New York State
Ornithological
Association, Inc.
Vol, 61 No. 3
THE KINGBIRD (ISSN 0023-1606), published quarterly (March, June,
September, December), is a peer-reviewed publication of the New Yock State
Ornithological Association, Inc., which has been organized to further the study of
bird life and to disseminate knowledge thereof, to educate the public in the need for
conserving natural resources, and to document the ornithology of the state and
maintain the official Checklist of the Birds of New York State.
Website: http://nybirds.org
Members of NYSOA receive The Kingbird and the newsletter New York Birders.
Membership is available in the following annual categories:
Individual
$28
Contributing
$50
Family
$30
Kingbird Club
$100
Supporting
$35
Student
$15
Clubs and organizations —variable, inquire.
Institutional subscriptions to The Kingbird are $25 annually.
All amounts stated above are payable in US funds only, with checks payable to
NYSOA Add $10 to all categories for addresses in Canada or Mexico, $20 for
all other non-US addresses.
Applications for membership and subscriptions: New York State Ornithological
Association, Inc., P.O. Box 296, Somers, NY 10589.
Requests for single copies and back numbers ($5.00 each): New York State
Ornithological Association, Inc., P.O. Box 296, Somers, NY 10589.
Postmaster—send address changes to:
THE KINGBIRD , P.O. Box 296, Somers, NY 10589.
©2011 New York State Ornithological Association, Inc. All rights reserved.
NEW YORK STATE ORNITHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, INC
2010-2011 Officers
President
Carena Pooth, 22 Brothers Rd.,
Poughquag, NY 12570
Vice-President
Gail Kirch, 1099 Powderhouse Rd.,
Vestal, NY 13850
Corresponding Secretary
Michael DeSha, 26 Chestnut Street,
Franklinville, NY 14737
Recording Secretary
JoanE. Collins, 120 Regan Rd.,
Potsdam, NY 13676
Treasurer
Andrew Mason, 1039 Peck St.,
Jefferson, NY 12093
Directors (Term Expiration Dates)
Robert A damo 2011
Jeremy Ki rchman 2011
Victor Lamoureux 2012
Shaibal S. Mitra 2012
Robert Spahn 2012
continued on inside back cover
&KINGBIRD
PUBLICATION OF THE NEW YORK STATE ORNITHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, INC.
Volume 61 No. 3 September 2011
pp. 197-288
CONTENTS
The Fire Island Hawkwatch
Robert J. Kurtz.198
A “Sooty” Fox Sparrow in Central Park, New York City
Stephen Chang.203
Flybrid Blue-winged Teal x Northern Shoveler
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, Seneca Co., New York, 19 May 2011
Christopher L. Wood and Jessie Barry.206
New York State Ornithological Association, Inc.
63rd Annual Meeting, Savannah, New York, October 23, 2010.208
Highlights of the Season — Spring 2011
S. S. Mitra.215
Regional Reports.222
Photo Gallery.241
Standard Regional Report Abbreviations, Reporting Deadlines
and Map of Reporting Regions.287
Editor -S. S. Mitra
Regional Reports Editor - Robert G. Spahn
Circulation and Membership Managers - Barbara Butler, Bema Lincoln
Cover Illustration - Eastern Kingbird, Suffolk, © S. S. Mitra.
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
197
THE FIRE ISLAND HAWKWATCH
Robert J Kurtz
27 Smith Street, Valley Stream, NY
The Fire Island Hawkwatch (FIRE) is a fall season hawkwatch located at the
meeting point of the Fire Island National Seashore (FINS) and the Robert Moses
State Park (RMSP). It is a barrier island watch and therefore differs in a number
of interesting ways from the vast majority of North American hawkwatches,
which are on the mainland. Although the number of raptor species that occur
commonly at Fire Island is somewhat restricted compared to mainland watches,
FIRE offers exceptional opportunities to see migrating Osprey, Northern
Harrier, and falcons, given favorable (northerly) winds. We welcome all raptors,
of course, but nature holds the cards and these three types are without question
the focus of the FIRE watch.
When —The window for the observation of migrating raptors at the watch is 20
August-20 November, but from 20 August-9 September and 1-20 November,
the watch is only conducted on days with favorable winds. The rest of the time
the watch is staffed every day unless weather conditions are very bad (e.g.,
heavy all day rains, hurricanes, etc.). The time frame between 10 September and
31 October is used for statistical analyses, performed by the duo of Drew Panko
and Trudy Battaly, yielding insights regarding population trends and
comparisons to other watches.
Access and weather —This watch is of course open to one and all, especially
those interested in diurnal raptors. Should your time be limited, choose a day
when strong (10+ mph) northwest winds are predicted, especially from 21
September-15 October, our peak timeframe. If you are mostly interested in
Buteos I would suggest an inland watch, as we average only 1-2 individuals of
this genus per year.
For those not too familiar with Long Island and its barrier beaches, a search
of Google Earth will help in getting you to the vicinity of the watch. Once you
cross the last bridge heading south on the Robert Moses Causeway there is a
traffic circle and tower immediately in front of you. Proceed around the circle
270 degrees and head east. Go past parking field #4 and enter the last field, #5.
Fee collection varies seasonally and in other ways, but if you arrive before 7
a.m. you can avoid a parking fee. There are two routes to reach the watch from
the east end of parking lot #5. The fastest way is to follow the cinder path that
leads out of the parking lot and parallels the northeast exit from field #5. Just
follow the cinder path to the east; once you’ve rounded the bend on this path, the
hawkwatch platform will become evident rather quickly. Alternatively, one
could take the boardwalk; the entrance is located about half way north/south at
the east end of the parking lot. Take the boardwalk to the point where it meets
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
198
the road into FINS, turn to the left and walk a short way back up that road; the
platform is located ahead on a small rise.
The platform is not large and access on busy days is on a first come first
served basis. It can get crowded during the peak of the migration, especially
with north or northwest winds. We do try to keep some space available on the
upper tier of the platfonn for the official daily observer(s) since they are, after
all, responsible for the count.
We also have gotten an impressive diversity of non-raptor species
(including many RBA- and even NYSARC-worthy species!), but these would be
the focus of a separate article. As a note of caution, please stay out of grassy
areas/underbrush. Ticks can be numerous and many harbor diseases that cause
grief to humans—not just Lyme disease, but also other infections that can be
substantially more serious.
History of the Watch —The watch at Fire Island was informal with little to no
formal data gathered before 1982. Basically, it was a small group of
Taptorphiles’ who knew that the Fall at the bander beach on favorable winds
meant there would be a hawk flight and so they each watched from their favorite
site in the vicinity of where the platform now stands. Then in 1982 it was
decided that a formal hawkwatch should be established; the way was led by
Drew Panko and Ted Leviness and we became an official HMANA (Hawk
Migration Association of North America) site. A designated acronym was
chosen: Fire Island Raptor Enumerators (FIRE). The watch site at the beginning
was located close to where the platform is now, but the platfonn itself, built by
the State of New York, dates only to circa 2000, Without going into details, let’s
just say we were amazed when we heard we were going to get a platform and
actually watched it being built! I must add here that the tireless efforts of the late
John Fritz were most instrumental in the platform coming to fruition.
Collection of data on migrating birds, with the major emphasis being
diurnal raptors, began in the fall of 1982. It has always been an all-volunteer
watch staffed by a cadre of dedicated watchers; early on most but not all of the
watchers came from Westchester County—quite a trek! The 1982 effort was
preliminary and as such there was only 86 hours of coverage on 14 days. For
the next five years the average coverage was 250 hours and 38 days of
observation. Over the last 20 years the FIRE hawkwatch has matured with
regard to total hours and days of coverage (i.e., an average of 432 hours over 61
days of coverage). During 2010 there were 465 hours and 63 days of
observation; given weather conditions and the relatively short season associated
with this watch, these numbers are about ‘maxed out’.
The number of diurnal raptors seen has varied substantially over the last 20
year. Reasons for the variation likely include weather and breeding success of
those species and populations that pass the point of our watch. Changes in the
number of hawks can occur dramatically from year to year, for instance, in 2009
we recorded only 2893 raptors during 414 hours (64 days) of coverage; this was
the lowest number of diurnal raptors since 1984 when only 212 hours of
coverage occurred. Then, in 2010 with 463 hours of coverage we tallied 5781, or
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
199
almost exactly twice the number of individuals as during 2009! During 2010
four records for species totals fell, namely Osprey (old record 50B, now 557),
Northern Harrier (434, now 523), Merlin (1648, now 2119), Peregrine (320, now
325). Additionally, the beleaguered American Kestrel numbers which had fallen
to a catastrophic level of 518 in 2009 bounced back to an encouraging 1645!
The trend for Sharp-shinned Hawk numbers, which has also shown a dismal
decline, was also reversed in 2010; it rose from 291 in 2009 to 543 in 2010.
This much variation from year to year is dramatic and, again, likely the result of
weather and breeding success. The watch is always hoping for strong 10-20
MPH winds out of the northwest. This wind direction was definitely present
during the 2010 watch season, a clear change from the previous year. In fact, the
2010 season featured the most favorable winds we’ve seen in years.
SPECIES ACCOUNTS AND TRENDS
Trends of course are a critical component of the migration monitoring efforts.
Any given watch site is not likely to show meaningful trends (perhaps some
exceptions exist, such as Hawk Mountain Sanctuary and Cape May), in part due
to inherent variables. It is, however, the combined observations at all of the
HMANA sites that provide a window into population trends. The information
presented below is the result of the continuous effort of Drew Panko and Trudy
Battaly, without whose efforts the following population profiles would be
unlikely to have been attempted except in the most general way.
Table 1. Seasonal averages for nine species of diurnal raptors at the FIRE watch,
1991-2010. OS—Osprey, BE—Bald Eagle, NH—Northern Harrier, SS—Sharp-
shinned Hawk, CH—Cooper’s Hawk, NG—Northern Goshawk, AK—
American Kestrel, ML—Merlin, PG—Peregrine Falcon.
SS
CH
NG
AK
ML
PG
Total
Hrs
Days
EH
|230 |
455
28
2
1360
1291
180
3876
432
61
Osprey
The trend analysis at Fire Island has been very positive, unlike Lighthouse Point,
CT (LPH), where the trend has been negative (but not as negative as FIRE is
positive), while the trend at Cape May Hawk Watch, NJ (CMHW) is almost flat.
During the 2010 season, both Cape May and FIRE exhibited a sharp increase in
the number of Osprey passing by; this was not the case at LHP, where numbers
remained below average. Why this ‘problem’ at LPH? Good question!
Considering observational data it would appear that the decline at LPH may be
due to a local condition associated with nesting Osprey along the coast east of
LHP in Connecticut and Rhode Island. Additionally, the Osprey passing at LHP
are only remotely likely to be some of the same individuals as those seen at
200
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
FIRE due to location of the LHP watch in relation to FIRE, approximately 50
miles to the north-northeast.
Bald Eagle
While numbers seen at the FIRE watch are too small to allow true statistical
conclusions and comparisons, it is interesting to note that the trends at the FIRE
watch mimic to some degree the very positive trends at mainland sites.
Northern Harrier
Numbers were up sharply at all three sites (FIRE, LHP, and CMHW). Given that
the vast majority of harriers seen at FIRE during 2010 were hatch year (HY)
birds, it seems reasonable to conclude that a very successful hatch year for this
species took place. The trend, however, is somewhat confounding in that at
FIRE there is a substantial positive trend while at LHP and CMHW the trends
are negative. It is possible that several years of less than successful nesting
resulted in fewer adults and since both LHP and CMHW are on the mainland,
they are more likely to see more adult harrier in their totals versus FIRE, hence a
negative slope.
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Alas, for this species, the smallest of the North American Accipiters, the trend is
downward at all three sites and at about the same slope. The only encouraging
sign is that all three watches had moderately to sharply increased numbers in
2010.
Cooper’s Hawk
Neither statistical analysis nor comparison to other hawkwatches was
performed. It can be said that in general the number of Cooper’s Hawk at FIRE
for the last six years are the highest numbers since the watch began.
Northern Goshawk
No analysis could be performed because only an average of two individuals per
Fall season pass the FIRE watch.
American Kestrel
Sadly, the trend for the smallest of North American falcons is quite negative and
about at the same slope at all three hawkwatches analyzed. As with the Sharp-
shinned Hawk, the 2010 season provided a bright spot in that all three sites
exhibited a sharp increase in sightings. And as with the Sharp-shinned Hawk, it
will take several years of improved nesting success to turn the tide of the
decline.
Merlin
While Merlin trends have remained nearly constant for LHP and CMHW, the
trend at FIRE is up at a substantial slope, even without the 2010 record setting
year. The upward trend is, however, confounded by the first few years of records
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
201
(i.e., 1982-1984) where only low numbers of Merlin were seen, most likely due
to hours expended at the watch. If one eliminates these years as not
representative due to effort, then the Merlin trend line is still positive but not in a
statistically significant way. By adding the years 1984 and 2010 (record year) to
the analysis, the positive trend slope is increased. Adding these two years
represent the ‘front’ and ‘back’ end of the Merlin data collected to date,
however, the statistical analysis to determine if this positive increase in slope is
statistically significant has not yet been undertaken. The ‘gut feeling’ is that
while the positive trend has increased with the addition of these two years, the
slope is not steep enough to indicate a positive statistical increase. Still, the math
needs to be performed to accept or reject the ’gut feeling’. As Drew Panko
stated, he would not trust the trend unless it continued for another few years.
Peregrine Falcon
All three watches analyzed have a very positive slope; the only rational
conclusion is that the species population is growing. The growth is no doubt due
to the end of the use of DDT as well as the Peregrine hacking program that has
resulted in a remarkable increase in local nesting throughout the northeastern
USA.
As birders, we know that bird populations are dynamic and changes will
continue to occur. We at the FIRE hawkwatch will continue to observe, report
and calculate the trends of the diurnal raptors passing by each fall and forward
our information in our efforts to continue to add to the raptor record.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
To all the volunteers that help out at the watch, a hearty thank you for your
efforts, without which the data could never have existed or continue to be
collected; to Drew Panko and Ted Leviness for their efforts to actually initiate
the watch; and of course to Drew Panko and Trudy Battaly for their unflagging
efforts at the yearly organization of the watch, including but not limited to
recruiting new watchers, and for their yeoman’s work performing analysis of the
data and reviewing this document.
202
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
A “SOOTY” FOX SPARROW
IN CENTRAL PARK, NEW YORK CITY
Stephen Chang
spc2001 @hotmail.com
On 13 May 2010 in the early morning, I was birding on the wood chip path on
the east side of Strawberry Fields in Central Park, New York City. Near the
north end of the path, I noticed three sparrows feeding at a bend in the path
about 70 feet away. Two were White-crowned Sparrows, the third I recognized
as a Fox Sparrow. However, this sparrow was not the usual “Red” form that we
see in the East. It was much darker and without the obvious red color of the
“Red” Fox Sparrow. I had seen the “Sooty” form of the Fox Sparrow in Seward,
Alaska, and thought the bird in front of me could be this form. Since I was not
familial' with the other Fox Sparrow forms, I could only say that this bird was
not a “Red”, but one of the forms found in the West.
After I had observed the bird for about two minutes, Andrew Rubenfeld
joined me and also saw the bird and agreed it was not a “Red”. The Fox Sparrow
at one point came within twenty feet of us, then flew off. Importantly, Andrew
put out word of our finding via a chain of communications: he told Stephanie
Seymour and Rob Fanning, who were nearby, they called Karen Fung. She sent
out emails to the New York birding lists. Thus many birders were alerted and
were able to view and photograph the bird. The bird was seen later in the
morning and afternoon, and remained at least through the following day.
In size, the bird was slightly larger than the White-crowned Sparrows. Its
behavior was typical of sparrows, initially feeding on the ground with White-
crowned Sparrows. In a subsequent viewing in the afternoon it was scratching
and feeding in dry leaves underneath a bush.
The bird had a dark, gray-brown head with no obvious pattern, no streaking
on the head. Its crown was veiy slightly rufous. A small part of the chin was
clear' and white. The breast was heavily streaked, with the streaking converging
onto a central area. The streaking extended to the belly. Its back was a plain,
dark brown. The tail was dark brown, but with a slight rufous on the tail and
rump; the slightly rufous tail was only apparent in the afternoon when viewing
conditions were brighter. The wings were plain and about the same color as the
back, but it had one white feather edge at the bend of the folded wing, on both
left and right sides. The eye was dark. It had a thin eye ring (in photographs a
break in the rear is visible). The bill was a uniform gray. Overall, it was a very
dark bird. See Figure 2, page 242.
This bird comports well with descriptions of the “Sooty” Fox Sparrow in
field guides (Sibley 2000, Peterson 2008). The lower mandible is usually
described as having yellow at the base, but apparently “Sootys” with all gray
bills are also seen (Patterson 2007). The “Sooty” Fox Sparrow breeds along the
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
203
coast from the Aleutians to northwest Washington State. They winter mainly on
the coast from central British Columbia to southern California.
The Fox Sparrow Complex
There are 18 subspecies of Fox Sparrow generally recognized (Weckstein 2002).
These can be grouped into four races, with the potential of the complex being
split into four corresponding species: “Red” Fox Sparrow ( iliaca group, the
usual Fox Sparrow in the East), “Sooty” Fox Sparrow ( unalaschensis group),
“Slate-colored” Fox Sparrow ( schistacea group), and “Thick-billed” Fox
Sparrow ( megarhyncha group).
Beadle and Rising (2002) consider Fox Sparrows as comprising four
species. The issue of splitting is too complex and unsettled for a full discussion
here. On the one hand, morphology and mitochondrial DNA analysis suggest
four species (Zink and Weckstein 2003). On the other hand, there is some
interbreeding between the groups, especially between the “Slate-colored” and
“Thick-billed” groups. Further, microsatellite analysis showed clear separation
of the “Red”, “Sooty” and “Thick-billed” groups, but less distinct separation of
the “Slate-colored” group from the others (Zink 2008). More research is needed.
The AOU last considered, and did not approve, the potential split in 2003
(Banks 2004).
Other non -iliaca Fox Sparrow Reports
There is at least one prior “Sooty” Fox Sparrow sighting reported from New
York, a bird seen 7 May 2005 in Vermontville, Franklin County (Peterson 2005)
as reported in The Kingbird season highlights. In the Northeast, there is at least
one “Sooty” sighting, from New Hampshire 9-12 December 2009 (Chase 2009).
However, a recent analysis has raised the possibility that this was the subspecies
altivagans (Brinkley 2010). This subspecies breeds in western Canada and
winters in California, and has been grouped with either iliaca or schistacea by
various authors. Interestingly, on 12 May 1971, a Fox Sparrow was collected at
Fire Island, Suffolk County and identified as altivagans (Buckley 1973). A
possible “Slate-colored” Fox Sparrow was reported in New York in December
2003, but the sighting was not accepted by the NYS Avian Records Committee
(NYSARC 2006), which considered it unidentifiable to subspecies on the basis
of the documentation. On 5 December 1996, a non -iliaca Fox Sparrow was seen
in Storrs, Connecticut, and was either unalaschensis or altivagans (Szantyr
1997). Given these uncertainties, a closer examination of the Central Park bird
seems warranted. A thorough analysis of this, and other northeastern North
American records of western Fox Sparrows is in preparation.
LITERATURE CITED
Banks, R.C., Cicero, C., Dunn, J.L., Kratter, A.W., Rasmussen, P.C., Remsen,
D.V., Rising, J.D. & Stotz, D.F. 2004. Forty-Fifth Supplement to the
204
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
American Ornithologists’ Union Check-List of North American Birds. The
Auk 121 (3), 985- 995.
Beadle, D., & Rising, J.D. 2002. Sparrows of the United States and Canada:
The Photographic Guide. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
Brinkley, E.S. 2010. The Changing Seasons: Gulls and Living Rooms. North
American Birds 64(2), 212-222.
Buckley, P.A. 1974. Recent specimens of western vagrants at Fire Island
National Seashore, Long Island, New York. The Auk 91(1), 181-185.
Chase, T. 2009. Rare Bird Spotted. Accessed 15 October 2011 at:
http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article ?A1D=/20091224/GJNEWS04/
712239772/- 1/rocnews 1403
Gillson, G. Fox Sparrow ID. Accessed 15 October 2011 at:
http://thebirdguide.com/fox/fox.htm
New York State Avian Records Committee 2006. Report of the New York State
Avian Records Committee for 2003. The Kingbird 56(1), 2-41.
Patterson, M. 2007. BIRDWG01 Archives. Accessed 15 October 2011 at:
http://listserv.arizona.edu/cgi-
bin/wa? A2=ind0712C&L=BIRD WG01 &P=R1986&I=-3
Peterson, J.M.C. 2005. Region 7 - Adirondack-Champlain. The Kingbird 55(3),
299-304.
Peterson, R.T. 2008. Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America. New
York: Houghton Mifflin.
Sibley, D.A. 2000. The Sibley Guide to Birds. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
Szantyr, M. 1997. In: http://thebirdguide.com/fox/frontier.htm
Weckstein, J.D., Kroodsma, D.E. and Faucett, R.C. 2002. Fox Sparrow
(Passerella iliaca), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.).
Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North
America Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/715
Zink, R.M. 2008. Microsatellite and Mitochondrial DNA Differentiation in the
Fox Sparrow. The Condor 110(3), 482-492.
Zink, R.M., & Weckstein, J. D. 2003. Recent evolutionary history of the Fox
Sparrows (Genus: Passerella). The Auk 120(2), 522-527.
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
205
HYBRID BLUE-WINGED TEAL X NORTHERN SHOVELER
MONTEZUMA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE,
SENECA CO., NEW YORK, 9 MAY 2011
Christopher L. Wood and Jessie H. Barry
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, NY 14850
pinicola@gmail.com
On the morning of 9 May 2011, we were returning to Ithaca from Rochester and
decided to take a quick look at the birds along the Wildlife Drive at Montezuma
NWR, Seneca County. We arrived at the visitor center and as we scanned the
shallow pool with binoculars we found an odd looking duck with the Northern
Shovelers (Anas clypeata ). It appeared similar to the shovelers in shape and
overall coloration, but slightly smaller with a slightly smaller bill (bill similar in
shape to a Cinnamon Teal, Anas cyanoptera). The most distinctive aspect of the
bird was a bold white facial crescent, which recalled a narrow version of that
seen on a male Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors ). After looking in a scope, we
could easily see other characters in common with Blue-winged Teal including
brown spotted breast, spotting that continued onto the sides and fla nks (which
were rufous toned, unlike Blue-winged Teal). We quickly realized this was a
hybrid male Blue-winged Teal x Northern Shoveler, a rare hybrid combination
which neither of us had seen before. We were able to obtain a series of fairly
good photographs that demonstrate why we identified this as a hybrid Blue¬
winged Teal x Northern Shoveler. Two photos, with detailed discussion of
identification included in the captions, are presented as Figures 3 & 4 on pages
242-243 of this issue.
The bird also bears some similarity to Australian Shoveler (Anas
rhynchotis ) of Australia and New Zealand, but that species has a much larger
bill, heavy markings across the breast, and blue-gray tones to the head.
The entire time we watched the bird, it remained with or near Northern
Shovelers. It spent a lot of time actively displaying near a female or aggressively
chasing or biting male Northern Shovelers.
OTHER RECORDS OF THIS HYBRID COMBINATION
We are aware of only one other hybrid Northern Shoveler x Blue-winged Teal
reported from New York State, a bird photographed at Prospect Park, Kings
County (Brooklyn) on 22 January 2010. Initially identified as an Australian
Shoveler, photographs on the City Birder blog (Jett 2010) allow for confident
identification as a hybrid:
http://citvbirder.blogspot.com/2010/01/strange-waterfowl.html
206
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
One of these photographs is reproduced here as Figure 5, on page 243. As with
the bird that we photographed, note that the Prospect Park bird has a green head
and finer markings on the breast than one would expect in Australian Shoveler
(Madge and Burn 1988).
Hybrids between Blue-winged Teal and Northern Shoveler are rare in the
wild, but this combination has been documented several other times from North
America, mostly in the West. There are also several records of this hybrid
combination from Europe (e.g., United Kingdom and Germany), some of which
may be the result of wild vagrant Blue-winged Teal hybridizing with native
Northern Shoveler. Vagrant Blue-winged Teal often appear with Northern
Shoveler in Europe and it may be more likely for vagrants to hybridize in
Europe than North America given the small number of prospective mates for
Blue-winged Teal. For more information on occurrence outside New York, see
references in McCarthy (2006).
LITERATURE CITED
eBird. 2011. eBird: An online database of bird distribution and abundance [web
application]. eBird, Ithaca, New York. Available: http://www.ebird.org.
Accessed 21 July 2011.
Jett, Rob. 2010. Strange Waterfowl. The City Birder [blog]. Available:
http://citvbirder.blogspot.com/ . Accessed 15 October 2011.
Madge, Steve; Burn, Hilary. 1988. Waterfowl: an Identification Guide to the
Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
McCarthy, Eugene. 2006. Handbook of Avian Hybrids of the World. Oxford:
Oxford University Press.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We would like to thank Shai Mitra for encouraging us to submit this short piece
and for comments that improved it.
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
207
NEW YORK STATE ORNITHOLOGICAL
ASSOCIATION, INC.
63RD ANNUAL MEETING
SAVANNAH, NEW YORK, 23 OCTOBER 2010
The 63rd Annual Meeting of the New York State Ornithological Association,
Inc. (NYSOA), co-hosted by the Montezuma Audubon Center and Onondaga
Audubon Society, was held at the Montezuma Audubon Center, Savannah, NY
on 23 October 2010. The meeting was called to order at 9:30 a.m. Roll call of
member clubs revealed 35 delegates from 21 clubs were in attendance and that a
quorum was present. John Confer made a motion to approve the 26 September
2009 Annual Meeting minutes as published in The Kingbird Vol. 59 No. 4.
Kathy Schneider seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved.
President’s Report by Carena Pooth
This is a summary of the President’s Report. The full text is available upon
request. NYSOA continues to be a strong organization and a leader among
similar groups throughout the US. NYSOA owes its success and its fine
reputation to a veritable army of people who have volunteered their services
over the 62 years since its inception. I’d like to thank the board and all the
committee chairs and committee members who have worked so hard over the
past year to help NYSOA carry out its mission.
NYSOA continues to work hard to educate the public as well as
government agencies and lawmakers in order to encourage responsible decision
making on conservation matters. NYSOA’s printed publications set a standard
to which most other organizations can only aspire. Online media play an
increasing role in our communications and education efforts. In January 2010, a
searchable archive of 57 years of The Kingbird was launched on the NYSOA
web site, free to the public.
NYSARC completed both the 2007 and 2008 reports and expects to publish
the 2009 report very soon. This sets the stage for annual reports to be published
in a timely manner going forward.
The two year old New York State Young Birders Club (NYSYBC)
conducted monthly field trips sponsored by Partner Clubs and awarded six
scholarships to help fund young birders’ attendance at birding camps, special
birding trips, and educational programs.
NYSOA is working cooperatively with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to
encourage the use of eBird for routine sightings while pushing for improved data
extraction capabilities for club compilers as well as Kingbird editors.
A new Publicity and Marketing Committee was established in November
2009. The committee’s mission is to raise awareness of NYSOA and to
implement promotional programs and materials to increase membership.
208
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
Treasurer’s Report by Andy Mason
Andy provided the following documents for the year ending December 31,
2009: Balance Sheet, Statement of Fund Activity and Balances, and the Detailed
Statement of General Operating Fund Activity. Andy also provided an itemized
Funds Report and NYS Young Birders Club Fund through October 21, 2010. He
thanked the previous Treasurer, Bill Reeves, for his assistance in compiling the
2009 financial statements. Andy pointed out that six Kingbird issues were
printed in 2009, instead of the normal four issues. PayPal capability, for
new/renewal online memberships, was added in the past year. For the first 3/4 of
the year, PayPal memberships accounted for $4,000 out of the $26,000 total to
date. Andy encouraged members to consider increasing their level of support
when renewing their membership.
Audit Committee Report
None.
Department of Environmental Conservation Report
As always, the DEC was invited to attend and report at the Annual Meeting. Due
to other obligations, the DEC Report was given first. Gordon Batcheller, Chief
of the Bureau of Wildlife for the NYS Department of Environmental
Conservation (DEC), discussed highlights of the 13-page DEC Report, which
we will provide to any NYSOA member who requests it. The DEC has faced
workforce reductions of 22% since 2008, with hundreds more job losses coming
through retirement and layoffs at the end of 2010. Fish hatcheries may close and
many programs are in jeopardy. The outlook for 2011 looks bleak. Gordon
outlined some of the DEC priorities for 2011: The Endangered Species list will
be updated. Incidental take permits for endangered species will only be issued if
the habitat is benefitted in the process. The DEC will also focus on youth with a
youth deer season, and they plan to lower the hunting age to 12. Gordon pointed
out the common interests of hunters and birders, adding that hunting, fishing,
and trapping licenses bring in millions of dollars for N YSDEC, with most of that
revenue coming from deer hunters. Gordon commented on the lead ammunition
issue and said the DEC is vigorously enforcing the law to use lead-free
ammunition in waterfowl hunting. He also plans to give hunters non-toxic
ammunition to try out and report on to the DEC. (A similar program was used
successfully in Arizona.) Several NYSOA members brought up the Double-
crested Cormorant control program and asked Gordon to re-evaluate the killing
given the new data showing that this species is eating invasive fish. Another
member brought up the State Forest Management Plan—praising the majority of
the plan but raising serious concern about the section that would allow for
Natural Gas hydrofracking in State Forests.
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
209
NYSOA Committee Reports and Elections
Carena Pooth gave the Archives Report for Brenda Best. She reported that
Brenda has transitioned everything she needs from Phyllis Jones, the former
archivist.
Barbara Butler gave the Membership Report for Berna Lincoln. She
provided a detailed Membership Report in a handout for members. There are
currently 523 members plus 51 life members. There are 41 member clubs. (Last
year, there were 525 members and 45 member clubs.)
Chita McKinney made a motion to approve Southern Adirondack Audubon
as a new member club. Gerry Smith seconded the motion and it was
unanimously approved.
Kathy Schneider gave the Publicity Report. She reported that the committee
printed a new postcard to publicize NYSOA. The primary goal of the committee
is to increase both individual and club memberships. With the help of NYSOA
member clubs, a field trip program will be re-instituted in 2011. A raffle fund¬
raiser was held with prizes awarded at the Annual Meeting. A door prize for free
membership was given to an attendee who was not already an individual
member of NYSOA.
Andy Mason gave the Conservation Report. Andy provided a detailed
summary of the prior year’s activities in a handout for members. He summarized
the conservation issues the committee has worked on, letters that were written,
and articles provided for the conservation column in New York Birders. John
Confer brought up the State Forest Management Plan—praising 234 pages of
the plan to manage forests, but concerned by 10 pages that discussed natural gas
development in State Forests, The process used, hydrofracking, is a huge threat
to the environment—polluting aquifers, producing pollutants and acres of waste
water, and the development of roads to transport millions of gallons of water
used in the process. Natural gas development threatens wildlife and ecosystems.
John encouraged people to send comments to the DEC asking that natural gas
drilling not be allowed on State lands. Gerry Smith reported that Onondaga
Audubon had already commented on this issue, and he encouraged members to
also call Andrew Cuomo with comments.
Audubon NY is also working on this issue. Cayuga Bird Club also wrote
comments, and they asked that NYSOA also send a letter. Bill Lee reported that
hydrofracking in NYS will be regulated in May 2011.
Carena Pooth gave the New York State Young Birders Club (NYSYBC)
Report. She reported that NYSYBC marked its second anniversary this fall.
There are currently 22 youth members, 20 supporting adults, and 17 partner
clubs. In addition to Carena, five adults are doing communications,
administrative, publicity, and coordination work. More chaperones for field trips
are needed throughout the state to attend one or two local trips each year; Carena
asked that volunteers contact her. The students competed in the World Series of
Birding as the “Razorbills” and did well raising money for the new Education
Fund, which also benefited from contributions sent in by several NYSOA
member clubs. A new scholarship program was established and a total of $1870
210
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
was awarded to six young birders to help fund birding camps, pelagic trips, and
other educational programs. Carena asked NYSOA member clubs who are not
NYSYBC partners to join and show their support. Individuals can also join as
Supporting Adult members.
Shai Mitra gave The Kingbird Report. The publication schedule is back on
track. Shai asked members to please send him articles.
Tim Baird gave the New York Birders Report. Tim reminded members that
the newsletter is the birders’ publication. He would like contributions—poetry,
prose, observations, etc. from members. The newsletter also highlights field trips
from around the state and summarizes board meetings. Tim will soon be retiring
from editing New York Birders and is actively looking for a replacement.
Gerry Smith reported that 15% of Onondaga Audubon members choose to
receive an electronic version of their newsletter, and wondered if NYSOA had
considered this option. He also mentioned that a Kingston, ON bird club sends
an email announcement to members when their publication is ready for a
download (no paper copies sent). Tim also reported that the Checklist of the
Birds of New York State was updated with the latest AOU and NYSARC
changes. There are 476 species listed with notations for NYSARC species. The
booklet is $2 or you can purchase 10 booklets for $15.
Carena Pooth gave the Website and Information Services Report. Carena
implemented the searchable online archive of The Kingbird. The work included
installation and configuration of the search engine needed to perform the
indexing of the individual article files. The searchable data base went live in
January 2010; it includes all articles published from 1950 through 2007. Four
issues of The Kingbird will be added to the archive each year. In December
2009, Carena also implemented online purchase capability (using PayPal) for
NYSOA and NYSYBC memberships (new/renew/gift) as well as checklist and
decal purchases. Eighty-seven memberships (26 new) came through PayPal.
PayPal charges 2.2% on each purchase plus a flat 30 cent charge per transaction.
Carena also enabled Google Analytics which provides statistical analysis of
website usage. During the past six months, 50%> of traffic to the NYSOA
website came from search engines and 20% came from links on other websites.
24% of page hits were for the NYSOA home page, 20% were for the NYSARC
section, 4% were for the Kingbird archive, and 3% were for the Member Clubs
page.
Bob Spahn gave the eBird Report. There was some discussion regarding the
need for the separate NY eBird webpage and whether it was worth the trouble to
update that page. Bob explained that the regional data published in The Kingbird
are not in a database, whereas eBird serves as a database and could serve that
function for NYSOA. Bob will encourage clubs to get members to enter their
data in eBird first and then paste the eBird report of their sightings into postings
to their local listserv rather than to just publish a note on the listserv without
entering the data into eBird.
Gerry Smith recommended that clubs publish directions for their members
on how to use eBird. Bob also told the group that there are various filters that
flag records as “exceptional,” giving the observer a chance to decide whether the
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
211
entry may be an error. Such records are then reviewed by a screener. In NY, the
screener is often the local Kingbird Regional Editor. Questionable records are
not added to the public database until they are validated by a screener, although
they remain a part of the observer’s database.
Shai Mitra gave the New York State Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
Report. The 2009 NYSARC Report will be in the December 2010 or March
2011 issue of The Kingbird . The 2008 Report is in the September 2010 issue. In
the future, each December issue will contain the previous year’s NYSARC
report.
Jeremy Kirchman gave the Research Committee Report. Jeremy wrote an
article clarifying the laws on salvaging dead buds, which will appeal' in the
December 2010 issue of The Kingbird. The Ornithological Council is lobbying
to have the Migratory Bud Treaty Act of 1918 amended to allow individuals to
salvage dead buds and offer them to a person holding a salvage permit. Jeremy
also reported that Ewald and Sherony’s monograph on the Hamlin Beach
Lakewatch is now available on the NYSOA website.
Gail Kirch gave the Awards Report. Gail reported that awards would be
given out at the banquet. Four Lillian C. Stoner Awards were given this year.
She reminded members that NYSOA offers Member Club grants of up to $100
for special projects. This year. Bedford Audubon received $75. This
organization runs the Chestnut Ridge Hawk Watch in Bedford, NY. In an effort
to increase awareness and appreciation of raptors, they give free workshops on
raptor identification. To further their goal, the requested money will be used to
purchase copies of Paul Carrier’s A Guide for Hawks Seen in the Northeast for
distribution to workshop participants.
Bob Spahn gave the Bylaws Report. Proposals to change or update the
bylaws will be discussed at the next board meeting. Some of the possible
changes include term limits for Officers and changing the number of Directors.
Tim Baird gave the Nominating Committee Report. Tim reported that the
committee used geographic considerations to make sure that Officers and
Directors came from all parts of NYS. He also explained that the Officer
positions are one-year terms and that the President and Vice-President have a
term limit of two consecutive 1-year terms. Director position terms are two
years and there is a term limit of two consecutive 2-year terms. Tim nominated
the following 2010-2011 slate of Officers/Directors for election:
Carena Pooth - President
Gail Kirch - Vice President
Andy Mason - Treasurer
Michael DeSha - Corresponding Secretary
Joan Collins - Recording Secretary
Victor Lamoureux - Director (2012)
Shai Mitra - Director (2012)
Bob Spahn - Director (2012)
212
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
Kathy Schneider made a motion to have the Secretary cast a ballot to elect the
slate of Officers and Directors. Jeremy Kirchman seconded the motion, and it
was unanimously approved.
Catena Pooth announced the following names for election to the 2010-
2011 Auditing Committee: John Cairns, Irving Cantor, and Peter Capainolo.
John Confer made a motion to elect the Auditing Committee. Gerry Smith
seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved.
Carena Pooth announced the following names for election to the 2010-
2011 Nominating Committee: Valerie Freer (Chair), Jerry Lazarczyk, and Berna
Lincoln. Andy Mason made a motion to elect the Nominating Committee. Gail
Kirch seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved.
Old Business
None.
New Business
Carena Pooth announced that the Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club will host the
2011 Annual Meeting. It will be held on 24 September 2011 in Dutchess
County. She encouraged member clubs to plan ahead and volunteer now to host
a future meeting.
Andy Mason led the discussion of the Lead Ammunition Resolution that
he had presented for adoption. He gave some background on the problems with
using lead ammunition. Two years ago, at a conference of the Peregrine Fund, it
was shown that lead ammunition has a detrimental effect on birds and other
wildlife. The NYS pathologist documented 300 cases of lead poisoning in birds
(Common Loons, Bald Eagles, Osprey, etc.) over 20 years. These were cases
where the bird was obtained by the DEC and autopsied, so it is only the tip of
the iceberg. The NYSOA resolution was written to ask the DEC and state to take
action. The EPA was going to act, but did not have jurisdiction in the states.
NYSOA feels that the DEC should do more to educate people about alternatives
to lead ammunition. After some discussion among members, the phrase “after a
reasonable period of time” was removed from the last paragraph. Andy Mason
made a motion to approve the Lead Ammunition Resolution as amended. Kathy
Schneider seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Gerry Smith introduced a new resolution to call attention to the fact that
staff loss at the DEC is impacting the ability of the department to get its job
done and to condemn the firing of the DEC Commissioner. Gerry Smith moved
to approve the resolution. Bard Prentiss seconded the motion. More discussion
ensued with some who felt that the resolution should focus on budget issues
only. Gerry withdrew the resolution as currently written.
Andy Mason made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Jeremy Kirchman
seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved at 12:04 p.m.
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
213
Awards
The following awards were given out during the Saturday evening banquet:
Lillian C. Stoner Award:
Hope Batcheller - nominated by the Hudson-Mohawk Bird Club and NYSYBC
Jacob Drucker - nominated by the Linnaean Society of NY
Carolyn Sedgwick - nominated by the Cayuga Bird Club
Benjamin Van Doren - nominated by the NYSYBC
John J. Elliott Award:
For the best Kingbird article of the year: Shai Mitra for “Regular inshore
occurrence of non-breeding Arctic Terns (Sterna paradisaea) during summer on
Long Island, New York”, The Kingbird, Vol. 59, No. 1, March 2009.
Gordon M. Meade Distinguished Service Award:
The award goes to Tim Baird for his many years of outstanding dedication to
NYSOA in serving as a Director, Vice-President, President, Corresponding
Secretary, and Editor of New York Birders.
Respectfully submitted,
Joan Collins
Recording Secretary
214
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SEASON—SPRING 2011
S. S. Mitra
Biology Department, The College of Staten Island
2800 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10314
shaibal.mitra@csi.cuny.edu
THE WEATHER
Spring 2011 was exceptionally wet. April was particularly wet, with damaging
floods reported over much of northern New York. Poor weather impeded
landbird migration for extended periods, but a break in the weather toward the
end of the April was accompanied by a huge push of migrants.
