VOL XVI, NO. 1
JANUARY
1966
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PUBLICATION OF THE FEDERATION OF NEW YORK STATE BIRD CLUBS. INC.
Vol. XVI No. 1
January, 1966
Pages 1-64
CONTENTS
Photographs of New York State Rarities
4. Smew.Peter W. Post 2
The President’s Page.Allen H. Benton 4
Some Observations on the Hawk Migration
at Derby Hill .John R. Haugh 5
1965 Fall Shorebird Migration in
Central New York.Fritz Scheider 17
Conservation News — Forever Wild
Wetlands?.Maxwell C. Wheat, Jr. 23
Annual Meeting Notice — Come to Long Island,
May 20-22, 1966! . 24
Field Notes:
Pomarine Jaeger Near Lake Saranac.George E. Watson 25
Louisiana Waterthrush in Jefferson County.David C. Gordon 25
Highlights of the Fall Season
August 16 — November 30.David B. Peakall 26
Regional Reports . 28
Editor — Dorothy W. McIlroy
Associate Editors
Field Notes — Sally Hoyt Spofford
Regional Reports — David B. Peakall
Photographic — David G. Allen
Editorial Board
John B. Belknap Stephen W. Eaton
Allen H. Benton Eugene Eisenmann
Fritz Scheider
Business Manager — Walter L. Gillespie
Cover Design — Douglas L. Howland
PHOTOGRAPHS OF NEW YORK STATE RARITIES
4. Smew
Photograph by Dr. Donald Gunn
The 3rd edition (1910) of the A.O.U. Check-list records the Smew
(Mergus albellus) as accidental in northern North America” (p. 68).
Presumably this is on the basis of Alexander Wilson’s erroneous observa¬
tions (see Audubon, Ornithological Biography , 4: 350, 1838). In sub¬
sequent editions of the Check-list (4th and 5th, 1931 and 1957, respec¬
tively) the Smew is relegated to the hypothetical list: “Audubon’s sight
record of this Old World species, and several other alleged occurrences
in America, are unsatisfactory” (5th edition, p. 646). Actually, Aubudon
(op. cit.) based his account on a bird he collected at “Lake Barataria, not
far from New Orleans in the winter of 1819” (p. 350). Although ap¬
parently no longer extant, this is the individual which served as the model
for the adult female Smew of plate cccxlvii, fig. 2. of the Elephant Folio.
(Audubon, op. cit .).
A Smew (presumed to be an immature male) was discovered at Buf¬
falo Harbor, Erie Co., on 17 January 1960 during the Federation of New
York State Bird Clubs annual winter waterfowl count, by Robert D.
Coggeshall, Robert F. Andrle, and Joseph F. Thill. It was seen again, by
numerous observers, on the 18th, 19th, and 22nd. Two attempts to collect
the bird failed. Shortly thereafter the harbor froze and the Smew dis¬
appeared only to be rediscovered by James Baillie on the Niagara River
2
Photograph by Dr, Donald Gunn
near Miller s Creek, Ontario, Canada. The bird was present in this area,
as well as in the vicinity of Frenchman’s and Usshers Creeks (also on the
Niagara River) until 30 March, after which it was not seen again.
For a description and further details see Coggeshall ( Prothonotary,
26: 60-61, Sept. 1960) and Mitchell ( Birds of the Niagara Frontier Re¬
gion, Bull. Buffalo Soc. Nat. Sciences, 22: 154, 1965).
The above photographs, taken on 26 February 1960, by Donald Gunn,
originally appeared in the latter work and are reproduced here through
the courtesy of both Gunn and Mitchell.
The Smew is a boreal Palearctic species which according to Vaurie
[The Birds of the Palearctic Fauna (non-Passeriformes), H. F. and
G. Witherby, London, 1965, pp. 137-138], breeds from Scandinavia east
to Siberia and winters “from southern Norway and southern Sweden
south to the British Isles, France . . . [the] Mediterranean . . . Black
Sea, Iraq, Caspian Sea, Iranian region, northern India, Japan, Korea, and
eastern China south to about the Yangtze ...”
As pointed out by Coggeshall (op, cit.) mergansers are extremely rare
in captivity and, so far as is known, no zoo in this country has ever had
a Smew.
The footnote on p. 154 of Mitchell (op cit.), referring to a bird seen at
Grand Island in 1937 by Beardslee, was meant to accompany the Ruddy
Duck account, but was mistakenly placed with the Smew (Mitchell, in.
litt .)
Peter W. Post, Department of Biological Sciences, The University of
Florida, Gainesville, Fla. 32603.
3
THE PRESIDENTS PAGE
Dear Friends:
Having just returned from having a look at a very rare (for western
New York and this season) Northern Phalarope, I am in the mood to
send greetings to members of the Federation.
Every president has to have a platform, I suppose, so I present here¬
with my hopes for the Federation during my term in office.
1) Membership: Being in favor of larger membership is about equiv¬
alent to being against sin. Nonetheless, if each of us passes along
the word, we can grow, and if we grow, we can accomplish more
in the areas below.
2) Diffusion and influence of The Kingbird: Too few ornithologists,
in and out of New York, use our journal. It is certainly one of the
best of the state ornithological publications in the nation, and we
should publicize it wherever and whenever we can. It should be in
many local libraries, college libraries, as well as reaching more
individuals.
3) Research: I plan to continue and expand the census of Great Blue
Heron nesting sites; to continue the Mid-winter Waterfowl Census;
and to encourage each club to conduct at least one breeding bird
count each year in one of the best areas within their jurisdiction.
Individual members in search of work suitable to their ability and
ambition are urged to contact the Research and Publications Com¬
mittee for suggestions.
4) Conservation: The general public remains ignorant of the inter¬
locking relationships of all natural resources. Even professionals
still speak of wildlife conservation or water conservation or soil
conservation, as though each existed independent of the others.
The Federation, through its Conservation Committee, must con¬
tinue to do its part in this job of public education, while trying to
exert our influence in particular cases which affect our interests.
Being a birdwatcher is exciting. Let's all get excited about making our
Federation bigger, better and more influential in 1966.
Allen H. Benton
4
SOME OBSERVATIONS ON THE HAWK MIGRATION
AT DERBY HILL
John R. Haugh
The tendency for hawks to follow certain flyways during their migra¬
tion has been known for some time. Many of the earliest discoveries and
studies of migration flyways in North America occurred along the Atlantic
Coast or along near-by mountain ridges at such places as the southern
shore of Connecticut (Trowbridge, 1895), Fisher’s Island, New York
(Ferguson and Ferguson, 1922), Cape May, New Jersey (Allen and
Peterson, 1936), and Hawk Mountain, Pennsylvania (Poole, 1934). Simi¬
lar discoveries soon followed at such places as Point Pelee, Ontario;
Cedar Grove, Wisconsin; Duluth, Minnesota; Detroit, Michigan; Hawk
Cliff (near Port Stanley, Ontario); Toronto, Ontario; the mountains of
Tennessee; and along the southern shores of Lake Superior and Lake
Ontario.
The majority of these locations are observation points for fall hawk
migrations. The exceptions are Cedar Grove, Duluth, and along the
southern shores of Lake Ontario and Lake Superior. The spring move¬
ments of hawks at Cedar Grove and Duluth are small in comparison to
the flights there in the fall (personal communication). The movement
along the southern shore of Lake Ontario is the largest known spring
movement of hawks north of Central America (little information is avail¬
able on the spring fly way along Lake Superior).
Eaton (1904) was among the first to indicate the possibility of a major
hawk migration route along the southern shore of Lake Ontario, espe¬
cially in the Rochester area. He states:
“First regarding the yearly migration of hawks, it has been confirmed
that an incredible number of these birds pass each spring along the
southern shore of Lake Ontario, and move toward the east over the
country south of the lake, evidently making their way around its
eastern end, toward the north. The height of the migration occurs
during the latter part of April and the first week in May. The birds
are mostly Sharp-shinned and Broad-winged Hawks. A sprinkling of
Marsh and Pigeon Hawks is always present, but surprisingly few of
the Cooper’s Hawk when its general abundance in many parts of
the State is considered. It also seems unusual, at a time when Red¬
tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks are nesting in western New York,
to see many of these species also, soaring high in the air and wheel¬
ing toward the east.”
Aware of Eaton’s observations and the existence of locations for ob¬
serving the hawk flight further west, in 1955 F. G. Scheider and H. Van
5
Beurden located a point for observing this migration on the southeastern
comer of the lake. This location is known as Derby Hill.
Realizing the value of Derby Hill as a study area for this migration,
and that the area was rapidly being lost, as summer homes and cottages
were constructed, in 1964 Syracuse University, in conjunction with the
Nature Conservancy, purchased much of the remaining land on the hill
as well as a wooded area lying to the east of the hill.
Derby Hill is a ridge which extends southward from the comer of the
lake in a direction slightly east of south. The northern end of the ridge is
a bluff which overlooks the southeastern comer of the lake as well as the
surrounding lowlands to the west and east. The view to the south along
the crest of the hill is moderately good, but a series of hedgerows some¬
times obstructs the view of low-flying birds.
Birds approach Derby Hill from the west and are usually first observed
as they loft over a low ridge which parallels Derby Hill but which is
lower and does not extend to the lake (see Fig. 1). West of this second
ridge the lake plain stretches unbroken for many miles; therefore, ap¬
proaching birds do not have to rise to fly over hills until they encounter
the ridge west of Derby. Hawks frequently pause in this area and soar to
gain altitude. For this reason they are often in sight for several minutes
before they actually pass over Derby Hill.
Although Derby Hill is especially well known for its hawk flights, many
other birds also migrate along the shore in this area. Large numbers of
Ioterids, Swallows, Crows, Blue Jays, Robins, White-breasted Nuthatches,
Black-capped Chickadees, Yellow-shafted Flickers and Starlings (as well
as other species in lesser numbers) are seen during the spring migration
period.
Hawks advancing as a wave from the southwest to the northeast,
through Ohio, Pennsylvania and Western New York, encounter the south¬
ern shore of Lake Erie and the western part of Lake Ontario which form
somewhat of a natural barrier to these birds for they are reluctant to
cross large bodies of water where air currents are usually unfavorable.
Instead they move easterly along the southern shores of these lakes. As
this flight continues eastward, the number of migrants increases as ad¬
ditional birds moving northward through Central New York encounter
Lake Ontario and join the flight. The advantage of observing the hawk
flight at Derby Hill is therefore obvious, for here at the eastern end of
the southern shore the number of migrants is greatest.
The hawk migration at Derby Hill was studied by the author during
the springs of 1963 and 1964. The following discussions are based mainly
on data obtained during those periods. Less intensive observations were
made in 1965, but since they were not made by the author, these obser¬
vations are not considered in the discussion below. However, data from
all three years are included in the table at the end of this paper.
6
FIGURE 1
Map of the Derby Hill area. Notice the location of Derby Hill near the corner of the
lake, the hill paralleling Derby Hill to the west, and the lack of any other hills along
the lake shore in the area. {See text). (Redrawn from U. S. Geological Survey
topographic map).
Observations were made on forty-five days in 1963, mainly on Tues¬
days, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays between March 7 and May 14.
In 1964 observations were made on sixty-six days between February 25
and May 15, and, once the hawks began to migrate, the only days not
covered were those on which inclement weather conditions, such as
snow, rain, or high adverse winds, probably prevented the hawks from
flying. Notes were kept not only on the species composing the flights, but
also on the characteristic patterns of flight exhibited by different birds,
direction and speed of wind, temperature, cloud cover, and barometric
pressure.
This paper considers the characteristic patterns of flight employed by
various species and discusses some aspects of their behavior during
migration. Tables giving the actual counts of hawks made during 1963,
7
1964, and 1965 are also included. The times of migration and effects of
the various weather phenomena on the migration will be considered
elsewhere ( Wilson Bulletin, in Press).
Falconiformes of 16 different species were observed during the study.
Listed in order, starting with the species occurring in greatest numbers,
they were: Broad-winged Hawk ( Buteo platypterus) , Sharp-shinned
Hawk ( Accipiter striatus), Red-tailed Hawk ( Buteo jamaicensis), Red¬
shouldered Hawk ( Buteo lineatus), American Kestrel ( Falco sparve-
rius). Harrier ( Circus cijaneus ), Rough-legged Hawk ( Buteo lagopus).
Osprey ( Pandion haliaetus), Coopers Hawk ( Accipiter cooperii), Gos¬
hawk ( Accipiter gentilis), Turkey Vulture ( Cathartes aura), Merlin
( Falco columbarius ), Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus), Golden
Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), Peregrine ( Falco peregrinus) , and Gyrfalcon
(Falco rusticolus ).
The migration at Derby Hill begins with Red-tailed Hawks, Red¬
shouldered Hawks, and Goshawks in early March and is essentially over
by the end of May when occasionally a few immature Broad-winged
Hawks may still pass.
Characteristic Types of Flight During Spring Migration
Accipitrine Hawks (Goshawk, Cooper’s Hawk, and Sharp-shinned
Hawk) usually are thought to employ a flight style consisting of several
flaps followed by a short glide. This type of flight is usually utilized by
these birds as they migrate around the comer of the lake. Frequently
they fly very low. When moderate southerly winds tend to push them
toward the lake, the Accipiters often fly over the hill only a few feet
(and sometimes less then a foot) above the grass.
Although they generally employ a flapping flight, Accipiters are not
uncommonly observed soaring on rising currents of air much the same as
Buteos. This is especially true in April and May on days when surface
winds are relatively light and the earth’s surface is warmed sufficiently
by the sun to create thermal activity. On such days the flapping flight of
the hawks in the morning migration is abandoned as the ground warms.
Individuals are observed soaring and occasionally flapping while circling
over the woods to the west and ascending on rising air. Sometimes after
gaining sufficient altitude, they may begin a more typical flapping flight
along the shore of the lake, gradually descending, until another thermal
can be found and utilized.
At times Goshawks (and occasionally Cooper’s Hawks) may employ a
steady “pumping” flight with deep wing beats. This type of flight has
usually been observed late in the afternoon or when the daily migration
was about over. It almost seems as if these birds are anxious to migrate
as far as possible before they are forced to stop for the night.
Falcons are usually more direct in their flight as they approach from
the west. Steadily flapping, they follow the shore rather closely and de¬
viate little from this flight path even when northerly winds tend to push
other species inland. Sometimes, however. Falcons move out over the
lake as they approach the corner, more or less taking a short cut rather
than following the slightly longer route along the beach. Occasionally
Rough-legged Hawks also take this short cut over the comer of the lake.
Buteos, Ospreys, Eagles, Harriers, and Vultures are all more depend¬
ent on soaring during migration than are Falcons and Accipiters. At times
they have been observed to fly over a mile without ever flapping their
wings as they appear in the west, pass over the hill, and disappear in the
east. However in March or at other times early in the day when the
ground is still cold and there are few rising air currents, these “soaring
birds” have all been observed to flap rather steadily as they fly along the
shore of the lake. This flapping flight is especially prominent in Red¬
shouldered Hawks, which migrate in large numbers during the latter
half of March when snow frequently still covers the ground. During days
when much flapping flight is required, it is not uncommon to observe
Red-shouldered Hawks and Red-tailed Hawks landing in trees for short
lengths of time before continuing their flight.
With winds from a southerly direction, Harriers frequently turn south
and fly along the ridge which parallels Derby Hill to the west. At such
times they are flying into the wind but seem to be utilizing updrafts
which are created along this ridge by the wind. After flying a mile or so
inland, they may allow themselves to drift with the wind, thus moving in
a northeasterly direction toward the corner of the lake. In general,
Harriers seem to be weaker flying birds than the other species and more
often take advantage of air currents created by topographical features.
Buteos have frequently been observed to use a gliding flight, either
exclusively or in combination with soaring and flapping. After gaining
altitude on a rising air current they often glide in an easterly direction,
sometimes with wings partially folded, until again beginning to soar on
another rising mass of air.
Cold fronts advancing rapidly from the west sometimes create condi¬
tions which enable Buteos to partially fold their wings and glide as they
are pushed toward the east by strong westerly winds in back of the front
while at the same time being held aloft by rising air currents in the warm
air immediately in advance of the front. Large numbers of hawks fre¬
quently fly in this narrow zone of “push and lift”, all of them, of course,
being at the same altitude and gliding in the same way, much as a group
of surf board specialists ride an advancing ocean wave. Only soaring
species of hawks such as Buteos have been observed to glide in front of a
cold front in this way.
9
Gregarious Behavior in Migrating Hawks
It is generally known that Broad-winged Hawks tend to be gregarious
during migration, to migrate in flocks sometimes numbering several hun¬
dred individuals. This behavior among other hawks is not so obvious.
Nevertheless, at Derby Hill it has been noted that whenever a Sharp-
shinned Hawk is seen approaching the hill, careful observation often re¬
veals several other hawks of this species approaching. Unlike the Broad¬
winged Hawks, which are usually closely grouped, Sharp-shinned Hawks
tend to spread out laterally so as to all pass over the hill at about the
same time but at various distances from the lake. Three to six birds most
commonly are involved in these groups. The distance separating individ¬
uals varies considerably, but probably averages between 50 and 100 feet.
Other species of hawks also exhibit some evidence of gregarious be¬
havior during migration. This seems to be true of Kestrels, but to a lesser
extent than with Sharp-shinned Hawks. Among soaring species, in addi¬
tion to Broad-winged Hawks, Turkey Vultures are also gregarious. There
also seems to be a tendency for Eagles to associate together during mi¬
gration. Several times when two or three Eagles were observed in one
day, all appeared within a minute or two of each other. These birds need
not be of the same species; there may be any combination of Bald Eagles
and Golden Eagles, either immature or adult. When an Eagle is observed
during migration it is always a good idea to search quickly in other direc¬
tions, for often another Eagle may be passing a few hundred feet away.
Other soaring hawks seem to exhibit gregariousness, but further investi¬
gation is needed for the more important factor here may be a favorable
air current which several hawks have found individually, and therefore
they may be associated together simply as a matter of convenience. As
many as six different species of hawks have been observed soaring to¬
gether on a favorable air current. Such a group may be composed of any
combination of the commoner hawks which migrate past the hill.
In contrast to soaring flight which enables Falcons, Accipiters, and
typically soaring species to fly together, flapping flight tends to limit
association of different hawks during migration. Thus, although Cooper’s
Hawks may be observed flying with Sharp-shinned Hawks, and Red¬
shouldered Hawks flying with Red-tailed Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks
and Cooper’s Hawks do not associate with Red-tailed Hawks and Red¬
shouldered Hawks when flapping flight is being utilized to migrate. The
explanation is obvious, for under such conditions Accipiters and Buteos
travel at different speeds and Buteos often pause to soar briefly between
periods of flapping.
Although there is considerable interspecific and intraspecific associa¬
tion during migration, little agressive behavior has been observed among
migrating hawks. Apparently territoriality is either weakly developed at
this time or is largely suppressed by the migratory urge. Occasionally
10
hawks of the same species or hawks of different species have been ob¬
served to stop in the same tree. At such times these birds seem largely to
ignore each other.
Summary
In summary, observations made during the springs of 1963 and 1964
enable certain conclusions to be drawn regarding the behavior of hawks
during migration:
(1) Although certain species of hawks generally seem to employ a
particular type of flight, during migration both soaring and flapping
flight are at times used by all species. Accipiters and Falcons depend
more on flapping flight while other species more often are observed soar¬
ing-
(2) Gliding flight is sometimes used by soaring species, especially
Buteos. This type of flight is observed most frequently as hawks move
from one thermal to another or when hawks are riding the leading edge
of a cold front.
(3) Broad-winged Hawks, Turkey Vultures, and Sharp-shinned
Hawks are intraspecifically gregarious during migration. Eagles show
obvious gregariousness which may be intraspecific or interspecific. Al¬
though other species show signs of intraspecific gregariousness, addi¬
tional investigation is needed before definite conclusions can be reached.
(4) All common species of hawks have at times been observed to
show interspecific association while using soaring flight to migrate. To
what extent this is gregarious behavior is not known. It may largely be a
matter of convenience, wherein many hawks utilize a particularly favor¬
able air current. Flapping flight limits the interspecific association of
some species, probably chiefly because of different speeds of forward
movement.
(5) Hawks show little agressive behavior during spring migration.
Department of Zoology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, N. Y. 13210
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank Dr. F. G. Scheider, Dr. Walter Spofford, Dr. Sally Spofford,
and Miss Margaret Rusk for critically reading a previous draft of this paper. I am
also grateful to Mrs. Jean Propst for help with field observations at Derby Hill. In
addition, I would like to thank Dr. Thomas Cade for his help and encouragement
during this study, and especially for the many days which he spent helping with the
observations at Derby Hill.
Our work at Derby Hill has been supported by Public Health Service Graduate
Training Grant 5T1 GM 1016-03 and National Science Foundation Grant G-21912.
11
References Cited
Allen, R. P,, and R. T. Peterson. The hawk migration at Cape May Point, New
Jersey. Auk, 53: 393-404, 1936.
Eaton, E. H. Spring bird migrations of 1903. Auk, 21: 341-345, 1904.
Ferguson, A. L., and H. L. Ferguson. The fall migration of hawks as observed at
Fisher’s Island, N.Y. Auk, 39: 488-496, 1922.
Poole, E. L. The hawk migration along the Kittatinny Ridge in Pennsylvania. Auk,
51: 17-20, 1934.
Trowbridge, C. C. Hawk flights in Connecticut. Auk, 12: 259-270, 1895.
TABLE I
HAWK COUNTS AT DERBY HILL IN 1963, 1964, and 1965
Symbols:
Totals:
C — Cooper’s Hawk.
SS — Sharp-shinned Hawk.
G — Goshawk.
P — Peregrine.
M — Merlin.
K — Kestrel.
O — Osprey.
H — Harrier.
RS — Red-shouldered Hawk
RT — Red-tailed Hawk.
RL — Rough-legged Hawk..
BW — Broad-winged Hawk..
GE — Golden Eagle.
BE — Bald Eagle.
TV — Turkey Vulture.
UID — Unidentified Hawks...
1963
1964
1965
116
133
70
1,335
2,289
1,409
81
53
42
0
4
4
3
19
5
226
511
165
53
224
101
235
370
191
867
492
309
971
1,133
789
193
118
116
7,289
21,542
7,154
2
9
3
2
11
7
30
77
40
346*
264
126
11,749*
27,249
10,531
Grand Totals:.. .
Includes one Gyrfalcon
1963 HAWK COUNTS DERBY HILL
Daily
Date
C
ss
G
P
M
K
0
H
RT
RS
RL
BW
GE
BE
TV
UID
jL/aiiy
Total
March 16
11
2
8
0
0
11
0
7
73
22
11
0
0
0
0
0
145
17
12
3
10
0
0
10
0
22
126
174
31
0
0
1
0
0
389
19
4
0
2
0
0
2
0
4
21
34
5
0
0
0
0
14
86
21
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
4
2
1
4
0
1
0
0
1
14
23
0
0
1
0
0
3
0
7
9
16
6
0
0
0
0
6
48
24
4
0
9
0
0
14
0
13
36
97
32
0
0
0
0
0
205
25
3
7
1
0
0
5
0
7
3
75
6
0
0
0
0
2
109
26
13
47
8
0
0
38
0
26
115
203
9
0
0
1
0
22
482
27
0
0
4
0
0
3
0
8
65
65
8
0
0
0
0
39
192
28
0
4
4
0
0
0
0
2
28
50
5
0
0
0
0
15
108
29
5
51
4
0
0
45
1
15
53
99
13
0
0
0
0
8
294
30
2
7
1
0
0
11
0
9
11
1
5
0
0
0
2
0
49
31
0
4
1
0
0
1
0
3
4
4
2
0
0
0
1
4
24
April 2
4
2
2
0
0
6
0
7
13
2
0
0
0
0
0
2
38
4
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
7
6
9
6
7
0
0
6
0
5
48
1
4
1
0
0
9
14
110
7
2
9
6
0
1
4
0
3
19
3
9
0
0
0
1
9*
66
9
1
6
0
0
0
5
0
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
16
12
2
12
0
0
0
7
1
3
7
2
1
0
0
0
0
3
38
13
1
21
0
0
0
3
2
9
15
4
13
0
0
0
1
5
74
14
2
20
0
0
0
7
0
5
45
0
1
0
0
0
2
0
82
16
0
16
3
0
0
7
2
5
79
0
6
1
0
0
1
57
177
17
13
232
5
0
1
21
0
4
120
1
4
52
0
0
7
112
572
19
0
2
0
0
0
2
0
3
10
2
1
6
0
0
2
1
29
20
3
60
0
0
0
4
8
1"
7
0
2
474
0
0
0
14
587
21
5
191
2
0
0
1
4
16
11
7
3
1651
0
0
2
3
1896
25
7
126
0
0
1
1
5
8
22
3
4
644
0
0
0
3
824
26
0
52
0
0
0
3
5
4
12
0
0
144
1
0
0
2
223
27
2
32
0
0
0
2
3
2
2
0
1
135
0
0
0
4
183
28
1
42
0
0
0
3
1
0
1
0
0
10
0
0
0
0
58
29
0
48
0
0
0
0
6
2
6
0
0
1050
0
0
2
3
1117
30
4
288
1
0
0
0
4
3
0
0
3
2878
0
0
0
2
3183
Daily
Date C SS G P M K 0 H RT RS RL BW GE BE TV UID Total
May 2 1600000000000000 7
3 00000011000 12 0000 14
4 3 20 0 0 0 1 7 4 0 0 0 212 1 0 0 0 248
5 0 15 00000000000000 15
8 13000034000 12 0000 23
14 0000000000070000 7
* One gyrfalcon included.
NOTE: One golden eagle questionable.
Six bald eagles observed. Probably only four birds as two may have been observed twice.
Days with 5 or less hawks total: March—7(2): 1H, 1RL; 9(0); 10(4): 3RT, 1RL; 12(1): 1 RT; 14(0). April—3(1): IRS; 11(2): 1RT, 1RL
1964 HAWK COUNTS DERBY HILL
Date
C
SS
G
P
M
K
O
H
RT
RS
RL
BW
GE
BE
TV
UID
Daily
Total
March 3
0
0
7
0
0
0
0
0
4
1
2
0
0
0
0
0
14
4
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
1
4
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
9
5
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
4
7
1
2
6
0
0
1
0
1
35
2
15
0
0
1*
0
15
79
13
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
8
6
2
0
0
0
0
0
18
14
1
0
3
0
0
8
0
1
2
2
7
0
0
0
0
0
24
15
0
0
3
0
0
1
0
0
13
2
2
0
0
0
0
5
26
20
2
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
3
3
2
0
0
0
0
0
11
21
8
1
0
0
0
13
0
16
10
43
7
0
0
0
0
2
100
22
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
4
0
0
0
0
0
3
11
23
1
0
1
0
0
3
0
0
8
2
1
0
0
0
0
1
17
24
13
21
3
0
0
16
0
19
93
130
6
0
1
0
0
3
305
26
0
1
1
0
0
11
0
3
6
10
1
0
0
0
0
0
33
28
27
22
0
0
0
36
0
59
44
198
16
0
0
0
0
3
405
29
3
0
1
0
0
2
0
11
7
10
1
0
0
0
0
6
41
Daily
Date C SS G P M K O H RT RS RL BW GE BE TV UID Total
t" CO 00 O0 CO © HNOOO) t'- CO !>• 00 CO -^HCONiO
CO CO CO © OHHNO CO © CO © 00 hDDNN cOhOhh
CO ■'f HHNOH CO CO CO CO CO t-- CO © 1—l CO CO CO
CO CD r-1 i-h i CO i-i
OHHOCOH CO © CO »P CO HONOH hhcOHD ip ip © © © HHlMOO
OrH©0<NrH OOOOO OOOOO © © rH © rH r-tooo© rH©©rH©
©1-1©©©© ©0©0© 00©0© OOrH©© -HC0©O© HOOINO
•O O © O © O O^i-HCOO COCOi-H©© rfi t-r l> rH rH CO IP GO © i-h lON^OiO
COCO © 1 —l fr © rt* rH NIONIOH f-iocoio
HOHN ©CO CONHr-i
00 © CO 1-H
rHLPiPCO©© HCO^ODiH © © CO © 1-H ©rHrH©© 1-HCO©©© ©©©©©
COCOiP©©rH ©COCOCO© ©i-H©©© ©rHrH©© CO H © © © ©©©CO©
H©DCCNCC COipiOt-rCO © CO "HH © i-H rH CO rf CO b- CO © O © 1 -H OHCOCCO
© HjH CO 1-H i-H CO t>lO©t^© OOHHH ©©lOrH© CO©©©© ©©1-HCO©
©COCOCOt^CO COiPCO©rH ©©©rHrH COOi-HCO'f 1-H©C0©1-H CO © © ©
©l-H©©CO© rH i-H i-H i-H © © © 1 -H © rH CO CO i-H i-H © CO©©©© ©©©O©
©Oi-H©©© ©©©o© ©O©©© ©©©©© CO »-H o © © © © © o ©
©iO©©CO© 1-H 1-H CO 1-H CO ©©1-H©© CO©©©© ©©O©© ©©©©©
lO-HOCO^
© © *P
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OCt^©OOiP
IP CO
i-H © © ip co
© IP t" CO
rH rH
rH O TjH rH CO
© t'T CO CO rH
i—( rH
CO ©CO O CO
OiHIPCO
T-i r-i •
5?
o'
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%
§0
©
c3
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00 CO © © ©
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02
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—v rH
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1° 4;cDp-
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03 SP3T
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QhS
15
1965 HAWK COUNTS AT DERBY HILL
Date
C
ss
G
p
M
K
0
H
RT
RS
RL
BW
GE
BE
TV
UID
Daily
Total
March 2
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
5
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
10
4
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
8
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
10
6
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
11
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
15
17
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
7
3
3
0
0
0
0
1
16
18
0
0
3
0
0
4
0
0
21
2
0
0
1
0
0
0
31
28
0
0
6
0
0
3
0
9
3
8
4
0
0
0
0
1
34
31
0
0
4
0
0
3
0
0
4
4
3
0
0
0
0
0
18
April 1
20
3
4
0
0
4
0
10
64
84
8
0
0
0
0
15
212
4
0
0
1
0
0
2
0
2
30
10
0
0
0
0
0
0
45
7
11
191
1
0
0
60
1
74
86
63
26
0
0
0
6
4
523
8
9
39
2
0
0
22
0
25
133
98
17
1
0
1
4
16
367
10
0
10
4
0
0
3
2
2
49
3
2
0
0
0
2
17
94
14
3
41
3
0
1
2
1
3
55
4
1
0
0
0
3
0
117
15
1
175
0
0
0
10
0
6
11
10
6
0
0
0
1
0
220
20
1
110
1
0
2
11
5
10
87
1
3
281
0
1
0
16
529
21
2
328
0
0
0
19
9
1
66
1
3
1129
1
2
4
12
1577
25
5
185
3
2
2
8
15
15
66
4
14
2282
0
1
6
0
2608
26
3
86
0
0
0
2
4
7
0
0
5
547
0
0
0
16
670
28
0
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
111
0
0
0
0
115
29
10
46
0
1
0
3
12
7
54
9
13
1544
1
0
10
0
1710
30
0
19
1
0
0
2
7
5
4
0
0
267
0
0
0
4
309
May 1
3
19
0
0
0
1
11
4
6
0
2
708
0
0
0
5
759
2
0
30
0
0
0
3
2
1
5
0
0
1
0
0
0
5
47
3
2
64
1
1
0
2
21
2
2
2
0
170
0
0
2
10
279
5
0
12
0
0
0
0
3
4
3
0
0
23
0
0
0
0
45
6
0
7
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
9
8
0
38
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
0
1
31
0
0
1
3
77
27
0
1
0
0
0
1
5
2
1
3
0
59
0
1
0
0
73
Days with 5 or less hawks total: March—9(0); 11(5): 1G, 4RT; 13(0); 16(1): 1H. April—16(5): 1SS, 1 Osprey, 3RT; 27 (1): 1 Osprey
1965 FALL SHOREBIRD MIGRATION IN CENTRAL NEW YORK
Fritz Scheider
How very short is summer! The last flocks of natty Ruddy Turnstones surge
toward their tundra hills in early June, and by July 1 the returning tide of shore-
birds has begun. Yet the protracted autumnal shorebird migration must not be con¬
sidered a unitary thing. The double peak pattern of fall shorebird numbers alluded
to in previous articles (Scheider, F. G. Kingbird 10(4): 159, 1960 and Kingbird
15(1): 15, 1965) and regional reports has this season achieved a modest documenta¬
tion locally; from this, emerge a few crumbs of pattern and fact, and a host of
speculations (see Ruddy Turnstone, Golden Plover, Baird’s Sandpiper, Lesser
Yellowlegs). The chronology of arrival and departure dates of both adult and
immature birds can be readily established per year; a decade of observations would
probably pinpoint these data very narrowly, but the major information desired would
still not be obtained. The documentation desired revolves around the timing of the
peak passage of the two general age groups of shorebirds (adults v. immatures or
“birds of the year”). Two major facts of distribution affect data collecting: numbers
of shorebirds and, therefore, their local distribution depend on suitable habitat
available at the appropriate time; and the mobility of these world travelers makes
movement from one area to another, e.g. Sandy Pond to Onondaga Lake, a trifle.
