The Florida field naturalist

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6

Florida Field Naturalist

PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

VoL. 34, No. 1 February 2006 Pages 1-35

FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Founded 1972
OFFICERS

President: JACK Hailman, 143 Beacon Lane, Jupiter FL 33469. E-mail: jhailman@wisc.edu
Vice President: SuSAN B. WHITING, 3901 SE St. Lucie Blvd. #54, Stuart, FL 34997. E-
mail: SooSprey@aol.com

Secretary: PAMELA J. BoWEN, 309 Moonstone Dr., East Palatka, FL 32131. E-mail:
PJBowen@aol.com

Treasurer: DEAN JUE, 3455 Dorchester Court, Tallahassee, FL 32312-1300. E-mail:
djue@admin.fsu.edu

Editor, Florida Field Naturalist: JEROME A. JACKSON, Whitaker Center, Arts & Sci-
ences, Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501 FGCU Blvd. South, Fort Myers, FL 33965.
E-mail: picus@fgcu.edu

Ex Officio: Inunediate Past President: FRANCES C. JAMES, Department of Biological Sci-
ence, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1100. E-mail: james@bio.fsu.edu

Directors, Terms Expiring Spring 2006

Murray Gardler, 9400 Merriweather Drive, Brooksville, FL 34613-4271

David Stock, Department of Biology, Unit 8285, Stetson University, DeLand, FL 32723

Directors, Terms Expiring Spring 2007

Judy Bryan, 1924 SW 43rd Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32608

Scott Robinson, Florida Museum of Natural History, P.O. Box 117800, Gainesville, FL
32611

Directors, Terms Expiring Spring 2008

David B. Freeland, 2345 Marsh Harbor Avenue, Merritt Island, FL 32952
Joyce King, 11645 69th Way N., Largo, FL 33773

Honorary Memberships

Samuel A. Grimes 1979; Helen G. Cruickshank 1980; Oliver L. Austin, Jr. 1982;
Pierce Brodkorb 1982; William B. Robertson, Jr. 1992; Glen E. Woolfenden

1994; Ted Below 1999.

All persons interested in Florida’s natural history, particularly its abundant bird life,
are invited to join the Florida Ornithological Society by writing the Treasurer. Annual
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The Florida Field Naturalist is published quarterly (February, May, August, and
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Ornithological Society is Department of Ornithology, Florida Museum of Natural History,
University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611. The Florida Ornithological Society web
site can be found at www.fosbirds.org

THIS PUBLICATION IS PRINTED ON NEUTRAL PH PAPER

Florida Field Naturalist

PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

VoL. 34, No. 1 February 2006 Pages 1~35

Florida Field Naturalist 34(l);l-3, 2006.

FIRST RECORD OF THE VARIED BUNTING FROM FLORIDA

Glen E. Woolfenden' and Michelle van Deventer^
^Archhold Biological Station, Lake Placid, Florida 33862

^56 Island Circle, Sarasota, Florida 34242

On 1 June 2005, at 16:00, a small dark-plumaged bird was found
beneath a window of the Siesta Market on Siesta Key, Sarasota
County, Florida. The bird was still limp suggesting it probably hit the
window that day Prepared as a study skin (Fig. 1, GEW 6004), the
specimen was a male (testes: 4x3 mm.), weighed 12.5 g, had moderate
fat and no molt. The feathers showed no fraying and the feet and the
bill showed no abnormalities, which support the conclusion that the
bird was not held in captivity. The fresh specimen was correctly identi-
fied as a Varied Bunting {Passerina versicolor) and placed in a freezer
by MvD until transportation to Archbold Station could be arranged.
The study skin is now in the ornithological collection at Archbold Bio-
logical Station.

The Varied Bunting occurs normally throughout almost all of Mex-
ico, as a summer breeder in the north and central portion of the coun-
try, and as a permanent resident elsewhere except along the southwest
coast and the southeast portion of the country where it is a winter vis-
itor. The northern limit of its range is in the extreme southwest United
States, specifically in southern Arizona, New Mexico and Texas (Gros-
chupf and Thompson 1998).Vagrants are reported from the northern
parts of these three states and from California. The only report from
east of the Mississippi River is an individual (AHY female) photo-
graphed at Long Point, Ontario, Canada, 7 May 1995 (Prior 1995).

Four races of Passerina versicolor are recognized (Paynter 1970).
However, the differences among them are slight, and validity of some
races is doubted (Groschupf and Thompson 1998). Additional work is
needed. We do not assign the Florida specimen to a particular race.

1

2

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Figure 1. The Florida Varied Bunting specimen found on Siesta Key, Sarasota
County, Florida; in dorsal, lateral and ventral view.

Assuming Mexico is the place of origin of the specimen reported
here, and that natural events account for its appearance on 1 June
along the Gulf coast of peninsular Florida, the individual probably flew
eastward across the Gulf from Mexico. Less probably it may have flown
along the Gulf shore of United States from Texas. No weather distur-
bances occurred immediately prior to the discovery of the specimen.
Early June is when late migrant Varied Buntings are moving north to
their breeding grounds. The appearance on the peninsula of Florida
(Highlands Co.) on 19 June 1996 of a Western Wood-Pewee {Contopus
sordidulus) may be a comparable event. This individual was thought to
be a late spring migrant off course from its pathway from Central
America to western North America (Woolfenden et al. 1996).

We thank several people, and especially Wes Biggs, for getting this
specimen to Archbold where it was prepared and preserved, and Reed
Bowman for taking the photographs. We urge other persons who report
on birds rare in Florida to publish an account which includes a photo-
graph. If the specimen disappears, for many species at least, tangible
evidence of the occurrence still will exist in the form of the photograph.

WOOLFENDEN & VAN DEVENTER— VARIED BUNTING IN FLORIDA

3

Literature Cited

GROSCHUPF, K. D. and C. W. Thompson. 1998. Varied Bunting (Passerina versicolor). In
The Birds of North America, No. 351 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.).The Birds of North
America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.

Paynter, R. a., Jr. 1970. Subfamily Emberizinae. Pp. 3-214 in Check-list of birds of the
world. Vol. 13 (R.A. Pa5mter, Jr., ed.). Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, MA.

Prior, P. 1995. Varied Bunting at Long Point, Ontario — a probable first for Canada.
Birders Journal 4:239-241.

WOOLFENDEN, G. E., B. PRANTY, J. W. FITZPATRICK, AND B. S. NELSON. 1996. Western
Wood-Pewee recorded in Highlands County, Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 24:61-
67.

Florida Field Naturalist 34(l);4-8, 2006.

A NON-INDIGENOUS WADING BIRD BREEDING
IN THE FLORIDA EVERGLADES^ THE SACRED IBIS

Garth Herring^*, Erynn M. Call\ and Mark D. Johnston^
^Florida Atlantic University, Biological Sciences
777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33431

^South Florida Water Management District
3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, Florida 33416

* Author to whom correspondence should he addressed.

E-mail: gherrinl@fau.edu

During the 2005 dry season, while studying the breeding biology of
Everglades wading birds at the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee Na-
tional Wildlife Refuge (Palm Beach County), we documented the first
nesting efforts of the non-indigenous Sacred Ibis {Threskiornis aethi-
opicus) in the Florida Everglades. The Sacred Ibis is a medium-sized
(65-75 cm long) white ibis, with black highlights on its head and neck,
wing-tips, and ornamental plumes along its back. The head and neck
are featherless and covered with black scaly skin. The adult iris is
brown and its lower eyelid is pale pink. The decurved bill is relatively
broad and black with gray grooves on the sides of the upper bill. The
distinctive black plumes begin at the scapulars and form a loose, lace-
like net across the back, closed wings, and tail. Its legs and feet are
featherless and also black. Bare skin beneath the wings is bright red
during breeding. Males tend to be slightly larger (average 1499 g) than
females, (average 1209 g; Clark 1979a). Hancock et al. (1992) provide a
detailed description of the species.

Sacred Ibis are colonial wading birds native to wetlands through-
out Africa (Hancock et al. 1992). However, they have escaped captivity
in 12 European countries and currently breed in the wild in Belgium,
France, Italy, the Netherlands and the Canary Islands (Clergeau et al.
2005). The breeding season of the Sacred Ibis coincides with the wet
season (December-March) in its native habitat, when prey abundances
increase. Their clutch size is generally 2-5 eggs, with an incubation pe-
riod of 28-29 days. Both sexes incubate and feed the young, which leave
the nest at 2-3 weeks post hatching and form conspecific creches. They
fledge at 35-40 days of age, and leave the colony at 35-48 days. Sacred
Ibis adults feed principally on aquatic insects, insect larvae, amphibi-
ans, and other small aquatic animals (Urban 1974, Clark 1979b, Han-
cock et al. 1992). Chicks are primarily fed insects and crustaceans

4

Herring etal.—Saceed Ibis Nesting in Everglades

5

(Kopij et al. 1996) and, after fledging, also forage for insects on dry
land during periods of aquatic prey shortages. Adult and chick prey se-
lection is similar to that of the White Ibis {Eudocimus alhus; Kushlan
and Bildstein 1992).

Previous observations in Florida. — The earliest sighting of feral Sa-
cred Ibis in Florida occurred during the mid 1990s at the Miami Metro
Zoo shortly after Hurricane Andrew (1992) (J. Sailor, Metro Zoo, pers.
comm.). Although the Miami Metro Zoo kept Sacred Ibis in their avian
collection before Hurricane Andrew, all of their birds were recovered af-
ter the hurricane (J. Sailor, Metro Zoo, pers. comm,). The feral birds
may have escaped from a private collection in the Homestead area. Sa-
cred Ibis have been reported at several locations throughout Florida
since the mid 1990s; sightings have been scattered both spatially and
temporally and primarily in developed regions. Sightings in south Flor-
ida, include the Palm Beach Zoo, Palm Beach County (2000; K. Lovett,
Palm Beach Zoo, pers. comm.); Dump Marsh, Dade County (2002; B.
Rapoza, pers. comm.); Deering Estate, Miami-Dade County (2003; E.
Lent, pers. comm.); Caloosa Golf Course, Dade County (2004; E. Ein-
spruch, pers. comm.); and the Palm Beach Waste Management facility,
Palm Beach County (1998, 2000, 2004, and 2005; M. B. Morrison, Solid
Waste Authority of Palm Beach County, pers. comm.). The only observa-
tion of a Sacred Ibis in undeveloped habitat was in 1999 in the Shark
River Slough, Everglades National Park (E. Lent, pers. comm.). Sacred
Ibis have not been reported as seen during a Christmas Bird Count
(CBC) in Florida or across North America (Audubon Society 2005).

Breeding of feral Sacred Ibis in developed areas has been observed
at the Metro Zoo in Miami since shortly after hurricane Andrew (J.
Sailor, Metro Zoo, pers. comm.) and at the Palm Beach Waste Manage-
ment Facility in 2004 (M. B. Morrison, Solid Waste Authority of Palm
Beach County, pers. comm.). The Metro Zoo population has grown from
several to approximately 40 individuals despite efforts to prevent nest-
ing (J. Sailor, Metro Zoo, pers. comm.), suggesting they may be nesting
elsewhere in the vicinity.

Breeding in the wild in Florida.— Dwcing the 2005 dry season (No-

vember-May) we examined wading bird breeding success in the Ever-
glades at the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife
Refuge (LNW^R), Palm Beach County. To examine nest survival we vis-
ited wading bird nesting Colony 111 (26°31N, 80°16W) every 3-4 days.
The colony consists of 12 tree islands, 0.04-0.13 ha in size, dominated
by cocoplum {Chrysobalanus icaco), willow (Salix spp.), dahoon holly
(Ilex cassine), smilax (Smilax laurifolia), red bay (Persea borbonia),
and wax myrtle (Myrica cerifer). Over 90% of the nests at Colony 111
were White Ibis, with the remainder being Black-crowned Night-Her-
ons (Nycticorax nycticorax) and Great Egret (Ardea alba).

6

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

On 23 May 2005, we observed two adult Sacred Ibis roosting on a
tree island in Colony 111. We photographed the birds, took field notes
on their appearance, and determined that neither bird had leg bands.
Later that day we observed one adult thermal soaring with three Wood
Storks {Mycteria americana) approximately 500 m south of Colony 111.
The adult’s soaring behavior comprised approximately five seconds of
thermal soaring followed by an equivalent period of rapid wing beats.
On 30 May, we revisited the site and observed two adults at a nest with
two downy chicks (-15 days old) (Fig. 1). The nesting island was 17 x 43
m in size, with approximately 75 White Ibis nests. The nest was con-
structed of sticks and was similar to adjacent White Ibis nests; it was
2.3 m above the ground in a cocoplum; the nest bowl was round and 46
cm in diameter.

On 7 June, we removed the two chicks and relocated them to the
Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, Jupiter, Florida. While removing the chicks, we

Figure 1. Adult (center) with 15-20 day old chick (lower left) at Colony 111,
Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Palm Beach County,

Florida.

Herring stal.— Sacred Ibis Nesting in Everglades

7

discovered a second Sacred Ibis nest, containing one egg (Fig. 2). The sec-
ond nest, also in a cocoplum, was 2.8 m above ground, and 44 cm in diam-
eter. The nest later failed, perhaps due to the onset of the rainy season.

The discovery of these nesting efforts of the Sacred Ibis in the
Everglades is both interesting and alarming. Non-native Purple
Swamphen {Porphyrio porphyria) (Pranty et al. 2000, Pranty 2004) and
Egyptian Geese (Alopochen aegyptiacus) (Braun 2004) successfully
breeding in Florida illustrate the potential for future successful Sacred
Ibis nesting in the region. While locating medium-sized conspicuous
wading birds might seem straightforward, these birds are difficult to
detect among other predominantly white wading birds. We visited this
colony of over 2000 pairs of White Ibis 18 times before detecting the
nesting Sacred Ibis pairs. The vast size of the Everglades ecosystem and
number of breeding colonies may prevent detection and dispersal of
these birds before they become established throughout the Everglades.

Introductions of non-native species have often resulted in slow but
gradual population growth patterns; however, there exists the poten-
tial for exponential growth once a population becomes established (e.g.,
Monk Parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus, Pruett-Jones et al. 2004; Mute
Swans (Cygnus olor, Petrie and Francis 2003). Developing a program to
monitor population growth and habitat use of Sacred Ibis and other
nonnative birds would provide important information to facilitate a
better understanding of the potential for competitive interactions with
native birds.

Figure 2. Sacred Ibis egg at Colony 111, Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee Na-
tional Wildlife Refuge, Palm Beach County, Florida.

8

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Acknowledgments

Funding for research that led to this observation was provided by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Florida Atlantic University and the South Florida Water Management
District. We appreciate the support and cooperation of the Arthur R. Marshall Loxa-
hatchee National Wildlife Refuge staff M. 1. Cook, D. E. Gawlik, J. A. Jackson, H. E.
Kirk, and one anonymous reviewer provided valuable comments on previous drafts of
this manuscript.

Literature Cited

Braun, D. G. 2004. First documented nesting in the wild of Egyptian Geese in Florida.
Florida Field Naturalist 32:138-143.

Clark, R. A. 1979a. Seasonal levels of body fat, protein, ash and moisture in the Sacred
Ibis. Ostrich 50:129-133.

Clark, R. A. 1979b. The food of the Sacred Ibis at Pretoria, Transvaal. Ostrich 50:104-111.

Cleargeau, P., P. Yesou, and C. Chadenas. 2005. Ibis sacre: etat actuel et impacts po-
tentials des populations introduites en France metropolitaine. L’institut National de
la recherche agronomique. Contract 137 44-10/60.

Hancock, J. A., J. A. Kushlan, and M. P. Kahl. 1992. Storks, ibises and spoonbills of
the world. Academic Press Inc., San Diego, CA.

KOPIJ, G., O. B. Kok, and Z. N. Roos. 1996. Food of Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus
nestlings in the Free State province. South Africa. Ostrich 67:138-143.

Kushlan, J. A., and K. L. Bildstein. 1992. White Ibis. In A. Poole and F. Gill (eds.). The
Birds of North America, No. 570. The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.

National Audubon Society. 2005. The Christmas Bird Count historical results [On-
line]. Available http://www.audubon.org/bird/cbc [6-10-2005].

Petrie, S. A., and C. M. Francis. 2003. Rapid increase in the lower Great Lakes popu-
lation of feral Mute Swans: a review and a recommendation. Wildlife Society Bulletin
31:407-416.

Pranty, B. 2004. Florida’s exotic avifauna: a preliminary checklist. Birding 36:362-372.

Pranty, B., K. Schnitzius, K. Schnitzius, and H. W. Lovell. 2000. Discovery, distri-
bution, and origin of the Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) in Florida. Florida
Field Naturalist 28:1-11.

Pruett-Jones, S., j. R. Newman, C. M. Newman, and J. R. Lindsay. 2004. Population
growth of Monk Parakeets in Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 33:1-14.

Urban, E. K. 1974. Breeding of the Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus at Lake Shala,
Ethiopia. Ibis 116:263-277.

Florida Field Naturalist 34(l):9-20, 2006.

WADING BIRDS, SHOREBIRDS, AND WATERFOWL IN RICE
FIELDS WITHIN THE EVERGLADES AGRICULTURAL AREA

S. E. T0WNSEND1’% E. V. PEARLSTINE^’S^

F. J. MazzottP, and C. W. Deren^

^IFAS, Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center

University of Florida, 3205 College Ave., Davie, Florida 33314

^Department of Wildlife Ecology, Ft. Lauderdale Research
and Education Center, University of Florida
3205 College Ave., Davie, Florida 33314

^University of Arkansas, Rice Research and Extension Center
P.O. Box 351, Stuttgart, Arizona 72160

^Current Address: 1032 S. Orange Dr. #2, Los Angeles, California 90019

^Corresponding author

Abstract. — Wetland reclamation and development have resulted in wildlife habitat
loss and diminished habitat quality in south Florida. In response to these changes,
waterbird numbers have declined or individuals have moved into modified or artificial
habitats. Rice, a well-known artificial habitat for waterbirds in many rice-growing re-
gions (Kushlan and Hafner 2000), is cultivated in the Everglades Agricultural Area
(EAA) and provides habitat for waterbirds. During the 1998 rice-growing season, 300
surveys were conducted in 14 representative rice fields. Objectives included determining
the number and relative abundance of waterbird species in rice fields, impacts of tempo-
ral and spatial field condition on waterbird richness and abundance, and characteriza-
tion of waterbird activities in rice fields. Forty-one species of waterbirds were observed in
rice fields. Species richness at survey sites ranged from 12-28 and density ranged from
4.6 to 72.6 birds/min/100 ha. Species richness and overall abundance fluctuated in re-
sponse to rice growth or harvest phase and field water levels. Significantly more wading
birds and shorebirds were present in rice fields during water drawdown. Shorebird abun-
dance was negatively correlated to water level and rice height. Waterfowl abundance was
negatively correlated with cloud cover. Primary activity of all birds was foraging (63%),
followed by resting (33%), walking or running (4%), and nesting (<1%). Rice fields har-
vested twice (ratooned) provided additional water drawdown phases. Waterbird abun-
dance may increase in the EAA with greater area devoted to rice fields and increased
ratooning of existing fields. Effects of rice farming practices on waterbirds, including
chemical use and harvesting methods, should be further evaluated.

Numbers of waterbirds in south Florida, including wading birds,
shorebirds, and waterfowl, have declined throughout the last century
as anthropogenic influences have altered original ecosystems (Kahl
1964, Robertson and Kushlan 1974, Kushlan 1976, Ogden 1994, Froh-
ring et al. 1988, Sklar et aL 2002). The decline in waterbirds has fre-
quently been attributed to habitat loss through wetland conversion

9

10

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

(National Audubon Society 1992, Light and Dineen 1994). Two impor-
tant consequences of landscape perturbation have been loss of nearly
half of the native Everglades habitats and degradation of remaining
wetlands (Davis and Ogden 1994). In response to habitat loss and al-
teration in the Everglades, many waterbird species are now found in
modified or artificial habitats (Kushlan and White 1977, Bancroft
1989, Ogden 1991, Frederick 1993, Frederick and McGehee 1994).

As natural wetland area declines, waterbird populations increas-
ingly use rice fields for additional or alternative foraging and nesting
habitat worldwide. Artificial wetlands associated with rice farming
provide habitat for waterbirds in the Mediterranean region (Fasola et
al. 1996, Fasola and Ruiz 1996), Malaysia (Avery 1997), Cuba (Acosta
et al. 1996), and Japan (Maeda 2001). In the U.S. over one million hect-
ares of rice are grown annually, primarily in the Mississippi Alluvial
Valley, Gulf Coastal Plain, and Central Valley of California (Coats
2004) and receive high use by shorebirds, wading birds, and waterfowl
(Twedt and Nelms 1999, Elphick 2000, Maeda 2001, Czech and Par-
sons 2002, Huner et al. 2002).

Rice culture in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) began in
the late 1970s and approximately 7800 ha are currently grown annu-
ally (Schueneman and Deren 2000). Summer censuses conducted by
Sykes and Hunter (1978) detected 59 waterbird species using tempo-
rarily flooded fallow fields in the EAA. Turnbull et al. (1989a) reported
the presence of breeding Fulvous Whistling-Ducks {Dendrocygna bi-
color) centered in the EAA, and Smith (1995) briefly noted the use of
EAA irrigation ditches by Snowy Egrets {Egretta thula) and Tricolored
Herons {Egretta tricolor). An undated census reported that all species
found in the water conservation areas (WCAs) of the Everglades were
also found in EAA rice fields (Lodge 1994).

Recovery of Florida’s waterbird species relies on identification of
habitats currently in use, whether artificial or natural, and the evalu-
ation of their role as waterbird habitat. Our objectives in this study
were to (1) compile a species checklist of waterbirds using EAA rice
fields, (2) compare waterbird abundance and richness in selected rice
fields to spatial and temporal variables, and (3) evaluate activity and
microhabitat preference of all individual birds observed within se-
lected rice fields.

Methods

Study Area. — The EAA is about 280,000 ha of primarily sugarcane (76%), with
smaller areas devoted to vegetables, rice, and sod (Izuno and Bottcher 1994). Approxi-
mately 6% of total land area devoted to sugarcane and vegetables is rotated annually to
rice production and then returned back to other uses (Izuno and Bottcher 1994). Fields
are planted with rice between late February and mid-May and require an average of

Townsend etal.— Birds in Rice Fields

11

120 days for maturation. Fields are harvested without extracting the entire plant,
which allows a second or ratoon crop to grow to maturity after an additional 85 days
(Schueneman and Deren 2001). Initial harvests generally take place in July and August
and ratoon harvests occur between September and October. Fields are laser-leveled
prior to planting to assure flooding results in uniform water depth across planted areas.
Temporary and permanent irrigation ditches and canals connect rice fields and offer
variation in water depth and vegetation communities between rice fields.

We surveyed 14 rice fields between March and November of 1998 (Fig. 1). We identi-
fied a representative section of each field, marked each corner with flagging, and
counted all waterbirds seen or heard within the identified area. Representative sections
included a portion of the larger rice field complex, transitional vegetation to the road

1 0 Kilometers

Figure 1. Survey sites within the Everglades Agricultural Area.

12

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

edge or adjacent field, and the full width of one irrigation waterway. Each survey con-
sisted of either a 20- or 30-min count and start time varied randomly to eliminate time
of day bias. Counts occurred within five hours of sunrise. All birds that touched down in
the flagged area were counted unless they were observed leaving and re-entering the
field; their activity and microhabitat location were assessed. Activity was divided into
four categories: foraging, resting, moving, or nesting. Microhabitats included bare soil,
dry vegetation, edge, open water, and emergent vegetation. All birds were grouped ac-
cording to feeding guilds and identified as wading bird, shorebird, or waterfowl as de-
scribed by Elphick et al. (2001).

Environmental variables recorded included height of rice, height of plants, depth of
water, minutes after sunrise, wind speed measured in five mile per hour increments,
cloud cover estimated in 10% increments between 0 and 100, air temperature in degrees
Celsius, and cultivation phase. Cultivation phases included a pre-planting period when
fields were cleared of vegetation, periods of rice growing without flooding, flooded rice
fields, the drawdown period, and the initial and final harvests which were characterized
by rice stubble standing in non-flooded fields.

Abundance variables, including total number of birds per minute per 100 ha (min/
100 ha), wading birds/min/100 ha, shorebirds/min/100 ha, and waterfowl/min/100 ha,
were compared with independent environmental conditions using ANOVA. Total bird
abundance in a selected representative rice field was also graphed over time. Variables
related to species richness included total number of species and number of species
within each guild, but these values were too low for statistical analysis.

No changes in bird activity or microhabitat location were recorded after initial count
and assessment. Birds entering a field during a count were recorded as moving. Moving
birds also included those walking, swimming, or running, unless these activities were
necessary for foraging or nesting. Nesting behaviors included nest building, nest inhabi-
tation, incubation of eggs, copulation, or interaction with young remaining in nests.

Results

Forty-one waterbird species were observed using rice fields of the
EAA. Breeding evidence was positively identified for 8 of these species
(Table 1). Half the total individuals observed were wading birds (50%),
followed by waterfowl (39%), and shorebirds (11%). Twenty-two species
were observed on more than 50 days and were observed using six or more
survey sites (Fig. 2). Species richness ranged from 12-28 species and av-
erage number of wading bird species observed each day was higher than
waterfowl or shorebirds. Total bird abundance, and abundance for each
guild, peaked twice throughout the growing season (Fig. 3).

The primary activity for all waterbirds was foraging (63%), fol-
lowed by resting (33%), moving (4%), and nesting (<1%). Shorebirds
and wading birds spent the majority of their time foraging, while wa-
terfowl foraged and lounged nearly equally. Only waterfowl and shore-
birds were observed engaged in breeding activities. The number of all
birds foraging and moving decreased continually from sunrise to five
hours after sunrise. Resting peaked in the third hour for all birds, and
reproductive activities differed little among hours.

Wading birds and waterfowl were observed most frequently in
open water, whereas shorebirds were seen most frequently in non-

Townsend etal.— Birds in Rice Fields

13

Table 1. Waterbird species observed in rice fields of the Everglades Agricultural
Area, total number of individuals observed throughout the survey period*, guild
designations, and status in Florida according to Rodgers et al. (1992).

Common name

Species

Total

number

Guild

Status

American Coot^

Fulica americana

22

D^

—

Anhinga

Anhinga anhinga

30

D

—

Black-crowned Night-Heron

Nycticorax nycticorax

10

W3

—

Black-necked Stilt^

Himantopus mexicanus

298

S^

—

Blue-winged Teal

Anas discors

22

D

—

Cattle Egret

Bubulcus ibis

630

W

—

Common Moorhen^

Gallinula chloropus

755

D

—

Fulvous Whistling-Duck^

Dendrocygna bicolor

101

D

—

Glossy Ibis

Plegadis falcinellus

474

W

—

Great Blue Heron

Ardea herodias

55

W

—

Great Egret

Ardea alba

459

w

—

Greater Yellowlegs

Tringa melanoleuca

20

s

—

Green Heron

Butorides virescens

115

w

—

KilldeeU

Charadrius vociferus

150

s

—

King RaiP

Rallus elegans

33

s

—

Least Bittern

Ixobrychus exilis

40

w

ssc®

Least Sandpiper

Calidris minutilla

12

s

—

Lesser Yellowlegs

Tringa flavipes

105

s

—

Little Blue Heron

Egretta caerulea

158

w

ssc

Mottled Duck^

Anas fulvigula

1035

D

—

Pied-billed Grebe

Podilymbus podiceps

54

D

—

Purple Gallinule^

Porphyrula martinica

197

D

—

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Calidris pusilla

46

s

—

Snowy Egret

Egretta thula

212

w

ssc

Sora

Porzana Carolina

53

s

—

Tri-colored Heron

Egretta tricolor

182

w

ssc

White Ibis

Eudocimus albus

299

w

ssc

Wood Stork

Mycteria americana

435

w

E®

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron

Nyctanassa violacea

56

w

—

*Species with fewer than 10 sightings included: American Bittern (Botaurus lentigino-
sus), Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus), Herring Gull (Larus argenta-
tus), Limpkin® {Aramus guarauna), Reddish Egret® {Egretta rufescens), Short-billed
Dowitcher {Limnodromus griseus), Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria), Semipalmated
Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus), Stilt Sandpiper {Calidris himantopus), Upland
Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda), Western Sandpiper {Calidris mauri), and Wilson’s
Plover® {Charadrius wilsonia), ^Waterfowl, ®Wading bird, ^Shorebird, ®State species of
concern, ^Federally endangered, ^Breeding evidence observed.

flooded vegetation. All wading birds and waterfowl used each micro-
habitat at least once. Shorebirds used all except levees without vegeta-
tion and did not perch above water. Foraging waterbirds were observed
in open water most often, followed by vegetated water and cleared soil,
and used all habitats. All microhabitats were used for lounging, but
ditch edges and vegetated water were used for this activity most often.

14

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

1000

19

800

w

e

600

400

200

0

5

3

7

4

8

22

11

10

18

21

5

9

8

7

6

13

12

17

16 20

15

14

9 10 11 12 13 14

Number of fields

15

Figure 2. Number of individuals of each species seen in 6 or more fields (>50 ob-
servations). 1 = Sora, 2 - Fulvous Whistling-Duck, 3 s Lesser Yellowlegs, 4 =
Pied-billed Grebe, 5 - Least Bittern, 6 = Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, 7 =
Snowy Egret, 8 = White Ibis, 9 = Black-necked Stilt, 10 = Wood Stork, 11 - Cattle
Egret, 12 s King Rail, 13 = Killdeer, 14 = Great Blue Heron, 15 - Green Heron, 16
= Little Blue Heron, 17 = Purple Gallinule, 18 = Glossy Ibis, 19 = Mottled Duck,
20 = Tri-colored Heron, 21 = Great Egret, 22 = Common Moorhen.

Moving birds were typically on cleared soil, dry vegetation, in open wa-
ter, or in vegetated water. Nesting took place primarily in emergent or
dry vegetation, but also occurred on bare soil.

Phase of cultivation significantly affected overall abundance of
birds, wading birds, and shorebirds (ANOVA, p < 0.0001), but not wa-
terfowl (ANOVA, p > 0.05). In addition, shorebird abundance was in-
versely related to water depth and rice height (ANOVA, p = 0.02, p <
0.0001 respectively), and waterfowl abundance was inversely related
to cloud cover (ANOVA, p = 0.03). The time of the count in minutes af-
ter sunrise had no detected influence on total bird abundance (ANOVA,
p > 0.05). Total abundance, shorebird abundance, and waterfowl abun-
dance were significantly different among fields (ANOVA, p = 0.02, p =
0.02 and p < 0.0001 respectively).

Discussion

Waterbird abundance in EAA rice fields appears to represent inter-
play between seasonal migration patterns and rice field conditions. For

Townsend jBTAL.— Birds in Rice Fields

15

Figure 3. Number of individual birds present in EAA rice fields by guild during
the 1998 rice-growing season.

shorebirds and waterfowl, it is unclear which of these most influenced
abundance. While abundance peaks for shorebirds and waterfowl may
have occurred as a result of natural spring and fall migration periods, it
is also possible that field conditions were best suited for shorebirds dur-
ing spring migration when shallow water and recently cleared soils at-
tracted shorter-legged, substrate foragers. Similarly, ducks were most
abundant during their fall migrations, which also coincided with avail-
ability of large expanses of open water in rice fields, a preferred habitat
for foraging. Wading birds exhibited peak abundance beginning in June
that may have resulted from northward movement from the Everglades
at the close of the nesting season and the beginning of the rainy season,
when prey are less concentrated in natural wetlands. However, wading
birds were present in rice fields throughout the summer, with fiuctua-
tions in abundance corresponding more closely to rice field conditions.

Examination of abundance in a selected representative rice field
(SF9), illustrates the interplay of migration and field conditions more
clearly (Fig. 4). During the pre-planting stage when fields were cleared
and not yet fiooded, little bird activity took place. An initial increase in
bird abundance coincided with flooding (Fig. 4, Point A). Shorebirds
were the first guild to arrive following this initial flooding, suggesting
that flooded fields with little vegetation were more attractive to shore-
birds than cleared and dry fields, since both conditions were available
during spring migrations. As rice matured and flood level was un-
changed, total bird abundance fluctuated little (remaining around 20
birds/min/100 ha).

16

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

DUe

Figure 4. Total number of individuals of all guilds in a representative rice field
(SF9) throughout the 1998 growing season. Each date represents a single sam-
pling event. A = initial fiood, B - drawdown, C = initial harvest, D = ratoon re-
flood, E = final drawdown.

Bird abundance rose rapidly in mid-July during the initial draw-
down period, when water is drained from fields in preparation for har-
vest (Fig. 4, Point B). Drawdown reduces water level in rice fields
rapidly, generally taking less than a day to completely drain a field and
reduce water levels in adjacent irrigation ditches. Aquatic organisms
become highly concentrated in ditches and easy prey for foraging
waterbirds. Hundreds of wading birds were frequently observed using
irrigation ditches for foraging during drawdown. It is this great surge
in abundance, long observed by EAA farmers, that initiated this study.

Soon after drawdown, bird abundance decreased rapidly. Unhar-
vested fields of dry vegetation attracted few birds. Again, this indicates
wading bird preferences for certain field conditions, since all field con-
ditions were available for selection during the period of the study.

The next peak in bird abundance occurred during initial harvests
after rice is extracted and while machinery is working the soil (Fig. 4,
Point C). Prey items exposed during tilling result in a parade of forag-
ing birds following behind machinery. In particular, Great Egrets and
Cattle Egrets were most abundant in fields as tilling occurred.

After the initial harvest, this field was ratooned, resulting in a re-
peat of the entire cultivation cycle, although abbreviated to 2-3
months. The second fiood (Fig. 4, Point D) and drawdown (Fig. 4, Point
E) attracted a similar large number of birds.

Townsend £;rAL.— Birds in Rice Fields

17

While aquatic prey assemblages in the rice fields of the U.S. are
poorly studied, rice fields in other areas provide indications of potential
aquatic communities. Once Mediterranean fields are flooded, complex
mature communities of aquatic prey become established through eco-
logical succession, despite human induced alterations (Fores and
Comin 1992). In some cases, rice fields have been assessed as prefera-
ble habitat for some species of herons in the Mediterranean, since they
offer superior prey availability to natural areas and allow greater food
intake rates (Fasola and Ruiz 1996).

Microhabitat availability was an important factor in waterbird use
of rice fields, particularly edge habitat, which was used often by all
guilds. The importance of edge habitat for birds in agriculture has been
recognized in rice as well as other crops (Best et al. 1990, Maeda 2001,
Perkins et al. 2000). Dry vegetation, such as that found on levees and
at the edges of fields, was used by wading birds and primarily for rest-
ing and moving between other microhabitats. Open water, often associ-
ated with irrigation or field management in conjunction with the rice
itself, was one of the microhabitats most frequently used by ducks. Fal-
low fields or bare soil can also be important habitat for many of the
birds found in agriculture in this study (Best et al. 1990, Fujioka et al.
2001, Perkins et al. 2000). Variation in microhabitat availability be-
tween fields may be a result of varying management practices at sepa-
rate fields. Peripheral vegetation, canal placement, and size and shape
of irrigation ditches all vary between fields.

In Australian rice fields, cultivation schedules conflicted with
breeding season of waterbirds (Richardson et al. 2001). As a result, in-
creasing food needs of reproducing birds of each year do not correspond
to the highest availability of prey items in rice fields. However, in the
EAA, rice field cultivation schedules are currently beneficial to migrat-
ing, breeding, and foraging waterbirds of south Florida. Furthermore,
it may be possible to increase benefits to waterbirds by making adjust-
ments to EAA rice cultivation timing and practices. For example, be-
cause only a portion of the existing rice fields in any year are ratooned,
hundreds of hectares of land are left fallow (Schueneman and Deren
2000). Increasing the number of ratooned fields would offer additional
acreage of waterbird habitat and a greater number of overall draw-
down events. In addition, although some sugarcane is left fallow after
three crop rotations, it may not be rotated into rice until after six rota-
tions (Lodge 1994). Rotating sugarcane fields into rice every three ro-
tations would also increase acreage of rice field availability.

Before management recommendations can be made, however, fur-
ther studies are necessary. Farming practices and timing, including
use of chemicals and fertilizers and cultivation and tillage may ad-
versely affect waterbirds in rice (Wyss 1996, O’Connor and Shrubb

18

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

1986). A study of pesticide residues found sublethal levels of orga-
nochlorine and organophosphate pesticides within Fulvous Whistling-
Ducks of the EAA (Turnbull et al. 1989b). Local traffic, harvest, and
crop rotation also pose threats to birds in crops (O’Connor and Shrubb
1986). Wyss (1996) found that Fulvous Whistling-Duck nests fre-
quently failed since initiation occurred too close to harvests.

Acknowledgments

We thank the Wedgeworth family and south Florida’s Rice Council for financial sup-
port. For access to survey sites and data we thank Raoul Perdomo, Modesto Ulloa, Ger-
ald Powell, and Pete Rosendahl of Florida Crystals, and Walter Parker and Carlle Fllori
of US Sugar Corporation. This research was supported by the Florida Agricultural Re-
search Experiment Station.

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Davis, S. M., and J. C. Ogden. 1994. Introduction. Pages 3-8 in S. M. Davis and J. C. Ogden
(eds.). Everglades: The Ecosystem and Its Restoration. St. Lucie Press, Delray Beach, FL.

Elphick, C. S. 2000. Functional equivalency between rice fields and seminatural wet-
land habitats. Conservation Biology 14:181-191.

Elphick, C. S., J. B. Dunning, Jr., and D. A. Sibley. 2001. The Sibley guide to bird life
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Fasola, M., L. Canova, and N. Saino. 1996. Rice fields support a large portion of herons
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Fasola, M., and X. Ruiz. 1996. The value of rice fields as substitutes for natural wet-
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Fores, E., and F. A. Comin. 1992. Ricefields, a limnological perspective. Limnetica
8:105-109.

Frederick, P. C. 1993. Wading bird nesting success studies in the WCAs of the Everglades.
Final Report to the South Florida Water Management District, West Palm Beach, FL.

Frederick, P. C., and S. M. McGehee. 1994. Wading bird use of wastewater treatment
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Frohring, P. C., D. P. Voorhees, and j. a. Kushlan. 1988. History of wading bird pop-
ulations in the Florida Everglades: A lesson in the use of historical information. Co-
lonial Waterbirds 11:328-335.

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Fujioka, M., J. W. Armacost Jr., H. Yoshida, and T. Maeda. 2001. Value of fallow
farmlands as summer habitats for waterbirds in a Japanese rural area. Ecological
Research 16:555-567.

Huner, J. V., C. W. Jeske, and W. Norling. 2002. Managing agricultural wetlands for
waterbirds in the coastal regions of Louisiana, U.S.A. Waterbirds 25:66-78.

IZUNO, F. T., AND A. B. Bottcher. 1994. Introduction. Pages 1-12 in A. B. Bottcher and
F. T. Izuno (eds) Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA): Water, Soil, Crop, and Envi-
ronmental Management. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.

Kahl, M. P., Jr. 1964. Food ecology of the Wood Stork (Mycteria Americana) in Florida.
Ecological Monographs 34:97-117.

Kushlan, j. a, 1976. Feeding behavior of North American herons. Auk 93:86-94.

Kushlan, j. a. and H. Hafner (eds.). 2000. Heron Conservation. Academic Press, San
Diego, CA.

Kushlan, J. A., and D. A. White. 1977. Nesting wading bird populations in southern
Florida. Florida Scientist 40:65-72.

Light, S. S., and J. W. Dineen. 1994. Water control in the Everglades: A historical per-
spective. Pages 47-84 in S. M. Davis and J. C. Ogden (eds.). Everglades: The Ecosys-
tem and Its Restoration. St. Lucie Press, Delray Beach, FL.

Lodge, T. E. 1994. The Everglades handbook: understanding the ecosystem. St. Lucie
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Maeda, T. 2001. Patterns of bird abundance and habitat use in rice fields of the Kanto
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O’Connor, R. J., and M. Shrubb. 1986. Farming and Birds. Cambridge University
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Ogden, J. C. 1991. Nesting by Wood Storks in natural, altered, and artificial wetlands in
central and northern Florida. Colonial Waterbirds 14:39-45.

Ogden, J. C. 1994. A comparison of wading bird nesting colony dynamics (1931-46 and
1974-89) as an indication of ecosystem conditions in the Southern Everglades. Pages
533-570 in S. M. Davis and J. C. Ogden (eds). Everglades: The Ecosystem and Its Res-
toration. St. Lucie Press, Delray Beach, FL.

Perkins, A. J., M. J. Whittingham, R. B. Bradbury, J. D. Wilson, A. J. Morris, and P.
R. Barnett. 2000. Habitat characteristics affecting use of lowland agricultural grass-
land by birds in winter. Biological Conservation 95: 279-294.

Richardson, A. J., 1. R. Taylor, and J. E. Growns. 2001. The foraging ecology of egrets
in rice fields in southern New South Wales, Australia. Waterbirds 24:255-264.

Robertson, W. R., Jr., and J. A. Kushlan. 1974. The southern Florida avifauna. Miami
Geological Society Memoir 2:414-452.

Rodgers, J. A., Jr., H. W. Kale II, and H. T. Smith (eds.). 1992. Rare and endangered
biota of Florida. Volume V. Birds. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.

Schueneman, T. j., and C. W. Deren. 2000. Florida’s 2000 rice variety census. Fact
Sheet SS-AGR-76. Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida,

Gainesville.

Schueneman, T. J., and C. W. Deren. 2001. Rice in the crop rotation. Fact Sheet SS-
AGR-23. Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville.
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2002. The effects of altered hydrology on the ecology of the Everglades. Pages XX in
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the Florida Keys, An Ecosystem Sourcebook. CRC Press LLC, FL.

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at Lake Okeechobee, Florida. Ph.D. dissertation. University of Florida, Gainesville.

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Sykes, P. W., Jr., and G. S. Hunter 1978. Bird use of flooded agricultural field during
summer and early fall and some recommendations for management. Florida Field
Naturalist 6:37-43.

Turnbull, R. E., F. A. Johnson, and D. H. Brakhage. 1989a. Status, distribution, and
food of Fulvous Whistling-Ducks in south Florida. Journal of Wildlife Management
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1989b. Pesticide residues in Fulvous Whistling-Ducks from south Florida. Journal of
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Twedt, D. J., and C. O. Nelms. 1999, Waterfowl density on agricultural fields managed
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Florida Field Naturalist 34(l):21-27, 2006.

BEACHED BIRD SURWYS ON SHELL KEY,
PINELLAS COUNTY, FLORIDA

Gabriel A. Vargo^ Karen Atwood^’^

Michelle van Deventer^ and Rebecca Harris^

^College of Marine Science, University of South Florida
140 Seventh Ave. South, St. Petersburg, Florida 33712
E-mail: vargo@marme.usfedu

^Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
100 Eight Avenue SE, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-5095

^Center for Conservation Medicine
Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
200 Westboro Road, North Grafton, Massachusetts 01536-1895

Abstract. — twice monthly series of beached bird surveys has been established on
Shell Key, Pinellas County, Florida in conjunction with the Tufts University SEANET
program. The goal of SEANET is to provide information on potential ecological threats to
seabird populations. Beached bird carcasses are also collected to assess the body burden
of brevetoxin, the toxin associated with red tides caused by the toxic dinoflagellate, Kare-
nia brevis, in the Gulf of Mexico. In this report we summarize the first 10 months of in-
formation on seabird mortality and the brevetoxin body burden for species commonly
found on Pinellas County beaches.

Evidence for the impact of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs or red
tides) on sea and shorebird populations has been largely anecdotal un-
til recently when brevetoxin, a potent neurotoxin produced by the red
tide dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis, was found in tissues of Double-
crested Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus, Kreuder et aL, 2002) and
in the gastro-intestinal tract of Lesser Scaup {Aythya affinis, J. Lands-
berg, FWRI pers. comm.). Hundreds of Lesser Scaup were found dead
in southwest Florida in March 2002. Since red tides in the eastern Gulf
of Mexico are an annual occurrence (Steidinger et al. 1998), one would
expect impacts on the avian community would be well documented.
However, recent reviews by Shumway et ah (2003) and Landsberg
(2002) supplement earlier studies by Quick and Hendersen (1974,
1975) and confirm that only a handful of publications exist about avian
mortalities in connection with Florida West Coast red tides.

Given the difficulty and expense of conducting avian surveys at sea
during a red tide bloom, a beach survey was established as an alter-
nate method to obtain samples for brevetoxin analysis. This beach sur-

21

22

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

vey is part of a larger program called SEANET (Seabird Ecological
Assessment Network; www.tufts.edu/vet/seanet) established by Mark
Pokras, Rebecca Harris, and Fiorina Tseng at the Center for Conserva-
tion Medicine in the Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.
Aims of this program, as stated in their brochure, include “establishing
links between marine ecological health and human health by monitor-
ing seabird mortality. Numerous threats contribute to mortality, in-
cluding disease, fisheries operations, organic pollutants, heavy metals,
offshore development (potentially wind farms), and oil pollution. These
risks to seabirds also threaten the coastal and marine environments
used by humans for respite and ecological services, such as food pro-
duction, waste elimination, and fiood protection. Pinpointing areas of
concern enables SEANET and our collaborators to focus on specific
causes of mortality or ecological degradation, and propose policy and
conservation measures to counteract the threats.”

Beached bird surveys are an important monitoring tool that has
been used throughout the world for decades to detect threats to marine
and coastal birds and the larger ecosystems upon which they rely (e.g.,
Camphuysen and Heubeck 2001). Since HABs are an ecosystem level
event in the Gulf of Mexico (Steidinger et al. 1998) and the growth and
maintenance of these blooms may be related to increased coastal
eutrophication due to estuarine nutrient fluxes (Vargo et al. 2004), es-
tablishing this survey was a natural connection for the SEANET pro-
gram. Although the main focus area of the SEANET program is in the
Northeastern states, expansion into the Southeastern U.S. is under-
way. The beach transect established with the help of the Pinellas
County Environmental Management staff at Shell Key in Pinellas
County is the first such study.

Methods

Surveys for beached birds of all species were done twice monthly along the western
shore of Shell Key Preserve that is located off the coast of Pinellas County, Florida (Fig.
1). The route is approximately 2.6 km long starting at the north end of the island at
27°40.564 N latitude, 82°44,376 W longitude and ending at the south end of the island
at 27°39.273 N, 82°44.781 W (see Fig. 1). The average width of the beach is estimated as
30 m, so the total area covered is approximately 0.078 km^. All surveys follow protocols
established by the SEANET Program (Harris et al., in press) and are usually conducted
in conjunction with twice monthly nesting and winter bird surveys done by Pinellas
County Environmental Management (PCEM) staff and volunteers. Copies of all data
forms are sent to Harris for incorporation into the SEANET database. A hand-held
Garmin GPS III was used to determine the location of each carcass.

An initial survey was done on 7 March 2004 to determine the transect length. Typi-
cally, surveys are done from north to south, but several were done in the opposite direc-
tion when PCEM staff provided access to the island.

Live bird identifications and counts (data not presented) were conducted only on the
initial transect whereas dead, beached birds were counted during both the southward

Vargo etal.— Beached Bird Surveys 23

Figure 1. The location of Shell Key Preserve, Pinellas County, Florida. The
start and end of the beach transects are noted as are the locations of all
beached bird carcasses found during the 2004 beach surveys.

walk and the return trip. Normally the walk south was done along the high tide line
while the return trip was done along the edge of vegetation on the upper beach. During
nesting season, no intrusions were made into the nesting area so distances from the
vegetation often overlap with the initial southern survey. Every effort was made to min-
imize disturbance of roosting and nesting birds.

Dead bird carcasses that still contained tissues and organs were collected and re-
turned to the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Wildlife Research Lab-
oratory, for necropsy Organs collected for brevetoxin analysis (Naar et al. 2002) included
kidney, liver, and stomach contents with brain and lung tissue archived for future analy-
ses. Feathers were also collected for future analyses that include stable isotopes.

Results and Discussion

Twelve species are known to nest on Shell Key and include Black
Skimmer {Rhynchops niger), Least Tern {Sterna a. antillarum), Royal Tern
{Sterna maxima), American Oystercatcher {Haematopus palliatus),

24

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Willet (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus), Snowy Plover {Charadrius ah
exandrinus), Wilson’s Plover (C. wilsonia), and Laughing Gull (Larus
atricilla). A complete description of the Preserve and its Environmen-
tal Management Plan can be found at: http://www. co.pinellas.fl.us/bcc/
E nvironment/page sHTML/ envLands/el 7000 . html

Thirty-five bird carcasses were found on surveys conducted from
March 2004 through November 2004 (Table 1). Surveys were not done
in September and December. The season average is therefore 2.43 car-
casses per survey which, based on an area of approximately 0.078 km^,
extrapolates to 31 birds/kmL Based on linear distance traveled, the
2004 Shell Key deposition rate was 0.96 birds per km. This rate is con-
siderably higher than 0.21 birds per km on southern Massachusetts’s
beaches in 2003-2004 (Harris et ah, in press), but is in line with the
deposition rate of 1.00 bird per km found on Florida’s Gulf Coast from
1975-1983 (Simons 1985). In our study Laughing Gulls comprised ap-
proximately 63% of the total, with Black Skimmers and Brown Peli-
cans {Pelecanus occidentalis) adding another 11% and 9%, respectively.
Numbers of bird carcasses increased during late summer and fall (Fig.
2) largely due to increased numbers of dead Laughing Gulls (Table 1).
Eight of the 35 birds, all Laughing Gulls, showed signs of predation as
the cause of death. These birds were found during August through No-
vember surveys, a time when migrating raptors are common along the
southwest Florida coasts. Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus), Mer-
lins {Falco columbarius), Sharp-shinned and Coopers Hawks (Accipiter
striatus and A. cooperii) and a pair (male and female) of Northern Har-

Table 1. Shell Key Beached Bird Survey, 2004 summary data.

Date

# Beached
birds

Species

28 March

1

Green Heron {Butorides virescens)

18 April

1

Common Loon {Gavia immer)

29 April

2

Black Skimmer

12 May

2

1 Brown Pelican^ 1 Black Skimmer

25 May

0

22 June

2

1 Black Skimmer, 1 Laughing Gull

11 July

2

1 Laughing Gull, 1 Royal Tern^

21 July

2

1 Laughing Gull, 1 live Laughing Gull (died enroute)

1 August

5

4 Laughing Gulls, 1 Brown Pelican

11 August

3

2 Laughing Gulls, 1 Brown Pelican

22 August

4

2 Laughing Gulls, 2 Royal Terns ^

3 October

5

5 Laughing Gulls (took third for necropsyj

17 October

4

3 Laughing Gulls, 1 unidentified

14 November

2

2 Laughing Gulls

^Bird carcass transferred to FWRI for necropsy and brevetoxin analysis.

Vargo etal. — Beached Bird Surveys

25

Shell Key Beached Bird Survey |2004|

S
5

1 *

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m ^
m
Q

2

1

0

Date

Figure 2. The seasonal distribution of beached bird carcasses found during the
2004 Shell Key Preserve surveys.

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riers (Circus cyaneus) were seen on Shell Key during the fall months
(pers. comm., Shell Key volunteers).

A Laughing Gull found on 22 June and a Brown Pelican found on
11 August were the only two birds with fishing gear problems. The
Laughing Gull was captured alive with a hook in its bill and monofila-
ment line entangling its wings. After removing the line and hook it was
checked for injury, found to be healthy and released. The Brown Peli-
can was in an advanced state of decomposition and was totally entan-
gled in monofilament fi.shing line.

Six of the 35 bird carcasses were found next to one or more ghost
crab (Ocypode quadrata) burrows. In each case crab tracks were seen
leading directly to the carcass, suggesting that this crab species, which
is a scavenger, uses dead birds as a resource. Most carcasses were
found along the northwest coast of Shell Key (Fig. 1). The area around
this northwest point is a roosting area for many species of birds and is
also a nesting zone for Black Skimmers and other species. Tidal cur-
rents converge around this point so it may also be a depositional site
for carcasses that are carried onto the beach from other areas.

Five carcasses were fresh enough to contain sufficient organs and
tissues for brevetoxin analysis. The ELISA method we used detects all
forms of brevetoxin and has a limit of detection of approximately 10 ng/g
of tissue. Most samples were below the detection limits of the assay (Ta-
ble 2) but tissues from two Royal Terns and the kidney from one Laugh-
ing Gull returned positive results. The positive values in Table 2 should
be viewed with caution as the results have not been analytically con-

26

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Table 2. Levels of brevetoxin (PbTx) found in various tissues of bird carcasses
collected on Shell Key during the 2004 beach surveys.

Species

Date collected

Tissue

PbTx (ng/g)

Brown Pelican

12 May

Brain, lung, spleen

Stomach contents, kidney

A11<DL

Royal Tern

11 July

Kidney, liver, testes, heart

A11<DL

Muscle

14.1

Stomach lining

32.5

Intestinal lining

26.1

Lung

33.1

Laughing Gull

21 July

All tissues and stomach
Contents

<DL

Royal Tern

22 August

Muscle, viscera

<DL

Liver

26.3(40.5)1

Stomach lining

14.0

Kidney

12.5

Laughing Gull

3 October

Intestinal contents, gonads
Heart, stomach, muscle, lung

All <DL

Kidney

16.2

^Replicate samples.

firmed, but they can be viewed as minimal values suggesting a baseline
body burden. Since we did not have a red tide bloom in the area through-
out the 2004 survey period, any body burden of toxin in seabirds would
have to result from accumulation in prey based on background levels
(1000 cells per liter; Tester and Steidinger 1997) of Karenia brevis, or
from prey items carr3ring a long-term body burden of toxin from the 2003
red tides (L. Fie welling, pers. comm.). Since brevetoxin is a lipid soluble
toxin (Baden 1983) it could bio-accumulate and persist in fish and other
organisms, but its duration or potency in this form is still unknown.

We speculate that if prey items carry a long-term body burden of
brevetoxin, then avian migrants, which may also suffer from exposure
to other types of phycotoxins (saxitoxin, domoic acid) in their home re-
gions, may become further debilitated upon exposure to local Florida
red tides. We plan to continue the SEANET surveys over the foresee-
able future, and, if additional volunteers are found, expand the pro-
gram to other beaches along the Florida Gulf coast.

Acknowledgments

Sincere thanks to the PCEM staff (Cathy Flegel, Kristen Penney Sommers, and Pam
Leasure) for help in establishing the survey and in providing access via County boats.
Also thanks to the “Twiners” — the dedicated group of volunteers who check the nesting
colonies and repair twine and stakes twice monthly during nesting season; to Joyce
King and other volunteers from the St. Petersburg Audubon Society for assistance in
identifications and counts during the winter bird surveys; to Captain Alva Sholty, owner

Vargo Beached Bird Surveys

27

and operator of the Shell Key Shuttle based at the Merry Pier, Pass-A~Grill, Florida for
providing transportation to the island without charge; to Barbara Ranch for coordinat-
ing monthly schedules; and to Leanne Flewelling, FWRI/FFWCC, for assistance with
brevetoxin analyses and comments on the manuscript.

Literature Cited

Baden, D. G. 1983. Marine food-borne dinoflagellate toxins. International Review of Cy-
tology 82: 99-150.

Kreuder C., J. Mazet, G. D. Bossart, T. Carpenter, M. Holyoak, M. Elie, and S.
Wright. 2002. Clinicopathologic features of suspected brevetoxicosis in Double-
crested Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) along the Florida Gulf coast. Journal of
Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 33:8-15.

Camphuysen, C. J., and M. Heubeck. 2001. Marine oil pollution and beached bird sur-
veys: the development of a sensitive monitoring instrument. Environment Pollution
112:443-461.

Harris, R, J. 2004. SEANET Newsletter, December 2004; Vol. 1. www.tufts.edu/vet/seanet
Harris, R. J., F. S. Tseng, M. A. Pokras, B. A. Suedmeyer, J. S. H. Bogart, and S. H.
Newman. In press. Seabird Ecological Assessment Network (SEANET) volunteer
beached bird surveys in Massachusetts, 2003-2004, Marine Ornithology.

Landsberg, j. H. 2002. The effects of harmful algal blooms on aquatic organisms. Re-
views in Fisheries Science 10:113-390.

Naar, j. a. Bourdelais, C. Tomas, J. Kubanek, P. L. Whitney, L. Flewelling, K.
Steidinger, j. Lancaster, and D. G. Baden 2002. A competitive ELISA to detect
brevetoxins from Karenia brevis (ex Gymnodinium breve) in seawater, shellfish, and
mammalian body fluid. Environmental Health Perspectives 110(2):179-185.

Quick, J. A., and G. E. Hendersen. 1974. Effects of Gymnodinium breve red tide on
fishes and birds: a preliminary report on behavior, anatomy, hematology and histopa-
thology. Pp. 85-1 13 in Proceedings of the Gulf Coast Regional Symposium on Diseases
of Aquatic Animals,. (Amborski, R. L., Hood, M. A., and Miller, R. R., eds.). Louisiana
Sea Grant, Louisiana State University.

Quick, J. A., and G. E. Hendersen. 1975, Evidences of new ichthyointoxicative phenom-
ena in Gymnodinium breve red tides. Pages 413-422 in Proceedings of the First Interna-
tional Conference on Toxic Dinoflagellate Blooms (V.R. LoCicero, ed.), Massachusetts
Science and Technology Foundation, Wakefield, MA.

Shumway, S. E., S. M. Allen, and P. D. Boersma. 2003. Marine birds and harmful algal
blooms: sporadic victims or under-reported events? Harmful Algae 2:1-17.

Simons, M. M., Jr. 1985. Beached bird survey project on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.
American Birds 39:358-362.

Steidinger, K. A,, G. A. Vargo, P.A. Tester, and C. R. Tomas. 1998. Bloom dynamics
and physiology of Gymnodinium breve with emphasis on the Gulf of Mexico. Pp. 133-
154 in Physiological Ecology of Harmful algal blooms (D. M. Anderson, A. D. Cem-
bella, and G. M. Hallegraeff, eds.), NATO ASI Series, Series G: Ecological Sciences,
Vol 41, Springer, NY,

Tester, P. A., and K. A. Steidinger 1997. Gymnodinium breve red tide blooms: initia-
tion, transport, and consequences of surface circulation. Limnology and Oceanogra-
phy 42:1039-1051.

Vargo, G. A., C. A. Heil, D. Ault, M. B. Neely, S. Murasko, J. Havens, K. Lester, L.
K. Dixon, R. Merkt, J. Walsh, R. Weisberg, and K. Steidinger 2004. Four Kare-
nia brevis blooms: a comparative analysis. Pages 14-17 in Harmful Algae 2002 (K. A.
Steidinger, J, H. Landsberg, C. R. Tomas, and G. A. Vargo, eds.), Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Institute of Oceanography, and Intergov-
ernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, St. Petersburg, FL.

28

Florida Field Naturalist 34(l):28-35, 2006.

FIELD OBSERVATIONS

Summer Report: June-July 2005. — This report consists of significant bird obser-
vations compiled by the Field Observations Committee (FOC). Submissions to the FOC
should be in the following format: species, number of individuals, age and sex of the
bird(s), color morph if applicable, location (including county), date, observer(s), and sig-
nificance. Seasons are winter (December-February), spring (March-May), summer
(June-July), and fall (August-November). Submit observations to regional compilers
within two weeks after the close of each season, or to the state compiler within one
month. Addresses of the compilers are found at the end of this report. We greatly prefer
observations sent via e-mail.

Sight-only observations are considered “reports” while only those supported by verifi-
able evidence (photographs, video or audio tapes, or specimens) are called “records.”
Species for which documentation is required by the FOS Records Committee (FOSRC;
Bowman 2004, Fla. Field Nat. 32: 7-33) are marked here with an asterisk (*). A county
designation (in italics) accompanies the first-time listing of each site in this report. Ab-
breviations in this report are: CP = county park, EOS = end of season, NP = national
park, InSRA - North Shore Restoration Area, NWR = national wildlife refuge, RA = res-
toration area, SP = state park, SRA = state recreation area, STF = sewage treatment fa-
cility, and N, S, E, W etc., for compass directions. Bold-faced species denote birds newly
reported or verified in Florida, or record counts.

Summary of the Summer Season

This season generally was wetter and hotter than typical. Hurricane Dennis made
landfall as a Category 3 storm between Pensacola Beach and Navarre on 10 July, after
battering Cuba as a Category 4 storm on 8 July. Not surprisingly, many reports of storm-
driven pelagics were received, including a few inland to Gainesville. There was a notable
die-off of Greater Shearwaters along the Atlantic coast, which was also noted in states
north of Florida. The mortality apparently was the result of starvation of yearlings, and
has been noted off the Carolinas in previous years {fide David S. Lee). FOSRC rarities
reported this season were the Masked Duck and state-first Varied Bunting at Sarasota,
potentially “pure” Scarlet Ibis at Fort Myers, and White-faced Ibis at Tallahassee.

Table 1. Results of pelagic trips off Miami 25 Jun (R. Torres, R. Urgelles), Mar-
athon 25 Jun (L. Manfredi, B. Mulrooney, J. Boyd et al.), up to 44 nm off Ponce
Inlet 27 Jul (B. Wallace), and up to 100 nm off Ponce Inlet 29 Jul (B. Wallace).

Species

Miami

Marathon

Ponce Inlet

Ponce Inlet

Cory’s Shearwater

17

50

4

40

Greater Shearwater

1

150

0

2

Audubon’s Shearwater

33

1

0

20

Wilson’s Storm-Petrel

21

1

10

4

Band-rumped Storm-Petrel

0

1

0

0

Brown Booby

0

2

0

0

Red Phalarope

0

0

1

3

Bridled Tern

96

40

8

15

Sooty Tern

40

5

2

300

Brown Noddy

3

0

0

4

Field Observations

29

Species Accounts

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck: 10 at Lake Apopka NSRA {Orange) 5 Jun (H. Robin-
son); 15 along US-98 at Okeechobee {Okeechobee) 5 Jun (M. Korosy et al.); 20, includ-
ing 5 chicks, at Orlando Wetlands Park {Orange) 12 Jun — some adults examined
hollow palm snags (B, Anderson, C. Pierce); 48 at Polk phosphate mines 19 Jun (P,
Timmer, C. Geanangel); 11 at Fort Walton Beach STF {Okaloosa) 21 Jun (B. Dun-
can); 1 at Holiday {Pasco) 5 Jul (R. Siedel).

Mute Swan: 1 pair at Holiday {Pasco) produced three cygnets by 18 Jun (J. McKay, K.
Tracey).

Blue-winged Teal: 1 at St. Marks NWR {Wakulla) 2-5 Jun (A. Bankert, D. Simpson); 2
at Lake Apopka NSRA 26 Jun (H. Robinson); 2 broods produced at Fort Walton Beach
STF 27 Jun-EOS — water levels were high as a result of 24 inches of rain in Apr

(B. Duncan).

Redhead: 1 at St. Marks NWR 1-3 Jun (A. Bankert, D. Simpson).

Ring-necked Duck; 1 male at Lake Apopka NSRA 24 Jun (B. Anderson, A. Vinokur).

Scaup species: 1 near Alafia Bank {Hillsborough) 19 Jun (T. Mann).

Greater Scaup: 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 15 Jun-5 Jul (B. Duncan).

Lesser Scaup: 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 15-27 Jun (B. Duncan, D. Ware).

Bufflehead: 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 15 Jun-5 Jul (B. Duncan).

Red-breasted Merganser: 1 female at Gullivan Key, Ten Thousand Islands NWR {Col-
lier) 14 Jun (T. Doyle).

^Masked Duck: 1 male at Sarasota 6-7 Jun (T. Elliott et ah).

Common Loon: 1 in basic plumage at St. Marks NWR 1 Jun (D. Simpson); 1 in alternate
plumage at Lake Ella {Leon) 3-28 Jun (R. Lengacher, G. Menk); 1 in alternate plum-
age at St. Teresa {Franklin) 20 Jun (J. Murphy).

Pied-billed Grebe: 10 sang in brackish marshes at Ten Thousand Islands NWR 7-13
Jun (T. Doyle).

Large Shearwater species: 140 flew S past John U. Lloyd SP, Fort Lauderdale {Bro-
ward) 24 Jun (M. Berney).

Cory’s Shearwater: 8 at Melbourne Beach {Brevard) 23 Jun (A. Bankert); 5 at Boynton
Inlet {Palm Beach) 23 Jun, and 15 there 24 Jun (B. Hope); 60 flew S past Lloyd SP 24
Jun (M. Berney); 3 found on Volusia beaches 25 Jun {fide M. Brothers).

Greater Shearwater: 291 found (mostly dead) on Volusia beaches 21-27 Jun {fide M.
Brothers; about 50 specimens to University of Florida, fide T. Webber); 40+ at Mel-
bourne Beach 23 Jun (A. Bankert); 1 found dead at Amelia Island {Nassau) 24 Jun
(P, Leary); 1 at Boynton Inlet 24 Jun (B. Hope); 1 found dead at Vilano Beach
{St. Johns) 26 Jun (D. Reed); 6 found dead at Canaveral National Seashore {Brevard)
26 Jun (A. Vinokur, 5 specimens to University of Central Florida).

Sooty Shearwater: 1 at Ponce Inlet {Volusia) 21 Jun {fide M. Brothers, to University of
Florida, fide T. Webber); 1 at Indian Harbor Beach {Brevard) 20 Jul (to University of
Florida, fide T. Webber)

Audubon’s Shearwater: 2 at Melbourne Beach 23 Jun (A. Bankert); 1 found alive at
Vero Beach {Indian River) 28 Jul (B. Wagner).

Wilson’s Storm-Petrel: 2 ca. 28 km off Hillsboro Inlet {Broward) 19 Jun (M. Berney).

Leach’S Storm-Petrel: 1 at Melbourne Beach 23 Jun (A. Bankert).

Band-RUMPED Storm-Petrel: 1 ca. 32 km off Hillsboro Inlet 19 Jun (M. Berney); 1 ob-
served from Gulf Breeze {Santa Rosa) 6 Jul during Tropical Storm Cindy (B. Duncan,
L. Duncan et al.).

White-tailed Tropicbird: single adults observed 7 hours apart off Boynton Beach Inlet
9 Jul (M. Berney, B. Hope).

Masked Booby: 1 found at Panama City {Bay) 2 Jun later was released (N. Evou); sing-
les at Boynton Inlet 11 & 24 Jun (B. Hope).

30

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Brown Booby; 1 at Melbourne Beach 23 Jun (A. Bankert).

Northern Gannet: about 30 (1 adult) at St. Marks NWR 1 Jun (D. Simpson); 1 at Boyn-
ton Inlet 12 Jun (B. Hope); 1 at St. Teresa 19 Jun (J. Murphy); 1 at Alligator Harbor
{Franklin) 11 Jul (J. Murphy); 1 immature on the water at Werner-Boyce Salt
Springs SP, Port Richey (Pasco) 20 Jul (K. Tracey).

American White Pelican: 1 at Merritt Island NWR (Brevard) 3 Jun (A. Vinokur); 450
at Polk mines 23 Jul (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel).

Brown Pelican: 1 adult at Tallahassee 2 Jun (P. McTarsney).

Magnificent Frigatebird: 634 at a roost at ABC Islands, Marco Island (Collier) 11 Jun,
and 663 there 23 Jul (T. Doyle et ah); 2 at St. Marks NWR 12 Jun (B. Phelan), and 9
there 16 Jul (M. Keys); 1 over S Merritt Island (Brevard) 3 Jul (D. Freeland); 150, al-
most all juveniles, off Honeymoon Island SP (Pinellas) 3 Jul (K. Tracey); 5 at New-
nans Lake (Alachua) 10 Jul (R. Rowan, J. Bryan et al.); 1 over Micanopy (Alachua) 10
Jul (G. Stoccardo, C. Read); 2 at Ocala (Marion) 10 Jul (A. Luzader); 15 at Brooksville
(Hernando) 10 Jul (K. Wood); 1 over Lorida (Highlands) 10 Jul (P. Gray); 50 at Alli-
gator Harbor 11 Jul (J. Murphy); 3 at Mexico Beach (Bay) 25 Jul (E. Woodruff).

Least Bittern: 2 in song in brackish marshes at Ten Thousand Islands NWR (Collier) 7-
13 Jun (T. Doyle); 28 at Lake Apopka NSRA 3 Jul (H. Robinson).

Great Blue Heron: 1 “Wurdemann’s Heron” at Gulf Breeze 28-30 Jun (B. Duncan).

Reddish Egret: 1 at Gainesville 3 Jun-11 Jul (J. Bryan, B. Carroll et al.); 1 juvenile at
St. Vincent NWR 8 Jun, and 3 juveniles there 20 Jul (T. Lewis); 1 dark morph at Al-
ligator Point (Franklin) 15 Jun (J. Dozier); 1 at St. Marks NWR 8 Jul (T. Curtis).

^Scarlet Ibis: 1 bright scarlet adult at the rookery at Lakes Park, Fort Myers (Lee) dur-
ing Jun (F. & S. Moore, photo to FOC).

*White-FACED Ibis: 1 adult at Springhill Road STF (Leon) 5 Jun (T. Curtis).

Glossy Ibis: 130 at a rookery at Hudson (Pasco) 30 Jul (K. Tracey).

Roseate Spoonbill: 7 at Polk mines 19 Jun, and 10 there 10 Jul (P. Timmer, C. Gean-
angel); 2 at Fort Walton Beach STF 21 Jun (B. Duncan); 1 at Homestead (Miami-
Dade) 12 Jul (R. Diaz).

Osprey: 102 at Lake Apopka NSRA 3 Jul (H. Robinson).

Swallow-tailed Kite: 25 E of Green Cove Springs (Clay) 22 Jun (L. McCullagh); 856 at
Lake Apopka NSRA 17 Jul (H. Robinson).

White-tailed Kite: 1 at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP (Okeechobee) 17 Jul (R. Bjork et al.).

Snail Kite: 1 pair nested and apparently fledged 1 young (last seen as a large nestling
12 Jul) at Inverness Pool (Citrus) 6 Jun-12 Jul (F. Aumack); 1 along Peavine Road
(Okeechobee) 24 Jul (A. Darrah).

Mississippi Kite: 1 at Merritt Island NWR 1-4 Jun (T. Dunkerton, photos to FOC); 1 pair
at S Jacksonville (Duval) 7 Jun-17 Jul nested unsuccessfully (J. Cocke); duos E of
Green Cove Springs 15 Jun and 17 Jul, and 5 there 22 Jun (L. McCullagh); 5 N of
Belleview (Marion) 20 Jun (S. Benedetto).

Bald Eagle: 1 nestling fledged from a very late nesting attempt at Hudson in early Jul
(K Tracey).

Cooper’s Hawk: 1 pair in St. Petersburg (Pinellas) fledged 2 young and the adults built
a second nest (that was quickly deserted when the female disappeared) 4 Jun
(E. Haney) — this may be the first report anywhere on double-brooding; 1 juvenile at
Golden Gates Estates (Collier) 13 Jun (T. Doyle); 14 at Lake Apopka NSRA 31 Jul
(H. Robinson); at least 3 nest attempts in Cape Coral (Lee) this summer (fide
C. Ewell); 1 juvenile summered at W Kendall (Miami-Dade; J. Boyd).

Short-tailed Hawk: 2 or 3 dark morphs at Archbold Biological Station (Highlands) 2
Jul (B. Pranty et ah); singles at Lake Apopka NSRA 19 Jun and 31 Jul (H. Robinson);
1 juvenile light morph at Casselberry (Seminole) 21 Jul (A. Vinokur); 1 dark morph at
Wekiwa Springs SP (Orange) 23 Jul (C. Pierce).

American Kestrel: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 26 Jun (H. Robinson).

Field Observations

31

Black Rail: 1 at Polk mines 10 Jul (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel).

King Rail: 175 at Lake Apopka NSRA 31 Jul (H. Robinson).

American Coot: 2 at Lake Jackson 5 Jun, and 3 others there 25 Jun; no breeding evi-
dence was observed (G. Menk); 1 pair at Holiday produced two chicks by 18 Jun
(J. McKay, K. Tracey); 2 pairs fed young at Lake Woodruff NWR (Volusia) 25 Jun
(S. Benedetto).

Limpkin: 1 at Archbold Biological Station 14 Jun (G. Woolfenden).

Black-bellied Plover: 1 in alternate plumage with 6 in basic plumage at Little Estero
Lagoon (Lee) 21 Jun (C. Ewell); 1 at Crandon Beach (Miami-Dade) 30 Jun (R. Diaz).

Wilson’s Plover: 1 at Crandon Beach 30 Jun (R. Diaz); 100+ at Bird Islands, Nassau
Sound (Duval) 12 & 24 Jul (P. Leary); 65 at Huguenot Memorial Park (Duval) in Jul
(R. Clark).

Semipalmated Plover: 3 at Crandon Beach 30 Jun (R. Diaz); 70 at Merritt Island NWR
29 Jul (D. Freeland).

Piping Plover: 1 at Crandon Beach 20 Jul (R. Diaz); 2 at Bird Islands 24 Jul (P. Leary).

American Oystercatcher: 3 adults and 23 juveniles at Little Estero Lagoon 5 Jul in-
cluded 2 banded in North Carolina and 1 in Virginia (C. Ewell).

American AvoceT: 1 at Snake Bight, Everglades NP (Monroe) 13 Jun (A. Bankert); 32 at
Polk mines 23 Jul (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel).

Greater YellowlegS: 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 15 Jun (B. Duncan); 1 at Springhill
Road STF 5 Jul (G. Menk).

Lesser YellowlegS: up to 14 at Fort Walton Beach STF 21-27 Jun (B. Duncan); 1 in
mid-Pme//as 9 Jul (J. Fisher); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 11 Jul (H. Robinson); 1 ca. 65
nm off Ponce Inlet 29 Jul (B. Wallace).

Solitary Sandpiper: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 23 Jul (H. Robinson); 1 over Archbold Bio-
logical Station 25 Jul (G. Woolfenden).

Spotted Sandpiper: 6 at Springhill Road STF 21 Jul (G. Menk); 1 at Spring Hill (Her-
nando) 24 Jul (A. & B. Hansen); 6 at Merritt Island NWR 28 Jul (T. Dunkerton).

Whimbrel: 1 flew N past Playalinda Beach (Brevard) 3 Jun (A. Vinokur); 1 at Honey-
moon Island SP (Pinellas) 10 Jul (E. Kwater); 1 at Green Key 28 Jul (K. Tracey).

Marbled Godwit: 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 5 Jul (B. Duncan); 7 in alternate plum-
age at Little Estero Lagoon 14 Jul (C. Ewell); 7 at Fred Howard Park, Tarpon Springs
(Pinellas) 18 Jul (K. Tracey).

Ruddy Turnstone: 7 at Crandon Beach 30 Jun (R. Diaz).

Red Knot: 150 in basic plumage and 1 in alternate plumage at Little Estero Lagoon 5
Jul (C. Ewell); 120 (including 1 banded in Argentina) at Bird Islands 24 Jul increased
to 700 (including 2 banded in Chile) by the end of Jul (P. Leary).

SanderlinG: 4, including 1 in alternate plumage, at Crandon Beach 4 Jul (R. Diaz).

Semipalmated Sandpiper: 4 at Springhill Road STF 11 Jul (G. Menk); 1 in alternate
plumage at Little Estero Lagoon 14 Jul (C. Ewell).

Semipalmated AVestern sandpipers: 160 in basic plumage at Little Estero Lagoon 5
Jul (C. Ewell).

Western Sandpiper: 3 in alternate plumage at Little Estero Lagoon 5 Jul (C. Ewell).

Least Sandpiper: 2 at Springhill Road STF 5 Jul (G. Menk); 4 at Lake Apopka NSRA 17
Jul (H. Robinson); 8500 at Polk mines 23 Jul (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer).

White-rumped Sandpiper: 5 at Fort De Soto Park (Pinellas) 1-2 Jun (L. Atherton et al.);
11 at Fort Walton Beach STF 15 Jun (B. Duncan).

Pectoral Sandpiper: 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 15 Jun (B. Duncan); 80+ near Belle
Glade (Palm Beach) 31 Jul (M. Berney).

Dunlin: 1 at Fort De Soto Park 1 Jun (A. Bankert, D. Simpson); 1 at St. Marks NWR 4-
5 Jun (D. Simpson, A. Bankert).

Stilt Sandpiper: 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 5 Jul (B. Duncan); 2 at Polk mines 23 Jul
(P. Timmer, C, Geanangel).

32

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Short-billed Dowitcher: 36 in basic plumage at Little Estero Lagoon 21 Jun, and 125
(100 in basic plumage) there 6 Jul (C. Ewell); 1 in alternate plumage at Crandon
Beach 8 Jul (R. Diaz).

Red-necked Phalarope: 2 at Fort Walton Beach STF 21 Jun-5 Jul (B. Duncan, D. Ware).

Laughing Gull: 8000, including fledged young, at Huguenot Park in Jul (R. Clark).

Lesser Black-backed Gull: 2 immatures at Crandon Beach 4 Jul (R. Diaz); up to 6 at
Huguenot Park all Jul (R. Clark).

Great Black-backed Gull: 3 immatures at Crandon Beach 4 Jul (R. Diaz).

Gull-billed Tern: 2 at Lloyd SP 11 Jun (M. Berney); up to 4 at Polk mines 19 Jun-23
Jul (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 20 Jul (H. Robinson).

Caspian Tern: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 5 Jun (H. Robinson).

Royal Tern: 1100, including 40+ chicks, at Huguenot Park in late Jul (R. Clark).

Sandwich Tern: 1 at Crandon Beach 16 Jul (R. Diaz); 200 at Bird Islands 24 Jul (P. Leary).

Roseate Tern: 1 at Lloyd SP 11 Jun (M. Berney); 1 at Boynton Inlet 12 Jun (B. Hope).

Common Tern: up to 10 at Bald Point 9 Jun-4 Jul (J. Dozier, J. Murphy); 1 at Boynton
Inlet 12 Jun (B. Hope); 2 at Huguenot Park 1 Jul (R. Clark); 55 at Polk mines 10 Jul
(P. Timmer, C. Geanangel); 1 at Boynton Inlet 10 Jul (R. Diaz); 1 in basic plumage at
Altamonte Springs {Seminole) 13 Jul (A. Vinokur).

Arctic Tern: 1 at Boynton Inlet 11 Jun (B. Hope).

Forster’s Tern: 1 at Gainesville 11 Jul (C. Lockwood); 920 3.iPolk mines 23 Jul (P. Tim-
mer, C. Geanangel); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 31 Jul (H. Robinson).

Least Tern: 30 at a Publix supermarket roof at Tallahassee 5 Jun (G. Menk); 274 at
Polk mines 19 Jun (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel); up to 225 at Key Biscayne {Miami-
Dade) 15-21 Jul (R. Diaz).

Bridled Tern: 2 ca. 20 km off Hillsboro Inlet {Broward) 19 Jun (M. Berney); 130+ from
Bo5mton Beach Inlet 9 Jul (M. Berney, B. Hope et ah); 2 at Boynton Inlet 10 Jul
(R. Diaz); 1 at Alligator Harbor 10 Jul, and 3 there 11 Jul (J. Murphy); 1 at Jupiter Inlet
Colony {Palm Beach) 11 Jul (J. & L. Hailman); 4 at Alligator Point 12 Jul (J. Murphy).

Sooty Tern: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 11 Jun (H. Robinson); 1 found on a Volusia beach
25 Jun {fide M. Brothers); 45 at Pensacola Beach {Escambia) 6 Jul (L. Catterton et
ah); 100+ from Boynton Beach Inlet 9 Jul (M. Berney, B. Hope et aL); 2 off Crandon
Beach 9 Jul (R. Diaz); 11 at Alligator Harbor 10 Jul, and 24 there 11 Jul (J. Murphy);
2 at Newnans Lake 10 Jul (S. Collins, G. Parks); 1 at Honeymoon Island SP 10 Jul
(E. Kwater); 5-6 at Boynton Inlet 10 Jul (R. Diaz); 1 at Tallahassee 11 Jul (M. Smith);
12 at Alligator Point 12 Jul (J. Murphy); 1 at Ocala {Marion) 13 Jul (to University of
Florida, fide T. Webber); 2 salvaged at the Apalachicola Bay Bridge {Franklin) 14 Jul
(T. Lewis, specimens to University of Florida).

Black Tern: 1 at Bald Point 4 Jul (J. Murphy); 2 juveniles at Springhill Road STF 11 Jul
(G. Menk); 1 juvenile at Alligator Point 27 Jul (R. McGregor); 1 at Merritt Island
NWR 29 Jul (D. Freeland).

Brown Noddy: 1 at Indiatlantic {Brevard) 12 Jun (to University of Florida, fide T. Web-
ber); 2 at Boynton Beach Inlet 9 Jul (M. Berney, B. Hope et aL); 6 at Boot Key {Mon-
roe) 9 Jul (A. Wilson); 1 at Lloyd SP 10 Jul (R. Diaz).

Black Skimmer: 1 at Orlando Wetlands Park 12 Jun (B. Anderson, C. Pierce); 690 at
Polk mines 10 Jul (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel); 300 at Bird Island 24 Jul — the breed-
ing colony was washed out by spring tides (P. Leary); 4 at Plantation {Broward) ca. 20
km inland 30 Jul (M. Berney).

White-crowned Pigeon: 68 at Southern Glades Wildlife and Environmental Area {Mi-
ami-Dade) 12 Jul (R. Diaz).

Peach-faced Lovebird: 2 at St. Petersburg Beach {Pinellas) in Jun {fide R. Smith).

Black-hooded Parakeet: 3 at New Port Richey {Pasco) 17-18 Jul (R. Smart).

White-winged Dove: 29 at Brandon {Hillsborough) 20 Jul (D. Powell).

Burrowing Owl: 19 at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve 13 Jul (P. Miller).

Field Observations

33

Whip-poor-will: 1 heard singing at Bald Point 5 Jun, and one heard and another seen
there 7-16 Jun (J. Dozier).

Belted Kingfisher: 1 flew S past St. Marks NWR 8 Jun (J. Dozier); 1 at Ocklawaha
{Marion) 30 Jun (A. Luzader); 2 at Merritt Island NWR 8 Jul, and 7 there 29 Jul
(D. Freeland); 1 at McIntosh {Marion) 10 Jul (A. Luzader); 1 at Anclote Gulf Park
{Pasco) 10 Jul (K. Tracey); 2 at Lake Apopka NSRA 20 Jul (H. Robinson).

Western Kingbird: 1 in mid-Pinellas 2 Jun (J. Fisher); 1 at Bald Point 5 Jun (J. Dozier).

Eastern Kingbird: 2 in mid-Pinellas were feeding young by 4 Jun but the nest failed by
11 Jun. The pair renested and were feeding young by 8 Jul but this nest too failed
(J. Fisher).

Yellow-throated VireO: 2 males sang at Mead Garden, Winter Park {Orange) 10 Jun-
EOS (B. Anderson et aL).

Red-eyed Vireo: 1 at Coconut Point {Brevard) 26 Jul (A. Bankert).

Black-whiskered Vireo: 1 sang in mid-Pinellas 6 Jun (J. Fisher).

Purple Martin: 7 pairs bred in natural cavities at Viera in Jun (D. Freeland); a “few”
migrants at Tavernier {Monroe) 24 Jun (B, Mulrooney).

Tree Swallow: singles at Lake Apopka NSRA 6, 11, & 28 Jul (H. Robinson); 1 in the
Everglades Agricultural Area {Palm Beach) 22 Jul (B. Roberts, photo to FOG).

Northern Rough-winged Swallow: 1 or more at Lake Apopka NSRA 19 Jun-6 Jul
(H, Robinson).

Bank Swallow: singles at Lake Apopka NSRA 12 Jun and 3 Jul, and up to 2 there 17
Jul-EOS (H. Robinson); 1 in the Everglades Agricultural Area 22 Jul (B. Roberts,
photo to FOC).

Cliff Swallow: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 3 Jul, and 2-3 there 23-31 Jul (H. Robinson).

Barn Swallow: 2 at Research Road, Everglades NP {Miami-Dade) 4 Jun (B. Roberts); 2
at Eco Pond, Everglades NP {Monroe) 5 Jun (B. Roberts); 1 in mid-Pinellas 19 Jun
(J. Fisher); 1 at Archbold Biological Station 15 Jul (G. Woolfenden); 260 at Lake
Apopka NSRA 23 Jul (H. Robinson).

House Wren: 1 at Clearwater {Pinellas) 26 Jun (E. Haney).

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 17 Jul (H. Robinson).

American Robin: singles at Cedar Key 2 Jun and 6-11 Jul (D. Henderson).

Gray Catbird: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA to 12 Jun (H. Robinson); 1 at Gainesville 29 Jul
(J. Hintermister).

Common Myna: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 11 Jul (H. Robinson) established the first for
Orange.

Blue-winged Warbler: 1 at Ocklawaha Prairie Restoration Area {Marion) 21 Jul (A.
Luzader, details to FOC).

Northern Parula: 2 at Lake Apopka NSRA 1 Jul (H. Robinson).

Yellow Warbler: 1 at Cedar Key 25 Jul (D. Henderson); 1 at Lake Jackson {Leon) 26
Jul (G. Menk); 3 at Lake Apopka NSRA 31 Jul (H. Robinson).

Prairie Warbler: 7 males sang at Ten Thousand Islands NWR 7-13 Jun (T. Doyle); 1 at
Lake Apopka NSRA 2-23 Jul, and 2 there 31 Jul (H. Robinson); 1 at Mead Garden 27
Jul (A. Vinokur).

Cerulean Warbler: 1 juvenile at S Jacksonville 30 Jul (J. Cocke).

Black-and-white Warbler: 1 male at Seminole Environmental Center 9 Jul (A. Vino-
kur); 1 at Mead Garden 12 Jul (A. Vinokur); 1 at San Felasco Hammock 13 Jul
(S. Collins); 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP {Alachua) 13 Jul (M. Joos); 1 at Cedar
Key 27 Jul (D. Henderson).

American Redstart: 1 at Gainesville 9 Jun (G. Parks); 1 at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve
SP 16 Jul (P, Miller); 1 at Crawfordville {Wakulla) 23 Jul (R. Christen); 1 female at
Mead Garden 23 Jul, and 2 females there 25 Jul (A. Vinokur); 1 female at Bald Point
24 Jul (J. Murphy); 1 at Ocala NF {Marion) 24 Jul (A. & P. Stodola); 2 at Fort George
Island {Duval) 27 Jul (R. Clark); 2 at Cedar Key 27 Jul (D. Henderson).

34

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

SwAiNSON’s Warbler: 1 male sang at Tallahassee 26 Jun (G. Menk).

Louisiana WaterthrusH: 1 at Tallahassee 5 Jul (F. Rutkovsky); 1 at Seminole Environ-
mental Center 9 Jul (A. Vinokur); 1 at Newnans Lake 10 Jul (J. Hintermister,
L. Davis); singles at Mead Garden 12 & 29 Jul (A. Vinokur); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA
31 Jul (H. Rohinson).

Hooded Warbler: 1 male in midi-Pinellas 25 Jul (J. Fisher).

Yellow-breasted Chat: 2 at Lake Woodruff NWR 25 Jun (S. Benedetto).

Blue Grosbeak: 25 at Lake Apopka NSRA 19 Jun & 1 Jul (H. Robinson).

Indigo Bunting: 27 at Lake Apopka NSRA 5 Jun (H. Robinson); 1 male sang at Oakland
Nature Preserve {Orange) 12 Jul (T. Rodriguez).

Painted Bunting: 1 at Belleview {Marion) 29 Jul (A. Luzader); up to 3 summered at
Lake Apopka NSRA (H. Robinson).

^Varied Bunting {Passerina versicolor)-. 1 male that flew into a window at Siesta Key
{Sarasota) 1 Jun furnished the first Florida record (M. van Deventer, photos to FOG,
specimen to Archbold Biological Station).

Dickcissel: 89 singing males at Lake Apopka NSRA 5 Jun had declined to 4 there by 31
Jul (H. Robinson).

Bobolink: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 5 Jun (H. Robinson); 1 at Cedar Key 18 Jun (R. Rob-
inson).

Red-winged Blackbird: 1550 at Lake Apopka NSRA 5 Jun increased to 303,000 by 17
Jul (H. Robinson).

Common Grackle: 26 at Lake Apopka NSRA 5 Jun increased to 117,000 by 17 Jul, then
declined to 1200 by 31 Jul (H. Robinson).

Boat-tailed Grackle: 430 at Lake Apopka NSRA 5 Jun increased to 167,000 by 14 Jul,
then declined to 120 by 31 Jul (H. Robinson).

Shiny Cowbird: 1 male at Bald Point to 7 Jun (J. Dozier, specimen to Tall Timbers Re-
search Station); 2 males at Fort De Soto Park 2 Jun (L. Atherton); 2 at Flamingo, Ev-
erglades NP {Monroe) 5 Jun (B. Roberts); 1 at Cedar Key 2 Jul (D. Henderson); up to
7 at Redlands {Miami-Dade) to 3 Jul (R. Torres, M. Faherty, R. Diaz); up to 13 (3 Jul)
summered at Lake Apopka NSRA (H. Robinson).

Bronzed Cowbird: up to 6 at Redlands to 12 Jul (R. Torres, M. Faherty et ah), including
1 displaying male and 1 female 12 Jul (R. Diaz, photos to FOC).

Brown-headed Cowbird: 1 male sang at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP 21 Jun (P.
Miller).

Orchard Oriole: 24 at Lake Apopka NSRA 1 Jul (H. Robinson).

Purple Finch: 1 at Alachua 2 Jul (D. Werner, photos to Rex).

House Finch: single females in 3 sites in mid-Pinellas 2-6 Jul (J. Fisher); 1 at Lake Ap-
opka NSRA 4 Jul (B. Anderson); up to 6 (including a pair that fed a fledgling) at Mead
Garden 4 Jul-EOS (A. Vinokur, B. Anderson et ah); 1 female at Lake Apopka NSRA
14 Jul (H. Robinson); 1 juvenile at Altamonte Springs 19 Jul (A. Vinokur); 1 male at
Lakeland {Polk) 29 Jul (T. Palmer); up to 6 (including 2 yellow morphs) summered at
Altamonte Springs (P. Hueber).

American Goldfinch: 1 at Gainesville 1 Jun (L. Davis).

PiN-TAlLED Whydah: 1 juvenile at Captiva Island {Lee) 14 Jul-EOS (V. McGrath et ah,
photos to FOC by C. Ewell).

Contributors: Bruce Anderson, Lyn Atherton, Frank Aumack, Andy Bankert, Sam
Benedetto, Mark Berney, Robin Bjork, John Boyd, Michael Brothers, Judy Bryan,
Laura Catterton, Ron Christen, Bob Carroll, Roger Clark, Julie Cocke, Steve Collins,
Tom Curtis, Abby Darrah, Lloyd Davis, Robin Diaz, Terry Doyle, Jack Dozier, Bob Dun-
can, Lucy Duncan, Tom Dunkerton, Tommy Elliott, Nancy Evou, Charlie Ewell, Mark
Faherty, Judy Fisher, David Freeland, Chuck Geanangel, Paul Gray, Jack & Liz Hail-
man, Erik Haney, A1 & Bev Hansen, Dale Henderson, John Hintermister, Brian Hope,

Field Observations

35

Paul Hueber, Maralee Joos, Michael Keys, Marianne Korosy, Ed Kwater, Patrick Leary,
Rob Lengacher, Thom Lewis, Cecelia Lockwood, Angela Luzader, Larry Manfredi, Tim
Mann, Vince McGrath, Ross McGregor, Jim McKay, Pat McTarsney, Lenore McCullagh,
Gail Menk, Paul Miller, Frank & Sue Moore, Brennan Mulrooney, John Murphy, Tom
Palmer, Geoff Parks, B. Phelan, Cheri Pierce, Bill Pranty, Cathy Read, Diane Reed,
Bryant Roberts, Tom Rodriguez, Harry Robinson, Ron Robinson, Rex Rowan, Fran Rut-
kovsky, Rob Siedel, David Simpson, Ray Smart, M. Smith, Ron Smith, Gene Stoccardo,
Ann & Paul Stodola, Pete Timmer, Roberto Torres, Ken Tracey, Raul Urgelles, Michelle
van Deventer, Alex Vinokur, Billi Wagner, Bob Wallace, Don Ware, Debra Werner,
Anne Wilson, Kristin Wood, Ed Woodruff, and Glen Woolfenden.

Spring 2005 reports not submitted previously: Mallard: 2 apparently wild birds at
St. Vincent NWR {Franklin) 20 May (Barbara Stedman); Brown Pelican: 9 (3 adults and
6 juveniles) over Lake Wales Ridge State Forest {Polk) 21 Apr (Bill Pranty); Booby spe-
cies: 1 juvenile, thought to be a Brown Booby, at St. Vincent NWR 21 May (B. Stedman);
White-tailed Kite: 2 juveniles 6 km W of US 27 along the Broward-Palm Beach line 30
May (David Simpson); American Woodcock, 1 male displayed at St. Vincent NWR 21
May (B. Stedman); Acadian Flycatcher: 1 sang at St. Vincent NWR 21 May (B. Sted-
man); Shiny Cowbird: 1 male at St. Vincent NWR 21 May (B. Stedman).

Report prepared by Bill Pranty, state compiler (8515 Village Mill Row, Bayonet
Point, Florida 34667-2662; <billpranty@hotmail.com>). Regional compilers are Bruce
H. Anderson (2917 Scarlet Road, Winter Park, Florida 32792; <scizortail@aoLcom>),
John H. Boyd III (15291 SW 108th Terrace, Miami, Florida 33196, <boydj@fiu.edu>),
Bob and Lucy Duncan (614 Fairpoint Drive, Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561,
<Town.Point@bellsouth.net>), Charlie Ewell (115 SW 51st Terrace, Cape Coral, Flor-
ida 33991, <anhinga42@earthlink.net>), Bev Hansen (6573 Pine Meadows Drive,
Spring Hill, Florida 34606; <bevalhansen@earthlink.net>), Gail Menk (2725 Peachtree
Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32304; no email), Paul Miller (Kissimmee Prairie Preserve
State Park, 33104 NW 192nd Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida 34972;
<PauLMiller@dep.state.fl.us>), David Powell (10800 Brighton Bay Boulevard NE,
Apartment 15207, St. Petersburg, Florida 33716; <vireo@vireos.com>), and Peggy
Powell (2965 Forest Circle, Jacksonville, Florida 32257; <pegpowell@comcast.net>).

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i

Florida Field Naturalist

ISSN 0738-999X

PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Editor: JEROME A. JACKSON, Whitaker Center, Arts & Sciences, Florida Gulf Coast Uni-
versity, 10501 FGCU Blvd. South, Fort Myers, FL 33965. E-mail: picus ©fgcu.edu
Associate Editor (for Reviews): Reed Bowman, Archbold Biological Station, RO. Box
2057, Lake Placid, FL 33852. E-mail: RBowman@archbold-station.org
Associate Editor (for bird distribution): BRUCE ANDERSON, 2917 Scarlet Road, Winter
Park, FL 32792. E-mail: scizortail@aol.com

Editor of the Ornithological Newsletter: TOM PALMER, 1805 26th Street, N.W, Win-
ter Haven, FL 33881. E-mail: tomp47@yahoo.com
Editor of Special Publications: Reed F. Noss, Davis-Shine Professor of Conservation
Biology, University of Central Florida, Department of Biology, 4000 Central Florida
Blvd., Orlando, FL 32816-2368. E-mail: rnoss@mail.ucf edu
Web Page Editor: KURT Radamaker, 16313 E. Crystal Point Drive, Fountain Hills, AZ
85268. E-mail: webmaster@fosbirds.org

INFORMATION FOR CONTRIBUTORS

The Florida Field Naturalist is a fully refereed journal emphasizing biological field
studies and observations of vertebrates, especially birds, in and near Florida and the
nearby West Indies. We welcome submission of original manuscripts containing new
information from these areas. We encourage electronic submission of manu-
scripts. Please consult recent issues of the journal for style, especially noting that
manuscripts should:

(1) be double-spaced throughout, including tables and figure captions;

(2) include the scientific name at the first mention of each species;

(3) include capitalized standardized English names for all birds, but lower
case for English names of other organisms;

(3) include metric units for all measurements;

(4) use the form “7 June 2003” for all dates;

(5) use the 24-hour clock for all indications of time (e.g., 0800, 1400);

(6) use the following abbreviations: s (second), min (minute), h (hour);

(7) preferentially use active voice.

Submit manuscripts for Florida Field Naturalist to the Editor, Scott Robinson, Flor-
ida Museum of Natural History, P.O. Box 117800, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
32611; Phone: 352-392-1721, ext. 509; e-mail: srobinson@fimnh.ufi.edu. Monograph-
length manuscripts may be submitted for consideration to Reed F. Noss, Editor of Spe-
cial Publications. Books and other materials for review should be submitted to: Reed
Bowman, Associate Editor for Reviews. Field Observations should be submitted to the
Chair of the Field Observations Committee, Bill Pranty. Reports of rare birds in Florida
should be submitted to the Managing Secretary of the FOS Records Committee, Reed
Bowman.

Florida Field Naturalist

PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

VoL. 34, No. 1 February 2006 Pages 1-35

CONTENTS

ARTICLE

First record of the Varied Bunting from Florida.

Glen E. Woolfenden and Michelle van Deventer ................................................... 1-3

A non-indigenous wading bird breeding in the Florida Everglades:
the Sacred Ibis.

Garth Herring, Erynn Call, and Mark D. Johnston 4-8

Wading birds, shorebirds, and waterfowl in rice fields within the Everglades
Agricultural Area.

S. E. Townsend, E. V. Pearlstine, F. J. Mazzotti, and C. W. Deren ....................... 9-20

Beached bird surveys on Shell Key, Pinellas County, Florida.

Gabriel A. Vargo, Karen Atwood, Michelle van Deventer,

and Rebecca Harris...... 21-27

FIELD OBSERVATIONS

Summer report: June-July 2005

Bill Pranty 28-35

Si^

Florida Field Naturalist

PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

VoL. 34, No. 2 May 2006 Pages 37-68

FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Founded 1972

OFFICERS

President: JACK Hailman, 143 Beacon Lane, Jupiter FL 33469. E-mail: jhailman@wisc,edu
Vice President: SuSAN B. WHITING, 3901 SE St. Lucie Blvd. #54, Stuart, FL 34997. E-
mail: SooSprey@aol.com

Secretary: PAMELA J. BoWEN, 309 Moonstone Dr., East Palatka, FL 32131. E-mail:
PJBowen@aol.com

Treasurer: DEAN JUE, 3455 Dorchester Court, Tallahassee, FL 32312-1300. E-mail:
djue@admin.fsu.edu

Editor, Florida Field Naturalist: JEROME A. JACKSON, Whitaker Center, Arts & Sci-
ences, Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501 FGCU Blvd. South, Fort Myers, FL 33965.
E-mail: picus@fgcu.edu

Ex Officio: Immediate Past President: FRANCES C. JAMES, Department of Biological Sci-
ence, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1100. E-mail: james@bio.fsu.edu

Directors, Terms Expiring Spring 2006

Murray Gardler, 9400 Merri weather Drive, Brooksville, FL 34613-4271

David Stock, Department of Biology, Unit 8285, Stetson University, DeLand, FL 32723

Directors, Terms Expiring Spring 2007

Judy Bryan, 1924 SW 43rd Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32608

Scott Robinson, Florida Museum of Natural History, P.O. Box 117800, Gainesville, FL
32611

Directors, Terms Expiring Spring 2008

David B. Freeland, 2345 Marsh Harbor Avenue, Merritt Island, FL 32952
Joyce King, 11645 69th Way N., Largo, FL 33773

Honorary Memberships

Samuel A. Grimes 1979; Helen G. Cruickshank 1980; Oliver L. Austin, Jr. 1982;
Pierce Brodkorb 1982; William B. Robertson, Jr. 1992; Glen E. Woolfenden

1994; Ted Below 1999.

All persons interested in Florida’s natural history, particularly its abundant bird life,
are invited to join the Florida Ornithological Society by writing the Treasurer. Annual
membership dues are $20 for individual members (overseas $25), $25 for a family member-
ship, $15 for students, $40 for contributing members and $25 for institutional membership.

All members receive the Florida Field Naturalist and the newsletter. Subscription
price for institutions and non-members is $20 per year. Back issues ($3.00 per issue) are
available, prepaid, from the Treasurer. Notice of change of address, claims for undelivered
or defective copies of this journal, and requests for information about advertising and
subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer.

The Florida Field Naturalist is published quarterly (February, May, August, and
November) by the Florida Ornithological Society. It is printed by E. O. Painter Printing
Co., P.O. Box 877, DeLeon Springs, Florida 32130. The permanent address of the Florida
Ornithological Society is Department of Ornithology, Florida Museum of Natural History,
University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611. The Florida Ornithological Society web
site can be found at www.fosbirds.org

THIS PUBLICATION IS PRINTED ON NEUTRAL PH PAPER

Florida Field Naturalist

PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

VOL. 34, No. 2 May 2006 PAGES 37=68

Florida Field Naturalist 34(2):37=47, 2006.

APPLE SNAIL DENSITIES IN HABITATS
USED BY FORAGING SNAIL KITES

Philip C. Darby\ Robert E. Bennetts^’^,

AND LAKSIRI B. KARUNARATNE^

^Department of Biology, University of West Florida
11000 University Parkway, Pensacola, Florida 32514
pdarhy@uwfedu

^US. Geological Survey, Florida Integrated Science Centers
7920 NW 7P^ St., Gainesville, Florida 32653

^Current address: US. Department of Interior
National Park Service, Greater Yellowstone Network

1648 South 7^^Ave., Bozeman, Montana 59717

Abstract,— Despite their dietary specialization and endangered status, the use of
wetland habitats by Snail Kites (Rostrhamus sociabilis) has not been associated with a
range of densities of its exclusive prey, the Florida apple snail (Pomacea paludosa). We
present data that suggest to us that the conservation and management of the network of
wetlands that supports kites requires an assessment of snail density as well as relying on
Snail Kite behavior and hydrology as has been done in the past. We report snail densities
in wet-prairie habitats estimated from field surveys in 1995-2004 in association with
presence/absence data on foraging kites. In 2002-2003 we also measured snail densities
and associated numbers of foraging kites in a systematic survey in two wetland units of
the Everglades. There was a positive association between snail density and the number of
foraging kites (Spearman r = 0.67, n - 12, P = 0.016). Our data also suggest that kites, at
least at some scales, choose areas in which to forage partly based on snail density. Both
the presence/absence data and systematic kite survey data suggest that snail densities
<0.14 snails/m^do not support foraging kites. Here we report a range of snail densities
typical of wet-prairie habitats within which kites were observed foraging successfully. We
conclude with recommendations that habitat quality assessments for Snail Kites and
other snail predators should include density estimates for apple snails, because observa-
tions of low (or no) predator use do not necessarily reflect a low density of prey.

Snail Kites (Rostrhamus sociabilis) are raptors that hunt for prey
in wetland habitats in South and Central America, Cuba, and Florida
(Sykes et aL 1995). All three recognized subspecies, R. s. plumbeus,

37

38

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

R. s. sociabilis, and R. s. major, rely on several species of Pomacea
snails for food, although alternative prey such as freshwater crabs may
be a significant portion of their diet, e.g., as much as 25% for kites for-
aging in South America (Beissinger 1990). In Florida only one subspe-
cies of Snail Kite (R. s. plumbeus) exists as a single closed population
(Bennetts and Kitchens 1997) and it appears to rely much less on alter-
native prey compared to the species’ populations farther south (Sykes
and Kale 1974, Beissinger 1990, Sykes et al. 1995). Since only one na-
tive species of apple snail occurs in Florida {Pomacea paludosa), much
of what we can learn about Florida Snail Kites and their conservation
could be obtained through understanding the distribution and abun-
dance of this one prey species while avoiding subjective interpretations
regarding prey choice and availability common to most predators (see
Johnson 1980). It seems surprising that no data have been reported
that relate snail density to the distribution and abundance of kites in
Florida, especially given that R. s. plumbeus has been listed as endan-
gered for over 35 years (Sykes et al. 1995).

Lack of data on Florida apple snails in habitats used by kites likely
stems from the difficulty (in time and labor) of estimating snail density
in wetlands (Darby et al. 1999). As an alternative to direct measures of
snail abundance, apparent spatial and temporal variation in snail
abundance have been made indirectly through hydrology and observa-
tions of kites, especially their response to drying events (Steiglitz and
Thompson 1967, Sykes 1979, Beissinger 1988, 1995). This link, how-
ever, appears to have had limited value as we have accumulated evi-
dence on snail demographics. First, calls to avoid drying events in
support of kites were premised on unsubstantiated evidence that dry
downs directly kill apple snails (see Darby et al. 2003). We now know
that adult-sized snails survive at a rate of 100% to 75% after 1 month to
3 months in dry marsh conditions (Darby and Percival 2000), which is
consistent with dry down tolerance in other Pomacea snails (Cowie
2002). Therefore, not all drying events have substantial impacts on
snails. Second, although snails in dry marsh become temporarily un-
available to foraging kites (Sykes 1979), the reported departure of kites
from dry wetland habitats (Takekawa and Beissinger 1989) may refiect
limitations of their foraging behavior, not necessarily a decrease in snail
density. Third, the highly nomadic Snail Kite (see Bennetts and Kitch-
ens 1997) has been shown to leave one wetland to explore the potential
forage base of another, even though foraging success decreased after the
move (Bennetts and Kitchens 2000). This suggests that kite departures
and arrivals to and from different wetlands, even in the absence of dry-
ing events, tells us little about relative snail abundance. Even if some
aspects of kite foraging (e.g., capture rates) could be linked to snail den-
sity, natural resource managers should not have to depend on kite use

Darby ET al.—Snml Densities in Kite Habitats

39

in any particular time frame as an indicator of habitat quality (i.e., an
absence of kites does not mean an absence of snails). Clearly, effective
conservation of this endangered raptor requires that we have data on
the density and distribution of their nearly exclusive prey.

After eight years of method development and testing hypotheses
regarding the effects of hydrology and habitat structure on snail de-
mography we can now report several snail density estimates from ar-
eas in which Snail Kites were observed foraging. As an indication of
what constitutes an insufficient forage base, we also have snail density
estimates from nearby sites within the same wetland units where we
did not see kites. In 2004, we also conducted a small scale quantitative
assessment of the relationship between snail density and the number
of foraging kites in two wetland units designated as critical habitat by
the US Fish and Wildlife Service in 1977 (Federal Register 42: 40685-
40688). These data provide, for the first time, a range of snail densities
in which foraging Snail Kites can be found, and some indication as to a
minimum snail density sufficient to support foraging Snail Kites.

Study Sites and Methods

Study sites. — We sampled snail density and observed foraging Snail Kites from 1995
to 2004 in 30 sites in five wetlands throughout the range of the Florida Snail Kite popu-
lation as reported by Bennetts and Kitchens (1997) (Fig. 1), All sampling sites were wet-
prairie habitats characterized as shallow marsh dominated by emergent macrophytes
such as grasses, sedges, rushes, and other wetland plants with stems and leaves above
water level (Loveless 1959). Emergent vegetation of the littoral zone of Lake Kissimmee
consisted primarily of Panicum hemitomon, Panicum repens, and Pontederia cordata.
The remaining wetlands sampled were shallow marshes dominated by Eleocharis spp.
and Panicum hemitomon. The Blue Cypress Water Management Area (BCWMA) is part
of the Upper St. Johns River basin. Water Conservation Area 3A (WCA3A) and WCAl
are impounded units within the Everglades ecosystem. WCAl resides within the bound-
aries of the A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge (LNWR). We also sampled in
LNWR impoundments (IM) C6, C7 and C8 that are managed to attract wetland avi-
fauna for viewing by the general public.

Estimates of snail density.— Apple snail densities were estimated using a l-m^ x 60-
cm high throw trap sampled with dip nets as per Darby et al. (1999). Once the throw
trap was placed over the vegetation, it was quickly pushed down into the substrate to
prevent snails from escaping. All plants were removed from the trap and the uprooted
material was searched thoroughly for snails. Traps were then swept 20 times with dip
nets. If an apple snail was collected, the sweeps count would start over until 20 clean
sweeps were completed. After sweeping with dip nets, the trap was searched by hand for
30 seconds to find any snails that might have fallen into depressions left by uprooting
vegetation or that were pushed up against the trap walls. We estimated the capture
probability of snails by randomly placing from 0-3 marked snails in each trap prior to
disturbance of the vegetation. Whether or not marked snails had been placed in the trap
and/or the number of marked snails were unknown to everyone but the person who had
placed them in order to minimize observer expectancy bias (Balph and Balph 1983,
Darby et al. 1999). The reported snail density estimates were adjusted for capture prob-
ability by dividing the mean raw density estimate by the mean capture probability for a

40

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Locations Approximate
Not to Scale

Figure 1. Location of wetland units and sites sampled for snail density esti-
mates reported. Dark gray areas represent critical habitat as designated by
USFWS (see text). Sampling sites are represented as black dots (in some cases
representing two nearby sites) with more detailed representation of sites in
WCA3A (letter designations), WCAl (letter designations) and LNWR impound-
ments (C6-C8).

given site. Standard errors for adjusted snail density estimates were calculated based
on Loery et al. (1997) as presented in Bennetts et al. (2006).

Counts of foraging Snail Kites. — For 12 out of the 30 sites, we only had a record of
the presence or absence of foraging Snail Kites documented by crews sampling for
snails, and therefore no indication as to the number of unique individuals (i.e., no sys-
tematic count was done). These include three sites in Lake Kissimmee, two sites in

Darby ET AL— Snail Densities in Kite Habitats

41

BCWMA, and seven sites in LNWR (including four in WCAl). These data are reported
separately and were not included in the test for an association between numbers of for-
aging kites and snail density. For the remaining 18 sites in WCA3A and WCAl sampled
in 2002-2003, we have a record of the number of individual kites foraging at one time.
We estimated the number of Snail Kites within a 1- km^ area centered on each of our
snail sampling sites during the same period in which we collected snail abundance data.
Snail kites are conspicuous and relatively habituated to airboats. Thus, given the open
habitat and relatively small size of our sampling units, we were able to conduct what we
believe was a reasonable “census” (i.e., complete count) at each site, using systematic
transects conducted by airboat.

Using a global positioning system (GPS) for guidance, transects were spaced approxi-
mately 200 m apart. Conducting an entire survey required approximately 30 minutes to
complete. Under these conditions, kites could be observed with little difficulty. The short
time interval and small spatial scale made it unlikely that we double counted. Given
these conditions, we do not believe that estimation of detection probabilities (e.g., using
distance sampling) was warranted. In most cases, the number counted also corresponded
well to the number of nests we documented to be in the area. The exceptions to this were
a few sites that had no known nests, but a small (1 or 2) number of foraging kites.

Only the data from the 2002-2003 seasons in WCA3A and WCAl were included in a
quantitative analysis of kite counts and snail density since all the other data were only
records of Snail Kite presence or absence. We used Spearman rank correlation to test for
a positive association between the number of foraging Snail Kites and snail density.

Results

Snail density estimates (adjusted for capture probability) ranged
from 0 to 1.8 snails per m^ (Tables 1 and 2). We did not observe foraging
kites at any location with snail densities at or below 0.14 snails per m^.
We observed only one Snail Kite foraging in WCAl in the two years we
sampled (2002-2004), and this site had the highest snail density esti-
mated for WCAl (Table 1). Conversely the two sites in WCA3A with
the lowest densities of snails are the only two sites sampled in which
we did not observe foraging kites in WCA3A. During our systematic 1-
km^ surveys, densities of foraging kites >5 per km^ were only observed
where snail densities exceeded 0.25 snails/mL

Our analysis from the systematic surveys in WCA3A indicated a
positive association between the number of foraging Snail Kites and
apple snail densities (Spearman r = 0.67, n = 12, P = 0.016) (Fig. 2). If
WCAl were included in this analysis, the association is stronger
(Spearman r = 0.85, n = 18, P < 0.001). However, 5 of 6 sites sampled in
WCAl had no foraging kites and very few snails; therefore, the stron-
ger association may be strongly influenced by the overall low densities
of snails we have observed in WCAl. The presence-absence Snail Kite
records from seven other sites in LNWR support the assertion that
LNWR (including WCAl) has a relatively low forage base (Table 2).
Sites from other wetlands in which we sampled snails and that sup-
ported foraging kites (Lake Kissimmee, BCWMA) consistently had
densities >0.14 snails/m^ (Table 2).

42

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Table 1. The number of foraging Snail Kites per km^ and associated apple snail
densities per in WCAl (letter designated sites) and WCA3A (number desig-
nated sites).

Wetland

Site

Year

Foraging Kites

Snail Density Mean ± SE

WCAl

A

2002

0

0.00 ± 0.00

WCAl

F

2003

0

0.01 ± 0.01

WCAl

D

2003

0

0.01 ± 0.01

WCAl

E

2003

0

0.03 ± 0.01

WCA3A

11

2003

0

0.10 ± 0.01

WCA3A

3

2002

0

0.13 ± 0.02

WCAl

B

2002

0

0.14 ± 0.01

WCA3A

6

2002

4

0.18 ± 0.02

WCA3A

2

2002

2

0.20 ± 0.04

WCAl

C

2002

2

0.22 ± 0.01

WCA3A

1

2002

2

0.25 ± 0.04

WCA3A

14

2003

14

0.32 ± 0.01

WCA3A

5

2002

4

0.38 ± 0.06

WCA3A

15

2003

7

0.61 ± 0.03

WCA3A

13

2003

8

0.89 ± 0.03

WCA3A

12

2003

1

1.04 ± 0.03

WCA3A

16

2003

15

1.18 ± 0.04

WCA3A

10

2002

12

1.77 ± 0.25

Discussion

The positive association between the number of foraging Snail
Kites and snail density was not surprising given the nearly exclusive
reliance of this raptor on a single prey At the extreme, we would not
expect kites to commonly attempt to forage in habitats devoid of snails.
Although our quantitative assessment of kite foraging was limited to
two wetland units (WCA3A and WCAl), our data do support the idea

Table 2. 1995-2004 records of foraging Snail Kite presence/absence in sites for
which we have snail density estimates.