WATERFOWL AND WATERBIRDS
When bird populations grow and their distributions expand, things change fast in
the birding world. The rapidity with which our conventional wisdom can be
revolutionized is illustrated superbly by this spring’s waterfowl migration in
New York State. “Richardson’s” Cackling Goose was barely known among
New York birders until a few pioneering students began working them out in the
late 1990s; this spring about 100 were recorded across the state. Greater White-
fronted Goose was barely accepted as a naturally occurring species in New York
prior to the 1970s; this spring the state hosted groups of 12, seven, and four in
Regions 9, 1, and 10. New York’s first Ross’s Goose wasn’t found until 1983,
and as recently as 1998 the total number known to have occurred statewide was
about a dozen; this spring at least 20 were widely distributed across the state,
and nine were tallied at one site near Pine Island, Region 9. Until just five years
ago, all Barnacle Geese were considered suspect in New York, regardless of
date, context, and appearance; now they are expected every year and have fallen
awkwardly low on the list of worrisome/exciting species that trouble the sleep of
New York’s competedve year-listers. Amazingly, Black-bellied Whistling-
Duck also seems to be following these trajectories, at least in terms of
accelerating occurrence, if not in terms of geographical origins. Region 9 scored
all five of these species during spring 2011, due in great part to Rob Stone's
efforts, beginning with the discovery of some of the arctic-breeding geese in
early March and concluding almost three months later with a flock of five
striking whistling-ducks. Mike Bochnik’s Region 9 report is well worth close
reading in this regard.
At least 17 Eurasian Wigeon were recorded, distributed across all Regions
except 4 and 6, and at least five “Eurasian” Green-winged Teal were tallied in
Regions 3 and 10. These robust totals may be related to the major incursions of
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3) 215
these taxa that were detected in Atlantic Canada during the winter of 2010-11
(e.g., 40+ wigeon in Nova Scotia and 35 teal near St. John’s, Newfoundland;
North American Birds 65: 234). Predictably, careful observers also detected
hybrids or intergrades of these taxa with their closest North American relatives,
American Wigeon and Green-winged Teal. Less expected were reports of
hybrids such as Snow Goose x Canada Goose (Regions 2 and 3), Blue-winged
Teal x Northern Shoveler (Region 3; see article this issue), Ring-necked Duck x
scaup (Region 3), and Tufted Duck x scaup (Region 10).
An adult White Ibis that visited Staten Island from 25 April into May was
on the vanguard of a major incursion that unfolded during the summer. Equally
remarkable were no fewer than four White-faced Ibises, all upstate, including
the first ever for Region 2.
RAPTORS
Eastern New York shared in this spring’s northward push of Swallow-tailed
Kites, with reports from Regions 8, 9, and 10. Mississippi Kites were recorded
in Regions 2, 8, and 9. An exceptional total of five Swainson’s Hawks was
recorded this spring (Regions 2, 3, and 5), of which three occurred with a warm
front along the Lake Ontario shore 27-28 April. This same front yielded New
York’s greatest single-day flight of Broad-winged Hawks on 27 April, with
39,417 passing Braddock Bay.
SHOREBIRDS, GULLS, TERNS, AND ALCIDS
Four reports each of American Golden-Plover and “Western” Willet from
upstate were more than usual for spring. Even more remarkable was a Piping
Plover at Sandy Pond, Oswego, Region 5 from 10-21 May, which represented
the first local record since 1984. Also unusual as to date and place was a
Laughing Gull at Fair Haven, Wayne, Region 5 on 27 May.
Other rare gulls reported from the Great Lakes Plain this spring included
Slaty-back-backed, California, and Thayer’s. In this regard, the gull-watching
exploits of Willie D’Anna, Jim Pawlicki, and Dave Tetlow deserve
commendation. A count of 13 Lesser Black-backed Gulls at Riga, Monroe,
Region 2 on 22 Mar was notable for upstate New York and suggestive of how
early adults of this rapidly increasing species pass northward in our region.
Consistent with this observation, four well-watched winter-resident adults on
Long Island departed 10-25 March. Another wave of Lesser Black-backs surged
up the coast two months later, when as many as 15 immatures were recorded in
southwestern Suffolk, Region 10 in mid May.
Arctic Terns were reported by careful observers at sea near Block Canyon
21 May and during a shore-based seawatch on Long Island 22 May. These
reports are very credible, but I think it is worth emphasizing that photographic
documentation is almost wholly lacking for these contexts in New York, and
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
216
that every effort should be made to photograph ocean-going migrants of this
difficult to identify species.
Through repeated trips offshore and assiduous seawatching from eastern
Long Island, Angus Wilson recorded five of New York’s six regularly occurring
alcids this spring. The missing species was Thick-billed Murre, which, despite
historical periods of more regular occurrence, has proven frustratingly difficult
to find in recent years—especially offshore.
LANDBIRDS
Redpolls were abundant and widespread statewide. Among the many flocks,
Hoary Redpolls were more widespread than ever, and careful attention to detail
yielded a well-documented report of the nominate subspecies homemanni,
historically poorly known in the state, from Region 2. Similarly, keen observers
discerned “Greater” Common Redpolls in Regions 2, 6, and 7. Both of these
taxa breed in Greenland and were reported widely in eastern Canada and the
northeastern United States this past winter; it is hoped that evidence
documenting the New York reports will be sent to NYSARC, where it can be
reviewed and archived.
As far as breeding landbirds were concerned, most of the news seemed to
be bad for species garnering special concern in recent years, such as Northern
Bobwhite, Chuck-will’s-widow, Red-headed Woodpecker, Sedge Wren, and
Henslow’s Sparrow. There were, of course, predictable exceptions to this trend.
Clay-colored Sparrow was recorded in Regions 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, and many of the
southeastern-breeding Neotropicals made good showings.
A major wave of landbirds pushed through the state in association with a
warm front 26-27 April. Even apart Rom this event, however, the trend toward
earlier spring arrival dates couldn’t be ignored this year. The accompanying date
tables show, for instance, that each of 22 common and widespread warbler
species arrived earlier than its 25-year average. The flipside of this precession
was that migration appeared to many observers to have essentially ended by
mid-May, formerly the time when the greatest flights were expected. In this
regard, some very robust mid-May counts by Jay McGowan in the Ithaca,
Region 3 area were heartening: 85 Tennessee and 17 Blackburnian Warblers
must have been quite a pleasure to eyes and ears!
BIRD OF THE SEASON
My choice for this spring’s Bird of the Season is the group of nine Ross’s Geese
that visited Pine Island, Orange , Region 9 in early March. Not only was this one
of the largest counts recorded to date in the state, but the group also included an
example of the species’ very rare dark moiph (see photo, page 244).
Furthermore, accompanying these birds were a Barnacle Goose, three
“Richardson’s” Cackling Geese, and 12 Greater White-fronted Geese! Finally,
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
217
all of these birds persisted long enough to allow many observers to study and
enjoy them.
SPRING ARRIVAL DATES FOR 2011
Region
Species
Reported 1
Seasonality"
vs. 1987-11
Advance 3
(Days)
Record
Early Spp.
1
91
-1.49
-1.67
L 10
2
93
-2.69
-3.93
4
3
90
-1.97
-2.83
5
4
84
-3.75
0.87
4
5
92
-3.06
-2.04
9
6
90
-4.13
4.12
12
7
90
0.03
9.28
1
8
88
-2.44
1.10
3
9
79
-0.70
5
10
87
-1.50
-4.20
4
'Maximum number of species = 93.
2 Average arrival in a Region compared to that Region’s 25-year average.
3 Average arrival in a Region compared to the average of all Regions.
Given difficulties in estimating arrivals of some species in some Regions,
estimates of Seasonality and Advance should be interpreted with caution.
218
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3) 219
Spring A r rival D ates_2011_ Waterbirds
Species
| Region 1 |
Region 2
Region 3
Region 41 Region 5 j
Region 6
Region 7
Region 8
Region 9 Region 10 Average
25-Yr. Ave
American Bittern
j 10 Apr|
9 Apr
7 Apr
22 Aprj
8 Aprj
23 Mar
22 Apr
22 Apr]
23 Apr |
12 Apr
15A p r
Green Heron
1 16 Apr |
19 Apr
16 Apr
26 Apr)
25 Aprj
27 Apr
30 Apr
25 Aprj
8 Apr
11 Apr
20 Apr
22 Apr
Wood Duck
| 1 Mar(
18 Feb
2 Mar
H 12 Mart
17 Feb |
10 Mar
3 Marf
4 Mari'
1 Mar
12 Mar
Green-winged Teal
3 4Mar l
8 Mar
5 Mar
6 Marj
19 M arj
20 Mar
_19 Mar
11 Ma ll
11 Mar
17 Mar
Northern Pintail
1 1 Apr)
18 Feb
5 Mar|
12 Feb j
19 Mar
14 Mar
15 Mar
8 Mar
_7 Mar
Blue-winged Teal
I 14 Mar|
21 Mar
16 Mar
19 Mar]
.27 Feb 1
5 Apr
11 Apr
17 Apr!
27 Apr
6 Apr
29 Mar
29 Mar
Osprey
3 22 Marf
28 Mar
30 Mar
5 Marf
19 Marj
1 Apr
30 Apr
30 Marj
20 Mar
27 Mar
28 Mar
Virginia Rail
21 Aprj
7 Apr
7 Apr
17 Apr
10 Apr
29 Apr
29 Maj
23 Apr
16 Apr
4 Apr
19 Apr
17 Apr
Sora
1 6 Aprl
10 Apr
4 May
1 May)
22 Apr!
4 May
29 May
15 Aprj
14 May
28 Apr
_29 Apr
Common Moorhen
| 18Apr[
. 17 Apr.
22 Apr.
h 29 Mayj
19 Aprj
15 Apr
. 6 Apr
™2TMayt
28 Apr
26 Apr
26 Apr
Black-bellied Plover
J_ 17 Mayj
6 May
6 May
18 Apr
24 May
29 May
19 M ay
22 May
13 May
14 May
Semipalmated Plover
1 May
15 May
23 Apr
S 16 May!
8 Mayj
11 May
12 May
12 May]'
13 May
10 Apr
6 May
10 May
Killdeer
5 Mar
6 Mar
j 1 Mar
”21FebJ
17 Feb
_5 Marj'
5 Apr
6 Mar
5 Mar
Greater Yellowlegs
19 Mar
17 Mar
15 Mar
j 4 Apr)
19 Mart
7 Apr
21 Apr
. 6 Apr
27 Mar
13 Mar
' 27 Mar
.6 Apr
Lesser Yellowlegs
10 Apr |
4 Apr
10 Apr
[ 23 Aprj
25 Mar
6 May
24 Aprl
5 Apr
8 Apr
6 Apr
12 Apr
17 Apr
Solitary Sandpiper
3 24 Aprj
3 Apr
10 Apr
3 23 Aprj
14 Aprj
22 Apr
13 May
27 Apr]
29 Apr
28 Apr
22 Apr
26 Apr
Spotted Sandpiper
1 12 Apr!
20 Apr
7 Apr
3 10 Aprj
26 Aprj
7 May
27 Apr
17 Apr!
19 Apr
19 Apr
19 Apr
23 Apr
Sanderling
13 May
23 May
29 May
21 May
_17 May
Semipalmated Sandpiper
3 26 Mayj
23May
1 May
5 Mayjt
T7Mayj
27 May
14 May
15 May
29 Apr
14 May
_13 May
Least Sandpiper
1 1 May I
11 Apr
4 May
3 May 3
6 Mayj
11 May
12 May
3 May
29 Apr
2 May f
4 May
Pectoral Sandpiper
1 6Apr[
4 Apr
13 Apr
l7Mayf
28 May
13 Apr
23 Apr i
_21 Apr
Wilson's Snipe
3 21 Marj
15 Mai-
20 Mar
2 Apr]
8 Aprj
30Mar
24 Apr
^~3"Mar|
5 Apr
28 Mar
24 Mar
American Woodcock
| 6 Mar [
3 Mar
~ 5 Mar
| 12Marf
12 Mar)
15 Mar
20 Marf
5 Mar
27 Feb
8 Marl
11 Mar
Caspian Tern
1 4 Aprl
3 Apr
4 Apr
10 Aprl
7 Apr
7 May;
5 Apr]
26 Apr
17 Apr
12 Apr:
_19 Apr
Common Tern
3 4 Apr)
11 Apr
25 Apr
21 Aprj
23 Apr
3 May
21 May]
2 May
20 Apr
24 Apr
27 Apr
Black Tern
3 24 Aprj
.8 May
.5 May.
.3 May
.7 May
29 May
.14 May
4 May
5 May
.7 May
8 May
Marsh Wren
j 22 Apr 1
.23 ...Apr.
29 Apr
1 30 Apr
5 Mayj
4 May
.22 Apr
26 Apr |
9 Apr
..25 Apr
30 Apr
Dates in bold type are record early arrivals for the Region.
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3) 220
Spring Arrival Dates 2011 Landbirds
Species
Region 1
Region 2
Region 3
Region 4
Region 5
Region 6
Region 7
Region 8
Region 9
Region 10
Average
25-Yr. A\e
Black-billed Cuckoo
14 May
13 May
12 May
13 May
| . 9 May
. 17 May
[.30 May
. 8 May
.7 May
29 Apr
12 May-
11 May
Common Nighthawk
2 May
12 May
18 May
21 May
14 May
9 May
20 May
20 May
24 ^
10 May
12 May
12 May
Chimney Swift
25 A pi
23 Apr
19 Apr
30 Apr
26 Apr
25 Apr
7 M in
27 Apt-
21 Apr
18 Apr
25 Apr
j 25 Apr
Ruby-thr Hummingbird
30 Apr
26 Apr
29 Apr
1 May
|.1 May
6 May
3 May
26 Apr
. 24 Apr
21 Apr
['. 28 Apr
2 May
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
4 Apr
5 -Apr
6 Apr
4 Apr
26 Mar
9 Apr
9 Apt-
6 Apt-
24 Apr
6 Apt-
3 Apr
Olive-sided Flycatcher
18 May
22 May
18 May
. 22 May
21 May
13 May
22 May
7 May-
3 May
16 May
18 May
Eastern Wood-Pewee
11 May
7 May
10 May
9 May
| . 12 May
8 May
[ . 10 May
10 May
12 May
. 3 May
|. 9 May-
9 May
Alder Flycatcher
14 May
19 May
11 May
15 May
13 May
18 May
20 May
14 May
1 7 May
Willow Flycatcher
9 May
10 May
7 May
12 M in
12 A1i\
14 May
29 May
11 May
1 May
. 10 May
1 1 May
15 May
Least Flycatcher
26 Apr
27 Apr
29 Apr
5 May
1 . 27 Apr
2- Apr
7 May
1 May
24 Apr
. 20 Apt-
| . 28 Apr
1 May
Eastern Phoebe
20 Mar
9 Mur
18 Mar
26 Mar
15 Mat-
26 Mar
8 Apr
)o ^
10 Mat-
[ 18 Mar
21 Mat-
Gr. Crested Flycatcher
26 Apr
26 Apr
26 Apr
3 May
27 Apr
27 Apr
8 May
27 Apr
24 Apr
24 Apr
27 Apr
30 Apr
Eastern Kingbird
26 Apr
27 Apr
27 Apr
25 Apr
26 Apr
. 27 Apt-
1 . 12 May
. 24 Apr
19 Apr
19 Apr
26 Apr
t . 28 Apr
Purple Martin
10 Apr
1 Apr
5 Apr
23 May
1 Apt-
24 Apr
29 May
24May
27 Apr
9 Apr
24 Apt-
18 Apr
Tree Swallow
. 18 Mar
17 Mar
j . 13 Mar .
31 Mar
16 Mar
3 Apr
6 Apr
| . 13 Mar
. 4 Mar
20 Mar
. 20 Mar
N. Rough-winged Swallow
| SCApr
| 10 Apr
I 4Apr
| 10 Apr
| 1 1 Apr
1 6 Apr
19 Apr
6 Apr
6 Apr
| 10 Apr
■ " ~ 15 -Apr
Bank Swallow
20 Apr
1 1 Apr
12 Apr
26 Apr
1 1 Apr
27 Apr
10 Apr
17 Apt
16 Apt
18 Api
IS Api
24 Apr
Cliff Swallow
27 Apr
10 Apr
13 Apr
| . 3 May
26 Apr
. 27 Apr
1. 7 May
. 24 May
19 Apr
. 7 Apr
. 25 Apr
27 Apr
Barn Swallow
| VApr
4 Apr
| 9 Apr
| 30 Mat-
7 Apt-
9 Apt-
7 Apr
5 Apr:
5 Apt-
| 5 Apr
i 10 Apr
House Wren
25 Apr
23 Apr
24 Apr
24 Apr
25 Apr
27 Apr
30 Apr
29 Apr
16 Apt
14 Apr
21 Api
22 Apr
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
4 Apr
S Apr
2 Apr
9 Apr
6 Apt-
. 15 Apt-
1. 27 Apr
. 8 Apr
5 Apr
9 Apt-
6 Apr
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
23Apr
9 Apr
29 Apr
12 Apr
25 Apt-
| 29 Apr
1 1 Apr
10 Apr
5 Apt-
16 Apt-
[ 20 Apr
Eastern Bluebird
8 Mar
18 Mar
22 Feb
26 Mar
4 Apr
16 M ii
9 Mar
Veery
.2 May
26 Apr
24 Apr
29 Apr
30 Apr
.7 May
.8 May
.2 May
27 Apr
25 Apt-
30 Apr
|.2 May
Swainson's Thrush
LlITMay
8 May
I 4May
[ 15 May]
i 1 1 May
20 May
18 May
| 4 May
4 May]
25 Apr
| 8 May
i 8 May
Hermit Thrush
8 Apr
9 Apr
2 Apr
13 Apt-
5 A pi
24 Apr
15 Apr
12 Apt
3 Api
10 Apr
7 Api
Wood Thrush
27 Apr
26 \pr
.27 Apr.
29 Apr
.28 Apr
27 Apt-
7 May
26 Apr
19 Apr
.20 Apr
26 Apr
.28 Apr
Gray Catbird
1
9 Apr
26 Apr
| 26 Apt-
29 Apt-
1 May
| 26 Apr
26 Mar
| 19 Apr
| 25 Apt-
Brown Thrasher
10 Apr
12 Apr
13 Apr
5 Apt
14 Apr
19 A pi
26 Apr
19 Apr
7 Apt
18 Mar
1 1 Apr
15 Apr
Blue-headed Vireo
10 Apr
18 Apr
17 Apr
22 Apr
24 Apr
26 Apr
1.26 Apr
23 Apt-
7 Apr
.13 Apr
18 Apr
19 Apr
Yellow-throated Vireo
3()
30 \pr
pSAprl
| 1 May
| 30 Apr
1 May
27 Apr
25 Apr
24 Apt-
1 28 Apt-
3 May
Warbling Vireo
27 Apr
22 Apr-
26 Apr
1 May
26 Apr
29 Apr
1 May
2 7 A pi
24 Apt
24 Apt
26 Apt
30 Apr
Red-eyed Vireo
1 May
29 \pr
.7 May.
.25 Apr
.9 May
.11 May
.13 May
.27 Apr
.28 Apr
.30 Apr
.3 May
1.3 May
[OatesH^^ the Region
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3) 221
Spring Arrival Dates
2011
Landbirds (cont'd
Species
Region 1 |
Region 2
Region 3 [
Region 4 Region 5 | 1
Region 6 1
Region 7
Region 8 [ ]
Region 9 [ Region 10
Average 25-Yr. Ave
Tennessee Warblei
6 May)
7 May
8JMay f
3 May
lOMay)
7May '
1 May
4May|
3 May
6 May
8 May
Nashville Warblei
26 Apr)
27 Apr
20 Apr |
30 Apr
~*26^Aprf~
28 Apr
30 Apr
27Api^
23 Apr
26 Apr
29 Apr
Northern Paruli
27 Apr)
26 Apr
25 Apr |
26 Apr
26 Api
7 May
7
22 Apr
21 Apr
^27A^r|
2 May
Yellow Warblei
24 Apr)
17 Apr
2oTApr |
26 Apr
~~^2QAprj
27 Apr
29 Apr
^l2^Aprj
17 Apr
^2lAprT~
26 Apr
Chestnut-sided Warblei
1 30Aprj
30 Apr
26 Apr |
26 Apr
26 Apr)
27 Apr
7 May
26 Apr
24A^|
25 Apr
^27Apr|
2May
Magnolia Warblei
27 Apr)
30 Apr
22 Apr |
26 Apr
6May)
10 May
1 May
6 May
24 Apr
30 Apr
30 Apr
4 May
Cape May Warbler
t lMayf
27 Apr
27~Apr f
28 Apr
^TlMayT
29 Apr
TMayf
II M.
^3Mayr
! Vj; ^
2 May
7 May
Black-thr. Blue Warble
“1 27Aprf
26 Apr
26 Apr |
26 Apr
~'l26AP r Jl
28 Apr
29 Apr;
27Aprf~
Z^lAprT
23 Apr
30 Apr
Black-thr Green Warble
| flAprl
22 Apr
20Apr f
24 Apr
”~~26AprT
27 Apr
27 Apr
28AprT
^20Apr)
7 Apr
^2TApr|
25 Apr
Blackburnian Warble
26 Apr)
26 Apr
25Apr |
2 May
2 May
22 Apr
27*Apr|
25 Api
24 Apr
26 Apr
3 May
Pine Warblei
| 4Ajprj
9 Apr
2 Apr |
9 Apr
ZIE^3Z
12 Apr
24 Apr)
16^Aprj
i ' ,•
18 Mar
^TAjprj
10 Apr
Palm Warblei
"~t 24Aprj
11 Apr
^TTAprl
18 Apr |
)9
n~Apr]~
4~A^rj
3 Apr
12Aprt~~
17 Apr
Bay-breasted Warblei
| 8May|
9 May
^TMayi
12 May |
29 Aprj
12 May
18 May
l^May)
^27A^rT
29 Apr
7May j
10 May
Blackpoll Warblei
| ioMayl
7 May
^IomJi
13 May |
.11.May]
14 May
13 May)
3~Mayj
28 Apr
iTMayj
12 May
Black-and-White Warble
26 Apr)
24 Apr
24Apr f
26 Apr
"^26Ap>r|
27 Apr
27 Apr
26 Apr
tTAprj
6 Apr
^22Apr|
24 Apr
American Redstar
27 Apr
1 May
1 May
2 May .
2 May
10 May
Ap| _
~^2tTA^rp
21 Apr
2n Apr
Ovenbird
i 26 Apri
26 Apr
26 Apr j
26 \pr
26 Apr
27 Apr
28 \pr
26 Apr
19 Apr
19 \ pi¬
24 Apr
29 Apr
Northern Waterthrusl
24 Apr
™^jApr~T
2 Max
”™24Aprj”
26 Apr
30 Apr
A' :\M
24 Apr:
ll Apr
24^yp^
26 Apr
Mourning Warblei
12 May .
7 M t\
.7 May.['
7 May
2 May
19 May
.18 May
.15 May.
3 May
13 May
.10 May.
14 May
Common Yellowthroa
j 27Aprf
27 \pr
24Apr j
25 Apr
”'^26Apr|
27 Apr
30 Apr
^j^p
ZWml..
20 \pr
30 Apr
Wilson's Warblei
| 2 May
.11 May.
.7 May.|
.13 May .
.10 May.
.19 May.
.18 May
.12 May.
30 Apr
.2 May.
.9 May.
.11 May
Canada Warblei
] 7Mayt”
10 May
yMay T
4
"TTMayp
12 May
11 May
y^^p
20 Apr
29 Apr
10 May
Scarlet Tanager
27 Apr.
26 \pr
23 Apr ]
.28 Apr.
.30 Apr.
1 May
18 May*
26 Apr
Apr
19 Apr
28 Apr
4 May
Rose-breasted Grosbeal
J
26 \pr
'^24^TT
28 Apr
”'^26^r|
3 May
30 Apr
^r^p
15 Apr
28 Apr
Indigo Bunting
..27 Apr.
.27 Apr.
26 Apr
25 Apr
.5 May.
.13 May.
.12 May)
.28 Apr.
.12 Apr.
.11 Apr.
.27 Apr.
3 May
Eastern To whet
9 Apr
13 Mar
19 Apr
'^Apr|
12 Apr
22 Apr:
6 Mar
*3fMarT~
10 Apr
Chipping Sparrov
j 1 Apr
1 1 Apr
26 Apr |
6 Apr
7 Apr
9 Apr
.20 Mar
.20 Mar.
5 Apr
.31 Mar.
4 Apr
5 Apr
Vesper Sparrov
j lbApr|
27 Mar j
~~15AprT
11 Apr
11 Apr
17 Apr
11 Apr
Savannah Sparro\
..3 Apr
.24 Mar.
.9 Apr.|
.13 Apr.
.7 Apr.
.15 Apr.
5 Apr
.20 Apr.
.8 Apr.
.7 Apr
Lincoln's Sparrov
j.
26 Apr
_
"lOMayT
10 May
9 May
^^p
™___p
4 May
White-crowned Sparro\
11 Apr
12 Apr
.5 May.['
15 Apr
27 Apr
30 Apr
5 Apr
22 Apr
19 Apr
.24 Apr
Bobolink
| 29AprT
28 Apr
727Apr|
24 Apr
”^6^ApMtT
30 Apr
3() Apr
29 Apr
7^29Apr[
2 May
Baltimore Orioli
.. 27 Apr .
. 25 Apr .
26 Apr
. 28 Apr .
26 Apr
2 M i\
. 22 Apr
16 Apr
. 25 Apr .
. 19 Apr .
24 Apr
29 Apr
Overall Average
17 Apr
t*
21 Apr
nt9^pr]
25 Apr
30 Apr
22TAprT~
16 Apr
^Y~^pp
23 Apr
Dates in bold type are record early arrivals for the Regior i 1 1 1
REGION 1—NIAGARA FRONTIER
Mike Morgante
6405 Woodberry Court, East Amherst, NY 14051
morgm@roadrunner.com
The weather in March was an extension of the colder than usual winter months,
and it was the coldest March in eight years. The mean temperature at the Buffalo
weather station was 31.9° F, 2.4° below average. There was 4.63" of
precipitation, 1.64" above average, much of which fell in rainfalls on the 5 th and
10 lh . Snowfall was 13.3", 0.9" above average. Buffalo Harbor remained filled
with ice through March and wasn’t clear of ice until 19 April. The April weather
that followed was the third wettest in 141 years. The mean temperature was
45.7° F, 0.4° above average, and featured a cold first week while reaching the
80s during the fourth week. A strong push of songbirds, including numerous
early arrivals, occurred 26-28 April during the warm stretch that often featured
southerly winds. Precipitation was 5.69", 2.65" above average, and snowfall was
1.0", 2.6" below normal. Winds gusted above 60 mph on the 28 lh bringing
widespread tree damage, especially in Niagara County where gusts exceeded 80
mph! The wet and gloomy weather continued in May. The average temperature
was 58.7° F, 1.7° above normal. It was the wettest May and spring season on
record. Rainfall was 8.09", 4.54" below normal. The frequent rain was a likely
factor in the good numbers of migrant songbirds observed in May.
There seemed to be a typical spring Canada Goose migration, with the
peak during mid-March. Tundra Swan migration was evident during the first
two weeks of March. Snow Geese were more plentiful than usual, especially
following a few days with easterly winds. The maximum Snow Goose count
was 238 at Alabama on 13 March. A Ross’s Goose was observed by many in
early March at Dunkirk Harbor. Three reports of Greater White-fronted
Geese, with a maximum of seven, is becoming the new normal. Cackling Geese
were again reported in some higher numbers, with a maximum of 37 at Hartland
on 12 March. Rounding out the less common goose species was a lone Brant
much earlier than usual on 2-3 April.
Typical of recent springs, there were several Eurasian Wigeons reported,
with most sightings in the vicinity of Iroquois NWR. There was also at least one
Eurasian x American Wigeon hybrid there, Willie D’Anna had an impressive
count of 2,050 Northern Pintails at a huge field in Hartland on 11 March. New
bike/walking trails along the Buffalo Outer Harbor have provided easier access
to view waterfowl. Jim Pawlicki found three King Eiders there on 17 March
among a few thousand diving ducks. Many birders were able to find them,
although often not present, through at least 27 April. Willie D’Anna found
another at Wilson Harbor on 21 April. Two Harlequin Ducks at Dunkirk
Harbor delighted birders through 12 March, while one in the Niagara River
gorge was present 12-20 May, later than usual. There were fewer scoters
reported on Lake Ontario than usual. However, all three species were reported
from Batavia WWTP this spring, where irregular inland. Red-necked Grebes
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
222
were scarce, with only a few reported. An Eared Grebe continued from winter
at Dunkirk Harbor and another was found on Lake Ontario in mid-April.
Three Snowy Egrets were found, with the third earliest on record found at
Tifft Nature Preserve by Chris Newton on 11 April and two at Tonawanda
WMA on 26 April. A Cattle Egret in Hartland was a nice find on 30 May. The
rarest wader of the season was an adult Yellow-crowned Night-Heron found
among Black-crowneds at Tifft Nature Preserve by Alec Humann on 26 April.
Four reports (five total birds) of Black Vulture continue the upswing of
sightings in recent years. Broad-winged Hawk migrants peaked during the
unseasonably warm weather 26-27 April. Willie D’Anna found a rare
Swainson’s Hawk among broad-wings over Wilson on the 27 th . The other rare
raptor for the season was a dark morph Red-tailed Hawk in Gaines originally
found by Dave Tetlow on 1 April which was later observed by several birders.
Sandhill Cranes were well reported even away from the hawkwatches.
King Rail was heard but not seen on at least two occasions along Feeder Road
on Tonawanda WMA in May. This was the same location where reported last
year.
Shorebirds were conspicuously scarce in the third week of May, when they
are often most prevalent. The top shorebird locations this spring were the
mucklands in Elba and Kumph Marsh at Iroquois NWR, but even they were hit
or miss. Kurt Fox had good numbers of shorebirds at Elba in late April and early
May, including two, separate Wilson’s Phalaropes. Other uncommon species
sightings included two Purple Sandpipers and a flock of Whimbrels off
Niagara Falls SP. Upland Sandpipers were reported from two recent breeding
locations.
Two Black-headed Gulls, with a large group of Bonaparte’s Gulls on the
Niagara River in Buffalo, were a nice find by Jim Pawlicki on 22 April. One at
Dunkirk Harbor in early March was observed by many birders. Pawlicki
carefully counted 48 Little Gulls on the Niagara River at Lewiston on 16 March,
46 of which he noted were adults. A Slaty-backed Gull was found by Willie
D’Anna in Porter on 16 March. Chris Newton found one on 22 March in Wilson
that was likely the same bird. It is possible that these sightings are from the same
bird observed at Lewiston Reservoir in February.
Long-eared Owl calls heard at Iroquois NWR multiple times in May were
likely from a breeder, while one sighted at Tifft Nature Preserve 1 May could
have been a late migrant. A Northern Saw-whet Owl found at Tifft on 13 May
is more questionable as a late migrant and perhaps was a local breeder. There
were several Short-eared Owls throughout the Region in March and April. One
in Shelby through at least 22 May was more indicative of a possible breeder.
There was only one double digit report of Common Nighthawks, with Marty
Sanden counting 22 on 26 May. The only Eastern Whip-poor-will report was
from Fort Niagara SP on 19 May.
Migrant songbirds were especially plentiful through much of May at
classic migrant spots like Tifft Nature Preserve, Forest Lawn Cemetery in
Buffalo, and parks along Lake Ontario. Birders were also happy to report many
migrants inland as well. There were only two Golden-winged Warbler reports,
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
223
oddly no “Brewster’s” Warbler reports, and one “Lawrence’s” Warbler, found
by Art Buddington on 5 May at Tifft Nature Preserve. A migrant Yellow-
throated Warbler was found by Jim Pawlicki at Point Gratiot on 17 Apr, while
one at Allegany SP in May was at a recent breeding location. Migrant
Prothonotary Warblers were at Amherst SP 30 Apr and Carlton 1 May plus 1-
2 at the recent breeding location at Tonawanda WMA. Four Yellow-breasted
Chats were more than in recent springs and included one long-staying bird at
Wilson-Tuscarora SP.
Common Redpolls were widespread until the first week of April, and
there were some lingering reports until 3 May. Hoary Redpolls were
documented from four locations, with multiple sightings at each location. While
it was an excellent ‘winter’ season for redpolls, the increase in Hoary reports is
likely influenced by birder effort in sorting through the Common Redpolls and
advances in identification. Pine Siskins were present in low numbers and usually
not lingering long in any one location. There was one report of Evening
Grosbeaks in Allegany County, where they occur most frequently in the Region.
The B.O.S. April Count was held on 10 April. Light easterly winds gave
way to gusty southwest winds associated with a warm front during the
afternoon. A total of 147 species were tallied over the entire Region 1 and the
portion of the B.O.S. Study Area in Ontario. There were seven record high
counts since the 1935 inception including: Mute Swan (37), Eurasian Wigeon
(2), Turkey Vulture (4607), Cooper’s Hawk (73), Golden Eagle (2), Glaucous
Gull (6), and Northern Cardinal (1197), plus the first ever occurrence of
Bohemian Waxwing.
The full report for the B.O.S. May Count on 15 May was not received in
time for inclusion in this report.
CONTRIBUTORS
Tim Bail'd, Doug Beattie, Jim Berry, Elizabeth Brooks, Carl Carbone, Brad
Carlson (BCa), Bruce Chilton (BCh), Doug Daniels, Willie D’Anna, Elaine
Dart, Brett Ewald, Kurt Fox, Mike Galas, Joanne Goetz, David Gordon, Carol
Hardenburg (CHa), Jack Hartwig, Paul Hess, Chris Hollister (CHo), Linda
Holmes, Alec Humann, Jim Landau (JiL), Lynne Landon, Greg Lawrence, Jerry
Lazarczyk (JeL), Joe Mitchell, Mike Morgante, Celeste Morien, Pat Morton,
Terry Mosher, Dave Muller, Chris Newton, Jim Pawlicki, Ralph Peterson, Betsy
Potter, Gerry Rising, Richard Saiembier, Marty Sanden, Debbie Sharon, Nick
Sly, Holly Sweeney, Steve Taylor, Dave Tetlow, William Watson, Cy Wolfing,
Peter Yoerg, Terry Yonker, Nathaniel Young.
ABBREVIATIONS
A1SP - Allegany SP, CATT; AmSP - Amherst SP, ERIE; BeSP - Beaver 1 SP,
ERIE; BOSAC - Buffalo Ornithological Society April Count 10 April; BOSMC
- Buffalo Ornithological Society May Count 15 May; BuSP - Buckhorn Island
SP, ERIE; BWWTP - Batavia Waste Water Treatment Plant, GENE; ChauL -
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
224
Chautauqua L, CHAU; DH - Dunkirk Harbor, CHAU; DLSP - Darien Lakes
SP, GENE; FMCSP - Four Mile Creek SP, NIAG; FNSP - Fort Niagara SP,
NIAG; GHSP - Golden Hill SP, NIAG; Hamburg HW - Hamburg Hawk
Watch, ERIE; INWR - Iroquois NWR, GENE/ORLE; LBSP - Lakeside Beach
SP, ORLE; MI - Motor 1 NR, ERIE; NF - Niagara Falls, NIAG; NFSP -
Niagara Falls SP, NIAG; NR - Niagara R; OOWMA - Oak Orchard Wildlife
Management Area, GENE; PB - Point Breeze, ORLE; PG - Point Gratiot,
CHAU; Ripley HW - Ripley Hawk Watch, CHAU; SPNS - Sinking Ponds NS,
ERIE; Tifft NP - Tifft Nature Preserve, ERIE; TWMA - Tonawanda Wildlife
Management Area. GENE/NIAG: WTSP - Wilson-Tuscarora SP, NIAG.
WHISTLING-DUCKS - VULTURES
Greater White-fronted Goose: Somerset NIAG
26 Mar (WD); max 7 Barre ORLE 29, 30 Mar
(JM, JP, RS); Carlton ORLE i Apr (DT).
Snow Goose: arr 24 DH 3 Mar (TM); 30
Alexander GENE 7 Mai-; 125 Hanland NIAG 11
Mar (WD); max 283 Alabama GENE 13 Mar
(JM, JP); 61 Hamburg HW 14 Mar; 57 Porter
NIAG 15 Mar; 46 Clymer CHAU 25 Mar;
BOS AC; BESP 4, 20 Apr; last Somerset NIAG
18 May (WD): better showing than most springs.
ROSS’S GOOSE (RI): DH 3 Mar (JP! photo),
in company with Canada Geese.
Brant: Albion ORLE 2 Apr (JP, WD), very
early, in company with Canada Geese.
Cackling Goose: arr 2 DH 3 Mar; TWMA 4
Mar; 6, 9 Somerset NIAG & Yates ORLE 11,27
Mar; max 37,18 Hartland NIAG 12, 20 Mar; 6
INWR 22 Mar; 7 Carlton ORLE 1 Apr; 4 Gaines
ORLE 2 Apr; 4 Yates ORLE 4 Apr.
Mute Swan: 2 Grand I NR 7 Mar; 2 WTSP 8, 26
Mar; 37 BOSAC; BeSP 22,24 Apr; 3
Youngstown NR 6 May; GHSP 29 May; only
reports.
Trumpeter Swan: several sightings Elba
GENE, OOWMA. late Apr, early May (KF,
CN).
Tundra Swan: arr 7 Tonawanda ERIE 1 Mar:
306 BeSP 3 Mar; max 588 Hamburg HW 4 Mar;
200 Tifft NP 15 Mar; 162 BWWTP 19 Mar; last
Kiantone CHAU 30 Apr.
Wood Duck: arr Wilson NIAG 1 Mar; max 62,
85 Batavia GENE 27,29 Mar (KF).
Gadwall: an- 3 TWMA 10 Mar: max 22
OOWMA 7 Apr; 10 BWWTP 20 May.
Eurasian Wigeon: Alexander GENE 25 Mar
(ED); OOWMA 29 Mar - 7 Apr (JM. mob);
TWMA 6 Apr, 7 May (JM, JP, KF); INWR 15
Apr (GR, CH); Elba GENE 29 Apr (KF); annual
in spring in recent years.
EURASIAN X AM. WIGEON: TWMA 6, 10
Apr (JM, JP, DG); showing features of both
species.
Am. Wigeon: arr 6 Wilson NIAG 1 Mar; 144
Oakfield GENE 20 Mar; max 655, 662
OOWMA 30 Mar, 7 Apr (WW).
Blue-winged Teal: arr 2 Alexander GENE 14
Mar; max 16 INWR 19 Apr; 5 Tifft NP 4 May.
N. Shoveler: an- 3 Wilson NIAG 4 Mar; max 89
INWR 22 Mar.
N. Pintail: arr Wilson NIAG 1 Mar; 100 DH 3
Mar: max 2050 Hartland NIAG 11 Mar (WD);
223 INWR 7 Apr; 168 Elba GENE 29 Apr;
Hartland NIAG 30 May.
Green-winged Teal: an- 3 BeSP 4 Mar; 330
INWR 30 Mar; max 417, 325 Elba GENE 29
Apr, 1 May (KF).
Canvasback: an Clymer CHAU 12 Mar; 4, 17
BWWTP 13, 19 Mar; last 7 Buffalo Harbor
ERIE 30 Apr.
Redhead: an 21, 144 BWWTP 9, 19 Mar; max
400,300 Buffalo Harbor ERIE 20, 27 Mar;
Hartland NIAG 26 May.
Ring-necked Duck: an 30 BWWTP 9 Mar; 290
DH 24 Mar; max 646 BWWTP 27 Mar; 240, 240
INWR 14, 19 Apr.
Greater Scaup: an 2 ChauL 12 Mar; max 3400,
2000 Buffalo Harbor ERIE 17,27 Mar; 2 NF 20
May.
Lesser Scaup: an, max 4, 206 BWWTP 9, 27
Mar; 200 Buffalo Harbor ERIE 3 Apr.
King Eider: 3 Buffalo Harbor ERIE 17 Mar - 27
Apr (JP, mob), not always present but seen by
many; Wilson NIAG 21 Apr (WD).
Harlequin Duck: 2 DH 1-12 Mar (JeL, JG,
mob); NF 12-20 May (MM), late.
Surf Scoter: 2, 1 PB 1,27 Mar; FNSP 15 Mar;
BWWTP 6, 16, 22 Apr; 2 Wilson NIAG 24 Apr;
only reports.
White-winged Scoter: ChauL 22 Apr (JB);
BWWTP 30 Apr, 20-22 May (KF). uncommon
inland.
Black Scoter: DH 3 Mar; Youngstown NR 11
Mar, 2 PB 15 Mar; 2 BWWTP 27 Mar-9 Apr
(KF, mob), rare inland; only reports.
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
225
Long-tailed Duck: arr 11 Celeron ChauL, 2
BWWTP 13 Mar; Alexander GENE 18 Mai-; last
2 FNSP 25 May.
Bulllehead: arr Newstead ERIE 10 Mar; 55
INWR 18 Mar; max 222 BWWTP 30 Apr. last
10 BOSMC.
Com. Goldeneye: arr ChauL 12 Mar; last NF
12-20 May.
Hooded Merganser: arr 6 Newstead ERIE 10
Mar; max 109, 103 BWWTP 27 Mar, 2 Apr.