Hence, the small number of, say, Short-billed Dowitchers seen locally each fall is no
indication of the total numbers of the population or even of the population utilizing
this inland migration route. But of those few birds that do migrate locally one should
be able to ascertain the proportion of adults to immatures and thereby establish
whether, numbers or no, a reproducible population sequence regularly occurs.
Variations in habitat: The protracted four-year drought, which finally ended in
late September, dried out most local ponds and marshes. Weeds grew rankly and the
numerous mud-rimmed ponds characteristic of late summer were generally un¬
available. The drawdown at Otisco Lake, however, created acres of mudflats. Simi¬
larly, low water conditions in the Main Pool at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
produced a muddy scolopacine paradise until early August when the Storage Pool’s
impounded water was released to the Main Pool, obliterating its extensive flats but
engendering an even larger array of mudflats, silt bars, and shallow pools at the
Storage Pool. The Lake Ontario shore, normally a rich shorebird area both in num¬
bers and species, proved disappointing thru most of the fall. The lake began to
slowly rise in mid-June and, by early August, only the outer beaches had open flats
of any extent; except during a moon-eye kill in late July, these were usually devoid
of shorebird food and heavily infested with people. The inner edges of the Sandy
Pond dunes have become so extensively grown to weeds that less than 300 yards of
open sand-mud shoreline are available over the 3/4 mile length. ElDorado Beach in
Region 6 near Henderson also suffered change; the water-edge weed growth, nor¬
mally held in check by cattle pastured there, grew waist-high in the absence of these
bovine lawnmowers this year.
The artificial short-grass prairie at the Syracuse Airport had tremendous variation;
September rains and a non-mowing policy in late July and August rendered large
areas of grassy lawns too vegetated for regular use by Golden Plover, Killdeer, and
Pectoral Sandpiper. However, as soon as any one area was cropped, these species
came in quickly and, where cropping was regular, persisted. The Onondaga Lake
shore flats proved the most available (to birders) and productive area locally, par¬
ticularly the extensive black mudflats at the southern end, known with Ruff affection
as “Old Stinky.” Sylvan and Verona Beaches had minimal shore area exposed and
tremendous human use, precluding high tallies. In view of these variations in habitat,
the majority negative, it is no surprise that numbers of shorebirds seemed to be
17
reduced; variety, however, was excellent, perhaps because of the intensive and
frequent checking of local areas.
Numbers Present : The 1965 fall flight saw no species, except possibly Killdeer,
Semipalmated Sandpiper, and Stilt Sandpiper in unusual abundance. Rather, the
birds were widely scattered at the various areas of available habitat with greatest
numbers at the more choice places (Montezuma NWR in Region 3 and ElDorado
Beach in Region 6). Certain species, however, did stand out as being remarkably
scarce, particularly when viewed with the 1964 fall figures in mind. Common
Snipe were astonishingly scarce—maximum for Region 5 was only ten and on just one
day! Greater Yellowlegs also were very scarce, and the tallies on Dunlin along Lake
Ontario and at Sylvan and Verona Beaches were in the ten-25/day range, quite low
for this often common late migrant. Why these three species, with markedly different
breeding habitats (bog, muskeg, and tundra respectively), should all be low is quite
hard to fathom. Or might it be coincidence?
Daily Variation in Numbers and Species : Another aspect to be considered is day-
to-day or even in-the-day turnover of individuals of the various species. A corollary
of contradiction often paralleled the frequent checking, as counts of individuals and
species would vary remarkably from hour to hour in the day. This variability, bane of
data collecting, was most obvious at Syracuse Airport and Onondaga Lake where
10:00 AM and 5:00 PM counts were often worlds apart in both species and numbers
of each. Probably the same thing is true at Sandy Pond Inlet and ElDorado Beach
but the variability there does not achieve documentation. Similar day-to-day and
diurnal variation can almost certainly be demonstrated at Braddock’s Bay near
Rochester, an area which has the Ontario effect of both migration direction and
shoreline shifting of loitering birds. Contrariwise, certain individual shorebirds,
identifiable by virtue of quirks of plumage or accidental marking, such as oiling, or
by their rarity, would frequent certain places for days (e.g. the adult Hudsonian
Godwits on Onondaga Lake and at Montezuma NWR, the Wilson’s Phalarope there,
the two Knots at Sylvan Beach) despite what were apparently major shifts in
shorebird numbers. Whatever change of wind or passage of a front shifted the many
Onondaga Lake “peep” and Pectorals and Yellowlegs left the Hudsonian Godwit
there quite unmoved.
Anomalies and Speculations : Certain anomalies of the shorebird migration appear
in sharper focus with each year of observation. Each August one or two spring-
plumaged Dunlin appear three to four weeks before the first winter-plumaged birds
arrive at ElDorado Beach or Sandy Pond Inlet. Are these early birds unsuccessful
breeders which have left the Arctic tundra prior to molt or are they birds that have
summered out of the Arctic and are simply wandering about? Also in almost any
August one can find apparently full winter-plumaged (? post-breeding) adult
White-rumped Sandpipers in larger collections of “peep” Sandpipers along Lake
Ontario. Yet in this species, molt of body plumage is not supposed to occur until late
August, September, and October (Bent, A. C. Life Histories of N. American Shore-
birds, Smithsonian Inst., U.S. Nat. Mus. Bulletins 142-1927 and 146-1929). I cannot
recall ever seeing an adult fall White-rumped Sandpiper in this area with traces of
spring plumage, and years of back notes do not clarify this matter. What part of the
population of White-rumped Sandpipers do these birds represent? Where do they
come from? Have they bred in the recently terminated Arctic summer? Or are they
wandering, non-breeding birds that have made the trip for practice but not for
procreation? Certainly the later birds—late September thru early November—are
almost entirely immature birds and obviously so—gray backs and wing-coverts with
each feather delicately edged in silver-buff, rusty scapulars with pale buff trim,
blurred breast marks, dark brown-black legs, and inordinately tame, even for “peep”
shorebirds. But what and wherefore are those winter-plumaged adult birds of the
August flocks?
18
Similarly, Baird’s Sandpiper data shows that the adult is a very scarce bird in
central New York with an adult to immature ratio of one:30-40; the few adults
present are late July and early August birds. Are these Arctic returnees of an
attempted but unsuccessful breeding season or are they possibly a counterpart of
the early Dunlin or of those winter-plumaged White-rumped Sandpipers?
The local, i.e. Lake Ontario, distribution of the three maritime shorebirds we get
presents equally abundant material for speculation. The late October-thru-November
records of Purple Sandpiper and Red Phalarope are largely immature birds. Both
species are remarkably tame and allow inspection at such close range that details of
the wing, back, and flank plumage and the bill markings can be studied carefully. It
is my opinion that these few individuals represent lingering birds, usually imma-
tures-and possibly sick ones at that, which tarry in the southern reaches of Hudson
and James Bays and are forced to overland migration by the freeze-up of the
Arctic areas of the northern half of Hudson Bay. However, Northern Phalaropes, a
species in which the time and sequence of exodus from the Arctic is known (Snyder,
L. L. Arctic Birds of Canada, Univ. of Toronto Press, 1957), probably represent low
Arctic, i.e. Hudson Bay-James Bay breeders that regularly traverse the interior on
their autumnal passage to the sea. Regularly the flight is much, much earlier than
the Red Phalaropes’ (usually 15 August to 1 October for Northern, usually 5 October
to 30 November for Red) and the flight of Northern Phalaropes includes both adults
and immatures (Witherby, H. F. et al The Handbook of British Birds, Vol. V, H. F.
& G. Witherby, LTD. 1938) and at nearly the same time.
Over the past decade, the Hudsonian Godwit has been observed so regularly each
fall that observers now count on seeing the bird at least once/season in the area.
Initially they were usually noted in late September thru mid-October and were
regularly immature birds. Now one can see them as early as mid-July (cf Hudsonian
Godwit below) and individuals may stay into late October if the weather remains
mild. Oddly enough, the Whimbrel, the other large Arctic wader one might see
locally, appears to be increasingly scarce and one feels lucky if one/fall is noted.
The last of the speculations revolves around the now famous Onondaga Lake
Ruffs. Dr. D. B. Peakall ( Wilson Bulletin 77: #3, Sept 1965) has suggested that
the Ruff may be breeding in North America and the flurry of individuals observed
at Onondaga Lake, including carefully observed immatures, supports this inference.
Why some five different Ruffs, including immatures, should select a small and
polluted crescent of graceless mud at an inland locality regularly is beyond my
understanding. The concentration of observers, I feel, has little to do with the
numbers of Ruffs observed for certainly better areas such as ElDorado Beach and
Montezuma NWR have virtually as thorough coverage and the number of Ruffs
tallied is markedly less. Why is Onondaga Lake so graced with Ruffs? This remains
quite unexplained. And the next question is—“When will a spring Ruff be found?”
Fall migration data is summarized below by species.
Abbreviations: Airpt—Syracuse Airport; EDB—ElDorado Beach in Region 6; imm—
immature, L—Lake; max—maximum; MNWR—Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge;
Onon—Onondaga; SB, VB—Sylvan and Verona Beaches; SP—Sandy Pond.
PIPING PLOVER: none! SEMIPALMATED PLOVER: first July 1, one, Onon L;
max 50 July 31 SP, and 36 Aug 26 Onon L; last, two Nov 5 Onon L. At MNWR—
first July 1, three; peak counts 45 July 28, 34 Sep 6, 65 Sep 14, 35 Sep 15; last
Nov 2. KILLDEER: buildup at Onon L apparent by July 10; flocks 30-50 thru July
and Aug; max 260 Airpt Sep 16; some 125 Aug 26 EDB; MNWR max 100 Aug 18;
last, one Nov 20 Onon L. GOLDEN PLOVER: adults arrived Aug 17, Airpt; max
105 Airpt with quick decline thru mid-Sep; last, two imm Nov 14, Airpt, a record late
date. At MNWR—first Aug 14; max 71 Sep 6; Oct tallies ten-15/day; last Nov 6
19
(late). BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER: first migrants Aug 10 SB, VB; tallies very low
(one-eight/day) thru Sep, but widely reported (Airpt, Otisco L, etc.); last Nov 11,
an imm at SP. At MNWR—first Aug 13 but peak figures of ten-14/day, all imm, not
reached til late Oct; last, one Nov 14. RUDDY TURNSTONE: first July 31 SP;
some six-15/day thru first two weeks of Aug, primarily from Onon L, SB, VB; max
55, all adults (see chart) Aug 19 EDB; Sep and Oct, scarce (two-three/day); last
Oct 12 Onon L and MNWR.
AMER. WOODCOCK: one Nov 21, Nine Mile Point near Scriba, Oswego Co, is
late. COMMON SNIPE: extremely scarce all fall; first migrants July 25 Howland's
Island; counts of one-four/day thereafter with max ten in mid-Oct at Howland’s
Island; last, one Nov 18 Clay Swamp. At MNWR the picture was somewhat brighter
—26 July 18 (probably local birds); peaks 17 Sep 29 and 31 Oct 31; last Nov 13.
WHIMBREL: scarce, one report only, two SB in mid-July (fide DWA). UPLAND
PLOVER: two July 5 Airpt; up to 19 there July 6, with max 94 Aug 25; by early
Sep most had left. Only two-eight/day until last Sep 10, three. SPOTTED SAND¬
PIPER: 75 plus July 8 Onon L and 78 July 4 MNWR show how early flocking and
migration occur; by mid-July Onon L tallies had fallen to 50/day, Aug counts were
20/day; four-six/day thru first third of Sep, one-two/day to Sep 21; last Oct 26, one,
SB, VB (very late). SOLITARY SANDPIPER: first July 1 Morrisville and July 5
Camillus; scarce, max six (all imm) Sep 17 Otisco L; scarce even at MNWR, no
count exceeding four/day; last Oct 2, an imm, Onon L. GREATER YELLOWLEGS:
first July 3, one Onon L; very scarce thru July and Aug, Sep numbers extremely low
with max nine Sep 21-24 Onon L; at MNWR, scarce though conditions seemed
excellent, all counts low, 12-14/day Oct 3-31; last one Nov. 13, a bit early, Howland’s
Island. LESSER YELLOWLEGS: first July 1, 12 Onon L and two MNWR: see
chart for numbers pattern; last Oct 31, an injured bird, SB. At MNWR—176 July 31,
quite impressive; Aug and Sep 25-40/day; last Oct 12, very early. KNOT: first July
17, one Onon L; one-two/day then to Sep 25, last date; numbers too small to
suggest age sequence, but all personally observed Sep birds seemed to be imm.
PURPLE SANDPIPER: only record, one imm Oct 30-31, Fair Haven Beach State
Park breakwater (M. S. Rusk). PECTORAL SANDPIPER: first July 1, one Onon L;
July and Aug tallies low (three-30/day); in Sep a heavy flight (? imm); at Onon L
24 on Sep 26, 30 Sep 27, 40 Sep 28; max tallies from Otisco L in this period also,
e.g. 41 Oct 3; last Oct 29, four Onon L. At MNWR major numbers not in until early
Sep with 94 Sep 6, and 25-29/day thru Sep and first week Oct; thru Oct two-12/
day; last Nov 14, seven (very late). WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER: first Aug 1,
one SB, VB; some eight adults, all in winter plumage, Aug 19 EDB; Sep numbers
very low, one-two/day until Sep 28 when imm began to augment them; six-eight/
day thru Oct (virtually all imm); last, an imm, Nov 4 SP. At MNWR—first Aug 11
with buildup in numbers to six-eight/day not until last third of Sep; late Oct counts
six-13/day (? all imm); last, one Nov 14. BAIRD’S SANDPIPER: only two adults
reported all fall-one July 31 SP and one Aug 19-20 Airpt; Aug 26—Sep 16, two-11
imm/day with best tallies from EDB, SP and Onon L; very scarce at SB, VB
(reason?); last, an imm Oct 28 Onon L. At MNWR-first Aug 25, two; max 13, Sep
17 and 18; late Sep and early Oct counts two-four/day; last, one Nov 14, quite late.
LEAST SANDPIPER: first July 1, two Onon L; see chart for distribution of adults/
imm and numbers; last Oct 16, an imm Onon L. At MNWR—first July 8; max 117
July 18 and 105 July 31, probably mainly adults; last Nov 7, one, very late.
DUNLIN: first (but is it really?) Aug 14, one in breeding plumage, Onon L; next
not until Sep 16 SP; counts very low, none over 28/day even in Oct; last Nov 24
SB, VB. At MNWR-first Sep 18; Oct numbers much better than elsewhere, 150-
239/day Oct 2-27; 100 Nov 7 attests to mildness of fall weather; last 22, Nov 14.
SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER: first July 3, one Onon L; numbers low through¬
out season (see chart); last definite date Sep 26, one Onon L (see Long-billed D.);
MNWR, 17-30/day in early Sep. LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER: only record at
20
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21
Beach figures; Montezum NWR figures not included.
Onon L, one Sep 6—7. At MNWR, some 11 noted Sep 12 and 2-20/day present thru
remainder of Sep and all of Oct on the Storage Pool; a Nov 14 dowitcher (last date)
was almost certainly a Long-billed. STILT SANDPIPER: first adult July 8, one
Onon L; tallies low one-three/day; max seven Aug 8 SB and eight Sep 1 Onon L;
first imm Aug 8; last, an imm Oct 3 Onon L. At MNWR—first Aug 15 (late) but a
rapid peaking in early Sep to 61 Sep 6 (adult: imm ratio unknown); numbers
dwindled rapidly, two-five/day only Sep 20-29; last, one Oct 13. SEMIPALMATED
SANDPIPER: most abundant scolopacine migrant; first July 10 SP; very heavy late
July to late Aug flight with marked decrease by Sep 13 (see chart); late Sep only
12-45/day, in Oct three-eight/day; last, one Nov 4 SB, VB (very late). At MNWR
—first July 17, rapid rise to max 540 July 31; sharp drop in mid-Sep, but late Sep-
early Oct counts higher (50-75/day) than at Syracuse; last, two Nov 7, very late.
WESTERN SANDPIPER: rather scarce, total of six Aug 17—Sep 16; some years
two-four/day are reported in Oct. BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER: singles only,
both imm, Sep 6-7 Onon L and Oct 6-7 Airpt, our first Oct record. HUDSONIAN
GODWIT: first, one adult Aug 25 Onon L; seen there until Sep 2, then none seen
despite daily checking until another (? same) adult appeared Sep 16-25; Sep 27
one very nervous imm; none thereafter. At MNWR—four adults July 14 (remarkably
early) to July 21; one (? age) regularly Sep 5—Oct 2, last date, with two reported
Sep 6.
RUFF: at least five individuals at Onon L; first, an adult male with black ear
tufts, mottled brown back, and brown-and-white barred ruff July 1-4; second, an¬
other adult male with black ear tufts, black back, and solid black ruff, July 3, 6 and
8; third, an imm male, judging by patterning of underparts and size, July 8 and 12
(July 12 bird may have been a second imm male but imm plumage markings not
distinctive enough to differentiate); fourth, an adult female July 30; adult males in
advanced molt July 17 and Aug 11 could not be definitely categorized as new birds;
last was a very small imm female Aug 20; this veritable rash of records from an 8-
acre mudflat seems almost incredible, but dozens of observers saw these various
birds. At MNWR—a single winter-plumaged adult male was present Aug 22—Sep 15.
SANDERLING: first July 19, one Onon L; late July tallies only 40/day and max
100 Aug 7 SP; a rapid decline to 15-40/day thru late Aug and early Sep at SP but
EDB much better (125 Aug 19, 170 Aug 26); late Sep and all Oct tallies very low;
last Nov 21, two SP Inlet; as expected, very scarce at MNWR, date range Aug 15—
Sep 29, max four Sep 29.
RED PHALAROPE: first, an imm Oct 3 (early) Derby Hill, riding lightly in the
angry surf tossed up by a 45 mph NW gale; next report, two, both imm, Nov 6 SP;
last Nov 13, two (? age) EDB. WILSON’S PHALAROPE: singles only July 19,
Aug 11, Sep 23-25 at Onon L, the last a definite imm and a record late date; one
Aug 19 EDB also imm. At MNWR— an adult female June 27, none thereafter until
Aug 8, one-two/day (? age) Aug 8-25, last date. NORTHERN PHALAROPE: first,
one Aug 29 SP; max six (one adult, five imm) Sep 2, SP and Onon L; at EDB,
two (? three) Aug 29 and seven (one adult, six imm) Sep 5 with max ten Sep 4; a
hiatus until Oct 2-9, one (? age) SB, VB; at MNWR, rather regularly seen from Sep
1, one, thru to Oct 2 with max four Sep 5-6.
Observations and data were obtained from the many local birders who deserve
abundant thanks for careful checking of the many areas over many days. Specific
thanks are due to the following observers—at Onondaga Lake, Jean W. Propst, M. L.
Estoff, J. R. Bart, David B. Peakall, Margaret S. Rusk, Stuart Hosier Jr., and Thomas
Riley; at Sylvan and Verona Beaches, Dorothy W. Ackley, M. S. Rusk, Paul and
Sylvia Paquette, Ruth and Sally White; at Sandy Pond and Sandy Pond Inlet, most
of the above observers; at ElDorado Beach, M. S. Rusk, D. C. Gordon; and at
Montezuma NWR, a phenomenal series of observations by Walter E. Benning, also
Dorothy Mcllroy and R. J. Smith. I would like to request for 1966 similar efforts and
22
observations with particular attention to species and numbers o£ each, and i£ possible,
age determinations (adult v. immature) from the central New York shorebird sites,
particularly from the ElDorado Beach area and the Montezuma National Wildlife
Refuge and Howland’s Island Game Management sector; the ElDorado Beach site is
probably the best site for sampling those migrants that regularly use the Great Lakes
as a stop-over point on migration and the Montezuma NWR—Howland’s Island
GMA complex is admirably placed at the top of the Finger Lakes—Susquehanna
River corridor. Another sector that should be regularly checked because of both its
position on the aforementioned corridor and its Great Lakes shore character is the
Sodus Bay area.
427 South Main Street, North Syracuse, N.Y. 13212
Additional reference:
Roberts, T. S. A Manual for the Identification of Birds of Minnesota and Neighbor¬
ing States, University of Minnesota Press, 1955.
CONSERVATION NEWS —FOREVER WILD WETLANDS?
Maxwell C. Wheat, Jr.
A conservation victory celebration! A week before the November
elections the Hempstead Town Board announced that it was entering
into a cooperative agreement with the State (which would provide half
the funds and personnel) to manage the Town’s 10,000 acres of salt wet¬
lands for conservation and recreation. The Federation’s official support
was utilized many times by the Hempstead Town Lands Resources
Council, which spearheaded and coordinated the fight, to show the state¬
wide concern for these wetlands which are a key waterfowl and shore-
bird area.
After the agreement has been signed, it can be terminated only by
mutual consent of both Town and State. This, of course, doesn’t assure
the perpetuity essential for protection of natural resources against
mounting pressure. But it represents a dramatic and welcome change in
policy.
The most permanent and forceful kind of protection for natural areas
is found in Article XIV, Section I of the State Constitution which pro¬
vides the “forever wild” protection of the Forest Preserve. Now there is
an opportunity to expand this protection to other natural areas —
marshes, underwater lands, etc.
The crucial decision will be made at the Constitutional Convention of
1967 which will revise the present State Constitution and present it to
the voters for approval or disapproval. By then it will be on a “take it or
leave it” basis. The delegates, who will be elected this fall, could elimi¬
nate the “forever wild” protection. On the other hand, they could expand
its coverage. Impossible? Not when you consider recent conservation
achievements — the Hempstead wetlands, Fire Island National Seashore,
Golden Eagle protection (all of which the Federation supported).
Why couldn’t this be known as the “Conservation Constitutional Con-
23
vention”? It could, if enough members have insight and a spirit of civic
mindedness.
Contact NOW political leaders on all levels with suggestions along
these lines. Besides 15 delegates to be elected at-large, three will be
elected from each state senatorial district. Nominations for the latter can
be influenced if enough interested citizens write, phone and visit local
political chieftains who even now are mulling over the make up of the fall
tickets — which must be completed by May 1 for ratification in the June
primaries.
333 Bedell Street, Freeport, N.Y. 11520
COME TO LONG ISLAND, MAY 20-22, 1966!
“Remember the first time the annual meeting was held on Long Island ? . . . 1966
wasn’t it?” (May 20-22 at the Lido Beach Hotel, Lido Beach, N.Y.)
“How could I ever forget it? That’s when I saw my first shearwater on that boat
trip they arranged for us!”
“I’d certainly like to hear that speaker again — William Conway, head of the Bronx
Zoo.”
“But don't forget he was also Curator of Birds. He had been on plenty of expedi¬
tions. He was really worth hearing. . .”
We’ve been peering into the crystal ball to see how May 20-22 might look in the
future. It seems to be shaping up under chairman Edwin Simon of 591 Campus
Place, Baldwin. N.Y. as a block of time that will loom large in your memory if you
will be sure not to miss this eventful weekend.
A pelagic trip is being planned. The committee, wild rumors claim, have been
making contacts in the southern oceans for a return appearance of the Yellow-nosed
Albatross that was so closely viewed on a boat trip a few years ago. Who knows
what you will see out where birders seldom squint through binoculars?
We are also hoping that the hundreds of thousands of shorebirds that pour
through our wetlands and over the flats at that time of year will arrange their migra¬
tion schedule to meet us at Tobay and the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.
A significant paper session is being lined up by Emanuel Levine and Richard Sloss,
co-chairmen. They are both former presidents of the Linnaean Society of New York
and are thoroughly aware of the interesting research and field work that can be
reported on at the annual meeting.
We frankly are excited about the speaker we have scheduled for the banquet
Saturday night. He’s 37-year-old William Conway, director of the New York
Zoological Park (Bronx Zoo, for short). He has been doing spectacular work there in
showing off the Zoo’s great collection of wildlife—especially the birds, his particular
field. Formerly Curator of Birds at the St. Louis Zoo in Missouri, in 1956 he came
to the Bronx as Curator of Birds, was made associate director in 1960 and director in
1961.
Just to indicate the wealth of ideas that are being called upon to make this the
most eventful annual meeting ever, we have the active help of all the bird clubs on
Long Island: Baldwin Bird Club; Brooklyn Bird Club; Huntington Audubon Society;
Lyman Langdon Audubon Society, and the Queens Bird Club.
So come on down to Long Island May 20-22 for a really great get-together. You
will always remember it.
Maxwell C. Wheat, Jr., Publicity Chairman
24
FIELD NOTES
Pomarine Jaeger near Lake Saranac: I observed a single young jaeger, most
probably a Pomarine ( Stercorarius pomarinus), flying south over the southeastern
end of Oseetah Lake, near Lake Saranac, Franklin County, New York in mid¬
morning, September 5, 1965. The surrounding land level is all in excess of 1100 feet.
Observed at less than 50 yards, the bird’s stocky body, heavy, deliberate flight and
pointed wings with light flashes in the primaries were similar to those of numerous
Pomarine Jaegers I have observed and collected at sea in the tropical Atlantic
Ocean. The underparts appeared mottled and the tail lacked elongated central
rectrices indicating immaturity. The jaeger stayed about 50 feet above the surface of
the lake and did not gain altitude while I watched it continue southward out of
sight over the land.
Pomarine Jaegers are not rare during fall migration along the Atlantic coast, and
jaegers, both Pomarine and Parasitic, S. parasiticus, have occurred regularly in Lakes
Ontario and Erie during recent years ( Kingbird , vols. 6-15, 1956-1965, and Audubon
Field Notes, vols. 3-19, 1949-1965). Such non-pelagic jaegers, however, may not
reach their ultimate migratory destination in the tropical and south Atlantic Ocean
for “some of these birds which appear casually on Lake Erie seem to be in a
weakened state, and several have been found dead.” (Kingbird 9: 158, 1959).
Inland records of Pomarine Jaegers in New York State are rare; Reilly and Parkes
(1959: Prelim. Annotated Checklist of N.Y. State Birds , N.Y. State Mus. Sci. Dept.:
20) list four inland occurrences up to 1959. I can locate no subsequent inland
records but Scheider saw an immature “cross Sandy Pond at the eastern end of Lake
Ontario, loft higher and higher in wide circles, then head southeast inland, a lake
escaping tactic suspected for a number of years but never demonstrated heretofore.”
(Kingbird 15: 27, 1965, Audubon Field Notes 19: 19-20, 1965). The present
sighting, therefore, appears to be the fifth inland record for the state and the first
time the species has been seen in the Adirondack region. The only previous jaeger
record for the Adirondack region was a juvenal Parasitic Jaeger at Joe’s Lake (43°
50' N, 74° 50' W) in Herkimer County, 40 miles southeast of Lake Saranac (W. L.
Ralph and E. Bagg 1886. Trans. Oneida Hist. Soc. 3: 104). There had been no
weather disturbance just prior to my seeing the jaeger so that the individual was
probably an extreme stray which had inadvertently followed the St. Lawrence river
drainage upstream rather than the usual pelagic route southward.
George E. Watson, Division of Birds, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.
20560
Ed. Note: For additional fall Pomarine Jaeger records see Region 1, 2 and 5
reports in this issue.
Louisiana Waterthrush in Jefferson County: On July 29 and 30, 1965 I closely
observed a Louisiana Waterthrush along a tributary stream of South Sandy Creek
near the boundary of Washington Park 1.5 miles NW of Lorraine, Jefferson County
at an elevation of 800 feet. At distances estimated sometimes as near as six yards, I
watched the bird fly from low tree branches down to the shallow water to snap up
water striders as it walked around, teetering all the while. On the 29th at approxi¬
mately 8:15 AM it came to the water’s edge as I was “spishing,” On the 30th I
observed it from 8:10 to 8:20 AM, both times watching through 7 x 50 binoculars.
The white eyeline, unmarked white throat, generally whitish underparts with just a
slight tinge of buffy, and the more grayish-brown upperparts than the Northern
Waterthrush (especially on the top of the head) were very clear. The bird (or birds)
did not seem very shy.
On July 31 Frank Clinch and I had at least ten minutes of further observation
between 8:15 and 8:45 AM.
25
On April 29, 1961 I saw a Louisiana Waterthrush at Felts Mills Creek, Jefferson
County (Kingbird XI: 116, 1961), This is the only other record of this species in
this Region to my knowledge. The 1961 bird was undoubtedly a stray migrant. Felts
Mills Creek is not suitable breeding habitat.