Wetland

Site

Year

Foraging Kites

Snail Density Mean ± SE

LNWR

IMC6

2004

0

0.00 ± 0.00

LNWR

IMC7

2004

0

0.00 ± 0.00

WCAl

KN3

2004

0

0.03 ± 0.01

WCAl

KN4

2004

0

0.08 ± 0.01

LNWR

IMC8

2004

0

0.09 ± 0.01

WCAl

KNl

2004

0

0.12 ±0.01

WCAl

KN2

2004

0

0.12 ±0.01

LKISS

7

2002

>1

0.16 ±0.04

BCWMA

1

1996

>1

0.22 ± 0.03

LKISS

2

2002

>1

0.29 ± 0.01

BCWMA

2

1996

>1

0.60 ± 0.08

LKISS

5

1995

>1

0.92 ± 0.18

Darby ET AL.— Snail Densities in Kite Habitats

43

Snails /

Figure 2. Number of Snail Kites counted within 1 km^ in Water Conservation
Area 3A in relation to the mean number of apple snails per m^ of prairie habitat.

that at a regional scale Snail Kites concentrate in wetland areas with
higher snail density (WCA3A). Although food abundance has been
linked to habitat use at a broad scale, once in an area there may be
habitat attributes that affect availability that dictate forage patch se-
lection at a more refined scale (Orians and Wittenberger 1991). Ben-
netts et al. (2006) showed that Snail Kites captured fewer snails from
habitat patches with relatively dense vegetative structure and high
snail densities compared to more open habitat with similar or lower
snail densities. Avoidance of more dense structure reflected lower visi-
bility of the water surface associated with higher stem densities and/or
structural attributes of different macrophytes (see Bennetts et al.
2006). In this study, we purposefully limited our analyses to habitats
with similar structure (moderate stem density wet prairie) to control
for characteristics of habitat that might affect vulnerability of snails to
predation by kites. Therefore, the numbers of foraging kites were most
likely related to snail densities and not to accessibility to the snails.

The snail densities estimated during this study fall within the
range reported in previous studies (Darby et al. 1999, 2004). Among all
our data reported here and elsewhere, we have rarely encountered

44

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

snail densities >1.5/m2. The exceptions include three sites on Lake
Kissimmee in 1995 (Darby et al. 2004) and some spring fed rivers north
of the kite’s current range (Carrao et al. 2006), [Historically Snail Kites
had been documented near springs of the Florida panhandle (Sykes
1984).] In addition, in all sampling efforts from 1996“2003, we consis^
tently found one or more sites in WCA3A with >1.0 snail per m^ (Darby
et al. 1997, 1999, this study). Snail Kites have consistently foraged and
established nests in WCA3A during the period to which our density
data apply (J. Martin, V. Dreitz and W. Kitchens, U.S. Geological Sur-
vey, Gainesville, FL, unpublished data). In contrast, it appears overall
that WCAl supports relatively lower snail densities and, based on our
own observations, little to no kite use. This is consistent with the over-
all less frequent use of WCAl by Snail Kites for either foraging or nest-
ing indicated by USFWS reports (USFWS A.R.M. Loxahatchee Annual
Narrative Reports 1996-2004) as compared to kite surveys in WCA3A
in the same period (J. Martin, V. Dreitz and W. M. Kitchens, unpub-
lished data). Based on Sykes (1984) and Bennetts (unpublished data),
the relatively greater concentration of kites nesting and foraging in
WCA3A compared to WCAl has been consistent since the 1970s.

Our data suggest that a density of fewer than approximately 0.14
snails per m^ may be a minimum threshold to support one or more for-
aging kites. Although we could have reported many other sites contain-
ing snails that did not contain kites, the data from which we estimated
this threshold were from sites near those in which we found foraging
kites over the observation period. In other words, kites were in the vi-
cinity and low snail density sites were well within the range of routine
kite movements. Sykes et al. (1995) estimated that most kites forage
within 2 km of their nest and daily flight distances measured by Darby
et al. (1996) were frequently between 2 and 5 km on Lake Kissimmee
and in WCA3A. Our systematic counts included Site 3 in WCA3A, a low
snail-density site with no foraging kites, which was 3.5 and 4.8 km
from Sites 1 and 2, respectively, where kites were foraging. Similarly,
Site C, the only WCAl site with foraging kites, was 2.5 km from Site B,
a low snail-density site with no foraging kites. Casual observation of
kites over several months in WCA3A (no record for WCAl) following
our systematic counts were consistent with the data; kites were still in
the vicinity, but not observed in site 3. We recognize that our data do
not reflect systematic tracking of kite movements coupled to snail den-
sities from locations selected for foraging compared to those passed
over; this would require an intensive effort of sampling for snails
nearly impossible to achieve with our equipment and personnel. How-
ever, both the systematic counts and presence/absence records for sev-
eral wetland units consistently show kites foraging in sites with snail
density >0.14 snails/m^, but not in sites with lower snail densities. We

ETAL— Snail Densities in Kite Habitats

45

see these data as a preliminary indication of what constitutes a suffi-
cient forage base. In addition, our data suggest that a sufficient snail
supply for several nesting pairs of kites, pertinent given their charac-
terization as loosely colonial nesters (Sykes et aL 1995), would be ap-
proximately 0.25 snails per m^.

Caution should be exercised with respect to interpreting kite use of
an area as any indication of relative snail abundance or habitat quality
in general. Although there was a positive association between foraging
kites and snail density, we observed several kites foraging in a rela-
tively low snail-density site (WCA3A Site 6), and only one kite foraging
in a site with snail density >1.0/m2. The movement patterns of these
raptors reflect nomadic tendencies that do not necessarily reflect forag-
ing conditions. At any one time there most likely exist many high snail-
density sites that for a variety of reasons simply had not yet been dis-
covered by foraging kites. Once kites establish a nest, which some in
our survey had done, movements may be constrained by the need for
making frequent visits to feed brooding mates and hatchlings. As such
birds may forage in areas with lower snail density than they might oth-
erwise if not constrained by parental duties. Short-term observations
of kites foraging in low-density sites may also reflect the period of time
required for kites to assess low profitability before moving to a more
productive foraging site (Bourne 1985). For these reasons, we in no way
want to suggest that observations of Snail Kites are reliable indicators
of relative snail abundance between different locations.

The temporal and spatial scales at which Snail Kite movements
and demography occur far exceed the scale represented by snail density
estimates reported here and elsewhere over the past 10 years. Although
a more reliable assessment of habitat quality for kites, estimating snail
density may simply be too labor and time intensive to be a routine (i.e.,
seasonal or even annual) component of a monitoring program tied to
wetlands habitat management for a species as mobile as the kite. Mon-
itoring kite use of any particular wetland unit certainly does provide
some indication of habitat suitability; i.e., successful foraging and nest-
ing tells us that a sufficient forage base exists. However, it is equally
clear that kite use alone does not reflect relative habitat quality among
sites or within a site over time, especially if we consider differences in
habitat structure. As we continue to test hypotheses regarding hydrol-
ogy and habitat structure on snails and how these ultimately affect
Snail Kite foraging success, we can identify a range of hydrologic condi-
tions and plant community types that reflect relative habitat quality for
these species (e.g.. Darby and Percival 2000, Karunaratne 2004, Ben-
netts et al. 2006). Ultimately, however, snail density estimates will be
an essential component of conceptual and quantitative models to under-
stand kite demography, movements and habitat use.

46

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

We have reported a range of snail densities typical of wet prairie
habitats within which kites were observed foraging successfully. In ad-
dition, we now have some indication of a density below which kites ap-
pear to find an area unprofitable in terms of hunting for snails. We
recommend that habitat quality assessments associated with manage-
ment and restoration efforts in support of Snail Kites and other snail
predators include sampling for apple snails, because a observations of
low (or no) predator use do not necessarily reflect a low density of prey.

Acknowledgments

This research was funded through grants from the US. Fish and Wildlife Service, US.
Geological Survey, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Wildlife
Foundation, St. John’s River Water Management District and South Florida Water Man-
agement District. We appreciate the field assistance of Tanya Alverez, Amy Busch, Jessica
(Cerveny) Karunaratne, Sara LaPorte, Jason Liddle, Jennifer (DuPree) Liddle, Dave Mel-
low, Donald Napier, Alex Ren, Steven Slack, Tiffany Trent and Patricia Valentine-Darby.

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of observer-expectancy bias. Auk 100:755-757.

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ens. 1999. A comparison of sampling techniques for quantifying abundance of the Flor-
ida apple snail {Pomacea paludosa, SAY). Journal of Molluscan Studies 65:195-208,
Darby, P. C., and H. F. Percival. 2000. Dry down tolerance of the Florida apple snail
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a Florida apple snail (Pomacea paludosa Say) population. Malacologia 45:179-184.

Darby, P. C., P. L. Valentine-Darby, H. F. Percival, and W. M. Kitchens. 2004. Flor-
ida apple snail {Pomacea paludosa) responses to lake habitat restoration activity. Ar-
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Florida Field Naturalist 34(2):48-51, 2006.

BATS OF ARCHBOLD BIOLOGICAL STATION
AND NOTES ON SOME ROOST SITES

Jeffrey T. Hutchinson^

Archhold Biological Station, RO. Box 2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33862

Abstract. — Four species of bats were captured at Archbold Biological Station includ-
ing evening bats (Nycticeius humeralis, n = 17), Brazilian free-tailed bats {Tadarida bra-
siliensis, n = 17), northern yellow bats (Lasiurus intermedins, n = 13) and Seminole bats
(Lasiurus seminolus, n - 2). Maternity roosts of northern yellow bats were documented
in Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides), and a solitary adult male was observed nearby
roosting under a palm frond in a cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto). A mixed colony of 254
Brazilian free-tailed and evening bats was observed using a large slash pine {Finns el-
liottii) snag, representing one of the few documented records of Brazilian free-tailed bats
using such a natural roost.

Layne (1999) reports six species of bats from Archbold Biological Sta-
tion (ABS) and surrounding area that include: big brown bats (Eptesicus
fuscus), northern yellow bats {Lasiurus intermedius), Seminole bats
{Lasiurus seminolus), evening bats {Nycticeius humeralis), eastern pipis-
trelles {Pipistrellus subflavus), and Brazilian free-tailed bats {Tadarida
hrasiliensis). These species are considered common in Florida (Jennings
1958). With the exception of the Brazilian free-tailed bat, all bat species
known from ABS use natural roosts at some period during the year (Bar-
bour and Davis 1969). My objective through this study was to document
the presence of bats in natural areas during the summer maternity
period in south-central Florida and document their use of roost sites.

Study Area and Methods

This study was conducted at Archbold Biological Station (ABS) from April 2002 to
September 2003. ABS is located approximately 120 km south of Orlando at the southern
end of the Lake Wales Ridge. The climate of the area is characterized as sub-tropical
with hot, wet summers and mild, dry winters with a mean annual temperature of 22°C
(Winsberg 1990). Archbold Biological Station covers 2101 ha with approximately 95%
comprised of undisturbed natural habitat in which the natural vegetation and hydrol-
ogy has not been altered. The vegetation of ABS was described by Abrahamson et al.
(1984) and consists primarily of xeric habitat, intermixed with seasonal wetlands and
bayhead swamps. At ABS, ca. 83% of the land has been burned within the past 20 years
with prescribed fire or from wildfires.

Mist-netting was conducted from March-July of 2003 to coincide with the expected
maternity period of bats. Mist nets (6.0, 9.0 and 12.0 m) were double stacked and placed
across road corridors, trails, canopy gaps, and road rut ponds. In each location, four dou-
ble-stacked mist-nets were placed perpendicular or parallel to one another. Around snags,

^Cnrrent address: Center for Aqnatic and Invasive Plants, University of Florida,
7922 NW 7F‘ Street, Gainesville, FL 32653; jthntchinson@ifas.nfl.edn.

48

Hutchinson— Bats of Archbold Biological Station

49

mist-nets were set in a triangular formation. Nets were raised at sunset and monitored
for 1.5-2. 5 hours. Captured bats were weighed to the nearest 0.5 g, sexed, and aged.

Roost searches were conducted randomly throughout the Station from April 2002 to
October 2003, for about 3-4 hours per month. No systematic searches were conducted
for roost sites, but efforts focused on areas with numerous snags, cabbage palms (Sabal
palmetto), and large concentrations of Spanish moss {Tillandsia usneoides). Reports of
bat roosts from field workers also were investigated. Bats occupying a roost site were
verified by visual observation (Spanish moss and sable palm) or mist-netting (snags).
The general characteristics of each roost were measured and include: roost type, host
tree species (for Spanish moss roosts), diameter at breast height (for snags), roost height
above ground, roost height to understory vegetation, length of roost (for Spanish moss
roosts), width of roost (for Spanish moss roosts), distance to water, and distance to edge.

Results

Four species of bats were captured including evening (n = 17), north-
ern yellow (n = 13), Brazilian free-tailed (n = 17), and Seminole (n = 2)
bats. Adults and juveniles of each species were captured indicating that
all four species rear young in the area. The reproductive period of preg-
nancy (April-May), birth (late May), lactation (late May-June), and the
young taking flight (late June) were synchronized among the four spe-
cies. An average of 2.19 (SE = 1.79; Range 0 to 20) bats/hour were cap-
tured. The highest capture rates were recorded in areas with large trees
and canopy cover. No bats were captured in recently burned or open ar-
eas with few large trees dominated by an understory of oaks <3 m.

Maternity roost sites (n = 5) of northern yellow bats were located in
Spanish moss hanging from sand live oaks {Quercus geminata) along a
sandy fire-line adjacent to a 36.4 ha lake. All roost sites were located in
a small buffer strip (8-20 m wide) of sand live oak and saw palmetto
{Serenoa repens) between a sandy road and the lake. Roost height av-
eraged 2.23 m (SE = 0.06) above the ground and 1.57 m (SE = 0.18)
above the nearest vegetation. The average length and width of the
roosts were 0.98 m (SE = 0.13) and 0.44 m (SE = 0.08), respectively. The
clumps of Spanish moss used for roosting were about 2-3 times larger
than other clumps of Spanish moss in the area. All roosts were within
1.06 m (SE = 0.35) of the sandy road and <11.0 m (SE = 2.40) from the
lake. Change in roost site was common among the northern yellow bats
roosting in Spanish moss. On one occasion, three females with non-vol-
ant young were observed in separate roosts but none of the roosts was
occupied the next day indicating the females used more than one roost.

A maternity roost containing Brazilian free-tailed and evening
bats was located in a slash pine {Pinus elliottii) snag created by a light-
ning strike in an old field. The snag was 12.8 m in height and 51.0 cm
in dbh. The upper-third of the main bole contained loose bark, multiple
limbs, and woodpecker holes. Roost heights ranged between 6. 7-8.8 m
with the bats using multiple roost locations in the upper portion of the

50

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

snag including loose bark, small fissures, and senescent limbs. Twelve
juvenile Brazilian free-tailed and 3 juvenile evening bats were cap-
tured in mist nets set around the snag on 28 July 2003. At least 10
more bats escaped from the nets before they could be removed. An
emergence count conducted on 2 August 2003 revealed 254 bats (spe-
cies undetermined) leaving the roost between 2020 and 2045.

A male northern yellow bat roosted on the underside of a partially
dead frond of a cabbage palm ca. 12 km northwest of ABS along the
edge of Lake August in a residential lawn from 26-28 August 2003, The
bat was resting on the brown portion of the frond, which provided ex-
cellent cryptic coloration to the bat.

Discussion

The four species documented from this survey were reported to be the
most common bats in southeast Florida (Hutchinson 2004). In general, the
bat fauna of south Florida is low in diversity compared to other regions of
the United States, possibly due to the lack of caves (Humphrey 1975). The
eastern pipistrelle and big brown bats, both of which occur infrequently in
the area (Layne 1992a,b; Hutchinson and Roberts 2001) were not cap-
tured at ABS. The capture of Brazilian free-tailed bats from a snag repre-
sents one of the few known uses of such a natural roost by this species in
the southeastern United States. Lowery (1974) reported of hollow trees be-
ing used by Brazilian free-tailed bats as maternity roosts in Louisiana. In
the Southeast this species typically roosts in attics and other structures
(Barbour and Davis 1969). Numerous snags in various stages of decay are
present in the immediate area of the roost and bats have been reported
from other nearby snags (Fred Lohrer, ABS, pers. comm.).

Lewis (1995) suggested that foliage- and cavity-roosting bats are
more likely to switch roosts more often than are cave- or structure-
roosting species, because cave and structure roosts are more perma-
nent. Northern yellow bats using Spanish moss switched roosts often
during the maternity season and carried their non-volant young to al-
ternative roosts, possibly to allow for different microclimate conditions.
The location of roosts on the southwest side of the lake and the over-
hanging limbs from the senescent sand live oaks shielded the roost from
direct sunlight until late afternoon. All roosts were fully or partially
shaded until ca. 1730 before being exposed to direct sunlight, which is
about 3. 0-3. 5 hours before the bats take flight. Spanish moss also ap-
pears to protect adults and young during periods of intense rainfall.

The concomitant occurrence of the reproduction period of bats and
the beginning of fire season in April may result in some mortality to
bats that select roost sites in natural habitat. The least commonly cap-
tured bat from the survey, the Seminole bat, is known to roost prima-

Hutchinson— Bats of Akchbold Biological Station

51

rily near the tips of pine needles (Menzel et al. 1999), suggesting that
prescribed or natural fire may impact populations or alter roost sites of
this species as pine trees often suffer high damage or mortality during
fires in the area. Bat mortality is most likely to occur during intense
head fires that move rapidly, scorch the canopy, produce intense heat,
and create large smoke plumes. The observations of Saugey et al.
(1998) in Arkansas indicate that red bats (Lasiurus borealis) manage
to evade slow moving back-fires. However, it is doubtful if a lactating
female bat would have time to move more than one non-volant young
during a rapid-moving head fire through scrub, scrubby fiatwoods, or
fiatwoods habitat. Regardless, the use of prescribed fire during the
growing season is the primary tool used by land managers in Florida to
maintain habitat for listed species of flora and fauna. Further research
using radio-telemetry may further reveal the impacts of fire on soli-
tary- and colonial-roosting bats during growing season burns.

Literature Cited

Abrahamson, W. G., a. F. Johnson, J. N. Layne, and P. A. Peroni. 1984. Vegetation of
the Archbold Biological Station, Florida: An example of the southern Lake Wales
Ridge. Florida Scientist 47:209-250.

Barbour, R. W., and W. H. Davis. 1969. Bats of America. University of Kentucky Press,
Lexington.

Humphrey, S. R, 1975. Nursery roosts and community diversity of Nearctic bats. Jour-
nal of Mammalogy 56:321-346.

Hutchinson, J. T. 2004. Bats of the sub-tropical climate of Martin and St. Lucie coun-
ties, southeast Florida. Florida Scientist 67:205-215.

Hutchinson, J. T., and R. E. Roberts. 2001. Notes on the eastern pipistrelle in south-
east Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 29:54-55.

Jennings, W. L. 1958. The ecological distribution of bats in Florida. Ph.D. dissertation.
University of Florida, Gainesville.

Layne, J. N. 1992a. Status of the eastern pipistrelle, Pipistrellus subflavus, at its south-
ern limit in the eastern United States. Bat Research News 33:43-46.

Layne, J. N. 1992b. Recent records of the big brown bat, Eptesicus fuscus, in southern
Florida. Bat Research News 33:1-3.

Layne, J. N. 1999. Checklist of mammals of the Archbold Biological Station, Highlands
County, Florida. Available on the web at: http://www.archbold-station.org/abs/data/
lists/mammlist.htm.

Lewis, S. E. 1995, Roost fidelity of bats: a review. Journal of Mammalogy 76:481-496.
Lowery, G. H. 1974. The mammals of Louisiana and its adjacent waters. Louisiana State
University Press, Baton Rouge.

Menzel, M. A., D. M. Krishon, T. C. Carter, and J. Laerm. 1999. Notes on tree roost
characteristics of the northern yellow bat (Lasiurus intermedius), the Seminole bat
(L. seminolus), the evening bat (Nycticeius humeralis), and the eastern pipistrelle
(Pipistrellus subflavus). Florida Scientist 62:185-193.

Saugey, D. A., R. L. Vaughn, B. G. Crump, and G. A. Heidt. 1998. Notes on the natural
history of Lasiurus borealis in Arkansas. Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science
52:92-97.

WiNSBERG, M. D. 1990. Florida weather. University of Central Florida Press, Orlando.

Florida Field Naturalist 34(2):52-53, 2006.

NOTES

A SPECIMEN OF A MIGRANT CLAPPER RAIL
FROM THE INTERIOR OF SOUTHERN FLORIDA

Glen E. Woolfendeni and Storks L. Olson^

^Archbold Biological Station, Lake Placid, Florida 33862

^National Museum of Natural History, MRC 116
PO. Box 37012, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20560

A specimen of the Clapper Rail (Rallus longirostris) collected in the interior of the
southern Florida peninsula adds further evidence that this maritime species at least oc-
casionally occurs inland and that Atlantic Coast breeders may migrate across Florida to
winter along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.

On 13 September 2004, Matthew B. Toomey and Christopher Valligny, two students
associated with Archbold Biological Station, collected a freshly dead specimen of a large
Rallus, that had been impaled on a barbed wire fence in a small fresh-water marsh
along the north side of highway SR 74 about 2 km east of road CR 731, near Rainey
Slough in Glades County, Florida (lat 26°57’N, long 81°28’W). Glades County lies in the
longitudinal middle of the Florida peninsula along the west shore of Lake Okeechobee.
The individual (male, testes 7x3 mm), prepared as a study skin (GEW 5953), is in fresh
Basic I plumage (Humphrey and Parkes 1959).

The specimen is identifiable as a R. longirostris and not the similar fresh-water in-
habiting R. elegans by the gray cheeks and margins of the dorsal feathers, and in lack-
ing the russet lesser wing coverts of the latter species (Eddleman and Conway 1998). It
is recognizable as the northernmost subspecies, R. 1. crepitans, which breeds along the
Atlantic Coast from Connecticut to South Carolina by having the dorsal feathers with
very light, almost bluish-gray margins with decidedly olivaceous centers. The belly and
lower breast are white, with traces of fulvous wash only on the neck and upper breast.
These fulvous feathers of the adult plumage include some that are still growing. The
specimen is fully adult in size although it probably had been capable of flight for no
more than two months. It represents the southernmost known occurrence for the sub-
species R. 1. crepitans.

Several other specimens provide evidence that some Atlantic Coast Clapper Rails
{R. 1. crepitans and R. 1. waynei) winter along the Gulf Coast of Florida. For Gulf Coast
counties, Crawford et al. (1983) list non-breeding specimens of R. 1. crepitans from
Wakulla and Franklin counties and specimens of R. 1. waynei from Franklin and Pinel-
las counties. Three specimens support the opinion that Atlantic Coast Clapper Rails
reach the Gulf Coast by flying across northern and central peninsular Florida. One R. 1.
crepitans was taken at the WDBO tower in Orange County in fall (11 September 1969),
and two R. L waynei were taken at Tallahassee in Leon County, one in fall (6 October
1965), the other in spring (9 April 1980) (Crawford et al. 1983). R. 1. crepitans breeds on
the Atlantic Coast far north of Florida, and the Glades county specimen was probably a
migrant as opposed to a wanderer when collected (13 September 2004). The occurrence
supports the idea that Atlantic Coast Clapper Rails migrate across peninsular Florida
to winter along the east shore of the Gulf of Mexico, and extends the trans-peninsular
migratory pathway farther south than previously known.

The specimen (GEW 5953) is housed with the bird collections at Archbold Biological
Station. We thank Andrew W. Kratter for lending specimens to GEW from the collec-
tions at the Florida Museum of Natural History at the University of Florida.

Notes

53

Literature Cited

Eddleman, W. R., and C. J. Conway. 1998. Clapper Rail (Rallus longirostris). In The
birds of North America, No. 340 (A. Poole and R Gill, eds.). The Birds of North Amer-
ica, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.

Crawford, R. L., S. L. Olson, and W. K. Taylor 1983. Winter distribution of subspe-
cies of Clapper Rails (Rallus longirostris) in Florida with evidence for long-distance
and overland movements. Auk 100:198-200.

Humphrey, P. S., and K. C. Parkes. 1959. An approach to the study of molts and plum-
ages. Auk 76:1-31.

54

Florida Field Naturalist 34(2):54, 2006.

KILLING OF TUFTED TITMOUSE NESTLINGS
BY A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER

Christine Brown and Richard Poole
150 Essex Drive, Longwood, FL 32779

In March 2005 we placed two identically sized wooden nest boxes (15 x 14 cm with a
5.5 cm hole 21 cm from the bottom) 3.5 and 3.8 meters high, one on a slash pine (Pinus
elliottii) and one on a laurel oak {Quercus laurifolia), 10.4 meters apart, in the backyard
of a single family home in a subdivision in suburban Orange County, Florida. We moni-
tored the boxes by using a ladder and opening the hinged top of each. On 12 April 2005,
we observed an adult Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) in one of the boxes, and an
Eastern Screech-Owl {Megascops asio) in the other. Two weeks later titmice were ob-
served visiting the first box and feeding nestlings. A look inside the box on 3 May 2005
showed at least five young, looking fully feathered.

Three days later, on 6 May 2005, we and the home-owner observed a commotion at
the box from the house, with a titmouse clinging to the entrance hole. On reaching the
foot of the tree we saw a young titmouse on the ground, which then flew uncertainly to a
bush. Thinking that fledglings were emerging, we stayed to watch. At that point, a male
Red-bellied Woodpecker {Melanerpes carolinus) flew from the box. We placed the young
titmouse high at a fork of a tree. As we returned to the house to continue watching, a
second fledgling flew from the ground to a tree.

We watched over the course of another hour, during which time the woodpecker re-
turned repeatedly to the box, calling and removing feathers from the nest. It also went
to the box with the Eastern Screech-Owl, which contained three nestlings, and tapped
at the entrance hole, but did not go in. The first fledgling titmouse eventually flew
higher into a tree.

On 10 May 2005 we again examined the box and two young titmice were found dead
inside, each with puncture holes in its head. The titmice were not harmed by the owls
that occupied the other box the entire time the titmice were incubating and feeding the
young.

Shackelford et al. (2000) and Hazier et al. (2004) report the Red-bellied Woodpecker
as a predator of many animals but they did not report predation of Tufted Titmouse.

Literature Cited

Hazler, K. R., D. E. W. Drumtra, M. R. Matthew, R. J. Cooper and P. B. Hamel. 2004.

Common, but commonly overlooked: Red-bellied Woodpeckers as songbird nest pred-
ators. Southeastern Naturalist 3:467-474.

Shackelford, C. E., R. E. Brown, and R. N. Conner. 2000. Red-bellied Woodpecker

{Melanerpes carolinus). In A. Poole and F. Gill (eds.). The Birds of North America, No.

500. The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA.

55

Florida Field Naturalist 34(2):55-68, 2006.

FIELD OBSERVATIONS

Fall Reporti August-November 2005. — This report consists of significant bird ob-
servations compiled by the Field Observations Committee (FOC). Submissions to the
FOC should be in the following format: species, number of individuals, age and sex of
the bird(s), color morph if applicable, location (including county), date, observer(s), and
significance. Seasons are winter (December-February), spring (March-May), summer
(June-July), and fall (August-November). Submit observations to regional compilers
within two weeks after the close of each season, or to the state compiler within one
month. Addresses of the compilers are found at the end of this report. We greatly prefer
observations sent via e-mail.

Sight-only observations are considered “reports” while only those supported by verifi-
able evidence (photographs, video or audio tapes, or specimens) are called “records.”
Species for which documentation is required by the FOS Records Committee (FOSRC;
Bowman 2004, Fla. Field Nat. 32: 7-33) are marked here with an asterisk (*). A county
designation (in italics) accompanies the first-time listing of each site in this report. Ab-
breviations in this report are: CP = county park, EOS = end of season, NP = national
park, NWR = national wildlife refuge, RA = restoration area, SP = state park, SRA =
state recreation area, STF = sewage treatment facility, and N, S, E, W etc., for compass
directions. Bold-faced species denote birds newly reported or verified in Florida, or
record counts.

Summary of the Fall Season

For the second fall season in a row, Florida was ravaged by hurricanes, although not
nearly as badly as 2004 — ^or farther west this year. Hurricanes Katrina (25-26, 29 Aug),
Ophelia (7 Sep), Rita (20 Sep), and Wilma (24 Oct) all affected the state and its avi-
fauna. Worst was Katrina, which heavily damaged the w. Panhandle coast while devas-
tating New Orleans and environs, but Wilma also caused great damage in the Keys and
s. peninsula. The Duncans report that the effects of multiple recent hurricanes are con-
verting oak hammocks to oak scrub habitat along the w. Panhandle coast, while much of
Flamingo, Everglades N.P was flattened by Wilma.

FOSRC rarities reported this season were the Ross’s Goose at Lake Apopka; Manx
Shearwater at New Smyrna Beach; two White-faced Ibises in the Panhandle; Zone-
tailed Hawk at Curry Hammock; Lesser Sand-Plover (first Florida record and report) at
St. Marks; Common Black-headed Gull at Cutler’ Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, Thick-
billed Vireo, and MacGillivray’s Warbler at Cape Florida; and Tropical-type kingbird at
Fort De Soto. A Harris’s Hawk, presumably an escapee, was photographed at St. Peters-
burg, which furnished the first verifiable state record.

And lastly, one of Florida’s most ardent and best-loved bird conservationists. Rich
Paul, died of cancer on 1 Nov at the age of 59. This one’s for you. Rich.

Species Accounts

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck: 1 pair and 9 young at Viera Wetlands {Brevard) 8 Aug
(D. Freeland), and 15 (2 pairs with young of 3 and 8) there 10 Sep (A. Vinokur); 1 pair
with young at Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area {Lake) 11 Aug (R May); 2 at With-
lacoochee River Park {Pasco) 20 Aug (R. Smith); 300 SE of Fort Drum {Okeechobee) 4
Nov (P. & L. Gray); 2 pairs with a total of 20 young at Lorida {Highlands) 7 Nov (P. &
L. Gray et al.); 204 at Lake Apopka NSRA {Orange) 25 Nov (H. Robinson).

56

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Fulvous Whistling-Duck: 5 at Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area 20 Sep (R May).

Snow Goose: 1 at Bald Point {Franklin) 24 Oct (J. Murphy); 2 adult white morphs at
Lake Apopka NSRA 15 Nov, and 3 juvenile white morphs there 18 Nov (H. Robinson);
5 (1 white, 4 blue) at Cape Canaveral {Brevard) 15 Nov (T. Dunkerton); 8 at St. Marks
NWR 28 Nov (J. Dozier); 1 at Merritt Island NWR {Brevard) 29 Nov (K. Allie); 3 (2
white, 1 blue) at Chiefland {Levy) 30 Nov (J. Stephens).

*R0SS’S Goose: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA {Lake) 18 Nov (D. Goodwin, G. Basili et ah).

*R0SS’S X Snow Goose: 1 apparent hybrid adult at St. Marks NWR 19 Nov-EOS (T Cur-
tis et ah).

Wood Duck: 2 at Frog Pond WMA {Miami-Dade) 11 Nov (J. Boyd); 6 at Francis Taylor
WMA {Miami-Dade) 13 Nov (J. Boyd).

Gadwall: 20 at Emeralda Marsh CA 1 Nov (P. May); 1 hen at Eagle Lakes Park {Collier)
7 Nov (S. Carbol).

American Black Duck: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 30 Oct (H. Robinson); 1 at Merritt Is-
land NWR 13-15 Nov (T. Dunkerton et al., photos to FOC by A. Vinokur).

Mottled Duck: 1 at downtown Pensacola {Escambia) 18 Aug (B. and L. Duncan); 1 at
Fort Walton Beach STF {Okaloosa) 1 Sep (B. Duncan); 1 in N Escambia 6 Nov (L. Cat-
terton).

Blue-winged x Cinnamon Teal: 2 (male and female) at Alachua 10-20 Sep — the drake
looked like a Cinnamon Teal but both birds had brown irides (B. Wallace et al., photos
to FOC).

Cinnamon Teal: 1 male at Emeralda Marsh CA 15 Oct (D. Freeland, M. Gardler et al.);
2 males at Merritt Island NWR 24 Nov (A. Vinokur et al.); 1 at St. Marks NWR 25
Nov (A. Vinokur et al.).

Northern Shoveler: 2 at Merritt Island NWR 31 Aug (T. Dunkerton); 600 at Polk
mines 12 Nov (P. Fellers, E. Lane).

Northern Pintail: 5000 at Merritt Island NWR 15 Nov (D. Freeland, M. Gardler).

Green-winged Teal: 2300 at Polk mines 12 Nov (P. Fellers, E. Lane); 600 at Merritt Is-
land NWR 15 Nov (D. Freeland, M. Gardler).

Greater Scaup: up to 3 (18 Nov) at Lake Apopka NSRA 9 Nov-EOS (H. Robinson).

White-winged Scoter: 1 male at Black Point {Miami-Dade) 18 Nov (R. Torres).

Black Scoter: 1 adult female at Hobie Beach {Miami-Dade) 25 Nov (R. Torres); 3 males
in mid Pinellas 28 Nov-EOS (Judy Fisher); 40 at Bald Point 29 Nov (J. Murphy).

Bufflehead: 4 at Gainesville 19 Nov-EOS (L. Hensley et al.); 2 at Kennedy Space Cen-
ter {Brevard) 18 Nov (D. Freeland).

Common Goldeneye: 1 at Gainesville 19 Nov (L. Hensley); 2 at Lake Apopka NSRA 22
Nov (H. Robinson).

Hooded Merganser: 1375 Polk mines 12 Nov (P. Fellers, E. Lane).

Red-breasted Merganser: 5 at Gainesville 19 Nov (L. Hensley).

Pacific Loon: 1 molting out of alternate plumage at Gulf Breeze {Santa Rosa) 31 Aug
(B. and L. Duncan).

PIED-BILLED Grebe: 110 at Viera 20 Nov (L. Manfredi et al.).

Horned Grebe: 4 at Black Point 30 Nov (R. Torres).

Cory’s Shearwater: 26 observed from Boynton Beach Inlet {Palm Beach) 20 Sep
(M. Berney).

Greater Shearwater: l at Indian Harbor Beach {Brevard) 26 Aug {fide T. Webber; UF
44948).

Sooty Shearwater: 3 at Bill Baggs Cape Florida SP {Miami-Dade) 26 Aug (R. Diaz).

*Manx Shearwater: 1 at New Smyrna Beach {Volusia) 7 Sep {fide T. Webber; UF
44922).

Audubon’S Shearwater; 1 at Satellite Beach {Brevard) 20 Aug {fide T Webber; UF
44901); 2 observed from Boynton Beach Inlet 20 Sep (M. Berney).

Wilson’s Storm-Petrel: 1 at Pensacola Bay, Gulf Breeze 29 Aug (B. and L. Duncan et al.).

Field Observations

57

White=TAILED Tropicbird: 1 at Indiatlantic Beach {Brevard) 26 Aug {fide T, Webber; UF
44929); 1 at Pensacola Beach {Escambia) 30 Aug died later {fide B. Duncan, specimen
to University of Florida).

American White Pelican: 40 at St. Marks NWR 30 Aug (R. McGregor); 250 over Fort
De Soto 27 Oct (J. Gaetzi et aL); 150 at Everglades City {Collier) 8 Nov (D. Suitor); 25
at Gainesville 29 Nov {fide M. Meisenburg).

Brown Pelican: 2 at Lake Pierce {Polk) 10 Aug (J. DuBois); 3 at Polk phosphate mines
7 Sep, and 5 there 12 Nov (P. Fellers et aL).

AnhingA; a nest vAth 3 nestlings at St. Vincent NWR 12 Sep (T. Lewis); 2 downy chicks
at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 16 Oct (S, Howell et aL),

Magnificent Frigatebird: 7 at St. Marks NWR 27 Aug (T. Curtis); 9 at Alligator Point
{Franklin) 29-30 Aug (J. Murphy et aL); 1 female S of Sebring {Highlands) 21 Sep
(C. Weekley et aL); 1 at Kennedy Space Center 19 Nov (D. Freeland); 2 at Ponce Inlet
{Volusia) 29 Nov (M. Brothers).

American Bittern: 1 at Emeralda Marsh CA 11 Aug (P May); 22 at Lake Apopka NSRA
23 Oct & 9 Nov (H. Robinson).

Great Blue Heron: 34 headed S over Jupiter Inlet Colony {Palm Beach) 29 Sep (J. Hail-
man).

Great White Heron: 1 at Cape Canaveral (Brevard) 17 Sep (E. Kwater).

Reddish Egret: 3 dark morphs at St. Marks NWR 27 Oct (J. Cavanagh).

Cattle Egret: 18 at SpringMll Road STF (Leon) 17 Nov-EOS (G. Menk).

Glossy Ibis: 7 at Cape Florida 25 Aug (R. Diaz).

*WhitE“FACED Ibis: 1 in N Escambia 30 Aug (L. Catterton, details to FOC); 1 at St.
Marks NWR 20 Nov (T. Curtis).

Roseate Spoonbill: 1 at Silver Springs (Marion) 6 Aug (A. Luzader); 1 at Belleview
(Marion) 8 Aug (A, Luzader); 4 near Winter Haven (Polk) 15 Aug (J. DuBois); 17 at Ce-
dar Key 21 Aug (R. Rowan, S. Collins et aL); 17 at Fort George Island (Duval) 28 Aug
(R. Rowan); 20 at Gulf Harbors, New Port Richey (Pasco) 31 Aug (K. Tracey); 1 at Fort
Walton Beach STF (Okaloosa) 9-16 Sep (D. Ware et aL); 97 at Fernandina Beach (Nas-
sau) 9 Sep (P. Leary); 2 at Kanapaha Prairie (Alachua) 17 Sep (M. Meisenburg, J.
Bryan); 1 at Emeralda Marsh CA 18 Oct (R May); 3 in Okeechobee 24 Oct (G. Quigley).

Turkey Vulture: 1076 headed SE over Lake Apopka NSRA 30 Oct (H. Robinson).

Swallow-tailed Kite: 341 at Lake Apopka NSRA 3 Aug had dwindled to 5 there 25 Aug
(H. Robinson); 1 at Apalachicola (Franklin) 11 Aug (J. Dozier).

White-tailed Kite: 1 at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP (Okeechobee) 2 Oct (R Miller).

Snail Kite: 1 at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve 11 Nov (R Miller); 1 S of La Belle (Hendry)
20 Nov (V. McGrath).

Mississippi Kite: 15 nestlings blown out of nests in the Panhandle or at Gainesville in
Jul during Hurricane Dennis were released at a staging area at Tram Road STF, Tal-
lahassee 17 Aug (fide G. Menk); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 28 Aug (H. Robinson); 1 ju-
venile being fed at High Springs (Alachua) 17 Sep (M. Manetz et aL).

Bald Eagle: 109, mostly immatures, at Lake Apopka NSRA 13 Nov (H. Robinson).

Northern Harrier: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 10 Aug (H. Robinson).

Sharp-shinned Hawk: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 10 Aug (H. Robinson).

Harrises HA'WK (Parabuteo unicinctus): 1 without bands or jesses at St. Petersburg
(Pinellas) 13 Nov (D. Margeson, photos to FOC) provided the first verifiable record.

Red-shouldered Hawk: 84 at Lake Apopka NSRA 15 Nov (H, Robinson).

Broad-winged Hawk: 75 in a kettle near Dunedin Hammock 15 Oct (S. Peacock).

Short-tailed Hawk: 1 at WeMwa Springs SP 1 Aug (R. Rowan, S. Collins et aL); 1 at
Belleview 2 Aug (A. Luzader); 1 dark morph at Little Haiti (Miami-Dade) 6 Aug
(A. Harper); 1 light morph at Kendall (Miami-Dade) 8 Aug (B, Boeringer); 1 dark
morph at Port Charlotte (Charlotte) 11 Sep (J. Bouton); 1 light morph at New Port
Richey (Pasco) 12 Sep, and 2 dark morphs there 20 Sep (K. Tracey); 1 at O’Leno SP

58

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

(Columhia) 17 Sep (C. Parenteau); 1 light morph at Lake Apopka NSRA 8 Oct, and 1
dark morph there 27 Nov (H. Robinson); 1 at Saddle Creek Park {Polk) 24 Oct (P.
Fellers, L. Albright); 1 at Micanopy {Alachua) 25 Oct (D. Steadman); 1 dark morph at
Lettuce Lake Park {Hillsborough) 5 Nov (B. Ahern); 1 dark morph over Faka Union
Canal {Collier) 8 Nov (D. Suitor); 1 at Alachua 27 Nov (M. Walsh-McGehee); 1 at Win-
ter Haven {Polk) 30 Nov (P. Fellers).

Swainson’S Hawk: 1 light morph at Frog Pond WMA 6-24 Nov (M. Berney et ah), and 4
hawks there 19 Nov (J. Boyd); 1 juvenile light morph at Lake Apopka NSRA 15 Nov-
EOS (H. Robinson).

*Z0NE-TAILED Hawk: 1 at Curry Hammock SP {Monroe) 26 Oct (M. Hedden, details to FOC).

Red-tailed Hawk: 1 apparent Krider’s morph at Clam Bayou, St. Petersburg 26 Nov
(D. Margeson, photo to FOC).

Golden Eagle: 1 at St. Marks NWR 4 Nov (T. Curtis).

Crested CaracarA: at least 4 pairs at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve all season (P Miller).

Merlin: 3 at Lake Apopka NSRA 22 Sep, and 6 there 2 Nov (H. Robinson); 14 at Bald
Point in 3 hours 1 Oct (A. & J. Wraithmell); 3 at Mead Garden 2 Oct (B. Anderson).

Peregrine Falcon: 7 at Bald Point in 3 hours 1 Oct (A. & J. Wraithmell); 10 at St.
George Island {Franklin) 5 Oct (J. Cavanagh).

Black Rail: 1 at Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park, Bayonet Point {Pasco) 17 Sep
(R. Smart); 1 at Blackpoint Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island NWR 15 Nov (M. Gardler).

King Rail: 295 at Lake Apopka NSRA 15 Aug (H. Robinson).

Sora: 238 at Lake Apopka NSRA 18 Oct (H. Robinson).

Purple Gallinule: 2 juveniles at St. Marks NWR 22 Sep (B. Ahern); 18 at Emeralda
Marsh CA 18 Oct (P. May).

Common Moorhen: 875 at Emeralda Marsh CA 15 Oct (D. Freeland, M. Gardler et ah).

American Coot: 10 (including young) at New Port Richey 2 Aug (R. Smart).

Limpkin: 16 near the Sarasota Celery Fields {Sarasota) 20 Nov (J. Dubi et ah); 25 in one
flooded field near Devil’s Garden {Hendry) 20 Nov (V. McGrath).

Sandhill Crane: singles at St. Marks NWR 16 Oct (T. Curtis) & 27 Oct (J. Cavanagh);

I at Gulf Breeze 23 Oct (L. Duncan); 227 southbound over Lake Apopka NSRA 30 Nov
(H. Robinson).

Black-bellied PloateR: 55 at Huguenot Memorial Park {Duval) 26 Aug (R. Clark); 107 at
Fernandina Beach 9 Sep (P. Leary); 11 at Lake Apopka NSRA 11 Nov (H. Robinson).

American Golden-Plover: 1 at Alachua 13-24 Sep (P. Burns et ah); 1 at Ponce Inlet
{Volusia) 13 Sep (M. Brothers); 1 at Crandon Beach 15 Sep (R. Diaz); singles at St.
Marks NWR 21 Sep & 29-30 Nov (J. Cavanagh); 1 at Fernandina Beach 22 Sep
(P. Leary); 1 at Cutler Ridge {Miami-Dade) 23 Oct (M. Berney, B. Roberts); 1 at
Springhill Road STF 3 Nov (G. Menk); 1 in N Escambia 6 Nov (L. Catterton); 1 at
Viera 13 Nov (D. Freeland, L. Manfredi et ah).

*Lesser Sand-Plover {Charadrius mongolus): 1 at St. Marks NWR 17-21 Sep (T. Cur-
tis, B. & L. Duncan et ah, photos to FOC) provided the first Florida report and record.

Wilson’s Plover: 114 at Huguenot Park 26 Aug (R. Clark); 375 at Dunedin Causeway

II Nov (M. Gardler).

Semipalmated Plover: 1 at Belleview 6 Aug (A. Luzader); 53 at Polk mines 29 Aug
(P. Fellers); 300 at Gulf Harbors 31 Aug (K. Tracey); 225 at Huguenot Park 8 Sep
(R. Clark); 3 at Alachua 11-18 Sep (S. Collins et ah).

Piping Plover: 17 (2 banded, 1 in Michigan, 1 in Newfoundland) at Bird Islands, Nas-
sau Sound {Duval) 16 Oct (P. Leary); 21 at Disappearing Island {Volusia) 30 Nov
(M. Brothers).

American Oystercatcher: 1 at Pensacola Beach 23 Sep (A. Sheppard); 116 in the Ame-
lia River {Nassau) 16 Oct (P. Leary).

Black-necked Stilt: 1100 at the Everglades Agricultural Area {Palm Beach) 21 Aug
(D. Freeland, M. Gardler et ah).

Field Observations

59

American Avocet: 1 at Fred Howard Park 15 Aug (M. Gardler); 10 at the Everglades Ag
Area 27 Aug (B, Hope); 2 at St. Marks NWR 11 Oct (fide A. Wraithmell); 1 at Tierra
Verde (Pinellas) 24 Oct (L. Atherton); 7 at St. George Island 4 Nov ( J. Dozier); 342 at Polk
mines 12 Nov (P. Fellers, E. Lane); 1 at Moon Lake Park (Pasco) 22 Nov (K, Tracey).

Solitary Sandpiper: 6 at S Fort Myers (Lee) 6 Aug (C. Ewell).

WiLLET: 350 at Huguenot Park 8 Sep (R. Clark); 118 at Fernandina Beach 9 Sep
(R Leary); 250+ at Black Point Wildlife Drive 13 Nov (A. Vinokur).

Spotted Sandpiper: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 15 Aug (H. Robinson); 1 at Emeralda
Marsh CA 18 Aug (P. May); 1 at J.B. Starkey Wilderness Park (Pasco) 29 Aug was the
first there (K. Tracey).

Upland Sandpiper: 15 at the Everglades Ag Area 14 Aug, and 31 there 27 Aug (M. Ber-
ney); 38 in S Miami-Dade 24 Aug (L. Manfredi).

Whimbrel: 3 at Huguenot Park 26 Aug (R. Clark); 4 at Fernandina Beach 9 Sep
(R Leary); 1 at St. Vincent NWR 15 Sep (T. Lewis); 2 at New Port Richey (Pasco) 24
Sep (K. Tracey).

Long-billed Curlew: 1 at Tigertail Beach, Marco Island (Collier) 31 Aug (T. Below),
and possibly the same at Caxambas Pass (Collier) 2 Sep (D. Suitor); 1 at Destin 6 Sep
(D. Muth); 1 at Huguenot Park 6-11 Sep (E. Kwater et al.).

Hudsonian GodwiT: 1 juvenile at Cutler Ridge (Miami-Dade) 8 Aug (R. Torres); 1 in
mostly alternate plumage at Marco Island 15 Sep (S. Carbol).

Marbled Godwit: 1 in Nassau Sound 20 Aug (P. Leary); 101 at Caxambas Pass 2 Sep
(D. Suitor); 1 at St. Vincent NWR 8 Sep (T. Lewis); 4 at New Port Richey 24 Sep
(K. Tracey); 7 at Huguenot Park 23 Oct (B, Richter); 47 at Dunedin Causeway 11 Nov
(M. Gardler).

Red Knot: 600 at Fort George Inlet 20 Aug (R Leary); 116 at Little Estero Lagoon (Lee)

20 Aug (C. Ewell); 400 at St. Marks NWR 20 Sep (A. Vinokur, D. Richardson).

SanderlinG: 1 at Alachua 5 Sep (P. Burns, B. Wallace).

Least Sandpiper: 1 at Emeralda Marsh CA 18 Aug (P. May); 500 S of La Belle 14 Nov
(V. McGrath et aL).

White-RUMPED Sandpiper: 3 at Ormond Beach (Volusia) 8 Sep (M, Brothers); up to 8 at
Alachua 10-18 Sep (J. Hintermister, A. Vinokur et aL); 4 at Ponce Inlet 13 Sep
(M. Brothers); 1 at the Everglades Ag Area 17-18 Sep (B. Hope, M. Berney); 9 at St.
Marks NWR 20 Sep (A. Vinokur, D. Richardson); 1 at Fort De Soto Park 13 Oct (A. Vi-
nokur, D. Richardson).

Baird’s Sandpiper: 1 at Destin (Okaloosa) 6 Sep (D. Muth); 2 at Alachua 12-18 Sep
(B. Wallace et al., photos to FOC); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 8 Oct (H. Robinson).

Peep species: 10,500 at Polk mines 29 Aug (P. Fellers).

Pectoral Sandpiper: 1 at St. Vincent NWR 8 Sep (T. Lewis); 62 at Huguenot Park 8 Sep
(R. Clark).

Purple Sandpiper: 1 at Ponce Inlet 17 Nov (M. Brothers).

Stilt Sandpiper: 1 at St. Vincent NWR 11 Aug (T. Lewis); 480 at the Everglades Ag Area

21 Aug (D, Freeland, M. Gardler et al.).

Buff-breasted Sandpiper: singles at the Everglades Ag Area 14 & 21 Aug, 8 there 27 Aug,
and 17 there 18 Sep (B. Hope, M. Bemey); 1 at Marco Island 31 Aug fiirnished the first for
Collier (T. Below, photo to FOC); singles at St. Vincent NWR 2 & 15 Sep (T: Lewis); 1 at St.
Marks NWR 5 Sep (M. Kiser); 2 at Fernandina Beach 6-10 Sep (P. Leary); up to 4 at Ala-
chua 10-18 Sep (S. Collins, B. Wallace et aL); 1 at Viera 10 Sep (A. Vinokur, T. Dunkerton);
2 at Cutler Ridge 16-17 Sep (M. Wheeler et aL); 10 at St, Marks NWR 20 Sep (A. Vinokur,
D. Richardson); 1 at Fort George Inlet 25 Sep (P. Leary).

Ruff: singles at the Everglades Ag Area 21 Aug and 18 Sep (B. Hope, M. Berney et al.);
1 at Merritt Island NWR 27 Aug (A. Vinokur [photo to FOC], D. Richardson),

Short-billed Dowitcher: 110 at Huguenot Park P 26 Aug (R. Clark); 50 at Springhill
Road STF 10 Nov (A. Wraithmell).

60

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Long-billed Dowitcher: 4 at Springhill Road STF 30 Sep (J. Cavanagh); 242 at Polk
mines 12 Nov (R Fellers, D. Brooke); 100+ at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve 19 Nov
(G. Quigley).

Wilson’s Snipe: 1 at Emeralda Marsh CA 13 Sep (R May); 7 at Lake Apopka NSRA 22
Sep (H. Robinson).

Wilson’s Phalarope: 30 at the Everglades Ag Area 27 Aug (B. Hope); 1 at Merritt Island
NWR 27-31 Aug (A. Vinokur et al.); 1 at St. Marks NWR 29 Aug (T. Curtis); 4 at Cut-
ler Ridge 16 Sep (R. Torres); 1 at Flamingo, Everglades NP {Monroe) 16 Oct (J. Boyd);
1 at Springhill Road STF 20 Oct (G. Menk).

Red-necked Phalarope: 1 in N Escambia 30 Aug (L. Catterton); 1 at Ponce Inlet 13 Sep
(M. Brothers); 14 off Miami 16 Sep (R. Torres et ah).

Red Phalarope: 1 at Melbourne Beach 24 Oct (A. Bankert).

POMARINE Jaeger: 105 at Delray Beach {Palm Beach) 13 Nov (B. Hope); 100 at Coconut
Point {Brevard) 27 Nov (A. Bankert)

Parasitic Jaeger: 1 observed from Boynton Beach Inlet 20 Sep (M. Berney); 40 at Coco-
nut Point 27 Nov (A. Bankert).

Laughing Gull: 1 with orange bill and legs at Bunche Beach {Lee) 30 Sep (K. Bowman,
photo to FOC).

Franklin’S Gull: 1 at St. Marks NWR 16 Oct (T. Curtis); 1 at Shell Point Beach {Wakulla)
19 Oct (S. McCool); 1 at Fort De Soto 20 Oct (L. Atherton, photos to FOC); 5 at Cutler
Ridge 22 Oct had increased to 18 (6 adults and 12 juveniles) by 13 Nov (M. Berney et aL,
photos to FOC); 2 at Ponce Inlet {Volusia) 29 Oct (A. Vinokur et al.) and 1 there 4 Nov (M.
Brothers); 1 in Walton 1 Nov (D. Simbeck); 1 at Bunche Beach 9 Nov (V. McGrath); 1 at
Lake Apopka NSRA 11 Nov, and 12 there 15 Nov (H. Robinson); 1 at Dunedin Causeway
{Dunedin) 12 Nov (E. Kwater); 1 at Jetty Park 13 Nov (A. Vinokur, photo to FOC).

*Black-HEADED Gull: 1 first- winter at Cutler Ridge 19-23 Oct (R. Torres et ah, photos to
FOC by M. Berney).

Herring x Great Black-backed gull: 1 hybrid adult possibly of this parentage at Light-
house Point Park {Volusia) 28-29 Oct (M. Brothers et al,, photos to FOC by A. Vinokur).

Lesser Black-backed Gull: 1 at St. George Island {Franklin) 1 Aug (T. Lewis); 3 at Hu-
guenot Park 26 Aug (R. Clark), and 106 there 23 Oct (B. Richter); 1 adult at Canaveral
NS {Brevard) 27 Aug (A. Vinokur, D. Richardson); 83 in Nassau Sound 6 Nov (P Leary);
1 second-winter at Dunedin Causeway 11 Nov (M. Gardler); 35 at Jetty Park 13 Nov (A.
Vinokur, D. Richardson); 1 adult at Lake Apopka NSRA 30 Nov (H. Robinson).

Great Black-backed Gull: 1 at Crandon Beach 15 Sep (R. Diaz).

Gull-billed Tern: 8 at Gulf Harbors 31 Aug (K. Tracey); 1 at Merritt Island NWR 10
Sep (A. Vinokur, T. Dunkerton).

Caspian Tern: 230 at Polk mines 12 Nov (P. Fellers, E. Lane).

Royal Tern: 1 at Lake Pierce {Polk) 15 Aug (J. DuBois); 3000 at Huguenot Park and
Nassau Sound 7 Sep (E. Kwater); 1 juvenile begged from an adult at Prairie Lake
{Seminole) 8 Sep (A. Vinokur).

Sandwich Tern: 100 at St. Marks NWR 27 Aug (T. Curtis); 400 at Huguenot Park and
Nassau Sound 7 Sep (E. Kwater); 400 at Fort De Soto Park 5 Nov (P Sykes).

Common Tern: up to 9 at Crandon Beach 17-27 Aug (R. Diaz); 1500 at Huguenot Park
and Nassau Sound 7 Sep (E. Kwater); 40 at Ponce Inlet 1 Oct (A. Vinokur).

Least Tern: 260+ at Crandon Beach 15 Aug (R. Diaz).

Bridled Tern: 5 off Crandon Beach 26 Aug (R. Diaz); 2 at Ochlockonee Bay {Wakulla) 28
Aug ( J. Dozier); 4 at St. Marks NWR 28 Aug (T. Curtis); 3 at Gulf Breeze 29 Aug (B.
and L. Duncan et al.); 3 at Navarre {Santa Rosa) 29 Aug (D. Muth); 6 in Walton 30
Aug (J. Bortle); 1 inside Boynton Beach Inlet 20-24 Sep (M. Berney, B. Hope); singles
at Jupiter Inlet Colony {Palm Beach) 20 & 28 Sep (J. & E. Hailman); 1 flew down the
Loxahatchee River toward the ocean 23 Sep (J. & E. Hailman); 1 at New Pass {Sara-
sota) 24 Oct (J. Dubi); 1 at Canaveral NS 1 Oct (B. Anderson).

Field Observations

61

Sooty Tern: 100+ off Crandon Beach 26 Aug (R. Diaz); 7 in Biscayne Bay (Miami-Dade)
27 Aug (R. Diaz), and 8 there 20 Sep (A. Harper); 1 at St. Marks NWR 28 Aug (J. Do-
zier); 10 at Gulf Breeze 29 Aug (B. and L. Duncan et al.); 1 at Navarre 29 Aug (D.
Muth); 3 in Walton 30 Aug (J. Bortle); 7 at Huguenot Park and Nassau Sound 7 Sep
(E. Kwater); 10 at Ponce Inlet 8 Sep (M. Brothers); 10 off Cocoa Beach 8 Sep (D.
Freeland); 85 at Boynton Beach Inlet 20 Sep (M. Berney); 1 inland at Sawgrass Mills
{Broward) 24 Oct (M. Berney).

Black Tern: 2 at Ten Thousand Islands NWR {Collier) 10 Aug (T. Doyle); 57 at Fred
Howard Park 15 Aug (M. Gardler); 30-70 daily along the Gandy Causeway {Pinellas) 15-

19 Aug (D. Goodwin); 100 at St. Vincent NWR 16 Aug (T. Lewis); 223 at Gulf Harbors 31
Aug (K. Tracey); 500 at Huguenot Park and Nassau Sound 7 Sep (E. Kwater),

Brown Noddy: 1 at Gulf Breeze 29 Aug (B. & L. Duncan et al.); 1 at Boynton Beach Inlet

20 Sep (M. Berney).

Black Skimmer: 656 at Polk mines 29 Aug (R Fellers); 450 at Fred Howard Park 11 Nov
(M. Gardler); 375 at Dunedin Causeway 11 Nov (M. Gardler).

White-winged Dove: 50 at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve 2 Oct (P. Miller); 1 at Weeki
Wachee 7-9 Oct (M. Gardler); 26 at Bald Point 24 Oct (J. Dozier); 1 at Ponce Inlet 29
Oct (A. Vinokur et al.); 1 at Honeymoon Island SP 13 Nov (L. Kenney); 300+ at Mims
{Brevard) 15 Nov (M. Gardler); 2 at Marco Island 22 Nov (S. Carboi).

Key West Quail-Dove: 1 adult male at John Pennekamp Coral Reef SP {Monroe) Apr-
Nov (J. Duquesnel, photo to FOC).

Budgerigar: 12 at Hudson Beach {Pasco) 19 Nov (K. Tracey).

Black-hooded Parakeet: 2 at New Port Richey and 4 at Bayonet Point 11 Aug
(K. Tracey); 40+ in mid Pinellas 6 Sep (Judy Fisher); 40 along Dunedin Causeway 7
Sep (M. Gardler).

Monk Parakeet: 60 at Hudson Beach 19 Nov (K. Tracey).

Black-billed Cuckoo: 1 at St. George Island 30 Sep (J. Cavanagh); 1 at Lake Apopka
NSRA 21 Oct (H. Robinson).

Yellow-billed Cuckoo: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 5 Nov (D. Reed); 1 at Tallahassee 14
Nov (R. Lengacher); 1 at Hatbill Park {Brevard) 17-19 Nov (A. Banker! et al.).

Groove-billed And 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 12 Oct (H. Robinson); 1 at Bald Point 22
Oct (J. Murphy); 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 27 Oct-11 Nov (B. Duncan et al.).

Burrowing Owl: 11 at Range 70, Eglin AFB {Okaloosa) 5 Nov (L. Fenimore).

Short-eared Owl: 4 at Lake Apopka NSRA 20 Nov (H. Robinson).

Lesser Nighthawk: 3 at Bald Point 8 Nov, with 1 there to 10 Nov (J. Dozier); 6 at Frog
Pond WMA 13 Nov (J. Boyd); 1 at Apalachicola 23 Nov (K. McMullen).

Common Nighthawk: 136 at the Everglades Ag Area 21 Aug (D. Freeland et al.); 100 fly-
ing W at Alligator Point 1 Sep (J. Dozier); 430 in W Pasco 1 Sep (K. Tracey); 250 at
Temple Terrace {Hillsborough) 1 Sep (B. Ahern); 250 at Tampa 3 Sep (D. Suitor); 1 at
Tallahassee 3 Nov (A. Wraithmell).

Chuck- WILL’S-WIDOW: 83 at Key Largo {Monroe) 11 Sep (B, Mulrooney); 1 at Ponce Inlet
{Volusia) 8 Nov (M, Brothers).

Whip-poor-will: 1 at Crawfordville {Wakulla) 4 Sep (S. McCool); 1 at Alligator Point 10
Sep (D. Murphy).

Chimney Swift: lOOOs at Jupiter Inlet Colony 24 Oct in the eye of Hurricane Wilma
(J. & E. Hailman); 1 in mid Pinellas 7 Nov (Judy Fisher).

Buff-bellied Hummingbird: 1 at Gainesville 27 Sep-EOS (H. Bellot).

Ruby-throated Hummingbird: 15 at Mead Garden 2 Oct (B. Anderson).

Black-chinned Hummingbird: 1 at Alligator Point 10 Oct (J. Murphy).

Rufous Hummingbird: 1 adult male at Gainesville 14 Aug (H. Bellot).

Selasphorus SPECIES: 2 at Merritt Island 19 Aug (B. Paxson, photo to FOC); 2 at Cas-
tellow Hammock Park {Miami-Dade) 11 Sep-15 Oct (R. Torres et al.); 1 at Alligator
Point 10 Oct (J, Murphy); 1 in Leon 19 Oct (J. Armstrong).

62

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Hummingbirds: a yard at Valrico {Hillsborough) supported 7 Ruby-throated^ 1 Black-
chinned, and 1 Rufous (with a band) the first week of Nov, in addition to an unidenti-
fied Selasphorus 23-27 Sep (S. Backes).

Belted Kingfisher: 1 at Mead Garden 6 Aug (B. Anderson).

Olive-sided Flycatcher: singles at Gulf Breeze 2, 10, 15, 23 & 29 Sep (B. Duncan).

Eastern Wood-Pewee: 1 at Mead Garden 2 Nov (B. Anderson); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA

9 Nov (H. Robinson).

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: singles at Tallahassee 2 Sep (R. Lengacher) & 3 Sep
(F. Rutkovsky); 2 at Spanish River Park (Palm Beach) 29 Sep (B. Hope); 1 at Paynes
Prairie Preserve SP 8 Oct (J. Bryan); 1 at Lake City 8 Oct (J. Krummrich); 1 at Lake
Apopka NSRA 8 Oct (H. Robinson); 1 at St. Marks NWR 22 Oct (T. Curtis),

Alder Flycatcher: 1 heard calling at Fort George Island 15 Sep (R. Clark); 1 heard at
Cape Florida 25-29 Sep (R. Diaz, M. Davis, L. Golden); 1 heard at Southern Glades
WEA (Miami-Dade) 30 Sep-1 Oct (L. Manfredi, audiotape to FOC); 1 heard at Key
West {Monroe) 28 Oct (A. Harper).

Willow Flycatcher: 1 heard at Lake Apopka NSRA 21 Aug (H. Robinson).

Least Flycatcher: 2 at Lake Apopka NSRA 31 Aug (H. Robinson); singles at St. Marks
NWR 20 Sep (J. Dozier), 27 Oct (J. Cavanagh), & 23 Nov (K. McMullen).

Vermilion Flycatcher: 1 juvenile male at Lake Apopka NSRA 2 Oct, and an adult
male there 25 Nov (H. Robinson); 1 at Bald Point 15 Oct (J. Murphy); 1 at St. Marks
NWR 6 Nov (T. Curtis); 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 15 Nov (P. Baker); 2 at Alligator
Lake Park {Columbia) 30 Nov (D. Robbins).

Ash-throated Flycatcher: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 12 Oct (H. Robinson); 1 at Tavern-
ier {Monroe) 25 Oct (B. Mulrooney); 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 2 Nov (B. Duncan); 1
at Merritt Island NWR 25 Nov (A. Bankert).

Great Crested Flycatcher: 1 at Lake Marion Creek {Polk) 19 Nov (P. Fellers).

Brown-crested Flycatcher: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 20 Nov (H. Robinson).

*SULPHUR-BELLIED FLYCATCHER: 1 banded at Cape Florida 8 Oct (R. Diaz et ah, photos
to FOC).

*Tropical-type Kingbird: 1 at Fort De Soto Park 18 Aug (L. Atherton, photos to FOC).

Western Kingbird: 1 St. Marks NWR 5 Sep (E. Woodruff); 8 at Bald Point 24 Oct, and
1 there 9 Nov (J. Murphy); 1 near Devil’s Garden {Hendry) 14 Nov (V. McGrath et al.);
1 at Talbot Island SP {Duval) 27 Nov (P. Leary).

Eastern Kingbird: 1 at St. Marks NWR 24 Nov (T. Curtis).

Gray Kingbird: 1 at South Bay {Palm Beach) 21 Aug (D. Freeland, M, Gardler); 1 at
Lake Apopka 25 Aug (H. Robinson); 1 at Melbourne Beach 22 Oct (A. Bankert); 1 at
the Seminole Indian Reservation {Hendry) 20 Nov (V. McGrath).

SciSSOR-TAlLED FLYCATCHER: 1 at Lake Wales {Polk) 18 Oct (J. DuBois); 5 in the W Pan-
handle variously 22-31 Oct {fide B. Duncan); 1 at Crawfordville 22 Oct (S. McCool); up
to 2 at Bald Point 22-24 Oct (J. Murphy, J. Dozier); 1 at Sanibel Lighthouse (Lee) 28
Oct (C. Ewell); 2 near J.N. “Ding” Darling NWR (Lee) 29 Oct (A. Thornton); 2 at Cy-
press Isle, Lake Istokpoga {Highlands) 5 Nov (M. McMillian); 1 at Fort De Soto Park

10 Nov (L. Atherton); 3 S of La Belle 14 Nov (V. McGrath et al.); 3 at Thonotosassa
{Hillsborough) 29 Nov (B. & L. Cooper).

*Thick-BILLED VireO: 1 banded at Cape Florida SP 7 Nov (R. Diaz et ah, photos to FOC).

Bell’s VireO: 1 at Hugh Taylor Birch SP {Broward) 1-15 Oct (M. Berney et al.); 1 at Key
West 27-28 Oct (A. Harper); 1 at Southern Glades WEA 25 Oct-11 Nov (L. Manfredi,
J. Boyd).

Warbling Vireo: 1 at Spanish River Park 10 Oct (B. Hope).

Philadelphia Vireo: 1 at Dunedin Hammock 26 Sep (M. Gardler); 1 at Delray Beach 28
Sep (B. Hope); 1 at Gainesville 4 Oct (P. Burns, G. Parks); 1 in mid Pinellas 6 Oct (Judy
Fisher); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 8 Oct (H. Robinson); 2 at San Felasco Hammock Pre-
serve SP 10 Oct (R. Rowan); 1 at Alligator Point 11 Oct (J. Murphy); 1 at Tallahassee 24

Field Observations

63

Oct (R. Lengacher); 1 at Birch SP 16 Oct (M. Berney); 1 at Eco Pond 16 Oct (J. Boyd); 1
at W Kendall (Miami-Dade) 17 Oct (J. Boyd); 1 at Mead Garden 22 Oct (A. Vinokur); 1
at Bonner Park 22 Oct (K. Nelson); 1 at Fort De Soto 23 Oct (L. Atherton).

Red-eyed Vireo: 25 at Mead Garden 6 Aug (B, Anderson).

Blue Jay: 123 at Lake Apopka NSRA 16 Oct (H. Robinson).

Northern Rough-winged Swallow: 3000 S of Matanzas Inlet (St Johns) 30 Oct (R.
Smith); 20+ at Newnans Lake 30 Oct (R. Rowan); 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 5
Nov (A. Kent, E. Scales); 2 at Lake Apopka NSRA 13 Nov (H. Robinson).

Bank Swallow: 250 at the Everglades Ag Area 14 Aug (B. Hope); 264 at Lake Apopka
NSRA 7 Sep (H. Robinson).

Cliff Swallow: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 7 Aug (H. Robinson); 1 near Gainesville 14 Sep
(A. Vinokur, T. Dunkerton); 4 at Weekiwachee Preserve 19 Sep (A. & B. Hansen); 18 at
Bald Point 1 Oct (A. & J. Wraithmell).

Cave Swallow: 14 of the Mexican race at Lake Apopka N.S.R.A. 28 Oct, and 1 there to
4 Nov (H. Robinson); 2 of the Mexican race at Lighthouse Point Park 22 Nov
(M. Brothers).

Barn Swallow: 2400 at the Everglades Ag Area 21 Aug (D. Freeland, M. Gardler et al.);

1000 at Bald Point 6 Sep (J. Dozier); 2400 at Lake Apopka NSRA 7 Sep, and 3 there
30 Nov (H. Robinson); 173 at Werner-Boyce Salt Springs SP 24 Sep (K. Tracey); 100s
at Jupiter Inlet Colony 24 Oct in the eye of Hurricane Wilma (J. & E. Hailman); sev-
eral at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve 2 Nov (P. Miller); 14 at Polk mines 12 Nov
(R Fellers, E. Lane); 5 at Emeralda Marsh CA 15 Nov (R May); 1 at Springhill Road
STF 30 Nov (A. Wraithmell).

Carolina Chickadee: 1 at Gre3niolds Park {Miami-Dade) 17 Sep-EOS (J. King, A. Harper).

Tufted Titmouse: 1 at AD Barnes Park {Miami-Dade) to 1 Oct (J. Boyd et al.).

White-breasted Nuthatch: 1 at San Felasco Hammock 1 Oct (B. Christensen).

House Wren: 1 at Emeralda Marsh 13 Sep (P. May); 354 at Lake Apopka NSRA 21 Oct
(H. Robinson).

Winter Wren: 1 at O’Leno SP 27-30 Nov (P. Burns).

Marsh Wren: 2 at Lake Apopka NSRA 2 Oct, and 211 there 9 Nov (H. Robinson); 1 at
Cape Florida 8 Oct, and 2 there 6 Nov (R. Diaz),

Gray-cheeked Thrush: 7 heard over Spring Hill 29 Sep (M. Gardler).

Swainson’S Thrush: 45 heard over Spring Hill 29 Sep (M. Gardler).

Wood Thrush: 2 banded at Wekiwa Springs SP {Seminole) 15 Oct (B. Anderson); 2 in
mid Pinellas 16 Oct (Judy Fisher); 1 banded at Cape Florida 17 Oct (M. Davis et al.);
1 at Gulf Breeze 22-26 Nov (S. Duncan).

American Robin: 1 at Gainesville 9 Sep (M. Manetz); 4000 at a roost at Hal Scott Pre-
serve {Orange) 19 Nov (A. Vinokur).

Common Myna: 1 at Bradenton Beach {Manatee) 6 Aug-EOS (Jeff Fisher).

Cedar Waxwing: 1 juvenile at Alligator Point 23 Oct (S. McCool); 4 at Cape Florida 6
Nov (R. Diaz).

Blue-winged Warbler: 1 at Tallahassee 30 Aug (F. Rutkovsky); 1 in mid Pinellas 8 Sep,
and 2 there 17 Sep (Judy Fisher); 1 at AD Barnes Park 10 Sep (R. Torres); 1 at Emer-
alda Marsh 13 Sep (P. May); 1 at San Felasco Hammock 14 Sep (A. Vinokur); 1 at
Cape Florida 23 Sep (R, Diaz et al.); 1 at Saddle Creek Park 24 Sep (A. Vinokur, D, Ri-
chardson); 1 at St. George Island 30 Sep (J. Cavanagh); 1 at Six Mile Cypress Slough
Preserve, Fort Myers 5 Oct (C. Ewell).

Golden-winged Warbler: singles at Tallahassee 5 Sep (F. Rutkovsky), 7-8 Sep (D, & S.

Jue), & 3 Oct (B. Henderson); 5 at Cape Florida variously 15 Sep- 18 Oct (R. Diaz et al.);
1 at Salt Springs SP 17 Sep, and 3 there 8 Oct (K. Tracey); 1 at St. George Island 30 Sep
(J. Cavanagh); 1 at Saddle Creek Park 4 Oct (P. Fellers); 1 at Fort De Soto 6 Oct
(L. Atherton); singles in mid Pinellas 6 & 8 Oct (Judy Fisher); 2 at Birch SP 15 Oct
(M. Berney); 1 at Evergreen Cemetery {Broward) 15-16 Oct (B. Roberts, M. Berney).

64

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Blue-winged x Golden-winged wakbler: 1 Lawrence’s intergrade at Paynes Prairie
Preserve 29 Sep-1 Oct (C. Burney, J. Stahl et aL); 1 Brewster’s intergrade at Gaines-
ville 16 Oct (L. Hensley).

Tennessee Warbler: 5 at Saddle Creek Park 16 Oct (P. Fellers); 12 at Salt Springs SP
8 Oct (K. Tracey); 1 at Tallahassee 7 Nov (R. Lengacher); 4 in mid Pinellas 9 Nov
(Judy Fisher).

Orange-crowned Warbler: 1 at Gainesville 17 Sep (M. Manetz et aL, details to FOC);
1 female celata at Castellow Hammock Park 25 Nov (B. Ahern, D. Powell).

Nashville Warbler: 1 at Fort George Island 24 Sep (R. Clark); 1 at Mead Garden 24
Sep (A. Vinokur); 1 at George English Park {Broward) 24 Sep (M. Stickel, M, Berney);
1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve 29 Sep (C. Burney); singles at Cape Florida 29 Sep
(L, Golden) & 1 Oct (B. Roberts); 2 at Birch SP 1 Oct, and 1 there 19 Oct (J. Pesold et
al.); 1 at Evergreen Cemetery 1 Oct (M. Berney); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 26 Oct
(H. Robinson); 1 at Sanibel Lighthouse 28 Oct (C. Ewell); 2 at Key Largo 1-5 Nov
(B. Mulrooney et al.); 1 at St. Marks NWR 1 Nov (J. Cavanagh); 1 at Newnans Lake
24 Nov (A. Kratter).

Northern Parula: 1 at Tallahassee 7 Nov (R. Lengacher); 1 at Spring Hill 14 Nov (A. &
B. Hansen); 1 at Magnolia Park {Orange) 19 Nov (A. Vinokur).

Yellow Warbler: 2 at Lake Apopka NSRA 3 Aug, and 84 there 22 Sep (H. Robinson); 56
at Emeralda Marsh 18 Aug (P. May).

Chestnut-sided Warbler: 1 at Gainesville 19 Aug (R. Robinson); 16 at Salt Springs SP
8 Oct (K. Tracey).

Magnolia Warbler: 1 at Fort George Island 26 Nov (R. Clark).

Cape May Warbler: 1 at Newnans Lake 12 Nov (T. Spahr, R. Rowan),

Black-throated Blue Warbler: 1 in mid Pinellas 22 Aug (Judy Fisher); 500 at Coco-
nut Point 14 Oct (A. Bankert); 1 at Gulf Breeze 12 Nov (B. Duncan); 1 at Cedar Key
18 Nov (D. Henderson).

Yellow-rumped Warbler: 1 adult male Audubon’s race at Fort De Soto Park 28 Sep
(L. Atherton et al., photos to FOC).

Black-throated Gray Warbler: 1 at Eglin AFB {Okaloosa) 8 Sep (J. Kowalski); 1 at
Gainesville 9 Oct (R. Rowan); 1 at New Port Richey 31 Oct-EOS (J. McKay et al.,
photo to EOC by K. Tracey); 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 7-11 Nov (B. Duncan,
D. Ware et al.).

Black-throated Green Warbler: 8 at Dunedin Hammock 23 Oct (M. Gardler).

Townsend’s Warbler: 1 at Fort De Soto Park 3-4 Sep (L. Atherton et al., photos to
FOC); 1 banded at Cape Florida SP 4 Nov (R. Diaz et al., photos to FOC).

Blackburnian Warbler: 1 at Frog Pond WMA 19 Nov (R. Torres).

Prairie Warbler: 2 at Mead Garden 8 Aug (B. Anderson); 16 at Lake Apopka NSRA 10
& 21 Aug (H. Robinson); 9 at Emeralda Marsh 11 Aug (P. May).

Bay-breasted Warbler: 12 at Dunedin Hammock 23 Oct (M. Gardler).

Bay-breasted x Yellow-rumped Warbler: 1 apparent hybrid at Lake Apopka NSRA
16 Oct, thought to be of this parentage, was similar to a Bay-breasted Warbler but
had a bright yellow rump (A. Vinokur, B. Pranty et al.).

Blackpoll Warbler: 1 at George English Park {Broward) 24 Sep (M. Stickel, M. Ber-
ney); 1 at Fort De Soto 6 Oct (L. Atherton); 1 at Maitland 5 Oct (A. Vinokur); 1 Mead
Garden 6 Oct (B. Anderson); 3 at Paynes Prairie 7-8 Oct (A. Kent, A. Kratter); 8 at W
Kendall 7 Oct (J. Boyd); 15 at Birch SP 8 Oct (M. Berney); 14 at Evergreen Cemetery
8-9 Oct (M. Berney); 10 at Melbourne Beach 24 Oct (A. Bankert); 1 at Merritt Island
NWR 5 Nov (B. Anderson).

Cerulean Warbler: 1 at Birch SP 13 Aug (M. Berney); 1 at Alderman Ford Park {Hills-
borough) 28 Aug (D. Goodwin, E. Haney); 1 at Cape Florida 29 Aug (R. Diaz et al.); 1
in mid-Pinellas 8 Sep (Judy Fisher); 1 at Fort George Island 15-17 Sep (R. Clark); 1 at
Greynolds Park 7 Oct (J. King).

Field Observations

65

Prothonotary Warbler: 1 at Emeralda Marsh 25 Aug (P. May); 7 at Saddle Creek Park
24 Sep (A. Vinokur, D. Richardson); 1 at Gulf Breeze 10 Nov (B. Duncan).

Worm-eating Warbler: 1 banded at Wekiwa Springs SP 28 Aug (A. Boyle); 8 at Saddle
Creek Park 24 Sep (A. Vinokur, D. Richardson).

Swainson’S Warbler: 2 in Leon 20 Aug (R. McGregor); singles at Cape Florida 10 Sep
(G. Jones) and 1 Oct (B. Roberts); 1 at AD Barnes Park 17 Sep (B. Roberts); 1 at Birch
SP 9 Oct (M. Berney).

OVENBIRD: 3 at Lake Apopka NSRA 28 Aug, and 50 there 22 Sep (H. Robinson); 1 at Em-
eralda Marsh 6 Sep (P. May).

Northern Waterthrush: 15 at Hague 10 Sep (M. Manetz); 120 at Lake Apopka NSRA
22 Sep (H. Robinson); 4 at Paynes Prairie 5 Nov (M. Manetz, A. Kent et ak); 1 at
Dunedin Hammock 8 Nov (M. Gardler).

Louisiana Waterthrush: 23 at Lake Apopka NSRA 21 Aug (H. Robinson); 1 at Gaines-
ville 16 Oct (R, Rowan).

Kentucky Warbler: 1 banded at Wekiwa Springs SP 28 Aug (A. Boyle); 1 at Alderman
Ford Park 28 Aug (D. Goodwin, E. Haney) singles at Fort George Island 9 & 15 Sep
(R. Clark); 1 at Delray Beach 13 Sep (B. Hope); 1 at San Felasco Hammock 14 Sep
(A. Vinokur, T. Dunkerton).

Connecticut Warbler: 1 banded at Cape Florida 21 Sep (R. Diaz et al.).

Mourning Warbler: singles banded at Cape Florida 21 Sep and 8 Oct (R. Diaz et al.); 1
at Spanish River Park 28 Sep (B. Hope); 1 at Evergreen Cemetery 29 Sep (M. Stickel);
1 at Jacksonville 4 Nov (J. Cocke, P. Powell).

*MacGillivraVs Warbler: 1 at Cape Florida 22 Sep (R. Diaz, details to FOSRC).

Hooded Warbler: 1 at Flatwoods Park (Hillsborough) 5 Nov (B. Ahern).

Wilson’s Warbler: 1 female at Fort De Soto Park 3 Sep (L. Atherton et al.); singles at
Fernandina Beach 15 Sep and 5 Nov (P. Leary); 1 at Evergreen Cemetery 17 Sep
(R. MacGregor, M. Berney, M. Stickel); up to 2 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 1-7 Oct
(J. Bryan, M. Manetz, A. Kratter); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA Oct (H. Robinson); 1 at
Salt Springs SP 8 Oct (K. Tracey); 1 at Birch SP 15 Oct (M. Stickel, B. Roberts); 1 at
Mead Garden 17 Oct (A. Vinokur); 1 male at Cape Florida 11 Nov (R. Diaz).

Canada Warbler: 1 banded at Cape Florida 5 Sep (M. Davis, L. Golden); 1 at Delray
Beach 13 Sep (B. Hope); 1 at Waldo {Alachua) 23 Sep (R. Norton); 1 at Saddle Creek
Park 24 Sep (A. Vinokur); 1 at Gainesville 2 Oct (R. Rowan); 1 at Miami Shores {Mi-
ami-Dade) 3 Oct (A. Harper).

Yellow-breasted Chat: 3 at Lake Apopka NSRA 21 Aug (H. Robinson); 1 at Ponce Inlet
15 Sep (M. Brothers); 1 at St. Augustine 19-21 Sep (J. Kern); 1 at Paynes Prairie Pre-
serve SP 8 Oct (B. Christensen et al.); 1 at Melbourne Beach 22 Oct (A. Bankert); 1 at
Gainesville 11 Nov (T. Spahr); 5 at Frog Pond WMA 13 Nov (M. Berney et al.); 1 at
Southern Glades WEA 19 Nov (J. Boyd).

Western Tanager: 1 female at Coconut Point 2 Sep (A. Bankert); 1 at Matheson Ham-
mock 10 Sep (J. Boyd et al.); 1 at Fort George Island 17 Sep (R. Clark); 1 female at
Pinecraft Park, Sarasota 7 Oct (J. Dubi, J. Palmer); 1 female at Mead Garden 24 Oct
(A. Vinokur, photos to FOC).

Chipping Sparrow: 1 at Alligator Point 5 Sep (J. Murphy); 1 at Kissimmee Prairie Pre-
serve 16 Sep (P. Miller); 1 at St. Augustine 23 Sep (J. Kern).

Clay-colored Sparrow: 1 at Ponce Inlet 21 Sep (M. Brothers); 2 at Fort Walton Beach
STF 19 Oct (B. Duncan); 2 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 30 Oct (M. Manetz); sing-
les at Bald Point 10 & 22 Oct (J. Murphy); 1 at St. George Island 24 Oct
(A. Knothe); 1 at W Kendall 25 Oct (J. Boyd); 1 at Sanibel Lighthouse 26-28 Oct
(C. Ewell et al.); up to 3 at Frog Pond WMA 29 Oct-19 Nov (J. Boyd); 1 at Hague 30
Oct (B. Carroll); 1 at Honeymoon Island SP 5 Nov (K. Nelson); up to 2 at Lake Ap-
opka NSRA 7 Nov-EOS (H. Robinson); 1 at Castellow Hammock Park 25 Nov
(B, Ahern, D. Powell).

66

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Field Sparrow: 1 at Frog Pond WMA 29 Oct (J. Boyd); 2 at Weekiwachee Preserve 23
Nov-EOS (A. & B. Hansen).

Vesper Sparrow: 1 at Bald Point 26 Oct (J. Dozier); 1 at Frog Pond WMA 13-19 Nov
(A. Harper, J. Boyd).

Lark Sparrow: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 21 Aug (H. Robinson); 1 at St. Sebastian River
Preserve SP {Brevard) 22 Aug (D. Simpson); 1 juvenile at Weeki Wachee 25 Aug (M.
Gardler); 1 at Alachua 11 Sep (A. Luzader et ak); 2 at Bald Point 9-12 Sep (J. Dozier);
5 at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve 24 Sep (G. Quigley); 1 juvenile at St. Marks NWR 27
Oct ( J. Cavanagh); 1 at Sanibel Lighthouse 28 Oct (W. Winton); 1 juvenile at Honey-
moon Island SP 6 Nov (K. Nelson); 1 at Lemon Bay Preserve, Venice (Sarasota) 6-10
Nov (B. & M. Dunson, photo to FOC).

Grasshopper Sparrow: 7 at Weekiwachee Preserve 13 Nov (M. Gardler).

Henslow’S Sparrow: up to 3 at Hague 10-16 Nov (C. Burney, J. Stahl et al.); 1 at Bald
Point 29 Nov (J. Murphy).

Le Conte’s Sparrow: up to 2 at Hague 11-16 Nov (R. Rowan, M. Manetz et al.).

Seaside Sparrow: 1 at Ponce Inlet 11 Sep (M. Brothers); 1 juvenile banded at Cape Flor-
ida 12 Sep (M. Davis et al.).

Song Sparrow: 1 at Fort De Soto Park 11 Nov (L. Atherton et ak).

Lincoln's Sparrow: 1 at Birch SP 15 Oct (M. Berney, M. Stickel); 1 at St. Marks NWR
16 Oct (T. Curtis); 1 at Tavernier (Monroe) 25 Oct (B. Mulrooney); up to 3 at Hague 29
Oct-16 Nov (C. Burney, J. Stahl et ak); 1 banded at Cape Florida SP 4 Nov (R. Diaz et
ak); 1 at Frog Pond WMA 6-19 Nov, with 4 there 13 Nov (M. Berney, J. Boyd et ak); up
to 2 (20 Nov) at Lake Apopka NSRA 7-22 Nov (H. Robinson); 2 at Merritt Island NWR
25 Nov (A. Bankert); 1 at Seven Springs (Pasco) 28 Nov (K. Tracey).

Swamp Sparrow: 478 at Lake Apopka NSRA 30 Nov (H. Robinson).

White-throated Sparrow: 1 at Salt Springs SP 10 Nov (K. Tracey); 1 at Cape Florida

11 Nov (R. Diaz).

White-crowned Sparrow: 2 at Cape Florida 25 Oct (O. Weldon); 1 at Southern Glades
WEA 25 Oct (L. Manfredi).

Dark-eyed Junco: 1 at St. Vincent NWR 11 Nov (T. Lewis).

Northern Cardinal: 1 yellow-colored male at Coral Springs (Broward) 31 Oct (S. Radzi,
photo to FOC).

Rose-breasted Grosbeak: 1 juvenile male at Honeymoon Island SP 24 Nov (K. Nelson).

Blue Grosbeak: 4 at Emeralda Marsh CA 6 Sep (P. May); 1 female at Weekiwachee Pre-
serve 4 Nov (A. & B. Hansen); 1 at Gainesville 11 Nov (T. Spahr); 1 at Bald Point 26
Nov (J. Dozier et ak); 1 female at Cedar Key 26 Nov (D. Henderson).

Indigo Bunting: 115 at Emeralda Marsh CA 18 Oct (P. May); 300 at Hague 22 Oct
(M. Manetz, A, Kent); 2 at St. George Island 4 Nov ( J. Dozier); 1 at Tallahassee 7 Nov
(R. Lengacher).

Painted Bunting: 1 female-plumaged at Bald Point 9 Sep (J. Dozier); 1 male at Mead
Garden 9 Oct (A. Vinokur, B. Anderson).

Dickcissel: 1 at Castellow Hammock Park 11-13 Sep (R. Torres et ak); 1 at Jetty Park
(Brevard) 16 Nov (J. Gaetzi); 3 at Lake Apopka NSRA 18 Nov (G. Basili).

Bobolink: 2 at Lake Apopka NSRA 15 Aug (H. Robinson); 25 at Emeralda Marsh CA 30
Aug (P. May); 800+ at a rice field south of CR-880 17 Sep (M. Berney); 3 at St. Marks
NWR 16 Oct (T. Curtis); 2 at Cape Florida 11 Nov (R. Diaz); 1 at the Sarasota Celery
Fields 13 Nov (J. Dubi).

Yellow-headed Blackbird: 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 13 Sep (D. Ware); 1 at Hague
11-12 Nov (M. Manetz et ak).

Shiny Cowbird: 1 at Cedar Key 21 Aug (R. Rowan et ak); 1 male at Lake Apopka NSRA

12 Sep-28 Oct (H. Robinson).

Bronzed Cowbird: 2 at Cedar Key 21 Aug (S. Collins et ak); 4 at Eagle Lakes Park 13
Nov (fide C. Ewell).

Field Observations

67

Orchard Oriole: 1 adult female at Cape Florida 13 Aug (R. Diaz); 1 juvenile male at Al-
tamonte Springs 5 Sep (R Hueber).

Baltimore Oriole: 1 at St. Augustine 16 Sep (J. Kern).

House Finch: 1 female in mid Pinellas 24-27 Aug (Judy Fisher); flocks of 4 and 10 at
Lake Apopka NSRA 3 Sep (B. Anderson et aL); 12 at Mead Garden 2 Oct (B. Ander-
son); 3 males at Wilbur-by-the-Sea {Volusia) 11 Oct (M. Brothers); 1 singing male at
Cape Coral (Lee) 4 Nov established a new location (J. Greenlaw).

Zebra Finch: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 7 Sep (H. Robinson).

Eurasian Goldfinch: 1 at Milton (Santa Rosa) early-26 Aug (M. Schiller).

Pin-tailed Whydah: 1 alternate-plumaged male at Sanibel Lighthouse 11 Sep (V.

McGrath); up to 2 (female and male) at Lake Apopka NSRA 22 Sep (H. Robinson).
Munia SPECIES: 1 juvenile at Frog Pond WMA 28 Aug (J. Boyd).

Contributors! Brian Ahern, Larry Albright, Ken Allie, John Armstrong, Bruce
Anderson, Lyn Atherton, Steve Backes, Peggy Baker, Andy Bankert, Gian Basili, Ted
Below, Hilda Bellot, Mark Berney, Bill Boeringer, Jon Bortle, Jeff Bouton, Kris Bowman,
John Boyd, Andy Boyle, David Brooke, Michael Brothers, Judy Bryan, Chris Burney, Pat
Burns, Steve Carbol, Bob Carroll, Laura Catterton, Jim Cavanagh, Bruce Christensen,
Roger Clark, Julie Cocke, Steve Collins, Buck and Linda Cooper, Tom Curtis, Michelle
Davis, Robin Diaz, Terry Doyle, Jack Dozier, Jim DuBois, Jeanne Dubi, Bob Duncan,
Lucy Duncan, Scot Duncan, Tom Dunkerton, Bill & Margaret Dunson, Charlie Ewell,
Paul Fellers, Lenny Fenimore, Jeff Fisher, Judy Fisher, David Freeland, Jill Gaetzi,
Murray Gardler, Liz Golden, David Goodwin, Paul & Laurie Gray, Jack and Liz Hail-
man, Erik Haney, A1 & Bev Hansen, Alex Harper, Mark Hedden, Bob Henderson, Dale
Henderson, Linda Hensley, John Hintermister, Brian Hope, Scarlett Howell, Paul Hue-
ber, Greg Jones, Dean & Sally Jue, Adam Kent, Jackie Kern, Jim King, Mark Kiser, Jim
Kowalski, Alan Knothe, Andy Kratter, Jerry Krummrich, Ed Kwater, Elizabeth Lane,
Patrick Leary, Rob Lengacher, Thom Lewis, Angela Luzader, Russ MacGregor, Mike
Manetz, Larry Manfredi, Don Margeson, Peter May, Mike McMillian, Paul Miller, Sean
McCool, Vince McGrath, Ross McGregor, Jim McKay, Keith McMullen, Michael Meisen-
burg, Gail Menk, Brennan Mulrooney, Deanna Murphy, John Murphy, David Muth, Kris
Nelson, Rob Norton, Gallus Quigley, Jeff Palmer, Craig Parenteau, Geoff Parks, Bob
Paxson, Steve Peacock, Judd Resold, David Powell, Peggy Powell, Bill Pranty, Steve
Radzi, Stefan Rayer, Dexter Richardson, Bob Richter, Diane Reed, Dottie Robbins, Bry-
ant Roberts, Harry Robinson, Ron Robinson, Rex Rowan, Fran Rutkovsky, Earl Scales,
Mike Schiller, Alan Sheppard, Damien Simbeck, David Simpson, Ray Smart, Ron
Smith, Tim Spahr, Justyn Stahl, David Steadman, Joan Stephens, Monte Stickel, Doug
Suitor, Paul Sykes, Andrew Thornton, Roberto Torres, Ken Tracey, Alex Vinokur, Bob
Wallace, Martha Walsh-McGehee, Don Ware, Tom Webber, Carl Weekley, Orion Weldon,
Mickey Wheeler, Ed Woodruff, Andy & Julie Wraithmell.

Summer 2005 observation not reported previously: Heermann’S Gull: 1 adult in al-
ternate plumage on the old causeway to St. George Island (Franklin) ~9 Jun (Wylie
Watt, photos to FOC) had been seen there a few days earlier (Jack Dozier).

Report prepared by Bill Pranty, state compiler (8515 Village Mill Row, Bayonet
Point, Florida 34667-2662; <billpranty@hotmaiLcom>). Regional compilers are Bruce
H. Anderson (2917 Scarlet Road, Winter Park, Florida 32792; <scizortail@aoi.com>),
John H. Boyd III (15291 SW 108th Terrace, Miami, Florida 33196, <boydj@fiu.edu>),
Bob and Lucy Duncan (614 Fairpoint Drive, Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561,
<Town.Point@bellsouth.net>), Charlie Ewell (115 SW 51st Terrace, Cape Coral, Flor-
ida 33991, <anhinga42@earthlink.net>), Bev Hansen (6573 Pine Meadows Drive,
Spring Hill, Florida 34606; <bevalhansen@earthlink.net>), Gail Menk (2725 Peachtree

68

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32304; no e-mail), Paul Miller (Kissimmee Prairie Preserve
State Park, 33104 NW 192nd Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida 34972;
<Paul.Miller@dep.state.fl.us>), David Powell (10800 Brighton Bay Boulevard NE,
Apartment 15207, St. Petersburg, Florida 33716; <vireo@vireos.com>), and Peggy
Powell (2965 Forest Circle, Jacksonville, Florida 32257; <pegpowell@comcast.net>).

Florida Field Naturalist

ISSN 0738-999X

PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Editor: JEROME A. JACKSON, Whitaker Center, Arts & Sciences, Florida Gulf Coast Uni-
versity, 10501 FGCU Blvd. South, Fort Myers, FL 33965. E-mail: picus ©fgcu.edu
Associate Editor (for Reviews): Reed Bowman, Archbold Biological Station, RO. Box
2057, Lake Placid, FL 33852. E-mail: RBowman@archbold-station.org
Associate Editor (for bird distribution): Bruce Anderson, 2917 Scarlet Road, Winter
Park, FL 32792. E-mail: scizortail@aol.com

Editor of the Ornithological Newsletter: TOM PALMER, 1805 26th Street, N.W, Win-
ter Haven, FL 33881. E-mail: tomp47@yahoo.com
Editor of Special Publications: Reed F. Noss, Davis-Shine Professor of Conservation
Biology, University of Central Florida, Department of Biology, 4000 Central Florida
Blvd., Orlando, FL 32816-2368. E-mail: rnoss@mail.ucf edu
Web Page Editor: STEPHEN Bankert, 365 Spoonbill Lane, Melbourne, FL 32951. E-mail:
webmaster@fosbirds.org

INFORMATION FOR CONTRIBUTORS

The Florida Field Naturalist is a fully refereed journal emphasizing biological field
studies and observations of vertebrates, especially birds, in and near Florida and the
nearby West Indies. We welcome submission of original manuscripts containing new
information from these areas. We encourage electronic submission of manu-
scripts. Please consult recent issues of the journal for style, especially noting that
manuscripts should:

(1) be double-spaced throughout, including tables and figure captions;

(2) include the scientific name at the first mention of each species;

(3) include capitalized standardized English names for all birds, but lower
case for English names of other organisms;

(3) include metric units for all measurements;

(4) use the form “7 June 2003” for all dates;

(5) use the 24-hour clock for all indications of time (e.g., 0800, 1400);

(6) use the following abbreviations: s (second), min (minute), h (hour);

(7) preferentially use active voice.

Submit manuscripts for Florida Field Naturalist to the New Editor, Scott Robinson,
Florida Museum of Natural History, P.O. Box 117800, University of Florida, Gainesville,
FL 32611; Phone: 352-392-1721, ext. 509; e-mail: srobinson@flmnh.ufi.edu. Monograph-
length manuscripts may be submitted for consideration to Reed F. Noss, Editor of Spe-
cial Publications. Books and other materials for review should be submitted to: Reed
Bowman, Associate Editor for Reviews. Field Observations should be submitted to the
Chair of the Field Observations Committee, Bill Pranty. Reports of rare birds in Florida
should be submitted to the Managing Secretary of the FOS Records Committee, Reed
Bowman.

SfWlTHSONIAN INSTITUTION LIBRARIES

Florida Field Naturalist

PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

VOL. 34, No. 2 May 2006

Pages 37-68

CONTENTS

ARTICLES

Apple snail densities in habitats used by foraging Snail Kites

Philip C. Darby, Robert E. Bennetts, and Laksiri B. Karunaratne 37-47

Bats of Archbold Biological Station and notes on some roost sites

Jeffrey T Hutchinson 48-51

NOTES

A specimen of a migrant Clapper Rail from the interior
of southern Florida

Glen E. Woolfenden and Storrs L. Olson 52-53

Killing of Tufted Titmouse nestlings by a Red-bellied Woodpecker

Christine Brown and Richard Poole 54

FIELD OBSERVATIONS

Fall report: August-November 2005
Bill Pranty

55-68

QL
B( rci^S

Florida Field Naturalist

PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Founded 1972
OFFICERS

President: JACK Hailman, 143 Beacon Lane, Jupiter, FL 33469. E-mail: jhailman@wisc.edu

Vice President: SuSAN B. WHITING, 3901 SE St. Lucie Blvd. #54, Stuart, FL 34997. E-
mail: SooSprey@aol.com

Secretary: PAMELA J. BoWEN, 309 Moonstone Dr., East Palatka, FL 32131. E-mail: pbowen
@netzero.net

Treasurer: DEAN JUE, 3455 Dorchester Court, Tallahassee, FL 32312-1300. E-mail:
djue@admin.fsu.edu

Editor, Florida Field Naturalist: ScOTT ROBINSON, Florida Museum of Natural His-
tory, PO. Box 117800, Gainesville, FL 32611-7800, E-mail: srobinson@flmnh.ufl.edu

Directors, Terms Expiring Spring 2007

Judy Bryan, 1924 SW 43rd Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32608

Katie Sieving, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
32611-0430

Directors, Terms Expiring Spring 2008

David B. Freeland, 2345 Marsh Harbor Avenue, Merritt Island, FL 32952
Joyce King, 11645 69th Way N., Largo, FL 33773

Directors, Terms Expiring Spring 2009

Charles Ewell, 115 SW 51®^ Terrace, Cape Coral, FL 33914-7107
Julie Wraithmell, 131 Willaura Circle, Tallahassee, FL 32301

Honorary Members

Samuel A. Grimes 1979; Helen G. Cruickshank 1980; Oliver L. Austin, Jr. 1982;
Pierce Brodkorb 1982; William B. Robertson, Jr. 1992; Glen E. Woolfenden
1994; Ted Below 1999.

All persons interested in Florida’s natural history, particularly its abundant bird life,
are invited to join the Florida Ornithological Society by writing the Treasurer. Annual
membership dues are $20 for individual members (overseas $25), $25 for a family member-
ship, $15 for students, $40 for contributing members and $25 for institutional membership.

All members receive the Florida Field Naturalist and the newsletter. Subscription
price for institutions and non-members is $20 per year. Back issues ($3.00 per issue) are
available, prepaid, from the Treasurer. Notice of change of address, claims for undelivered
or defective copies of this journal, and requests for information about advertising and
subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer.

The Florida Field Naturalist is published quarterly (February, May, September, and
November) by the Florida Ornithological Society. It is printed by E, O. Painter Printing
Co., PO. Box 877, DeLeon Springs, Florida 32130. The permanent address of the Florida
Ornithological Society is Department of Ornithology, Florida Museum of Natural History,
University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611. The Florida Ornithological Society web
site can be found at www.fosbirds.org

THIS PUBLICATION IS PRINTED ON NEUTRAL PH PAPER

Florida Field Naturalist

PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

VoL. 34, No, 3 September 2006 Pages 69-114

Florida Field Naturalist 34(3):69-102, 2006.

FIFTEENTH REPORT

OF THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
RECORDS COMMITTEE; 2003-2005

The Florida Ornithological Society Records Committee (FOSRC) critically reviews
all written sight reports and specimens and/or photographic records (including audio re-
cordings) submitted to it to determine the validity of the reports. The Committee’s find-
ings are published periodically in the Florida Field Naturalist (FFN). Of the 82 reports
received and logged from June 2002 through September 2005, 80 were reviewed; 56
were accepted, 20 were not accepted, and four were not resolved and are still under con-
sideration: White-tipped Dove (Leptotila verreauxi, 03-504), Yellow-green Vireo (Vireo
flavoviridis, 04-526), Say’s Phoebe (Sayornis saya, 05-561), and Golden-crowned Spar-
row (Zonotrichia atricapilla, 05-562). Two additional reports were catalogued, but not
acted upon by the Committee: South Polar Skua {Catharacta maccormicki, 04-540),
which was observed outside of Florida’s territorial waters and was forwarded to the Ba-
hamas Avian Records Committee for review, and Heermann’s Gull (Larus heermanni,
03-508), which was considered to be the same individual as that in a previously resolved
report. In addition, the committee considered six reports submitted prior to June 2002
that previously had been either not resolved or tabled in anticipation of additional evi-
dence, and three reports that were re-evaluations of previous resolved reports. Of the
six unresolved reports, two were accepted and four were not accepted. Of the three pre-
viously resolved reports, the committee decided that the new evidence did not warrant
re-evaluation of one record and two were changed from Accepted to Not Accepted. In one
of these latter instances (91-222), an alternative species identification was considered
and accepted, but a new catalog number was not assigned. In addition, the committee
considered evidence that an exotic species was established in Florida and this report
was accepted. Thus, of all reports considered, new or re-evaluated, previously unre-
solved, and exotics that have become established, a total of 86 reports were resolved, of
which 60 (70%) were accepted and 26 (30%) were not accepted. Of the reports accepted,
43 (72%) included photographs. However, photographs are not always diagnostic; of the
reports that were not accepted, seven (30%) included photographs.

In 1998, the FOSRC adopted the “Verified Species” listed in Florida Bird Species: an
Annotated List (Robertson & Woolfenden, 1992, F.O.S. Spec. Pub. 6) as its baseline scien-
tific list of Florida’s avifauna (“State List”). This list consisted of 461 species. The FOSRC
publishes updates to the State List from time to time based upon its Final Decisions and
other activity. Since the publication of Robertson and Woolfenden (1992), hereinafter re-
ferred to as (R&W 1992), and prior to this report, a total of 25 species has been added to
the official FOSRC state list. In this report, we add 11 new species to the state list, but
also remove two for which prior evidence has been re-evaluated. The list of species added
to the official FOSRC state list since publication of R&W (1992) are (those new to this re-

69

70

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

port marked with an *): Red-necked Grebe, Podiceps grisegena (01-437); Short-tailed
Shearwater, Puffinus tenuirostris (02-468); Rough-legged Hawk, Buteo lagopus (00-415);
Zone-tailed Hawk, Buteo albonotatus (00-433); ""Eurasian Kestrel, Falco tinnunculus
(03-512); Northern Lapwing, Vanellus vanellus (99-401); South Polar Skua, Stercorarius
maccormicki (FFN 23:38-43); Heermann's Gull, Larus heermanni (01-452); Gray-hooded
Gull, Larus cirrocephalus (99-396); California Gull, Larus californicus (99-392); ""Slaty-
backed Gull, Larus schistisagus (03-509); Elegant Tern, Sterna elegans (00-430, 02-477,
02-486); Thick-billed Murre, Uria lomvia (00-419); White-tipped Dove, Leptotila ver-
reauxi (95-337); Black-hooded Parakeet, Nandayus nenday (04-546); Snowy Owl, Bubo
scandiacus (00-406); Vaux's Swift, Chaetura vauxi (FFN 24:122-134); ""Broad-billed
Hummingbird, Cynanthus latirostris (04-549); Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Selasphorus
platycercus (00-409); Allen’s Hummingbird, Selasphorus sasin (97-380); Western Wood-
Pewee, Contopus sordidulus (FFN 24:122-134); Cuban Pewee, Contopus caribaeus (FFN
24:122-134); Tropical Kingbird, Tyrannus melancholicus (00-416); Sulphur-bellied Fly-
catcher, Myiodynastes luteiventris (96-362); ""Piratic Flycatcher, Legatus leucophaius (91-
222), re-evaluation of a report previously accepted as Variegated Flycatcher, Empidono-
mus varius; ""Mangrove Swallow, Tachycineta albilinea (03-507); ""Mountain Bluebird,
Sialia currucoides (03-496); ""Bicknell’s Thrush, Catharus bicknelli (FFN 33:102-104);
MacGillivray’s Warbler, Oporornis tolmiei (98-385); American Tree Sparrow, Spizella ar-
borea (98-386); ""Varied Bunting, Passerina versicolor (05-574); and ""Hooded Oriole, Ict-
erus cucullatus (02-494). In addition, four taxonomic splits have occurred adding new
species to the list: Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) was split into Canada Goose and
""Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii), and Cackling Goose was verified from the state
with this report (05-560); Rufous-sided Towhee was split into Eastern Towhee (Pipilo
erythrophthalmus) and Spotted Towhee (P. maculatus), both verified from Florida;
Sharp-tailed Sparrow was split into Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow (Ammodramus
caudacutus) and Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow (A. nelsoni), also both verified from Flor-
ida; and Northern Oriole was split into Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) and Bullock’s
Oriole (I. bullockii), both verified from Florida (FFN 28:138-160). However, on the basis
of new evidence (Smith et al. 2000) and additional documentation, re-evaluations of
records of species currently on the official FOSRC state list, resulted in the removal of
two species; Loggerhead Kingbird, Tyrannus caudifasciatus (03-517) and Variegated Fly-
catcher (91-222). The recent actions of the Committee bring the number of species in-
cluded on the FOSRC official state list to 495 species (see R&W 1992, FFN 23:38-43,
FFN 24:122-134, FFN 28:138-160, FFN 32:7-33, this report) (Appendix 1).

The Rules and Procedures of the FOSRC (cf. the FOSRC Web page at http://www.fos-
birds.org) state that the Committee may add species to its official state list without ver-
ifiable evidence, providing it so annotates them. However, since the new rules were
adopted, no reports of species new to the state list submitted without verifiable evidence
have satisfied the Committee’s criteria for acceptance. Thus, all 495 species currently on
the FOSRC state list are independently verifiable.

FOSRC members who evaluated these reports and their expiration date of tenure
are as follows: Lyn S. Atherton (2003), Reed Bowman (2005), R. Todd Engstrom (2009),
Jon S. Greenlaw (2006), Sally Jue (2010), Andy Kratter (2011), Fred E. Lohrer (2007),
and Mickey C. Wheeler (2008).

In this report is a list of species known to occur in Florida that the Committee has
deemed sufficiently rare or difficult to identify to warrant FOSRC evaluation. Any spe-
cies included on this list should be documented by the observer. All observers are en-
couraged to submit these reports to the FOSRC, including those intended for
publication in the Florida Field Naturalist or in any other publication.

While in the field, the observer should record a detailed description of all body parts
(e.g., bill, legs, and feet; noting size, shape, and colors). Although a specimen or photo-
graph and vocal recordings are preferred, a sketch of the bird and vocal descriptions are

Fifteenth Report— FOS Records Committee

71

beneficial. Even though we may assume photographs are unambiguous, it often is not
the case and photographs should be accompanied by descriptions of plumage character-
istics not evident in the photo, behavioral traits, details about the habitat, and other de-
tails about the observation, such as distance to the bird, weather conditions, optics etc.
It is necessary to describe how all similar species were eliminated (e.g., similar mem-
bers within a genus), not only those known or suspected to occur in Florida, but also any
species that could possibly stray here or possibly escape from captivity. All observations
should be submitted on the standard report form available from the Secretary or on the
FOSRC web page at www.fosbirds.org. In addition to uniformity, the report form pro-
vides the Committee and the observer with guidelines to those criteria used by the
FOSRC for its evaluation. Completed forms with supporting material should be submit-
ted to the Secretary of the FOSRC.

Since 1994, the Committee has consisted of 7 members. Since adoption of the current
FOSRC Rules and Procedures in 1998, an accepted report requires 7 accepting votes; or, 6
accepting votes and either 1 non-accept or abstain; or 5 accepts and 2 abstains. However, a
report remains in circulation until it either is accepted, or it receives 7 non-accepting
votes; or, 6 non-accepting votes and either 1 accept or abstain; or 5 non-accepts and 2 ab-
stains. Prior to 1998, a unanimous vote was required to accept a report. When a report is
accepted for a species new to the state, it is added to the official FOSRC state list only
when its natural occurrence is probable. If supporting specimens, photographs, or audio
recordings exist it is considered verifiable; otherwise it is annotated as unverifiable. When
a report is not accepted, it does not necessarily mean that a species was not correctly iden-
tified. Sometimes a sighting is too brief or the written account lacks sufficient detail to
eliminate all possibilities. The Committee will reconsider a report if additional informa-
tion is submitted that might alter a previous decision. All supporting documentation is de-
posited in the FOS Archives at the Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville.

Contributors to this report: Edward Alexander (EA), Carlos Alfonso (CA), Lyn S.
Atherton (LSA), Chris Baker (CB), Peggy Baker (PB), Fred Bassett (FB), Jeff Bouton
(JB), Patricia E. Burns (PEB), Steven Collins (SC), Michelle Davis (MD), Robin M. Diaz
(RMD), David W. Dortch (DWD), Robert A. Duncan (RAD), Robert and Lucy Duncan
(RLD), R. Todd Engstrom (RTE), Charlie Ewell (CE), Barry Fleming (BF), Murray
Gardler (MGa), Wally George (WG), Carl A. Goodrich (CAG), Marvin Greenberg (MGr),
Jon S. Greenlaw (JSG), David Hartgrove (DH), Roger Hammond (RH), Elbert M. Heath
(EMH), John H. Hintermister V (JHH), Andrew W. Kratter (AWK), Ed Kwater (EK), Ja-
net R. Lloyd (JRL), Casey Lott (CL), Larry Manfredi (LM), James A. Melvin (JAM),
Brian C. Monk (BCM), Brennan Mulrooney (BM), Peggy Powell (PP), William C. Pranty
(WCP), Robert A. Richter (RAR), Bryant Roberts (BR), Stefan Schlick (SS), Paul W.
Sykes, Jr. (PWS), Glen E. Woolfenden (GEW), Andy Wraithmell (AW), Julie B. Wraith-
mell (JBW). For obvious reasons, we do not include observers whose reports were not ac-
cepted or resolved by the committee. Nonetheless we extend them our thanks and
gratitude for their observations and for submitting their report to the FOSRC.

Accepted Reports

(Arranged in currently recognized nomenclature and sequence [AOU 1998, 2006])

Green-winged (“Eurasian”) Teal, Alias crecca crecca (PEB, SC, AWK 05-564). An adult
male in breeding plumage was observed and photographed, 15-25 February 2005, in
Chapman’s Pond, Gainesville, Alachua Co. Photographs diagnostic, showed clean
white scapular stripe, complete absence of vertical, white breast stripe, strong facial
frame, and relatively strong flank vermiculations, all characteristic of nominate
A. crecca. No evidence of hybrid status, and no known waterfowl collections in the
region. The Committee considered this report because of the possibility of a future

72

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

change in the taxonomic status of the North American and Eurasian populations by
the AOU. British ornithologists already regard the Eurasian birds as distinct from
the North American ones at the species level, and call the species Eurasian Teal (The
British List online, www.bou.org.uk/recbrlstldna.html). Reports previously accepted
by FOSRC: none; not accepted: none.

Masked Duck, Nomonyx dominicus (EMH, 05-567). Two female-plumaged individuals
associating with one another, off Wickham Road in water treatment pond, Viera,
Brevard Co., 16 March 2005. Description terse, photograph of one bird submitted and
diagnostic: two parallel black stripes on the head, ground color of head buffy-brown,
strong blackish mottling on dorsum, heavy bill. Reports previously accepted by
FOSRC: 83-045; not accepted: 90-197, 94-311.

Masked Duck, Nomonyx dominicus (RH, 05-568). A single adult male in breeding plum-
age on a pond in the Stonybrook subdivision off central Sarasota Parkway, Sarasota,
Sarasota Co., 7 June 2005. Photographs diagnostic: heavy pale blue bill with conspic-
uous dark nail, extensive black half-hood on fore-part of head, rest of head and ex-
posed body rusty brown, spiky tail. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 83-045,
05-567; not accepted: 90-197, 94-311.

Ross’s Goose, Chen rossii (JAM, 03-523). Brief written description but excellent photo-
graphs of a bird observed 20 November 2003 at the Melbourne Water Treatment
Plant, Brevard Co. Photographs diagnostic. All key features visible in photos includ-
ing a side-by-side comparison with Lesser Snow Goose which clearly emphasized dif-
ferences in body and bill size. No reason to suspect hybrid origin of birds. At
publication of R&W (1992) only three occurrences of Ross’s Goose known from Flor-
ida, but it appears to be increasing in its winter frequency. Reports previously ac-
cepted by FOSRC: 88-133, 92-252, 99-399, 00-423, 00-424, 01-445; not accepted: none.

Ross’s Goose, Chen rossii (RAD, 03-524). Written description and photographs of four
birds (two adults and two first-winter birds) observed 17 November 2003 on Mama
Rosa Pond at the Fort Walton Beach Spray Fields, Okaloosa Co. Photographs include
side-by-side comparison with Lesser Snow Geese. Previous reports include up to four
birds wintering with large flocks of snow geese. No reason to suspect hybrid origin of
birds. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 88-133, 92-252, 99-399, 00-423, 00-
424, 01-445, 03-523; not accepted: none.

Cackling Goose, Branta hutchinsii (RTE, 05-560). First state record. Specimen (TTRS
50) taken 24 December 1956 at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Wakulla Co. Spe-
cies is a recent split from the Canada Goose {Branta canadensis) complex (Banks et
al. 2004). To evaluate the identity of this specimen, we used information from Wilson
(2004) and measurements from Palmer (1976). Both hutchinsii and the smallest sub-
species of Canada Goose, B. c. parvipes, co-occur west of Hudson Bay. The specimen
was very small: wing chord 355 mm, exposed culmen 36 mm (bill stubby, triangular),
body mass 1702 g (described as “very fat”). The measurements fell in the smaller end
of the respective character ranges for hutchinsii, but well outside the respective
ranges of these characters for parvipes. Thus, the evidence was consistent for Cack-
ling Goose, and excluded the smallest subspecies of Canada Goose as now viewed. Re-
ports previously accepted by FOSRC: none; not accepted: none. Added to the official
FOSRC state list as a verifiable species.

