler (Bent, Larimer, Phillips); Canada Warbler (Bent); Baird’s Sparrow (Arapahoe, Yuma); Le Conte’s Sparrow (Yuma); Red Fox Sparrow (Yuma); Golden-crowned Sparrow (Jefferson); Scarlet Tanager (Boulder); Eastern Meadowlark (Prowers); and Purple Finch (Boulder). Cited observers (subregional editors in bold- face): David Alcock, Susan Allerton, Bob An- drews, Larry Arnold, Jason Beason, Jim D. Beatty (sw. Colorado), Shawn Billerman, Dan Brooke, Coen Dexter (CDe, w.-cen. Col- orado), Amy Dobbins, John Drummond (se. Colorado), Kathy Mihm Dunning, Ted Floyd, Nancy Gobris, Mel Goff, Barb Gorges (BGo), Bryan Guarente (BGu), Frank & Nancy Hatch, Donald Jones, Tim Kalbach, Joey Kell- ner, Loch Kilpatrick, Nick Komar, David A. Leatherman, Tony R. Leukering, Robert Mar- tinez (RMs), Rich Miller (RMi), Steve G. Mlodinow, Christian Nunes, R. Olson, Bran- don K. Percival, Mark Peterson (se. Col- orado), Andrea Robinsong, Jacob Saucier, Bill Schmoker (BSc; Colorado Front Range), Scott Schuette, Larry Semo, Dave Silverman, Katrina Stowasser, Jane Stulp, Marcel Such, Cheryl Teuton, Bill Tweit, Glenn Walbek (montane Colorado), Jason Whitmore, Cole Wild, Brenda Wright, Sherrie York, Eric Zora- wowicz. Many other individuals contributed information but could not be acknowledged here; they have our appreciation. © Tony Leukering, 102 Delaware Avenue, Villas New Jersey 08251 (greatgrayowl@aol.com) Bill Schmoker, 3381 Larkspur Drive Longmont, Colorado 80503 (bill@schmoker.org) 488 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS Idaho & Western Montana David Trochiell Undoubtedly, the spring of 2011 will be best remembered for its unusually cool, wet weather the entire season, which delayed plant phenology and bird mi- gration by up to four weeks across the Re- gion. Although scarce or absent for several years, Evening Grosbeaks and Cassin’s Finch- es made an unusually good showing toward the end of the season. WATERFOWL THROUGH SHOREBIRDS Thirteen Eurasian Wigeons were reported in the Region, representing an excellent spring season tally. Ponds at Warm Springs, MT hosted incredible numbers of staging water- fowl, including over 2000 Canvasbacks 3 Apr and 2554 Ruddy Ducks 4 May (GS). Very in- teresting was a pair of Harlequin Ducks seen near West Yellowstone, MT 15-20 May (ML), in an area where the species once nested but has been absent for the past decade. A Harle- quin Duck discovered at Bear Lake N.W.R., ID 18 May (AD) provided a first record for Lati- long 28. The White-winged Scoter present at Somers Bay, MT since 26 Nov was last report- ed 22 Mar (DC). Rare Long-tailed Ducks vis- ited Missoula 25 Mar (JB) and Warm Springs, MT 12-13 Apr (GS). If verified, a White- tailed Ptarmigan filmed in Hailey in late Apr (p.a., CT) would represent Idaho’s 6th record and first report in over 12 years. A pair of out- of-range Red-necked Grebes returned to Bozeman, MT 21 May (EH), where their nest- ing attempt last year was unsuccessful. A Great Egret was a nice discovery at Ninepipe N.W.R. 15 May (JGt), where they are rare but increasingly reported. The Glossy Ibis near Roberts 10 May (p.a., ph., tDCl) would be Idaho’s 12th. A notable 2nd record for n. Idaho’s Latilong 5 was a White-faced Ibis at Weippe Prairie 15 May (CH). It was the best spring season ever for Broad-winged Hawks in Idaho, with singles at Rexburg 30 Apr (ph., tDCl), in Valley 1 May (ph., tAL), and in Bonner 10 May (IPS). Two Gyrfalcons were reported near Bozeman, MT 18-20 Mar (DB, R&RW), in an area where unusually large numbers were reported in winter. An impressive peak count of 4000 American Av- ocets was made at Ennis L., MT 23 Apr (JP). Whimbrels made a better showing than usual in Idaho, with singles in Jefferson 13 May (ph. SB, DC1) and Blaine 18 May (ph., tJC, HW) and 3 at Camas 21 May (ph. DCl, tBDs). A record-early Dunlin at Lee Metcalf N.W.R., MT 1 Mar (BD) was thought to have wintered there. The only Short-billed Dowitcher re- ported was in Ravalli , MT 4 May (WT). GULLS THROUGH FINCHES The seasons rare gull tally included an im- pressive 3 Thayer’s, 2 Lesser-Black-backed, 3 Glaucous-winged, and one Glaucous (JO, with most reports originating from the Canyon , ID landfill. Less expected at the Canyon landfill, Idaho’s 5th Iceland Gull was photographed 5 Mar (p.a., ph. JC) and Idaho’s 3rd Western Gull on 9 Apr (p.a., ph., tJC, AL). A Band-tailed Pigeon that enlivened Garden Valley 20 Apr (p.a., HG) would pro- vide Idaho’s 4th record. The Anna’s Hum- mingbird that wintered at Boise, the Gem State’s 23rd verified record, remained until 17 Mar (HW). Vagrant californica Western Scrub-Jays that wintered at Boise, ID (JC) and at Thompson Falls, MT (JG) remained until 19 Mar and 17 May, respectively. Especially rare in Montana, Northern Mockingbirds visited locations s. of Troy 21 Apr (DJ), w. of Red Lodge 8 May (fide DC), and s. of Livingston 28 May (MH). A Cape May Warbler that was documented at Red Rock L. 29 May+ (ph. HE) supplied about the 5th record for w. Montana. Idaho’s 4th Yel- low-throated Warbler brought admirers to Ashton 19-24 Apr (ph., tCC). Far w. of typi- cal range was a Blackpoll Warbler at Helena, MT 25 May (BM). A Mourning Warbler that stopped at Camas N.W.R. 28 May (p.a., ph., tCW) would be Idaho’s 2nd record. Indigo Buntings, not annual, were spotted in Dillon, MT 29 May (ph. EW) and n. of Howe, ID 3-4 Jun (CO). The male Rose-breasted Grosbeak reported along the Sourdough Trail, Boze- man, MT 19 May+ (JP) was almost certainly the same individual that successfully nested there last year with a Black-headed Grosbeak. Another Rose-breasted was an excellent find at West Glacier, MT 26 May (RM). A Lincolns Sparrow at Belgrade 20 Mar (JR) represented a first Mar record for sw. Montana. Providing a first record for w. Montana was a wayward Dickcissel at West Glacier 26-27 May (RM). The only reported Common Grackle outside of typical breeding range stopped at a feeder in Gem, ID 14 May (ph. FZ). A pair of Great- tailed Grackles was thought to be nesting in Roberts, ID 30 Apr+ (D&EF). Another inter- esting first for w. Montana was a Lesser Goldfinch at Missoula 5 May (TT). Contributors (subregional editors in bold- face): Jim Brown, Donald Bryant, Steve But- terworth, Kathleen Cameron, Jay Carlisle, Dan Casey, Darren Clark (DCl), Cyndi Coul- ter, Bob Danley, Bob Davis (BDs), Annette De Knijf, Hal Everett, Dave and Elise Faike, John Grant (JGt), Jim Greaves, Henrietta Gunn, Ed Harper, Cheryl Huizinga, Mitch Hunt, Don Jones, Alex Lamoreaux, Mike Loebl, Bob Mar- tinka, Riley McClelland, Connie Oar, John Parker, Joan Ryshavy, Paul Sieracki, Shirley Sturts, Gary Swant, Terry Toppins, Wayne Tree, Chuck Trost, Heidi Ware, Cliff Weisse, Eve Wills, Robin & Richard Wolcott, Poo Wright-Pulliam, Fred Zeillemaker. David Trochiell, 2409 East N Avenue La Grande, Oregon 97850, (dtrochlell@frontier.com) AineriMj North American Birds A QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGICAL RECORD Subscriptions are available for $32 for US or $37 for Canadian. Renew or give a Gift Subscription, today! (800) 850-2473 AmericanBirding,> VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 489 New Mexico S San Juan R.^avajoL. San Juan r HeroijJ.- Mtn$ Morgan Farmington ElVddoL. */ Lake ck ^ IXWeilN.W.HT Clayton* Gallup Zuni •Reserve /Mogollofi Mins L > Vegas Santa Fe . ,, i Codm u ‘ \ .Las Vegas v ■ § Conchas L. <(fn. ^/sandia ' w" Grants ft. Albuquerque ft Mtns Moriarty Q; j 3 l,. I 5 1 c Melrosi i o s s Fort Sumner* * LaJoya., = ) portale Socorro* Bosquedei Son /’Apache N.W.R. Mafeo ) i Mtns /Elephant Butte L, _ . . / BitterLake j-N- - tCabullo L. ®Cloudrroft ° • Silver J percha San Andres \ ho fedrock Cl|y S.P. tj-W.fl . , Carlsbad (Bromley L. .Deming'Uus Cri S£T » JiSjV lenwood Clift' .Columbus A. Sartor 0. Williams III Spring 2011 was a season of extremes — deepening drought, relentless westerly winds, elevated temperatures, and wild- fires from grasslands to forests. Making sense of how birds responded to these conditions, and to possible lingering effects of February’s deep freeze, proved challenging. Some species arrived unusually early, but others were no- tably late; in fact, “spring” migration, of both departing and arriving species, seemed to ex- tend well beyond May. Some western species were displaced eastward, and some mountain species appeared in surprising numbers in lowland areas; some typically rare species were found in unprecedented numbers, while breeding bird numbers generally seemed de- pressed. A number of rarities kept things in- teresting, including New Mexico’s first con- firmed Smith’s Longspur, which brought the state list to 538 species. Abbreviations: B.L. N.W.R. (Bitter Lake N.W.R. ); Bosque (Bosque del Apache N.W.R.); E.B.L. (Elephant Butte L.); G.G.P. (Granite Gap Preserve, w. of Cotton City, Hi- dalgo); N.R.T. (n. Roosevelt migrant trap, w. of Melrose); R.G.N.C. (Rio Grande Nature Cen- ter, Albuquerque); P O. Canyon (Post Office Canyon, Peloncillo Mts.) R.G.V (Rio Grande Valley); R.S. (Rattlesnake Springs area, Eddy) SWANS THROUGH FALCONS Northbound Tundra Swans included singles at Bosque 1 Mar (ph. G. David) and LaJoya 6 Mar (DH) and 2 at E.B.L. 13-16 Mar (ph. DC). A male Eurasian Wigeon was at Bosque 2 Apr (m.ob.). The latest Greater Scaup were singles at Bosque 10 Apr (ph. JWS) and R.G.N.C. 16 Apr (ph. CW). Providing a Luna first was a Long-tailed Duck at