The July 1965 record would seem to extend the known summer range approxi¬
mately 40 miles NW on the western side of the Adirondacks. Most northern breeding
record appears to be Pixley Falls south of Boonville (Scheider, Kingbird XIV: 230,
1964).
The South Sandy Creek tributary runs over a shale rock bed strewn with small
boulders. Its banks are sometimes steep and rise 10 to 60 feet to a beech-maple
hemlock forest. The possibility of breeding should be carefully checked. There are
many suitable stream segments with gorges throughout southern Jefferson and Lewis
County in Tug Hill or near it which could harbor this species. I would think Whet¬
stone Creek south of Lowville and the many branches of Sandy Creek would be
places to begin the search.
David C. Gordon, 1347 Sherman Street, Watertown
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FALL SEASON
August 16 - November 30
David B. Peakall
It was, according to most observers, a migration period without pro¬
nounced waves. The banding stations on Long Island reported a poor
season with many species occurring in far lower numbers than usual.
Nevertheless nearly 14,000 individuals of 125 species were banded. A
similar effort along the shores of Lake Ontario would give a good deal
of additional information on migration. Banding at Vischer Ferry Game
Management Area (Region 8) revealed numbers of Lincoln’s Sparrows,
as was indicated by the 1963 TV kills at Elmira. This secretive species
passes through in considerable numbers. Observations on the Appalachi¬
an ridges in Region 4 and along the Hudson valley added additional
information on these flyways. Although the overall migration was not
spectacular there was an unprecedented coastal flight of Saw-whet
Owls on Long Island (involving at least 91 individuals, which will be
detailed in the next issue) and some interesting waterfowl movements on
Lake Ontario.
The migration of Brant upstate was well marked this fall. The count of
9520 at the south-east corner of Lake Ontario on October 23rd was ap¬
parently the largest concentration ever noted in the state away from the
coast. On the same day 6500 were observed flying east along the lake
edge in the Rochester area. Most textbooks refer to the Brant as strictly
coastal but this is no longer correct. Eaton (1910) records only six
specimens for the state away from the coast. Sheppard (Canadian Field-
Naturalist 63:99, 1949) reviewed the status of this species for the Cana¬
dian side of Lake Ontario and Erie. He concluded that there had been
26
an increase in the previous 10-15 years but the maximum recorded was
only thirty. Beardslee and Mitchell (1965) give 1949 as the first year of
pronounced migration (maximum 62). The first count of thousands along
Lake Ontario dates from the early 1950’s and the first flights along the
Hudson River were observed at this time. Before the failure of the eel
grass in 1931 the Brant was strictly maritime, then although the numbers
of Brant decreased subsequent to the loss of this marine plant on their
wintering grounds, the inland occurrences increased. By 1950 the num¬
bers were increasing on the coast (Bull, 1964) and at this time the large
flights along the eastern Great Lakes were first noted. The wintering
population is given by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Special Scien¬
tific Reports 61, 68, 75 & 86) as 180-260,000 in recent years so that the
numbers (at least 16,000 this year) using the Great Lakes flyway repre¬
sent a sizeable proportion of the population. Rusk observed some move¬
ment inland up river valleys southward from the south-east corner of
Lake Ontario; this probably represents the first leg of the overland
journey to the ocean. There were scattered inland reports involving,
however, only a few individuals at this time. A heavy flight of all three
species of scoter was noted at the same time as the big movement of
Brant.
Both Pomarine and Parastic Jaegers were noted in unusually high
numbers along the shore of Lake Ontario. It would be interesting to know
to what extent jaegers use a similar overland route to the Brant or
whether the birds observed on the Great Lakes move overland to the
Gulf of Mexico as has been suggested by Williams ( Auk 82:19, 1965).
There was a good flight of all winter finches including both crossbills.
There were a fair scattering of records of three-toed woodpeckers in¬
cluding several of the Northern or Ladder-backed. The flight of Bona¬
parte’s Gulls in the Niagara Gorge was good, although it did not reach
the size of the 1959 flight. As usual other small gulls — Black-headed,
Franklin’s and Little — were seen with them. Considering the normal
range of these other gulls this association is surprising. Franklin’s and
Little Gulls and Kittiwakes were recorded in the Rochester area and
Kittiwakes were also seen in Region 5. It appears that the Kittiwake is a
scarce, but regular visitant to Lake Ontario in the late fall.
Long Island rarities included Frigatebird, Sooty Tern and Scissor-tailed
Fly-catcher; upstate rarities included Hawk Owl (Adirondacks), Gyrfal-
con (Jefferson County), Boreal Owl (Region 5), Black Rail (Finger
Lakes), Dovekie (Region 2) and Wheatear (Region 1).
Upstate Medical Center, 766 Irving Avenue, Syracuse, N.Y. 13210
Abbreviations used in regional reports: Co-county; imm-immature; L-Lake; max-
maximum one-day count; mob-many observers; Pk-Park; Pt-Point; R-River; Rd-Road.
27
REGION 1 — NIAGARA FRONTIER
Richard C. Rosche
Recent fall seasons have been characterized by drought that, at times, reached
serious proportions. This trend was broken, or at least interrupted, this year, for
precipitation throughout the period was above the long-term average. Temperatures
were somewhat below normal.
The landbird migration started late, the first noticeable influx occurring over the
night of August 20—21. The first week of September was a time of good land bird
movement, with peak days the second and third.
Television tower kills in the Town of Golden, Erie County, indicate that the night
of September 17—18 was conducive to a large movement of small passerines. How¬
ever, the records indicate that this movement was not apparent to the average birder
on the following day. Of 41 dead birds picked up on September 18 at the tower,
nearly half (18) were Red-eyed Vireos; the remainder were 21 warblers of nine
species, an oriole and a Song Sparrow.
September 26-29 is almost always a peak time of passerine movement in this
Region. 1965 was no exception. Harold Axtell stated, “The biggest apparent migra¬
tion of the month and one of the most exciting autumn birding days in recent years
occurred on Sunday the 26th. The weather on this day was unsettled and rather
wild, with the lowest temperature (39 degrees) since last spring, strong winds that
shifted from southwest to north, and some extremely dark clouds that produced a
few brief scattered showers, and even a partially-developed waterspout over Lake
Erie just before noon, the second within a few weeks” ( Prothonotary , 31: 100).
Large numbers of Chimney Swifts and Purple Martins were noted on this day; the
first Rusty Blackbirds, Pine Siskins and White-crowned Sparrows appeared, and a
large influx of White-throated Sparrows occurred. Nineteen birds of eleven species
hit the Colden television tower over the foggy night of September 26-27. Three
species of thrushes accounted for half (the typical proportion for late September);
one each of six species of warblers (including a Connecticut), a sapsucker, and two
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were also included in this kill. September 27 was also a
good birding day in many other parts of the Region.
Other noteworthy days for landbird movement were October 10-12, October 16-17,
and November 1-3. Some insectivorous birds tended to remain later and, in some
cases, in larger numbers than usual.
Noteworthy were the large numbers of Bonaparte’s Gulls concentrated in two
areas on the Niagara River. Other less common small gulls were frequently found
with them. A major flight of waterfowl occurred October 24—25. In the hill country
south of Buffalo certain species were found on small lakes and ponds in unprece¬
dented high numbers.
Northern land birds were much in evidence, indicating that the coming winter
season might be particularly interesting to field ornithologists. Except for Boreal
Chickadee and Bohemian Waxwing, all the usual species were reported. Rough-
legged Hawks and Northern Shrikes appeared in small numbers; several Snowy Owls
were noted, making this the second occasion in recent years when a small return
flight materialized after a peak year in their cycle. All the northern finches were
reported in fair numbers. Of special interest was the fact that the White-winged
Crossbill far outnumbered the Red Crossbill in abundance. Evidence obtained from
other parts of the Northeast earlier in the season indicated that the reverse would
most probably be true this winter.
Other highlights of the season included the observation of Eared Grebe, Golden
Eagle, Pomarine Jaeger, Black-headed Gull, Wheatear and Dickcissel.
28
Abbreviations used: Alleg—Allegany; Bflo—Buffalo; BOS—Buffalo Ornithological
Society October Bird Count; Chaut—Chautauqua; Gen—Genesee; ISP—Island State
Park; Nia-Niagara; Ont-Ontario; OOGMA-Oak Orchard Game Management Area;
opp—opposite; S—South; Spgs—Springs; Wyo—Wyoming.
Contributors: RFA—Robert F. Andrle; CMB—Clarence M. Beal; PB—Paul Ben-
ham; TLB—Thomas L. Bourne; RB—Richard Brownstein; JB—Joanna Burger; LDB—
Lou and Doris Burton; VC—Victor Carpenter; WC—Wilma Csont; DD—Dorothy
Danner; HBD—Harold and Barbara Dodge; MLE—Mary Louise Emerson; JG—
Joseph Grzybowski; JK—Joseph Kikta; WHK—Walter and Harriette Klabunde;
HDM—Harold D. Mitchell; EO—Edwin Olmstead; KP—Katherine Palmer; EMP—
Elizabeth M. Fillsbury; FMR—Frances M. Rew; RDR—Richard and Dorothy Rosche;
RR—Robert Rybczynski; DS—Daniel Salisbury GMS—George M. Smith; WAS—
William A. Smith; KOS—Kenneth and Ora Swanson; RT—Ruth True; EAU—Edward
and Alice Ulrich; MMW—Marie and Margaret Wendling.
LOONS—DUCKS: Common Loon, very poor flight, max three. Red-necked
Grebe: one, Nov 14, Dunkirk Harbor (RDR et al); one, Nov 20, L Erie at Athol
Spgs (TLB)—only reports. Horned Grebe: max 254, Nov 21, Chaut L (FMR et al).
EARED GREBE: one, Nov 23 (TLB), Nov 25 (JG et al) and Nov 26 (RB et al),
L Erie at Sturgeon Pt. Common Egret: two, Sep 5, OOGMA (RB et al); one, Sep 5,
S Bflo and two, Sep 19-25, S Pk, Bflo (JK et al)—poor year. Black-crowned Night
Heron: more reported than in past few autumns; max 13, Sep 26, Beaver ISP (RB
et al) and 13, Sep 26, OOGMA (JB et al). Whistling Swan: max 45, Nov 11, Chaut
L (MLE). Blue Goose: one, Nov 2, Chaut L (KOS)—only report. Gadwall: 17,
Oct 12, Beaver ISP (JB et al)—noteworthy concentration. Redhead: one, Sep 22,
S Pk, Bflo (RFA et al)—early. Ring-necked Duck: two, Sep 27, Cheektowaga
(JG)—early. King Eider: two males, Nov 5, L Erie at Athol Spgs (TLB)—rare in
this plumage.
HAWKS—OWLS: Turkey Vulture: two, Nov 3, Lewiston, Nia Co (WHK)—late.
Accipiters: scarce, even during migration peaks. Rough-legged Hawk: one, Oct 11,
Scio. Alleg Co (LDB)-early; small numbers during Nov- rather poor flight. GOLD¬
EN EAGLE: one, Nov 21-22, Lancaster, Erie Co (JG). Bald Eagle: no reports.
Peregrine Falcon: one, Sep 5, Hamburg (TLB)—only report. Chukar: Nia Co
populations continue to increase, both by natural means and by continued releasing
by various organizations; 24, Oct 15 (RFA et al) and 12, Nov 21 (JG et al),
Shadigee Rd, Olcott. Spotted Sandpiper: one, Sep 29, Scio, Alleg Co (EO)—
exceptionally late for hill country south of Bflo. Willet: one, Sep 27, S Bflo Harbor
(Times Beach) (JK et al); one, Sep 29, East Eden, Erie Co (TLB)—seen almost
yearly in autumn. Purple Sandpiper: one, Nov 6, Wilson Harbor, Nia Co (MMW) —
rare, few recent records for L Ont. Hudsonian Godwit: one, Sep 29 (JB et al) and
Sep 30 (JK), S Bflo Harbor (Times Beach)—exceptionally good flight at eastern
end of L Erie (most records from adjacent Ont). Red Phalarope: one, Nov 23
(TLB), Nov 25 (JG et al) and Nov 26 (RR et al), L Erie at Sturgeon Pt, Erie Co.
POMARINE JAEGER: one, Nov 27, L Erie at Sturgeon Pt (RB et al). Parasitic
Jaeger: one, Oct 15, L Ont at Olcott (RFA et al); two, Oct 21, L Erie at Athol Spgs
(TLB). Iceland Gull (L. g. glaucoides ): one, Nov 6, Nia Falls (RB et al)—only
report. Bonaparte’s Gull: in early fall the major concentrations were on the Nia R in
the Peace Bridge area opp Bflo; later, as is usual, the largest numbers were at Nia
Falls and in the lower Nia R; max 3000, Aug 28, Nia R opp Bflo (JG et al) and
9000, Oct 31, Nia Falls (RFA et al). The following species of gulls were with the
Bonaparte’s. BLACK-HEADED GULL: one, Sep 11 (DS et al) and Sep 23 (RFA et
al) Nia R opp Bflo; one, Oct 31 and Nov 1 (JG et al), Nia Falls. Franklin’s Gull: Sep
11-28 on Nia R opp Bflo-max two, Sep 24 (HDM et al); one, Oct 31 (JG et al).
29
Nov 4 (RFA et al) and Nov 6 (NMW et al), Nia Falls; two, Sep 23, L Erie at Ham¬
burg TownPk(TLB). Little Gull: present nearly all Sep on Nia R opp Bflo-max five,
Sep 11 (DS et al); max at Nia Falls, five, Oct 31 (JG et al); singles Sep 21 and 24
L Erie at Hamburg Town Pk (DD, TLB), Oct 7 and 13 L Erie at Athol Spgs (TLB),
Nov 14 (imm) Dunkirk Harbor (RDR et al). Forster’s Tern: singles Sep 23 (TLB et
al) and Oct 12 (RFA), L Erie at Hamburg Town Pk, Sep 25 at Nia Falls (DS et al)
and on Nia R opp Bflo (MMW et al); max four, Oct 19 Beaver ISP (JB et al).
Black Tern: max counts on Nia R opp Bflo—5500 Aug 28 (RB et al), 3500 Aug 30
(HDM et al) and 2000 Sep 4 (JG et al). Barn Owl: one, Sep 14-30, Lancaster,
Erie Co (JG et al). Snowy Owl: one, Nov 21, Nia Falls (JG et al); several others
reported in metropolitan Bflo area but definite data lacking. Long-eared Owl: one,
Aug 31, Eden, Erie Co (TLB)—only report. Short-eared Owl: seven, Nov 30, Lyn-
donville, Orleans Co (WAS, GMS)—max in area where large numbers occurred in
winter 1964—65.
GOATSUCKERS—STARLING: Common Nighthawk: good migratory movements
-11, Aug 18 Williamsville, Erie Co (HDM); 12, Aug 26 Birdsall, Alleg Co (LDB);
max 670, Sep 3 Kenmore, Erie Co (RB); 26, Sep 4 Hamburg (TLB); 50, Sep 5
Belmont, Alleg Co (EO); 18, Sep 18 Cheektowaga (RB). Chimney Swift: 180,
Sep 26 over Bflo (JG et al); 10, Sep 28 Kiantone, Chaut Co (EMP et al)—larger
than usual numbers late Sep. Red-bellied Woodpecker: A number of Gen R Valley
records from Alleg CO indicate a marked southward dispersal from the well estab¬
lished valley locations farther north; one at feeder, Oct 31—Nov 30, Belmont (KP et
al); one, Nov 19, Houghton (VC); one, Nov 24, Angelica (LDB et al); one, Nov 26,
Caneadea (LDB et al). Purple Martin: estimates at the Jamestown Roost—15,000
Aug 30, 3000 Sep 9, 31 Sep 21 (CMB); 58, Sep 26 Beaver ISP (JG)-another
insectivorous species present in larger than usual numbers so late. Tufted Titmouse:
seven banded, Oct 16-31, Athol Spgs; four—eight at same place Nov 1—30 (WC);
one, Nov 11, Bflo (RR). Red-breasted Nuthatch: fair to moderate flight from late
Aug thru end of period; max 10, Nov 20 Alleg State Pk (EMP). Carolina Wren: one
at feeder, Nov 22, Pt Stockholm, Chaut Co and one at feeder, Nov 25, 28, 29,
Greenhurst, Chaut Co (KOS)—still extremely scarce.
Mockingbird: no reports before mid-Oct; Oct 10, one Batavia area and one Alleg
Co (BOS); one, Nov 1-16 Belmont (LDB); one, Nov 11 Grand Island (WHK);
one, Nov 26 Athol Spgs (WC). Robin: estimates at Jamestown Roost—500 Aug 30
and Sep 9, 1000 Sep 21 and 30 (CMB); estimates at Casey Rd Roost, Town of
Amherst, Erie Co—1500 Oct 26, 27 and 1300 Oct 28 (RDR). Eastern Bluebird:
continues to show definite signs of increase in populations; one, Nov 26, Langford,
Erie Co (TLB)—late. WHEATEAR: one, Sep 25, Beaver ISP (PB, HDM, EAU,
RB); first record for Region; it was studied well on the edge of a golf course, in the
same type of habitat where one was found in nearby Ont on Sep 24, 1949. Northern
Shrike: generally poor flight; one, Nov 14, Wellsville, Alleg Co (LDB)—first; three
additional reports of single birds. Loggerhead Shrike: one, Aug 20 Lancaster (JG) —
only report. Starling: estimates at Casey Rd Roost, Amherst—75,000 on Oct 26,
25,000 on Oct 27 and 7,000 on Oct 28 (RDR).
VIREOS—WARBLERS: Prothonotary Warbler: one, Aug 22 OOGMA (RB et
al)—late. Yellow Warbler: one, Sep 22 S Pk, Bflo (RFA et al)—unusually late.
Connecticut Warbler: one, Sep 19 Lancaster (JG); one, Sep 27 Golden TV Tower
(RDR). Mourning Warbler: one, Oct 8, Lancaster (JG)—late.
BLACKBIRDS—SPARROWS: Estimates of icterids at Casey Rd Roost: Oct 26—
Redwing-500, Rusty-30, Grackle-3000, Cowbird-200; Oct 27—Redwing-200, Rusty-
40, Grackle-500, Cowbird-100; Oct 28—Redwing-1, Rusty-400, Grackle-300, Cow-
bird-100 (RDR). DICKCISSEL: one at feeder, Oct 16-19, Hamburg (RFA et al).
Evening Grosbeak: nine, Oct 17, Town of Orangeville, Wyo Co (HBD) and three,
Oct 17, Bowmansville (JG)—first; present thru end of period in moderate numbers
throughout Region; max 35, Nov 18 Wellsville (LDB); 25, Nov 20 Alleg State Pk
30
(EMP). Pine Grosbeak: one, Nov 7 Lewiston (WHK)—first; max 12, Nov 30 Lyn-
donville (WAS, GMS). Common Redpoll: two, Oct 28 Lancaster (JK)—first; max
200, Nov 19 Cheektowaga (JG). Pine Siskin: one, Sep 26 Beaver ISP (JG)—first;
present throughout Region in moderate numbers thru end of period; max 50 (several
localities). Red Crossbill: one, Sep 24, Bowmansville (JG)—very early; much less
common than White-winged Crossbill but our only two definite reports indicate an
earlier movement than usual-six, Nov 1, Wilson Cemetery, Nia Co (JG) and eight,
Nov 6, Como Pk, Lancaster (JK et al). White-winged Crossbill: a good flight
beginning earlier than usual; two, Nov 1 Springville, Erie Co (RT) and 11, Nov 1,
Wilson Cemetery (JG)—first; max 15, Nov 6 Beaver Meadow Wildlife Refuge,
Wyo Co (PB). Snow Bunting: moderate flight beginning in mid-Oct; max 100, Nov
29 Angelica, Alleg Co (EO).
Addendum: A junco collected on Jan 22, 1965 in Williamsville, Erie Co was
critically determined by Dr. Lester Short of the U.S. Nat’l. Museum to be Junco
oreganus montanus. This, the first specimen of Oregon Junco for the Region, is
located in the Bflo Museum of Science.
Hardscrabble Road, Bernardsville, New Jersey 07924.
REGION 2 —GENESEE
Howard S. Miller
Temperatures for the period averaged below normal except for the last month.
The cool weather of September terminated the main southward flight of landbirds
somewhat earlier than average. Precipitation, except for September, was above
normal, especially for November when it was almost an inch above average.
The fall flight of Canada Geese seemed light, but there was a good Brant and
scoter flight. The shorebird migration locally was poor. On the other hand, all the
northern finches except the Hoary Redpoll were reported, with Common Redpoll
and Pine Siskin probably the most common. This flight of northern finches is in
direct contrast with last fall when almost none were reported. The period was out¬
standing for the number of rare birds: Glossy Ibis, Gannet, Avocet, Pomarine and
Parasitic Jaegers, Franklin’s and Little Gulls, Kittiwake, Dovekie, Black-backed and
Northern Three-toed Woodpeckers, Boreal Chickadee and Bohemian Waxwing.
Observers frequently cited: JB—John Brown; GD—Mrs. Gertrude Davis; JD—
James Doherty; JF—John Foster; DG—David Gordon; WH—William Hartramph;
AEK, BK—Allen E. and Beatrice Kemnitzer; GL—Dr. Gerhardt Leubner; WCL—
Walter C. Listman; WL-Warren Lloyd; RM-Miss Ruth MacRae; RGM-Robert G.
McKinney; JM, TM—Joseph and Thelma McNett; MM—Mrs. Maryanne Menuhin;
HSM—Howard S. Miller; NM, LM—Dr. Neil and Laura Moon; RTO—Richard T.
O’Hara; FP—Frank Phelps; NR—Nestor Ross; ES—Mrs. Esther Stiles; MS—Mrs. Mary¬
anne Sunderlin; ST—Stephen Taylor; TET—Thomas E. Tetlow.
Abbreviations: BB—Braddock’s Bay; DEP—Durand Eastman Park; EL—East Lake-
shore; HBP—Hamlin Beach Park; SA—Shore Acres; SB—Sodus Bay; SBB—Sodus Bay
Bluff; WP—Webster Park; WL—West Lakeshore.
LOONS—DUCKS: Common Loon: max 175, SBB Oct 24 (JB, AEK, WCL, MS)
and 200, SB Oct 25 (WCL). Red-necked Grebe: uncommon; seen at WP Oct 17
(AEK); two, HBP Oct 23 (GOS hike). An immature GANNETT (scarce locally) was
seen at HBP Oct 27 (WCL). It was carefully studied by an observer who has had
experience with the species both locally and on the coast. Double-crested Cormorant:
31
five, SB Oct 17 (AEK, WCL). Great Blue Herons seemed slightly up in numbers.
Black-crowned Night Herons continued very scarce. Two GLOSSY IBIS were care¬
fully observed at HBP Sep 19 (TET). The observer has seen the species previously.
Brant passed thru in the usual west-to-east direction along the lake, mostly on Oct
25 when an estimated 6,500 birds went by. Comparatively few were seen before or
after that date. Canvasback: max only eight, SB Oct 24 (MS et al). Lesser Scaup:
25 off Charlotte Pier Sep 25 (WCL). Bufflehead: 150 along WL Oct 30 (RTO)—
a good count for this increasingly common duck. Oldsquaw: max an estimated 2,000
with scoters at HBP Oct 23 (GOS hike). White-winged Scoter: 20 along WL Sep 11
(WCL); an estimated 2,000 passed HBP Oct 23 (GOS hike). An estimated 800
Surf and 1,700 Common Scoters passed HBP Oct 23 (GOS hike). Care was taken
with these estimates. Hooded Merganser: 46 at Port Bay Nov 18 (MM, ES); 60
along EL Nov 20 (AEK, WCL). This species is common along the lake in winter.
HAWKS-OWLS: Goshawk: an adult at SB Oct 24 (JB, AEK, WCL, MS) and
one at HBP Nov 6 (AEK, WCL)—this species was not reported during the spring
flight. Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks continued very low in numbers. An early
Rough-legged Hawk was seen in Newark Oct 1 (ES). Peregrine Falcon: one at SB
Oct 2-16 (AEK, WCL)-an escaped falconers bird as part of the jesses still were
present.
Peak counts were only 12 Am. Golden Plover and six Black-bellied Plover, near
Kendall Sep 6 (AEK, BK). AVOCET: one at SA Sep 25 (WCL) to Oct 3, seen by
many observers and photographed—first record for Region. There was an incursion of
jaegers into our area and also to the east. Most of them were immatures. Immature
Pomarine Jaegers were recorded at Manitou Sep 8 (WCL), at HBP Oct 23 (GOS
hike) and at SBB Oct 24 (AEK et al). Parasitic Jaegers were seen at BB Oct 5
(WCL) and Oct 6—adult (WCL); at SBB, Oct 10 and two Oct 16 (all AEK,
WCL). All were studied carefully by one or more experienced observers who
realized the difficulty of making a positive identification of these immature birds. We
submit these records and will let other observers form their own opinions. Great
Black-backed Gull: 30 at SB Oct 16 (ES). Franklin’s Gull: Manitou Oct 23 (AEK).
Bonaparte’s Gull: 750 east of Sea Breeze Nov 14 (WCL et al). Little Gull: one at
Charlotte Sep 25 (WCL); two at SBB Nov 14 (TET). BLACK-LEGGED
KITTIWAKE: three at Manitou Nov 9 (WCL); two at SBB Nov 14 (AEK). Both
observers have had repeated experiences with this species which is probably a rare
late fall migrant here. DOVEKIE: two at SBB Nov 14 (AEK)—first record for
Region. (Ed, Note: details not received) A Saw-whet Owl was netted and banded
at Irondequoit Oct 10 (GL) and one was banded in Penfield Oct 16 (RGM).
GOATSUCKERS—STARLING: Common Nighthawk: 50 over Rochester Sep 3
(JF); two south of Summerville Oct 16 (WCL)-very late. Six late Chimney Swifts,
were seen over DEP Oct 6 (HSM). Pileated Woodpecker: one, Penfield Oct 16
(RGM). There was a light incursion of both species of northern woodpeckers, with
the first Black-backed Three-toed Woodpecker being seen in Rochester Oct 17
(JF); one seen in DEP Nov 11 (RTO). Two NORTHERN THREE-TOED
WOODPECKERS were seen in WP Nov 28 (WL). Olive-sided Flycatcher: one,
Penfield Sep 6 (RGM). There was some migratory movement of Black-capped
Chickadees but the only large number was an estimated 1,000 in DEP Nov 8 (JD).
The next day few could be found. A single Boreal Chickadee was found in DEP
Nov 14 and was heard giving its typical calls (GOS hike). An immature Mockingbird
was in DEP Oct 30—Nov 7 (JD, HSM, FP). Robin: 50, DEP Nov 7—21. An injured
Gray-cheeked Thrush was found in DEP Nov 14 (GOS hike). Six Eastern Bluebirds
were at SB Oct 16 (ES). A very early Ruby-crowned Kinglet was seen in Rochester
Sep 1 (ST). Water Pipit: max 24, Parma Sep 6 (WL, RM). Two BOHEMIAN
WAXWINGS were found in the fruit orchard at DEP Nov 21 (JD et al) and one
was still there Nov 28 (JF, WCL).
VIREOS—WARBLERS: Solitary Vireo: one in Rochester Sep 30 (JF). Red-eyed
32
Vireo: 30 along the lakeshore Sep 2 (ST). Philadelphia Vireo: one in Rochester Sep
19 (ST). Orange-crowned Warbler: one at SB Oct 2 (AEK, WCL). Yellowthroat:
one at Manitou Nov 5 (JD).
BLACKBIRDS—SPARROWS: A huge flock of Common Crackles, estimated at
30,000 birds, was at SB Oct 24 (MS et al). Evening Grosbeak: max 50, HBP Nov 11
(DG, AEK). Pine Grosbeak: first, five in DEP Nov 7 (JM, TM et al); max 32 in
DEP Nov 21 (WL, MS); two in WP Oct 31 (WL, RM). Common Redpoll: first,
five in Irondequoit Oct 30 (LM, NM); max 200 at HBP Nov 6 (AEK, WCL). Pine
Siskin: max 200 at DEP Nov 8 (JD) and 750 at SB Nov 20 (JD). White-winged
Crossbill: max 20 in DEP Oct 31 (NR) and 11 in Irondequoit, same day (LM, NM).
Fox Sparrow: one to two, Webster Oct 8-31 (AEK, BK). This species seemed scarce
this fall. Lincoln’s Sparrow: two in Island Cottage Woods Sep 25 (WCL). Lapland
Longspun eight in Ogden Nov 8 (WCL). Snow Buntings seemed rather uncommon.
54 Luella Street, Rochester 14609
REGION 3 —FINGER LAKES
Sally Hoyt Spofford
Throughout most of the Region the drought was less severe than last fall, with
light rains at intervals soaking into the ground with no run-off. Streams and ponds
barely rose, and precipitation for the year is still many inches below normal.
Temperatures have been near normal or below, but with few extremes. A killing
frost occurred however, on August 28 in most areas which finished off some of the
food supply for some species, and migration was accordingly advanced a little. Wild
food is fairly abundant, especially thornapples, birch catkins, acorns and hemlock
cones.
The season very early gave promise of being as good as last year was poor. It
appears that every winter finch is going to be represented by at least small flocks, for
Evening and Pine Grosbeaks, Red and White-winged Crossbills, Pine Siskins, Red¬
polls and Snow Buntings have all been around, plus Purple Finches and Goldfinches.
In addition, Black-backed Woodpeckers have been spotted in several locations,
Boreal Chickadees in two. Red-breasted Nuthatches are numerous, and a few
Rough-legged Hawks have appeared in the northern areas.
At Montezuma, the personnel report a Goose peak of 4,620, the third week in
November, and the astonishing peak of over 45,000 for ducks. This is a 60% increase
over last year, and probably reflects the extreme drought in outer areas, which con¬
centrated waterfowl in refuges. The Widgeon count of 27,000 compares with 17,000
in ’64. Mallards and Blacks had increased, also.
From figures supplied me for the Elmira TV tower kill, it appears to have been
spread out over a longer period, with fewer birds picked up at any one time. For
example, with a big migration heard going over the night of Sep 23, and low clouds,
only six warblers were picked up on the 24th and 21 on the 25th. Likewise, the
flight was heavy the night of the 29th but only 18 were found dead the next day.
The last tower pick-up was on October 6, with one each of Ruby-crowned Kinglet,
Magnolia. Wilson’s. Bay-breasted, Chestnut-sided and Black-throated Green War¬
blers, Slate-colored Junco, White-throated and Song Sparrows.
