North American birds

HARVARD UNIVERSITY

‘B

Library of the
Museum of

Comparative Zoology

r-

INCORPO RATING FIELD NOTES
A QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGICAL RECORD

PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN BIRDING ASSOCIATION IN ALLIANCE WITH THE NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY

fall migration

VOLUME 53: NO. 1, 1999

AUGUST THROUGH NOVEMBER 1998

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[ill migration: august through NOVEMBER 1998

THE REGIONAL REPORTS

25

Atlantic Provinces

BRUCE MACTAVISH

3

Publisher’s Memo
and Editor’s Notebook

27

Quebec

PIERRE BANNON,

5

Outstanding Rarities
of Fall 1998

N0RMAND DAVID,

and YVES AUBRY

6

Swinhoe’s

Storm-Petrel

30

New England

WALTER G. ELLISON,

and NANCY L. MARTIN

MICHAEL O'BRIEN,

J. BRIAN PATTES0N,

GEORGE L. ARMISTEAD,

34

Hudson-Delaware

and GRAYSON B. PEARCE

ROBERT 0. PAXTON

JOSEPH C. BURGIEL,

and DAVID A. CUTLER

12

Changing Seasons:

Fall Migration

EDWARD S. BRINKLEY

39

Middle Atlantic Coast

MARSHALL J. ILIFF

23

How to Read
the Regional Reports

43

Southern Atlantic Coast

RICKY DAVIS

112

Taking Part

in the North American

46

Florida

Birds Network

BILL PRANTY

113

Bulwer’s Petrel off

49

Appalachian

GEORGE A. HALL

North Carolina Coast

HARRY E. LEGRAND JR.,

53

Western Great Lakes

DARYL D. TESSEN

PAUL GURIS,

and MARY GUSTAFSON

58

Middlewestern Prairie

116

Market Place

62

KENNETH J. BROCK

Central Southern

117

Pictorial Highlights

GREG D. JACKSON

66 Prairie Provinces

RUDOLF F. KOES
and PETER TAYLOR

MCZ _
LIBRARY68

FEB 8 7 2007®

Northern Great Plains

RON E. MARTIN

Southern Great Plains

JOSEPH A. GRZYBOWSKI

73 Texas

GREG W. LASLEY, CHUCK SEXTON,
MARK LOCKWOOD, WILLIE SEKULA,
and CLIFF SHACKELFORD

79 Idaho-Western Montana

DAVID TROCHLELL

81 Mountain West

VAN A. TRUAN

and BRANDON K. PERCIVAL

84 Arizona

CHRIS D. BENESH
and GARY H. ROSENBERG

86 New Mexico

SARTOR 0. WILLIAMS III

89 Alaska

THEDE G.TOBISH JR.

92 British Columbia-Yukon

MICHAEL G. SHEPARD

94 Oregon-Washington

BILL TWEIT, JEFF GILLIGAN,
and STEVE MLODINOW

99 Middle Pacific Coast

DON ROBERSON,

DANIELS. SINGER,

SCOTT B. TERRILL,

and STEPHEN C. ROTTENBORN

103 Southern Pacific Coast

GUY McCASKIE

108 Hawaiian Islands

ROBERT L. PYLE

110 West Indies

ROBERT L. NORTON

HARVARD

UNIVERSITY

ON THE COVER

Brown is beautiful. In autumn 1998, Pacific and Atlantic coasts alike recorded a host of nondescript but nonetheless very noteworthy
tubenoses. In addition to several young Short-tailed Albatrosses, central California had records of Great-winged Petrel and Wedge-tailed
Shearwater, both photographed in mid-October at Monterey Bay by J. Sorensen. On a single day (August 8) off North Carolina's coast,
birding boats documented the first Swinhoe's Storm-Petrel (photographed off Hatteras by George Armistead) and Bulwer's Petrel
(photographed off Oregon Inlet by Mary Gustafson) for the western North Atlantic waters of the United States. How any of these records
might relate to atmospheric and oceanic patterns, such as hurricanes, or the transition from El Nino to La Nina, is not known.

American Birding Association

PRESIDENT
Allan R. Keith

VICE-PRESIDENT
Wayne R. Petersen

SECRETARY
Blake Maybank

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Gerald J. Ziarno

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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P. A. Buckley
George G. Daniels
Jon Dunn

Daphne D. Gemmill
Thomas J. Gilmore
Dennis H. Lacoss
Greg W. Lasley
Stanley R. Lincoln
Michael Ord
Richard H. Payne
Ann Stone
William R. Stott Jr.

Henry Turner
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Paul Green

FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Lynn Yeager

CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION
Paul Green

CONVENTIONS AND CONFERENCES
Ken Hollinga

GENERAL COUNSEL
Daniel T. Williams Jr.

PAST PRESIDENTS

Daniel T. Williams Jr. (1993-1997)
Allan R. Keith (1989-1993)
Lawrence G. Balch (1983-1989)
Joseph W. Taylor (1979-1983)
Arnold Small (1976-1979)

G. Stuart Keith (1973-1976)

G. Stuart Keith ( 1970 pro tem)

North American Birds

is published by

the American Birding Association
in alliance with

the National Audubon Society.

The mission of the journal is to provide
a complete overview
of the changing panorama
of our continent’s birdlife,
including outstanding records, range extensions
and contractions, population dynamics,
and changes in migration patterns
or seasonal occurrence.

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North American Birds (ISSN 1525-3708) (USPS 872-200) is published quarterly by the American Birding Association, Inc., 720 West Monument Street, Colorado
Springs, CO 80904-3624. Periodicals postage paid at Colorado Springs, Colorado, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: return postage guaranteed;
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unless the products or services are being offered directly by the Association. GST Registration No. R135943454.

2

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

Publisher's Memo Editor's Notebook

With this first issue of Volume 53, ABA is changing
the title of its journal from Field Notes to North
American Birds. While there is nothing wrong with Field
Notes, and the name has served the publication well in
various forms over the years, we believe that North
American Birds better defines the scope and intent — the
mission — of the new and expanded periodical we are
now putting forward. We have discussed the change with
the National Audubon Society, with which we are allied
for a two-year period of transition from NAS jurisdic¬
tion to full ABA responsibility. NAS not only concurs
with the name change, but views ABA’s positioning of
the journal with both pleasure and confidence in the
future.

That future will draw richly from a distinguished
past. A lot of people feel that the ornithologal history of
the 20th century — at least the field history — resides
between the covers of our venerable publication. Its ori¬
gins date back to 1917, when the renowned Frank M.
Chapman included an article on “The Seasons” in his
pioneering magazine Bird-Lore. The idea prospered,
took on a life of its own in 1947, and evolved until today
the seasonal accounts encompass 27 regions across the
length and breadth of North America; the reports are
written by a corps of more than 50 expert Regional
Editors, who rely on the observations of 3,000 to 4,000
highly skilled birders. Only the Christmas Bird Count
brings more people together — and our regional birders
keep up their dedicated work all year long. There is no
other way, for the drama of bird life is seamless and
never-ending, as you will see from the Editor’s Notebook
where Ned Brinkley introduces Fall Migration, August
through November 1998.

— Gus Daniels, ABA Pubusher

The attraction of autumn birding in North America is
singular and powerful, rivalled only by the return of
warblers and other Neotropical migrants in the spring.
Though the hues of some species have dulled to olive
and brown by the fall, birders across the continent still
eagerly anticipate the more protracted movement of
shorebirds, seabirds, and passerines toward the winter¬
ing areas.

So protracted are these movements, indeed, that
“autumn” when conceived as postbreeding movement
becomes an unwieldy topic — not just the four months
considered in the “fall migration” issue but the better
part of the year. And birds’ movements are scarcely lim¬
ited to southbound flights, of course: eastern birds are
often found in the West (and vice-versa), southern
species move northward, pelagic seabirds are pushed
into the continent's interior, and terrestrial species are
displaced over the oceans and Gulf of Mexico.

In this whirlwind of bird activity, though, patterns of
movement become discernable on scales both large and
small. The Changing Seasons column attempts to cap¬
ture some of the dynamism of discrete, weather-related
bird records of the autumn of 1998 — from the tropical
cyclones of August and September in the Atlantic and
Gulf Coast states, to the remarkable nontropical
cyclones in October and November off Atlantic Canada
and in the Midwest, to the subtle shift toward La Nina
conditions in the Pacific.

Bird movements in various low-pressure systems
(cyclones) are becoming more predictable, although
there is a limited ornithological literature on the subject.
But studies of seabirds’ responses to oceanic anomalies
are in their infancy. Did the shift from El Nino to La
Nina have anything to do with the appearance of the
Wedge-tailed Shearwater or Great-winged Petrel off
California’s coast this fall? Does the Southern Oscillation
affect Atlantic seabirds as well (as editor Rob Norton
suggests) — and, if so, then might the simultaneous
records of Swinhoe’s Storm-Petrel and Bulwer’s Petrel
off North Carolina be related to this influence?

These are unanswerable questions, naturally, at pre¬
sent, but as Bird-Lore, Audubon Field Notes, American
Birds, and Field Notes have shown time and again in the
past, these odd “accidental” records may be heralds of
phenomena that our collective observations may later
resolve into interpretable patterns.

— Ned Brinkley, Guest Editor

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 1

3

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4

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

OUTSTANDING RARITIES OF FALL 1998

At Barrhead, Alberta (way up north!),
a feeder hosted a Curve-billed Thrasher
from the early fall through at least
mid-March, Canada’s first substantiated
record. The whitish throat, well-defined
breast spots, orange eye, and white tail
corner point to the cunirostre subspecies
group, and the short bill and stage of molt
indicate a young bird. The bird dined
in part on meal worms kept warm
by an electric coffee mug warmer!
Photograph/Jerry Urlacher

Rarity is relative. For those who have sought out West Indian Whistling-Ducks in buggy
Caribbean marshes without satisfaction, the eye is drawn to the left. But the vagrant here
is the Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, found September 27 at Hog Cay, Long Island,
Bahamas. Fred Sibley confirms that this bird was of the southern subspecies, discolor,
found from eastern Panama southward and distinguishable by gray plumage in the upper
breast and lower back. This bird may be a key in the puzzle of recent records in the East:
birders should attempt to discern the subspecific identity of Black-bellies out of range
(one in Nova Scotia stayed through the fall!). Photograph/Bruno Dittmar

Merlins passed Kiptopeke, Virginia, in great squadrons
in autumn. Of several banding operations in the area,
one turned up this dilute-plumaged leucistic bird
(pictured here with a normally pigmented nominate bird)
at Wise Point, the southernmost tip of the Delmarva
Peninsula, October 6. This is apparently the first docu¬
mentation of this plumage in North America.

Photograph and capture/Reese F. Lukei Jr.

Olive-backed Pipits are rare anywhere
in North America (the 1998 spring fallout
at Attu excepted . . .) but virtually
unknown outside Alaska — which means,
of course, that it was only a matter of time
before California’s Southeast Farallon
Island turned one up! Other state “firsts”
discovered here in past years were fellow
Siberian vagrants such as Dusky
and Lanceolated warblers, Brown Shrike,
and Red-flanked Bluetail. This bird was
found September 26 and remained until
the 29th. Note the olive cast
to the upperparts, bright buffy wash
around the upper breast, and the strongly
patterned face, especially the strong
supercilium. Photograph/Peter Pyle

Cape May does it again: North
America’s second Whiskered
Tern, discovered by Richard
Crossley at South Cape
May Meadows August 8,
remained for four more
days. This is the same area
that produced the continent’s
first record in 1993.

Photograph/Kevin T. Karlson

This splendid Hooded Oriole,
the first for Quebec and sixth
for Canada, was first noted
in Matapedia on November 22
and identified November 25
by Christianne Pitre. Seen
by hundreds during its stay
(through January 14, 1999),
it often took shelter
in a church belfry at night.
Photograph/Michele Lafleur

VOLUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 1

5

first north american photographic record

Swinhoe's Storm-Petrel

MICHAEL O’BRIEN,* J. BRIAN PATTESON,|

GEORGE L. ARMISTEAD, | and GRAYSON B. PEARCE

On August 8, 1998, the authors were participating in a pelagic
birding trip off Hatteras, North Carolina, aboard the Miss
Hatteras with Captain Spurgeon Stowe and 29 passengers. Winds
were light from the southeast and seas calm. Over most of the previ¬
ous week, strong northeasterly winds had created a strong current
that apparently pushed the Gulf Stream much farther offshore than
usual and brought cool water well south of Cape Hatteras. Indeed we
did not run into warm water until 54 km out, about 16 km farther
seaward than usual, but when we arrived at the Gulf Stream’s west¬
ern wall, the seabirds were numerous. By early afternoon, the waters
southeast of Hatteras had proven highly productive, with studies of
Herald (Trinidade) Petrel (Pterodroma [a.] arminjoniana) and South
Polar Skua (Catharacta maccormicki), large concentrations of shear¬
waters ( Calonectris diomedea and Puffinus spp.) and Black-capped
Petrels (P. hasitata), and a record count of Band-rumped Storm-
Petrels (O. castro) for that port.

At about 15:15 EDST, shortly after we started to head back shore¬
ward, we flushed a small group of Oceanodroma storm-petrels off
the water, including one with entirely dark uppertail coverts and
rump. Given the recent spate of Swinhoe’s Storm-Petrel records in
the northeastern North Adantic (Bretagnolle et al. 1991, Cubitt
1995) and a sight record from North Carolina waters (Brinkley
1995), together with the fact that dark-rumped Leach’s Storm-
Petrels (O. leucorhoa) have yet to be documented in the Atlantic
Ocean basin (see below), we suspected the bird might be a
Swinhoe’s. We pursued the bird to the southwest for about 1 1 km
over a 40-45 minute period in an attempt to obtain photographs and
better views. The bird remained in flight for the entire observation,
but Captain Stowe occasionally brought us to within about 25
meters of the bird, allowing reasonably good views. During this
time, we obtained about 150 photographs of the bird and noted a
combination of plumage, structural, and flight characters that con¬
firmed the identification as Swinhoe’s Storm-Petrel. On several
occasions we flushed other storm-petrels and, for brief periods, had
Wilson’s (Oceanites oceanicus), Leach’s, and Band-rumped storm-
petrels flying alongside the Swinhoe’s for direct comparison.

The bird was initially found at 34°37'05" N, 75°18'30" W, about
68.6 km south-southeast of Hatteras Inlet, in water 2378 meters
deep, and was pursued to 34°32'00" N, 75°25'45" W, about 77.8 km
south-southeast of Hatteras Inlet, in water 2378 m deep. Sea surface
temperature in these waters ranged from 28.8 to 29.2° C. For most
of the observation, distances from the bird ranged from about 50 to
75 nr. Lighting conditions ranged from good off the port bow to
harsh and backlit off the starboard bow, but Captain Stowe was able
to keep the bird in good light most of the time.

DESCRIPTION

Size, Structure, and Molt. The bird most closely resembled a Leach’s
Storm-Petrel. It was of roughly the same length as a Leach’s or Band-
rumped but often gave the impression of being slightly larger than
either. Its wings were relatively long with an obvious bend at the
carpal joint or “wrist.” It appeared proportionally longer-winged
than either Band-rumped or Leach’s and seemed to hold its wings in
a relatively outstretched position, much more akin to Band-rumped
than Leach’s. Compared to Leach’s, the wings were narrower in the
“arms” but longer and broader in the “hands” and were not so
sharply pointed at the tips (Figures 1, 2, 3). The net effect was of
more wing area in proportion to the body than on a Leach’s or Band-
rumped and, when the primaries were spread, the wings looked
almost paddle-shaped, very unlike Leach’s or Band-rumped. In pho¬
tographs of the Swinhoe’s with a Band-rumped (Figure 4), the
Swinhoe’s appears remarkably slimmer-bodied, which suggests that
the field impression of larger size in the Swinhoe’s was at least par¬
tially artifactual, probably owing to greater overall wing area. None
of us ever had a firm impression of tail shape in the field, but pho¬
tographs seem to show a tail that is slimmer than that of a Leach’s
and with a shallower notch (Figures 1 and 2). Although the slim tail
gave the bird a long-tailed look in direct flight (Figure 5), when the
rectrices and primaries were spread and the full wing area revealed,
the bird actually looked quite short-tailed (Figure 1). The flight
feathers looked full, with no obviously missing feathers, though in
some photographs (Figures 1 and 5) the outer primaries look more
worn than the inners, suggesting that the bird was midway through
primary molt. Judging from photographs (Figures 6, 7, and 8), the
primary coverts seem to be full as well. For additional images of this
individual, consult Patteson’s website at http://www.patteson.com.

Coloration. The overall color was dark grayish-brown, darkest on
the uppertail coverts and rump and slightly paler on the upper back
and nape. The tone was similar to that of a Leach’s but obviously
paler than that of a Band-rumped. In photographs, the head appears
to be contrastingly grayer (Figures 8 and 9), though this was not
noted in the field. The pale upperwing covert bar or “carpal bar” was
very obvious, as on a Leach’s, and it broadened markedly toward the
leading edge, as on that species (Figures 2, 5, 6, and 8). From above,
the outer several primaries appeared to have some white toward
their bases, though it was very inconspicuous and only visible when
the bird was at its very closest (about 25 m). We had this impression
especially as the bird banked, perhaps because it spread the pri¬
maries farther apart but no doubt also because the wing motion was
slowest then. Had we not looked specifically for white in the pri¬
maries, it probably would have gone unnoticed. Photographs con¬
firm that there is a very restricted white patch at the base of the outer
primaries, visible in both spread and folded wing positions (Figures

* RO. Box 436, Cape May Point, New Jersey 08212; | RO. Box 772, Hatteras, North Carolina 27943
f 25124 W. Ferry Neck Road, Royal Oak, Maryland 21662; § 338 Faire Chase, Chesapeake, Virginia 23322

6

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

F

Michael O’Brien Figure 1

Michael O’Brien Figure 2

J. Brian Patteson Figure 3

J. Brian Patteson Figure 4

J. Brian Patteson Figure 5

Michael O’Brien Figure 6

George L. Armistead Figure 7

George L. Armistead Figure 8

Figures 1 to 9. In these photographs, most of the general proportions and plumage
characters of this Swinhoe’s Storm-Petrel can be discerned. Figures 1, 2, and 3 show the
overall shape of the body and wings fairly well: the base of the wing appears a bit
narrower than in Leach’s, whereas the primary area looks a bit broader in comparison.

In Figure 4, where Swinhoe’s is pictured with a Band-rumped, the former looks somewhat
slimmer of body, perhaps owing to the impression of greater wing area. Impressions
of tail length varied from long (Figure 5) to rather short when the wings were extended
(Figure 1). Figures 6, 7, and 8 show a bird with intact, full primary coverts, though
Figures 1 and 5 suggest that the outer primaries are more worn than the inner (possibly
newer) primaries. The dorsal surface of the bird was largely flat brown, set off by a pale
carpal bar (Figures 2, 5, 6, and 8). Otherwise, the only pale pigmentation on the bird
consisted of a patch at the visible base of the primaries (Figures 6, 8, and 9).

Michael O’Brien Figure 9

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 1

7

6, 8, and 9). Whether this white patch is confined to the primary
shafts or includes webbing is not possible to determine.

Flight Style. The flight style seemed distinct from both Leach’s
and Band-rumped storm-petrels. The wing strokes were relatively
slow and “loping” (not snappy) and the flight was quite steady and
direct, not unlike that of a tern. It lacked the nighthawk-like erratic
bounding, quick direction changes, and side-to-side rocking of
Leach’s or at least these patterns were very much reduced from those
of Leach’s. Though the wing strokes were deep, they were shallower
than those of Leach’s, not rising as high on the upstroke and seldom
exhibiting the deep “V” so typical of that species. The glides were on
bowed wings as in Leach’s and Band-rumped, but the glides were
longer than those of Leach’s (usually one-two seconds) . Compared to
Band-rumped, the wing strokes were deeper and slower and the
glides probably averaged shorter. How much the bird’s flight patterns
were influenced by pursuit is not known, but one would expect a bird
to move faster and more directly while being chased. We do, howev¬
er, often chase Leach’s and Band-rumped storm-petrels on pelagic
trips and have never seen one exhibit a similar flight style. We should
note also that, after following the bird for a while, it gradually shift¬
ed to longer glides and shorter periods of flapping, increasing its dis¬
tinction from Leach’s.

STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION

Swinhoe’s Storm-Petrels occur primarily in the western Pacific and
northern Indian Oceans. Breeding takes place on islands off Russia,
Japan, Korea, China, and Taiwan, with egg-laying between May and
August (James & Robertson 1985). These birds migrate south and
west through South China Sea and at least some travel as far as the
northern Indian Ocean and Red Sea (Harrison 1987).

The first fully documented record of Swinhoe’s Storm-Petrel
from the Atlantic Ocean came in June and July 1983, when a bird was
tape recorded and later captured in the nest chamber of a Band-
rumped Storm-Petrel on Great Salvage Island, Madeira (James &
Robertson 1985, Cubitt et al. 1992). Prior to that, there was an
intriguing record from 1829 of a small dark storm-petrel type with a
forked tail captured at the same location (Heineken 1829), a bird that
may have been a Swinhoe’s. Since 1983, at least eight more Swinhoe’s
Storm-Petrels have been captured under similar circumstances at the
Salvages and in France (Bretagnolle et al. 1991), England (Breta-
gnolle et al. 1991), Norway (Gantlett 1997 & 1998a), and Portugal
(Gantlett 1998b). Amazingly, one individual at Tynemouth, England
was captured eight times between 1990 and 1994 (Cubit 1995).
Additionally, there have been two captures in the Mediterranean in
Spain (King & Minguez 1994) and Italy (Gantlett 1997). Along with
these captures, there have been a number of sightings at sea or from
land-based seawatches in Europe of dark-rumped storm-petrels,
most of which are now presumed to be Swinhoe’s (Bretagnolle et al.
1991, Bourne 1992, Morrison 1998). The most famous of these is the
“ Chalice petrel” seen August 3, 1988, off Cornwall, England (Gantlett
1988), the identification of which has been hotly debated over the
past decade (e. g., Bourne 1997, Hume 1997, Young and King 1997,
Force 1997).

How Swinhoe’s Storm-Petrels arrive in the Atlantic Ocean is
unknown. It is plausible that they either pass around the Cape of
Good Hope and north into the Atlantic or arrive from the northern
Indian Ocean via the Red and Mediterranean Seas (James &
Robertson 1985). The records from the Mediterranean off Italy and
Spain and one from Eilat, Israel (King & Minguez 1994) lend cre¬
dence to the latter theory.

8

However they arrive in the Atlantic, the intriguing question
remains as to whether these Atlantic Swinhoe’s are breeding. It has
been suggested that a small breeding population of Swinhoe’s may
exist somewhere in the northeastern Atlantic (Cubitt et al. 1992), but
as yet none has been discovered. Interestingly, of the birds that have
been captured, several have possessed vascularized brood patches,
which would appear to lend more weight to suspicion of local breed¬
ing (Parkin & Cubitt 1995). Also, an apparent morphometric diver¬
gence exists between Atlantic and Pacific Swinhoe’s Storm-Petrels,
with the Atlantic birds showing larger wing chord measurements
(Cubitt et al. 1992), though, as Cubitt (1995) notes, this conceivably
could be explained by differences in the recorders and/or their mea¬
suring techniques. DNA analysis has found Atlantic Swinhoe’s to be
genetically inseparable from Pacific birds (Dawson 1992), which sug¬
gests that they are relatively recent visitants from the core population,
perhaps prospecting new nesting areas, and that Atlantic Swinhoe’s
probably have not been long isolated from Pacific populations.

IDENTIFICATION

Although Leach’s Storm-Petrel is clearly the most similar species to
Swinhoe’s and, in fact, the two have been considered conspecific in the
past (Huntington et al. 1996), a whole suite of species must be con¬
sidered in determining the identity of the North Carolina bird. There
are eight all-dark storm-petrels within the genus Oceanodroma,
including Matsudaira’s (O. matsudairae), Leach’s, Markham’s (O.
markhami), Tristram’s (O. tristrami), Swinhoe’s, Ashy (O. homochroa),
Black (O. melania), and Least (O. microsoma). All share wholly dark
plumage (with the exception of those subspecies of Leach’s that show
a variable white rump patch) and a variably prominent pale upper¬
wing bar. Bulwer’s Petrel (Bulweria bulwerii ) is similar enough to war¬
rant consideration as well, but this species and Least Storm-Petrel (in
addition to pronounced differences in proportions from Swinhoe’s)
both have wedge-shaped tails that should easily rule them out.

Having had the advantage of watching the North Carolina bird
side-by-side with Leach’s, Band-rumped, and Wilson’s storm-petrels,
we were able to get a good feel for its relative size and proportions. In
direct comparison, the bird was not obviously different in size from
Leach’s, though it had at least the illusion of being fractionally larger
and longer-winged, perhaps owing to its apparently greater “hand”
area and to its tendency to hold its wings more outstretched than
Leach’s. There is clearly a margin of error in making estimates of size
in the field. Many factors such as flight style, wing shape, and overall
proportions can influence the apparent size of a bird in the field, and
of course each species exhibits a range of measurements. However,
under the conditions of this observation, size alone provided a solid
means of ruling out all but Leach’s and Swinhoe’s. Even at a glance, a
Matsudaira’s, Markham’s, Tristram’s, or Black storm-petrel should
appear obviously larger than Leach’s in the field and Ashy obviously
smaller, particularly to experienced seabirders familiar with most of
the eastern North Pacific species. Using average wing chord mea¬
surements (in Cubitt et al. 1992) as a gauge of apparent size, Black
and Markham’s should each be 12 percent larger than nominate
Leach’s, Tristram’s 14 percent larger, Matsudaira’s 19 percent larger,
and Ashy 12 percent smaller.

To put the usefulness of relative size in perspective, we’ll use the
example of Leach’s vs. Wilson’s storm-petrels, two species we see
together frequently off North Carolina. Although there are times
when the larger size of a Leach’s is less than obvious, particularly
when views are brief or distant, in prolonged study, the size differ¬
ence is always readily apparent if not striking. From wingspan mea¬
surements in Harrison (1987), Leach’s Storm-Petrel should appear

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

SWINHOE'S STORM-PETREL

about 13 percent larger than Wilson’s, and we feel that any size dif¬
ference of even half that magnitude would have been readily dis¬
cernible in the prolonged views we had, which included side-by-side
comparison with Leach’s, Band-ramped, and Wilson’s.

Tail shape is another feature that rules out all but Leach’s or
Swinhoe’s and strongly suggests Swinhoe’s. Matsudaira’s, Markham’s,
Tristram’s, Black, and Ashy all show obvious deeply forked tails. In
Leach’s, the tail fork is shallower and sometimes hard to see in the
field. The tail fork of Swinhoe’s has been described as shallower than
that of Leach’s by King and Minguez (1994) and difficult to see by
Enticott and Tipling (1997), and Peter Hayman’s excellent drawing in
Cubitt (1995) shows a tail fork of about half as deep as that of a
Leach’s. The North Carolina bird’s tail appeared to be more shallow¬
ly notched than that of a Leach’s (Figures 1 and 2) and clearly not
consistent with the deeply notched tails of any of the dark-rumped
storm-petrels other than Leach’s or Swinhoe’s.

Within the genus Oceanodroma, the presence of white primary
shafts beyond the coverts has been widely cited as limited to Matsu¬
daira’s and Swinhoe’s storm-petrels (e. g., Cubitt 1995). Though it was
difficult to see in the field, photographs of the North Carolina bird
show distinct whitish patches at the base of the outer primaries, evi¬
dently the result of white-based primary shafts (Figures 6, 8, and 9).
However, David Sibley (in an internet posting to the group BIRD-
WG01 [Frontiers of Field Identification], 1 Dec. 1998) points out that
some Black and Leach’s storm-petrels (perhaps five percent) can show
white primary shafts, occasionally forming an obvious patch visible at
a distance. Indeed, white-based primary shafts are visible in published
photographs of Black and Tristram’s storm-petrels in Enticott and
Tipling (1997), and at least a suggestion of white-based primary shafts
is visible in photographs of Band-rumped (the English common
named used in this text is “Madeiran Petrel”) and Markham’s storm-
petrels in Harrison (1987). Also, a specimen of Markham’s collected
off Peru has whitish primary shafts (M. Force, unpub. ms.). Despite
this cautionary note, specimens show that visible white primary shafts
beyond the primary coverts are typical of Swinhoe’s but rare at best in
Leach’s. We examined 41 Leach’s specimens (including 22 beali, 13 leu-
corhoa, three socorroensis, and three of unknown subspecies) at the
Academy of Natural Sciences and found that none showed primary
shafts that were white or even slightly pale beyond the primary coverts.
Although the very bases of these primary shafts are indeed whitish,
they shade quickly to grayish, then brown, and the primary coverts
extend 5 to 7 mm beyond any pale coloration. Clearly then, although
a trace of white at the base of the primaries, especially when seen poor¬
ly, should not be considered diagnostic for any storm-petrel, it is cer¬
tainly more typical of Swinhoe’s than Leach’s. It is important to note
that on the North Carolina bird, the primary coverts were full (Figures
6, 7, and 8), so the bases of the primaries were not more exposed than
usual. It should also be borne in mind that intense lighting at sea can
often create the illusion of pale primary shafts. We have had this fleet¬
ing impression of pale or whitish primary shafts in many tubenoses at
sea but, most importantly, in species that show no pale primary shafts
in the museum tray or in photographs. We believe that the discrete
white patches visible at the base of the primaries in photographs of the
North Carolina bird (Figures 6, 8, and 9), differ substantially from the
illusion of white shafts created by transient effects of light. Under
other circumstances, wear or molt in greater upperprimary coverts
exposes the pale bases of the primary shafts (in many seabird species),
or the worn (and therefore paler, in a dark seabird) inner webs of the
primaries can be, very easily, mistaken for the shaft of the primary
itself. Finally, seabirds that have patches of leucistic feathering may
have a tendency to have partially amelanistic primary shafts.

The feature that initially brought our attention to this bird was its
entirely, unambiguously dark rump. Whether nominate Leach’s can
show an entirely dark rump is a matter of some debate but, to date,
no such bird has been documented. The authors have collectively
seen hundreds of Leach’s Storm-Petrels in the North Atlantic show¬
ing a wide range of rump patterns. Not a few examples have shown
completely white rumps with no apparent dark central division,
whereas at least one individual off Oregon Inlet, North Carolina in
July 1991 showed little more than pale grayish-white outer fringes to
the rump (M. O’Brien, pers. obs.). The latter individual indeed
looked dark-rumped at first and generated quite a stir on the boat
until better views were had. With this degree of variation in the rump
pattern of nominate Leach’s, it would not be surprising to find an
example with a completely dark rump. Bourne and Simmons (1997)
document the occurrence of a single “dark-rumped” Leach’s Storm-
Petrel in the South Atlantic, but their basis for this claim is a 1964
specimen from southeast of St. Helena that actually shows patches of
pale plumage on the sides of the rump, a bird that resembles birds we
have seen off North Carolina and that would be apparent on a bird
at sea, given any reasonable study. Bourne and Simmons ( 1997) also
refer to a dark-rumped specimen (no longer extant) from an August
1933 wreck of Leach’s Storm-Petrels at Oneida Lake, New York ( Bird-
Lore 35 [1933]: 320), though Brinkley (pers. comm.) points out that
the specimens from this wreck may have been in such poor condition
that their tail coverts were absent. The only North American reports
of dark-rumped Leach’s known to us are of a bird off Port O’Connor,
Texas (Lasley et al. 1998; G. Lasley, pers. comm.), which actually had
a dingy whitish rump patch consistent with nominate Leach’s, and
another off Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (Davis 1998; J. Peachey,
pers. comm.), which was seen well and described as completely dark-
rumped, but the details of this sighting do not eliminate Swinhoe’s.
Active seabird researchers in the western North Atlantic have never
seen a dark-rumped Leach’s (though R. R. Veit has noted one with a
“ghost” image of a rump patch; pers. comm, to Brinkley), and
research in Atlantic colonies has never revealed a dark-rumped indi¬
vidual (C. Huntington, pers. comm.). So, without firm evidence that
nominate Leach’s can show an entirely dark rump, a fully dark-
rumped bird in the Atlantic Ocean should not be presumed a Leach’s
and should be critically examined for Swinhoe’s.

The dark-rumped forms of Leach’s Storm-Petrel obviously pre¬
sent the most complicated and difficult identification problems. Five
subspecies of Leach’s are currently recognized, including O. /. leucor-
hoa, O. 1. beali, O. 1. chapmani, 0. 1. socorroensis, and O. 1. cheimom-
nestes (Huntington et al. 1996). Of these, only the smaller socorroen¬
sis and chapmani are comprised largely of dark-rumped individuals.
The larger of these, chapmani, exhibits wing chord measurements of
139 to 155 mm (Huntington et al. 1996) compared to 142 to 171 for
leucorhoa (Huntington et al. 1996) and 148 to 167 for Swinhoe’s
(Cubitt et al. 1992). Although Swinhoe’s should be about the same
size as nominate Leach’s, birds captured in the North Atlantic have
been as much as five percent larger (Brinkley 1995). Thus there is
overlap in size between Swinhoe’s and chapmani, but it is important
to realize that the North Carolina bird was on the larger end of the
spectrum for leucorhoa (and Swinhoe’s) while chapmani only over¬
laps with the smaller end of the leucorhoa spectrum. The size of the
North Carolina bird is, therefore, consistent with Swinhoe’s captured
in the Atlantic but larger than most if not all dark-rumped Leach’s.

After watching this bird for over 40 minutes, there was no doubt
in our minds that the bird observed on August 8 was not a Leach’s
Storm-Petrel. Although the dark rump and whitish patch at the base
of the primaries were sufficient to hold our attention, the most

VOLUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 1

9

arresting differences from Leach’s involved the bird’s structure and
flight style. The relatively narrower arm and broader, more bluntly-
pointed hand created a wing shape (almost paddle-shaped when the
primaries were spread) very unlike any Leach’s we have ever seen.
This wing shape also created a relatively larger wing area which was
exaggerated by the slim body and tail, increasing the bird’s distinc¬
tion from Leach’s. Likewise, the slow, “loping,” and relatively shal¬
lower wingstrokes, the longer glides, and generally more direct flight
collectively produced a flight pattern inconsistent with any Leach’s
we have encountered, including those we have chased. Although the
flight style of Pacific Leach’s (including dark-rumped forms) has
been described as somewhat more subdued than that of Atlantic
birds (R. A. Rowlett, pers. comm.), it is still decidedly erratic and is
appropriately characterized as ricocheting by Stallcup (1990).

Michael Force, who has extensive experience with Swinhoe’s in
the western Indian Ocean (unpub. ms.), notes that size, shape, and
flight style are the most useful characters for field identification. He
emphasizes how Swinhoe’s, compared to Leach’s, looks relatively
long-winged and short-tailed. Although on the North Carolina bird
we only got a short-tailed impression when the flight feathers were
spread (Figure 1), the wings always looked longer than those of near¬
by Leach’s, and the total wing area made the body as a whole look rel¬
atively small. Because of this large wing-to-body ratio and because
the rectrices were usually held tightly closed, the tail usually did look
relatively “small” if not necessarily short. Force also refers to broader,
more rounded wings held straight out from the body (contributing
to the long-winged impression), and this description matches the
North Carolina bird well (and is consistent with the description of
the 1993 Swinhoe’s as well [Brinkley 1995]). Although Force describ¬
ed the flight style of Swinhoe’s under windy conditions or in forag-

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ing flight to be very much like that of Leach’s, he described Swinhoe’s
as exhibiting a more direct flight with stiff, shallow wingbeats and lit¬
tle change in direction or altitude, under light winds. The latter con¬
ditions prevailed on August 8, and the storm-petrel observed on that
date conforms well to the characters described in Force’s manuscript.
Interestingly, Force was never able to see white primary shafts (of
well over 100 Swinhoe’s observed at sea), although he notes that the
birds rarely approached closer than 100 meters from the ship. All
Swinhoe’s he collected, importantly, did exhibit four or five white-
based primary shafts.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank Eirik A. T. Blom, Richard Crossley, Ricky Davis, Shawneen Finne¬
gan, Steve Gantlett, Greg Lasley, Paul E. Lehman, Paul O’Brien, Jack Peachey,
and Richard A. Rowlett for providing information that strengthened this arti¬
cle. We also wish to thank Captain Spurgeon Stowe for his camaraderie and
his superb boatwork, which allowed us to study the Swinhoe’s Storm-Petrel at
length. As ever, a vote of thanks is due all the participants on that excursion,
without whom it would not have been possible.

LITERATURE CITED

Bourne, W. R. P. 1992. Dark-rumped storm-petrels in the North Atlantic. Sea
Swallow 40: 62-63.

Bourne, W. R. P. and K. E. L. Simmons. 1997. A dark-rumped Leach’s Storm-
Petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa in the South Atlantic. Sula 1 1: 209-216.
Bourne, W. R. P. 1997. The Chalice petrel. British Birds 90: 527.

Bretagnolle, V., M. Carruthers, M. Cubitt, F. Bioret, and J.-P. Cuillandre. 1991.
Six captures of a dark-rumped, fork-tailed storm-petrel in the northeast¬
ern Atlantic. Ibis 133: 351-356.

Brinkley, E. S., 1995. Dark-rumped storm-petrels in the North Atlantic.
Birding 27: 95-97.

Cubitt, M., M. Carruthers, and F. Zino. 1992. Unraveling the mystery of the
Tyne petrels. Birding World 5: 438-444.

Cubitt, M. 1994. The mystery dark-rumped storm-petrel. Birding 26: 125.
Cubitt, M. 1995. Swinhoe’s Storm-Petrels at Tynemouth: New to Britain and
Ireland. British Birds 88: 342-348.

Davis, R. 1998. Southern Atlantic Coast Region Report. Field Notes 52: 45M8.
Dawson, R. 1992. Blood, sweat and petrels. Birding World 5: 443-444.
Enticott, I and D. Tipling. 1997. Seabirds of the World. Stackpole Books.
Force, M. 1997. Comments on the 'Chalice’ petrel. British Birds 90: 339-342.
Gantlett, S. 1988. Matsudaira’s Storm-Petrel off Cornwall: A New British Bird.
Birding World 1: 285.

Gantlett, S. 1997. 1996: The Western Palearctic Year. Birding World 10: 19-33.
Gantlett, S. 1998a. 1997: The Western Palearctic Year. Birding World 11: 21-35.
Gantlett, S. 1998b. Western Palearctic News. Birding World 1 1: 252-257.
Harrison, P. 1987. A Field Guide to Seabirds of the World. The Stephen Green
Press. Lexington, Massachusetts.

Heineken, C. 1829. Notice of some of the birds of Medeira. Brewster’s
Edinburgh J. Sci., New Series I: 229-233.

Hume, R. A. 1997. From the Rarities Committee’s Files: The ‘Chalice’ petrel.
British Birds 90: 305-313.

Huntington, C. E., R. G. Butler, R. A. Mauck. 1996. Leach’s Storm-Petrel
(Oceanodroma leucorhoa) in The Birds of North America, No. 233 (A.
Poole and F. Gill, eds.) Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and the
American Ornithologists Union, Washington, DC.

James, P. C., and H. A. Robertson. 1985. First record of Swinhoe’s Storm-
Petrel Oceanodroma monorhis in the Atlantic Ocean. Ardea 73: 105-106.
King, J., and E. Minguez. 1994. Swinhoe’s Petrel: The first Mediterranean
record. Birding World 7: 271-273.

Lasley, G., C. Sexton, M. Lockwood, C. Shackelford, and W. Sekula. 1997. The
fall migration: Texas region. Field Notes 52: 86-92.

Morrison, S. 1998. All-dark petrels in the North Atlantic. British Birds 91:
540-560.

Stallcup, R. 1990. Ocean Birds of the Nearshore Pacific. Point Reyes Bird
Observatory, Stinson Beach, California.

Young, S. A., and J. R. King. 1997. The ‘Chalice’ petrel revisited. British Birds
90: 329-335.

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NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

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11

changing seasons:
low pressure

*

Fall Migration:

August through November 1 998

Franklin’s Gulls made headlines from the Midwest to the South Atlantic Coast Region, as what must have been many thousands
were displaced eastward from their normal fall migratory route through the middle of the continent — along with scores of waterfowl
species and cranes. This Franklin’s, though, was part of an earlier movement, itself above average if annual, eastward
into the mid-Atlantic states. The Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River basin have hosted many more Franklin’s than have surrounding
regions over the past few decades, with over 70 records here, but this first-winter bird was a first for well-watched Calvert County,
Maryland, August 31, 1998. Photograph/Marshall J. Iliff.

EDWARD S. BRINKLEY*

very autumn holds some superlative event in the history of ama¬
teur bird study. On the local level, the exceptional experience
may be of a single individual bird that brightens the fall: consider the
emotions that must have accompanied the discovery of Illinois’s first
Whooping Crane in 40 years, or a Prothonotary Warbler huddled
not far from a Golden-winged Warbler in Nova Scotia — in the mid¬
dle of October. In fall 1998, each month was punctuated, at some
spot on the continent, by a remarkable weather event, a displace¬
ment of significant numbers of birds from their typical migration
routes or stopover sites. In several cases, hurricanes and tropical
storms caused the displacement, but in two other noteworthy
instances, nontropical low-pressure systems transported a hodge¬
podge of birds into areas where they are rarely seen, or rarely seen in
large numbers.

* 21238 Huntington Road, Cape Charles, Virginia 23310

In Nova Scotia, a fallout of passerines October 1 1 was, according
to Blake Maybank’s correspondents: “exhilarating. Exhausting.
Perhaps we’ve been spoiled for good!” “The fallout almost defies
description.” “An incredible concentration of rarities on one place:
34 species of warbler in one county in the second week of October —
has that ever happened anywhere else in North America north of
Mexico?” A month later, November 10-12 and beyond, a fierce
cyclone (termed “an inland hurricane — Category 3” by editor Daryl
Tessen) swept across the Great Plains, into the Great Lakes, and east¬
ward toward the Atlantic. It moved many thousands of waterfowl,
cranes, and, without recorded precedent, massive numbers of
Franklin’s Gulls eastward of typical passage and wintering areas.
Hurricanes’ transportation of birds has been a staple of the
Changing Seasons (Kaufman 1977, DeBenedictis 1986, Lehman
1989, Brinkley 1997, Patten 1998), and strong frontal passages and
reverse-migration events also pepper past columns. But there were
superlatives in 1998 beyond past events.

12

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

The Whooping Crane and the warblers, those bright spots in the
sport of birding, turn out to be parts of much larger patterns —
patterns detected and communicated through networks of birders
across the continent. With this communication accelerating at a
dizzying pace, and the stream of observations shared over the inter¬
net already overwhelming even the most assiduous archivists, the
number of distinctly weather-related bird reports is too great to
digest in the Changing Seasons; and so, as in several past columns,
commentary here is limited to the most extreme events. In the cases
of the tropical cyclones, however, 1 have made some attempt at
broader synopses, along with some contextual notes on the displace¬
ment of certain species by such storms in the past. The desire here is
not simply to refine understanding of weather’s effects for the pur¬
pose of finding “vagrant” species (though this may be one benefit)
but to continue efforts to understand how birds work with various
weather patterns: which systems or conditions are favorable for for¬
aging, migration, and nesting, and which are adverse — and, if
adverse, what specific behaviors of the birds indicate to us that they
have been affected negatively? In the larger view, it is not too soon to
ask: if our own activities have begun to show drastic effects on glob¬
al weather patterns, then how should our conservation strategies for
birdlife anticipate the increasing weather-related losses they may
incur?

AUCUST AND SEPTEMBER'S
HURRICANES AND TROPICAL STORMS

September is traditionally the most active month for Atlantic hurri¬
canes, and this past autumn was not exceptional in that regard. The
14 tropical cyclones this year, however, was once again a high num¬
ber — almost six above the average since 1886 — and 10 of these
became hurricanes. Seven tropical cyclones made landfall in the
United States, more than twice the annual average, with damage esti¬
mated at six and a half billion dollars.

The 1998 Atlantic season was also one of the deadliest in history
and had the strongest October hurricane on record, Mitch , a
Category 5 storm. Tropical cyclones claimed an estimated 11,629
lives in 1998, most of which were related to Hurricane Mitch in
Central America: not since 1780 has an Atlantic hurricane caused so
many deaths. Of the 10 hurricanes in 1998, three were “major” hur¬
ricanes (Category 3, 4, or 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale). This means
that the four-year period of 1995-1998 had a total of 33 hurricanes,
an all-time record for any four- year period. Predictions for 1999 are
for more above-average activity, and, if increases in hurricane activi¬
ty are indeed linked conclusively to atmospheric carbon-dioxide lev¬
els (e.g., Emanuel 1987), then long-term global models may be accu¬
rate in predicting both more frequent and more intense tropical
cyclones in coming years .

The 35-day period from August 19 to September 23 was positive¬
ly furious: 10 named tropical cyclones formed, and on September 25,
four Atlantic hurricanes were on the move at one time— the first
time such has been observed since 1893. Among the noteworthy bird
storms in the year were Bonnie, Charley, Earl , Frances, Georges, and
Mitch. Tropical Storm Hermine crossed into southeastern Louisiana
near Cocodrie September 20, with sustained winds of 40 mph, but it
produced no known avian fallout.

Bonnie developed from a tropical wave over the Atlantic 900 miles
east of the Leeward Islands on August 19 and became a tropical
storm August 20. Late on the 21st, the storm strengthened into a hur¬
ricane 200 miles north-northeast of Hispaniola. Bonnie then
strengthened to its maximum, with winds of 115 mph, late on the
23rd while 175 miles east of the Bahamas, then turned toward the

northwest and the southeastern U. S. coast. As its center neared the
Carolina coast, the storm stalled just off Wilmington, North
Carolina, on August 25-26. The eye of the storm made landfall near
Wilmington as a Category 2 hurricane early on the 27th. While mov¬
ing slowly over eastern North Carolina, Bonnie weakened to a tropi¬
cal storm but restrengthened into a hurricane as it moved into
Virginia waters, where it passed off to the northeast and out to sea.

Charley developed from an area of low pressure in the the south¬
eastern Gulf of Mexico. The system formed into a depression and
strengthened into a tropical storm on August 21 about 275 miles off
the southern Texas coast. Charley reached its peak intensity of 70
mph before moving inland near Port Aransas the following day. After
landfall, a slow-moving circulation aloft persisted in the vicinity of
Del Rio, where flooding rains devastated that area August 23-24.
Though rains were heavy on the coast, Charley apparently lacked the
wind strength to move seabirds any distance inland. Texas editors
Sexton, Lasley, Lockwood, Sekula, and Shackelford report that “the
storm was significant ornithologically for what it didn’t produce:
there was no major passerine fallout from the storm, and there were
essentially no inland pelagic strays.” Nevertheless, Charley did move
a good number of Magnificent Prigatebirds on the coast, and in inte¬
rior areas large numbers of southbound Black Terns and shorebirds
(notably Buff-breasted and Upland sandpipers) were “put down.”

Hurricane Earl developed as a tropical storm over the southwest¬
ern Gulf of Mexico on August 31, becoming a hurricane 150 miles
south-southeast of New Orleans. After briefly attaining windforce of
100 mph, the storm flirted with the Gulf Coast and made landfall
near Panama City, Plorida, on September 3, becoming extratropical
while moving northeastward through Georgia that day.

Frances formed in the Gulf of Mexico 160 miles east of Browns¬
ville on September 8, becoming a tropical storm two days later in its
move to the north and northwest. The storm’s winds strengthened to
65 mph as it moved ashore north of Corpus Christi on September 1 1.
Frances moved northward to the Texas/Oklahoma border where it
dissipated on September 13. Though washed-out roads and other
hazards prevented birders from assessing the storm’s cargo, “a storm
wreck of epic proportion was apparent” nevertheless, with “one of
the most impressive tallies of storm-blown strays in many years,” as
the Texas editors describe it. Magnificent Prigatebirds and Sooty
Terns were present in good numbers at many Texas sites, and at least
14 Sabine’s Gulls were recorded from interior lakes, where other
waifs included Red Phalarope, Pomarine Jaeger, and an array of
coastal terns. Undoubtedly a great many interesting passerine
migrant records in mid- to late September are attributable to Frances
as well.

Georges formed in the far eastern Atlantic from a tropical wave on
September 15, becoming a tropical storm on the 16th. The storm
reached hurricane-strength on the 17th and in the next several days
reached a peak intensity of 155 mph, a Category 4 storm with central
pressure of 937 mb attained on the 20th, 420 miles east of
Guadeloupe. Georges’ landfalls were numerous: the first at Antigua in
the Leeward Islands on the 20th, the next over the U. S. Virgin Islands
and Puerto Rico on the 21st (winds 115 mph), thence to the
Dominican Republic on the 22nd (winds 120 mph). After crossing
the Hispaniolan mountains, Georges again made landfall in eastern
Cuba on the the 23rd with winds of 75 mph, continuing along the
northern coast of Cuba for most of the 24th. Early on the 25th,
Georges moved into the Plorida Straits and reintensified, making
landfall near Key West on the 25th (winds 105 mph). The storm con¬
tinued on a west- northwest to northwest track on subsequent days,
slowing down as it drenched coastal portions of Alabama,

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 1

13

Mississippi, and Louisiana September 27-28 and made a final land¬
fall near Biloxi, Mississippi, on the 28th, with 105-mph winds. The
storm was downgraded to a tropical depression by mid-morning on
the 29th, 35 miles north-northeast of Mobile, Alabama. The remain¬
ing weak circulation center moved off the South Carolina coast on
October 1.

Hurricane Mitch formed in the southwestern Caribbean Sea
from a tropical wave 360 miles south of Kingston, Jamaica, on
October 21, becoming a hurricane three days later. The storm
reached a minimum central pressure of 905 mb (identical to that of
Camille of 1969) about 40 miles southeast of Swan Island on
October 26, the fourth lowest pressure measured in an Atlantic hur¬
ricane in the twentieth century. Winds of 180 mph made Mitch a
strong Category 5 hurricane. The Caribbean island of Guanaja was
first ravaged by the storm on the 27th; on the 29th, Mitch made
landfall about 70 miles east of La Ceiba with 100-mph winds. The
storm moved southward over Honduras and Guatemala and weak¬
ened to a tropical storm on the last days of the month, producing
very heavy rains over portions of Honduras, Nicaragua, and neigh¬
boring countries, where the associated floods killed thousands of
people. By November 4, the center had reemerged over the Gulf of
Mexico and had again become a tropical storm, accelerating along a
frontal boundary in the eastern Gulf. Mitch made a final landfall
near Naples, Florida, on November 5 (winds 60 mph). By mid-after¬
noon of the 5th the storm had moved offshore of southern Florida
and had become extratropical. Both Mitch and Georges were respon¬
sible for a few displaced birds on the North American continent, but
their most significant impact was on the islands of the Caribbean
and, in the case of Mitch , on the adjacent Central American main¬
land. Although several years will pass before the effects of these
storms are understood, even for well-studied environments such as
Puerto Rico’s mountains (see Robert Norton’s West Indies column),
one should not necessarily assume the worst at this point.

Among the waifs of hurricanes, truly pelagic seabirds are typical¬
ly in the minority, and this seems particularly true in years such as
1998, when Gulf Coast strikes outnumber those on the Atlantic
seaboard. Other than in North Carolina and Virginia, very few tube-
noses were noted in concert with 1998’s tropical cyclones. In the his¬
tory of storms that affect the Gulf of Mexico rather than the Atlantic
coast, this is quite the norm and stands to reason, as the Gulf’s
waters hold far fewer tubenoses than do the neritic waters of the
western North Atlantic (see Peake 1996). Band-rumped Storm-
Petrels, noted twice in Texas after Tropical Storm Frances, are an
exception to the rule, as they appear to be relatively common in the
deepwater zones of the Gulf of Mexico. Single Cory’s and Audubon’s
shearwaters and a Masked Booby were found dead in Cameron
Parish, Louisiana, September 16, probably also done in by Frances.
Observers in North Carolina reported moderately large numbers of
dead Cory’s Shearwaters on barrier beaches following Bonnie, but
numbers of tideline corpses following hurricanes’ passage are other¬
wise scarce in the literature, and large-scale mortality is virtually
unknown in such cases in the western North Atlantic (an exception
is found in Auk 16: 247).

Earl and Frances also both displaced many Magnificent Frigate-
birds, particularly into the New Orleans area, whereas Georges
apparently put seven frigatebirds into interior Alabama September
29-30, one into interior Mississippi October 7, and another as far as
Pulaski County, Virginia, October 6. Frigatebirds have a fascinating
history of storm displacement in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.
Many of the 90 or so eastern records north of the Carolinas since
1880 show little obvious association with particular tropical storms,

and their near-regular appearances on the Carolina coasts during
the warm months suggest that they sometimes move northward on
southwesterlies, outside the context of tropical cyclones (Brinkley,
unpubl.; cf. Mlodinow 1999). On the other hand, as birds with
extremely low wingloading, frigatebirds may be all the more sensi¬
tive to displacement and may move (that is, flee) well ahead of the
center of the low pressure (see Lehman 1989 on Gilbert of 1988). A
Magnificent at Chincoteague N.W.R., Virginia, September 20-27
thus may have been an early refugee from Georges, but the bird was
so far from the storm’s center that such an association would be
undemonstrable, in the absence of a larger pattern, such as Gilbert
showed. A paper on the displacement of frigatebirds into Florida’s
interior, interestingly, finds that the average number of frigatebirds
appearing away from the coast differed little between major storms,
minor storms, and more typical weather (McNair, in ms.).

Georges may have been responsible in part for the very unusual
South Polar Skua action on the southeastern U. S. coast this fall. One
on Jekyll Island, Georgia, stayed from at least October 16 through
November 5, and another, in Florida at Fort Clinch October 7-10,
remained here after rehabilitation October 18-25. Later, after Mitch
had moved offshore of southern Florida November 5, another South
Polar frequented Smyrna Dunes Park November 9-17. Inland and
onshore Pomarine Jaegers were widely reported in hurricane-swept
areas, with at least three in Florida very probably moved inland (fol¬
lowing Earl and Georges ), and another at Fort Morgan, Louisiana,
September 12, after Frances. An unidentified jaeger, probably a
Pomarine, was 20 miles inland in Mobile County, Alabama,
September 29, clearly the issue of Georges. Gulls, other than the
ubiquitous Laughing Gulls in the Southeast, are not often noted in
the context of tropical cyclones, and the unprecedented numbers of
Sabine’s Gulls associated with Tropical Storm Frances (14+ Texas
reports) was reminiscent of some of 1996’s storms (Brinkley et al.
1997). Elsewhere in the interior, however, record-high numbers of
Sabine’s were noted at widely separated locations; an increase in
observer effort or a productive breeding season, or both, may be
contributing factors to some of the Texas counts.

Terns are among the most conspicuous and widespread birds dis¬
placed by hurricanes, and though the numbers of terns detected may
not be high, the variety is often very much so. Ten species of tern,
plus Black Skimmer, were found in the southeastern states in the
context of hurricanes, many of them deep into the interior, where
rare. Gull-billed Tern, typically an early migrant, is among the least
common tern species noted in tropical cyclones, especially storms
that strike the northern half of the Atlantic seaboard. Hurricane
Bonnie produced one at Sneads Ferry, North Carolina; Georges push¬
ed another to Hattiesburg, a third for inland Mississippi. Another
early migrant, Least Tern, was noted only early on, during Hurricane
Bonnie, at Goldsboro, North Carolina. Not quite as early a migrant,
Sandwich Tern is nonetheless generally scarce as a storm-waif. One
at Lake Jackson, Florida, September 3, was clearly the work of Earl,
and two at Goldsboro August 27 were undoubtedly put there by
Bonnie. Royal Terns, probably the most numerous tern species
detected as a storm waif, were noted after Georges in interior
Alabama September 30, after Bonnie in interior North Carolina
August 28 (with Forster’s Terns), and interior Florida after Earl. It
should be noted, though, that Royals have a minor history of wan¬
dering well into the continent’s interior without apparent storm-
transportation; two 1998 records in Florida and one at Callaway
Gardens, Georgia, for instance, show no correlation with the year’s
tropical cyclones. Georges may have been the force that brought
Florida’s coastal and inland Brown Noddies to Homestead and

14

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

CHANGING SEASONS

Boynton Inlet, where rare, September 25-26. Inland Black Skimmers
were found in Georgia twice: September 1 1, after Hurricane Earl , and
September 30, after Georges. Another Georges skimmer on September
30 in Henry County was inland Alabama’s fourth, and Florida had
three Earl-birds September 3, one in Leon County and two at Lake
Jackson.

Terns that normally migrate across the continent’s interior are
often widely grounded by decaying tropical systems inland. About 45
Caspian Terns at Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Texas, following Frances
September 13, may well have been grounded interior migrants.
Bonnie felled four Black Terns at Lake Phelps, North Carolina, and 60
Blacks were at the Orangeburg Sod Farms, South Carolina, following
Earl September 4. Of course, these birds may just as easily have been
displaced from the pelagic zones, where Black Terns are common at
this season.

Truly pelagic terns, however, have no presence in the continent’s
interior outside the context of storms. In North America, pelagic
species are limited to Bridled and Sooty terns, and the latter has typ¬
ically outnumbered the former by about 9:1 in the history of storm-
displacement of these two species since 1869 (in 1996, about 15:2; in
1998, 9:2). Preliminary calculations of Bridled Tern’s wingloading
and aspect ratio suggest that Bridled has a higher wingloading than
Sooty (32 as opposed to 24) and similar aspect ratio (10 versus 9.9;
calculations made per Pennycuick 1989; Brinkley unpubl.). This
relationship fits well with comparisons of other species groups in
other families of pelagic birds, such as Procellariidae and Hydrobati-
dae: within most groups, taxa with both relatively lower wing¬
loading and higher aspect ratio values tend to be those that show
greater propensity toward long-distance displacement. These
numerical values, of course, relate to foraging and other strategies:
the highly pelagic aerialist such as Sooty Tern has lighter wing¬
loading as a result of evolution for covering vast expanses of ocean
efficiently, for postnesting dispersal, foraging, colonization, and
other aspects of its natural history.

Hurricane Bonnie produced a Bridled Tern at Goldsboro, North
Carolina, August 27, and four at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
August 28-29; Frances put Bridleds into Cameron Parish, Louisiana
(7 birds) and Calaveras Lake, Texas (2 birds); and Georges-
related Bridleds were singles at Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa Coun¬
ty, Florida, September 28-29 and Henry County, Alabama, Septem¬
ber 30. A minimum of 16 Sooty Terns was found during and after
Frances in Texas, and “many” were seen and found dead after the
same storm in Cameron Parish. An immature September 16 at
Shreveport, Louisiana, was farther-flung. In Florida, Earl downed
Sooty Terns at Newnans Lake and Lake Jackson September 3, but sur¬
prisingly few Sooties occurred on the heels of Georges; an immature
at Pensacola and adults at Fort Walton Beach and Homestead were
the only birds listed. In North Carolina, three Sooties were inland at
Jordan Lake, and, in Virginia, 17 were at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-
Tunnel, during Bonnie.

Finally, in the roster of ruffled feathers, various long-legged
waders and shorebirds were found in unexpected locations, and
some of these “potluck” records strongly suggest storm-transporta¬
tion or grounding. An immature Greater Flamingo at Fort Pierce
September 28 and an adult at St. George Island October 23-24 were
thought to have been displaced by Hurricanes Georges and Mitch. A
recent article on hurricane displacement of flamingoes is much rec¬
ommended (McNair and Gore 1998). Some of the Roseate
Spoonbills noted in augmented numbers in central Texas in Septem¬
ber were believed to have been moved inland by Frances. Shorebirds
turn up in the strangest places after tropical cyclones, and their point

of entrainment in the storm is often difficult to surmise. Bonnie's
cargo in interior North Carolina included inland Black-necked Stilt,
Long-billed Curlew, Marbled and Hudsonian godwits, and Red¬
necked Phalarope. Texas editors also comments on the effect of
Frances on migrant passerines, surely an underinvestigated phenom¬
enon.

Of particular interest, too, are the behaviors of the various seabirds
displaced by such storms, in particular their flight behaviors during
and following entrainment. As for Bertha and other storms in 1996,
birders active after Bonnie and later tropical cyclones logged a wealth
of observations of seabirds moving along with these intense systems.

In North Carolina, for example, it was apparent that tubenoses
displaced into the sounds west of the barrier islands (the Outer
Banks) were sufficiently disoriented or weakened by slow-moving
Bonnie that some shearwaters and storm-petrels were still present a
week after the storm’s passage, when Tropical Storm Earls winds
grazed the Carolinas. In most cases, observations of tubenoses in the
sounds were made possible by windward shorelines or bridges, espe¬
cially bridges oriented roughly perpendicular to the wind direction.
In hurricanes that strike the Atlantic coast, the wind often shifts from
northeast (prior to passage) to southwest (after passage), so that
bridges or shorelines running east-west appear to be most productive.

In the case of Bonnie, on August 27, the Highway 264 bridge at
Manteo (which runs east-west over the Croatan Sound) “corralled”
a single Cory’s Shearwater, two Black-capped Petrels, a dark-morph
gadfly petrel (presumably a Herald [Trinidade] Petrel), two Band-
rumped Storm-Petrels, and one small black-and-white shearwater
(Manx or Audubon’s). The flight behavior of all these tubenoses
trapped in the waters on the south side of the bridge was identical: all
flew upwind and away from the bridge, in a southwesterly direction,
into a south-southwest wind of 20-25 knots. Gradually, the wind
moved them northward, closer to the bridge (“backwards,” inasmuch
as their orientation was southwestward), and when within several
hundred meters of the bridge, the birds became more active in flight,
moving upwind more rapidly, often in powered flight rather than
dynamic arcs, and then repeating the process, “slipping” slowly back¬
ward toward the bridge.

A week later, on September 4, observers noted that wind from the
northwest, following Earl , concentrated a handful of Cory’s and
Greater shearwaters on north side of the Daniels and Baum bridges,
east-west structures that cross the Roanoke Sound east of Manteo.
These birds had clearly been deposited by Bonnie, as offshore charter
fishermen reported seeing numbers of storm-petrels and shearwaters
in the sounds during the week of August 28 through September 3.
These shearwaters’ behavior was similar to that of the birds in the
Croatan Sound, though they frequently alit on the water, drifted clos¬
er to the bridges, then flew upwind, away from the bridges (repeating
the process later). By contrast, the Currituck Sound bridge, a much
larger structure, had concentrated only a single seabird, a Pomarine
Jaeger, on August 27. This bridge runs north-south. Curiously, only
one Bridled and three Sooty terns were seen in association with
Bonnie in interior North Carolina.

After slowly crossing eastern North Carolina over the night of
August 27, Bonnie moved off the coast of northeastern North Caro¬
lina and southeastern Virginia, where it restrengthened to a hurri¬
cane. After its passage just east of the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, with
onshore gusts of up to 90 knots, observers at the Chesapeake Bay
Bridge-Tunnel (which runs north-south for 17 miles across the
mouth of Chesapeake Bay) on August 28 noted similar flight behav¬
ior in tubenoses and tropical terns. Rather few tubenoses were seen
(as expected with hurricanes that pass to the east of the coast) but

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 1

15

Figure 1 . A surface map showing isobars for the low-pressure
area (here off the New England coast, October 10) that drew
thousands of migrant passerines from southern climes,
presumably from around Florida, northward over the ocean
to southwestern Nova Scotia and Cape Cod. National Climactic
Data Center, Asheville, North Carolina.

quite a few dark-backed Sterna were in evidence. Of those tubenoses
seen — singles of Cory’s Shearwater, Black-capped Petrel, Band-
rumped Storm-Petrel, along with several unidentified storm-
petrels — all but the Band-rumped Storm-Petrel were flying into the
35- to 45-knot northwest wind (thus oriented roughly toward the
bridge-tunnel), but in this case, moving off in a northeasterly direc¬
tion. This cross-wind movement was most interesting in context of
the birds’ physical orientation upwind: the birds were not, as in
North Carolina, hemmed in by the bridge (they were not on its wind¬
ward side) but rather were slightly in the lee of the structure, orient¬
ed a bit north of northwest, and so traveling gradually offshore with
the wind, though decidedly not downwind. Of great interest, too, was
the observation that 17 Sooty and four Bridled terns were mostly
employing the same sorts of locomotion as the tubenoses, the Sooties
in particular.

It will take many more observations of this sort before specula¬
tion about these behaviors can become hypotheses, but in light of the
recent work by Larry Spear and David Ainley on seabirds’ flight
behaviors (see Spear and Ainley 1997a, 1997b), particularly their
observation that tubenoses for the most part tend to fly upwind more
routinely than downwind, we may be another step closer to under¬
standing how and why certain seabirds “wreck” during tropical
cyclones and what behaviors they show in coping with this
displacement.

Figure 2. A surface map showing the tightly-packed isobars
of the “Great Storm,” the low-pressure cell that moved thousands
of cranes, geese, and Franklin’s Gulls well east of typical passage
corridors (here November 10). National Climactic Data Center,
Asheville, North Carolina.

THE OCTOBER FALLOUT IN NOVA SCOTIA

What Bruce Mactavish calls the “most astonishing fallout of autumn
passerines ever witnessed in the Region” occurred in the far south¬
western corner of Nova Scotia beginning October 11. Three days
before, a cold front had reached the Atlantic coast and stalled from
Cape Cod to northern Florida. Forecasters often call such a system a
“Carolinas front,” as influence is felt in areas to the north and the
south of the mid-Atlantic areas. The front then pushed offshore over
the night of October 9-10, and birders up and down the eastern
seaboard anticipated good numbers of migrants, as are typically
found in coastal hotspots after a night of north and northwesterly
winds. If the structure of this front was not particularly uncommon,
its timing and movement must surely have been (see McLaren 1981).
Positioned in a shallow trough, the counterclockwise flow of a low-
pressure area, its slow-moving center just off New England coast
(Figure 1), ensured that northern and northwesterly winds indeed
prevailed along the coast and offshore that night, triggering strong
migration along the entire seaboard. At its periphery offshore, how¬
ever, a strong southwesterly flow prevailed, so that birds overshoot¬
ing the coastline at night, or birds bound for off-continent wintering
grounds, found themselves in unfavorable winds. Such birds then
engage in “reverse migration,” moving downwind presumably in an
effort to save valuable energy resources that would be quickly
exhausted in attempts to fly into a headwind.

What must have happened, according to Ian McLaren and Blake
Maybank, is that these reverse migrants, moving to the northeast
over the Atlantic through the day on October 10, would have
encountered deteriorating conditions as they approached the center
of the low that evening. With the prevailing easterly and southeaster¬
ly winds off Nova Scotia (and to a lesser extent Cape Cod) of the fol¬
lowing morning, the surviving birds would have made landfall at the
first possible opportunity. On Cape Sable Island, Shelburne County,
Nova Scotia, the birds began raining down on the island at about 3
pm. Here warblers and other migrants were seen coming in off the
ocean on the heels of a southeast wind with rain, at about the same
time. Bird banders on Bon Portage Island and Seal Island saw the

16

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

CHANGING SEASONS

Figure 3. Records and reports of Franklin’s Gulls following the “Great Storm”
of November 9-11, 1998. The greatest fallout of gulls was detected between
the Upper and Lower Great Lakes, south and southwest of Lake Michigan,
and on the coast of New Jersey.

same phenomenon, in miniature. One imagines
with difficulty the adrenaline-soaked astonish¬
ment of local birders tallying totals such as 700
Indigo Buntings, 120 Blue Grosbeaks, a Black¬
billed and 14 Yellow-billed cuckoos, 95 White¬
eyed, 20 Blue-headed, 32 Yellow-throated, four
Warbling, six Philadelphia, and 925 Red-eyed
vireos, one Western, eight Summer, and 100
Scarlet tanagers, or the hordes of warblers
(almost 3000 warblers of 34 species). Most of
the birds were gone within a week.

McLaren and Maybank attempted to corre¬
late estimated relative abundances of the
migrants seen in Nova Scotia with long-term
records of tower kills of nocturnal migrants in
northwestern Florida (where, it seems plausible,
the bulk of Nova Scotia’s fallout may have origi¬
nated). They found that some proportions of
birds in Nova Scotia were roughly suggestive of
a Florida origin, especially the eight most abun¬
dant species: Red-eyed Vireo, Northern Parula,

Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart,

Common Yellowthroat, Scarlet Tanager, Blue
Grosbeak, and Indigo Bunting — all species
largely absent from eastern North America
north of Florida at this time of year and all
species with high or highest mortalities in the
tower-kill data from the first third of October.

Statistically speaking, though, some of these
more abundant species in Nova Scotia were pre¬
sent in numbers much higher than the data
from Florida would have predicted (American
Redstart, Common Yellowthroat, Scarlet
Tanager, Blue Grosbeak, and Indigo Bunting) and likewise the pro¬
portions of other less numerous species were either too high (Hermit
Thrush, Black-throated Blue and Black-throated Green warblers) or
too low (Gray Catbird, Palm Warbler, House, Marsh, and Sedge
wrens, Brown Thrasher, Wood, Gray-cheeked/Bicknell’s and
Swainson’s thrushes, Nashville Warbler) to fit the data from Florida’s
tower-kills precisely. Adjusting the statistics with variables such as
median wing-span and migration distance (possible indices of har¬
diness for migration over open ocean) apparently did not affect these
discrepancies.

McLaren puts the question: “Are wrens, thrushes, and mimids
low-altitude migrants, particularly loathe to fly over water?” Certain¬
ly, the altitude of migratory flight and the readiness to fly over water
would be possible variables that could explain the discrepancies
between tower-kills (which probably over-represent proportions of
low-altitude migrants) and the fallout’s birds. The degree of difficul¬
ty in detection of less (or more) conspicuous species in certain ter¬
rains can also prove decisive when comparing data sets such as these.
The possibility exists, too, that migrants from many different sites on
the southeastern U. S. coast (not just Florida) were caught up and
entrained by the low. The behaviors of terrestrial species that become
entrained in storms over the ocean make for instructive comparison
to those of pelagic seabirds displaced into equally dangerous terres¬
trial environments: in both cases, the birds’ efforts appear to be to
minimize the energy expended in entrainment (if not always the dis¬
tance travelled during entrainment) and to minimize the time spent
in the hostile environment. As one would expect, flight behaviors to
achieve these goals appear to vary widely among groups of birds.

THE "GREAT STORM" OF NOVEMBER

Though at least one frontal passage October 3-5 moved enormous
numbers of Snow Geese well east of their usual passages (with at least
10,000 birds in New Brunswick), it was the “Great Storm” of Novem¬
ber 9-11 that was responsible for enormous displacements of geese,
cranes, gulls, and other late migrants from the Great Lakes to the
mid-Atlantic beaches and beyond. With winds of 50 to 70 mph, (and
gusts of 90 to 100 mph) and the lowest barometric pressure on
record for the Midwest, this storm was one of the strongest of the
twentieth century for the midcontinent — in a corridor that regularly
sees powerful low-pressure systems (Figure 2). After moving across
the Great Plains, the system moved northeastward over Lake Superi¬
or, and the states from Iowa to Indiana had screaming westerlies that
shifted northwest, while on Lake Michigan, southerly winds gradual¬
ly shifted to the west. Veteran observer Dinsmore noted that the
storm “produced one of the greatest mass migrations of waterfowl
and arguably the largest migration of Sandhill Cranes recorded in
Iowa this century.”

The Franklin’s Gull flight was without precedent for most states
and provinces that recorded its progress (Figure 3). By the second
week of October, large flocks (counts up to 60,000) had been staging
in Iowa, the raw material for the displacement that would occur a
month later in states and provinces east of the Mississippi River. The
greatest numbers were found along a southwest/northeast axis from
Illinois and Wisconsin through Michigan to Ontario, in other words,
to the south of Lakes Superior, Huron, and Michigan (and for the
most part north of, or along the northern shores of, Lakes Erie and
Ontario). In Michigan and Wisconsin, probably more than 3000

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 1

17

AUTUMN RECORDS OF FRANKLIN’S GULL

IN ONTARIO

FOLLOWING THE “GREAT STORM”

NUMBER

LOCATION

DATES

1

Kingsville

November 1 1

1-63

Point Pelee

November 11-19

1

Cobourg

November 1 1-14

4

Presqui’le

November 1 1

1-27

Kettle Point

November 1 1-12

10

s. shore Lake Ontario,
n. shore ofLake Erie,

Niagara Frontier

November 11-12

1

Pickering

November 12

4

Humber Bay

November 12

3

Long Point

November 12

1

Oshawa

November 13

5

Owen Sound

November 14

3

Wolfe Island

November 14

1-10

Fanshawe Reservoir, London

November 13-21

19

Pittock Reservoir, Woodstock

November 18

10

Wiarton

November 18-19

6

Laurel Creek Reservoir, Waterloo

November 1 9

18-62

n. central Elgin County,
se. Middlesex County

November 19-25

2

Port Perry (inland)

November 19

30+

Rondeau

November 19+

6-10

Oliphant (Lake Huron)

November 19-20

2

Van Wagner’s Beach (Lake Ontario)

November 1 9

5

Toronto

November 1 9

2

PortTyerse (Lake Erie)

November 1 9

3

Kincardine (Lake Huron)

November 1 9

3

Tavistock Sewage Ponds

November 19

2

Minesing Flood Plain

November 20+

4

Port Standley/Lake Erie

November 20+

6

fields n. oflngersoll

November 20+

4

Wildwood Reservoir, St. Marys

November 20+

were detected, largely along the shores of Lake Michigan, but large
flocks could be found inland for several days after the storm’s pas¬
sage. As many as several thousand were also found in interior Illinois,
and 477 passed Miller Beach, Indiana, in only an hour and a half on
November 12! As the winds died down, there was apparently some
movement of birds into southern Indiana, according to editor Ken
Brock. To the northeast, in Ontario, where well over 300 birds were
recorded, the greatest concentrations were apparently in Middlesex,
Elgin, and Oxford counties.

Where the birds went following their eastward displacement is
difficult to discover. Some birds surely moved south, as noted in
downstate Indiana, and records such as those of 10 Franklin’s Gulls
at Lake Robinson, South Carolina (northwest of Hartsville), Novem¬
ber 25 suggest that large numbers may have passed undetected in
reservoirs east of the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains. Editors
Paxton, Burgiel, and Cutler track the movement of small numbers
along the Delaware River and Lake Ontario shoreline (where the
sight of four adult Franklin’s Gulls at Irondequoit Bay was extraordi¬
nary) and truly astonishing numbers along the Atlantic coast of New
Jersey, where the Avalon seawatch noted at least 42 birds November
14-15, with similar numbers estimated at nearby Cape May on the
14th (where only a dozen single Franklin’s had ever been recorded
previously!). The concentration of birds on the Jersey shore may not
simply be an artifact of greater observer effort (as at the seawatch, or
at Cape May Point): observers in New England and coastal Virginia
had been alerted to the phenomenon over the internet and made
daily, diligent efforts to find Franklin’s Gulls, for the most part with¬
out success. New Jersey’s position to the southeast of the storm may
have been ideal for the concentrations of gulls here — though why

and how the entrained birds would have ended up here is not imme¬
diately obvious.

Not surprisingly, some birds lingered into December at the south¬
ern extremes of the movement (at Cape May and near Cape Charles),
but small numbers persisted into December even in Ontario (last
birds being singles on December 1 in north-central Elgin County
and December 5 at Turkey Point) and Michigan and Wisconsin.
Florida saw above-average numbers of Franklin’s Gulls in late
November, involving some 14 birds in the last ten days of the month,
and some of these were surely part of the eastward displacement.

Small numbers of Black-legged Kittiwakes and Sabine’s Gulls
were also noted in the context of this storm, but cranes were far more
conspicuous, at least in the Midwest. Counts of Sandhill Cranes went
through the roof, with between 2000 and 7000 birds moving south in
Wisconsin, about 540 at Hitchcock Wildlife Management Area in
Iowa, and 100 in Clay County, Missouri. Whooping Cranes were seen
twice in Iowa and once in Illinois, all on November 11, with a single
flyover at Illinois Beach State Park providing the Illinois’s first firm
record since 1958. On the same day, Iowa hunters saw a flock of seven
to eight birds in Brenner County, and a single bird came to rest
among Snow Goose decoys in Polk County!

Greater White-fronted Geese set records in the Southern Atlantic
Coast region (where editor Ricky Davis noted “a major easterly shift
in their migration”), as well as in Pennsylvania, Appalachian and
interior Ohio, the Indiana lakeshore, western Florida, Mississippi,
and Alabama. Snow Geese, along with small numbers of Ross’s
Geese, were also noted in greater numbers in often untraditional
locations following the Great Storm; to what degree these augment¬
ed numbers reflect population increases in this case is unknown, but
November 1 1-13 saw great Snow Goose flights in the six states of the
Middlewestern Prairie region and in Louisiana and western Florida.
Following the Storm, a strong count of 2300 Ross’s Geese was made
in Colorado County, Texas, and “unprecedented” numbers of Ross’s
were found in Quebec (a flock of seven) and in all the states of the
Middlewestern Prairie region. Perhaps connected to the weather
event, Wisconsin and Michigan both recorded “unusually large num¬
bers” of Richardson’s Canada Goose (hutchinsii). Many locations
across the border states and provinces reported very high counts of
Tundra Swan during and after the Storm. A Wisconsin group of 8000
to 10,000 along the Mississippi River south of LaCrosse was impres¬
sive and equally so flocks of 10 and 14 in Quebec, 14 in Vermont, and
16 and 28 in central and southern Massachusetts. Few editors, per¬
haps surprisingly, mentioned large concentrations of ducks displaced
eastward by the storm. An Oldsquaw concentration at Point Beach,
Iowa, of some 30,000 to 40,000 birds was most definitely scattered by
the Storm, but to what parts is unknown.

WHITHER LA MIMA?

El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has received much attention in
recent Changing Seasons columns (Price 1997, Patten 1998), partic¬
ularly for the recent powerful El Nino event, which began in the mid¬
dle of 1997 (Kaufman 1997, 1998) and had begun to abate by the
spring of 1998 (Warner 1998). By autumn 1998 the phenomenon had
given way decisively to a so-called La Nina event, in which colder-
than-normal waters move into the areas previously warmed. In sharp
contrast to 1997, La Nina’s associated weather patterns in 1998
encouraged, or at least did not hinder, the formation of strong trop¬
ical cyclones in the southern North Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.

Other than this relationship, though, it is difficult to say what
effects La Nina has had in the past year: perhaps because cooler waters
are a bit closer to the “norm” on the North American west coast, the

18

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

CHANGING SEASONS

effects of La Nina on birdlife are especially difficult to countenance in
this informal forum. Certainly, the season lacked the incursion of
large numbers of commoner warm-water seabird species well north
of typical range (or lingering there late into the season): species such
as Brown Pelican and Heermann’s Gulls, for instance, did not make
headlines. The heavy rains of the previous fall were for the most part
absent, and thus Guy McCaskie writes in the Southern Pacific Region
that migrants were able to pass through southern California without
being grounded. On the other hand, eastern-central California did
have at least one major low-pressure system in late September and
early October that appeared to move migrants strongly toward the
coast and offshore islands, whereas Seattle (following a very dry early
autumn) recorded its rainiest November ever. The autumn and early
winter were mild, and the winter would continue to be so, very much
as in the previous winter, whose warmth was, in most media, tied to
the presence of a strong El Nino.

In fact, despite the changeover to La Nina, regional editors in the
Middle Pacific Coast and British Columbia write of the lingering
effects of El Nino, and editor Norton of the West Indies region invites
readers to consider the effects of El Nino for the tropical Atlantic (see
that column for a relevant website reference). Writing for central and
northern California, editors Roberson, Singer, Terrill, and Rotten-
born hypothesize that both “El Nino/Southern Oscillation and more
long-term oceanic warming in the eastern Pacific maybe at least par¬
tially responsible for [the] rash of ultra-rarities” in California’s ocean
waters in recent years (see the cover of this issue). They continue:
“Overall oceanic food availability decreases dramatically during
warm-water years, resulting in birds dispersing much more widely
than normal. Food may become relatively restricted to localized
nearshore patches, and wandering birds may find and frequent these
patches.” Indeed, as several observers in California have noted, it is
not the initial strong El Nino warming that produces the high counts
of warm-water pelagic birds off that state but rather the subsequent
year. Counts of Least Storm-Petrel and Xantus’s and Craveris’ mur-
relets appear to bear out this contention.

The impact of the oscillation on bird populations is difficult to
assess in the absence of comparable data sets from past decades, as
with all global climactic phenomena. As we await results of long¬
term monitoring projects, though, it will be profitable to stay abreast
of the big picture: to this end. Daphne Gemmill of the National
Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration has assembled a
bibliography of papers in the biological sciences relevant to ENSO’s
potential effects on birdlife. Many of these make fascinating, dis¬
turbing reading.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Many thanks to Ian McLaren (NS), Blake Maybank (NS), Brian Patteson
(NC), Debra L. Shearwater (CA), and Douglas McNair (FL) for sharing field
notes, commentary, and draft articles on specific weather events and phe¬
nomena considered in this seasonal summary.

LITERATURE CITED

Brinkley, E. S. 1997. The changing seasons: The fall migration 1996.

National Audubon Society Field Notes 51: 8-15.

- , J. Lockyer, and T. Hass. 1997. The Storms of ‘96: Birds and Atlantic

tropical cyclones in an active year. Part 1. Field Notes 52: 819-829.
DeBenedictis, P. A. 1986. The changing seasons: A hurricane fall. American

Birds 40: 75-82.

Emanuel, K. A. 1987. The dependence of hurricane intensity on climate.

Nature 326: 483-485.

Kaufman, K. 1977. The changing seasons: An intimate look at Kathleen and

other avian phenomena of 1976. American Birds 31: 142-152.

- . 1997. The changing seasons: The nesting season, June 1— July 31,

1997. Field Notes 51: 960-963.

- . 1998. The changing seasons: Winter season, December 1, 1997-

February 28, 1998. Field Notes 52: 158-159.

Lehman, P. E. 1989. The changing seasons. American Birds 43: 50-54.
McLaren, I. A. 1981. The incidence of vagrant landbirds on Nova Scotian
islands. Auk 98: 243-257.

McNair, D. B. in ms. Assessment of inland occurrences of Magnificent
Frigatebirds in Florida: the influence of storms, forthcoming, Florida
Field Naturalist.

McNair, D. B., and J. A. Gore. 1998. Assessment of occurrences of flamingos
in northwest Florida, including a recent record of the Greater Flamingo
(Phoenicopterus ruber). Florida Field Naturalist 26: 40—43.

Mlodinow, S. G. 1998. The Magnificent Frigatebird in western North
America. Field Notes 52: 413—419.

Patten, M. A. 1998. The changing seasons: Nora, El Nino, and strays from far
afield. Field Notes 52: 14-18.

Peake, D. E. 1996. Bird Surveys. In: Distribution and Abundance of Cetaceans
in the North-central and Western Gulf of Mexico: Final Report. Vol. 2:
Technical report. OCS Study MMS 96-0027. R. W. Davis and G. S.
Fargion, eds. US Department of Interior, Minerals Management Service,
New Orleans.

Pennycuick, C. J. 1989. Bird Flight Performance: A Practical Calculation
Manual. Oxford University Press. Oxford.

Price, J. 1997. The changing seasons: Spring migration, March 1-May 31,

1997. Field Notes 51: 832-835.

Spear, L. B. and D. G. Ainley. 1997a. Flight behaviour of seabirds in relation
to wind direction and wing morphology. Ibis 139: 221-233.

- . 1997b. Flight speed of seabirds in relation to wind speed and direc¬
tion. Ibis 139: 234-251.

Warner, N. 1998. The changing seasons: Spring migration, March 1-May 31,

1998. Field Notes 52: 292-295.

to restore

:es more

continue

notion'

nreatened lands and waters
>tect and restore our licnta^e

AMERICAN LAND

CONSERVANCY

A non-profit organization
456 Montgomery Street, Suite 1450
San Francisco, C A 94104

Call us at 415.403.3850
or visit us at www.alcnet.org — learn how you can help.

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 1

19

Birders’

Exchange

We’ll breathe new life
into your old optics,
other birding equipment,
and books!
Cooperating with
Manomet Center
for Conservation Sciences,
ABA is gathering
used birding equipment
that Manomet matches
with requirements
of those doing bird
conservation research
in Latin America
and the Caribbean.
You can help by donating
your used equipment,
funds, or by acting
as a courier.

♦

Contact
Paul Green

(800/850-2473) at ABA
if you would like to help
or need more information.

BINOCULARS AND SPOTTING SCOPES

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20

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

ABA-SPONSORED BIDDING TOURS

If you are interested in an ABA-sponsored tour listed here, please contact the tour company directly
for information AND reservations. IDENTIFY YOURSELF AS AN ABA MEMBER. ABA sponsors these tours
because many factors suggest a particularly fine birding experience and because the tour operators
have agreed to return to ABA a percentage of the tour’s cost for participating ABA members.

United States and Canada
ABA AREA

MONTANA, IDAHO, and YELLOWSTONE

Includes World Center for Birds of Prey, Snake
River Canyon, McCall, Pocatello area. Market
Lake WMA, Yellowstone NP, Beartooth Country,
and Craters of the Moon NM. Expect Red-
naped Sapsucker, Trumpeter Swan, and Black
Rosy-Finch. Three-toed Woodpecker and Pine
Grosbeak possible. Leader Ed Harper.

June 10-19, 1999. Code R*

Contact: Ed Harper, Sandpiper lourneys,
4855 Cameron Ranch Drive, Sacramento, CA
95841-4315.(916) 971-3311;.
weh_sms@pacbell.net

Africa

ZIMBABWE AND BOTSWANA

Birding safari through the wildlands of south¬
ern Africa; Save Conservancy and Gonarezhou
National Park in Zimbabwe’s Lowveld, the
mountain forest at Chirinda, miombo wood¬
land near Harare, and Victoria Falls. Tented
safari from Chobe in Savuti and Moremi in
Botswana. High standard of accommodation.
Led by Derek Solomon and Chuck Bell.
September 24-October 14, 1999. Code A*

Contact: Bellbird Safaris, Inc. P.O.B. 158,
Livermore, CO 80536; (800) 726-0656;
fax (970) 498-9766; bellbird@jymis.com

Caribbean, Mexico,

C. and S. America

GALAPAGOS, ECUADOR’S ANDES,

AND AMAZON BASIN

Travel to Galapagos on any of 60 trip dates and
see most endemics as well as huge seabird
breeding colonies. Options include Amazon
Basin, Machu Picchu, and Ecuador’s Andes.

Codes R* (Galipagos): A* (Extension)

Contact- Elizabeth Omski, Inca Floats, 1311-
ABA 63rd Street, Emeryville, CA 94608;

(510) 420-1550; fax (510) 420-0947;
incafloats@aol.com

COSTA RICA

Monteverde Institute. Tropical bird ecology for
birders.Birding at Brauillo Carillo N.P., La Selva,
Carara Biological Preserve, Tarcoles River,
Monteverde San Gerardo Biological Station, and

Cerro de la Muerte. Lectures by renowned
scientists and local experts covering habitat
conservation, tropical bird families, neotropical
migrants, altitudal migration, breeding behav¬
ior, territoriality, diversity, and Green Macaw
conservation. Limited to 15 participants.

Leader Christine Hansen.

August 24-September 6, 1999. Code R/A*

Contact: Anna Grimmett at ABA,

P.O. Box 6599, Colorado Springs, CO 80934;
(800)850-2473

COSTA RICA/PANAMA

Voyage aboard the Yorktown Clipper including
Curu Wildlife Refuge, Marenco Biological
Station, Darien Jungle, Panama Canal, plus two
days of land birding from San Jose for ABA
members only. ABA escort Henry Turner.
November 30-December 8, 1999. Code
GB/OB**

Contact' Keri Flowers, Clipper Cruise Line,
7711 Benhomme Ave., St. Louis, MO
63105-1956; (800) 325-0010, ext. 174

MEXICO

Sonora: Sierra Madre for Lilac-crowned Parrot;
Mountain Trogon, Black-throated Magpie-Jay,
Purplish-backed Jay, Happy Wren. Led by
Forrest Davis. September 18-25, 1999. Code
R/A*

Contact Forrest Davis at High Lonesome
Ecotours, 570 S. Little Bear Trail,

Sierra Vista, A Z 85635; (520) 458-9446;
hilone@hilonesome.com

Sonora: Sea of Cortez, Sierra Madre, and
Colonial Alamos. Expect 250+ species includ¬
ing Red-billed Tropicbird, Blue-footed Booby,
Lilac-crowned Parrot, Purplish-backed Jay,
Happy Wren, White-striped Woodcreeper,
Black-throated Magpie-Jay. Led by Forrest
Davis. October 5-16, 1999. Code R/A *

Contact Forrest Davis at High Lonesome
Ecotours, 570 S. Little Bear Trail,

Sierra Vista, AZ 85635; (520) 458-9446;
hilone@hilonesome.com

ARGENTINA

Four major regions, including Tropical Lowland
Rainforest, Pampas, Patagonia, and Tierra del
Fuego. 360 species possible. Leader Michael
Carmody. September 19-October 2, 1999.
Code A*

Contact Susan Carmody, Legacy Tours,

P.O. Box 12540, Olympia, WA 98508;

Tollfree phone/fax (888) 754-6186

BRAZIL

Amazon, Pantanal, Gerrado, and Iguassu Falls.
Harpy Eagle probable. Expect 350-500 species.
Leader Miguel Castelino.

September 15-October 3, 1999. Code R/A*

Contact Contact Doug Trent, Focus Tours
Inc., 103 Moya Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505;
(505) 466-4688

Hawaii, South Pacific,
and Australasia

HAWAII AND MIDWAY ISLAND

Complete coverage of endemic and introduced
species on all major Hawaiian Islands plus an
extension to recently opened Midway Island.
Leader Doug Pratt, author of Birds of Hawaii
and the Tropical Pacific. October 18-November
7, 1999. Code A*

Contact Dave Blanton, Voyagers, P.O. Box
915, Ithaca, NY 14851. (800) 633-0299;
vicki@voyagers.com

NEW ZEALAND

North, South, and Stewart Islands, plus three
offshore trips for coastal and pelagic species.
Expect more than 50 endemics in this land of
unique and endangered avifauna. Comfortable
accommodations. Led by Tony and Ken Wilson.
October 31-November 18, 1999. Code A*
Contact Bellbird Safaris, Inc. P.O.B. 158,
Livermore, CO 80536; (800) 726-0656;
fax (970) 498-9766; bellbird@jymis.com

EUROPE

CANARY ISLANDS

Four- to seven-day tours, including pelagics and
owling. Target species include Eleanora’s and
Barbary Falcons, Hubara Bustard, and White¬
faced Storm-petrel. Nine endemic species plus
twelve endemic sub-species. Led by Eduardo
Garcia del Rey. Code A/I

Contact Eduardo Garcia del Rey, Aves
Ecotours, c/Fdo. Barajas Vilchez 9, 38004 s/c
de Tenerife, Spain 01 1-34-922-27-99-58;
fax 01 1-34-922-22-16-69;
avescot@redkbs.com

*Tour Codes and **Cruise Codes:
are abbreviations for the following:

R = Relaxed
A = Advanced
I = Intensive
GB = General Birding
0B = Optimal Birding

VOLUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 1

21

birding ethics

PRINCIPLES OF BIRDING ETHICS

Everyone who enjoys birds and birding
must always respect wildlife, its environ¬
ment, and the rights of others. In any
conflict of interest between birds and
birders, the welfare of the birds and their
environment comes first.

CODE OF BIRDING ETHICS

I . Promote the welfare of birds and
their environment.

I a. Support the protection of impor¬
tant bird habitat,
lb. • To avoid stressing birds or
exposing them to danger, exer¬
cise restraint and caution during
observation, photography, sound
recording, or filming.

• Limit the use of recordings and
other methods of attracting
birds, and never use such meth¬
ods in heavily birded areas or for
attracting any species that is
Threatened, Endangered, or of
Special Concern, or is rare in
your local area.

• Keep well back from nests and
nesting colonies, roosts, display
areas, and important feeding
sites. In such sensitive areas, if
there is a need for extended
observation, photography, filming,
or recording, try to use a blind
or hide, and take advantage of
natural cover.

• Use artificial light sparingly for
filming or photography, especially
for close-ups.

I c. Before advertising the presence
of a rare bird, evaluate the poten¬
tial for disturbance to the bird, its
surroundings, and other people in
the area, and proceed only if
access can be controlled, distur¬
bance can be minimized, and per¬
mission has been obtained from
private land-owners. The sites of
rare nesting birds should be
divulged only to the proper con¬
servation authorities.

I d. Stay on roads, trails, and paths
where they exist; otherwise keep
habitat disturbance to a minimum.

2. Respect the law and the rights
of others.

2a. Do not enter private property
without the owner's explicit per¬
mission.

2b. Follow all laws, rules, and regula¬
tions governing use of roads and
public areas, both at home and
abroad.

2c. Practice common courtesy in
contacts with other people. Your
exemplary behavior will generate
goodwill with birders and non¬
birders alike.

3. Ensure that feeders, nest struc¬
tures, and other artificial bird
environments are safe.

3a. Keep dispensers, water, and food
clean and free of decay or dis¬
ease. It is important to feed birds
continually during harsh weather.
3b. Maintain and clean nest structures
regularly.

3c. If you are attracting birds to an
area, ensure the birds are not
exposed to predation from cats
and other domestic animals, or
dangers posed by artificial haz¬
ards.

4. Group birding, whether organized
or impromptu, requires special
care. Each individual in the group,
in addition to the obligations
spelled out in Items #1 and #2,
has responsibilities as a Group
Member.

4a. Respect the interests, rights, and
skills of fellow birders, as well as
those of people participating in
other legitimate outdoor activi¬
ties. Freely share your knowledge
and experience, except where
code I (c) applies. Be especially
helpful to beginning birders.

4.b. If you witness unethical birding
behavior, assess the situation and
intervene if you think it prudent.
When interceding, inform the
person(s) of the inappropriate

action and attempt, within reason,
to have it stopped. If the behav¬
ior continues, document it and
notify appropriate individuals or
organizations.

Group Leader
Responsibilities
[amateur and professional
trips and tours].

4c. Be an exemplary ethical role
model for the group. Teach
through word and example.

4d. Keep groups to a size that limits
impact on the environment and
does not interfere with others
using the same area.

4e. Ensure everyone in the group
knows of and practices this code.

4f. Learn and inform the group of
any special circumstances applica¬
ble to the areas being visited (e.g.,
no tape recorders allowed).

4g. Acknowledge that professional
tour companies bear a special
responsibility to place the welfare
of birds and the benefits of public
knowledge ahead of the compa¬
ny's commercial interests. Ideally,
leaders should keep track of tour
sightings, document unusual
occurrences, and submit records
to appropriate organizations.

Please follow this code — distribute it
and teach it to others.

Additional copies of the Code of Birding
Ethics can be obtained from: ABA, PO
Box 6599, Colorado Springs, CO 80934-
6599, (800) 850-2473 or (719) 578-1614;
fax: (800) 247-3329 or (719) 578-1480; e-
mail: member@aba.org

This ABA Code of Birding Ethics may be
reprinted, reproduced, and distributed
without restriction. Please acknowledge
the role of ABA in developing and
promoting this code.

22

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

how to read
the regional
reports

Birds have no respect for range maps.

Bird distribution in North America is
constantly changing, as birds expand their
ranges into new areas, disappear from for¬
mer strongholds, or alter their patterns of
migration.

Our knowledge of bird distribution is
also changing constantly, as discoveries
continue to come in. Keeping up with all
these developments is a challenge for orni¬
thologists, conservationists, and birders.

The Regional Reports, published four
times a year, contain a wealth of informa¬
tion about North America’s dynamic bird-
life. When seeing the reports for the first
time, they might appear difficult or techni¬
cal, but they are not; anyone with any bird-
ing experience will find the reports easy to
understand. We invite you to read the
report from your area of the continent; we
predict that the information there will alter¬
nately surprise you and confirm your ideas
about birdlife in your region. To help you
get started, here are answers to some ques¬
tions that may occur to first-time readers.

WHAT KIND OF INFORMATION
IS INCLUDED? DO THE REGIONAL
EDITORS JUST REPORT EVERY¬
THING THAT'S REPORTED TO
THEM?

Regional Editors do not report every sight¬
ing of every bird. Such a list would be huge,
unwieldy, and not very useful. Instead, they
solicit reports from as many observers as
possible, screen the records for accuracy,
choose those that are most significant, look
for trends and patterns of occurrence, con¬
nect scattered bits of information, and ulti¬
mately come up with a concise, readable
summary of the real bird news — the
important avian events and trends of the
season throughout their region.

WHY ARE THERE SO MANY
ABBREVIATIONS IN THE TEXT?

We abbreviate some frequently- used words
and phrases to save space. Most of these are

easy to understand and remember. (See the
list of abbreviations at the end of this sec¬
tion.) In addition to these standard abbre¬
viations, some Regional Editors use short¬
ened versions of the names of some birding
hot spots; they list these local abbreviations
in a separate paragraph, just after their
introductory comments and just before
their main species accounts.

WHAT DO THE INITIALS
IN PARENTHESES MEAN?

Most records published in each report will
be followed by initials, to indicate the
source; the person(s) who found or report¬
ed the bird(s) mentioned. The initials may
be followed by et al. (short for et alia , mean¬
ing “and others”), or preceded by fide (liter¬

ally, “by the faith of” — meaning that this is
a second-hand report, and the person ini¬
tialed is the one who passed it along to the
Regional Editor). A dagger (f) before the
initials means that this person turned in
written details on the sighting.

There are good reasons for giving credit
to the observers involved. Readers may be
reassured about the accuracy of surprising
sightings if they know who the observers
were; researchers who want to know more
about a certain record may be able to con¬
tact the observers directly. In some cases,
when a bird was seen by many birders, the
Regional Editor may add “v.o.” (for “various
observers”) or “m.ob.” (for “many obser¬
vers”) after the first sets of initials.

WHO ARE THE PEOPLE WHO
SEND IN THEIR SIGHTINGS?

All observers are invited to send in notes to
their Regional Editors: details on rare sight¬
ings, species that were scarcer or more
numerous than usual during the season,
unusual concentrations or migration, and
so on. Reading the reports for your region
for a few seasons is the best way to find out
what kinds of information are desired.
Although the Regional Editors cannot cite
every record that they receive, every

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VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 1

23

how to read the regional reports

STANDARD ABBREVIATIONS
USED IN THE REGIONAL
REPORTS

Abbreviations used
in place names

In most regions, place names given in
italic type are counties. Other abbrevia¬
tions:

Cr. Creek

Ft. Fort

Hwy Highway

I. Island or Isle

Is. Islands or Isles

Jet. Junction

km kilometer(s)

L. Lake

mi mile (s)

Mt. Mountain or Mount

Mts. Mountains

N.F. National Forest

N.M. National Monument

N.P. National Park

N.W.R. National Wildlife Refuge

P.P. Provincial Park

Pen. Peninsula

Pt. Point (not Port)

R. River

Ref. Refuge

Res. Reservoir (not Reservation)

S. P. State Park

W.M.A. Wildlife Management Area

Abbreviations used
in the names of birds:

Am.

Com.

E.

Eur.

Mt.

N.

S.

w.

American

Common

Eastern

Eurasian

Mountain

Northern

Southern

Western

Other abbreviations

and symbols referring to birds:

ad.

imm.

juv.

sp.

v.t.

t

CBC

adult

immature

juvenal or juvenile

species

video-taped

written details were

submitted for a sighting

a specimen was collected

Christmas Bird Count

contributor helps them to produce a more
thorough and accurate summary.

WHY ARE SOME BIRD NAMES
IN HEAVIER OR BLACKER TYPE?

We use boldface type to draw attention to
outstanding records of rare birds. General
categories of birds that the Regional Editors
would place in boldface would include: any
species that has been recorded fewer than
10 times previously in a given state or pro¬
vince; any new breeding record for a state
or province; or any bird totally outside
established patterns of seasonal occurrence.
(For the most part, records are not bold¬
faced unless they are backed up with solid
details or photographs.) Birders who like to
know about rare birds (and most of us do)
can get a complete rundown of the season’s
outstanding rarities by scanning all the
Regional Reports for those boldfaced birds.

WHY ARE SOME OF THE PLACE
NAMES IN ITALIC TYPE?

In most of the regional reports, place names
given in italic type refer to counties. (Italics
represent parishes in Louisiana, and in
parts of Ontario they may refer to districts
or regional municipalities.)

WHAT ARE THE BOXES
IN THE TEXT MARKED "SA"?

“SA” stands for “Special Attention” (and, by
coincidence, is pronounced “essay”). The
purpose of the boxed essays is to draw
attention to particularly noteworthy phe¬
nomena or trends.

Likely SA topics include new population
trends or new bird distribution patterns,
unusual invasions or migration events, field
research yielding new data, specific conser¬
vation problems that have an impact on
birdlife, or detailed discussion of an out¬
standing (or perplexing) rare bird record.
Experienced readers of North American
Birds make it a point to flip through all the
Regional Reports and read all the S.A.s,
even in regions where they do not read the
rest of the text.

RO. BOX 196
PLANETARIUM STATION
NEW YORK, NY
10024 U.S.A.

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2000 BIRDING TOURS

THAILAND

8-30 January

SOUTH INDIA

6-29 January

SRI LANKA

28 January -14 February

PHILIPPINES

4 February -6 March

WEST BURMA

Mt. Victoria/Chin Hills
10 March -2 April

BHUTAN

7-30 April

1999

BIRDING

TOURS

WEST CHINA

Sichuan (Szechwan)
Panda Reserves
Tibetan Grasslands
7-31 May

MALAYSIA

Malaya, Borneo,
Mt. Kinabalu
26 June -18 July

INDONESIA #1

Halmahera/Sulawesi
7 July-1 August

INDONESIA #2

Lesser Sundas
Flores, Timor, Sumba
Komodo, Sumbawa
1-22 August

NORTH BURMA
EXPEDITION

2-28 November

24

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

atlantic provinces region

The most astonishing fallout of autumn
passerines ever witnessed in the Region
hit the extreme southwest corner of Nova Scotia
Oct. 11. Northwest winds on a cold front sweeping
off the Carolinas and north Florida coast Oct. 10
may have triggered a movement of passerines
southeast out over the sea. Here migrants met a
strong SW flow that apparently transported them
northward until they fell into the ocean or reached
land at the southwest corner of Nova Scotia. At
Cape Sable Island warblers were seen coming in
off the ocean in the teeth of a southeasterly gale
and rain on the afternoon of Oct. 11. Birders were
quickly alerted to the unusual event, but no one
was prepared for the magnitude of the flight of
vagrants that met them Oct. 12: a lifetime’s worth
of vagrants in one day! There were more White¬
eyed Vireos than had previously been seen in all
Atlantic Canada! The birding coverage was cen¬
tred on Cape Sable I., but there were bird banders on Bon Portage I. and Seal I. For a
week the bushes remained full of vagrants. Blake Maybank kept the tally. Table 1 is the
list of vagrants recorded Oct. 1 1-17. Exceptional totals of other species were: 900 Red¬
eyed Vireo, 190 N. Parula, 115 Black-and-white Warbler, 400 Am. Redstart, 90 Oven-
bird, 630 Com. Yellowthroat, and 100 Scarlet Tanager.

TABLE 1:

VAGRANTS RECORDED

OCTOBER 1 1 TO 17

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

14

White-eyed Vireo

95

Yellow-throated Vireo

32

Blue-winged Warbler

10

Golden-winged Warbler

4

Yellow- throated Warbler

13

Prairie Warbler

8

Prothonotary Warbler

2

Worm-eating Warbler

6

Kentucky Warbler

4

Connecticut Warbler

1

Hooded Warbler

55

Yellow-breasted Chat

2

Summer Tanager

8

Blue Grosbeak

120

Indigo Bunting

700

BRUCE MACTAVISH

he autumn was so packed with rarities
and unusual events that there is scarce¬
ly space for an introduction. Wood Sandpi¬
per and White Wagtail were new for the
Region. A staggering fallout of southern
passerines at Cape Sable Island, NS, opened
up a week-long vagrant hunter’s carnival.

Abbreviations: CSI (Cape Sable Island); GMI
(Grand Manan Island); PEI (Prince Edward
Island); SPM (St. Pierre et Miquelon).

LOONS THROUCH VULTURES

Rare in the Region, an Eared Grebe at
Prince Edward Island N.P. Oct. 3 was pro¬
vincial first (DM, RC et al.). It was a ban¬
ner year for “southern” herons (Table 2).
Most unusual was a dead Least Bittern Oct.
17 at Sable I., NS (ZL). Strong S winds Oct.
31 brought an incursion of Cattle Egrets,

TABLE 2:

TOTALS OF “SOUTHERN HERONS”

NB

NS

PEI

NF

SPM

Least Bittern

-

1

Great Egret

2

7

-

-

2

Snowy Egret

1

5

-

3

-

Little Blue
Heron

2

7

-

1

-

Cattle Egret

-

21

-

8

-

Green Heron

present

2

-

3

-

Yellow-

crowned

Night-heron

1

10 (!)

"

1

1

Glossy Ibis

-

5

-

-

-

with remarkably large flocks of 13 at St.
Peter’s River, NS, Nov. 2-9 (CM et al.) and
six Nov. 1-14 at St. Lawrence, NF (G.
Wilson). An amazing 10 Yellow-crowned
Night-Herons in Nova Scotia included five
different birds on Sable I. Aug. 3-Sep. 29
(ZL). A late Glossy Ibis was at Yarmouth,
NS, Nov. 1 (E. Ruff).

A popular Black Vulture was at Lismore,
NS, Sep. 3-1 1 (KM), and possibly the same
bird was at nearby Toney R. Oct. 27 {fide
IM). The first breeding record of Turkey
Vulture in the Region was a cave nest dis¬
covered in s. New Brunswick early in the
summer. The Turkey Vultures at Brier I.,
NS, may be a mix of local summer residents
and migrants; a kettle of 23 Nov. 15 was
noteworthy even for this location (IM).

WATERFOWL THROUGH CRANES

Strong W winds in the Region Oct. 3-5
pushed record-shattering numbers of Snow
Geese into the Region, with at least 10,000
birds in New Brunswick, including 1500 fly¬
ing south over GMI Oct. 4 (BD et al.). A
flock of 300 on Brier I. was a provincial high
(CH). The flight brushed by the rest of the
Region with “larger than usual numbers” in

PEI (DM) and a flock of 15 as far e. as
Bonavista, NF, in Oct. (fide JJ). The Black-
bellied Whistling-Duck found at Church
Pt., NS, in late Apr. was last seen Sep. 1 {fide
BMy). Eurasian waterfowl continue a slow
increase. Provincial totals of Eurasian Wige-
on were two in New Brunswick, five in Nova
Scotia, and at least 15 in Newfoundland. By
the end of Nov., three male Green-winged
Teal of the nominate form were identifiable
in St. John’s. There was a pair of Tufted
Ducks at Dalhousie, NB, Oct. 18-Nov. 30
(Irene Doyle et al.) and single females in
Newfoundland at Middle Cove Oct. 20-22
(KK) and St. John’s Oct. 20-Nov. 30 (m.
ob.). The only Canvasback for the period
was at Saint John, NB, Oct. 26 (PP). Three
Redheads were at French R., PEI, Oct. 25
(GM). Lesser Scaup seem on a gradual
increase over the last 10 years and were
exceptionally numerous this fall, with very
high counts of 300 Oct. 25 at Clark’s Pd.,
PEI (fide BD), 100 in late Oct. at Escuminac
Bay, NB (ML), and 40 Dec. 1 at Bissett L.,
Dartmouth, NS (FL, BMy). A female Hood¬
ed Merganser with five juveniles at Raleigh,
NF, Aug. 25 constituted a first provincial
breeding record (BMt).

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 1

25

Convincing details were supplied for a
nearly ad. Mississippi Kite observed catch¬
ing dragonflies at CSI on Sep. 17 (MN, fide
IM). Almost unbelievable was the appear¬
ance of four Swainson’s Hawks in a field
near Donkin, NS, in e. Cape Breton I. on the
evening of Sep. 12 (RK). The birds were still
present the next day, when they were viewed
by several observers and documented with
photos (RK, CM, AM et al.). An identifiably
different Swainson’s Hawk was photograph¬
ed in the same field 5 weeks later Oct. 20-22
(RK, CM et ah). Newfoundland’s first
Swainson’s Hawk was at the southeastern-
most corner of the province, Cape Race, on
Oct. 5 (PL, JP). Buteos are rare on insular
Newfoundland: there is no record of Broad¬
winged Hawk and only six for Red-tailed
Hawk, making Swainson’s Hawk all the
more outstanding. Fairly good numbers of
Rough-legged Hawks reported from Nova
Scotia and New Brunswick were likely a
result of the high rodent population in Lab¬
rador and a correspondingly high success
rate of breeding raptors {fide BMt). There
were several sightings of one or more Gold¬
en Eagles from Brier I. Sep. 4— Oct. 12 (IM et
al.). An adult was at Mactaquac Dam, NB,
Oct. 25 (DC). New Brunswick’s 6th Clapper
Rail was at Castalia Marsh, GMI, Sep. 16 (D.
Gibson, ST). A Com. Moorhen at Argentia,
NF, Oct. 17 was the first in the province
since 1988 (AH, PL). Single Sandhill Cranes
were at St. Andrews, NB, Sep. 16 (L.
Dunfield), New Canaan, NB, Sep. 20 (JE),
and Wallace, NS, in late Sep. {fide IM).

SHOREBIRDS

A Northern Lapwing was well described by
a nonbirder as it fed on his front lawn in
Grand Falls, NF, for 20 minutes on Nov. 10
(L. Harnum). The pair of Am. Oystercatch-
ers that nested unsuccessfully at CSI remain¬
ed until Sep. 6 {fide SF). There were three
single Am. Avocets: Sep. 12-Oct. 4 at
Windsor Causeway, NS (RS et ah), Oct. 20 at
CSI, NS (MN), and Nov. 14 at Cavendish,
PEI (GM). A Wood Sandpiper photograph¬
ed at Renews, NF, Nov. 1 1-14 — the first for
the Region and third for e. North America —

TABLE 3:

TOTALS OF WESTERN SHOREBIRDS

NB

NS

PEI

NF

SPM

Western

Sandpiper

6

3

-

-

Baird’s

Sandpiper

25

13

-

4

-

Stilt Sandpiper

25+

6

-

2

-

Buff-breasted

Sandpiper

2+

25

-

7

-

Long-billed

Dowitcher

5

-

-

was not high on the list of vagrants expect¬
ed to occur in the Region (BMt, JW, PL, AH
et ah). The Region’s one Marbled Godwit
was in n. New Brunswick at Maisonnette
Dune Aug. 29-Sep. 14 (MD). It was a banner
year for the w. shorebirds (Table 3). The only
Ruff was a late one Nov. 8 at Miscou I., NB
(MD).

SKUAS THROUGH ALCIDS

Single South Polar Skuas were off Brier I.
Aug. 8 (BMy et ah) and Sep. 7 (CH). Anoth¬
er was seen from land sitting among a raff
of shearwaters near Cape Race, NF, Aug. 10
(PL, JW). A Great Skua was seen regularly
on whale watching trips off GMI Sep.
17-Oct. 12 (fide BD). At least eight Little
Gulls were in New Brunswick {fide BD),
while more unusual were singles in Nova
Scotia at Three Fathom Hbr. Nov. 16 {fide
BMy) and near Pictou Nov. 29 (CB). Eight
European Mew Gulls reported in the
Region included early adults Sep. 4 at
Goulds, NF (BMt, PL), and Sep. 9 at Brier I.,
NS (AM). New Brunswick had all the
Sabine’s Gulls, with one Sep. 9 at Dear I. Pt.
(K. Macintosh), two at GMI in mid-Sep.
(BD et ah), and a late immature Nov. 15-16
near Cape Tormentine (R. LeBlanc). A well-
described Least Tern was seen from the
Grand Manan to New Brunswick ferry on
Aug. 30 (KE). A Black Skimmer was a sur¬
prise at S. Kildare, PEI, Aug. 3 (DM).

DOVES THROUGH WAXWINGS

It was a big year for Yellow-billed Cuckoo
(Table 1). There were no reports of Snowy
Owl. Nova Scotia’s 5th Rufous Humming¬
bird was an ad. male at a Victoria Beach
feeder on the typically early date of Aug.
3-9 (A. & B. Ellis). It was perhaps the big¬
gest year ever in the Region for Red-headed
Woodpeckers, with six in New Brunswick,
13 in Nova Scotia, and one as far e. as St.
Pierre, SPM, Oct. 25 for a 4th local record
(LJ). There was a mediocre flight of Red-
bellied Woodpeckers, with three in New
Brunswick, one in Prince Edward Island,
and one in Nova Scotia.

A well-documented Acadian Flycatcher
was seen at Brier I. Sep. 20, a late date for n.
N. America (MH, AK, IM). Annual in the
Region but always a great rarity, a Say’s
Phoebe was a Sable I. Sep. 19 (ZL). Also
nearly annual but causing greater excite¬
ment was the Fork-tailed Flycatcher at
Shippegan, NB, Sep. 22-Oct. 10 (m. ob.).
Aside from the mind-boggling s. vireo
totals from the “Great Fallout,” there were
single White-eyed Vireos at GMI Sep. 28
(BD) and Duncans Cove, NS, Oct. 25 (DC),

with Yellow-throated Vireos at GMI Sep. 22
(RW), Brier I. Sep. 20 (IM), and Hartlen Pt„
NS, Sep. 22 (BMy). A House Wren was as far
e. as St. John’s Nov. 23-30 (PL). Single
Sedge Wrens were at Brier I. Sep. 9 (AM)
and Seal I. Oct. 4 (BMy). Northern Wheat-
ear reports were two different individuals
near Cape Race, NF, Sep. 18 & 26 (BMt et
al.), and singles at Dartmouth, NS, Oct. 10
(IM) and Waterside, Pictou Co., NS, Oct.
16-17 (SV et al.). A rare and very late Wood
Thrush was at Brier I. Nov. 22 (MH, AK). A
Varied Thrush was at Williamswood, NS,
Nov. 28-30 {fide BMy). The Region’s first
wagtail was a White Wagtail of the nomi¬
nate race at Renews, NF, Sep. 14 (AH, PL).
It occurred on the last day of a week of
strong NE winds that blew directly from
Iceland to a point in the ocean just e. of
Newfoundland. A moderate wave of
Bohemian Waxwings was noticed in the n.
half of the Region starting in late Oct.

TABLE 4: TOTALS OF REGULAR
VAGRANTS (EXCLUDING BIRDS

IN THE OCT. 1 1 NS FALLOUT)

NB

NS

PEI

NF

SPM

Western

Kingbird

2

5

-

-

Blue-gray

Gnatcatcher

10

many

5

5

-

Prairie

Warbler

2

21

-

6

-

Yellow¬
breasted Chat

3

20+

-

5

-

Clay- colored
Sparrow

4

8

-

1

-

Lark Sparrow

3

6

1

5

-

Grasshopper

Sparrow

-

7

-

1

-

Dickcissel

present

16

present

19

4

Yellow- headed
Blackbird

3

5

-

2

-

WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES

Even excluding totals from the “Great Fall¬
out,” it was a good year for s. warblers. Blue¬
winged Warblers were represented by one
Aug. 28 at GMI (BD) and four in Sep. at
Nova Scotia’s vagrant traps. Golden-winged
Warblers were noted Sep. 14—15 at GMI
( JWi), Sep. 8 at Blanche Pen., NS (MN), and
Sep. 7-9 at Bear Cove Pt., NF (BMt). Single
Yellow-throated Warblers were numerous:
Aug. 19 at GMI (B. MacDonald), Nov.
15-30 at Miramichi City, NB {fide BD),
Aug. 29 and Sep. 15 at Sable I. (ZL), Sep. 22
at Seal I. (A. Penney), Nov. 19-30 at St.
John’s (PL), and Nov. 22 at St. John’s (BMt).
Surprisingly, a Pine Warbler Nov. 7 in St.
Pierre, SPM, was a first record for the
French Islands (PA). Two solo Cerulean
Warblers were noted Sep. 2 at Seal I. (EM)
and Sep. 7 & 14 at Bear Cove Pt., NF (JW,

26

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

PL). Prothonotary Warblers numbered
four: two different individuals Sep. 2 & 10
on Sable I. (ZL), with singles Sep. 27 at
Schooner Pd., NS (RK) and Aug. 29 at
Cappahayden, NF (JW). The only w. war¬
bler was a Townsend’s Warbler at Renews
Nov. 15-18, the 8th provincial record (BM
et al.). Kentucky Warblers were at Bear
Cove, NF, Sep. 7 (KK) and at St. John’s Sep.
9 (JS). Hooded Warblers were largely in
Nova Scotia: three Aug. 30 on Sable 1. (ZL),
one Sep. 4 on CSI (MN), one Sep. 12 on
Brier I. (CAM, ALM), and Nov. 18-29 Hali¬
fax (m. ob.). Another was present Sep. 15 at
Renews (PL).

Outside the “Great Fallout,” there were
Summer Tanagers at Seal 1. Oct. 7 (AC) and
Dartmouth Nov. 1 (FL). Western Tanagers
were found Oct. 12-13 CSI (BMy) and Oct.
20-25 Dartmouth, NS (PD et al.). The sta¬
tus of Spotted Towhee in the East is still
unravelling since it gained status as a sepa¬
rate species. The 2nd in the Region was one
near Charlottetown, PEI, Nov. 2-8 (RC et
al.). A Lark Bunting at Castalia, GM1, Sep.
19-20 was the first provincial sighting in 2
decades of this once regular stray (RW et
al.). A well-described Henslow’s Sparrow at
Castalia, GMI, Sep. 25 was the 2nd for the
province (KE). The only Orchard Oriole
was one at St. Pauls I. off the n. tip of Cape
Breton I., NS, in late Aug. (BMy). Records of
Blue Grosbeak were singles Sep. 16 at GMI
(JE) and Cape Race Oct. 3-10 (TB et al.). A
House Finch made it to Sable I. Oct. 18 (RS,
ZL) — next stop Newfoundland? The only
abundant finch was White-winged Cross¬
bill, which appeared to enjoy good repro¬
ductive successes from w. Newfoundland to
New Brunswick during the period.

Observers: Pascel Asselin, Calvin Brennan,
Todd Boland, Dave Christie, Ray Cooke,
Alan Covert, Dave Currie, Brian Dalzell,
Marcel David, Pierre Dugauy, Jim Edsall,
Ken Edwards, Roger Etcheberry, Sylvia
Fullerton, Carl Haycock, Matt Holder, Anne
Hughes, Laurent Jackson, Jon Joy, Andrea
Kingsley, Richard Knapton, Ken Knowles,
Fulton Lavender, Paul Linegar, Zoe Lucas,
Mike Lushington, Eric Mills, Dan McAskill,
Ian McLaren, Angus MacLean, Bruce
Mactavish, Gisele Martin, Blake Maybank,
Ken McKenna, Cathy Murrant, Murray
Newell, Peter Pearce, John Pratt, Jytte Selno,
Richard Stern, Stuart Tingley, Rob Walker,
John Wells, Jim Wilson.

Bruce Mactavish, 37 Waterford Bridge Rd.,
St. John's, NF Canada A1E 1C5

quebec region

ATLANTIC

OCEAN

PIERRE BANNON,

NORMAND DAVID,
and YVES AUBRY

ollowing the trend of the last seven or
eight months, fall temperatures contin¬
ued to be above normal, while rainfall was
below normal, particularly in n. Quebec. It
was an excellent season for passerines as
well as for nonpasserines. Quite surprising
was the occurrence of a good number of s.
warblers late in the season. The Nov. 10-1 1
storm responsible for the wave of Franklin’s
Gulls in the e. regions of the continent was
probably also a contributive factor in the
occurrence of many w. species in the
province, including Tundra Swans and
Ross’s Geese in record number. Other high¬
lights were an Am. Avocet in the Abitibi
region, a “Lawrence’s Warbler” and a Sum¬
mer Tanager near Montreal, a Spotted
Towhee in the L. Saint-Jean region, and an
astounding Hooded Oriole in e. Quebec.

STORM-PETRELS THROUGH
WATERFOWL

A Wilson’s Storm-Petrel strayed to Port-
neuf, w. of Quebec City Sep. 27 (FD), while
one at Levis Sep. 18 was not unprecedented
(JL). Amazingly, a Leach’s Storm-Petrel at
Victoriaville Aug. 27 was the 5th record in
10 years for this inland locality (JD, J.
Boissonneault et al.).

Four Great Egrets reached La Pocatiere
Aug. 16 (CA, CG). There were a record high
seven Little Blue Herons reported; the latest

was spotted at Saint-
Ferdinand Oct. 13, a new
Regional record late date
(R. Gingras). A Plegadis
ibis at Saint-£tienne-de-
Beauharnois Aug. 22- Sep.
13 was not very coopera¬
tive, complicating its spe¬
cific identification (v. ob.).
Tundra Swans appeared in
unprecedented numbers
following the Nov. 10-11
storm and included flocks
of 14 at Ayer’s Cliff Nov. 14
(A. Schmidt) and 10 at
Saint-Lazare Nov. 14+ (L.
Miller, v. ob.), while two
appeared at Contrecoeur
Nov. 14 (R. Jussaume),and one was killed at
Baie-du-Febvre Nov. 13 (fide S. Dulac). The
number of Greater White-fronted Geese
was low, with one at Montmagny Oct. 4
(JL) and two at Saint-Prime Oct. 17 (L.
Chiricota). By contrast, the number of
Ross’s Geese was high and included several
blue morphs. Representing the biggest flock
ever reported in the Region, the seven birds
at Victoriaville Nov. 14 may have been relat¬
ed to the Nov. 10-1 1 storm (MG et al.). For
the 2nd consecutive year, presumed Ross’s
X Snow Goose hybrids were reported, this
time at Cap Tourmente in Oct. (GL, JPO,
ML). Eur. Wigeons involved one at Baie-du-
Febvre from Aug. to Oct. (SB) and two at
Terrebonne Sep. 20 (I. Lusignan). An imm.
male King Eider at Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
Nov. 1-14 represented one of very few
records for s.w. Quebec (P. Beaule, L. Sim-
ard). Reports of Barrow’s x Com. Golden¬
eye hybrids are reported with increasing
frequency and included two at La Malbaie
Nov. 12-27 (C. Marcotte) and one at
Beaumont Nov. 14 (JL).

VULTURES THROUGH ALCIDS

A Black Vulture at New-Richmond was
confirmed only in Dec. but had apparently
been present since late Sep. at the local
dump (R. Caissy et al.). Over 100 Turkey
Vultures were counted Sep. 10 at Saint-
Charles-de-Mandeville, in the Lanaudiere
region, the stronghold of this species in the
Province (S. Lafreniere). Our two regularly
monitored hawkwatches, Tadoussac (CA,

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 1

27

CG) and Montreal (M. McIntosh, BB) pro¬
duced an average number of hawks.
Exceptions were Ospreys and Rough-legged
Hawks that numbered twice their respective
averages at Tadoussac (CA, CG). Hawk-
watchers were rewarded by the sighting of
two dark-morph Red-tailed Hawks at Saint-
Fereol-des-Neiges Oct. 4 (GL) as well as sin¬
gles at Tadoussac Sep. 23 (CG, S. Flipo) and
Oct. 12 (CA). An imm. “Krider’s” Red-tailed
Hawk was studied at close range in the
Montreal Botanical Gardens Oct. 22 (GZ).
Wild Turkeys, apparently stocked birds,
included eight at Point Platon in mid-Oct.
(L. Roy), 37 at Saint-Elie-d’Orford Oct.
23-25 (C. & G. O’Neil, C. & R. Cote), and 6
at Austin Nov. 1 (C. & G. O’Neil). Although
there had been about 12 previous records of
the Purple Gallinule, very few active listers
had seen the species in the province. This
fall, two very cooperative birds, both imma-
tures, showed up and remained long
enough to be seen by many birders. The first
appeared at Saint-Gedeon Sep. 12-26 (C.
Cormier, GS) and the 2nd at Cap Tour-
mente Nov. 1-3 (GL et al.). Sandhill Cranes
continued to thrive in the w. central areas of

Long-billed Dowitchers stag¬
ed their biggest invasion ever
in the Region. An adult in alternate
plumage appeared early at Sainte-
Martine Aug. 2 and remained there
until a 2nd one joined it Aug. 22-26
(PB, v. ob.). A 3rd adult was also locat¬
ed at Montmagny Aug. 4-6 (A. Cote).
From Sep. 5 through Oct. 25, juveniles
were found in record numbers. High
counts of eight and 40 were tallied at
Saint-Blaise Sep. 20-Oct. 4 (PB, v. ob.)
and Saint-Etienne Oct. 17 (PB, GZ),
respectively. Single juveniles were also
reported at Saint-Basile-le-Grand Sep.

12 (SD) and Oka Sep. 25 (G. Lachaine,

H. Presseau). Whether this increase in
the number of birds migrating
through our area is related to a better
breeding success in n.w. N. America
and Siberia or whether these birds
were displaced eastward by peculiar
weather conditions is unknown. How¬
ever, according to the Russian orni¬
thologist P. S. Tomkovitch (Brit. Birds
85: 344-365, 1992), this species has
spread 2500 km westward in Siberia
since 1920. Breeding has recently been
recorded as far w. as s.w. Taimyr
Peninsula. The reasons for these popu¬
lation and distribution changes are
not yet clear.

the Region, as shown by counts of 550 birds
in the Abitibi region Sep. 26 (SD et al.) and
over 60 in the L. Saint-Jean region in late
Sep. (fide GS).

Eastern straying of Am. Avocets included
singles at I. aux Grues Aug. 5-12 (J. Landry)
and I. aux Fermiers Aug. 7 (M. Picard et al.)
and a record late bird at Saint-Laurent-de-
Gallichan, Abitibi , Nov. 14, also in the wake
of the Nov. 10-11 storm. The discovery of
four W. Sandpipers was a notable event: two
were at Montmagny Aug. 16 (GL), singles at
Res. Taureau Aug. 18 (PH) and Beauport
Aug. 28 (RL). It was almost certainly the
best autumn ever for Buff-breasted Sand¬
pipers, with a total of 17 that included a
record count of 10 at Saint- Vallier Aug. 23
(L. Imbeau, M. Belisle). The lone Ruff of the
fall was a female at Montmagny Aug. 6-9
(GL). Single Red Phalaropes were worthy of
mention at I. aux Basques Oct. 2 (B. Belloc
et al.) and at Richelieu Oct. 26 (J. Barrette,
G. Turcotte).

Only two Laughing Gulls were recorded.
Of the 13 Franklin’s Gulls reported, a
remarkable total, only three appeared after
the Nov. 10-1 1 storm. These three individu¬
als lingered at Victoriaville Nov. 14—21. A
first-winter bird was still there Nov. 26 for a
Regional record-late date (JD et al.). Little
Gulls totalled 14 birds, half of them found
along the n. shore of the St. Lawrence river.
The n. shore also hosted five Black-headed
Gulls (CA, CG). Another one was found at
Newport Nov. 22 (E. Arsenault), while a
record count of 18 was made at Havre-aux-
Basques, Magdalen Island, Nov. 9 (DGG).
The total of 14 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
represented an average number. A bird
showing some of the features of intermedius
turned up at Victoriaville Oct. 4 (MG et al.,
ph.). Eleven Sabine’s Gulls were reported
Aug. 22-Sep. 27. As expected, all were juve¬
niles except for a rare adult at Metabet-
chouan Sep. 4 (S. Boivin). An Arctic Tern at
Venise-en-Quebec Oct. 12 provided one of
few fall records for s.w. Quebec (JG. Papi-
neau). Given that it was not a particularly
good season for Dovekies in the e. part of
the Province, it was difficult to explain why
single birds appeared as far w. as Baie-du-
Febvre Nov. 10-11 (SB, J. Giguere, v. ob.)
and Saint-Vallier Nov. 16 (FD, RD). An
imm. Ancient Murrelet at Chambly Oct. 25
(PB, D. Tetreault) represented the first mod¬
ern occurrence of this species in the Region.
The only other record refers to a specimen,
now untraceable, found in Montreal Apr.
13, 1913, a date not in accordance with the
well-known fall dispersal of this species
towards the e. regions of the continent. Two

Atlantic Puffins turned up unexpectedly at
Saint-Vallier Nov. 16 (FD, RD).

CUCKOOS THROUGH VIREOS

The nearly annual dispersal of Yellow-billed
Cuckoos into the Region was unimpressive,
with only two birds reported: one remained
in the Montreal Botanical Gardens Sep. 20-
26 (H. Longpre, v. ob.); the other made a
deadly crash into a window pane in Sainte-
Rose-du-Nord Oct. 3 (P. Gravel), for a 5th
record in the Saguenay area. Yet another
White-winged Dove, our 7th record since
1988, was located on Brion I., Magdalen
Island, Aug. 1-4 (DGG, AH); we agree with
Noel Warner’s suggestion ( FN 52: 294) that
the species is showing an increased spring
vagrancy pattern. The female Black-backed
Woodpecker found in the Saint-Lazare pin¬
ery Sep. 19 (AH) was very possibly a mem¬
ber of the wintering pair last seen May 23
(ND, R. Bisson), perhaps indicating a rare
local oversummering occurrence. A Red¬
headed Woodpecker visited a feeder in
Saint-Jean-de-Dieu, Rimouski, Oct. 28-29
(C. Pelletier), and another was seen in
Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue Nov. 14 onwards
(JJ, AR).

An Empidonax flycatcher was studied at
length at Melocheville Nov. 29 (R. Yank), a
stunning 48 days after the latest Empidonax
ever recorded in the Region, and the metic¬
ulous description, including that of the call,
indicated a Least Flycatcher; at any rate, the
documentation cannot be used to substanti¬
ate any other species. A Say’s Phoebe was
discovered in Sainte-Anne-de-Portneuf Sep.
7 (F. Grenon) and, as is the case for most
previous records, was not seen afterward.
An E. Kingbird nest with 3 nestlings was dis¬
covered in Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, on
the extremely late date of Aug. 30, and the
family was last seen Sep. 19 (PB).

From late Aug. into early Oct., a large
movement of young Gray Jays and Boreal
Chickadees was documented at the Tadous¬
sac banding station (J. Ibarzabal); since an
irruption failed to materialize in the upper
St. Lawrence Valley, in all likelihood the
birds remained in the boreal forests north of
Quebec City. A Carolina Wren at Cap Tour-
men te Oct. 13 (RL) represented one of the
very few occurrences of the species outside
the s.w. parts of the province. The single N.
Wheatear of the season was at Barachois,
Gaspe, Aug. 29 (PP). The description pro¬
vided for a Hermit Thrush, found on I. des
Soeurs Nov. 24 (M. Brongo), most likely
indicated a bird from the western auduboni
race. A White-eyed Vireo at Aylmer Oct. 25
(F. Bedard, P. Laroche) was a rare find.

28

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

quebec

WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES

A male of the rare hybrid “Lawrence’s
Warbler” attracted numerous birders on I.
des Soeurs Nov. 12-27 (JJ, AR) and repre¬
sented our 2nd record, the first having
occurred in Westmount May 26, 1978 (BB,
PH). Other noteworthy warblers in the
Montreal area included a Prairie Warbler in
Longueuil Sep. 23 (D. Daigneault), and two
record-late birds: a Hooded Warbler in
Outremont Sep. 8 (C. Schools, fide SD), and
an Am. Redstart on I. des Soeurs Nov. 21-
Dec. 8 (F. Gariepy). In the Quebec City area,
numerous birdwatchers had the oppor¬
tunity to add three rare warblers to their
lists, as a Prairie Warbler was at Sainte-Foy
Oct. 12-Nov. 9 (S. Lemieux), an elusive and
record-late Kentucky Warbler at Cap
Tourmente Oct. 27-Nov. 9 (P. Otis, D.
McCutcheon), and a cooperative Worm¬
eating Warbler in Quebec City Nov. 5-22
(C. Vachon, R. Gingras).

A Summer Tanager in female or imm.
male plumage showed up at a Longueuil
feeder in mid-Nov. (S. Peloquin, N. Moris-
sette, v. t.). The only Blue Grosbeak of the
season was at Chandler Oct. 27-Nov. 4 (R.
Garret, M. Garant). As usual, single Dick-
cissels showed up in the e. parts of the Pro¬
vince: at Rimouski Sep. 21-30 (G. Gend-
ron), at Baie-Comeau Oct. 3^ (GC), at
Riviere-Saint-Jean Oct. 25-26 (C. Buidin),
and two different individuals in Quebec
City, respectively Nov. 14 and Nov. 24
onwards {fide JL). The Spotted Towhee that
delighted many observers at Sainte- Hed-
widge Nov. 10-18 represented a 10th pro¬
vincial record and the 3rd in the L. Saint-
Jean area. A Clay-colored Sparrow was spot¬
ted in Baie-Comeau on 2 occasions and 10
km apart, Oct. 3-4 and Oct. 16-18 (GC),
and another was found at Cap Tourmente
Nov. 1 (GL). Last fall, we outlined the pit-
falls of western junco identification in the
East (FAT 52: 27), with the result that an
observer sent us a photograph of an adult of
the “Gray-headed Junco” seen in Quebec
City in late Oct. 1993 (A. Schink); and for
this fall, we received an adequate description
of a “Pink-sided Junco” seen in Lac-Beau-
port Oct. 17 (P. Lane). Both represent our
first adequately substantiated reports, and
very few records in E. Canada are similarly
documented.

A Yellow-headed Blackbird was in
Valleyfield Nov. 25 (M. Lalumiere), and an
ad. male Orchard Oriole was found near the
mouth of the Bersimis R. Nov. 9 (A.
Gosselin, R. Gilbert). A very serious con¬
tender for the title of “Prize Bird” of the sea¬
son was the Hooded Oriole present at

Matapedia since at least Nov. 22, identified
Nov. 25 (Christianne Pitre), and seen after¬
wards by hundreds of observers. This is of
course a first Provincial record and appar¬
ently only the 2nd in E. Canada, the other
being in Ontario. With its black forehead
and orange tinge, it was identified as one of
the races of the cucullatus group (Lower Rio
Grande and E. Mexico). Despite tempera¬
tures below the freezing point, the bird
remained healthy, attending fruit trees and
feeders and taking refuge at night in a light¬
ed church belfry.

INTRODUCED SPECIES

A Collared Finchbill, present in the Quebec
City area since Jan. 1996, was sighted again
(the same individual?) in Sainte-Foy Oct. 1 1
(O. Barden). The Montreal Botanical
Gardens hosted an Orange-cheeked Waxbill
Oct. 31+ (J-F. Moulin, D. Granger), and at
least 2 Eur. Goldfinches were reported (GZ).

ADDENDA

Two Am. White Pelicans were photographed
at Beauharnois Jul. 22, 1997 (C. Laplante, D.
Legault, B. Leduc). A Brant of the race nigri¬
cans was a rare find at Trois-Pistoles Jun. 21,
1998 (JPO). This represents the 9th record

in the Region ( fide J. Larivee). A Lesser
Black-backed Gull photographed at Saint-
Iren£e May 18, 1998, was almost as dark as a
Great Black-backed Gull, thus suggesting
either intermedins or a Dutch intergrade
type (ML, JPO).

CORRIGENDUM

In FN 52: 301, read 18 Eur. Wigeons (not
“118”).

Subregional editors (boldface) and observ¬
ers: C. Auchu, P. Bannon, B. Barnhurst, S.
Belleau, G. Cyr, S. Denault, F. Dion, R. Dion,
J. Ducharme, P. Fradette, D. G. Gaudet, C.

Girard, M. Gregoire, P. Hilton, A. Hogues, J.
Jantunen, J. Lachance, M. Lafleur, G.
Lemelin, R. Lepage, J. P. Morin, JP. Ouellet,

P. Poulin, A. Rousseau, G. Savard, D.
Toussaint, G. Zenaitis.

Pierre Bannon, 1517 Leprohon, Montreal,
Quebec, H4E 1P1 (e-mail: pbannon@total.net),
Normand David, 11931 Lavigne, Montreal,
Quebec, H4J 1X9 (e-mail: ndavid@netrover.com)
and Yves Aubry, Canadian Wildlife Service,
P.0 Box 10100, Sainte-Foy, Quebec, G1V 4H5
(e-mail: yves.aubry@ec.gc.ca)

f)

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Aff

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VOLUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 1

29

new england region

WALTER G. ELLISON
and NANCY L. MARTIN

utumn 1998 in New England was dry
and warm, notably warm in Sep. and
especially dry and snowless in Nov.
Although temperatures returned to average
late in the season, the weather never got
exceptionally cold; much of New England
experienced little or no killing frost. Lack of
boreal irruptions made late season raptor
and finch watching dull. A major flight of
reversed migrant passerines in mid-Oct.
that featured especially large numbers of
Blue Grosbeaks and Indigo Buntings added
interest to birding on the southeast coast.
Far more Tundra Swans were pushed east
into the Region than usual, as were excel¬
lent numbers of such regular low density
migrants as Orange-crowned Warbler,
Clay-colored Sparrow, and Dickcissel. Half¬
hardies and even non-hardies started to
appear in late Nov., but this phenomenon
flowered more fully in Dec. Coverage of
Lake Champlain improved with increased
boat exploration and shore-based lake¬
watching. The best birds of a good season
for rarities were Little Egret, Red-necked
Stint, Long-billed Murrelet, Fork-tailed
Flycatcher, Cassin’s Kingbird, Bell’s
Vireo, and Violet-green Swallow. Some of
these had crowd-pleasingly long stays. In
short, this was another dynamic and unpre¬
dictable autumn migration.

Abbreviations; Bluff Pt. (Bluff Pt., Groton, New
London Co., CT); Dead Creek (Dead Creek
Wildlife Management Area, Addison, Addison
Co., VT); GMNWR (Great Meadows N.W.R.,
Concord, Middlesex Co., MA); Lighthouse Pt.
(Lighthouse Pt., New Haven, New Haven Co.,
CT); MARC (Massachusetts Avian Records Com¬
mittee); Monhegan (Monhegan /., Lincoln Co.,
ME); Monomoy (Monomoy N. W. R., Chatham,
Barnstable Co., MA); Plum I. (Plum /., Newbury
& Rowley, Essex Co., MA); Rockport (Andrew's
and Halibut Pts., Rockport, Essex Co., MA); S.
Beach (South Beach L, Chatham, Barnstable
Co., MA); Thompson's Pt. (Thompson's Pt.,
Charlotte, Chittenden Co., VT); Tuckernuck
(Tuckernuck /., Nantucket Co., MA)

LOOMS THROUGH VULTURES

The coastal flight of Red-throated Loons
was largely concentrated into a single day,
with a record count of 3000 passing Wasque
Pt., Dukes, Nov. 22 (VL et al. ). Observers on
L. Champlain noted a record count of 10
Red-throated Loons passing Thompson’s
Pt. Oct. 25 (TGM). Pacific Loon reports
included Vermont’s 3rd and L. Champlain’s
2nd at W. Addison Oct. 27 (fSWM) and one
in alternate plumage at Rockport Oct. 9
(tRH). The best count of Com. Loons was
early Oct. 1 1 , with 452 counted from 3 sites
in coastal Massachusetts {fide MR). Forty
Red-necked Grebes Oct. 24 in Addison and
Panton on L. Champlain was an excellent
inland tally (RBL). Eared Grebe reports
were well above average, with New Hamp¬
shire’s first Sep. 14 at Rochester, Strafford,
NH (fSM, D. Abbott, D. Finch et al.); two at
Laurel Res., Stamford, Fairfield, CT, Sep. 7
(P. Dugan et al.); one videotaped at Little
Compton, Newport, RI, Sep. 14-15 (R.
Emerson et al.); another in the Ocean State
at Trustom Pond N.W.R. Oct. 3-19 (C.
Raithel et al.); and one returning to Brace’s
Cove, Gloucester, Essex, MA, Oct. 7 (JS et
al.).

Although all of the expected tubenose
species were reported, numbers were gener¬
ally unremarkable. Cory’s Shearwaters were
scarce and far out at sea. An unexpectedly
strong onshore flight of pelagics was seen at
Rockport Aug. 12, when 487 Greater, 31
Sooty, and an impressive 64 Manx shearwa¬
ters were counted by Heil. Ten Audubon’s
Shearwaters were at Hydrographer Canyon

Sep. 11-13 (RD). Two different juv. N
Gannets turned up inland on L. Cham¬
plain, Oct. 16 at N. Hero, Grand Isle (fFP, t
ph. RBL), and Oct. 23-25 in Addison and
Panton (t ph. RBL, fFP et al.). Just two
Great Cormorants were detected inland,
with one each in Maine and w. Massachu¬
setts. The burgeoning L. Champlain
Double-crested Cormorant population
yielded a staggering mid-Aug. count of
12,000-14,000 between Grand Isle and
Alburg (RBL).