Deming 3 Mar-20 Apr (LM, m.ob., ph. JO, ph. AG). A Red-throated Loon was on Lea L., Bottomless Lakes S.P 26 Mar-2 Apr (CR, ph. JO, JEP); a Pacific was at E.B.L. 31 Mar-1 Apr (ph. DC). Neotropic Cormorants moved northward in the R.G.V, including up to 4 at Corrales 24 Apr-15 May (DK, WH), up to 11 at the Alameda bridge in Apr (m.ob., ph. CW), and others at three additional Albuquerque lo- cales Mar-Apr, plus one at Belen 6 Mar (DH); 2 were ne. to Clovis 29 Apr (JO, JEP). Note- worthy for San Miguel, 10 active Double- crested Cormorant nests were at Watrous 5 Apr (WH). The only American Bittern reports were singles at Farmington 24 May (TR) and B.L.N.W.R. 13 & 29 Apr (J1S, JEP). Great Blue Herons breed widely, in scattered small colonies, throughout much of New Mexico; this season, 13 active nests were at Chama 13 May (ph. WH), at least nine active nests were near Watrous 5 Apr (WH), and three small “desert colonies” were active e. and se. of Carlsbad Mar-May (]• Chopp). Providing a Los Alamos first, a Great Egret was at Ashley Pond 24-25 Apr (CR, NH, ph. SF). Scarce in recent years. Little Blue Heron made some- thing of a comeback this season, with 2 imms. at Bosque 10 Apr (JH) and single ads. at Bosque 1 May (RV) and n. to Farmington 13- 24 May (ph. TR). Single ad. Tricolored Herons were at B.L.N.W.R. 13-17 Apr (JIS, ph. SF, ph. NH) and Belen 29 Apr-3 May (CR, JEP, DH). An ad. Yellow-crowned Night- Heron was at Bosque 6 May (L. Leckman). Among the flocks of migrant White-faced Ibis were single ad. Glossy Ibis at B.L.N.W.R. 23 Apr (PB), Albuquerque’s South Valley 25 Apr (MH), Clovis 6 & 13 May (JEP, ph. JO), and Bosque 1 (m.ob.) & 14 May (GF, DH). Providing an unexpected Santa Fe first, and the earliest yet for New Mexico, a Swallow- tailed Kite was at Santa Fe 9 May (RC, ph. C. Clark). For the 2nd consecutive year, a White-tailed Kite was n. to Las Vegas N.W.R., where one was found 29 May (ph. A. Ruffin); other White-taileds were in the s. near Ani- mas in Mar (CR, ph. NH, CGL), at Playas 16 Mar (WC), in the Las Cruces/Mesilla area Mar-Apr (m.ob.), and Bosque Mar-May (DH, ph. NH). Unusual in lowland riparian cotton- woods, a Sharp-shinned Hawk nest was active at Farmington 24 May (TR); noteworthy for the Animas Mts., a Sharp-shinned was in In- dian Creek Canyon 14 May (CGL). Common Black-Hawk continues to populate the R.G.V, with an early imm. near Nambe 18 Mar (ph. EM), up to 2 ads. at Isleta 7 Apr-May (m.ob., ph. JJ), and 2 or more at Bosque 22 Apr-May (m.ob., ph. T. Austring, ph. JWS); in Eddy, a pair occupied the R.S. area 16 Apr-May (DZ, m.ob., ph. RH). A good Broad-winged Hawk season found 16 individuals at 11 sites from the R.G.V eastward, 10 Apr-23 May. A Gray Hawk had returned to R.S. by 9 Apr (NP); noteworthy for the s. Animas Valley was one at Clanton Cienega 14 May (NM-C). Zone- tailed Hawks in the lower R.G.V. were singles at Mesilla Dam 7 Apr (ph. DG) and near Ra- dium Springs 8 Apr (MS, ph. JZ). Noteworthy for Santa Fe was a Ferruginous Hawk nest near Stanley 30 Apr (RC) that had 2 nestlings Noteworthy for the Chihuahuan Desert, this Long-tailed Duck was at Deming, Luna County, New Mexico 3 (here 6) March through 20 April 2011. Photograph by Jerry R. Oldenettel. 490 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS NEW MEXICO 28 May (ph. JPB). Continuing from Feb, a Rough-legged Hawk was last seen at Santa Fe 6 Mar (ph. BF). Very late was a male Merlin near Canjilon 14 May (N. Cox, fide DS). SHOREBIRDS THROUGH OWLS An American Golden-Plover stopped at a Santa Teresa turf farm 7 May (ph. J. Perkins). Peripheral Snowy Plovers were singles at Lordsburg Playa 16 Apr (ph. R. Kleinman) and Clovis 11 May (JEP, WWi). Typically scarce in spring, one to 2 Solitary Sandpipers were at nine sites from the R.G.V eastward, including early ones near Roswell 27 Mar (JO) and Selden Canyon 2 Apr (CR); w. were singles near Cabezon Peak 7 & 11 May (WH, DK) and Mangas Springs 1 May ( fide RS). High counts for Willets were 120 at G.G.P 27 Apr (TG) and 62 at E.B.L. 30 Apr (DC). Whimbrel had a record season, with up to 18 individuals at six locales, including a Santa Fe first near Stanley 30 Apr (ph. JPB), a high 11 at Clovis 4 May (WWi), and smaller numbers there in subsequent days (JEP, ph. JO), 2 each at Bosque 30 Apr-1 May (DK) and Brantley L. 2 May (ph. JO), one at B.L.N.W.R. 30 Apr-1 May (m.ob.), and a late one at E.B.L. 28 May (DC). A Hudsonian Godwit stopped at B.L.N.W.R. 7-9 May (JEP)- Marbled Godwits were in evidence nearly statewide 16 Apr-19 May, including a flock of 67 at Cochiti L. 24 Apr (DH). Among the few Semipalmated Sandpipers was one at L. Isabel, San Miguel 19 May (WWe, ph. NH). White-rumped Sand- pipers were scarce, with up to 2 at Portales 13-14 May (DK, JR) and singles at Clovis 13 May (JEP, JO), L. Isabel 19 May (WWe), and Brantley L. 21 May (SW) the only reports. An early Stilt Sandpiper was at Bosque 2 Apr (ph. JWS); another was near Stanley 14 May (JPB), where rare. A Red-necked Phalarope was w. to G.G.P. 28 Apr (ph. TG); one to 5 others were at Bosque (DK), E.B.L. (ph. DC), L. Isabel (WWe), Clovis (JEP, ph. JN-M), and B.L.N.W.R. (JEP), 1-24 May. Among the rarer gulls were a first-cycle Mew Gull at E.B.L. 13 Mar (CR) and a con- tinuing ad. Lesser Black-backed Gull at E.B.L. 6 Mar (JEP); late Herrings were 2 at Brantley L. 10 May (JEP) and one at E.B.L. 17 May (DC). A Least Tern strayed n. to the Las Campanas G.C., Santa Fe 7 May (ph. JPB). A Caspian Tern at Bosque 6 Mar (GF) repre- sented the state’s earliest ever spring record; others were singles at E.B.L. 30 Apr (ph. DC) and B.L.N.W.R. 30 Apr-1 May (RV et al.). Common Ground-Doves were relatively con- spicuous in Hidalgo , with up to 3 at G.G.P. 10- 31 May (TG), 3 in the Animas Valley 14 May (NM-C), and singles near Rodeo 18 May (REW) and in P. O. Canyon 22-24 May (CDL); a female that win- tered near Radium Springs was last seen 25 Mar (MS). Under review is a heard- only Black-billed Cuckoo in Quay 26 May (WWi). Barn Owl nests were noted in the Caja del Rio area, Santa Fe 31 May (ph. JPB), Rio Rancho in May (WH), and Tierra Blanca Cr., w. Sierra 14 May (DC). Note- worthy for the Black Range was a vocal Elf Owl in Chloride Canyon 3 May (DC). An active Long-eared Owl nest was at Kirtland A.EB. 2 Apr (ph. CW). For the third consecutive year, New Mexico hosted a Swallow-tailed Kite, with this one spotted over Santa Fe, Santa Fe County on 9 May 2011 . It represents the first record for north-central New Mexico since one was taken near Taos in August 1859. Photograph by (aroi Clark. SWIFTS THROUGH FLYCATCHERS Single Chimney Swifts were w. to Santa Rosa 16 May (WWi), Galisteo 14 May (JPB), and Moriarty 6 May (MB), but Chaetura swifts in the R.G.V. continued, to cause identification problems, including single possible Vaux’s Swifts at R.G.N.C. 24-25 Apr (m.ob., ph. CW) and La Cieneguilla 25 Apr (ph. RC, ph. JPB), while 2 at Bosque 27 Apr (GF) and one at R.G.N.C. 19 May (DH) could not be iden- tified to species. A Broad-billed Hummingbird strayed eastward to near Radium Springs 17- 28 Apr (MS, ph. JZ); n. in the Peloncillo Mts. were singles in Pine Canyon and Skeleton Canyon 24 Apr (CGL, DG) and up to 2 in P O. Canyon 14-15 May (CDL). Rare anywhere in New Mexico, a female Blue-throated Hum- mingbird was in Skeleton Canyon 24 Apr (ph. CGL, ph. DG); noteworthy for the Black Range was a male Magnificent n. of Kingston 31 May (ph. DC). Lucifer Hummingbirds ar- rived late to P. O. Canyon, where the first ap- peared 6 Apr and where there was no evi- dence of nesting through May (CDL); Black- chinneds arrived much later than usual, espe- cially in cen. and n. areas. A male Costa’s Hummingbird was in Guadalupe Canyon 13- 14 Apr (WWe); a female Annas was a surprise at Socorro 14-15 May (GF). Now expected in spring, one to 2 Calliope Hummingbirds were at several Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, and Dona Ana sites 22 Mar-1 May (m.ob.); migrant Rufous passed through Grant, Hidalgo, and Doiia Ana 6 Mar-14 May (m.ob.), including a high 6 in P. O. Canyon 9 Apr (CDL). Broad- tailed Hum- mingbirds arrived late at all stations; singles were found e. to Portales and the Mesa Rest Area 20 May (JEP). A Lewis’s Woodpecker was a surprise at Albuquerque’s Alameda bridge 2 May (CMB); a Red-headed Wood- pecker wandered to the Mesa Rest Area 19 May (ph. HW). A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker One of at least two pairs of American Three-toed Wood- peckers documented in southern New Mexico's Black Range in spring 201 1 , this pair was studied in an area west of Poverty Creek, Sierra County on 9 March. Photograph by David J. Cleary. was on the Trigg Ranch, e. San Miguel 17 Mar (MM); and one was late at Milnesand 4 Apr (JEP, ph. CW), where there were also up to 4 Red-napeds the same day (JEP)- At least two pairs of American Three-toed Woodpeckers were in a recent burn in the Black Range near Poverty Creek Mar-May (ph. DC). Single Olive-sided Flycatchers were no- tably early at Redrock 8 Apr (JEP) and R.S. 10 Apr (MB, CW). Eastern Wood-Pewee was present at N.R.T. 6-9 May, with at least one documented each day and 2 there 7 May (JEP, m.ob., v.r. MB, ph. JO, ph. NP), plus another singing there 15 May (ph. JO); farther w., one was singing at Galisteo 22 May (MH, JPB), VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 491 NEW MEXICO This female Smith's