Contributors: JBa-Jamesine Bardeen; JBr-Jack Brubaker; WEB—Walter E. Ben-
ning; VD—Vernon Dewey; HAF—Helen A. Fessenden; FGr—Florence Graham;
WG—William Groesbeck; FG—Frank Guthrie; HH—Herbert Hendrickson; WH—
Wilifred Howard; EJ—Eric Johnson; PMK—Paul M. Kelsey; ML—Malcolm Lerch;
33
DM—Dorothy Mcllroy; GM—Glenn MacMillan; ER—Esther Ruggles; FR—Fred Ran-
son; MR—Margaret Rusk; BS—Betty Strath; GAS—Gustav A. Swanson; MS—Mary
Smith; WRS—Walter R. Spofford; MPW—Mary P. Welles; JW—Jayson Walker.
Localities: Cay L—Cayuga Lake; Sen L—Seneca L; Steub Co—Steuben County;
Tomp Co—Tompkins County; MNWR—Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge; SWS—
Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary.
LOONS—DUCKS: Common Loon: good numbers on Cay L in early Nov. Red-
throated Loon: no reports. Red-necked Grebe: one, Oct 7 Chemung R (WH), rare
in Region. Great Blue Heron: max 89, Aug 29 MNWR (WEB), rather high count.
Cattle Egret: one, Nov 4 Beechtree Rd near Throopsville—late date, but well
documented by observer, Ruth Borst. Common Egret: max 22, Sep 18 MNWR
(WEB); one (last) Oct 12 MNWR (DM). Least Bittern: scattered reports at
MNWR; two, Aug and first two weeks Sep, Penn Yan Marsh at head of east branch
Keuka L (not seen there very often).
Whistling Swan: one (first) Sep 12, MNWR; max 56, Nov 14 (55 left, one
remained, still present Nov 30) (VD). Canada Goose: migration through Region
from third week Sep to end Nov, normal. Peak 4,620 third week Nov MNWR,
below last year’s 7,000; 4,600 still there Nov 30. One Brant Nov 14 at Refuge. Snow
Goose: max 8 Oct 24 MNWR; 3 (last) Nov 28. Blue Goose: max 50, Oct 24
MNWR; 9 still there Nov 30. Mallard: increase in numbers at MNWR, with 5,000
still there, Nov 30. Ditto for Black Ducks with 4,000 on Nov 30. At SWS, 180
Blacks is a high count this fall. European Widgeon: two, various dates in Sep and
Oct, MNWR (mob). American Widgeon: first migrants at end of August; 220 on
Sep 4; 7,000 Sep 14 (MR); 27,000 peak, end Sep. (Est. by Refuge personnel)
Wood Duck: max 65-70, SWS, early Oct; most had left at end of third week Oct.
Redhead and Canvasback: first for s. end Sen L, Nov 9 (JBr). Canvasback: 1,000
(high) at MNWR, last of Nov. Lesser Scaup: 24 (first) s. end Cay L, Oct 16 (FR).
Redhead: three Oct 18 (first for s. end Cay L) (FR); 3,500 at MNWR end of Nov,
1,000 less than a year ago. Oldsquaw: one, Oct 1 Sen L—early (JW); one, Nov 16
Chases’ Pond, Breesport, first fall record for Elmira area (GM). Ruddy Duck; two
Oct 18 s. end Cay L (FR); not often seen near Ithaca.
HAWKS—OWLS: Turkey Vulture: numerous reports; max 14 Aug 28, n. of
MNWR (WEB) Goshawk: Nov 14, one chasing Rough-leg, Star Stanton Hill near
Dryden, (WRS); two alive and one dead, same place, Nov 15 (PMK); one or two
other reports in area in Nov. Sharp-shinned Hawk: 1 imm female shot near Ithaca in
mid-Nov; a few reports during migration. Cooper’s Hawk: only two reports near
Ithaca, both birds trapped at State Game Farm; one, Nov 1, near Watkins Glen
(JBr). Broad-winged Hawk: one adult (first), Sep 4 Etna (WRS); only small Sep
flight noted here. Rough-legged Hawk: only two reports at southern end of lakes; up
to 4 at MNWR in Nov. Golden Eagle: a freshly shot first year Golden Eagle (wt.
9/i lbs) was found Nov 11 in Steub Co between Cameron and Bath (Eaton). Bald
Eagle: no reports in Cay L Basin this fall, but an adult seen, Bluff Pt, Keuka L Aug
28. The nest tree and old nest of the Bald Eagle, long a land-mark on the Storage
Pond at MNWR, blew down in high winds of Nov 1. Marsh Hawk: three-four
reported regularly at MNWR, rare elsewhere. Peregrine Falcon: one, Oct 3 just s. of
Ithaca over Swanson farm (GAS); one other reported, Oct 10, MNWR but no
verification report filed. Ruffed Grouse: abundant, at least four hit windows in Ithaca
area, one surviving. Turkey: on increase in Steub Co; flocks of 14, 17 and 30 seen
near Greenwood (fide WG). BLACK RAIL: one, Oct 13, found dead e. of Penn
Yan (ML) being mounted for Keuka College Museum—first record for Region, so far
as I can determine.
Shore-birding was good at MNWR, good at several places near Elmira (esp. Sep 1
and Sep 27), but poor at Ithaca, where the long-famous “Hog Hole” (s.w. corner of
34
Cay L) is fast disappearing in the face of efforts to fill and “improve” the lake front.
Only a few high counts and last dates will be given here. Unless otherwise in¬
dicated, the figures were furnished by Walter Benning from MNWR. (See shorebird
article by Fritz Scheider in this issue.) Golden Plover; 71 on Sep 6 is a very high
count; last, Nov 6. Black-bellied Plover: max 29 Oct 9; last, one Nov 14. Spotted
Sandpiper: Nov 20 (late date) Hog Hole, Ithaca (FR). Knot: one, Sep 21 MNWR
(often missed). Pectoral Sandpiper: max 94 Sep 6; last Nov 14. White-rumped
Sandpiper: 13 (high) Oct 27; last, one Nov 14. Baird’s Sandpiper: 13 (high) Sep
17; last, one Nov 14. Dunlin: first one Sep 1 Horseheads Dump (MPW); two, Sep
18 MNWR, max 239 Oct 27, 22 still there Nov 14; first at south end Cay L, Oct 2
(FR). Both Dowitchers present in early Sep, MNWR; last definite Long-billed,
Oct 31. Stilt Sandpiper: 61 (unusually high) Sep 6. Western Sandpiper: one, Sep
11, Hog Hole (PMK), only report. Hudsonian Godwit: max two Sep 6; last, one
Oct 2. Ruff: a bird which was probably this was reported near Elmira, Sep 17
(WH)-no verification report filed; one, Aug 22, Sep 12 and 15 MNWR. Wilson’s
Phalarope: two, Aug 18, one, Aug 25. Northern Phalarope: first, one MNWR Sep 1;
max four Sep 5-6; one photographed near Odessa early Oct (BS).
Great Black-backed Gull: turned up mid-Oct on Sen and Cay Ls; one, mid-Nov,
Penn Yan (FG)— only 4 or 5 there in 20 years. Laughing Gull: Aug 16, Ithaca
Marina (HH) in what was described as “lousy plumage.” Caspian Tern: max 5 Aug
16, Cay L (FG); 12, Aug 23-26, Sen L, several observers. Black Tern: most left at
end of Aug, rather early. Mourning Dove: max 108 Sep 8, MNWR (WEB). Great
Horned Owl: calling vociferously in Etna in Nov (WRS). Short-eared Owl: one
only, found dead Nov 11, Ludlowville. Saw-whet Owl:one only, Sep 5 Compton
Rd s. of Ithaca (GAS). Common Nighthawk; W. Groesbeak again watched the
migration at Hornell, reports max 128 on Sep 5, one week later than usual.
SWIFTS—STARLING: As usual, a few Belted Kingfishers were still in the area at
the end of the period. Red-bellied Woodpecker: raised young at Keuka (FG); at
feeders at Branchport, Watkins Glen, Waterburg and Interlaken. Red-headed Wood¬
pecker: scarce or absent everywhere except around Geneva. Black-backed Three¬
toed Woodpecker: one, Nov 1, Bardeen Farm, Burdett; one male Nov 10 and
thereafter, Beebe L, Cornell Campus, feeding primarily on dead hemlock (EJ and
others); one, Nov 15, Yellow Barn Hill Rd w. of Dryden (PMK). Northern Three¬
toed Woodpecker: a good description of what appeared to be a pair of this species
came from a point near the Yacht Club on w. shore Cay L on Nov 29. All attempts
to locate the birds have been unsuccessful, but hemlocks show some bark-flaking.
Western Kingbird: a verification report for a sighting of two on Hungerford Hill,
near Ithaca, Oct 23, has been filed by Bart and Spies; all characters noted except
white outer tail feathers and in absence of that key character, definite identification
must remain a question. Tree Swallow: heavy migration noted at Waterloo, end of
Sep; 5,000 Sep 28; 10,000 Sep 29; Sep 30, 8-10,000 (JW). Crow: flock of 250, mid-
Nov, east of Penn Yan, a large number there for recent years (FG). Boreal Chicka¬
dee: one, Nov 4, Barton’s cottage on Cayuta L (BS); one, Nov 6, Penn Yan, netted
and photographed (ML). Very few of this species have ever been reported in Re¬
gion. Red-breasted Nuthatch: many reports, some remaining at feeders to end of
period. Mockingbird: scattered reports, but no apparent increase. Eastern Bluebird:
reports from Watkins Glen, Keuka L and Ithaca of good numbers in migration as
compared with last few years—e.g,, 30 seen Oct 14 near Brooktondale, Tomp Co
(HF). Kinglets: unusual numbers of both species noted everywhere from mid-Oct to
mid-Nov; best dates at Burdett, Oct 23-24 (JBa). Pipits: in migration, Ithaca area,
Oct 12. Loggerhead Shrike: only reports: one, Ithaca area Aug 22 (DM); one Sep
12 Burdett-Logan area (JBa).
VIREOS—SPARROWS: Solitary Vireo observed bathing by flying into and out of
water, Oct 10 (MS). No heavy Warbler migration noted, but some movement in
Ithaca area Sep 5-8. Cardinal: many comments on an apparent sharp decrease in
35
numbers throughout Region. Evening Grosbeaks were being noted flying over, and
in hilly regions by mid-October, first came to feeders early November, but not in
large numbers. Pine Grosbeak: first reports Nov 10. Common Redpoll: fairly large
flocks Nov 1 on, feeding in tree-tops on seeds and buds, esp. birch. Pine Siskin:
mid-October on, but in varying numbers in different parts of Region. White-winged
Crossbill: small flocks from Nov 1 on, on road-sides and in hemlocks. Red Crossbill:
no marked invasion yet. Vesper Sparrow: max 15 Oct 14 near Brooktondale, Tomp
Co (HF). Oregon Junco: one, Nov 6, Elmira (ER). Lincoln’s Sparrow: one, Sep 29,
Texas Hollow (JBr); only one in Elmira tower kill this year. Snow Bunting: small
flocks in Nov in northern parts of Region.
Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Ithaca, N.Y. 14850
REGION 4 —SUSQUEHANNA
Leslie E. Bemont
The fall weather seemed rather wet but according to Weather Bureau records it
was wet only by comparison with the earlier months of the year. The latter half of
August had well above normal precipitation, but total September precipitation was
only a little heavier than normal and very unevenly distributed. October’s precipita¬
tion was slightly below normal and November’s was decidedly low. There were
significant storms August 18 and 26, September 13 and 24, October 7 and 22 and
November 17. The last one produced the only appreciable snowfall, but the ground
was bare again within a day or so. Well below normal average temperatures were
recorded August 29 to 31, September 27 and 28, October 4 to 6 and 28 and 29 and
November 2.
As usual the fall waterfowl migration was only sketchily reported, most observers
being too prudent to share prime locations with hunters. Also as usual ,the best
records of the hawk migration were through the efforts of one person at Skyline in
Tioga County, the only known location in the Region where appreciable concentra¬
tions can be seen with any consistency. Mrs. Williams would welcome help at the
appropriate seasons.
The shorebird migration was especially light, even for this Region, but the small
land bird migration was roughly normal in volume. Sapsuckers, small flycatchers and
the brown-backed thrushes seemed low in numbers, but Red-breasted Nuthatches,
Bluebirds and both kinglets were quite numerous. Using the Myrtle Warbler as an
indicator, vireo and warbler numbers were good. Magnolia and Wilson’s Warblers
were the only other species reported in good numbers but the identification problem
makes species by species evaluation on the basis of negative results almost useless.
Winter finch prospects look promising. With the exception of the Red Crossbill,
every species to be reasonably expected has been reported, but only Evening Gros¬
beaks and Pine Siskins in large numbers.
Rarities were Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Gray Jay and Golden Eagle.
Observers: LA—Mrs. L. Atkinson, LB—L. Bemont, DB—D. Bendle, MC—M.
Cubberly, C, JD-C. & J. Davis, M, AD-M. & A. Davis, L, WD-L. & W. Dean,
RD-R. Dirig, AE-A. Evelin, GF-G. Field, CG-C. Gerould, SG-S. Gorton, JG-J.
Grant, JAG-J. A. Gustafson, MH-M. Hills, CH-C. Howard, PK—P. Kalka, FL—F.
Linaberry, HM—H. Marsi, AM—A. Morey, FN—*F. Newman, JO—J. Osadchey,
RP-R. Pantle, FQ-F, Quick, MS-M. Sheffield, RPS-R. P. Sheffield, RS-R. Short,
AS—A. Stratton, E, NW-E. & N. Washburn, DW—D. Weber, MW—M. White,
R, SW-R. & S. White, EW-E. Williams, RW-R. Williams, HW-H. Wisner.
36
Abbreviations used: CC-Choconut Center; CVSP-Chenango Valley State Park;
IH—Ingraham Hill; Res—Reservoir; Skan L— Skaneateles Lake; Sky—Skyline, Tioga
County; WP—Whitney Point.
LOONS—DUCKS: Common Loon: first, Oct 16 Sky (RW); max 93 (52 in 1
hour) Nov 1 Sky (RW); two Nov 6 Pepacton Res (MC); calling Nov 28, Skan L
(JG). Horned Grebe: one, late Aug Skan L (JO); migrants, WP from Oct 2 (SG)
to Oct 24 (PK), and from several other localities between. Pied-billed Grebe: Sep 24
Greene (C, JD) to Oct 17 Norwich (R, SW); several other reports between. Green
Heron: a rather late one, Oct 24 Sherburne (R, SW). YELLOW-CROWNED
NIGHT HERON: two, Oct 4 Endwell (PK), whitish crown, gray body, eye within
black stripe, longer legs than Black-crowned—subadault by brown stripes on upper
breast; second record for Region. American Bittern: one, Oct 24 Sherburne (R, SW)
—only fall report.
Whistling Swan: 15, Oct 28 Sky (RW), flying over. Canada Goose: heaviest
flights from Oct 1 to 25; last, Nov 13, Sherburne (SG et al). Brant: three, Oct 27
Sky (RW), with Canada Geese. Snow Goose: one, Oct 27 Sky (RW) in small flock
of Canada Geese. Green-winged Teal: max 35, Sep 25 Owego (MW, RW). Blue¬
winged Teal: 25—30, Oct 23 Cannonsville Res (HW), latest and best concentration.
American Widgeon: Nov 28, Skan L (JG). Redhead: only small numbers. Canvas-
back: only small numbers. Lesser Scaup: a few on Skan L in Oct (JO), only report.
Common Goldeneye: Oct 17, CVSP (FL). Bufflehead: three, Nov 14 Owego (RW);
four, Nov 17 Norwich (R, SW). Oldsquaw: one male, Nov 6 Pepacton Res at Andes
(MC), the only one. Ruddy Duck: one female, Nov 19 Owego (RW), the only one.
Common Scoter: one, all day Oct 5 Norwich (R, SW)—scoter shape, all black
except orange on bill. White-winged Scoter: Oct 9 WP (SG, et al). Hooded
Merganser: 13, Oct 28 Skan L (JO )and two late Nov reports. Common Merganser:
14, Oct 10 and 10, Nov 6 East Sidney Dam (HW); “lots” Pepacton Res (MC).
HAWKS—OWLS: Turkey Vulture: two, Oct 28 Sky (RW). Goshawk: one, Nov
26 near Homer (GF); second hand reports of fairly frequent sightings in Nov just
east of Unadilla (HW). Sharp-shinned Hawk: max 13, Sep 11 Sky (RW). Red¬
shouldered Hawk: three, Oct 4 IH (CH); Oct 27 Owego (RW); the only fall
reports. Broad-winged Hawk: max 190, Sep 11 Sky (RW); last date Oct 26, Sky
(RW). Rough-legged Hawk: one, Oct 29, Sky (RW); one, Nov 30, South Owego
(CG). GOLDEN EAGLE: one adult, Oct 27, Owego (RW)—“From the porch,
with 20 x scope, I watched it in full sunlught for about 8 minutes circling about 200
ft. above the ground. I could see the golden sheen on the head down to the
shoulders, the lighter base of the tail, the dark wing linings. Flight direction from
north to southwest followed approximately the same route as the fall hawk flights.”
Bald Eagle: three reports of imm birds in Owego area in early Sep (DB, RW, CG);
an adult over Pepacton Res three times, Sep 6 to Nov 14 (MC); two, Oct 14
Cortland (FN). Marsh Hawk: several reports, in ones and twos, during Sep and
Oct. Osprey: Aug 23, Chenango Forks (M, AD) and Owego (MW); last, Oct 3 at
Owego, Union and Sherburne; fairly frequent reports between. Peregrine Falcon:
two, Oct 28 Scott in Cortland Co (JO). Pigeon Hawk: one, Sep 11 and one, Sep 24
Sky(RW).
Bob-white: a pair, Aug 16 to 18, CC (MS, RPS). Turkey: Nov 30, Owego (CG).
Virginia Rail: Sep 4, IH (CH). Common Gallinule: Oct 3 Endicott (FL). American
Coot: seven, Vestal (CPI), were there several weeks; five, Oct 24 Sherburne (R,
SW), the last; two earlier Oct records. Killdeer: mostly gone after Nov 1; two, Nov
30, Norwich (R, SW). Common Snipe: at Sherburne to Oct 18 (R, SW). Spotted
Sandpiper: Oct 13, Campville (RW, MW)—only fall report. Solitary Sandpiper: two,
Aug 27 Newark Valley (LB). Lesser Yellowlegs: two, Aug 27 Newark Valley (LB),
no others. Greater Yellowlegs: one, Sep 19 Sherburne (R, SW); Oct 6 Candor
(DW); only reports. Least Sandpiper: one, Aug 18 Sherburne (R, SW), no others.
37
Short-billed Dowitcher: several, Oct 24 Upper Lisle (PK). Semipalmated Sandpiper:
one, Aug 18 Sherburne (R, SW), no others. Herring Gull: reappeared in usual small
numbers about Aug 15. Ring-billed Gull: Oct 9, WP (SG, et al); 300 plus, Nov 26
Cortland (JAG).
Mourning Dove: numbers seem low. Yellow-billed Cuckoo: last, Sep 26, Hancock
(RD). Black-billed Cuckoo: last, Sep 25 Greene (C, JD); only 3 reports in Sep.
Screech Owl: only 3 reports during period. Barred Owl: only reports, Candor (DW),
Ludlow in Chenango Co (AS), Hancock (RD).
GOATSUCKERS—STARLING: Nighthawk: flocking over Endicott Aug 26 and
27; one, Sep 29, Endicott (LB), catching insects around lights at an athletic con¬
test. Chimney Swift: irregular after Aug 29; six Oct 5 Cortland (FN). Ruby-
throated Hummingbird: Aug 29, Hancock (RD), a pronounced wave; regular
reports until Sep 29, Binghamton (RS). Belted Kingfisher: decidedly less numerous
after Sep 26, although present to end of period. Yellow-shafted Flicker: irregular
after Oct 15; Nov 6, CVSP (SG, et al). Red-headed Woodpecker: Oct 23, Owego
(AE). Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: few reports; last, Sep 28 Owego (RW). Eastern
Kingbird: regular at Oxford to Sep 11 (AS); two, Sep 23, East Homer (LA), only
later report. Eastern Phoebe: irregular after Oct 10, last Oct 27. Yellow-bellied Fly¬
catcher: banded Sep 17, Binghamton (HM); Sep 21, IH (CH). Wood Pewee: Oct 5
Greene (C, JD). Olive-sided Flycatcher: Aug 16, CC (RPS); Sep 2, IH (CH).
Tree Swallow: Oct 8 Owego (AE). Bank Swallow: Sep 15 Apalachin (MW, RW).
Barn Swallow: Sep 23 Owego (AE). Cliff Swallow: 30, Sep 9 Norwich (R, SW),
on telephone wires. Purple Martin: three, Sep 15 East Homer (LA).
GRAY JAY: two, Nov 25, Hancock (RD), seen separately—Blue Jay size, gray,
white on top of head, no crest-field note requested. Tufted Titmouse: Nov 6, CVSP
(SG, et al); Nov 18 and 19, Cortland (JG). Red-breasted Nuthatch: scattered
reports in late Aug and early Sep; from Sep 18 to end of period seen regularly
almost everywhere. House Wren: Oct 10 Sidney (FQ), only report after Sep 30.
Winter Wren: Oct 4 Endwell (FL), the first of several reports in Triple Cities and
Owego areas. Mockingbird: two, Aug 20 to Sep 16 and one to Oct 9, Oxford (AS);
two, Sep 2 Owego (MH); one, Oct 2 Chenango Forks (SG). Catbird: Oct 13, IH
(CH). Brown Thrasher: Nov 8, CC (MS, RPS). Robin: thinned out considerably
after Nov 6. Wood Thrush: one, Oct 22, Cortland (AM), only one after Sep 26.
Hermit Thrush: only fall records, Oct 3 Endwell (LB) and Oct 23 Binghamton
(HM). Swainson’s Thrush: several reports, Sep 5 to Oct 3. Gray-cheeked Thrush:
three reports, Sep 5 Endwell (LB) to Oct 7 Binghamton (HM). Veery: Sep 3 CVSP
(M, AD). Eastern Bluebird: good numbers all thru Oct; two, Nov 3 Owego (AE).
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: Sep 21, IH (CH); one, Oct 6 Newark Valley (L, WD).
Golden-crowned Kinglet: 12, Aug 28 Pharsalia (R, SW); next report Oct 4. Ruby-
crowned Kinglet: Sep 9 Chenango Forks (M, AD) to one, Nov 26 Homer (GF);
most reports between Oct 2 and Nov 7. Cedar Waxwing: diminished numbers after
Sep 26, then increased again during last week of Oct; 180 plus, Oct 31, CC (MS,
RPS); numbers diminished even further by end of period. Northern Shrike: Nov 6,
Candor (RP); two later records. Loggerhead Shrike: one, Aug 22, IH (CH), al¬
lowed approach to 15 feet in guarding a snake draped over a fence; one, Sep 3
Andes (MC). Starling: flock of 5000, Oct 14 Hancock (RD), unusual concentration
in that area.
VIREOS—WARBLERS: Yellow-throated Vireo: last, Sep 19 Chenango Forks
(M, AD). Solitary Vireo: Oct 13, IH (CH), only fall record. Philadelphia Vireo:
Sep 24, Owego (RW). Warbling Vireo: last, Sep 6, Norwich (R, SW).
Warblers— Tennessee: Sep 18, Candor (RP). Nashville: one, Sep 24 Hancock
(RD), fluttering at a window at 11:00 p.m.; last Oct 3. Parula: Sep 24 Owego
(RW). Yellow: last, Sep 4 South Owego (AE). Magnolia: Sep 2, IH (CH) to Sep
22, Owego (RW) in reasonably good numbers. Cape May; Sep 19 to 26, Chenango
Forks (M, AD); one record between from elsewhere. Black-throated Blue: Sep 18,
38
Chenango Forks (M, AD). Myrtle: Sep 9 to Nov 13 in good numbers; only later
record, Nov 30, IH (CH). Black-throated Green: to Sep 29. Blackburnian: to Sep
29. Chestnut-sided: to Oct 2. Pine: Sep 24 and 29, Owego (RW). Palm: one, Oct 3,
VVP (E, NW). Ovenbird: to Oct 2. Connecticut: one, Sep 18 Binghamton (HM);
Sep 24 Owego (RW); one, Oct 3 Endwell (LB, MS, HM). Mourning: Aug 22. CC
(MS, RPS). Yellowthroat: to Oct 13. Wilson’s: from Sep 1 Binghamton (HM) to
two, Oct 15 Owego (RW) in surprisingly good numbers. Canada: to Sep 19.
American Redstart: a late one, Oct 2 Homer (JAG).
BLACKBIRDS—SPARROWS: Eastern Meadowlark: common to Nov 9. Red¬
winged Blackbird: common to Oct 27. Orchard Oriole: Oct 9, IH (CH). Baltimore
Oriole: Sep 27 Owego (AE); the only report after Sep 15. Rusty Blackbird: Oct 20,
IH (IIM). Common Grackle: common to Oct 31. Scarlet Tanager: Sep 29 Owego
(EW).
Rose-breasted Grosbeak: to Sep 23 Sidney (FQ). Evening Grosbeak: Oct 9
Candor (RP); very frequent reports to end of period, in flocks of up to 60. Purple
Finch: only scattered reports of small numbers. Pine Grosbeak: Nov 3 Chenango
Forks (M, AD); seen fairly frequently in flocks of a dozen or less. Common Redpoll:
Nov 14 South Owego (MW, CG); just a few reports. Pine Siskin: Oct 2 Conklin
Forks (PK); quite frequent reports to end of period, sometimes in very considerable
numbers. American Goldfinch: common to end of period. White-winged Crossbill:
Oct 31, Candor (DW); reported all during Nov, becoming more numerous in the
last five days. Rufous-sided Towhee: last, one Nov 1 Homer (JAG). Vesper Spar¬
row: fairly frequent reports to Oct 19; Nov 15 Newark Valley (MW, RW). Slate-
colored Junco: common from Oct 1. Tree Sparrow: Oct 29, Andes (MC) and
Binghamton (HM). Chipping Sparrow: to Oct 30, CC (MS, RPS). White-crowned
Sparrow: Aug 30 Chenango Forks (M, AD); no more until Sep 29, Norwich (R,
SW); fairly numerous but gone after Oct 30. Fox Sparrow: Oct 2 Conklin Forks
(PK); small numbers to Nov 21. Lincoln’s Sparrow: one, Sep 2 singing at Andes
(MC); one, Oct 4 Conklin Forks (PK); 5 other reports between. Snow Bunting: 60,
Nov 22 IH (CH), only report.
710 University Ave., Endwell, N.Y. 13763
REGION 5 —ONEIDA LAKE BASIN
Fritz Scheider
A wonderful fall migration! Cool, dry weather thru late August to mid-September
brought desultory migrant movement with better-than-average flights on August 26,
September 2, 9 and 12. After the passage of a strong cold front on September 16-17,
waves of warblers and vireos, with lesser numbers of thrushes and flycatchers
flooded the woods, especially along Lake Ontario and immediately south of Syracuse,
into early October. Notable waves occurred September 17-20, 23, 30, October 7, 9
and 10. During October, wet, warm and windy, flocks of sparrows, kinglets, icterids,
and winter finches enlivened the now moist farmlands, weedy fields and hedgerows.
Each passing cold front brought more and more winter birds, especially finches.
Windstorms on October 3, 23 and 31 created havoc, but also produced some of the
most exciting waterfowl watching in a decade (See Brant, Jaegers). A severe freeze
(17° above) November 1 and 2 triggered the exodus of dabbling ducks, shorebirds,
sparrows and icterids, and a 4-6" snowfall November 15-16 terminated many local
landbird concentrations (Horned Lark, Robin, Pipit, residual icterids, late sparrows).
The remainder of November, still wet, warm and windy, provided delightful days
rich with winter finches, numerous mouse-raptors, and a scattering of half-hardies.
39
northern erratics and southern forms. Abundance of autumn song was noteworthy,
most obvious in White-crowned and White-throated Sparrows but also heard from
Hermit Thrush, Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Rusty Blackbird; Woodcock, Horned
Lark and Vesper Sparrow were noted flight singing.
Positive fall features of note: 1) splendid Brant flight in late October; 2) very
heavy flight of all three scoters; 3) incursions of Rough-legged Hawk and Northern
Shrike with a few Snowy Owls; 4) excellent shorebird migration, notable for variety
(12 species recorded in November); 5) impressive thrush-vireo-warbler flights
(number of Orange-crowned Warblers was outstanding!); 6) heavy flight of Water
Pipit and both kinglets; 7) irruption of winter finches noteworthy for the number of
species; 8) marked late September—early October sparrow flight.
Negatives: 1) poor to very poor flights of Canada Geese, Pintail, Green-winged
Teal, Redhead, Canvasback (now chronic with the last two); 2) marked paucity of
accipiters and a rapidly growing scarcity of Screech Owls; 3) severe drop in normally
common Common Snipe, Greater Yellowlegs, Dunlin-see shorebird article this issue;
4) complete absence of Short-eared Owls; 5) mediocre Ontario lakeshore swallow
flights; 6) profound fall-off in numbers of Tree Sparrows, both on migration and
wintering.
Rarities for the season may be divided into two groups: 1) those regularly reported
largely because of intensive field work to find the few individuals—Peregrine Falcon,
Purple and Buff-breasted Sandpipers, Hudsonian Godwit, Ruff, all three phalaropes,
Parasitic Jaeger and Connecticut Warbler; 2) species that range from rare thru very
rare to sporadic—Pomarine Jaeger, Black-legged Kittiwake, Boreal Owl, Boreal
Chickadee and Bohemian Waxwing.
Two geographic notes—1) the continuing scarcity of any waterfowl (grebes,
herons, ducks, gulls) on the western half of Oneida Lake; 2) the critical importance
of the southeast corner of Lake Ontario (Texas to Port Ontario) as the junction of
two major lakeshore migration routes.
Abbreviations: FHBSP—Fair Haven Beach State Park on Lake Ontario; HIGMA—
Howland’s Island Game Management Area near Port Byron; SP—Sandy Pond; SSSP
—Selkirk Shores State Park near Pulaski; S & VB—Sylvan and Verona Beaches, east
end of Oneida Lake; TRGMA—Three Rivers Game Management Area near Bald-
winsville; BBFS—B. P. Burtt’s feeder survey held the first week of Nov.
Observers: CA-C. Acland; DWA-D. W. Ackley; HHA-H. H. Aspinwall; J & BB
-J. & B. Barker; JRB-J. R. Bart; VB-V. Billings; MEB-M. E. Bitz; GLC-G. L.