Forty-five Am. Bitterns were about aver¬
age, and reports of Least Bittern were one
Aug. 3 at Bangor, ME (J. Markowsky), and
an adult with two juveniles at GMNWR
throughout Aug. (m. ob.). Reports of Little
Egret continue to proliferate. Rhode Island’s
first was found on Block I. Sep. 14 (fSP et
al.) and stayed until late Sep.; another con¬
tinued from the summer at Newmarket,
Rockingham, NH, until Aug. 14 (SM et al.).
Snowy Egret has been rare inland in n. New
England of late, so one at Woodstock, Wind¬
sor, VT, Sep. 13 was noteworthy ( JMN). Also
notable were two Little Blue Herons in the
Connecticut Valley of Massachusetts in Aug.
( fide SK). A Tricolored Heron was far to the
north at Fort Kent, Aroostook, ME, Aug. 1 1
(G. Thibodeau). Cattle Egret is less numer¬
ous than in years past, and few were report¬
ed save for 40 at Shelburne, Chittenden, VT,
Aug. 22, visiting from New York’s Four
Brothers Is. colony (WE, NLM). Very late
for Vermont was a Green Heron Nov. 7 at
Charlotte, Chittenden (FP). Yellow-crowned
Night-Herons included Vermont’s 6th, an
adult Sep. 12 at Shelburne (fD. 8c M. Poley);
one way Down East in Machiasport, Wash¬
ington, ME, Aug. 9 (PD); and a good count
of 17 Aug. 24 at Milford Pt., New Haven, CT
(FM et al.). Glossy Ibis was reported twice in
Vermont where they are scarce, Aug. 1-8 at
Grand Isle (f ph. DH) and Aug. 23 at Fer-
risburg, Addison (B. Guyett). Apparently
established in w. Connecticut, Black Vulture
nested in Massachusetts this summer at the
Blue Hills Reservation in Milton, Norfolk.
The nestlings fledged there Aug. 2 (N.
Smith). Black Vultures were also regularly
seen in s. Berkshire at Sheffield {fide SK).
They remain very rare in Rhode Island, thus
one at W. Kingstown, Washington, Oct. 31
was of note (MT).

30

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

WATERFOWL

A half-dozen Greater White-fronted Geese
included two at Button Bay S.P., Ferrisburg,
VT, Nov. 16 to Dec. (CG, OM et al.); one in
Carlisle, Middlesex , MA, Oct. 11-15 (T. &
D. Brownrigg); and three in Connecticut
(fide GH). The Snow Goose wave at Dead
Cr. crested at 25,000 in mid-Oct. (TGM).
There was a remarkably large and early
coastal flight of Snow Geese Oct. 3-5, with
many flocks seen passing over the sea,
including 7150 off Block I. (R. Ferren).
Vermont had three Ross’s Geese Oct.
1 1-Nov. 1 1 at Dead Cr., including one blue
and two white morphs (m. ob.). A Richard¬
son’s Canada Goose was reported from
Dead Cr. Oct. 19 (DH). Brant were report¬
ed in unprecedented numbers on L.
Champlain, with a major flight of 1290 Oct.
24-25 at Thompson’s Pt. (TGM). Coin¬
cident with this flight were 33 at Quabbin
Res., MA, Oct. 25 (fide SK). Two Barnacle
Geese were also found at Thompson’s Pt.
Oct. 23 (fTGM, DH et al.). An extraordi¬
nary flight of Tundra Swans blanketed all of
the Region except Maine, with 110+,
including high counts of 14 in Newport,
Orleans, VT, Nov. 25-27 (B. & J. Prue); eight
in Newmarket, NH, Nov. 15 (fSM); 16 at
Brookfield, Worcester, MA, Nov. 12 (ML et
al.); and 28 in Westport, Bristol, MA, Nov.
21-22 (m. ob.). Whooper Swans continue
to breed ferally in Essex, MA, in spite of
local game authorities’ desire to stop them.
A Whooper of uncertain origin took up
winter residence in Lubec, Washington, ME,
Oct. 12 (J. Merrill et al.).

Eur. Wigeon continues its renaissance in
the Region, with an excellent tally of 20.
These included maxima of 5 in Carver,
Plymouth, MA, Nov. 21 (MS), and five in
Greenland, Rockingham, NH, in late Nov.
(SM, A 8c BD et al.), and Vermont’s first
autumn report in over a half-century, a
flyby at Thompson’s Pt. Oct. 21 (fTGM).
Numbers of Am. Wigeon continue to rise
on New Hampshire’s Great Bay, with up to
300 there in late Oct. and early Nov. (m.
ob.). The current dip in Canvasback and
Redhead numbers continued, with all
counts of the former <100 and only 18 of
the latter, although 8 Redhead at Pontoosuc
L„ MA, Oct. 31 was a good Berkshire count
( fide SK). Two drake Tufted Ducks at
Chickawaukie Pond, Rockland, Knox, ME,
Nov. 24 to Dec. provided the Pine Tree
State’s 2nd record (M. Libby, m. ob.). The
Sterling, Worcester, MA drake returned for
its 4th winter Oct. 10 (F. McMenemy, m.
ob.). A count of 850 Lesser Scaup Nov. 2 at
Nantucket, MA, was impressive (ER).

A well-photographed imm. drake Com.
Eider at Charlotte Nov. 1 1 to Dec. was the
6th for Vermont (tTGM, ph. DH). Nearly
two dozen King Eider were all coastal save
one at Fryeburg, Oxford, ME, Nov. 8 (D.
Gilpatrick fide KG). Harlequin Ducks oc¬
curred in excellent numbers at virtually all
of their traditional haunts and even popped
up in some unexpected venues. One was
early at Bourne, Barnstable, MA, Aug. 7 (J.
Hallowell). High counts included 40 Oct.
25 at Chilmark, Dukes, MA ( VL et al.), 66 at
Rockport Nov. 29 (SP et al.), and a remark¬
able five Nov. 13 on Long I. Sound at
Guilford, New Haven, CT, where they are a
rarity (P. Comins). Good Oldsquaw counts
included a L. Champlain record 280 at
Thompson’s Pt. Oct. 25 (TGM) and 97,000
at the traditional Nantucket staging site
Nov. 29 (ER). A scoter fallout took place
Oct. 24—26, with 630 Blacks in New Hamp¬
shire, including 170 on Crystal L„ Enfield,
Grafton, Oct. 26 (PH) and 41 Surf on L.
Champlain at Addison and Panton Oct. 24
(RBL). A Vermont record 250 White¬
winged Scoters were tallied in W. Addison
Nov. 16 (CG, OM). Eighteen of the 24
Barrow’s Goldeneye reported were from
Maine; others included two Nov. 19 at
Chimney Pt., Addison, VT (SWM et al.),
and five in e. Massachusetts. The best Com.
Merganser counts were 1600 Nov. 18 at L.
Umbagog, Coos, NH (T. Richards, R.
Quinn), and 2500+ on Sabattus Pond,
Androscoggin, ME, Nov. 27 (PV).

RAPTORS THROUGH CRANES

Bald Eagles are prospering. The 41 counted
at Lighthouse Pt. was the best tally there in
the last 8 years (RB). A seasonal total of 806
N. Harriers at Lighthouse Pt. was also bet¬
ter than average (RB). One-day high counts
were 63 Oct. 2 at Lighthouse Pt. (RB) and
57 Oct. 3 at Newburyport, Essex, MA (RH).
Peak Broad-winged Hawk flight days
included Sep. 13 — with good counts from
three states including 8975 at Mt. Watatic,
Worcester, MA (E. Mass. Hawk Watch) —
and Sep. 14 at W. Hartland, Hartford, CT,
where 11,000 were intercepted (P. Carrier).
There were hints of a modest Rough-legged
Hawk flight, with 55+ reported from Oct. 2
onward, including five to the south at
Lighthouse Pt. (RB). Golden Eagles were
represented by 16, including three in
Connecticut, one in Rhode Island, and the
remainder in the Bay State. The 2598 Am.
Kestrels counted at Lighthouse Pt. (RB)
were an improvement over totals for the last
3 autumns but pale in comparison to
counts as recent as the early 1990s. These

little falcons are not shortstopping at feed¬
ers (as now seems true of accipiters), so the
drop in numbers almost certainly reflects a
true decline.

N. Bobwhite arc also dwindling; the
only part of the region that now reports
them with regularity is Cape Cod. The only
Yellow Rail reported was found in urban
Dorchester, Suffolk, MA, Sep. 26 (RD). Two
Purple Gallinules included an adult on
Nantucket Aug. 7-8 (fide ER) and an
injured juvenile picked up near Hanover,
Grafton, NH, Nov. 9 (JMN et al.). The latter
bird was cared for at the Vermont Raptor
Center and shipped to Florida to complete
its recovery. Fifteen of the 24 Com. Moor¬
hens reported were found in Maine and
Vermont, which now appear to hold the
majority of breeding pairs in New England.
Am. Coots were less numerous than in
recent autumns, though an Aug. 15 nesting
confirmation on Monomoy (E. Nielsen)
was noteworthy. Sandhill Cranes numbered
three, with sightings at Matanuck, Washing¬
ton, RI, Sep. 18-20 and Nov. 13 into Dec.,
presumably the same bird (MT), at Light¬
house Pt. Oct. 20 (RB, A. Hamback), and
Nov. 19 at Sandy Point, New Haven, CT (P.
Brody).

SHOREBIRDS

Am. Golden-Plovers were widespread and
well reported from all states, although no
count reached 30. The threatened Piping
Plover peaked at 47 at S. Beach Sep. 7 (BN).
Am. Oystercatchers continue to increase in
s. e. Massachusetts, with a record 178
counted on N. Monomoy Sep. 5 (MS). Six
lingered until Nov. 29 at Edgartown, Dukes,
MA (AK). Five Am. Avocets included four
in e. Massachusetts Aug. 9 to Oct. 15 and
one at W. Haven, New Haven, CT, Aug.
18-19 (JK).

Pending MARC review, a Spotted Red¬
shank was plausibly described from S.
Beach Aug. 16 (tD. Furbish, S. Katz). This is
the 4th Regional report and 3rd for the Bay
State. A Willet at Dead Cr. Sep. 1 6 was a rare
find for Vermont (fDH). Also unusual was
an injured Spotted Sandpiper unable to de¬
part the deteriorating New England climate
at Arlington Res., Middlesex, MA, through
the end of the season (MR). A Whimbrel at
GMNWR Sep. 1 (R. Akell) was unusual for
the Sudbury Valley. Flocks of Hudsonian
Godwits over the sea are rarely intercepted,
so counts of 30 each at Stellwagen Bank
Aug. 25 (J. Cameron) and Fippennies Ledge
Aug. 31 (SP) were of great interest. There
was a single inland report from Dead Cr.
Oct. 17-18 (TGM, SWM). Marbled God-

V0LUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 1

31

wits numbered 1 1 , rather few, and none
were reported n. of Massachusetts.

Selected Calidris high counts from S.
Beach included 2900 Sanderling Sep. 6
(RH), an impressive 700 White-rumped
Sandpipers Sep. 6 (RH), and 8000+ Dunlin
Oct. 25 (WE et al.). The season’s shorebird
highlight was the breeding-plumaged Red¬
necked Stint found at Saquish Head,
Duxbury, Plymouth, MA, Aug. 21-Sep. 4
(fD. Ludlow). Seen by many, it was the 3rd
for the Commonwealth and the 4th for the
Region. High inland counts of Least Sand¬
pipers included a Vermont record 380 at
Dead Cr. Aug. 9 (TGM) and 150 at
GMNWR Sep. 4 (SP). One located Nov. 22
on S. Beach was very tardy (W. Petersen).
Forty-four Baird’s Sandpipers included
three-four in Vermont to Oct. 24, two in w.
Massachusetts (fide SK), an above-average
10 in Connecticut, and a straggler at S.
Monomoy Nov. 29 (W. Harrington).
Representing a rarely reported age class was
a juv. Curlew Sandpiper at Old Lyme, New
London, CT, Oct. 8-13 (T. Hendrickson, ph.
MSz). Two others were reported without
documentation from Maine, with one at
Lubec, ME, Sep. 12 retaining some alternate
plumage (NF fide KG). Only 31 Buff-breast¬
ed Sandpipers were reported, including
four found in the Connecticut R. Valley of
Massachusetts (fide SK). Long-billed Do-
witchers seemed more numerous and wide¬
spread than usual, with 7 juveniles at Dead
Cr. Sep. 16-19 (f ph. DH et al.), two in
coastal New Hampshire, 18 in Maine (fide
JD), and a maximum of 60 at Plum I., Oct.
16 (W. Drew et al.). Wilson’s Phalaropes

were limited to the coast, with one in
Maine, six in Massachusetts, and three in
Connecticut. Inland Red-necked Phala¬
ropes included four on L. Champlain Aug.
20-Sep. 17 (RBL) and one at Pomfret,
Windham, CT, Aug. 13 (R. Dixon). Land¬
locked Red Phalaropes were found Sep. 18
at Butler I., Grand Isle, VT (fRBL, DH),
Oct. 12 at Exeter, Rockingham, NH (fM.
Medeiros), and Oct. 16 near Bixby I., Grand
Isle, VT (f ph. RBL, |FP).

JAEGERS THROUGH ALCIDS

An unidentified jaeger was spotted on L.
Champlain at S. Hero, Grand Isle, Sep. 16
(RBL). Reports lacking documentation of
both Great and South Polar skuas were sub¬
mitted from Maine, with two of the former
and one of the latter Sep. 20, a late date for
a S. Polar (fide JD). The tip of the mid-Nov.
Franklin’s Gull invasion in the mid-Atlantic
states nosed its way into our Region with a
single adult at Milford, CT, Nov. 15 (ph.
FM). Little Gulls were numerous, at least 30
and perhaps as many as 40 were found, over
half of them on L. Champlain, where high
counts ranged upwards to seven on three
dates from Sep. 13 to Oct. 12 (RBL et al.).
Others included two in Maine, nine in e.
Massachusetts, and at least two in Rhode
Island. Twelve Black-headed Gulls was aver¬
age for recent years. Two were the 4th and
5th for Vermont, with adults Oct. 23-Nov. 2
at Thompson’s Pt. (fTGM, ph. RBL et al.)
and another at Shelburne Bay Nov. 1-6
(fTGM, G. Hall et al.). All others were in
coastal Massachusetts. Bonaparte’s Gulls on
n. L. Champlain peaked at 10,000 Sep. 14

(RBL et al.). The lone Mew Gull of the sea¬
son appeared a short distance inland at
Lakeville, Plymouth, MA, Nov. 13 (K.
Anderson). Over 30 Lesser Black-backed
Gulls were reported, mostly in Massachu¬
setts. Sabine’s Gulls included five along the
Atlantic fringe of Massachusetts Sep. 1 1 to
Oct. 10, and Vermont’s 7th and 8th, both
juveniles, in St. Albans Bay, Franklin, Sep. 24
(tFP, ph. RBL, fDH).

Among “southern” terns were the sea¬
son’s only Gull-billed Tern Sep. 17-24 at
Chatham, MA (m. ob.) and a very late
Sandwich Tern at Lynn/Nahant, Essex, MA,
Oct. 19 (fRH). Northerly wandering by
Royal Terns was very weak, but Forster’s
Terns were more in evidence, including 19
in Maine n. to Georgetown, Sagadahoc (fide
JD) and one Sep. 27 in Rye, Rockingham,
NH (PH et al.). Peak counts of staging terns
at S. Beach were 3500 Roseate and 6500
Common Sep. 1 (I. Nisbet) and 400 Black
Sep. 16 (BN). An Aug. 30 count of 635
Com. Terns on L. Champlain was also
impressive (RBL). A notably late Least Tern
was at Tuckernuck Sep. 23 (RV).

Alcids were generally less in evidence
than in 1997’s storm-tossed late autumn.
Only six Dovekies and three Common
Murres were reported s. to e. Massachusetts,
and no Thick-billed Murres were found.
Razorbill remained the most frequently
reported alcid, with a count of 75 at
Quoddy Head S.P., Washington, ME, Sep. 12
(NF) and about 50 in Massachusetts’ waters
in Oct. and Nov. Atlantic Puffins included
2 1 from the CAT ferry between Bar Harbor,
ME, and Yarmouth, NS, Sep. 19 (WT), an
unseasonable four at Rockport Aug. 12
(RH), and three in Nov. in e. Massachusetts.
The alcid of the season came across the
continent to grace Block I. Sound. Rhode
Island’s first and the Region’s 2nd Long¬
billed Murrelet arrived Nov. 27 and stayed
into Dec. at Narragansett, Washington (S.
Mitra, m. ob.).

OWLS THROUGH WOODPECKERS

The only Snowy Owls of the season were
two n. of the CP Line at Fort Kent, ME, in
late Nov. (G. Flagg fide KG). Judy Walker at
Freeport, Cumberland, ME, banded 179 N.
Saw-whet Owls this season, nearly 20 more
than last year (fide JD). Selasphorus hum¬
mingbirds are now annual in small num¬
bers. This autumn there were five, including
a banded female Rufous returning for a 3rd
autumn in Agawam, Hampden, MA, Aug.
17-Nov. 25, when she was returned to the
greenhouse in Northampton in which she
spent the previous 2 winters (L. Fieldstad),

A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, a plumage seen very infrequently

in North America, photographed at the Old Lyme Boat Club in Connecticut

on October 13. Photograph/Mark S. Szantyr

32

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

new england

and an ad. male Rufous in Londonderry,
Rockingham, NH Oct. 30-Nov. 25. It was
captured and sent to overwinter with the w.
Massachusetts female (fSM, I. Munier, m.
oh.). Unidentified rusty hummers were at
Leicester, Worcester, MA, Oct. 30 (ML et al. ),
Holyoke, Hampden, MA, Oct. 18-24 (fide
SK), and Guilford, CT, Oct. 17-Nov. 6 (L.
Courtney, ph. MSz).

Red-headed Woodpecker reports were
almost entirely coastal, with 55 reported
from Monhegan to Long 1. Sound, an
above-average flight. The only nesting pair
was reported from Exeter, Washington, RI;
this species was not confirmed during the
Ocean State’s Atlas Project (fide DE). Red-
bellied Woodpeckers in n. New England
numbered only six, with one each in Maine
and Vermont. The only Three-toed Wood¬
pecker reported was on Bigelow Mt, Frank¬
lin, ME, Oct. 10 (M. Andrews fide KG). A
wandering Black-backed Woodpecker
turned up in Groton, Middlesex, MA, Oct.
28 (K. McNierney fide SP).

FLYCATCHERS THROUGH WRENS

The usually early-departing Olive-sided
Flycatcher stayed late, with individuals at
Block I. Sep. 28 (R. Bowen et al.) and
Maynard, Middlesex, MA, Oct. 1 (L.
Nachtrab). Two Say’s Phoebes appeared in
Maine this season, at Scarborough, Cumber¬
land, Sep. 7 (P. H. Nielsen) and a week later
on Monhegan (B. Boynton fide KG). Other
w. vagrants included an Ash-throated Fly¬
catcher at the end of the season Nov. 28 into
Dec. at Cambridge, MA (m. ob.), and a
probable Cass in’s Kingbird seen and pho¬
tographed Aug. 19 at Hammonasset Beach
S.P., New Haven, CT ( JK, B. Kleinman, ph.),
awaiting review by the Avian Records Com¬
mittee of Connecticut. Twelve W. Kingbirds
was average for the 1990s, although one Oct.
28 in Concord was unusual for New Hamp¬
shire and inland (|R. Suomala, C. Johnson).
Birders counted 130 E. Kingbirds in 90 min¬
utes at Lighthouse Pt. Aug. 19. A Scissor-
tailed Flycatcher was at Gay Head, Martha’s
Vineyard, Aug. 4 (A. Fischer). From farther
afield, a juv. Fork-tailed Flycatcher found
Aug. 9 at Plum I. remained until Sep. 13, to
the delight of many. The last Regional
autumn report of this species was in 1994.

Twenty-eight N. Shrikes were distributed
throughout the Region, with first reports
Oct. 17 in New Hampshire and Maine and
Oct. 18 on Cape Cod. Maine’s first Bell’s
Vireo was documented at S. Harpswell,
Cumberland, Oct. 23 (fPD, T. Wood). A
Blue-headed Vireo lingered to Nov. 29 at
Gay Head (AK), while a late Yellow-throated

This juvenile Fork-tailed Flycatcher spent
almost a month, from August 9 through
September 13, at well-birded Plum Island.
This plumage is rarely noted
in North America. Photograph/Charles Bush

Vireo was at Provincetown, MA, Oct. 13 (J.
Sones). A Com. Raven reached Long I.
Sound at Lighthouse Pt. in mid-Sep. (J.
Zipp, RB). A noteworthy and late count of
Tree Swallows was 10,000+ at Charlestown,
Washington, RI, Oct. 23 (J. St. Jean). Careful
scrutiny of swallows at Plum I. Aug. 1 1 pro¬
duced an imm. Violet-green Swallow (tD.
Duxbury, R. Fox) that awaits MARC review.
Numbers of N. Rough-winged Swallows in
Grand Isle, VT, peaked at 150 on Aug. 6
(DH), and four lingered to Oct. 12 at
GMNWR (SP). Maine contributed an
amazing 5000+ Bank Swallows Aug. 19 at
Benton, Kennebec (W. Sumner). Indicative
of a mild late autumn, a Cliff Swallow at Rye
Nov. 7 tied New Hampshire’s late date
(tSM), while six Barn Swallows in S.
Dartmouth, Bristol, MA, Nov. 29 (G.
Fernandez) were knocking on the door of
winter.

November produced four House Wren
reports, the latest at Berlin, Worcester, MA,
on the 27th (S. Moore et al.). Marsh Wrens
also lingered, with 10 Nov. reports from
Massachusetts and two at Exeter, NH, Nov.
29 (K., A. 8c G. Prazar). The only Sedge
Wren of the season was seen nigh to mid¬
night Oct. 22, under parking lot lights in
Waterford, New London, CT (DP).

THRUSHES THROUGH WARBLERS

The first of two N. Wheatears for the season
was at Nantucket Aug. 30 ( JS), while the sec¬
ond obliged many at Sherwood Island S.P.,
Westport, Fairfield, CT, Sep. 19-22 (C. Bar¬
nard, ph. FM, m. ob.). Robins in Litchfield,
CT, Nov. 7 were accompanied by the sea¬
son’s only Townsend’s Solitaire (BD). Varied

Thrushes appeared late in the season, with
two in Annisquani, Essex, MA, Nov. 27 into
Dec. (NLM, v. o.). The first Am. Pipit was
very early Aug. 2 at Hammonasset Beach
S.P., CT (R. Scory). Bohemian Waxwings
were few and far between, with only three
reports.

Systematic half-hour counts of noctur¬
nal migrants in Enfield, NH, detected peak
warbler flights Sep. 1 1 8c 20 (PH), while
dawn observations at Bluff Pt. produced
counts of 1000 warblers Sep. 5, 9, 8< 25 and
2000 on Sep. 29 (DP). The “budworm” war¬
blers (Tennessee, Bay-breasted, and Cape
May) continued the very low numbers of
recent autumns. However, the mild weather
induced 13 species to linger in e. Massachu¬
setts into Nov., including at least 4 species
(Orange-crowned, Nashville, Yellow, and
Yellow-throated) in the Boston Public
Gardens at month’s end. Goldcn-wingeds
included one banded on Appledore I., ME,
Sep. 3 (J. Ficker ,fide KG) and five other Sep.
birds, plus a Brewster’s hybrid in e. Massa¬
chusetts. Orange-crowned Warblers were
found in excellent numbers this season, with
54+ reported from mostly coastal locations.
N. Parulas encountered fallout conditions
Sep. 22 in Scarborough, ME, when 50 were
counted (GC). An Audubon’s Warbler was
detected in a flock of Myrtles Oct. 16 at
Mascoma L., Enfield, Grafton, NH (PH).
Blackpoll Warblers put on a show in Maine,
where one observer termed the fallout of
Sep. 21-22 the “biggest fall migration of
Blackpolls that I have ever seen” (GC). The
seasonal high count in the Bay State came a
few days later, with 1 10 at Barre Falls Sep. 26
(ML). There were only three Cerulean
Warblers reported this autumn, at Marble¬
head Neck W.S., Essex MA, Aug. 16 (JS) and
at Tuckernuck Sep. 16 & 22 (RV). Stray war¬
blers from the south and west included
Maine’s 4th Black-throated Gray Warbler,
an ad. male in Biddeford, York, Sep. 30 (fB.
Schram), an ad. male Townsend’s Warbler
at Chilmark, MA, Oct. 4 (fAK), and Yeliow-
throateds on Monhegan at the end of Sep.,
in Gloucester Oct. 13 (MF et al.), at
Cuttyhunk Oct. 17 (A. Goldman et al.) and
in the Boston Public Gardens Nov. 28 and
later (v. o.). Prothonotary Warblers were at
Plum I. Aug. 22-30 (v. o), Fryeburg, ME,
Sep. 26 (no details), and both Martha’s
Vineyard (VL) and Gloucester (MF et al.)
Oct. 13. A Kentucky Warbler at Tuckernuck
Sep. 6 was followed by one later in the
month in Bar Harbor, Hancock, ME (WT
fide KG), with another at Boston Harbor
Oct. 10 (H. Cross). Two MacGillivray’s
Warblers were reported in Massachusetts,

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 1

33

from S. Peabody, Essex, Oct. 5 (fRH) and
Northampton Oct. 11 (T. Gagnon fide SK),
the latter without details. Thirty-nine Con¬
necticut Warblers bested 1997’s above-aver¬
age 36, including a max of three in Wor¬
cester, MA, Sep. 12 (ML et al.) and the last at
Tuckernuck Oct. 12 (RV). Two of five
Hooded Warblers on Tuckernuck were
banded Oct. 12; seven others were reported
from e. Massachusetts and two from Mon-
hegan and Jonesport, Washington, ME.

TANAGERS THROUGH FINCHES

Scarlet Tanagers made a good showing: an
impressive 150 were at Bluff Pt. Sep. 29
(DP). An exceptional count for the date was
4-5 at Provincetown Oct. 13 ( JS). A W.
Tanager at Hadley, Hampshire, MA, Oct. 21
was away from the coast, where they are
more frequent (H. Allen). Clay-colored
Sparrows appeared in excellent numbers.
The first of nearly 50 was found Aug. 24;
most were on the coast Sep. 20 to Oct. 10.
The summering bird at Grand Isle, VT,
thought to be either an erythristic Clay-col¬
ored or a hybrid with Field Sparrow, paired
with a Field Sparrow and was seen carrying
food for young Aug. 5 (DH). An average 12
Lark Sparrows were distributed across
Connecticut (one), Maine (four), and the
Bay Sate (seven). A few notable high counts
of regular migrant sparrows included 200
Chipping at Mashpee, MA, Sep. 25 (MS);
363 Swamp at Bolton Flats, Worcester, MA,
Oct. 18 (ML et al.); 30 Lincoln’s and 1000
White-throated at Turner, Androscoggin,
ME, Sep. 26 (JD); and 200 White-crowned
at Plum I. Oct. 6 (JS et al). Rare sparrows
were the Nutmeg State’s 2nd Golden-
crowned Sparrow at Southbury, New
Haven, Oct. 24, staying for about a week
(BD), and a Harris’s that entertained birders
at Plum I. Nov. 11-18 (P. Drew, nr. ob.).

At least 75 Blue Grosbeaks invaded New
England, nearly doubling 1981’s autumn
record. Maine garnered three-four, Con¬
necticut five, and Rhode Island 12, includ¬
ing four on Block I. Oct. 11 (fide MT).
Coastal Massachusetts, especially the Cape
and Islands, were inundated with 50-55,
most in a fallout on Martha’s Vineyard in
mid-Oct. highlighted by 26 Oct. 16 (VL et
al.). Indigo Buntings also participated in the
Oct. fallout, with 50 on the Vineyard Oct. 14
(VL et al.). Observers in Mattapoisett,
Plymouth, MA, were surprised and pleased
when a male Painted Bunting appeared at a
feeder Oct. 27-Nov. 2 (P. Perkins et al.). An
excellent total of 100+ Dickcissels was
found by New England birders, including
11+ in Maine and two inland in North¬

ampton, MA (fide SK). The peak count of
380 Bobolinks came from Plum I. Aug. 13
(RH), many being reported in Oct. to the
26th in e. Massachusetts. Coastal locations
cornered the market for Yellow-headed
Blackbird, with one in Maine, four in
Massachusetts, and one in Connecticut. A
Brewer’s Blackbird dropped into the wet
meadows of Bolton Flats, MA, Oct. 12 (fR.
Lockwood). A male Bullock’s Oriole bright¬
ened a Nov. 17 outing in Sterling, MA (ML
et al.).

Contributors who commented all agreed
that finches were virtually absent this year
after last autumn’s good flight. Pine Gros¬
beaks were represented by single reports
from the Granite State and Massachusetts
and “mighty few” in Maine. White-winged
Crossbills were present in fair-to-good
numbers in their usual haunts in New
Hampshire and Maine. Individuals also
strayed south to Mt. Watatic, MA, Aug. 1
(RH, BN) and a feeder in Kingstown, RI,
Sep. 10 (P. Buckley).

EXOTICS

An influx of Monk Parakeets was reported
from e. Massachusetts, with birds in Merri-
mac, Essex, Worcester, and S. Dartmouth.

Sub-regional editors (boldface), contribu¬
tors (italics), and observers: R. Bell, Jim
Berry, Gloria Carson, Alan & Barbara
Delorey (A&BD), Jody Despres, Buzz
Devine, Paul Donahue, R. Donovan, Walter
Ellison, David Emerson, M. Faherty, Norm
Famous, Kay Gammons, Charlie Gifford,
Greg Hanisek, Rick Heil, David Hoag, Pam
Hunt, Jay Kaplan, Alan Keith, Seth Kellogg,
Vernon Laux, Richard B. Lavallee, Mark
Lynch, Frank Mantlick, Otto Meier, Steve
Mirick, Scott W. Morrical, Ted Murin, Julia
M. Nicholson, Blair Nikula, Simon Perkins,
Frederick Pratt, Dave Provencher, Edie Ray,
Marj Rines, Jan Smith, Jackie Sones, Mike
Sylvia, Mark Szantyr (MSz), William Town¬
send, M. Tucker, Richard Veit, Vermont
Institute of Natural Science, Peter Vickery.

Walter G. Ellison and Nancy L. Martin,

Department of Biological Sciences, SUNY at
Albany, Albany, NY 12222

Hudson-

ROBERT 0. PAXTON,

JOSEPH C. BURGIEL,
and DAVID A. CUTLER

Fall 1998 will be remembered for the
electrifying discovery at Jamaica Bay,
New York City, of the lower forty-eight’s
first Broad-billed Sandpiper. Lesser won¬
ders included New York’s and the Region’s
first Anna’s Hummingbird, New Jersey’s
first Reddish Egret, and North America’s
second Whiskered Tern.

Rarities, however high-voltage, should
not overshadow the heart of this report: the
patient labor our contributors invest in
monitoring bird numbers and movements.
For example, the Avalon, NJ seawatch
logged its 6th year (B. Seng, CS, F. Mears, S.
Barnes, J. Tietz, G. Dwyer), while the Ham¬
lin Beach lakewatch scanned L. Ontario
migrant traffic for the 5th (W. Symonds et
al., G. Albanese). We have data from 9 hawk-
watches, regrettably missing some. “Opera¬
tion Broad-Wing SEPT” (K. Moulton) scru¬
tinized its 5th Broad-winged Hawk passage.
Three banding stations reported: Manitou,
Monroe, NY (D. Bonter, EBr, RMcK, S.
Skelly, P. Stanko), Fire Island, Suffolk, LI
(SM), and Island Beach, Ocean, NJ
(G&EM). Meticulous local observation and
records-keeping may have less glamor than
the pursuit of rarities, but they are the
bedrock of understanding bird populations.
Sometimes they get rarities too!

The weather was warmer and much
drier than normal, approaching drought
conditions toward the end (though wet in

34

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

delaware region

the Adirondacks). Prevailing northwester-
lies produced high hawk counts along
inland ridges, but few water birds were
grounded inland and few massive fronts
pushed migrants to the coast. The only hur¬
ricane, Bonnie, had shrunk to a tropical dis¬
turbance by the time it passed N Aug. 28,
without known avian baggage. The only
other significant disturbance was the pow¬
erful Lake Superior windstorm Nov. 10-11
that redirected unprecedented dozens of
Franklin’s Gulls our way, plus a few Black¬
legged Kittiwakes and Sabine’s Gulls. Every
irruptive species, from raptors to winter
finches, stayed home.

Work pressure has obliged Bill Boyle to
retire from this column. Twice a year for 18
years he has analyzed the season with
authority and precision. We will miss him.

Abbreviations: Avalon (sea watch n. of Cape
May, NJ); Bombay Hook (Bombay Hook Nat'l
Wildlife Ref., near Smyrna, DE); Brig (Brigantine
Unit, Edward P. Forsythe Nat'l Wildlife Ref.,
Atlantic, NJ); Chazy riverlands (L. Champlain
shore around Chazy river mouths, Clinton, NY);
Conejohela Flats (Susquehanna R. at
Washington Boro, Lancaster, PA); Green Lane
(Green Lane Res., Montgomery, PA); Hamlin
Beach (state park on L. Ontario, Monroe, NY);
Jamaica Bay (Jamaica Bay Wildlife Ref., New
York City); Montezuma (Montezuma N. W. R.,
n. of L. Cayuga, Senaca, NY); NJBRC (New
Jersey Bird Records Com.); NYSARC (New York
State Avian Records Com.); PORC (Pennsylvania
Ornithological Records Committee). Place
names in italics are counties.

LOOMS THROUGH IBISES

The immense passage of Red-throated
Loons, mosdy in Nov., was below average at
Hamlin Beach (9366, mostly westbound)
but far above at Avalon (72,868). An
unprecedented 400+ were moving up Dela¬
ware Bay Nov. 29 (WD, D. Dasey). A Pacific
Loon was carefully described at Tomhan-
nock Res., Rensselaer, NY Oct. 17 (fW.
Ellison, N. Martin). The only inland Red¬
necked Grebe visited L. Struble, Chester, PA
Nov. 10 (PH). Eared Grebes reached only
upstate New York: Hamlin Beach Nov. 15
(WS, BE), and Seneca Lake Nov. 7 (L.
Bennett).

A few imm. N. Gannets are regular on L.
Ontario, but seven passing Hamlin Beach

set a record. An immature at Chazy river-
lands Oct. 19 (BK, CM) was a first for the
New York shore of L. Champlain. Avalon’s
78,866 were 20% above average. Three Am.
White Pelicans, now annual somewhere in
this Region, lingered at Montezuma Sep.
13-Oct. 27.

New Jersey’s first Reddish Egret, an
immature, was at Brig for a few days after
Aug. 24 (J. Meritt, J. Danzenbaker, JDo,
WD, m. ob., ph KK). Another reported at
Jamaica Bay Sep. 5, during the Broad-billed
Sandpiper frenzy, is under consideration by
NYSARC (J. Hough).

WATERFOWL

Ever-expanding Greater White-fronted
Goose reports raise perennial questions of
origin. Two on Long Island and two at
Bombay Hook in Nov. were normal, but
numerous inland reports (four in upstate
New York, two in n.w. New Jersey, one in
Bucks, PA) included a remarkable six at
Council Cup, the first for Luzerne, PA (JH,
RKo).

As Greater Snow Geese proliferate,
Ross’s Geese, first recorded on the e. sea¬
board in 1968 and found regularly in this
Region only since the 1980s, turn up away
from coastal strongholds. This fall several
were up the Delaware Valley in s.w. New
Jersey: two at Mannington, Salem, Nov. 8
(WD, D. Dasey) and another at Mansfield
Twp., Burlington, after Nov. 21 (A. Brady et
al. ). A new Regional high was six at Prime
Hook N. W. R„ DE, Oct. 23 (MG). One of
the rare but increasing blue morph was
reported on L. Champlain, at Point au
Roche S. P., Clinton, NY, Oct. 23-Nov. 5
(BK, CM, TD). A remarkable Mottled
Duck was at Jamaica Bay, found by David
Sibley and Will Russell while enjoying the
Broad-billed Sandpiper. Though the species
is sometimes kept in aviaries, there is a dis¬
tinct possibility that this bird was a wild
wanderer (the northernmost record is from
Virginia). The first Cinnamon Teal for the
Adirondacks, believed wild, was at the
Chazy riverlands Sep. 20 (BK, CM; cf.
reports in the mid-Atlantic states).

RAPTORS

We thank the following hawkwatches for
data: Mount Peter, Orange, NY (J.
Cinquina); Hook Mt., Rockland, NY (P.

French); Fire Is., LI (D. Panko); Central
Park, N.Y.C. (R. DeCandido); Chimney
Rock, Somerset, NJ (S. Byland); Hawk Mt.,
Berks, PA (LG); Militia Hill, Philadelphia
(M. Klauder); Cape May, NJ (PS); and Cape
Henlopen, DE (CB).

Hawk counts were high at most inland
ridge watches and a bit below average along
the coast. This likely reflects persistent
northwesterlies and migrant-concentrating
updrafts more than population changes.
There were unmistakable trends nonethe¬
less.

Black Vultures, actively colonizing s.
New York, increased at most hawkwatches.
Mt. Peter, Orange, NY, broke last year’s
record with 68. Thirty-two at Cape May on
Oct. 31 set a one-day record there. Thriving
Turkey Vultures set records at Mount Peter
(269, best in 41 years) and Central Park
(329).

A Mississippi Kite, much likelier in
May-June, was observed at Cape May Sep.
28, and another there Oct. 29-31. Osprey
counts have leveled off these past several
falls at most hawkwatches. By contrast, Bald
Eagles increased, particularly inland. The
Broadwing SEPT project (see below) tallied
a record 64 Bald Eagles crossing s.e.
Pennsylvania Sep. 13-24, and Hawk Moun¬
tain’s 159 set a record.

Sharp-shinned Hawks seem to be hold¬
ing steady, but at levels far below the banner
1970s. In apparent symmetry with Sharp-
shinned decline, Cooper’s Hawk counts
have inched upward since the 1970s. They
now represent about 10% of all Accipiters
at most hawkwatches. That trend continued
this season with above-average counts at all
inland watches and new records at Hawk
Mt. (1121) and Chimney Rock (469).

A bright idea plus e-mail is clarifying
Broad-winged Hawk migration. Broadwing
SEPT (South-Eastern Pennsylvania Tran¬
sect), a line of hawkwatches bisecting hith¬
erto unsurveyed terrain between Hawk Mt.
and Philadelphia, has established since 1993
that Broadwings cross s.e. Pennsylvania on a
broad front. This fall’s passage, negotiated
among weak slow- moving weather systems,
had three peaks: Sep. 11-14, Sept. 18 (the
climax, with 18,436 over Pottstown [D.
Hughes] and 16,988 over the SEPT sta¬
tions), and Sep. 24. SEPT also monitors the
flight closely in real time by e-mail until,
about a week later (depending on winds and

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 1

35

other weather), our birds join the even larg¬
er Great Lakes stream and cross into Mexico
by the hundreds of thousands near Corpus
Christi, TX. “If a Broad-winged Hawk
sneezes in North America, I want to know
about it as soon as it happens” (K.
Moulton). The SEPT watches also detected a
fifteen-mile mass of dragonflies Sep. 16.

Swainson’s Hawks went off scale. Cape
May recorded an unprecedented 10, three
of them at once Sep. 10-11 (KK, SF).
Elsewhere Long Island’s first, a dark imma¬
ture, lingered at Great Gull Island after Sep.
18 (H. Hays et al., ph L. Nield), and a light-
morph immature passed Sunrise Mt.,
Sussex, NJ, Oct. 15 (TH, JB).

Golden Eagles were relatively sparse on
the coast but the highest ever at some inland
ridges: Hawk Mt. (145, breaking last year’s
record), Chimney Rock ( 16), and Hook Mt.
(9). Am. Kestrels keep dwindling, and
Merlins continue historically high levels.

GALLINULES
THROUGH SHOREBIRDS

Two Purple Gallinules were very good
finds: Irondequoit Bay, Monroe, NY, Oct. 17
(B. Maguire, ph KG, tJ- Sullivan, tJ- Barry),
and Brig Sep. 27-Oct. 10 (J. Stanley, K.
Goodblood, m. ob.). The former was only
the 2nd from the L. Ontario plain.

Shorebirds, concentrated at favorable
spots, exhibited a classic drought pattern.
Low water produced outstanding inland
shorebirding along L. Ontario (late in the
season), at the Chazy riverlands (21
species), Sylvan Beach on L. Oneida, NY
(20+), Green Lane (22), the Conejohola
Flats (22), and the West Fairview boat ramp,
on the Susquehanna opposite Harrisburg,
PA (16). Brig’s pools, for once, were better
for shorebirds than for ducks and improved
after the Snow Goose herd trampled them
in Oct. Bacinski found 10,000 Semi-
palmated Plovers there Aug. 15 and 10,000
Semipalmated Sandpipers Aug. 29; 7000
shorebirds were still there Nov. 8-10 (JDo).

Post-breeding Am. Avocets from the
west built even higher in Delaware: 400 at
Bombay Hook and 300 at Little Creek Oct.
23 (APE). In addition to the regular strag¬
glers up the coast as far as Jamaica Bay,
more than usual appeared far inland (prob¬
ably coming from the west). Clinton NY’s
first was on L. Champlain at the Chazy
riverlands Sep. 14-21 (BK, CM). Two in
alternate plumage flew by Greece, Monroe,
NY, Aug. 8, and two in basic plumage
graced L. Cayuga Aug. 24. Pennsylvania had
up to four in Sep.: up to two at Green Lane
(AM, RWi), one at L. Ontelaunee, Berks, PA

(J. Horn), and one at a farm pond near
Shartlesville, Berks (J. Eckert et al.).

Whimbrels generally miss this Region’s
north; one at the Chazy riverlands Sep. 6-8
(BK, CM, G. Worthington) was only the
third Clinton, NY record, and three or four
were good around Rochester Aug. 30-Sep. 2
(WS, KG).

Hudsonian Godwits reached the coast
in only single digits, but more than usual
put down inland at good habitat. Four at
the Pennsylvania Power and Light fly-ash
basin at Martin’s Creek Aug. 17 constituted
Northampton’s first and the most ever
found at once in the Lehigh Valley (ph.
RWi). Singles visited Green Lane in early
Sep. and Spruce Run Res., Hunterdon, NJ
Sep. 3 and Nov. 18-19 (JDe). Northerly
stragglers were late: Northup Creek, Mon¬
roe, NY, Oct. 4 (RGS, D. Strong et al.) and
the Chazy riverlands Sep. 6-Oct. 22 (BK,
CM, I. Meyers).

Marbled Godwits, similarly, were scarce
on the coast, but on the L. Ontario plain,
where they are found only every six or eight
years, one was at Tonawanda W. M. A. Aug.
9 (WW) and another (conceivably the
same) at Charlotte, Monroe the next day
(tK. Dalton, IT- Dobson, B. Dobson).

Kurtz took the trouble to age shorebirds,
as we should all do. He found the highest
proportion of juveniles in 18 years of study
at Jamaica Bay: up to half the Stilt, Least,
and White-rumped sandpipers. The breed¬
ing season must have been excellent (except
for “disastrously low” Red Knots [ RJK] ). A
hundred White-rumped Sandpipers at W.
Cape May Aug. 29 was a lot, and one in
Terry Twp. Aug. 21-26 was the first for
Bradford, PA (WR).

Inland shorebirding is best before a
storm ends, as L. Ontelaunee proved again
in a thunderstorm Aug. 10 with a record 190
Lesser Yellowlegs, a Western Sandpiper, and
45 Stilt Sandpipers (H. & K. Lebo). A Stilt
Sandpiper Aug. 26 in Terry Twp. was the
first Bradford, PA record (WR). The only
coastal Curlew Sandpiper visited Bombay
Hook Sep. 19 (MG, BP); more unusual was
one at Montezuma Aug. 12-13 (GP).

Brig was the Region’s best bet for Buff¬
breasted Sandpipers: 32 there Aug. 26 (AR)
was peak. The glorious 1980s are long gone
for Ruffs; the coast had only three transient
singles. Much rarer was an imm. male at
Hyper-Humus, Lafayette, Sussex, NJ, Sep.
28 (TH, JB et al.), only the second locally.
The best of many Baird’s Sandpiper reports
were five-six at Brig Aug. 26-29 (AR, P.
Bacinski) and five at the Conejohela Flats
Aug. 28 (EW).

GULLS THROUGH TERMS

Little Gulls were commonest, as usual, on L.
Ontario (17 at Hamlin Beach). In addition
to a sub-par couple of coastal records, one
was good on the Susquehanna at Bain-
bridge, Lancaster, PA, Oct. 25 (P. Robinson).
Black-headed Gulls are more coastal, but
they are increasingly regular on L. Ontario
(Hamlin Beach, Oct. 8 and Nov. 25).
Among a half dozen coastal records, “old
one-foot” returned to Bridgehampton, LI,
for the 9th year (J. Ash). California Gull,
once a supreme rarity, is probably annual
around Niagara. This year’s was in Lewiston
Twp., Niagara, NY, Nov. 15 & 21 (WD’A).

Lesser Black-backed Gulls now reach
double or even triple digits in favored local¬
ities. The hottest spot in the Region, as dis¬
covered three winters ago by Brian Sullivan,
lies inland, astride the Delaware between
the Tullytown dump, Bucks, PA, and
Florence, Burlington, NJ. From Florence,
thousands of gulls of various species can be
seen loafing and washing in the river,
including 42 Lesser Black-backs (no record
nowadays) on Nov. 23 (WD). Many loaf in
two areas about 14 miles away from the
river in lower Bucks, PA: the Richboro
Junior School playing fields and Church-
ville Res. The build-up in lower Bucks
began this fall with four on Oct. 3 and
swelled rapidly to 52 by Oct. 13, reaching
60+ on the Churchville Res. alone on Nov.
30 and more than 100 in the general area
(A. Binns). Other records of one or several
Lesser Black-backs, mostly near the coast,
defy summary. The largest group was nine

Many dreamed of seeing a
Broad-billed Sandpiper some
day, but we hardly expected it within
sight of the Empire State Building. A
cooperative juvenile found at Jamaica
Bay Aug. 27 (B. Benner) was admired
by crowds until Sep. 4. It was the first
record for the lower 48 states. There
are several Aleutian records, however,
as well as one from Halifax, NS, Sep. 9,
1990. This transcontinental pattern
makes it hard to surmise whether our
bird strayed west from the Scandinav¬
ian population or east from the
Siberian population. The Nova Scotia
bird, in pale basic plumage unlike
Jamaica Bay’s streaked juvenile, was
thought to have originated in Europe
(AB 46: 48-50). In any event, this
species’ total numbers must be small;
even within its range it is a red-letter
sight.

36

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

hudson-delaware

at Niagara Falls Nov. 21 (WD’A et al.), and
the farthest inland were at least two at
Green Lane Nov. 15 (AM). Are they breed¬
ing somewhere nearer than Iceland?

A few Black-legged Kittiwakes were
swept east by the same storm that carried
Franklin’s Gulls: five at Hamlin Beach on
Nov. 13(11 for the whole month) and one
Nov. 14 on the Susquehanna at Muddy Run
R. A. (Phila. Birdline). Sabine’s Gulls rode
the same winds: two were at Niagara Nov.
15 (WD’A, B. Potter) and one at Cape May
Nov. 14 (RC).

Thirty Caspian Terns at L. Ontelaunee
plus two others at nearby Nehf’s Pond Aug.
30 (T. Clauser) were more than twice the
previous Berks record. An ad. Whiskered
Tern was at Cape May Aug. 8-12 (RC, ph.
KK, R. Hilton, CS, PL), the site where North
America’s first appeared in 1993 before
crossing to Delaware.

A post-breeding assemblage of 225

A powerful storm across L.
Superior Nov. 10-11 rerouted
unheard-of numbers of Franklin’s
Gulls. The season began normally
enough with a handful around Niagara
and more unusual singles at
Montezuma Aug. 30 (G. Chapin), Har¬
risburg, PA, Sep. 2 (DH) and Florence,
NJ, Oct. 21 (WD). Numbers exploded
after the storm. On Nov. 11, 3-6 were
around Niagara, and after that they
moved east into L. Ontario. Two adults
reached Oswego, NY, Nov. 12 (GP); on
Nov. 13-14 two were at Hamlin Beach
and a near-record five (four of them
exceptionally adults) paused at Ironde-
quoit Bay. Most of these displaced gulls
must have regrouped along the
Atlantic Coast, for by Nov. 14 three
reached Long Island, four S. Amboy, NJ
(F. Virazzi), and one Manasquan Inlet,
Monmouth, NJ, Nov. 16 ( J. Herder). An
astonishing 28 passed Avalon Nov. 14
and fourteen the next day. Altogether a
hitherto unimaginable 40 were esti¬
mated around Cape May Nov. 14.
Others worked their way down great
rivers: e.g., singles on the Delaware at
Palmyra, Burlington, NJ Nov. 14 (TBa),
in the Port of Wilmington Nov. 21
(CC, ESh), and on the Hudson at
Croton Pt. Park, Westchester, NY, Nov.

25 (L. Bickford). A few stragglers lin¬
gered on L. Ontario until late Nov. and
around Cape May into early Dec. The
only precedent is about 20 on I..
Ontario in 1979.

Black Terns on L. Ontario at Pt. Peninsula
Shoal, Jefferson, NY, Aug. 1 1 was amazing,
considering that only about 200 pairs of
this endangered species now breed in New
York (1. Mazzocchi, NYDEC). Farther
south, 340 at Montauk Pt. and 75 at Shin-
necock Inlet, LI, Sep. 13 (AJL, AGt) and 40
in Fire Is. Inlet the next day (SM) were
almost like old times.

DOVES THROUGH WOODPECKERS

Eurasian Collared-Doves, crossing North
America like Kudzu since their 1982 arrival
in Florida, twitched another state (follow¬
ing New York and New Jersey) by visiting a
feeder at Selbyville, Sussex, DE, Aug. 11-13
(D. Bridge, SD).

The Cape May Point Owl Banding
Project found N. Saw-whet Owls scarce on
the coast (K. Duffy), but banders near
Hawk Mt. captured an astonishing 89 (E.
Atkinson, T. Bauman), while others at
Second Mountain, Schuylkill, PA, caught 22
on Oct. 25 (SW).

Com. Nighthawk flights were the biggest
in years, partly from better coverage. Two
observers counted nightly in Philadelphia a
half-mile apart without knowing about
each other. They tallied 452 Aug. 30-Sep. 16
(DAC) and 352 Sep. 3-9 (J. Friedman, max.
200 on Sep. 7). Tops among many other
counts were 225 at Wyoming, Luzerne, PA
Sep. 1 (JH) and 150 over Tenafly, Bergen, NJ
Sep. 4 (BMo). An incredible 1800 Chimney
Swifts roosted in downtown Trenton, NJ, in
Sep. (J. Bickal).

The region’s first Anna’s Humming¬
bird, a male, frequented a feeder at Bing¬
hamton, NY, from mid-Oct. and was wide¬
ly admired after its identity was confirmed
Nov. 18 (J. Wells, ph. RWi). A rehab center
took it in Dec. 18. In addition to a male
Rufous near Boyertown, PA, from Sep. 1 5 to
at least mid-Dec. (J. Keim, m. ob.), the sec¬
ond Berks record, Selasphorus humming¬
birds, somewhat below last year, turned up
in W. Cape May Nov. 6-7 (F. Kohler, PL et
al.), Pittstown, Hunterdon, NJ, Oct. 10 into
Dec. (JDe), and two in Delaware in Nov.
(ESh, CC, E. Potrafke, 1. Goverts).

Red-headed Woodpeckers, once com¬
mon, remain only in vestigial pockets in the
Region. This Aug., however, they evidently
bred at Oley, Berks, PA (RKe), near George¬
town and Lewes, DE, and possibly at Assa-
woman W. M. A., DE (SD) and Evangola
S.P., Erie, NY (H. Forbes). Migrants includ¬
ed multiples: six at Niagara Oct. 18
(WD’A), seven on Fire Is., LI, Sep. 28 (SM)
and again there Oct. 2 (RJK). Seven lingered
in Central Park through Nov.

FLYCATCHERS THROUGH SHRIKES

The only confirmed Ash-throated Fly¬
catchers visited Cape May Nov. 13 (M.
Barrett, JB, H. Burk) and Nov. 17 (I).
Anderson, m. ob.). About ten coastal W.
Kingbirds were sub-par; the only inland
report was Bedminster Twp., Bucks, PA in
early Sep. (A. Webster, AM, ph RWi). A
Fork-tailed Flycatcher, less than annual,
was at Cape May Aug. 29 (A. Humann, RC,

V. Elia, MO’B); one Sep. 28 (PL, L. Jackson)
was likely a different individual.

The autumn movement of Cave Swal¬
lows up the Atlantic Coast is proving regu¬
lar. One or two frequented Cape May in
Nov. for the 7th consecutive fall (JDo, RC,
PL et al.). Two also visited the NYC ocean
front at Riis Park/Fort Tilden Nov. 28 (AGt,
AWi, ph.), for a 2nd state record. They were
believed on photographic evidence to
belong to the inland race, pelodoma, which
is expanding northward in the central
United States.

Pennsylvania’s 4th Mountain Bluebird
was discovered Nov. 28 near Honey Brook,
Chester (L. Lewis et al.). Am. Pipits
swarmed, reaching 325 in Eden Twp., Erie,
NY, Oct. 10 (RA) and 200 at Culver’s L.,
Sussex, Oct. 18 (F. Tetlow). Flocks of 100+
were around Cape May and Bombay Hook
in Nov. The Region’s only Loggerhead
Shrike appeared at Iroquois N. W. R.,
Genesee-Orleans, NY, Nov. 1 (S. & T.
O’Donnell).

VIREOS THROUGH WARBLERS

White-eyed Vireos pushed at their n. limit
in w. New York; one was at Tonawanda

W. M.A., Erie, Aug. 8 (D. Sherony), where it
may have bred, and another was banded
late at Manitou Beach, Monroe, Oct. 21
(RMcK, R. O’Hara). A bright eastern Bell’s
Vireo at Cape May Sep. 15 has been sub¬
mitted to the NJRBC (fD. Sibley).

Many complained of low warbler num¬
bers. Vanishing Golden-winged Warblers
mostly get reported; we learned of only
seven: three at Cape May, two in New York
City, and singles at Chimney Rock Sep. 5
and Hawk Mt., late, Sep. 19 (MM). Hybrids
outnumbered them. Four Brewster’s were
represented by two at Cape May, one each
in Berks, PA, (RKe) and at Buffalo (the lat¬
est, Sep. 11 (D. Roberson). Likewise four
Lawrence’s put in appearances: three at
Cape May in Aug. and one banded at
Manitou Aug. 1 1 (RMcK, R. O’Hara).

In addition to the swarming Myrtles,
successful warblers included Magnolia (127
banded at Manitou led the warblers there
again) and Am. Redstart. Over 1000 red-

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 1

37

starts were estimated at Cape May Aug. 28
(MO’B), and their capture rate was 163% of
normal at Island Beach (G8cEM). Con¬
necticut Warblers also “bucked the poor
trend”: three were banded at Manitou, and
23 visited the famous Palmyra migrant trap
across the Delaware from Philadelphia in
Sep., nine on Sep. 18 being “probably the
highest count in the Region away from
Cape May” (WD).

BUNTINGS THROUGH FINCHES

Painted Buntings were reported from
Sandy Hook Nov. 19 and at Silver Lake
Nature Center near Bristol, Bucks, PA, for
about 2 weeks after Oct. 14 (B. Mercer et
al.).

Clay-colored Sparrows, expanding east¬
ward, were high coastally (c. 20 at Cape
May), and 6 interior reports were good.
They include Arena Marsh, St. Lawrence,
NY, Sep. 12 (TD); a first Schuylkill, PA,
record the same day in Wayne Twp. (SW),
and a 3rd Northampton, PA, record at
Martin’s Creek fly-ash basin after Nov. 14
(RWi).

Either Le Conte’s Sparrows are increas¬
ing, or people are looking harder. One near
Geneseo, NY, Oct. 13 (J. Kimball, +K. Fox)
was the first Livingston record, while four
were reported in Monmouth, NJ, in Oct. (S.
Phelon, B, Henschel, A, Spears, T. Boyle,
TBa). Another at Lewes Oct. 25-Nov. 8 (ph.
MG, CC, ESh, J. Swertinski) was the 2nd
Delaware confirmation. Nelson’s Sharp¬
tailed Sparrows prove to be “regular but
rare” in migration now that everyone looks
for them. Bainbridge, Lancaster, PA, on the
Susquehanna is their best spot in c. Penn¬
sylvania (8 on Oct. 4, DH, J. Hoffmann, J.
Fedak). At Marshlands Conservancy, Rye,
Westchester, NY, nelsoni or alterus forms
arrived Sep. 20 and were replaced by subvir-
gatus after Nov. 7 (TWB). Two Harris’s
Sparrows were above average: one cleverly
chose the O’Brien-Zemaitis feeder at Cape
May Nov. 3-4, and another (conceivably the
same) appeared just across Delaware Bay at
Cape Henlopen, DE, Nov. 14 (B&NM, ESh,
W. Fintel, ph. CC).

Three Yellow-headed Blackbirds reach¬
ed the coast, while ad. males were remark¬
able in the Adirondacks at Keene, Essex, NY,
Oct. 17 (S. Turner) and at Spruce Run Res.,
Hunterdon, NJ, Oct. 23 (B. Machover, S.
Saphir).

Of winter finches, hardly a trace. Even
Purple Finches were almost absent. House
Finches should not be ignored: decline
(perhaps due to conjunctivitis) was notice¬
able in Dutchess, NY, while at Schenectady,

where Yunick banded 1300+ in 1985, he has
banded none since Nov. 1995 (RPY)!

Observers (subregional compilers in bold¬
face): Robert Andrle (Buffalo area), Tom
Bailey (TBa) (coastal NJ: 87 Wyndham
Place, Robbinsville, NJ 08691), Baird
Ornithological Club (Berks, PA), Chris
Bennett ( Sussex , DE: Cape Henlopen S. P.,
42 Cape Henlopen Dr., Lewes, DE 19958),
Rick Radis (n.e. NJ: 69 Ogden Avenue,
Rockaway, NJ 07866), Michael Bochnik
(Lower Hudson Valley, NY: 86 Empire St.,
Yonkers, NY 10704), Elizabeth Brooks,
T.W. Burke (New York Rare Bird Alert,
NYRBA), Colin Campbell, Willie D’Anna,
WardDasey (s.w. NJ: 29 Ark Rd., Medford,
NJ 08055), John Demarrais (JDe), Joe
DiCostanzo, James Dowdell (JDo), Tom
Dudones, Sam Dyke, A.P. Ednie ( New
Castle and Kent, DE: 59 Lawson Ave.,
Claymont, DE 19703), Brett Ewald (Brad-
dock Bay Raptor Research), Shawneen
Finnegan, Laurie Goodrich (Hawk
Mountain Ass’n.), Jane Graves (Hudson-
Mohawk region, NY: 133 York Ave.,
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866-2533), Kevin
Griffith (Genesee Region, NY: 61
Grandview Lane, Rochester, NY 14612),
Andrew Guthrie (AGt), Mary Gustafson,
Tom Halliwell, Armas Hill (Philadelphia
Birdline), Deuane Hoffinan (lower Susque¬
hanna, PA: 3406 Montour St., Harrisburg,
PA 17111-1827), Jim Hoyson, Phyllis
Hurlock, Rich Kane (RKa), Kevin Karlson,
Rudy Keller, Arlene Koch (Lehigh Valley,
PA: 1375 Raubsville Rd., Easton, PA 18042),

A first-winter Harris’s Sparrow was a fan¬
tastic find at Cape Henlopen State Park,
Delaware, November 14. Other solo
Harris’s showed up in New Jersey and
Maryland, by recent standards a veritable
invasion. Photograph/Colin Campbell

Mary Alice Koeneke (Oneida Lake Basin,
NY: 362 Nine Mile Pt. Rd., Oswego, NY
13126), Rick Koval, Bill Krueger, R. J. Kurtz,
Paul Lehman, Robert McKinney, Glenn and
Eileen Mahler (Island Beach, NJ, Banding
Station), DickMiga (Niagara Frontier, NY:
38 Elm St., Fredonia, NY 14063-1937),
August Mirabella, Charlie Mitchell, Shai
Mitra, Mark Monroe, Brian Moscatello
(BMo), Bill and Naomi Murphy, Michael
O’Brien, Bill Ostrander (Finger Lakes
Region, NY: 872 Harris Hill Rd., Elmira, NY
14903), Ed Patten (n.w. NJ: 9 Cornfield
Terrace, Flemington, NJ 08822), Michael
Patten, Bruce Peterjohn, J.M.C.Peterson
(Adirondack-Champlain Region, NY:
Discovery Farm, RD 1, Elizabethtown, NY
12932), Gerard Phillips, Vivian Pitzrick,
Nick Pulcinella, William Purcell (Oneida
Lake Basin, NY: 281 Baum Rd., Hastings,
NY 13076); William Reid (n.e. PA: 73 W.
Ross St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701), Andre
Robinson, Sy Schiff (Long Island: 603
Mead Terrace, S. Hempstead, NY 11550),
Ellen Short (ESh), Gerry Smith (St.
Lawrence Region, NY: RR1 Box 120G,
Copenhagen, NY 13626), R.G.Spahn
(Genesee Ornithological Society), Eric
Sullivan (Susquehanna region, NY: 42
Patricia St., Binghamton, NY 13905), Clay
Sutton, Pat Sutton (Cape May Bird
Observatory), Brian Vemachio (n.e. NJ:
794 Rancocas Rd., Mt. Holly, NJ 08060), R.
T. Waterman Bird Club ( Dutchess , NY),
William Watson, Scott Weidensaul, Rick
Wiltraut (e. PA: 223 Lincoln Ave.,
Nazareth, PA 18064), Angus Wilson (AWi),
Eric Witmer, Al Wollin (Long Island: 4
Meadow Lane, Rockville Center, NY
1 1570), R.P. Yunick.

Robert 0. Paxton, 460 Riverside Dr., Apt.
72, New York, NY 10027, Joseph C. Burgiel,
331 Alpine Ct., Stanhope, NJ 07874, and
David A. Cutler, 1003 Livezey La., Phila¬
delphia, PA 191 19

Place names that are frequently men¬
tioned, but very long, may be abbreviat¬
ed in a form such as “C.B.B.T.” or
“W.P.B.O.” Such local abbreviations will
be explained in a key at the beginning
of the particular regional report in
which they are used. Standard abbrevi¬
ations that are used throughout North
American Birds are keyed on page 24.

38

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

middle atlantic
coast region

Wood Storks dispersed widely this fall, from the Midwest to Maryland. This long-staying
individual was in Maryland at Point Lookout, St. Mary’s County, from August 19 until
September 19 (here September 5). Photograph/Mark L. Hoffman

MARSHALL J. ILIFF

his fall was one of the most exciting in
memory, with a host of remarkable va¬
grants, fallouts, and banding project results
detailed below. The mild season saw a single
hurricane ashore in Virginia, Bonnie, which
brought several Gulf Stream seabirds into
Chesapeake Bay. Other reports of note were
Virginia’s first Cave Swallow and probable
Green Violet-Ear, Maryland’s first Eura¬
sian Collared-Dove, the District of Colum¬
bia’s first White-winged Dove, a flight of
Wood Storks in Maryland, a Magnificent
Frigatebird and Kirtland’s Warbler in
Virginia, and numbers of western species
such as Swainson’s Hawk, Greater White-
fronted Goose, and Cinnamon Teal. All
locations can be assumed to be in Maryland
except that each Virginia locale is so attrib¬
uted the first time it appears in the text.

Abbreviations: Assat. (Assateague Island
National Seashore, MD); Bay (Chesapeake Bay);
C.B.B.T. (Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel); Chine.
(Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Acco¬
mack Co., I /A); Conowingo (Conowingo Dam);
Craney (Craney Island Disposal Area, Ports¬
mouth, l /A); D.C. (District of Columbia);
E.S.V.N.W.R. (Eastern Shore of Virginia N.W.R.,
Northampton Co., VA); Hart (Hart-Miller Island);
Kipt. (Kiptopeke S.P., Northampton Co., VA);
p.a. (pending acceptance by state records com¬
mittee); P.R.N.A.S. (Patuxent River Naval Air
Station); P.l.S.P. (Point Lookout State Park, Saint
Mary's, /WDJ/W.W.T.P. (Waste Water Treatment
Plant).

LOONS THROUGH DUCKS

Red-throated Loons arrived late, and the
only inland report was from Conowingo L.
Oct. 30-Nov. 3 (EB). Two pelagic trips Sep.
13 to Virginia (BP, NB et al.) and Maryland
waters (MG et al.) produced low numbers
of tubenoses. Hurricane Bonnie stalled over
s. North Carolina but restrengthened to a
Category 1 storm after moving out over the
ocean east of Virginia Beach Aug. 28. Winds
in excess of 80 knots blew out oceanfront
windows here and moved tropical seabirds
into the Chesapeake Bay. At the C.B.B.T.,
one Black-capped Petrel, one Band-
rumped Storm-Petrel, two unidentified
storm-petrels, and one Cory’s Shearwater

were tallied Aug. 28 (NB, BP, DS, MS et al.).
Also Aug. 28, a single Wilson’s Storm-Petrel
was noted at Chine. (JP), and an unidenti¬
fied shearwater was blown to P.L.S.P. (p.a.
fPC). An Am. White Pelican was back at
Chine. Sep. 27 (NB et al.) and was seen
through the season’s end. An ad. male Mag¬
nificent Frigatebird appeared at Chine.
Sep. 20 (GDE), Sep. 26 (D&DB, CS), and
Sep. 27 (NB, BL, DS, DH). Identification as
Magnificent was based on Brinkley’s close
views on the morning of Sep. 27.

Records of Yellow-crowned Night-
Herons in Maryland past Oct. are very few,
so the report of 12 adults still at Smith L,
Somerset, Nov. 13 (LC) is noteworthy.
Single imm. White Ibis were at Liberty Res.,
Carroll/Baltimore, Aug. 8-11 (RFR, ph.
MH, m. ob.) and Bavon Beach, Mathews,
VA, Aug. 1 1 (MGP et al.). The last Glossy
Ibis by a month was at E.S.V.N.W.R. Nov.
26 (SH, JC). An impressive flock of 24 imm.
Wood Storks visited Downs Park, Anne
Arundel, Aug. 16-17 (p.a. ph. RHo). A more
cooperative immature glimpsed at P.L.S.P.
Aug. 19 (SSt) reappeared Aug. 27- Sep. 19
(p.a. KR, PC tph., m. ob.).

With a few outliers excepted, Tundra
Swans arrived Nov. 11-12, when swans
were calling all night in Northampton
(MW). About 2981 passed Kipt. Nov. 12
(MJ1, HTA, RLA), and 3000 were estimated
over Chestertown, Kent (JG), the same day.
Greater White-fronted Geese were well
reported: six adults at Flowerdew Hundred,
Prince George, VA, Nov. 21 (FD), one adult
at Northampton Landfill, VA, Nov. 23 (JC,
MJI, BJ), and two off Rte. 617 Nov. 29
(JBB). Unfortunately, none were conclu¬
sively identified to subspecies, but the
Northampton individual appeared to have a
pink bill. Numbers reached the Midwest,
Gulf coast, and S. Atlantic coast this year,
which may indicate Canadian origin. Tal¬
bot’s first Ross’s Goose, a white adult, was
followed as it flew across the county line
from Queen Anne’s Nov. 25 (JLS). At least
10 small-race Canada Geese, presumably
hutchinsii, were reported, the first being one
Oct. 3 (EJS), evidence of increased atten¬
tion by local observers.

A probable hybrid N. Pintail x Green¬
winged Teal was seen at Four-Mile Run,
D.C., Nov. 1 (fOJ). Good Wood Duck
counts were 389 Wood Ducks in the Nanti-
coke R. marshes at Vienna, Wicomico, Sep.
15 (JLS) and 353 on the Choptank R.,
Caroline, Sep. 19 (LTS, DCa). Eastern Neck
N.W.R., Kent, had 900 N. Pintails Nov. 28
(DE). Multiple Cinnamon Teal appeared in
the Region, which may suggest wild origin.

VOLUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 1

39

One eclipse male at Accotink Bay, Fairfax,
VA, led the charge Sep. 16-Oct. 25 (p.a., m.
ob.), followed by a pair at Eastern Neck
N.W.R. Nov. 1 1 through the end of the sea¬
son (p.a. PGD, ph.,f, m. ob.). An ad. male
that appeared at Mason Neck N.W.R. ,
Fairfax, VA, Nov. 1 1-Nov. 22 (p.a. SG, SS m.
ob.) was never conclusively shown to be a
different bird from the Accotink Cr. bird,
though Gaskill had an ad. male in Accotink
Cr. Nov. 21 into Dec. (p.a.). Six of unspeci¬
fied age and sex were reported from Hog I.,
Surry, VA, Nov. 14 (p.a. TC), and an eclipse
male was there Nov. 17 (p.a. BT). Six juv.
teal at West Ocean City Pond, Worcester,
Oct. 4-5 (JLS et al.) showed characteristics
of Cinnamon Teal but were not conclusive¬
ly identified, though Dyke reports that at
least one had red eyes. Diving ducks in gen¬
eral seemed late in arriving and in low
numbers this season. A Com. Eider was at
Ocean City Inlet Nov. 23 (MH). King Eider
was unreported from the coast, but a flight¬
less pair at Poplar I., Talbot, Sep. 20 (NH)
were far more unusual and must have sum¬
mered (there are previous local summer
records). A summering imm. male Harle¬
quin Duck remained at the C.B.B.T.
through at least Sep. 11 (v. o.), and the only
other report was of nine at Ocean City Nov.
23 (MH). The benign weather produced
only one inland scoter report: 32 Black
Scoters on Conowingo L., Cecil/Harford,
Nov. 1 (EB; 16 still Nov. 3), which provided
only the 2nd records for those counties.
Ruddy Ducks seemed fairly widespread but
were not present in the large numbers of
the past several years.

HAWKS THROUGH CRANES

The Kiptopeke Hawkwatch posted its most
disappointing year since it began full-time
coverage in 1995 (final report available from
K.E.ST.R.E.L., P.O. Box 111, Franktown, VA
23354). Final totals are (1995-1997 averages
in parentheses): 434 Black Vulture (2156),
2251 Turkey Vulture (8274), 2641 Osprey
(5550), 125 Bald Eagle (327), 1049 Northern
Harrier (1377), 7246 Sharp-shinned

(24,532), 1358 Cooper’s (2833), three
Northern Goshawk (20), 1253 Broad¬
winged (3444), 103 Red-shouldered (158),
935 Red-tailed (2139), eight Swainson’s (4),
one Rough-legged (0.3), eight Golden
Eagles (28), 4839 Am. Kestrels (13,926),
2251 Merlins (2396), and 763 Peregrines
(1351) for a total of 25,294 (69,518). Single¬
day highs were established for Merlin and
Swainson’s Hawk, and Swainson’s Hawk was
the only record-high count for the season.

Banding operations on both sides of the
peninsula mirrored the hawkwatch results,
which can be blamed at least partly on the
stagnant weather patterns, which were
largely devoid of major fronts and resulted
in many hot, clear days with little wind and
no apparent push of hawks. There were
almost no days of the most favorable NE or
E winds, but even the days of NW and W
winds seemed surprisingly poor. Given the
raptors’ low numbers, the record eight
Swainson’s Hawks is especially surprising. A
record-early light-morph juvenile was seen
Sept. 11 (fMJI), and a record-late bird was
counted Nov. 6 (ph. MJI, JC). For the first
time, several were photographed, and one
was trapped Oct. 27 (ph. JC), only the 2nd
capture of the species in Virginia. Cape May
had a record count of 10, and only a few
were potential duplicates, which indicates
that at least 15 passed by one of the 2 sites.
Another highlight was the subad./ad. Mis¬
sissippi Kite, very rare in fall and the first
for the hawkwatch, seen at 8:30 a.m. Sep. 29
(tJC, NB); what must have been the same
bird had passed over Cape May at 10 a.m.
the previous day. Ospreys seemed to stage a
noticeably late push, with 10 as late as Nov.
16 (MJI).

Only one N. Goshawk was seen away
from Kipt. this fall, an adult at Patuxent
Wildlife Research Center Oct. 23-28
(MHo). A dark- morph Swainson’s Hawk
at Stockton, Worcester, Nov. 25 (p.a.
fC&GV) could provide Maryland’s 2nd
well-documented record. A juv. light-
morph Rough-legged Hawk appeared at
Craney, Portsmouth, VA, Nov. 14 (DH et
al.) and remained through Nov. (v. o.).
About six Golden Eagles appeared away
from Kipt. this fall, scattered across the
Region. H. Armistead had a good flight at
Hooper’s I., Dorchester, in 3 hours Oct. 25,
including 166 Turkey Vultures, seven Bald
Eagles, three N. Harriers, 55 Sharp-shinned,
16 Cooper’s, 18 Red-shouldered, and 24
Red-tailed hawks, one N. Goshawk, and
three Am. Kestrels. This site can clearly have
some great hawk flights.

The popular Virginia Rail in the Enid
Haupt Garden, D.C., remained at least
through Oct. 30 (JF, m. ob., ph.). Com.
Moorhens at Four Mile Run, D.C., Oct.
10-24 (PP, RH, SS) and Huntley Meadows
Oct. 10-12 (AH et al.) were at unusual loca¬
tions, and 18 in a single pond off Elliot I.
Rd., Dorchester, was a remarkable concen¬
tration Sep. 19 (HTA). An imm. Sandhill
Crane passed the Kipt. hawkwatch Nov. 22
(RLA, BT).

SHOREBIRDS THROUGH TERNS

Birders seem to be becoming more attuned
to “grasspiper” habitats. American Golden-
Plovers were widely reported: the high was
205 with one Black-bellied Plover at the
Ridgely W.W.T.P., Caroline, Oct. 26 (ph.
MJI). Maryland’s Eastern Shore continues
to be especially productive for the species
(see FN 52: 42 for more details). A Piping
Plover at Bethel Beach Preserve, Aug. 30
(D&JM), was unusual for Mathews, VA. A
Black- necked Stilt at North Beach Aug. 29
(TD, KG, JLS et al.) was one of Maryland’s
latest; Craney had one Aug. 30 (FD et al.).
An Am. Avocet at Gunther’s Pond provided
a Cecil first Aug. 12 (H&MM), and two were
there Aug. 27 (GG). One was at North
Beach Sep. 5 (RFR et al.).

New to the birding community was the
Beltsville Agricultural Research Center
W.W.T.P., Prince George’s, which held three
Am. Golden-Plovers, 120 Lesser YeUowlegs,
four Stilt Sandpipers, one Buff-breasted
Sandpiper, and one juv. Red-necked
Phalarope Sep. 22 (JLS). A great Upland
Sandpiper count was the 28 at P.R.N.A.S.,
Saint Mary’s, Aug. 1 (KR, DL). Whimbrel
reports were few but from noteworthy
locales: one at P.L.S.P. Sep. 1 (PC), one at
P.R.N.A.S. Sep. 5 (KR, JLS, GMJ), and one
at Black., Dorchester, Sep. 12-19 (HTA,
CH). Single Maryland Marbled Godwits

The unchallenged highlight of
the season at Kipt. was the
phenomenal Merlin flight Sep. 18-19.
On Sep. 18 the Merlin flight began
slowly in the morning but accelerated
throughout the day, peaking at 91
birds/hour from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The day’s total was 462, almost double
the previous (and itself noteworthy)
best flight of 225. The following day
brought 389 more Merlins (and one
more 91 -bird hour), and on Oct. 6 the
previous record was broken a third
time, with 229. A stunning dilute-
plumaged Merlin was trapped at Wise
Pt., Northampton, Oct. 6 (ph. RLu). It
was creamy overall, with the back
almost entirely whitish (see page 5 of
this issue). This plumage is apparently
undocumented in North American
Merlins. Merlins, as do Peregrines, fre¬
quently hunt along the span of the
C.B.B.T. in fall and winter. One Merlin
captured and ate a Black Rail Sep. 30
on the C.B.B.T, a location for which at
least six other records of this rail are
known (NB).

40

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

i.

middle atlantic

hailed from John Brown Rd. Sep. 1 (GM,
BC), a Queen Anne's first, and Eagle’s Nest
Campground, Worcester, Sep. 13-14 (MU).
Almost no Red Knots were reported but
three were non-coastal: a Cecil first at
Gunther’s Pond Aug. 12 (MWW, LF), one at
North Beach Aug. 29 (TD, KG, EK), and a
late one at Bethel Beach Preserve Nov. 1
(JBB). Noteworthy Baird’s Sandpiper
reports came from P.L.S.P. Sep. 5 (JLS), Bel¬
levue, Saint Mary’s, Sep. 1 1 (KR), Oakwood
Turf Farm, Wicomico, Sep. 15 (JLS) & 22
(SHD), and E. A. Vaughn W.M.A.,
Worcester, Oct. 4 (JLS). Of two at Ridgely
W.W.T.P. Aug. 27 (ph. JLS, ph. MJI, RL), one
was an adult, very rare in the East at any
time. A molting ad. Curlew Sandpiper was
at Chine. Sep. 26-Oct. 1 (CH, AHu, NB, CF,
MO et al.). Buff-breasted Sandpipers were
well reported (8 Maryland counties), cer¬
tainly due to observers becoming more
attuned to their habitats. The high was 19 at
Kipt. Aug. 29 (BT, BW), and the last was one
at Rum Pt. Golf Course, Worcester, Oct. 4
(ph. JLS, ph. MJI). Wilson’s Phalaropes
from Hurlock W.W.T.P. Sep. 25-26 (DB, ph.
JLS) and Conowingo on the very late date
of Nov. 13 (EB, BM) were unusual. Red¬
necked Phalaropes included a high count of
six at Craney Aug. 26 (LL et al.) & 27 (BP,
NB), possibly related to Bonnie. Other Red¬
necked Phalaropes were at Hart Aug. 22
(EJS) and three at the Hampton Roads
Bridge-Tunnel Sep. 9 (NB). The only Red
Phalarope was at Craney Aug. 30 (FD).

The Sep. 13 pelagic in Virginia (BP et
al.) had the full array of jaegers, one juve¬
nile of each. The massive influx of
Franklin’s Gulls to the East in mid-Nov. was
a barely detectable blip in the Region,

despite rapid communication of sightings
at Cape May and diligent searching by
observers. Reports were an adult at Cono¬
wingo (EB), Sandy Pt. S.P., Anne Arundel,
(HLW), and two adults at Hunting Cr.,
Fairfax, VA, Nov. 14 (SS), a juvenile at
Schoolhouse Pond, Prince George’s, (where
the species occurred Nov. 1996 and 1997 as
well) Nov. 16-17 (JLS), and an adult Nov.
23 (JLS). Well before the movement, Calvert
got its first Franklin’s Gull with a juvenile at
Chesapeake Beach Aug. 31 (p.a., ph. JLS, ph.
fMJI); an adult was at Havre de Grace for
Harford’s 2nd Oct. 10-11 (fEB, RH, DW et
al.). The only Little Gull was an adult at the
C.B.B.T. Nov. 7 (NB, GLA, MJI), and the
only Black-headed Gull was a Dorchester
first, and the state’s earliest, a juvenile at
Black. Aug. 15 (DK). The third California
Gull for Hart was found Aug. 15 (p.a. EJS).
A first-winter Black-legged Kittiwake off
Kipt. Nov. 4 (MJI, JC) was the only one
reported. Virginia’s 7th Sabine’s Gull was a
juvenile on the Sep. 13 (ph. BP, ph. NB et
al.) pelagic trip that was found feeding in a
line of Sargassum.

Three ad. and one juv. Gull-billed Terns
at Hurlock W.W.T.P. Aug. 27 (JLS, RL) pro¬
vided the 3rd for Dorchester. Bonnie was
likely not responsible for their occurrence,
as its effects were hardly felt there, and since
the species has occurred there once before
at this time. Bonnie clearly brought 17 ad.
Sooty, four Bridled, and two Sooty/Bridled
terns to the C.B.B.T. Aug. 28 (NB, BP, DS,
MS et al.). Four Bridled Terns were there
the next day (BT, BW). High for Maryland
were 12 Sandwich Terns at Skimmer I., Aug.
23 (DC, MAT), and a somewhat late high
count of 71 Sandwich was made at Fish¬

erman I. N.W.R., Northampton, VA, Oct. 1 1
(HTA et al). For the 2nd year, the species
turned up at Smith L, MD, with one Sep. 19
(NS, FS). A remarkable ad. Roseate Tern
Aug. 15 (p.a. fEJS) became the 269th
species to occur at Hart, and provided
Maryland’s 4th report away from Worcester.
Less unusual in Virginia, one was at Chine.
Aug. 28 (SHD), as Bonnie passed, and one
adult was at the C.B.B.T. Aug. 27 (NB, BP)
until a Peregrine stooped, killed, and ate it!
Three Black Skimmers at Kent Narrows,
Queen Anne’s, Nov. 26 (C&GV) were late
and out of place.

DOVES THROUGH SHRIKES

Maryland’s first Eurasian Collared-Dove

report was undocumented but credible
from Havre de Grace, Harford, Sep. 13 (p.a.
JT), and a potential D.C. first was a White¬
winged Dove found dead in Georgetown
Oct. 30 (NH); the specimen will be deposit¬
ed in the Smithsonian. N. Saw-whet Owl
banding operations at Assat. (DBr) and
Kipt. {fide MW) reported below- average
totals this year. Five Chuck-will’s-Widows
were seen in a landbird fallout at Fisherman
I. Sep. 10 (MJI, JC). Very late individuals
were Chimney Swift at Accotink Cr. Nov. 12
(KG) and a female Ruby-throated Hum¬
mingbird at a Salisbury, Wicomico, feeder
Nov. 2 (C&DB); all such late birds should be
closely scrutinized for cryptic vagrants,
mostly w. North American species. An all-
white (presumed) Ruby-throated Hum¬
mingbird was seen at Furnacetown, Wor¬
cester, Aug. 13-15 (ELP). Of several Selas-
phorus hummingbirds reported, all were
female and imm. types not identified to spe¬
cies. An early one was in Adamstown, Fred¬
erick, Aug. 17-19 (p.a. KC, ph. WH, m. ob.),
one was at Kipt. Sep. 8 (NB), one in Rock¬
ville, Montgomery, Sep. 17 (p.a. NM, LM),
one at Point of Rocks, Frederick, Nov. 1 8-29
(DBu) and one (Rufous or Allen’s) was at
Jon Hays’ residence in n. w. D.C. Nov. 12
through the end of the season (ph. OJ, ph.
PP, m. ob.). Excellent descriptions of a large,
greenish hummingbird with a violet mask
visiting Connie LeSueur’s feeder in Bucking¬
ham, VA, during the last week of Oct. con¬
vinced John L. Rowlett that it was a Green
Violet-Ear. No photographs were taken,
and it disappeared before others could see it.
This would be a Regional first (p.a.).

A shocking Great Crested Flycatcher at
E.S.V.N.W.R. heard Nov. 9 (MJI, GLA)
would be one of the latest ever for the
Region. Despite good coverage on the Cape
Charles peninsula, the only W. Kingbird was
Oct. 10 from Kipt. (TCa). Another was at

^ A The extensive wild rice marshes in the vicinity of Jug Bay along the Patuxent R.,
Prince George’s! Anne Arundel may be the most important East Coast stopover
site for migrant Soras. Kearns has been trapping Soras here since 1987 using drift fences
and cloverleaf traps but met with limited success until the addition of an audio lure in
1993. The setup has since been further refined (see Kearns et al., /. Field Ornithology 69:
466-473) and is now even more successful. This year over 1200 Soras and 200 Virginia
Rails were captured, far exceeding the previous high of 754 Soras and 82 Virginia Rails
in 1995. More traps and drift fences have been added since 1995, but even when the data
are standardized, 1998 was exceptional. Kearns attributes the bumper crop of Soras this
year to exceptionally wet conditions in the Northeast this spring. The project also fitted
50 Soras with radio transmitters, and these were monitored daily. With the mild condi¬
tions, many of the Soras lingered in the area late, though all but three had moved on by
Nov. 26. Most movement occurred 1-3 hours after sunset following cold fronts on cold,
starry nights with a moderate tailwind. Volunteers monitoring the passage of Soras
down the coast reported average flight speeds of 38-59 mph, depending on tail wind.
Aerial surveys for the tagged rails in the Carolinas and Georgia located only two indi¬
viduals, indicating to Kearns that most birds move straight on to wintering areas farther
south after their departure from Maryland. Also trapped was one Yellow Rail Oct. 22
(p.a. ph. GK), an annual migrant through the area that is only rarely detected.

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 1

41

P.R.N.A.S. Sep. 2 (KR). A Cave Swallow at
Fisherman I. Nov. 1 (p.a. tJC) was a long
overdue first for Virginia, especially consid¬
ering the similarities in geography between
the Cape Charles peninsula and Cape May.
The latest Barn Swallows were two at Kipt.
Nov. 25 (MJI, JLS). A Com. Raven at Cono-
wingo Oct. 29 (p.a. fEB) and two at Morgan
Run, Carroll, Nov. 1 (SSa) were further evi¬
dence of their increased presence away from
the mountains. Red-breasted Nuthatches
were virtually absent this season. Two differ¬
ent Sedge Wrens were discovered Sep. 19 in
Howard: one at Belmont Conference Center
(fRO) and another at Patuxent Valley
Middle School (fMJB, MSP). The latest
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was Nov. 21 (EB,
RFR) at Conowingo. Bicknell’s Thrushes
were banded at Chino Farms, Queen Anne’s,
Oct. 5 (JG) and Kipt. Oct. 25 (BJ, ph. JC, et
al.). The only Sep. Am. Pipit report was of
two at Harney Rd. Pond Sep. 13 (RH). Truly
amazing was a group of three Loggerhead
Shrikes reported from E.S.V.N.W.R. Oct. 1 1
(JBB); the species has been unrecorded in
Northampton in several decades, although it
was an annual winter resident as recently as
the early 1970s.

WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES

Brinkley did regular counts of migrant
landbirds at Sunset Beach Inn, Northamp¬
ton, VA, just s. of Kipt. this fall. Among sev¬
eral notable high counts was a good flight
Sep. 23: 2200 Palm Warblers, 820 Am.
Redstarts, 410 Black- throated Blue and 360
Magnolia warblers, along with 1500 uni¬
dentified warblers, the composition of the
flight being identical to that observed at
Cape May the same morning. Bystrak
banded an incredibly early Connecticut
Warbler at Jug Bay, Anne Arundel, Aug. 6,
besting the previous arrival date by 2 weeks.
Best warbler of the season was Virginia’s 4th
Kirtland’s Warbler (2nd in this century;
p.a.) found on Curies Neck Farm in a
scrubby patch near an abandoned building
Sep. 27 (FD) and relocated the next day
(NB). Late warblers were an exceptional
Louisiana Waterthrush Sep. 13 (JS, BSo) at
Vantage Pt., Howard, a Prothonotary Warb¬
ler at Martinak S.P., Caroline, Oct. 2 (MN),
a late male Golden-winged Warbler banded
at Kipt. Oct. 2 (BJ, ph. MJI, m. ob.), a
Tennessee Warbler banded Nov. 2 (JG) at
Chino Farms, a Black-throated Blue Warb¬
ler banded at Kipt. Nov. 13 (BJ et al.), a
male Cape May Warbler at Redart, Mat¬
hews, VA, Nov. 16 (MGP), and a Black-
throated Green Warbler at Ellicott City,
Howard, Nov. 22 (RT).

The latest Indigo Bunting was one at
Sunset Beach Inn Nov. 9 (GLA, JC, MJI).
The season total of Dickcissels flying over
the Kipt. hawkwatch was a high count of 32
(five Oct. 16) Sep. 3-Nov. 17 (MJI). As in
several regions to the north, a large number
of Clay-colored Sparrows was found this
year, with a total of 12 reports for the Reg¬
ion, almost all from the coast. The non¬
coastal reports were an early one in Rock
Cr. Park Sep. 5-7 (BD, ph. OJ, m. ob.), one
at Black Hills Res., Montgomery, Sep. 26
(DC), and a Queen Anne’s first banded at
Chino Farms Sep. 10 (JG), recaptured Oct.

5 (ph. JG). Lark Sparrow reports were few¬
er: Assat. reports were Aug. 23 (DC, MAT)

6 28 (DP et al.), Sep. 14 (ph. MJI), and Oct.
3 (ph. JLS) and probably pertained to three-
four individuals. Another was at P.L.S.P.
Aug. 29-31 (TD, KG, PC, m. ob.) and
another was banded at Kipt. Sep. 1 5 (ph. BJ,
JC). Also banded at Kipt. was a Le Conte’s
Sparrow found the morning of Nov. 8 (ph.
GLA, ph. MJI) and captured later that same
day (BJ). This was the 4th for Virginia’s
Eastern Shore. Lincoln’s Sparrows were well
represented in the reports this season. The
sparrow of the season was an imm. Harris’s
Sparrow (p.a.) found Oct. 25 by Ott at the
University of Maryland Central Farm,
Howard, seen by numerous observers later
that day (JS, ph.fDE, m. ob.) and relocated
the next morning (ph. tMJI, ph. MH). This
is the first Maryland report in more than a
decade. The first Lapland Longspur was a
relatively early individual at Oland Rd. Oct.
18 (PO), and the only other report was of
two at Kipt. Nov. 7 (GLA). Snow Buntings
returned early, with one at Deal Island
W.M.A. Oct. 24 (EL) and three at Assat.
Oct. 26 (F&JJ).

A good count of 3000 Bobolinks was at
Tanyard, Caroline, Sep. 20 (EE), and a late
one was found at E.S.V.N.W.R. Nov. 9
(GLA, MJI). A Yellow-headed Blackbird at
Herrington Harbor, Anne Arundel, Sep. 10
was extraordinary, while two imm. males
near Cheriton, Northampton, VA, Sep. 24
(NB, ph. MJI, HTA, BT), one at Chine. Oct.
3 (fCF), and one near Capeville, North¬
ampton, VA, Nov. 14 (MJI, JC) were more
expected at coastal locales. Similarly an ad.
male Brewer’s Blackbird at Havre de Grace,
Harford, Oct. 9 (fEB) was more surprising
than an ad. male that appeared at Kipt. Oct.
22-23 (ph. MJI, m. ob.). A very late Orch¬
ard Oriole was discovered at the University
of Maryland Central Farm Oct. 12 (BO, JS,
CG). Virtually no Purple Finches were
found this season, though Gruber logged a
count of 75 Nov. 1 at Chino Farms, excep-

A frontal passage Sep. 8 pro¬
duced a landmark fallout on
the Cape Charles peninsula, North¬
ampton, Sep. 9-10. Cameron was on
Fisherman I. Sep. 9 and in a casual
effort estimated 15 Yellow-billed
Cuckoos, 50 Empidonax, 250 Veeries,

20 Red-eyed Vireos, 3000 Am. Red¬
starts, 2500 (Western) Palm, 400
Magnolia, 100 Com. Yellowthroats, 50
each of Black-and-white and Black-
throated Blue warblers, and lesser
numbers of many other species. The
dawn warbler flight at Kipt. consisted
of thousands of individuals that defied
attempts to count them, while the
passerine banding operation there had
a massive hit and had to shut down
(MJI). The next day the dawn Kipt.
flight was much smaller but still
involved 1000+ warblers, including 48
Black-throated Blues and 227 redstarts
(MJI). An afternoon visit to Fisher¬
man I. (MJI, JC) revealed 23 species of
warblers and a quite different compo¬
sition to the flight: 300 Red-eyed
Vireos, 1000 Am. Redstarts, 1000
Black-and-white, 500 Com. Yellow-
throats, 150 N. Waterthrushes, 100
Ovenbirds (one the day prior), 75 N.
Parulas, ten Blue-winged, one Golden¬
winged, and two Connecticut war¬
blers, and an amazing three very late
Louisiana Waterthrushes. Despite the
more comprehensive coverage Sep. 10,
just 100 Veeries, 200 Palm, 75 Mag¬
nolia, and 10 Black-throated Blue war¬
blers were seen. One of the more sur¬
prising features of the movement was
the Sep. 9 Palm Warbler count, as their
main movement is 3 weeks later. In the
wake of Bonnie Aug. 29 (BT, BW) there
was very unusual large flight of war¬
blers crossing the Bay at the C.B.B.T.
that involved hundreds of individuals.

tional given the poor year. The only Pine
Siskins this fall were one-two on four dates
at Kipt. Oct. 22-Nov. 5 (MJI, NB). Evening
Grosbeaks were missed entirely this season,
save for one in Chester, Chesterfield, Oct. 2
(JK).

CORRIGENDA

In FN 52, Ryan Lesh was inadvertently
omitted from the observers. The
Loggerhead Shrike reported from L.
Elkhorn, May 4 (DE), in FN 52: 314, should
be struck, as the report was a computer
error.

42

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

Observers (area compilers in boldface):

Robert L. Anderson, George L. Armistead,
Henry T. Armistead, lohn B. Bazuin, Mary
Jo Betts, Eirik Blom, I). &D. Bone, Jon
Boone, Dave Brinker (DBr), Ned Brinldey,
Carol & Don Broderick, Don Burggraf, D.
Bussey (DBu), Danny Bystrak (DBy), D.
Callahan (DCa), Kathy Calvert, Jamie
Cameron, Tom Cameron (TCa), Tony
Castillo, Wallace Coffey (Valley Birds
internet group), Barry Cooper, Patty Craig
(Saint Mary’s, P.O. Box 84, Lexington Park,
MD 20653), Lee Curry, Dave Czaplak, Lynn
M. Davidson, Fenton Day, Todd Day, Bill
Dobbins, Paul G. DuMont, Samuel H.
Dyke, Darius Ecker, Ethel Engle ( Caroline,
MD, 20789 Dover Bridge Rd., Preston, MD
21655), G.D. Eversole, Leslie Fisher, Dave
Fox, Sam Freiberg (Montgomery, 8733
Susanna Lane, Chevy Chase, MD 20815-
4713), Chris French, Carol Garza, Kurt
Gaskili, Stan Gray, Gary Griffith, Jim
Gruber, Mary Gustafson, Norman
Haddaway, Clive Harris, Nannette Herrick,
Wilbur Hershberger, Andy Higgs, Jane Hill
(Voice of the Naturalist), Rob Hilton, Mark
Hoffman, Sue Hopkins, Marshall Howe
(MHo), David Hughes, Alec Humann
(AHu), Ottavio Janni, George M. Jett, Brian
Johnson, Fran & John Juriga, Julie
Kacmarcik, Greg Kearns, Elliot Kirsch-
baum, Dick Kleen, Ellen Lawler, Ryan Lesh,
Reese Lukei (RLu), Larry Lynch, Lucy
MacClintock, Nancy MacClintock, Gail
MacKiernan, Brian Monk, Harvey 8c
Marion Mudd, Marianna Nuttle, Michael
O’Brien, Paul O’Brien, Richard Orr, Bonnie
Ott, Brian Patteson, Paul Pisano, Elizabeth
Pitney (Wicomico, 7218 Walston Switch
Rd., Parsonsburg, MD 21849), Danny Poet,
Jack Powers, Mary Suzanne Probst, Mary G.
Pulley, Kyle Rambo, Jan Reese, Robert F.
Ringler, Steve Sanford (SSa), Fran Saund¬
ers, Norm Saunders (MDOsprey internet
group), Eugene J. Scarpulla, Don Schwab,
L.T. Short, Bob Solem, Jo Solem ( Howard ,
10617 Graeloch Rd., Laurel, MD 20723),
Sigrid Stiles (SSt), Mike Stinson, Chuck
Studeholme, Sherman Suter, Brian Taber,
Jerry Tangren, Mary Ann Todd, Robin
Todd, Charlie 8c Gail Vaughn, Marcia
Watson-Whitmyre (MWW), Dave Webb,
Hal L. Wierenga, Bill Williams, Les Willis
(Virginia Birdline), Mike Wilson

Marshall J. Iliff; please send reports to
James L. Stasz, P.O. Box 71, North Beach, MD
20714 (e-mail: jlstasz@aol.com)

A

southern atlantic
coast region

RICKY DAVIS

he fall season, the most protracted of
any, always provides excitement in
some way. This year there were three hurri¬
canes moving some birds inland, a smatter¬
ing of cold fronts bringing good migration
counts, and mild temperatures in Nov. pro¬
ducing several reports of lingering birds.
Some of the highlights involved state firsts
such as Bulwer’s Petrel, Swinhoe’s Storm-
Petrel, Anna’s Hummingbird, and Mac-
Gillivray’s Warbler in North Carolina; and
Calliope Hummingbird and Northern
Wheatear in Georgia. There were also what
could be called regional invasions by some
birds normally found farther to the west
such as Greater White-fronted Geese, Buff¬
breasted Sandpipers, and Franklin’s Gulls.

Abbreviations: C. Hatt. (Cape Hatteras, NC);
E.L.H. (E. L. Huie Land Application Facility,
Clayton Co., GA); H.B.S.P. (Huntington Beach
State Park, SC); K. Mt. (Kennesaw Mt. National
Battlefield Park, GA); L.M. (Lake Mattamuskeet,
NC); 0.S.F (Orangeburg, SC Sod Farm); P.l. (Pea
I. N.W.R., NC); S.S.S. (Savannah Spoil Site,
Jasper Co., SCA'W.T.P. (Wastewater Treatment
Plant).

LOOMS THROUGH STORKS

This season’s only reported inland Red-
throated Loon was at L. Wateree, SC, Nov.
14 (LG). Also, as usual, the Region’s only
Pacific Loon was found at Figure Eight I.,
NC Nov. 27 (DC, ML). Good grebe reports
included a very early Horned at H.B.S.P.
Aug. 29 (LG, ST et al.); an inland Red¬
necked at L. Wateree, SC Nov. 14 (LG); and
good counts of Eareds such as 15 at the
Goldsboro, NC W.T.P Oct. 18 (ED), nine at
L. Lanier, GA Nov. 15 (JS, CL, EH), and
eight at the S.S.S. Nov. 1 (TK). On the pelag¬
ic front, North Carolina had an exceptional
season. The now expected Herald
(Trinidade) Petrel was found off Hatteras
Aug. 8 (BP et al.). Also on Aug. 8, the
Region’s 2nd but first photographed Bul¬
wer’s Petrel was located (HL, MG, PG et al.)
out of Oregon Inlet. Amazingly, this closely
followed the well-documented West Coast
Bulwer’s off Monterey in late July! Rare in

fall was the Manx Shearwater off Oregon
Inlet Aug. 15 (BP et al.), and the peak count
of Band-rumped Storm-Petrel was an
impressive 156 off Hatteras Aug. 8 (BP et
al.). Another Regional 2nd but first pho¬
tographed was the Swinhoe’s Storm-Petrel
found off Hatteras Aug. 8 (MO, BP, GLA, GP
et al.). The details on these birds are pub¬
lished in the present issue. The only trop-
iebirds reported were imm. White-taileds
off Morehead City Aug. 7 (PC) and off
Hatteras Aug. 8 (BP et al.). In Georgia, three
Cory’s Shearwaters found off Savannah
Nov. 30 (JF1 et al.) provided a new late date
by 20 days! And in South Carolina, an ad.
Masked Booby was seen from shore, along
with Gannets following a shrimp boat, at
Litchfield Beach, on the late date of Nov. 21
(B&BM).

Hurricane Bonnie moved slowly through
the coastal regions of North Carolina Aug.
26-28 and brought relatively few tubenoses.
The farthest inland report was of two Cory’s
Shearwaters in the New Bern area (BH).
Also of note were a Cory’s, one small
Puffinus shearwater (possibly Manx), two
Black-capped Petrels, a dark- morph gadfly
petrel (most likely a Herald Petrel), and two
Band-rumped Storm-Petrels in Croatan
Sound Aug. 27 (NB, BP). During the week
after Bonnie, small numbers of shearwaters
and storm-petrels lingered in Roanoke
Sound, North Carolina, with at least three
Cory’s and two Greater shearwaters studied
from the Baum and Daniels bridges Sep. 4
(P. Cook, R. Crossley, NB, BP; v. o.). Large
numbers of dead Cory’s Shearwaters were
found from Hatteras southward on beaches.

White Pelicans made a better showing
this fall than in recent years, with five North

VOLUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 1

43

Carolina reports including one far inland at
L. Norman, Catawba, Nov. 16 (fide KW).
Also an imm. Brown Pelican showed up
inland at Falls L., NC and remained
throughout the fall period Aug. 23-Nov. 29
(v. o.). Interestingly, an immature was pre¬
sent at this lake last fall also. Magnificent
Frigatebird made a good showing, with one
very late at C. Hatt. Nov. 21 (AWh), one at
Ft. Fisher, NC, Oct. 18 (SE), one at Murrell’s
Inlet, SC, Oct. 6 (fide JP), one at L. Eufaula,
GA, Sep. 30 (fide TM), and a record one-day
total of three at Jekyll I., GA, Sep. 26 (DL, et
al.). Long-legged waders wandered inland in
normal fashion. Some exceptions included
14 Snowy Egrets at E.L.H. Aug. 14 (JS, CL),
a late Tricolored Heron at L. Seminole, GA,
Nov. 15 (GB et al.), and 30 late Cattle Egrets
in Clay, GA, Nov. 22 (MB, AS). The best
Reddish Egret reports involved four in the
Gould’s Inlet, GA area during Aug. and Sep.
(m. ob.) and a rarely reported white-morph
immature at S.S.S. Aug. 22 (LG et al.).
Glossy Ibis was found several times, with the
farthest inland being one at Augusta, GA,
Oct. 9 (SW). The peak count of Roseate
Spoonbill at the usual Brunswick, GA area
was 18 on Aug. 2 (GB et al.). Much more
unusual was one inland at Hard Labor
Creek St. Pk., Morgan, GA, Sep. 5 (fide TM).
And finally Wood Storks wandered in all
three states, the farthest inland being three
at Townville, SC, Sep. 20 (SW et al.).

WATERFOWL THROUGH CRANES

Numbers of Greater White-fronted Geese
were way up this fall. There were at least 8
reports from the Region, with the best
counts being seven at Eufaula N.W.R., GA,
Nov. 28 (GB), five near North, Orangeburg,
SC, Nov. 29 (MT), and four at L. M. Nov. 15
(KW). Smaller numbers were found else¬
where in all 3 states, indicating a major east¬
erly shift in their migration. Snow Goose
numbers were also way up, and Georgia had
many more reports than usual, the best total
being the 67 at Rum Creek W.M.A. Nov. 14
(TJ). One or two Ross’s Geese were at L. M.
Nov. 15-22 (HW, JHy et al.).The now annu¬
al Cinnamon Teal was found at S.S.S. Sep.
27-Nov. 15 (fide TP). Some of the more
interesting inland waterfowl included a
Black Scoter at Rum Creek W.M.A., GA,
Nov. 7 (GB et al.), eight Surf Scoters at
Walter F. George L. Dam, GA, Nov. 28 (GB),
two White-winged Scoters at the
Jacksonville, NC, W.T.P. Oct. 26 (NM), and
one Oldsquaw at L. Wateree, SC, Nov. 14
(LG). Also of note was the huge assemblage
of scoters (6000+) that remained in the
Jekyll I., GA area during Nov. (JS, CL, m.

ob.); accompanying them were up to two
Oldsquaws Nov. 26-29 (JS, Cl, MB), rare
anywhere in that state.

Rarely found in the Region, a dark-
morph Red-tailed Hawk was at H.B.S.P. Oct.
31 (JP et al.). A Rough-legged Hawk put in
a brief showing at P.I. Nov. 6 (J8tPW et al.).
Golden Eagles produced multiple reports
from all 3 states. The farthest south was an
adult at Rum Creek W.M.A., GA, Oct. 1 1
(fide TM). The best migrating falcon totals
came from Tibwin Plantation, Charleston,
SC, where on Oct. 9 an amazing 30 Merlins
and 59 Peregrines were counted (CW).
Rarely seen rails included a Yellow at Falls L.,
NC, Sep. 5 (WC) and a Black at the S.S.S.
Oct. 4 (TK). The peak Black Rail count at
the usual n. Greene, GA site was five Aug.
22-Sep. 6 (PS). A Limpkin was heard at
close range along Roan I., in the Cape Fear
R., Pender, NC, Aug. 13 (SCo, CMu) for a
most intriguing report. This follows closely
on the heels of the Limpkin found in Jul.
near New Bern, NC! Sandhill Cranes moved
through Georgia in slightly below-average
numbers this year, although the timing
seemed normal. Interestingly, none were
reported from the other two states.

PLOVERS THROUGH SKIMMERS

Inland shorebirding was good this season.
Some of the more interesting reports
included single Piping Plovers at O.S.F. Aug.
8-16 (SS, JWa et al.) and Jordan L., NC, Aug.
30 (MP et al.), a very rare inland Black¬
necked Stilt at Augusta, GA, Oct. 10-11
(SW), five Am. Avocets at Jordan L„ NC,
Oct. 3 (WC et al.), four Willets at O.S.F. Sep.
5 (RC, CE et al.), and two Red-necked
Phalaropes at O.S.F. Sep. 4 (BM, LG). One of
the most impressive migrations of “grass-
pipers” ever observed in the Region took
place this fall. There were at least 25 report¬
ed locations for Am. Golden-Plover, 15 for
Upland Sandpiper, five for Baird’s Sand¬
piper, and 22 for Buff-breasted Sandpiper.
The peak counts for these included five
Golden-Plovers at O.S.F. Sep. 19 (RC, CE)
and C. Hatt. Aug. 29 (DA); over 20 Uplands
at the Greenville, NC Airport Aug. 28 (LG);
three Baird’s at Falls L., NC, Sep. 13 (LT et
al.); and amazing Buff-breasted totals of 36
at the Peach, GA Sod Farm Sep. 5 (MB) and
35 in Sumter, GA, Sep. 24 (TJ). Reports of
Buff-breasteds were too numerous to list
completely, an unprecedented event in this
Region! The always exciting Ruff was found
3 times in North Carolina with singles at PI.
Aug. 10 (MPa), the Sneads Ferry W.T.P. Aug.
19 (NM et al.), and at Bird Shoal, Beaufort,
Sep. 12 (BH et al., RB). The peak Wilson’s

Phalarope count was once again at the
S.S.S., where up to 20, were seen Sep. 10-12
(CW, SC). Some impressive offshore totals
of phalaropes included 192 Red-neckeds off
Oregon Inlet Sep. 6 (BP et al.) and an
astounding 992 Reds off Savannah, GA,
Nov. 30 (JF1 et al.). And finally Hurricane
Bonnie displaced some shorebirds in North
Carolina. Some of the more noteworthy
reports involved one Black-necked Stilt at
New Bern Aug. 28 (WF), one Long-billed
Curlew at New Bern Aug. 27 (BH, WF), 16
Hudsonian Godwits onshore at C. Hatt.
Aug. 29 (BC), one Marbled Godwit near
Greenville Aug. 27 (JW), and two Red¬
necked Phalaropes at the Sneads Ferry, NC
W.T.P. Aug. 27 (CB, NM et al.).

North Carolina’s first truly inland Long¬
tailed Jaeger made a brief appearance at L.
Norman Sep. 9 (D&MW). The bird was an
adult observed up close from a boat and was
last seen to spiral up and head s. out of sight!
Another species which came into the Region
in unprecedented numbers was Franklin’s
Gull. Each state had at least 2 reports, and
the highlights were record totals of 10 at L.
Robinson, SC, Nov. 25 (LG) and 11 at L.
Walter F. George, GA, Oct 3 1 ( JF1). The Nov.
birds were part of a major storm-related
push into the e. half of the continent this
fall. The season’s only Black-headed Gull
was a complete surprise away from the
immediate coast at L. M. Nov. 13 (JF). Other
rare, unexpected gulls included an early
imm. Glaucous at Cumberland I., GA Sep.

One bird causing much
excitement was the South
Polar Skua found on the beach at
Jekyll I., GA, Oct. 16 (SH et al., DL).
Georgia’s 4th, the skua was a dark- or
dark intermediate-morph bird in
heavy molt and stayed in the area until
at least Nov. 5 (AS). Many people were
able to get good photographs to docu¬
ment this unusual occurrence. Two
more S. Polar Skuas were onshore not
too far away at Fort Clinch and
Smyrna Dunes Park, Florida, during
October and November. What
brought these birds in to land is
unknown, but they may have been
birds exhausted by the late-season
hurricanes. Eastern North America
has very, very few records of South
Polar Skua from its beaches, though
Cape Point, near Buxton, NC, can be a
good place to observe flybys on spring
migration, during periods of easterly
winds.

44

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

southern atlantic coast

20 (SEh) and an imm. Sabine's at Figure
Eight I., NC Nov. 8 (DC). Some of the more
interesting tern reports due to Hurricane
Bonnie included a Gull-billed at the Sneads
Ferry, NC W.T.P. Aug. 27 (NM), two Sand¬
wich, two Least, and a Bridled tern at
Goldsboro, NC, Aug. 27 (ED), three Sooties
at Jordan L., NC, Aug. 27 (JHy), and 18
Forster’s, two Royals, and four Blacks at L.
Phelps, NC, Aug. 28 (NB, BP). Possibly
storm-related were 60 Blacks at O.S.F. Sep. 4
(LG). A rare-in-fall Arctic Tern was off
Oregon Inlet Sep. 5 (BP et al.) Inland
reports of note included a Royal Tern at
Callaway Gardens, GA, Aug. 2 (PJ), not
apparently related to any storm activity.
Inland Black Skimmers were found in
Thomas, GA, Sep. 11, after Hurricane Earl
(fide JS) and at L. Eufaula, GA, Sep. 30, after
Hurricane Georges (fide TM).

CUCKOOS THROUGH THRUSHES

Black-billed Cuckoos were reported region¬
wide in their usual small numbers, with
only one to two individuals being found at
one time. N. Saw-whet Owls staged a poor
late-fall migration this year, with Enders
banding one Nov. 4 in Halifax, NC.
Hummingbirds once again made news, with
Archilochus and Selasphorus numbers higher
than ever! Georgia’s first Calliope Hum¬
mingbird was an imm. male at a feeder in
Lilburn Nov. 1-10 (KT et al.). Bob and
Martha Sargent banded and documented
the bird. Not to be outdone, North Carolina
got its first Anna’s Hummingbird when an
imm. male showed up at a feeder in
Charlotte Nov. 29 (JWa, ph. m. ob.). Anoth¬
er Anna’s, a female, was banded by the
Sargents in Smyrna, Cobb, GA Nov. 26-28
( fide TM), providing that state’s 2nd record!
Reports on the flycatcher migration seemed
a little above average, with five Olive-sideds,
1 1 Yellow-bellieds, four Willows, seven
Leasts, five Western Kingbirds, two Gray
Kingbirds, and three Scissor- tailed Flycatch¬
ers. The best were five Yellow-bellieds at
Macon, GA, Sep. 13 (GB et al.), an Eastern
Kingbird off Oregon Inlet Sep. 6 (BP et al.),
a peak of five Gray Kingbirds at the usual
Jekyll I., GA site Aug. 8 (fide TM), and a late
Scissor-tailed in Brooks, GA, Nov. 6-8 (fide
BB). The vireo migration was much better
than average, with no fewer than nine
Warbling and 20 Philadelphia reports
received! All of the Warblings were found
during Sep., and reports were from all 3
states. The Philadelphia sightings from
across the Region spanned the period from
Sep. 2-Oct. 8. Another state first was pro¬
vided by the Northern Wheatear at Jekyll I.,

Wait — come back! A Northern Wheatear
at Jekyll Island, Georgia, furnished a first
record for the state October 1 1 .

Like all too many migrant wheatears,
this one was a one-hour wonder.
Photograph/Jan Pitman

GA, Oct. 1 1 (LTh, JG, DL, NG et al.). Luckily
photos were secured before the bird disap¬
peared within an hour after its discovery!
And once again, the thrush migration
brought mixed reviews. As is always the case
with secretive birds, the number of birds
seen is rarely indicative of the actual abun¬
dance. This year, predawn counts of over¬
head migrants gave some insight into the
numbers still migrating over our area. The
peak counts at K. Mt. Sep. 23 were 57
Veeries, 84 Gray-cheekeds, 444 Swainson’s,
and 91 Woods (GB et al.).

WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES

Many observers focus on the warblers each
migratory period, and this year was no dif¬
ferent, with at least 37 species being report¬
ed from across the Region. Numbers
seemed down in most areas, with only a few
reports of exceptional concentrations of mi¬
grants. Some interesting totals included two
Golden-wingeds at Laurinburg, NC, Sep. 15
(BG), 25 Chestnut-sideds at K. Mt. Sep. 10
(BD), 19 Blackburnians at K. Mt. Sep. 22
(KDa), and three Canadas at Falls L., NC,
Sep. 13 (RE). The Region’s first MacGilii-
vray’s Warbler was a road-killed specimen
found at L. M. Nov. 5 (KDv). Hopefully the
next MacGillivray’s found in the Region will
not meet a similar fate. Connecticut Warb¬
lers were recorded only 3 times this fall, a lit¬
tle below average. Mourning Warblers on
the other hand, were found at least 6 times,
considerably more than normal. Wilson’s
Warblers were also more frequently seen,
with up to 10 reports received.

Sparrows staged a better-than-average
migration this fall. Some high counts of
selected species included an impressive nine
Clay-coloreds at RI. Oct. 11 (RD, JL), eight
Henslow’s at Paulk’s Pasture, Glynn, GA,
Nov. 28 (JS et al.), and three Lincoln’s in n.e.
Edgecombe, NC, Oct. 4 (RD). Lark Sparrows

were reported up to eight times, about aver¬
age. The rare LeConte’s Sparrow was found
once, at Eufaula N.W.R., GA, Oct. 30 (GB et
al.). Lincoln’s Sparrows were found at least
18 times across the Region, much better
than average. The best Lapland Longspur
count was of three at H.B.S.P. Nov. 27 (TK),
and the best Snow Bunting total was at least
nine at C. Hatt. Nov. 6-8 (ED, m. ob.).
Migrant Dickcissels included one in
Thomaston, GA, Sep. 19 (fide TM), one in
Durham, NC, Oct. 3 (TKr), and one at the P.

l. feeder Oct. 31 to Nov. 21 (ED, J&PWet al.,

m. obs.). Yellow-headed Blackbirds were
found twice: an imm. male was on St.
Simons I., GA, Sep. 15-17 (LTh), and an ad.
male was at L. M. Nov. 14-15 (ED, BC).
Only one Shiny Cowbird was seen this peri¬
od, a female at the S.S.S. Aug. 3 (PS). Winter
finches put on a poor showing this fall, with
only a handful of Purple Finches, although
one was early at P. I. Oct. 11 (RD). Pine
Siskins and Evening Grosbeaks were practi¬
cally nonexistent, with about one report
each.

Contributors: Diane Andre, Clancy

Ballenger, Giff Beaton, Michael Bell, Brad
Bergstrom, Rich Boyd, Ned Brinkley, Steve
Calver, Brad Carlson, Derb Carter, Robin
Carter, Will Cook, Sam Cooper (SCo), Phil
Crutchfield, Kevin Danchisen (KDa), Kelly
Davis (KDv), Ricky Davis, Eric Dean, Bruce
Dralle, Caroline Eastman, Steve Ehly (SEh),
Randy Emmitt, Steve Emslie, Frank Enders,
Jim Flynn (JFl), Wade Fuller, John Fussell,
Barbara Gearhart, Lex Glover, Nancy
Gobris, Joe Greenberg, Paul Guris, Mary
Gustafson, Bob Holmes, Steve Holzman,
Earl Horn, Jeremy Hyman (JHy), Paul
Johnson, Terry Johnson, Tim Kalbach,
Thomas Krakauer (TKr), Carol Lambert,
Darrell Lee, Harry LeGrand, Jeff Lewis,
Merrill Lynch, Bob 8c Barbara Maxwell
(B8cBM), Nell Moore, Terry Moore, Cheryl
Mullen (CMu), Michael Patten (MPa),
Brian Patteson, Jack Peachey, Grayson
Pearce, Magnus Persmark, Taylor Piephoff,
Todd Plummer, Aubrey Scott, Jeff Sewell,
Steve Shultz, Paul Sykes, Karen Theodorou,
Lydia Thompson (LTh), Simon Thompson,
Les Todd, Mike Turner, Steve Wagner, Judy
Walker (JWa), Craig Watson, Keith Watson,
Audrey Whitlock (AWh), Haven Wiley,
David 8c Marcia Wright (D8cMW), John 8c
Paula Wright (J8cPW).

Ricky Davis, 608 Smallwood Drive, Rocky
Mount, NC 27804 (e-mail: RJDNC@aol.com)

VOLUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 1

45

florida region

BILL PRANTY

otable events in the Region were num¬
erous pelagic species found inland fol¬
lowing Hurricane Earl Sep. 3 and Hurricane
Georges Sep. 25. Chief among these were
Pomarine Jaegers at 3 sites, which represent
the Region’s 2nd through 4th inland
reports, and Greater Flamingos at 2 sites.
Other interesting reports were the first
Regional inland breeding report of Black
Rail, breeding of Black-bellied Whistling-
Ducks in Lake, and an inland report of a
Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Tallahas¬
see. In Pinellas, exceptional fallouts were
noted Oct. 2 and Nov. 4, when record Reg¬
ional counts were obtained for Yellow-
throated Vireo, Black-throated Green and
Palm warblers, and Summer Tanager.
Rarities reported this fall were at least three
Curlew Sandpipers and three Ruffs at
Zellwood, South Polar Skuas at Fort Clinch
and New Smyrna Beach, an Atlantic Puffin

in the Florida Panhandle, this bird was
photographed at St. George Island October
23, 1998. Photograph/Dean Jue

picked up at Jacksonville, a Tropical King¬
bird at Fort DeSoto C.P., and a MacGilli-

vray’s Warbler at Orlando.

Abbreviations: A.P.A.F.R.fTWon Park Air Force
Range); C.P.(county park); D.T.N.P.fD/y Tortugas
National Park, Monroe Co.); PM.C.A.(Emera!da
Marsh Conservation Area, Lake Co.); E.N.P.
(Everglades National Park); F.D.C.P. (Fort DeSoto

C. P., Pinellas Co.); H.I.S.R.A. (Honeymoon Island
State Recreation Area, Pinellas Co.); P.P.S.P.
(Paynes Prairie State Preserve, Alachua Co.);

R. S.R.S.P. (Rock Springs Run State Preserve, Lake
Co.); S.C.C.P. (Saddle Creek C.P., Polk Co.); S.G.I.
(St. George Island, Franklin Co.); S.R.C.A.
(Seminole Ranch Conservation Area, Orange
and/or Seminole Co.); S.R.S.T.F. (Springhill Road

S. T.F., Leon Co.); S.T.F. (sewage treatment facili¬
ty); and T.R. S.T.F (Tram Road S.T.F., Leon Co.).

LOOMS THROUGH FRIGATEBIRDS

A Red-throated Loon was found at Canav¬
eral National Seashore ( Brevard ) Nov. 8 (BB,
DBr), and two others were in Ochlockonee
Bay (Wakulla) Nov. 22 (HHp et al.). High
counts of Pied-billed Grebes were 400 at
Polk mines Nov. 1 (CG, PTi) and 750 at
Zellwood Nov. 18 (HR et al.). Eared Grebes
were found in Leon, Polk, at Zellwood, and
in Hamilton, where 21 birds were reported
Nov. 14 (MM et al.). Participants on a pelag¬
ic trip during the inaugural Florida Birding
Festival ( Pinellas ) Sep. 20 found three Cory’s
Shearwaters, one Red and six Red-necked
phalaropes, and three Pomarine Jaegers
(WB, DG et al.). Other pelagic birds were a
White-tailed Tropicbird at St. Augustine
Oct. 14 (fide RR), Masked Boobies at

D. T.N.P. Aug. 31 (MCI), and off S.G.I. Sep. 7
(TK), a Brown Booby at D.T.N.P. Aug. 27
(KKi) and Aug. 31 (MCI), and Red-footed
Boobies at D.T.N.P. Aug. 27 (KKi) and s. of
Marquesas Keys ( Monroe ) Aug. 24 (MCI).
Rogers counted 96 Northern Gannets off
Brevard Nov. 26. Am. White Pelicans arrived
at Zellwood Sep. 17, and numbers increased
to 1350 birds by Nov. 30 (HR). Two flocks of
Anhingas were noted: 75 over the Everglades
(Palm Beach) Aug. 25 (LMa) and 32 over
A.P.A.F.R. (Polk) Sep. 28 (BP). Storm-related
Magnificent Frigatebirds were 18 in Alachua
Sep. 3 (ML et al.), up to six at L. Jackson Sep.
6-30 (PC), and 12 at Bald Point (Franklin)
Sep. 28 (PC).

HERONS THROUGH WATERFOWL

Seasonal high counts of wading birds at
Zellwood included 295 Great Blue Herons,
1950 Great, 300 Snowy, and 7500 Cattle
egrets, 1000 White and 400 Glossy ibises, six
Roseate Spoonbills, and 1130 Wood Storks
(HR, PF). At a pond at Jacksonville, 725
Snowies were counted Aug. 30 (RC1).
Another spoonbill was found at St. Marks
N.W.R. (Wakulla) Sep. 30-Nov. 26 (TK, FR
et al.). The 39 Greater Flamingos at Snake
Bight, E.N.P. ( Monroe ) Nov. 7 (LMa et al.)
were to be expected, but the immature at
Fort Pierce (St. Lucie) Sep. 28 (D8cHH et al.)
and the adult at S.G.I. Oct. 23-24 (fDJ, SJ,
JCa) were likely hurricane-driven birds.

Zellwood hosted up to 250 Fulvous and
four Black-bellied whistling-ducks (HR, PF
et al.). Black-bellies continue to expand
their range in the Peninsula, with breeding
reports from Myakka River S.P. ( Sarasota )
Sep. 5 (CM, LMa) and E.M.C.A. Oct. 31
(fide JM). Four Greater White-fronted
Geese were at St. Marks N.W.R. Nov. 1 1-12
(JD). Snow Geese made an unprecedented
appearance in Florida this fall, mostly in the
Western Panhandle, but significant Region¬
al reports were up to 85 at Zellwood begin¬
ning Nov. 2 (HR, B&LC, TP et al.) and thou¬
sands in Franklin (JD). Canada Geese were
reported from Polk mines (two), Cedar Key,
and Zellwood (six). Rounding out the geese
was a Brant at Smyrna Dunes Park (Volusia)
Oct. 24 (WB, KR). High counts for ducks at
Zellwood were 2100 Green-winged Teal, two
Am. Black Ducks, 10,500 Blue-winged Teal,
one Cinnamon Teal, 477 N. Shovelers, and
7845 Ring-necked Ducks (HR). A very early
shoveler at Gainesville Sep. 2 ( JHi) may have
summered. At Polk mines, there were 569
Mottled Ducks Aug. 2 (PF, PTi). Scoter

46

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

reports were one Surf at Fort Clinch S.P.
(Nassau) Oct. 24 (RC1) and three White¬
winged at Hamilton mines Nov. 14 (MM,
DW).

RAPTORS

Results of the Boot Key hawkwatch
( Monroe ) Oct. 10 were difficult to assess,
inasmuch as birds were recorded flying both
S and N, but the following counts were
made: 81 Sharp-shinned, 14 Cooper’s, 109
Broad-winged, and 3 Short-tailed hawks,
and 238 Peregrine Falcons (MWh et aL). A
White-tailed Kite, rare in n. Florida, was at
Medart ( Wakulla ) Aug. 14 (RCh). One ad.
White-tailed was over Florida’s Turnpike
just n. of the Broward/Miami-Dade line
Aug. 15, and two other adults were at their
unsuccessful nest site in E.N.P. ( Miami -
Dade) Aug. 16 (both BP, HL). Mississippi
Kite reports included singles at Red Level
( Citrus ) Aug. 15 (CB1), Tallahassee Sep. 10
(FR), R.S.R.S.P. Sep 20 (BAn), and near
Aripeka (Pasco) Sep. 24 (DR). A N. Harrier
at A.P.A.F.R. (Highlands) Sep. 2 (BP) was
somewhat early, while 26 at Zellwood Nov.
20 (HR) and 15 at Polk mines Nov. 21 (LaA,
CG, PTi) were good counts. Also at
Zellwood were Broad-winged Hawks Oct. 6
(HR) and two on Nov. 7 (LS); another
Broad-winged was at Hamilton mines Nov.
17-24 (JK). One Short-tailed Hawk was

After being farmed for over 50
years, 13,000 acres of former
marshland along the n. shore of L.
Apopka, at Zellwood (Orange), were
purchased in 1997-1998 for $91 mil¬
lion. The purpose of the acquisition
was to restore water quality in the lake,
reportedly the Region’s most polluted
water body. Interim shallow-flooding
for weed control created ideal foraging
conditions for wading birds and
migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, and
larids. Unflooded fields attracted an
abundance of sparrows and other
species. Birders flocked to Zellwood to
witness the unparalleled abundance
and diversity of birds present. In par¬
ticular, Harry Robinson made meticu¬
lous counts of all individuals present
during 16 trips to the fields Aug.
15-Nov. 30. The mean of Harry’s
counts was 18,558 birds per survey.
During the season, 174 species were
reported at Zellwood. Not surprising¬
ly, observations from Zellwood by
Harry and others dominate this sea¬
sonal report.

seen over Newnans L. Sep. 27 (BM, HA et
al.), and two were over Hontoon Island S.P.
(Lake and/or Volusia ) Oct. 3 (CP et al.). A
Swainson’s Hawk was notable at Alligator
Point (Franklin) Nov. 26 (JD). Golden
Eagles were reported at Wakulla Springs
(Wakulla) Oct. 24 (TK),Yent Bayou (Frank¬
lin) Nov. 1 1 (GS), and T.R.S.T.F. Nov. 27
(DHa). Daily raptor watches at Guana River
S.P. (St. Johns) Sep. 27-Oct. 12 yielded 63
Merlins and 353 Peregrine Falcons (BS). At
S.G.I., Cavanagh counted 42 Merlins and 40
Peregrines Sep. 24.

BOBWHITE THROUGH SHOREBIRDS

Forty-two Northern Bobwhites were tallied
in Citrus Oct. 7 (TR), and a Yellow Rail was
found at P.P.S.P. Sep. 19 (JWe). In the Palm
Beach Everglades, Aug. 25, Larry Manfredi
observed two Black Rail chicks, the first
inland breeding report in the Region. There
were 1 100 Com. Moorhens and 16,720 Am.
Coots at Zellwood (HR), 21,000 coots at
Polk mines (LaA, CG, PTi), and possibly the
same albino coot at Zellwood (HR), then
Merritt Island N.W.R. (VF). A Limpkin at
Black Swamp Aug. 10 was rare there (GM).
Plover counts included 3 1 5 Black-bellied at
Zellwood Nov. 25 (HR), 16 Snowy and 20
Piping at H.I.S.R.A. Nov. 18 (PB, WY), 20
Piping at Shell Key ( Pinellas ) Sep. 11 (PB),
and 70 Semipalmated at Zellwood Sep. 2
(HR). Am. Avocets reports were 94 at Polk
mines Aug. 2 (PTi, PF), 194 at Jacksonville
Oct. 31 (RC1), and 70 at Zellwood Nov. 27
(BAh). High yellowlegs counts at Zellwood
were 400 Greater and 995 Lesser, both Nov.
2 (HR). One thousand Red Knots were
counted at F.D.C.P. Sep. 4 (EK et al.). Other
knots were rare inland at S.R.S.T.F. Aug. 23
(HHp, GM, JCa) and Oct. 5-14 (GM), and
two birds at Zellwood Sep. 17-21 8c Oct. 21
(HR). A Purple Sandpiper was found at Fort
Clinch Oct. 3 (RC1). High counts of sand¬
pipers at Zellwood included 200 Semipal¬
mated Aug. 15, 965 Western Sep. 11, 2400
Least Nov. 13, and 900 Pectoral sandpipers
Aug. 7, 400 Dunlins Nov. 4, and 490 Stilt
Sandpipers Oct. 21 (HR, PF, TR). Also at
Zellwood were three different Curlew Sand¬
pipers, three Ruffs, up to 23 Buff-breasted
Sandpipers, 670 Short-billed and 1275
Long-billed dowitchers, 402 Com. Snipe,
and 21 Wilson’s Phalaropes (HR, DF, KR).

SKUAS THROUGH TERMS

The 2nd and 3rd Regional records of South
Polar Skua were obtained on Atlantic
beaches. The first, at Fort Clinch Oct. 7-10,
was picked up by a rehabilitator then
released at the same site Oct. 18 and was

observed through Oct. 25 (PL, fPP et al.).
The 2nd skua, in different plumage, was
observed at Smyrna Dunes Park Nov. 9-17
(LM1, fBP, et al.). Inland Pomarine Jaegers,
representing the Region’s 2nd through 4th
reports, were at S.R.S.T.F. Sep. 3 (tJCa et
al.), L. Jackson Sep. 6 (PC), and Homestead
Sep. 26 (CM, LMa, BR, JR). A Parasitic
Jaeger picked up at Jacksonville Oct. 14 died
later (PP). Franklin’s Gulls were reported
from a surprising 5 locations this season,
with two at Lake Jackson Nov. 2-3 (PC), six
at Zellwood beginning Nov. 20 (HR et al.),
three at F.D.C.P. Nov. 22-23 (LyA, LaA et
al.), two at T.R.S.T.F. Nov. 24 (MCk), and
two-three at Newnans L. Nov. 29 (RR).

As proof of their continued increase in
the Region, a group of Lesser Black-backed
Gulls at Jetty Park (Brevard) numbered up
to 24 birds Nov. 9-15 (TH et al.). Six Black¬
legged Kittiwakes were found at Smyrna
Dunes Park Oct. 24 (WB, KR), and 74
Caspian Terns were counted at Zellwood by
Harry Robinson Nov. 1 1. Inland Royal Terns
were at Newnans L. Aug. 2 (JHi) and Sep. 3
(RR), Hague Dairy Aug. 9 (MM), S.R.S.T.F.
Sep. 3 (HHr, TK), and Lake Alto (Alachua)
Sep. 19 (JWi, MLW). Even more unusual
was a Sandwich Tern at L. Jackson Sep. 3
(JCa, SB). Very high counts of Com. Terns
were 4000 birds at H.I.S.R.A. Oct. 3 (EK)
and 6000 at F.D.C.P. Oct. 9 (LyA). Other
high tern counts were 1097 Forster’s at Polk
mines Aug. 2 (PF, PTi), 500 Forster’s and
500 Black terns at Zellwood Sep. 2 (HR),
and 450 Least Terns at H.I.S.R.A. Aug. 15
(EK). Storm-driven Sooty Terns were at
Newnans L. Sep. 3 (JB), six at L. Jackson Sep.
3 (PC), and at Homestead Sep. 25-26 (CM,
LMa, BR, JR). Coastal or inland Brown
Noddies were at Stuart (Martin) Aug. 10
(fide D8cDH), Homestead Sep. 25-26 (CM,
LMa, BR, JR), and Boynton Inlet (Palm
Beach) Sep. 26 (WZ). Two Black Noddies
were still at D.T.N.P. Aug. 31 (MCI). Inland
Black Skimmers were three at S.R.S.T.F. Sep.
3 (HHr, TK), two at Lake Jackson Sep. 3
(PC), and 475 at Polk mines Oct. 11 (PTi,
PF). An Atlantic Puffin picked up from a
Jacksonville beach Oct. 1 was only the 2nd
Regional record. The bird died later (spec.;

tPP).

DOVES THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS

White-winged Doves were reported from
numerous sites along the Gulf coast (v. o.).
Single Black-billed Cuckoos were found at
D.T.N.P. Aug. 27 (KKi) and at Seminole Sep.
22 (JF, KN), while Groove-billed Anis were
notable at Tallahassee Sep. 3 (TK) and Oct.
14 (GM). A Black-chinned Hummingbird

VOLUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 1

47

With only one previous verifiable record
in Florida, the two apparently different
South Polar Skuas that came ashore along
the Atlantic coast in October and November
were remarkable. Their occurrences may
have been related to all the tropical storm
and hurricane activity this season. This
skua was photographed October 10 at
Fernandina Beach, Flort Clinch State Park,
Nassau County, Florida
Photograph/Harold I. Belcher

was at Tallahassee Nov. 12 (JO, PC), a
Rufous at Mount Plymouth (Lake) Sep. 8
(PS), and a Selasphorus at Gainesville begin¬
ning Nov. 12 (EP).

FLYCATCHERS THROUGH PIPITS

A fallout Oct. 2 brought 50 E. Wood-Pewees
and 25 Empidonax to F.D.C.P. (LyA, MWi,
CBu). Yellow-bellied Flycatchers were
reported from Citrus, Franklin, and Pinellas,
and a Willow Flycatcher was found at
Bonner Park Sep. 24 (LyA, CBu). An Alder
Flycatcher was banded at R.S.R.S.P. Sep. 19,
and two “Traill’s” Flycatchers were there Sep.
19 & 27 (all BAn). Ault found separate
Vermilion Flycatchers in Taylor Nov. 7 & 10.
A Tropical Kingbird was at F.D.C.P. Oct. 1
(LyA), and a silent Tropical/Couch’s King¬
bird was at Loxahatchee N.W.R. Nov. 11
(BHo). Separate duos of Gray Kingbirds,
rare inland, were at Zellwood Aug. 15 (BAn
et al.) and Oct. 16-21 (HR et al.). Scissor-
tailed Flycatchers were reported from num¬
erous sites, including three each at Seven
Springs (Pasco) beginning Nov. 10 (DR) and
Naples Nov. 10 (DS). Eleven Yellow-throat¬
ed Vireos were at F.D.C.P. Oct. 2 (LyA, MWi,
CBu), and single Warbling Vireos were at
Newnans L. Sep. 12 (MM, JB) and Seminole,
Pinellas, Oct. 3-4 ( JF). Good counts of Red¬
eyed Vireos were 400 at F.D.C.P. Sep. 20
(MWi) and 100 at St. Petersburg Sep. 21
(RS). At F.D.C.P. Aug. 10, Atherton watched
a Black-whiskered Vireo feed a fledgling
cowbird.

Thirty-five Bank Swallows were at
Zellwood Sep. 11 (HR), and a late bird was

This Atlantic Puffin found on a Jacksonville

beach October 9 was Florida’s second
and one of the most southerly records
in the Atlantic Ocean anywhere. Bermuda
has at least four records of puffin, but
there are no Caribbean records as yet.
Photograph/Roger Clark

in Hamilton Nov. 5 (JK). Cliff Swallows were
reported widely, with 30 in Pinellas Sep. 26
(EK). Barn Swallow high counts were 460 at
Zellwood Sep. 11 (HR) and 120 at F.D.C.P.
Oct. 2 (LyA, MWi, CBu). A Winter Wren
was at Jacksonville Oct. 24 (RC1), a flock of
38 Gray Catbirds was at Crystal River Oct. 7
(TR), and 370 American Pipits were count¬
ed by Robinson at Zellwood Nov. 20.

WARBLERS

An excellent fallout of warblers was noted at
F.D.C.P. Oct. 2 (LyA, MWi, CBu). High
counts were nine Blue-winged, five Golden¬
winged, 63 Tennessee, 28 Chestnut-sided, 51
Magnolia, 17 Black- throated Blue, seven
Blackburnian, and 870 Palm warblers, 64 N.
Parulas, and 200 Am. Redstarts. Elsewhere,
significant reports were four Blue-winged at
SCCP Sep. 7 (LaA, MCh, BHd) and 16 in
Alachua Sep. 19 (fide RR); single “Brews¬
ter’s” Warblers at Sawgrass L. C.P. (Pinellas)
Sep. 7 (CM, LMa et al.), Bonner Park Sep. 15
(LyA, PB, MWi), and Jacksonville Sep.
16-19 (JCo), 40 Tennessee Warblers at
F.D.C.P. Nov. 4 (LyA et al.), a Black-throated
Gray Warbler at F.D.C.P. Sep. 6 (LMa et al.),
and 82 Black-throated Green Warblers at
F.D.C.P. Nov. 4 (LyA et al.). At S.C.C.P. Sep.
26, Ahern tallied 35 Black-throated Blue and
two each of Swainson’s and Kentucky war¬
blers, 42 Ovenbirds, and 50 Am. Redstarts.
More fine warbler counts at S.C.C.P. were 18
Prothonotary Aug. 8 (CG et al.), 10 Worm¬
eating Sep. 19 (CG et al.), and single Cana¬
das Sep. 13 (LaA) & 28 (PF et al.). Other
Pinellas reports included 6 Worm-eating

Warblers Sep. 12 (JHo, LH), five Kentucky
Warblers at Bonner Park Sep. 11 (JF), and a
Yellow-breasted Chat at Dunedin Sep. 12
(LH). Another chat was banded at R.S.R.S.P.
Oct. 31 (BAn), another Kentucky at
Weekiwachee Preserve (Hernando) Sep. 7
(DR). Three Wilson’s Warblers were at Fort
George Island Oct. 3 (RC1). At Sanibel, Pettis
and others found a female Mourning
Warbler Sep. 7, but the prize of the season
was the first-year male MacGillivray’s
Warbler at Orlando Nov. 14-24 (KR et al.).

TANAGERS THROUGH WEAVERS

Also reported during the F.D.C.P. fallout
Oct. 2 were 41 Summer and 25 Scarlet tan-
agers (LyA, MWi, CBu). Five other Scarlet
Tanagers were at S.C.C.P. Oct. 3 (PF et al.).
Clay-colored Sparrows were at H.I.S.R.A.
Sep. 12 and Oct. 24 (both EK et al.), Sanibel
Oct. 10 (NP), and Dundee (Polk) Nov. 27
(CG, PTi). Lark Sparrows visited F.D.C.P.
Oct. 3 (HR) and Sanibel Oct. 7 (WD). Zell¬
wood sparrow reports included 715 Savan¬
nah Nov. 25 (HR), single Henslow’s Nov. 16
(BP) and Nov. 20-30 (HR), and a Lincoln’s
Nov. 25 (HR). Another Lincoln’s was found
by R. Smith at Brooker Creek Preserve
(Pinellas) Oct. 24, and Manetz found a Le
Conte’s Sparrow at Hague Dairy the same
day. Twenty Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrows
occupied a small marsh in Citrus Nov. 14
(AH, BHn, LyA et al.), and an alterus was
inland at S.R.S.T.F. Nov. 19 (JCa). White-
crowned Sparrows were widespread, with 25
birds near Mims (Brevard) Nov. 9-15 (TH
et al.), 15 at Dundee Nov. 27 (CG, PTi), and
up to 10 at Zellwood beginning Nov. 13 (HR
et al.). Dark-eyed Juncos were found at
F.D.C.P. Oct. 20 (LyA) and at Gainesville
(two birds) beginning Nov. 17 (DBe, EP).

Lapland Longspurs, casual in the Reg¬
ion, were at Zellwood Oct. 16 (HR) and
E.N.P. (Miami-Dade) Nov. 7 (LMa). Ather¬
ton counted 45 Indigo Buntings at F.D.C.P.
Oct. 17. High counts of Bobolink were 700
at Zellwood Sep. 17 (HR et al.) and 421 at
S.R.C.A. Sep. 19 (LM1). Yellow-headed
Blackbirds were found at Port St. Lucie, St.
Petersburg, Hague Dairy, Hamilton mines,
and 4 variously at Zellwood (v.o.). Black
Swamp had 10 Rusty and two Brewer’s
blackbirds Nov. 13 (GM, JCa). Bronzed
Cowbirds were at E.N.P. (Monroe) Oct. 26
(LMa), Zellwood Nov. 23 (HR), and two at
Lakeland Nov. 30 (WB, KKn). Female
Bullock’s Orioles were found at Winter
Haven Sep. 27 (PF) and S.G.I. Oct. 22 (JCa,
HHr). Pinellas’s first House Finch, a female
at Largo Aug. 19, was joined later by a male
Oct. 1 1 (PTr). And lastly, a Village Weaver at

48

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

appalachian

region

F.D.C.P. Aug. 6-24 (LyA et al.) may have
been the same bird 2 miles farther e. Sep. 10
(AS, RS).

Contributors: Howard Adams, Brian Ahern
(BAh), Larry Albright (LaA), Bruce Ander¬
son (BAn), Lyn Atherton (LyA), John Ault,
David Beatty (DBe), Wes Biggs, Clay Black
(CB1), Paul Blair, Scott Borderieux, Brenda
Branchett, Dave Branchett (DBr), Judy
Bryan, Charlie Buhrman (CBu), Jim Cava-
nagh (JCa), Mike Chakan (MCh), Ron
Christen (RCh), Roger Clark RC1), Julie
Cocke (JCo), Mitch Coker (MCk), Mike
Collins (MCI), Paul Conover, Buck and
Linda Cooper (B8cLC), Wes Dirks, Jack
Dozier, Paul Fellers, Judy Fisher, Vera Fitz¬
Gerald, Dot Freeman, Chuck Geanangel,
Dave Goodwin, Bill Haddad (BHd), Al
Hansen, Bev Hansen (BHn), David Harder
(DHa), Tom Hince, John Hintermister
(JHi), Harry Hooper (HHp), Brian Hope
(BHo), Judi Hopkins (JHo), Larry Hopkins,
Howard Horne (HHr), Dotty and Hank
Hull (D8cHH), Dean and Sally Jue (D&SJ),
Tom Kennedy, Keith Kimmerle (KKi),
Katrina Knight (KKn), Jerry Krummrich,
Ed Kwater, Mary Landsman, Pat Leary,
Holly Lovell, Lome Malo (LM1), Mike
Manetz, Christine Manfredi, Larry
Manfredi (LMa), Joy Marburger, Gail Menk,
Barbara Muschlitz, Kris Nelson, Julie
O’Malley, Tom Palmer, Evelyn Perry, Neil
Pettis, Cheri Pierce, Peggy Powell, Bill
Pranty, Kurt Radamaker, Brian Rapoza, Don
Robinson, Harry Robinson, Tommie
Rogers, Jill Rosenfield, Rex Rowan, Fran
Rutkovsky, Parks Small, Austin Smith, Ron
Smith, Lee Snyder, Gary Sprandel, Bob Stoll,
Doug Suitor, Pete Timmer (PTi), Paul
Trunk (PTr), David Wahl, Jim Weimer
(JWe), Mark Whitesides (MWh), Margie
Wilkinson MWi), John Winn (JWi), Mary
Lou Winn (MLW), Wilfred Yusek, and
Wilma Zane.