Western Grebe, Aec/imop/ioms occidentalis (AW, 03-497). Detailed written description
and photographs of a bird observed 13 January 2003 in Fort Myers, Lee Co. Photos di-
agnostic, clearly showed dark lores with the black extending below the eye, ruling out
a potential Clark’s/Western hybrid. R&W (1992) considered Western Grebe a very
rare and irregular winter visitor and although many reports {ca 15) exist, most can-
not eliminate Clark’s Grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii) or possible hybrids between the
two species. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 01-446 (to genus only), 01-453;
not accepted: 89-166, 91-242.

Fifteenth Report— FOS Records Committee

73

Aechmophorus Grebe (AW, 01-446, submitted as Western Grebe, A. occidentalis). Writ-
ten description of a bird observed 2 January 2001 in Ft. Clinch State Park, Nassau
Co. Photographs thought to exist but none could be obtained. Description diagnostic
of Aechmophorus grebe, and most characteristics seem to suggest Western Grebe
rather than Clark’s Grebe; however, some characteristics that might also have ruled
out hybrids were not mentioned in report, such as supraloral color; thus the commit-
tee agreed to accept the observation to genus only. Reports previously accepted by
FOSRC to genus only: 01-446.

Manx Shearwater, Puffinus puffinus (AWK, 04-553). A specimen (UF 33973) of an im-
mature female found on the beach 1.5 km south of Lake Worth Public Beach, Palm
Beach Co., 21 or 22 November 1997, bearing a British Museum of Natural History
band. Photograph and discussion in Kratter et al. (2002). The Committee affirmed
the identification. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 94-322, 97-374, 01-457;
not accepted: none.

Manx Shearwater, Puffinus puffinus (AWK, 04-554). A specimen (UF 40551) of an im-
mature female received in December 1998, and evidently obtained in the vicinity of
Fort Lauderdale/Boca Raton area on the beach. Photograph and discussion in Kratter
et al. (2002). The Committee affirmed the identification. Reports previously accepted
by FOSRC: 94-322, 97-374, 01-457, 04-553; not accepted: none.

Red-billed Tropicbird, Phaethon aethereus (RAD, 03-514). Written description of a
bird observed 14 September 2002 near Destin, Okaloosa Co. The bird was found on
the beach after Tropical Storm Hanna. The initial report was tabled because photo-
graphs of the bird were thought to exist. Those were received and were diagnostic,
and clearly showed the large red bill, black barred back, and long tail streamers. The
bird was eventually released in the Tampa area. Reports previously accepted by
FOSRC: 93-334, 96-368, 03-514; not accepted: 02-492.

Red-billed Tropicbird, aethereus (RDW, 04-539). Written description and ex-

cellent photographs of a bird observed 9 April 2004, 10 nautical miles SE of Looe Key
Marine Sanctuary, Monroe Co. Description and photographs diagnostic of an adult
bird. Red bill, long tail streamers, barred back, and extensive black in primaries. Very
rare, irregular visitor, but most reports from northeast Florida (R&W 1992). Reports
previously accepted by FOSRC: 93-334, 96-368, 03-514; not accepted: 02-492,

Red-billed Tropicbird, aethereus (AWK, 04-556). Specimen (UF 40996) of an

adult female found sick at Patrick Air Force Base, Brevard Co., on 2 October 1999,
Discussion and photograph in Kratter et al. (2002). The Committee affirmed the iden-
tification. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 93-334, 96-368, 02-514, 04-539; not
accepted: 02-492,

Red-footed Booby, Sula sula (SS, 04-528). Excellent written description and photo-
graphs of an adult bird observed 8-9 November 2003 at Boynton Inlet, Palm Beach
Co. Description and photographs diagnostic, clearly showing the overall topography
of the bird and bright reddish orange legs. Tail extremely worn and bird appeared to
have been in molt, consistent with the observation date. Very rare summer and fall
visitor; R&W (1992) cite several specimens and photographs of birds from Florida.
Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 82-013, 95-344, 98-387; not accepted: none.

White-faced Ibis, Plegadis chihi (JHH, 04-530). Written description submitted by only
one observer of a bird seen by many observers 17-21 January 2004 at Alligator Lake
Park, Lake City, Columbia Co. Photographs taken by other observers and not submit-
ted with the report were obtained and reviewed by the Committee. Description and
photos consistent, showing reddish tint to legs, pink facial skin, and red iris, which is
diagnostic for this species. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 94-312, 00-427,
00-428, 02-466; not accepted: none.

White-faced Ibis, Plegadis chihi (BCM, 04-537). Written description submitted by one
person, but bird observed by several people 19 April 2004, at the Okaloosa County

74

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

landfill ponds. Photographs taken by other observers and not submitted with the re-
port were obtained and reviewed by the Committee. Descriptions and photographs di-
agnostic of an adult bird in breeding plumage. Reports previously accepted by
FOSRC: 94-312, 00-427, 00-428, 02-466, 04-530; not accepted: none.

Eurasian Kestrel, Falco tinnunculus (WCP, 03-512). First state record. Written de-
scription and photographs of an adult female observed at the Lake Apopka North
Shore Restoration Area near Zellwood, Orange Co. The bird was present at the site
from 26 February to 16 March 2003 and seen and photographed by many observers.
Photos diagnostic of adult female. Primaries did not extend beyond the subterminal
tail band and the toenails were dark, rather than light, thus distinguishing this bird
from Lesser Kestrel {Falco naumanni). Not likely an escape because most or all would
be banded or wearing jesses. Although known from several reports in North America
and at least 4 reports from the northeast, this is the first confirmed report for the
southeastern US (Pranty et al. 2004). Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: none;
not accepted: none. Added to the official FOSRC state list as a verifiable species.

SURFBIRD, Ap/iriza virgata (PP, DH, RAR, 05-566). An adult, sex unknown, observed and
photographed on the south jetty, Ponce de Leon Inlet, New Smyrna Beach, Volusia
Co., 10-11 April 2005. Descriptions and photographs diagnostic: chunky body, gray
head streaking, heavy bill, stout yellow legs, and white tail with broad, black termi-
nal band combined to identify the bird. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 02~
476; not accepted: none.

Iceland Gull, Lotus glaucoides (RAR, 03-495. Clearly written description and excellent
photos of a bird observed 31 December 2002, in Huguenot Park, Jacksonville, Duval
Co. The photos were diagnostic of first-winter bird, which clearly showed small head
and dark bill, pink legs, uniform light color, but with distinct mottling in coverts, dis-
tinguishing it from a Thayer’s Gull. Widely reported from both coasts of Florida be-
tween October and May, but R&W (1992) considered the status of this species in
Florida highly uncertain. Although many reports exist, including both specimens and
published photographs, Stevenson and Atherton (1984) reported that many were in
fact Glaucous Gulls (L. hyperboreus). Two reports previously accepted by the FOSRC
occurred in March in Pompano Beach, Broward Co. (1993 and 2002). Reports previ-
ously accepted by FOSRC: 93-270, 02-465; not accepted: 93-277, 98-384.

Slaty-backed Gull, Larus schistisagus (JSG, 03-509). First state record. Written de-
scription and photographs of a third-year gull seen 6 October 2002 in Key West, Mon-
roe Co. The bird was first discovered in Key West on 21 September and was observed
by many people through 17 October 2006. Photographs diagnostic of a third-year bird
entering fourth-winter plumage. Plumage, bill, and leg color consistent. Dark smudge
behind eye and light subterminal spotting on trailing edges of primaries diagnostic.
The bird was neither large nor dark enough to be a Great Black-backed Gull and its
pink legs ruled out other potentially similar species. Slaty-backed Gulls have dark
bills through second-winter plumage and yellow bills as adults. This bird’s bill was
pinkish at the base with a forward-sloping dark band in front of the nares and a yel-
low tip consistent with a bird in third-year plumage. The Slaty-backed Gull is a
northern Pacific species that occurs relatively frequently in western Alaska, but is
very rare elsewhere in North America. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: none;
not accepted: none. Added to the official FOSRC state list as a verifiable species.

Razorbill, Alca torda (AWK, 04-555). Specimen (UF 43059) of an adult male found
weakened on 30 March 2003 at Satellite Beach, Brevard Co. It died on 31 March in
captivity. A large alcid, black above, white below including undertail coverts, and
with a distinctive, diagnostic large, deep black bill bearing a vertical, white arching
line. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 85-089, 93-282; not accepted: none.

Long-billed Murrelet, Brachyramphus perdix (AWK, 04-552). Specimen (UF 44170)
of a winter-plumaged female, obtained in the Ft. Lauderdale area, Broward Co., 22

Fifteenth Report— FOS Records Committee

75

December 2003, taken to a rehabilitation center where it died. A small alcid, very
short-tailed with a white scapular patch, narrow white eye crescents, blackish above,
white below, and a moderately long black bill. Bill shape discounted Least Auklet
(Aethia pusilla); long bill, black extending below eyes, lack of white semi-collar dis-
counted other Brachyramphus alcids that also have some white on the scapulars. Ab-
sence of bursa and slightly enlarged ovary and oviduct suggested that it probably was
an adult bird (A. W. Kratter, pers. communication). Reports previously accepted by
FOSRC: 87-118, 93-281, 94-304; not accepted: none.

Long-billed Murrelet, Brachyramphus perdix (AWK, 05-559). Specimen (UF 39297)
of a male taken about 4 km west of St. Petersburg, Pinellas Co., in the Gulf of Mexico,
28 November 1994. Discussion and photograph in Kratter et al. (2002). The Commit-
tee affirmed the identification. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 87-118, 93-
281, 94-304, 04-552; not accepted: none.

Atlantic Puffin, Fratercula arctica (AWK, 04-558). Specimen (UF 44357) of a hatch-
year bird found at St. Augustine Beach, St. Johns Co. on 23 December 2004, as a
weakened bird that died subsequently at a rehabilitation center. Photograph pub-
lished on 23 December in the Augustine Record (newspaper, mistakenly identified as
a Dovekie [Alle a//e]). Distinctive puffin-like bill. Specimen separated from Horned
Puffin {F. corniculata), which has no known Atlantic records, by smaller body size and
bill shape. Chin and throat of the specimen are pale gray in contrast to darker dusky
tones expected in the Horned Puffin. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 87-120;
not accepted: none.

Zenaida Dove, Zenaida aurita (MD, 04-550). An adult observed closely at Bill Baggs
Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, Miami-Dade Co,, on 14 October 2004. MD
provided a detailed report on the bird, accompanied by a copy of fieldnotes and a field
sketch that was later rendered into a colored drawing “for clarity.” White-tipped sec-
ondaries were noted, and are diagnostic. All other characters were consistent with
the identification. This species is regarded as a rare, sporadic to occasional visitor to
the Florida Keys and the southeast Atlantic coast (R&W 1992). Reports previously
accepted by FOSRC: 97-379, 01-456, 02-474; not accepted: 82-018, 83-035, 88-141.

Black-hooded Parakeet, Nandayus nenday (WCP, 04-546). The committee reviewed a
galley proof of an in press manuscript (subsequently published, Pranty and Lovell
2004) documenting the size and trends of populations of Black-hooded Parakeets in
Florida. Using recently revised criteria specified in Appendix A3 of the FOSRC Rules
and Procedures (Criteria for Establishment, www.fosbirds.org/RecordsCommittee/
RulesAndProcedures.htm), the Committee concluded that the manuscript presented
convincing evidence that the Black-hooded Parakeet is established in Florida. The
manuscript was treated as an original report of this species in Florida and appropri-
ately cataloged. Populations of this species have increased since the 1980s, demon-
strating more rapid, almost exponential growth during the 1990s. At the same time,
the apparent range of the species in Florida has expanded from being detected on
only 4 Christmas Bird Counts (CBC) in the early 1980s to 16 CBCs by 2003. In all of
the 10 counties that have recorded Black-hooded Parakeets, once the birds were first
observed, their populations have persisted. Breeding has been reported at many of
these areas. The total population size was conservatively estimated at 850 birds. Spe-
cies add to the official FOSRC state list as an established exotic.

Flammulated Owl, Otus flammeolus (RAD, EA, 02-461). Written description and pho-
tographs of a bird observed 8 January 2002 on St. George Island, Franklin Co. Photo
was slightly blurry and key details were difficult to distinguish. Bill size and small
ear tufts consistent with Flammulated Owl. Gray form, but with rufous edge to facial
disk. After the initial review the report was tabled while the Committee evaluated
the extent of rufous in gray form of Eastern and Western screech-owls. In contrast to
gray-morph screech-owl, Flammulated has more distinct rusty-brown on facial disk

76

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

that contrasts with lighter inner facial feathers. In addition, both specimens and the
bird in the photographs had rufous scapular coverts. R&W ( 1992) reported a bird cap-
tured at Redington Beach, Pinellas Co. in November 1972. Only other verifiable re-
port was of a bird observed 4 December 2001 at Navarre Beach, Santa Rosa Co.
Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 01-455; not accepted: none.

Long-EARED Owl, Asio otus (MGa, 03-503). Photographs and a written description of a
bird observed 17 April 2003 on Garden Key, Dry Tortugas, Miami-Dade Co. Photos di-
agnostic and clearly showed forehead and facial disc colors that differentiate from a
Stygian Owl (A. stygius). R&W (1992) considered this bird a casual winter visitor to
Florida, but only a single specimen from Florida (MCZ 248345) can be located. A bird
observed in March 1994 at Archbold Biological Station was photographed and the re-
port published (Tarvin 1994). Another bird observed within 1000 m of the previous
sighting in March 1995 might have been the same individual. Reports previously ac-
cepted by FOSRC: 94-290, 95-330; not accepted: none.

Broad-billed Hummingbird, Cynanthus latirostris (JRL, 04-549). First state record.
An adult male was photographed at a feeder in Pensacola, Escambia Co., on 17 Sep-
tember 2004. Photograph and description provided all the diagnostic information
necessary to identify the bird: red-billed, blue-throated, green-bodied hummingbird,
with white undertail coverts (visible in photo) and a dark, notched tail (description).
These features eliminate any other North or Middle American, or Caribbean hum-
mingbird. A number of accepted records exist of this species in Louisiana. Reports
previously accepted by FOSRC: none; not accepted: none. Added to the official FOSRC
state list as a verifiable species.

Calliope Hummingbird, Stellula calliope (FB, 03-498). Photographs, detailed pictures
of tail patterns, and measurements of a second-year male banded 10 January 2003 in
Tallahassee, Leon Co. Photos diagnostic, measurements consistent with Pyle (1997),
central tail feather wedge-shaped. Records of winter birds increasingly common from
southeastern U.S. Several published photos (R&W 1992) and specimens of this spe-
cies (TTRS 3855 [tail feathers], GEW 5901 [from FOSRC report 95-352]) in Florida
exist. Many recent reports to FOSRC include detailed tail measurements and photo-
graphs. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 90-192, 95-350, 95-351, 95-352, 95-
353, 96-357 (may have been same individual as 95-353), 96-363, 01-435, 01-436, 01-
438, 02-472; not accepted: none.

Calliope Hummingbird, Stellula calliope (FB, 03-499). Photographs, detailed pictures
of tail patterns, and measurements of a second-year male banded 28 February 2003
in Tallahassee, Leon Co. Photos diagnostic, measurements consistent with Pyle
(1997), central tail feather wedge-shaped. See above for details of recent occurrences.
Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 90-192, 95-350, 95-351, 95-352, 95-353, 96-
357 (may have been same individual as 95-353), 96-363, 01-435, 01-436, 01-438, 02-
472, 03-498; not accepted: none.

Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Selasphorus platycercus (FB, 04-532). Written descrip-
tion, photographs, and various feather and wing measurements of a bird captured
and banded 30 December 2003 in Pensacola, Escambia Co. All characteristics consis-
tent with an adult male. Full red gorget visible. Photo of attenuated PIO, rufous edg-
ing to rectrices 2 and 3, make species identity clear. Records of this species and other
western hummingbirds increasing in Florida, especially in the panhandle. Reports
previously accepted by FOSRC: 00-409, 01-434, 02-470; not accepted: 96-385, 01-444.

Allen’S Hummingbird, Selasphorus sasin (FB, 03-500). Photographs, detailed pictures
of tail patterns, and measurements of a hatch-year male banded 20 December 2002 in
Pensacola, Escambia Co. Photos diagnostic and tail measurements consistent with
Pyle (1997). Clear photo showing absence of a notch in the second rectrix, which is
characteristic of male Allen’s and distinguishes it from Rufous Hummingbird. Unre-
ported from Florida before the mid-1980s, several reports since then, including pub-

Fifteenth Report— FOS Records Committee

77

lished photographs: Cedar Key, Levy Co. {American Birds 42:371) (R&W 1992). The
FOSRC concluded that measurements of the widths of rectrices are necessary to iden-
tify extralimital Rufous/Allen’s hummingbirds (McKenzie and Robbins 1999). Previ-
ous reports of all green-backed hummingbirds were likely Allen’s but were not
accepted without tail measurements. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 97-380,
02-471; not accepted: 88-138, 93-276, 99-390.

Allen’s Hummingbird, Selasphorus sasin (FB, 04-533). Written description, photo-
graphs, and various feather and wing measurements of a bird captured and banded

15 December 2003 in Tallahassee, Leon Co. All characteristics diagnostic of an after-
hatch-year (AHY) female. Difficult to tell from female Rufous Hummingbird, but
wing length and the width of rectrix R5 were far outside the 95% confidence intervals
of those measures in the larger Rufous Hummingbird. Reports previously accepted by
FOSRC: 97-380, 02-471, 03-500; not accepted: 88-138, 93-276, 99-390.

Allen’s Hummingbird, Selasphorus sasin (FB, 04-534). Written description, photo-
graphs, and various feather and wing measurements of a bird captured and banded

16 February 2004, in Pensacola, Escambia Co. All characteristics diagnostic of an
AHY female. Difficult to tell from female Rufous Hummingbird, but wing length and
the width of rectrix R5 were far outside the 95% confidence interval of those measures
in the larger Rufous Hummingbird. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 97-380,
02-471, 03-500, 04-533; not accepted: 88-138, 93-276, 99-390.

Allen’s Hummingbird, Selasphorus sasin (FB, 05-565). Written description, photo-
graphs, and various feather and wing measurements of a bird captured and banded
18 December 2004 in Tallahassee, Leon Co. All characteristics diagnostic of an AHY
female. Difficult to separate from female Rufous Hummingbird, but wing length and
width of R5, and absence of apical notch on R2 confirmed the identification. In recent
years at least, this species has been regular in the Florida panhandle in winter. Re-
ports previously accepted by FOSRC: 97-380, 02-471, 03-500, 04-533, 04-534; not ac-
cepted: 88-138, 93-276, 99-390.

Say’s Phoebe, Sayornis saya (DWD, RLD, BF, 03-520). Written descriptions by four ob-
servers and photographs of a bird observed 15 October 2003 at Pensacola Beach, Es-
cambia Co. Descriptions and photographs diagnostic and clearly showed the
cinnamon belly plumage diagnostic of this species. Very rare, irregular fall-winter
visitor (R&W 1992). Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 88-158, 98-382; not ac-
cepted: none.

Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, Myiodynastes luteiventris (MBM, LM, 05-570). A single
individual, apparently hatch-year age (conspicuous, pale rictus), sex unknown, ob-
served at “Lucky Hammock” near the entrance to Everglades National Park, Miami-
Dade Co., 6-13 November 2005. Excellent photographs and description provided all
diagnostic details sufficient to eliminate similar species in the genera Myiodynastes
and Empidonomus, notably the convergent lateral throat streaks joining on the chin.
Before 1992, only one or two unresolved reports of this species (R&W 1992). Reports
previously accepted by FOSRC: 96-362, 01-439, 02-485; not accepted: none.

Piratic Flycatcher, Legatus leucophaius (RB, 91-222a). First state record. Reevalua-
tion of a previously decided report which included a written description and photo-
graphs of what seemed to be a Variegated Flycatcher {Empidonomus varius) seen 15
March 1991 at the Dry Tortugas, Monroe Co. A key feature that supported the original
identification was the conspicuous rusty tones on upper tail coverts and tail edges.
This feature mainly provided the basis for acceptance of the report, which added Var-
iegated Flycatcher to the FOSRC official state list. However plumage characteristics,
such as the distinct malar and more distinct, but restricted, streaking on the under-
parts, and the small all-dark bill led some (e.g., D. Lane, J. V. Remsen, A. Kratter) to
question this identification, and suggested that this may be a Piratic Flycatcher [also,
see Check-list of North American Birds, seventh edition, 1998: 411]. Immature (juve-

78

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

nile) Piratic Flycatchers also exhibit rusty edgings on the upper tail coverts and rec-
trix edges. The Committee reopened the original report, examined 15 slides archived
at the Florida Museum of Natural History (FLMNH), and looked at specimens of both
species from the FLMNH collections. Characters supporting Piratic Flycatcher were
small size (bill-head length ratio from photos equivocal); all-black bill; ventral streak-
ing confined to the breast, well demarcated from clear (unstreaked) abdomen; and
fruit-eating behavior. The bird appeared to be in fresh plumage, with adult-like fore-
body plumage. The rusty edging obvious caudally implied immature plumage there.
Thus, the bird appeared to be wearing a mosaic feather coat of two plumages that no-
body on the Committee could account for. The key character that resolved the issue in
the minds of Committee members was the distribution of emarginated (notched) outer
primaries reported in the literature between the two genera in question. Specimens
available to us supported the view that Legatus has entire, non-emarginated outer
primaries, while Empidonomus has distinctly emarginated outer primaries. One slide
taken at the Dry Tortugas (FOSA 99-222-15) showed the bird with a partly fanned
outer wing that clearly revealed an entire (non-emarginated) outer primary (PIO or
9). Based on the accumulated evidence, the committee rejected the original identifica-
tion of Variegated Flycatcher (see below) and removed this species from the FOSRC
state list. The Committee then accepted the report as a Piratic Flycatcher. Only sev-
eral records of this species from North America exist and all from either New Mexico
or Texas. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: none; not accepted: none. Added to
the official FOSRC state list as a verifiable species.

Cassin’S Kingbird, Tyrannus vociferans (WCP, 03-516). Written description and photo-
graphs of an adult bird observed 1 March 2003 at the Lake Apopka North Shore Res-
toration Area near Zellwood, Orange Co. Based on observations of others, this bird
was present throughout the winter at a communal fiycatcher roost that often in-
cluded many Western Kingbirds and Scissor-tailed Flycatchers. Photos diagnostic for
species. Yellow belly and dark breast contrasted with white throat and malars. Pale
terminal tail tip not visible in photographs but mentioned in written description.
Prior to publication of R&W (1992) and Stevenson and Anderson (1994) only one ver-
ifiable record of this species in Florida, although a few others were reported. Reports
previously accepted by FOSRC: 85-074, 89-175, 92-255, 97-375, 00-407, 00-432; not
accepted: none.

Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Tyrannus savana (WCP, 04-538). Written description submit-
ted by one person, but bird observed by many people 23-27 July 2004 at Coquina Key,
St. Petersburg, Pinellas Co. Excellent photographs clearly showed the black head,
gray back, and long forked tail diagnostic of an adult bird. A regular but rare vagrant
throughout Florida, but only one verifiable report prior to 1992 (R&W 1992); several
published photos since then. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 83-039, 84-068,
86-101, 90-210, 92-259, 94-292, 95-388; not accepted: none.

Thick-billed Vireo, Vireo crassirostris (JB, LM, 04-447). A bird observed and photo-
graphed on Boot Key, Monroe Co., Florida Keys, from 2-23 October 2004. A series of
excellent digital photographs, a good written account, and a tape recording of the call
permitted a detailed evaluation of the report. The bird was in the white-eyed vireo
group, with a relatively heavy bill, a dark eye, pale dingy yellow underparts, white
wingbars, a yellow loral-supraloral patch slightly separated from a very pale yellow
spot at the upper rear corner of the eye, and a narrow subocular (whitish) arc. The
dark eye, uniform pale yellow underparts to undertail coverts, and relatively heavy
bill distinguished it from White-eyed Vireo {Vireo griseus). The similar Mangrove
Vireo (V pallens), another possibility considering the occurrence of the bird in the
Keys, was discounted because of the reported vireo’s heavier bill and olive-greenish
forecrown that contrasted with the slightly grayer hindcrown and nape (thinner bill,
and uniform, greenish crown and nape in V. pallens). The scold call was well-recorded

Fifteenth Report— FOS Records Committee

79

and diagnostic. This species continues to be very rare to rare in Florida along the se
coast, but possibly of regular occurrence, at least in recent years (R&W 1992, Steven-
son and Anderson 1994). Usually occurs in winter. Reports previously accepted by
FOSRC: 89-179, 90-202, 91-226, 94-308, 96-355; not accepted: 88-151, 93-279.

Thick-billed Vireo, Vireo crassirostris (JEW, CE, 05-571). A single bird observed and
photographed at Ann Kolb Nature Center, Dania Beach, Broward Co., from 4-15 May
2005. Photos and description were diagnostic. White-eyed Vireo and Mangrove Vireo
were discounted by combinations of plumage and structural characters pertaining to
bill size, eye color, distribution of yellow on underparts, eyering pattern, and subtle
color contrast between crown and nape/hindneck area. This report and the previous
one (04-447) extend the occurrence range in Florida from “winter” to fall-spring. Re-
ports previously accepted by FOSRC: 89-179, 90-202, 91-226, 94-308, 96-355, 04-447;
not accepted: 88-151, 93-279.

Yellow-green Vireo, Vireo flavoviridis (LSA, 03-515). Written description of a bird ob-
served 11 September 2002 at Ft. Desoto Park, Pinellas Co. Seen in vicinity of fruiting
mulberry (Morns sp.) tree and with many Red-eyed Vireos for comparison. Bright yel-
low flanks, lower breast, belly and undertail coverts. Yellow-green dorsally with gray
crown. Eye stripe less prominent and lower mandible distinctly horn-colored. Faint
whiskers not nearly as prominent as in Black-whiskered Vireo (V altiloquus). Occa-
sional straggler to Florida, but most reports from the panhandle (R&W 1992). One
specimen exists at Louisiana State University of a bird collected in 1958 in Santa
Rosa Co. (LSUMZ 22492). Prior to 2000 considered a subspecies of Red-eyed Vireo
(V olivaceus). Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 84-064, 86-102, 00-422; not
accepted: 82-019.

Yellow-green Vireo, Vireo flavoviridis (BM, 04-527). Written description of a bird ob-
served 30 August 2003 in Indigenous Park, Key West, Monroe Co. This was the sec-
ond of two written reports of this species from Key West from the late summer and
fall of 2003. This report was prepared only four days after sighting and the descrip-
tion was more detailed than the previous report, but still lacked some pertinent de-
tails. No mention of color of crown or supercilium, yellow edgings to remiges not
typically “bright”, as described in the report, in Yellow-green Vireo. No mention of
wing bars or lack thereof. Apparently field notes were not taken because none accom-
panied the report. However, description was sufficient to eliminate both Black-whis-
kered and Red-eyed vireos. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 84-064, 86-102,
00-422, 03-515; not accepted: 82-019.

Mangrove Swallow, Tachycineta alhilinea (PWS, LSA, MGa, JHH, 03-507). First North
American and state record. Report consisted of a manuscript (Sykes et al. 2004) and
photographs of a bird observed 18-24 November 2002 at the Viera Wetlands in south-
ern Brevard Co. Smaller overall body size and shorter wings than Tree Swallow (T. hi-
color) or Cave Swallow (Petrochelidon fulva), or several other similar swallow species.
White supraloral stripe joining forehead patch is characteristic of both Mangrove and
White-rumped (T. leucorrhoa) swallows, but White-rumped is larger and about the
same size as Tree Swallow. Prominent spots on rump patch distinguish T. albilinea
from White-rumped Swallow. Tertials prominently edged with white on both sides;
white less extensive in White-rumped Swallow. A coastal resident of Mexico, south to
Panama, the species was not known in North America although its occurrence was re-
cently predicted (see Jones 1998 and Lasley and Lockwood 1999 in Sykes et al. 2004).
Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: none; not accepted: none. Added to the offi-
cial FOSRC state list as a verifiable species.

Mountain Bluebird, Sialia currucoides (RMD, WG, 03-496). First state record. De-
tailed written description and excellent photographs of a bird observed 22 December
2002 along Research Road in Everglades National Park in Miami-Dade Co. Bird first
seen 18 December during Long Pine Key CBC and observed through 24 December.

80

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Photos diagnostic, showing characteristic bluebird shape and overall gray color with
relatively little blue, consistent with winter female plumage. Written description and
photos emphasized long primary extension, which helped eliminate winter first-basic
Eastern Bluebird (S. sialis) and Western Bluebird (S. mexicana). Although winters as
far east as Kansas, Texas, and Oklahoma, casual records exist to Louisiana and Mis-
sissippi (Powers and Lombardo 1996). Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: none;
not accepted: none. Added to the official FOSRC state list as a verifiable species.

Bicknell’S Thrush, Catharus bicknelli (CL, 04-547). First state record. An adult cap-
tured, measured, photographed, and banded on Key Largo, Monroe Co., 8 May 2002.
The evidence available to the Committee consisted of measurements, photographs, and
a manuscript (later published. Brand et al. 2005). Distinguishing this species from the
very similar Gray-cheeked Thrush (C. minimus) even in the hand is problematic. Ap-
propriate critical measurements were provided in the manuscript and in a written re-
port. The Committee used the amount of overlap and 95% confidence limits of these
critical measurements and measurement differences obtained from Lane and
Jaramillo (2000), Ouellet (1993), Pyle (1997), and Rimmer et al. (2001) to evaluate this
report and the next one. Plumage color provides only supplemental but non-diagnostic
information, so available photographs per se were corroborative only. Wing chord and
differences between certain primary lengths (wing shape, see Woolfenden and Green-
law 2005) were diagnostic for Bicknell’s Thrush and non-overlapping with Gray-
cheeked Thrush. Supporting information was consistent with Bicknell’s Thrush. The
status of this species on the Florida list, ever since its split out of the Gray-cheeked
Thrush complex (A.O.U. 1995), remained uncertain until now. Because this species win-
ters in the Greater Antilles, its migration path should regularly bring individuals to
Florida, New recently published information on identification criteria (see above) made
it possible to critically evaluate this report. Woolfenden and Greenlaw (2005) also re-
viewed specimen evidence pertaining to C. minimus and C. bicknelli in Florida, and
clarified the status and occurrence of both species in the state. They concluded that ver-
ifiable evidence of Bicknell’s Thrush in Florida was limited to four museum specimens;
in all instances the collection dates of these specimens predate this report, the first to
be reviewed and accepted by the FOSRC. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: none;
not accepted: none. Added to the official FOSRC state list as a verifiable species.

Bicknell’s Thrush, Catharus bicknelli (CL, 04-548). An adult captured, measured, pho-
tographed, and banded on Key Largo, 11 May 2002. The evidence available to the
Committee consisted of measurements, photographs, and a manuscript (later pub-
lished, Brand et al. 2005). See information on criteria for identification in 04-547
above. In this case, wing chord and the difference between P8-P6 were consistent with
those of male Bicknelfs Thrushes, but with a small overlap with the smallest Gray-
cheeked Thrushes. However, all measurements fell within the 95% confidence limits
of BicknelFs Thrushes, and outside the 95% limits for Gray-cheeked Thrushes. Soft
part and plumage colors were consistent with colors often provided for “typical” Bick-
nell’s Thrushes. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 04-547; not accepted: none.

Western Spindalis, Spindalis zena subsp. (CAG, LM, 05-572). The first green-backed
adult in Florida, an adult male seen by many observers at Indigenous Park, Key West,
Monroe Co., from 25 October 2004 to 24 March 2005. Although the species is no longer
on the state review list, the Committee chose to review this sighting because it repre-
sents a population (green-backed birds) not previously verified in Florida, and be-
cause the taxonomic status of this polytypic species may be revised. We examined one
observer’s description and a series of excellent photographs. We evaluated geographic
variation in plumage color and pattern using the most recent source (Garrido et al.
1997). Comparative photographs of S. z. pretrei (Cuba) and S. z. salvini (Cayman Is-
lands), including a photograph in Bradley (1985), were used as supplementary mate-
rial. Black-backed races occur in the central and northern Bahamas, although some

Fifteenth Report— FOS Records Committee

81

green-backed individuals occur on Great Abaco and many on Grand Bahama (S. z.
townsendi). The relatively bright nuchal collar, olive-green (rather than dusky-green)
back, scapulars, and upper secondary coverts (“mantle” in traditional usage), and ab-
sence of a distinct blackish chest band that segregates the yellow throat from the yel-
low breast discount townsendi. The westernmost population on Cozumel Island and
adjoining Quintana Roo, Mexico, is discounted by the brighter nuchal collar, smaller
beak, and yellower breast in the Key West bird. The characters visible in the photo-
graphs of the Key West Spindalis, in particular mantle color, relatively bright nuchal
collar, medium-sized bill, and clean white supercilium suggests origin from Cuba or
Grand Cayman (pretrei or salvini, respectively). Individuals from the Grand Cayman
population tend to have a speckled black supraloral area (anterior supercilium) and a
two-toned nuchal collar, which the Key West bird evidently lacked. Thus, it is likely
that the Key West Spindalis originated from the Cuban population. For another anal-
ysis, see Pranty and Smith (2001). In any event, the Committee did not affirm the ten-
tative subspecies determination (JSG) provided here, but only the proposition that
the bird represented a green-backed population of S. zena. Reports of green-backed
Western Spindalis previously accepted by FOSRC: none; not accepted: none.

Black-faced Grassquit, Tiaris bicolor (BR, 03-518). Written description and photo-
graphs of a subadult male observed 1 September 2003 at Long Pine Key, Everglades
National Park, Miami-Dade Co, Written descriptions provided by two observers. De-
scriptions of bird and of its vocalizations and photographs taken together diagnostic,
but observers did not look beyond possible confusion with U.S. Passerina buntings. No
questions or reservations about natural origin. Not widely kept in captivity, espe-
cially young males. Sighting occurrence coincides with period when natural dispersal
is expected. R&W (1992) mention ca 8 reports prior to 1992 and two specimens from
Florida; likely an irregular straggler or very rare winter visitor. Reports previously
accepted by FOSRC: 87-126, 93-272; not accepted: 88-145, 89-161, 91-251.

Black-faced Grassquit, Tiaris hicolor (MGr, 04-535). Written description and video
with audio submitted by one person, but bird observed by several people 21-24 March
2004, at Jupiter Ridge Environmental Resource, Jupiter, Palm Beach Co. Description
and video diagnostic. Conical bill typical of Tiaris, overall plumage pattern consistent
with a first" winter male beginning transition to adult plumage. Vocalization audible
on tape consistent. Not widely kept in captivity, especially young males. No unre-
solved issues. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 87-126, 93-272, 03-518; not ac-
cepted: 88-145, 89-161, 91-251.

Green-tailed Towhee, Pipilo chlorurus (EK, 03-511). Written description, photo-
graphs, and taped vocalizations of an adult bird observed 19 February 2004 at Hon-
eymoon Island State Park, Pinellas Co. Photographs diagnostic showed a large, long-
tailed towhee with dull green upperparts and a bright orange-rufous crown patch.
Only one previous record of this species in Florida, of a bird seen by hundreds of ob-
servers from 7 January to 4 February 1990 in Polk Co. (R&W 1992). Reports previ-
ously accepted by FOSRC: 90-195; not accepted: none.

American Tree Sparrow, Spizella arhorea (PB, DWD, RLD). Written description by
three observers and photographs of a bird observed 25-26 October 2003 at Fort Pick-
ens, Pensacola Beach, Escambia Co. Descriptions and photographs diagnostic. The
yellow lower mandible typical of this species was clearly visible as were other distin-
guishing marks. Listed in Appendix A of R&W (1992) as an unverified straggler, the
first state record of this species was of a bird observed and photographed 15 April
1998 at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge (Bowman 2000). This report constitutes
only the second state record of this species. Reports previously accepted hy FOSRC:
98-386; not accepted: 83-037.

Harris’s Sparrow, Zonotrichia querula (WCP, 03-513). Written description and photo-
graphs of an adult bird observed from 28 December 2002 to 15 February 2003 at the

82

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Marina Isle Fish Camp on Lake Jessup, Seminole Co. Photos diagnostic of an adult
bird. A large, chunky sparrow with a pink bill; brown head with a characteristic dark
auricular patch, black forehead and upper crown, and white spotting on hind crown.
Harris’s Sparrow is a very rare and irregular winter visitor to Florida (R&W 1992).
Many published photos exist, but no specimens are known from Florida. Reports pre-
viously accepted by FOSRC: 94-315, 97-378, 02-478; not accepted: none.

Harris’s Sparrow, Zonotrichia querula (CB, 04-551). A brief written description and an
excellent color photograph were diagnostic for a first winter bird at Hontoon Island
State Park, Volusia Co., on 25 November 2004. The photograph showed a large spar-
row belonging to the crowned sparrow group {Zonotrichia) with a pink bill, white un-
derparts patterned black on the chest, sides, and flanks, black crown, soft brown side
of head and neck, and white wingbars. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 94-
315, 97-378, 02-478, 03-513; not accepted: none.

Varied Bunting, Passerina versicolor (GEW, 05-574). First state record. A specimen of
an adult male (GEW 6004) found dead beneath a window on 1 June 2005, Siesta Key,
Sarasota Co. A manuscript (Woolfenden and van Deventer 2006) was submitted to
the Committee. No historical, unverified reports of this species from Florida. Reports
previously accepted by FOSRC: none; not accepted: none. Added to the official FOSRC
state list as a verifiable species.

Hooded Oriole, Icterus cucullatus (RLD, 02-494). First state record. Although this re-
port of a bird observed 22 and 26 October 2002 in Gulf Breeze, Santa Rosa Co., pro-
vided only a brief written description, it included several photographs of the bird at a
backyard feeder. These photos clearly show the orange head with black bib to upper
breast, black back, white on upper coverts, but with median coverts black, and
slightly decurved bill. No previous reports of Hooded Oriole from Florida. Typically
winters in Mexico, but small numbers may winter in sw US; casual to e. Texas and
Louisiana, but not recorded from Mississippi, Alabama, or Georgia. Reports previ-
ously accepted by FOSRC: none; not accepted: none. Added to the official FOSRC
state list as a verifiable species.

Bullock’s Oriole, Icterus bullockii. The Committee decided to review historical records
of this species in Florida. At the time that the Northern Oriole was re-split into Bal-
timore (7. galbula) and Bullock’s orioles, the FOSRC evaluated the occurrence of both
these species for elevation to the state list. We assumed that both would require little
evaluation. Two specimens of Bullock’s Oriole were easily available to the Committee,
one at Archbold Biological Station (ABS) and one at Tall Timbers Research Station
(TTRS). The specimen at ABS was originally collected by Dennis Paulson in Dade Co.,
24 December 1956. It was cataloged in the University of Miami collection as UMRC
1437, but when that collection was dissolved, the specimen was recataloged at ABS as
ABS 483. The Committee evaluated this specimen and, based on overall and ventral
coloration and the lack of noticeable saw-toothed markings on the median coverts
(Lee and Birch 1998, 2001), decided that the specimen was likely a female or first-
winter male Baltimore Oriole. Upon evaluating the TTRS specimen, collected by
Storrs Olson in Franklin Co., 17 October 1964, we also concluded that this specimen
was a Baltimore Oriole. At the time we did not have additional specimens to consider,
thus Baltimore Oriole was added to the state list, but Bullock’s Oriole was not, pend-
ing review of additional specimens. Subsequently, several reports of Bullock’s Oriole
in Florida were accepted, and previously published photographs of the species in
Florida were reviewed and accepted. In 2001, Bullock’s Oriole was added to the state
list. We reviewed four additional specimens purported to be Bullock’s Oriole collected
in Florida and housed in various museums. Although these were historical speci-
mens, each was assigned a modern FOSRC catalog number. Two were accepted and
two were rejected (see below, Reports Not Accepted). A review of additional specimens
also was recently completed (Pranty et al. 2005).

Fifteenth Report— FOS Records Committee

83

Bullock’S Oriole, /cteras bullockii (04-542). Collected 11 January 1957 near Princeton,
Dade Co. In the University of Miami collection as UMRC 1403, but mistakenly re-
ferred to as UMRC 1437 in Stevenson and Anderson (1994). Moved to the Field Mu-
seum of Natural History and recataloged as FMNH 375099. This specimen was
obviously a first-winter male Bullock’s Oriole, with the start of a black throat, yellow
supercilium, and distinct black saw-toothed patterns to the median coverts. Reports
previously accepted by FOSRC: 01-443, 01-450; not accepted: 04-543, 04-545.

Bullock’s Oriole, Icferas bullockii (04-544). Collected 1 October 1966 near Tallahassee,
Leon Co. and housed at the Florida State University. The original catalog number
FSU 6848c had been crossed our and the number 2102 penciled in on the label. The
bird was identified as a male on the specimen label. This bird was fairly bright and
exhibited more orange that the /. galbula specimens. It had the distinctive black in
the throat, a yellow supercilium, and the median coverts had the distinct saw-toothed
pattern typical of 1. bullockii. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 01-443, 01-450,
04-542; not accepted: 04-543, 04-545.

Reports not Accepted

Common Merganser, Mergus merganser (02-469). Re-evaluation of a previously unre-
solved report. Photo of a mounted specimen purportedly collected near Aripeka, Pasco
Co. The specimen was subsequently lost and not available for examination. Species
identification certain, but original data about collection locale, date, etc. was also lost
and information in submitted report was second-hand. Written description or notes
from original collector not available, thus provenance uncertain. Reports previously
accepted by FOSRC: none; not accepted: 91-241.

Red-billed Tropicbird, Phaethon aethereus (02-492). Written description of bird seen 3
October 2002 at the Eglin Beach Club west jetty near Destin, Okaloosa Co. Observa-
tion under rough conditions at over 500 m. Details insufficient to eliminate immature
White-tailed Tropicbird or other similar species. Tail streamers not seen and report of
red bill only second-hand. Other comments vague and sometimes confusing, such as
a description of the bird as “large.” Evidence was insufficient to confirm identity. Re-
ports previously accepted by FOSRC: 93-334, 96-368, 03-514, 04-539; not accepted:
none.

Northern Goshawk, Accipiter gentilis (03-502). Written report prepared from memory
two months after sighting of a bird observed 17 March 2003 along the St. Johns River
near Switzerland, St. Johns Co. Description nearly complete, but a few key details
missing, such as white undertail coverts. Evidence insufficient to confirm identity. Re-
ports previously accepted by FOSRC: none; not accepted: none.

Black-headed Gull, Lams ridihundus (02-493). Written description of a bird observed
3 October 2002 near Pensacola Beach, Escambia Co. Description insufficient to differ-
entiate from aberrant Laughing Gulls, which occasionally have red bills and legs; no
mention of tail or wing tip patterns. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 82-021,
91-217, 99-400, 00-410, 02-482; not accepted: none.

Thayer’s Gull, Lams thayeri (02-481). Photographs and written description of a bird ob-
served 4-13 February 2002 near Tallahassee, Leon Co. The Committee was petitioned to
reevaluate this report. Additional material was provided but did not aid in resolving the
bird’s identity and the Committee decided not to reevaluate. Its previous review stands.
Photograph shows two-tone bill with more extensive pink at base than described in
written account or expected for first-winter Thayer’s Gull. Back mottled, but splotchy
looking rather than the neat markings typical of Thayer’s Gull. Tail was as dark as pri-
maries without a white edge. Contrast between dark secondaries and greater secondary
coverts too great. Photographs and written description not sufficient to confirm identity.
Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 86-091, 99-389, 02-460; not accepted: none.

84

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Elegant Tern, Sterna elegans (03-505). Written description and photographs of a bird
observed from 30 April to 3 May 2003 on Loggerhead Key, Dry Tortugas, Monroe Co.
Bill shape and the extensive black on bill, short crest, bill not as long and decurved,
suggests a Elegant-Sandwich Tern hybrid. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC:
00-430, 02-477, 02-486; not accepted: none.

Elegant Tern, Sterna elegans (05-569). Written description of three individuals to-
gether on sandbar off Flamingo visitor center, Everglades National Park, Monroe Co.,
17 April 2005. Birds were relatively distant from observer (to 400 yds) in mid-morn-
ing light, with observer looking southward into Florida Bay. Description suggestive,
but conditions made it difficult to rule out S. elegans x S. sandvicensis. Some details
of bill and crest shapes were undescribed. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 00-
430, 02-477, 02-486; not accepted: 03-505.

Broad-billed Hummingbird, Cynanthus latirostris (04-536). Written descriptions sub-
mitted by three different observers of a bird observed 20-21 December 2003, near
Gainesville, Alachua Co. Although some of the reports were quite detailed, the observers
provided conflicting evidence. Conflicting reports included whether the tail was white
tipped, the bill shape, and the color of the underparts. Each of these characteristics is
critical to determining the probable identity of this species. No red was noted at the base
of the mandible, a diagnostic character of the Broad-billed Hummingbird, although it
may be very difficult to see in HY/SY females. In addition, no verifiable evidence, such as
a photograph or video was submitted by which the contradictory evidence could be re-
solved. At the time of its review, this species was not currently on Florida’s bird list (but
see 04-549 above) and a first state record requires more convincing and consistent docu-
mentation. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: none; not accepted: none.

Cuban Pewee, Contopus caribaeus (02-489). Re-evaluation of a previously unresolved
report. Written description of behavior and plumage of a bird observed 18 May 1996
in the Ft. Jefferson parade grounds in the Dry Tortugas, Monroe Co., published in
Field Notes (1993, 50(3):272) suggested Cuban Pewee, but no description of vocaliza-
tion or mention of primary extension. Written description not sufficient to confirm
identity, especially to rule out Eastern Wood-Pewee {Contopus virens). Reports previ-
ously accepted by FOSRC: 95-333, 01-441, 02-490; not accepted: 00-412.

Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Myiarchus tuberculifer (04-529). Written description by a
single observer of a bird observed 5 February 2004, at Emeralda Marsh, Tavares,
Lake Co. Description at times contradicted identification: specifically mentioned lack
of rufous on tail or elsewhere, but Dusky-capped Flycatcher has conspicuous rufous
edges to the primaries visible both in flight and perched. The lack of rufous on the tail
is diagnostic for Dusky-capped Flycatcher (as well as La Sagra’s Flycatcher, Myiar-
chus sagrae), but there was no mention of the angle at which the tail was viewed; the
rufous edges to the rectrices in other Myiarchus flycatchers can be difficult to see
from above unless the tail is spread. No comparisons made to potentially similar My-
iarchus from Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America. No mention of vocalizations.
Typically winter vagrant flycatchers remain in Florida for some time, but no one else
appears to have seen this bird. This species not currently on Florida’s bird list and a
first state record requires more convincing documentation. Reports previously ac-
cepted by FOSRC: none; not accepted: none.

Tropical Kingbird, Tyrannus melancholicus (02-459). Re-evaluation of a previously un-
resolved report. Written description of a bird observed 30 November 2001 near Engle-
wood, Charlotte Co. Written description consistent with Tropical or Couch’s
kingbirds. Vocalization stated to be that of Tropical Kingbird, but not described at all
in report. Most agreed description too ambiguous to accept. Reports previously ac-
cepted by FOSRC: 00-416, 00-402, 00-425, 02-484; not accepted: none.

Loggerhead Kingbird, Tyrannus caudifasciatus (03-517). Based on a paper by R W.
Smith, G. E. Woolfenden, and A. Sprunt, IV, recently published in North American

Fifteenth Report— FOS Records Committee

85

Birds (2000, 54:235-240), which reevaluated the evidence for the occurrence of Log-
gerhead Kingbird in Florida, the Committee continued its reevaluation of the inclu-
sion of this species on the state list. The FOSRC added the Loggerhead Kingbird to its
list of species occurring in Florida based on its inclusion in the list of verified species
in R&W (1992). The Committee reviewed original photographs used by R&W and,
more recently, by Smith et al. in their reevaluation. In addition, the Committee eval-
uated new photographs by Brooks Atherton that had not been previously used by
R&W or by Smith et al. None of the photos reviewed appeared diagnostic for Logger-
head Kingbird. In most cases, the birds in the photographs tended to have a rounder
head and shorter bill than is typical of Loggerhead Kingbird. The accumulated docu-
mentation was assigned catalog number 03-517, and the Committee decided that the
evidence did not support Loggerhead Kingbird. Thus Loggerhead Kingbird was re-
moved from the official FOSRC state list.

Tamaulipas Crow, Corvus imparatus (03-510). Written description and photographs of a
bird observed 8 January 2000 on the road between Flamingo and the entrance station
of Everglades National Park, Monroe Co. Photos and vocal description could not elim-
inate Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus). Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: none;
not accepted: none.

Caribbean Martin, Prague dominicensis (02-463). Re-evaluation of a previously unre-
solved report. Written report and video of a large flock of birds observed 29-30 Octo-
ber 1998 near Key West, Monroe Co. Video, mostly of females, difficult to review;
written description mentioned males, but no clear view of males in video. Females of
several martin species (Purple [P. subis], Cuban [R cryptoleuca], and Sinaloa [P. si-
naloae] martins) are too similar to distinguish. Sighting followed storm, so likely a
rarity, but unable to confirm species identity. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC;
none; not accepted: 95-332.

Bewick’s Wren, Thryomanes hewickii (02-491). Written description of a bird observed 9
March 2000 near Ft. Walton Beach, Okaloosa Co. Not on review list, but collapse of
eastern North American population justifies review. Report submitted >3 yrs after 4-
6 sec sighting. Committee felt the observer likely saw a Bewick’s Wren, but written
description somewhat vague and lacked some important details, such as back color.
Evidence was insufficient to confirm identity. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC:
01-454; not accepted: none.

Sage Thrasher, Oreoscoptes montanus (03-522). Written description of a bird observed
23 October 2003 near Ft. Walton Beach, Okaloosa Co. Bird seen by two people. De-
scription did not mention color of tail corners — a critical identification feature — even
though observers were in a position to have noticed that. This is a relatively rare bird
in Florida, so the Committee chose to treat the report conservatively and concluded
that the evidence was insufficient to confirm identity. Reports previously accepted by
FOSRC: 81-006; not accepted: none.

Yellow Warbler (Mangrove Warbler group), Dendroica petechia erithachorides (03-517).
Written description of a bird observed 11 August 2003 in Marathon, Monroe Co. This spe-
cies is not a review species, but the Committee voted unanimously to review report be-
cause of potential future split of “Mangrove Warbler” out of Yellow Warbler complex.
Observer saw the bird only from rear and side. Description incomplete (no view of breast).
Head described as “red” (“red hood”), not rusty or reddish-brown. Committee unable to
distinguish between occurrence of possible member of the Mangrove Warbler (eritha-
chorides) subspecies group and one from the Golden Warbler (petechia) group. There were
other issues with the incomplete and oversimplified description. Evidence insufficient to
confirm identity. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: none; not accepted: none.

Kirtland’S Warbler, Dendroica kirtlandii (03-525). Written description of a bird ob-
served 17 October 2003 near Pensacola, Escambia Co. Panhandle location and inland
site on migration (not directly on coast) unusual. No mention of back streaking, or of

86

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

tail pumping behavior. Bird was observed very closely for about 2 minutes, so these
features should have been noticed, or otherwise commented on in the write-up. Evi-
dence was insufficient to confirm identity. Reports previously accepted by the FOSRC:
82-025, 93-273, 97-376, 00-403; not accepted: 82-015, 89-176, 97-376, 00-421.

Red-legged Honeycreeper, Cyanerpes cyaneus (03-501. Written description, drawings,
field notes, and photographs of a bird observed 25-27 March 2003 near Boca Chita,
Biscayne National Park, Miami-Dade Co. Photos clearly show an adult male Red-
legged Honeycreeper, thus only ambiguity was origin. Possible dispersal from Cuba
considered, where populations may be increasing, or from Yucatan. Strong winds
from southeast present prior to sightings. However, adult dispersal less likely during
breeding season, March-July. Species common in the avicultural trade in Miami area,
but no obvious signs of having been in captivity. Committee decided that given its his-
tory in local aviculture, provenance too uncertain. Reports previously accepted by
FOSRC: none; not accepted: none.

Red-legged Honeycreeper, Cyanerpes cyaneus (03-506). Written description and pho-
tographs of a bird observed between 25 April and 3 May 2003 at Garden Key, Dry Tor-
tugas, Monroe Co. See discussion for 03-501. Could not rule out that this bird was the
same individual seen at Boca Chita a month earlier. Reports previously accepted by
FOSRC: none; not accepted: 03-501.

Red-legged Honeycreeper, Cyanerpes cyaneus (04-531). Written description and pho-
tographs submitted by one person of a bird observed by three people 21 February
2004 at Royal Palm Hammock, Everglades National Park, Miami-Dade Co. Descrip-
tion and photograph diagnostic of an adult male Cyanerpes. No further issues regard-
ing identification. Recent work by P. Sykes and L. Manfredi suggest Cyanerpes is not
uncommon in Miami cage bird trade. An adult male in Florida in mid-winter is not
consistent with what would be the presumed timing of vagrancy. As with previous re-
ports of Cyanerpes, the Committee felt it could not rule out a captive escapee, espe-
cially for a first state record. More probable for natural vagrants would be young (HY/
SY) males or females, which are more likely to occur as vagrants and less likely to be
kept in captivity. Not accepted based on uncertainty of provenance. Reports previ-
ously accepted by FOSRC: none; not accepted: 03-501, 03-506.

Red-legged Honeycreeper, Cyanerpes cyaneus (05-573). Another adult male, observed
on 21 April 2005 in Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, Key West, Monroe Co. Species
correctly identified, but once again, the Committee could not discount the possibility
that the bird originated from the avicultural industry in south Florida. Reports pre-
viously accepted by FOSRC: none; not accepted: 03-501, 03-506, 04-531.

Blue-black Grassquit, Volatinia jacarina (04-541). Detailed description and excellent
photographs of a bird observed 27 April 2004 on St. George Island, Franklin Co. The
Committee was concerned about the overall slenderness of the bill that seemed more
typical of an icterid than a grassquit; however, information available to the Commit-
tee about geographical variation in bill shape was incomplete. In addition, some of
the behavioral and plumage characteristics seemed inconsistent with those of Vola-
tinia. Specimens at FLMNH were reviewed in January 2005, and the photographs
and details in the description were re-examined in the light of new information on
structure, plumage, and behavior. The very distinct icterid-like bill, robust legs, and
walking gait on the ground were inconsistent with Blue-black Grassquit, but were
consistent with a smaller icterid, probably a first-year Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus
bonariensis) with worn, retained juvenile flight feathers. Reports previously accepted
by FOSRC: none; not accepted: none.

Brewer’s Sparrow, Spizella breweri (03-519). Detailed written description by one ob-
server of a bird observed by three people on 24 September 2003 near Pensacola, Es-
cambia Co. This species is not presently on the official FOSRC list of the birds of
Florida. There was some issue about whether streaking was present on rump. Streak-

Fifteenth Report— FOS Records Committee

87

ing on breast indicated a juvenile. Since immature Spizella sparrows are variable,
there were issues about separation of observed bird from juveniles of other members
of genus. Another key issue was lack of verifiable evidence on this sighting. Evidence
was insufficient to confirm identity. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: none; not

accepted: none.

Bullock’s Oriole, Icterus bullockii (04-543). See discussion of Bullock’s Oriole in the
Accepted Reports section above. Collected 12 October 1957 near Princeton, Dade Co.
In the University of Miami collection as UMRC 1631 then moved to the Field Mu-
seum of Natural History and recataloged as FMNH 375044. Based on overall and
ventral coloration, plain face, lack of distinct supercilium, and lack of noticeable saw-
toothed markings in wing bar on median coverts, specimen determined as a likely fe-
male Baltimore Oriole. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 01-443, 01-450, 04-
542; not accepted: none.

Bullock’s Oriole, Icterus hullockii (04-543). See discussion of Bullock’s Oriole in the
Accepted Reports section above. Collected 4 February 1967 near Miller’s Landing,
Leon Co. and housed at the Florida State University. The original catalog number
FSU 6848d had been crossed our and the number 2101 penciled in on the label. The
bird was identified as a female on the specimen label. Face grayish with no distinct
dark eye-line. Chest yellow extending far onto belly. No distinctive saw-toothed mark-
ings in wing bar on median coverts, suggesting female or first-winter male Baltimore
Oriole. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 01-443, 01-450, 04-542; not accepted:
04-543.

Changes to the Official FOSRC State List

Additions Deletions

Cackling Goose Variegated Flycatcher

Eurasian Kestrel Loggerhead Kingbird

Slaty-backed Gull
Black-hooded Parakeet (exotic)

Broad-billed Hummingbird
Piratic Flycatcher
Mangrove Swallow
Mountain Bluebird
Bicknell’s Thrush
Varied Bunting
Hooded Oriole

Reports not Resolved

South Polar Skua, Catharacta maccormicki (04-540). Written description of a bird ob-
served 26 June 2004, 100 nautical miles ESE of Cape Canaveral. The Committee de-
termined the bird was seen closer to the territorial waters of the Bahamas rather
than those of Florida. The Committee decided that this bird was seen beyond the
boundaries of our review area (see FOSRC Rules and Procedures; www.fosbirds.org/
RecordsCommittee/RulesAndProcedures.htm). Although the sighting was only 100
nm from Florida, it was not nearest to Florida, but rather to the legal jurisdiction of
the Bahamas. For that reason, the Committee did not consider the report and it was
not voted on. With the observer’s permission, the report was forwarded to Andrew
Kratter, who is a member of the FOSRC and The Bahamas Avian Records Committee,
so that the Bahamian committee can consider it. We believe that this report, if ac-
cepted, would constitute a first record for the Bahamas.

88

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Heermann’S Gull, Lams heermanni (03-508). Written description of a bird observed 20
May 2003 near Destin Pass, Okaloosa Co. The committee decided that the plumage
was consistent with the Heermann’s Gull that had been resident at Ft. DeSoto and
had been previously reviewed and accepted (01-452). Occurrence in the panhandle is
consistent with vagrancy patterns of the Ft. DeSoto bird and with the date of its last
sighting at Ft. DeSoto.

White-tipped Dove, Leptotila verreauxi (03-504). Written description and multiple pho-
tographs of a bird observed from 19 April to 2 May 2003 on Garden Key, Dry Tortugas,
Monroe Co. Color and lighting varied among the original photographs making direct
comparisons difficult. Additional photos were obtained, including photos of L. v. ful-
viventris and L. jamaicensis gaumeri taken in the wild in Quintana Roo, Mexico.
These photos and examination of specimens in the FLMNH failed to resolve the issue
of interpreting conflicting photographic evidence in the absence of a timely descrip-
tion by observers. This is a classic illustration of a case in which photographs alone do
not always speak unambiguously to an identification.

Say’s Phoebe, Sayornis saya (05-561). Written description of an adult observed by one
person, 26 January 2006, at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Wakulla Co. The de-
scription was basic, but it seemed to rule out alternative possibilities. The observa-
tional narrative was ambiguous, especially concerning whether the observer saw tail
pumping. Vote left the report unresolved.

Yellow-green Vireo, Vireo flauoviridis (04-526). Written description of a bird observed
9 September 2002, near Key West, Monroe Co. This report was the first of two of the same
species at the same location, but approximately one year apart submitted by the same
observer. Both reports were submitted in late 2003, thus it appeared that the 2002 obser-
vation was not written until one year later, when the observer saw the second bird. De-
scription was detailed, but not complete, especially description of facial patterns, absence
of wing bars assumed, but not explicitly stated. Committee decided to request copies of
original field notes made at the time of the sighting, if available, and then re-evaluate.

Golden-crowned Sparrow, Zonotrichia atricapilla (05-562). An adult observed by one
person on 6 February 2005 at Zellwood, Orange Co. Head color and pattern fit a bird
in breeding or near-breeding condition. The Committee had questions about timing
and extent of molt in relation to the plumage reported, so the report was tabled until
it could resolve these questions.

Literature Cited

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American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C.

American Ornithologists’ Union. 1995. Fortieth supplement to the American Orni-
thologists’ Union Check-list of North American Birds. Auk 112:819-830.

American Ornithologists’ Union. 1998. Check-list of North American Birds. Seventh
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American Ornithologists’ Union. 2006. Forty-seventh supplement to the American
Ornithologists’ Union Check-list of North American Birds. Auk 123:926-936.

Banks, R. C., C. Cicero, J. L. Dunn, A. W. Kratter, P. C. Rasmussen, J. V. Remsen,
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Bowman, R. 2000. Thirteenth report of the Florida Ornithological Society Records Com-
mittee: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000. Florida Field Naturalist 28:138-160.

Bowman, R. 2004. Fourteenth report of the Florida Ornithological Society Records Com-
mittee: 2001-2002. Florida Field Naturalist 32:7-33.

Bradley, P. 1985. Birds of the Cayman Islands. Privately published, George Town,
Grand Cayman, B.WI.

Fifteenth Report— FOS Records Committee

89

Brand, S., C. A. Lott, and M. B. Mulrooney. 2005. Two Bicknell’s Thrushes banded
during spring migration on Key Largo: first accepted records for Florida. Florida

Field Naturalist 33:102-104.

Garrido, O. H., K. C. Parkes, G. B. Reynard, A. Kirkconnell, and R. Sutton. 1997.
Taxonomy of the Stripe-headed Tanager, genus Spindalis (Aves: Thraupidae) of the
West Indies. Wilson Bulletin 109:561-594.

Kratter, a. W., T. Webber, T. Taylor, and D. W. Steadman. 2002. New specimen-
based records of Florida birds. Bulletin of the Florida Museum of Natural History
43:111-161.

Lane, D., and A. Jaramillo. 2000. Identification of Hylocichla / Catharus thrushes. Part
III. Gray-cheeked and Bicknelfs thrushes. Birding 32:318-331.

Lee, C.-T., and A. Birch. 1998. Field identification of female and immature Bullock’s
and Baltimore orioles. Birding 30:282-295.

Lee, C.-T., and A. Birch. 2001. Wing covert pattern as an aid to identifying female and
immature Bullock’s and Baltimore orioles — ^another look. Birding 33:64-68.

McKenzie, P. M., and M. B. Robbins. 1998. Identification of adult male Rufous and Allen’s
hummingbirds, with specific comments on dorsal coloration. Western Birds 30:86-93.

OUELLET, H. 1993. BicknelFs Thrush: taxonomic status and distribution. Wilson Bulletin
105: 545-572.

Palmer, R. S., ed. 1976. Handbook of North American Birds. Yale University Press, New
Haven, CT.

Power, H. W., and M. P. Lombardo. 1996. Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides). In The
Birds of North America, No. 222 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sci-
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Pranty, B., and P. W. Smith. 2001. Status, distribution, and taxonomy of the Spindalis
complex (“Stripe-headed Tanager”) in Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 29:13-25.

Pranty, B., E. Kwater, H. Weatherman, and H. P. Robinson. 2004. The Eurasian
Kestrel in Florida: First record for the southeastern United States, with a review of
its status in North America. North American Birds 58:168-169.

Pranty, B., and H. W. Lovell. 2004. Population increase and range expansion of Black-
hooded Parakeets in Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 32:129-137.

Pranty, B., A. W. Kratter, and R. Bowman. 2005. Records of Bullock’s Oriole in Flor-
ida. Florida Field Naturalist 33:41-46.

Pyle, P. 1997. Identification Guide to North American Birds. Part 1, Columbidae to Plo-
ceidae. Slate Creek Press, Bolinas, CA.

Rimmer, C. C., K. P. McFarland, W. G. Ellison, and J. E. Goetz. 2001. BicknelFs
Thrush (Catharus bicknelli). In The birds of North America, No. 592 (A. Poole and
F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.

Robertson, W. B., Jr., and G. E. WOOLFENDEN. 1992. Florida Bird Species: an Anno-
tated List. Florida Ornithological Society, Special Publ. No. 6.

Smith, P. W., G. E. Woolfenden, and A. Sprunt IV. 2000. The Loggerhead Kingbird in
Florida: the evidence revisited. North American Birds 54:235-240.

Stevenson, H. M., and B. H. Anderson. 1994. The Birdlife of Florida. University Press
of Florida, Gainesville, FL.

Stevenson, H. M., and L. S. Atherton. 1984. Some comments about “white-winged”
gulls in Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 12:99-103.

Sykes, P. W., Jr., L. S. Atherton, M. Gardler, and J. H. Hintermister V. 2004. The
first Mangrove Swallow recorded in the United States. North American Birds 58:4-11.

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goose complex (Branta canadensis & B. hutchinsii). http://www.oceanwanderers.com/
CAGO.Subspecies.html

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WOOLFENDEN, G. E., AND M. VAN DEVENTER 2006. First record of the Varied Bunting
from Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 34:1-35.

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both Gray-cheeked and BicknelFs thrushes in Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 33:93-
101.

FOS Records Committee report prepared by: Reed Bowman (Secretary-2003-2005),
Archbold Biological Station, RO. Box 2057, Lake Placid, FL 33862 and Jon S. Green-
law (Secretary-2005), 2813 S.W. 43'^'' Lane, Cape Coral, FL 33914. Other committee
members during the time of this report included: Lyn S, Atherton, 1100 Pinellas Bay-
way 1-3, Tierra Verde, FL 33715; R. Todd Engstrom, The Nature Conservancy, Green-
wood, P.O. Box 890, Thomasville, GA 31796; Sally Jue, 3455 Dorchester Court,
Tallahassee, FL 32312; Andrew Kratter, Division of Ornithology, Florida Museum of
Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611; Fred E. Lohrer, Arch-
bold Biological Station, P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, FL 33862; and Mary C. Wheeler,
11700 S.W. 104“^ Ave., Miami, FL 33176.

Appendix 1.

Official State List of the Birds of Florida as Compiled by the
Florida Ornithological Society Records Committee

The list here concerns modern bird species that have definitely occurred in Florida
by natural appearance or by establishment of an exotic. The base list is the Supplement:
Checklist of Florida Birds, pp. 255-260 in Robertson & Woolfenden (1992), as updated by
final decisions of the Florida Ornithological Society’s Records Committee. This list of
495 species is updated through 31 December 2005. Annotations are: exotics (e); extinct
native species (x); disestablished exotics (d); and species listed without verifiable evi-
dence (u), as directed in FOSRC Rules. Sibling species groups may be included without
reference to a particular underlying species but shall not be counted in any total of spe-
cies found in Florida unless none of the underlying species are on the state list.

Species in the list below annotated with an * should be documented when detected in
Florida and submitted to the FOSRC for review. In the case of Empidonax traillii and
E. alnorum, only sightings that also document vocalizations should be sent to FOSRC.
In addition, documentation should be submitted to the FOSRC for any species detected
in Florida, believed to have occurred naturally or to have escaped, but not appearing in
the main list of the aforementioned publication.

ANATIDAE

Dendrocygna autumnalis
Dendrocygna hicolor
Anser albifirons
Chen caerulescens
Chen rossii
Branta bernicla
Branta hutchinsii
Branta canadensis
Cygnus columbianus
Cairina moschata
Aix sponsa
Anas strepera
Anas penelope
Anas americana

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
Fulvous Whistling-Duck
Greater White-fronted Goose
Snow Goose
Ross’s Goose*

Brant

Cackling Goose*

Canada Goose
Tundra Swan
Muscovy Duck (e)

Wood Duck
Gadwall

Eurasian Wigeon
American Wigeon

Fifteenth Report— FOS Records Committee

91

Anas rubripes
Anas platyrhynchos
Anas fulvigula
Anas discors
Anas cyanoptera
Anas clypeata
Anas hahamensis
Anas acuta
Anas crecca
Aythya valisineria
Aythya americana
Aythya collaris
Aythya marila
Aythya affinis
Somateria spectahilis
Somateria mollissima
Histrionicus histrionicus
Melanitta perspicillata
Melanitta fusca
Melanitta nigra
Clangula hyemalis
Bucephala albeola
Bucephala clangula
Lophodytes cucullatus
Mergus merganser
Mergus serrator
Nomonyx dominicus
Oxyura jamaicensis

PHASIANIDAE

Meleagris gallopavo
CoUnus virginianus

GAVIIDAE

Gavia stellata
Gavia pacifica
Gavia immer

PODICIPEDIDAE

Tachybaptus dominicus
Podilymbus podiceps
Podiceps auritus
Podiceps grisegena
Podiceps nigricollis
Aechmophorus occidentalis

DIOMEDEIDAE
Thalassarche chlororhynchos
PROCELLARIIDAE

Pterodroma hasitata
Calonectris diomedea
Puffinus gravis

American Black Duck
Mallard
Mottled Duck
Blue-winged Teal
Cinnamon Teal
Northern Shoveler
White-cheeked Pintail*
Northern Pintail
Green- winged Teal
Canvasback
Redhead

Ring-necked Duck
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
King Eider*

Common Eider
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser*
Red-breasted Merganser
Masked Duck*

Ruddy Duck

Wild Turkey
Northern Bob white

Red-throated Loon
Pacific Loon
Common Loon

Least Grebe*
Pied-billed Grebe
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe*
Eared Grebe
Western Grebe*

Yellow-nosed Albatross*

Black-capped Petrel
Cory’s Shearwater
Greater Shearwater

92

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Puffinus griseus
Puffinus tenuirostris
Puffinus puffinus
Puffinus Iherminieri

HYDROBATIDAE

Oceanites oceanicus
Oceanodroma leucorhoa
Oceanodroma castro

PHAETHONTIDAE

Phaethon lepturus
Phaethon aethereus

SULIDAE

Sula dactylatra
Sula leucog aster
Sula sula
Morus bassanus

PELECANIDAE

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Pelecanus occidentalis

PHALACROCORACIDAE

Phalacrocorax auritus
Phalacrocorax carbo

ANHINGIDAE
Anhinga anhinga
FREGATIDAE
Fregata magnificens
ARDEIDAE

Botaurus lentiginosus
Ixobrychus exilis
Ardea herodias
Ardea alba
Egretta thula
Egretta caerulea
Egretta tricolor
Egretta rufescens
Bubulcus ibis
Butorides virescens
Nycticorax nycticorax
Nyctanassa violacea

THRESKIORNITHIDAE

Eudocimus albus
Eudocimus ruber
Plegadis falcinellus
Plegadis chihi

Sooty Shearwater
Short-tailed Shearwater*
Manx Shearwater*
Audubon’s Shearwater

Wilson’s Storm-Petrel
Leach’s Storm-Petrel
Band-rumped Storm-Petrel

White-tailed Tropicbird
Red-billed Tropicbird*

Masked Booby
Brown Booby
Red-footed Booby
Northern Gannet

American White Pelican
Brown Pelican

Double-crested Cormorant
Great Cormorant

Anhinga

Magnificent Frigatebird

American Bittern
Least Bittern
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Little Blue Heron
Tricolored Heron
Reddish Egret
Cattle Egret
Green Heron

Black-crowned Night-Heron
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron

White Ibis
Scarlet Ibis*

Glossy Ibis
White-faced Ibis*

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Platalea ajaja

Roseate Spoonbill

CICONIIDAE

Mycteria americana

Wood Stork

CATHARTIDAE-

Coragyps atratus

Black Vulture

Cathartes aura

Turkey Vulture

PHOENICOPTERIDAE

Phoenicopterus ruber

Greater Flamingo

ACCIPITRIDAE

Pandion haliaetus

Osprey

Elan aides forficatus

Swallow-tailed Kite

Elanus leacurus

White-tailed Kite

Rostrhfim.us sociabilis

Snail Kite

Ictinui mississippiensis

Mississippi Kite

Haliaeetus leu-cocephalus

Bald Eagle

Circus eyaneus

Northern Harrier

Accipiter striatus

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Accipiter cooperii

CoopePs Hawk

Accipiter gentilis

Northern Goshawk*

BuJet} a mini us

Red-shouldered Hawk

Buteo platypterus

Broad-winged Ha¥/k

Buteo brachyurus

Short-tailed Hawk

Buteo suminsoni

Swainson’s Hawk

Buteo alboiiota.tus

Zone-tailed Hawk*

Buteo jamaicensis

Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo regalis

Ferruginous Hawk*

Buteo higopus

Rough-legged Hawk*

Aquila chrysaetos

Golden Eagle

FALCONIDAE

Caracara cheriway

Crested Caracara

Falco tinnunculus

Eurasian Kestrel*

Falco sparverius

American Kestrel

Falco columbarius

Merlin

Falco peregriiius

Peregrine Falcon

RALLIDAE

Coturn icops noveboracensis

Yellow Rail

Laterallus jmm.aicensis

Black Rail

Rallus longirostris

Clapper Rail

Ralhis elegans

King Rail

Rallus Umicola

Virginia Rail

Porzana cafolma

Sora

Porphyrula. martinica

Purple Gallinule

Gal tin ula ehloroptis

Common Moorhen

FuUca americana

American Coot

ARAMIDAE

Aramus guarauna

Limpkin

94

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

GRUIDAE

Grus canadensis

Grus americana

CHARADRIIDAE

Vanellus vanellus
Pluvialis squatarola
Pluvialis dominica
Charadrius alexandrinus
Charadrius wilsonia
Charadrius semipalmatus
Charadrius melodus
Charadrius vociferus
Charadrius montanus

HAEMATOPODIDAE
Haematopus palliatus
RECURVIROSTRIDAE

Himantopus mexicanus
Recurvirostra americana

SCOLOPACIDAE

Actitis macularius
Tringa solitaria
Tringa melanoleuca
Tringa semipalmatus
Tringa flavipes
Bartramia longicauda
Numenius phaeopus
Numenius americanus
Limosa limosa
Limosa haemastica
Limosa lapponica
Limosa fedoa
Arenaria interpres
Aphriza virgata
Calidris canutus
Calidris alba
Calidris pusilla
Calidris mauri
Calidris minutilla
Calidris fuscicollis
Calidris hairdii
Calidris melanotos
Calidris acuminata
Calidris maritima
Calidris alpina
Calidris ferruginea
Calidris himantopus
Tryngites suhruficollis
Philomachus pugnax
Limnodromus griseus

Sandhill Crane
Whooping Crane (x)

Northern Lapwing*
Black-bellied Plover
American Golden-Plover
Snowy Plover
Wilson’s Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Piping Plover
Killdeer

Mountain Plover*

American Oystercatcher

Black-necked Stilt
American Avocet

Spotted Sandpiper

Solitary Sandpiper
Greater Yellowlegs
Willet

Lesser Yellowlegs
Upland Sandpiper
Wliimbrel
Long-billed Curlew
Black-tailed Godwit*
Hudsonian Godwit
Bar-tailed Godwit*
Marbled Godwit
Ruddy Turnstone
Surfbird*

Red Knot
Sanderling

Semipalmated Sandpiper
Western Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
White-rumped Sandpiper
Baird’s Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper*
Purple Sandpiper
Dunlin

Curlew Sandpiper
Stilt Sandpiper
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
Ruff

Short-billed Dowitcher

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Limnodromus scolopaceus
Gallinago delicata
Scolopax minor
Phalaropus tricolor
Phalaropus lohatus
Phalaropus fulicarius

LARIDAE

Larus atricilla
Larus pipixcan
Larus minutus
Larus ridibundus
Larus Philadelphia
Larus heermanni
Larus cirrocephalus
Larus helcheri
Larus delawarensis
Larus californicus
Larus argentatus
Larus thayeri
Larus glaucoides
Larus fuscus
Larus schistisagus
Larus hyperboreus
Larus marinus
Xema sabini
Rissa tridactyla
Anous stoUdus
Amytis minutus
Onychoprion fuscata
Onychoprion anaethetus
Sternula antillarum
Gelochelidon nilotica
Hydroprogne caspia
Chlidonias niger
Sterna dougaftii
Sterna hirundo
Sterna paradisaea
Sterna forsleri
Thalasseus maximus
Thalasseus sandvicensis
Thalasseus elegans
Rynchops niger
Stercorarius maccormicki
Stercorarius pomarinus
Stercorarius parasiticus
Stercorarius longicaudus

ALCIDAE

AUe alle
Uria lomvia
Alca torda

Long-billed Dowitcher
Wilson’s Snipe
American Woodcock
Wilson’s Phalarope
Red-necked Phalarope
Red Phalarope

Laughing Gull
Franklin’s Gull
Little Gull*

Black-headed Gull*
Bonaparte’s Gull
Heermann’s Gull*
Gray-hooded Gull*
Belcher’s Gull*
Ring-billed Gull
California Gull*

Herring Gull
Thayer’s Gull*

Iceland Gull*

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Slaty-backed Gull*

Glaucous Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

Sabine’s Gull

Black-legged Kittiwake

Brown Noddy

Black Noddy

Sooty Tern

Bridled Tern

Least Tern

Gull-billed Tern

Caspian Tern

Black Tern

Roseate Tern

Common Tern

Arctic Tern

Forster’s Tern

Royal Tern

Sandwich Tern

Elegant Tern*

Black Skimmer
South Polar Skua*
Pomarine Jaeger
Parasitic Jaeger
Long-tailed Jaeger

Dovekie

Thick-billed Murre*
Razorbill*

96

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Brachyramphus perdix
Fratercula arctica

Long-billed Murrelet*
Atlantic Puffin*

COLUMBIDAE

Columba livia

Patagioenas squamosa
Patagioenas leucocephala
Patagioenas fasciata
Streptopelia turtur

Streptopelia decaocto

Zenaida asiatica

Zenaida aurita

Zenaida macroura

Ectopistes migratorius
Columbina passerina

Leptotila verreauxi

Geotrygon chrysia

Geotrygon montana

Rock Pigeon (e)

Scaly-naped Pigeon*
White-crowned Pigeon
Band-tailed Pigeon*
European Turtle-Dove*
Eurasian Collared-Dove (e)
White-winged Dove

Zenaida Dove*

Mourning Dove

Passenger Pigeon (x)
Common Ground-Dove
White-tipped Dove*

Key West Quail-Dove
Ruddy Quail-Dove*

PSITTACIDAE

Melopsittacus undulatus
Myiopsitta monachus
Conuropsis carolinensis
Nandayus nenday

Brotogeris versicolurus

Budgerigar (e)

Monk Parakeet (e)

Carolina Parakeet (x)

Black-hooded Parakeet (e)

White- winged Parakeet (e)

CUCULIDAE

Coccyzus americanus

Coccyzus minor

Coccyzus erythropthalmus
Crotophaga ani

Crotophaga sulcirostris

Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Mangrove Cuckoo
Black-billed Cuckoo
Smooth-billed Ani
Groove-billed Ani

TYTONIDAE

Tyto alba

Barn Owl

STRIGIDAE

Otus flammeolus

Megascops asio

Bubo virginianus

Bubo scandiacus

Athene cunicularia

Strix varia

Asio otus

Asio flammeus

Aegolius acadicus

Flammulated Owl*

Eastern Screech-Owl

Great Horned Owl

Snowy Owl*

Burrowing Owl

Barred Owl

Long-eared Owl*
Short-eared Owl

Northern Saw-whet Owl*

CAPRIMULGIDAE

Chordeiles acutipennis
Chordeiles minor

Chordeiles gundlachii
Caprimulgus carolinensis

Caprimulgus vociferus

Lesser Nighthawk

Common Nighthawk
Antillean Nighthawk
Chuck-will’s-widow
Whip-poor-will

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APODIDAE

Streptoprocne zonaris
Chaetura pelagica
Chaetura vauxi
Tachornis phoenicobia

TROCHILIDAE

Cynanthus latirostris
Amazilia yucatanensis
Calliphlox evelynae
Archilochus colubris
Archilochus alexandri
Calypte anna
Stellula calliope
Selasphorus platycercus
Selasphorus rufus
Selasphorus sasin

ALCEDINIDAE

Ceryle alcyon

PICIDAE

Melanerpes erythrocephalus
Melanerpes aurifrons
Melanerpes carolinus
Sphyrapicus varius
Picoides pubescens
Picoides villosus
Picoides borealis
Colaptes auratus
Dryocopus pileatus
Campephilus principalis

TYRANNIDAE

Contopus cooperi
Contopus sordidulus
Contopus virens
Contopus caribaeus
Empidonax flaviventris
Empidonax virescens
Empidonax alnorum
Empidonax traillii
Empidonax minimus
Sayornis nigricans
Sayornis phoebe
Sayornis saya
Pyrocephalus rubinus
Myiarchus cinerascens
Myiarchus crinitus
Myiarchus tyrannulus
Myiarchus sagrae
Myiodynastes luteiventris

White-collared Swift*
Chimney Swift
Vaux’s Swift*
Antillean Palm-Swift*

Broad-billed Hummingbird*
Buff-bellied Hummingbird
Bahama Woodstar*
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Anna’s Hummingbird*
Calliope Hummingbird
Broad-tailed Hummingbird*
Rufous Hummingbird
Allen’s Hummingbird*

Belted Kingfisher

Red-headed Woodpecker
Golden-fronted Woodpecker*
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Red-cockaded Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Ivory-billed Woodpecker (x)

Olive-sided Flycatcher
Western Wood-Pewee*
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Cuban Pewee*
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Acadian Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher*

Willow Flycatcher*

Least Flycatcher
Black Phoebe*

Eastern Phoebe
Say’s Phoebe*

Vermilion Flycatcher
Ash-throated Flycatcher
Great Crested Flycatcher
Brown-crested Flycatcher
La Sagra’s Flycatcher
Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher*

98

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Legatus leucophaius

Tyrannus melancholicus
Tyrannus vociferans

Tyrannus verticalis

Tyrannus tyrannus

Tyrannus dominicensis
Tyrannus forficatus

Tyrannus savana

Piratic Flycatcher*

Tropical Kingbird*

Cassin’s Kingbird*

Western Kingbird

Eastern Kingbird

Gray Kingbird

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Fork-tailed Flycatcher*

LANIIDAE

Lanius ludovicianus

Loggerhead Shrike

VIREONIDAE

Vireo griseus

Vireo crassirostris

Vireo hellii

Vireo flavifrons

Vireo solitarius

Vireo gilvus

Vireo philadelphicus

Vireo olivaceus

Vireo flavoviridis

Vireo altiloquus

White-eyed Vireo

Thick-billed Vireo*

Bell’s Vireo

Yellow-throated Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo

Warbling Vireo

Philadelphia Vireo

Red-eyed Vireo

Yellow-green Vireo*

Black- whiskered Vireo

CORVIDAE

Cyanocitta cristata

Aphelocoma coerulescens
Corvus brachyrhynchos

Corvus ossifragus

Blue Jay

Florida Scrub-Jay

American Crow

Fish Crow

ALAUDIDAE

Eremophila alpestris

Horned Lark

HIRUNDINIDAE

Progne subis

Progne cryptoleuca

Progne elegans

Tachycineta bicolor

Tachycineta albilinea
Tachycineta cyaneoviridis
Stelgidopteryx serripennis
Riparia riparia

Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
Petrochelidon fulva

Hirundo rustica

Purple Martin

Cuban Martin*

Southern Martin*

Tree Swallow

Mangrove Swallow*

Bahama Swallow*

Northern Rough- winged Swallow
Bank Swallow

Cliff Swallow

Cave Swallow

Barn Swallow

PARIDAE

Poecile carolinensis

Baeolophus bicolor

Carolina Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

SITTIDAE

Sitta canadensis

Sitta carolinensis

Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch

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Sitta pusilla

Brown-headed Nuthatch

CERTHIIDAE

Certhia americana

Brown Creeper

TROGLODYTIDAE

Salpinctes obsoletus
Thryothorus ludovicianus
Thryomanes bewickii
Troglodytes aedon

Troglodytes troglodytes
Cistothorus platensis
Cistothorus palustris

Rock Wren*

Carolina Wren

Bewick’s Wren*

House Wren

Winter Wren

Sedge Wren

Marsh Wren

PYCNONOTIDAE

Pycnonotus jocosus

Red-whiskered Bulbul (e)

REGULIDAE

Regulus satrapa

Regulus calendula

Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet

SYLVIIDAE

Polioptila caerulea

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

TURDIDAE

Oenanthe oenanthe

Sialia sialis

Sialia currucoides

Catharus fuscescens

Catharus minimus

Catharus bicknelli

Catharus ustulatus

Catharus guttatus

Hylocichla mustelina

Turdus migratorius

Ixoreus naevius

Northern Wheatear*
Eastern Bluebird
Mountain Bluebird*
Veery

Gray-cheeked Thrush
Bicknell’s Thrush
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush

Wood Thrush

American Robin

Varied Thrush*

MIMIDAE

Dumetella carolinensis

Mimus polyglottos

Mimus gundlachii

Oreoscoptes montanus
Toxostoma rufum

Toxostoma curvirostre

Gray Catbird

Northern Mockingbird
Bahama Mockingbird
Sage Thrasher*

Brown Thrasher
Curve-billed Thrasher*

STURNIDAE

Sturnus vulgaris

European Starling (e)

MOTACILLIDAE

Anthus rubescens

Anthus spragueii

American Pipit

Sprague’s Pipit

BOMBYCILLIDAE

Bombycilla cedrorum

Cedar Waxwing

100

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

PARULIDAE

Vermivora bachmanii
Vermivora pinus
Vermivora chrysoptera
Vermivora peregrina
Vermivora celata
Vermivora ruficapilla
Parula americana
Dendroica petechia
Dendroica pensylvanica
Dendroica magnolia
Dendroica tigrina
Dendroica caerulescens
Dendroica coronata
Dendroica nigrescens
Dendroica chrysoparia
Dendroica virens
Dendroica townsendi
Dendroica fusca
Dendroica dominica
Dendroica pinus
Dendroica kirtlandii
Dendroica discolor
Dendroica palmarum
Dendroica castanea
Dendroica striata
Dendroica cerulea
Mniotilta varia
Setophaga ruticilla
Protonotaria citrea
Helmitheros vermivorus
Limnothlypis swainsonii
Seiurus aurocapilla
Seiurus noveboracensis
Seiurus motacilla
Oporornis formosus
Oporornis agilis
Oporornis Philadelphia
Oporornis tolmiei
Geothlypis trichas
Wilsonia citrina
Wilsonia pusilla
Wilsonia canadensis
Icteria virens

INCERTAE SEDIS
Coereba flaveola
THRAUPIDAE

Piranga rubra
Piranga olivacea
Piranga ludoviciana
Spindalis zena

Bachman’s Warbler (x)
Blue-winged Warbler
Golden- winged Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Golden-cheeked Warbler*
Black-throated Green Warbler
Townsend’s Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Pine Warbler
Kirtland’s Warbler*

Prairie Warbler
Palm Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Prothonotary Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler
Swainson’s Warbler
Ovenbird

Northern Waterthrush
Louisiana Waterthrush
Kentucky Warbler
Connecticut Warbler
Mourning Warbler
MacGillivray’s Warbler*
Common Yellowthroat
Hooded Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler
Canada Warbler
Yellow-breasted Chat

Bananaquit

Summer Tanager
Scarlet Tanager
Western Tanager
Western Spindalis

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EMBERIZIDAE

Haris olivacea
Tiaris bicolor
Pipilo chlorurus
Pipilo maculatus
Pipilo erythrophthalmus
Aimophila aestivalis
Spizella arborea
Spizella passerina
Spizella pallida
Spizella pusilla
Pooecetes gramineus
Chondestes grammacus
Amphispiza bilineata
Calamospiza melanocorys
Passerculus sandwichensis
Ammodramus savannarum
Ammodramus henslowii
Ammodramus leconteii
Ammodramus nelsoni
Ammodramus caudacutus
Ammodramus maritimus
Passerella iliaca
Melospiza melodia
Melospiza lincolnii
Melospiza georgiana
Zonotrichia albicollis
Zonotrichia querula
Zonotrichia leucophrys
Zonotrichia atricapilla
Junco hyemalis
Calcarius lapponicus
Calcarius ornatus
Plectrophenax nivalis

CARDINALIDAE

Cardinalis cardinalis
Pheucticus ludovicianus
Pheucticus melanocephalus
Passerina caerulea
Passerina amoena
Passerina cyanea
Passerina versicolor
Passerina ciris
Spiza americana

ICTERIDAE

Dolichonyx oryzivorus
Agelaius phoeniceus
Agelaius humeralis
Sturnella magna
Sturnella neglecta

Yellow-faced Grassquit*
Black-faced Grassquik^
Green-tailed Towhee*

Spotted Towhee*

Eastern Towhee
Bachman’s Sparrow
American Tree Sparrow*
Chipping Sparrow
Clay-colored Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Lark Sparrow
Black-throated Sparrow"*

Lark Bunting*

Savannah Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow
Henslow’s Sparrow
Le Conte’s Sparrow
Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow
Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow
Seaside Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Harris’s Sparrow*
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow*
Dark-eyed Junco
Lapland Longspur
Chestnut-collared Longspur*
Snow Bunting

Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Black-headed Grosbeak
Blue Grosbeak
Lazuli Bunting*

Indigo Bunting
Varied Bunting*

Painted Bunting
Dickcissel

Bobolink

Red-winged Blackbird
Tawny-shouldered Blackbird*
Eastern Meadowlark
Western Meadowlark*

102

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus
Euphagus carolinus
Euphagus cyanocephalus
Quiscalus quiscula
Quiscalus major
Molothrus bonariensis
Molothrus aeneus
Molothrus ater
Icterus spurius
Icterus cucullatus
Icterus hullockii
Icterus pectoralis
Icterus galhula

FRINGILLIDAE

Carpodacus purpureas
Carpodacus mexicanus
Loxia curvirostra
Carduelis pinus
Carduelis tristis
Coccothraustes vespertinus

PASSERIDAE
Passer domesticus

Yellow-headed Blackbird
Rusty Blackbird
Brewer’s Blackbird
Common Grackle
Boat-tailed Grackle
Shiny Cowbird
Bronzed Cowbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Orchard Oriole
Hooded Oriole*

Bullock’s Oriole*
Spot-breasted Oriole (e)
Baltimore Oriole

Purple Finch
House Finch (e)

Red Crossbill*

Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
Evening Grosbeak

House Sparrow (e)

Florida Field Naturalist 34(3): 103-1 12, 2006.

FIELD OBSERVATIONS

Winter Report; December 2005-February 2006. — This report consists of signifi-
cant bird observations compiled by the Field Observations Committee (FOC). Submis-
sions to the FOC should be in the following format: species, number of individuals, age
and sex of the bird(s), color morph if applicable, location (including county), date, ob-
server(s), and significance. Seasons are winter (December-February), spring (March-
May), summer (June-July), and fall (August-November). Submit observations to re-
gional compilers within two weeks after the close of each season, or to the state compiler
within one month. Addresses of the compilers are found at the end of this report. We
greatly prefer observations sent via e-mail.

Sight-only observations are considered “reports” while only those supported by verifi-
able evidence (photographs, video or audio tapes, or specimens) are called “records.”
Species for which documentation is required by the FOS Records Committee (FOSRC;
Bowman 2004, Fla. Field Nat. 32:7-33) are marked here with an asterisk (*). A county
designation (in italics) accompanies the first-time listing of each site in this report. Ab-
breviations in this report are: EOS = end of season, NP = national park, NSRA = north
shore restoration area, NWR ~ national wildlife refuge, SF = state forest, SP = state
park, STF = sewage treatment facility, WEA = wildlife and environmental area, and N,
S, E, W etc., for compass directions. Bold-faced species denote birds newly reported or
verified in Florida, or record counts.

SUMMAKY OF THE WINTER SEASON

It seemed to be a good season for rarities this winter, with 10 FOSRC rarities: 11
Ross’s Geese (9 at Fort Walton Beach and singles at St. Marks NWR and Rockledge);
Cackling Goose at Fort Walton Beach; four Manx Shearwaters off Ponce Inlet; Rough-
legged Hawk at Lake Apopka; two Iceland Gulls at the Volusia County landfill; Calliope
Hummingbird at Gulf Breeze; two Allen’s Hummingbirds at Tallahassee; Tropical King-
bird at Apalachicola; two Cassin’s Kingbirds at Lake Apopka and one at Wimauma; and
Bullock’s Oriole at Tallahassee. Other significant sightings included single Eurasian
Green-winged Teals at Gainesville and Lake Apopka, reports of Chaetura swifts from
three sites (including 20 individuals at Paynes Prairie), the Fork-tailed Flycatcher at
Lake Apopka, Florida’s first verifiable winter record of the Common Nighthawk, and the
first state report and record of a Paradise Shelduck at Ding Darling NWR. We received
very few Christmas Bird Count reports, and BP did not have the time to transcribe all
the rarities submitted to him as CBC editor.

Species Accounts

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck: 230 at W Cocoa {Brevard) 14 Dec (D. Freeland); 235 at
Bartow {Polk) 17 Dec (P. Fellers); 159 at Gainesville {Alachua) 18 Dec (D. Pearson); 160
E of Lake Placid {Highlands) 29 Dec (J. Gaetzi et ah); 345 at Lake Apopka NSRA 1 Jan
(H. Robinson); 36 at Fellowship {Marion) 2 Jan (S. McCool); up to 17 in NE Leon 3-7 Jan
(D. Bethancourt et al.); 18 near Jupiter Inlet {Palm Beach) 3 Jan (J. and L. Hailman);
100 at Polk phosphate mines 9 Jan (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel); a high of 100 at Storm-
water Treatment Area (STA)-5 {Hendry) during Jan-Feb (M. England et al.).

Fulvous Whistling-Duck: 1000 at STA-5 in Feb (M. England et ah).

Greater White-fronted Goose: 2 at Cedar Key {Levy) 2 Dec (J. Taylor); 1 at Fort Wal-
ton Beach STF {Okaloosa) 10-19 Dec (D. Ware et al.); up to 5 (2 adults and 3 juveniles)

103

104

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

at Lake Apopka NSRA {Lake) 17 Dec-7 Jan (G. Basili, B. Anderson et ak); 5 at Dinner
Island Ranch WMA {Hendry) 27 Jan (L. and T. Panto); (the same?) 5 at STA-IW {Palm
Beach) 25 Feb (J. Lopinot, photo to FOG).

Snow Goose: 1 at Alachua {Alachua) 6 Dec (P. Burns); up to 23 at St. Marks {Wakulla)
8-13 Dec (A. Wraithmell); 1 at Huguenot Memorial Park {Duval) 10 Dec (B. Richter);
1 at Gainesville 11 Dec (M. Joos, D. Robbins); 1 blue morph at Spring Hill {Hernando)
11-15 Dec (A. and B. Hansen et ak); 3 blue morphs at Tram Road STF {Leon) 12 Dec
(G. Menk); 2 at Kanapaha Prairie {Alachua) 18 Dec (R. Rowan et ak); 1 at Lake
Apopka NSRA 21 Dec (H. Robinson); 6 N of Wesley Chapel {Pasco) 26 Dec-4 Jan
(D. Goodwin et ak); 1 white morph adult at Brandon {Hillsborough) 7 Jan (D. Good-
win); up to 2 white morphs at Merritt Island NWR {Brevard ) 12 Jan-28 Feb (P Hue-
ber, D. Freeland et ak); 30 or more at Fruitville {Sarasota) 21 Jan (T. Mossbarger); 1
blue morph adult at Barber Park, Orlando {Orange) 28 Jan (R Hueber et ak).

Snow x Ross’s Goose: 1 hybrid N of Wesley Chapel 26 Dec-4 Jan (B. Pranty et ak).

*R0SS’S Goose: 1 at St. Marks NWR 20 Nov-13 Dec (T. Curtis, P. Lehman et ak, accepted
by FOSRC); 9 at Fort Walton Beach STF 10-19 Dec (L. and B. Duncan, P. Johnson
et ak; accepted by FOSRC); 1 adult at Rockledge {Brevard) 17 Dec-3 Jan (D. Freeland
et ak).

^Cackling Goose: 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 10 Dec-4 Jan (D. Ware, L. Duncan et ak).

Canada Goose: 3 possibly wild birds E of Tampa 31 Dec-1 Jan (T Mann et ak).

Egyptian Goose: 1 at Indian River Shores {Indian River) in Dec {fide B. Wagner).

Paradise Shelduck {Tadorna variegata): 1 at J.N. “Ding” Darling NWR {Lee) in mid-
Feb (D. Driemeyer, photo to FOC) furnished the first report and record for Florida.
The species is native to the Stewart Islands of New Zealand.

Eurasian Wigeon: 2 drakes at Eagle Lakes Park {Collier) 9 Dec (A. Murray) for the
third year out of the past four.

American Black Duck: 4 at Merritt Island NWR 8 Feb (D. Freeland).

Cinnamon Teal: 1 adult drake at Lake Apopka NSRA 4-9 Dec (H. Robinson); 1 adult
drake at Brandon {Hillsborough) 18 Dec-6 Feb (E. Kwater, L. Atherton et ak).

Northern Shoveler: 4900 at Polk mines 9 Jan (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel).

Green-winged Teal: 1500 at Polk mines 23 Jan (R Fellers et ak); 1 drake of the Eur-
asian race at Lake Apopka NSRA 22 Jan (H. Robinson); 1 drake of the Eurasian race
at Gainesville 27 Jan-10 Feb in the same location as the previous winter (B. Roberts,
R Burns et ak).

Canvasback: 1 at Gainesville 10-18 Dec (S. Flamand, M. King et ak); 2 at Paynes Prairie
Preserve SP {Alachua) 18 Dec (J. Hintermister).

Redhead: up to 4 at Paynes Prairie Preserve 18 Dec-25 Feb (J. Hintermister); 5 at Sug-
den Park, Naples {Collier) 23 Dec (H. McGuinness et ak); 2500 at Gulf Harbors, New
Port Richey {Pasco) in Dec-Jan (K. Tracey, photos to FOC).

Ring-necked Duck: 1 leucistic female with a white head at Lake Morton, Lakeland
{Polk) 14 Feb (H. Moulden, photo to FOC).

Greater Scaup: 4 at Hamilton phosphate mines 14 Dec (P. Lehman et ak); up to 2 (20-

25 Jan) wintered at Lake Apopka NSRA (H. Robinson et ak, photo to FOC by A. Vi-
nokur).

Surf Scoter: 1 at St. Marks NWR 13 Dec (R Lehman); 2 off Key Biscayne {Miami-Dade)
23 Dec (R. Torres et ak); 2 at Coconut Point {Brevard) 20 Feb (A. Bankert).

Black Scoter: up to 8 in mid-Pinellas 2 Dec-5 Feb (Judy Fisher, I. Hernandez); 520 off
Amelia Island {Nassau) 14 Dec (P. Lehman); 1 at Pensacola {Escambia) 17 Dec
(B. and L. Duncan et ak); 320 off Hutchinson Island {St. Lucie) 17 Dec (J. and L. Hail-
man); 1 at Hudson Beach, Hudson {Pasco) 20 Dec ff (K. Tracey et ak); 200 off Amelia
Island {Nassau) 3 Feb (R. McGregor).

Long-tailed Duck: 1 female at PCS Waterfowl Management Area {Hamilton) 13-17 Dec
(J. Krummrich, P. Lehman et ak).

Field Observations

105

Bufflehead: up to 4 at Lake Apopka NSRA to 15 Jan (H. Robinson); up to 7 at Gaines-
ville 3 Dec-14 Feb (R. Rowan et al.); 1 at Lake Maggiore, St. Petersburg {Pinellas) 10
Dec (R. Smith); 1 female at Windmill Park {Broward) 21 Jan-EOS (M. Berney).

Common Goldeneye: 1 at Viera Wetlands {Brevard) 10 Dec (D. Reed); 2 at Hamilton
mines 14 Dec (P. Lehman, J. Krummrich); 1 at Gainesville 14-15 Dec (S. Flamand, R.
Rowan et al.); 1 female at Tangerine {Orange) 20 Dec-7 Jan (A. Vinokur, D. Richard-
son); 1 female at Lake Apopka NSRA {Orange) 27 Dec-27 Jan (A. Vinokur, H. Robin-
son et ah); 1 at Tallahassee {Leon) 30 Dec (S. McCool); 1 at a Polk mine 9 Jan
(P. Timmer, C. Geanangel); 15 at Crystal River 15 Jan (M. Gardler).

Hooded Merganser: 300 at Gainesville 15 Dec (S. Flamand); up to 32 (28 Jan) wintered
at Hole-in-the-Donut, Everglades NP {Miami-Dade; J. Boyd).

Red-breasted Merganser: 1 male at Tallahassee {Leon) 23 Feb (G. Menk).

Ruddy Duck: 3875 at Lake Ariana, Auburndale {Polk) 17 Dec (P. Fellers); 34,000 at Lake
Apopka 4 & 15 Jan (H. Robinson); 2000 at Polk mines 5 Jan (P. Fellers).

Red-throated Loon: 4 at Alligator Point {Franklin) 16 Jan (J. Murphy); 2 at St. George
Island {Franklin) 23 Jan (R. Cassidy).

Common Loon: 8 off Key Biscayne {Miami-Dade) 23 Dec (R. Torres et al.); 1 at Flamingo,
Everglades NP {Monroe) 31 Dec (J. Boyd); 2 off Long Key SP {Monroe) 20 Jan
(B. Anderson et al.); 200 at St. George Channel {Franklin) 21 Feb (R. McGregor).

Pied-billed Grebe: 240 at Polk mines 28 Dec (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel).

Horned Grebe: 6 at Black Point {Miami-Dade) 3 Dec (J. Boyd); 1 at Springhill Road
STF, Tallahassee 13 Dec (G. Menk); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 21 Dec-20 Jan (H. Rob-
inson et al.); 80+ in Franklin 21 Feb (R. McGregor).

Eared Grebe: 1 at PSC Waterfowl Management Area 13-14 Dec (J. Krummrich, P. Leh-
man); 1 at Lake Ariana, Auburndale 20 Dec (P. Fellers, L. Albright).

Masked Booby: 1 salvaged at Ponce Inlet {Volusia) 9 Dec (M. Brothers, UF 45042 fide
T. Webber).

Brown Booby: 1 off Jupiter Inlet Colony {Palm Beach) 20 Dec (J. and L. Hailman).

Northern Gannet: 7900 in 3 hours (an average of 44/min) passed Canaveral National
Seashore {Brevard) 9 Dec (D. Freeland et al.).

American White Pelican: up to 7 at Gainesville 22 Dec-11 Feb (C. Lockwood, B. Carroll
et al.); 2 at Talquin Dam {Liberty) 11 Feb (S. McCool); 119 W of Fernandina Beach
{Nassau) and 69 up the St. Mary’s River {Nassau) 15 Feb (P. Leary); 10 at Lake
Talquin {Gadsden) 16 Feb (S. McCool).

Brown Pelican: 1 at Gainesville 27 Dec (H. Warren); 1 at Piney Z Lake {Leon) 25 Jan-
10 Feb (G. Menk et al.).

Great Cormorant: 1 adult at Doctor’s Lake {Clay) 23 Feb-EOS (D. Wears et al.).

Anhinga: 211 at Lake Apopka NSRA 11 Dec (H. Robinson).

Magnificent Frigatebird: 1 immature over Fort George Island {Duval) 15 Dec (R.
Clark); 2 at S St. Petersburg 10 Jan (D. Powell).

American Bittern: 2 at St. Vincent NWR {Franklin) 9 Dec (T. Lewis); 25 at Lake Apo-
pka NSRA 27 Feb (H. Robinson).

Black-crowned Night-Heron: 1 at Piney Z Lake 25 Jan G. Menk).

Scarlet-type Ibis: 1 at Fort Myers Beach (Lee) 3 Feb (J. Dougherty, photo to FOC).

White-faced Ibis: 1 at St. Marks NWR 8 Dec (A. Wraithmell); 3 at Lake Tuscawilla,
Micanopy {Alachua) 26 Feb-EOS (J. Hintermister, A. Kratter et al., photo to FOC).

Swallow-tailed Kite: 1 at Lakewood Ranch {Sarasota) 24 Feb (L. Jakubowicz); 2 in
mid-Pinellas 26 Feb (Judy Fisher).

White-tailed Kite: 1 at Hole-in-the-Donut 4 Dec (J. Boyd); 1 at Sanibel Island (Lee) 15-25
Jan (K. and P. Kiefer et al.); 1 along Canoe Creek Road {Osceola) 8 Feb (B. and L. Cooper).

Sharp-shinned Hawk: 14 at Lake Apopka NSRA 9 Dec & 6 Jan (H. Robinson).

Red-SHOULDERED Hawk: 1 juvenile at Winter Park {Orange) captured a squirrel 7 Feb
{fide C. Takacs, photo to FOC).

106

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Broad-winged Hawk: 3 wintered at Fort De Soto Park {Pinellas) (L. Atherton et al.).

Short-tailed Hawk: 1 dark morph at Eagle Lakes Park, Naples 23 Dec (H. McGuinness
et al.); 3 dark morphs E of Okeechobee {Okeechobee) 4 Jan (K. Tracey); 1 dark morph
near Port of the Islands 4 Jan (T. Doyle, C. Ewell); 1 dark morph at IMG Peace River
Park {Polk) 21 Jan-2 Feb (P. Fellers et al.); 1 dark morph at New Port Richey 29 Jan
(K. Tracey); 1 light morph over the Joe Overstreet Road marina {Osceola) 8 Feb (B.
and L. Cooper); 1 dark morph at Yeehaw Junction {Osceola) 14 Feb (B. and L. Cooper);
1 at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve 18 Feb (B. and L. Cooper); 1 light morph at Sumica
Preserve {Polk) [no date] (P. Fellers et al.).

Swainson’S Hawk: 1 E of Bradenton 8 Dec (E. Kwater); 1 light morph at Fort Walton
Beach STF 10 Dec (B. Duncan et al.); up to 2 juveniles at Lake Apopka NSRA 20 Dec-
16 Jan (J. Dunn, A. Vinokur); 1 juvenile dark morph in a NE Hillsborough mine 1 Jan
(P. Fellers); up to 4 at Frog Pond WMA {Miami-Dade) 7 Jan-EOS (M. Berney et al); 1
dark morph adult in SE Hillsborough phosphate land 28 Jan, and 1 adult intermedi-
ate morph there 16 Feb (P. Fellers et al.).

Red-tailed Hawk: 1 Krider’s-type at Hamilton mines 14 Dec (R Lehman).

*Rough-LEGGED Hawk: 1 juvenile light morph at Lake Apopka NSRA 9-21 Dec (H. Rob-
inson et al.).

Golden Eagle: 1 immature at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP {Okeechobee) attempted
to kill a Wild Turkey 20 Feb (G. Quigley, J. Richardson).

Crested Caracara: 1 at Turtle Mound, Canaveral National Seashore {Volusia) 23 Feb
(P. Hueber).

Yellow Rail: singles at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve 28 Jan & 23 Feb (M. Korosy et al.).

SORA: 260 at Lake Apopka NSRA 4 Dec (H. Robinson).

Purple GallinulE: 14 at Lake Harris Park, Leesburg {Lake) 12 Feb (R. Smith).

American Coot: 10,700 at Po/^ mines 28 Dec (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel); 2000+ at Inglis
15 Jan (M. Gardler).

Sandhill Crane: 1 over Fernandina Beach {Nassau) 1 Dec (P. Leary); 21 over St. Marks
NWR 8 Dec (A. Wraithmell); 24 southbound over Madison 1 Jan (S. McCool); 2500
near Okahumpka {Lake) 10 Feb (P. Fellers, D. Brooke); 15 S of Greenville {Madison)
19 Feb (S. McCool).

Whooping Crane: 6 at Alachua 10 Dec (G. Gertzel).

American Golden-Plover: 1 at St. Marks NWR to 29 Jan (J. Cavanagh et al.); up to 3
at Hole-in-the-Donut 21-22 Dec (R. Diaz et al.); 1 at Merritt Island NWR 1 Feb
(D. Freeland).

Snowy Plover: 16 at Big Sabine {Escambia) 14 Dec (B. and L. Duncan); 1 at Talbot Is-
lands SP {Duval) 23-26 Dec (P. Leary).

Wilson’s Plover: 6 at Bald Point SP {Franklin) 1 Jan (S. McCool).

Semipalmated Plover: 20 at Polk mines 9 Jan (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel).

Piping Plover: 1 at Cedar Key 29 Dec (D. Henderson et al.); 5 at Bald Point SP 1 Jan
(S. McCool); 11 at Fred Howard Park, Tarpon Springs {Pinellas) 11 Jan (M. Gardler);
38 at Crandon Beach {Miami-Dade) 31 Jan (R. Diaz).

American Oystercatcher: 1 at Gulf Breeze {Santa Rosa) 8 Dec (B. Duncan); 1 at
Pensacola 17 Dec (J. Lloyd).

Black-necked Stilt: 1 at Merritt Island NWR 1 Dec-21 Feb (D. Freeland et al.); 8 at
Myakka River SP {Sarasota) 17 Jan (B. Anderson et al.); 12 at Polk mines 23 Jan
(P. Fellers et al.); up to 19 wintered at Lake Apopka NSRA (A. Vinokur et al.).

American Avocet: 8 at St. Marks NWR 8 Dec (A. Wraithmell); 182 on Quarantine Is-
land, Jacksonville 26 Dec (B. Richter); 1 at Hole-in-the-Donut 14 Jan. (A. Bankert,
D. Simpson); 346 at Polk mines 8 Feb (P. Fellers et al.).

Solitary Sandpiper: 1 at Celebration {Osceola) 22 Jan (T. Tams).

WiLLET: 100 at Fernandina Beach 15 Feb (P. Leary).

Spotted Sandpiper: 33 at Inglis Barge Canal 6 Feb (M. Gardler).

Field Observations

107

Long-billed Curlew: 2 at Cedar Key 29 Dec (D. Henderson et al.); 1 at Fort Myers
Beach 17 Jan (B. Anderson, C. Ewell et al.).

Red Knot: 525 (including 12 banded individuals) at Huguenot Memorial Park 25 Feb
(P. Leary).

Western Sandpiper: 2690 at Polk mines 9 Jan (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel).

Least Sandpiper: 8000 at Polk mines 9 Jan & 8 Feb (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel, P. Fellers).

Purple Sandpiper: 1 at Port Canaveral Jetty Park {Brevard) 1-23 Jan (J. Thornton et
al.); 1 at Sebastian Inlet SP {Indian River) 13 Jan (F. Haas).

Stilt Sandpiper: singles at Springhill Road STF 8 Dec (A. Wraithmell) and 1-22 Feb
(S. McCool et al.); 308 at Polk mines 28 Dec (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel); 180 at Merritt
Island NWR 1 Feb (D. Freeland); 17 at Brooksville 15 Feb (M. Gardler).

Long-billed Dowitcher: up to 60 at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve 10-14 Dec (G. Quigley,
P. Miller); 1725 at Polk mines 28 Dec (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel), and 1150 there 8 Feb
(P. Fellers et al.); 15 at Brooksville 15-19 Feb (M. Gardler).

Wilson’s Snipe: 434 at Lake Apopka NSRA 4 Dec (H. Robinson).

American Woodcock: 12 at Lake Apopka NSRA 7 Dec (H. Robinson); 2 at Gulf Breeze 8-
26 Dec (B. and L. Duncan); up to 3 at Weekiwachee Preserve 20 Dec-4 Feb (A. and B.
Hansen et ak); 2 calling N of Marianna {Jackson) 27 Dec (R. Smith); 1 at Medart
{Wakulla) 10 Jan & 14 Feb (S. McCool); 1 at Cedar Key 18-22 Jan and 2 Feb (D. Hender-
son et al.); 2 at Long Pine Key, Everglades NP {Miami-Dade) 14 Feb-EOS (M. Berney).

Parasitic Jaeger: 9 at Amelia Island during strong NE winds 14 Dec (P. Lehman).

Laughing Gull: 1 melanistic individual at Fort De Soto Park 3 Dec (L. Atherton, photo
to FOC); 1 aberrant adult with orange legs and bill at Sanibel Island in Jan (D. and L.
Stokes et ak, photo to FOC); 11,000 at the Volusia landfill, Daytona Beach 15 Feb
(D. Freeland et ak).

Franklin’s Gull: 1 juvenile at Sugden Park 23 Dec (H. McGuinness); 1 juvenile at
Punta Rassa {Lee) 4-10 Jan (C. Ewell et ak, photo to FOC by L. Stokes).

Herring Gull: 1 apparently of the Scandinavian race argentatus at the Volusia landfill
11-21 Feb (A. Vinokur, L. Atherton et ak).

^Iceland Gull: 1 second-year “Kumlien’s” Gull at the Volusia landfill 11-21 Feb and 2
juveniles there 12-15 Feb (A. Vinokur et ak, photos to FOC).

Lesser Black-backed Gull: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 2 Dec-6 Jan (H. Robinson); sin-
gles at Green Key, New Port Richey 11 Dec and Trouble Creek, Holiday {Pasco) 12 Dec
(K. Tracey); 1 adult at Fort Walton Beach 19 Dec (M. and R. Rose); up to 4 wintered at
Sanibel Island (V. McGrath et ak); 1 adult wintered at the Collier landfill (D. Suitor).

Great Black-backed Gull: 1 at Green Key, New Port Richey 11 Dec (K. Tracey); 1 at
Lake Apopka NSRA 27 Jan (H. Robinson).

Gull-billed Tern: 2 at Polk mines 28 Dec (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel); 5 at Pine Island
18 Jan (M. Gardler); 3 at Weekiwachee Preserve 21 Jan (C. Black et ak); 3 at Green
Key 7 Feb (K. Tracey).

Royal Tern: 8 at Polk mines 28 Dec (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel).

Common Tern: 1 on the St. Petersburg CBC {Pinellas) 17 Dec (D. Powell).

Black Tern: 1 at Merritt Island NWR to 6 Dec (R. Diaz et ak).

Black Skimmer: 22 at Lake Mirror, Lakeland {Polk) 8-15 Feb (T. Palmer).

Ringed Turtle-Dove: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 10 Feb (H. Robinson).

White-winged Dove: 1 at Alligator Point 19 Jan (S. McCool); 2 at Pine Level {DeSoto) 4
Feb (R. Smith); 2 at Bronson 13 Feb (R. Rowan); birds now are apparently resident in
Newberry and Archer {Alachua; B. Carroll et ak).

Black-hooded Parakeet: 50 at Holiday {Pasco) 16 Dec (K. Tracey); 30 at Fort Myers
through the season (M. Fitzpatrick, C. Ewell et ak).