Longspur lingering in Otero Mesa grasslands, Otero County 6 May 201 1 boosted the New Mexico bird list to 538 confirmed species. Photograph by Raymond A. Meyer. while a non-singing pewee at the Mesa Rest Area 19 May (ph. HW) was possibly this species. Migrant Empidonax flycatchers were much in evidence statewide, including un- usually large numbers of Duskies, and this migration was still in progress at the close of the season. Still unverified in New Mexico, a likely Alder Flycatcher was along the Mora R. VIREOS THROUGH LONGSPURS A White-eyed Vireo at Quarai 7 May (MO) furnished a Tor- rance first. Up to 3 Bell’s Vireos were singing n. to Sumner Dam 30 Apr-28 May (JEP, JO, MB); peripheral singles were at Boone’s Draw 8 May (MB) and Tatum 13 May (JEP)- Provid- ing a Roosevelt first was a singing Gray Vireo banded at Boone’s Draw 7-8 May (MB, ph. NP); one in Las Huertas Canyon, n. San- dia Mts. 21 May (HS) was the first there since 1996. Unexpected along the Continental Di- vide, a singing Yellow-throated Vireo was at 2316 m near Poverty Creek, w. Sierra 3 May (ph. DC); another was at N.R.T. 21-29 Apr (CL, MH, JEP, ph. JO). Likely wintering Cassin’s Vireos were singles at Deming 12 Mar near Watrous 21 May (CR, ph. NH). A vocal Least Flycatcher was w. to Galisteo 14 May (ph JPB). Field identification of Pa- cific-slope Flycatcher remains a conundrum; this season, vo- cal singles identified as this species were in Guadalupe Canyon 13-14 Apr (WWe, ph. JN-M) and 14 May (REW, RAR), and undetailed singles were reported at G.G.R 29 Apr and 14 May (TG). Two Buff- breasted Flycatchers were in the Animas Mts. 14 May (ph. CGL, RV), the 4th consecutive year for the species there. Black Phoebes are now well es- tablished across n. New Mexi- co; new locales this season were singing individuals at riv- er crossings at Tierra Amarilla and Brazos 14 May (WH); sur- prising for the prairie were sin- gles at Ramon 2 Apr (JEP) and N.R.T. 22 Apr (JEP). Single Vermilion Flycatchers were n. to s. Albuquerque 13 Apr (NP, MH, ph. CW) and R.G.N.C. 18-20 May (CMB, MO, DH); noteworthy for N.R.T. were one to 2 during 7-12 May (JEP, JO). Two Thick-billed King- birds were in Guadalupe Canyon 14 May (REW, RAR). An early Scissor-tailed Fly- catcher was near Pep 4 Apr (JEP, JO), and 3 were n. to Clayton 26 Apr (DW). Providing a surprise at 2316 meters elevation along the Continental Divide in New Mexico, this Yellow-throated Vireo was singing near Poverty Creek in west- ern Sierra County on 3 May 2011. Photograph by David J. Cleary. Representing the latest ever for New Mexico, this male Varied Thrush was singing at Boone's Draw, Roosevelt County 21 -22 {here 21 ) May 2011. Photograph by Nicholas D. Pederson. (JEP) and Guadalupe Canyon 20 Mar (CGL); a Red-eyed Vireo was at Boone’s Draw 15 May (MB). The Blue Jay that wintered at La Union, s. Dona Ana was last seen 17 Apr (DB). Amer- ican Crows likely breed in the n. Black Range, where 2 or more were noted 26 Mar (JEP) annd 26 May (ph. DC). Chihuahuan Ravens on their n. frontier were 6 at Rio Rancho 1 May (WH) and a pair nesting in Albu- querque’s Paradise Hills area 5 May (WH). Unusual in n. Rio Arriba were 3 Purple Martins near Dulce and 3 more near Canjilon 14 May (fide DS); others of note were 3 e. to Clovis 1 1 May (JEP) and a male in Lake Val- ley, Sierra 31 May (DG). The Cave Swallow population at Carlsbad Cavern was about half of normal, and no hatching had occurred by 31 May (SW); drought, wind, and heat were likely factors. Two Mexican Chickadees were in the Animas Mts. 15 May (CGL). Late for the e. plains were single Brown Creepers in s. Curry 15 Apr (JL) and Milnesand 16 Apr (CR). Single Winter Wrens continued at Per- cha 10-20 Mar (ph. DC), Corrales 6 Mar-3 Apr (ph. WH, JEP), and Cienega Canyon, Sandia Mts. 9 Apr (AJ). Monthly surveys of five known Black-tailed Gnatcatcher sites near E.B.L. found none Mar-May (DC); the area experienced several days of subfreezing temperatures in Feb. Ruby-crowned Kinglets were slow to leave the Peloncillo Mts., where 3 lingered through 27 May (CDL). Rarely documented in migration, a Veery was at Boone’s Draw 7 May (ph. MB). Swainson’s Thrush was unusually numerous; early were singles at N.R.T. 1 May (JEP) and R.S. 2 May (JMB); late for the s. was one at La Union 31 May (ph. DB). A Wood Thrush was early at Milnesand 14-16 Apr (LS, m.ob., ph. NH, ph. SF, ph. JNS); another was at N.R.T. 6 May (WWi, JEP, ph. JO). A male Varied Thrush was singing in Otero Canyon s. of Tijeras 24 Apr (AG); another singing at Boone’s Draw 21-22 May (ph. NP, MB, JEP) was the 6th to be found in New Mexico since Oct and the state’s latest ever. Wintering Gray Catbirds were last seen at Corrales 6 Mar (WH) and Las Cruces 26 Apr (RCC); noteworthy for w. Sierra was one along Tierra Blanca Cr. 14 May (ph. DC). Unexpected in the Black Range, 4 Sage Thrashers were near Hermosa 15 Mar (ph. DC); a high count of 58 came from Trigg Ranch, e. San Miguel 17-18 Mar (MM). A Brown Thrasher was w. to Burro Cienega, Grant 22 Apr (RW), and another was at Co- chiti L. 6 May (ph. WH). Far n. were 2 Crissal Thrashers at Ojo Caliente, Taos 7 Apr (ph. C. Bendorf). Two Sprague’s Pipits were on Otero Mesa 16 Apr (RAM); late was one at Clovis 12 May (JEP, JMB, ph. JN-M). A Phainopepla was n. to Corrales 18 May (JF). Providing the first 492 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS NEW MEXICO An unprecedented 12 Magnolia Warblers passed through New Mexico this season, including this one below Sumner Dam, De Baca County on 13 May 201 1 . Photograph by Jerry R. Oldenettel. One of five found in New Mexico in spring 201 1 , this Yellow-throated War- bler in the Sacramento Mountains at Alto 11 May was a Lincoln County first. Photograph by David L. Tremblay. verified record for New Mexico, a Smith’s Longspur was in the Prather Ranch area, n. Otero Mesa 6 May (ph. RAM); there are sight reports of varying quality for Union in 1963 and 1965 and Dona Ana in 1986. WARBLERS An active warbler season tallied 37 species, in- cluding a male Blue-winged Warbler at Boone’s Draw 7 May (MB) and another there 14 May (DK, JR), plus one at N.R.T. 12 May (JMB). A Tennessee Warbler at Milnesand 31 Mar-4 Apr (LS, m.ob., ph. MB) may have win- tered nearby; another was at N.R.T. 14 May (JEP, DK). Several Nashville Warblers arrived surprisingly early, including singles at Mesilla Dam 15 Mar (CG), Selden Canyon 23 Mar (NS), Las Cruces 29 Mar (CG), Columbus 31 Mar (R. Zachary), and Milnesand 4 Apr (m.ob., ph. CW). Unexpected on the e. plains, a Lucy’s Warbler was at N.R.T. 8 Apr (MO, SSA). An impressive Northern Parula season produced one to 2 at 17 sites in 13 counties from the R.G.V. eastward 23 Apr-30 May, in- cluding one near Taos 11 May (ph.J. Tuomey). A Chestnut-sided Warbler at Quarai 14 May (K. Schneider) provided a first Tonance record; other singles were in Albuquerque’s North Val- ley 22 May (MH), Sumner Dam 19-20 May (MB, ph. JO, JEP), N.R.T 28 May (JO), and Boone’s Draw 22 May (MB). A record 12 Mag- nolia Warblers were documented from the R.G.V. eastward 1-21 May, with individuals at Corrales (DK), San Acacia (TA), Socorro (ph. DK), Sumner Dam (ph. JO), N.R.T. (ph. JO, JEP), up to 3 at Boone’s Draw (MB, ph. NP, ph. CW, JEP), and singles at B.L.N.W.R. (ph. C. Powell), Roswell (BO), near R.S. (ph. RN), and Maljamar (CLB). A Black-throated Gray War- bler was early at P. 0. Canyon 21 Mar (CDL); far e. were singles at N.R.T. on several dates 22 Apr-9 May (JEP, JO) and one at Portales 30 Apr (JEP). A singing Black-throated Green Warbler was w. to Corrales 8 May (WH), and a female was in Embudito Canyon 10 May (RV); farther e., singles were at N.R.T. 1 May (JEP, ph. JO) and Boone’s Draw 7 May (MB). Townsend’s Warblers were much in evidence after 13 Apr, including in the e. in De Baca, Roosevelt, Eddy, and Lea, and were still moving through the state 31 May. Lowland Hermit Warblers were singles at E.B.L. Dam 29 Apr (ph. DC), E.B.L. 20 May (ph. DC), and G.G.P 28 Apr (TG); other singles were e. to Spring- time C.G., San Mateo Mts. 14 (JMB, JN-M) & 23 May (WWe). Among the rare warblers were male (ph. CW) and female (ph. CW, ph. MB) Black- burnian Warblers at Boone’s Draw 15 May; a male at Galisteo 22 May (ph. BF) provided a Santa Fe first. A record Yellow-throated War- bler season produced singles at Gal- isteo 13 May (RM), Water Canyon 23 Apr (CR), N.R.T. 17 Apr (ph. DZ), and Boone’s Draw 1 May (ph. SC); one at Alto 11 May (ph. DT) furnished a Lincoln first. A Grace’s Warbler far e. to Boone’s Draw 13 May (MB, ph. CW) provided a Roo- sevelt first; others in unlikely habi- tats included 3 at E.B.L. 26 Apr (DC) and singles in Albuquerque’s South Valley 2 May (MB), near Radi- um Springs 31 May (MS, ph. JZ), G.G.P 27 Apr (TG), Spring Canyon S.R 14 May (LM), and R.S. 14 May (SW). An early Palm Warbler was at Percha 14-15 Mar (SS, ph. JG); sin- gles were near R.S. 6 May (ph. JWS) and at Edgewood 15 May (DL). Blackpoll Warbler had an unex- pectedly good season, with 5 during one week in mid-May — singles near La Mesa (JZ) and Boone’s Draw (ph. CW) 14 May, at N.R.T. 15 May (ph. JO), at Socorro 19 May (ph. GF), and at Galisteo 20 May (BF, ph. JPB, ph. SB). At least 15 Black-and-white Warblers were found in six counties from the R.G.V eastward 23 Apr-25 May. American Redstarts were con- spicuous from the R.G.V. eastward 23 Apr-28 May and were seen al- most daily