Please send records to: Bill Pranty, 8515
Village Mill Row, Bayonet Point, Florida 34667-
2662 (email billpranty@hotmail.com)

Place names that are frequently men¬
tioned, but very long, may be abbreviat¬
ed in a form such as “C.B.B.T.” or
“W.P.B.O.” Such local abbreviations will
be explained in a key at the beginning
of the particular regional report in
which they are used. Standard abbrevi¬
ations that are used throughout North
American Birds are keyed on page 24.

GEORGE A. HALL

t was a “gentle” autumn. The weather was
warmer than normal but not excessively
so. At Pittsburgh, Aug. had excess rainfall,
but Sep., Oct., and Nov. accumulated a defi¬
ciency of 3.38 inches, and near-drought
conditions prevailed throughout. Most of
the frontal systems were weak, and the low¬
land areas had had no frosts by the end of
the period.

The birding, too, was good but rarely
exciting. The migration of passerines started
a little early in mid-Aug. With the lack of
strong frontal systems, there were no major
fallouts of migrants, and the warblers and
other Sep. migrants moved through steadily
in the latter half of the month. Most were
gone by Oct. 1. The Oct. migrants and win¬
ter residents also arrived somewhat early.
Although the majority of migrants departed
early, there was a sizeable list of stragglers
with late observations. There were no sug¬
gestions that any of the “northern invaders”
would stage a flight this winter.

With the lack of rain many wetlands
dried up completely and water levels in
major lakes were quite low. This had the
effect of concentrating waterbirds in a few
places.

Only two of the big banding stations
reported comparative data. At P.N.R., the
6381 birds banded was at the average of the
last 10 years. Yellow-rumped Warblers were
+3 Standard Deviations (S.D.) above aver¬
age, Blue-headed Vireos were +2 S.D. over
average, and 5 species were +1 S.D. average.
Four species were -1 S.D. below average
(RCL 8c RM). At A.F.M.O., the 8585 band¬
ings was the 4th highest total there. Of 40
species analyzed, Magnolia Warblers and
Dark-eyed Juncos were +4 S.D. above aver¬
age, Chestnut-sided Warbler was +2 over,
and 19 species were +1 S.D. above average.
No species was as much as -1 S.D. below
average (GAH). Besides the banding sta¬
tions, the Waterbird Count at P.I.S.P. operat¬
ed again this year.

Abbreviations: A.F.M.0. (Allegheny Front
Migration Observatory, Grant Co.,WV); HW
(hawkwatch station); M.L.W.A. (Mosquito Lake

Wildlife Area, Trumbull Co., Of/A' P.I.S.P. (Presque
Isle State Park, Erie Co., PA); P.N.R. (Powdermill
Nature Reserve, Westmoreland Co., PA); S.H.L.
(South Holston Lake, Washington Co.,
VA/Sullivan Co., TN); u. D. L. (upper Douglas
Lake, Cocke Co., TN); VB (Valley Birds Listserv);
Y.C.S.P. (Yellow Creek State Park, Indiana Co.,
PA.).

LOOMS THROUGH VULTURES

The Waterbird Count at P.I.S.P. logged 37
Red-throated Loons from (Oct. 20-Nov. 25;
JM). Two were seen at Quemahoning Dam,
PA, Oct. 19 (M 8c EW), and one was at L.
Arthur, PA, Nov. 21 (DY). A Com. Loon at
S.H.L. Aug. 3 1 ( WC) was quite early, but the
fall flight was poor and spotty, the largest
concentration being 77 at Pymatuning L.
PA, Nov. 21 (RFL). Horned Grebes were
more numerous than usual, with an Aug. 31
arrival at S.H.L. about a month nearly
(WC). At P.I.S.P. 1927 were counted in 3.5
hours Nov. 14 (JM). The only reports of
Red-necked Grebes came from P.I.S.P.,
where the Waterbird Count listed a total of
10, Oct. 22-Nov. 15 (JM, JF, GC). Eared
Grebes appeared on S.H.L. Aug. 30 and Oct.
24 (WC, ME), a 5th consecutive year there;
one was at Watauga L, TN, Nov. 2 (HPL
8cBS); two were seen Oct. 13 at Laurel Bed
L., Russell, VA (RR); and one was at P.I.S.P.
Sep. 4 8c 5 (RS, MF). Double-crested Cor-

V0LUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 1

49

morants were widely reported except at
Pymatuning L., PA, the maximum count
being 63, about 200 less than in 1997 (RFL).
A high count of 275 was made at M.L.W.A.
Oct. 6 (D & JH).

An apparent ad. male Magnificent
Frigatebird was noted Oct. 6 at Claytor
Lake State Park, Pulaski, VA, by Bob
Abraham 8c Curt Rowe (fide C. Kessler),
possibly the result of Hurricane Georges.

Am. Bitterns were reported from Con-
neaut Marsh, PA, Aug. 8 (RFL), P.I.S.P. Aug.

29 8c Nov. 15 (JM), and one was banded at
P.N.R. Oct. 7 (RCL & RM). Great Egrets
were unusually numerous throughout the
Region. The only Snowy Egrets were singles
at S.H.L. Aug. 2-26 (WC 8c LM) and u. D. L.
Aug. 19-11 (DE). Little Blue Herons were
seen at Pymatuning Fish Hatchery, PA, Aug.

30 (RFL), Pipestem S.P., WV, Aug. 18 (JP),
S.H.L., Aug. 2-26 (LM, WC), Greene, TN,
Aug. 8 (DM, IHo), and u. D. L. Aug. 19-31
(DE). The only report of Cattle Egrets was
of 25+ at u. D. L. Aug. 19-31 (DE). A Yellow-
crowned Night Heron in Venango, PA, Sep.
6-7 (m. ob.) was a county first. A White Ibis
was seen in Blount, TN, Aug. 9 (DT), and up
to 1 1 were at u. D. L. Aug. 22-31 (DE).

A Black Vulture in Allegheny, PA, Sep. 26
(JHf) was most unusual, and 16 in Shenan¬
doah, VA, Nov. 28 was a late date such a high

An immature Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
on Oil Creek, Venango County,
Pennsylvania. Photograph/Gary Edwards

number for (DDa). A count of 2183 Turkey
Vultures in 25 minutes was only a small part
of major migratory flight in Russell, VA,
Nov. 6 (RR).

WATERFOWL

The unusually warm weather, together with
the absence of major frontal systems, prob¬
ably account for the relatively poor water-
fowl flights. However, the drying up of some
wetlands caused concentrations at some
places that still had water.

There was a good movement of geese.
Unknown in the Region until recently,
Greater White-fronted Goose was recorded
twice: a single P.I.S.P. Nov. 12 (2nd fall
record; GC, JM) and three at M.L.W.A., OH,
Nov. 12 (J & DH). The increasing popula¬
tion of Snow Geese is reflected in the reports
of this historically rare species in the
Region: reports of 60 birds from 11 loca¬
tions from Erie, PA, s. to Augusta, VA, and
n.e. Tennessee. Single Ross’s Geese were
located in Russell, VA, Nov. 16-17 (DWo &
RR; first s. w. Virginia record) and in
Washington, TN, Nov. 20-24 (RK 8cKP; first
n.e. Tennessee record). The 2000 Canada
Geese at Pymatuning L„ PA, Aug. 8 had
increased to 18,000+ Nov. 7 (RFL). A Brant
was found at Prince Gallitzin S.P., PA, Nov.
2-9 (JSa). The Tundra Swan flight was dis¬
appointing, the only concentrations being
“many large flocks” over Warren, PA (DW)
and a high count of 175 Nov. 14 at M.L.W.A.
(D8cJH) and Venango, PA (RSt), as well as
130 at Pymatuning L., PA (RFL). Two Mute
Swans were at P.I.S.P. from Sep. 12 to end of
period (m. ob.), and one was at Greenville,
VA, Nov. 28 (YL).

Wood Ducks were in good numbers,
with a new fall maximum of 6 1 at Swoope,
VA (YL), a maximum count of 143 at
Y.C.S.P. (MH), and an evening flight into
the Pymatuning W.M.. A. of 1030 in 15 min¬
utes Sep. 18 (AM). Dabbling ducks were
somewhat lower than in recent years. Some
high counts were: Gadwall, 52, Nov. 1,
Pymatuning L. (RFL); Mallard, 4288, Nov. 7,
Pymatuning L. (RFL); Blue-winged Teal,
130, Sep. 21 , Clarion, PA (JF &MB), and 120,
Sep. 22, Y.C.S.P. (MH); and Green-winged
Teal, 43, Sep. 6., Woodcock L., PA (RFL).
Most diving ducks were in low numbers,
and one had the impression that most of
them still remained in the north. Some high
counts were: Bufflehead, 200, Nov. 6,
Fayette, PA (E & MW); Com. Goldeneye,
2500, Nov. 28, Pymatuning L. (RFL); and
Hooded Merganser, 1833, Nov. 22, Craw¬
ford, PA (RFL). Ruddy Duck was especially
common, with 400 at L. Arthur, PA, through

Nov. (fide PH), 290 at Y.C.S.P. (MH), 287 at
L. Somerset, PA, Oct. 10 (AM), and 200 in
Fayette, PA, Oct. 22 (M 8cEW ) .

Of the rarer species the Waterfowl Count
at P.I.S.P. tallied 124 Surf, 117 White¬
winged, and 153 Blacks scoters (JM), and
two White-wingeds were at L. Somerset Oct.
10 (AM). A Cinnamon Teal was seen with
the teal concentration in Clarion, PA (JF
&MB), and a Harlequin Duck was at P.I.S.P.
Nov. 12-27 (ph.; GC &JM).

RAPTORS THROUGH CRANES

Only a few of the regular hawkwatches
reported this year, but those that did report
experienced only moderate flights The
results of two test counts made at McVille,
Armstrong, and Brady’s Bend, Clarion, PA
to determine if the Allegheny River serves
as a migration corridor were inconclusive,
although several interesting sightings were
made.

Bald Eagles were reported from 7 loca¬
tions away from the hawkwatch ridges,
including a report of 10 immatures on a
sandbar at Mosquito L„ OH, Aug. 25 (D
&JH). There were reports of N. Goshawks
from Mendota Tower H.W., Clinch Mt.
TN/VA, Sep. 18, 19, and 20 (VB fide RLe),
Table Rock H.W., MD, Oct. 22 (GF), and six
at the Stone Mt., PA, H.W. (GG). Away from
the ridges, N. Goshawks were at Brady’s
Bend, PA (JF), N. Warren, PA, Oct. 4 and
Oct. 9 (fide DW), and Mt. Nebo W.M.A.
Oct. 7 (CS). None of the hawkwatches that
reported had high numbers of Broad¬
winged Hawks, but a count of 2800 was
reported from Mendota Tower Sep. 20 (VB).
Away from the ridges, Rough-legged Hawks
were reported from P.I.S.P. Nov. 14 (DS),
Lawrence, PA, Nov. 14 (B 8c GD), Pyma¬
tuning L. Nov. 1 (RFL), and M.L.W.A. Nov.
5 (D 8c JH). The Stone Mt. H.W. logged 49
Golden Eagles in Oct. and Nov. (GG), the
East River Mt. H.W., WV, listed two (JP),
and one was seen at the Table Rock H.W.,
MD, Oct. 22 (GF). Lowland reports came
from Pymatuning L. Nov. 14, Shermansville,
PA, Nov. 15 (RFL), Conneautville, PA, Nov.
23 (EE), and Brady’s Bend Oct. 1 1 8c Nov. 7
(JF).

Two Merlins were present in Pittsburgh’s
Schenley Park, where several wintered last
year, and reports came from P.I.S.P. (JM),
Pipestem S.P., WV (JP), and M.L.W.A. (J
8cDH), as well as from 4 hawkwatches. All
the hawkwatches had Peregrines, which
were also reported from 7 locations away
from the ridges.

A calling N. Bobwhite at Oakland, MD,
Aug. 16 was at a rather high elevation for

50

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

appalachian

This juvenile Sabine’s Gull was found dead at Presqu’ile State Park, Pennsylvania,
September 24. Photograph/Jerry McWilliams

this almost regionally extirpated species
(CS). There were many more reports of
Soras than usual (see the Middle Atlantic
Coast report). Am. Coots were in good
numbers, with a high count of 1300 at L.
Arthur, PA {fide PH). Three Sandhill
Cranes, the breeding pair and this year’s
young, were present all season in the Butler-
Lawrence-Mercer area in n.w. Pennsylvania.
Other reports were one at P.I.S.P., Nov. 22
(DY &DD), two at M.L.W.A. Oct. 21 (D
8cJH), and a pair in Columbiana, OH,
Aug.-Sep. (fide DH).

SHOREBIRDS THROUGH TERMS

With many of the wetlands dried up, shore-
birds were concentrated on the extensive
mudflats accompanying the low water levels
in major lakes. Both yellowlegs and the
common “peep” were all in good numbers,
and the rarer Western, White-rumped,
Baird’s, and Stilt sandpipers and Sanderling
were more numerous than usual.

It was an unusually good year for Am.
Golden-Plover, with reports from P.I.S.P.
Sep. 2-Oct. 13 (DS & GR) and two other
Erie locations Sep. 1 1-15 ( JC, TC); Kahle L.,
PA, Sep. 13 (GE); Woodcock L. Sep. 26 &
Oct. 3 (RFL); Shenango L., PA (fide PH);
Y.C.S.P. Sep. 9-10 (MH); and S.H.L. Oct. 14
(WC). Black-bellied Plovers were reported
from Pittsburgh Sep. 17 (CT), Wood, PA,
Nov. 5-6 (JE), and u. D. L. Aug. 19-23 (DE).
One of the prizes of the season was a Piping
Plover at Woodcock L. Aug. 30 (RFL). Two
large concentrations of Killdeer were
reported: 250 at Slippery Rock, PA, in late
Aug. (GW) and 240 at Shenango L. Sep. 23
(TF). Three Am. Avocets were in Russell,
TN, Aug. 16 (RR, DWo), and two were at the
Pymatuning Fish Hatchery, PA, Nov. 15-26,
with one bird straying to the Ohio side of
Pymatuning L. (RFL, IF et al.).

The only reports of Willet came from L.
Oneida, Butler, PA, Aug. 10 (DY) and u. D.
L. Sep. 6 (FA). Up to 6 Hudsonian Godwits
were found at Mosquito L. Oct.. 21-Nov. 8
(m. ob.), and one was at P.I.S.P. Sep. 2-4
(DS, JM). A Marbled Godwit was at u. D. L.
Aug. 20 (DE). Red Knots were at P.I.S.P. Aug.
27 (DS) and at Woodcock L. Aug. 20 (RFL).
Up to 20 Buff-breasted Sandpipers were at
u. D. L. Aug. 20—31 (DE), and they were
reported from Shenango L. as well {fide
PH). The rarely reported Long-billed
Dowitcher was found at Eaton Res., Erie,
PA, Aug. 16 (GR), Pymatuning L. Aug. 16 &
30 (RFL), Wood, WV, Sep. 3^1 (JE), and
Russell, VA, Oct. 13 (RR). Wilson’s Phala-
ropes were at Conneaut Marsh, PA, Aug. 16
(RFL), Lyndhurst, VA, Aug. 26 (YL), and

Greene, TN, Aug. 24 (DM). A Red Phalarope
was at u. D. L. Aug. 23-28 (RP), and a Red¬
necked Phalarope was reported at Shenango
L. {fide PH).

Unidentified jaegers were seen at P.I.S.P.
Nov. 27 8c 30 (JM et al.). Rare gulls from
P.I.S.P. included seven Franklin’s Gulls
between Nov. 12 and Nov. 26, a result of the
great early Nov. storm ( JM); 4—5 Little Gulls
Nov. 5-13 (JM, GC); a Sabine’s Gull found
dead on the beach Sep. 24 (AD) and a Black¬
legged Kittiwake Oct. 21 (JM). Two high
counts of Bonaparte’s Gulls were 450 at
Pymatuning L. Nov. 7 (RFL) and 200 at
Mosquito L. Nov. 9 (CB). Maximum counts
at Pymatuning L. were 179 Herring and
4125 Ring-billed gulls in mid-Nov. (RFL). A
2nd Herring Gull nesting colony (2 nests)
was discovered at Pittsburgh, and the two
colonies here produced seven young (DR,
PB).

Caspian Terns were reported from
Pymatuning L. Aug. 20, Woodcock L. Aug.
28 (RFL), Y.C.S.P. Sep. 22 (MH), u. D. L.
Aug. 19-28 (DE), and S.H.L. Aug. 20 (LM).
Com. Terns were found only at M.L.W.A.
Aug. 27 (J 8cDH), but Forster’s Terns were at
P.I.S.P. Aug. 8-13 (DS, JM), Wood, WV, Aug.
1 1 (JE), Greene, TN, Aug. 8 (JHo, DM), and
S.H.L. Aug. 30 (ME).

CUCKOOS THROUGH WRENS

A webworm outbreak in n. Butler, PA,
brought a major influx of both cuckoo
species (GW), but elsewhere they were quite
scarce. A Nov. maximum of 13 Short-eared
Owls was located at Imperial, PA (CT). Both
a Long-eared Owl (GC) and a Short-eared
Owl (SK) were seen at P.I.S.P. Nov. 8, and a

N. Saw-whet Owl (DD) was seen Nov. 1.
Fewer Com. Nighthawks were reported than
last year, with high counts of 325 at Middle-
brook, VA, Aug. 26 (YL) and 197 at Rockfish
Gap, VA, Aug. 31 (YL), and a very late sight¬
ing Oct. 18 at Waynesboro, VA (RPo). Only
two Whip-poor-wills were reported from
Allegheny, PA, and one from Butler, PA (fide
PH); two were found at Inwood, WV, Aug.
31 (SM). Chimney swifts were seen in good
numbers (500-600) in Lawrence, PA, Sep.
12-13 (BD). An average total of 175 Ruby-
throated Hummingbirds was banded at
P.N.R. Aug. 3-Sep. 22 (RCL 8c RM). One at
Shelocta, PA, Oct. 4 was quite late (M 8cRH).
A Rufous Hummingbird was at Bristol, TN,
Oct. 29-Nov. 8 (m. ob.), and a banded
Rufous Hummingbird appeared at a feeder
in Delmont, PA, Sep. 10 to the end of peri¬
od, presumably the one banded there last
year (RM). Good news were the reports of
Red-headed Woodpeckers from 10 areas,
including several reports of first-year birds
and several flying past hawkwatch stations.

Olive-sided Flycatchers were reported
from P.I.S.P. Sep. 10 (DB), Venango, PA, Aug.
29 (JS), Rowlesburg, WV, Aug. 29 (GF), and
Staunton, VA, Sep. 2 (YL). Yellow-bellied
Flycatchers were more widely reported than
normal, and at P.N.R. 63 were banded com¬
pared with the 10-year average of 46 (RM,
RCL). At A.F.M.O., 14 were banded com¬
pared with an average of four. There were 2
convincing reports of W. Kingbird: singles
in Mercer, PA, Sep. 25 (RS) and Clarion, PA,
Oct. 1 8 ( JF). The only northern “invader” so
far is the N. Shrike, with reports from
P.I.S.P. Oct. 23 to end (IF, DD), Franklin
Twp., Erie, PA, Nov. 7-29 (JD), another Erie

VOLUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 1

51

location Nov. 13 (RFL), Venango, PA, Nov.
22 (JS), M.L.W.A Nov. 15 (fide DH), Butler,
PA, Oct. 25 (SB &RC), Prince Gallitzin S.P.
Nov. 5 (JSa), Huntingdon, PA, Oct. 31-Nov.
7 (GCr), and as far south as P.N.R., where
one was banded on Nov. 6 (RCL, RM).

Blue-headed Vireos were unusually
numerous, and there were more reports
than usual of Philadelphia Vireos, which
frequently move through unidentified. The
Blue Jay migration at A.F.M.O. was poor,
with only 920 fly-bys counted (RB).

Tree Swallow counts at Mosquito L. of
1250 Oct. 12 (CB) and 600 Oct. 13 were late
( J & DH). A count of 790 N. Rough-winged
Swallows came from Elkton, VA, Sep. 11
(MS). A total of 3500 Barn Swallows was
seen at L. Somerset Sep. 8 (RCL). Black-
capped Chickadees seemed to be more
numerous than usual in their normal range,
but there was no sign of a southward irrup¬
tion. Unlike last year’s heavy flight, Red¬
breasted Nuthatches were almost complete¬
ly absent this fall.

The benign breeding season following a
mild winter has resulted in good population
of Carolina Wrens at the n. extremity of the
range in n.w. Pennsylvania and n.e. Ohio. A
Bewick’ s Wren of unknown subspecies was
seen at Brady’s Bend, PA, Sep. 29-Oct. 3
(JF). Sedge Wrens were found at Shady
Valley, TN, Aug. 2 (JSh), and Marsh Wrens
were reported from Venango, PA, Oct. 8
(first county record) ( JS), Grand River W.A.,
OH, Aug. 23 (D &JH), Prince Gallitzin S.P.
Sep. 30 (MH), and one banded at P.N.R.
Sep. 23 (RM, RCL).

THRUSHES THROUGH WARBLERS

There was a report (subject to Records
Committee review) of a Townsend’s Soli¬
taire from Clarion, PA, Oct. 5 and Nov. 24
(DH, JF). Gray-cheeked Thrushes were
more numerous than in recent years. Given
its normal migratory route and the current¬
ly reduced populations, Bicknell’s Thrush
should be very rare in this Region, but a
convincing report (subject to review by
Records Committee) came from Wise, VA,
Oct. 2 (RP). At both P.N.R. (RCL, RM) and
A.F.M.O. (GAH), bandings of Hermit
Thrushes were 1 S.D. above the ten-year
average.

A N. Mockingbird at Fairview, Erie, PA,
Oct. 15 (JM) was noteworthy so far north.
Am. Pipits were reported as far s. as Lynd-
hurst, VA (YL), and they were very numer¬
ous in the north, with a high count of 300 at
Shenango L. Sep. 23 (TF, PH).

As usual there were mixed reports on the
warbler flight. It was considered the best in

several years in Wise, VA (RP), but thought
to be poor in the Youngstown, OH area
(NB). At P.N.R., it was considered to be
about average (RCL, RM), but at A.F.M.O. it
was the best in years. The migration started
early, with a frontal system bringing the first
wave to A.F.M.O. on Aug. 22 (GAH). The
peak was in the 3rd week of Sep. There were
a number of unusually late records: Oven-
bird in Allegheny, PA, Nov. 2 (RSc) and
Com. Yellowthroat at P.N.R. Nov. 29 (RCL,
RM). At A.F.M.O., the 1228 Black-throated
Blue Warblers banded was a record high
(GAH), while at P.N.R., the 57 banded rep¬
resented the 2nd highest in the last 10 years,
and the 883 Yellow-rumped Warblers band¬
ed there was the 2nd highest total ever. Palm
Warblers were more common than usual,
with a high count of 78 at Swoope, VA, Sep.
15 (YL). Oddly the percentage of “Yellow”
Palm Warblers was higher than normal for
this Region. At A.F.M.O., the Spruce Bud-
worm specialists (Tennessee, Cape May, and
Bay-breasted warblers) were 23% below the
long-term average (GAH). Of the rarer spe¬
cies, a Yellow-throated Warbler in Venango,
PA, Sep. 21 was n. of the usual range and a
bit late (JS). The never abundant Orange-
crowned Warbler was in low numbers, but
there were more reports than normal of
Connecticut Warbler. “Brewster’s” Warblers
were reported from Butler, PA, Aug. 28 (DY)
and Allegheny, PA, Sep. 19 (PH). A “Law¬
rence’s” Warbler was banded at P.N.R. Sep. 3
(RM, RCL).

TANAGERS THROUGH FINCHES

There were 2 reports of Western Tanagers:
Wise, VA, Sep. 3 (RP, fide VB) and Carter,
TN, Sep. 29 (BS). A Lark Sparrow on the
Allegany, MD, Fall Count Sep. 12 was a first
for that annual count (RKi). Nelson’s Sharp¬
tailed Sparrows were found in Greene, TN,
in late Sep. (DM) and Mercer, PA, Oct. 19
(SB et al.). Fox and White-crowned spar¬
rows were more common than in recent
years. Dark-eyed Juncos in Shenandoah, VA,
Sep. 19 were early (DDa), and an “Oregon”
Junco was at Natrona Heights, PA, Nov. 29
(PH). Lapland Longspurs were found at
Conneautville, PA, Oct. 19 (EE), PI. S.P. Oct.
23-Nov. 8 (JF, JM), and Fairview, PA, Nov.
26 (JM). Small numbers of Snow Buntings
were at several w. Pennsylvania locations
and were as far s. as Bluestone L.,WV, Oct.
30-Nov. 1 (JP), and Roan Mt, TN, Nov. 28
(ES).

There were more reports than usual of
Rusty Blackbirds. A maximum count of
9500 Com. Grackles was at Y.C.S.P. Oct. 6
(MH). Red Crossbills were on Roan Mt.

Nov. 28 (RK), and small numbers of both
crossbill species were at Erie N.W.R., PA,
Nov. 29 (RFL). Am. Goldfinches were scarce
in Shenandoah, VA (DDa), and at A.F.M.O.,
about 2700 flyover goldfinches were tallied
compared with 4100 in 1997. A few Pine
Siskins were present in the Region, and pre¬
cisely two Evening Grosbeaks were reported.

PERSONAL POSTSCRIPT

My first seasonal report covered the winter
of 1958-59, and now, after 160 of these
reports, it is time to write — 30 — (to use an
old newsman’s term) and turn the Appa¬
lachian birds over to someone else. I wish to
express my whole-hearted thanks to the
hundreds of people whose contributions
have made these accounts possible — 30.

Contributors: Fred Alsop, Carole Babyak,
Ralph Bell, Paul Brown, Nancy Brundage,
Margaret Buckwalter, Suzanne Butcher,
John Churchill, Wallace Coffey, Greg Cook,
Gary Cramer, Ruth Crawford, Jean Cun¬
ningham, Toby Cunningham, Dave Darney
(DD), David Davis (DDa), Barbara Dean,
George Dean, Julie Dell, Dean Edwards,
Gary Edwards, Emanuel Erb, Mary Erwin,
Jeanette Esker, John Fedak, Gary Felton,
Mike Fialkovich, Isaac Fiekd, Ted Floyd,
Mike Griffith, Greg Grove, John Heninger,
Paul Hess, Margaret Higbee. Roger Higbee,
David Hochadel, Judy Hochadel (JH),
Deuane Hoffman, Joyce Hoffmann (JHf),
Jim Holt (JHo), Ray Kiddy (RKi), Scott
Kinsey, Rick Knight (RK), H.P. Langridge,
YuLee Larner, Robert C. Leberman (RCL),
Ronald F. Leberman (RFL), Richard Lewis
(RLe), Anthony Marich, Larry McDaniel,
Jerry McWilliams, Don Miller, Stauiffer
Miller, Robert Mulvihill, Richard Peake
(RP), Jim Phillips, Kevin Pierce, Robert
Powers (RPo), Dave Rieger, Robert Riggs
(RR), Geoff Robinson, Ron Rovansek, John
Salvetti (JSa), Ed Schell, Regis Schultz (RSc),
Larry Schwab, John Shumate (JSh), Connie
Skipper, Michael G. Smith, Don Snyder,
Jerry Stanley (JS), Russ States (RSt), Brian
Stevens, Randy Stringer (RS), Chuck Tague,
Davfd Trendy, Mary Twigg, Evaleen Watko,
Mike Watko, Don Watts (DW), Gene
Wilhelm, David Worley (DWo), Debra
Yovanovich

George A. Hall, P.0. Box 6045, West Virginia
University, Morgantown WV 26506-6045.
Please send reports for the Winter Season to:
Robert Leberman, HC64, Box 453, Rector,
PA, 1 5677

to

52

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

*

western great lakes
region

DARYL D. TESSEN

hroughout the Region, the warm, dry
conditions of summer prevailed into the
autumn. This continued into Oct., when
some variability occurred as localized areas
received good rainfall while others remain¬
ed dry. The first part of Nov. saw a return to
colder weather. An unbelievably intense
storm passed through the Region Nov. 9-1 1.
Winds averaged 50—70 mph, with gusts in
the 90-100 mph range at various sites. It was
characterized as an “inland hurricane —
Category 3.” Oddly, the only obvious result
of the storm was the unprecedented num¬
ber of Franklin’s Gulls found in Wisconsin
and Michigan. Thousands were found dur¬
ing and after the storm’s passage, with some
lingering through the month. The last half
of Nov. saw a return to record-high temper¬
atures, and the early-fall-like weather con¬
tinued well into Dec. However, because
many passerines, especially warblers, vireos,
and flycatchers commenced their southward
migration unusually early, the warm weath¬
er did not create an abnormal number of
lingering birds or late departures. Instead
the mild weather induced remarkable num¬
bers of swans, ducks, Sandhill Cranes, and
robins to linger into Dec. In the latter case, a
bumper berry crop also enticed them.
Rarities this autumn presented a mixed pic¬
ture. For Wisconsin and Michigan, it was an
excellent season, spiced with some truly
outstanding finds. By contrast, Minnesota’s
fall was lackluster. The best included Green
Violet-Ear, Long-billed Murrelet, Eurasian
Collared-Dove, and Anna’s Hummingbird
in Wisconsin; White-winged Dove, North¬
ern Wheat ear, Smith’s Longspur, and

Rufous Hummingbird in Michigan; and
B rambling and Eurasian Collared-Dove in

Minnesota. Mixed in with these were the
likes of Pacific Loons, Plegadis ibis, King
Eiders, Barrow’s Goldeneyes, Gyrfalcon,
Ruff, Purple Sandpipers, Pomarine and
Long-tailed jaegers, California, Black-head¬
ed, and Sabine’s gulls, Black-legged Kitti-
wakes, Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, Mountain
Bluebirds, and Western Tanager, plus a good
passerine flight in two-thirds of the Region.

Abbreviations; H.R.N.R. (Hawk Ridge Nature
Reserve, Duluth, MN); L.E.M.P. (Lake Erie
Metropark, Ml); M.W.S. (Muskegon Wastewater
System, Ml); P.M. (Point Mouillee State Game
Area, Ml); S.N.W.R. (Shiawassee National
Wildlife Refuge, Ml); U.P. (Upper Peninsula of
Michigan); W.P.B.O. (Whitefish Point Bird
Observatory, Ml).

LOONS THROUGH IBISES

The W.P.B.O. staff tallied 535 Red-throated
Loons Aug. 17-Nov. 14. In Wisconsin sin¬
gles were seen Sep. 28-Nov. 24 in 4 counties,
including an inland sighting at Tomah
(DK). One was at Duluth Sep. 29 (KB).
Three Pacific Loons were watched in Wis¬
consin: singles Oct. 17 at Superior’s Wiscon¬
sin Pt. (RJ, SP), Oct. 29 just w. of Ashland
(DB, KH), and Nov. 15 on Green L. (SL). In
Michigan, one was at S. Haven Nov. 1 (JG).
Minnesota had seven, including three at
Duluth Oct. 18 (KB, PS), with singles also
during Oct. in Aitkin, Lake, and Mille Lacs
and a Nov. record at L. Winnibigoshish (KS,
PS). Com. Loons commenced migrating
early, as evidenced by one at New Buffalo,
MI, Aug. 15 (JM). At W.P.B.O., 4311 passed
Aug. 14-Nov. 15. Peaks included 1688 Oct.
20 on Mille Lacs L. (AH) and 1599 Oct. 21
at L. Winnibigoshish (KS, PS), both MN.
With the mild weather, many individuals
lingered well into Dec. in all 3 states. Pied¬
billed and Horned grebes also stayed into
Dec., especially in Wisconsin. Early was a
Horned at M.W.S. Aug. 16 (GW, ES). The
W.P.B.O. staff counted 19,404 Red-necked
Grebes Aug. 9-Nov. 15, of which 11,777
were during Aug.! Six Eared Grebes were
present at M.W.S. Aug. 14 (KT), with five

lingering until Nov. 8 (m. ob.), and singles
were in Ionia, MI, Sep. 10 8c 28 (KT). In
Wisconsin, five individuals were noted:
Dane, Sep. 3-13 (PA, EH), Columbia, Sep. 1 1
(SR) and Oct. 31 (DG, TWo), Horicon
NWR Oct. 15-24 (m. ob.), and Milwaukee
Nov. 20+ (DG, MK et al.). Single W. Grebes
were near Cleveland, WI, Oct. 1 (DT) and at
Benton Harbor, MI, Oct. 1 1 (KT, DM, RB).
A Clark’s Grebe was on Thielke L., MN, Aug.
16 (KE et al.). Am. White Pelicans continue
to be seen more frequently in the Region.
Concentrations of several hundred were
found at Green Bay and Horicon NWR, plus
along the Mississippi R. on both the
Wisconsin and Minnesota sides. Birds were
still present Nov. 20 at LaCrosse. As expect¬
ed, Double-crested Cormorants lingered
into Dec.

The Am. Bittern in Chippewa Nov. 30
was very late for the U.P. (LD). Late were
Great Egrets Nov. 15 in Monroe, MI (WP),
and Nov. 26 in LaCrosse, WI (DK). Four
Snowy Egrets lingered at Green Bay until
late Sep. (m. ob.). In Michigan one-five
were in Monroe Aug. 9-Sep. 10 (JR, JC et
al.), while singles were at P.M. Aug. 5 (KT)
and in Bay Sep. 14 (AB, KT). Imm. Little
Blue Herons were found at the Erie Marsh
Preserve, MI, Aug. 8 (TW) and at the L.
Bemidji outlet, MN, Oct. 7 (DJ, P8cBD, ph.).
Cattle Egrets were scarce in Wisconsin and
Minnesota, with no records after mid-Sep.
The only Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was
at Milwaukee Aug. 29-Sep. 7 (MK, TWo et
al.). Bolduc had one-two Plegadis ibis in
Chippewa and Swift Oct. 18 and Lac Qui
Parle Oct. 25, both MN.

VULTURES

THROUGH WATERFOWL

Very late for the U.P. was a Turkey Vulture
Oct. 26 near Gulliver (JY). Greater White-
fronted Geese were seen in Michigan, with
two each in Berrien Nov. 11 (JR, KM) and
S.N.W.R. Nov. 13 (MW) and a maximum of
21 Nov. 14-30 at Allegan S.G.A. (m. ob.). In
Wisconsin, one was in Columbia Oct. 26
(SR), with birds present in Dec. as well.
Single Minnesota Ross’s Geese were in Clay,
Dakota, and Rice, with the latter bird linger¬
ing into Dec. In Wisconsin, two were initial-

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 1

S3

ly found at Goose Pond, Columbia, Nov. 27,
later joined by a 3rd here and at Middleton
Ponds. With the mild weather, large Canada
Goose flocks lingered late, and both
Wisconsin and Michigan had unusually
large numbers of the Richardson’s ( hutchin -
sii) form of Canada Goose. Unfortunately,
good numbers of Mute Swan were noted in
all 3 states, with Michigan the winner: 235 at
Muskegon L. Nov. 19. Substantial numbers
of Tundra Swan were found during Nov.
and later: 3500 were near Bay Port Nov. 12
and 1050 at P.M. Nov. 29, both MI. In
Wisconsin, 500 were at Goose Pond into
Dec., but most impressive was a group of
8000-10,000 along the Mississippi River s.
of LaCrosse into Dec. (DK, FL).

In addition to the unprecedented num¬
bers of lingering geese and swan, ducks also
remained late in substantial numbers. A
nominate Green-winged Teal (“Common
Teal”) was found by Kuecherer and Houle
Nov. 29 in Vernon, a Wisconsin first. Divers
peaked at 428,000 on Nov. 23 along the
Mississippi R. in the tristate area, mainly
Wisconsin. These included 320,000+ Can-
vasbacks and 33,000+ Ring-necked Ducks
(EN). A Canvasback at P.M. Aug. 9 may have
summered (JR, AB, TW). Greater Scaup
peaked at New Buffalo, MI, at 1500 Nov. 22

6 27 (AB, KT). Inland Greaters in Wis¬
consin appeared in Madison, Oshkosh, and
Neenah. A total of six King Eiders were
found in Wisconsin and Michigan. The first
for Wisconsin was an imm. male discovered
by Stover in Door Nov. 14. When Peterson
and Tessen checked Nov. 18, a female was
present. Brady (ABr), Verch, and others
watched two females feeding just offshore w.
of Ashland, Bayfield, Nov. 22 (ph.). In
Michigan, a female was on the Tahqua-
menon R., Chippewa, Nov. 12-14 (LD, KB,
ST, GL), while another was at Lakeside, Ber¬
rien, Nov. 15+ (m. ob.). Harlequin Ducks
put on a good show in the Region, with five
or more in both Michigan and Wisconsin
and three-five in Minnesota.

The scoter migration commenced early
in the Region, with both Surf and White¬
winged appearing in Aug. and Blacks arriv¬
ing in early Sep. at W.P.B.O. There were
numerous inland records of all 3 species,
especially in the w. states, and first county
records were established in Minnesota. A
count of 230 on Mille Lacs L. Oct. 20 beat
the old high count by 200 (AH)!

Unprecedented for Wisconsin and per¬
haps the Region was the Oldsquaw concen¬
tration at Point Beach S.F. n. of Two Rivers.
Harriman and others discovered a raft Nov.

7 that blackened the water and air, conserv¬

atively estimated at 20,000. By Nov. 9, the
numbers had increased to 30,000 to 40,000
(DT)! Unfortunately, the powerful Nov.
storm that struck the following day dis¬
persed them. The male Barrow’s Goldeneye
returned for a 5th year to Wisconsin’s
Virmond Park Nov. 22+ (TWo et al. ). Peak
merganser numbers included 450 Hooded
Nov. 21 in Ramsey, MN (KB), 3500 Com¬
mons Nov. 28 in Midland, MI (GZ), 2500
Red-breasted Oct. 4 in Bay (JS), and 2000
more at Holland, MI, Nov. 22 (AB). In
Wisconsin, 5000+ Ruddy Ducks were on L.
Maria in Sep.

RAPTORS THROUGH CRANES

Generally, the raptor flight was poor, even
moreso than in fall 1997. This was particu¬
larly true for the Broad-winged flight,
which was terrible in all 3 states. The Swain-
son’s Hawk flight was also poor, especially
in Minnesota, where they are seen more
often than elsewhere in the Region. Wis¬
consin had only one record, Sep. 5 in
Ozaukee (DT). By contrast, the Golden Eag¬
le flight was very good in Minnesota and
Michigan but not Wisconsin, where only a
few were noted. Merlins had a good flight in
Minnesota and Wisconsin, with the rich-
ardsoni subspecies reported from 5 counties
in the former. A Gyrfalcon was at Concord¬
ia College, WI, Nov. 23 (VB, BC). Minne¬
sota had two Prairie Falcons: in Clay Aug.
16 (RO) and at Hemmepin Airport Oct.
19+, a returning wintering bird (TT et al.).
Peak hawk flights in Wisconsin included
Sharp-shinneds Oct. 19, with 1040 at Cedar
Grove (DBe) and 1220 at Concordia Col¬
lege (VB, HC). Merlins peaked at 206 Oct.
18 in Ozaukee (DT) and 267 Oct. 19 at
Concordia (VB, HC). The peak Peregrine
passage was Sep. 26, with 27 at Concordia.

Gray Partridge observations were up in
Minnesota, with 15+ counties reporting
them. Family groups were noted in Waseca
and Sibley/Renville, both MN. In Wiscon¬
sin, the opposite was true. A King Rail fam¬
ily (two adults with five young) was at
Michigan’s Maple R. S.G.A. into early Aug.
(CP, RH, ph.). A Sora captured Oct. 20 in
downtown Muskegon was released in a
marsh (GW, ES). Very late was one Nov. 19
in Itasca, MN (SH), and likewise tardy a
Com. Moorhen Oct. 27 in Dodge, WI (BD).
Sandhill Cranes peaked late in the season,
with outstanding numbers well into Dec. In
Jackson, MI, 2767 were present Nov. 16
(JPo). In Wisconsin, the Great Storm caus¬
ed an exodus and concentration into the s.
counties that was spectacular. Between 2000
and 7000 birds were either noted moving S

or concentrating in the area owing to
milder temperatures and available forage
(PP et al.).

SHOREBIRDS

This group presented a mixed picture. The
general consensus was a lackluster flight,
despite concentrations in Wisconsin (Rain¬
bow Flowage in Vilas and Big Eau Pleine
Res. in Marathon ) and Minnesota (Minne¬
sota L. in Blue Earth/Fairbault). Peak plover
numbers included Black-bellieds, with 90
Oct. 10 in Fairbault (JD) and 111 Oct. 31 in
Monroe, MI (WP). Also in Fairbault were
200 Am. Golden-Plovers Sep. 12 (JD), while
Monroe had 104 Semipalmateds Sep. 5
(CPo, TW). Peak Killdeer were 182 Aug. 9 in
Anoka, MN (KB) and 256 Sep. 9 at S.N.W.R
(DP). Single Piping Plovers were at W.P.B.O.
Aug. 27 & 31 (staff) and Sep. 7 in Fairbault
(LE). Am. Avocets bucked the trend, with a
good flight, including 17 birds in Michigan,
five in Minnesota, and two record-late birds
at Milwaukee Nov. 12 (DG, MK, CT) and
Trempealeau N.W.R. Nov. 12-17 (LM),both
in Wisconsin. Very late was a Greater
Yellowlegs Nov. 29 at L.E.M.P. (WP), and
similarly late birds were present in LaCrosse
and inland in Monroe, with several lingering
into Dec. (DK). Most impressive were Lesser
Yellowlegs peaks in Minnesota, where 558
were present Sep. 6 in Fairbault (KB) and
Michigan, where 1014 were at S.N.W.R.
Aug. 27 (DP). Belter had 140 Solitary
Sandpipers Aug. 15 in Wisconsin’s Mara¬
thon. Very late was one Oct. 12 at S.N.W.R.
(DP). The Willet flight typified the shore-
bird picture — poor — with only five birds in
the Region. The 103 Spotted Sandpipers at
M.W.S. Aug. 3 (JBo, EHo) was an unusually
high count. The Whimbrel flight was also
poor, with 10 birds from 6 sites mid- Aug.
through mid-Sep. (m. ob.) in Michigan, two
at Duluth intermittently Sep. 5-23 (m. ob.),
and singles at Marinette Aug. 18 (PBr) and
Manitowoc Sep. 6 (CS), WI. Hudsonian
Godwits were found in all 3 states, Michigan
with 11+, Minnesota 8+, while Wisconsin’s
solo bird accompanied an avocet at
Trempealeau N.W.R. Nov. 12 (LM). The
only Marbled Godwits were in Michigan,
with two Sep. 7 at Thunder Bay (WG) and
one Sep. 21 at Au Train L. (LT). Early were
six Ruddy Turnstones Aug. 1 at P.M. (CPo,
TW). There was a very good Red Knot
flight, especially in Michigan (40+ birds)
and Wisconsin (10+ birds). Aug. 1 found
762 Semipalmated Sandpipers at P.M. (CPo,
TW, AB). W. Sandpipers appeared in
Wisconsin Aug. 1-Sep. 9 (eight or so birds,
all documented), while Michigan had five or

54

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

western great lakes

more birds, with a late one Nov. 9 at P.M.
(CPo). Least Sandpiper concentrations
included 300 Aug. 15 in Marathon (DB) and
141 in Fairbault (KB). Late was a White-
rumped Sandpiper Nov. 12 and a Baird’s
Nov. 23 in Ozaukee (DT). The latter species
had a remarkable concentration of 105 Aug.
18 at the Rainbow Flowage (DT). Pectorals
peaked in Minnesota at 350 in Fairbault
Aug. 8 (KB) and 304 Oct. 14 in Polk (KB,
PS). The bird in Ozaukee Nov. 23 was very
late. In Michigan there were three Purple
Sandpipers at Muskegon Nov. 5 (BM), with
one at Tiscornia Beach Nov. 1 1 (KM). One
was at Manitowoc briefly Nov. 28 (CS et al.).
Early was a Dunlin Aug. 1 at P.M. (TW),
while late birds were Nov. 29 in Monroe
(DM, KT, MTe) and into Dec. at Sheboygan.
Peak Stilt Sandpipers included 97 Aug. 8 in
Fairbault (KB), 197 Sep. 6 in Big Stone (LE),
while late were two Oct. 23-25 in Polk (m.
ob.), all MN. There was an excellent Buff¬
breasted Sandpiper flight in Minnesota,
with a total of 72 birds seen in 9 counties: 24
in Fairbault Aug. 16 (SRo), plus first county
records for Blue Earth Aug. 13 (RJa) and
Dodge Aug. 22 (DA, BE). Wisconsin’s flight
was also good, with 50-60 birds from 5
counties that included 23-28 birds at the
Rainbow Flowage Aug. 17-18 (v. o.). Only
Michigan saw a poor flight, with 12 birds
from 2 counties. Michigan had two Ruffs,
the first a female at L. Linden Sewage Ponds
Aug. 13 (LB, AW), the other at P.M. Aug. 21
(CPo, TW, ESm). Short-billed Dowitchers
were scarce in Minnesota but not in
Michigan, where 133 were at P.M. Aug. 27
(WPO). Wisconsin had a below-average
flight. Three Long-billed Dowitchers Nov.
17 in Ozaukee (TU) were record late for
Wisconsin, while the one in Monroe, MI,
Nov. 29 was considered only very late (DM,
KT, MTe). This species peaked in Minnesota
at 158 Oct. 16 in Fairbault (JD). Ninety-
seven Wilson’s Phalaropes were tallied by
Ellwanger Aug. 9 in Big Stone, MN. The
Red-necked Phalarope flight was poor
Regionwide, but Minnesota had groups of
13-19 birds at 3 sites. Each state recorded
Red Phalaropes. A juvenile molting into
first-basic plumage was at Crookstone Oct.
23-24 for the 10th Minnesota record (PS et
al.). Lubahn had one in Milwaukee on the L.
Michigan shore Nov. 10. In Michigan
Franke had two Nov. 15 at Grand Haven.

JAEGERS THROUGH TERNS

Pomarine Jaegers were found in Michigan
Sep. 2 (KB, GL) and Oct. 28 (AB, RP) at
W.P.B.O., while in Wisconsin one was
watched harassing gulls and Parasitic Jae¬

gers during a strong NE wind at Wisconsin
Pt. Sep. 26 (RJ, SP) and 27 (DT). Parasitic
Jaegers were seen in all 3 states, with at least
four at Superior (SP, RJ et al.) and Duluth
(m. ob.) from Sep. to early Oct. A Long¬
tailed Jaeger was watched at W.P.B.O Sep.
14 (KB, GL). Unidentified jaegers included
one at Lower Red L., MN, Aug. 27 (DJ) and
43 at W.P.B.O. for the season Aug. 22-Oct.
27, with a peak of seven Aug. 29 (staff).
Single Laughing Gulls were in Michigan at
New Buffalo Oct. 6 (RB), P.M. Oct. 9 (KT,
RB), and Muskegon Nov. 12 (JW). The
Franklin’s Gull flight was unprecedented
for Michigan and Wisconsin during and
following the Great Storm Nov. 10-11.
Over 1000 were observed in 26 Michigan
counties, while in Wisconsin at least 1 500—
2000 were noted, mainly along L. Michigan
(especially in Milwaukee and Ozaukee), but
numerous flocks up to 50+ were inland for
days after the storm. In both states, birds
lingered until Dec. Pre-storm records came
from Minnesota, with 3770 in Lyon Sep. 25
(RS) being the high count. Little Gulls are
becoming harder to find, though all 3 states
reported them, Michigan with four, Minne¬
sota one, and Wisconsin three. A Black¬
headed Gull accompanied a Bonaparte’s
Oct. 8 at Fischer Cr. C.P., Manitowoc, WI
(DT). Another adult strayed from Iowa into
Minnesota on Big Spirit L. Oct. 24-29 (DA,
BE, AH). Up to 1500 Bonaparte’s Gulls
spent Nov. on L. Lansing, MI (BC). A 2nd-
winter California Gull was seen in Charle¬
voix, MI, Nov. 4 (LD) and 7 (DJe). Thayer’s
Gulls were reported from all 3 states in Nov.
and Iceland Gulls from Wisconsin and
Minnesota, mainly during Nov., although
one was at Wisconsin Pt. Sep. 24. Lesser
Black-backed Gulls totalled four each in
Minnesota and Wisconsin, whereas Michi¬
gan had 12, including a record-early bird
Aug. 2 at P.M. (WP). Glaucous Gulls were
more sparsely reported than normal, espe¬
cially in Wisconsin. Great Black-backed
Gull, becoming considerably more com¬
mon in Wisconsin, was widely reported.
Four-five juvenile Sabine’s Gulls were
found by Tessen at Superior’s Wisconsin Pt.
Sep. 23. Several of these lingered here and at
Duluth through Sep. 26 (m. ob.). Michigan
also had four, all singles: Sep. 21 at W.P.B.O
(KB, GL, RP, JSc), Sep. 19-21 at M.W.S.
(SM, JPo et al., ph.), Oct. 9 at Baraga S.P.
(JY, LB, ph.), and Oct. 6-12 at W.P.B.O (m.
ob.). In Wisconsin, single Black-legged
Kittiwakes were noted at Wisconsin Pt. and
Duluth’s Park Pt. Sep. 24-25 (DT, RJ, SP,
KH, DB, PS, AH), at Virmond Park Nov. 3
(two birds; SL), and Green Bay Nov. 14-23

Eurasian Collared-Dove continued its
barnstorming of the continent,
with first records in Maryland and
Delaware this season. This plump invader
was Wisconsin’s second, in Buena Vista
Marsh, Portage County, Wisconsin,

August 1 . Photograph/J. Polk

(JRe et al.). Five were seen at W.P.B.O Oct.
8-Nov. 15, with other Michigan singles in
Kalamazoo Nov. 13 (JG), S. Haven Nov. 21
(JG), and Oval Beach Nov. 26 (JR). Com.
Terns numbered 1000 at P.M. Aug. 9 (AB).
The Forster’s Tern in Milwaukee Nov. 26
was record-late for the state (DG). Two
Least Terns were in Cottonwood, MN, Sep.
12 (PE).

ALCIDS

THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS

One of the “finds” of the season was a
Long-billed Murrelet discovered by
Lubahn at Wisconsin’s Virmond Park Nov.
24, confirmed by Sundell later that morn¬
ing and studied for 45 minutes but not relo¬
cated thereafter. The excellent sketches and
written notes leave little doubt about the
identification of the bird. Wisconsin and
Minnesota each got 2nd records of Eur¬
asian Collared-Dove: the bird at Buena
Vista Marsh, Portage, WI, remained
through Sep., while three-five birds were at
Lyon, MN, Nov. 14+ (both m. ob.).
Michigan had its 4th White-winged Dove
record at W.P.B.O. Oct. 23 (ph. AB, ST, RP,
BM et al.). Very late for the U.P. was a
Yellow-billed Cuckoo Oct. 7 at W.P.B.O.
There were very few Snowy Owls around in
the fall, forecasting a poor winter, and like¬
wise few Great Gray Owls, with only three
or so each in Minnesota and Michigan and
one in Wisconsin. Short-eared Owls were
limited in the w. states but in above-average

55

VOLUME 55 (1999), ISSUE 1

A White-winged Dove, representing the fourth state record, was at Whitefish
Point Bird Observatory October 24. This species, like its counterpart across
the page, has been on the move in spring and fall all across the continent,
with important records established in Nebraska, Kansas, Alabama, Illinois,
Oregon, Colorado (where now breeding!), Oklahoma (new high count),
and the District of Columbia. Photograph/Adam M. Byrne

numbers in Michigan. The only Boreal Owl
noted was Oct. 23 at W.P.B.O. Good num¬
bers of N. Saw-whet Owls were seen in
Wisconsin. The Com. Nighthawk flight was
considered poor in all 3 states, with a
notable exception: Berger counted 7000
passing over Cedar Grove Station Aug. 23.
Black-backed Woodpeckers were reported
in all 3 states. H.R.N.R. had a total of eight
migrating Sept. 15-Nov. 1 (FN et al.), above
average.

FLYCATCHERS
THROUGH WAXWINGS

A good Olive-sided Flycatcher flight was
noted for Michigan. Late was an E. Wood-
Pewee in Dane Oct. 19 (ME), as was a Great
Crested Flycatcher in Door Oct. 26 (BS),
both WI. A Say’s Phoebe was watched by
Tustison Sep. 3 at the Resurrection Ceme¬
tery, Dakota, MN. W. Kingbirds were noted

in all 3 states: Wisconsin had one Aug. 23 in
Marathon (LO), Minnesota had sightings in
5 counties (overall numbers continuing
low, as in the past 5 years), and Michigan
had above-average numbers, with two Aug.
29 at the Maple River S.G.A. (TWh) and
singles at W.P.B.O. Sep. 1, Seney N.W.R.
Sep. 17, (LD), and in Huron Oct. 16, a very
late date. Scissor-tailed Flycatchers were
found in Minnesota, with single birds at
Tofte Sep. 29 (DS) and Grand Marais Oct.
24 (TBr, SRo). Michigan had one at
W.P.B.O. Oct. 24 (AB, KB, ST, BM et al.).
The only Loggerhead Shrike sightings came
from Minnesota, with 15+ birds in 4 coun¬
ties. N. Shrike sightings in Wisconsin and
Michigan were considerably below normal.

A White-eyed Vireo was last seen Sep. 17
in Hillsdale, MI (JRei). Tardy Blue-headed
Vireos were in Milwaukee Nov. 2 and
Williamsport, MI, Nov. 4 (BA). Record late

was a Red-eyed Vireo through Nov. 21 at
Concordia College, WI (BCo). Far s. of nor¬
mal was a Gray Jay in Adams, WI, Nov.
21-22 (DH). At H.R.N.R. a total of 2039
Com. Ravens was tallied during migration
(FN). Peak swallow concentrations includ¬
ed 10,000 Trees Sep. 14 at the Nayanquing
Pt. S.W.A. (AB, KT) and 5500 Banks Aug. 2
at P.M. (WP), both MI. Late was a Barn
Swallow at L.E.M.P. Nov. 29 (WP). North of
normal were Tufted Titmouse in Alpena
and Antrim, ML Carolina Wrens were
found in fair-to-good numbers in all 3
states. Very late wren sightings included a
House Nov. 8 in Portage, WI (KH), and a
Marsh Nov. 20 in Oconto, WI (J&KS). Very
early was a Ruby-crowned Kinglet in Dane,
WI, Sep. 2 (PA), and late for the U.P., a
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher tarried at W.P.B.O.
Oct. 24 (AB). Michigan had its 10th
Northern Wheatear record this fall: one
was photographed at W.P.B.O. Sep. 17 (RP,
MPe, KB, GL, ST, DGa). Three Mountain
Bluebirds were found in Minnesota: a male
Sep. 21 in Kanabec (AH), a female Oct. 20 in
Lake (KE, PS), and another female Oct. 23
in Chippewa (ABo). Two Mountain Blue¬
birds graced Wisconsin: a male in Door
Oct. 23-24 (BS, BD, KH, R8cCL et al., ph.)
and a female in Tessen’s yard in Appleton
Nov. 14. Four Townsend’s Solitaires were
present in 3 Minnesota counties (Becker, St.
Louis, and Stearns), while one at W.P.B.O.
Oct. 20 was a rare find. Berner tallied 230
Swainson’s Thrushes the night of Sep. 1 in
Portage, WI. A male Varied Thrush was pre¬
sent in Crow Wing, MN, Nov. 4—25 (m. ob.).
The excellent spring and summer N.
Mockingbird show continued into the fall:
about eight (including one family group of
four) in Michigan, about three in Minne¬
sota, and family groups in Columbia and
Door, WI (PA; R8cCL, JRe). Am. Pipit peaks
included 157 Oct. 19 at M.W.S. (JPo, GW,
EH) and 82 Sep. 18 in Door, WI (JRe). Very
late was one Nov. 29 in Grant, WI (BD, KB).

C A Hummingbirds made big news, especially in Wisconsin, where the find of the season was a male Green Violet-Ear in LaCrosse,
J originally coming to Hayden’s feeder Sep. 22-25. Despite Hayden’s departure on vacation, the bird remained in the vicinity, feed¬
ing in flowers and on insects in a neighoring yard. On Oct. 27 it appeared at the Larson feeder, and the Larsons fortunately contacted a
local birder (Lesher), who studied it the following day with Kuecherer and felt it might be a Green Violet-Ear, though foul weather ham¬
pered attempts to identify it. The next morning, a small group anxiously awaited the bird’s appearance and was rewarded within min¬
utes with a male Green Violet-Ear, a Wisconsin first and Regional 2nd. By Nov. 1, over 250 birders had descended on the gracious
Larsons’ household. On that date, the bird was so weakened by cold that it could barely fly to the feeder; it collapsed to the ground and
was captured. It was then taken to rehabilitators in Antigo, where it died Nov. 4, apparently of pneumonia and injuries inflicted by a cat.
Shortly thereafter, Wisconsin’s 3rd Anna’s Hummingbird appeared during the Great Storm at a feeder in Muskego. Apparently an imm.
male, it was captured Nov. 15, with the intent of rehabilitating the bird for release in California later in the season. The Keweenaw
Peninsula had a record-late Ruby-throated Hummingbird Oct. 14 (LB), and a male Rufous Hummingbird appeared near Williamston,
MI, Sep. 25 through Dec. (ph. TB et al.).

56

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

western great lakes

Record late for Minnesota was a Sprague’s
Pipit at the Rothsay W.M.A. Oct. 24-25 (KE
et al.). Bohemian Waxwings appeared in
good numbers in n. counties of each state.
Lesher had 300 Nov. 16 in Eagle River, WI.
The first migrants were found at W.P.B.O.
Aug. 14 (CB). An impressive 5100 Cedar
Waxwings passed the Cedar Grove Station,
WI, Sep. 6 (DBe).

WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES

Warblers began migrating early, perhaps
because their spring flight had been directly
to the nesting territory for most. The major¬
ity had departed by late Sep., unusual con¬
sidering the mildness of the fall, and only a
few record-late departures were noted.
Wisconsin birders in particular commented
on the good fall movement, but Minneso¬
tans found the opposite true. A Lawrence’s
Warbler was banded at the Kalamazoo
Nature Center Sep. 12 (JG), while a
Brewster’s was near Mayville Aug. 13 (ph.
MW), both MI. Record-late by a month for
the Keweenaw Peninsula was a Yellow
Warbler near Copper Harbor Oct. 19 (LB);
record late by over 2 weeks was a Magnolia
in Dane, WI, Nov. 28 (PA). The exception to
Minnesota’s dismal warbler flight were
records of Black-throated Blue Warblers,
found in high numbers, including a Pen¬
nington first Sep. 28 (JJ). A late individual
was in Otter TailOct. 10 (S8cDM). Very early
were Yellow-rumped Warblers at Stony Cr.
Metropark Aug. 3 (PPo) and the Erie Marsh
Preserve Aug. 15 (JC, TW), both MI. At
W.P.B.O 350 Yellow-rumpeds were present
Sep. 18, and an Audubon’s Warbler was in
Cook, MN, Oct. 31. Very late were three
Black-throated Green Warblers in Shiawas¬
see, MI, Nov. 2 (MP1). A Kirtland’s Warbler
was seen in Marquette Aug. 2 (MPl). Record
late was an Am. Redstart Nov. 14-22 in
Hennepin, MN (SC, LE). A Prothonotary
Warbler was present in Aitkin, MN, Aug.
29-30 (WN et al.). Vinnedge found a
Worm-eating Warbler Aug. 29 at Warren
Dunes, MI, and a Kentucky Warbler was
present Aug. 24 in Juneau, WI ( WM). Single
Hooded Warblers were found at Rosy
Mound Park Sep. 3 (JPo), Warren Dunes S.
P. Sep. 13 (WJ, JR), and in Hillsdale Sep. 17
(JRei), all ML A Wilson’s Warbler Nov. 27 in
Hennepin, MN (SC), was record late.

A Summer Tanager was present in Two
Harbors, MN, Oct. 17-19, and a male
Summer commenced visits to Kearns’ feed¬
er in Green Bay Nov. 15, a few days after the
Storm, remaining through Dec. 1. Lubahn
watched a female Western Tanager in Mil¬

waukee’s Lake Park Sep. 22. Spotted Tow-
hees appeared during early Oct. in Pipestone
and Rock and Nov. 21 at Ramsey (JHo), all
MN. Early-arriving Am. Tree Sparrows
showed up as early as Sep. 1 1 at Marquette
(LT). Minnesota had Lark Buntings Aug. 25
in Hennepin (TT et al.) and Sep. 28 in
Duluth (SRo). A Savannah Sparrow lingered
until Dec. at Port Washington, WI (TU).
Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrows were found
in all 3 states, and the Harris’s Sparrow flight
was excellent in both Wisconsin and Michi¬
gan. Very early was a Lapland Longspur at
W.P.B.O Aug. 30. Two Smith’s Longspurs
were found in the U.P.: W.P.B.O. Sep. 1 1
(KB, GL, ph.) and Copper Harbor Sep. 18
(LB). For Minnesota, out-of-range birds
were watched at Duluth Sep. 26-Oct. 2
(MHe et al.) and Grand Marais Oct. 2-10
(m. ob.). Maximum for Snow Buntings was
a count of 1000 at M.W.S. Nov. 5 (JPo). A
Rose-breasted Grosbeak appeared in
Manitowoc during late Nov., remaining into
Dec. Several Dickcissels were seen in Wis¬
consin and Michigan, with a late bird at
W.P.B.O. Nov. 23-24 (LD).

Michigan had its 4th Brambling at Hoyt
Lakes Oct. 23 (AE, AH). Almost nonexis¬
tent were Pine Grosbeak, Com. Redpoll,
and White-winged Crossbill, and the siskin
flight was well below average. Quite good
numbers of Purple Finches, Red Crossbills,
Am. Goldfinches, and Evening Grosbeaks
were noted but only very locally. W.P.B.O.
staff banded a record-early Com. Redpoll
Aug. 20, and Hoaries were seen there Oct.
26 and Nov. 9, unusual in a nonredpoll year.

Contributors: Brian Allen, Diane Anderson,
Philip Ashman, Karl Bardon, Dan Belter,
Dan Benson (DBen), Vic Berardi, Dan
Berger (DBe), Murray Berner, Laurence
Binford, Ted Black, Al Bolduc (ABo), Ryan
Brady (RBr), Terry Brashear (TBr), Calvin
Brennan, Peter Bridge (PBr), Rick Brigham,
Paul Bruce, Kay Burcar, Adam M. Byrne,
Steve Carlson, Allen Chartier (Michigan),
Bruce Cohen, Hal Cohen, Bill Cowart
(BCo), Julie Craves, Jeff Dains, Pat & Bob
DeWenter, Bob Domagalski, Louie Dom-
broski, Kim Eckert, Bob Ekblad, Lane
Ellwanger, Martin Evanson, Audrey Evers,
Roger & Tammy Field, Chip Franke,
DeLores Gavit (DGa), Marg Gibson, Jim
Granlund, Bob Grefe, William Grigg,
Dennis Gustafson, Dennis Haessly, Kent
Hall, Ellen Hansen, Bettie Harriman, John
Hayden, Mike Hendrickson, Anthony
Hertzel, James Howitz (JHo), Sue Hutchins,
Robert Janssen (RJa), Don Jenette (DJe),
Margaret Jewett, Doug Johnson, Robbye

Johnson, Wendy Jones, Jeanic Joppru, Kevin
Kearns, Cecil Kersting, Mark Korducki,
Dennis Kuecherer, Ed & Marcella Larson,
Steve & Laura LeValley, Fred Lesher, Greg
Levandoski, Steve Lubahn, Roy & Charlotte
Lukes, Lisa McCurdy, John McDaniel, Doug
McWhirter, Steve Ik Diane Millard, Kip
Miller, Steve Minard, Bob Moblo (BMo),
William Mueller, Brad Murphy, Gary & Tess
Nelkie, Eric Nelson, Warren Nelson, Frank
Nicoletti, Michael North, Robert O’Connor,
Lynn Ott, Patricia Parsons, Walter Pawloski,
David Peters, Joyce Peterson, Mark Peter¬
son, Michael Petrucha (MPe), Rod Planck,
Marlene Planck (MPl), James Ponshair
(JPo), Paul Poronto (PPo), Curt Powell
(CPo), Caleb Putnam, Shaun Putz, John
Regan ( J Re ) , Jack Reinoehl (JRei), Sam
Robbins, Steve Roman (SRo), John Rosen¬
berg, Steve Santner, Jim Schei (JSc), Roger
Schroeder, Ellen Slater, Ed Smith (ESm),
Jerry & Karen Smith, Joe Soehnel, Charles
Sontag, Dorey Spence, Barbara Stover, Jean
Strelka (JSt), Roger Sundell (RSu), Karen
Sussman, Peder Svengen (Minnesota), Louis
Taccolini, Michael Tarachow, Mary Teesdale
(MTe), Scott Terry, Daryl Tessen (Wis¬
consin), Carol Thomas, Kevin Thomas, Tom
Tustison, Tom Uttech, Dick Verch, David
Vinnedge (DVi), Mindy Walker (MWa),
Arthur Weaver, Tex Wells, Thomas Wheeker
(TWh), George Wickstrom, John Will,
Myles Willard, Tom Wood (TWo), W.P.B.O.
staff, Joseph Youngman.

Daryl D. Tessen, 3118 N. Oneida Street,
Appleton, WI 54911.

Place names that are frequently men¬
tioned, but very long, may be abbreviat¬
ed in a form such as “C.B.B.T.” or
“W.P.B.O.” Such local abbreviations will
be explained in a key at the beginning
of the particular regional report in
which they are used. Standard abbrevi¬
ations that are used throughout North
American Birds are keyed on page 24.

VOLUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 1

57

middlewestern prairie
region

Chicago); L. Chau. (L. Chatauqua N.W.R.,

IL); O.N.W.R. (Ottawa Nat'l Wildlife Ref.,

OH); R.E.D.A. (Riverlands Environmental
Demonstration Area, MO); S.C.R. (Squaw
Creek Nat'l Wildlife Ref., MO); Spfld.

(Springfield, IL).

LOOMS

THROUGH WOOD STORK

KENNETH J. BROCK

ith one spectacular exception, the fall
weather was tranquil and remarkably
warm. The exception, clearly the meteoro¬
logical event of the season, was an extreme¬
ly deep low-pressure cell that tracked
northeastward across the Great Plains in
mid-Nov. Based on barometric pressure,
some meteorologists deemed this storm
among the century’s strongest. On Nov. 10
and 1 1, the n. states from w. Iowa to Indiana
experienced sustained winds of 30-40 mph,
with gusts near 70 mph. During this period,
howling westerlies in Iowa and southerly
gales on L. Michigan gradually shifted to
NW in Iowa and to the W on L. Michigan.

This atmospheric centrifuge profoundly
affected the fall flight, sweeping untold
thousands of Great Plains migrants east¬
ward into the Midwest. James Dinsmore
noted that the powerful westerly flow “pro¬
duced one of the greatest mass migrations
of waterfowl and arguably the largest
migration of Sandhill Cranes recorded in
Iowa this century.” Indeed, birders afield
throughout the Region Nov. 11 reported
massive flocks of ducks, geese, and Sandhill
Cranes, plus a host of less common species.
A distinct highlight of this large-scale avian
displacement was the appearance of
Whooping Cranes at two locations in Iowa
and one in Illinois. Immediately following
the storm, states e. of the Mississippi River
were awash in Franklin’s Gulls.

This meteorological event, along with
the early arrival of warblers, a plethora of
late records, and a laudable rarities list, ren¬
dered the fall of 1998 one of the more excit¬
ing autumn seasons in recent memory.

1 am saddened to report that Jack Van
Benthuysen, a major contributor to this
column and occasional state compiler for
Missouri, died at age 72 on Oct. 9, 1998.
Jack was one of the best-known and most
skilled birders in the St. Louis area and was
responsible for at least two first Missouri
records: Garganey and Glaucous-winged
Gull. He will truly be missed.

Abbreviations: Carl. L. (Carlyle L. in Clinton,
Fayette, & Bond Counties, IL); H.B.S.P. (Head¬
lands Beach S.P., OH); L. Cal. (L. Calumet,

For the 3rd consecutive year, the
Region experienced an impressive loon
flight. This year Red-throated Loons were
reported in all 6 states, with season totals of
45 in Indiana, nine in Ohio, nine in Illinois,
four in Iowa, and singles in Kentucky and
Missouri. Pacific Loons were slightly less
widespread than last year, with three in
Iowa and two in Illinois. The peak Com.
Loon counts consisted of 804 migrants at
Conneaut, OH, Nov. 21 (ES) and 640
counted along the Indiana Lakefront Nov.
14 (JCd, SB, m. ob.). One to three Red¬
necked Grebes appeared in every state
except Kentucky; the southernmost record
consisted of a singleton at Swan L. N.W.R.,
MO, Nov. 13 (BO). W. Grebes were more
numerous than normal, and a Clark’s Grebe
was documented at Lost Island L., IA, Nov.
22 (+LS).

The burgeoning Am. White Pelican
population was well represented on the fall
tally sheet, with reports from all 6 states and
peak counts of 10,000 at Runnells W.M.A.,
IA, Sep. 7 (ABe) and 4000 at Mark Twain
N.W.R., IL, Oct. 31 (HW). An imm. Brown
Pelican at Kentucky L„ KY, Nov. 20 (DR,
fBPB) provided a first record for that state.
An Anhinga, seen briefly along 1-57 in
Williamson, IL, Sep. 14 (fFBe) was an
unexpected surprise. Great Egrets were
more plentiful than normal, with fall
counts exceeding 100 birds in every state
except Kentucky and Missouri. Tricolored
Herons were reported at two locations: a
single was at Horseshoe L„ IL, Aug. 2-16
(fDKa, FH, KMc) and two in Fulton, KY,
Aug. 10-28 (DR). Peak Cattle Egret counts
included 1000+ at L. Barkley Sep. 25 (DR),
211 at Forney L., IA, Sep. 6 (B 8c LP), and
200 in Alexander, IL, Aug. 21 (KMc). Three
late departing imm. Black-crowned Night-
Herons lingered at Port Neal, IA, until Nov.

27 (BH).

The summer ibis incursion extended
into Oct., with many of the summer birds
lingering well into the fall season. New
reports included an imm. White Ibis at L.
Springfield, MO, Jul. 22-Aug. 30 (LB, KJ,
fDE, ph.), a bird believed to be a Glossy Ibis
at H.B.S.P. Oct. 13 (tLRo, RHn, KMt), and
an ad. White-faced Ibis at Eagle Bluffs
W.M.A., MO, Oct. 1 1 (VN). In addition,
unidentified Plegadis ibis were reported at
Union Slough N.W.R., IA, Aug. 20 (R.
Levad fide MK), at Diamond L„ IA, Sep. 1 1
(MP), L. Chau Oct. 10 (fCO), and Carl. L.
Oct. 17-18 (DKa, KMc). An imm. Wood
Stork, seen Oct. 27-29 in the Indiana
Dunes, Porter (DV, fKB, tJCd, m. ob. ph.),
provided Indiana’s first record in more than
50 years and the first Greater Chicago area
record in 130 years.

WATERFOWL THROUGH CRANES

The mid-Nov. storm swept numerous
Greater White-fronted Geese east of their
normal migration track. Noteworthy
records included 90 at Killdeer Plains
W.M.A., OH, Nov. 15-19 (DOv, BPj), 19 on
the Indiana Lakefront Nov. 1 1 (CS), and an
immature in Campbell, KY, Nov. 21-23
(FR). The Snow Goose migration followed
a similar pattern, producing spectacular
numbers well east of normal, with
200,000+ at S.C.R. Nov. 13 (PMc, MRo, BJ),
150,000 at DeSoto N.W.R., I A, and 25,000
at Rend L., IL, Nov. 23 (Illinois Dept, of
Nat. Resources). Unprecedented numbers
of Ross’s Geese accompanied the Snow
Geese, with reports from all 6 states. The
peak count consisted of ten at Baldwin L.,
IL, Nov. 29 (DKa); other noteworthy
reports included a first-year bird at Killdeer

58

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

Ross’s Goose, an immature bird,
at Waukegan, Lake County, Illinois,
from November 19 to 29. Along with
the great increase in Greater Snow Geese
in recent decades has come an increase
in Ross’s Geese, at least in the
middlewestern and eastern states.
Photograph/David B. Johnson

Plains W.M.A., OH, Nov.19-29 (BPj, IHa),
one in Warren, KY, Nov. 27-29 (DR), and
one at Hurshtown Res., IN, Nov. 29-Dec. 1
(Haw, fJMc, BE et al.). The Region’s only
Brant reports came from Ohio, where sin¬
gles were seen Oct. 30 at Fairport Harbor
(TK1) and in Geneva S.P. Nov. 8 (JPg).

The puddle and bay duck flight paral¬
leled that of recent years; selected peak
counts included: 11,763 Green-winged Teal
at L. Chau. Nov. 12 (RBj, SBj), 86,500 N.
Pintail at Swan L. N.W.R., MO, Oct. 29
(BO), and 4500 Ring-necked Ducks at
S.C.R. Nov. 27 (MR). A highlight of the
duck flight occurred on L. Michigan where
an imm. male King Eider flew past Evans¬
ton, IL, with scaup Nov. 1 (tJE). An early
Harlequin Duck arrived at Waukegan, IL,
Oct. 8 (DJ, m. ob.); other reports included
two on Indiana’s Lakefront and two on L.
Erie in Ohio. The remaining sea ducks
staged a typical fall flight, with normal to
above-average numbers on the Great Lakes
and small to modest counts at various
inland sites across the Region. Peak inland
counts included four Surf Scoters at
O’Fallon, IL, Oct. 9-13 (DKa, KMc), three
ad. male White-winged Scoters at Rend L„
IL, Nov. 13 (FBe), five Black Scoters at
Charleston, IL, Nov. 19 (RBr), and nine
Oldsquaw at Hurshtown Res., IN, Nov. 1
(Sockbridge Aud. Soc.). Ruddy Ducks were
plentiful, with peak counts of 2300 at L.
Chau. Oct 22 (RBj, SBj), 1000 at L.
Manawa, LA, Nov. 14 (BH), and 750 at
Mogadore Res., OH, Nov. 2 (LRo).

It was a good fall for Osprey, with peak
counts of 15 at Keokuk, IA, Sep. 1 (RCe)
and seven at L. Villa, IL, Sep. 21 (RBi).
Lingering Mississippi Kites were seen as fol¬
lows: one at Rock Cut S.P., IL, Jul. 26-Aug.

Whooping Crane, an adult in flight over
Illinois Beach State Park, Lake County,
November 1 1 : a lucky shot and the first
Illinois record in 40 years! The Great
Storm that swept so many Franklin’s Gulls
east

of their normal routes also moved cranes
and waterfowl. Photograph/Robert Hughes

16 (fDW, ph„ m.ob.), two at Independence,
MO, Aug. 29 (BF), an adult at Miller City,
IL, Aug. 30 (FBe), and one in the Des
Moines, IA breeding area until Sep. 9 (PW).
A fine movement of 34 N. Harriers was
logged at Chicago’s Lincoln Park Nov. 12
(JL). N. Goshawks were scarce, with only
nine reported across the entire Region.
Migrating Broad-winged Hawks apparently
circumnavigated the Region, as the peak
daily count consisted of 140 at Harmon
Reserve, IA, Sep. 15 (TS). A tardy Swain-
son’s Hawk was still in Kane, IL, Sep. 7
(RM). A hefty 64 Merlins were scattered
across all 6 states; the peak daily count con¬
sisted of 13 at Illinois Beach S.P., IL, Oct. 18
(DJ).

It was an unusually good fall for rails.
Highlights included eight Yellow Rail
reports from Iowa, Illinois, and Ohio, plus
single Black Rails at Prairie Ridge W.M.A.,
IL, Oct. 9 (tDOl) and in Vermilion, IL (near
last year’s multiple sightings) Oct. 26
(tJSm). An ad. Purple Gallinule and one
young were at the Mermet L. W.M.A., IL
Illinois breeding site Aug. 9-14 (fFBe m.
ob.), and a single Purple Gallinule was
found in Springfield, MO, Nov. 8 (KJ). At
the Jasper Pulaski W.M.A., IN, staging area,
Sandhill Cranes peaked Nov. 25 with 15,800
(fide JCs). The mid-Nov. storm displaced
unprecedented numbers of cranes into w.
portions of the region. On Nov. 1 1 (day 2 of
the storm), 540 Sandhills were counted at
Hitchcock W.M.A., IA (B & LP), 340 were
found in O’Brien, IA (DKe), 100 were
observed in Clay, MO (JHo), and 54 were
seen at S.C.R. (MRo). Even more remark¬
able was the appearance of Whooping
Cranes among the teeming Sandhills. On
Nov. 1 1 a single Whooper flew over Illinois

Beach S.P. (fRHu, IRE, ph.), providing
Illinois first confirmed record since 1958. In
addition, Iowa hunters provided two
Whooping Crane reports on Nov. 11. In
Brenner Co. fD. Dinnes and L. Brown
observed the close flyby (40-50 ft over¬
head) of a flock of seven to eight Whoopers,
and in Polk Co. ( t J. Keys and C. Loreth) had
a single bird land among their Snow Goose
decoys.

SHOREBIRDS

Late-departing plovers included an Am.
Golden-Plover at Rathbun Res., IA, until
Nov. 29 (RCe) and a Semipalmated at Lost
Island L„ IL, Nov. 11 (MK). Piping Plovers
were restricted to Illinois (7 reports) and
Iowa (2 reports). Black-necked Stilts lin¬
gered into late Aug. in Illinois, with two
adults and an immature in Jackson Aug. 21
(KMc), and two adults in Union Aug. 23
(FBe). A displaced Black-necked Stilt was
seen periodically at the Big Pine Creek
W.M.A., IN, during the period Aug. 8-18
(tFS, CS, TBr), where it provided that
state’s first fall record. Typical Am. Avocet
numbers were reported, but several lin¬
gered well into Nov. Late departures includ¬
ed: a single bird at Ten Mile Pond, MO,
until Nov. 23 (BA, m. ob.), five at L. Chau.
Nov. 19 (RBj, SBj), and one at Runnells
W.M.A., IA, until Nov. 14 (MP). Note¬
worthy large shorebird reports included an
inland Whimbrel at Carl. L. Sep. 12 (fMD,
fDBo, BDy, DKa), a Hudsonian Godwit at
Big Pine Creek W.M.A., IN, Sep. 1 (BDu,
TBr), and a Marbled Godwit at Runnells
W.M.A., IA, Sep. 13-15 (MK, ABe, DP, JSi).
The Red Knot flight was below average on
the Great Lakes but better than normal at
inland sites. The latter included singletons
in Atchison, MO (DE, J Hi), at St. Mary’s
Fish hatcheries, OH, Aug. 30 (DD), L. Chau.
Sep. 24 (RBj, SBj), and two s.w. of Howard,
IN, Aug. 22 (tRHe, CHe, BB, LC).

The peak Sanderling counts on the
Great Lakes consisted of only 69 on L.
Michigan and 38 on L. Erie; these numbers
are disturbingly low. Other small shore-
birds fared better, with 4994 Semipalmateds
at L. Chau. Aug. 13 (RBj, SBj), 1060 Leasts
at L. Chau. Sep. 3 (RBj, SBj), 4760 Pectorals
at L. Chau. Aug. 27 (RBj, SBj), and 725
Dunlin at Ottawa N.W.R., OH, Nov. 1 (EPi
et al.). Purple Sandpipers were reported at
Waukegan, IL, Nov. 28 (ASt) and at
Fairport Harbor, OH, Nov. 25 & 30 (PL).
Buff-breasted Sandpipers were plentiful,
with reports from all 6 states; peak counts
included 135 at Red Rock Res., I A, Sep. 1
(ABe) and 30+ at L. Chau. Aug. 23 (RCh, m.

VOLUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 1

59

ob.). A juv. Ruff was identified at the
Schneider Sod Farm, L., IN, Aug. 23 (fj.
Philips, R. Rzepka), and a very late juvenile
was detected at Runnells W.M.A., IA, Oct.
23 (fSDi). Wilson’s Phalaropes were report¬
ed only in Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio,
where the peak tally consisted of six at L.
Cal. Aug. 17 (DSt). Red-necked Phalaropes
were more plentiful than in recent years,
with reports from every state except Ken¬
tucky. The peak count consisted of 16 at L.
Chau Sep. 7 (MD. et al.). Single Red Phala¬
ropes were scattered widely across the
Region. Noteworthy records included an
early arrival at H.B.S.P. Sep. 9 (LRo, KMt),
one at Rend L„ IL, Sep. 14 (FBe), one at
Coralville Res., IA, Oct. 7 (fTK), and one
Oct. 17-18 at Jonathan Creek, KY (R &
BD,f HCh, MM, DR).

JAEGERS THROUGH SKIMMER

Parasitic Jaegers were identified only on the
Great Lakes. Nine, including two adults at
Michigan City Flarbor on the late date of
Nov. 7 (tJCd, JS), appeared along the
Indiana Lakefront and two on the Ohio
Lakefront. An imm. Long-tailed Jaeger,
believed to have been in 2nd-basic plum¬
age, was seen at H.B.S.P. Sep. 9 (fKMt,
LRo). Unidentified jaeger reports included
17 along the Indiana Lakefront (mostly at
Miller Beach), one on the Illinois Lakefront,
plus an undocumented bird at Carl. L. Sep.
26 (DKa, I.O.S. field trip).

Little Gulls were unusually numerous
on the Great Lakes, with six in Ohio, three
in Indiana, and two in Illinois. Circum¬
stantial evidence suggesting that Black¬
headed Gulls breed in Dickinson, IA, was
garnered this fall when single birds were

reported at Spirit L., Oct. 1 1 & 15, plus two
at that location Nov. 8 (fET). The mild
autumn apparently allowed many of the
large gulls to remain n. of the Region, as
only 14 Thayer’s, one Iceland, and two
Glaucous Gulls were reported. In contrast
Lesser Black-backed Gulls were widespread,
with reports from all 6 states, including one
at Barkley Dam, KY, Sep. 25-Oct. 26 (HCh,
DOb) and an adult at R.E.D.A. Nov. 8-13
(JMa, m. ob.). Fewer Sabine’s Gulls were
reported than in recent autumn flights; the
final tally included seven in Illinois, three in
Indiana, one in Iowa, and one in Ohio. The
peak count was five at Carl. L. Sep. 19-20
(KMc, DKa, MD). Black-legged Kittiwakes
were well represented this fall, with 16 birds
reported across the 4 n. states. The peak
count consisted of four juveniles at Miller
Beach, IN, Nov. 17 (JMc, KB, EPo); inland
reports included single juveniles at Port
Neal, IA, Nov. 22 (BH) and Ottumwa, IA
(ABe). Clearly the season’s best gull was a
2nd-year/winter ad. Ross’s Gull that
appeared at H.B.S.P. Nov. 15, to provide
Ohio’s first record (fLRo, RHn, NB, tJPg,
m. ob.).

It was a poor fall for the regularly occur¬
ring terns, with peak counts that were uni¬
formly below normal. A Black Skimmer
made a brief appearance at Decatur, IL, Sep.
4 (MD, fDBo, ph. m. ob.) to provide that
state’s first record.

DOVES THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS

Nesting Eurasian Collared- Doves success¬
fully fledged two young Sep. 16 in Chicago’s
Montrose Point ( JL), though concerns were
expressed about purity of the parent’s pedi¬
grees (GW). Elsewhere, four were reported

About Sep. 2 a strange hum¬
mingbird appeared at the Des
Moines, IA, feeder of Carole and
Donald Stolz. Initially the bird was
identified as a Buff-bellied Humming¬
bird and, after being placed on the rare
bird alert, was observed by scores of
birders (fTK, ph. m. ob.). Upon closer
scrutiny it was noted that several char¬
acters did not fit Buff-bellied, raising
the possibility that the bird might in
fact be an exotic neotropical species.
However, no one could locate any
illustration that matched the bird until
Mike Overton examined the photo of
the Madera Canyon Amazilia
Hummingbird published in Field
Notes (52; 144). This photo was a per¬
fect match for the Des Moines bird.
Louis Bevier also examined the Iowa
photos, concluding it was “probably
nominate Amazilia a. amazilia, which
is resident just to the north and south
of Lima, Peru.” Interestingly, Michael
Patton (FN 52: 15) notes that Amazilia
Hummingbird may be the most com¬
mon hummingbird in captivity. Sure
enough, a check of local aviaries
revealed that an Amazilia Humming¬
bird had indeed escaped from the Des
Moines Botanical Center in late sum¬
mer. Mystery solved.

in Illinois, and the species was found at two
locations in Iowa. A White-winged Dove
visited a Vermilion, IL, feeding station Jul..
22 (JSm), continuing this species-expan¬
sion into the Region. Late breeding Barn
Owls were reported as follows: five young
were banded in Wayne, IA, in early Sep.
( fide JD), two adults and two young were at
Cypress Creek W.M.A. Oct. 19 & Nov. 1
(FBe), and a 2nd brood in Vigo, IN, Nov. 9
resulted in two dead chicks and one fledg¬
ling (fide JCs). For the first fall in more than
13 years Snowy Owls were not reported in
the Region. The Region’s only Burrowing
Owl report consisted of an adult seen in
Lyon, IA, Aug. 30 (D. Harr ,fide JD).

Several correspondents commented
about the scarcity of Com. Nighthawks; this
fall the only significant movements report¬
ed consisted of 1000 in Urbana, IL, Sep. 21
(RCh), 639 in Evanston, IL, Aug. 20 (JE),
and 200+ in one flock over St. Louis, MO,
Sep. 20 (TBe). In keeping with the pattern
established in recent years, the Region was
peppered with Selasphorus hummingbirds,
which were reported in every state except
Iowa. Among these, the following were

^ Jl The most widespread impact of the infamous mid-Nov. storm was a major
V eastward displacement of Franklin’s Gulls. The stage was set in Oct. when
migrant flocks began accumulating in Iowa as evidenced by the 60,000 reported at
Rathbun Res. Oct. 11 (TJ). Westerly gale-force winds associated with the intense low-
pressure center swept thousands of these prairie migrants well east of their normal
flight corridor. Large numbers were deposited on L. Michigan where, as the winds abat¬
ed, they funneled southward into Indiana. The encroachment began Nov. 11, when a
record 66 Franklin’s Gulls were counted on the Indiana Lakefront (CS et al.) plus an
additional 42 scattered across downstate Indiana and another 35 at Horseshoe L., IL
(FH). Also on Nov. 11 several hundred were reported migrating southward along L.
Michigan’s western shoreline in Berrien, MI. The following morning a watch on the
Indiana Lakefront yielded 477 birds migrating westward past Miller Beach in 1.5 hours
(KB). This total more than doubled the maximum daily count ever recorded in the
Greater Chicago area. Numbers in Illinois peaked a few days later; 300 were seen on
Clin. L. Nov. 14 (MRe), and 1000+ (perhaps double that) were in Kankakee Co. Nov. 16
(MH). These are phenomenal totals, as the previous Illinois maximum daily count was
only 150 birds. Flight intensity decreased eastward; peak counts in Ohio included 28 at
Grand L. (DD) and 15 at Carey ( JHa), both on Nov. 14. Kentucky’s largest tally consist¬
ed of 15 seen at Meldahl Dam Nov. 14 (LMc).

60

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

middle western prairie

identified as Rufous: a male in Spfld. Nov. 7
through the period (DOh, DBo, ph.), an ad.
female that appeared in Spfld. Nov. 23 but
died (DBo, ph. ’), a first-year male banded
Nov. 24 near Cunningham, KY (tC. Slone
& P. MacMillan), an ad. female Nov. 23
through the period, N. Perry, OH (tJPg,
captured and measured). The remaining
Selasphorus reports included birds near
Denver, IN, in early Oct. {fide D. Mus-
selman) and in Kirkwood, MO, Nov. 14-27
(AMc, JZ).

FLYCATCHERS
THROUGH WARBLERS

Extralimital flycatcher reports included a
Say’s Phoebe at Fermilab, DuPage, 1L, Nov.
28-29 (tRF, PK, m. ob.), an ad. male
Vermillion Flycatcher at McKee Marsh,
DuPage, IL (+HCo, fJSu, DBh, m. ob.), plus
Scissor-tailed Flycatchers in Batavia, IL,
Aug. 4-16 (fAH, m. ob.) and in Monroe, IL,
Aug. 3-9 (tDKa, fFBe, m. ob.). Nineteen N.
Shrikes reported across the 4 n. states is typ¬
ical for the Region. An estimated 20,000
Purple Martins at Chicago’s Lincoln Park
Aug. 1-16 (JL) is unprecedented; it exceeds
the state’s previous maximum by a factor of
2. The Region’s peak swallow concentration
occurred near Pershing S.P., MO, where
about 800,000 birds, estimated to consist of
45% Tree, 40% Barn, 10% Rough-winged,
5% Cliff, and 5% Bank, were present Sep.
18-23 (D. Fitchett, T. Barksdale). Red¬
breasted Nuthatches were uniformly scarce
across the Region. It was a banner fall for
Golden-crowned Kinglets; daily counts
near or above 100 were logged in all 4 n.
states. A female Mountain Bluebird in
Sangamon, IL, Nov. 4 (fDBo), provided
one of few records for that state. Am. Pipits
were unusually widespread and abundant,
with good numbers reported in all 6 states.
Once again diligent birders found Sprague’s
Pipits at Rosecrans Airport in n.w. MO; this
year seven were located Oct. 9 (MRo, PD,
CH). The Region’s only Bohemian
Waxwing was at Spirit L., IA, Nov. 21 (LS).

The warbler migration was remarkably
early this fall. In Iowa 12 species registered
their earliest arrival dates in the past 5 years
{fide TK), in Indiana 9 species arrived on
Aug. 19 ( fide AB), an astonishingly early
Nashville was logged in Chicago’s Grant
Park Aug. 5 (DSt), and an impressive 25
species were recorded in Chicago’s Jackson
Park Aug. 25 (PC). A Blue-winged Warbler
was found at Bluff Woods W.M.A. Aug. 25
(JHi), to provide n.w. Missouri’s first fall
record. Other noteworthy reports of the
regular warblers included a late Black-

throated Blue at Mason City, IA, Nov. 1 1
(tE. Montgomery), 460 Palms in Chicago’s
Grant Park Sep. 16 (DSt), and a very tardy
female Cerulean at H.B.S.P. Sep. 24 (LRo,
RHn).

TOWHEES THROUGH FINCHES

The easternmost Spotted Towhee report
was at Lakewood, OH, where it was
observed Oct. 22-29 (LRo, fD 8c JH, ph.). A
wayward Clay-colored Sparrow stopped by
Warren, KY, Oct. 24 (DR), to provide one of
few records for that state and a Lark Spar¬
row in Chicago’s Lincoln Park Oct. 25-26
(JL, m. ob.) was unexpected. Le Conte’s
Sparrows were recorded in every state,
including Ohio, where one was seen in
Cuyahoga Oct. 30 (DKr, SZ). Similarly, Nel¬
son’s Sharp-tailed Sparrows were also plen¬
tiful, with multiple reports from every state
except Kentucky. East of the Mississippi R.
nine Harris’s Sparrows were reported in
Illinois, and two wandered e. to Ohio,
where singles were in Greenville Oct. 17 (|J.
MacKinzie) and Akron Oct. 4-29 (W.
Stover). In Missouri, single Chestnut-col-
lard Longspurs were reported at the Rose¬
crans Airport Oct. 9 (MRo, PD, CH) and
near St. Joseph Oct. 31 (LL). Smith’s Long¬
spurs were exceptionally abundant this fall,
with 100 in Kossuth, IA, Oct. 25 (fMK), 25
at the Rosecrans Airport, MO, Oct. 22
(MRo, LRi), and three at Sangamon L., IL,
Nov. 24 (DBo).

Noteworthy blackbird reports included
a Yellow-headed at Mentor, OH, Oct. 7
(JPg) and 200+ Brewer’s in McHenry, IL,
Nov. 11 (BG). The winter finch flight was
nil; peak counts of normally common
species included 15 Purple Finch and three
Pine Siskins. Red Crossbills were reported
in only 2 states, and a single White-winged
was reported in the Region. Redpolls were
restricted to single reports from Ohio and
Illinois.

CORRIGENDUM

The imm. Golden Eagle at Leach W.M.A.,
MO, Feb. 21 (FN 52: 205) was seen Mar. 21.

Contributors (subregional editors in bold-

fate): The following 124 individuals are
cited in this report. An additional 100
observers contributed information to the
various state lists but could not be person¬
ally acknowledged.

B. Allen, Susan Bagby, Bob Ballard, Nick
Barber, Frank Bennett (FBe), Lisa Berger,
Tory Berger (TBe), Rich Biss (RBi), Richard
Bjorldund (RBj), Sigurd Bjorldund (SBj),
David Bohlen (DBo), Denis Bohm (DBh),

Ron Bradley (RBr), Tom Braille (TBr),
Aaron Brees (ABe), Ken Brock, Alan
Bruner ( AB) (Indiana), Fred Busroe (FBu)
(Kentucky), Lee Casebcre, John Cassady
(JCd), John Castrale (JCs), Robert Cecil
(RCe), Robert Chapel (RCh) (Illinois),
Hap Chambers (HCh), Paul Clync, Hal
Cohen (HCo), Myrna Deaton, Robert 8<
Bonnie Dcver (R 8c BD), James Dinsmore,
Stephen Dinsmore (SDi), David Dister,
Barney Dunning (BDu), Pete Dunne,
Beckie Dyer (BDy), Dave Easterla, Josh
Engel, Robert Erickson, Brad Etter, Bob
Fisher (MO), Robert Fisher (IL), Brad
Grover, Marianne Hahn, Joe Hammond
(JHa), Ray Hannikman (RHn), Ann Haver-
stock, Jim Haw (Haw), Cloyce Hedge
(CHe), Roger Hedge (RHe), Jack Hilsabeck
(JHi), Chris Hobbs (CH) (Missouri), Dick
8c Jean Hoffman (D 8c JH), Joanne Holman
(JHo), Frank Holmes, Robert Hughes
(RHu), Bill Huser, Brad Jacobs, David
Johnson, Kay Johnson, Thomas Johnson,
Peter Kasper, Dan Kassebaum (DKa),Tom
Kellerman (TKl), Thomas H. Kent (TK)
(Iowa), Matthew Kenne, Darwin Koenig
(DKo), David Kriska (DKr), Larry Lade,
James Landing, Paula Lozano, Walter
Marcisz, Jim Malone (JMa), Anne McCor¬
mack (AMc), Jeff McCoy (JMc), Paul
McKenzie (PMc), Keith McMullen (KMc),
Lee McNeely (LMc), Kevin Metcalf (KMt),
Mike Miller, Robert Montgomery, V. Neill,
Darrin O’Brien (DOb), Bridget Olson,
Clark Olson, Daniel Olson (DOl), Dennis
Oehmke (DOh), Doug Overacker (DOv),
Babs and Loren Padelford (B 8c LP),
Brainard Palmer-Ball (BPB), Lester Panned,
Bruce Peterjohn (BPj), Clell Peterson, Ed
Pierce (EPi), John Pogacnik (JPg), Diane
Porter, Ed Powers (EPo), Mark Proescholdt,
Frank Renfrow, Michael Retter (MRe),
Larry Rizzo (LRi), Mark Robbins (MRo),
David Roemer, Larry Rosche (LRoROhio),
Florence Sanchez, Lee Schoenewe, Craig
Seward, Jim Sinclair (JSi), Ed Schlabach,
James Smith (JSm), Alan Stokie (ASt),
Douglas Stotz (DSt), Tom Stone, Joe
Suchecki (JSu), Ed Thelen, David Van Nest
(DV), Phil Walsh, Dan Williams, Geoffrey
Williamson, Helen Wuestenfield, Sean
Zadar, Jim Ziebol.

Kenneth J. Brock, Dept, of Geosciences,
Indiana University Northwest, 3400 Broadway,
Gary, IN 46408, (e-mail: kebrock@ucs.indiana.
edu)

A

JL

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 1

61

central southern region

GREG D. JACKSON

season of tempests and transients,
windstorms and wanderers, Autumn
1998 was not your standard affair. Depend¬
ing on the location, perceptions of this fall
ranged from slow to spectacular. Migrant
numbers were generally good in most areas;
several vagrants rewarded the fortunate.

Overall, temperatures were warmer than
usual, and precipitation away from storm
tracks was decreased. Tropical turbulence
assaulted the Region several times, trans¬
porting fascinating visitors, but it wrought
havoc and subsequently hindered access to
birding sites. Tropical Storm Charley skirted
just s. of the area in late Aug. before striking
the Texas coast. Hurricane Earl then made a
pass traveling E, coming ashore near
Panama City Sep. 2. With little respite,

Tropical Storm Frances plowed into the
Texas coast again Sep. 11, transiting north
after landfall. Tropical Depression Hermine
doused s. e. Louisiana Sep. 20. The ultimate
blow was Hurricane Georges. This Carib¬
bean monster, a rare Category 5, raked
coastal portions of Alabama, Mississippi,
and Louisiana Sep. 27-28; after dallying in s.
Mississippi, the degrading cyclone blasted E
across the Florida Panhandle toward
Georgia.

Reports of significant rarities not
accompanied by convincing documentation
have been excluded, excepting processed
specimens.

Abbreviations: b. (banded); C.P. (Cameron
Parish, s.w. LA); F.W.B.S.F. (Fort Walton Beach
spray field, Okaloosa County, FL); M.L.
(Millwood Lake, s.w. AR); N.N.W.R. (Noxubee
National Wildlife Refuge, e.c. MS); T.N.W.R.
(Tallahatchie National Wildlife Refuge, n.w. MS);
W.P. (Western Panhandle [westernmost three
counties], FL); * (specimen to Louisiana State
University).

LOOMS THROUGH HERONS

Two Red-throated Loons made rare appear¬
ances beginning Nov. 8 at Pace Pt., Henry,
TN (JRW, m. ob.). More unusual still was a
Pacific Loon at this site Nov. 21 (JRW,
J&SH); an Eared Grebe that day was note¬
worthy so far inland. A double dose of the

very rare W. Grebe was a surprise Nov. 28 in
Faulkner (ph.) and Pope, AR (both K&LN).

Probably occurring regularly far off¬
shore, Cory’s Shearwater is rarely recorded
in our Region; at most four records have
been accepted in both Alabama and Louisi¬
ana. Two were observed 139 mi s. of Cam¬
eron, LA, Sep. 15 (JRK), and a decomposed
specimen, likely a casualty of Frances, was
found the following day in C.P. (DLD *).
Single Cory’s were located 74 mi s. of Bald¬
win, AL, Oct. 4 (GDJ, CMD) and 17 mis. of
South Pass, LA, Oct. 13 (DLD et al., *). Lou¬
isiana’s 2nd Greater Shearwater was a thrill
36 mi s. of South Pass Oct. 13 (DLD, SWC et
al.). An Audubon’s Shearwater was discov¬
ered dead in C.P. Sep. 16 (DLD, SWC).

Scarce Masked Boobies were spotted s. of
S. Pass Aug. 8 (DPM, m. ob., ph. DP), found
dead in C.P. Sep. 16 (DLD, SWC, *), and
located 90 mi s.w. of Venice, LA, Oct. 3
(RLK). Other Maskeds were seen 74 mi s. of
Baldwin Oct. 4 (GDJ, CMD) and 35 mi s. of
South Pass Oct. 13 (DPM et al.,*). Much
harder to find in our area is Brown Booby;
immatures were noted Aug. 30 in Santa
Rosa, FL (A&DF), and 17 mi s. of South Pass
Oct. 13 (SWC et al., *). The very rare
Neotropic Cormorant appeared Sep. 5 in
Lake (MAG).

Huge numbers of Am. White Pelicans
arrived in late autumn, with a high tally of
2200 at Sardis L„ MS, Nov. 22 (WMD).

C A ^ises and storks and spoonbills, those stick-legged, strange-billed wanderers, provide a touch of excitement each year when they
appear in odd locales or arrive en masse. These birds were particularly obvious in the Region this autumn, with both large num¬
bers and wide dispersal noted. Vagabond White Ibis included immatures Aug. 9-13 in Colbert, AL (SWM, GDJ, DGJ), beginning Sep. 5
at two sites in w. Tennessee (MAG, WGC), and Sep. 13 in Lafayette, MS (WMD, GCK). Several reports were submitted of Glossy Ibis
(and unidentified Plegadis ) in areas where they are uncommon or rare. Two White-faced Ibis created a stir Oct. 27-Nov. 2 at Blakeley I.,
Mobile (PCT et al.), providing Alabama’s 10th record; another was at F.W.B.S.F. Nov. 5-7 (PCT et al.), only the 2nd for the W.P.

A pink explosion occurred this fall. In recent years, Roseate Spoonbill has increased in incidence outside Louisiana and within that
state has become more numerous as a visitor outside the s.w. breeding grounds. An even greater surge took place this year, and these bril¬
liant waifs remained unusually late. I received 10 non-Louisiana reports totaling 31 spoonbills from all states but Tennessee. Increasing
from a single bird this summer, four were noted in Desha, AR, Aug. 16 (JC). In Mississippi, up to two were at N.N.W.R. Aug. 10-Sep. 29
(TLS, m. ob.), and an amazing 13 spoonbills appeared Aug. 15-16 in Adams (MS, WP). Alabama records included four near
Montgomery Sep. 16-Oct. 18 (CTS, m. ob.), and up to four, setting a new late date, Sep. 25-Nov. 24 at Mobile (SWM, m. ob.); single
Roseates, possibly the same individual, were spotted Sep. 29 at Gulf Shores (ES, GL et al.), Oct. 4 at Ft. Morgan (GDJ, CMD), and Oct.
20-22 near Dauphin I. (MVH et al.). Rounding out the spatulate spree was a lone bird Oct. 3 in Escambia (PP), establishing a 2nd W.P.
record.

Wood Stork usually disperses in large flocks to many parts of our Region in late summer and fall, and this year the visitation was
exceptional. Peak counts included 250 Aug. 17 at N.N.W.R. (TLS, m. ob.), 504 birds, providing a state maximum, in w.c. Alabama Aug.
23 (GDJ, DGJ), 382 storks Sep. 12 in Desha, AR (K&LN), and over 1200 in Calcasieu, LA, Oct. 8 (JPK, MG, DS). Particularly unusual
sightings were of three storks at F.W.B.S.F. Aug. 22 (BG, DMW et al.), and a late individual Oct. 3 in Blount, AL (PHF).

62

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

Recovery of the Brown Pelican population
continues, with 1500 birds noted Sep. 16 in
C.P. (SWC, DLD). Displaced far inland by
Georges , a Brown Pelican was an oddity Sep.
29 at Miller’s Ferry Dam, Wilcox, AL (DBC).
Earl and Frances resulted in many Mag¬
nificent Frigatebirds in the New Orleans
area, with peaks of 132 Sep. 2 (PHY, DPM)
and 61 Sep. 11 (PHY). After Georges, six
frigatebirds Sep. 29 in Wilcox (DBC), and
another the next day in Henry (GEH,
WDR), provided 2nd and 3rd far inland
records for Alabama. Also exceptional was
Mississippi’s 4th noncoastal occurrence,
well after Georges’s rampage, when one
appeared Oct. 7 at Columbus L., Lowndes/
Clay (KK, TLS et al.). The Am. Bittern in
Lowndes Sep. 27 (WMD) provided a first
local autumn record. A Great Egret Nov. 14
in Benton (MM, DC) was the latest for n.w.
Arkansas. As many as four Tricolored
Herons were unusual beginning Aug. 28 in
Dyer, TN (WGC, MAG, JRW).

WATERFOWL THROUGH CRANES

The Region was inundated with migrant
geese in Nov. Greater White-fronted Geese
appeared in unprecedented numbers in
some areas. Reports Nov. 1 1 of 200 near
Mobile (PCT et al.) and 103 at Ft. Pickens
(RAD, LRD) provided new Alabama and
W.P. maxima; at T.N.W.R., an outstanding
2090 were estimated Nov. 29 (GCK, SK). A
White-fronted in Putnam, TN, Nov. 28-30
(BHS, SJS, WW) was a local first. Excellent
numbers of Snow Geese also were recorded,
with exceptional flights Nov. 11 of more
than 7700 birds s.e. of Baton Rouge (JVR,
RLK), 2600 at Ft. Pickens (RAD, LRD), and
3000 at F.W.B.S.F. (DMW). Ross’s Goose
continues to increase in our area. Of many
reports, most notable were two birds at
F.W.B.S.F., providing a first W.P. record,
starting Nov. 18 (LRD, m. ob.), eight Ross’s
setting a new Alabama maximum in Lime¬
stone beginning Nov. 24 (CDC, RRR, m.
ob.), and a first local occurrence Nov. 26-30
in Putnam (SJS, BHS, m.ob.).

Very rare in our area, an ad. male
Eurasian Wigeon graced Wheeler N.W.R.
Nov. 13-14 (KA, m. ob.), providing the 7th
Alabama record. An ad. male Cinnamon
Teal returned Nov. 7 to New Orleans (GO,
DJL, m. ob., ph.). Unusual scoter reports
included six Surfs Oct. 23 in Dekalb, TN
(SJS, BHS), a White-winged Nov. 19-21 at
Oxford, MS (GCK, SK, WMD, m. ob.), 23
White-wingeds at Ft. Morgan Nov. 26 (JL,
PB), and three Blacks Nov. 15 at Pace Point
(JRW).

Two Swallow-tailed Kites were surpris¬

ing for n. Mississippi Aug. 23 in Panola
(GCK, SK). An Alabama maximum of 35
Cooper’s Hawks was noted at Ft. Morgan
Oct. 23 (GDJ, DGJ). The imm. Swainson’s
Hawk Nov. 22 in Lafourche (DLD, SWC, m.
ob., ph.) was rare, and late, for s.e. Louisi¬
ana. Rough-legged Hawks at 2 sites n. of
Little Rock Nov. 29 (K&LN, one ph.) were
unusual. The spectacular Golden Eagle is
rare throughout the Region. Immatures
were enjoyed Nov. 4 at Ft. Morgan (DCi,
MD, SW) and Nov. 6 at F.W.B.S.F. (HH,
DMW); an adult and an immature were at
Pace Pt. beginning Nov. 8 (JRW, m. ob., one
ph.). A Merlin Aug. 17 at New Orleans
(PHY) was early.

Though regular in the Louisiana rice
fields, a count of 22 Yellow Rails Oct. 31 in
Jefferson Davis (SWC, DLD) was impressive.
Very rare for n.w. Arkansas was a Virginia
Rail Oct. 2 in Washington (DAJ). Unusual
Sandhill Crane reports included four on the
early date of Sep. 22 at Ft. Morgan (DCi)
and up to nine beginning Nov. 6 at
F.W.B.S.F. (NG, m.ob.).

SHOREBIRDS

The 3rd Wilson’s Plover for Arkansas was
in Prairie Jul. 25-Sep. 12 (K&LN, m. ob.,
ph.). Rare inland, two Piping Plovers were
seen beginning Aug. 5 at N. N.W.R. (TLS,
MHS), up to seven were located in Prairie
Aug. 6-18 (K&LN, one ph.), and two
appeared at Sardis L. Aug. 15-16 (WMD).
High counts of far inland Am. Avocets
included 22 in Jefferson, AR, Sep. 20 (HP,
MP) and 18 at T.N.W.R. Oct. 25 (FB).
Farther east, unexpected inland Alabama
sightings were at Guntersville Aug. 17
(W&BB, LBR) and in Limestone Oct. 16
(HD). One avocet in Dyer Oct. 25-Nov. 30
(WGC) established a late date for Tennessee.

Nine Willets were noteworthy in Shelby,
TN, Aug. 21-31 (CHB, m. ob.), and 120 at
Dauphin I. Nov. 3 (GDJ, DGJ) tied the pre¬
vious Alabama maximum. Mississippi’s 3rd
inland Whimbrel appeared Sep. 5-13 at
T.N.W.R. (JRW et al., ph.). Particularly
scarce in autumn, and with only a few W.P.
records, a Hudsonian Godwit was surpris¬
ing Sep. 19 in Walton (SM). Noncoastal
reports of Marbled Godwit are rare; up to
two were enjoyed at T.N.W.R. Aug. 16-30
(GCK, SK et al.), and another duo was in
Cross, AR, Aug. 9 (MB, K8cLN, ph.). Ten
Sanderlings Sep. 5 in Lake, TN (MAG) were
excellent inland. Baird’s Sandpiper becomes
scarce to the east, particularly away from the
coast, so singles Sep. 6 in Montgomery
(LFG) and the next day in Gadsden, AL
(K&PW) were notable.

A count of 219 Stilt Sandpipers in Dyer
Sep. 21 (WGC) established a new Tennessee
maximum. Lingering Stilts included two at
T.N.W.R. Nov. 20 (FB) and 24 in Lafourche,
LA, Nov. 22 (SWC, DLD). Excellent num¬
bers of Buff-breasted Sandpipers appeared
this fall. Best tallies were of 85-100 birds
Aug. 28-Sep. 7 in Baldwin (GDJ, DGJ, PCT,
m. ob.), 31 at T.N.W.R. Aug. 29 (GCK, SK et
al.), and 21 in Lowndes Sep. 1 1 (ES), the last
providing a new inland Alabama maxi¬
mum. A count of 1400 Long-billed Do-
witchers in Prairie Oct. 17 (K&LN) was im¬
pressive. Very early were three Com. Snipe
Aug. 14 in Escambia, FL (WWD). Locally
very rare was a Wilson’s Phalarope Sep. 30
in Henry, AL (GEH, WDR); another Oct. 25
in Jefferson Davis (DLD, SWC) was signifi¬
cantly late. A scarce Red-necked Phalarope
was photographed Aug. 22 in Prairie
(K&LN), and three were discovered Sep. 5
in Lake (MAG).

LARIDS THROUGH NIGHTJARS

Evidence suggests Pomarine Jaeger is more
likely than Parasitic offshore in the n. Gulf;
one was photographed s. of South Pass Aug.
8 (DPM, m. ob.). Much harder to find on¬
shore, an ad. Pomarine was studied lei¬
surely at Ft. Morgan Sep. 12 (GDJ, DGJ, SW
et al.). A distant jaeger, thought probably a
Pomarine, was a rare find 32 km inland in
Mobile Sep. 29 after Georges (GDJ).

Scarce far inland Laughing Gulls were
noted at 5 sites in n. Mississippi (GCK, SK),
s.w. Arkansas (CM), and n. Alabama
(SWM, GDJ et al.) Aug. 1-Nov. 28. Frank¬
lin’s Gull reports from Alabama, where the
species is usually scarce, included singles
Oct. 30 in Henry (GRB), Nov. 1 in Lauder¬
dale (SWM), and Nov. 21 at Dauphin I.
(GDJ); six Franklin’s Nov. 19 & 23 at
Guntersville (RAR) set a new inland maxi¬
mum for the state. Alabama’s 3rd Californ¬
ia Gull was a thrill Nov. 30 at Guntersville
(GDJ, DGJ).

As expected now, multiple Lesser Black-
backed Gull reports came from C.P. begin¬
ning Sep. 16 (SWC, DLD, m. ob.). More
unusual elsewhere in the Region, but
increasing steadily, Lesser Black-backeds
appeared Nov. 8 at Pace Pt. (JRW) and Nov.
28 in Lauderdale, AL (GDJ et al., v.t.).
Sabine’s Gull, a marked rarity in most of the
Region, is rare but expected in autumn at
M.L.; it was a bountiful season at that
locale, with singles noted thrice: Sep. 17-18
(ph.), Oct. 3, and Oct. 24-25 (all CM et al.).
With only 5 or 6 previous Louisiana
records, discoveries of a Sabine’s Gull Sep.
7 in St. Charles (PW), and two Sep. 16-17 in

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 1

63

Red River (PMD, HHe et al., one ph.), were
exciting. Another cause for celebration was
the Sabine’s Sep. 13 at Sardis L. (GCK, SK et
al., ph.), representing the first n. Mississippi
record, and only the 5th for the state. A
Black-legged Kittiwake was a rare find in
C.P. Nov. 28 (PW et al.).

Surely related to Georges was a Gull¬
billed Tern Sep. 28 at Hattiesburg (TLS),
providing the 3rd inland Mississippi record.
A new W.P. maximum was furnished by 37
Gull-billeds Oct. 7 at F.W.B.S.F. (RAD,
LRD); one lingered to Nov. 18 (RAD et al.),
far past previous dates. Lone Royal Terns,
refugees from Georges, set 5th and 6th
inland Alabama records in Barbour and Lee
Sep. 30 (GEH, WDR). A congregation of
350 Com. Terns at Ft. Morgan Sep. 23 (GDJ,
DGJ) was the largest in decades in Alabama.
Another high tern count was of more than
300 Forster’s Nov. 18 at Sardis L. (WMD).

Frances-related Bridled Tern reports in
C.P. included three seen Sep. 13 (KF, DBC)
and four dead Sep. 16 (SWC, DLD). Two
Bridled Tern reports were secondary to
Georges; one was at F.W.B.S.F. Sep. 28-29
(DMW, HH), and another appeared in
Henry Sep. 30 (WDR, GEH) for a first
inland Alabama occurrence. Over 17 Brid-
leds 48-74 mi s. of Baldwin Oct. 4 (GDJ,
CMD) provided a new late date; nine lin¬
gered Oct. 13 s. of South Pass (DPM et al.).
In C.P., many Sooty Terns were seen Sep. 13
(KF, DBC) and found dead Sep. 16 (SWC,
DLD); much more unusual was the appear¬
ance of an immature Sep. 16 at Shreveport
(RS). Two Sooties occurred in the W.P. with
Georges; an immature was at Pensacola Sep.
28 (PBa, PBe) and an adult appeared at
F.W.B.S.F. the following day (DMW). Two
Sooty Terns offshore Oct. 4 (GDJ, CMD)
were the latest for Alabama. Extremely late
were three Black Terns Nov. 10 in Faulkner,
AR (HHW, BC). A storm-displaced Black
Skimmer Sep. 30 in Henry (GEH, WDR)
was only the 4th inland for Alabama.

Striking numbers of White-winged
Doves appeared in the s. part of the Region.
At Ft. Morgan, 15 broke the previous Ala¬
bama maximum Nov. 3 (SW). Just to the
west in Gulfport, MS, a flock of 19 was seen
Nov. 15 (SP, KK). Tallies at Grand Isle
reached an outstanding 125 White- wingeds
Nov. 22 (SWC, DLD, m. ob.). Six Com.
Ground-Doves in n.w. Mississippi begin¬
ning Sep. 23 (WD, JLe, FB) were unexpect¬
ed; one was rare in Shelby, TN, Oct. 25
(MGW). Groove-billed Anis appeared in
small numbers beginning Oct. 1 in s.
Louisiana and n.w. Florida, areas where the
species is rare but regular in autumn.

SA

“To the legion of the lost ones, to

the cohort of the damned.”

— R. Kipling, Gentleman Rankers

One of the fascinating by-products of
the LSU offshore migration study
(described in the Spring Report) is an
insight into species not expected to
transit the Gulf. Multiple individuals of
several such migrants were recorded at
far offshore platforms this autumn,
some over 208 km from land. These
included Whip-poor-will, N. Flicker, E.
Phoebe, Winter, House, Sedge, and
Marsh (over 30) wrens, Golden-
crowned and Ruby-crowned kinglets,

N. Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher,
Orange-crowned, Nashville, and
Mourning warblers, Chipping and
Lincoln’s sparrows, W. Meadowlark,
Brown-headed Cowbird, and Pine
Siskin. All are either unrecorded (as
migrants) or rare in the Yucatan Penin¬
sula; those transiting or wintering in
adjacent areas of s. Mexico have been
thought to follow an overland route.

Other species recorded this fall,
such as Prairie, Wilson’s, and Canada
warblers and Grasshopper and White-
crowned sparrows, have been suspect¬
ed of only limited trans-Gulf move¬
ment. White-winged Dove and
“Traill’s” Flycatcher are well-known
migrants on the n. Gulf Coast, but
extent of passage over the Gulf is
unclear.

Many birds observed on the rigs
may have overshot the coast on their
southward journey, or perhaps were
displaced by weather systems. The
possibility exists that some of these
species may make regular use of trans-
Gulf pathways, especially flying south¬
west. Further offshore research may be
revealing.

Three calling Long-eared Owls were a
treat Nov. 27 in Henry, TN (JRW, MAG).
Multiple reports were submitted of the
erratic Short-eared Owl; tops by far were 33
birds in Leflore, MS, Nov. 30 (FB). Several
tardy Com. Nighthawks were reported, the
latest Nov. 29 in Little Rock (LP). The
Chuck-will’s-widow Nov. 22 at Grand Isle
(DLD, SWC, m. ob.), and three Whip-poor-
wills Sep. 19 in Oktibbeha, MS (TLS, MHS),
were also behind schedule.

HUMMINGBIRDS THROUGH
KINGLETS

Mississippi’s first Broad-billed Humming¬
bird, an imm. male, was a stellar find
beginning Nov. 3 in Jackson (TG, BC, m.
ob., b„ ph.). Buff-bellied Hummingbird is
rare away from Louisiana and s. Mississippi.
One set a new W.P. arrival date Sep. 4, when
a banded bird returned for the 4th winter to
Pensacola (BK); another was in nearby Gulf
Breeze Sep. 18 (RAD, LRD, JB, v.t.). Two
male Anna’s Hummingbirds in Sevier Oct.
16-26 (DA, ph.) and Oct. 26 (MP, ph.)
established the 3rd and 4th records for
Arkansas. Four or five Calliope Humming¬
birds were amazing beginning Nov. 21 in
Iberville, LA (DLD, SWC, JVR et al., ph.,
v.t.). A female Red-naped Sapsucker was
described from Grand Isle Oct. 10 (PW, CS)
for a 2nd Louisiana record.

Uncommon to rare in the fall, 9 reports
of lone Olive-sided Flycatchers came from 4
states Aug. 13-Sep. 1 1. It was an exceptional
autumn for Empidonax. Sixteen well-docu¬
mented reports of Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
came from Alabama alone Sep. 6-27 (GDJ,
DGJ, DCi, MD, SWM); singles also were
described Sep. 29 at N.N.W.R. (TLS) and
Oct. 3 in Shelby, TN (JRW). Alder Fly¬
catchers are rarely identified in the Region;
vocalizing birds appeared Aug. 29 in
Washington, AR (MM, DC), Sep. 22-24 in
Birmingham (GDJ, m. ob.), Sep. 23 at Ft.
Morgan (GDJ, DGJ), and Oct. 9-10 at Dau¬
phin I. (JLD, K8cLN, m. ob., ph.). Willow
Flycatcher is not often identified in Ala¬
bama, so calling birds at Ft. Morgan Aug. 28
and Sep. 23 (both GDJ) were notable. An
early E. Phoebe arrived Sep. 14 in C.P.
(MAP, SF).

Seven uncommon Vermilion Flycatch¬
ers were observed in C.P. beginning Oct. 2;
more unusual were reports of one near New
Orleans Oct. 8 (PHY) and up to three birds
starting Oct. 13 at F.W.B.S.F. (RAD, m. ob.).
Two rare Ash-throated Flycatchers were
detailed in the W.P.: one appeared Nov. 8 at
Gulf Breeze (RAD, LRD, m. ob., v.t., ph.)
and another returned Nov. 10 for the 3rd
year to F.W.B.S.F. (LF, RAD, PCT).
Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher is only casual
in our Region, so the appearance of two this
fall was extraordinary. One was described
Aug. 8 at Ft. Pickens (PBa), setting a first
W.P. record; another was collected Oct. 4 in
C.P. (DFL *), representing the 4th for
Louisiana. Also a rare prize, a silent
Tropical/Couch’s Kingbird was in C.P.
Sep. 28 (RJB). A W. Kingbird in Barbour
Nov. 29 (HHo) was rare, and the latest on
record, for inland Alabama.

64

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

central southern

With only 2 previous fall reports in
Louisiana, sightings of Gray Kingbird 90 mi
s.w. of Venice Aug. 27 (RLK) and at New
Orleans Sep. 2 (DPM, PHY), were notable.
Rare, but increasing, discoveries of breed¬
ing Scissor-tailed Flycatcher in Alabama
included birds in early Aug. at Huntsville
(BH) and Decatur (SWM). Of many other
reports, most significant were three Scissor-
taileds Oct. 19 in Leflore, MS (FB), eight at
Ft. Morgan Nov. 3 (GDI, DGJ), tying the
state maximum, and a very late individual
Nov. 20 in Benton, AR (DAJ, IP).

Bell’s Vireos were rare finds at Ft.
Morgan Oct. 1 (DCi), Oct. 10 (DCi, MD, b.,
ph.), and Oct. 10-23 (DB, RRS, m. ob., b.,
ph.), the last setting a new departure date
for Alabama. Furnishing a new local arrival
date was a Blue-headed Vireo Sep. 23 in
Lowndes, MS (KK). Warbling Vireo is scarce
in Alabama; two were observed Sep. 20 in
Limestone (GDJ, SWM), with another seen
Sep. 27 in Colbert (GDJ). Unusually large
numbers of Philadelphia and Red-eyed
vireos were banded at Ft. Morgan this
autumn (DCi et al.); a very late Phila¬
delphia was spotted Nov. 16 offshore of
Vermilion (BMM).

A Tree Swallow was significantly early
Aug. 16 in Oktibbeha (TLS); over 2000 set a
new inland Alabama maximum in Lime¬
stone Oct. 18 (SWM). Lingering in C.P. was
a N. Rough- winged Swallow Nov. 29 (PW,
DPM, m. ob.). The Red-breasted Nuthatch
Sep. 21 in Montgomery (PS, CTS) set an
early local arrival record, as did a Brown
Creeper Oct. 10 at Dauphin I. (SWM). Very
rare in our area, a Rock Wren was in White,
AR, Nov. 2-19 (K&LN). Bewick’s Wren is
noticeably scarce now in much of the
Region, so it was encouraging to have
reports Oct. 10 at Dauphin I. (HHK, GA,
PK), Oct. 22 in Baton Rouge (MAS), and
beginning Nov. 17 in Perry, AL (GDJ, et al.).
First for Alabama’s coastal plain in summer,
a House Wren was spotted Aug. 1 in Sumter
(RRR et al.). Both kinglets, but particularly
Ruby-crowned, were banded in unusually
large numbers at Ft. Morgan (DCi, RRS).

THRUSHES THROUGH FINCHES

Early Swainson’s Thrush reports included
two birds each in Shelby, TN, Sep. 2 (DDP),
in Washington, AR, Sep. 3 (MM), and at
Grand Isle Sep. 5 (PW, CS, BMM); a very
late Swainson’s was identified Nov. 22 at
Grand Isle (DPM, PHY, BMM, RDP).
Hermit and Wood thrushes appeared in
large numbers at Ft. Morgan (DCi, RRS).
Of several delinquent Wood Thrushes,
most notable was a bird Nov. 24-30 in

Iberville (DLL)). Very early were Am. Pipits
Sep. 26 in Rapides, LA (RIB, CB, m. ob.) and
Sep. 29 near New Orleans (PW). Unless a
rare local breeder, the Cedar Waxwing Sep.
26 in Oktibbeha (MHS) was ahead of
schedule.

Rare “Brewster’s” Warblers were discov¬
ered Sep. 9 in Macon, AL (BF) and Sep. 13
at Dauphin I. (GDJ, DGJ). The Tennessee
Warbler Sep. 13 in Montgomery (LFG) was
very early, while three at Grand Isle Nov. 22
were tardy (DPM et al.). Five or six
Nashville Warblers were atypically plentiful
Sep. 19-21 in n. Alabama (GDJ, DGJ, DJS);
another Nov. 1 1 at Ft. Morgan (DSv) set a
new Alabama departure date. Similarly
delinquent was a N. Parula Nov. 29 in C.P.
(DPM et al.). Leading several early Magnol¬
ia Warbler reports was one at Birmingham
Aug. 26 (GDJ, DGJ); another bird in C.P.
Nov. 28 (DPM et al.) was behind schedule.
Black-throated Blue Warbler is scarce, par¬
ticularly in the w. part of the Region; of sev¬
eral sightings, most notable were late birds
Oct. 24 in Limestone (DR&RC) and Nov. 5
in C.P. (RJB).

The rare Black-throated Gray Warbler
was an excellent, and early, discovery Sep.
29-30 in C.P. (MAP, ph.). Slow to depart,
two Prairie Warblers were in C.P. Nov. 28
(PHY). A concentration of 145 Palm Warb¬
lers in Plaquemines, LA, Oct. 17 (PW, DPM)
was impressive. The Bay-breasted Warbler
Aug. 31 in Shelby, TN (VBR) was ahead of
the pack. Very rare in autumn, single
Blackpoll Warblers were identified Oct. 9 in
St. Bernard, LA (DPM), and Oct. 20 at
F.W.B.S.F. (NG). Excellent numbers of
Mourning Warblers were found in the
Region; reports arrived of 22 birds begin¬
ning Aug. 23 and ending on the late date of
Oct. 25, when one was spotted in Iberville
(JVR). Latest for n.w. Arkansas was a Com.
Yellowthroat Nov. 4 in Washington (MM).

Both rare and early, a male W. Tanager
was observed at Gulf Breeze Aug. 4 (RAD,
LRD). Scarce Spotted Towhees were discov¬
ered at two sites in C.P. Nov. 7 (DFL) and
Nov. 8 (DLD, SWC, *), and in Cleburne, AR,
Nov. 12 (K&LN). Noteworthy reports of
Clay-colored Sparrow included singles at
Ft. Morgan Sep. 22-23 (SW, GDJ), and in
Benton and Washington, AR, Oct. 3 & 6
(MM, DC). Six Lark Sparrows were unusu¬
al in New Orleans Sep. 2 (PHY). The Le
Conte’s Sparrow Sep. 15 at Hammond, LA
was very early (PS); a count of over 50 birds
Nov. 28 at Grandview Prairie, AR (WMS,
LY, DA) was extraordinary. Rare inland,
Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrows were
observed Oct. 3 in Shelby, TN (JRW), and

Benton, AR (MM, DC). A Lincoln’s Sparrow
at Ft. Morgan Oct. 1 (DCi et al., b.) was very
early. Swamp Sparrows were unusually
plentiful at Ft. Morgan in late Oct. (DCi,
RRS, GDJ). Two rare Smith’s Longspurs
were discovered in Lake Nov. 26 (JRW).

A Blue Grosbeak in Calcasieu Nov. 29
(DPM et al.) was lingering, as were Painted
Buntings as late as Nov. 28 in Iberville,
Vermilion, and at Grand Isle (DLD, SWC,
DPM et al.). A male Yellow-headed Black¬
bird was rare at an Okaloosa feeder Aug.
24-Sep. 2 (A&ML); three were unusual in
Lafourche Oct. 4 (DJL, RDP, DPM). Late
Orchard Orioles included three in Lowndes,
MS, Sep. 26 (RRS), and two at Grand Isle
Nov. 22 (SWC, DLD). Very rare in the
Region, a male Bullock’s Oriole returned to
La Place, LA, beginning Sep. 28 (GS, RJS, m.
ob.). At least 22 Red Crossbills at two sites
were exciting in n. Cleburne, AL, beginning
Oct. 27 (BS, m. ob.). An early Pine Siskin
was at Ft. Morgan Oct. 25 (MD, DCi).

ADDENDUM

Two Sabine’s Gulls were documented at
M.L. Sep. 14-27, 1997 (CM).

Cited observers (subregional editors in
boldface): Ken Allen, David Arbour, Gussie
Arnett, Peggy Baker (PBa), Johnny Bearden,
Pam Beasley (PBe), Giff R. Beaton, Duane
Berger, Marcus Board, Roger J. Breedlove,
Paul Blevins, Charli Bravinder, Fred
Broerman, Wally & Bobby Brown, Carolyn
H. Bullock, Joe Cambre, Steven W. Cardiff
(Louisiana), Bennett Carver, David
Chapman, David Cimprich (DCi), C.
Dwight Cooley, Betty Courtway, D. Bruce
Crider, W.G. Criswell, Dean R. & Raelene
Cutten, Michelle Davis, W. Marvin Davis,
Harry Dean, Wayne Denton, Paul M.
Dickson, Donna L. Dittmann, Chris M.
Dorgan, Lucy R. Duncan, Robert A.
Duncan (n.w. Florida), Will W. Duncan,
Jon L. Dunn, Lenny Fenimore, Karen Fey,
Stacey Fischer, Barry Fleming, Ann & Dan
Forster, Paul H. Franklin, Tish Galbraith,
Lawrence F. Gardella, Bill Gericke, Nancy
Gobris, Mark A. Greene, Margie Griffith,
Bill Hackbarth, Jim & Sharon Heitt, Hubert
Hervey (HHe), Geoff E. Hill, Howard
Horne (HHo), Hud Huddleston, Debra G.
Jackson, Greg D. Jackson (Alabama),
Douglas A. James, Bev Kenney, Keith
Kimmerle, Jon R. King, Peggy King, Helen
H. Kittinger, Joe P. Kleiman, Gene C.
Knight, Richard L. Knight, Shannon
Knight, Daniel F. Lane, Jeffrey Lee (JLe),
Greg Lein, David J. L’Hoste, Jan Lloyd, Arno
& Mary Lutz, Steve W. McConnell, Charles

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 1

65

prairie

provinces region

Mills, Steve Milum, Mike Mlodinow, David
P. Muth, B. Mac Myers, Kenny & LaDonna
Nichols, Glenn Ousset, Helen Parker
(Arkansas), Max Parker (Arkansas), Dave
Patton, Lance Peacock, Paula Perdue, Stacy
Peterson, Wilma Pickett, John Prather, Dick
D. Preston, Melissa A. Powell, R.D.
Purrington, Robert R. Reid, J.Van Remsen,
Linda B. Reynolds, Richard A. Reynolds,
Virginia B. Reynolds, W. Doug Robinson,
Robert R. Sargent, Marion H. Schiefer,
Terence L. Schiefer (Mississippi),
Rosemary Seidler, Michael A. Seymour,
Damien J. Simbeck, Carolyn T. Snow, Phil
Snow, Eric Soehren, Curt Sorrells, Barbara
H. Stedman, Stephen J. Stedman, Ronald J.
Stein, Mary Stevens, Douglas Stewart, Gene
Street, Bill Summerour, Dan Svingen (DSv),
Phil C. Tetlow, Mark Van Hoose, Winston
Walden, Martha G. Waldron (w. Tennes¬
see), Phillip Wallace, Donald M. Ware,
Karen & Philip White, Jeff R. Wilson, Stefan
Woltmann, Harriett H. Wright, Peter H.
Yaukey, Lyndal York.

Greg D. Jackson, 2220 Baneberry Drive,
Birmingham, AL 35244 (e-mail: greg-debi.
jackson@prodigy.net) i

Place names that are frequently men¬
tioned, but very long, may be abbreviat¬
ed in a form such as “C.B.B.T.” or
“W.P.B.O.” Such local abbreviations will
be explained in a key at the beginning
of the particular regional report in
which they are used. Standard abbrevi¬
ations that are used throughout North
American Birds are keyed on page 24.

RUDOLF F. KOES
and PETER TAYLOR

arm, dry weather prevailed for most of
the season, resulting in numerous for¬
est fires in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Migration was uneventful during the early
part of the season and appeared to be about
one to one-and-a-half weeks early for
passerines, based on banding results at Delta
Marsh Bird Observatory and observations
elsewhere. The second half of the fall pro¬
duced some outstanding rarities, as well as a
host of lingerers, particularly water birds.

Abbreviations: I.B.S. (Inglewood Bird Sanctuary,
Calgary, AB); S.R.V. (Sheep River Valley, AB).

LOOMS THROUGH FALCONS

Away from Churchill, MB, only one Red-
throated Loon was reported, at Chain Lakes,
AB, Oct. 10+ (TK, MH). At S.R.V., 62 Com.
Loons passed by Oct. 28 (WS). Single
Yellow-billed Loons were at Calgary, AB,
Nov. 11 & 21 (AS, RB et al). A Great Egret
was reported, without documentation, at
Granum, AB, Sep. 19 (JC1, KW), and a Cattle
Egret was near Winnipeg Beach, MB, Oct.
15-18 (KP, LM).

The largest flock of Greater White-front¬
ed Geese in Alberta numbered 1000 at
Namaka L. Oct. 5 (IH, CH). Northeast of
their usual range was a family of four
Trumpeter Swans near Lac la Biche, AB, Oct.
26 (RT). The female had been neck-collared
at Summer Lake, OR, Nov. 23, 1993. Highest
Trumpeter counts were 124 at Taylorville,
AB (T&DD) and 66 at Millarville, AB, both
Nov. 4 (WS). Two thousand Redheads con¬
centrated at Horsefly L., AB, Oct. 16 (LBe),

Black-necked Stilt in flight near nesting
site south of Shepard, near Calgary,

Alberta August 17.

Photograph/Terry Korolyk

and 1000+ were at Delta, MB, Nov. 1 1 (BCy,
WC, MWa). Three Harlequin Ducks fre¬
quented a spillway in Moose Jaw, SK, Sep.
1-7 (PG, RJCr, DM). Hooded Mergansers
peaked at 214 at St. Ambroise, MB, Oct. 31
(GH, CC) and an impressive 700+ in Little
Arm Bay, LML, Nov. 1 1 (RKr, BL, RM). Four
Red-breasted Mergansers at Mt. Lorette
Nov. 16 were new for the site (PS).

A Turkey Vulture at Mt. Lorette, AB, Sep.
20 provided a first fall record for the site
(DA). Ospreys at S.R.V. Oct. 14 (WS) and
Calgary Oct. 16 (TK) were late. A Sharp-
shinned Hawk was a Churchill, MB rarity
Aug. 12 (BCh); a high count came from the
Livingstone Range, AB, at 126 Oct. 1
(T&DD). Also tardy were single Broad¬
winged Hawks at S.R.V. Oct. 22 (WS) and at
Mt. Lorette, Oct 27 (JS). Between Aug. 30
and Dec. 6, 3385 Golden Eagles were tallied
at Mt. Lorette the lowest full fall count to
date (PS et al.).

CRANES

THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS

Increased numbers of Sandhill Cranes in
Alberta included 500+ at Fox Creek, Sep. 21
(RB). Seven Black-necked Stilts apparently
fledged at two sites near Calgary (ph. TK),
and one was about 40 km e. of Chaplin, SK,
Aug. 1 (GG). If accepted by the Alberta
Birds Records Committee, a Black Turn¬
stone at Langdon Res. Oct. 16-19 would
provide the first confirmed record for the
province and Region (WW et al.). Excep¬
tionally late were a White-rumped Sandpip¬
er at Churchill Nov. 10 (BG) and a Dunlin at

66

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

I.B.S, Calgary Nov. 1 1-12 (J&MMa, B&NR,
RT, MV), which was also a first for the site.
Chaplin Creek, a Ducks Unlimited marsh in
Saskatchewan, held a spectacular 10,000+
ad. Long-billed Dowitchers Aug. 8 (RKr, CP,
KB). Langdon Res. hosted 1500 Oct. 5
(WW); 200 were still there Nov. 5 (RW).

Jaeger reports involved a single Pomar-
ine at Calgary Sep. 9 (RKr) and a possible
bird at Langdon Res. Oct. 20 (TK et al.); a
Parasitic near Moose Jaw, SK, July 31 (GG);
a Long-tailed at S.R.V. Sep. 8 and an uniden¬
tified jaeger at Calgary Sep. 12 (PR,RT). A
Franklin’s Gull at Taber L., AB, Oct. 31 was
late (LBe), and Little Gulls at Lindbrook,
AB, Sep. 13 (BR) and at Victoria Beach Oct.
21 (GH,CC) were rarities. Mew Gull reports
totalled a much-higher-than-usual 17 in the
Calgary-Taber area, while Edmonton, AB,
hosted at least two Iceland Gulls Nov. 8-14
(BR, RK1, PM, CF et al.). A juv. Lesser Black-
backed Gull near St. Ambroise Nov. 2, was
about the 5th for s. Manitoba (RKo). Other
noteworthy gulls were a Glaucous-winged at
Regina, SK, Oct. 16-18 (RKr, CP) and
another at Edmonton, Nov. 13 (RK1); a
Great Black-backed in the same city Nov.
12-14 (RK1, BR, BC1 et al.); a very coopera¬
tive Sabine’s at Lac du Bonnet, MB, Oct.
3-18 (RZ, RPa, LVe et al.); and an Ivory at
Churchill Nov. 4 (CS). A well-observed
Andent Murrdet at Little Arm Bay Nov. 13
provided Saskatchewan’s first sight record
(RKr, CP).

Snowy Owls arrived late: Nov. 24 in s.
Manitoba and Nov. 29 in the Calgary area.
Short-eared Owls went virtually unreport¬
ed. Two Com. Nighthawks at Hubbard
Point, MB, about 80 km from the Northwest
Territories border, were far north Aug. 15
(DF). Rarely reported in fall were a Com.
Poorwill at Taber Sep. 9-10 (LBe) and two
Whip-poor-wills at Stonewall, MB, Sep. 4
(KG). Alberta’s 2nd Costa’s Hummingbird,
found in early Aug., was reported without
details (fide PW).

PASSERINES

A W. Kingbird was almost two months late
at Victoria Beach, MB, Nov. 1 (G&SG,RA,
RPo et al.). A Black-billed Magpie at
Thompson, MB, from Aug. to Nov. 1 1+ was
unusually far north (WJ). A Tree Swallow at
Willow Creek P.P., AB, Oct. 17, may have
been record late (ph. TK). Carolina Wrens
were reported, but not documented, at
Delta Aug. 19 and Victoria Beach Oct. 24
(AH, LBa; RPa, LVe).

Eastern Bluebirds continue to expand
into Alberta, judging by family groups in the
Turner Valley area Sep. 13-15 and near

Claresholm Sep. 27 ( JCo, LVo, TK, ph.). Two
Townsend’s Solitaires visited Riding Moun¬
tain N.P., MB, Oct. 10 (HT, LE) and one,
possibly two, were at St. Ambroise Oct.
31-Nov. 2 (RPa et al.). A Swainson’s Thrush
at Grand Beach, MB, Nov. 15, was record
late; nearly so was a Hermit Thrush in Win¬
nipeg, MB, Nov. 22 (both LVe). At Stone¬
wall, MB, a count/estimate of migrating
Am. Robins reached 2840+ in four-and-a-
half hours Sep. 24 (KG). Winnipeg had
Varied Thrushes Oct. 18 & 25 (E&FZ; fide
RS). Late Gray Catbirds were at High River,
AB, Nov. 1 and Grand Beach Nov. 15 (JMo,
G8cSG). Locally rare were a N. Mockingbird
at Lethbridge Oct. 19 (M8cGWr) and a
Brown Thrasher at Thompson Oct. 17 to
Nov. 12+ (WJ).

High numbers of “eastern” warblers were
reported, particularly in Alberta and
Saskatchewan. Highlights included a Blue-
winged Warbler in Regina Sep. 14 (FLn);
several Nashville Warblers at I.B.S. Aug. 28
to Sep. 7 (RD, JCo, LVo); a N. Parula banded
at Delta Aug. 23 (HH), with singles at
Lethbridge Aug. 25-26 (T&DD); Black-
throated Blue Warblers at Calgary Aug. 27
(HG) and at Delta Sep. 9 & 17 (HH, RD;
banded), plus seven birds in Saskatchewan
between Sep. 15 and Oct. 26 (m. ob.); and a
Blackburnian Warbler at I.B.S. Sep. 14 (PR).
Saskatchewan’s 13th Townsend’s Warbler
was in Regina Sep. 14 (FLe). There were
high numbers of Bay-breasted Warblers in s.
Alberta, in Winnipeg (RKo), and at Delta,
where 1 7 were banded vs. a previous high of
9 (HH). At I.B.S. 21 Am. Redstarts were
banded, compared to 4-6 normally (fide
GB); a late redstart was in Winnipeg Oct. 27
(LM). An obliging Prothonotary Warbler,
Regina’s 4th, lingered Sep. 28-Oct. 13 (DH,
FLn, m. ob.). A Com. Yellowthroat at I.B.S.
Nov. 19 was tardy (TK). A Hooded Warbler
in Saskatoon, SK, Sep. 20-25 was number
four for the province (MWi, MR, m. ob.).

A feeder owner, who could
not identify a bird that had
been visiting his yard since early fall,
eventually persuaded a local newspa¬
per to print a photograph of the bird.
Birders rushed to Barrhead, AB, and
found a Curve-billed Thrasher Dec. 9
(JU, PM, TT, KH, BD, BR; ph.).
Although there is a hypothetical
record from Saskatchewan in the
1970s, this appears to be Canada’s first
substantiated report (see Outstanding
Rarities section).

Finally, a Wilson’s Warbler was late at
Lethbridge Oct. 18 (WG).

Female Summer Tanagcrs at Grosse Isle
Oct. 21-Nov. 6 (DB et al; ph.) and at Vic¬
toria Beach Oct. 24 (RPa, LVe) were about
the 18th and 19th for Manitoba. A Le
Conte’s Sparrow at Elk Island, AB, Nov. 1 1
(BC1) was late, while a Fox Sparrow at Taber
Aug. 28 (LBe) and five White-throated
Sparrows at Stonewall Aug. 2 (KG) were
very early. A Golden-crowned Sparrow Sep.
26 was Mt. Lorette’s first (PS); there were 3
reports of this species in Regina Sep. 15-26
(FLe, RKr). Churchill was visited by two
Yellow-headed Blackbirds Aug. 12 (BCh),
and a Rusty Blackbird was still at a feeder
there at the end of Nov. (fide BCh). Taber’s
first Gray-crowned Rosy- Finch in years was
early on Sep. 23 (LBe). An unusually high
percentage of redpolls in Manitoba in Nov.
were Hoaries (m. ob.).