Blue-crowned Parakeet: 12 at Holmes Beach, Bradenton {Manatee) 23 Feb (Jeff Fisher).

Monk Parakeet: 2 at Gainesville 21-26 Feb (S. Porvasnik, D. and S. Hartman).

Groove-billed Ani: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 9 Dec (H, Robinson).

108

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Barn Owl: 1 at Seven Springs (Pasco) 31 Jan (K. Tracey); 1 at St. Vincent NWR 21 Feb-
EOS (T Lewis).

Burrowing Owl: 15 at Range 70, Eglin Air Force Base (Okaloosa) 15 Jan (L. Fenimore);
1 on the barrier island E of Vero Beach (Indian River) 13-17 Feb (fide B. Wagner).

Lesser NighthawK: 1 along Research Road, Everglades NP (Miami-Dade) 3 Dec
(D. Simpson, A. Banker!); 12+ at Frog Pond WMA (Miami-Dade) 3 Dec ff (B. Roberts
et al.); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 7 Dec (H. Robinson).

Common Nighthawk: 1 videotaped (calls audible) at Homestead (Miami-Dade) 14 Dec
(L. Manfredi, to FOC); up to 3 at Lake Apopka NSRA 28 Dec-EOS (H. Robinson et al.);
up to 9 at Old Town amusement park, Kissimmee (Osceola) in Jan reportedly have
been present during winter for the past 8 years (J. Brown, T. Tams).

Chuck- WILL’S-WIDOW: 1 flushed at St. Marks NWR 29 Dec (R. Smith); 1 sang at Lutz
(Pasco) 25 Feb (D. Bowman); 1 sang at Merritt Island (Brevard) 27 Feb (D. Freeland).

Whip-poor-will: 1 sang at Merritt Island 27 Feb (D. Freeland).

Chaetura SPECIES: up to 20 at Paynes Prairie Preserve 9 Dec-5 Jan (S. Collins, J. Hin-
termister et al.); 1 at Weekiwachee Preserve 10 Dec (C. Black); 1 at St. Marks NWR
17-20 Dec (E. Shaw, E. Horn et al.).

Hummingbird species: 11 in a Valrico (Hillsborough) yard in a 24-hour period: 7 Ruby-
throated, 2 Archilochus sp., and 2 Selasphorus sp. 15-16 Jan (S. Backes, F. Bassett);
66 individuals (with 26 of these at Tallahassee) of six species were banded this win-
ter: 32 Rufous (+ 7 recaptures), 24 Ruby-throated (+ 7 recaptures), 7 Black-chinned, 2
Buff-bellied, 2 Allen’s, and 1 Calliope (F. Bassett, F. Dietrich et al.).

Buff-bellied Hummingbird: singles banded at Mary Esther (Okaloosa) 8 Dec and Tal-
lahassee 13 Dec (F. Bassett et al.); 1 at Fairchild Tropical Gardens (Miami-Dade) 20
Jan ff (A. Harper et al.).

Ruby-throated Hummingbird: 1 at Gainesville 18 Dec (S. Robinson); 1 at Fernandina
Beach 18 Jan (P. Leary).

Black-CHINNED Hummingbird: 1 adult male at Castellow Hammock Park (Miami-

Dade) 28 Dec (D. Goodwin, E. Haney et al.).

*Calliope Hummingbird: 1 juvenile male banded at Gulf Breeze 26 Jan (F. Bassett et al.).

Rufous Hummingbird: 1 female at Brooksville 12 Dec-EOS (S. Walsh et al., banded by
F. Bassett).

*Allen’s Hummingbird: singles banded at Tallahassee 14 Jan and 22 Feb (F. Bassett et al.).

Selasphorus hummingbird: 2 at Brooksville ca. 1 Jan-4 Feb (S. Walsh); 1 male at Or-
lando late Feb-EOS (H. Dowling); 1 female at Brandon (Hillsborough) 22 Feb for the
fourth consecutive winter (E. Kwater); 1 at Spring Hill 27-28 Feb (A. and E. Ma5walt).

Silvery-cheeked Hornbill: 1 along Krome Avenue (Miami-Dade) 25 Feb (J. Bacquie,
photo to FOC).

Hairy Woodpecker: 1 at Golden Gate Estates (Collier) 11 Dec (T. Doyle).

Empidonax SPECIES: 1 at Hague 15 Jan (R. Rowan).

Least Flycatcher: 2 at Frog Pond WMA 3 Dec (A. Vinokur, D. Simpson); 3 at Oviedo
(Seminole) 24 Dec (B. Anderson); up to 9 (30 Dec) wintered at Lake Apopka NSRA
(H. Robinson).

Vermilion Flycatcher: 1 adult male at Alligator Lake Recreation Area (Columbia)

early Nov-late Feb (J. Krummrich et al.); 1 male at Tiger Point (Santa Rosa) 11-12
Dec (B. Bremser); 1 juvenile female at St. Vincent NWR 17 Dec (T. Lewis); 1 female at
St. Marks NWR 17 Dec (E. Shaw), and 1 male there 18-22 Dec (J. Murphy et al.); 1 fe-
male at Paurotis Pond 18 Dec-EOS (J. Boyd et al.); 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve 21
Jan-25 Feb (J. Sulek, R. Rowan et al.).

Ash-throated Flycatcher: 1 at Garcon Point (Santa Rosa) 14 Dec (D. Ware); 1 at
Oviedo (Seminole) 24 Dec (B. Anderson); 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 4 Jan-17 Feb (B,
Duncan); up to 12 (23 Dec) wintered at Lake Apopka NSRA (H. Robinson).

Great Crested Flycatcher: 2 at Lake Wales Ridge SF (Polk) 3 Jan (P. Fellers).

Field Observations

109

Brown-crested Flycatcher: 1 at Black Point Marina (Miami-Dade) 24 Dec ff (L. Man-
fredi et al.); up to 2 at Lake Apopka NSRA 28 Dec-EOS (B. Anderson et al.).

*Tropical Kingbird: 1 at Apalachicola {Franklin) 27 Dec-EOS (T. Engstrom, S. Kelling
et al., photos to FOC by S. McCool) was identified by its calls.

*Cassin’S Kingbird: 1 NE of Wimauma {Hillsborough) 18 Dec-6 Feb (D. Powell, B.
Pranty et al., photos to FOC by D. Stumbaugh; accepted by FOSRC); up to 2 wintered
at Lake Apopka NSRA (H. Robinson et al.).

Western Kingbird: 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve 6 Dec (F. Goodwin); up to 36 at Lake
Apopka NSRA 10 Dec-EOS (H. Robinson et al.); 1 at Gulf Breeze 12-18 Dec (B. Dun-
can, J. French); 1 at Pensacola 17 Dec (L. Duncan et al.); 7 NE of Wimauma 18 Dec-6
Feb (B. Pranty, D. Powell et al.); 1 at Tallahassee 28 Dec-9 Jan (P. Flynn, J. Ca-
vanagh); up to 37 at The Villages {Marion) 18 Jan-EOS (J. Dinsmore, A. Rouch); 1 NE
of Lake Wales 19 Jan (J. Dubois); 1 at Tallahassee 21 Jan (S. McCool); 3 W of Fort
Pierce {St. Lucie) 30 Jan (H. and J. Rufe).

SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER: up to 8 at Lake Apopka NSRA 10 Dec ff (A. Vinokur et al);
5 NE of Wimauma 18 Dec-6 Feb (B. Pranty, D. Powell et al.); 1 at Miccosukee Green-
way Park {Leon) 7-22 Jan (M. Hartley et al.); up to 4 at The Villages 18 Jan-EOS
(J. Dinsmore, A. Rouch); 7 NE of Lake Wales 19 Jan (J. Dubois); 3 W of Fort Pierce 29-
30 Jan (B. Wagner et al.); 1 at Gainesville 29 Jan (D. Thompson).

Fork-tailed Flycatcher: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA and vicinity 10 Dec- 15 Jan (A. Vi-
nokur et al., photos to FOC).

Loggerhead Shrike: 1 plucked and may have swallowed cabbage palm fruit along the
Halifax River {Volusia) 6 Feb (C. Tague).

Bell’s VireO: 1 at Frog Pond WMA 15 Jan (A. Bankert, D. Simpson); 1 wintered at
Southern Glades WEA {Miami-Dade; R. Diaz, L. Manfredi et al.).

Yellow-throated Vireo: 1 at Collier-Seminole SP 4 Jan (K. O’Reilly-Doyle et al.); 1 at
Bill Baggs Cape Florida SP 28 Feb (R. Diaz); 1 wintered at W Kendall (J. Boyd).

Purple Martin: 3 at Paynes Prairie Preserve 14 Jan (R. Smith); 2 males over East Lake,
Tampa {Hillsborough) 16 Jan (D. Wassmer, L. Saul); 1 male at Lake Jackson {Leon) 26
Jan (G. Menk); 1 at Weeki Wachee 28 Jan (M. Gardler).

Northern Rough-winged Swallow: 2 at St. Marks NWR 8 Dec (A. Wraithmell); 1 at
Rockledge {Brevard) 17 Dec (D. Freeland); 1 at Viera Wetlands 16 Jan (D. Freeland);
2 at Lake City {Columbia) 28 Jan (R. Smith); 3 in Hernando 15 Feb (M. Gardler).

Bank Swallow: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA to 13 Dec (H. Robinson); 1 at Viera Wetlands
28 Feb (D. Freeland).

Cave Swallow: 1 at Cantonment {Escambia) 8 Jan (L. Catterton); 150 at Homestead
Airport {Miami-Dade) 15 Jan (J. Boyd, B. Mulrooney); 1 of the Mexican race at
Springhill Road STF 22 Feb (G. Menk et al.).

Barn Swallow: 2 at Lake Apopka NSRA to 13 Dec, and 1 there 27 Feb (H. Robinson); 3
at Paynes Prairie Preserve 19 Dec (R. Rowan, G. McDermott); several at Homestead
Airport 15 Jan (J. Boyd, B. Mulrooney); 1 at Merritt Island NWR 27 Feb (D.
Freeland); 1 at Weekiwachee Preserve 28 Feb (A. and B. Hansen).

Carolina Chickadee: 1 wintered at Greynolds Park, Miami (A. Harper et al.).

Red-breasted Nuthatch: 2 at Gainesville 10-30 Jan (S. Daniels); 1 at Alligator Point 17
Dec-17 Jan (J. Murphy).

Winter Wren: 1 at Lake Jackson, Tallahassee, where 1 has wintered the past several
years, 14 Dec (P. Lehman); 1 wintered at O’Leno SP (P. Burns et al.).

Sedge Wren: 1 at Long Pine Key 5 Dec (R. Torres).

Marsh Wren: 2 at Loggerhead Key, Dry Tortugas NP 4 Jan (R. Diaz) established the
first report for the park.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet: 1 at Eco Pond 31 Dec (J. Boyd).

Hermit Thrush: 2 at Royal Palm, Everglades NP {Miami-Dade) 16 Jan (R. Diaz).

American Robin: up to 21,000 (15 Jan) wintered at Lake Apopka NSRA (H. Robinson).

110

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Common Myna: 1 remained at Holmes Beach to 23 Feb (Jeff Fisher).

Hill Myna: 30 on powerlines at Coral Gables 23 Jan (B. Anderson et ah).

American Pipit: several at Frog Pond WMA 7 Jan (J. Boyd); 41 at Fernandina Beach 25
Feb (P. Leary).

Blue-winged Warbler: 1 at Topeekeegee Yugnee (“TY”) Park {Broward) 11 Dec
(A. Harper et ah); 1 at Weeki Wachee 23 Dec (B. Hansen, R. Grant); 1 at West Lake,
Everglades NP (Miami-Dade) 22 Jan & 14 Feb (M. Berney, M. Stickel); 1 at Sarasota
24 Jan (J. Dubi, J. Ginaven et aL).

Tennessee Warbler: 1 at Royal Palm 4 Dec (J. Boyd); 1 at Merritt Island 17 Dec
(D. Freeland et al.); 1 at Greynolds Park 17 Dec (J. Boyd, G. Jones); 1 at Castellow
Hammock Park {Miami-Dade) 10 Jan (J. Boyd); 1 at Southern Glades WEA 5 Feb
(T. Mitchell, photos to FOC).

Nashville Warbler: 1 at “TY” Park 11 Dec (A. Harper et al.); singles at Lake Apopka
NSRA 14 Dec (A. Vinokur, D. Richardson) and 20 Jan-EOS (H. Robinson); 2 at Grey-
nolds Park 17 Dec (J. Boyd); 1 at Fort Walton Beach 19 Dec (J. Kowalski); 1 at Lake
Lotus Park, Altamonte Springs {Seminole) 5 Jan (P. Hueber); 1 at Jacksonville 6 Jan
& 25 Feb (J. Cocke); 1 at Mashes Island {Franklin) 8 Jan (J. Murphy); 1 at Matheson
Hammock Park {Miami-Dade) 8 Jan (A. Harper); 1 at Melbourne 21 Jan (A. Banker!).

Northern Parula: 3 migrants at Cape Florida 31 Jan (R. Diaz); 4 migrants at Lake Ap-
opka NSRA 22 Feb (H. Robinson); 2 at Alligator Point 25 Feb (S. McCool).

Yellow Warbler: 1 immature female at W Kendall 11 Dec & 4 Jan (J. Boyd); 2 at
Pensacola 17 Dec (M. and R. Rose).

Magnolia Warbler: 1 at Lutz {Hillsborough) ca. 16-26 Jan (J. Hartzler).

Black-throated Blue Warbler: 3 at Merritt Island 17 Dec (D. Freeland et al.).

Black-throated Gray Warbler: 1 at New Port Richey to 16 Dec (K. Tracey); 1 at
Gainesville to 13 Feb (G. Kiltie).

Black-throated Green Warbler: 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve 7 Dec (E. and 1. Scales);
1 at Sawgrass Lake Park, St. Petersburg 17 Dec (E. Haney et al., photo to FOC by D.
Stumbaugh); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 19 & 21 Dec (A. Vinokur, D. Richardson); 1 at
Fort White {Columbia) 21 Jan (J. Sulek); 1 at Clewiston {Hendry) 19 Feb (R. Smith).

Prairie Warbler: 1 at Fernandina Beach 3 Dec & 23 Feb (P. Leary); 2 at St. Augustine
{St. Johns) 17 Feb (J. Kern).

American Redstart: 1 at Gainesville 18 Dec (S. Robinson); 1 at Oakland Nature Pre-
serve {Orange) 27 Dec-7 Mar (T. Rodriguez); 1 at Citra {Marion) 24 Feb (A. Kratter).

OVENBIRD: 1 in Jacksonville 9 Dec (J. Cocke); 1 at Orange Park {Clay) 10 Jan (L. McCul-
lagh).

Northern Waterthrush: up to 2 at Paynes Prairie Preserve 18 Dec-4 Feb (M. Paczolt,
M. Manetz); 1 at Fernandina Beach 23 Feb (P. Leary).

Louisiana Waterthrush: 1 wintered at Royal Palm (J. Boyd et aL).

Wilson’s Warbler: 1 male at Eagle Lake area of PCS Waterfowl Management Area 17
Dec (J. Ault); 1 female at Oviedo 24 Dec (B. Anderson); 1 at Gainesville 21 Jan-14 Feb
(M. Manetz, R. Rowan); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 27 Jan (H. Robinson); 1 female at
Jacksonville 14 Feb (J. Cocke).

Yellow-breasted Chat: 2 at Paynes Prairie Preserve 18 Dec (A. Kent); singles at Lake
Apopka NSRA 6 Jan & 14 Feb (H. Robinson).

Summer TanageR: 1 at Gainesville 18 Dec (P. Burns); 1 at Nalcrest {Polk) 31 Dec
(P. Fellers, D. Brooke); 1 female at Rookery Bay {Collier) 20 Jan (T. Doyle, K. O’Reilly-
Doyle et al.); 1 female at Pensacola 24 Jan-EOS (P. Palmer); 1 male wintered in the
same yard at Tallahassee where it was banded the previous winter (P. Homann).

Western Tanager: 1 male at Pensacola 24 Jan-EOS (P. Palmer).

Bachman’s Sparrow: 1 sang at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve 20 Jan (P. Miller), with 73
banded there through the season (M. Korosy, G. Quigley et al.).

Clay-colored Sparrow: 1 at Valrico 7 Jan-8 Mar (S. Backes et al.).

Field Observations

111

Field Sparrow: up to 13 (12 Feb) wintered at Lake Apopka NSRA (H. Robinson).
Grasshopper Sparrow: 70 of the Eastern race banded at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve
through the season (R Miller et ah).

Henslow'S Sparrow: 1 at a Polk mine 28 Dec (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel); 26 banded at
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve through the season (R Miller et ah).

Le Conte’S Sparrow: up to 4 at Lake Apopka NSRA 18-21 Dec (J. Dunn, B. Anderson,
A. Vinokur); 1 at a Polk mine 9 Jan (R Timmer, C. Geanangel); singles banded at
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve 20 Jan & 22 Feb (G. Quigley).

Seaside Sparrow: 10 sang at Crystal River 19 Feb (M. Gardler).

Fox Sparrow: 2 at O’Leno SP 5-25 Feb (R Burns, M. Manetz).

Lincoln’s Sparrow: 2 at Lake Apopka NSRA 11 Dec, and 1 there to 4 Jan (H. Robinson);
1 at Inglis 19 Feb (M. Gardler).

Swamp Sparrow; up to 273 (11 Dec) wintered at Lake Apopka NSRA (H. Robinson).
White-crowned Sparrow: 13 at Apopka 1 Jan (M. Gardler).

Rose-breasted Grosbeak: 1 male at Fort Walton Beach 19 Dec (R Baker).
Black-headed Grosbeak: 1 first-winter male at Apalachicola 29 Dec ( J. Dozier, J. Mur-
phy et ak, photo to FOC); 1 first- winter male at East Point {Franklin) 10 Jan-EOS
(S. Klink et al., photos to FOC).

Blue Grosbeak: 30 (mostly juveniles) at Lake Apopka NSRA 27 Dec (A. Vinokur); 1 at

Lake Wales 31 Dec (R Fellers, D. Brooke).

Indigo Bunting: 1 at San Felasco Hammock Preserve SP {Alachua) 3 Dec (R Laipis et
al.); 1 at Tallahassee 12-13 Feb (R. McGregor).

Painted Bunting: 4 female-types at Fernandina Beach 3 Dec (R Leary); 1 female-type
at Jacksonville 3 Feb (J. Cocke); 1 female at Cedar Key 6~15 Feb (D. Henderson).
Dickcissel: 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve 18-19 Dec (A. Kent, S. Collins); up to 3 win-
tered at Lake Apopka NSRA (B. Anderson, H. Robinson et al.).

Yellow-headed Blackbird: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 26 Dec-6 Jan (H. Robinson); 1 at
the end of Joe Overstreet Road 18 Jan (T. Tams).

Rusty Blackbird: 1 at Bald Point 11 Dec (J. Dozier).

Brewer’s Blackbird: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 6 & 22 Jan (H. Robinson).

Bronzed Cowbird: 1 at Sugden Park 28 Dec (A. Murray).

Brown-headed Cowbird: 12 males in a “tight flock” at Jupiter Inlet Colony 25 Feb (J.

and L. Hailman).

*Bullock’S Oriole: 1 female at Tallahassee 18 Feb-EOS (F. Rutkovsky et al., photo to
FOC by D. Jue).

Baltimore Oriole: up to 5 at Spring Hill 14 Sep-24 Dec (A. and E. May wait); up to 11
(27 Feb) wintered at Altamonte Springs (R Hueber).

House Finch: 3 (orange-variant male and 2 females) at Fort Lauderdale {Broward) 28
Dec (L. Manfredi); 1 male at Dekle Beach {Taylor) 7 Jan (S. McCool); 1 sang at Jack-
sonville 11 Feb (R. Rowan); 1 at Fernandina Beach 23 Feb (R Leary).

Pine Siskin: 1 at San Felasco Hammock Preserve 1 Jan (M. Manetz et ak).

European Goldfinch: 1 at Pensacola 21 Dec (M. Clark).

Nutmeg Mannikin: continued reports from the Pensacola area {fide B. Duncan).

Contributors: Larry Albright, Bruce Anderson, Lyn Atherton, John Ault, Steve
Backes, Janine Bacquie, Pat Baker, Andy Bankert, Gian Basili, Fred Bassett, Mark Ber-
ney, Don Bethancourt, Clay Black, David Bowman, John Boyd, Bill Bremser, David
Brooke, Michael Brothers, J. Brown, Pat Burns, Bob Carroll, R. Cassidy, Laura Catter-
ton, Jim Cavanagh, Roger Clark, Julie Cocke, Morris Clark, Steve Collins, Buck and
Linda Cooper, Tom Curtis, Steve Daniels, Robin Diaz, Fred Dietrich, Jim Dinsmore,
John Dougherty, Helen Dowling, Terry Doyle, Jack Dozier, Derick Driemeyer, Jeanne
Dubi, Jim Dubois, Jon Dunn, Margaret England, Todd Engstrom, Charlie Ewell, Paul
Fellers, Lenny Fenimore, Jeff Fisher, Judy Fisher, Mike Fitzpatrick, Scott Flamand,

112

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

R Flynn, David Freeland, Jere French, Jill Gaetzi, R. Gallardy, Murray Gardler, Chuck
Geanangel, George Gertzel, Jon Ginaven, David Goodwin, Frank Goodwin, Rita Grant,
F. Haas, Jack and Liz Hailman, Erik Haney, AI and Bev Hansen, Alex Harper, M. Hart-
ley, Darrell and Sue Hartman, Joni Hartzler, Dale Henderson, Irene Hernandez, John
Hintermister, Peter Homann, Earl Horn, Paul Hueber, Lynn Jakubowicz, Paul Johnson,
Maralee Joos, Dean Jue, Steve Kelling, Adam Kent, Jackie Kern, Kay and Paul Kiefer,
Grace Kiltie, Martha King, Sheila Klink, Marianne Korosy, Jim Kowalski, Andy Kratter,
Jerry Krummrich, Ed Kwater, Phil Laipis, Patrick Leary, Paul Lehman, Thom Lewis,
Jan Lloyd, Cecelia Lockwood, John Lopinot, Mike Manetz, Larry Manfredi, Tim Mann,
Andy and Elaine Maywalt, Sean McCool, Lenore McCullagh, Greg McDermott, Vince
McGrath, Ross McGregor, Hugh McGuinness, Gail Menk, Paul Miller, Trey Mitchell,
Tina Mossbarger, Herman Moulden, Brennan Mulrooney, John Murphy, Alan Murray,
Mike Paczolt, Paula Palmer, Tom Palmer, Lesa and Tim Panto, Dan Pearson, Stacy Por-
vasnik, David Powell, Bill Pranty, Kathy O’Reilly-Doyle, Gallus Quigley, Dexter Rich-
ardson, Jill Richardson, Bob Richter, Dotty Robbins, Harry Robinson, Scott Robinson,
Bryant Roberts, Tom Rodriguez, Merilu and Rufus Rose, A. Rouch, Rex Rowan, Hart
and Jewel Rufe, Fran Rutkovsky, Lilian Saul, Earl and Ingrid Scales, Eric Shaw, David
Simpson, Ron Smith, Monte Stickel, Don and Lillian Stokes, Darcy Stumbaugh, Doug
Suitor, Jacqueline Sulek, Chris Takacs, Chuck Tague, Tom Tams, Jape Taylor, Dee
Thompson, John Thornton, Pete Timmer, Roberto Torres, Ken Tracey, Alex Vinokur, Billi
Wagner, Sue Walsh, Don Ware, Helen Warren, Doug Wassmer, Dianne Wears, Tom Web-
ber, and Andy Wraithmell.

Summer 2005 corrigenda: The White-faced Ibis listed for Springhill Road {Leon)
should have been listed as St. Marks NWR {Wakulla)] the two Red-necked Phalaropes
at Fort Walton Beach STF 21 Jun-5 July should have been listed as Wilson’s Phalaropes.

Fall 2006 reports not published previously: Greater White-fronted Goose: 2 at
PSC Waterfowl Management Area {Hamilton) 12 Nov (Jerry Krummrich et al.); Cave
Swallow: 1 of the Mexican race at Melbourne Beach {Brevard) 23 Nov {fide Tom Webber,
specimen UF 45039).

Report prepared by Bill Pranty, state compiler (8515 Village Mill Row, Bayonet
Point, Florida 34667-2662; <billpranty@hotmail.com>). Regional compilers are Bruce
H. Anderson (2917 Scarlet Road, Winter Park, Florida 32792; <scizortail@aol.com>),
John H. Boyd III (15291 SW 108th Terrace, Miami, Florida 33196; <boydj@fiu.edu>).
Bob and Lucy Duncan (614 Fairpoint Drive, Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561;
<Town_Point@bellsouth.net>), Charlie Ewell (115 SW 51st Terrace, Cape Coral, Flor-
ida 33991; <anhinga42@earthlink.net>), Bev Hansen (6573 Pine Meadows Drive,
Spring Hill, Florida 34606; <bevalhansen@earthlink.net>), Gail Menk (2725 Peachtree
Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32304; no e-mail), Paul Miller (Kissimmee Prairie Preserve
State Park, 33104 NW 192nd Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida 34972;
<Paul.Miller@dep.state.fl.us>), and Peggy Powell (2965 Forest Circle, Jacksonville,
Florida 32257; <pegpowell@comcast.net>).

NEW FOS SPECIAL PUBLICATION

The Breeding Birds of Florida by Glen E. Woolfenden, William
B. Robertson, Jr., and James Cox, 2006. Florida Ornithological Society
Special Publication no. 7: ii + 142 pp., 22 figures, $12.

The two papers in this monograph, plus the information on the
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's web site, repre-
sent the only publicly available information on Florida’s Breeding Bird
Atlas (BBA), the largest natural history undertaking in the history of
Florida.

In Part I, Glen Woolfenden and Bill Robertson lay the foundation
for interpreting the Florida BBA by reviewing the biogeography and
recent history of Florida’s breeding birds. In Part II, Jim Cox uses data
from the Florida BBA to examine relationships between the present
breeding bird distribution and various climatic and habitat variables.
His analysis indicates recent distributional changes and highlights ar-
eas with concentrated occurrences of rare and declining species.

For a full list of all Florida Ornithological Society Special Publica-
tions, visit: http://www.fosbirds.org/specialpub/FOSSpecialPubs.php

Make checks payable to the Florida Ornithological Society.

Orders shipped to non-members at a Florida address must add 7%
sales tax. Not-for-profit organizations: please provide your Florida tax-
exempt number in lieu of sales tax. Orders shipped to F.O.S. members
or to any out-of-state address are automatically tax-exempt.

Add $2 shipping and handling for each five copies (mix and match)
or part thereof; i.e., 1-5 copies $2, 6-10 copies $4, etc., regardless of
number(s).

Order Special Publications from the Special Publications Editor,
Reed F. Noss, University of Central Florida, Department of Biology,
4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, FL 32816-2368. Office: (407) 823-
0975; e-mail: rnoss@mail.uc£edu.

BE A FRIEND OF FFN

Florida Field Naturalist is the journal of FOS, an important com-
munication vehicle for the Florida scientific community. Increasing
costs need to be offset with a combination of member dues and contri-
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Please consider a donation of $50, $100, $200 or more to FRIENDS
OF FFN. Your gift will allow FFN to improve its artwork, including
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Simply write your check, payable to FOS FRIENDS OF FFN, and
mail it to Treasurer Dean Jue, Florida Ornithological Society, 3455
Dorchester Court, Tallahassee, FL 32312-1300.

All donations will be acknowledged by publication in an upcoming
issue of FFN.

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V

Florida Field Naturalist

ISSN 0738-999X

PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Editor: ScOTT ROBINSON, Florida Museum of Natural History, RO. Box 117800, Univer-
sity of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-7800. E-mail: srobinson@flmnh.ufl.edu
Associate Editor (for Reviews): Reed BOWMAN, Archbold Biological Station, RO. Box
2057, Lake Rlacid, FL 33852. E-mail: RBowman@archbold-station.org
Associate Editor (for bird distribution): Bruce Anderson, 2917 Scarlet Road, Winter
Fark, FL 32792. E-mail: scizortail@aol.com

Editor of the FOS newsletter, Snail Kite: TOM Ralmer, 1805 26th Street, N.W., Win-
ter Haven, FL 33881. E-mail: tomp47@yahoo.com
Editor of Special Publications: Reed F. Noss, Davis-Shine Rrofessor of Conservation
Biology, University of Central Florida, Department of Biology, 4000 Central Florida
Blvd., Orlando, FL 32816-2368. E-mail: rnoss@mail.ucf edu
Web Page Editor: STEPHEN Bankert, 365 Spoonbill Lane, Melbourne, FL 32951. E-mail:
webmaster@fosbirds.org

INFORMATION FOR CONTRIBUTORS

The Florida Field Naturalist is a fully refereed journal emphasizing biological fleld
studies and observations of vertebrates, especially birds, in and near Florida and the
nearby West Indies. We welcome submission of original manuscripts containing new
information from these areas. We encourage electronic submission of manu-
scripts. Please consult recent issues of the journal and the FOS website (http://
www.fosbirds.org/FFN/FFNGuidelines.htm) for style, especially noting that manu-
scripts should:

(1) be double-spaced throughout, including tables and flgure captions;

(2) include the scientiflc name at the first mention of each species;

(3) include capitalized standardized English names for all birds, but lower
case for English names of other organisms;

(4) include metric units for all measurements;

(5) use the form “7 June 2003” for all dates;

(6) use the 24-hour clock for all indications of time (e.g., 0800, 1400);

(7) use the following abbreviations: s (second), min (minute), h (hour);

(8) preferentially use active voice.

Submit manuscripts for Florida Field Naturalist to the Editor, Scott Robinson.
Monograph-length manuscripts may be submitted for consideration to Reed F. Noss,
Editor of Special Publications. Books and other materials for review should be submit-
ted to: Reed Bowman, Associate Editor for Reviews. Field Observations should be sub-
mitted to the Chair of the Field Observations Committee, Bill Pranty. Reports of rare
birds in Florida should be submitted to the Managing Secretary of the FOS Records
Committee, Reed Bowman.

Florida Field Naturalist

PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

VoL. 34, No. 3 September 2006 Pages 69-114

CONTENTS

FIFTEENTH REPORT OF THE FLORIDA
ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY RECORDS
COMMITTEE: 2003-2005

Reed Bowman, Secretary 69-102

FIELD OBSERVATIONS

Winter Report: December 2005-February 2006

Bill Pranty 103-112

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Breeding Birds of Florida, EOS Special Publication No. 7 113

Friends of FFN 114

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION LIBRARIES

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Florida Field Naturalist

PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

VoL. 34, No. 4 November 2006 Pages 115-135

FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Founded 1972

OFFICERS

President: JACK Hailman, 143 Beacon Lane, Jupiter, FL 33469. E-mail: jhailman@wisc.edu

Vice President: SuSAN B. WHITING, 3901 SE St. Lucie Blvd. #54, Stuart, FL 34997. E-
mail: SooSprey@aol.com

Secretary: PAMELA J. BoWEN, 309 Moonstone Dr., East Palatka, FL 32131. E-mail: pbowen
@netzero.net

Treasurer: DEAN JUE, 3455 Dorchester Court, Tallahassee, FL 32312-1300. E-mail:
djue@admin.fsu.edu

Editor, Florida Field Naturalist: ScOTT ROBINSON, Florida Museum of Natural His-
tory, P.O. Box 117800, Gainesville, FL 32611-7800. E-mail: srobinson@flmnh.ufl.edu

Directors, Terms Expiring Spring 2007

Judy Bryan, 1924 SW 43rd Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32608

Katie Sieving, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
32611-0430

Directors, Terms Expiring Spring 2008

David B. Freeland, 2345 Marsh Harbor Avenue, Merritt Island, FL 32952
Joyce King, 11645 69th Way N., Largo, FL 33773

Directors, Terms Expiring Spring 2009

Charles Ewell, 115 SW 51®^ Terrace, Cape Coral, FL 33914-7107
Julie Wraithmell, 131 Willaura Circle, Tallahassee, FL 32301

Honorary Members

Samuel A. Grimes 1979; Helen G. Cruickshank 1980; Oliver L. Austin, Jr. 1982;
Pierce Brodkorb 1982; William B. Robertson, Jr. 1992; Glen E. Woolfenden
1994; Ted Below 1999.

All persons interested in Florida’s natural history, particularly its abundant bird life,
are invited to join the Florida Ornithological Society by writing the Treasurer. Annual
membership dues are $20 for individual members (overseas $25), $25 for a family member-
ship, $15 for students, $40 for contributing members and $25 for institutional membership.

All members receive the Florida Field Naturalist and the newsletter. Subscription
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available, prepaid, from the Treasurer. Notice of change of address, claims for undelivered
or defective copies of this journal, and requests for information about advertising and
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The Florida Field Naturalist is published quarterly (February, May, September, and
November) by the Florida Ornithological Society It is printed by E. O. Painter Printing
Co., P.O. Box 877, DeLeon Springs, Florida 32130. The permanent address of the Florida
Ornithological Society is Department of Ornithology, Florida Museum of Natural History,
University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611. The Florida Ornithological Society web
site can be found at www.fosbirds.org

THIS PUBLICATION IS PRINTED ON NEUTRAL PH PAPER

Florida Field Naturalist

PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

VoL. 34, No. 4 November 2006 Pages 115-135

NOTES

Florida Field Naturalist 34(4):115=116, 2006.

BROAD-WINGED HAWK CAPTURES HAWKSBILL TURTLE HATCHLING
IN THE FLORIDA KEYS

Tom Wilmers' and Monay Markey^

^Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges, 28950 Watson Boulevard
Big Pine Key, FL 33043

^Bahia Honda State Park, 36850 Overseas Highway, Big Pine Key, FL 33043

The Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) is a migrant in south Florida and win-
ters regularly in the Florida Keys (Robertson and Woolfenden 1992). It is an opportunis-
tic predator that captures a wide variety of prey types (Rusch and Doerr 1972, Reran
1978, Janik and Mosher 1982), including very young snapping turtles (Chelydra serpen-
tina) (Mosher and Palmer 1988). However, capture of a hatchling sea turtle by a Broad-
winged Hawk has not been previously documented.

The endangered hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imhricata) is a spongivorous, circum-
tropical reptile that rarely nests in the U.S. (Meylan 1992, Meylan et al. 1995).

On the morning of 10 October 2000 (ca 0730 hrs), from a distance of ca 8 m Markey
observed a Broad-winged Hawk perched 2.5 m above ground on a sign in a parking lot
at Bahia Honda State Park (FL Keys, Monroe County). A hawksbill turtle nest-— -1 m
from the edge of the parking lot and ca 16 m from where the hawk was perched — had
hatched the night before. Two disoriented live hatchling turtles had crawled landward
onto the parking lot. Thirteen dead hawksbill hatchlings (cause of death unknown) were
scattered on the beach.

Less than a minute after first observing the hawk, Markey saw it descend to the
parking lot and capture one of the live hatchling turtles. The hawk returned to the perch
whereupon Markey, in an effort to startle the bird sufficiently to drop the turtle, rushed
towards it. The bird took flight with the turtle in its talons.

The height of the hawk’s perch was exceptionally low; reported perch height ranges
from 10 to 20 m (Goodrich et al. 1996). That Markey was able to approach the hawk so
closely prior to its attack may be attributable to the bird’s habituation to people. She
had previously observed a Broad-winged Hawk elsewhere in the park that allowed a
close approach.

The mean weight of a hawksbill hatchling is 14.3-14.5 g (Limpus et al. 1983, Hitchins
et al. 2004) and within the 10-30 g weight of prey most commonly captured by the Broad-
winged Hawk (Goodrich et al. 1996). Compared with an older hawksbill turtle, a hatchling
has limited endochondral ossification and its shell has not fully hardened. Thus, a Broad-
winged Hawk likely could breach a hatchling turtle’s shell and consume the flesh within.

We found no literature on raptor predation of sea turtles. Several raptor species do
prey occasionally on freshwater turtles: Snail Kite {Rostrhamus sociahilis) (Sykes et al.

115

116

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

1995), Osprey (Postupalsky and Kleiman 1965), and, over a wide area. Bald Eagle {Hali-
aeetus leucocephalus) (Clark 1982). Birds that prey opportunistically on hatchling sea tur-
tles include the Great Frigatebird (Fregata minor) (Lagarde et al. 2001), Black Vulture
{Coragyps atratus) (Mrosovsky 1971), and Turkey Vulture {Cathartes aura) (Fowler 1979).

Predation of hatchling sea turtles by Broad- winged Hawks and other terrestrial rap-
tors in the Florida Keys is inherently rare and thus inconsequential to sea turtle produc-
tivity because hatchling turtles normally emerge from nests and promptly enter the sea at
night. Further, most sea turtle nests hatch in advance of the sizable fall raptor migration.

We thank Anne Meylan for examination and species confirmation of the dead
hatchling turtles. We are grateful to Phillip Hughes, Ken Meyer, and Anne Meylan for
review of the preliminary manuscript.

Literature Cited

Clark, W. S. 1982. Turtles as a food source of nesting Bald Eagles in the Chesapeake Bay
region. Journal of Field Ornithology 53:49-51.

Fowler, L. E. 1979. Hatching success and nest predation in the green sea turtle Chelo-
nia mydas at Tortuguero, Costa Rica. Ecology 60:946-955.

Goodrich, L. J., S. C. Crocoll, and S. E. Senner 1996. Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo
platypterus). In The Birds of North America, No. 218 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The
Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, and The American Ornithologists’
Union, Washington, D.C.

Hitchins, P. M., O. Bourquin, S. Hitchins, and S. E. Piper 2004. Biometric data on
hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imhricata) nesting at Cousine Island, Seychelles.
Journal of Zoology 264:371-381.

Janik, C. a., and J. Mosher 1982. Breeding biology of raptors in the central Appala-
chians. Raptor Research 16:18-24.

Keran, D. 1978. Nest site selection by the Broad-winged Hawk in north-central Minne-
sota and Wisconsin. Raptor Research 12:15-20.

Lagarde, F., M. Le Corre, and H. Lormee. 2001. Species and sex-biased predation on
hatchling green turtles by frigatebirds on Europa Island, Western Indian Ocean. Con-
dor 103:405-408.

Limpus, C. j., j. D. Miller, V. Baker, and E. McLachlan. 1983. The hawksbill turtle,
Eretmochelys imbricata, in north-eastern Australia; the Campbell Island rookery.
Australian Wildlife Research 10:185-197.

Meylan, A. 1992. Hawksbill turtle. Pages 95-99 in Rare and Endangered Biota of Flor-
ida. Vol. 3 (P. Moler, ed.). University Press of Florida.

Meylan, A., B. Schroeder, and A. Mosier 1995. Sea turtle nesting activity in the State
of Florida. Florida Marine Research Publication 52.

Mosher, J. A., and R. S. Palmer 1988. Broad-winged hawk. Pages 3-33 in Handbook of
North American Birds. Vol. 5 (R. S. Palmer, ed.). Yale University Press, New Haven, CT.
Mrosovsky, N. 1971. Black Vultures attack live turtle hatchlings. Auk 88:672-673.
Postupalsky, S., and J. Kleiman. 1965. Osprey preys on turtle. Wilson Bulletin 77:401-
402.

Robertson, W. B., Jr., and G. E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida bird species; an annotated
list. Fla. Ornithological Society Special Publication Number No. 6.

Rusch, D. H., and P. D. Doerr 1972. Broad-winged hawk nesting and food habits. Auk
89:139-145.

Sykes, P. W., Jr., J. A. Rodgers, Jr., and R. E. Bennetts. 1995. Snail Kite {Rostrhamus
sociabilis). In The Birds of North America, No. 171 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The
Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and The American Ornithologists’ Union,
Washington, D.C.

117

Florida Field Naturalist 34(4): 117, 2006.

OSPREY CATCHES LEAST TERN IN FLIGHT
Bonnie Fairbanks

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida, 1450 Merrihue Dr., Naples, FL 34102

On the morning of 29 June 2006 on the north end of Keewaydin Island near Naples,
FL, I observed an Osprey {Pandion haliaetus) capture a Least Tern (Sternula antih
larum) in flight. The incident began when a group of approximately 30-50 Least Terns
took flight from the beach. The terns scattered in various directions, calling as they com-
monly do while in flight. An Osprey was fl5dng from the water toward the land when the
terns began flying. As it came near the group of terns, one of the terns flew directly in
front of the Osprey. The Osprey caught the tern in its talons, doubling its wingbeat once
as it did so. With the tern in its talons, it continued on as before and flew out of sight
over a house. At no time did the terns appear to give the Osprey any special attention;
they neither mobbed nor avoided it. The Osprey did not seem to be hunting the terns,
because it did not change direction to fly toward them. The Osprey is not a known source
of mortality for Least Terns (Thompson et al. 2005). Ospreys eat fish almost exclusively,
and the anecdotal observations of Ospreys eating birds do not include Least Terns
(Wiley and Lohrer 1973). I also could find no observations of birds caught on the wing by
an Osprey.

Literature Cited

Thompson, B. C., J. A. Jackson, J. Burger, L. A. Hill, E. M. Kirsch, and J. L. At-
wood. 1997. Least Tern {Sterna antillarum). In The Birds of North America, No. 290
(A. Poole and F Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, and
The American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C.

Wiley, J. W., and F. E. Lohrer. 1973. Additional records of non-fish prey taken by
Ospreys. Wilson Bulletin 85:468-470.

118

Florida Field Naturalist 34(4):118-120, 2006.

REVIEW

The Carolina Parakeet: Glimpses of a Vanished Bird. — Noel F. R. Snyder. 2004.
Princeton University Press, ISBN 0-691-11795-0. xii + 153 pp. $32.95 cloth. — Of Flor-
ida’s five birds that became or presumably became extinct or extirpated during the 20th
century, perhaps none is more enigmatic than the Carolina Parakeet (Conuropsis caro-
linensis). Unlike the other four birds — the Passenger Pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius),
Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis), Bachman’s Warbler (Vermivora
bachmanii), and Dusky Seaside Sparrow (Ammodramus maritimus nigrescens) — the
causes of the parakeet’s extinction are largely unknown. Unregulated shooting — for
sport, to prevent crop depredation, and for scientific collections — often is cited as the
primary cause of the parakeet’s extinction but is usually discounted because this activ-
ity was localized. Other gaps in our knowledge of the parakeet’s biology include the year
when the parakeet became extinct in the wild, and whether or not it nested exclusively
in cavities, entered a state of torpor when roosting, or if its preference for cockleburs
rendered it toxic to predators.

In this short book, Noel Snyder, a former Floridian, weaves two stories, centered pri-
marily in the interior of Florida’s peninsula during the early 20th century. The first is a
reconstruction of the biology of the Carolina Parakeet based on historical accounts and
interviews with residents of the Okeechobee area who observed the parakeet decades
earlier. Snyder’s second story, which I found to be more interesting because it is less con-
jectural, involves the interplay of ornithologists, oologists, “sportsmen,” Audubon war-
dens, and other fascinating characters who lived in the region about 80 years ago.

The book is divided into ten chapters: 1) Basic Characteristics of the Species; 2) The
Decline and Fall; 3) Controversial Last Records; 4) Habitat Preferences and Require-
ments; 5) Feeding Habits and Movements; 6) Breeding Habits; 7) Causes of Extinction;
8) Parakeet Toxicity and Other Topics for Research; 9) Postmortem of a Conservation
Failure; and 10) Evaluating Historical Data, and some General Conclusions. The book
contains two color illustrations of Carolina Parakeets and 36 black-and-white photo-
graphs of people or locations mentioned in the book. I enjoyed the contemporary paint-
ing by John Schmitt of a Carolina Parakeet family at their nest cavity, as well as the
numerous photographs taken during the 1930s by Alexander Sprunt, Jr., which are
handsomely reproduced in this book. I was surprised to learn that John James Audu-
bon’s plate of the Carolina Parakeet may inaccurately portray juvenal plumage as being
entirely green. Snyder reports that every extant specimen of juvenile Carolina Para-
keets has an orange patch on the forehead (a character included in Schmitt’s painting).
Snyder relates an entertaining tale originally published by Robert Porter Allen (1938).
The story involves eggs collected on the Kissimmee Prairie in 1930 for Charles Doe, a
well-known but little-liked Florida oologist. Apparently Doe “bounced” a check written
for payment of the eggs and was forced to flee the area to avoid bodily harm at the hands
of the collectors! The eggs were placed in a large metal can and were nailed to a tree be-
hind a store in Basinger (in present-day eastern Highlands County), and were rediscov-
ered— apparently in good condition — eight years later by Allen and others.

While much of the natural history of the Carolina Parakeet is taken from existing
references, Snyder provides “new” information that he obtained by interviewing resi-
dents of the Okeechobee area who knew the parakeet in life during the 1910s-1920s.
These interviews, which were aided by Audubon warden Rod Chandler, took place in
1979 and 1981. All those who Snyder interviewed have since died, and their information
is published for the first time in this book. While some of this information doubtlessly is
factual, other remembrances seem to me to be far-fetched, such as the claim that some
parakeets roosted in barns and houses, hanging from the rafters by their bills rather

Review

119

than using their legs to perch. Elsewhere in the book, Snyder accepts as factual several
historical statements that have been discounted by other ornithologists (e.g., Bailey
1925, Howell 1932, McKinley 1985).

Among the questionable statements that Snyder accepts are that Carolina Parakeets
built open twig nests in addition to nesting in cavities, and that parakeets — including
those in Florida^ — fell into a state of torpor when roosting. Regarding the cup nests, Sny-
der refuses to discount the few second- or third-hand historical reports even though no
ornithologist ever witnessed such behavior, and even though no other psittacid in the
world is known to nest in both cavities and open nests. Snyder suggests that exotic dis-
eases, perhaps transmitted by chickens, contributed to the extinction of Carolina Para-
keets, although he admits that no historical or recent observations exist of any other
psittacid in the New World being similarly affected by diseases transmitted by domestic
fowl. Aside from the parakeets, Snyder accepts William Bartram’s 18th century observa-
tions of King Vultures (Sarcoramphus papa) in Florida — often dismissed by others as a
misidentification of Crested Caracaras {Caracara cheriway) — and suggests that the
birds became extirpated by Indians who sought the vulture’s feathers! Shockingly, Sny-
der claims that Ivory-billed Woodpeckers were not old-growth forest specialists, and
cites as proof of this belief the presence of the woodpeckers “hanging on” in Cuba. On
the contrary, the few remaining Ivory-billed Woodpeckers in Cuba were found in the few
remaining pockets of old-growth forest, and the birds are now considered extirpated
from that country, having last been seen in 1988 (Jackson 2004).

Snyder anticipates criticism of his faith in the hearsay data that he gathered about
Carolina Parakeets, and I chuckled at his contempt for “a few ornithologists [who] even
build their reputations by denouncing the gullibility of those who accept sightings of
rare species that are not supported by airtight evidence,” I was disappointed that an or-
nithologist of Snyder’s caliber would so boldly put faith in hearsay evidence based on 50-
or 60-year old recollections, especially when he mentions two instances in which his own
(much more recent) memory was faulty. Snyder goes so far as to claim that the hearsay
data that he obtained “significantly expands our knowledge of the last days” of the Caro-
lina Parakeet. Elsewhere in his book, Snyder admits that hearsay data are “often of in-
determinable accuracy,” thereby creating “a problem that poses some thorny problems of
interpretation,” Thorny problems, indeed.

I found it interesting that none of the hearsay evidence that Snyder presents was
mentioned in the Birds of North America account of the Carolina Parakeet, written by
Snyder and Keith Russell (2002). It is tempting to speculate that either Snyder’s co-au-
thor or editors struck the hearsay information from the BNA account as being too con-
jectural. On the other hand, perhaps Snyder simply was “saving” the hearsay
information for his book, which he calls “an expansion” of the BNA account.

I was disappointed that Snyder uses pet-trade names rather than ornithological no-
menclature for the other psittacid species that he discusses. A map showing the histori-
cal distribution of the Carolina Parakeet and the numerous locations that Snyder
mentions would have been a helpful addition to the book. I noted a few minor typograph-
ical errors and out-dated nomenclature; Snyder globally refers to the Snail Kite {Ros-
trhamus sociabilis) as the Everglades Kite, For data on naturalized psittacid populations
in North America, Snyder quotes Hardy (1973) and Owre (1973) — and nobody else — even
though these two citations are greatly out-of-date. There appears to be an inconsistency
in Snyder’s book about the two purported races of the Carolina Parakeet, the western lu-
dovicianus and the eastern carolinensis. On page 6, Snyder states that the perceived dif-
ferences between the two races — primarily plumage coloration — were “modest and
variable.” However, on page 10, Snyder states that the two purported races “differed sig-
nificantly in bill, wing, and tail measurements . . . and fairly consistently” in plumage.

Snyder concludes his book by listing several topics of the Carolina Parakeet’s biology
or history that might be solved by the use of molecular techniques. Among these are the

120

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

relationship of Conuropsis with other New World psittacid genera such as Aratinga and
Myiopsitta; whether feeding on cockleburs rendered parakeets “unpalatable” to preda-
tors; whether “biochemical or morphological traces of pathogens” could be detected in
parakeet feathers or skin; and whether the two clutches of eggs collected by Charles Doe
in Osceola County in 1927 are genuine Carolina Parakeet eggs. One would hope that
scientists are now studying some of these issues in hopes of learning more about what
perhaps is North America’s most fascinating lost bird species.

In summary, The Carolina Parakeet: Glimpses of a Vanished Bird makes entertain-
ing reading for those interested in the early ornithology of Florida. The book is less suc-
cessful as a treatise on the natural history of the Carolina Parakeet, owing to its
reliance on unproven and otherwise unvetted hearsay data. While I have reservations
about Snyder’s faith in some historical data, I recommend this book for birders, orni-
thologists, and public and academic libraries.

I thank Reed Bowman for improving a draft of this review.

— Bill Pranty, 8515 Village Mill Row, Bayonet Point, Florida 34667-2662.

Literature Cited

Allen, R. P. 1938. A true story of commercial egg traffic. Bird-Lore 40:145-146.

Bailey, H. H. 1925. The Birds of Florida. Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore, MD.

Hardy, J. W. 1973. Feral exotic birds in southern California. Wilson Bulletin 85:506-512.
Jackson, J. A. 2004. In Search of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. Smithsonian Institution,
Washington, D.C.

Howell, A. H. 1932. Florida Bird Life. Coward-McCann, New York.

McKinley, D. 1985. The Carolina Parakeet in Florida. Special Publication No. 2. Florida
Ornithological Society, Gainesville.

OWRE, O. T. 1973. A consideration of the exotic avifauna of southeastern Florida. Wilson
Bulletin 85:491-500.

Snyder, N. F. R., and K. Russell. 2002. Carolina Parakeet {Conuropsis carolinensis). In
The Birds of North America, No. 667 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North
America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.

Florida Field Naturalist 34(4):121-123, 2006.

IN MEMORIAM

Howard P. Langridge, 1923-2004

Howard Percy Langridge, a Charter Member of the Florida Ornithological Society
(FOS) and an extraordinarily skilled birder who contributed much to our knowledge of
birds in Florida, died from complications resulting from a massive stroke on 14 Novem-
ber 2004, at Sycamore Shoals Hospital, Elizabethton, Tennessee, at the age of 81. He
was born 31 May 1923 at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of H. R. and Winifred M. Lang-
ridge. His childhood and teen years were spent at Cedar Rapids,

In addition to being a member of FOS, Howard held memberships in the American
Birding Association (ABA), the Tennessee Ornithological Society (TOS), and the Audu-
bon Society of the Everglades at West Palm Beach. He was a member of the FOS Bird
Records Committee from 1985 through 1987, and was Associate Editor (for bird distri-
bution) for the Florida Field Naturalist (FFN) for 10 years (1985 through 1994). He au-
thored or co-authored 21 short articles on significant bird observations he had made in
Florida, publishing them in FFN, and was a regular contributor to the seasonal reports
in the Field Observations of FFN. He was the editor for the Florida Region for North
American Birds and its predecessor American Birds, writing the spring season reports
for 11 years (1986 through 1996), and was a regular contributor of his observations to
that journal from the late 1950s up until the time of his death. He and T. Trotsky docu-
mented the first Black- tailed Godwit in Florida in 1981 (Merritt Island NWR) and with
W. Matthews and G. Hunter had the first sighting of a Thick-billed Murre for the state
in 1976 (Lake Worth Fishing Pier). Howard was the compiler of the West Palm Beach
Christmas Bird Count (CBC) for an unbroken 40 years, 1958 (the 59‘^ CBC period)
through 1997 (the 98“* CBC period). No other person has compiled a count or counts in
Florida for that length of time. In addition to the West Palm Beach CBC, he frequently
participated on CBCs at Ft. Lauderdale, Everglades-Coot Bay, Stuart, and several oth-
ers. Through 2000 (the last time Howard submitted his list total to the ABA List Report
Supplement to Birding) he had a Florida Life List of 441 species of birds.

I had the good fortune to have known Howard for 38 years. During the 20 years my
family and I lived at Delray Beach, he and I birded together on a regular basis in Palm
Beach County and elsewhere in the state from the Dry Tortugas to Jacksonville to
Pensacola. Some of his favorite birding areas included the Dry Tortugas, Florida Keys,
Everglades National Park, Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee NWR, Hypoluxo Island at
Lantana, the Lake Worth Fishing Pier, Blowing Rocks Beach near Jupiter, Duda Farms
near Belle Glade, and the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. After Howard retired, he
spent a week or so annually during spring migration at the Dry Tortugas, camping out-
side Ft. Jefferson on Garden Key. On such visits he often was a co-leader for Wings, the
well-known birding tour company out of Tucson, Arizona. Over the years he took hun-
dreds of out-of-town birders to see the south Florida specialties. Peter Dunne of Cape
May, New Jersey, in his popular book The Feather Quest: a North American Birder’s
Year, referred to Howard as an “alpha alpha birder.”

After moving to Elizabethton, Tennessee, in 1997, he continued to bird in the eastern
part of that state, often in association with fellow birders in the region, and recorded sev-
eral first records for Tennessee, including Great Blue (white morph) Heron, Lesser Black-
backed Gull, and Royal Tern. Howard’s last birding with a group was with the Herndon
TOS Chapter on 30 October 2004 at Sycamore Shoals State Park at Elizabethton.

Howard had two great passions in life — extreme competition in birding and tennis.
He loved a “good chase” for a rare bird. Upon seeing an interesting species or something
that pleased him, he would break into a broad smile and rapidly rub his palms together

121

122

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

as an expression of his excitement. In the field he usually wore a light-colored, broad-
brimmed, tilley-like hat, a shirt with a collar, lightweight long trousers, and low-cut
leather boots or tennis shoes. He always carried crackers to munch on and drank only
water. Invariably he used 3x5 index cards in the field to take notes on the birds he ob-
served and make sketches of the rarer species using a lead pencil. He would quickly
whip a card out of his shirt pocket to make a notation or sketch and then quickly replace
it. These cards were recycled from student term papers; he had saved hundreds or thou-
sands of these cards for this purpose. His sketches were accurate artistic renderings of
birds. In my 55 years of birding I have never met a birder who liked to crawl into a
dense thicket like Howard in search of furtive species. The man was truly amazing in
this respect; he was as agile as a raccoon.

Traveling with Howard was a great pleasure, since there was always interesting con-
versation about birds and every other topic under the sun, as he was extremely well
read in current events, history, literature, and a wide range of other subjects. He and I
also held a similar view of “the world.” We frequently talked by telephone about birds,
birding, and planning trips in and out of state. Upon answering the phone, instead of
saying hello or some other greeting, his stock in trade was “H. R Langridge here” — when
I think of him, I can still hear that familiar greeting. His enthusiasm was infectious,
and, when he perceived something to be funny, he would break out into his distinctive
cackling-like laugh. He was a dynamo of energy, and, for things that interested him, he
always gave 100 percent. His family, birding, playing tennis, and making furniture and
other items out of wood he had cut on his Tennessee property were among his primary
interests. He played tennis with gusto and, because of his skill and stamina, was able to
beat players half his age. Howard and his youngest daughter. Daphne (Robin to most of
us) were ranked in mixed-doubles tennis in Florida for several years. He played tennis
3-5 times per week up to just before his death.

He was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Mable Sharp Langridge, a daughter
Patsy Langridge, and a grandson William H. Ollmann. He is survived by a brother, Ray
Langridge (Marion, Iowa); daughters J. Susan Ollmann (Gainesville, FL), Jane M.
Farmer (Pensacola, FL), and Daphne R. Mahagan (Dade City, FL); a son, Howard P.
Langridge III (Sopchoppy, FL); four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Howard left his native Iowa at the age of 18 and worked for the US. Postal Service in
Washington, D.C. He served a little over three years in the US. Navy as a reconnais-
sance photographer aboard a PBY aircraft in the Pacific during World War 11. On 2 De-
cember 1944 he married Mable Sharp of Elizabethton, Tennessee. Following the war he
attended East Tennessee State University at Johnson City under the GI Bill, where he
earned Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees in English. It is about this time that
Howard began birding. He taught English at Unaka High School in Carter County, TN,
for six years before moving to Lantana, FL, in 1957. He taught English for 23 years in
the Palm Beach County Public School System, first at Palm Beach High School for sev-
eral years, but most of his teaching career was at Forest Hill H.S. in West Palm Beach,
until his retirement in 1981. He often commuted between his home in Lantana and For-
est Hill H.S. on his bicycle, using the less traveled streets. This was long before most
people gave much thought to conserving fossil fuels and maintaining clean air stan-
dards in South Florida. Howard was well liked by his students and fellow faculty mem-
bers at Forest Hill. He had an energetic teaching style, being very animated in the
classroom. He taught a number of different courses in the English Department, his pas-
sion being composition. He was head of the English Department for several years, was
Student Council Advisor, and Field Biology Club Sponsor, where he taught students bird
identification and other skills pertaining to their environmental education.

Friday afternoons during the school year found Howard and the kids in the Field Bi-
ology Club hard at work trying not to misidentify a bird and not utter a grammatical er-
ror. At year’s end, he handed each of his students a 3 x 5 card with the simple

In Memoriam

123

Clockwise from top left. Howard P. Langridge — In his element in the classroom
at Forest Hill High School, West Palm Beach, FL, circa 1970s; courtesy Susan
Ollmann. Birding on southern Great Abaco Island, Bahamas, 17 November
1990; photo by Paul Sykes. Faculty photo in Forest Hill H. S. Yearbook 1981 (his
last year teaching); photo courtesy Susan Ollmann. On “station” at Lake Worth
Fishing Pier with a first-year Sabine’s Gull, Lake Worth, Florida, November
1986; photo by Tadziu Trotsky.

inscription “Langridge Product ” a distinction accepted with great pride. Years later, at a
moving-to-Tennessee party in H. P.’s honor, many of his West Palm Beach friends
proudly asked him to inscribe their field guides with the words “Langridge Product.”

He did graduate work toward a doctorate at Florida State University in Tallahassee,
but did not obtain a degree. During the Florida years he lived at Lantana. Summers
were spent with Mable and children at the house he himself built on the side of a moun-
tain on their property on the east side of Elizabethton, or traveling and camping in the
western United States. In 1997, Howard and Mable left Florida, all their children hav-
ing fledged many years before, and moved to their home in eastern Tennessee.

His service to the birding community in Florida and Tennessee will be long remem-
bered and much appreciated. We shall all miss this kind, gentle, gracious man who
touched the lives of so many of us.

I wish to thank Wallace Coffey, Steve Holzman, Gloria Hunter, Bonnie and Cam Ke-
pler, Susan Ollmann, Daphne Mahagan, Tadziu Trotsky, and Ann and Phil Weinrich for
their assistance in preparing this memoriam. Paul W. Sykes, Jr., 1080 Forest Road, Wat-
kinsville, GA 30677.

124

Florida Field Naturalist 34(4): 124-135, 2006.

FIELD OBSERVATIONS

Spring Report: March-May 2006. — This report consists of significant bird obser-
vations compiled by the Field Observations Committee (FOC). Submissions to the FOC
should be in the following format: species, number of individuals, age and sex of the
bird(s), color morph if applicable, location (including county), date, observer(s), and sig-
nificance. Seasons are winter (December-February), spring (March-May), summer
(June-July), and fall ( August-No vember). Submit observations to regional compilers
within two weeks after the close of each season, or to the state compiler within one
month. Addresses of the compilers are found at the end of this report. We greatly prefer
observations sent via e-mail.

Sight-only observations are considered “reports” while only those supported by verifi-
able evidence (photographs, video or audio tapes, or specimens) are called “records.”
Species for which documentation is required by the FOS Records Committee (FOSRC;
Bowman 2004, Fla. Field Nat. 32:7-33) are marked here with an asterisk (*). A county
designation (in italics) accompanies the first-time listing of each site in this report. Ab-
breviations in this report are: EOS = end of season, NP = national park, NSRA - north
shore restoration area, NWR = national wildlife refuge, SP = state park, STF - sewage
treatment facility, WE A = wildlife and environmental area, and N, S, E, W etc., for com-
pass directions. Bold-faced entries denote birds newly reported or verified in Florida, or
record counts.

Summary of the Spring Season

The weather was generally mild and dry, with no significant storms, and therefore no
significant fallouts. The western Panhandle received only 1,46 inches of rain in March-
April. FOSRC rarities reported this season were the Red-billed Tropicbird specimen
from Boynton Beach, Iceland Gull at Daytona Beach, Cassin’s Kingbird at Lake Apopka,
and the Bullock’s Oriole at Tallahassee. Other rarities included the first Band-rumped
Storm-Petrels recorded in the Atlantic Ocean (off Ponce Inlet), three White-faced Ibises
at Micanopy with another at Fort Walton Beach, Roseate Spoonbills and Black Skim-
mers breeding inland in Polk County, an interesting mini-invasion of Wilson’s
Phalaropes between 20-26 May, a European Herring Gull (perhaps soon to be consid-
ered specifically distinct from American Herring Gulls) at Da3rtona Beach, an apparent
Antillean Nighthawk at St. George Island, one or two La Sagra’s Flycatchers at Cape
Florida, an interesting mimid at Boca Chica Key that may have been a Northern x Ba-
hama mockingbird hybrid, a Common Myna north to St. Petersburg, and a black-backed
Western Spindalis at Everglades National Park.

Species Accounts

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck: 160 at Gainesville {Alachua) 12 Apr (D. Hartman); 3
at St, Petersburg {Pinellas) 12 May (E. Haney); 20 at Ocala {Marion) 21 May (B.
Anderson); 2 at Lower Wekiva State Preserve {Lake/ Seminole) 24 May (L. Malo); 6 at
Cutler Ridge {Miami-Dade) 25 May (R. Torres).

Fulvous Whistling-Duck: 5 at St. Marks NWR {Wakulla) 5 Apr (A. Wraithmell); 1 at a
Polk phosphate mine 11 May (P, Fellers); up to 25 (28 Apr) all season at Lake Apopka
NSRA {Orange-, H. Robinson).

Snow Goose: 1 immature white morph at Merritt Island NWR {Brevard) 1-7 Mar, 1
adult white morph there 29 Mar, and 1 adult blue morph over South Merritt Island

Field Observations

125

{Brevard) 26 Apr (all D. Freeland); 1 white morph at Springhill Road STF {Leon) 14-
29 Mar (G. Menk).

Mandarin Duck: 1 pair copulated at Lake Frances, Madison {Madison) 25 Mar (S. Mc-
Cool, photo to FOG).

Mottled Duck: 2 (the female perhaps a Mottled Duck x Mallard) at Tallahassee {Leon)

10 Apr (S. McCool, photo to FOG); 2 at Egans Greek Wetlands {Nassau) 12 Apr (J.
Hintermister); 104 at Myakka River SP {Sarasota) 27 May (R. Smith).

Blue-winged Teal: 3 near Oak Hill {Volusia) 18 May (M. Brothers); 1 at Lake Apopka
NSRA 28 May (H. Robinson).

Blue-winged x Ginnamon Teal: 1 apparent hybrid drake at Viera Wetlands {Brevard)

11 Mar (A. Bankert, photo to FOG).

Ginnamon Teal: 1 male at St. Marks NWR 18 Mar (T. Gurtis).

Northern Shoveler: 1500 at Polk mines 11 Mar (P. Fellers, E. Lane).

Northern Pintail: 41 at Polk mines 3 Mar (P. Fellers, D. Brooke); 1 male at Honeymoon
Island SP {Pinellas) 4 May (W. Yusek).

Green-winged Teal: 2800 at Polk mines 3 Mar (P. Fellers, D. Brooke).

Redhead: 2 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP {Alachua) to 13 Mar (H. Adams); 1 at Lake
Apopka NSRA 3 May (H. Robinson); 45 at Tierra Verde {Pinellas) 13 May (B. Ahern,
D. Powell).

Ring-necked Duck: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 3 May (H. Robinson); 3 at Polk mines 11
May (P. Fellers).

Greater Scaup: 2 (female and male) at St. Marks NWR 8 May (J. Dozier).

Lesser Scaup: 950 at Polk mines 11 Mar (P. Fellers, E. Lane); 4 (1 female, 3 males) at
Springhill Road STF 31 May (G. Menk).

Surf Scoter: 1 male at Merritt Island NWR 29 May (T. Dunkerton).

Bufflehead: 3 at Polk mines 3 Mar (P. Fellers, D. Brooke); 1 female at Springhill Road
STF 31 May (G. Menk).

Gommon Goldeneye: 1 female at Springhill Road STF 29 Mar-4 Apr (G. Menk).

Ruddy Duck: 9500 at Lake Apopka NSRA 5 Mar, and 5 there 21 May (H. Robinson); 4
males at Tierra Verde 27 Mar (L. Atherton).

Wild Turkey: 1 at Melbourne Beach {Brevard) 12 April (A. Banker!).

Pacific Loon: 1 at Gulf Breeze {Santa Rosa) 25 Mar (P. Baker); 1 first-summer bird at
Destin Bridge {Okaloosa) 21 May (D. Ware).

Gommon Loon: flocks (with 90% of the birds in alternate plumage) flying NE over
Gainesville 60-120 minutes after sunrise included 117 on 22 Mar and 193 on 5 Apr (A.
Kratter); 4 over Gary State Forest {Nassau) 12 Apr (J. Hintermister).

Horned Grebe: 1 with “some rufous on neck” at Fort Walton Beach STF {Okaloosa) 24
May (M. Myers, B. Duncan).

Black-capped Petrel: 2 about 100 nm off Ponce Inlet {Volusia) 1 Apr (B. Wallace, M.
Brothers).

Audubon’s Shearwater: 1 off Elliott Key, Bisca5me NP {Miami-Dade) 20 Apr (R. Torres).
Leach’s Storm-Petrel: 2 just off the mouth of the St. Johns River {Duval) 15 May (R.
Glark).

Band-rumped Storm-Petrel: 2 about 80 nm off Ponce Inlet 1 Apr (B, Wallace, M. Broth-
ers, photos to FOG); 1 in the Florida Straits {Monroe) 21 Apr (M. Gardler).
White-tailed TropicbirD: 1 about 100 nm off Ponce Inlet 1 Apr (B. Wallace, M. Brothers);

1 between Dry Tortugas NP and Key West {Monroe) 25 Apr (M. Gearheart, D. Williams).
*Red-BILLED TropicbirD: 1 at Boynton Beach {Palm Beach) 19 Mar {fide T, Webber; UF
45217).

Masked Booby: 17 nests at Dry Tortugas NP {Monroe) in Apr {fide M. Gardler).

Brown Booby: 1 immature at New Smyrna Beach {Volusia) 4 May {fide M. Brothers); 2
immatures off Jacksonville {Duval) 15 May (R. Glark); 1 immature off Jupiter Inlet
{Palm Beach) 31 May (J. and L. Hailman).

126

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Red-footed Booby: singles at Dry Tortugas NP 16 Apr (white-tailed brown morph) and
23 Apr (immature brown morph) (M. Gardler et ah).

Northern Gannet: 1 at Coconut Point {Brevard) 22 May (A. Bankert).

American White Pelican: 200 at Fernandina Beach (Nassau) 19 Mar (P. Leary); 500 at
St. Marks NWR 9 Apr (M. Hartley).

Brown Pelican: 1 immature at Lake Olympia (Orange) 12 Mar (T. Rodriguez); 1 at Lake
Apopka NSRA 11 Mar (H. Robinson); 2 at Lake Somerset (Polk) 1 Apr (T. Palmer); 1
immature at Lake Talquin (Leon) 7 May (S. McCool); 1 over Lake Ivanhoe (Orange) 25
May (G. Bretz).

Great Cormorant: 1 at Orange Park (Duval) to 11 Mar (B. Ahern, D. Powell).

Magnificent FrigatebirD: 1 female at Bald Point (Franklin) 2 Apr (H. Van Tol); 1 adult
male over Fernandina Beach 28 May (P. Leary).

American Bittern: 20 at Lake Apopka NSRA 1 Mar (H, Robinson); 5 or more at Lake
Miccosukee (Jefferson) 29-31 Mar (M. Hill); 1 at Roosevelt Wetlands, St. Petersburg
17-20 Apr (W Yusek); 1 at Florida International University (Miami-Dade) 31 May (B.
Schneider).

Least Bittern: 8 at Roosevelt Wetlands 14 May (D. Margeson).

“Great White Heron:” 1 near Oak Hill (Volusia) 18 May had been present 2 weeks (M.
Brothers).

Great Egret: 88 at a drying lake at Spring Hill (Hernando) 23 May (A. and E. Maywalt).

Reddish Egret: 1 immature at West Kendall (Miami-Dade) 8 May (J. Boyd).

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron: 27 at Lake Apopka NSRA 25 Apr (H. Robinson).

Scarlet-type Ibis: 1 at Lakes Park, Fort Myers (Lee) attempted to breed with a White
Ibis during May (A. Marshall).

Glossy Ibis: 1 at Lake Jackson (Leon) 20 May (H. Hooper); 685 at Lake Apopka NSRA
31 May (H. Robinson).

White-faced Ibis: up to 3 at Micanopy (Alachua) to 22 Mar (J. Hintermister, P. Burns et
ah); 1 adult at Fort Walton Beach STF 17 May (M. Myers, B. Duncan).

Roseate Spoonbill: 3 on nests at Polk mines 2 Apr (C. Geanangel), and 26 there 11
May, with 11 in the “rookery area” (P. Fellers); 1 immature at Altamonte Springs
(Seminole) 1-3 May (P. Hueber); 3 immatures at Lake Jesup Conservation Area (Sem-
inole) 13 May (L. Malo et al.).

Wood Stork: 319 at Lake Somerset 1 Apr (T Palmer).

Greater Flamingo: 1 near Key West 25 Apr (A. Binns).

Osprey: 113 at Lake Apopka NSRA 17 May (H. Robinson).

Snail Kite: 1 pair bred at Lake Istokpoga (Highlands) in Apr (M. McMillian); 1 at Kiss-
immee Prairie Preserve SP (Okeechobee) 14 May (P. Miller),

Mississippi Kite: 1 at Jacksonville 19 Apr (J. Cocke); 4 at Green Cove Springs (Clay) 29
May (R. Rowan et al.).

Bald Eagle: 30 at Tomoka Landfill (Volusia) 3 Mar (D. Freeland, M. Gardler et al.); 1
adult near Big Pine Key (Monroe) 16 May (G. Stoccardo).

Northern Harrier: 170 at Lake Apopka NSRA 4 Mar (H. Robinson).

Broad-winged Hawk: 1 at Old Town (Dixie) 19 Apr (J. Hintermister).

Short-tailed Hawk: 1 light morph at Flatwoods Park (Hillsborough) 2 Mar (B. Ahern); 2
(1 dark morph, 1 light morph) at Spring Hill 3 Mar (M. Gardler); 2 at Oak Hill (Volusia)
3 Mar (D. Freeland, M. Gardler); 1 light morph at Sumica Conservation Area, Indian
Lake Estates (Polk) 4 Mar (P. Fellers et al.); 1 dark morph at Fernandina Beach 1 Apr (P.
Leary); 3 dark morphs at J.B. Starkey Wilderness Park (Pasco) 1 Apr (K. Tracey); 1 at
Black Point Swamp near Shell Mound (Levy) 7 Apr (J. Hintermister); 1 light morph at
Seminole Ranch/Orlando Wetlands Park (Orange) 29 Apr (L. Malo et al.); 1 dark morph
E of Lake Wales (Polk) 20 May (T. Palmer); 1 dark morph at Myakka River SP 27 May
(R. Smith); at least 4 around New Port Richey (Pasco) through the season (K. Tracey); 1
light morph at J.N. “Ding” Darling NWR (Lee) throughout the season (fide C. Ewell).

Field Observations

127

Swainson’S Hawk: 1 intermediate dark morph at a Polk mine 3 Mar (R Fellers, D,
Brooke); 1 dark morph at Southern Glades WEA (Miami-Dade) 5 Mar (R. Diaz).

Crested CaracarA: 1 near Bithlo {Orange) 31 May (G. Stoccardo).

American Kestrel: 4 at Tram Road STF {Leon) 6 Apr (G. Menk).

Merlin: 12 at Bill Baggs Cape Florida SP {Miami-Dade) 10 Apr (R. Diaz); 1 at Tate’s Hell
{Franklin) 5 May (J, Spohrer).

Peregrine Falcon: 1 at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve {Okeechobee) 9 Apr (P. Miller); 1 at
Lake Apopka NSRA 7 May (H. Robinson),

Yellow Rail: 1 at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve 5 Mar (P. Miller).

Virginia Rail: 1 at St. Marks NWR 28 Apr (J. Hintermister).

SORA: 2 at Fort De Soto Park {Pinellas) 10 Apr (L. Atherton); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 7
May (H. Robinson).

Purple Gallinule: 1 at Maple Swamp, Clearwater 3 Mar-12 Apr (R Trunk et al.); 11 at
Lake Hancock {Polk) 2 Apr (T. Palmer); 2 at Roosevelt Wetlands 20 Apr (W. Yusek); 49
at Lake Apopka NSRA 30 Apr (H. Robinson).

American Coot: 1 at Springhill Road STF 31 May-1 Jun (G. Menk).

Limpkin: 1 pair with 5 fledglings at Lake Munson {Leon) 12 Mar (M. Hill); 10 at
Roosevelt Wetlands 14 May (D. Margeson).

Sandhill Crane: 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 13 May (L. Fenimore); 1 southbound high
over the Wakulla River {Wakulla) 29 May (M. Keys).

Southern Lapwing: 1 at St. Marks NWR 6 May-EOS (T. Curtis).

Black-bellied Plover: 60 at Werner-Boyce Salt Springs SP {Pasco) 21 Apr (K. Tracey);
145 at Huguenot Memorial Park {Duval) 11 May (R. Clark); 1 at Myakka River SP 27
May (R. Smith).

American Golden-Plover: 10 at Bald Point 3 Mar (J. Dozier); 4 in Flagler 5 Mar (R.
Smith et al.); 1 at St. Marks NWR 14 Apr (A. Wraithmell et al.).

Snowy Plover: 32 at Three Rooker Island {Pinellas) 7 Apr (K. Tracey); 10 at Anclote Bar
{Pasco) 21 Apr (K. Tracey); 1 on a nest at Cape Romano {Collier) 9 May (D. Suitor).

Wilson’s Plover: 23 at Anclote Bar 11 Apr (K. Tracey); 3, including 1 displaying terri-
torial behavior, at St. Vincent Island {Franklin) 20 May (B. Stedman); 3 or more pairs
at Palm Island {Sarasota) 31 May (G. and T. Duch).

Semipalmated Plover: up to 2 at Hague {Alachua) 28 Apr-1 May (S. Flamand, M.
Manetz); 3 at Lake Apopka NSRA 7 May (H. Robinson); 27 at Polk mines 11 May (P.
Fellers).

Piping Plover: 3 at Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area {Lee) 18 Mar (C. Ewell);
32 at Three Rooker Island 7 Apr (K. Tracey); 10 at Anclote Bar 11 Apr (K. Tracey).

Killdeer: 1 nest with 4 eggs at Naples 24 May (L. Addison).

American Oystercatcher: 1 at downtown Pensacola {Escambia) 11 Apr (C. Bunch); 3
at Bayou Grande, Pensacola 20 Apr (B. Duncan et al.); 1 at Destin 1 May (P. Gault); 8
at Charley Pass, North Captiva Island (Lee) 28 May (C. Ewell).

Black-necked Stilt: 16 at the Sarasota Celery Fields {Sarasota) 19 Mar (J. Dubi); 14 at
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve 14 May (P. Miller); 1 at Springhill Road STF 20-24 Apr
(G. Menk et al.); 12 at Eagle Lakes Park, Naples {Collier) 9 May (D. Suitor); 1 pair
with a chick at Seven Springs {Pasco) 28 May (K. Tracey).

American Avocet: 1110 at Polk mines 2 Apr (C. Geanangel); 5 at St, Vincent Island, In-
dian Pass {Franklin) 7 Apr (T. Lewis); 3 at Tigertail Beach, Marco Island {Collier) 20
Apr (K. Williams); 9 in alternate plumage at Three Rooker Island 20 May (K. Tracey);
4 at St. Marks NWR 27 May (J. Dozier, J. Murphy); 2 at Bystre Lake {Hernando) 28
May (M. Gardler).

Solitary Sandpiper: 5 at Seven Springs 22 Apr (K. Tracey); 1 at Green Swamp 7 May
was the first for Sumter (R. Smith); 76 at Lake Apopka NSRA 7 May (H. Robinson).

Spotted Sandpiper: 1 at Altamonte Springs {Seminole) 17 May (P. Hueber); 1 at Lake Ap-
opka NSRA 21 May (H. Robinson); 1 at St. Marks NWR 27 May (J. Dozier, J. Murphy).

128

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Upland Sandpiper: up to 2 at Alachua 30 Mar-7 Apr (R Burns, J. Hintermister et ah); 1
W of Palmdale {Glades) 30 Mar (B. and L. Cooper); singles at Key West and Stock Is-
land {Monroe)!^ Apr (M. Gardler); 1 in Flagler 22 Apr (B. Wallace); 1 at Graham
{Bradford) 10-11 May (D. Robbins, J. Hintermister).

WhimbreL: 35 at Canaveral National Seashore {Brevard) 14 Apr (D. Freeland et ah).

Marbled God wit: 1 at Springhill Road STF 11 Apr (J. Cavanagh).

Red Knot: 1000+ on Bird Island at Nassau Soimd {Duval) 1 Mar (P. Leary); 70 at Reding-
ton Shores {Pinellas) 3 Mar (1. Hernandez); 100 at Three Rooker Island 7 Apr (K.
Tracey); 500+ at Huguenot Memorial Park 25 Apr, and 2000 there 14 May, including
birds banded in SW Florida, Delaware, Chile, and Argentina (P. Leary); 40 at Cape Ro-
mano 9 May (D. Suitor); 60 in mixed plumages at Cayo Costa SP {Lee) 21 May (C. Ewell).

SanderlinG: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 7 May (H. Robinson).

Semipalmated Sandpiper: 12 at Center Hill 7 May were the first for Sumter (R. Smith).

White-RUMPED Sandpiper: 1 at St. Marks NWR 28 Apr (R. McGregor); 1 at Merritt Is-
land NWR 28 Apr (D. Freeland); 1 at Center Hill 7 May was the first for Sumter (R.
Smith); up to 2 at Lake Apopka NSRA 5-17 May (H. Robinson); up to 9 (23 May) at
Springhill Road STF 11-25 May (G. Menk, A. Wraithmell et ah); 1 at Gainesville 12
May (P. Burns); 3 in W Pasco 14 May (K. Tracey); 4 at Fort De Soto Park 18 May (L.
Atherton); 4 near Oak Hill {Volusia) 18 May (M. Brothers); 1 at Anclote Bar {Pasco) 20
May (K. Tracey); 8 at Cutler Ridge 21 May (R. Torres); 5 at Big Carlos Pass/Estero Is-
land {Lee) on 23 May (C. Ewell); 1 at Cape Romano 24 May (D. Suitor); 2 at Viera Wet-
lands 24 May (A. Bankert); 3 at Bystre Lake 28 May (M. Gardler).

Peep species: 12,000 at Polk mines 5 Apr, and 6000 there 11 May (P. Fellers).

Pectoral Sandpiper: 3 at Polk mines 11 Mar (P. Fellers, E. Lane); singles at Springhill
Road STF 19 and 24 May (A. Wraithmell et ah); 1 at St. Vincent Island 21 May (B.
Stedman); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 24 May (H. Robinson); 1 at Bystre Lake 28 May
(M. Gardler).

Dunlin: 6000 at Merritt Island NWR 3 Mar (D. Freeland, M. Gardler)

Stilt Sandpiper: 2 at Springhill Road STF 23 Mar (J. Cavanagh), and 3 there 25 May
(G. Menk); 1 at Gainesville 14 Apr (M. Manetz); 2 at Lake Apopka NSRA 3 May (H.
Robinson); 2 at Center Hill {Sumter) 7 May was the first for Sumter (R. Smith).

Buff-breasted Sandpiper: 4 at Fort Walton Beach STF 20 Apr (M. Myers, B. Duncan),
and 1 there 20 May (B. and W. Duncan); 1 at St. Marks NWR 28 Apr (J. Hintermister,
D. Robbins); 2 adults at Captiva Island {Lee) 18 May (C. Ewell).

Long-billed Dowitcher: 1100 at Polk mines 3 Mar (P. Fellers, D. Brooke); 10 at Lake Apo-
pka NSRA 19 Apr (H. Robinson); 1 at Springhill Road STF 1 1 May (G. Menk, J. Cavanagh).

Wilson’s Snipe: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 7 May (H. Robinson).

Wilson’s Phalarope: 1 male at Three Rooker Island 20 May (K. Tracey); up to 31 at St.
Marks NWR 23-24 May (A. Wraithmell, R. McGregor); 4 at Springhill Road STF 23
May (A. Wraithmell); 2 at Marathon {Monroe) 24 May (B. Mulrooney); 1 male at
Seven Springs 25-26 May (K. Tracey, B. Pranty).

Red-necked Phalarope: 1 in N Escambia 20 May (L. Catterton); 1 at Fort Walton Beach
STF 20 May (B. and W. Duncan).

POMARINE Jaeger: 1 off Elliott Key 20 Apr (R. Torres).

Laughing Gull: 3500 (many starting to nest) at Three Rooker Island 7 Apr (K. Tracey).

Ring-billed Gull: 3100 at Lake Apopka NSRA 15 Mar (H. Robinson).

Herring Gull: 112 at Crandon Park Beach {Miami-Dade) 10 Mar (R. Diaz); 1 of the Eu-
ropean race at Da3dona Beach Landfill {Volusia) 12 Mar (J. Hintermister et ah).

^Iceland Gull: 1 immature kumlieni at Da3d;ona Beach Landfill to 12 Mar (J. Hinter-
mister et ah).

Lesser Black-backed Gull: 1 at Redington Shores 3 Mar (1. Hernandez); 500 at Fort
Lauderdale in early Mar (K. Rosenberg); 3 at Daytona Beach Landfill 12 Mar (J. Hin-
termister et ah); 15 (9 adults) at Crandon Park Beach {Miami-Dade) 16 Mar (R. Diaz);

Field Observations

129

singles at Anclote Bar 11 and 20 Apr (K. Tracey); 1 adult at Lower Matecumbe Key
{Monroe) 30 Apr (D. Freeland); 1 at Longboat Key {Manatee) 21 May (R. Peipert).

Great Black-backed Gull: 8 at Crandon Park Beach 16 Mar (R. Diaz).

Gull-billed Tern; up to 2 at Lake Apopka NSRA 19 Apr-5 May (H. Robinson); 2 at Ea-
gle Lakes Park 19 Apr (D. Thurston); 2 at Three Rooker Island 21 Apr (K. Tracey); 1
at Little Estero Island 23 May (C. Ewell).

Common Tern: 3 sub-adults at Little Estero Island 23 May (C. Ewell).

Arctic Tern: 1 W of Key West 21 Apr (M. Gardler).

Least Tern: 17 courted at Ponce Inlet {Volusia) 29 Mar (M. Brothers); 3 at Polk mines 2
Apr (C. Geanangel); 115 at Anclote Bar 11 Apr (K. Tracey); 45 over an office building
roof near Loughman {Polk) 27 Apr (K. Tracey); 60 at Albertson’s roof colony, Bonita
Springs {Lee) 15 May (D. Suitor); 2 at Bystre Lake 28 May (M. Gardler); 1 at Paynes
Prairie Preserve 31 May (R. Rowan).

Black Tern: 2 at St, Marks NWR 16 Mar (B. Bergstrom), and 1 there 23 Mar (J. Ca-
vanagh); 2 at Polk mines 2 Apr (C. Geanangel); 2 in alternate plumage at Fort George
Inlet {Duval) 20 May (P. Leary).

Black Noddy: 1 immature at Dry Tortugas NP 26 Apr (A. Binns).

Black Skimmer: 20 at Mirror Lake {Polk) 17 Mar (T. Palmer); 49 at Lake Morton {Polk)
30 Mar (T. Palmer); 30 over an office building roof near Loughman 27 Apr (K. Tracey);
40 bred in mined lands S of Bartow for the second year of breeding (P. Fellers).

Rock Pigeon: 1 without bands at St. Vincent Island 20 May (B. Stedman).

White-crowned Pigeon: 8 at Cape Florida 22 Mar (R. Diaz).

African Collared-Dove (formerly known as Ringed Turtle-Dove): 1 at Da5d:ona Beach
29 Mar {fide T. Webber, UF 45235).

White-winged Dove: 4 at Bald Point 15 Apr-15 May (J. Murphy, J. Dozier); 3 at St. Pe-
tersburg 6 May-EOS (M. Wilkinson); 1 at Weeki Wachee 8 May (M. Gardler); 1 at Al-
tamonte Springs {Seminole) 14 May (G. Bretz).

Rose-ringed Parakeet: 1 male at Paisley {Lake) 26 May (C. Hilliker).

Barn Owl: 1 roosted in a boathouse at St. Vincent Island 1 Mar-28 Apr (T. Lewis).

Burrowing Owl: 18 at Site B-70, Eglin Air Force Base {Okaloosa) 23 Apr (L. Fenimore).

Short-eared Owl: up to 2 at Dry Tortugas NP 16-25 Apr (M, Gardler).

Lesser Nighthawk: 1 at St. George Island SP {Franklin) 27 Apr (J. Cavanagh).

Antillean Nighthawk: 1 found dead at John Pennekamp SP {Monroe) 6 May contained
an egg in an ovary {fide A. Kratter; UF 45226).

Nighthawk species: 1 photographed at St. George Island 27 Apr (A. Wraithmell) was
identified as an Antillean based on plumage features (K. Karison).

Chuck- WILL’S-WIDOW: 33 at Starkey Wilderness Park {Pasco) 14 May (K. Tracey).

Whip-poor-will: 1 at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve 2 Mar (P. Miller); 1 at Bok Tower Sanctu-
ary, Lake Wales {Polk) 17 Mar (T. Palmer); 1 sang at St. Petersburg 19 Mar (D. Margeson).

Chimney Swift: 1 at Gainesville 23 Mar (M. Drummond).

Buff-bellied Hummingbird: 1 at Fairchild Tropical Gardens {Miami-Dade) 10 Mar (L.
Manfredi).

Ruby-throated Hummingbird: 1 active nest at Kirby Storter Roadside Park {Collier) 7
May (B. Schneider, S. Schneider).

Rufous Hummingbird: 1 female at Tallahassee in early Mar (F. Dietrich).

Selasphorus Hummingbird; 1 male at Orlando to 3 Mar {fide B. Anderson); of 2 at Val-
rico {Hillsborough), 1 remained to 4 Mar and the other to 15 Mar (S. Backes); 3 at Tal-
lahassee 20-21 Mar (C. and N. Newton).

Hairy Woodpecker: 1 at Rainbow Springs SP {Marion) 16 Mar (J. Hintermister); 1 pair
at Tosohatchee State Reserve {Orange) 20 Mar (P. Hueber).

Acadian Flycatcher: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 19 Apr (H. Robinson).

Willow Flycatcher: 1 sang repeatedly at Bolen Bluff Trail, Paynes Prairie Preserve 9
Apr (B. Carroll, B. Enneis, details to FOC).

130

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Least Flycatcher; 1 sang and called at Starkey Wilderness Park 1 Apr (K. Tracey); 1 at
Lake Apopka NSRA remained to 19 Apr (H. Robinson); 1 called at the Groom Tract of
Withlacoochee State Forest {Hernando) 28 May (M. Gardler).

Vermilion Flycatcher: 1 at St. Marks NWR 18 Mar (T. Curtis).

Ash-throated Flycatcher: 2 at Lake Apopka NSRA to 1 Mar (H. Robinson); 1 at Fort
Walton Beach STF 16 Mar (M. Myers, B. Duncan).

Great Crested Flycatcher: 1 heard-only at Tallahassee 3 Mar (F. Rutkovsky); 1 sang
at Weekiwachee Preserve {Hernando) 4 Mar (A. and B. Hansen); 1 at Alachua 10 Mar
(P Burns).

Brown-crested Flycatcher: 2 at Lake Apopka NSRA 1 Mar, and 1 there to 5 Mar (H.
Robinson).

La Sacra’s Flycatcher: singles at Cape Florida 26-29 Mar (R. Diaz) and 20-22 Apr (C.
Wood, T. Mitchell).

Tropical Kingbird: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 24 May (H. Robinson).

*Cassin’S Kingbird: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA to 4 Mar (S. Benedetto).

Western Kingbird: 34 at Lake Apopka NSRA 8 Mar, and 4 there to 7 May (H. Robin-
son); 20 near Bartow 14 Mar (T. Palmer); 41 at The Villages {Marion) 31 Mar (J, Dins-
more); 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 5 May (B. Duncan); 1 at Gulf Breeze 16 May (B.
Duncan).

Eastern Kingbird: 1 at Cape Florida 22 Mar (R. Diaz); 3 at Fort De Soto Park 23 Mar
(R. Smith).

Gray Kingbird: 1 at St. George Island 18-19 Mar (A. Knothe, J. Murphy); 1 at Tallahas-
see 29 Apr-7 May (R. Cassidy); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 14 May (H. Robinson).

SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER: 4 at Lake Apopka NSRA 22 Mar (H. Robinson); 3 at The
Villages 31 Mar (J. Dinsmore); 1 at Cedar Key 15 Apr (S. Rayer et ah); 1 at Tallahas-
see 19 Apr (M. Hill); 1 at Bald Point 20 Apr (S. McCool); 1 at St. George Island 23 Apr
(E. Shaw et al.).

Bell’s VireO: 1 at Southern Glades WEA to 18 Mar (R. Diaz et al).

Yellow-throated VireO: 1 sang at Morris Bridge Park {Hillsborough) 2 Mar (B. Ah-
ern); 1 sang at Spring Hill 14 Mar (A. and B. Hansen).

Blue-headed Vireo: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 19 Apr (H. Robinson).

Warbling Vireo: 1 at Bald Point 4-5 May (J. Dozier).

Philadelphia Vireo: 1 at Sanibel Lighthouse {Lee) 27 Apr (V McGrath).

Red-eyed Vireo: 1 sang at Morris Bridge Park 2 Mar (B. Ahern); 1 at Lake Apopka
NSRA 17 Mar (H. Robinson).

Black-whiskered Vireo: 1 at Cape Florida 10 Apr (R. Diaz); 1 at Coconut Point
{Brevard) 6 May (A. Bankert, S. Hills).

Florida Scrub-Jay: 3 at Beverly Hills {Citrus) 23 May (M. Gardler).

Tree Swallow: 71,000 at Lake Apopka NSRA 10 Mar, and 1 there to 24 May (H. Robin-
son); 1 immature at Springhill Road STF 18 May (G. Menk).

Northern Rough-winged Swallow: 1 at Lake Jackson 13 Mar (G. Menk); 2 in St. Lu~
cie 29 May (R. Smith).

Bank Swallow: 2 at St. Marks NWR 22 Mar (A. Wraithmell); 12 at Lake Apopka NSRA
14 May, and 3 there to 21 May (H. Robinson).

Cliff Swallow: 1 at St. Marks NWR 26 Mar (R. McGregor); 2 at Bald Point 8 Apr (J.
Murphy); 1 at Springhill Road STF 27 Apr (G. Menk); singles at Lake Apopka NSRA
14 & 24 May (H. Robinson).

Cave Swallow: 1 at Gulf Breeze 12 Mar (B. Duncan); up to 2 of the Mexican race at St.
Marks NWR 22-27 Mar (R. McGregor et al.); singles of the Mexican race at Springhill
Road STF 29 Mar and 11 Apr (G. Menk); 1 at Destin 30 Mar (B. Fleming); 1 at Cap-
tiva Island 7 Apr was thought to be of the Mexican race (V McGrath); 3 of the Mexi-
can race at Bald Point 11 Apr (G. Menk); 2 of the Mexican race at Key West 15 Apr (M.
Gardler); up to 4 of the Mexican race at Dry Tortugas NP 16-27 Apr (M. Gardler); 1 at

Field Observations

131

Bald Point 28 Apr (J. Murphy); 1 at Site B-70, Eglin Air Force Base 8 May (L. Feni-
more); 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 10 May (B. Duncan, M. Myers).

Bakn Swallow: 1 at Cape Coral (Lee) 6 Mar (J. Greenlaw); 3 at Polk mines 11 May (R
Fellers); 1 flew S past Cayo Costa SP 21 May (C. Ewell); 90 at Lake Apopka NSRA 31

May (H. Robinson).

Carolina Chickadee: 1 feeding fledglings at Weekiwachee Preserve 31 Mar (A. and B.

Hansen); 1 at Valrico 23-28 May (S. Backes).

Tufted Titmouse: 1 at A.D. Barnes Park (Miami-Dade) 9-29 Apr (J. Boyd).

House Wren: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA to 7 May (H. Robinson).

Winter Wren: 1 at O’Leno SP {Columbia) to 11 Mar (B. Christensen).

Sedge Wren: 34 at Lake Apopka NSRA 14 Apr (H. Robinson); 1 or more sang through
the season at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve (P Miller).

Marsh Wren: 32 at Lake Apopka NSRA 23 Apr, and 3 there to 5 May (H. Robinson); 1
sang at Lake Jackson 9 May (G. Menk),

Ruby-crowned Kinglet: 1 at Winter Park {Orange) 13 Apr (B. Anderson).

Veery: 1 at St. Vincent Island 19 May (B. Stedman).

Wood Thrush: 1 at E Orlando 11 Mar (B. Payne); 1 banded at Tallahassee 26 Mar (P

Homann); 2 at Fort De Soto Park 29 Apr (B. Ahern, D. Powell).

American Robin: 30,000 went to roost at St. Petersburg 4 Mar (D. Margeson).

Gray Catbird: 51 at Lake Apopka NSRA 19 Apr (H. Robinson).

Northern Mockingbird: 1 at Dry Tortugas NP 17 Apr (M. Gardler).

Mimid SPECIES: 1 potential Northern x Bahama Mockingbird hybrid at Boca Chica Key
{Monroe) 1 Mar (C. Goodrich, photos to FOC) had dark streaking on the flanks and re-
duced white in the wings and tail.

Common Myna: 2 nested at Southern Glades WEA 4 Apr (R. Diaz); 1 at St. Petersburg

29-30 Apr (L. and N. Snyder, photo to FOC).

Cedar Waxwing: 100 at Lake Apopka NSRA 19 Mar (H. Robinson); 60 at Altamonte
Springs 15 May (P Hueber); 30 at Mead Garden, Winter Park 20 May (B. Anderson et
al).

Blue-winged Warbler: 1 at Fort De Soto Park 10 Apr (M. Wilkinson), and 2 there 29
Apr (B, Ahern, D. Powell); 1 at Pinecraft Park, Sarasota 13 Apr (J. Dubi); 1 male at
Mead Garden, Winter Park 19 Apr (P. Hueber); 1 at A. D. Barnes Park 19 Apr (R.
Torres); 1 at San Felasco Hammock Preserve SP 27 Apr (P Burns).

“Brewster’s Warbler:” 1 at Fort De Soto Park 9 Apr (L. Atherton).

Golden-winged Warbler: 1 male at Fort De Soto Park 19-22 Apr (L. Atherton, P
Fellers et ah).

Nashville Warbler: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 1 Mar (H. Robinson).

Northern Parula: 83 at Cape Florida 8 Mar (R. Diaz).

Yellow Warbler: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 14 May (H. Robinson).

Chestnut-sided Warbler: 1 at Green Key Road {Pasco) 2 May (K. Tracey).

Magnolia Warbler: 5 at Fort De Soto Park 29 Apr (B. Ahern, D. Powell); 1 at Gaines-
ville 12 May (P Burns); 1 at Maritime Hammock Park {Brevard) 20 May (A. Bankert).
Cape May Warbler: 1 at Lake Talquin {Gadsden) 22 Apr (S. McCool); 62 at Green Key
Road 1 May, and 55 there 2 May (K. Tracey, B. Pranty et ah); 6 at Lake Apopka NSRA
5 May (H. Robinson); singles at Rookery Bay and Marco Island {Collier) 6 May (D.
Suitor); 1 at Viera Wetlands 24 May (A. Bankert),

Black-throated Blue Warbler: 23 at Green Key Road 29 Apr, and 31 there 30 Apr (K.
Tracey et al.); 14 at Fort De Soto Park 29 Apr (B. Ahern, D. Powell); 1 at Lake Apopka
NSRA 17 May (H. Robinson).

Yellow-RUMPED Warbler: 680 at Lake Apopka NSRA 10 Mar, and 49 to 26 Mar (H.
Robinson).

Black-throated Green Warbler: 1 at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary {Collier) 24 Mar
(D, Suitor); 2 at Green Key 30 Apr (K. Tracey et ah).

132

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Blackburnian Warbler: 1 adult male at Fort De Soto Park 9 Apr (L. Atherton); 1 at
Rookery Bay 6 May (D. Suitor).

Prairie Warbler: 305+ at Cape Florida 24 Mar (R. Diaz).

Palm Warbler: 208+ of the western race at Cape Florida 8 Mar (R. Diaz); 1 of the west-
ern race at Altamonte Springs 5 May (P. Hueber); 2 at Lake Apopka NSRA 17 May
(H. Robinson).

Bay-breasted Warbler: 1 adult male at St. George Island SP 27-28 Apr (J. Cavanagh et
ah); 1 male at St. Augustine (St. Johns) 7 May (J. Kern); 2 at Fort De Soto Park 8 May
(L. Atherton).

Blackpoll Warbler: 304 at Green Key Road 29 Apr, and 202 there 30 Apr (K. Tracey,
B. Pranty et al.); 85 at Fort De Soto Park 29 Apr (B. Ahern, D. Powell); 1 at Tallahas-
see 30 Apr (D. Jue); 73 at Lake Apopka NSRA 5 May, and 1 there to 24 May (H. Rob-
inson); 33 at St. Augustine 7 May (J. Kern); 24+ flew in off the ocean in 30 minutes at
Fort Clinch SP (Nassau) 11 May (P. Leary); 2 at West Kendall 24 May (J. Boyd).

Cerulean Warbler: 1 male at Fort De Soto Park 10-12 Apr (L. Atherton et al.).

Black-and-white Warbler: 10 at Fort De Soto Park 29 Apr (B. Ahern, D. Powell).

American Redstart: 1 at San Felasco Hammock Preserve 11 Mar (S. Flamand); 24 at
Green Key 29 Apr (K. Tracey); 17 at Lake Apopka NSRA 3 May (H. Robinson).

Prothonotary Warbler: 2 at Fort De Soto Park 23 Mar (R. Smith).

Worm-eating Warbler: 5 in Alachua 5-6 Apr (J. Hintermister, S. Rayer et al.); 5 at Fort
De Soto Park 9 Apr (L. Atherton); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 5 May (H. Robinson).

Swainson’S Warbler: singles killed by fl3dng into windows at Welhngton (Palm Beach) 21
Mar (UF 45213 fide A. Kratter) and St. Augustine 24 Mar (B. Charest; UF 45185 fide A.
Kratter); 1 at Cape Florida 26 Mar ( J. Boyd), and 4 there 28 Mar (R. Diaz); 1 at Fort De Soto
Park 9 Apr (W. Yusek et al.); 1 sang at Drmedin Hammock Park (Pinellas) 16 Apr (R. Smart).

OVENBIRD: 20 at Fort De Soto Park 29 Apr (B. Ahern, D. Powell).

Northern Waterthrush: 3 in Alachua 12-24 Mar (M. Meisenburg et al.); 25 at Lake
Apopka NSRA 28 Apr, and 2 there to 19 May (H. Robinson).

Louisiana Waterthrush: 1 at Koucky Park (Leon) 10 Mar (E. Woodruff); 4 at Cape
Florida 25-26 Mar (R. Diaz); 1 at Green Key 1 Apr (K. Tracey); 6 at Lake Apopka
NSRA 14 Apr, and 1 there to 17 May (H. Robinson).

Kentucky Warbler: 4 at Fort De Soto Park 10 Apr (M. Wilkinson); 1 at Sweetwater (Mi-
ami-Dade) 28 Apr (S. Schneider).

Connecticut Warbler: 1 at Fort De Soto Park 5 May (C. Rasmussen); 1 at Wekiwa
Springs SP (Orange) 7 May, and 4 males there 14 May (R. Poole et al.); 1 at Crandon
Park 18 May (J. King); 1 at Cocoa Beach (Brevard) 19 May (A. Wood); 2 at Hugh Tay-
lor Birch SP (Broward) 20 May (B. Roberts).

Common Yellowthroat: 75 at Lake Apopka NSRA 17 Mar (H. Robinson); 228 at Cape
Florida 26 Mar (R. Diaz).

Hooded Warbler: 1 at San Felasco Hammock Preserve 11 Mar (P. Burns); 1 male at
Cape Florida 26 Mar (J, Boyd); 10 at Fort De Soto Park 9 Apr (L. Atherton), and 18
there 29 Apr (B. Ahern, D. Powell).

Wilson’s Warbler: 1 male at Koucky Park 1 Mar (R. Lengacher); 1 male at Fort De Soto
Park 18 Mar (C. Gjervold).

Canada Warbler: 1 at A.D. Barnes Park 19 Apr (R. Torres).

Yellow-breasted Chat: 1 at Southern Glades WEA 4 Apr (R. Diaz); 1 at Cape Florida
16 Apr (R. Diaz); up to 9 (10 May) at Lake Apopka NSRA 19 Apr-EOS (H. Robinson);
3 males sang at Paynes Prairie Preserve 23 Apr-EOS ( J. Hintermister).

Summer Tanager: 1 at E Orlando 10 Mar (B. Payne); 1 male sang and a female carried
nesting material at Babcock- Webb WMA (Charlotte) 30 Mar (B. and L. Cooper); there
were no previous breeding reports in the county.

Western SpindaliS: 1 black-backed male at Gumbo Limbo Trail, Everglades NP (Mi-
ami-Dade) 23-25 Apr (P. St. John et al., photo to FOC by C. Wood).

Field Observations

133

Bachman’s Sparrow: 17 at the Groom Tract of Withlacoochee State Forest 2 Mar (M.
Gardler),

Clay-colored Sparrow: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA to 26 Mar (H. Robinson); 1 at Valrico
to 13 Apr (S. Backes).

Field Sparrow: 1 at Inglis Dam 13 Mar (M. Gardler); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA to 19 Mar
(H. Robinson).

Vesper Sparrow: 4 at Lake Apopka NSRA to 26 Mar (H. Robinson); 1 in E Hernando 29
Mar (M, Gardler).

Savannah Sparrow: 155 at Lake Apopka NSRA 26 Mar, and 1 there to 19 May (H. Rob-
inson); 1 at Lake Jackson 2 May (G. Menk).

Grasshopper Sparrow: 2 at Lake Apopka NSRA 19 Apr (H. Robinson).

Henslow’s Sparrow: 3 males counter-sang at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve 6 Apr (P.
Miller).

Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow: 4 at Salt Springs SP 21 Apr (K. Tracey).

Song Sparrow: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA to 22 Mar (H. Robinson).

Lincoln’s Sparrow: singles at Lake Apopka NSRA 1 Mar & 19 Apr (H. Robinson); 1 at
Southern Glades WEA 4 Apr (R. Diaz); 1 at Orlando (Orange) 20 Apr (D. Freeman); 1 at
Dry Tortugas NP 27 Apr (M. Gardler); 1 at Fort De Soto Park 5 May (C. Rasmussen).

Swamp Sparrow: 67 at Lake Apopka NSRA 14 Apr, and 1 there to 19 May (H. Robinson);
1 at Lake Jackson 2 May (G. Menk).

White-throated Sparrow: 1 at Fort De Soto Park 9-29 Apr (L, Atherton et al); 1 at
High Springs (Alachua) 2 May (D. Robbins).

White-crowned Sparrow: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA to 23 Apr (H. Robinson).

Dark-eyed Junco: 1 at Fort George Island (Duval) 15-18 Apr (R. Clark).

Northern Cardinal: 340 at Lake Apopka NSRA 17 Mar (H. Robinson).

Rose-breasted Grosbeak: 6 at Fort De Soto Park 29 Apr (B. Ahern, D. Powell).

Blue Grosbeak: 2 in Hardee 26 Mar (R. Smith); up to 16 (3 & 14 May) at Lake Apopka
NSRA all season (H. Robinson).

Indigo Bunting: single adult males at Tallahassee 20 Mar (F. Rutkovsky) and 29 Mar (A.
Wraithmell); up to 15 (17 & 21 May) at Lake Apopka NSRA all season (H. Robinson)

Painted Bunting: 1 female at Allen’s Creek Park (Pinellas) 4 Mar (L. Childress); 8 at
Lake Apopka NSRA 5 Mar (H. Robinson); 1 at E Orlando 10 Mar (B. Payne); 2 at San
Felasco Hammock Preserve 12 Mar (P Burns); 1 male at E Leon 19 Mar (fide P. Mc-
Tarsney); 1 at LaCrosse (Alachua) 20-27 Mar (fide G. Kiltie); 1 male sang at Fort Wal-
ton Beach STF 17 May (B. Duncan); 1 female at Winter Park to 20 May (B. Anderson).

Dickcissel: 1 at Hague (Alachua) 19 Mar (R Laipis); 1 male at Fort De Soto Park 22 Apr
(L. Atherton et al.); 1 male at Dry Tortugas NP 26 Apr (M. Gardler), and 1 female
there 30 Apr (S. Schneider); up to 4 at Lake Apopka NSRA 28 Apr-EOS (H. Robinson).

Bobolink: 14,000 at Lake Apopka NSRA 28 Apr, and 1 to 24 May (H. Robinson); 114 at
Green Key Road 28 Apr, 76 there 30 Apr, and 165 there 2 May (K. Tracey et al.); 400
at Merritt Island NWR 28 Apr (D. Freeland); 850+ at St. Augustine 4 May, and 450
there 7 May (J. Kern); 350 at Crystal River Preserve SP (Citrus) 12 May (J. Hinter-
mister, D. Robbins); 78 E of Fort Meade (Polk) 13 May (T. Palmer).

Yellow-headed Blackbird: 1 west of Homestead (Miami-Dade) 3-5 Mar (B. Mulrooney,
A. Harper); 1 male at Ocoee (Orange) 8 Apr (E. and R. Nichols),

Rusty Blackbird: 3-4 in N Leon 12-14 Mar (W. Phelan).

Shiny Cowbird: 1 male sang at Coe Visitor Center, Everglades NP (Miami-Dade) 4 Mar
(J. Boyd); 1 male at Southern Glades WEA 18 Mar-4 Apr (R. Diaz); 2 males at Key
West 15 Apr (M. Gardler); up to 6 (4 females, 2 males) at Dry Tortugas NP 16-25 Apr
(M. Gardler); 1 male sang at Cedar Key 21 Apr-1 May (D. Henderson); 1 male at Fort
De Soto Park 21 Apr (L. Atherton); 1 male at MacDill Air Force Base (Hillsborough)
25 Apr (C. Rasmussen); 4 (2 females, 2 males) at Alligator Point (Franklin) 30 Apr (J.
Murphy); 1 male at Cape Florida 1 May (R. Diaz); 3 at Bald Point 7 May (J. Murphy,

134

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

J. Dozier); 1 male at Fort Walton Beach STF 10 May (B. Duncan, M. Myers); 1 female
at Lake Apopka NSRA 10 May, and 1 “pair” there 17 May (H. Robinson); 1 male at Big
Pine Key {Monroe) 24 May (B. Mulrooney); 2 males sang at Captiva Island 26 May (V.
McGrath); 1 male and 1 female at Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock State Botan-
ical Site {Monroe) 24 May (R. Torres).

Bronzed Cowbird: 1 male at West Kendall 31 Mar (J. Boyd); 2 males and 1 female at
Homestead 9 May-EOS (L. Manfredi).

Brown-headed Cowbird: 250 at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve {Okeechobee) 12 Mar (P
Miller).

Orchard Oriole: singles at Winter Park 25 & 29 Mar (B. Anderson); 1 adult male sang
at Lake Jackson 26 Mar (G. Menk); 17 at Lake Apopka NSRA 31 May (H. Robinson).
*BulL0CK’S Oriole; 1 female at Tallahassee to 11 Apr (F. Rutkovsky et ah).

House Finch: 2 at Mayo 19 Mar (J. Hintermister, D. Robbins); 1 at Horseshoe Beach
{Dixie) 19 Apr (J. Hintermister); 1 pair nested in a slash pine at St. Petersburg 20-22
Apr (D. and L. Margeson); 2 at Perry {Taylor) 28 Apr (J. Hintermister, D. Robbins); 2
pairs were breeding at Fort George Island 15 May (R. Clark); 5 at Beverly Hills 23
May (M. Gardler); 4 males sang throughout the season in downtown Orlando (G.
Bretz); 1 yellow morph at Altamonte Springs {Seminole) 28 May-EOS (G. Bretz).
Pine Siskin: 1 female at Columbia City {Columbia) 26 Mar (J. Krummrich).

American Goldfinch: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 7 May (H. Robinson); 1 female at Winter
Park 11 May (B. Anderson).

Zebra Finch: 1 at Archer {Alachua) 14-16 Apr (M. Meisenburg).

Contributors^ Howard Adams, Lindsay Addison, Brian Ahern, Bruce Anderson,
Lyn Atherton, Steve Backes, Peggy Baker, Andy Bankert, Sam Benedetto, Brad Berg-
strom, John Boyd, Greg Bretz, Adrian Binns, David Brooke, Michael Brothers, Cheryl
Bunch, Pat Burns, Bob Carroll, Rodney Cassidy, Laura Catterton, Jim Cavanagh, Bert
Charest, Liz Childress, Bruce Christensen, Roger Clark, Julie Cocke, Buck and Linda
Cooper, Tom Curtis, Robin Diaz, Fred Dietrich, Jim Dinsmore, Jack Dozier, Michael
Drummond, Jeanne Dubi, Gayle and Tom Duch, Bob Duncan, Will Duncan, Thomas
Dunkerton, Becky Enneis, Charlie Ewell, Paul Fellers, Lenny Fenimore, Scott Flamand,
Barry Fleming, David Freeland, Dot Freeman, Murray Gardler, Patrick Gault, Chuck
Geanangel, Matt Gearheart, Colin Gjervold, Jon Greenlaw, Jack and Liz Hailman, Erik
Haney, A1 and Bev Hansen, Alex Harper, Michael Hartley, Darrell Hartman, Dale Hend-
erson, Irene Hernandez, Michael Hill, Claire Hilliker, Shirley Hills, John Hintermister,
Peter Homann, Harry Hooper, Paul Hueber, Dean Jue, Kevin Karlson, Jacqueline Kern,
Michael Keys, Grace Kiltie, Jim King, Alan Knothe, Andy Kratter, Jerry Krummrich,
Phil Laipis, Elizabeth Lane, Patrick Leary, Rob Lengacher, Thom Lewis, Lome Male,
Mike Manetz, Larry Manfredi, Don Margeson, Anita Marshall, Andy and Elaine May-
wait, Sean McCool, Vince McGrath, Ross McGregor, Mike McMillian, Pat McTarsney,
Michael Meisenburg, Gail Menk, Paul Miller, Trey Mitchell, Brennan Mulrooney, John
Murphy, Mac Myers, Chris and Nicole Newton, Eric and Rebecca Nichols, Tom Palmer,
Becky Payne, RuthEllen Peipert, William Phelan, Richard Poole, David Powell, Bill
Pranty, Chris Rasmussen, Stefan Rayer, Dotty Robbins, Bryant Roberts, Harry Robin-
son, Tom Rodriguez, Ken Rosenberg, Rex Rowan, Fran Rutkovsky, Pat St. John, Bar-
bara Schneider, Susan Schneider, Eric Shaw, Ray Smart, Ron Smith, Lee and Nathan
Snyder, John Spohrer, Barbara Stedman, Gene Stoccardo, Doug Suitor, Dave Thurston,
Roberto Torres, Ken Tracey, Paul Trunk, Hans Van Tol, Bob Wallace, Don Ware, Tom
Webber, Margie Wilkinson, Dave Williams, Ken Williams, Adam Wood, Chris Wood, Ed
Woodruff, Andy Wraithmell, and Wilfred Yusek.

Report prepared by Bill Pranty, state compiler (8515 Village Mill Row, Bayonet
Point, Florida 34667-2662; <billpranty@hotmaiLcom>). Regional compilers are Brian

Field Observations

135

Ahern, 629 Gail Avenue, Temple Terrace, Florida 33617; <brianahern@aoLcom>;
Bruce H. Anderson (2917 Scarlet Road, Winter Park, Florida 32792; <scizor-
tail@aoLcom>), John H, Boyd III (15291 SW 108th Terrace, Miami, Florida 33196;
<boydj@fiu.edu>), Bob and Lucy Duncan (614 Fairpoint Drive, Gulf Breeze, Florida
32561; <Town_Point@bellsouth.net>), Charlie Ewell (115 SW 51st Terrace, Cape
Coral, Florida 33991; <anhinga42@earthlink.net>), Bev Hansen (6573 Pine Meadows
Drive, Spring Hill, Florida 34606; <bevalhansen@earthlink.net>), Gail Menk (2725
Peachtree Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32304; no e-mail), Paul Miller (Kissimmee Prai-
rie Preserve State Park, 33104 NW 192nd Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida 34972;
<PauLMiller@dep.state.fl.us>), and Peggy Powell (2965 Forest Circle, Jacksonville,
Florida 32257; <pegpowell@comcast.net>).