Church; MLE-M. L. Estoff; EE-E. Evans; JRH-J. R. Haugh; WCL-W. C. List-
man; DM—D. Mcllroy; P & SP—P. & S. Paquette; DBP—D. B. Peakall; B & SP—
B. & S. Peebles; JWP-J. W. Propst; MSR-M. S. Rusk; FGS-F. G. Scheider; RJS-
R. J. Smith; CGS—C. G. Spies; SHS—S. H. Spofford; BS—B. Starr; IS—I. Stone; RT—
R. Thomas; EV—E. VanDresar.
LOONS—DUCKS: Common Loon: first Sep 7, one Otisco L (BS)—early; max 33
(low) Oct 14, L Ontario. Red-throated Loon: singles Nov 10 SSSP (JWP) and
Nov 20 Derby Hill (JWP, MLE)—only fall records. Red-necked Grebeionly report
an imm Oct 14 Lakeview, L Ontario (RJS). Horned Grebe: first Oct 3 Derby Hill;
max 370, Oct 14, L Ontario smacks of former fall flights. Pied-billed Grebe: max 12,
Oct 28 Woodman’s Pond near Hamilton (GLC) and ten Oct 21 HIGMA—low, max
five at Beaver L, unusually low. Double-crested Cormorant: singles Sep 12 SP and
Oct 13 and 17 Derby Hill (JRB, MLE, JWP); one found dead on Ontario shore Oct
17 (CGS, JRB). Great Blue Heron: max eight, Sep 17 Otisco L; very scarce on
western half of Oneida L. Common Egret: one Sep 26 SP (GLC, R. Goodwin)—only
report. Green Heron: max 20, Aug 24 Clay Swamp, singularly low after the high
Jul —early Aug counts. No Black-croivned Night Heron reported this fall. Amer.
Bittern: max two, Sep 30 SP.
40
Whistling Swan: seven Nov 13 FHBSP (JRH, MSR) and one Nov 14 Derby Hill
—unusual in fall. Canada Goose: 700, Oct 4 Derby Hill; 2500 Oct 6, 1000 plus Oct
10, and 800 Oct 21 at HIGMA; max at Beaver L 700 plus Oct 2; no early Nov con¬
centrations except 1000 plus Nov 13, HIGMA, probably residuals from the Oct
flight. Brant: first, one Oct 3 Derby Hill (DWA, P &SP); a terrific late Oct flight
with 9520 Oct 23 (MSR) and 3000 to 3500 Oct 24-26 (mob) at Derby Hill; 2500
Derby Hill and SSSP Oct 28 (WCL); last, 18 Nov 14 Mexico Pt (JWP, MLE); no
reports away from L Ontario. Snow Goose: three Oct 23 Derby Hill (MSR) and 38
Nov 23 (high for so late) at SSSP (EE, MEB).
Mallard and Black Duck: 2200 and 1400 respectively Oct 30 HIGMA; 2000 plus
Blacks Oct 10 HIGMA; very low counts in local marshes; max for Beaver L—200
Mallards and 300 Blacks Sep 27 (JWP)—not large; no Oneida L count of Blacks
above 100, indicating how poor waterfowl conditions are there; 375 Mallards Nov 6,
Otisco L (BS) and some 500 Mallards and 350 Blacks thru last half of Nov at
Woodman’s Pond (GLC) suggest an improvement of numbers with colder weather.
Gadwall: max 340, Oct 30, HIGMA (FGS) is a Regional high; numerous local
records of smaller numbers, e.g. 17 at FHBSP Nov 24, two Sep 25 SP. Pintail: very
scarce (some observers saw none all fall); max 25, Oct 25 HIGMA; no L Ontario
flight noted. Green-winged Teal: max 45 Oct 7 HIGMA; mostly ten-15/day (very
poor). Blue-winged Teal: max 200 Sep 4-6, Oneida L (DWA); sharp decline in
first week of Oct; last Nov 1, three, Woodman’s Pond (GLC)—early. Amer. Wid¬
geon: max 1000 plus, Oct 30 HIGMA; 150 at Beaver L Sep 27 and 335 at FHBSP
Oct 24 but virtually absent from SP and Oneida L—why? Shoveler: max 70, Oct 30
HIGMA; very few elsewhere, even at FHBSP. Wood Duck: max 700 plus Sep 22
and 504 Oct 14, both Scott Swamp; 250, Oct 7 Clay Swamp; rather scarce at SP,
max 34 Sep 18; last Nov 18, an injured female, Oneida L.
Redhead: max 110, Oct 21 HIGMA; unreported, Oneida L; Beaver L numbers
very low (max 25, Oct 24). Ring-necked Duck: first Sep 28 Beaver L; max 560,
Oct 7 Beaver L. Canvasback: very scarce; first Oct 17 Woodman’s Pond (GLC);
max 2000, Nov 14 Oneida L near Bridgeport—the flocks of 10-12,000 formerly
reported there have been missing for seven years. Scaup: first major movement 750,
Oct 3 Derby Hill; max 5200, Oct 23 SSSP and Derby Hill (MSR) and 3000, Oct 31
S & VB (MSR) seem good now but compared to 1954-57 figures are quite low.
Common Goldeneye: first Oct 3 Derby Hill (early); max 525, Nov 10 SSSP to
Derby Hill (JWP); heavy toll of this species and Brant taken by hunters along L
Ontario. Oldsquaw: first and max 275 Oct 23 Derby Hill, part of a huge waterfowl
flight dominated by Brant and scoters (MSR).
A very heavy flight of dark-winged scoters in late Oct, max 3350 (a phenomenal
tally) Common Scoter—with some Surf Scoter—Oct 23 Derby Hill (MSR); 82 Surf
Scoter, all imm or females, Oct 13, L Ontario (JWP) is a record high tally. Numer¬
ous counts of lesser numbers of both species along L Ontario, but unreported from
Beaver L and just eight Common Scoters Oct 31 for the entire season on Oneida L.
White-winged Scoter: first Oct 1 (late) SP; max 4700, Oct 23 Derby Hill (MSR),
seven times previous high fall counts; smaller numbers on Onondaga L and Oneida
L (GLC). Hooded Merganser: first, Sep 4 HIGMA; max 320 Nov 13 from
FHBSP, HIGMA, Beaver L (JRH, MSR)—very good, Red-breasted Merganser: 2000
plus Oct 24, L Ontario shore—early for such numbers (FGS, RJS); max 4500 Oct 31
FHBSP to Oswego.
HAWKS—OWLS: Turkey Vulture: last Oct 10 (late) Snake Swamp, Oswego Co.
Goshawk: a spate of records, all from L Ontario shore; first Oct 13, two Derby Hill
(JRH, JWP); a total of six observed, probably involving four birds. Cooper’s Hawk:
total for Region seven-Sep 30, Oct 4, 7, 28, Nov 8, 26, 28, 30 (EV, J & BB, FGS,
VB); extremely scarce now, even in migration. No late Oct flights of Red-tailed
Hawk noted despite increased watching along eastern end of L Ontario (JRH);
41
max eight, Nov 13 HIGMA and FHBSP, probably wintering birds. Rough-legged
Hawk: first Oct 24 (late) one, Texas; 14-20 birds present in Texas-Port Ontario
sector with lesser numbers of Red-tailed Hawks, Harriers, and Kestrels; elsewhere,
only one-two/day in Nov. No eagles for entire period—a tragic decline. Marsh Hawk;
a modest flight—ten, most imm, Oct 14 Beaver L area (FGS, RJS) and seven Oct 20
Derby Hill (JWP); 16 reported in Nov, in contrast to their absence last Nov.
Osprey: first migrant Sep 9 SP; max 11 Sep 30 SP (MLE, JWP, DM, SHS)—excel¬
lent fall flight; last Oct 15 (early) two, Otisco L (R. Post). Peregrine Falcon: only
report, one imm Sep 30 near SP (MLE, JWP); might this paucity of migrants
portend a decline of Arctic birds similar to the disastrous decline of the Appalachian
population? Merlin: only two reported, Sep 8 and 30; is this species going the way
of the Peregrine? Sparrow Hawk: no fall flight detected along the SP dunes.
Ruffed Grouse: numbers in local woodlots up somewhat, max 12 Nov 15, SSSP to
Mexico Pt (JWP). Sora: an imm Oct 27 Bolivar Swamp (MSR)—very late.
Shorebirds: see article in this issue.
Parasitic Jaeger: a remarkable count of 19, Oct 3 along with three POMARINE
JAEGERS on a fierce 45 mph NW wind at Derby Hill (P & SP, DWA, FGS); one
of each reported there Oct 13 and Oct 26 respectively (JWP); an unidentified
jaeger seen there Oct 28 (WCL); unreported from SP. Great Black-backed Gull:
first Aug 19 SP; no build-up in numbers (20+ ) until late Oct; max 70 Nov 21 SP
(MSR). Along L Ontario 24 dead Herring and 135 dead Ring-billed Gulls collected
Aug 21-22 (CGS, JRB) may be a result of rat-poisoning programs at lakeshore
dumps. Ring-billed Gull: max 4000, Oct 3, jammed into Mexico Bay by NW gale.
Bonaparte’s Gull: max 100 Sep 12 S & VB (DWA) and 166 Nov 18 Oneida L—
excellent counts for Oneida L; max L Ontario, 60, Oct 3, a result of the NW gale.
BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE: imm Derby Hill (FGS et al) and one imm SSSP
(JWP, MLE) both Nov 14—the second observations this year but only the third in
11 years. Common Tern: very abundant; max on Oneida L 300 Sep 4 and 500 1 Sep 6,
S & VB (DWA); max along L Ontario 700 plus Oct 3, Oswego to Derby Hill
(P & SP, DWA); last Oct 14 (early) L Ontario. Caspian Tern: marked flight with
45 Sep 9 and 18, also 40 Sep 12—all SP inlet; two-five/day reported from Onondaga
L (JWP) Aug 19-26.
Mourning Dove: widely reported, flocks seven-30/day Aug thru Oct; max 89,
combined tally HIGMA, Beaver L, and TRGMA Oct 21; many records in Nov,
probably due to scant snow cover and abundant weed seed crop. Screech Owl:
markedly down; max seven for entire period; another victim of pesticides?-unreported
from many known local sites (BS, JRH, JWP, FGS), Snowy Owl: first, one Nov 7
Onondaga L (Mary Woolley); singles reported thereafter from Onondaga L, Syra¬
cuse Airport and SP, involving just three birds. Barred Owl: reported repeatedly at a
new station near Eaton Sep 22—Oct 11 (GLC). BOREAL OWL: one, Nov 21, Nine
Mile Point, Oswego Co, (MSR)—second Regional record in four years. (Field note
in May issue)
SWIFTS—STARLING: Nighthawk: max 85, Sep 5 Syracuse Airport—none re¬
ported thereafter. Chimney Swift: last Oct 6 (late) one, HIGMA (MSR). Ruby-
throated Hummingbird: max 19, Sep 18, SP and SSSP; last Sep 24 (early) Catfish
Creek (IS, RT). Belted Kingfisher: one-six/day Sep and Oct; many scattered reports
into late Nov (mild weather). Yellow-shafted Flicker: flight in progress on Sep 9;
max 140, Sep 18, SP and SSSP; rather scarce in Oct, max 20, Oct 10; many singles
in Nov. Red-bellied Woodpecker: many scattered reports; appears to be increasing
locally—new sites at Jack’s Reef, Lysander, Beaver L; more at Fish Gulf near Amber
(max three Oct 6, JWP); max five Oct 30 HIGMA, a regular station, no apparent
increase on L Ontario shore. Eastern Kingbird: no high tallies in late Aug; last Sep
14, two, HIGMA. Eastern Phoebe: max 12 Sep 30 SP (DM, SHS); widely reported
next ten days; last Nov 22 (late) one, Nine Mile Pt. (JWP). Yellow-bellied Fly¬
catcher: eight Sep 3—23, most from L Ontario woodlots. Eastern Wood Pewee: max
42
34, Sep 18, SP and SSSP; last Oct 2 (early) one, SSSP. Olive-sided Flycatcher:
singles only, both Sep 9, Syracuse (MSR) and Fish Gulf (JWP). Horned Lark:
flight period Oct 10—Nov 12, 35-150/day, majority on short-grass prairie at Syracuse
Airport. The enormous swallow flights along the SP dunes were not observed this
year; instead a reverse (he. northbound) migration Sep 16 of some 4500 Tree
Swallows (DWA, CA, FGS) was the most notable feature. Barn Swallow: max roost
20,000 at Clay Swamp Aug 24 (DWP). Bank Swallow: max 1350 with 750 Barn
Sep 5, SP dunes (MSR). Last dates: Tree—Oct 13, Derby Hill; Barn and Cliff—Sep
18 (very early) SP; Bank—Sep 30, SP; Purple Martin—Sep 18, SSSP.
Black-capped Chickadee: 60—75/day in Ontario lakeshore woods Sep 3—Oct 10;
no late Oct flight detected; wintering numbers appear normal. Boreal Chickadee:
one, Derby Hill in late Oct (Al Maley fide WCL); first reported (two+ ) in a mixed
deciduous-coniferous woods near Westmoreland Nov 7 (B & SP), max 15-18 there
Nov 11 with lesser numbers, three-eight/day, thru Nov 30; no others. Tufted Tit¬
mouse: singles, SP dunes Sep 25 (OAS field trip) and Phoenix Nov 20 (EE); re¬
ported from feeder and woodlots at Brewerton (R. Theisen, FGS) and Fulton (E.
Little, E. Cook). Red-breasted Nuthatch: first migrants Sep 2, eight, SP dunes; this
flight (four-12/day) virtually over by fourth week of Sep; reported in smaller num¬
bers (two-ten/day) widely in coniferous plantations and woodlots (Westmoreland,
Highland Forest, SSSP, Otisco area). Brown Creeper: first migrant Sep 11; peak of
20 Sep 26 to seven Oct 10.
Winter Wren: first fall, Sep 9, SSSP; max 17, Oct 10, SP dunes; many Nov
records. Carolina Wren: one Sep 30 to late Nov at Oneida (P. Wayland Smith);
singles Sep 14 Fish Gulf (JWP) and Oct 25 New Hartford (VB). Long-billed
Marsh Wren: counts of 12-19/day, SP marshes in mid-Sep; last, Oct 10 (very early)
at SP. Mockingbird: two (? three), Fayetteville (Mrs. W. Robertson) first week of
Nov; one, Solvay, early Oct (McChesney); unreported elsewhere, probably because
mild Nov weather and abundant berry crop kept birds away from feeders. No major
movement of Catbird or Brown Thrasher detected; apparently the severe freeze of
Nov 1-2 pushed the few tardy migrant mimids out; only one Brown Thrasher in Nov,
at feeder (BBFS).
Amer. Robin: heavy protracted flight from mid-Sep (110—250/day) to Oct 20
(500 at Tully); early wave Aug 14—Sep 15 at Rome and Taberg (HHA); numerous
small groups (two-12/flock) reported thru Nov. Hermit Thrush: first migrant Sep 10,
Otisco L (BS); many early Oct reports with max 12, Oct 10, SP dunes and Derby
Hill woods; one singing at Syracuse Nov 8. Swainson’s and Gray-cheeked Thrushes,
Veery: an enormous flight the night of Sep 16-17 with thousands of Swainson’s and
Veeries and hundreds of Gray-cheeked/15-min at N Syracuse (CA, FGS) and
Syracuse (JWP); on Sep 24, another huge flight 450/15-min, largely Gray-cheeked
but including some Swainson’s, at Syr (MSR); no ground counts or tower kills ap¬
proached these numbers, but both Swainson’s and Gray-cheeked were reported more
frequently than usual; last Swainson’s Oct 17 Kenwood, last Gray-cheeked Sep 27
(very early) N Syr. Bluebird: still very scarce, usually one-four/day, most records
Sep 23—Oct 25; max 16 Aug 23 at Taberg (D. Lynes) probably represents flocking
of locally reared birds.
Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets: very heavy lakeshore flight, 100
and 200 respectively Oct 8, 120 and 180 respectively Oct 26, all from SSSP and
Derby Hill; Golden-crowned Kinglets quite scarce in Nov, averaging three-12/day.
Water Pipit: heavy fall movement; first Sep 11, SP; 25-200/day at Syr Airport Oct 7
—Nov 2; max 800, Oct 28 near Tully, “a confused mass of birds grounded by a
hill-country snowstorm” (JWP); last Nov 5 (a bit early). BOHEMIAN WAXWING:
one with flock of Cedar Waxwings and Pine Grosbeaks at Derby Hill Nov 10
(JWP)—only report this year. Cedar Waxwing: marked influx Sep 11—Oct 14 (20-
200/day); smaller flocks (three-80) thru Nov with larger counts along L Ontario
shore. Northern Shrike: first Oct 21, an imm, TRGMA somewhat early; some 25 plus
43
individuals recorded thereafter, the majority imm.
VIREOS—WARBLERS: Yellow-throated Vireo: Oct 8 (late) one, Derby Hill
(JWP). Solitary Vireo: max four Sep 18, SP and SSSP; reported widely but in small
numbers mid-Sep to early Oct. Philadelphia Vireo: 13 Sep 9-24, the majority in the
great waves of Sep 17-20; one dead, Pompey TV tower Oct 8 (JRB)—very late.
Warbling Vireo: one dead Oct 11, Pompey TV tower, a record late date (JRB).
The enormous amount of fall warbler data is summarized in the following table:
Arrival Date Peak Date
Black-and-white Aug 29, 1, SSSP 5, Sep 19, SP-SSSP
Tennessee Aug 19, 1 SP 14, Sep 18, SP-SSSP
Orange-crowned Sep 24, 1, Fish Gulf 4, Oct 7, Beaver L &
TRGMA
Nashville Aug 20, 1, SSSP 20, Sep 2, SP-SSSP;
20, Sep 17, Syr
Parula Aug 29, 1, SSSP 6, Sep 23, SSSP
Yellow . 45, Aug 26, SP dunes
Magnolia Aug 26, 2, SP 54, Sep 18, SP-SSSP
Cape May Sep 12, 1, Syr 2, Sep 17, Otisco L
Black-thr. Blue Aug 31, 1, Catfish 2, Sep 12, 17, 18, SP
Creek & Delta L
Myrtle Sep 6, 1, Syr 48, Oct 14, Derby Hill
HIGMA
Black-thr. Green Aug 29, 1, Syr 83, Sep 18, SP-SSP;
75, Sep 19, SSSP
Blackburnian Aug 26, 1, SP 7, Sep 18, SP-SSSP
Chestnut-sided Aug 26, 3, SP 15, Sep 19, SSSP &
Mexico Pt
Bay-breasted Aug 26, 3, SP 25, Sep 19, SSSP &
Mexico Pt
Blackpoll Aug 26, 2, SP 47, Sep 18, SP-SSSP
Palm Sep 5, 2, SP 2, Sep 9, Fish Gulf; 2,
Oct 21, Stevens Pond
Ovenbird . 6, Sep 12, Delta L
N. Waterthrush Aug 19, 1, SP 2, Aug 26, SP dunes
Yellowthroat . 30, Sep 18, SP-SSSP
Wilson’s Aug 26, 1, SP 53, Sep 18, SP-SSSP
Canada Aug 27, 1, Syr 5, Sep 2, SP-SSSP
Redstart . 8, Sep 20, Fish Gulf
* freshly dead bird ** hypochrysea form
Departure Date
Oct 5, 1*, TV tower
Oct 2, 1, SSSP
Oct 10, 1, Derby Hill
Oct 11, 2*, TV tower
Oct 10, 1, SP dunes
Oct 2, 1, SP dunes
Oct 11, 1*, TV tower
Sep 18, 2, SP-SSSP
Oct 17, 3*, TV tower
Nov 17, 1, Hamilton
Oct 10, 1, SP dunes
Oct 6, 1, N Syr
Sep 24, 2, Fish Gulf
Sep 30, 3*, TV tower
Oct 3, 3*, TV tower
Oct 24, 1**, Port
Ontario
Sep 30, 1 *, TV tower
Oct 1, 1, Tully
Oct 21, 1, Beaver L
Oct 11, 2*,TV tower
Sep 19, 1, SSSP
mid-Nov, 1, Westvale
Most outstanding were the lack of clear-cut arrival waves, the concentration of
the peak dates of most species on Sep 17—20, and the clustering of last dates around
Oct 10-11, correlating with cold weather. The Redstart and Yellow Warbler depar¬
ture dates are quite late. The scarcity of Cape May and Black-throated Blue War¬
blers and Redstarts stands out in contrast to the many high tallies of other species.
Golden-winged Warbler: one, Aug 26, SP dunes again—where do they come
from? Connecticut Warbler: four individuals Sep 7-19, SP, SSSP, Fish Gulf; an
adult male captured at TV tower Sep 7 (JRB). Hooded Warbler: reported first week
of Sep, Derby Hill ( JRH); Fish Gulf, Sep 17, one; Sep 18 and 19, two and one
respectively, SSSP.
BLACKBIRDS—SPARROWS: Bobolink: one dead at Pompey TV tower Sep 30-
somewhat late (JRB). Meadowlark: eight-15/day Oct 2-12 mainly from TRGMA
and Beaver L area. The enormous Clay Swamp icterid roost held some 40,000 Red¬
winged Blackbirds 20,000 Grackles and 30,000 Starlings Oct 9; the huge flocks
persisted until the Nov 1—2 freeze; many smaller flocks of black icterids remained
until the heavy snowfall of Nov 15-16. Baltimore Oriole: one male, Nov 1, Mattydale
is probably attempting to winter. Rusty Blackbird: first Sep 12, two, SP; counts of
44
60-75/day Oct 10-21; max 200, Oct 28, grounded by snow near Tully (cf. Water
Pipit). Cardinal: increasingly common, now filling in gaps in range north of Syracuse
and along L Ontario; max 20, Oct 28, Tully Farms Rd, probably local birds forced
to road edges by snow.
First winter finch flight, Pine Siskins (Oct 6) and Evening Grosbeaks (Oct 7).
Pine Siskin: 12-75/day with max 300, Oct 24 SSSP; Nov numbers much smaller.
Evening Grosbeak: widely reported; 40-120 thru Oct and Nov (Utica, Oneida,
Eaton, Derby Hill, Holland Patent, Syracuse). The Oct flight also included large
numbers of Goldfinches with 75-150/day Sep 30—Oct 21, but Nov numbers were
very low (one-30/day). Redpoll and White-winged Crossbill arrived on Oct 30. A
large flight (750 plus) of Redpolls Nov 6 along L Ontario (MSR) was followed by
many smaller groups throughout Region (Utica 300 on Nov 20, J & BB; Oneida 150
and 170, Nov 12 and 24 respectively, DWA, B & SP; Derby Hill 150 Nov 11).
White-winged Crossbill: 30—250/day at Syracuse, Oneida (DWA, B & SP), West¬
moreland (B & SP, J & BB), Eaton (GLC), Oneida L (DWA), and Cicero Swamp.
The last to arrive were Pine Grosbeaks, Nov 6 at Westmoreland and Nov 8 at Derby
Hill; max 45 Nov 11 (JRH) and 42 Nov 20 (JWP, MLE), both SSSP and Derby
Hill; numerous reports of lesser numbers panregionally. Red Crossbill: singles only,
Nov 8-9, Cicero Swamp.
The early—Oct sparrow flights peak counts clustered sharply Oct 7-14. Particularly
productive were weed fields at TRGMA, Lysander, Beaver L, and marshy lands and
brushy hedgerows along L Ontario at Derby Hill and Texas. Notable tallies: Oct 7-55
Vesper, 50 Field, 65 White-crowned, 250 White-throated, 25 Swamp and 180 Song,
TRGMA to Beaver L; Oct 8—280 Junco, 140 White-crowned, 210 White-throated,
300 Song, TRGMA to Derby Hill; Oct 10-30 Savannah, 35 Vesper, 120 Junco, 225
Chipping, 65 Field, 65 White-crowned, 350 White-throated, 160 Swamp, 350 Song,
Derby Hill, SSSP, and Drybridge Rd; Oct 14-30 Savannah, ten Vesper, 100 Junco,
80 White-crowned, 115 White-throated, Derby Hill, Beaver L, HIGMA; numbers
dropped sharply in the next ten days but individuals and, in some cases, small flocks
of Field, White-throated, Swamp, and Song Sparrows persisted until the severe
freeze Nov 1-2. Tree Sparrow: late in arriving, Oct 21, four, Stevens Pond; astonish¬
ingly scarce, three-ten/day; max 50, Nov 13 HIGMA (MSR, JRH). Fox Sparrow:
first Oct 2, Big Moose L (CA, DBP); counts quite low, one-five/day; unreported
after mid-Nov. Lincoln’s Sparrow: first migrant Sep 14, one. Fish Gulf (JWP);
some 26 individuals, one-four/day, most Sep 14—Oct 10. Lapland Longspur; first
Oct 4, one, max 20 (excellent fall count) Nov 2, both Syracuse Airport. Snow
Bunting: present in unusually large numbers; first Oct 14, two, Derby Hill; general
arrival Oct 24, with flocks 35-600/day reported from Eaton, Derby Hill, SSSP, Syr
Airport, SP, Oneida L, FHBSP, the majority in first half of Nov.
427 South Main Street, North Syracuse N.Y. 13212
REGION 6 —ST. LAWRENCE
David C. Gordon
Rain fell on more than half the days during the reporting period to contrast
greatly with a year ago when we were in the midst of a long drought. Rivers and
creeks are running high, lake and pond margins have reverted to normal pre-drought
levels. At Watertown, August rainfall was 3.41 in. above normal, September rainfall
was slightly above normal, and in October it was .93 in. above normal. In early
November there was more rain on several days. The first snowstorm on November
17th left four to six inches on the ground and by the 29th another four inches had
fallen.
45
Late summer produced two more southerly species as surprises—a Blue-gray Gnat-
catcher and a Golden-winged Warbler, both seen under good conditions by an
observer familiar with them in their normal breeding range. The autumnal warbler
migration was long and interesting in wooded and brushy areas as was the sparrow
migration in agricultural areas.
Most exciting was the find of a Gyrfalcon shot by an ignorant duck hunter. The
promise of a good winter for seeing northern birds was implied with the appearance
of a Northern Three-toed Woodpecker on Nov. 11, and Snowy Owls, Roughlegs,
Northern Shrikes and winter finches that were rare or absent last winter, such as
Pine and Evening Grosbeaks and Redpolls.
In October the North Country Bird Club purchased 102 acres of mostly wooded
land in Town of Rutland, seven miles east of Watertown for a wildlife sanctuary.
The NYS Conservation Dept has expanded PRGMA and is developing more
wetland marsh along Perch River west of Route 12.
Localities: BCW—Brookside Cemetery, Watertown; CD—Camp Drum Military
Reservation; ED—ElDorado; LJGMA-Littlejohn Game Management Area; NCBS-
North Country Bird Club Sanctuary; PRGMA—Perch River Game Management
Area; SB— Sherwin’s Bay; Wat—Watertown; WC—Watertown Center.
Observers: AW A—Arthur W. Allen; JBB—John B. Belknap; DB—Don Blais; FAC-
Frank A. Clinch; HED—Herbert E. Doig; EAF—Elizabeth A. Feldhusen; DCG—
David C. Gordon; FS—Fritz Scheider; FWT—Fred W. Tucker; RCW—Robert C.
Walker.
LOONS—DUCKS: Common Loon: singles near ED Nov 26 (DCG). Horned
Grebe: common along L Ontario shore, Oct 16 to end of Nov (DCG). Great Blue
Heron: at ED, PRGMA in Aug and Sep; last SB, Oct 23 (DCG); singles Pillar Pt
and Pt Peninsula Nov 25 (AWA); Star Lake Nov 27 (RCW). Green Heron: last
Oct 31 BCW (DCG). Black-crowned Night Heron: last adult Sep 18 SB (DCG);
last imm Oct 10 BCW (DCG). Least Bittern: Sep 26 SB (AWA). American Bittern:
ED Aug 21 (DCG).
Canada Goose: first, PRGMA Sep 29 (HED); flock of 60 southern Jeff. Co Oct 16
(DCG). Mallard and Black Duck: usual numbers Aug to end of Nov (DCG).
Pintail: PRGMA Oct 9 and L Ontario Oct 16 (DCG); last Nov 26 PRGMA (JBB).
Green-winged Teal: numerous ED Aug—Sep. Blue-winged Teal: hundreds ED Sep
25 (DCG). Am. Widgeon: 65, PRGMA Oct 9 (DCG). Shoveler: three, PRGMA
Oct 9 (DCG); a pair ED Oct 10 (AWA). Wood Duck: good numbers this fall at
PRGMA (HED). Greater Scaup: opening day of duck season Oct 16, thousands in
rafts and streaming by in formation in Black River Bay (DCG); aerial count of 4000
in same area Nov 20 (DB). Common Goldeneye: hundreds off Stony Pt and ED
during Nov (DCG). Bufflehead: Oct 16 to end of Nov ED and Stony Pt (DCG).
Oldsquaw: approx. 100 between ED and Henderson Harbor Nov 26 (DCG). White¬
winged Scoter: three females Pillar Pt Nov 25 (AWA). Surf Scoter: one male and
several females at Henderson Harbor Nov 26 (DCG). Common Scoter: three
females Nov 11 Henderson Bay (RCW). Female mergansers numerous in L Ontario
during period, species not positively identified.
HAWKS—OWLS: Turkey Vulture: last Oct 4 near Theresa (JBB). Cooper’s
Hawk: imm female Nov 11 Gouverneur (JBB). Red-tailed Hawk: noticeable move¬
ment Oct 16 in s. Jeff. Co (six seen —five together); singles to Nov 19 (JBB, DCG,
RCW). Rough-legged Hawk: first Oct 23 Pt Peninsula; five Nov 13 near Stony Pt,
three light phase and two dark phase (DCG); many seen Oct 25—Nov 29 .seemed
to be two main flights in period, max 11 in five miles just north of Wat Nov 29
(JBB). Marsh Hawk: to Nov 17 (JBB). GYRFALCON: dark phase imm female
found shot at ED Nov 14 (RCW), photographed and carcass sent to state museum.
46
Albany; third record and first specimen from Jeff. Co. Sparrow Hawk: scattered
singles to Nov 26 (DCG).
Gray Partridge: population seems to be fairly low this year (HED); four near
Watertown Oct 9 (DCG). Turkey: five Wellesley I. Aug 18 (RCW); introduced
1960, Virginia Rail: PRGMA Aug 27 (DCG). Common Gallinule: last, Oct 9
PRGMA (DCG). Am. Coot: last, Oct 9 PRGMA (DCG).
The data on shorebird migration should be read in conjunction with the article by
Fritz Scheider elsewhere in this issue. Semipalmated Plover: last Oct 10 ED (AWA).