at some prairie groves; w. were singles near P. O. Canyon 14 Apr (CDL) and Clanton Cienega 14 May (NM-C). A high tally of 6 Pro- thonotary Warblers found individu- als near R.G.N.C. 2 May (DP, MB), at Santa Rosa 28 Apr (WWi), at Bosque Redondo 17 Apr (CR), near R.S. 2 May (JMB), at Milnesand 4 May (LS), and at Tatum 22-23 Apr (JEP, PB). Joining the parade were 4 Worm- eating Warblers — one at Galisteo 24 Apr (RC) and another there 19-23 May (m.ob., ph. SB, ph. JPB), plus singles at Boone’s Draw 22 Apr (MB) and Corrales 24-25 Apr (MH). A singing Swainson’s Warbler was seen at Cor- rales 24 Apr (acc. DK). Nicely documented were single Louisiana Waterthrushes at N.R.T. 4 Apr (CMB, ph. NH) and R.S. 9 Apr (ph. NP), as were single Kentucky Warblers at N.R.T. 6 May (ph. J. Parks) and Sumner Dam 7 May (JEP, JO). A Hooded Warbler was w. to Los Alamos 28 Apr (ph. SF); 11 others were at six sites from the R.G.V. eastward 23 Apr-17 May. A Wilson’s Warbler was early at Carlsbad Cavern 28 Mar (R. Belding); another reached Deming 1 Apr (LM). Far from suit- able habitat, a male Red-faced Warbler was at E.B.L. 19-21 May (ph. DC), and a female was there 28 May (ph. DC); in Doha Ana, singles were at San Andres Spring 31 May (ph. MEW) and in Fillmore Canyon, Organ Mts. 8 May (DG) . Painted Redstarts appeared in the R.G.V at Albuquerque 7-11 Apr (m.ob., ph. CW), Socorro 27 Apr (GO), Williamsburg 11 Apr (M. Powey), and Mesilla 7 May (ph. HC); another wandered to San Andres Spring 16 Apr (ph. MEW). T0WHEES THROUGH FINCHES The Eastern Towhee that wintered at Madrid was still present 6 (SF, ph. T. Hodapp) & 15 Mar (WWi). The recently discovered Rufous- winged Sparrows continued in Guadalupe Canyon, where one to 2 were seen 6 Mar (CR) , 20 Mar (CGL), and 14 May (v.r. REW, RAR). Providing a Sierra first were one to 2 Botteri’s Sparrows at Lake Valley 31 May (ph. VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 493 of science at work. Find out mcSjneT Visit nature.org or call 1-888-2 JOIN TNC. ^ Thel^ature AfL Lonservancy wr SAVING THE LAST CHEAT PLACES ON EARTH This massage is made possible by llie generous support of this publication. NEW MEXICO DG), suggesting the species is continuing to spread in sw. New Mexico. Latest Field Spar- rows were one at N.R.T. 8 May (]EP, JO) and 3 at R.S. 14 May (SW). Black-chinned Sparrows wandered eastward to Roosevelt, with singles at Boones Draw 23 Apr (MB, NP) and 8 May (MB) and at N.R.T. 7 May (JEP, ph. JO); Black- chinneds increased at Zuni, with 3 singing males each in Mullen Canyon and Chearna Canyon 28 May (JT). A Black-throated Spar- row wandered up to Los Alamos 7 May (ph. SF). Noteworthy for Santa Fe was a Grasshop- per Sparrow singing at Eldorado 9-12 May (L. Kellogg, JPB). Grassland surveys on n. Otero Mesa found Bairds Sparrows in the vicinity of El Paso Draw on eight days 1 Mar-16 Apr, in- cluding 2 on 18 Mar and 5-6 on 15-16 Apr (ph. RAM). Rare in Santa Fe, a Fox Sparrow with slaty plumage was at Cerrillos 28 Apr (ph. JPB); a reddish one was at Bernardo 3-4 Mar (ph. GF). Migrant Swamp Sparrows where seldom seen were singles in s. Curry 15 Apr (JL), at Boone’s Draw 22 May (ph. NP), and at Galisteo 24 May (ph. JPB). An ad. Har- ris’s Sparrow at E.B.L. was singing 30 Apr (ph. DC); another ad. was at Separ, Grant 13 May (LM) . Last of the wintering Sandia Mts. Gold- en-crowned Sparrows were 2 in Embudito Canyon 28 Mar (ph. DK); far s. at La Union, one lingered through 3 May (ph. DB). Unusu- al on the e. plains, a Gray-headed Junco was at N.R.T. 4 May (ph. JWS). An early Hepatic Tanager reached P O. Canyon 5 Apr (CDL). A Pyrrhuloxia was n. to Belen 10 Apr (DH). Providing a 6th record for New Mexico, a male Yellow Grosbeak at Roswell 7-9 May (acc. RL) frequented a fruiting mulberry with other grosbeaks. One to 2 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were at 17 sites in 12 counties from the R.G.V. eastward 29 Apr-31 May; in the w., singles were at three Grant sites in May (RS), and one was in P 0. Canyon 14 May (CDL). An early male Lazuli Bunting was near Radium Springs 2 Apr (MS, JZ); a male Indigo reached Albu- querque 19 Apr (ph. CW). A Painted Bunting was n. of Taos 14 May 0- Hite), and another was at Galisteo 24 May (JPB)- An early Dick- cissel was at the Mesa Rest Area 23 Apr (JEP), and another was at N.R.T. 5 May (ph. JWS); one was w. to Silver City 10 May (ph. RW). One or more Bronzed Cowbirds were n. to N.R.T. 7-15 May (JEP, JO), and a male was at Boone’s Draw 13 May (ph. CW). A male Hooded Oriole reached the Radium Springs area 30 Mar (MS, JZ); another was at E.B.L. 2 Apr (DC). Four Baltimore Orioles were re- ported, singles at Galisteo 18 May (ph. SB), Escondida 22 Apr (ph. SL), near Radium Springs 4 May (MS, ph. JZ), and at R.S. 14 May (SW). Surprising for n. Rio Arriba, a Scott’s Oriole was singing at 2210 m near Heron L. 14 May (WH); rare on the e. plains, single males were at N.R.T. 22 Apr, 7 May, and 19 May (JEP, JO). A three-species flock of 75 rosy-fmches lingered at Sandia Crest 28 Mar (DK), where several persisted until 6 Apr (WWe). Only a few Red Crossbills straggled to lowland areas, including 6 at Albuquerque 17 Mar (JEP), 2 each at Elephant Butte 9 Apr (DC) and Roswell 14 May (RL), and one at Santa Teresa 28 Apr (JNP). A yellowish male Cassin’s Finch was at Los Alamos 10-12 Apr (ph. M. McKay); apparently very rare, this variant has not been previously reported in New Mexico. A significant flight of Evening Grosbeaks occurred in Apr, including a local first near Radium Springs 10 Apr (MS, ph. JZ), “hundreds” in the Sandia Mts. in late Apr (DK), and 175 at Los Alamos 24 Apr (CR); the species nested at the town of Cochiti Lake for the first time, where two nests produced fledg- lings 14 & 17 May (MLW). Initialed observers: Thomas Archdeacon, Jonathan P Batkin, Matthew Baumann, Dan Belcher, Phred Benham, Charles L. Black, James M. Black, Sam Brayshaw, Celestyn M. Brozek, Richard C. Castetter, William Cava- liere, Roger Clark, David Cleary, Hugo Cobos, Steve Collins, Stephen Fettig, James Findley, Bernard Foy, Gary Froehlich, Tony Godfrey, Coleman Goin, Ashli Gorbet, David Griffin, John Groves, David Hawksworth, Nancy Het- rick, Michael Hilchey, John Hirth, William Howe, Ronald Hurd, Andrew Johnson, James Joseph, David Krueper, Robert Larsen, Shawn LaBrier, Colin Lee, David Ligon, Carroll D. Littlefield, James Lofton, Carl G. Lundblad, Ed MacKerrow, Martin MacRoberts, Larry Malone, Raymond A. Meyer, Narca Moore- Craig, Robert Munro, Jim Nelson-Moore, Robert Nieman, Matthew O’Donnell, Jerry Oldenettel, Bruce Ostyn, Gale Owings, Danny Paez, John E. Parmeter, James N. Paton, Nicholas Pederson, Tim Reeves, Rose Ann Rowlett, Christopher Rustay, Janet Ruth, Lawry Sager, Jeffrey I. Sanchez, Sonia Santa Ana, Hart Schwarz, Marcy Scott, Storm Ser- may John W. Shipman, Roland Shook, Dale Stahlecker, Nancy Stotz, James N. Stuart, David Tremblay, John Trochet, Raymond Van- Buskirk, Hira Walker, Mark L. Watson, Richard E. Webster, Donald Weidemann, Mara E. Weisenberger, Steve West, William West, Robert Wilcox, William Wittman, Cole Wolf, James Zabriskie, DeAnn Zwight. C Sartor 0. Williams III Division of Birds, Museum of Southwestern Biology University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131 (sunbittern@earthlink.net) 494 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS Arizona Mark M. Stevenson (Non-passerines) Gary H. Rosenberg (Passerines) Observers noted a delay in the bulk of spring migrants by a week or more and a prolonged trickle of migrants passing through after expected dates. The drought appeared to have a concentrating ef- fect, and some migrants were seen in relative- ly high concentrations where water remained. Wildfires in the state and to the south in Sonora may also have displaced birds. Rarity highlights included Crescent-chested War- bler and Fan-tailed Warbler. The wages of prolonged drought and a dry winter came due in Arizona this spring in the form of dis- astrous wildfires. Although there were many fires, two were most notable. The Horseshoe 2 Fire in the Chiricahua Mts. combined historically low fuel moisture levels and persistent high winds to scorch 90,245 ha (223,000 acres)-over 80% of the range. It became the fifth largest fire in the state's history and forever altered this well known and beloved range, home to most of the Mexican Chickadees in the United States. The Wallow Fire in the Blue Range and White Mts. became the largest fire in Arizona history as it consumed 21 7,721 ha (538,000) acres of high- elevation forest and meadow, an uncommon habitat in a desert state. Both conflagrations were caused by humans. Abbreviations: A.B.C. (Arizona Bird Com- mittee), B.T.A. (Boyce Thompson Arboretum S.P.), B.W.D. (Bill Williams Delta, L. Havasu), G.W.R. (Gilbert Water Ranch). H.R.R (Has- sayampa River Preserve), L.C.R.V. (lower Colorado R. valley), N.I.R. (Navajo Indian Reservation), Sweetwater (Sweetwater Wet- lands, Tucson) WATERFOWL THROUGH WOODPECKERS Seldom reported in Graham, a Snow Goose was at San Carlos L. 28 Apr (DS et al.). Still less than annual, a Brant was a very good find at Lake Havasu City 13 Apr (ph. DVP); there are two prior mid-Apr records for the L.C.R.V A few Mexican Ducks were reported periph- eral to their expected range, with a pair along the upper Verde R. 30 Mar (WA, M. Mueller), as many as 20 at San Carlos L. 28 Apr (GHR et al.), and one at Lake Havasu City 8 May (ph. DVP). Following the record numbers seen there in the preceding winter, the peak count of Greater Scaup at B.W.D. this season dwindled to 166 on 11 Mar (LHa, DVP). Away from the L.C.R.V., single Greater Scaup were reported at Pena Blanca L. 5 Mar (EW) and Sierra Vista S.T.P. 20 Mar-3 Apr (EW et al.). The Black Scoters present at B.W.D. dur- ing the winter remained through 3 Apr (m.ob.). The Long-tailed Duck found there in Feb remained through 5 Apr (ph. LHa), and 3 more were found below Glen Canyon Dam 12 Mar-16 Apr (G. Nealon). Late in the L.C.R.V., a Hooded Merganser was on n. Lake Havasu 2 Apr (DVP, LH), and another was at Lake Havasu City 13-14 Apr (ph. DVP). Red- breasted Merganser is a rare migrant away from the Colorado R.; 3 were at Aztec 17 Apr (PEL, BC) and 2 at Painted Rock Dam 14 May (WG), the latter a late date. Common Loon shares a similar status; singles were at Benson S.T.P. 8 Apr (PC, RF) and Upper L. Mary 21 Apr (T. Linda). The wintering Yellow-billed Loon was noted at B.W.D. through 20 Mar (m.ob.). Least Grebes continued in numbers at Pena Blanca L. through the sea- son, with a peak count of 7 seen several times, including two sets of juvs. (m.ob.). The only Horned Grebe away from the L.C.R.V continued at Gilbert un- til 28 Mar (ph. PD). Multiple rafts of Eared Grebes totaling 6300 on n. L. Havasu 16 Apr (DVP) nearly doubled the previ- ous L.C.R.V high count. Another elevated count, an estimated 3000+ Clark’s Grebes were on San Carlos L. 28 Apr (DS et al.). Casual in se. in spring, 2 ad. Brown Pelicans were on Pata- gonia L. 21-24 Mar (MB, ph. DJ), and one was there 11-26 Apr (T. Rodenkirk). Neotropic Cormorants nested for the first time in se. Arizona at Silverbell L., Tucson 15 Mar-29 May (AC, ph. MMS). A rookery of 48 active nests was found in Scottsdale 29 Apr (TC, T. Lewis), pushing the total number of nests found in the state over 50. Wandering Neotropic Cormorants included singles at Prescott 5-7 Mar (CST), Lake Havasu City 11 Mar-13 Apr (DVP, LHa), Willow L. 16 Apr (WA), and B.W.D. 28 Apr-14 May (DVP), plus 6 at San Carlos L. 28 Apr (DS et al.) and 7 at Watson L. 6-15 May (WA, CST). Up to 15 pairs of Snowy Egrets were nest- ing along the San Carlos R. above San Carlos L. 19 May (DS, MMS), the 2nd confirmed nesting location in Gila. An ad. Little Blue Heron was at Tres Rios, Phoenix 8 May (ph. MH). A Tricolored Heron was at Nogales and Rio Rico 5-10 May (ML, ph. AS). In the L.C.R.V, 1350 nests of Cattle Egret found at a rookery in the Parker Valley 14 May (DVP) was a large number even for that site. Several nesting pairs of Black-crowned Night-Heron were with the Snowy Egrets along the San Carlos R. 19 May (DS, MMS), a new nesting location. Glossy Ibis records have slowly ac- cumulated since the first occurrence in 2001; this season, an ad. was at Paloma 18-22 Apr (tGHR, PEL, BC). The Roseate Spoonbill at Palo Verde continued all spring (MH et al.). Black Vultures are regular in the Phoenix west valley but seldom seen to the east, so this seasons reports of 2 along the Verde R. at Hwy. 87 20 Mar (E. Bonkowski), 9 along the Bush Hwy. 7 Apr (DPe et al), and 3 at Gran- ite Reef Recreation Area 18 May (JHo) were of note. To the nw., 3 were near Wickenburg 5 May (RT, C. Green). An Osprey carrying a stick at Beal L., Havasu N.W.R. 9 Apr (DVP, LHa) hinted at nesting, which remains un- confirmed in the L.C.R.V. Mississippi Kites are rarely seen away from known nesting ar- eas, so these individuals were of interest: at Tumacacori 5 May (MA), at Cluff Ranch W.A. 17 May (TC, J. Alsadi), n. to Montezuma Lakes, Yavapai 18 May (ph. H. Biller), and at Nogales S.T.P. 31 May (ML). Reports have been increasing from the Santa Cruz R. be- tween Nogales and Tubac, where suitable ri- parian woodlands and agricultural fields are present. The range expansion of Gray Hawks Casual in Arizona, this Black Brant was at Lake Havasu City on 1 3 April 201 1 . Photograph by David Vander Pluym. VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 495 ARIZONA This Yellow-throated Warbler visited Tucson, Arizona 13 April 2011; this species is now reported annually in the state. Photograph by Mart Womack. continues. Along the Gila R. near Safford, 2 were seen 20 Apr (R. Spahn), an ad. was in lower Madera Canyon 22 Apr+ (MMS, MP), one was well nw. to the Agua Fria R. near Flumboldt 14 May (CST), and one was along the San Carlos R. below Peridot 19 May (DS, MMS); along the Hassayampa R. above and below Wickenburg, where they were first found in 2005, a remarkable 10-12 Gray Hawks were located 14 May (TC et al.). Near the periphery of the species’ range, 2 Harris’s Hawks continued at Yucca, Mohave 4 May+ (ph. S. Kirkendall). Near Dewey, Harris’s Hawks were nesting in the same location as last year during May (ph. WA). Up to 2 Red- shouldered Hawks continued at H.R.P. all sea- son (TD), and another was found near the L.C.R.V. in Alamo Wash, Kofa N.W.R. 8 Apr (TCMc). Broad-winged Hawks were reported in numbers much above average, with 12 re- ported 3 Apr-19 May, of which 7 were ac- companied by details. Short-tailed Hawks re- turned to se. ranges again, with Gochfeld hav- ing a particular affinity for them: singles were over the Santa Catalina Mts. 24 Mar+ (]. Cook et al.; ph. DG), over Fort Huachuca 7 Apr (ph. DG), at low elevation in Sabino Canyon 8 Apr (ph. N. Harris), and in the Santa Rita Mts. 22-29 Apr (TJ; ph. DG). A Swainson’s Hawk was early at Buckeye 6 Mar (MH). They have usually left the L.C.R.V. by mid-May, so one at ‘Ahakhav Tribal Preserve into summer was unusual (LHa). A Zone-tailed Hawk was early at Granite Basin L. 12 Mar (K. Archibald), as was one at Grand Canyon South Rim 25 Mar (M. Tighe). A Zone-tailed at Canyon de Chelly N.M. 27 May (D. Mark) furnished one of fewer than 10 reports ever from the N.l.R. Once again, a few Crested Caracaras were found away from the core range. Single caracaras were seen in the Tubac-Tumacacori area 13 Mar-10 May (m.ob.), n. to H.R.P. 25 Mar (ph. D. Sherony), near Gillespie Dam 6 Apr (ph. D. Mont- gomery), and w. to Aztec 18 Apr (PEL, BC). A Merlin was late at Lake Havasu City 28 Apr (LHa, DVP), while a Prairie Falcon was casual there 14 Apr (LHa, DVP). Common Moorhen is rarely re- ported from Gila , so one at San Carlos S.T.P. 28 Apr (DS et al.) and one at Talkalai L. 19 May (DS, MMS) were of interest. A pair of Sandhill Cranes flying by Sweetwater 13 Mar (JBo) was ca- sual in Pima. A few Black-bellied Plovers were reported: at Lake Havasu City 8-20 Apr (CMc, ph. DVP), at San Carlos L. 28 Apr (MP et al.), and at Palo Verde 5 May (D. Smith, fide MH). The only reports of Snowy Plover were up to 2 at Hart Mine Wash, Cibola N.W.R. 13-30 Apr (MN et al.) and Willcox 3-4 May (RF, TJ). A Semipalmat- ed Plover was early in the L.C.R.V at Yuma 7 Apr (]. Runco, J. Pietrzak). A flock of 6 Less- er Yellowlegs at Tres Rios 9 Mar (TC) was ear- ly, and 14 at Gila Bend 17 Apr (PEL, BC) made a high count for spring. Whimbrel is a casual migrant away from the L.C.R.V. This season, singles were found in the Santa Cruz Flats 22 Mar (G. Owings), Willcox 19 Apr (RT) and 28 Apr (ph. J. Lawrence), Mormon L. 30 Apr (ph. T. Linda), and Holbrook 16 May (ph. EH). Six more were found in the Gila R. valley between Glendale and Gila Bend 17 Apr-13 May. Early Sanderlings were at Yuma 7 Apr (J- Runco, J. Pietrzak) and Cow Springs L. 8 Apr (CL, BG). Semipalmated Sandpiper is casual in spring; singles were at Willcox 4 (ph. TJ) & 14 May (ph. R. Shantz). Additional casual spring migrants included a Pectoral Sandpiper at Gila Bend 7 May (ph. CMc), a Dunlin at Lake Havasu City 26-28 Apr (ph. DVP), a Stilt Sandpiper at Willcox 23 Apr (RBe), and a Short-billed Dowitcher at Willcox 8 May (JY). Early single Red-necked Phalaropes were at Painted Rock Dam 6 Apr (WG), G.W.R. 7-8 Apr (ph. B. Amato), and Gila Bend S.T.P. 18 Apr (GHR et al.), while 200+ at San Carlos L. 19 May (DS, MMS) was a large number for spring. At upper L. Havasu, 89 Bonaparte’s Gulls 30 Mar (LHa, DVP) was a high number for any- where in the state. The date range of Califor- nia Gull in the L.C.R.V. continues to expand, with migrants seen around L. Havasu mid- Mar-30 Apr and small numbers there through late May (DVP, LHa). A flock of 95 California Gulls at Cow Springs L. 20 May (C. Babbitt, B. Johnson) was a large number for Arizona. A second-cycle Herring Gull was at n. L. Havasu on the late date of 26 Apr (DVP, LHa). Terns are rare spring migrants away from the Col- orado R. in Arizona. Up to 17 Caspian Terns were on Upper L. Mary 26-30 Apr (CL et al., ph. JW1), and 6 were at Willcox 30 Apr (L. Miller). At B.W.D., 6 were late on 30 May (LHa). A Common Tern was a good spring find even at B.W.D. 14 May (LHa, DVP). Forster’s Terns were more widely reported than usual, with 11 away from the L.C.R.V 22 Apr-20 May. At L. Havasu, 60 present 9 May (DVP, LHa) was among the higher counts there. Least Tern reports dropped again, with only one bird reported, at Kansas Settlement 17 May (JC). Analysis of the calls of a hock of 6 terns at Mittry L. 14 May (v.r. MN) identified them as Elegant Terns, which would represent a 2nd record for the L.C.R.V A Common Ground-Dove was n. to Date Creek 21-22 Mar (B. Pranter). Reports of sin- gle Ruddy Ground-Doves came from G.W.R. through 23 Mar (m.ob.), Portal 23-24 May (RAR, ph. REW), and Patagonia