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Florida Field Naturalist

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Florida Field Naturalist

PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

VoL. 34, No. 4 November 2006 Pages 115-135

CONTENTS

NOTES

Broad- winged Hawk captures hawksbill turtle hatchling in the Florida Keys

Tom Wilmers and Monay Markey 115-116

Osprey catches Least Tern in flight

Bonnie Fairbanks 117

REVIEW

The Carolina Parakeet: Glimpses of a Vanished Bird, by Noel F. R, Snyder

Bill Pranty 118-120

IN MEMORIAM

Howard P. Langridge, 1923-2004

Paul W. Sykes, Jr 121-123

FIELD OBSERVATIONS

Spring report: March-May 2006
Bill Pranty

124-135

%d/^ .

Florida Field Naturalist

PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
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Florida Field Naturalist

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VoL. 35, No. 1 March 2007 Pages 1-37

Florida Field Naturalist 35(l):l-8, 2007.

CHARACTERISTICS OF NEST SITES USED BY CRESTED
CARACARAS IN SOUTH-CENTRAL FLORIDA

Joan L. Morrison^

Dept, of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, 110 Newins-Ziegler Hall,
University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611-0430

^Current address: Dept, of Biology, Trinity College, 300 Summit St,
Hartford, Connecticut 06106
E-mail: joan.morrison@trincoll.edu

Abstract. — Understanding habitat needs of nesting Crested Caracaras (Caracara
cheriway) requires knowledge about nest trees and nest sites, particularly when survey-
ing areas targeted for conversion projects and planning for habitat restoration. Here, I
describe nest sites of breeding pairs of caracaras from 76 different breeding areas in
south-central Florida. Most nest sites found were on privately owned cattle ranches.
Most nests were built in cabbage palms, and nest trees typically occurred in short-stat-
ure pasture or grassland habitat. Nests were generally oriented in a south-southeast di-
rection within the nest tree, and all nest sites had cover (vegetation suitable to hide a
fledgling on the ground) within 100 m of the nest tree. Differences in vegetation struc-
ture on private and public lands may result from differences in management activities
conducted on these lands. Further study to understand how these structural differences
influence selection of a nest site by breeding caracaras, their nesting success, and post-
fledgling survival, is recommended.

Florida's population of the Crested Caracara {Caracara cheriway)
occurs in the prairies and grasslands of the south-central peninsula.
Believed to be isolated and relatively small, this population is listed as
Threatened by both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS 1987)
and the state of Florida (Logan 1997). Historically recorded in prairie
ecosystems (Scott 1892, Nicholson 1929, Bent 1938), caracaras are now
primarily associated with privately owned cattle ranches (Morrison
and Humphrey 2001), although some nesting pairs persist on publicly
owned lands such as floodplains along the Kissimmee River owned by
the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), Avon Park
Air Force Range, and the Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park.

1

2

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Over the past decade, conversion of pasture and grassland habitats
to urban development in this region has accelerated. More recently, wa-
ter-holding areas are being constructed in conjunction with the Compre-
hensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) in pasture and grassland
habitats within the Kissimmee River basin and on other SFWMD lands.
These conversions have resulted in loss of caracara nest sites and nest-
ing habitat across the region. Availability of suitable nest sites may be a
critical factor influencing the distribution and persistence of caracaras
in Florida. Permitting for conversion projects increasingly requires in-
formation about potential effects of projects on this species. To aid biolo-
gists in these evaluations and when planning for habitat restoration,
information about nest site characteristics is necessary In this paper, I
describe nest sites used by breeding caracaras in south-central Florida
including the nest tree and surrounding habitat.

Study Area and Methods

I characterized the nest tree and nest site at 87 active Crested Caracara nests in south
central Florida found during 1994-2000 (Morrison and Humphrey 2001), defining active
nests as those in which eggs were laid. These nest sites represented 76 different breeding
areas within Highlands, Glades, DeSoto, Osceola, Okeechobee, Indian River and Polk
counties. Much of this region is characterized by large open expanses of grasslands dotted
with numerous shallow ponds, wetlands, and marshes and scattered or small clumps to
large hammocks of live oaks (Quercus virginiana), cabbage palms (Sabal palmetto), pine
(Pinus spp.), and cypress {Taxodium spp.). Principal land uses on private lands include
cattle grazing and citrus, sugar cane, and other agricultural production. Lands in state
and federal ownership are managed primarily as natural areas (no agricultural produc-
tion and limited livestock grazing) to support native plant and animal communities.

Seventy-five sites described in this study were on privately owned land, mostly cattle
ranches, and 12 were on publicly owned land (Morrison and Humphrey 2001). Cara-
caras are very site faithful, often using the same nest tree or alternate trees within the
same general area among years (distance between alternate nest trees: mean ~ 0.7 ±0.1
km, range 0.02-1.6 km). For pairs that used alternate nest trees {n - 55, 72%), I in-
cluded alternate nest trees in data analysis only if they were at least 200 m apart {n =
11) to avoid duplication in measurements of ground vegetation and shrub cover within
100 m of each nest tree.

For each nest tree, I recorded tree species, tree height, nest height, and whether it
was a single tree, in a group of 2-3 trees, 4-5 trees, 6-10 trees, or >10 trees. I measured
the angle of nest orientation within the nest tree as the deviation from north around the
central vertical axis of the trunk. Because fledgling caracaras spend much time on the
ground (J. Morrison, unpubl. data), I also measured distance from each nest tree to the
nearest cover and cover height. I defined cover as any vegetation >0.5 m in height that
would be sufficient to hide a fledgling caracara on the ground, assuming the presence of
cover around a nest tree is essential in minimizing exposure of fledglings to predators;
for example, eagles, owls, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, and domestic dogs or cats.

To characterize the types and height of vegetation throughout the nest stand at each
site, I delineated a 100 m transect extending out in each of the 4 cardinal directions
from the nest tree. Then, at 2 m and 10 m from the nest tree and at every subsequent 10
m along each transect out to 100 m, I recorded the height of the herbaceous (grass/forb)
layer and height of shrubs. I also identified species and recorded the heights of 10 other

Morrison—Cbesteb Caracara Nest Sites

3

randomly selected trees in the nest stand (within 100 m of the nest tree) at sites where
the nest tree was in a group of at least 10 trees. Results are expressed as (mean ± SE)
unless otherwise indicated.

Results

Most (97%) caracara nests were in cabbage palms (n = 84), al-
though I recorded one nest in a cypress (Morrison et al. 1997), one in
oak, and one in eastern red-cedar (Juniperus virginiana). Mean nest
tree height was 7.5 m (range 3.5-14.0 m, SE - 0.3 m, - 87). Nest trees
ranged from single trees to trees within groups of 2-10 or more (Fig. 1),
although nest trees in stands containing >10 trees {n = 26) were gener-
ally taller (8.3 ± 0.5 m) than other trees in the stand (7.0 ± 0.4 m, one-
tailed test, t = 8.20, P < 0.01, = 10 other trees measured in each nest

stand). The ratio of nest height to nest tree height averaged 0.9 {n =
87). The orientation of caracara nests in nest trees differed signifi-
cantly from random with most nests facing in a south-southeast direc-
tion (mean angle of nest orientation = 164.4°, angular dispersion ^
47.8, r = 0.7, Rayleigh test, P < 0.01).

Seventy-five percent of nests had vegetation qualif3dng as cover
within 25 m of the nest tree (Fig. 2), and all nests had vegetation that
qualified as cover within 100 m of the nest tree. Common species iden-
tified as cover included saw palmetto {Serenoa repens), Brazilian pep-
per (Schinus terebinthifolius), wax myrtle {Myrica cerifera), and St.
John’s wort {Hypericum perforatum). Cover height in all nest stands

0.60
0.45
0.40
0.35

^ 0.30

o

S

= 0.25

£
u.

0.20
0.15
0.10
0.05
0.00

1 2-3 4-5 6-10 >10

Number of trees in nest tree group

Figure 1. Frequency distribution of the number of trees in the nest tree group
for Crested Caracara nests in south-central Florida, 1994-1996. n - 87 nests.

4 FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Distance from nest tree (m)

Figure 2. Frequency distribution of distance to cover from the nest tree at
Crested Caracara nests in south-central Florida, 1994-1996. n - 87 nests.

ranged from 0.5 to 7.0 m (1.6 ±0.1 m), although heights of vegetation
qualifying as cover did not differ among nest sites on public lands and
at nest sites on private lands {t = “1.61, P - 0.11).

Within 100 m of the nest tree, grasses and forbs were shorter at
nest sites on private lands (0.2 ± 0.0 m, ^ = 75) than at nest sites on
public lands (0.3 ± 0.0 m, n - 12, one-tailed test, t ~ -11.55, P = 0.00,
Fig. 3). More shrubs were recorded along the 4 transects at nest sites
on public lands (39 ± 4.4 shrubs per site) than at nest sites on private
lands (12 ± 2.7 shrubs per site, one-tailed test, t = -5.26, P < 0.01). On
average, shrubs were taller at nest sites on public lands (1.4 ± 0.4 m, n
- 12) than at nest sites on private lands (1.1 ± 0.6 m, = 75, one-tailed
test, t ~ -1.82, P = 0.04, Fig. 4). I found no difference in the number of
trees recorded along the 4 transects at nest sites on public lands (30 ±
4.7 trees per site) and at nest sites on private lands (31.5 ± 7.2 trees per
site, one-tailed test, ^ = 0.17, P = 0.87).

Discussion

Raptor nest sites are typically characterized by structures that
provide sufficient nest support and protection from the elements and
predators and contain suitable foraging sites and adequate area for the
adults and young (Titus and Mosher 1987, Speiser et al. 1998). Site lo-
cation and habitat structure may be more important than tree species
composition to breeding raptors (Bednarz and Dinsmore 1982).

Morrison— Crested Caracara Nest Sites

5

0.4

0.3

0.2

t I

i I

private lands, n = 75
I public lands, n = 12

t f f

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110

Distance from nest tree (m)

Figure 3. Mean ground cover height within 100 m of Crested Caracara nests on
public and private lands in south-central Florida, 1994-1996. n = 87 nests.

Throughout their respective ranges, the Crested Caracara and its
southern congener, Caracara plancus, have been reported nesting in a
variety of tree and shrub species, including mesquite (Prosopis articu-
lata), elm (Ulmus sp.), cardon (Pachycereus pringlei), yucca {Yucca val-
ida), palo verde (Cercidium microphyllum), palo fierro (Olneya tesota),
palm {Washingtonia rohusta), McCartney rose {Rosa hracteata), and
yaupon {Ilex vomitoria) (Rivera-Rodriguez and Rodrfguez-Estrella
1993, Travaini et al. 1994, Dickinson and Arnold 1996, Goldstein
2000). Among the sites, however, caracara nests share the following:
(1) nest support structures typically are isolated and are the tallest
structures in the immediate area, and (2) the area around the nest sup-
port structure is generally open, for example prairie, pasture, or grass-
land. Rivera-Rodriguez and Rodriguez-Estrella (1993) suggested that
the caracaras’ choice of cardons in the Cape region of Baja California,
Mexico may permit construction of bigger and longer-lasting nests in
habitat with little tall vegetation. Also commonly reported among
these studies is that the canopy of the nest support structure is thick
around the nest so the nest is rarely visible from a distance.

I found similar characteristics associated with caracara nest sites
in south-central Florida; these raptors nested in isolated or small
groups of trees generally surrounded by open pasture or grassland,
and habitats on private lands where most nest sites were found con-
tained few shrubs. The overwhelming use of cabbage palms by nesting
caracaras may reflect this tree’s abundance in the landscape or its suit-
ability as a support structure for the caracara’s bulky yet somewhat

6

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

3.0

2.5

E 2.0

■Q 1.5

5 1.0

0.5

private lands, n = 75
I public lands, n = 12

0.0

10 20 30 40 50 60 70

90 100 110

Distance from nest tree (m)

Figure 4. Mean height of shrubs within 100 m of Crested Caracara nests on
public and private lands in south-central Florida, 1994-1996. n = 87 nests.

flimsy nests, which are typically constructed with thin, long, and dried
pieces of vines, weed stalks, briars, twigs, and fruiting clusters of palm
(Morrison 1996). Caracara nests were rarely visible in the crown of
palms and generally could be seen only by standing directly at the nest
tree and looking up into it. Such thick cover around the nest in the nest
tree may provide protection for young from inclement weather, exces-
sive insolation, and aerial nest predators such as crows (Corvus sp.).
Because nests are so concealed, guidelines for nest searching recom-
mend careful inspection of all palm trees at a suspected nest site (Mor-
rison 2000). In addition, planting of palms may be appropriate at sites
where habitat is restored with a goal of attracting nesting caracaras.

The finding of a strong orientation of caracara nests in Florida is
similar to results reported by Travaini et al. (1994), who suggested that
such orientation would protect nests from prevailing, cold winter
winds. In Florida, the south-southeastern orientation of caracara nests
may provide chicks with greater insolation on cold winter days and
protection from prevailing winds that, during the caracara’s winter
breeding season (November through March, Morrison 1999) come pri-
marily from the northwest.

Differences in the number of nest sites found on public and private
lands may reflect selection by caracaras possibly associated with differ-
ences in vegetation structure on these two land ownership types. On
privately owned cattle ranches, management activities routinely con-
ducted include regular and intensive grazing, burning, mowing, and

Morrison—Cbesteb Caracaea Nest Sites

7

plowing, all disturbance activities that reduce shrub cover in favor of
grasses (Peroni and Abrahamson 1986). In contrast, reduced or ab-
sence of these activities on public lands managed primarily as natural
areas may favor growth of shrubs and taller ground cover vegetation.
As noted by Morrison and Humphrey (2001), breeding pairs of cara-
caras are rarely found on public lands, and those pairs attempted
breeding during fewer years, initiated egg-laying later, and had lower
nesting success than pairs nesting on private lands. While more shrubs
at nest sites found on public lands should provide more cover to protect
fledglings, more shrubs may also provide more cover for predators. Ad-
ditionally, caracaras, unlike other raptors, are quite terrestrial and
spend much of their foraging time walking about on the ground, thus
may favor short ground vegetation as it facilitates foraging or improves
their ability to scan for predators. Further study is needed to improve
our understanding of how vegetation structural differences on private
and public lands may influence selection of a nest site by breeding car-
acaras, their nesting success, and post-fledgling survival.

Caracaras' selection of nest sites also may vary depending on expo-
sure to humans. I found some pairs nesting close to houses or barns and
near roads. Response to habitat conversion within a breeding area and
near an active nest may vary among pairs, perhaps according to their
prior exposure to human activity (Knight 1984), As suitable nesting hab-
itat continues to be lost to development, displaced breeding pairs of cara-
caras will be forced to seek other nest sites. While some pairs nest
successfully quite close to human activity, recent reports of what seem to
be at3^ical nest sites, for example on a power pole in a sugar cane field ( J.
Layne, pers. comm.) and near commercial buildings (T. Dean, pers.
comm.) may be a consequence of pairs relocating after loss of suitable
habitat in parts of the breeding range. Such atypical nests should be mon-
itored to determine breeding success. While other studies have suggested
that caracaras can adapt to human activities and moderate habitat
changes (Rodriguez-Estrella 1996, pers. obs.), range- wide population de-
clines in Florida are likely to result if continued loss of nest sites occurs.

Acknowledgments

I sincerely thank V. Dreitz, S. McGehee, D. Todd, and M. McMillian for assistance with
field data collection. I also thank landowners throughout south-central Florida who gener-
ously provided access to their lands. Their support has been invaluable in facilitating our
ability to expand our knowledge of the caracara's nesting ecology. I gratefiilly acknowledge
the cooperation and logistical support provided by personnel at the MacArthur Agro-Ecol-
ogy Research Center and Archbold Biological Station, particularly J. Fitzpatrick, H. Swain,
R Bohlen, and G, Lollis. Funding was provided by the Avon Park Air Force Range, the Flor-
ida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the Institute of Food and Agricultural
Sciences at the University of Florida in Gainesville. This paper is contribution #102 from
the MacArthur Agro-Ecology Research Center of Archbold Biological Station,

8

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Literature Cited

Bednarz, J. C., and J. J. Dinsmore. 1982. Nest sites and habitat of Red-shouldered and
Red-tailed Hawks in Iowa. Wilson Bulletin 94:31-45.

Bent, A. C. 1938. Life histories of North American Birds of Prey. Part 2. US. National
Museum Bulletin 170.

Dickinson, V. M., and K. A. Arnold. 1996. Breeding biology of the Crested Caracara in
south Texas. Wilson Bulletin 108:516-523.

Goldstein, M. I. 2000. Nest-site characteristics of Crested Caracaras in La Pampa, Ar-
gentina. Journal of Raptor Research. 34:330-333.

Logan, T. 1997. Florida’s Endangered species. Threatened species, and Species of Special
Concern. Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, Tallahassee, FL.

Knight, R. L. 1984. Responses of nesting ravens to people in areas of different human
densities. Condor 90:193-200.

Morrison, J. L. 1996. Crested Caracara {Caracara plancus). In The Birds of North
America, No. 249 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Phil-
adelphia, and The American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C.

Morrison, J. L. 1999. Breeding biology and productivity of Florida’s Crested Caracaras.
Condor 101:505-517.

Morrison, J. L. 2000. Recommended management practices and survey protocols for
Audubon’s Crested Caracara {Caracara cheriway audubonii) in Florida. Technical
Report No. 18. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Project Number:
NG-96-021.

Morrison, J. L., M. A. McMillian, S. M. McGehee, and L. D. Todd. 1997. First record
of Crested Caracaras nesting in a cypress. Florida Field Naturalist 25:51-53.

Morrison, J. L., and S. R. Humphrey. 2001. Conservation value of private lands for
Crested Caracaras in Florida. Conservation Biology 15:675-684.

Nicholson, D. J. 1929. The Audubon Caracara, a little known bird in Florida. Florida
Naturalist 2:67-69.

Peroni, P. a., and W. G. Abrahamson. 1986. Succession in Florida sandridge vegeta-
tion: a retrospective study. Florida Scientist 49:176-191.

RiverA-RODRIGUEZ, L. B., and R. RODRIGUEZ-Estrella. 1993. Breeding ecology of the
Crested Caracara {Polyborus plancus) in the Cape region, Baja California Sur, Mex-
ico. Journal of Raptor Research 27:91-92.

Rodriguez-Estrella, R. 1996. Response of Common Black Hawks and Crested Cara-
caras to human activities in Mexico. Pages 355-363 in Raptors in Human Landscapes.
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Scott, W E. D. 1892. Notes on the birds of the Caloosahatchie Region of Florida. Auk
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Speiser, R., T. Bosakowski, and D. Smith. 1998. Nest sites, habitat, and productivity of
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Titus, K., and J. A. Mosher 1987. Selection of nest tree species by Red-shouldered and
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M. Delibes, and F. Hiraldo. 1994. Nest-site characteristics of four raptor species in
the Argentinian Patagonia. Wilson Bulletin 106:753-757.

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Florida Field Naturalist 35(1):9-21, 2007.

THE AVIFAUNA OF CONSTRUCTED TREATMENT
WETLANDS IN SOUTH FLORIDA USED FOR
EVERGLADES RESTORATION

Michael J. Chimney^ and Dale E. Gawlik^

^South Florida Water Management District, MSC-4470,

3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, Florida 33406
E-mail: mchimney@sfwmd.gov

^Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University,

777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33431
E-mail: dgawlik@fau.edu

Constructed treatment wetlands invariably create wildlife habitat
(Kadlec and Knight 1996, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1999,
Knight et al. 2001). Habitat improvement can be dramatic, especially
when these systems are built on degraded areas such as farm fields
(Hickman 1994). The South Florida Water Management District (SF-
WMD) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have built a complex of
large treatment wetlands, known as Stormwater Treatment Areas
(STAs), on reclaimed farmland in south Florida as part of a multi-billion
dollar effort by State and Federal governments to protect and restore
the Everglades (Chimney and Goforth 2001, Sklar et al. 2005, SFWMD
2006). Current plans call for the STAs to encompass more than 17,000
ha. These wetlands were designed to treat and reduce high phosphorus
concentrations in stormwater runoff from the Everglades Agricultural
Area (EAA) before this water enters the northern portion of the remain-
ing Everglades, the Water Conservation Areas (WCAs) (Fig. 1). The
STAs have attracted a high abundance and diversity of wildlife species,
including many birds. This paper presents a checklist of the avifauna
found in two of the STAs and compares STA bird community composi-
tion and species richness with regional and other treatment wetlands.

Methods

Birds in two STAs were surveyed: STA-lWest (STA-IW) in Palm Beach County
(2,699 ha, 26°39’ N, 80°25’ W) and STA-5 in Hendry County (1,663 ha, 26°26’ N, 80°54
W). Both STAs are located within the EAA and are part of a regional landscape domi-
nated by wetlands (Fig. 1). The STAs were built on relict Everglades marshland that had
been drained and farmed for decades. Portions of STA-IW were flooded in 1989 and first
opened for public birding in 2005; STA-5 was flooded in 1999 and opened for public bird-
ing in 2004. Each STA has a perimeter earthen levee that impounds water and various
control structures (pump stations, interior levees, culverts, etc.) to manage flow through
the system. The STAs are kept inundated except when inflow is restricted during ex-

9

10

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Figure 1. Location of Stormwater Treatment Areas 1-West and 5 (STA-IW and
STA-5) in relation to the Everglades Agricultural Area, the other STAs (black
areas), Lake Okeechobee, and major wetland management units (gray areas)
in south Florida. More than 40% of the landscape in this region is classified as
freshwater habitat. BCNP = Big Cypress National Preserve; EAA s Everglades
Agricultural Area; ENP s Everglades National Park; H - Holey Land Wildlife
Management Area; LO = Lake Okeechobee; R = Rotenberger Wildlife Manage-
ment Area; WCA = Water Conservation Areas 1, 2, and 3. Water Conservation
Area 1 also is designated as the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wild-
life Refuge,

Chimney & Gaw’l/x--~Birds of S. Florida Constructed Wetlands

11

treme droughts or when treatment cells are taken off-line for maintenance^ The target
depth in these systems is ~0.5 m, but can exceed 1 m after large rain events when the
STAs are treating runoff Water depth in these systems can fluctuate rapidly in response
to management activities. Flooded areas in the STAs developed into a mosaic of habitat
types that included open- water areas intermixed with stands of Typha spp., other emer-
gent marsh species (e.g., arrowhead [Sagittaria spp.], spikerush [Eleocharis spp.] and
pickerelweed [Pontederia cordataj), submiersed vegetation (e.g., coontail [Ceratophyllum
demersum], southern naiad [Najas guadalupensis] and hydrilla [Hydrilla verticillata])
and floating species (e.g., water hyacinth [Eichhornia crassipes], water lettuce [Pistia
stratiotes] and duckweed [Lemna spp.]). The STA levees, access roads and adjacent lands
were upland areas that include grassed, old-field, and woodland habitats.

A master bird list was compiled for each STA by combining species identifications
made by one of us (DEG) on 84 occasions in STA-IW from May 1995 to November 1997
(primarily winter and spring), by amateur ornithologists from local Audubon Society
chapters in both STAs during fall, winter and spring (12 trips to STA-IW from Septem-
ber 2005 to March 2006; 15 trips to STA-5 from February 2004 to March 2006) and other
incidental sightings. The accuracy of identifications made by citizen volunteers can be
comparable to data collected by professional biologists (Hoyer et al. 2001). We did not es-
timate individual species densities from our survey data, but did ascertain the more
abundant bird groups. Birds seen on at least 50% of all trips to each STA from 2004 to
2006 were designated as “frequent’' species. The nomenclature, classification and se-
quence of each species followed American Ornithologists’ Union (2006); habitat prefer-
ences are from American Ornithologists’ Union (1998). The protective status of birds was
based on Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (2004). Breeding status
and seasonality of birds in south Florida was based on distribution maps and descrip-
tions provided in Robertson and KusMan (1974), Robertson and Woolfenden (1992),
Ridgely et al. (2003) and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (2006). Wetland bird species rich-
ness in the STAs, the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge (LN^^R;
see Fig. 1) and a subset of treatment wetlands (Knight et al. 1993, USEPA 1999) was fit
to wetland surface area as a power function: S = cA% where S is species richness, A is
surface area, c is a constant and z is the slope of the regression (Gotelli 2001).

Results

A total of 139 bird species representing 39 families was observed in
the STAs; 100 species in 31 families occurred in STA-IW, whereas
STA-5 had 118 species in 38 families (Table 1). Combined, the two
STAs had 20 of the 21 families identified by Kadlec and Knight (1996)
as common in North American treatment wetlands. Wading birds
(Ciconiiformes, 15 species), shorebirds (Charadriiformes, 31 species),
gallinules and coots (Gruiformes, 7 species) Jind ducks (Anseriformes,
16 species) were often numerically abundant in the STAs as were
perching birds (Passeriformes, 39 species) on occasion. Twenty-eight of
the 35 frequently observed species belonged to these aforementioned
groups. Sixteen species are State and/or Federally listed as Endan-
gered, Threatened or a Species of Special Concern. Seventy-two species
are classified as residents and are known to breed in south Florida. Six
frequent species (Osprey [Pandion haliaetus], Roseate Spoonbill [Pla-
talea ajaja\ Snowy Egret {Egretta thula\ Tricolored Heron {Egretta

12

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Table 1. Checklist of birds observed in Stormwater Treatment Areas 1-West
and 5 (STA-IW and STA-5) including seasonality, breeding and protective sta-
tus and habitat preference. + == species present, * = frequently observed spe-
cies listed on at least 50% of all surveys in that STA. Status key; E =
endangered (Federal), e = endangered (State), s = species of special concern
(State), T s threatened (Federal), t = threatened (State), R = breeding resident,
= exotic resident, S = uncommon straggler (non-breeding), M = transient
migrant (non-breeding), V =5 seasonal visitor (non-breeding). Habitat prefer-
ence key: A = aquatic, U = upland.

Order

Family

Species Name

Common Name

STA-

IW

STA-

5

Status Habitat

Anseriformes

Anatidae

Dendrocygna autumnalis

Ducks, Geese, & Swans
Black-bellied Whistling-

+

*

V

A

Dendrocygna bicolor

duck

Fulvous Whistling-duck

+

*

R

A

Anser albifrons

Greater White-fronted

+

V

A

Aix sponsa

Goose

Wood Duck

+

R

A

Anas americana

American Wigeon

+

V

A

Anas platyrhyncho

Mallard

+

V

A

Anas fulvigula

Mottled Duck

+

*

R

A

Anas discors

Blue-winged Teal

*

*

V

A

Anas cyanoptera

Cinnamon Teal

+

V

A

Anas clypeata

Northern Shoveler

+

+

V

A

Anas acuta

Northern Pintail

+

+

V

A

Anas crecca

Green- winged Teal

+

V

A

Aythya collaris

Ring-necked Duck

+

*

V

A

Aythya affinis

Lesser Scaup

+

V

A

Lophodytes cucullatus

Hooded Merganser

+

V

A

Oxyura jamaicensis

Ruddy Duck

+

V

A

Podicipediformes

Podicipedidae

Podilymbus podiceps

Grebes

Pied-billed Grebe

+

+

R

A

Pelecaniformes

Pelecanidae

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

Pelicans

American White Pelican

+

+

V

A

Pelecanus occidentalis

Brown Pelican

+

+

R,s

A

Phalacrocoracidae
Phalacrocorax auritus

Cormorants

Double-crested Cormorant

*

*

R

A

Anhingidae

Anhinga anhinga

Darters

Anhinga

*

R

A

Ciconiiformes

Ardeidae

Botaurus lentiginosus

Herons, Bitterns, & Allies
American Bittern

+

+

V

A

Ixobrychus exilis

Least Bittern

+

+

R

A

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

*

*

R

A

Ardea alba

Great Egret

*

R

A

Chimney & Gawlik— Birds of S. Florida Constructed Wetlands

13

Table 1. (Continued) Checklist of birds observed in Stormwater Treatment
Areas 1-West and 5 (STA-IW and STA-5) including seasonality, breeding and
protective status and habitat preference. + = species present, * ^ frequently
observed species listed on at least 50% of all surveys in that STA. Status key: E
= endangered (Federal), e - endangered (State), s s species of special concern
(State), T “ threatened (Federal), t = threatened (State), R = breeding resident,
R^ - exotic resident, S - uncommon straggler (non-breeding), M - transient
migrant (non-breeding), V - seasonal visitor (non-breeding). Habitat prefer-
ence key: A = aquatic, U s upland.

Order

Family

Species Name

Common Name

STA-

IW

STA-

5

Status Habitat

Egretta thula

Snowy Egret

*

+

R,s

A

Egretta caerulea

Little Blue Heron

*

+

R,s

A

Egretta tricolor

Tricolored Heron

*

*

R,s

A

Bubulcus ibis

Cattle Egret

*

*

R

A/U

Butorides virescem

Green Heron

+

*

R

A

Nycticorax nycticorax

Black-crowned Night-heron

+

+

R

A

Nyctanassa violacea

Yellow-crowned Night-

+

R

A

Threskiornithidae
Eudocimus alhus

heron

Ibises & Spoonbills

White Ibis

+

R,s

A

Plegadis falcinellus

Glossy Ibis

*

*

R

A

Platalea ajaja

Roseate Spoonbill

*

+

R,s

A

Ciconiidae

Mycteria americana

Storks

Wood Stork

*

+

R,E,e

A

Cathartidae

Coragyps atratus

New World Vultures

Black Vulture

+

*

R

U

Cathartes aura

Turkey Vulture

+

*

R

u

Phoenicopteriformes
Phoenicopteridae
Phoenicopterus ruber

Flamingos

Greater Flamingo

+

S

A

Falconiformes

Accipitridae

Pandion haliaetus

Hawks, Kites, Eagles, & Allies
Osprey

*

+

R,s

A

Elanoides forficatus

Swallow-tailed Kite

+

R

U

Rostrhamus sociabilis

Snail Kite

+

RjE^e

A

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald Eagle

+

RXt

A

Circus cyaneus

Northern Harrier

+

+

V

A/U

Accipiter striatus

Sharp-shinned Hawk

+

V

U

Accipiter cooperii

Cooper's Hawk

+

+

V

u

Buteo lineatus

Red-shouldered Hawk

+

+

R

A/U

Buteo jamaicensis

Red-tailed Hawk

*

R

u

Falconidae

Caracara cheriway

Caracaras & Falcons

Crested Caracara

+

R,T,t

u

Falco sparverius

American Kestrel

+

+

R,T

u

Falco columharius

Merlin

+

V

AAJ

Falco peregrinus

Peregrine Falcon

+

+

R,e

Am

14

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Table 1, (Continued) Checklist of birds observed in Stormwater Treatment
Areas 1-West and 5 (STA-IW and STA-5) including seasonality, breeding and
protective status and habitat preference. + = species present, * s frequently
observed species listed on at least 50% of all surveys in that STA. Status key: E
s endangered (Federal), e = endangered (State), s = species of special concern
(State), T = threatened (Federal), t = threatened (State), R = breeding resident,
= exotic resident, S ^ uncommon straggler (non-breeding), M = transient
migrant (non-breeding), V = seasonal visitor (non-breeding). Habitat prefer-
ence key: A = aquatic, U = upland.

Order

Family

Species Name

Common Name

STA-

IW

STA-

5

Status Habitat

Gruiformes

Rallidae

Rallus elegans

Rails, Gallinules, & Coots
King Rail

+

R

A

Porzana Carolina

Sora

+

+

V

A

Porphyria martinica

Purple Gallinule

+

+

R

A

Porphyria porphyria

Purple Swamphen

+

+

Re

A

Gallinula chloropus

Common Moorhen

*

*

R

A

Fulica americana

American Coot

*

R

A

Aramidae

Aramus guarauna

Limpkin

Limpkin

+

+

R,s

A

Charadriiformes

Charadriidae

Pluvialis squatarola

Plovers

Black-bellied Plover

+

+

V

A

Pluvialis dominica

American Golden-Plover

+

M

A/U

Charadrius semipalmatus

Semipalmated Plover

+

V

A

Charadrius vociferus

Killdeer

*

*

R

A/U

Recurvirostridae

Himantopus mexicanus

Stilts & Avocets
Black-necked Stilt

♦

*

R

A

Recurvirostra americana

American Avocet

+

+

V

A

Scolopacidae

Tringa solitaria

Sandpipers &; Allies

Solitary Sandpiper

+

M

A

Tringa melanoleuca

Greater Yellowlegs

+

*

V

A

Tringa flavipes

Lesser Yellowlegs

*

+

V

A

Tringa semipalmata

Willet

+

+

R

A

Arenaria interpres

Ruddy Turnstone

+

V

A

Calidris alba

Sanderling

+

V

A

Calidris mauri

Western Sandpiper

+

V

A

Calidris minutilla

Least Sandpiper

*

*

V

A

Calidris melanotos

Pectoral Sandpiper

+

+

M

A

Calidris alpina

Dunlin

+

+

V

A

Calidris himantopus

Stilt Sandpiper

+

+

V

A

Philomachus pugnax

Ruff

+

V

A

Limnodromus griseus

Short-billed Dowitcher

+

+

V

A

Limnodromus scolopaceus

Long-billed Dowitcher

+

+

V

A

Gallinago delicata

Wilson’s Snipe

+

+

V

A

Laridae

Larus atricilla

Skuas, Gulls, Terns, & Skimmers
Laughing Gull +

R

A

Chimney & Gawlik— Birds of S. Florida Constructed Wetlands

15

Table 1. (Continued) Checklist of birds observed in Stormwater Treatment
Areas 1-West and 5 (STA-IW and STA-5) including seasonality, breeding and
protective status and habitat preference. + - species present, * - frequently
observed species listed on at least 50% of all surveys in that STA. Status keys E
s endangered (Federal), e ~ endangered (State), s " species of special concern
(State), T = threatened (Federal), t s threatened (State), R = breeding resident,
R^ s exotic resident, S ” uncommon straggler (non-breeding), M - transient
migrant (non-breeding), ¥ s seasonal visitor (non-breeding). Habitat prefer-
ence key: A ^ aquatic, U = upland.

Order

Family

Species Name

Common Name

STA-

IW

STA-

5

Status Habitat

Larus delawarensis

Ring-billed Gull

+

+

V

A

Larus argentatus

Herring Gull

+

V

A

Larus fuscus

Lesser Black-backed Gull

+

V

A

Sternula antillarum

Least Tern

+

R,t

A

Gelochelidon nilotica

Gull-billed Tern

+

R

A

Hydrorprogne caspia

Caspian Tern

*

+

V

A

Sterna forsteri

Forster’s Tern

+

V

A

Thalasseus maximus

Royal Tern

+

R

A

Rynchops niger

Black Skimmer

+

+

R,s

A

Columbiformes

Columbidae

Columha livia

Pigeons & Doves

Rock Pigeon

+

+

Re

U

Streptopelia decaocto

Eurasian Collared-Dove

+

Re

U

Zenaida asiatica

White-winged Dove

+

R

u

Zenaida macroura

Mourning Dove

+

+

R

u

Columbina passerina

Common Ground-Dove

+

+

R

u

Ciiculiformes

Cuculidae

Crotophaga ani

Cuckoos, Roadmnners, & Anis
Smooth-billed Ani

+

R

A/U

Strigiformes

Strigidae

Strix varia

Typical Owls

Barred Owl

+

R

A/U

Caprimulgiforines

Capiimulgidae

Chordeiles minor

Goatsuckers

Common Nighthawk

+

R

U

Coraciiformes

Alcedinidae

Ceryle alcyon

Kingfishers

Belted Kingfisher

+

+

R

A

Pidformes

Picidae

Melanerpes carolinus

Woodpeckers & Allies
Red-bellied Woodpecker

+

+

R

U

Passeriformes

Tyrannidae

Sayornis phoebe

Tyrant flycatchers

Eastern Phoebe

+

V

u

Myiarchus crinitus

Great Crested Flycatcher

+

R

u

16

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Table 1. (Continued) Checklist of birds observed in Stormwater Treatment
Areas 1-West and 5 (STA-IW and STA-5) including seasonality, breeding and
protective status and habitat preference. + = species present, * = frequently
observed species listed on at least 50% of all surveys in that STA. Status key: E
= endangered (Federal), e = endangered (State), s = species of special concern
(State), T = threatened (Federal), t = threatened (State), R = breeding resident,
= exotic resident, S = uncommon straggler (non-breeding), M = transient
migrant (non-breeding), V = seasonal visitor (non-breeding). Habitat prefer-
ence key: A = aquatic, U = upland.

Order

Family

Species Name

Common Name

STA-

IW

STA-

5

Status Habitat

Laniidae

Lanius ludovicianus

Shrikes

Loggerhead Shrike

+

+

R

U

Vireonidae

Vireo griseus

Vireos

White-eyed Vireo

+

R

u

Corvidae

Cyanocitta cristata

Crows & Jays

Blue Jay

+

+

R

u

Corvus hrachyrhynchos

American Crow

+

R

u

Corvus ossifragus

Fish Crow

+

+

R

A

Himndinidae

Progne subis

Swallows

Purple Martin

+

+

R

u

Tachycineta bicolor

Tree Swallow

+

*

V

u

Stelgidopteryx serripennis

Northern Rough- winged

+

+

V

u

Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

Swallow

Cliff Swallow

+

M

A

Hirundo rustica

Barn Swallow

+

M

A/U

Troglodytidae

Troglodytes aedon

Wrens

House Wren

+

V

U

Sylviidae

Polioptila caerulea

Old World Warblers
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

+

+

R

u

Turdidae

Sialia sialis

Thrushes

Eastern Bluebird

+

R

u

Turdus migratorius

American Robin

+

V

u

Mimidae

Dumetella carolinensis

Mockingbirds & Thrashers
Gray Catbird

+

V

u

Mimus polyglottos

Northern Mockingbird

+

+

R

u

Sturnidae

Sturnus vulgaris

Starlings

European Starling

+

+

Re

u

Pamlidae

Parula americana

Wood- Warblers

Northern Parula

+

R

ATI

Dendroica petechia

Yellow Warbler

+

R

U

Dendroica coronata

Yellow-rumped Warbler

+

+

V

u

Dendroica discolor

Prairie Warbler

+

R

u

Dendroica palmarum

Palm Warbler

*

+

V

u

Minotilta varia

Black-and-white Warbler

+

V

u

Seiurus noveboracensis

Northern Waterthrush

+

M

A

Geothlypis trichas

Common Yellowthroat

+

+

R

A

Emberizidae

Pipilo erythrophthalmus

Emberizids

Eastern Towhee

+

R

U

Chimney & Gawlik— Birds of S. Florida Constructed Wetlands

17

Table 1. (Continued) Checklist of birds observed in Stormwater Treatment
Areas 1-West and 5 (STA-IW and STA-5) including seasonality, breeding and
protective status and habitat preference. + - species present, * s frequently
observed species listed on at least 50% of all surveys in that STA. Status keys E
s endangered (Federal), e s endangered (State), s - species of special concern
(State), T s threatened (Federal), t s threatened (State), R = breeding resident,
R^ = exotic resident, S s uncommon straggler (non-breeding), M s transient
migrant (non-breeding), V = seasonal visitor (non-breeding). Habitat prefer-
ence key? A ^ aquatic, U = upland.

Order

Family

Species Name

Common Name

STA-

IW

STA-

5

Status Habitat

Spizella pusilla

Field Sparrow

+

V

u

Passerculus sandwichensis

Savannah Sparrow

+

+

V

A

Melospiza georgiana

Swamp Sparrow

+

V

AfU

Cardinalidae

Cardinalis mrdinalis

Cardinal, Saltators, & Allies
Northern Cardinal

+

R

U

Passerina ciris

Painted Bunting

+

V

u

Icteridae

Agelaius phoeniceus

Blackbirds

Red-winged Blackbird

*

R

A

Sturnella magna

Eastern Meadowlark

+

+

R

U

Quiscalus quiscula

Common GracMe

+

R

A/U

Quiscalus major

Boat-tailed Grackle

*

*

R

A/U

Molothrus ater

Brown-headed Cowbird

+

V

U

Passeridae

Passer domesticus

Old World Sparrows

House Sparrow

+

Re

U

tricolor]y White Ibis [Eudocimus albus], and Wood Stork [Mycteria
americana]) are both State/Federally listed and breed in the region.
The STAs were used by many minatory species, often in great num-
bers, during the spring and fall (e.g., American White Pelican [Peleca-
nus erythrorhynchos], Black-bellied Whistling-Duck [Dendrocygna
autumnalis], Biue-winged Teal [A/ias discors], Lesser Yellowlegs
[Tringa flavipes\ and Black-necked Stilt [Himantopus mexicanus]).
Sixty-nine percent of STA bird species preferred aquatic habitats or
shared an affinity for both aquatic and upland areas. However, all pi-
geons and doves, and many of the raptors and perching birds are con-
sidered upland species.

Discussion

Bird diversity and abundance in wetlands is influenced by a num-
ber of variables such as wetland surface area (Reaves and Croteau-
Hartman 1994), water depth (Breininger and Smith 1990, Twedt et aL
1998, Bancroft et aL 2002), composition of the vegetation community
(Johnson and Montalbano 1984, Bancroft et aL 2002), prey availability

18

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

(Gawlik 2002) and trophic status (Hoyer and Canfield 1994, Crozier
and Gawlik 2002). High quality upland habitat immediately adjacent
to wetlands also attracts a number of species that may be only faculta-
tive wetland inhabitants (Kent 1994, Knight et al. 2001). The STAs
shared 91% of their avifauna with the LNWR (USFWS 2006), but only
78% with the EAA (Pearlstine et al. 2005). The EAA notably had fewer
co-occurring species of perching birds and ducks, which may be related
to its limited shrub habitat and type of wetlands (largely restricted to
rice fields, fiooded fallow fields and drainage canals). Differences in
surface area accounted for slightly more than one-half of the variance
in bird species richness among wetlands (r^ - 0.59, p < 0.01) (Fig. 2).
The unexplained variance can be attributed to the other species-habi-
tat relationships noted above (Rafe et al. 1985) or factors such as differ-
ences in sampling methods among investigators.

Wetland surface area (ha)

Figure 2. Species-area curve for wetland bird communities. Symbol key: 1 = Ar-
eata (CA), 2 s Bear Bay (SC), 3 = Biwabik (MN), 4 - Collins (MS), 5 s Cypress
Domes (FL), 6 = Des Plaines (IL), 7 = Ha3rward (CA), 8 = Houghton Lake (MI), 9 s
Incline Village (NV), 10 = Lake Buena Vista (FL), 11s Lake Coral (FL), 12 = Lake-
land (FL), 13 = Ocean Springs (MS), 14 = Orlando Easterly (FL), 15 = Show Low
(AZ), 16 = STA-IW (FL), 17 = STA-5 (FL), 18 = Tres Rios Cobble (AZ), 19 = Tres Rios
Hayfield (AZ), 20 = LNWR (FL), 21 s West Jackson County (MS). Data sources: 1-
9, 12, 15, 18, 19, & 21 (USEPA 1999); 10 (Kent and Langston 2000); 11 (Knight et al.
1985); 13 (Kadlec and Knight 1996); 14 (M. Sees pers. comm.); 16 & 17 (this pa-
per); 20 (USFWS 2006), All systems except LNWR are treatment wetlands.

Chimney & Gawl/«— Birds of S. Florida Constructed Wetlands

19

The bird assemblage in the STAs was not static. The periodic influx
of large numbers of birds of a single species or group of species into the
STAs generally occurred under one of two circumstances. The first was
associated with large numbers of migrating birds moving into the area
that found the STAs suitable habitat. Seasonal migrants accounted for
the high concentrations of Tree Swallows, Blue-winged Teal and other
waterfowl. The STAs at normal operating depth (~0.5 to 1.0 m) af-
forded birds with moderate to deep-water marsh habitat. The sharp in-
creases in bird abundance during the fall and spring was somewhat
predictable, but varied in magnitude from year to year, probably be-
cause of external factors such as annual recruitment and habitat suit-
ability of the surrounding landscape.

The second circumstance that produced dramatic increases in bird
abundance occurred when water depth in the STAs decreased during re-
cessions. In this case, the habitat changed quicHy and local birds at-
tracted to shallow water (e.g., wading- and shorebirds) moved in to exploit
it. An example of this situation occurred in March 1 90b when water levels
in portions of STA-IW rapidly fell from depths that approached 1 m to 0.2
m or less. A group of over 1000 herons, egrets, ibis and Wood Storks, many
of which had been feeding in the surrounding area, quickly moved in and
began feeding in the drying marsh. Although we did not continue obser-
vations, we suspect that as soon as water levels increased to normal, most
of the wading birds would have returned to their previous feeding areas.
A similar managed drawdown in mnter 2005 of a substantial portion of
STA-IW that contained little emergent vegetation attracted a great num-
ber of shorebirds. The infl'ux of birds into the STAs in response to falling
water levels has occurred on other occasions; these events were driven by
management activities and therefore were unpredictable from the bird's
perspective or occurred during prolonged regional droughts. The proxi-
mate factor for the increase in bird density was likely a sharp increase in
food availability (Gawlik 2002) because prey was suddenly more vulnera-
ble to being captured. This situation differed from seasonal migrations in
that the increase in bird abundance was from a redistribution of local
birds rather than a regional infl.ux of migrants and it was caused by a
short-term change in the habitat (i.e., water depth) rather than from long-
term processes that structure vegetation, such as trophic status.

The two situations that cause high bird abundance in the STAs are
not mutually exclusive and it is possible that a decrease in water depth
that coincides with seasonal bird migration could result in very high
bird density and diversity. Such a convergence of events contributed to
the high diversity of shorebirds in STA-IW. Although the STAs are op-
erated as treatment systems to reduce nutrients in stormwater runoff,
bird use of these areas is extensive and dependent on variable wetland
conditions, much like in natural wetlands.

20

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Acknowledgments

We thank the many Audubon Society members for their interest in documenting the
avifauna of the STAs and Margaret England (Hendry-Glades Audubon Society), Vincent
Lucas (Tropical Audubon Society), Bijaya Kattel (SFWMD), and Ann McElhatton (Flor-
ida Atlantic University) for sharing this information with us. The paper was improved
based on helpful comments from Mark Cook, Bijaya Kattel, Jana Newman, Scott Robin-
son, Sean Sculley, Gary Williams and two anonymous reviewers.

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American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C.

American Ornithologists’ Union. 2006. Check-list of North American Birds— online
birdlist 47 [www.aou.org/checklist/index.php3]. Viewed 28 March 2007.

Bancroft, G. T., D. E. Gawlik, and K. Rutchey. 2002. Distribution of wading birds rel-
ative to vegetation and water depths in the northern Everglades of Florida, USA.
Waterbirds 25:265-277.

Breininger, D. R., and R. B. Smith. 1990. Waterbird use of coastal impoundments and
management implications in east-central Florida. Wetlands 10:223-241.

Chimney, M. J., and G. Goforth. 2001. Environmental impacts to the Everglades eco-
system: a historical perspective and restoration strategies. Water Science and Tech-
nology 44:93-100.

Crozier G. E., and D. E. Gawlik. 2002. Avian response to nutrient enrichment in an oli-
gotrophic wetland, the Florida Everglades. Condor 104:631-642.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 2004. Florida’s endangered
species, threatened species, and species of special concern [www.m3dwc.e0m/imper-
iledspecies/pdf7Endangered-Threatened-Special-Concern-2004.pdf]. Viewed 22
March 2007.

Gawlik, D. E. 2002. The effects of prey availability on the numerical response of wading
birds. Ecological Monographs 72:329-346.

Gotelli, N. J. 2001. A Primer of Ecology, 3rd ed. Sinauer Associates, Inc., Sunderland, MA.
Hickman, S. 1994. Improvement of habitat quality for nesting and migrating birds at the
Des Plaines River wetlands demonstration project. Ecological Engineering 3:485-494.
Hoyer, M. V., AND D. E. Canfield, Jr. 1994. Bird abundance and species richness on
Florida lakes: influence of trophic status, lake morphology, and aquatic macrophytes.
Hydrobiologia 297/298:107-119.

Hoyer, M. V., J. Winn, and D. E. Canfield, Jr. 2001. Citizen monitoring of aquatic bird
populations using a Florida lake. Lake and Reservoir Management 17:82-89.
Johnson, F. A., and F. Montalbano III. 1984. Selection of plant communities by win-
tering waterfowl on Lake Okeechobee, Florida. Journal of Wildlife Management
48:174-178.

Kadlec, R. H., and R. L. Knight. 1996. Treatment Wetlands. CRC Press, Inc., Boca Ra-
ton, FL.

Kent, D. M. (ed.) 1994, Applied Wetlands Science and Technology. Lewis Publishers,
Boca Raton, FL.

Kent, D. M., and M. A. Langston. 2000. Wildlife use of a created wetland in central
Florida. Florida Scientist 63:17-19.

Knight, R. L., R. A. Clarke Jr., and R. K. Bastian. 2001. Surface flow (SF) treatment
wetlands as habitat for vdldlife and humans. Water Science and Technology 44:27-37.
Knight, R, L,, R. W. Ruble, R. H. Kadlec, and S. Reed. 1993. Wetlands for wastewater
treatment: performance database. Chapter 4. Pages 35-58 in Constructed Wetlands for
Water Quality Improvement (G. A. Moshiri, ed.). Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton, FL.

Chimney & Gawl/it— Birds of S. Florida Constructed Wetlands

21

Knight, R. L., B. H. Winchester, and J. C. Higman. 1985. Ecology, hydrology, and ad-
vanced wastewater treatment potential of an artificial wetland in north-central Flor-
ida. Wetlands 5:167-180.

Pearlstine, E. V., M. L. Casler, and F. J. Mazzotti. 2005. A checklist of birds of the
Everglades Agricultural Area. Florida Scientist 68:84-96.

Rafe, R. W., M. B. Usher, and R. G. Jefferson. 1985. Birds on reserves: the influence
of area and habitat on species richness. Journal of Applied Ecology 22:327-335.

Reaves, R. P., and M, R, Croteau-Hartman. 1994. Biological aspects of restored and
created wetlands. Proceedings of the Indiana Academy of Sciences 103:179-194.

Ridgely, R. S., T. F. Allnutt, T. Brooks, D. K. McNicol, D. W. Mehlman, B. E.
Young, and J. R. Zook. 2003. Digital Distribution Maps of the Birds of the Western
Hemisphere, version 1.0 [www.natureserve.org/explorer]. Viewed 9 March 2007. Na-
tureServe, Arlington, VA.

Robertson, W. B., Jr., and J. A. Kushlan. 1974. The southern Florida avifauna. Pages
414-452 in Memoir 2: Environments of South Florida: Present and Past. Miami Geo-
logical Society, Miami, FL.

Robertson, W. B. Jr., and G. E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida Bird Species: An Anno-
tated List. Special Publication 6, Florida Ornithological Society, Gainesville, FL.

Sklar, F. H., M. j. Chimney, S. Newman, P. McCormick, D. Gawlik, S. Miao, C. Mc-
VoY, W. Said, J. Newman, C. Coronado, G. Cozier, M. Korvela, and K. Rutchey.
2005. The ecological-societal underpinnings of Everglades restoration. Frontiers in
Ecology and the Environment 3:161-169.

South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). 2006. Comprehensive Ever-
glades Restoration Plan (CERP) [www.evergladesplan.org/index.cfm]. Viewed 9
March 2007.

Twedt, D. j., C. O. Nelms, V. E. Rettig, and S. R. Aycock. 1998. Shorebird use of man-
aged wetlands in the Mississippi alluvial valley. American Midland Naturalist
140:140-152.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). 1999. Treatment Wetland Habitat
and Wildlife Use Assessment, Executive Summary. EPA 832-S-99-001.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2006. Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee Na-
tional Wildlife Refuge bird list.

Florida Field Naturalist 35(11:22-25, 2007.

FIRST RECORD OF NORTHERN FULMAR (FULMARUS
GLACIALIS) FOR FLORIDA, AND NOTES ON OTHER NORTH
ATLANTIC SEABIRD SPECIMEN RECORDS IN 2004-2005

Andrew W. Kratter^ and Sue Small^

^Florida Museum of Natural History, Box 117800,

University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611

^Florida Wildlife Hospital,

4560 North US. Highway 1, Melbourne, Florida 32935

Wildlife rehabilitation clinics offer an outstanding opportunity to
document the status and distribution of birds. In Florida alone, over
200 licensed people and clinics collectively take in tens of thousands of
birds each year {fide Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commis-
sion; FFWCC), Most of these birds, which are injured or sick, are found
by concerned citizens and brought to the clinics for rehabilitation and
eventual release back to the wild. However, severe injuries and pro-
longed starvation result in unavoidable mortality rates of 25-40% at
most clinics. Individuals of species away from their normal distribution
or season of occurrence are particularly prone to be encountered in a
weakened state, in part because that species may not be adapted to
find food or escape predation in those circumstances. For the past eight
years, the Florida Museum of Natural History (FLMNH) has been
working with wildlife rehabilitation clinics in Florida to gather speci-
mens that die in the clinics for the research collections at the FLMNH.
This very successful program (see Kratter et al. 2002), generously
funded in 2003-2005 by the FFWCC, has added 1,000s of new, high-
quality specimens to the FLMNH.

In the winter and spring seasons of 2004-2005, a number of espe-
cially interesting seabirds were found beached and in a weakened state
on the coasts of Florida. These individuals were brought to wildlife re-
habilitation clinics where most did not recover. The specimens were
eventually brought to the FLMNH, where they were prepared as re-
search specimens. These specimen records were part of a larger incur-
sion of north Atlantic seabirds into the southeastern United States
during the winter and spring of 2004-2005 (Davis 2005a, 2005b). In
this paper, we provide documentation for the first Florida record of
Northern Fulmar {Fulmarus glacialis), the second record for Atlantic
Puffin (Fratercula arctica), the eleventh Florida record of Razorbill
{Alca tor da), and three records of the locally rare Black-legged Kitti-
wake {Rissa tridactyla).

22

Kratter & Small— First Northern Fulmar for Florida

23

On 19 April 2005, an unknown petrel was found in a weakened
state at Satellite Beach, Brevard Co., and brought to the nearby Flor-
ida Wildlife Hospital in Melbourne. The staff at FWH correctly identi-
fied the bird as a Northern Fulmar (Fig, 1), The weakened bird,
however, did not gain weight and died two days later at the FWH. In
June 2005, AWK retrieved the specimen and prepared a round study
skin, spread wing, and partial skeleton for the FLMNH research collec-
tions (UF 44664). Two samples of heart, liver, and flight muscle were
saved, one each for the genetic resource collections at FLMNH and at
Louisiana State University Museum of Natural Science.

The fulmar was a second year (hatched 2004) male, as indicated
during dissection of the specimen. The testes were small (3x1 mm),
and a large (16 x 11 mm) bursa was present (the bursa is an outpock-
eting of the terminal end of the intestines that is present in juvenile
birds and gradually assimilated over the first year). The bird appeared
to be just beginning to molt from juvenal to first basic plumage. The
remiges were lightly worn, with no molt. The rectrices, also not molt-
ing, were somewhat more worn, typical for seabirds in juvenal plum-
age, because the rectrices wear faster than the wings as they develop
before fledging. The bird had moderate overall body molt. Northern

Figure 1. Northern Fulmar (UF 44664) from Satellite Beach, Brevard Co., Flor-
ida, 19 April 2005. Spread wing (top) and study skin (bottom).

24

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Fulmars typically begin their first pre-basic molt in the spring follow-
ing hatching, but do not begin molt in the wings until June (Hatch and
Nettleship 1998). The bird had no subcutaneous fat and the flight mus-
cles were much reduced. As a result, its mass (400 g) was far below that
typical for males (725 g: Wynne-Edwards 1952, Watson 1955).

The polymorphic Northern Fulmar occurs in plumages ranging
from white-bodied with a gray mantle to uniformly dark gray, with ev-
ery gradation between (Hatch and Nettleship 1998). UF 44664 has an
intermediate plumage, but toward the lighter end of the variation,
with a very pale buffy-gray head and body, medium brownish-gray
mantle, slightly paler brownish-gray rump and rectrices, medium gray
wing coverts, and dark brownish-gray remiges. The distinctively short
and deep bill is yellowish-horn, with the tube and base of the maxilla
blackish-horn.

Florida’s second record of an Atlantic Puffin is an individual found
in weakened condition in St. Augustine Beach, St. Johns Co., by Marg-
aret Cunningham on 23 December 2004. A hatching year female (ovary
7x4 mm, smooth; bursa 8x6 mm), the bird died at Noah’s Ark Wildlife
Care on 25 December 2004. It is now at the FLMNH (UF 44359, study
skin, spread wing, partial skeleton, two tissue samples).

A Razorbill found 13 April 2005 at Honeymoon Island, Pinellas Co.,
was the first ever found in the Gulf of Mexico (AOU 1998) and only the
11th for Florida (Stevenson and Anderson 1994, Kratter et al. 2002,
Anderson 2005). This second-year male (testes 6x1 mm, bursa 9x7
mm) died the same day at the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary (UF 44677,
study skin, spread wing, partial skeleton, two tissue samples).

Three Black-legged Kittiwakes were recorded in the winter and
early spring of 2004-2005. This species is a rare winter visitor to Florida
(Stevenson and Anderson 1994). The first, a hatching-year male (testes
4x2 mm, bursa 13 x 9 mm), was found in Satellite Beach, Brevard Co.
on 30 December 2004. It was dead on arrival at the Florida Wildlife Hos-
pital (UF 44403, skin, spread wing). Another first- winter Black-legged
Kittiwake (UF 44971, complete skeleton), a female (ovary 12 x 4 mm,
smooth; bursa 14 x 8 mm), was found with oiled plumage in Volusia Co.
on 10 February 2005. It died the next day at the Marine Science Center.
An adult Black-legged Kittiwake (female, ovary 11 x 9 mm, oviduct 4
mm wide, convoluted; no bursa) was found in Da5rtona Beach, Volusia
Co., on 12 February 2005. It was also brought to the Marine Science
Center, where it died on 14 February (UF 44942, skin and spread wing).

The specimens we report here were part of a major influx of north At-
lantic seabirds reported in the southeastern United States during the
winter of 2004-2005. Common Eiders (Somateria mollisima) were
present in the Carolinas in “much higher than normal numbers” (Davis
2005a). Off North Carolina, 86 Northern Fulmars on 19 February 2005

Kratter & Small— First Northern Fulmar for Florida

25

was considered a ‘'good count” (Davis 2005a). Four Black-legged Kitti-
wakes were recorded off northern Georgia on 12 February 2005 (Davis
2005b). A Common Murre {Uria aalge) present from 30 December 2004
to 29 January 2005 was the first record for South Carolina (Davis 2005b).
Multiple Thick-billed Murres {Uria lomvia) were found in the Carolinas
from January to March 2005 (Davis 2005b). In Florida, a Razorbill was
found in Boynton Beach, Palm Beach Co. (Anderson 2005) on 18 January
2005, three months prior to the specimen record mentioned above. In
northern Georgia, a state record-high number (106) of Razorbills was re-
corded on 12 February 2005 (Davis 2005b). Atlantic Puffins were found
in record numbers in North Carolina (31 on 19 February 2005) and South
Carolina (19 on 20 February) (Davis 2005a). A record number Dovekies
{Alle alle) was recorded off Maryland and Delaware on 26 February 2005
(Day 2005) and “good numbers” reached the Carolinas (Davis 2005a).

Acknowledgments

First, we thank the many people who find injured birds and deliver them to wildlife
rehabilitation clinics. We also thank Florida’s wildlife rehabilitation clinics for not only
the primary service they provide-— rehabilitating injured and sick wildlife for return to
the wild — but also for donating the specimens that die to the Florida Museum of Natu-
ral History. This research was supported through a grant from the Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission. The manuscript was improved by comments from
David Steadman, Tom Webber, and an anonymous reviewer.

Literature Cited

American Ornithologists’ Union (AOU). 1998. The Check-list of North American
Birds, 7th edition. American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C.

Anderson, B. H. 2005. The Florida Region, winter 2004-05. North American Birds
59:255-257.

Davis, R. 2005a. Briefs for the files. The Chat 69:73-87.

Davis, R. 2005b. The Southern Atlantic Region, winter 2004-05. North American Birds
59:250-255.

Day, T, M, 2005. The Middle Atlantic Region, winter 2004-05. North American Birds
69:246-249.

Hatch, S. A., and D. N. Nettleship. 1998. Northern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis). In
The Birds of North America, No. 361 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North
America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.

Kratter, A. W., T. Webber, T. Taylor, and D. W. Steadman. 2002. New specimen-
based records of Florida birds. Bulletin of the Florida Museum of Natural History
43:111-161.

Stevenson, H. M., and B. H. Anderson. 1994. The Birdlife of Florida. University Press
of Florida, Gainesville.

Watson, A. 1955. New Birds in Cumberland Peninsula, Baffin Island. Canadian Field
Naturalist. 71:87-109.

Wynne-Edwards, V. C. 1952. Geographic variation in the bill of the fulmar {Fulmarus
glacialis). Scottish Naturalist 64:84-101.

Florida Field Naturalist 35(1):26~29, 2007.

FIRST RECORD OF LESSER SAND-PLO¥ER
(CHARABRIUS MONGOLUS) IN FLORIDA

J. Thomas Curtis

Department of Pharmacology and Physiology,

Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences,

1111 Wm St, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74107H898
E-mail: tomxurtis@okstate. edu

The Lesser Sand-Plover (formerly Mongolian Plover), Charadrius
mongolus, comprises several subspecies that are geographically iso-
lated to one degree or another. The subspecies C. m. pamirensis, C. m.
atrifrons, and C. m. schaeferi breed in the Middle East and south-cen-
tral Asia and winter in coastal areas of eastern Africa, southern Asia,
and western Indonesia (Hirschfeld et al. 2000), The nominate C. m.
mongolus and C. m. stegmanni breed primarily in eastern Russia.
These latter two subspecies winter along the eastern coast of Asia from
Japan south to eastern Indonesia, in Australia, and on islands in the
southern Pacific Ocean (Hirschfeld et al. 2000).

Lesser Sand-Plovers are uncommon annual visitors to the outer
Aleutians (Byrd et al. 1978, Gibson 1981) and to extreme northern
Alaska, but there are fewer than 15 records from the rest of North
America (Hirschfeld et al. 2000). In eastern North America, this spe-
cies has been recorded in New Jersey (1990; Hanson 2005) and Rhode
Island (1999; Peterson 1999) on the eastern seaboard, in Ontario on
the Great Lakes (1984; McRae 1985), and in Louisiana (1977, 1986;
Dittmann 1990, Loftin 1992) on the Gulf Coast, but it has not previ-
ously been recorded in Florida. On 17 September 2005 a single Lesser
Sand-Plover was found associating with Semipalmated Plovers (C.
semipalmatus) at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Wakulla
County The bird remained at least through 21 September and subse-
quently was verified by a number of observers.

I observed the plover for a total of about 50 minutes on 17 and 18
September from distances of 10-40 m (estimated) using an 8x42 Zeiss
binocular and a 20-40x Nikon spotting scope. Under conditions of
bright overcast when the bird was frontlit, I watched the plover during
early morning low tides as it foraged on an exposed mudflat. The over-
all size and general shape suggested a Charadrius species. In addition,
the bird's behaviors were typical of those of other Charadrius plovers
and were quite similar to those of nearby Semipalmated Plovers. The
bird tended to forage within about two meters from the water's edge,

26

CuRTis—FmsT Lesser Sand-Plover in Florida

27

but this may simply be because the mudflat was small and surrounded
by water on three sides. Nonetheless, I never saw it enter the water.

The bird was normally proportioned and fully feathered, and thus
was not a downy chick of a larger plover species such as Killdeer (C.
vociferus). The plumage was uniformly brownish on the back, and paler
underneath. The presence of light edging on the secondaries and the
grayish“green leg color suggested a hatch-year bird (older birds have
darker legs; Hirschfeld et al. 2000). The undertail coverts were much
whiter than the belly color, and there was the appearance of a sharp line
of demarcation just behind the legs, separating undertail from belly.
Observations during flight were very brief, and yielded little informa-
tion. Another observer noted that the feet did not extend beyond the tail
when the bird was flying, an important characteristic in differentiating
from Greater Sand-Plover (C leschenaultii; Hirschfeld et ah
2000) No details of the tail or rump were noted. There was a prominent
white stripe above the eye that appeared to begin at about the eye and
extended about half-way to the nape. The bill was solid black and was
proportioned similar to that of Semipalmated Plover, although it ap-
poitrofl to be somewhat more pointed. No orange was noted on the bill.

Several notable characteristics separated the bird from nearby
Semipalmated Plovers. First the bird appeared to be slightly larger
(about 10 to 15%) than the Semipalmated Plovers, and lacked the white
collar across the back of the neck typical of that species. The leg color
was grayish-green, obviously different from the yellowi.sh legs of nearby
Semipalmated Plovers. In addition, the legs appeared to be longer than
those of that species. The bird was somewhat lighter brown than a
nearby Semipalmated Plover, but the latter bird was in adult plumage.
There were no Juvenal plumaged Semipalmated Plovers nearby for di-
rect comparison. Observers reported only one vocalization that may
have come from the sand-plover. 'When the bird in question and a Semi-
palmated Plover took off together, two distinct calls were heard. The
first was the typical “chu-wee” or “tu-wee” of Semipalmated Plover. The
second was a very rapid 3-4 note “tee-dee-dee” with a Western Sand-
piper-like (Calidris mauri) quality. This call helped to eliminate the pos-
sibility that the subject bird was an unusual Semipalmated Plover.

I used a variety of characters (Paulson 2005) to eliminate other
Charadrius species from consideration. The bill proportions eliminated
large-billed Wilson’s Plover {C. wilsonia) and most subspecies of
Greater Sand-Plover. The plumage color was too brown for Piping Plo-
ver (C. melodus) and this character plus bill shape eliminated Snowy
Plover (C. alexandrinus). The relatively weak wingbar, the long legs,
and the lack of a white collar and face removed Common Ringed Plover
(C. hiaticula) from consideration, while the lack of an eye ring elimi-
nated Little Ringed Plover (G dubius). Size and the lack of breast

28

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

bands eliminated Mountain Plover (C. montanus) and Killdeer (C.
vociferus), respectively. Finally, the bird was too large and its legs too
dark for Collared Plover (C. collaris).

Analysis of digital photographs yielded further information. A total
of 29 digital photographs were available for evaluation. From the digi-
tal images it was possible to measure tarsus length on 14 images and
bill length on five images. Using the means of these measures, I calcu-
lated a tarsus :bill ratio for the bird in question as 1.91:1. Hirschfeld et
al. (2000) gave tarsus:bill ratios of 1.86 to 1.98 (range 1.70 to 2.16) for
subspecies of Lesser Sand-Plover, and 1.55 to 1.66 (range 1.43 to 1.78)
for the closely related Greater Sand-Plover, for which there is a single
North American record (Abbott et al. 2000). The tarsusrbill length ratio
of 1.9 places the bird in question within the typical range of relative
bill length of Lesser Sand-Plover, but well short of relative bill length of
Greater Sand-Plover (Hirschfeld et al. 2000). It must be noted that this
is considered a potential supporting characteristic and is not conclu-
sive by itself I also was able to measure bill length and eye-to-base-of-
bill distance on the photographs. As the two measurements are equally
affected by angle of the head, I was not restricted to only perfect pro-
files and thus I could acquire measurements from 14 images. The re-
sulting eye-to-bill distance :bill“length ratio was 1.1 ± 0.3 (Mean ± SE),
suggesting that the bill was shorter than the distance from the back of
the eye to the bill. Greater Sand-Plover tends to have a bill length that
is longer than this distance. Overall, this ratio falls into the range for
Lesser Sand-Plovers, but it does not eliminate C. /. columhinus, a small
subspecies of the Greater Sand-Plover. Hirschfeld et al. (2002) pointed
out that the ratio overlap with C. 1. columhinus makes this an unreli-
able characteristic for determining species. Nonetheless the calculated
ratio does argue against the possibility that the bird in question can
only be Greater Sand-Plover. Further, a strong character that was ob-
served in the bird at St. Marks NWR, the short, relatively stout, blunt-
tipped bill, does rule out C. Z. columhinus which has relatively slender,
pointed bill. Confirming characters of the St. Marks bird were the long-
legged look with relatively short tibia, the rounded head, and the for-
ward-balanced appearance of the body ("jizz”) (Hirschfeld et al. 2000).

Although it is impossible to positively identify the population from
which this bird originated, several lines of evidence suggest that it
likely came from an east Asian population. This species has been re-
corded even fewer times in Europe than it has in North America (even
excluding Alaska) (Hirschfeld et al. 2000); thus it is unlikely that the
bird arrived from the east. Hirschfeld et al. (2000) identified six breed-
ing populations, three from western Asia and the Middle East (three
subspecies collectively known as the atrifrons group), and three from
eastern Asia (the mongolus group, including C. m. stegmanni). Since

Curtis— First Lesser Sand-Plover in Florida

29

the migration routes of all members of the atrifrons group tend to be
due south or ^vestward, vagrants from this group would first have to
travel several thousand miles in the wrong (easterly) direction, tra=
versing all of Asia, before entering North America. In contrast, the
easternmost breeding population of the mongolus group (C. m. steg-
manni), that on the Commander Islands (Hirschfeld et al. 2000), occa-
sionally extends into Alaska (Byrd et al. 1978). Specimens from several
Alaskan islands were identified as C. m, stegmanni (Byrd et al. 1978,
Thompson and DeLong 1969), and Gibson (1981) assumed that Lesser
Sand-Plovers found in the western Aleutians were C. m. stegmanni,
even though the only specimen that he reported could not be identified
to subspecies. Thus, C. m. stegmanni is the most likely candidate for
vagrancy to eastern North America.

The documentation provided above was reviewed by two biologists
who have field experience with sand-plovers: E. Hirschfeld (Europe)
and R. Boughton (Australia), and both concurred with the identifica-
tion. Written documentation and photographs were submitted to the
Florida Ornithological Society Records Committee (record #05-575)
which confirmed the identification and added Lesser Sand Plover to
the official state list of birds.

Acknowledgments

I thank Paul Lehman, Bill Grins, and Jim Ingold for information regarding previous
Lesser Sand-Plover sightings in Eastern North America, and Jon Greenlaw and Tom
Webber for helpful suggestions during the preparation of this manuscript.

Literature Cited

Abbott, S., S. N. G. Howell, and P. Pyle. 2001. First North American record of Greater
Sandplover. North American Birds 55:252-257.

Byhd, G. V., J. L. Trapp, and D. D. Gibson. 1978. New information on Asiatic birds in
the Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Condor 80:309-315.

Dittmann, D. L. 1990. Sixth report of the Louisiana Ornithological Society Bird Records
Committee. Journal of Louisiana Ornithology 2:21-41.

Gibson, D. D, 1981. Migrant birds at Shemya Island, Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Condor
83:6577.

Hanson, J. 2005, New Jersey Bird Records Committee List of Accepted Records of Rare
Birds in New Jersey Through 2004. New Jersey Birds 31: Supplement.

Hirschfeld, E., C. S. Roselaar, and H. Shirihai. 2000. Identification, taxonomy and
distribution of Greater and Lesser Sand Plovers. British Birds 93:162-189.

Loftin, R. W. 1992. Species index to Louisiana bird records in American Birds volumes
1-45, 1947-1991. Journal of Louisiana Ornithology 2:1-49.

McRae, R. D, 1985. Mongolian Plover: new to Canada. Ontario Birds 3:18-23.

Paulson, D. 2005. Shorebirds of North America: The Photographic Guide, Princeton
University Press, Princeton, NJ.

Peterson, W. R. 1999. New England Region. North American Birds 53:363-366.
Thompson, M. C., and R. L. DeLong. 1969. Birds new to North America and the Pribilof
Islands, Alaska. Auk 86:747-749.

30

Florida Field Naturalist 35(l);30-37, 2007.

FIELD OBSERVATIONS

Summer Report: June-July 2006. — This report consists of significant bird obser-
vations compiled by the Field Observations Committee (FOC). Submissions to the FOC
should be in the following format: species, number of individuals, age and sex of the
bird(s), color morph if applicable, location (including county), date, observer(s), and sig-
nificance. Seasons are winter (December-February), spring (March-May), summer
(June-July), and fall (August-November). Submit observations to regional compilers
within two weeks after the close of each season, or to the state compiler within one
month. Addresses of the compilers are found at the end of this report. We greatly prefer
observations sent via e-mail.

Sight-only observations are considered “reports” while only those supported by verifi-
able evidence (photographs, video or audio tapes, or specimens) are called “records.”
Species for which documentation is required by the FOS Records Committee (FOSRC;
Bowman 2004, Fla. Field Nat. 32:7-33) are marked here with an asterisk (*). A county
designation (in italics) accompanies the first-time listing of each site in this report. Ab-
breviations in this report are: CWA = Critical Wildlife Area, EOS = end of season, NP =
national park, NSRA = north shore restoration area, NWR = national wildlife refuge, SP
= state park, STA = stormwater treatment area, STF = sewage treatment facility, and N,
S, E, W etc., for compass directions. Bold-faced entries denote birds newly reported or
verified in Florida, or record counts.

SUMMAKY OF THE SUMMER SEASON

Summer 2006 was fairly typical weather-wise, although the western Panhandle was
subject to what Bob Duncan called a “desiccating drought.” Also, Tropical Storm A/6erto
struck the Big Bend region on 13 Jun, causing minimal damage. But predictably, sev-
eral pelagics, especially terns, were reported along the Gulf coast in the wake of the
storm. FOSRC rarities reported this season were the Southern Lapwing at St. Marks
NWR (if considered a native vagrant) and the South Polar Skua off Jacksonville. Juve-
nile Bronzed Cowbirds photographed at Homestead, where adults were observed all
season, probably provide sufficient proof of breeding, thereby adding a new breeding
species to Florida. No new native or exotic species were reported.

Species Accounts

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck: 18 adults at St. Marks NWR {Wakulla) 3 Jun (T. Cur-
tis); 2 W of Tavares {Lake) 3 Jun (L. Atherton); 30 at Viera Wetlands {Brevard) 6 Jun
(D. Freeland); 12 adults at Springhill Road STF {Leon) 12 Jun (G. Menk); 4 adults at
Dade City {Pasco) 17 Jun {fide A. McRae); 7 adults at Lake Jackson {Leon) 24 Jun
(G. Menk, M. Collins); 34 birds (2 separate broods) at the Mosaic phosphate mines 10
Jul established the first breeding in Hillsborough (P. Fellers); 16 at Polk phosphate
mines 11 Jul (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel); 5 newly-hatched chicks at Alachua {Ala-
chua) and 11 chicks at Hague {Alachua) 31 Jul (P. Burns).

Fulvous Whistling-Duck: 2 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP {Alachua) 6-11 Jun
(M. Manetz et ah); 10 at phosphate mine 11 Jul (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel) including
1 pair with 4 young, furnished the first breeding in Polk.

Egyptian Goose: 3 at Lake Apopka NSRA {Orange) 23 Jul (H. Robinson).

Canada Goose: 2 at Lake Marion {Polk) 29 Jul (T. Palmer); 5 summered at Sarasota
{Sarasota; J. Dubi).

Field Observations

31

Table 1. Results of pelagic trips off Miami {Miami-Dade; first three trips; R.
Torres et al.), off Jacksonville {Duval) 19 Jun (R. Clark), and to Marathon
Hump {Monroe^ final two trips; L. Manfredi et al.).

Species

15 Jun

24 Jun

3 Jul

19 Jun

24 Jun

15 Jul

Black-capped Petrel

0

0

0

0

1

0

Cory’s Shearwater

0

3

9

300+

5

0

Greater Shearwater

0

0

1

300+

3

0

Audubon’s Shearwater

0

1

6

1

10

0

Wilson’s Storm-Petrel

2

2

1

0

2

6

Band-rumped Storm-Petrel

2

1

1

0

4

0

Tropicbird species

0

0

1

0

0

0

Brown Booby

4

7

1

0

0

0

Glossy Ibis

0

0

0

0

0

25

Bridled Tern

20

1

40

0

77

35

Sooty Tern

15

3

100+

0

37

8

Brown Noddy

0

0

2

0

7

1

* South Polar Skua

0

0

0

1

0

0

Long-tailed Jaeger

0

0

0

1

0

0

Mallard x Mottled Duck: 4 hybrids along with 142 Mottled Ducks and 1 Mallard at
Trinity {Pasco) 10 Jun (K. Tracey).

Mottled Duck: 580 at Polk phosphate mines 7 Jul (P. Timmer).

Blue-winged Teal: 1 male at Blue Heron STF {Brevard) 1 Jun (T. Dunkerton); 2 (male
and female) at Viera 6 Jun-EOS (D. Freeland et al.); 18 at Polk mines 25 Jul

(P. Fellers).

Redhead: 1 drake at Gulf Harbors, New Port Richey {Pasco) 13 Jun (K. Tracey, B.
Pranty, photo to FOC).

Greater Scaup: 1 hen at Merritt Island NWR {Brevard) 9 Jun (R, Fewster, photo to
FOC).

Lesser Scaup: 1 drake at S Merritt Island {Brevard) 19 Jul (D. Freeland); 1 hen and 3
drakes summered at Springhill Road STF (G. Menk).

Surf Scoter: 1 drake at S Merritt Island 8-14 Jun (D. Freeland et al.).

Black Scoter: 2 drakes at N Merritt Island {Brevard) 9 Jun (D. Freeland).
Bufflehead: 1 hen at Springhill Road STF to 15 Jun (G. Menk).

Red-breasted Merganser: 3 drakes at St. Marks NWR 3 Jun (T. Curtis).

Ruddy Duck: 4 BiPolk phosphate mines 11 Jul (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel).

Horned Grebe: 1 in alternate plumage at Fort Walton Beach STF {Okaloosa) 2 Jun
(R, Smith et al.).

Cory's Shearwater: 25 at Boynton Inlet {Palm Beach) 3 & 10 Jul, and 2 there 11 Jul
(B. Hope); 1 at Destin {Okaloosa) 31 Jul (B, Garmon).

Greater Shearwater: 1 at Boynton Inlet 10 Jul (B. Hope).

Audubon’s Shearwater: singles at Boynton Inlet 10 & 11 Jul (B. Hope).

Northern Gannet: 3 immatures at St. Andrew SP {Bay) 5 Jun (R. Smith et al.).
American White Pelican: 25 at St. Marks NWR 12 Jun (C. Borg); 375 at Polk mines 7
Jul (P. Fellers).

Anhinga: 280 at Lake Apopka NSRA 26 Jul (H. Robinson).

Magnificent Frigatebird: 1 female at Alligator Point {Franklin) 2 Jun (R. McGregor);
1 at St. Marks NWR 5 Jun (M. Keys); at least 140 roosted on a spoil island near Hon-
eymoon Island SP {Pinellas) 8 Jun (K. Tracey); 2 birds 16 km inland over Spring Hill
{Hernando) following Tropical Storm A/6erto 13 Jun (A. & B. Hansen).

32

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Least Bittern: 28 at Viera 6 Jun (D. Freeland); 1 at Melbourne Beach {Brevard) 22-27
Jul (A. Bankert).

“Great White Heron:” 1 in Okaloosa 19 Jun- 14 Jul (L. Dougherty, P. Goodyear).

Snowy Egret: 750 at Viera 30 Jun (D. Freeland).

Reddish Egret: 2 juveniles at St. Marks NWR 12 Jun (C. Borg); 4, including 2 white
morphs, at Nassau Sound (Duval) 15-22 Jul (P. Leary).

Green Heron: 43 at Viera 6 Jun (D. Freeland).

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron: up to 3 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 6 Jun (M.
Manetz et aL).

White Ibis: 1800 at Tomoka Landfill (Volusia) 31 Jul (D. Freeland).

Glossy Ibis: up to 2 at Lake Jackson 6-12 Jun (G. Menk).

*White-FACED Ibis: 1 adult at Paynes Prairie Preserve 7 Jun (H. Adams); 2 adults and
1 immature at St. Marks NWR 17 Jun (T. Curtis).

Roseate Spoonbill: up to 14 (1 adult and 13 juveniles, including 3 banded) at Bystre
Lake (Hernando) 5-28 Jun (M. Gardler); 2 in E Leon 10 Jun (B. Ritchie); 6 at Lake Ap-
opka NSRA 11 Jun (T, Rodriguez), and 4 there 28 Jul (H. Robinson); 50 at Gulf Harbors
14 Jun included 1 banded at Florida Bay and 4 banded at Tampa Bay (K. Tracey); up to
10 at Ocala (Marion) 20-23 Jun (A. Luzader, M. Paczolt); up to 22 at St. Marks NWR 24
Jun-8 Jul (S. McCool et aL); up to 3 at Gainesville (Alachua) 25 Jun-EOS (P. Sindelar,
L. Hensley, R. Garren et aL); 53 at Merritt Island NWR (45 in Brevard and 8 in Volu-
sia) 27 Jun (D. Freeman); 50 at Viera 30 Jun (D. Freeland); 7 at Polk mines 11 Jul (P,
Timmer, C. Geanangel); 3 at Scott Lake, Lakeland (Polk) 21 Jul (T. Palmer).

Wood Stork: 70 active nests with young at Greenbrooke, Seven Springs (Pasco) 8 Jun
(K. Tracey); 250 at Viera 30 Jun (D. Freeland); 125 at Tomoka Landfill 31 Jul
(D. Freeland).

Osprey: 117 at Pott mines 11 Jul (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel).

Swallow-tailed Kite: 1440 at Lake Apopka NSRA 10 Jul, and 1560 there 26 Jul (H.
Robinson).

Snail Kite: 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve 8-24 Jun (M. Manetz, B. Christensen et aL); 1
male at Shadow Ridge, Hudson 6 Jul (B. Skiba, photos to FOC) furnished the first
record for Pasco; 1 adult male 6 km E of CR-951 (Collier) 30 Jul (T. Doyle).

Mississippi Kite: 70 at Tram Road STF (Leon) 1 Jun (E. Woodruff) and 100 there 11 Jul
(R. Lengacher); 3 at N Jacksonville 9 & 17 June (K. Dailey); 1 at Coleman (Sumter) 9
Jun (R, Rowan); 1 over Lake Weir (Marion) 25 Jun (R. Smith); 1 at S Jacksonville 4
Jul (J. Wheat); 33 at Fort Walton Beach STF 21 Jul (D. Ware).

Bald Eagle: one nest at Hudson fledged nestlings in Mar and Jun (K. Tracey).

Northern Harrier: 1 in female plumage at the Sarasota Celery Fields (Sarasota) 27
Jun (J. Dubi, E. Miller).

Cooper's Hawk: 1 adult and 1 juvenile summered at West Kendall (Miami-Dade; J.
Boyd), and 3 juveniles elsewhere at West Kendall 18 Jun (J. Weber); 1 at Naples (Col-
lier) 21 Jun (D. Suitor); 1 frequently at Miami Shores (Miami-Dade) in Jul (A. Harper).

Red-shouldered Hawk: 101 at Lake Apopka NSRA 30 Jul (H. Robinson).

Broad-winged Hawk: 1 juvenile at Lake Apopka NSRA 12 Jul (H, Robinson).

Short-tailed Hawk: 1 light morph E of Brooksville (Hernando) 25 Jun (M. Gardler); 1 at
Black Point Swamp (Levy) 30 Jun (J. Hintermister); 1 light morph at Avon Park Air
Force Range (Highlands) 3 Jul (P. Fellers); 1 dark morph at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve
SP (Okeechobee) 5 Jul (P. Miller); of 2 radio-tagged in South Florida in late 2005, 1 was
found dead at Paynes Prairie Preserve in Jun and the other was at Newnans Lake (Ala-
chua) 14-24 Jul (K. Meyer, S. Hofstetter); 1 light morph at Florida Forever (Osceola) 21
Jul (B. & L. Cooper); 1 dark morph at Casselberry (Seminole) 24 Jul (A. Vinokur).

American Kestrel: 4 (presumably paulus) at Golden Aster Scrub Preserve (Hillsbor-
ough) 18 Jun (G. Parsons); 1 at a Polk mine 16 Jul (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel).

King Rail: 209 at Lake Apopka NSRA 23 Jul (H. Robinson).

Field Observations

33

Purple Swamphen: 100+ at STA 5 {Hendry) 24 Jun (M. England et aL).

Purple Gallinule: 1 adult with 4 chicks in mid-Pinellas 26 Jun (J. Fisher).

American Coot: 8 at Polk mines 11 Jul (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel); 1-2 each at four sites
in Leon variously this summer (G. Menk); 2 summered at Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota

(J. Dubi).

Sandhill Crane: 1 near Mahogany Hammock, Everglades NP (Miami-Dade) 20 Jun
(S. Schneider).

*S0UTHERN Lapwing: 1 of the cayennensis group remained at St. Marks NWR to 11 Jun
(J. Murphy).

Black-bellied Plover: 15 at Merritt Island NWR 22 Jun (D. Freeland); 2 at Shiloh
Marsh (Volusia) 18 Jul (B. Wallace).

American Golden-Plover: 1 at Viera Wetlands 29 Jul (A. Bankert).

Wilson’s Plover: 16 adults and 2 chicks at Cayo Costa SP (Lee) 4 Jun (C. Ewell); 16
adults, 1 juvenile, and 7 chicks at Little Estero Island CWA (Lee) 8 Jun (C. Ewell); 60,
including 2 chicks, at Nassau Sound 15 Jul (P. Leary).

Semipalmated Plover: 1 at Merritt Island NWR 9-22 Jun (D. Freeland); duos at Shiloh
Marsh 15 Jun & 18 Jul (B. Wallace); 1 at a Polk mine 16 Jul (P. Timmer, C, Geanan-
gel); 2 at Viera 27 Jul (T. Dunkerton).

Piping Plover: 3 at Nassau Sound 22 Jul (P. Leary).

Black-necked Stilt: 2 at Bystre Lake 1 Jun-EOS (M. Gardler); 2 at Paynes Prairie Pre-
serve 6 Jun (M. Manetz); 181 at Loughman’s Lake {Brevard) 19 Jun (M. Brothers); 9
at Melbourne Beach 27 Jul (A. Bankert).

American Avocet: 3 at Shiloh Marsh 15 Jun, and 13 there 18 Jul (B. Wallace); 6 at Mer-
ritt Island NWR 22 Jun, and 15 there 24 Jul-EOS (D. Freeland); 10 at STA 5, 24 Jun
(M. England et al.); 45 at Polk mines 11 Jul (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel); 2 at Lake Ap-
opka NSRA 30 Jul (H. Robinson); 2 at St. Marks NWR 31 Jul (A. Wraithmell).

Greater Yellowlegs: 1 at Viera 6 Jun, and 2 there 30 Jun (D. Freeland); 1 at Merritt
Island NWR 9 Jun, and 30 there 31 Jul (D. Freeland); 3 at Loughman’s Lake 19 Jun
(M. Brothers); 6 at Shiloh Marsh 22 Jun (D. Freeland), and 125 there 17 Jul
(M. Brothers, B. Wallace); 2 at Springhill Road STF 29 Jun (G. Menk); up to 4 (21 Jul)
at Lake Apopka NSRA 16-23 Jul (H. Robinson); up to 3 at Polk mines 11-16 Jul (P.
Timmer, C. Geanangel).

Lesser Yellowlegs: 1 at Viera 14 Jim (D. Freeland); 8 at Loughman’s Lake 19 Jun
(M. Brothers); 3 at Shiloh Marshes 22 Jun (D. Freeland), and 2 there 17 Jul (M. Broth-
ers, B. Wallace); 2 at Springhill Road STF 29 Jun (G. Menk); singles at Lake Apopka
NSRA 2 & 21 Jul (H. Robinson); 1 at Gainesville 5 Jul (R. Rowan); up to 33 (10 Jul) at
Polk mines 10-16 Jul (P. Fellers et al.); 10 at Merritt Island NWR 31 Jul (D. Freeland).

Solitary Sandpiper: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 14-21 Jul (H. Robinson); 2 at Hague 24
Jul (M. Manetz); 9 at S Fort Myers (Lee) 24 Jul (V. McGrath et al.).

Spotted Sandpiper: 2 at Viera 6 Jun (D. Freeland); 6 at Shiloh Marsh 17 Jul (M. Broth-
ers, B. Wallace); 5 at Hague 24 Jul (M. Manetz).

Upland Sandpiper: 1 at Springhill Road STF 29 Jun (G. Menk).

Whimbrel: 5 at St. Marks NWR 15 Jun (C. Borg); 1 at Satellite Beach 29 Jul (D.
Freeland et al.).

Marbled Godwit: 2 in basic plumage at Little Estero Island CWA 8 Jun (C. Ewell); 2 at
Fort De Soto Park {Pinellas) 13 Jun (R. Smith).

Red Knot: 1 at St. Marks NWR 3 Jun (T. Curtis); 19 in basic plumage at Cayo Costa SP
4 Jun (C. Ewell); 13 in basic plumage at Little Estero Island CWA 8 Jun (C. Ewell); 2
at Nassau Sound 15 Jul (P. Leary).

SanderlinG: 79 in basic plumage at Little Estero Island CWA 8 Jun (C. Ewell).

Semipalmated Sandpiper: 1 at Newnans Lake 2 Jun (J. Bryan); 24 at Springhill Road
STF 8 Jun (G. Menk); 2 at Merritt Island NWR 9 Jun, and 100 there 22 Jun (D.
Freeland); 20 at Polk mines 11 Jul (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel); 100+ at Shiloh Marsh

34

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

15 Jun, and 2 there 17 Jul (M. Brothers, Wallace); 2 at Alachua 24 Jul (P. Burns);
10+ at Viera 27 Jul (T. Dunkerton).

Western Sandpiper: 1 at Polk mines 10 Jul (P. Fellers), and 7 there 16 Jul (P. Timmer,
C. Geanangel); 5 at Viera 13 Jul, and 30+ there 27 Jul (T. Dunkerton); 7 at Shiloh
Marsh 17 Jul (M. Brothers, B. Wallace); 152 molting adults at Little Estero Island
CWA 30 Jul (C. Ewell).

Least Sandpiper: 3 at Springhill Road STF 8 Jun (G. Menk); 1 at St. Marks NWR 12
Jun (C. Borg); 1 at Viera 14 Jun, 50+ there 13 Jul, and 250 there 26 Jul (D. Freeland,
T. Dunkerton); 25 at Merritt Island NWR 22 Jun (D. Freeland); 3 at Springhill Road
STF 1 Jul (S. McCool); 50 at Shiloh Marshes 17 Jul (M. Brothers, B. Wallace); 12 at
Lake Apopka NSRA 21 Jul (H. Robinson).

White-RUMPED Sandpiper: 18 at Fort De Soto 2 Jun (L. Atherton); 1 in alternate plum-
age at Cayo Costa SP 3 Jun (C. Ewell); 30+ at Shiloh Marsh 15 Jun (B. Wallace); 80
at the Everglades Agricultural Area {Palm Beach) 21 Jun (B. Hope); 3 at Merritt Is-
land NWR 22 Jun (D. Freeland); 1 at Viera 27 Jul (T. Dunkerton).

Pectoral Sandpiper: 1 at Hague 15 Jul (M. Manetz); 1 at Viera 27 Jul (T. Dunkerton);
50 at the Sarasota polo grounds 27 Jul (J. Dubi); 20+ at S Fort Myers 30-31 Jul (V.
McGrath et ah).

Dunlin: 6 at Merritt Island NWR 24 Jul (D. Freeland).

Stilt Sandpiper: 2 at Lake Apopka NSRA 12 Jul, and singles there 19 & 26 Jul (H. Rob-
inson); 6 at Viera 13 Jul (T. Dunkerton), and 10 there 26 Jul (D. Freeland); 3 at Sprin-
ghill Road STF 20 Jul (G. Menk); 9 at Polk mines 16 Jul (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel);
1 in alternate plumage 30 Jul provided the first for Ten Thousand Islands NWR {Col-
lier; T. Doyle); 3 at S Fort Myers 30-31 Jul (V. McGrath et aL).

Short-billed Dowitcher: 18 in basic plumage at Little Estero Island CWA 8 Jun
(C. Ewell); 3 at Merritt Island NWR 24 Jul (D. Freeland); up to 8 at Springhill Road
STF 27 Jul-EOS (G. Menk et al.).

American Woodcock: 1 at Gainesville 16 Jul (M. Meisenburg).

POMARINE Jaeger: 1 landed “right in front of us on the road” at No Name Key {Monroe)
4 Jul (K. Wysocki et ah).

Laughing Gull: 7700+ at Huguenot Memorial Park {Duval) 27 Jul (R. Clark); 2 at Lake
Apopka NSRA 28 Jul (H. Robinson).

Gull-billed Tern: 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 2 Jun (R. Smith et al.); up to 14 at Polk
mines 11-16 Jul (P, Timmer et al.),

Caspian Tern: 1 at St. Johns River Marshes {Volusia) 19 Jun (M. Brothers).

Royal Tern: 2500+ at Huguenot Park 27 Jul (R. Clark).

Sandwich Tern: 2 at Lake Apopka NSRA 30 Jul (H. Robinson).

Common Tern: 4 immatures at Gulf Harbors 13 Jun (K. Tracey); 3 at Fred Howard Park
{Pinellas) 13 Jun (R. Smart); 1 at Fort De Soto 13 Jun (L. Atherton).

Least Tern: 105 nests, 10 chicks, and 9 juveniles at Little Estero Island CWA 8 Jun
(C. Ewell); 1 at Hague 10 Jun (H. Adams, B. Mollison); 50 nests at N Caladesi Island
{Pinellas) were destroyed by Tropical Storm Alberto 13 Jun (S. Crav/ford); a breeding
colony of 25 on salt flats along the St. Johns River 19 Jun (M. Brothers); over 100 suc-
cessful nests at Fort Pickens {Escambia) and many juveniles in Jul (B. Duncan); 280
at Polk mines 16 Jul (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel).

Bridled Tern: 2 at Boynton Inlet 10 Jul (B. Hope).

Sooty Tern: 1 at Gulf Harbors 13 Jun (K. Tracey); 15 at the Dunedin Causeway {Pinel-
las) 13 Jun (S. Crawford); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 14 Jun (H. Robinson); 10 at Boyn-
ton Inlet 10 Jul (B. Hope).

Black Tern: 2 at St. Marks NWR 13 Jun (S. McCool); 3 at Gulf Harbors 13 Jun
(K. Tracey, B. Pranty); 1 at Honeymoon Island SP 13 Jun (L. Kenney); up to 4 (16 Jul)
^tPolk mines 11-16 Jul (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel et aL); 130 at Gandy Bridge {Pinel-
las) 29 Jul (R. Smith).

Field Observations

35

Brown Noddy: 2 at St. George Island (Franklin) 13 Jun (K. Theodorou); 7 at the Dune-
din Causeway 13 Jun (S. Crawford).

Black Skimmer: 6 nests at Boca Grande 1 Jun were the only breeding skimmers found
along the entire Lee coastline (C. Ewell); 150 nests on N Caladesi Island were de-
stroyed by Alberto 13 Jun (S. Crawford); 84, including young, at Polk mines 10 Jul
(P. Fellers); over 30 successful nests at Pensacola Beach (Escambia) and many juve-
niles in Jul (B. Duncan).

African Collared-DOVE: 1 domesticated form (i.e., a “Ringed Turtle-Dove”) along Bay-
shore Boulevard, Tampa (Hillsborough) late May-early Jun (D. Snyder, details to
FOC).

White-winged Dove: 20 or more summered S of Kissimmee Prairie Preserve (P. Miller,
M, Korosy).

Monk Parakeet: 2 at South Daytona (Volusia) 24 Jun (M. Brothers); 1 at Panama City
(Bay) 4-10 Jul (R. Ingram).

Yellow-billed Cuckoo: 52 at Lake Apopka NSRA 8 Jun (H. Robinson).

Chimney Swift: 150 at Lake Apopka NSRA 30 Jul (H. Robinson).

Belted Kingfisher: 2 at Newberry (Alachua) 24 Jun (J. Biyan); 1 S of Florida City (Mi-
ami-Dade) 3 Jul (B. & L. Cooper); 1 at Orlando Wetlands Park (Orange) 4 Jul (E. Kwa-
ter); 1 at Cape Romano (Collier) 5 Jul (D. Suitor); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 10 Jul
(H. Robinson); 1 at Altamonte Springs (Seminole) 21 Jul (P. Hueber); 1 at Green Key
Road, New Port Richey 21 Jul (K. Tracey); 7 at Merritt Island NWR 31 Jul (D. Freeland).

Hairy Woodpecker: 1 at Lake Thonotosassa (Hillsborough) 12 Jun (G. & R. Kraetzman),

Red-COCKADED Woodpecker: 2 at Golden Gate Estates (Collier) 17 Jun (D. Suitor); 1 at
Longleaf Flatwoods Reserve 31 Jul (R. Cavalieros) provided the first Alachua report
since 1997.

Willow Flycatcher: 1 sang at Lake Apopka NSRA 28 Jul (H. Robinson).

Gray Kingbird: 2 birds 8 km inland at Weekiwachee Preserve (Hernando) 9 Jun (A. and
B. Hansen); 11 at Green Key Road 19 Jul (K. Tracey); pairs bred at Gulf Breeze and
downtown Pensacola this season (fide B. Duncan).

Yellow-throated VireO: 1 sang at Winter Haven (Polk) 14 Jul (P. Fellers).

Red-eyed Vireo: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 26 Jul (H. Robinson).

House Crow: 1 of 4 at Nokomis Beach (Sarasota) 7 Jul flew into a powerline and was
electrocuted (K. Blackshaw)! Specimen to Florida Museum of Natural History, UF
45329.

Purple Martin: 6 pairs bred in cavities in cabbage palm snags at Viera 14 Jun
(D. Freeland); 35 at Lake Jackson 21 Jun (G. Menk); 375 at Polk mines 11 Jul (P.
Timmer, C. Geanangel).

Tree Swallow: singles at Lake Apopka NSRA 10 & 19-21 Jul (H. Robinson); 1 at Fort
Walton Beach STF 25 Jul (B, Duncan).

Northern Rough-winged Swallow: 4 at Brasher Park, Port Richey (Pasco) 3 Jun
(K. Tracey),

Bank Swallow: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 19 Jul, and 5 there 28 Jul (H, Robinson); 2 at
Altamonte Springs 23 Jul (P. Hueber).

Cliff Swallow: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 23 Jul (H. Robinson); 1 at Merritt Island NWR
24 Jul (A. Bankert); 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 25 Jul (B. Duncan).

Barn Swallow: 1 leucistic individual at a colony under the SR-46 bridge across the St.
Johns River (Volusia) 19 Jun was nearly wholly white with dusky feathers on the
back and wings (M. Brothers); 3530 at Lake Apopka NSRA 28 Jul; all but 100 roosted
in a cattail marsh (H. Robinson).

American Robin: 7 on the Hilliard Breeding Bird Survey route (Nassau) 3 Jun (D.
Freeland).

Gray Catbird: 1 male sang at Lake Apopka NSRA 8 Jun-28 Jul (H. Robinson); 1 at
Hague 14-16 Jun (M. Manetz); 1 at Gainesville 27 Jul (J. Edwards),

36

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Yellow Wakbler: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 26 Jul, and 2 there 30 Jul (H. Robinson); 5
at Green Key Road 29 Jul (K, Tracey).

Prairie Warbler: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 16 Jul, and 7 there 28 Jul (H. Robinson); 14
at Green Key Road 19 Jul (K. Tracey); several at Arch Creek Park (Miami-Dade) 20
Jul (J. King); 1 at Gainesville 21 Jul (G. Parks); 2 banded at Wekiva Springs SP (Or-
ange) 27 Jul (A. Boyle).

Black-and-white Warbler: 1 male sang at Cedar Key (Levy) 1 Jun (D. Henderson); 1 at
Tallahassee (Leon) 11 Jul (D. Morrow); several at Arch Creek Park 20 Jul (J. King); 1
at Fort George Island (Duval) 27 Jul (R. Clark); 1 banded at Wekiva Springs SP 27
Jul (A, Boyle); 1 at Saddle Creek Park (Polk) 31 Jul (P. Fellers).

American Redstart: 1 second-year male sang at Altamonte Springs 1 Jun (P. Hueber);
1 at St. Marks NWR 16 Jul (A, Wraithmell); 1 at Arch Creek Park 20 Jul (J. King); 1
at Fort George Island 27 Jul (R. Clark); 1 at Gainesville 27 Jul (G, Parks); 1 at Saddle
Creek Park 31 Jul (P. Fellers).

Prothonotary Warbler: 2 at Green Key Road 29 Jul (K. Tracey).

Northern Waterthrush: 1 banded at Wekiva Springs SP 27 Jul (A. Boyle); 1 window
casualty at Gulf Breeze (Santa Rosa) 28 Jul (T. King, specimen to Pensacola Junior
College).

Louisiana Waterthrush: 1 at Chattahoochee (Gadsden) 4 Jun (R. Smith); 1 at O’Leno
SP (Alachua) 28 Jun (C. Parenteau); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 12-16 Jul, and 3 there
28 Jul (H. Robinson); 1 at Fort George Island 14 Jul (R. Clark); 1 male sang at Talla-
hassee 23 Jul (G. Menk); 15 or more along the Santa Fe River between SR-47 and
River Rise Preserve SP (Alachua) 29 Jul (A. Reakes).

Kentucky Warbler: 1 at Alligator Point 31 Jul (J. Murphy).

Yellow-breasted Chat: up to 12 (21 Jun) summered at Lake Apopka NSRA (H. Robinson).

Chipping Sparrow: 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve 3 Jun (B. Mollison, H, Adams).

Savannah Sparrow: 2 at Paynes Prairie Preserve 8 Jun (R. Rowan); 1 at Hague 11 Jun
(S. Flamand),

Florida Grasshopper Sparrow: 72 singing males during surveys at Kissimmee Prairie
Preserve was the lowest count since surveys began in 1999 (P, Miller et aL).

Rose-breasted Grosbeak: 1 female and 1 male at Gulf Breeze 4 Jun (B, & L. Duncan).

Blue Grosbeak: a nest with 2 small nestlings at Orangedale (St. Johns) 16 Jul perhaps
represented a second brood, as adults and 2 juveniles were nearby (P. Powell); up to
33 (19 Jun) summered at Lake Apopka NSRA (H. Robinson).

Indigo Bunting: up to 33 (10 Jul) summered at Lake Apopka NSRA (H. Robinson).

Dickcissel: at least 4 males sang at Lake Apopka NSRA all summer (H. Robinson).

Bobolink: 1 female at St, Marks NWR 11 Jun (J. Murphy).

Boat-tailed Grackle: 12,000 at Lake Apopka NSRA 26 Jul (H. Robinson).

Shiny Cowbird: 2 (male displa5dng to female) at Bald Point (Franklin) 5 Jun (J, Dozier);
1 singing male at Cedar Key 5-10 Jun & 3-21 Jul, and 1 female there 9 Jul (D. Hender-
son); 2 males and 1 female at Flamingo 18 Jun (C, Newton); 1 male at Green Key Road

1 & 18 Jul (K. Tracey, photos to FOC); 1 adult male and 3 juveniles at Captiva Island
(Lee) 4 Jul (V. McGrath); 1 at Alachua 14 Jul (M, Reetz; UF 45301); 1 male at Lake Ap-
opka NSRA 16-21 Jul (H. Robinson); 1 male at Fort De Soto 17 Jul (L. Atherton).

Bronzed Cowbird: 1 near Florida International University (Miami-Dade) 3 Jun (S.
Schneider); up to 14 at a Homestead feeder in Jul (L. Manfredi); 1 male, 1 female, and

2 juveniles at Pinecrest (Miami-Dade) 17 Jul (L. Manfredi); 1 at Miami Shores 22 Jul
(A. Harper).

Orchard Oriole: up to 12 (4 & 16 Jun) summered at Lake Apopka NSRA (H. Robinson).

House Finch: up to 5 at Weeki Wachee (Hernando) 1 Jun-EOS (M. Gardler); 6 at St. Au-
gustine (St. Johns) 10 Jun (N. Nader); 1 yellow morph at S Orlando (Orange) 23 Jun
(T, Dunkerton); 3 at Fernandina Beach (Nassau) 22 Jul (K. Dailey); 1 male sang at
Tampa 31 Jul (L. Snyder).

Field Observations

37

American Goldfinch: 1 at Gainesville 1 Jun (M. Jones).

Pin-tailed Whydah: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 11 Jun (H. Robinson).

Nutmeg Mannikin: 1 at E Pensacola 29 Jul (M. J. Miller).

Contributors? Howard Adams, Lyn Atherton, Andy Bankert, Ken Blackshaw,
Chris Borg, John Boyd, Andrew Boyle, Judy Bryan, Michael Brothers, Patricia Burns,
Roberto Cavalieros, Bruce Christensen, Roger Clark, Michael Collins, Buck & Linda
Cooper, Sid Crawford, Tom Curtis, Kevin Dailey, Terry Donovan, Linda Dougherty,
Terry Doyle, Jack Dozier, Jeanne Dubi, Bob Duncan, Lucy Duncan, Thomas Dunkerton,
Jennifer Edwards, Margaret England, Charlie Ewell, Paul Fellers, R. Fewster, Judy
Fisher, Scott Flamand, David Freeland, Dot Freeman, Murray Gardler, Ben Garmon,
Rob Garren, Chuck Geanangel, Phil Goodyear, A1 & Bev Hansen, Alex Harper, Dale
Henderson, Linda Hensley, John Hintermister, Steve Hofstetter, Brian Hope, Paul
Hueber, Richard Ingram, Marcy Jones, Lillian Kenney, M. Keys, Jim King, Tim King,
Marianne Korosy, Gail & Russ Kruetzman, Ed Kv^rater, Patrick Leary, Rob Lengacher,
Angela Luzader, Mike Manetz, Larry Manfredi, Sean McCool, Vince McGrath, Ross
McGregor, Ann McRae, Michael Meisenburg, Gail Menk, Ken Meyer, Edith Miller,
Mary Jean Miller, Paul Miller, Barbara Mollison, Don Morrow, John Murphy, Nick
Nader, Chris Newton, Mike Paczolt, Tom Palmer, Craig Parenteau, Geoff Parks, Gail
Parsons, Peggy Pov#ell, Bill Pranty, Alice Reakes, Matthew Reetz, B. Ritchie, Harry
Robinson, Tom Rodriguez, Rex Rowan, Susan Schneider, Paul Sindelar, Bud Skiba, Ray
Smart, Ron Smith, Donna Snyder, Lee Snyder, Doug Suitor, Karen Theodorou, Pete
Timmer, Roberto Torres, Ken Tracey, Alex Vinokur, Bob Wallace, Don Ware, Jeff We-
ber, James Wheat, Ed Woodruff, Andy Wraithmell, and Ken Wysocki.

Spring 2006 reports not previously published; Gray-cheeked Thrush: 1 at Port
Orange {Volusia) 22 May (Michael Brothers); Yellow-breasted Chat: 1 male sang at Or-
mond Beach (Volusia) 27 May (Michael Brothers).

Report prepared by Bill Pranty, state compiler (8515 Village Mill Row, Bayonet Point,
Florida 34667-2662; <billpranty@hotmaiLcom>). Regional compilers are Brian Ahern
(629 Gail Avenue, Temple Terrace, Florida 33617; brianahern@aoLcom), Bruce H.
Anderson (2917 Scarlet Road, Winter Park, Florida 32792; <scizortail@aoLcom>),
John H. Boyd III (15291 SW 108th Terrace, Miami, Florida 33196; <boydj@fiu,edu>),
Bob and Lucy Duncan (614 Fairpoint Drive, Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561;
<Town_Poiiit@bellsouth.net>); Charlie Ewell (115 SW 51st Terrace, Cape Coral, Flor-
ida 33991; <anMn.ga42@eartMmk.net>), Bev Hansen (6573 Pine Meadows Drive,
Spring Hill, Florida 34606; <bevalhansen@eartMink.net>), Gail Menk (2725 Peachtree
Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32304; no e-mail), Paul Miller (Kissimmee Prairie Preserve
State Park, 33104 192nd Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida 34972;

<PauLMiller@dep.state.fl.us>), and Peggy Powell (2965 Forest Circle, Jacksonville,
Florida 32257; <pegpowell@comcast.net>)=

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li

Florida Field Naturalist

ISSN 0738-999X

PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Editor! Scott Robinson, Florida Museum of Natural History, RO. Box 117800, Univer-
sity of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-7800. E-mail: srobinson@flmnh.ufl.edu
Associate Editor (for Reviews): Reed Bowman, Archbold Biological Station, P.O. Box
2057, Lake Placid, FL 33852. E-mail: RBowman@archbold-station.org
Associate Editor (for bird distribution): Bruce Anderson, 2917 Scarlet Road, Winter
Park, FL 32792, E-mail: scizortail@aol.com

Editor of the FOS newsletter, Snail Kitei TOM PALMER, 1805 26th Street, N.W., Win-
ter Haven, FL 33881. E-mail: tomp47@yahoo.com
Editor of Special Publications! Reed F. Noss, Davis-Shine Professor of Conservation
Biology, University of Central Florida, Department of Biology, 4000 Central Florida
Blvd., Orlando, FL 32816-2368. E-mail: rnoss@maiLuc£edu
Web Page Editor! STEPHEN Bankert, 365 Spoonbill Lane, Melbourne, FL 32951. E-mail:
webmaster@fosbirds.org

INFORMATION FOR CONTRIBUTORS

The Florida Field Naturalist is a fully refereed journal emphasizing biological field
studies and observations of vertebrates, especially birds, in and near Florida and the
nearby West Indies. We welcome submission of original manuscripts containing new
information from these areas. We encourage electronic submission of manu-
scripts. Please consult recent issues of the journal and the FOS website (http://
www.fosbirds.org/FFN/FFNGuidelines.htm) for style, especially noting that manu-
scripts should:

(1) be double-spaced throughout, including tables and figure captions;

(2) include the scientific name at the first mention of each species;

(3) include capitalized standardized English names for all birds, but lower
case for English names of other organisms;

(4) include metric units for all measurements;

(5) use the form “7 June 2003” for all dates;

(6) use the 24-hour clock for all indications of time (e.g., 0800, 1400);

(7) use the following abbreviations: s (second), min (minute), h (hour);

(8) preferentially use active voice.

Submit manuscripts for Florida Field Naturalist to the Editor, Scott Robinson.
Monograph-length manuscripts may be submitted for consideration to Reed F, Noss,
Editor of Special Publications. Books and other materials for review should be submit-
ted to: Reed Bowman, Associate Editor for Reviews. Field Observations should be sub-
mitted to the Chair of the Field Observations Committee, Bill Pranty. Reports of rare
birds in Florida should be submitted to the Managing Secretary of the FOS Records
Committee, Reed Bowman.

Florida Field Naturalist

PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

VoL. 35, No. 1 March 2007 Pages 1-37

CONTENTS

ARTICLES

Characteristics of nest sites used by Crested Caracaras
in south-central Florida

Joan L. Morrison 1-8

The avifauna of constructed treatment wetlands in south Florida
used for Everglades restoration

Michael J. Chimney and Dale E. Gawlik 9-21

First record of Northern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) for Florida,
and notes on other north Atlantic seabird specimen records
in 2004-2005

Andrew W. Kratter and Sue Small 22-25

First record of Lesser Sand-Plover (Charadrius mongolus) in Florida

J. Thomas Curtis 26-29

FIELD OBSERVATIONS

Summer report: June-July 2006

Bill Pranty 30-37

Florida Field Naturalist

PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

VOL. 35, No. 2

May 2007

PA(

(^AUG30ZOO]

Pages 3^72

t/BRAW^

FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Founded 1972
OFFICERS

President: JEROME A. JACKSON, Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501 FGCU Blvd.

South, Ft. Myers, FL 33965. Email: jjackson@fgcu.edu
Vice President: Ann B. Hodgson, Audubon of Florida, Florida Coastal Islands Sanc-
tuaries Program, 410 Ware Blvd., Suite 702, Tampa, FL 33619. E-mail: ahodgson®
audubon.org

Secretary: JiM Cox, Tall Timbers Research Station, 13093 Henry Beadel Dr., Tallahas-
see, FL 32312. E-mail: jim@ttrs.org

Treasurer: PETER G. MERRITT, 8558 SE Sharon St., Kobe Sound, FL 33455. E-mail:
pmerritt@hspi.us

Editor, Florida Field Naturalist: ScOTT ROBINSON, Florida Museum of Natural His-
tory, PO. Box 117800, Gainesville, FL 32611-7800. E-mail: srobinson@flmnh.ufl.edu

Directors, Terms Expiring Spring 2008

David B. Freeland, 2345 Marsh Harbor Ave., Merritt Island, FL 32952
Joyce King, 280 SE 31®^ Way, Melrose, FL 32666

Directors, Terms Expiring Spring 2009

Charlie Ewell, 115 SW 51®*^ Terr., Cape Coral, FL 33914

Julie Wraithmel, 2507 Callaway Rd., Suite 103, Tallahassee, FL 32303

Directors, Terms Expiring Spring 2010

Karl E. Miller, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 4005 South Main
St., Gainesville, FL 32601

Ann F. Paul, Audubon of Florida, Florida Coastal Islands Sanctuaries Program, 410
Ware Blvd., Suite 702, Tampa, FL 33619

Honorary Members

Samuel A. Grimes 1979; Helen G. Cruickshank 1980; Oliver L. Austin, Jr. 1982;
Pierce Brodkorb 1982; William B. Robertson, Jr. 1992; Glen E. Woolfenden
1994; Ted Below 1999.

All persons interested in Florida’s natural history, especially its abundant bird life, are
invited to join the Florida Ornithological Society by writing to the Treasurer. Annual mem-
bership dues are $20 for individual members ($25 overseas), $25 for a family membership,
$15 for students, $40 for contributing members, and $25 for institutional membership. All
members receive the Florida Field Naturalist and the FOS newsletter Snail Kite.

Subscription price for institutions and non-members is $20 per year. Back issues
($3.00 per issue) are available, prepaid, from the Treasurer. Notice of change of address,
claims for undelivered or defective copies, and requests for information about advertising
and subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer.