Killdeer: last Nov 6 Pt Salubrious (DCG). Golden Plover: two Aug 26 ED (FS).
one Aug 29 ED (RCW). Black-bellied Plover: last Sep 25 ED, low numbers this
fall (DCG). Ruddy Turnstone: last Oct 10 ED (AWA). Common Snipe: last Sep 25
ED (DCG). Spotted Sandpiper: last Sep 9 ED (FS). Solitary Sandpiper: to late
Sep BCW (DCG). Greater Yellowlegs: last Oct 10 ED (AWA). Lesser Yellowlegs:
last Sep 25 ED (DCG). Knot: one Aug 21 (DCG), two Aug 26 (FS) and one Sep
25 ED (DCG), No Purple Sandpiper. Pectoral Sandpiper: last Oct 10 ED (AWA).
White-rumped Sandpiper: three Nov 13 ED, late (DCG). Baird’s Sandpiper: one,
Aug 19 (FS), five Aug 26 (FS), one Sep 25 (DCG), all ED. Least Sandpiper: last
Sep 25 ED (DCG). Dunlin: 13, Nov 13 ED (DCG). Short-billed Dowitcher: four
Aug 19 (FS), 11 Aug 26 (FS), two Sep 9 (FS), two Sep 11 (DCG), and one Sep
19 (AWA), all ED. Stilt Sandpiper: one Aug 21 and 26 ED (FS, DCG). Semi¬
palmated Sandpiper: last Oct 10 ED (AWA). Sanderling: last Nov 13 ED (DCG).
Red Phalarope: two singles Nov 13 at ED—third record for Jeff Co (DCG). Wilson’s
Phalarope: one Aug 19 ED (FS). Northern Phalarope: max 10 Sep 4 ED (DCG,
RCW).
Great Black-backed Gull: first, three at ED Aug 21; common along L Ontario
shore thru Nov (DCG). Herring and Ring-billed Gulls: common to abundant thru
period, especially the latter on fresh-plowed fields in Oct (DCG). Bonaparte’s Gull:
last one Oct 30 Pt Salubrious (DCG). Common Tern: last Sep 11 ED (DCG).
Caspian Tern: last Sep 19 ED (AWA). Black Tern: last Aug 21 ED (DCG). Great
Horned Owl: near Gouverneur Nov 11—21 (JBB). Snowy Owl: one adult male Nov 6
Pt Peninsula (DCG); a female shot Nov 11 Pillar Pt, brought to school (FAC); one
Nov 26 and three Nov 30 near SB (JBB). Barred Owl: Aug 18 near S. Edwards, St.
Lawrence Co (AWA). Short-eared Owl: two near Philadelphia Nov 10 (JBB); one
killed on road near Dexter Nov 22 (DB).
GOATSUCKERS—STARLING: Common Nighthawk: more than a dozen active
in one place, late afternoon Aug 17 Wat (DCG); 10-12 migrating Sep 4 Wat
(FAC); two Sep 5 Massena (FAC). Ruby-throated Hummingbird: last Sep 18
Pillar Pt (DCG). Yellow-shafted Flicker: heavy migration Sep 18 along L Ontario
(DCG). Red-headed Woodpecker: three near ED Aug 11-21 (DCG); Nov 21 (very
late( CD (AWA). Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: two Sep 25 (DCG). Hairy and
Downy Woodpeckers: usual numbers thru period. Black-backed Three-toed Wood¬
pecker: two singles—sex not reported—near Gouverneur Nov 1 and Nov 21 (JBB).
NORTHERN THREE-TOED WOODPECKER: a male at WC Nov 11 (RCW) to
Nov 14 (DCG) working silently on dead elms; the characteristic appearance of
flaked bark on the trees indicated it had been there for several days; last known
record in Jeff. Co was Mar 10, 1957.
Crested Flycatcher: last Aug 20 near Carthage (EAF). Phoebe: last Oct 23 Pt
Peninsula (DCG). Horned Lark: small flocks on Pillar Pt and Pt Peninsula Oct 30,
Nov 6 (DCG). Tree and Bank Swallow: migrating in early Sep. Barn Swallow: last
Sep 18 PRGMA (DCG). Cliff Swallow: numerous along Middle Rd near Wat in
Aug; last Sep 4 ED (DCG). Blue Jay: very common throughout Jeff Co during fall.
Crow: long after the departure of most crows from our Region a flock of at least 48
seem to be wintering near Camps Mills Nov 13-26 as they do every winter in some
areas favored with enough food (DCG). Black-capped Chickadee: although a com¬
mon summer and winter resident, there was a very pronounced migration through
47
the county from late Sep at least to Oct 17. Boreal Chickadee: one Nov 11 ED
(RCW)—rare. White-breasted Nuthatch: the statement about Black-capped Chicka¬
dees also applies to this species (DCG). In the evening of Sep 4 unusual activity of
four nuthatches observed flying out from a tree and catching insects in mid-air like
Cedar Waxwings; one went down to the ground and was chased back to a tree by a
red squirrel (DCG). Red-breasted Nuthatch: seemed to be migratory movement in
Sep and Oct: one at a feeder Nov 25 (DCG). Brown Creeper: also a noticeable fall
migration during Sep and Oct; seen Nov 25 (DCG). House Wren: last Sep 25 CD
(DCG). Winter Wren: last Sep 12 WC (DCG). Long-billed Marsh Wren: last Sep
18 SB (DCG). Mockingbird: Aug 25 Brier Hill, St. Lawrence Co (RCW). Brown
Thrasher: Sep 25 CD (DCG); Nov 7 Wat (AWA). Hermit Thrush: last banded
Oct 11 (FAC); Oct 16 LJGMA (DCG). Swainson’s Thrush: banded Oct 2 (FAC).
Veery: one banded Aug 27 (FAC). Bluebird: four PRGMA Sep 26 (AWA).
BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER: one Aug 27 PRGMA, first record for Jeff. Co
(DCG). Golden-crowned Kinglet: last Oct 81 (DCG). Ruby-crowned Kinglet:
migration Sep 25—Oct 10 (DCG). Water Pipit: three Sep 19 ED (AWA); one Oct
23 Pt Peninsula; seemed scarce this fall (DCG). Cedar Waxwing: est, 100 on rose
hedge Nov 6 Wat (DCG); wandering flocks thru Nov. Northern Shrike: first Oct 27
(JBB); scattered sightings thru Nov (AWA, JBB, DCG, RCW).
VIREOS-WARBLERS: Solitary Vireo: last Oct 10 WC (DCG). Red-eyed Vireo:
last Sep 25 CD (DCG). Black-and-white Warbler: last Sep 25 CD (DCG).
GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER: one male Aug 18 NCBS, first Jeff. Co record
(DCG). Nashville Warbler: last Sep 25 CD (DCG). Magnolia Warbler: migration
Sep 19—Oct 10 (DCG). Black-throated Blue Warbler: last Sep 25 CD (DCG).
Myrtle Warbler: last Nov 1 (JBB). Bay-breasted Warbler: last Oct 10 banded
(FAC). Blackpoll Warbler: Sep 25 CD (DCG). Palm Warbler: migration Sep 19—
Oct 30, very late (DCG). Yellowthroat: last Nov 21, very late (JBB). Wilsons
Warbler: Sep 25-26 (DCG).
BLACKBIRDS—SPARROWS: Bobolink: flocking thru Aug; last Aug 27 est. 50
near PRGMA (DCG). Eastern Meadowlark: last Nov 30 Dekalb Jet. (RCW). Red¬
winged Blackbird: peak of migration Oct 9—16; a small flock Nov 6 Pt Peninsula
(DCG). Rusty Blackbird: migration Oct 9 and Oct 16 (DCG), Common Grackle:
more than 2000 near Pierrepont Manor Oct 15; hundreds near Worth Oct 16
(DCG); one at feeder Nov 14 (DCG). Brown-headed Cowbird: more than 1000
near Camps Mills Sep 25 (DCG). Scarlet Tanager: last Oct 2 (FAC). Cardinal:
two males, two females and one imm early Oct WC (FWT); two males and two
females Nov Wat (AWA). Rose-breasted Grosbeak: last Sep 26 WC (DCG).
Evening Grosbeak: 12 Oct 17 ED (EAF); first at feeders Nov 5, 8-10 Wat (AWA,
FAC); small flocks at several feeders thru rest of Nov. Purple Finch: one female
Oct 10 WC, three males and four females Oct 16 LJGMA (DCG). Pine Grosbeak:
first Nov 23 CD (JBB); flock of 13 with one adult male Stony Pt and flock of 11
with two adult males Henderson Harbor feeding on white ash fruits Nov 26 (DCG).
Common Redpoll: small flocks noted Nov 6 and Nov 13 (DCG); five at feeder Nov
18 (AWA); 150 near Theresa Nov 20 (DB). Red Crossbill: 6 or 7 near Brownville
Nov 26 (AWA). Rufous-sided Towhee: last Worth Oct 16 (DCG). Savannah and
Vesper Sparrows: migration peak Oct 9-10 (DCG). Slate-colored Junco: last Nov 27
(FAC). Tree Sparrow: first, Jeff Co, Oct 30 (AWA); not common before Nov 6.
Chipping and Field Sparrows: migration peak Oct 9-10 (DCG). White-crowned
Sparrow: migration Sep 27—Oct 23 (AWA, JBB, DCG). White-throated Sparrow:
last Oct 23 (DCG). Fox Sparrow: Oct 16 LJGMA (DCG); Oct 31 (AWA). Swamp
Sparrow: last Oct 16 (DCG). Song Sparrow: most common sparrow, migration Oct 9
-23 (DCG). Lapland Longspun three Oct 23 Pt Peninsula (DCG), Snow Bunting:
12 Oct 17 (EAF) early; 19 Oct 30 and Nov 6 Pt Salubrious (DCG); four Nov 13
ED (DCG).
1347 Sherman St., Watertown, N.Y. 13601
48
REGION 7 —ADIRONDACK-CHAMPLAIN
Harriet L. Delafield
Weather for the fall migration period in this area was one of extreme ups and
downs. After an overnight low of 41 degrees on Aug 24, on Aug 25 the temperature
rose to 90; then on the night of Aug 31 there was a killing frost. Sep and Oct fol¬
lowed the same pattern: Sep 20, 74 degrees, Sep 28 frost killed the geraniums;
“Little Summer of St Luke” on Oct 21; Oct 30 one inch of snow on the ground.
Nov was cold and damp. On Nov 17 we had 14" of snow, the most since 1959—60.
Ray Falconer said “real winter” at Saranac Lake and Ray Brook on that date.
A friend who has harvested cones around Vermontville for many years reported
that Norway Pine and Red Spruce fruits were almost non-existent this year.
A Red-throated Loon was found on the road between Lake Placid and Keene on
Nov 5 but it died soon after it was rescued. No large warbler waves were reported
this fall, “black birds” and crows were noticeably down in numbers, Canada Geese
came over early.
Unusual were: a Hawk Owl, Red-headed Woodpecker and Dickcissel.
Observers: AA—Agnes Amstutz; EA—Elizabeth Anderson; GC—Geoffrey Carleton;
HD—Harriet Delafield; JMD-John and Margaret Dye; EE—Emily Easten; BF—Bill
Frenette; WF—Wayne Fedder; GK—Grace Kains; JK—Joseph Keji; JH—Joseph Hart;
RH-Robert Hagar DM-Dorothy Mcllroy; GM-Gordon Meade; DP-David Peakall;
RS-Richard Sheffield; DY-David Young.
Abbreviations: B—Brook; Mad-Ross—Madawaska and Ross Park; P—Pond; SL—
Saranac Lake; TL—Tupper Lake.
LOONS—DUCKS: Common Loon: two adults with one young Elk L Sep 11 and
12 (JMD, RS); two imm Little Tupper L Sep 20 (AA). Horned Grebe: four Nov 15
Monty’s Bay, L Champlain (JH). Pied-billed Grebe: one Mad-Ross Sep 4 (GM);
one Ray B Sep 4-24 (JK); three Ausable Marsh Sep 8 (JH); one Sep 16 and Oct 6
SL (HD). Great Blue Heron: nest discovered in marsh near Blue Mt L Aug 30
(BF); last Oct 13 Ray B (JK); one Santa Clara Oct 13, one Ausable Marsh thru
Oct 17 (JH); two Sep 10 SL (GK); one L Clear Sep 30 (DY). Green Heron: one
Tupper Marsh Aug 18 (RH). American Bittern: one, Piseco L Aug 30 (DM); one
Sep 4 Mad-Ross (GM); two Sep 6 Ray B (JK); one Ausable Marsh Oct 16 (JH).
Canada Goose: started going over early in quite good numbers, 400 Sep 29 SL
(HD); 47 Sep 30 Ray B (JK); 75 Oct 3 DY's potato field Gabriels; reports from
Chazy, L Placid, Ausable Marsh Moose R Plains, TL, last wild flock reported 150 SL
(GK). Snow Goose: 200 plus Nov 23 Rockefeller Pk (Collins & Emperor fide JH).
Mallard: 50 Nov 15 Kings Bay, L Champlain (JH); two Oct 3 Constable L (DP).
Black Duck: reported all areas, largest number 100 plus. Kings Bay Nov 15 (JH).
Green-winged Teal: small flock, Sep 6 TL (John Bull); two in hunter’s bag Rac-
quette P Oct 23 (BF). Wood Duck: six Mad-Ross Sep 4 (GM); two Barnum P Sep
14 (GK); 20 Ausable Marsh Sep 14 (JH); two in bag Oct 24 Racquette P (BF).
Ring-necked Duck: one Mad-Ross Sep 4 (GM); ten near Paul Smiths Sep 28
(WF). Common Goldeneye: 55 Allens Bay, 20 Monty’s Bay, 20 Kings Bay L
Champlain Nov 15 (JH). Bufflehead: two females Slush P Oct 20 (JH); three pair
L Colby Oct 29 (WF). Common Scoter: one identified from head saved by hunter
Oct 22 Racquette P (BF). Hooded Merganser: few Sep 7 to Oct 30 Ray B (JK);
three Grass P Oct 25 (JH); four Wells Oct 7, two Brook P SL Oct 22, two Moody P
SL Nov 2 (RH); two Oct 26 & 31 SL (HD). Common Merganser: fewer young
than usual, only six, Piseco L (DM); two Mad-Ross Sep 4 (GM); pair with 13
young Racquette R Sep 6 (BF); 15 Elk L Sep 12 (RS), pair with 17 young Elk L
49
Sep 12 (JMD)—same birds or on different parts of lake? 17 Oct 12 St Regis R at
Paul Smiths (EA, HD); one Lower Saranac L Nov 13 (RH).
HAWKS—OWLS: Goshawk: one Elk L Sep 11 (JMD); one Robinwood Preserve
Oct 12 (caretaker fide BF); one Jay Nov 11 (RH). Sharp-shinned Hawk: one Aug
31 and Sep 6 Ray B (JK); one Jay Sep 26, one L Pleasant Oct 5 (RH). Red-tailed
Hawk: one imra Sep 8 SL (EA, HD); one Oct 5 Indian L (RH); one Racquette P
Flow Oct 7 (BF); one Elk L Sep 12 (RS); one Slush P Oct 8 (JH). Red-shouldered
Hawk: pair with young throughout summer Tupper ski area, one imm Aug 26 (BF).
Broad-winged Hawk: reported all areas, last one Sep 8 Port Kent (JH). Rough¬
legged Hawk: one Ausable Marsh Nov 18 (JH); one North Hudson Nov 23 (RH).
Bald Eagle: one Big Tupper ski area Oct 17 (BF). Marsh Hawk: one Aug 18 SL
(HD); one Racquette R Sep 6 (BF). Osprey: one Merrillville Aug 30 (JH); one
Sep 3 L Clear (DY); one Sep 21 SL (HD); three nests near TL kept under sur¬
veillance, no young observed but adults seen carrying fish to one nest, one adult Sep
6 Racquette R (BF). Sparrow Hawk: reported all areas, last one Nov 2 SL (HD).
Spruce Grouse: seven in two groups Mad-Ross Sep 4 (GM). Ruffed Grouse: three
Mad-Ross Sep 4 (GM); Elk L Sep 12 (RS); Ray B (JK); SL (GK). Semipalmated
Plover: Westport Sep 1 (GC). Killdeer: one Constable L Oct 3 (DP). Amer.
Golden Plover: three Gabriels Sep 17 (RH, DY). Black-bellied Plover: Willsboro
Sep 2 (GC). Amer. Woodcock: one Aug 28 TL (AA); seven, SL Oct 19, one Oct 23
SL (GK). Sanderling: Westport Sep 1 (GC). Black Tern: two Aug 18 TL (RH).
Herring Gull: normal; 50 on ice, Ausable R at Cadyville Nov 29 (JH). Ring-billed
Gull: two Ausable R Clintonville Oct 29 (RH); eight Sep 20 Gabriels (HD).
Mourning Dove: one Mad-Ross Sep 4 (GM); one Port Kent Sep 8 (JH); one Sep 20
and Nov 5 SL (EA, HD). HAWK OWL: one near TL Nov 24 (BF). (Field Note
in May issue) Barred Owl: one L Placid Sep 14, one Whitney Preserve Oct 7 (BF).
GOATSUCKERS-STARLING: Common Nighthawk: one Aug 24 SL (GK).
Chimney Swift: thru Aug 29 Ray B (JK). Ruby-throated Hummingbird: thru Sep 5
Ray B (JK); thru Sep 20 SL (HD). Belted Kingfisher: one or two all areas until
mid-Oct. Yellow-shafted Flicker: all areas but no large numbers except Piseco L—
“great abundance” Sep 18-20 (DM). Pileated Woodpecker: one Sep 2 Moose R
Plains (DM); one Sep 19 Little Long P, Oct 20 Cascade L, Nov 7 Meecham P
(JH); one Sep 20 LP Golf course (BF); two Oct 14 Ray B (JK); one Upper St
Regis Nov 25 (GK). RED-HEADED WOODPECKER: one adult outside picture
window studied for 15 or more minutes on Sep 18, 20 & 21 in sun and against grey
sky, SL (EA, HD). Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: a few all areas until early Oct. Hairy
and Downy Woodpeckers: normal. Black-backed Three-toed Woodpecker: one SL
Oct 6, one Santa Clara Rd Oct 7 (EA, HD); one Lower Saranac L Nov 6 (RH).
Eastern Kingbird: normal, last Sep 8 SL (HD). Eastern Phoebe: normal, last Oct 14
Ray B (JK). Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: Sep 2 one Moose R Plains (DM); one Oct 1
TL (AA). Least Flycatcher: one Aug 24 and 27 Ray B (JK). Eastern Wood Pewee:
only reports—one each Ray B (JK) and SL (GK). Tree Swallow: last Aug 20 Ray B
(JK). Barn Swallow: normal all areas. Cliff Swallow: nine Aug 17 Ray B (JK).
Purple Martin: 20 Aug 18 Speculator (RH).
Gray Jay: three Sep 2 Moose R Plains (DM); four Sep 4 Mad-Ross (GM); one
Sep 8 SL (EA, HD); one Oct 7 Whitney Preserve (BF); one Oct 28 Keeses Mills,
one Oct 29 SL (WF); two Nov 17 Whitney Park (DY). Blue Jay: normal. Common
Crow: no large flocks reported; 25 Sep 21 SL (HD). Black-capped Chickadee:
normal. Boreal Chickadee: small numbers reported Cascade L, Jay, L Pleasant,
Mad-Ross, North Hudson, Ray B, Elk L, SL, Chubb R. White-breasted and Red¬
breasted Nuthatches: normal. Brown Creeper: two Oct 3 Constable L (DP); one
Sep 30 TL (AA); last Nov 3 Ray B(JK) and Nov 7 SL (GK). Winter Wren: one
Oct 12 Ray B (JK). Catbird: one Oct 1 TL (AA); one thru Sep 23 SL (GK) and
Oct 6 Ray B (JK). Brown Thrasher: one Aug 17, Sep 8 and 10 Ray B (JK); one SL
Sep 21 (EA, HD). Robin; normal, few until early Nov, 20 L Placid Nov 9 (JH).
Wood Thrush: one Sep 3 Ray B (JK). Hermit Thrush: one Oct 1 TL (AA); few
50
Aug 30 thru Oct 14 Ray B (JK); one Oct 31 (HD, WF). Swainson’s Thrush: Sep 4
Mad-Ross (GM); last Ray B Sep 24 (JK). Veery: thru Aug 31 Ray B (JK); two
Oct 6 SL (HD). Eastern Bluebird: six Mad-Ross Sep 4 (GM); 12 L Placid Sep 19
(RH); one Oct 2 Ray B (JK); two Constable L Oct 3 (DP); four Oct 4 SL (HD).
Golden-crowned Kinglet: small numbers Sep and Oct. Ruby-crowned Kinglet: few
all areas, last Nov 3 Ray B (JK). Water Pipit: five Sep 28 Ray B (JK); Sep 21 thru
30 Gabriels and L Clear, max 18 (DY). Cedar Waxwing: few reports, came late and
left early. Starling: 75 plus Sep 5 SL (HD); “large flocks” Sep 26 Ray B (JK); other¬
wise no great numbers reported.
VIREOS—WARBLERS: Vireo and warbler reports were spotty and disappointing
Solitary Vireo; one Sep 4 Mad-Ross (GM); “decrease” Ray B (JK). Red-eyed
Vireo: last Sep 17 Ray B (JK). Black-and-white Warbler: one Aug 31 Ray B (JK).
Nashville Warbler: one Sep 4 Mad-Ross (GM); Piseco L Sep 3 (DM); until Sep 21
Ray B (JK). Parula Warbler: one Ray B Sep 4 (JK). Magnolia Warbler: two Mad-
Ross Sep 4 (GM); last Sep 4 Ray B (JK); Sep 3-7 Piseco L (DM). Black-throated
Blue Warbler: Sep 3-7 Piseco L (DM); Sep 18 Ray B (JK); Sep 12 Elk L (RS);
Oct 7 SL (HD). Myrtle Warbler: this usually common fall migrant was sparsely
reported this season. Black-throated Green Warbler: one Mad-Ross Sep 4 (GM);
one Sep 12 Elk L (RS); last Oct 21 Ray B (JK). Blackburnian Warbler: last Sep 9
Ray B (JK). Chestnut-sided Warbler: Aug 27 “scarce” Ray B (JK). Bay-breasted
Warbler: five Sep 2 Moose R Plains (DM). Palm Warbler: carefully identified Oct
6 SL (HD). Ovenbird: Sep 3-7 Piseco L (DM); Sep 8 Ray B (JK). Yellowthroat:
Sep reports Mad-Ross, Piseco L, Ray B, last SL Oct 6 (HD). American Redstart:
Sep 3-7 Piseco L (DM); Sep 4 and 9 Ray B (JK); Aug 23 SL (GK).
BLACKBIRDS—SPARROWS: House Sparrow: no noticeable increase. Eastern
Meadow Lark: three SL Oct 28 (HD); one Union Falls Nov 20 (JH); five Keene
Valley Nov 30 (RH), Red-winged Blackbird: no great flocks reported; largest 100
plus SL Oct 5 (GK). Baltimore Oriole: JK reports one Aug 31 as “late date”; one
Oct 20 SL at feeder seems certainly “late date” (HD). Rusty Blackbird: four Con¬
stable L Oct 3 (DP); three or four until Nov 1 Ray B (JK). Common Grackle: no
large flocks reported, Brown-headed Cowbird: no large flocks. Scarlet Tanager: one
Oct 10 Ray B (JK). Cardinal: Oct 28 thru 31 at feeder SL (G Chase). Rose¬
breasted Grosbeak: one Mad-Ross Sep 4 (GM); one Sep 9 Ray B (JK). DICKCIS-
SEL: one carefully observed at feeder Oct 13 Gabriels (DY). Evening Grosbeak:
summer residents thru Aug, virtual hiatus Sep, large numbers of migrants and winter
birds beginning mid-November. Purple Finch: Sep 4 Mad-Ross (GM); some until
Oct 9 Ray B (JK). Pine Grosbeak: first three Gabriels Oct 15 (DY), numerous
reports since then, all too much road kill. Common Redpoll: good numbers. Pine
Siskin: 35 plus, Oct 20 Ray B (JK); several Oct 29 SL (WF). American Goldfinch:
100 plus St Regis Oct 12—last date and only large number reported. Red Crossbill:
Sep 4 Mad-Ross (GM); three Oct 20 & 21 Ray B (JK). White-winged Crossbill:
five Fawn L Aug 31 (“not usually present there”), five Indian Falls, Marcy trail Sep
19 (DM); six Sep 12 Elk L (JMD); 40 plus Keene Oct 24 (EE); eight Nov 10 SL
(HD), Rufous-sided Towhee: one, Aug 28 TL (AA). Savannah Sparrow: 20 Sep 20
SL (HD); one Oct 12 Ray B (JK). Vesper Sparrow: reports of small numbers Sep 4
Mad-Ross (GM) to Nov 3 SL (RH). Slate-colored Junco: small numbers all areas
Sep and Oct. Tree Sparrow: small numbers late Oct thru period. Chipping Sparrow:
good numbers; last, six Nov 3 SL (RH). Field Sparrow: two Mad-Ross Sep 4 (GM).
White-crowned Sparrow: one to eight Sept 30 thru Nov 11, max Oct 13 SL (HD);
ten Constable L Oct 3 (DP). White-throated Sparrow: no large migrating numbers.
Fox Sparrow: one Oct 6 thru 13 Ray B (JK). Swamp Sparrow: one Oct 20 Ray B
(JK). Song Sparrow: six Oct 3 Constable L (DP); small flocks Oct 6 SL (HD);
last Nov 6 Ray B (JK). Snow Bunting: 25 Gabriels Oct 13 (DY); one male Minerva
Nov 15 (MJD); 20 near Elizabethtown Nov 22 (G Chase); ten Blue Ridge Nov 24
(RH).
Trudeau Road, Saranac Lake, N.Y. 12983
51
REGION 8 —MOHAWK-HUDSON
Peter P. Wickham
For a change, precipitation during this period was slightly above normal. Aug
temperatures average 69.4°, 0.6° less than normal (at Albany), with a brisk cold
wave Aug 29-31, when a marked wave of small landbirds was noted. Precipitation at
Albany totalled 4,32 in., 1.25 in. above normal. Sep temperatures were somewhat
mild, averaging 63.6°, 2.0° above normal. Cold fronts Sep 27-28 and Oct 2-7
noticeable “waves” of landbirds and the first flocks of geese. Precipitation in Sep
totalled 3.76 in., 0.18 in. above normal. Temperatures in Oct averaged 51.2°, 0.4°
above normal, and precipitation totalled 2.37 in., 0.40 in. below normal. Notable
“waves” and cold fronts on Oct 16—18, Oct 24-25 and Oct 28—30 coincided rather
fortuitously with weekends.
Herons of all species were low in numbers. Other marsh birds such as rails and
gallinules were virtually absent. Hawks and owls also continued low in numbers. The
shorebird flight offered interesting variety, although numbers were low. Swifts and
swallows lingered quite late, perhaps due to an abundance of insect food through
Sep. Both species of kinglets seemed rather common, although most observers con¬
sidered numbers of migrant vireos and warblers very low. Perhaps the highlight of
the period was the appearance of all the “usual” winter finches in fairly impressive
numbers. The writer is especially indebted to RPY and WBS for the operation of a
banding station at VFG. The data thus accumulated is helping to clarify fall migra¬
tory patterns of several species, particularly Least and Traill’s Flycatchers and Lin¬
coln’s Sparrow.
Unusual or rare species reported during the period included Whistling Swan,
European Widgeon, Black Vulture, Golden Eagle, Pigeon Hawk, Golden Plover,
White-rumped Sandpiper (very late), Northern Phalarope, Saw-whet Owl, Black-
backed Three-toed Woodpecker, Boreal Chickadee, Bohemian Waxwing, Carolina
Wren and Western Tanager.
Abbreviations used: ADBC—Alan Devoe Bird Club; SBC—Schenectady Bird Club;
AR—Alcove Reservoir; BM—Black Mountain; CL—Collins Lake; EG—East Greenbush;
GR—Galway Reservoir; JL—Jenny Lake; MR—Mohawk River; RL—Round Lake;
SCR—Stony Creek Reservoir; SL—Saratoga Lake; TR—Tomhannock Reservoir; VFG—
Vischer Ferry Game Management Area.
Observers: GB—Guy Bartlett; HB—Hortense Barten; JHB, BB—James and Barbara
Bush; LB, VB—Lee and Virginia Burland; JC—Juanita Cook; HE—Hazel Eddy; PE,
GE—Paul and Georgia Erlenbach; MG, AG—Murray and Alice Giddings; WG—
William Gorman; EH—Esly Hallenbeck; JP, EP—John and Eloise Payne; WBS—
Walton Sabin; BRS—Benton Seguin; RS, MLS—Robert and Mary Lou Shedd; DS—
David Stoner; DJT—Dr. Donald Tucker; PPW—Peter Wickham; JCY—John Yrizarry;
RPY—Robert Yunick; GMZ—Gladys Zimmer.
LOONS—DUCKS: Common Loon: SL Sep 19 (early) (BRS); in usual areas
thru Nov, max 12 SL Oct 16 (BRS). Red-throated Loon: one Nov 13 SL (SBC);
two Nov 14 TR (GB, BRS); one Nov 20 SL (PPW)—only reports. Red-necked
Grebe: one-two at RL and SL Oct 31 (EH)—Nov 14 (SBC). Horned Grebe: first
SL Sep 4 (BRS), thru Nov, max 78 SL Nov 13 (BRS, GB). Pied-billed Grebe:
many reports, last RL Nov 20 (PPW). Great Blue Heron: widely reported, but
fewer numbers than usual, Aug—Oct; last Nov 23, Catskill (JHB). Common Egret:
very scarce, only one—near Medusa Aug 17 (JHB, BB). Green Heron: rather low
numbers, last Sep 29, VFG (EH). No night-herons. Amer. Bittern: only one report
—one near Clifton Park remained to Sep 25 (DJT). WHISTLING SWAN: one
52
above Lock 6 on MR near Cohoes Nov 13 and one (very likely same bird) at TR
Nov 14 (GB, BRS). Canada Goose: first migrant flocks Sep 25, JL (GB) and Sep
29-30 widely, fewer flocks and smaller numbers reported than in other recent years;
last Nov 21, AR (SBC). Brant: flock of 16 at SL Oct 23, 6 remained on Oct 24
(mob); one at SL Nov 19-28 (mob). Snow Goose: three reports—five near Catskill
Oct 12 (fide JHB); 100 SL Oct 23 (BRS); one SL Nov 25 (BRS).