Roadside Rest 27 May (G. Bieber); 2 were at Tubac 10 May (LH). A count of 30+ Western Screech- Owls at Bill Williams River N.W.R. 28 Mar (DVP) was a large number for the L.C.R.V The only report of a Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl came from Organ Pipe Cactus N.M. 4 Apr-28 May (TJ et al.), where they are known to oc- cur in small numbers. A Mexican Whip-poor- will on a day roost at San Bernardino N.W.R. 28 May (REW) was a rare find in the low- lands. With no records of Chimney Swift in Arizona for more than a decade, 2 circling low over Willcox during a dust storm 10 May (ph. TJ) made a great find. Further evidence of the spread of Broad- billed Hummingbird came with one at Hidden Valley, Pinal 10 Mar (N. Lange), 2 at Slate Creek Divide, Maricopa 14 May (C. Radamak- er), an ad. male at Bumble Bee 14 May (CST), and one in Tempe 14 May (B. Enos). A gravid female along the upper San Pedro R. at Palom- inas 20 May (S. Williamson) provided only the 2nd nesting record for that area (the first came 16 Apr 2010 at Saint David; ph. AR). Unex- pected in the lowlands, a Berylline Humming- bird was at the same Palominas location 27-31 May (S. Williamson); nearly all Arizona records are from middle-elevation canyons. No others were reported. Seldom found in the lowlands, a Blue-throated Hummingbird was at San Bernardino N.W.R. 21 May (REW, RAR), a seemingly late date for a migrant. A fe- male Lucifer Hummingbird at Dragoon Moun- tain Ranch 26 Apr (AR) was the only one found away from expected locations. Calliope Hummingbirds arrived early, were seen in greater-than-usual numbers at feeders in the lowlands and passed through on late dates. The harbinger arrived in late Feb, and addi- tional early individuals were at Dragoon Mountain Ranch 8-14 Mar (AR), Green Valley 496 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS ARIZONA Discovered in Madera Canyon 23 May 201 1 , this Fan-tailed Warbler remained there through 27 May, providing an eighth Arizona record. Photograph by Richard Fray. 11-12 Mar (N. Hansen), and Tucson 14 Mar-4 Apr (PK). Late individuals were at Patagonia 19-20 May (MM), Portal 24 May (R. van Buskirk), and Patagonia 28 May (MM). Broad- tailed Hummingbirds were also more numer- ous and widespread than usual in spring at lowland feeders, perhaps as a result of insuffi- cient nectar sources in the drought-ridden landscape. Some were seen at atypically low el- evations into late May. A Rufous Hummingbird was about a week late in the L.C.R.V at Yuma 1 1 May (PEL, BC). With very few records from n. of Madera Canyon, a pair of Elegant Trogons in suitable habitat in Rattlesnake Canyon, Gal- liuro Mts.17-18 Apr (ph. A. King; M. Sredl, S. Contreras) was a real surprise. Quite late for Arizona, a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was at Lee’s Ferry 23 May (ph. SP). Scarce in the low- lands, a Hairy Woodpecker was at Dead Horse Ranch S.P. 5 Mar (ph. G. Botello). FLYCATCHERS THROUGH LONGSPURS A Least Flycatcher along the San Pedro R. near Charleston 1 May (TD. Sibley) would provide a 10th Arizona record if accepted by the A.B.C. In general, it was an extraordinary spring for migrant Empidonax flycatchers, with numer- ous individuals of Hammond’s, Dusky, Gray, and in particular, Pacific-slope Flycatchers lin- gering later than usual into the last week of May. A pair of Buff-breasted Flycatchers re- turned 17 Apr to the same territory in Rose Canyon, Santa Catalina Mts. occupied in 2010 (B. Checchia, MMS, MP et al.). Another pair was present in Rose Canyon 21 May+ (M. Kehl); this species continues to expand its range northward in the state. Eastern Phoebes at G.W.R. 6-19 Mar (ph. G. Karre), at Tubac 12 Mar (L. Norris et al), along Sonoita Cr. near Patagonia 26 Mar-10 Apr (F Kee, AS), and along the Upper Verde R., Yavapai 30 Mar (B. Pranter, K. Archibald) were all birds that likely wintered locally, while one at Walnut Canyon ponds, Flagstaff 11 May (CL) was late enough that it was probably a migrant; Eastern Phoebe is extremely scarce in the state as a spring mi- grant. A pair of Tropical Kingbirds returned again to the H.R.R 8 May+ (MMS, MP), while other extralimital reports of this species in- cluded one in Portal 9 May (ph. JS), one at San Carlos S.T.P 11 May (ph. GHR), 2 at ‘Ahakhav Tribal Preserve near Parker 27 May+ (LHa, DVP), and one near Roll, Yuma 31 May (J. Keller). An Eastern Kingbird, casual to rare in the state, was at Willcox 31 May (ph. TJ, MA). About equal in rarity in Arizona, a Scissor- tailed Flycatcher was at Malpais Spring near Concho 18 May (R. Remington, fide TC). Early Bell’s Vireos were at Bill Williams N.W.R. 3 Mar (J. Richmond) and B.T.A. 4-8 Mar 0- Burns); one in Prescott 10 Apr (S. Drown) was considered a casual transient there. Gray Vireo is typically considered a casual transient in Arizona away from breeding areas, yet this spring, nearly 20 were widely reported in s. Arizona, mostly mid-Apr-mid- May, some in good breeding habi- tat, others in riparian habitats; time will tell whether these greater-than-usual numbers of Gray Vireos detected were a result of the severe drought that Arizona is experiencing. A Yellow-throat- ed Vireo was reported from Bill Williams N.W.R. 20 May (CMc). A Hutton’s Vireo heard singing in the Hualapai Mts. 21 Apr (MN, LHa, DVP) was n. and w. of this species’ normal breeding distribution in the state and may represent a first record for this mountain range. Quite bizarre was a calling American Crow at G.W.R. 20 May (JH°); the closest this species breeds to Gilbert is near Flagstaff! Scattered Purple Martins were reported across s. Arizona in May; this species is rarely seen as a migrant away from breeding areas in the state. Impressive, yet not unprecedented was the estimate of about one million Tree Swal- lows near Yuma 16 Mar (A. Fleishman et al), as were large numbers of migrants along the L.C.R.V during Apr and May. Extremely inter- esting was a pair seen building a nest at Sweet- water 23 May-1 Jun (JBo, BGi, MMS); this species has not been known to nest in Arizona below the Mogollon Rim. Late migrants were reported at Willcox 27 May (DS) and Mam- moth 31 May (TC). A very high count of near- ly 3200 Violet-green Swallows at L. Havasu 4 Mar (LHa, DVP) was, perhaps, the highest count ever for the L.C.R.V. The estimated swallow count at San Carlos L. 19 May (DS, MMS) was very impressive, and was a good example of how numerous swallows were across s. Arizona during mid-May, with 5000 Violet-greens, 1000 Northern Rough-wingeds, 600 Banks, 5000 Cliffs, and 2000 Barns. Two House Wrens were very late for low- land s. Arizona at San Bernardino N.W.R. 21 May (REW). A Pacific Wren was in Oak Creek Canyon 7-21 Apr (EH; ph. JW1) in the general area where it has nested in the past; one in Madera Canyon 9 Apr (LH) was prob- ably a lingering wintering bird. At least 6 of the Winter Wrens found during the winter season lingered into spring. New individuals located in Mar included one at Seven Springs 4 Mar (ph. TD), one at the B.T.A. 6-13 Mar (H. Bond et al.), one heard at Morgan City Wash 12 Mar (TC), another there 3 Apr (TC), and one at Eldon Spring near Flagstaff (SP); these sightings add to the very impressive number of Winter Wrens found during the fall and winter. The Sedge Wren found at Pena Blanca L. in Nov 2010, providing a first Arizona record, was last reported 5 Apr (m.ob.). Black-capped Gnatcatchers contin- ued to be reported from most of the recent known localities, including Patagonia L., Montosa Canyon, Florida Canyon, and Rock Corral Canyon. Intriguing was the report of a heard-only Brown-backed Solitaire from along Morse Canyon Trail in the Chiricahua Mts. 18 May (TJY). This comes on the heels of the accept- ance of this Mexican species onto the Arizona list by the A.B.C. based on the presence of a singing bird in the Huachuca Mts. during Jul 2009. Swainson’s Thrush was more numerous and widespread than usual across the state this spring. High counts reported for single days included 93 along a transect from Yuma to Gila Bend 11 May (PEL, BC) and 25 at San Bernardino Ranch N.W.R. 21 May (REW). Most Rufous-backed Robin reports in the state typically come during fall and winter, so 6 reported this spring was extraordinary: one continuing St. David through 31 Mar (m.ob.), one at Buckeye 4 Mar (ph. A. Rocheleau), one in lower Madera Canyon 25 Apr (C. Green), one along Sonoita Cr. near Patagonia 1-5 May (MM), one in Portal 13-17 May (ph. REW, RAR), and one at San Bernardino N.W.R. 21 May (REW, RAR). The only report of Varied Thrush this spring was a bird at Roger Road S.T.P, Tucson 18 Apr (D. Sonneborn). Five Gray Catbirds were reported from s. Arizona, about normal for a single spring; this species is a rare but regular transient away from breeding areas in the White Mts. Six Brown Thrashers were found (which includ- ed two that had been found during the fall and winter); this species is also a rare but reg- ular across the state. One at San Bernardino VOLUME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 497 ARIZONA N.W.R. 11 May (REW) was one of the latest spring reports for se. Arizona. Two Olive War- blers building a nest at Hualapai Mountain Park 22 Apr (ph. D. Pittenger, N. Marcy) were well n. and w. of this species’ normal breeding distribution in the state and represent the first reports from this mountain range. The Lap- land