The Florida Field Naturalist is published quarterly (February, May, September, and
November) by the Florida Ornithological Society. It is printed by E.O. Painter Printing Co.,
P.O. Box 877, DeLeon Springs, FL 32130. The permanent address of the Florida Ornitholog-
ical Society is Division of Birds, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida,
Gainesville, FL 32611. The Florida Ornithological Society web site is at www.fosbirds.org

THIS PUBLICATION IS PRINTED ON NEUTRAL PH PAPER

Florida Field Naturalist

PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

VOL. 35, No. 2 May 2007 PAGES 39-72

NOTES

Florida Field Naturalist 35(2):39-42, 2007.

AVIAN POX-LIKE LESIONS IN A FLORIDA SCRUB-JAY POPULATION

Karl E. Millers and Craig A. Faulhaberi ^

^Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
4005 S. Main Street, Gainesville, Florida 32601

^Current address: Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University

5230 Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah 84322

Wild birds in Florida suffer from a variety of infectious diseases, including avian pox
caused by the virus Poxvirus avium. Although poxvirus infections have been reported
for a large number of passeriform birds globally (Kirmse 1967, Bolte et al. 1999), infec-
tions have been documented in only 6 passerine species in Florida: Blue Jay {Cyanocitta
cristata), Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos), Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passe-
rina), Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), Common Crackle (Quiscalus quis-
cula), and House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus) (Forrester and Spalding 2003).
Although most poxvirus infections on passerines in Florida have been mild and self-lim-
iting (Forrester and Spalding 2003), the potential mortality rate from poxvirus can be
high for certain taxa (Tripathy and Reed 1997, van Riper et al. 2002). In addition, the
pox virus can indirectly affect survival of birds by reducing their body condition (Tripa-
thy and Reed 1997, Forrester 1991), by impairing feeding ability, respiration, and vision
(Tripathy et al. 2000), and possibly by increasing susceptibility to other diseases (Atkin-
son et al. 2005). Given the paucity of data on poxvirus in Florida and that there is no ef-
fective treatment for the disease (Bolte et al. 1999), any occurrence in imperiled or listed
species warrants concern. We report here on the prevalence of pox-like lesions in Florida
Scrub- Jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens) in suburban areas of Charlotte County during
the 2005 breeding season.

Federally listed as threatened in 1987 because of habitat loss and fragmentation
(Woolfenden and Fitzpatrick 1996), the Florida Scrub-Jay is restricted to peninsular
Florida in patches of scrub oak (Quercus spp.) habitat. Our study area is located in the
Deep Creek and Harbour Heights suburban subdivisions in Charlotte County, which
comprise the second largest population of Florida Scrub-Jays in southwestern Florida.

In the course of an ongoing color-banding study of the demographics of Florida
Scrub-Jays, we examined, measured, and banded nestling jays when they were 11 days
old and then recaptured the birds when they were fledglings at >6 weeks old to add a
unique combination of colored bands. Pox-like swellings on the featherless body parts of
a few fledglings were first observed with the aid of binoculars in early June 2005; subse-

39

40

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

quently, we began looking carefully for current or old lesions on all nestlings, fledglings,
and adults. We carefully washed hands and equipment with a 10% Nolvasan (Fort
Dodge, Iowa) solution when handling birds to prevent further transmission.

We did not observe lesions on any of the 1 16 nestling Florida Scrub- Jays we handled
between 28 March and 17 June 2005. We observed lesions on 13 of the 39 (33%) fledg-
lings we captured between 23 June and 18 July 2005; lesions were primarily on the feet
(12 of the infected fledglings), but also on the cere (3 of the infected fledglings), eyelids (2
of the infected fledglings), and in one case on the axillary region at the base of the wing
(Figs. 1-2). The largest of these wounds were approximately 9-10 mm in diameter. Sur-
vival of fledglings was independent of whether they had pox-like lesions; 4 of the 13
fledglings with lesions disappeared before September 2005, whereas 5 of the 26 fledg-
lings without lesions disappeared before September 2005 (Fisher’s exact; P ~ 0.45). Not
all fledglings within a brood showed signs of infection.

The apparent infection was more frequent in fledglings than in adults. With binocu-
lars, we frequently observed lesions on fledglings but never on adults, although we did
trap one adult (out of 5 caught during June-July) with a small 2-3 mm scabby lesion on
the right hallux on 19 July.

The observed lesions were consistent with avian pox (M, Cunningham and D. For-
rester, personal communication). However, we did not sample blood or tissue for labora-
tory analysis given time constraints and limited resources. Therefore, we cannot
definitively rule out the possibility of other less likely potential causes, including papil-
loma virus, scaly leg mites, mycotoxins, or nutritional deficiencies (Tripathy and Reed
1997, Pennycott 2003). Pox-like lesions on Florida Scrub-Jays have been observed occa-
sionally in central Florida (R. Bowman, personal communication), but have not been re-

Figure 1. Pox-like lesions on the feet of a two-month old Florida Scrub- Jay.

Notes

41

Figtire 2. Pox-like lesions on the head of a two-month old Florida Scrub-Jay.
Photos taken by C. Faulhaber.

ported in frequencies as high as we found in our study. The cause of the outbreak in our
study is unknown; we did not observe any instances in 2004 or 2006, It is notable that
the 2005 breeding season was preceded by the passage of Hurricane Charley which
caused considerable damage to the vegetation and to housing and infrastructure in the
study area. The virus is generally transmitted mechanically often by mosquitos (Buenes-
tado et al, 2004), and poxvirus is most widespread in Florida during the late summer
when mosquito abundance peaks (Forrester and Spalding 2003). Potential effects of the
hurricane on mosquito abundance, food availability and microhabitat use are unknown.

Monitoring and understanding disease outbreaks is important for managing Florida
Scrub-Jay populations, particularly those populations that are small or declining or fac-
ing other threats such as habitat loss and degradation from human development. Poxvi-
rus could have a negative impact on scrub-jay populations if it increases in frequency
following hurricanes or other environmental perturbations.

Funding for this project was provided by the Nongame Wildlife Trust Fund of the
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. We thank M. Cunningham, D. For-
rester, J. Rodgers, and an anonymous referee for reviewing the manuscript.

Literature Cited

Atkinson, C. T., J. K. Lease, R. J. Dusek, and M. D. Samuel. 2005. Prevalence of pox-
like lesions and malaria in forest bird communities on leeward Mauna Loa Volcano,
Hawaii. Condor 107:537-546.

42

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Bolte, a. L., J. Meurer, and E. F. Kaleta. 1999. Avian host spectrum of avipoxviruses.
Avian Pathology 28:415-432.

Buenestado, F., C. Gortazar, j. Millan, U. Hofle, and R. Villafuerte. 2004. De-
scriptive study of an avian pox outbreak in wild red“Iegged partridges {Alectoris rufa)
in Spain. Epidemiology and Infection 132:369-374.

Forrester, D. J. 1991. The ecology and epizootiology of avian pox and malaria in wild
turkeys. Bulletin of the Society of Vector Ecology 16:127-148.

Forrester, D. J., and M. G. Spalding. 2003. Parasites and diseases of wild birds in
Florida. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.

Kirmse, P. 1967. Pox in wild birds: an annotated bibliography. Wildlife Disease 49:1-10.

Pennycott, T. W. 2003. Scaly leg, papillomas and pox in wild birds. Veterinary Record
152:444.

Tripathy, D. N., and W. M. Reed. 1997. Pox. Pages 643-659 in Diseases of Poultry, 10‘*’
Edition. B. W. Calnek, H. J. Barnes, C. W. Beard, L. R. McDougald, and Y. M. Saif
(eds.). Iowa State University Press, Ames.

Tripathy, D. N., W. M. Schnitzlein, P. J. Morris, D. L. Janssen, J. K. Zuba, G. Mas-
sey, and C. T. Atkinson. 2000. Characterization of poxviruses from forest birds in
Hawaii. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 36:225-230.

VAN Riper, C., Ill, S. G. van Riper, and W. R. Hansen. 2002. Epizootiology and effect of
avian pox on Hawaiian forest birds. Auk 119:929-942.

WOOLFENDEN, G. E., AND J. W. FITZPATRICK. 1996. Florida Scrub-Jay {Aphelocoma coer-
ulescens). In The Birds of North America, No. 228 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.) The Acad-
emy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and The American Ornithologists’ Union,
Washington, D.C.

43

Florida Field Naturalist 35(2):43-45, 2007.

FIRST VERIFIABLE RECORDS OF THE ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK

IN FLORIDA

Bill Pranty^ Kurt Radamaker^, Harold WEATHERMAN^ and Harry P. Robinson'*
^8515 Village Mill Row, Bayonet Point, Florida 34667-2662
E-mail: billpranty@hotmaiLcom

^16313 East Crystal Point Drive, Fountain Hills, Arizona 85268

^St. Johns River Water Management District, 975 Keller Road
Altamonte Springs, Florida 32714

^2455 East Lake Drive, DeLand, Florida 32724

Prior to 2000, the status of the Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus) in Florida was
uncertain. Robertson and Woolfenden (1992) placed it on their list of unverified species
as “ostensibly a rare, occasional to irregular winter visitor.” Stevenson and Anderson
(1994) called it a “very rare, irregular winter visitor to Florida, with at least 24 reports
by credible observers.” Reports of Rough-legged Hawks in Florida date back to 1937
(Sprunt 1940), and more than 60 reports had accumulated by 1991 (Stevenson and
Anderson 1994). However, despite the large number of reports in the state, verifiable ev-
idence in the form of specimens, photographs, or videotapes was lacking, and some re-
ports undoubtedly were incorrect (e.g., the pair that nested and raised two young [!] on
an island in Lake Okeechobee; Sprunt 1940). All five Rough-legged Hawk reports that
were submitted to the Florida Ornithological Society Records Committee (FOSRC) be-
tween 1981 and 2001 were rejected (FOSRC records fide A. Kratter in litt.). Here, we
describe the first documented occurrences of Rough-legged Hawks in Florida based
on three individuals photographed at Lake Apopka North Shore Restoration Area
(LANSRA) in Orange County during 2000.

Observations

While conducting his twice- or thrice-weekly bird surveys at LANSRA, Robinson ob-
served a first-winter dark-morph Rough-legged Hawk in the southeastern corner of the
restoration area on 16 February 2000 (see Pranty et al. 2002 for a description of the prop-
erty). The following day, Radamaker photographed a light-morph Rough-legged Hawk at
the same location. It eventually was determined that there were three first-winter Rough-
legged Hawks at LANSRA during this period: one light morph and two dark morphs. All
three Rough-legged Hawks were observed through 11 April 2000, and two (the light morph
and one dark morph) lingered to 19 April 2000 (Pranty 2000a, b; Robinson, pers. obs.).

The light morph was readily identifiable by plumage characters such as the large
black carpal patches that contrasted with mostly light underwings, the solid dark belly
band, the wide dusky subterminal tail band, and the broad white uppertail coverts. The
identification of the two dark morphs was complicated by the presence of other dark-
morph Buteos at LANSRA during the same period, including two Red-tailed Hawks
(B. jamaicensis) and one Swainson’s Hawk (B. swainsoni). The dark-morph Rough-
legged Hawks were studied at length and were identified using a combination of plum-
age and morphological characteristics such as the smallish bills and feet, black-tipped
white underwing flight feathers, feathered tarsi, and the habit of perching on thin
branches of shrubs (Bechard and Swem 2002). Among North American Buteos, feath-
ered tarsi are shared only with the Ferruginous Hawk {B. regalis), which lacks a bold
black subterminal tail band in all plumages.

44

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Radamaker, Weatherman, and others took photographs of the LANSRA Rough-
legged Hawks and submitted them to the FOSRC with detailed descriptions of all three
individuals (logged separately as FOSRC 00-415, 00-416, and 00-418). The FOSRC ac-
cepted each observation as representing one of the first three verifiable records of the
Rough-legged Hawk in Florida (Bowman 2000). Although the photographs taken of the
birds show field marks diagnostic of Rough-legged Hawks, none of the photographs is of
sufficient quality to be published here.

Discussion

The three Rough-legged Hawks found at LANSRA during early 2000 corresponded
with a substantial movement of the species into much of the eastern United States be-
tween late winter and mid-spring. The Hudson-Delaware region witnessed the “largest
invasion ... in perhaps a decade,” and in New York on 27 February 2000, 128 Rough-
legged Hawks were seen at Braddock Bay and 121 others were observed at Derby (Bur-
geil et al. 2000: 159). The raptor season was “superb” in the Middle Atlantic Coast re-
gion, with at least 20 Rough-legged Hawk reports in Virginia (Iliff 2000: 164), and
Appalachia recorded its “best numbers ... in several years,” with more than 80 reported
(Leberman 2000: 178). Rough-legged Hawks were found in “a record 56 counties in Min-
nesota, while Michigan also had an above-average number” during winter (Granlund
2000a: 181), and a record number of Rough-legged Hawks — 2600 — was noted at White-
fish Point, Michigan during spring, with 525 birds tallied there on 23 April 2000
(Granlund 2000b).

Rough-legged Hawks winter regularly south to Arkansas, Tennessee, and Virginia,
and occur casually to the Gulf coast, with at least one verifiable record from Georgia
(AOU 1998, Bechard and Swem 2002, Beaton et al. 2003). There have been several sub-
sequent reports of Rough-legged Hawks in Florida following the LANSRA records of
2000, but none is supported by verifiable evidence. However, a report of one light morph
at LANSRA 21 December 2005 (FOSRC 06-603) was accepted by the FOSRC (A. Kratter
in litt.). Thus, the three Rough-legged Hawks recorded at Lake Apopka North Shore
Restoration Area during February-April 2000 represent the first and only verifiable
records obtained in Florida.

Acknowledgments. — We thank Lyn Atherton for providing copies of her photo-
graphs and for her commentary, Gianfranco Basili for facilitating access to LANSRA
and for providing information about the site, and Andrew Kratter for providing copies of
the FOSRC documentation forms. We thank Gian Basili and Andy Kratter for improv-
ing drafts of the manuscript.

Literature Cited

AOU [American Ornithologists’ Union]. 1998. Check-list of North American Birds,
seventh ed. American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C.

Beaton, G., P. W. Sykes, and J. W. Parrish. 2003 Annotated Checklist of Georgia
Birds. Occasional Publication No. 14. Georgia Ornithological Society, Valdosta.

Bechard, M. J., and T. R. Swem. 2002. Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus). In The
Birds of North America, No. 641 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North Amer-
ica, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.

Bowman, R. 2000. Thirteenth report of the Florida Ornithological Society Records Com-
mittee: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000. Florida Field Naturalist 28:138-160.

Burgeil, j. C., R. O. Paxton, and D. A. Cutler 2000. Hudson-Delaware [Winter 1999-
2000 report]. North American Birds 54:158-162.

Granlund, J. 2000a. Western Great Lakes [Winter 1999-2000 report]. North American
Birds 54:180-182.

Notes

45

Granlund, J. 2000b. Western Great Lakes [Spring 2000 report]. North American Birds
54:284^286.

ILIFF, M. J. 2000. Middle Atlantic Coast [Winter 1999-2000 report]. North American
Birds 54:163-166.

Leberman, R. C. 2000. Appalachia [Winter 1999-2000 report]. North American Birds
54:177-179.

Pranty, B. 2000a. Florida [Spring 2000 report]. North American Birds 54:274-277.

Pranty, B. 2000b. Field observations spring report: March-May 2000. Florida Field Nat-
uralist 28:204-215.

Pranty, B., G. D. Basili, and H, P. Robinson. 2002. First breeding record of the Dick-
cissel in Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 30:36-39.

Robertson, W. B., Jr., and G. E. WOOLFENDEN. 1992. Florida Bird Species: an Anno-
tated List. Florida Ornithological Society Special Publication No. 6, Gainesville.

Sprunt, a., Jr. 1940. American Rough-legged Hawk in Florida. Auk 57:564-565.

Stevenson, H. M., and B. H. Anderson. 1994. The Birdlife of Florida. University Press
of Florida, Gainesville.

46

Florida Field Naturalist 35(2):46-48, 2007.

ACADIAN FLYCATCHER CAUGHT IN THE WEB
OF A GOLDEN SILK ORB-WEAVER

James A. Cox^ and Cathleen C. NeSmith^

^Tall Timbers Research Station, 13093 Henry Beadel Dr., Tallahassee, Florida 32312

^Florida Natural Areas Inventory, 1018 Thomasville Road, Suite 200-C
Tallahassee, Florida 32303

The golden silk orb-weaver (Nephila clavipes), which is known as the “banana spi-
der” in many parts of Florida, creates strong webs (Griffiths and Salanitri 1980) capable
of ensnaring a variety of invertebrate prey (Robinson and Mirick 1971). Orb-weaver
webs also are capable of ensnaring small birds, particularly hummingbirds (Graham
1997), but published accounts of this phenomenon are uncommon. We report a case of
an Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens) becoming ensnared in the web of a golden
silk orb-weaver in Florida.

The spider web was constructed under the eave of our home in Tallahassee (Leon
Co.) approximately 2 m above the ground. We discovered the ensnared flycatcher (Fig. 1)
on 23 September 2006 at 14:30. We watched the bird struggle for approximately 5 min,
and when it appeared incapable of freeing itself, we removed it from the web. The bird
was identified as an after-hatch-year Acadian Flycatcher based on the yellow wash
along the flanks and lower belly, the truncated shape of the retrices, and the absence of
a yellow wash along the throat (Pyle 1997). The bird was released after webbing stuck to
the body was removed.

Bibliographic and Internet searches unearthed two published records and several
anecdotal reports of birds ensnared in the webs of this orb-weaver. Graham (1997) found
Phaethornis hummingbirds ensnared in the webs of silk orb-weavers in Central Amer-
ica and suggested this might be a potentially important source of mortality for tropical
hummingbirds. Forbush and May (1939) found fledgling White-eyed Vireos (Vireo gri-
seus) entangled in the webs of silk orb-weavers in Bermuda. Archives of on-line list-
serves (e.g., Floridabirds-L, BirdChat, and Georgia Birds on-line) provided additional
reports of Northern Parula (Parula americana), American Redstart (Setophaga ruti-
cilla), Magnolia Warbler (Dendroica magnolia), Wilson’s Warbler (Wilsonia pusilla), and
Hooded Warbler (Wilsonia citrina) caught in webs that most likely were constructed by
the golden silk orb-weaver. Finally, Bent’s (1953) account of the Yellow-throated Warbler
(Dendroica dominica) described this species becoming entangled in tough spider webs
that also were most likely constructed by N. clavipes.

The case we observed seemed noteworthy because the mass of Acadian Flycatcher
(12-14 g, Whitehead and Taylor 2002) is greater than the mass (<10 g) of many of the
other bird species found in webs of this orb-weaver and those of other spiders (e.g., Mc-
Kenzie 1991, Ross 1950, Stott 1951). An exception in the case of the golden silk orb-
weaver is the fledged White-eyed Vireos recorded by Forbush and May (1939). This vireo
has a mass similar to that of Acadian Flycatcher, however Forbush and May (1939) sug-
gested the weaker flight of fledgling vireos was a contributing factor to the captures
they observed. The incident we observed involved an adult in migration and capable of
rapid, darting flight (Whitehead and Taylor 2002). The flycatcher also may have been
pursuing prey that was trapped in the web.

Species of Nephila found in Asia, Australia, and Africa capture and eat small birds
frequently (Robinson and Robinson 1976). The largest bird reported to have been cap-
tured in a Nephila web was a 30-35 g Lewin’s Honeyeater (Meliphaga lewinii, Anony-
mous 2006). Species of Nephila that catch and eat birds all are larger than N. clavipes at

Notes

47

Figure 1. Acadian Flycatcher caught in the web of a golden silk orb- weaver.

maturity, and Nephila with larger body sizes are known to create thicker silk strands
potentially capable of withstanding greater forces (Griffiths and Salanitri 1980). Even
so, a slow approach speed and indirect angle could lead to the occasional entrapment in
spider webs of birds much larger than the Acadian Flycatcher. Pratt (1974) found a 90-
110 g Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike (Coracina novaehollandiae) trapped in the web of a
European spider, while Terres (1939) found an 18 g Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodra-
mus savannarum) ensnared in a low-hanging spider web in New York.

The golden silk orb-weaver disables large prey items by wrapping the prey in addi-
tional webbing. The orb-weaver we watched did not venture near the flycatcher, and we
found no reports of this species eating birds trapped in their webs. Silk orb-weavers cut
their webs to free large, non-prey items such as leaves and twigs (Robinson and Mirick
1971). This report may have benefitted by allowing nature to run its course and deter-
mining whether the spider eventually ate or released the flycatcher once it had expired.
However, the web was near our dining table, and this swayed us to provide a helping
hand to one of the subjects.

Literature Cited

Anonymous. 2006. Lewin’s Honeyeater eaten by Nephila spider. Video segment (on-
line). www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmlJNMo8M24. Accessed November 2006.

Bent, A. C. 1953. Life Histories of North American Wood Warblers. U.S. National Mu-
seum Bulletin 203.

Forbush, E. H., and T. B. May. 1939. Natural History of Birds of Eastern and Central
North America. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, MA.

48

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Graham, D. L. 1997. Spider webs and windows as potentially important sources of hum-
mingbird mortality. Journal of Field Ornithology 68:98-101.

Griffiths, J. R., and V. R. Salanitri. 1980. The strength of spider silk. Journal of Ma-
terials Science 15:491-496.

McKenzie, R M. 1991. A ruby-throated hummingbird {Archilochus coluhris) trapped in
a spider’s web. Journal of Louisiana Ornithology 1:54-58.

Pratt, E. 1974. Spiderweb grounds Cuckoo Shrike. Sunbird 5:26.

Pyle, R. 1997. Identification Guide to North American Birds. Part 1. Slate Creek Press,
Bolinas, CA.

Robinson, M. H., and H. Mirick. 1971. The predatory behavior of the golden-web spider
Nephila clavipes (Araneae: Araneidae). Psyche 78:123-139.

Robinson, M. H., and B. Robinson. 1976. The ecology and behavior of Nephila macu-
lata: a supplement. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 218:1-22.

Ross, L. 1950. Northern Yellowthroat, Geothlypis trichas, caught in spider web. Auk
67:521-522.

Stott, K. 1951. An Anna’s Hummingbird caught in a spider web. Condor 53:49.

Terres, J. 1939. Grasshopper Sparrow caught in spider’s web. Auk 56:322.

Whitehead, D. R., and T. Taylor 2002. Acadian Flycatcher {Empidonax virescens). In
The Birds of North America, No. 614 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North
America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.

49

Florida Field Naturalist 35(2):49-59, 2007.

SIXTEENTH REPORT

OF THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
RECORDS COMMITTEE; 2006

Jon S. Greenlaw^ and Andrew W. Kratter^

^Archbold Biological Station, Lake Placid, Florida 33862

^Florida Museum of Natural History, RO. Box 117800
University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611

Abstract.— The Florida Ornithological Society Records Committee reached decisions
on 38 reports involving 22 species and two distinctive subspecies. Twenty-seven of the re-
ports were accepted, seven not accepted, and four were tabled pending further consider-
ation or resolution of requests for more information. Among the 27 reports endorsed by
the Committee, 18 are based on specimens, photographs, or videotapes. The occurrence
history of the rare species represented by accepted reports is revi.ewed in the species ac-
counts. Species new to the Florida list are Northern Fulmar {Fulmarus glacialis), based
on a specimen, and Lesser Sand-Plover {Charadrius mongolus), supported by photo-
graphs. These two additions bring the Florida list to 497 species.

The 16th report of the Florida Ornithological Society Records Committee (FOSRC)
constitutes an annual report for 2006. The FOSRC critically reviews submitted reports
of rare or unusual birds in Florida, as m^ell as potential new records for the state. Sub-
missions are accepted only for species that are believed to be first-time vagrants in Flor-
ida, or that appear on the current Species Reviev/ List of the Birds of Florida, published
on-line in the Florida Ornithological Society’s (FOS) website (http://www.fosbirds.org/
RecordCommittee/FOSRC.php). This list is reviewed and updated periodically and con-
sists mostly of species on the Official State List of the Birds of Florida for which 10 or
fewer accepted records exist, including records previously reviewed and accepted by the
FOSRC or substantiated records (based on specimens, photographs, or video/audio tape)
published in Robertson and Woolfenden (1992). In a few cases, species or distinctive sub-
species are included in the Review List because the Committee wished to obtain further
information on their status in the state. The FOSRC web pages (see above) also include
the Official State List, the Rules and Procedures that govern the activities of the Com-
mittee, a reporting form for the direct on-line submission of reports to the FOSRC, the
names and addresses of current Committee members, reports to the FOS Board on the
proceedings of all recent FOSRC meetings, and a grov/ing gallery of photographs of rare
birds in Florida processed by the FOSRC.

This report details the evaluations of 34 new submissions totaling nearly 65 individ-
uals and involving 22 species and two distinctive subspecies. Of the 34 reports, received
from 22 September 2005 to 10 July 2006, 24 were reviev/ed and accepted, six were not
accepted, and four were tabled pending further consideration of available evidence and
specimen examination. In addition, the Committee resolved the following four reports
that had been tabled pending further information or were otherwise previously unre-
solved: White-tipped Dove {Leptotila verreauxi, 03-504, accepted), Yellow-green Vireo
(Vireo flavoviridis, 04-526, accepted), Say’s Phoebe (Sayornis saya, 05-561, not ac-
cepted), and Golden-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla, 05-562, accepted).

Thus, overall, the Committee evaluated or reevaluated a total of 38 reports in its
2006 meetings, accepting 27 of them (71%), not accepting seven of them (18%), and
tabling the rest for future reconsideration. The current acceptance rate is only a little

50

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

below the average rate of 76 percent in the post-2000 period. Twenty-eight (74%) of the
reports were accompanied by photographs (27) or a videotape (1), and two involved spec-
imen records deposited in the Florida Museum of Natural History (FLMNH). Since
1996, three previous FOSRC reports have been published in the Florida Field Natural-
ist (FFN). During this time, the proportion of reports submitted with photographs in-
creased from 38 percent in the 1996-2000 period (13th Report) to 74 percent in 2006
(current report). This increase in photo-documentation of rare bird sightings almost cer-
tainly reflects the recent availability of new digital technology in photographic equip-
ment. Good photographs nearly always help to resolve difficult issues of identification.
However, photographs not accompanied by a written description that describe what the
observer saw do not always speak for themselves. An iconic case in the current report is
exemplified by the White-tipped Dove observed and photographed by several people in
the Dry Tortugas in 2003 (see below).

Bowman and Greenlaw (2006) reviewed the history of the Official State List of the
Birds of Florida and provided an updated list (their Appendix 1) for the period ending 31
December 2005. This list comprised a total of 495 species, all of which are based on inde-
pendently verifiable evidence (specimens, photographs or videotapes, and audio-record-
ings). To this list, we add two more species, thus updating the list in Bowman and
Greenlaw (2006) through 31 December 2006; Northern Fulmar {Fulmarus glacialis, 06-
584, specimen UF 44664) and Lesser Sand-Plover (Charadrius mongolus, 05-575, photo-
graphs). These additions bring the total number of species on the State List to 497. Both
of the added species also now appear on the Review List. The Committee also removed
four species from the Review List in 2006: Ross's Goose {Chen rossii), White-faced Ibis
{Plegadis chihi), Calliope Hummingbird (Stellula calliope), and Cassin’s Kingbird {Tyr-
annus vociferans). These species lose their asterisk (*) on the State List, a convention
that signifies species on the Review List. One other taxon, “Audubon’s” Warbler {Dend-
roica coronata auduhoni and related yellow-throated subspecies), was added to the Re-
view List as well, because of its vagrant status in Florida and the desire by the
Committee to accumulate information on its occurrence in the state.

The most frequently reported species in 2006 were White-faced Ibis with four reports
of single birds and Cassin’s Kingbird with three reports of singletons. Calliope Humming-
bird and Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus) each were represented by two reports.

All documentation reviewed by the FOSRC, including descriptions, photographs, vid-
eotapes, audio recordings, and Committee comments is archived in the Division of Orni-
thology at the Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville,
and is available for public access. All observers are encouraged to submit reports on Re-
view listed species, and on species potentially new to the State List. Ideally, observers
should record details of plumage, shape, size, behavior, and other pertinent information,
in a timely fashion in the field. Reports to the Committee should provide all pertinent
forms of documentation, including a written description of observations, in the original
submission. All observations should be submitted on the standard report form available
from the Secretary or on-line in the FOSRC web-pages (see link above). In addition to
uniformity, the report form provides the Committee and the observer with guidelines to
those criteria used by the FOSRC for its evaluation. Completed forms should be submit-
ted to the Secretary of the FOSRC, who currently is Andrew W. Kratter (address above),
e-mail at kratter@flmnh.ufl.edu.

This report was prepared on behalf of all members of the FOSRC serving during
2006 when the reports discussed here were evaluated. The members serving then and
their home city and last year of tenure were Jon S. Greenlaw, Secretary (Cape Coral,
2006), Fred E. Lohrer (Lake Placid, 2007), Mickey C. Wheeler (Miami, 2008), R. Todd
Engstrom (Tallahassee, 2009), Sally Jue (Tallahassee, 2010), Andrew W. Kratter
(Gainesville, 2011), and Glen E. Woolfenden (Lake Placid, 2012). See the FOS website
(above) for a list of the current members on the FOSRC and their addresses.

Sixteenth Report—FOS Records Committee

51

Contributors to this report: Lyn S. Atherton (LSA), Janine Bacquie (JB), Fred Bas-
sett (FB), Mark Berney (MB), Rodney O. Cassidy (ROC), James Cavanagh (JC), Tom
Curtis (TC), Michelle Davis (MD), Robin M. Diaz (RMD), Robert A. Duncan (RAD), Mur-
ray Gardler (MG), Vi Greenlaw (VG), John H. Hintermister V (JHH), Paul Johnson (PJ),
Dean Jue (DJ), Andrew W, Kratter (AWK), Travis MacClendon (TMa), Larry Manfredi
(LM), Trey Mitchell (TMi), Brennan Mulrooney (BM), Matthew Pike (MP), Ralph Pike
(RP), Bill Pranty (BP), John Puschock (JP), Fran Rutkovsky (FR), Ted Stevens (TS),
Philip Stoddard (PS), Darcy Stumbaugh (DS), Roberto Torres (RT), Alex Vinokur (AV),
Robert D. Wallace (RDW), and Andrew Wraithmell (AW).

Committee News, Formats, and Terminology

Committee news. — During 2006, FOSRC met twice, on 28 January at the Florida Mu-
seum of Natural History, Gainesville, and on 5 August at Archbold Biological Station,
Lake Placid. At the January meeting, the Committee revisited the older reports of “Mar-
bled Murrelet” that it had reviewed and accepted, and affirmed that they all referred to
Long-billed Murrelet (Brachyramphus perdix) (see Mlodinow 1996, American Ornitholo-
gists’ Union [AOU] 1998).

At the August meeting, then-Secretary Jon S. Greenlaw reached his term limit on
the Committee of seven years. After serving a full term, a member cannot be re-nomi-
nated to serve again until one or more years have passed. Andrew (Andy) W. Kratter
was nominated by the Committee to serve as the new Secretary. This nomination was
approved by the FOS Board at its fall meeting, 2006. Additionally, R. Todd Engstrom re-
signed from the Committee after serving a partial term. The two vacancies were filled
by Mark Berney (Fort Lauderdale) and Bill Pranty (Bayonet Point).

Formats and terminology. — The following accounts report on all actions taken by the
Committee during 2006, and provide information on the history of the rare species in
Florida covered in the accepted reports. Additional information on the quality of the ev-
idence available to the Committee and on identification issues may be found in the FOS
board reports submitted during 2006 and available on-line (see above website). Com-
plete summaries of previously accepted and not accepted reports for all species listed be-
low may be found online as well in the board reports.

We follow current nomenclature and sequence in the species accounts that follow (AOU
1998 and subsequent supplements). Within accounts, reports on more than one submission
on a species are introduced sequentially by the date of receipt. The code (in parentheses) as-
sociated with each submitted report to the Committee (e.g., 03-504) is the catalog number
for the sighting or specimen report that is logged into an electronic catalog as it is received,
and refers to year (03-) followed by sequential number (-504), beginning with the first entry
in the catalog. The initials preceding the catalog number refer to one or more contributors
who supplied information to the Committee (see list above). Although the FOSRC does not
formally review age or sex of each bird, we often receive that information, and we will correct
it when we find the report in error. We provide that information here as appropriate. Our
terminology for age follows the calendar-based system outlined in Pyle (1997). We normally
do not review subspecies, but on occasion (two here in this report) we accept submissions on
distinctive, field-identifiable subspecies whose taxonomic rank may be revisited in the fu-
ture by the American Ornithologists’ Union. Our use of the words “report” and “record” to de-
scribe occurrences of species in Florida follows Robertson and Woolfenden (1992).

Abbreviations used in this report are CBC, Christmas Bird Count; CP, county park,
FOC, Field Observations Committee (reports prepared by B. Pranty since 1992 and pub-
lished in FFN; the convention “FOC [year]” signifies a species occurrence reported in
FOC and year of publication); nmi, nautical miles; NWR, National Wildlife Refuge; SP,
state park; subsp. and sspp., singular and plural for subspecies; UF, University of Flor-
ida (an acronym applied to specimens in the FLMNH collection).

52

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Accepted Reports

Ross’s Goose, Chen rossii. (a) (TC, AW, 05-579), one or two adults observed and photo-
graphed from 20 November to 29 December 2005 at Mound Pool 1 at St. Marks NWR,
Wakulla Co.; (b) (RAD, PJ, 06-587), a flock of nine birds associated with Snow Geese
{Chen caerulescens) observed and photographed in Fort Walton Beach spray fields,
Okaloosa Co., on 10 December 2005. In the early 1990s, this species was regarded as
very rare (Robertson and Woolfenden 1992) to accidental (Stevenson and Anderson
1994) in northwestern Florida. Only three occurrences were known in the state at
that time, one of which was documented by a published photograph (Ogden 1988; 88-
133). The FOSRC has accepted eight previous reports (see below) including two of
those mentioned in Robertson and Woolfenden (1992). At least 12 other occurrences of
this species not seen by FOSRC were reported to the FOC (1995-2003). Most reports
and records were from Wakulla and Leon cos. westward in the panhandle, and a few
were in the peninsula south to Brevard Co.

Northern Fulmar, Fw/maras glacialis. (AWK, 06-584), a specimen, UF 44664; a second
year, intermediate-plumaged male, found weakened 19 April 2005 on Satellite Beach,
Brevard Co., which died two days later at the Florida Wildlife Hospital in Melbourne.
See Kratter and Small (2007) for additional details. This specimen represents the
first record of this polymorphic species in Florida.

Manx Shearwater, Puffinus puffinus. (a) (RDW, 06-602), three adults observed 42 nmi
east of Ponce Inlet, Volusia Co., on 1 January 2006. Descriptive details eliminated Au-
dubon’s Shearwater {Puffinus Iherminieri); (b) (RT, 06-609), single adult observed in
the Gulf Stream about 9 nmi southeast of Key Biscayne, off Miami, Miami-Dade Co.,
on 29 July 2006. Again, descriptive details eliminated Audubon’s Shearwater. Five
previous reports and records (specimens, photographs) have been accepted by the
FOSRC in the period from November 1994 through September 2001. A report not
seen by the FOSRC involved a bird off Port Canaveral, Brevard Co., in November
2004 (FOC 2005). Robertson and Woolfenden (1992) listed four specimen records from
Florida from both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts (one record, Escambia Co.), the earliest
taken in 1960. Kratter et al. (2002) reported two other recent specimens in the
FLMNH collection. About 20 sight reports from Florida were known through 1992,
with occurrences distributed along the Atlantic coast from Jacksonville (Duval Co.) to
Miami (Stevenson and Anderson 1994). Altogether, the species is a rare, perhaps reg-
ular visitor along the east coast of Florida, with approximately 25 sight reports (in-
cluding at least two photographic records) and six specimens known through 2006.

White-faced Ibis, Plegadis chihi. (a) (TC, 05-577), a single adult in breeding plumage
observed and photographed at St. Marks NWR, Wakulla Co., on 6 June 2005; (b) (TC,
05-578), an immature bird at St. Marks NWR, observed (diagnostically described, pho-
tographs confirmed Plegadis sp.) on 20 November 2005; (c) (JHH, AWK, 06-595), an
adult observed and photographed in Lake Tuscawilla, Micanopy, Alachua Co., on 25
February 2006; (d) (RAD, 06-605), an adult in breeding plumage observed and photo-
graphed at Fort Walton Beach spray fields near Mary Esther, Okaloosa Co., on 17 May
2006. The oldest record in Florida, 18 April 1886, is based on a specimen of a breeding
female collected with a clutch of eggs in Brevard Co. (Robertson and Woolfenden 1992,
Stevenson and Anderson 1994). The species was known from fewer than a dozen or so
sightings before 1992, including at least two supported by photographs (Robertson
and Woolfenden 1992). The FOSRC has accepted six additional reports from 1994
through 2004. At least 12 other recent reports not evaluated by the FOSRC have been
received by the FOC (1992-2005). Most occurrences are from north Florida, but see
Stevenson and Anderson (1994) for evidence in the mainland peninsula southward.

Rough-legged Hawk, Buteo lagopus. (RDW, 06-603), a single, immature pale-morph
bird was observed by three people on the Zellwood CBC, Lake Apopka Restoration

Sixteenth Report— FOS Records Committee

53

Area, Orange Co,, on 21 December 2005. Previously, based on photographs, the
FOSRC has verified only three other records in Florida. These hawks, one pale and
two dark morphs also near Lake Apopka, were present from 16 February to 11 April
2000 (two, to 19 April) (FOC 2000). They constituted Florida’s first verifiable records,
even though about 60 unverified reports had accumulated from throughout the state
south to Key West by the early 1990s (Robertson and Woolfenden 1992). The species
is probably a very rare and irregular winter visitor to Florida.

Lesser Sand-Plover, Charadrius mongolus. (TC, TM, AV, RDW, AW, 05-575), a single
bird in non-breeding plumage observed and photographed at St. Marks NWR,
Wakulla Co., from 17 to 21 September 2005 (Curtis 2007). Written documentation
was provided by four observers, and images by three photographers. Available evi-
dence concerning body size, bill shape and size (short, blunt-tipped bill), relative leg
length and leg position, lack of white hindneck collar, body posture, leg color, and thin
wing stripe visible in flight (Hirschfeld et al. 2000) all supported the original identifi-
cation. Two foreign commentators, who had field experience with both sand-plover
species in Europe (E. Hirschfeld) and Australia (R. Boughton), submitted confirma-
tory assessments. This acceptance verifies the first Florida record for the species, and
also the first record east of the Mississippi River in North America,

Black-headed Gull, Larus Hdibundus. (LM, TM, RT, 05-576), a single hatch-year bird
in non-breeding plumage was observed and photographed at the Wetlands Mitigation
Site and vicinity. Cutler Ridge, Miami-Dade Co,, on 19 and 22 October 2005. The Com-
mittee considered two written reports and photographs from two sources. One photo-
graph of the bird in flight permitted the Committee to discount the possibility of the
similar immature Gray-hooded Gull (L. cirrocephalus) and Bonaparte’s Gull (L. Phila-
delphia). FOSRC has accepted five previous sightings, four supported by photographs,
in Leon (August 1982), Collier (November 1990), Duval (December 1998), Alachua
(January 2000), and Indian River (February 2002) cos. Robertson and Woolfenden
(1992) provided one other record based on a photograph (in addition to the birds in
Leon and Collier cos. mentioned above). About 25 other unverified reports were known
from Florida by the end of 2006 (Stevenson and Anderson 1994; FOC 1992-2006).

Razorbill, A/ca torda. (AWK, 06-586), a second-year male, preserved as a specimen (UF
44677), was found on Honeymoon Island, Pinellas Co., on 13 April 2005 (Kratter and
Small 2007). A record based on photographs (Brevard Co.), and eight or nine other
specimens, including one from Santa Rosa Co. on the Gulf coast, are known from Flor-
ida (Duncan 1988, Robertson and Woolfenden 1992, Stevenson and Anderson 1994;
FOC 1993, 1996). This rare and irregular winter visitor was first recorded in the state
in 1967 (Cruickshank 1967).

White-tipped Dove, Leptotila verreauxi. (JB, MB, MG, VG, LM, JP, PS, RDW, AW, 03-
504), originally observed by many birders and photographed by several of them on
Garden Key, Dry Tortugas, Monroe Co., from 19 April to 2 May 2003. Three photo-
graphs unaccompanied by a written description and evaluation were submitted in
2003. These first photographs provided contradictory or ambiguous information
about critical plumage colors and pattern (underparts, forehead/crown/nape) that
were relevant in discriminating L. verreauxi from L. jamaicensis (Caribbean Dove).
The report history spanned 2003-2006 and five meetings as it moved from non-ac-
cepted status to a re-opened file as more photographs of the dove were received. Six-
teen additional photographs accumulated in the report file, but the identification was
not resolved until the Committee finally obtained timely field notes from one of the
original observers. During this process the Committee also examined specimens from
the FLMNH and the Field Museum of Natural History (Chicago). Critical diagnostic
characters were pale buff tones on the lower underparts and gray on the crown that
did not extend onto the nape. Underparts color (buffiness extending from abdomen to
undertail coverts) indicated likely origin in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, where

54

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

L. V. fulviventris is a relatively distinctive subspecies. Only one other record is known
from Florida, a bird observed and photographed 6-7 April 1995, on Garden Key, Dry
Tortugas, also believed to represent L. v. fulviventris (FOSRC 95-337).

Allen’s Hummingbird, Selasphorus sasin. (a) (FB, 06-599), an adult male banded, mea-
sured, and photographed in Tallahassee, Leon Co., on 14 January 2006. Measure-
ments and images of the critical, diagnostic rectrices (R2, R5) were part of the
detailed documentation provided by an experienced hummingbird bander; (b) (FB,
06-600), another adult male banded and measured in Tallahassee on 22 February
2006, constituted one more Florida record. The FOSRC has accepted six other in-
hand identifications, all from north Florida (Pensacola, Escambia Co., east to Gaines-
ville, Alachua Co.). An adult male photographed at a feeder on Cedar Key, Levy Co.,
28 February 1988, regarded as “almost surely this species,” was treated properly as
unverified at that time (Robertson and Woolfenden 1992).

Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, Myiodynastes luteiventris. (MD, RMD, 06-590), hatch-
year bird captured, photographed, and banded at Bill Baggs Cape Florida SP, Miami-
Dade Co., on 8 October 2005, was well-documented. Size and plumage eliminated
other similar Myiodynastes, Empidonomus, and Legatus flycatchers from consider-
ation. Only four other records, all supported by photographs, are known from Florida,
1995 through 2004 (FOSRC). One was in Pinellas Co. (September 2000), and the oth-
ers also occurred in Miami-Dade Co.

Tropical Kingbird, Tyrannus melancholicus. (ROC, 06-591), an unknown-aged bird ob-
served and videotaped in a subdivision of Apalachicola, Franklin Co., on 7 January to
10 February 2005 at least. The videotape documented the diagnostic vocalization of
the species. The taxonomic revision of the Tropical Kingbird complex (Traylor 1979)
and the ensuing recognition of T couchii in that complex (AOU 1983) cast doubt on all
early reports of “T melancholicus” in Florida (Robertson and Woolfenden 1992).
Stevenson and Anderson (1994) provided a review of these early reports. The first ver-
ified record for Florida, based on call and photographic evidence, was a bird found in
Birch SP, Ft. Lauderdale, Broward Co., on 11 October 1999 (FOSRC). A report of a
bird photographed and videotaped at Fort DeSoto, Pinellas Co., in mid-May 1998
(FOC 1998), and identified as this species, was never submitted to the FOSRC, and
thus was never verified. Other reports of an individual of this species (same?) in Fort
DeSoto later in 1998 and in 1999 (FOC 1998-1999), and still others in Orange Co. in
two consecutive winters (FOC 2002-2003), also were unverified. The current sighting
constitutes the sixth verified record of Tropical Kingbird in Florida.

Cassin’S Kingbird, Tyrannus vociferans. (a) (BP, DS, 05-581), a single individual ob-
served and photographed between Balm and Wimauma roads in southeastern Hills-
borough Co., 18-20 December 2005; (b) (LA, 06-593), a single bird in a subdivision on
Sweat Loop Road, Hillsborough Co., 6 February 2006, was treated as a different indi-
vidual; and (c) (MP, RP, 06-598), a single bird was photographed along CR~835 south
of Canon Hammock Park, Hendry Co., on 15 April 2006. Five photographic records
and five written reports of this species in Florida have been verified or accepted by the
FOSRC since 1984. One or two Cassin’s Kingbirds have wintered near Lake Apopka,
Orange Co., each season from 1999-2000 to 2004-2005 (FOC 2000-2005).

Thick-billed Vireo, Vireo crassirostris. (RMD, 06-589), an after-hatch-year bird captured,
photographed, and banded on 7 November 2005 at Bill Baggs Cape Florida SP, Miami-
Dade Co. This Bahamian species was first reported in Florida in 1961 (Abramson 1974),
but the first verifiable records were not forthcoming until 1989 and 1990 (Smith et al.
1990, Robertson and Woolfenden 1992). To date, including the current sighting, six
photo- or audio-records and two accepted sight reports are known for Florida (FOSRC).
Several other unverified reports were not seen by the Committee (e.g., FOC 1994, 1996).

Yellow-green Vireo, Vireo flavoviridis. (BM, 04-526), single individual observed in In-
digenous Park, Key West, Monroe Co., on 9 September 2002. Because the report sub-

Sixteenth Report—FOS Records Committee

55

mitted to FOSRC was prepared almost two years after the sighting, the Committee
hesitated to accept the report based entirely on the memory of the observer. The de=
scription received was diagnostic, and clearly discounted other similar vireos, which
were present at the same time. We recently received a photocopy of timely field notes
that supported the original v/ritten report. One record (specimen, see Robertson and
Woolfenden [1992]), six sight reports accepted by FOSRC since 1984, and several un-
verified reports constitute the known occurrences in Florida. The record and several
reports concerned birds from the western panhandle, but other reports were from
Pinellas, Palm Beach, and Monroe cos., all ranging in dates from 4-25 May and from
30 August to 11 September.

“Audubon’s” Warbler, Dendroica coronata subsp. (LSA, 06-592), a well-marked bird
(male?) in non-breeding plumage of this western form observed and photographed in
East Beach Woods at Ft. DeSoto Park, Pinellas Co., on 28 September 2005. The first
record for Florida was photographed on 3 May 1993 (B. E. Small) on the Dry Tortugas
(Langridge 1993). Before 1994, about eight additional sight reports were known from
the state (Stevenson and Anderson 1994). Since 1994, three photo-records (including
06-592) were added to the earlier list along with three unverified sight reports.

MacGillI¥EAY’s Warbler, Oporomis tolmiei. (RMD, 06-588), a single bird observed and
carefully described in timely field notes on 22 September 2005 at Bill Baggs Cape
Florida SP, Miami-Dade Co. The report submitted to the Committee provided an
analysis of the observations and elimination of similar species in the same genus.
One record based on photographs and three accepted reports, including this one, con-
stitute verified occurrences in Florida. The photo-record was a presumptive adult
male seen by numerous observers in Sanibel Lighthouse Park, Lee Co., from 5-17
April 1998 (FOC 1998; 98-385). Verified reports concerned an individual in Fern For-
est Park, Broward Co., from 17 February to 10 March 2001 (FOC 2001; 02-464), and
a female in A. D. Barnes CP, Miami-Dade Co., 20 April to 4 May 2001 (02-487). Since
1995, five unverified sightings also have been reported (FOC 1995-2005).

Golden-crowned Sparrow, Zonotrichia atricapilla. (TS, 05-561), an after-second-year
bird observed on 6 February 2005 near Lake Apopka, Orange Co. Bold black lateral
crown stripes that contrasted with a gray face, and a broad patch of yellow on the
forecrown eliminated other Zonotrichia species. The only record of this species in
Florida is based on a photograpli of a bird observed at Islamorada, Upper Matecumbe
Key, Monroe Co., on 21 June 1990 ([Anonymous] 1990, Hoffman et al. 1991, Robert-
son and Woolfenden 1992; 90-209).

Bullock’s Oriole, Icterus hullockii. (JC, DJ, FR, 06-607), a female-plumaged bird ap-
peared at a Brookforest Drive feeder in Tallahassee, Leon Co., from 17 February
through 18 March 2006. A photograph and the written description confirmed the
identification. This species and the Baltimore Oriole (I. galbula) were recently rein-
stated as separate species by the AOU (1995). The issue of mis~identification of simi-
larly plumaged female and immature Bullock’s and Baltimore orioles created initial
uncertainty about the status of the former species in Florida following the reinstate-
ment. Pranty et al. (2005) reviewed all archived, verifiable evidence (specimens, pho-
tographs) through 2004. They corrected mis-identifications and found only six
verifiable records from the state. The Tallahassee bird featured here provides a sev-
enth record. The species may be more regular as a winter resident in Florida than the
number of records currently suggest.

Reports Not Accepted

Ross’s Goose, Chen rossii. (06-583), an adult observed on 26 December 2005 north of
Wesley Chapel, Pasco Co. The Committee examined one written report and several
photographs. The size of the bird was smaller than associated Snow Geese, but not as

56

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

small as expected of a “typical” Ross’s Goose. The bill had a slight “grin patch” and bill
shape was somewhat longer than expected. The consensus on the Committee was
that the bird represented a likely hybrid with Snow Goose. Reports accepted by
FOSRC: 88A33, 92-252, 99-399, 00-423, 00-324, 01-445, 03-523, 03-524, 05-579, 06-
587; previously not accepted: none.

Cackling Goose, Branta hutchinsii. (06-596), a single bird, unknown sex and age, ob-
served at Fort Walton Beach spray fields, Okaloosa Co., on 10 December 2005. The
Committee examined a single written report prepared well after the sighting had oc-
curred, and a single photograph of a distant bird associated on the ground with several
Ross’s Geese and two Canada Geese. The photograph showed a relatively small, white-
cheeked goose with a small, triangular bill. The position of the head (slightly turned
away) did not permit confident evaluation of head or bill shapes. The size of the goose
was approximately equal to or slightly larger than the nearest Ross’s Goose standing
nearby. The description did not consider the possibility of the most difficult-to-separate
small Canada Goose, Branta canadensis parvipes. The identification is likely correct
on geographic grounds, but the evidence was insufficient for confirmation. Reports
previously accepted by FOSRC: 05-560, based on a specimen; not accepted: none.

Northern Goshawk, Accipiter gentilis. (06-597), an imimature-plumaged bird observed
briefly by one observer at Seagrove Beach, Walton Co., on 16 February 2006. Size was
described as “huge”, and a “light streak” was present above and behind the eye. Rela-
tive size of a solitary hawk can be difficult to judge. The pale superciliary is support-
ive of the identification. The written report did not mention body proportions, and tail
length and tip-shape was uncertain. This species is very rare in Florida, while the
similar Cooper’s Hawk (A. cooperii) is common. The only verifiable evidence of occur-
rence in the state is a partial skeleton. Stevenson and Anderson (1994) mentioned
only four sightings of goshawks through 1992 that they regarded as “acceptable”, one
of which was an adult. No other occurrences were reported in Florida during the
1992-2005 period covered by the FOC. Considering the rarity of this species in Flor-
ida, the Coro_mittee felt that only a photograph accompanied by a strong supporting
description is acceptable for verification of an immature bird. Reports previously ac-
cepted by FOSRC: none; not accepted: 03-502.

Southern Lapwing, Vanellus chilensis. (06-606), presumptively a single bird observed
on two separate occasions, 21 May and 10 June 2006, at St. Marks NWR, Wakulla Co.
Previous sightings in Florida included some known escapees from captivity, but nat-
ural vagrancy in other cases is possible (Robertson and Woolfenden 1992). The docu-
mentation in this instance included a written description and evaluation, and several
distant photographs. The identification of the St. Marks bird is not in dispute. Plum-
age characteristics suggested the present bird represented the northern subspecies,
V. c. cayennensis, of this South American species. This subspecies, with nearest breed-
ing populations in northeastern South America and Panama (Ridgely and Gwynne
1989, AOU 1998), is apparently relatively sedentary. A breeding record is now known
for Costa Rica as well (May 2005). Some level of vagrancy does occur, with recent re-
ports in Trinidad and Mexico, and evidence exists for range expansion westward in
Panama (Ridgely and Gwynne 1989, Martin 1997). This species is sometimes kept in
captivity, but probably not commonly. The St. Marks bird was not banded, and it did
not bear any other indications of previous captivity. One week after the lapwing dis-
appeared from St. Marks, an individual of this species and subspecies appeared in
Maryland (http://www.pbase.comywcbirding/sola). It is not out of the question that
this was the same bird seen in Florida. At the moment, given the history of the spe-
cies in Florida, any decision other than possible escapee (origin unknown) would be
speculative. Southern Lapwing is not yet accepted on the North American species list
by the American Birding Association (http://www.americanbirding,org/checklist/).
Committee rules require that we be conservative in cases involving possible escapees

Sixteenth Report— FOS Records Committee

57

from captivity unless evidence of natural vagrancy is concrete and convincing. The
evidence of recent vagrancy in Middle America and range expansion into Panama and
Costa Rica suggests a developing pattern that must be watched. Reports previously
accepted by FOSRC: none; not accepted: none.

Vaux’S Swift, Chaetura vauxi. (a) (05-580), apparently one individual observed in flight
at St. Marks NWR on 17 to 18 December 2005 by several observers. One written de-
scription was provided, but the photographs documented only the genus. No vocaliza-
tions were heard; (b) (06-582), up to 20 individuals were observed and photographed
over Paynes Prairie near Gainesville, Alachua Co., from 18 December 2005 to at least
5 January 2006. The birds were seen by several observers. No vocalizations were
heard. Photographs documented Chaetura sp. only. Because Chimney Swift {C.pelag-
ica) is known from a specimen taken in Florida on 1 December (1993; UF 38060), and
from other specimens obtained in mid-November (Stevenson and Anderson 1994),
identifications of late reports of Chaetura swifts in the absence of information on vo-
calizations must be regarded as uncertain. Throat color and even flight behavior over-
lap in the two species. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 95-331, 99-397; not
accepted: 90-184, 00-426.

Say’s Phoebe, Sayornis say a. (05-561), an adult observed by one person at St. Marks
NWR on 26 January 2005. A brief written description seemed to rule out alternative
possibilities. The written account was ambiguous on whether the observer witnessed
tail pumping, a behavior that is expected in the species. The issue was not resolvable
without timely field notes. The observer had field experience with the species, and the
identification was probably correct. Reports previously accepted by FOSRC: 88-158,
98-382, 03-520; not accepted: none.

Reports Not Resolved

Cackling Goose, Branta hutchinsU. (06-601), written description of a small-bodied,
small-billed, white-cheeked goose observed by several birders from 2 February to 1
March 2006 in Barefoot Bay, south of Palm Bay, Brevard Co. A single photograph fea-
tured the small goose with its head slightly turned standing beside a large Canada
Goose (Branta canadensis). The perspective on the small goose’s head made it difficult
to confidently evaluate bill shape. The report was tabled pending a request to see
other photographs, and further evaluation of plumage and bill-head shape characters.

Red-billed Tropicbird, Phaethon aethereus. (06-608), a subadult was observed and
photographed about 13 km southeast of Key Biscayne, and about 3 km southeast of
Fowey Rocks Light, Miami-Dade Co., on 3 July 2006. The documentation record con-
tained four photographs, a written description and analysis, an evaluation of a new
field character that may help to discriminate between young Red-billed and White-
tailed (P. lepturus) tropicbirds, and remarks from online commentators. The Commit-
tee tabled the report pending examination of plumage variation in specimens of the
two tropicbirds in relation to the efficacy of the proposed field mark.

“European” Herring Gull, Larus argentatus subsp. (06-604), written descriptions and
photographs of a single bird observed by multiple birders and photographed by two
people at the Volusia County Landfill, Daytona Beach, Volusia Co., 11 February to 6
March 2006. Documentation included a written synopsis of the European taxa, L. ar-
gentatus sspp, (L. a. argentatus [north-central Europe, Finland to Germany] and L. a.
argenteus [western Europe, from southern Scandinavia, British Isles, south to the
Iberian Peninsula]), L. michahellis (Yellow-legged Gull, southwestern Europe, and
Mediterranean and Black seas basins), and the American L. a. smithsonianus (north-
ern North America). Fourteen superb photographs of the bird on the ground and in
flight, showing all potential field characters, and submitted comments from several
European and American gull aficionados, completed the body of information submit-

58

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

ted to the Committee. Not included in the written description and evaluation by the
lead observer, but mentioned by one commentator, was L. cachinnans (Caspian Gull,
interior eastern Europe east into Asia). The outside commentators disagreed among
themselves on the identification of the Florida bird, although a leading gull authority,
K. M. Olsen, senior author of the new book on gulls (Olsen and Larsson 2004), sup-
ported the “European” Herring Gull identification. Olsen and Larsson (2004) split the
herring gulls on the two sides of the Atlantic Ocean. The British Ornithologists’
Union presently has the taxonomic status of the Herring Gull complex under review
(Sangster et al. 2005). Considering the potential complexity of the issues related to
gull identification, especially with respect to trans-Atlantic and European taxa about
which taxonomic questions remain open, the Committee tabled the report to allow ad-
ditional time for a more deliberate evaluation of these issues.

Iceland Gull, Lams glaucoides. (06-594), a single second-winter bird observed and
photographed at the Volusia County Landfill, Volusia Co., on 11 February 2006. The
submitted report also contained a photograph of a second individual of the same spe-
cies. An unresolved question about which individual the description in the documen-
tation report applied caused the case to be tabled until the issue was resolved. Parts
of the description did not seem to aptly describe either individual, which were both
well-photographed. The identifications of the two birds were not in dispute.

Report in Error

Atlantic Puffin, Fratercula arctica. (06-585 = 05-558), a specimen (UF 44359) previ-
ously processed and accepted at the 15 January 2005 meeting of the FOSRC, and in-
advertently assigned a second catalog number. The report was dropped from the
January 2006 agenda at the meeting.

Literature Cited

Abramson, I. J. 1974. A possible Thick-billed Vireo (Vireo crassirostris) in the United
States. American Birds 28:881.

American Ornithologists’ Union. 1983. Check-list of North American Birds, sixth ed.
American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C.

American Ornithologists’ Union. 1995. Fortieth supplement to the American Orni-
thologists’ Union Check-list of North American Birds. Auk 112:819-830.

American Ornithologists’ Union. 1998. Check-list of North American Birds, seventh
ed. American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C.

[Anonymous]. 1990. Pictorial highlights: summer 1990. American Birds 44:1210-1211.

Bowman, R., and J. S. Greenlaw. 2006. Fifteenth report of the Florida Ornithological
Society Records Committee: 2003-2005. Florida Field Naturalist 34:69-102.

Cruickshank, a. D. 1967. First Razorbill for Florida. Florida Naturalist 40:48-49.

Curtis, J. T. 2007. First record of Lesser Sand-Plover (Charadrius mongolus) in Florida.
Florida Field Naturalist 35:26-29.

Duncan, R. A. 1988. The Birds of Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties, Florida.
Published by the author. Gulf Breeze, Florida.

Hirschfeld, E., C. S. Roselaar, and H. Shirihai. 2000. Identification, taxonomy and
distribution of Greater and Lesser sand-plovers. British Birds 93:162-189.

Hoffman, W., R. Sawicki, C. Thompson, and M. Carrington. 1991. Golden-crowned
Sparrow appears in Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 19:19-21.

Kratter, a. W., and S. Small. 2007. First record of Northern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacia-
lis) for Florida, and notes on other North Atlantic seabird specimen records in 2004-
2005. Florida Field Naturalist 35:22-25.

Sixteenth Report— FOS Records Committee

59

Kratter, a. W., T. Webber, T. Taylor, and D. W. Steadman. 2002. New specimen-
based records of Florida birds. Bulletin of the Florida Museum of Natural History
43:111-161.

Langridge, H. R 1993. Florida region. American Birds 47:406-408.

Martin, J. P. 1997. The first Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis in Mexico. Cotinga
8:52-54.

May, R. H. 2005. Primer reporte de nido de Vanellus chilensis (Avefria teru/Southern
Lapwing). Zeledonia 9:39.

Mlodinow, S. G. 1996. The Long-billed Murrelet (Brachyramphus perdix) in North
America. Birding 29:460-475.

Ogden, J. C. 1988. Florida region. American Birds 42:252-256.

Olsen, K. M., and H. LARSSON. 2004. Gulls of North America, Europe, and Asia. Princ-
eton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey.

Pranty, B., a. W. Kratter, and R. Bowman. 2005. Records of the Bullock’s Oriole in
Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 33:41-46.

Pyle, P. 1997. Identification Guide to North American Birds. Part 1. Columbidae to Plo-
ceidae. Slate Creek Press, Bolinas, California.

Ridgely, R. S., and j. a. Gwynne, Jr. 1989. A Guide to the Birds of Panama. Princeton
University Press, Princeton, New Jersey.

Robertson, W. B., Jr., and G. E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida Bird Species: an Anno-
tated List. Special Publication No. 6. Florida Ornithological Society, Gainesville.

Sangster, G., j. M. Collinson, a. j. Helbig, a. G. Knox, and D. T. Parkin. 2005. Tax-
onomic recommendations for British birds: third report. Ibis 147:821-826.

Smith, P. W., D. S. Evered, L. R. Messick, and M. C. Wheeler 1990. First verifiable
record of the Thick-billed Vireo from the United States. American Birds 44:372-376,

Stevenson, H, M., and B. H. Anderson. 1994. The Birdlife of Florida. University Press
of Florida, Gainesville.

Traylor, M. A., Jr 1979. Two sibling species ofTyrannus (Tyrannidae). Auk 96:221-233.

60

Florida Field Naturalist 35(2):60-72, 2007.

FIELD OBSERVATIONS

Fall report: August-November 2006. — This report consists of significant bird ob-
servations compiled by the Field Observations Committee (FOC). Submissions to the
FOC should be in the following format: species, number of individuals, age and sex of
the bird(s), color morph if applicable, location (including county), date, observer(s), and
significance. Seasons are winter (December-February), spring (March-May), summer
(June-July), and fall (August-November). Submit observations to regional compilers
within two weeks after the close of each season, or to the state compiler within one
month. Addresses of the compilers are found at the end of this report. We greatly prefer
observations sent via e-mail.

Sight-only observations are considered “reports” while only those supported by verifi-
able evidence (photographs, video or audio tapes, or specimens) are called “records.”
Species for which documentation is required by the FOS Records Committee (FOSRC;
Bowman 2004, Fla. Field Nat. 32:7-33) are marked here with an asterisk (*). A county
designation (in italics) accompanies the first-time listing of each site in this report. Ab-
breviations in this report are: AFB - air force base, EOS = end of season, NP ~ national
park, NSRA = north shore restoration area (Orange), NWR = national wildlife refuge,
SF - state forest, SP = state park, STA = stormwater treatment area, STF - sewage
treatment facility, WMA = wildlife management area, and N, S, E, W etc., for compass
directions. Bold-faced entries denote birds newly reported or verified in Florida, or
record counts.

Summary of the Fall Season

In contrast to the previous two autumns, fall 2006 was quiet from a tropical-storm
perspective. Only Tropical Storm Ernesto struck the state, entering Everglades National
Park on 30 August and dissipating over Merritt Island hours later. The storm caused lit-
tle damage and no fallouts of birds. In the western Panhandle, Bob Duncan reports that
the “searing drought of 2006” lasted into August, with only 50 cm of rain for the entire
year up through the month. “Thereafter September and October were characterized by a
series of moderate to strong fronts bringing with them wave after wave of migrants and
... the best fall birding in years. ... It was not a season for vagrants, however.”

FOSRC rarities were one or more Masked Ducks at Viera, Florida’s first Hammond’s
Flycatcher and central Florida’s first Thick-billed Vireo at Fort De Soto Park, a Cassin’s
Kingbird at Lake Apopka, and Northern Wheatears at Everglades National Park and
Honeymoon Island State Park, Another significant development involves a state-spon-
sored eradication plan for the Purple Swamphen, with 256 individuals shot in three
Everglades sites. It remains to be seen whether complete eradication is possible, or
whether agencies will be forced to settle with reduced numbers of swamphens at key sites.
Finally, we report the deaths of three birders this season: Steve Fickett Jr., Bob
Kelley, and Juan Villamil, along with Jack Dozier, who died in late July.

Species Accounts

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck: 82, including 15 young, at Polk phosphate mines 12
Aug (P. Fellers, E. Lane); 200 at Loxahatchee (Palm Beach) 19 Aug (D. Freeland, M.
Gardler et al.); 2 near Flemington (Marion) 31 Aug (C. Black); 4 at Lake Killearny
(Leon) 3 Sep (S. McCool); 8 over Mango (Hillsborough) 9 Sep (D. Goodwin); 3 near
Fairfield (Marion) 11 Sep (C. Black); 3 at Lakes Park (Hillsborough) 8 Oct (T. Mann);
3 at Coleman Landing (Sumter) 30 Oct (C. Black); 2 at Lake City (Columbia) 4 Nov

Field Observations

61

(J. Krummrich); 42 at The Villages {Sumter) 21 Nov (J. Dinsmore); 50+ at Bushnell
(Sumter) 22 Nov-EOS (C. Black, R. Smith et al.).

Fulvous WhistlinG-Duck; 500 at Loxahatchee 19 Aug (D, Freeland, M. Gardler et al);
15 at Sebastian Inlet (Brevard) 8 Oct (A. Bankert); 2 at T. M. Goodwin Waterfowl
Management Area (Brevard) 16 Nov (D. Simpson).

Greater White-fronted Goose: 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP (Alachua) 14 Oct (A.
Kratter); 5 over Eustis (Lake) 27 Oct (R Urban, photo to FOG); 2 over Viera Wetlands
(Brevard) 28 Oct (D. Freeland et ah); 1 at St. Marks NWR (Wakulla) 29 Oct (R.
McGregor).

Snow Goose: 7 at Lake City (Columbia) 28 Oct (P. Burns); 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve
31 Oct (B. Wallace, L. Davis); 2 white morphs at Southwood (Leon) 3-6 Nov (P. Fulk-
erson, S. McCool); 12 at Lake Apopka NSRA 5 Nov (H. Robinson); 1 blue morph SSW
of Bruce (Bay and Walton) 11 Nov (P. Sykes, S. Bass); 1 blue morph at Alligator Point
(Franklin) 23 Nov (J. Murphy); 4 (adult blue morph, adult white morph, and 2 juve-
niles^ — a family?) at STA-5 (Hendry) 24 Nov (M. England et ah, photos to FOG).

Mute Swan: 1 at Green Key Park, New Port Richey (Pasco) 30 Aug (K. Tracey).

Gadwall: 5 near Bowling Green (Hardee) 25 Nov (D. Goodwin).

American Black Duck: 3 passed New Smyrna Beach (Volusia) 29 Oct (B. Mulrooney, de-
tails to FOG); 2 at St. Marks NWR 27 Nov (M. Collins).

Mottled Duck: 5 E of Williston (Levy) 16 Sep (S. McCool).

Blue-winged Teal: 1 at Cross Creek (Alachua) 13 Aug (G. Kiltie); 12 at Green Key 30
Aug (K. Tracey); 500 in W Pasco 20 Sep (K. Tracey); 830 at Polk mines 28 Sep (P.
Fellers); 5750 at Viera 30 Nov (D. Freeland).

Cinnamon Teal: up to 2 at Viera 11 Nov-EOS (T. Dunkerton et al.).

Green-winged Teal: 1500 at Viera 29 Nov (M. Gardler).

Canvasback: 1 at Lake Rowell (Bradford) 17 Nov (J. Hintermister).

Ring-necked Duck: 1 female at The Villages (Sumter) 5 Aug-24 Sep (J. Dinsmore); 1 at
Polk mines 20 Aug (P. Fellers, D. Brooke).

Common Eider: 1 juvenile male at Fort Clinch SP (Nassau) 19 Nov-EOS was joined by a
female 27 Nov (A. Turner, B. Richter et ah); 1 female at Jupiter Inlet (Palm Beach) 22
Nov (J. & L. Hailman).

Surf Scoter: 1 at Sebastian Inlet (Brevard ! Indian River) 5 Nov (A. Bankert).

White-winged Scoter: 1 at Ponce de Leon Inlet (Volusia) 1 Nov (M. Brothers); 1 at Port
Orange (Volusia) 24 Nov (M. Brothers).

Black Scoter: 15 or more off Ponce de Leon Inlet 1 Nov (M. Brothers); 2 in female plum-
age at Lake Apopka NSRA 22 & 29 Nov (H. Robinson),

Red-breasted Merganser; 4 at Lake Apopka NSRA 22 Nov (H. Robinson).

*Masked Duck: at least 1 in female plumage at Viera 6 Nov-EOS (B. Campbell et aL).

Common Loon: 3 on Lake Apopka at Oakland Nature Preserve (Orange) 25 Nov (T. Rod-
riguez).

Eared Grebe: 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF (Okaloosa) 5 Sep-2 Nov (B. Duncan, D. Ware); 1
juvenile at Green Cay Nature Center (Palm Beach) 23 Nov-EOS (L. McCandless et al.).

Black-capped Petrel: 1, 160 km off Ponce de Leon Inlet 26 Aug (M. Brothers, B. Wallace).

Cory’s Shearwater: 100+ off Ponce de Leon Inlet 26 Aug, and 30+ there 12 Nov (M.
Brothers et al.); 6 off Miami (Miami-Dade) 16 Sep (L. Manfredi et ah); 1 in Florida
Bay (Monroe) 21 Nov furnished the first for Everglades NP (B. Mulrooney [photo to
FOC], B. Langan).

Greater Shearwater: 1 off Ponce de Leon Inlet 26 Aug (M. Brothers, B. Wallace).

Audubon’s Shearwater: 1 found alive at Vero Beach (Indian River) 10 Aug died later
(B. Wagner, photo to FOC); 4 off Ponce de Leon Inlet 26 Aug (M. Brothers, B. Wallace);
1 salvaged at Daytona Beach Shores (Volusia) 4 Nov (UF 45541, fide A. Kratter).

Wilson’s Storm-Petrel: 6 off Ponce de Leon Inlet 26 Aug (M. Brothers, B. Wallace).

Band-rumped Storm-Petrel: 2 off Miami 11 Aug (R. Torres et al.).

62

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Tropicbird SPECIES: 1 adult 96 km off Okaloosa 8 Oct (N. Friedman fide L. Atherton).

Masked Booby: 1 subadult at Ponce de Leon Inlet 27 Aug-3 Nov (M. Brothers et ah); 1
adult at Eglin Air Force Base (Okaloosa) 14 Nov (Joe Kern).

Brown Booby: 1 immature at Ponce de Leon Inlet 14-15 Sep (M. Brothers et aL),

Northern Gannet: 500+ heading S from Ponce de Leon Inlet 21 Nov (M. Brothers).

American White Pelican: 200 at Green Key 9 Oct (K. Tracey); 400 over New Port
Richey 12 Oct (K. Tracey); 60 at Hickory Mound Impoundment (Taylor) 17 Oct (D.
Bryan); 12 at Lake Munson (Leon) 19 Oct (M. Hartley); 200 in Franklin 10 Nov
(D. Bryan); 78 near Bowling Green 25 Nov (D. Goodwin).

Brown Pelican; 1 at Orlando (Orange) 16 Sep (N. Christman).

Anhinga: 304 at Lake Apopka NSRA 8 Aug (H. Robinson).

Magnificent Frigatebird: 1, 40 km S of St. Marks NWR 3 Aug (R Small); 500 at Cape
Romano (Collier) 3 Oct (D. Suitor); 1 at Ponce de Leon Inlet 1 Nov (M. Brothers); 7 at
South Melbourne Beach (Brevard) 2 Nov (A. Bankert).

American Bittern: 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve 3 Sep (C. Burney); 1 at Tall Timbers
Research Station (Leon) 10 Sep (A. Wraithmell); 1 at South Melbourne Beach 24 Sep
(A. Bankert); 20 at Lake Apopka NSRA 19 Nov (H. Robinson).

Great Blue Heron: southbound flocks of 7 & 27 over Jupiter Inlet Colony (Palm Beach) 8
Sep (J. & L. Hailman); 15+ flew S over Ormond Beach (Volusia) 2 Oct (M, Brothers); 1 at
Lake Sampson (Bradford) 12 Nov attempted to eat a Pied-billed Grebe (R. Rowan et al.).

“Great White Heron:” 1 at Fort Pickens (Escambia) 18 Aug-6 Sep (B. & L. Duncan et
al.); 1 at Alligator Lake, Lake City 23 Aug-14 Sep (R, Rowan, P. Burns et al.).

Great Egret: 2100 at the Everglades Agricultural Area (Palm Beach) 20 Aug (B. Hope,
P. Cohen); flocks of 52, 11, 11, 7, and 6 headed S high over Jupiter Inlet Colony 8 Oct
(J. & L. Hailman).

Snowy Egret: 1500 at the Everglades Ag Area 20 Aug (B. Hope, R Cohen).

Snowy Egret x Little Blue Heron: 1 at Salt Lake (Brevard) 28 Oct (A. Bankert et al).

Reddish Egret; 8 at St. Marks NWR 4 Sep (A. Wraithmell); 1 white morph at Sand Bay,
Holiday (Pasco) 11 Oct (K. Tracey); 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve 22 Oct (D. Steadman).

Black-crowned Night-Heron: 86 at the Everglades Ag Area 19 Aug (D. Freeland, M.
Gardler et al.).

Glossy Ibis: 6 at Fort Walton Beach STF 11 Sep (B. Duncan); 5 at Sebastian Inlet
(Brevard) 8 Oct were rare along the coast (A. Bankert); 1 over Key Largo (Monroe) 25
Oct (B. Mulrooney); 610 at Lake Apopka NSRA 12 Nov (H. Robinson).

White-faced Ibis: 1 juvenile at St, Marks NWR 12 Sep (A. Wraithmell); 1 at Lake Apo-
pka NSRA 10 Nov (H. Robinson); 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve 27 Nov (R. Rowan).

Plegadis species: 1 “apparent hybrid” Glossy x White-faced ibis at Fort Walton Beach
STF 2 Aug had three white bands across the upper neck, a prominent white border
across the upper face, and dark irides (B. Duncan).

Roseate Spoonbill: 1 at Gainesville to 2 Aug (S. Hofstetter); 420 at the Everglades Ag
Area 19 Aug (D. Freeland, M. Gardler et al.); 1 at Lake City 20 Aug (P. Southall); 92 at
St. Augustine (St. Johns) 4 Sep (Jackie Kern); 3 along CR-724 (Okeechobee) 14 Sep (P.
Miller); 46 at Gulf Harbors, New Port Richey 20 Sep (K. Tracey); 1 at Tallahassee 25-26
Sep (J. Cavanagh); 10 at St. Marks NWR 10 Oct (A. Wraithmell); 125 at Myakka River
SP (Sarasota) 6 Nov (B. Ahern); 20 at Lake Apopka NSRA 8 Nov (H. Robinson).

Wood Stork: 1200 the Everglades Ag Area 20 Aug (B. Hope, R Cohen).

Turkey Vulture: among 120+ at Alligator Point 4 Nov was 1 “totally white” albino
(J. Murphy).

Swallow-tailed Kite: 674 at Lake Apopka NSRA 2 Aug (H. Robinson); 1 at Tallahassee
10 Aug set the latest county departure date (G. Menk).

Snail Kite: several sightings of 2 or more along US-41 between CR-951 and SR-29 (Col-
lier) 10 Aug-18 Nov (D. Suitor, T. Doyle et al.); 1 near Everglades City (Collier) 16 Sep
(D. Suitor); 2 along Sarno Extension (Brevard) 16 Oct-14 Nov (A. Bankert),

Field Observations

63

Bald Eagle: 48 at Lake Apopka NSRA 29 Nov (H. Robinson).

Northern Harrier: 1 male at Viera 28 Aug (T. Dunkerton); 259 at Lake Apopka NSRA
15 Nov (H. Robinson).

Cooper’s Hawk: 45 at Lake Apopka NSRA 25 Aug (H. Robinson).

Red-shouldered Hawk: 133 at Lake Apopka NSRA 29 Sep (H. Robinson).

Broad-winged Hawk: 1 at Dunedin Hammock {Pinellas) 25 Sep (P. Fellers); 3 at Lake
Apopka NSRA 29 Sep (H. Robinson); 1 at Ormond Beach 2 Oct (M, Brothers).

Short-tailed Hawk: 12 reports of 15 birds (including 5 light & 5 dark), with 3 at
Gainesville 16-23 Sep (R. Rowan, J. Bryan, A, Kratter et al.), 1 dark morph at Turkey
Creek Sanctuary (Brevard) 9 Sep (A. Bankert), and one dark morph at New Port
Richey 11 Oct that dove on an immature Bald Eagle (K. Tracey).

Swajnson’s Hawk: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 8-19 Nov (H. Robinson); 1 light morph at
Frog Pond WMA (Miami-Dade) 11 Nov (M. Berney); 7 light morphs headed E over
Paurotis Pond, Everglades NP (Miami-Dade) 18 Nov (M. Berney); 2 at Bill Baggs
Cape Florida SP (Miami-Dade) 23 Nov (M. Davis); 1 juvenile dark morph at Brandon
(Hillsborough) 26 Nov (D. Goodwin).

Crested CaeacarA: 1 at Orlando Wetlands Park (Orange) Sep 16 (L. Malo); 1 at Chulu-
ota (Seminole) 10 Nov (M, Plaugher); 1 along US-98 between Apalachicola and Port
St. Joe (Gulf) 15 Nov (F. Bassett) provided a very rare report W of the Apalachicola
River; 1 S of Zephyrhills (Pasco) 24 Nov (S. Peacock); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 30 Nov
(fide H. Robinson).

Peregrine Falcon: 1 at Siesta Tower (Sarasota) 17 Oct had returned for its apparent
6th year (T. Mossbarger).

King Rail: 523 at Lake Apopka NSRA 23 Aug (H. Robinson).

SorA: 1 found dead at Green Key 7 Aug (K. Tracey, specimen to UF); 100 at River Lakes
Conservation Area (Brevard) 22 Oct (A, Bankert); 394 at Lake Apopka NSRA 19 Nov
(H. Robinson).

Purple Swamphen: population control by the state has begun: 100 shot at Water Con-
servation Area 2B (Broward) and 59 shot at STA-IW (Palm Beach), both 6-7 Oct. A re-
turn trip to STA-IW in Nov resulted in the shooting of 92 more swamphens, along
with 5 at STA-5 (Hendry; fide B. Pranty); 1 at Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Delray
Beach (Palm Beach) 10 Nov (W. Soto).

Purple Gallinule: 2 at WitMacoochee SF (Sumter) 16 Sep (R. Smith).

Common Moorhen: 2370 at Lake Apopka NSRA 11 Oct (H. Robinson).

Limpkin: 7 along the Wacissa River (Jefferson) 26 Sep (F. Dietrich); 10 (5 adults and 5 ju-
veniles) at Lake Munson 16 Oct (M. Hill); 2 at Tallahassee 13 Nov (G. Menk). The in-
crease in Limpkins in the region was thought to be due to a great invasion of exotic
channeled apple snails (fide G. Menk).

American Golden-Plover: singles at the Everglades Ag Area 13 Aug (B. Roberts et al.)
& 27 Aug (R. Torres, T. Mitchell); 1 at Redlands (Miami-Dade) 30 Aug (R. Torres, T.
Mitchell); 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 31 Aug (L. Fenimore); 1 at Crandon Park (Mi-
ami-Dade) 21 Sep (R. Diaz); 1 at St. Marks NWR 23 Sep (M. Collins); 2 at Hamilton
phosphate mines 30 Oct (J. Krummrich); 1 at Merritt Island NWR (Volusia) 3 Nov
(T. Dunkerton); 1 aUViera 3-6 Nov (T. Dunkerton, D. Freeland).

Snowy Plover: good nesting success at Santa Rosa Island, Gulf Islands National Sea-
shore (Escambia) due to damage to the island from Hurricane Ivan in 2004, which pre-
vented vehicle access to breeding habitats; 28 plovers were counted 31 Aug (B. & L.
Duncan); 1 at Ponce de Leon Inlet 16 Nov (fide M. Brothers); 1 at Nassau Sound (Duval)
30 Nov (P. Leary) represented the 7th successive year with reports in the area.

Semipalmated Plover: 12 at Polk mines 12 Aug (P. Fellers, E. Lane); up to 3 at Lake
City 30 Aug- 19 Oct (P. Burns); 80 at Eagle Point Park, Holiday 14 Sep (K. Tracey).

Piping Plover: 2 at Fred Howard Park (Pinellas) 2 Aug (M. Gardler); 2 at Sebastian In-
let (Indian River) 12-14 Aug (A. Bankert); 1 at Durney Key, New Port Richey 23 Aug

64

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

(K. Tracey); 11 at Nassau Sound 30 Nov included birds banded in Michigan (2) and

the Canadian Maritimes (1; R Leary).

American Avocet: 1 at Lake City 31 Aug-19 Nov (J. Hintermister et aL); 7 at St. Marks
NWR 4 Sep (A. Wraithmell et ah), and 2 there 27 Nov (M. Collins); 18 at Sawpit Creek
(Duval) 4 Sep (R Leary); 7 at Longboat Key {Sarasota) 13 Sep (R. Peipert); 30 at the
Everglades Ag Area 16 Sep (A. Bankert); 6 at Green Key 27 Sep (K. Tracey, B.
Pranty); 5 at Fort De Soto 27 Sep (L. & R. Smith); 1 at Cape Romano 3 Oct (D. Suitor);
50 at Hamilton mines 30 Oct-EOS (J. Krummrich); 6 at Myakka River SP 4 Nov (J.
Dubi).

Solitary Sandpiper: 1 at Withlacoochee SF 21 Oct (R. Smith, D. Goodwin).

Spotted Sandpiper: 18 at Polk mines 12 Aug (R Fellers, E. Lane).

Upland Sandpiper: 1 along SR-305 just S of SR-100 {Flagler) 1 Aug (B. Wallace); up to
2 at Lake Apopka NSRA 4-13 Aug, and 1 there 1 Sep (H. Robinson); 11 at the Ever-
glades Ag Area 19 Aug (D. Freeland, M. Gardler et al.); 2 at Eglin AFB 27 Aug (L, Fen-
imore); 2 at Viera 29 Aug (D. Freeland).

Long-billed Curlew: 1 female at Cape Romano 1 Aug (D. Suitor, photo to FOC); 1 at
Coconut Point {Brevard) 30 Aug (A. Bankert); 1 male at Bunche Beach {Lee) 11 Nov
(C. Ewell).

Hudsonian GodwiT: 1 at Tram Road STF 7-9 Sep (G. Menk, J. Hintermister et al.).
Marbled Godwit: 120 at MacDill AFB, Tampa {Hillsborough) 11 Oct (C. Rasmussen).
Ruddy Turnstone: 30 at the Everglades Ag Area 16 Sep (A. Bankert).

Red Knot: 400 at Nassau Sound in late Aug (P. Leary); 450 (22 banded) at Little Estero
Critical Wildlife Area (Lee) 5 Sep (C. Ewell); 46 at Sand Bay 17 Sep (K. Tracey); 300
at Huguenot Memorial Park {Duval) 30 Sep included 11 banded birds (R Leary); 350
along Courtney Campbell Causeway {Pinellas) 8 Oct (K. Tracey); 200 at MacDill AFB
11 Oct (C. Rasmussen).

Sanderling: 200 at Fort De Soto 14 Aug (R. Smith); up to 2 at Lake City 30 Aug- 14 Sep
(R Burns); 100 along Courtney Campbell Causeway 8 Oct (K. Tracey).
White-RUMPED Sandpiper: 1 at Lake City 14 Sep (P. Burns); 2 adults at Merritt Island

NWR {Volusia) 10 Nov (T. Dunkerton).

Baird’s Sandpiper: singles at Santa Rosa Island 24 Aug & 8 Sep (B. Duncan et al.); 2 at
Lake City 10 Sep (R Burns); singles at Lake Apopka NSRA 10 Sep & 4 Oct (H. Rob-
inson).

Pectoral Sandpiper: 1800 at the Everglades Ag Area 6 Aug (B. Hope, M. Berney); 1 at
Cutler Ridge {Miami-Dade) 18 Nov (R. Torres).

Stilt Sandpiper: 500 at the Everglades Ag Area 19 Aug (D. Freeland, M. Gardler et al.);

up to 19 at Lake City 25 Aug- 19 Oct (R Burns, R. Rowan et al.).

Buff-breasted Sandpiper: 1 at Santa Rosa Island 24 Aug-6 Sep (B. & L. Duncan); up to
2 at Lake City 24 Aug-14 Sep (R. Rowan, R Burns et al.); 3 at Lake Apopka NSRA 25
Aug (H. Robinson); 3 at Viera 1 Sep, and 1 there 20-21 Oct (D. Freeland et al.); 1 at St.
Marks NWR 4 Sep (A. Wraithmell); singles in the Everglades Ag Area 10 & 24 Sep,
and 3 there 16 Sep (M. Berney, A. Bankert); 2 at Fort Walton Beach STF 11 Sep (B.
Duncan).

Ruff: 1 at the Everglades Ag Area 9 Aug (B. Hope, R Cohen) & 26 Aug (A. Bankert et al.).
Short-billed Dowitcher: 1500 at Dunedin Causeway 14 Aug (M. Gardler).
Long-billed Dowitcher: 1 at Tram Road STF 11 Sep (A. Wraithmell).

Wilson’s Snipe: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 16 Aug (H. Robinson); 1 at Weekiwachee Pre-
serve {Hernando) 11 Sep (A. Hansen).

Wilson’s Phalarope: 1 at Santa Rosa Island 18 Aug-6 Sep (B. & L. Duncan); up to 8 (27
Aug) at the Everglades Ag Area 13 Aug-16 Sep (M. Berney, B. Hope et al.); 1 at Lake
City 25-31 Aug (R Burns); 55 at Polk mines 1 Oct (P. Fellers, E. Lane); 1 at Tram Road
STF 26 Oct-22 Nov (A. Wraithmell, G. Menk et al.); 1 at Merritt Island NWR 10 Nov
(K. Schmidt).

Field Observations

65

Red-necked Phalakope: 3 in S Miami-Dade 3 Aug (R. Torres); 12 at Polk mines 12 Aug
(R Fellers, E. Lane); 10 off Ponce de Leon Inlet 26 Aug (M. Brothers, B. Wallace); 14 in
a flock several km off Miami 16 Sep (B, Mulrooney, L. Manfredi, R. Torres); 1 adult at
Merritt Island NWR 10 Nov (T Dunkerton).

Red Phalarope: 30 off Ponce de Leon Inlet 26 Aug, and 1 off there 12 Nov (M. Brothers
et aL).

Parasitic Jaeger: 1 pirated a fish from a Forster’s-sized tern 6-8 km off Alligator Point
17 Sep (J. Murphy).

Jaeger species: 275 (110 looked like Pomarines and 45 looked like Parasitic) from S
Brevard beaches 5 Nov (A. Bankert).

Franklin's Gull: 4 (3 juveniles and 1 second-winter) at Bald Point SP (Franklin) 29 Oct
(J. Murphy); up to 12 at St. Marks NWR 29-30 Oct (D. Morrow; A. Wraithmell); 1 at
Lake Apopka NSRA 1 & 4 Nov, 14 there 5 Nov, and 2 there 15 Nov (H. Robinson); 1 at
Green Key 3 Nov (K. Tracey, photo to FOC); 1 at Cutler Ridge 28 Nov (R. Torres, T.
Mitchell).

Lesser Black-backed Gull: 1 at Coconut Point 8 Aug (A. Bankert); 49 at Ponce de Leon
Inlet 23 Oct (M. Brothers); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 15 Nov (H. Robinson).

Glaucous Gull: 1 juvenile at Destin (Okaloosa) 8 Oct (B. Garmon).

Sabine’s Gull: 1 at Boynton Inlet (Palm Beach) 4 Nov (B. Hope).

Black-legged Kittiwake: 1 first-winter at Boynton Beach Inlet 4 & 6 Nov (M. Berney,
B. Hope).

Gull-billed Tern: 75 at the Everglades Ag Area 13 Aug (B. Hope).

Caspian Tern: 30 in W Hardee 28 Oct (B. Ahern, R. Smith).

Royal Tern: 1 at Viera 28 Oct (M. Gardler et aL); singles at Lake Apopka NSRA 3 & 15
Nov (H. Robinson).

Sterna species: 1 juvenile with irregular patches of orange on the bill among Sandwich
Terns at Destin (Okaloosa) 19 Oct (D. Edwards, photos to FOC).

Sandwich Tern: 312 at Polk mines 12 Aug, and 300 there 28 Sep (P. Fellers, E. Lane);
350 at Fred Howard Park 14 Aug & 11 Oct (M. Gardler); 210 at Fort De Soto 21 Oct
(P, Sykes); 2 at Lake Pierce (Polk) 4 Sep (J. DuBois).

Forster’s Tern; 150 at Dunedin Causeway 14 Aug, and 160 there 11 Oct (M. Gardler);
200 at Lake Talquin (Leon) 16 Oct (A. Wraithmell); 534 at Lake Apopka NSRA 29 Nov
(H. Robinson).

Least Tern: 180 at Fort De Soto 14 Aug (R. Smith); at least 315 at Crandon Beach 20
Aug (R. Diaz).

Sooty Tern: 500+, 160 km off Ponce de Leon Inlet 26 Aug (M. Brothers).

Black Tern: 800 at the Everglades Ag Area 20 Aug (B, Hope, P. Cohen); 6800 at Santa
Rosa Island 31 Aug (B. & L. Duncan); 1 Juvenile at Merritt Island NWR 13-19 Nov
(T. Rodriguez); 1 at Hole-in-the-Donut, Everglades NP (Miami-Dade) 25 Nov (B.
Boeringer),

Brown Noddy: 1 landed on a skiff at Cockroach Bay (Hillsborough) 17 Sep and preened
for 30 minutes (N. Hollan.’f to FOC).

Black Skimmer: 2 at Lake Apopka NSRA 17 Sep (H. Robinson); 230 at Fort De Soto 21
Oct (P. Sykes); 500 at Cedar Key (Levy) 1 Nov (D. Johnston); 325 at Fred Howard Park
4 Nov (M. Gardler); 350 at Dunedin Causeway 4 Nov (M. Gardler).

White-winged Dove: 6 at The Villages (Marion) 2 Aug (J. Dinsmore); 1 at Anclote Gulf
Park (Pasco) 9 Aug (K. Tracey); 1 at Sebastian Inlet (Indian River) 10 Sep (A.
Bankert); 1 at Alligator Point 30 Sep (J, Murphy); singles at St. Marks NWR 27 Oct
(J. Hintermister) & 14 Nov (B. Monk); 35 at Mims (Brevard) 27 Oct (D. Freeland, M.
Gardler); 1 at Ormond Beach 10 Nov (M. Wilson); 1 at Jacksonville (Duval) 12-16 Nov
(P. Powell); 13 at Cape Florida 14 Nov (R. Diaz).

Budgerigar: 1 green morph at St. Petersburg 16 Aug had been present ~8 months (D.
Margeson).

66

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Black-hooded PAEAKEET: 23 at St. Augustine Beach Pier (St. Johns) 1 Sep (D. Free-
man); 37 at Dunedin Causeway 21 Oct (M. Gardler).

Monk Parakeet: 20+ at South Daytona (Volusia) 20 Nov (M. Brothers).

Blue-crowned Parakeet: 12 at Sebastian Inlet (Indian River I Brevard) 25 Nov (A.

Bankert).

Black-billed Cuckoo: 1 at Gainesville 18 Aug (R. Norton); 1 at Cape Florida 25 Aug (R.
Diaz); singles at Phipp’s Park, Tallahassee 16 Sep (M. Hartley) & 22 Sep (A. Wraith-
mell); 1 at Newberry (Alachua) 23 Sep (L. Holt); 1 at Delray Beach (Palm Beach) 28
Sep (B. Hope, P. Cohen); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 29 Sep (H. Robinson).

Yellow-billed Cuckoo: 1 at River Lakes Conservation Area (Brevard) 16 Nov (D. Sim-
pson); 1 at Deer Key, Everglades NP (Monroe) 20 Nov (B. Mulrooney),

Smooth-billed Ani: 1 at Cape Florida 23 Aug (R. Diaz).

Groove-billed Ani: 1 at Bald Point SP 12 Oct (J. Murphy).

Barn Owl: 1 at St. Marks NWR 27 Nov (M. Collins) was a “presumed migrant” (G. Menk).

Short-eared Owl: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 22 Nov, and 2 there 26 Nov (H. Robinson);
1 found dead at St. Petersburg 21 Nov (T. Long, R. Smith).

Whip-poor-will: 1 at Medart (Wakulla) 4 Sep (S. McCool).

Chimney Swift: 1200 at Lake Apopka NSRA 6 Sep (H. Robinson).

Buff-bellied Hummingbird: 1 at Eastpoint (Franklin) 10 Nov (S. Klink); 1 at Tallahas-
see 16 Nov (J. Elliott).

Rufous Hummingbird: 1 banded female at Valrico (Hillsborough) 11 Aug-EOS returned
for its 4th winter (S. Backes); 1 at Gainesville 20 Aug (R. Palenik); 1 at Pensacola 31
Aug (fide F. Bassett); 1 at Gulf Breeze 2 Sep (J. French); single males at separate Tal-
lahassee yards 1-2 Sep (G. Simmons), 8 Sep (J. Armstrong), & 2 Nov (J. Langley).

Yellow-bellied SapsuckeR: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 27 Aug (H. Robinson).

Hairy Woodpecker: 1 at Tallahassee 21 Oct (M. Hartley); 1 in a suburban yard at Bayo-
net Point (Pasco) 1 Nov (B. Pranty) fit the pattern noted by Cruickshank (1980, The
Birds of Brevard County, Florida Press, Orlando), who wrote that "... There may be
some migration, as during Oct and early Nov it appears in city yards where none are
seen the rest of the year;” 1 at Tiger Bay SF (Volusia) 24 Nov (M. Brothers, B. Wallace).

Olive-sided Flycatcher: 1 at Gulf Breeze (Santa Rosa) 1 Sep (B. Duncan).

Eastern Wood-Pewee: 5 at Werner-Boyce Salt Springs SP (Pasco) 2 Sep (K. Tracey); 14
at Fort De Soto 12 Oct (B. Ahern et ah); 1 seen & heard at River Lakes Conservation
Area (Brevard) 6 Nov (D. Freeland).

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: 1 juvenile banded at Cape Florida 13 Sep was recaptured
18 & 23 Sep, both times with significant weight gain (R. Diaz, photo to FOC); 1 at
Phipp’s Park 18 Sep (F. Davis); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 27 Sep (H. Robinson); 1 called
at Starkey Wilderness Park 27 Sep (K. Tracey); 1 called at Mead Garden, Winter Park
(Orange) 28 Sep (P, Hueber); 1 called at Salt Springs SP 29 Sep (K. Tracey).

Acadian Flycatcher: 20 at Fort De Soto 27 Sep (B. Ahern et ah).

Alder Flycatcher: 4 called at Southern Glades Wildlife and Environmental Area (Mi-
ami-Dade) 23 Aug (R. Torres, T. Mitchell), and 1 there 15 Sep (J. Boyd); 1 called at
Matheson Hammock (Miami-Dade) 4 Sep (R. Torres).

Willow Flycatcher: 1 called at Saddle Creek Park 1 Sep (R Fellers); 1 called at A.D.
Barnes Park (Miami-Dade) 23 Sep (J. Boyd).

“Traill’s” Flycatcher: 18 banded at Cape Florida 7 Sep- 11 Oct (M. Davis, R. Diaz et
ah); 1 photographed at Wekiva Springs SP (Orange) 21 Sep was probably an Alder
(A. Boyle); 2 probable Willow Flycatchers at Fort De Soto 21 Sep (B. Ahern et ah).

Least Flycatcher: 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve 16 Sep-5 Nov (J. Bryan, R. Rowan); 12
at Lake Apopka NSRA 27 Oct (H. Robinson); 1 at Oakland Nature Preserve 11 Nov
(T. Rodriguez et ah).

*Hammond’S Flycatcher: 1 that called at Fort De Soto 30-31 Oct (L. Atherton et ah,
photos to FOC; accepted by FOSRC) provided the first record for Florida.

Field Observations

67

Vermilion Flycatcher: up to 2 at Paynes Prairie Preserve 15 Oct-EOS (T. Wronski, B.
Scales et aL); up to 2 at Lake City 5 Nov-EOS (L, Hensley, M. Landsman et al.); 1
male at Lake Jesup Conservation Area, Sanford {Seminole) 11 Nov (B. Sicolo).

AsH”THROATED Flycatcher: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 18 Oct-EOS (H. Robinson); 1 at St.
Marks NWR 31 Oct (R. McGregor, details to FOC); 1 at Cedar Key 1 Nov (D.
Johnston); 1 at Lantana Landfill {Palm Beach) 23 Nov (B. Hope); up to 2 at Paynes
Prairie Preserve 27 Nov-EOS, where birds have wintered since 2000-2001 (J. Hinter-
mister et al.).

Brown-crested Flycatcher: 1 at Casselberry {Seminole) 27 Sep (A. Vinokur); 1 at
Lake Apopka NSRA 27 Oct (H. Robinson); 1 at Frog Pond WMA {Miami-Dade) 11 Nov
(M. Berney et aL),

*Cassin’S Kingbird: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 26 Nov (H. Robinson).

Western Kingbird: 12 reports of 76 birds 7 Oct-30 Nov included 1 at Seahorse Key
{Levy) 7 Oct (T. Webber, D. Steadman et al.); up to 21 at The Villages {Marion) 22 Oct-
EOS (J. Dinsmore); up to 36 at Lake Apopka NSRA 6 Nov-EOS (T. Rodriguez); 3 at
Fort De Soto 30 Oct-19 Nov (L. Atherton et al.); 1 at Honeymoon Island SP {Pinellas)
17-24 Nov (W. Yusek, S. Crawford); 1 at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP {Okeechobee)
17 Nov (M. Korosy); 6 near Bartow {Polk) 18 Nov (T. Palmer); 3 at Bald Point 20 Nov
(R. Lengacher); 1 at Coquina Ba3rwalk Park {Manatee) 22 Nov (B. Ahern).

Eastern Kingbird: 48 at Altamonte Springs {Seminole) 1 Sep (P. Hueber); 350 at Fort De
Soto 1 Sep (L. Atherton); 100s passed Sanibel Lighthouse {Lee) 10 Sep (V McGrath).

Gray Kingbird: 16 at Brasher Park, Port Richey {Pasco) 9 Aug (K. Tracey).

SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER: 16 reports of 24 birds 26 Sep- 18 Nov included 2 at Bald
Point 29 Oct (J. Murphy); 1 along SR-31 {Charlotte) 13 Oct (C. Ewell); up to 3 at The
Villages {Marion) 22 Oct-EOS (T Rodriguez); 1 at Honeymoon Island SP 30 Oct (G.
Deterra); 4 at San Antonio {Pasco) 3 Nov (M. White); 1 near Turtle Mound, Canaveral
National Seashore {Volusia) 6 Nov (M. Brothers); 1 at Gainesville 8 Nov (J. Hinter-
mister, R. Rowan et al.); 1 at the North Naples STF {Collier) 10 Nov (K. Williams); 3
W of Trilby {Pasco) 16 Nov (C. Black); and 1 near Bartow 18 Nov (T. Palmer).

Fork-tailed Flycatcher: 1 adult male at North County Regional Park, Sebastian {In-
dian River) 20-21 Nov (D. Simpson et al., photos to FOC by D. Fairbanks-Simpson).

*Thick-BILLED Vireo: 1 at Fort De Soto 12 Oct (J. Gaetzi, B. Ahern et al.; accepted by
FOSRC).

Bell’s Vireo: 1 at Spanish River Park {Palm Beach) 14 Sep (B. Hope); 1 at Lake Apopka
NSRA 17 & 21 Sep (H. Robinson); 1 at Bald Point 25 Sep (A. Wraithmell); 1 at Medart
28 Sep (S. McCool); 1 at Alligator Point 30 Sep (J. Murphy); 1 at Bill Sadowski Park
{Miami-Dade) 1 Oct (R. Torres); 1 banded at Tomoka SP {Volusia) 5 Oct (M. Wilson,
photos to FOC); up to 2 at Frog Pond WMA 28 Oct-EOS (R. Torres, T. Mitchell et al.).

Blue-headed Vireo: 1 at Gainesville 26 Aug (B. Carroll, details to FOC).

Warbling Vireo: 1 at Fort De Soto 30 Oct (L. Atherton et al.).

Philadelphia Vireo: 13 reports of 16 birds 20 Sep-18 Oct included 1 at Archer {Alachua)
20 Sep (M. Meisenburg); 2 at Fort De Soto 27 Sep (B. Ahern et al.); duos at St. George
Island SP 13 Oct (M. Hartley) & 21 Oct (E. Shaw); and 1 at Lake Lisa Park, Port
Richey 15-20 Oct, the first for Pasco (K. Tracey, B. Pranty et al.).

Red-eyed Vireo: 169 banded at Cape Florida 15 Aug-30 Oct (M. Davis et al.).

Black-whiskered Vireo: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 10 Sep (H. Robinson).

Bank Swallow: 760 at Polk mines 12 Aug (P Fellers, E. Lane); 50 at St. Petersburg 31
Aug (D. Margeson); 1 at Viera 8 Nov (D. Freeland).

Cliff Swallow: 2 at Tram Road STF 24 Aug (G. Menk); 1 at Altamonte Springs 24 Aug (P
Hueber); 71 at Lake Apopka NSRA 1 Oct (H. Robinson); 1 at Green Key 9 Oct (K. Tracey).

Cave Swallow: 4 of the Mexican race at Lake Apopka NSRA 1 Oct (H. Robinson); 1 at
Hatbill Park {Brevard) 27 Oct (M. Gardler); 6 at Canaveral National Seashore {Volu-
sia) 11 Nov (D. Simpson).

68

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Barn Swallow: 1360 at Lake Apopka NSRA 23 Aug (H. Robinson).

Red-breasted Nuthatch: 1 at Medart 7 Nov (S. McCool); 1 at Tall Timbers 21 Nov (A.
Wraithmell).

Brown Creeper: 1 at Bald Point SP 14 Oct (J. Murphy); 1 at Gulf Breeze 21 Oct-2 Nov
(B. & L. Duncan); 1 at St. George Island SP 21 Oct (E. Shaw); 1 at J. R. Alford Green-
way {Leon) 6 Nov (A. Wraithmell); 1 at Cocoa Beach {Brevard) 3 Nov (T. Fiorillo, photo
to FOC); 1 at Gainesville 17 Nov-EOS (P. Burns, M. Drummond et ah); 1 at Tall Tim-
bers 21 Nov (A. Wraithmell).

House Wren: 272 at Lake Apopka NSRA 20 Oct (H. Robinson).

Winter Wren: 1 at St. George Island SP 13 Oct (M. Hartley); 1 at Tall Timbers 16 Oct
(R. McGregor); 1 at Tallahassee 19 Oct (F. Rutkovsky); 1 at Maclay Gardens SP {Leon)
13 Nov (A. Wraithmell); 1 at River Rise Preserve SP {Alachua) 4 Nov (M. Manetz et
ah); 1 at Lake City 19 Nov (P. Burns); 2 at O’Leno SP {Alachua) 26 Nov (P. Burns).

Marsh Wren: 1 sang at Shark Valley, Everglades NP {Miami-Dade) 21 Oct (J. Boyd).

Golden-crowned Kinglet: a major invasion of the Panhandle and northern third of the
Peninsula began 21 Oct, with 29 variously in Alachua 21 Oct-EOS (P. Burns, R.
Rowan et al.). The southernmost reports were 5 at Fort De Soto 28 Oct-8 Nov (L.
Atherton et ah); 3 at Starkey Wilderness Park 30 Oct (K. Tracey); 1 at Rye Preserve
{Manatee) 16 Nov (B. Ahern); and 1 at Valrico 17 Nov (S. Gross).

Ruby-crowned Kinglet: 67 at Lake Apopka NSRA 17 Nov (H. Robinson); 1 at Key
Largo 17 Nov (B. Mulrooney); 1 at Tavernier {Monroe) 22 Nov (B. Mulrooney).

^Northern Wheatear: 1 at Research Road, Everglades NP {Miami-Dade) 13-23 Sep (S.
Bass et al., photos by M. Wheeler et al. to FOC; accepted by FOSRC); 1 at Honeymoon Is-
land SP 25 Sep (S. Crawford et ah, photos by C. Gjervold to FOC; accepted by FOSRC).

VeerY: 10 heard at night over Weeki Wachee 27 Sep (M. Gardler).

Gray-cheeked Thrush: 10 heard at night over Weeki Wachee 27 Sep (M. Gardler).

Swainson’S Thrush: 150 heard at night over Weeki Wachee 27 Sep (M. Gardler).

Wood Thrush: 1 at Starkey Wilderness Park 27 Sep (K. Tracey); 1 at Lake Apopka
NSRA 1 Oct (H. Robinson).

American Robin: 2 juveniles in Leon 14 Aug (G. Menk); 1 juvenile at Hampton Lake
{Bradford) 9 Sep (R. Rowan).

Common Myna: 1 at Seven Springs {Pasco) 28 Oct (S. Peacock et ah, photos to FOC by K.
Tracey); 1 salvaged from a flock of 400 at the State Farmer’s Market, Florida City
{Miami-Dade) 9 Nov (G. Zimmerman, M. Avery; UF 45582).

Sprague’s Pipit: 1 at Eglin AFB 9 Nov (L. Fenimore).

Blue-winged Warbler: 20 reports of 32 birds 19 Aug- 15 Oct; multiple reports were 3
along Wakulla Beach Road {Wakulla) 19 Aug (B. Crawford, J. Murphy); 3 at Ormond
Beach 25 Sep (M. Brothers); 8 at Fort De Soto 27 Sep (B. Ahern et ah); and 2 at Pi-
necraft Park {Sarasota) 27 Sep (J. Dubi).

Golden-winged Warbler: 16 reports of 18 birds 1 Sep-17 Oct, with duos at Fort De Soto
27 Sep (L. Atherton) and St. George Island SP 13 Oct (M. Hartley).

Tennessee Warbler: 25 at Fort De Soto 27 Sep (B. Ahern et ah).

Nashville Warbler: 11 reports of 13 birds 18 Aug-25 Nov, with duos at Fort De Soto 27
Sep (P. Blair) and Jacksonville 22 Oct (J. Cocke).

Northern Parula: 40 at John Chesnut Park 26 Aug (R. Smith); 1 at Lake City 19 Nov
(J. Krummrich).

Yellow Warbler: 1 at Piney Z Lake {Leon) 11 Aug (S. McCool); 22 at Green Key 9 Sep,
and 42 in W Pasco 11 Sep (K. Tracey); 232 at Lake Apopka NSRA 15 Sep (H. Robin-
son); 1 along Sarno Extension {Brevard) 14 Nov (A. Bankert).

Chestnut-sided Warbler: 3 at Starkey Wilderness Park 27 Sep (K. Tracey); 8 at Fort
De Soto 27 Sep (B. Ahern et ah).

Magnolia Warbler: 10-h at Bald Point SP 20 Sep (S. McCool); 20 at Fort De Soto 27 Sep
(B, Ahern et ah); 8 at Green Key 2 Oct (K. Tracey).

Field Observations

69

Black-throated Blue Warbler: 1 at John Chesnut Park 26 Aug (R. Smith); 12 at Fort
De Soto 27 Sep (B. Ahern et aL); 97 banded at Cape Florida 22 Oct (M. Davis et ah);

1 at St, Augustine 21 Nov (Jackie Kern),

Yellow-RUMPED Warbler: 600 at Cape Florida 9 Nov (R. Diaz).

Black-throated Gray Warbler: 1 in female plumage at Key Largo 20 Sep (B. Mul-

rooney, photo to FOC); 1 juvenile male at Cape Florida 11-12 Nov (R. Diaz).
Black-throated Green Warbler: 6 at Fort De Soto 12 Oct (B. Ahern et al.); 1 in Hen-
dry 12 Nov (R. Smith, B. Ahern); 1 at Fisheating Creek (Glades) 12 Nov (R. Smith, B.
Ahern); 1 male at Rye Preserve 16 Nov (B. Ahern).

Blackburnian Warbler: 2 at Lake Lisa Park 28 Aug (K. Tracey); 3 males at Medart 14
Sep (S, McCool); 15 at Cedar Key 20 Sep (D. Henderson); “noticeably more common
than usual in Alachua this fair (R. Rowan, M, Manetz et al.).

Yellow-throated Warbler: 10 at John Chesnut Park 13 Aug (L. & R. Smith).

Prairie Warbler: 28 at Lake Apopka NSRA 1 Sep (H. Robinson).

Palm Warbler: 1 of the western race at Southeast Farm (Leon) 24 Aug (S. McCool); 46
in W Pasco 11 Sep (K. Tracey),

Bay-breasted Warbler: 5 at Fort De Soto 12 Oct (B. Ahern et al.); 15 at Fort George Is-
land 13 Oct (R. Clark); 3 at Sawgrass Lake Park 17 Oct (R. Smith); up to 4 at Mead
Garden 14-21 Oct (B. Anderson et al.); 5 at Hillsborough River SP 21 Oct (B. Ahern).
Blackpoll Warbler: 1 at Cape Florida 9 Nov (M. Davis et al.).

Cerulean Warbler: 15 reports of 20 birds 13 Aug-8 Sep, with 2 at Sawgrass Lake Park

3 Sep (R. Smith), and trios at John Chesnut Park 13 Aug (R, Smith) and Paynes Prai-
rie Preserve 3 Sep (J. Bryan).

Black-and-white Warbler: 1 aberrant male at Saddle Creek Park 2 Aug had a white
head and yellow bill (P. Fellers et al.); 20 at Fort De Soto 27 Sep (B. Ahern et al.).
American Redstart: 1 along Mandalay Road (Taylor) 13 Aug (S. McCool); 18 at Fort De
Soto 27 Sep (B. Ahern et ah); “noticeably less common than usual in Alachua this fall”
(R. Rowan, M. Manetz et al.).

Prothonotary Warbler: 12 banded at Cape Florida 11 Aug-28 Sep (M. Davis et al.); 6
at John Chesnut Park 13 Aug (L. & R. Smith).

Worm-eating Warbler: 1 along Mandalay Road 13 Aug (S. McCool); 3 at Werner-Boyce
Salt Springs SP 26 Aug (K. Tracey).

SWAINSON’S Warbler: 20 banded at Cape Florida 2 Sep-22 Oct (M. Davis, R. Diaz et al.).
OVENBIRD: 1 sang at Medart 19-20 Sep (S. McCool); 92 at Lake Apopka NSRA 27 Sep (H.
Robinson); 10 at Starkey Wilderness Park 27 Sep (K. Tracey); 1 in N Baker appeared
to be wintering for the 3rd year (B. Richter).

Northern Waterthrush: 12 at Merritt Island NWR 18 Aug (D. Freeland, M. Gardler);

81 at Lake Apopka NSRA 17 Sep (H. Robinson).

Louisiana Waterthrush: 25 at Lake Apopka NSRA 20 Aug (H. Robinson); 1 at Eagle
Point Park 12 Oct (K. Tracey); 1 at Anhinga Trail, Everglades NP (Miami-Dade) 23
Nov (J. Boyd).

Kentucky Warbler: singles at Cape Florida 23 & 31 Aug (R. Diaz); 1 at Salt Springs SP

2 Sep (K. Tracey); 2 at Sawgrass Lake Park 3 Sep (R. Smith); 3 at John Chesnut Park

4 Sep (R. Smith); 1 at Evergreen Cemetery (Broward) 17 Sep (M. Berney); 1 at Fort
George Island 13 Oct (R. Clark).

Connecticut Warbler: 1 at Henderson Beach (Walton) 25 Oct (D. Ware).

Mourning Warbler: 1 salvaged at Pace (Santa Rosa) 12 Sep (UF 45409; fide A. Krat-
ter); 1 at Spanish River Park 14 Sep (B. Hope).

Hooded Warbler: 1 at Ponce de Leon Inlet 21 Aug (M. Brothers); 8 at John Chesnut
Park 4 Sep (L. & R. Smith); 8 at Fort De Soto 27 Sep (B. Ahern et al.); 1 at Greynolds
Park (Miami-Dade) 7 Oct (J. Boyd).

Wilson’s Warbler: 15 singles 22 Aug-28 Nov included 1 near Wabasso (Indian River) 27
Oct (D. Simpson) and 1 at Hopkins Landing (Gadsden) 4 Nov (S. McCool).

70

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Canada Warbler: 1 at Turkey Creek Sanctuary 8 Sep (D. Bales et al.); 1 at John Ches-
nut Park 11-12 Sep (T. Arcos, L. Atherton); 1 at Phipp’s Park 15 Sep (A. & J. Wraith-
mell); 1 at Sugden Park, Naples 17-18 Sep (A. Murray D, Suitor); 1 at Cape Florida
12 Oct (M. Davis, R. Diaz et al.); 1 at Lake Munson 17 Oct (A. Wraithmell).

Yellow-breasted Chat: singles at Cape Florida 8 & 28 Sep (R. Diaz et ah); 1 at Re-
search Road, Everglades NP 16 Sep (A. Banker!); 1 at St. Augustine 22 Sep (Jackie
Kern); 2 at Greynolds Park 7 Oct (J. Boyd); 1 at Altamonte Springs 4 Nov (P. Hueber);
6 at Frog Pond WMA 11 Nov (M. Berney et al.).

Summer Tanager: 6 at Honeymoon Island SP 26 Sep (P. Fellers); 20 at Fort De Soto 12
Oct (B. Ahern et al.).

Scarlet Tanager: up to 10 at Mead Garden 8-23 Oct (B. Anderson).

Western Tanager: 2 (female and male) at John Chesnut Park 30 Sep (M. Peterson, M.
Gardler); 1 male at Honeymoon Island SP 13 Oct (L. Kenney).

Clay-colored Sparrow: 2 at Bonsteel Park {Brevard) 7 Sep (A. Banker!); 1 at Key
Largo 26 Sep (B. Mulrooney); 2 at Fort De Soto 30 Sep (B. Anderson et ah); 1 at
Paynes Prairie Preserve 5 Nov (R. Rowan); 1 at Kendall (Miami-Dade) 29-30 Oct (B.
Boeringer); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 19 & 29 Nov (H. Robinson); 1 at River Lakes
Conservation Area {Brevard) 9 Nov (D. Freeland); 1 in mid-Pinellas 24 Nov (J.
Fisher); 1 at Frog Pond WMA 25 Nov (B. Boeringer).