Com. Merganser: 129 BWWTP 14 Mar; max
240 NF 26 Mar.
Red-breasted Merganser: arr 2 BWWTP 20
Mar.
Ruddy Duck: air BWWTP 14 Mar; max 292,
367 BWWTP 9,30 Apr.
Red-throated Loon: air 8 FNSP 22 Mar; ChauL
26, 31 Mar. 1 Apr (JB); PB 27 Mar; max 73
Wilson N1AG 24 Apr.
Com. Loon: arr GHSP 17 Mar; max 203
Somerset NIAG to PB 14 Apr.
Pied-billed Grebe: arr PB 15 Mar.
Homed Grebe: arr Jamestown CHAU 1 Mar; 4
BuSP 6 Mar; 55 BWWTP 19 Mar (JP); max 73
FNSP 22 Mar; 20 INWR 19 Apr; 17 Dayton
CATT 24 Apr; 2 BOSMC; last BWWTP 22 May
(KF).
Red-necked Grebe: 3 Shadigee ORLE 13 Mai - ;
4 Somerset NIAG 20 Mar; 2 Wilson NIAG 24
Apr: BWWTP 30 Apr; only reports.
EARED GREBE (R1): DH 1 -14 Mar,
continued from winter; Yates ORLE 14 Apr (JP).
Double-crested Cormorant: 90, 728 DH 1 Mar,
17 Apr; arr 26 BuSP 26 Mar; 2 ChauL 27 Mar;
max 1060 MI 24 Apr.
Am. Bittern: arr 2 BOSAC; 1, 2 Tifft NP 11
Apr, 4 May: INWR 21, 24 Apr; BWWTP 30 Apr
(KF); 3 TWMA 7 May.
Least Bittern: arr 2,2 Tifft NP 7, 22 May (JM,
MM); TWMA, INWR 20 May; only reports.
Great Blue Heron: 125 MI 3 Mar (WW); 114 +
86 n MI 12 Apr (WW).
Great Egret: arr MI 20 Mar (DG, WW); 110 +
56 n MI 24 Apr: BWWTP 10 May; LBSP 19
May; INWR 20 May.
SNOWY EGRET (Rl): Tifft NP 11 Apr (CN),
third earliest ever; 2, 1 TWMA 26, 30 Apr (BE,
JeL, JP).
Cattle Egret: Hardand NIAG 30 May (WD!).
Green Heron: arr Tifft NP 16 Apr.
Black-crowned Night-Heron: max 106
Strawberry I NR 8 Apr (WW).
YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON: ad
Tifft NP 26 Apr (AH!); rare, only 2 nd Reg Apr
report.
Black Vulture: Buffalo Harbor ERIE 20 Mar
(BC, DD); Wilson NIAG 9 Apr (WD); Hamburg
226
HW 27 Apr (JiL, WW); 2 NF 5 May (WD);
increasing.
Turkey Vulture: max 1843, 2224 Ripley HW 8,
9 Apr.
HAWKS - ALCIDS
Osprey: arr ChauL 22 Mar (JB); 22 Hamburg
HW 9 Apr; pair nesting on platform at Tifft NP.
Bald Eagle: too numerous to report all nesting
locations; 10 INWR 24 Mar (JP); 8 imm, 1 ad
Allegheny Res CATT 26 Mar (TB); 34 BOSAC;
10 Hamburg HW 26 Apr; max 17 Wilson &
Porter NIAG 27 Apr (WD, BP).
Sharp-shinned Hawk: max 84. 417 Ripley HW
9, 10 Apr; 240 Hamburg HW 26 Apr.
N. Goshawk: Wilson NIAG 2, 17 Apr (WD,
PY); Alden ERIE 27 Apr (JM); only reports
away from hawkwatches.
Red-shouldered Hawk: arr 3 Orchard Park
ERIE 8 Mai-; max 206, 74 Ripley HW 17, 18
Mar.
Broad-winged Hawk: arr Ripley HW 9 Apr;
max 5854 Ripley HW, 2250 Hamburg HW 26
Apr; 2250 Wilson NIAG 27 Apr (WD).
SWAINSON’S HAWK: Wilson NIAG 27 Apr
(WD! NYSARC), tare.
Red-tailed Hawk (DARK MORPH): Gaines
ORLE 1-3 Apr (DT. WD, JP), very rare.
Rough-legged Hawk: 17 Ripley HW 17 Mar;
max 23 Hamburg HW9 Apr; last BOSMC.
Golden Eagle: arr Tifft NP 15 Mar (CN);
Hamburg HW 9 Apr (JP); 2 ORLE BOSAC;
Shadigee ORLE 23 Apr (WD); 2 Wilson NIAG
27 Apr (WD).
Merlin: 12 reports away from hawk watches; 6
BOSAC; pair Salamanca CATT 25 Apr (TB);
last WTSP 20 May.
Peregrine Falcon: arr Somerset NIAG 5 Mar; 3
Tifft NP 15 Mar; 3 Ripley HW 26 Apr;
numerous reports from nesting locations and
elsewhere.
KING RAIL: TWMA 13, 22 May (KF), heard
only; not documented.
Virginia Rail: arr INWR 21 Apr.
Sora: arr Conewango CATT 6 Apr (PM),
slightly early; Porter NIAG 27 Apr; 3 Tifft NP 8
May; Kiantone CHAU 7 May; 2 BWWTP 20
May; Alexander GENE 26, 30 May.
Com. Moorhen: arr INWR 18 Apr; dead Derby
ERIE 20 Apr.
Am. Coot: arr ChauL 12 Mar; max 69 INWR 5
May.
Sandhill Crane: arr Tillman Rd WMA ERIE 13
Mar (RS); migrants reported from eight other
locations away from hawk watches.
Black-bellied Plover: arr 2 Wilson NIAG 17, 20
May (DM), only report.
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
Semipalmated Plover: air 1 Elba GENE 1 May;
ties Reg record early; 7 Elba GENE 11 May;
max 11 Hartland N1AG 19 May,
Spotted Sandpiper: arr Bethany GENE 12 Apr.
Solitary Sandpiper: arr 2 Kiantone CHAU 24
Apr; max 9 Elba GENE 1 May; last Lancaster
ERIE 24 May.
Greater Yellowiegs: arr ChauL 19 Mar (JB); 35
INWR 18 Apr; max 38,30 Elba GENE 27 Apr, 7
May.
Lesser Yellowiegs: arr 9 BOSAC; max 138,
137, 125 Elba GENE 27 Apr, 1, 7 May (KF).
Upland Sandpiper: arr 1, 3 Tillman Rd. WMA
ERIE 6, 30 May (BC, PY); Colden ERIE 12
May (JiL); only reports.
Whimbrel: 15 NFSP 24 May (JB), distant view,
likely correct ID.
Ruddy Turnstone: air NFSP 20 May (MM); 2
BWWTP 27 May (GL).
Sanderling: arr PB 13 May (KF), Reg record
early, only report.
Semipalmated Sandpiper: arr Hartland NIAG
26 May.
Least Sandpiper: arr Carroll CHAU 1 May.
White-rumped Sandpiper: no reports.
Pectoral Sandpiper: arr INWR 6 Apr ; max 24
INWR 14 Apr.
Purple Sandpiper: 2, 1 NFSP 12, 25 May (MM.
PY), traditional location for spring reports.
Dunlin: arr 5 BOSAC: 17, 24 Elba GENE 30
Apr, 1 May; max 25 INWR 7 May.
Short-billed Dowitcher: 23 Hartland NIAG 18
May (WD), only report.
Wilson’s Snipe: arr Portland CHAU 21 Mar;
max 30 Pomfret CHAU 25 Mar (TM).
Am. Woodcock: arr Alden 6 Mar.
Wilson’s Phalarope: 1, 1 Elba GENE 1, 7 May
(KF), different birds.
Bonaparte's Gull: 6 ChauL 20 Mar; Bethany
GENE 4 Apr; 5 Shelby ORLE 11 Apr; max
5500, 3000 Buffalo NR 15,30 Apr (JP, PH); 16
BWWTP 16 Apr; 12 Dayton CATT 24 Apr; 40
FNSP, 40 WTSP 25 May (PY).
BLACK-HEADED GULL (Rl): DH 14 Mar
(JP); 2 Buffalo NR 22 Apr (JP! mob), on the late
side.
Little Gull: 3 DH 1-7 Mar; max 48 Lewiston
NR 16 Mar (JP), 46 of these ad; BeSP 15 Apr; 3
Buffalo NR 22 Apr; Tonawanda NR 28 Apr.
Iceland Gull: max 5,5 Porter NIAG 16,20 Mar;
last DH 25 Apr.
Lesser Black-backed Gull: INWR 19 Mar (JP),
unusual inland; ad Hamburg HW 21 Mar (WW,
JP); max 5 DH 28 Apr.
SLATY-BACKED GULL: Porter NIAG 16
Mar (WD!, BP, NYSARC); Wilson NIAG 22
Mar (JP! NYSARC); same bird suspected, also
possibly same bird seen in Feb.
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
Glaucous Gull: max 6 Lewiston Res NIAG 20
Mar; last Hamburg ERIE 22 Apr.
Caspian Tern: arr FNSP 4 Apr; 100 DH 12
Apr; max 220 Wilson NIAG 1 May (CM); 128
PB 1 May.
Black Tern: arr 12 INWR 26 Apr; 1,1,1
BWWTP 30 Apr, 20, 26 May; Lewiston NR 1
May; max 47 INWR 5 May (WW).
Com. Tern: arr Lewiston NR 4 Apr (JP), Reg
record early; 1.1,3 BWWTP 9 Apr, 26, 27 May;
2 Dayton CATT 24 Apr; 101 Wilson NIAG I
May; max 350 Buffalo Harbor ERIE 4 May
(WW).
Forster’s Tern: arr BWWTP 9, 10 Apr (JH,
DB, KF); Buffalo NR 11 Apr (JP); 1, 1 BWWTP
3, 26 May (CN, JM).
PIGEONS - WOODPECKERS
Yellow-billed Cuckoo: arr Hinsdale CATT,
Watts Flats WMA CHAU 14 May.
Black-billed Cuckoo: arr Tifft NP 14 May.
Long-eared Owl: NIAG BOSAC; Tifft NP 1
May (CN): INWR 13,22 May (KF); BOSMC;
rarely reported beyond Apr.
Short-eared Owl: BWWTP 9 Mar (KF);
Oakfield GENE 13 Mar; 1, 1 Tifft NP 15 Mar,
26 Apr: BOSAC; LBSP 17 Apr; Shelby ORLE
21 Apr-22 May (CM, KF), date suggestive of
breeding.
N. Saw-whet Owl: WTSP 3-22 Mar (BP); 2
WTSP 4, 5 Apr (BP); Tifft NP 13 May (J&KL);
only reports.
Com. Nighthawk: arr 1,1,1 Alfred ALLE 2, 6,
22 May (RP); Buffalo ERIE 13,30 May; 7 LBSP
19 May; Tonawanda ERIE 22, 28 May; 4
Portland CHAU 22 May; PG 27 May; max 22
Dunkirk CHAU 26 May (MS); NF 29 May.
E. Whip-poor-will: FNSP 19 May (LL), only
report.
Chimney Swift: air Hamburg HW 25 Apr.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird: arr Orchard
Park ERIE 30 Apr.
Red-headed Woodpecker: ALLE BOSAC;
Colden ERIE 30 Apr - 4 May; reported from
seven known or likely breeding locations in
May.
Red-bellied Woodpecker: Alfred ALLE 29 Mar
(EB), rare in higher terrain of ALLE.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: arr 2 Williamsville
ERIE, 3 BeSP 4 Apr.
FLYCATCHERS - WAXWINGS
Olive-sided Flycatcher: arr Buffalo ERIE 18
May (RS); SPNS 19 May (LH); WTSP 22 May
(WD. BP).
E. Wood-Pewee: arr Tifft NP 11 May.
227
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: arr Buffalo ERIE 22
May; max 12 Wilson & Porter NIAG 27 May
(WD, BP), impressive count; five other reports
in late May.
Acadian Flycatcher: arr INWR 19 May; Carroll
CHAU 30 May.
Alder Flycatcher: arr Watts Flats WMA CHAU
14 May.
Willow Flycatcher: arr Carroll CHAU 9 May,
ties Reg record early.
Least Flycatcher: arr Tifft NP 26 Apr.
E, Phoebe: arr Randolph CATT 20 Mar.
Gr. Crested Flycatcher: arr Tifft NP 26 Apr.
E. Kingbird: arr Tifft NP, 2 Eden ERIE, 5
TWMA 26 Apr.
N. Shrike: six reports in Mar; last Carlton
ORLE 1 Apr.
Yellow-throated Vireo: air OOWMA 30 Apr.
Blue-headed Vireo: arr SPNS BOSAC 10 Apr,
ties Reg record early.
Warbling Vireo: air multiple locations 27 Apr.
Philadelphia Vireo: arr Buffalo ERIE 12 May.
Red-eyed Vireo: air Wilson NIAG 1 May.
Com. Raven: 3 Glenwood ERIE 22 Mar; N Java
WYOM 27 Mar; Tonawanda NR 30 Mar, 21, 22
Apr (JP); 2 Hamburg HW 9 Apr (JP); DLSP 21
Apr (JM); 3 E. Concord ERIE 22 Apr; Basom
GENE 3 May (CM); Eden ERIE 4 May; Sardinia
ERIE 20 May: only reports outside ALLE,
CATT, CHAU besides BOS counts; cont to incr.
Purple Martin: arr 12 BOSAC.
Tree Swallow: arr 2 INWR 18 Mar; 900 Elba
GENE 26 Apr (KF); max 1125 BWWTP 4 May
(KF), cold, windy day.
N. Rough-winged Swallow: arr TWMA 9 Apr.
Bank Swallow: arr Tifft NP 20 Apr; max 225
BWWTP 4 May (KF).
Cliff Sw allow: arr Alexander GENE, Buffalo
Harbor ERIE 27 Apr.
Barn Swallow: arr 2 Alexander GENE 5 Apr.
House Wren: air Bethany GENE, Tonawanda
ERIE 25 Apr.
Winter Wren: arr 3 Tifft NP 7 Apr.
SEDGE WREN (Rl): an- INWR 22 May (KF).
Marsh Wren: arr Tifft NP 22 Apr (JM. JP);
AmSP 27 Apr (RS).
Golden-crowned Kinglet: arr 10 Williamsville
ERIE 4 Apr.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet: arr Williamsville ERIE
4 Apr.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: arr 2 Tifft NP 23 Apr.
Veery: arr BeSP 2 May.
Gray-cheeked Thrush: arr Buffalo ERIE 12
May; BOSMC; three other reports,
Swainson’s Thrush: arr Bethany GENE,
Buffalo ERIE 5 May; max 12 Tifft NP 22 May
(MM).
Hermit Thrush: arr Buffalo ERIE 8 Apr.
228
Wood Thrush: arr BeSP, INWR 27 Apr.
Gray Catbird: SPNS 12 Mar; Tifft NP 15 Mai”
arr multiple locations 26 Apr.
N. Mockingbird: S Buffalo ERIE 8 Mar; 1, 2
Alexander GENE 30 Mar, 27 Apr; Hamburg HW
25 Apr; Grand I ERIE 10 May; less common in
these areas.
Brown Thrasher: arr 2 BOSAC.
BOHEMIAN WAXWING (Rl): Bethany
GENE BOSAC 10 Apr (DB!), very late, with
group of Cedars; latest spring record for Reg.
Am. Pipit: an- 3 Batavia, Alexander GENE 8
Mar; last Wilson NIAG 20 May.
LONGSPURS - WARBLERS
Lapland Longspur: 2 Alabama GENE 3 Mar;
20 Oakfield GENE 19 Mar; 30 Shelby ORLE 24
Mar (JM, JP); max 40 Carlton ORLE 1 Apr
(DT); 24 Tillman Road WMA 3 Apr; last 12
Shelby ORLE 20 Apr.
Snow Bunting: 80 Alabama GENE 3 Mar; 40
BeSP 6 Mar; 150 Bethany GENE 7 Mar; max
1100 Hart land NLVG 11 Mar (BP, WD).
Blue-winged Warbler: arr 2 Alden ERIE, 2
Lewiston NIAG 27 Apr (NY, NS).
Golden-winged Warbler: an Buffalo ERIE 12
May (PY, RS); Wilson NIAG 27 May (BP,
WD); only reports.
“Brewster’s” Warbler: no reports.
“Lawrence’s” Warbler: Tifft NP 5, 7 May
(AB, CN, CHo), rare.
Tennessee Warbler: arr Wilson NIAG 6 May;
max 17 Buffalo ERIE 19 May (RS).
Orange-crowned Warbler: an Tifft NP 6 May
(DS); 1, 1 Buffalo ERIE 8, 19 May; FNSP 11
May; 1, 1 Wilson NIAG 13, 16 May; 2 FMCSP
14 May.
Nashville Warbler: an TWMA, Alden ERIE 26
Apr.
N. Parula: an Tifft NP 27 Apr; max 8 Wilson
NIAG 14 May (BP. WD); seemingly more
common in migration this year.
Yellow Warbler: arr 2 SPNS, Sandusky CATT
24 Apr.
Chestnut-sided Warbler: arr BeSP 30 Apr.
Magnolia Warbler: an Tifft NP 27 Apr.
Cape May Warbler: an Wilson NIAG 1 May;
max 4 Wilson NIAG 14 May.
Black-throated Blue Warbler: arr Tifft NP 27
Apr (MG. GR, DS). Reg record early.
Yellow-rumped Warbler: Alexander GENE 16
Mar; air 15 BOSAC.
Black-throated Green Warbler: an
Williamsville ERIE 11 Apr (RS!), early; Tifft
NP 21 Apr.
Blackburnian Warbler: an Wilson NIAG 26
Apr (BP), slightly early.
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER (Rl):
PO 17 Apr (JP); A1SP 10 May (TB), recent
breeding location.
Pine Warbler: an - Colden ERIE 4 Apr (CN);
max 9 Tifft NP 16 Apr (RS).
Prairie Warbler: arr Buffalo ERIE 7 May
(DG): Carroll CHAU 29 May, breeder.
Palm Warbler: arr 2 AmSP, Sandusky CATT
24 Apr; last Tifft NP 22 May.
Bay-breasted Warbler: air Tifft NP 8 May;
max 20 Wilson & Porter N1AG 22 May (BP,
WD).
Blackpoll Warbler: arr Tifft NP 10 May.
Cerulean Warbler: arr BeSP 5 May; Sherman
CHAU 7 May; 3 A1SP 28 May.
Black-and-white Warbler: arr multiple
locations 26 Apr.
Am. Redstart: arr BeSP 27 Apr (JP), ties Reg
record early.
Prothonotary Warbler: arr AmSP 30 Apr
(GR!); Carlton ORLE 1 May (KF); TWMA 7, 20
May, regular breeding location.
Ovenbird. an - multiple locations 26 Apr.
N. Waterthrush: arr 2 Tifft NP. INWR 26 Apr.
Louisiana Waterthrush: an - Tifft NP 11 Apr
(KF), rare in migration.
Mourning Warbler: air Tifft NP 12 May.
C. Yellowthroat: arr Eden, Alden ERIE 27 Apr.
Hooded Warbler: arr Colden ERIE 26 Apr.
Wilson’s Warbler: arr Tifft NP 2 May (CN).
Reg record early; max 20 Wilson & Porter N1AG
27 May (WD, BP).
Canada Warbler: arr 5 Watts Flats WMA
CHAU 7 May (JB); max 15.
Wilson & Porter NIAG 27 May (WD, BP).
Yellow -breasted Chat: arr Alden ERIE 9-15
May (CW); INWR 13, 22, 29 May (KF, JeL);
WTSP 14-31 May (BP, WD, mob); Clymer
CHAU 20 May (ST); increase over recent
springs.
TOWHEES-WEAVERS
E. Towhee: arr Alden ERIE 18 Mar (NY).
Am. Tree Sparrow: 6 Alexander GENE 28 Apr;
last GHSP BOSMC (HS).
Chipping Sparrow: arr 2 Belfast ALLE 1 Apr.
Clay-colored Sparrow: no reports.
Field Sparrow : arrPomfret CHAU 23 Mar; 4
Belfast ALLE 2 Apr.
Vesper Sparrow: arr 6 BOSAC; Shelby ORLE
24 Apr; BuSP 30 Apr; 2 Carlton ORLE 1 May; 2
BOSMC.
Savannah Sparrow: an- Bane ORLE 3 Apr.
Grasshopper Sparrow: arr Times Beach NP
ERIE 30 Apr (MM), rarely sighted in migration;
2,4 Tillman Rd WMA ERIE 12, 30 May (NY,
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
PY); 2 Middlebury WYOM 14 May; Carlton
Hill MUA WYOM 14 May; DLSP 20 May; 2
Artpark NIAG 20 May; Concwango CATT 28
May; 2 Pomfret CHAU 29 May; more reports
than usual.
Fox Sparrow : arr Ashford CATT 7 Mar; max
17, 15 Tifft NP 11, 20 Apr (WW, RS); last
Clymer CHAU 7 May.
Lincoln’s Sparrow: arr Tifft NP 26 Apr (AH);
max 5 Buffalo ERIE 12 May; 4 Tifft NP 22
May; last WTSP, FMCSP 27 May.
Swamp Sparrow: BWWTP 13 Mar; 2 INWR
20 Mar; either wintering or early spring, arrivals.
White-throated Sparrow: max 91 Tifft NP 1
May (RS).
White-crowned Sparrow: arr Tifft NP 11 Apr;
max 46 Tifft NP 11 May.
Scarlet Tanager: arr Tifft NP 27 Apr, ties Reg
record early.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak: arr multiple locations
26 Apr.
Indigo Bunting: arr Wilson NIAG 27 Apr (WD,
BP), slightly early.
Bobolink: arr DLSP 29 Apr; 4 Knox Farm SP
ERIE 30 Apr.
E. Meadowlark: arr Hamburg HW, Randolph
CATT 12 Mar.
Rusty Blackbird: an 2 Portland CHAU 6 Mar;
50 Barre ORLE 24 Mar; 19 Poland CHAU 27
Mar; 35 Alabama GENE 29 Mar; est 3500
INWR, 2500 TWMA 26 Apr (KF). near dusk;
last 8 BOSMC.
Orchard Oriole: an Knox Fann SP ERIE 30
Apr (CC): 1,4 Portland CHAU 1, 17 May
(CHa); BesP 6 May; LBSP 7 May; Buffalo ERIE
8-12 May; Wilson NIAG 15, 19 May;
Ransomville NIAG 20 May.
Baltimore Oriole: an 3 Colden ERIE, Alden
ERIE 27 Apr.
Purple Finch: slightly lower than normal
numbers.
Com. Redpoll: 50, 60 Youngstown NIAG 5
Mar, 5 Apr; 70, 50 Orchard Park ERIE 19 Mar, 2
Apr; 70, 1 Wilson NIAG 19 Mar, 1 May; Grand
I ERIE 1 May; last Alfred ALLE 3 May: well
reported through first week of Apr.
HOARY REDPOLL (Rl): If, 2m Wilson
NIAG 11,17 Mar (WD, BP); Colden ERIE 11
Mar (CN); 1,1.1 Youngstown NIAG 14,16, 20
Mar (LL, TY); 1, 1 Orchard Park ERIE 26,31
Mar (MM); more documented reports than usual.
Pine Siskin: 25 FNSP 4 Mar; max 60 Wilson
NIAG 6 May; present in low numbers Mar
through mid-May,
Evening Grosbeak: 18 ALLE BOSAC; 8 ALLE
BOSMC, only reports.
229
REGION 2-GENESEE
Robert Spahn
716 High Tower Way, Webster, NY 14580
rspahn@prodigy.net
Weather is often a major influence in determining the picture of a season,
especially a migration season like spring. This year the weather factor was
particularly strong and obvious, though much of the impact was due to weather
far removed from our Region and even our State. For much of April and May, a
mass of storms set up over the south-central portion of the country—from Texas
to the Carolinas and the Gulf Coast states to above the Ohio Valley. Severe
storms and heavy rains essentially blocked the path for trans-gulf and Central
American migrants moving toward the Northeast. Brief breaks in this pattern
sent strong fronts sweeping rapidly northeast, producing a few bursts of
sometimes strange mixes of regular migrants plus some interesting rarities. But
for much of the time the migration season was SLOW and THIN.
Focusing on the local weather, March was changeable as usual, but still
largely a continuation of winter. Most statistics were average, but the ground
remained snow-covered and most of the bays and ponds were mostly frozen for
much of the month. Temperatures averaged 33.8° F, 0.1° below normal,
precipitation totaled 2.67", 0.09" above normal, and 15.1" of snow fell, bringing
the total for the winter to 127.0". Sunshine was well above normal at 54%, but
persistent northerly winds most of the month meant little migration, especially
for hawks. Early April brought some sign of a warm up and the beginning of
migration, but then the second half turned very wet, with rain on 10 of the last
15 days. The highlight was a weather break on the 26 lh and 27 th , with strong
winds bringing the best ever single day hawk flight to Braddock Bay, plus a
burst of migrants and rarities. The temperature for the month averaged 46.4°,
1.1° above normal, and precipitation totaled 5.81", 3.06" above normal, a record
high for the month. Rain and clouds continued to rule the picture through May.
Temperatures see-sawed, and after nine dry days from the 4 th -12 th which brought
in migrants, the next nine days were wet. Hot, humid days and storms ensued,
followed by a nice Memorial Day weekend. Temperatures averaged 58.8°, 1.8°
above normal, and precipitation totaled 4.80", 1.98" above normal, capping the
second wettest spring on record here.
Moving on to the groups of migrants we follow in spring, first a look at the
waterbirds. Typical of recent years, waterfowl moved in relatively early and
moved through quickly. Ice cover on the lakeshore ponds and bays limited the
build-up of numbers to well below expectations. Few birds lingered there even
into April. The only high counts near or on Lake Ontario were of some of the
divers, namely, scaup, scoters, Long-tailed Duck, and Red-breasted
Merganser—and even these were low. Among the puddle ducks, all of the high
counts were from the Northern Montezuma Wetlands Complex, mainly in
March. Along the lakeshore, monitoring of the lake watch at Hamlin Beach SP
230 The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
was irregular, and there were very few days with any significant movements
noted. Even Canada Goose numbers in fields near the lakeshore were low. The
numbers of Snow Geese in this Region near the Montezuma NWR were
unusually poor, probably due to ice on the ponds and snow cover during the
time of their peak passage. In contrast, Dave Tetlow tallied over 30,000 Snow
Geese in the Genesee Valley southwest of Rochester on 11 March, a record
count for that area. Historically the bulk of the Snow Goose movement through
the Region is to the east of Rochester. Among the rarer waterfowl were a
Greater White-fronted Goose, three Ross’s Geese, 2-3 Eurasian Wigeons,
Harlequin Duck, and Barrow’s Goldeneye. Noting some trends, we find 33+
Cackling Geese over all three months; Trumpeter Swan breeding in Wayne
County, with a maximum of 21 in Savannah; and Mute Swan all over near the
Lake Ontario shore ponds.
Among die other waterbirds, after low numbers this winter, we had a late 1
March arrival date for Common Loon and low maxima for both loons.
Reasonable, but not really high, peak counts were noted for Horned and Red¬
necked Grebes on 8 April, and an Eared Grebe was found at Hamlin Beach SP
on 7 May. Two American White Pelicans visited the Braddock Bay area on 11-
12 April, then two were seen in Savannah on 5 May—the same birds? 1290
Double-crested Cormorants passing Hamlin Beach on 7 April was the best high
count, and an adult Great Cormorant flyby near Braddock Bay seen by Brad
Carlson was a real surprise. The warm pulse in late April pushed in a
Tricolored Heron and a Snowy Egret. Then on 18-20 May the Region’s first
White-faced Ibis was found and photographed by Bruce Cady and subsequently
by many others in the High Acres Landfill mitigation area in Perinton. Finally,
on 30 May a Cattle Egret dropped in near the Braddock Bay hawkwatch
platform. Interestingly, there were several other Western NY sightings of Cattle
Egret at this time.
This year - the official Braddock Bay Hawkwatch counter was Luke Tiller,
with prior experience at the Greenwich, CT fall watch. By mid April he must
have wondered why he came. March was generally cold and rainy or snowy,
with winds wrong even well into April. 9-11 April finally brought a burst of
hawks, peaking at 8870 on 11 April, but then it was back to more rain. Then, 27
April brought the biggest single day count at Braddock Bay, with 42,235 birds;
39,417 of these were Broad-winged Hawks. May reverted back to poor winds
and rain, with no 1000-bird days until 21 May, but 23 May brought another
11,350 Broadwings, an adult Mississippi Kite passed on 28 May, 94 Bald
Eagles were tallied on 29 May, and the season ended with the second highest
all-time count at 107,219. Maybe Luke will be back! To put things into
perspective, even with this high total, only the 24,619 Turkey Vultures and 413
Bald Eagles were record high species totals and only the one-day Bald Eagle
and Broad-winged Hawk counts were records. All other record highs are found
well in the past. Other raptors of note include 11 Black Vultures through the
season and a single Swainson’s Hawk at the watch, but another nearby the next
day. Luke also paid attention to the other birds in the area as hawk numbers
allowed.
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
231
Rail reporting is always iffy. King Rail is a rarity in the Region and
Beechwoods SP (the old Camp Beechwoods Girl Scout camp and Maxwell
Creek area west of Sodus Point in Wayne County) was a surprise location for
one found by Doug Daniels. Many Sandhill Cranes passed, with a peak of 13 on
the record early arrival date of 17 March, also arriving at the Carncross Road
breeding area in Savannah on that same date. Over the season, there were at
least 72 Sandhill Cranes tallied in the Region.
The shorebird picture this season was crazy and hard to assess. The bottom
line was terrible numbers, but essentially all expected species and several rarities
were reported. High lake levels limited the lakeshore habitat and eliminated
several places on creeks, ponds, and bays that often would normally have
mudflats. The rains provided many areas with puddles in the farm fields, but
some have now been tilled or can be pumped out to drain quickly. In other
cases, during prime shorebird migration time, flooded fields in our Region were
visited but simply held few or no birds. The late season period, when birds are
often found at Ontario Beach or on the nearby piers at the mouth of the Genesee
River, or seen passing the lakewatch, was not productive. The piers and beaches
at the outlet of Sodus Bay to Lake Ontario were only slightly better. In spite of
the negatives on habitats and numbers, early shorebirds were found at normal
dates and Solitary Sandpiper arrived record early. Am. Golden-PIover, relatively
rare in spring, was found in April and May. “Western” Willet, Marbled
Godwit, three reports of Sanclerling, and two White-rumped Sandpipers all were
reported in May, and Wilson’s Phalarope in late April. Yet there were no reports
of good numbers of Semipalmated Sandpiper after a very late 23 May arrival
and there were few reports of Short-billed Dowitcher.
Gull and tern reports were also on the low end this season. The best
location for interesting gulls was in the area around a large landfill in the Town
of Riga in western Monroe County and into nearby Genesee County. Dave
Tetlow surveyed these birds most actively and turned up California Gull on 24
March, Herring x Lesser Black-backed Gull in March and May, Thayer’s Gull in
March and April, and a maximum of 13 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on 22
March. In addition, the saga of rooftop-nesting Ring-billed Gulls in Batavia
opened a new chapter, with their return reported by Kurt Fox on 19 March.
Efforts continue to discourage the colony. Tern arrival dates were on the early
average end, except for Black Tern. In all cases there were no really good counts
other than 128 Caspian Terns at Point Breeze.
Among the non-passerine landbirds, we start with Eurasian Collared-Dove
in March and May at the usual Parma and Hamlin sites, but with only singles
reported on scattered dates. There were only two sightings of Snowy Owl
reported, on 5 and 30 March, both at Braddock Bay. There were good numbers
of No. Saw-whet Owl over an extended period in the usual area on the west side
of Manitou Beach Road, but few Long-eared Owls. Jim Adams recorded the
GPS coordinates of all locations he was aware of and has prepared a map and
summary report. Among the woodpeckers, the continuing highlight was the
Lewis’s Woodpecker in the Town of Richmond, Ontario County. It continued
through 9 April and in the last month or so was more widely publicized and so
232
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
was seen by many more observers. The big push on 27 April brought the
Region’s fifth Chuck-will’s Widow and four Whip-poor-wills found by Dave
Tetlow in the hawk banding area west of Manitou Beach Road. Whip-poor-will
continued in the area at least through May. Dave also had an excellent peak
count of 112 Common Nighthawks there on 23 May.
The passerine picture was another wild and messy one. Clearly, reduced
numbers for many species have led to patchy or spotty migration in recent years.
This year this trend was enhanced by weather effects. We do have some tools
for trying to analyze the information or at least to try to make sense of
observations. These include the daily banding numbers from Braddock Bay Bird
Observatory’s (BBBO) Kaiser-Manitou passerine banding station; a Migration
Stopover Project with sets of point counts in progress; 25 years of Spring
Arrival Dates tabulated for 66 landbird species (plus 27 waterbirds); and now
thousands of eBird records. Using these, we find the best banding days—27
April and 13-14 and 22-28 May—correspond with some of the best periods
generally for good numbers and rarer records. The weather-related backups of
migrants to the south and subsequent bursts of migration corresponded closely
with many arrivals and records of rarer birds during several discrete periods: 23
and 27-30 April and 7, 22-23, and 25-30 May. In early May there were several
days on which observers commented on the great numbers of migrants.
However, this typically involved big numbers of one or a few species and was
spotty; if you were in the right woodlot at the right time, GREAT, but miss that
time by minutes or miss the place and you'd be asking, WHERE ARE THE
BIRDS? As an example, 1 personally experienced this on 24 May when I heard
20+ Blackpoll Warblers singing in every tree all along Edgemere Drive, then
turned inland to see how many there were in the woods near the hawkwatch, but
within 0.2 miles heard no song. Heading back toward the lake and turning into
the Braddock Bay marina (0.2 mile off the lakeshore), within 100 yards
Blackpoll song was everywhere and a walk on the East Spit produced many
more. A strange feature in early May was the simultaneous arrival or presence of
big numbers of some species at normal dates, but with normally much later
migrants mixed in, e.g., Willow Flycatcher, Gray-cheeked Thrush, Blackpoll
Warbler, and Mourning Warbler at very early dates.
To many, spring arrivals seemed early. It takes a look at the date tables and
maybe some study to put this into perspective. First, the overall average arrival
this spring was only 0.06 of a day later than last year, when the foliage, crops,
etc. were weeks ahead of this year. Next, the big push from the southwest over
26-28 April was accompanied by a large number of arrivals and record early
dates for Blue-winged Warbler, “Brewster’s” Warbler, and Cerulean Warbler
and ties of early records for Warbling Vireo, Yellow Warbler, and Scarlet
Tanager. Of the 66 landbirds in the Spring Arrival Date table, 49 were at dates
earlier than the average over the 25 years we have been keeping the table, but
only one species was statistically significantly early (>2 standard deviations).
Also of interest, looking at the later-than-average birds, seven had average dates
after 6 May (and only Willow Flycatcher was early among all the set of birds
normally arriving later than that date) and six had normal average arrival dates
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
233
in the 1-4 April period. The exceptions were House Wren with 12 April and
Swainson’s Thrush with 4 May as normal arrival dates, and Eastern Bluebird,
for which overwintering individuals make choosing the “arrival” date
problematic.
Scanning the passerine families, we find five Olive-sided Flycatcher
records, a good number for recent years, but many of the other flycatchers noted
in low average numbers, especially the later arrivals. A couple of White-eyed
Vireos, one banded, in late May is typical, though often they appear earlier. The
Fish Crows of winter along the Genesee River continued to be reported, mostly
in the same corridor, in numbers up to ten through the season. Clearly, breeding
is suspected and hopefully will be confirmed. Peak counts for all of the swallow
species in the Region were dismally low this spring. Counts of migrant Blue Jay
and American Crow never reached their usual highs. Among the thrushes,
banding totals for Veery and Gray-cheeked Thrush (including Gray-
cheeked/Bicknell’s) were particularly low and no Bicknell’s was banded.
Swainson’s and Hermit Thrush banding totals were at least decent. The peak
count for Am. Robin at 30,000 was very high but well below the record high of
86,600 of 1 April 2008.
Among the warblers, 34 species were reported this spring, with 22 of these
plus “Brewster’s” hybrid arriving in April. The flood of migrants in late April,
when the weather broke, brought two reports of Worm-eating Warbler, and in
May rarer species were added with three reports of Prothonotary Warbler and
two of Connecticut Warbler. In the case of Prothonptary Warbler, 2-3 birds
moved into the Armitage Road area on the Wayne/Seneca County line border
between Regions 2 and 3. This is an area where they have nested successfully in
the past but not for several years. Looking to other species of special interest,
five Golden-winged Warblers were reported in April and May; at least 19
Orange-crowned Warblers were reported in May, six of these banded; and two
Yellow-breasted Chats were reported late in May. Species commented upon as
especially numerous at times included Yellow Warbler, Magnolia Warbler,
American Redstart, Common Yellowthroat, and Wilson’s Warbler. On the lower
than expected side were Tennessee, Yellow-rumped, Black-throated Green,
Blackburnian, Palm, and Bay-breasted Warblers, and Ovenbird.
There was little of note among the sparrows. Peak counts for most of the
migrants were low and arrival and departure dates typical. Highlights were five
Clay-colored Spairow reports and a maximum count of 15 Grasshopper
Sparrows in the Nations Road area between Avon and Geneseo. Additional
rarities included a female Summer Tanager on 13 May and a flyby Dickcissel on
20 May. Blackbird counts were decent but not particularly noteworthy, other
than 1840, 4365, and 1760 Rusty Blackbirds tallied by Dave Tetlow on the West
Spit of Braddock Bay on 11, 27, and 28 April, respectively. Both Orchard and
Baltimore Orioles appeared with the rush in late April and continued in good
numbers. Finch highlights included a good count of 416 Purple Finch passing
Braddock Bay on 11 April; a White-winged Crossbill on 7 May; holdover
records of redpolls including 1 “Greater” on 9 March; a maximum of 375
Common on 10 March; 13+ Hoary in March, with a maximum of six on 10
234
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
March, and single Hoary on 4 and 10 April; and single Evening Grosbeaks on
11 March and 10 April and two on 1 May.
Species counts for the season were 139 vs. a 10-year average of 132.8 for
March, 217 vs. 185.6 for April, and 243 vs. 228.7 for May. The strange weather
certainly appears to have aided in sending a diverse array of birds to this Region.
CONTRIBUTORS
Jim Adams, BBBO (Elizabeth Brooks), Janet Baker, Ted Barnett, Jessie Barry,
Jim & Liz Barry, Mitchell Barry, Hope Batcheller, John Bateman, Bob Beal,
Steven Benedict, Lynn Bergmeyer, Barry Bermudez, John Boettcher, Lynn
Braband, George Briggs, Amanda Burns, Bruce & Mary Ann Cady (BCd),
Doug Cameron, Brad Carlson (BC1), Grace Carswell, Nancy Casper, Gary
Chapin, Jill Church, Kelly Close, Don Cowley, Kathleen Dalton, Steve Daniel,
Doug Daniels, Peter Debes, Steve Donohue, Mike Llaherty, Daena Lord, Kurt
Lox, Kenny Lrisch, Kyle Gage, Andy Garland, Jeff Gerbracht, Jay Greenberg,
Kevin Griffith & Colleen Dox-Griffith, Tim Guenther, Judy & Lew Gurley,
Andrew Guthrie, Helen & Chris Haller, Kim Hartquist, Jennalee Holzschuh,
Rick Humes, IBA Monitoring, Carolyn Jacobs, Lred & Ellie Jordan, Amy Kahn,
Ryan Kayhart, Jim Kimball Mike Klimeczko, J. Gary Kohlenberg, Brian
Kuebel, Tom Lathrop, Leona Lauster, Greg Lawrence, Jerry Lazarczyk, Tim
Lenz, Joan Lindberg, Bill Maier, Jim Maley, Carol Manring, Cindy Marino, Pat
Martin, Robert & Sandy Mauceli, Jay McGowan, Bob McGuire, Robert & Chita
McKinney, Lerne Merrill, Randi & Nic Minetor, Ann Mitchell, Joseph Mitchell,
Prank Morehouse, Sheile Mumpton, Ann Nash, Dave Nutter, Sue O’Neill,
Joseph Osiovitch, Joel Paige, Pat Parslow, Jim Pawlicki, Judy Peets, Tim
Phillips, Norma Platt, Tom & Nancy Poeth, Jay Powell, Dave Prill, Carolyn
Ragan, RBA Pield Trips, Mike Riley, Tom Riley, Wade Rowley, Dominic
Sherony, Jeanne Skelly, Joe Slattery, Judy Slein, Tom & Pat Smith, Robert &
Susan Spahn, Dave Spier, A1 & Di Stout, Kimberly Sucy, Steve Taylor, Joyce
Testa, David Tetlow (DT), Mike & Joann Tetlow, Luke Tiller, Don & Donna
Traver, Mike Wasilco, Bill Watson, Bridget Watts, Dale Wesley, Dave Wheeler,
Julie White, Kinsley Whittum, Chris Wiley, Brenda Williamson, Chris Wood,
Martha Zettel.