Contributors (subregional compilers in bold¬
face): D. Allen, R. Austin, D. Baldwin,
R. Barclay, K. Barr, L. Bartlett (LBa),

L. Bennett (LBe), G. Booth, B. Carey (BCy),

B. Carroll (BC1), B. Chartier (BCh),
W. Christianson, J. Clark (JC1), D. Collister,

J. Collyer (JCo), C. Curtis, R. Dickson, T.&
D. Dolman, B. Dunlop, L. Elliott, D. Fast,

C. Fisher, L. Flynn, K. Gardner, B. Gates,
P. Geraghty, W. Gierulski, G. Grieef, S.
Grieef, H. Grothman, H. den Haan, 1. Halli-
day, K. Hamel, M. Harrison, D. Hazelton,

A. Heagy, C. Hitchon, G. Holland, W. Jan¬
sen, R. Klauke (RK1), R. Koes (RKo),
T. Korolyk, R. Kreba (RKr), F. Lahrman
(FLn), F. Lawrence (FLe), B. Luterbach, J.&

M. MacDonald (J&MMa), L. de March,
P. Marklevitz, D. Marshall, J. McFaul (JMc),

J. Moore (JMo), R. Myers, R. Parsons (RPa),
C. Pollock, K. Porteous, R. Porteous (RPo),

B. Ritchie, N. Ritchie, M. Rosti, P. Roxburgh,

C. Schenk, P. Sherrington, A. Slater,
W. Smith, R. Staniforth, J. Steeves,
R. Thomas, T. Thormin, G. Tomasson,
H. Toom, J. Urlacher, L. Veelma (LVe), M.
Veloski, L. Vogt (LVo), M. Waldron (MWa),

K. Walker, W. Walker, C. Wershler,
R. Wershler, P. Whelan, M. Williams (MWi),
M.& G. Wright (M&GWr), R. Zach, E.& F.
Zdrill.

Rudolf F. Koes, 135 Rossmere Cres.,
Winnipeg, MB, R2K 0G1, and Peter Taylor, Box
597, Pinawa, MB, ROE 1L0

VOLUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 1

67

northern great plains
region

RON E. MARTIN

t was a warm season with above-average
precipitation: the first storm came the
2nd week of Nov. and much of the water
froze, only to reopen by the end of the peri¬
od as unseasonably warm weather covered
the Region. The storm precipitated a major
movement of waterfowl. Overall, the mi¬
gration was protracted, and many species
lingered into Nov. Several observers com¬
mented that it was a good warbler season.
At Fort Peck, Montana, Carlson noted 17
species of warblers in his yard Sep. 5-8, a
stellar number for e. Montana. Very few n.
species were noted. Italicized dates indicate
record-late or record-early birds.

LOOMS THROUGH HAWKS

Pacific Loons made their best-ever show¬
ing. South Dakota’s 3rd and 4th records
were provided by singles Nov. 7 in Fall River
(TJ) and Nov. 23-30 in Stanley (TJ, RDO,
MMM, RFS). Furnishing North Dakota’s
7th record was an individual at Garrison
Dam Nov. 21-30 (REM, CDE, HCT, BD). In
Montana, one was at Ft. Peck Oct. 30-Nov.
15 (CC), and a single was at Great Falls
Nov. 6 (MBRC). There are now about 19
records for Montana.

Providing South Dakota’s latest records
were Great Egret in Kingsbury Nov. 7 (JSP),
Cattle Egret in Buffalo Nov. 8 (RDO), and
Green Heron Nov. 16 in Day (LH). In North
Dakota, a Little Blue Heron at Devil’s Lake
Oct. 9 furnished the 3rd Oct. record for that
state (HCT). Two Black-crowned Night-

Herons Nov. 14 at Devil’s Lake,
ND, were only one day from the
latest on record (EEF).

Trumpeter Swans were noted
in North Dakota, with one Oct. 7
in Grand Forks and five in Hettin¬
ger Nov. 1 1 (DAG, CG, JS). There
are now about 17 records for that
state. Providing North Dakota’s
10th record, and 2nd for the fall
season, were two Eurasian Wige-
ons Oct. 2 in Richland (BSM).
Also in North Dakota, a flock of
four Black Scoters Oct. 25 was
unusual in Grand Forks (DOL).
Casual away from Rapid City, a Barrow’s
Goldeneye was noted Nov. 17 in Harding
(RAS).

A good concentration of 66 N. Harriers
was in Grand Forks, ND, Oct. 3 (EEF). N.
Goshawks made a good early showing, with
three mid-Sep. observations in North Dak¬
ota and Montana. However, the species was
not noted again until mid-Nov. A new peak
of 36 Rough-legged Hawks was recorded
Nov. 4 in CRP fields in Grand Forks, ND
(EEF).

RAILS THROUGH CUCKOOS

Late Soras were in Yankton, SD, Oct. 18
(SVS) and in Stark, ND, Nov. 4 (JH). Both
provided the 2nd latest records in those
states. Whooping Cranes peaked at 17 in
Divide, ND, Oct. 20 (TK, ME).

South Dakota’s latest record for Black-
bellied Plover was furnished by a single in
Charles Mix Nov. 15 (RM). An impressive
flock of 90 Mountain Plovers was recorded
Sep. 30 in Phillips, MT (JG). Very late for
Montana, an Am. Avocet was at Bowdoin
N.W.R. Nov. 4 (DP). Providing only the 2nd
fall record for North Dakota, a Whimbrel
was noted Sep. 24 in Grand Forks (EEF). A
Stilt Sandpiper Oct. 28 in Ward, ND, fur¬
nished the latest record for that state
(REM). Am. Woodcock observations w. of
their usual haunts seem to be on the
increase. In North Dakota a single was at
Sully’s Hill NGP Sep. 30 (SW), and the
state’s latest was noted far west at Lostwood
N.W.R. Nov. 7 (BM). In South Dakota, an
individual was unusually far west Oct. 13 in

Stanley (RDO). Furnishing North Dakota’s
11th record, a Red Phalarope was in Grand
Forks Oct. 9 (EEF).

A dark-morph Parasitic Jaeger was

studied Oct. 2 at Gascoyne Res., ND, an 8th
record for the state (DG,CG). South Dak¬
ota’s 3rd Little Gull was at Fort Randall
Dam Nov. 20 (DS), and a good peak of four
Sabine’s Gulls was in Grand Forks, ND, Sep.
21-25 (EEF). Probably the earliest on
record for the Region, a single Sabine’s was
in Kingsbury, SD, Sep. 5 (RFS, JSP). In Mon¬
tana, singles were at Benton Lake NWR in
Sep. (HM), and at Nelson Res. Sep. 21 (DP).
Three Black-legged Kittiwakes were noted
Nov. 14 at Oahe Dam, SD (RFS, JSP), and a
single was at Garrison Dam, ND, Nov. 21
(REM, HCT, CDE). Providing the latest
record for South Dakota were two Caspian
Terns in Lyman, Sep. 30 (JSP).

The Eurasian Collared-Dove in Minne¬
haha, SD, Sep. 2 furnished about the 5th
record for that state (RFS). A Common
Ground-Dove Oct. 3 1 in Jones, SD, would
constitute the first state record if accepted
by the records committee (TBW). The latest
on record for South Dakota, a Yellow-billed
Cuckoo was found Oct. 26 in Stanley
(RDO).

OWLS THROUGH THRUSHES

Rarely reported, a Barn Owl was noted Oct.
3-4 in Stanley, SD (DAT, RFS). Snowy Owls
were very scarce, and the species was not
recorded during the season in Grand Forks,
ND, for the first time in 11 years (EEF). A
Burrowing Owl survey in Phillips, MT, in
late summer and early fall produced 481
birds, an amazing number for a species gen¬
erally considered to be decreasing regional¬
ly (JG).

North Dakota’s latest Ruby-throated
Hummingbird was photographed Nov. 9 in
Minot sitting on a frozen feeder during the
first snow storm of the fall (TL). A first for
the Fort Peck area, a Rufous Hummingbird
was present there for 2 weeks beginning
Aug. 15 (CC).

Providing the first Nov. records for
North Dakota, E. Phoebes were present
Nov. 7 in Hettinger (DAG), and Nov. 14 at
E. Devil’s Lake (EEF). North Dakota’s 6th

68

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

record for Sdssor-tailed Flycatcher was

provided by a single Oct. 23-27 in Stark

(JPL).

A Bell’s Vireo heard at Lostwood N.W.R.
in early Sep. furnished only the 2nd record
for that month in North Dakota (fide GBB).

Accidental in e. North Dakota, a Clark’s
Nutcracker was at a feeder in Grand Forks
Nov. 18 (KR). An incredible 1000 Black¬
billed Magpies were noted in Pembina, ND,
Aug. 12-20 (LFM). Unusual Com. Raven
sightings included one at Fort Peck, MT,
Nov. 1 1 (CC) and one in Hettinger, ND,
Nov. 16 (DAG, CG).

Casual in South Dakota, Carolina Wrens
were in Lake Nov. 5-6, and in Lincoln Nov.
8 (JSP, RFS). A Winter Wren was unusual in
Hettinger, ND, Nov. 1 (DAG.CG).

In Fargo, ND, Gray-cheeked Thrushes
peaked at a new high of five Oct. 6, and the
state’s latest ever was noted there Oct. 25
(DPW). The latest on record for South
Dakota, a Wood Thrush was in Brown Oct.
24-25 (DAT). Varied Thrushes were early
Sep. 10 in Hughes, SD (RDO), and in Grand
Forks, ND, Sep. 27 (GR).

WARBLERS THROUCH SISKINS

Providing Montana’s 10th record, a Cape
May Warbler was in Fort Peck Sep. 6 (CC).

Black-throated Blue Warblers made an
unprecedented showing, with eight in South
Dakota Sep. 6-Oct. 10 and four in North
Dakota Sep. 1 1-Oct. 4. In Montana, an ad.
male at Fort Peck Sep. 5 furnished the 6th
record for that state (CC). Pine Warblers
made an unusual showing this year. After
two spring observations in North Dakota,
the fall season provided a single far west at
Lostwood N.W.R. Sep. 18 (GBB) and the
state’s latest at Bismarck Nov. 16-21 (TT,
ET). In South Dakota, a single was in Beadle
Sep. 8 (JCS), and the state’s latest was stud¬
ied in Lake Nov. 19-21 (JSP, RFS). A Worm¬
eating Warbler in Brookings, SD, Sep. 19
furnished the 2nd fall record for the state
(JSP). Several MacGillivray’s Warblers were
noted at Westby, MT, Aug. 29 (CC). This
location is a literal stone’s throw from North
Dakota, where they are seldom recorded.
Providing only the 2nd fall record for South
Dakota, a Summer Tanager was in Stanley
Nov. 8 (RDO).

North Dakota’s latest Field Sparrow fre¬
quented a feeder in Hettinger Nov. 12-15
(DAG, CG). Also latest on record was a Lin¬
coln’s Sparrow Nov. 13 in Yankton, SD
(SVS). South Dakota’s latest, and only the
2nd for Nov., a Rose-breasted Grosbeak was
tallied far west in Butte Nov. 14 (RAS).

House Finches are now firmly estab¬
lished in the Chester, MT area (FIM). Red
Crossbills were widely reported in North
Dakota, but White-winged Crossbills came
in with only one observation. Com. Red¬
polls were very scarce, but a good move¬
ment of Pine Siskins was noted in late Sep.
and early Oct.

ADDENDUM

A Brambling that hit a window in
Bismarck, ND, the 2nd week of June was
sent to the University of North Dakota; this
is the first specimen and 2nd record for
North Dakota (M. Olson).

Observers (state editors in boldface):
MONTANA: Chuck Carlson, John
Grensten, Harriet Marble, Montana Bird
Records Committee, Dwayne Prellwitz.
NORTH DAKOTA: Gordon B. Berkey, Bob
Danley, Corey D. Ellingson, Monte Elling-
son, Eve E. Freeberg, Carolyn Griffiths,
David A. Griffiths, Justin Hoff, Tim Kessler,
Tim Ladendorf, David O. Lambeth, Jack P.
Lefor, Ron E. Martin, B. Spencer Meeks,
Laura F. Mitchell, Bob Murphy, Gail Rieke,
Kim Ruit, John Sailer, H. Clark Talkington,
Ella Mae Thompson, Tom Thompson,
Steve Whitson, Dennis P. Wiesenborn.
SOUTH DAKOTA: Laura Hubers, Todd
Jensen, Ron Mabie, Michael M. Melius,
Ricky D. Olson, Jeffrey S. Palmer, Robb F.
Schenck, Ralph and Alice Shaykett, Jerry C.
Stanford, Dave Swanson, Dan A. Tallman,
Steve Van Sickle, Tom and Brenda Warren.

Ron Martin, 16900 125th Street SE, Sawyer,
ND 58781-9284

Place names that are frequently men¬
tioned, but very long, may be abbreviat¬
ed in a form such as “C.B.B.T.” or
“W.P.B.O.” Such local abbreviations will
be explained in a key at the beginning
of the particular regional report in
which they are used. Standard abbrevi¬
ations that are used throughout North
American Birds are keyed on page 24.

BIRD

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VIREO (Visual Resources for Ornithology)

The Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 299-1069
www.acnatsci.org/VIREO

VOLUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 1

69

southern great plains

•Chad ran

•Valentins NWR

NEBRASKA

•Grand Island

Lincoln <

KANSAS

Cheyenne Bottoms

Great San Plains a

-•Tulsa

OKLAHOMA

Muskogee* ,

Oklahoma City

| A recent trend in the continent’s heartland has been the presence
\ of juvenile Little Gulls; this bird was present at Keystone Dam,
near Tulsa, Oklahoma, November 22. Photograph/Steve Metz

•Wichita Mountains NWR
•Pod Sill (

Tishomingo

«NWR

region

JOSEPH A. GRZYBOWSKI

an birds tell you if global warming is a
legitimate phenomenon? They are obvi¬
ously not as direct a measure as the average
global temperature or recession of glaciers,
and the observations are still only correla¬
tional (rather than depicting causation).
However, this Region’s records of many
tardy and lingering species — across a spec¬
trum of taxa from herons to Neotrops (all
too numerous to list in this account) — may
be an indicative of real change.

There are also those things that happen
in far away places for entirely different rea¬
sons that can reveal themselves in the
Region. Among some general patterns, her¬
ons, both breeders and vagrants, seemed to
be blossoming in numbers. There was a fair
scatter of eastern warblers west — not much
of the opposite. Some arctic-nesting species
such as Sabine’s Gull, Buff-breasted Sand¬
piper, Black-bellied Plover, Greater Scaup,
and Black Scoter were well reported this
season, continuing a several-year pattern.
Some grassland birds also seemed more
common this fall. Several concentrations
were exceptional, including those of Purple
Martins and Franklin’s Gulls. This fall also
made for good showings of rarities.

Somewhat discouraging was the spotty
cooperation in documenting unusual
occurrences. For example, no Red-throated

Loon observations for the season were doc¬
umented. Obviously, this takes some
encouragement, and birders in some areas
understand and are more supportive for the
archival value of such. Howevermuch the
instant communication of hot-lines, web¬
pages, and chat-lines may have facilitated
the sport of birding, even those rarities
studied by many should be painstakingly
documented by the observers.

Abbreviations: Cheyenne Bottoms (Cheyenne
Bottoms W.M.A., Barton Co., KS); McConaughy
(L. McConaughy, Keith Co., NE); Ogallala (L.
Ogallala, Keith Co., NE); Quivira (Quivira
N.W.R., Stafford Co., NE). Place names in italics
are counties.

LOOMS THROUGH WATERFOWL

Three reports of Red-throated Loon from
Kansas during Nov. were unfortunately
undocumented {fide LM). Pacific Loons
were reported from 2 locations in Scotts
Bluff, NE, Oct. 31-Nov. 7 (SJD) and Nov. 7
& 20-27 (SJD), Ogallala Nov. 7 (SJD), Reno,
KS, Nov. 13-14 (DV, PJ), Russell, KS, Nov.
16 (MR), and Clark, KS, Nov. 27 (GP).
Quite a surprise for geography and season
was a Yellow-billed Loon in basic or imm.
plumage photographed at McConaughy
Aug. 8-Oct.l8 (SJD et ah, m. ob.) —
Nebraska’s 2nd.

Peak counts of W. Grebes were an

astounding 17,600+ at McConaughy Oct.
18 (SJD) and a still remarkable 1400 farther
e. in Lincoln, NE, Nov. 7 (SJD et ah). Adults
with young were noted at Cheyenne Bot¬
toms into mid-Sep. (DW, GP et al. ). Other
reports were too numerous to list — clearly
on a population surge for this species in the
Region. Clark’s Grebes were widespread,
with one-three at Scotts Bluff, NE, Sep.
19-Nov. 27 (SJD), one at Cheyenne Bot¬
toms Oct. 17 (SS, DB), 22 at McConaughy
Oct. 18 (SJD), eight in Lincoln, NE, Nov. 1
(SJD), four in Russell, KS, Nov. 15 (TS, SS,
MR), as well as singles in Morris, KS, Nov.
2 1 (MR, TC) and Chase, NE, Nov. 28 (SJD).

Neotropic Cormorants were found at
Phillips, KS, Aug.4 (SS) and Quivira Aug. 20
(TC, MR). Pleasantly for the mostly wet
cycle of the past decade, herons and egrets
have prospered, though this has placed
some of their colonies in harm’s way in
Wichita and Oklahoma City. Reports of
Least Bittern, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Lit¬
tle Blue Heron, and Cattle Egret have
become more numerous this season in s.
Nebraska (fide WRS, JGJ). Tricolored
Herons nested in Alfalfa, OK, fledging three
young from their 2nd nesting attempt
about Aug. 8 (SFe, RS); this represented
only the 2nd breeding record for the
Region. They were last noted Oct. 2.

Juv. Yellow-crowned Night-Herons
invaded s.e. Nebraska, with four in Phelps

70

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

Aug. 19 (SJD), and two there Sep. 13 (LR,
RH). An incredible 13 were found Aug.
15-Sep. 13 (JGJ), the latest being in Clay,
NE, Oct. 11 (JGJ). The summer fling of
imm. White Ibises included up to five in
Sequoyah, OK, Aug. 15 (SB, KM, PB), two in
Tulsa Aug. 8-12 (PS, JL, JWA), one in
Alfalfa, OK, Aug. 14, and one in Canadian,
OK, through Aug. 15 (m. ob.). Other rare
summer vagrants included two imm. Rose¬
ate Spoonbills in Oklahoma Aug. 5-Sep. 26
(ES, m. ob.), and a Wood Stork Sep. 19 in
Choctaw, OK (S&JM).

A Black-bellied Whistling Duck was
noted at Quivira Sep. 4 (PJ et al. ). Single
Trumpeter and Tundra swans wandered to
Quivira by Nov. 15 (TC, SS, MR), and nine
Tundra Swans were counted in Jefferson, KS
Nov. 20 (RR). Among the species-pair iden¬
tification issues in the Southern Plains are
Am. Black Ducks/Mottled Ducks. This sea¬
son, reports of Am. Black Ducks (with
details) came from Platte, NE, Aug. 22 (an
intriguingly early date) and Nov. 18 (JGJ),
and Washington, NE, Nov. 7 (JS). A curious
pair were an Am. Black Duck Nov. 23 at
Quivira (MR) and a Mottled Duck noted
there Sep. 4 (PJ et al.). A male Eurasian
Wigeon managed a stay in Alfalfa, OK, Oct.
2-15 (USFWS).

If it is possible to “surf the net,” birders
clearly “surfed up” some scoters this season.
Surf Scoters threaded a narrow window,
with singles at Ogallala Oct. 31 -Nov. 1
(SJD) and Tulsa Nov. 2 (JWA), two in Okla¬
homa Nov. 2-14 (MOl), and other in Cleve¬
land, OK, Nov. 3 (JSt), Miami, KS, Nov. 7
(ML), and Lyon, KS, Nov. 14-16 (CH et al.).
White-winged Scoters were observed at
Cheyenne Bottoms Nov. 7 (ML), Ogallala
Nov. 7 (SJD), Lancaster, NE, Nov. 11 (JS),
Jefferson, KS, Nov. 25-29 (GP), and Noble,
OK, Nov. 27 (JWA). Black Scoters, the most
sought after, were more common this sea¬
son, with singles at Lancaster, NE, Oct. 31
(JS), Douglas, NE, Nov. 15 (JGJ), Wabaun¬
see, KS, Nov. 26-27 (DL, LM), and Knox,
NE, Nov. 26-28 (MB, DH), with 3-4 at
Ogallala/Keystone L. Nov. 27-29 (SJD, JS).
Five reports of Oldsquaws included a
whopping nine-1 1 birds in Keith, NE, Nov.
28-29 (SJD, JS). A Barrow’s Goldeneye at
Noble, OK, Nov. 27 (JWA) was the only one
reported for the season.

RAPTORS THROUGH TERMS

Ospreys were well reported this season,
with double-digit counts at several loca¬
tions in Nebraska and Oklahoma (] AG; fide
WRS, JGJ). Broad-winged Hawks, very rare
in w. parts of the Region, included one Sep.

4-6 (BPe) and two Sep. 19 (MR et al.) in
Morton, KS, and one in Cimarron, OK, Sep.
22 (JM, JSt et al.). At least 32 Merlins were
reported for the Region beginning Aug. 20
in Nebraska (fide WRS, JGJ, LM). Happily
more numerous were Peregrines, with eight
from Nebraska (fide WRS, JGJ) and nine
from Oklahoma.

Also more commonly reported this sea¬
son were Com. Moorhens, with at least 12
young fledged by late Aug. at Sarpy, NE (BP,
LP). A juvenile was noted in Clay, NE, Aug.
30 (JGJ), and eight were at Cheyenne
Bottoms Oct. 17 (SS, DB). A Black Rail in
Riley, KS, Oct. 3 (JK) provided a late date.

A newly-fledged Black-necked Stilt
noted in Garden, NE, Aug. 7 (JGJ) added
another breeding site for Nebraska. Only
last fall did Nebraska tally its first Nov.
record for Am. Avocet. This year, 97 (!!)
avocets lingered into Nov., with the last at
McConaughy Nov. 28 (SJD). On Aug. 5,
Bob Gress and Suzanne Fellows managed to
locate 214 Mountain Plovers in Morton, KS,
a modest but encouraging count. The 56
Black-bellied Plovers at Quivira Nov. 5
(MR, TB) was one of the more impressive
Regional counts.

A juv. Hudsonian Godwit at York, NE,
Aug. 30 (JGJ) is the only fall record docu¬
mented for Nebraska. Red Knots were
reported from McConaughy Aug. 7 (SJD),
Quivira Aug. 13 (MR), Platte, NE, Aug. 15
(JGJ), Oklahoma Aug. 15 (MOl), and Scotts
Bluff, NE (juvenile), Sep. 12 (SJD). Dunlin
were much more common this fall, with 67
birds tallied in Nebraska from Oct. 1 1
(JGJ)-Nov. 26 (JS) and counts of 40 in
Oklahoma Oct. 31 (JAG). Also showing well
were Buff-breasted Sandpipers Aug. 8-Sep.
27, with 247 birds tallied in Nebraska (fide
WRS, JGJ), most in the e. part of the state, at
least 145 from Kansas (fide LM), and 80+
seen in Oklahoma (JM, JNm, JAG et al.).

An adult Curlew Sandpiper in basic
plumage was documented in Seward, KS
(TC, MR). Nebraska documented its 5th

Ruff, a juvenile male, in York, NE, Sep. 27
(JGJ). Red-necked Phalaropes made a
respectable showing with 21 birds in e. and
c. Nebraska (fide WRS, JGJ). By far the
rarest phalarope in the Region is Red; two
molting juveniles were documented at
Platte, NE, Sep. 13 (JGJ) for (pending
review) the 8th Nebraska record. Other
Reds (undocumented) were reported from
Oklahoma Oct. 18-20 and Quivira Nov. 2.

A juv. light-morph or intermediate-
morph Long-tailed Jaeger was document¬
ed at McConaughy Oct. 3 (SJD) and will
likely become only the 2nd state record for
Nebraska or the Region. A dark-morph
jaeger was also found at McConaughy Oct.
3 (SJD).

The normally big list of gulls was per¬
haps a little shorter this season but still far
from disappointing. It includes Laughing
Gulls at Lancaster, NE, Aug. 3 (BP, LP), Pot¬
tawatomie, KS, Oct. 2 (TC), and Douglas,
KS, Oct. 31 (MM), with five or six from n.e.
Oklahoma Aug. 29-Nov. 8 (JWA et al.).
Regular, but still astounding, were the
200,000 Franklin’s Gulls estimated in
Coffey, KS, Oct. 24 (LM, GP) and 100,000 in
Sedgwick, KS, Oct. 31 (PJ, JB).

This may have been the year of Little
Gulls — most, surprisingly, juvenile or first-
winter birds, and most documented. For
Nebraska, they were at McConaughy Sep. 8
(SJD, JS), Ogallala Sep. 8 (SJD, JS),
McConaughy Sep. 20 (SJD), Scotts Bluff
Oct. 17 (SJD), and Lincoln, NE, Nov. 1
(SJD). Kansas birders reported Little Gulls
at Sedgwick Oct. 2 (BG) and Coffey Nov. 14
(CH et al.), with one first-winter bird also
in Coffey Nov. 2 (AS). Of two Little Gulls at
Tulsa Nov. 16-29, one was in first-winter
plumage (JWA et al.). Only one Black¬
headed Gull was reported, this in Tulsa Nov.
14 (JWA).

California Gulls, rare away from
McConaughy but increasingly expected,
included reports of four birds from Kansas
(fide LM) and six from n.e. (JWA et al.) and

Yellow-billed Loon on the remarkable date of August 10 on Lake
McConaughy, Keith County, Nebraska. Photograph/Mark A. Brogie

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 1

71

c. Oklahoma (MOl). A first-winter Great
Black-backed Gull was documented at
Lancaster, NE, Nov. 19-20 (JGJ, JS, BP, LP).
Terribly disappointing were the undocu¬
mented reports for first-winter Mew, Great
Black-backed, and Lesser Black-backed
gulls from Kansas {fide LM). This year’s
Black-legged Kittiwake multiplied into the
four seen below Gavin’s Point Dam,
Knox/Cedar, NE, Nov. 22-29 (WRS et ah),
with singles in Riley, KS, Nov. 12 (GS) and
Cheyenne Bottoms Nov. 26 (GP).

It will be difficult to replicate last year’s
surge of Sabine’s Gulls, but they made a
good try. Nineteen reports totaled 32 birds
Sep. 12 (MB, JG, SJD) through Oct. 20 (JS,
WRS) in Nebraska; only three were report¬
ed from Kansas — Sep. 20 in Reno (PJ), Sep.
23 in Riley (LJ), and Oct. 2 in Sedgwick (PJ
et al.). Two or three were in Oklahoma Sep.
15 (VA) through Oct. 3 (LMa et al.). While
typically only juveniles are seen, the excep¬
tion was the adult in Lancaster, NE, Sep.
30-Oct. 7 ( JS). Quite tardy was a Black Tern
at McConaughy Oct. 17-18 (SJD).

DOVES THROUGH WAXWINGS

Among the less expected visitors, two
female/imm. Broad-tailed Hummingbirds
were documented in Kimball, NE, Aug. 8
(SJD) and Aug. 9 (JS, WRS); these were
apparently separated from three female/

The dove outbreak continues
unabated. Up to nine Eurasian
Collared-Doves, including immatures,
were counted in Kearney, NE (LR, RH
fide RN; m. ob.). One was sitting on a
nest in a leafless sycamore there Oct. 23
(LR, RH)! A White-winged Dove,
Nebraska’s 3rd, found these good com¬
pany through the period (LB). Euras¬
ian Collared-Doves were also reported
from 4 locations in Kansas ( Jefferson ,
Wallace, Stevens, and Finney; fide LM).
They were present in Oklahoma City,
and up to 12 were counted in Alfalfa,
OK, during Sep. and Oct., also accom¬
panied by a White-winged Dove (TH,
et al.). Up to 30 White-winged Doves
have been counted in Canadian, OK
(LR, MOl, m. ob.), equivalent to more
than the entire past Regional tally.
White-winged Doves were also report¬
ed from Douglas, KS, Aug. 1 1 (LM) and
Cowley, KS (MTh). Inca Doves were
found in Comanche, OK, two begin¬
ning Aug. 15 (JMc), as well as in
Morton, KS, Aug. 20 (TC, MR) and
Cherokee, OK (CW) during Nov.

imm. Rufous Hummingbirds also present
Aug. 9 (JS, WRS). Other Rufous/Se/as-
phorus Hummingbirds were noted Jul. 27 in
Pawnee, KS (DKa), Aug. 10 in Muskogee,
OK (BF), Aug. 27 in Riley, KS (NJW), and
Nov. 29-30 in Wagoner, OK (K&BG).

The specimen record from Oklahoma
and Kansas depicts Dusky Flycatchers as
rare spring migrants and Hammond’s as a

Perhaps the find of the year
was a Ringed Kingfisher,

probably an immature, at a neighbor¬
hood pond in Stillwater, OK (EG). It
was first noted the week of Sep. 21 but
not brought to the attention of birders
until late Sep. 30. It was verified Oct. 1
(JD) and seen and photographed by a
small entourage of birders Oct. 2. It
was last observed being chased by a
Cooper’s Hawk that afternoon. This
appears to be the northernmost record
for North America, and perhaps the
only record n. of c. Texas.

fall migrant. A Hammond’s documented
Sep. 6 at in Kimball, NE (SJD), falls in the
range for Nebraska of Sep. 2-21. Kansas
birders again reported Hammond’s and
Dusky from Morton Aug. 20-Sep.ll (fide
LM). However, a suspected Dusky in Cim-
maron, OK, netted Sep. 6 turned out to be a
pale Least Flycatcher with a narrow dark-
tipped mandible (JAG, JWA). Who knows?
Two Cordilleran Flycatchers were also
reported from Morton, KS (fide LM).
Rounding out the rare Morton, KS flycatch¬
ers were Ash-throateds Aug. 20 (TC, MR)
and Sep. 4 (BPe). Among a collection of
tardy flycatcher species was a Scissor-tailed
Flycatcher Nov. 20 in Canadian, OK (SM).

Another good identification hazard in
the Plains is the “Solitary” Vireo group.
Imm. female Blue-headeds and any old
Cassin’s provide an underestimated chal¬
lenge. The few Regional Cassin’s specimens
depict an earlier fall migration than for
Blue-headeds. With these caveats in mind,
Plumbeous Vireos were reported from
Morton, KS, Sep. 5 (PJ et al.) & 11 (MM,
MC) and Kimball, NE, Sep. 6 (SJD). Several
Cassin’s Vireos were recorded from Kimball,
NE, Aug. 29-Sep. 12 (SJD, MB, m. ob.) and
Morton, KS, Sep. 19 (MR et al.). The first
Nebraska Panhandle record of Blue-headed
Vireo was photographed Sep. 27 in Scotts
Bluff (S]D); another was westerly in Mor¬
ton, KS, Sep. 5 (BPe).

Ahhh, 50,000 Purple Martins in Sedg¬
wick, KS, Aug. 5 (PJ et al.) sounds nice. A

Purple Martin Nov. 1 (unprecedented) in
Tulsa (CB), two N. Rough- winged Swallows
in Neosho, KS, Nov. 26 (RM), and a Barn
Swallow Nov. 14 in Coffey, KS (CH et al.)
were exceptionally late. A Clark’s Nutcrack¬
er at McConaughy Nov. 1 surprised at least
one birder (SJD). For a mini-outburst,
Rock Wrens managed to wander east to
Russell, KS, Oct. 3 (TC et al.), Sedgwick, KS,
Oct. 13 (BG), Pawnee, KS, Oct. 28 (SS), and
Tulsa Nov. 5-17 (MK et al.). A Varied
Thrush appeared in Finney, KS, Nov. 28
(MO, MR).

WARBLERS

THROUGH BLACKBIRDS

While bridging east and west, when it
comes to warblers, the Plains might seem
more like the vacuum in the middle than a
panacea. Nonetheless, this vacuum can
draw its own crowd of mostly eastern war¬
blers west.

Surprising was a Blue-winged Warbler
in Sedgwick, KS, Sep. 28 (DV). A N. Parula
wandered west to Morton, KS, Sep. 5 & 7 (PJ
et al.), as did Chestnut-sided Warblers in
Morton, KS, Sep. 7 (PJ et al.) and Garfield/
Loup, NE, Sep. 19 (JGJ). Certainly sought
after, a Black-throated Blue Warbler
appeared in Garfield/Loup, NE, Sep. 19
(JGJ). Dishearteningly, undocumented
Black-throated Blue reports came from
Sedgwick and Leavenworth, KS (fide LM).

Eastern warblers west: certainly a fall
treat was an imm. male Blackburnian
Warbler in Sheridan, NE, Sep. 7 (SJD).
There was a small flurry of Pine Warblers
west to Sedgwick, Geary, Butler, Douglas,
and Harvey in Kansas (fide LM). Amazing
were an ad. male Pine Warbler singing at
Kimball, NE, Aug. 29-Oct. 13 (SJD, m. ob.),
a first Nebraska Panhandle record, and an
imm. male Prairie Warbler documented in
Scotts Bluff, NE, Sep. 6 (SJD). Also wander¬
ing west were a Prairie Warbler at Cheyenne
Bottoms Sep. 11 (MM), and a Bay-breasted
Warbler in Morton, KS, Sep. 5 (PJ et al.).
Blackpoll Warblers, which normally go
trans-Atlantic in the fall, were noted at
Morton, KS, Sep. 5 (PJ et al.), Garden, NE,
Sep. 7 (SJD), and Kimball, NE, Sep. 24
(SJD). Among other eastern warblers west
were a male Mourning Warbler in Kimball,
NE, Aug. 29 (SJD, BP, LP), and two in
Morton, KS, Sep. 12 (MR et al.). Among the
most tardy lot were an Ovenbird Nov. 22 in
Tulsa (TM).

Three Bachman’s Sparrows were found
Aug. 21 at a population outpost in Osage,
OK (JL et al.). Le Conte’s Sparrow numbers
were high this fall, with double-digit

72

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

reporting from Nebraska ( fide WRS, )GJ).
More than the usual, about 13 Nelson’s
Sharp-tailed Sparrows were reported
(mostly from Nebraska) Sep. 21 (Lancaster/
Saunders, NE; JS) to Oct. 23 (Otoe; NE, LE).
Always worth noting, Baird’s Sparrows were
reported from Seward, KS, Oct. 25 (MR)
and Pawnee, KS, Oct. 28 (SS). Encouraging
was a count of 1230 McCown’s Longspur in
Kimball, NE, Oct. 13, clearly indicative of
peak movement.

Purple Finches are becoming scarce in
the Region, with almost none reported. No
outburst of Red Crossbills occurred this
season, and there were only a few scattered
records in Nebraska away from breeding
areas, with three in Sedgwick, KS, Nov. 1 1
(JN). Extralimital was a Lesser Goldfinch in
Creek, OK, Oct. 3 (JWA).

Cited Observers (area editors boldfaced):

KANSAS: James Barnes, Dave Bryan, Tim
Barksdale, Ted Cable, Mark Corder,
Suzanne Fellows, Bob Gress, Chris Hobbs,
Lowell Johnson, Pete Janzen, Don Kasmier,
Jeff Keating, Mark Land, Dan LaShelle,
Robert Mangile, Mick McHugh, Lloyd
Moore, John Northrup, Marie Osterbhur,
Brandon Percival (BPe), Galen Pittman,
Richard Rucker, Mike Rader, Art Swallwell,
Tom Shane, Dan Svingen, Guy Smith, Scott
Seltman, Max Thompson, Don Vannoy,
Don Weiss, Norma Jean Wesley. NEBRAS¬
KA: Laurel Badura, Mark Brogie, Stephen J.
Dinsmore, Larry Einemann, Joe Gubanyi,
Robin Harding, David Heidt, Joel G.
Jorgensen, Babs Padelford, Loren Padel-
ford, Lanny Randolph, W. Ross Silcock,
John Sullivan. OKLAHOMA: Virginia An¬
derson, James W. Arterburn, Sandy Berger,
Peter Boesman, Charles Brown, John Dole,
Shane Feirer (SFe), Bea Ford, Ed Glover,
K.&B. Godley, Joseph A. Grzybowski, Tyler
Hicks, Marty Kamp, Jo Loyd, Sarah & Jim
Maple, Larry Mayes (LMa), Shirley McFar¬
land, Janet McGee (JMc), Karen McGee,
Jeri McMahon, Terry Mitchell, Jim Nor¬
man, Mitchell Oliphant (MOl), Linda Rob¬
inson, Pat Seibert, Euelda Sharp, Ron
Shepperd, John Sterling (JSt), U.S. Fish
Wildlife Service, Cory Westin.

Joseph A. Grzybowski, 715 Elmwood
Drive, Norman, OK 73072

A

texas region

GREG W. LASLEY,

CHUCK SEXTON,

MARK LOCKWOOD,

WILLIE SEKULA,
and CLIFF SHACKELFORD

here never seems to be an even keel in
Texas weather. The brutally hot summer
was extending its reach into Aug., when slow
moving cool fronts crept through Aug. 3-7
and again Aug. 10-15. It wasn’t particularly
cool after those initial offerings, but they did
begin to bring some local relief from the
drought. Tropical weather in late Aug. sig¬
naled the beginning of the end of drought,
yet the low water level at Sam Rayburn
Reservoir in east Texas still allowed for good
shorebird habitat well into Sep. As Oct.
passed, most weather worries were about
the disastrous flooding! Moisture training
north from two hurricanes off of southwest
Mexico and an advancing cold front
brought a deluge to the eastern edge of the
Hill Country for “Octoberfest” (ca. Oct. 17).
The Trans- Pecos and Panhandle were still
complaining about the heat in Oct. and
Nov., but at least the latter area got one good
downpour that filled Buffalo Lake for the
first time in 20 years. Truly cold weather did
not arrive until the very end of the period;
many observers mentioned the wildflowers
still blooming during their Thanksgiving
holiday.

Two pelagic trips on Aug. 8 and Sep. 5
brought the now-expected array including
Audubon’s Shearwaters, storm-petrels, and
pelagic terns. In fact, we will henceforth
skip over the latter group in future report¬
ing on pelagic trips — remarkable since
Bridled Tern was considered an exceptional
rarity as recently as 1990.

Fall invasions began to take shape in Oct.
There was a clear movement of Blue Jays
into Texas starting in late Sep., the first size¬
able invasion in four years. Blue Jays were
noted passing by the thousand at Cooper
Lake in n.e. Texas, and just days later hawk-
watchers at Smith Point, Hazel Bazemore,
and Balcones Canyonlands were remarking
about the species. The jays spread well into
the Hill Country and eventually reached the
Devil’s River, Del Rio, and the upper part of
the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Another con¬
spicuous invader was Golden-crowned

Kinglet, which graced the eastern three-
fourths of the state, arriving in good num¬
bers Oct. 20-23. There were lesser move¬
ments of Brown Creepers, White-breasted
Nuthatches, and Downy Woodpeckers, and
a number of western species such as Sage
Thrasher and Pyrrhuloxia inched a bit east¬
ward. American Robins, of all species, actu¬
ally drew notice with their high numbers in
many areas.

)

Abbreviations: Ft. Bliss (Ft. Bliss sewage
ponds, El Paso); G.M.N.P. (Guadalupe Moun¬
tains Nat'l Park); L.R.G.V. (Lower Rio Grande
Valley); S.S.W.T.P. (South Side Water Treatment
Plant, Dallas); T.B.R.C. (Texas Bird Records
Committee); T.C.W.C. (Texas Cooperative
Wildlife Collection, Texas A&M University);
U.T.C. (Upper Texas Coast). The following are
shortened names for the respective county,
state, or national parks, wildlife refuges, etc.:
Attwater, Balcones Canyonlands, Bentsen, Big
Bend, Big Bend Ranch, Brazos Bend, Caprock
Canyon, Choke Canyon, Hagerman, Hazel
Bazemore, Laguna Atascosa, Palo Duro, San
Bernard, and Santa Ana.

LOOMS THROUGH VULTURES

A Red-throated Loon at Cooper L., Delta,
Nov. 15 (t MWh) was the only report of the
season. Of three Pacific Loon records, the
most significant was at White River L., Cros¬
by, Nov. 13-15 (CSt, AF). Least Grebes
seemed to respond well to the fall rains, with
nesting reported at N. Padre I., Beeville, and
Choke Canyon. Extralimital Least Grebes
showed up at Brazos Bend Nov. 9 and L.
Alcoa, Milam, Sep. 12 (BFr). There were un¬
precedented numbers of W. Grebes in the
Panhandle and South Plains, with 14 re¬
ported during Nov. from Randall, Hutchin¬
son, Potter, Lubbock, and Crosby. In the El

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 1

73

Table 1. Significant Waterbird Records from Tropical Storm Frances

Common Name

Maximum

#

Location

Dates

Band-rumped Storm Petrel*

1?

Calaveras L., Bexar

September 12

Band-rumped Storm-Petrel

1

Riviera, Kleberg

?

Magnificent Frigatebird

29

S. Padre I.

September 11

Magnificent Frigatebird

5

Lewisville L., Denton

September 12

Magnificent Frigatebird

2

Calaveras L.

September 12

Magnificent Frigatebird

2

Mitchell L., Bexar

September 12

Magnificent Frigatebird

2

College Station, Brazos

September 12

Magnificent Frigatebird

1

Hornsby Bend, Travis

September 13

Magnificent Frigatebird

3

Granger L., Williamson

September 13

Magnificent Frigatebird

1

Missouri City, Ft. Bend

?

Red Phalarope

1

Village Creek WWTP, Dallas

September 10-15

Pomarine Jaeger"

1?

Granger L.

September 12

Laughing Gull

+ +

Most medium-large reservoirs

September 11+

Sabine’s Gull

1

El Paso

September 1 1

Sabine’s Gull

5

Lewisville L.

September 11-21

Sabine’s Gull

3

Cooper L., Delta

September 11-18

Sabine’s Gull

1

Calaveras L.

September 13

Sabine’s Gull

1

Braunig L., Bexar

September 13

Sabine’s Gull

1

Choke Canyon Res.

September 13-18

Sabine’s Gull

2

L.Tawakoni, VanZandt

September 12

Gull-billed Tern

5

Granger L.

September 11-13

Gull-billed Tern

2

Eagle L., Colorado

?

Caspian Tern

4

Hornsby Bend

September 12

Caspian Tern

3

Granger L.

September 12-13

CaspianTem

4

L. Alcoa, Milam

September 12

Caspian Tern

45

Sam Rayburn Res. (3 cos.)

September 13+

Royal Tern

3

L. Alcoa

September 12

Sandwich Tern*

1?

L. Alcoa

September 12

Least Tern

+ +

Calaveras L.

September 12

Least Tern

14

L. Alcoa

September 12

Least Tern

4

Granger L.

September 13

Bridled Tern

2

Calaveras L.

September 12

Sooty Tern

4

Calaveras L.

September 12

Sooty Tern

2

Braunig L.

September 12

Sooty Ternt

2

Sam Rayburn Res.

September 12-13

Sooty Tern

1

Stillhouse Hollow Res., Bell

September 13

Sooty Tern

1

Armand Bayou, Harris

?

Sooty Tern

5

L. Livingston

September ??-19

Sooty Tern

1

Mustang I., Nueces

September 17

Black Tem

+ + +

Inland reservoirs and coast

September 11+

Black Skimmer

3

Attwater, Colorado

?

"ID probable

1 1st for Pineywoods

++A few to many but numbers unknown
+++ Very large numbers

Paso area up to 70 Aechmophorus grebes
were observed per day, with Westerns slight¬
ly outnumbering Clark’s (fide BZ). A W.
Grebe at L. O’The Pines, Marion , Nov. 14
(CCo), provided one of very few e. Texas
records in the past 5 years. Eleven and 20
Band-rumped Storm-Petrels were seen on
the Aug. and Sep. pelagic trips off Port
O’Connor, respectively. One Leach’s Storm-
Petrel was seen on the Sep. 5 trip (m. ob.). A
well-documented Red-billed Tropicbird
was noted off Port O’Connor Sep. 5 (fPH,
BFr, m. ob.), providing about the 5th Texas
record. Another tropicbird seen Aug. 8 was
not positively identified to species.

Seldom reported from the Panhandle, an
Am. Bittern was in Carson Nov. 2 (MK, MS).
A count of 675+ Great Egrets at L. Sam
Rayburn Sep. 7 (DW, MW) was an incredi¬
ble inland total. Late for the South Plains, a
Snowy Egret was at White River L., Crosby,
Nov. 15 (MCa, AF). A Tricolored Heron at
Midland Sep. 10-15 (VW) was unexpected,
as was a Reddish Egret at Granger L., Wil¬
liamson, Sep. 12 (BFr). Rare for the Trans-
Pecos, a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was
in El Paso Aug. 11-12 (BZ). Higher than
normal numbers of Roseate Spoonbills were
noted in c. Texas in early Sep. (m. ob.); some
arrived before Frances hit, but others may

have been blown inland by that storm.
Turkey Vultures withdraw from n. Texas
during the fall, so a lone bird in Gray Nov.
26 (PT) was quite late.

WATERFOWL THROUGH RAPTORS

A significant count of 2300 Ross’s Geese was
made in Colorado Nov. 15 (BFr). In contrast
to previous years, Muscovy Ducks were
rarely reported this season in their expected
L.R.G.V. haunts. A pair of Redheads with
small young were at Ft. Bliss Aug. 17 (BZ). A
good count for c. Texas was 553 Ring¬
necked Ducks in Lee Nov. 18 (HB). Inland
Surf Scoter reports included one at McNary
Res., Hudspeth, Oct. 24 (JPa, DWe), one at L.
Balmorhea Nov. 21-30 (TJ, m. ob.), and one
in Cooke Nov. 26 (BFr). Another Surf Scoter
at Laguna Atascosa Nov. 15 (ML) was
notable. Seven Red-breasted Mergansers
were at McNary Nov. 13 (BZ), an area of the
state where they are seldom reported.

Ospreys were far more numerous in the
western half of the state than normal (fide
KS, BZ). A soaring group of eight Hook¬
billed Kites was an unusual sighting over
Bentsen Nov. 15 (fide TB). An amazing
report was received of a possible Hook¬
billed Kite at San Antonio’s Mitchell L. Sep.
10 (t BD); the species has never been docu¬
mented away from the immediate Rio
Grande area of the L.R.G.V. Swallow-tailed
Kite numbers were particularly impressive
this fall (Table 2); single kites in Freestone
Aug. 29-30 (fide SCI), the Bexar/Comal line
Aug. 30 (SM), and in Shelby Aug. 31 (PHa)
were well away from their regular migration
corridor. A late Mississippi Kite was found
injured in Lubbock Nov. 1 (fide AF). Harris’s
Hawks are increasing in the El Paso area
quite rapidly; they have moved into at least
4 previously unoccupied areas (fide BZ).
Superlatives are becoming a ritual at the
Texas hawkwatches. Watchers at Hazel
Bazemore once again set a new North
American standard for Broad-winged Hawk
in a single day with a staggering count of
306,766 birds Sep. 26 (JoS, m. ob.). The sea¬
son’s final total of all raptors at that location
just barely missed the million mark. A
Zone-tailed Hawk, always a rarity in s.
Texas, was in Kenedy Oct. 18 (TU). Five
Crested Caracaras in Galveston Sep. 26 (JSt)
were a nice find. The hacked Aplomado
Falcons from Matagorda I. and Laguna
Atascosa are beginning to wander farther
afield, as evidenced by one on N. Padre I.
Nov. 27+ (JiH, A & MC). Nine Peregrine
Falcon sightings involved at least seven birds
in the El Paso area Aug. 14-Sep. 11 (BZ), a
higher count than normal.

74

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

texas

^ A Tropical Storm Charley “slosh
cd” ashore at Port Aransas early
on Aug. 22, bringing heavy rains to the
Upper and Central Texas Coast, but
winds were not serious. Over 145 frigate-
birds were over Galveston Bay on the day
of landfall and many observers as far
inland as San Antonio mentioned a pile-
up of southbound Black Terns. There
were “astounding” shorebird numbers in
the Calhoun area with tremendous flocks
of Buff- breasted and Upland Sandpipers.
Just hours after landfall, things along the
coast seemed to be getting back to nor¬
mal (BFr, TxB). The storm was signifi¬
cant ornithologically for what it didn’t
produce: there was no major passerine
fallout from the storm, and there were
essentially no inland pelagic strays (per¬
haps a Brown Pelican at Cedar Creek Reservoir, Kaufman, would qualify). On Aug. 23,
Junie Sorola of Del Rio reported on TexBirds of the modestly interesting results of his
birding trip at L. Amistad the previous afternoon just before the remnants of Charley
stalled over his town for 18 hours, causing tragic devastating floods.

Tropical Storm Frances formed out of a large area of disturbed weather in the w.
Gulf of Mexico Sep. 9, about 300 miles e. of Brownsville. After shifting around omi¬
nously for a few days, the storm finally plowed ashore at Port O’Connor on the morn¬
ing of Sep. 11. Much of s.e. Texas was lashed by very heavy rains and wind. The center
of the depression stalled over the Refugio/Victoria area, but the storm did not behave as
had been predicted: curiously, heavy rains did not materialize over the center of the
storm, nor in the Texas Hill Country, where they were bracing for flooding. The last
heavy rainbands were whipping onto the Upper Texas Coast (and Louisiana) on Sep. 12.
In hard hit s.e. Texas, both from heavy rains and high storm tides, birders had difficul¬
ty getting out to assess the avian effects: notices on TexBirds actually warned birders
away because of the numerous road closures. Nonetheless, a storm wreck of epic pro¬
portion was apparent. Home-bound coastal birders reported massive numbers of
grounded passerines. Elsewhere, birders streamed to local reservoirs and compiled one
of the most impressive tallies of storm-blown strays in many years. Most conspicuous
among these were Magnificent Frigatebirds and Sooty Terns thrown all over c. and e.
Texas and an unprecedented stoppage of southbound Sabine’s Gulls. These bodies of
water were also speckled with uncommon species, either southbound migrants like Red
Phalarope and Pomarine Jaeger or coastal species blown inland. Laughing Gull, Caspian
Tern, and Least Tern were reported in many inland areas. The accompanying table col¬
lects the most conspicuous waterbird records away from the coast. Undoubtedly a great
many interesting passerine migrant records (both their occurrence and their discovery)
in mid-late Sep. are attributable to Frances, perhaps . . . just perhaps ... as far west as El
Paso. One tidbit of geographic interest: a storm-killed Sooty Tern recovered after Frances
by Brian Gibbons was banded in 1974 in Florida — a 24-year-old Sooty!

Sabine’s Gull, one of 15-20 recorded this
fall in Texas, on Lake Lewisville
September 13. Photograph/R. Stone

Table 2. Fall 1998 Texas Hawkwatch Results

Smith

Point

Hazel

Bazemore

Black Vulture

114

138

Turkey Vulture

612

5,011

Osprey

68

179

Swallow- tailed Kite’

34*

6

White-tailed Kite

29

6

Mississippi Kite

2,364

3,584

Bald Easle

—

2

Northern Harrier

263

180

Sharp-shinned Hawk

3,337

1,207

Cooper’s Hawk

1,136

260

Harris’s Hawk

—

5

Red-shouldered Hawk

36

38

Broad-winged Hawk

16,167

970,025

Swainson’s Hawk

58

6,789

White-tailed Hawk

—

5

Red-tailed Hawk

43

121

Crested Caracara

6

1

American Kestrel

1,337

438

Merlin

28

29

Peregrine Falcon

93

162

Prairie Falcon

—

6]

Unid. Raptors

294

4,756

Season’s Total

26,019

992,948

* 25 additional Swallow- tailed Kites were seen at Smith
Point prior to watch period.

PRAIRIE-CHICKENS
THROUCH SHOREBIRDS

A Yellow Rail was seen Oct. 3 & 18 at
Lubbock (AF), only the 2nd record for the
South Plains. Also very rare in n.w. Texas, a
Black Rail was found dead in Potter Sep. 19
(ph., SP), where it probably was killed in
migration by striking an overhead power
line. A ride on a combine in a rice field in
Calhoun Oct. 14 produced a gratifying
count of 622 Soras (PH). Four ad. and one
juv. Whooping Cranes spent the night at
Little River, Bell, Nov. 16 (CCo8c JJ); this is
on the regular migration corridor but
stopover migrants are always a treat.

An alternate-plumaged Black-bellied
Plover Aug. 17 at L. Balmorhea was early for
the Trans-Pecos (KB); another 12 in
Abilene, Taylor, during the fall was an
above-normal showing (LB). Three more
Black-bellieds on Sam Rayburn Res.,
Nacogdoches, Sep. 19 (DF) were a good find
for E. Texas. A count of 1 16 Snowy Plovers
at Port Aransas Oct. 10 (including an albi¬
no) was a notable number (TA). Eight
Snowy Plovers at L. Tawakoni, Rains, Aug. 6
(K & MWh) far surpassed previous counts
at that site. A Snowy Plover at McNary Res.
Oct. 28 (BZ) was very late. Single Piping
Plovers were interesting finds at L. Balmor¬
hea Aug. 20 (KB) and at L. Lewisville, Den¬
ton, Sep. 3 {fide RR). Amos counted 323
Piping Plovers Sep. 14 in the Port Aransas
area, a notable one-day count. The Moun¬
tain Plovers that have regularly wintered in

the Granger L. area (Williamson) showed
up on Oct. 11 (BFr, TFen), when 100
arrived. A single late Black-necked Stilt was
at McNary Res. Nov. 3 (BZ) and a single
Am. Avocet at S.S.W.T.P., Dallas, Nov. 26
(MGs, MWh). A Long-billed Curlew pro¬
vided a new county record for Delta at
Cooper L. Aug. 27-28 (MWh). Another
Long-billed Curlew was at Hagerman on
Sep. 1 (KH). Up to three Marbled Godwits
at Sam Rayburn Res., Nacogdoches, Sep.
7-12 (DW, MW, m. ob.) provided the first

area record. A Red Knot was at L. Balmor¬
hea Aug. 12 (KB), where the species is casu¬
al. Other interesting inland Red Knots
included singles at Hornsby Bend, Travis,
Aug. 11 (RF), at Village Creek from late
Aug. to Sep. 11 (m. ob.), and at Hagerman
Sep. 1 (KaH). Eight Sanderlings were found
at Sam Rayburn Res., San Augustine, on
Sep. 10 (DF) providing an unusual record
for the area. Unusual in fall were six White-
rumped Sandpipers at Lubbock Sep. 26 (m.
ob.). Noteworthy sightings of Buff-breasted

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 1

75

Sandpipers included 158 near Granger L.
and 73 (TFen) at S.S.W.T.P. on Sep. 6
(MGa). A well-documented Ruff was at Vil¬
lage Creek Aug. 29-Sep. 4 (EW et. al.). An
early Com. Snipe was at Hornsby Bend
Aug. 30 (RF). Am. Woodcocks provided
early records in Travis Aug. 16 8c 20 (fide
AD) and Collin Aug. 29 (BGi). Single Red
Phalaropes were at Kirby L., Taylor, Oct. 5
(fLB, LP) and Village Creek Sep. 10-15
(tMR, et al).

JAEGERS THROUGH TERMS

A Pomarine Jaeger at Cooper L. Sep. 24-26
(MWh) and a Parasitic Jaeger at Hagerman
Oct. 20 (KH, WM) provided rare n.c. Texas
records. A Black-headed Gull returned to
Cooper L. Nov. 18+ (fMWh) for the 3rd or
4th consecutive winter. A 2nd-winter
California Gull was documented at Village
Creek Nov. 21 (tMR). A first-winter
Thayer’s Gull was at Ft. Hancock Nov. 13
(fBZ), providing the 2nd Hudspeth record.
Single Black-legged Kittiwakes were found
at Quintana, Brazoria, Nov. 7 (tJL), at San
Jose l., Aransas, Nov. 27 (TA, * to T.C.W.C.),
and Calaveras L., Bexar, Nov. 26 (fWS, MR,
J 8c BRi). The previous high count from a
single fall migration was five individuals.
The unprecedented numbers of Sabine’s
Gulls, with a total of at least 15 document¬
ed individuals, were predominantly related
to Frances (Table 1) — but not entirely. After
Zimmer’s Ft. Bliss record, another Sabine’s
was found at Tornillo Res. Sept. 18-20 (BZ,
ph. JPa), and a single Sabine’s at L.
Tawakoni Oct. 3 (MWh) may or may not
have been a holdover from Frances.

Up to 45 Caspian Terns were blown to
Sam Rayburn Res. by Frances on Sep. 13,
and many individuals lingered until Oct. 10
(DF, DW). Two Least Terns at Caprock
Canyon Aug. 29 provided a first Briscoe
record (TFer).

DOVES THROUGH NIGHTJARS

A Red-billed Pigeon was found incubating
eggs at Falcon Dam on the late date of Aug.
29 (OC). A suburban Lubbock yard was vis¬
ited by a Band-tailed Pigeon Nov. 26-30
(DSte), a rare vagrant in the area. Eurasian
Collared-Doves were found in Port O’Con¬
nor (Oct. 27, first rec.; PH), a colony of 15
at Tivoli, Refugio, in late Oct. (EWa), and a
single bird at Santa Ana Nov. 18 (ph., BB).
We may not have previously reported
breeding colonies in Dallas and Tarrant that
observers mentioned this season. A Com.
Ground-Dove at Ft. Davis Oct. 10+ was the
first record there since the early 1980s (KB).
Midland had a rare Black-billed Cuckoo

Oct. 3 (DK), and late Yellow-billeds were at
Laguna Atascosa Nov. 14 (BMc) and at
Brazoria Nov. 28 (RRo). A Groove-billed
Ani at Granger L. Aug. 15 (ph. CS) provid¬
ed a first documented Williamson record; a
flock of 30 anis at Hazel Bazemore the same
day was an unexpected concentration (fide
PBe). A Flammulated Owl, virtually unde¬
tected in migration, was in a residential
yard in Midland Oct. 24-28 (ph. GGr). An
interesting record of Com. Poorwill was a
recently killed bird in Palo Duro Nov. 23
(TLJ). A Chuck-will’s-widow in Midland
Aug. 29 (RMS) provided a 2nd area record.

HUMMINGBIRDS
THROUGH WOODPECKERS

A Broad-billed Hummingbird made a one-
day visit to Zimmer’s El Paso yard Sep. 9,
for about the 27th Texas record. The Buff-
bellied Hummingbird reported in Washing¬
ton in the summer lingered until Oct. 11;
two birds were seen at this site Aug. 26
(MEf). Other notable Buff-bellied records
included individuals in Gonzales Aug. 13
(DHen) and another at High I. Nov. 7. By
late Sep. there was a notable influx of
Anna’s Hummingbirds into the Trans-
Pecos (KB). Later, the movement extended
all the way to the coast and E. Texas as evi¬
denced by single birds in Corpus Christi
Nov. 2 (GSw), in Calhoun Nov. 30 (PH),
and most notably one in Nacogdoches Nov.
15 (CE1). There appeared to be higher than
normal numbers of Broad-tailed Hum¬
mingbirds eastward into c. Texas, the far¬
thest east being a single bird in Rusk Nov.
12+ (PHa). Rufous Hummingbirds can be
expected to winter in various numbers in
the s. half of the state but are unexpected in
the Panhandle area in Nov., where one was
in Amarillo Nov. 8-26 (EK, LKJ) and
another in Lubbock Oct. 28-Nov. 14 (RE).
An apparent imm. Allen’s Hummingbird
was captured and measured at Corpus
Christi Aug. 11-23 (fBO et al.), while an
ad. bird in El Paso Aug. 9-10 looked like an
Allen’s but was not captured for critical
measurements (BZ). Interesting Ringed
Kingfisher reports included individuals at
Mitchell L. Oct. 24 (BD), Brazos Bend Oct.
31-Nov. 5 ( J 8c WRi), Calaveras L. Nov. 11
(RSi), and up to four birds in the Austin
area during Nov. (AD, BRe, m. ob.). A
Lewis’s Woodpecker in Canyon Aug. 26 (f
PT) was on a very odd date. Downy Wood¬
peckers on N. Padre I. and in the Davis Mts.
suggested a slight southward and westward
movement that would be confirmed during
the winter. A Hairy Woodpecker at Sabine
Woods , Jefferson, Oct. 24 (JWh) provided a

very rare record for the coast. An amazing
count of 120 N. Flickers moved with a Oct.
7 frontal passage in Nacogdoches in just over
an hour (DF, RHe). Two Pileated Wood¬
peckers in Montague Nov. 16 (fide DMc)
were apparently a new county record.

FLYCATCHERS
THROUGH SWALLOWS

A very late Olive-sided Flycatcher was
observed in Baird, Callahan, Oct. 29 (fide
LB). An early Yellow-bellied Flycatcher was
in Bastrop Aug. 1 (BFr). A W. Wood-Pewee
in El Paso Oct. 28 (BZ) was late. Late and
somewhat unexpected was a Hammond’s
Flycatcher at Big Bend’s Rio Grande Village
Nov. 26 (ML). A Gray Flycatcher returned
to Karnes Nov. 1 for its 2nd winter there
(DMu, ph. WS, J & BRi). Unusually far east,
a Say’s Phoebe was found in Burleson Oct.
21 (SD). Wandering Brown-crested Fly¬
catchers were noted on N. Padre I., Nueces,
Aug. 9 (A & MC), and in Brazoria Nov. 15
(RWe). The Tropical Kingbirds at Big
Bend’s Cottonwood Campground were last
seen Sep. 13, when at least one juvenile was
in the company of adults (fide MF). Up to
six vocalizing Couch’s Kingbirds were in
Galveston during Nov. (JSt, DS), while four
others were in Ft. Bend Nov. 15 (J & WRi).
An outstanding discovery was a calling
Thick-billed Kingbird in Palo Duro
Canyon Oct. 30 (t ph., EK, RSc et al.); this
is the first record in Texas away from the Big
Bend country. The bird was not relocated. A
rather late W. Kingbird was at Choke
Canyon Nov. 25 (MR, WS). A migrant push
of 1000 E. Kingbirds was seen moving past
Smith Point, Chambers, Aug. 30 (CR).
Rather late for e. Texas was a single E.
Kingbird in Nacogdoches Oct. 7 (DW).

VIREOS THROUGH THRASHERS

A singing Gray Vireo at Davis Mountains
S.P. Oct. 5 (KB) provided a rare record for
that area. We are still sorting out the distri¬
bution of the Solitary Vireo complex. At
present, we expect Cassin’s and Plumbeous
only in w. Texas; reports elsewhere in this
state deserve very careful examination.
Reports of three Cassin’s on the U.T.C.,
including one bird which was photo¬
graphed, all appear to be inconclusive (not
eliminating dull Blue-headed Vireo). Three
Plumbeous Vireos were seen in El Paso Nov.
27 (BZ) where the species is a very rare win¬
ter resident. Unexpected in Lubbock were
two Philadelphia Vireos Sep. 6 (KD, MC,
AF). Freeman kicked up a remarkable nine
Warbling Vireos in Bastrop Aug. 8. A late
Red-eyed Vireo was at Quintana, Brazoria,

76

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

texas

Nov. 22 (KH). The Yellow-green Vireo
found near Harlingen in the summer was
apparently last seen Sep. 19 (fOC, SB, GL).
Just outside their resident range, a W.
Scrub-Jay in Waco Aug. 1 {fide EGW) pro¬
vided a first McClennan record. While some
might question the origin of the bird, a
Com. Raven was discovered in Galveston
Nov. 6 (JSt); the bird was seen and pho¬
tographed by m. ob. through the season, a
first U.T.C. record. Corpus Christi hosted
perhaps the largest Purple Martin roost
ever reported in Texas; it had built up to
75,000 birds by Aug. 20 (PBe et al.). A nice
concentration of 6000 Tree Swallows was
found in Calhoun Nov. 1 (PH). Two Aug.
reports of Red-breasted Nuthatches in
Bastrop might have indicated an invasion
year (BFr, ML), but very few others were
reported during the season. A White¬
breasted Nuthatch in c. Austin Oct. 7 {fide
AD) was a curiosity. A Veery in Lynn Oct.
17 (MCa, AF) provided a rare South Plains
record. Sage Thrashers showed good move¬
ments this fall in many areas; they were very
common in desert habitats of Big Bend by
late Oct. {fide KB, MF, m. ob.). A Sprague’s
Pipit in Lynn Oct. 17 (MCa, AC) was unex¬
pected, but Freeman hit the jackpot when
he found 128 Sprague’s in a field in Bastrop
Oct. 22.

WARBLERS

Here we offer a chronologic tale of the
mish-mash of early arrivals, fallouts, and
now-expected set of late lingerers. Table 3
collects other records of interest. The com¬
bination of drought-related early depar¬
tures coupled with slow-moving fronts in
early Aug. might account for the earliest
ever Yellow Warbler in Amarillo Aug. 1
(EK), a Louisiana Waterthrush in Schleicher
Aug. 2 (banded by RD, DT), a Tennessee
Warbler at Cooper L. Aug. 7 (MWh), and a
Canada Warbler in Midland Aug. 11, but
what on earth prompted a Yellow-rumped
Warbler to show up Aug. 16 in n.c. Texas (at
Hagerman; fide RR) or a male Protho-
notary to settle into Ft. Bliss Aug. 13-18
(joined by a female on Aug. 17; BZ, JPa)?
These same weather effects probably caused
a sprinkling of Prairie Warblers in such
areas as Austin, L. Tawakoni, and Hager¬
man, where the species is rare in fall. Also in
Aug., Lucy’s Warblers were found a bit out
of range in El Paso (Aug. 1 1, BZ) and in Big
Bend Ranch (Aug. 23, MAd). Charley creat¬
ed a fallout of 15 warbler species in the
High I. region Aug. 24 (DVer) but relatively
little elsewhere. Frances clearly dropped
massive numbers of warblers over much of

Table 3. Interesting Fall Warbler Records in Texas

Species

Date

Location

OBS

Notes

Virginia’s Warbler

October 2

Lubbock

PK

Virginia’s Warbler

September 26

Midland

DK.SS

l ust since 1988

Northern Parula

August 23

Presidio

??

Early, rare

Northern Parula

September 20

Amarillo

RSc

Chestnut-sided Warbler

September 1 1

Abilene

fide LB

Frances

Magnolia Warbler

August 7

Palo Duro

KS

Early

Magnolia Warbler

September 13

Tarrant

JidcRR

Frances

Magnolia Warbler

Octrobcr 8

Nacogdoches

DW

Magnolia Warbler

October 2 1

Brazos

BeF

Black-throated Blue Warbler

August 22

L. Marvin

TFo, m. ob.

Black-throated Blue Warbler

September 24

Big Bend

FCa

Black -throated Blue Warbler

October 6

Canyon

MS

Black-throated Blue Warbler

October 1 7

Caprock Cyn

TFer

Black-throated Green Warbler (2)

September 1 2

Abilene

JyP.LB

Frances

T ownsend’s W arbler

September 2

Galveston

JSt

T ownsend’s Warbler

September 12

Calhoun

PH

Frances

Blackburnian Warbler

September 1 1

Angelina

LD

Frances

Blackburnian Warbler

September 12 & 14

Washington

DVo

Frances

Blackburnian Warbler (2)

September 13

San Antonio

KBa

Frances

Bay-breasted Warbler

September 28

Wise

fideGK

Bay-breasted W arbler

September 30

Tarrant

fideRR

Bay-breasted Warbler

October 9

Austin

RFe

Black-and-white Warbler

September 1 1

Ft. Bliss

BZ

Black-and-white Warbler

October 1 3

Ft. Bliss

BZ

American Redstart

September 8-12

El Paso

BZ

American Redstart

October 9

Nacogdoches

DW

Ovenbird

September 1 1

Nacogdoches

DW

Frances

Ovenbird

September 28

Tarrant

fideRR

—

Kentucky Warbler

September 1 0

San Antonio

JM

Frances

Canada Warbler

September 1 0

Washington

DVo

Frances

Canada Warbler

September 14

Ft. Davis

KMetal.

Banded; Frances ?

Note: Frances indicates records probably related to that Tropical Storm.

the e. and c. parts of the state, but observers
on parts of the coast had difficulty getting
out to document the effect. It is tempting to
posit some type of weather-related effect
for the spectacular fallout Zimmer found in
El Paso on Sep. 11, even though Frances had
no direct influence out there. Zimmer
described that day as the “event of the sea¬
son,” with an incredible list of 14 spp. of
warblers (1 1 in one tree at once). Zimmer’s
best find that day was perhaps a Grace’s
Warbler, only the 8th county record. By
mid- to late Sep., Black-throated Grays were
being reported more frequently than nor¬
mal in the w. half of Texas, and an eastward
drift of w. species such as Virginia’s and
Townsend’s warblers was evident. Eastern
species showing up to the west included
Magnolia, Black-throated Blue, Blackburn¬
ian, Bay-breasted, Black-and-white, and
Canada warblers. A real Oct. surprise was a
possible Golden-cheeked Warbler in Blanco
Oct. 2 (SWie); this is over a month and a
half beyond the latest confirmed sighting
previously. Among the most conspicuously
late warblers were: Black-and-whites in
Amarillo Oct. 30 (RJ) and Lubbock Nov. 8
(AF), a Townsend’s at Ft. Bliss Nov. 5 (BZ),
a Blackburnian at Laguna Atascosa Nov. 13

(ML), and a Black-throated Green at San
Bernard Nov. 21 (JO).

TANAGERS THROUGH FINCHES

Although the species nests only 40 miles
away, a Hepatic Tanager in El Paso Aug. 13
(BZ) was a local rarity. A Summer Tanager
on the edge of Sam Rayburn Res. Nov. 20
(JWin) was quite late for e. Texas. A Scarlet
Tanager was a rare find in Washington Oct.
21 (DVo); at least four others on the U.T.C.
from Oct. 12-24 were also notable. Rarely
reported in the Panhandle, a Le Conte’s
Sparrow was at Taylor Lakes W.M.A.,
Donley, Oct. 23 (KS). In general, sparrow
movements in w. Texas were sparse {fide
KB); exceptions were Clay-colored and
White-crowneds. Zimmer had a one day
count of 350 Clay-coloreds in El Paso Sep.
23, a notable concentration. A Fox Sparrow
in Midland Nov. 21 (SS) was the first for
that area in 5 years. An exceptionally early
White-throated Sparrow was at Cooper L.,
Delta, Aug. 7 (MWh); this is 2 months early.
A “Gray-headed” Junco in El Paso Sep. 14
(BZ) was also early. A 2nd Tarrant record
was provided by a Pyrrhuloxia Oct. 12
(GK). A Rose-breasted Grosbeak in Palo
Duro Nov. 13 (EK et al.) was late, while a

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 1

77

Varied Bunting in El Paso Aug. 1 1 (BZ) pro¬
vided only the 2nd county record. A rather
late Dickcissel was in Mason Nov. 1 (DFe),
while four in El Paso Sep. 10-24 provided
unusual area records (BZ). Rare in the fall
in Texas, single Bobolinks were seen at
Granger L. Aug. 15 (CS) and Quintana Oct.
24 (DVer). There were two late solo
Orchard Orioles: at Sabine Woods Nov. 8
(KSz) and Austin Nov. 14 (RFe). A Pine
Siskin in Sherman Aug. 1 1 (KS) was quite
early, as was another near Austin Aug. 28
(PK). Lesser Goldfinches were found nest¬
ing in Pharr, Hidalgo (JKi). Several reports
indicated that small numbers of Am.
Goldfinches arrived early in c. Texas and on
the U.T.C. (e.g., mid-Aug.).

ADDENDUM

A male Varied Bunting photographed in
Midland Apr. 25, 1998, provided a first
county record (WW).

CORRIGENDUM

Credit for the Black Noddy photograph
from Bolivar Flats ( FN 52: 408, attributed
to Brinkley) should be shared with
Marshall J. Iliff.

UNDOCUMENTED RARITIES

We received the following reports of Texas
rarities with insufficient or no documenta¬
tion: Masked Duck at Brazoria N.W.R. in
Nov.; California Gull at Galveston Nov. 3;
up to five Sabine’s Gulls from various loca¬
tions; Hermit Warbler in Galveston Sep. 19;
Connecticut Warbler at High I., Aug. 29;
and Scott’s Oriole in Galveston Oct. 31.

Cited observers (subregional editors in
boldface): Mark Adams (MAd), Jimmie
Aiken, Gene Allen, Tony Amos, Keith
Arnold, Nina & Eddie Arnold, Keith Bartels
(KBa), Patty Beasley (PBe), Bob Behrstock,
Steve Bentsen, Nancy Bird , Al Black, Lorie
Black, Nick Block, Doug Booher, David
Bradford (U.T.C. : 18046 Green Hazel,
Houston, TX 77084. email: brdfrd@tenet.
edu), Hugh Brown, Tim Brush, Kelly Bryan
(Trans-Pecos: P.O. Box 786, Ft. Davis, TX
79734. email: kellyb@nexus.as.utexas.edu),
Winnie Burkett, Rudy Cadra, Marty
Campbell (MCa), Oscar Carmoma, Sharon
Carter, F. Carter (FCa), Charlie Clark, Scott
Clark (SCI), Fred Collins, Don Connell,
Arlie & Mel Cooksey (South Texas: 15825
Socorro Loop, Corpus Christi, TX 78418.
email: cybrbrdr@trip.net), Cameron Cox
(CCo), Ross Dawkins, Louis Debetaz,
Sandy Dillard, Mike Dillion, Keith Dixon,
Bob Doe (BDo), Andrew Donnelly, Mark &

Maryann Eastman, Marcia Effinger (MEf),
Jan Elston, Chuck Ely (CE1), Rosemary
English, Ted Eubanks, Tim Fennel (TFen),
Rob Fergus (RFe), Terry Ferguson (TFer),
Dixie Feuerbacher (DFe), Dean Fisher,
Mark Flippo, Anthony Floyd, Tom Follis,
Tyler Fordham, Bobbye Frazier (BoF),
Brush Freeman (BFr), Bert Frenz (BeF),
Red & Louise Gambill, Murray Gardler
(MGa), Gary Garratt, Brian Gibbons (BGi),
Tom Gill, Gene Grimes (GGr), Jim Hailey
(JiH), Karl Haller (KaH), Peggy Harding
(PHa), Ken Hartman, Tyrrell Harvey, David
Haukos, David & Linda Hedges, Ruth
Heino (RHe), Chuck & Nancy Henderson,
Dick Henderson (DHen), Petra Hockey,
Jimmy Jackson, Richard Jalbert, Lucy Kay
Jalbert (LKJ), Irene James, Wiley James,
Tom Johnson, Corky & Joye Johnson (Co &
JJ), Thomas L. Johnson (TLJ), John Jones,
Tim Kaspar, Mike Keck, Greg Keiran,
Donna & Alvin Kelly, Joseph Kennedy,
Keith Kimmerle, Phillip Kite (PKi), Jane
Kittleman (JKi), Ed Kutac, Paul Kyle, Jason
Leifester, Lee Lemmons, Cathy Liles, Keith
Lockhart, Mark Lockwood, Kelsey Lowe,
Suzanne McCandless, Kris McIntyre, Debra
McKee (DMc), Bill McKinney (BiMc), Brad
McKinney (BMc), Wayne Meyer, James
Middleton, Charles Mills, Carol Mitchell,
Carroll Moore (CMo), Derek Muschalek
(DMu), John O’Brien, Dale Ohl, Brent
Ortego, Jay Packer (JyP), Laura Packer,
Noreen Palazzo, Jim Paton (JPa), Dick
Payne, Dwight Peake (DPe), James Phelps,
Randy Pinkston, Steve Pomeroy, Ross
Rasmussen, Ellen Ratoosh, Carolyn Ray,
Jim Ray, Don Reed, Martin Reid, Bill Reiner
(BRe), John & Barbara Ribble ( J&BRi), Bob
Righter, Cecilia Riley, Jan & Will Risser (J &
WRi), Roger Rowe (RRo), Rod Rylander,
Laura Sare (LSa), David Sarkozi, Adriel
Schoenhals, Monty Schoenhals (MS),
Georgina Schwartze (GSc), Rosemary Scott
(RSc), Willie Sekula (Central Texas: 7063
Co. Rd. 228, Falls City, TX 78113-2627.
email: wsekula@the-cia.net), Larry Semo
(LSe), Chuck Sexton, Ken Seyffert
(Panhandle: 2206 S. Lipscomb, Amarillo,
TX 79109), Cliff Shackelford (CSh)(East
Texas: Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept., 4200
Smith School Rd., Austin, TX 78744. email:
clifford.shackelford@tpwd.state.tx.us),
Mark Shavers (MSh), J.W. Sifford (JWS),
Joel Simons (JoS), Richard Sims (RSi), Lu
Skillern (LSk), Ron Smith, Sara St. Clair,
Blair Sterba-Boatright, Darken Stevens
(DSte), Jim Stevenson (JSt), Cliff Stogner
(CSt), Bob Stone, Byron Stone, Rose Marie
Stortz, Glenn Swartz (GSw), Ken Sztraky
(KSz), Delbert Tarter, Kent Taylor, TexBirds

(TxB; Audubon birding discussion list),
Peggy Trosper, Tom Urban, Donald Verser
(DVer), David Veselka, Darrell Vollert
(DVo), Valerie Walmsley, Eric Walters
(EWa), Ro Wauer, Dave Webb (DWe), Ron
Weeks (RWe), Carol Wells, Ed Wetzel, Joyce
Wheeler, Kristin & Matt White (K 8c MWh )
(N.C. Texas: 2518 Monroe, Commerce, TX
75428. email: mwhite@sulphur-springs.isd.
tenet.edu), E.G. White-Swift (EGW), Gayle
Whitten, John Whittle (JWh), Sue Wieden-
feld (SWie), Watt Wigzell, Jack Windsor
(JWin), David Wolf, Mimi Wolf, John
Wormuth, Barry Zimmer.

Greg W. Lasley, 305 Loganberry Ct., Austin,
TX 78745-6527 (email: glasley@earthlink.net)
and Chuck Sexton, 101 E. 54th St., Austin,
TX 78751-1232 (email: cwsexton@onr.com)

Place names that are frequently men¬
tioned, but very long, may be abbreviat¬
ed in a form such as “C.B.B.T.” or
“W.P.B.O.” Such local abbreviations will
be explained in a key at the beginning
of the particular regional report in
which they are used. Standard abbrevi¬
ations that are used throughout North
American Birds are keyed on page 24.

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78

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

idaho-western montana

region

DAVID TROCHLELL

ypical mild weather prevailed Region¬
wide in fall 1998. Bird migration, how¬
ever, was unusual in Idaho. Good numbers
of “eastern” warblers and other rarities
stopped in the Gem State in Sep. Especially
notable were Idaho’s first records of
Blackpoll and Prothonotary warblers.
Dunn and Garrett’s book A Field Guide to
Warblers of North America notes that Idaho
is the only w. state where these two species
had yet to be recorded. We are pleased to
report that these statements now need revi¬
sion!

Abbreviations: A.F.R. (American Falls Res., by
American Falls, Idaho); B.R. (Bridger Ridge
Hawk Watch, Gallatin Co., MT); C.J.S.R. (C.J.
Strike Reservoir, Owyhee Co., ID); I.B.O. (Idaho
Bird Observatory at Lucky Peak, near Boise,
Idaho); I.B.R.C. (Idaho Bird Records Committee);
L.M.N.W.R. (Lee Metcalf National Wildlife
Refuge, Ravalli Co., MT).

LOONS THROUGH GYRFALCONS

A Red-throated Loon in breeding plumage
at Coeur d’Alene L., Kootenai, ID, Nov. 6-8
(KB, CCm, CL) was seasonally late. Only
seven Pacific Loons were reported in s.
Idaho Oct. 17-Nov. 26 (m. ob.), about half
of last year’s total. Three Red-necked
Grebes were tallied from s. Idaho locations
Oct. 23-Nov. 20 (m. ob.), where they are
unusual. Up to 11 locally rare Am. White
Pelicans rested at Mann L., Nez Perce, ID,
Sep. 9-Oct. 16 (m. ob.). Two pelicans at
Ennis L., Madison, MT, Nov. 20 (MD, JP)
were very late, as were two Double-crested
Cormorants there Nov. 12 (JP). Cattle
Egrets occasionally stray north in the
Region, as one did near Moiese, Lake, MT,
Oct. 21-Nov. 1 (JM, BW). A vagrant Green
Heron visited Marsing, Owyhee, ID, Sep. 10
(JC).

About 10 Ross’s Geese accompanied a
flock of Snow Geese near Grangeville,
Idaho, ID, Nov. 30 (CS). Eur. Wigeons are
not reported every fall in Idaho, so singles
at L. Pend Oreille Sep. 25 (TP), Boise Nov.
1-30 (DT), Marsing Nov. 17-30 (JG, RE),
and Cascade Res., Valley, Nov. 20 (RLR,

DT) were unusual. Single Oldsquaws were
below A.F.R. dam Nov. 12 (MCr, DT) and
near Ninepipe N.W.R., Lake, MT, Nov. 12
(SSy, TT). Idaho’s 4th Black Scoter was at
A.F.R. Nov. 16-24 (fMCr, m. ob.), the 3rd
consecutive year here. As usual, a few
White-winged Scoters stopped in Idaho: six
were reported Oct. 23-Nov. 22 (m. ob.).
Both states observed Surf Scoters. One was
at Frenchtown, Missoula, MT, Oct. 24 (fide
JM), and another was below A.F.R. dam
Nov. 23 (MCr, JPr).

Turkey Vulture, N. Harrier, Sharp-
shinned Hawk, and Cooper’s Hawk counts
were up dramatically at I.B.O. this fall (CF).
Record counts were also made for N.
Harriers and for Sharp-shinned, Red-tailed,
and Rough-legged hawks at B.R. (JB). A
stray Red-shouldered Hawk at I.B.O. Sep.
23 (fCF) furnished Idaho’s 6th record. In
Broad-winged Hawk news, 33 tallied at
I.B.O. Aug. 28-Sep. 29 (m. ob.) and 20 at
Bridger Ridge (JB) established new records.
Four more Broad-wingeds were near
Roseberry, Valley, ID, Sep. 12 (CSy), and
one was in Boise Sep. 24 (JG). One-four
Ferruginous Hawks were near Ronan, Lake,
MT, Oct. 9-Nov. 30 (CO), where they are
rare. Both states reported Gyrfalcons. One
was at L.M.N.W.R. Nov. 17-18 (WT), one
in the Helena Valley, Lewis and Clark, Nov.
21 (CC, GH, DSu), and another near
Gannett, Blaine, ID, Nov. 30 (LB).

CRANES THROUGH GULLS

Sandhill Cranes are rare in n. Idaho, so one
at Kootenai N.W.R., Boundary, ID, Sep. 14
8c 28 (RD), and another at Mann L. Sep. 19
(CS, nr. ob.) were significant. The Sandhill
at Marsing Nov. 21-30 (JG) was very late.
The 125 Black-bellied Plovers at A.F.R Sep.
25 (MCr) tied a 15-year-old record. Only
Idaho found Am. Golden Plovers; 22 were
reported statewide Sep. 1-Oct. 27 (m. ob.).
A locally rare Black-necked Stilt was at
Ninepipe N.W.R. Aug. 25 (JBr). One-two
Am. Avocets stopped at Mann L. Aug. 7 8c
Sep. 9 (CS, m. ob.), where they are seldom
reported. Two late avocets were at
Coldwater Jnct., Power, ID, Nov. 8 (MCr,
DT). Marbled Godwits rarely stray to n.
Idaho, so eight at Mann L. Sep. 9 (CS) were

unusual. The Ruddy Turnstone at Ingram’s
Pond near Challis, Custer, ID, Aug. 14 8c 15
(MCr, D8cEF) was the state’s 13th and the
first for Latilong 13.

The Red Knot that graced Hubbard Res.,
Ada, Aug. 1 (JG, DL, m. ob.) was Idaho’s
12th. Stilt Sandpipers were down from last
year. About 13 were reported in Idaho Aug.

8- Sep. 12 (m. ob.), and one was in Montana
Aug. 25 (JBr). Reports of the rare Short¬
billed Dowitcher are increasing in Idaho,
with one near A.F.R. Aug. 6-14, one at Mar¬
ket Lake W.M.A., Jefferson, Aug. 10, and two
at A.F.R. Oct. 1 (MCr, JPr).

Idaho’s 6th Red Phalarope was at Mann
L. Sep. 9 (fCS), and another was at Ket-
chum, ID, Sep. 28 (ph. JG). Idaho’s 14th
Parasitic Jaeger visited A.F.R. Oct. 3-4
(MCr, JPr, DT). Recently, Franklin’s Gulls
have strayed to n. Idaho. This fall, one was
at Mann L. Sep. 9-12 (CS, m. ob.). An imm.
Little Gull, Idaho’s 4th, visited the A.F.R.
area Nov. 4-14 (MCr, ph. CT, m. ob.). Mew
Gulls are now annual but rare in n. Idaho.
Three stopped at St. Maries, Benewah, Oct.
17 (CV, m. ob.). A rare Thayer’s Gull was
near Lewiston, ID, Oct. 24 (MK, m. ob.).
Idaho’s Sabine’s Gulls were down slightly
from last year. One was at Mann L. Sep. 18
(CS), and one-six were at A.F.R. Sep.
27-Oct. 17 (m. ob.).

TERNS THROUGH THRASHERS

Com. Terns are unusual away from s.e.
Idaho, but one was at Coeur d’Alene L. Sep.
10 (BG), one-three were at Mann L. Sep.

9- 18 (m. ob.), and two were at D.F.N.W.R.
Oct. 3 (JG). Idaho’s 16th Arctic Tern

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 1

79

Always carry a camera when golfing!

While playing a round near Ketchum,
Gatchet scored Idaho’s seventh
Red Phalarope, a juvenile molting
into first-basic plumage, that obliged
on his local golf course pond.
Photograph/John Gatchet

stopped at A.F.R. Sep. 18 8c 19 (MCr, JPr);
the species is noted less than annually in the
Region. A well-described Least Tern at
C.J.S.R. Aug. 22 (fRK) furnished Idaho’s 3rd
record. Band-tailed Pigeons rarely wander
to Idaho, so one seen below A.F.R. dam Oct.
13 8c 14 (MCr) was noteworthy. A Snowy
Owl, interesting both for its early date and
unusual location, was along Meadow Cr„
Idaho, ID, Oct. 14 (CG), furnishing the first
record for Latilong 8. Five active Black Swift
nests were located at Idaho’s only known
nest sites in the Coeur d’Alene Mts.,
Shoshone, Aug. 25 (KD, m. ob.).

In hummingbird news, Boise hosted two
Anna’s Hummingbirds. One was present
throughout the period (TS), and another
was seen Oct. 30-31 (MC, FK). Montana
recorded its 11th Anna’s at Arlee, Lake, Oct.
5-15 (RL, ph. TT, fph. WT, m. ob.).
Montana had two unusual woodpecker
events: a Lewis’s persisted in Hamilton Nov.
5-30 (CP), and a White-headed Wood¬
pecker was in Helena Aug. 21-22 (GO) 8c
Nov. 10 (EG). A rare Least Flycatcher that
summered at Camas N.W.R., Jefferson, ID,
was last reported Aug. 10 (MCr). Idaho’s
6th Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, first sighted
near A.F.R. Sep. 20 (LW), was relocated
below A.F.R. dam Oct. 9-14 (MCr, ph. fDT,
m. ob.). Both states reported lingering Barn
Swallows. Two were at L.M.N.W.R. until
Nov. 30, and one-three were below A.F.R.
dam Nov. 7—14 (MCr, m. ob.).

Blue Jays continue to increase Region¬
wide. In autumn, they are now almost com¬
mon in parts of w. Montana (DC). In

Idaho, over 70 Blue Jays were reported (m.
ob.), representing a 57 percent increase
from last year. Rare and infrequent wander¬
ers to w. Montana and s.w. Idaho, three
Pinyon Jays strayed to Lolo, Missoula, MT,
Oct. 5-30 (WL), and two others flew over
I.B.O. Sep. 26 (CF). A flock of 17 Bushtits
seen below A.F.R. dam Nov. 12-14 (m. ob.)
was out of place. Bewick’s Wrens continue
to increase in parts of n. Idaho, but singles
reported in Boise Sep. 6 8c Oct. 2-22 (MC,
FK, DT) were especially noteworthy. There
are few fall reports of N. Mockingbirds in
Idaho, so one near Fruitland, Payette, Sep. 6
(DL), and another near Coldwater Junction
Nov. 21 (KF) were interesting. A Sage
Thrasher near Lewiston, ID, Sep. 11 (WH,
CV), and a Brown Thrasher at Hamilton,
MT, Sep. 25 (AC) were both quite lost.

VIREOS THROUGH GOLDFINCHES

A well-described Philadelphia Vireo at
A.F.R. Sep. 1 (fMCr), if accepted by the
I.B.R.C, will be Idaho’s first. A rare
Tennessee Warbler was at Missoula Sep. 24
(TT). Two Magnolia Warblers, representing
Idaho’s 6th and 7th records, were reported
in the Boise area. One was seen Sep. 6-8
(MC, FK, RLR, fDT), and another was
found Oct. 22 (fph. MC, FK). Idaho’s 7th
Black-throated Blue Warbler was near Boise
Sep. 6 8c 7 (fMC, fJG, FK). The Palm
Warbler at Hubbard Res. Oct. 21 (JG) was
Idaho’s 1 1th. In an event both exciting and
perhaps overdue, Idaho’s first Blackpoll
Warbler was mist-netted at I.B.O. Aug. 29
(JC, SH, m. ob.). Amazingly, three others
were caught there Aug. 31-Sep. 5 (JC, SH,
ph. fCT, ph. JG, m. ob.), and still another
was at Atomic City, Bingham, ID, Sep. 10
(fMCr). Am. Redstarts are infrequently
reported in s. Idaho; nevertheless, eight were
reported from several s. Idaho locations
Aug. 10-Sep. 12 (m. ob.). Another long-
awaited first for Idaho, a Prothonotary
Warbler was near Boise Sep. 18-26 (fMC,
MCr, FK, DM, fph. DT). A locally rare N.
Waterthrush was below A.F.R. dam Aug. 21
(MCr), in the same general area where both
a Wilson’s Warbler (D8cEF) and a Com.
Yellowthroat (MCr) lingered until early
Nov.

An Indigo Bunting, especially rare in
fall, strayed to Pocatello, ID, Sep. 3 8c 4
(MCr, JPr, CT). A Brewer’s Sparrow, unusu¬
al away from sagebrush country, was near
Lewiston Sep. 11 (WH, CV). The Swamp
Sparrow spotted below A.F.R. dam Oct. 31
(MCr) was Idaho’s 13th and first for Lati¬
long 27. Reports of White-throated Spar¬
row were up this year, with 21 tallied in

Idaho Sep. 1-Nov. 21 and six in Montana
Sep. 27-Oct. 23 (m. ob.). Idaho had a ban¬
ner year for rare Golden-crowned Spar¬
rows. Nine were captured at I.B.O. Aug.
31-Sep. 13 (m. ob.); three were near Boise
Sep. 18-19 (DT, m. ob.); and one was near
Moscow Sep. 25 8c Oct. 3 (KD). Only five
Harris’s Sparrows were reported in Idaho
Nov. 3-15 (m. ob.). Idaho’s Great-tailed
Grackle population is increasing. As many
as four were reported from the A.F.R. area
in Aug. and Oct., and up to 20 were in s.w.
Idaho in Sep. and Oct. (m. ob.). Two Com.
Grackles were reported at Atomic City Sep.
11 (MCr), and two others were in Carey,
Blaine, ID, Sep. 20-30 (PWP). A total of 1 1
Lesser Goldfinches were tallied near Boise
Nov. 15 (RLR, DT), where they are rare and
local.

CORRIGENDA

A Red-shouldered Hawk reported at I.B.O.
Oct. 18, 1997 (fide G. Kaltenecker) was
inadvertently omitted from FN 52: 94. If
accepted by the I.B.R.C., this will be the
state’s 3rd. Subsequent reports of Red¬
shouldered Hawks in FN 52: 94 and 228
would then represent Idaho’s 4th and 5th
records.

Observers cited (subregional editors in
boldface): IDAHO: Larry Barnes, Kris
Buchler, Corrine Cameron (CCm), Jay
Carlisle, Marty Collar (MCr), Mark Collie
(MC), Rich DelCarlo, Kas Dumroese, Ron
Elam, Dave and Elise Faike, Kent Fothergill,
Craig Fosdick, John Gatchet, Charles
Green, Bill Gundlach, Sarah Hamilton,
Winnie Hepburn, Robert Kibler, Florence
Knoll, Merlene Koliner, Cynthia Langlitz,
Dave Lawrence, Don Morgan, Jim Paruk
(JPr), Theresa Potts, Hadley Roberts, R.L.
Rowland, Tom Sarriugarte, Shirley Sturts
(SS), Colleen Sweeney (CSy), Charles Swiff
(CS), Dave Trochlell, Chuck Trost, Carole
Vande Voorde, Linda Woods, Poo Wright-
Pulliam. MONTANA: Jason Beason (JB),
Jim Brown (JBr), Chris Carson (CC), Dan
Casey, Adele Coon, Eric Grove, George
Holton, Walt Lane, Rose Longacre, Jeff
Marks, Gretchen Oleheiser, Chad Olson,
John Parker (JP), Colleen Powell, Don
Skaar (DS), Suzann Stickney (SSy), Dan
Sullivan (DSu), Terry Toppins, Wayne Tree,
Bob White.

David Trochlell, 1931 Tallwood Ln, Boise, ID
83706 (dtrochle@cyberhighway.net)

80

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

mountain west region

VAN A. TRUAN

and BRANDON K. PERCIVAL

ost of the Region was normal or above
in both temperature and moisture,
especially the w. portions of Nevada.
Changes between “El Nino” and “La Nina”
appear not to have drastically affected nor¬
mal weather patterns in the Region during
this season. The Colorado Breeding Bird
Atlas, published in Jan., provides a thor¬
ough resource on all breeding species in
Colorado, including information on nest¬
ing habitats, estimated populations, and
distributional maps. We extend our con¬
gratulations to Hugh Kingery (formerly
editor of this Region), Mark Yaeger (Rad-
eaux), and all the numerous volunteers who
helped make this publication an outstand¬
ing reference.

Abbreviations: A.I.C. (Antelope Island
Causeway, Great Salt Lake, Davis Co., UT);
B.R.M.B.R. (Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge,
UT); C.V.C.G. (Crow Valley Campground, Weld
Co., UT); F.C.R.P. (Fountain Creek Regional Park,
El Paso Co., CO); G.S.L. (Great Salt Lake, Davis
Co., UT); S.L.V. (San Luis Valley, CO); S.T.P.
(Sewage Treatment Plant); VJ.R.G. (Wheat Ridge
Greenbelt, Jefferson Co., CO).

LOOMS THROUCH RAPTORS

Two Red-throated Loons visited Pueblo
Res., Pueblo, CO, this fall; one Nov. 12-13
(BKP, JW, BBH) and one Nov. 24-25 (BKP,
m. ob.). Up to 23 Pacific Loons were noted
in Colorado this season; in Utah, one was in
Tooele Oct. 22 (DG fide MS), one was at
Quail Creek Res., Washington, Oct. 25 (SDS,
PRS), and three were at Hyrum Res., near
Logan, UT, Nov. 3 (MRC, FRK); and in
Nevada, two were at Pyramid L., Washoe
Nov. 28 (MM, GS). A Yellow-billed Loon
was reported at Cherry Creek Res.,
Arapahoe, CO, Nov. 25 ( JBH). A high count

of 21 Com. Loons was at Hyrum Res. Nov. 3
(MRC, FRK). In Colorado, single Red¬
necked Grebes were observed at Cherry
Creek Res. Oct. 30-Nov. 12 (JBH, m. ob.)
and Nov. 18-26 (BS, m. ob.), at Pueblo Res.
Nov. 4 (BKP, KH), at Big Johnson Res., El
Paso, Nov. 8 (BG), and at Lagerman Res.,
Boulder, Nov. 16 (BK). An immature was at
Pyramid L, Washoe, NV, Nov. 13 (DSe). In
Nevada, two Horned Grebes were at Pyra¬
mid L„ NV, Sep. 26 (MM), with two there
Nov. 14 (MM, GC), and two were at Walker
L., Mineral, NV, Nov. 17 (RF, LN). An esti¬
mated 20,000+ Eared Grebes were at A.I.C.
Sep. 9-22 (VAS, KE, JRe). On Sep. 22, eight
albinotic grebes were observed within this
body of grebes. Utah Wildlife Resources
estimated that 30,000+ grebes died from an
avian cholera outbreak on the south shore
of the G.S.L. from late Sep. to late Oct. An
additional 2000+ birds such as ducks and
gulls also died (fide VAS). Great Egrets were
reported nesting at Utah L„ Utah, Aug. 30
(NH, fide MS) for the first time in Utah.
Two imm. Little Blue Herons in Colorado
included one at Lochbuie, Adams, Aug. 1
(TL, BKP, CLW) and one at Timnath Res.,
Larimer, Aug. 14-23 (TJ, nr. ob.). A late
Cattle Egret appeared in Penrose, Fremont,
CO, in late Nov. to Dec. 1 (ph. J8cRW). An
ad. Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was at
Lower Queens Res., Kiowa, CO, Sep. 20
(BKP, MJ). Two very late White-faced Ibis
were noted at San Luis L., Alamosa, CO,
Nov. 26 ( J&LR). Extremely rare in Nevada, a
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck wandered n.
into Floyd Lamb S.P., Clark, NV, Sep. 30
(CT). Two Greater White-fronted Goose X
Canada Goose hybrids were at L. Cheraw,
Otero, CO, Oct. 1 1 (MJ, BKP). A male Am.
Black Duck was at Little Gaynor L., Boulder,
CO, Oct. 20 (NK, m. ob.). Waterfowl counts
within the Lahontan Valley, NV, Oct. 19,
included Green-winged Teal (20,730); N.
Pintail (17,790); N. Shoveler (20,850);
Canvasback (19,500) (BH). At least four
Oldsquaws were reported from A.I.C. Oct.
24-Nov. 27 (fide MS), an imm. male was at
Panguitch L., Garfield, UT, Nov. 1 (SDS,
PRS), a male was at Walker L, Mineral, NV,
Nov. 20 (DSe), and only one was in
Colorado this fall. Higher numbers of Black
Scoter were in the Region, reports including
an ad. male at Barr L., Adams, Oct. 18 (JK,
DSe, RO, GR), two females at McLellan Res.,
Arapahoe, Oct. 20 (JBH), a female at Cherry

Creek Res., Arapahoe, Oct. 26-31 (JBH, m.
ob.), a female at Walden Ponds, Boulder,
Nov. 21-29 (S&BH, JT, M&SP, m. ob.), and
an amazing nine females at Chatfield Res.,
Jefferson, CO, Nov. 26 (JBH). Also, at least
three females were at A.I.C. Nov. 1-23 ( fide
MS). Twenty-two Surf Scoters were report¬
ed from e. Colorado Oct. 12-Nov. 29 and
nine in Utah Oct 3-Nov. 16. Utah had three
White-winged Scoters, Nevada two, and
only four were reported in e. Colorado this
fall. High counts of Barrow’s Goldeneyes
came in the inter-mountain areas of Colo¬
rado, with 22 at Blue Mesa Res., Gunnison,
Nov. 12 (KP), 12 in the Rifle Area, Garfield,
in Nov., and 110 at Avery S.W.A., near
Meeker, Rio Blanco, Nov. 21 (KP). Seven
Hooded Mergansers were reported in Clark,
NV, Nov. 6-20 (fide RPS), and one was at
Virginia L., Reno, Washoe, NV, Oct. 9 (fide
GC). A late Osprey was at Lamer, Prowers,
CO, Nov. 22 (BKW). An imm. White-tailed
Kite was identified at C.V.C.G., CO, Sep. 1 1
(RK). The species is not on the C.B.R.C.
official state list, but is included in this
report since this species is being recorded
more regularly away from core range. North
of its normal Colorado range, two
Mississippi Kites were at Black Forest, El
Paso, Sep. 8 (BBH) and one in Greeley, Weld,
Sep. 28 (DM). An ad. N. Goshawk was noted
in Cottonwood Canyon, Baca, CO, Nov. 29
(DSv, TL). Colorado had two imm. Red¬
shouldered Hawks this season, one at
Chatfield Res., Jefferson, Sep. 25 (JK) and
one at Valeo Ponds, Pueblo, Oct. 24 (BKP,
GR). Six Red-shouldereds were reported in
Nevada from Aug. 1-Sep. 21. Rare in Utah, a
Broad-winged Hawk was reported from
Green Canyon, n. of Logan, Sep. 25 (MRC,
FRK) and one at Green Mt. Falls, Teller, CO,

Three California Condors

joined human tourists and
“walked" into the Visitors’ Center at
Lands End, on the Grand Mesa of W.
Colorado, Aug. 25-26. These radio-
collared condors, some of the birds
released in Arizona last year, are prob¬
ably used to seeing throngs of visitors
in the Grand Canyon area. The birds
were back in Arizona several days later.
Other reports of condors released in
the Grand Canyon were reported as far
n. as the Green River in Utah.

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 1

81

Oct. 4 (RB). A kettle of 10 imm. Golden
Eagles circled over downtown Pueblo, CO,
Sep. 22 (VAT).

COOTS THROUGH OWLS

On Sep. 7, an estimated 200,000 Am. Coot
were at Stillwater N.W.R., Churchill, NV
(RSt). At Farmington Bay W.M.A., Davis,
UT, two Com. Moorhens were reported
Aug. 8 {fide MS), and on Sep. 6 an adult and
three juveniles were there (J&KB). The fall
Lahontan Valley, NV Shorebird Count was
held Aug. 20-22, 1998. A total of 78,754
shorebirds of 22 species was tallied fide
GC), from Carson Sink (36,410), Carson L.
(27,838), and Stillwater N.W.R. (14,376).
High individual counts were Am. Avocet
(24,451), Black-necked Stilt (7525), Long¬
billed Dowitcher (22,248), peep species
(13,821), and phalarope species (9,441 ). An
Am. Golden-Plover was at A.I.C. Sep. 6
(J&KB). Approximately 1 1,000 Am. Avocets
were at Carson Sink, Churchill, NV, Oct. 9
(LN, MN). Two Solitary Sandpipers were at
Dyer, Esmeralda, NV Sep. 6 (MM). A Ruddy
Turnstone was at A.I.C. Sep. 8 (KE) and one
at Jackson Res., Morgan, Sep. 11 (NE, JK,
DS, RO, GR). Single Red Knots were noted
in Kiowa, CO, Sep. 15 (BKP, DN, BD, DSi)
and at Prewitt Res., Washington, CO, Sep.
18-20 (BKP, BBH, m. ob.). One to two Buff¬
breasted Sandpipers visited Prewitt Res. Sep.
12-19 (JV, m. ob.). Colorado’s shorebird of
the season was a juv. female Ruff at L.
Cheraw, Otero, Oct. 28 (VAT). There is one
previous documented Colorado record
from 1977. Three Semipalmated Sandpipers
were at Carson L„ Churchill, NV, Aug. 6
(RF), one at Henderson Bird Preserve,
Clark, NV, Aug. 14 (RPS), and a juvenile at
Soda L„ Churchill, NV, Aug. 21 (GC, DH).
The largest single flock (22) of Baird’s
Sandpipers was observed in Lahontan Valley
at Stillwater N.W.R., NV, Aug. 21 (GC, DH).
Four Stilt Sandpipers were at Swede L.,
Utah, UT, Aug. 23 (J&KB). The Region had
higher-than-normal totals of Short-billed
Dowitcher this fall. These included one at
Carson L., Churchill, NV, Aug. 6 (RF), six
from Utah Aug. 28-Sep. 18 fide MS, VAS),
two in Stillwater N.W.R. , NV, Sep. 7 (RSt),
and in Colorado, singles at Lower Latham
Res., Weld, Aug. 25-27 (TL, m. ob.), at
Upper Queens Res., Kiowa, Sep. 7 (MJ, BD),
at the Rocky Ford S.T.P., Otero, Sep.13 (TL,
PG), at Prewitt Res. Sep. 20 (NK, DL), and
where they are very rare, one at San Luis L„
S.L.V., Alamosa, Nov. 26 ( J&LR). At Soda L.,
Churchill, NV, one or two Red Phalaropes
were reported Sep. 17-18 (MM, GS, DSe)
and one Nov. 28 (DSe, JW).

Nevada had two jaegers this fall: one
unidentified bird at Carson Sink, Churchill,
Aug. 21 (BH) and a Parasitic Jaeger at Pyra¬
mid L., Washoe, Sep. 18 (MM, GS). Also,
four jaegers were reported in Colorado: an
imm. Pomarine Jaeger in s.e. Pueblo Aug. 30
(DSi, DJ), an imm. light-morph Parasitic
Jaeger at Big Johnson Res., El Paso, Sep. 12
(RB), an ad. light-morph jaeger, “possibly” a
Parasitic, at Chatfield Res., Jefferson/Doug¬
las, Sep. 22 (1BH), and another unidentified
jaeger at Prewitt Res., Washington, Sep. 17
(TD). In Colorado, Laughing Gull reports
included an immature at Lower Latham
Res., Weld, Aug. 23 (JV), a bird in 2nd-basic
plumage at L. Cheraw, Otero, Sep. 13 (BKP,
MJ), a first-basic bird at the Rocky Ford
S.T.P., Otero, Sep. 26-Oct. 28 (BKP, m. ob.),
and an adult at Pueblo Res., Pueblo, Nov.
12-14 (BKP, JWe, BBH, m. ob.). In the
Region, single Little Gulls sightings included
a juvenile at Prewitt Res., Washington, CO
Sep. 8-19 (JK, NE, DS, RO, GR, ph. EBE, m.
ob.), and an immature at Barr L., Adams,
CO, Nov. 8 (TL, SB). A first-basic Mew Gull
was seen at Pueblo Res., Pueblo, CO, Nov. 24
(BKP). A first-basic Glaucous-winged Gull
at Pueblo Res., CO, Nov. 11-12 (BKP, m.
ob.) provided a 3rd s.e. Colorado record.
Great Black-backed Gulls were reported
from Cherry Creek Res., Arapahoe, CO, Aug.
23-Sep. 30 (BHo, JRo, BB, m. ob.; probably
the adult that has been reported the last 5
years) and a first-basic individual at Pueblo
Res., Pueblo, CO, Oct. 12 (BKP). An unex¬
pected ad. Yellow-footed Gull at
B.R.M.B.R. Oct. 4 (ph. KE et al.) provided
the first Utah record. Colorado’s first Sep.
Black-legged Kittiwake was observed at L.
Meredith, Crowley Sep. 12 (BBH, SC). An
extraordinarily high count of 40+ Sabine’s
Gulls was reported from e. Colorado reser¬
voirs, 11 this fall in Utah Sep. 14-Oct. 12
fide MS), nine in Nevada (MM, GS, fide
RPS), and one in Wyoming. E. Colorado
had six Caspian Terns Aug. 22-Oct. 9 and
one at Jackson L., near Jackson, WY, Sep. 24
(KD fide BRa). An Arctic Tern at Ash
Meadows N.W.R., Nye, Sep. 24 (ST, GHR)
furnished Nevada’s 2nd state record. Three
Eurasian Collared-Doves remained e. of
Cheyenne, WY, Oct. 9 (RD), and a new high
count of 26, including young of the year,
was made at Rocky Ford, Otero, CO. Others
included two at Lamar, Prowers, CO, Sep. 6
(NK) and two at Springfield, Baca, CO, Sep.
23 (DSv). An ad. White-winged Dove was
reported in Rocky Ford Aug. 21-Oct. 31
(BKP, BD, m. ob.), and two juveniles with
one adult were observed Sep. 20. This sight¬
ing appears to have confirmed the first

breeding record for Colorado (BKP, MJ). An
Inca Dove was found in Colorado Springs,
El Paso, CO, Sep. 22 (AV) and one at L.
Holbrook, Otero, CO, Sep. 24-26 (BKP, GR);
also two were at Corn Creek, Clark, NV,
Aug. 14-Nov. 29 (RPS) and five there on
Oct. 8 (SDS). Two Yellow-billed Cuckoos
were at Jordanelle Dam, Wasatch, UT, Aug.
29 fide MS). A “Mexican” Spotted Owl was
heard in the Wet Mts., Pueblo, CO, Sep. 13
(BKP, MJ). Colorado’s 2nd Barred Owl was
killed by a freight train near Wray, Yuma,
CO, Nov. 17.

SWIFTS THROUGH WARBLERS

Rarely reported on the plains in e. Colorado,
two Black Swifts were reported from Big
Johnson Res., El Paso, Aug. 24 (AV), three at
F.C.R.P. Sep. 7 (RB), and two in Colorado
Springs, El Paso, Aug. 30 (JWe). A female
Blue-throated Hummingbird at Middle
Creek Canyon, Salt Lake, Aug. 28 fide MS)
provided the 2nd Utah record. An Anna’s
Hummingbird in Salt Lake City Oct.
26-Nov. 9 was the 4th for the county fide
MS). Rare in the inter-mountains of
Colorado, a Red-headed Woodpecker was at
Westcliffe, Custer, Aug. 10 (JP). A female
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was reported at
Numana Fish Hatchery, Washoe, NV, Sep. 26
(MM, GS), and an early one in Fremont, CO,
Sep. 29 (BBH, BHa). A Red-breasted
Sapsucker was found in Little Ranch,
Washington, UT, Oct. 6 fide MS). There are
fewer than 10 records of the species for
Utah. A female Nuttall’s Woodpecker was
at Circle L Ranch, near Dyer, Esmeralda, NV,
Sep. 21-28 (MSM, GMcC, JLD), the 2nd
state record. A singing E. Wood-Pewee in
Boulder, CO, stayed to Sep. 9 (v.o.), and
another was at the W.R.G., CO, Aug. 26-28
(DS). An E. Phoebe was at Corn Creek,
Clark, NV, Oct. 18 (J&MC). At Hamilton
Res., Larimer, CO, Oct. 3, an imm. male
Vermilion Flycatcher was quite a surprise
(SK). An imm. Scissor- tailed Flycatcher was
in Ft. Collins, CO, Aug. 8 (RK), and two
were together in e. Colorado Springs, CO,
Oct. 2-16 (ph. BBH, SL, SCr, m. ob.).
Nevada had four E. Kingbirds: one at
Timber L., Churchill, Sep. 4 (GA, RF), two at
Tonopah, Nye, Sep. 5 (MM), and one at
Corn Creek, Clark, Oct. 18 (J&MC). Very
rare in e. Colorado, two female Purple
Martins were at Lamar, Prowers, Sep. 6 (NK)
and one female near Colorado City, Pueblo,
Sep. 13 (BKP, MJ). A Juniper Titmouse was
reported from Dyer, Esmeralda, NV, Sep. 24
(ST, GHR), and two were at Floyd Lamb
S.P., Clark, NV, Sep. 20 (CT). Single
Carolina Wrens were found at Lamar,

82

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

mountain west

Prowers, CO, Sep. 6 (DAL) and in the W.
R.G., CO, Oct. 1 (BS). A Bewick’s Wren
reported to be “red-colored” was observed
in Pueblo, CO, Oct. 22 (BD). Rarely report¬
ed in fall, a Veery was in Fort Collins Sep.
22-23 (fide WPL). In Torey, Wayne, UT, a
Brown Thrasher was observed Oct. 14-20
(fide MS). A Sprague’s Pipit was seen in a
field in Sedgwick, CO, Oct. 18 (JV, TL). Forty
Bohemian Waxwing were reported from
Aspen, Pitkin, CO, Nov. 18 (KPo).

In Colorado, reports of Blue-headed
Vireos included singles at C.V.C.G. Aug. 28
(JH) and Sep. 1 1 (RK), one in Pueblo Sep. 1 1
(BKP), one at Nee Noshe Res., Kiowa, Sep.
15 (BKP, DSi, BD, DN), and one at Prewitt
Res., Washington, Oct. 3 (BKP). Cassin’s
Vireos were widely reported throughout e.
Colorado this fall, and one was at Oak
Grove Campground, Pine Valley Mts.,
Washington, UT, Sep. 12 (SDS, PRS, et al.). A
Yellow-throated Vireo, a very rare fall
migrant in Colorado, was in Pueblo Sep. 27
(BKP et al.). Three Philadelphia Vireos were
reported: one at Lamar, Prowers, Sep. 5 (MJ)
and two near Pueblo Oct. 1 (DSi, BKP, BD).
Two imm. Virginia’s Warblers were banded
along the Lower Truckee R„ Washoe, NV,
Aug. 28 (EA, ML), which confirmed the first
records for the lower Truckee R. (fide GC). A
female Northern Parula at Willard Bay S.P.,
Box Elder Nov. 7-Dec. 2 (fide MS) provided
the 3rd sighting for Utah. An imm. or
female N. Parula was at Dyer, Esmeralda,
NV, Sep. 6 (MM, GS), and another was
reported from Indian Springs, Clark, NV,
Sep. 24 (ST, GHR). In Nevada, a Chestnut¬
sided Warbler was at Corn Creek, Clark,
Sep. 24 (ST, GHR), and the first Lahontan
Valley record of Magnolia Warbler was at
Timber L., Churchill, Sep. 5 (LN, RF). Black-
throated Blue Warblers were found at sever¬
al localities, with a male window-kill in
Cheyenne, WY, Sep. 19 (ph. JWa fide JD), a
first-year female banded along the lower
Truckee R., Washoe, NV Sep. 22 (RN), and a
male at Corn Creek, Clark, NV, Oct. 8
(SDS). North of its normal haunts, a Black-
throated Gray Warbler was at Jackson Hole,
WY, Sep. 11 (BBu ,fide BRa). The Lahontan
Valley had its 2nd and 3rd Hermit Warblers,
one at Timber L., Churchill, NV, Sep. 5 (RF,
LN) and one at Carson R. Diversion Dam,
Churchill, NV, Sep. 9 (RSt). Also, two were in
Washington, UT, Sep. 12 (fide MS). Rarely
reported in Nevada, an imm. male
Blackburnian Warbler was at Circle L
Ranch, near Dyer, Esmeralda, Sep. 21
(MSM, GMcC, JLD), and three were in
Colorado: one at Pueblo Sep. 1-2 (BKP, m.
ob.), one at Nee Noshe Res. Sep. 1 (DN), and

one at Ft. Lyon Sep. 2 (VAT). A male Pine
Warbler was at F.C.R.P. Aug. 21 (PG).
Nevada’s first Prairie Warbler was at L.
Mead, Clark, Oct. 16-27 (RBa, CT), and four
stopped in Colorado this fall: one at Barr L.,
Adams, Aug. 21 (GG, TL), one at F.C.R.P.
Aug. 23-Sep. 7 (GB, KP, m. ob.), one in the
W.R.G. Sep. 2 (DS, NE, JRo), and another at
Barr L. Sep. 22 (GG, TL). A Palm Warbler at
Timber L„ Churchill, NV, Sep. 24 (GA, DW)
provided the 2nd Lahontan Valley record,
and a hypochrysea Palm visited Chatfield
Res., Jefferson/Douglas, CO, Nov. 21 (JK). A
Bay-breasted Warbler was at C.V.C.G. Sep. 5
(SJD). A Black-and-white Warbler was at
Dyer Valley, Nye, NV, Sep. 24 (ST, GHR).
Nevada had four Am. Redstarts this fall, two
in Clark, one in Churchill (the 2nd for the
Lahontan Valley), and one in Washoe. Also
in Nevada, two Prothonotary Warblers were
noted, a male at Lida, Esmeralda, NV, Sep. 1
(GS) and Sep. 6 (MM, GS), while a male was
photographed from Pyramid L., Washoe,
NV, Sep. 25-26 (ph. MM), the 3rd record for
N. Nevada. Three Prothonotary Warblers
also blessed Colorado this season, one at
Nee Noshe Res., Kiowa, Aug. 26 (DN), one
at F.C.R.P. Aug. 30 (BBH, m. ob.), and one in
Ft. Collins, Larimer, Sep. 12-13 (ph. DAL).
Colorado’s rarest warbler of the season was
a male Canada Warbler at Two Buttes Res.,
Baca, CO, Sep. 4-7 (BKP, MJ).

TANAGERS THROUGH ORIOLES

A female or imm. Scarlet Tanager was
reported from the Rocky Mt. Arsenal,
Adams, CO, Sep. 13 (HK, UK). A Rose¬
breasted Grosbeak was noted Las Vegas,
Clark, NV, Sep. 22 (CT) and an E. Towhee at
Prewitt Res., Washington, CO, Oct. 2-3
(BKP et al.). Somewhat w. of normal was a
Clay-colored Sparrow at Red Rock Canyon
S.P., Clark, NV, Nov. 1 (RS). Sixteen Field
Sparrows were reported in e. Colorado from
12 counties this fall and along with one in
Cheyenne, WY, indicated a wider dispersal
on the e. plains of the Region than normal.
A Black-throated Sparrow was at Lamar,
CO, Sep. 27 (DAL). Becoming somewhat
regular in e. Colorado, a Le Conte’s
Sparrow was discovered at Big Johnson
Res., El Paso, Oct. 25 (RB). White-throated
Sparrows were very common throughout
Colorado and stretched west into Utah and
Nevada this fall. An imm. Golden-crowned
Sparrow was banded s.e. of Dubois,
Fremont Oct. 16-22 (R&MM), Wyoming’s
2nd record. In Colorado, one was detected
in Mesa Oct. 17 (RL) and another at Barr L.,
Adams, Oct. 19-Nov. 21 (GG, TD, TL, m.
ob.). An Eastern Meadowlark was singing

at Red Lion S.W.A., Logan, CO, Sep. 20 ( JV).
Unusual in Nevada, a female Baltimore
Oriole was reported from Indian Springs,
Clark, NV, Sep. 24 (ST, GHR).

Cited Observers: Gene Albancse, Elisabeth
Ammon, Ron Batie (RBa), Joel 8c Kathy
Beyer (J&KB), Sue Bonfield, Bob Brown,
Richard Bunn, Greg Butcher, Bob Buttery
(BBu), Sherry Chapman, Graham Chisolm,
Mark R. Collie, Susan Craig (SCr), Jim Ik
Marian Cressman (J&MC), Denver Field
Ornithologists’ (DFO), Bob Dickson, Todd
Dilley, Stephen J. Dinsmore, Jane Dorn,
Robert Dorn, Katy Duffy, Jon L. Dunn,
Norm Erthal, Keith Evans, Robert Flores,
Bob Foley, Peter Gaede, Glenn Giroir, Bob
Goycoolea, Dana Green, Glenn Hageman,
B.B. Hahn, Bob Hahn, Stan 8c Betty
Harwood (S&BH), J.B. Hayes, Bill Henry,
Ned Hill, Joe Himmel, Ken Hollinga,
DavidHolway (DH), Bill Howe (BHo),
Mark Janos, Dave Johnson, Tina Jones, Bill
Kaempfer, Sue Kamal, Joey Kellner, Hugh
Kingery, Urling Kingery, Florence R. Knoll,
Rachel Kolokoff, Nick Komar, David
Laliberte, David A. Leatherman, Tony
Leukering, Rich Levad, William P. Lisowsky,
Stephen Long, Marsha Lytle, Guy McCaskie
(GMcC), Dick Maxfield, Martin Meyers
(MM), Ralph 8c Marlene Moldenhauer
(R8cMM), Larry Neel, Martha Neel, Duane
Nelson, Ray Nelson, Ric Olson (RO), Ken
Pals, Jane Pederson, Brandon K. Percival,
Myron 8c Suzi Plooster (M8cSP), Kim Potter
(KPo), John 8c Lisa Rawinski (J8cLR), Bert
Raynes (BRa), Jack Rensel (JRe), Joe Roller
(JRo), Gary H. Rosenberg (GHR), Gene
Rutherford, IraSanders, Mike San Miguel
(MSM), Rick P. Saval, Rita Schlageter, Dick
Schottler, Greg Scyphers, Dennis
Serdehelely (DSe), David Silverman (DSi),
V. A. Smith (VAS), Bob Spencer, Mark
Stackhouse (MS), Rich Stallcup (RSt),
Priscilla R. Summers, Steven D. Summers,
Dan Svingen (DSv), Scott Terrill, Carolyn
Titus, Van A. Truan, Jim Tumasonis, John
Vanderpoel, Alan Versaw, John Waggener
(JWa), Jack Walters, Jim 8c Rosie Watts
(J8cRW), Jeff Webster (JWe), Brian K.
Wheeler, Diane Wong, Christopher L.
Wood.

Van A. Truan, 1901 Court St., Pueblo, CO
81003, and Brandon K. Percival, 835

Harmony Dr., Pueblo West, CO 81007 (e-mail:
flammowl@juno.com)

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 1

83

arizona region

CHRIS D. BENESH
and GARY H. ROSENBERG

Abbreviations: A.B.C. (Arizona Bird Commit¬
tee); B.A.N.W.R. (Buenos Aires Nat'l Wildlife
Refuge); L.C.R.V. (Lower Colorado R. Valley);
G.F.P. (Gila Farms Pond); M.F.L. (Many Farms
Lake); N.I.R. (Navajo Indian Reservation); P.A.P.
(Pinal Air Park); P.R.D. (Painted Rock Dam);
S.P.R. (San Pedro R.); S.T.P (Sewage Treatment
Plant); S.S.V. (Sulphur Springs Valley); W.S.F.
(Western Sod Farm).

LOONS THROUGH CRANES

There was a small influx of Pacific Loons
into the state, with singles found at San Car¬
los Nov. 2 (A. Moors), at Hickiwan, Tohono
O’odham Nation Nov. 11 (J. Babcock), and
at Parker Canyon L. Nov. 8-11 (JH, P.
Solomon). A great find was the Least Grebe
at Willcox Nov. 3 through the period (D.
Morrison, ph. MS); there are about nine
accepted records for the state. No fewer than
36 W. Grebes were present in various areas
in s.e. Arizona Aug. 5 through the period
(MS). An ad. Brown Pelican was at P.R.D.
Sep. 19 (DS, P. Backstrom), and another was
found in Nogales Nov. 14-24 (RH, et al.).
Forty-nine Snowy Egrets was a rather large
concentration for M.F.L. Sep. 19 (CL). The
Tricolored Heron found in Jul. at Picacho
Res. was seen again Aug. 17 (J. Saba).
Another good find was a Reddish Egret pre¬
sent at Gila Farms Pond Aug. 10-11 (fRJ);
this was the 4th Maricopa record.

A single Eur. Wigeon returned to Tempe
Oct. 15 {fide SGa). Two early Ring-necked
Ducks were in e. Tucson Aug. 9 (MS, GHR,
et al.). Scarce in s.e. Arizona, a single
Greater Scaup was at the Sierra Vista S.T.P.
Oct. 15 (SH). Casual in s. Arizona, a Surf

Scoter was present at the Avra Valley S.T.P.
Nov. 18-22 (P. Solomon, ph. MS). Rarer
still was a female White-winged Scoter at
the Green Valley S.T.P. Nov. 3-6 (B. Wotten,
S. Mahoney, ph. MS, GH). A pair of White¬
tailed Kites was present near the entrance to
the Coronado National Memorial through¬
out the period, and another was seen 7
miles n. of Bowie Oct. 15 (B. Honser).
Rather far w. in Arizona was a single Zone¬
tailed Hawk seen near Tacna Oct. 4 (RH).
Crested Caracaras were found away from
traditional areas, with singles reported
from Picacho Res. Nov. 16 (D. Trentley) and
from Sierra Vista Nov. 17 (C. Florian, S.
Ambrose). A Com. Moorhen found at
Pasture Canyon Nov. 20-25 (CL, S.
Davidson) was only the 4th record for the
N.I.R. Somewhat out of place was a pair of
Sandhill Cranes seen at the Sierra Vista
S.T.P. Oct. 13 (SH).

PLOVERS

THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS

An Am. Golden-Plover was found at Will¬
cox Oct. 1 (SL, JL). More amazing was the
first documented Arizona sighting of Pa¬
cific Golden-Plover found by fRich Hoyer
at the W.S.F. near Friendly Corners Aug. 6.
Felt to be a first-alternate-plumaged bird, it
remained until at least Aug. 12 (ph. GH,
MS, voice rec. RJ, DS). Scare in migration in
Arizona, a juv. Snowy Plover was at W.S.F.
Sep. 17 (DS). Remarkably early for s.
Arizona, four Mountain Plovers were dis¬
covered at W.S.F. Aug. 11 (RH) and
remained through the period. Rather rare
in n. Arizona, four Black-necked Stilts were
in Page Aug. 24 (CL), with one still there
Sep. 16. Also, three more were present at
Rimmy Jim Tank Sep. 13 (CL), with one
there Sep. 23-25.

Arizona’s third Northern Jacana was
discovered at Arivaca L. and subsequently
seen and documented by numerous
observers Oct. 15-23 (E. Bennett, ph. fMS,
GHR). Two Lesser Yellowlegs in s.w.
Phoenix Nov. 14 (TC) were late. Three
Sanderlings were discovered in n. Arizona
this fall with singles at Cow Springs L. Aug.
12 (CL), Wahweap Sep. 8-9 (CL), and Tuba
City Sep. 18 (CL). In addition, two were at
Willcox in s. Arizona Sep. 12 (RH, ph. MS).
Five Semipalmated Sandpipers was an aver¬

age showing for the fall. Considered rare in
n. Arizona, a very early Dunlin was at Wah¬
weap Sep. 28 (CL, JS). Another scarce fall
migrant in Arizona, several Short-billed
Dowitchers were located, including a con¬
centration of five in Tucson Sep. 21 (RH,
ph. fMS). A very early Com. Snipe was in
s.w. Phoenix Aug. 1 (TC). A very large flock
of 350-400 Red-necked Phalaropes was
observed along the Colorado R. at L.
Havasu Oct. 14 (RH, MS, DS). Four Red
Phalaropes were reported this fall in s.
Arizona, with singles at the Avra Valley
S.T.P. Sep. 19 (ph. fMS), the C.A.P. Basin w.
of Tucson Oct. 15 (D. West), the Amado
S.T.P. Oct. 28 (ph. fMS), and the Benson
S.T.P. Nov. 12 (fMS, CDB).

Casual in Arizona, a Laughing Gull was
present at Patagonia L. Aug. 13-15 (fGHR,
D. Clark). Also casual, two ad. Heermann’s
Gulls were found in the state this fall, with
one in w. Tucson along the Santa Cruz R.
Oct. 25 (SL, JL, ph. MS), and another at
Willcox Oct. 26 (fM. Haldeman). Three
Herring Gulls were reported in the state
away from the Colorado R.; one was at Ga-
nado L. Oct. 1 1 (CB), and two were in Will¬
cox Nov. 12 (CDB, ph. MS). This fall again
saw spectacular numbers of Sabine’s Gulls
in the state, with no fewer than 13 individu¬
als seen. One was in Kayenta Sep. 5 (CL) and
another there Sep. 13-14 (GHR), one at the
Green Valley S.T.P. Sep. 8 (ph. MS), one at
Becker L. Sep. 13 (RJ, RF), one at El Mirage
Sep. 13 (CB), one at Round Rock Sep. 14
(GHR), two at Tsaile L. Sep. 14 (GHR), one
at Crescent L. Sep. 16 (GHR), three at Wah¬
weap Sep. 22 (CL, JS), and one at L. Havasu
Sep. 26 (CB, S. Strangeland). One of Ari¬
zona’s rarer larids, an ad. Black-legged Kitti-
wake was at Willcox Nov. 15 (tJH, ph. GH).
Two to four Com. Terns seen at L. Havasu
Oct. 14 (DS, RH, MS) were a bit late. Three
more Com. Terns at the Benson S.T.P. Oct. 1
(SL, JL) were also rare.

No fewer than 10 Ruddy Ground- Doves
were reported this fall, with one in Lukeville
Oct. 2 (RH), one at the P.A.P. pecan grove
Oct. 3 (RD), one at Kino Springs Oct. 28
(fMS), one at Paloma Nov. 1 (RJ, SGa), one
in s.w. Phoenix Nov. 7 (M. Baker, D. Fink),
one at the Sweetwater Wetlands in Tucson
Nov. 11 through the period (J. Nance, ph.
MS), two in Maricopa Nov. 13 (R. Witze-
man), one at Picacho Res. Nov. 24 (L.

84

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

Liese), and one in Patagonia Nov. 27 (M.
Brown). Casual in the state, a Groove-billed
Ani was reported from L. Montezuma Sep.
24-29 (D. Hook). A Barn Owl at Pasture
Canyon Sep. 25 (CL) was only the 8th
record for the N.l.R. A late Flammulated
Owl was heard calling along South Fork,
Chiricahua Mts. Oct. 4 (DJa), and another
was picked up in w. Phoenix Oct. 20 ( fide
SGa).

The male Berylline Hummingbird first
reported this spring was still present in
Ramsey Cyn Aug. 6 (T. Bishop). A Violet-
crowned Hummingbird seen along the
upper S.P.R. Sep. 6 (m. ob.) was slightly out
of place, as were singles in Miller Cyn Sep.
5-11 (S. Johnson, et al.), one at the P.A.P.
pecan grove Oct. 3 (RD), and one in Portal
Oct. 12 through the period (NM-C, AC).
Quite out of place was a Magnificent
Hummingbird seen at the Patons’ feeders in
Patagonia Sep. 23 (RH). Scarce in n.
Arizona, an Anna’s Hummingbird was seen
in Greer Sep. 18 (RH). An ad. Allen’s
Hummingbird seen defending territory
along the upper S.P.R. Sep. 11 (DK) was
extremely late for this species in the state.

TROCOMS THROUGH THRASHERS

Unusual were 3-4 Elegant Trogons in Portal
in mid-Nov. (DJa). Green Kingfishers are
slowly increasing in number along the
upper S.P.R. again (fide DK), and elsewhere
singles were at Kino Springs Aug. 5-20 (M.
Williams, ph. MS), at Sycamore Cyn Aug.
28 (RH), and at Sonoita Cr. in Patagonia
Aug. 30 (M. Miller et al.). A Yellow-bellied
Sapsucker was reported from Coon Bluff
Nov. 7 (S. Burge, R. Witzeman). Rare in
Arizona, “Yellow-shafted” Flickers included
a female at B.T.A. Nov. 4-22 (RH et al.), a
male there Nov. 18 through the period
(JiB), and another along the upper S.P.R.
near Hereford Nov. 16-29 (JH).

A territorial Greater Pewee was in s.w.
Phoenix Nov. 27 (TC). The Eastern Wood-
Pewee found at Madera Canyon remained
until at least Aug. 20 (fide SGa). A tardy
Willow Flycatcher was at Dateland Oct. 4
(RH). Rarely seen in migration in Arizona,
an E. Phoebe was at Paloma Oct. 25 (RJ). A
late Dusky-capped Flycatcher was in
Paradise Oct. 7 (DJa). A couple of late
Brown -crested Flycatchers were in a Tucson
yard Sep. 4-8 (ME, DS). Of interest was a
Tropical Kingbird found away from tradi¬
tional areas at the W.S.F. near Friendly
Corners Aug. 12 (RJ). E. Kingbird reports
this fall included two at Cow Springs L. Sep.
5 (CL), one at Becker L. Sep. 6 (ph. CB), and
one at Canelo Hills Sep. 12 (J. Bock).

Quite rare in the state, a White-eyed
Vireo was found in Portal Aug. 19 (fGHR et
al.). A Blue-headed Vireo was reported
from lower Sycamore Canyon Nov. 30
(fDS); there are currently two accepted
sight records for the state and a photo¬
graphic record under review. An impressive
three Red-eyed Vireos were reported in the
state this fall, including one along the S.P.R.
at Escapule Wash Aug. 13 (RH), one on Mt.
Lemmon Aug. 15 (JiB), and another at Lee’s
Ferry Sep. 23 (CL, NB). Highly intriguing
was the report of a male Sinaloa Martin
seen flying low overhead in good light for
10 seconds at Barfoot Junction in the
Chiricahua Mts. (T. Morgan, K. Walz); this
species is unrecorded north of Mexico, but
occurring as far north as central Sonora, it
is generally considered a likely candidate to
wander into Arizona. A late Violet-green
Swallow was at the Sierra Vista S.T.P. Nov.
22 (DK). Late Barn Swallows included one
at Wahweap Nov. 4-5 (CL) and four along
the Santa Cruz R. in Tucson Nov. 29 (MS).

Two pairs of Bridled Titmouse success¬
fully nested along the upper S.P.R. during
the period (DK), providing the first local
breeding for this species. Out of place was a
Red-breasted Nuthatch at B.T.A. Oct. 10
(DS, T. Staudt). A singing Brown Creeper
was found along the upper S.P.R. Aug. 7
through the period (DK). Casual in n.
Arizona, a Winter Wren was at Pasture Cyn
Nov. 25 (Cl.). Of interest was an Am. Dip¬
per found in lower Sycamore Cyn Nov. 30
(DS, RH, ph. MS). A Rufous-backed Robin
was seen briefly in an oleander hedge near
the W.S.F. Oct. 8 (fRH), and another was at
B.T.A. Nov. 18 through the period (JiB,
RD). A greater-than-normal number of
Gray Catbirds was reported in the state this
fall, with singles at Kino Springs Oct. 1 1 (S.
Johnson), the Phoenix Zoo Oct. 24-25 (J.
Jones), Kingfisher Pond, upper S.P.R., Nov.
5 (JWh), Wahweap Nov. 5-6 (CL, JS), and
one in Sonora, Mexico, e. of Puerto Penasco
Nov. 7-8 (L. Langstaff). Rare in Arizona, a
Brown Thrasher was at B.T.A. beginning
Nov. 27 (JiB).

WARBLERS

THROUGH GOLDFINCHES

An above-average three Tennessee Warblers
were reported this fall, with one in
Cameron Sep. 18 (CL), one at Arivaca (SL,
JL), and one along the Santa Cruz R. n.w. of
Tucson Nov. 18-19 (RH). Four N. Parula
reports was above average; singles were near
Page Springs Sep. 2 (fME, N. Brinkley), the
Roger Rd. S.T.P. in Tucson Oct. 9 (C.
Cathers), the Arizona Sonora Desert

Museum Oct. 25 (ph. MS), and Dudleyvillc
Nov. 22 (RH). Late Yellow Warblers includ¬
ed two in s.w. Phoenix Nov. 14 (TC) and
one in Arivaca Nov. 21 (RH). A Chestnut-
sided Warbler was at the Roger Rd. S.T.P.
Nov. 13-19 (ph. MS, CDB). Casual in the
state, a Cape May Warbler was found in n.e.
Tucson Nov. 28 through the period (RH et
al.). Two Black-throated Blue Warblers were
found with one in Sycamore Cyn Oct. 24
( fide SGa), and a second in Cave Cr. Cyn,
Maricopa, Oct. 30 (B. Eilerts). Of interest
was a Palm Warbler found along Sonoita
Cr., above Patagonia L. Oct. 24 (D. Lauten,
RH); this species is casual in Arizona. One
of Arizona’s rarer warblers, a Bay-breasted
Warbler was found in Horseshoe Cyn,
Chiricahua Mts., in early Nov. (AC, NM-C).
A Blackpoll Warbler found in Puerto
Penasco, Sonora, Mexico, Oct. 2 (SGa) may
represent the first record for this species in
Sonora. Sixteen reports of Black-and-white
Warbler was an above-average fall showing.
Five Am. Redstarts were reported this fall in
the state. Three Prothonotary Warblers
were found this fall, with one in Sabino Cyn
Aug. 7 (fMS), one at Granite Reef Sep. 24
(fSGa), and another in w. Tucson Nov. 3
(SL, JL). Very scarce in the state, a Worm¬
eating Warbler was in Miller Cyn Sep. 18 (B.
Stocku). An Ovenbird was found in Gilbert
Oct. 13-24 (D. Johnson). Very scarce in
Arizona, single Louisiana Waterthrushes
were along the upper S.P.R. Sep. 10 (DK,
HB) and in upper Sycamore Cyn Nov. 30
(rec. DS, RH, ph. MS). Casual in the state,
Kentucky Warbler reports included one in
Cameron Sep. 18 (CL), and in w. Tucson
Oct. 8-15 (ph. fMS et al.). An imm. female
Mourning Warbler was banded, measured,
and photographed along the upper S.P.R. in
Garden Wash (fJWh); if accepted by the
A.B.C., this will be one of fewer than ten
records for the state. Rare in fall, a single
Hooded Warbler was in w. Tucson Sep.
22-30 (RH, ph. MS, GH), and (it or anoth¬
er) was seen again there Nov. 1 1 (J. Nance).
Four Painted Redstarts were found this fall
in lowland riparian areas away from breed¬
ing habitat: Sonoita Cr. Sep. 23 (RH), the
Santa Cruz R. n.w. of Tucson Sep. 24 (RH),
upper S.P.R. Oct. 1 (DK), and Camp Cr.
Oct. 31+ (JC). Arizona’s first winter record
of Rufous-capped Warbler was discovered
along the S.P.R. near Hereford Nov. 14 (M.
Pretti, m. ob. ph. GHR, JiB) and remained
through the period.

Casual in Arizona, an imm. male Scarlet
Tanager was in Paloma Oct. 25 ( t RJ )- At
least eight Clay-colored Sparrows were
reported in Arizona this fall, an above-aver-

V0LUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 1

85

itiriTiwOTiinTii'ir liirninnfimn

age showing. The only Rose-breasted
Grosbeak sightings included one in Miller
Cyn Oct. 13 (ph. MS, RH) and one in
Whitetail Cyn, Chiricahua Mts. Nov. 29 (R.
Taylor). Painted Buntings continue to be
reported in the state in small numbers. This
fall singles included a male in Tanque Verde
Wash e. of Tucson Aug. 9 (fMS), one at
Empire Cienega Ranch Sep. 10 (MS), one at
Willow Tank Sep. 1 1 (DJa), one at Becker L.
Sep. 13 (RJ), and a late ad. male in n.e.
Tucson Nov. 16 (S. Keefe). No fewer than 13
Dickcissels was an impressive fall total. A
Bobolink, rare in fall, was at the W.S.F. Oct.
21 (fRH, MS). Casual in Arizona, an
Orchard Oriole was at the P.A.P. pecan
grove Oct. 17 (WR), and an ad. male
returned to a w. Tucson feeder Sep. 23 (H.
McCrystal). The fall’s only Lawrence’s
Goldfinch report was of one at Tanque
Verde Wash, e. Tucson, Sep. 15 (K.
Kaufman, MS).

Contributors (area compilers in boldface):

Charlie Babbitt, Hank Brodkin, Nikolle
Brown, Jim Burns (JiB), Alan Craig, John
Coons (Flagstaff), Troy Corman, Rich
Ditch, Megan Edwards, Rich Ferguson,
Aaron Flesch, Steve Ganley (SGa), Jay
Hand (Tucson), Stuart Healy, George
Hentz, Rich Hoyer, Dave Jasper (Portal),
Roy Jones, Dave Krueper (Sierra Vista),
Jim Levy, Seymour Levy, Norma Miller,
Narca Moore-Craig, Richard Palmer, Roger
Radd (Cottonwood), Will Russell, John
Spence, Dave Stejskal, Mark Stevenson,
Carl S. Tomoff (Prescott), Jack Whetstone
(Sierra Vista), Sheri Williamson, Jay
Withgott (JyWi), Janet Witzeman
(Phoenix), Robert Witzeman, Tom Wood.

new mexico
region

SARTOR 0. WILLIAMS III

warm and generally dry autumn pro¬
vided mild conditions for birds and
birders. Wandering waterbirds and eastern
passerines brought excitement, but sub¬
montane incursions were lacking. Mean¬
while, the state list was increased by one, to
497.

Abbreviations: B.L.N.W.R. (Bitter Lake N.W.R.);
Bosque N.W.R. (Bosque del Apache N.W.R.);
E.B.L. (Elephant Butte Lake); L.V.N.W.R. (Las
Vegas N.W.R.); N.R.T. (north Roosevelt County
migrant trap near Melrose); R.S. (Rattlesnake
Springs, Eddy County); R.G.N.C. (Rio Grande
Nature Center, Albuquerque); R.G.V. (Rio
Grande Valley); Zuni (Zuni Indian Reservation).

recent years, an Am. Bittern was at
B.L.N.W.R. Nov. 15 (ph. JO) & 27 (JEP).
Peripheral Great Egrets included one n. to
Stubblefield L. Aug. 2 (JO) and three w. to
Deming Oct. 5 (LM). At B.L.N.W.R., where
there were two Reddish Egrets in late Jul., a
single was present on numerous dates Aug.
1-Sep. 11 (JEP, JO, GW) and again Nov. 27
(JEP), while another (perhaps one of the
original two?) appeared at Sumner L. Aug. 9
(vt. JO). One-two Tricolored Herons were
at B.L.N.W.R. Aug. 1-Sep. 17 (JEP, JO,
GW). Unusual was a Cattle Egret at Santa
Fe Nov. 21 (S. Phillips); late were 12 at
B.L.N.W.R. Nov. 29 (JO). Three Tundra
Swans were at Maxwell N.W.R. Nov. 13
(DE). Three Wood Ducks at Glorieta Nov.
3-11 (SOW) furnished a local first.
Eurasian Wigeon has become annual in
New Mexico; this season found one at
R.G.N.C. Nov. 1 (WH). Four Redhead
broods were in the Chuska Mts., San Juan,
Sep. 13 (TR). Early Ring-necked Ducks
were four at Toadlena L. Sep. 26 (TR) and
one at B.L.N.W.R. Sep. 1 1 (GW). The only
Greater Scaup were two males at
Stubblefield L. Oct. 25 (JO). Surf Scoters
caused excitement at L.V.N.W.R., with
one-three Oct. 29 (WW) to Nov. 15 (DE,
JEP, JO, BF, PS).