Longspur that had been reported from Babbitt Tank e. of Flagstaff was seen again 29 Mar (ph. JWl). WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES A Tennessee Warbler was along the Santa Cruz R. in Marana 2 Mar-15 Apr (ph. AC, M. Sharon); there were no previous “early” spring reports, and one wonders if this individual wintered locally. A late Nashville Warbler was at Madera Canyon 21 May (DS). A Virginia’s Warbler was at Empire Gulch, Las Cienegas N.C.A. on the late date of 31 May (MMS et al.); this sighting, in combination with the observa- tion of few territorial birds in known breeding locations across se. Arizona, suggests that the drought may be seriously affecting this species this year. An outstanding find was a Crescent- chested Warbler at Arivaca Cienega 2-3 Apr (G. Seabrook; ph. J. Smith); this represented a 12th Arizona record and a first for Pima. Eight Northern Parulas were found statewide, about average for a spring. Several late Yellow- rurnped Warblers were detected along the L.C.R.V. in Apr and May, the latest being one at Parker 14 May (LHa, DVP). Elsewhere in the state, 2 at San Bernardino N.W.R. 21 May, with one there 28 May (REW), were very late for the lowlands in se. Arizona. A Yellow-throated Warbler was in cen. Tucson 13-14 Apr (ph. M. Womack, L. Phelan; ph. PK); there have been fewer than 25 previous records for Arizona. The Palm Warbler found at Kino Springs dur- ing the winter was last reported 13 Mar (m.ob.); others were along the Santa Cruz R. in Marana 2 Mar-13 Apr (KK, JB; ph. AC), in Temporal Canyon, Santa Rita Mts. 19 Apr (ph. F. Tilly), at Willcox 11 May (RH; ph. T. Waller), along the San Pedro R. at Hereford 17 May (JC), and at Slaughter Ranch 26 May (ph., tR. O’Donnell). This species is still considered a casual transient in the state. Blackpoll War- bler is casual in the state as a spring transient; males at Sweetwater 17-20 May (H. Wise, C. Lipski, MMS; tAC; ph. PK, RF) and at the n. end of L. Havasu 18-19 May (I- LHa; ph. DVP) were of great interest, as there were fewer than 25 previous records for the state. Seven Black- and-white Warblers, 3 American Redstarts, 4 Prothonotary Warblers, 8 Ovenbirds, no fewer than 16 Northern Waterthrushes, and 2 Hood- ed Warblers were reported this spring, all about average for a single spring. Six MacGillivray’s Warblers at San Bernardino N.W.R. 28 May (REW) were late migrants. Fol- lowing the emerging theme of a “late” spring migration in se. Arizona, “dozens” of Wilson’s Warblers were still passing through at Slaugh- ter Ranch 26 May (REW), and numbers were seen at numerous locations through the end of the month. Quite unusual, no fewer than 25 separate reports of Painted Redstarts were re- ceived from mostly lowland riparian areas across se. Arizona during Mar and Apr; this species, a common breeding bird in the oak zone and previously considered to be a rare migrant in the lowlands, has been found in- creasingly in migration in recent years. One of the highlights of the spring was the discovery a singing male Fan-tailed Warbler in Madera Canyon, Santa Cruz 23-27 May (ph., tGHR; ph. C. Melton, J. Smith, LH, RF); there were only seven previous records for the state, and this one was by far the easiest to see by birders. Amazingly, another singing Fan-tailed War- bler was reported from along Sonoita Cr. near Patagonia 17 May (MB) but could not be re-lo- cated and documented. An early Botteri’s Sparrow was found in grassland near Patagonia L. 5 Mar+, with up to 6 present there in Apr (ph. AS). No fewer than 13 Clay-colored Sparrows were reported across se. Arizona, a higher-than-usual num- ber for spring. A Bairds Sparrow at Willcox 4 May (ph. TJ) was a great find, given how few records of migrants exist in the state away from known wintering areas in the Sonoita and San Rafael Grasslands. In a similar fash- ion to Painted Redstart, Hepatic Tanagers were detected at numerous lowland localities during the spring. An imm. male Scarlet Tan- ager frequented several Portal yards 7-8 May (ph., TREW, RAR); there were about 25 previ- ous records for the state. Migrant Western Tanagers were more numerous than usual throughout se. Arizona during the spring. A male Flame-colored Tanager was reported from Miller Canyon 7-30 Apr (ph. B. Stymeist); photographs will be evaluated by the A.B.C. to rule out possible hybrids, which are still a problem in the Huachuca Mts. As has become routine in se. Arizona during May, about 20 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks (mostly males) were reported this spring. A very early Black-headed Grosbeak was in nw. Tucson 14 Mar (PK). In general, as with West- ern Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeaks and both Lazuli and Indigo Buntings were more numerous than usual as migrants across s. Arizona. A female Painted Bunting was in Portal 12 May (JY), and a male was in Willcox 14 May (PC); there were no previous May records for se. Arizona. Spring Dickcissels are few and far between, so one in Portal 6 May (ph. R. Weaver, GHR) and another at a feeder in Flagstaff 20-21 May (ph. P Koch) were of note; the species is much more regular as a fall migrant in the state. An ad. male Bobolink was at Lee’s Ferry 23-24 May (ph. SP); this species remains ca- sual at best in the state. Also casual in the state, Common Grackles were reported from Cameron 6 May (CL, BG; ph. SP) and from Big Bug Cr. near Poland Junction, se. of Prescott 14 May (tWA); there are still fewer than 20 previous records from the state. A male Baltimore Oriole was at Portal 25-26 Apr (ph. M. Decker), and what was thought to be a different male Baltimore was in a different Portal yard 2 May (RAR, tREW). Three dif- ferent Baltimore Oriole x Bullock’s Oriole hy- brids were reported from the Portal area dur- ing May, all photographed (ph. REW, M. Decker, JY). After a lackluster winter for Lawrence’s Goldfinches in the state, it was in- teresting to receive several reports from the L.C.R.V. from near Parker and the Bill Williams N.W.R. during Mar and April. Also, following the nesting of this species at H.R.P last year, at least 10 were present there 11 Mar-2 Apr (TD). A few others were reported from w. Arizona. There was definitely some- thing of an incursion this spring of Evening Grosbeaks: a female in Miller Canyon 16 Apr-21 May (M. Bissontz), 4 in the Hualapai Mts. 21 Apr (ph. MN, LHa, DVP), 15-20 above the ski area on Mt. Lemmon 23 Apr-8 May (SO et al.; ph. AC), 50-60 around Prescott 26 Apr (CST), and another female at Petrified Forest N.P. 10 May (K. Bader). Contributors: Moez Ali, Walt Anderson, Robert Behrstock, Jerry Bock, Matt Brown, Barbara Carlson, Peter Collins, John Coons, Andrew Core (Tucson), Troy Corman, Tom- my DeBardeleben, Pierre Deviche, Richard Fray, Brian Gatlin, Brian Gibbons, Doug Gochfeld, William Grossi, Laurens Halsey, Lauren Harter (LHa), Melanie Herring, Jack Holloway, Eric Hough, Rich Hoyer, Dougjen- ness, Tom Johnson, Keith Kamper, Philip Kline, Chuck LaRue, Paul E. Lehman, Michael Lester, Michael Marsden, Chris Mc- Creedy (CMc), Michael Nicosia, Scott Olm- stead, Dave Pearson (DPe), David vander Pluym, Molly Pollock, Shaun Putz, Arlene Ripley, Gary H. Rosenberg, Rose Ann Rowlett, John Saba, Alan Schmierer, Dave Stejskal, Mark M. Stevenson, Rick Taylor, Carl S. To- moff, Richard E. Webster, Jason Wilder, Erika Wilson, John Yerger. © Mark M. Stevenson, 4201 East Monte Vista Drive, #J207 Tucson, Arizona 85712-5554 (drbrdr@att.net) Gary H. Rosenberg, P. 0. Box 91856 Tucson, Arizona 85752-1856 (ghrosenberg@comcast.net) 498 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS Great Basin f Rick Fridell An unusually wet and cool spring in the Great Basin resulted in what several contributors reported as a two- to three-week delay in migration timing. Large flocks of Evening Grosbeaks continued to be seen at many atypical locations throughout Nevada and Utah, continuing a phenomenon that began in fall 2010. Rare and vagrant highlights in Nevada included Little Blue Heron, Harris’s Hawk, Dickcissel, and the first documented attempted nesting by Lawrence’s Goldfinch. Utah highlights in- cluded the first Western Gull away from the Great Salt Lake, a Yellow-throated Warbler, and a male Scarlet Tanager. Abbreviations: Antelope Island (Antelope Is- land S.P & Causeway, Davis, UT); Bear River (Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder, UT); Corn Cr. (Corn Creek Unit, Desert N.W.R., Clark, NV); Duck Cr. (Duck Creek Wetlands, Las Vegas, Clark, NV); Farmington Bay (Farmington Bay W.M.A., Davis, UT); L. Mead (Lake Mead N.R.A., Clark, NV); Lytle (Lytle Ranch Preserve, Washington, UT); Miller’s R.A. (Miller’s Rest Area, Esmeralda, NV); Pahranagat (Pahranagat N.W.R., Lin- coln, NV); Sand Hollow (Sand Hollow State Park, Washington, UT). WATERFOWL THROUGH JAEGERS Single Eurasian Wigeons were observed at Reno, Washoe, NV 6 Mar (RS, DG), Farming- ton Bay 13 Mar (BF et al.), Salt Creek W.M.A., Box Elder, UT 18 Mar (KP), and Bear River 3 Apr OS). Wintering Long-tailed Ducks first reported in Dec 2010 lingered at Reno, Washoe, NV through 14 May (FP et al.) and Sand Hollow through 3 May (RF et al.); 2 were at Quichapa L., Iron, UT 2 Apr (SH). A Red-throated Loon, first observed 1 Jan, lin- gered at L. Mead through 2 Apr (AL). Neotropic Cormorants continued their recent presence in n. Utah, with individuals ob- served at