ABBREVIATIONS
b - indicates banded this season, usually at BBBO’s Kaiser-Manitou passerine
banding station; BB - Braddock Bay, MONR; BBBO - Braddock Bay Bird
Observatory; CB - Chimney Bluffs, WAYN; CH - Cobbs Hill, Rochester,
MONR; G - T Greece, MONR; H - T Hamlin, MONR; HA - High Acres
Trails, MONR; HB -Hamlin Beach SP, MONR; HP - Hogan Pt, T Greece; ICW
- Island Cottage Woods, T Greece, MONR; K - T Kendall, ORLE; M -
Manitou Beach area, MONR; NR - Nations Road, T Avon, LIVI; PB - Point
Breeze, ORLE; R - C Rochester, MONR; S - T Savannah, WAYN; SP - Sodus
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
235
Point, WAYN; TC - Twin Cedars Environmental Area, T Avon, LIVI; W - T
of Webster, MONR; WL - West Lakeshore, MONR, ORLE.
Braddock Bay Hawkwatch Totals
Species
Arrival
Max
Max Date
Total
Black Vulture
15 Mar
2
19 Mar
8
Turkey Vulture
1 Mar
5230
11 Apr
24,619
Osprey
28 Mar
60
27 Apr
180
Bald Eagle
11 Mar
94
29 May
413
No. Harrier
1 Mar
145
11 Apr
777
Sharp-shinned Hawk
1 Mar
1530
27 Apr
7949
Cooper’s Hawk
3 Mar
64
11 Apr
487
No. Goshawk
15 Mar
14
11 Apr
33
Red-shouldered Hawk 15 Mar
178
17 Mar
385
Broad-winged Hawk
11 Apr
39,417
27 Apr
67,895
Swainson’s Hawk
28 Apr
1
28 Apr
1
Red-tailed Hawk
1 Mar
1124
11 Apr
3568
Rough-legged Hawk
1 Mar
71
11 Apr
328
Golden Eagle
11 Mar
7
17 Mar
37
Am. Kestrel
4 Mar
138
7 Apr
470
Merlin
15 Mar
16
11 Apr
51
Peregrine Falcon
4 Apr
3
11 Apr
15
Mississippi Kite
28 May
1
28 May
1
Total including unidentified raptors: 107,219
Braddock Bay Hawkwatch Records
Species
Early Date
Max
Max Date
High Total
Black Vulture
3/13/91
3
5/26/10
11 (2010)
Turkey Vulture
—
5834
4/8/01
24,619(2011)
Osprey
3/19
110
5/9/88
511(1990)
Bald Eagle
—
94
5/29/11
413 (2011)
No. Harrier
___
440
4/16/96
3177(1996)
Sharp-shinned Hawk
—
5130
4/26/96
19,429(1996)
Cooper’s Hawk
—
283
4/19/96
1474(1987)
No. Goshawk
—
42
4/4/83
141 (1883)
Red-shouldered Hawkl Mai'
1414
3/26/88
3258 (1988)
Broad-winged Hawk
Swainson’s Hawk
19 Mar
>41 records
39,417
4/27/11
93,788 (1996)
Red-tailed Hawk
—
628
3/26/88
11,412(1986)
Rough-legged Hawk
—
189
3/14/97
55 (2007)
Am. Kestrel
—
1166
4/14/83
1889 (1988)
236 The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
Merlin — 32
Peregrine Falcon — _
Mississippi Kite 21 prior records
Total:
WHISTLING-DUCKS - VULTURES
GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE: 1 H
22 Mar (DT), only report.
Snow Goose: max 30,000 Genesee River Valley
11 Mar (DT); 8500 S 9 Mar: last 1 S 30 Apr.
Ross’s Goose: air T W Sparta, LIVI 8 Mar
(DT); T Wheatland, MONR 11 Mar (DT); 1
near Lyons, WAYN 26 Mar (LL), ph.
Brant: air I TC 25-30 Mar (MW), only report.
Cackling Goose: total 33+ for season; max 7 BB
13 Mar (mob); last 1 G 1 May (CWo).
Trumpeter Swan: max 2ICamcross Rd, S 19
Apr (mob); breeding sev loc WAYN.
Tundra Swan: max 720 T Groveland, LIVI 15
Mar (JK).
Eurasian Wigeon: ! m BB 18, 24 Mar (AT,
mob); l-2m S 14-25 Mar (DWh, mob); 1 m S 1-
10 Apr (mob).
Am. Wigeon: max 1500 Marten Tract, S 25 Mar
(JMcG).
Am. Black Duck: max 1150 Camcross Rd, S 12
Mar (JMcG).
Mallard: max 4000 Carncross Rd, S 10 Mar
(IBA).
N. Shoveler: arr 3 BB 9 Mar; last 1 HB 24 May.
N. Pintail: max 5,000 Camcross Rd, S 10 Mar
(IBA); last I K 22 May.
Green-winged Teal: max 400 Camcross Rd, S
30 Mar (HB).
Canvasback: last 1 BB 28 May.
Redhead: last 2 HB 23 May (DT).
Ring-necked Duck: max 1200 S 25 Mar
(JMcG).
Greater Scaup: max 670 BB-Wesl Spit 3 Mar;
last 2 BB 2! May.
Lesser Scaup: max 330 off G 18 Mar, low; last
2 BB 28 May.
Harlequin Duck: 1 HB 20 Apr (DT).
Surf Scoter: last 2 HB 7 May.
W'hite-winged Scoter: max 230 HB 1 Mar, low.
Long-tailed Duck: max 870 off Ontario Beach
12 May (JeB, CWo).
Bufflehead: last 2 HB 21 May.
Com. Goldeneye: last 2 HB 7 May.
Barrow’s Goldeneye: lrn BB - West Spit 2
Mar (LT).
Red-breasted Merganser: max 5000 WL 8
Apr.
Ruddy Duck: last 1 Cranberry Pond 15 May.
5/10/96 115(1996)
45 (2004)
144,008 (1996)
Red-throated Loon: last I HB 22 May.
Com. Loon: arr 1 HB 1 Mar, late; max 486 HB
20 Apr.
Horned Grebe: max 293 M - H 8 Apr (RS).
Red-necked Grebe: arr 2 HB 1 Mar; max 616
M - H 8 Apr (RS, DT); last 1 HB 4 May.
EARED GREBE: 1HB 7 May (JeB, CWo,
AGu).
Double-crested Cormorant: max 1290 7 May
(JeB, CWo, AGu).
GREAT CORMORANT: I ad M 5 May (BC1).
AM WHITE PELICAN: 2 BB 11 12 Apr
(mob); 2 S 5 May (WR), same birds?
Least Bittern: air 1 BB & S 30 Apr, early.
Great Egret: arr 1 Salmon Crk, G 3-4 Apr.
SNOWY EGRET: Salmon Ok, G 29 Apr (DT).
TRICOLORED HERON: BB - West Spit 27
Apr (DT)
CATTLE EGRET: BB 30 May (LT, el al.)
Black-crowned Night-Heron: arr 3 M 10 Apr.
WHITE-FACED IBIS: 1 High Acres Trails,
Perinton 18-20 May (BCd. ph, mob), ph by
many, 1st Reg record.
Black Vulture: total 8 passing hawkwatch 15
Mar thru; 1 Webster 4 Mar (M&JT); 1
Irondequoit 8 Mar (M&JT); 1 Burger P, G 22
Mar (KG); 1 M 7 May (RK), good total.
Turkey Vulture: see hawkwatch table.
HAWKS - ALCIDS
Osprey: 2 Avon 8 Apr (JB, mob), at nest.
MISSISSIPPI KITE: 1 ad Frisbee Hill, G 28
May (LT, et at).
Bald Eagle: max 94 BB 29 May, record high
single day count (LT, et al.).
Red-shouldered Hawk: arr 2 T Wolcott 4 Mar
(DT).
Broad-w inged Hawk: air 70 BB 11 Apr (LT, et
at)', max 39,417 BB 27 Apr, record high single
day count; 11,350 BB 23 May. good count.
SWAINSON’S HAWK: 1 Hogan Pt, G27 Apr
(DT); 1 BB 28Apr (LT, et al).
Golden Eagle: arr I T Wolcott 4 Mar (DT), Reg
record early; last 1 ad BB 24 May (RS), late.
Merlin: pr nesting Geneseo 21 Mar thru (JK,
mob).
KING RAIL: Beechwoods SP, WAYN 20 Apr
(DD).
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
237
Sandhill Crane: arr and max 13 BB 17 Mar
(LT, et ai), Reg record early; arr 2 Carncross
Rd, S 17 Mar (sev), also Reg record early; 2 T
Richmond 19 Mar(DWe), likely breeding area;
total 72+ reports for the season at several sites.
Am. Golden-Plover; arr 1 Carncross Rd, S 21,
23 Apr (DN. JMcG), early; 1 M 23 May (DT).
Solitary Sandpiper: an I HA 3 Apr (JP), Reg
record early; HA 6 Apr (BCd), same bird.
Greater Yellowlegs: arr 1 K 17 Mar (DT),
early; max 250 Carncross Rd, S 23 Apr (JMcG).
“Western” Willet: 1 HB 8 May (JeB, CWo),
photos.
Lesser Yellowlegs: max 100 S Apr.
Upland Sandpiper: no reports.
Whimbrel: arr Ontario Beach, Charlotte 22, 23
May; 8 HB 27 May (DT).
MARBLED GODWIT: H 20 May (AGu, mob),
photos.
Ruddy Turnstone: arr 1 Ontario Beach,
Charlotte 18 May(KF).
Sanderling: arr SP 23-24 May (DD, DW);
Ontario Beach, Charlotte 28 May (JO); 2 SP 31
May (LL); rare in spring.
Semipalmated Sandpiper: arr HB 23 May, late
arrival and scarce.
White-rumped Sandpiper: 2 HB 27 May (DT).
Dunlin: arr 7 Geneseo 16 Apr (JK); max 70 HB
27 May (DT).
Short-billed Dowitcher; arr 1 Geneseo Airfield
(JK) & HB (DT) 18 May, only reports.
Wilson’s Snipe: max 14HS 22 Apr, low.
Wilson’s Phalarope: an near Cuylerville 30
Apr (JK).
Bonaparte’s Gull: arr 1 H 18 Mar, late.
Ring-billed Gull: back at rooftop nesting colony
Batavia 19 Mar (KFo).
CALIFORNIA GULL: 1 T Riga 24 Mar (DT),
HERRING X LESSER BLACK-BACKED
GULL: 1 T Riga 25, 29 Mar (DT).
THAYER’S GULL: limm T Leroy 5 Mar
(DT); 1 imm T Riga 22. 25 Apr (DT, KFr).
Iceland Gull: last 1 G 7 May.
Lesser Black-backed Gull: max 13 T Riga 22
Mar (DT); 9 T Riga 23-25 Mar (DT), high
counts.
Caspian Tern: max 128 PB May (KFo).
Black Tern: an loff G 8 May (JeB, CWo), late
anival.
Com. Tern: an 3 BB 5 Apr.
Forster’s Tern: max 5 HB 7 May.
PIGEONS - WOODPECKERS
EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE: 1 H/PA
Mar, May, continued where seen for sev yrs.
Yellow-billed Cuckoo: an 1 G 8 May & 2 CH 8
May.
238
Snowy Owl: BB 5, 30 Mar (LT, GL), only
reports.
Com. Nighthawk: an 1 G 12 May; max 112 M
23 May (DT), very good count.
CHUCK-WILLS-WIDOW: M 27 Apr (DT),
5 th Reg record.
E. Whip-poor-will: an 4 M 27 Apr (DT, LT); 1
M 31 May.
Chimney Swift: an 1 M 23 Apr (DT); 2
Greggsville, LIVI21 Apr, early.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird: an 1
Hucklebeny Swamp. WAYN 26 Apr (KS),
early; max 19b M 23 May; total b 101 M 8-30
May (BBBO).
LEWIS’S WOODPECKER: T Richmond,
ONTA thru 9 Apr (F&EJ, mob, ph), continued
from fall and winter.
Red-headed Woodpecker: an HB 14 Apr, no
winter rep this year.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: arr 1ICW 5 Apr.
FLYCATCHERS - WAXWINGS
Olive-sided Flycatcher: an WAYN 22 May
(SB, LL); M 28 May (DT); Badgerow P 29-31
May (KS); W 29 May (D&DTr); R 30 May
(PD); good number of reports.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: an lb M 20 May.
Acadian Flycatcher: arr 1 M 27 May, late
arrival.
“Traill’s” Flycatcher: max 45 b M 23 May;
total b 169 M 14-30 May.
Least Flycatcher: total b 66 M 8-29 May.
E. Phoebe: an 1 T York, LIVI1 Mar (DT),
record early LIVI.
Great Crested Flycatcher: an 1 HB & G 26
Apr, very early.
E. Kingbird: an 1 G 27 Apr, early.
White-eyed Vireo: arr lb M 25 May (BBBO); 1
M 27-29 May (BC1, mob), inland a ways from
banding station.
Blue-headed Vireo: an 1 M 18 Apr, early.
Warbling Vireo: an 1 Newark, WAYN 22 Apr
(SB), ties Reg record early.
Philadelphia Vireo: an 1 ICW 12 May (BC1).
Red-eyed Vireo: total b 50 14-30 May.
Blue Jay: max 1790 HB 7 May, low max.
Fish Crow: 1-10 many loc thru.
N. Rough-winged Swallow: an 2 M 10 Apr,
early.
Black-capped Chickadee: max 620 BB - West
Spit 11 Apr (DT).
Sedge Wren: no reports.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: an 1 HB 9 Apr (DT),
early; max 34 BB - West Spit 28 Apr (DT).
Ruby-crowned Kinglet: total b 136 1-26 May;
last 1 BB - West Spit 29 May.
Gray-cheeked Thrush: an 1 ICW & W 14
May; total b 10 M May, very low.
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
Gray-cheeked/Bicknell's Thrush: total b 7 M
May, very low.
Swainson’s Thrush: 26b M 23 May; max 30+
HB - West 22 May (RS); total b 84 M 15-30
May.
Hermit Thrush: total b 42 M Apr-May.
Am. Robin: max 30,000+ BB 4 Apr (DT, LT),
good count.
Gray Catbird: total b 157 m 2-30 May.
Am. Pipit: ai r G 15 Mar; max 122 HB 7 May,
low.
Bohemian Waxwing: last 2 Hogan Pt, G 27
Apr (DT), Reg record late.
Cedar Waxwing: max 377 T Wolcott 4 Mar
(DT).
LONGSPURS - WARBLERS
Lapland Longspur: last 3 BB - West Spit 11
Apr.
Snow Bunting: max 500 S 5 Mar; last 1 BB -
West Spit 11 Apr.
Blue-winged Warhler: arr lb M 26 Apr
(BBBO), Reg record early.
Golden-winged Warbler: arr 1 BB - West Spit
27 Apr (DT, JSk), early; 4 rep sev loc May.
“Brewster’s” Warhler: 1 M 26 Apr (BCl), Reg
record early.
Orange-crowned Warbler: total b 6 M 7-28
May: 13 other rep 8-22 May.
Nashville Warble: total b 92 M 1-28 May.
N. Parula: max 10 CH 9 May (BCl).
Yellow Warbler: arr lb M 17 Apr (BBBO), ties
Reg record early; total b 212 M 2-30 May.
Chestnut-sided Warbler: total b 58 M 7-30
May.
Magnolia Warbler: arr 1 Victor 30 Apr (BBe),
early; max 79b M 14 May; total b 474 M 2-30
May,
Cape May Warbler: last 1 BB 28 May.
Black-throated Blue Warbler: arr 1ICW 26
Apr (KG), early.
Yellow-rumped Warbler: arr 2 BB 10 Apr;
max 275 HB - West 1 May (CWo); total b 53 M
1-28 May, low.
Black-throated Green Warbler: arr 1
Becchwoods SP, WAYN 22 Apr. early.
Blackburnian Warbler: an - 2 G 26 Apr, early.
Pine Warbler: 1 W thru 4 Mar (JBo, NP),
winter, photos; arr 2 W 9 Apr.
Prairie Warbler: arr I G 2 May (LBe, GL).
Palm Warbler: arr I BB - West Spit 11 Apr,
early; total b 60 M 1 -22 May, low.
Blaekpol! Warbler: maxb 29 M 27 May.
Cerulean Warbler: arr 1 Thousand Acre
Swamp 25 Apr (BWi), Reg record early,
photos.
Am. Redstart: 55 HB - West 21 May (AGu);
50+ HB - West 22 May (RS): max 58b M 19
May; total b 329 M 2-30 May.
PROTIIONOTARY WARBLER: BB 13 May
(LT, mob); 1-3 Armitage Rd WAYN/SENE 29
May thru (CJ, mob), likely will nest; T Rush 30
May (BCl); best showing in recent years.
Worm-eating Warbler: BB - West Spit 27 Apr
(DT); lb M 29 Apr (BBBO).
Ovenbird: an-1 Thousand Acre Swamp 25 Apr
(CiM), early.
N. Waterthrush: total b 66 M May.
Connecticut Warbler: HB 27 May (DT); M 27
May (LT).
Com. Yellowthroat: total b 177 M 3-30 May.
Hooded Warbler: arr 1ICW 27 Apr (TPh),
early.
Wilson’s Warbler: maxb 27 M 27 May; total b
148 M 12-30 May.
Canada Warbler: maxb 21 M 23 May; total b
86 M 12-29 May.
Yellow-breasted Chat: 1 Bergen Swamp, GEN
25 May (RS, KW); 1 M 31 May (DT).
TOWHEES - WEAVERS
Am. Tree Sparrow': last 1 MONR 1 May.
Chipping Sparrow: max 138 BB - West Spit 27
Apr (DT).
Clay-colored Sparrow: an 1 T Avon 3 May
(DT); 1 Cook Rd. H 10 May thru RS. mob); 1 H
13 May (AGu); T Wolcott 13 May (sev); HB 20
May (AGu).
Field Sparrow: arr 1 East Bay, WAYN 2 Apr.
Grasshopper Sparrow: an 1 NR, Geneseo 1
May; max 15 NR 29 May (DD).
Fox Sparrow: an-1 S 25 Mar.
Lincoln’s Sparrow: an 1 Badgerow P 26 Apr;
last 1 M 28 May.
White-throated Sparrow: total b 70 M 1-25
May, ver low; last 1 H 29 May.
White-crowned Sparrow: last 1 BB - West
Spit 27 May.
SUMMER TANAGER: 1 fern BB - West Spit
13 May (KFo, DT).
Scarlet Tanager: an 1 ICW 26 Apr (KG), Reg
record early.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak: an 1 sev 26 Apr.
Indigo Bunting: arr 1 BB - West Spit 27 Apr
(DT), early.
DICKCISSEL: 1 HB 20 May (AGu).
Bobolink: max 64 HB 7 May, low.
Red-winged Blackbird: max 22,000 BB - West
Spit 11 Apr (DT).
E. Meadowlark: arr l S 9 Mar.
Rusty Blackbird: 1840 BB - West Spit 11 Apr
(DT); max 4365 BB - West Spit 27 Apr (DT);
1760 BB - West Spit 28 Apr (DT); last 2 M 23
May.
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
239
Com. Grackle: max 18,700 BB - West Spit 11
Apr (DT).
Orchard Oriole: an- BB - West Spit 27 Apr.
Purple Finch: max 416 BB - West Spit 11 Apr
(DT).
White-winged Crossbill: 1 HB 7 May 10 May
(JeB, CWo, AGu).
Com. Redpoll: max 325 HF 10 Mar (BC1); last
3 Webster P 2 May & 1 G 2 May.
Com. “Greater” Redpoll: 1 HF 9 Mar (BC1).
HOARY REDPOLL: max 6 HF 10 Mar (BC1),
many photos; total 13+ sev Mar; 1 T Naples 4
Apr (MF); last 1 HF 10 Apr (BC1).
Pine Siskin: max 145 BB - West Spit 28 Apr
(DT).
Am. Goldfinch: max 818 HB 7 May (JeB,
CWo, AGu).
Evening Grosbeak: 1 M 111 Mar (KG); 1 M 10
Apr (BCL, DD); 2 Hogan Pt G 1 May (DT).
REGION 3 - FINGER LAKES
Hope Batcheller
250 Rabbit College Rd, Petersburgh NY 12138
hjb58@cornell.edu
Spring 2011 was quite wet, with precipitation levels in March and April both
higher than average. March’s precipitation was 125% of normal, much of which
fell as snow. This contributed to the fairly late snowmelt; many areas had snow
cover until late March. April received 10 inches of precipitation, 200% of
normal. May had close to average precipitation levels. Except for a cold spell in
late March, temperatures were near average.
Migration brought a fairly standard waterfowl mixture to the Region. David
Wheeler reported a Greater White-fronted Goose at Knox-Marcellus Marsh on
16 March, and mid-March’s large Snow Goose movement came with scattered
reports of Ross’s Geese. Cackling Geese were reported mixed with Canada
Goose flocks throughout the season. As in the past few years, Eurasian Wigeon
was reported in the Montezuma area in late March and early April.
In addition to these reports of truly countable waterfowl species, several
other interesting ducks were also seen. Jay McGowan found a “Eurasian”
Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca crecca ) at George Rd. Pond in Dry den on 17
March and later a “Common” Teal x Green-winged Teal intergrade in the
same place on 30 March. Chris Wood found a second intergrade at Montezuma
NWR on 9 May. A male hybrid scaup sp. x Ring-necked Duck was found at
Stewart Park on 12 March and stayed in the area through 3 April. Finally, Chris
Wood photographed a hybrid Blue-winged Teal x Northern Shoveler at the
Montezuma NWR Visitor Center on 9 May (see pp. 206-207 & 242).
An Eared Grebe overwintered on Cayuga Lake for the twelfth winter in a
row and was last reported on 12 March. Joe and Carol Slattery found two
American White Pelicans at East Road at Montezuma on 7 May, which
continued through 8 May. Particularly rare in the spring, a Little Blue Heron
visited Sapsucker Woods on 5 May.
240
—continued p. 245
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
PHOTO GALLERY
Spring 2011
Figure 1. Spruce Grouse, Parishville, St. Lawrence, 28 May 2011, © Melissa Burchard.
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
241
Figure 2. Fox Sparrow, Central Park, New York, 13 May 2010, © Lloyd Spitalnik.
Stephen Chang presents a case that this bird is an example of the western North
American “Sooty” Fox Sparrow (subspecies group unalaschensis ) in this issue, pp. 203-
205.
Figure 3. Blue-winged Teal x Northern Shoveler hybrid, Montezuma NWR, Seneca, 19
May 2011, © C. L. Wood. The Blue-winged Teal influences are best appreciated when
the bird is head-on. In addition to the obvious white crescent on the face (narrower than
in Blue-winged), note the pale brown breast with fine spotting. The head appeared glossy
green, similar in color to Northern Shoveler. See pp. 206-207.
242
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
Figure 4. Details same as in Fig. 3. Note the extensive cinnamon sides similar to a
Northern Shoveler but with small black spotting. The color is richest in the center and
paler on top and near the rump. The extensive green in the secondaries and blue
upperwing coverts bordered by a bold white bar are very similar to the upperwing of a
Northern Shoveler, as is the bold white underwing. The tail appears similar to that of a
Blue-winged Teal. Also note the brownish breast with fine black spotting, white neck¬
ring, and white facial crescent.
Figure 5. Blue-winged Teal x Northern Shoveler hybrid, Prospect Park, Kings, 22 Jan
2010, © Rob Jett. Note that this bird also shows a green head and finer markings on the
breast than one would expect in Australian Shoveler. See pp. 206-207.
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
243
Figure 6. Glaucous Gull, pelagic out of Freeport, Nassau, 27 Mar 2011, © Peter Post.
Figure 7. Dark morph Ross’s Goose, Pine Island, Orange, 5 Mar 11,© Curt McDermott.
The dark morph of Ross’s Goose is much rarer than that of Snow Goose (“Blue” Goose).
This bird was part of an exceptional aggregation of rare waterfowl described in detail in
Mike Bochnik’s Region 9 report, pp. 274-279.
244
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
,
Two White-faced Ibis at Stewart Park on 7 May provided a first Tompkins
County record for this species. Originally found by Tim Lenz, these breeding-
plumaged birds were later viewed and photographed by many others. David
Wheeler photographed another White-faced Ibis along the Montezuma NWR
Wildlife Drive on 16 May.
This spring brought several interesting shorebird sightings to our Region.
Dave Nutter found a Willet of the western subspecies (Tringa semipalmata
inomata) at Myers Point on 28 April, and Tim Lenz found one at the Treman
Marina on 3 May. Greg Lawrence and John Bateman reported a Marbled
Godwit at Montezuma NWR on 21 May, which many observers saw and
photographed on 23 May. Montezuma NWR also hosted a group of nine
Whimbrel on 27 May. Fairly rare in the spring, American Golden-Plovers
were reported from Montezuma on 21 April and 30 May. Also rare in the spring,
David Wheeler found a Red-necked Phalarope at Montezuma on 18 May.
It was an excellent spring for Red-headed Woodpecker sightings, with one
at Treman State Marine Park on 5 May, a second in Freeville on 20 May, and a
pair in Aurora 21-26 May. White-eyed Vireos were also easier to come by than
normal. Bob McGuire found one in Lansing on 26 April, Chris Tessaglia-Hymes
found one at the Hawthorn Orchard on 30 April, and Jay McGowan found one
along Dodge Rd. in Ithaca on 2 May. Finally, Chris Wood found a Sedge Wren
in Dryden on 22 May, which continued until the following morning.
Warbler migration was slow until late April, but a warm spell with light
southerly winds on 26 April brought a large wave of migrants into the area.
Ithaca’s Hawthorn Orchard proved particularly birdy this spring, with 24
warbler species reported including high counts for several species. Highlights
there include Golden-winged Warbler on 19 May, a “cacophony” of 85
Tennessee Warblers on 17 May, 17 Blackburnian Warblers on 17 May, 13
Bay-breasted and 60 Blackpoll Warblers on 21 May, and six Canada
Warblers on 17 May,
As usual, there were scattered reports of the less common warblers as well.
Ken Rosenberg had a Yellow-throated Warbler near the Ithaca Airport on 8
May, and Prothonotary Warblers again returned to breed in the Montezuma
area. Worm-eating Warbler also continued to breed at Lindsay-Parsons
Biodiversity Preserve, as in the past several years.
A Harris’s Sparrow that had overwintered at a feeder in Dryden was last
reported on 5 May. Finally, several birders saw a Yellow-headed Blackbird at
Montezuma NWR’s Tschache Pool on 30 May, a particularly rare record for the
spring.
A total of 254 species was reported this spring.
CONTRIBUTORS
Janet Akin, Bill Baker, Jessie Barry, John Bateman, Hope Batcheller, Fred
Bertram, Ken & Rose Burdick, Andrea Burke, Brad Carlson, Mark Chao,
George Chiu, Ralph DeFelice, Doug Daniels, Charles Eldermire , Bill Evans,
Kurt Falvey, Steve Fast, Benjamin Freeman, Kenny Frisch, Jeff Gerbracht,
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
245
Yashodhan Gharat, Jane Graves, Scott Haber, Wesley Hochachka, Tom
Hoebbel, Bob Horn, Sara Jane Hymes, Marshall Iliff, Stefan Karkuff, Steve
Kelling, D.M. Kennedy, Geo Kloppel, Gary Kohlenberg, Stuart Krasnoff, Greg
Lawrence, Tim Lenz, Deborah Lynn, David McCartt, Jay McGowan, Kevin
McGowan, Bob McGuire, Dave Nicosia, Dave Nutter, Gaelyn Ong, Mike
Powers, Bill Purcell, Ken Rosenberg, Tom Schulenberg, Nathan Senner, Tom
Shepard, Joe & Carol Slattery, Regi Teasley, Chris Tessaglia-Hymes, David
Wheeler, Fran Willis, Chris Wood, Eric Woods, Spring Field Ornithology,
Cayuga Bird Club.
ABBREVIATIONS
DrLa - Dryden Lake, TOMP; HaOr - Hawthorn Orchard, TOMP; LPBP -
Lindsay-Parsons Biodiversity Preserve, TOMP; MRun - Monkey Run, TOMP;
MNWR - Montezuma NWR; MtP - Mt Pleasant, TOMP; MWC - Montezuma
Wetlands Complex; MyPt - Myers Pt; SavM - Savannah Mucklands; SaW -
Sapsucker Woods, TOMP; SFair - Seneca County Fairgrounds, SENE; SLSP -
Seneca Lake SP, SENE; StP - Stewart Park; Howl - Howland Island, CAYU.
WHISTLING-DUCKS - VULTURES
GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE:
MWC 16 Mar (DW).
Snow Goose: max 200,000 SavM 12 Mar; last
SavM 30 May (DW), late.
ROSS'S GOOSE: arr StP 5 Mar (TL, KR); last
SaW 15 Mar (CS, JG, TS).
BRANT: Cass P TOMP 20 May (CW).
Cackling Goose: max 8 MtP 15 Mar (JM): last
Seybolt Rd Bait Ponds SENE 27 Apr (JM), late.
Gad wall: max 530 MNWR 25 Mar (JM).
EURASIAN W1GEON: first Seneca Lake
ONTA 8 Mar (RD); max 3 MNWR 25 Mar
(JM); last MNWR 10 Apr (JM).
Aru. Wigeon: max 2636 MNWR 25 Mar.
Am. Black Duck: max 3000 SavM 12 Mar.
N. Pintail: max 7000 SavM 12 Mar.
Green-winged Teal: max 1304 MNWR 25 Mar.
“EURASIAN’’ GREEN-WINGED TEAL:
George Rd. Pond 17-20 Mar (JM).
“EURASIAN” GREEN-WINGED TEAL x
Green-winged Teal: George Rd. Pond 30 Mar
(JM); MNWR 9 May (CW).
Blue-winged Teal x Northern Shoveler:
MNWR 9 May (CW); see article this issue.
Ring-necked Duck: max 6000 Cayuga L SP
SENE 25 Mar; last Ithaca Airport TOMP 15
May.
Hybrid scaup sp. x Ring-necked Duck: StP 12
Mar-3 Apr (TL, JM, HB, et at.).
Surf Scoter: last DrLa 28 Apr (JM).
White-winged Scoter: last MyPt 15 Apr (SKr).
Black Scoter: Cayuga L 20 Mar; max 2 SLSP 5
Apr, last Aurora 7 Apr.
Long-tailed Duck: max 38 MyPt 5 Apr; last
MyPt 30 Apr.
Horned Grebe: max 237 MyPt 5 Apr (JM); last
StP 7 May.
Red-necked Grebe: max 6 MyPt 5 Apr; last
George Rd TOMP 10 Apr.
EARED GREBE: last Cayuga L 12 Mar (HB,
TL, JM), overwintering bird.
AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN: 2 MWC 7 8
May (J&CS, mob).
Least Bittern: arr MNWR 28 Apr.
Great Egret: arr DrLa 5 Apr.
LITTLE BLUE HERON: SaW 5 May (WH, et
at.).
Black-crowned Night-Heron: arr SaW 7 Apr;
max 22 MWC 6 May.
WHITE-FACED IBIS: 2 StP 7 May (TL, mob);
MNWR 16 May (DW).
BLACK VULTURE: 2 East Shore P TOMP 11
Apr (DNu), flyovers.
HAWKS - ALCIDS
Rough-legged Hawk: last Ithaca Airport TOMP
24 Apr.
Golden Eagle: last Taughannock Falls TOMP
22 Apr.
Sora: an - MNWR 4 May, late.
Com. Moorhen: max 9 Howl 30 Apr.
Sandhill Crane: arr Varick SENE 14 Mar.
AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER: MWC 21
Apr (DNu, BM); MNWR 30 May (JM, TL, KR,
SH), unusual in spring.
246
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
Semipalmated Plover: air MNWR 23Apr
(DN), Reg record early; max 150 MNWR 30
May.
Greater Yellowlegs: max 250 MWC 23 Apr.
WILLET: MyPt 28 Apr (DNu, mob), western
subspecies; Treman State Marine P TOMP 3
May (TL, et ai).
Lesser Yellowlegs: max 100 MWC 23 Apr.
Upland Sandpiper: arr SFair 17 Apr.
WHIMBREL: 2 MNWR 26 May (GK, JM,
etc); 9 MNWR 27 May (JA, DK, mob); 4 MyPt
27 May (KR).
MARBLED GODWIT: MNWR 21 Apr (GL,
JohB); MNWR 23 Apr (mob).
Ruddy Turnstone: 4 MyPt 27 May; 2 MyPt 29
May; max 20 MNWR 30 May.
White-rumped Sandpiper: arr SavM 30 Apr
(HB, JM. BM), early; max 10 MNWR 26 May.
Red-necked Phalarope: MNWR 18 May (DW),
unusual in spring.
Bonaparte’s Gull: arr StP 4 Apr; max 147 MyPt
(CW).
Herring Gull: max 6000 MNWR 25 Mar (JM).
Iceland Gull: last MNWR 25 Mar.
Lesser Black-backed Gull: max 4 MNWR 25
Mar (JM): last Cayuga L CAYU 23 Apr.
Glaucous Gull: last StP 6 Apr (TL).
Great Black-backed Gull: max 70 MNWR 25
Mar.
Black Tern: max 10 MNWR 7 May.
PIGEONS - WOODPECKERS
BARN OWL: Danby TOMP 29 Apr (BE),
recorded in flight.
Short-eared Owl: max 3 Ovid SENE 12 Mar.
N. Saw-whet Owl: TOMP 8 May (SK); HaOr
19 May (GC, CTH).
RED HEADED WOODPECKER: Hog Hole
TOMP 5 May (CW); Freevillc TOMP 20 May
(CW); pr Aurora CAYU 21-26 May (mob).
FLYCATCHERS - WAXWINGS
Acadian Flycatcher: arr Fort Hill TOMP 22
May; LPBP 25, 29 May.
WHITE-EYED VIREO: Lansing TOMP 26
Apr (BM); HaOr 30 Apr (CTH); Dodge Rd.
TOMP 2 May (JM).
SEDGE WREN: Dryden TOMP 22-23 May
(CW, JB, JM).
Gray-cheeked Thrush: arr SaW 17 May.
Hermit Thrush: max 12 SaW 23 Apr.
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
LONGSPURS - WARBLERS
Lapland Longspur: last 17 East Rd SENE 10
Apr.
Golden-winged Warbler: arr HaOr 11 May
(CTH); last HaOr 19 May (JM).
Tennessee Warbler: max 85 HaOr 17 May
(JM), high count.
Orange-crowned Warbler: arr Etna TOMP 29
Apr; Dodge Rd TOMP 2 May; last SaW 16 May.
Nashville Warbler: arr StP 20 Apr (JM), ties
Reg record early.
Chestnut-sided Warbler: air Cornell U 26 Apr
(AJ), ties Reg record early.
Cape May Warbler: arr SaW 27 Apr (MC),
Reg record early; max 5 Ithaca TOMP 6 May.
Yellow-rumped Warbler: max 120 Howl 30
Apr.
Blackburnian Warbler: arr Lansing 25 Apr
(BH), Reg record early; max 17 HaOR 17 May
(JM).
YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER: Lansing
8 May (KR).
Pine Warbler: max 11 MRun 15 May.
Prairie Warbler: arr Lansing TOMP 26 Apr;
max 12 LPBP 14 May.
Bay-breasted Warbler: max 13 HaOr 21 May
(JM, HB).
Blackpoll Warbler: max 60 HaOr 21 May (JM,
HB).
Cerulean Warbler: arr Howl 30 Apr; max 12
Howl 10 May.
Am. Redstart: max 28 MRun 14 May.
Prothonotary Warbler: MNWR 6 May (JB.
CW); MWC 30-31 May (mob).
Worm-eating Warbler: LBPB 25 May (JM).
Com. Yellowthroat: max 21 MNWR 14 May.
Hooded Warbler: arr Phelps ONTA 29 Apr.
Wilson's Warbler: max 4 SaW 20 May.
Canada Warbler: max 6 HaOr 17 May (JM).
TOWHEES - WEAVERS
Grasshopper Sparrow: arr SFair 19 Apr.
HARRIS’S SPARROW; last Dryden TOMP 5
May (JM), overwintering bird.
Bobolink: max 50 SFair 10 May.
YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD: MNWR
30 May (TL, SH, JM, KR).
Rusty Blackbird: max 130 SaW 23 Apr.
Orchard Oriole: arr MyPt 28 Apr,
Red Crossbill: MRun 11 Apr (CW, JB), flyover.
Com. Redpoll: last TOMP 1 May, late.
247
REGION 4—SUSQUEHANNA
Matthew A. Young
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, NY 14850
may6@cornell.edu
March was snowy across the Region and April was one of the wettest on record.
Overall, the spring period was exceptionally wet, breaking records at many
reporting stations. Temperatures were normal to slightly above normal. Due to
very poor back-to-back cone crop years and the very wet spring, the cone crop
in Central New York was assessed as excellent for the upcoming year. I rated it
as the best Central NY cone crop since 2000. White ash, beech, and other
deciduous tree species appeal* to be producing bumper crops as well.
The first goose flights occurred as usual during early March, and ducks
followed on subsequent warm fronts. The spring hawk watches east of Otsego
Lake yielded much lower numbers this year than last year. Some thought the
low numbers were because of wet, unseasonable weather dispersing the birds
across a wider area. Returning breeding Merlins were noted in some small cities
and villages but were also missing from a few reliable areas where they’ve been
reported in recent years; again, this might have been because of the wet spring.
Waders and marsh birds were very well represented; Common Moorhen, Upland
Sandpiper, Great Egret, Cattle Egret, American Bittern, and Least Bittern.
Perhaps the two best birds for the Region this spring were the Eared Grebe
seen by Chris Wood at Whitney Point Reservoir and a presumed White Ibis
seen in a field in Cortland by Pam Stark. A NYSARC report has apparently been
submitted for the ibis and, if accepted, would likely be a County first.
Common Raven continues to increase as a breeder throughout the area. A
pair nested again this year at Lime Hollow Nature Center less than half a mile
from the city limits of Cortland; 3-4 young were banded. Swainson’s Thrushes
were heard on nesting grounds in late May in the Pharsalia area. Other than in
Delaware County along the edges of the Catskills, the Pharsalia area is the only
place in Region 4 where Swainson’s Thrush can be found nesting. Many
typically more northern breeding warblers can also be heard regularly in the
Pharsalia area, along with Northern Goshawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Broad¬
winged Hawk, Common Raven, both crossbills, Pine Siskin, and other northern
specialties such as White-throated Sparrow. Type 1 Red Crossbills were heard
singing at a few Chenango County locations in late June.
This year, migration seemed sluggish, with some species seeming to be late,
but then the floodgates opened and an interesting mix of late and early migrants
were seen on the same day on 26 April. Between 25-28 April, record early dates
were reported for Northern Parula, Cape May Warbler, Ovenbird, and Indigo
Bunting. Yellow-throated Warbler was seen again at Chenango Valley SP, but
it didn’t seem to stick around this year. Cerulean Warblers were again
observed on territory at the south end of Skaneateles Lake. Three of the best
songbird finds for the spring were Kentucky Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler
248
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
(Wildwood Nature Preserve), and Orchard Oriole.
It was a big redpoll year, with several area feeders reporting 100+ Common
Redpolls. As is typical with large redpoll invasions, a few scattered Hoary
Redpolls and “Greater” Common Redpolls were noted mixed in the flocks.
Redpolls seemed to linger well into April. There was a noticeable return flight of
Pine Siskins across the area in April into mid May. It was a decent Evening
Grosbeak year, with a few small flocks of 5-50 lingering into mid April at high
elevation areas in Chenango and Cortland counties.