Chris D. Benesh, 4308 E. Poe St. Tucson, AZ
85711; Gary H. Rosenberg, P.0. BOX
91856, Tucson, AZ 85752-1856

Place names that are frequently men¬
tioned, but very long, may be abbreviat¬
ed in a form such as “C.B.B.T.” or
“W.P.B.O.” Such local abbreviations will
be explained in a key at the beginning
of the particular regional report in
which they are used. Standard abbrevi¬
ations that are used throughout North
American Birds are keyed on page 24.

LOONS THROUGH DUCKS

A good loon season found single Red-
throated Ix>ons at Springer L. Nov. 14 (JEP,
vt. JO) and Sumner L. Oct. 21-Nov. 1 (WW,
JEP, JO) and single Pacifies at Springer L.
Oct. 31 (JEP, JO) and Heron L. Nov. 7 (M.
Haldeman). Commons again lived up to
their name, with reports from 20 sites
statewide, including 14 at Storrie L. Nov. 1 1
(WH). Small numbers of Horned Grebes
were at 6 e. lakes; earliest was one at
L.V.N.W.R. Oct. 18 (CR, BF). An Eared
Grebe feeding a chick at Toadlena L. Sep. 20
(ph. TR) furnished a rare San Juan breeding
record. Perhaps owing to stresses elsewhere,
Brown Pelicans made an impressive show¬
ing, with one-two at Sumner L. Sep.
19-Nov. 11 (v.o.), one-three at E.B.L. Sep.
10-Nov. 27 (v.o., ph. DC), and one-four at
Brantley L. Sep. 12-Oct. 19 (v.o.). Scarce in

RAPTORS THROUGH PLOVERS

Migrant Ospreys were much in evidence
statewide; noteworthy for the Sacramento
Mts. were two at Grindstone L. and three at
Mescalero L. Sep. 16 (AP). Single White¬
tailed Kites were at La Joya Oct. 2 (E. Har¬
vey) and Carlsbad Sep. 17 (SW). North was
a Mississippi Kite at Puerto de Luna,
Guadalupe, Aug. 30 (JO); late was one at
Bosque N.W.R. Oct. 16 (CR). Out of range
were single Com. Black-Hawks at Santa
Rosa Aug. 5 (WW) and Aug. 30 (JO); very
late were singles at Glencoe, Hondo Valley,
Nov. 22 (AP) and Mangas Nov. 5 (LM).
Encouraging for the west were reports of
one-three Harris’s Hawks in Hidalgo (JO),
Luna (JO, LM), Doha Ana (P. Jungemann),
and Otero (RC). A Red-shouldered Hawk
at Maxwell N.W.R. Sep. 6 (D. Svingen) may
have represented the w. race. The record 14
Broad-winged Hawks counted at the

86

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

Manzano hawkwatch site Sep. 13-Oct. 3
(H.W.I.) easily outpaced the long-term
average of five there; west and a local first
was a Broad-winged in the Florida Mts.
Sep. 7 (LM). A record 56 Merlins passed the
Manzano site Sep. 8-Nov. 3 (H.W.I. ), more
than doubling the long-term average; else¬
where, one-three were at 10 locales in the
east and south. Continuing good news for
White-tailed Ptarmigans in the Pecos
Wilderness included six on Jicarita Peak
Sep. 8 (ph. WW) and at least two chicks
along Trail Rider’s Wall Aug. 5 (D.
MacCarter). Early were two Sandhill
Cranes at L.V.N.W.R. Sep. 20 (CR, JT). One
of the few remaining Whooping Cranes
from the experimental “Rocky Mountain”
flock strayed to San Juan Oct. 25 (ph. TR).
Exceptionally early were single Black-bel¬
lied Plovers at B.L.N.W.R. Aug. 1 (JEP, JO)
and Holloman L. Aug. 15 (RC); Black-bel-
lieds were unusually prevalent Sep. 20-Oct.
31, with one-two at Maxwell N.W.R.,
Springer L., L.V.N.W.R., and E.B.L. and up
to 11 at B.L.N.W.R. (v.o.). An imm. Moun¬
tain Plover in San Juan Aug. 6 (TR) may
have been locally produced; Mountains
passed through the Moriarty and Los Lunas
turf farms Aug. 22-Oct. 3 (v.o.), peaking
with 120 at Moriarty Sep. 4 (BN, DE) and
47 at Los Lunas Sep. 7 (CR).

SANDPIPERS THROUGH TERNS

Migrant Upland Sandpipers were conspicu¬
ous at several Pecos Valley locales Aug.
13-Sep. 10 (v.o.), including 100 near
Carlsbad Aug. 16 (SW); west were three at
Los Lunas Aug. 15 (JR). Rare in fall, single
Whimbrels were at B.L.N.W.R. Sep. 4 (JEP,
BN, DE), E.B.L. Aug. 16 (CR, BN, DE), and
Mesilla Sep. 19 (GE). An ad. Ruddy Turn¬
stone was at B.L.N.W.R. Aug. 22 (GW); a
juv. Ruddy at E.B.L. Sep. 24 (JEP, ph. JO)
was found dead Sep. 29 (WW), furnishing
the state’s 2nd specimen. Single Sanderlings
were at Sumner L. (JR), Dexter (JO), and
Brantley L. (BN, DE) Sep. 4-6. A Semi-
palmated Sandpiper lingered at Santa Rosa
Sep. 4—19 (JO, JEP); farther west, fairly well-
detailed Semipalmateds were singles at
Moriarty Aug. 22 (CR), Bosque N.W.R. Sep.
2 (JO) and Sep. 10 (CR), and Deming Aug.
7 (LM). High counts for Dunlins were 13 at
B.L.N.W.R. Nov. 6 (GW) and five there Nov.
29 (JO). Always a challenge, single silent
Short-billed Dowitchers were described at
L.V.N.W.R. Aug. 23 (CR) and Sep. 21 (JEP,
JO) and Bosque N.W.R. Sep. 17-30 (vt. JO,
DE, BN, JEP). Early was a Red-necked
Phalarope at B.L.N.W.R. Aug. 1 (JEP, JO,
GW). At least one Red Phalarope was at

Zuni’s Tekapo L. Oct. 5-12 (ph. DC); anoth¬
er Red was at Santa Rosa Oct. 9-1 1 (vt. JO,
JEP, DE, BN). Long awaited, New Mexico’s
first confirmed Parasitic Jaeger was a juve¬
nile retrieved from the waters of Conchas L.
by water skiers Sep. 19 (L. Coward) and
taken to Santa Fe, where photographed and
measured Oct. 6 (ph. SOW, G. Schmitt); fol¬
lowing rehabilitation, it was later released
on the Texas coast. Another jaeger at
B.L.N.W.R. Oct. 8 (GW) was believed to be
a Pomarine, but details were equivocal. A
possible 2nd-winter Little Gull was at
Cherry L., Mora, Sep. 20 (CR); there are but
two previous (one verified) New Mexico
records. Single probable Mew Gulls were at
E.B.L. Oct. 24 (RG, JR) and Nov. 26 (DC).
Early California Gulls were singles at
Charette L. Aug. 2 (JO) and B.L.N.W.R. Aug.
1-22 (JO, JEP, GW); high count was 15 at
Storrie L. Nov. 1 1 (WH). Probable Thayer’s
Gulls were first-winter singles at Storrie L.
Nov. 11 (WH) and E.B.L. Nov. 26 (DC).
Sabine’s Gulls made another fine showing,
with one-four juveniles at 10 sites in 8
counties from the R.G.V. eastward Sep.
4-Oct. 18 (v.o., ph. JO). Black-legged Kitti-
wake is very rare in New Mexico, but this
season produced single juveniles at 2 locales:
Bluewater L. Nov. 19-22 (B. Pataky, JEP, JO,
DE) and Sumner L. Nov. 8 (WH, SOW).
The only Caspian Terns were two each at
Sumner L. Oct. 1 1 (vt. JO) and E.B.L. Sep.
24-25 (JEP, DE). Com. Terns were uncom¬
monly common at E.B.L., where an early
one Aug. 16 (CR, DE, BN) was followed by
multiple reports Sep. 13-Oct. 18 (v.o.) peak¬
ing with 32 on Oct. 3 (CR, DE, JEP, JO); west
and a local first was an ad. Common at
Deming Sep. 23 (LM). Late Forster’s Terns
were two at Isleta Oct. 31 (J. Drummond)
and singles at Sumner L. Nov. 7 (JO) and
near Carlsbad Nov. 6 (SW).

PIGEONS

THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS

Far east was a Band-tailed Pigeon at N.R.T.
Oct. 24 (ph. JO); notably late Band-taileds
included 13 in the Manzano Mts. Nov. 5
(LS) and up to 10 in the Animas Mts. Nov.
21 (AC, NMC, JEP, JO). Eurasian Collared-
Doves have become a regular feature at
Fort Sumner, with one-four at 4 sites
Aug.-Nov. (v.o., ph. JO); at Santa Fe, where
collared-doves first appeared in late 1996,
one was documented Oct. 22 (JEP, ph. JO),
while at Roswell (where first reported in
1995) small numbers were in evidence
throughout the period (v.o.). White-winged
Doves on their n. frontier included one-two
at Santa Fe Oct. 19-23 (v.o.), L.V.N.W.R.

Sep. 7 (BF), Fort Sumner Nov. 1 (JO) 8c 8
(WH, SOW), Logan Nov. 8 (JO), and near
Tucumcari Sep. 2 (WW); notable were one
at Cedar Crest Sep. 2 (KS) and 102 at
Deming Nov. 27 (LM). Not to be left
behind, northerly Inca Doves included two
at Zuni Sep. 30-Oct. 1 (DC), singles at Las
Vegas Nov. 29 (JR), Sumner L. Sep. 26
(JEP), and Melrose Sep. 5 (JO), plus
one-two at Fort Sumner through Nov. 8
(v.o.). Single Com. Ground-Doves at
Percha Oct. 12 (J. Zabriskie) and Las Cruces
Oct. 24 (GE) provided the only reports.
Yellow-billed Cuckoos where rarely report¬
ed were singles near Shiprock Aug. 9 8c 1 1
(ph. TR) and Glencoe Aug. 15 (AP). A
Flammulated Owl was east to N.R.T. Oct.
10 (JEP, ph. JO). Late were three Elf Owls
heard in Clanton Canyon Oct. 24 (CR).
Rare (or overlooked?) in New Mexico, a
Short-eared Owl was in the s. Animas Valley
Nov. 20 (DE). A Boreal Owl was heard and
briefly seen near Cumbres Pass Aug. 7-8
(JEP, JO), where the species were first doc¬
umented in 1987. Late was a Com. Poorwill
at Lake Valley Nov. 6 (CR). At least four
Black Swift nests at the Jemez Mts. colony
contained single nestlings Aug. 23 (HS).
North in the Peloncillo Mts. was a juv.
Broad-billed Hummingbird banded at P.O.
Canyon Oct. 17 (JDM); far east was a male
Broad-billed at Timberon Sep. 20-30 (M. 8c
M. Egan). An impressive 19 Anna’s Hum¬
mingbirds were banded at P.O. Canyon Oct.
17-18 (JDM); Anna’s farther east were sin¬
gles at Silver City Aug. 22 and Oct. 22-26
(EL) and Albuquerque Sep. 1 (PS), plus two
near Las Cruces Oct. 19 (R. Castetter). Late
was a female Broad-tailed banded at Albu¬
querque Nov. 27 (JDM, ph. HS).

WOODPECKERS THROUGH WRENS

Migrant Lewis’s Woodpeckers passed
through the Manzano Mts., including a
flock of 20 on Sep. 19, 10 on Sep. 20, and
singles through Sep. 29 (LS). Acorn
Woodpeckers are local at the edges of their
distribution; in the north were singles in
the Chuska Mts. Aug. 22 and Sep. 20 (TR),
while in the southeast two were in Dark
Canyon, Guadalupe Mts., Aug. 30 (SW).
Providing a Zuni first was a Ladder-backed
Woodpecker Oct. 25 8c Nov. 7 (ph. DC). A
Three-toed Woodpecker was in the Chuska
Mts. Sep. 20 (ph. TR), where rarely docu¬
mented. A Willow Flycatcher nest near
Shiprock produced fledglings Aug. 15 (ph.
TR), providing a first for San Juan. Westerly
Least Flycatchers were singles at Sumner
Dam Aug. 30 (JO) and Bosque Redondo
Sep. 6 (BN, DE). Based on measurements

VOLUME SB (1999), ISSUE 1

87

(and occasional vocalizations), five “West¬
ern” Flycatchers were identified as young
Pacific-slopes and banded at R.G.N.C. Aug.
30-Sep. 20 (SC, LG); the status of this
migrant is poorly understood in New Mexi¬
co. Far northeast of expected, a Sulphur-
bellied Flycatcher put in a brief appearance
at Moriarty Sep. 1 1 (JEP, ph. JO). At Otis, a
fall roost of Scissor-tailed Flycatchers had
48 birds Aug. 23 (SW); last were four there
Oct. 9 (SW). Single imm. White-eyed
Vireos were at N.R.T. Oct. 10-11 (ph. JO,
BN) and Percha Aug. 14-15 (DE, JEP).
North of usual was a Bell’s Vireo at Sumner
Dam Aug. 22 (JO, CR) to Sep. 6 (DE, BN),
where the eastern race is a possibility; north
in the R.G.V. was a singing Bell’s at La Joya
Sep. 12 ( fide DL). Rare in New Mexico, sin¬
gle probable Blue-headed Vireos were at
Galisteo Sep. 20 (BF), Bosque N.W.R. Sep. 4
(banded, R.M.R.S.), Bosque Redondo Oct.
1 (DE), and N.R.T. Aug. 29-Sep. 7 (DE, JO),
Oct. 4 (JO), and Oct. 24 (JEP, JO).
Unexpected was a probable Yellow-green
Vireo at Sumner Dam Aug. 9 (JO), Aug. 21
(JEP), and Aug. 23 (JO); single Red-eyeds
were in the east at N.R.T., Boone’s Draw,
and R.S. Aug. 30-Sep. 12 (v.o.). Corvids
pushing their limits were two Blue Jays west
to Santa Fe Oct. 22 (JEP, JO), a Clark’s
Nutcracker south to Emory Pass Sep. 11
(GE), and a Black-billed Magpie south to
Isleta Nov. 9 (T. Mitchusson). Juniper
Titmice at their s. frontier were one in the
Animas Mts. Nov. 21 (AC, NMC, JEP) and
five at Aguirre Springs Oct. 28 (GE). Two
Cactus Wrens were at two e. Albuquerque
sites Nov. 1 (HS). Intriguing was a juv.
Carolina Wren banded at R.G.N.C. Aug. 29
(SC); another Carolina was at Sumner Dam
Oct. 10 (BN, DE). Single Winter Wrens
were at Zuni Oct. 31 (DC), Sumner Dam
Nov. 8 ( WH, SOW), and Boone’s Draw Oct.
24 (JEP, JO).

KINGLETS THROUGH WARBLERS

Six Golden-crowned Kinglets at Aquirre
Springs Nov. 7 (JNP) furnished a high
number for Dona Ana. Typically scarce in
the southern lowlands, seven W. Bluebirds
were at Deming Nov. 6 (LM), and one was
at Black River Village Oct. 6 {fide SW). A
Wood Thrush was at N.R.T. Oct. 24 (JEP,
ph. JO). Notable for the far west were
one-two Gray Catbirds near Shiprock Aug.
5 & 15 (TR) and another at Zuni Oct. 12-23
(ph. DC). Late was a Sage Thrasher at Zuni
Nov. 5 (DC). One-three Brown Thrashers
were at 6 eastern sites after Sep. 26 (v.o.).
The aging Bosque Redondo Long-billed
Thrasher was seen again Sep. 19 (JEP).

Sprague’s Pipits are scarce migrants in s.w.
New Mexico, but two proven areas are the
Santa Teresa turf farm, which produced
two-three Oct. 12-13 (ph. JNP), and the s.
Animas Valley, where there were two Oct.
24 (CR) and one-two (possibly more) Nov.
20-21 (DE, JO, AC, NMC). A Phainopepla
was east to Dexter Sep. 26 (JO). Unusual
were 14 Olive Warblers in juniper/oak
scrub in the Burro Mts. Nov. 17 (JO). An
impressive 32 wood-warbler species were
reported. Among the prizes were a Blue¬
winged Warbler (ph. JO) and a Black¬
burnian Warbler (ph. JO) at N.R.T. Oct. 4,
a Golden-winged Warbler at Percha Aug.
14 (DE), a white-lored Yellow-throated
Warbler at R.S. Aug. 12 (D. Hill), and a
Prairie Warbler at Pep Sep. 5 (ph. JO). Also
noteworthy were single Tennessees at
R.G.N.C. Sep. 19 (banded, LG), Bosque
N.W.R. Sep. 10 (JO), and Percha Sep. 13
(JO); a Chestnut-sided at Percha Aug. 16
(GG); a Magnolia west to Riverside, Grant,
Oct. 2 (RS); single Black-throated Greens at
Bosque Redondo Oct. 24-25 (JEP, JO, DE)
N.R.T. Oct. 4 (JO), Boone’s Draw Oct. 10
(JEP), and R.S. Sep. 5 (CR); a Palm at
Bosque Redondo Nov. 1 (JO); a Blackpoll at
Boone’s Draw Sep. 12 (JEP, JO); and single
Prothonotaries at Galisteo Sep. 28 (BF),
Moriarty Sep. 18 (JO, DE), Percha Oct. 3
(JEP, ph. JO), and Mesilla Aug. 8 (T.
Lawton). Among the rare-but-regular war¬
blers were single N. Parulas at Los Alamos
Nov. 10 (T. & C. Jervis, BF), Sandia Park
Oct. 29 (M. Williams), Sumner Dam Nov. 1
(DC), Bosque N.W.R. Sep. 10 (JO), and
E.B.L. Oct. 16 (BN, DE), and one-two
Black-throated Blues at R.G.N.C. Sep.
19-22 (LG et al.), one at Bosque Redondo
Oct. 1 1 (BN, DE), and a male at Percha Sep.
12-13 (JR) plus a female there Oct. 10 (ph.
JNP). Surprising for the locale and date was
a Painted Redstart at Percha Oct. 10 (JNP).

TOWHEES THROUGH FINCHES

Late-breeding Canyon Towhees were feed¬
ing juveniles at Eldorado Aug. 22 (SOW)
and Silver City Aug. 28 (EL). Unusual was a
Cassin’s Sparrow banded at R.G.N.C. Sep.
20 (LG). Very late were two Botteri’s Spar¬
rows along Animas Creek Oct. 24 (CR).
Single Am. Tree Sparrows were in the
R.G.V. at San Juan Pueblo Nov. 22 (JT) and
Cochiti L. Nov. 7 (WH). Rare for the far
west were two Clay-colored Sparrows near
Riverside Sep. 5 (RS); of 65 Clay-coloreds
banded at Bosque N.W.R. Aug.l8-Oct. 13,
57 were young birds (R.M.R.S.). Early and
west of expected were single Field Sparrows
at Bosque N.W.R. Sep. 2 (JO) and Las

Cruces Sep. 29 (GE). The only Baird’s
Sparrows were one-two in the Animas
Valley Nov. 20-21 (DE, JO, JEP, AC, NMC).
A sooty-brown Fox Sparrow was in the
Sandia Mts. Nov. 17 (HS); a reddish Fox
was near Alma Nov. 20 (JEP, JO). A Golden-
crowned Sparrow was at Cedar Crest Oct.
30 (KS). Two N. Cardinals were north to
Tucumcari Nov. 6 (WW), and another was
at B.L. N.W.R. Oct. 12 (GW). Single
Pyrrhuloxias were north to Tres Pistolas
near Albuquerque Nov. 26 (ph. P. Cody)
and N.R.T. Oct. 10-Nov. 7 (JO, JEP). A late
Rose-breasted Grosbeak at Percha Oct. 24
(RG, JR) was the only report. Northerly
Painted Buntings were singles at Bosque
N.W.R. Aug. 21 (R.M.R.S.) and near
Roswell Sep. 12 (JO). A Dickcissel found
dead at Deming Oct. 9 (LM) furnished a
rare western specimen. Northerly Orchard
Orioles were singles at Sevilleta N.W.R. Sep.
12 (DL), Bosque N.W.R. Sep. 10 (JO), and
N.R.T. Aug. 30 (JO). A Cassin’s Finch at
Boone’s Draw Oct. 17 (JEP, JO) was the
only report away from the mountains.
White-winged Crossbills staged a mini¬
invasion, with single males near Lake No. 1,
n.e. Taos, Aug. 15 (L. Mowbray), near Bull-
of-the-Woods Mt., e. Taos, Sep. 5 (E.
Rominger), and at Santa Fe from early Oct.
(F. 8c S. Quesenberry) to Nov. 1 (v.o., ph.
JO). Lesser Goldfinches were feeding late
nestlings at Quarai Sep. 13 (HS). Evening
Grosbeaks were notably scarce, but one
wandered to Moriarty Oct. 24 (JEP, JO),
and six were south to Bonita L. Sep. 9 (AP).

Initialed observers: Robin Carter, David
Cleary, Alan Craig, Narca Moore-Craig,
Steve Cox, Joan Day-Martin, Douglas
Emkalns, Gordon Ewing, Bernard Foy, Gail
Garber, Larry Gorbet, Rebecca Gracey,
HawkWatch International, William Howe,
David Leal, Eugene Lewis, Larry Malone,
Bruce Neville, Jerry Oldenettel, John E.
Parmeter, James N. Paton, Anita Powell,
Tim Reeves, James Rini, Rocky Mountain
Research Station, Christopher Rustay,
Lawry Sager, Ken Schneider, Hart Schwarz,
Roland Shook, Patricia Snider, Joyce
Takamine, Gordon Warrick, Steve West,
William West, S. O. Williams.

Sartor 0. Williams III, 65 Verano Loop,
Santa Fe, NM 87505

88

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

alaska region

THEDE G. TOBISH JR.

ummer actually set into the Region in
mid-Aug., and warm, unseasonably dry
conditions prevailed south of the Alaska
Range into late Sep. Quickly followed by 2
weeks of cool, clear high pressure conditions
across the Region, a brief but effective win¬
dow for out-migration concentrated fall
departures, such that few lingerers remained
after early Oct. Although the season
returned to mild conditions well into Nov.,
passerine migration was essentially over,
and the weather played little role in pro¬
tracting migration and retaining semi¬
hardy types or many noteworthy tardy
departures. Although unfavorable winds
dominated, early season field coverage in
the Bering Sea again produced significant
and surprising records from St. Lawrence I.,
Nome, the Pribilofs, and the Bristol Bay
coast — few other fall pioneer sites were
sampled this year. Of the season’s rarities,
two Asiatics made second visits to the
Region after a considerable hiatus for each,
while several casual forms again reached
their extremes for northward dispersal.

A new open ocean state ferry, the M/V
Kennicott, initiated trans-N. Gulf service
between Seward and n. SE this summer, and
reports from those runs were encouraging.
This route should provide good chances to
see for less common pelagic visitors, since
there is no other commercial vessel that
transects the Continental Shelf and the
always productive Fairweather Grounds in
the N. Gulf. This season, observers spent
time in late autumn on Prince of Wales I. in
s. SE, and produced rare birds, late dates,
and generally noteworthy data. These larger
s. SE islands (Annette, Prince of Wales,

probably Dali) and their protected large
bays provide a diverse, rich, and protected
mix of habitats that have always produced
noteworthy finds. This subarea remains one
of the Region’s pioneer strongholds and
awaits further evaluation.

Abbreviations: N. Gulf (Northern Gulf of
Alaska); SE (Southeastern Alaska); SC (South-
coastal Alaska); SW (Southwestern Alaska); UCI
(Upper Cook Inlet).

LOOMS THROUGH RAILS

Despite good seawatch coverage, no Arctic
Loon reports were received this season.
Especially given the past few year’s weak
showing, Pied-billed Grebes were distrib¬
uted in the classic SE sites, with two each
seen at Sitka Aug. 1 1 (early; MLW, MET),
Juneau Sep. 14— Nov. 29 (GW, PS, MWS),
and Ketchikan Nov. 13-30 (SCH+, first
Alaska specimen). This year’s fall W. Grebe
counts showed some recovery from the past
few years, which had been low due to lost
coverage from Petersburg staging sites. Up
to 150 were counted in the Ketchikan area
by late Nov. (SCH). The only Short-tailed
Albatross report was a single in the Shelikov
Straits n.w. of Kodiak Aug. 10 (SH, CM),
observed from the M/V Tustemena. This
fall’s Bering Sea dispersal of Short-tailed
Shearwaters seemed particularly heavy and
concentrated in late Aug., with impressive
peaks of 500,000+ off Gambell’s Northwest
Cape Aug. 24 (WINGS) and 200/minute of
Southwest Pt. at St. Paul I. the same day (ST.
PAUL). Although most of the Alaska popu¬
lation of this s. visitor range into the Bering
Sea each summer, relatively small percent¬
ages of these move n. beyond the Bering
Strait. Still unsubstantiated for the Region
but probably an annual summer visitor in
the N. Gulf, a single Pink-footed Shearwater
was observed from the new ferry on the
Fairweather Grounds in the e. N. Gulf Sep.
1 1 (PS, SZ). No photograph or specimen
has been secured for this pelagic form since
Willett’s 1918 sight record off Forrester L,
the first for the Region. The group of six
Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels noted off St. Paul
I. Aug. 19 (WINGS) fit nicely into the pat¬
tern of regular fall northward dispersion
towards the Bering Strait, while the single
inshore off Anchorage’s Coastal Trail Aug.

20 (TGT), where casual, was the earliest of
five UCI reports. At least six Fork-taileds off
the Seward docks Nov. 29 (NS, RLS, TGT)
were unprecedented and late inshore. The
season’s westward push of Great Blue Heron
found only about six individuals around
greater Kodiak Aug. 20-Oct. 15+ (RAM, RB.
LM) and a single at Seward Nov. 29 (RLS,
NS, TGT). One of the Region’s latest, a
Cattle Egret appeared near Ketchikan Oct.
28 (JFK, AWP ph.), a 4th local record for
this casual fall visitant.

Greater White-fronted Geese were wide¬
ly dispersed beyond normal staging sites
and lingered later than usual, including sin¬
gles that remained into Dec. at Kodiak (BB,
RAM) and Sitka (MLW, MET). Another six
at Ketchikan Oct. 10 were also latish
(AWP) — most White-fronts depart the
Region by the 3rd week in Oct. SE’s
Trumpeter Swan population increases again
made news, at least in the greater Ketchikan
area, with multiple sightings of flocks and
combined family groups Oct. 13 into Dec.
between the Cleveland Pen. and offshore on
Prince of Wales I. (SCH, MAW). Possibly
because of the protracted full freeze-up, fall
waterfowl highlights were disappointing
and concentrated after mid-Oct., including:
high numbers of Ring-necked Ducks and
good dispersion to the periphery of their
range, with unusual peaks of 17 at Kodiak
Nov. 21 (RAM), seven at Ketchikan Nov.
1-30+ (SCH), and a SE record 52 at Sitka
Oct. 22 into Dec. (MLW, MET); three Tufted
Ducks, casual and well e. of regular fall
sightings, around Kodiak, Oct. 11-Nov. 15
(RAM, JB); an early s. Bering Sea drake
Spectacled Eider at the Pribilofs Oct. 16-23
(ST. PAUL), and a single Spectacled proba¬
bly in-between migrant periods off Gambell
Aug. 25 (WINGS); a single extralimital
Hooded Merganser to Kodiak Nov. 15
(RAM), with a season maximum 9 near Jun¬
eau Oct. 23 (PS); and two female Ruddy
Ducks in SE, where distinctly casual, at
Ketchikan Oct. 19 (first local, SCH*) and
Juneau Nov. 25 (GW, PS, MWS, LE).

Am. Coots made a significant and broad
incursion across the Gulf Coast, beginning
with a very early single near Juneau Aug. 29
(PS). Individuals otherwise arrived on time
in early Oct. and actually staged on fresh
water in unprecedented numbers, highlight¬
ed by the 60+ on Klawock L., Prince of

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 1

89

Wales I., Nov. 17+ (MAW). Elsewhere, high
counts included four+ at Ketchikan (SCH),
23 around Juneau Nov. 2 (m. ob.), five+ at
Sitka’s Swan L. Sep. 29-Dec. (MLW, MET),
and three in the Kodiak area Oct. 9-Nov. 28
(BB, RAM), where after one historic record,
coots have now been found the last three
Fall seasons. These concentrations dwarf
previous fall counts for the Region.
Interestingly, an Am. Coot made it to the
Bering Sea (where accidental) to St. Paul I.
Oct. 23 (ST. PAUL), a Pribilof first. Forty
years after N. America’s (and Alaska’s) first
report (of a spring migrant from Fair¬
banks), a Common Crane was picked out of
the massive Sandhill Crane flocks staging in
the Delta Junction barley fields Sep. 15-20
(SD, RLS* et al.).

SHOREBIRDS THROUGH ALCIDS

Again with decent peak season coverage,
shorebird highlights were mainly Asiatics
from Bering Sea/ Aleutian outposts, includ¬
ing: single Mongolian Plovers at Nome,
where clearly rare, Aug. 22 and Gambell Sep.
3 (both WINGS); the Region’s 2nd ever
Marsh Sandpiper, a clean juvenile pho¬
tographed at Adak I. Aug. 29 (DC) in the
same week as the only previous Alaska
report from 1974; up to 8+ Gray-tailed
Tattlers from Gambell Aug. 25-Sep. 9
(WINGS), another five from the Pribilofs
Aug. 2-Sep. 20 (ST. PAUL, RLS) and one
from Adak I. Sep. 26 (PB*, ph.); a late
Bristle-thighed Curlew, again from the
Pribilofs, where casual in Fall, at St. Paul
Aug. 26 (ST. PAUL); and rather low fall
peaks of five Red-necked Stints around St.
Paul I. Aug. 9-20 (ST. PAUL); and 47 Sharp¬
tailed Sandpipers from Gambell Aug.
24-Sep. 6. Other notable shorebird reports
represented tardy departures or extralimi-
tals, highlighted by a nearly record-late four
UCI four Killdeer at Anchorage Nov. 5
(TGT) and a record SC departure date of
Oct. 30 for Greater Yellowlegs, a single at
Redoubt Bay in s. Cook Inlet (REG). A good
count for SE of five Semipalmated
Sandpipers was taken near Ketchikan Aug.
14 (SCH), and an exceptional flock of 1500+
Surfbirds staged at Juneau Aug. 26 (RAM,
GW). Interesting Red Knot observations
bracketed their fall range and departure
dates, with singles at Gambell Aug. 26
(WINGS) and near Juneau Aug. 15 and Oct.
18 (GW) — there are few records later than
early Oct. and few SE fall reports. Stilt
Sandpipers covered the complete breadth of
their fall extralimital periphery, with two at
Kodiak Aug. 18 (RAM) and at Anchorage
Aug. 8 (TGT, NS, SS, DWS; earliest 8c 3rd

UCI report) and a new SE high of 20 for the
season at Juneau Jul. 30-Aug. 5 (GW, PS).

This season’s obligatory N. Gulf South
Polar Skua turned up e. of Kodiak Aug. 31
(JBA). Notably rare anytime in shore in SE,
a juv. Long-tailed Jaeger was described near
Haines Aug. 25 (AD*), one of few SE
reports. Departure and distribution data for
fall season jaegers remain poorly defined
Regionwide. Once again, the larid highlights
centered in s. SE, where this season, the stag¬
ing hordes attracted to canneries were
exceptionally high. Franklin’s Gulls were
present in the Ketchikan area Aug. 26-Sep.
25, with a one-day maximum of three first-
winter birds Aug. 27 (SCH). Another “prob¬
able” Franklin’s was marginally described
exceptionally late from Sitka Oct. 29
(MLW*, MET). The season’s only Black¬
headed Gulls were described from the
Naknek area, on c. Bristol Bay, Aug. 26-Sep.
23+ (MC, RC, RB* et. al). Bonaparte’s Gulls
lingered later than normal, e.g. one in
Anchorage to Oct. 2 (TGT) — the species
was still common at Ketchikan into early
Dec. (SCH), where an earlier peak reached
1500+ in Ketchikan’s Clover Passage Nov. 13
(SCH). The fresh first-winter brachy-
rhynchos Mew Gull at Adak Sep. 24 (ph. PB)
was one of few c. Aleutian records. Ring¬
billed Gulls staged their best showing ever in
s. SE, where in the Ketchikan area they were
common from mid- Aug. into Sep. The sea¬
son’s maximum reached 48, all juveniles,
Aug. 27 at Ketchikan (SCH). Surprisingly,
only a few were noted n. of Ketchikan, with
late finds including two at Juneau Nov. 1
(DWS, MWS) and a single n. of Ketchikan
Oct. 21 (SCH). It also was an excellent sea¬
son for dispersing California Gulls, again
concentrated in the Ketchikan area, with a
peak 1950 there Aug. 27 (SCH). Northern¬
most for the season was a single in Haines
Sep. 9 (AD), and latest were two in Clover
Passage Nov. 22 (SCH). An excellent late
summer count of 22 Slaty-backed Gulls,
cautiously identified in the Nome area Aug.
22 (WINGS, ph. PEL, ph. SEF), represented
one of the Region’s highest one-day tallies.
Heinl tallied seven Western-type Gulls
around Ketchikan Sep. 19-Nov. 18, most of
which appeared to be hybrids. Two of these
were described as pure W. Gulls, singles on
Sep. 23 and Oct. 19 (SCH*). Hybrid W.
Gulls have been found each fall in the
Ketchikan environs. Pure Westerns have
been occasionally documented there by
photograph and specimen over the past 10
years. Another ad. Red-legged Kittiwake
wandered into the N. Gulf, where they are
casual in fall, e. of Kodiak Sep. 21 (JBA).

DOVES THROUGH PIPITS

Mourning Doves were nicely dispersed in
average numbers in SE, with a single at
Sitka Sep. 10 (MLW, MET), three at the
Ketchikan Airport migrant trap Sep. 16-19
(SCH), and another two around Juneau
Oct. 24-27 (GW, MWS). Little is still
known about the breeding season status
and distribution of N. Pygmy-Owls,
although recent reports from the SE
Mainland and adjacent islands suggest pos¬
sible local breeding. Most of the fall season’s
reports came in from beyond summer
reporting sites, including 2+ offshore on
Prince of Wales I. Aug. 20-Oct. 2 (SCH,
AWP), a pair on the Mainland n. of Ketchi¬
kan Sep. 22 (SCH, AWP), and a single out
the Haines Hwy Aug. 1 1 (AD). By date and
locality, these observations presumably rep¬
resented post-breeding dispersal. The sea¬
son’s only Com. Nighthawks were found on
the Haines area floodplains Aug. 1 1 and 27
(AD), near sites where breeding evidence
was exhibited the past two years. The
Region’s 4th and latest Costa’s Humming¬
bird, a male, was documented in Anchor¬
age Oct. 16-26 (DWS, RLS*, ph., DFD).
Three of the four state records have come
from Anchorage feeders. A female Rufous
Hummingbird braved odds and reached St.
Paul I. Aug. 5 (PW, ph. RP), the Pribilofs’
first and one of few Bering Sea confirmed
records.

Attesting to the early and efficient
passerine departure, there were no late fly¬
catcher reports, although a Hammond’s
described near Ketchikan Sep. 13 (SCH*)
was getting tardy. Alder and especially
Hammond’s flycatchers are casual away
from the SE Mainland river corridors. Once
again, a Tropical Kingbird appeared in
Ketchikan Nov. 2-7 (SCH*, ph.), the site of
all 3 Alaska records. One of the Region’s lat¬
est in fall (when casual), a Red-eyed Vireo
turned up near Juneau Sep. 19 (PS*).
Significant swallow finds were few, limited
to a surprisingly late Tree Swallow at Nome
Aug. 29 (WINGS) and a rare fall report of
N. Rough-winged Swallows, a family group
of six around Ketchikan Aug. 3, with two
lingering to the 14th (SCH). The season’s
peak Arctic Warbler count came from
Gambell, where 50 were tallied Aug.
23-Sep. 6, with a daily high 15 Aug. 26 8c 28
(WINGS), while a single at St. Paul I., where
casual, Aug. 27 (ST. PAUL) was the only
other notable report. Season peaks for other
Palearctic-bound breeders out of Alaska at
Gambell included 28 Bluethroats Aug.
23-Sep. 6, with a daily high 14 Aug. 28
(WINGS), and 122 N. Wheatears, with a

90

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

alaska

maximum of 45 Aug. 27 (WINGS). Always
the latest Catharus to depart, extremely late
Hermit Thrushes were reported at Seward
Nov. 1 1 (TGT, LJO) and near Ketchikan
Nov. 28 (SCH). There are about four Dec.
records for the Region. Single Am. Robins
ventured offshore in the Bering Sea to
Gambell Aug. 30-31 and Sep. 5-6 (WINGS,
ph. PEL) and St. Paul I. Oct. 24 (ST. PAUL),
both sites where this thrush wanders peri¬
odically. The only extralimital European
Starling find was beyond the taiga at a King
Salmon feeder Oct. 15 (RR) — there are few
records for SW. About average for Gambell
in fall were the 144 Yellow Wagtails for the
season and a daily high of 39 Aug. 28
(WINGS) and a season tally there of 18
Red-throated Pipits and a daily peak of 1 1
Sep. 7 (WINGS). Olive-backed Pipits were
nicely described early and east of known
fall passage areas: a single was banded at
Mother Goose L. on the Alaska Pen. Jul. 27
(KC, JF *) and another found at St. George
I. Sep. 2 (RLS*). Olive-backed Pipit is acci¬
dental in fall east of the W. Aleutians; the
Alaska Pen. bird fits no pattern and may be
the Mainland’s first documented record.

WARBLERS

THROUGH FRINGILLIDS

Despite a moderate second half of the sea¬
son, there were few late warbler reports.
Highlights included: a rare fall Tennessee
Warbler from Juneau Aug. 13 (GB, fide
GW); single late Orange-crowneds from
Anchorage Oct. 31+ (TGT) and Juneau
Nov. 7 (GW); Bering Sea Yellow-rumped
Warblers, where accidental, at Adak Sep. 7
(2nd Aleutian record, ph. DC); at St. Paul I.
Oct. 23 (ST. PAUL), an unprecedented
record late auduboni Yellow-rumped at
Ketchikan Nov. 2 (SCH*); another Town¬
send’s Warbler beyond habitat out the
Alaska Pen. near Becharof L. Aug. 18
(CDA*, PC, CV); a rare offshore and late
MacGillivray’s Warbler at Ketchikan Sep. 19
(2nd local report; SCH); and several late
Com. Yellowthroats in SE with latest singles
at Ketchikan Sep. 25 (SCH) and Juneau Oct.
28 (LE). There are only a handful of Alaska
yellowthroat reports after late Sep.

With Bering Sea coverage limited to late
Aug. and early Sep., notable emberizids were
limited to Nearctic sparrows, two of which
came from Gambell. St. Lawrence I.’s 2nd
ever and first autumn Chipping Sparrow
skulked around the Gambell middens Aug.
30-31 (RJG, PEL, SEF ph.) while another
“Sooty” Fox Sparrow (i.e., not the taiga
form zaboria) also hung around the same
middens Aug. 27-Sep. 5 (WINGS, FL ph.).

This vagrant Brown-headed Cowbird

enjoyed a light protein snack (its perch
is a whale carcass) while affording a first
Bering Sea record at Gambell, Saint
Lawrence Island, Alaska. Only a few more
miles to be the first Asian cowbird!

(Go, go!) Photograph/Paul Lehman

Although these species periodically wander
to odd sites in fall, both were several hun¬
dred km beyond known breeding sites and
remain casual on the Bering Sea coast.
White-throated Sparrows, the standard
annual fall SE-SC extralimital, were wide¬
spread, with singles at Ketchikan Nov. 7-17
(JFK, SCH, DWS), Kodiak, the 3rd local
record Nov. 23-25 (RAM), and Juneau Nov.
30+ (DM). Heinl notes for Ketchikan:
“Since 1990 13 White-throated Sparrows
have been found in the fall season.” After at
least 2 SE site records and a very poor Fair¬
banks area photograph, Rose-breasted
Grosbeak was finally substantiated in Jun¬
eau, where a female-type was photographed
and observed Sep. 17-18 (ph. PS, MWS, SZ,
RGJ). Likely the same male Yellow-headed
Blackbird that had turned up in Anchorage
in late Jul. found its way to the Palmer area
farms Oct. 16-26 (DWS ph.) and in the
process became the latest of 6 fall Alaska
records. Five Brown-headed Cowbirds were
exceptional for SE at Ketchikan Aug.
27-Sep. 3 (SCH, MB, TG), while a single at
Juneau Oct. 17 was very late ( fide LE, GW).
The juvenile that somehow found Gambell
Sep. 6-7 (ph. PEL) was, of course, a first
island and offshore Bering Sea record.
Another (no details) was also reported near
the Bristol Bay coast at a King Salmon feed¬
er Sep. 21 (BB, RR, SS). Although cowbirds
are annual and local in early summer most¬
ly on the SE Mainland river corridors and
adjacent towns, (mainly) juveniles have
periodically reached most of the Region’s
periphery between late Jul. and Sep.
Bramblings made a nice Bering Sea show¬
ing, where less common in fall, with three

around Gambell Sep. 6-7 (KE, ph. PEL) and
a one-day count of 10 at St. Paul I. Sep. 20
(ST. PAUL). The only report beyond was a
single in UCI, where still casual, on the
Susitna Flats Oct. 23 (REG)

Contributors and observers: C. D. Adler, J. B.
Allen, R. Armstrong, P. Bartley, G. Bayluss,
R. Bcrns, J. Blackburn, B. Blush, M. Brown,
B. Burch, M. Carey, P Charland, K. Convery,

R. Cummings, D. Cunningham, D. F. Delap,
A. DeMartini, S. DuBois, L. Edfelt, K.
Ennnis, J. Foster, D. D. Gibson, R. E. Gill, R.
J. Gordon, T. Goucher, C. M. Handel, S.
Hatch, S. C. Heinl, R. G. Jeffers, J. F. Koerner,
F. Lesser, R. A. Macintosh, C. Montoya, L.
Murphy, L. J. Oakley, A. W. Piston, R.
Russell, S. Savage, R. L. Scher, M. W. Schwan,
N. Senner, S. Senner, D. W. Sonneborn, ST.
PAUL (S. D. Smith, R. Papish), P. Suchanek,
M. E. Tedin, T.G. Tobish, G. Van Vliet, C.
Varian, M. L. Ward, WINGS (P. E. Lehman,

S. E. Finnegan et al.), P. Wolff, M. A. Wood,
S. Zimmerman

Thede G. Tobish Jr., 2510 Foraker Drive,
Anchorage, AK 99517 (e-mail: tgt@alaska.net)

A birder's paradise ♦ Over 230
species identified ♦ Common
species, such as Red-faced
Cormorants, Red-legged
Kittiwakes, Parakeet, Least and
Crested Auklets, murres, fulmars,
and comical Horned and Tufted
Puffins ♦ Uncommon species and
rare Asian vagrants, such as
Falcated Teal, Mongolian Plover,
Wood Sandpiper, Gray-tailed
Tattler, and Common Cuckoo.

Accommodations are cozy, food
excellent, and the Aleut people
are eager to show you the won¬
ders of St. Paul. Complete pack¬
age tours available. For reserva¬
tions and information, see your
travel agent,

call toll free 1-800-544-2248,
or visit our web site:
www.alaskabirding.com

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 1

91

british Columbia
region

MICHAEL G. SHEPARD

1 Nino may have disappeared, but its
effects lingered long into the fall season.
The scorching weather of early Aug. gradu¬
ally withered away into Sep., but both
months were sunnier and drier than nor¬
mal just about everywhere. In Oct., clouds
and precipitation increased gradually, as
Pacific storms began to penetrate inland.
This trend would become a steamroller off
the ocean in Nov., as storm after storm bat¬
tered the s. third of British Columbia. Areas
farther north escaped most of the rain and
remained dry.

Pacific Loons are rare in the s. interior of
the province. A single bird was near Castle-
gar Nov. 15-17 (BK, RWe, GN). On Sep. 23,
2586 Red-necked Grebes were counted at
their Boundary Bay staging area (BES),
with the majority off Crescent Beach and
off Lilly Point, WA. A Clark’s Grebe, the
first of the fall on the coast, was off Point
Grey Sep. 20 (MP). Two pelagic birding
trips off the B. C. coast provided few note¬
worthy sightings. However, Pink-footed
Shearwaters were slightly more abundant
than usual, with 100 in the vicinity of La
Perouse Bank Oct. 10 (RFo et al.). Small
numbers of Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels turn¬
ed up in Juan de Fuca and Georgia Straits,
with a high count of 45 at Rocky Point Oct.

10 (DEA). The main fall movement of Am.
White Pelicans was pretty much on time,
with small flocks moving S through the
interior. About 20 white pelicans were seen
circling Mamette L. near Merritt Sep. 23
(KAS), and 56 were in the Creston Valley
Sep. 26 (BK et al.). A coastal straggler, per¬
haps the same bird as seen in Jul., was in
Langley Sep. 22 (JSt). There were very few
sightings of Brown Pelicans until Sep.,
when small numbers were reported in Juan
de Fuca Strait. In Oct. larger flocks were
found, including 42 off Jordan River Oct. 7
(CBr) and 23 at Carmanah Point Oct. 22
(GE). A few Brown Pelicans lingered
through the end of the season. Double-
crested Cormorants, rare in the interior,
were reported as far n. as Summit L. near
Prince George, where one was present for
about a week around Oct. 13 (KL). Cattle
Egrets appeared on schedule again this fall,
with one appearing in Sandspit Oct. 25
(MH, PH). This was the first reported from
the Queen Charlotte Islands since 1992.
The fall Turkey Vulture migration peaked
Sep. 26, when 650 birds were over East
Sooke Park/Rocky Point Sep. 26 (DEA et
al.).

An Emperor Goose, possibly the same
individual seen at Porteau Cove in Jul., was
on the Sunshine Coast in Aug. (fide DBr).
Another rare goose, a Ross’s, was near
Campbell R. from Nov. 24+ (Jib et al.). At
least one Tufted Duck was in the Vancouver
area Oct. 28 (RT, JT) to Nov. 7 (fide
Vancouver RBA). At L. Laberge, a White¬
winged Scoter Nov. 22 (HG) and an imm.
male Surf Scoter Nov. 27 (CE) were the lat¬
est ever recorded for the Yukon. A con¬
centration of over 2000 Common Mergan¬
sers at Quamichan Lake Nov. 22 (DVM)
was amazing. Three Ruddy Ducks on Sch-
watka Lake Oct. 9 (CE) provided the
Yukon’s only fall record this year.

Two imm. N. Harriers just s. of L.
Laberge Nov. 22 (CE, PS) provided a record
late date for the Yukon. Broad-winged
Hawks, very rare in B.C., put in their big¬
gest showing yet, with at least six birds ap¬
pearing at the s. tip of Vancouver Island.
Four adults were seen together at Rocky
Point Sep. 20 (DEA). Extremely rare was a

yukon

light-morph “Harlan’s” Hawk at McIntyre
Creek in Whitehorse Sep. 20 & 23 (CE). A
Prairie Falcon, a rare visitor to the coast
from drier climes, was between Roberts
Bank Jetty and Brunswick Point Nov. 13
(RT) through the end of the month.

An Am. Coot, rare in the Yukon during
the fall, was seen at Swan L. Aug. 30 (HG).
Large numbers of Sandhill Cranes moved
through the s. interior in late Sep. and early
Oct. The largest number reported was 1120
observed over White Lake near Okanagan
Falls Sep. 19 (JSh et al.). The normal assort¬
ment of “rare but regular” shorebirds
appeared again in the Vancouver area and
remained through the end of the period: an
American Avocet at Reifel Island Sep. 23
(Jlr), a Willet at the base of the Tsawwassen
Jetty Nov. 6, a Long-billed Curlew at Blackie
Spit Nov. 9 (RFi), and up to five Marbled
Godwits in the Boundary Bay area Oct. 26
(ENR et al.). More exceptional was a single
Marbled Godwit at the Delkatla Wildlife
Sanctuary, Masset, Nov. 4 (MH, PH). The
only report of Upland Sandpiper this fall
was one over Grey Canal Trail near Vernon
Aug. 20 (CRS). An incredible total of 21
shorebird species was tallied Aug. 16 at the
Nisutlin Delta, Yukon (CE, HG, PS).
Particularly noteworthy there were a juv.
Hudsonian Godwit and a juv. Wilson’s
Phalarope. Early reports of Sharp-tailed
Sandpipers this fall included a juvenile at
the Nisutlin Delta Sep. 5 & 6 (CE, HG) and
one at the Beck Creek Estuary, Nanaimo
Sep. 20 (GMo et al.). A Com. Snipe at
Jackfish Bay, L. Laberge, on Oct. 25 (CE,
YBC) was the last Yukon shorebird report¬
ed this season. This tied the previous late
date. Putting in a rare interior appearance
was a Red Phalarope at Tranquille Sep.
13-20 (GMi, NS, HS, SR, EM).

Although rare in inshore British Colum¬
bia waters, S. Polar Skuas can be regularly
found in offshore waters. Single birds were
observed Oct. 10 in the vicinity of La
Perouse Bank (RFo et al.) and off Port
Renfrew (BW et al.). Adult Little Gulls, rare
visitors to B.C., were reported off Ent-
whistle Drive, Nanaimo, Oct. 2-4 (GMo et
al.), Edye Point Nov. 1 (DEA), and the Iona
South Jetty Nov. 30 (RT). The Yukon’s 2nd

92

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

documented Iceland Gull, a first-winter
bird, frequented the Whitehorse landfill
Oct. 12-25, a thrill for Yukon gull enthusi¬
asts (CE, HG, PS et al.). Another rarity,
Slaty-backed Gull, was reported Nov. 29
into Dec. at Delta (fide Vancouver RBA)
and Nov. 28 into Dec. near Duncan (DVM).
Sabine’s Gulls were unusually widely
reported in the interior of B.C. Records
included one at Nulki Lake Sep. 5 (CA,
NK), one at Tranquille Sep. 8 (SR), one near
the mouth of Vernon Creek Sep. 18 (PG),
and one near the Kamloops airport dike
Sep. 19 (SR). Another bird, first found at
Vaseux Lake Sep. 21 (ILR), was found dead
on Sep. 26 (PA). A Black Tern was at Iona
Island Oct. 8 (RWo).

Yellow-billed Cuckoos are casual sum¬
mer visitors to British Columbia. Almost all
records are from near the coast, so one seen
in Kamloops Sep. 14 (CR) was most note¬
worthy. A Long-eared Owl found dead in
Nanaimo in late Nov. (GMo) provided the
first well-documented record for that area.
A record-late Com. Nighthawk was at
Nisutlin Delta Sep. 13 (MW). The Xantus’s
Hummingbird present in Gibsons since
Nov. 1997 was last seen Sep. 21 ( fide
Vancouver RBA). An Anna’s Hummingbird,
a rare visitor to the interior, was at
Westbank Nov. 1 1-30 (CC et al.). An influx
of imm. Lewis’s Woodpeckers into the
Lower Mainland occurred in Sep. One was
in Port Coquitlam Sep. 12 8c 13 (LC), two in
Bradner Sep. 19, and two at the University
of British Columbia Sep. 18-20 (both fide
Vancouver RBA).

The almost annual occurrence of
Tropical Kingbirds in the Tofino area con¬
tinued this fall. Two were there in early
Oct., with one still there Oct. 31 (RP).
Elsewhere, one was at Esquimalt Lagoon on
Oct. 18-25 (GK et al.) and one at Weirs
Beach Nov. 2 1 (AY). Although rare, a few W.
Kingbirds turn up on the coast each fall.
One was at Port Renfrew Sep. 20 (DBu) and
a rather late straggler in South Delta Oct. 25
(NH) 8c 26 (BK). A minor invasion of
Steller’s Jays in the Whitehorse area late Sep.
through Oct. included reports of single
birds at Mary Lake (LJo), Wolf Creek (AJ,
LK, HL), and Tagish (WH). These were the
first Yukon records since a similar invasion
in 1994. Many species of swallows lingered
late into the fall this year, with most reports
coming from Reifel Island: one Tree
Swallow Nov. 22, one Violet-green Nov. 28,
eight Barns Nov. 28, and three Cliff Swal¬
lows the same day. More unusual was a sin¬
gle Cliff Swallow at Westbank Nov. 1 1 (CC),
providing the latest report ever for the B.C.

interior. Extralimital White-breasted Nut¬
hatches were reported from Cedar Sep. 5
(TF1) and Smithers Nov. 8 (TH). A Brown
Creeper at Pine Lake near Haines Junction
Aug. 8 provided one of very few document¬
ed Yukon records (CE, PS). A Mountain
Bluebird was at Porter Creek, Yukon, on the
late date of Nov. 1 1 (EG, KG). The summer
invasion of N. Mockingbirds in the B. C.
interior gradually tapered off, with last two
birds reported from the Greenstone
Mountain Road near Kamloops Sep. 18
(EM, LMc).

Although abundant in the north,
Tennessee Warblers are relatively rare in s.
B.C. One was seen along the Grey Canal
Trail near Vernon Aug. 27 (PG). A huge fall¬
out of 150 Yellow Warblers was observed at
Iona Island Aug. 23 (SM). A female Yellow,
photographed at Entry Point, Masset, Nov.
(PH, MH) provided the latest record ever
for the Queen Charlottes and one of the
very few Nov. reports for the province. A
female Chestnut-sided Warbler was
observed feeding young at Puntchesakut L.
w. of Quesnel Aug. 21 (GSD, MSD). This is
the first breeding record w. of the Rocky
Mts. Large numbers of Yellow-rumped
Warblers were moving S in the Yukon in
mid-Aug., with 200 at Nisutlin Bay Aug. 18
(CE, PS). An unprecedented invasion of
Black-throated Blue Warblers occurred this
fall in the Pacific Northwest. One was near
the n. end of Osoyoos Lake on Oct. 10 (LJe,
DJ) and one in Kelowna the same day (AG).
Fall Palm Warbler records included single
birds at Squamish Oct. 4 (RR) and Iona
Island Oct. 17 (RT). An Am. Redstart, a rare
species on the coast, was banded at Iona
Island Aug. 22 (LMi). N. Waterthrushes put
on an unusual showing on the coast this
summer and fall. In Aug., at least four were
at Rocky Point (DGD, DEA et al.) and two
at Iona Island (LMi, SM). The last report
was of a single bird at Reifel Island Sep. 20
(DSB). Mourning Warblers rarely turn up
w. of the Rockies. The single bird found at
Sea Island Oct. 26 (RT, MM et al.) was far
from its S. American wintering grounds
and was apparently still present in Dec. Two
Wilson’s Warblers at Williams Lake Nov. 1
(PR) provided an exceptionally late interior
record.

Clay-colored Sparrows were reported in
the Vancouver area on several occasions this
summer and fall. Two were at Iona Island in
Aug., the first found Aug. 16 (RT, DEA).
One was banded there Sep. 20 (LMi). Rare
on the coast, a Vesper Sparrow was near
Boundary Bay Sep. 20 (BS). A Le Conte’s
Sparrow, rare in B.C., particularly w. of the

Rockies, was near the Trail Airport Sep. 26
(GN). A vagrant Lark Sparrow was in Tofino
Oct. 25 (RP). Swamp Sparrows were wide¬
spread in s. B.C. this fall. A rather early one
was banded at Iona Island Sep. 12 (LMi).
Unusual was the rash of Rose-breasted
Grosbeak observations this fall. Records of
this vagrant from e. of the Rockies included
one at a feeder in Oliver Sep. 21-24 (TFo, m.
ob.), one at 100 Mile House in Oct. (TG),
and one at the Wineglass Ranch on the
Chilcotin River Oct. 8-13 (LD). A tremen¬
dous irruption of Bramblings occurred in
B.C. this fall. One was at Tofino Oct. 28-
Nov. 1 (RP), one at Williams Lake Oct. 29-
Nov. 3 (joined by a 2nd bird Nov. 3; JW, AR
et al.), one at Sicamous Nov. 24-26 (BM et
al.), one at Masset Nov. 1 (MH, PH), one at
Ridley Island near Prince Rupert Nov. 1
( fide RRW), and one at Lavington Nov.
26-Dec 1 (PM et al.). A Purple Finch fre¬
quenting a Whitehorse feeder Nov. 25-28
(CE, HG) bettered the Yukon’s previous late
date by about 2 months. A Hoary Redpoll,
rarely reported from s. B.C., was at
Lavington Nov. 28 (CRS).

Sub-regional Compilers: Burke Korol
(BK) — Kootenays, Max Gotz (BMG) —
Whistler, Bryan Gates (BRG) — Victoria,
Cameron Eckert (CE) — Yukon, David
Allinson (DEA) — Victoria, Don Cecile
(DGC) — Vernon, Helmut Griinberg
(HG) — Yukon, Hank vander Pol (HVP) —
Victoria, John Chandler (JC) — Vancouver,
Jack Bowling (JCB) — Prince George 8c
weather summaries, Larry Cowan (LC) —
Vancouver, Peter Hamel (PH) — Queen
Charlotte Islands, Phil Ranson (PR) —
Cariboo, Richard Cannings (RJC) —
Okanagan, Michael Shepard (MGS) —
Southern Vancouver Island, Steve Baillie
(SJB) — Nanaimo, Sandy McRuer
(SMcR) — Alberni Valley, Tony Greenfield
(TGr) — Sunshine Coast.

Other Observers: Al Gemmell (AG), Afan
Jones (AJ), Anna Roberts (AR), Arlene
Yaworsky (AY), Bonnie Stout (BES), Bob
McVicar (BM), Brian Self (BS), Bruce
Whittington (BW), Cathy Antoniazzi (CA),
Chris Charlesworth (CC), Chris Siddle
(CRS), Clara Ritcey (CR), Doug Brown
(DBr), Don Buskirk (DBu), Dan
Derbyshire (DGD), Dian Jellicoe (DJ),
Daniel Bastaja (DSB), Derrick Marven
(DVM), Elaine Gustafson (EG), Eric
McAlary (EM), Noel Russell (ENR), Gerry
Epscorn (GE), Grant Keddie (GK), Gary
Mitchell (GMi), Guy Monty (GMo), Gwen
Nicol (GN), Gary Davidson (GSD), Henry

VOLUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 1

93

Lewandowski (HL), Helen Saemerow (HS),
Laurie Rockwell (ILR), Jim Ibbs (Jib), John
Ireland (Jlr), Jim Shaver (JSh), Jeff
Starchuck (JSt), John Toochin (JT), Jean
Waite (JW), Katharine Shewchuk (KAS),
Kris Gustafson (KG), Ken Lipinski (KL),
Linda Durrell (LD), Len Jellicoe (LJe), Lois
Johnson (LJo), Leslie Knight (LK), Libor
Michalak (LMi), Lois McAlary (LMc),
Margo Hearne (MH), Mitch Meredith
(MM), Michael Price (MP), Marie
Davidson (MSD), Mary Whitley (MW),
Neil Hughes (NH), Nancy Krueger (NK),
Nels Saemerow (NS), Peter Axhorn (PA),
Phil Gehlen (PG), Pat McAllister (PM), Phil
Ranson (PR), Pam Sinclair (PS), Randy
Findlay (RFi), Roger Foxall (RFo), Rory
Patterson (RP), Reto Riesen (RR), Robin
Weber (RRW), Rick Toochin (RT), Rita
Wege (RWe), Robert Worona (RWo), Steve
Mlodinow (SM), Syd Roberts (SR), Terry
Flammand (TF1), Thelma Forty (TFo),
Tom Godin (TG), Todd Heakes (TH), Vicki
Hansen (VH), Yukon Bird Club (YBC).

Michael G. Shepard, Vision Group
International Inc., 5325 Cordova Bay Road,
Victoria, BC V8Y 2L3

Place names that are frequently men¬
tioned, but very long, may be abbreviat¬
ed in a form such as “C.B.B.T.” or
“W.P.B.O.” Such local abbreviations will
be explained in a key at the beginning
of the particular regional report in
which they are used. Standard abbrevi¬
ations that are used throughout North
American Birds2 are keyed on page 24.

oregon-

washington

region

BILL TWEIT, JEFF GILLIGAN,
and STEVE MLODINOW

t was a remarkable fall in Oregon, with
seven first state records (Manx Shear¬
water, Brown Booby, Wilson’s Plover,
Common Ground-Dove, Broad-billed
Hummingbird, White Wagtail, Louisiana
Waterthrush). Washington did not fare as
well, with “only” two first state records. The
fall passerine migration was superb, with
good numbers of the usual species and an
abundance of vagrants. Topping the list
were the Region’s first Louisiana Water-
thrush, Washington’s first Golden-winged
Warbler, the region’s 6th Canada Warbler,
and a wagtail that may well represent North
America’s first White Wagtail of the race
leucopsis. And ten Tropical/Couch’s King¬
birds this fall wasn’t bad either. In contrast,
most of the “uncommon” shorebird mi¬
grants were downright scarce.

The fall seemed to consist of two sea¬
sons. Aug. through Oct. were warm and
abnormally dry months. The rains finally
started in Nov., which was wet, windy, and
warm. The 1 1.62 inches of rainfall in Seattle
in Nov. set a new record for the month. The

warm weather encouraged many birds to
stay late, including record-late dates for
Olive-sided Flycatcher and Gray Flycatcher.
A total of 1 1 passerine species were found a
month or more beyond their usual depar¬
ture date. Adding to this pleasing situation
were good movements of montane species
into the lowlands, plus a solid movement of
several “winter finches” into the Region.

Abbreviations: O.S. (0.5. , Grays Harbor, WA);
Malheur (Malheur N.W.R., Harney, OR); P.N.P.
(Point No Point, Kitsap, WA); S.i.C.R. (south jetty
of the Columbia R., Clatsop, OR); Sauvie (Sauvie
I., Multnomah/Columbia, OR); W.W.R.D. (Walla
Walla R. delta, Walla Walla, WA).

LOONS THROUGH DUCKS

Thirteen reports of Pacific Loon from fresh¬
water areas is somewhat below average for a
fall total, and only one Yellow-billed Loon
report, at Sequim, Clallam, WA, Oct. 4+
(NB, SM) is also well below average. Fifteen
Clark’s Grebes were reported from the west-
side; all but four were from w. Oregon. The
numbers and distribution of this uncom¬
mon migrant show considerable annual
variation. The 9 Regional pelagic trips aver¬
aged 100+ Black-footed Albatross per trip,
with a high count of 323 off Westport, WA,
Aug. 22 (TRW). Both totals are above the
long-term average. Four Laysan Albatross
were reported off Westport, WA, Aug.
8-Oct. 18 (BrL, TRW, BTw) and none off
Oregon. They increased the 1998 regional
total to thirteen, about average for the late
1990s. N. Fulmar numbers averaged about
500 per trip and peaked at 1222 off
Westport Oct. 18 (TRW), very similar to last
fall’s excellent numbers. Unusually large
counts of Pink-footed Shearwater included
a count of 400 from land at Cape Blanco,
OR, Sep. 24 (DLa, KC, TR, CD) and 1000 off
Depoe Bay, OR, Sep. 12 (MH, GG). Wash¬
ington pelagic counts were normal, with a
peak of 503 off Westport Sep. 12 (TRW).
Five Flesh-footed Shearwaters were report-

94

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

ed, a low fall total: two off Oregon (MH,
GG) and three off Washington (BrL, TRW).
The Jun. appearance of Buller’s Shearwaters
did not presage a good fall; the peak count
was 550 off Westport Oct. 18 (BrL). The low
counts of Sooty Shearwaters on pelagic trips
continue to concern us, but shore counts of
50,000 on Willapa Bay, WA, Aug. 1 (SM,
DD) and 12,000 off Leadbetter Pt., WA,
Aug. 8 (M. & C. Shepard) may provide some
indication of better onshore abundance.
The peak pelagic number was 3691 off
Westport, WA, Sep. 12 (TRW). Again, they
appeared well inside the Strait of Juan de
Fuca in Sep., where they were formerly casu¬
al: two off Swantown, Island, Sep. 21 (SM, P.
Sunby), two off Fort Worden S.P., Jefferson,
Sep. 23 and Oct. 7 (E. Deal), and one off
P.N.P. Sep. 28 (VN). The first Oregon
records of Manx Shearwater were singles
seen from shore off Barview, Tillamook, Oct.
6 (fJG) and off Otter Rock, Lincoln, Nov. 4
(tJG); previous reports have not been
accepted by the O.B.R.C. One off Westport
Aug. 22 (fBTw, BrL) was Washington’s 3rd
for the year and about the 9th overall. There
was no repeat of the remarkable numbers of
Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel found inside Puget
Sound the previous fall; the only report was
one off Edmonds Oct. 5 (G. Toffic).

An imm. Brown Booby that flew over
the pelagic trip boat 15 miles off Depoe Bay
Oct. 3 (tMH, GG) is the first Oregon report.
The Region’s first occurred only last year in
Clallam, WA. A scattering of Am. White
Pelican has been on the westside since
spring, which is very unusual. The pair at

O. S. was seen through Oct. 6 (B. Morse), a
pair was at Sauvie and nearby areas Nov. 7+
(T. Slupesky, R. Korpi), and a pair was near
Eugene, OR, Nov. 28 (RRb). Very high num¬
bers of Brown Pelican remained through the
period; normally they have almost all
departed by early Nov. A count of 500 at
LaPush, Clallam, Nov. 1 (M. Wilson) is an
astounding number for such a late date.
Other large, late counts on the Washington
coast included 1 50 at Tokeland, Pacific, Nov.

1 (SM) and 60 at Cape Flattery, Clallam,
Nov. 30 (K. Lei). For the 6th consecutive fall,
Brown Pelicans were reported in Puget
Sound waters. The total of 1 1+ reports is the
2nd highest total but is much lower than the
90 reported in the previous fall. Most of the
reports came from the Seattle area (three),

P. N.P. (four), and the w. shoreline of
Whidbey I. (two), and all but one were seen
in Nov. Great Egrets were numerous
throughout the Region, except coastal
Washington and the Puget Trough, where
only 13 individuals were reported. Repre¬

sentative high counts elsewhere included 98
at F.R.R. Nov. 28 (RRb), 200 at Potholes,
Grant, WA, Oct. 6 (RH), and 62 at Ridge¬
field N.W.R., Clark, WA, Aug. 8 (WC).
Snowy Egrets staged an impressive showing
in s. coastal Oregon, with almost daily sight¬
ings Sep. 19-Nov. 8 and a peak of 18 in
Curry Oct. 1 (DM). At the other end of the
spectrum, Cattle Egrets were almost unre¬
ported. Two near Junction City, Lane, OR,
Nov. 8 (CW) make for the lowest Regional
total since fall 1988, when only two were
reported. A Green Heron at Hood Park, WA,
Sep. 12 was the 2nd Walla Walla record
(M&MLD). There are only about 20 w. Ore¬
gon records of White-faced Ibis, almost all
from spring, so one at F.R.R. in Sep. (K. Lar¬
sen) was very notable. Another at Wallula,
Walla Walla, WA, Sep. 19 (ph., M&MLD)
was also a vagrant.

Four single Ross’s Geese were found
away from their regular migratory route:
Woodinville, King, WA, Sep. 8 (DBe), Banks
L., Grant, WA, Oct. 7 (JA), Columbia
N.W.R., Grant, WA, Nov. 18 (RH), and
Sauvie Nov. 19 (HN). This is the highest fall
total away from their usual range in the last
decade. In addition to the Emperor Goose
that has become a permanent fixture on the
Sandy R., OR, one was at Sequim, Clallam,
WA, Sep. 13+ (B. Boekelheide, m. ob.), and
one was at Sauvie Nov. 14 (HN), an average
fall total. An unusual Willamette Valley
breeding record of Ring-necked Duck was a
hen and six young at Baskett Slough N.W.R.
Aug. 20 (J. Simmons). The Tufted Duck that
returned for the 3rd winter on the
Columbia R. at Bingen, Klickitat, WA, Nov.
9+ (B. Hanson, WC) was the only report.
The number of sea ducks found inland was
well below normal. The only Oldsquaw were
five near. Ephrata, Grant, WA, Nov. 11 (JA).
A Black Scoter at Richland, WA, Sep. 4 (BW)
was very rare inland. The total for the other
two species was nine Surfs and three White-
wingeds, the lowest fall total since 1988.
Likewise, only five Red-breasted Merganser
reports were received.

KITES THROUGH PHALAROPES

White-tailed Kite numbers remain hearten¬
ing. Good counts from Oregon include up
to 11 at Finley N.W.R. and five at F.R.R.
from Oct. on and seven in the Coquille Val¬
ley, Coos, Sep. 26 (L. Gaynor). Three young
fledged from the nest near the Nestucca Bay
N.W.R., Tillamook, OR, Aug. 16 (F.
Schrock). Five were located in Washington:
two at Skamokawa, Wahkiakum, Aug. 18
(PtSu) and three at Rock Prairie, Thurston,
Nov. 14 (P. Hicks). Red-shouldered Hawk

reports were liberally sprinkled throughout
w. Oregon, including four from the
Willamette Valley, where they are still scarce.
However, an immature in the Cascades at
the Bonney Butte Hawk Watch Station near
Mt. Hood Sep. 22 (Hawk Watch Inter¬
national) was very unexpected, and one at
Klamath Falls Nov. 15 (KS) was the only
interior report. The Swainson’s Hawk near
Peoria, OR, Sep. 26 was the 2nd Benton
record (T&AM). Ferruginous Hawks at
Sauvie Aug. 20 (HN) and North Portland
Sep. 20 (K. Kwan) were also from the west-
side, where they are not annual. The only
Gyrfalcon reported was found near Tonas-
ket, Okanogan, WA, Nov. 20 (K. Guse).

The peak count of migrant Sandhill
Cranes on Sauvie was about 4000 in Oct.
(USFWS, HN), somewhat higher than
usual, and 5000 were in the Othello, Adams,
WA area Sep. 21 (RH). Westside Golden -
Plover reports included 21 Americans (none
after Oct. 9), 60 Pacifies (none after mid-
Oct.), and five unidentified. This total was
extremely low for Americans, but a bit bet¬
ter than average for Pacifies. In the interior,
three Americans found during mid-Oct.
from the Columbia Basin were late (CC,
PtSu). A Wilson’s Plover at Bullard’s Beach
State Park, Coos, Sep. 10-Oct. 4 (J. Pilny, m.
ob.) was the first Oregon record and is the
farthest n. one has been found on the Pacific
Coast by about 500 miles. A Washington
record count of 2320 Semipalmated Plovers
was made at O.S. Aug. 1 (SM, DD), followed
by a near record Oregon count of 1000+ at
Pony Slough, Coos, OR, Aug. 2 (TR). These
counts follow exceptionally high tallies in
Jul. and demonstrate the timing of peak pas-

Beach, Oregon, October 1, a first state
record--and about 500 miles north of the
northernmost California record.
Photographer/Trent Bray

VOLUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 1

95

sage through our Region. The Lesser
Yellowlegs tally in the interior was impres¬
sive, highlighted by 2 large gatherings for e.
Oregon: 30 each at Cold Springs N.W.R.
Sep. 10 (CC) and Malheur Sep. 20 (AC).
Solitary Sandpipers were reported in the
lowest numbers since 1990, with 17 in the
interior and a paltry five on the westside. An
Upland Sandpiper was near Loomis,
Okanogan, Aug. 20 (tSJ) and another was at
Sequim, Clallam, Aug. 22 (fSA); they now
occur only as vagrants in Washington. Bar¬
tailed Godwits average about three per fall,
so four this fall was about normal. Records
came from O.S. on Aug. 16-17 (fT.
Schooley, PWS) and Nov. 7-21 (BrL, PWS)
and from Tokeland, where at least one was
present Aug. 1-Nov. 9. On Aug. 1 the bird at
Tokeland was an adult (fSM), and from
Oct. 7 on the bird was an immature (fSM,
BTw), but what was present in between is
unclear.

Only nine Sanderlings were reported
from the interior. The Semipalmated Sand¬
piper westside tally was about 50, and
another 20 were in the interior; these repre¬
sent moderate numbers. Two sight reports
of Long-toed Stint from Oregon will be
evaluated by the O.B.R.C.: one at New R.,
Coos, Aug. 19 (DLa, KC) and one at Tilla¬
mook (GL). Pectoral Sandpiper numbers
were lower than usual. Peak counts of 44 in
the interior at Scooteney Res., Franklin, WA,
Oct. 4 (DR), 25 at Malheur Sep. 12 (D.
Evered), and 25 at Crockett L., Island, WA,
Sep. 19 (SM) were less than half of normal.
Only three Sharp-tailed Sandpipers were
found: one at Crockett L„ Island, WA, Sep.
26 (SM), another at O.S. Sep. 27 (fide SM),
and one at Sauvie and nearby Vancouver L.,
Clark, WA, Sep. 27-29 (SRu, WC). Eleven
Stilt Sandpipers were found in the interior
and seven on the westside, well below aver¬
age. Only two Buff-breasted Sandpipers
were reported: one at Crockett L., Island,
WA, Aug. 21 (KA) and one at Coos Bay, OR,
Aug. 30-Sep. 2 (DLa, KC, TR). The count of
four Ruffs was below average: one at Sauvie
Aug. 29-30 (HN), one at S.J.C.R. Sep. 10
(MP, HN) and Oct. 1 (SRe), and one at
Sequim, Clallam, WA, Oct. 4-5 (NB, PtSu).
It was a slow fall for Red-necked Phalaropes
in the interior, on Puget Sound, and on the
ocean. Peak counts for each locale were 212,
500, and 109, respectively. The Regional
total for Red Phalarope reports was only 17,
five of which came from Walla Walla in s.e.
Washington Sep. 19-26 (KK, M&MLD)!
The only other report away from the outer
coast was one in the Willamette Valley at
Keizer Nov. 26 (SD).

JAEGERS

THROUGH WOODPECKERS

Pomarine Jaeger numbers averaged less
than five per trip offshore (TRW, GG), a
very poor showing. One at F.R.R. Sep. 19 (D.
Jones) and one on Puget Sound off Vashon
I., King, Sep. 10 (DBe) were in unusual loca¬
tions. The only interior report of Parasitic
Jaeger was one at W.W.R.D. Sep. 19
(M&MLD). A total of 19 Long-tailed Jaegers
was reported (TRW, GG, MP), a lower num¬
ber than some single pelagic trips find in a
good year. The tally of 19 S. Polar Skuas in 8
pelagic trips was also lower than average for
fall (TRW, GG) but an improvement over
last fall. An ad. Laughing Gull at Bay City,
Tillamook, Oct. 3-17 (ph., DBa, JJ) is the 3rd
Oregon record. At least 30 Franklin’s Gulls
were found on the westside, apparently the
highest fall total since 1988. The reports
included four Nov. reports (VN, DM, HN,
MP). Two Little Gulls were found. The juve¬
nile at Point Roberts, Whatcom, WA, Aug. 15
(SM) was from the greater Puget Sound
region, where expected, but the bird at
Summer L., Lake, OR, Sep. 4+ (CM, m. ob.)
provided a very rare interior record. A
Glaucous Gull at Ediz Hook, Clallam, WA,
Oct. 17 (B. Sundstrom) was early; the only
other report was one at nearby Sequim Nov.
28 (SA). Thirteen Sabine’s Gulls were
reported from the interior, a very high
count; whereas the pelagic trips averaged 25
per trip (TRW, GG), only a bit better than
last fall’s low numbers. Seven of the interior
reports were from the Columbia Basin, and
she were from the high desert areas of e.
Oregon. Additionally, there were 8 reports
from shore or inland in w. Washington.

The Elegant Tern “echo” flight was mod¬
erate. Largest numbers were the 40-60 birds
at the Rogue R. mouth Aug. 3-8 (CD, AD,
DM, AB). Other peak counts on the Oregon
coast were 33 at Gold Beach Sep. 7 (SM,
CD), 15 at the Siuslaw R. mouth Aug. 3 (B.
& Z. Stotz), and 10 at Yaquina Bay Aug. 5
(WH). The only birds reaching Washington
were four-five at Tokeland Aug. 1-2 (SM,
PtSu). Five Forster’s Terns, above average,
were found on the westside: one at Yaquina
Bay, OR, Sep. 13 (WH), one at Seattle Sep.
28 (DBe), two at Salsbury Pt., Kitsap, WA,
Oct. 5 (PtSu), and one at Everett, WA, Oct.
20 (SM). Oregon’s 5th Least Tern that
appeared in Jul. at Yaquina Bay remained
through Aug. 10 (WH, m. ob.) Following
another summer of poor Com. Murre
reproduction, counts off Westport averaged
about 100 per trip (TRW). Some excellent
counts onshore, 10,000 at O.S. Aug. 1 (SM),
and in Puget Sound, 2800 at P.N.P. Sep. 17

(VN), indicated that adults were probably
experiencing low mortality as they moved
N. A Long-billed Murrelet at Boiler Bay
Nov. 6 (tJG) is about the 5th Oregon record.
Two Xantus’s Murrelets off Depoe Bay, OR,
Sep. 12 (CM, SRu) and two off Westport,
WA, Sep. 13 (fBTw, TRW) made this the 4th
consecutive fall with reports of this species.
Numbers of Cassin’s Auklets remained
frighteningly low until the arrival of the n.
population in Oct., Aug., and Sep. pelagic
trip counts off Westport tallied 10 birds
(TRW). Two were found well inside Puget
Sound: at Vashon I. Sep. 19 (DBe) and off
Edmonds, Snohomish, Sep. 22 (SA).

A Band-tailed Pigeon at Malheur Sep. 25
(fide CH) was locally rare. The White¬
winged Dove at Eugene Oct. 24 (tJG) was
the 6th for Oregon and remarkably the 2nd
this year. The Common Ground-Dove at a
feeder with Mourning Doves in Ashland
Oct. 26 (S., L. & K. Clarke, ph.) is the first
Oregon record; the northernmost Cali¬
fornia record is from Death Valley! Details
and photos eliminated Ruddy Ground-
Dove. A Yellow-billed Cuckoo at Sam’s
Valley, Jackson, Aug. 31 (ph. G. Shaffer) is
the first w. Oregon record since 1977. Two
Burrowing Owls in w. Oregon represent
expected numbers: one at Bullard’s Beach
S.P., Coos, Oct. 1 (SM, BTw) and one near
Halsey Nov. 7 (M. Cutler, P. Vanderheul).
The Spotted Owl that appeared in down¬
town Everett, WA, Nov. 17-18 (SM, F. Bird)
drew considerable media coverage, until it
was trapped and “returned” to more favor¬
able habitat. Boreal Owls were reported
from Sunrise, Mount Rainier N.P., where
five were found Sep. 28 (PtSu), near
Tollgate, OR, Oct. 9 (PaSu), at White Pass,
WA, Oct. 20 (PtSu), and Togo Mt., Ferry,
WA, Oct. 23 (KK). Fall reports of this poor¬
ly know species appear to vary annually,
maybe a function of coverage and weather.
Oct. was mild, allowing greater observer
access into high-elevation areas. Among the
many stupendous Oregon birds found this
fall, the imm. male Broad-billed
Hummingbird photographed at John Day
Sep. 12-14 (C. & M. O’Leary, T. Janzen) cer¬
tainly stands out. It is the first Oregon
record; the northernmost California record
is from Humboldt. Rather unspectacular in
comparison, the male Black-chinned Hum¬
mingbird at Reedsport Sep. 30 (M. Ru¬
dolph) was exceedingly rare on the outer
coast. Anna’s Hummingbirds in the interior
at Wapato, Yakima, WA, Aug. 27 (A. Step-
niewski) and at Joseph Cr., Asotin, WA, Nov.
9-14 (fide MK) were at locations where they
are casual. The male Costa’s Hummingbird

96

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

oregon-washington

near Frederickson, Pierce, early Aug. to Oct.
3 (S. Cave, ph. B. Ramsey) was a long over¬
due first record for Washington. In Oregon,
where they are annual, three males were at a
Grants Pass feeder {fide DV) for the entire
period, and the male at present at Central
Point for over a year remained through the
end of the period {fide DV). Lewis’s Wood¬
pecker appeared in unusual numbers on the
westside: many at Breitenbush Mt., Marion,
OR, Aug. 14 (SD); one on San Juan I., WA,
Aug. 29 (B. & J. Jensen), one at Kirkland,
King, WA, Sep. 12-15 (T. Michealson, C.
Anderson), one at Ebey I., Snohomish, WA,
in mid-Sep. (T. Nowak), one at New River,
Coos, OR, Sep. 20 (J. Carlson), one at Seattle
Sep. 20 (AK, DBe), one east of Toledo, Lin¬
coln, OR, Oct. 1 (DF), and one near the Polk/
Benton line Nov. 8 (BTi). An Acorn
Woodpecker at Lyle, Klickitat, Oct. 1 1 (WC)
was at the species’ only known Washington
location. The Red-naped Sapsucker in the
Rogue Valley Nov. 20 (H. Sands) was both
late and unusual on the westside.

TYRANNIDS THROUGH MIMIDS

A number of flycatchers lingered later than
normal this fall, but an Olive-sided Fly¬
catcher at Portland Nov. 19 was truly excep¬
tional and is the latest report ever for the
Region (M. Calvin). Two Dusky Flycatchers
in the Lane Coast Range on Sep. 28 were also
late and were at a location where considered
rare (TM). During fall, Least Flycatchers are
less than annual w. of the Cascades, but two
were recorded this year: one at Seattle Aug.
17 (KA) and one at Skagit W.M.A., Skagit,
WA, Sep. 19 (SM). The Empidonax of the
fall, however, was w. Oregon’s first fall Gray
Flycatcher near Gold Beach, Curry, Nov. 8, a
late date (CD, AB). A Black Phoebe at
Albany, Linn, OR, until Oct. 20 was n. of this
species expanding range (Fleisher). Eight
Say’s Phoebes in s.w. and w.-central Oregon
Oct. 13 to Nov. 8 were more than average
(JG, T. Snetsinger, DHz, TJW, CD, DM).
None were reported from w. Washington.
An Ash-throated Flycatcher at F.R.R. Oct.
10-16 was both n. of this species breeding
range in w. Oregon and unusually late
(CW). Prior to 1997, there were about 43
records of Tropical/Couch’s Kingbirds from
the Region {FN 52: 6-11), but in 1997, a
record-setting 13 were found. This year, 10
more were located, with a top count of three
near Cape Blanco, Curry, OR, Nov. 18
(TJW). One in the Willamette Valley at
Grand I., Yamhill, Oct. 11 was only the
Region’s 4th away from the outer coast
(tRRb), and another photographed and
heard near Cape Blanco Jul. 26 and Aug. 8

was unprecedentedly early (TJW). The pho¬
tographs seem to show an imm. bird, imply¬
ing N. American origin. Two very late W.
Kingbirds were also found: one near Cape
Blanco Oct. 13 (TJW) and another in Har¬
bor, Curry, OR, Oct. 14 (DM). E. Kingbirds
are very local breeders in w. Washington,
with actual breeding evidence scarce, so
juveniles noted near Everett and Snohomish
during early Aug. were noteworthy (SM). A
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at Malheur Aug. 7
(fR. Gerig) was the 12th for Oregon and the
4th for e. Oregon.

Sky Larks, from the introduced popula¬
tion on Vancouver Island, first appeared at
Washington’s San Juan Islands on Aug. 15,
1960 {Condor 63: 418). After several years of
declining numbers, none were reported this
fall, making it about a year since they were
last seen. This species may now be extirpat¬
ed from Washington. Purple Martins are
scarce breeders in Washington (and British
Columbia). Thus, 100 at Budd Inlet, Thurs¬
ton, Aug. 13 was very surprising (BTw, JG),
while one at Florence, Curry, OR, Oct. 4 was
about 3 weeks late (AC). An impressive
count of 20,000 Barn Swallows were noted
Aug. 30 at the traditional roost in Grand
Island, Yamhill, OR, (FS). Nine Barn Swal¬
low reports in Nov. were more than normal.
The last were seen on Nov. 18 at Portland
(DBa) and at Cape Blanco, Curry, OR,
(TJW). A goodly 16 Blue Jays were found
this fall, mostly from mid-Oct. on and
mostly in e. Washington. There was one w.
Washington record, where barely annual:
Seattle Sep. 20-21 (AK); and two w. Oregon
records, where also quite rare: Sam’s Valley,
Jackson, Nov. 7-15 (M. Givens) and Ashland
Oct. 16-17 (S. Clark). A W. Scrub-Jay at
Sequim, Clallam, Oct. 22 (J. & P. Fletcher)
was a bit n.w. of this species’ rapidly expand¬
ing range in Washington, while 1 7 at S.J.C.R.
Sep. 27 (HN) were signs of a significant
increase in numbers along the current edge
of this species’ range. Clark’s Nutcrackers
are less than annual w. of the Cascades away
from the Olympic Mountains, so five from
w. Oregon and one from lowland w. Wash¬
ington were very surprising: Coos Bay Sep.
30-Oct. 8 (B. Griffin, TR), Yaquina Head,
Lincoln, OR, Oct. 5 (S. Gobat, M. Noack),
Sugarloaf Mt., Polk, OR, Oct. 6 (BTi), near
Toledo, Lincoln, OR, Oct. 15 {fide DF),
Mary’s Peak, Benton, OR, Oct. 19-22 (M.
Lofton, E. Pruitt), and near Forks, Clallam,
WA, Nov. 19 (P. Loaffnan, K. Mike). More
Mountain Chickadees than normal were
found away from expected areas, especially
in the Puget Sound Region, where nine were
found from Sep. 27 onward. White-breasted

Nuthatches are casual in w. Washington
away from Clark, so one found at Enum-
claw, King, Aug. 25 was very unusual (F.
Boeshe).

Rock Wrens are rare-but-annual fall
migrants in w. Washington. Two were found
this year: one at Seattle Sep. 28-30 (DBe,
KA) and one at Kirkland, King, WA, Oct. 4
(M. & J. Hobbs). Canyon Wrens arc also
reported less than annually from w.
Washington and n.w. Oregon. This fall two
were found on the w. slope of the Wash¬
ington Cascades: one at Kelly Butte, King,
Sep. 1 2 (DBe) and another at Mount Rainier
N.P., Pierce, Sep. 26-27 (KK). A Blue-gray
Gnatcatcher at Floras L„ Curry, Nov. 12 was
about 70 miles n.w. of that species’ breeding
range and about 3 months late (TJW, DM,
JR, CD). Swainson’s Thrushes lingered
much later than usual, with three reported
during the last week of Oct.: Clackamas, OR
(E. Sprecht), Josephine, OR (DV), and
Clark, WA (SM). Hermit Thrushes were
reported in excellent numbers this fall in w.
Washington, with an impressive maximum
of 55 at Seattle Sep. 19 (KA). Varied
Thrushes were reported early and also in
large numbers in w. lowlands, and a high
count of 1 50+ at Bellevue, King, Nov. 22 was
truly exceptional (R. Conway). Though
Gray Catbirds breed locally across much of
e. Washington and into n.e. Oregon, mi¬
grants are rarely reported, especially after
late Aug., so one at Maryhill S.P., Klickitat,
WA, Sep. 8 (PtSu), one at Cold Springs
N.W.R., Umatilla, OR, Sep. 10 (S. Hedsen),
and a 3rd at Fields, Harney, OR, Oct. 26 (M)
were unusual. N. Mockingbirds are rare
throughout the Region but can occur
almost anywhere. This fall there were nine,
about average. Five were in w. Oregon, one
in e. Oregon, two in w. Washington, and one
in e. Washington. All but one were seen after
Sep. 18 (RH, AK, VN, TJW, CD, DV, JL, CH).

WAGTAILS

THROUGH WINTER FINCHES

Since 1980, wagtails from the Black-backed/
White complex have been recorded at least
28 times along the Pacific Coast from
British Columbia through California
{Western Birds 29: 180-198). Of these, seven
have been identified as White Wagtails, sub¬
species ocularis, 13 have been Black-backed,
and eight have been unidentified. This fall,
a wagtail found at Gold Beach, Curry, Nov.
8 appears to have been a White Wagtail of
the subspecies leucopsis (fCD, AD). This
would be the first North American record
of the east Asian M. a. leucopsis and
Oregon’s first White Wagtail of any race.

VOLUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 1

97

Details have been sent out for expert
review, and conclusions will appear in a
future column. Loggerhead Shrikes are very
scarce fall migrants w. of the Cascades n. of
the Rogue Valley, so one near F.R.R. Sep. 30
was of note (A. & J. Flora). A Blue-headed
Vireo at Malheur Sep. 9 is the 7th Oregon
report (ph„ CM). All but one have occurred
between Sep. 6 and Oct. 5 ( Oregon Birds 24:
74-76). A Hutton’s Vireo at Umatilla
N.W.R., Benton, WA, Sep. 5 was casual in e.
Washington (CC).

The fall was superb for rare warblers,
including 1 1 vagrant e. warblers. Almost
the rarest of the lot was Washington’s first
(and the Region’s 3rd) Golden-winged
Warbler, banded at Turnbull N.W.R.,
Spokane, Aug. 20 (ph., M. Frobe). Tennessee
Warblers are annual during fall in the
Region, but this year’s four reports was bet¬
ter than average: Crow Butte S. P., Benton,
WA, Aug. 16 (CC), Two Rivers S. P., Benton,
WA, Aug. 23 (DR), Astoria, Clatsop, OR,
Sep. 9 (MP), and Euchre Cr., Curry, OR,
Oct. 1 (CD). Nashville Warblers are not
reported annually during fall w. of the
Cascades in Washington, so ones at Skagit
W.M.A., Skagit, WA, Aug. 25 (SM, DD) and
at Seattle Sep. 27 (S. Terry) were notewor¬
thy. A Nashville at Coos Bay, OR, Nov. 26
was about 2 months tardy, as was one at
Brookings, Curry, OR, Dec. 4 (TR, DM).
Also about 2 months behind schedule was a
Yellow Warbler at Coos Bay Nov. 14-29
(TR). Washington’s 11th Chestnut-sided
Warbler was at Richland, Benton WA, Aug.
20-24 (ph., M&MLD). An imm. Magnolia
Warbler near Cape Blanco, Curry, Oct. 4
adds to about 30 current Oregon records
(TJW, JG). Washington had its 4th and 5th
Black-throated Blue Warblers with one at
Bickleton, Klickitat, Sep. 19 (fSJ) and
another at Richland, Benton, Sep. 20 (CC).
Adding to Oregon’s more than 30 records of
Black-throated Blues was a late bird at
Brookings, Curry, Nov. 27 (B. Stewart).
Yellow-rumped Warblers are often ignored
due their abundance, but 1000 at Bateman
I., Benton, WA, Sep. 26 was an unusual con¬
centration (CC). A Black-throated Gray
Warbler at Langlois, Curry, OR, Nov. 1
(TJW) and another at Medford, Jackson,
OR, Nov. 4 (T. Wicklund) were both about
a month late. Palm Warblers are regular
migrants and winter residents along the
coast, but one at Seattle Sep. 20 was at a
location where the species is rare (S. Giles).
Blackpoll Warblers are now annual in s.e.
Oregon, so one at Malheur Sep. 8-9 was
somewhat expected {fide CH), but three in
Washington represented that state’s 11th-

13th records: Richland, Benton, Aug. 25
(fide BLa), Wanapum S.P., Kittitas, Sep. 1
(fSM, KA), and Wahluke W.M.A., Franklin,
Sep. 1 (fSM, KA). This fall’s Black-and-
white Warbler was found at Carlton, Yam¬
hill, OR, Sep. 26 (V. Brown). There are more
than 90 records of this species from the
Region. An imm. Prothonotary Warbler at
Malheur Sep. 19-23 was Oregon’s 5th and
the Region’s 6th (tJ. & K. Rodecap). N.
Waterthrushes made a good showing, with
4 records w. of the Cascades, where barely
annual: Astoria, Clatsop, OR, Aug. 12 (MP),
Skagit W.M.A., Skagit, WA, Aug. 25 (SM,
DD), Seattle Aug. 30 (B. Vandenbosch), and
Skagit W.M.A. Oct. 17-Nov. 2 (SM). One at
Malheur Aug. 13 was more expected (CH).
Topping the Golden-winged Warbler for
best warbler was the Pacific Northwest’s
first Louisiana Waterthrush, photo¬
graphed and videotaped at Silver Fall’s S. P.,
Marion, OR, Nov. 26-30 (C. & J. Lawes, m.
ob.). A Hooded Warbler was reportedly
banded at the s. end of Upper Klamath
Lake, Klamath, in mid-Sep. (fide KS). If
accepted, this would be Oregon’s 11th
Hooded. Another major rarity was a
Canada Warbler at Malheur Sep. 9,
Oregon’s 6th (CM). Finally, in the very late
category was a Yellow-breasted Chat at
Fields, Harney, OR, Oct. 13 (M).

A W. Tanager at Salem, OR, Nov. 1 1 was
about a month late (SD). Am. Tree
Sparrows arrived early and in good num¬
bers, with the first birds found at Lyons
Ferry S.P., Franklin, WA, Oct. 5 (M&MLD),
and Seattle Oct. 11 (D. Paulson). Two were
found in s. coastal Oregon, where they are
casual: Sixes R., Curry, Nov. 12 (TJW, JR)
and Coos Bay Nov. 1 1 (TR). Chipping
Sparrows, on the other hand, stayed late,
with one near Bayview, Skagit, WA, Nov.
24-28 (BTw) and another at Sequim,
Clallam, WA, Nov. 29 (NB). Clay-colored
Sparrows are scarce migrants in the Region,
so one at Windust, Franklin, WA, Sep. 9 was
noteworthy (PtSu), as were three in Curry,
OR, Sep. 27-Oct. 15 (AB, CD, TJW, DM),
one in Portland Oct. 2 (L. Whittemore,
DHz), and one at Malheur Oct. 12 (TM).
Brewer’s Sparrows are very rare w. of the
Cascade Crest, so one at Brookings, Curry,
OR, Sep. 14 (Phil Hicks) and another in
Seattle Sep. 22 (KA) were noteworthy. Lark
Sparrows have been considered casual on
the coast, but they have proved to be regu¬
lar near the Elk R. mouth, Curry, OR. This
year there were six during Sep. and Oct.
(TJW), with the first two found Sep. 7 (SM,
TR). Another was at S.J.C.R. Sep. 7-9 (MP).
A Lark Bunting at Newport, Lincoln, Sep.

13-14 was about Oregon’s 20th (R. Cheek).
Red Fox Sparrows are vagrants to this
Region, and until their status is determined,
all reports should be submitted with docu¬
mentation. Three undocumented reports
from this fall include singles at Richland,
Benton, WA, Oct. 25 (CC), Washougal,
Skamania, WA, Oct. 31 (WC), and Joyce,
Clallam, WA, Nov. 13 (BN). Swamp
Sparrows had another good year in w.
Oregon, with the first arriving early on Oct.
1 at Harris Beach S.P., Curry (SM, BTw,
BrL). Six were reported from w. Washing¬
ton Oct. 1 1-Nov. 23, which is about average
(SM, S. Nord, C. Chappell, E. Kraig, KK,
BN). White-throated Sparrows were excep¬
tionally numerous this fall, with 29 reports
from Oregon and 34 from Washington,
including an early individual at Spokane
Sep. 1 (JA). The maximum was 11 near
Gold Beach, Curry, OR, Nov. 8 (CD).
Harris’s Sparrows, however, were scarcer
than normal, with only five reported. A
Chestnut-collared Longspur at S.J.C.R. Oct.
9-Nov. 1 (fMP, SRe) was the 6th for
Oregon and about the 10th for the Region.

Bobolinks are less than annual w. of the
Cascades, so one near Sixes, Curry, OR, Oct.
5 (AB) and another at S.J.C.R. Sep. 14 (S.
Warner, SRe) were nice finds. During Jul.,
Washington’s first Tricolored Blackbirds
were found near Wilson Creek, Grant.
Seven of these remained until Aug. 4 (BN).
Yellow-headed Blackbirds at Coos Bay Sep.
5 (SM, TR), near Cape Blanco Sep. 21
(TJW), and at Tokeland Oct. 14 (T. Aversa)
were on the outer coast, where rare. Com.
Grackles are being found more regularly in
s. Oregon, but there are still less than 20
records. One was found this fall at Fields,
Harney, Oct. 13 (fM). A Bullock’s Oriole at
Cape Meares Village, Tillamook, OR, Nov.
16+ (M. Tweelinckx) was about 2 months
late and might attempt wintering. Some of
the winter finches made a nice showing this
fall. Starting around Oct. 1, Pine Siskins
irrupted into the westside with large num¬
bers seemingly everywhere. The maximum
reported was 940 at Whidbey Island, Island,
WA, Nov. 28 (SM). Purple Finches were also
more numerous than normal w. of the
Cascades (SM), and one was found unusu¬
ally far east at Richland, Benton, WA, Oct.
3 1-Nov. 7 (CC). Evening Grosbeaks, too,
were widespread in above-average numbers
(JG, SM), with a maximum of 150 near
Eugene in early Oct. (D. Gleason). Finally, a
White-winged Crossbill at Devil’s Peak,
Whatcom, WA, Aug. 2 (J. Duemmel) was
the only one reported and was likely a
holdover from last winter’s invasion.

98

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

EXOTICS

A Mute Swan was at Wenas L., Yakima, WA,
Aug. 7 (PtSu).

CORRIGENDA

Please note that in the article on the Bristle¬
thighed Curlew invasion (FN 52: 150-155)
the name of the initial observer is Kathy
Castelein, not Karen.

Initialed Observers (subregional editors in
boldface): Kevin Aanerud, Jim Acton, Scott
Atkinson, David Bailey (DBa), Nigel Ball,
Alan Barron. Range Bayer (Lincoln), Dave
Beaudette (DBe), Thais Bock (Tacoma
area), Wilson Cady, Kathy Castelein, Alan
Contreras, Craig Corder, Mike & Merry L.
Denny, Angie Dillingham, Colin
Dillingham (Curry/Coos), Steve Dowlan,
Dennis Duffy, Joe Engler, Darrel Faxon,
Greg Gillson, Dave Helzer (DHz), Carrie
Herziger (Malheur), Randy Hill, Wayne
Hoffman, Matt Hunter, Jim Johnson, Stuart
Johnston, Ken Knittle, Alan Knue, Merlene
Koliner (Clarkston area), Bruce LaBar
BrL), Bill LaFramboise, Dave Lauten (DLa),
Gerard Lillie, John Lundsten (Salem),
Maitreya (M), Tom & Alison Mickel
(Lane), Craig Miller, Don Munson, Harry
Nehls (Oregon), Vic Nelson, Bob Norton
(Olympic Peninsula), Mike Patterson,
Scott Rea (SRe), Roger Robb (RRb), Dennis
Rockwell, Tim Rodenkirk, Jim Rogers,
Russell Rogers (Washington), Skip Russell
(SRu), Eric Setterberg (Jackson), P. W.
Smith, Kevin Spencer, Patrick Sullivan
(PtSu), Paul Sullivan (PaSu) (e. Oregon),
Bill Tice (BTi), Dennis Vroman, Terry R.
Wahl (TRW), Terry John Wahl (TJW),
Clarice Watson, Bob Woodley

Bill Ttoeit, P.0. Box 1271, Olympia, WA,
98507, Jeff Gilligan, 25 NE 32nd Ave.,
Portland, OR, 97232 and Steve Mlodinow,
4819 Gardner Ave., Everett, WA, 98203

middle pacific
coast region

DON ROBERSON,

DANIEL S. SINGER,

SCOTT B. TERRILL,

and STEPHEN C. ROTTENBORN

he fall was characterized by mild weath¬
er. In late Sep. and early Oct. a station¬
ary low pressure system over east-central
California forced winds counterclockwise
winds, “shunting everything coastward
from the northeast,” to quote Pyle from the
Farallones, where they recorded the island’s
400th species during this period. The coastal
vagrant season was exciting, but the head¬
lines were again made by seabirds.

Omitted below for reasons of space are
discussions of the migrations of flycathers
and swallows and the lowland invasion of
Golden-crowned Kinglets. Researchers
should know that we maintain “notebooks”
of all records received that now span the last
45 years. This fall, for example, we received
138 records of Willow Flycatcher that docu¬
ment migration in this scarce species. These
data and many more of interest can be
mined by contacting the editors.

Reports of exceptional vagrants submit¬
ted without documentation are normally
not published. This includes all C.B.R.C.
review species and claims of first county
records. Several interesting claims this sea¬
son lacked details.

Abbreviations: C.B.R.C. (California Bird
Records Committee); C.V. (Central Valley); F.l.
(Southeast Faraiion Island); N.F. (National
Forest); S.F. (San Francisco); S.B. (State Beach);
S.P. (State Park); W.A. (Wildlife Area). Banded
birds from Big Sur R. mouth, Monterey, should
be credited to Big Sur Ornithology Lab, and
those from F.l. to Point Reyes Bird Observatory.

GREBES THROUGH CORMORANTS

W. and Clark’s Grebes on nests in
Thermalito Afterbay Sep. 23 represented
first Butte nesting records (TDM). Appar¬
ently different imm. Short-tailed Alba-

^ Jk The region’s run of “extreme” pelagics since the mid-1990s, which has included
v W\ Light-mantled Albatross, Great-winged Petrel, several Dark-rumped Petrels,
Bulwer’s Petrel, a Procellaria petrel (probably Parkinson’s), and Swallow-tailed Gull, con¬
tinued this fall. A Great-winged Petrel Oct. 18 (fSNGH, fDLSh, tm. ob.) and a dark-
morph Wedge-tailed Shearwater Oct. 10, 1 1 8c 21 (tTMcG, fDLSh, ph. fm. ob.) were
well documented on Monterey Bay. The latter represented one of the few “chaseable”
pelagic rarities ever in the Region. El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and more long¬
term oceanic warming in the eastern Pacific may be at least partially responsible for this
rash of ultra-rarities. Overall oceanic food availability decreases dramatically during
warm-water years, resulting in birds dispersing much more widely than normal. Food
may become relatively restricted to localized nearshore patches, and wandering birds
may find and frequent these patches. Boat trips to areas of concentrated, ephemeral prey
resources may enjoy a higher probability of encountering extreme rarities relative to
years when resources are more abundant and widely distributed.

VOLUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 1

99

trosses were offshore Bodega Bay Aug. 28
(ph. fG. Luneau, ph. fDN) and Oct. 26 (ph.
fBMcK, ADeM, fm. ob.).

A N. Fulmar at Coyote Pt., San Mateo,
Oct. 18 (RSTh) was rare so far inside S.F.
Bay. Single “Cookilaria” petrels, probably
Cook’s, were 19 mi. w.s.w. of F.I. on Sep. 18
(tSCR, CAx) and 50 mi. w. of Princeton,
San Mateo, Oct. 24 (BED, JBo). Six Manx
Shearwaters were reported on Monterey
Bay, with three on Aug. 8 (ph. fBMcK,
DLSh) and singles on Aug. 9 (DLSh, BMcK),
Aug. 21 (DLSu), and Oct. 25 (fADeM); one
was at F.I. October 5 (PRBO). This was the
lowest number of fall reports since 1993
when this species was first confirmed in the
Region. Black-vented Shearwaters showed
up early (Aug. 8), as is usual in years when
large numbers move north: 4600 flying N
past Pigeon Pt., San Mateo, Oct. 9 (PJM)
was the 3rd highest on record. Sixteen
Wilson’s Storm-Petrels Sep. 12 was a record
high count for Monterey Bay (ShJ). Least
Storm-Petrels staged a large influx, 2nd only
to 1983, with 253 Sep. 8 building to 733 Sep.
12 on Monterey Bay (ShJ).

An ad. Red-billed Tropicbird 11.7 mi.
s.w. of Pt. Pinos Sep. 5 (R. Chornock, DLSh,
ph. BMcK) made this the 11th year of the
last 12 that this species, or an unidentified
tropicbird, has been recorded between Jul.
25 and Oct. 5. A subad. male Brown Booby
of the race brewsteri was at F.I. Oct. 12-24
(fPP); this species has been recorded at F.I.
each of the last 7 fall seasons. A booby near
Golden Gate Bridge, S.F., Sep. 25 (fMEa,
DPM, HuC) was reported by one observer
as a Blue-footed; we have only 3 C.B.R.C.-
accepted records of that species. An imm.
Brown Pelican at the Wilbur Flood Control
Area, Kings, Sep. 14-Nov. 6 (ph. fLkC) was
unusual inland. Only our 2nd truly inland
record, a Brandt’s Cormorant at Clifton
Court Forebay Oct. 12 was seen in both
Contra Costa and Alameda (fSAG).

HERONS THROUGH RAPTORS

Least Bitterns continued at Olema Marsh,
Marin, into October with the last sighting,
a female, noted Oct. 10 (RS). A hungry
male was picked up in downtown San
Francisco Oct. 23, rehabbed in Marin, and
released at L. Merced, S.F., Oct. 26 (fide RS).
A melanistic Great Blue Heron, unprece¬
dented in our 45-year notebooks, was in
Santa Clara on Aug. 19 (fMJM). Twenty
Great Egrets at L. Almanor, Plumas, Oct. 23
(HG) was a noteworthy concentration of
trans-Sierran migrants. Thirty-eight
White-faced Ibis were along the coast or
inside S.F. Bay Aug. 6-Nov. 1 with over 80%

in Monterey, including a flock of 22 flying N
past Pt. Pinos Oct. 6 (BGE). One at Nice
Aug. 4-6 was Lake’s third (JRW).

A coastally rare dark-morph Snow
Goose at Humboldt Bay N.W.R. Sep. 3-Oct.
20 was Humboldt’s first “Blue Goose”
(SMcA, m. ob.). A family group of five
“Aleutian” Canada Geese at Cottonwood L„
San Jose, Santa Clara, Nov. 4 (fMJM) were
the only ones reported away from
Humboldt. A Eur. Wigeon at F.I. on Oct. 1
was the 400th species recorded there (PP).
A pair of Canvasbacks bred at Pacines Res.,
San Benito, where three young were seen
Sep. 2 (DLSh). Many of our wintering
ducks may nest in the C.V. and Great Basin
regions or even coastally when conditions
are optimal. A Tufted Duck was reported at
Modesto Oct. 18 (tKW, JHG, MFi), which
would be only a second Stanislaus record,
but details suggested hybridization was not
ruled out. Rare inland was an Oldsquaw at
L. Shastina, Siskiyou, Nov. 9 (RE).

An interspecific communal roost of 20
White-tailed Kites and 30 N. Harriers near
Areata, Humboldt, Nov. 1 1 was unexpected
but not without precedent (DFx). Sharp-
shinned Hawk sightings by the Golden Gate
Raptor Observatory at the Marin headlands
were well above the 10-year average and
more than double the counts for each of the
past two years. September 26 was a banner
day for Broad- winged Hawks when 15
passed the Marin headlands within 30 min¬
utes (JM). Others reported on this date
included singles at Pt. Reyes (MMC) and
Angel I. (JsC) and three at the Presidio, S.F.
(MEa, HuC, DPM). A flock of six was over
Elkhorn Slough, Monterey, Oct. 26 (CKf). A
very late Swainson’s Hawk at Half Moon
Bay, San Mateo, Nov. 13 (fAME) was pre¬
sent through Dec. The small population of
mostly dark-morph birds in the Sacra-
mento-San Joaquin Delta are the only ones
known to winter in California. A well-doc¬
umented Gyrfalcon was at Tule Lake
N.W.R., Siskiyou, Nov. 24 (fRE, NEC).
There are only 7 accepted records for the
state.

CRANES THROUGH SHOREBIRDS

Two Sandhill Cranes flew S over Table Bluff
Sep. 21 (KI) for a rare Humboldt occur¬
rence. Late Am. Golden-Plovers were inland
at Shasta Valley, Siskiyou, Nov. 25 (RE) and
near Albaugh, Tulare, Nov. 9 (fDR). A
Mongolian Plover at Eel River W.A. Oct.
2-3 was a first for Humboldt and 6th for our
Region (fSNGH; fSophie Webb, fDFx, fm.
ob.). Rare coastal reports of Mountain
Plover included individuals at Coyote Point

(inside S.F. Bay), San Mateo, Oct. 8 (RSTh),
Areata Bottoms, Humboldt, Oct. 10 (CJR),
and Point Reyes Nov. 24 (RS). Two Bar¬
tailed Godwits graced the region: an adult
at Ravenswood Open Space Preserve Sep.
12-29 (tRSTh, AME, fMFi) was San
Mateo’s third, while a juvenile at the conflu¬
ence of Coyote and Alviso sloughs Oct. 2
was both Alameda’s and Santa Clara’s 2nd
(fSCR). Noteworthy county records
included Trinity’s first Marbled Godwit Sep.
12 at Trinity Center (fGjH, JEH, TWL,
GAS) and San Benito’s first Red Knot in
Hollister Sep. 26-27 (JSL, tKW). Baird’s
and Pectoral sandpipers were in moderate
to low numbers. An apparent ad. Pectoral
Sandpiper in the Areata Bottoms was seen
Nov. 18 (fDFx). Six Sharp-tailed Sand¬
pipers was a good showing, and included a
nicely documented juvenile inland at Shasta
Valley W.A., Siskiyou, Oct. 16-25 (fRE).
Twelve Stilt Sandpipers included at least six
in Santa Clara, a first for San Benito in
Hollister Sep. 15-Oct 2 (fBMcK, DLSh,
fKW), and two singles in Mono: DeCham-
beau Ponds Aug. 21 (Barthe Miller) and
Crowley Lake Sep. 19-20 (JLx, MEa). A
show-stopping four Buff-breasted Sand¬
pipers made a brief appearance in King
Salmon, Humboldt, Sep. 4 (tKNN). Pelagic
phalaropes were reported in very low num¬
bers if at all: at F.I., where thousands of each
are expected, about 100 Reds and no Red-
neckeds were recorded this season.

JAEGERS THROUGH ALCIDS

Juvenal-plumaged Long-tailed Jaegers were
rare finds inland at Shasta Valley W. A. Aug.
21 (tRE), L. Don Pedro, Tuolumne, Aug. 26
(ph. fTRy), and Indian Creek Res., Alpine,
Oct. 3 (tTE); the latter two, as well as an
adult near San Pablo Bay in w. Solano Sep. 8
(tSAb), provided first county records. Ad.
Laughing Gulls were in Marin at Stinson
Beach Aug. 18-Sep. 13 (ARu, KH, m. ob.)
and Sausalito Oct. 25-Nov. 3 (ph. tSAb, m.
ob.), perhaps the same individual.
Franklin’s Gulls were more widespread than
in any previous season, with 12 individuals
recorded in 10 counties Sep. 1 1-Nov. 26;
inland birds included five in the C.V. and
one at Mono Lake.

First-year Mew Gulls in Areata Aug. 2
(DFx) and Santa Cruz Aug. 9 (DR, RC) may
have summered locally. Although a juv.
Mew Gull at Santa Cruz Sep. 12 (BMcK,
DLSh) and an adult with a juvenile at Pt.
Reyes Aug. 15 (RS) were truly early, they fit
an established pattern of early arrival by a
very small number of birds in Aug. or early
Sep. Unusual inland were Mew Gulls at

too

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

middle pacific coast

Trinity Center Sep. 12 (fGjH, JEHu, TWL,
GAS; first Trinity record) and L. Almanor,
Plumas, Nov. 28 (RS, CLu). In Santa Clara,
the ad. Lesser Black-backed Gull returned
to Alviso for its 4th winter Oct. 2 1 -Dec. (ph.
SBT, fSCR, m. ob.). A first-winter gull at
Davis, Yolo, Nov. 4-Dec. 12 (fSCH, tJM,
ph. MMR, m. ob.) may have been a Slaty-
backed Gull, unprecedented in the Region,
although eliminating other possibilities
(including hybrids) is extremely difficult.

A count of 914 Sabine’s Gulls on Mon¬
terey Bay Aug. 15 (ShJ) nearly doubled the
previous Regional high, while a record 1 1
inland Sep. 5-Oct. 3 included Trinity’s first
at Trinity Center Sep. 7 (tMiF) and up to
five in Placer (TE, PDe). One at Coyote Pt.,
San Mateo, Nov. 29 (RSTh) was very late,
although there are at least 4 Dec. records.
On Sep. 16, a concentration of at least 2900
Arctic Terns was 27 mi. w. of Pescadero, San
Mateo (SCR, CAx), at the same time that
909 were on Monterey Bay (JLD et al.), pro¬
viding the second highest one-day total for
the Region. Lake Tahoe, Placer, hosted the
only two interior Arctic Terns Sep. 19 (TE).
Approximately 20 Black Skimmers were in
6 counties n. to Sonoma, with as many as 14
in Santa Clara.

Two Long-billed Murrelets were at
Point St. George, Del Norte, one July 21-29
(fADB) and a different bird Aug. 22-23
(ADB, fBED). Craveris’ Murrelets were
recorded Aug. 1 5-Oct. 13, with a high of 29
on Monterey Bay 16 Sep. (JLD et al.).
Farther north, at least 12 were at F.I. where
there had been only one previous record
(PRBO), and 15 was a high count at Cordell
Bank Sep. 14 (ShJ). Two Xantus’s Murrelet
chicks were on Monterey Bay 15 Aug. (ShJ),
the second time that young Xantus’s have
been seen on the Bay. The only Horned
Puffin reported was 1 1 mi. off Santa Cruz
Aug. 21 (DLSu).

DOVES THROUGH WOODPECKERS

Seven White-winged Doves were along the
coast Aug. 20-Oct. 22. A Yellow-billed
Cuckoo at Big Sur R. mouth, Monterey, Sep.
20-21 (fNL, JBo, tDR) was a very rare
vagrant. Wildlife biologists’ data pinpoint¬
ed at least 37 Barred Owls in Humboldt {fide
DFx), where clear-cutting has led to contin¬
ued range expansion.

A Lesser Nighthawk in the upper Owens
Valley Sep. 6 (DS) was near the Mono
range-extension found this summer; one
flushed at Moss Landing, Monterey, Nov. 18
(BHG) was exceptionally late. A Com.
Poorwill found dead in McKinleyville Oct.
19 (Peggy Stebbins) and one alive at

Lanphere-Christiansen Dunes Nov. 8 (CJR)
were in coastal Humboldt where they are
casual.

An imm. female Ruby-throated Hum¬
mingbird captured on F.I. Aug. 25 (fPP)
was the 4th here between Aug. 23-Sep. 12;
what may have been the same individual
was at Pt. Reyes lighthouse, Marin, the next
day (tRS). This species may be more regu¬
lar than shown by the few California
records. A long overdue first for San Mateo
was an imm. male Black-chinned Hum¬
mingbird at Coyote Point Sep. 20 (fRSTh).
Costa’s Hummingbirds at Eureka, Hum¬
boldt, Oct. 16 (GjH), Redding, Shasta, Sep.
27-30 (B8cCY), and Fish Slough, Mono,
Sep. 5 (PJM) were n. of usual ranges.

Vagrant Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers were
at Presidio, S.F., Sep. 27 (JsC), L.
Mendocino, Mendocino, Nov. 28 (fGEC),
Woodfords Nov. 27 (fCHo; first for Alpine),
and Mono Co. Park, Mono, Oct. 17 (fA.
Hensley, S. Edwards).

FLYCATCHERS THROUGH SHRIKES

A silent wood-pewee on F.I. Sep. 5 (fPP) was
thought an Eastern on extremes in plumage
and shape, and a “Traill’s” Flycatcher giving
a “pic” call at Pt. Reyes Aug. 26 (RS) was
believed an Alder. Both claims are contro¬
versial, but i.d. criteria are slowly develop¬
ing. Distinguishing siblings in “Western”
Flycatcher remains intractable, even for
many vocalizing birds. What to make of a
“singing Cordilleran Flycatcher” at Pt. Reyes
Sep. 26 (|RS)? That bird “sounded just like
breeders in the Chiricahuas and unlike local
Pacific-slopes” but Johnson (Univ. Calif.
Publ. Zool. 112, 1980) showed wide intra¬
specific variation in both songs and calls of
both taxa. There are no acceptable coastal
records of Cordilleran, and an audio record¬
ing will likely be required to confirm this
form’s occurrence here.

About 15 Least Flycatchers reached the
coast Aug. 24-Oct. 29 (six on F.I.), some
nicely documented (tJM, fMEa, fDN). An
E. Phoebe returned for its 6th winter at
Shady Oaks Park, San Jose, Nov. 24 (MJM);
others were at Half Moon Bay Oct. 1 1 (BS)
and F.I. Oct. 27 (PP). An imm. Vermilion
Flycatcher at Big Sur R. mouth Oct. 16 (fK.
Moore, JBo) was unexpected. At least 28
Tropical Kingbirds were scattered from
Monterey to Humboldt after Aug. 26. Rarer
still were four E. Kingbirds: Big Sur R.
mouth Sep. 1 (JBo); Pt. Reyes Aug. 27 (RS);
Ten-mile River, Mendocino, Sep. 13 (JRW);
and Areata Sep. 21 (J. Ward, m. ob.).

More N. Shrikes than usual were found
throughout the interior after mid-Oct., and

an immature lingered in San Antonio
Valley, Santa Clara, after Nov. 14 (MMR,
tMJM.fSCR).

VIREOS THROUGH CORVIDS

Since the split of “Solitary Virco” into 3
species, we have learned that Plumbeous is
a rare but expected fall coastal vagrant
(about 10 this Aug. 23-Nov. 8). The eastern
Blue-headed is more problematic. Fall
vagrants do appear annually, but claims of
late birds can pertain to bright, fresh
Cassin’s. This season only 4 of 7 reports of
Blue-headed were documented: Big Sur R.
mouth Sep. 28 (ph. JBo); F.I. Oct. 1 & 11
(tPP); and Half Moon Bay Nov. 1 (fRSTh).
Likewise four of five Philadelphia Vireos
were documented: Big Sur R. mouth Oct.
27 (ph. JBo); El Granada, San Mateo, Oct. 4
(fRSTh); Bodega Bay Sep. 5-10 (fDN,
fBDP, RAR, m. ob.); and Fairhaven,
Humboldt, Oct. 2-3 (DLSh, ADeM, fMMR,
fGMcC, fet al.). Observers located a dozen
Red-eyed Vireos along the coast, including
a very late bird at Phipps Ranch, San Mateo,
Nov. 5-6 (fAWn). Better yet were four
Yellow-green Vireos: Santa Cruz Oct.
15-16 (fSG); Moss Beach, San Mateo, Oct.

4 (fPJM); Ft. Funston, S.F., Sep. 30-Oct. 4
(BF, fJM, fLkC, fMEa, m. ob.); and Pt.
Reyes lighthouse Sep. 28 (B. Brandriff, RS,
m. ob.).

Flocks of 50-110 W. Scrub-Jays sur¬
prised observers at Pt. Pinos, Monterey, Sep.
18 & Oct. 30 (JBo), Watsonville, Santa Cruz,
Sep. 2 (DLSu), and Coyote Pt., San Mateo,
Sep. 20 (RSTh). Booker wrote that these
“large dispersing flocks challenge the notion
that they are strictly sedentary.” But could
these aggregations be locally-fledged young¬
sters forced out of their parents’ territory?
Who would have thought the common
scrub-jay would present such a mystery?

NUTHATCHES THROUGH PIPITS

A White-breasted Nuthatch at the Presidio,
S.F., Sep. 26-27 (BF, m. ob.) was a rare find.
A Cactus Wren building a “shelter-nest” at
Fish Slough, 10 mi. n. of Bishop, Mono, Sep.

5 (fPJM) was the first for our Region and
the 2nd for N. California. One on Jun. 26,
1992 ( AB 46: 1 175) was in the small corner
of Mono covered by the S. Pacific Coast
Region. (A published C.B.C. claim [AB 33:
655] is undocumented and should be disre¬
garded; fide PJM.)

Two Veeries in Monterey were excep¬
tional: one banded Sep. 21 at Big Sur R.
mouth (ph. JBo, SFB) and another at
Carmel R. mouth Sep. 21-22 (fREM,
fBHG; fDR). There are only 5 C.B.R.C.

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 1

101

Eastern Warbler Records

from the Middle Pacific Coast Region

Fall

Fall

Fall

Species

1998

1997

1974

Comment

Tennessee

31

12

43

average

Northern Parula

7

8

6

average

Chestnut-sided

51

18

36

great

Magnolia

29

12

31

good

Cape May

3

1

7

good

Black-throated Blue

26

15

21

great

Black-throated Green

4

1

2

average

Blackburnian

9

3

14

average

Prairie

19

15

8

good

Palm

158

100

121

average

Bay-breasted

5

2

10

good

Blackpoll

168

24

180

great

Black-and-white

42

17

17

great

Amer. Redstart

44

17

59

average

Ovenbird

9

1

9

good

N. Waterthrush

33

22

6

good

Hooded

4

0

2

good

Canada

4

3

9

average

accepted records for our Region. Swainson’s
Thrushes banded at Big Sur R. mouth Nov.
1 & 2 were quite late (CHo, JBo).

Four Gray Catbirds were a good show¬
ing: Tunitas Cr. Road Oct. 23 (tAWn; first
for San Mateo); F.I. October 31; Pt. Reyes
Sep. 22-23 (RS, GFi, GGf, m. ob.); and
Campbell Cove, Sonoma, Sep. 22-Oct. 8
(Alan Wight, fDN, m. ob.). Some 19 Sage
Thrashers were west of the C.V. this fall,
including four together at Wildhorse
Canyon, Monterey, Nov. 25 (REM, RFT)
and one in the C.V. in Butte Sep. 23 (TDM,
BWb). Rounding out rare thrashers were
four Browns: Gazos Cr. Road, San Mateo,
Oct. 23 (Chris Corben, Lisa Hug); F.I. Sep.
21-22; Pt. Reyes Oct. 6 (RS) and Oct. 31
(BDP).

A White Wagtail foraging on sandbars
in the Big Sur R. Sep. 28 (TEa, ph. fDR et
al.) was only the 2nd for our Region. The
“best” landbird was California’s first Olive-
backed Pipit on F.I. Sep. 26-29 (R. Burnett,
P. Capitolo, W. Richardson, ph. fPP). This
Siberian vagrant was presaged by records
from Nevada and Baja California. Single
Red-throated Pipits were at San Jose Sep. 26
(tNL) and Abbotts Lagoon, Pt. Reyes, Oct.
18 (RS).

WARBLERS

For coastal birders, fall 1998 (especially the
last week of Aug. through early Oct.) was
great for “eastern” warblers; at Pt. Reyes
Stallcup termed it the “best since the mid-
1970s.” Highlights were a male Golden¬
winged Warbler on F.I. Sep. 29-30 (fPP); an
albilora Yellow-throated Warbler at Carmel
R. mouth Sep. 9 (REM, fDR, m. ob.); a
Worm-eating Warbler at Moss Landing,

Monterey, Nov. 16 (fRF); and documented
Mourning Warblers at Big Sur R. mouth
Sep. 20 (fD. Haupt) and F.I. Sep. 15-16
(fPP)- From the southwest came six
Virginia’s (including one at Westhaven,
Humboldt, Sep. 29 [fTWL]); two Lucy’s
(both Monterey); and two Painted Red¬
starts in Marin: at Marin Headlands Sep. 28
(K. Francone, fRS, m. ob.) and Pt. Reyes
Sep. 30 (Jim Holmes, fRS et al.). A remark¬
able 15 Prothonotary Warblers were discov¬
ered: five in Humboldt Sep. 2-Oct. 6 (fDFx,
fGAS, m. ob.), four in Monterey Sep. 6-Oct.
12 (fR. Fowler, fB. Hill, m. ob.), and singles
in Santa Cruz, San Mateo, San Francisco,
Marin, Sonoma, and Mendocino (county
first at Hopland Oct. 19; fCEV). More reg¬
ular “eastern” warblers are summarized in
Table 1, which lists the totals this fall, last
fall (a “poor” year), and in fall 1974 (a
“great” year), along with comments on how
fall 1998 ranked against an “average” year.

Away from the coast and S.F. Bay, a
Tennessee Warbler was at Cosumnes R.
Preserve, Sacramento, Sep. 23 (JTr); a
Chestnut-sided was at Bobelaine Sanctuary,
Sutter, Sep. 26 (John Ranlett); an exception¬
al Bay-breasted was at Oroville, Butte, Oct.
16 (RS); a Blackpoll was at Oasis, Mono,
Sep. 13 (AME); a N. Waterthrush was band¬
ed at Stone Lakes N.W.R., Sacramento, Aug.
26 (fide TDM); and two Am. Redstarts were
in Mono (ES, LkC).

TANAGERS THROUGH GROSBEAKS

Eight Summer Tanagers were coastal
vagrants. A young male Scarlet Tanager was
at Pt. Reyes Sep. 30 (fRS). It was a fine fall
for the following vagrants to the coast or
S.F. Bay area, with five Green-tailed Tow-
hee, four Am. Tree Sparrow, 16 Brewer’s
Sparrow, 29 Vesper Sparrow, 25 Lark Spar¬
row, 15 Lark Bunting, and 50+ Swamp
Sparrow. A Brewer’s Sparrow along Ameri¬
can R. Parkway, Sacramento, Sep. 28
(tTDM) was rare in the C.V.

Observers reported 108 Clay-colored
Sparrows to coastal and S.F. Bay regions,
eclipsing all records in most areas, while
interesting interior individuals appeared in
Lake (2 birds; JRW) and Siskiyou (fRE).
Three rare Black-throated Sparrows reach¬
ed the coast: Santa Cruz Sep. 6-1 1 (a Santa
Cruz first; B. Johnson, fSG et al.); F.I. Sep.
14-22; and Pt. Reyes (RS). Vagrant Nelson’s
Sharp-tailed Sparrows were located in
Carmel R. mouth marsh Oct. 1 (fREM)
and on F.I. (2nd island record; PP). Four of
five zaboria/iliaca Fox Sparrows were in
Nov., probably a typical fall (and likely all
zaboria; iliaca is unrecorded in California).

The lone Harris’s Sparrow was in Areata
bottoms Nov. 11 (fDFx, JCP).

As usual, late fall brought a smattering
of Lapland (43 plus a flock of 50+ in Areata
bottoms Oct. 25-27; KI) and Chestnut-col¬
lared (22) longspurs, including a 2nd San
Benito record of the latter Nov. 20 (JBo).
Single Snow Buntings were on F.I. Nov. 1
(fPP) and at Areata Oct. 29 (fP. Lohse).

It was an average autumn for Rose¬
breasted Grosbeaks (28 coastally plus one
inland along the American R., Sacramento,
Aug. 8; M. James) but quite poor for Blue
Grosbeaks (7) and Indigo Buntings (4).
Two imm. female Painted Buntings appear¬
ed: Pt. Reyes Sep. 29 (tJMR, RS et al.) and,
exceptionally, along the Shasta R. near
Grenada, Siskiyou, Sep. 19 (fRE). The only
Dickcissel was on F.I. Sep. 24.

ICTERIDS THROUGH FINCHES

A reasonable fallout of Bobolinks (over 50)
included a flock of 20+ in Areata bottoms
Oct. 2-3 (BMcK, GMcC, m. ob.) and one
inland at Cosumnes R. Preserve Sep. 27 (a
Sacramento first; MP, JTr et al.). About 40
Yellow-headed Blackbirds reached coastal
lowlands where they are scarce, and addi¬
tional individuals reached little-known
Trinity Sep. 6 (GjH, JEH, RHw) and lone,
Amador, Sep. 7 (KW, JSL), providing 2nd
& first county records, respectively. Rarer
yet was a Rusty Blackbird in the Areata bot¬
toms Oct. 22 (D. Faulkner).

Great-tailed Grackles continue to fill in
previously missed locales, including seven
at Gonzales, Monterey, Aug. 17 (adults with
youngsters; bred?; KW); a female in
Merced Aug. 11-18 (JSL, DR, RC); and a
male at Clear Lake S.P. Aug. 22 (first for
Lake; fSCR). The flock at Woodlake, Tulare,
had grown to 43 by Oct. (KH). Among
vagrant orioles were a dozen coastal
Orchards and a half-dozen Baltimores.

Cited observers (county coordinators bold¬
faced): Steve Abbott, Chuck Alexander,
Stephen F. Bailey, Alan Baldridge, Alan D.
Barron, William G. Bailsman, Jim Booker,
Penelope K. Bowen, Rita Carratello,
George E. Chaniot, Josiah Clark, Neal E.
Clark, Luke Cole, Hugh Cotter, Pierre
Delastre, Al DeMartini, Bruce E. Deuel, Jon

L. Dunn, Todd Easterla, Mark Eaton, Alan

M. Eisner, Ray Ekstrom, Bruce G. Elliot,
Mike Feighner, George Finger, Brian Fitch,
David Fix, Rick Fournier, James H. Gain,
Bruce H. Gerow, Steve Gerow, Steve A.
Glover, Helen Green, George Griffiths,
Steve C. Hampton, Keith Hansen, Gjon
Hazard, Rob Hewitt, Craig Hohenberger,

102

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

Alan S. Hopkins, Steve N.G. Howell, Lisa
Hug, John E. Hunter, Ken Irwin, Robert J.
Keiffer, Clay Kempf, Robin L.C. Leong,

Tom W. Leskiw, Nick Lethaby, Cindy
Lieurance (CLu), Leslie Lieurance (LLu),
Jim Lomax, John S. Luther, Michael J.
Mammoser, Timothy D. Manolis, Robert

E. Maurer, Sean McAllister, Guy McCaskie,
Mac MacCormick, Todd McGrath, Bert
McKee, Peter J. Metropulos, Joseph
Morlan, Dan P. Murphy, Dan Nelson,
Kristie N. Nelson, Benjamin D. Parmeter,
Michael Perrone, Jude Claire Power, Peter
Pyle, C. John Ralph, Jean M. Richmond,
Robert J. Richmond, Don Roberson,
Michael M. Rogers, Stephen C. Rottenborn,
Ruth A- Rudesill, Andrew Rush, Tom Ryan,
Barry Sauppe, Greg A. Schmidt, Debra L.
Shearwater, Dave Shuford, Rich Stallcup,

F. milie Strauss, David L. Suddjian, Richard
Ternullo, Scott B. Terrill, Robert F. Tintle,
Ronald S. Thorn, John Trochet, Chuck E.
Vaughn, Kent Van Vuren, Bruce Webb, Jerry
R. White, Adam Winer, Bob & Carol Yutzy
Many more observers were not specifically
cited, but all are appreciated.

Scott B. Terrill and Stephen C.
Rottenborn (Loons to Frigatebirds, Larids to
Alcids), H.T. Harvey & Associates, P.0. Box 1180,
Alviso, CA 95002 (rottenbo@pacbell.net);
Daniel S. Singer (Herons to Shorebirds), do
Arroyo & Coates, 500 Washington St., Ste. 700,
San Francisco, CA 94111 (dsg@isp.net); Don
Roberson (Doves to Finches), 282 Grove Acre
Ave., Pacific Grove, CA 93950 (creagrus@mon-
tereybay.com)

Place names that are frequently men¬
tioned, but very long, may be abbreviat¬
ed in a form such as “C.B.B.T.” or
“W.P.B.O.” Such local abbreviations will
be explained in a key at the beginning
of the particular regional report in
which they are used. Standard abbrevi¬
ations that are used throughout North
American Birds are keyed on page 24.

southern pacific
coast region

GUY MCCASKIE

he season was relatively storm-free,
which enables normal migrants to pass
through this Region without problems.
Large numbers of Black-vented Shear¬
waters were close to shore in the early part
of the season. Some mountain and berry¬
eating passerines were evidently on the
move but not in massive numbers. Acci¬
dental stragglers included California’s first
American Woodcock.

Abbreviations: C.L. (China Lake Naval Air
Weapons Station, extreme n.e. Kern Co.); F.C.R.
(Furnace Creek Ranch, Death Valley National
Monument, Inyo Co.); N.E.S.S. (n. end of the
Salton Sea, Riverside Co.); S.C.R.E. (Santa Clara
River Estuary near Ventura, Ventura Co.);
S.E.S.S. (s. end of the Salton Sea, Imperial Co.);
S.F.K.R.P (South Fork Kern River Preserve near
Weldon, Kern Co.). Since virtually all rarities in
s. California are seen by many observers, only
the observer(s) initially finding and identifying
the bird are included. Documentation for
species on the California Bird Records
Committee (C.B.R.C.) review list is forwarded to
the C.B.R.C. Secretary and archived at the
Western Foundation for Vertebrate Zoology in
Camarillo.

LOONS THROUGH HERONS

A Red-throated Loon on Tinemaha Res.
near Big Pine, Inyo, Nov. 30 (T & JH) was far
inland, and another on L. Perris Nov. 21
(MAP) was only the 4th to be found in
Riverside.

Black-vented Shearwaters were more
numerous than usual close to shore, with

such numbers as 10,000 visible from Pt.
Vicente on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Los
Angeles, Aug. 15 (DMH, KLa), 20,000 from
the pier in Newport Beach, Orange, Sep. 1
(MSanM), and 5500 from shore in La Jolla,
San Diego, Oct. 5 (SWal). Ashy and Least
storm-petrels were also visible from shore,
along with the more expected Black Storm-
Petrels, in San Diego and Orange during
Aug. and Sep., with high counts from the
Newport Beach pier of 5 Ashy Sep. 25-26
(JEP) and 20 Least Sep. 1 (MSanM). A Wil¬
son’s Storm-Petrel from the Newport Beach
pier Aug. 31 (JEP) was the first to be seen
from shore in S. California, and one of a very
few reported in this Region. A Fork-tailed
Storm-Petrel seen from the Newport Beach
pier Aug. 11 (JEP) was unusually far south
and exceptional at this time.

A Red-billed Tropicbird near San Nicolas
I. Aug. 22 (KLG) was the highlight of the Los
Angeles Audubon Society’s pelagic birding
trip. A Red-tailed Tropic-bird identified
from a low flying aircraft about 100 mi. s.w.
of San Nicholas I. Aug. 14 (CRo) was in an
area where small numbers probably occur
regularly. A Neotropic Cormorant reported
from Imperial Dam, Imperial, Sep. 26 (DT)
was on the California side of the Colorado
R. Imm. Magnificent Frigatebirds along the
coast over Coronado, San Diego, Aug. 4 (fide
DWA), San Pedro, Los Angeles, Aug. 6
(DMH) and Huntington Beach, Orange,
Aug. 11 (ToH), and slightly inland over
Cypress, Orange, Aug. 10 (KP) were associ¬
ated with the major influx of these birds in
Jun. and Jul. An immature at S.E.S.S. Sep. 12
(N & MF) was probably associated with
tropical disturbances in the Gulf of
California.

The imm. Tricolored Heron found in
Imperial Beach, San Diego, Jul. 25 was still
present at the end of the period (fide DWA),
but one at Bolsa Chica, Orange, Oct. 13
through the end of the period (DSm) was
the only other one reported. An ad. Reddish
Egret in Imperial Beach Aug. 2 through the
end of the period (GMcC) was joined by an
immature Oct. 4 (BM), one was at Seal
Beach, Orange, Aug. 8-Sep. 15 (JF) and
another at Bolsa Chica Sep. 7-28 (SWar) —
an average number for this time of year.

VOLUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 1

103

DUCKS THROUGH PHALAROPES

A female Tufted Duck near Saticoy, Ventura,
Nov. 29 through the end of the period (ST)
was probably the same individual that has
wintered at this location in recent years.
Single Surf Scoters on Klondike L. near Big
Pine Oct. 1 1 (T & JH) and another near
Bishop, Inyo, Nov. 3-17 (JMF) were the
only two migrant scoters reported from the
interior.

A Harris’s Hawk in the w. Antelope
Valley, Los Angeles, Oct. 1 (JB) and Nov. 21
(NH) was believed to be the same individ¬
ual reported in this area off and on since
1996. An imm. Broad-winged Hawk on the
coast near Imperial Beach Oct. 18 (PU),
one inland at the S.F.K.R.P. Sep. 9 (TG) and
another at Desert Center, Riverside, Sep. 19
(MAP) were the only three reported. A
Zone-tailed Hawk reported near Onyx
Summit in the San Bernardino Mts. Aug. 30
(RL) was in an area where nesting should
be considered; one in Goleta, Santa Bar¬
bara, Oct. 21 through the end of the period
(JH) was the same bird present in this area
during each of the past five winters, and
another near Escondido, San Diego, Nov. 19
through the end of the period (fide DWA)
was also in an area where one has been seen
during the past 4 winters.

A Sandhill Crane at the Santa Maria R.
mouth, San Luis Obispo/Santa Barbara,
Aug. 15-16 (JMC) was presumed to be the
same bird seen here in Jul. and Aug. 1997.

Single migrant Am. Golden-Plovers
were near San Simeon, San Luis Obispo,
Sep. 25 (WAB), in Goleta Oct. 14-Nov. 19
(DAK), at S.C.R.E. Sep. 6 (DDJ) and Sep. 29
(DDJ), near Port Hueneme Oct. 16-Nov. 7
(DDJ), and near Imperial Beach Oct. 9-18
(EC, GMcC). A juv. Pacific Golden-Plover
on San Nicholas I. Sep. 27 (MAP) was a
migrant, but up to six near Port Hueneme,
Ventura, Aug. 27 through the end of the
period (DDJ), and another in Huntington
Beach Nov. 14 (PC) were at known winter¬
ing localities. A Mountain Plover at C.L.
Nov. 14-18 (SSt) and another at the Santa
Maria R. mouth Oct. 20-25 (BH) were at
unusual localities. The ad. Am. Oyster-
catcher found on San Nicholas I. Jun. 28
was still present Sep. 28 (RAH, WW), a dif¬
ferent adult was there Oct. 19 (RAH), up to
two juveniles were on the same island Sep.
7-28 (RAH, MAP), and another was on the
mainland in Long Beach Harbor Oct. 16
(SWar). A Wandering Tattler at S.E.S.S. Sep.
5 (GMcC) was inland where unexpected.
Two juv. Ruddy Turnstones at E.A.F.B. Aug.
29-30 (MTH) and a juv. Red Knot pho¬
tographed at Twentynine Palms, San

Bernardino, Sep. 12 (EAC) were the only
ones reported inland away from the Salton
Sea. Semipalmated Sandpipers were less
numerous than in recent years, with only 12
juveniles reported along the coast between
Aug. 1 and Sep. 20, and only three inland
during the same period. A Baird’s Sand¬
piper on San Nicolas I. Oct. 8-18 (WW)
and another on Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo,
Oct. 12 (JSR) were somewhat late. A juv.
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, decidedly rare in S.
California, was well photographed at
S.C.R.E. Sep. 3-11 (DDJ). Up to two juv.
Stilt Sandpipers at S.C.R.E. Sep. 4-7 (ST,
DDJ), one at Point Mugu, Ventura, Sep. 10
(TEW), another in Long Beach, Los Angeles,
Sep. 13 (DMH), and two in Oceanside Aug.
21-23 (PAG) were along the coast where
rare, and two juveniles near Cantel, Kern,
Sep. 25-27 (DVB), along with single birds
on Mystic L. near Lakeview, Riverside, Aug.
24-26 (JG) and Oct. 31 (MAP), were inland
and away from the Salton Sea. A Buff¬
breasted Sandpiper near Port Hueneme
Aug. 31-Sep. 14 (RAH) was the only one
found this fall. A juv. Ruff at the Santa
Maria R. mouth Sep. 17 (WAB) and anoth¬
er in Irvine, Orange, Oct. 23-Nov. 24 (JSB)
was less than expected. Totally unexpected
was an American Woodcock photo¬
graphed at Iron Mt. Pumping Station, San
Bernardino, Nov. 3-9 (MAP, GMcC, DSC),
as there are only two or three previous doc¬
umented records west of the Continental
Divide. A Red Phalarope on Klondike L.
Oct. 8 (T & JH), another on Owens L. near
Cartago, Inyo, Oct. 10 (T 8r JH), one in
California City, Kern, Sep. 24-26 (MTH)
and a 4th photographed at S.E.S.S. Oct. 4
(KZK) were the only ones found inland this
fall.

JAEGERS

THROUGH WOODPECKERS

The only jaegers reported from the interior
were single Parasitics at N.E.S.S. Sep. 5
(GMcC), near Lancaster, Los Angeles, Sep.
10 (MSanM), on L. Perris, Riverside, Nov.
10 (MAP) and on nearby Mystic L. Nov. 10
(MAP), and an unidentified jaeger at
N.E.S.S. Sep. 16 (CMcG). Franklin’s Gulls
appeared to be scarcer than normal, with
only four along the coast between Oct. 12
and Nov 16 (KLG, SWar, KSG, TEW), one
on L. Elsinor, Riverside, Nov. 21-30 (MAP),
three around S.E.S.S. Sep. 5 (PAG, GMcC),
and one near El Centro, Imperial, Oct. 25
(MAP). An ad. Little Gull was with Bona¬
parte’s Gulls on Mystic L. near Lakeview
Nov. 15-Dec. 3 (MAP). An ad. Mew Gull on
L. Elsinor Nov. 30 (MAP) was at an inland

locality where previously unrecorded. An
ad. Lesser Black-backed Gull at Dana Point,
Orange, Nov. 4 through the end of the peri¬
od (KLP) was undoubtedly the same bird
that has spent the past 4 winters at this
location, and was joined by a 2nd adult
Nov. 30 through the end of the period
(DP). Young Sabine’s Gulls were found
throughout the interior, with 26 reported
from 15 locations in Inyo, Kern, San
Bernardino, Riverside, Imperial, eastern Los
Angeles and interior Orange, between Sep. 3
and Nov. 27, including four together near
Cantel Sep. 26 (GMcC) and three together
near Lancaster Sep. 16 (MSanM), along
with late individuals in Baker, San Bernard¬
ino, Nov. 5 (JEP) and at S.E.S.S. Nov. 7-27
(KZK). A first-winter Black-legged Kitti-
wake on Mystic L. near Lakeview Nov. 8
(KLG) and another on L. Elsinor Nov. 28
(JSL) were inland where considered casual
to accidental. An Arctic Tern, rare inland,
was on Tinemaha Res. near Big Pine Oct. 9
(T & JH). An unusually late Least Tern was
at Oso Flaco L., San Luis Obispo, Sep. 17
(WAB). Up to four Black Skimmers on
Mystic L. near Lakeview Oct. 25-Nov. 29
(MAP) were inland and away from the
Salton Sea.