Lark Sparrow: 1 at Gainesville 21 Sep (A. Kratter, R. Rowan); 1 at Alligator Point 25
Sep (A. Wraithmell et al.); 2 at Frog Pond WMA 29 Sep (R. Torres, T. Mitchell); 1 at St,
George Island SP 10 Oct (M. Hartley); 1 at Boot Key {Monroe) 10 Oct (J. Palmer); 1 at
Paynes Prairie Preserve 22 Oct (D, Steadman); 1 sang in mid-Pinellas 10-11 Nov (J.
Fisher, photo to FOC); 1 at Lemon Bay Preserve {Sarasota) 15 Nov (M. Dunson); 1 at
San Felasco Hammock 18 Nov (B. Simons).

Savannah Sparrow: 1 at Merritt Island NWR 16 Sep (T. Dunkerton).

Henslow’S Sparrow: 1 at Odessa {Pasco) 26 Oct (T. Mann).

Le Conte’s Sparrow: 1 at St. Marks NWR 30 Oct (A. Wraithmell), and 2 there 26 Nov
(E. Shaw et al.); 1 at Lake Jackson 16 Nov (A. Wraithmell); 1 at Alligator Point 19
Nov collided with a parked vehicle pre-dawn but recovered and was released (D. &
J. Murphy); 1 at Tallahassee 2 Nov (M. Collins); 1 along Hatbill Road 24 Nov (A.
Banker!).

Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow: 1 at Bald Point SP 29 Sep (J. Murphy); 2 at Shired Is-
land {Dixie) 10 Oct (R. Rowan); 1 at Green Key 24 Oct (K. Tracey); 1 at Paynes Prairie
Preserve 29-30 Oct (S. Rayer, details to FOC).

Fox Sparrow: 1 at Gainesville 26 Nov (D. & J. Powell); 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve 29
Nov (B. Scales).

Song Sparrow: 1 at Key West 25 Nov (L. Atherton, photo to FOC).

Lincoln’s Sparrow: 1 at Tram Road STF 26 Oct (A. Wraithmell); 1 at Lake City 28 Oct
(P Burns); singles at Lake Apopka NSRA 29 Oct & 26 Nov (H. Robinson); 1 at Key
Largo Hammocks {Monroe) 24 Nov (L. Atherton, photos to FOC).

White-throated Sparrow: 1 at Siesta Key {Sarasota) 10 Nov (R. Greenspun); 1 at Up-
per Tampa Bay Park {Hillsborough) 19 Nov (C. Gjervold); 3 seen and several more
heard at Clay Island, Lake Apopka NSRA {Lake) 26 Nov (C. Pierce).

Dark-eyed JuncO: singles at Tallahassee 25 Oct (T. Strohman), 21 Nov (G. Simmons), &
23 Nov (G. Menk); 1 along Bottoms Road {Wakulla) 14 Nov (S, McCool); a “small flock”
at Tall Timbers 19 Nov (C. Borg); 2 at Fort Gadsden Historic Site {Franklin) 19 Nov (J.
Murphy); 1 at Alachua {Alachua) 29 Nov (B. Wallace).

Black-headed Grosbeak: 2 males (adult and juvenile) at Fort Walton Beach STF 28
Sep (T. Phillips et al., details to FOC); 1 at Gainesville 23-24 Oct (J, & J. Metheny).

Blue Grosbeak: 72 at Lake Apopka NSRA 1 Oct (H. Robinson).

Indigo Bunting: 20 at Fort De Soto 12 Oct (B. Ahern et al.); 40 at Lake Apopka NSRA 22
Oct (H. Robinson).

Field Observations

71

Painted Bunting: 1 at Chassahowitzka WMA {Hernando) 6 Sep (A. & B. Hansen); 1 at
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve 5 Oct (P. Miller); 7 at Oakland Nature Preserve 21 Nov
(T. Rodriguez); 1 female at Cedar Key 23-27 Nov (D. Henderson).

DICKCISSEL: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 2-13 Aug (H. Robinson); 1 at Fort De Soto 27 Sep
(B. Ahern); 2 at Canaveral National Seashore (Brevard) 1 Oct (T. Dunkerton).
Bobolink: 3000 at Viera 7 Sep (T. Dunkerton).

Yellow-headed Blackbird: 1 juvenile male at St. Marks NWR 4 Sep (A. Wraithmell);
1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 28 Sep (B. Penhollow, T. Phillips); 2 at Lake Apopka
NSRA 18 Oct, and 1 there 3 Nov (H. Robinson); 1 at Sarasota 24 Oct (D. Ha5ward); 1
at Hague 28 Oct (M. Manetz); 1 male at Lithia (Hillsborough) 26 Nov (L. & M. Weltin,
photo to FOC).

Brewer's Blackbird: 1 at Tram Road STF 26 Oct (A. Wraithmell); 1 at Lake Apopka
NSRA 22 Nov (H. Robinson).

Shiny Cowbird: 3 at Flamingo, Everglades NP (Monroe) 4 Sep (J. Boyd); 3 at Lake Apo-
pka NSRA 17 Sep (H. Robinson); 1 male at Tallahassee 8 Oct (S. Teisciero); 3 at
Homestead (Miami-Dade) 29 Oct (J. Boyd); 2 at the Everglades Ag Area 3 Sep (B.
Hope, M. Berney).

Bronzed Cowbird: 2 singles at Jupiter Inlet Colony 6 Sep (J. & L. Hailman); 1 female at
Mashes Sands Park (Wakulla) 22 Oct (S. McCool); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 29 Oct (H.
Robinson).

Orchard Oriole: 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve 23 Sep (A. Kratter).

Baltimore Oriole: 11 at Altamonte Springs 16 Sep (R Hueber).

Purple Finch: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 26 Nov (H. Robinson).

House Finch: 5 at Lake Lisa Park 24 Oct (K. Tracey); 3 flocks, from 3-10 individuals
each were flying NE at Fort De Soto 1 Nov (B. Anderson et aL); 1 at Cape Florida 8-
18 Nov (R. Diaz); 14+ at New Port Richey (Pasco) 26 Nov (K. Tracey).

Nutmeg Mannikin: fledglings at Pensacola 20 Aug (B. Gilley); 1 at Captain Forster
Hammock (Indian River) 27 Sep (D. Simpson).

Contributors: Brian Ahern, Bruce Anderson, Todd Arcos, John Armstrong, Lyn
Atherton, Mike Avery, Steve Backes, Danny Bales, Andy Bankert, Sonny Bass, Fred
Bassett, Mark Berney, Clay Black, Paul Blair, Bill Boeringer, Chris Borg, John Boyd,
Andrew Boyle, David Brooke, Michael Brothers, Dana Bryan, Judy Bryan, Chris Bur-
ney, Patricia Burns, Beverly Campbell, Bob Carroll, Jim Cavanagh, Roger Clark, Nancy
Christman, Julie Cocke, Pinya Cohen, Marvin Collins, Bobby Crawford, Sid Crawford,
Fritz Davis, Lloyd Davis, Michelle Davis, Gail Deterra, Robin Diaz, Fred Dietrich,
James Dinsmore, Terry Doyle, Michael Drummond, Jeanne Dubi, Jim DuBois, Bob Dun-
can, Lucy Duncan, Thomas Dunkerton, Margaret Dunson, Dean Edwards, Jody Elliott,
Margaret England, Charlie Ewell, Paul Fellers, Lenny Fenimore, Judy Fisher, David
Freeland, Dot Freeman, Jere French, Norm Friedman, Perry Fulkerson, Jill Gaetzi,
Murray Gardler, Ben Garmon, Bernice Gilley, Mark Ginsberg, Colin Gjervold, Liz
Golden, David Goodwin, Rick Greenspiin, Steve Gross, Jack & Liz Hailman, Ai & Bev
Hansen, Michael Hartley, Don Hayward, Dale Henderson, Linda Hensley, Michael Hill,
John Hintermister, Steve Hofstetter, Nanette Holland, Linda Holt, Brian Hope, Paul
Hueber, David Johnston, Lillian Kenney, Jackie Kern, Joe Kern, Grace Kiltie, Sheila
Klink, Marianne Korosy, Andy Kratter, Jerry Krummrich, Mary Landsman, Elizabeth
Lane, Brynne Langan, Janeen Langley, Patrick Leary, Rob Lengacher, Todd Long, Lome
Malo, Mike Manetz, Larry Manfredi, Tiro. Mann, Don Margeson, Linda McCandless,
Sean McCool, Lenore McCullagh, Vince McGrath, Russell McGregor, Michael Meisen-
burg, Gail Menk, Jean & John Metheny, Paul Miller, Trey Mitchell, Brian Monk, Don
Morrow, Tina Mossbarger, Brennan Mulrooney, Deanna Murphy, John Murphy, Alan
Murray, Robert Norton, Ruth Palenik, Jeff Palmer, Tom Palmer, Steve Peacock, Ruth
Ellen Peipert, Bob Penhollow, Mauri Peterson, Thelma Phillips, Cheri Pierce, Milton

72

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Plaugher, Debbie & Jim Powell, Peggy Powell, Bill Pranty, Chris Rasmussen, Stefan
Rayer, Diane Reed, Bob Richter, Bryant Roberts, Harry Robinson, Tom Rodriguez, Rex
Rowan, Fran Rutkovsky, Bubba Scales, Ken Schmidt, Eric Shaw, Bob Sicolo, Glenda
Simmons, Bob Simons, David Simpson, Dee Fairbanks-Simpson, Parks Small, Lori &
Ron Smith, Wanda Soto, Pete Southall, David Steadman, Tracee Strohman, Doug
Suitor, Paul Sykes, Susan Teisciero, John Thornton, Roberto Torres, Ken Tracey, Ann
Turner, Peg Urban, Alex Vinokur, Billi Wagner, Bob Wallace, Don Ware, Tom Webber,
Larry & Marty Weltin, Mickey Wheeler, Michelle White, Ken Williams, Meret Wilson,
Andy Wraithmell, Julie Wraithmell, Tom Wronski, Wilf Yusek, and Gina Zimmerman,

Spring 2006 report not published previously; SiLVERY-CHEEKED HORNBILL: 1 at
W Davie {Broward) 27 May 2006 (Rob Adams, photos to FOG).

Summer 2006 report not published previously: BURROWING OWL: 55 at Site B-

70, Eglin AFB {Okaloosa) 29 Jul (Lenny Fenimore).

Report prepared by Bill Pranty, state compiler (8515 Village Mill Row, Bayonet
Point, Florida 34667-2662; <billpranty@hotmaiLcom>), Regional compilers are Brian
Ahern (629 Gail Avenue, Temple Terrace, Florida 33617; <brianahern@aol.com>),
Bruce H. Anderson (2917 Scarlet Road, Winter Park, Florida 32792; <scizor-
tail@aoLcom>), John H. Boyd III (15291 SW 108th Terrace, Miami, Florida 33196;
<boydj@fiu.edu>). Bob and Lucy Duncan (614 Fairpoint Drive, Gulf Breeze, Florida
32561; <Town_Point@bellsouth.net>), Charlie Ewell (115 SW 51st Terrace, Cape
Coral, Florida 33991; <anhinga42@earthlink.net>), Bev Hansen (6573 Pine Meadows
Drive, Spring Hill, Florida 34606; <bevalhansen@earthlink.net>), Gail Menk (2725
Peachtree Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32304; no email), Paul Miller (Kissimmee Prairie
Preserve State Park, 33104 NW 192nd Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida 34972;
<Paul.Miller@dep.state.fl.us>), and Peggy Powell (2965 Forest Circle, Jacksonville,
Florida 32257; <pegpowell@comcast.net>).

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Florida Field Naturalist

ISSN 0738-999X

PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Editor: ScOTT ROBINSON, Florida Museum of Natural History, RO. Box 117800, Univer-
sity of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-7800. E-mail: srobinson@flmnh.ufl.edu
Associate Editor (for Reviews): Reed BOWMAN, Archbold Biological Station, P.O. Box
2057, Lake Placid, FL 33852. E-mail: RBowman@archbold-station.org
Associate Editor (for bird distribution): Bruce Anderson, 2917 Scarlet Road, Winter
Park, FL 32792. E-mail: scizortail@aol.com

Editor of the FOS newsletter, Snail Kite: TOM PALMER, 1805 26th Street, N.W., Win-
ter Haven, FL 33881. E-mail: tomp47@yahoo.com
Editor of Special Publications: Reed F. Noss, University of Central Florida, Depart-
ment of Biology, 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, FL 32816-2368. E-mail:
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webmaster@fosbirds.org

INFORMATION FOR CONTRIBUTORS

The Florida Field Naturalist is a fully refereed journal emphasizing biological field
studies and observations of vertebrates, especially birds, in and near Florida and the
nearby West Indies. We welcome submission of original manuscripts containing new
information from these areas. We encourage electronic submission of manu-
scripts. Please consult recent issues of the journal and the FOS website (http://
www.fosbirds.org/FFN/FFNGuidelines.htm) for style, especially noting that manu-
scripts should:

(1) be double-spaced throughout, including tables and figure captions;

(2) include the scientific name at the first mention of each species;

(3) include capitalized standardized English names for all birds, but lower
case for English names of other organisms;

(4) include metric units for all measurements;

(5) use the form “7 June 2003” for all dates;

(6) use the 24-hour clock for all indications of time (e.g., 0800, 1400);

(7) use the following abbreviations: s (second), min (minute), h (hour);

(8) preferentially use active voice.

Submit manuscripts for Florida Field Naturalist to the Editor, Scott Robinson.
Monograph-length manuscripts may be submitted for consideration to Reed F. Noss,
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mitted to the Chair of the Field Observations Committee, Bill Pranty (see Field
Observations, this issue). Reports of rare birds in Florida (see Field Observations, this
issue) should be submitted to the Managing Secretary of the FOS Records Committee,
Andrew W. Kratter, Florida Museum of Natural History, P.O. Box 117800, University of
Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-7800; E-mail: kratter@flmnh.ufl.edu.

Florida Field Naturalist

PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

VOL. 35, No. 2 May 2007 PAGES 39-72

CONTENTS

NOTES

Avian pox-like lesions in a Florida Scrub-Jay population

Karl E. Miller and Craig A. Faulhaher 39-42

First verifiable records of the Rough-legged Hawk in Florida
Bill Pranty, Kurt Radamaker, Harold Weatherman,

and Harry R Robinson 43-45

Acadian Flycatcher caught in the web of a golden silk orb-weaver

James A. Cox and Cathleen C. NeSmith 46-48

SIXTEENTH REPORT OF THE
FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
RECORDS COMMITTEE: 2006

Jon S. Greenlaw and Andrew W. Kratter. 49-59

FIELD OBSERVATIONS

Fall report: August-November 2006

Bill Pranty 60-72

^ ^ S'

Florida Field Naturalist

PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

VoL. 35, No. 3 September 2007 Pages 73-103

FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Founded 1972

OFFICERS

President: JEROME A. JACKSON, Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501 FGCU Blvd.

South, Ft. Myers, FL 33965. Email: jjackson@fgcu.edu
Vice President: Ann B. Hodgson, Audubon of Florida, Florida Coastal Islands Sanc-
tuaries Program, 410 Ware Blvd., Suite 702, Tampa, FL 33619. E-mail: ahodgson®
audubon.org

Secretary: JiM Cox, Tall Timbers Research Station, 13093 Henry Beadel Dr., Tallahas-
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Editor, Florida Field Naturalist: ScOTT ROBINSON, Florida Museum of Natural His-
tory, P.O. Box 117800, Gainesville, FL 32611-7800. E-mail: srobinson@flmnh.ufl,edu

Directors, Terms Expiring Spring 2008

David B. Freeland, 2345 Marsh Harbor Ave., Merritt Island, FL 32952
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Directors, Terms Expiring Spring 2009

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Julie Wraithmel, 2507 Callaway Rd., Suite 103, Tallahassee, FL 32303

Directors, Terms Expiring Spring 2010

Karl E. Miller, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 4005 South Main
St., Gainesville, FL 32601

Ann F. Paul, Audubon of Florida, Florida Coastal Islands Sanctuaries Program, 410
Ware Blvd., Suite 702, Tampa, FL 33619

Honorary Members

Samuel A. Grimes 1979; Helen G. Cruickshank 1980; Oliver L. Austin, Jr. 1982;
Pierce Brodkorb 1982; William B. Robertson, Jr. 1992; Glen E. Woolfenden
1994; Ted Below 1999.

All persons interested in Florida’s natural history, especially its abundant bird life, are
invited to join the Florida Ornithological Society by writing to the Treasurer. Annual mem-
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Subscription price for institutions and non-members is $20 per year. Back issues
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The Florida Field Naturalist is published quarterly (February, May, September, and
November) by the Florida Ornithological Society. It is printed by E.O. Painter Printing Co.,
P.O. Box 877, DeLeon Springs, FL 32130. The permanent address of the Florida Ornitholog-
ical Society is Division of Birds, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida,
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THIS PUBLICATION IS PRINTED ON NEUTRAL PH PAPER

Florida Field Naturalist

PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

VoL. 35, No. 3 September 2007 Pages 73H03

Florida Field Naturalist 35(3):73-78, 2007.

FIRST RECORD OF ROSEATE TERNS NESTING IN
THE KEY WEST NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE:

A BY-PRODUCT OF HURRICANE WILMA

Tom Wilmers^ and Kathleen Lyons^

^Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges, Big Pine Key, Florida 33043

^2816 Central Avenue, Big Pine Key, Florida 33043

In the Western Hemisphere, the Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii)
exists as two distinct breeding groups: the endangered northeastern
population (New York to Nova Scotia) and the threatened Caribbean
population (see Smith 1996). In the U.S., birds of the latter group nest
only in the Florida Keys, an arcuate string of islands stretching ca 355
km from Key Largo to the Dry Tortugas.

Despite the Florida Keys’ considerable length, from. 1974-1998 a
peak of only four nesting colonies was active in a single year (1976),
with only 34 known colonies (mean =1.3 colonies per year) during the
25-year period (computed from Zambrano et al. 2000). That 11 (32%) of
the colonies were on rooftops (computed from Zambrano et al. 2000)
coupled with most other nesting occurring on islands cleared or created
by man suggests that a lack of natural sites is a limiting factor.

On 24 October 2005, Hurricane Wilma obliterated Pelican Shoal, a
low-lying offshore island 13 km southeast of Key West^-the sole natu-
ral Roseate Tern nesting site and one of only two active colonies that
year in the Florida Keys. Aerial reconnaissance on 7 November 2005
revealed that the hurricane had created a sand island (ca 400 m long,
width 5-100 m) and a narrow, attached finger spit, located 0.1 km west
of Boca Grande Key (19 km west of Key West and ca 38 km from Peli-
can Shoal). Hereafter this entire area will be referred to as Sand Is-
land. Although within the administrative boundaries of the Key West
National Wildlife Refuge, Sand Island and surrounding waters are un-
der State of Florida jurisdiction.

TW boated past or stopped at Sand Island at least twice monthly
from December 2005 through May 2006. Despite the remote location.

73

74

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

visitors were often present, with as many as 23 people and three un-
leashed dogs observed at one time. Flocks of shorebirds and Least
Terns (S. antillarum), a state-listed threatened species, were observed
being flushed en masse by the latter.

On 5 June 2006, we observed a Roseate Tern incubating one egg ca
20 m from the west terminus of the island (hereafter nest one). The egg
was deposited on bare sand but nearly touched a small, branched coral
fragment. On that same day, permission was requested from the State
of Florida to close part of the island as an emergency measure until
State personnel could arrive later in the month. On the following
morning, we erected area-closed signs around the nesting area, provid-
ing a minimum buffer of ca 33 m. The bird remained in the incubating
position.

By 12 June, nest one had been washed away. A new nest with an in-
cubating Roseate Tern (hereafter nest two) was observed ca 10 m from
the former site of nest one. The bird’s scrape nearly touched a piece of
carpet (ca 0.5 x 1 m) nailed to and protruding from a pl5rwood panel (ca
1 X 1.5 m) that had washed ashore. The scrape was otherwise sur-
rounded by short (ca 4-10 cm) fragments of branched coral and rope. On
June 14, State personnel posted new area-closed signs, each connected
by a rope to delineate the closed nesting area. They also placed a sign ca
75 m beyond the cordoned area to provide an additional buffer.

Observations on 19 June and 26 June revealed that the bird at nest
two was still incubating, and on the latter date three additional Rose-
ate Terns, all within the closed area, were nearby (Table 1).

On 3 July, two additional Roseate Terns, each in an incubating posi-
tion, were observed within the closed area. The scrape of one nest (nest
three), 1 m from nest two and on the opposite side of the carpet, nearly
touched the pl3rwood panel. Nest four was ca 12 m east of nest three.

On 5 July, we observed 16 Roseate Terns, including the three incu-
bating birds, in the closed area. Two pairs engaged in courtship flights
(see Gochfeld et al. 1998) shortly after our arrival. Both pairs were
later observed copulating, one within the closed area, the other ca 80 m
beyond it and alongside a water-fllled depression on the island. Pre-
copulatory behavior for the latter pair was observed: one of the birds
made begging calls and the terns moved in short circles around each
other for about 45 seconds. The female then held her body parallel to
the sand whereupon the male mounted her. The copulation occurred
amidst more than 50 Least Terns.

Copulation was a protracted affair for both pairs of Roseate Terns.
We timed the length of copulation for the pair observed outside the
closed area: 1 minute, 35 seconds or 35 seconds longer than reported
for this species (see Gochfeld et al. 1998). In both instances, the female
was standing when copulation began, but eventually sank to the sand

WiLMERS AND LYONS— ROSEATE TERN HABITAT AND HURRICANE WiLMA

75

Table 1. Summary of Roseate Tern observations on Sand Island, June 5-August
21, 2006.

Date

No. Roseate Terns^

No. active nests^

No. young

5 June

1

1

0

12 June

1

1

0

19 June

4

1

0

26 June

4

1

0

3 July

3

3

0

5 July

16

3

0

12 July

23

3

0

15 July

26

3

1

22 July

5

2

0^

7 Aug

10

0

0^

12 Aug

15

0

3

21 Aug

8

0

0

4 Sep

0

0

0

6 Sep

0

0

0

11 Sep

0

0

0

18 Sep

0

0

0

^Exclusive of nestlings.

^Adult bird on scrape.

^No spotting scope on these dates; nestlings may have been overlooked.

with the male still on her back, with copulation continuing for 30 addi-
tional seconds in the second pair.

On 12 July (1044 hours) we visited Sand Island at the crest of the
highest spring tide of the month. About half the island was inundated,
including a small portion of the closed area, but all the tern nests were
above water and the birds were incubating. Including the three nesting
birds, 23 Roseate Terns were observed, 14 within the closed area, nine
others near a flock of 35 Royal Terns (8. maxima).

On 15 July, 26 Roseate Terns were observed on the island. Birds
were present at nests two, three and four. However, the bird at nest two
was sitting higher in its nest than the other nesters, suggesting a
hatchling was being brooded. Because incubation normally is com-
pleted in 24 days (Gochfeld et al. 1998) and nest two had one egg on 12
June, incubation may have been protracted at this nest. Incubation in
Roseate Terns may last as long as 31 days (Nisbet 1981). Further, it is
possible that a second egg was laid at nest two. Individual eggs may be
laid as much as four days apart (Gochfeld et al. 1998). It may be that
the first egg at nest two did not hatch (or if it did, we did not observe a
nestling), and, perhaps, the bird was still sitting on the second egg (or
a small hatchling) on 15 July.

On 22 July, no bird was present at nest two, but incubation was
still underway at nests three and four. We had binoculars only (no spot-

76

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

ting scope) and did not observe any nestlings. Five Roseate Terns, in-
cluding the incubating birds, were observed in the closed area.

On 7 August, no incubating Roseate Terns were observed, but 10
roosting birds were present in the closed area. Two men were on Sand
Island, cast-netting from the shoreline at a point barely within the
closed area. The men were oblivious to the signs; their activity did not
cause the terns to flush. We did not have our spotting scope and may
have overlooked nestlings if they had been immobile and cryptic due to
the presence of the fishermen.

On 12 August, 15 adult Roseate Terns and three fledglings were ob-
served. Age differences were readily apparent. One fledgling was
nearly full grown (primaries well developed); the others were smaller,
one considerably so. Given its advanced development, we believe that
the largest fledgling was from nest two.

On 21 August, no birds were present in the closed area. Eight
roosting birds (all adults) were observed elsewhere on the island. No
Roseate Terns were observed on 4, 6, 11, and 18 September.

Discussion

Prior to our observations, Roseate Terns had not nested within the
administrative boundaries of the Key West National Wildlife Refuge
(KWNWR). Since 1986, a few tropical storms and other hurricanes
(e.g., Georges in 1998) have created tiny sand islands in KWNWR, but
these were ephemeral and unsuitable for tern nesting (Wilmers pers.
obs.). Thus, Hurricane Wilma’s creation of Sand Island was notewor-
thy. The island had characteristics similar to that reported by Robert-
son (1978) for a Roseate Tern nesting site in the Dry Tortugas: a barren
substrate of sand, shell, and broken coral.

Whether nesting occurred before our first observation on June 5
was unknown. Prior observations of public use (and the presence of
free-roaming dogs) on Sand Island falsely led us to assume there would
be no nesting by any bird species. Thus, we may have overlooked any
earlier nest(s).

Egg-laying rangewide for the Caribbean population usually begins
in May with hatching in mid-June (Gochfeld et al. 1998). However, two
of the four Sand Island nests were laid after 26 June, which is more
typical for Florida (Kushlan and White 1985, Smith 1996, Zambrano
2001). Roseate Terns nesting at Sand Island could also have been
young adults, which in the northeastern population lay eggs later than
their older counterparts (Burger et al. 1996).

Beaches and sand islands are rare in the FL Keys and attract boat-
ers, some with dogs. Nesting Roseate Terns left unprotected in remote
areas like Sand Island inevitably will be subjected to human-caused

WiLMERS AND LYONS— ROSEATE TERN HABITAT AND HURRICANE WiLMA

77

disturbance. The deleterious impact of the latter (see Nisbet and Drury
1972) is unrecognized by some, if not most, visitors. Further, the birds
of the Caribbean population are more prone to human disturbance im-
pacts than their northern counterparts (Gochfeld et al. 1998).

Because nesting birds are particularly sensitive to disturbance
during the courtship and incubation periods (Fyfe and Olendorff 1976),
it was important that we quickly provided a buffer zone (see Rodgers
and Smith 1995, 1997). Closing the entire island, while preferable, was
not possible for a number of reasons, including a lack of officers to en-
force the closure. We believe the small size of the buffer zone enhanced
compliance because of its reasonableness: most of the island remained
open to public use. Signs on Sand Island were not damaged and, with
the noted exception, we did not see human trespassers in the closed
area.

Although less than 10% of Sand Island was closed to public use,
two letters of complaint appeared in a local newspaper denouncing the
closure, including one entreaty to leave the entire island open so that
dogs could run at will. Although the posted signs stated the area was
closed for nesting birds, no news releases had been provided to avoid
drawing undue attention to the nesting terns. Whether the latter was
the more prudent action is a conjectural matter.

Lastly, Sand Island’s importance was not limited to Roseate Terns.
We observed four other tern species (as many as 290 Least Terns), 11
shorebird species (as many as eight Piping Plovers {Charadrius melo-
dus), and three wading bird species (as many as four Reddish Egrets
{Egretta rufescens).

Acknowledgments

H. T. Smith and P. Hughes provided helpful comments on an early draft of the manu-
script. We thank Anne Morkill, Project Leader of the Florida Keys National Wildlife Ref-
uges, for supporting our efforts.

Literature Cited

Burger, J., I. C. T. Nisbet, C. Safina, and M. Gochfeld. 1996. Temporal patterns in
reproductive success in the endangered Roseate Tern {Sterna dougallii) nesting on
Long Island, New York, and Bird Island, Massachusetts. Auk 113:131-42.

Fyfe, R. W., and R. R. Olendorff. 1976. Minimizing the dangers of nesting studies on
raptors and other sensitive species. Canadian Wildlife Service. Occasional Paper 23.

Gochfeld, M., J, Burger, and I. C. T. Nisbet. 1998. Roseate Tern {Sterna dougallii). in
The Birds of North America, No. 370 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North
America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.

Kushlan, j. a., and D. White. 1985. Least and Roseate Tern nesting in the Florida
Keys. Florida Field Naturalist 13:98-99.

Nisbet, I. C. T. 1981. Biological characteristics of the Roseate Tern {Sterna dougallii).
U.S. Fish Wildlife Service Report 50181-084-9, Newton Corner, MA.

78

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Nisbet, L C. T., and W. Drury. 1972. Measuring breeding success in Common and Ro-
seate Terns. Bird-Banding 43:97-106.

Robertson, W. B, 1978. Roseate Tern, Pp. 39-40 in Rare and Endangered Biota of Flor-
ida, Vol. Two: Birds (H. W. Kale II, ed.). University Presses of Florida, Gainesville,
FL.

Rodgers, J., and H. T. Smith. 1995. Setback distances to protect nesting bird colonies
from disturbance in Florida. Conservation Biology 9:89-99.

Rodgers, J., and H. T. Smith. 1997. Buffer zone distances to protect foraging and loaf-
ing waterbirds from human disturbance in Florida. Wildlife Society Bulletin 25:139-
145.

Smith, H. T 1996. Roseate Tern. Pp. 247-257 in Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida.
Vol. V: Birds (J. A, Rodgers, Jr., H.W. Kale, II, and H. T. Smith, eds.). University Press
of Florida, Gainesville, FL.

Zambrano, R. 2001. Reproductive success and nestling growth at a roof and ground col-
ony of roseate terns {Sterna dougallii) in Florida. Master of Science Thesis. Florida

Atlantic University.

Zambrano, R., H. T, Smith, and M. Robson. 2000. Summary of breeding Roseate Terns
in the Florida Keys: 1974-1998. Florida Field Naturalist 28:64-68.

Florida Field Naturalist 35(3):79-85, 2007.

FOOD-HANDLING DIFFICULTIES FOR SNAIL KITES
CAPTURING NON-NATIVE APPLE SNAILS

Philip C. Dakby^ David J. Mellow, and Miranda L. Watford
Department of Biology, University of West Florida,

11000 University Parkway, Pensacola, Florida 32514

^E-mail: pdarhy@uwfedu

Abstract. — The non-native channeled apple snail, Pomacea insularum, has spread
rapidly in a number of wetlands and lakes in Florida that fall within the range of the en-
dangered Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis). We observed Snail Kites foraging on P. in-
sularum on a central Florida lake and found that the kites had difficulties capturing and
consuming the large non-native snails. Kites dropped 44% of channeled apple snails cap-
tured, compared to a 0% drop rate by kites capturing native apple snails (P. paludosa),
and 1% reported by another study. Kites also took longer to extract the flesh from P. in-
sularum compared to P. paludosa, but this may be offset by the larger caloric value of the
former. The extremely high drop rate may preclude some Snail Kites (e.g., juveniles)
from meeting their caloric needs, but this and many other questions regarding the poten-
tial impact of the spread of P. insularum needs to be investigated more thoroughly.

There has been a rapid expansion of non-native channeled apple
snails in peninsular Florida wetlands and lakes. Rawlings et al. (2007)
used genetic analyses recently to identify the most widespread non-na-
tive apple snail as Pomacea insularum (not P. canaliculata as previously
thought). Another non-native, the spike-topped apple snail (P. diffusa)
has existed in Florida for decades, but its populations remain re-
stricted to a few small areas and their potential impacts appear less of
a concern (Rawlings et al. 2007).

Growing concern about the invasive P insularum stems, in part,
from its rapid expansion into the range of the endangered Florida
Snail Kite {Rostrhamus sociabilis plumheus). Questions have been
raised regarding the kites’ ability to rely on the much larger P. insu-
larum as a substitute for its normal prey, the native Florida apple snail
(P paludosa) (Rawlings et al. 2007). Takekawa and Beissinger (1983)
reported that kites can capture and consume non-native spike-topped
apple snails, and we had anecdotal evidence that kites also consumed
P. insularum.

The Snail Kite has structural attributes in its claws and beak that
make it adept at capturing and consuming the golf-ball sized native ap-
ple snail (Snyder and Snyder 1969). Florida apple snail adults typi-
cally range in size from 30-45 mm in height (see Fig. 1 for standard
shell measurements) and rarely exceed 60 mm (Hanning 1979, Sykes
1987, Darby, unpublished data). In contrast, P. insularum found in

79

80

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Figure 1. Top panel— wiew showing height (H) and width (W) measurements of a
typical-sized P. insularum found on LTOHO (81 mm W x 93 mm H) (left) and a
typical-sized P. paludosa found on LKISS (31 mm W x 34 mm H) (right). See text
for details on sizes from field samples. Bottom panel—an additional perspective
of the same specimens to illustrate the much larger overall size of P. insularum.

DAiSBYETAL.— Snail Kites and Non-native Snails

81

Florida often exceed 90 mm in height (pers. obs., also see Rawlings et
ah 2007). We hypothesized that kites may experience difficulties cap-
turing and consuming the large non-native apple snails.

Study Site and Methods

We observed Snail Kites foraging on channeled apple snails in Goblets Cove
(28°13.4N, 81°21.0W) on Lake Tohopekaliga (LTOHO), Osceola County, as part of a
larger on-going study of apple snails on central Florida lakes. Only the channeled apple
snail was found in Goblets Cove at the time we made our foraging observations. For
comparison, we observed Snail Kites capturing native snails around Ox Island
(27°56.2N, 81°13.6W) on nearby Lake Kissimmee (LKISS), Osceola County.

We observed kites foraging on channeled apple snails on LTOHO on 22 and 23 Octo-
ber 2004 in three different locations approximately 1-2 km apart along the shoreline.
Based on plumage markings and the different locations, we were reasonably confident
that we observed 10 different birds, but we could only be certain of distinguishing be-
tween individuals within a given day (tz = 4 and n = 6). Two observers watched foraging
kites from a stationary or slow moving airboat (see Bennetts et al. 2006). When a kite
captured a snail, one observer kept sight of the kite with a binocular. Incidences of kites
dropping captured snails were recorded. When the kite landed on a perch with a cap-
tured snail, we started a stop watch. We recorded the ‘extraction time’ as the time it took
for the kite to extract and swallow the snail flesh. We inspected discarded shells under
accessible kite perches to confirm that they were eating only the channeled apple snail.

We recorded the frequency of kites dropping native snails on LKISS in spring 2005.
Extraction times were not recorded. We inspected accessible kite perches to confirm
they were eating only the native apple snail.

In fall 2004, we used throw traps and dip nets in Goblets Cove on LTOHO to sample
apple snails, a method that does not bias against capturing any snail sizes as long as
they exceed 13 mm (Darby et al. 1999). We measured the shell widths (nearest mm, us-
ing vernier calipers) of 64 live channeled apple snails captured in throw traps. We also
recorded shell widths for 22 native snails taken from throw traps in the vicinity of for-
aging kites on LKISS in spring 2005. Snails sampled in throw traps on LTOHO and
LKISS were immediately returned to the water because our research on trends in snail
abundance was on-going. Shells of snails consumed by kites were not measured, in part,
because we could not be certain which snail in a pile of shells under a perch was the one
just consumed. Also, in many cases, we could not access the perches because they were
surrounded by impenetrable vegetation. Qualitative assessment of shells in piles be-
neath several accessible perches confirmed that the kites were eating snails of a size
similar to those that we measured from throw traps.

As a routine part of our field sampling, we measured only shell width to represent
overall snail size. In hindsight (after collecting kite foraging data), we realized that
heights of those found in the field might be of interest for overall size comparisons of na-
tive vs. non-native snails. Heights of shells for which we had field measurements of
widths were estimated as follows. First, we measured heights and widths from similarly
sized empty shells stored in the lab {n - 15 for P. paludosa and n = 15 for P. insularum)
and calculated an average height to width ratio. Then, we multiplied the average ratio (=
1,15 for both species) by the shell width recorded from field specimens in order to estimate
their height. Although this approach may not be sufficiently precise to distinguish subtle
differences in shell morphology (e.g., to compare species or gender within a species), it al-
lowed us to quantify the large size differences between the native and the non-native
snails. We also used a standard electronic laboratory scale to weigh one whole frozen spec-
imen of H insularum and P. paludosa, comparable in size to those on which kites foraged.

82

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Results

We recorded 25 cases of Snail Kites capturing a channeled apple
snail. Kites dropped eleven of these captured snails (44%) before reach-
ing a perch. Most often, kites held the captured snail for one to two sec-
onds before dropping it (qualitative assessment). The tendency to drop
channeled apple snails varied widely between kites (Table 1). We ap-
proached locations where the snails were dropped and never saw float-
ing, empty shells. This was confirmation that kites were not
mistakenly grabbing and then dropping empty shells. Also, the splash
associated with dropped shells suggested that whole snails, not just
relatively light, empty shells, were being dropped. In 136 records of a
kite capturing a native snail on LKISS, no snails were dropped.

For those kites that made it to a perch with a channeled apple snail,
the extraction time was, on average (± SD), 333 ± 178 s (n = 10). Shell
widths of P. insularum found in throw traps on LTOHO were on average
81 mm ± 6 mm (SD), and estimated heights averaged 95 mm ± 7 mm;
these were also the approximate sizes found under kite perches (quali-
tative assessment) (see Fig. 1). The smallest shell found was 77 mm in
height. On LKISS, native apple snail shells found under kite perches al-
ways exceeded 20 mm in width (qualitative assessment). Sykes (1987)
reported no snails <20 mm under kite perches. Average widths and es-
timated heights collected from throw traps were 31 ± 8 mm and 35 ± 9
mm, respectively (four snails that were <20 mm were excluded from cal-
culations to better reflect on what kites were foraging) (see Fig. 1).
Whole frozen specimens representing the approximate average sizes of
P. insularum and P. paludosa weighed 174 g and 35 g, respectively.

Table 1. The number of channeled apple snails captured by Snail Kites, the
number dropped before getting to a perch, and the time (in seconds) required
to extract and consume the snail’s flesh in those cases where the Snail Kite ate
the snail.

Date

Kite

number

Channeled
apple snails
captured

Channeled
apple snails
dropped

Extraction
time (s)

22 Oct

1

4

4

no data

22 Oct

2

6

4

no data

22 Oct

3

3

2

62

22 Oct

4

1

0

440

23 Oct

1

3

1

280, 586

23 Oct

2

1

0

220

23 Oct

3

3

0

588

23 Oct

4

1

0

463

23-Oct

5

1

0

189

23 Oct

6

2

0

299, 200

Darby ET al.—Snml Kites and Non-native Snails

83

Discussion

Snail Kites dropped the large channeled apple snails 44% of the
time, compared to 1% or less noted for kites capturing native snails
(Cary 1985, Sykes et al. 1995, this study). Channeled apple snails
weighed approximately five times as much as native apple snails.
Beissinger (1990) reported the time for a Snail Kite to extract and eat
the flesh from Florida apple snails as 95.7 ± 37.3 s (SD), or roughly one
third the extraction times we recorded for kites eating the large non-
native. Takekawa and Beissinger (1983) provided no indication that
kites had trouble foraging on non-native apple snails, but this likely re-
flects the fact that the kites they observed were eating spike-topped ap-
ple snails, which are similar in size to the Florida native (Thompson
1984, Rawlings et al. 2007).

We found no reports of any of the three subspecies of Snail Kites
(R. s. plumbeus, R. s. sociabilis, R. s. major) foraging on P. insularum,
noting that the range of this snail overlaps with R. s. sociabilis in
South America (Sykes et al. 1995, Rawlings et al. 2007). R. s. sociabilis
also occurs in wetlands supporting P. urceus (Burky et al. 1972, Don-
nay and Beissinger 1993), another apple snail with shell height >100
cm; again, we found no reports of kites eating these large snails. Al-
though studies have shown that kites select larger snails (i.e., they
rarely eat snails <20 mm shell length), the upper limit of what they can
handle has never been questioned. In reports of snail sizes consumed
by kites (with only four snail species noted, P. paludosa, P. doliodes, P.
scalaris, P. canaliculata)^ the largest snail eaten was 86 mm shell
length (Tanaka et al. 2006), and they rarely consumed snails > 60 mm
(Beissinger 1983, Bourne 1985, Bourne 1993, Tanaka et al. 2006, also
see review by Sykes et al. 1995). Snail kites may simply be less profi-
cient at grasping the 95 mm (average) P. insularum, noting that kite
claw plus toe lengths are 49 to 68 mm (Sykes et al. 1995). The 175 g av-
erage weight of P insularum might have been a challenge as well,
given that this is approximately 45%, 43% and 37% of the total weight
of juvenile, adult male, and adult female kites, respectively (Valentine-
Darby et al. 1997). We suspect that the high degree of individual vari-
ation in drop rates reflected age and/or inexperience, with juveniles
more likely to drop snails compared to adults.

Longer extraction times for P. insularum may simply reflect the ef-
fort required to extract a larger amount of flesh from the shell, and this
could be offset by the caloric gain. However, kites expend more energy
in getting an exotic snail to the perch; they dropped 44% of the exotic
snails captured. Quantifying this tradeoff in caloric gain relative to the
additional effort of capture would require more thorough examination.
A simplistic example follows: a juvenile kite that captures and con-

84

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

sumes four native snails (35 g each) obtains a 140-g prey item with the
cost of carrying 9% of its body mass (on four flights to a perch); it
spends 384 s to consume the prey. In comparison, a juvenile kite that
captures four exotic snails (174 g each) but drops three, obtains 174 g of
snail (24% more than if eating four natives), but carries 45% of its own
body mass (on one full flight to a perch and three flights to the point of
dropping snails); it takes 333 s to consume the prey Clearly, the net ca-
loric gain is not directly proportional to the larger size prey, and under
some circumstances, depending on the individual drop rate, there
could be a net loss when attempting to forage on R insularum. We have
particular concern for juveniles that may exhibit high drop rates which
may lead to insufficient calorie intake. Newly fledged kites, when cap-
turing P. paludosa, were described as 'proficient at capturing snails but
unskilled at extraction’ (Sykes et al. 1995). Bennetts and Kitchens
(1999) identified 30-60 d post fledging as being the period of greatest
risk of mortality for Florida snail kites, and alluded to their inexperi-
ence in foraging on their own. The large size of P. insularum may exac-
erbate the potential for newly fledged kites to suffer mortality
associated with food handling difficulties, and there could be demo-
graphic consequences for Snail Kites reflected in lower juvenile sur-
vival (e.g., see Dreitz et al. 2004). Other questions, such as the
potential for parasites harbored by P insularum to harm kites (Rawl-
ings et al. 2007) and their potential impacts on wetland vegetation
(Carlsson et al. 2004), should also be investigated.

Acknowledgments

This research was conducted while completing a larger, ongoing project funded by
the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Michel Therrien assisted with
the field work. We appreciate the comments from Patty Valentine-Darby on drafts of
this manuscript.

Literature Cited

Beissinger, S. R. 1983. Hunting behavior, prey selection, and energetics of Snail Kites
in Guyana: consumer choice by a specialist. Auk 100:84-92.

Beissinger, S. R. 1990. Alternative foods of a diet specialist, the Snail Kite. Auk
107:327-333.

Bennetts, R. E., and W. M. Kitchens. 1999. Within-year survival patterns of Snail
Kites in Florida. Journal of Field Ornithology 70:268-275.

Bennetts, R. E., P. C. Darby, and L. B. Karunaratne. 2006. Foraging habitat selection
by Snail Kites in response to prey abundance and vegetation structure. Waterbirds
29:88-94.

Bourne, G. R. 1985. The role of profitability in Snail Kite foraging. Journal of Animal
Ecology 54:697-709.

Bourne, G. R. 1993. Differential snail-size predation by snail kites and limpkins. Oikos
68:217-223.

Darby £TAL.— Snail Kites and Non-native Snails

85

Burky, a. J., J. Pacheco, and E. Pereyra. 1972. Temperature, water, and respiratory
regimes of an amphibious snail, Pomacea urceus (Muller), from the Venezuelan sa-
vannah. Biological Bulletin 54:697-709.

Carlsson, N. O., C. Bronmark, and L. Hansson. 2004. Invading herbivory: the golden
apple snail alters ecosystem functioning in Asian wetlands. Ecology 85:1575-1580.

Cary, D. M. 1985. Climatological factors affecting the foraging behavior and ecology of
snail kites (Rostrhamus sociahilis plumbeus Ridgway). Master’s Thesis, University of
Miami, Coral Gables, FL.

Darby, P. C., J. D. Croop, R. E. Bennetts, P. L. Valentine-Darby, and W. M. Kitch-
ens. 1999. A comparison of sampling techniques for quantifying abundance of the Flor-
ida Apple Snail {Pomacea paludosa, Say). Journal of Molluscan Studies 65:195-208.

Donnay, T. j. and S. R. Beissinger 1993. Apple snail {Pomacea doliodes) and freshwa-
ter crab {Dilocarcinus dentatus) population fluctuations in the Llanos of Venezuela.
Biotropica 25:206-214.

Dreitz, V. J., W. M. Kitchens, and D. L. DeAngelis. 2004. Effects of natal departure
and water level on survival of juvenile Snail Kites {Rostrhamus sociahilis) in Florida.
Auk 121: 894-903.

Hanning, G. W. 1979. Aspects of reproduction in Pomacea paludosa (Mesogastropoda:
Pilidae). Master’s Thesis, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL.

Rawlings, T. A., K. A. Hayes, R. H. Cowie, and T. M. Collins. 2007. The identity, dis-
tribution, and impacts of non-native apple snails in the continental United States.
BioMed Central Evolutionary Biology 7:97. Online at http://www.biomedcentral.com/
1471-2148/7/97; viewed August 2007.

Snyder, N. F., and H. A. Snyder. 1969. A comparative study of mollusk predation by
limpkins, everglade kites, and boat-tailed grackles. Living Bird 8:177-223.

Sykes, P. W. 1987. The feeding habits of the Snail Kite in Florida, USA. Colonial Water-
birds 10:84-92.

Sykes, P. W., Jr., J. A. Rodgers, Jr., and R. E. Bennetts. 1995. Snail Kite {Rostrha-
mus sociahilis). In The Birds of North America, No. 171 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.).
The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and the American Ornithologists’
Union, Washington, DC.

Takekawa, j. C., and S. R. Beissinger 1983. First evidence of Snail Kite feeding on the
introduced snail, Pomacea hridgesi, in Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 11:107-108.

Tanaka, M. O., A. L. T. Souza, E. S. Modena. 2006. Habitat structure effects on size se-
lection of snail kites {Rostrhamus sociahilis) and limpkins {Aramus guaranuna)
when feeding on apple snails {Pomacea spp.). Acta Oecologica 30:88-96.

Thompson, F. G. 1984. The Freshwater Snails of Florida: A Manual for Identification.
University of Florida Press, Gainesville, FL.

Valentine-Darby, P. L., R. E. Bennetts, and W. M. Kitchens. 1997. Breeding masses
of Snail Kites in Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 25:60-63.

86

NOTES

Florida Field Naturalist 35(3):86-88, 2007.

INTERSPECIFIC FEEDING OF NESTLINGS BY A NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD

Ross McGregori and Frances C. James^

^Department of Oceanography, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4320
E-mail: mcgregor@ocean.fsu.edu

^Department of Biological Science, Florida State University,

Tallahassee, Florida 32306-1100

Birds feed offspring other than their own typically when their nests are parasitized
(e.g., by cuckoos or cowbirds) or as conspecific (usually related) helpers at the nest (e.g.,
as occurs in the Florida Scrub Jay, Aphelocoma coerulescens). Much less common is the
occurrence of interspecific feeding of offspring in other nests (Shy 1982). We recently ob-
served a brood of Carolina Wrens (Thryothorus ludovicianus) being fed not only by both
parent birds but also by an adult Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos).

On 8 June 2006 we visited a suburban neighborhood on Old Village Road, Tallahas-
see, Florida, to investigate a report by Mrs. Fran Buford of a mockingbird feeding wren
chicks. We were shown the nest of a Carolina Wren, with four nestlings, in a hanging
basket of white begonias (Fig. 1) in a shaded yard within a few m of a house. The chicks
were only a few days from fledging. We had watched the nest for only about 10 min
when an adult wren approached the nest, fed a chick, removed a fecal pellet, and flew
off Shortly afterwards, when an adult Northern Mockingbird approached the nest car-
r3dng food, both parent wrens gave alarm calls. The mockingbird then fed a wren chick
(Fig. 2) and removed a fecal pellet. Ten minutes later, an adult wren again fed one of the
chicks. Some 30 min later, the mockingbird again fed a wren chick, although this time
no alarm calls were heard from the parent wrens. Shortly afterwards, we found an ac-
tive nest of Northern Mockingbirds in a crape myrtle bush {Lagerstroemia sp.) with four
small, early stage (ca 5 days old) chicks in the same yard, no more than 10 m away. We
presume that this was the nest of the mockingbird seen feeding the wrens, as we ob-
served no territorial disputes with other mockingbirds.

The reasons for a bird to provide interspecific care are difficult to understand, as
there is no selective advantage to the caregiver. Such interspecific feeding may provide
the helper with experience for future breeding attempts (Trombino 2000), but that ex-
planation seems unlikely in this case, as the helper was already breeding. We think that
it is most likely that the proximity of the two nests led to this example; in addition, the
interspecific feeder may have been the male of the pair of mockingbirds, feeding the
wrens while his mate was brooding his own chicks. If the mockingbird chicks experi-
enced no selective disadvantage as a result, then the trait may persist, but negative se-
lection pressure may explain why such observations are rare.

Literature Cited

Shy, M. M. 1982. Interspecific feeding among birds: a review. Journal of Field Ornithol-
ogy 53:370-393.

Trombino, C. 2000. Helping behavior within sapsuckers (Sphyrapicus spp.). Wilson Bul-
letin 112:273-275.

Notes

87

Figure 1. Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) feeding chicks in a subur-
ban yard in Tallahassee, Florida.

88

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Figure 2. Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) feeding Carolina Wren
chicks in the same nest shown in Figure 1.

89

Florida Field Naturalist 35(3):89-102, 2007.

FIELD OBSERVATIONS

Winter Report: December 2006-February 2007. — This report consists of signifi-
cant bird observations compiled by the Field Observations Committee (FOC). Submis-
sions to the FOC should be in the following format: species, number of individuals, age
and sex of the bird(s), color morph if applicable, location (including county), date, ob-
server(s), and significance. Seasons are winter (December-February), spring (March-
May), summer (June-July), and fall ( August-No vember). Submit observations to re-
gional compilers within two weeks after the close of each season, or to the state compiler
within one month. Addresses of the compilers are found at the end of this report. We
greatly prefer observations sent via e-mail.

Sight-only observations are considered “reports” while only those supported by veri-
fiable evidence (photographs, video or audio tapes, or specimens) are called “records.”
Species for which documentation is required by the FOS Records Committee (FOSRC;
Bowman 2004, Fla. Field Nat. 32:7-33) are marked here with an asterisk (*). A county
designation (in italics) accompanies the first-time listing of each site in this report. Ab-
breviations in this report are: AFB = Air Force Base, EOS = end of season, NP = national
park, NSRA = north shore restoration area, NWR = national wildlife refuge, SP - state
park, STA = stormwater treatment area, STF = sewage treatment facility, WEA = wild-
life and environmental area, WMA = wildlife management area, and N, S, E, W etc., for
compass directions. Bold-faced entries denote birds newly reported or verified in Flor-
ida, or record numbers.

Summary of the Winter Season

Weather this season was fairly typical. In the western Panhandle, Bob Duncan re-
ported that “there were frequent frontal passages along the northern Gulf Coast bring-
ing rapid weather changes. A light freeze was recorded in Pensacola in December.
January was cold and damp. February was cold and dry.” There was much snowfall
north of Florida, which may have been at least partially responsible for the great inva-
sion of northern irruptives. Gail Menk reported that, “compared to past years, there
were unusually large numbers of White-throated Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos, and es-
pecially Golden-crowned Kinglets.” The Golden-crowned Kinglet invasion reached the
central Peninsula, and Ruby-crowned Kinglets reached the Upper Keys. Many observ-
ers noted the abundance of American Robins and Cedar Waxwings.

FOSRC rarities reported this season were two Masked Ducks at Viera, Red-necked
Grebe at Destin, White-faced Ibises at St. Marks (two) and Lake Apopka (one), Iceland
Gull at Perdido, Thayer’s Gull in Volusia County, Calliope Hummingbirds at Jackson-
ville and Tallahassee, Hammond’s Flycatcher at Orlando, Tropical Kingbird and
Cassin’s Kingbird at Lake Apopka, Western Meadowlark in Escambia County, and Bul-
lock’s Oriole at Tallahassee. A new bird for the state — but under the most dubious of cir-
cumstances— was the White- winged Crossbill specimen (!) found at Everglades National
Park. Finally, disparate news of three birds in Florida were reported in the media: a
Ring-necked Duck shot by a Tallahassee hunter (no location or date given) survived two
gunshot wounds and a two-day stint in the hunter’s freezer before the bird was discov-
ered to still be alive; the duck was sent to a rehabilitation center where it was expected
to survive (BBC News); 17 of the 18 juvenile Whooping Cranes that followed an ul-
tralight aircraft from Wisconsin were killed in their pen at Chassahowitzka NWR dur-
ing a storm 3 Feb (widely reported); and a falconer giving a display at Titusville lost a
Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug), which was equipped with a radio transmitter (with a dead
battery) and “bells on its legs attached by leather 'anklets’” (Floridabirds-L).

90

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Species Accounts

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck: up to 26 at Lake Apopka NSRA (Orange) 8 Dec- 14
Jan (H. Robinson); 66 at Bushnell (Sumter) 12 Dec (M. Freeman); 11 N of Brooksville
(Hernando) 13 Dec (A. & B, Hansen); 26 at Polk phosphate mines 29 Dec (P. Timmer,

C. Geanangel); 300+ at Gainesville (Alachua) 21 Jan (L. Hensley); 87 at The Villages
(Sumter) 9 Feb (J. Dinsmore); 1000 NE of Bee Ridge (Sarasota) 27 Feb (T. Mossbarger
et alj; 400 wintered at T. M. Goodwin Waterfowl Management Area (Brevard; fide

D. Simpson),

Fulvous Whistling-Duck: 150 at STA-5 (Hendry) 9 Dec, and 75 there 27 Jan (M. Eng-
land et aL); 25 at Lake Apopka NSRA 15 Jan (H. Robinson); 112 at Goodwin Water-
fowl Management Area 17 Jan (D. Simpson); 47 at Polk mines 11 Feb (P. Timmer),
White-faced Whistling-Duck: 1 at Lakeland (Polk) 13 Jan (L. Twining, photo to FOC).
Snow Goose: up to 4 N of Brooksville 3-5 Dec (A. & B. Hansen et aL); 2 at Lake Apopka
NSRA 6-31 Dec (H. Robinson); 1 immature in Leon 10 Jan (G. Simmons),

Canada Goose: 1 along CR-44, Crystal River (Citrus) 12 Jan (B. Ahern),

Brant: 1 juvenile at Newnans Lake (Alachua) 29 Dec (A. Kratter); 1 juvenile at Fort Is-
land Beach (Citrus) 2-22 Jan (D. & S. Hans et aL, photo to FOC by A. Lippman).
Black Swan: 1 at Boca Ciega Bay (Pinellas) 1-7 Feb (R. Harris, L. Atherton).

Wood Duck: 288 at Lake Apopka NSRA 27 Dec (H. Robinson).

Mandarin Duck: 1 drake at Holiday (Pasco) 28 Feb (P. Francois, photo to FOC).
Gadwall: 19 at Spring Hill (Hernando) 26 Dec (A. & B. Hansen); 16 N of Brooksville 11
Jan (M. Gardler); 250 at Polk mines 11 Feb (P. Timmer).

American Black Duck: 4 at catfish farms in N Escambia 13 Dec (L. Catterton) fur-
nished the first accepted report in the W Panhandle since 1965 (fide B. Duncan); 1 at
Paynes Prairie Preserve SP (Alachua) 4 Feb (S. Flamand).

Mallard x Mottled Duck: 1 male at Viera Wetlands (Brevard) 1 Dec-10 Feb (D.
Freeland et aL); 200 at Timber Pines, Spring Hill 26 Dec (A. & B. Hansen); 1 at Eagle
Lakes Park, Naples (Collier) 21 Jan (D. Suitor); up to 10 at Rotary Park, Cape Coral
(Lee) 17 Feb (C. Ewell); up to 7 at Lake Apopka NSRA 19 Dec (B. Anderson).
Blue-winged Teal: 5000 at Viera Wetlands 3 Dec (D. Freeland).

Blue-winged x Cinnamon Teal: 1 male at Viera Wetlands 1 Dec-24 Jan (C. Goodrich et
aL, photo to FOC).

Cinnamon Teal: 2 (male & female) at Viera Wetlands 1 Dec-15 Jan (D. Freeland et aL).
Northern Pintail: 1 at Eagle Lakes Park 15 Dec (D. Suitor); 6 at Ten Thousand Islands
NWR (Collier) 4 Jan (T. Doyle, C. Ewell); 64 at Polk mines 11 Feb (P. Timmer),
Green-winged Teal: 1000 at Viera Wetlands 28 Jan (D. Freeland et aL).

Canvasback: 11 at Newnans Lake 9 Dec (A, Kratter); up to 9 at Polk mines 29 Dec-11 Feb (P.

Timmer, C. Geanangel); 2 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 11 Feb (C. Burney, J. DeLuca).
Redhead: 1 at a Polk mine 7 Jan (P. Timmer).

Ring-necked Duck: 400 at the Sarasota celery fields 7 Dec (B. Ahern); 1220 at The Vil-
lages (Sumter) 8 Jan (J. Dinsmore).

Greater Scaup: 3 at Count Philippe Park, Safety Harbor (Pinellas) 28 Dec (C. Gjervold);

I juvenile female at Eco Pond, Everglades NP (Monroe) 30 Dec- 13 Jan (J. Boyd et aL,
photo to FOC by M. Faherty); 1 at Inglis Dam (Citrus) 12 Jan (B. Ahern); 1 at Fort Is-
land Beach 19 Feb (M. Gardler).

Common Eider: 1 female at Fort Clinch SP (Nassau) 9 Dec (R. Smith); 1 female at St.
Augustine Inlet (St Johns) 16 Dec (B. Richter), and 2 there 3-4 Feb (D. Reed et aL); 1
female flew S past Ormond-by-the-Sea (Volttsfa) 23 Dec (M. Brothers),

Surf Scoter: up to 4 at Port Orange (Volusia) 6-23 Dec (M. Brothers); 7 at Ormond
Beach (Volusia) 23 Dec (M. Brothers).

White-winged Scoter: 11 flying S off Ponce de Leon Inlet (Volusia) 1 Dec (M, Brothers);

II between Alligator Point & Bald Point (Franklin) 13 Jan (A. Bankert),

Field Observations

91

Black Scoter: 40 at Mud Cove {Franklin) 9 Dec (J. Murphy); 3 at Baj^ort Park {Hernando)

26 Dec (B. Pranty B. Ahem); 1 female at Port Richey {Pasco) 2 Jan (B, Ahem, A. Bankert
et aL); 1 immature at Santa Rosa Sound {Santa Rosa) 5-8 Jan (B, Duncan); 100 at Bald
Point 13 Jan (A. Bankert et aL); 34 at Ormond-by-the-Sea 5 Feb (M. Brothers).

Long-tailed Duck: 1 at Manatee Hammock Park, Titusville {Brevard) 13-14 Dec (J. Ea-
ger); 1 at St. Augustine Inlet 16 Dec (B. Richter); 1 male along Bottoms Road
{Wakulla) 14 Jan (M. Hartley, A. Bankert); 3 at St. Augustine Inlet 3-4 Feb (B. Wal-
lace, J. Hintermister).

Bufflehead: 3 at Lake Apopka NSRA 19 Dec (B. Anderson); 33 at Fort Island Beach 21
Dec (M. Gardler); 12 off Black Point Park (Miami-Dade) 8 Jan (R. Torres); 1 at Lake
Sampson, Starke ^Bradford) 15 Jan (D. Goodwin, E. Haney); 2 at Loxahatchee NWR
{Palm Beach) 20 Jan (J. Boyd); 1 at Cherry Lake {Madison) 16 Feb (R. Smith).
Common Goldeneye: 1 juvenile male at Tangerine {Orange) 19-22 Dec (B. Anderson et
aL); up to 37 at Fort Island Beach 21 Dec-EOS (M. Gardler); 2 at Weekiwachee Pre-
serve {Hernando) 3 Jan (D. Simpson); 1 female at Palm Harbor {Pinellas) 15 Jan (M.
Gardler); 1 at Melrose [county not indicated] 16-21 Feb (B. & J. Bolte et aL).
Red-BREASTED Merganser: 1 at a Polk mine 29 Dec (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel); 1 at
Hague {Alachua) 25 Jan (B. Kramer).

*Maseed Duck: at least 1 in female plumage at Viera Wetlands to 29 Dec, and 2 in fe-
male plumage there 12-19 Dec (D. Freeland et aL, photos to FOG by B. & E. Marr).
Ruddy Duck: 8500 at Lake Apopka NSRA 6 Dec, and 8000 there 7 Feb (H. Robinson);

2000 at Newrians Lake 8-10 Feb (B. & J, Bolte et aL).

ReD“THROATED LooN: 1 at S Merritt Island {Brevard) 16-17 Dec (C. Goodrich et aL); 1 at
Fort Island Beach 21 Dec (M. Gardler); 2 at St. George Island {Franklin) 14 Jan (M.
Hartley); 1 at Ponce de Leon Inlet 16 Jan (M. Brothers); 8 at Alligator Point 19 Jan (A.
Wraithmell); 1 at Titusville 21 Jan (B. Anderson et aL); 1 at Ormond-by-the-Sea 5 Feb
(M. Brothers).

Pacific Loon: 1 at S Merritt Island 16-20 Dec (C. Goodrich et aL).

Common Loon: 16 off Boynton Beach Inlet {Palm Beach) 9 Dec (M. Berney); 1 at Lake
Sampson 15 Jan (D. Goodwin, E. Haney); 3 at Three Rivers SP {Jackson) 25 Jan (B.
Ahern).

Horned Grebe: 1 at Lake Ella {Leon) 2-13 Jan (G. Menk).

*Red~NECKED Grebe: 1 first-winter at Destin {Okaloosa) 4 Feb (C. Saleeby details to
FOSRC).

Eared Grebe: 1 at Bradenton {Manatee) 10-24 Dec (J. Palmer, J. Dubi); 2 at Fort Walton
Beach STF {Okaloosa) to 18 Dec (B. Duncan, D. Ware et aL); 1 at Ormond Beach 25-

27 Feb (M. Brothers); 1 juvenile wintered at Green Cay Nature Center {Palm Beach;
L. McCandless et aL).

Northern Gannet: 25 off Naples 10 Feb (D. Suitor).

American White Pelican: 1 at Lake Munson {Leon) 2 Dec (L. Most); 1 captured and ate
an American Coot at STA-5, 9 Dec (M, England et al.)!; up to 50 N of St. Leo {Pasco)
10 Dec+ (M. White, B. Pranty); 35 at Chokoloskee Bay, Everglades NP {Collier) 19 Dec
(D. Suitor); 167 at Ten Thousand Islands NWR 4 Jan (T. Doyle, C. Ewell); 75 at Bystre
Lake, Brooksville 8 Jan (M. Gardler); 125 in Charlotte Harbor {Charlotte) 20 Jan (R.
Smith, B. Ahern); 1 at Mayo {Lafayette) 11 Feb (R. Rowan et al.).

Brown Pelican: singles at Lake Apopka NSRA 21 Jan & 25 Feb (H. Robinson); 3 at
Lake Bonny, Lakeland {Polk) 26 Jan (T. Palmer); 1 at Orlando {Orange) 31 Jan (A.
Boyle); 1 at Maitland {Orange) 15 Feb (C. Pierce).

Magnificent Frigatebird: 1 at Steinhatchee {Dixie & Taylor) 5 Jan (R. Smith); 28 near
Sebastian Inlet SP {Indian River) 6 Jan (N. Soucy).

American Bittern: 32 at Lake Apopka NSRA 13 Dec (H. Robinson).

Great Blue Heron: 1 independent juvenile at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 22 Jan (R.
Rowan).

92

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

“Great White Heron”: 1 on a nest just S of Longboat Key (Sarasota) 8 Jan (Mark
Davis).

Great Egret: 1950 at Ten Thousand Islands NWR 4 Jan (T. Doyle, C. Ewell).

Reddish Egret: up to 8 (28 Feb) wintered at St. Marks NWR (A. Wraithmell et al.).

White Ibis: 1130 at Ten Thousand Islands NWR 4 Jan (T Doyle, C. Ewell).

Glossy Ibis: 1000 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 19 Feb (D. & S. Hartman).

White-faced Ibis: 2 immatures at St. Marks NWR 11 Jan (A. Wraithmell); 1 at Lake
Apopka NSRA 24 Jan (H. Robinson).

Roseate Spoonbill: 2 at Bystre Lake 2 Dec-2 Jan (A. & B. Hansen); 10 at Lake Apopka
NSRA 3 Dec (H. Robinson); 5 at St. Marks NWR 4 Dec (C. Evans); 7 at Kanapaha
Prairie (Alachua) 11 Dec (M. Spalding); 10 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 17 Dec
(M. Davidson); up to 5 at Polk mines 29 Dec-11 Feb (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel); 6 at
N Jacksonville (Duval) 4 Jan (K. Dailey); 218 at Ten Thousand Islands NWR 4 Jan
(T Doyle, C. Ewell); 1 at Inverness (Citrus) ca. 13-20 Feb (K. Spilios); 1 at Zephyrhills
(Pasco) 27 Feb (C. Black).

Wood Stork: 400 along CR-44, 12 Jan (B. Ahern).

Black Vulture: 1340 at Lake Apopka NSRA 28 Feb (H. Robinson).

Turkey Vulture: 1250 at Lake Apopka NSRA 1 Dec (H. Robinson).

Swallow-tailed Kite: 1 at Merritt Island NWR 22 Feb (fide T. Dunkerton); 1 at Gaines-
ville 25 Feb (L. Terry); 1 at Anclote River Park (Pasco) 27 Feb (K. Tracey).

White-tailed Kite: 2 near Loxahatchee Road (Palm Beach) 7 Jan (B. Hope, M. Berney
et al.); 1 at Mosaic property (Hardee) 13 Jan (F. & P. Rice); 1 at Research Road, Ever-
glades NP 13 Jan (J. Boyd); 1 at W Cocoa (Brevard) 8-10 Feb (K. Allie); at least 2 win-
tered at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP (Okeechobee] P. Miller).

Bald Eagle: 45 at the Volusia Landfill 18 Jan (B. Ahern); increasing in the W Panhan-
dle, with 14 sub-adults at the Escambia catfish ponds 19 Jan, the maximum ever re-
ported in the region (B. & L. Duncan); 16 at the Collier Landfill 20 Jan (D. Suitor).

Great Black-Hawk: 1 adult of the urubitinga race at Key Biscayne (Miami-Dade) 7 Dec
(R. Diaz).

Northern Harrier: 153 at Lake Apopka NSRA 6 Dec (H. Robinson).

Short-tailed Hawk: 1 light morph near SR-72 (Sarasota) 16 Dec (J. Palmer); 1 light
morph at Myakka River SP (Sarasota) 10 Jan (R. Greenspun); seven or eight sight-
ings total of both morphs at Disney property (Orange) 9-11 Feb (W. Russell); 3 nesting
territories in the Port Richey-New Port Richey area (Pasco) 1 Feb-EOS (K. Tracey); 2
dark morphs carrying nesting material to a cypress at Flint Creek (Hillsborough) 11
Feb (M. Peterson); 1 dark morph along SR-60, ~16 km E of Yeehaw Junction (Indian
River) 18 Feb (P. Miller); J. Boyd summarized all of his Florida observations since Oct
1999: 84 of 156 hawks (54%) were dark morphs.

Swainson’S Hawk: 1 moribund juvenile at Elkton (St. Johns) 7 Dec succumbed the next
day (specimen to UF; fide A. Kratter); 1 at Brandon (Hillsborough) 25 Jan (B. Lan-
dry); 1 at Coe Visitor Center, Everglades NP (Miami-Dade) 27 Jan (J. Boyd).

Red-tailed Hawk: 109 at Lake Apopka NSRA 6 Dec (H. Robinson),

Golden Eagle: 1 juvenile at Lake Apopka NSRA 10 Jan, and 1 adult there 4 Feb (H.
Robinson); 1 adult in Baker 10 Feb (R. Smith).

Crested CaracarA: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 1 Dec (H. Robinson); 1 at Florida Panther
NWR (Collier) 19 Dec (D. Suitor); 1 pair observed building a nest and copulating at
Chuluota (Seminole) 1 Jan (L. Malo, C. Pierce); 1 near Hal Scott Preserve (Orange) 22
Feb (B. Ahern).

Peregrine Falcon: 1 at Keaton Beach (Taylor) 13 Jan (B. Ahern, R. Smith); 1 in SW
DeSoto 20 Jan (B. Ahern, R. Smith).

Yellow Rail: 1 at Hole-in-the-Donut, Everglades NP (Miami-Dade) 2 Jan (Michelle
Davis); 1 at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP 20 Feb (D. Simpson).

Purple Swamphen: 50+ at STA-5, 9 & 24 Dec (M. England et al.).

Field Observations

93

Purple Gallinule: 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 18 Dec (S. Hartman); 2 at Orlando
Wetlands Park (Orange) 22 Feb (B. Ahern).

Limpkin: 1 at the Ernest Hemingway house, Key West (Monroe) 11 Feb (D. Sterba, photo
to FOG).

Sandhill Crane: 70 at Bald Point 10 Dec (J. Murphy); 18 at Lake Jackson (Leon) 23 Dec
(G, Menk); 90 headed N over The Villages (Sumter) 9 Feb (J. Dinsmore); 200 over Colt
Creek SP (Polk) 25 Feb (C. Geanangel).

Whooping Crane: 1 adult with one Sandhill Crane over Bald Point SP (Franklin) 2 Dec
(J. Murphy).

Black-bellied Plover: 175 wintered at Crandon Park Beach (Miami-Dade) 10 Dec-
EOS (R. Diaz).

American Golden-Plover: 1 E of Brooksville 16 Dec-8 Jan (M. Gardler et al, photos to
FOC); singles at Lake Apopka NSRA 17-29 Dec & 28 Feb (H. Robinson).

Snowy Plover: 1 male at Huguenot Memorial Park (Duval) 17 Dec (K. Dailey); 10 at
Fort Pickens (Escambia) 18 Jan (B. Duncan).

Wilson’s Plover: 30 in a flock at Weekiwachee Preserve 14 Jan (B. Pranty, M. Petru); 12
wintered at Crandon Park Beach 10 Dec-EOS (R. Diaz).

Semipalmated Plover: 11 at Polk mines 7 Jan (P. Timmer).

Piping Plover: 42 wintered at Crandon Park Beach 10 Dec-EOS (R. Diaz).

Black-necked Stilt: up to 24 (29 Dec) at Polk mines 29 Dec-11 Feb (P. Timmer, C.
Geanangel); 1 at Lake Jessup Conservation Area (Seminole) 2 Jan (E. Rocco).

American Avocet: 2 at St. Marks NWR to 16 Dec (A. Wraithmell); up to 206 at Polk mines
29 Dec- 11 Feb (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel); 123 at Cedar Key (Levy) 14 Feb (D. Henderson).

Solitary Sandpiper: 1 at Zephyrhills 30 Dec (K. Tracey); 1 at Lettuce Lake Park (Hills-
borough) 14 Dec (B. Ahern); 1 at Tallahassee (Leon) 27 Feb (G. Menk).

WiLLET: 1 at Viera Wetlands 28 Jan (M. O’Brien, fide D. Freeland).

Long-billed Curlew: 1 in Franklin 28 Dec- 14 Jan (J. Murphy); 1 at Joe Overstreet
Road, Lake Kissimmee (Osceola) 24 Jan furnished the first inland wintering record
(T. Donovan, photos to FOC); 2 off Cedar Key 13 Feb (D. Henderson et ak).

Western Sandpiper: 1220 at Polk mines 11 Feb (P. Timmer).

Purple Sandpiper: 2 at Smyrna Dunes Park, Ponce de Leon Inlet 5 Dec, and 1 at Light-
house Point Park 1 Jan+ (M. Brothers); 1 at Garden Key, Dry Tortugas NP (Monroe)
17 Dec (C. Skelton, photos to FOC); singles at Huguenot Memorial Park 19 Dec (B.
Richter) & 30 Dec (P. Powell); 1 at Anna Maria Island (Manatee) 22 Jan (G. Spooner);
1 at Jetty Park, Port Canaveral (Brevard) 26 Feb (D, Freeland).

Dunlin: 13 at Polk mines 29 Dec (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel).

Stilt Sandpiper: 1 at Lake Jackson 22 Dec (J. Cavanagh); 1 N of Brooksville 11 Jan (M.
Gardler).

Long-billed Dowitcher: 18 at Springhill Road STF (Leon) 18 Dec (G. Menk); 16 at
Lake Jackson 22 Dec (J. Cavanagh); 37 at Bystre Lake 8 Jan (M. Gardler); 3 E of Ar-
cadia (DeSoto) 27 Jan (R. Smith).

American Woodcock: up to 8 displayed at Weekiwachee Preserve 24 Dec-3 Feb (A. & B,
Hansen et al.); up to 5 at Research Road, Everglades NP 29 Dec-27 Jan (J. Boyd, R.
Diaz); 1 at Florida Panther NWR 27 Jan (D. Suitor et al).

Red Phalarope: 10 birds 64 km off Ponce de Leon Inlet 29 Jan (M. Brothers).

POMARINE Jaeger: 7 off Volusia 30 Jan (M. Gardler); 1 off Naples 10 Feb (D. Suitor).

Parasitic Jaeger: 1 light-morph adult pursued a Royal Tern at Honeymoon Island SP
(Pinellas) 13 Jan (B. Pranty, M. Petru); 2 off Volusia 30 Jan (M. Gardler); 1 light-
morph sub-adult harassed Royal Terns at Sandy Key, Everglades NP (Monroe) 1 Feb
(B. Mulrooney); 1 first-winter at Talbot Islands SP (Duval) 7 Feb (P. Leary).

Laughing Gull: 1 at Newnans Lake 8 Dec-6 Jan (R. Rowan, A. Kratter).

Franklin’s Gull: 1 at Newnans Lake 17-19 Dec (A. Kratter et ak); 1 at Black Point Park
4 Jan (A. Bankert et ak); 1 at Cutler Ridge (Miami-Dade) 20 Jan (R. Torres).

94

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Bonapakte’S Gull: 5 at Green Key Road, New Port Richey 2 Feb (K. Tracey).
Ring-BILLED Gull: 4000 at Cherry Lake 16 Feb (R. Smith).

Herring x Glaucous Gull: up to 3 at the Volusia Landfill 13 Jan+ (M. Brothers, B.
Anderson et aL).

*Iceland Gull: 1 first-winter at Perdido Landfill (Escambia) 13 Jan-17 Feb (L. Catter-
ton, accepted by FOSRC).

Lesser Black-backed Gull: 11 (4 adults) at Crandon Park Beach 10 Dec-EOS (R. Diaz);

1 adult at Tiger Point (Santa Rosa) 16 Dec (B. Bremser); 2 at the Collier Landfill 20 Jan
(D. Suitor); 20 at Stock Island (Monroe) 3 Jan (C. Goodrich); 80+ at Pompano Landfill
(Broward) 13 Jan (M. Berney); 1 at Pine Island (Hernando) 3 Feb (C. Black et aL).

Glaucous Gull: 1 juvenile at Huguenot Memorial Park 25 Dec-28 Jan (B. Richter); 1
first-basic at the Volusia Landfill 13 Jan+ (M. Brothers et aL); 1 second-winter at Fort
Walton Beach and Destin 5-14 Feb (C. & J. Grossa et aL); 1 at Fort Pierce Inlet SP (St.
Lucie) 5 Feb (J. Brooks).

Great Black-backed Gull: 4 (1 adult) at Crandon Park Beach 10 Dec-EOS (R. Diaz).
Black-legged Kittiwake: 1 immature 64 km off Ponce de Leon Inlet 29 Jan (M. Brothers).
Gull-billed Tern: 1 at Hernando Beach (Hernando) 26 Dec (B. Pranty et aL); 2 at Hud-
son Beach, Hudson (Pasco) 26 Dec (K. Tracey); 5 at Talbot Islands SP 30 Dec (R.
Wears); 1 along the St. Johns River (Seminole & Volusia) 31 Dec (D. Simpson); 4 at
Orlando Wetlands Park 1 Feb (B. Anderson et aL).

Royal Tern: 1 at Bystre Lake 2-16 Dec (C. Black et aL, photos to FOC); 4 at Lake Han-
cock, Lakeland 16 Dec (T. Palmer); 5 at Polk mines 29 Dec (R Timmer, C. Geanangel);

2 N of St. Leo 30 Dec (B. Pranty, M. White, photos to FOC); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA
9 Feb (H. Robinson).

Sandwich Tern: 4 at Polk mines 29 Dec (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel).

Forster’s Tern: 454 at Lake Apopka NSRA 8 Dec (H. Robinson); 31 at Springhill Road
STF 18 Dec (G. Menk).

Black Skimmer: 32 Lake Mirror, Lakeland 19 Feb (T. Palmer).

Dovekie: 1 flew S past Canaveral National Seashore (Brevard) 18 Dec (C. Goodrich et
aL, details to FOC).

White-winged Dove: 2 at Alligator Point 2 Dec (J. Murphy); 1 at St. Marks NWR 4 Dec
(C. Evans); 1 at N Jacksonville 30 Dec (A. Turner); 1 at Sanibel Lighthouse (Lee) 27
Jan (D. & L. Stokes).

Black-hooded Parakeet: 37 along Dunedin Causeway (Pinellas) 15 Jan (M. Gardier).
Monk Parakeet: 7 at Oviedo (Seminole) 31 Dec (R. Brown).

Lilac-crowned Parrot: 3 at Matheson Hammock County Park (Miami-Dade) in Feb (B.
Mumford, photos to FOC).

Red-LORED Parrot: 1 with an orange cheek patch at Bradenton (Manatee) 2 Jan (W,
Stinehelfer, photos to FOC).

Smooth-billed Ani: 1 at Pahokee (Palm Beach) 8 Feb (P. Gray).

Barn Owl: 25 at Lake Apopka NSRA 22 Dec (H. Robinson); 1 near the former Toytown
Dump, St. Petersburg (Pinellas) 24 Dec-31 Jan (R. Smith); 1 pair initiated nesting at
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP in late Feb (R Miller).

Barred Owl: 10 near Withlacoochee River Park (Pasco) 30 Dec (B. Ahern et aL).
Short-eared Owl: up to 9 (29 Dec) wintered at Lake Apopka NSRA (H. Robinson); 1 at
Blue Heron STF (Brevard) 2 Dec (R. Halpin); 1 at Flamingo, Everglades NP (Monroe)
5 Jan (A. Bankert et aL); 1 at Panacea (Wakulla) 19-20 Jan (A. Wraithmell, J. Mur-
phy); 1 of the Caribbean race at Key West (Monroe) 4 Feb (C. Goodrich).

Lesser Nighthawk: 1 at Alligator Point 4 Dec (J. Murphy); 1 at Research Road, Ever-
glades NP 18 Dec & 16 Jan (R. Diaz); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 12 Jan (H. Robinson);
5 at Eco Pond, Everglades NP 14 Jan (M. Berney).

Common Nighthawk: 1 at Bald Point SP (Franklin) 2 Dec had “sharply pointed wings”
and a “white bar high on wing” (J. Murphy); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 3 Dec (H. Robin-

Field Observations

95

son); 1, possibly 2, at Gainesville 19-22 Dec (E. Scales, R. Rowan et aL, audio recording
to FOC); 2 at Research Road, Everglades NP 6 Jan (A. Bankert, M, Berney et aL).

Chuck-¥/ILL’S-WIDOW: 1 in DeSoto 27 Jan (R. Smith); 1 heard singing at Sarasota 26 Feb
(J. Palmer),

Whip-poor-will: 1 in DeSoto 27 Jan (R. Smith); at least 2 heard singing at Kissimmee
Prairie Preserve SP 23 Feb (P. Miller); 1 heard singing at Sarasota 26 Feb (L.
Jakubowicz),

HubimingbirdS: 11 individuals of 5 species banded in Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa,
and Walton variously 8 Nov-17 Dec: 4 Ruby-throated; 10 Rufous; 3 Black-chinned; 3
Buff-bellied; and 2 *Calliope (F, Bassett); 21 banded at Tallahassee: 3 Ruby-throated;
2 Black-chinned; 2 Calliope; and 14 Rufous; returning hummingbirds included 1
Buff-bellied banded in 2006, 2 Rufous banded in 2003, and one Rufous banded in
2006 (F. Bassett).

Buff-bellied Hummingbird: 1 female at The Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Na-
ples {Collier) 18 Nov- 12 Dec (S. Carbol et aL, photo to FOC by R. Greenspun).

Ruby-throated Hummingbird: 1 at Ormond Beach 7 Dec-9 Mar (M, Wilson); up to 9
wintered at Valrico (Hillsborough) (S, Backes).

Archilochus species: 1 at Jacksonville 30 Dec-EOS (L, Royce).

*Calliope Hummingbird: 1 first-year male at Jacksonville 9 Jan-EOS (P. Powell, F. Bas-
sett, photos to FOC by R. Clark).

Rufous Hummingbird: 2 wintered at Valrico (S. Backes).

Selasphorus SPECIES: 1 female at Cedar Key 2 Dec-EOS (D. Henderson).

Red-headed Woodpecker: 6 at Naples 30 Dec (D. Suitor); 1 at Terra Verde (Pinellas) 19
Jan (S. Patterson).

Red-bellied Woodpecker: 1 female at EPCOT (Orange) 19 Feb had an extreme “sickle-
bill” deformity of its upper mandible (D. Sterba, photo to FOC).

Downy Woodpecker: 1 at Indigenous Park, Key West 10 Jan (B. Mulrooney).

Hairy Woodpecker: 2 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 17 Dec (G. Morgan); 2 at Eglin
AFB (Okaloosa) 18 Dec (D. Ware); 3 along the Escambia River (Escambia) 27 Dec (B.
& L. Duncan et aL); 1 at Naples 30 Dec (D. Suitor); 2 at Wekiva River Buffers Conser-
vation Area (Seminole) 10 Feb (B. Wheeler).

*Hammond’S Flycatcher: 1 at Hal Scott Preserve 28 Jan-2 Mar (J. Gordon et aL, photos
to FOSRC).

Least Flycatcher: up to 10 (6 Dec) wintered at Lake Apopka NSRA (H. Robinson); 1 at
Merritt Island NWR 14 Dec (D. Freeland); 1 at Southern Glades WEA (Miami-Dade)
16 & 27 Jan (R. Diaz); 1 at Flamingo, Everglades NP 30 Dec-20 Jan (J. Boyd et aL).

Vermilion Flycatcher: 1 at Flamingo, Everglades NP 5 Jan-7 Feb (A. Bankert et aL);
1 at Research Road, Everglades NP 15-16 Jan (R. Diaz et aL); 3 wintered at Paynes
Prairie Pieserve SP (J. DeLuca et aL); 1 adult male wintered at Lake Jessup Conser-
vation Area, Sanford (R. Halpin et aL, photos to FOC).

Ash-throated Flycatcher: 1 at Bald Point SP 16 Dec (J. Murphy, details to FOC); 1 at
Lake Apopka NSRA 17 Dec-31 Jan (H. Robinson).

Broto-CRESTED Flycatcher: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 10 Dec-11 Feb (H. Robinson); 1
at Flamingo, Everglades NP 13 Jan-7 Feb (J. Boyd, R. Diaz); 1 at Research Road, Ev-
erglades NP 15-16 Jan (R. Diaz et aL).

*Tropical Kingbird: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 13 Dec (H. Robinson).

*Cassin’s Kingbird: 1 wintered at Lake Apopka to 14 Feb (H. Robinson).

Western ICihgbied: 1 at St. Vincent NWR (Franklin) 1 Dec (P. Flynn); a total of 9 in Es-
cambia, Okaloosa, and Santa Rosa variously 3-18 Dec (fide B. Duncan); 3 at Lecanto
(Citrus) 26-28 Dec (A. Lippman); 1 at Fort De Soto Park (Pinellas) 21 Dec-12 Jan (L.
Athertoii et aL, photo to FOC); up to 17 (11 Jan) at Cedar Key airport 28 Dec-21 Feb
fed mostly on Sabal fruit (D. Henderson); 10 SE of Lake Istokpoga (Highlands) 28
Dec (F. Lohrer et aL); 3 at Fort Island Beach 29 Dec-mid Jan (D. Sm3rth et aL); 1 N of

96

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Hudson 1 Jan (K. Tracey); 1 at Merritt Island NWR 8 Jan (T. Dunkerton); 1 at St.
George Island 14 Jan (M. Hartley); 1 at Alligator Point 15 Jan (J. Murphy), and 2
there 19 Jan (A. Wraithmell); 13 near Bartow {Polk) 17 Jan (T Palmer); 1 at Tallahas-
see 21-24 Jan (F. Dietrich); 6 near Balm {Hillsborough) 27 Jan (C. Rasmussen); 1 in
DeSoto 27 Jan (R. Smith); 7 in a “pretty tight flock” at J.N. “Ding” Darling NWR (Lee)
6 Feb (W. Russell); up to 43 wintered at The Villages {Marion; J. Dinsmore); up to 40
(22 Dec) wintered at Lake Apopka NSRA (H. Robinson),

SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER: 1 at the Sarasota celery fields 1 Dec (J. Palmer); 3 at The
Villages {Marion) 2 Dec+ (J. Dinsmore); 1 at W Cocoa 11 Dec-10 Feb {fide D.
Freeland); 7 at Lake Apopka NSRA 19 Dec, and 2 there to 9 Feb (B. Anderson, H, Rob-
inson); 1 at Avon Park {Polk) 25 Dec (D. Simpson); 10 SE of Lake Istokpoga 28 Dec
(F. Lohrer et al.); 6 at Cockroach Bay Road, Ruskin {Hillsborough) 13 Jan (T Arcos);
2 at Longboat Key 9 Jan (J. Ginaven); 2 near Bartow 17 Jan (T. Palmer).

Yellow-throated Vireo: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 10 Jan (H. Robinson).

Bell’s Vireo: 1 at Southern Glades WEA 2 Dec-EOS (B. Rapoza et al.); 1 at Bradenton
30 Dec-3 Jan (J. Dubi et al., photo to FOC by R. Greenspun).

Yellow-throated Vireo: 1 at Royal Palm, Everglades NP 18 Dec (R. Diaz); 1 at Re-
search Road, Everglades NP 16 Jan (R. Diaz); 1 at Gainesville 25 Feb (G. Kiltie); 1
wintered at W Kendall {Miami-Dade; J. Boyd).

Blue-headed Vireo: 14 near Withlacoochee River Park 30 Dec (B. Ahern et al.).

Horned Lark: up to 7 (31 Jan) at Bascom {Jackson) 14-31 Jan (A. Banker!, M. Bemey et al.).

Purple Martin: 1 at Sarasota 7 Jan {fide T. Mossbarger); 2 males at Tallahassee 25 Jan
(K. MacVicar); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 26 Jan, and 5 there 27 Jan (H. Robinson); 4
at Circle B Bar Reserve {Polk) 26 Jan (T. Palmer); 3 at St. Petersburg 31 Jan (R.
Smith); 2 at Naples 31 Jan (K, Williams); 1 at Talbot Islands SP 7 Feb (P. Leary),

Tree Swallow: 100,000 near Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP 14 Jan (T. Rodriguez).

Northern Rough-winged Swallow: 300+ at STA-5, 9 Dec & 27 Jan (M. England); 1 at
Viera Wetlands 15 Jan (D. Freeland); 1 at Newnans Lake 11 Feb (C. Burney, J. DeLuca).

Cave Swallow: 15 of the fulva race at Homestead 14 Jan (J. Boyd); 2 at Merritt Island
NWR 21 Feb (D. Freeland et al.).

Barn Swallow: 1 at Goodwin Waterfowl Management Area 17 Jan (D. Simpson); 1 at
Tomoka SP {Volusia) 27 Feb (M. Wilson).

Carolina Chickadee: 1 at Mead Garden, Winter Park {Orange) to 14 Jan (B. Orr).

White-breasted Nuthatch: 2 at Osceola National Forest {Baker) 6 Dec (B. Richter); 1
at Gainesville 27 Jan (B. Holt).

Brown Creeper: 1 at Gainesville to 2 Dec (R. Norton); singles at Tallahassee 4 Dec (G.
Menk), 19 Dec-4 Jan (M. Collins), and 30 Dec (J. Cavanagh); 1 at Florida Caverns SP
9 Dec (A. Banker!); 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 10 Dec (E. Scales); 1 at Fort
George Island {Duval) 8 Jan (R. Clark); 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 10 Jan (B. Dun-
can); 1 in W Washington 14 Jan (A. Bankert); 1 at Three Rivers SP 25 Jan (B. Ahern);
1 at St. Marks NWR 29 Jan (M. Berney); 1 at Gulf Breeze {Santa Rosa) 11 Feb (J.
French); 1 at Newberry {Alachua) 11 Feb (H. Warren et al.).

Carolina Wren: a clutch of 5 eggs completed at Gainesville 22 Feb (B. Snelson).

Winter Wren: 1 at Lake Jackson 9 Dec (M. Collins); 1 at Gulf Breeze 13 Dec (J. French);
1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 17 Dec (M. Manetz); 4 along the Escambia River {Es-
cambia & Santa Rosa) 27 Dec (B. & L. Duncan et ah); 1 at Leon Sinks {Leon) 6 Jan
(M. Hartley); 1 at Florida Caverns SP 25 Jan (B. Ahern); 1 at Ponce de Leon Springs
SP {Holmes) 26 Jan (B. Ahern); 1 at Torreya SP {Liberty) 26 Jan (B. Ahern); 1 at Pea-
cock Springs SP {Suwannee) 11 Feb (R. Rowan et al.); 1 at Bayard Conservation Area
{Clay) 26 Feb (L. McCullagh).

Golden-crowned Kinglet: 16 at Newnans Lake 2 Dec (A. Kratter); 1 at Boyd Hill Pre-
serve, St. Petersburg 2 Dec (R. Smith); 2 at Lake Apopka NSRA 6 Dec-10 Jan (H. Rob-
inson); 1 at Morris Bridge, Wilderness Park {Hillsborough) 9 Dec (K. Allen); 3 at

Field Observations

97

Lettuce Lake Park 14 Dec (B. Ahern); widespread in Seminole 16 Dec-22 Feb (L. Male,
R Hueber); 1 at Bullfrog Creek Preserve {Hillsborough) 17 Dec (M. Keith); 2 at Key
Vista Nature Park, Anclote (Pasco) 24 Dec (K. Tracey); up to 5 at Starkey Park 2-20 Jan
(K. Tracey et aL, photos to FOC); 2 wintered at Fort De Soto Park (L. Atherton et al.).

Ruby-crowned Kinglet: 6 at five sites in Miami-Dade variously 10 Dec- 10 Feb (J.
Boyd); 1 at Clive Key, Everglades NP (Monroe) 8 Jan (B. Mulrooney).

Eastern Bluebird: 2 at Boyd Hill Preserve 16 Dec- 12 Jan (A. & R. Smith).

SWAINSON’S Thrush: 1 at Sandy Key, Everglades NP 30 Dec (R. Galvez, drawings to
FOC).

Hermit Thrush: 100 total feeding in small groups in open areas along roads near Shell
Mound, Lower Suwannee NWR (Levy) 19 Feb (J. Krummrich).

American Robin: 4 at North Park Key (Monroe) 27 Dec (B. Mulrooney); 240,000 at Lake
Apopka NSRA 29 Dec (H. Robinson); “surely ... millions” in the Panhandle late Jan-19
Feb (B. & L. Duncan); 2 at Key Largo (Monroe) 6 Feb (B. Mulrooney).

Northern Mockingbird: 1 at Sanibel Island in Feb “regularly included Tropical King-
bird calls in its repertoire” (W. Russell).

Common Myna: 2 at S Fort Myers (Lee) 6 Dec (A. Lindstrom), and 2 there one mile north
25 Feb (S. Hodgson).

Sprague’s Pipit: 1 at Eglin AFB site B-70, 3 Dec (L. Fenimore).

Cedar Waxwing: 1 bird 40 km off Volusia 30 Jan (M. Gardler),

Nashville Warbler: 1 at Ingraham Highway, Everglades NP (Miami-Dade) 18 Dec (R.
Diaz); 1 at A.D. Barnes Park (Miami-Dade) 23 Dec (R. Diaz); 1 at Spring Hill 6 Dec-
27 Feb (D. Gagne); 1 at Hudson 2 Jan (D. Simpson); 1 at Gainesville 3 Jan (B. Chris-
tensen); 1 at Southern Glades WEA 10 Feb (J. Boyd); 1 at Mead Garden 12-21 Feb (B.
Anderson et al.).

Northern ParulA: 4 males at Bill Baggs Cape Florida SP 26 Jan were the first mi-
grants of the year (R. Diaz); 1 at Tallahassee 7 Feb (K. MacVicar); 1 at Lake Apopka
NSRA 23 Feb, and 7 there 28 Feb (H. Robinson); 1 at St. Augustine (St. Johns) 25 Feb
(J. Kern).

Yellow Warbler: 1 at Gainesville 8 Dec-EOS (J. Powell et al., photo to FOC); 1 juvenile
male at Oviedo 31 Dec (B. Anderson); 1 at Goodwin Waterfowl Management Area 24
Jan (A. Bankert et al.).

Black-throated Blue Warbler: 1 at Orlando 6 Dec (A. Boyle); 1 male at S Merritt Is-
land 10-21 Feb (D. Freeland).

Yellow-RUMPED Warbler: 10,000 fiew over the Sanibel Lighthouse toward the main-
land 28 Jan (D. & L. Stokes); 10,200 at Lake Apopka NSRA 23 Feb (H. Robinson).

Black-throated Green Warbler: 1 at St. Sebastian River Preserve SP (Brevard) 30
Dec (L. Male); 1 at Mead Garden 29 Jan (B. Orr).

Prairie Warbler: 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 3 Jan (B. Duncan).

Palm Warbler: 1 of the eastern race wintered at Fort Zachary Taylor SP, Key West
(Monroe) 30 Dec (B. Mulrooney et al,, photo to FOC).

American Redstart: 1 at Altamonte Springs 2 Dec-EOS (P. Hueber); 1 at Lake Lindsey
(Hernando) 16 Dec (R. Grant); 1 at Gainesville 17 Dec (S. Robinson); 1 at Hal Scott
Preserve 26 Jan (J. Gordon); 1 male at Oakland Nature Preserve (Orange) 30 Jan (T
Rodriguez); 1 female at Fort Cooper SP (Citrus) 1 Feb (B. Ahern); 1 male near Inv-
erness 17 Feb (P. Pilny).

Swainson’S Warbler: 1 banded at Cape Florida SP 9 Sep and recaptured five times 1
Oct-3 Nov and again 12 Mar; probably wintered (R. Diaz).

Ovenbird: 1 at Eglin AFB 18 Dec (J. Kowalski); 1 at Apalachicola (Franklin) 3 Feb (J.
Murphy).

Northern Waterthrush: 3 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 16 Dec (J. Hintermister et
al.); 1 at Newnans Lake 17 Dec (A, Kratter); 1 at St. Marks 1 Jan-26 Feb (A. Wraith-
mell et al.); up to 20 (28 Feb) wintered at Lake Apopka NSRA (H. Robinson).

98

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Louisiana Waterthrush: 1 at Greynolds Park 16 Dec (J. Boyd et al.); 1 at Newnans
Lake 17 Dec (M. Manetz); 1 at Royal Palm, Everglades NP 18 Dec (R. Diaz) & 5 Jan
(A. Banker! et al.); 2 at Lake Apopka NSRA 25 Feb (H. Robinson).

Hooded Warbler: 1 male at John Chesnut Park {Pinellas) 8-14 Jan (T. Arcos); 1 male at
Big Cypress Bend, Big Cypress National Preserve {Collier) 4 Feb (A. Murray).

Wilson’s Warbler: 1 at Hague 2 Dec (M. Manetz); 1 at Lake Seminole Park {Pinellas)
5 Dec-25 Jan (C. Gjervold); 3 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 16-17 Dec (J. Hinter-
mister, M. Manetz et al.); 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF 18 Dec (S. Lefstad); 1 at Lake
Apopka NSRA 22 Dec-7 Jan (H. Robinson); 1 at Frog Pond WMA {Miami-Dade) 5 Jan
(A. Banker! et al.); 1 at Buschman Park {Volusia) 7 Feb (B. Orr).

Yellow-breasted Chat: 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 9-17 Dec (M. Manetz); 1 at Al-
ligator Point 10 Dec (J. Murphy); 1 at Gainesville 17 Dec (P. Colverson); 1 at Lake Ap-
opka NSRA 7 Jan (H. Robinson); 1 at Cape Florida SP 8 Jan (R. Diaz); 1 at Flamingo
14 Jan (B. Mulrooney); 1 at Frog Pond WMA 16 Jan (R. Diaz); 1 at Lake Seminole
Park 28 Feb {fide J. Fisher).

Bananaquit: 1 at Big Pine Key {Monroe) 14 Dec (J. Hobbs, details to FOC).

Summer TanageR: 1 at Gainesville 17 Dec-9 Feb (I. Scales); 1 on the Choctawhatchee
CBC {Okaloosa) 18 Dec (G. Estes); 1 banded male at Tallahassee 30 Dec for its 5th
winter (P. Homann); 1 at Vero Beach {Indian River) 13 Jan (B. Wagner); 1 in Wakulla
19 Jan-16 Feb (L. Reynolds); 1 female at Tallahassee 28 Jan (F. Rutkovsky); presum-
ably the same 1 wintered at Melrose for the fifth consecutive winter (J. Geisel).

Western Tanager: 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 2 Dec (B. Roberts et al.); 1 at
Gainesville 3 Dec (R. Robinson); 4 singles at Tallahassee: 1 male 19 Dec-EOS (G.
Menk, F. Rutkovsky et al.) and 1 female at the same yard 28 Jan-EOS (F. Rutkovsky
et al.), 1 female 23-26 Feb (J. Cavanagh), and 1 male 25 Feb (F. Dietrich); 1 adult male
at Niceville {Okaloosa) 31 Dec (R. & T. Stiles); 1 male at Pensacola 18 Jan (P, Palmer);
1 female at Golden Gate Estates {Collier) 12-21 Feb (B. Womble, photos to FOC).

Western SpindaliS: 1 black-backed male at Cape Florida SP 12 Dec and 9 & 14 Feb per-
haps wintered (R. Diaz); 1 green-backed male at Evergreen Cemetery {Broward) 19
Jan-11 Feb (B. Roberts, J. Schwartz et al., photos to FOC).

Bachman’s Sparrow: 1 near Brooker {Bradford) 15 Jan (D. Goodwin, E. Haney); 1 heard
singing at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP 20 Feb (P. Miller), and 51 banded there
during winter (M. Korosy).

Chipping Sparrow: 50 near Brooker 15 Jan (D. Goodwin, E. Haney); 1 at Coastal Prairie
Trail, Everglades NP {Monroe) 7 Feb (R. Diaz).

Clay-colored Sparrow: up to 4 (15 Dec) wintered at Lake Apopka NSRA (H. Robin-
son); 1 at the Sarasota celery fields 2 Jan- 12 Feb (L. Atherton, J. Dubi); 1 at Frog Pond
WMA 6 Jan (M. Berney et al.); 1 at Valrico 10 Jan-EOS (S. Backes, photo to FOC); up
to 6 at Coastal Prairie Trail, Everglades NP 14 Jan- 11 Feb (B. Roberts et al.); 1 at
Cockroach Bay Preserve {Hillsborough) 4-7 Feb (T. Arcos).

Field Sparrow: 4 in N Madison 4 Jan (R. Smith); 1 near Brooker 15 Jan (D. Goodwin, E.
Haney); 10 at Lake Apopka NSRA 26 Jan (H. Robinson).

Vesper Sparrow: 1 at Coastal Prairie Trail, Everglades NP 29 Dec (J. Boyd); 10 near
Brooker 15 Jan (D. Goodwin, E. Haney).

Lark Sparrow: 1 near Myakka State Forest {Sarasota) 15 Dec (J. Dubi); 1 at Bradenton
30 Dec-3 Jan (J. Dubi et al.); 1 at Lemon Bay Preserve {Sarasota) 8-14 Jan (M. Dun-
son); 1 at Lake Jackson 28 Jan (G. Menk, J. Cavanagh); 1 at Cockroach Bay Preserve
4-7 Feb (T. Arcos).

Savannah Sparrow: 8 near Brooker 15 Jan (D. Goodwin, E. Haney).

Henslow’S Sparrow: 1 at Disney conservation land {Orange) 15 Nov- 13 Dec (C. New-
ton); 2 at Lake Jessup Conservation Area 5 Dec-20 Feb (R. Halpin et al.); 1 at Brooker
Creek Preserve {Pinellas) 17 Dec (A. & R. Smith); 1 E of Brooksville 19 Dec (M.
Gardler); 1 at Withlacoochee River Park 30 Dec (B. Ahern et al.); 1 at Colt Creek SP

Field Observations

99

28 Feb (C. Geanangel); 33 banded during the season at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve
SP (M. Korosy).

Le Conte’s Sparrow: up to 4 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 5 Dec-EOS (J. Hintermister
et al.); up to 5 at Lake Jessup Conservation Area 5 Dec-20 Feb (K. Schmidt et al., pho-
tos to FOC); 1 at Lake Jackson 20 Dec-22 Jan (G. Menk, F. Davis); 1 at Little-Big Econ
State Forest (Seminole) 31 Dec (L. Malo); up to 3 at Weekiwachee Preserve 4 Jan-20
Feb (D. Simpson et al.); 4 at Bald Point SP 15 Jan (J. Murphy); 1 at Alligator Point 15
Jan (J. Murphy); 1 at St. Marks NWR 15 Jan (A. Wraithmell); 1 at East Everglades
(Miami-Dade) 15 Jan (L. Manfredi, photos to FOC).

Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow: 1 at Eco Pond 30 Dec- 15 Jan (J. Boyd et al); 5 at Ten
Thousand Islands NWR 4 Jan (T. Doyle, C. Ewell); 14 at Shired Island, Lower Suwan-
nee NWR (Dixie) 13 Jan (R. Smith, B. Ahern).

Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow: 1 at Fort Island Beach 9 Dec (R. Smith, B. Ahern);
1 at Sandy Key, Everglades NP (Monroe) 13 Dec (B. Mulrooney).

Seaside Sparrow: 9 heard singing at Werner-Boyce Salt Springs (Pasco) SP 21 Feb (K.
Tracey).

Fox Sparrow: singles at Tallahassee 3 Dec (R. Lengacher) and 10 Dec (D. & S. Jue); 2 at
Tall Timbers Research Station (Leon) 12 Dec (A. Wraithmell); 1 in Gadsden 16 Dec
(D, Simpson); 2 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP to 19 Dec (R. Rowan, M. Manetz); 1 at
San Felasco Hammock Preserve SP (Alachua) 18 Dec-11 Jan (R. Rowan et al.); 2 NW
of Monticello (Jefferson) 5 Jan (R. Smith); 1 in W Washington 14 Jan (A. Banker!); 1
near Joe Budd WMA (Gadsden) 16 Jan (D. Simpson); 1 at Ponce de Leon Springs SP
26 Jan (B. Ahern); 1 in Santa Rosa 3 Feb (R. Smith).

Song Sparrow: 4 near Brooker 15 Jan (D. Goodwin, E. Haney); 1 at Tierra Verde 25 Feb
(C. Gjervold).

Lincoln’s Sparrow: 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 11 Dec (C. Burney, J. DeLuca); 1 in

5 Manatee 16 Dec (C. Gjervold); 1 at Hague 29 Dec (M. Manetz); 1 at Bradenton 30
Dec (J. Dubi et aL); 1 at Frog Pond WMA 5 Jan (A. Banker! et ah); 1 at Gainesville 4
Feb (B. & J. Bolte); up to 2 wintered at Lake Apopka NSRA (H. Robinson).

Swamp Sparrow: 1 at Coastal Prairie Trail, Everglades NP 29 Dec-20 Jan (J. Boyd, B. Mul-
rooney); 8 near Brooker 15 Jan (D. Goodwin, E. Haney); 1 at Eco Pond 30 Jan (J. Boyd).

White-throated Sparrow: 1 at Boyd Hill Preserve 16 Dec (A. & R. Smith); 2 at Salt
Springs SP 22 Dec (K. Tracey et al., photos to FOC); 1 at Clive Key, Everglades NP 8
Jan (B. Mulrooney); 2 at Fort De Soto Park 10-16 Jan (L. Atherton); 8 near Brooker 15
Jan (D. Goodwin, E. Haney); 1 at the Sarasota celery fields 31 Jan (K. Young); 1 at
Brooker Creek Preserve 15 Jan (R. Smith, B. Ahern); 1 at Port Charlotte (Charlotte)
20 Jan (R. Smith, B. Ahern); 1 at Lake Region Village (Polk) 17 Feb (B. & L. Cooper);

6 at Lake Apopka NSRA 23 Feb (H. Robinson).

White-crowned Sparrow: 1 at Boyd Hill Preserve 16 Dec (A. & R. Smith); up to 4 (1
adult) at Coastal Prairie Trail, Everglades NP 14 Jan-11 Feb (B. Roberts et aL); 1
near Brooker 15 Jan (D. Goodwin, E. Haney); 1 at Holiday Recreation Center (Pasco)

7 Feb (K. Tracey),

Dark-eyed Junco: 1 at Tallahassee 5 Dec (A. Wraithmell), and 4 others there 30 Dec (J,
Cox, K. NeSmith); 1 in N Baker 15 Dec (B. Richter); 7 at Lafayette Park (Leon) 30 Dec
(A. Wraithmell); 1 at Fort De Soto Park 1-5 Jan (A. Banker!, L. Atherton et aL); 2 in
Wakulla 12 Jan (S. McCool); 20 at Florida Caverns SP 25 Jan (B. Ahern); 4 at Torreya
SP 26 Jan (B. Ahern); 8 at Joe Budd WMA (Gadsden) 27 Jan (B. Ahern); 20 in Santa
Rosa 8 Feb (H. Moore, B. Francisco); 13 in Gadsden 1 Feb (E. WTiite); up to 12 at Ponce
de Leon Springs SP (Holmes) 26 Jan-4 Feb (B. Ahern, R. Smith).

Rose-breasted Grosbeak: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 16 Jan (H. Robinson, B, Anderson);
1 immature male at Tallahassee 21 Feb (C. Clarke).

Blue Grosbeak: 1 near Balm-Boyette (Hillsborough) 17 Dec (B. Ahern); 1 in female plum-
age at Lake Apopka NSRA to 4 Feb (H. Robinson, photo to FOC by D. Goodwin, 22 Dec).

100

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Indigo Bunting: 1 at Gainesville 17 Dec (T. Webber); 1 at Alligator Point 23 Feb (E. Orf).

Painted Bunting: 5 in Alachua 2 Dec-EOS (B. Roberts et aL); 2 females at Cedar Key 2
Dec-EOS (D. Henderson); 3 at Bradenton 30 Dec-3 Jan (J. Dubi et aL); 1 at the Sara-
sota celery fields 14 Jan (J. Dubi); 1 male near Platt (DeSoto) 20 Jan (B. Ahern,
R. Smith); 2 in Hernando 27 Jan-26 Feb (B. Cox, L. Vanderveen); up to 4 (31 Jan)
wintered at Lake Apopka NSRA (H. Robinson); 7 (4 males, 3 females) wintered at
Oakland Nature Preserve (T. Rodriguez).

Dickcissel: 1 at the Sarasota celery fields 2 Dec-24 Jan (E. Miller, J. Carlock); 1 adult and
2 immatures at Coastal Prairie Trail, Everglades NP 14 Jan-11 Feb (B. Roberts et aL).

*Western Meadowlark: up to 2 heard singing at N Escambia catfish farms 19 Jan-21
Feb (B. & L. Duncan et aL, photos by B. Wallace, accepted by FOSRC) furnished the
first regional report since 1967.

Yellow-headed Blackbird: 1 adult male at Lake Apopka NSRA 3-6 Dec (H. Robinson);

1 male at Hernando Beach 22-26 Dec (B. Ahern, B. Pranty et aL); 1 adult male at The
Villages {Lake) 22 Feb (G. Babic).

Rusty Blackbird: 60 at Crawfordville {Wakulla) 3 Dec (S. McCool); 10 at St. Marks NWR
9 Dec-16 Jan (A. Banker!, A. Wraithmell); 1 male heard singing at Sawgrass Lake
Park, St. Petersburg 16 Dec (B. Ahern et aL, B. Pranty photos to FOC); up to 27 at
Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 17 Dec-EOS (C. Burney, R. Rowan et aL); up to 50 in N Es-
cambia 19 Jan-16 Feb (B. & L. Duncan et aL); 100 in Leon 17-19 Feb (A. Wraithmell).

Brewer’s Blackbird: 3 at Fort Walton Beach STF 3 Jan (B. Duncan); up to 122 in a fiock
in N Escambia 19 Jan- 16 Feb (B. & L. Duncan et aL).

Shiny CowbirD: 1 male at Holiday Recreation Center 16 Dec (K. Tracey).

Bronzed Cowbird: 2 at Riverview {Hillsborough) 17 Dec (D. Bowman et aL); 1 at Fla-
mingo 30 Dec-13 Jan (J. Boyd); 2 at Naples 5 Jan (A. Murray).

Orchard Oriole: 1 juvenile male at Flamingo 30 Dec (J. Boyd), and 1 female with Bal-
timore Orioles there 30 Dec-27 Jan (J. Boyd, B. Mulrooney); 1 at Gainesville 14 Feb
(G. Kiltie).

*Bullock’S Oriole: 1 female at Tallahassee 30 Dec-EOS (F. Rutkovsky, photo to FOC by
D. Jue).

Baltimore Oriole: 1 male at Lee {Madison) 4 Jan (R. Smith).

Purple Finch: 5 in Leon 12 Dec (A. Wraithmell); 7 at Lake Jackson 29 Jan (G. Menk); 1
at Gainesville 12 Feb-EOS (R. Robinson).

House Finch: singles at Lake Apopka NSRA 1 Dec & 4 Feb (H. Robinson); 8, including

2 singing males, at Brandon 26 Feb (R. Milburn); 3 near Fort Island Beach 9 Dec
(B. Ahern, R. Smith); 1 female and 2 males at Jacksonville 15 Feb-EOS (J. Ross).

*White-winged Crossbill: 1 desiccated carcass of an immature male of the nominate
subspecies found in the parking lot at Long Pine Key, Everglades NP 11 Jan (B.
Rapoza et aL, to Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, # UF
45638) presumably was transported to the area on the grille of a vehicle from Canada
or the extreme N US.!

Pine Siskin: 2 at Pensacola 3 Feb (R. Smith); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 11 Feb (H. Robin-
son).

American Goldfinch: up to 5 at Flamingo 30 Dec-20 Jan (J. Boyd, B. Mulrooney); 1 at
Wakodahatchee Wetlands {Palm Beach) 12 Jan (B. Mulrooney); 1 at Royal Palm,
Everglades NP 14 Jan (J. Boyd).

Bishop species: 1 in female plumage at Fort De Soto Park 8-21 Dec represented the fifth
“female-plumaged” bishop found in the park in the past five years (L. Atherton, pho-
tos to FOC).

Contributors: Brian Ahern, Ken Allen, Ken Allie, Bruce Anderson, Todd Arcos, Lyn

Atherton, Gary Babic, Steve Backes, Andy Banker!, Fred Bassett, Mark Berney, Clay

Black, Bill & Jan Bolte, Dave Bowman, John Boyd, Andrew Boyle, Bill Bremser, Jane

Field Observations

101

Brooks, Michael Brothers, R. Brown, Chris Burney, Steve Carbol, Janet Carlock, Laura
Catterton, Jim Cavanagh, Bruce Christensen, Colin Gjervold, C. Clark, Roger Clark,
Michael Collins, Pete Colverson, Buck & Linda Cooper, Bucky Cox, Jim Cox, Kevin Dai-
ley, Madeline Davidson, Fritz Davis, Mark Davis, Michelle Davis, John DeLuca, Robin
Diaz, Fred Dietrich, Jim Dinsmore, Terry Donovan, Terry Doyle, Jeanne Dubi, Bob Dun-
can, Lucy Duncan, Tom Dunkerton, Margaret Dunson, Jim Eager, Margaret England,
Gene Estes, C. Evans, Charlie Ewell, Mark Faherty, Lenny Fenimore, Judy Fisher, Scott
Flamand, Pam Flynn, Brenda Francisco, Paul Francois, David Freeland, M. Freeman,
Jere French, Jill Gaetzi, Rafael Galvez, Murray Gardler, Chuck Geanangel, Jean Geisel,
John Ginaven, Colin Gjervold, Carl Goodrich, David Goodwin, Jeff Gordon, Rita Grant,
Paul Gray, Rick Greenspun, Carol & John Grossa, Roy Halpin, Erik Haney, Dan & Sa-
rah Hans, A1 & Bev Hansen, Rosemary Harris, Michael Hartley, Darrell & Sue Hart-
man, Dale Henderson, Linda Hensley, John Hintermister, Jeanette Hobbs, Shannon
Hodgson, Bob Holt, Peter Homann, Brian Hope, Paul Hueber, Lynn Jakubowicz, Dean
& Sally Jue, Mary Keith, Jackie Kern, Grace Kiltie, Marianne Korosy, Jim Kowalski,
Bryan Kramer, Andy Kratter, Jerry Krummrich, Bob Landry, Patrick Leary, Sandra Lef-
stad, Rob Lengacher, Annie Lindstrom, A1 Lippman, Fred Lohrer, Keith MacVicar,
Lome Malo, Mike Manetz, Larry Manfredi, Bill & Eleanor Marr, Linda McCandless,
Sean McCool, Lenore McCullagh, Gail Menk, Rocky Milburn, Edith Miller, Paul Miller,
Heidi Moore, Ginger Morgan, Tina Mossbarger, Linda Most, Brennan Mulrooney, Bob
Mumford, John Murphy, Alan Murray, Katy NeSmith, Chris Newton, Robert Norton, E,
Orf, Brenda Orr, Paula Palmer, Jeff Palmer, Tom Palmer, Scott Patterson, Mauri Peter-
son, Martina Petru, Cheri Pierce, Paul Pilny, Jim Powell, Peggy Powell, Bill Pranty,
Chris Rasmussen, Brian Rapoza, Diane Reed, L. Reynolds, Bob Richter, Frances & Pe-
ter Rice, Bryant Roberts, Harry Robinson, Ron Robinson, Scott Robinson, E. Rocco, Tom
Rodriguez, Rex Rowan, Lesley Royce, Jamie Ross, Fran Rutkovsky, Will Russell,
Charles Saleeby, Earl Scales, Ingrid Scales, K. Schmidt, John Schwartz, G. Simmons,
David Simpson, Chris Skelton, Austin Smith, Ron Smith, Daniel Sm5rth, Buck Snelson,
Nancy Soucy, Marilyn Spalding, Ken Spilios, Don Sterba, Robin & Tom Stiles, Wes
Stinehelfer, Don & Lillian Stokes, Doug Suitor, Linda Terry, Pete Timmer, Roberto
Torres, Ken Tracey, Anne Turner, Les Twining, Linda Vanderveen, Billi Wagner, Bob
Wallace, Don Ware, Helen Warren, Robert Wears, Tom Webber, Bob Wheeler, Eddie
White, Michelle White, Ken Williams, Meret Wilson, Brian Womble, Andy Wraithmell,
and Kathryn Young.