Mallard and Black Ducks recorded in large numbers. Gadwall: a female at SL
Oct 24 (EH, HE); one male at SL Nov 20 (PPW); and five at SCR Nov 21 (Gus
Angst). Amer. Widgeon: Sep 25, SCR (BRS)—Nov 20, SL (GB, BRS). EURO¬
PEAN WIDGEON: a male in full plumage at SCR Oct 9 feeding with several
Amer. Widgeon, many of which were still in partial eclipse (BRS). Pintail: Sep 4,
SCR (BRS)-Nov 14, SL (SBC). Green-winged Teal: Sep 4, SCR (BRS)-Nov 21,
AR (SBC). Blue-winged Teal: at least 1000 appeared at SCR Sep 24, but stayed
only that day (Dirck Benson); last Oct 31, CL (EH). Shoveler: up to five at RL
Oct 2-16 (BRS et al) and two at AR Oct 17 (BRS). Wood Duck: last Oct 31, CL
(EH). Redhead: four reports—one SCR Oct 2 (BRS); six RL Oct 30 (BRS); one
SL Nov 1 (DS); six SL Nov 14 (SBC). Scaup: first Sep 29, GR (EH); appeared
generally Oct 9-12. Common Goldeneye: first Oct 16, SL (BRS), many by mid-Nov.
Bufflehead: first Oct 17, CL (EH), thru end of period. Oldsquaw: first Oct 16, TR
(PPW); small group on SL Oct 20 to end of period (mob), max 15 Nov 20 (BRS);
three on MR at Niskayuna Nov 1 (DS). White-winged Scoter: only at SL, Oct 9
(BRS) to end of period, max 26 Oct 23 (BRS). Surf Scoter: one SL Oct 9 and eight
SL Oct 23 (BRS)—only reports. Common Scoter: flock of 22 repeatedly “buzzed”
TR without landing Oct 16 (PPW); also one on L George at Silver Bay Oct 23—24
(JCY), two on RL Oct 9-10, two (not always the same) on SL Oct 16-30 and one
SL to Nov 20 (mob). Ruddy Duck: three AR Oct 31 (PPW, WG); two TR Nov 6
(SBC); four MR at Niskayuna Nov 1 (DS); one RL Novl3-20 (BRS, GB) and one
AR Nov 21 (SBC). Hooded Merganser: first Sep 12, JL (GB); reported generally
Oct 9-16 to end of period. Common Merganser; first Sep 8, GR (EH); very few un¬
til Nov. Red-breasted Merganser: first Oct 16, TR and SL (PPW, BRS) to end of pe¬
riod.
HAWKS—OWLS: Turkey Vulture: reported mainly from Greene, Columbia and
western Albany Co, last Oct 2, Schodack Center (LB, VB). BLACK VULTURE: two
carefully identified in a group of five vultures near Old Chatham Sep 16 (HB).
Goshawk: only one—near VFG Nov 13 (GB, BRS). Sharp-shinned Hawk: only
reports—one, Canaan Sep 1, 15, 18 (JP, EP) and one Sep 19, RL (BRS). Cooper’s
Hawk: only five reports, last Nov 13, RL (SBC). Red-shouldered Hawk: only four
reports. Broad-winged Hawk: several reports, last Oct 12, L Taghkanic (LB, VB).
Rough-legged Hawk: two Oct reports, first Oct 12 (EH); several Nov records. Bald
Eagle: one imm Sep 6 VFG (RS, MLS)—only report. GOLDEN EAGLE: one
injured first-year imm picked up near Corinth Nov 14, subsequently died, and is in
the N.Y. State Museum Collection (fide WBS). Marsh Hawk: at least 13 individuals
reported, last Oct 24, Ghent (PE, GE). Osprey: reported from few localities, last
Nov 14, SL (late) (SBC). PIGEON HAWK: one adult Sep 19 RL (BRS)-only
report. Sparrow Hawk: considered numerous late Aug and Sep by some observers.
Rails and gallinules seemed extremely scarce: only reports—Virginia Rail, one VFG
Aug 28 and one VFG Sep 6 (RPY). Coot: at SL, TR and R from Oct 16 on; max 98
Nov 13 SL (SBC).
Semipalmated Plover: only report two Sep 29 GR (EH). Killdeer: reported
widely thru end of period. GOLDEN PLOVER: one feeding with “dozen or so”
Killdeer on a grassy field in EG Sep 8 and 10 (LB, VB), and one feeding with
about 25 Killdeer on a grass-covered field, Clifton Pk, Sep 23-24 (DJT). Amer.
Woodcock: few records; last Oct 16, Grafton (RPY). Common Snipe: last Oct 23
VFG (RPY). Spotted Sandpiper: last Sep 20 Ghent (PE, GE). Solitary Sandpiper:
few records; last Sep 20 Ghent (PE, GE). Greater Yellowlegs: several reports into
53
Nov, last Nov 14, SL (SBC). Pectoral Sandpiper: Sep 19 RL (BRS); Sep 29 GR
(EH); Oct 17 AR (BRS). WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER: three records, all late-
three Oct 17 AR (BRS), two Nov 6 TR (SBC), two Nov 13-14 SL (SBC). Least
Sandpiper: last Sep 4, Lock 7 MR (BRS). Dunlin: only reports—one Nov 6 TR
(SBC) and two SL Nov 13 (BRS, GB). Semipalmated Sandpiper: only four reports,
Sep 29—Oct 17. NORTHERN PHALAROPE: one observed at close range at VFG
Sep 6 (RS, MLS).
Great Black-backed Gull: only reports—Hudson R near Castleton Oct 16 (JC)
and one SL Nov 20 (PPW). Bonaparte’s Gull: only reports-two SL Oct 30 (BRS,
DJT, PPW) and two SL Nov 13 (GB, BRS). Yellow-billed Cuckoo: reported into
mid-Sep, last Oct 18, Old Chatham (HB) and Oct 20, Ghent (PE, GE). Black¬
billed Cuckoo: reported to mid-Sep, last Sep 26, BM (PPW) and Oct 18, Ghent
(PE, GE). Screech Owl: reported at Scotia (EH), VFG (RPY) and EG (WG).
Great Horned Owl: reported in several scattered localities. Snowy Owl: only one,
late Oct near Clifton Park (fide WBS). Barred Owl: reported only from JL
(GB). SAW-WHET OWL: one picked up stunned in Glenville was fed, banded,
photographed and released (RPY, EH et al). Another was found freshly killed at
the side of a road in Valley Falls Nov 27 (RS, MLS).
GOATSUCKERS—SHRIKES: Nighthawk: groups seen, mid-Aug to mid-Sep; max
200 Aug 29 Schenectady (RPY); last Sep 20, Ghent (PE, GE). Chimney Swift:
lingered into late Sep; last Oct 3 (late), Schodack Center (LB, VB). Ruby-
throated Hummingbird: thru Sep; last Oct 5, Chatham Center (MG, AG). Pileated
Woodpecker: reported widely. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: migrants Sep 21 Scotia
(EH)-Oct 16 TR (PPW). BLACK-BACKED THREE-TOED WOODPECKER: a
female near Hague Oct 23 (JCY) and a female near Catskill Nov 6 (JHB). Eastern
Kingbird: several reports early Sep; last Sep 12, Canaan (JP, EP). Crested Fly¬
catcher: some migrants noted in late Aug; last Sep 6, Canaan (JP, EP). Phoebe:
to mid-Oct; last Oct 16, Ghent (PE, GE). Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: Aug 29 EG
(PPW), Sep 5 Ghent (PE, GE) and Sep 6 Castleton (JC). Traill* s Flycatcher:
decided movement Aug 27—Sep 11 at VFG—six banded, max 3 Aug 28 (RPY).
Least Flycatcher: also banded thru Sep 11 at VFG (RPY). Wood Pewee: several
Sep reports, last Sep 21 (EH, PE, GE). Olive-sided Flycatcher: one seen and heard
in Ghent Oct 6, late (PE, GE). Swallows lingered quite late, well into Sep; one
“huge flock of mixed swallows” near Castleton on Sep 12 had Tree, Bank, Barn and
Cliff Swallows (JC). Late dates: Tree, Oct 2 Corinth (GB); Barn, Oct 10 Corinth
(GB). Also notable were more than 100 Cliff Swallows observed flying singly or in
small groups on Aug 28 thru Berlin Pass west into a west wind of 15-25 m.p.h.
(PPW).
BOREAL CHICKADEE: one at BM Sep 26 (SBC), and one at a Scotia feeder
Sep 14-17 (EH et al), both very early. Tufted Titmouse: reported widely, many
locations. Red-breasted Nuthatch: heavy migration; first Aug 31, EG (early) (PPW);
several thru end of period. Brown Creeper: good migration; first Sep 19, Rensselaer
(PPW). House Wren: disappeared gradually thru Sep, last Oct 1, Ghent (GE, PE).
Winter Wren: Oct 2, Karner (PPW)-Nov 9, Catskill (JHB). CAROLINA WREN:
only report—one at Amsterdam feeder in late Oct and during Nov (Mrs. Gerald
Fitzgerald). Long-billed Marsh-Wren: last Sep 19, SCR (BRS). Mockingbird: re¬
ported from Ghent, Scotia, Elnora, Schodack and EG. Catbird: most left by early
Oct; last Nov 5, Catskill (BB). Brown Thrasher: few seen after Aug; last Oct 29
(Mary Mickle).
Wood Thrush: last Oct 7 (ADBC). Hermit Thrush: few reports; last Nov 14, TR
(GB, BRS). Swainson’s Thrush: only reports, Sep 10-16, (PPW, PE, GE). Gray¬
cheeked Thrush: only two reports, both from northern areas—one Sep 26, BM (SBC)
and one Oct 24, Silver Bay (JCY). Veery: very few reports, last Sep 21 (EH).
Bluebird: throughout Region, but nowhere common. Golden-crowned Kinglet: heavy
and prolonged migration; first, Sep 26 BM (SBC) and Sep 28 EG (PPW); wide-
54
spread Oct and Nov. Ruby-crowned Kinglet: Sep 18, EG (PPW)— Nov 7 (GB,
BRS); heavy migration. Water Pipit: noted mostly at dried-up shores of local ponds
and reservoirs; Oct 9 Castleton (JC)— Nov 6 TR (SBC). Cedar Waxwing: very
common Aug and Sep, numbers gradually decreasing in rest of period. BOHEMIAN
WAX WING: one carefully identified as it perched on the roof of a building at
Catskill Game Farm Nov 22 (Richard Ryan). Northern Shrike: Nov 13, VFG (GB,
BRS) and Nov 17, Catskill (Catherine Thorne).
VIREOS-WARBLERS: Yellow-throated Vireo: last Sep 29, GR (EH). Solitary
Vireo: migrants Aug 29 EG (PPW)—Oct 2 Karner (PPW). Red-eyed Vireo: re¬
ported into Oct, last Oct 10 (late), VFG (RPY). Warbling Vireo: last Sep 6,
Castleton (JC).
Warblers—Black-and-white: last Sep 29, Athens (Martha Bush). Tennessee: one
banded Sep 11, VFG (RPY) and one banded Oct 10 (late), VFG (RPY) only
reports. Nashville: many reports, Sep 1-28. Parula: Sep 1, Castleton (JC)—Sep 28,
Ghent (PE, GE). Yellow: several reports early Sep, last Sep 15 (ADBC). Magnolia:
many migrants, Aug 31 EG (PPW)—Oct 3 (PPW, JP, EP). Myrtle: main movement
thru Oct; last Nov 6, TR (SBC). Black-throated Green: reports thru Sep; last Oct 9,
Gallupville (GMZ). Blackburnian: Aug 23 GR (EH)—Sep 26 BM (SBC). Chestnut¬
sided: to Sep 28 (ADBC). Bay-breasted: marked wave, Sep 14-28 (ADBC, SBC).
Blackpoll: Sep 1 Ghent (PE, GE)—Oct 17 Ghent (PE, GE). Pine: Old Chatham
Sep 3-6 (HB), Castleton Sep 11 (JC), only reports, Prairie: last Sep 12, Ghent (PE,
GE). Palm: Sep 8 Old Chatham (HB)—Oct 23 Ghent (PE, GE). Ovenbird: last
Sep 6, Canaan (JP, EP). Northern Water-thrush: only report—one Oct 20 Ghent
(PE, GE). Yellow-throat: last Oct 21, EG (Noel Albertson). Wilson’s: at least five
reports, four in early Sep; Sep 3 EG (PPW)—Oct 9 VFG (banded) (RPY).
Canada: migrants Aug 29 EG (PPW)—Sep 6 Castleton (JC). Redstart: several
reports, Sep 3-28.
BLACKBIRDS—SPARROWS: Bobolink: several flocks late Aug, last Sep 3, Castle¬
ton (JC). Red-winged Blackbird: large concentrations migrated during Oct, max
100,000 estimated near Catskill Oct 12 (JHB). Orchard Oriole: at Castleton nesting
area to Sep 6 (JC). Baltimore Oriole: most left in early Sep; last Sep 8, Castleton
(JC); one Oct 9, near VFG (BRS), very late. Rusty Blackbird: Sep 28, EG (PPW)
—Nov 13, SL (GB, BRS). Common Grackle: large flocks, late Aug—Oct, max 75,000
and 45,000 estimated Oct 13 and 14 near Catskill (JHB). WESTERN TANAGER:
an imm male at Silver Bay Oct 23 (“not unlike an imm female Scarlet [Tanager]
[but] . . . bright yellow on the breast and under-tail coverts .... middle coverts of
the wing a bright yellow, the secondary coverts margined with white, thus two
pronounced wing-bars, the yellow more so than the white”—JCY)—second 1965
record in Region. Scarlet Tanager: last Sep 28, Ghent (PE, GE). Rose-breasted
Grosbeak: many in Sep, last Sep 28, Ghent (PE, GE). Indigo Bunting: last Sep 19,
EG, (PPW) and Sep 20, Castleton (JC). Evening Grosbeak: became uncommon at
JL (nesting area) after Sep 16 (GB); first migrants Sep 29, Schodack Center (LB,
VB), widely Oct 3—10. Purple Finch: after Oct, quite scarce in most areas. Pine
Grosbeak: first Nov 7 at EG (PPW) and Greenville (Clarissa Ketcham), widespread
by end of period. Redpoll: first Nov 13, Old Chatham (PPW), flocks of up to 50
later in Nov. Pine Siskin: first Oct 11, VFG (Marjorie Foote, M. McGuirk), widely
later in Oct and Nov. Red Crossbill: one report—12 Nov 6 TR (SBC). White-winged
Crossbill: lone report—five Nov 20 Lisha Kill (DS). Rufous-sided Towhee: last Oct
21 (ADBC).
Sparrows: Savannah: few reported, last Oct 24, Silver Bay (JCY). Vesper: last
Oct 27, Chatham Center (MG, AG). Slate-colored Junco: first migrant Sep 6
(early), VFG (RPY); large influx in early Oct. Tree: general influx Oct 24—30, large
groups noted. Chipping: lingered to late Oct, last Nov 1, Catskill (JHB). Field:
few reports, last Oct 26, Loudonville (Mabel French). White-crowned: good mi¬
gration, Sep 15 Old Chatham (HB)—Nov 20 Lock 7 (GB, BRS). White-throated:
55
first Sep 6, VFG (RPY) and Canaan (JP, EP), widely by Sep 20, some thru period.
Fox: first Oct 2 (BRS), major influx Oct 23-30, last Nov 12, RL (HE). LIN¬
COLN’S: Sep 4 VFG (BRS)-Oct 10 VFG (RPY); at least 19 reported in this pe¬
riod, with seven banded at VFG in early Oct (RPY). Swamp: Oct 31, VFG (RPY)
Lapland Longspur: at least three with Snow Buntings at AR Oct 31 (PPW, WG).
Snow Bunting: first—one Oct 21, North L (JHB, BB), several flocks Oct 30-31 and
into mid-Nov.
12 Columbia Drive, East Green bush, N.Y. 12061
REGION 9 — DELAWARE-HUDSON
Edward D. Treacy
Temperatures were moderate throughout the entire season without any extremes
recorded. The drought of the past several years was somewhat alleviated by a few
day-long rains which raised reservoirs about a third above their lows of last year. The
even lowering of temperatures as the season progressed produced a rather unspec¬
tacular migration for most species. Only a few weak waves of warblers were repor¬
ted and those only from Dutchess Co. Ducks were in good numbers, and jays and
blackbirds in enormous flocks. Northern visitors began arriving early and at the close
of the season were well represented.
Abbreviations : MBC—Mearns Bird Club; RAS— Rockland Audubon Soc.; WBC—
Waterman Bird Club; Dutch—Dutchess Co.; Oran—Orange Co.; Rock—Rockland Co.;
Ulst—Ulster Co.; West—Westchester Co.; USMA—U.S. Military Academy at West
Point; FHW—Fyke Nature Assoc. Annual Hawk Watch at Mt. Peter, Orange Co.
daily from Sep 4—Sep 26 and from Oct 2—Oct 17.
Contributors : EA—Ethel Abrams; BA—Bob Augustine; MB—Martin Borko; GD—
George Decker; R & LD—Robert and Louise Deed; MD—Margaret Dye; JD—John
Dye; ME—Martha Earl; EG—Edwin Gamble; PG—Pat Garthwaite; FG—Florence
Germond; TG—Tom Gilbert; DG—Dick Guthrie; PH—Paul Haight; TH—Thelma
Haight; FH—Fred Hough PJ—Paul Jeheber; AJ—Alice Jones JK—Jim Key; MK—
Mary Key; HM—Helen Manson; AM—Al Merritt; BM—Barbara Merritt; Dr HM—Dr
Heinz Meng; KN—Ken Niven; JO—Jack Orth; EP—Eleanor Pink; RP—Dr. Robert
Pyle; F & RS—Frank and Ruth Steffens; ET—Edward Treacy; SU—Sarah Uhelyi;
MVW—Marion VanWagner; OW—Otis Waterman; HW—Hans Weber.
LOONS—DUCKS: Common Loon: only two reported, Roundout Res., Oct 30 (MB
et al). RED-NECKED GREBE: always rare; one very early, Oct 27, Long Pond,
USMA, West Pt (MD, BM). Horned Grebe: more reports than usual, scattered
dates and numbers, only one large flock, on Ashokan Res. Nov 19 (HW et al).
Double-crested Cormorant: rarely reported before; as many as six from Aug 18-29
in the Hudson off Cornwall; one, Vanderberg Cove, Dutch Aug 28, far up river for
this species. Great Blue Heron: numbers still low throughout Region. Green Heron:
normal to slightly less. Little Blue Heron: only report-three white imm at Brown’s
Pond, Newburgh Aug 22 (M & JD). Common Egret: only two reports, both from
Brown’s Pond, Newburgh (possibly the same bird) Aug 22 and Sep 5 (M &JD).
American Bittern: two Oct 9, Crugars Is; one at Chester Nov 7. Canada Goose:
migration as heavy as it can be, described as excellent by most reporters; extended
throughout period with earliest flight on Aug 19 (MD); Largest flock 1,000 plus Nov
10 at West Pt. Snow Goose: 23 Blooming Grove, Oran on Oct 23 (B & AM); 18
Clove Valley, Dutch Nov 9 (HM, GD). Mallard & Black Duck: residents bred in
56
unusually large numbers throughout much of Region bringing fall populations to new
highs. Gadwall: Two summered at Iona Sanctuary, Bear Mt Pk (JO). Pintail: Only
one reported, Millbrook, Nov 10 (MK). Green-winged Teal: first, five Aug 30,
Dutch; max 136 at Crugars Is Oct 22; last Nov 19 Ashokan Res. Blue-winged Teal:
numbers normal, first Aug 30. Wood Duck: good breeding record during summer
raised fall populations throughout Region; 30 plus thru Oct and early Nov, West
Nyack area. Red-head: always uncommon, one male and three females on Toma¬
hawk L Oct 2 (ME); one female Oct 14, Clove Valley (HM, GD). Bufflehead:
arrived mid-Oct in most areas; five females spent all of Nov and most of Dec on
Garrison’s Pond, Fort Montgomery until ice forced them out. Oldsquaw: more re¬
ports than usual; first, two Oct 31, early, Rondout Res; ten on Kiamesha L Nov 14
(MB); one at Verbank, Dutch (P & TH). Hooded Merganser: only reports come
from Dutch, about 30—better than usual. Common Merganser: extraordinarily early
arrival, four Sep 22 on Hudson at Cornwall (MD); normal late Oct and Nov.
HAWKS—OWLS: Turkey Vulture: normal; last, Oct 27. Goshawk: one reported
over the Shawangunks Sep 19 (DrHM). Sharp-shinned and Coopers Hawks:
numbers low in most areas, but FHW produced about three times as many as last
year, and about seven times the usual average—359 Sharpies and 39 Coopers; peak
movements of both species on Oct 11. Red-tailed Hawk: normal for most of Region;
FHW had 152, also about seven times the usual average, peak Oct 16. Red¬
shouldered Hawk: none reported from most of Region; FHW had phenomenal
number 36, three times the number last year, and many times their usual average;
peak, nine Oct 16. Broad-winged Hawk: the usual concentrations in most areas; low
on FHW compared with last year, 1,532; no real peak noted, numbers rather evenly
distributed throughout latter half of Sep. An interesting report of a hawk of this
species being killed in West when, while carrying a snake in its talons, it flew
through the open window of a car being driven by Mrs George Adam of Middle
Patent. No mention of how Mrs. Adam fared. Rough-legged Hawk: only two reports,
both from Dutch, one each Nov 10 and 11. Bald Eagle: very scarce; one in Dutch
Aug 23; one at Nanuet, Rock Sep 16; two at Rondout Res Oct 30; one at Tomahawk
L, Oran Nov 25; one spent month of Nov at the USMA, and was still there as of this
writing; only one on the FHW, Oct 17. Marsh Hawk: numbers up over previous
years; FHW had 49 birds, double their usual number. Osprey: very good numbers
throughout Sep and Oct; FHW total 145, well above their high of 86 last year.
Peregrine Falcon: numbers very low; WBC reported one Oct 17 and MBC three
from Sep 18 to 22; FHW—only four in 30 days of watching. Merlin: one Oc£ 16 at
Cross River Res, West, two Sep birds on FHW—more than usual. Kestrel: FHW had
473, with 210 on Sep 11; numbers good throughout most of Region, but seemed
lower in Dutch. Ruffed Grouse: population seems about as high as last year, which
was good. Bobwhite: one at Pleasantville, West Oct 17—any record for southern
part of Region is good. Ring-necked Pheasant: numbers seem reduced but not
significantly. Common Gallinule: one Nov 5, Clove Valley, Dutch (HM, GD). Coot:
35 reported in Dutch in Oct, 29 of them Oct 31. Killdeer: 500 plus reported in Dutch
thru Oct 23—“Very, very plentiful.”—no where near that many elsewhere. Golden
Plover: none, Oran for first time in several years: only reports, five Oct 24 and one
Oct 28 Dutch. Black-bellied Plover: six Aug 22, Cornwall; one Aug 29, Ashokan
Res; one, Oct 24 (very late for Region) at Pine Plains (EP). Woodcock: well
reported from Oran and West but few elsewhere. Common Snipe: sparingly reported.
WILLET: very rare in our area; one Aug 23 Cornwall Bay (MD, EA). Pectoral
Sandpiper: fewer than usual in fall, but numbers good in Dutch. Least and Semi-
palmated Sandpipers: numbers down in most parts, but were good in Rock, possibly
due to a rerouting of Rt. 304 which opened up a formerly inaccessible end of L De-
Forest where extensive mud flats were exposed. SHORT-BILLED DO WITCHER:
at north end of L DeForest on Aug 10-fifth record for Rock (F & LD). NORTHERN
PHALAROPE: one in fall plumage Aug 23 at Peronah L, Liberty, observed from
57
as close as four feet (DG). Gulls: all residents normal. Black-backed Gull: up
slightly in the southern part. Bonaparte’s Gull: two, Aug 23 at Cornwall Bay (MD,
EA). Common Tern: two, Aug 23 at Cornwall Bay (MD, EA). BLACK TERN:
very rare—one Sep 1, Peronah L Liberty. (DG). Mourning Dove: numbers good;
Irma Dewitt added a mid-Oct nesting record from the New Paltz area. Yellow-billed
Cuckoo: one Oct 22, late, at Blooming Grove, Oran. (ME) Owls: no marked
change in local species. Snowy Owl: three reports; one at Poughkeepsie Nov 5 (AJ);
one at East Pk, Dutch (TG) Nov 13; one Ashokan Res Nov 19 (HW). Long-Eared
Owl: one at East Pk on Oct 29 and Nov 10 (TG). Saw-whet Owl: one Oct 14 at
Clove Valley (HM).
GOATSUCKERS—STARLING: Nighthawk: normal movement; flights on Aug 18,
19, Sep 6, and 10. Chimney Swift: thousands reported on Sep 3, Ruby-throated
Hummingbird: good numbers in early Sep; last, on Sep 20. Yellow-bellied Sap-
sucker: fairly good quantities in Sept. BLACK-BACKED THREE-TOED WOOD¬
PECKER: a male at Red Oaks Mill, Dutch from Oct 19 at same location where
female wintered last year. WESTERN KINGBIRD: one Nov 21 at Lagrangeville,
Dutch (HM, EP), observed from 50 to 2000 ft. for over an hour with 7 x 50
binoculars and three 30x telescopes—all field marks noted. Flycatchers: all residents
present in normal numbers. Olive-sided Flycatcher: usual fall representation the first
week of Sep. Tree Swallow: maximum numbers during mid-Sep; “thousands” at
USMA on Sep 6 (MD), “hundreds” at New Paltz on Sep 19 and at Cornwall on
Sep 21. Cliff Swallow: at Croton Res. Aug 28 (Tom Howe). GRAY JAY: one
appeared at the feeder of Leslie Pearl in Amawalk, West on Nov 24. He is well
acquainted with this species in Maine. Blue Jay: some very large flights noted,
numbers high throughout period. Fish Crow: usually reported in spring; one reported
at Poughkeepsie this fall—no dates given. Common -Crow: migrants reported lower
in most areas, but resident populations up locally at close of the season. BOREAL
CHICKADEE: one at Valhalla on Oct 14 (BA). Red-breasted Nuthatch: more
reports than ever before: first, mid-Aug and good numbers to end of period. Brown
Creeper: normal to slightly less. House Wren: always rare after mid-Oct; one, very
late, Oct 28 in Dutch (HM, CD). Winter Wren: good numbers during Oct, less
during Nov. SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN: one observed closely in an over¬
grown field near Stone Ridge, Ulst. on Oct 7 (FH)—first fall record in that area;
almost never reported throughout the rest of Region. Mockingbird: continues to
increase, regularly observed in some areas. Catbird: one Oct 21, very late, Monticello
(KN). Hermit Thrush: one of the largest migrations that your reporter can recall
occurred during the week after Oct 30; dozens reported throughout the Region.
Swainson’s Thrush: normal migrants—one Nov 1, late, at Chester (SU). Gray¬
cheeked Thrush: five reports from Oran and only a few elsewhere; one Nov 10, late,
on USMA (PJ). Veery: one at Standfordville, Dutch on Oct 2—late (FG). Bluebird:
the usually high numbers of fall migrants; as many as 30 Aug 26 at USMA (PJ).
Golden-crowned Kinglet: arrived late in Dutch but numbers normal to better
throughout Region. Ruby-crowned Kinglet: normal to better. Water Pipit: late arriv¬
al, scarce compared with other years; a few flocks reported; 150 at Ashokan Res Sep
30 (DG) the largest. Cedar Waxwing: good numbers of summer prevailed through
the fall. Northern Shrike: one extremely early on Aug 22, Millbrook, Dutch (M &
JK) well identified, all field marks noted by two experienced birders; one at USMA,
Nov 17 (PJ). Loggerhead Shrike: only report—one at L DeForest Sep 6 (F & RS).
VIREOS—WARBLERS: Yellow-throated Vireo: numbers about normal; one, very
late, Poughkeepsie, Oct 6 (WBC). Red-eyed Vireo: low numbers of summer con¬
tinued into fall; one Oct 13, late, at Millbrook (MVW); an adult feeding begging
young at Crugars Is, Sep 17 (DG). Philadelphia Vireo: one killed by a cat at
Germonds, Rock Oct 10 (EG). Worm-eating warbler: two very late Dutch records:
one Oct 13 and one Oct 15, both at Red Oaks Mills (J & MK). Orange-crowned
Warbler: one unverified report, Sep 16 in Dutch. Cape May Warbler: numbers less
than usual. Chestnut-sided Warbler; A fairly late bird was killed on striking a
58
window in West Nyack on Oct 14 (EG). Bay-breasted Warbler; only three reports
in Dutch and not many more elsewhere, numbers quite low this season. Blackpoll
Warbler: two later than usual, one at Cornwall Oct 24 (M & JD), and one at New
Paltz Nov 3 (RP). Connecticut Warbler: two records from Dutch, both at Rochdale
Sep 11 and Sep 19; one at Pleasantville, West Sep 2. Yellow-breasted Chat: only
records—one Sep 10 and one Oct 2, Dutch; numbers no better than last year, still
severely low. Wilson’s Warbler: numbers were good; one, late, Oct 10 at Rochdale
(EP). Canada Warbler: few; first, Aug 16 & 17 in Dutch, peak around Sep 7—9.
BLACKBIRDS—SPARROWS: Blackbirds: huge flights throughout the entire sea¬
son; the largest flight your reporter has ever seen. Almost every weekend saw long
lines of grackles, redwings etc. passing overhead. Several hundred birds per minute
were counted with lines often lasting for better than an hour at a time. Scarlet
Tanager: numbers lower than usual in fall; last, one Sep 29 at Rochdale (PG). Rose¬
breasted Grosbeak: normal; one, very late, Oct 13 at Rochdale (PG). Indigo
Bunting; scarce. Evening Grosbeak: arrived early (Oct 6) and in good numbers;
most areas reported them thru the end of period. House Finch: continues to increase
and spread northward. Pine Grosbeak; first, Oct 28 in Dutch and not much later
throughout the rest of Region; also in good numbers. Pine Siskin: arrived throughout
much of Region on Oct 30; plentiful to end of period. Red Crossbill: appeared in
Aug near the home of Sanford Cross in Alligerville, Ulst. White-winged Crossbill:
good numbers during the first half of Nov over much of Region—Dutch Nov 2, West
Nov 6, Oran Nov 15. Henslow Sparrow : always rarely reported; two on Oct 10 at
Rochdale (MVW, EP). Slate-colored Junco: two Aug 30 at Deep Hollow, Dutch
probably summered; first migrants in mid-Sep through most of Region; in good
numbers during the early part of Oct; numbers low for residents at end of period.
Tree Sparrow: first two Oct 23 in Dutch; scarce. CLAY-COLORED SPARROW:
one studied at length at New Paltz by Drs. Heinz Meng and Robert Pyle on Oct 12.
White-crowned Sparrow: two Sep 28 at Rochdale—early; WBC reports numbers low
in Dutch, but RAS reports more than usual. White-throated Sparrow: good numbers
in Sep, less toward end of period. Fox Sparrow: numbers low but scattered birds
reported thru Oct and Nov. Lincoln’s Sparrow: more than usual; ten reported from
Dutch after Oct 21; singles from Oran, Sep 21, and West, Oct 16. Lapland Long-
spur: three, Oct 23 early, at Pine Plains (FG), Snow Bunting: appeared sparingly in
northern part of Region; Oct 1 & 24 in Dutch, Oct 19 in Ulst and Oct 26 in Sull.