The presence of 15-20 White-winged
Doves on San Nicolas I. between Aug. 29
and Oct. 28 (RAH, WW) suggests how
many actually wander west to the coast at
this time of the year; one in Bishop Aug. 26
(J & DP) was unusually far north. The only
Ruddy Ground-Doves reported this year
were a female at F.C.R. Oct. 7 (T & JH) and
a male in Independence, Inyo, Nov. 2
(RHu); numbers of this species occurring
in California have declined since the initial
“invasion” 10 years ago. A Groove-billed
Ani at Desert Center Oct. 4 (MAP) was the
10th to be found in California, and another
was reported at Zzyzx, San Bernardino, Oct.
23 (KLe). A Flammulated Owl at Galileo
Hill in e. Kern, Oct. 1 7 (LSa) is one of a very
few migrants of this species found away
from known breeding localities in Californ¬
ia. The latest of the summering Chimney
Swifts near Glendale, Los Angeles, was one
on Sep. 6 (KLG), and a vagrant was at
Stovepipe Wells in Death Valley National
Park Sep. 25 (SBT, GHR). A female Broad¬
billed Hummingird in Goleta Nov. 28
through the end of the period (RAH) was
the only one reported. A Broad-tailed
Hummingbird, most unusual along the
coast, was at the South Coast Botanical
Gardens on the Palos Verdes Peninsula Oct.
17-30 (KLa), and a male in Santa Barbara
Nov. 17 through the end of the period (JEL)

104

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

southern pacific coast

was believed to be the same bird present at
this location last winter. A Lewis’s Wood¬
pecker on San Nicolas 1. Oct. 18 (WW) and
another on Santa Cruz 1. Nov. 13 (SSh) had
obviously flown over much open water. A
Gila Woodpecker at Corn Springs near
Desert Center Nov. 18 (SC) is one of a very
few found away from the lower Colorado R.
Valley and around the Salton Sea. A
Williamson’s Sapsucker at Galileo Hill Oct.
1-2 (DP) was only the 4th to be found in
the desert of e. Kern.

FLYCATCHERS THROUGH VIREOS

An exceptionally late W. Wood-Pewee was
in Costa Mesa, Orange, Oct. 26-27 (KLP). A
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher carefully identi¬
fied in California City Sep. 7 (MTH) was
the 5th to be found in Kern. Photographs of
a calling Empidonax at Galileo Hill Oct.
7-1 1 (MTH), along with geographic ranges
of the various forms of “Traill’s Flycatcher,”
favor it being an Alder Flycatcher over a
Willow from the e. portion of its range. The
only Least Flycatchers reported were single
birds on San Nicolas I. Oct. 10 (RAH), in
Oceano, San Luis Obispo, Oct. 3 (KW) and
at Upper Newport Bay, Orange, Nov. 21
through the end of the period (JEP). An E.
Phoebe, a rare but regular straggler to Cali¬
fornia, was at Scotty’s Castle in Death Valley
National Park Oct. 7-10 (T & JH), another
was at Galileo Hill Oct. 16 (TEW), and a
3rd was there Nov. 4 (MTH). A Vermilion
Flycatcher at the Kern N.W.R. Nov. 15
(ASh) is one of a very few to be found in the
Central Valley. A Great Crested Flycatcher, a
casual straggler to California, was on the
coast in Manhattan Beach, Los Angeles, Oct.
18 (KLa), and another was photographed
inland at Twentynine Palms Sep. 12 (EAC).
As usual, small numbers of Tropical
Kingbirds moved northward along the
coast, with 12 found between Orange and
San Luis Obispo between Sep. 20 and the
end of the period. A Thick-billed Kingbird
in Pomona, Los Angeles, Oct. 14 through the
end of the period (CB) was the same bird
present at this location each of the past 6
winters. Single E. Kingbirds on San Nicolas
I. Sep. 8 (RAH) and 12 (RAH), one on
Santa Cruz I. Sep. 18 {fide BH), six along the
coast of Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Bar¬
bara, and San Luis Obispo between Aug. 29
and Sep. 21, and one inland in California
City Sep. 18 (MTH) was an average num¬
ber. A Scissor-tailed Flycatcher near Meni¬
fee, Riverside, Aug. 6 (DH), another in Long
Beach, Los Angeles, Nov. 22 (TEW), and a
3rd in Irvine Nov. 15 (HB) were the only
three reported.

A Blue-headed Vireo was banded on San
Nicolas I. Oct. 20 (RAH), and single birds
were reported in Los Osos, San Luis Obispo,
Sep. 15-22 (KMH), Arroyo Grande, San
Luis Obispo, Oct. 14 (BKS) and in Irvine
Oct. 3 (JEP); this species is believed to be a
casual straggler to California, but its true
status is yet to be determined. Two Phila¬
delphia Vireos were found, with one near
Glendale, Los Angeles, Sep. 26-Oct. 1 1
(KLG) and the another in Huntington
Beach Oct. 12-20 (JEP). Exceptionally early
(summering?) Red-eyed Vireos in Peters
Canyon Regional Park, Orange, Aug. 7
(DRW) and near Buellton, Santa Barbara,
Aug. 13 (MAH) were followed by single
birds along the coast near Lompoc, Santa
Barbara, Oct. 16 (BH), near Port Hueneme
Sep. 12-13 (ASm), in Huntington Beach
Sep. 3-11 (JEP) and on Pt. Loma in San
Diego Oct. 1 (TRC), and inland at F.C.R.
Oct. 13 (T 8c JH) and California City Sep. 6
(MTH), with an exceptionally late individ¬
ual at Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo, Nov. 1
(TME). A Remarkable seven Yellow-green
Vireos were found, with one at Oso Flaco L.
Sep. 28 (BKS), single birds near Port
Hueneme Sep. 10-16 (TEW), Sep. 27-28
(ST), Sep. 29 (MSanM) and Oct. 3-4
(TEW), one on Pt. Loma Oct. 17 (TRC),
and the 7th inland at Galileo Hill Oct. 6
(MTH).

JAYS THROUGH WAXWINGS

A Pinyon Jay at Galileo Hill Oct. 15 (MTH)
was one of a very few recorded from the
desert. Two Purple Martins on San Nicolas
I. Sep. 5 (RAH) were the first ever to be
found on this island. A larger-than-average
incursion of Mountain Chickadees into the
foothills and coastal lowlands of Los Angeles
began in late Aug. (KLG), small numbers
were found at numerous locations in the
lowlands of Orange after early Sep. (DRW),
and single birds were along the coast in
Santa Barbara in Goleta on Oct. 16 (FE)
and Nov. 29 (CRu). A mini-invasion of Oak
Titmouse carrying a few eastward into the
desert regions of Kern in Oct. and Nov. may
have been associated with the chickadee
movement. A Verdin on the coast at Crystal
Cove S.P. near Corona Del Mar Aug. 9-23
(JM) was the first to be found in Orange.

Red-breasted Nuthatches were some¬
what common along the coast of San Luis
Obispo after mid-Sep. (TME), at least 25
being reported from the coastal plain of
Santa Barbara after early Sep. (JEL). They
were widespread in small numbers over
much of Los Angeles after mid-Sep. (KLG)
and were found at numerous locations in

the lowlands of Orange and San Diego after
early Sep. (DRW, DWA), with as many as 25
passed through San Nicolas I. between Sep.
14 and the end of the period (WW). A
Brown Creeper on San Nicolas I. Oct. 17-18
(RAH) along with a couple in the coastal
lowlands of Orange in Oct. and Nov. (KSG,
SGM) were probably associated with the
movement of nuthatches. A Pygmy Nut¬
hatch at Galileo Hill Dept. 6-10 (MTH)
had moved across a lot of desert scrub
unsuitable for nuthatches.

Winter Wrens were a little more numer¬
ous than usual at desert oases in Inyo, Kern,
and San Bernardino during Oct. and push¬
ed into coastal Los Angeles and Orange in
Oct. and Nov. (KLG, DRW), with single
birds getting south Mt. Palomar Nov. 22
(JZ) and Julian Oct. 14 (MBS) in San Diego,
and another offshore to San Nicolas I. Oct.
5 (SGH). A Sedge Wren at Iron Mt. Pump¬
ing Station Nov. 2 (EAC) was only the 6th
to be reported in California. Small numbers
of Golden-crowned Kinglets were present
in the Santa Barbara area between early
Oct. and the end of the period (JEL) and
two or three were found on the Oxnard
Plain in Ventura during Oct. (ST, TEW),
small flocks were throughout the coastal
plain of Los Angeles after Oct. 21 (KLG),
above average numbers in the lowlands of
Orange after late Oct. (DRW), and a few
were present along the coast of San Diego at
the same time (DWA), indicating a small-
scale invasion of the coastal lowlands. One
on San Nicolas I. Oct. 11 (RAH) was the
only one recorded on that offshore island.

A Gray-cheeked Thrush at Galileo Hill
Oct. 9 (MTH) is only the 5th to be found in
this Region but the 2nd at this locality. A
Wood Thrush in California City Oct.
11-13 (TEW) was the first to be found in
Kern and only the 3rd inland in California.
A high count of 9 Varied Thrushes on San
Nicolas 1. on Oct. 17 (WW), along with at
least seven in the coastal lowlands of Santa
Barbara between Oct. 21 and the end of the
period (JEL), six in Los Angeles (KLG) and
the lowlands of Orange and San Diego
(DRW, DWA) in Oct., indicated a minor
flight into the Region.

Far more than the expected one or two
Gray Catbirds were found, with single birds
offshore on San Nicolas I. Oct. 11-18
(RAH) and Nov. 8 (RDB), along the coast at
the S.C.R.E. Sep. 19 (N 8< MF) and on Pt.
Loma Oct. 27-28 (JWo), and in the interior
near Cantel, Kern, Oct. 23 (MTH), Galileo
Hill Oct. 14 (KSG), Horsethief Springs in e.
San Bernardino Oct. 7 (BD), Iron Mt.
Pumping Station Oct. 24 (MAP) and Chiri-

V0LUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 1

105

aco Summit, Riverside, Oct. 8-11 (DSC),
and two together in California City Oct.
18-Nov. 18, with one still present at the end
of the period (DSt, MTH). The only Brown
Thrashers were one at Scotty’s Castle Oct.
4-10 (MO’B), another at Chilao in the San
Gabriel Mts., Los Angeles, Nov. 5 (JaS), one
on Pt. Lorna Oct. 21 (J & DS), and single
birds on San Nicolas I. Oct. 8 (SGH), Oct.
18-Nov. 3 (WW), and Nov. 23 (SGH). A
Bendire’s Thrasher photographed in Blair
Valley in e. San Diego Nov. 7 (MBS) was
unexpected. A flock of five Bohemian
Waxwings at Iron Mt. Pumping Station
Nov. 1-3 (MAP) were unusually far south;
the species reaches S. California only spo¬
radically.

WARBLERS

A Blue-winged Warbler near Bishop Sep. 6
(J & DP) is one of a very few to be found in
California. Fourteen Tennessee Warblers
along the coast between Sep. 8 and Oct. 16,
along with one inland at Galileo Hill Sep.
27-30 (GMcC), was a bit fewer than expect¬
ed. Thirteen Virginia’s Warblers along the
coast between Sep. 6 and Oct. 6 was far
fewer than would have been found 20 years
ago, and one at F.C.R. Oct. 7 (T & JH) was
late for the interior. Five Lucy’s Warblers
reported along the coast between Aug. 18
and Oct. 27 was about average. Only three
N. Parulas were found along the coast
between Sep. 12 and Nov. 29 (RM, TEW,
BML), but six were inland, including a late
straggler near S.E.S.S. Nov. 29 (HK).
Seventeen Chestnut-sided Warblers
between Sep. 5 and Nov. 21, 11 Magnolia
Warblers Sep. 6-Nov. 4, and at least 19
Black-throated Blue Warblers Sep. 1 1-Nov.
21 at various locations scattered through¬
out the Region were average numbers for
this time of year. Six Black-throated Green
Warblers along the coast after Oct. 1 along
with one photographed inland at Morongo
Valley Oct. 24 (BGP) included one in
Oceanside, San Diego, Nov. 16+ (PAG) and
another in National City, San Diego, Nov.
5+ (DWA) that remained to winter. Only
four Blackburnian Warblers were found
along the coast between Sep. 20 and Oct. 3,
but one was inland at Morongo Valley Oct.
7 (WW). A male yellow-lored Yellow-
throated Warbler on San Nicolas I. Sep.
7-14 (RAH) is one of a very few to be found
in the West. A Pine Warbler was in Fountain
Valley, Orange, Nov. 17-18 (JEP), and
another remained in Long Beach Nov. 25
through the end of the period (JEP). Eleven
Prairie Warblers Sep. 5-Nov. 21 made a
good count, and included one inland at

Morongo Valley Sep. 20-23 (MAP).
Twenty-five Palm Warblers along the coast
after Sep. 12 was less than expected, but sin¬
gle birds at F.C.R. Oct. 6 (T 8c JH), at Desert
Center Oct. 10 (MAP), and near L. Perris
Nov. 15-21 (DSC) was an average number
for the interior. Three Bay-breasted
Warblers, a species that has become a very
scarce straggler to California in recent
years, were reported, with one in Montana
de Oro S.P. Sep. 22 (LE), another at nearby
Oso Flaco L. Sep. 28 (BKS), and the 3rd in
Wilmington, Los Angeles, Nov. 8 (KSG).
Sixty-five Blackpoll Warblers along the
coast Sep. 5-Oct. 29, and four more inland
in Kern and San Bernardino then was a little
more than average, as was more than 30
Black-and-white Warblers and 70 Am.
Redstarts scattered throughout the Region.
Ten Prothonotary Warblers along the coast
between Aug. 25 and Oct. 3, along with sin¬
gle birds inland near Olancha, Inyo, Sep.
19-24 (J 8c DP) and Oct. 10 (RB), and at
Galileo Hill Oct. 11 (GMcC) was a little
more than expected. A Worm-eating
Warbler in Irvine after Oct. 18 (JEP) win¬
tered locally. Only five Ovenbirds were
reported between Sep. 23 and Nov. 1. As
usual, most of the 40+ N. Waterthrushes
reported passed through the Region in Sep.,
but one at Iron Mt. Pumping Station Nov. 2
(EAC) was exceptionally late for such a
location. A Mourning Warbler banded on
San Nicolas I. Sep. 12-13 (RAH) was the
only one reported. Four Canada Warblers
were found, with single birds in Oceano,

San Luis Obispo, Sep. 20 (BKS), at nearby
Los Osos Oct. 25-28 (JSR), in Irvine Nov.
8-9 (LR), and inland at Iron Mt. Pumping
Station Nov. 2 (EAC). A Painted Redstart
found in Brawley, Imperial, Nov. 29 (PAG)
remained to winter.

TANAGERS THROUGH FINCHES

A female Hepatic Tanager in Sylmar, Los
Angeles, Nov. 15-17 (MSanM) was proba¬
bly the same bird that spent at least 4 win¬
ters at this location since the winter of
1993-1994. At least 15 Summer Tanagers,
most believed to be vagrants from the east,
along the coast during the period, and five
more at desert oases in the e. part of the
Region Sep. 7-Nov. 8 was about average.
Three Scarlet Tanagers were reported, with
single birds inland at Galileo Hill Oct. 1
(DP), and along the coast in Chatsworth,
Los Angeles, Oct. 27 (JWS) and Huntington
Beach Oct. 3 1-Nov. 1 (LO).

At least 30 Clay-colored Sparrows along
the coast between Sep. 12 and the end of the
period, along with at least seven more in the
e. part of the Region between Sep. 26 and
Nov. 29, was a few more than expected. A
Field Sparrow photographed in Inyokern
Nov. 1-4 (SSt) was the first to be found in
Kern. At least a dozen Lark Buntings were
found scattered throughout the Region
between Aug. 30 and Nov. 3 for an average
number. A migrant Nelson’s Sharp-tailed
Sparrow was at a vagrant trap in Morrow
Bay Oct. 21-22 (WAB), and two were at a
traditional wintering location in the marsh-

This Field Sparrow remained in Inyokern November 1-4 and is the first to be found
in well-worked Kern County. Photograph/Larry Sansone

106

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

southern pacific coast

es of Morro Bay Nov. 3 (TME). An early
Swamp Sparrow at EC.R. Sep. 21 (JLD) was
followed by at least 25 more scattered
throughout the Region by the end of the
period. Forty-five White-throated Sparrows
found throughout the Region after Oct. 3
appeared to be about normal, but no more
than six Harris’s Sparrows during the same
time was below average. Two McCown’s
Longspurs, rare in California, were in Inde¬
pendence Oct. 24-28 (A 8c LK), another was
near Port Hueneme Oct. 22-25 (DDJ), and
two more were in Irvine Oct. 24— Nov. 7
(JEP). The only Lapland Longspurs report¬
ed were up to 4 near Port Hueneme Oct.
21-Nov. 21 (BL), up to 6 in Irvine Oct.
24-Nov. 7 (JSB), and one near Imperial
Beach Oct. 23 (EC). A Smith’s Longspur on
San Nicolas 1. Oct. 18 (WW) was the 6th to
be found in California. Twelve Chestnut-
collared Longspurs at 6 scattered locations
was fewer than expected.

About 25 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks scat¬
tered throughout the Region was an average
number, but ten Indigo Buntings, including
a late staying bird at F.C.R. Nov. 5-22 (T &
JH), was far less than expected. A Lazuli
Bunting in Yucca Valley, San Bernardino,
Nov. 29 (KLG) was unusually late. Single
green Painted Buntings seen inland at Iron
Mt. Pumping Station Sep. 4 (EAC), near
Cantel Sep. 6-7 (MTH), at F.C.R. Sep. 21
(JLD), in Ridgecrest, Kern, Sep. 24-27
(LSu), and along the coast in Huntington
Beach Oct. 6 (SGM), were believed to be
genuine vagrants, but ad. males in Borrego
Springs, San Diego, Aug. 1-2 (F & LJ) and
Newport Beach Sep. 6-14 (DRW) were
considered escapees. Eight Dickcissels along
the coast between Sep. 12 and Nov. 25 and
six more inland between Sep. 12 and Nov. 1
was an expected number.

At least 50 Bobolinks along the coast,
including up to 15 in Goleta between Sep.
10 and Oct. 17 (JEL), and about 20 inland,
including up to 8 in Independence between
Sep. 16 and 19 (A 8c LK), was close to the
numbers we have been getting in recent
years. Four Rusty Blackbirds were reported,
with one at C.L. Oct. 30-Nov. 11 (MTH)
joined by a 2nd bird Nov. 9-1 1 (RHa), and
single birds on Santa Cruz I. Nov. 7 (fide
GT) and San Nicolas I. Nov. 21 (SGH).
Single Com. Grackles, still considered a
casual straggler to California, were in
Bishop Sep. 13 (J 8c DP), at F.C.R. Oct. 2
(JLD), and at nearby Panamint Springs
Oct. 17 (TEW). Bronzed Cowbirds remain¬
ed in Brawley to at least Sep. 5 (GMcC) and
an exceptionally late individual was at
F.C.R. Sep. 25 (SBT). Five Orchard Orioles

were reported, with single birds inland at
F.C.R. Oct. 6 (T 8c JH) and at Galileo Hill
on Sep. 14 (MTH) and Oct. 1 (MTH), and
along the coast in Los Osos Sep. 19 (JSR)
and near the Santa Ynez R. mouth, Santa
Barbara, Oct. 1 (BH). Nearly 20 Baltimore
Orioles were reported after Aug. 16, with
some remaining at flowering eucalyptus
into the winter season. Three Scott’s Orioles
on San Nicolas I. between Aug. 15 and Oct.
17 (RAH) had moved well to the west of
this species normal range.

A flock of six Gray-crowned Rosy-
Finches at Galileo Hill Nov. 12 (MTH) were
far to the south and at a most unusual loca¬
tion. The only Evening Grosbeaks to be
reported this fall were single birds at
Scotty’s Castle Oct. 25 (DK) and at nearby
F.C.R. Nov. 1 (TEW) and a flock of 6 in
Montana de Oro S.P. Oct. 13 (TH).

ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS

A Tropical Kingbird photographed near the
Santa Ynez R. mouth in Santa Barbara Jul.
10 (BH) is the first to be found in S.
California in summer.

In Field Notes 52: 125, 1998, the Wedge -
rumped Storm-Petrel should be credited to
Ron Saldino, and the Magnificent
Frigatebirds on Aug. 6 should be credited to
Rich Stallcup. The Wilson’s Plover in
Coronado (FN 52: 390) should be listed for
Apr. 27-May 1 only.

Cited observers (county coordinators/ major
contributors in boldface): Douglas W.
Aguillard, Rose Beach, Davis V. Blue,
Harold Bond, William A. Bouton, Jeffery S.
Boyd, Chris Brady, Jean Brant, Ryan D.
Burnett, Pat Cabe, Eugene A. Cardiff (San
Bernardino), Jaime M. Chavez, Therese R.
Clawson, Steve Condon, Daniel S. Cooper,
Elizabeth Copper (San Diego), Brian E.
Daniels, Bill Deppe, Don Desjardin
(Ventura), Jon L. Dunn, Tom M. Edell
(San Luis Obispo), Leo Edson, Fred
Emerson, Richard A. Erickson, John M.
Finkbeiner, John Fitch, Nick and Mary
Freeman (N 8c MF), Terri Gallion, Kimball
L. Garrett (Los Angeles), Karen S. Gilbert,
Peter A. Ginsburg, John Green, Rick
Hallowell (RHa), K. Melody Hamilton,
Robert A. Hamilton, Ned Harris, Sandra G.
Harvill, D. Mitch Heindel, Matthew T.
Heindel (Kern), Tom & Jo Heindel (Inyo),
Tom Hibner (ToH), Terri Hill (TeH), Brad
Hines, Mark A. Holmgren, Debbi House,
Robert Hudson (RHu), Fred and Louise Jee
(F 8c LJ), Howard King, Andrew and Leah
Kirk (A 8c LK), David A. Kisner, David
Koeppel, Kennith Z. Kurland, Bart Lane,

Kevin Larson (KLa), Brian M. Leatherman,
Joan E. Lentz (Santa Barbara), Kurt
Leuschner (KLe), Roger Linfield, John S.
Luther, Chet McGaugh, Ron Melin, Barbara
Moore, Joseph Morlan, Steve G. Morris,
Matthew O’Brien, Leo Ohtsuki, Jim and
Debby Parker (J 8c DP), Michael A. Patten
(San Bernardino and Riverside), Dharm
Pellegrini, Kaaren L. Perry, James E. Pike,
Kim Piljoglas, Brian G. Prescott, Les
Redpath, Craig Roberts (CRo), Gary H.
Rosenberg, James S. Royer, Carolyn
Rutherford (CRu), Michael San Miguel
(MSM), Jim and Donna Sams (J 8c DS),
Larry Sansone (LSa), N. John Schmitt, Brad
K. Schram, Steve Shafer (SSh), Alison
Sheehey (ASh), Arnold Small (ASm),
Douglas Smith (DSm), Jane Stavert (JaS),
Susan Steele (SSt), Dan Stoebel (DSt), Mary
Beth Stowe, Jeffrey W. Streb, Lee Sutton
(LSu), David Taylor, Scott B. Terrill, Guy
Tingos, Chris Tosdevin, Steve Tucker, Philip
Unitt, Kent Van Vuren, Stanley Walens
(SWal), Walter Wehtje, Stuart Warter
(SWar), Joel Weintraub (JWe), Douglas R.
Willick (Orange), John C. Wilson, Joseph
Worley (JWo), Thomas E. Wurster and Jim
Zimmer. An additional 65+ observers who
could not be individually acknowledged
submitted reports this season.

Guy McCaskie, San Diego Natural History
Museum, Balboa Park, P. 0. Box 1390, San
Diego, CA 921 12

Place names that are frequently men¬
tioned, but very long, may be abbreviat¬
ed in a form such as “C.B.B.T.” or
“W.P.B.O.” Such local abbreviations will
be explained in a key at the beginning
of the particular regional report in
which they are used. Standard abbrevi¬
ations that are used throughout North
American Birds are keyed on page 24.

VOLUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 1

107

Hawaiian islands region

ROBERT L. PYLE

Despite a little rain relief in late spring
and summer, precipitation totals
remained abnormally low in much of the
state through most of fall. Habitats were
drier and more fire-prone, and mid-year
nesting was upset and delayed for some
species. Migrant and wintering shorebirds
and ducks came with some species diversity
to keep birders interested, but total numbers
of common species were low, continuing the
pattern of recent years compared to a
decade ago.

Abbreviations: H. (Hawaii Island); K. (Kaua'i
Island); M. (Maui Island); 0. (O'ahu Island);
J.C.N.W.R. (Jas. Campbell N.W.R., O'ahu); W.T.P.
(Water Treatment Ponds).

GREBES THROUGH STILTS

One remaining Pied-billed Grebe was found
at Kona W.T.P. near Kailua-Kona, H.,
through the fall (RD, MM, et al.), but none
have been reported at nearby Aimakapa
Pond where the breeding colony was estab¬
lished more than a decade ago. An excellent¬
ly described Eared Grebe seen daily Nov.
10-26 on the lake at Laysan I. (FWS) is the
2nd state record preceded by one bird on
O’ahu in early 1983. The banded female
Short-tailed Albatross ( Endangered ) regu¬
lar in winter for >10 years at a specific spot
on Sand 1., Midway, returned this year Oct.
20 and was observed dancing with a Black¬
footed Albatross Nov. 16 (FWS). Eighteen
Hawaiian (Dark-rumped) Petrels (Endan¬
gered) were retrieved this fall in the shear¬
water aid program on Kaua’i, indicating
continued nesting activity on this island.
Three were dead and 15 were banded and
released (TT). One of these petrels (known
throughout Hawaii as ‘U’au) was seen flying
over Kilauea Pt., K., Aug. 8 (JD, CM), and

two together were reported off Keanae Pt.,
M., Aug. 18 at 6:30 p.m. (MSa). Newell’s
Shearwaters ( Threatened ) picked up on
Kaua’i in the shearwater aid program this
fall totaled 819, of which 77 were found
dead and 742 were banded and released.
This increase of 11% over last year is
encouraging after the nearly steady decline
annually since Hurricane Iniki in 1992 (TT).

One Snow Goose, a rather rare straggler
to Hawaii, was observed frequently Aug.
1-12 on Moloka’i at Kaunakakai W.T.P. and
at Kakahai’a N.W.R. (AD et al.). Good num¬
bers of N. Pintails and N. Shovelers, the
most common wintering duck species, were
reported in Oct. and Nov. at numerous
favored habitats on most main islands. Pin¬
tails reached counts of 35 at Punamano
Unit, J.C.N.W.R. (PD) and 40 at Opaeula
Pond, H. (MM). Counts of shovelers at
Kealia Pond N.W.R., M„ started from 1 16 at
first arrival Oct. 2, peaked at 314 Nov. 2,
then fell off to 264 (MN), far more than at
all other localities combined.

Nesting of Hawaiian (Black-necked)
Stilts (Endangered) was generally later this
year but was successful in at least some
localities. At Hanalei N.W.R., K. the first stilt
hatched Aug. 3, a late date (CM). At the
ponds surrounding the Chevron oil storage
tanks at Campbell Industrial Park, O.,
hatching success was 60% and fledging suc¬
cess 80% (of the hatchlings); and at the
Cyanotech ponds near Kailua-Kona, H.,
hatching success was 90%, with very high
fledging success (KE).

PLOVERS THROUGH TERMS

Pacific Golden-Plovers had returned in
good numbers by early Aug. throughout the
state, joining the tiny over-summering pop¬
ulation that actually was a bit larger this
year. Three color-banded adults returned to
their precise territories at Bellows Field in
Waimanalo, O., as they have done annually
for 18 years since their original banding in
1980-81 at the start of a long-term plover
research project (PB). A big influx of plovers
arrived at Kilauea Pt., K„ at the n. tip of the
northernmost main Hawaiian Island (CM).
Some were seen coming in from the sea, and
many remained through the day foraging in
the grassy areas around the refuge head¬
quarters. Numbers roosting at night on
Mokuaeae islet just off Kilauea Pt. increased

noticeably through this period. On the same
day at nearby Hanalei N.W.R., 23 of 27
plovers in one group still had >50% of sum¬
mer plumage (CM). Single birds deemed to
be Semipalmated Plovers were noted regu¬
larly at Ki’i Unit, J.C.N.W.R., Aug. 28
through Nov. (m. ob.), and two were seen
together Nov. 29 (PD, CM, KP). Single birds
also were reported at Kaelepulu Sanctuary
in Kailua, O., Sep. 8 & 17 (LT), and at Kealia
Pond, M., Oct. 16 8c 17 (MN, TP). Much far¬
ther west, single birds at Midway beginning
Oct. 30 (FWS) and at Laysan Nov. 23 (FWS)
have a bit better geographic likelihood for
consideration as Com. Ringed-Plovers.

Single Lesser Yellowlegs were reported
on four islands this fall. The much less reg¬
ular Greater Yellowlegs was observed repeat¬
edly at Ki’i Unit Sep. 20 through Nov. 29 (v.
o.) and was reported at Hanalei N.W.R., K.,
Nov. 16-17 (CM). A Greater and Lesser
were seen together once or twice in Oct. at
Ki’i Unit. A bird reported as probably a
Marsh Sandpiper was observed well at Sand
I., Midway, Oct. 25 8c 26 (FWS). Confir¬
mation of this as the first record of this
species in the Hawaiian Islands awaits care¬
ful examination of photographs. A Willet
was observed well at Cyanotech Ponds near
Kailua-Kona, H., Oct. 1-4 (AE, TMc, RD),
but not reported thereafter. Five prior sight¬
ings in Hawaii are on record; one of them
documented with good photos is in the
Hawaii Rare Bird Photograph File. Single
Spotted Sandpipers, very scarce in Hawaii,
were reported Aug. 27 (SO) at National
Tropical Botanical Gardens near Lawai, K.,
and also across the island at Hanalei N.W.R.
Sep. 1-8 (CM). One considered a juvenile
was reported Sep. 5 at Kona W.T.P. near
Kailua-Kona, H. (RD).

Bristle-thighed Curlews resided in and
near Ki’i Unit, J.C.N.W.R., through fall and
into winter. Reported high counts were 20
Sep. 19 (PB), dropping to 12-14 through the
season (m. ob.). Most counts included the
one (N. Am.) Whimbrel, much scarcer in
Hawaii, observed repeatedly with the
Bristle-thigheds (PD, MO et al.). Another
scarce visitor, a Bar-tailed Godwit, was at
Sand I., Midway Oct. 28 8c Nov. 1 (FWS),
and two were reported at Cyanotech ponds
near Kailua-Kona, H., Nov. 3 (TMc).
Dowitchers, many identified as Long-billed,
appeared widely in the main islands,

108

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

habitat in compliance with the 1987 judg¬
ment because “public recreational hunting
in the past three years has not been success¬
ful in adequately controlling animal num¬
bers.” Two ‘Akohekohe (Endangered) were
seen separately Aug. 12 in native forest along
Waikamoi flume road in Koolau State For¬
est, above Olinda, M., an interesting locality
where they have been reported before. One,
in a mixed flock of native species, was a
young bird molting into ad. plumage and
the other was a juvenile, perhaps indicating
some breeding in this area (MSa).

Contributors: Phil Bruner, Peggy Capobian-
co, Reginald David, Jim Denny, Arleone
Dibben, Peter Donaldson, Steve Dougill,
Andrew Engilis, Karen Evans, Karen Gebbia-
Pinetti, Cyndi Kuehler, David Kuhn, Tim
Male, Tony McCafferty, Christian Melgar,
Marie Morin, Michael Nishimoto, Storrs
Olson, Mike Ord, SeaLife Park, Kurt Pohl-
man, Thane Pratt, Peter Pyle, Robert Pyle,
Mike SanMiguel, Fish & Wildlife Service,
Michael Silbernagle, Gene Smith, Tom Snet-
singer, Margo Stahl, Lance Tanino, Tom Tel-
fer, Diane Trembly, Michael Walther, Brad
Waters.

Robert L. Pyle, 1314 Kalakaua Ave. #1010,
Honolulu, HI 96826

JL.

Midway, and Laysan, but only single birds or
occasionally two rather than in groups of up
to six or more birds often reported in past
years. An ad. Black Tern in near basic
plumage was observed well at a pond near
Pacific Missile Range Facility in n.w. Kaua’i
Sep. 1-4, and perhaps beyond (JD, DK,
CM). These are rarely recorded in Hawaii.

KINGFISHERS THROUGH
'AKOHEKOHE

Reports of Belted Kingfishers, rather rare
stragglers to Hawaii, caused a flurry this fall,
as they were difficult to find repeatedly. One
was observed well at Nu’upia Ponds near
Kane’ohe, O., Oct. 13, but not on repeated
visits thereafter (KP). On Hawai’i I., one was
reported at Four Seasons resort on the N.

^ A ‘Alala (Hawaiian Crow, enti¬
le cally Endangered) in the wild
suffered a disastrous year in 1998.
Three more young captive reared birds
recently released were found dead in
three days Sep. 1-3 , bringing the total
to eight deaths this year (FWS).
Predation by To (Hawaiian Hawk,
Endangered) was clearly implicated in
some of these deaths, and feral cats and
weakening by disease may be impor¬
tant factors as well (CK). Two other
young released birds were recaptured
temporarily for protection to preserve
their unique gene pool, thus leaving
only two young released birds and four
of the original native oldtimers still
known to remain in the wild popula¬
tion. The oldtimers are now essentially
in senior living retirement, having last
produced a fertile egg that hatched in
1996. Despite the dangers, the two
recaptured birds that had formed a
potential breeding pair last year and 12
other captived reared young birds are
slated for release this winter (CK), in
an urgent attempt to let these birds
develop into wild breeding pairs to
replace the now inactive oldtimers.

The captive rearing and release pro¬
gram had been working quite well
until last year when To predation and
other factors became noticeably im¬
portant. Two major challenges face the
‘Alala Recovery Team: how to deal with
one Endangered species predating on
another Endangered species; and how
to prepare captive- reared birds to sur¬
vive in the wild without experienced
wild adults to learn from.

Kona coast Oct. 9 (fide TP) but not there¬
after. Then, one was found across the island
at Waiakea Pond in Hilo Oct. 20 (fide TP)
and later at nearby Loko Waka Pond Nov.
13-15 (AE,DK et al.). Each was reported to
be a female, so the Hawai’i I. birds at least
may have been the same individual.

Rebounding of the Red-billed Leiothrix
on O’ahu after its drastic population crash
in late 1960s is well known, and they were
“very numerous” on Wa’ahila Trail Aug. 29
this year (PD). A similar crash around the
same time on Kaua’i has not been well rec¬
ognized. A detailed research study of its sta¬
tus on Kaua’i concludes that the species
never recovered, and that the original estab¬
lished population became extirpated on
Kaua’i during the mid-1970s (TMa, TS,
'Elepaio 58: 39-43).

The Palaila (Endangered) became fam¬
ous a decade ago when as a formal plaintiff
it won its lawsuit against Hawaii state to
require complete and permanent removal of
all feral sheep which were deemed to be
“taking” the Palila by severely damaging its
Mauna Kea habitat, a landmark case in the
legal interpretation of “taking” an Endang¬
ered species. This year the state wildlife
agency conducted an aerial hunt Nov. 9-1 1
to kill and remove sheep in the specified

It takes more than luck to preserve open space

It talc

es you.

Help ALC continue to

preserve our notions most
threatened lands and waters.
Protect and restore our heritage
— support ALC.

Call us at 415.403.3850
or visit us at www.alcnet.org — learn how you can help.

AMERICAN LAND
CONSERVANCY

A non-profit organization.
456 Montgomery Street, Suite 1450
San Francisco. CA 94104

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 1

109

west indies region

ROBERT L. NORTON

The West Indies hurricane season this fall
was one of the worst in recent history.
Of the 1 1 named storms, four were severe
and one, Hurricane Georges, affected about
75% of the land mass of the region. Its ini¬
tial landfall at Antigua, northern Lesser
Antilles, was at 155 mph Sep. 20. The Great¬
er Antilles received significant or catastro¬
phic damage as Georges passed directly over
the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico at 115
mph, the Dominican Republic at 120 mph,
and Cuba at 75 mph. A large number of
endemic species and subspecies were
potentially negatively affected by this storm.
Puerto Rico, for example, with 12 endemic
species, has been hit hard in the last decade
by storms that further imperil the Puerto
Rican Parrot. Its population was already
fragmented and declining from the effects
of Hugo in 1989. Hurricane David in 1979
seriously reduced the Cayman Brae sub¬
species of the Cuban Parrot. Hurricane
Mitch reached maximum strength of 180
mph after passing over Swan Island in the
western Caribbean on Oct. 27. The island’s
bird fauna includes an endemic warbler, D.
vitellina nelsoni , which may depend in part
on mangrove habitat. The current condition
of this habitat warrants survey to determine
the survivability of these species. Although
endemic species may be adapted to changes
in habitats as a result of hurricanes through
the millennia, other modern factors must be
considered as contributing factors to insular
species’ endangerment, such as habitat alter¬
ation, pollution, and deforestation.

North American Birds has recently
devoted much discussion recently on the
effects of El Nino/Southern Oscillation on

bird populations and wanderings. I have
contended that large ENSO events influ¬
ence seabirds of the tropical Atlantic Ocean
(Duffy et al. 1986), albeit on a smaller scale
than has been documented elsewhere. I
invite the reader to visit the Naval
Meteorological/Oceanographic website
http://www.navo. navy.mil/noframe/ elni-
no/elnino.htm to consider the area of influ¬
ence in the Atlantic. One can readily see
that the warming of the tropical Atlantic
has affected — and will continue to
impact— seabirds of the West Indies.
Efforts to monitor seabird ecology of the
region should take a long-term approach,
over 20 years or more, to capture several
ENSO events of varying intensity.

Finally, observers in Bermuda (Be), the
Bahamas (BI), and one in the British Virgin
Islands (BVI) reported exceptional diversity
this season, making it one of the best
reported seasons in many years.

GREBES THROUGH TERNS

Least Grebes were nesting at Paradise
Island, New Providence (NP), BI, Oct. 10
(PD&TW). A Bermuda Petrel was seen Oct.
13, indicating a timely return to nesting
burrows near Castle Harbour, Be. A mori¬
bund Leach’s Storm-Petrel was recovered
from Hamilton Harbour, Be, Oct. 19, for
one of the island’s few fall reports. Several
White Ibis were recorded in the Bahamas,
including 12 at Wilson’s Pond, NP, Nov. 3
(AB, CG). A White Ibis at Devonshire
Marsh, Be, has remained there for an
unprecedented 2 years. Glossy Ibis num¬
bered 14 at Wilson’s Pond, NP (AB8cCG). A
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck was pho¬
tographed at Hog Cay, Long Island, BI, Sep.
27 (BD) in the company of West Indian
Whistling-Ducks. Sibley confirmed it as the
southern race, D. a. discolor. A Snow Goose
was also seen and photographed at Hog
Cay, Long Island (BD), Sep. 9. Six or more
Snow Geese were seen at Port Royal Golf
Course, Be, Nov. 9. A pair of Ruddy Duck
seen Oct. 25 at Andros, BI, provided a first
local record (ANS). The first report of a
Sharp-shinned Hawk from the BVI, and
only the 2nd from the Virgin Islands since
1988, came from Guana Island Oct. 28 (FS).

A Black Rail was seen at North Pond, Be,
Oct. 8. A Curlew Sandpiper at Mid-Ocean

Golf Course, Be, was only the 5th record in
the last 20 years. A Hudsonian Godwit was
reported from Sandy Point, Abaco, BI, Sep.
7 (CM). Thirteen Sabine’s Gulls were
counted together about 10 miles n.e. of
Bermuda Oct. 27, eclipsing the single
record of 1977. A well-studied Parasitic
Jaeger was recorded at Fresh Creek, Andros,
BI, Oct. 25 (ANS), one of the few shore-
based reports of this genus here.

QUAIL-DOVES THROUGH ORIOLES

A Key West Quail-Dove was noted at
Treasure Cay Oct. 9-10 (EB). Several Rose-
throated Parrots were heard but none seen
well until two sat along the roadside for
Sep. 10 near the parrot reserve on Abaco
(DS, NM). West Indian Woodpeckers were
seen nesting near Abaco Beach Resort and
Marsh Harbour, Abaco, BI, Sep. 6 (CM). Six
Hairy Woodpeckers were counted at Abaco
National Park Oct. 8 (EB). Also at the
national park was an Eastern Wood-Pewee
Oct. 8 (EB). Other migrant flycatchers seen
at Abaco were Acadian Flycatcher Sep. 7
(CM) and an Eastern Kingbird on Sep. 6, s.
of Marsh Harbour, Abaco (DS, NM). A
male Purple Martin was noted near Sandy
Point, Abaco, Sep. 7 (CM). A Varied
Thrush was found at Paget Marsh Pond
Oct. 9 for a first record for Bermuda (DW).
Two Red-eyed Vireos were banded at Guana
Island, BVI, Oct. 19-20 (FS).

Bermuda’s fall warbler count was noth¬
ing short of astounding, with 38 species
recorded! Highlights were a Golden-winged
Oct. 24 at Talbot Estate, a Townsend’s Oct.
4 at Fort Scaur, a Swainson’s Nov. 10-11 at
Paget Sound, and a Yellow-breasted Chat in
Oct. at Outer Lea Dairy. Eighteen species of
warbler were reported from the Bahamas
during Oct. (TW et al.), notables being
Chestnut-sided at Lyford Cay, NP, Oct. 9
(TW), Bay-breasted at West End, Grand
Bahama, Oct. 19 (RO, EM, TW), and
Louisiana Waterthrush at Paradise Island,
NP, Oct. 10 (PD,TW). A female Nashville
Warbler at the South End of Elbow Cay,
Abaco, Sep. 9 (SD, NM). Sibley found that
Blackpoll Warblers were abundant (100+)
during a day trip to Sage Mountain,
Tortola, BVI, Oct. 18. Only two Black-and-
white Warblers and a single Am. Redstart
were present elsewhere in the national park

no

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

that day, and the same species and numbers
were banded at Guana 1. Ovenbirds and N.
Waterthrushes were also noted there.
Species diversity there was well off from the
fall 1996 census, when 12 species were
recorded (FS).

Painted Buntings were seen at Rand
Nature Center, Grand Bahama, Oct. 17, and
three were seen at Fresh Creek, Andros, Oct.
26 (ANS). On Sep. 8 at the famous Marsh
Harbour dump, a remarkable birding loca¬
tion, a female Yellow-headed Blackbird
was studied by Mann and Sandee for the
first record from Abaco and perhaps only
the 4th for the Bahamas. A singing Black-
cowled Oriole was noted along with anoth¬
er oriole at Fresh Creek, Andros, Oct. 27
(ANS) — some good news from that island.

ADDENDA

Received too late to be included in the
Spring Report were sightings from Cayman
Brae May 23-30 (KS et al.). In addition to a
record of breeding birds were records of
casual spring visitants such as Anhinga,
perhaps only the 2nd record, and a Glossy
Ibis. A search for Cuban Parrot there was
unsuccessful. Of particular interest was the
apparent ease or difficulty with which

observers found the small island’s 8 endem¬
ic subspecies. Five of these (Loggerhead
Kingbird, Caribbean Elaenia, Red-legged
Thrush, Vitelline Warbler, and Bananaquit)
were noted, but the rare Caribbean Dove,
Cuban Parrot, and possibly extirpated
Greater Antillean Grackle went unrecorded
for that period.

Contributors (subregional editors in bold¬
face): Eric Amos, Audubon Naturalists
Society, Aileen Bainton, Elwood Bracey,
Cayman Islands National Trust, Paul Dean,
Bruno Dittmar, Andrew Dobson, Mark
Garland, Cooby Greenway, Ian Hepburn,
Peter Holmes, Jeremy Madeiros, Noel
Mann, Erica Moultrie, Carl Mowery, Rick
Oliver, Roger Pockington, Rand Nature
Center, Daan Sandee, Fred Sibley, Kit
Struthers, Carolyn Wardle, Paul Watson,
Katherine White, Tony White, David
Wingate.

Robert L. Norton, 8960 NE Waldo Road,
Gainesville, FL 32609 (e-mail corvus0486@
aol.com or rnorton@ns1. co.alachua.fi. us)

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Sparrow Identification

Arnold Small

Carden Canyon

Hummingbirds

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Chiricahua Mountains

Myiarchus Flycatchers 8 Kingbirds

Pete Dunne

Ramsey Canyon

Beyond Bird Topography

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Field Notebooks 8 Journals

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Bird Photography

Jon Dunn

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ABA will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a special convention in one of North America's best birding areas -
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Full convention schedule and registration form in February Winging It or contact

Convention and Conference Registrar, 800/835-2473; conven@aba.org

VOLUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 1

til

North American Birds
Reporting Network

Every issue of North American Birds pre¬
sents an overview of what the birds
were doing all over North America for an
entire season. These summaries are based
on observations by thousands of birders. If
you enjoy North American Birds, we urge
you to consider becoming a contributor of
information as well as a reader.

The columns are written by Regional
Editors, all of whom are experts on the
birdlife in their areas. These hardworking
individuals are all volunteers. While they
are generally glad to receive more reports
(to make their accounts more thorough),
we need to practice some courtesies to
avoid overwhelming them.

As a first step, you should know the sig¬
nificance of the information that you are
reporting. Never just send in a list of the
birds you saw, expecting the regional edi¬
tors to sift through it. If you are new to this
publication, it would be a good idea to read
a few issues' worth of reports from your
region to get a better idea of the kinds of
bird records that are included.

Basically, we cover news. If you see the
expected species in normal numbers and at
normal places and dates, this is reassuring
and important, and well worth recording in
your own field notes. But we can't publish
all of that in North American Birds. (Can you
imagine the heft of a New York Times that
published the daily activities of every resi¬
dent of the city?) We report the unusual.
However, this doesn't mean you should
ignore the "common" birds. The regional
reports are far more than summaries of rar¬
ities. If there is a major invasion of
American Robins, for example, or if the
Barn Swallows come back exceptionally
early, such things are part of the story of
what happened during a season.

To find out the "normal" bird situation
in your locale, you need to consult other
types of publications. Most states and pro¬
vinces, and many smaller areas, have books
or annotated checklists on bird status and
distribution. Such references are essential to
help you understand the significance of
your own observations. Checking such
sources can make your birding not only
more educational but more enjoyable.

Another good way to learn about local bird
distribution is to establish contact with
your nearest Audubon chapter or other bird
clubs.

Perhaps you are reporting to North
American Birds for the first time because
you have found a bird that is definitely
unusual where or when you saw it. When
reporting rarities, it is always important to
include the details of the record. Points to
cover include:

• Date, time, and exact location.

• Viewing conditions (lighting, weather,
distance to bird).

• A detailed description of the bird:
appearance, voice, behavior. Include
only those things you actually
observed. A description written on the
spot, during the observation, is always
more useful than one written later.

• Names and addresses of other
observers who identified the same
bird.

• Photographs, even of marginal quality,
are very worthwhile for establishing
records. And if video or audio tapes
have been made, it's worth mentioning
that they exist, although it's not neces¬
sary to send them along in most cases.
In asking for details, regional editors are

not casting doubt on anyone's abilities. The
top bird experts in North America routine¬
ly write up details to support their unusual
sightings, and all birders would do well to
follow their example. Reports of truly rare
finds are usually kept on permanent file.
Maybe everyone knows today that you're a
sharp birder, but what about people fifty
years from now who are researching past
records? They probably won't know your
reputation, and they'll want to see details.

In some regions, especially large ones
with lots of birders, reports are funneled
through subregional editors, and it is best
to send your reports to these individuals.
Some regions list the mailing addresses for
these subregional compilers. Others do not,
but you may be able to find their addresses
in the ABA Membership Directory. If you
are not sure of the address, it's better to
send in notes to the main Regional Editor
than to not send them anywhere.

Don't be discouraged if your sightings
are not specifically quoted in a particular
report. Even minor observations help the
regional editors to form a more complete
picture of the season. By becoming part of
our reporting network, you put your bird¬
ing observations to good use, and you con¬
tribute to the permanent record of North
America's birdlife.

For each season, your field reports
(along with supporting details and photo¬
graphs) should reach the Regional Editors
as soon as possible after the season ends.
The Regional Editors are working under
strict deadlines, and it makes their task
much easier if they have time to consider
and analyze your reports before writing
their columns.

Winter Season

(December through February)

Notes should reach Regional Editors
as soon as possible after March 1.

Spring Season

(March through May)

Notes should reach Regional Editors
as soon as possible after June 1.

Summer Season

(June and July)

Notes should reach Regional Editors
as soon as possible after August 1.

Autumn Season

(August through November)

Notes should reach Regional Editors
as soon as possible after December 1.

Photographs

For instructions on how to submit photo¬
graphs to North American Birds, see page
116.

112

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

Bulwer's Petrel off the
North Carolina Coast

Bulwer’s Petrel, about 72 km southeast of Oregon Inlet, North Carolina. These photographs show the long-winged
and long-tailed aspect of this species in flight, as well as the broad, long buffy “carpal bar” of the upperwing.
Note too the relatively small head and bill. Photographs/Mary Gustafson

HARRY E. LEGRAND JR.,* PAUL GURIS,t
and MARY GUSTAFSON}

he first week of August 1998 along the coast of North Carolina
was characterized by strong northeasterly winds, owing to one
or two cold fronts that pushed southward into the state. Such “back¬
door” cold fronts — dropping down from New England rather than
coming from the west or northwest — are rather rare in summer, and
few are strong enough to weather out pelagic trips. However, five
pelagic trips scheduled off Oregon Inlet and off Hatteras between
the first and third of August were cancelled because of heavy seas.
Winds remained strong out of the northeast through the seventh but
were predicted to lessen by the weekend of August 8 to 9.

Because of the frustrations of the previous weekend — and the
potential to finally get offshore following winds that might help con¬
centrate seabirds in the Gulf Stream — there was considerable antic¬
ipation when 22 birders joined the three of us aboard the Country
Girl in Manteo on August 8. The winds on that day were light and
southeasterly and the seas glassy calm, excellent conditions for find¬
ing large numbers of birds. Skies were mostly sunny and tempera¬
tures high, making for sweltering conditions.

By mid-morning, we had seen several dozen each of the three
common shearwaters — Cory’s (Calonectris diomedea), Greater
(Puffinus gravis), and Audubon’s (P. Iherminieri) — most of these
resting on the becalmed water. These three species are dark above
and whitish below. Thus, when we saw a medium-sized, all-dark bird
flush from a group of resting shearwaters, we immediately focused
on this unfamiliar species. Even at a considerable distance, perhaps
500 m, we were able to observe pale carpal bars, such as those found
on many storm-petrel species. Seabirds that typically lack pale carpal

*1109 Nichols Drive Raleigh, NC 27605
1 1 604 Woodland Road Green Lane, PA, 1 8054
f 8488 Snowden Oaks Place, Laurel, MD, 20708.

bars in fresh plumage — such as dark-morph Herald or Trinidade
Petrel (Pterodroma [a.] arminjoniana), dark-morph Parasitic Jaeger
(Stercorarius parasiticus), and immature Sooty Tern (Sterna fusca-
ta) — as well as noddy terns (Anous sppj were species we considered
briefly as we studied this bird, but it soon became apparent that it
was smaller than a gadfly petrel or jaeger but clearly a tubenose, not
one of the terns, which have long, thin bills. LeGrand tentatively
identified the bird as a Bulwer’s Petrel (Bulweria bulwerii) upon see¬
ing the carpal bars, but we asked Captain Allan Foreman to chase the
bird to make sure of the identity. We caught up to the bird and were
able to parallel it with the boat for a few minutes. Gustafson, along
with Sandy Komito, took several photographs for documentation.

The location of the sighting was approximately 72 km south-
southeast of Oregon Inlet, at about 35° 15' N, 75° 05' W. The depth
of the ocean was approximately 300 fathoms (600 m). We did not
obtain a water temperature reading, but the location was in the
inshore portion of the Gulf Stream, well west of the western wall of
the Gulf Stream, not in the truly warm Stream waters.

DESCRIPTION

The bird was a sooty-brown overall with wide buffy carpal bars that
widened toward the carpal joint (or “wrist”). The wings were very
long, pointed, and angled at the wrist. The tail was long and pointed
and appeared to be an extension of the body; it was never fanned in
flight. The head appeared fairly small, and the bill was small and
dark.

The size of the bird was slightly smaller than an Audubon’s
Shearwater, which was present for comparison in flight. In bulk, it
was clearly slimmer than the shearwater, but in wing length and body
length it approached the shearwater. In fact, when the bird was seen
without other species for size comparison, it gave the impression of
a larger species, perhaps the apparent size of a small jaeger or a
Bridled Tern (S. anaethetus). This size discrepancy was likely due to

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 1

113

the very long wings of the Bulwer’s Petrel and to its much larger size
than storm-petrels that occur locally.

The flight of the bird was somewhat like that of a Leach’s Storm-
Petrel (Oceanodrotna leucorhoa) or a Common Nighthawk (Chordei-
les minor). The Bulwer’s Petrel has the lowest wingloading of any
tubenose (Enticott and Tipling 1997), and, in fact, the bird’s flight
was very buoyant and “bouncy,” with the wings always being bent
and bowed at the wrist. After each wing-beat, the bird tended to twist
or roll slightly from side to side. After several wing-beats, the bird
glided with wings distinctly bowed and bent at the wrist. The bird
stayed within approximately one meter of the water, and it did not
rise and fall or arc over the water. Its flight was moderately fast, per¬
haps close to 25 knots, but the boat was able to overtake the bird such
that the observers were able to view the petrel for several minutes.

DISCUSSION

Similar Species. Bulwer’s Petrel should be confusable with very few
other species, as it is neither a storm-petrel nor a gadfly petrel
(Pterodroma). The species most similar is the much larger Jouanin’s
Petrel (B. fallax), which lacks or has poorly demarcated carpal bars
and possesses a graduated tail rather than a pointed tail. It is also lim¬
ited to the Indian Ocean.

The many species of all-dark storm-petrels (i.e., those without
white rumps) have forked or squared tails, and the only such storm-
petrel known from the North Atlantic Ocean is the very rare Swin-
hoe’s Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma monorhis), which is much smaller
than Bulwer’s Petrel. Bulwer’s might be most reminiscent (to North
American birders) of Black Storm-Petrel (O. melania), which is
somewhat similar in size, flight style, and overall coloration; howev¬
er, that species does not have a long pointed tail, its wings are short¬
er, and it is known only from the North Pacific Ocean. The white-
rumped storm-petrels found in the North Atlantic, of course, are
noticeably smaller than Bulwer’s Petrel as well. Gadfly petrels can
normally be excluded by their lack of pale carpal bars, but worn indi¬
viduals can show pale bars. However, birds in this genus, as well as
the Kerguelen Petrel (Lugensa brevirostris), show neither a long and
pointed tail nor very long and constantly bent or bowed wings; in
overall appearance and flight style, Pterodroma and Lugensa species
look rather husky and stiff-winged compared to the slender and
bent-winged Bulweria.

Distribution and Dispersal. Bulwer’s Petrel occurs in the temperate
and tropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. In the
Atlantic, breeding takes place only on islands in the eastern portion,
off the coast of Africa. Megyesi and O’Daniel (1997) list the Azores,
Madeira Islands, Desertas, Great Salvage Island, Canary Islands, and
Cape Verde Islands as breeding sites in the Atlantic. The Atlantic pop¬
ulation is thought to number several tens of thousands of breeding
pairs (del Hoyo et al. 1 992), but this estimate may be overstated. Zino
and Biscoito (1994) estimate 1000 pairs on Porto Santo and nearby
islets in the Madeira archipelago, about 500 pairs on Bugio and 1000
pairs on Deserta Grande and Ilheu Chao. On the Selvagems (Salvage
Islands), Zino and Biscoito (1994) revise earlier estimates and reck¬
on 5000 pairs there. In the Cape Verde Islands, Bulwer’s is only
known to breed on the islets of Cima and Raso, with about 100 pairs
(Hazevoet 1994). On the Azores, they nested formerly on both Santa
Maria and Graciosa but more recently (Paterson 1997) have only
been confirmed on the former, with estimates of 500 to 1000 pairs
(Tucker and Heath 1994). Finally, on the Canary Islands, the total
population is about 1000 pairs in 35 colonies (Hernandez et al.
1990). The most recent population estimates from the eastern North
Atlantic thus total only about 9100 to 9600 pairs.

In the Madeira archipelago, and in most other Atlantic nesting
areas, the first returning adults appear in April, and birds are com¬
mon at sea by late May (Zino and Biscoito 1994). Nesting generally
takes place from May to July, with egg-laying usually in early June
and fledging of young about 100 days later (Zino and Biscoito 1994).
Dispersal from the colonies begins in late August through September
and October (Harrison 1983), but breeding failure can be fairly high
in the species, such that some birds may disperse earlier (Zino and
Biscoito 1994). Most of the Atlantic population moves south and
west to winter in the South Atlantic off northeastern Brazil, as far as
30° to 40° S (Bourne 1995, Megyesi and O’Daniel 1997).

The August 8, 1998, record of Bulwer’s Petrel is the first to be doc¬
umented by photograph for the waters off eastern North America.
There are no known specimens from this region, but there are sever¬
al published sight records. The first published report was of a proba¬
ble Bulwer’s Petrel off Key West, Florida, on May 14, 1969 (Taylor
1 972). Another was reported off northeastern Florida on May 1 , 1 984
(Haney and Wainright 1985). Unpublished is a credible sight record
of a single Bulwer’s from the Argentia, the ferry between
Newfoundland and North Sydney, Nova Scotia, on July 15, 1980, by
David Wolf and Bret Whitney (Whitney, pers. comm.). A sight record
for Virginia about 80 miles east of Chincoteague on August 15, 1993,
is plausible but was not accepted by the state records committee
(Kain 1995). There are also several sight records for the southeastern
Caribbean Sea and the Netherland Antilles (Voous 1983, Tostain
1987). Apparently the only known specimen for the western North
Atlantic is a Bulwer’s Petrel found dead on Soldado Rock off Trinidad
in the West Indies, on January 23, 1961 (ffrench 1963).

In waters off North Carolina, Hass observed one in the Gulf
Stream off the Outer Banks on July 1, 1992 (Hass 1995). The North
Carolina Bird Records Committee (1994) accepted this sight record.
Lee (1995) “briefly saw a bird fitting the description of this species off
North Carolina on 6 June 1979.” This sighting was not mentioned in
other papers summarizing the distribution of seabirds off North
Carolina (Lee 1984, 1986) and still lacks published details (cf. Tove et
al. 1998).

A Bulwer’s Petrel was observed and photographed off the coast of
California on July 26, 1998; photographs and descriptions of this
bird have appeared in the present journal ( FN 52: 498 & 519), mak¬
ing it the first documented record of the species for the Pacific Ocean
waters of the mainland United States (Roberson et al. 1999). There is
a report of the species seen at the north end of the Salton Sea,
Riverside County, California, on July 10, 1993, following a tropical
storm (Small 1994). The species breeds in the Pacific as close to
California as the Hawaiian Islands (American Ornithologists’ Union
1998).

Based on the very few reports of the species from both coasts of
the United States, it is apparent that this distinctive and relatively eas¬
ily identified species does not widely disperse toward the western
North Atlantic or the eastern North Pacific. This scarcity of records
is in stark contrast to the regular appearance of several other species
that nest on the same islands in the eastern Atlantic. Moreover, the
relative abundance of these regularly encountered species in the
western North Atlantic closely parallels their documented popula¬
tion sizes in the eastern North Atlantic (Hass 1995). For example,
Cory’s Shearwater is a common visitor to the western Atlantic in the
warmer months, and Band-rumped Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma cas-
tro) is regular in some numbers, particularly off North Carolina.
White-faced Storm-Petrel (Pelagodroma marina), whose populations
are smaller, is a rare but somewhat regular late summer and fall visi¬
tor to the northeastern and mid-Atlantic states. The very rare Fea’s

114

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

BULWER'S PETREL

Petrel (Pterodroma feae) has been seen on about 32 occasions off
North Carolina (Tove 1997; Brinkley and Patteson 1998). On the
other hand, Little Shearwater (Puffinus assimilis) shows apparently
even less trans-Atlantic movement than does Bulwer’s Petrel, as
there are just two specimens, from Nova Scotia and South Carolina
(A.O.U. 1998). We are not aware of any photographs or accepted
sight records of Little Shearwater from the western North Atlantic.

There are too few records and reports of Bulwer’s Petrel in the
western North Atlantic to show any pattern of occurrence.
Nonetheless, with the continued interest in pelagic bird distribution
off both coasts of the United States and Canada, additional records
of the Bulwer’s Petrel might be expected every few years, at least off
the southeastern coast of the United States and in the Caribbean Sea.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We extend our thanks to the organizer of this pelagic trip, Armas Hill, of
Focus On Nature Tours (FONT), and we wish to thank Todd Hass for his
comments on previous drafts of this paper. We also appreciate the efforts of
Allan Foreman, captain of the Country Girl, in tracking the petrel in order
for birders to closely observe and photograph the bird.

LITERATURE CITED

American Ornithologists’ Union. 1998. Check-List of North American Birds.

7th edition. American Ornithologists’ Union. Washington, DC.

Bourne, W.R.P. 1995. The movements of Bulwer’s Petrel and the larger
shearwaters in the Atlantic Ocean. Sea Swallow 44: 49-52.

Brinkley, E. S., and J. B. Patteson. 1998. Gadfly petrels in the western North
Atlantic. Birding World 11: 341-354.

del Hoyo, J., A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, et al. 1992. Handbook of the birds of the
world. Vol. 1 Ostriches to Ducks. Lynx Edicions. Barcelona.

Enticott, J., and D. Tipling. 1997. Seabirds of the World: The Complete
Reference. Stackpole. Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania,
ffrench, R. 1963. Bulwer’s Petrel (Bulweria bulwerii) in Trinidad, West
Indies. Auk 80: 379.

Haney, J. C., and S. C. Wainright. 1985. Bulwer’s
Petrel in the South Atlantic Bight. American
Birds 39: 868-870.

Harrison, P. 1983. Seabirds: An Identification Guide.

Houghton Mifflin. Boston.

Hass, T. 1995. An additional record of Bulwer’s
Petrel Bulweria bulwerii off the southeastern
United States of America. Marine Ornithology
23: 161-162.

Hazevoet, C. J. 1994. Status and conservation of
seabirds in the Cape Verde Islands. In Seabirds
on Islands: Threats, Case Studies, and Action
Plans. BirdLife International. Cambridge,

England, pp. 279-293.

Hernandez, E., M. Martin, M. Nogales, V. Quilis,

G. Delgado, and O. Trujillo. 1990. Distribution
and status of Bulwer’s Petrel (Bulweria bulwerii
Jardine and Selby 1828) in the Canary Islands.

Boletim do Museo Municipal do Funchal 42:

5-16.

Kain, T. 1995. 1995 Report of the VSO Records
Committee. Raven 66: 95-99.

Lee, D. S. 1984. Petrels and storm-petrels in North
Carolina’s offshore waters: Including species
previously unrecorded for North America.

American Birds 38: 151-163.

Lee, D. S. 1986. Seasonal distribution of marine
birds in North Carolina waters, 1975-1986.

American Birds 40: 409^412.

Lee, D. S. 1995. Marine birds off the coast of North
Carolina. Chat 59: 113-171.

Le Grand, G., K. Emmerson, and A. Martin. 1984.

The status and conservation of seabirds in the
Macaronesian Islands. International Council for
Bird Preservation, Technical Publication 2:

377-391.

Megycsi, ). L., and D. L. O’Daniel. 1997. Bulwer’s Petrel. (Bulweria bulwerii),
in The Birds of North America, No. 28 1 . Academy of Natural Sciences,
Philadelphia, and the American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, DC.
North Carolina Bird Records Committee. 1994. Report of the North
Carolina Bird Records Committee: 1993. Chat 58: 85-88.

Paterson, A. M. 1997. Las aves marinas de F.spana y Portugal: Peninsula
Iberica, Islas Balaeres, Canarias, Azores y Madeira. Lynx. Barcelona.
Roberson, D. L., S. F. Bailey, and D. S. Singer. The Nesting Season: Middle
Pacific Coast region. Field Notes 52: 498-502.

Small, A. 1994. California Birds: Their Status and Distribution. Ibis. Vista,
California.

Taylor, J. W. 1972. Probable Bulwer’s Petrel off Key West, Florida. Wilson
Bulletin 84: 198.

Tostain, O. 1987. Le Petrel de Bulwer (Bulweria bulwerii) dans les eaux
guyanaises. Oiseau 57: 45-46.

Tove, M. H. 1997. Fea’s Petrel in North America: documentation. Birding
29: 309-315.

Tove, M. H., H. E. LeGrand Jr., E. S. Brinkley, R. J. Davis, and J. B. Patteson.
1998. Marine birds off the coast of North Carolina: A critique. Chat
62: 49-62.

Tucker, G. M., and S. Heath. 1994. Birds in Europe: Their Conservation
Status. BirdLife Conservation Series 3. BirdLife International.
Cambridge, England.

Voous, K. H. 1983. Additions to the avifauna of Aruba, Curasao, and
Bonaire, south Caribbean. Ornithological Monographs 36: 247-254.

Zino, F., and M. Biscoito. 1994. Breeding birds in the Madeira archipelago.

In Seabirds on Islands: Threats, Case Studies, and Action Plans.

BirdLife International. Cambridge, England, pp. 172-185.

A

^OtcUtty ‘TJtexica

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iclo IDiosplliere ITVeserve

we are now offering short
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VOLUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 1

115

market place

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SUBMITTING PHOTOGRAPHS
TO NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

The photographs that appear in the
regional reports in North American Birds
add much to the interest and informa¬
tion value of this journal. North
American Birds does not pay for the use
of photographs in this area, but we do
provide the opportunity to share your
photos with thousands of other active
birders.

In each issue, about 20-25 of the
photos submitted with the regional
reports are selected to be printed in
color, in a feature called “Pictorial High¬
lights.” Generally these are very good
photographs showing birds of excep¬
tional interest — either very rare va¬
grants, or birds taking part in unusual
invasions or migrations.

The best way to submit photos to
North American Birds is to send them to
the appropriate regional editor. To make
things easier for these individuals (and
for us), please label all photos clearly
with the species, place, date, and your
name. In particular, print your name
legibly, as you would want it to appear in
the photo credit. We also need to know
the address to which photographs
should be returned. All photos will be
returned (to the regional editors or to
the photographers), but it may take sev¬
eral months from the time they were
submitted.

Either slides or prints can be repro¬
duced in North American Birds,
although given a choice we generally
prefer slides. Photographs of either kind
should be packaged so that they will not
be bent or crushed in the mail. Prints
should be labelled on the back, but not
with ballpoint pen, which may damage
the emulsion of the photograph. If felt
tip pens are used for labelling, the prints
should be separated with sheets of paper
so that the ink from the back of one will
not rub off on the face of another photo.

ARGENTINA SAMPLER
WITH FIELD GUIDES

Oct 30-Nov 16, '99 with Dave Stejskal
and Ned Brinkley. The best of Argentina at
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Includes Buenos Aires area, NW, Valdez
Pen., and Tierra del Fuego. For itinerary,
contact Field Guides, 800/728-4953;
fgileader@aol.com

116

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

august through november 1998

pictorial highlights

Anna’s Hum¬
mingbirds
have never
had a strong
presence
as vagrants ea
of the Mississi
River. Birders

in Binghamton, New York, and Charlotte, North Carolina, were pleasantly
shocked to have first state records appear at feeders in November
and December. The New York bird was an adult male, the Carolina bird
a young male. Wisconsin’s third Anna’s and Arkansas’s third and fourth
appeared in November and October, respectively.

Photographs/Rick Wiltraut (right) and Martha Sargent (left)

Rufous Hummingbirds have become a staple rarity of the fall season, appearing sometimes
quite early in the fall across the continent wherever flowers or feeders are available.

Most are young birds and/or females: few are as readily identified as this adult male
at Springfield, Illinois, noted November 19. Photograph/Dennis Oehmke

Green Violet-Ear at LaCrosse, Wisconsin,
October 27, the second for the Western
Great Lakes and first for Wisconsin.
Another appeared in central Virginia
during the same week — alas,
no camera recorded its colors!
Photograph/F. Z. Lesher

Broad-billed Hummingbird,
a male changing
from juvenal to adult plumage,
resided at John Day, Oregon,
September 12-14
— a first for Oregon, among six
other state firsts in autumn 1998!
Photograph/Tim Janzen

A male Costa’s Hummingbird pho¬
tographed at Anchorage, Alaska,
September 16

provided the fourth record for the state.

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 1

117

pictorial highlights

How often is a jaeger
an in-hand study?

This juvenile
Parasitic was at New
Mexico’s Conchas
Lake, San Miguel
County, September
19. Though there are
9 previous reports
of 11 individuals
in New Mexico
(dating back to
1952), this is the
first confirmed

record. Good field characters that together suggest Parasitic are the rufous
edging of the upperwing coverts, the haphazard checkered pattern
in the uppertail coverts, the pale, streaked nape, and the pale tips
of the primaries. The tips of the central rectrices are a bit worn
but still do not show the long, rounded shape one sees in juvenile
Long-tailed. Photograph/S.O. Williams III and C.G. Schmitt

South Polar Skua at South Beach, Jekyll Island,
Georgia. October 18. Another two South Polars
graced beaches at Smyrna Dunes Park and Fort Clinch,
Florida, not far away. This bird shows a bright golden
nuchal area typical of the species, a lack of ruddy
coloration in the plumage, and a petite-looking head
and bill. Photograph/James F. Flynn Ir.

Illinois’s first Black Skimmer frequented the beach
at Decatur, where it was most satisfactorily photographed
on September 4. Photographer/Dennis Oehmke

Masked Boobies are regular in the northern Gulf of Mexico over deep water during the warmer months, sometimes seen daily
by whale researchers in the area. Rarely are they documented so nicely as this pair, an adult and a subadult about 72 km
southeast of Louisiana’s South Pass. Photograph/David P. Muth

118

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

august through november, 1998

An annual vagrant to the East Coast, and particularly
regular at Cape May, New Jersey, Ash-throated
Flycatcher is apparently the only member of its cryptic
genus that regularly strays to the East,
at least north of Florida. This photograph was taken
November 17. Photograph/Tony Leukering

Prothonotary Warblers made news from California to New
Mexico to West Texas to Nova Scotia and beyond this fall
(apologies for the many photos not published!).

This adult male (and its reflection) were captured on film
at Wascana Waterfowl Park in Regina, Saskatchewan,
on October 9! Photograph/Fred Lahrman

Though not a vagrant in New Mexico, the nomadic White¬
winged Crossbill can be notoriously hard to find for years
at a time. Delighting the crowds was this male at a Santa
Fe feeder October 22. Photograph/Jerry R. Oldenettel

This adult Harris’s Sparrow in basic
plumage remained at iron Mountain
Pumping Station in southeastern
San Bernardino County, California,
from October 24 through November 10.
Photograph/Larry Sansone

New York state had its second
record of Cave Swallow on the
New York City Oceanfront at Riis
Park November 28. Two birds
here were believed to be
of the expanding western race
pelodoma. Photograph/

Angus Wilson

Prior to this fall, Idaho had no records of Blackpoll Warbler,
so the capture of four at the Idaho Bird Observatory between August 29
and September 5 was very exciting. Pictured here is the state’s third,
captured September 2. Photograph/John Gatchet

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 1

119

pictorial highlights

MBBMBMBBBHBBBBHHBBHHIBHHMHBHMMMNBHBIBEBBHMBBBMMMHHIHMHBflHi

Hawks migrating along Atlantic coastlines (as opposed to interior ridges)
are largely immature birds, and this is true of vagrant species as well:
nearly all records of Swainson’s Hawk in the East are of nonadults.

This light-morph juvenile (with biologist Jamie Cameron) at Kiptopeke
was only the second caught in Virginia, though there are about
30 records in this vicinity. Photograph/Marshall J. Iliff

A juvenile Wood Sandpiper, only the third
for eastern North America, materialized
November 1 1 at Renews, Newfoundland,
a very birdy area. It remained for three days.
Photograph/Bruce Mactavish

Swainson’s Hawks were especially
numerous in the East this year.
This juvenile of one of the darker
morphs was on Great Gull Island
September 18, a first Long Island,
New York, record. The subterminal
tailband is scarcely wider than
other tailbands, a good clue
for ageing this young perched bird
Photograph/Lisa Nield

Little Gull, a striking juvenile photo¬
graphed at Prewitt Reservoir,
Washington County, Colorado,
in mid-September, was one of two
in the state this season. A Little Gull
in New Mexico showed up just after
this bird’s departure.
Photograph/Ernest Black Ellis

Sabine’s Gulls once again stole the show this fall:
record counts in Monterey Bay, a slew of Texas
records, some the result of Hurricane Frances,
and a healthy scattering across the coasts
and interior from an alphabet soup of sites:

AR, NC, LA, Ml, MS, Wl, NB, ND, VT, MA, with great
numbers in CO (40), NM (18-25), NE (32),

AZ (13), and Bermuda (13)! This lovely photograph
was taken at Millwood Lake, Little River County,
Arkansas. Photograph/Charles Mills

This Gray-tailed Tattler, one of eight
present on Gambell, Saint Lawrence
Island, Alaska, between August 25
and September 9, can be distin¬
guished from the similar Wandering
Tattler at this age by the extensively
pale belly and large amount of white
spotting in the scapulars and ter-
tials. (“And, yes, we heard it call as
well,” the photographer assures.)
Photograph/Paul Lehman

120

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

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© 1998 Bushnell Corporation. 9200 Cody, Overland Park, KS 66214, USA. Except as otherwise indicated, ® denotes a registered trademark of Bushnell Corporation. Bausch & Lomb is a registered trademark of and used under license from Bausch & Lomb Incorporated.

INCORPORATING FIELD NOTES
A QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGICAL RECORD

PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN BIRDING ASSOCIATION IN ALLIANCE WITH THE NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY

ll/intpr VP:| Villi VOLUME53: NO. 2,1999

111111)171 DITllJUll DECEMBER 1998 TO FEBRUARY 1999

ST-80 HD

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With The Eyes of a Hawk

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contents

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS • AMERICAN BIRDING ASSOCIATION • VOLUME 53: NUMBER 2 • 1999

THE REGIONAL REPORTS

1 39 Atlantic Provinces

IAN A. MCLAREN

141 Quebec

YVES AUBRY,

NORMAND DAVID,
and PIERRE BANNON

143 New England

PAMELA HUNT

148 Hudson-Delaware

JOSEPH C. BURGIEL,

ROBERT 0. PAXTON,
and DAVID A. CUTLER

152 Middle Atlantic Coast

MARSHALL J. ILIFF

1 57 Southern Atlantic Coast

RICKY DAVIS

160 Florida

RICHARD L. WEST
and BRUCE H. ANDERSON

164 Appalachian

ROBERT C. LEBERMAN

Ontario

The report for the winter season
in this area was not submitted
by our copy deadline. It will
appear in a future issue.

1 66 Western Great Lakes

JIM GRANLUND

169 Middlewestern

KENNETH J. BROCK

173 Central Southern

STEPHEN J. STEDMAN

123 Editor’s Notebook

124 Spotted Redshank
and Common
Greenshank

in North America

STEVEN G. MLODINOW

132 Changing Seasons:

The Winter Season

DAVID P. MUTH

1 37 How to Read

the Regional Reports

216 Taking Part

in the North American
Birds Network

217 Invasions, Irruptions,
and Trends:

The Christmas Bird
Count Database

GEOFFREY S. LeBARON

220 Market Place

221 Pictorial Highlights

177 Prairie Provinces

RUDOLF F. KOES
and PETER TAYLOR

Northern Great Plains

RON E. MARTIN

Southern Great Plains

The report for the winter season
in this area was not submitted
by our copy deadline. It will
appear in a future issue.

180 Texas

GREG W. LASLEY, CHUCK SEXTON,
MARK LOCKWOOD, WILLIE SEKULA,
and CLIFF SHACKELFORD

185 Idaho-Western Montana

DAVID TROCHLELL

187 Mountain West

VAN A. TRUAN

and BRANDON K. PERCIVAL

190 Arizona

GARY H. ROSENBERG
and CHRIS D. BENESH

193 New Mexico

SARTOR 0. WILLIAMS III

196 Alaska

THEDE G.TOBISH JR.

198 British Columbia-Yukon

MICHAEL G. SHEPARD

200 Oregon-Washington

BILL TWEIT, BILL TICE,
and STEVE MLODINOW

203 Middle Pacific Coast

SCOTT B. TERRILL,

STEPHEN C. ROTTENBORN,
DANIELS. SINGER,
and DON ROBERSON

208 Southern Pacific Coast

GUY McCASKIE

212 Hawaiian Islands

ROBERT L. PYLE

214 West Indies

ROBERT L. NORTON

179

. MCZ

PraiWBRARY

FEB 2 7 2002

HARVARD
UNIVERSITY

ON THE COVER

Present in the Santa Ana Mountains of Orange County, California, January 29 until February 18, 1999, this male Gray Silky-flycatcher
(Ptilogonys cinereus) was the subject of much debate. While its identity was amply confirmed by this evocative image, its origin remained
uncertain since the closest known area of occurrence for this normally sedentary species is 650 miles distant in southeastern Sonora, Mexico
Consequently, the sighting is under review by the California Bird Records Committee, which has usually regarded previous records
of this species as representing escaped cagebirds. Photograph/Kennith Z. Kurland

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122

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

e ditor's notebook

Across the continent, the winter of 1998-1999 was
warm, making this issue of the journal sound at
times as though it represents the breeding season — so
many were the Neotropical migrants that lingered into
winter and got themselves mentioned in the reports that
follow. But don’t worry. If you like reading about North
America’s winter birdlife, there’s plenty about that, too.
So, when you immerse yourself in any of the regional
reports that collectively relate the goings-on about the
continental avifauna, it will be like reliving two seasons
all at once.

Two reports are missing from the total of 27 that nor¬
mally provide coverage of the continental bird scene.
The Southern Great Plains report was delayed when the
editor, Joseph Grzybowski, suffered serious injuries in an
automobile accident. Joe is recovering rapidly, and his
report will appear in a later issue of the journal, as will
the report from Ontario, also delayed.

Almost without exception, birders spend at least part
of their time afield each season seeking rare birds,
which, when found, have a way of uplifting the spirit.
With not many exceptions, birders also regularly partic¬
ipate in one or more of many continental bird-monitor¬
ing projects, which, when accomplished, have a way of
making one feel useful. The feature articles that begin
and end this issue of the journal cater to each of these
aspects of the birding enterprise. Indeed, those aspects
may be said to form the twin foundation stones on
which every birding career metaphorically rests.

Steven G. Mlodinow’s lead article about redshanks
and greenshanks takes us on a wonderful voyage into the
very citadel of rarity-land, showing us how much can be
gleaned from a careful analysis of a heaping handful of
records involving two vagrant shorebirds in North
America. Besides contributing this article, Steve also co¬
authored the regional report from the Oregon-
Washington Region, so he is doubly represented in this
issue.

Geoffrey S. LeBaron brings us up to date on the most
venerable of all bird monitoring projects, the Christmas
Bird Count (CBC), now almost exactly a century old but
showing no signs of age. Like Steve Mlodinow, Geoff
focuses our attention on two species — a dove and a win¬
ter finch — and one of them is also a rarity across much
of the continent, at least for the time being. He demon¬
strates how CBC data provide insight into the complex
lives of wintering birds, and he informs us that millions

of CBC data points are now readily available on-line lit¬
erally at the touch of a finger.

Several reviewers assisted my efforts to assess the
strengths and weaknesses of various manuscripts sub¬
mitted for publication in the journal during my tenure
as guest editor. I thank the following folk for their time¬
ly and judicious reviewing efforts: Lyn Atherton, Paul A.
Buckley, Steven W. Cardiff, Jon Dunn, lan A. McLaren,
Don Roberson, P. William Smith, and Peter Yaukey. 1
also thank David P. Muth for agreeing to write the
Changing Seasons report on rather short notice and for
providing readers with both stimulating style and sub¬
stance in his summary of the season.

Editing an issue of North American Birds, as Field
Notes is now known, has often been a challenging expe¬
rience. It turned out that all the material for the issue
had to be worked on most intensely during late May and
early June 1999, the precise period of time when I had
also agreed to conduct 16 Breeding Bird Surveys for var¬
ious agencies that frown on those who are unable to
conduct their surveys at the right time of day (5 am!)
and during the right part of the breeding season (late
May and early June, of course). How I managed all the
editing and all the bird surveying is a tale that will need
another place to tell, especially for those interested in the
consequences of serious sleep deprivation, but, believe
me, it was not easy.

But, it sure was worth it. I made the acquaintance of
a number of extremely talented people who represent
the best that birds and birding have to offer. I was able to
put to practical use editing skills that I normally exercise
primarily when teaching. Finally, I was able to “stand on
the shoulders” of one of my early role models, Robert
Arbib, whose consummate editing of previous versions
of this journal provides the benchmark by which all edi¬
tors who follow will be judged.

— Steve Stedman, Guest Editor

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

123

Spotted Redshank
and Common Greenshank

in North America

Spotted Redshanks appearing in North America are mostly basic-plumaged birds, like this one found
during mid-March 1989 in Israel. Photograph/Richard Chandler

STEVEN G. MLODINOW *

andpipers of the genus Tringa are well known for their highly
migratory nature and their penchant for wandering off course.
Spotted Redshank ( Tringa erythropus) and Common Greenshank
(Tringa nebularia ) are not exceptions. Both of these Old World
species migrate long distances, and both have wandered repeatedly
into North America.* 1 There, however, the similarity ends. The more
northerly breeding Spotted Redshank has wandered widely across
North America whereas Common Greenshank occurrence has been
limited almost entirely to Beringia (i.e., land masses in and around
the Bering Sea). Spotted Redshanks have been found mostly in fall
while Common Greenshanks have been seen predominantly in
spring. These species’ vagrancy patterns provide clues as to when
and where future sightings might occur and also provide general
insight into North American shorebird vagrancy.

*4819 Gardner Avenue, Everett, Washington 98203 (sgmlod@aol.com)

1 For the purposes of this article, North America is defined as the United States, Canada,
Mexico, the West Indies, and Central America.

SPOTTED REDSHANK

Old World Distribution. Spotted Redshanks are one of the most
northerly breeding Tringa, nesting near or above the Arctic Circle
from far eastern Siberia (excluding the Chukchi Peninsula) to north¬
ern Scandinavia (Flint et al. 1984; Snow and Perrins 1998). South¬
bound migration from these far northern climes starts in mid-June
when adult females begin to leave. Adult males head southward a
month later, followed by juveniles in August (Hayman et al. 1986).

These southbound redshanks are typically first detected in Eng¬
land during late June, and the last non-wintering birds have mostly
departed by mid-November with peak movement occurring from
the very end of July well into September (C. Bradshaw, pers. comm.).
In Japan, where this species is far less numerous than in Europe, fall
migrants are found mostly from August well into November (Brazil
1991).

Spotted Redshanks winter largely in Africa and Asia between the
Tropic of Cancer and the Equator, but small numbers winter in
Europe north to Great Britain (Hayman et al. 1986, Snow and
Perrins 1998). New arrivals first appear on West African wintering

124

NORTH AMERICAN BIROS

Featuring basic plumage, this Common Greenshank was photographed in Mai Po, Hong Kong,
November 24, 1996. Photograph/Geoff J. Carey

grounds in August and peak during October (Snow and Perrins
1998). Spring departures from these wintering areas start early. For
example, in Senegal almost all have left by the end of March (Snow
and Perrins 1998). Northbound birds first arrive in England between
mid-March and early April, and the last are seen in late May or early
June with peak passage occurring from the third week of April into
mid-May (C. Bradshaw, pers. comm.). In Japan the first northbound
birds arrive on Honshu during late February and on Hokkaido by
late March (Brazil 1991). Peak movement through Japan is from late
March through April with some birds still heading north during May
(Brazil 1991).

As with most Tringa, Spotted Redshanks use a wide variety of
wetlands during migration and winter. Favored habitats include
freshwater mudflats, brackish mudflats, and flooded fields.

2 Records from Alaska included here are ones previously published and ones
from Attour’s Larry Balch, but some unpublished records were not made available
to the author.

3 Pacific/West Coast of North America is herein defined as areas lying west of the Sierra
Nevada, Cascade, and Canadian Rocky Mountains.

New World Status. The first North American Spotted Redshank
was found at Seapowet, Rhode Island, May 30, 1955 (Conway 1992).
Since then, at least 74 more have been recorded (Table 1, p. 126).
These records are best divided into parts representing regions of
North America: (1) Aleutians (from Adak westward) and Pribilofs;
(2) Pacific Coast; (3) Interior; (4) Atlantic Coast and West Indies.

The Aleutians and Pribilofs account for more than 30 of North
America’s Spotted Redshanks, most of these having been found on
the outermost Aleutian Islands of Attu, Shemya, and Alaid.2 There
are at least 17 spring records from this region, all between May 20
and 31, and at least 14 fall records, mostly between September 19 and
23 with outliers as early as August 30 and as late as October 11.
Despite this tight pattern, we should remember that coverage of this
distinctly isolated region is sporadic and tends to occur over a very
limited date-span, thus likely skewing the apparent peak dates of
occurrence.

Records from elsewhere along the West Coast of North America
number only ten and are scattered from Vancouver, British Colum¬
bia, to San Diego County, California.-3 Five of these records are from

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

125

Table 1. Spotted Redshank Records in North America

Location

Date

Source

Newfoundland

Terra Nova NP

5/15-21/74

B. Montevecchi,
pers. comm.

Pines Cove North Peninsula

9/9/82

B. Montevecchi,
pers. comm.

Nova Scotia

Hartlen Point

9/17/93

AB 48: 82

St. Mary’s, Isle Madame

7/9/95

FN49:901

Wallace Bay Bird Sanctuary

7/23/95

FN49:901

Cape Sable I .

10/7/95

FN 50: 14

West Chezzetcook

7/19/96

FN 50: 923

Crescent Beach

8/5/96

FN5U 18

Cape Sable I.

9/14/97

Fullerton 1997

New Brunswick

Hillsborough

8/23/96

FN 51: 18

Massachusetts

Plum Island

7/28/81

Veit and Peterson 1995

South Wellfleet

7/31-8/19/90

Veit and Peterson 1 995

Rhode Island

Seapowet 1

5/30-31/55

Conway 1 992

Connecticut

New Haven

11/15/69 (collected)

Auk 89:677

Ontario

Niagara

7/25/76

Axtelletal. 1977

Peterborough County

5/8/81

James 1983

Casselman Sewer Lagoon

7/19-24/90

AB 44: 1129

New York

Brooklyn

12/6/92-3/19/93

AB 47: 244/399

Jamaica Bay2

10/3/93

AB 48: 93

Brooklyn3

11/30/93-1/19/94

FN 48: 188/AB48: 93

Pennsylvania

Philadelphia4

7/30/60

Cassinia 45: 10-12

New Jersey5

Brigantine NWR

late September 1978

Leek 1984

Brigantine NWR

9/28-10/8/79

Leek 1984

Brigantine NWR

10/22-23/93

AB48: 93

North Carolina

Xape Hatteras Point

5/13-17/87

AB41:417

South Carolina

Huntington Beach

2/21—4/26/81

Post and Gauthreaux 1 989

West Indies

Barbados

1 1/6/64

Huttetal. 2000

Barbados

10/1/65

Hutt etal. 2000

Barbados

3/12/67

Huttetal. 2000

Barbados

3/12/80

Huttetal. 2000

Ohio

Huron

8/28/79

Peterjohn 1989

Saskatchewan

Moosejaw

9/2-6/94

FN49: 61

Kansas

Lake Perry

5/1-8/88

AB42: 455

Texas6

1 Good documentation exists by multiple observers ( P.A. Buckley, pers. comm.)
but considered hypothetical by Conway ( 1 992 ) .

Rejected by the New York Avian Rarities Committee, but the description is quite
consistent with Spotted Redshank, and the report is believed to be correct by many
(P.A. Buckley, pers. comm.).

The same Spotted Redshank that wintered in 1992-93 returned to Brooklyn
for the winter of 1993-94.

Considered hypothetical by Pennsylvania Ornithological Records Committee,

but the description ( including voice) is quite convincing. Will be included among official

birds of Philadelphia in upcoming book (E. Fingerhood, in litt..).

Two records published in Leek (1984) were rejected by the New Jersey bird records
committee: Brigantine NWR, May-June 1965, and Manahawkin, 8/17-22/72
(P. Lehman, pers. comm.). Note: Brigantine NWR is now called Forsythe NWR.

There are two published reports, but no accepted records, from Texas. The first was seen
near Rockport 4/ 1 6-1 7/62 ( Oberholser 1 974) but was rejected by the Texas Bird Records
Committee (TOS 1995). The second was reported from Flaskell County 1/8/84 (AB 38:
334), hut it was never documented and is likely best disregarded (G. Lasley, pers. comm.).

Also basic-plumaged, this Spotted Redshank clearly shows
the reddish base to the long, thin bill.

This redshank was present at Mai Po, Hong Kong,

November 24, 1996. Photograph/Geoff J. Carey

British Columbia, one is from Oregon, and four are from California,
but, surprisingly, Spotted Redshank has not yet been confirmed on
mainland Alaska (D. Gibson, pers. comm.). Records from this region
are evenly split between spring and fall. Of the spring records, two are
early (February 21 to April 1) and three late (early May to May 23).
The five fall records span the period from October 9 to November 29.

North America’s interior has provided a total of eight records
from southeastern California, Nevada, Saskatchewan, Kansas, Ohio,
and Ontario. Five occurred between July 19 and September 6, and
three between April 30 and May 8.

Along the Atlantic Coast and in the West Indies, 26 Spotted Red¬
shanks have been found, 20 of which were north of Delaware Bay and
four of which are from the West Indies.4 Fall records predominate,
totalling 19; of the remaining records, six are from spring and one
from winter. The fall reports are bimodal with seven first located
between July 9 and August 5 and 12 first located between August 23
and November 15. The six spring records fall into two groups: an
early one (three birds first found between February 21 and March 12,
possibly representing wintering birds) and a later one (three birds
first found between May 13 and May 31). The winter record pertains

4 For purposes of this discussion, the Philadelphia record is considered as an Atlantic
Coast record. Also, seven published records from this region are considered hypothetical
(sometimes because there was only one observer) or have been rejected by local rarities
committees (see table). However, after reviewing these records, I believe four of them to

be correct and have included them in this discussion. Three other records were published
and were later rejected by the New Jersey bird records committee or the Florida
Ornithological Society Rarities Committee (Stevenson and Anderson 1994, R Lehman,

pers. comm.): Manahowkin, New Jersey, 8/17-8/22/72 (Leek 1984); Brigantine, New
Jersey, May-June 1965 (Leek 1984); and Kissimmee Lakefront Park, Florida, 4/7/86
(Stevenson and Anderson 1994).

126

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

REDSHANK AND GREENSHANK

Spotted Redshank Records From North America, South of Alaska

10 T -

9 •

8

* A bird present for more than one time period (e.g., 10/17 to I I/I I) is counted for each time period during that bird's stay.

to a bird that spent two consecutive winters in urban Brooklyn not
far from Jamaica Bay. This bird, the only Spotted Redshank known
to have wintered in North America, was seen from December 6, 1992
to March 19, 1993 ( AB 47:244; AB 47:399) and again from November
30, 1993 to at least January 19, 1994 {AB 48:93; FN 48:188).

North American records of Spotted Redshank form an interesting
pattern. First, however, the Aleutian/Pribilof birds should be isolated
from the other records as they may not actually represent vagrants.
The outermost Aleutians are directly south of the Spotted Redshank’s
breeding range, and the Pribilof and central Aleutian islands are not
far to the east, so individuals occurring here are just slightly off
course and could well be on the the eastern extreme of the Spotted
Redshank’s normal migration route and not on their way to the rest
of North America.

Displaying traces of alternate plumage, notably the darkish
scapulars, the Common Greenshank shown here was found April 7,
1993, in Israel. Notice the bill, more distinctly upturned
than on most Greater Yellowlegs, and the pale greenish legs,
er . . . shanks. Photograph/Richard Chandler

Table 1 (continued)

Spotted Redshank Records in North America

Location

Date

Source

Nevada

Vegas Wash

8/16-20/75

Alcorn 1988

British Columbia

Reifel Refuge

10/17-11/11/70

Paulson 1993

Reifel Refuge

early May 1971

Paulson 1993

Reifel Refuge

1 1/29/80

Paulson 1993

Reifel Refuge

3/1—4/1/81

Paulson 1993

Serpentine Fen, Surrey

10/9-17/82

AB37:216

Oregon

S. Jetty Columbia River

2/21-3/1/81

Paulson 1993

California

North end of Salton Sea

4/30-5/4/83

AB37: 912

Crescent City Harbor

5/14/85

AB39: 346

Lake Earl (same as above)

5/15/85

AB39: 346

Santa Maria

10/25/85

AB40: 158

Staten I.

11/19-20/88

AB43:163

Camp Pendleton

5/19-23/89

AB43: 536

Alaska

St. Paul I. (2)

9/19/61

Sladen 1966

St. Pauli. (4)

9/22/61

Sladen 1966

Attu I.

9/23/64

Byrd etal. 1978

Adakl.

5/30/71

Roberson 1 980

Adakl.

5/30/72

Byrd etal. 1975

Buldirl.

8/30/74

Byrd etal. 1978

Adakl.

9/20/75

Byrd etal. 1978

Alaid I.

5/22-23/76

Byrd etal. 1978

Buldirl.

9/21/76

AB31: 21 1

Shemya I.

9/20/77

Gibson 1 98 1

Shemya I.

9/5-7/78

Gibson 1981

Shemya I.

9/23/78

Gibson 1981

Shemya I.

10/10-11/78

Gibson 1981

Attu I. (2)

5/20-24/79

AB33: 798

Attu I.

5/24-26/81 (2 on 5/26)

L. Balch, pers. comm.

Attu I.

5/20/82

L. Balch, pers. comm.

Attu I. (2)

5/31/83

L. Balch, pers. comm.

Attu I. (2)

5/23/84

AB38: 947

Attu I.

5/25-26/84

L. Balch, pers. comm.

Attu I.

5/25/86

L. Balch, pers. comm.

Attu I.

5/22-27/91 (2 on 5/26)

L. Balch, pers. comm.

VOLUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 2

127

_

Away from the Aleutians and Pribilofs, there are about 44 North
American records. These are geographically biased toward the east¬
ern portion of the continent and have been noted almost entirely
during migration. Spring migration seems to be bimodal, but the
small sample size makes any definitive statement impossible. There
does appear to be, however, a small early peak of birds first found
during late February and mid-March (possibly representing winter¬
ing birds) and a much larger peak of birds first located between April
30 and May 19. Birds found earlier in the spring have typically stayed
for a long time (one month or more) whereas birds found later have
mostly remained for less than a week. The cluster of early records
suggests that birders might want to search for Spotted Redshanks far
earlier in the spring than for most other vagrant shorebirds.

Fall migration is more clearly bimodal. The smaller early group
consists of adults initially located between July 9 and August 5,
whereas the larger later group contains mostly immatures first found
between August 16 and November 29. The latter group is about twice
as large as the former and peaks between late August and mid-Octo¬
ber. Notably, all early fall records are from eastern North America.

The bimodal distribution of spring birds is unexpected, but a
similarly split spring migration seems to occur in Japan (F-J. deVries,
pers. comm.).

COMMON GREENSHANK

Old World Distribution. Common Greenshanks breed from the
Kamchatka Peninsula west to Scotland, largely south of the Arctic
Circle (Hayman et al. 1986). Wintering areas span sub-Saharan
Africa, southern Asia, and Australia with scattered birds remaining
through the winter in Europe as far north as the British Isles
(Hayman et al. 1986). Southbound passage through northern and
temperate Europe occurs mostly from mid-July through late
October, whereas northbound migrants are predominantly found in
these regions during April and the first half of May (Snow and
Perrins 1998). In Japan, fall migration occurs from late July to early
November, and spring migration occurs through April and May
(Brazil 1991).

During migration, Common Greenshanks use a variety of habi¬
tats from flooded fields, marshes, and settling ponds to reefs, tidal
flats, and sand bars.

In juvenile plumage, the Common Greenshank here
was photographed September 12, 1997 in Cornwall,
United Kingdom. Photograph/Richard Chandler

New World Status. The first North American Common Green¬
shanks were found May 29, 1962 at St. Paul Island (Sladen 1966). Ten
years passed before the next North American greenshank appeared,
this time on Attu Island June 8, 1972 ( AB 26:796). Since then, this
species has proven to be a nearly annual spring vagrant on the west¬
ern Aleutian Islands and has been noted casually in spring on St.
Lawrence Island and the Pribilof Islands (see Table 2). Fall migrants
seem far scarcer with fewer than ten published records from scattered
locations among the western Aleutian and Pribilof islands. Notably,
there are no records from elsewhere in Alaska at any season (D.
Gibson, pers. comm.). Spring dates span May 15 to June 8 with a sea¬
sonal maximum of 15 individuals on Shemya Island from May 16 to
May 31, 1976 (Byrd et al. 1978). Fall dates are scattered between July
1 and September 6 but mostly are from August 23 through Septem¬
ber 6. Once again, we should remember that the western Aleutians,
the Pribilofs, and St. Lawrence Island are isolated and receive spo¬
radic coverage that is heavily skewed towards a relatively narrow win¬
dow during spring. Consequently, the actual seasonal span and peaks
of occurrence might be quite different.

Outside of Alaska, Common Greenshanks are exceedingly rare in
North America with eight records to date (see Table 2). The first was
present on Barbados March 12, 1980 (Hutt et al. 2000). This record
was followed shortly by another on Barbados October 3, 1980 (Hutt
et al. 2000). Indeed, five of the non-Alaskan Common Greenshanks
have come from the West Indies while the remaining three come
from Canada. Readers should note, however, that there is a likely cor¬
rect report of a Common Greenshank from Onondaga Lake,
Syracuse, New York, August 30, 1962 (Bull 1974). The lack of firm
records between the West Indies and Atlantic Canada is somewhat
mystifying.

Non-Alaskan Common Greenshanks have been most often found
in fall with four records. There are also two spring records and one
bird that was first found in December and then remained for at least
14 months. The date for the eighth record is not available (H.
Raffaele, pers. comm.). The four fall records occurred between Sep¬
tember 24 and November 19. The two spring greenshanks were seen
March 12 and May 1 to 3. The long-staying bird remained at River-
head, Newfoundland, from December 3, 1983 to February 2, 1985
(Savard 1993).

COMPARATIVE VAGRANCY

Spotted Redshanks and Common Greenshanks are both nearly
annual in North America, but their patterns of occurrence are quite
different. Common Greenshanks have occurred almost exclusively
on the islands of Beringia while Spotted Redshanks have wandered
across the breadth of North America.

Much of this discrepancy may be due to the Spotted Redshank’s
more northerly breeding range, at least in Asia. A Spotted Redshank
making a 45° or 90° navigational error during its fall migration is
much more likely to make landfall in North America than a
Common Greenshank starting its migration farther south in Asia. A
similar pattern of relative vagrancy is seen in Europe when records of
the more northerly breeding Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) are
cmpared to those of the more southerly breeding Greater Yellowlegs
(Tringa melanoleuca). As of December 1995, 240 Lesser Yellowlegs
had been recorded in Great Britain and Ireland compared to only 31
Greater Yellowlegs (Vinicombe and Cottridge 1996).

In Europe, however, Spotted Redshanks and Common Green¬
shanks breed at similar latitudes, apparently negating the above
explanation for their differing occurrence on the North American
East Coast. Furthermore, the Common Greenshank breeding popu-

128

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

REDSHANK AND GREENSHANK

lation in Scandanavia is more than twice that of Spotted Redshank,
and most greenshanks migrate just as far to get to their wintering
grounds (Snow and Perrins 1998). Thus, these two species would be
expected to occur with roughly equal frequency on the North
American Atlantic Coast. Indeed, in Greenland this seems to be the
case with one record per species (Olsen 1987, Rasmussen 1997); in
Iceland, Spotted Redshanks have been seen six times and Common
Greenshanks at least ten times (Y. Kolbeinsson, pers. comm.). The
frequency of Spotted Redshank occurrence on North America’s
Atlantic Coast is therefore greater than expected. Obviously another
factor is at work.

An intriguing possibility is that most eastern North American
Spotted Redshanks come from Asia. Supportive arguments run along
two veins: first, East Coast Spotted Redshank records are unexpected¬
ly more numerous than those of Common Greenshank and Common
Redshank (Tringa totanus); second, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris
acuminata) and Red-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis) also seem to
show a pattern of travelling to the North American East Coast from
breeding grounds in Siberia via the North American interior.

Common Redshanks breed as close to North America as Iceland
and are highly migratory (Hayman et al. 1986). Furthermore, the
Icelandic breeding population of Common Redshank is greater than
the entire European breeding population of Spotted Redshank
(Snow and Perrins 1998), and Greenland has eight records of
Common Redshank to one record of Spotted Redshank (Rasmussen
1997, A.T. Mjos, pers. comm.). Thus, in eastern North America one
would expect Common Redshank to occur much more frequently
than Spotted Redshank, if Spotted Redshanks were actually coming
from the east (i.e., Europe), yet the only accepted North American
records of Common Redshank come from Newfoundland during
April and May 1995 and during March and April 1999 (Mactavish
1996; Birders Journal 8:69). Spotted Redshanks arriving on the East
Coast during fall by flying eastward from Asia would help explain
this difference.

Is there precedence for such trans-North American vagrancy by
Asian birds? Quite probably. Red-necked Stints and Sharp-tailed
Sandpipers are the only shorebirds that are both vagrants in Great
Britain and recurrent vagrants along both coasts of North America.
If one assumes that eastern North American records represent birds
that crossed the Atlantic by flying west, then one would expect the
number of records from heavily birded Great Britain to be equal to
or larger than those from eastern North America. However, Sharp¬
tailed Sandpipers have been recorded 17 times in eastern North
America between 1982 and 1994 but only 23 times in Great Britain
and Ireland in all years prior to 1997 (Mlodinovy and O’Brien 1996,
Vinicombe and Cottridge 1996). More dramatically, East Coast
North American Red-necked Stints total about 18 (prior to 1995)
whereas records from Great Britain and Ireland total only four prior
to 1997 (Mlodinow and O’Brien 1996, Vinicombe and Cottridge
1996). As with Spotted Redshank, there are several records of both of
these species from the North American interior to fill the gap
between the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts (Mlodinow and O’Brien
1996). Therefore, Red-necked Stint and Sharp-tailed Sandpiper like¬
ly provide a precedent for fall shorebird vagrancy from Asia to east¬
ern North America via a flightpath headed east.

SUMMARY

Spotted Redshanks and Common Greenshanks are highly sought
vagrants in North America, and decades of birding have begun to
elucidate their patterns of wandering. The Arctic-breeding Spotted
Redshank has occurred predominantly as a migrant on the Pacific

Table 2. Common Greenshank Records in North America*

Location _J _ Date 1 Source

II Alaska _ _

St. Paul 1.(4)

5/29/62 (w/2 thru 6/3)

Sladcn 1966

Attu I.

6/8/72

A/126: 796

Buldirl.

5/15/74

Byrd et al. 1978

Shcmya I.

5/15/75

At 129: 895

Buldir I.

6/5/75

A/129: 1019

Buldir 1. (2)

9/4/75

AB 30: 111

Shcmya 1.(15)

5/16-31/76

Byrd et al. 1978

Alaid I. (2)

5/17/76

Byrdctal. 1978

Buldirl.

5/19-6/12/76

Byrdctal. 1978

Attu I. (4)

5/21-26/76

Byrdetal. 1978

Alaid I.

5/23-24/76

Byrd et al. 1978

Amchitka 1. (3)

5/30/76

Byrdctal. 1978

Buldir 1.

7/14-8/6/76

AB30: 991/AB31: 21 1

St. Paul 1.

6/4/77

A/131: 1016

Shemya 1.

5/15/78

Byrdetal. 1978

Agattu I.

9/6/78

AB33:205

Shemya I.

9/6/78

AB 33:205

Attu I.

5/20-27/79

L. Batch, pers. comm.

Attu 1.

5/20-31/80

L. Balch, pers. comm.

Attu I. (max:: 6)

5/22-31/81

L. Balch, pers. comm.

Attu I.

5/19/82

L. Balch, pers. comm.

Attu 1.

5/16-6/2/83

L. Balch, pers. comm.

Attu I. (max:: 4)

5/21-31/84

L. Balch, perss. comm.

Shemya 1. (4)

5/24-25/84

AB 38: 947

Gambell

5/31-6/1/84

AB38: 947

St. Paul I.

1st half June 1985

AB39:952

Attu I.

5/22-6/5/86

L. Balch, pers. comm.

St. George I. (2)

8/15/86

AB41: 131

St. Paul I.

8/31/86

AB40: 156

i Attu I. (max: 5)

5/18-6/6/87

L. Balch, pers. comm.

Shemya I.

5/21 & 23/87

AB41:477

Adakl.

5/22-23/87

AB41:477

St. Paul 1.(4)

5/29-6/4/87

AB41:477

Gambell

5/22-27/87

AB41:477

Gambell

6/1/87

AB4 1:477

Attu I. (2)

5/21-28/89

AB43: 525

Attul. (max:4)

5/22-31/91

L. Balch, pers. comm.

Attu I.

5/25-6/4/92

L. Balch, pers. comm.

Attu I.

5/19-25/94

FN 48: 330

Adak I.

5/19/94

FN48: 330

Gambell

6/4/95

FN 49: 292

Attu I.

5/28/96

L. Balch, pers. comm.

Gambell

6/1/96

FN 50: 3 1 9

St. Paul I.

6/7/96

FN50:319

St. Pauli.

7/1/96

FN 50:984

Attu I. (2)

5/25-28/97

L. Balch, pers. comm.

St. Pauli.

8/23/97

FN 52: 109

non-Alaska

Barbados

3/12/80

Hutt et al. 2000

Barbados

10/3/80

Huttet al. 2000

Riverhead, NF

12/3/83-2/2/85

Savard 1993

Cherry Hill, NS

9/24-10/1/88

AB 43: 56

Barbados

10/9/90

Hutt et al. 2000

St. Gedeon, PQ

5/1-3/93

Savard 1993

Barbados

11/18-19/96

Hutt etal. 2000

*A report by Audubon of three together, one of which was collected, is hypothetical

at best ( Stevenson and Anderson 1994). Rafifaele et al. ( 1998) refer to a record

from Puerto Rico, but the specifics are not available.

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE Z

129

and Atlantic coasts, though inland sightings indicate that this species
might be found anywhere on the continent. Furthermore, circum¬
stantial evidence implies that many of inland and Atlantic Coast
birds found during autumn come from Asia, not Europe. Spring
records hint that birders in the New World might be missing some
wintering Spotted Redshanks.

On the other hand, Common Greenshank’s occurrence is much
more limited with the preponderance of records from Beringia and a
small minority from eastern Canada and the West Indies. The more
restricted pattern of Common Greenshank vagrancy is likely due, in
part, to its more southerly breeding range in Asia. Future records
outside of Beringia are likely to remain scarce and probably will be
mostly confined to eastern Canada, the West Indies, and perhaps
New England.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This article would not have been possible without the kind help of a num¬
ber of active birders. I am especially indebted to those who graciously
agreed to review the manuscript in toto: P.A. Buckley, Jon Dunn, Paul
Lehman, Guy McCaskie, and Ian McLaren.

Helpful information was also provided by Keith Arnold, Margaret Bain,
Larry Balch, Colin Bradshaw, Ned Brinkley, David Christie, Fer-Jan de Vries,
Steven Feldstein, Dan Gibson, Michel Gosselin, Yann Kolbeinsson, Greg
Lasley, Harry LeGrand, Bruce Mactavish, Alf Tore Mjos, Bill Montevecchi,
Herbert Raffaele, and P.W. Smith.

LITERATURE CITED

Alcorn, J.R. 1988. The Birds of Nevada. Fairview West Publishing, Fallon,
Nevada.

Axtell, H.H., P. Benham, and J.E. Black. 1977. Spotted Redshank sighted in
Ontario. Canadian Field-Naturalist 91:90-91.

Bull, J.L. 1974. Birds of New York State. Cornell University Press, Ithaca,

New York.

BirdBase “SS BirdArea

Nearly all the ABA birders reporting life lists over 6000 who use
computers use our software. It is the software most widely used by
all those over the 1400 bird threshold. Why? Because it lets them
easily keep track of birds seen and also helps them see new birds
with its ability to list the birds of any major world area, labeling all
endemics and birds previously seen in the area, outside it, or both.
View an on-screen demonstration at http://members.aol.com/sbsp/

BirdBase can switch between displaying all the birds in James Clements' world list or
any selection of them, when recording sightings. It accepts 5000-word sighting notes.
And it instantly updates any number of annual/life lists (e.g., yard, county, state,
nation, ABA region/area, world). These can give details of all sightings or of only each
bird's first sighting, or just name birds seen. BirdBase can list all sightings of a bird,
list in date-order all trips or first sightings of all birds, tabulate Christmas counts, etc.

It handles all changes in the world list, and puts them in sightings already recorded.

BirdArea can list in detail the range of any bird. And it can produce check lists of the
birds of all major world areas (i.e., U.S. states, Canadian provinces, nations, ABA
regions/areas, important islands) with endemics labeled. Printouts allow multiple
check marks and notes. Shawneen Finnegan's annually-updated ranges come from
more than 700 publications in 10 languages and from many experts birding the areas.

If BirdBase is used BirdArea can label birds already seen on each check list, make lists
of birds not already seen, and find any recorded sighting in which a bird is outside its
known range. If BirdArea is used BirdBase can switch to displaying only birds whose
ranges include any of the world areas when recording sightings of a trip to that area.
This makes recording very much easier and calls to attention out-of-range sightings.

BirdBase is $59.95 + $4.00 shipping; so is BirdArea. Buy both for $99.95 + $6.00.

Or start with BirdBase and N. American birds for $39.95 + $3.00. Add 8% for CA
orders. Double overseas shipping. Visa, MasterCard OK. For Windows 3.X, 9X, NT.

Santa Barbara Software Products

1400 Dover, S.B. CA 93103 USA; Phone/fax; 805 963 4886; E-mail: sbsp@aol.com

Brazil, M.A. 1991. The Birds of Japan. Smithsonian Institution Press,
Washington, D.C.

Byrd, G.V., D.D. Gibson, and D.L. Johnson. 1974. The Birds of Adak Island,
Alaska. Condor 7 6:288-300.

Byrd, G.V., J.L. Trapp, and D.D. Gibson. 1978. New information on Asiatic
birds in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Condor 80:309-315.

Conway, R.A. 1992. Field-Checklist of Rhode Island Birds, 2nd ed. Audubon
Society of Rhode Island, Smithfield, Rhode Island.

Cramp, S., and K.E.L. Simmons, eds. 1983. The Birds of the Western
Palearctic, vol. 3. Oxford University Press.

Flint, V.E., R.L. Boehme, Y.V. Kostin, and A.A. Kuznetsov. 1984. A Field
Guide to Birds of the USSR. Princeton University Press.

Fullerton, S. 1997. Shorebirds. Nova Scotia Birds 40:14.

Gibson, D.D. 1981. Migrant birds at Shemya Island, Aleutian Islands, Alaska.
Condor 83:65-77.

Hayman, P., J. Marchant, and T. Prater. 1986. Shorebirds. Houghton Mifflin
Co., Boston.

Hutt, M.B., H.F. Hutt, P.A. Buckley, E.B. Massiah, M.D. Frost, and

F.G. Buckley. 2000. The Birds of Barbados, West Indies. B.O.U. Check-list
No. xx. British Ornithologists’ Union (in press).

James, R.D. 1983. Ontario Bird Records Committee report for 1982. Ontario
Birds 1:7-15.

Jonsson, L. 1993. Birds of Europe. Princeton University Press.

Leek, C.F. 1984. The Status and Distribution of New Jersey’s Birds. Rutgers
University Press New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Mactavish, B. 1996. Common Redshank in Newfoundland.

Birding 28:302-307.

Mlodinow, S.G., and M. O’Brien. 1996. America’s 100 Most Wanted Birds.
Falcon Press, Helena, Montana.

Oberholser, H.C. 1974. The Bird Life of Texas. University of Texas Press,
Austin.

Olsen, K.M. 1987. Sjaeldne fugle i Danmark og Gronland i 1985. Dansk orn.
Foren. Tidsskr. 81: 109-120.

Paulson, D. 1993. Shorebirds of the Pacific Northwest. University of
Washington Press, Seattle.

Peterjohn, B.G. 1989. The Birds of Ohio. Indiana University Press,
Bloomington, Indiana.

Post, W., and S.A. Gauthreaux, Jr. 1989. Status and
Distribution of South Carolina Birds. Charleston
Museum, South Carolina.

Raffaele, H., J. Wiley, O. Garrido, A. Keith, and
J. Raffaele. 1998. A Guide to the Birds of the West
Indies. Princeton University Press.

Rasmussen, P.A.F. 1997. Sjaeldne fugle i Danmark
og Gronland i 1995 og 1996. Dansk orn. Foren.
Tidsskr. 91:133-150.

Savard, G. 1993. The first record of Common
Greenshank for Quebec. Birders Journal 3:
190-194.

Sladen, W.J.L. 1966. Additions to the avifauna of the
Pribilof Islands, Alaska, including five species
new to North America. Auk 83:130-135.

Snow, D.W., and C.M. Perrins, eds. 1998. The Birds
of the Western Palearctic: Concise edition.

Oxford University Press.

Stevenson, H.M. and B.H. Anderson. 1994. The
Birdlife of Florida. University of Florida Press,
Gainesville.

Texas Ornithological Society. 1995. Checklist of the
Birds of Texas, 3rd ed. Texas Ornithological
Society, Austin.

Tufts, R.W. 1986. Birds of Nova Scotia, 3rd ed.

Nimbus Publishing Ltd., Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Veit, R.R., and W.R. Petersen. 1993. Birds of

Massachusetts. Massachusetts Audubon Society,
Boston.

Vinicombe, K. And D.M. Cottridge. 1996. Rare Birds
in Britain and Ireland. HarperCollins Publishers,
London.

130

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

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CORRIGENDA

Spring 1 999 North American Birds
(Volume 53, No. 1)

Changing Seasons report:

On page 18, the Oldsquaw
concentration was at Point Beach,
Wisconsin (not Iowa).

In the table on page 18 and
in the Hudson-Delaware report
(p. 37), the 40 Franklin's Gulls
reported from Cape May,

November 1 4, 1 998, is inclusive of
the 28 tallied that day
at the Avalon Seawatch.

Summer 1 998 Field Notes
(Volume 52, No. 2)

On pages 1 50 and 155 of the Bristle¬
thighed Curlew article, references
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VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

131

changing seasons

The Winter Season ,

December 1 998 through February 1 999

DAVID P. MUTH *

naccustomed as I am to writing this report, I spent a little time
perusing the last 20 years of “Changing Seasons.” In that time
its writers, led by the perspicacious Kenn Kaufman, who wrote half
those reports, made observations upon virtually every trend and
facet of this continent’s birdlife. I find little room for the startling
and original insights that I might have discerned in these tea leaves,
the Regional Reports, scattered before me. Just so. Perhaps, instead
of attempting to offer insights which I don’t have, I’ll concentrate on
framing some questions.

GLOBAL WARMING: SAVE YOUR PREDICTIONS

It is customary to begin this essay with a summation of the conti¬
nent’s weather. First, though, a slight digression. When it comes to
the weather, we humans definitely don’t take the long view. Our
memories are short. The perspective obtained for a person during
even a keenly observed lifetime affords little to go on, a tiny snippet
from the long cyclic story of our planet’s climate. The meteorologi¬
cal establishment isn’t very helpful. Detailed, daily, continent-wide
records have only been kept for about a century, yet from that paltry
database, the planners of our destiny have planted in the language
such preposterous terms as “hundred-year storm” or “hundred-year
flood.”

Climatologists, looking at global accumulations of minute tem¬
perature changes and analyzing them against a host of variables with
complex and powerful computer models, have concluded that we are
undergoing anthropogenic global warming. They are almost certain¬
ly right. But from that, aren’t we much too quick to conclude, after a
few mild winters, that we are in the momentary and tangible grip of
global warming? Never mind that the climatologists have warned us
that the real effect will be gradual and chaotic with some areas as like¬
ly to experience colder, more severe winters as warmer ones.

As most of us have emerged from a third consecutive mild win¬
ter, it behooves us to remember that we know nothing about the
weather (relatively speaking), and we ain’t seen nothing yet. Recall
that 1995-1996 produced the “mother of all prairie winters” and
buried the northeast in snow, or that in December of 1989 ice
formed along the littoral of the Gulf of Mexico from Texas to
Florida. It was just fifteen short years ago, while we were deep into
this period of global warming, that we were talking about a “Siberian
Express” and ducking for cover.

Last winter was mild virtually everywhere. The dissent came
from the Pacific Coast, where Southern California experienced
“slightly cooler than expected temperatures,” and Oregon-Washing-
ton, where temperatures were near normal but the overcast and rain
made it “seem quite gloomy and cold.” Alaska had a mild December,

* 365 Canal Street, Suite 2400, New Orleans, LA 701 30 (david_muth@nps.gov)

but then it got very, very cold. There were, of course, brief cold spells
in Canada and the northern states, but mild conditions and open
water were the norm far to the north. In the east precipitation was
either not mentioned or was reported to be above normal. The
plains and mountains saw mixed snowfall totals. The southwest was
generally dry. The northern Pacific coast was stormy and wet. Hawaii
saw a break in its drought, but precipitation remained below normal
on the main islands. (There, I got through the weather without
resorting to Spanish.)

FACULTATIVE, OBLIGATE, AND WHAT OF IT?

In a mild winter, facultative migrants tarry amidst unexpected plen¬
ty. Birds whose southward, or coastward, or downhill migrations are
driven by diminishing resources (insects, or seeds on bare ground, or
fish in open water) are able to remain north, or inland, or up in the
mountains. Obligate migrants — whose migratory urges are primal,
driven by their genes — don’t linger even though there are unexpect¬
ed resources. They depart for points south, usually in the
Neotropics, because they’ve evolved doing that and have therefore
not evolved defenses for dealing with Nearctic winters. If they fail to
migrate or migrate to the wrong place (become vagrants), it is
because they are defective. In a normal winter they perish, but they
can often survive well into a mild winter, at least long enough to be
found by a birder.

That is one way, one oversimplified way, of looking at winter
birds. It doesn’t explain everything. Some species don’t fit easily into
either category. Why do some Great Egrets cling tenaciously to the
last ice-free pond to the north while others have long since made the
450-mile journey across the Gulf of Mexico and still others subsist
nicely at points in between? Indeed, why this last January were
American Robins still abundant around the Great Lakes while six
were found winging out over the Gulf of Mexico, over 100 miles
south of the nearest land in Louisiana?

LINGERING AND NOT LEAVING (OR ARRIVING) AT ALL

If you were looking for lingering facultative migrants, it was a great
year. There was widespread mention of loons, American White
Pelicans, Sandhill Cranes, a range of waterfowl, shorebirds, doves,
swallows, wrens, mimids, and sparrows. For the most part the irrup-
tives (what we might call the grudging facultative migrants — north¬
ern hawks and owls, Red-breasted Nuthatches, and winter finches)
generally stayed wherever it is they call home (somewhere, way up
there, home to few birders). Golden-crowned Kinglet numbers were
somewhat up in parts of the lowland west and southwest, and both
Northern Shrike and Bohemian Waxwing made good showings in
several regions. But on the whole irruptive species did not confound
our expectations with a big show in a mild winter.

132

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

A FEW BRIGHT SPOTS IN THE WINTER LANDSCAPE

Among the group of largely obligate migrants, wood warblers made
an exceptional showing. Excluding West Indian species and not
counting the recently promoted (to its own family) Olive Warbler,
there were 42 species of warblers mentioned in the Regional Reports.
Not only were the “hardiest” species, Orange-crowned, Yellow-
rumped, Fine, Palm, and Common Yellowthroat, found lingering well
north and inland, but normally Neotropical winterers (obligate
migrants) were well represented. Rather than list all of the lingerers
reported this season, the vireos, grosbeaks, buntings, tanagers, and
orioles. I’ll look instead more closely at the warblers as a representa¬
tive group.

It follows that the suite of species that winter relatively far north in
Mexico or the West Indies — and are thus regular in the southernmost
United States — could be expected to have lingered far north and
inland in this mild winter, and they did. I made a rough count that
turned up 13 Nashvilles, three Northern Parulas, five Yellows, five
Cape Mays, seven Black-throated Blues, one Black-throated Green,
eight Yellow-throateds, six Prairie, numerous Black-and-whites, five
American Redstarts, five Ovenbirds, three Northern Waterthrushes,
and six Wilson’s north of the Gulf or southeast Atlantic coasts and east
of the Great Plains. Many of these species also turned up, as expected,
in the Southwest or on the West Coast, primarily in California, but
with strays of some species north to British Columbia. (The exception
was Yellow-throated, not surprisingly unrecorded in the west this
winter). A Prairie in Montana and a Wilson’s in Idaho were outside
this pattern, strictly speaking, as were late fall Northern Parula and
American Redstart in Colorado. The western-only warblers —
Virginia’s, Lucy’s, Black-throated Gray, Townsend’s, Hermit, and
MacGillivray’s — were well represented, more or less in the expected
western haunts. With the exception of two Hermits in Texas and real¬
ly exceptional MacGillivray’s in New York and Florida, most of these
did not stray. All fell into a predictable pattern for a mild winter, but
the number, variety, and distribution were nevertheless impressive.

There is another suite of species that winter almost exclusively in
South America and are exceedingly rare or unknown in North
America after the end of fall migration. Four species fitting this cate¬
gory were reported this season. Two Blackburnians were found in
California, with one seen into late January, representing the fourth
and fifth in “winter” for that state where the species has been reliably
recorded in that season more often than in the rest of the states com¬
bined. A Bay-breasted in Nova Scotia January 4 belies known patterns
and was surely a defective bird that lucked out. A very late Blackpoll
in Maine December 19 was probably a straggling defective; and I don’t
know what to make of the report of a male in alternate plumage
December 22 in South Carolina. Finally, in the really late category, a
Canada was seen in California December 10. 1 do not believe there are
any re-verifiable winter records of either Blackpoll or Canada for the
United States or Canada, and there is only a tiny number for
Blackburnian and Bay-breasted (though many are reported, few are
proven).

A third suite of warblers winters in Mexico and Central America
but is relatively under-recorded in the southern United States. This
group was very well represented last winter. An exceedingly late Blue¬
winged was in Massachusetts December 5. Outside of south Florida,
Blue-winged just doesn’t linger much in the United States; thus, a bird
found in Arizona December 20 was amazing. Given the abundance of
Tennessees and their not particularly southerly wintering range, it
turns out to be a very rare winterer except in coastal California where
four were found. Elsewhere, two were in Texas and one each was in
Louisiana and, exceptionally, Arkansas. Chestnut-sided is another

species surprisingly rare in the east outside of south Florida but
expected in the southwest (three in Arizona and two in California).
The exceptional individual was seen in North Carolina December 19,
but even one in Jacksonville, Florida, was noteworthy. Magnolia is
similarly quite rare outside of Florida in the east. None were reported
east, but two were rarities in California, and the prize goes to an indi¬
vidual in British Columbia December 20.

Others in this group of surprisingly scarce winterers made appear¬
ances. Two Prothonotaries were in Texas and one was in California.
Single Worm-eating Warblers were in Arizona and California. A
Louisiana Waterthrush in Arizona was on the periphery of the west
Mexico wintering range. This species is really rare (and poorly docu¬
mented) in winter in the southeast. The lone report last winter was
from Florida. Want to find a wintering Kentucky? Go
to . . . California where individuals in early December and mid-March
bookended the season. The final entry in this category just squeezed
in — two Hoodeds lingering in Texas.

A few warbler odds and ends will round out the group. I left out
Yellow-breasted Chat because of its anomalous wintering: it seems to
be more common on the northeastern Atlantic Coast than anywhere
else. So, too, this season when the tally was one each in Arizona and
Florida, a very good showing of four in Louisiana, but eleven between
Washington, D.C., and Newfoundland. Most surprising, though, was
a bird in Chicago. Inexplicably, Pine strayed westward with individu¬
als in both Dakotas, two in Colorado, one each in New Mexico and
Arizona, and a fall holdover in California. The border specialties were
well represented: Tropical Parula in Texas, an outstanding Grace’s in
northern California, Painted Redstarts in New Mexico and California,
and, best of all, one Rufous-capped in Texas and two in Arizona.

This somewhat labored analysis helps to elucidate the nature of
one of migration’s mysterious characteristics. Why do different
species respond so differently under similar circumstances? Why are
some species found year after year, in varying numbers, in some places
and not others? It will also, I hope, open the eyes of a few serious bird¬
ers to whom these patterns have not been apparent, cause them to
take a second look, and realize that rarity is relative. Birds that winter
almost exclusively in South America, for instance, including more
than just the warblers mentioned, should be thoroughly documented
when found here in winter. The fact that Bay-breasted is an abundant
fall migrant has no bearing on the likelihood of its being found in
winter.

TRENDS AND TREND-SETTERS

Several species of geese have been rearranging their distribution pat¬
terns for a couple of decades, and this winter did not buck the trend.
While burgeoning populations of Snow Geese grab the headlines,
Greater White-fronted Geese continue to colonize the east, quite pos¬
sibly from Greenland as well as points west. Ross’s Geese, once con¬
sidered exciting anywhere east of California or coastal Texas, are now
becoming expected anywhere that Snow Geese winter. Smaller races
of Canada Geese have been spreading eastward from Texas up into
Louisiana along with Ross’s Geese for a decade, occupying the range
abandoned by the once abundant, but now completely short-
stopped, large Canadas. This year, several individuals of the smaller
races, identified as both hutchinsii and minima, were reported from
the Atlantic Coast. Stay tuned to what promises to be the next chap¬
ter in goose distribution.

If it weren’t for the ability to comb through flocks of geese and
gulls most winters, how would many birders spend their time? Even
in this mild winter gulls were scrutinized, and it paid off. Following on
the fall invasion and surviving into the mild winter, Franklin’s Gulls,

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

133

which ought to be in South America, were everywhere. California
Gulls were very well represented eastward. The Thayer’s/
Kumlien’s/Iceland complex continued to give observers fits, but
what’s new? Problematic Slaty-backed-like gulls were reported east
and west, stirring much debate, as did potential European Herring
Gulls on the east coast. The east coast was studded with Black-tailed
Gulls, and one was all the way down in Brownsville. Yet another Kelp
Gull was found, this one in Maryland. Topping the list, a Gray-hood-
ed (=Gray-headed) Gull (Lams cirrocephalus) was reported for the
first time in North America, in Apalachicola, Florida, December 26. It
joins a list of South American gulls — Gray, Belcher’s, and Kelp along
the Gulf of Mexico, and Swallow- tailed in California — that have
somehow gotten here. The mystery deepens, and the debate must
rage.

Two decades ago, a few demented individuals in coastal Texas and
southeast Louisiana began transforming their winter gardens into
hummingbird attractors in the hopes of enticing what were thought
to be rare jewels from the west and south. Did it work? Oh my. From
those small outbreaks, the dementia spread, and this last winter
there were hummingbird reports from most regions. To put it into
perspective, four Broad-billed Hummingbirds were banded in
Louisiana last winter. Read the account of the death of a Rufous in
Massachusetts. I might offer my own take: leave up your feeders if
you wish — a hummingbird will no more be prevented from migrat¬
ing by a syrup feeder than will a Chipping Sparrow by a seed feeder.
But let’s use our influence to stop well-meaning but ill-conceived
interventions. Free-flying hummingbirds should not be captured
and transported, and they should not be caged through the winter.
These activities are not only illegal, they are also of dubious value to
individuals and are deleterious to populations.

A FEW OF THE REASONS WE DO IT

Here is a sampling of some choice morsels: Black-browed Albatross
off Virginia (in February!); Short-tailed Albatross off California and
British Columbia; Purple Heron and Gray Herons from Barbados; a
(possibly wild) Whooper Swan from Massachusetts; Long-billed
Murrelet in Rhode Island and Ancient Murrelet in Massachusetts;
Common Redshank in Newfoundland; Black-tailed Godwit from
Prince Edward Island; Northern Wheatear in Ohio; Fieldfare and
Redwing from Newfoundland; Sky Larks of possible Asiatic origin
and Rustic Bunting in Washington; holdover Hooded Oriole in
Quebec; and belated fall reports of Southern Lapwing and Wood
Sandpiper from the West Indies.

EUROTRASH AND OTHER DOVES

The Eurasian Collared-Dove phenomenon continues to sweep
across the continent like a forest fire, spotting ahead of the main
conflagration by hundreds of miles. In those areas of Miami where
lawn is the dominant life form, 1 saw a vision of what may be the
future for the rest of us. Eurasian Collared-Doves has become the
dominant free-living vertebrate (in terms of biomass). The reason is
hinted at in the Florida report: they have now been found breeding
in every month except January.

From another direction other doves are staging for what looks to
be their own explosive expansions. White-winged Dove numbers on
the Gulf Coast have increased exponentially over the last two years.
They are showing up in ones and twos all over the place elsewhere,
but one has to wonder — are the really big numbers coming? Inca
Doves are making a slower, more deliberate infiltration, but they are
expanding slowly and surely through the central Gulf states. Get
ready.

PERSPECTIVE IS EVERYTHING

While perusing the Texas report, my eyes had all but skimmed over
the offhand mention of a Chihuahan Raven at Texas Point, Jefferson
County, Feb. 10. Something, perhaps the letters “U.T.C.” caused me
to look again, and then it hit me: Chihuahuan Raven at Texas Point!
But, but, Texas Point is just across the Sabine River from Louisiana!
I have spent the last twenty years combing the cheniers of Cameron
Parish, on my side of the Sabine, hoping to discover the next stray
from west or south, the next Tropical Parula or Red-faced Warbler,
the next Hooded Oriole or Blue Bunting. They will all come to
Cameron eventually. But in that time, among all the species I’ve fan¬
tasized about, I don’t believe the possibility of Chihuahuan Raven
ever occurred to me. And yet, from the perspective of my peers
across the river, the Louisiana border was just a minor range exten¬
sion. No big deal, not even boldfaced. New vistas open.

For a week in January a Crested Caracara was observed in
Plymouth, Massachusetts. I will not quibble with the conclusion
that, “given the non-migratory nature” of this species, the record will
probably not pass muster. Given our understanding of migration,
Caracara certainly seems sedentary. But nobody told the four
Caracaras out of place in Arizona this winter, including one seen fly¬
ing over Phoenix, nor did they tell the two seen flying along the coast
in Cameron, Louisiana. Perhaps our perspective on migration is
about like our perspective on the weather — we are trying to draw big
conclusions from small data sets. Maybe some species go through
slow changes, cycling from sedentary to migratory. That is the way it
begins to look to me: as one sedentary species after another shows
up far afield — Xantus’ Hummingbird in British Columbia, Gray
Silky- flycatcher in California, or Chestnut-backed Chickadee in
Alberta — I begin to wonder about the reality of “sedentary species.”
Maybe all of these sightings can be explained by recourse to some
form of human intervention. But maybe not. After all, at some point
in the past Crested Caracara colonized Florida. And remember those
early “escapee” Ruddy Ground-Doves in Arizona? There were sixteen
seen there this winter, and the species has been removed from the
Arizona Review List.

FINALLY . . .

It has recently been observed that with the creation of an anthro¬
pogenic climate, we have witnessed the end of nature. This develop¬
ment will pass unheeded by birds: they must, and will, be about their
business. As I composed some of this essay, I was able on occasion to
click a few buttons on my computer and see almost live doppler
radar images of birds streaming northward over my head, putting an
end to another winter. These spring migrants are returning to a
landscape tortured by our machinery and poisoned by our chemi¬
cals, their habitat washed away in the tide of our recent affluence, its
fragments invaded by the exotic creatures of our tinkering and
broiled by ultraviolet light. As we contemplate what we have
wrought, we need to remember that birds will be about their busi¬
ness. Our business, as contributors to North American Birds, is to do
the best job we can to make this a valuable record of our continent’s
avian life. More of us are reporting birds than ever before, but most
of what gets reported is lost in the ephemera of the internet. We need
to re-double our efforts to make this the permanent record and to
make sure that it is a clean, accurate, and complete record.

134

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

ABA-SPONSORED BIDDING TOURS

If you are Interested in an ABA-sponsored tour listed here, please contact the tour company directly
for information AND reservations. IDENTIFY YOURSELF AS AN ABA MEMBER. ABA sponsors these tours
because many factors suggest a particularly fine blrding experience and because the tour operators
have agreed to return to ABA a percentage of the tour's cost for participating ABA members.

Antarctica

ANTARCTICA, SOUTH GEORGIA,
and FALKLAND ISLANDS

Cruise for birders only aboard the M/S Explorer
featuring penguin colonies, sea and land birds
of the Antarctica, and sub-Antarctica regions.
Leaders Victor Emanuel, Steve Hilty, and Greg

Lasley.January 22-February 9, 2000. Code OB*

Contact: Shirley Ander or Greg Lopez,

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours, P. O. Box
33008, Austin, TX 78764; (800) 328-VENT;
fax (512) 328-2912; VENTBIRD@aol.com

Africa

ZIMBABWE AND BOTSWANA

Birding safari through the wildlands of south¬
ern Africa; Save Conservancy and Gonarezhou
National Park in Zimbabwe’s Lowveld, the
mountain forest at Chirinda, miombo wood¬
land near Harare, and Victoria Falls. Tented
safari from Chobe in Savuti and Moremi in
Botswana. High standard of accommodation.
Led by Derek Solomon and Chuck Bell.
September 24-October 14, 1999. Code A*

Contact: Bellbird Safaris, Inc. P.O.B. 158,
Livermore, CO 80536; (800) 726-0656;
fax (970) 498-9766; bellbird@jymis.com

KENYA

Private tenting safari visiting Meru NP, Mt.
Kenya, Laikipia Plains, Lake Baringo and Maasai
Mara. Expect 400-500 bird species plus fifty
mammals.. Led by Peter Alden, a charter mem¬
ber of ABA. March 1-16, 2000. Code R/A*

Contact: Lauren Woodhouse, Siemer &

Hand Travel, 750 Battery Street, Suite 300,
San Francisco, CA 94111; ( 800 ) 45 1 -432 1

Asia/Middle East

ISRAEL AND JORDAN

Spring migration. Includes Eilat, Tiberias, Mt.
Hermon, Azraq Reserve, Petra, and Jerusalem.
Covers all the best natural and ancient biblical
sites. Led by Vernon Laux.

March 23-April 7, 2000. Code R/A*

Contact: Lauren Woodhouse, Siemer &.
Hand Travel, 750 Battery Street, Suite 300,
San Francisco, CA 94 1 1 1 ; ( 800) 45 1 -432 1

Caribbean, Mexico,

C. and S. America

GALAPAGOS, ECUADOR’S ANDES,

AND AMAZON BASIN

Travel to Galapagos on any of 60 trip dates
and see most endemics as well as huge seabird
breeding colonies. Options include Amazon

Basin, Machu Picchu, and Ecuador’s Andes.

Codes R* (Galapagos): A* (Extension)

Contact: Elizabeth Omski, Inca Floats, 1311-
ABA 63rd Street, Emeryville, CA 94608;

(510) 420-1550; fax (510) 420-0947;
incafloats@aol.com

COSTA RICA/PANAMA

Voyage aboard the Yorktown Clipper including
Curu Wildlife Refuge, Marenco Biological
Station, Darien Jungle, Panama Canal, plus two
days of land birding from San Jose for ABA
members only. ABA escort Henry Turner.
November 30-December 8, 1999. Code
GB/OB**

Contact: Keri Flowers, Clipper Cruise Line,
771 1 Benhomme Ave., St. Louis, MO
63105-1956; (800) 325-0010, ext. 174

MEXICO

Sonora: Sierra Madre for Lilac-crowned Parrot;
Mountain Trogon, Black-throated Magpie- Jay,
Purplish-backed Jay, Happy Wren. Led by
Forrest Davis. September 18-25, 1999- Code
R/A*

Contact: Forrest Davis at High Lonesome
Ecotours, 570 S. Little Bear Trail,

Sierra Vista, AZ 85635; (520) 458-9446;
hilone@hilonesome.com

Sonora: Sea of Cortez, Sierra Madre, and
Colonial Alamos. Expect 250+ species includ¬
ing Red-billed Tropicbird, Blue-footed Booby,
Lilac-crowned Parrot, Purplish-backed Jay,
Happy Wren, White-striped Woodcreeper,
Black-throated Magpie-Jay. Led by Forrest
Davis. October 5-16, 1999. Code R/A*

Contact: Forrest Davis at High Lonesome
Ecotours, 570 S. Little Bear Trail,

Sierra Vista, AZ 85635; (520) 458-9446;
hilone@hilonesome.com

ARGENTINA

Four major regions, including Tropical Lowland
Rainforest, Pampas, Patagonia, and Tierra del
Fuego. 360 species possible. Leader Michael
Carmody. September 19-October 2, 1999.
Code A*

Contact: Susan Carmody, Legacy Tours,

P.O. Box 12540, Olympia, WA 98508;

Tollfree phone/fax (888) 754-6186

BRAZIL

Amazon, Pantanal, Cerrado, and Iguassu Falls.
Harpy Eagle probable. Expect 350-500 species.
Leader Miguel Castelino.

September 15-October 3, 1999. Code R/A*

Contact: Doug Trent, Focus Tours Inc., 103
Moya Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505; (505) 466-
4688

TRINIDAD AND ORINOCO RIVER

Millennium cruise aboard the Yroktown Clipper
visiting Curacao, Bonaive, Isle Margarita,

Tobago, four days exploring the Orinoco River,
and Trinidad. ABA escort Bill Murphy, author of
A Birder’s Guide to Trinidad and Tobago. Bill
Murphy will also lead a special extension for
ABA members on Trinidad which includes three
nights at the Asa Wright Nature Center. Cruise
dates December 24, 1999-January 7, 2000.
Exttension dates January 7-11, 2000.

Cruise contact: Keri Flowers, Clipper Cruise
Line, 771 1 Bonhomme Avenue, St. Louis,

MO 63105; (800) 325-0010

Extension contact: Bill Murphy, 8625
Glengarry Ct., Indianapolis, IN 46236-8383;
(317) 826-2556

Hawaii, South Pacific,
and Australasia

HAWAII AND MIDWAY ISLAND

Complete coverage of endemic and introduced
species on all major Hawaiian Islands plus an
extension to recently opened Midway Island.
Leader Doug Pratt, author of Birds of Hawaii
and the Tropical Pacific.

October 18-November 7, 1999. Code A*

Contact: Dave Blanton, Voyagers, P.O. Box
915, Ithaca, NY 14851. (800) 633-0299;
vicki@voyagers.com

NEW ZEALAND

North, South, and Stewart Islands, plus three
offshore trips for coastal and pelagic species.
Expect more than 50 endemics in this land of
unique and endangered avifauna. Comfortable
accommodations. Led by Tony and Ken Wilson.
October 31-November 18, 1999. Code A*

Contact: Bellbird Safaris, Inc. P.O.B. 158,
Livermore, CO 80536; (800) 726-0656;
fax (970) 498-9766; bellbird@jymis.com

EUROPE

CANARY ISLANDS

Four- to seven-day tours, including pelagics and
owling. Target species include Eleanora’s and
Barbary Falcons, Hubara Bustard, and White¬
faced Storm-petrel. Nine endemic species plus
twelve endemic sub-species. Led by Eduardo
Garcia del Rey. Code A/I

Contact: Eduardo Garcia del Rey, Aves
Ecotours, c/Fdo. Barajas Vilchez 9, 38004 s/c
de Tenerife, Spain 011-34-922-27-99-58;
fax 011-34-922-22-16-69;
avescot@redkbs.com

*Tour Codes and **Cruise Codes:
are abbreviations for the following:

R = Relaxed
A = Advanced
I = Intensive
GB = General Birding
OB = Optimal Birding

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

1 3 5

SUBMITTING PHOTOGRAPHS
TO NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

The photographs that appear in the
regional reports in North American
Birds add much to the interest and
information value of this journal.
North American Birds does not pay for
the use of photographs in this area,
but we do provide the opportunity to
share your photos with thousands of
other active birders.

In each issue, about 20-25 of the
photos submitted with the regional
reports are selected to be printed in
color, in a feature called “Pictorial
Highlights.” Generally these are very
good photographs showing birds of
exceptional interest — either very rare
vagrants, or birds taking part in un¬
usual invasions or migrations.