CONTRIBUTORS
Richard Andrus, Cutler & Jeanette Baldwin, Dianne Benko, Lois Bingley, Peter
Blue, John Birkett, Marty Borko, Bruce Bozdos, Peg Burnett, Gerry Cahill,
Gerianne Carillo, Eleanor Carson, Rod Carter, Anne Clark, Ben Clock,
Germaine Connolly, Cortland-Lime Hollow Bird Club, Kay Crane, MaryAnn
Cuff, Fran Czochara, Larry Drake, Dolores & Eve Daniels, John Davis, Marilyn
Davis, Toni Dean, Ed Dewar, Mary Diegert, Bob Donnelly, Bruce & Janice
Downie, Jean M. Dorman, Helen Eno, Jessica Ewing, Tom Fernandez, Margaret
Ferranti, Finch Hollow Nature Center Staff, Fred Fries, Sue Garing, Lisa Gorn,
Bob Grajewski, Derek Green, Becky Gretton, Bob Grosek, William Gruenbaum,
Steve Hall, Peter Harity, Erin Hewett, Dylan Horvath, Jim Hoteling, Dorian
Huneke, Spencer Hunt, Marshall Iliff, Michael Jordan, Nick Kaldis, Paul Kalka,
Doug & Teresa Kibbe, Sara Kinch, Eugene Kirch, Gail Kirch, Diane Klein,
Sharon Krotzer, Bill Kuk, Victor Lamoureux, Tricia Larson, Tom Laskowski,
Arthur Levy, Dave Loparco, Roger Luther, Andy Mason, JoAnne Mattucci,
Carole McQuiston, JoAnne Mattucci, David McCartt, Jay McGowan, Jim
McKenna, Evelyn & George Mead, Marji Miller , Nancy Mills, Tom Moore,
Naturalists’ Club of Broome County (NCBC), Nancy Morgan, Eleanor
Moriarty, David Nicosia, Sandy Olshefski, Bob Pantle, Ruth Pedersen, Sandy
Perry, Marie Petuh, Bill Purcell, Bill Ostrander, John Quain, Don Quataert, Bill
Ralston, Jessie Ravage, Judy Read, Alice & Joe Richardson, Jo Ann & Tom
Salo, Paul Scharf, Charles Scheim, Julian Shepherd, Julie Siler, Pam Stark,
Arnold Talentino, Mark Tannis, Tom Tasber & family, Tioga Bird Club, Jack
Thompson, Jan Trzeciak, Tanna Ulmer, George Wade, Weed Walkers, Dan
Watkins, Donald & Joanne Weber, Joel Weeks, Jon Weeks, Michelle Weeks,
Carole Westerman, Ten Wetzel, Anne Whitaker, Sue & Tom Whitney, Colleen
& Paul Wolpert, Chris Wood, Rich Youket, Matt Young.
ABBREVIATIONS
BCC - Binghamton Country Club; BHL - Buck Horn Lake, OTSE; Bing -
Binghamton; BPd - Boland Pond; BUNP - Binghamton University Nature
Preserve; Cort - T of Cortland; CVSP - Chenango Valley SP; FHNC - Finch
Hollow Nature Center; GP - Greenwood Park, BROO; LHNC - Lime Hollow
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
249
Nature Center; ML - Mirror Lake, TIOG; NuH - Nuthatch Hollow, BROO; OtL
- Otsego Lake, OTSE; PharsWMA - Pharsalia Wildlife Management Area;
RivR - River Rd., Endwell, BROO; SkanL - Skaneateles Lake; UL - Upper
Lisle; WCM - West Corners Marsh, BROO; WPR - Whitney Point Reservoir,
BROO.
WHISTLING-DUCKS - VULTURES
Snow Goose: sev flocks early Mar.
Brant: “loose V” Chenango Valley 25 Apr; 2
WPR May 21.
Wood Duck: a few overwintered River Rd
EndweLl and elsewhere; arr BPd and Tioga
Airport 12 Mar; max 25 River Rd Endwell 19
Mar.
Gadwall: arr Hillcrest Pits 3 Mar.
Am. Wigeon: few overwintered; arr 3 Bpd 12
Mar; max 20 Chenango bridge 13 Mar; 2 LHNC
5 May.
Am. Black Duck: dozens of reports; numerous
until early April; 1 BPd and Brick Pond Trails
TIOG into May.
Blue-winged Teal: arr River Rd Endwell 19
Mar; pair BPd late Apr.
N. Shoveler; arr Rte 12a and Chenango Bridge
13 Mar.
N. Pintail: arr 1 BROO 5 Mar; max 20 TIOG 7
Mar.
Green-winged Teal: arr BROO 6 Mar; max 31
CHEN 27 Mar; several reports.
Canvasback: no reports.
Redhead: rep Hillcrest Pits & BPd Mar.
Ring-necked Duck: air 2 Bing 5 Mar; max 45
BPd 2 Apr; last end of Apr.
Greater Scaup: BROO 26 Apr; only report,
late.
Lesser Scaup: arr BROO 20 Mar; few reports.
Long-tailed Duck: 2 Otsego Lake 16 Apr.
WHITE-WINGED-SCOTER (R4): one
Quaker Lake 20 Apr (AL).
Bufflehead: sev reports, no big numbers.
Com. Goldeneye: few reports.
Hooded Merganser: many reports; breeding at
many beaver ponds scattered thru Region.
Com. Merganser: max 20 BPd 13 Mar;
breeding along rivers and larger ponds/lakes.
Red-breasted Merganser: 10 WPR 6 Apr.
Ruddy Duck: 4 TIOG 21 Mar.
Com. Loon: 12 WPR 6 Apr.
Pied-billed Grebe: pair breeding BPd; 6 reports.
Horned Grebe: arr Chenango Bridge 13 Mar;
max 32 WPR 6 Apr.
Red-necked Grebe: BROO 17 Apr.
EARED GREBE (R4): WPR 6 Apr (CW).
Double-crested Cormorant: arr BROO Mar 21;
max WPR 6 Apr; sev May reports; breeding in
area yet?
250
Am. Bittern: arr 2 LHNC 22 Apr; BUNP 28
Apr.
LEAST BITTERN (R4): BUNP 28 Apr (DH).
Great Egret: a few reports; unusual in Reg 4 in
Spring, but becoming more common.
CATTLE EGRET (R4): Murphy's Gravel Pit
16 May (mob).
Green Heron: an BROO 26 Apr.
WHITE IBIS: Cort 11 May (PS, NYSARC),
likely 1st CORT record if accepted by
NYSARC.
Turkey Vulture: many reports.
HAWKS - ALCIDS
Osprey: arr West River Rd CORT 5 Mar (JB);
very early report for upstate.
Bald Eagle: much fewer migrating eagles at
hawkwatch sites east of Otsego Lake Mar;
nesting numbers stable or still increasing along
SusqR, TioR, and other areas,
N. Harrier: 9 reports.
Sharp-shinned Hawk: appears stable, but hard
to find due to nesting in remote forested areas.
Cooper’s Hawk: becoming a common
city/village nester.
N. Goshawk: pr nesting Heiberg SUNY-ESF
Forest CORT Apr; pr North Rd Phar Mar.
Red-shouldered Hawk: arr BROO, OSTE,
CORT, CHEN 10-25 Mar; sev prs thru Reg, well
established in state lands in sev counties.
Broad-w inged Hawk: arr BROO 17 Apr; also
well established in many state forests throughout
Region.
Rough-legged Hawk: few rep; last Marathon 2
Apr.
Golden Eagle: much fewer migrating eagles at
hawkwatch sites east of Otsego Lake Mar.
Am. Kestrel: few wintering; influx end Mar;
still fairly well established as a breeder despite
lower wintering numbers.
Merlin: usual prs not seen Binghamton, &
Cooperstown Apr; pr Cortland; other sightings
away from cities.
Peregrine Falcon: breeding pr Binghamton
Mar.
Virginia Rail: arr BROO 17 Apr.
Sora: arr Bpd 1 May. early,
COMMON MOORHEN (R4): LHNC 29 May
(WG).
Am. Coot: Brick Pond Trail thru May.
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
Semipalmated Plover: air & max 10 Murphy’s
16 May.
Killdeer: arr beginning Mar.
Spotted Sandpiper: arrWPR 10 Apr.
Solitary Sandpiper: arr BROO 23 Apr; max 11
Murphy’s 16 May; 10+ rep.
Greater Yellowiegs: arr Bpd Anson Rd/TIOG
airport 4 Apr; 7 rep.
Lesser Yellowlegs: arr BROO 23 Apr; max 4
Murphy’s 16 May; 10 rep.
Least Sandpiper: arr BROO 3 May; max 30
Murphy’s 16 May; sev other rep.
UPLAND SANPIPER (R4): OTSE 7 May
(GC).
Semipalmated Sandpiper: an- BROO 5 May;
max 8 WPR 27 May.
SHORT-BILLED DOWICTHER (R4):
BROO 4 May (DW).
Wilson’s Snipe: arr CHEN 2 Apr; few reports.
Am. Woodcock: an* BROO 12 Mar.
Bonaparte’s Gull: arr & max 17 River Rd 14
Apr.
PIGEONS - WOODPECKERS
Red-bellied Woodpecker: well established in
all areas except higher elevations of DELA and
CHEN.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: arr BROO 4 April.
Yellow-billed Cuckoo: arrRichford 17 May;
numbers reduced from recent big tent caterpillar
years.
Black-billed Cuckoo: arr Richford 13 May;
numbers reduced from recent big tent caterpillar
years.
Barred Ow l: few reports, underreported.
COMMON NIGIITHAWK (R4): DELA 21
May (RP).
Chimney Swift: BROO 30 Apr.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird: arr BROO 1
May.
FLYCATCHERS - WAXWINGS
E. Wood-Pewee: arr BROO 9 May; increasing
rep after 20 May.
Alder Flycatcher: arr Aqua Terra TIOG 15
May; increasing rep after 20 May.
Willow Flycatcher: air Murphy’s 12 May.
Least Flycatcher: an Murphy's 5 May.
E. Phoebe: arr River Walk BROO 26 Mar.
Great-crested Flycatcher: air CVSP 3 May;
several rep after 7 May.
E. Kingbird: arr BROO 25 Apr; increasing rep
after 5 May.
N. Shrike: no reports.
Yellow-throated Vireo: an CVSP 1 May;
increasing rep after 10 May.
Blue-headed Vireo: arr Wolfe Park BROO 22
Apr; increasing rep after 1 May.
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
Warbling Vireo: an Parsons Rd 1 May.
Red-eyed Vireo: an DELA 25 April, early.
Fish Crow: breeding Endwell, Binghamton,
Owego, Vestal, & Union,
Com. Raven: res in high elevation loc; nested
again LHNC within half mile of city limits of
Cortland; widespread and increasing resident
throughout and expanding into lower elevations.
Purple Martin: DELA 23 May.
N. Rough-winged Sw'allow: an River Rd
Endwell 10 Apr.
Tree Swallow: arr TIOG 31 Mar; "‘big numbers”
-1 Apr; max 104 Brick Pd West Trail 15 Apr.
Bank Swallow: arr BROO 26 Apr,
Cliff Swallow: an Murphy’s 3 May; ~8 nests
Preble CORT June; -4 nests Port Watson
Bridge CORT June.
Barn Swallow; arr BPd 9 Apr.
Tufted Titmouse: inc ncster along many river
valleys of Region <1500’; cont to expand up to
1800-2100’; less common CHEN & DELA.
Red-breasted Nuthatch: widespread in high
elevation state forests.
Brown Creeper: widespread scattered rep thru
Apr.
Carolina Wren: nesting along many of the
major river valleys in Region and smaller ravines
<1300ft; less common CHEN & DELA.
Marsh Wren: BPd 30 Apr, where nesting.
House Wren: arr CVSP 24 Apr.
Winter Wren: arr TIO 9 Apr; fairly common
after mid Apr in state forests.
Golden-crowned Kinglet: uncommon early
Apr; inc later in high elevation spruce
plantations & larger hemlock forests.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet: an CVSP 1 9 Apr.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: an DELA 29 Apr.
E. Bluebird: sev rep Mar; inc after March.
Veery: air TIOG 29 Apr; increasing reports after
5 May.
Swainson’s Thrush: breeders returned to Phars
WMA late May.
Hermit Thrush: arr Richford 13 Apr.
Wood Thrush: arr TIOG 29 Apr; widespread 10
May thru.
Gray Catbird: 2 arr TIOG 26 Apr.
N. Mockingbird: “few” overwintering birds
Owego, Bing, & Cort; arr April; numbers better
CORT.
Brow n Thrasher: arr CORT 5 Apr; inc rep late
Apr.
Am. Pipit: few reports mid Apr-early May.
LONGSPURS - WARBLERS
Snow Bunting: few CORT early Mar; last mid
Mar.
Blue-winged Warbler: air TIOG 29 Apr;
widespread, many rep.
251
Tennessee Warbler: arr BROO 3 May; max 15
BROO 15 May; inc over spring.
Nashville Warbler: arr Richford 30 Apr; many
reports after 2 May.
N. Parula: arr BROO 26 Apr. Reg record early;
10 rep.
Yellow Warbler: air BROO 26 Apr; max 6
Johnson City 27 Apr.
Chestnut-sided Warbler: arr River Rd Endwell
26 Apr.
Magnolia Warbler: arr BROO 26Apr,
Cape May Warbler: an - BROO 28 Apr, Reg
record early; 5 rep.
Black-throated Blue Warbler: arr BROO 26
Apr.
Yellow-rumped Warbler: arr Aqua Terra 17
Apr.
Black-throated Green Warbler: arr CVSP 24
Apr.
Blackburnian Warbler: an - CORT 2 May; sev
rep 2 May.
YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER (R4):
CVSP 24 APR (BK), seems to appear at CVSP
every few years.
Pine Warbler: an - CVSP 9 Apr; inc number loc.
Prairie Warbler: arr Endicott 29 Apr.
Palin Warbler: arr Bing 18 April; few rep.
Bay-breasted Warbler: BROO 12 May; 5
reports.
Blackpoll Warbler: arrTIOG & CORT 13
May; 25 rep.
CERULEAN WARBLER (R4): arr BROO 12
May (CW); max 3 SkanL May (MY).
Black-and-white Warbler: arr BROO 26 April;
few rep.
Am. Redstart: arr Parsons Rd 1 May.
PROTHONOTARY WARBLER (R4):
Wildwood Nature Reserve 13 May (NM).
Ovenbird: arr BROO 26 Apr, Reg record early;
inc 2 May.
N. Waterthrush: arr CVSP 2 May: 6 rep.
Louisiana Waterthrush: arr BROO 20 Apr;
many rep Apr thru.
KENTUCKY WARBLER (R4): BROO 5 May
(DW).
Mourning Warbler: arr W. Burlington 7 May;
max 3 Scott 20 May.
Com. Yellowthroat: arr DELA 25 Apr.
Hooded Warbler: an BROO 10 May; scarce
breeder in Reg except for CORT; territorial bird
two years in a row OTSE where its rare.
WILSON’S WARBLER (R4): an BROO 13
May; 2 rep.
Canada Warbler: arr TIOG 4 May; few reports.
TOWHEES - WEAVERS
E. Towhee: arr BROO 19 Apr; many rep 20 Apr
thru.
Am. Tree Sparrow: last CORT early Apr.
Chipping Sparrow: arr WPR 6 Apr.
Field Sparrow; arrTIOG 12 Apr; many rep 16
Apr thru.
Savannah Sparrow: arr BROO 13 Apr.
Fox Sparrow: arr BROO 21 Mar; sev rep thru
mid Apr.
Song Sparrow: arr BPd7 Mar; max 20 BPd 25
Mar.
Lincoln’s Sparrow: no reports.
Swamp Sparrow: arr UL 10 Apr.
White-throated Sparrow: overwintered in
small numbers at sev loc.
White-crowned Sparrow: an - Smithboro TIOG
15 Apr; last mid May.
Scarlet Tanager: arr BROO 28 Apr.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak: arr BROO 28 Apr;
sev loc after 2 May.
Indigo Bunting: arr BROO 25 Apr, Reg record
early; many after 10 May.
Bobolink: arr Knapp Hill Rd 24 Apr; inc mid
May thru.
E. Meadowlark: arr TIOG 21 Apr; inc early
Apr,
Rusty Blackbird: an - mid Mar; few reports Apr,
no big numbers.
Baltimore Oriole: arr Bing 28 Apr.
ORCHARD ORIOLE (R4): BROO 14 May
(DN).
Purple Finch: arr few Mar; inc 10 Apr;
widespread breeding behavior May above 1000’.
White-winged Crossbill: male at feeder Cort 4
Apr; flyover TIOG 3 May.
RED CROSSBILL (R4): few CHEN May
(MY); very bad cone crop this past year, but
upcoming year’s cone crop looks to be excellent.
Com. Redpoll: max 400 Treadwell Mar 30;
good numbers across much of the central section
of Reg into early Apr; last CORT 16 Apr.
“GREATER” COMMON REDPOLL (R4):
like with Hoary Redpoll, a few were mixed in
here and there.
HOARY REDPOLL (R4): max 3 Scott 4 Mar
(MY); a few others including BROO (NM).
Pine Siskin: few lingerers Mar, small,
widespread return flight Apr-early May; max 43
BROO 16 Apr.
Am. Goldfinch: 20-40+ across Region Mar-Apr,
average numbers.
Evening Grosbeak: few small flocks of 5-50
high elevations CHEN & CORT thru mid Apr.
252
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
REGION 5—ONEIDA LAKE BASIN
Bill Purcell
281 Baum Road, Hastings, New York, 13076
wpurcell@twcny.rr.com
Overall the spring season was warm and very wet. In March the average
temperature was 33.3° F., 0.3° below normal, with 2.86" of precipitation, 0.16"
below normal, and a total of 18.5" of snow. The April averages were 49.2°, 3.9°
above normal, and 8.53" of precipitation, 5.14" above normal. The May
averages were 62.8°, 5.7° above normal, with 3.90" of precipitation, 0.51" above
normal. Ice out on Oneida Lake was 21 March and on Fourth Lake 22 April.
Northern Herkimer County still had two feet of snow on the ground on 6 April,
but then the rains took care of that.
The April rains and resultant high water in wetlands swamped some
waterfowl nests, but one year of high water will have little effect on Canada
Goose and Mallard populations. Once again, Snow Geese and Canada Geese
migrated early, with peak flights in the first half of March. Unusual warterfowl
this season were: one Greater White-fronted Goose, several Cackling Goose,
and three Eurasian Wigeon. Dabbler migration highlights included many
American Wigeon and Northern Pintail in the Howland Island area, large
numbers of Green-winged Teal in the mucklands of Madison County, and
Eurasian Wigeon at three sites.
Oneida Lake hosted large flocks of Ring-necked Ducks and up to 6,000
scaup, most of which were not separated by species due to distance and time
considerations. The Oneida Lakewatch at Phillips Point was conducted for the
fifth year, and numbers of White-winged Scoter, Surf Scoter, Long-tailed Duck,
and Common Loon were fairly average. A flock of 11 Black Scoters was good
by local spring standards, and the usual few Red-throated Loons came past.
Region-wide low counts of Hooded Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, and
Ruddy Duck were most likely attributable to observer inattention. The peak
flights of both Homed and Red-necked Grebes occurred on the same day at
Oneida Lake. Flocks of 12 and 9 Great Egrets along Oneida Lake were unusual,
and Black-crowned Night-Heron migrants were seen in Madison County and
flying past Derby Hill during twilight hours.
Northerly winds and cold weather over the last two weeks of March came
during the peak flight period for Cooper's Hawk and Red-shouldered Hawk at
Derby Hill. The hawks migrated, but well inland from Lake Ontario. Turkey
Vulture numbers were also reduced by the weather. Both Bald Eagle and Golden
Eagle set new seasonal records at Derby Hill. Rare for Derby Hill were two
Black Vultures and two Swainson's Hawks; another Black Vulture was seen
over Cazenovia late in the season. Most raptors prefer to remain over land and
not fly long distances over open water, but by checking radar Tom Carrolan may
have found that large numbers of Broad-winged Hawks moved over Lake
Ontario and indeed jumped from land as much as 30 miles west of Derby Hill
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
253
and the east end of the lake. The hawks could, by that time, see both the eastern
and northern shore of the lake. This will require more study in future years.
Sandhill Cranes were back to more normal levels a year after few were seen
last year, but there was no sign of crane courtship or even of cranes on the
ground. A Piping Plover was found along the sand dunes of eastern Lake
Ontario in May for the first spring record in 27 years. The plover was seen again
ten days later but not reported afterwards. High water on the lake this year
would make nesting difficult, and the beach gets heavy recreational use in the
summer. There was a good late flight of Black-bellied Plover, Whimbrel, Ruddy
Turnstone, Red Knot, and Dunlin along Oneida Lake, with most of them using
the small, open islands south of Constantia for brief rests. A Willet was also
found on the islands and another Willet flew by Derby Hill. Red-necked
Phalarope was found in a seasonal pond and White-rumped Sandpiper in a
muckland. Disappointing were Upland Sandpiper, reported from only two
locations, and Short-billed Dowitcher and Pectoral Sandpiper, with only single
reports of each.
Iceland Gull was not seen after mid-March, while Lesser Black-backed and
Glaucous Gulls lingered into May. An adult Laughing Gull was seen at Fair
Haven in late May, a single Little Gull was with migrant Bonaparte’s Gulls on
Oneida Lake, and Forster's Tern was seen at Brewerton and Derby Hill.
Cuckoo numbers seemed low, likely in response to the decline of tent
caterpillars over much of our area. Migrant owls were scarce, with only a single
Long-eared Owl reported and two Northern Saw-whet Owls heard in breeding
areas. Common Nighthawk was noted at a number of sites in late May but few
now breed locally. Eastern Whip-poor-will may have been down slightly in
areas north of Oneida Lake. Red-headed Woodpecker reports were slightly
encouraging, and a single Black-backed Woodpecker was found in the Old
Forge area. Small numbers of Red-bellied Woodpeckers flying past Derby Hill
in early May might represent migrants and should be monitored in the future.
Olive-sided and Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and Philadelphia Vireo reports
were up over numbers of the past few years. Northern Shrike lingered into April,
and a roost of over 40 Fish Crows in Syracuse was especially notable. It seems
very likely that the species has expanded beyond the few spots birders have
usually looked for them. At Derby Hill, the Black-capped Chickadee movement
was good, but a species that often flies with them. White-breasted Nuthatch, was
scarce as a migrant. Swainson’s Thrush was common in the middle of May, and
several Gray-cheeked Thrush were seen along Lake Ontario in late May. A large
nocturnal migration over Syracuse was monitored by Lewis Grove and included
many Swainson's and Gray-cheeked Thrushes phis one Bicknell's Thmsh.
Bohemian Waxwing had mostly departed the Region by March, but a flock was
present in Oneida County into April. Gray Catbird and Brown Thrasher numbers
were consistent with past years, and although a few Northern Mockingbirds
were reported outside traditional breeding areas, they don't seem to be advancing
their breeding range.
South winds brought the first big wave of neotropical migrants on 26 April
and another on 11 May. Generally moderate weather in May meant that there
254 The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
were migrants on most days as birds were continually moved through. It was a
good season for Orange-crowned, Cape May, Prairie and Bay-breasted
Warblers; several Prothonotary Warblers flew past Derby Hill; and two
Kentucky Warblers and one Connecticut Warbler were seen. Most of the
common warblers were seen in good numbers. Tennessee and Blackpoll
Warblers were widespread but low counts were reported. Golden-winged
Warbler can still be found on territory but often in a sea of Blue-winged
Warblers. Acadian Flycatcher was a miss this season.
Migrant sparrows, such as Vesper, Lincoln's, and White-crowned, were
reported in low numbers this season. Very early Chipping Sparrow and White-
crowned Sparrow had likely wintered locally. Bobolink and Orchard Oriole
were early arrivals. There were 11 Orchard Orioles seen passing Derby Hill, and
they were reported from at least seven sites including the Mohawk Valley in
Herkimer County, where they are still unusual.
No crossbills were reported for the period, not a surprise given the lack of
cones. A few Hoary Redpolls were still present early in the season. Northbound
Purple Finches and Common Redpolls peaked at Derby Hill in April, and Pine
Siskins in May. Evening Grosbeak remained at some feeders well into April, but
was quite scarce elsewhere.
For the season, 248 species were reported, 7 more than the most recent 10-
year average. Highlights were many and included: Greater White-fronted Goose,
Eurasian Wigeon, Black Vulture, Swainson's Hawk, Piping Plover, Willet,
Whimbrel, Ruddy Turnstone, Red Knot, Red-necked Phalarope, Laughing Gull,
Little Gull, Forster's Tern, Bicknell's Thrush, Prothonotary Warbler, Kentucky
Warbler, Connecticut Warbler, and Clay-colored Sparrow.
DERBY HILL HAWK MIGRATION TOTALS
Species Arrival
Turkey Vulture 1 Mar
Osprey 19 Mar
Bald Eagle 18 Feb
No. Harrier 18 Feb
Sharp-sh. Hawk 3 Mar
Cooper's Hawk 4 Mar
No. Goshawk 18 Feb
Red-sh. Hawk 4 Mar
Broad-winged Hawk 13 Apr
Red-tailed Hawk 18 Feb
Rough-legged Hawk 18 Feb
Golden Eagle 4 Mar
Am. Kestrel 1 Mar
Merlin 12 Mar
Peregrine Falcon 17 Apr
Total, inc. unid.
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
Max
Max Date
Total
1220
30 Mar
10,467
87
27 Apr
364
70
27 Apr
609
70
11 Apr
602
809
11 Apr
4111
23
17 Mar
158
9
17 Mar
47
134
17 Mar
313
4901
27 Apr
19,008
453
11 Apr
3476
32
17 Mar
266
26
27 Apr
111
42
27 Apr
262
12
13 May
52
-
-
5
39,858
255
CONTRIBUTORS
Sue Adair, Betty Armbruster, Faith Baker, Brenda Best, Sue Boettger, Joseph
Brin, Ken Burdick, Rose Burdick, Andrea Burke, Bernie Carr, Gerald Case,
Richard Cohen, Seth Outright, Greg Dashnau, Rose DeNeve, Lewis Grove, Bill
Gruenbaura, Larry Hall, Gene Huggins, Kevin Jablonski, Joshua LaCelle, Josiah
LaCelle, Robbie LaCelle, Gary Lee, Jason Mauro, Kevin McGann, Janet
McGraw, Thomas McKay, Yvonne Merriam, David Nash, Kevin Pace, Matt
Perry, Bill Purcell, Paul Richardson, Margaret Rusk, Jeanne Ryan, Tom Salo,
Linda Salter, Mickey Scilingo, Tony Shrimpton, Gerald Smith, Chris Spagnoli,
Jim Tarolli, Andrew Van Norstrand, Scott Warsen, David Wheeler, Brian
White, Andrea Wiggins, Matt Young, Ken Zoller.
ABBREVIATIONS
BL - Beaver Lake Nature Center; Bvlle - Baldwinsville; CM - Clay Marsh; DH
- Derby Hill; FH - Fair Haven, Little Sodus Bay and vicinity; GLSP - Green
Lakes SP; HI - Howland Island WMA; LOL - Lake Ontario Littoral; OneiL -
Oneida Lake; OnonL - Onondaga Lake; SB - Sunset Bay Park, T Scriba; SCH -
T Schroeppel; SFNS - Spring Farm Nature Sanctuary, Kirkland; Skan -
Skaneateles; SL — T’s Sullivan & Lenox mucklands; SPd - Sandy Pond; StMC -
Saint Mary's Cemetery, Dewitt; Syr - Syracuse; TR - Three Rivers WMA; UM
- Utica Marsh; WH - Whiskey Hollow, T Van Buren; WM - West Monroe;
WPd - Woodman Pond, Hamilton.
WHISTLING-DUCKS - VULTURES
Greater White-fronted Goose: SCH 12 Mar
(KM).
Snow Goose: max 58,300 DH 12 Mar; 31,760
Skan 15 Mar.
Brant: air OneiL 2 May; max 1382 OneiL 25
May.
Cackling Goose: 2 DH 15, 30 Mar; OneiL 1
May.
Canada Goose: last count of 1000+ 16 Mar.
Mute Swan: max 10 FH 13 Mar.
Trumpeter Swan: 2 Volney after 22 Mar.
Tundra Swan: max 64 SCH 4 Mar.
Wood Duck: max 59 Poland 17 Apr.
Gadwall: max 42 Brewerton 16 Mar.
Eurasian Wigeon: Camcross Salt Pond 26 Mar;
TR 4 Apr; OneiL 12 Apr.
Am. Wigeon: max 320 HI 19 Mar.
Am. Black Duck: max 28 Brewerton 3 Mar.
Blue-w inged Teal: max 4 per day.
N. Shoveler: max 15 UM 2 Apr.
N. Pintail: max 525 HI 19 Mar.
Green-winged Teal: max 500 SL 25 Mar.
Canvasback: max 6 FH 13 Mar.
Redhead: max 76 OnonL 13 Mar.
Ring-necked Duck: max 370 Bridgeport 31
Mar,
Greater Scaup: 600 per day OneiL 31 Mar to
25 Apr.
Lesser Scaup: max 320 OneiL 18 Mar.
scaup species: to 6000 per day OneiL in Apr.
Surf Scoter: arr OneiL 5 Apr; max 6 OneiL 24
Apr.
White-winged Scoter: max 144 OneiL 14 May.
Black Scoter: max 11 OneiL 21 May.
Long-tailed Duck: max 402 OneiL 5 Apr.
Bufflehead: max 88 Brewerton 16 Mar.
Com. Goldeneye: max 326 OnonL 13 Mar.
Hooded Merganser: 19 Otisco L 26 Mar.
Com. Merganser: max 820 OnonL 19 Mar.
Red-breasted Merganser: max 65 DH 11 Mar.
Ruddy Duck: max 4 per day, no reports from
BL.
Red-throated Loon: Oswego 20-23 Mar; OneiL
24 Apr; max 3 WPd 5-7 May.
Com. Loon: max 129 OneiL 21 Apr; 5 prs.
Woodhull L 25 May.
Pied-billed Grebe: max 5 Volney 19 Apr.
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
256
Horned Grebe: max. 76 OneiL 30 Apr.
Red-necked Grebe: max 38 OneiL 30 Apr.
Double-crested Cormorant: max 730 Oswego
6 May.
Am. Bittern: max 5 WM after 1 May.
Least Bittern: 3 SPd 25 May; Weaver L 31
May.
Great Blue Heron: max 52 DH 4 Apr.
Great Egret: arr DH 11 Apr, max 12 OneiL 9
May and 9 OneiL 11 May.
Green Heron: arr 27 Apr; max 7 DH 22 May.
Black-crowned Night-Heron: WPd 22 Apr
(RC); 2 DH 27 Apr: DH 22 May.
HAWKS - ALCIDS
Black Vulture: DH 29 Mar, 27 Apr; Cazenovia
25 May.
SWAINSON'S HAWK: DH 22 Apr, 22 May.
Peregrine Falcon: f but no mate Utica thru.
Virginia Rail: arr SCH 10 Apr.
Sora: arr SCH 22 Apr.
Com. Moorhen: arr Volney 19 Apr; max 20
Volncy 16 May.
Am. Coot: max 2 Oswego thru 23 Mar.
Sandhill Crane: air 2 DH 15 Mar; max 7 DH 25
Apr; total 22 DH for season.
Black-bellied Plover: DH 18 Apr (SC, DW),
Reg record early; max 58 OneiL 23 May.
Semipalmated Plover: air SL 8 May; max 30
SL 16 May.
PIPING PLOVER: SPd 10 May (LG, SW, ph)
to 21 May (SA, TS), last spring record 1984.
Killdeer: max 67 DH 4 Apr.
Spotted Sandpiper: an- LOL 27 Apr; max 5 per
day.
Solitary Sandpiper: arr SL 14 Apr; max 8 SL 4
May.
Greater Yellowlegs: arr Port Byron 19 Mar;
max 18 SL 29 Apr.
Willet: OneiL 30 May (DW); DH 31 May (BP).
Lesser Yellowlegs: arr SL 25 Mar; max 22 SL 4
May.
Upland Sandpiper: arr Fulton 22 Apr; 2 Verona
21 May.
Whimbrel: arr 8 OneiL 15 May; max 38 FH 27
May; 33 OneiL 26 May; 11 OneiL 23 May.
Ruddy Turnstone: ait 2 Oswego 15 May; max
45 OneiL 29 May.
Red Knot: 5 OneiL 30 May (KM).
Semipalmated Sandpiper: max 110 OneiL 30
May.
Least Sandpiper: max 100 SL 14 May.
White-rumped Sandpiper: Volney 21 May.
Pectoral Sandpiper: Lysander 17 May, only
report.
Dunlin: arr 10 SL 29 Apr; max 255 OneiL 26
May.
Short-billed Dowitcher: max 3 SL 16 May,
only report.
Wilson's Snipe: arr SL 28 Mar; max 19 DH 4
Apr.
Am. Woodcock: ait TR 12 Mar; Limekiln L 17
Mar, with 2 foot snow on ground.
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE: m. SL 18-19
May (BP, mob), 3rd Reg spring record.
Bonaparte's Gull: FH 13 Mar; max 171 OneiL
11 Apr.
Little Gull: OneiL 3 May.
LAUGHING GULL (R5): FH 27 May (DW,
BP).
Iceland Gull: last FH 10 Mar.
Lesser Black-backed Gull: Bvlle 5 Mar; SL 2
Apr; FH 10 Mar; Oswego 17 May.
Glaucous Gull: FH 10 Mar; DH 2 Apr; Oswego
17 May.
Caspian Tern: arr 10 Apr; max 294 Oswego 6
May.
Black Tern: arr 3 May; max 6 Salmon R 21
May.
Com. Tern: an- OneiL 21 Apr.
Forster's Tern: 2 Brewerton 17 Apr; 2 DH 18
Apr.
PIGEONS - WOODPECKERS
Yellow-billed Cuckoo: arr LOL 14 May; max 2
per day.
Black-billed Cuckoo: arr BL 9 May; max 4
GLSP 22 May.
Long-eared Owl: DH 9 Apr, only report.
N. Saw-whet Owl: Clinton 13 Mar; Camden 20
May.
Com. Nighthawk: arr Syr 14 May; max 6 DH
21 May.
E. Whip-poor-will: arr Constantia 30 Apr; max
3 per day.
Chimney Swift: arr LOL 26 Apr.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird: arr Bvlle 1
May; max 47 DH 13 May.
Red-headed Woodpecker: arr DH 8 May; 7
more DH migrants; Lysander 23 May.
Red-bellied Woodpecker: 6-8/day DH early
May, possible migrants.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: arr GLSP 26 Mar.
Black-hacked Woodpecker: Third Lake Creek
25 Mar.
N. Flicker: max 349 DH 26 Apr.
FLYCATCHERS - WAXWINGS
Olive-sided Flycatcher: SFNS 22 May;
Hastings 30 May; Altmaf 30 May.
E. Wood-Pewee: max 5 SB 29 May.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: an TR 17 May; max
3 FH 27 May,
Alder Flycatcher: arr 13 May, several sites.
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
257
Willow Flycatcher: arr UM 12 May; max 16
Clay 21 May.
Least Flycatcher: air Camden & DH 27 Apr;
max 6 DeWilt 11 May.
E. Phoebe: arr North Bay 22 Mar.
Great Crested Flycatcher: arr Skan 27 Apr;
max 11 CM 21 May.
E. Kingbird: arr LOL 26 May; max 17 DH 2
May.
N. Shrike: Pulaski 1 Mai-; GLSP 25 Mar;
Salisbury 2 Apr; last Pulaski 24 Apr.
Yellow-throated Vireo: air HI 30 Apr.
Blue-headed Vireo: arr Camden 24 Apr.
Warbling Vireo: arr DeWitt 26 Apr; max 10
SPd 12 May.
Philadelphia Vireo: arr Camden 16 May; SB 21
May; WH 29 May.
Red-eyed Vireo: air DH 9 May.
Blue Jay: max 4670 DH 12 May.
Fish Crow: 4 DH 10 Apr; 48 Oakwood Cem Syr
13 Mar (AW); May reports from 7 sites.
Horned Lark: max 54 Manheim 10 Mar.
Purple Martin: arr WM 1 Apr, early.
Tree Swallow: arr DH 15 Mar; max 1650 OneiL
16 Apr.
N. Rough-winged Swallow: air DH 11 Apr.
Bank Swallow: arr DH 11 Apr.
Cliff Swallow: arr DH 26 Apr
Barn Swallow: arr DH 30 mar, early.
Black-capped Chickadee: max 246 DH 26 Apr.
Brown Creeper: max 7 St MC 17 Apr.
House Wren: arr LOL 25 Apr.
Winter Wren: an- SFNS 26 Mar.
Marsh Wren: an- GLSP 27 Mar.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: arr LOL 12 Apr; max 8
Chittenango 5 May.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet: arr Camden 6 Apr;
max 35 Camden 26 Apr.
Veery: an Fabius 30 Apr.
Gray-cheeked Thrush: 50 Syr 19-20 May,
night flight; 3 LOL 28 May.
BICKNELL'S THRUSH: Syr 20 May, night
flight (LG),
Swainson's Thrush: 200+ Syr 19-20 May, night
flight.
Hermit Thrush: an LOL 5 Apr; max 15/day
LOL 20-27 Apr.
Wood Thrush: an LOL 28 Apr; max 11 HI 10
May.
Am. Robin: max 20,135 DH 4 Apr, late peak
flight.
Gray Catbird: an widespread 26 Apr.
N. Mockingbird: Stratford 18 Mar, north of
range,
Brown Thrasher: an Bvlle 14 Apr; max 19
GLSP 24 Apr.
Am. Pipit: arr & max 24 Otisco 26 Mar; scarce
May.
258
Bohemian Waxwing: max and last 25 SFNS 6
Apr.
Cedar Waxwing: max 520 DH 31 May.
LONGSPURS - WARBLERS
Snow Bunting: max and last 800 SCH 13 Mar.
Blue-winged Warbler: an Camden 27 Apr;
max 6 SFNS 11 May.
Golden-winged Warbler: an Fayetteville 26
Apr.
Tennessee Warbler: an WM 10 May; max 8
Chittenango 18 May.
Orange-crowned Warbler: 2 DH 14 May; SB
16 May.
Nashville Warbler: an Fayetteville 26 Apr; 6
TR 11 May.
N. Parula: an Fayetteville 26 Apr; max 14
StMC 6 May.
Yellow Warbler: an Hamilton 20 Apr.
Chestnut-sided Warbler: arr Fayetteville 26
Apr (LG, mob), Reg record early; max 12 StMC
6 May.
Magnolia Warbler: an Navarino 6 May.
Cape May Warbler: arr and max 6 SB 11 May.
Black-throated Blue Warbler: arr widespread
26 Apr; max 30 DH 18 May.
Yellow-rumped Warbler: max 1200 DH 26
Apr.
Black-throated Green Warbler: an widespread
26 Apr; max 10 Scriba 12 May.
Blackburnian Warbler: an Camden 28 Apr;
max 15 SB 21 May.
Pine Warbler: an Conslanlia 19 Mar.
Prairie Warbler: an DH 27 Apr; 4 other
reports, all migrants. I Apr; max 7 per day LOL.
Bay-breasted Warbler: an Syr 29 Apr (JMcG),
Reg record early; max 15 SB 21 May.
Blackpoll Warbler: arr Bvlle 11 May; max 7
GLSP 21 May.
Cerulean Warbler: an HI 30 Apr; max 12 HI
10 May.
Black-and-white Warbler: an widespread 26
Apr; max 8 StMC 6 May.
Am. Redstart: arr Camden 2 May; max 67 DH
19 May.
Prothonotary Warbler: migrants DH 26 Apr,
14, 18 May (TC); an WM 17 May.
Ovenbird: an Camden 26 Apr (RL), Reg record
early.
N. Waterthrush: an Skan 24 Apr; max 6
DeWitt 11 May.
Louisiana Waterthrush: an Pratt's Falls 14
Apr; 2 Manheim 31 May, rarely reported HERK.
KENTUCKY WARBLER (R5)j Caznovia 21-
22 May (JR) and Clinton 24-25 May (MP).
CONNECTICUT WARBLER (R5): Bvlle 13
May (JB).
Mourning Warbler: an TR 2 May, early.
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
Com. Yellowthroat: an - widespread 26 Apr.
Hooded Warbler: air SFNS 8 May; max 8 per
day LOL.
Wilson's Warbler: arr Skan 10 May; max 3 DH
21 May.
Canada Warbler: arr LOL 11 May.
TOWHEES-WEAVER
E. Towhee: arr LOL 9 Apr; max 24 GLSP 24
Apr; Old Forge 22 Apr. unusual.
Am. Tree Sparrow: max 40 Durhamville 23
Mar; last Hamillon 7 May.
Chipping Sparrow: Earlville 15 Mar (KJ!),
likely wintered; arr Skan 7 Apr; max 145 DH 12
May.
Clay-colored Sparrow: SFNS 2,20 May; GLSP
22 May; DH 23 May.
Field Sparrow: air GLSP 9 Apr.
Vesper Sparrow: arr LOL 9 Apr, max 3 per day
LOL,
Savannah Sparrow: arr LOL 7 Apr.
Grasshopper Sparrow: arr Hastings 30 Apr; 2
Split Rock 8 May; max 3 Richland 20 May.
Fox Sparrow: arr 20 Mar; max 5 per day to 18
Apr; last W Winfield 28 Apr.
Lincoln's Sparrow: max 4/day LOL 10-21
May.
Swamp Sparrow: arr WM 7 Apr.
White-throated Sparrow: max 60 Camden 26
Apr.