Pellwood Lake, Highland Falls, 10928
REGION 10 — MARINE
Thomas H. Davis and Fred Heath
Only two years ago the Region experienced its biggest flight of crossbills since the
beginning of this century, and abnormally high numbers of jays, nuthatches, chicka¬
dees, woodpeckers and “winter finches” were present. It was therefore a surprise to
see nuthatches and chickadees swarming about in late August and September,
hundreds of jays and many woodpeckers in September and October, and by the end
of October, Black-backed Three-toed Woodpecker, Boreal Chickadee, Evening
Grosbeak, both crossbills and Pine Grosbeak. In early November several Redpoll
reports completed the list.
Even bigger than the finch migration was a tremendous incursion of Saw-whet
Owls. From the unusually early date of September 28 thru the period, 91 reports
were received. Three banding stations which left nets up at night caught 57 Saw-
whets. The peak wave on October 17 spread from Nantucket, Mass, to Queen Annes
County, Md., with 15 netted at the three Long Island banding stations. The influx
59
was not over by November 30. (Ed. Note: space limitations have dictated postponing
publication of complete details of this invasion until the May issue.)
Northern sea-birds also appeared early and well-distributed throughout the Region.
Harlequin Duck set a new arrival date and Common Eider was recorded very early.
Alcids, our most irregular and unpredictable winter visitors, were reported nearly
everyday from November 11 through the period, from Montauk Point to Point
Lookout and even inland on Long Island.
Flights of landbirds seemed poor in numbers this fall, and more flights than usual
fell on weekdays when few observers were in the field. Banding stations and ob¬
servers reported the following species in far less than normal numbers: thrushes
(especially Hermit, Swainson’s and Gray-cheeked), Ruby-crowned Kinglet, all vireos
(except possibly Warbling), most warblers, White-Throated Sparrow, Swamp Spar¬
row and Song Sparrow. The Slate-colored Junco migration was so poor that it
might almost be labeled a disaster. Banding stations reported very few individuals of
this usually abundant fall migrant and observers noted maxima of less than two
hundred during the last week of October—very late. It is suspected that juncos are
tarrying longer in the North rather than decreasing—note the unusually laige num¬
bers of juncos on last year’s New England Christmas Counts when one would expect
a concentration much further South.
Again, data from bird-banding stations has provided the basis for a statistical
analysis of the fall passerine migration. Reports were received from five Long Island
banding stations as follows: Atlantic Beach—Richard Cohen (over 1200 birds banded
on a nearly daily operation, Aug 1—Oct 31); Brookhaven—Walter Terry, Dennis
Puleston (5,115 birds banded in 86 days, Aug 1—Oct 31, 5236 net hours); Hunting-
ton —Dr. Wesley Lanyon (over 1500 birds banded, daily to early September, week¬
ends to early November); Tiana—LeRoy Wilcox (2202 birds banded in 51 days,
daily except Sundays, Aug 30—Oct 30, 1018 net-hours); Tobay—Thomas H. Davis,
Frederick Schaeffer, Frank Enders (3607 birds banded in 34 days, mostly weekends,
Jul 31—Oct 31, 4373 net-hours). All told, these five stations banded a total of about
14,000 birds of nearly 125 species.
Notable rarities were Eared Grebes, Magnificent Frigatebird, Fulvous Tree Ducks,
Purple Gallinule, Sooty Tern, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Warbler,
Lark Bunting and Harris Sparrow.
Abbreviations used: JBWR—Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge; AMNH—American
Museum of Natural History; LLAS—Lyman Langdon Audubon Society; net-netted.
For the following locations only the first word is used: Inwood Hill Park, Jones
Beach State Park, Pelham Bay Park, Riis Park, Tobay Wildlife Sanctuary and Van
Cortlandt Park. For banding stations: AtlB—Atlantic Beach; Brook—Brookhaven;
Hunt—Huntington.
Contributors frequently cited: FB—Frank Bader; PB—Paul Buckley; JB—John
Bull; TD—Thomas Davis; LE—Leonard Epstein; FE—Frank Enders; RF—Robert
Fisher; HH—Helen Hays; JH—Joseph Horowitz; WH—William Houston; PM—Paul
Mayer; LM—Lee Morgan; WN—William Norse; RP—Richard Plunkett; DP—Dennis
Puleston; GR—Gilbert Raynor; SS—Si Stepinoff; RS—Robert Sutherland; GT—Guy
Tudor; CW—Cornelius Ward; LW—LeRoy Wilcox; JY—John Yrizarry.
LOONS—DUCKS: Eared Grebe: JBWR Oct 19 thru period, two present from
Nov 7 (mob)—fourth consecutive fall report here. Cory’s Shearwater: Montauk—
two Sep 5 (LE, RS) and 80, Oct 12 (TD, RS, FB, WH). Gannet: max 200 plus, off
Jones Oct 24 (FB). MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD: adult female Sep 18, Brook¬
haven (DP et al)—color photographed. Glossy Ibis: counts at roosts—83 Aug 25
Canarsie Pol, 52 Aug 27 Lawrence Marsh (both LE, HH)—highest counts for Re¬
gion; one remained at JBWR to Nov 26 (mob). Am. Flamingo: Sep 2, Mecox
60
(LW); disappeared, then turned up Sep 9—Oct 16 at Shinnecock Inlet (mob) —
probably an escape. Mute Swan: imm Sept 5 Tobay (CW)— unusual here. Whistling
Swan: adult and imm with Mute Swans Oct 20 Montauk (GR)—earliest fall record
for Region; Nov 20 Pt Lookout (CW).
Brant: max 10,000 Nov 21 JBWR (WN). Snow Goose: max 40, Oct 27 Brook-
haven (DP). Blue Goose: Oct 31 Tobay (TD, P. Meyer et al). FULVOUS TREE
DUCK: Oct 31—Nov 1, Van (WN, SS); one captured alive by cat Nov 12 Bellport
(fide JB)—4th and 5th records for Region. Green-winged Teal: max 200 plus, Nov
21 JBWR (WN). European Widgeon: drake Oct 6 thru period JBWR (mob).
Ring-necked Duck: Sep 27 JBWR (WN)—early. Greater Scaup: max at JBWR—300
on Oct 17, 7000 Nov 21 (both WN). Bufflehead: max 1000 plus, Nov 21 JBWR
(WN)—appears to be rapidly increasing on Western Long Island over past three
years (990 Dec 22, ’63 Bronx Christmas Count and 1000 Dec 27, ’64 Bronx C C—
highest counts for Region). Harlequin Duck: drake Oct 20 Montauk (GR)—earliest
record for Region; four females Nov 27 Montauk (GR); drake Nov 27 Pt Lookout
(TD, S. Anes et al). Common Eider: Oct 2 Montauk (LM, RF)—very early. Surf
Scoter: eight Aug 22 Jones (TD). Hooded Merganser: max 150 plus, Nov 21
JBWR (WN)—highest count for Region.
HAWKS—OWLS: Sharp-shinned Hawk: seven Oct 24 Jones (CW), Red-tailed
Hawk: Oct 24 Jones (CW). Broad-winged Hawk: imm Oct 10 Jones (S. Schiff et
al). Golden Eagle: adult Nov 11 Montauk (TD, FB, WH)—feathered tarsus seen
as it sat atop pole. Bald Eagle: imm Oct 26-27 Speonk (LW)—eating ducks, “First
seen here in 20 years;” two imm Oct 28 thru period Brookhaven (DP, GR)—compare
dates. Peregrine Falcon: resident bird arrived at JBWR Sep 17 (FB); six Oct 2 Fire
Island (CW)—season total there 24. Sparrow Hawk; 1000 plus, Sep 25 Fire Island
(CW, TD et al). Ruffed Grouse: “Apparently down somewhat from peak of last
two years but many observations of one to seven at Manorville and Upton thru
season” (GR). PURPLE GALLINULE: imm found injured on Westhampton Golf
Course Sep 23 (D. Maxwell.), brought to Quoque Wildlife Refuge where it died Sep
26, specimen preserved—first fall record for Region.
Shorebird reports from JBWR: Am. Oystercatcher: two Oct 6 (JB). Golden
Plover: Aug 23 (A. Magee) to Oct 10 (mob). Willet: to Nov 25 (mob)—latest
record for Region. Greater Yellowlegs: 205 Aug 29 East Pond (TD); 1000 plus,
Sep 27 East Pond (WN)—highest count for Region. Knot: max 50 plus, Sep 27
(WN). Baird’s Sandpiper: Sep 18 (WN). Long-billed Dowitcher; 30 Sep 4 (PB,
WN, JH) to Nov 21, two (WN). Stilt Sandpiper: to Oct 17 (WN). Buff-breasted
Sandpiper: Sep 4-7 (WN, PB, JH et al). Marbled Godwit: Sep 12 (S. Schiff) to
Nov 14 (WN). Hudsonian Godwit: to Oct 26 (LM, GT). Ruff: Sep 25-28 (WN,
M. Kleinbaum). Am. Avocet: Sep 18—25 (mob)—first Regional fall record since 1960.
Northern Phalarope: Aug 29 (I. Cantor).
Golden Plover: two Oct 12 Montauk (TD, RS, FB, WH)—sitting on pebble beach.
Upland Plover: six Aug 12 Kennedy Airport (N. Holgersen); two Sep 14 Piping
Rock Country Club, Lattingtown (L. Nawojchik, R. Cioffi)— late. Solitary Sandpiper:
Oct 31 Van (WN). Greater Yellowlegs: 169 Oct 19 Tobay (TD). Hudsonian
Godwit: two Sep 4—19, one to Oct 2, Tobay (mob); late Aug Hempstead Reservoir
(fide CW). Red Phalarope: four Sep 12 off Jones (Linnaean Boat Trip). Parasitic
Jaeger: two adults Oct 12 Montauk (TD, RS, FB, WH). Little Gull: adult Oct 6
Kennedy Airport (JB); adult Nov 27 Montauk (mob). Black-legged Kittiwake:
Montauk—two Nov 16 (GT), six Nov 27 (mob). SOOTY TERN: two Sep 8 Mecox
Bay (LW). Least Tern: JBWR, one to Oct 10 (mob)—latest record for Region.
Caspian Tern: two Sep 20 Shinnecock (LW); two Oct 2 Tobay (TD, RS); five Oct
2 Sagaponack (LM, RF). Black Skimmer: 2000 Aug 29 JBWR (JB)—highest count
for Region; 700 plus, Oct 3 JBWR (WN). Razorbill: Montauk—four Nov 16 (GT,
LM), two Nov 27 (LE, FE, GR, RS), two Nov 28 (DP). Dovekie: at Montauk—
61
eight Nov 11 (TD, FB, WH), five Nov 13 (LLAS), 31 Nov 16 (LM, GT), eight
Nov 27 (LE, FE, GR, RS); at Pt Lookout—two Nov 14 (TD, LM, FE), two Nov 27
(TD, FB); at Shinnecock Inlet—one Nov 16 (SS), one Nov 21 (DP, GR); one
Nov 21 Blue Pt (DP)—five miles inland, found alive in field.
Barn Owl: Nov 21 Oak Beach (CW et al). Barred Owl: Sep 26 Inwood (WN) —
migrant. SAW-WHET OWL: large invasion; first, one found dead Sep 28 Jones
(fide JB). Of 91 reports received, two were in Sep, 56 in Oct and 33 in Nov.
Banding station totals—12 at Hunt Oct 10-31; 14 at Tobay Oct 3-31; 31 at AtlB Sep
30—Nov 30; also six captured and banded along Jones strip Nov 21 and 27 (TD).
There were no repeats at the banding stations nor were any banded birds recovered
at any other locality. Complete details in May issue.
GOATSUCKERS—STARLING: Yellow-shafted Flicker: peak, (14) net Sep 26
Tobay. Red-headed Woodpecker: only reports— imm Oct 9 Jones (LE et al) and
imm Oct 27 Riis (FB). Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: 13 net AtlB Sep 26—Oct 9, max
(six) Oct 6; 11 net Tobay Sep 26—Oct 10, max (five) Oct 3; none net Brook. Hairy
Woodpecker: flight year; ten net Brook Sep 3—Oct 30; three net Hunt Sep 4—Oct
2; one each net Tiana and Tobay Oct 19. Downy Woodpecker: flight year; 52 net
Brook Aug 3—Oct 30, peak (22) Oct 17-30; 41 net Tobay July 31—Oct 30, peak
(15) Oct 17-30; 15 net Hunt Aug 15-Oct 17; 14 net AtlB July 31-Oct 11; 11 net
Tiana Aug 30—Oct 30. Black-backecl Three-toed Woodpecker: male Oct 17 Great
Neck (W. Davis); Oct 22 Bronx Pk (D. Rafferty); Nov 16 Brookhaven Nat. Lab.
(SS).
Eastern Kingbird: 910 Aug 29 Riis (TD)—sunrise to 9 AM, migrating in loose
flocks of up to 40 birds, highest count for Region. Western Kingbird: seven (all
coastal) Oct 3-24. SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER: Sep 11 West Gilgo Beach
(TD, FE); Sep 12 Tobay (CW); Sep 16 Jones (E. Levine)—probably all same
bird, fourth fall record for Region. Eastern Phoebe: 32 net Tobay Sep 25—Oct 20,
max (11) Sep 26; 29 net Tiana Sep 27—Oct 15, max (16) Oct 11; max net AtlB
(ten) Oct 11. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: 12 net Hunt Aug 17—Sep 26, peak (five)
Aug 30—Sep 4; one each net Brook Sep 22 and Tobay Sep 4. Acadian Flycatcher:
three net Brook Sep 2, Oct 3 and 4—latest for Region. Traill’s Flycatcher: 14 net
Brook Aug 11—Sep 27; eight net Hunt Aug 12—Sep 18; eight net Tobay July 31—
Sep 25, max (four) Sep 4; one net AtlB Aug 29. Least Flycatcher: 16 net Hunt
July 16—Sep 15, peak (five) Aug 30-31; four net Tobay Sep 4—Oct 9; ten net Brook
Aug 4—Oct 11, latest record for Region; one net Atlb Oct 8. “Empidonax” (probably
Least): two net Tiana Oct 11; Oct 12 Riis (WN, RF, RP); Oct 12 Montauk Pt
(TD, RS); one net Tiana Oct 14.
Blue Jay: flight year; 86 net Brook Aug 4—Oct 26, peak (55) Sep 18—Oct 9; 72
net Hunt Aug 15—Nov 14, peak (37) Sep 18—Oct 17. Black-capped Chickadee:
flight year; 216 net Brook Aug 3—Oct 31, peak (119) Sep 29—Oct 14; 26 net Tobay
Sep 26—Oct 31, peak (19) Sep 26—Oct 10. Boreal Chickadee: Oct 31 Van (WN);
Nov 8 Rye (SS); Nov 28 Montauk (DP). White-breasted Nuthatch: flight year,
usually rare on coast; 12 net Tobay Sep 18—Oct 2; ten net AltB Sep 19—Oct 16;
five net Brook Oct 13-28. Brown Creeper: 50 net Tobay Sep 18—Oct 31, max (19)
Oct 3; 29 net Brook Sep 26—Oct 31, peak (12) Oct 3-4; 19 net Tiana Sep 27—Oct
28, max (eight) Oct 11; max net AtlB (19) Oct 3, (17) Oct 10, (ten) Oct 11.
House Wren: 26 net Brook Aug 1—Oct 5, max (five) Sep 7; four net Tiana, to Oct
26—late. Winter Wren: max 15 at Inwood Oct 11 (WN)—highest count for Region;
nine net Brook Oct 6-31, peak (eight) Oct 6-13. Long-billed Marsh Wren: 17 net
Brook Aug 7—Oct 18, max (three) Sep 26; five net Tobay Sep 19-26, max (three)
Sep 26. Short-billed Marsh Wren: Oct 17 JBWR (WN). Catbird: 437 net Brook
Aug 1—Oct 19, 228 in Aug and 186 in Sep; 178 net Hunt Aug 15—Nov 7, peak
(25) Sep 26 (101 Sep 18—Oct 10); 137 net Tobay July 31—Oct 30, peaks (39)
Sep 4-6 and (16) Sep 26.
Robin: 91 net Tobay Aug 22—Oct 31, peak (27) Oct 30. Wood Thrush: max
62
counts—eight net Tobay Sep 26; nine net Hunt Sep 26. Hermit Thrush: poor flight-
41 net Tobay Oct 16-31, peak (25) Oct 30; eight net Tiana Oct 7-26; 15 net Brook
Oct 3-29; 20, Oct 29 Inwood (WN); 30, Oct 26 Riis (GT). Swainson’s Thrush:
peak net Hunt (77) Sep 26-27; 30 net Brook Aug 30-Oct 13, peak (18) Sep 26-28;
25 net Tobay Sep 18—Oct 20, max (13) Sep 26; 21 net AtlB Sep 7—Oct 29 (one to
Nov 8); max 40, Sep 26 Inwood (WN). Gray-cheeked Thrush: peak net Hunt (24)
Sep 26-27; 21 net Tobay Sep 25-Oct 3, peak (16) Sep 26; 18 net Brook Sep 26-
Oct 14; 13 net AtlB Sep 19—Oct 11; seven net Tiana Sep 20—Oct 11. Veery: 13 net
Tobay Aug 22—Sep 6, peak (ten) Sep 4-5; peak net Hunt (32) Aug 30-31; nine net
Brook Aug 31—Oct 4, peak (seven) Sep 6-8. Blue-gray Gnateatcher: seven reports,
last Oct 29 (net at Tiana). Golden-crowned Kinglet: 52 net Tiana, peak (14) Oct
11; peak net Hunt (21) Oct 17; 21 net Tobay Oct 3-24, peak (eight) Oct 3. Ruby-
crowned Kinglet: poor flight; 116 net Tiana, peak (26) Oct 11; 32 net Tobay Sep
26—Oct 30, peak (six) Oct 17; peaks net AtlB (17) Oct 3 and (12) Oct 11; peak
net Hunt (23) Oct 3. Water Pipit: Sep 7 Montauk (GR)—early. Northern Shrike:
one net Tiana Sep 20—earliest record for Region by a month; Nov 16 Montauk
(LM, GT). Starling: max counts of flocks migrating west along coast—several hun¬
dreds, Tobay Oct 24 (TD); several 1000, Oct 27 Jones (PB, W. Sedwitz); 2000
plus, Nov 7 Riis (TD).
VIREOS—WARBLERS: White-eyed Vireo: two net Brook Aug 17 and Sep 11.
Yellow-throated Vireo: one net Brook Sep 9. Red-eyed Vireo: 31 net Tobay Sep 4—
Oct 17, peak (13) Sep 26. Philadelphia Vireo: only seven reports (incl. one net)
Sep 10—Oct 5. Warbling Vireo: Inwood Sep 7 (WN); four net Tobay, two each
Sep 4 and 5; one net Tiana Sep 9—rare coastal migrant.
Warblers: Black-and-white: 30 net Tobay Sep 19—Oct 24, peak (23) Sep 26;
one net AtlB Nov 8 and one seen Nov 23— extremely late. Worm-eating: one net
Brook Aug 18. “Brewster's”: Aug 22, Inwood (WN). Orange-crowned: nine reports
(incl. two nettings) Sep 23—Oct 20. Nashville: max ten Aug 31 Inwood (WN);
Nov 23 Tryon Pk (S. Raices)—late. Yellow: 155 net Brook, peak (92) Aug 3-14;
one net Tiana Oct 11—very late. Magnolia: 20 net Tobay Sep 4—Oct 3, peak (15)
Sep 25-26; peak net Hunt, ten Sep 26. Myrtle: 411 net Hunt Oct 2—Nov 14, peak
(137) Oct 17; 933 net Tiana Sep 20—Oct 30, peak (213) Oct 11; 1001 net Brook
Aug 13—Oct 31, peaks (268) Oct 11 and (208) Oct 14; 1501 net Tobay Sep 4—Oct
3, peaks (556) Oct 16 and (234) Oct 30. Black-throated Green: max four net
Tobay Sep 26. YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER: Sep 18-19 Riis (J. Mayer, G.
Rose, E. Swayer et al)—fifth fall record for Region (all coastal). Chestnut-sided: one
net Tiana Oct 11—late. Blackpoll: 27 net Tobay Sep 11—Oct 22, peak (nine) Sep 26.
Pine: five reports (incl. three net) Sep 26—Oct 27. Prairie: max five net Tobay Sep
25; net Tiana Oct 26—late. Palm: poor year; first Aug 29 Riis (F. Heath)—early; 45
net Tiana Sep 16—Oct 30, peak (26) Oct 4-13 (268 net last fall); 20 net Tobay
Sep 18—Oct 23; 49 net Brook Sep 14—Oct 28, peak (25) Sep 27—Oct 11. Ovenbird:
15 net Brook Aug 3—Oct 4 (11 in Sep). Northern Waterthrush: 54 net Hunt July
21—Oct 17, peak (nine) Sep 8; 44 net Tobay Aug 1—Oct 9, peak (three) Sep 26;
114 net Brook Aug 1—Oct 14, peak (25) Sep 8—9; four net Tiana, one on Oct 28—
late. Kentucky: one net AtlB Sep 19—color photographed. Connecticut: two net Hunt
Sep 8 and 26; four net Brook Sep 11 (two), 12 and 16; one net Tiana Sep 20; Oct
13 Inwood (WN); Sep 18 Jones (CW). Mourning: three net Hunt Aug 11, Sep 25,
27; three net Brook Sep 15, 16, 30; Aug 30 Inwood (WN); Oct 3 Jones (R. Arbib) —
late. Yellowthroat: 78 net Tobay, peaks (15) Aug 15, Sep 26; 457 net Brook, peaks
(23) Aug 16 and (20) Sep 26; peak net AtlB (16) Sep 26-27; Nov 25 Inwood
(WN)—late. Yellow-breasted Chat: nine net Tiana Aug 30—Oct 25; 13 net Brook
Aug 14—Oct 3; five net Hunt Sep 24—Oct 31; three net Tobay Aug 14, 15, 22; one
net AtlB Sep 13; Sep 17-18 Inwood (WN). Canada: peak net Hunt (14) Aug 29-
30; max 30, Aug 31 Inwood (WN). Redstart: 55 net Tobay Aug 14—Oct 10, peak
(19) Sep 26; 48 net Brook Aug 4—Oct 24, peak (nine) Sep 9.
BLACKBIRDS—SPARROWS: Red-winged Blackbird: 910 Aug 29 Riis (TD)—
63
early movement; max 3000 plus, Nov 2 Riis (TD et al); 800 Nov 2 Inwood (GT,
LM). Baltimore Oriole: max—40 Aug 29 Riis (TD), 200 Aug 22 Tobay (A. Dignan)
—highest counts for Region; 37 net Brook Aug 6—Oct 8, peak (34) Aug 13-25.
Brown-headed Cowbird: max 1500 Nov 27 Pelham (GT). Western Tanager: Sep 30
Inwood (WN); Oct 3 Jones (R. Arbib). Summer Tanager: one net AtlB Sep 15-
color photographed. Blue Grosbeak: Oct 8 Inwood (WN); Nov 9—14 East Marion
(J. Bennett, GR)—very late. Dickcissel; only five reports, Sep 12— Oct 16. Evening
Grosbeak: Oct 16 Jones (fide M. Kleinbaum); two Oct 17 Tobay (TD, FE); Oct 18
Tiana (LW); 20, Oct 20 Inwood (WN)—“daily after this;” max 150 Nov 5 Locust
Valley (W. Astle); four at feeder Nov 12 Manhasset (J. Prior). House Finch:
“flock of 30-40 appeared in mid—Oct at East Marion where previously only a few
strays had been seen.” (GR). Pine Grosbeak: two Oct 25 Inwood (WN); Nov 6
Jones (J. Von Glahn); Nov 16 Montauk (LM).
Redpoll: Nov 1 New Rochelle (SS); two Nov 6 Riis (FB); Nov 7 JBWR (mob);
six Nov 14 JBWR (WN). Pine Siskin: first, Oct 2 Tobay (TD); “largest flight I have
ever seen on Long Island”, counts at Tiana first Oct 6, 400 Oct 18, 600 Oct 19, 1000
Oct 25, 500 Oct 27, 700 Oct 28, 200 Oct 29 (LW); 1000 plus, Jones, Oct 24 (CW)
and Oct 27 (PB, W. Sedwitz). Goldfinch: 86 net Tiana, all but one in Oct; 210 net
Brook, 191 in Oct. Red Crossbill: ten Oct 26 Inwood (WN); seven Nov 2 JBWR
(WN); max 25 Nov 7 Riis (TD, JY); small flocks reported along coast thru Nov
White-winged Crossbill: 25 Oct 29 Inwood (WN); eight Oct 31 East Marion (J.
Bennett); max 50 Nov 7 Riis (TD, JY); 40 Nov 16 Montauk (LM ,GT); reported
along coast in small numbers thru Nov. Rufous-sided Towhee: 55 net Tobay Aug 14
-Oct 19, peak (14) Sep 19; 14 net AtlB Oct 11. LARK BUNTING: one in female
or winter plumage, closely observed in flight at Westhampton Beach Oct 17 (GR)—
“Wing markings, other characteristics clearly seen. I have seen large numbers in the
West.” Savannah Sparrow: 67 net Tobay Sep 11—Oct 31, peak (14) Sep 26; 66 net
Tiana Sep 3—Oct 30, peak (nine) Oct 14; 132 net Brook Sep 8—Oct 31, peak (36)
Oct 14. Grasshopper Sparrow: four reports (inch three net) Oct 6-27. Henslow’s
Sparrow: Oct 11 Inwood (WN). Sharp-tailed Sparrow: migrants net Tobay Aug 15
and Oct 3, Tiana Sep 29, Brook Oct 3; one of the inland race Nov 19 Van (WN).
Seaside Sparrow: migrant net Tiana Aug 30. Vesper Sparrow: max 20, Oct 23
Baxter Creek, Bronx (WN). Lark Sparrow: four reports (inch one net at Tiana)
Sep 19—Nov 27, Montauk (LE, GR, FE, RS)—very late. Slate-colored Junco: poor
flight; net Brook Oct 3-30; nine net Hunt Oct 3-24; 85 net Tiana (579 last fall)
Sep 27—Oct 30, peak (27) Oct 26; 46 net Tobay Oct 3-31, peak (25) Oct 17; peak
net AtlB (35) Oct 25-26. Clay-colored Sparrow: Oct 23 Riis (SS, J. Mayer, G. Rose,
C. Young); Oct 31 Quoque Wildlife Refuge (DP). HARRIS’ SPARROW: adult at
feeder Oct 31—Nov 3, Quogue Wildlife Refuge (LW, DP, GR et al)—photographed,
third record for Region. White-throated Sparrow: 116 net Tobay Sep 18—Oct 31,
peaks (34) Oct 17 and (35) Oct 30; 73 net Brook Sep 11—Oct 29, peak (ten) Oct
16; 130 net Hunt Sep 26—Nov 14, peak (23) Oct 31; peaks net AtlB (49) Oct 11,
(89) Oct 11-13; max 750 plus, Oct 11 Inwood (WN). Lincoln’s Sparrow; 19 net
Brook Sep 14—Oct 29 (three), peak (six) Sep 27-30; seven net, “a few others”
seen Sep 26—Oct 28 Manorville (GR); four net Tiana Sep 21—Oct 14; three each
net Tobay Sep 18—Oct 17, Hunt Sep 27—Oct 10, AtlB Sep 28—Nov 16 (very late).
Swamp Sparrow: 558 net Brook (last fall 1389 net) Aug 20—Oct 31, peak (59)
Oct 14 (502 in Oct); 59 net Tobay Sep 26—Oct 31, peak (18) Oct 30; peak net
Hunt, ten Oct 10. Song Sparrow: poor flight; 570 net Brook (832 last year) Aug 1—
Oct 31, peak (39) Oct 25; 212 net Tobay July 31—Oct 31, peak (34) Oct 17 and
(35) Oct 30; 125 net Tiana (348 last year) Aug 30—Oct 30, peaks (16) Oct 26 and
13 Oct 29; 56 net Hunt Aug 15—Nov 17, peak (17) Oct 31. Snow Bunting: early
arrival; three Oct 17 JBWR (WN); Oct 17 Tobay (TD); Oct 18 Tiana (LW).
Note Please have Winter reports in by April 7 (preferably a week earlier).
T. Davis, 8613-85 Str,, Woodhaven, N.Y. 11421
F. Heath, 11-15 F.D.R. Dr., N.Y.C. 10009
64
REPORTING REGIONS
For descriptions of Regions see Kingbird Voi. IV, Nos. 1 and 2
Available at: A & P, Wegmans, Bohack and many fine independent food
markets—no doubt there is one of the fine markets near your residence.
Recommended by Roger Tory Peterson
FEDERATION OF NEW YORK STATE BIRD CLUBS, INC
1966 Officers
President
Dr. Allen H. Benton .State University of New York, Fredonia 14063
Vice-President
Mr. Watson B. Hastings .18 Appleton Place, Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. 10522
Corresponding Secretary
Mrs. Frederick Marsi.Friendsville Stage, Binghamton 13903
Mrs. R. Barrie Strath
Recording Secretary
.Box 111, Odessa, N.Y. 14689
Mr. Kenneth D. Niven
Treasurer
61 Broadway, Monticello 12701
Editor of THE KINGBIRD
Dorothy W. Mcllroy
419 Triphammer Rd., Ithaca, New York 14850
Appointed Committees
Bulletin Exchange: Miss Elizabeth Manning, 1130 Fifth Avenue, New York 28
Conservation: Maxwell C. Wheat, Jr., 333 Bedell Street, Freeport 11520
Finance: To be announced.
Kingbird Finance: To be announced
Membership: James J. Doherty, 913 Winton Road North, Rochester 14609—acting chairman
State Book: Dr. Gordon M. Meade, National Tuberculosis Association, 1790 Broadway,
New York
Publications and Research: Dr. Edgar M. Reilly, Jr., State Museum, Albany
Bibliography: Dr. Sally Hoyt Spofford, Box 428, Etna 13062
By-laws: Richard Stoss, 1300 Seawdve Drive, Hewlett Harbor 11557
Waterfowl Count: John L. Mitchell, 435 Conrad Drive, Rochester 14616
John J. Elliott Memorial Committee: Cornelius J. Ward, 804 South Ocean Avenue,
Freeport 11520
Elected Committees
Auditing: Edward R. McBride, Cooper's Corner Road, Box 601, Monticello
Jerome Kerner, Box 712, Liberty
Nominating: Dr. David B. Peakall, Syracuse, Ch.; Dr. Neil Moon, Rochester;
Mr. Harold D. Mitchell, Buffalo
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