The best way to submit photos to
North American Birds is to send them
to the appropriate regional editor. To
make things easier for these individu¬
als (and for us), please label all photos
clearly with the species, place, date,
and your name. In particular, print
your name legibly, as you would want
it to appear in the photo credit. We
also need to know the address to
which photographs should be return¬
ed. All photos will be returned (to the
regional editors or to the photogra¬
phers), but it may take several months
from the time they were submitted.

Either slides or prints can be
reproduced in North American Birds,
although given a choice we generally
prefer slides. Photographs of either
kind should be packaged so that they
will not be bent or crushed in the
mail. Prints should be labelled on the
back, but not with ballpoint pen,
which may damage the emulsion of
the photograph. If felt tip pens are
used for labelling, the prints should be
separated with sheets of paper so that
the ink from the back of one will not
rub off on the face of another photo.

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A 13 A Directory of Volunteer
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136

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

I

how to read the

regional

Birds have no respect for range maps.

Bird distribution in North America is
constantly changing, as birds expand their
ranges into new areas, disappear from for¬
mer strongholds, or alter their patterns of
migration.

Our knowledge of bird distribution is
also changing constantly, as discoveries
continue to come in. Keeping up with all
these developments is a challenge for orni¬
thologists, conservationists, and birders.

The Regional Reports, published four
times a year, contain a wealth of informa¬
tion about North America’s dynamic bird-
life. When seeing the reports for the first
time, they might appear difficult or techni¬
cal, but they are not; anyone with any bird-
ing experience will find the reports easy to
understand. We invite you to read the
report from your area of the continent; we
predict that the information there will alter¬
nately surprise you and confirm your ideas
about birdlife in your region. To help you
get started, here are answers to some ques¬
tions that may occur to first-time readers.

WHAT KIND OF INFORMATION
IS INCLUDED? DO THE REGIONAL
EDITORS JUST REPORT EVERY¬
THING THAT'S REPORTED TO
THEM?

Regional Editors do not report every sight¬
ing of every bird. Such a list would be huge,

reports

unwieldy, and not very useful. Instead, they
solicit reports from as many observers as
possible, screen the records for accuracy,
choose those that are most significant, look
for trends and patterns of occurrence, con¬
nect scattered bits of information, and ulti¬
mately come up with a concise, readable
summary of the real bird news — the impor¬
tant avian events and trends of the season
throughout their region.

WHY ARE THERE SO MANY
ABBREVIATIONS IN THE TEXT?

We abbreviate some frequently-used words
and phrases to save space. Most of these are
easy to understand and remember. (See the
list of abbreviations at the end of this sec¬
tion.) In addition to these standard abbre¬
viations, some Regional Editors use short¬
ened versions of the names of some birding
hot spots; they list these local abbreviations
in a separate paragraph, just after their
introductory comments and just before
their main species accounts.

WHAT DO THE INITIALS
IN PARENTHESES MEAN?

Most records published in each report will
be followed by initials, to indicate the
source: the person(s) who found or report¬
ed the bird(s) mentioned. The initials may
be followed by et al. (short for et alia , mean¬
ing “and others”), or preceded by fide (liter¬

ally, "by the faith of” — meaning that this is
a second-hand report, and the person ini¬
tialed is the one who passed it along to the
Regional Editor). A dagger (t) before the
initials means that this person turned in
written details on the sighting.

There are good reasons for giving credit
to the observers involved. Readers may be
reassured about the accuracy of surprising
sightings if they know who the observers
were; researchers who want to know more
about a certain record may be able to con¬
tact the observers directly. In some cases,
when a bird was seen by many birders, the
Regional Editor may add “v.o.” (for “various
observers”) or “m.ob.” (for “many obser¬
vers”) after the first sets of initials.

WHO ARE THE PEOPLE WHO
SEND IN THEIR SIGHTINGS?

All observers are invited to send in notes to
their Regional Editors: details on rare sight¬
ings, species that were scarcer or more
numerous than usual during the season,
unusual concentrations or migration, and
so on. Reading the reports for your region
for a few seasons is the best way to find out
what kinds of information are desired.
Although the Regional Editors cannot cite
every record that they receive, every
contributor helps them to produce a more
thorough and accurate summary.

WHY ARE SOME BIRD NAMES
IN HEAVIER OR BLACKER TYPE?

We use boldface type to draw attention to
outstanding records of rare birds. General
categories of birds that the Regional Editors
would place in boldface would include: any
species that has been recorded fewer than

(continued on page 138)

For more information
contact Brian Patteson, Inc.
P. O. Box 772 • Hatteras,
North Carolina 27943
(252) 986-1363
or visit us on the web
at http://www.patteson.com

NORTH CAROLINA ©OUMMCS AT ITS BEST

• Ply the Gulf Stream with the pros — Brian Patteson,

Ned Brinkley, Butch Pearce, Michael O’Brien, Todd McGrath,
George Armistead, and other knowledgeable, friendly leaders —
the best in the field.

• Brian Patteson, Inc. offers trips from both Oregon Inlet
and Hatteras Inlet with I 7 departures between July
and September 1999.

• Expect to see Black-capped Petrel, Audubon’s Shearwater,
Band-rumped Storm-Petrel, and Bridled Tern on most trips
with good chances for rare Pterodromas and tropiebirds.

• New for 1 999 — back to back White-faced Storm-Petrel
search trips from Oregon Inlet on August 22 and 23
and 29 and 30.

VOLUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 2

137

how to read the regional reports

STANDARD ABBREVIATIONS
USED IN THE REGIONAL
REPORTS

Abbreviations used
in place names

In most regions, place names given in
italic type are counties. Other abbrevia¬
tions:

Cr. Creek

Ft. Fort

Hwy Highway

I. Island or Isle

Is. Islands or Isles

Jet. Junction

km kilometer(s)

L. Lake

mi mile (s)

Mt. Mountain or Mount

Mts. Mountains

N.F. National Forest

N.M. National Monument

N.P. National Park

N.W.R. National Wildlife Refuge

P.P. Provincial Park

Pen. Peninsula

Pt. Point (not Port)

R. River

Ref. Refuge

Res. Reservoir (not Reservation)

S. P. State Park

W.M.A. Wildlife Management Area

Abbreviations used
in the names of birds:

Am. American

Com. Common

E. Eastern

Eur. Eurasian

Mt. Mountain

N. Northern

S. Southern

W. Western

Other abbreviations

and symbols referring to birds:

ad. adult

imm. immature

juv. juvenal or juvenile

sp. species

v.t. video-taped

t written details were

submitted for a sighting
a specimen was collected
CBC Christmas Bird Count

10 times previously in a given state or pro¬
vince; any new breeding record for a state
or province; or any bird totally outside
established patterns of seasonal occurrence.
(For the most part, records are not bold¬
faced unless they are backed up with solid
details or photographs.) Birders who like to
know about rare birds (and most of us do)
can get a complete rundown of the season’s
outstanding rarities by scanning all the
Regional Reports for those boldfaced birds.

WHY ARE SOME OF THE PLACE
NAMES IN ITALIC TYPE?

In most of the regional reports, place names
given in italic type refer to counties. (Italics
represent parishes in Louisiana, and in
parts of Ontario they may refer to districts
or regional municipalities.)

WHAT ARE THE BOXES
IN THE TEXT MARKED "SA"?

“SA” stands for “Special Attention” (and, by
coincidence, is pronounced “essay”). The
purpose of the boxed essays is to draw
attention to particularly noteworthy phe¬
nomena or trends.

Likely SA topics include new population
trends or new bird distribution patterns,
unusual invasions or migration events, field
research yielding new data, specific conser¬

vation problems that have an impact on
birdlife, or detailed discussion of an out¬
standing (or perplexing) rare bird record.
Experienced readers of North American
Birds make it a point to flip through all the
Regional Reports and read all the SAs, even
in regions where they do not read the rest of
the text.

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(after Harlingen Birding Festival) to Lenefiit TGS C-olor plate fund.

Leaders Paul Wood and Jack Eitmear

138

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

atlantic provinces region

IAN A. MCLAREN

inter began early and snow accumulat¬
ed in northern and elevated areas, but
La Nina’s gift to southeast Newfoundland
and much of the Maritimes was mild, often
rainy, weather. In those parts, many lakes
stayed open or froze episodically, and al¬
most no snow stayed in coastal areas. The
CBCs analyzed here will be mostly publish¬
ed only regionally. Unattributed sightings
are fide subregional compilers.

Abbreviations: CBI (Cape Breton /., NS); CSI
(Cape Sable /., NS); GMI (Grand Manan /., NB);
Lab. (Labrador); Maritimes (NB, NS, PEI com¬
bined); PEI (without locality. Prince Edward
Island); SPM (the French Islands of St.-Pierre-et-
Miquelon).

LOOMS THROUGH WATERFOWL

On CBCs loons and grebes remained above
average in s.e. New Brunswick and below in
Nova Scotia. Exceptional late-winter counts
of Com. Loons and Red-necked Grebes
around SPM probably reflected open
waters. As usual, a few Greater Shearwaters
lingered into early December around GMI
(BD). A few Double-crested Cormorants are
now routine in Nova Scotia; six post-CBC
birds off SPM and another Jan. 7 at Witless
Bay, NF, extended the trend. Again trendy
were 235 N. Gannets on Nova Scotia CBCs.
Despite the mild winter, unexceptional
numbers of Great Blue Herons survived in
Nova Scotia; a hardy one did so at Branch,
NF ( fide TB). Only ±10 Turkey Vultures
were noted in Nova Scotia, less than half last
winter’s total. Four were found in New
Brunswick, the latest Feb. 20 at Maces Bay.

Two imm. Greater White-fronted Geese

first noted Jan. 26 at Economy, NS (F. Spald¬
ing et al. ph.), flew off high n.w. in March,
seeming to confirm the unreliability of their
distinctly orange bills as a mark of Green¬
land origin. As usual, a few Gadwalls win¬
tered in Nova Scotia, but 25 at S. Rustico,
PEI, Feb. 7 (S. Tingley) were unprecedented.
About 10 female and three male Eur. Wig-
eons wintered around St. Johns, NF; the lone
female detected among six males in Nova
Scotia and one male in PEI suggests that
females are more difficult to find and to
identify than males. Numbers of Am. Black
Ducks were above average on Maritime
CBCs. Just as pleasing was the decline of
Mallards to 15% of the Am. Black Duck total
on New Brunswick CBCs (40% last year)
although they remained about the same
(17% vs. 15%) in Nova Scotia. A N. Shoveler
wintering at Spaniard’s Bay, NF, was unusu¬
al; a few in Nova Scotia less so. An outlying
concentration of N. Pintails has been winter¬
ing in St. John’s, NF, and numbered ±250
this year, including several hybrids with
Mallards (BMt); small numbers stayed in
PEI and Nova Scotia but, suggestively, a tran¬
sient 18 feeding on a rocky seashore Dec. 31
in Halifax, NS, included such a male hybrid
(IM). The usual scattering of Green-winged
Teals included about ten male Commons in
St. John’s, NF. Unusual in Nova Scotia were a
male Redhead Dec. 20-21 at Pomquet, and
two more plus a female from Jan. 1 on at
Trenton (CB, KM et al.). Fewer than usual
Ring-necked Ducks wintered in Nova Scotia;
two on SPM Dec. 7 (RE) were unexpected.
Tufted Ducks, now routine, included a
female through winter and a male briefly in
St. John’s, NF; four males and a female from
January on in Nova Scotia; and a male to
Dec. 6 at Dalhousie, NB, and another at
Saint John, NB, from Dec. 27 through its 3rd
winter, joined by a female in late January. An
apparent imm. male hybrid with Greater
Scaup in early January in Dartmouth, NS
(FL, IM et al.), did not stay for critical pho¬
tos of developing vermiculations (racially
distinct) that might have suggested an
Icelandic origin. Lesser Scaups continued
their upward trend in Nova Scotia but were
scarce elsewhere. About 75 Harlequin Ducks
on the Cape St. Mary’s, NF, CBC were the
most since the 1980s (BMt), an unprece¬
dented 14 were off St. Pierre, SPM, Feb. 14
(fide RE), and CBC totals rose further in

New Brunswick; the closed season may be
working. Scoter numbers on CBCs showed
no marked changes from last year’s. Both
goldeneyes remained exceptionally common
in n. New Brunswick’s open waters and con¬
tributed largely to the record CBC total of
361 Barrow’s. A Common x Barrow’s hybrid
Jan. 10 at Saint John, NB, may be the first
documented (fj. Wilson) for the Region.
Whereas Com. Eiders were rated “very low”
(DCu) on Nova Scotia CBCs, 5000 around
St. Andrews, NB, “boosted the provincial
total to a record” (DC).

RAPTORS THROUGH ALCIDS

Numbers of Bald Eagles on Maritime CBCs
somewhat exceeded last year’s, as did this
year’s census Feb. 7 in Kings, NS (483, 46%
immatures). Sharp-shinned Hawks were
substantially depressed on New Brunswick
CBCs but held their own in Nova Scotia. In
Nova Scotia, a Cooper’s Hawk on the
Halifax/Dartmouth CBC (C. Stevens, P.
Serwylo) and another at Pubnico Feb. 7
(MN) were unusual at any season. A record
25 N. Goshawks on Nova Scotia CBCs were
reassuring for this provincial “code yellow”
species. A Broad-winged Hawk on the
Sussex, NB, CBC (details?) and another Feb.
9 at Wellington, NS (fFL), added to several
winter records in recent years. As usual, a
Golden Eagle wintered around Shepody
Mt., NB, but an imm. Dec. 19 at Chance
Cove, NF (C. Brown), was unexpected. Pere¬
grine Falcons continued their recent winter¬
ing trend with ±10 widely scattered in the
Region. South of traditional sites in n.
Newfoundland, two Gyrfalcons wintered in
n. New Brunswick (v.o.), and a single CBC
bird occurred in Dartmouth, NS (fK.
Allard).

Both native grouse on Maritime CBCs
increased somewhat from last year. A novel¬
ty were up to 25 Spruce Grouse lured to
mixed seed at a site near Wabush, Lab. ( fide
CD). Willow Ptarmigan staged a major
invasion in W. Labrador with 500 not
uncommon during a day’s wilderness snow-
mobiling (CD). Seven (established?) Sharp¬
tailed Grouse were at Cable Head, PEI, Jan.
17 (A. Gray). A Virginia Rail Ian. 8-9 at
Aquaforte, NF, provided a first provincial
sighting for BMt et al.; one Dec. 17 at
Wolfville, NS (MH), was less unusual. A
Com. Moorhen at St. John’s, NF, to Dec. 26
(TB et al.) was both rare and latest ever for
the province. The usual Am. Coots lingered

VOLUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 2

139

in all provinces with individuals surviving
the winter in Dartmouth, NS, and St. John’s,
NF.

Discounting some that appeared during
late February in all provinces, at least five
Killdeers survived the winter in Nova Scotia.
As usual CSI, NS, sustained most of the
other routine shorebirds, which on Feb. 28
included 15 Black-bellied Plovers, 25 Red
Knots, 100 Sanderlings, and 20 Dunlin
(BMy et al.). Less routine were a Greater and
four Lesser yellowlegs, both record late on
Jan. 4 at Eel L. estuary, Yarmouth , NS (MN).
Outstanding was a Common Redshank
found in early March near Terra Nova N.P.,
NF (K. Butler et al.), and said by locals to
have been present since early February. It
had probably arrived in fall since migrants
didn’t reach Iceland until mid-March this
year (fide Y. Kolbeisson). This was the first in
N. America following the five that appeared
in s.e. Newfoundland during spring 1995.
Almost as unexpected was a godwit found
Dec. 19 on the CBC in the PEI NP, under¬
standably listed as Hudsonian. Almost cer¬
tainly the same bird was critically identified
Jan. 29 as an ad. Black-tailed Godwit (J.
Clements, R. Cooke). It remained around S.
Rustico through the season (v.o., ph.). Less
mind-boggling were the following: a Red
Knot at Pt. LaHaye, NF, supplying a rare
midwinter record for that province (BMt);
on CSI, NS (MN et al.), were the Regionally
latest ever Semipalmated Sandpiper (identi¬
fied from appearance and voice) until at
least Feb. 14, three White-rumped Sand¬
pipers to Feb. 4, and a Long-billed Dowitch-
er to Jan. 4. A few Com. Snipe lingered
throughout, including on SPM; the latest
was Feb. 20 near St. John’s, NF (fide TB).
Two Red Phalaropes were unusual Dec. 2 at
GMI, NB, but one off Halifax Harbor, NS,
Feb. 13 (tFL) was remarkable.

Two Little Gulls remained in s.e. New
Brunswick until Dec. 2 (FH), and one made
a brief, unseasonal appearance Feb. 13 near
Antigonish, NS (R. Knapton, RL). Mew
(Com.) Gulls included a first-winter and
two ad. in St. John’s, NF, through winter, and
adults (same birds?) along coastal Pictou,
NS, Dec. 12 and Jan. 31 (CB, KM). The 247
Black-headed Gulls on Nova Scotia CBCs
were the most ever. Some 5150 Bonaparte’s
Gulls were still foraging between Deer and
Campobello Is. Dec. 30 (FH); a few wintered
in Nova Scotia. Convincingly described
Thayer’s Gulls in Nova Scotia were an adult
Jan. 23 and a first-winter Feb. 12 at Lunen¬
burg (both fEM) and an adult Feb. 22 in
Halifax (tFL). Two first-winter Eur. Herring
Gulls (argenteus or argentatus ) were identi¬

fied by BMt Feb. 7-17 in St. John’s, NF. More
tantalizing were “possible” ad. Yellow-legged
Gulls at the St. John’s dump: one Feb. 10 &
13 and two Feb. 17. Identification remains
pending further information on the Azores
atlantis (BMt, PL). Do many remember
when we would have been excited by “12
identifiably different” (BMt) Lesser Black-
backed Gulls wintering in St. John’s, NF, one
in New Brunswick, some eight in Nova
Scotia?

Other Dovekie observations pale beside
“possibly thousands” off St. Pierre, SPI, Jan.
2 (B. Letournel) and 4000 south of GMI,
NB, Jan. 21 (BD). All the regular alcids first
appeared inshore in some numbers in Nova
Scotia in late January, and oiling was
involved Feb. 6 on the coast near Glace Bay.
Around GMI, NB, storm-displaced Com.
Murres peaked Dec. 28 at 10% of last win¬
ter’s 23,000, whereas 30,000 Razorbills in
early January somewhat exceeded last win¬
ter’s total (BD).

DOVES THROUGH WAXWINGS

Mourning Doves continued their steady
increases on Maritimes CBCs; three on the
Wabush, Lab., CBC were exceptional. Snowy
Owls were even scarcer this winter than last
except possibly in n. Newfoundland. The
only reported N. Hawk Owls were near
Antigonish, NS, Dec. 2 (fide RL) and in n.
Newfoundland Jan. 22 (fide TB). Some 19
wintering Short-eared Owls near Truro, NS,
plus a few elsewhere in the Maritimes, were
more than usual. Owl enthusiasts might
envy CD’s report from Wabush, Lab., of
Boreal Owls beginning to call mid-
February.

Open water sustained a record 19 Belted
Kingfishers into at least late January in Nova
Scotia. Two Red-headed Woodpeckers were
in Nova Scotia and four in New Brunswick
through much or all of winter. Red-bellieds
may have faltered; one or two in New
Brunswick and singles in PEI and Nova
Scotia were reported through winter.
Exceptional numbers of N. Flickers survived
away from Maritimes feeders. Pileated
Woodpeckers on Nova Scotia CBCs doubled
from last year but seemed unremarkable in
New Brunswick.

A Say’s Phoebe Dec. 3-9 at Woodside,
Kings, NS (MH et al.), was a provincial 3d or
4th for December. Northern Shrikes were
uncommon throughout except in n. New
Brunswick. A Blue-headed Vireo remained
to Dec. 20 in Halifax, NS (FL et al.). A
Eurasian Jackdaw in St. John’s, NF, from
Dec. 31 was thought to be the same one seen
sporadically since 1995. Exceptional among

the usual laggard wrens were a Carolina at a
St. Stephen, NB, feeder until at least early
January and a House into late January at St.
John’s, NF. Newfoundland’s 2nd Mountain
Bluebird was present Dec. 31-Jan. 24 in St.
John’s, and Nova Scotia’s 4th and 5th were
found Jan. 3 at Port Morien, NS (C. Mur-
rant), and Jan. 18 on CSI, NS (MN et al.),
both staying into February. They outclassed
two wintering E. Bluebirds in Nova Scotia. A
Fieldfare turned up Jan. 2 and (same one?)
Feb. 13 in St. John’s (PL et al., ph.). More
exciting was Newfoundland’s 6th Redwing
at Ferryland Dec. 29 (BMt, J. Wells, D.
Fifield). American Robins more than dou¬
bled on CBCs from last year in Nova Scotia,
and 5000-10,000 were along the Bay of
Fundy coast, NB, in early January. Gray
Catbirds survived at feeders near Dart¬
mouth (P. MacLeod) and Pubnico, NS
(v.o.). A Brown Thrasher in Salvage, NF,
another in Caraquet, NB, and at least one of
three in Nova Scotia survived the winter.
Bohemian Waxwings appeared in large
numbers only in n. New Brunswick (e.g.,
1473 on the Shediac CBC); small flocks of
mainly late-winter waxwings elsewhere in
the Maritimes were mostly Cedars.

WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES

Early winter warblers included 16+ Orange-
crowneds, a Nashville, a N. Parula, and a
Black-throated Blue in Nova Scotia; single
Yellow- throateds in St. John’s, NF, Anti¬
gonish, NS, and Miramichi City, NB; two
Pines in PEI, nine in New Brunswick, and 16
in Nova Scotia; single Prairie Warblers Dec.
6 in St.-Pierre, SPM (P. Asselin), and at
Renews, NF, Dec. 29 (latest provincial
record); nine Palms in Nova Scotia; a
Regionally latest ever Bay-breasted Warb¬
ler to Jan. 4 on CSI, NS (fMN et al.); five
Black-and-whites in St. John’s, NF, and one
in Dartmouth, NS; two Com. Yellowthroats
in New Brunswick and nine in Nova Scotia;
a Wilson’s Warbler in Nova Scotia; and sin¬
gle Yellow-breasted Chats in St. John’s, NF,
and Moncton, NB, and two in Nova Scotia.
Of these, three Orange-crowneds in Nova
Scotia, the Yellow-throated in Miramichi
City, NB, and one Pine in New Brunswick
and four in Nova Scotia survived all winter.

An imm. Summer Tanager spent a week
in mid-December near Wolfville, NS (v.o.).
Single E. Towhees straggled at Cape Broyle,
NF, near Dartmouth, NS, and at St. -Simon
and Ste.-Irenee, NB, at least the last surviv¬
ing the winter. Open terrain kept many
sparrows away from feeders. Among the less
common finds were two Field Sparrows in
Nova Scotia; single Clay-colored Sparrows

140

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

quebec region

on the Sackville, NS, CBC and Dec. 20 at
Bouctouche, NB; a Lark Sparrow in St.
John’s, NF, until at least Jan. 15; two Vesper
Sparrows through the winter in Nova
Scotia; and a White-crowned Sparrow on
the Wabush, Lab., CBC. An imm. Rose¬
breasted Grosbeak Jan. 3 near Halifax (P.
Leblanc et al.) was upstaged by two imm.
male Black-headed Grosbeaks appearing
at feeders (v.o., ph.). The first spent January
in Fredericton, NB, and the 2nd stayed from
early February through the period in
Antigonish, NS, 200 mi due east. A Blue
Grosbeak lingered to Dec. 27 at Avonport,
NS (E. Urban), and an Indigo Bunting at
Mary’s Pt., NB, into early December. Of
about five Dickcissels each in s.e. New¬
foundland and s.w. Nova Scotia, two at
Pubnico, NS, remained through February.
Worth noting was a female Red-winged
Blackbird wintering in frigid Labrador City
(CD). Single Yellow-headed Blackbirds were
at Alma, NB, in December and at Enfield,
NS, through winter. Despite the mild weath¬
er, no Baltimore Orioles were reported by
late winter. Of two meadowlarks in New
Brunswick and six in Nova Scotia, only one
wintering on GMI, NB (BD), and two in
Pubnico, NS (v.o.), were claimed as
Easterns.

On CBCs Purple Finches were up in the
Maritimes, as were House Finches in New
Brunswick where they now reside n. to
Miramichi City. Pine Grosbeaks numbers
were somewhat depressed. Red Crossbills
increased in Nova Scotia but not notably
elsewhere whereas huge crops of spruce
cones in w. Newfoundland and the Mari¬
times evoked an abundance of White¬
winged Crossbills, which were singing and
courting in late winter. Most Com. Redpolls
stayed north, accompanied by a few Hoaries
in Wabush, Lab. (CD), and appeared else¬
where mostly in late winter. Pine Siskins and
Am. Goldfinches increased somewhat from
last year’s Maritimes CBCs whereas Evening
Grosbeaks decreased substantially.

Observers (subregional compilers in bold¬
face): Todd Boland, Calvin Brennan, David
Christie, David Curry (DCu), Brian
Dalzell, Cheryl Davis, Fred Dobson, Roger
Etcheberry, Sylvia Fullerton, Carl Haycock,
Matt Holder, Andrew Horn, F. Huttemann,
Randy Lauff, Fulton Lavender, Paul Linegar,
Bruce Mactavish (BMt), Blake Maybank
(BMy), Dan McAskill, Ken McKenna, Eric
Mills, Murray Newell.

Ian A. McLaren, Biology Department,
Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4J1
(IAMcLar@is.dal.ca)

YVES AUBRY, NORMAND DAVID,
and PIERRE BANNON

ecember, as well as the whole year, was
warm. More extraordinary was the
report of a grand total of 132 species found
during December in the Montreal area, an
all-time record. In contrast with December,
January was very snowy and cold at first,
but the end of the month saw a return to
above-normal temperatures. February was
quiet for birds despite mild temperature
and lack of snow.

LOOMS THROUGH ALCIDS

A Com. Loon remained at Alma until Feb.
1, setting a record-late date for this area (SB
et al.). A Red-necked Grebe at Port-Daniel
Jan. 19 (EA) represented a 2nd winter
record for the area. A total of 275 Great
Cormorants were counted at Port-Daniel
Feb. 6 (EA) while a very late Double-crest¬
ed Cormorant lingered at Havre-Aubert,
Magdalen Is., until Jan. 19 (G. Chiasson). A
Great Blue Heron on Duberger R. all winter
(P. Otis et al.) provided a first for the Que¬
bec City area.

A flock of 12 Tundra Swans remained at
Saint-Lazare until mid-December and then
moved to Saint-Thimothee until the end of
the month (m.ob.). Three more adults were
found at Saint-Paul-de-l’Ile-aux-Noix Feb.
19 (G. Garneau et al.), coinciding with an
early migratory passage in Ontario. An
imm. Mute Swan was seen at L. Memph-
remagog, Dec. 26-29 ( fide P. Landry, v.t.)
while another strayed at FarmBPoint,
Outaouais, Feb. 27 (M. Dallaire).

Five Canada Geese overwintering at
Chandler (JRL, M. Garant, R. Garrett) rep¬
resented a first for the Gaspe Pen. Of two

imm. Snow Geese which attempted to over¬
winter at Auclair, Teniiscouata, only one
remained after Jan. 1 1 when it joined a
mixed flock of domestic and wild ducks
(M. Beaulieu, D. Deschenes). A single Ross’s
Goose found among a flock of 3000 Snow
Geese at Saint-Louis-de-Gonzague Dec. 13
(PB) established a record late departure
date.

Noteworthy ducks for the season
included a possible Mallard x Am. Wigeon
hybrid at Levis, Dec. 1-10 (JL et al.); an ad.
male Blue-winged Teal at Boucherville Dec.
19 (M. Picard), which set a new record-late
date for the province; and a male Ring¬
necked Duck at Chandler from Feb. 14 to
the end of the season, a first wintering
record for the Gaspe Pen. and one of the
few for the province. A male Canvasback at
Baie-Sainte-Catherine Feb. 16 (RB et al.)
represented an early sighting in a remote
locality for the species. Some reports of

As part of a study of the eastern
population of the Barrow's
Goldeneye, CWS biologists (D.
Bordage, M. Robert, CM, C. LePage)
have carried out aerial inventories in the
St. Lawrence Estuary (from Baie-Saint-
Paul northeastward to Pointe-des-
Monts on the n. shore and from Riviere-
du-Loup northeastward to Matane on
the s. shore). Thus 2437, 1702, and 2634
Barrow's Goldeneyes were found Jan. 26
and Feb. 10 & 16 respectively, mostly
near Baie-Comeau, Baie-des-Rochers,
La Malbaie, Cap-a-l'Aigle, Baie-Sainte-
Catherine, and Baie-de-Mille-Vaches.
These results underscore the impor¬
tance of the St. Lawrence Estuary for
Barrow's Goldeneyes in e. North Amer¬
ica, which number some 4000 individu¬
als only. Almost all other Barrow's
Goldeneyes of that population winter in
the Gulf of St. Lawrence, mostly in
Quebec (ca. 1000), but also in New-
Brunswick (ca. 400) and Prince Edward
Island (ca. 100) whereas a few winter
elsewhere in the Maritimes and in
Maine. For all intents and purposes, the
St. Lawrence therefore shelters nearly all
of e. North America’s Barrow's Golden¬
eyes during winter.

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

141

Greater Scaups from the Baie-des-Chaleurs
area in late December and early January
were submitted, but noteworthy were two
males at Grande-Riviere Jan. 26-31 (DM,
PP, JRL). An ad. male Lesser Scaup wintered
successfully at Alma (SB et al.) for a 3rd
consecutive winter. Other significant
reports of Barrow’s Goldeneye included 1 10
birds at Pointe-a-la-Garde, Baie-des-Chal-
eurs, Dec. 2 (RB, R. Lepage, A. Rasmussen).
Winter aerial surveys conducted by Canadi¬
an Wildlife Service (CWS) in the St. Law¬
rence estuary yielded 1790 Red-breasted
Mergansers near Godbout Feb. 16.

The Black Vulture at New-Richmond
was last seen Jan. 13, a record late date for
the province. Ten records of Cooper’s
Hawk, mostly adults, were received from
the Quebec metropolitan area. An ad.
Golden Eagle, originally banded near Port-
Stanley, Ontario, Oct. 30, 1990 as a young
male, was found dead in a wolf neck-snare
trap near Mont-Laurier Dec. 10 (RL). This
type of casualty involving large raptors is
happening much too regularly; another
example is a belated report of a Bald Eagle
found in a trap in the same area Dec. 15,
1996, more than 20 years after being band¬
ed (June 30, 1976) in its nest near Paradise,
Michigan.

The mild temperatures of December
were probably responsible for an abnormal¬
ly high number of N. Harriers in the Mon¬
treal area. A pair of Peregrine Falcons spent
the winter in the vicinity of Cap Tourmente
N.W.R. (m.ob.).

Some good numbers of Willow Ptarmi¬
gans reached Shefferville latitudes in mid-
February, but otherwise no major move¬
ments were noticed in the s. part of the
province. The only reports pertain to three
birds at Chutes-des-Passes Feb. 27 (Mrs. J-
C. Lachance) and a single bird which
strayed to Riviere-Saint-Jean Dec. 12-13
(C. Buidin, Y. Rochepault). A small flock of
30 Am. Coots lingered at Maple Grove until
late December, at which time they appeared
to have been decimated by sudden cold
weather. Three Killdeers were observed at
Maple Grove Dec. 23-29, the latter date
tying the latest provincial record (LS, J.
Gauthier, m.ob.) whereas a White-rumped
Sandpiper at the same location Dec. 23-27
established a record late date (PB, JMB).

This season was significant for Purple
Sandpiper. Many reports obtained from
land and aerial observations give a better
picture of the situation for this mostly inac¬
cessible species in the St. Lawrence estuary.
Up to 200 birds were observed at Baie-
Sainte-Catherine Jan. 17 (JL) while 60 birds

at Les Escoumins Dec. 2 increased to 80 by
Feb. 3 and were seen until the end of the
month (CA, CG). Noteworthy numbers
provided by the CWS aerial surveys includ¬
ed 180 birds at lie Blanche Jan. 26; 300 at lie
Rouge Feb. 16; 120 at Battures aux Alou-
ettes Jan. 26; and 50 at He aux Fraises Feb.
16. Combined with scanty reports over the
past 20 years, these data show that Purple
Sandpipers winter in good numbers in the
St. Lawrence estuary.

Three late Ring-billed Gulls were still at
Les Escoumins Jan. 10 (CA, CG) while
migrants appeared as early as Feb. 13 at
Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, and Beau-
harnois. A first winter Mew (Com.) Gull
was found at Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue Dec.
5 (B. Barnhurst). A small flock of 1 1 Black¬
legged Kittiwakes showed up at Les
Escoumins on the very early date of Feb. 19
(CA, CG). A Dovekie was found dead on
the snow beside a ski trail at L. Brule near
Saint- Agathe Jan. 1 (J. Morgan, fide P.
Landry). An imm. Razorbill was located at
Longueuil Dec. 12 (PB, G. Zenaitis). An ad.
Atlantic Puffin found inside a building in
the harbor of La Baie Dec. 1 (H. Fong) was
probably assisted by a mariner from one of
several boats that transited there at that
period. After a veterinary examination, the
bird was released at Tadoussac.

OWLS THROUGH ORIOLES

All irruptive owl species were virtually
unreported. Several Short-eared Owls win¬
tering in Brossard, near Montreal (m.ob.),
were expected, but the following occur¬
rences were quite unusual: one at Hebert-
ville, Lac Saint-Jean, Jan. 10-26 (M. Trem¬
blay, D. Gervais); and two at Cap-d'Espoir,
Gaspe, Dec. 27-Jan. 3 (DM, M. Larrivee). A
Red-headed Woodpecker remained at a
Laprairie feeder from Dec. 9 into April (P.
Beaule, m.ob.), and the Sainte-Anne-de-
Bellevue bird noted last fall disappeared at
the end of January (fide PB). Northern
Flickers were reported mostly outside the
upper St. Lawrence Valley and included
wintering birds at Aylmer (fide DT), Sainte-
Beatrix (fide RP), Jonquiere (fide GS), and
Rimouski (fide SR).

Single Townsend's Solitaires were found
in Sainte-Foy Dec. 20 (RB, H. Mead) and at
Sainte-Anne-des-Lacs Jan. 10-12 (J.

Lebeau, RP). A Gray Catbird at a bird bath
Dec. 29 in Cowansville (BH) was extremely
late since only 2 previous occurrences are
known before Jan. 10. A not too cold winter
and a good fruit crop likely explain several
widely reported N. Mockingbirds, includ¬
ing singles at Rouyn-Noranda Dec 27 (L.

Laurin, F. Bedard), Mont-Laurier Dec. 13
(RL), Dunham Dec. 19 (A. Boyer, F.
Surprenant), Grande-Riviere Feb. 21 (R.
Imbeau), and three different birds in the
Lac St. Jean region in December (fide GS).
Huge flocks (numbering several thousands)
of Bohemian Waxwings were encountered
during the period in the Saguenay region
and on the n. shore of the St. Lawrence
from Saguenay R. eastward to Sept-Iles.

An Orange-crowned Warbler in the
Montreal Botanical Gardens Nov. 28 (J.
Brisson) to Dec. 29 (S. Denault, M. Poulin)
and a Yellow Warbler on nearby Notre-
Dame I. Dec. 12-29 (JMB, m.ob) were both
record late. A Yellow-throated Warbler
delighted many observers in Cap-de-la-
Madeleine Nov. 23-Dec. 26 (J. Belin), feed¬
ing in cobwebs clinging to a small chapel
which it entered regularly to catch the
warmth of lampions! An imm. Prairie
Warbler at He des Soeurs Dec. 3-4 was
noteworthy (D. Brongo, M. Brongo). An
Ovenbird at Boucherville Dec. 19-31 (R.
Chasse) was our latest ever. The presence of
a Summer Tanager at a Longueuil feeder
since mid-November (S. Peloquin, N.
Morissette) was made known to birders
only on Dec. 29; the bird did not show up
Dec. 30 and was seen briefly Dec. 31, strug¬
gling desperately against very cold temper¬
atures.

An imm. Harris's Sparrow made a brief
appearence at a Cap-de-la-Madeleine feed¬
er Dec. 22 (M. Bisson). Matching the spatial
pattern of flickers and mockingbirds, Rusty
Blackbirds were reported from outlying
regions: one all winter in L'Ascension, Lac
Saint-Jean (SB); in Cap-aux-Meules
Feb.18-28 (DGG); in New Richmond Feb. 4
(R. Guitard); and in Beauport Jan. 23
onwards (R. Gingras et. al.). The Matapedia
Hooded Oriole reported last fall was seen
daily until Jan. 14 (fide C. Pitre), the coldest
day of the month.

INTRODUCED BIRDS

A Mandarin Duck remained throughout
December in Montreal (m.ob.) and was
also seen in nearby Laval Jan. 24 (LS). An
Indian Peafowl feeding with Canada Geese
Dec. 29 at Saint-Timothee (PB) was indeed
displaced. A Ringed Turtle-Dove attended a
Laval feeder Dec. 3-Feb. 4 (D. Hughes). An
Orange-cheeked Waxbill was in the
Montreal Botanical Gardens until at least
Dec. 20 (m.ob.). Three Eur. Goldfinches
spent the entire period in the Montreal
Botanical Gardens (m.ob.), three others
were in Lachine Feb. 28 (R. Taylor), and one
in Saint-Lin Dec. 24-Jan 2 (C. Veevaete).

142

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

Subregional editors (boldface) and initialed
observers: E. Arsenault, C. Auchu, P.
Bannon, J.M. Beliveau, R. Bisson, S. Boivin,

C. Cormier, G. Cyr, S. Gagnon, D. G.
Gaudet, C. Girard, B. Hamel. S. Houle, J.
Lachance, R. LeBrun, J.R. Lepage, C.
Marcotte, D. Mercier, E. Milot, R. Pich£, P.
Poulin, S. Rheaume, G. Savard, L. Simard,

D. Toussaint.

new england
region

Yves Aubry, Canadian Wildlife Service, P.0.
Box 10100, Sainte-Foy, Quebec G1V 4H5
(yves.aubry@ec.gc.ca), Normand David,
11931 Lavigne, Montreal, Quebec H4J 1X9
(ndavid@netrover.com), and Pierre Bannon,
1517 Leprohon, Montreal, Quebec H4E 1P1
(pbannon@total.net)

A.

Place names that are frequently men¬
tioned, but very long, may be abbreviat¬
ed in a form such as “C.B.B.T.” or
“W.P.B.O.” Such local abbreviations will
be explained in a key at the beginning
of the particular regional report in
which they are used. Standard abbrevi¬
ations that are used throughout North
American Birds are keyed on page 138.

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VIREO (Visual Resources for Ornithology)

The Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 299-1069
www.acnatsci.org/VIREO

PAMELA HUNT

According to a recent report, 1998 was
the warmest year of the current millen¬
nium. This certainly makes sense if you
look at New England’s climate during
December, which was the sixth warmest on
record. This was largely due to tempera¬
tures averaging 1 1 degrees above normal
for the first three weeks, breaking 70° in five
states December 7 (and reaching 67° in
Vermont). If it hadn’t been for below-nor-
mal temperatures in the last 10 days,
December 1998 might well have been the
warmest December since record keeping
began in 1894. The obvious results of this
unseasonable weather were lots of open
water and a profusion of lingering mi¬
grants, both the traditional half-hardies
and more unusual fare. Topping the list
were 20 species of warblers and three
species of tanagers for the month. The
warm trend continued into January,
although not spectacularly so, while Feb¬
ruary ranked among the top 15 warmest,
again bringing an early wave of migrants
north at the end of the season. Bird high¬
lights are almost too numerous to mention,
but in addition to the aforementioned war¬
blers and tanagers, there were the largest
alcid flight in at least 10 years, unusually
high numbers of lingering waterfowl, and a

spectacular gull show in Connecticut.
Rarities included an unprecedented five
Ash-throated Flycatchers, possible Arctic
Loon in Maine, Pink-footed Goose in
Massachusetts, possible Yellow-legged Gull
in Connecticut, three Western Tanagers,
and two wandering alcids: Long-billed
Murrelet and Ancient Murrelet. On the
downside, there was essentially no south¬
ward flight of raptors, finches, or waxwings,
but such is the way of these northern wan¬
derers.

Abbreviations: MARC (Massachusetts Avian
Records Committee); Nantucket (Nantucket /.,
MA); P.l. (Plum /., Essex Co., MA); Provincetown
(Provincetown, Barnstable Co., MA); Rockport
(Rockport, Essex Co., MA).

LOOMS THROUGH VULTURES

A well-described bird matching most
descriptions of Arctic Loon was seen off
York, York, ME, Jan. 30-31 (tP. Moynahan,
S. Spangenberg). This represents the first
detailed report of this species for Maine,
and although there are 3 previous reports
for Massachusetts, none has been accepted
as unquestionably Arctic (vs. Pacific) by
MARC. Pacific Loons are more likely than
Arctics on the east coast, and this winter
there were two individuals at York, ME,
Dec. 19-Feb. 7, and another at Province-
town Jan. 30 through February.

Considering the mild early winter, a lack
of inland Pied-billed Grebes is somewhat
unusual, but Red-necked Grebes perhaps
made up for their smaller relative’s absence.
Two were inland at Bantam L., Litchfield,
CT, Dec. 3, and one was at Quabbin Res.,
Hampshire, MA, Dec. 26. The Eared Grebe
returned to Gloucester, Essex, MA, for a 3rd
winter. Three W. Grebe reports was above
average, but none remained for an extend¬
ed period. This season’s birds were at Sach-
uest Pt., Newport, RI, Dec. 5-7; Attleboro,
Bristol, MA, Dec. 23-26; and Jamestown,
Newport, RI, Feb. 19 through March.

Great Egrets lingered later than usual,
including a very late individual in Salisbury,
Essex, MA, Jan. 8 (RH). Nantucket hosted
up to 22 Black-crowned Night-Herons in
January, while singles showed up elsewhere

VOLUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 2

143

in e. Massachusetts. Normally gone by Sep¬
tember, a Glossy Ibis in Darmouth, Bristol ,
MA, Dec. 2 was yet another indication of
the mild late fall and early winter. Con¬
necticut’s wintering Black Vulture numbers
were unremarkable this year, with only 20
at the traditional roost in New Milford,
Litchfield ( fide GH). More noteworthy were
one in Sheffield, Berkshire, MA, Dec. 26 (D.
Reid), and another much farther afield over
Ogunquit, York, ME, Jan. 7 (no details, D.
Green, fide JD).

WATERFOWL

The star of the season among our web-foot -
ed friends was the Pink-footed Goose that
frequented the Dennis Pines Golf Course,
Dennis, Barnstable, MA, Jan. 16-Feb. 20. It
was usually found with Canada Geese and
was monitored for visiting birders by help¬
ful golf course employees. In light of last
spring’s carefully researched bird in Con¬
necticut, perhaps the odds are in favor of
this bird’s being a bona fide vagrant; count¬
less birders await final word from MARC.
Less notable, but still noteworthy, were
numerous Greater White-fronted Geese;
totals were four in Connecticut, a record-
high five in Rhode Island, and two in Mass¬
achusetts. One of the latter was inland at
Hadley, Hampshire, Feb. 24. Another note¬
worthy inland goose sighting was a flock of
six Brant on Wachusett Res., Worcester, MA,
Feb. 13.

In the wake of November’s Regionwide
fallout, it was not surprising to have several
Tundra Swans lingering into winter. These
included two in Connecticut, four in Rhode
Island, 11 in e. Massachusetts, three in New
Hampshire, and one in Maine (low fide JD).
The high count came from Vermont, where
a flock of 14 appeared on L. Memphre-
magog, Orleans, Dec. 13 (B. Prue). Although
Whooper Swans in n.e. Massachusetts are
becoming less and less noteworthy, they are
still making news elsewhere in coastal New
England. Recently unearthed information
suggests that the individual on Great Bay,
Rockingham, NH, may have originated from
a breeder within the Granite State, rather
than from feral birds in Massachusetts (fide
SM). Farther afield was a bird in Eastham,
Barnstable, MA, Jan. 17, and, most notably,
one in Lubec, Washington, ME, from
November to Dec. 6 (fide WT). Last seen fly¬
ing out to sea, was this latter swan also
derived from captive stock, or could it rep¬
resent a genuine European stray? It is worth
noting that the only other pre-1990 record
for the Region came from this same county
in September 1903.

Eurasian Wigeon numbers were stan¬
dard for recent years and included five in
Connecticut, three in Rhode Island, at least
seven in Massachusetts, and two in New
Hampshire. There is not enough space to
discuss in detail the numbers of lingering
waterfowl in New England this winter. One
of the standouts was N. Shoveler, which hit
a record-high count of 25 for Rhode Island
in Middletown, Newport, Dec. 19 (R. Enser
et al.). Maine and Massachusetts also host¬
ed unusually high numbers of shovelers,
some of which stayed through February in
the latter state. Redhead was the most unex¬
pected lingerer among the diving ducks,
with numbers of inland birds being partic¬
ularly unusual. These included 10 at Ban¬
tam L., CT, Jan. 31, and nine in Panton,
Addison,VT, Jan 16-21. A total of 374 Ring¬
necked Ducks was a record for the annual
Cape Cod Bird Count Dec. 5-6 (BN et al.).
The only Tufted Duck reports were of
returning individuals, including the male in
Sterling, Worcester, MA, back for its 4th
winter. More notable was Maine’s 2nd
record: two males at Chickawukie L., Knox,
Dec. 3-19, the site of the state’s first record
2 years earlier.

Vermont’s imm. male Com. Eider lin¬
gered through Feb. 25 at Charlotte, Addi¬
son, after which it started moving N and
was last seen in Burlington Feb. 28. Num¬
bers of King Eider and Harlequin Duck
were roughly normal, although the latter
species hit a December record high of 107
at Sachuest Pt., RI, Dec. 12 (fide DE). More
unusual for Harlequins were one deep into
Long I. Sound at Stamford, Fairfield, CT,
Dec. 15-mid-January (P. Dugan, m.ob.),
and another up the Merrimack R. in
Nashua, NH, Dec. 27-Jan. 2 (m.ob.). Both
Hooded Merganser and Ruddy Duck hit
record highs of 933 and 262, respectively,
on the Cape Cod Bird Count (BN et al.),
and the latter species approached a state
record for Maine with 213 in Stockton
Springs, Waldo, Dec. 13 (fide JD).

RAPTORS THROUGH CRANES

In a December marked by mild tempera¬
tures and open water, it is perhaps not sur¬
prising to have 4 Osprey reports in e.
Massachusetts, with the latest in Easton,
Bristol, Dec. 31. A little farther north was a
bird in New Boston, Hillsborough, NH, Dec.
13 (R&S Suomala). Even more unusual, and
unconfirmed as of this writing, was an
Osprey in Vergennes, Addison, VT, on the
exceptionally late date of Jan. 22 (fide JP).
After most Northeast hawk watches have
shut down in October, stalwart observers

on Mt. Wachusett, Worcester, MA, docu¬
mented continued raptor movements well
into December. Totals for selected species
over 3 dates (Dec. 5, 12, & 20) include three
Bald Eagles, three N. Goshawks, five Red¬
shouldered Hawks, 73 Red-tailed Hawks,
and one Golden Eagle (T. Carrolan).
Numbers of wintering Golden Eagles were
normal, with one in w. Massachusetts and
two or three in Connecticut.

Just before the Pink-footed Goose began
attracting attention on Cape Cod, a species
much more worthy of the appellation “ori¬
gin uncertain” appeared in the Cumberland
Farm Fields, Middleboro, Plymouth, MA: a
Crested Caracara that entertained numer¬
ous observers Jan. 2-9. Given the non-
migratory nature of this falcon relative, not
to mention its occasional use by falconers,
this record is unlikely to pass muster by
MARC. The Region’s only Gyrfalcons in this
winter of few invaders were single individu¬
als at Logan Airport, Boston, MA, Dec. 30-
Jan. 1 and in Addison, Addison, VT, Dec. 5.

The mild winter also allowed rails to
linger northward in higher than usual
numbers. These included a King/Clapper
Rail in Orleans, Barnstable, MA, Dec. 20
(JT) and a Clapper in Charlestown, Wash¬
ington, RI, Feb. 16. Virginia Rails were
almost abundant, with a maximum of 16 in
Barnstable, Barnstable, MA, Dec. 29 (JT),
and one to two lingering at other Cape Cod
locations through February. Even Soras,
normally gone by mid-October, were noted
in Barnstable Dec. 4 and Nantucket Jan. 1.
Much more unexpected was the Purple
Gallinule found in Stamford, CT, in mid-
December. The bird was captured but later
died at a rehabilitator’s facility Dec. 17 (fide
GH). Like many ducks, Am. Coots lingered
late and north, including birds at Charlotte,
VT, and Tilton, Belknap, NH, that made it
into February. The Sandhill Crane appear¬
ing in S. Kingston, Washington, RI, in
November was last seen Dec. 7 (m.ob.).
Another was photographed on Naushon I.,
Barnstable, MA, Jan. 17 (G. Leon, fide H.
Pratt).

SHOREBIRDS THROUGH ALCIDS

Many shorebirds, like so many other species,
stayed into the winter. In Massachusetts
these included two Am. Avocets on P.I.
through Dec. 6 and a Spotted Sandpiper in
Arlington, Middlesex, Dec. 9. Staying
through most of the season on Cape Cod
were a Lesser Yellowlegs in Harwich and a
Whimbrel in Yarmouth, the latter presum¬
ably the same bird that wintered there in
1997-1998. There were several reports of

144

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

new england

Long-billed Dowitchers, including one-
nine on P.l. through Dec. 16 (RH, m.ob.).
Two other individuals appeared to overwin¬
ter: one at Hyannis, Barnstable , MA (BN),
and another at S. Kingston, R1 (fide DE).

A late February storm brought a Great
Skua close to shore at Rockport Feb. 25
(tRH), while an unidentified skua was seen
in Block I. Sound, RI, Dec. 21 (R. Farrel, I.
St. Jean) was also likely a Great. With the
exception of sightings from Nantucket and
the 2 landfills mentioned in the S.A. below,
gull reports were largely unremarkable.
Black-headed Gulls were scattered and in
lower numbers than usual, and the Mew
(Com.) Gull at Winthrop, Suffolk , MA,
showed up for its 9th winter. Noteworthy
among the usual was an ad. California Gull
in Easton, Bristol , Jan 23 (S. Arena). Gull
highlights from Nantucket included up to
4500 Bonaparte’s Gulls, the season’s only

Little Gull, 60 Iceland Gulls, five Lesser
Black-backed Gulls, and two Thayer’s Gulls
(v.o.). In addition to the birds at Nantucket
and Connecticut, a 5th Thayer’s was report¬
ed from Provincetown Feb. 15 (tRH).

It was one of the best alcid years in
recent memory, with Maine, New Hamp¬
shire, and Massachusetts each reporting all
sLx Atlantic species. Although birds started
showing up at Cape Cod in December, the
main push farther north occurred from
mid-January onward. Numbers of Dovekies
were the highest in at least the last decade,
although still paling in comparison to
groundings in the distant past. The season
high was 20 at Rockport Feb. 5 (RH), and
New Hampshire came in 2nd with an off¬
shore count of 10 Feb. 9 (SM) and another
seven from Hampton Beach, Rockingham ,
Feb. 12 (M. Resch). Single Com. Murres
were reported from Maine and New Hamp¬

shire (the latter found dead, fide AD), while
one to two spent the winter at Rockport
and Provincetown. Thick-billed Murres
were literally everywhere, with at least 16 in
Maine and a one-day total of 19 in
Seabrook and Hampton, Rockingham , NH
Feb. 6 (AD). Numbers off Rockport regu¬
larly surpassed 20, with a seasonal high of
76 Feb. 19 (RH). Elsewhere in Massachu¬
setts numbers were lower, with totals under
10 on Cape Cod and one to two at other
coastal locations. Five Thick-bills even
made it to Sakonnet Pt., Newport , RI, Dec.
19, a relatively high number for the state
(GL). What caused this murre invasion is
unclear, but circumstantial evidence sug¬
gests it may have been food related. By mid-
February, murres were showing up dead or
nearly so on New Hampshire and Massa¬
chusetts beaches, many emaciated. Perhaps
already weakened by a shortage of baitfish.

€ A If it was gulls y°u wanted in the winter of 1998-1999, the place to be was the
landfill at Manchester, Hartford , CT. Gull numbers peaked near 15,000 there
in January, with most days hosting around 5000 (P. Comins). Among the expected
Ring-billed, Herring, and Great Black-backed gulls were roughly 25-30 Iceland, nine
Glaucous, seven Lesser Black-backed, and two Thayer’s gulls. As if two Thayer’s
weren’t enough, a bird showing all the field marks of an ad. Yellow-legged Gull was
present Jan. 18-30. This particular gull was seen and photographed by many, includ¬
ing Europeans more familiar with this recent split from Herring Gull than Americans
now are. In light of recent evidence that North American Herring Gulls may some¬
times show characteristics of Yellow-legged Gull, the Avian Records Committee of
Connecticut seems unlikely to accept the record. Then there were the even more
problematic individuals: two very pale first-winter Herring Gulls that appeared to
belong to one of the European subspecies, and that also generated extensive, albeit
largely inconclusive, international comment. And, finally, there were the hybrids,

including seven “Nel¬
son’s” Gulls (Herring x
Glaucous), a possible
Herring X Iceland, and a
probable Herring X
Great Black-backed.

Meanwhile, some 150
mi to the northeast, the
landfill and nearby sew¬
age ponds at Rochester,
Strafford, NH, also host¬
ed upward of 5000 gulls.

One of two Thayer's Gulls present at the Manchester,
Connecticut, landfill during the winter, this immature
was photographed January 23, 1999.
Photograph/Patrick M. Comins

Foraging amidst the typical detritus
of an American landfill, a putative Yellow-legged
Gull, recently split from Herring Gull, was present
in Manchester, Connecticut, January 18-30, 1999;
the gull provoked much debate about its identity
because North American Herring Gulls sometimes
display characteristics of Yellow-legged Gull.
Photograph/Patrick M. Comins

Access was more restrict¬
ed and fewer observers kept an eye on the gull traffic, but nonetheless some
very respectable numbers were obtained for the Granite State. These included
one-day maxima of five Glaucous and Iceland gulls, and three Lesser Black-
backed Gulls (SM).

The bad news is that the Manchester landfill is scheduled to close in July
1999, and the New Hampshire sites are unlikely to become generally accessi¬
ble. Where will New England’s gulls (and gull-watchers) concentrate now?
While sites like Nantucket will continue to attract these opportunistic birds,
the continued decline of the New England landfills is likely to dramatically
reduce gull-watching opportunities in years to come.

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

145

these birds risked it all to seek sustenance
near shore, only to find such pastures no
greener than those they left.

Razorbill numbers were not noteworthy
in the north, with normal counts and no
large concentrations in Maine and New
Hampshire. Offshore and to the south,
however, numbers reached into the hun¬
dreds on Cape Cod, where the season high
of 1025 was made at Provincetown Feb. 16
(J. Sones). Thirty Razorbills at Sakonnet Pt.
Dec. 19 were unusually high for Rhode
Island (GL). Usually scattered in low num¬
bers south to e. Massachusetts, Black
Guillemots regularly totaled 25-50 off
Rockport, with a county record high of 131
Feb. 11 (RH). The high count to the north
was 141 off Jonesport, Washington, ME,
Feb. 9. To the south, Rhode Island hosted an
unusually high total of four at various times
during the winter. In what probably seems
like a broken record by now, Atlantic
Puffins were reported in higher than usual
numbers: Maine had two, New Hampshire
one, and Massachusetts one to two each at
Rockport and Provincetown. As if the nor¬
mal alcids were not enough, two Pacific
strays reached New England waters. The
first was the Narragansett, RI, Long-billed
Murrelet, which stayed from late Novem¬
ber through Dec. 9 (m.ob.). And Massachu¬
setts hosted its 3rd Ancient Murrelet
(pending MARC review) at Rockport Feb. 5
(fR. Frachette).

PARROTS

THROUGH WOODPECKERS

A group of seven Monk Parakeets in S.
Dartmouth, MA, Jan. 11 almost certainly
represented the continued expansion of
populations already established in nearby
Rhode Island and Connecticut. Snowy
Owls were almost absent, with only two in
Maine and one in Massachusetts. Long¬
eared Owls were reported only in Massa¬
chusetts, including up to 10 at the Daniel
Webster Wildlife Sanctuary, Marshfield,
Plymouth, throughout the winter (m.ob.).
For the first half of the winter, Short-eared
Owl reports were limited to one to two
birds at scattered locations in e. Massachu¬
setts, but in mid-January there was some¬
thing of an invasion into e. New England.
The bulk of the movement occurred Jan.
10-20, with three birds appearing in Rhode
Island, at least 14 in e. Massachusetts (seven
at Logan Airport), and two in New
Hampshire. By February, most of these
birds had moved elsewhere, save for seven
and four at the Cumberland Farms Fields
and Salisbury, respectively.

A Selasphorus hummingbird visited a
feeder in Westport, Bristol, MA, Dec. 1-12
( fide D. Thurber). On the down side, the
male Rufous Hummingbird transplanted
from New Hampshire to Massachusetts, as
reported in the previous season, was killed
over the winter by the greenhouse’s “resi¬
dent” female. If we are to take lessons from
this event, may it be that hummingbirds are
a) highly territorial, and b) not supposed to
be in New England in the late fall. Perhaps
it is best that we take down our feeders in
October and let nature take its course.

Following a good fall showing, Red¬
headed Woodpeckers remained into the
winter in better than average numbers, with
three in Connecticut, four in Rhode Island,
six in Massachusetts, and one each in New
Hampshire and Vermont. Red-bellied
Woodpeckers in n. New England totaled
one in Vermont, 1 1 in New Hampshire, and
six in Maine (low, fide JD). Given the mild
December, it was perhaps not surprising to
have more than the usual number of
Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers as well, including
12 overwintering birds in Massachusetts
and four in Rhode Island. A N. Flicker at
Estcourt Station, Aroostook , ME, was as far
north as you can get in New England, espe¬
cially on the late date of Dec. 13.

FLYCATCHERS
THROUGH WAXWIMGS

A few more E. Phoebes than usual stayed
north in e. Massachusetts, but nothing
could have prepared anyone for a singing
bird in Burlington, VT, Feb. 13-15 (fS.
Morrical). Likely its short stay was related
to the fact that February in n.w. Vermont is
no place for a phoebe, no matter what the
thermometer may read (see also the com¬
ments on hummingbirds above!). The
western vagrant of the season was without
doubt Ash-throated Flycatcher. In chrono¬
logical order, the region’s five records fol¬
low: Lyme, Grafton, NH, from late Novem¬
ber to Dec. 10; Cambridge, Middlesex, MA,
from November to Dec. 20; Edgartown,
Martha’s Vineyard, MA, Dec. 10-20; West¬
brook, Cumberland, ME, Dec. 12; and Barn¬
stable, MA, Dec. 20-26. Could it be possible
that there were more Ash-throated Fly¬
catchers than phoebes in New England last
December?

Shrikes were generally few and far
between in most of the Region, although
Connecticut’s eight were more than usual
{fide GH). The season’s only Blue-headed
Vireo was in w. Massachusetts at Agawam,
Hampden, Dec. 19. As populations continue
to expand in the Northeast, Com. Ravens

are actually becoming almost common in
extreme s. New England. This winter there
were roosts of 13 and 20, respectively, at L.
Waramaug and Barkhamsted Res., both
Litchfield , CT, while a raven in Gloucester,
Providence, RI, Feb. 17 is one of only a few
reported from Rhode Island in recent years
{fide DE). Rhode Island continues to host
most of the Region’s wintering Tree
Swallows, with up to 50 in Charlestown
throughout the season. Details were sub¬
mitted on a Bewick’s Wren in Westport,
MA, Jan. 6 (DE, R. Bower), but final word
will await MARC review.

A lingering Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was
in Chatham, Barnstable, MA, Dec. 20, while
just up the cape in Orleans a Townsend’s
Solitaire was present Dec. 27-Jan. 3 {fide
MR). Like so many other half-hardies,
Hermit Thrushes lingered north in better
than usual numbers. Many observers noted
large flocks of Am. Robins throughout the
Region, including at high elevations in New
Hampshire’s White Mts., where they fed on
abundant mountain-ash berries. Farther
south, counts of over 1000 were regular in
e. Massachusetts, with a season high of
12,500 in Barnstable Dec. 29. After ice
storms affected n. regions in mid-January,
robins from higher elevations may have
been forced down slope, including at least
1000 in Benton, Grafton, NH, Jan. 23 (A.
Ports). Varied Thrushes included two in
Annisquam, Essex , MA, through Dec. 4; one
in Pembroke, Merrimack, NH, Jan. 16-Feb.
2; and a 4th in Harrison, Cumberland, ME,
Jan. 7-17. American Pipits lingered in very
high numbers, with up to 27 in N. Dart¬
mouth, MA, throughout the winter. Other
wayward pipits included 14 in Weekapaug,
Washington, RI, Feb. 13, and one in
Ogunquit, York, ME, Jan 1. Bohemian
Waxwings were almost entirely absent, with
the largest reported flock being only 25
birds in New Harbor, Lincoln, ME, Jan. 31
{fide WT). Elsewhere in the northern 3
states there were never more than two at
once.

WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES

For observers in some parts of New
England, early December may have seemed
more like the peak of fall warbler migra¬
tion, at least in terms of species diversity.
Seventeen species were recorded in e.
Massachusetts alone, with three additional
species elsewhere in the Region. Among the
outstanding warbler finds were the Region’s
first winter Blue-winged Warbler in Bur¬
lington, Middlesex, MA, Dec. 5 and a Yellow
Warbler at the Boston Public Gardens Dec.

146

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

new england

1-7. Along with the latter were single
Orange-crowned and Yellow- throated war¬
blers, all of which frequented a single wil¬
low bush near a water source. Other war¬
blers that should have been far south of the
Bay State in December included two
Nashvilles, a N. Parula, two Black-throated
Blues, a Black-and-white, two Am. Red¬
starts, three N. Waterthrushes, and three
Wilson’s. Most unexpected (or maybe not,
considering all the Ash-throated Flycatch¬
ers) was a MacGillivray’s Warbler in Mat-
tapan, Norfolk , MA, Dec. 13-16 (R. Sty-
meist, MR, m.ob.)

Away from Massachusetts, Maine hosted
a Yellow-throated Warbler in New Harbor
Dec. 5, a Blackpoll in Portland Dec. 19, and
an Am. Redstart in Westbrook Dec. 13,
while a Black-throated Green was in Little
Compton, Lincoln , RI, Dec. 12. A young
male Black-throated Blue Warbler survived
the winter at a feeder in Stratham, Rock¬
ingham, NH, where it fed on hulled
sunflower seeds and the occasional treat of
mealworms. Not to be outdone by their
long-distance migrant relatives, warblers
that are more expected in New England in
winter were generally more common than
usual. Orange-crowned Warblers were
seemingly everywhere, with 10 in Massa¬
chusetts and four in Rhode Island. Yellow-
rumpeds were very common on Cape Cod,
with totals of over 200 well into January, a
time when in some years the species has
retreated somewhat to the south. Two even
managed to hang on far to the north at
Dead Creek W.M.A., Addison, VT, Jan. 2
(fide JP). Both Pine and Palm warblers
remained reliable on Cape Cod through
late February.

It wasn’t only warbler diversity that was
unusually high in December. Three species
of tanagers were reported, including a
Scarlet in New Haven, CT, Dec. 4 and a
Summer in Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland,
ME, Dec. 22-Jan. 1 (ph., J. Clark, m.ob.).
Massachusetts hosted a remarkable three
Western Tanagers, two of which were
within 10 mi of each other on Cape Cod:
one in Orleans Dec. 31-Feb. 7 and the other
in Wellfleet Jan. 2-17; the 3rd made a brief
appearance in Marshfield Jan. 2 (D. Clapp).

Many observers noted higher than usual
numbers of Am. Tree Sparrows, and Chip¬
ping Sparrows, usually reduced to singles in
December, numbered as high as 16 in Or¬
leans, MA, Dec. 20. Other noteworthy spar¬
rows in Massachusetts included four Clay-
colored, nine Vesper, and two Lark. In New
Hampshire, single Lark and Grasshopper
sparrows were discovered in Hampton

Beach and Stratham, respectively, Dec. 19,
with the former lingering until Dec. 24.
Both species of sharp-tailed sparrow were
reported from marshes in Eastham in early
December, with Saltmarsh outnumbering
Nelson’s by roughly three to one (maxima
of 15 and 5 respectively; D. Peacock, JT).

Following the trend set by warblers and
tanagers, grosbeaks and buntings made an
unusually good showing. Unfortunately,
Rhode Island’s two contributions — a Blue
Grosbeak in S. Kingston Jan. 25 and a
Black-headed Grosbeak in Narragansett
Dec. 13 (both M. Murray) — were without
details at this writing, and, given the
extreme rarity of these species at this sea¬
son, they are best treated with some cau¬
tion. More expected were two Rose-breast¬
ed Grosbeaks, one on Nantucket Dec. 13
and an overwintering male at a feeder in
Canton, Hartford, CT (M. Marsted). There
were also two Indigo Buntings in e.
Massachusetts: in Nantucket Dec. 16 and
Worcester Dec. 20, while a female/imma¬
ture Painted Bunting in Hartland, Wind¬
sor, through Dec. 5 furnished a 2nd state
record for Vermont (P. Fournier, ph., J.
Nicholson).

The season’s only Yellow-headed Black¬
bird spent the winter at a feeder on
Nantucket (E. Andrews, m.ob.). Rusty
Blackbirds were reported in larger than
usual numbers throughout the winter, and
a well-described Brewer’s Blackbird was in
Greenfield, Franklin, MA, Dec. 27 (tW&L
Lafley). Baltimore Orioles totaled six in
Massachusetts, four in Rhode Island, and
three in Maine. Bullock’s Oriole is always a
little more problematic. Four were report¬
ed, but the only ad. males were at Sterling,
MA, Jan. 1 and in W. Goshen, Litchfield, CT,
for the entire winter.

After last winter’s spectacular numbers,
it is not surprising that winter finches were
almost absent in 1998-1999. Pine Gros¬
beaks, both species of crossbills, and Com.
Redpoll were practically restricted to n.
Maine, and even there they occurred in low
numbers (fide JD, WT). These same species
were reported once each in New Hampshire
and not at all in Vermont. The exception to
this rule was Berkshire, MA, where five Red
and six White-winged crossbills were in
Washington Dec. 29 and three White-
wingeds were in Windsor through January
and February. Windsor also hosted practi¬
cally the only Purple Finches, Pine Siskins,
and Evening Grosbeaks in Massachusetts
(fide SK, MR), and these species were not
much more common to the north. The only
finch around in any numbers was the Am.

Goldfinch, which was abundant enough to
set records or near-records on many New
England CBCs.

Subregional editors (boldface), contribu¬
tors (italics), and observers: Jim Berry,
Alan Delorey, Jody Despres, David
Emerson, Greg Hanisek, Richard HeiL Seth
Kellogg, Geoff LeBaron, Steve Mirick, Blair
Nikula, Judy Peterson, Marjorie Rimes,
William Townsend, J. Trimble, Tony
Vazzano.

Pamela Hunt, P.0. Box 289, Enfield, NH
03748 (Mascoma. Lake. Bird. Observatory®
VALLEY.NET)

Place names that are frequently men¬
tioned, but very long, may be abbreviat¬
ed in a form such as “C.B.B.T.” or
“W.P.B.O.” Such local abbreviations will
be explained in a key at the beginning
of the particular regional report in
which they are used. Standard abbrevi¬
ations that are used throughout North
American Birds are keyed on page 138.

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VOLUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 2

147

hudson-delaware region

JOSPEH C. BURGIEL, ROBERT 0.
PAXTON, and DAVID A. CUTLER

weather in January and early February with
wild temperature swings (-43°F on January
14 in Clinton and 52°F January 24 at
Plattsburgh) and snow, sleet, and freezing
rain.

The top rarities of the season were
Black-tailed Gulls in New Jersey and New
York. Common Gull and the return of last
year’s Yellow-billed Loon in New York fol¬
lowed close behind. Other highlights
included California Gull, Black Guillemot,
three Mountain Bluebirds, Townsend’s
Solitaire, Varied Thrush, three Le Conte’s
Sparrows, Black-headed Grosbeak, and five
Painted Buntings. Conspicuous by their
absence were northern finches and Red¬
breasted Nuthatches. Half-hardies were
present into early January in good numbers
with a few managing to overwinter while
February brought a few early returning
migrants.

For the third consecutive year winter was
mild with little snow over most of the
Region. Average temperatures in December
and February were 5-7°F above normal
while colder weather in the first half of
January kept the average for the month
near normal. Similarly, December and
February had well below normal precipita¬
tion while January was wetter than normal
with heavy snow in areas of western New
York. The extreme northern portion of
New York, however, had roller-coaster

Massive bill and knobby head uplifted
in typical fashion, Yellow-billed is written
all over this loon, photographed in Oneida
County, New York, January 22, 1999.

See the Pictorial Highlights for another
view of the same bird.

Photograph/Rick Wiltraut

Abbreviations: Bombay Hook (Bombay Hook
Nat'l Wildlife Ref., near Smyrna, DE); Hamlin
Beach (Hamlin Beach State Park, Monroe Co.,
NY); Indian River (Indian River Inlet, Sussex Co.,
DE); P.V.P. ( Peace Valley Park, Bucks Co., PA);
Sandy Hook (Sandy Hook Unit, Gateway Nat'l
Recreation Area, Monmouth Co., NJ); S.C.M.M.
(South Cape May Meadow, West Cape May,
NJ); DBRC (Delaware Bird Records Committee);
NJBRC (New Jersey Bird Records Committee);
NYSARC (New York State Avian Records
Committee).

LOONS THROUGH IBISES

A Yellow-billed Loon at Hinkley, Oneida,
NY, Jan. 18-Feb. 1 (M. Perry, D. Cesari, G.
Phillips) appeared for the 2nd consecutive
year and provided the Region with its 3rd
record. Considering the rarity of the species
in the East, this bird may very well be the
same individual that appeared at Oswego
Harbor last winter. Just as last year, with
only 4 reports Red-necked Grebes were
scarce, reflecting mild conditions and open
water to the north. Only a single Eared
Grebe was reported, this one at Dewey
Beach, Sussex, DE, Feb. 5 (MG).

Two Am. Bitterns were reported from
Shinnecock, Long I., Jan. 30 (RJK) while
two others wintered in Delaware, one at
Port Mahon, Kent, DE (m.ob.) and another
at Indian River. Sixteen Great Egrets were

reported in December with three remaining
into February, one at Cape May, NJ, Feb. 8
(CS, PS, WD) and two others in the area of
the John Heinz N.W.R. at Tinicum, Dela¬
ware, PA. Snowy Egrets lingering late
included two at Cape May Jan. 30 (G.
Dwyer), and six Tricolored Herons were
reported from the Cape May area in
February (v.o.). In Delaware, seven were
reported on the Rehoboth Beach CBC Jan.
2 {fide J. Swertinski), one of which
remained through the period (m.ob.).
Unusual for the season was a Cattle Egret at
Riverhead, Long I., NY, through most of
December. A Glossy Ibis was present at Port
Mahon, Kent, DE, Dec. 27 while a possible
returning migrant was reported Feb. 21
from the Garden State Parkway just n. of
Cape May (D. Dowdell).

WATERFOWL

A Pink-footed Goose at P.V.P. Dec. 21 and
at Green Lane Res., Montgomery, PA, Dec.
31-Jan. 10 {fide KC) was probably the same
individual that appeared in Berks the two
previous years. The origin of this bird
remains unknown. Reports of nine or more
Greater White-fronted Geese coming from
all 4 states were about normal. Ross’s Goose
numbers continue to increase in the s. por¬
tion of the Region, with a total of 12: four
each from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and
Delaware. Several small Canada Geese
appeared in the area, continuing the trend
of last fall. An individual of race hutchinsii
was reported at Whallon’s Bay, Essex, NY,
Dec. 5 (m.ob.) and two at Green Lane Res.,
PA, in late February {fide AH). And one of
race minima was at Barnegat Light, Ocean,
NJ, Dec. 12 (CK). A Black Brant was in the
area of Jones Beach and Riis Park on Long
I. Jan. 22-Feb. 2 (v.o.). One to two Barnacle
Geese of unknown origin were reported in
mid-January from e. Pennsylvania, in
Montgomery at Ambler Res. and at Green
Lane Res. (B&NM, KC), and in Bucks at
P.V.P.

Trumpeter Swans continue to be reported
from New York’s Genesee region. A maxi¬
mum of six were at Irondequoit Bay, Mon¬
roe, Jan. 16 (RS). Eurasian Wigeon were
present in below normal numbers again
this year, with four in Delaware, three in
New Jersey, and one in New York. Radis

148

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

comments from n.e. New Jersey that N.
Shoveler numbers have been getting better
every year recently. One hundred were on L.
Parsippany, Morris, NJ, Jan. 17 (LX Harrison
et al.); 40 on Silver L., Sussex, DE, Jan. 17
(CB); 38 on the Catskill-Coxsackie CBC,
Albany, NY; and on Onondaga L., Onon¬
daga, NY, Dec. 19 a maximum of 28 (v.o.),
an unprecedented winter number. High
counts of Canvasback were 1410 on the
Hamlin Beach Lake Watch vs. a previous
high of 676 in 1987, and 300 at Silver L.,
Sussex, DE, Jan. 22 (CB).

Redheads were reported in spectacular
numbers in n.w. New York, with 2900 on
the Conesus- Hemlock CBC, Livingston,
Dec. 27, and 2573 on the Hamlin Beach
Lake Watch vs. a previous high of 410 in
1997. Others were scattered over the 4 states
with about 50 reported from along the
Hudson R. in New York’s Hudson-Mohawk
region; 74 reported from New Jersey with a
maximum of 12 at L. Parsippany, Morris,
January-February (RR); and peak of 38 on
Silver L., Sussex, DE, Feb 9-10 (NH). A
Tufted Duck was once again at Sandy Hook
and the nearby Shrewsbury R. estuary from
late December to mid-January (B. Fetz, D.
Lane, CK, v.o.). Another was at Ft. Erie,
Ontario, on the border of the New York’s
Niagara Region Jan. 17 (M. Morgante), and
two others at Patchogue, Long I., NY, from
early January to mid-February. A Com.
Eider, present from Jan. 17 into late
February, was a rare find at Sodus Pt.,
Wayne, in n. New York (RS, DT, MD, K.
Fox,). Others appeared in New Jersey and
on Long Island. The high count for
Harlequin Ducks was 34 Feb. 6 at Barnegat
Light, NJ (CS, PS, WD) while about a dozen
others were scattered through New York,
New Jersey, and Delaware. Barrow’s
Goldeneyes were present in respectable
numbers with three in upstate New York,
one along the Hudson R., one in Long
Island, and two in New Jersey. Ruddy Ducks
exploded with 800 at Liberty S.P., Essex, NJ,
Feb. 20 (R. Kane); up to 1000 at Jamaica Bay
N.W.R. on Long I. December-February
(RJK); a peak of 350 on Feb. 7 at Silver L.,
DE (CB); and smaller numbers at other
locations throughout the 4 states.

RAPTORS THROUGH CRANES

Lingering Ospreys were found on the
Chatham CBC, Columbia, NY, and at
Goshen, Cape May, Dec. 2 (P. Dunne) while
one in n.e. Atlantic, NJ, Feb. 27 (G&E
Mahler) was probably a north-bound
migrant. Bald Eagles tended to remain
north. Numbers reached an all-time high of

179 on the s. New York survey while the
New Jersey surveys were both down with 27
on the n. New Jersey survey, and 65 on one
in s. New Jersey. From Pennsylvania, Reid
reports a substantial increase, chiefly along
the Susquehanna R. from Bradford (D.
Allyn), Wyoming (WR), and Luzerne (RK,
B. Wasilewski). Rough-legged Hawks were
reported scarce in the s. parts of the region
but in reasonable numbers in the north.
The highest counts in upstate New York
included 20 at Coxsackic, Green, Jan. 31; 12
at Ft. Edward, Washington, Jan. 8 8c 31; and
10 Feb. 25 at Fairfield, Herkimer. There
were reports of 14 from New Jersey with a
maximum of seven-eight Jan. 30 at Wallkill
N.W.R. straddling Sussex, NJ, and Orange,
NY (TH, JB), one from Pennsylvania, and
one from Delaware. Wintering Am. Kestrels
were scarce except in New York’s
Hudson-Mohawk region where 38 were
reported on 9 CBCs, with 18 additional
reports of singles. Accounts of Merlin were
scattered in modest numbers over the 4
states. There were reports of 1 1 Peregrine
Falcons from New York’s Mohawk-Hudson
region, only a pair from Pennsylvania, and a
single bird from Delaware.

A total of 48 Ruffed Grouse were report¬
ed on 11 CBCs in New York’s Hudson-
Mohawk region, indicating a healthy popu¬
lation in that area, but only two were
reported from New Jersey (DB) where
numbers continue to decline. The Region
had five Sandhill Cranes during the season.
No fewer than three were in Monroe, NY: an
immature Dec. 3 at the Hamlin Beach Lake
Watch (DT, R. McKinney, R. O’Hara, WS),
one of unknown age Dec. 16 at Braddock
Bay (B. Ewald), and an adult at Greece Dec.
26-31 (RS, CSp, SSp, M. Romanofski, S.
Skelly). A 4th was at Orient Point, Long I.,
from mid-January through the end of the
season (m.ob.), and a 5th at Shartlesville,
Berks, PA, during the last 3 weeks of
February (B8cNM, v.o.).

SHOREBIRDS THROUGH ALCIDS

An imm. Black-bellied Plover Dec. 20 pro¬
vided a record-late date at Braddock Bay,
NY (CSp, RS, S. Sherony). Three Parasitic
Jaegers made appearances: a dark immature
at Westport, Essex, NY, Jan. 16 (JP, D.
Spaulding, R. Wei) was unusual there; a
light adult was at Dunkirk Harbor,
Chautauqua, NY, Dec. 1-4; and another
light adult was off Cape Henelopen S.P.,
Sussex, DE, Dec. 22 (CB). Following last
fall’s huge influx of Franklin’s Gulls, one
Dec. 26 (J. Citron) was seen on the
Wilmington CBC in Delaware where there

Photographed February 15, 1999,
at Indian River Inlet, Delaware, this male
Harlequin Duck was one of many scattered
across the Region during the season.
Photograph/Nick Pulcinella

are 9 previous records while a 2nd-winter
bird was recorded at Cape May Point S.P.,
NJ, Dec. 8 (SF). Four Little Gulls were
recorded in New Jersey (PL, SF, RC, TH et
al.), and one ad. and one first-winter bird
were at Indian River on various dates
between Dec. 4 and Jan. 30 (NH, SD, C.
Campbell, F. Rohrbacher). Four to five
Black-headed Gulls were in New Jersey and
four more in Delaware. Ad. Black-tailed
Gulls provided first records for both New
Jersey and New York. The first sighting, at
Cape May Dec. 3 & 10 (BS, PL, SF, RC, v.o.),
has already been accepted by NJBRC. The
2nd, at Manasquan Inlet, Ocean, NJ, Jan. 10,
1 1 (R. Confer, m.ob.), and the 3rd, at Jones
Beach S. P., Long I., Jan 31-Feb. 1 (AG,
AW), have yet to be considered by NJBRC
and NYSARC. In addition, there were
reports of Black-tailed Gull Jan. 17 at
Manasquan Inlet and Jan. 21 at Cape May.

An imm. Mew Gull, a major rarity in its
own right, was at Shinnecock Inlet, Long I.,
mid-January through the period (AG, AW,
T. Lauro, m.ob.). If accepted by NYSARC,
this would provide the 4th record for New
York. A first-winter California Gull at Point
Breeze, Orleans, NY, Dec. 17 (DT, MD)
added to the gull spectacle. This rare gull
has proven annual in the Buffalo area for
the past several years. Herring Gull num¬
bers of 25,000-30,000 at Florence, NJ, were
down (WD). While the status and identifi¬
cation of Thayer’s Gull remain cloudy, there
have been 4 reports of this taxon from n.
New York and one photographed in New
Jersey this year. Iceland Gulls made a strong
showing in New Jersey with a total of
65-70, approximately 30 at Florence ( WD).

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

149

^ A The bird of the season was certainly Black-tailed Gull. There were sightings in
New Jersey, New York, and Virginia, all of adult birds. The first appeared Dec.
3 & 10 at Cape May, at the s. tip of New Jersey. At least one observer experienced with
the species believes these 2 sightings were of different individuals. A short time later,
one bird was found at the usual spot at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel in Virginia.
It was soon joined by a 2nd, and the two were seen near each other. It was actually the
2nd bird to arrive in Virginia that more closely matched the plumage of the one that
wintered there the previous 2 years. The first bird to arrive more closely matched the
first and perhaps only bird seen at Cape May. Not long thereafter, the first Virginia bird
disappeared for the remainder of the season while the 2nd, the one returning for its 3rd
winter, remained into March. But, on Jan. 10 & 1 1, not long after the first Virginia bird
disappeared, one turned up at Manasquan Inlet in n. New Jersey. (Black-tailed Gulls
were reported there again Jan. 17 and at Cape May Jan. 21.) Then on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1
a Black-tailed Gull appeared at Jones Beach, NY. And there is some evidence suggesting
that the Manasquan bird could have been a different individual than the one appearing
at Jones Beach.

So, were there two birds in all? Or three? Were the sightings at Cape May of differ¬
ent birds, and were the birds seen at Manasquan and at Jones Beach different ones?
Photographs were taken of the Jones Beach bird and a videotape made of the
Manasquan individual. There may also be photos of the Virginia birds. One needs to see
them all to answer this question. To add further interest, additional Black-tailed Gulls
were found in s. Texas and briefly in Utah. (Many thanks to Paul Lehman for helping us
get this straight.)

There were reports of 21 from New York,
mainly upstate. Four additional reports
came from Delaware, three from the
Wilmington Landfill Feb. 12 (MG, BPe).
Dasey reports counting 113 Lesser Black-
backed Gulls in a 90-minute period at Flor¬
ence as they drifted by on the river while at
the same time 1 3 more were observed near¬
by in Pennsylvania (AB). Binns argues con¬
vincingly that a staggering 250 were in the
Florence area early in the season. Approxi¬
mately 19 Glaucous Gulls were reported
from New Jersey, a dozen from Florence.
Spahn reported them as regular and
increasing in the Genesee region of New
York, and 5 additional reports came from
other parts of the state. Five were reported
from Pennsylvania and three from Dela¬
ware. An imm. Black-legged Kittiwake at
Oswego, NY, Dec. 13 (BH) continued the
trend of early winter appearances in the
area.

Forster’s Terns lingered in large num¬
bers at Indian River with over 100 Dec. 16
and 30 Jan. 27 (SD), and a single individual
was at Pt. Lookout, Long I., January-
February (SS, v.o.). Black Skimmers lin¬
gered at Cape May, NJ, with 19 present Dec.
2 (SF et al.), three Dec. 20 (m.ob.), and two
lan. 14 (P. Brath, AR, RC). The alcid of the
season was Black Guillemot. One appeared
Dec. 8 at Manasquan Inlet, NJ (A. Bern¬
stein, PB, SB). This record has been accept¬
ed by NJBRC, making it the 8th for the
state. Two others were reported from Long

I, one Dec. 19 on the Brooklyn CBC (R.
Cech, P. Dempsey) and the other at
Montauk (AG).

OWLS THROUGH WOODPECKERS

Reports of only two Snowy Owls were sub¬
mitted this year, both from Delaware: one
on the Bombay Hook CBC Dec 27, and one
near Odessa, New Castle, Jan. 17 (J. White).
Northern Saw-whet Owls, too, were in
short supply. Six were reported from n.e.
Pennsylvania, three from Bradford, two
from Luzerne, and one from Wyoming (J.
Hoyson, RK et al.), and one on the Moores-
town CBC, Burlington, NJ. Dasey in s.e.
New Jersey called this the “worst year 1 can
remember” for Saw-whets while O. Heck in
Hunterdon, NJ, found none at all in any of
his customary locations.

An imm. male Ruby-throated Hum¬
mingbird at Elmer, Salem, NJ, Dec. 9-23 (R.
Gleason, fideWD) provided the state with a
record-late date. An ad. female Rufous
Hummingbird, present Dec. 4-Jan. 2 in
Belfonte, New Castle, DE, was banded and
its identification confirmed (E. Potrafke, E.
Short). The male Rufous Hummingbird in
Berks, PA, continued from last season until
at least Dec. 21 (J. Keim, m.ob.), and the
Selasphorus Hummingbird in Hunterdon,
NJ (J. DeMarrais, v.o.), continued from
Oct. 10 until Jan. 6.

Eleven Red-headed Woodpeckers were
reported from New York this season, with
10 from New York City’s Central Park

through the season (m.ob.). They were
scarce elsewhere with five in New Jersey, five
in Pennsylvania, and, after a fall with num¬
erous sightings, only two in Delaware. A
single Three-toed Woodpecker was a good
find in the Adirondacks on the Saranac L.
CBC, Franklin, NY. The Adirondacks also
produced four Black-backed Woodpeckers,
one on the same Saranac L. CBC.

FLYCATCHERS
THROUGH WAXWIIMGS

A W. Kingbird remained at Riverhead, Long
I., from early December into mid-January
(m.ob.). Northern Shrike reports were up
from last year with more that 30 from n.e.
New York. Elsewhere there were fewer
reports with four more from New York and
eight from New Jersey. A few Gray Jays
appeared in the Adirondacks with a maxi¬
mum of nine on the Saranac L. CBC.
Common Ravens are becoming fairly regu¬
lar at Picatinny Arsenal and Wildcat Ridge
in Morris, NJ (RR, Bill Gallegher et al.);
pairs were seen at both places, and there is
suitable nesting habitat in the vicinity; this
could become the 2nd area in the state to be
recolonized.

Four species of swallow remained into
December at Cape May Pt., NJ. Three-hun¬
dred Tree Swallows were at S.C.M.M. Dec.
14 (PL) and 483 were reported on the Cape
May CBC. A single N. Rough-winged Swal¬
low was present Dec. 1 (RC). The S.C.M.M.
produced two Cave Swallows Dec. 11 & 13
(JD, M. O’Brien, PL, m.ob.), a record-late
date for this recently annual November vis¬
itor; S.C.M.M. also held a Barn Swallow
until Dec. 12 (G. Myers, K. Lukens et al.).

Red-breasted Nuthatches were present
in good numbers only in the Adirondacks
with a high count of 166 on the Saranac L.
CBC; smaller numbers were present well
upstate in New York. Elsewhere, they were
almost absent. House Wrens lingered with
reports of one on the CBC and Jan. 21 & 23
(L. Amery, AR, J. Gutsmuth, S. Keller) at
Cape May, NJ, and one Dec. 20 on the
Schenectady CBC, NY. Sedge Wrens
remained into late December in s. New
Jersey, with three-four at Goshen Dec. 20
(R. Barber, CS, PS), one in N. Cape May
Dec 20 (JD, V. Elia), and one at S.C.M.M.
Dec. 21 (TP). Late Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers
were reported, one each on the Glenolden
CBC, Delaware, PA; on the Princeton CBC,
NJ; and Dec. 1-20 at Cape May (v.o.). A 4th
individual at Bombay Hook Feb. 27
(B&NM) may have been an early spring
migrant.

Three Mountain Bluebirds, all females,

150

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

hudson-delaware

graced s.e. New York: one in Purchase,
Westchester , Dec. 19 into January (J. Utter,
R. Wallace); one near Middletown, Orange,
Dec. 20 into early January (W&C Cairo, J.
Tramontano); and one at Northeast,
Duchess, Dec. 27-Jan. 27 (E. Anderson, R.
Nord). There are still fewer than a dozen
New York records. A Townsend’s Solitaire
discovered at the Heislerville W.M.A.,
Cumberland, NJ, on the Belleplain CBC
Dec. 27 (R. Blom, m.ob.) remained into
April and was accepted as the state’s 5th
record by NJBRC. A Varied Tlirush at
Saranac, Clinton, NY, Jan. 21 to the end of
the period (B. Coakley, B. Krueger, C&J
Mitchell) furnished surprisingly the first
record for New York’s Adirondack-
Champlain region, and Miga reports that
another at Alden, Erie, NY, Jan. 28-30 (G.
Seamans, K. Fox) was the 13th in the
Niagara-Frontier area since 1970. It was a
good year for Am. Robins, with a high total
of over 10,000 Jan. 10 at Mendon Ponds,
Monroe, NY (C. Cass, A. Clarridge).
Bohemian Waxwing numbers were low
with only a few reports from New York’s
Adirondack-Champlain region (JP) and a
single individual Jan. 17 at Hamlin, Monroe,
NY(DT).

WARBLERS THROUGH SPARROWS

The mild winter led many warblers to
remain well into the season, especially in
the s. parts of the Region. A dozen Orange-
crowned Warblers tarried in New Jersey,
five in Delaware, and one in Pennsylvania.
Late dates were Feb. 22 at the Beanery at
Cape May (TP), Feb. 26 at S.C.M.M. (BS)
and through the end of the period at Fresh
Pond near Dewey Beach, Sussex, DE (MG,
BPe). Four Nashville Warblers lingered at
Cape May, one remaining through the peri¬
od (m.ob.) and a 2nd still present Feb. 26
(BS). A Cape May Warbler overwintered at
Nazareth, Northampton, PA (RW). An
amazing Pine Warbler frequented a feeder
in Tupper L., Franklin, NY, Dec. 8-Jan. 13
(C. Delahante) when the temperature
dropped to -25°F. This bird provided the
2nd winter record for the Adirondack-
Champlain region. Another was reported
from New York, eight from New Jersey, and
two from Pennsylvania. A Prairie Warbler
Dec. 1-14 at Buckhorn Island S.P. near Buf¬
falo, NY (D. Suggs, P. Yoerg, W. D’Anna),
may have provided a first winter record for
that region, while another was seen on the
Cape May CBC. An Ovenbird was new for
the Lower Hudson CBC, Bergen, NJ. A Wil¬
son’s Warbler was at Palmyra, Burlington,
NJ, Dec 24 (TB) and cooperated on the

Moorestown CBC. Four Yellow-breasted
Chats lingered in New Jersey and one in
Pennsylvania.

American Tree Sparrows were present in
above-average numbers, especially in
upstate New York where 2324 were report¬
ed on 4 CBCs in the Hudson-Mohawk
region. Six Clay-colored Sparrows were
reported: one overwintering at Martins Cr.,
Northampton, PA (RW); one Feb. 6 at P.V.P.
(B&NM); one at Topton, Berks, PA, Dec.
19-31 (P. Saenger); one early February
through the period at Ft. Elsinboro, Salem,
NJ (W. Tannery); and two Nov. 30-Feb. 14
at W. Cape May (PL, m.ob.). A Vesper
Sparrow was a good find Feb. 27 at Ft.
Elsinboro (L. Larson, J. Williams). Le
Conte’s Sparrows Dec. 5 at Indian River
(K. Gaskill, T. Day) and at Assawoman
W.M.A. Jan. 2 on the Rehoboth CBC will
provide the 4th and 5th Delaware records if
accepted by DBRC. Another was found at
Sandy Hook Dec. 26 (SB) and a week later
afforded prolonged looks and was video¬
taped (C&C Bernstein).

It was an exceptional year for Fox Spar¬
rows on Delaware CBCs. Twenty were
recorded on the Wilmington CBC where
one-four are normal, and 35 were recorded
on the Bombay Hook CBC for an all-time
high. Twenty-one remained at Port of
Wilmington, New Castle, DE, late into
February (M. Smith). Elsewhere they were
present in normal numbers. An imm.
Harris’s Sparrow was photographed in
Harmony, Warren, NJ, Feb. 25 (J. Mathews,
fide D. Freiday). New Jersey has only 12
prior records. A White-crowned Sparrow
overwintered at Hogansburg, Franklin, NY
(H. White), exceptionally far north.

GROSBEAKS THROUGH FINCHES

A Black-headed Grosbeak was a welcome
visitor at a feeder in Goshen, Cape May, NJ,
from Feb. 6 into March (CS, PS). No fewer
than five Painted Buntings were present
this season, an unprecedented number. In
New Jersey, a male sporadically visited a
feeder in Middletown, Monmouth, until
Jan. 15 (SB, L. Mack, R. Hodum) and
another Jan. 19-Feb. 6 in W. Long Branch,
Monmouth (PB, v.o.). Also in New Jersey, a
female at Sandy Hook was a one-day bird in
December {fide PB) while a male visited in
Ocean ( fide PB). In Delaware a female was
recorded at Fresh Pond near Dewey Beach
Jan. 2 on the Rehoboth CBC (J. Janowski).
Two Dickcissels were present in Cape May,
NJ, one at Cape May Pt. Jan. 21 (D. Sibley)
and one in Goshen Feb. 1 into March (CS,
PS, WD); and one was in Lester, Philadel¬

phia, PA, Dec. 27 through February (N.
Pulcinella).

Red- winged Blackbirds peaked at I (),()()()
at Montezuma N.W.R., Wayne, NY, Feb. 18
(DT, MD) but were scarce there earlier in
the period. Three Yellow-headed Blackbirds
were reported from Pennsylvania: two win¬
tered in Northampton (AK) and one was
seen in s. Lancaster Feb. 19. In New Jersey,
where Dasey called the year bad for the
species, four were reported from Salem and
two from Burlington. The only report from
Delaware was from Ft. Penn, New Castle.
Brewer’s Blackbirds returned to the usual
locations near Leipsic, DE, but in lower
numbers than in the past. The maximum
recorded was 17 Jan. 24. The only other
reports were of single individuals Jan. 31
through February at Staten I., NY ( fide H. J.
Flamm, C. Hagen), and Dec. 20 at Oley,
Berks, PA (D. Kendall). Approximately
700,000 blackbirds, mostly Com. Crackles,
descended upon fields near Great Mea¬
dows, Warren, NJ, Dec. 24 into early Janu¬
ary (DB, R. Dunlap, R. Templin). Four
Baltimore Orioles were reported from New
Jersey: one at the Heislerville W.M.A.,
Cumberland, Jan. 4 (PB, SB); one at Cape
May Pt. Dec. 4 (JD); and two there Dec. 16
(PL). A 5th was on Long I. on the Orient
CBC Jan. 2.

Winter finches were very nearly absent.
Even Purple Finches were scarce. A maxi¬
mum of 12 Red Crossbills was recorded on
the Saranac L., NY, CBC with a few birds at
Hamilton, NY, breeding sites. Small num¬
bers were also reported from the w.
Adirondacks. Yunick has wisely begun iden¬
tifying Red Crossbills to race. White¬
winged Crossbills were reported only from
the Adirondacks with a high count of 1 3 on
the Saranac L. CBC. The top number of
Com. Redpolls was 70, reported on the
Ferrisburg CBC, Essex, NY, with almost no
reports farther south. Pine Siskins were
reported in very small numbers with peaks
of 15 on the Saranac L. CBC in the n.
Adirondacks and 20 at Windfall Pond in the
w. Adirondacks. All reports of Evening
Grosbeaks came from the Adirondacks and
nearby regions. They were absent from the
Elizabethtown CBC in the n. Adirondacks
for the first time since 1973, and only five
were recorded on the Saranac L. CBC. Two
bright spots were Tupper L. with 50 Feb. 15
(RB) and the Johnstown-Gloversville CBC
in the s. Adirondacks with 66 Dec. 27.

Observers: (subregional compilers in bold¬
face): Pete Bacinski, Tom Bailey (coastal
NJ: 87 Wyndham Place, Robbinsville, NJ

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

151

08691), Baird Ornithological Club, Scott
Barnes, Chris Bennett ( Sussex , DE: Cape
Henelopen S.P., 42 Cape Henelopen Dr.,
Lewes, DE 19958), Adrian Binns, Cyrus
Brame (John Heinz N.W.R. at Tinicum),
Dennis Briede, Kevin Creilley, Richard
Crossley, Ward Dasey (s.w. NJ: 29 Ark
Road, Medford, NJ 08055), M. Davids, Jim
Dowdell, Sam Dyke, Andrew P. Ednie
( New Castle and Kent DE: 59 Lawson Ave.,
Claymont DE 19703), Shawneen Finnegan,
Jane Graves (Hudson-Mohawk, NY: 133
York Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866),
Mary Gustafson, Andy Guthrie, Tom
Halliwell, Armas Hill (Philadelphia Bird¬
line), Norman Holgerson, Arlene Koch
(Lehigh Valley, PA: 1375 Raubsville Rd.,
Easton, PA 18042), Rick Koval, Chip
Krilovicz, R. ). Kurtz (RJK), Paul Lehman,
Dick Miga (Niagara Frontier, NY: 38 Elm
St., Fredonia, NY 14063), Bill & Naomi
Murphy, Tom Parsons, Ed Patton (n.w. NY:
9 Cornfield Terrace, Flemington, NJ
08822), Bruce Peterjohn (BPe), J. M. C.
Peterson (Adirondack-Champlain, NY:
Discovery Farm, RD 1, Elizabethtown, NY
12932), Bill Purcell (Oneida Lake Basin,
NY: 281 Baum Rd., Hastings, NY 13076),
Rick Radis (n.e NJ: 69 Ogden Ave.,
Rockaway, NJ 07866), Ralph T. Waterman
Bird Club, William Reid (n.e. PA: 73 W.
Ross St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701), Andre
Robinson, Rochester Birding Association,
Sy Schiff (Long Island, NY: 603 Mead
Terrace, S. Hempstead, NY 11550), C.
Spahn (CSp), R. G. Spahn (Genesee Orni¬
thological Society), S. Spahn (SSp), Brian
Sullivan, Clay Sutton, Pat Sutton (Cape
May Bird Observatory), William Symonds,
D. Tetlow, Brian Vemachio (n.e. NJ: 794
Rancocas Rd., Mt. Holly, NJ 08060), Angus
Wilson, Rick Wiltraut.

Joseph C. Burgiel, 331 Alpine Ct.,
Stanhope, NJ 07874 (burgiel@mail.nac.net),
Robert O. Paxton, 460 Riverside Dr., Apt.
72, New York, NY 10027 (rop1@columbia.edu),
and David A. Cutler, 1003 Livezey La.,
Philadelphia, PA 19119

J

Place names that are frequently men¬
tioned, but very long, may be abbreviat¬
ed in a form such as “C.B.B.T.” or
“W.P.B.O.” Such local abbreviations will
be explained in a key at the beginning
of the particular regional report in
which they are used. Standard abbrevi¬
ations that are used throughout North
American Birds are keyed on page 138.

Found on the Little Creek, Virginia, CBC December 31, 1998, this female Anhinga
stayed at the same location as last year, providing a remarkable third record
for this CBC. Photograph/Tim Barry

MARSHALL 1. ILIFF

his winter was generally very mild, and
December exceptionally so, but a few
notable storms swept through the Region.
A devastating ice storm in Virginia
December 23-24 deposited 0.75 inches of
ice, knocked down numbers of trees, and
caused a blackout that extended for ten
days in some southern Virginia areas ( JBB).
Another large, cold storm brought freezing
rain and snow January 2-3 but was fol¬
lowed by warm temperatures and clear
skies: Three butterfly species were seen on
the Annapolis Christmas Bird Count
January 3 (MJI). A week long cold snap in
early January froze most open water, and
another ice storm hit January 14-15 effect¬
ing much of northern Virginia and south¬
ern Maryland. Temperatures remained rel¬

atively mild for most of the rest of the sea¬
son. Several species reported without ade¬
quate details were not included. The bird¬
ing this winter was excellent and the high¬
lights included visitors from the southern
(Black-browed Albatross, Kelp Gull) and
western hemispheres (Black-tailed and pos¬
sible Slaty-backed gulls). All locations can
be assumed to be in Maryland except that
each Virginia locale is annotated the first
time it appears in the text.

Abbreviations: Assat. (Assateague I. National
Seashore); Bay (Chesapeake Bay); C.B.B.T.
(Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel); Chine.
(Chincoteague N.W.R. ); Conowingo (Conowin-
go Dam); Craney (Craney I. Disposal Area); D.C.
(District of Columbia); E.N. N.W.R. (Eastern Neck
N.W.R.); E.S.V.N.W.R. (Eastern Shore of Virginia
N.W.R.); p.a. (pending acceptance by state
records committee); P.R.N.A.S. (Patuxent R.
Naval Air Station); P.L.S.P. (Pt. Lookout State
Park).

LOONS THROUGH DUCKS

The stellar count of 1238 Red-throated
Loons at Winter Harbor, Mathews , VA, Dec.
12 ( JBB) was a record number for the area.
A fair number of others were found in the
Bay this winter, while one at Triadelphia L„
Howard , Jan. 24 was extremely unusual
inland in mid-winter (DE). Among the

152

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

below-average 3 reports of Red-necked
Grebe were two on the Mathews , VA, CBC
Jan. 3 ( fide MP).

Other tubenoses from the Feb. 6 pelagic
(BP et al.) were three N. Fulmars and a
good count of five Manx Shearwaters,
which seemed to be somewhat more com¬
mon than usual off the east coast this win¬
ter. The 800 N. Gannets in Mathews Dec.
12 (JBB) were evidence (along with the
record Red-throated Loon count) of a sig¬
nificant movement of coastal birds into the
lower Bay. Some gannets remained all sea¬
son as far north as Saint Mary's, continuing
the 5-year trend for this species. The only
Am. White Pelican was a single flyby at Ft.
Story, Virginia Beach, VA, Jan. 23 (DB, ED).
With the recent recovery and expansion of
Brown Pelican in the mid-Atlantic, it now
regularly winters in the mouth of the Bay,
but is usually gone from summering
grounds in the Maryland portion of the Bay
by mid-December. Not surprisingly, that
may be changing. One was seen at
Cambridge, Dorchester, Jan. 9 (DC, MAT);
an adult was at Smith I., Somerset, Jan. 16
(JLS, MJI); an immature was there Jan. 17
(JLS, MJI), and one (possibly the same?)
was across the Bay at P.L.S.P., Saint Mary’s,
the same day (J&BG). Prior to this year
there had been 4 January reports in the
state.

Double-crested Cormorants have suc¬
cessfully completed their colonization of
Bay waters as a regular wintering ground —
witness the surprising count of 175 along
the Potomac R. in Charles, MD, Jan. 24
(JLS). A female Anhinga on the Little Cr.,
VA, CBC Dec. 31 (ph.TBa) was in the same
place as last year and provided a remarkable
3rd record for that CBC.

After a number of unverified
reports for the Eastern Sea¬
board, Black-browed Albatross has

finally been well-documented in U.S.
waters (p.a. NB, ph. BP et al.). The
lucky participants on a Feb. 6 pelagic
trip off Virginia Beach, VA, were treat¬
ed to half-hour views of this large
tubenose at close range. Good photos
were obtained by a number of individ¬
uals. It was separated from Gray-head¬
ed Albatross primarily by its paler
head, wider wings, and dark gray bill,
and was aged as a juvenile by its very
dark underwing and dark bill.
Previous reports have hailed from
North Carolina to Massachusetts but
have come mostly in the summer.

Records of Ardeids alone could have
served as an accurate barometer of the mild
weather. Snowy Egret is rare in Maryland
even as late as the CBC season, so one on
the Ocean City CBC Dec. 29 (LMD) was
noteworthy. The discovery of two ad.
Snowy Egrets at Smith I., along with two
(adult and immature) Little Blue Herons,
Jan. 16-17 (ph. MJI, JLS) adds evidence to
the suspicion that southern herons may
winter more regularly at this temperate
central Bay island than at similar mainland
sites like Deal, Somerset, and Assat.,
Worcester. Tricolored Herons winter more
regularly in Maryland, and multiples were
seen at several coastal locales through
February. A Green Heron in Mathews
endured the mild winter at least through
the Jan. 3 CBC ( fide MP). Glossy Ibis are
unusual members of Maryland’s winter avi¬
fauna, but quite a few braved the mild win¬
ter at Deal. Singles and small groups were
seen through January and February (v.o.),
and Ringler encountered a veritable flock of
17 Feb. 27. White Ibis seems now to be a
regular winterer on Fisherman I., North¬
ampton, VA. The Cape Charles-Kiptopeke
CBC, Northampton, VA, counted 64 Dec. 27
( fide HTA) and two were at nearby
E.S.V.N.W.R., Northampton, VA, Feb. 8
(DH, BL, CS).

The Talbot CBC tallied 864 Mute Swans.
Oh joy.

Remarkably, we received reports of
Greater White-fronted Geese from 13 loca¬
tions, including high counts of four (three
adults, one immature) at W. Ocean City
Pond, Worcester, Dec. 5-12 (GL), three at
Locustville, Northampton, VA, Jan. 16-Feb.
7 (SA), and six at Easton, Talbot, Jan. 16
(DMo). The five identified to race were all
Greenland flavirostris. Observer attention
to goose flocks has continued to produce
regular records of Ross’s Geese and hutchin-
sii Canada Geese in the Region. Baltimore’s
first record of the latter was obtained Jan. 1
(EB, BM). Interestingly, two white geese
with pink bills and gray backs at School-
house Pond, Prince George’s, Dec. 8-16 (ph.
JLS) were apparently aberrant Canada
Geese (the eyes were dark, so they were not
true albinos).

The presence of more Wood Ducks in
the Piedmont than usual was more evidence
of the milder temperatures. A male
“Eurasian” Green-winged (Common) Teal

was at Deal Feb. 25 (p.a. SHD) and another
was in Prince William, VA, Feb. 8 (CT). This
split is imminent, perhaps contributing to
the recent flourish of reports of this
“species” in the Region. Cinnamon Teal in

Trumpeter Swans, undoubt¬
edly originating from recent
reintroduction programs in the Great
Lakes as far east as upstate New York,
have appeared several times in the
Region since the early 1990s. Unfor¬
tunately, reports rarely receive much
attention as they are “uncountable.”
Whether they are occurring regularly
in the large swan flocks in the Region
is still largely unknown, but this year
at least one immature (and possibly as
many as four) was at Conowingo from
mid-December to at least Jan. 23.
Though unbanded and not associating
with other swans for comparison, they
were well-studied and described by
several (fEB, BM, EJS). I hope field
observers will start paying a bit more
attention to the swans they encounter.

the Region lingered until mid-December,
with the last date for the Eastern Neck
N.W.R., Kent, pair being Dec. 15 (p.a. LS)
and the Accotink Cr., Fairfax, VA, male stay¬
ing through Dec. 17 (p.a. KG). Five Eur.
Wigeon was par for recent years. A remark¬
able movement of Redheads into the Region
took place in mid- and late January, espe¬
cially at inland locations where there are
usually very few or none. Counts in Mont¬
gomery along the Potomac R. — including
185 at Sycamore Landing Dec. 17 (PW),440
at Seneca (DC), and more than 300 at
Riley’s Lock Jan. 24 (N8<FS) — were evidence
of an incredible invasion but probably
involved parts of the same flock. A number
of other groups dropped in on small ponds,
and numbers everywhere were higher than
usual. Common Eiders (four-seven) and
Harlequin Ducks (up to 15) wintered at
Ocean City Inlet, but the C.B.B.T.,
Northampton, VA, hosted Harlequin Ducks
with a high of three Feb. 27 (MR) and no
Com. Eiders. Eiders in Virginia were one-
day-wonders with only a Common at
Fisherman I. Dec. 13 (NB) and an ad. male
King on the C.B.B.T. Jan. 31 (SH). Saint
Mary’s hosted both eiders with an imm.
male Common at P.L.S.P. Jan. 10 (GM) and
a King at P.R.N.A.S. Dec. 3 (PC, DL).

The ad. male Barrow’s Goldeneye at
P.R.N.A.S. during 1996 and 1997 returned
Feb. 27 (p.a. DL, LL, KR, m.ob.) after a one-
year absence and was seen well into March.
Hooded Merganser counts have been
increasing recently. This year’s most
impressive counts were 794 on the Cape
Charles-Kiptopeke CBC Dec. 27 ( fide HTA)
and 640 counted flying past George’s I.

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

153

^ M Tw° star appearances by rare larids prompted Miller to dub the
l^#^Maryland-Virginia area “Gulltopia,” and though the Chesapeake Bay and the
Region have always hosted great gulls (e.g., Yellow-legged Gull, Black-tailed Gull, etc.),
this season surely must have been the best ever. Things got really exciting when an enig¬
matic gull at Conowingo was tentatively identified as an ad. Slaty-backed Gull (p.a.)
Feb. 6 (EB, DC, MAT). It was seen daily by many over the next week and was last seen
Feb. 21 (EJS). Similar in size to a Herring Gull, it was about as dark-backed as a Lesser
Black-backed Gull, had pinkish legs, very large white apical spots to the primaries, hints
of the “string of pearls” pattern, pale gray primaries below, and a virtually unstreaked
head. Almost always distant, it was difficult to photograph, yet some good results were
obtained Feb. 12 (MJI, MH) and posted on the Web for opinions. Most of those expe¬
rienced with the species felt the white trailing edge of the wing was too narrow, the back
was too pale, and the “string of pearls” not obvious enough.

At the moment, it seems likely that one of the parents was a Slaty-backed Gull, but
whether the bird was within the range of variation for “pure” Slaty-backed seems
unlikely. If not, it begs the question of how many U.S. sightings have been of pure birds
since many have thought it is similar or identical to birds in Alaska and in n. parts of
the breeding range. Also present at Conowingo were a first-winter Thayer’s Gull, at least
four Iceland Gulls, a first-winter Glaucous Gull, and two California Gulls — a third-
winter Feb. 6-13 (p.a. EB, DC, MAT, ph. fm.ob.) and a second-winter Feb. 8-21 (p.a.
ph. fMJI, HLW, GLA, ph. fm.ob.). Another interesting bird there Feb. 10 (ph. MJI, MO)
was a pale first-winter Herring Gull that had a largely white rump and white tail with a
dark terminal band, features associated with European Herring Gulls (i.e.,
argenteus/ argentatus) .

During the same period the correct identification of a large, dark-backed gull at
Sandgates, Saint Mary’s , came to light. Though first noted (as a possible intermedins
Lesser Black-backed Gull) during January 1998 (ph. PC), the bird did not receive due
attention until it reappeared this year in late December (PC) and was seen again Jan. 3
(KR), Jan. 18 (PC, MC), and Feb. 1 1 (ph. MJI). Still, it was not until Janni and Hilton
visited Feb. 13 that it was tentatively identified as a Kelp Gull (p.a.), the Region’s first
and only the 2nd away from the Gulf Coast where the species has been breeding (and
interbreeding with Herring Gulls) for 10 years now. The overwhelming opinion is that
this bird must be pure (or close to it) and could not be an FI or even F2 hybrid. It
proved to be extremely loyal to the small dock behind the Sea Breeze restaurant where
the owners and employees became phenomenal hosts both for the bird, which received
a gratis daily meal of oysters on the half-shell, and for 700+ birders who paid for meals
often including the restaurant's now-famous cream of crab soup. It remained through
the end of the season.

Finally, the Black-tailed Gull (p.a.) that spent the past several winters at the C.B.B.T.
was back again this year, first being noted on the C.B.B.T. CBC Dec. 26 (NB et al.) and
staying through the season (f ph. m.ob.). Remarkably, it was joined by a 2nd individual
Dec. 31 (ph. KW, fJL) and Jan. 10 (BL), and individual plumage differences allowed
Brinkley to recognize the 2nd bird Jan. 3. One of those two birds strayed to either side
of the Bay to be recorded on the Cape Charles-Kiptopeke CBC at Fisherman I. Dec. 27
(fBW, RLA) and the Little Cr. CBC Dec. 31 (fPS). With the appearance of other birds
in New Jersey and New York, the status of this bird in the East is even more puzzling.
Just how many individuals were involved in these reports?

Landing, Worcester , at dusk Dec. 30 (MO,
LZ, MH). The two best Ruddy Duck counts
were a flock of 15,000 in Lecompte Bay,
Dorchester , Dec. 10 (JR, DM) and 10,000
along the Potomac R., Charles , Jan. 24
( JLS).

RAPTORS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS

Five Osprey reports along the Potomac R.,
D.C. and Montgomery , during late Decem¬
ber and January may have pertained to one
or several birds. A couple of other reports

were received for the winter, and returning
birds were noted in Prince George’s Feb. 22
(JLS) and Talbot Feb. 27 (HTA). Of 5 N.
Goshawk reports, the most widely enjoyed
was an immature that spent several weeks
in late December and early January in D.C.
on The Mall. Despite some other incredible
sightings this season, the imm. light-morph
Swainson’s Hawk soaring over Cheriton,
Northampton,VA, Jan. 5 (p.a. NB) may have
been one of the most shocking! A juv. dark-
morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk was found

at the Rte. 234/66 intersection Jan. 11
(fTMD, m.ob.) and remained through the
season, during which time it was banded
and photographed (ph. PN). Rough-legged
Hawks were not particularly common, but
a single juvenile was at Cape Charles,
Northampton , VA, Dec. 27 (TG, DS);
another wintered at Craney, Portsmouth,
VA (m.ob.). Though there were several
Golden Eagle reports scattered around the
Region as usual, the Blackwater area,
Dorchester , is still the only regular wintering
area. This year the CBC there registered a
record four, all, most surprisingly, listed as
adult. There were reports of, remarkably, at
least 45 different Merlins.

A Com. Moorhen still at Elliot I.,
Dorchester, Feb. 6-7 (HTA, JLS) provided
one of the latest winter records for the
species. The Sandhill Crane pens at
Patuxent Wildlife Refuge are surely the best
attractant of vagrant cranes in the Region,
and wild sandhills have been observed there
several times. One was seen circling the
pens Dec. 25 ( fide FWF), about the 4th
record there.

Semipalmated Plovers responded favor¬
ably to the low temperatures: five were on
the Wachapreague CBC Dec. 19 ( fide IA);
the Cape Charles-Kiptopeke CBC recorded
a new high of 74 Dec. 27 {fide HTA); one
was on Skimmer I., Worcester, Dec. 28
(HLW, LMD); and 1 1 were at Willis Wharf,
Northampton, VA, Feb. 7 (SA). One of the
more remarkable reports involved a Killdeer
with a freshly hatched young Dec. 20 (fSS)
on the Hopewell, VA, CBC; perhaps it
thought it was in the Southern Hemisphere?

American Avocets wintered in Virginia
in several locations, including two at
Fisherman I. Dec. 27 (BW, RLA), one at
Oyster, Northampton , Feb. 6-7 (BL, DH,
CS), and several at Craney with a high of
seven Jan. 31 (AW). Lesser Yellowlegs are
usually scarce in Maryland in winter, but
many remained at coastal locations, most
notably a flock of 62 Feb. 7 (JLS) at Elliot I.
One Willet spent the winter in the Ocean
City area (ph. MJI, N&FS, v.o.), and late
Spotted Sandpipers in Maryland included
one at Horn Pt., Dorchester, Dec. 10 (JR,
DM), one at Cape Charles Dec. 27
(fDOM), and one at Janes I., Somerset, Dec.
28 (HLW, LMD). A Whimbrel was on the
Wachapregue, Accomack, VA, CBC Dec. 19
(HTA). Despite mild conditions only one
Red Knot was reported, but four January
reports of Least Sandpipers in Maryland
testified to the weather; the high count was
nine at Vienna, Dorchester, Jan. 9 (MJI, JLS).
The Purple Sandpiper flock at Smith I.

154

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

middle atlantic coast

numbered 23 Ian. 17 (MJI, JLS); the species
obviously winters there annually.

Dowitchers wintered in numbers far
above average. The Cape Charles-
Kiptopeke CBC shattered the previous high
for Short-billed Dowitcher with 248 count¬
ed Dec. 27 {fide HTA) though Long-billed
was the common dowitcher elsewhere.
Records of the latter included 10 on the
Cape Charles-Kiptopeke CBC Dec. 27 (fide
HTA); six at Fairmont W.M.A., Somerset,
for a Crisfield CBC first (MJI, JLS); 39 on
the Ocean City CBC Dec. 29 fide CSR); one
at George’s I. Landing Dec. 30 (MO, LZ); 15
at Crisfield, Somerset, Jan. 18 (MJI, JLS);
and one at Elliot I. Feb. 6 (HTA). Maryland
has few prior winter records. Unidentified
dowitchers were seen at 5 additional loca¬
tions, all in coastal Maryland and Virginia.

JAEGERS THROUGH GULLS

The only jaeger this season was an ad.
Pomarine at the C.B.B.T. Feb. 21 (CT, PW)
though Great Skuas were seen on both the
Feb. 6 and Feb. 27 (BP et al.) pelagic trips,
two apiece. The departure of Laughing
Gulls in the Region is an interesting puzzle:
Do they leave at the end of December each
year or just with the first cold snap? In most
years they seem to be locally common
through New Years. The D.C. CBC recorded
more than 4000 Dec. 19 fide JBj), and hun¬
dreds were still in Upper Marlboro at least
through Christmas (MJI), but none were
reported in Maryland after Jan. 1 (singles
were noted in Virginia through the winter).
A massive storm Jan. 2-3 may have been
instrumental in clearing them out, but their
complete and sudden disappearance is
always a surprise. That same storm appar¬
ently moved hundreds of Bonaparte’s Gulls
into the Region with the Annapolis CBC
tallying 625 fide HLW), the Mathews CBC
getting a record 138 fide MP), and more
than 200 occurring off Saint Mary’s (TH)
Jan. 3. Others were found inland where they
are very unusual in mid-winter. Of the rarer
gulls in the Region, Black-headed Gulls
were found at Ocean City, where semi-reg¬
ular; at the C.B.B.T., where distinctly rarer
(v.o.); at Hains Pt., D.C., Dec. 17 (TMD,
KG, BA); and at P.R.N.A.S. Jan. 13 (MJI,
KR), the 2nd record there. Little Gulls were
at Ocean City, the C.B.B.T. (high of four
Feb. 7; MAP), and Ft. Story Feb. 7 (MAP).
Black-legged Kittiwakes were extremely
scarce offshore (two Feb. 6 and four Feb. 27;
BP et al.), but were detected regularly at the
C.B.B.T. during January and February, and
one was at Cape Charles Dec. 27 (DS, TG).
Franklin’s Gull is unknown during winter

in the Region, but what better time for each
state to get its first record than following
the landmark November invasion? One was
reported Dec. 7 (N&FS) from S.P.S.P., Anne
Arundel, and Virginia’s came Feb. 16 (SJ)
from the C.B.B.T. Lake Reddington, Prince
George’s, was the premier gullwatching spot
in early January when, during cold spells,
gulls came to rest on the ice and to bathe in
the open water. Sightings of up to two
Glaucous, three Iceland, one first-winter
Thayer’s Jan. 23 (DC), and an ad. California
Gull Feb. 16 (TH) brought a number of
birders to the Patuxent Research Refuge’s
Visitor Center where the pond and gulls
could be viewed from a heated, indoor
observation room. That sure beat the cold
and winds of Conowingo (if not the warm
food at the Sea Breeze)! Another ad.
California Gull was at the Tidal Basin,
D.C., Jan. 16 (p.a. fOJ) and a first-winter,
the age most rarely found in the Region,
was at Schoolhouse Pond Feb. 22 (p.a. JLS).

TERMS THROUGH FINCHES

Forster’s Terns lingered in very good num¬
bers with February reports from Mathews
(JBB) and Saint Mary’s (PC et al.). Rarer
were Black Skimmers at Chincoteague with
two Jan. 16 (SA) and six Jan. 31 (SH), and

one at Ocean City Inlet Jan. 30 (SHD).
Alcids were extremely scarce in the relative¬
ly warm offshore waters, with two Atlantic
Puffins and just one Razorbill on the Feb. 6
pelagic (BP et al.). A strange exception was
the Feb. 27 pelagic (BP et al.), which record¬
ed 50+ Atlantic Puffins along a sharp ther¬
mal change, a record count for Virginia
waters. The count might have been higher
with more effort along that change (NB). A
Razorbill at the C.B.B.T. Feb 1 (LW) & 7
(MAP, BL, DH, CS) was the only onshore
alcid.

Seven Long-eared and five N. Saw-whet
owl reports indicated that this was not a
significant flight year for either. Short¬
eared Owls were present in fair numbers,
certainly more widespread and numerous
than last winter. An imm. female Ruby-
throated Hummingbird banded at South
Pt., Worcester, for the Ocean City CBC Dec.
27 (ph. MG) provided only the 2nd winter
record for Maryland. It was last seen Jan. 5
fide MG). A hummingbird at Queenstown,
Queen Anne’s, Dec. 5 (A&CP) was not
described but was identified as a Ruby-
throated perhaps partly because it was seen
where the feeder had hung all summer!

A curiosity was a Downy Woodpecker
with a crimson wash, believed to be natur¬
al, on the sides of the face and upper breast;

This extremely well-fed Kelp Gull stayed much of the season in Saint Mary's County,
Maryland, where this photograph was taken during February 1999. A first
for the Middle Atlantic Coast Region and only the second ever to be found away
from the Gulf Coast, it had probably been present the previous winter
in the same location. Photograph/George Armistead

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

155

it was present in Glen Dale, Prince George’s,
during January (TB). Eastern Phoebes were
not especially common on some coastal
CBCs, but the Cape Charles-Kiptopeke
CBC logged a record 60 Dec. 27 {fide HTA),
and there were more inland reports than
usual, including four on the Howard Winter
Bird Count Feb. 6 {fide JS). Tree Swallows
were not widespread winterers on the lower
Eastern Shore of Maryland like last year,
but 100-200 wintered at Deal (SHD, MJI,
JLS). A Barn Swallow on Fisherman I. Dec.
13 (NB) was notably late. A Com. Raven off
Rte. 7 in Loudoun Jan. 10 (TMD, KG) was
slightly e. of its normal range. Exactly 17
Red-breasted Nuthatches were reported
this season, a dismal total. Two Brown¬
headed Nuthatches at Solomon’s, Calvert,
Jan. 10 (AB) were relocated Feb. 11 (ph.
MJI). This is the northernmost outpost for
the species on the W. Shore, but since they
had not been reported since 1994, they were
believed gone. A new high for House Wrens
was set for the Cape Charles-Kiptopeke
CBC Dec. 27 with 57, most of which were at
the E.S.V.N.W.R. (MJI, JLS). Ruby-crowned
Kinglets were more common and penetrat¬
ed farther inland than in most years. A
Loggerhead Shrike was seen Dec. 20 on the
Hopewell CBC {fide SS).

A Blue-headed Vireo was found on the
Salisbury CBC, Wicomico, Dec. 20 (C&GV);
the species has recently occurred almost
annually on one of Maryland’s Lower
Eastern Shore CBCs. It is a more regular
winterer in Virginia where singles at
Seashore S.P., Virginia Beach, Feb. 6 (MAP)
and Kiptopeke S.P., Northampton, Feb. 8
(BL, CS, DH) suggested the species persists
beyond the CBC season. The 15 Orange-
crowned Warbler reports represented an
impressive total. The LBJ Grove in D.C.
hosted the most cooperative individuals of
this species, with one-two there Dec.
25-Feb. 15 (KG, m.ob.). A late Nashville
Warbler Dec. 6 (RFR et al.) was found at
E.N.N.W.R., Kent. A Cape May Warbler was
found at Craney Dec. 10 (SS), and an ad.
female was at Bellevue, Talbot, Dec. 20
(|HTA). Maryland’s first January Cape May
Warbler was an ad. male coming to a feeder
at Glen Dale, Prince George’s, Jan. 6-Feb. 18
(LK, ph. FWF, ph. MJI, ph. GMJ). Other late
warblers were a Black-and-white on the
Cape Charles-Kiptopeke CBC Dec. 27 (AH,
WCR), an Ovenbird at Chino Farms, Queen
Anne’s, Dec. 20 (BS), an Am. Redstart on
the Hopewell CBC Dec. 20 {fide SS), and
two Yellow-breasted Chats on the D.C. CBC
Dec. 19 {fide SF).

Chipping Sparrows mirrored other half¬

hardies, being more common and wide¬
spread than usual. Two Clay-colored
Sparrows were found in Maryland: the first
was at E. A. Vaughn, Worcester, Dec. 30
(MO, LZ); the 2nd was near Berlin,
Worcester, Dec. 30-Feb. 14 (ph. MH, SHD,
m.ob.). Ten wintering Vesper Sparrows
were found this season. The new high of 63
Ipswich Sparrows on the Ocean City CBC
Dec. 29 {fide CSR) was due to good cover¬
age of Assateague and Skimmer islands.
Sharp-tailed Sparrow reports were split
about evenly between the 2 species. Three
Nelson’s at Smith I. Dec. 17 (JLS, MJI) and
one at Elliot I. Feb. 7 (JLS) were the only
reports away from the immediate coast.
Smith I. again was a hotbed of wintering
Seaside Sparrows (rare winterers on the
mainland), with 16 counted Feb. 7 (JLS,
MJI). Nine Lincoln’s Sparrow reports fur¬
nished a good total, including three in
Worcester (MH, MJI) and an amazing four
at one location on the Cape Charles-
Kiptopeke CBC Dec. 27 (TG, DS). Lapland
Longspurs were fairly widespread, the
largest count being 65 at RR.N.A.S. Feb.
10-28 (KR, DL et al.). Single Yellow-headed
Blackbirds included an imm. male at
Bradenbaugh, Harford, Dec. 1 (EB, BM)
and an ad. male at Craney Jan. 30 (AW).
Four Baltimore Orioles were reported.

Winter finches were extraordinarily
scarce with almost no reports for Purple
Finches and Pine Siskins, and no Evening
Grosbeaks or crossbills. One Com. Redpoll
at Glen Burnie, Anne Arundel, visited a
feeder for about a week starting Dec. 18
(SA), the only report.

Observers (area compilers in boldface): Bob

Abrams, Irvin Ailes, Robert L. Anderson,
Henry T. Armistead, Stan Arnold, Tim
Barry (TBa), John B. Bazuin, Tom Beal,
John Bjerke, Eirik Blom, David Bridge, Ned
Brinkley, Andy Brown, Wallace Coffey
(Valley Birds internet group), Patty Craig
( Saint Mary’s, P.O. Box 84, Lexington Park,
MD 20653), Marty Cribb, Dave Czaplak,
Lynn M. Davidson, Todd M. Day, Eric
Decker, Samuel H. Dyke, Darius Ecker,
Ethel Engle {Caroline, MD, 20789 Dover
Bridge Rd., Preston, MD 21655), Fred W.
Fallon, Sam Freiberg {Montgomery, 8733
Susanna Lane, Chevy Chase, MD 20815-
4713), Joe & Betty Gagliano, Kurt Gaskill,
Mary Gustafson, Tom Gwynn, Aaron
Haines, Tom Harten, Al Haury {Anne
Arundel, 852 Redwood Trail, Crownsville,
MD 21032, cactuswren@erols.com), Susan
Heath, Jane Hill (Voice of the Naturalist),
Rob Hilton, Duanne Hoffman, Mark

Hoffman, Ottavio Janni, Simone Jenion,
George M. Jett, Lynn Kenney, Bev
Leeuwenberg, Joe Leopold, Doug Lister,
Glen Lovelace, Don Merritt, Greg Miller,
Brian Monk, Dave Mozurkewich (DMo),
Paul Napier, Michael O’Brien, Michael A.
Patten, Brian Patteson, Elizabeth Pitney
( Wicomico , 7218 Walston Switch Rd.,
Parsonsburg, MD 21849), Mary Pulley,
Andi & Chris Pupke, Kyle Rambo, Jan
Reese, Marc Ribaudo, Robert F. Ringler,
Chandler S. Robbins, Will C. Russell, Fran
Saunders, Norm Saunders (MDOsprey
internet group), Eugene J. Scarpulla, Linda
Schindler, Don Schwab, Janet Shields
{Frederick/Washington, 13105 Fountsain
Head Rd., Hagerstown, MD 21742, JANET -
BILL@prodigy.net), Sherrie Siers, Jo Solem
{Howard 10617 Graeloch Rd., Laurel, MD
20723), Bill Snyder, Chuck Studeholme,
Paul Sykes, Mary Ann Todd, Craig Turner,
Charlie & Gail Vaughn, Keith Watson, Peter
Weber, Audrey Whitlock, Hal L. Wierenga,
Bill Williams, Les Willis (Virginia
Birdline), Paul Woodward, Louise Zemaitis.

Marshall J. Iliff; report to James L. Stasz,

P.O. Box 71, North Beach, MD 20714
(jlstasz@aol.com)

Place names that are frequently men¬
tioned, but very long, may be abbreviat¬
ed in a form such as “C.B.B.T.” or
“W.P.B.O.” Such local abbreviations will
be explained in a key at the beginning
of the particular regional report in
which they are used. Standard abbrevi¬
ations that are used throughout North
American Birds are keyed on page 138.

156

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

southern atlantic
region

RICKY DAVIS

nee again, the Region experienced a
“global warming” kind of winter.
Temperatures were above average through¬
out the period with the first half of Decem¬
ber having record warmth. The only Region
wide cold snap didn’t set in until the middle
of February. Needless to say, frozen precipi¬
tation was not a factor for the birds (or
birders) in most of the Region. And as one
would expect, there was an abundance of
lingering late-fall birds; check out some of
the warblers reported! One disturbing
event occurred this season — hundreds of
oiled waterbirds (mostly Common Loons)
washed up on the beaches of the upper
South Carolina and lower North Carolina
coasts in January. The Region has been rel¬
atively lucky, with few instances such as
this. The cause of this spill was traced to a
passing ship’s illegal “bilge dumping.” One
shudders to think what could happen if oil
drilling becomes prevalent off our beaches

Abbreviations: B.R.C. (Bird Records Commit¬
tee); C. Hatt. (Cape Hatteras, NC); E.L.H. (E. L.
Huie Land Application Facility, Clayton Co.,
GA); H.B.S.P. (Huntington Beach S.P., SC); L.M.
(Lake Mattamuskeet, NC); P.l. (Pea Island
N.W.R., NC); S.S.S. (Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper
Co., SC); W.M.A. (Wildlife Management Area);
W.T.P. (Wastewater Treatment Plant).

LOOMS THROUGH WOOD STORK

Inland Red-throated Loons were found
only in Georgia with singles at L. Juliette
Dec. 6 & 21 (fide TJ) and West Point L. Dec.
14 (GB, KD). This season’s Pacific Loon
reports involved one in Croatan Sound,

Roanoke I., NC, Dec. 12 (DD, et al.) and
one still at Figure Eight I., NC, Dec. 20
(DC). Red-necked Grebes were found spar¬
ingly, the best count being three at FLB.S.P.,
SC, Jan. 10 (TK). Eared Grebes continue to
winter in the Region at several locations.
The highest totals reported were 12 at the
S.S.S. Dec. 10 (SC) and nine at L. Lanier,
GA, Dec. 5 (fide TM).

Interesting seabirds included a beached
specimen of Cory’s Shearwater at H.B.S.P.
Dec. 10 (JP), a rare-in-winter Sooty Shear¬
water off Oregon Inlet, NC, Jan. 30 (BP et
al.), and an unidentified storm-petrel off of
Savannah, GA, Feb. 21 (GB et al.). There
were only about 4 Am. White Pelican
reports received, but one was at L. Walter F.
George, GA, Jan. 24 (fide TM), providing a
rare inland sighting. Extremely late Magni¬
ficent Frigatebirds were found in North
Carolina with a female at New River Inlet
Dec. 3 (BG) and a male inland near Golds¬
boro Dec. 9 (MS). These provided about
the 3rd or 4th winter reports for the state.
Long-legged waders lingered in good num¬
bers, some of the better reports including
two Least Bitterns at Buxton, NC, Jan. 4
(ML, EF); one Reddish Egret at H.B.S.P.
Dec. 5-6 (JP, RC, CE et al.); two Reddish
Egrets on the Glynn, GA, CBC Jan. 2 (fide
TM); three Reddish Egrets on the South-
port, NC, CBC Jan. 3 (JF et al.); 30 Cattle
Egrets at Alligator River N.W.R., NC, Dec.
28 (RD); an imm. Yellow-Crowned Night-
Heron at Ft. Fisher, NC, Dec. 12 (BGe); and
two Glossy Ibis near Beaufort, NC, during
the first half of January (RB, JF, SA).

One of the latest dates ever for Roseate
Spoonbill was provided by one quite a dis¬
tance away from the usual Brunswick area
on Skidaway I., GA, Dec. 28 (fide TM).
Wood Storks seem to be lingering later each
year with one on the Litchfield-Pawley’s I.,
SC, CBC Dec. 30 (LG), one on the Albany,
GA, CBC Dec. 26 (fide TM), and an impres¬
sive 17 in Grady, GA, Dec. 17 (GM et al.).

WATERFOWL

THROUGH SANDHILL CRANE

A Black-bellied Whistling-Duck found at
Wanchese, NC, late December to February
(m.ob.) was first thought to be a wild, wan-

coast

dering bird in light of the recently expand¬
ing Florida populations. Diligent searching,
however, turned up evidence that a local
hunt club had lost several of these ducks! It
is practically impossible to prove the wild¬
ness in any extralimital waterfowl although
escaped birds can often be determined.
Greater White-fronted Geese continued to
increase from the fall season. Noteworthy
totals included 23 at Eufaula N.W.R., GA,
Feb. 26 (fide JH), four-six at Santee N.W.R.,
SC, all winter (VA, LG, m.ob.), six near L.M.
Dec. 13 (DD), and four in Albany, GA, Dec.
26 (fide TM). Reports came from at least 6
other sites, indicating a major winter influx.
There was probably a record number of
Ross’s Goose reports this winter. An amaz¬
ing count of nine was made on the L.M.
CBC Dec. 27 (fide AB), four were present
near Pontiac, Richland, SC, Jan. 5 through
the period (LG, m.ob.), two were on the
Bodie-Pea Is., NC, CBC Dec. 29 (fide PS),
two were near Commerce, Madison, GA,
Feb. 17-18 (EH, GB et al.), and two were at
Pungo N.W.R., NC, Jan. 30 (HW et al.). A
very small Canada Goose at Pungo N.W.R.
Jan. 30 was determined to be the race
hutchinsii (HW et al.), extremely unusual in
our Region.

A male Eur. Wigeon at Augusta, GA,
Dec. 26 through January (VW, CZ, m.ob.)
provided the first report for that state since
1975! Other male Eurasians included one at
L.M. Dec. 27 (RD, DC), one in the Bodie-
Pea Is. area during January (BC, JF et al.,
m.ob.), and one at Greenfield L., Wilm¬
ington, NC, Jan. 31 through February (fide
ED, v.o.). Of interest was the count of 11
Mottled Ducks on the Litchfield- Pawley’s
I., SC, CBC Dec. 30 (fide JP). Since this
species continues to do well in a few estab¬
lished coastal areas of Georgia and South
Carolina, observers in North Carolina need
to be on the lookout for it. Noteworthy,
especially away from the coast, was a
“Eurasian” Green-winged Teal at Greenview
Pond, Wake, NC, Jan. 10 (RD).

Numbers of the regular puddle ducks
seemed about average Regionwide while
diving ducks seemed to be present in slight¬
ly better-than-average numbers. The only
eider reports included three Commons at

VOLUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 2

157

Southern Shores, NC, Jan. 30 (RD) and a
very rare female King at Jekyll I., GA, Dec.
1 1 (LT, LD). Only one Harlequin Duck
showed up, a female at Wrightsville Beach,
NC, Jan. 2 (RD). Inland scoters included
Surfs at Falls L., NC, Jan. 2 (CE1, GBr),
Winston-Salem, NC, Jan. 2-4 (RHo), and
Richland, SC, Jan. 10 (RC, CE), and a Black
at E.L.H. Feb. 28 (MB). Oldsquaw made
news with inland reports, including one-
two at Augusta, GA, Jan. 9-Feb. 13 (SW, JFl
et ah, m.ob.), one at L. Oliphant, Chester,
SC, Jan. 10-13 (MT, LG), and a good count
of nine at Jordan L., NC, Jan. 10 (RD, WC).
A male Com. Merganser was observed at
Eufaula N.W.R., GA, Dec. 26 (fide JFl), not
only rare for that state but also very far
south.

Following last fall’s dark-morph Red¬
tailed Hawk in South Carolina, one was
observed in e. Crawford, GA, Feb. 13 (GB).
Is there a pattern starting to develop with
western Red-tails showing up in the
Region? The season’s only reported Rough¬
legged Hawk was at Alligator River N.W.R.,
NC, Jan. 29 until at least Feb. 19 (ST et ah,
MM, m.ob.). Golden Eagle reports were
way up with individuals being found in all
3 states. The most unusual were one near
Dover, Craven, NC, Feb. 22 (LC), an adult
near Fayetteville, NC, in early February
( fide HB), an adult at the Savannah N.W.R.,
SC, Jan. 3 (RC, CE), an immature at L.
Juliette, GA, Jan. 1 & 3 (fide TM), and an
immature in the Okefenokee Swamp, GA,
Jan. 7 (fide SWi).

Winter reports of Purple Gallinule are
always unusual; this year two were found,
an adult in Georgetown, SC, Feb. 21 (DF et
ah), and an immature way n. at Nags Head,
NC, Dec. 29-30 (CG, m.ob.). The only
Sandhill Crane found outside of the normal
Georgia migration corridor was in a field in
Madison, SC, Feb. 27 (fide JP).

PLOVERS THROUGH ALCIDS

Wilson’s Plovers lingered in good numbers,
the best counts coming from Georgia with
14 on Ossabaw I. Jan. 22 (JFl), 12 at Jekyll I.
Dec. 13 (GB et ah), and 11 on the St.
Catherine’s I., GA, CBC Dec. 19 (fide EU).
Piping Plover numbers seemed about aver¬
age throughout the Region. Five wintering
Spotted Sandpiper reports, three in Georgia
and one each in the Carolinas, were average.
Apart from one Long-billed Curlew on the
Wilmington, NC, CBC Jan. 2 ( JB), all others
were found in Georgia. Excellent counts
included five on the St. Catherine’s I. CBC
Dec. 19 (fide AW) and three on Ossabaw I.
Jan. 22 (JFl). A Pectoral Sandpiper observed

at St. Mary’s, GA, Dec. 19 (Swi) was obvi¬
ously a late fall migrant. The wintering Stilt
Sandpipers at the S.S.S., SC, site were pre¬
sent all season, with the peak being 20 Dec.
1 and with 13 still present Feb. 9 (SC). A
new area upstream at Onslow I., GA, also
had Stilt Sandpipers with 39 Jan. 21 (GB et
ah). With these locations being the most
northerly known wintering sites for the
species, continued monitoring is impor¬
tant. A flock of seven Short-billed Dowitch-
ers wintered inland at Macon, GA (GB et
ah), a most unusual occurrence in the
Region.

Great Skua was once again found off the
North Carolina coast with three off Hat-
teras Feb. 13 (BP et ah). Laughing Gulls
often linger into winter during mild sea¬
sons, and this year was no different. One
was rare inland on the Falls L., NC, CBC
Jan. 2 (fide WC), but almost unbelievable
was the flock of 540 in a field near Scotland
Neck, NC, Dec. 12 (RD). Very rare in win¬
ter, a first-year Franklin’s Gull was found
on the L. Norman, NC, CBC Dec. 20 (DW
et ah). No doubt this bird was a part of the
large number of storm-blown fall migrants
found in the East during November. The
only Little Gull report was, surprisingly, in
Georgia where an immature was at the
Altamaha R. Estuary Dec. 2 (GB et ah), pro¬
viding one of only a handful of reports for
that state. Black-headed Gulls were found
twice, one at Pine Knoll Shores, NC, Dec. 10
(fide JF) and another, possibly the same
individual, nearby at the Morehead City
W.T.P. Jan. 17-22 (JF). Once again the C.
Hatt. area hosted several gull species. The
now-regular gulls included one-two
Californias Dec. 26-Feb. 14 (ED, m.ob.),

one ad. Thayer’s Dec. 30-Jan. 30 (fide HL,
v.o.), two Icelands Dec. 26-Jan. 31 (ED, BC,
m.ob.), two Glaucous all season (m.ob.),
and the usual bunches of Lesser Black-
backeds (m.ob.). Elsewhere, gulls of interest
included an Iceland on the Southport, NC,
CBC Jan. 3 (DC), a Lesser Black-backed at
West Point L. Dam, GA, Dec. 30 (GB et ah),
a Glaucous at the same area Jan. 16 and
Feb. 6 (JFl), and a Glaucous on Cumber¬
land I., GA, Dec. 19 (SWi).

Of interest in the Jekyll I., GA, area were
two different imm. Thayer’s types in late
January (PS, GB et ah, v.o.). Mass confusion
reigned over the identity of these birds. As
yet, there are no confirmed Georgia re¬
cords. Totally unexpected, an imm. Bridled
Tern was found dead at the base of a build¬
ing at Pawley’s L, SC, Jan. 18 (LG et ah).
Winter records of this species are practical¬
ly non-existent in the Region. Inexplicably,
two Black Skimmers were far inland at the
Cherry Hospital, Wayne, NC, Dec. 24 (ED),
providing the first truly inland winter
report for the state. The only Razorbills
reported all season were two flying S off the
beach at Corolla, NC, Jan. 30 (RD). North
Carolina’s 3rd report of Atlantic Puffin
involved two seen on the water and in flight
off Oregon Inlet Jan. 30 (BP et ah).