White-crowned Sparrow: DH after 1 Mar,
likely wintered; arr widespread 27 Apr; max 14
SB 14 May.
Dark-eyed Junco: max 70 Salisbury 19 Apr.
Scarlet Tanager: arr Bvlle 30 Apr (JB), Reg
record early; max 58 LOL 12 May.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak: arr 26 Apr; max 31
DH 12 May.
Indigo Bunting: arr 5 May.
Bobolink: arr DH 26 Apr (SC), Reg record
early; max 137 DH 12 May.
E. Meadowlark: arr 16 Mar.
Rusty Blackbird: 2 Tully 3 Mar; max 500 CM
29 Apr.
Orchard Oriole: arr Camden 26 Apr; max 6 DH
14 May; Kast Bridge 31 May, unusual.
Baltimore Oriole: arr widespread 26 Apr; max
438 DH 12 May
Purple Finch: max 240 DH 20 Apr.
Com. Redpoll: max 440 DH 4 Apr; last
Georgetown 5 May.
Hoary Redpoll: max 2 Erieville 30 Mar; last
DH 9 Apr.
Pine Siskin: max 730 DH 13 May.
Am. Goldfinch: max 450 DH 13 May.
Evening Grosbeak: max 15 Erievelle 3 Apr;
last Camden 3 May.
REGION 6—ST. LAWRENCE
Jeffrey S. Bolsinger
98 State Street, Canton NY 13617
jsbolsinger@yahoo.com
Spring was exceptionally wet, and I heard quite a few complaints about the cold
as well, although temperatures averaged above normal for much of the season.
Early on it was a bit chilly, as Watertown’s mean temperature for March was
29.8°F, or 1.1° below normal. The 3.4" of precipitation that fell in March was
just 0.6" above normal, but April and May were very wet. Slightly more than six
inches of rain fell during each of the period’s last two months, and rainfall totals
were 3.0" and 2.9" above average for April and May, respectively. April’s mean
temperature of 44.9° was 1.2° above normal, and May was even warmer, with
an average temperature of 58.9°, or 2.5° above normal.
Migrants arrived to the Region in a somewhat eccentric manner, continuing
a pattern that began in mid- to late February with the appearance of the first
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3) 259
Great Blue Herons and Killdeer. For many species that typically arrive between
March and mid-April, a few individuals appeared this year on typical or early
dates, sometimes remarkably early (such as an American Bittern on 23 March)
but with additional individuals trickling in over an extended period so that many
of these species remained scarce until well after their usual mean arrival dates.
The result was that most observers felt that through at least the middle of April
migration was very late. This pattern changed abruptly on the night of 26^-27
April, when a warm front brought temperatures in the 80s and a flood of new
arrivals. This warm front and the associated wave of first of season species was
similar to late April events from the previous two years, but the timing was such
that several species set new record early arrival dates for Region 6. Early
arrivals were the norm for the remainder of the season.
Of the 93 species that are tracked annually to monitor mean arrival dates
statewide, reasonably accurate dates were noted for 89 species this spring, with
an overall mean arrival date of 25 April, five days earlier than the long-term
mean, but one and two days later than the mean arrival dates for 2010 and 2009,
respectively. Of these species, 67 arrived more than one day earlier than
average, 23 arrived within one day of average, and just 10 arrived more than one
day later then average. Species that set or tied record early arrival dates include
American Bittern, Osprey, Semipalmated Plover, Killdeer, Caspian Tern, Least
and Great Crested Flycatchers, Chestnut-sided and Cape May Warblers,
Ovenbird, Common Yellowthroat, and Scarlet Tanager.
On the flip side, a number of wintering species lingered to fairly late dates,
including good numbers of Long-tailed Ducks, Bufflehead, and Common
Goldeneye well into May. Most notable among lingering species was an adult
male Barrow’s Goldeneye in the St. Lawrence River at Ogdensburg on 22-24
April, missing the record late date for the State by just two days. Another
Barrow’s Goldeneye was near Massena in early March. Also present unusually
late were Bohemian Waxwings, which were present in modest numbers all
winter but increased dramatically during April, On 9 April I spent a fair amount
of time trying to count Bohemians in a large flock near the St. Lawrence River
in Massena and finally came up with an estimate of 1130 individuals, which
appears to be the second highest tally ever recorded in New York State. A flock
observed in Canton on 30 April represents the latest date this species has been
observed in Region 6, although about two weeks shy of the late date for New
York.
Among the season’s highlights was a female Spruce Grouse in Parishville at
a site where this species had not been previously recorded. The grouse was
initially observed by the patrons of a local bar as it wandered along the nearby
roadside and even in the bar’s parking lot. Melissa Burchard photographed the
grouse near the bar (see page 241) and showed the photos to Carol Cady, who
notified Glenn Johnson and Angie Ross. Glen and Angie eventually found a nest
with four eggs, but the nest was abandoned a few days later and the fate of the
adult is unknown.
There were few true rarities reported this spring, topped by the continuing
Townsend’s Solitaire on Point Peninsula, which successfully over-wintered and
260
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
was last seen on 20 March. On 19 March a Ross’s Goose was picked out of a
low-flying flock of Snow Geese over Canton. David Wheeler observed two
Sandhill Cranes near Lakeview WMA in March, where this species has
summered for several consecutive years and is suspected to breed, although
nesting has not been documented.
Notable finch reports included a flurry of late season Hoary Redpolls and
one interesting Red Crossbill report. Several observers diligently sorted through
the redpolls at their feeders all winter with limited or no success picking out any
Hoary Redpolls until March, when redpoll numbers increased generally and
many flocks suddenly included at least 1 -2 obvious Hoarys. Such was the case at
my feeders, where a “Greater” Common Redpoll also appeared on 6 March. Red
Crossbills were scarce in the Region, but may have nested in a few red pine
plantations in the Adirondacks and on Fort Drum. Matt Young recorded songs
from a flock of 12 Red Crossbills near Sevey’s Corners and subsequently
identified cab types consistent with crossbill Types 1, 2, and 10.
Given the general paucity of birders in Region 6, it’s worth mentioning the
comings and goings of a few. Mike Stewart, who found the Townsend’s
Solitaire this past winter, is an active duty soldier and is now serving a tour of
duty in Afghanistan. I’m sure I am not the only one wishing him well and
looking forward to his return to New York. This past year Joan Collins moved
back to Region 7, although I’m sure we’ll still hear from her about birds in the
St. Lawrence County portion of Adirondack Park. Still, her recent move goes a
long way in explaining the lack of good arrival date information for birds that
breed in the St. Lawrence County portion of the Adirondacks but are otherwise
hard to find in Region 6. And finally, a welcome addition: Tony Shriinpton has
started spending more time afield in Region 6, especially near Lake Ontario,
where he is having some success in finding interesting shorebirds, among the
most under-reported group of birds in the Region.
For the season I received reports of 230 species, which is the highest
species tally for any season since I began compiling the Region 6 report. This
total is certainly the result of a modest increase in observer effort in the Region,
and there is certainly much room for further increases. Region 6 remains
something of a frontier for birding in New York State, and there is no telling
what might be found with better coverage. This season’s increase in coverage is
the clear high point of the spring.
CONTRIBUTORS
Marilyn Badger, Alan Belford, Jeff Bolsinger, Joseph Brin, Dick & Marion
Brouse, Melissa Burchard, Ken & Rose Burdick, Carol Cady, Bernie Carr, Joan
Collins, Julie Covey, Wayne Fidler, Michael Greenwald, Mike Greco, Glenn
Johnson, Matt Kauffman, Joshua LaCelle, Robert LaCelle III, Tom Langen,
Nick Leone, Jerry & Judi LeTendre, Nancy Loomis, Irene Mazzocchi, Mike
Morgan, Eugene Nichols, David Prosser, Bill Purcell, Angie Ross, Gloria Sage,
Tony Shrimpton, Gerry Smith, Mike Stewart, Robert & June Walker, Mary Beth
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
261
Warburton, David Wheeler, Tom & Eileen Wheeler, Matthew Young; Hans van
der Zweep.
ABBREVIATIONS
BI - Barnhart Island, T Massena, STLA; CB - Chaumont Barrens Preserve; CV
- T Cape Vincent, JEFF; ED - El Dorado Shores Preserve, T Ellisburg, JEFF;
ED - Fort Drum Military Reservation, JEFF & LEWI; GPSP - Grass Point SP;
ICNC - Indian Creek Nature Center, T Canton, STLA; LB - Lisbon Town
Beach, STLA; LGI - Little Galloo Is.; LPd - Leonard Pond trail, T Colton,
STLA; LPSP - Long Point SP; LWMA - Lakeview WMA; MM - Massawepie
Mire, T Colton & Piercefield, STLA; MP - Montario Pt., T Ellisburg, JEFF;
PRWMA - Perch River WMA, JEFF; PtPen - Pt Peninsula, T Lyme, JEFF;
RMSP - Robert Moses SP; RWSP - Robert G. Wehle SP; SBSP - Southwick
Beach SP; SSC - South Sandy Creek trail, T Ellisburg, JEFF; SLR - St.
Lawrence River; TMP - Three Mile Point, T Chaumont, JEFF; TP - Tibbet’s
Pt., T Cape Vincent, JEFF; ULLWMA - Upper & Lower Lakes WMA; WBSP -
Westcott’s Beach SP; WHWMA - Wilson Hill WMA.
WHISTLING-DUCKS - VULTURES
Snow Goose: widespread arr 10-11 Mar; 5000-
7000 over FD 15 Mar; 2 rafts each 5000+ L
Ontario off MP and WBSP 25 Mar.
ROSS’S GOOSE (R6): 1 in flock Snow Geese
Canton 19 Mar.
Brant: no reports.
Trumpeter Swan: an PRWMA 14 Mar.
Tundra Swan: 60 LWMA 25 Mar.
Wood Duck: an - Watertown 10 Mar.
Gadwall: arr BI 5 Mar; max 38 LWMA 25 Mar.
Am. Wigeon: arr BI 5 Mar; max 80 LWMA 25
Mar.
Am. Black Duck: max 340 ULLWMA 3 Apr.
Mallard: max 295 ULLWMA 3 Apr.
Blue-winged l eal: arr FD 5 Apr.
N. Shoveler: arr TMP 18 Mar; max 9 Lowville 5
May.
N. Pintail: arr TMP 19 Mar; max 270 Lowville
2 Apr.
Green-winged Teal: arr Ellisburg 20 Mar; max
240 Lowville 2 Apr.
Canvasback: 2 PtPen 19 Mar; FD 5 Apr; only
reports.
Redhead: max 60 TP 25 Mar.
Ring-necked Duck: max 410 LWMA 25 Mar.
Greater Scaup: max 900 PtPen 11 Mar.
Lesser Scaup: max 45 LWMA 25 Mar.
White-winged Scoter: max 65 ED 23 Mar; last
2 ED 20 May.
Long-tailed Duck: 1000+ CV 20 Mar; last 14
ED 20 May.
Bufflehead: max 100 Ray’s Bay T Henderson 9
Apr; last PRWMA 13 May.
Com. Goldeneye: last 11 SLR Ogdensburg 8
May.
Barrow’s Goldeneye: BI 7 Mar (HVZ); ad m
SLR Ogdensburg 22-24 Apr (JB).
Hooded Merganser: arr at FD nesting areas 3
Mar.
Com. Merganser: small groups imm present
SLR through May.
Red-breasted Merganser: max 1600 TP 16
Mar; migrating SLR thru 15 May.
Ruddy Duck: 2 LWMA 28 May, nesting pair?
Spruce Grouse: ad m MM 28 May; ad f T
Parishville late May, new location, intro (M.
Burchard, GJ, AR).
Red-throated Loon: RWSP 10 Apr, only report.
Com. Loon: arr PtPen 30 Mar.
Pied-billed Grebe: arr PRWMA 10 Mar, early.
Horned Grebe: arr PtPen 11 Mar; max 8 SLR
Ogdensburg 16 Apr; last SLR Ogdensburg 8
May.
Red-necked Grebe: SLR Massena 7 May; max
5 WHWMA 7 May; 2 ULLWMA 8 May; 2 ED
20 May.
Double-crested Cormorant: max 2884 nests
LGI 25 May.
Am. Bittern: arr FD 23 Mar (JB), Reg record
early; next report PRMWA 7 Apr.
Least Bittern: arr PRWMA 14 May.
Great Blue Heron: arr at nesting sites 19-20
Mar.
262
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
Great Egret: 3 Clayton 6 Apr; 3 Potsdam 21
May; WHWMA 27 May.
Green Heron: arr FD 27 Apr.
Black-crowned Night-Heron: an - PRWMA 22
Apr; max 151 Gull Is. 31 May.
Turkey Vulture: arr Gouverneur 4 Mar; max
125 in single group Canton 25 Mar.
HAWKS - ALCIDS
Osprey: arr ULLWMA 1 Apr (JB), Reg record
early.
Bald Eagle: 8 LB 12 Mar; 22 LPSP 24 Mar;
many reports 1-5 individuals thru.
N. Harrier: arr PtPen 11 Mar.
N. Goshawk: FD 19 Apr. 26 May; only reports.
Red-shouldered Hawk: arr Henderson 17 Mar.
Broad-winged Hawk: arr FD 12 Apr.
Rough-legged Hawk: last FD 24 May.
Golden Eagle: FD 4 Mar; Lowville 2 Apr; ad
Dekalb 22 May.
Am. Kestrel: arr Denmark 2 Apr.
Merlin: widespread nesting reported from all
areas R6; still increasing.
Peregrine Falcon: Canton 2 Mar (MG); nesting
pairs Payne Lake, Ogdensburg bridge, and Long
Sault dam.
Virginia Rail: arr FD 29 Apr.
Sora: an - PRWMA 4 May.
Com. Moorhen: an PRWMA 15 Apr; max 22
PRWMA 13 May.
Am. Coot: 2-4/day PRWMA Apr.
Sandhill Crane: 2 Ellisburg 23 Mar (DW), in
area where nesting suspected recent years;
PRWMA 4 May (JB).
Black-bellied Plover: 3 Ellisburg 24 May;
Massena 27 May: calling over MM 30 May; only
reports.
Semipalmated Plover: arr 2 Dekalb 11 May
(JB), Reg record early; max 10 SSC 13 May.
Killdeer: arr Philadelphia 17 Feb (JB), Reg
record early; widespread arr 10-15 Mar.
Spotted Sandpiper: no reports before 7 May;
arr missed because of poor coverage?
Solitary Sandpiper: an - Ellisburg 22 Apr; max 5
SSC 12 May.
Greater Yellowlegs: 3 PRWMA 7 Apr; max 30
Ellisburg 6 May.
Lesser Yellowlegs: max 50 Ellisburg 6 May.
Upland Sandpiper: arr FD 18 Apr; CV 27 Apr;
Massena 7 May not seen again; max 4 displaying
males FD 9 May; only reports.
Semipalmated Sandpiper: 9 SLR Massena 27
May.
Least Sandpiper: 7 arr Dekalb 11 May; max 40
SSC 13 May.
Dunlin: 2 Ellisburg 24 May; 19 SLR Massena
27 May; only reports.
Short-billed Dowitcher: 5 CV 16 May, only
report.
Wilson’s Snipe: arr CB 30 Mar,
Am. Woodcock: an - RWSP 15 Mar; max 36
peenling m on 10-stop survey route FD 25 Apr.
Bonaparte’s Gull: 5 SLR Ogdensburg 9 Apr; 10
SLR Ogdensburg 24 Apr; few reports.
Ring-billed Gull: widespread arrival 4 Mar.
Iceland Gull: ad TP thru 20 Apr.
Herring Gull: max at breeding colonies 91 Gull
Is 11 May; 17 nests Blanket Is 11 May.
Caspian Tern: 2 air PRWMA 7 Apr (JB), Reg
record early; 1934 nests LGI25 May.
Black Tern: arr PtPen 7 May; max 64 PRWMA
14 May.
Com. Tern: arr SLR Ogdensburg 23 Apr; about
100 foraging below Robert Moses Power Dam
27 May.
PIGEONS - WOODPECKERS
Yellow-billed Cuckoo: Osceola 29 May, only
report.
Black-billed Cuckoo: arr FD 17 May, scarce.
E. Screech-Owl: Theresa 21 May.
Short-eared Owl: Leray 9 May, at historic
nesting location, not found again.
Com. Nighthawk: an- FD 9 May; Gouverneur
28 May.
E. Whip-poor-will: arr FD by 30 Apr.
Chimney Swift: arr Philadelphia 28 Apr.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird: arr Ellisburg 6
May.
Belted Kingfisher: arr Ogdensburg 8 Apr.
Red-headed Woodpecker: air FD 2 May.
Red-bellied Woodpecker: increasing near L
Ontario.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: arr Canton 9 Apr.
Black-backed Woodpecker: Esker Trail
SUNY-ESF Ranger School T Fine 10 May.
N. Flicker: many over-wintered; presumed
migrants arr 5 Apr.
FLYCATCHERS - WAXWINGS
Olive-sided Flycatcher: Colton 21 May;
migrant FD 28 May; only reports.
E. Wood-Pewee: arr Leyden 8 May.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: 5 LPd 21 May; 2
migrants LWMA 31 May.
Alder Flycatcher: arr FD 18 May.
Willow Flycatcher: arr Huevelton 14 May.
Least Flycatcher: arr FD 27 Apr (JB), Reg
record early.
E. Phoebe: air FD 26 Mar.
Great Crested Flycatcher: arr FD 27 Apr (JB),
Reg record early.
E. Kingbird: arr FD 27 Apr.
N. Shrike: last FD 15 Apr.
Yellow-throated Vireo: arr Dekalb 1 May.
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
263
Blue-headed Vireo: an FD 26 Apr.
Warbling Vireo: arr FD 29 Apr.
Philadelphia Vireo: Partridge Run Golf Course
Canton 16 May (JB), only report.
Red-eyed Vireo: arrFD 11 May.
Purple Martin; arr ICNC 24 Apr.
Tree Swallow: an ICNC 3 Apr; max 2000 Pt
Salubrious 17 Apr.
N. Rough-winged Swallow: arr Ogdensburg 16
Apr.
Bank Swallow: an FD 27 Apr.
Cliff Swallow: arr FD 27 Apr.
Barn Swallow: arr PRWMA 7 Apr.
Tufted Titmouse: ICNC 8 Apr, rare at this
location.
Carolina Wren: 2 continued from winter
Canton thru 17 Apr.
House Wren: air CV & FD 27 Apr.
Winter Wren: arr CV 9 Apr.
Sedge Wren: no reports.
Marsh Wren: an PRWMA 4 May.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: an FD 25 Apr; 6 other
reports.
Golden-crowned Kinglet: an CV 9 Apr.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet: arrFD 15 Apr.
E. Bluebird: 6 PtPen 4 Mar & 3 RWSP 15 Mar,
prob winter survivors; an Canton 26 Mar.
TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE: continued PtPen
to 20 Mar (J. Brin, mob).
Veery: arr Massena 7 May.
Swainson’s Thrush: ED 20 May; few reports.
Hermit Thrush: arr ICNC 24 Apr.
Wood Thrush: an FD 27 Apr.
Gray Catbird: an FD 29 Apr.
N. Mockingbird: Lyme 14 Apr; SBSP 20 May;
Alexandria 21 May; FD 28 May; more than
usual.
Browrn Thrasher: an FD 19 Apr.
Am. Pipit: few reports.
Bohemian Waxwing: 110 RMSP 4 Mar; 110
Louisville 25 Mar; 162 BI5 Apr; max 1130
Massena 9 Apr (JB); 100+Watertown 12-13
Apr; 40+ Potsdam 21 Apr; last 35 ICNC 30 Apr
(JB, mob), late.
LONGSPURS - WARBLERS
Lapland Longspur: last LB 20 Mar.
Snow Bunting: singing m FD 3 Mar; no reports
after 11 Mar.
Blue-winged Warbler: an FD 2 May.
Golden-winged Warbler: arr Dekalb 1 May.
“Lawrence's” Warbler: tenitory in same FD
location 4 th consecutive year.
Tennessee Warbler: an SBSP 7 May.
Orange-crowned Warbler: CV 12 May (Judi
LeTendre), only report.
Nashville Warbler: anFD 28 Apr.
N. Parula: an Low’s Lake 7 May.
264
Yellow Warbler: an FD 27 Apr.
Chestnut-sided Warbler: an FD 27 Apr (JB),
Reg record early.
Magnolia Warbler: arr SUNY-ESF Ranger
School T Fine by 10 May.
Cape May Warbler: arr ICNC 29 Apr
(MBW), Reg record early; 2 Canton 12 May; FD
12 May; 3 Potsdam 18 May.
Black-throated Blue Warbler: arrFD 28 Apr.
Yellow-rumped Warbler: an ICNC 16 Apr;
max 75 ICNC 30 Apr.
Black-throated Green Warbler: arr FD 27
Apr.
Blackburnian Warbler: an FD 2 May.
Pine Warbler: arrFD 12 Apr.
Prairie Warbler: anFD 9 May.
“Yellow” Palm Warbler: many singing m MM
19 Apr.
“Western” Palm Warbler: an FD 27 Apr.
Bay-breasted Warbler: 4 FD 12 May.
Blackpoll Warbler: arr GPSP 14 May.
Cerulean Warbler: an Dekalb 1 May; ICNC 8
May apparently migrating; 5 Colton Rd Dekalb
14 May; 2 Harts Flat Rd Theresa 21 May.
Black-and-white Warbler: arr FD 27 Apr.
Am. Redstart: air FD 2 May.
Ovenbird: an FD 27 Apr (JB), Reg record
early.
N. Waterthrush: arr FD 26 Apr.
Louisiana Waterthrush: 2 Theresa 21 May,
only report.
Mourning Warbler: anFD 19 May.
Com. Yellowthroat: arr FD 27 Apr (JB), Reg
record early.
Hooded Warbler: Ellisburg 20 May; 3 T
Osceola 29 May known nesting location.
Wilson’s Warbler: an FD 19 May.
Canada Warbler: an FD 12 May.
TOWHEES - WEAVERS
E. Towhee: air FD 12 Apr.
Am. Tree Sparrow: last Whalen Park Louisville
1 May.
Chipping Sparrow: an Watertown 9 Apr;
scarce until after 20 Apr.
Clay-colored Sparrow: an FD 9 May; migrant
SSC 20 May.
Field Sparrow: an FD 11 Apr.
Vesper Sparrow: arr FD 11 Apr.
Savannah Sparrow: arr FD 15 Apr.
Grasshopper Sparrow: arr FD 2 May.
Henslow’s Sparrow: anFD 5 May.
Fox Sparrow: an CV 9 Apr.
Song Sparrow: arr CV 12 Mar.
Lincoln’s Sparrow: 2 Fox Marsh Colton 10
May; 2 migrants SSC 20 May.
Swamp Sparrow: arr CV & FD 1 Apr.
White-crowned Sparrow: an Leyden 30 Apr.
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
Dark-eyed Junco: singing m LWMA 31 May,
late migrant or breeder?
Scarlet Tanager: arr Dekalb 1 May (JB), Reg
record early.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak: arrFD 3 May.
Indigo Bunting: arr Canton 13 May.
Bobolink: an - Canton 30 Apr.
Red-winged Blackbird: arr Canton 5 Mar.
E. Meadowlark: arr RWSP 18 Mar.
Rusty Blackbird: arr PRWMA 20 Mar.
Com. Grackle: arr Lyme 14 Mar.
Brown-headed Cowbird: arr CV 9 Apr.
Orchard Oriole: PtPen 20 May, only reliable
site R6?
Baltimore Oriole: arr FD 2 May.
Purple Finch: scarce before 19 Apr; max 49 CV
26 Apr.
Red Crossbill: 12 Colton 4 Mar, included Types
1,2, & 10 based on spectrographic analysis of
songs (MY).
Com. Redpoll: “Greater” Canton 6 Mar; last CV
20 Apr.
Hoary Redpoll: 1-2 per day at several Canton
feeders 6-27 Mar (TL, JB. CC).
Pine Siskin: 25-30/day Canton to late Mar;
scattered reports 1-12/day to 17 May.
Evening Grosbeak: 3+ Sodom SF 9 Apr; 7-8
Watertown 12 Apr; 2 FD 25 Apr; only reports
outside Adirondacks.
REGION 7—ADIRONDACK-CHAMPLAIN
Melanie McCormack
PO Box 366, Keene, NY 12942
Mruddyduck@aol.com
Weather in the spring of 2011 was one for the record books, with record
flooding across the Region due to a wet winter and an even wetter spring.
Precipitation averaged 4-6" above normal for all three months in the Champlain
Valley and the Adirondacks, making it the wettest April and May on record.
April rainfall set records, with totals ranging from 4.5" in Pern to 8.7" in Old
Forge and Lake Placid, only to be followed by an even wetter May, where
rainfall totals ranged from 7.5" in Tupper Lake and 8.3" in Old Forge to 9.1" in
Peru. The last major snowstorm of the month occurred on 6 March, dumping
24" in Tupper Lake and 37" in Ellenburg Depot. As would be expected, the
culmination of rain and melting snow brought lakes and rivers across the Region
to record high levels, bringing widespread flooding and causing millions of
dollars in damage. Lake Champlain reached its highest level of 103.2' feet on 6
May and remained above flood stage through the end of May. Temperatures
ranged 1-2° below average for the month of March, with the warmest
temperatures being in the mid-50s on the 17 th and 18 th . In contrast, April
temperatures ran 1-2° above average, with temperatures reaching the 70s near
the end of the month. May was an average month for the Champlain Valley, but
for the Adirondacks it ranked as the sixth warmest May on record, with
temperatures ranging 4.5° above normal and reaching the mid-80s in the final
days of the month.
The record flooding created challenges for birders trying to access some of
the major spring migration sites, but persistence paid off with good numbers for
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3) 265
species diversity and rarities being reported for the season. The high water levels
may have played a part in aiding the diversity of shorebirds and waders that
made a brief stop in the Champlain Valley this year. Notable May migration
sightings at the Chazy Riverlands include: a Little Gull on the 22 nd and 29 l \ a
Glaucous Gull on the 28 th , a breeding male Wilson’s Phalarope on the 28 th , a
record late Eurasian Wigeon on the 29 th , and a Whimbrel on the 28 th , which is
only the second spring record for this species in the Region. A good number of
shorebirds made stops in the Adirondack^ as well, the highlights being 30
Greater/Lesser Yellowlegs in Tupper Lake on the 6 th and 30 Short-Billed
Dowitchers in Lake Placid on the 19 th . Waterfowl also came through the Region
in strong numbers that peaked in mid- to late March. Highlights from Ausable
Point included record early Northern Shovelers on the 12' h , a male Ruddy Duck
on the 29 lh , and 12 Canvasbacks and nine Redheads in the 27 lh . Other notable
waterfowl sightings include four Long-tailed Ducks on Long Lake on 5 April,
Barrow’s Goldeneye at Crown Point on 2 April, and a Red-breasted Merganser
at Point Au Roche on 7 May.
The Crown Point banding station opened on 6 May for its 36 th season as
scheduled, with Gordon C. Howard, Bob Wei, and Gary Lee faithfully keeping
the station going despite record high flooding on Lake Champlain. A total of
518 individuals were banded representing 58 species, including 15 warbler
species and 16 individuals that had been captured in previous years. The oldest
recapture was a Black-capped Chickadee, first banded in 2006 and now 5 years
and 11 months old. The highlight of the season was undoubtedly a Grasshopper
Sparrow, which became the 101 st species banded at the station. Other notable
birds that were banded include two Orchard Orioles, six Tennessee Warblers,
one Mourning Warbler, one Prairie Warbler, and a record low 10 Yellow-
rumped (Myrtle) Warblers, which usually number in the hundreds.
The spring also saw the last days of the winter invasions of redpolls,
waxwings, and grosbeaks. Common Redpolls remained in good numbers
through mid-March in most of the Region, but persisted in the hundreds at a
feeder station in Long Lake until mid-April, with the last birds departing on 6
May. Hoary Redpolls were reported at a number of locations, and a “Greater”
Redpoll was identified at a feeder on Cumberland Head on 6 March. Bohemian
Waxwings persisted in flocks numbering in the hundreds in March that tapered
off the first week of April, with a final report of 25 at Cumberland Head on 6
April. Evening Grosbeaks were reported in good numbers through April, with a
maximum of 70 at Long Lake and a last record of four birds at Lake Alice on 30
April. Absent for much of the winter at most bird feeders. Purple Finches and
American Goldfinches began visiting birdfeeders again in the last week of April.
Additional highlights include a Black-billed Cuckoo in Bellmont on 30 May
and Clay-colored Sparrows in Lake Placid and at Lake Alice. A day of birding
in Fort Covington on 29 May, a lesser known birding area on the edge of
Franklin County, added a number of species that were not reported elsewhere in
the Region, including Least Bittern, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Virginia Rail,
and an impressive 27 Black Terns.
266
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
The season total was 218 species, an excellent number that just misses the
record of 219 species that was set in 1997.
CONTRIBUTORS
Milt Adams, Alan Belford, John Byrnes, Joan Collins, Eric D’Amour, Charlotte
Demers, Jim de Waal Malefyt, Gordon Dimmig, Elizabeth & Holland Fitts,
Richard Guthrie, Suzy Feustel, Larry Hall, Judy Heintz, Susan Johnson, Hal
Klein, Bill Krueger, Gordon Howard, Sheila LaBounty, Dayna LaLonde, Mary
Lamphear, Linda LaPan, Gary Lee, Robert Lee, Michael and Lewis Lolya, Ted
Mack, Larry Master, Brian McAllister, Melanie McCormack. Stacy McNulty,
Matthew Medler, Charlie Mitchell, Jeff Nadler, Avery Nagy-MacArthur, Mike
O’Brien, Sean O'Brien, Nancy Olsen, Jim Osborn, Justin Potter, Nancy Rogers,
Dana Rohleder, Robert Scranton, John Shea, William Stahl, Janet Stein, Eric
Teed, John & Patricia Thaxton, Eve Ticknor, Robert Washburn, Bob Wei.
ABBREVIATIONS
AP - Ausable Point; BB - Bloomingdale Bog; CH - Cumberland Head; CR -
Chazy Riverlands; Ferd - Ferd’s Bog; FC - Fort Covington; LP - Lake Placid;
LL - Long Lake; Mass - Massawepie Mire; Plat - Plattsburgh; PS - Paul
Smiths; PtR - Point Au Roche SP; SB - Sabattis Bog; SL - Saranac Lake; SSP
- Shingle Shanty Preserve; TL - Tupper Lake; WM - Wickham Marsh WMA.
WHISTLING-DUCKS - VULTURES
Snow Goose: 1000 PtR 18 Mar; 800 AP 27 Mar
(DR); 1 CH 29 May (NO), last.
Wood Duck: arr 3 AP 3 Mar (BK, CM), early
CLIN; max 48 FC 29 May (M&LL).
Gad wall: arr 20 AP 20 Mar (DR).
Eurasian Wigeon: CR 29 May (JO), late CLIN,
only report.
Am. Wigeon: an- PtR 8 Mai- (NO); max 2 AP 21
Mar (BS),
Am. Black Duck: 9 LL 5 Apr (JC); max 40 FC
29 May (M&LL).
Blue-winged Teal: arr LL 11 Apr (JC); max 8
FC 29 May (M&LL).
N. Shoveler: arr 4 CH 12 Mar (BK), early
CLIN; 2 FC 29 May (M&LL).
N. Pintail: an- 8 CH 14 Mar (BK); PtR 18 Mar
(NO); AP 28 Mar (DR); CP 2 Apr (SO, AB).
Green-winged Teal: arr 6 AP 19 Mar (BK);
max 7 AP 28 Mar; TL 9 Apr; LP 28 Apr.
Canvasback: an- AP 20 Mar (BK, CM); max 12
AP 27 Mar (DR).
Redhead: arr AP 15 Mar (BK); max 9 AP 29
Mar (DL).
Ring-necked Duck: max 400 AP 27 Mar (DR);
TL 9 Apr (JC).
Greater/Lesser Scaup: 900 WM 20 Mar (DR);
900 AP 29 Mar; max 1000 Kings Bay 26 Apr.
Lesser Scaup: AP 13 Mai- (BK, CM); 5 LL 5
Apr (JC).
White-winged Scoter: 2 CR 25 May (JO).
Long-tailed Duck: arr 4 LL 5 Apr (JC); CH 9
Apr (JO), early CLIN.
Bufflehead: max 50 AP 7 Apr (NR); 2 LL 4 Apr
(JC).
Com. Goldeneye: max 500 WM 20 Mar (DR);
20 TL 2 Apr (JC).
Barrow's Goldeneye: CP 2 Apr (SO&AB), only
report.
Hooded Merganser: max 20 AP 27 Mar (DR).
Com. Merganser: max 65 SP 20 Mar (DR).
Red-breasted Merganser: 2 PtR 7 May (JH),
only report.
Ruddy Duck: AP 19 Mar (BK), early CLIN.
Ring-necked Pheasant: LA 30 Apr (JO).
Com. Loon: arr 4 AP 27 Feb; LL 8 Apr (JC); SL
13 Apr (BM).
Pied-billed Grebe: air 2 AP 21 Mar; max 7 FC
29 May (M&LL).
Horned Grebe: CH 22 Mar (BK), early rec
CLIN; 2 Treadwell Bay 25 Apr (HK).
Red-necked Grebe: Chazy 24 Apr (BK); CR 25
May (JO), record late CLIN.
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
267
Double-crested Cormorant: arr AP 21 Mar
(WS).
Am. Bittern: arr LP 22 Apr (LM); PS 27 Apr
(BM); LA 1 May (BK, CM); CH 8 May (NO).
Least Bittern: FC 29 May (M&LL).
Great Blue Heron; arr 18 Mar PtR (NO); AP 19
Mar (BK).
Great Egret: arr CR 24 Apr (BK); LP 24 Apr;
PtR 9 Apr; Jay 3 May FC 29 May.
Green Heron: arr PtR 30 Apr (JH); max 3 LA 1
May (JO),
Black-crowned Night-Heron: FC 29 May
(M&LL).
Turkey Vulture: arr CH 27 Mar (CH);
Wilmington 27 Mar (WS).
HAWKS - ALCIDS
Osprey: air 29 Apr Scomotion Creek (NO); AP
30 Apr (DL).
Bald Eagle: max 3 SL 28 May (GD).
N. Harrier: Essex 12 Mar (J&PT); CR 10 Apr
(BK&CM), CP 7 May (GL).
Cooper's Hawk: CH 25 Mar-8 May (BK): FC
29 May (M&LL).
N. Goshawk: LL 7 Apr (JC); LL 9 May (JC).
Red-shouldered Hawk: Platts 6 Apr (DR): LA
7 Apr; Keene 24 Apr; PS 11 May; 2 FC 29 May.
Broad-winged Hawk: arr LL 27 Apr (JC); Rand
Hill 27 Apr (JH); PS 27 Apr (BM).
Rough-legged Hawk: max 5 Essex 17 Mar
(J&PT); AP 6 Apr (JO).
Am. Kestrel: arr Willsboro 19 Mar (ETi);
Keeseviile21 Mar (DR).
Merlin: air Wilmington 23 Mar (WS); LL 5 Apr
(JC).
Peregrine Falcon: arr Keene 11 Mar (J&PT);
SL 13 Mar, CP 10 May; Plat 25 May; CR 29
May,
Virginia Rail: 5 FC 29 May, only report.
Black-bellied Plover: max 87 CR 29 May (JO);
12CR30May (NO).
Semipalmated Plover: max 83 CR 25 May
(BK); 6 LP 16 May (LM).
Killdeer: arr 2 Cha/y 16 Mar (NO); 2 LP 16
May (LM).
Spotted Sandpiper: arr LP 27 Apr (LM).
Solitary Sandpiper: Riley Brook 14 May (BK,
CM); BB 21 May (JC, SO).
Greater Yellowlegs: arr LP 27 Apr (LM); max
20 TL 6 May (RG); 16 Riley Brook 6 May.
Lesser Yellowlegs: anr 24 Apr CR (BK); max 45
CR 14 May (BK); 10 TL 6 May (RG).
Whimbrei: CR 28 May (JO), 2 nd spring record.
Ruddy Turnstone: 9 CR 29 May (JO).
Sanderling: CR 29 May (.10), 4 ,h spring record.
Semipalmated Sandpiper: arr CR 14 May
(BK); max 445 CR 30 May (BK).
268
Least Sandpiper: an - 2 Riley Brook 10 May;
max 30 CR 14 May (BK).
White-rumped Sandpiper: 4 CR 29 May (JO).
Pectoral Sandpiper: 3 CR 28 May (JO).
Dunlin: arr 26 Apr CR (BK); max 27 CR 17
May (BK).
Short-billed Dowitcher: arr CR 14 May (BK);
max 30 LP 19 May (LM).
Wilson’s Snipe: arr LP 24 Apr (LM); Inlet 24
Apr (GL).
Am, Woodcock: arr Wickham WMA 20 Mar
(DR).
Wilson's Phalarope: 1 m CR 28 May (JO).
Bonaparte's Gull: arr 7 AP 6 Apr (JO), record
early CLIN; max 89 CR 18 May (BK).
Little Gull: CR 22 May (JO).
Glaucous Gull: CR 28 May (JO), 3 rd spring
record, record late CLIN.
Caspian Tern: arr 3 Plat 7 May (JO); CR 11
May thru (BK).
Black Tern: 27 FC 29 May (M&LL).
Com. Tern: arr 3 CR 3 May (BK); max 67 CR
17 May (BK).
PIGEONS - WOODPECKERS
Black-billed Cuckoo: Bellmont 30 May (NR).
Great Horned Owl: PtR 1! May (NR).
Short-eared Owl: ad m CH 7 Mar (BK).
Com. Nighthawk: air 9 Plat 29 May (NO).
E. Whip-poor-will: Jay 21 May (JB); Port Kent
21 May (SL).
Chimney Swift: air Plat 7 May (JO).
Ruby-throated Hummingbird; arr LL 3 May
(JC); LP 3 May; Willsboro 4 May; Inlet 5 May.
Belted Kingfisher: AP 15 Mar (BK),
overwintered.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: arr Keene 9 Apr
(J&PT); 2 LL 9 Apr; AP 9 Apr.
Black-backed Woodpecker: LL 15 Mar; 2 BB
24 Mar; SB 15 Apr; Ferds 20 May; SSP 30 May.
FLYCATCHERS - WAXWINGS
Olive-sided Flycatcher: Vanderwacker Mt 13
May (JC); Bellmont 29 May (NR).
E. Wood-Pewee: air LL 10 May (JC); CH 29
May (NO).
Yellow -bellied Flycatcher: arr Browns Tract 18
May (MO); Mass 22 May (AB).
Alder Flycatcher: air LP 20 May (LM).
Willow Flycatcher: FC 29 May (M&LL);
Dickinson Ctr 29 May (AN).
Least Flycatcher: arr LA 7 May (JO); LL 9
May (JC).
E. Phoebe: arr CH 8 Apr (NO); Wilmington 8
Apr (WS); Keene 8 Apr (MMc).
Great Crested Flycatcher: arr Dickinson Ctr 8
May (AN); CH 16* May (NO).
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
E. Kingbird: arr CP 12 May; Reagan Flats 12
May; CH 16 May.
N. Shrike: LP 13 Mar (LM); LP 20 Mar (LL);
SB 24 Mar (JC); LP 24 Apr, last.
Blue-headed Vireo: arr LL 26 Apr (JC).
Warbling Vireo: arr LA 1 Apr (BK&CM).
Philadelphia Vireo: arr LA 18 May (JO); SL 28
May (AB).
Red-eyed Vireo: arr LL13 May (JC).
Gray Jay: 3 SB 4 Mar; 3 Ferds 14 Mar; Browns
Tract 18 May; 2 Mass 28 May; max 6 Shingle
Shanty 28 May (JP).
Horned Lark: CR 15 Mar (DL); LL 5 Apr (JC):
Chazy 12 May (BK).
Purple Martin: 2 FC 29 May (M&LL).
Tree Swallow: arr Wilmington 8 May (WS).
Bank Swallow: an- 8 PtR 30 Apr (JH).
Cliff Swallow: arr LA 7 May (JO): max 22
Reagan Flats 12 May (RS).
Barn Swallow': air CR 9 Apr, early rec CLIN.
Boreal Chickadee: 2 BB 9 Apr (BW); 2 SSP 28
May (JP).
Tufted Titmouse: 2 Keene 24 Mar (MMc); 3
Port Kent 25 Apr (DR); 2 FC 29 May (M&LL).
Carolina Wren: CH 8 Apr thru (NO); Plat 7
May (JO).
House Wren: arr Pt R 30 Apr (JH); SL 14 May
(AB).
Winter Wren: arr LL 11 Apr (JC).
Marsh Wren: 6 FC 29 May (M&LL).
Ruby-crowned Kinglet: air CH, LL, PS & LP
27 Apr.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: Dickinson Ctr 29 Apr
(AN).