Farmington Bay 25-28 Mar (DW), Buffalo Ranches, Davis 15 May (tKP), and Mill Race Pond, Salt Lake 13-21 May (tRY et al). A Little Blue Heron was a nice surprise at Duck Cr. 21 Apr (ph. TA, ph. AL). Glossy Ibis were reported again this season in Utah along Harbor Rd., Provo, Utah 20-21 Apr (tNB) and Bear River 24 Apr (ph., tNJ). The recent resident pair of White-tailed Kites was reported at Pahranagat 9 Apr+ (NN et al). White-tailed Kites observed at Warm Springs, Clark, NV 15 Apr (DS) and at Gilcrease Orchard, Clark, NV 20-21 Apr (ph. SK, MK) were unexpected. A Harris’s Hawk was a nice find at Pahranagat 6-8 Apr (DH), and a Common Black-Hawk, rare in Nevada, was observed at Rainbow Canyon, Lincoln 7 Apr-8 May (AA). Zone-tailed Hawks were found at Pine Park, Washington, UT 10 May (MS, CE) and at Pahranagat 31 May (D&RS). An apparent Red-tailed Hawk x Ferruginous Hawk hybrid was photographed in Rabbit Valley, Wayne, UT 5 Mar (ph. SC). There was a strong passage of Whimbrels through Utah, with singles reported from Sand Hollow 1 Apr (ph. RD), Saratoga Springs, Utah 14 Apr (BS), Bear River 23 Apr (ph. JB), and Deseret Ranch, Rich, UT 30 May QC). Flocks included 4 Whimbrels at Sand Hollow 1 May (RF, KC) and 12 at Antelope Is- land 8-21 May (J&KB, dr) Up to 6 Red Knots graced the Causeway at Antelope Is- land 25 Apr-19 May (BH, HG, S&CS). A Heermann’s Gull visited Walker L., Mineral, NV 3 Apr (DSh). First-cycle Mew Gulls were found at Mason Valley W.M.A., Lyon, NV 19 Apr (D&RS) and Pyramid L., Washoe, NV 16 May (MM). Southern Utah’s first Western Gull visited Sand Hollow 31 May-3 Jun (ph. RF et al.), and a first-cycle Lesser Black- backed Gull was photographed at L. Mead 21 Apr (AL). The only Least Tern reported in the Region was at Duck Cr. 3 May (ph. AL). An ad. Pomarine Jaeger was briefly observed fly- ing along the Causeway at Antelope Island 15 May (DW). DOVES THROUGH WARBLERS At least 5 White-winged Doves lingered at Price, Carbon, UT 23 Apr+ (ph. SC), well nw. of expected range. A Greater Roadrunner was also out of place at Bluff, San Juan, UT 5 Mar 0&LH). A male Costa’s Hummingbird, casu- al n. of the Mohave Desert area, visited a feed- er at Mogul, Washoe, NV 19 Mar-1 Apr (JA). There were several Vaux’s Swift sightings out- side of expected Nevada areas, including Anasazi Valley, Washington, UT 29 Apr (RF), Kaysville, Davis, UT 9 May (tKP, PF), Little Bear R., Cache, UT 9 May (ph., tKK; DK), and American Fork, Utah, UT 11 May (tEH, ph. EP). Small Acorn Woodpecker colonies re- mained through the spring at Devil’s Canyon, San Juan, UT QSh) and Kolob Meadows, Washington, UT (RF). A White-headed Wood- pecker was an unexpected vagrant to the Spring Mts., Clark, NV 20-30 Apr (BW, fide CL, ph. CD, ph. SP). Two Gilded Flickers were reported in Joshua Tree habitat on the Beaver Dam Slope, Washington, UT 24 Feb (p.a., TA). Despite several recent sightings in the sw. corner of Utah, this species has not been accepted in Utah to date. A probable Least Flycatcher was pho- tographed at Lytle 21 May (RO et al.). Eastern Phoebes were found in Lincoln, NV at Crystal Springs 9 Apr (ph. GS) and Coyote Springs 19 May (AA). A Scissor-tailed Flycatcher graced Evening Grosbeaks are normally very uncommon in the Great Basin, but large flocks began appearing in fall 2010 in the east- ern areas of the Utah and Nevada region. By spring 2011, they were observed at many unusual locations throughout the Great Basin. This flock of 50+ regularly visited feeders at Pinebrook, Summit County, Utah throughout the spring (here 25 April). Photograph by Kimberly Roush. V01UME 65 (2011) • NUMBER 3 499 GREAT BASIN V WHAT DO INDOOR CATS MISS? >► Killing birds Getting lost ^ Getting stolen Getting hit by a car Fatal feline diseases ^ Dog attacks Abscesses ^ Worms Fleas Ticks Protect cats, birds, and other wildlife by keeping cats indoors! For more information, contact: American Bird Conservancy Cats Indoors! 1731 Connecticut Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20009 Phone: 202-234-7181 Fax: 202-234-7182 Web: www.abcbirds.org E-mail: abc@abcbirds.org ^r~~~ AMERICAN BIRD CONSERVANCY Miller’s R.A. 13 May (RS, DG). Red-eyed Vire- os were reported from Lytle 21 May (J&KB) and Provo Airport Dike, Utah, UT 30 May (EH). A vagrant Purple Martin was pho- tographed at Arlemonte Ranch, Dyer, Esmeral- da, NV 28 May (DM, RS, ph. GS). A wayward Pygmy Nuthatch was at Virginia L., Washoe, NV 1 May (FP). Gray Catbirds were reported at unusual Washington, UT locations of Pinto Cr. 31 May (LT) and Springdale Pond 28 May (RJ). The only Brown Thrasher sighting was at Pinto Cr., Washington, UT 31 May (LT). Tennessee Warblers were photographed 23 May at Red Rock National Conservation Area, Clark, NV (AL) and 30 May at Dyer Pond, Es- meralda, NV (GS et al.). Northern Pandas were observed at Red Rock National Conser- vation Area, Clark, NV 27 Apr (DSc, ph. BW), Provo Airport Dike, Utah, UT 14-15 May (ph., tEH; KCC), Crystal Springs, Lincoln, NV 19 May (GS), and Lida, Esmeralda, NV 30 May (GS et al.). A Black-throated Blue Warbler made a rare spring appearance at Riverfront Park, Salt Lake, UT 19 May (JC), and a Yel- low-throated Warbler was found at the Virgin River Confluence Park, Washington, UT 22 Apr (KW). There were a surprising 5 Palm Warblers documented in Utah: at Salt Lake City, Salt Lake 9-12 May (tDW, ph. NJ, RM), at Fish Springs N.W.R., Juab 10 May (+JSk), along City Cr., Salt Lake 15 May (HG), at West Weber, Weber 16-17 May (ph. PH), and at King’s Nature Park, Cache 29 May (fide CF). Black-and-white Warblers were found at Pahranagat 18 May (GS), Leidy Cr., Dyer, Es- meralda, NV 29-30 May (GS et al), and Lida, Esmeralda, NV 30 May (GS et al). American Redstarts were at Miller’s R.A. 25-30 May (FP et al.), Circle L, Dyer, Esmeralda, NV 29 May (GS et al), Dyer, Esmeralda, NV 30 May (GS et al.), Lida, Esmeralda, NV 30 May (GS et al.), and Sage Hen Rd., Esmeralda, NV 30 May (GS et al.). No redstarts were reported in Utah. A singing Ovenbird was found at Veyo, Washing- ton, UT 30 May (LT). Northern Waterthrush- es were at Antelope Island 14 May (ph. NJ), Dyer Pond, Esmeralda, NV 21 May (MM, RS, DG), and Dyer, Esmeralda, NV 23 May (GS). A Painted Redstart made a rare Nevada ap- pearance at Corn Cr. 7 May (C&RT, RS). SPARROWS THROUGH FINCHES A Black-throated Sparrow was an unexpected sight at Provo Airport Dike, Utah, UT 16 Apr (JC). Lark Buntings at Spring Hollow, Uintah, UT 25 May (BM), Croydon, Morgan, UT 26 May (WS), and Westwater, Grand, UT 31 May (BBr) were away from expected areas. A Red Fox Sparrow ( iliaca subspecies group) was photographed at Pahranagat 9 Apr (GS), and a Swamp Sparrow was at Tonaquint Park, Washington, UT 19 Mar-3 Apr (CT Cl, ph. BB). Wintering White-throated Sparrows lin- gered at Pahranagat 6 Apr (DH) and at Reno, Washoe, NV 11 Apr (RS, DG). A Harris’s Spar- row was found at Bear R. Bottoms, Cache, UT 23 Apr (RO et al.). Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were at American Fork, Utah, UT 8 May (ph. EP), nw. Reno, Washoe, NV 25-26 May (GJ), and Bicknell, Wayne, UT 28 May (ph. TL). Utah’s 5th docu- mented Scarlet Tanager was photographed at the Provo Airport Dike, Utah 30 May (KCC, EH). A female Painted Bunting was found at Dyer, Esmeralda, NV 22 Apr (GS, JH). A Dick- cissel was photographed at Floyd Lamb Park, Las Vegas, Clark, NV 22 Apr (AL). Vagrant Bobolinks visited Fool Creek Sinks, Millard, UT 17 May (DA) and Miller’s R.A. 30 May (GS et al.). Two Common Grackles were unusual at Dugway, Juab, UT 9 Apr (ph. CZ). A Hood- ed Oriole was n. of typical range in sw. Reno, Washoe, NV 23 May Ob). A pair of Lawrence’s Goldfinches was observed building a nest at an abandoned Ranch, in Dyer, Esmeralda, NV 23 May (GS, MM, RS, DG). The pair was again observed in the area 5 Jun, but it was not known whether nesting was successful. Contributors and cited observers: David Al- lan, Tim Almond, Aaron Anibros, John An- derson, Tim Avery (TAv), Brittany Badger, Joel and Kathy Beyer, Jack Binch, Ned Bixler, Bob Bradley (BBr), K. C. Childs (KCC), Steve Christensen, Kristen Cornelia, Jeff Cooper, Chuck DeLaTorre, Rob Dobbs, Christian Ed- wards, Bill Fenimore, Craig Fosdick, Rick Fridell, Pomera France, Dennis Ghiglieri, Hugh Gillilan, Carol Gwynn, Steve Hedges, David Henderson, William Henry, Paul Hig- gins, Jim Holmes, Jim and Luanne Hook, Eric Huish, Bob Huntington, Carl Ingwell, Richard Jeffers, Gerrad Jones, Norman Jenson, Mau- reen Kammerer, David Kotter, Kurt Kotter, Scott Krainmer, Andrew Lee, Jacque Lowery, Carl Lundblad, Tamra Lyman, Brian Maxfield, Dave McNintch, Martin Meyers, Nathaniel Nye, Ryan O’Donnell, Scott Page, Fred Pe- tersen, Eric Peterson, Kristin Purdy, Doug Roberts, Jason St. Sauver, Martin Schijf, David Scott (DSc), Greg Scyphers, Dennis Serdehely, Rebecca Serdehely, David Shen (DSh), Bryan Shirley, Justin Shirley QSh), Jack Skalicky QSk), Weston Smith, Rose Strickland, Jeanne Tinsman, Carolyn and Richard Titus, Larry Tripp, Alan Wallace, Bob Washburn, David Wheeler, Bob Wilkens (BWi), Rich Young, Candy Zaffis. d Rick Fridell, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources 451 North SR 318, Hurricane, Utah 84737 (rfridell@burgoyne.com) 500 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS Alaska CHUKCHI SEA BEAUFORT SEA Prudnoe Bay Brooks Range Gambell St. Lawrence I. 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