Summer 2006 report not published previously? American Bittern: 1 at St. Vin-
cent NWR (Franklin) 5 Jul (Thom Lewis).

Fall 2006 reports not published previously: Masked Booby: 1 at Eglin AFB
(Okaloosa) 14 Nov (Joe Kern); Roseate Spoonbill: 1 at St. Vincent NWR (Franklin) 23
Aug (Thom Lewis); Sandhill Crane; 3 at Pace (Santa Rosa) 23 Nov (Anna Stalcup);
Black Tern: 1000 at Flag Island (Franklin) 21 Aug (T. Lewis).

Report prepared by Bill Pranty, state compiler (8515 Village Mill Row, Bayonet
Point, Florida 34667-2662; <billpranty@hotmaiLcom>). Regional compilers are Brian
Ahern (629 Gail Avenue, Temple Terrace, Florida 33617; brianahern@aoLcom); Bruce
H. Anderson (2917 Scarlet Road, Winter Park, Florida 32792; <scizortail@aoLcom>),
John H. Boyd III (15291 SW 108th Terrace, Miami, Florida 33196; <boydj@fiu.edu>),
Bob and Lucy Duncan (614 Fairpoint Drive, Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561;
<Town_Point@bellsouth.net>), Charlie Ewell (115 SW 51st Terrace, Cape Coral, Flor-
ida 33991; <anhinga42@embarqmaiLcom>), Bev Hansen (6573 Pine Meadows Drive,
Spring Hill, Florida 34606; <bevalhansen@earthlink.net>), Gail Menk (2725 Peachtree
Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32304; no email), Paul Miller (Kissimmee Prairie Preserve

102

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

State Park, 33104 NW 192nd Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida 34972;
<PauLMiller@dep.state.fl.us>), and Peggy Powell (2965 Forest Circle, Jacksonville,
Florida 32257; <pegpowell@comcast.net>).

BE A FRIEND OF FFN

Florida Field Naturalist is the journal of FOS, an important com-
munication vehicle for the Florida scientific and birding community.
Increasing costs need to be offset with a combination of member dues
and contributions.

Please consider a donation of $50, $100, $200 or more to FRIENDS
OF FFN. Your gift will allow FFN to improve its artwork, including
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Contributions to FOS FRIENDS OF FFN will be added to a special
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We thank the following individuals for donating to FOS Friends of
FFN:

2006

Murray Gardler

2007

David B. Freeland

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Florida Field Naturalist

ISSN 0738-999X

PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Editor: ScOTT ROBINSON, Florida Museum of Natural History, P.O. Box 117800, Univer-
sity of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-7800. E-mail: srobinson@flmnh.ufl.edu
Associate Editor (for bird distribution): Bruce Anderson, 2917 Scarlet Road, Winter
Park, FL 32792. E-mail: scizortail@aoLcom

Editor of the FOS newsletter, Snail Kite: TOM PALMER, 1805 26th Street, N.W., Win-
ter Haven, FL 33881. E-mail: tomp47@yahoo.com
Editor of Special Publications: Reed F. NOSS, University of Central Florida, Depart-
ment of Biology, 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, FL 32816-2368. E-mail:
rnoss@mail.ucfedu

Web Page Editor: STEPHEN Bankert, 365 Spoonbill Lane, Melbourne, FL 32951. E-mail:
webmaster@fosbirds.org

INFORMATION FOR CONTRIBUTORS

The Florida Field Naturalist is a fully refereed journal emphasizing biological field
studies and observations of vertebrates, especially birds, in and near Florida and the
nearby West Indies. We welcome submission of original manuscripts containing new
information from these areas. We encourage electronic submission of manu-
scripts. Please consult recent issues of the journal and the FOS website (http://
www.fosbirds.org/FFN/FFNGuidelines.htm) for style, especially noting that manu-
scripts should:

(1) be double-spaced throughout, including tables and figure captions;

(2) include the scientific name at the first mention of each species;

(3) include capitalized standardized English names for all birds, but lower
case for English names of other organisms;

(4) include metric units for all measurements;

(5) use the form “7 June 2003” for all dates;

(6) use the 24-hour clock for all indications of time (e.g., 0800, 1400);

(7) use the following abbreviations: s (second), min (minute), h (hour);

(8) preferentially use active voice.

Submit manuscripts for Florida Field Naturalist to the Editor, Scott Robinson.
Monograph-length manuscripts may be submitted for consideration to Reed F. Noss,
Editor of Special Publications. Books and other materials for review should be submit-
ted to Reed Bowman, Associate Editor for Reviews. Field Observations should be sub-
mitted to the Chair of the Field Observations Committee, Bill Pranty (see Field
Observations, this issue). Reports of rare birds in Florida (see Field Observations, this
issue) should be submitted to the Managing Secretary of the FOS Records Committee,
Andrew W Kratter, Florida Museum of Natural History, P.O. Box 117800, University of
Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-7800; E-mail: kratter@flmnh.ufl.edu.

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION LIBRARIES

Florida Field Naturalist

PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

VOL. 35, No. 3 September 2007 Pages 73003

CONTENTS

ARTICLES

First record of Roseate Terns nesting in the Key West National
Wildlife Refuge: A by-product of Hurricane Wilma

Tom Wilmers and Kathleen Lyons ..................................................................... 73-78

Food-handling difficulties for Snail Kites capturing non-native apple snails

Philip C. Darby, David J. Mellow, and Miranda L. Watford ............................ 79-85

NOTES

Interspecific feeding of nestlings by a Northern Mockingbird

Ross McGregor and Frances C. James .............................................................. 86-88

FIELD OBSERVATIONS

Winter report: December 2006-February 2007

Bill Pranty 89-102

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Friends of FFN 103

Florida Field Naturalist

PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

VoL. 35, No. 4 November 2007

Pages 105-138

FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Founded 1972
OFFICERS

President: JEROME A. JACKSON, Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501 FGCU Blvd.

South, Ft. Myers, FL 33965. Email: jjackson@fgcu.edu
Vice President: Ann B. Hodgson, Audubon of Florida, Florida Coastal Islands Sanc-
tuaries Program, 410 Ware Blvd., Suite 702, Tampa, FL 33619. E-mail: ahodgson®
audubon.org

Secretary: JiM Cox, Tall Timbers Research Station, 13093 Henry Beadel Dr., Tallahas-
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THIS PUBLICATION IS PRINTED ON NEUTRAL PH PAPER

Florida Field Naturalist

PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

VoL, 35, No. 4 November 2007 Pages 105-138

Florida Field Naturalist 35(4):105-113, 2007.

SHOREBIRD OCCURRENCE AT THREE SITES
IN FRANKLIN COUNTY, FLORIDA: 1994-2005

Gary L. Sprandel

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)

620 S. Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399

Current address: Kentucky Dept, of Fish and Wildlife Resources
#1 Sportsman's Lane, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601
E-mail: gary.sprandel@ky.gov

Abstract.—Between March 1994 and February 2005, I surveyed
shorebirds at Bald Point, Carrabelle Beach, and Yent Bayou in Frank-
lin County of the Florida panhandle. A total of 96,259 individuals of
23 shorebird species were counted, with Dunlins (Calidris alpina) ac-
counting for 28% of the individuals, followed by Sanderlings (C. alba)
at 17%. Each site had a distinct seasonal pattern, with Carrabelle
Beach and Yent Bayou being most heavily used in winter, Bald Point
most used in spring, and all sites used least in summer.

Florida is home to 22 wintering shorebird species (Sprandel et al.
2000) and seven breeding species (FWC 2003). Although migrant
shorebirds use coastal Florida in both spring and fall, periods of occur-
rence and abundance are not well documented. Following a statewide
winter shorebird survey in 1993 (Sprandel et ah 1997), I continued sur-
veying three Franklin county sites on the Gulf Coast, to look at sea-
sonal occurrence and abundance.

Study Sites and Methods

Study sites. — Three sites in Franklin County were surveyed for shorebirds: Bald
Point (29°56.8’N, 84°20.5’W), Carrabelle Beach (29°50.0'N, 84°40.5'W), and Yent Bayou
(29°47.4’N, 84°45.5’W), (Fig. 1). All sites were tidal with mixed sand and mud flats, and
had an incoming stream nearby. At all sites shorebird usage was concentrated in a
~200-m stretch of beach. Bald Point had a prominent mollusk reef at low- to medium
tide and Carrabelle Beach had exposed mollusk reefs at very low tide. Bald Point was a
county park at the start of the survey but in 1996 it passed into private ownership. It
was purchased by the state with the Conservation and Recreation Land funds in 2001

105

106

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

FRANKLIN COUNTY

Bald Point

Figure 1. Shorebird survey sites in Franklin County, Florida, 1994-2005.

and became Bald Point State Park. Carrabelle Beach is a county park. Yent Bayou is
private property, and in 1997 houses began to be developed in the area.

Count methods. — I visited all sites every 3 weeks from 2 March 1994 through 28 Feb-
ruary 2005. Visits occurred during daylight hours and lasted >30 min even if few birds
were present. Generally, all three sites were visited on the same day. The count included
any arriving birds and continued until numbers stabilized. Based on analysis of counts
from Sprandel et al. (1997), visits were conducted when highest shorebird usage oc-
curred: Carrabelle Beach and Yent Bayou at low tide and Bald Point between low and
high tide. I identified birds to species and counted individuals (See Table 1 for English
and scientific names). Western Sandpiper and Semipalmated Sandpiper were grouped
together (Veit and Jonsson 1984) and all dowitchers were counted as dowitcher spp.

I plotted total shorebird occurrence by month, and summarized species occurrences
by site and season (winter: December-February, spring: March-May, summer: June-Au-
gust, and fall: September-November).

Results

A total of 96,259 individuals of 23 different shorebird species were
counted in 674 visits to the 3 shorebird sites. An average of 37 min was

Sprandel— Franklin Co., FL, Shorebirds

107

Table 1. Average number of shorebirds, standard deviation, and number of vis-
its by month at Bald Point, Carrabelle Beach, and Yent Bayou, Franklin
County, Florida from 1994-2005.

Month/Site

Bald Point

Carrabelle Beach

Yent Bayou

January

94 ± 64 (23)

267 ± 97 (23)

176 ± 59 (23)

February

111 ±81 (14)

282 ± 102 (15)

188 ± 68 (15)

March

134 ± 107 (23)

262 ± 114 (24)

246 ± 91 (23)

April

267 ±215 (17)

234 ± 228 (17)

264 ± 152 (17)

May

127 ± 101 (21

142 ± 99 (21)

161 ± 149 (20)

June

37 ±32 (17)

30 ±26 (14)

17 ± 19 (14)

July

30 ± 13 (21)

72 ± 42 (20)

35 ±31 (21)

August

35 + 23 (15)

97 ±46 (15)

80 ±36 (14)

September

44 ± 25 (21)

120 ± 47 (20)

114 ± 48 (20)

October

56 ± 36 (24)

156 ± 85 (19)

157 ± 59 (19)

November

85 ± 67 (20)

200 ± 89 (20)

266 ± 59 (20)

December

73 ±45 (16)

310 ± 150(14)

177 ± 93 (14)

spent on each visit to a site, with a maximum of 142 min. All sites were
least used in summer (Fig. 2), with Bald Point and Carrabelle Beach
averaging 30 shorebirds in June and Yent Bayou only 17 (Table 1).
Bald Point was most heavily used in spring migration, with an average
of 267 shorebirds in April. Carrabelle Beach and Yent Bayou were most
heavily used in winter, with Carrabelle averaging 310 in December,
and Yent Bayou 266 in November.

Overall, Dunlins were the most common shorebird, accounting for
28% of the individuals, followed by Sanderlings (17%), Willets (14%),
dowitcher spp. and Red Knots at 9%. Maximum counts for each species
varied greatly from average seasonal counts at each site (Table 2).
Dunlins had the highest average count for all sites during winter and
were the most common species in spring at Carrabelle Beach and Yent
Bayou. At Bald Point in spring, Sanderlings were most common. In
summer, Willets were the most common species at all sites, probably
reflecting the local breeding in nearby marshes (FWC 2003). During
fall, Sanderlings were the most common species at Bald Point and Yent
Bayou, whereas at Carrabelle Beach, the Red Knot was the most com-
mon species.

I saw Ospreys {Pandion haliaetus) on 116 visits but never observed
them disturbing shorebirds. Other raptors were seen on 94 visits (14% of
visits) and often caused either departure or flushing of shorebirds. Bald
Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) were seen on 70 visits, but disturbed
only those shorebirds directly below them. Peregrine Falcons {Falco per-
egrinus) or Merlins {F. columharius) were seen on 16 visits, and flushed
most of the shorebirds present. Bald Point in fall had the most raptors,
and is a known raptor migration area (FWC, unpublished data).

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

108

Figure 2. Number of shorebirds counted and 11 -year mean by month at Bald
Point, Carrabelle Beach, and Yent Bayou in Franklin County, Florida from
1994-2005.

Sprandel— Franklin Co., FL, Shorebirds

109

Table 2. Highest and average seasonal shorebird counts at Bald Point, Carra-
belle Beach, and Yent Bayou, Franklin County, Florida from 1994-2005. “ — ”
indicates that the species was not seen in that season. Winter is Decemher-
February; Spring, March-May; Summer, June-August; and Fall, September-
November.

Species Site

High

count

Date

Winter

Spring

Summer

Fall

Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola

Bald Point

20

2/18/1996^*

4.4

4.8

1.7

4.4

Carrabelle Beach

14

1/22/2000

4.7

4.1

2.0

3.7

Yent Bayou

12

1/21/2001

4.6

4.1

2.0

4.6

Snowy Plover Charadrius alexandrinus

Bald Point

2

12/6/2003

0.0

—

—

0.0

Carrabelle Beach

7

11/6/1994

0.6

0.1

0.1

0.5

Yent Bayou

24

1/25/2003

7.4

0.8

—

2.7

Wilson’s Plover Charadrius wilsonia

Bald Point

2

7/26/1997

0.0

—

0.1

—

Carrabelle Beach

4

6/21/2003

0.0

0.3

0.5

0.0

Yent Bayou

1

8/18/2001

—

—

0.0

—

Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus

Bald Point

29

l/22/2000‘’

3.1

2.3

1.3

4.8

Carrabelle Beach

33

3/5/2000

3.5

3.8

1.8

3.7

Yent Bayou

34

11/27/1998

9.5

7.6

2.8

10.8

Piping Plover Charadrius melodus

Bald Point

5

12/12/2004<=

0.6

0.0

0.1

0.2

Carrabelle Beach

4

11/6/1994*^

0.6

0.2

0.0

0.5

Yent Bayou

14

1/11/1997

3.9

1.3

—

2.1

Killdeer Charadrius vociferous

Bald Point

12

11/27/1999

0.9

0.0

—

0.3

Carrabelle Beach

114

12/10/1995

2.8

0.0

—

0.4

Yent Bayou

25

12/10/1995

1.8

0.0

—

0.4

American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus

Bald Point

28

12/18/1999

2.3

3.2

5.7

1.0

Carrabelle Beach

13

7/13/1994*^

2.5

1.8

2.8

2.4

Yent Bayou

1

7/18/1998^

0.0

—

0.0

—

Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus

Yent Bayou

1

5/21/1994

—

0.0

—

—

American Avocet Recurvirostra americana

Bald Point

6

5/3/1996

—

0.2

—

—

Carrabelle Beach

2

12/9/2001

0.1

—

—

—

Yent Bayou

1

11/24/2001

—

—

—

0.0

Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca

Bald Point

4

3/29/1997

0.1

0.1

—

0.0

^20 also 3/29/2003.
>^29 also 10/14/200.

■^This number was also observed on other dates.
^3 also 10/4/2003.

^14 also 1/29/2000.

110

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Table 2. (Continued) Highest and average seasonal shorebird counts at Bald
Point, Carrabelle Beach, and Yent Bayou, Franklin County, Florida from 1994-
2005. ” indicates that the species was not seen in that season. Winter is

December-February; Spring, March-May; Summer, June-August; and Fall, Sep-
tember-November.

Species Site

High

count

Date

Winter

Spring

Summer

Fall

Carrabelle Beach

24

11/24/2002

2.8

1.4

0.1

1.3

Yent Bayou

4

2/28/1998^

0.8

0.2

0.1

0.6

Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes

Bald Point

1

12/11/1994=

0.1

—

__

0.0

Carrabelle Beach

63

2/19/2000

8.1

1.4

0.1

0.6

Yent Bayou

3

11/27/1999=

0.2

0.1

0.1

0.3

Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria

Bald Point

1

5/1/2004

—

0.0

—

—

Carrabelle Beach

10

8/3/1996

—

—

0.2

0.0

Yent Bayou

2

8/11/2003

—

—

0.1

0.1

Willet Tringa semipalmata

Bald Point

112

4/19/2003

6.4

16.8

8.8

8.8

Carrabelle Beach

231

3/5/1994

40.0

25.4

19.3

39.8

Yent Bayou

86

4/22/1995

10.7

13.4

18.2

29.3

Spotted Sandpiper Ac/i/is macularius

Bald Point

1

8/13/1994=

—

—

0.1

—

Carrabelle Beach

2

7/30/1994=

—

0.0

0.1

—

Yent Bayou

2

8/27/1994

—

0.0

0.1

—

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus

Carrabelle Beach

1

8/17/1996

—

—

0.0

—

Marbled Godwit Limosa fedoa

Bald Point

6

3/20/1999

0.0

0.4

0.3

0.0

Carrabelle Beach

50

3/5/2000

10.1

5.3

5.1

4.0

Yent Bayou

5

8/31/2003

0.1

0.1

0.2

0.2

Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Bald Point

110

5/12/2002

7.3

16.4

4.2

4.3

Carrabelle Beach

14

10/15/1995=

1.8

1.4

1.0

1.0

Yent Bayou

20

4/2/1994

1.8

2.1

0.5

1.6

Red knot Calidris canutus

Bald Point

210

4/3/1999

0.2

9.8

4.0

0.3

Carrabelle Beach

239

4/20/1997

22.0

29.2

8.1

21.8

Yent Bayou

167

4/20/1997

19.0

22.4

0.2

8.7

Sanderling Calidris alba

Bald Point

372

4/19/2003

14.8

46.2

2.9

17.0

Carrabelle Beach

106

12/6/2003

23.8

22.4

8.2

20.4

Yent Bayou

179

3/10/1996

33.2

24.3

6.9

60.2

^20 also 3/29/2003.

‘>29 also 10/14/200.

^This number was also observed on other dates.
'•13 also 10/4/2003.

U4 also 1/29/2000.

Sprandel— Franklin Co., FL, Shorebirds

111

Table 2. (Continued) Highest and average seasonal shorebird counts at Bald
Point, Carrabelle Beach, and Yent Bayou, Franklin County, Florida from 1994-
2005. indicates that the species was not seen in that season. Winter is
December-February; Spring, March-May; Summer, June- August; and Fall, Sep-
tember-November.

High

Species

Site

count

Date

Winter Spring Summer Fall

Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri;
Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla

Bald Point

20

5/13/1995

0.4

2.3

0.4

0.4

Carrabelle Beach

17

5/10/1997

1.4

2.3

1.0

0.9

Yent Bayou

12

5/10/1997

0.6

1.5

0.6

1.1

Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla

Bald Point

12

5/6/2000

0.3

0.6

0.1

0.4

Carrabelle Beach

70

5/7/1994

0.5

1.9

0.2

0.2

Yent Bayou

10

5/7/1994

0.2

0.3

0.2

0.1

Dunlin Calidris alpina

Bald Point

182

2/28/2003

43.6

29.5

0.1

14.8

Carrabelle Beach

287

12/6/2003

91.0

59.7

0.2

20.7

Yent Bayou

244

1/25/2004

80.3

92.5

0.3

42.5

Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus;
Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus

Bald Point

86

4/20/1997

0.0

16.2

1.5

0.2

Carrabelle Beach

331

4/20/1997

17.0

37.6

14.9

17.0

Yent Bayou

156

5/3/1996

0.7

26.1

6.7

8.5

^20 also 3/29/2003.

‘>29 also 10/14/200.

"This number was also observed on other dates.
“13 also 10/4/2003.

"14 also 1/29/2000.

I observed four banded birds. Three Piping Plovers banded in
Saskatchewan in 2002 or 2003 were observed: at Carrabelle Beach on
25 January 2003, on 4 October 2003 at Carrabelle Beach and at Bald
Point on 6 November 2003. On 16 November 2003 at Yent Bayou a Red
Knot banded as a juvenile on 11 September 2001 at the mouth of the
Altamaha River in Georgia was observed, and may reflect part of a
Florida wintering population (Harrington et al. 1988).

Discussion

Although the sites were surveyed by the same observer under similar
tidal conditions within each season, counts for a species at the same site
within a season varied greatly, and the average coefflcient of variation
(Snedecor and Cochran 1967) was 57% of the mean count. This high vari-
ability means that it would be difficult to detect multi-year population

112

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

trends (Cobb et al. 1996). The sites may not be strictly independent, and
Gabbard et al. (2001) documented movements of 17 km of Willets in Fran-
klin County large enough to allow some movement between these sites.

Yent Bayou was a site important to the listed Piping Plover and
Snowy Plover (FWC 2006) in both fall and winter, a reflection of the im-
portance of the Gulf Coast to these wintering plovers (Sprandel et al.
2000). Piping Plovers seen in June or July could be north- or south-
bound migrants (Haig 1992). American Oystercatchers use of Bald
Point in summer probably reflects the availability of mollusk reefs to
oystercatchers breeding in the area (FWC, unpublished data). For
other species, non-breeding birds observed in the summer may be non-
migratory, non-breeding juveniles. The high usage of Bald Point in
spring by Sanderlings and Ruddy Turnstones, seemed dependent upon
plentiful horseshoe crab {Limulus polyphemus) eggs that were ob-
served on 20 spring visits (see also Rudloe 1980).

Few year-round studies have looked at shorebird usage at sites in
Florida (the first being Longstreet 1934). Stolen (1999) surveyed a broad
stretch of Atlantic beach and found the most common species to be the
Sanderling (79%), followed by the Ruddy Turnstone; few Dunlins were
observed. The lack of Dunlins on the Atlantic beach may reflect the spe-
cies’ preference for mud flats; there is high usage of Dunlins at nearby
Merritt Island impoundments (Sprandel et al. 1997). Stolen (1999) re-
ported highest shorebird usage in fall, a sharp contrast to my study in
which there was a more prominent spring peak. For Sanderlings, my
study showed both a peak in spring and fall, whereas Stolen (1999), had
a more prominent peak in fall. This difference may reflect a different mi-
gration pattern between the Gulf and Atlantic Coast (Myers et al. 1990).
Analysis of International Shorebird Survey data (Howe et al. 1989, Har-
rington 1999) provides a source for some regional comparison of timing
of peak abundance. For the southeast shorebird region, for “oceanfront”
and for “mud-marine” sites they report a peak in mid-March and decline
in the summer as I found, but do not show wintering numbers.

Knowledge and conservation of migratory shorebirds is a high pri-
ority in Florida (Millsap et al. 1990) but we are a long way from the
goal of statistically monitoring populations (Brown et al. 2001). With
the lack of comprehensive studies of shorebird migration in Florida
and the potential importance of Florida sites to transient shorebirds
(Myers 1983), I recommend that others publish results of year-round
studies (e.g., Below 1983) and contribute data to the International
Shorebird Survey (Howe et al. 1989).

Acknowledgments

Dr. Wendy Brill assisted on some surveys and provided logistic support. Dr. Jeff Gore
reviewed early drafts of this manuscript.

Sprandel— Franklin Co., FL, Shorebirds

113

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44:40-41.

Brown, S., C. Hickey, B. Harrington, and R. Gill (eds.). 2001. The U.S Shorebird Con-
servation Plan. 2"^ ed. Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences, Manomet, Massa-
chusetts.

Cobb, D. T., G. L, Sprandel, and D. E. Runde. 1996. Statistical power in analysis of
population trend data. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Southeastern As-
sociation of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 50:294-302.

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Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 2006. Florida’s Endangered
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Gabbard, C., G. L. Sprandel, and D. T. Cobb. 2001. Home range analysis of shorebirds
wintering along the Gulf of Mexico, Florida. Wader Study Group Bulletin 96:79-85.

Haig, S. M. 1992. Piping Plover. In The birds of North America, No. 2 (A. Poole, P.
Stettenheim, and F. Gill, Eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia; The
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Howe, M. A., P. H. Geissler, and B. A. Harrington. 1989. Population trends of North
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Millsap, B. a., j. a. Gore, D. E. Runde, and S. I. Cerulean. 1990. Setting Priorities for
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Florida Field Naturalist 35(4);114-118, 2007.

FIRST RECORD OF THE GREATER FLAMINGO
FOR NORTHEASTERN FLORIDA

Bill Pranty^ and Gianfranco D. Basilp
^8515 Village Mill Row, Bayonet Point, Florida 34667
E-mail: hillpranty@hotmail.com

^920 Eagle Drive, St. Augustine, Florida 32086

The status of the Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) in Flor=
ida has changed considerably over the past 100+ years. As recently as
1902, it was a regular and at times abundant non-breeding resident of
the southern Gulf coast and Florida Bay, presumably from the colony at
Andros Island, Bahamas (Howell 1932, Stevenson and Anderson 1994).
But the Andros colony disappeared by 1904 as result of human distur-
bance, leaving Great Inagua Island and nearby keys as the sole source
of breeding flamingos in the Bahamas (McNair and Gore 1998, Raffaele
et al. 1998, Hallett 2006). With the loss of the Andros colony, the fre-
quency of flamingo occurrence in Florida declined to almost zero. Dur-
ing the 1930s, a flock of captive Greater Flamingos was established at
Hialeah Racetrack, Miami-Dade County. By the 1950s, small numbers
of Greater Flamingos could be found virtually year-round in the vicinity
of Snake Bight, Everglades National Park, Monroe County (Stevenson
and Anderson 1994). The provenance of the Snake Bight flock, as well
as flamingos observed periodically elsewhere in Florida, was for years
considered conjectural. Stevenson and Anderson (1994: 92) summed up
the situation by stating that, ''Probably the great majority are escapes,
but occasional emigrants from the Bahamas or Cuba would not be sur-
prising.’’ Hialeah Racetrack closed in 2001 but its flock of as many as
440 flamingos (L. Manfredi, pers. comm.) remains, and juveniles that
are produced are neither pinioned nor color-banded (B. Showier in litt.).

The provenance of at least one Greater Flamingo in Florida was
proven when an individual color-banded as a nestling at Ria Lagartos
Biosphere Reserve, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico in 2000 was photo-
graphed at Snake Bight on 24 October 2002 (Pranty 2003). McNair and
Gore (1998:43) suggested that tropical storms that passed over Cuba or
the Yucatan Peninsula prior to making landfall along the northern
Gulf of Mexico were “almost certainly” responsible for four of the eight
reports of flamingos (three of these certain Greater Flamingos) from
along the Florida Panhandle coast. The Panhandle reports occurred
during two periods: early June-early July and late September-late Oc-
tober, which fall within the 1 June-1 December hurricane season. Here,

114

Pranty & Bas/l/— Greater Flamingo in N.E. Florida 115

we report on a presumed vagrant Greater Flamingo that was observed
at Matanzas Inlet, St. Johns County, Florida during September 2004,
in the midst of an active hurricane season.

Observations

On 18 September 2004, Stephen and Alicia Steinmetz (pers.
comm.) observed a juvenile flamingo at the southeastern side of Ma-
tanzas Inlet. GDB photographed the bird on 21 September (Fig, 1), and
it was seen last on 23 September, when BP and James Tucker video-
taped it (Pranty 2005). On the basis of its large size, pale pinkish-gray
body with dusky head and upper neck, dull bluish-gray lores, black-
tipped bill, black primaries and secondaries, pale wing coverts with
bold black streaking, long tarsi, and dull pink legs and feet (Fig. 1), the
Matanzas Inlet flamingo is clearly a hatch-year Greater Flamingo. It
often roosted with a large flock of larids along the beach, and occasion-
ally flew short distances (<150 m) in response to disturbance by the few
beach-goers present. The flamingo was not banded and showed no
damage to, or active molt of, its flight feathers.

Discussion

According to the International Species Inventory System website
(ISIS 2004), there were at least 447 Greater Flamingos (comprising
both Old World and New World subspecies) in captivity at 11 animal
exhibits in Florida during the latter half of 2004 (this figure excludes
the flamingos at the former Hialeah Racetrack). We contacted the cu-
rators of the three exhibits closest to Matanzas Inlet— Marineland, the
Jacksonville Zoological Gardens, and the Brevard Zoo— and were in-
formed that none of their flamingos were missing. These curators also
confirmed that all captive flamingos should be pinioned and color-
banded (A. Rost in litt., M. Smurl in litt.).

The 2004 Atlantic Basin hurricane season was an active one, with
15 tropical storms and nine hurricanes, including six major hurricanes.
The 2004 season was one of the costliest on record, with the storms
causing a total of $42 billion in the United States alone (NCDC 2004).
Three hurricanes and one tropical storm during 2004 struck Florida
prior to 18 September, and any of these could have transported the
Greater Flamingo to Matanzas Inlet. The history of each of these
storms is briefly summarized below.

Tropical Storm Bonnie formed north of the Yucatan Peninsula on 9
August and struck Florida’s Panhandle coast on 12 August with maxi-
mum sustained winds of 43 knots. Hurricane Charley began as a tropical
depression off Trinidad and Tobago on 9 August. It slammed into Fort
Myers as a Category 4 hurricane on 13 August and exited the state near

116

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Figure 1. Juvenile Greater Flamingo at Matanzas Inlet, St. Johns County, Flor-
ida 21 September 2004. Because this flamingo was unhanded and lacked dam-
age to its flight feathers, we suggest that it was a natural vagrant, probably
from Cuba, that was brought to the area by one of the hurricanes that struck
Florida during August or September 2004. However, we cannot rule out the pos-
sibility that this flamingo came from the flock resident at the former Hialeah
Racetrack in Miami-Dade County, 450 km distant. Photograph by Gian Basili.

Da3T;ona Beach later the same day, after causing more than $10 billion
in damages. Hurricane Frances developed as a tropical depression in the
eastern Atlantic on 24 August and struck the Bahamas as a Category 4
hurricane on 2-3 September. Hurricane Frances then struck Florida as a
Category 2 storm in the vicinity of Port St. Lucie on 5 September, headed

Pranty & Basili-^Geeateu Flamingo in N.E. Florida 117

northwest across the peninsula, and exited the state around Tampa.
Frances restruck Florida as a tropical storm at St. Marks on 6 Septem-
her Hurricane Ivan formed in the eastern Atlantic on 2 September and
entered the Caribbean Sea as a Category 4 hurricane on 7 September,
Ivan made landfall just west of Florida at Gulf Shores, Alabama as a
Category 3 hurricane on 16 September (NCDC 2004).

Although flamingos are widely kept in captivity, McNair and Gore
(1998) believed that at least some of the Greater Flamingo records
from the Florida Panhandle coast represented natural vagrants from
the colony at Ria Lagartos, Mexico, about 1000 km to the south or
south-southwest. They considered as a natural vagrant to Florida any
Greater Flamingo found within 500 km of the track of a tropical storm,
and within 20 days of the storm’s landfall (McNair and Gore 1998). The
Greater Flamingo photographed at Matanzas Inlet in mid-September

2004 meets these distance and temporal criteria for Hurricane
Frances, and the distance criterion for Hurricane Charley, and would
be considered by McNair and Gore (1998) to be a storm-driven vagrant.

We had presumed that the Matanzas Inlet flamingo was likely a va-
grant from the colony at Great Inagua Island, Bahamas. However, we
learned that the colony at Great Inagua did not reproduce during 2001-

2005 because of low water levels (T. White in litt.). If the Matanzas Inlet
Greater Flamingo was a natural vagrant, then it must have originated
from the colonies in northern Cuba, which were also affected by Hurri-
cane Frances, although not as severely as were the Bahamas (NCDC
2004). In addition to the timing of the flamingo’s appearance in the midst
of a very active tropical storm season, we considered the flamingo’s age,
its lack of color bands, its undamaged flight feathers, and the fact that
the three facilities with captive flamingos closest to Matanzas Inlet had
not lost any of their birds. It may be relevant to note that two Greater
Flamingos were found at Boca Chica Key, Monroe County on 1 October
2004 (Pranty 2005), two weeks after the appearance of the Matanzas In-
let flamingo; these too may have been storm-driven vagrants.

We still think it likely that the Matanzas Inlet Greater Flamingo
was a natural vagrant, but we cannot rule out the possibility that the
flamingo could have been a storm-displaced individual from the flock
at the former Hialeah Racetrack, about 300 km closer to Matanzas In-
let than the northern coast of Cuba. Little is known about the move-
ments of flamingos from the Hialeah flock, but the several flamingo
sightings each year in Miami-Dade County (e.g., the Miami Bird Board
web site; see Literature Cited) suggest that at least some of these birds
move around periodically— at least for relatively short (30-40 km) dis-
tances. Indeed, the presence of this breeding flock creates the possibil-
ity that Hialeah Racetrack may be the source of any flamingo observed
in Florida, whether or not its timing is related to storm activity.

118

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Regardless of its provenance, the Matanzas Inlet flamingo repre-
sents the first verifiable record of a Greater Flamingo from the north-
ern Atlantic coast of Florida. The only previous report from the region
was one flamingo at Mayport, Jacksonville, Duval County during 23
May-22 June 1964 (Cunningham 1964, Stevenson and Anderson 1994).
McNair and Gore (1998) point out that vagrant flamingos are much
more likely to appear along the Gulf of Mexico rather than along the
Atlantic coast, due to the tracks of most tropical storms. Since the
1930s, only seven tropical storms that struck the Atlantic coast of the
southern United States passed near or over Great Inagua Island,
whereas at least 35 storms that struck the United States passed near
or over the Yucatan Peninsula (McNair and Gore 1998).

Acknowledgments

We thank Stephen and Alicia Steinmetz for alerting us to the Matanzas Inlet fla-
mingo, and Michelle Smurl and Alan Rost for providing information on the flamingos
under their care at the Brevard Zoo and Jacksonville Zoological Gardens, respectively.
Larry Manfredi and Bob Showier provided information about the flamingos at the
former Hialeah Racetrack, Tony White alerted us to the status of the Great Inagua
Island flamingo colony during 2004, and Bruce Anderson, Chris Borg, and Brennan
Mulrooney provided other assistance. Andrew Kratter improved a draft of this paper.

Literature Cited

Cunningham, R. L. 1964. Florida region [Spring 1964 report]. Audubon Field Notes
18:442-446.

Hallett, B. 2006. Birds of the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands. Macmillan, Ox-
ford.

Howell, A. H. 1932. Florida Bird Life. Coward-McCann, New York.

Isis [International Species Inventory System; currently called International Species In-
formation System]. 2004. <http://www.isis.org/CMSHOME/>.

McNair, D. B., and J. A. Gore. 1998. Assessment of occurrences of flamingos in north-
west Florida, including a recent record of the Greater Flamingo {Phoenicopterus ru-
ber). Florida Field Naturalist 26:40-43.

Miami Bird Board (Tropical Audubon Society). Various dates. <http://www.tropica-
laudubon.org/tasboard/index.html>. Accessed May 2007.

NCDC [National Climatic Data Center]. 2004. Climate of 2004 Atlantic hurricane season
<http://www.ncdc.noaa.gOv/oa/climate/research/2004/hurricanes04.html>. Accessed
27 May 2007.

Pranty, B. 2003. Field Observations Committee Fall Report: August-November 2002.
Florida Field Naturalist 31:33-45.

Pranty, B. 2005. Field Observations Committee Fall Report: August-November 2004.
Florida Field Naturalist 33:57-69.

Raffaele, H., j. Wiley, O. Garrido, A. Keith, and J. Raffaele. 1998. A Guide to the
Birds of the Wes Indies. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey.
Stevenson, H. M., and B. H. Anderson. 1994. The Birdlife of Florida. University Press
of Florida, Gainesville.

Florida Field Naturalist 35(4):119-123, 2007.

FIRST RECORD OF THE WHITE WAGTAIL IN FLORIDA

Bill Pranty

8515 Village Mill Row, Bayonet Point, Florida 34667
E-Mail: hillpranty@hotmail.com

At 1400 hours DST on 18 March 2007, three birders from St. Louis
discovered and photographed a White Wagtail {Motacilla alba; Figs. 1,
2) at Moon Lake Park, western Pasco County, Florida (28E 17T5.8 N,
82E 36'27.4 W). The bird flew into the park and was observed for 20
minutes before the birders left to contact others. When they and others
returned within the hour, the wagtail was gone and it did not reappear.
The bird was relocated at 1210 on 19 March and remained until 1325,
when it again departed. The wagtail was next (and last) observed from
0930-1000 on 22 March. It was not seen despite all-day searches dur-
ing 20 and 24-26 March, and less-intensive searches during 21 and 23
March. The next four paragraphs are based on 30 minutes of observa-
tion by BP on 19 March, supplemented by observations and photo-
graphs of others.

Observations

The White Wagtail frequented the 80-m ''artificial” (i.e., trucked-in)
sand beach at Moon Lake Park, a 2.7-ha recreational park east of Port
Richey. The remainder of the park, which was not seen to be used by
the wagtail, was composed of a playground, several shelters and small
buildings, a boat ramp, a paved parking area, and mowed grassy areas
with dozens of 12-15-m tall cypresses (Taxodium spp.). The wagtail for-
aged actively along the beach, walking or running back and forth and
often changing course as it pursued prey. It captured several large
dragonflies, a fly, and numerous unidentified prey. The foraging ma-
neuvers used included running down or picking up prey from the sur-
face of the sand, plucking dragonflies out of the air as they flew past,
and upward sallies to capture other aerial prey. Prey, including the
wings of the dragonflies, was swallowed whole. The wagtail bobbed its
entire hind end frequently, in the manner of a waterthrush {Seiurus
spp.), and, when walking, also bobbed its head back and forth.

The wagtail appeared to ignore the birders, sun-bathers, and oth-
ers present on or near the beach, and occasionally approached observ-
ers to within 6-7 m. It often uttered a two-note call, accented on the
second syllable, that was reminiscent of an American Pipit {Anthus
rubescens). Other behaviors observed included preening, scratching its

119

120

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Figures 1 and 2. White Wagtail, Motacilla alha^ at Moon Lake Park, Pasco

County, Florida, 18-22 March 2007. The wagtail is a male, mostly in first-alter-
nate plumage. It belongs to the western form of the subspecies M. a. alba,
which breeds in southern Greenland, Iceland, and across continental Europe,
and winters from continental Europe to northern Africa. Note that the outer-
most tertial (Tl) is missing from each wing, exposing the worn retained juvenal
primaries. This individual furnished the first report and record of any wagtail
for Florida, and marked the 500th bird species verifiably recorded in the state.
Its presence 12 km inland from the Gulf of Mexico during its northbound mi-
gration is difficult to explain. Photographs by David Faintich, 18 March 2007.

Pranty— First Florida Record of White Wagtail

121

head, resting, defecating, and frequently scanning the sky, presumably
for aerial predators. The wagtail sought the shade created by a sign on
the beach; afternoon temperatures during 19 March were in the high
70’s F with little cloud cover. After foraging actively for 85 minutes on
19 March, the wagtail flew up and over the cypresses toward the north-
northeast. It clearly foraged and roosted elsewhere, but birders did not
locate these sites.

While under observation, the wagtail did not interact with any
other birds at Moon Lake Park; the only other species seen on the beach
were several medium-sized wading birds, one Killdeer (Charadrius vo-
ciferus)y three American Crows (Corvus hrachyrhynchos), and one East-
ern Bluebird {Sialia sialis). Three raptors that prey on landbirds were
observed over the park during times when the wagtail was absent: one
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus), one Cooper’s Hawk (A. coo-
perii), and one Short-tailed Hawk (Buteo brachyurus).

Description— The White Wagtail was a slim terrestrial landbird
with a long, slender tail (perhaps 40% of its body length) and pied
plumage. The head was white with a black hindcrown, nape, and
throat that extended downward to encompass the entire breast (Figs.
1, 2). The black throat and nape were narrowly separated by a vari-
ably-shaped white “wedge” that extended down onto the lower neck.
The underparts were white with a small blackish area on the belly that
appeared to be absent or molting feathers. The uppertail coverts, rump,
and mantle were medium-gray and contrasted sharply with the black
nape. The carpal areas were grayish-brown, the median coverts black-
ish, and the primaries and secondaries brown. A rather bold, white up-
per wingbar was present on each wing but each lower bar had mostly
worn away. Two generations of median and greater coverts were
clearly visible, with the outer coverts extensively brown-centered and
with their whitish tips almost worn away. The tertials were brownish
with black centers and bold white edges. The outermost tertial (Tl) on
each wing was absent, exposing the primaries. The brownish-black in-
ner and white outer rectrices were abraded. The eyes, bill, legs, and
feet were black; the legs were unbanded. The large eyes were conspic-
uous against the white face.

Taxonomy— The White Wagtail is a polytypic species comprised of
two groups that until recently were considered separate species. The
\¥hite Wagtail was composed of six subspecies (alba [including
“dukhunensis”]^ baicalensis, ocularis, personata, suhpersonata, and
yarrellii), while the Black-backed Wagtail (Motacilla lugens) was com-
posed of three subspecies (alboides, leucopsis, and lugens). With the re-
cent (re)-merger of the two groups into a single species (Banks et al.
2005), the White Wagtail is comprised of nine subspecies (Alstrom and
Mild 2003).

122

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

With its wholly black chin, throat, and breast, the Moon Lake Park
wagtail was mostly in alternate plumage. The sharp contrast between
the black nape and the medium-gray mantle sexed the bird as a male,
and its worn, retained juvenal remiges and rectrices aged it to 8-10
months old. Its plumage was therefore categorized as First-Alternate or
First-Summer (Alstrdm and Mild 2003). Since it was mostly in alternate
plumage, the Moon Lake Park White Wagtail could be identified to sub-
species. Its medium-gray mantle immediately ruled out the four black-
backed races {alhoides, leucopsis, lugens, and yarrellii). Four of the five
gray-backed subspecies could also be eliminated: haicalensis, which has
a white chin, throat, and wing-panels; ocularis, which has a black eye-
line and white wing-panels; per sonata, which has a dark-gray mantle
and largely black head; and subpersonata, which has a largely black
head and white wing-panels (Alstrom and Mild 2003), The eastern form
of alba C'dukhunensis’' often considered a separate subspecies) was
ruled out because it has broader white wing-bars that sometimes form a
wing-panel (Alstrom and Mild 2003). Thus, the Moon Lake Park White
Wagtail was of the western form of alba, which breeds in southern
Greenland, Iceland, and across continental Europe, and winters from
continental Europe to northern Africa (Alstrom and Mild 2003).

Discussion

The Moon Lake Park White Wagtail furnished the first report and
record for Florida, being accepted by the Florida Ornithological Society
Records Committee (#07-634) as species #500 for Florida (A.W Kratter
in litt.). There are four other observations of the White Wagtail in the
Southeast: an adult lugens at Cedar Island, North Carolina on 15 May
1982 (LeGrand 1982); an adult ocularis at Johnson’s Bayou, Louisiana
on 12 October 1996 (Jackson 1997); an alternate-plumaged male ocu-
laris at Huntington Beach State Park, South Carolina during 16-21
April 1998 (Behrens 1998, Bearden et al. 2004); and a juvenile-“-prob-
ably alba— -at Sandling Beach State Recreation Area, North Carolina
on 22 October 2002 (Bearden et al. 2004). Additionally, a Citrine Wag-
tail (Motacilla citreola) was photographed at Starkville, Mississippi
during 31 January- 1 February 1992 (DeBenedictis 1995), and a ‘Wel-
low” Wagtail, tentatively identified as an Eastern Yellow Wagtail (M.
tschutschensis) was observed at Fort Morgan, Alabama on 29 Septem-
ber 2003 (Banks et al. 2004, Duncan and Duncan 2004).

It is difficult to explain the presence of a western alba White Wag-
tail 12 km inland from the central Gulf coast of Florida during the lat-
ter half of March. Florida is within the latitudes in which White
Wagtails winter (Alstrdm and Mild 2003), so the wagtail may have win-
tered locally. (Moon Lake Park is an unremarkable spot that seldom is

Pranty— First Florida Record of White Wagtail

123

birded.) Alternatively, the wagtail could have been northbound from a
wintering site farther south. Or the wagtail may have flown west
across the Atlantic Ocean from its African wintering grounds and ar-
rived in Florida, although its appearance near the Gulf coast makes
this scenario seem unlikely Perhaps the Moon Lake Park White Wag-
tail simply was “lost;"’ other wagtails in the Southeast have been ob-
served during unseasonable periods and always for very brief periods
(see above).

Acknowledgments

I thank David Faintich, Dency Kahn, and Dave Pierce for discovering and document-
ing the wagtail and for contacting local birders so quickly; Wes Biggs for calling me
about the wagtail on 19 March (“Bill, you dumb ass, where are you?”); David Faintich,
Arnette Sherman, Paul Sykes, and Ken Tracey for sharing their photographs or obser-
vations; Bob Duncan for other information; and Mark Berney, David Faintich, and Andy
Kratter for improving drafts of this paper.

Literature Cited

Alstrom, P., and K. Mild. 2003. Pipits and Wagtails, Princeton University Press, Prin-
ceton.

Banks, R. C., C. Cicero, J. L. Dunn, A. W. Kratter, P. C. Rasmussen, J. V. Remsen,
J. D. Rising, and D. F. Stotz. 2004. Forty-fifth supplement to the American Orni-
thologists’ Union Check-list of North American Birds. Auk 121:985-995.

Banks, R. C., C. Cicero, J. L. Dunn, A. W. Kratter, P. C. Rasmussen, J. V. Remsen,
J. D. Rising, and D. F. Stotz. 2005. Forty-sixth supplement to the American Orni-
thologists’ Union Check-list of North American Birds. Auk 122:1026-1031.

Bearden, K. L., S. J. Froning, and C. W. Cook. 2004. First record of White Wagtail in
North Carolina. Chat 68:78-82.

Behrens, K. 1998. White Wagtail in South Carolina: First record on US eastern sea-
board. Chat 62:149-152.

DeBenedictis, P. a. 1995. 1994 ABA Checklist report. Birding 27:367-368.

Duncan, R. A., and L. R. Duncan. 2004. Central Southern [Fall 2003 regional bird re-
port]. North American Birds 58:89-92.

Jackson, G. D. 1997. Central Southern Region [Spring 1997 regional bird report]. Field
Notes 51:67-72.

LeGrand, H. E. 1982. Southern Atlantic Coast region [Spring regional 1982 bird report].
American Birds 36:840-842.

124

Florida Field Naturalist 35(4):124-137, 2007.

FIELD OBSERVATIONS

Spring Report; March-May 2007. — This report consists of significant bird obser-
vations compiled by the Field Observations Committee (FOC). Submissions to the FOC
should be in the following format: species, number of individuals, age and sex of the
bird(s), color morph if applicable, location (including county), date, observer(s), and sig-
nificance. Seasons are winter (December-February), spring (March-May), summer
(June-July), and fall (August-November). Submit observations to regional compilers
within two weeks after the close of each season, or to the state compiler within one
month. Addresses of the compilers are found at the end of this report. We greatly prefer
observations sent via e-mail.

Sight-only observations are considered “reports” while only those supported by veri-
fiable evidence (photographs, video or audio tapes, or specimens) are called “records.”
Species for which documentation is required by the FOS Records Committee (FOSRC;
Bowman 2004, Fla. Field Nat. 32: 7-33) are marked here with an asterisk (*). A county
designation (in italics) accompanies the first-time listing of each site in this report. Ab-
breviations in this report are: CWA = critical wildlife area, EOS = end of season, NP =
national park, NSRA = north shore restoration area, NWR = national wildlife refuge, SP
= state park, STA - stormwater treatment area, STF = sewage treatment facility, and
N, S, E, W etc., for compass directions. Bold-faced entries denote birds newly reported or
verified in Florida, or record numbers.

SUMMAKY OF THE SPRING SEASON

It was a heady spring, with three “first” records (two found and photographed by
Carl Goodrich), plus two additional potential first records (one of these also by Good-
rich!), which pushed the Florida list to more than 500 species. Winds during April and
May were variable, at times from the east, bringing pelagics to the Atlantic coast and
Caribbean- wintering or -migrating species to the “Green Key Migrant Funnel,” and at
other times from the west, grounding uncountable numbers of trans-Gulf migrants, in-
cluding what must have been thousands of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks. The best fallout
days were 19-23 April and 15 May; Dale Henderson observed 19 species of wood-war-
biers in three hours at Cedar Key 21 April. FOSRC rarities reported this spring (those
accepted are marked here with a “+” symbol) were the Trumpeter Swan (of unknown
provenance), +Neotropic Cormorant (first Florida record), Yellow-legged Gull, -i-Iceland
Gull, -{-Loggerhead Kingbird (first Florida and continental record), Caribbean Martin,
+White Wagtail (first Florida record, #500), -hKirtland’s Warbler, +Spotted Towhee, -t-La-
zuli Bunting, and +Bullock’s Oriole. Two Superb Starlings photographed in Broward
furnished the first record of this exotic.

Species Accounts

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck: 510 at Gainesville 13 Mar (B. & J. Bolte); 141 at Lake
Apopka NSRA 1 Apr, and 88 there 1 May (H. Robinson); 50 at The Villages {Sumter)
24 Apr, and 20 at The Villages {Marion) 19 May (J. Dinsmore); 3 adults at Tallahas-
see {Leon) 29 Apr-2 May (E, Woodruff, G. Menk); 94 at Viera Wetlands {Brevard) 4
May (D. Freeland); 7 at Mirror Lake, St. Petersburg {Pinellas) 7 May {fide M. Peter-
son); up to 11 at Lake Townsen Regional Park {Hernando) 24 May (A. & B. Hansen);
8 at Cutler Ridge {Miami-Dade) 31 May (R. Torres).

Field Observations

125

Table 1. “Migrant Funnel” stationary count, Green Key, New Port Richey
(Pasco). These results are a compilation of 44 daily counts, 0630-0900 hours, 31
Mar-31 May; counts with few migrants were often ended early. On two days
(28 Apr & 8 May), no migrants were observed (K. Tracey et aL). Species listed
below numbered 100 or more individuals each.

Species

Total

High Count

Date

Blackpoll Warbler

940

370

15 May

Palm Warbler

519

87

23 Apr

American Redstart

417

150

15 May

Black-throated Blue Warbler

203

88

15 May

Common Yellowthroat

158

30

15 May

Cape May Warbler

139

57

23 Apr

Prairie Warbler

128

18

22 Apr

Identified warblers

2433

707

15 May

Unidentified warblers

5775

1275

23 Apr

Bobolink

373

62

15 May

Gray Catbird

198

33

17 Apr

Indigo Bunting

192

163

19 Apr

Barn Swallow

184

34

12 Apr

Fulvous Whistling-DucK: 140 at T. M. Goodwin Waterfowl Management Area
(Brevard) 29 Mar (D. Freeland); 8 at Lake Apopka NSRA 27 Apr (H. Robinson); 10 at
Polk phosphate mines 5 May (P. Fellers).

White-faced Whistling-Duck: 1 at Walsingham Park (Pinellas) 23 Mar (1. Hernandez,

photo to FOC); 1 with Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks at Circle B Bar Preserve, Lake-
land (Polk) 29 Apr & in May (H. Moulden, J. Callaghan, photo to FOC).

Canada Goose: 2 at St. Vincent NWR (Franklin) 20 May (B. Stedman).

Mute Swan: 1 at a Jacksonville (Duval) borrow pit 15 Mar (R. Clark).

Trumpeter Swan: 1 juvenile in a canal (!) near Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP
(Okeechobee) 27 Apr-2 May (P. & L. Gray, P. Miller et al., photos to FOC by L. Cooper)
furnished the second Florida record.

Mandarin Duck: 1 male at Holiday (Pasco) 1 Mar (P. Francois, photo to FOC); 1 male at
Madison (Madison) 2 Mar (D. Freeman).

Ring-necked Duck: 2 at Viera Wetlands 31 May (A. Banker!).

Greater Scaup: 1 capable of flight at Cedar Key 22 May (R. Rowan).

Lesser Scaup: 1 at Lake Maggiore, St. Petersburg 29 May (D. Goodwin).

Common Eider: 2 at St. Augustine Inlet (St. Johns) to 1 Apr (D. Reed); 2 juveniles at
Fort Clinch SP (Nassau) 2 Apr (P. Leary).

White-winged Scoter: 1 at Tomoka SP, Ormond Beach (Volusia) 1 Mar (M. Brothers).

Bufflehead: 1 at Lake Santa Fe (Alachua) 31 Mar (B. & J. Bolte).

Hooded Merganser: 6 chicks fledged from a Wood Duck box at downtown Tallahassee
9 Apr (J. Stevenson).

Red-BREASTED Merganser: 15 off Ponce de Leon Inlet (Volusia) 3 Apr (R. Wallace et
al.); 1 at Garden Key, Dry Tortugas NP 4 May (B. Mulrooney); 1 female at Old Ingra-
ham Highway, Everglades NP (Miami-Dade) 12 May (B. Rapoza); 1 in female-plum-
age at Green Key, New Port Richey (Pasco) 31 May (B. Pranty).

Red-throated Loon: 1 at Ulumay Sanctuary, Merritt Island (Brevard) 3 Mar (D.
Freeland); 1 at Gulf Breeze (Santa Rosa) 8 Mar (J. French).

Pacific Loon: 1 in alternate plumage at Fort Pickens (Escambia) 12 Apr (B. & L. Dun-
can).

126

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Table 2. Migrants at Dry Tortugas National Park {Monroe), 19 Apr (M. Gardler).
Of the 90 species observed, 25 were wood-warblers.

Species

Totals

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

150

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

150

Eastern Kingbird

100

Swainson’s Thrush

25

Gray Catbird

300

Tennessee Warbler

20

Chestnut-sided Warbler

4

Magnolia Warbler

8

Black-throated Green Warbler

5

American Redstart

20

Worm-eating Warbler

8

Northern Waterthrush

20

Kentucky Warbler

16

Hooded Warbler

45

Summer Tanager

10

Scarlet Tanager

18

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

7

Indigo Bunting

65

Orchard Oriole

85

Baltimore Oriole

15

Horned Grebe: 1 in alternate plumage at St. Marks NWR {Wakulla) 15 Apr (A. Wraith-
mell); 1 molting into alternate plumage at Hudson (Pasco) 18 Apr (L. Rothstein); 2 in
alternate plumage at Cedar Key 22 May (R. Rowan).

Eared Grebe: 1 at Ormond Beach to 5 Mar (M. Brothers et ah).

Black-capped Petrel: trios off Ponce de Leon Inlet 3 Apr & 3 May (B. Wallace et ah,
photos to FOC).

Cory’s Shearwater: 1 off Ponce de Leon Inlet 3 May (B. Anderson et ah).

Sooty Shearwater: 1 off Ponce de Leon Inlet 3 May (B. Anderson et ah, photo to FOC
by B. Wallace).

Audubon’S Shearwater: 60 off Miami (Miami-Dade) 27 Apr (R. Torres, T. Mitchell); 3
off Ponce de Leon Inlet 3 May (B. Wallace et ah); 10 between Key West and Dry Tor-
tugas NP 3 May (B. Mulrooney).

Wilson’s Storm-Petrel: at least 10 off Ponce de Leon Inlet 3 May (B. Anderson, B. Wal-
lace et ah); at least 10 at Canaveral National Seashore (Brevard) 25 May (T. Dunker-
ton); 2 at Ponce de Leon Inlet 29 May, and 1 there 31 May (M. Brothers); 2 at
Sebastian Inlet SP (Brevard) 29 May (A. Bankert),

Leach’s Storm-Petrel: 5 off Ponce de Leon Inlet 3 May (B. Wallace et ah); 1 grounded
in a yard at Jacksonville 16 km from the ocean 20 May (fide P. Powell, specimen to
UF); 1 at Fort George Inlet (Duval) 27 May (R. Clark); 2 at New Smyrna Beach (Vo-
lusia) 27 May (B. Wallace); 4 at Ponce de Leon Inlet 29 May, and 2 there 30 May (M.
Brothers); 4 at Sebastian Inlet SP 29 May, and 2 there 30 May (A. Bankert); 1 at
Boynton Inlet (Palm Beach) 31 May (M. Berney).

Band-rumped Storm-Petrel: 2 off Ponce de Leon Inlet 3 Apr, and 2 there 3 May (B.
Wallace et ah).

Masked Booby: 67 (64 adults) at Dry Tortugas NP 18 Apr (M. Gardler).

Field Observations

127

Brown Booby: 27 at Dry Tortugas NP 18 Apr (M. Gardler); 1 juvenile rescued at New
Smyrna Beach 8 May (M. Brothers); 1 sub-adult on the Okaloosa/Walton line 20 May
(D, Ware).

Red-footed Booby: 1 juvenile dark morph off Ponce de Leon Inlet 3 Apr (M. Brothers,
B. Wallace, photo to FOC).

Northern Gannet: 121 emaciated birds, mostly yearlings, brought to Marine Science
Center, Ponce de Leon Inlet 21 Apr-17 May (M. Brothers); 1 over Winter Park (Or-
ange) 17 May (B. Anderson)!

American White Pelican: 5400 at Polk mines 15 Mar, and 1100 there 19 May (P.
Fellers et ah); 1 at Key West (Monroe) 27 Apr (C. Goodrich); 280 at Paynes Prairie
Preserve SP 30 Apr (R. Rowan).

Brown Pelican: 1 at Port Mayacca, Lake Okeechobee (Martin) 19 Apr (D. Simpson); 1

immature at Monteverde (Lake) 30 Apr (T. Rodriguez); 1 near St. Cloud (Osceola) 15

May (B. & L. Cooper).

*Ne0TR0PIC Cormorant (Phalacrocorcix brasilianus): 1 at Boca Chica Key (Mon-
roe) 13 Apr (C. Goodrich, accepted by FOSRC).

Great Cormorant: 1 at John U. Lloyd SP (Broward) 27 Mar-1 Apr (B. Roberts et al.,
photo to FOC by L. Manfredi).

Anhinga: 1 at Rockland Key (Monroe) 12 Mar (B. Mulrooney).

American Bittern: 1 at Alturas (Polk) 30 May (C. Geanangel).

“Great White Heron:” 1 at Tomoka Landfill (Volusia) 1 Mar (D. Freeland); 1 at Ormond
Beach 24 Mar-10 Jun (M. Brothers); 1 at Upthegrove Beach (Okeechobee) 19 Apr (D.
Simpson); 1 at Dry Tortugas NP 27 Apr (M. Gardler).

“WURDEMANN’S Heron:” 1 at a Polk mine 19 May (P. Fellers).

Reddish Egret: up to 7 sub-adults at St. Marks NWR 15-26 Mar (J. Cooke et al.); 5 at
St. Vincent NWR 22 May (B. Stedman).

Glossy Ibis: 1 at Key West 6-7 Apr (C. Goodrich).

White-faced Ibis: 1 at Fort Walton Beach STF (Okaloosa) 18 Apr-22 May (D. Ware); 1
immature at Sanibel Island (Lee) 28 Apr-EOS (C. Ewell et ah, photo to FOC.); 4 at St.
Marks NWR 6 May (A. Bankert).

Roseate Spoonbill: 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 29 Apr-EOS (B. Mollison); 1 pair
bred at Gatorland (Polk) 16 May (L. Rosen); 23 at Lake Apopka NSRA 30 May (H.
Robinson).

Black Vulture: 1 at Seven Springs (Pasco) 12 May (K. Tracey) had been color-tagged at
Avon Park 10 Jan 2006 (J. Humphrey).

Osprey: 151 at Lake Apopka NSRA 21 Apr (H. Robinson).

Swallow-tailed Kite: 25 at a roost in Walton 12 May (J. Walton); 1 at St. Vincent NWR
18 May (B. Stedman).

White-tailed Kite: 3 pairs nested at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP during the season;
at least one pair fledged 2 young (P. Miller).

Snail Kjte: 3 along the Withlacoochee River 6 km E of Floral City (Citrus) 30 Mar (T.

Ritchie); 1 E of Hudson 15 Apr at the same site as Jul 2006 (B. Skiba).

Mississippi Kite: 2 at Gainesville 12 Mar (T. Webber); 2 fl5dng N in W Indian River 9
Apr (D. Freeman); 1 at Key Largo (Monroe) 5 May (J. Boyd et al.); 1 at Colt Creek SP
11-15 May (C. Geanangel, B. & L. Cooper); 1 at Largo (Pinellas) 16 May (1. Hernan-
dez); 1 at Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve (Hillsborough) 19 May (R. Greenspun, J.
Dubi); 1 at Boulogne (Nassau) 21 May (D. Freeland); 1 at Weekiwachee Preserve 23
May (A. & B. Hansen).

Bald Eagle: 1 pair bred at the mouth of East River (Santa Rosa) 3 Apr (B. Bremser),
and other pairs in the W Panhandle fledged one young at Milton (Santa Rosa) and
two young at W Pensacola (fide B. Duncan); 46 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 14 Apr

(S. Rayer).

Sharp-shinned Hawk: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 27 May (H. Robinson).

128

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Cooper’s Hawk: 1 female on a nest in a cypress at Wilton Manor {Broward) 17 Apr (B.
Anderson).

Short-tailed Hawk: 9 reports of 10 individuals (7 dark, 2 light, 1 unspecified) between
Cedar Key {Levy) and Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary {Collier) variously this spring in-
cluded 1 pair that bred at Sawgrass Lake Park, St. Petersburg (R. Smith, S. Patter-
son et ah); as many as 6 pairs in W Pasco this spring (K. Tracey).

Swainson’S Hawk: 1 at Key West 9 Mar (C. Goodrich); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 30 Mar
(H. Robinson).

Crested Caracara: 6 at Viera Wetlands 6 Mar (D. Freeland); 1 at Chuluota {Seminole),

2 at Orlando Wetlands Park {Orange), and 1 at Seminole Ranch Conservation Area
{Orange) all 12 May (L. Malo).

Merlin: 2 at Ponce de Leon Inlet 10 May (M. Brothers).

Peregrine Falcon: 1 at Jupiter Inlet Colony {Palm Beach) 12 May (J. & L. Hailman).
Yellow Rail: 1 at Garcon Point {Santa Rosa) 1 Mar (D. Simpson).

Black Rail: 2 at St. Vincent NWR 21 May (B. Stedman).

SORA: up to 59 at St. Marks NWR 9-30 Apr (A. Wraithmell et ah).

Purple Gallinule: 2 N of Carrabelle {Franklin) 22 Apr (J. Murphy).

Limpkin: 1 at Key West 21 Mar & 29 Apr (C. Goodrich); 1 along the Choctawhatchee
River {Walton) 17-20 May (J. Stahl, photo to FOC); 34 at Lake Townsen Regional
Park 25 May (A. & B. Hansen); 35 at Lake Apopka NSRA 30 May (H. Robinson).
Black-bellied Plover: 265 at Lake Okeechobee {Okeechobee) 8 May (B. Pranty, P.

Gray et ah); 1 at Lake Sampson {Bradford) 25 May (R. Rowan).

American Golden-Plover: 1 at Ohio Key {Monroe) 25 Mar (A. Bankert); 1 at Merritt Is-
land NWR 28 Mar (D. Freeland); 1 in basic plumage at Ponce de Leon Inlet 12 May
(M. Brothers); 2 at Myakka River SP {Sarasota) 26 May (R. Smith).

Snowy Plover: 1 at Ponce de Leon Inlet to 6 Apr (M. Brothers).

Wilson’s Plover: 37 at Little Estero Island CWA {Lee) 12 May (C. Ewell); 1 at St. Vin-
cent NWR 21-22 May (B. Stedman).

Semipalmated Plover: 251 at Lake Okeechobee 8 May (B. Pranty, P. Gray et ah); 28 at
Polk mines 13 May (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel); 1 at The Villages {Lake) 16 May (J.
Dinsmore); 4 at Lake Sampson 25 May (R. Rowan).

Piping Plover: 3 at Fred Howard Park {Pinellas) 23 Mar (M. Gardler); 24 at Talbot Is-
lands SP 25-27 Mar (P. Leary); 1 at Jupiter Inlet Colony 27 Mar (J. & L. Hailman); 2
at Anclote Key {Pasco) 2 May (K. Tracey).

American Oystercatcher: 2 at Pensacola 15 Mar-8 Apr (A. & D. Forster); 3 at Pensa-
cola Beach {Escambia) 14 May (B. Duncan); 26 at Little Estero Island CWA 22 May
included individuals banded in North Carolina (1), New Jersey (1), and Virginia (3; C.
Ewell).

Black-necked Stilt: 2 at Inverness {Citrus) 28 Apr, and 4 there 30 Apr (K. Spilios); 406
at Lake Okeechobee {Glades and Okeechobee) 8 May (P. Gray, B. Pranty et ah).
American Avocet: 1 at St. Vincent NWR 9 Mar (T. Lewis); 251 at Polk mines 1 Apr, and
49 there to 13 May (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel); 4 at Honeymoon Island SP {Pinellas)

3 Apr (W. Yusek); 34 in alternate plumage at Eco Pond, Everglades NP {Monroe) 12
May (B. Rapoza).

Spotted Sandpiper: 25 at Buschman City Park, Port Orange {Volusia) 25 Apr (B. Orr);
18 at Lake Okeechobee 8 May (B. Pranty, P. Gray et ah); 3 at Lake Townsen Regional
Park 24-25 May (A. & B. Hansen); 1 at Lake Sampson 25 May (R. Rowan).

Solitary Sandpiper: 1 at Hague 10 Mar (P. Laipis), and 20 there 22 Apr (M. Manetz);
singles in W Pasco at New Port Richey 21 Mar & Seven Springs 23 Mar (K. Tracey);
1 at Hardee Lakes Park {Hardee) 7 Apr (B. Ahern); 29 at Fort De Soto Park {Pinellas)
10 Apr (R. Smith); 2 at Inverness 11-17 Apr (K. Spilios); 5 at Orlando 19 Apr (A.
Boyle); 52 at Lake Apopka NSRA 21 Apr (H. Robinson); 4 off Ponce de Leon Inlet 3
May (B. Wallace, B. Anderson et ah); 1 at St. Vincent NWR 18 May (B. Stedman).

Field Observations

129

WiLLET: 1 in basic plumage at Lake Okeechobee 13 Apr (B. Pranty, P, Gray et al.); 1 in
basic plumage at Marathon Airport {Monroe) 30 May (B. Mulrooney).

Lesser YellowlegS: 200+ at Springhill Road STF, Tallahassee 5 Apr (G. Menk); 630 at
Lake Okeechobee 13 Apr (B. Pranty, P. Gray et aL),

Upland Sandpiper: 1 at Key West 19-22 Apr (M. Gardler, C. Goodrich).

Whimbrel: 6 at Coconut Point (Brevard) 7 May (A. Bankert); 7 at Ponce de Leon Inlet 12
May (M. Brothers); 3 at Little Estero Island CWA 12 May (C. Ewell).

Hudsonian God WIT: 1 in basic plumage at Alafia Bank {Hillsborough) 19-29 May (C. Cas-
sels, photos to FOG); 1 in basic plumage at St. Vincent Island 19-22 May (B. Stedman).
Ruddy Turnstone: 10 at Lake Okeechobee (Glades) 8 May (B. Pranty, P. Gray et al.).
Red Knot: singles at Lake Okeechobee 13 Apr (Okeechobee) & 8 May (Glades; B. Pranty,
P. Gray); 2 at Lake Apopka NSRA 27 Apr, and 1 there 4 May (H. Robinson); 1000 at
Fort George Inlet 9 May included color-marked birds banded in Argentina, Brazil,
and Chile (P. Leary); 800 at Nassau Sound (Duval) 20 May (P. Leary).

Sanderling: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 4 May (H. Robinson); 2 in basic plumage at Lake
Okeechobee 8 May (B. Pranty, G. Schrott et al.).

Semipalmated Sandpiper: 3700 at Polk mines 19 May (P. Fellers); 500 at Huguenot Me-
morial Park (Duval) 27 May (R. Clark).

Least Sandpiper: 10,500 at Polk mines 13 May (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel).

Peep species: 16,000 at Lake Okeechobee 13 Apr, and 6650 there 8 May (B. Pranty, P.
Gray et al.).

White-rumped Sandpiper: 1 at Eagle Lakes Park (Collier) 18 Apr (D. Suitor); 1 at St.
Marks NWR 27 Apr (B. Anderson et al.); 5 at Merritt Island NWR 1 May (D.
Freeland); 3 at Lake Okeechobee 8 May (B. Pranty, G. Schrott); 1 at Hague 11-12
May (P. Burns, B. Carroll); 45 at Cutler Ridge 12 May (R. Torres); 12 at Eco Pond, Ev-
erglades NP 12 May (B. Rapoza); 20 at Blue Cypress Lake (Indian River) 17 May (A.
Bankert); 1 at Fort De Soto Park 18 May (L. Atherton); 8 at Polk mines 19 May (P.
Fellers); 2 at Cedar Key 23 May (R. Rowan); 23 at Lake Apopka NSRA 25 May (H.
Robinson); 1 at Viera Wetlands 26 May (T. Dunkerton).

Pectoral Sandpiper: 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 18 Mar (P. Laipis); 29 at Lake
Apopka NSRA 11 Apr (H. Robinson); 1 at Lake Okeechobee 13 Apr (B. Pranty, P.
Gray et al.); 1 at Eco Pond, Everglades NP 22 Apr (J. Boyd); 1 at St. Marks NWR 6
May (A. Bankert); 1 at Tallahassee 7 May (R. Lengacher); up to 4 at St. Vincent NWR
18-22 May (B. Stedman).

Dunlin: 1 aberrant bird (white around the bill and eyes, white nape, orange bill and
legs) at Shiloh Marsh, Merritt Island NWR (Brevard) 24 Mar (S. Winston, photo to
FOC); 21 at Lake Okeechobee 13 Apr (B. Pranty, P. Gray et al.); 27 at Polk mines 13
May (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel).

Curlew Sandpiper: presumably the same 1 at Huguenot Memorial Park 30 Mar (B.
Richter), and in alternate plumage at Nassau Sound 20 May (P. Leary, photos to
FOC).

Stilt Sandpiper: 2 at Springhill Road STF 15 Mar (G. Menk); 1 N of Brooksville 25 Mar
(M. Gardler); 455 at Lake Okeechobee 13 Apr (B. Pranty, P. Gray et al.); 273 at Polk
mines 28 Apr (P. Fellers); 290 at Lake Apopka NSRA 11 May (H. Robinson); 1 at St.
Vincent NWR 19-22 May (B. Stedman).

Buff-breasted Sandpiper: 6 at Lake Okeechobee 13 Apr included 1 in courtship dis-
play (B. Pranty et al., photo to FOC); 1 at King Ranch, Everglades Agricultural Area
(Palm Beach) 22 Apr (M. Berney); 1 at Ponce de Leon Inlet 30 Apr (M. Brothers).
Long-billed Dowitcher: 390 at Polk mines 15 Mar (P. Fellers et al.); 7 N of Brooksville
25 Mar (M. Gardler); 35 at Springhill Road STF 5 Apr (G. Menk); 10 at Hardee Lakes
Park 7 Apr (B. Ahern); 1180 in alternate plumage at Lake Okeechobee 13 Apr (B.
Pranty et al.); 77 at Lake Apopka NSRA 1 May (H. Robinson).

Wilson’s Snipe: 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 26 May-EOS (S. Flamand).

130

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

American Woodcock: 3 newly hatched chicks at Osteen (Volusia) 9 Mar were killed by
a cat (fide A. Vinokur; specimens to UCF).

Wilson’s Phalarope: 2 at Lake Apopka NSRA 16 Apr (H. Robinson); 1 at St. Marks
NWR 29 Apr-7 May (J. Murphy, J. Cavanagh et ah); 1 at Flamingo, Everglades NP
(Monroe) 19 May (J. & G. Robinson).

Red-necked Phalarope: 2 off Miami 27 Apr (R. Torres, T. Mitchell); 7 between Key
West and Dry Tortugas NP 3 May (B. Mulrooney); 1 female in alternate plumage at
Lake Okeechobee 8 May (B. Pranty, G. Schrott); 1 female at Merritt Island NWR 20-
31 May (T. Dunkerton, A. Banker! et al.); 1 at Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area

(Lake) 26-27 May (A. Luzader).

*Yellow-LEGGED Gull (Larus michahellis): 1 putative juvenile at Tomoka Landfill 5

Mar (B. Wallace, under review by FOSRC).

*ICELAND Gull: 1 second-year at Ponce de Leon Inlet 4-5 Apr (M. Brothers, B. Wallace,

accepted by FOSRC).

Glaucous Gull: 1 at Milton 30 Mar (H. Moore); 1 second-winter at Destin (Okaloosa) 7
Apr (S. Barlow).

Lesser Black-backed Gull: 25, including 9 “intermedius-types” at Crandon Beach 4
Mar, and 46 there 16 Apr (R. Diaz); 1 in alternate plumage at Dunedin Causeway 12
Mar (M. Gardler); 2 (adult and third-year) at Lake Okeechobee 13 Apr (B. Pranty et
al., photos to FOC).

Black-legged Kittiwake: 1 resting on the beach at Guana Reserve (St. Johns) 29
March (L. Melch, photos to FOC).

Brown Noddy: 1 at Sebastian Inlet SP 31 May (A. Banker! et al.).

Black Noddy: 1 immature at Dry Tortugas NP 19 Apr-5 May (B. Mulrooney, photos to
FOC).

Sooty Tern: 500+ off Ponce de Leon Inlet 3 Apr, and 200+ there 3 May (B. Wallace et al.).
Bridled Tern: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 16 Mar (H. Robinson); 50+ between Key West
and Dry Tortugas NP 3 May (B. Mulrooney).

Least Tern: 2 at Lake Apopka NSRA 18 Mar, and 77 there 15 Apr (H. Robinson); 23 at
Honeymoon Island SP 26 Mar (W. Yusek); 34 at Ponce de Leon Inlet 27 Mar (M.
Brothers); 150 nests at Little Estero Island CWA 12 May were later lost to Tropical
Storm Barry's, storm tide (C. Ewell).

Gull-billed Tern: 1 at Green Key 3 Mar (K. Tracey); 3 at Shell Mound, Lower Suwan-
nee NWR (Levy) 8 Mar (B. Ahern); 2 at St. George Island (Franklin) 29 Apr (J. Mur-
phy et al.); 1 at Key West 1 May (C. Goodrich); 58, including 13 nests, at Polk mines
13 May (C. Geanangel, P. Timmer); 70, including 31 nests, at Four-Corners Mine
(Hillsborough) 19 May; all nests failed by 9 Jun due to rising water levels (P. Fellers).
Caspian Tern: 2 in alternate plumage at Green Key 28 May (B. Pranty).

Black Tern: singles at Lake Apopka NSRA 15 Apr & 27 May (H. Robinson).

Roseate Tern: 30 at Dry Tortugas NP 28 Apr (C. Goodrich); 10 at Key West 30 Apr (C.
Goodrich).

Common Tern: up to 6 at Lake Apopka NSRA 25 May-EOS (H. Robinson); 3 at Viera
Wetlands 26 May (T. Dunkerton); 15 at Ponce de Leon Inlet 29 May-2 Jun (M. Broth-
ers); 2 adults at Boynton Inlet 31 May (M. Berney).

Arctic Tern: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 25 May-EOS (H. Robinson); 1 at Viera Wetlands
26 May (T, Dunkerton); 1 first-summer at Biscayne NP (Miami-Dade) 27 May (E.
Alvear et al., photos to FOC); up to 6 (4 adults) at Ponce de Leon Inlet and 1 at New
Smyrna Beach 28 May-2 Jun (M. Brothers, B. Wallace et al.); up to 5 at Sebastian In-
let SP 29 May-EOS (A. Banker! et al.); 1 adult at Fort Pierce Inlet (St. Lucie) 30 May
(D. Simpson); 1 first-summer at Boynton Inlet 30 May (B. Hope); 1 at Jetty Park, Port
Canaveral (Brevard) 31 May (K. LaBorde).

Forster’s Tern: 201 at Lake Apopka NSRA 21 Mar (H. Robinson); 349 at Polk mines 19
May (P. Fellers).

Field Observations

131

Royal Tern: 1 bird 5 km inland at W Cocoa {Brevard) 23 Mar (D. Freeland); 1 at Lake
Santa Fe 31 Mar (B. & J. Bolte); 3 at Polk mines 1 Apr (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel);
1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 13 May (H. Robinson).

Sandwich Tern: 4 at Lake Apopka NSRA 7 May (H. Robinson).

Black Skimmer: 1000 at Lake Okeechobee {Okeechobee) 13 Apr (P. Gray et al.); 410 at
Polk mines 13 May (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel); 89 at Lake Apopka NSRA 27 May (H.
Robinson).

African Collared-Dove: 1 in song at Leisure Beach, Hudson 23-24 May (B. Pranty, K.

Tracey, photos to FOC).

White-winged Dove: 2 in Wakulla 6 Mar (J. Cooke); 9 at Cedar Key 6 Mar (D. Hender-
son); 1 at Alligator Point 9 Apr (J. LaVia); 1 on state land at Key Largo 9 Apr (J. Du-
quesnel); 2 at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve 29 May (M. Korosy); up to 4 The Villages
{Marion) most of the season (J. Dinsmore).

Budgerigar: the Pasco population may be limited to 3 birds at Hudson (K. Tracey, B.
Pranty), while the Hernando population seems composed of 8 pairs breeding in one
yard at Hernando Beach (B. Pranty).

Black-hooded Parakeet: 1 at Spring Hill 9 Mar provided the first for Hernando (D.

Knodle).

Black-billed Cuckoo: 1 at St. George Island 15 Apr (D. & S. Jue, J. Cavanagh); singles
at Key West 18, 21, and 23 Apr (C. Goodrich); 4 at Dry Tortugas NP 19 Apr (M.
Gardler); 1 at Gainesville 29 Apr (P. Laipis); 1 near Lake Pierce {Polk) 5 May (J. Du
Bois); 1 at Cedar Key 26 May (D. Henderson).

Cavity-nesting species: cavities in 1 palm at Matheson Hammock Park {Miami-Dade)
27 Mar simultaneously supported apparent nests of Red-crowned Parrot and Eastern
Screech-Owl, while a Red-bellied Woodpecker excavated a new cavity (B. Aikins).
Yellow-billed Cuckoo: 100 at Key West 11 Apr (C. Goodrich); 13 at Weekiwachee Pre-
serve 22 Apr (A. & B. Hansen).

Barn Owl: 1 at Dry Tortugas NP 18 Apr (M, Gardler).

Burrowing Owl: 2 at River Lakes Conservation Area {Brevard) 18 Mar (D. Freeland).
Short-eared Owl: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 8 & 13 Apr (H. Robinson).

Lesser Nighthawk: 2 at Flamingo, Everglades NP 25-26 March (A. Bankert et al.).
Chuck-WILL’S-WIDOW: 10 flew in from the Gulf during mid-morning and immediately
roosted in vegetation, on the ground, or in car ports at Little Estero Lagoon 31 Mar
(C. Ewell et al.); 1 flying N 61 nautical mi off Ponce de Leon Inlet 3 Apr (M. Brothers,
B. Wallace).

Chimney Swift: 2 at Wekiwa Springs SP {Orange) 21 Mar (D. Simpson).
Ruby-throated Hummingbird: 1 female on a nest at Colt Creek SP 11 May-EOS (C.
Geanangel, P. Fellers).

Calliope Hummingbird: 1 male at Jacksonville remained to 19 Mar (P. Powell).
Belted Kingfisher: 1 off Ponce de Leon Inlet 3 May (B. Wallace, B. Anderson et al.); 1
at Everglades and Francis S. Taylor WMA {Miami-Dade) 12 May (S. Schneider); 1 fe-
male at Grassy Key {Monroe) 12 May (J. Boyd, N. Freedman); 1 at Viera Wetlands 21
May (T. Dunkerton).

Red-headed Woodpecker: 1 at Elliot Key, Biscayne NP {Miami-Dade) 9-11 Apr (J. Val-
adez); 1 at Honeymoon Island SP 24 Apr (W. Yusek); 1 at St. Vincent NWR 18-22 May
(B. Stedman).

Downy Woodpecker: 49 at Lake Apopka NSRA 28 Mar (H. Robinson).

Hairy Woodpecker: 1 at the Baird tract, Withlacoochee State Forest {Sumter) 1 Mar
(B. Ahern); 1 pair attended nestlings along the Choctawhatchee River {Walton) 29
Mar (L. Duncan et ah); 1 at DuPuis WMA {Martin) 19 Apr (D. Simpson).

Acadian Flycatcher: 2 at Dry Tortugas NP 19 Apr (M. Gardler, B. Mulrooney); singles
at Key West 20, 21, and 28 Apr (C. Goodrich).

Vermilion Flycatcher: 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP to 2 Mar (R. Rowan et al.).

132

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Ash-throated Flycatcher: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 28 Mar (H. Robinson).

Great Crested Flycatcher: 1 at S Merritt Island (Brevard) 5 Mar (D. Freeland); 45 at
Lake Apopka NSRA 16 May (H, Robinson).

Brown-crested Flycatcher: 1 at Flamingo, Everglades NP 26 Mar (A. Bankert et ak);

1 at St. George Island SP 15 Apr (J. Cavanagh, D. & S. due, details to FOC).
Western Kingbird: 4 at Holiday Recreation Center, Holiday (Pasco) 2 Mar (K. Tracey);
54 at Lake Apopka NSRA 23 Mar (H. Robinson); 60 at The Villages (Marion) 31 Mar,
with 5 to 7 May (J. Dinsmore); 1 at Marco Island (Collier) 18 Apr (D. Suitor); 1 at Fort
De Soto Park 28 Apr (B. Orr); 1 at St. Marks NWR 30 Apr (A. Wraithmell); 1 at Bald
Point (Franklin) 12 May (J. Murphy); 1 at Gulf Breeze 13-18 May (B. Duncan).
Eastern Kingbird: 1 at Gainesville 15 Mar (S. Hofstetter); 50 at Key West 17 Apr (C.
Goodrich).

Gray Kingbird: 1 at Key West 28 Mar (C. Goodrich).

*Loggerhead Kingbird {Tyrannus caudifasciatus): 1 at Fort Zachary Taylor SP,
Key West 8-27 Mar (C. Goodrich et al., photos to FOC) furnished the first record for
Florida and North America.

SciSSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER: 7 at Driggers Road (Highlands) 9 Mar (M. McMillian); 3 at
The Villages through Mar, with 1 to 25 Apr (J. Dinsmore); 30 at Stock Island (Mon-
roe) 28 Apr (D. Freeland et al,); 1 at Astatula (Lake) 21 May (G. Quigley).
Yellow-throated VireO: 1 in song near Alderman’s Ford Park (Hillsborough) 28 May
(K. Tracey).

Warbling Vireo: 1 at Fort De Soto Park 16-18 Apr (L. Atherton et al.).

Philadelphia Vireo: 2 at Key West 7 Apr (C. Goodrich).

Red-eyed Vireo: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 9 Mar (H. Robinson).

Black-whiskered Vireo: 1 at Key West 9 Mar ff, and 8 there 11 Apr (C. Goodrich et al.);
13 banded at Bill Baggs Cape Florida SP (Miami-Dade) 3 Mar-7 May (R. Diaz); 1 at
Southern Glades Wildlife and Environmental Area (Miami-Dade) 12 Apr (B. Rapoza);
1 at Captain Forster’s Hammock (Indian River) 12 May (R. Smith, B. Ahern).
*Caribbean Martin (Progne dominicensis): 1 putative male at Key West 28 Mar (C.
Goodrich, under review by FOSRC) would furnish the first for Florida and North
America if accepted, but identification of Progne species from photographs is prob-
lematic at best.

Tree Swallow: 8 at Polk mines 19 May (P. Fellers); 1 at Newnans Lake 24 May-EOS (R.
Rowan).

Northern Rough-winged Swallow: 6 at Jacksonville 8 Mar (J. Cocke); several along
the Peace River (Hardee) 7 Apr examined cavities in the riverbank (P. Miller).

Bank Swallow: 1 at Viera Wetlands 4 Mar (D. Freeland); 4 at Cape Canaveral 16 Apr
(T. Dunkerton); 1 at Upthegrove Beach 19 Apr (D. Simpson); 1 at St. George Island 29
Apr (J. Murphy, J. Cavanagh); 2 at Polk mines 19 May (P. Fellers); 1 in Leon 27 May
(S. McCool); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 30 May (H. Robinson).

Cliff Swallow: singles at Lake Apopka NSRA 25 Mar & 24 Apr (H. Robinson); 1 at Fort
De Soto Park 6 Apr (S. Patterson); 1 at Boyd Hill Nature Park, St. Petersburg 7 Apr
(R. Smith); 1 at Bald Point 15 Apr (J. Murphy); 2 at St. George Island 15 Apr (A.
Wraithmell); 3 at Cape Canaveral 16 Apr (T. Dunkerton); 1 at Key West 28 Apr (C.
Goodrich).

Cave Swallow: 2 at Key West 26 Mar (C. Goodrich); 2 of the Mexican race at Fort Pick-
ens 12 Apr (B. & L. Duncan); 3 of the Mexican race at Bald Point 15 Apr (J. Murphy);
15 at Cape Canaveral 16 Apr (T. Dunkerton).

Barn Swallow: 1 at W Cocoa 6 Mar (D. Freeland); 250 at Lake Apopka NSRA 16 Apr,
and 200 there 7 May (H. Robinson); 300 at Upthegrove Beach 19 Apr (D. Simpson).
Brown Creeper: 1 along the Choctawhatchee River (Holmes) 20 Apr (J. Stahl).

House Wren: 1 at Key West 7 Apr (C. Goodrich); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 1 May (H.
Robinson).

Field Observations

133

Golden-crowned Kinglet: 3 at Goethe State Forest (Levy) 8 Mar (B. Ahern); 1 at
Gainesville 27 Mar (E, Scales).

Ruby-crowned Kinglet: 1 at Winter Park 19 Apr (B. Anderson); 1 at Dry Tortugas NP
3 May (B, Mulrooney).

Eastern Bluebird: 1 migrant banded at Wekiwa Springs SP 25 Mar (A. Boyle); 6 mi-
grants at Lake Apopka NSRA 23 Mar (B. Anderson, A. Vinokur),

Veery: 1 at Lori Wilson Park, Cocoa Beach (Brevard) 21 May (D. Richardson, B. Ander-
son).

*Bicknell’S Thrush: 2 banded at Cape Florida SP 12 May (M. Davis, R, Diaz, accepted
by FOSRC).

Hermit Thrush: 1 at Gainesville to 1 May (S. Flamand); 1 at Garden Key, Dry Tortugas
NP 4 May (B. Mulrooney, photos to FOC).

Wood Thrush: 1 at Key West 16-21 Apr (C. Goodrich); 7 at Green Key 17 Apr (K Tracey,
B. Pranty); 3 at Dry Tortugas NP 19 Apr (M. Gardler); 1 at St, Sebastian River Pre-
serve SP (Brevard) 21 Apr (D. Simpson); 3 at Fort De Soto Park 23 Apr (B. Ahern et aL).

Gray Catbird: 60 at Cape Florida SP 8 Apr (R, Diaz); 60 at Key West 11 Apr (C, Good-
rich).

Northern Mockingbird: 1 at Dry Tortugas NP 28 Apr-4 May (B. Mulrooney et aL).

Bahama Mockingbird: 1 at Evergreen Cemetery, Fort Lauderdale (Broward) 7-8 Apr
(M. Stickel et aL); 1 at Dry Tortugas NP 4-5 May (B. Mulrooney, photos to FOC); 1 at
Cape Florida SP 9 May (J. Boyd et aL).

Brown Thrasher: 1 at Dry Tortugas NP 20-23 Apr (M. Gardler).

Superb Starling (Lamprotornis superbus): 2 (1 banded) thought to be nesting in a
coconut palm at Hallandale Beach (Broward) in May (L. Manfredi et aL, photo to
FOC) furnished the first record for Florida.

Common Myna: 1 pair at Flamingo, Everglades NP 27 May (M. Berney); 1 pair bred at
Punta Gorda (Charlotte) 18 May-EOS (T. Zinneman et aL); 1 pair bred at Fort Myers
6 May (C. Ewell).

*White Wagtail (Motacilla alba): 1 first-year male M. a. alba at Moon Lake Park,
Port Richey 18-22 Mar (D. Faintich et aL, accepted by FOSRC) furnished the first
record for Florida.

Cedar Waxwing: 500 at Florida International University (Miami-Dade) 21 Mar (J.
Boyd); 2240 at Lake Apopka NSRA 8 Apr (H. Robinson); 400 at West Kendall (Miami-
Dade) 12 Apr (J. Boyd); 200 at Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area 11 May (J. Dins-
more); 2 at Hilliard (Nassau) 21 May (D. Freeland); 6 at Winter Park 22 May (B.
Anderson).

Blue-winged Warbler: 14 reports of 22 individuals variously 4-24 Apr, with 1 at Sparr
(Marion) 4-14 Apr (C. Retey); 4 at Fort De Soto Park 11 Apr (B. Ahern, J. Gaetzi), and 2
there 21 Apr (P. Fellers et aL); 3 at Cedar Key 17 Apr (M. Jones); 2 at St. George Island
19 Apr (J. Cavanagh); and 2 at Dry Tortugas NP 19 Apr (M. Gardler, B. Mulrooney).

Golden-winged Warbler: 1 at St. Marks NWR 28 Apr (D. Houle); 1 at Viera Wetlands
12 May (D. Freeland et aL).

^^Brewster’S Warbler:” 1 female at Key West 11 Apr (C. Goodrich).

Nashville Warbler: 1 at Lake Munson (Leon) 3 Mar (E. Woodruff); singles at A. D.
Barnes Park (Miami-Dade) 4 Mar (B. Rapoza) & 15 Mar (R. Diaz); 1 at Lake Woodruff
NWR (Volusia) 5 Mar (B. Orr); 1 male at Lutz (Pasco) 13 Mar (D. Bowman); 1 at Plan-
tation Key (Monroe) 3 Apr (B. Mulrooney); 1 male at Captiva Island (Lee) 28 Apr (V.
McGrath); 1 at Fort De Soto Park 23 May (T. Dunkerton).

Yellow-rumped Warbler: 3130 at Lake Apopka NSRA 4 Mar (H. Robinson); 1 at
Newnans Lake 13 May (J. Bryan); 1 at Gainesville 15 May (R. Robinson).

*Kirtland’S Warbler: 1 female at Sebastian Inlet SP 10-12 May (D. Simpson et aL,
photos to FOC by R. Smith).

Prairie Warbler: 152 at Cape Florida SP 8 Apr (R. Diaz).

134

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Palm Warbler: 375 at Lake Apopka NSRA 4 Mar (H. Robinson); 100 at Key West 6 Apr
(C. Goodrich); 115 of the W race at Cape Florida SP 8 Apr (R. Diaz); 1 at Coconut
Point 7 May (A. Bankert).

Blackpoll Warbler: 40 at Key West 29-30 Apr (C. Goodrich); 17 at Lake Apopka NSRA

11 May (H. Robinson); 55 at Birch SP 12 May (M. Berney et ah); 120 at Cape Florida
SP 12 May (R. Diaz); 1 female S of Monroe Station {Collier) 27 May (T. Doyle).

Cerulean Warbler: single males at Cedar Key 16 & 23 Apr (D. Henderson); 1 at Dry
Tortugas NP 19 Apr (M. Gardler, B. Mulrooney); 1 male at Suncoast Seabird Sanctu-
ary (Pinellas) 20 Apr (S. Patterson); 2 at Fort De Soto Park 21 Apr (P. Fellers); 1 male
at Captiva Island 28 Apr (V. McGrath).

Black-and-white Warbler: 50 at Key West 23 Apr (C. Goodrich).

American Redstart; 134 (54 banded) at Cape Florida SP 11 May, and 450 (28 banded)
there 12 May (R. Diaz).

Prothonotary Warbler: 10 at Key West 11 Apr (C. Goodrich).

Worm-eating Warbler: 1 at Alachua 30 Mar (B. Wallace); 8 at Key West 11 Apr (C. Goo-
drich); 5 at Fort De Soto Park 23 Apr (B. Ahem et al.); 1 at Boulogne 21 May (D. Freeland).

Swainson’S Warbler: 1 at Key West 23 Mar, and 10 there 11 Apr (C. Goodrich); 1 at
Tallahassee 1 Apr (B. Phelan); singles at Evergreen Cemetery 7-8 Apr & 20 Apr (M.
Berney et al.); 2 at Cedar Key 9 Apr and 1 there 21 Apr (D. Henderson); 7 at Fort De
Soto Park 11 Apr (J. Gaetzi, B. Ahern et al.); 1 at Dry Tortugas NP 19 Apr (M.
Gardler, B. Mulrooney).

Ovenbird: 1 at Leon Sinks (Leon) 25 Mar (M. Collins); 50 at Key West 11 Apr (C. Goo-
drich); 27 banded at Cape Florida SP 28 Apr, and 100 (27 banded) there 9 May (R. Diaz).

Northern Waterthrush: 1 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 10 Mar (R. Rowan); 1 at
Dunedin Hammock 23 Mar (M. Gardler); 1 at Tallahassee 24 Mar (P. Homann); 50+
at Cape Florida SP 9 May (R. Diaz); 3 at Lake Apopka NSRA 20 May (H. Robinson);
1 at Newnans Lake 24 May (R. Rowan).

Louisiana Waterthrush: 1 at Bonner Park, Largo (Pinellas) 16 Mar (1. Hernandez); 10
at Lake Apopka NSRA 19 Apr (H, Robinson).

Connecticut Warbler: 15 (3 females, 12 males) banded at Cape Florida SP variously
8-12 May (R. Diaz), and 1 there 22 May (A. Bankert); 2 at Birch SP 9 May (M. Berney
et al.); 2 at A. D. Barnes Park 9 May (B. Rapoza); 1 at Bill Sadowski Park (Miami-
Dade) 9-14 May (R. Torres); 1 at Pinecraft Park (Sarasota) 10 May (E. Miller, J. Car-
lock); 1 at Buschman Park, Port Orange 11 May (M. Brothers); 1 at Mead Garden,
Winter Park 14 May (B. Anderson); singles at Green Key 14 & 15 May, and 2 there 22
May (K. Tracey, J. McKay et ah); 1 at Lori Wilson Park, Cocoa Beach 20 May (D. Ri-
chardson); 1 at Marathon (Monroe) 22 May (A. Bankert; specimen to UCF); 3 at Fort
De Soto Park 23 May (T. Dunkerton); 3 at Plantation Key 8 May (B. Mulrooney).

Mourning Warbler: 1 male at Cape Florida SP 8 May (R. Diaz).

Common Yellowthroat: 100 at Key West 23 Apr (C. Goodrich); 200+ (31 banded) at
Cape Florida SP 10 May, 225+ (87 banded) there 11 May, and 420 (55 banded) there

12 May (R. Diaz).

Hooded Warbler: 50 at Fort De Soto Park 11 Apr (J. Gaetzi et al.).

Wilson’s Warbler: 1 at Alachua 16 Mar (B. Wallace); 1 at Sarasota (Sarasota) 8 Apr (A.
Bishop); 1 at Gainesville 18 Apr (G. Parks).

Yellow-breasted Chat: 12 at Lake Apopka NSRA 27 May (H. Robinson).

Summer Tanager: 15 at Fort De Soto Park 21 Apr (P. Fellers et al.).

Scarlet Tanager: 8 at Key West 11 Apr (C. Goodrich); 4 at A. D. Barnes Park 18 Apr (J.
Boyd); 9 at Fort De Soto Park 21 Apr (P. Fellers et al.).

Western Tanager: the wintering female and male at Tallahassee were last seen 19 Apr
(F. Rutkovsky).

Western SpindaliS: 1 olive-backed male at Evergreen Cemetery to 28 Apr was “quite
territorial . . . chasing other species, especially [European] Starlings” (M. Berney et

Field Observations

135

al); 1 female at Oleta River SP (Miami-Dade) 27 Apr (V. Rothman, details to FOC);

1 female at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton {Palm Beach) 28-29 Apr (P. Co-
hen, B. Hope et al.).

^Spotted Towhee: 1 at Alligator Point 10 Mar-24 Apr (J. Murphy et al., accepted by
FOSRC) furnished the second Florida record.

Chipping Sparrow: 1 at Gainesville 28 May (L. Keen).

Lark Sparrow: 1 heard singing at Bradenton {Manatee) 4 Mar (J. Dubi).

Savannah Sparrow: 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 13 May (H. Robinson); 1 at a Polk mine 13
May (P. Timmer, C. Geanangel).

Grasshopper Sparrow: 1 at Fort De Soto Park 26 Apr (L. Atherton et al.).

Le Conte’s Sparrow: 2 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP 6 Mar (R. Rowan et al.); 3 banded
at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP 10 Mar (M. Korosy); 1 at Lake Jackson 9-13 Apr (J.
Cavanagh).

Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow: 2 in W Pasco 1 May (K. Tracey).

Seaside Sparrow: 1 at Pensacola {Escambia) 1 Apr (A. & D. Forster).

Song Sparrow: 1 in Walton 12 May (J. Walton).

Lincoln’s Sparrow: 1 near Falling Waters SP {Washington) 27 Mar (B. Ahern); 1 at
Long Key SP {Monroe) 8 Apr (B. Mulrooney); 1 at Key West 10 Apr (C. Goodrich); 1 at
Dry Tortugas NP 19 Apr (B. Mulrooney).

Swamp Sparrow: 1 at Coconut Point 29 Apr (A. Bankert); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA to 9
May (H. Robinson).

White-throated Sparrow: 7 at Lake Lotus Park, Altamonte Springs 10 Mar, and 2
there to 14 Apr (P. Hueber); 1 adult white-striped morph at Dry Tortugas NP 3 May
(B. Mulrooney).

White-crowned Sparrow: 14 at Lake Apopka NSRA 16 Mar (H. Robinson).

Dark-eyed Junco: 1 at Gainesville 18 Mar (R. Robinson).

Rose-breasted Grosbeak: 58+ variously in Alachua 14-24 Apr (L. Hensley, M. Jones et
al.); “dozens” at Dunedin 22 Apr (S. Robinson); 15 at Fort De Soto Park 23 Apr (B, Ah-
ern et al.); almost every feeder at Jacksonville reported one or more during late Apr-
early May {fide P. Powell).

Blue Grosbeak: 1 at Key West 10 Mar (C. Goodrich); 12 at Fort De Soto Park 23 Apr (J.
Gaetzi et al.); “too many [reports in NE Florida] to list” {fide P. Powell).

*Lazuli Bunting: 1 second-year male at Oviedo 4-6 Apr (M. Acken et al., accepted by
FOSRC).

Indigo Bunting: 100 over Palm Harbor {Pinellas) in 1.5 hours 19 Apr (M. Korosy); 250
at Fort De Soto Park 19 Apr (L. Atherton, J. Gaetzi et al.); 80 at Key West 19 Apr (C.
Goodrich); “the most migrants in years” in NE Florida! Many feeders reported around
20 at a time, one row of feeders near Palatka {Putnam) had 100 at once {fide P. Pow-
ell); one pair bred near Orangedale {St. Johns), the first nesting there by this species
in several years (P. Powell).

Painted Bunting: 9 in Alachua variously 1 Mar-29 Apr (M. Manetz et ah); up to 4 at Ce-
dar Key 1 Mar-23 Apr (D. Henderson); 4 at Key West 21 Mar (C. Goodrich); 2 at
Dunedin Hammock 23 Apr (I. Hernandez); 1 at Fort De Soto Park 26 Apr (L. Ather-
ton et ah); 5 at Lake Apopka NSRA 1 May (H. Robinson); 1 female at New Port Richey
31 May (E. DuPuis).

Dickcissel: 1 near Flamingo, Everglades NP 3 Mar (J. Boyd et ah); 1 at Cedar Key 19
Mar-20 Apr (D. Henderson); singles at Fort De Soto Park 15, 26, and 28 Apr (L.
Atherton, A. Bankert et ah); 1 at Key West 16 Apr (C. Goodrich); 1 at Dry Tortugas
NP 19 Apr (B. Mulrooney, M. Gardler); 1 at Lake Apopka NSRA 27 Apr & 27 May,
and 2 there 29 Apr (H. Robinson).

Bobolink: 30+ at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP 1 Apr (P. Miller); 595 at Lake Apopka
NSRA 29 Apr (H. Robinson); 25 at Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area 13 May (J.
Dinsmore).

136

FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST

Yellow-headed Blackbird: 1 first-year male in Calhoun 6 Mar (T. McClendon); 1 fe-
male at Punta Gorda 30 Mar (T. Licata, T. Zinneman, photo to FOC); 1 female at Fort
Walton Beach STF 14 Apr (B. Duncan).

Rusty Blackbird: 2 (male & female) at Disney conservation land {Osceola) 9 Mar (C.
Newton); 12 at Tallahassee 12 Mar (S. McCool); 3 at Paynes Prairie Preserve SP to 14
Mar (R. Rowan).

Brewer’s Blackbird: 1 male at Homestead (Miami-Dade) 19 Mar (J. Boyd, L. Manfredi,

photo to FOC); 1 male at River Lakes Conservation Area 26 Mar (D. Freeland).
Common Grackle: 1 at Dry Tortugas NP 28 Apr (C. Goodrich).

Shiny CowbirD: 3 at Eagle Lakes Park 18 Apr (D. Suitor); 1 male at Green Cay Wet-
lands 22 Apr (M. Berney); 1 at Key Largo 26 Apr (D, Freeland); 1 at Lake Apopka
NSRA 29 Apr & 1 May (H. Robinson); 1 at Key West 1 May (C. Goodrich); 4 (2 females
& 2 males) at Dry Tortugas NP 4 May (B. Mulrooney); 3 (1 female & 2 males) at Fla-
mingo, Everglades NP 12 May (B. Rapoza) & 27 May (M. Berney); 1 male at Ponce de
Leon Inlet 16 May (B. Orr); 1 adult male at Alligator Point 22 May (J. Murphy); 1 at
Alachua 29 May (M. Reetz, specimen to UF).

Bronzed CowbirD: 8 at Eagle Lakes Park 6-18 Apr (D. Suitor), and 2 there (1 male dis-
played to 1 female) 28 Apr (B. Mulrooney); 2 (female & male) at Flamingo, Everglades
NP 30 Apr (B. Mulrooney).

Orchard Oriole: 15 at Clearwater {Pinellas) 20 Apr (L. Childress); 8 at Key West 20-21
Apr (C. Goodrich); 20 at Fort De Soto Park 21 Apr (P. Fellers et ah); 1 first-summer
male at Belle Glade Marina {Palm Beach) 19 May (M. Berney).

*Bullock’S Oriole: 1 female at Tallahassee to 12 Mar (F. Rutkovsky, J. Cavanagh).
Purple Finch: 1 at Gainesville to 10 Mar (R. Robinson); 8 (females and males) at
Niceville {Okaloosa) 12 May (P. Baker et aL).

House Finch: 1 yellow-variant male at A. D. Barnes Park 4 Mar-21 Apr (B. Rapoza et
al.); 2 (female & male) at Ponce de Leon Inlet 5 May (B. Orr); 2 (female & male) at
Vero Beach 9 May (B. Wagner); 2 (female & male) at Dunedin {Pinellas) 27-28 May
(S. Robinson); 10+ at San Antonio {Pasco) throughout May (S. Phillips); 1 pair and 1
fledgling at Brandon {Hillsborough) during late May (D. Goodwin).

Pine Siskin: 1 at Gainesville 7 Mar (J. Watson); up to 2 at Altamonte Springs 1-18 Apr
(G. Bretz).

Pin-tailed Whydah: 1 male starting to molt into alternate plumage at Milton {Santa
Rosa) in late May & 7 Jun (A. Stalcup).

Contributors: Mary Acken, Brian Ahern, Bruce Aikins, Elsa Alvear, Bruce Ander-
son, Lyn Atherton, Pat Baker, Andy Bankert, Steve Barlow, Mark Berney, Allison
Bishop, Bill & Jan Bolte, Dave Bowman, John Boyd, Andrew Boyle, Bill Bremser, Dawn
Bretz, Michael Brothers, Judy Bryan, Patricia Burns, John Callaghan, Janet Carlock,
Bob Carroll, Carol Cassels, Jim Cavanagh, Liz Childress, Roger Clark, Julie Cocke,
Pinya Cohen, Marvin Collins, Buck & Linda Cooper, Judy Cooke, Michelle Davis, Robin
Diaz, James Dinsmore, Terry Doyle, Jim Du Bois, Eva DuPuis, Jeanne Dubi, Bob Dun-
can, Lucy Duncan, Tom Dunkerton, Jim Duquesnel, Charlie Ewell, David Faintich,
Paul Fellers, Scott Flamand, Ann & Dan Forster, Paul Francois, Nancy Freedman,
David Freeland, Dot Freeman, Jere French, Jill Gaetzi, Murray Gardler, Chuck
Geanangel, Carl Goodrich, David Goodwin, Paul & Laurie Gray, Rick Greenspun, Jack
& Liz Hailman, Al & Bev Hansen, Dale Henderson, Linda Hensley, Irene Hernandez,
Steve Hofstetter, Peter Homann, Brian Hope, David Houle, Paul Hueber, John Hum-
phrey, Marcy Jones, Dean & Sally Jue, Larry Keen, Jackie Kern, Don Knodle, Marianne
Korosy, Ken LaBorde, Phil Laipis, Pat Leary, Rob Lengacher, Laura Levin, Thom
Lewis, Tony Licata, Angela Luzader, Lome Malo, Mike Manetz, Larry Manfredi, Tom
Mast, Travis McClendon, Sean McCool, Vince McGrath, Powers McLeod, Linda Melch,
Gail Menk, Scott Merrill, Edith Miller, Paul Miller, Trey Mitchell, Barbara Mollison,

Field Observations

137

Heidi Moore, Herman Moulden, Brennan Mulrooney, John Murphy, Chris Newton,
Brenda Orr, Scott Patterson, Geoff Parks, Mauri Peterson, Bill Phelan, Sharon Phillips,
Peggy Powell, Bill Pranty, Gallus Quigley, Brian Rapoza, Stefan Rayer, Diane Reed,
Matthew Reetz, Carolyn Retey, Dexter Richardson, Bob Richter, Tom Ritchie, Bryant
Roberts, Dotty Robbins, Gary & Jocelyn Robinson, Harry Robinson, Ron Robinson, Su-
san Robinson, Tom Rodriguez, Larry Rosen, Victoria Rothman, Lance Rothstein, Rex
Rowan, Fran Rutkovsky, Earl Scales, Susan Schneider, Greg Schrott, David Simpson,
Bud Skiba, Ron Smith, Ken Spilios, Justyn Stahl, Anna Stalcup, Barbara Stedman, Jim
Stevenson, Monte Stickel, Doug Suitor, Linda Terry, Pete Timmer, Roberto Torres, Ken
Tracey, Juan Valadez, Alex Vinokur, Billi Wagner, Bob Wallace, John Walton, Don
Ware, Joshua Watson, Tom Webber, Meret Wilson, Jennifer Winters, Ed Woodruff,
Andy Wraithmell, Wilfred Yusek, and Tom Zinneman.

Winter 2006-2007 report not published previously: Western Tanager: 1 adult
male at Perdido Key (Escambia) 23 Feb (Mickey Quigley).

Corrections to the Spring 2006 report: Lesser Nighthawk: the bird at St. George
Island 27 Apr was identified later as an Antillean Nighthawk, which was also included
in the report, so the Lesser Nighthawk report should be deleted. Northern Rough-
winged Swallow: the date for one at Lake Jackson (Leon) should be 3 Mar, not 13 Mar.
Cave Swallow: 3 at Bald Point 11 Apr should be attributed to John Murphy, not Gail
Menk. We thank Gail Menk and Andy Wraithmell for bringing these errors to our atten-
tion.

Correction to Fall 2006 report: The possible hybrid ibis at Fort Walton Beach, re-
ported as a Glossy x White-faced Ibis, was thought to be a Glossy x White Ibis.

Report prepared by Bill Pranty, state compiler (8515 Village Mill Row, Bayonet
Point, Florida 34667-2662; <billpranty@hotmaiLcom>). Regional compilers are Brian
Ahern (629 Gail Avenue, Temple Terrace, Florida 33617; brianahern@aoLcom), Bruce
H. Anderson (2917 Scarlet Road, Winter Park, Florida 32792; <scizortail@aol.com>),
John H. Boyd III (15291 SW 108th Terrace, Miami, Florida 33196; <boydj@fiu.edu>).
Bob and Lucy Duncan (614 Fairpoint Drive, Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561;
<Town_Point@bellsouth.net>), Charlie Ewell (115 SW 51st Terrace, Cape Coral, Flor-
ida 33991; <anhinga42@embarq.net>), Bev Hansen (6573 Pine Meadows Drive, Spring
Hill, Florida 34606; <bevalhansen@earthlink.net>), Gail Menk (2725 Peachtree Drive,
Tallahassee, Florida 32304; no e-mail), Paul Miller (Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State
Park, 33104 NW 192nd Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida 34972; <Paul.Miller@dep.
state.fl.us>), and Peggy Powell (2965 Forest Circle, Jacksonville, Florida 32257;
<pegpowell@comcast.net>).

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Florida Field Naturalist

ISSN 0738-999X

PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Editor: ScOTT ROBINSON, Florida Museum of Natural History, RO. Box 117800, Univer-
sity of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-7800. E-mail: srobinson@flmnh.ufl.edu
Managing/Copy Editor; TOM WEBBER, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of
Florida, P.O. Box 117800, Gainesville, FL 32611-7800. E-mail: twebber@flmnh.ufl.edu
Associate Editor (for bird distribution): Bruce Anderson, 2917 Scarlet Road, Winter
Park, FL 32792. E-mail: scizortail@aol.com

Editor of the FOS newsletter, Snail Kite: TOM PALMER, 1805 26th Street, N.W, Win-
ter Haven, FL 33881. E-mail: tomp47@yahoo.com
Editor of Special Publications: Reed F. Noss, University of Central Florida, Depart-
ment of Biology, 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, FL 32816-2368. E-mail:
rnoss@mail.ucfedu

Web Page Editor: STEPHEN Bankert, 365 Spoonbill Lane, Melbourne, FL 32951. E-mail:
webmaster@fosbirds,org

INFORMATION FOR CONTRIBUTORS

The Florida Field Naturalist is a fully refereed journal emphasizing biological field
studies and observations of vertebrates, especially birds, in and near Florida and the
nearby West Indies. We welcome submission of original manuscripts containing new
information from these areas. We encourage electronic submission of manu-
scripts. Please consult recent issues of the journal and the FOS website (http://
www.fosbirds.org/FFN/FFNGuidelines.htm) for style, noting especially that manu-
scripts should:

(1) be double-spaced throughout, including tables and figure captions;

(2) include the scientific name at the first mention of each species;

(3) include capitalized standardized English names for all birds, but lower
case for English names of other organisms;

(4) include metric units for all measurements;

(5) use the form “7 June 2003” for all dates;

(6) use the 24-hour clock for all indications of time (e.g., 0800, 1400);

(7) use the following abbreviations: s (second), min (minute), h (hour);

(8) use active voice where at all possible.

Submit manuscripts for Florida Field Naturalist to the Editor, Scott Robinson.
Monograph-length manuscripts may be submitted for consideration to Reed F. Noss,
Editor of Special Publications. Books and other materials for review should be submit-
ted to Reed Bowman, Associate Editor for Reviews. Field Observations should be sub-
mitted to the Chair of the Field Observations Committee, Bill Pranty (see Field
Observations, this issue). Reports of rare birds in Florida (see Field Observations, this
issue) should be submitted to the Managing Secretary of the FOS Records Committee,
Andrew W Kratter, Florida Museum of Natural History, P.O. Box 117800, University of
Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-7800; E-mail: kratter@flmnh.ufl.edu.

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION LIBRARIES

3 9088 01432 6060

Florida Field Naturalist

PUBLISHED BY THE FLORIDA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

VoL. 35, No. 4 November 2007 Pages 105-138

CONTENTS

ARTICLES

Shorebird occurrence at three sites in Franklin County, Florida:

1994-2005

Gary L, Sprandel 105-113

First record of the Greater Flamingo for northeastern Florida

Bill Pranty and Gianfranco D. Basili 114-118

First record of the White Wagtail in Florida

Bill Pranty 119-123

FIELD OBSERVATIONS

Spring report: March-May 2007

Bill Pranty 124-137

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Friends of FFN 138

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