Veery: arr 8 May Dickinson Ctr (AN).
BicknelFs Thrush: Whiteface Mt 21 May
(JC&SO).
Swainson's Thrush: arr Ferd 18 May (MO).
Hermit Thrush: an - SB 15 Apr (JC).
Wood Thrush: arr LA 7 May (JO); LL 11 May
(JC); SL 12 May (RS).
Gray Catbird: air LA 1 May (JO), record early
CLIN.
Brown Thrasher: an PtR 28 Apr (JH); Mass 28
May (JC).
Am. Pipit: 9 PtR 13 May.
Bohemian Waxwing: max 600 Essex 12 Mar;
300 LA 19 Mar; 80 Peru 27 Mar; 75 CH 28 Mar;
100 CP 2 Apr; 25 CH 6 Apr, last.
Cedar Waxwing: 28 CH 27 Apr (NO).
LONGSPURS - WARBLERS
Lapland Longspur: 10 PtR 10 Mar (NO).
Snow Bunting: 5 Chazy 2 Mar (BK&CM).
Blue-winged Warbler: LP 19 May (LM).
Golden-winged Warbler: FC 19 May (M&LL).
Tennessee Warbler: an Dicksinson Ctr 1 May
(AN); CP 21 May; LA 25 May: FC 29 May; PS
30 May.
Nashville Warbler: an LA 30 Apr; Keene 7
May; LL 9 May.
N. Parula: an PS 7 May (BM).
Yellow Warbler: an PtR 29 Apr (NO).
Chestnut-sided Warbler: an Peru 7 Apr (LF).
Magnolia Warbler: an LP 1 May (LM).
Cape May Warbler: an L Pleasant 7 May
(JDM); Dickinson Ctr 7 May (AN).
Black-throated Blue Warbler: an LL 27 Apr
(JC).
Yellow-rumped Warbler: an LP, Keene,
Dickinson Ctr 24 Apr.
Black-throated Green Warbler: an LL 27 Apr
(JC).
Blackburnian Warbler: arr Dickinson Ctr 22
Apr (AN), Reg record early.
Pine Warbler: arr Inlet 24 Apr (JC).
Prairie Warbler: CP 14 May (GL).
Palm Warbler: arr Mass 19 Apr (JC).
Bay-breasted Warbler: arr 8 LA 18 May (JO);
3 LP 19 May; 2 FC 29 May.
Blackpoll Warbler: arr CP 13 May (GL).
Black-and-white Warbler: an PS 27 Apr
(BM).
Am. Redstart: arr LL 10 May (JC).
Ovenbird: an Plat 28 Apr (BK).
N. Waterthrush: an Rand Hill 30 Apr (JH),
record early CLIN.
Mourning Warbler: an Chazy 18 May (JH); 2
LP 19 May; 2 Mass 22 May.
Com. Yellow throat: an LA 30 Apr (JO), early
rec CLIN.
Wilson's Warbler: an LA 18 May (JO).
Canada Warbler: arr LL 11 May (JC).
TOWHEES - WEAVERS
E. Towhee: an SL 22 Apr (AB); 2 Reagan Flats
12 May; CP 13 May.
Am. Tree Sparrow: LP 24 Apr (LM), last
Chipping Sparrow: an Keene 20 Mar (MMc);
11 Apr LL.
Clay-colored Sparrow: LA 19-22 May; LP 22
May (LM).
Field Sparrow: 8 LA 30 Apr (JO, BK, CM),
record early CLIN; Mass 28 May (JC).
Vesper Sparrow : LP 11-22 Apr (LM); max 3
Riley Brook 16 Apr (BK.CM); SB 22 Apr (JC).
Savannah Sparrow: arr 2 LL 5 Apr (JC); max 6
LP 11 Apr (LM).
Grasshopper Sparrow: CP 12 May (GL).
Fox Sparrow: an LL 10 Apr (JC); 2 SL 8 Apr;
Redford 14 Apr; max 7 SL 22 Apr (AB).
Song Sparrow: an CH 11 Mar (NO); Inlet 12
Mar (GL).
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
269
Lincoln's Sparrow: air SB 9 May (JC); PS 11
May; PtR 11 May; Ferd 18 May.
Swamp Sparrow: arr PS 27 Apr (BM); PtR 30
Apr (JH).
White-throated Sparrow: arrBellmont 11 Apr
(NR),
White-crowned Sparrow: arr Redford 5 Apr
(DF), record early CLIN; Keene 23 Apr (MMc);
max 16 Reagan Flats 12 May (RS), last.
Scarlet Tanager: arrChazy 18 May (JH).
Rose-breasted Grosbeak: arr LA 30 Apr (JO);
Essex 1 May (ETi): Inlet 6 May (GL).
Indigo Bunting: arr CP 12 May (GL); Plat 17
May (JH); Bcllmont 23 May (NR),
Bobolink: an - CP 7 May (GL); max 8 Reagan
Flats 12 May.
Red-winged Blackbird: arr Willsboro, LP,
Kecsevillc 6 Mar.
E. Meadowlark: arr Essex 2 Apr (AB &SO).
Rusty Blackbird: arr Keene 16 Apr (MMc); 2
LL 23 Apr; LP 24 Apr; Newcomb 27 Apr; max
58 LA 30 Apr; SB 7 May.
Com. Crackle: arr LP 6 Mar.
Orchard Oriole: 2 CP 14 May (GL).
Baltimore Oriole: arr Plat 22 Apr (SJ).
Purple Finch: LL 14 Apr (JC); Keene 20 Apr;
LP 24 Apr; Plat 27 Apr.
White-winged Crossbill: LP 10 Mar (LM);
Gabriels 16 Apr (JS); 2 LA 30 Apr (JO).
Com. Redpoll: 50 CH 6 Mar; max 400 LP 12
Mar (LM); 100 Inlet 7 Apr (GL); 100 LL 10 Apr
(JC); 2 LL 6 May (JC), last.
COM. “GREATER” REDPOLL: CH 6 Mar
(BK).
HOARY REDPOLL (R7): Piseco 2 Mar (LB);
Inlet 5 Mar (GL); CH 11 Mar (BK); 3 LP 15 Mar
(LM); LL 4 Apr (JC).
Pine Siskin: LL 10 Apr (JC); Dickinson Ctr 23
Apr; Peru 7 May; LA 7 May, last.
Evening Grosbeak: 2 BB 24 Mar (JC); 5 Inlet
27 Mar (GL); 16 Dickinson Ctr 9 Apr (AN); max
70 LL 10 Apr (JC); 2 Essex 28 Apr (ETi); 4 LA
30 Apr (JO).
REGION 8—HUDSON-MOHAWK
Will Yandik
269 Schneider Road, Hudson NY 12534
wyandik@hotmail.com
Spring 2011 was mild and wet. March ended with 1.3 inches more than average,
with another inch and a half of rain above average for April, and finally an inch
above average for May. Precipitation in most cases stretched out over several
drizzly days rather than in strong downpours, although flooding did occur in
some parts of the Region in April and May. Twenty days in May had either
drizzle or rain showers. The grass grew fast and thick, and had farmers not leapt
at the chance for early cuttings when the weather dried up in June, it would have
been a good year for grassland nesting birds. The last frost occurred on 22 April,
and May began a long moderating Bend that brought above average
temperatures that lasted beyond the spring season.
Brant made a good showing in the Region this spring. Moderately sized
flocks from 70-500 moved through, mostly at night, during mid- to late May.
Larry Federman recalls seeing them nearly everywhere in Greene County:
“Around 8 p.m. the first of several large flocks were seen over the Hudson River
in the Village of Catskill, Greene County—I estimated that flock at 200. Five
minutes later, heading nonthwest from west of the Village of Catskill were
another 300. Ten minutes later, as 1 approached the intersection of Rts 23A and
270
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
32, another flock of approximately 300 were heading north, in front of the
eastern face of the Catskills.” Although not as widespread, Snow Geese also
staged in the area in March, including a flock of 900 in Albany County. Area
birders found Tundra Swans at three locations this season.
A relatively large single location maximum of eight Red-necked Grebes at
Coxsackie Boat Launch is unusual for our Region. An early Great Egret showed
up at Vosburgh’s Marsh in Greene County on 3 April.
The Region hosted two species of kites this spring: the first, a Swallow¬
tailed Kite described with good details, seen in Albany County, and the second,
a pair of Mississippi Kites back at their nest site in the town of Root,
Montgomery County. Please see previous issues of this publication for a detailed
description of these birds, the first nesting record for Mississippi Kite in the
State.
Rich Guthrie found two Sandhill Cranes in Catskill in mid-April, and area
birders recorded Caspian Terns at four different locations this spring. They are
often not recorded most years, even though several migrate up the Hudson Ri ver
to breeding locations on the Great Lakes. Bill Lee reports that he found 12
Upland Sandpipers at a single location in Ames, Montgomery County, a large
number not only for the Region, but for the State as well nowadays.
Overall, no clear trend emerges for non-passerine migration. Herons and
shorebirds appeared slightly later than average, with the exception of snipe and
woodcock which arrive regularly in the southern part of the Region the first
week of March. Duck migration is so variable in our Region that it’s hard to
parse out trends from the noise in any given year. Early passerines, such as
kinglets, gnatcatchers, towhees, and Hermit Thrush arrived slightly early. A very
strong push of neotropical migrants moved into the Region on the evenings of
27 and 28 April, nearly a week earlier than average. All species of swallows
arrived early this spring. Most vireos and warblers in particular arrived early this
spring.
CONTRIBUTORS
Steve Abrahamsen, Alan Devoe Bird Club monthly sighting reports, Larry
Alden, Dave Bairn, Hope Batchellor, Mona Bearor, Mimi Brauch, Alvin
Breisch, Owen Brown, Gerry Colburn, Frank Conley, Bill Cook, Larry
Federman, Corey Finger, David Gibson, Elizabeth Grace, Jane Graves, Don
Grescens, Bernie Grossman, Richard Guthrie, Ken Harper, David Harrison, Ron
Harrower, John Hershey, Hudson-Mohawk Bird Club's Birdline of Eastern New
York, John Kent, Nancy Kern, Eric Krantz, Bill Lee, Alan Mapes, Dave Martin,
Andrew Mason, Kelly McKay Matt Medler, Steve Mesick, Roger Miller, Frank
Murphy, Jeff Nadler, Gail & Rich Nord, Tom Palmer, Ellen Pemrick, Barb
Putnam, Bob Ramonowski, Will Raup, Larry Rowland, John Saville, Susan
Scheck, Scott Stoner, Vin Stum, Joan Suriano, Bill & Marion Ulmer, Alison
Van Keuren, Brad Walker, Carol & Owen Whitby, Phil Whitney, T. Lloyd
Williams, Allan & Phyllis Wirth, Chad Witko, Will Yandik, Robert Yunick.
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
271
ABBREVIATIONS
BCM - Black Creek Marsh, ALBA; BRH - Burnt-Rossman Hills SF, SCHO;
BRU - T Brunswick, RENS; COH - T Cohoes, ALBA; FtE - T Fort Edwards,
WASH; HR - Hudson Ri; LIV - T Livingston, COLU; NBA - T New
Baltimore, GREE: PR - Partridge Run, ALBA; VF - Vischer’s Ferry, SARA.
WHISTLING-DUCKS - VULTURES
Snow Goose: max 900 Five Rivers ALBA 12
Mar.
Brant: max 500 Catskill GREE 25 May,
numerous evening migrants.
Tundra Swan: Stafford Bridge SARA 6-9 Mar;
Ft Miller WASH 9 Mar; 3 Germantown 13 Mar.
Wood Duck: arr Nciber Swamp Livingston
COLU 4 Mar.
Gadwall: max 13 Crescent ALBA 13 Mar.
Eurasian Wigeon: Collins L SCHE 13 Apr.
Am. Wigeon: max 25 Claverack COLU 15 Mar.
Blue-winged Teal: air VF 17 Apr.
N. Shoveler: max 3 Papscanee RENS 18 Mar.
N. Pintail: max 18 Claverack COLU 15 Mar.
Canvasback: max 250 Germantown COLU 15
Mar.
Redhead: max 9 Cheviot COLU 8 Mar.
Greater Scaup: max 5 Northumberland SARA
26 Mar.
Surf Scoter: Collins L SCHE 8-14 Apr.
White-winged Scoter: Sacandaga LFULT 21
May.
Long-tailed Duck: max 6 COX Boat Launch 23
Apr.
Barrow’s Goldeneye: Ft Miller WASH 12 Mar.
Red-breasted Merganser: max 5 Four-mile Pt
GREE 5 Apr.
Ruddy Duck: Ft Miller WASH 20 Mar;
Myosotis L SARA 21 May.
Ring-necked Pheasant: Saratoga Battlefield
SARA 17 Mar; Old Chatham COLU 27 Mar;
FtE 6 Apr; Austerlitz COLU 17 Apr.
Ruffed Grouse: Coeymans ALBA 31 Mar;
Four-mile Pt GREE 1 Apr; Five Rivers ALBA
12 Apr.
Red-throated Loon: 2 Lock 7 SCHE 5 Apr;
Collins L SCHE 6 Apr.
Com. Loon: max 8 Lock 7 SCHE Apr.
Pied-billed Grebe: an- 4-mile Pt GREE 15 Mar.
Horned Grebe: arr Chatham COLU 15 Mar.
Red-necked Grebe: COX 3 Apr; max 8 COX
Boat Launch 23 Apr.
Great Cormorant: Germantown COLU 15
Mar; last New Baltimore GREE 31 Mar.
Am. Bittern: arr COX grasslands 22 Apr.
Least Bittern: max 2 BCM 21 May.
Great Egret: Vosbufgh Marsh GREE 3 Apr.
Green Heron: arr Five Rivers ALBA 25 Apr.
272
Black-crowned Night-Heron: arr Catskill
GREE 29 Apr.
Black Vulture: Livingston COLU 5 Mar.
HAWKS - ALCIDS
Osprey: arr Collins L SCHE 30 Mar.
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE: Wolforts Roost
Country Club ALBA 29 Apr (eBird. fide RG).
MISSISSIPPI KITE: 2 Root MONT 22 May-
thru (mob).
N. Goshawk: Austerlitz COLU 26 Mar;
Partridge Run ALBA 20 Mar; Saratoga SARA
21 May; Rensselaerville ALBA27 May.
Red-shouldered Hawk: arr Brunswick RENS 4
Mar.
Broad-winged Hawk: arr Rensselaer RENS 3
Apr.
Rough-legged Hawk: last Catskill GREE 13
Mar.
Golden Eagle: Brunswick RENS 4 Mar; COX 6
Mar.
Merlin: New Scotland A L BA 14 Apr; Albany
20 Apr; Brunswick RENS 28 Apr.
Virginia Rail: arr BCM 23 Apr.
Sora: arr RENS tech park 15 Apr.
Com. Moorhen: BCM 21 May.
SANDHILL CRANE (R8): 2 Catskill GREE 11
Apr (RG).
Black-bellied Plover: arr Wrights Loop SARA
19 May.
Seinipalmated Plover: arr Rensselaerville
ALBA 12 May.
Killdeer: air COX 5 Mar.
Spotted Sandpiper: arr Albany 17 Apr.
Solitary Sandpiper: arr Clermont COLU 27
Apr.
Greater Yellowlegs: arr Wrights Loop SARA 6
Apr.
Lesser Yellowlegs: arr Wrights Loop SARA 5
Apr (KH), Reg record early.
Upland Sandpiper: max 12 Ames MONT 30
Apr (BL).
Dunlin: 6 Papscanee RENS 14-16 May; 2 COX
grasslands 25 May.
Wilson’s Snipe: air Burnt Hills ALBA 3 Mar.
Am. Woodcock: arr Livingston COLU 5 Mar.
Bonaparte’s Gull: arr HR ALBA 5 Apr.
Iceland Gull: Cohoes ALBA 1-lJMar.
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
Lesser Black-backed Gull: VF 17 Mar; 2
Coeymans ALBA 21 Mar.
Glaucous Gull: Cohoes ALBA 1-13 Mar.
Caspian Tern: Collins L SCHE 5 Apr (JN),
Reg record early; Colonie ALBA 24 Apr; 3
Coeymans 4 May; Saratoga L SARA 24 May.
Black Tern: an- L George WARR 14 May;
Myosotis L SARA 15 May: Saratoga L SARA
21-4 May.
Com. Tern: Saratoga L 21 May.
PIGEONS - WOODPECKERS
Black-billed Cuckoo: arr VF 8 May.
Yellow-billed Cuckoo: arr New Baltimore
GREE 12 May.
Long-eared Owl: Rensselaerville ALBA 6 Apr.
N. Saw-whet Owl: Blackhead Mt GREE 21
May.
Com. Nighthawk: arr BCM 20 May.
E. Whip-poor-will: max 5 Saratoga SARA 21
May.
Chimney Sw ift: arr Brunswick RENS 27 Apr.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird: arr Brunswick
RENS 26 Apr.
FLYCATCHERS - WAXWINGS
Olive-sided Flycatcher: Saratoga Battlefield
SARA 22 May.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: Myosotis L SARA
21 May.
Least Flycatcher: air Partridge Run ALBA 1
May.
E. Kingbird: air Rensselaerville ALBA 24 Apr.
Great Crested Flycatcher: arr BCM 27 Apr.
N. Shrike: last Papscanec RENS 2 Apr.
White-eyed Vireo: S Glens Falls WARR 30
Apr.
Yellow-throated Vireo: arr BCM 27 Apr.
Warbling Vireo: arr VF 27 Apr.
Red-eyed Vireo: arr S Glens Falls WARR 27
Apr.
Purple Martin: Saratoga L SARA 24 May.
Tree Swallow: arr Ferry Drive SARA 13 Mar,
N. Rough-winged Swallow: arr Germantown
COLU 19 Apr.
Bank Swallow: arr VF 17 Apr.
Cliff Swallow: max 30 Ballston Spa SARA 24
May.
Bam Swallow: arr Coeymans ALBA 7 Apr.
House Wren: arr Austerlitz COLU 29 Apr.
Marsh Wren: arr BCM 22 Apr.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet: arr Meadowdale
ALBA 8 Apr.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: arr Claverack COLU
11 Apr.
Swainson’s Thrush: arr Schodack RENS 4
May.
Wood Thrush: arr Livingston COLU 26 Apr.
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
Gray Catbird: arr Brunswick RENS 26 Apr.
Brown Thrasher: arr Hillsdale COLU 19 Apr.
Am. Pipit: Rensselaerville ALBA 11 May.
LONGSPURS - WARBLERS
Snow Bunting: max 40 COX 1 Mar; last VF 4
Mar.
Blue-winged Warbler: arr Livingston COLU 26
Apr.
Tennessee Warbler: air Livingston COLU 15
May,
Nashville Warbler: an- Galway SARA 26 Apr.
N. Parula: arr Vosburghs Marsh GREE 26 Apr
(RG), Reg record early.
Yellow Warbler: arr Livingston COLU 25 Apr.
Chestnut-sided Warbler: arr COX grasslands
26 Apr.
Magnolia Warbler: arr Catskill GREE 6 May.
Cape May Warbler: arr Brunswick RENS 11
May.
Black-throated Blue Warbler: arr Five Rivers
ALBA 27 Apr.
Yellow-rumped Warbler: arr Clermont COLU
22 Apr.
Black-throated Green Warbler: arr
Amsterdam MONT 28 Apr.
Blackburnian Warbler: arr Brunswick RENS
27 Apr.
Pine Warbler: arr Clermont COLU 16 Apr.
Prairie Warbler: arr Livingston COLU 23 Apr.
Palm Warbler: arr Ann Lee Pd ALBA 11 Apr.
Bay-breasted Warbler: arr Brunswick RENS
12 May.
Blackpoll Warbler: arr Livingston COLU 8
May.
Cerulean Warbler: Schodack I RENS 11 May.
Black-and-white Warbler: arr Greenport
COLU 26 Apr.
Am. Redstart: arr Papscanec RENS 27 Apr.
PROTHONOTARY WARBLER (R8): Turkey
Run WMA ALBA 27 Apr (DG).
Worm-eating Warbler: 2 Coeymans ALBA 19
May; Deer Mt ALBA 21 May,
Ovenbird: an- COX grasslands 26 Apr.
N. Waterthrush: arr Rotterdam SCHE 26 Apr.
Louisiana Waterthrush: arr Five Rivers ALBA
9 Apr.
Mourning Warbler: arr Hunter Mt GREE 15
May.
Com. Yellowthroat: an- Copake COLU 30 Apr.
Hooded Warbler: New Scotland A T . BA 18
May; Thatcher Park ALBA 21 Mav.
Wilson’s Warbler: air Schodack RENS 12
May.
Canada Warbler: arr Austerlitz COLU 7 May.
TOWHEES - WEAVERS
E. Towhee: arr Taghkanic COLU 20 Mar.
273
Chipping Sparrow: arr Voorheesville ALBA 20
Mar.
Field Sparrow: arr Hillsdale COLU 21 Mar.
Vesper Sparrow': arr Rensselaerville ALBA 23
Apr.
Savannah Sparrow: arr Livingston 20 Apr.
Grasshopper Sparrow: Saratoga Airport SARA
11 May.
Lincoln’s Sparrow: arr Five-Rivers ALBA 4
May.
Scarlet Tanager: arr Claverack COLU 26 Apr.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak: arr Austerlitz COLU
26 Apr.
Indigo Bunting: an - Chatham COLU 28 Apr.
Bobolink: arr Five Rivers ALBA 30 Apr.
E. Meadow lark: arr Saratoga SARA 30 Mar.
Rusty Blackbird: an-10 VF 14 Mar; max 50 VF
23 Mar.
Orchard Oriole: arr Brunswick RENS 28 Apr.
Baltimore Oriole: arr Ann Lee Pd ALBA 16
Apr.
White-winged Crossbill: 2 Stephentown RENS
5 Mar; E Greenbusb RENS 18 Mar.
Com. Redpoll: last SCHO 5 Apr.
Pine Siskin: max 3 Stillwater SARA 6 Mar.
Evening Grosbeak: max 6 Saratoga 21 Apr.
REGION 9—HUDSON - DELAWARE
Michael Bochnik
70 Hutchinson Boulevard, Mt Vernon, NY 10552
BochnikM@cs.com
The spring was very wet but not as cool as everyone expected. The season
started with temperatures in the teens on 2 March, with Poughkeepsie dipping to
10° F on 4 March. Temperatures quickly climbed and were in the seventies by
18 March. White Plains recorded 7.4" of precipitation in March mainly from
two storms; both resulted in extensive flooding. A storm on 6 March dumped
2.8", and a storm from 10 to 11 March added 3.1". April continued wet, with
7.1" recorded for White Plains, 2.6" above normal. The last few days saw high
temperatures into the lower eighties resulting in the month being 2° warmer than
normal. This warm humid spell brought in many first arrivals. May was a mirror
image of April. Half of the days had at least a trace of rain. Good migrant days
were few and far between. Nearly 7" of rain fell in White Plains for May, and
temperatures were 2° warmer than normal.
An early highlight of the season was a goose bonanza centered in the Black
Dirt region of Orange County. It started on 2 March when John Haas, Rob
Stone, and Bob Cotter noticed a huge flock of Snow Geese just east of the
observation area for Liberty Marsh, Wallkill NWR. The flock was estimated
between 2500 and 3000 birds. Rob Stone then found eight Greater White-
fronted Geese just off Lower Road near Pine Island. He shortly found a ninth
Greater White-fronted Goose at the Pine Island Turf Nursery. In addition,
another flock of 3000 Snow Geese was at Missionlands Road. Nearly 10,000
Canada Geese were in the area. The next morning John Haas found nearly the
same number of Canada and Snow Geese in the area, and five of the Greater
White-fronted Geese. In addition, one “Blue” Snow Goose and a Cackling
Goose were found along with some sort of hybrid goose and a leucistic Canada
274 The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
Goose. The next day, with John and Rob keeping in touch with one another,
they found at least twelve Greater White-fronted Geese in the area. After John
left, Rob sifted through the massive Snow Goose flock that had resettled in the
Turf Nursery and found a Ross’s Goose. Later in the day Ken McDermott
discovered a Barnacle Goose at the golf course in Pine Island and, along with
his son Curt, observed it until nightfall.
The weekend then brought in many more observers. On Saturday, Canada
and Greater White-fronted Geese numbers were down, but the number of Snow
Geese at the Pine Island Tuif Nursery rose to 8,000 with at least twenty-two of
them blue morph. The highlights of the day were three Ross’s Geese, including
a rare blue morph individual found by Curt McDermott (see photo, page 244). In
addition to the geese, a total of ten Tundra Swans were found between the turf
nursery and the local golf course. The Barnacle Goose and three Cackling Geese
were also found that day. On Sunday at least nine different Ross’s Geese were
observed by many, including the blue morph. Only three Greater White-fronted
Geese were found and the Barnacle Goose was absent. Although out of state, it
is worth mentioning that a Pink-footed Goose was present in nearby Bergen
County, New Jersey during the same period. Heavy rains and flooding in the
area then diminished the bonanza during the next few days.
Two months later, Rob Stone found five Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks off
Oil City Road at the Wallkill NWR on 23 May. A few other birders were able to
view the birds that day. No leg bands were seen. The birds were later found just
south of the area in New Jersey but returned to the New York side in the late
evening. They were present in the area until 26 May.
Benjamin Van Doren found a shearwater, a possible Manx Shearwater, on
17 May while watching Long Island Sound from Read Sanctuary in Rye.
Four Sandhill Cranes were observed flying overhead in Rliinebeck on 12
April. A pair was off Houston Road in Goshen on 13 April, and Ken Witkowski
and Jim Schlickenrieder spotted a pair flying over while viewing the Black-
bellied Ducks at Wallkill on 24 May.
Arie Gilbert and the Queens County Bird Club had a Mississippi Kite at the
deli fields at the Bashakill on 22 May. A good flight of north bound hawks
occurred 21 April at Hook Mountain in Nyack. A total of 787 hawks were
counted as migrants and included 712 Broad-winged Hawks and 45 Sharp-
shinned Hawks. Jim Clinton reported a Swallow-tailed Kite on 2 May over Bulls
Head Road and Centre Road in Rhinebeck, Dutchess County. It was heading
southwest.
John Hass has been touting birding during south-southwest storms for years
in Sullivan County. One such storm on 4 May certainly paid off. He hit the
water areas first before the rains stopped. A Red-necked Grebe greeted him at
Kiamesha Lake. Morningside Park revealed a Black Tern. At Neversink
Reservoir seven Bonaparte’s Gulls were found along with another Black Tern. A
lone Bonaparte’s Gull was at Swan Lake. Then it was on to the Bashakill, where
a third Black Tern was found along with sixteen species of warblers highlighted
by Tennessee and Cerulean Warblers.
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
275
The Varied Thrush found in late December in Wurtsboro stayed for the first
three days in March to make the spring report.
Tait Johansson found a singing Dickcissel at Muscoot Farm in Somers on
22 May as he led a morning bird walk. The bird did take off and flew northwest;
it could not be relocated. Another Dickcissel was found at Marshlands
Conservancy on 29 May.
Ken McDermott photographed and documented an adult male European
Goldfinch of unknown origin that first appeared on 21 February at a home
feeder outside Pine Bush in Orange County. The bird stayed until 3 May.
Other notable species include: Eurasian Wigeon, American White Pelican,
American Golden-Plover, Boat-tailed Grackle, White-winged Crossbill,
Common Redpoll, and Evening Grosbeak.
CONTRIBUTORS
Ajit Anthony, John Askildsen, Scott Baldinger, Steve Bauer, Fred Baumgarten, Gail
Benson, Andrew Block, Doug Bloom, Michael & Kelli Bochnik, Arlene Borko, Charlie
Breiner, Gene Brown, Jackie Bruskin, Tom Burke, Steve M. Chorvas, Drew Ciganek,
Jim Clinton, James Closs, Mary Collier, Bob Cotter, Justine Davenport, Renee Davis,
Patrick Dechon, Mark DeDea, Tom Dow, Andy Eagan, Evan Edelbaum, Dana & Frank
Fazzino, Ken & Sue Feustel, Ken & Carol Fredericks, Richard Fried, Elyse & Tom
Fuller, Dan Furbish, Dot Fleury, Dick Gershon, Arie Gilbert, Doug Gochfeld, Marge
Gorton, Roy Gorton, Scott Graber, Frank Guida, Timothy Guida. John Haas, John
Hannan, Ken Harris. Chris Healy, Phil Jeffrey, Tait Johansson. Rodney Johnson, Susan
Joseph, Maha Katnani, David Klauber, Debi Krai, Mike Kravatz, Aimee LaBarr, Lewis
Lolya, Michael Lolya, Ryan MacLean, Barb Mansell, Evan Mark, Michael McBrien,
Curt McDermott, Ken McDermott, Ruth McKeon, Barbara & Allan Michelin, S. S.
Mitra, Frank Murphy, Gail Persky, Linda Pistolesi, Maryanne Pitts, Adrienne Popko,
Deborah Powell, Tom Preston, Jim Previdi, David Rankin, Sue Rayano, Peter Relson,
Charlie Roberto, Bill Robinson, Susan Rogers, Edith & Barry Rosen, Steve Sachs,
William & Lisa Schlesinger, Jim Schlickenrieder, Peter Schoenberger, Kathy Scullion,
Elisa Shaw, Ruth Shursky, Bob Slecta, Edmond Spaeth, Rob Stone, Herb Thompson,
Benjamin Van Doren, Lance Verderame, Chet Vincent; Steve Walter, Carol Weiss, Alan
Wells, Ken Witkowski, Adam Zorn.
ABBREVIATIONS
CIES - Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook; CPP - Croton Point Park; EGR -
Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary; LNP - Lenoir Nature Preserve; MC - Marshlands
Conservancy; RNC - Rye Nature Center ; SGNWR - Shawangunk Grasslands NWR.
WHISTLING-DUCKS - VULTURES
Greater White-fronted Goose: 9 Pine 12, 3
Mar (RSt); 12 Pine I 4 Mar; 3 Pine 15 Mar; few
Skinner Lane, Goshen NY 6-12 Mar (RSt).
Snow Goose: 3500-5000 Wallkill NWF 2,3 Mar
(JHaa, BC, RSt); blue-niorph Pine I 3 Mar
(JHaa); 8000, 22 blue morph Pine 1 5 Mai- (JHaa,
KM); 800 Bashakill 12 Mar; Neversink Res 16
May.
ROSS’S GOOSE (R9): Pine Island 4 Mar
(RSt); 3, one blue morph Pine Island 5 Mar (CM,
JHaa); 9, one blue morph Pine Island 6 Mar
(CM, JHaa. TB, KM): 5 Pine Island 7 Mar.
Brant: 300 Bashakill 12 Mar; 1500 Norrie Pt 25
May, 6:00 - 7:40 PM.
BARNACLE GOOSE: Pine 14,5 Mar (KM,
CM, JHaa).
276
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
CACKLING GOOSE (R9): Pine I 3 Mar
(JHaa); 3 Pine I 5 Mar (SSM).
Canada Goose: 11000 Pine I 3 Mar (JHaa).
Tundra Swan: 10 Pine I area 5 Mar (JHaa); 7
Skinner Ln. Goshen 5 Mar (KM), same birds
from Pine I?; Fishkill 18 Mar.
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCK: 5
Wallkill NWR 23-26 May (RSt, KM, mob).
Wood Duck: 200 Bashakill 4 Apr.
Eurasian Wigeon: Bashakill 3 Apr (JHaa), 2 nd
SULL record.
Blue-winged Teal: 6 Linear Park, Wurtsboro 27
Apr.
N. Pintail: 150 Wallkill NWF 2 Mar.
Green-winged Teal: 30 Pine 15 Mar; 60 Tivoli
Bay 22 Mar.
Redhead: Bashakill 14-18 Mar; Ogden Mills &
Ruth Livingston Mills SP 24-25 Mar.
Ring-necked Duck: 50 Ogden Mills & Ruth
Livingston Mills SP 9 Mar; 55 Stissing L 12
Mar, 6 Apr.
Greater Scaup: 120 EGR 4 Mar; 1 -2 EGR 8,
12,13 May.
Lesser Scaup: 350 EGR 15 Mar.
Surf Scoter: 60 EGR 5 Mar (TB); 2 Wolf Lake
3 Apr.
White-winged Scoter: 400 EGR 5 Mar;
Neversink Res 17 Apr; 9 Kiamesha L 15, 16
May.
Long-tailed Duck: Bashakill 23 Mar; max 75
EGR 10 Apr.
Bufflehead: 88 EGR 18 Mar.
Com. Goldeneye: max 45 EGR 15 Mar.
Com. Merganser: 1-3 CEIS 8,11, 13, 20, 26
May.
Red-breasted Merganser: Wappinger L 2 Apr;
Saugerlies Lighthouse 18 Apr; 4-5 Beacon 26
Apr, 12 May.
N. Bobwhite: Clary villc 5 Mar, early Apr (CB).
Ring-necked Pheasant: few reports from
DUTC only.
Red-throated Loon: max 15 EGR 10 Apr; Rye
2 May.
Com. Loon: max 8 EGR 14 Mar; 2 EGR 18
May.
Pied-billed Grebe: few at Bashakill in May,
returning after failed nesting in past two years
due to flooding.
Horned Grebe: 4 Bashakill 12 Mar; max 24
EGR 15 Mar: Millerton 17 Mai'; Sylvan L 22
Mar; Tivoli Bay 22 Mar; Redwing P 22 Mar; 23
Kiamesha L 23 Apr; Saugerlies Lighthouse 10,
18 Apr; Bashakill 14 May.
Red-necked Grebe: Esopus Point 5 Mar; 3 EGR
14, 30,31 Mar, 2, 3, 15 Apr; Bashakill 22 Mar:
Bashakill 4 Apr: Kiamesha L May 4.
SHEARWATER, sp (R9): Rye 17 May (BV),
intro.
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
N. Gannet: 14 EGR 14 Mar; 33 EGR 15 Apr.
AM. WHITE PELICAN: Saugcrties 31 May
(Hudson-Mohawk Birdline).
Am. Bittern: Tivoli Bay 23, 26 Apr; Bashakill
24 Apr: 4 Bashakill 14 May; CIES 20 May.
Least Bittern: MC 30 Apr; Thompson P 21
May; Bashakill 22 May.
Great Egret: arr 18 Mar Rockland L; Milibrook
3 May AP; Bashakill 6, 14 Apr, 15 May;
Wingdale 28 May E&BR.
Snowy Egret: arr EGR 3 Apr.
Tricoiorcd Heron: Bashakill 28 Apr (JHaa), 2 nd
SULL record.
Black-crowned Night-Heron: max 23 EGR 9
Apr.
HAWKS - ALCIDS
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE: Rhinebeck 2
May (JCli).
MISSISSIPPI KITE: Bashakill 22 May (AG),
4 th SULL record.
Sharp-shinned Hawk: 45 Hook Mt 21 Apr.
N. Goshawk: Poughkeepsie 12 Mar.
Broad-winged Hawk: arr CEIS 12 Mar; Hook
Ml 14 Apr; 712 Hook Ml 21 Apr.
Rough-legged Hawk: Wallkill NWF 2 Mai; 2
Red Hook 4 Mar; 4 Pine I 5 Mar.
Golden Eagle: Thompson P 12 Mar; Stissing 18
Mar; Bashakill 20 Mar.
Clapper Rail: MC 19, 20 May.
Virginia Rail: 2-4 Thompson Pd 16 Apr thru;
Bashakill 24 Apr;
Sora: Bashakill 14 May, only report.
Com. Moorhen: MC 14-15 Apr; 10 Bashakill 3
May; 6 Bashakill 22 May; higher numbers at
Bashakill than last few years
Sandhill Crane: 4 flying over Hudson R,
Rhinebeck 12 Apr (JClo); 2 Houston Rd, Goshen
13 Apr (KM); Wallkill NWR 24 May (KW.JS).
Black-bellied Plover: 4 Skinner Lane, Goshen
22 May; 3 MC 23 May; 3 Red Hook 22 May.
Am. Golden-Plover: flyover Port Chester 20
May (JA),
Semipalmated Plover: 3 Rye 13 May.
Killdeer: 3 Montgomery 2 Mar.
Am. Oystercatcher: arr MC 17 Mar; 5 Rye 2
May.
Spotted Sandpiper: Saugerties and Iona 119
Apr; 5 Bashakill 14 May.
Solitary Sandpiper: Bronx R 29 Apr.
Greater Yellowlegs: 30 MC 8 Apr.
Willet: EGR 27 Apr; MC 5, 6, 8,19 May.
Lesser Yellowlegs: MC 8 Apr; Pine Plains 1
May; Picrmont Pier 15-24 May.
Upland Sandpiper: Bluechip Farm 8 May; 3
Bluechip Farm 24 May.
Ruddy Turnstone: 2 EGR 11 May; 6 EGR 13
May; 2 Piermont Pier 15-24 May.
277
Semipalmated Sandpiper: 15 PiermontPier 15-
24 May.
Least Sandpiper: 2 MC 3 May.
White-rumped Sandpiper: Bashakill 22 May.
Purple Sandpiper: last 3 EGR 19 Apr.
Dunlin: MC 29 Apr; 4 Piermont Pier 15-24
May; 8 Wallkill NWR 23 May; 22 Wallkill
NWR 24 May.
Short-billed Dowitcher: 3 Piermont Pier 15-24
May; 23 MC 19 May; 22 Wallkill NWR 23 May.
Wilson’s Snipe: 6 CPP 5 Apr.
Am. Woodcock; MC 4 Mar; 8 Montgomery 8
Mar.
Bonaparte’s Gull: 10 EGR 12 Apr; 2 Yankee L
28 Apr; 14 Rye 2 May; 7 Neversink Res 4 May;
Swan L 4 May; EGR 17 May.
Laughing Gull: 2 Stanfordville 20 Apr (AP);
MC 5 May; 2 Staatsburg 8 May (StB, DGo).
Glaucous Gull: imm Rye 8 May (TB).
Least Tern: an - MC 30 Apr; 9 MC 5 May.
Caspian Tern: Bashakill 26 Apr (BS), 3rd
SULL. record.
Black Tern: Mourningside Park May 4 (JHaa);
Neversink Reservoir May 4 (JHaa); Bashakill
May 4 (JHaa).
Com. Tern: 40 MC 2 May; 60 MC 8 May;
Bashakill 22 May (JH).
Forster’s Tern: arr MC 15 Apr (TG); 6 MC 8
May.
PIGEONS - WOODPECKERS
Monk Parakeet: 12 Aiello P. New Rochelle 20
Mar.
Yellow-billed Cuckoo: arr 7 May.
Barn Owl: 2 Tallman SP 14 May (TD, CH).
Long-eared Owl: 2 Piermont Pier 4 Mar;
Piermont Pier 7-9 Mar.
N. Saw-whet Owl: Bashakill 11,12 Mar;
Westbrookville 13 May (JHaa, ABo).
Com. Nighthawk: air Mt Vernon 24 Apr.
E. Whip-poor-will: arr 30 May; 2 Dover Plains
4 May; 9 Bashakill area 14 May; Pine Plains 17
May.
Red-headed Woodpecker: 5 Weston Rd, New
Pallz/Esopus town line mid May (MD); Yankee
L 12-19 May (JHaa); Red Hook 22 May (MD).
FLYCATCHERS - WAXWINGS
Olive-sided Flycatcher: Bashakill 7 May; CIES
12, 13 May; DoodletownRd 14 May; Milan 20-
21 May.
Acadian Flycatcher: Wurtsboro 14 May;
Thompson P 21 May; RNC 25 May; MC 26, 31
May; Sterling Forest 29 May; 3 Neversink
Unique Area 27 May,
Willow Flycatcher: arr Bashakill 1 May (JH),
Reg record early; 20 Bashakill 26 May.
278
White-eyed Vireo: arr Rockefeller SP 26 Apr;
Stewart Buffer land, Coldenham 29 Apr;
Poughkeepsie 3 May; CIES 6 May.
Philadelphia Vireo: Stony Kill 10 May.
Horned Lark: 50 Pine 15 Mar.
Purple Martin: Rye 27 Apr; 2 Rockland
Country Club 14 May (DC), first nesting in
Rockland in many years.
Tree Swallow: 5 Pine 14 Mar; 52 CPP 20 Mar.
Marsh Wren: Tivoli Bay 26 Apr.
Gray-cheeked Thrush: Reese P, Wappinger 3
May; Bashakill 16 May.
VARIED THRUSH: Wurtsboro 1-3 Mar
(JHaa).
Brown Thrasher: DUTC 1-6 Mar, over
wintered.
LONGSPURS - WARBLERS
Snow Bunting: 15 Freemont Center 2 Mar.
Blue-winged Warbler: arr 24 Apr.
Golden-winged Warbler: Linear Park,
Wurtsboro 5, 7, 9 May; Harriman State Park 8
May; Bashakill 11 May; 6 Sterling Forest 11
May; 3 Ironwood Rd, Sterling Forest 14 May.
“Brewster’s” Warbler: Linear Park, Wurtsboro
5,8 May: 2 Mine Road 28 May.
“Lawrence’s” Warbler: Doodletown 26 Apr
(MKr); Staatsburg 7, 8, 10 May (StB, DGo,
DKr).
Tennessee Warbler: 9 Doodletown 15 May.
N. Parula: 20 Rockland L 3 May.
Chestnut-sided Warbler: 28 Neversink Unique
Area 27 May.
Cape May Warbler: Reese P, Wappinger 3
May; Tarrytown L 4 May; Bashakill 6 May;
Rhinebeck 10 May; RNC 10 May; MC 19 May,
Black-throated Blue Warbler: arr Bashakill 24
Apr (AA), Reg record early; many reports on 26
Apr; 26 Neversink Unique Area 27 May.
Yellow-rumped Warbler: 85 Tibbett Brook
park 26 Apr; 200 Rockland L 3 May.
Yellow-throated Warbler: AshokanRes 17
Apr (FM); Larchmont Res 19 Apr (TG).
Pine Warbler: arr Kakiat P 17 Mar.
Prairie Warbler: arr 24 Apr.
Bay-breasted Warbler: Buttercup West 27, 29
Apr, 1,3 May; 2 Rockefller 6 May; Bashakill 7
May; Stony Kill 10 May; Vassal - Fm 10 May;
RNC 13, 20May; Doodletown Rd 25 May.
Cerulean Warbler: an Tarrytown 24 Apr; 2
Reese P, Wappinger 3 May; Bashakill May 4; 15
Doodletown 15 May.
Am. Redstart: arr Buttercup Sane 20 Apr (AP,
mob), Reg record early; 30 Doodletown 15 May.
Worm-eating Warbler: an - 24 Apr.
Louisiana Waterthrush: arr 7 Apr.
Kentucky Warbler: Rockefeller 13-22 May
(EM); Hunt-Parker Sanctuary, Bedford 24 May
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
(TJ); RNC 25 May (TB); 2 Rockefeller 30 May
(EE).
Mourning Warbler: Reese P, Wappinger 3
May; Bashakill 7, 15 May; Rockefeller Preserve
13 Apr; Doodletown Rd 25 May.
Hooded Warbler: arr 24 Apr; Bashakill 7 May;
28 Doodletown 15 May; 3 North Castle 28 May.
Wilson’s Warbler: arr Dennings Point 30 Apr
(H), Reg record early; Sarah Lawrence College,
Yonkers 2 May.
Canada Warbler: arr Reese P, Wappinger 20
Apr (KH), Reg record early.
TOWHEES - WEAVERS
Vesper Sparrow: Rockefeller P 4 Apr; 3 CPP 5
Apr; Tamarack Preserve 14 May; 2 Red Hook 21
May.
Grasshopper Sparrow: CPP 15 Apr; Red Hook
21.25 May.
Nelson’s Sparrow: MC 24 May (BV).
Saltmarsh Sparrow: 2 MC 20 May.
Seaside Sparrow': MC 29 Apr.
W hite-crow ned Sparrow *. Millerton 17 Mar;
Bashakill 4 May; Spring Valley 6 May; Sterling
Forest 11 May; 7 Bashakill 11 May; 6
Hurleyville 11 May; Mount Vernon 12 May;
Milan 21 May.
Dark-eyed Junco: 114 Parksville 5 Apr.
Blue Grosbeak: Rockefeller SP 29 Apr, 1 May
(EM).
Indigo Bunting: Saugerties 12 Apr; 15 Sterling
Forest 29 May (MM).
Dickcissel: Muscoot Farm 22 May (TJ); MC 29
May (BV).
E. Meadowlark: arr Stony Kill 17 Mar; 8
Youngsville 22 Mar.
Rusty Blackbird: 20 Westbrookville 15 Mar; 30
Bashakill 7 Apr; 30 CEIS 8 Apr; Tamarack
Preserve 14 May.
Boat-tailed Grackle: m singing MC 2 Apr (TB).
Orchard Oriole: 3 Tarrytown L 24 Apr; 3
Bashakill 6 May; many other sightings.
White-winged Crossbill: Lake Liticolndale 5
Mar (JHan); Roscoe 5, 16, 29 Mar, 10 Apr (MG,
RG); Nyack 9 Mar (CW, GBr).
Com. Redpoll: scattered reports in Mar from
SULL and DUTC; 38 Claryville 5 Mar; 52
Bashakill 9 Mar; last 5 Parksville 1 Apr (SRa).
Pine Siskin: 25 Bashakill 9 Mar; 25
Woodbourne 26 Apr, 14 May; MC 24 May.
EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH (R9): ad m Pine
Bush 21 Feb —3 May (KM), origin?, likely
escape.
Evening Grosbeak: 2 Parksville 5 Mar (SRa); 4
Clary ville 26 Mar; 5 Parksville 7 Apr (SRa); 8
Clary ville early Apr (CB).
EXOTICS
Chukar: Bashakill 15 Apr (ScB,LV)
REGION 10—MARINE
Seth Ausubel
118-17 Union Turnpike, Forest Hills, NY 11375
sausubel@nyc. rr.com
The spring season featured a few notable rarities, some good pelagic results, and
an unusually early peak of landbird migration followed by weather conditions
not conducive to concentrations of migrants.
Weather conditions this spring were closer to normal than the past several
years, which were extremely warm. The average temperature in March at Islip
was 40.4° F, 0.6° above normal. Precipitation was 3.04", 1.72" below normal.
April and May were warmer than normal across the Region, and precipitation
was near normal. April’s average temperature at Islip was 50.6° F, 1.5° above
normal. Precipitation was 4.40", 0.27" above normal. The average temperature
in May was 62.1° F, 2.9° above normal, and precipitation was 3.81", 0.09"
below normal. However, a blocking weather pattern set up across the country
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3) 279
around 9-20 May. This resulted in a persistent low pressure trough across the
east, with cloudy conditions and prevailing winds with an easterly component.
In Central Park there were 17 days in May with measurable precipitation.
Because of these conditions there were few days with concentrations of migrant
landbirds in our area.
A modest winter finch invasion continued into the season. Common
Redpolls continued into early April, with sightings of flocks numbering up to 25
in March. Small numbers of Pine Siskins were reported into April, with one late
report on 24 May in Broadchannel, Queens. There were also sightings of White¬
winged Crossbills in March and April.
Rarities lingering from winter included a Ross’s Goose in Bridgehampton,
a “Eurasian” Green-winged Teal at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, and a
Varied Thrush in Central Park through 1 May. A Red-headed Woodpecker
continued in Central Park through the late date of 13 May, At least three other
“Eurasian” Green-winged Teals were recorded in die Region this season, into
early April. The maximum count of Harlequin Ducks at Point Lookout, Nassau
County, was nine, more titan in recent years. The last report was 9 April.
A pelagic trip out of Freeport, Nassau County on 27 March went as far as
25 miles offshore. Results included 250 Northern Gannets (primarily adults), 25
Bonaparte’s Gulls, four Iceland Gulls, eight Lesser Black-backed Gulls, two
Glaucous Gulls, two Common Murres, 230 Razorbills, and 90 unidentified
large alcids. Angus Wilson. John Shemilt, and Keegan Corcoran went offshore
of Shinnecock Inlet, Suffolk County on 21 May and recorded two Great
Shearwaters, 22 Sooty Shearwaters, one Manx Shearwater, 385 Wilson’s Storm-
Petrels, one Leach’s Storm-Petrel, 33 Red Phalaropes, two Arctic Terns, two
Dovekies, and 18 Atlantic Puffins. Another Arctic Tern was seen by Bob
Kurtz and Bobby Berlingeri at Robert Moses State Park, Suffolk County on 22
May. A Red Phalarope was seen and photographed at the unusual location of
Flushing Meadow-Corona Park, Queens County on 20 May.
There were few other rarities this season. The highlight certainly was an
adult White Ibis discovered at Mount Loretto Unique Area, Staten Island on 25
April by Jeff Stetson. It was re-located on 29 April a couple of miles away at
Great Kills Park and seen by many, despite its habit of frequenting ponds
surrounded by dense vegetation. It continued to be seen at this location through
the end of May. Joan Quinlan spotted a Swallow-tailed Kite on 25 April at
Robert Moses State Park. As usual, the sighting was associated with strong
southerly winds, and it followed reports in New Jersey. A Eurasian Collared-
Dove was seen and well described by Lauren Kras on 5 May in East Marion,
Suffolk County. A White-winged Dove was present at Jones Beach West End
on 15 May, discovered by Andrew Baksh and Doug Futuyma. A female Yellow¬
headed Blackbird was reported by Dave Eib at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
on 25 May. A male Boat-tailed Grackle was seen in Central Park from 10 April
through the reporting period, most unusual away from the immediate coast.
An influx of Lesser Black-backed Gulls was noted beginning in mid-May
and lasting through the last days of the month. Congregations of up to eight
were noted, including many immature birds.
280
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
The land bird migration in our area was inhibited by the weather conditions
through what usually is the peak of the migration. Repeating the pattern of
recent years, there was a major influx of both long- and short-distance migrants
beginning 25 April and continuing into early May, with a seemingly odd mix of
species typically considered early and late migrants. This year, peak landbird
diversity occurred during this period. For example, 24 species of warblers were
recorded in Central Park on 29 April, and 29 species were there on 3 May. The
landbird migration was much more pronounced in the western portions of the
Region than over Long Island, especially early. However, a fall-out of migrants
was noted at Jones Beach State Park on 24 May including Hooded, Tennessee,
Wilson’s, and Blackburnian Warblers, and Bobolink.
While the landbird migration was generally unspectacular, it was a good
season for incursions of a number of typically southern species into our area.
Most impressive was the number of reports of Yellow-throated Warbler, At least
13 different individuals occurred in the Region. Several stayed for extended
periods, including birds at Clove Lakes Park, Staten Island from 18-30 April and
Forest Park, Queens County from 7-15 May. Sporadic reports beginning 23
April at Connetquot River State Park, Suffolk County, may have been an
individual staying through the season. Ten or more Prothonotary Warblers
occurred in the Region, including a bird at Prospect Park, Brooklyn and two at
Willowbrook Park, Staten Island, in the last week of May. There were also at
least 15 distinct reports of Summer Tanager, including a territorial pair
discovered in East Hampton, Suffolk County on 26 May and remaining through
the season.
Common Raven reports were again widespread in the Region. A pair
nested in Kew Gardens, Queens County for the third year, but the nest was
abandoned in mid-April. It is possible that major storms on 15-17 April
contributed to the failure of the nest. Possible nesting activity was observed in
April at the water tower in Roslyn, Nassau County, where ravens have
frequently been seen during the past several years, but observers were unable to
confirm the presence of a nest or observe any fledglings. Four birds were seen
there on 24 April, the maximum observation of the season.
Up to 15 Mitred Parakeets were seen in Queens County this season,
including a pair copulating at Hillcrest, and a pair returning to a nest site in Kew
Gardens for approximately the sixth year. Unfortunately, many of the birds
appeared unhealthy this year, exhibiting poor feather and beak condition and
feather bleaching as seen in previous years. The causes may potentially include
dietary deficiencies, a communicable disease, inbreeding, and/or cage wear.
CONTRIBUTORS
Italics : Sent end-of-season report. Robert Adamo (RA), Deborah Allen, John
Askildsen, Seth Ausubel, Andrew Baksh, Catherine Barron, Rob Bate (RB),
Gail Benson, Bobby Berlingeri , Ardith Biondi (ABi), Orhan Birol, Shane
Blodgett, Brent Bomkamp (BBo), Ronald Bourque (RBo), Tom Brown, Paul A.
Buckley, Thomas W. Burke, Vicki Bustamante, Ben Cacace (BC), Daryl
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
281
Cavallero, Steve Chang, Anthony Ciancimino (ACi), Anthony Collerton, Chris
Cooper, Mike Cooper, Keegan Corcoran, Steve D’Amato, Joseph DiCostanzo
(JDi), Peter Dorosh, Jacob Drucker, Dave Eib, Andrew Farnsworth, Ken
Feustel, Suzy Feustel, Corey Finger, Tom Fiore, Howie Fischer, Brendan
Fogarty, Lila Fried, Richard Fried, Gerta Fritz, Karen Fung (KFu); Doug
Futuyma, John Gavrity (JGa), Joe Giunta, John Gluth (JGI), Doug Gochfeld,
Isaac Grant, Bob Grover (BGr), Anita Guns, Paul Guris, Scott Haber, Dan
Heglund, Gene Herskovics, Bruce Horwith (BHo), Sam Jannazzo, Rob Jett, Ed
Johnson, Tait Johnson, Pat Jones, David Jordet, Richard Kaskan (RK), Rich &
Linda Kedenburg, Rich Kelly, David Klauber, Norm Klein, Robert J. Kurtz,
Mary Laura Lamont, Anthony J. Lauro, Anne Lazarus, Eve Levine, Patricia J.
Lindsay, Stu Lipkin, Heydi Lopes, Jean Loscalzo, Peter Martin , Michael
McBrien; Hugh McGuinness, Jack Meyer, Keith Michael (KM); Eric Miller
(EM), Karlo Mirth, Shaibal S. Mitra, Mary Normandia, Luke Ormand, Joseph
O’Sullivan, Vinny Pellegrino, Peter Post, Anne Purcell, Joan Quinlan, Glenn
Quinn, Jeff Ritter, Derek Rogers, Jane Ross, Bobby Rossetti, Karen Rubenstein,
Patrick Santinello, Sy Scliiff (SyS), Eileen Schwinn, Vinny Schiappa, John
Sepenoski (JSe), Mike Shanley, John Shemilt (JSh), Lloyd Spitalnik, Carl
Starace, Jeff Stetson, John Turner, Benjamin Van Doren, Richard Veit, Joe
Viglietta, Steve Walter, Alex Wilson, Angus Wilson, Seth Ian Wollney,
Christopher Wood.
ABBREVIATIONS
AM A - Amagansett, SUFF; APP - Alley Pd P, QUEE; BPT - Breezy Pt,
QUEE; Calv - Calverton Grasslands (former Grumman Property), SUFF; CB -
Cedar Beach, Babylon, SUFF; CCP - Cupsogue CP, SUFF; CHP - Conference
House P, RICH; CP - Central Park, NEWY; CRSP - Connetquot R SP, SUFF;
DOP - Drier-Offerman P, KING; DP - Democrat Pt, SUFF; FBF - Floyd
Bennett Field, KING; FMCP - Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, QUEE; FP -
Forest Park, QUEE; FT - Fort Tilden, QUEE; GKP - Great Kills P, RICH;
HHSP - Hither Hills SP, SUFF; HLSP - Hempstead L SP, NASS; HSP -
Heckscher SP, SUFF; Jam Bay - Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, QUEE; JBSP -
Jones Beach SP, NASS; JBWE - West End, Jones Beach SP, NASS; KP -
Kissena Park, QUEE; Mass - Massapequa Preserve, NASS; MB - Mecox Bay,
SUFF; MI - Moriches Inlet, SUFF; MLUA - Mt. Loretto Unique Area, RICH;
MNSA - Marine Nature Study Area, Oceanside, NASS; MP - Montauk Pt,
SUFF; nm - nautical miles; PBP - Pelham Bay P, BRON; PP - Prospect P,
KING; RMSP - Robert Moses SP, SUFF; RP - Riis P, QUEE; Sagg -
Sagaponack Pd, SUFF; Shinn - Shinnecock Inlet, SUFF; SPCP - Smith Pt CP,
SUFF; SMSP - Sunken Meadow SP, SUFF; VCP - Van Cortlandt P, BRON;
VSSP - Valley Stream SP, NASS; WPP - Wolfe’s Pd P, RICH.
WHISTLING-DUCKS - VULTURES Snow Goose: max 3500 Jam Ba y 4 Mar ( PD )-
Greater White-fronted Goose: 4 SMSP 5 Mar
(JG1); DOP 5-10 Mar (AxW, SB).
282
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
ROSS’S GOOSE (RIO): Bridgehampton, SUFF
thru 13 Mar (DF); Jam Bay 19-20 Mar (fide TJ).
Cackling Goose: Deep Hollow Ranch,
Montauk, SUFF 6-8 Mar (AnW); 2 Capri L,
West Islip, SUFF 5 Mar (fide BGr); VCP 12 Mar
(AB); Southampton, SUFF 1 Apr (RA).
Wood Duck: max 19 SMSP 11 May (JGl), large
number.
Eurasian Wigeon: C'CP 12 Mar (RK).
N. Shoveler: 225 PP9-14 Mar (RJ), large
number.
Green-winged Teal: max 105 Terrell R CP,
SUFF 27 Mar (SSM, PJL).
“EURASIAN” GREEN-WINGED TEAL:
Jam Bay thru 7 Mar (mob); 2 Shorts Pd,
Bridgehampton, SUFF 6 Mar (SSM); Goethals
Br Pd, RICH 7-9 Apr (RV).
Redhead: 31 Jam Bay 1 Mar (DG, CF); 25
Baislcy Pd P. QUEE 5 Mar (SA. CF; max 104
Capri L, 5 Mar (MM); 76 Capri L 11 Mar (BB);
large numbers.
Greater Scaup: 850 CRSP 6 Mar (JGl), large
number; 3000 New Suffolk, SUFF 1 Mar
(MLL); 20,000 Dead Horse Bay, KING 13 Mar
(RBo); max 25,000 Plumb Beach 1 Mar (CF,
DG).
TUFTED DUCK x scaup: Mass 12 Mar (SSM,
PJL).
Lesser Scaup: max 1550 Eastport 13 Mar
(SSM).
King Eider: fern AMA 6 Mar (SSM); fern MP
12 Mar (CS); m East Hampton 13 Mar (AnW);
JBWE 10 Apr (KF); Plum I. SUFF 13 May
(JSe); 2 drakes East Marion, SUFF 31 May thru
(RBA),
Com. Eider: 3500 MP 3 Mar (SF); 200 CCP 5
Mar (RK); max 5000 MP 27 Mar 50 (SSM);
Shinn 16 Apr; 25 Plum 1 13 May (JSe); 50 MP
29 May (RBA); 24 East Marion 31 May thru
(RBA); small numbers FT, JBWE, other
locations east thru.
Harlequin Duck: max 9 Pt. Lookout, NASS 8
Mar (RK); 6 Pt. Lookout 9 Apr, last; Dead Horse
Bay 1 May (RBo).
Surf Scoter: max 15,000 MP 3 Mar (SF).
White-winged Scoter: 53 FT 16 May (DG),
small numbers thru.
Black Scoter: max 25,000 MP 3 Mar (SF); 25
RMSP 27 Apr (SSM); small numbers thru.
Barrow's Goldeneye: Jam Bay thru 12 Mar.
Com. Merganser: 5 Jam Bay 5 Mar (SA, CF).
N. Bobwhite: fem Hampton Bays 30 Mar (ES),
only report.
Ring-necked Pheasant: 1 reported JBSP.
Wild Turkey: max 21 Ridge, SUFF 5 Apr (RK).
Red-throated Loon: max 74 RMSP 27 Apr
(SSM).
Red-necked Grebe: Montauk, SUFF 2 Mar
(CS) ; Cullodcn Pt, Montauk, SUFF 6 Mar
(SSM); JBSP 26 Mar (KF).
Eared Grebe: Ama thru 4 Mar (CS, HM,
K&SF); East Hampton 12 Mar (CS).
N. Fulmar: 5 offshore Shinn 21 May (AnW,
JSh, KC).
Great Shearwater: 2 offshore Shinn 21 May
(AnW. JSh, KC).
Sooty Shearwater: East Hampton 14 Apr
(AnW); East Hampton 23 Apr (AnW), early; 2
RMSP 15 May (SSM, PJL); 2 RMSP 18 May
(SSM); 4 RMSP 20 May (SA, MN, DF); 21
offshore Shinn 21 May (AnW. JSh, KC); 3
RMSP 22 May (RBA); MP 29 May (RBA).
Manx Shearwater: 2 RMSP 14 may (TWB,
GB); Ama 15 May (AnW); offshore Shinn 21
May (AnW, JSh, KC).
Wilson's Storm-Petrel: 11 CCP-Shinn 14 May
(SSM. PJL); 11 Ama 15 May (AnW); 144
RMSP 15 May (SSM, PJL), large number; 10
RMSP 20 May (SA, MN, DF); 385 offshore
Shinn 21 May (AnW, JSh, KC); large number.
LEACH'S STORM-PETREL: offshore Shinn
21 May (AnW, JSh, KC).
N. Gannet: ad 250 offshore Freeport, NASS 27
Mar (PG, el al,); max 527 East Hampton 17 Apr
(AnW); numbers reported interior coastal waters
9-16 Apr.
Am. Bittern: Grand St., NEWY 8 Apr (Doug
Stern), unusual location; Jam Bay 3 May (JO);
CP 18 May (ABi, mob).
Least Bittern: E 52 St., NEWY 24 May (AF),
identified by nocturnal flight calls.
Snowy Egret: 38 Jam Bay 9 Apr (SB); 41 Jam
Bay 10 Apr (AB); 46 Jam Bay 15 Apr (AB );
large numbers.
Little Blue Heron: arr 7 Apr; max 9 Jam Bay 15
Apr (AB).
Tricolored Heron: arr 9 Apr; more reports than
recent years incl max 5 Jam Bay 15-17 Apr
(AB).
Cattle Egret: Northville, SUFF 9 Apr (MLL);
West Shore Expwy. at South Av, RICH 22 Apr
(DJ) ; 2 Ml. Loretto, RICH 30 Apr (SIW);
Captree Island, SUFF 9 May (SSM).
Black-crowned Night-Heron: 25 FBF 5 Apr
(RB), large number.
WHITE IBIS: ad MLUA 25 Apr (JS, mob),
continuing GKP 29 Apr thru (mob).
Glossy Ibis: 71 Willowbrook P 25 May (RV),
large number.
Black Vulture: 2 Fresh Kills, RICH 8 Mar;
Manorville, SUFF 13 Mar (Bob Washburn); 2
CLP 6 Apr (ACi); 2 Shanots Pd, RICH 25 Apr
(MS); 2 Greeniawn, SUFF 23 May (Donna
DeSousa, ph).
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
283
Turkey Vulture: max 35 Eger Nursing Home,
RICH 9 Apr (ACi); numerous L.I. reports from
11 Mar, incl. 12 East Northport, SUFF 11 Mar
(VS); 11 Plum 122 Apr (JSe).
HAWKS - ALCIDS
Osprey: from winter.
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE: RMSP 25 Apr
(JQ).
Bald Eagle: FP 30 Apr (RJK), unusual location;
2 imm CP 6 May (JD), late.
N. Goshawk: Jam Bay 7 Mar (DG, et al.).
Red-shouldered Hawk: ad FT thru 12 Mar; PP
11 Apr (PD); Northville 26 Apr (MLL),
Broad-winged Hawk: Northville 26 Apr
(MLL).
Rough-legged Hawk: 2 Calv thru 16 Mar (LO).
Am. Kestrel: 15 Calv 28 Mar (LO); 15 Calv 9
Apr (SF); 20 Calv 1 May (SF), large numbers.
Virginia Rail: Sunnyside, RICH 4 Apr, found
dead (fide EJ).
Sora: River Rd, RICH 8 May, 16 May (SIW, D.
Eib, et al.)\ E 52 St. 22 May (AF), identified by
nocturnal flight calls.
Com. Moorhen: 3 River Rd 16 May (ACi, SIW,
et uly. Jam Bay 21 May (PJL, mob).
Piping Plover: Napeague, SUFF 2 Mar (CS),
early.
BLACK-NECKED STILT: 2 Scbonac Inlet,
SUFF 25-29 May (RBA, SSM, mob).
“Western” Willet: PB 22 May, breeding
plumage, PB 28 May, 1st summer plumage, CCP
30 May, breeding plumage (SSM, PJL).
Upland Sandpiper: RMSP 26 May (JQ).
Whimbrel: MNSA 20 May (SyS, JG).
Red Knot: max 142 Jam Bay 11 May (AB); 140
Jam Bay 13 May ( SSM); 125 Jam Bay 21 May
(SA); ! 21 CCP 27 May (SSM).
Pectoral Sandpiper: 2 Jam Bay 13-16 Apr (RF,
SA, CF); Georgica Pd, SUFF 17 Apr (AnW); 5
Jam Bay 20 Apr (AB); MNSA 6 May (RJK);
Oakwood Beach, RICH 8 May (DEib); Shinn 14
May (RK),
Short-billed Dowitcher: Big Egg Marsh, QUEE
22 Apr (CF), early; 2 JBWE 27 Apr (MM).
Red-necked Phalarope: Jam Bay 20-22 May
(RK, SA, CF, mob).
RED PHALAROPE (R10): FMCP 20 May
(fide DG, ph); 33 offshore Shinn 21 May (AnW,
JSh, KC).
Black-legged Kittiwake: 1 sum CCP 14 May
(SSM, PJL).
Bonaparte's Gull: max 325 FT 1 Mar (DG,
CF); 100 WPP 6 Apr (ACi); other counts much
lower.
284
Black-headed Gull: FT 1 Mar (DG, CF); ad FT
8 Mar (AnW, et al): S Y Ditch Plains, Montauk,
SUFF 27 Mar (SSM, PJL).
Little Gull: no reports.
Laughing Gull: arr 21 Mar.
Iceland Gull: over 15 reports incl 2Y around
Jones Inlet, NASS thru.
Lesser Black-backed Gull: Wintering ads:
Northville thru 10 Mar, FT thru 12 Mar,
Napeague thru 25 Mar, Mecox, SUFF thru 25
Mar; 8 offshore Freeport 27 Mar (PG, et al,):
mid-May influx incl. 7 RMSP 16 May (SSM),
Plum Beach- KING 16 May (DG). 2 RMSP 17
May (PJL), 6 DP 18 May (SSM). 3 CSP 18 May
(SSM), 6 DP 21 May (SSM), JBWE 22 May
(SA), 4 Nickerson Beach, NASS 27 May (PP),
DOP 28 May (AxW); intro.
Glaucous Gull: Orient Pt, SUFF thru; 2 win
GKP-WPP 12 Mar-9 Apr (SIW); Pt Lookout 19
Mar (GS), 2W offshore Freeport 27 Mar (PG, et
al. y Plum 113 & 27 May (JSe).
Gull-billed Tern: JBWE 24 Apr (JQ); JBWE 27
Apr (MM); 2 JBWE 29 Apr (DK); max 8 JBWE
8 May (MM); 6 JBWE 9 May (SyS, et al).
Caspian Tern: 2 Mecox 17 Apr (JSh); Lotus L,
Sayville. SUIT 7 17 Apr (DR); 3 Mecox 18 Apr
(RA); 2 Mecox 19 Apr; Sagg 19-23 Apr (KF);
Mecox 23 Apr (AnW).
Black Tern: Orient Pt. 5 May (Lauren Kraas);
RMSP 15 May (KF, SF); 3 RMSP 15 May
(SSM, PJL); Roosevelt I, NEWY 17 May (AF),
unusual location; PP 18 May (AxW), unusual
location; 2 PB 22 May (KF, SF); 2 RMSP 23
May (JGI).
Roseate Tern: 3 RMSP 2 May (SSM); Coney I
Creek 16 May (DG); 2 PB 22 May (KF, SF); 21
Orient Pt 28 May (JSe); max 22 Cedar Beach,
SUFF 29 May (JSe).
Com. Tern: max 690 Orient Pt 28 May (JSe).
ARCTIC TERN: 2 offshore Shinn 21 May
(AnW, JSh, KC); RMSP 22 May (BB, RJK!).
Black Skimmer: max 550 Nickerson Beach,
NASS 22 May (BB).
Parasitic Jaeger: RMSP 15 May (KF, SF, SSM,
PJL); Ama 15 May (AnW); few.
Dovekie: 2 offshore Shinn 21 May (AnW, JSh,
KC).
COMMON MURRE: 2 offshore Freeport 27
Mar (PG, et al).
Razorbill: 12 Ama 6 Mar (SSM); 7 MP 13 Mar
(AnW); 32 East Hampton 27 Mar (SSM, PJL);
230 offshore Freeport 27 Mar (PG, et al).
unid. large alcid: 90 offshore Freeport 27 Mar
(PG, et al).
Black Guillemot: MP 13 Mar (AnW).
ATLANTIC PUFFIN: 18 offshore Shinn 21
May (AnW, JSh, KC),
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
PIGEONS - WOODPECKERS
EURASIAN COLL A RED-DOVE: East
Marion, SUFF5 May (Lauren Kras!).
WHITE-WINCED DOVE: JBWE 15 May
(AB, DF, mob).
Monk Parakeet: 2 nests Hicksville, NASS
(DK).
Barn Owl: Nested Jam Bay for 3 rd year.
Long-eared Owl: 5 PBP thru 5 Mar.
Short-eared Owl: Jam Bay 1 Mar (DG, CF);
Shinn thru 14 Apr.
Com. Nighthawk: few reports; max 4 E 52 St.
10 May (AF).
Chuck-will's-widow: PP 30 Apr (RJ, SA, HL,
CF, mob).
Red-headed Woodpecker: CP thru 13 May
(mob); JBWE 9 May (SyS, et al.).
Red-bellied Woodpecker: RMSP 25-26 May
(SSM), unusual location.
FLYCATCHERS - WAXWINGS
Olive-sided Flycatcher: CP 3 May (mob);
Muttontown Pres, NASS 8 May (BF); Allison Pd
P 17 May (MS, et a/,): FP 20 May (DF); CP 26
May (JDi); CLP 26 May (MS).
Acadian Flycatcher: SMSP 20 May (VP);
Eastport, SUFF 22 May (KF, SF); CP 26-27 May
(fide JDi, CC); PP 31 May (RJ).
E. Phoebe: RMSP 1 Mar (KF), early.
N. Shrike: Napcague thru 8 Mar,
White-eyed Vireo: HLSP 6 Apr (SyS, et al.).
COMMON RAVEN (RIO): pr nested Kew
Gardens, QUEE for 3 rd yr, nest abandoned
between 18-23 Apr (SA, CF, SW, RJK); 2 FP 24
Apr (SA, CF); 2 FP 30 Apr (BB); CRSP 1 Mar
(GQ); Yaphank, SUFF 4 Mar (DH); Hendrix
Creek, KING 8 Mar (RB); Rocky Pt Pres 13 Mar
(DH); FBF 13 Mar (PD); Coney l. KING 18 Mar
(DG); FBF 18 Mar (DG); Eltingville, RICH 2
Apr; Hugenot, RICH 13 Apr; 2 Oakland L,
QUEE 29 Apr (EM); Hampton Bays, SUFF 30
Apr (RK); 1-2 Roslyii, NASS 6 Apr thru (PM,
MN); 4 Roslyn 24 Apr (MN).; 3 reports of single
birds, BRON; intro.
Purple Martin: colonies Lemon Creek P, RICH,
Dune Rd. West Hampton. SUFF. Pine Neck
landing, SUFF, L. Panamoca, Ridge, SUFF.
Tree Swallow: from winter.
Bank Swallow: migr 5 RMSP 25 May (SSM);
RMSP 27 May (SSM), late.
Cliff Swallow: HLSP 7 Apr (KF), early.
White-breasted Nuthatch: JBWE 10 Apr (SA,
et at,), unusual location.
Marsh Wren: Bryant P, NEWY 19 May (mob),
unusual location.
Gray-cheeked Thrush: In wood Hill P, NEWY
15 May (JD).
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
GRAY-CHEEKED/B1CKNELL S THRUSH:
VSSP 3 May (RJK); APP 3 May (RJK);
Willowbrook P, RICH 25 May (RV).
VARIED THRUSH: CP thru 1 May (mob).
Cedar Waxwing: Absent until 3 rd wk May, then
abundant.
LONGSPURS - WARBLERS
Orange-crow ned Warbler: HLSP 2-22 Apr
(mob); CO 18 Apr (TF); CP 26 Apr (Ken Gale);
CP 1 May.
Black-throated Green Warbler: arr HLSP 7
Apr (PJL), Reg record early.
Blackburnian Warbler: arr sev loc 24 Apr
(mob), Reg record early.
Yellow-throated Warbler: PP 10-14 Apr
(mob); WPP 12 Apr (RV); APP 13 Apr (EM);
HLSP 14 Apr (RJK, mob); CLP 18-30 Apr (EJ.
mob); PP 18 Apr (mob); CRSP 23-24 Apr (JT),
individual possibly staying thru; CP 25-28 Apr
(mob); Grace Estate, East Hampton, SUFF 25
Apr (KR); CP I -5 May (,TM, mob); HLSP 5 May
(KF, SF); FP 7-15 May (EM. GH, SA, mob);
Hunters Garden, Eastport, SUFF 25 May (PS);
intro.
Cerulean Warbler: William T. Davis Refuge,
RICH 22 Apr (EJ), early; 4 other reports.
Prothonotary Warbler: NYBG 14-21 Apr
(mob); Arshamomaque Pres. SUFF 23 Apr (J.
Wittenberg); PP 24 Apr (RB); 2 PP 26 Apr (fide
PD); PP 27 Apr - 1 May (mob); JBWE 8 May
(MM); PP 23-24 May (mob), late; 2
Willowbrook P 25 May (fide RV), 1 banded,
late; intro.
Kentucky Warbler: CP 3-5 May (mob); Allison
Pd P 9 May (MS); Rocky Pt Pres 11 May (RK);
Jam Bay 12-14 May (KM, mob); Cutchogue,
SUFF 27 Apr, found dead (R&LK), ph.
Mourning Warbler: an* 13 May.
Hooded Warbler: appx 20 reports incl:
Willowbrook P 25-26 May (RV), late; singing m
CRSP 28 May (KF).
TOWHEES - WEAVERS
Clay-colored Sparrow: CP 21 May (fide DF),
ph.
Vesper Sparrow: Upland Farms, Cold Spring
Harbor, SUFF 13 Apr (DR); SMSP 16 Apr (P.
Gildersleevc), ph; APP 26 Apr (JR).
Grasshopper Sparrow: 2 JBWE 21 Mar (JQ,
GF); singing m Edgemere, QUEE 21 May (CF).
Saltmarsh Sparrow': 2 Big Egg Marsh 5 Mar
(SA, CF).
Seaside Sparrow: CP 27 Apr (mob), ph C.
Vomberger, unusual location.
285
Lincoln’s Sparrow: Bryant P 3 May (mob);
JBWE 3 May (BF); 2 CP 8 May (SA, JD, et al.);
CP 10 May (JR); SMSP 11 May (VP).
Summer Tanager: at least 15 reports incl: PP
26 Apr (J. Salas), ph, first; pr East Hampton 26
May thru (AC).
Blue Grosbeak: Lutheran Cem., QUEE (D.
Cavallero); JBWE 27 Apr; 2 PP 1 May (RJ, HL):
CP 7-8 May (mob); HLSP 19 May (RJK); GKP
21 May (SIW, D. Eib); DOP 28 May (AxW); m
on territory, Eastport, SUFF for 3 icl season.
Dickcissel: 2 Garvies Pt. Rd., Glen Cove, NASS
29 Apr (fide MN), ph P. Gildersleeve; Calverton
20 May (DK, RM).
Boboli nk : PP 29 Apr (mob); 4 MLUA 18 May
(EJ).
E. Meadowlark: several reports Calv.
YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD: fern Jam
Bay 25 May (D. Eib!).
Boat-tailed Grackle: CP 10 Apr thru, rare away
from coast; pr prob nested Little Neck Bay,
QUEE (EM).
White-winged Crossbill: 9 Gilgo Beach, SUFF
19 Mar (RBA); 4 Gilgo Beach 10 Apr (RBA);
Com. Redpoll: 24 JBWE 5 Mar (SA, et al ); 25
CCP 5 Mar (RK); 2 HLSP 8 Mai' (RJK); 2 CP 1-
3 Apr (P. Pollock, JD), last.
Pine Siskin: 6 PP thru 13 Mar; CP 18 Mar - 18
Apr (JD); Grymes Hill, RICH 20 Apr (HF);
JBWE 25 Apr (RJK, BB); PP 30 Apr (RJ, mob);
Broad Channel, QUEE 24 May (RBA).
EXOTICS
Mitred Parakeet: appx 15 Forest Hills, QUEE
19-20 Mar (KM); 12 Hillcrest, QUEE 14 Apr (J.
Forrestal, SA); pr copulating Hillcrest 15 Apr
(SA, RA); 6 Hillcrest 16 Apr (RJK); last
Hillcrest 18 Apr (J. Forrestal); 3 Forest Hills 7
May (KM); 3 Forest Hills 10 May (SA); 2 Kew
Gardens, mid-May thru, pr returning to nest site
(A. Craig); intro.
European Goldfinch: Grymes Hill 17 Apr
(HF).
286
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
STANDARD ABBREVIATIONS
Regional rarities appear in BOLD; county names are shortened to their first four
letters and appeal' hi UPPER CASE letters; months are shortened to their first
three letters. In species accounts: number of individuals omitted implies that one
individual was reported; ! - details seen by Regional Editor; ad - adult; Alt -
Alternate plumage; Am. - American; arr - arrival or first of season; BBS -
Breeding Bird Survey; BOTS - bird of the season; CBC - Christmas Bird
Count; CO - confirmed nesting; Com. - Common; E. - Eastern; FL - fledgling;
FY - adult feeding young; I - Island; imm - immature; intro - see introduction
to report; juv - juvenile; L - Lake; max - maximum; mob - multiple observers;
N. - Northern; NYSDEC - New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation; NWR - National Wildlife Refuge; NYSARC - report to New
York State Avian Records Committee; P - park; Pd - Pond; ph - photographed;
Pt - Point; Res - Reservoir; Ri - River; SP - State Park; spm - specimen; subad
- subadult; T - Town of; thru - throughout period; Twn - township; W. -
Western; WMA - Wildlife Management Area; y - young.
REPORTING REGIONS
Regional boundaries coincide with county lines, except at:
Region 1-Region 2 in Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming Counties:
the boundary is NY Route 98 from Pt. Breeze to Batavia;
NY Route 63 from Batavia to Pavilion, and NY Route 19
from Pavilion to the Allegany County line.
Region 2-Region 3 in Ontario County:
the boundary is Mud Creek to NY Route 64, NY Route 64
from Bristol Center to S. Bristol Springs, and Route 21
from S. Bristol Springs to die Yates County line.
Region 3-Region 5 in Cayuga County:
the boundary is NY Route 31.
REPORTING DEADLINES
Winter Season: December, January, February
Deadline is 7 March
Spring Season: March, April, May
Deadline is 7 June
Summer Season: June, July, August
Deadline is 7 September
Fall Season: September, October, November
Deadline is 7 December
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
287
288
The Kingbird 2011 September; 61 (3)
Editor of The Kingbird
Shaibal S. Mitra
Biology Dept., College of Staten Island
2800 Victory Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10314
Editor of New York Birders
Timothy Baird
242 E. State St., Salamanca, NY 14779
Appointed Committees
Archives:
Brenda Best, Chair—5611 Irish Ridge Rd., Durhamville, NY 13054
Awards:
Gail Kirch— 1099 Powderhouse Rd., Vestal, NY 13850
Bylaws:
Robert G. Spahn, Chair—716 High Tower Way, Webster, NY 14580
Conservation:
Andrew Mason, Chair— 1039 Peck St., Jefferson, NY 12093
Finance:
BemaB. Lincoln, Chair—P.O. Box 296, Somers, NY 10589
New York State Avian Records:
Angus Wilson, Chair
Send reports to:
Jeanne Skelly, Secretary for NYSARC
420 Chili-Scottsville Rd., Churchville, NY 14428
New York State Young Birders Club:
CarenaPooth, Chair—22 Brothers Rd., Poughquag, NY 12570
Publications:
Timothy Baird, Chair—242 State St., Salamanca, NY 14779
Publicity:
Kathryn Schneider, Chair— 16 Frisbee Ln., Stuyvesant, NY 12173
Research:
Jeremy J. Kirchman, Chair—New York State Museum
3140 CEC, Albany, NY 12230
Waterfowl Count:
Bryan L. Swift
NYSDEC Bureau of Wildlife, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4754
Web Site and Information Services:
Carena Pooth—22 Brothers Rd., Poughquag, NY 12570
Elected Committees
Nominating:
Valerie F. Freer (Chair), Jerry Lazarczyk, Bema Lincoln
Auditing:
John Cairns, Irving Cantor (Chair), Peter Capainolo
u
c
o
o
w
m
<
(0
o
'd>
o
o
CO
"2 *
M—
^ °
s
£ O
?*■* -s
>< g
Si s
K CL
o>
00
in
o
to C
Sz
o S2
03 <D
ql
a: co
*a
a>
+■*
to
<D
3
O'
a>
tr
a>
o
£
0
CO
0
cn
c
JZ
O
DO NOT FOLD
Live Music Archive
Librivox Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Internet Arcade
Console Living Room
Books to Borrow
Open Library
TV News
Understanding 9/11