DOVES THROUGH THRUSHES

Eurasian Collared-Dove continues to
increase in the Region. The most northerly
known outpost is the Beaufort, NC, area
where at least six are still present (JF), and
the largest count so far was 213 on the
Glynn, GA, CBC Jan. 2 (fide TM). White¬
winged Doves also seem to be infiltrating
the Region with the Beaufort, NC, birds

Winter records of Bridled Terns are practically nonexistent in the Region,

making this individual, found dead at Pawley's Island, South Carolina, January 18, 1999,

noteworthy. Photograph/Lex Glover

158

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

southern atlantic coast

numbering three (fide IF), one at Columbia,
SC, Dec. 20 ()E), one on the Lithch-
field-Pawley’s I., SC, CBC Dec. 30 (LG), one
at Folly Beach, SC, Jan. 22 (LG), and two on
St. Catherine’s 1., GA, Dec. 20 (JS, CL). A
nighthawk found injured (later died) on a
road near Newport, Carteret , NC, Dec. 9
(fide JF) was identified as the region’s first
Lesser Nighthawk. The specimen, now in
the collection of the state museum, appears
to be an ad. male (SC).

Wintering hummingbirds in the Region
continue to amaze. This winter no fewer
than 75 Archilochus and 25 Selasphorus
reports came from the Carolinas alone.
Georgia also had many reports of both
groups. It is becoming apparent that a large
percentage of Archilochus hummers ends
up along the coast while Selasphorus hum¬
mers seem spread out between coastal and
inland sites. The Charlotte, NC, Anna’s
Hummingbird remained throughout the
winter and by Mar. 1 (the last day present)
had acquired much of its head and gorget
colors (JWa). A male Vermilion Flycatcher
found at Okefenokee N.W.R. Feb. 12 was
relocated 4-5 mi away Feb. 23 (fide TM). It
has been many years since the last report for
the state, and unfortunately the news of this
bird did not spread for others to see it.
Always noteworthy for the winter season,
W. Kingbirds were found at Ft. Pulaski, GA,
Dec. 1 (MBe) and Ft. Fisher, NC, Dec. 9
(KW). White-eyed Vireos were more preva¬
lent than usual this winter with at least 5
North Carolina, 3 South Carolina, 3
Georgia reports. Much more unusual were
the two Yellow-throated Vireos, one on
the Durham, NC, CBC Dec. 20 (OM) and
one on the Glynn, GA, CBC Jan. 2 (fide
MC). Numbers of Red-breasted Nuthatch¬
es were once again low with many observers
reporting none for the entire period. And,
as if to prove a point about the warm win¬
ter, in Charlotte, NC, a pair of Am. Robins
built a nest in late January, laid 3 eggs in
early February, and incubated them for 3
weeks before abandoning the effort (fide
BHi)!

WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES

Lingering warblers made news. In the L. M.
area alone at least 13 species were reported.
On the CBC there Dec. 27, 1 1 species were
found, including Nashville, N. Parula,
Yellow, Yellow-throated, and multiple
Black-and-whites (fide AB). On Dec. 28, a
Wilson’s was found (JF), and on Jan. 31 an
unprecedented winter Black-throated
Green Warbler was observed at close range
(KF et al.). Other amazing finds were a

Chestnut-sided Warbler on the Raleigh,
NC, CBC Dec. 19 (JG, fide SCa), a Black-
throated Blue at Southern Pines, NC, Dec. 2
(DB), another Black-throated Blue on the
Glynn, GA, CBC )an. 2 (fide MC), and a
Blackpoll Warbler (male in alternate
plumage!) well described on the Rocky R.,
SC, CBC Dec. 22 (SP). The Black-throated
Green, Chestnut-sided, and Blackpoll pro¬
vided the first-ever winter records, and the
Blackpoll constituted one of very few win¬
ter sightings ever for North America!

Winter tanagers always cause excite¬
ment; thus, of interest were two Westerns,
one at Bellville, Evans, GA, Dec. 2 until at
least Feb. 2 (MBl, m.ob.) and another at
Greenville, NC, lan. 16 until the end of the
period (KH, m.ob.). Even rarer was a
Summer Tanager reported from Warner
Robins, GA, Feb. 8 (fide TM). Sparrow
numbers seemed up over most of the
Region. Clay-colored Sparrows were found
on Cumberland I., GA, Dec. 13 (SWi), on
the Wayne, NC, CBC Dec. 19 (RD), on the
Morehead City, NC, CBC Dec. 20 ( JW), and
on the New Bern, NC, CBC Dec. 21 (JW).
Lark Sparrow was found only once, an indi¬
vidual at Ocracoke, NC, Jan. 1-2 (HB).
Grasshopper Sparrow reports included sin¬
gles at the S.S.S. Dec. 24 (SC), on the Santee
N.W.R. , SC, CBC Jan. 2 (fide LG), and on
the Wilmington, NC, CBC Jan. 2 (GM).
Other good sparrow reports included five
Henslow’s on the St. Catherine’s I., GA,
CBC Dec. 19 (fide AW), a total of 15 Le
Conte’s at Eufaula N.W.R., GA, Dec. 19
(MB et al., v.o.), and a Harris’s Sparrow at
the Chattahoochee Nature Center, Roswell,
GA, Feb. 6 through the period (MW,
m.ob.). This bird was possibly present as
early as December when a visiting British
birder reported one there, but it was not
found again until January.

Lapland Longspurs were about normal
in occurrence with the best count up to
eight on the Litchfield-Pawley’s I., SC, CBC
Dec. 30 (fide JP). Also at H.B.S.P., a Smith’s
Longspur was located with some Laplands
at the jetty Jan. 10 (TK) and was seen until
at least Feb. 10 by many. This bird repre¬
sented the state’s 2nd record, the first
occurring in 1889! Snow Bunting reports
were about average with a best count of 25
at the n. end of P.I. Feb. 13 (BGe).

Of interest were a late Rose-breasted
Grosbeak at a feeder in Gastonia, NC, Dec.
5-6 (STr) and an early Indigo Bunting in
McIntosh, GA, Feb. 25 (fide DCo). Coastal
reports of wintering Painted Buntings are
not too unusual any more, but inland win¬
ter sightings are quite rare. This winter a

male was at feeder in Benson, NC, Dec.
14-18 (DSh), and another male was at a
feeder in Edenton, NC, Jan. 29 to early
February (fide PT). The now annual Yellow-
headed Blackbird was found twice in North
Carolina with two males on the n. side of
L.M. Dec. 13 (DD) and a female e. of
Creswell, Washington, Dec. 31 (RD). Also of
note was count of 48 Brewer’s Blackbirds
on the Santee N.W.R., SC, CBC Jan. 2 (fide
LG), one of the best totals for that species in
the Carolinas. A male Shiny Cowbird was at
a Brunswick, GA, feeder Jan. 24 until Jan.
29, when it was observed being caught by
an Accipiter (EK, m.ob.)! Finches were def¬
initely in short supply. Purple Finches were
present in small numbers, Pine Siskins were
in even smaller numbers, and Evening
Grosbeak reports totaled 5 across the
Region.

Contributors: Susan Arrington, Van Atkins,
Giff Beaton, Michael Bell, Michael Beohm
(MBe), Maria Blocker (MBl), Rich Boyd,
Hal Broadfoot, Gordon Brown (GBr), John
Brunjes, Allen Bryan, Dick Burk, Steve
Calver, Susan Campbell (SCa), Brad
Carlson, Derb Carter, Robin Carter, Mike
Chapman, Doris Cohrs (DCo), Will Cook,
Sam Cooper (SCo), Terry Cox, Larry
Crawford, Kevin Danchisen, Ricky Davis,
Eric Dean, Doug DeNeve (DDe), David
Disher, Lorraine Dusenbury, Caroline
Eastman, Jere Eggleston, Chris Eley (CEl),
Kent Fiala, Jim Flynn (JF1), Dennis
Forsythe, Eric Fulcher, John Fussell, Charles
Gambill, Sid Gauthreaux, Barbara Gearhart
(BGe), John Gerwin, Lex Glover, Betty
Grady, Ken Harrell, Bill Hilton (BHi), Joel
Hitt, Earl Horn, Royce Hough (RHo), Terry
Johnson, Tim Kalbach, Eugene Keferl, Carol
Lambert, Merrill Lynch (MLy), Marcia
Lyons, Greg Massey, Owen McConnell,
Mary McDavit, Gail Menk, Terry Moore,
Steve Patterson, Brian Patteson, Jack
Peachey, Jeff Pippen (JPi), Mike Schultz,
Jeff Sewell, Doug Shell (DSh), Paul Sykes,
Lydia Thompson, Simon Thompson, Mike
Tove MTo), Steve Tracy (STr), Paris Trail,
Mike Turner, Emil Urban, Steve Wagner,
Judy Walker (JWa), Anne Waters, Vernon
Waters, Kendrick Weeks, Haven Wiley,
Sheila Willis (SWi), Mike Winkler, David
Wright, John Wright, Calvin Zippier.

Ricky Davis, 608 Smallwood Drive, Rocky
Mount, NC 27804 (RJDNC@aol.com)

A

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

159

florida region

RICHARD L. WEST
and BRUCE H. ANDERSON

he biggest impact on this report was
made by Zellwood, the name of the
huge environmental restoration initiative
directed primarily toward revitalizing the
fishing and other resources of Lake Apopka,
which had been contaminated by runoff
from intensive farming of the adjacent
nrucklands. The St. Johns River Water
Management District acquired nearly
13,000 acres (20 square miles) of muck

farms on the lake’s north shore near the
town of Zellwood and shallow flooded
many of the fields to control weeds. By
autumn 1998 the Florida Audubon Society
obtained verbal agreements for a 2000-acre
“shorebird management area” managed
specifically for shorebirds and providing
habitat for other wetland-dependent
species.

Fall and winter bird use of Zellwood was
phenomenal, and the birders were close
behind. Harry Robinson made 50 careful
bird counts of a 6000-acre portion of this
acquisition from August 15, 1998, to March
23, 1999, counting a peak of 41,000 birds
December 8. The Christmas Bird Count
there recorded 174 species, an all-time
inland record. By March the Zellwood farms
bird list numbered 252 species. The glowing
reports from Harry and others who visited
the site were quickly spread via the Internet
and by word of mouth.

This is the first chapter of our story, rep¬
resented by selected observations presented
below. The second, unfortunate chapter
deals with a die-off affecting large fish-eat¬
ing birds ascribed to persistent pesticides
(see SA). The final chapters will be written
as resource managers struggle to cleanse the
farms while protecting the avifauna in what
promises eventually to become a mecca for
birds and those who enjoy them.

Abbreviations: C.P. (County Park); E.N.P.
(Everglades Nat'l. Park); F.O.S.R.C. (Florida
Ornithological Society Records Committee);
H.I.S.R.A. (Honeymoon Island S.R.A.); H.P.M.
(Hamilton County phosphate mines); P.P.S.P
(Paynes Prairie State Preserve, Alachua); PPM.
(Polk County phosphate mines); S&A 1994
(Stevenson and Anderson 1994); S.M.N.W.R (St.
Marks N.W.R., Wakulla); S.R.A. (State
Recreation Area); S.R.C.A. (Seminole Ranch
Conservation Area, Orange and/or Seminole
Counties); S.T.F. (Sewage Treatment Facility);

S. R.S.T.F. (Springhill Road S.T.F., Leon Co.);

T. R. S.T.F. (Tram Road S.T.F., Leon Co.); Zellwood
(flooded muck farms just north of Lake Apopka,
Orange Co.).

GREBES THROUGH FLAMINGO

A concentration of 555 Pied-billed Grebes
at Zellwood Dec. 3 (HR) may be a recent
high count. Up to four Eared Grebes were
found there through Feb. 10, the only
Regional report. A Sooty Shearwater was
identified at the S. Sunshine Skyway Fishing
Pier, Manatee, Jan. 3 (LAt) and perhaps the
same bird, “an all dark shearwater,” was
there Jan. 6 (LSn). A peak of 4370 White
Pelicans was recorded at Zellwood Jan. 29
(HR). Two ad. Brown Pelicans, always scarce
inland, were found near Mulberry, Polk, Feb.
19 (TP).

A “Great White Heron” came N to visit
H.I.S.R.A., Pinellas, Dec. 27 to the end of the
period (WY et al.). The six or seven imm.
Reddish Egrets wintering at S.M.N.W.R.
lighthouse, Wakulla, Jan. 23 and Feb. 17
(BB, J. Dozier, F. Rutkovsky) raise the ques¬
tion of where they originate since the closest
known breeding sites are more than 200 mi
south. Notably large inland winter concen¬
trations of a number of large waders were
counted at Zellwood: 395 Great Blue Herons
Dec. 3, 810 Great Egrets Feb. 5, 1010 Glossy
Ibis Jan. 8, more than 800 Wood Storks Jan.
29 (all HR), and 200 Black-crowned Night-
Herons Dec. 20 (BPr, GB et al.). The
S.R.C.A. also supported large numbers of
various waders: 1513 Snowy Egrets, 1512
Little Blue Herons, and 1037 Glossy Ibis all
on Dec. 20, and 202 Tricolored Herons Jan.
16 (all/ide LMal). A good count of 50 Glossy
Ibis was made at H.P.M. Feb. 12 (BB). Two
Roseate Spoonbills wandered up to Talbot
Island S.P., Duval, Dec. 26 (H. Belcher). The

^ A Trouble at Zellwood Farms. In early November, even as populations of birds and
m birders were increasing at Zellwood, a few carcasses of White Pelicans were visi¬
ble in the fields. By Dec. 12-13 an obvious problem existed; 30 carcasses were examined
and tissue samples taken for analysis. The die-off continued into January and February
with 25 new carcasses found some days until the toll reached 404 White Pelicans and 93
other, mainly piscivorous, birds. By the end of February the fields had been drained, but
the die-off continued among the dispersed birds. About 350 White Pelican carcasses were
found off-site, and mortality is expected to follow the flocks back to their Minnesota and
North Dakota breeding colonies.

Zellwood farms was closed to the public February 1 7.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined by tissue analyses that the birds were
killed by residues of chemically stable organochlorine insecticides which had been
banned for 10-30 years. It is not lcnown if these chemicals are pervasive throughout the
site or are associated with previously unidentified “hot spots.”

A task force of numerous agencies has been assembled to solve the remaining myster¬
ies and to recommend a future course of research and management. Solutions to these
problems can be applied to restoration of other agricultural lands in the Everglades and
throughout the United States.

— Taken from a report of Bill Pranty and Gian Basili, Florida Audubon Society

160

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

86 Wood Storks counted on the Tallahassee
CBC Jan. 1 (CMe) helps mark them as reg¬
ular year-round residents in Leon. An ad.
Greater Flamingo loitered at the salt ponds,
Key West, Dec. 18 through early January
( fide D&HH); 40 more wintered at Snake
Bight, E.N.P., Monroe (m.ob.).

WATERFOWL

As might be expected, Zellwood attracted
large concentrations of several duck species:
12,565 Green- winged Teal Dec. 18, 6580
Blue-winged Teal Dec. 16, 645 N. Shovelers
Dec. 16, 11,900 Ring-necked Ducks Dec. 3,
and 517 Ruddy Ducks Dec. 8 (all counts by
HR). Perhaps a reflection of less coverage, or
a new refuge for ducks at Zellwood, the
usual high numbers of ducks were not
reported from P.P.M. except 1100 Lesser
Scaup reported there Feb. 21 (CG, PT).
Other waterfowl concentrations include
2200 N. Shovelers and 1800 Ruddies at
H.P.M. Dec. 19 (MMa, GMcD, JA), 750
Redheads at H.I.S.R.A. Jan. 8-15 (WY), and
125 Hooded Mergansers at T.R.S.T.F., Leon ,
Dec. 4 (GMe).

A peak of 189 Fulvous Whistling-Ducks
was counted at Zellwood Dec. 8 (HR). Two
Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks wintered at
P.P.S.P., Alachua (J. Weimer), and eight were
in n. Hillsborough Dec. 6 (S. Gross). Rare
anywhere in the Region, male Cinnamon
Teal were found at 3 locations: one at Sara¬
sota Dec. 19-Feb. 19 (JKo et al.), one at
Myakka River S.P., Sarasota , Dec. 26 (CE,
NP, W. Dirks), and three at Zellwood to Feb.
10 (HR, LMan). One teal at Zellwood was
described as a possible Blue-winged x
Cinnamon hybrid, colored like a Cinnamon
but with the white facial crescent of a Blue¬
winged (HR).

Other rarely reported waterfowl include
Greater White-fronted Geese — one in the
peninsula at Zellwood Dec. 4-11 (HR),
three at H.P.M. Dec. 19 (MMa, GMcD, JA),
and one at T.R.S.T.F. Dec. 31 (GMe, ph. JCa,
JL); two Ross’s Geese at Zellwood Dec. 6-16
(HR) among 90 Snows; two Tundra Swans
at S.M.N.W.R., Wakulla , Jan. 10 (P. Berry,
fide MCo); a White-cheeked Pintail of
unknown origin at Wakodahatchee Wet¬
lands, Palm Beach, Dec. 19 (BrH); a Com.
Eider at Port Canaveral, Brevard, Dec. 8 (fide
D&HH); and an Oldsquaw at Port Orange,
Volusia, Jan. 19 & 22 (fide D&HH). All three
scoter species, irregular and usually rare
along the peninsular coast, were reported.
Black Scoters were in greatest numbers as
usual: a flock of 216 migrating S along Palm
Beach and Broward beaches Dec. 12 (W.
George); 12 at Sanibel I., Lee, Dec. 24 (BPo et

al.); and four at Port Charlotte, Charlotte,
Dec. 26 through the period (JBo, CE et al.).
There were 13 Surf Scoters at Sanibel I., Lee,
Dec. 23 (BPo et al.) and four White-winged
Scoters at Madeira Beach, Pinellas, Dec. 13
(KN).

South of their usual winter range and
unusual inland, three Am. Black Ducks were
at Zellwood to Jan. 12 (HR), a male Greater
Scaup was at Driggers Road, Highlands, Dec.

2 (BPr et al.), and up to five Greaters stayed
to Feb. 5 at Zellwood (HR). Up to five
Bufflehead remained at Zellwood to Feb. 5.
(HR) while four were at the P.P.M. Feb. 20
(CG, PT). Common Goldeneyes were in
Leon at S.R.S.T.F., Leon, Dec. 14 (GMe) and
T.R.S.T.F. Jan. 29-Feb. 5 (HH, GMe, SB),
and two were wintering at Gainesville (RR)
with another at L. Weir, Marion, Feb. 4 (ES).
Other goldeneyes were reported s. along the
coast: a female in Citrus Dec. 31 (A&BH)
and a male at Port Orange Jan. 25 (fide
D&HH).

RAPTORS THROUGH CRANES

Two early Swallow-tailed Kites were at
S.R.C.A. Feb. 27 (fide LMal) and two near
Loughman, Polk and/or Osceola, Feb. 28
(TP). White-tailed Kite reports include two
at CR-832, Hendry, Dec. 18 (fide D&HH);
one in Lee near the Hendry line Dec. 19
(NP); one in the St. Johns R. marsh in s.
Brevard Feb. 2 (SR, JBr), and two there Feb.

3 (SR). A Snail Kite was w. of its usual range
in Lee near the Hendry line Dec. 19 (NP). A
concentration of 19 Bald Eagles was count¬
ed at Zellwood Dec. 16 (HR). Another
Zellwood spectacle was the peak of 27 N.
Harriers Dec. 20 (HR). A rare late Broad¬
winged Hawk was reported at Sarasota Dec.
26 (L. Saul, D. Wassmer). Winter Short¬
tailed Hawks include one dark morph seen
near Tiger Cr., Polk, Jan. 2 (TP) and three
dark morphs (two adults) wintering at Key
West (JOn); a light morph at Saddle Creek
C.P., Polk, Feb. 18 (M. Chakan, J. Rudd) and
one at Lettuce L. Park, Hillsborough, Feb. 27
(R. Webb) were probably looking for breed¬
ing territories.

A Yellow Rail was seen at Echo Range,
Avon Park Air Force Range, Highlands, Dec.
6 (D. Barber) and another (?) Dec. 20 (R.
Harrison) within 500-1000 m of the first
observation. A Black Rail was heard calling
ca. 1.6 km s. of the turnoff to Mahogany
Hammock, E.N.P., Miami-Dade, Dec. 31
(LMan). Purple Gallinules commonly win¬
ter on the Florida peninsula n. through Polk,
so five seen on the Gainesville CBC Dec. 20
(fide BM) represents a northward extension.
Purple Swamphen ( Porphyrio porphyrio)

should normally be relegated to the escaped
exotics at the end of this list, but a breeding
population at Pembroke Pines, Broward, has
exploded to 134 individuals counted Feb.
21-22 (BPr, HL, K&K Schnitzius); another
swamphen was found dead on a road there
('Archbold Biological Station). These big,
bold cousins of the Purple Gallinulc coexist¬
ed with their kin in Pembroke Pines, but
one wonders if this can continue.

Two Sandhill Cranes flying ESE over Key
West Feb. 23 ( JOn) apparently did not know
their wintering range stops in Florida.
Sandhill Cranes were seen in higher num¬
bers and more frequently in the Big Bend
region this winter, ranging from one at
T.R.S.T.F. Nov. 20 (JCa) and 13 at S.R.S.T.F.
Dec. 10 (GMe) to 30 at S.M.N.W.R. Dec. 28
(J&K Sunderslin) and nine there Dec. 29
(M. Reed).

SHOREBIRDS
THROUGH SKIMMER

Zellwood takes all honors in the shorebirds
list: 346 Black-bellied Plovers Dec. 3, two
Am. Golden-Plovers Dec. 12 (EK, KR et al.)
and one Dec. 16, 756 Killdeer Jan. 1, 75 Am.
Avocets Jan. 11-12, 415 Greater Yellowlegs
and 1195 Lessers Dec. 16, 2450 Least
Sandpipers Dec. 31, 145 Dunlin Dec. 31, 156
Stilt Sandpipers Jan. 19, 1890 Long-billed
Dowitchers Dec. 12 (no Short-billed Do-
witchers identified there after Nov. 25), and
898 Com. Snipe Dec. 28 (all HR except as
noted). Zellwood rarities include single
individuals of the following: Marbled
Godwit Dec. 28 and Jan. 27-Feb. 10, San-
derling Dec. 12 (EK, KR et al.), Pectoral
Sandpiper Feb. 9-10, Ruff to Jan. 19, and a
Wilson’s Phalarope Dec. 3 (all HR except as
noted).

Elsewhere a count of 172 Piping Plovers
on 8 barrier islands in Pinellas and s. Pasco
Jan. 11-19, including 70 at Three Rooker
Bar, Pinellas, Jan. 13 (PB1, WY), compares
favorably with the 179 birds counted in
January 1996. An Am. Oystercatcher at the
Wakulla Springs S.P. dock, Wakulla, Dec. 30
(S. Stedman et al.) furnished only the 2nd
inland Florida report (S&A 1994). Up to 35
Am. Avocets remained in n. Duval to Jan. 10
(RC). The 13 Whimbrels seen at H.I.S.R.A.
Feb. 8 (GS) represented a good count as did
the 100 Long-billed Dowitchers at the
H.P.M. Feb. 12 (BB) and the 1200 Short¬
billed Dowitchers estimated at Cedar Key,
Levy, Feb. 13 (GS). Two Purple Sandpipers
remained at the Venice Jetty, Sarasota, Jan.
3-Feb. 15 (C. Sample, JKo et al.); up to 18
wintered at their more usual spot at Ft.
Clinch S.P., Nassau (RC1 et al.). Unusual for

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

161

being too far north was a Solitary Sandpiper
at Gainesville Feb. 28 (MMa). The only Am.
Woodcock reported was at Brooker Cr.
Preserve, Pinellas , Jan. 9 (DG et al.); a rela¬
tively mild early winter in the central Atlan¬
tic states probably induced most to winter n.
of Florida this year.

Two Pomarine Jaegers (one dark, one
light) and an imm. light-morph Parasitic
Jaeger were at the St. Johns R. mouth Jan. 17
(RC1). A S. Polar Skua at Boynton Inlet,
Palm Beach , Dec. 2-Jan. 23 (BrFl et al.) pro¬
vided the 3rd report of this species along the
Florida Atlantic coast since last fall. Frank¬
lin’s Gulls were reported more frequently:
up to 21 at Zellwood to Dec. 28 (HR), and
singles at H.P.M. Dec. 18 (RR, GMcD),
Boynton Inlet Jan. 21 (BrH), Fernandina
Beach, Nassau, Jan. 20-Feb. 13 (P. Leary et
al.), L. Jackson, Leon, Jan. 1 (D&S Jue), and
S.R.S.T.F., Leon, Jan. 14 (HH). A Black¬
headed Gull, rare in Florida, was seen in n.
Duval Dec. 26-27 (RC, ph. to F.O.S.R.C.). A
first-winter Iceland Gull was found at the St.
Johns R. mouth Jan. 17 (RC), and one was
also reported at Ft. Clinch S.P. Feb. 7 (J.
Krummrich). A first-year Thayer’s Gull was
reported near the Pompano Beach Landfill,
Broward, Jan. 10 (GMcC, MP). A Glaucous
Gull remained at Ft. Clinch S.P. Dec. 21 to
the end of the period [fide P. Powell). An
imm. Black-legged Kittiwake remained at
the S. Sunshine Skyway Fishing Pier Dec. 29
to the end of the period (N. Gobris et al.);
another was reported at Ft. Clinch S.P. Jan.
30 (A. Turner, SF et al.). A Sabine’s Gull was
seen near Merritt Island N.W.R., Brevard,
Feb. 2 (fide D&HH).

With so many rare gulls reported, the
Lesser Black-backed Gull becomes more
routine: two adults at Zellwood to Feb. 17
(HR, BPr, et al.), two at Snake Bight, E.N.P.
Jan. 7 (GMcC, MP), six (two adults) at Port
Charlotte, Charlotte, Jan. 10 (JBo), eight
(five adults) near the Pompano Beach
Landfill Jan. 10 (GMcC, MP), and one adult
at St. Cloud, Osceola, Feb. 26 (W. Biggs).
Among the high counts of gulls, the more-
than-a-thousand Bonaparte’s Gulls at L.
Weir Feb. 10 (ES) seemed most interesting.
Zellwood held a peak of 208 Caspian Terns
Feb. 10, 280 Forster’s Terns Dec. 18, and 120
Black Skimmers Feb. 3; along with all these
was an unexpected inland Royal Tern Dec.
16 (all HR).

DOVES THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS

One Eur. Collared-Dove was incubating,
another pair nest-building, and other birds
courting at Hudson Beach C.P., Pasco , Feb. 6
(K. Tracey, BPr); several years ago one had

been found incubating in Leon in December
(GMe), perhaps leaving only January as the
non-breeding season? Eleven White-winged
Doves were counted at Cedar Key Jan. 2
(fide D. Henderson), and another was far¬
ther south at Tierra Verde, Pinellas, Dec. 2
(LAt).

A rare winter Mangrove Cuckoo was
seen and heard on SR-92 ca. 3 km s. of US-
41, Collier, Jan. 21 (LMan). A Short-eared
Owl wintered at Zellwood Dec. 3 (HR) to
Jan. 25 (A&T Mason et al.). A Lesser Night-
hawk was identified at Zellwood Dec. 16
(HR), and one was found dead at P.P.S.P.
Jan. 11 (HA, R. Ozmore, * Florida Museum
of Natural History).

It seems that more wintering Ruby-
throated Hummingbirds are staying
around: one wintered at Palm Bay, Brevard
(DN); two (male and immature) wintered
at Oviedo, Seminole (L. Orr); one male in
Tallahassee mid-December-Jan. 23 (M.
Lidell, PC); and one immature at Talla¬
hassee Jan. 11 (N. Fichter, JCa). A Black-
chinned Hummingbird wintered at Gaines¬
ville (DBe et al.), and another was found in
Tallahassee mid-December-Jan. 31 (J.
O’Malley, PC). Rufous-like hummers,
reported as Selasphorus sp„ were found in
several parts of the peninsula: Orlando Dec.
21 (BHA), Lakes Park, Ft. Myers, Dec. 24-31
(LAt, CE et al.), Gainesville Jan. 4 and Feb.
27-28 (both BR), and wintering at
Kanapaha Prairie, Alachua (EP).

FLYCATCHERS

A peak of 49 E. Phoebes was reported at
Zellwood Feb. 9 (HR). An ad. male Vermil¬
ion Flycatcher was photographed at Hickory
Mound Impoundment, Taylor, Dec. 8 (JCa);
others found were an imm. male at Mican-
opy, Alachua, Dec. 13 through the period
(C. Lanciani et al.); an individual at P.P.S.P.
Dec. 20-Jan. 8 (GMcD, RR); a female at
Merritt Island N.W.R. Feb. 12 (M&R Sam-
pere); and another female at Goodwin
Waterfowl Management Area, Brevard, Feb.
19 (DN). A few Great Crested Flycatchers
winter in the c. peninsula as indicated by
two calling at Venus Flatwoods Preserve,
Highlands, Jan. 15 (JG, BPr et al.) and one at
P.P.S.P. Feb. 7 (RR, D. Wahl). A smattering of
W. Kingbirds was reported — two at Banana
L. Park, Polk, Dec. 14 (TP), four at CR-833,
Hendry, Jan. 3 (fide DH) — but most (up to
20) wintered at Zellwood (BPr, CPi, HR et
al.). The first wintering E. Kingbirds found
in Leon were seen at s. L. Jackson where
one-five were found on 1 2 trips Dec. 2-Jan.
3 (fGMe, PC et al.); three were there for the
Jan. 1 CBC. Single Scissor-tailed Flycatchers

were reported at L. Alfred, Polk, Jan. 18 (PT)
and Okeechobee, Okeechobee, Feb. 19 (C&M
Tucker) while three wintered at Zellwood
(HR).

VIREOS THROUGH PIPITS

The best vireo was a Bell’s on the Tallahassee
CBC Jan. 1 (JL, tJCa et al.). Probably the
only place in Florida where Fish Crows are
counted (other than on CBCs) is at Key West
where a peak of 16 wintered (JOn). The
annual early Purple Martin race was won by
three at Spring Hill, Hernando, Jan. 24
(A8d3H) and two at Gainesville Jan. 26 (B.
Dowling, H. Dowling). Good news on Cave
Swallows: 25 were at the Cutler Ridge breed¬
ing site, Miami-Dade, Jan. 6 (GMcC, MP).
Late Barn Swallows were reported in Leon
Dec. 1 (GMe, D&KM, B. Henderson) and
Dec. 4 (Gme); one was in Zellwood Dec. 16,
and two were there Dec. 31-Jan. 1 (HR).

The only Brown Creeper reported was at
Black Swamp, Leon, Jan. 11 (MCo). A
Winter Wren was found in Black Swamp
Jan. 4 8c 8 (GMe, SB) and at Swift Cr.,
Hamilton, Dec. 19 (MMa). In contrast to last
winter, Golden-crowned Kinglets were
widespread throughout the period in Leon
(GMe); farther south only one was at San
Felasco Hammock S.P., Alachua, Dec. 6
(MMa) and another at S.R.C.A. Dec. 20
(fide LMal). A Veery was netted, banded,
and carefully examined in hand in
Tallahassee Jan. 17 (P. Homann, fS. Jue); its
rarity was well appreciated, but no working
camera was available, so no photograph was
taken; no physical evidence yet exists of
Veery in Florida during winter (S8cA 1994).
Two Com. Mynas had moved to Rolling
Oaks, Pembroke Pines, Feb. 22 (BPr, K.
Schnitzius, HL). American Pipits peaked at
Zellwood Dec. 8 at 570 (HR).

WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES

A Nashville Warbler was again found in
Leon, at L. Jackson Dec. 15 (GMe); also one
was at H.I.S.R.A. Dec. 27 (EK), and one
reported as the western race at Zellwood
Jan. 1 1-Feb. 10 (HR et al.). Northern Paru-
las, rare in winter in the n. part of the state,
were fairly common and singing at Gaines¬
ville by the first week of February (A.
Kratter, HA et al.). Some may have wintered
nearby: one was at Kanapaha Prairie Dec. 20
(RR, S. Cimbaro) and one at P.P.S.P. Jan. 6
(BM et al.). Chestnut-sided Warblers are
occasionally reported in winter; one
remained at s. Jacksonville Dec. 3 to the end
of the period (JCo). Black-throated Green
Warblers are sometimes recorded on CBCs,
but these stayed longer: one at s. Jacksonville

162

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

florida

Dec. 14-Feb. 8 (JCo), one at Kanapaha
Prairie in mid-January (M. Meisenburg),
and four at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary,
Collier , Feb. 17 (B&L Cooper).

By this point we are not surprised to
report 370 Palm Warblers recorded at
Zellwood Dec. 8 (HR). Interestingly, an ad.
male Am. Redstart wintered at Gainesville
in the same yard where an imm. male win¬
tered last year (MMa); up to two remained
at Zellwood to Dec. 28 (HR), and a female
was seen at Loxahatchee N.W.R. Jan. 3 (NP).
We should carefully search for other war¬
blers the winter following apparently suc¬
cessful overwintering. A N. Waterthrush
remained at Zellwood Dec. 31 -Jan. 30 (HR,
P. Fellers et al.), and others were at P.P.S.P.
Dec. 8 (C. Parenteau), Weedon I. Preserve
Feb. 7 (RSm), and S.R.C.A. Feb. 27 (fide
LMal). A Louisiana Waterthrush was report¬
ed at Newnans L., Alachua, Dec. 20 (JBr).
Florida’s 2nd MacGillivTay’s Warbler
remained at Turkey L. Park, Orange, to Dec.

I (NS, DN). Single male Wilson’s Warblers
were reported at Rainbow Springs S.P.,
Marion, Dec. 26 (BR) and near Oviedo,
Seminole, Jan. 2 (BHA). Another Wilson’s
was at Bivens Arm, Alachua, Jan. 16 (S.
Duncan). A late Yellow-breasted Chat was
reported in Hillsborough Dec. 20 (Rsm).

Along with a scattering of tanager
reports is one of a W. Tanager at Lakes Park,
Ft. Myers, Jan. 30-Feb. 25 (R. Miller JG et
al.). A vagrant male Stripe-headed Tanager
was on the Gumbo Limbo Trail, E.N.P.,
Miami-Dade, Feb. 1 (LMan).

Sparrows were well represented in the
peninsula. Single Clay-colored Sparrows
were reported from L. Wales, Polk (PT), and
Mims, Brevard (K. LaBorde), with a record
number of 46 at Zellwood Feb. 3 (HR).
Single Lark Sparrows were seen at Auburn-
dale, Polk, Dec. 16 (PT), Talbot Island S.P.
Dec. 26-Jan. 4 (M. Dolan), and Zellwood
Feb. 9-17 (HR). Henslow’s Sparrows were
reported from 2 counties: one at Zellwood
Jan. 7-19 (HR et al.) and a record number of

II in Alachua Dec. 18-Feb. 12 (fide RR),
including seven at P.P.S.P. Dec. 20-22 (AKe
et al.). Very rarely observed in the peninsula,
single Le Conte’s Sparrows were at Zellwood
(up to three individuals may have been pre¬
sent) Dec. 6-20 (RSm, T. Rogers et al.),
P.P.S.P. Dec. 20 (AKe et al.), and Brooker Cr.
Preserve Dec. 27 (ASm, RSm, PB). While
Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow is the species
expected along the Gulf coast, Saltmarsh
Sharp-tailed Sparrow does occur there
apparently in lesser numbers; one of the lat¬
ter was identified at Gulfport, Pinellas, Dec.
5-18 (RSm et al.). Two Fox Sparrows were

found at P.P.S.P. Dec. 18-22 (AKe, JH), and
one appeared at Jacksonville 26 Dec. (RR).

Rare in winter, single Lincoln’s Sparrows
were observed at L. Placid Scrub Wildlife
and Environmental Area, Highlands, Jan. 8
(GMcC, MP), and at P.P.S.P. Jan. 31-Feb. 2
(B. Ahern et al.); first reported last fall, up to
four were seen at Zellwood through Feb. 1 7
(HR). While the numbers of White-throated
Sparrows wintering in Florida have declined
since the 1980s, those of White-crowned
Sparrow have increased. The latter species
was reported at 5 locations from Nassau s. to
Hillsborough with a record high of 51 at
Zellwood Feb. 3 (HR).

Rare and irregular in most of the Region,
two Dark-eyed Juncos wintered at Gaines¬
ville (DBe, EP), and another was along the
Tiger Hammock Rd., Wakulla, Jan. 31 (J.
Epler). At the same Canaveral National Sea¬
shore, Brevard, site where one appeared last
winter, a female Snow Bunting was found
Dec. 8 (NS, DN).

It is unknown whether 2 Alachua Rose¬
breasted Grosbeak reports represented the
same individual; this very rare winter visitor
was seen at both Newnans L. Jan. 2 (C. Reno,
IF) and at Gainesville from Jan. 22-Feb. 14
(S. Hellard). Rare in winter, up to three Blue
Grosbeaks, first reported last fall, were
observed at Zellwood through Feb. 5 (HR).
Indigo Buntings and Painted Buntings win¬
tered n. in the peninsula to Jacksonville (RR,
JCo), Zellwood (HR), and Hillsborough
(BAt, LAt, ASm, RSm). One Painted Bunting
was seen at Cross Cr., Alachua, Dec. 28-Jan.
9 (IF). Also reported last fall, as many as four
Dickcissels remained at Zellwood through
Feb. 17 (HR), the only report received.

A female Yellow-headed Blackbird was
found at H.I.S.R.A. Jan. 30 (D. Woodard,
EK); up to five were seen throughout the
season at Zellwood (HR). Rusty Blackbirds
were generally scarce and local in the penin¬
sula, being reported s. to Zellwood (HR) and
Lakeland (EK). Irregular in the peninsula in
winter, one Brewer’s Blackbird was found at
L. Seminole, Pinellas, Dec. 9 (KN) and
another at Micanopy, Alachua, Dec. 19 (G.
Kiltie). Farther north, a Brewer’s was studied
along the Wakulla R., Wakulla, Feb. 14
(fJCa). A female Boat-tailed Grackle with
pale irises, presumably of the race Q. m. tor-
reyi that occasionally wanders S from its
coastal breeding range n. of the St. Johns R.,
was reported inland at Gainesville Feb. 21
(RR).

Along the s.w. coast where the Shiny
Cowbird is consistently reported in winter,
18 were seen at Briggs Nature Center,
Collier, Jan. 16 (LMan, BPr et al.), as was a

lone male at Captiva I., Lee, Jan. 26 (V.
McGrath). Regular but rare in the winter,
one Bronzed Cowbird was observed at
Lassing Park, Pinellas, Dec. 19 (1). Wass-
mer); a maximum of six was reported
throughout the season at Lakeland (fide
DH).

It was not a good season for winter
finches. The only report of Pine Siskin was
one at Holiday, Pasco, Dec. 31 (P. Young),
and the only Evening Grosbeak was report¬
ed from Havana, Gadsden, Dec. 24 (L.
Herring, fide GMe).

EXOTICS

Escapes reported include Abdim’s Stork
(Ciconia abdimii). Dusky Lory (Pseudeos
fuscata). Rosy-faced [Peach-faced] Lovebird
(Agapornis roseicollis)( with a yellow face),
and African Gray Hornbill (Tockus nasutus).

Observers cited with initials only: H. Adams,
B. Anderson (BHA), L. Atherton (LAt), B.
Atherton (BAt), J. Ault, G. Basili, D. Beatty
(DBe), B. Bergstrom, P. Blair (PB1), Scott
Borderieux, J. Bouton (JBo), J. Bryan (JBr),
). Cavanagh (JCa), R. Clark, J. Cocke (JCo),
Mich Coker (MCo), Paul Conover, C. Ewell,
S. Flamand, 1. Fromberg, D. Goodwin, ).
Greenlaw, A. 8« B. Hansen (A&BH), J.
Hintermister, B. Hope (BrH), Howard
Horne, D. & H. Hull (D8cHH), A. Kent
(AKe), J. Kopitzke (JKo), E. Kwater, Jay
LaVia, D. 8< K. MacVicar (D8<KM), L. Malo
(LMal), M. Manetz (MMa), L. Manfredi
(LMan), G. McCaskie (GMcC), G. McDer¬
mott (GMcD), G. Menk (GMe), B.
Muschlitz, K. Nelson, D. Novier, J. Ondrejko
(JOn), T. Palmer, M. Patten, E. Perry, N.
Pettis, C. Pierce (CPi), B. Postmus (BPo), B.
Pranty (BPr), C. & K. Radamaker (C8cKR),
B. Roberts, H. Robinson, R. Rowan, S. Rowe,
E. Scales, N. Sekera, A. Smith (ASm), R.
Smith (RSm), L. Snyder (LSn), Gary
Sprandel, Pete Timmer, W. Yusek.

Field report compiled in part by the
Florida Ornithological Society Field Obser¬
vations Committee, Bill Pranty, state com¬
piler (8515 Village Mill Row, Bayonet Pt.,
Florida 34667, billpranty@hotmail.com),
and members Linda Cooper, Gail Menk,
Peggy Powell, Rex Rowan, and Ron Smith.
Our thanks to them and to the many
observers, whether cited or not.

Richard L. West, 2808 Rabbit Hill Road,
Tallahassee, FL 32312 (ricklwest@aol.com) and
Bruce H. Anderson, 2917 Scarlet Rd., Winter
Park, FL 32792 (scizortail@aol.com)

f)

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

163

appalachian region

he winter weather, generally, was milder
than usual in the Appalachian Region.
The drought of the previous summer and
fall persisted in the north, but observers to
the south experienced a wetter than usual
December-January period. There was a pat¬
tern of repeated freezing over and then
thawing at most of the northern lakes and
rivers. In mid-January a heavy storm over
the lower Great Lakes triggered a late south¬
ward flight of migrant waterfowl across
nearby inland areas. In Venango, Pennsyl¬
vania, a score of different waterbird species
was found on the Allegheny River January 9
(JSt), and a similar heavy fall-out of water-
fowl and gulls occurred on the Ohio River at
Parkersburg, West Virginia, at about the
same time (JE). A mild second half of Feb¬
ruary permitted Tundra Swans and many
species of ducks and geese to begin drifting
northward a bit earlier than usual. Many
observers commented both on the unusual
abundance and northern occurrence of
semi-hardy passerines like Eastern Phoebe,
Gray Catbird, American Pipit, Eastern
Towhee, and Field and Fox sparrows. Nota¬
bly scarce, or missing, were Red-breasted
Nuthatch, White-throated Sparrow, House
Finch, and the various irruptive northern
finches.

Abbreviations: M.L.W.A. (Mosquito L. Wildlife
Area, Trumbull, OH); P.I.S.P. (Presque Isle State

Eared Grebes are known to exhibit
sunbathing behavior, apparently
documented by this photograph,
taken January 28, 1999, at State College,
Pennsylvania. Photograph/Rick Wiltraut

Park, Erie, PA); P.N.R. (Powdermill Nature
Reserve, Rector, Westmoreland Co., PA);
R.C.L.B. (Robert C. Byrd Locks, Ohio R., Mason
Co., WV); S.H.L. (South Holston L., Washington
Co., VA/Sullivan Co., TN).

LOOMS THROUGH VULTURES

At P.I.S.P. a record 33 Red-throated Loons
were counted passing by Sunset Pt. Dec.
6-30 during a systematic waterbird count
(JM), but apparently none was observed
elsewhere in the Region. There were reports
of late or wintering Com. Loons from near¬
ly throughout the area, including a high
count of 170 at Douglas L., TN, Dec. 12
(RK, DEd). Horned Grebes also were widely
reported, especially in December, with 70+
at Douglas L. Dec. 26 (DEd). Two Red¬
necked Grebes were listed on the P.I.S.P.
waterbird count Dec. 8-9, one on the
Allegheny R., Armstrong, PA, Jan. 23 (DD),
and one at Cherokee L., TN, Dec. 18-Jan. 24
(DEd). An Eared Grebe was at Centre
Furnace Pond, near State College, PA, Jan.
24-Feb. 19 (SRe, rn.ob., ph.). Several were
seen in e. Tennessee, including three on
Douglas L. Dec. 26, one at Cherokee L. Feb.
20 (DEd), and one at S.H.L. Jan. 15 (RK),
which has hosted Eared Grebes each of the
last 5 years. In the north, late Double-crest¬
ed Cormorants were at Conneaut L., PA,
Dec. 30 (RFL, RCL), on the Allegheny R.
Westmoreland, PA, Jan. 16 (PH, DH), and
the Ohio R. at Parkersburg, WV, Dec. 30
(DEs, JE). At least 15 cormorants wintered

at Kingsport, TN (RK). A Great Egret was at
Douglas L., TN, Dec. 12 (RK); another at
Augusta, VA, Feb. 2 provided just the 2nd
local winter record (YL). A total of 246
Black Vultures Dec. 19 on the Augusta CBC
represented a new high for that area, as did
981 Turkey Vultures (YL). Unprecedented
was the record of a Turkey Vulture Dec.
25-26 at Warren, PA, where the species has
been previously unknown in winter (DCh,
AC). Two (migrant?) Turkey Vultures had
reached Indiana, PA, by Jan. 31 (DC). An
early bird was at Waynesburg, PA, Feb. 2
(AD); another was at L. Arthur, PA, Feb. 3
(DY).

WATERFOWL

Even toward the north many lakes and rivers
remained ice free much of the season; thus,
an exceptional diversity of waterfowl was
recorded. In Tennessee, single Greater
White-fronted Geese were at Kingston Dec.
6 (DT), Jefferson Dec. 18 (DEd), Meigs Jan. 1
(DT), and Anderson Feb. 4 (AH); north¬
bound migrants had arrived in Pennsyl¬
vania at Somerset by Feb. 5-6 (SB, RMr), at
Geneva Marsh, Crawford, Feb. 7 (RFL), and
Ligonier, Westmoreland, Feb. 22 (RCL). A
Ross’s Goose at Staunton, VA, Jan. 25-Feb.
3 (AL, rn.ob.) furnished a 2nd county
record; another was at Saltville, VA, between
late December and early February (PM,
ph.). In Pennsylvania, over 13,000 Canada
Geese wintered in the Pymatuning L. area
(RFL, RH), about average for recent years.
Five Brant were observed flying over Gull
Pt., P.I.S.P., Feb. 5 (RFL), the season’s only
report. Among the more unusual wintering
ducks were a male Eur. Wigeon at R.C.B.L.
Jan. 1-17 (WA, rn.ob.), a Blue-winged Teal
at Bluestone L„ Summers, WV, Jan. 30 ( JPh),
and two Blue-wings at Anderson, TN, Jan. 1
(NM). A flock of 180 Redheads was still in
the Pymatuning L., PA, area Dec. 14 (RFL),
and 100+ were on the Allegheny R., at
Warren, PA, Jan. 16 (fide DW). There were
100 Canvasbacks on the Ohio R.,
Washington, OH, Jan. 29 (BH).

The waterfowl find of the season was a
female Harlequin Duck at P.I.S.P. Dec. 1-7
(ph. JM, GC). Thirteen Surf Scoters were
listed during the waterbird count at P.I.S.P.
Dec. 4-Jan. 2 ( JM); six were at R.C.B.L. Jan.
2-9 (WA, MG), and another on Feb. 27 in

164

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

the same area (WA). A White-winged
Scoter on the Allegheny, R., Venango, PA,
Jan. 16-19 represented a first county record
(JSt). Better counts of Black Scoters includ¬
ed up to four at Cherokee L., TN, Dec.
25-Jan. 10 (DEd); up to five at P.l.S.P. Dec.
3-Jan. 2 (JM); and three at Pymatuning L.,
PA, Feb. 20 (RFL). A raft of 800 Com.
Goldeneyes settled on the upper lake at
Pymatuning Dec. 12 (RFL). The Linesville
CBC, Crawford , PA, recorded a high of 779
Hooded Mergansers Dec. 20 (RH); another
large count of 173 birds was at Prince
Gallitzin S.P., PA, Dec. 15 (JSa). There was a
remarkable fallout of 1000+ Ruddy Ducks
at L. Arthur, PA, Dec. 19 (GW).

RAPTORS THROUGH GULLS

An Osprey, flying above a completely
frozen-over Donegal L., was a surprise dur¬
ing the Rector, PA, CBC Jan. 3 (DS, fide
RSM); another was at Cherokee Dam, TN,
Dec. 12-Jan. 16 (DEd), where one has been
found each winter during the last 4-5 years.
Bald Eagle numbers continue to increase
throughout the Region. There were far too
many reports to list individually, but high
counts included 20 (1 1 adults, 9 immatures)
Jan. 1 in the Hiwassee R. area, TN, and eight
each at Pymatuning L., PA, Dec. 26 (RFL,
RCL), and at M.L.W.A. Jan. 31 (D&JH).
Northern Goshawks were reported only
from Pennsylvania, with single birds at Con-
neaut Marsh Dec. 25 (RFL, RCL), Indiana
Dec. 26 and Jan. 11 (MH, BM), Mt. Davis
Jan. 26 (JT), and P.l.S.P. Feb. 6 (RFL).
Observers throughout the Region com¬
mented on an unusual abundance of Red¬
tailed Hawks, and a well-described, very
dark bird at Stewarts Draft, Augusta, VA,
Dec. 25-30 was believed (SRo) to be a
“Western” Red-tail ( B . j. calurus.) Although
Rough-legged Hawks were rather uncom¬
mon in at least one of their usual winter
strongholds, Pymatuning L., PA (RFL,
RCL), they were widely reported from
throughout the Region. Three or four
Golden Eagles were at Burke’s Garden, VA,
in February (WC); at Tussey Mt., PA, the
first north-bound bird was tallied Feb. 18
(DB). Rare so far north, three Merlins win¬
tered in urban Pittsburgh at the same site
where four-five spent last winter, an unpre¬
cedented event at that time (PH, m.ob.). An
ad. male Merlin was at M.L.W.A. Jan. 16
(D&JH).

A remarkable 2500 Am. Coots stopped
on L. Arthur, PA, Dec. 5 (GW). Five Sandhill
Cranes (from the recently established Penn¬
sylvania breeding population) were staging
for migration at Slippery Rock Dec. 10

(GW); the Hiwassee, TN, CBC listed a
record 6309 cranes Dec. 24 (fide KC). Two
Least Sandpipers were in the Hiwassee R.
area Jan. 1 (JHn, DJ). A Purple Sandpiper
was a good find at P.l.S.P. Dec. 1 (JHo, IF).
Three late Dunlins were at P.l.S.P. Dec. 1
(JM), and five at Douglas L., TN, Dec. 26
(DEd). Ten dowitchers (sp.?; but probably
Short-billed) were listed on the Hiwassee
CBC Jan. 1, for the 2nd such report in the
last 10 years (NB, DGa). Most exceptional
was a very late Red Phalarope observed at L.
Arthur Dec. 31-Jan. 1 (DY, JH).

An ad. Parasitic Jaeger allowed detailed
study during the P.l.S.P. waterbird count
Dec. 13 (JM). The winter’s only Little Gull
was at P.l.S.P. Dec. 6 (WS), but perhaps the
larid of the season was an ad. Black-headed
Gull at L. Arthur Dec. 5-28 (RSr, m.ob.).
Three Thayer’s Gulls were identified at
P.l.S.P. Feb. 4-28, and six Iceland Gulls were
there during the same period (JM). Three
Lesser Black-backed Gulls were at P.l.S.P.
Jan. 1-Feb. 1 (JM). Two Glaucous Gulls on
the Ohio R. at Parkersbug Jan. 10-15 (v.t„
GH, JB, m.ob.) furnished a new West
Virginia state record; 1 1 were recorded Dec.
31-Feb. 28 at P.l.S.P. (JM), where small
numbers now appear regularly every winter.
A Great Black-backed Gull at Parkersburg
Jan. 13-23 (JB, BH, m.ob.) was well out of
range and may be the first confirmed in
West Virginia.

OWLS THROUGH HORNED LARK

There were 3 records of Long-eared Owls
from Pennsylvania: singles Dec. 26 in
Indiana (DD, DY), Dec. 29 in Allegheny
(CT), and Oil Creek S.P. Jan. 10 (GE, RSt). A
Long-eared in Sequatchie Feb. 24-28 was the
first found in s.e. Tennessee in several years
(KC, m.ob.). Short-eared Owls were listed at
numerous localities from Pennsylvania s. to
Virginia; high counts included 1 1 Jan. 1 in
Lander, Warren , PA (BW, DW), nine Jan. 1
in Venango, PA (CG, RSt), and 12 during
January at Imperial, PA (PH, m.ob.).
Northern Saw-whet Owls were recorded
near P.N.R. Dec. 7 (RCL), Meadville, PA,
Dec. 24 (KM, RCL), and L. Arthur, PA, Feb.
18 (DD).

The Rufous Hummingbird that success¬
fully wintered at a Delmont, PA, feeder
(JMa) in 1997-1998 returned this season
but failed to survive severe weather condi¬
tions the night of Jan. 5-6 (fide RSM). A
female captured in Knox, TN, Dec. 3 had
been banded in Louisiana in January 1996
(fide RK), and a male banded at Graysville,
Rhea, TN, Jan. 7 was still present at the end
of the period (CS, PM). There were more

than usual numbers of wintering Red-head¬
ed Woodpeckers, from Muskingum, OJ 1
(GG, DG), and Cambria, PA (JSa), s. to
Augusta, VA (YI.). The only Loggerhead
Shrike reports were of five or six birds in n.e.
Tennessee (RK). Northern Shrikes, however,
staged their heaviest invasion in years (with
about 30 records received), reaching as far
south as Mahoning, OH, Dec. 21 (NB),
P.N.R. Dec. 2 (RCL, RSM), and all season at
Huntingdon, 1JA (GG). Late Blue-headed
Vireos were still at Rowlesburg, WV, Dec. 5
(GF) and Pipestem S.P., WV, Dec. 15 (JPh).
A Fish Crow at Indiana City, Indiana, PA,
Feb. 15 was well w. of its usual range in
Pennsylvania (SG). Horned Larks were
common nearly throughout the Region
with a maximum count of 500 at Kahle L.,
Venango, PA, Jan. 14 (GE, RSt).

GNATCATCHER THROUGH FINCHES

A Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was at Brainerd
Levee, Hamilton, TN, Dec. 14 (KC). The
Varied Thrush found at Pleasant Gap,
Centre, PA, Jan. 10-15 (S&DZ) provided a
new county record. An Orange-crowned
Warbler was a good winter find for Knox,
TN, Jan. 4 (CW, BS), as was one at Amnicola
Marsh, Hamilton, Feb. 18 (LW). A Pine
Warbler at a feeding station just s. of
Indiana, PA, Dec. 16-Jan. 1 1 was well n. of
its usual winter range (BM). A Prairie
Warbler Jan. 1 6. at Cherokee Dam provided
just the 2nd winter record for Tennessee
(DEd, DT); there were 20 Palm Warblers,
including one “Yellow” Palm, at Cherokee
Feb. 13 (Ded). Most exceptional so far
north was an American Redstart at Warren,
PA, Nov. 25-Jan 17 (JD, RS). Late Com.
Yellowthroats were listed on the Butler, PA,
CBC Dec. 19, at Mt. Davis, PA, Dec. 21 ( JT),
and in Sullivan, TN, Feb. 3 (ME).

A Savannah Sparrow near Springboro,
PA, Jan. 11 (HC) represented perhaps just
the 2nd Crawford winter record. The only
Le Conte’s Sparrow was found in Knox, TN,
Jan. 10-11 (FB, RH, DM). A Lincoln’s
Sparrow at Parkersburg, WV, Jan. 2 was a
rare find so far north (JE). There was a
major flight of Lapland Longspurs into the
Region with observations of small flocks
nearly throughout — highest counts involv¬
ed 50+ at Stuarts Draft, Augusta, VA, Dec. 8
(AL) and 70+ at R.C.B.L. Jan. 16-17 (WA,
m.ob.). Snow Buntings also were wide¬
spread, staging their best flight in many
years; best count was 1000+ Jan. 16 in n.
Lawrence and neighboring Mercer, PA (CG);
two birds made it as far south as Hump Mt.,
NC, Dec. 3 (ES), and one was at Middle-
brook, VA, Jan. 13 (YI.). A Dickcissel at a

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

165

feeding station at Delmont, Westmoreland,
Dec. 1 and again Jan. 16 (KB) represented
one of very few Pennsylvania winter
records. Extremely rare so far north, a Balti¬
more Oriole visited a feeding station at
Dunn’s Eddy, Warren, PA, Dec. 4-16
(D&KB).

Following last winter’s major invasion,
northern finches were notably scarce: The
only Red Crossbills were reported from
Meadville, PA, where a flock of 50 was seen
Feb. 19 (IF). Although Pine Siskins were
widely reported, numbers were usually
small. Over most of the Region, Evening
Grosbeaks put in little more than a token
appearance; a few birds were found as far
south as Elizabethton, TN, Dec. 21 (HPL);
50 at McConnell’s Mill S.P., PA, Dec. 19
(DB) represented the season’s high count.

Contributors and cited observers: Wendell
Argabrite, Scott Bastian, Ralph Bell, John
Benedetti, D. and K. Benedict, Nelson
Bennett, Frank Bills, Wallace Brandes,
Nancy Brundage, Ken Byerly, Dick Byers, A.
Cagle, Kevin Calhoon, D. Chase (DCh),
Henry Chubb, Wallace Coffey, Greg Cook,
Dan Cunkelman, Jeraldine Dailey, Dave
Darney, A1 Deynzer, Dean Edwards (DEd),
Gary Edwards, Mary Erwin, Dick Esker
(IDEs), Jeanette Esker, John Fedak, Gary
Felton, Isaak Field, Danny Gaddy (DGa),
Candy Gonzalez, Kathie Goodblood, Steve
Graff, Mike Griffith, Deborah Grove, Greg
Grove, George Hall, Ron Harrell, Glenn
Haynes, John Henderson (JHn), Deborah
Hess, Paul Hess, Margaret Higbee, Dave and
Judy Hochadell (D&JH), Audrey Hoff, Ron
Hoff, Joyce Hoffmann (JHo), Barbara
Hohman, Daniel Jacobson, Rick Knight
(RK), H. P. Langridge, Allen Larner, YuLee
Larner (YL), Ronald F. Leberman (RFL),
Portia Macmillan, Joanne Madden (JMa),
Karlin Marsh, Beth Marshall, Jerry
McWilliams (JM), Nell Moore, Peter Mor¬
gan, Robert S. Mulvihill (RSM), Richard
Murphy (RMr), Dollyann Myers, John
Peplinski, Jim Phillips (JPh), Stephen
Repasky (SRe), Stephen Rottenborn, John
Savetti (JSa), Ed Schill, Walt Shaffer, Boyd
Sharp, Chris Sloan, Jerry Stanley (JSt), Russ
States (RSt), Stephen Stedman, Don Stitt,
Randy Stringer (RSr), Robert Sundell,
Chuck Tague, John Tilley, David Trendy,
Brenda Watts, Don Watts, Chris Welsh,
Gene Wilhelm, Rick Wiltraut, Libby Wolf,
Debra Yovanovich, Susan and Dave Zigler.

Robert C. Leberman, Powdermill Nature
Reserve, Carnegie Museum of Natural
History, HC 64 Box 453, Rector, PA
15677-9605

western great
lakes region

t was another mild winter throughout the
Region. The first two weeks of December
were particularly warm, and water remained
open well into the month. As a result, many
water-related birds lingered well into De¬
cember. In addition, other species remained,
resulting in many record-late dates. Winter
finally did arrive in the latter half of
December and continued into January,
resulting in near normal weather in Min¬
nesota. But overall it remained mild in both
Michigan and Wisconsin. All three states
had a mild February. The mild weather also
resulted in overwintering by many “half-
hardy” species, such as American Robin, in
large numbers. In contrast, typical winter
visitors, such as finches and northern owls,
were scarce to nonexistent in much of the
Region.

LOOMS THROUGH HERONS

Red-throated Loons are becoming regular
in Michigan along the s. end of L. Michigan;
this season reports included individuals in
Berrien and Muskegon, the latest individual
Dec. 30 ( JW, JH ) in Muskegon. Record late in
Minnesota inland counties were Horned
Grebes Dec. 16 in Mille Lacs Lake (KB) in
the north and Dec. 22 in Hennepin (SC) in
the south. Exceptional in Wisconsin was an
Eared Grebe to Dec. 14 in Milwaukee (BD,
DG, MK et al. ). Michigan had another good
winter for Red-necked Grebe with reports
from 4 counties, the latest Dec. 30 in
Muskegon ( JH). A W. Grebe Dec. 13 in Rice
(JL) provided Minnesota’s 6th winter
record; Wisconsin had a W. Grebe Dec. 20 in
the Saxon harbor (JE). A Double-crested

Cormorant in Otter Tail (DM, SM) provid¬
ed n. Minnesota’s first overwintering record.
Very unusual in Michigan, a Great Egret lin¬
gered to Dec. 19 in Macomb (MM), and less
unusual were lingering Black-crowned
Night-Herons Dec. 26 in Holland, Ottawa
(JP), and to Jan. 17 in Monroe (SSa).

VULTURES

THROUGH WATERFOWL

Turkey Vultures stayed well into December
in Michigan and arrived back early, the first
Jan. 26 in Monroe (PC). Wisconsin also had
an early migrant Feb. 13 in Dane (CH).
Michigan and Wisconsin reported higher-
than-usual numbers of Greater White-
fronted Goose, and all 3 states reported early
arrivals; in Michigan the species was report¬
ed from Allegan, Berrien, Branch, Saginaw
and Washtenaw, with highs of 19 Dec. 2 in
Allegan (RBr) and 14 Feb. 9 in Saginaw
(MW); Minnesota had its 3rd earliest arrival
with seven in Big Stone Feb. 28 (DM, SM),
only 4 days short of a record; Wisconsin had
a record arrival with three White-fronteds in
Columbia Feb. 10 (DT); this was followed by
an impressive migration, with flocks of
10-80 recorded in the s. portions of the
state. Once rare in the Region, Ross’s Goose
is now regularly reported from all 3 states. In
Michigan, an individual was recorded Feb.
13 at Marysville, St. Clair (BW, BWi), and
one-three were seen between Feb. 17-28 at
Shiawassee N.W.R., Saginaw (MW, DP, BG),
all are pending MBRC approval. In Minne¬
sota, an individual was present to Dec. 19 in
Faribault, while Wisconsin had two-three
individuals between Goose Pond, Columbia,
and ponds in Middleton, Dane, from Dec.
1-16.

Mute Swans appear to be increasing in
Minnesota where 5 reports were received
this winter, including birds in Rice, Waseca,
Winona, and Wright. Trumpeter Swans are
also increasing in Minnesota with maxi¬
mum of 360 Dec. 23 wintering on the Miss¬
issippi R. at Monticello (ML) and an addi¬
tional 166 counted Dec. 27 on the Otter Tail
R. (DM, SM). Wisconsin had a flock of 25
Trumpeter Swans overwinter in Polk. Also in
that state were impressive numbers of
Tundra Swans in December, including a

166

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

spectacular 12,000 on the Mississippi R. in
LaCrosse and Vernon (DK, FL, EN).

Because of the mild weather, excellent
numbers of ducks lingered throughout the
Region. Wisconsin reported “unprecedented
numbers” of ducks along the Mississippi R.
in December, mainly in LaCrosse and
Vernon with estimates of 150,000-250,000
individuals. In this total were an estimated
3000 Gadwall Dec. 7, 4000 Am. Wigeon Dec.
4, 2000 Green-winged Teal Dec. 2, 150,000-
180,000 Canvasback Dec. 14, 3000 Redhead
Dec. 8, 5000 Lesser Scaup Dec. 10, and 1000
Ruddy Duck Dec. 8 (DK, FL, EN). Also
unusual in that state was the number of
overwintering species, including Wood
Duck, Gadwall, N. Shoveler, Redhead, Ring¬
necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, Hooded Mer¬
ganser, and Ruddy Duck.

Minnesota reported the same large
number of ducks on the Mississippi. In
addition to the Wisconsin numbers, reports
from Minnesota included 3000 Ring-necked
Ducks and 1930 Ruddy Ducks Dec. 7 (KB).
Also noteworthy in Minnesota were 11 N.
Pintail and 55-60 Green-winged Teal which
overwintered on Black Dog L., Dakota (PJ)
and 8 reports of lingering Greater Scaup. A
Blue-winged Teal Dec. 12 in Houston (RJ)
furnished only the 2nd winter record for
Minnesota in the past 10 years.

Michigan had similar reports of over¬
wintering species and excellent concentra¬
tions of ducks into December, including
4000 N. Shovelers Dec. 5 at the Muskegon
Wastewater System, Muskegon (JP). As with
divers and dabblers, sea duck numbers were
up Regionwide. Michigan had King Eiders
from Dec. 12 to at least Dec. 28 near Union
Pier, Berrien (RS, mob) and a young male
from Jan. 2-22 at the Karn Plant, Bay (RZ,
EK, RA, mob). Michigan reported Harle¬
quin Ducks in Houghton Dec. 19 (JY, LM);
near Harbor Springs, Emmet, from Dec.
19-21 (JWe); in Presque Ilse to Jan. 3 (BGr);
and near Union Pier, Berrien, to Dec. 16
(AB, KT). Minnesota had individual Harle¬
quins Jan. 16 on the Mississippi R., Monti-
cello, Sherburne, and Wright (KB, JD); Dec.
20 in Two Harbors, Lake (fide KE); and Dec.
16 on L. Minnetonka, Hennepin (fide AH).
Wisconsin had a remarkable concentration
of eight Harlequin Ducks in Milwaukee.
Also in that state were one-two in She¬
boygan and one Dec. 10 at Marinette (JRe).

Both Michigan and Wisconsin reported
excellent numbers of scoters, mainly from
the Great Lakes, but there were also a sur¬
prising number of inland records. Minne¬
sota also had good numbers, including a
record nine reports of White-winged

Scoters in December, all inland, and a
record-late date for Black Scoter Dec. 12 at
White Bear L., Ramsey (KB). Also in that
state were an unusual number of Oldsquaw
reports away from L. Superior, while in
Michigan excellent concentrations were
reported on L. Huron with 10,000 off
Presque Isle Dec. 15 (BGr) and 6300 report¬
ed off Iosco Dec. 26 (RB). In Wisconsin a
male Barrow’s Goldeneye overwintered in
Virmond Park and was joined by a 2nd male
in January.

RAPTORS

It was a fairly quiet season throughout the
Region in terms of hawks. In Michigan, an
Osprey lingered to Dec. 5 in Monroe (TW,
CP). Minnesota had only 8 reports of N.
Goshawk this season, the lowest total since
1988. Rough-legged Hawks were more
widespread than normal in Minnesota with
reports from 52 counties, the previous high
being 43. Also more common in the Region
were Golden Eagles. Michigan had more
reports of Merlins with individuals in 5
counties, while Wisconsin reported over¬
wintering in Douglas (LL, SL) and Ashland
(DV). The only Prairie Falcon report came
from Minnesota where one was seen Feb.
6-10 in Minneapolis, Hennepin (SW, KB).
Wisconsin had overwintering Peregrine
Falcons in 4 counties, and Michigan had
reports from 4 locations, including one n. of
normal in Sault Ste. Marie.

CROUSE THROUGH SHOREBIRDS

A group of 24 Spruce Grouse in Lake Feb. 23
(DE) was one of the largest flocks ever
reported in Minnesota. A flock of 35 Sharp¬
tailed Grouse reported near Sault Ste. Marie
was an encouraging reversal for this declin¬
ing Michigan species.

In Michigan, a Virginia Rail was found
Feb. 20 in Branch (JG) while one Jan. 21 in
Bloomington, Hennepin, MN (SC), fur¬
nished only the 7th winter record for the
state. In Wisconsin, two were present in
Madison Dec. 12 (PA). Minnesota had a
new late date for Sandhill Crane with one
Dec. 6 at the Sherburne N.W.R. (KL). This
species also lingered and overwintered in
both Michigan and Wisconsin with the lat¬
ter state having an unprecedented 5960 on
the L. Geneva CBC.

Minnesota had its first winter report of
Greater Yellowiegs with an individual Dec.
5 in Fillmore ( JS). Wisconsin had record-late
dates of two at Horicon Marsh Dec. 1 (DT),
one in Ozaukee Dec. 4 (SLu, TU), three in
LaCrosse Dec. 4 (DK), and three through
Dec. 14 in Vernon (DK). Remarkable for the

Region was a Spotted Sandpiper Dec. 16 in
Grand Marais, Cook (KH, MH), also a first
winter record for Minnesota. Providing a
record-late date in Wisconsin was a Ruddy
Turnstone Dec. 1 3— Jan. 1 in Sheboygan
(TW, mob). A Baird’s Sandpiper in Grant
Dec. 1 (BD) tied Wisconsin’s late date.
Michigan had a good number of Purple
Sandpiper reports with up to two individu¬
als Dec. 13-Jan. 1 at New Buffalo, Berrien
(AB, mob) and up to four individuals Dec.
14-Jan. 1 in Muskegon (KT, GW, JP).
Wisconsin had up to two individuals from
December to Jan. 1 at Sheboygan (DBa, MB,
SLu). Late Dunlin in Michigan included one
to Dec. 5 at New Buffalo, Berrien (KT, AB,
BM) and four Dec. 22 at the Karn Plant, Bay
(MW). A dowitcher thought to be a Long¬
billed Dec. 2 at the Erie Power Plant, Monroe
(WP) was a first winter report for this
shorebird in Michigan. Likely an early
migrant in Michigan was an Am. Woodcock
Feb. 12 in Clinton (GB) while in Minnesota
one was found in Faribault Feb. 27 (TB).

CULLS THROUGH TERMS

After the fall invasion of Franklin’s Gulls it
was not surprising that good numbers were
reported into early December. In Michigan
individuals were reported Dec. 2 in Manistee
and Dec. 9 in Saginaw (DP); up to 9 were in
Ingham, last seen Dec. 6 (BCo, KT). Minne¬
sota had its first winter records for this
species with individuals in Waseca Dec. 1
(KB, JD) and Dakota Dec. 5 (KB, SC).
Wisconsin managed a single record of an
individual Dec. 4 in Jefferson (BD). The only
Little Gull report came from Michigan
where an adult was seen in Muskegon Dec.
19 (CPu). Minnesota had record-late dates
for Bonaparte’s Gull with individuals Dec.
17 in Mille Lacs L., Aitken (CG, MG), and 4
Dec. 19 in Afton, Washington (BL).

A Mew Gull in Duluth, St. Louis, Dec. 13
(PS) provided Minnesota’s 3rd record and
1st documented with a photograph.
Presumably the same bird was seen on the
nearby Superior landfill in Wisconsin Dec.
17 (KB) while elsewhere in that state two
were seen in Milwaukee, one Dec. 12 and a
different individual Dec. 13 (SLu, MK). All 3
states reported good numbers of Thayer’s
Gull with a noteworthy a record concentra¬
tion of 1 1-12 Dec. 26 in Dakota, MN (KB).
Michigan and Wisconsin also had a number
of Iceland Gull reports. Lesser Black-backed
Gull numbers increased once again with
Michigan having 1 1 reports with up to four
individuals in Monroe. Wisconsin had 4
reports with a maximum of four individuals
in Milwaukee. Minnesota had 4 reports of

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

167

While this adult Mew Gull (center; in front of larger immature gull) was photographed
at a Superior, Wisconsin, landfill December 17, 1998, it was also suspected of being
the individual which became the third record for Minnesota, appearing in nearby Duluth
four days earlier. Photograph/Karl Bardon

Lesser Black-backeds, including a record-
late date of a first-winter bird Jan. 4 in
Ramsey and Dakota (KB, BS, DS).

A Nelson’s Gull (Glaucous x Herring
hybrid) was reported Dec. 22-30 in Dakota,
MN (KB, SC, PB). In Michigan a Black¬
legged Kittiwake was reported Dec. 5 at the
Erie Power Plant, Monroe (TW, CP), and
another was found dead Dec. 14 at Escanaba
(CT). Wisconsin reported one Dec. 1 and
Feb. 1-5 in Port Washington (SLu) and
again Feb. 6 in Milwaukee (WM). Wisconsin
had yet another Ivory Gull; this year’s bird
was in Sheboygan Dec. 21 (JF). Very unex¬
pected was a Common Tern Dec. 6-7 in
Waussau (DB, LO), a record-late date for
Wisconsin. Also late was a Forster’s Tern in
Michigan present to Dec. 16 at Saugatuck,
Allegan (AB).

DOVES THROUCH SWALLOWS

Minnesota recorded its 2nd through 4th
state records for Eurasian Collared-Dove

with one overwintering at Lynd, Lyon (RSc);
an individual at Alden, Freeborn , Dec. 13
(ABo); and two from Jan. 29-Feb. 26 in
Jasper, Rock/ Pipestone (RJ, RG et al.). Snowy
Owls were scarce Regionwide. Minnesota
hosted the only Northern Hawk Owls with
individuals at Roseau, Roseau, Dec. 26 (fide
BJ) and another at Sax-Zim bog, St. Louis,
Dec. 27 (fide KE). Great Gray Owls were
most numerous in Minnesota where 15
were reported from the expected locations.
Wisconsin had a pair of Great Grays report¬
ed in Bayfield. All 3 states reported above
average numbers of Long-eared and Short¬
eared owls. The only Boreal Owl reports
came from Minnesota where birds began
calling in late February in the n.e. portion of
the state.

For the 2nd consecutive year Michigan

hosted a Rufous Hummingbird, this season
an ad. male present to Dec. 15 in Ingham
(fide TB1). A Red-headed Woodpecker in
Chippewa, MI, Feb. 5-7 (DBe, SS) was n. of
normal as was a Red-bellied Woodpecker
that wintered in Ashland, W1 (DV). Minne¬
sota had an unusual number of overwinter¬
ing Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers with as many
as six in the Twin Cities area. Also in that
state was the only Three-toed Woodpecker
record for the Region, one Feb. 14 in Lake
( fide KE).

Very unexpected so far north in Michi¬
gan was a lingering E. Phoebe Dec. 5 in Mar¬
quette (SSt). Also in Michigan was a Logger-
head Shrike Jan. 30 at Fish Pt., Tuscola (DD).
Providing a 3rd winter record for Wisconsin
was a White-eyed Vireo at Madison Dec.
19-20 (DF). A lingering Barn Swallow in
Monroe Dec. 1 1-12 (WP, CP, TW) provided
an unusual winter record for Michigan.

WRENS THROUGH WAXWINGS

Carolina Wren is rare in the Upper Penin¬
sula of Michigan in any season, making one
in Escanaba Dec. 3-25 (CT) very unusual. A
Marsh Wren Jan. 5 in Hennepin (SC) pro¬
vided the 6th winter record for Minnesota.
Minnesota contributed the only Townsend’s
Solitaire reports with 3 sightings in Duluth
in December (fide KE), one Dec. 20 in Lake
( fide KE), and one Dec. 28 in Houston (AH,
PH). American Robins were abundant
throughout the Region with flocks of sever¬
al hundred reported into January. Wiscon¬
sin had an excellent showing of 12 to 15
Varied Thrush while 1 1 in Minnesota were
considered just average. Varied Thrush
reports in Michigan, where the species is
considered rare, included one Dec. 23 in
Escanaba (CT), one from Jan. 9-11 in
Lapeer (MS, TS), and one from Dec. 22-Jan.

19 in Ontonogan (JSi). A Gray Catbird in
Hennepin (SC, m.ob.) provided Minnesota
with its 3rd overwintering record while
another in Mower Dec. 13-15 (RK, RKn)
was considered noteworthy. Late in
Wisconsin were five Am. Pipits Dec. 13 in
Grant (PBr) and a report from Marquette
Dec. 10-18 (DC). Both Minnesota and Wis¬
consin reported major invasions of Bohe¬
mian Waxwings with a peak count in
Minnesota of 3500 in Cook Dec. 14 (BF).
Michigan had more normal numbers.

WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES

An Orange-crowned Warbler Dec. 18 in
Duluth, St. Louis (KE), furnished the 2nd-
latest date for Minnesota and only its 3rd
winter record. For the 2nd consecutive year,
and only the 2nd winter record, a Yellow-
throated Warbler was reported in Wiscon¬
sin, Dec. 22 in Richland (AC). In Michigan,
two Pine Warblers visited a feeder in Ottawa
from Jan. 1-31 (CPo, CPm). Constituting
the 3rd winter record in Minnesota was an
Ovenbird Dec. 1 in Washington (WL). A
Com. Yellowthroat was considered late Dec.
12 in Milwaukee (DG).

A Savannah Sparrow of the Ipswich race
was reported to Jan. 3 near the Port Wash¬
ington Harbor, WI (TU, BC). In Michigan
Savannah Sparrows observed at feeders
included individuals from Dec. 23-25 in
Muskegon (GW), Jan. 12-17 in Clinton
(GB), and from Dec. 24 through the period
in Jackson (DBr). Fox Sparrows were more
numerous in Michigan with reports from 8
sites including overwintering at two. Wis¬
consin had overwintering reports from
Jefferson (BD) and Sheboygan (AHo). A very
rare winter record in Michigan was a
Lincoln Sparrow Dec. 9-15 in Detroit (KO).
All 3 states reported excellent numbers of
Lapland Longspurs while both Michigan
and Wisconsin had similarly high numbers
of Snow Buntings.

A male Rose-breasted Grosbeak was
reported at Pike Lake S.P., WI, Dec. 30 (fide
BD). An Indigo Bunting at Chippewa Falls
Dec. 8 (CK) provided only the 3rd winter
record for Wisconsin. Minnesota had rare
overwintering records of Brewer’s Black¬
birds in Becker (BB) and Crow Wing (WN,
JB, SB). Wisconsin reported an uncommon
number of this species with 500-1000 seen
in December at Horicon Marsh. Wisconsin
reported a Baltimore Oriole Dec. 29 on the
Ephraim CBC while Minnesota had a
“northern” oriole Dec. 20 in Douglas (SWs).

Winter finches, including Pine Gros¬
beaks, crossbills, redpolls, Pine Siskin, Pur¬
ple Finch, and Evening Grosbeak, were

168

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

scarce throughout the Region. In contrast,
Am. Goldfinches were found in excellent
numbers in both n. Michigan and Minne¬
sota.

Cited observers (state compilers in bold¬
face): Ron Annelin, Philip Ashman, Karl
Bardon (Minnesota), Glenn Belyea, Robert
Bell, Dan Belter, Betsy Beneke, Dan Bennett
(DBe), Ted Black (TB1), Jo Blanich, Steve
Blanich, Tom Boevers, Al Bolduc (ABo),
David Brasser (DBa), Margaret Brasser,
Peter Bridge (PBr), Rick Brigham (RBr),
Don Brooks (DBr), Paul Budde, Adam
Byrne, Steve Carlson, Daryl Christensen,
Phil Chu, Al Cornell, Bruce Cohen (BCo),
Bill Cowart, Jeff Dains, Bob Domagalski,
Dan Dusso, Kim Eckert, Joan Elias, Dave
Evans, Bruce Fall, Dave Fallow, Jim Frank,
Clare Geerts, Maurita Geerts, Robert
Glassel, Jim Granlund, Bob Grefe, Bill Grigg
(BGr), Dennis Gustafson, Chuck Heikkinen,
Anthony Hertzel, Paul Hertzel, Jason
Hoeksema, Ken Hoffman, Molly Hoffman,
Aaron Holschbach (AHo), Robert Janssen,
Paul Jantscher, Betty Johnson, Charles
Kemper, Eugene Kenaga, Ron Kneeskern,
Rose Kneeskern (RKn), Mark Korducki,
Dennis Kuecherer (DK), Ken LaFond, Laura
LaValley, Steve LaValley, Fred Lesher,
Madeline Linke, Bill Litkey, Jon Little,
William Longley, Steve Lubahn (SLu), Doug
McWhirter (Michigan, DMc), Mike
Mencotti, William Meuller, Diane Millard,
Steve Millard, Brad Murphy, Lyn Murphy,
Warren Nelson, Eric Nelson, Lynn Ott, Karl
Overman, Walt Pawloski, Dave Peters, Cal
Pomarius (CPo), Carolyn Pomarius (CPm),
Jim Ponshair, Curt Powell, Caleb Putman
(CPu), John Regan (JRe), Steve Santner
(SSa), Russ Schipper, Roger Schroeder
(RSc), Scott Shaum, Jane Simpson (JSi),
Becky Smith, Drew Smith, Mike Smith,
Tammy Smith, Jeff Stephenson, Scott
Stewart (SSt), Peder Svingen, Charlotte
Taylor, Daryl Tessen (Wisconsin), Kevin
Thomas, Tom Uttech, Dick Verch, Jason
Weckstein (JWe), Tex Wells, Steve Weston,
George Wickstrom, Myles Willard, Bill
Wilson, Bob Wilson (BWi), Susan Wiste
(SWs), Tom Wood, Joe Youngman, John
Will, Ray Ziarno.

Jim Granlund, Research Associate, Kalama¬
zoo Nature Center, 6253 N. Westnedge, Kala¬
mazoo, Ml 49004 (granlund@net-link.net)

middlewestern
prairie region

KENNETH J. BROCK

or the second consecutive year the
Region enjoyed near sub-tropical
weather. Perhaps Robert Cecil captured the
season most accurately with his comment,
“this was about as close as we get to a nice
winter.” December temperatures were well
above normal, and February brought
almost spring-like conditions. Winter was
compressed into a brief two-week period
that began New Year’s Day when the sea¬
son’s only major storm swept across the
Region. The blanket of snow and subse¬
quent bitter temperatures produced by this
storm provided the season’s only severe
weather.

Mild temperatures kept all water open
through the end of December. As a result,
atypically high numbers of both water
birds and passerines lingered in the Region
until early January. Especially common and
widespread were American Robins, which
wintered in unprecedented numbers. How¬
ever, it was the presence of a Purple Martin,
two Barn Swallows, a Yellow-breasted Chat,
and a colony of Sedge Wrens that charac¬
terized the winter of 1998-1999 as most
extraordinary.

The early January storm and associated
heavy snow cover also produced some
unanticipated “yard birds.” Scores of corre¬
spondents reported mixed flocks of Horned
Larks, Lapland Longspurs, and Snow Bunt¬
ings, searching for spilled seeds beneath
their feeders. M. Stephenson’s experience in
west-central Ohio was typical; flocks of
larks and buntings, seen afield January 2,
were literally inside the city limits of
Wapakoneta a few days later.

Warm February temperatures quickly
melted the January ice, triggering the spring
waterfowl migration. Thus, ducks lingered
in the Region until early January and were
back again by early February. It was indeed
a short winter.

Abbreviations: Carl. L. (Carlyle L. In Clinton,
Fayette, & Bond Counties, IL); H.B.S.P (Head¬
lands Beach 5.P., OH); Jax.P. (Jackson Park on
the Chicago lakefront); L. Cal. (L. Calumet, Chi¬
cago); R.E.D.A (Riverlands Environmental Dem¬
onstration Area, MO); Spfld. (Springfield, IL).

LOONS THROUGH HERONS

Accompanying the warm winter and asso¬
ciated open water were above-normal num¬
bers of loons and grebes. Red-throated
Loons were remarkably widespread with
reports from every state except Missouri.
The season’s best diver, however, was a
Yellow-billed Loon that lingered in
Bloomington, IL, Dec. 19-29 (RCh, fRHe,
KMc, SF, GW, m.ob.). Among the common
grebes, the peak counts were in s. Illinois
where 99 Pied-billeds were at Newton L.
Dec. 21 (JWa, SSi) and 100+ Horneds at
Carl. L. Dec. 13 (DKa, JZ). Among the rarer
grebes three Red-neckeds were reported in
both Illinois and Ohio, and a singleton was
seen in Indiana, providing an above-aver¬
age season tally. East of the Mississippi R.
single W. Grebes were found in Henderson ,
IL, Dec. 19 (AR, PR); at Mississinewa Res.,
IN, Jan. 1 (tHaw, BK, SSc); and at East Fork
S.P., OH, Jan. 20-Feb. 6 (tHA, FR, ph.).

A fly-by N. Gannet, seen at H.B.S.P. Dec
12 (RHn, fNB), provided the Region’s first
record since 1994. Wintering Double-crest¬
ed Cormorants have become quite regular
in the Region; however, the 1000 birds
counted at Rend L., IL, Dec. 19 (KMc, RHa)
were extraordinary. Both Great Blue Herons
and Black-crowned Night-Herons were
plentiful across the Region. Highlights
included 132 Great Blues at Ottawa N.W.R.,
OH, Dec. 6 (EP, CC) and an impressive 29
Black-crowneds along a power plant warm
water outlet in Lucas, OH, Jan. 16 (DD).
Additionally, among many tardy Great
Egrets, one lingered in Aurora, IL, until Dec.
16 (fJDr).

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

169

WATERFOWL

Once again geese numbers were uniformly
high across the Region, with Greater White-
fronteds reported in all 6 states and Ross’s
recorded in every state except Ohio. Two
White-fronted Geese wandered E to
Holmes, OH, where they were observed Jan.
16 (MG, BG1). The remarkable 88,500
Snow Geese, tallied on the Jan. 20 Southern
Illinois Goose inventory (MH), is surely
among the Region’s largest counts ever
recorded e. of the Mississippi R. The east¬
ernmost Ross’s Geese reports involved a
singleton at Basil Griffin Park, Warren, KY,
Jan. 20 8c 24 (LD, DOb) and two at Kanka¬
kee W.M.A., IN, Feb. 12 (fJCd). A single
Brant at Horseshoe Lake W.M.A., IL, Dec.
29 (fSBy) provided one of few records in
the Region over the past decade.

Although excellent numbers of puddle
ducks were noted across the Region and bay
ducks were plentiful, it was a banner winter
for sea ducks. Noteworthy among the dab¬
blers was an ad. male Com. (Green-winged)
Teal seen in e. Holmes, OH, Feb. 5, 6, 8c 20
(fES et al.). It was perhaps the Region’s best
winter ever for Harlequin Ducks. On the
Great Lakes, where this species is regular,
eight were recorded in Indiana, five in
Ohio, and one in Illinois. The most surpris¬
ing report, however, came from R.E.D.A.
and adjacent Alton, IL, where a female
Harlequin was present Jan 30-Feb. 6 (SDk,
fWR, ph. m.ob.J, providing Missouri’s first
confirmed winter record and first report in
27 years. Small numbers of both Surf and
White-winged scoters appeared in every
state except Missouri where Surfs were not
reported. Except for s. L. Michigan, where
above average numbers appeared, Black

White-winged Scoters appeared in every
state of the Region; some, like this bird
in Holmes County, Ohio, were forced down
by freezing rain January 15, 1999.
Photograph/Bruce D. Glick

Scoters were scarce. Inland Black Scoter
reports included four birds in Indiana,
three in Kentucky, and one in Iowa. The
season’s best duck was an ad. male
Barrow’s Goldeneye seen at R.E.D.A. Jan.
24 8c 25 (fWR, fKL et al.).

OSPREY THROUGH SHOREBIRDS

Basking in warm December temperatures, a
female Osprey lingered in n. Illinois where
it was seen at Rockford Dec. 23 (fRM). The
peak Bald Eagle counts were made along
the Mississippi R. in Illinois where 1049
were tallied in Whiteside and Rock Island
Jan. 15-16 (KMk). Elsewhere eagle num¬
bers were typical except in Indiana where
the midwinter survey was rather low (JCs).
Northern Harriers were unusually numer¬
ous in late winter with peak counts of 75+
at Prairie S.P., MO, Jan. 18 (MR) and 53 in
s. Illinois Prairie Ridge W.M.A. Feb. 22
(JWa). Northern Goshawks were quite
scarce with only eight counted across Illi¬
nois, Iowa, and Ohio. This total is low even
for a non-invasion year. Rough-legged
Hawk numbers were normal or below aver¬
age in most areas; however, a superb count
of 31 (12 dark and 19 light morphs) was
made Feb. 5 in Ohio’s e. central strip mines
(JLr). Golden Eagle numbers were up this
winter with observations in every state
except Ohio. It was an especially good win¬
ter for this large raptor in Iowa where 13
were found. The Merlin population contin¬
ues to flourish; this winter 29 were reported
across the Region. Prairie Falcons are very
rare winter residents in c. Illinois. This year,
however, visiting birders from Iowa discov¬
ered one in the n.w. portion of the state at
New Boston Dec. 18 (fTK, JF).

Some fine Virginia Rails counts were
logged this winter with five at Beverly
Shores, IN, Dec. 19 (JCd) and four in
Holmes, OH, Jan. 3 (BG1). The presence of
Sandhill Cranes in every state attests to
both the expansion of this species and the
mild winter season. An unprecedented
12,800 Sandhills were still at the Jasper-
Pulaski, IN, staging area Dec. 2, and 6 days
later 6300+ southbound birds flew over
Monroe, IN (DWh, LSb). Other noteworthy
Sandhill reports included 182 in Cook, IL,
Dec. 22 (CF) and 56 at Findlay Res., OH, on
the same day (KN).

This winter a dozen shorebird species
were recorded in the Region, rendering this
the best season since 1994-1995 when 15
species were logged. A major surprise was
the two Semipalmated Plovers at L. Mon¬
roe, IN, Dec. 17-19 (fKW), which provided
that state’s first winter record. Other tardy

migrants included a juv. Black-bellied Plov¬
er at Coralville Res., IA, Dec. 2 (TK, JF) and
a Spotted Sandpiper in Gibson, IN, that lin¬
gered through Dec. 20 (fG&fLB, m.ob.).
Two Greater Yellowlegs remained at L.
Monroe, IN, until Dec. 20 (DWh); one was
in Clark, OH, Dec. 19 (DOv); and a single-
ton was still at Cone Marsh, I A, Dec. 18
(fTK). Lesser Yellowlegs reports were even
more remarkable with mid-winter single-
tons at McElroy L., KY, Jan. 31 (DR) and in
Johnson, IL, Feb. 11 (fSO).

Perhaps the season’s most remarkable
shorebirds were Least Sandpipers, which
were recorded in every state except Ohio. A
phenomenal 52 Leasts were counted at
Rend L., IL, Dec. 19 (fLSn, DL), and six
were still in Calloway, KY, Jan. 2 (DOb).
One to five Purple Sandpipers were at
H.B.S.P Dec. 6-Jan. 3 (RHn, m.ob.) while
singles were found at Avon L., OH, Jan. 1
(ES) and at Waukegan Beach, IL, Dec. 3
(fRB). Winter period Dunlins, primarly in
early to mid-December, were reported in
Indiana, Iowa, and Kentucky; the latest con¬
sisted of two at Mississinewa Res., IN, Jan 1
(tHaw).

GULLS THROUGH OWLS

This was not a good winter for large gulls
on the Great Lakes; correspondents in
Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio all noted a
dearth of gulls, especially in January and
February. Interestingly, inland reports were
near normal. Vestiges of last fall’s record
Franklin’s Gull flight lingered into the win¬
ter period in every state except Missouri.
The latest report consisted of a basic-
plumed ad. at Red Rock Res., IA, Dec.
19-27 (SDm, MP, CE). Little Gulls were
reported in only one state apparently be¬
cause they all congregated in Ohio. Records
included a phenomenal 26 Little Gulls at
Fairport Harbor Feb. 27 (RHn, EB et al.);
this remarkable total doubles the Region’s
previous daily maximum. Additionally, an
imm. Little Gull was seen inland e. of
Cincinnati at East Fork S.P. Jan. 22-29
(fFR, LG, ph. et al.). The winter’s only Mew
Gulls consisted of two first-basic birds
found on CBCs (both accepted by the Iowa
Bird Records Committee): one on the
Saylorville count Dec. 20 (fSDm) and the
other at Keokuk (fSDm).

A basic-plumed ad. California Gull was
photographed on the Chicago lakefront
Jan. 23-24 (|GW, JL, ph. m.ob.). Glaucous
Gulls were surprisingly scarce across the
Region. Oddly, 2 inland reports constituted
the season’s highest daily counts. Three
Glaucous Gulls were reported both at

170

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

middlewestern prairie

Ohio hosted remarkable numbers of Little
Gulls on the Great Lakes during
the season; this immature, however, was
"inland," being found January 22-29,

1999 east of Cincinnati at East Fork State
Park where it was photographed
January 27. Photograph/Frank Renfrow

R.E.D.A. Jan. 30 (WR) and in Dayton, OH,
Jan. 16 (DD). The latter birds, all in first-
winter plumage, were accompanied by an
ad. Great Black-backed Gull (DD). Black¬
legged Kittiwakes were more common than
normal with six birds scattered across
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Ohio.

The Region’s Eur. Collared-Dove popu¬
lation continues to grow. This winter 14
Collared-Doves were reported at 3 Illinois
locations, and the small colony at Grinnell,
IA, has now expanded to 10 birds (JF).
Most Snowy Owls remained n. of the
Region. The season’s tally consisted of a sin¬
gle bird at Meigs Field, Chicago, Dec. 30
and Jan. 13 (DSt), and four birds in Iowa.
Following the pattern of recent winters
excellent counts of the “eared” owls were
logged. This winter Long-eareds were
reported in every state except Kentucky,
and Short-eareds were found in all 6 states.
Noteworthy observations included 12
Long-eareds at Orland Grassland W.M.A.,
IL, Feb 14—25 (LSn) and nine in Lake, IN,
Dec. 1 ( JB et al.). The peak Short-eared Owl
tally consisted of 26 at Prairie Ridge State
Natural Area, IL, Feb. 18 (JWa, EK).
Northern Saw-whet Owls were also more
widespread than normal with five in Iowa,
three in both Illinois and Indiana, and sin¬
gletons in Missouri and Ohio.

HUMMINGBIRDS
THROUGH WAXWINGS

The fall Rufous Hummingbird reported at
N. Perry, OH, lingered until Dec. 2 (JPg).
Winter period E. Phoebes were reported in
all 6 states with some records approaching
mid-winter. The latest birds were in Hart,

KY, Jan. 4 (MS) and at Willow Slough, IN,
Jan. 1 (EH). The latter phoebe was report¬
edly searching for morsels in spider webs
beneath the eaves of a building. The Region
enjoyed a major N. Shrike invasion with
reports from every state except Kentucky.
The tally by state included 21 in Iowa, 12 in
Ohio, 10 in Illinois, five in Indiana, and two
in Missouri. A dozen Loggerhead Shrikes
counted at Prairie Ridge State Natural Area,
IL, Feb. 14 (JWa, JHo) constituted a fine
winter tally.

An over-eager Purple Martin arrived at
Mt. Hope, Holmes, OH, Feb. 12, only to fall
prey to a Cooper’s Hawk Feb. 13 (BG1, ph.),
but not before providing Ohio’s first
February record. Also in the competition
for earliest arrival was a Barn Swallow that
appeared at Mermet L„ Massac, IL, Feb.
12-13 (fFBe, m.ob.). This report also con¬
stitutes Illinois’ first February record.
Another Barn Swallow lingered in the
Chicago area where it was seen at
Winthrope Harbor Dec. 5 (fGW). Red¬
breasted Nuthatches were uniformly scarce
across the Region. A tardy House Wren lin¬
gered at Strongville, OH, until Dec. 27
(CR), and a late-winter Marsh Wren was
found at Mermet L., IL, Feb. 13 (fFBe).

Golden-crowned Kinglets were unusu¬
ally common in December as evidenced by
a peak single-party count of 37 at Horse¬
shoe Lake W.M.A., IL, Dec. 29 (KMc, TD).
A female Mt. Bluebird, at Waterman Cr.,
O’Brien, IA, Feb. 7-21 (fLS, fTK, tJF, fET,

Historically, winter-period
Sedge Wrens have been acci¬
dental in the Region, most often
appearing as single birds on CBCs.
Winter-period records have perhaps
become slightly more frequent in
recent years with singletons reported in
4 of the past 5 winters. The traditional
pattern, however, was shattered this
winter with an absolutely unprecedent¬
ed discovery near Barton, in n.w.
Missouri. On the morning of Dec. 4,
Robbins used a tape recording at
Prairie S.P. to locate a phenomenal 31
Sedge Wrens. Responses of the birds
suggested that they were territorial. A
repeat of the survey Dec. 1 7 produced
29 birds, including some at sites where
birds were not detected on the earlier
census. Consequently, Robbins specu¬
lated that as many as 43 individuals
might have been present. Are we begin¬
ning to see population shifts related to
global warming?

ph.) adds to the dozen existing records for
that state.

A very cooperative Townsend’s Solitaire
frequented Chicago’s Morton Arboretum
Feb. 1-13 (VK, DBo, MDe, JR, m.ob.).
Ohio’s 2nd Northern Wheatear inhabited
Marion from Nov. 8 until at least Nov. 18
(VF, fRCo, fJDu). Thrush numbers were
up noticeably this winter. A peak count of
15 Hermit Thrushes was logged Dec 20 on
Kelly’s Is., OH (TBa), and the Region was
awash with Am. Robins, producing several
mid-winter counts that exceeded 100 birds
even in n. reaches. Varied Thrushes were
reported visiting feeding stations (no dates
specified) in Columbia, MO (S. Brundage)
and near Bloomington, IN (J8cSH, ph.
m.ob.). More Gray Catbirds lingered into
winter than normal with four in Ohio and
two in Illinois.

An extraordinarily high Eur. Starling
count was made Dec. 5 when 200,000 were
estimated to be present in Urbana, IL
(RCh). American Pipits were unusually
widespread (recorded in every state except
Missouri) and tarried later than normal;
one-three birds were recorded throughout
January in Kentucky (LMc, Dob); ten were
in Holmes, OH, Jan. 12 (ES); and one lin¬
gered at Ahquabi S.P., IA, until Jan. 1 (tJSi).
The distribution of this winter’s Bohemian
Waxwing reports was quite strange; the dis¬
parate reports included a single bird in
Poweshiek Jan. 6, in c. Iowa (fTK, f JF) and
a flock of 15 adults on Chicago’s s. side Jan.
27 (fDSt). Cedar Waxwing numbers were
low; counts exceeding 100 birds were made
only in Iowa where the peak was 400 in
O’Brien Feb. 8 (ET).

WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES

Seven species of warblers lingered in the
Region. The more unusual records included
an Orange-crowned in Louisville, KY, Dec.
5 (DOb); a Palm Warbler at Four Rivers
W.M.A., MO, Dec. 17 (MR); a Palm Warb¬
ler in Millersburg, OH, Dec. 19 (BG1); and
an Ovenbird (killed by a cat) near Bloom¬
ington, IN, Dec. 20 (J&SH). Pine Warblers,
which occur infrequently during winter,
were especially common with three in
Ohio, two in Illinois, and one in Kentucky.
Common Yellowthroats were also wide¬
spread; five birds were scattered across
Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Ohio. The
most remarkable warbler, however, was a
Yellow-breasted Chat in Chicago’s Grant
Park Dec. 14-22 (DSt, fDJ, tJSa). This is
the 2nd consecutive winter in which Chica¬
go has hosted a chat.

Indiana’s first confirmed Black-headed

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

171

Grosbeak, an imm. male, thrilled scores of
Hoosier birders as it lingered at its W.
Lafayette discovery site Dec. 19-31 (fBD,
TBr, DK, fEH, JCd, m.ob. ph). Missouri’s
3rd winter period Indigo Bunting, an ad.
male, was found at Four Rivers W.M.A. in
s.w. Missouri Dec. 18 (fDE, JHi, ph.).

East of the Mississippi R. Spotted
Towhees were found at Carl L. Dec. 28
(fKMc, DWe) and in Union, IL, Dec. 30
(fVK). A superb find was a Brewer’s Spar¬
row at Midewin Prairie, IL, Dec. 4 (fDSt).
An impressive 27 Field Sparrows were tal¬
lied Dec 29 at Horseshoe Lake W.M.A.
(KMc, TD). In Holmes , OH, a Lark Sparrow
was found Dec. 26 within a few miles of the
site at which last winter’s bird was located
(LY). Although Le Conte’s Sparrows are
now regular winter residents within the
Region, a count of 16 made in Franklin, IL,
Dec. 19 (Fbe) still constitutes a fine winter
tally. This winter Fox Sparrows were unusu¬
ally numerous, especially at feeding stations
in the n. states. East of the Mississippi R.,
Harris’s Sparrows were reported in Kane, IL
(fMM) and in Holmes, OH, Dec. 22-Feb. 2
(ES, LY, m.ob.). The early January snow¬
storm pushed scores of Lapland Longspurs
and Snow Buntings (along with Horned
Larks) into the yards of startled bird feed¬
ers. The peak Lapland Longspur count,
however, consisted of 3500 birds in LaSalle,
IL, Jan 30 (C&JM). The season’s only Dick-
cissel report consisted of a single bird in
Vermilion, IL, Dec. 14-15 (tJSm).

Large numbers of icterids returned to
the Region early as evidenced by 25,000
Red-winged Blackbirds in LaSalle, IL, Feb.
14 (DSh); 10,000 Com. Crackles in Urbana,
IL, Feb. 21 (RCh); and 5000 Brown-headed
Cowbirds in LaSalle, IL, Feb. 14 (DSh). As is
typical, small flocks of Brewer’s Blackbirds
were recorded sporadically across the Reg¬
ion. This winter’s reports included 16 in
Clinton, IL, Dec. 28 (fWR, CA) and 15 near
the Kankakee W.M.A., IN, Feb. 20 (J&PK).
The Region’s only lingering Baltimore Ori¬
ole was at N. Olmstead, OH, Nov. 27-Jan. 2
(JJ, CR).

To state that this was not a winter finch
season is an understatement; even Purple
Finches were scarce. Only a handful of
crossbills, redpolls, and siskins were report¬
ed, and these were confined to Illinois and
Iowa. Evening Grosbeaks were not record¬
ed. Iowa’s first Eur. Tree Sparrow popula¬
tion away from the Mississippi R. flood-
plain was detected in mid- February when
eight birds were discovered at the S & G
sandpits in e. Johnson (MDo, TK, CE).

RARITIES COMMITTEE UPDATE

The Illinois committee rejected the Brew¬
er’s Sparrow reported at Fermilab, May 31,
1998 ( FN 52:339). The Ohio committee
approved a Ross’s Gull seen Dec. 14, 1997,
in Ashtabula (CH, JPg); this bird now
becomes Ohio’s first state record.

Contributors cited (Subregional editors in
boldface; many other individuals who could
not be personally acknowledged also sub¬
mitted notes to the various state reports) :

Connie Alwood, Hank Armstrong, Emil
Bacik, Susan Bagby (SB), Steve Bailey (SBy),
Nick Barber, Tom Bartlett TBa), Frank
Bennett (FBe), Richard Biss, David Bohlen
(DBo), Joy Bower, Gary and Lisa Bowman
(G&LB), Tom Braile (TBr), Alan Bruner
(AB) (Indiana), Fred Busroe (Kentucky),
John Cassady (JCd), John Castrale (JCs),
Robert Cecil (RCe)(Iowa), Robert Chapel
(RCh), Paul Clyne, Robert Conlon (RCo),
Chris Crofts, Myrna Deaton (MDe), Steve
Dilks (SDk), Todd Dilley, James Dinsmore,
Steven Dinsmore (SDm), David Dister,
Michael Dooley (MDo), Jon Duerr (JDr),
Jon Dunn (JDu), Barny Dunning (Bdu),
Lester Doyle, Dave Easterla, Chris Edwards,
Vic Fazio, Carolyn Fields, Steve Freed, Jim
Fuller, Larry Gara, Matt Gingerich, Bruce
Glick (BCD, Ray Hannikman (RHn), Jim
Haw (Haw), Rodger Hayes (RHa), Rodger
Hedge (RHe), Jim & Susan Hengeveld
( J&SH), Jack Hilsabeck (JHi), Dick & Jean
Hoffman (D&JH), Jim Houlihan (JHo), Ed
Hopkins, Michelle Horath, Craig Holt,
Robert Hughes (RHu), Bill Huser, Brad
Jacobs (BJ) (Missouri), Jim Jackson, Dave
Johnson, Barbara Kaiser, Dan Kassebaunr
(DKa), Joanne 8c Phil Kelly (J&PK),
Thomas Kent, Matt Kenne, Eric Kershner,
Steve Kinder, Vernon Kleen, Doug Knudson
(DKn), Larry Lade, Don Lam, James
Landing ( JL), Kent Lannert, J. Larson (JLr),
Mike Madsen, Walter Marcisz, Jeff McCoy
(JMc), Kelly McKay (KMk) (Illinois),
Cynthia 8c John McKee (C8cJM), Keith
McMullen (KMc), Lee McNeely (LMc), Joe
Milosevich (JMi), Rod Myers, Kathy
Noblet, Darrin O’Brien (DOb), Steve
Olsen, Doug Overacker (DOv), Babs
Paddleford, Loren Paddleford, Brainard
Palmer-Ball, Jr. (BPB), Ed Pierce, John
Pogacnik (JPg), Mark Proescholdt, Craig
Reicker, Adam Reyburn, Phil Reyburn,
Frank Renfrew, Mike Retter (MRe), Bill
Reeves, Justin Rink, Mark Robbins (MR),
David Roemer, Larry Rosche (LRo)(Ohio),
William Rowe, Jeffrey Sanders (JSa), Sandy
Schacht (SSc), Ed Schlabach, Darrell
Shambaugh (DSh), Scott Simpson (SSi),

Jim Sinclair (JSi), James Smith (JSm),
Leonard Stanley (LSn), Lee Sterrenburg
(LSb), Doug Stotz (DSt), Mitchell
Sturgeon, Ed Thelen, Jeff Walk (JWa),
Debbie Wesselman (DWe), Don Whitehead
(DWh), Geoff Williamson, Kevin Willsey,
Leroy Yoder, and Jim Ziebol.

Kenneth J. Brock, Dept, of Geosciences,
Indiana University Northwest, 3400 Broadway,
Gary, IN 46408 (kebrock@ucs.indiana.edu)

Place names that are frequently men¬
tioned, but very long, may be abbreviat¬
ed in a form such as “C.B.B.T.” or
“W.P.B.O.” Such local abbreviations will
be explained in a key at the beginning
of the particular regional report in
which they are used. Standard abbrevi¬
ations that are used throughout North
American Birds are keyed on page 138.

It takes more than lucl

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to preserve,
protect, and

Call us at 415.403.3850

or visit us at www.alcnet.org

AMERICAN LAND
CONSERVANCY

A non-profit organization.

456 Montgomery Street, Suite 1450
San Francisco, CA 94104

172

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

central southern region

Representing the third winter record for west Tennessee, this American Bittern
was found in Black Bayou, Lake County, December 19, 1998,
during the Reelfoot Lake CBC. Photograph/Jeff R. Wilson

arm conditions prevailed this winter,
but rainfall was less uniform with
some parts of the Region drier and others
wetter than the “norm.” Many new inland
wintering records were set, presumably as a
result of these conditions, the origin of
which remains uncertain, but increased
atmospheric carbon dioxide emissions
might be part of the answer (see Nature
382: 146-149). Interesting avian records
occurred offshore from Louisiana this win¬
ter; be sure to note the species you can
encounter if you take a winter cruise on the
Gulf of Mexico — or reside on an oil¬
drilling platform for a few weeks.

LOOMS THROUGH DUCKS

Mississippi obtained its first Red-throated
Loon specimen when one was found dead
in Harrison Jan. 24 (fide TLS*). One Red-
throated and two Pacific loons in Henry,
TN, Feb. 7 (fJRW, MW) visited a site where
one of the latter was also noted Dec. 5 and
Feb. 21. Alabama had 3 reports of Pacific
Loons, including inland sightings in Mar¬
shall Dec. 10 (fGDJ, DGJ) and Laurence
Jan. 23 (tSWM, JRW et al.). Single Eared
Grebes in Washington and Clark, AR, Feb.
11 (MM et al.) and 15 (HP, MP), respec¬
tively, were locally rare as was a single
inland in Marshall, AL, Dec. 3-17 (fRAR,
LBR); one-three were in Panola, MS, Jan.
5-23 (GK, SK, WMD) while a single briefly
visited Oktibbeha, MS, Jan. 23 (TLS, MS,
MC). Western Grebes stayed in Faulkner
and Hempstead, AR, Nov. 28-Feb. 6 (KN,
LN et al.) and Dec. 5-6 (CM), respectively.

Alabama’s 9th Sooty Shearwater appear¬
ed briefly in Baldwin on the Gulf Shores

CBC Jan. 2 (fGDJ); a small, unidentified
shearwater (ALM) and at least one uniden¬
tified booby (RRR) were also sighted on
that count. American White Pelicans were
again abundant in Mississippi where 1430
were registered Dec. 19 in Panola/Lafayette
(WMD, GK).

Western Tennessee’s 3rd winter Am.
Bittern was found on the Reelfoot L. CBC,
Lake, Dec. 19 (JZ, NM et al.); only the 2nd
locally and first in winter, another was
noted in Putnam, TN, Dec. 9 (GKE, SJS);
locally very rare in winter, one also visited
Clark, AR, Dec. 31 (RHD). Six Great Egrets
over the Gulf of Mexico 135 mi s. of
Morgan City, LA, Feb. 13 (DNP) were
somewhat unexpected though associated
with a cold front. Rarely seen in n.w.
Louisiana during January, and more rarely
still by the dozen, 12 Snowy Egrets were in
DeSoto Jan. 10 (JfT, JnT). Four Tricolored
Herons in Nachitoches, LA, Feb. 6 (RJS, VL)
were also unexpected winter voyageurs to
n.w. Louisiana. Western Tennessee’s first
winter Cattle Egret was present in Lake Feb.
12 (WGC); one in Clark Feb. 15 (HP, MP)
and two in Cleburne Feb. 18 (KN, LN) were
considered early migrants in Arkansas; the
2nd sighting for Alabama’s Tennessee Valley

was established by one in Colbert/ Lauder¬
dale Jan. 24 (JH, m. ob.); another single in
Caddo, LA, Jan. 31 (CL, JK, JoK) rounded
out records of this northward-roving heron
during the winter. Further evidence of the
eastward expansion of Roseate Spoonbill
was provided by two in Plaquemines, LA,
Jan. 2(DPM et al.).

Fulvous Whistling-Ducks were noted in
3 w. Louisiana parishes while reports of
Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks were re¬
stricted to 2 sightings in Cameron, LA. Con¬
tinuing a late fall sighting, an imm. Greater
White-fronted Goose in Putnam, TN, Dec.
1-16 (WAW, BHS, m.ob.) was first locally;
up to 17 in Okaloosa, FL, Dec. 1-Jan. 21
(DW, RAD, m.ob.) continued fall sightings
and were locally rare; Alabama had 3 sight¬
ings of small groups; flocks of 5000 in
Tunica, MS, Jan. 17 (JRW) and 8000 in
Tallahatchie/Quitman, MS, Jan. 4 8c 24 (FB,
JeL) were certainly notable; groups of 25 &
2 in Iberville, LA, Feb 21 & 22 (DLD, SWC)
were locally rare. A flock of up to 230 Snow
Geese in Okaloosa, FL (RAD, m.ob.),
through the period represented a locally
unprecedented number, and 220 in Bald¬
win, AL, Jan. 2 (GDJ, DGJ) were considered
a good coastal aggregation; 50,000 in

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

173

Tunica, MS, Jan. 17 (JRW) and 100,000 in
Tallahatchie/Quitman Feb. 6 (GK, SK) rep¬
resented large numbers at those locales. The
species’ search for wintering sites to accom¬
modate its burgeoning continental popula¬
tion is probably indicated by these records.
Continuing late fall sightings, an imm.
Ross’s Goose in Putnam, TN, Dec. 1-Jan. 12
(SfS, m.ob.) and an immature and three
adults in Okaloosa, FL, Dec. 1-Feb. 23
(RAD, PCT, PB v.t., m.ob.) provided first
local records; singles were noted in 3 inland
Alabama counties while a group of three
appeared in Baldwin Jan. 2 (GDJ, DGJ), the
3rd record for the Gulf Coast in that state.
Mainly small groups showed up in 6
Mississippi counties with 250 in Tunica Jan.
17 (JRW) constituting by far the largest; a
single in Orleans, LA, Jan. 24+ (DPM et al.)
was rare at the location.

A male Cinnamon Teal was probably a
returnee from the previous winter to
Orleans, LA, being noted late fall to Feb. 14
(GO et ah); two other males were in
Cameron Dec. 20 (DP, JW, MWe, MA). Six-
hundred Ring-necked Ducks in Lauderdale
Feb. 8 (PAK) tied the high count for n.w.
Alabama. An imm. Black and three Surf
scoters stayed in Yell, AR, Jan. 16-30 (KN,
LN) while two Blacks visited Baldwin, AL,
Dec. 14 (GDJ, DGJ); Mississippi birders
recorded Black Scoters in 3 counties —
including two in Oktibbeha Dec. 13 (TLS,
MS, m.ob.), one of which stayed until Feb.
12 — and Surfs in three. Second locally in
winter, a White-winged Scoter was noted
briefly in Putnam, TN, Jan. 9 (SJS) while
another showed up in Dyer, TN, Feb. 14
(WGC); a female in Yell, AR, Jan. 16-30
(KN, LN) created a clean sweep of scoters in
one inland county in one season. Yell also
hosted 350 Com. Goldeneyes Jan. 9 (KN,
LN), a sizable flock evenly divided by sex.
Sixteen Com. Mergansers in Henry, TN,
Feb. 14 (JRW) represented a good count;
seven were in Cleburne, AR, fan. 5 (KN,
LN). Mississippi had singles in Tunica and
Yalobusha. An Alabama high count for
Hooded Merganser was established Dec. 19
when 1057 were counted on the Wheeler
N.W.R. CBC {fide GDJ).

RAPTORS THROUGH RAILS

Running late or wintering, an Osprey was
noted in Columbia, AR, Dec. 19 (DC); late
or wintering, singles were also sighted in 3
inland Mississippi counties. Six Louisiana
parishes hosted White-tailed Kites during
the season, including s.e. Plaquemines. The
mid-winter eagle survey in Tennessee
turned up 244 in the west and 92 in the

middle portion of the state, somewhat
higher numbers than the long-term aver¬
ages; Reelfoot L. was 95% iced over during
the counting period (Jan. 1-15), reducing
eagles counted there and probably increas¬
ing numbers on the Mississippi R. and
Kentucky L. /Tennessee R. {fide RMH). By
the end of the period 7 active Bald Eagles
nests were at Reelfoot L., TN (DH).

Judging from Regional CBC data (Table
1), Accipiters have been increasing nicely
during the last decade. An imm. Broad¬
winged Hawk was studied at leisure in
Plaquemines, LA, Jan. 31 (PW, DPM, RDP);
early arriving, another was in Tipton, TN,
Feb. 27 (tJRW). Fifth locally, a Swainson’s
Hawk ventured into Okaloosa, FL, Dec. 14
(fDW); two well-described individuals
were in Vermilion, LA, Dec. 18 (CWi, AS,
PC). A “Harlan’s” Red-tailed Hawk return¬
ed to the same wintering site in Putnam,
TN, for the 12th winter (SJS); others were
reported in Fayette, Maury, and Shelby , TN.
Very rare in Alabama, an ad. rufous-morph
Red-tail was noted in Blount Dec. 6 (GDJ,
DGJ). On the Mississippi Review List, a
Rough-legged Hawk was identified in
Sharkey Feb. 4 & 18 (PBH, CW; p.a.);
another was notable in Nachitoches, LA, Jan.
10-Feb. 21 (RJS, m.ob.). Quite a few Gold¬
en Eagles were reported from Arkansas,
Louisiana, and Mississippi. Back again in
Calcasieu, LA, a Crested Caracara was noted
Dec. 26 (JK, DR) and Feb. 20 (DC1, SC)
while another was noted in Cameron, LA,
Dec. 29 and Jan. 16 (JK, JoK, KF). Single
Peregrines were observed over the Gulf of
Mexico 135 mi s. of Morgan City, LA, Jan.
24 and Feb. 12 (DNP). The Yalobusha, MS,
Prairie Falcon made it back for the 8th win¬
ter (GK, SK, FB et al.).

The northward migration of Sandhill
Cranes in Tennessee peaked in mid-
February for the 2nd consecutive year,
about 2 weeks earlier than expected; in Put¬
nam, TN, crane flocks were also noted for
the first time in January, some going N and
some S (SJS, JCS, GKE); sizable wintering
crane flocks, including 300+ in Obion Dec.
16-Feb. 13 (WGC), persisted again in
Tennessee (also see Appalachian Region); a
new maximum count for the Alabama Gulf
Coast was established when 35 were
observed Jan. 2 in Baldwin (WJB, GB);
other sightings took place in 4 Mississippi
counties and 4 Louisiana parishes.

The first w. Tennessee winter record of
King Rail was established Jan. 16-17 in Lake
(JRW, WGC, NM); singles were also noted
in Leflore and Rankin, MS, as well as
Nachitoches, LA.

SHOREBIRDS THROUGH TERMS

Very rare inland, eight Semiplamated Plov¬
ers were counted in Jeff Davis, LA, Dec. 29
(DPM, PW, LCB, DP). A new Alabama
maximum count of 35 Am. Oystercatchers
took place in Mobile Feb. 8 (JoP, JP). Dyer,
TN, provided the first w. Tennessee winter
record of Am. Avocet when a single was
noted Dec. 1-4 (WGC); also rare was one in
Limestone, AL, Jan. 16 (HD). Alabama’s 7th
winter Whimbrel was noted in Mobile Feb.
8 (JoP, JP); another was very rare inland in
Cameron, LA, Dec. 29 ( JFH). A Long- billed
Curlew was noted Feb. 27 in Lafourche, LA
(CK), where the species is scarce. Solitary
Sandpipers were observed in 3 Louisiana
parishes, where wintering is rare. A linger¬
ing Spotted Sandpiper in Putnam, TN, Dec.
1-19 (SJS, BHS, LP, GKE) provided the first
local winter record; one was rare in
Jefferson, AR, Dec. 26 (RHD, JLY); still
another was considered rare in Panola, MS,
Jan. 9-Feb. 13 (GK, SK, WMD). Alabama’s
first inland winter Sanderling stayed the
season in Limestone (SWM) where 10+ W.
Sandpipers were also located Dec. 27
(SWM et al.). Alabama’s first Purple Sand¬
piper regaled a crowd in Baldwin Jan. 1-3
(JPe, TW; p.a. Alabama Bird Records Com¬
mittee). “Impressive” is a good way to
describe 300+ Stilt Sandpipers counted in
Lafourche, LA, Jan. 17 (PW, DPM, MMy).
Reliable inland records of Short-billed Do-
witcher are rare, so 15-20 Dec. 29 in Jeff
Davis , LA (DPM, PW), were notable. Long¬
billed Dowitchers seldom winter in Ala¬
bama, making a single Jan. 2 in Baldwin
(GDJ, DGJ) a nice find while three in Lime¬
stone Jan. 22 provided the first record in n.
Alabama (SWM); flocks of 60 and 20 Dec. 1
and Feb. 25, respectively, in Quitman, MS
(FB), were probably migrants.

A dark-morph Pomarine Jaeger was well
studied in Harrison, MS, Jan. 24 (JB, SJP et
al.); three Pomarines in Cameron, LA, Dec.
19 (SWC, DLD) and another there Dec. 21
(DP, JW) were the only others reported.
Staying Dec. 5-Jan. 23, a Laughing Gull was
noteworthy in Pope/Yell, AR (KN, LN);
another inland sighting took place in East
Baton Rouge, LA, Jan. 1 (DC1, SC). An ad.
Franklin’s Gull was noted Jan. 1 in David¬
son, TN (CS), where rare; another was in
Crawford, AR, Feb. 20 (KN, LN); and still
another was in Noxubee, MS, Dec. 1 1 (TLS);
five in Baldwin Dec. 2 (GDJ, DGJ) were
notable while an adult stayed appropriately
in Franklin, FL, Dec. 24-28 (fTL, DM,
GM). Louisiana had singles in Cameron
Dec. 19 (SWC, DLD) and Jeff Davis Dec. 29
(RB et ah).

174

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

central southern

Sixty-thousand Ring-billed Gulls in Yell ,
AR, Jan. 9 (KN, LN) must have taken a spell
to count. Two California Gulls, still very
rare in the Region, were in Cameron Dec. 2 1
(SWC, DI.D). Lingering from fall, a Lesser
Black-backed Gull stayed in Henry, TN, to
Jan. 9 (JRW, m.ob.); one was found in
Hancock, MS, Jan. 23 (JB, SJP); Louisiana
birds included one in Cameron Dec. 20
(PW, MMy, CSo) and two in Jefferson Jan.
23-late February (PY); and four were noted
in 3 Alabama counties including Lauderdale
where a another rare larid, Glaucous Gull,
also got counted Dec. 19 (DJS, MAB).
Other Glaucous sightings included two in
Jefferson during January and February (PY)
and a single in Cameron Feb. 13 (JK, DR).
Rare in Alabama, an imm. Great Black-
backed Gull was sighted Dec. 2 in Baldwin,
AL, where an adult was seen the next day
(GDJ, DGJ et al.). First ever in North
America, a Gray-hooded Gull was sighted
Dec. 26 in Apalachicola, FL (TL ph., DM
ph.) where it was seen by few. Unusual terns
flocked to Louisiana: 30 Gull-billeds con¬
gregated in Lafourche, LA, Jan. 17 (PW,
MMy, DPM); a single Sandwich stayed in
Cameron Dec. 21 (PC); Common was rep¬
resented by singles in John the Baptist Dec.
26 (JaB) and in Cameron Dec. 20 (MS, KF),
and by three elsewhere in Cameron Dec. 19
(KF, BV).

DOVES THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS

Eurasian Collared-Doves showed up in Yell
and Little River, AR, during December (KN,
LN) and February (DA, JC), respectively;
the species continued its dramatic expan¬
sion in Alabama {fide GDJ) where 134 Jan.
2 in Baldwin provided a Gulf Coast maxi¬
mum. Small groups of up to 19 were
reported in 3 Mississippi counties; 3
Louisiana parishes reported small flocks,
but Jefferson boasted . . . er hosted ... ok,
tolerated 155 Feb. 17 (PY); if the increased
number of coUared-doves is having a nega¬
tive effect on a competing columbid,
Mourning Dove, in the Region, it is not yet
evident (Table 1). Also increasing dramati¬
cally in Alabama, 89 White-winged Doves
were counted in Baldwin Jan. 2 (PCT, BT,
BCG, JoL), establishing a state maximum,
and a single showed up in the Tennessee
Valley in Morgan Jan. 20 (SH, PhC).
Reports of White-wings emanated from 1 1
Louisiana parishes, an “unprecedented scat¬
ter” of sightings (SWC). An Inca Dove in
Sevier, AR, Dec. 18 (CM) and eight there
Feb. 22 (DA) were at a new site while other
Arkansas reports came from Clark,
Columbia, and Little River; the species is

also becoming more common in Shreve¬
port, LA (RJS). Continuing the theme of
columbid conquest, Com. Ground-Doves,
normally scarce in Louisiana, were reported
from at least 6 parishes — but in mercifully
small numbers.

Four Greater Roadrunners in DeSoto,
LA, Jan. 10 (JfT, JnT) represented a notable
concentration. Jackson, MS, hosted a
Groove-billed Ani Feb. 2-20 (KH et al.); the
only others were in East Baton Rouge and
Jefferson, LA. Rare in Tennessee, Long-eared
Owls were noted in Henry Dec. 5 and in
Lake Dec. 19-Feb. 28 (JRW, m.ob.). Four
Com. Nighthawks lingered in Davidson,
TN, to at least Dec. 7 (CS), and one-four
visited Shelby, TN, until Dec. 20 (LCC,
MH); another stayed late in Lowndes, MS,
Dec. 16-17 (JAJ.TLS).

Four Broad-billed Hummingbirds were
banded in Louisiana, doubling the number
previously banded (NN, DP). Buff-bellied
Hummingbirds in Hancock, MS, Jan. 1-Feb.
18 and beyond (SJP et al.) and Harrison,
MS, Feb. 19 (SJP, HM) were the only ones
reported outside of Louisiana. Banded Jan.
18 (BC) in Harrison, MS, a 2nd-year male
Ruby-throated Hummingbird present Jan.
14 to at least Feb. 28 was the only one
reported away from Louisiana where num¬
bers were unprecedentedly high (see Table
2, which does not account for all reports). A
Black-chinned Hummingbird banded in
Williamson, TN, Dec. 3 (CS, PM) estab¬
lished the 3rd state record. A Calliope
Hummingbird banded by the Sargents in
Davidson, TN, during winter 1997-1998
(FN 52: 210) returned for another gig in
Music City, staying Nov. 10 until late Feb¬
ruary (CS, PM, EW); Louisiana experienced
a “Calliope high” with about 20 present dur¬
ing the winter (SWC). Rufous Humming¬
birds were banded and stayed the entire sea¬
son in Davidson and Rutherford, TN (CS,
PM) while another was banded in Wilson,
TN, Dec. 4 (CS, PM); an ad. male stayed
until frozen by a cold snap Dec. 23 in
Washington, AR (DJ*), but another made it
through the winter in Pulaski, AR, where it
was banded (PF). Still others were noted in
Cleburne and Faulkner, AR; Mississippi’s
only report came from Harrison where a
male was noted Jan. 18 and Feb. 16 (SJP et
al.).

FLYCATCHERS
THROUGH WARBLERS

A Vermilion Flycatcher in Hancock, MS,
provided a New Year’s Day treat (SJP et al.);
the only other reports came from Ouachita
and Rapides, LA. The only Brown-crested

Flycatcher came from Plaquemines, LA, Jan.
31 (DPM el al.). About the 4th Mississippi
record, an Ash-throated Flycatcher remain¬
ed in Jackson Feb. 6-28 onward (KH et al.);
4 Louisiana parishes hosted others. Scissor-
tailed Flycatchers were more numerous in
Louisiana than usual. Rarely encountered
in Tennessee in winter, a White-eyed Virco
was noted on the Memphis CBC Dec. 20
(tRP); two-three in Grenada, MS, Dec. 30
(FB, DeW) were also rare. Extremely rare
was a Yellow-throated Vireo in Hancock,
MS, Jan. 4 (SJP). Early-arriving swallows
included two Purple Martins in Lowndes,
MS, Feb. II (KK) and a Tree Swallow in
Oktibbeha, MS, Feb. 26 (TLS); six of the lat¬
ter were over the Gulf 135 mi s. of Morgan
City, LA, Jan. 15 (DNP). A Bank Swallow in
Cameron Dec. 20 (DLL), SWC) was amazin’.
The Rock Wren appearing in White, AR, last
fall stayed until Mar. 1 (KN, LN). The only
Bewick’s Wrens were two in Little River, AR,
Feb. 21 (JC, DA) and one in Evangeline, LA,
Dec. 30 (MF).

A state maximum of 394 E. Bluebirds
kept counters busy Jan. 2 in Baldwin, AL
( fide GDJ). Where would you least expect
six Am. Robins? You guessed it — 135 mi s.
of Morgan City, LA, Jan. 15 (DNP); Remsen
evaluated robin numbers in Louisiana as
“excellent”; I guess so. A Gray Catbird in
Putnam, TN, Dec. 22-Jan. 6 (fRWS) pro¬
vided the 2nd local winter record, and one
in Oktibbeha, MS, Jan. 12-23 (MC, TLS)
was rare. American Pipits beleaguered bird
counters in Limestone/Morgan, AL, Dec. 19
when 1204 established a state maximum;
375 in Lafayette, MS, Jan. 23 (GK, SK) were
considered a large group at that site.

Arkansas’ first winter Tennessee Warbler
showed up in Jefferson Dec. 26 (fGL, JL);
another was in Cameron, LA, Dec. 12 (SJP,
RDP, DPM). Three Louisiana parishes held
Nashville, and two parishes Yellow warblers,
both very rare in winter. Alabama’s 3rd win¬
ter Cape May Warbler — and first in the
Tennessee Valley — remained in Lauderdale
Jan. 10-Feb. 28 onward (SW, m.ob.). Black-
throated Green Warblers were noted in
Cameron and Plaquemines, LA. A Prairie
Warbler in Putnam Dec. 16 (tSJS, fGKE,
tJCS) provided Tennessee’s first winter
record (see Appalachian Region for particu¬
lars about the 2nd winter record). Palm
Warblers wintered inland to the far north¬
ern limits of the Region in noteworthy
numbers. American Redstarts appeared in 3
Louisiana parishes. Another Arkansas win¬
ter first occurred when an Ovenbird tarried
in Prairie Dec. 22-Feb. 28+ (TS, RAS, ph.
DaC, OA), and Louisiana hosted Ovenbirds

VOLUHE 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

175

Table 1 . Christmas Bird Count Numbers for Accipiters and Two Columbids
from 68 Central Southern Region CBCs Conducted All Ten Years 1988-1997

Species

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

Sharp-shinned Hawk

194

157

176

232

216

222

230

245

229

253

Cooper’s Hawk

98

70

85

128

133

134

149

169

152

175

Eurasian Collared-Dove

0

0

0

3

71

238

697

633

840

1562

Mourning Dove

15,925

17,172

22,407

19,672

22,049

20,300

26,217

22,741

21,544

19,016

and N. Waterthrushes in 4 parishes each. A
Wilson’s Warbler in Limestone Feb. 6 (DRC,
RC) provided the first winter record in
Alabama’s Tennessee Valley. Yellow-breasted
Chats showed up in 4 Louisiana parishes.

TANAGERS THROUGH FINCHES

Summer Tanagers were present in East
Baton Rouge and Caddo , LA, the latter far¬
ther north than most sightings occur. The
male W. Tanager in St. John the Baptist, LA,
in late February (BJ, RS, MWe, m.ob.) was a
show stopper. The 2nd Alabama inland
winter record for Lark Sparrow took place
Dec. 19 in Lauderdale ( JTG); others were in
Cameron and LaSalle, LA. Eight Henslow’s
Sparrows in Bradley, Drew, and Hempstead
Feb. 13-15 (WMS, JLY) continued a recent
trend toward greater wintering numbers in
Arkansas; another in Lee Dec. 19 (WDR,
GEH) provided Alabama’s first winter
record in the Mountain Region; the band¬
ing project in Jackson, MS, once again scor¬
ed big with 146 banded Jan. 10-Feb. 24
(MSW, SI, MD). Rarely reported in middle
Tennessee and Arkansas, single Harris’s
Sparrows were noted in Lawrence Dec. 29-
Jan. 20 (MoW) and Little River Feb. 21 (DA,
JC), respectively. Found fittingly enough on
Snow Bunting Pen., Davidson, TN, a Snow
Bunting made one of the species’ rare
appearances in that state Jan. 10 (CS). Up to
500 Lapland Longspurs were noted
throughout the period in Lake, TN (JRW,
MG et al.) while 200+ were in Henry, TN,
Jan. 9 (JRW); 386 in Limestone, AL, Dec. 27
(SWM) provided a good number at that
location; Louisiana had records in 5 parish¬
es. Smith’s Longspurs were monitored at
the Stuttgart Airport in Prairie, AR, Jan.
16-17 (JZ, LZ, CB et al.) with up to 52
reported; in Sebastian, AR, 20 were noted
Jan. 17 (TB, MP, DCh, MM) while 75 were
present there Feb. 14 (MM, DMe).

Seldom well documented in winter, a
Rose-breasted Grosbeak was in East Baton
Rouge Jan. 1-16 (CoB, JBa). A basic-plum-
aged ad. male Indigo Bunting in Baldwin,
AL, Dec. 14 (GDI, DGJ) was late/rare;
Louisiana had sightings in 6 parishes. Fifth
in winter for Alabama, a Painted Bunting
stayed in Baldwin Dec. 17-Jan. 7+ (ALM);
Louisiana, again, had sightings in 6 parish¬

es. First locally in winter, a female Balti¬
more Oriole wintered in Putnam, TN, Dec.
19-Feb. 28+ (fGKE, JCS, ES, JS); a male
stayed in Davidson, TN, Dec. 18-Feb. 28+
(CS); another of unreported sex appeared
on the Memphis CBC Dec. 20 (JZ, LZ).
Farther south an ad. male Baltimore was
noted Jan. 9 in Shelby, AL (PH), and a
female was seen eating seed from a feeder in
Harrison, MS, Jan. 6 (SJP). Louisiana host¬
ed Baltimores in 6 parishes and Bullock’s in
two, but the oriole of the season was a
Hooded Oriole in East Baton Rouge Feb.
6-28 onward (AD et al.). Winter finches
were generally present in extremely low
numbers or absent.

Acknowledgment: My thanks to Ginger K.
Ensor for compiling the data in Table 1.

Contributors (subregional editors in bold¬
face): Orapin Anurakdanthai, David
Arbour, Mahlon Ayme, Coney Barre (CoB),
Janie Barre (JBa), James Beck (JaB),
Michael A. Beuerlein, L. C. Binford, Jerry
Bird, Paul Blakeburn, Roger Breedlove,
William J. Bremser, Greta Bremser, Fred
Broerman, Tom Brooks, Carolyn Bullock,
Joe Cambre, Steven W. Cardiff (Louisiana,
scardif@unixl.sncc.lsu.edu), Bennett
Carver, Phillip Casteel (PhC), David Chap¬
man (DCh), Darrell Chatelain, Darren
Clark (DC1), Susan Clark, Lula C. Coffey,
David Cooper (DaC), P. Conover, Margaret
Copeland, W. Glen Criswell, Dean R.
Cutten, Raelene Cutten, Michelle Davis, W.
Marvin Davis, Harry Dean, Antoinette
DeBosier, Donna L. Dittman, Robert H.
Doster, Robert A. Duncan (nw Florida),
Ginger K. Ensor, Karen Fay, Marty Floyd,
Perk Floyd, Ben C. Garmon, Jeff T. Garner,
Mark Greene, Ken Hackman, David Hag¬
gard, Paul B. Hamel, Robert M. Hatcher,
Martha Heinemann, Jim Hight, Geoff E.
Hill, Susan Hollyday, James F. Holmes,
Patricia Honeycutt, Siri Ibarguen, Debra G.
Jackson, Greg D. Jackson (Alabama, greg-
debi.jackson@prodigy.net), Jerome A.
Jackson, Bobby Jacob, Douglas James, Keith
Kimmerle, Cecil Kersting, Paul A. Kittle, Joe
Kleiman, Joanne Kleiman (JoK), Gene
Knight, Shannon Knight, Vicki LaFevers,
Jeffrey Lee (JeL), Thomas Lewis, Jon Lloyd

Table 2. Hummingbird Totals
on Louisiana Christmas Bird Counts (CBC)*
and Totals Banded by Nancy Newfield (NN)
and Dave Patton (DP) in Louisiana
during Winter 1998-1999
(overlap exists between the two sets of data)

Species

LA CBC Totals

NN/DP Banding
Totals

Broad-billed

1

4

Buff-bellied

10

10

Ruby-throated

20

25

Black-chinned

26

31

Archilochus sp.

3

-

Calliope

5

4

Broad-tailed

2

2

Rufous

43

62

Allen’s

2

4

Rufous/ Allen’s

53

-

hummer sp.

4

-

Total

169

142

4 Data supplied by Steven W. Cardiff.

(JoL), Guy Luneau, Joan Luneau, Charles
Lyon, Steve W. McConnell, Portia
McMillan, Douglas McNair, Helen Mead,
David Mehlman (DMe), Gail Menk, Ann L.
Miller, Charles Mills, Mike Mlodinow,
Nancy Moore, David P. Muth, Mac Myers
(MMy), Nancy Newfield, Kenny Nichols,
LaDonna Nichols, Glenn Ousset, Helen
and Max Parker (Arkansas, hlparker@
CSWNET.com), Dave Patton, James Peavy
(JPe), Lynda Perry, Stacy J. Peterson, John
Porter (JoP), Jackie Porter, Mike Powers,
Richard Preston, Robert D. Purrington,
Robert R. Reid, David N. Purvis, Linda B.
Reynolds, Richard A. Reynolds, Dave
Roark, W. Douglas Robinson, Marion
Schiefer, Terence L. Schiefer (Mississippi,
tschiefer@entomology.msstate.edu), Jeanne
C. Schmitzer, Rosemary I. Seidler, William
M. Shepherd, Damien J. Simbeck, Richard
W. Simmers, Ruth Ann Singleterry, Terry
Singleterry, Christopher Sloan, Curt Sorrels
(CSo), Barbara H. Stedman, Stephen J.
Stedman, Ron Stein, Evelyne Stites, John
Stites, Alison Styring, Mark Swan, Betsy
Tetlow, Phil C. Tetlow, Jeff Trahan (JfT),
Jean Trahan (JnT), Bill Vermilion, Winston
A. Walden, Martha G. Waldron (w.
Tennessee, waldronm@ten-nash.ten.kl2.tn.
us), Phillip Wallace, Donald Ware, Shirley
Wayland, Melvin Weber (MWe), Ted
Weems, Dennis Welch (DeW), Melinda
Welton, Jim Whelan, Morris Williams
(MoW), Jeff R. Wilson, Chris Witt (CWi),
Mark S. Woodrey, Chris Woodson, Evelyn
Wright, Peter Yaukey, J. Lyndal York, John
Zempel, Linda Zempel.

Stephen J. Stedman, Department of
English, Box 5053, Tennessee Technological
University, Cookeville, TN 38505
(sstedman@ tntech.edu)

176

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

prairie provinces region

RUDOLF F. KOES
and PETER TAYLOR

eather conditions were generally mild
through much of the season with the
exception of a cold period from mid-
December to mid-January. Snowfall ranged
from below average in southern Manitoba
to above average in parts of Saskatchewan.
Much open water in December resulted in
record numbers of lingering waterfowl. A
good assortment of “half-hardy” birds hung
on to be tallied at Christmas Bird Counts;
some individuals survived through the win¬
ter at feeders.

Abbreviations: L.M.L. (Last Mountain L.,
Saskatchewan).

LOONS THROUGH FALCONS

Each province had one noteworthy loon
sighting: a Red-throated at L.M.L. Dec. 4
(RKr); a Pacific at Calgary, AB, until Dec. 6
(m.ob.); and a Common at Silver Falls, MB,
until Dec. 14 (GG, DF). Five species of
grebes were reported in the first half of
December, including a Pied-billed at Taber,
AB, Dec. 2 (LBe) and two on the Winnipeg
R., MB, Dec. 14 (RKo); two Horned Dec. 13
at L. Wabamun, AB (J&MM); single Red¬
necked at L. Wabamun Dec. 13 (J&MM)
and at Powerview, MB, to Dec. 14 (m.ob.);
and six Eared and 15+ Westerns on L.M.L.
Dec. 4 (RKr). Late Am. White Pelicans were
at Milk River Ridge Res., AB, Dec. 3
(T&DD) and at Echo Valley P.P., SK, until
about Dec. 20 (RH) while two Double-
crested Cormorants remained through the
winter at Calgary (m.ob.) and three were on
the Winnipeg R. Dec. 14 (RKo).

A Greater White-fronted x Canada
Goose hybrid was at Wyndham-Carseland
P.P., AB, Jan. 17 (MH), and another hybrid,

likely Canada x Swan Goose, survived the
winter with three Canada Geese at Winni¬
peg, MB (RKo). Similarly, a Snow Goose
survived with Canadas at Wyndham-
Carseland P.P. (MH,BE,RSs). There were
several Tundra Swan sightings in Alberta;
more unusual was one at Seven Sisters Falls,
MB, Dec. 30 (G&SG), perhaps the same
bird that had been at Pine Falls Dec. 13
(R&MZ). Indicative of the mild conditions
were 18 species of ducks in Alberta and 14
in Manitoba. Highlights included single
Gadwalls at Calgary Jan. 14 (BW) and at
Minnedosa, MB, Jan. 17 (CC); lone Am.
Wigeons at Winnipeg Dec. 1 1-20 (RKo)
and at Calgary until Jan. 1 (AS); a Blue¬
winged Teal at Taber, Dec. 1 (LBe); and a
female/imm. White-winged Scoter on the
Red R. in Winnipeg Dec. 2 (RKo) and two
similarly plumaged birds at L.M.L. Dec. 4
(RKr).

Oldsquaws were noted to mid-Decem¬
ber at Calgary and L. Minnewanka, AB, and
at Powerview (m.ob.). Two Hooded Mer¬
gansers were at Echo L., SK, Dec. 1 1 with
one remaining Dec. 13 (Rkr, RM et al. ), and
singles were noted at Oak Hammock
Marsh, MB, Dec. 25 (RKo); A.E. Campbell
Dam, SK, Jan. 1 (WH); and Calgary to Jan.
3 (AS). Red-breasted Mergansers tarried
longer than usual with sightings in Alberta
and Manitoba to mid-December; two hardy
ones in Calgary remained until at least Jan.
30 (MH et al.).

There were numerous reports of over¬
wintering Bald Eagles, particularly from
Alberta; 12 at Cardston, AB, Feb. 25
(T&DD) no doubt involved early migrants.
Sharp-shinned Hawks also attracted atten¬
tion; besides several sightings in s. Alberta
in December and January, individuals were
noted near Regina, SK, Dec. 20 (L&SBo); at
Kleefeld, MB, Jan. 18 (DF); and at Leth¬
bridge, AB, Feb. 14 (LS). A Cooper’s Hawk
near Craven, SK, Dec. 19 carried off a
House Sparrow (Rkr, RM); 4 reports came
from Calgary Dec. 25-Jan. 5 (m.ob.) and
Taber had one Feb. 13 (LB). Northern
Goshawks were generally scarce except in s.
Alberta. Out-of-season Red-tailed Hawks
included dark birds at Taber Feb. 9 (LBe)
and in the Morley-Priddis, AB, area Jan. 23
and Feb. 13 (MB, BK, TK), plus a freshly
dead immature at Stonewall, MB, Feb. 26
(RC, KG). In contrast to the low numbers of

Gyrfalcons reported elsewhere, the Ft.
Saskatchewan, AB, area hosted up to eight
different birds in early December (GC)! A
Prairie Falcon near Niverville, MB, was a
good find Dec. 22 (DF).

RAILS THROUGH WOODPECKERS

A Virginia Rail at the Cave and Basin Marsh
in Banff N.P., AB, Dec. 6-Jan. 23 (J&MM)
provided the 2nd winter record for the
province; the first was at the same location
in 1996. Lake Wabamun held 100 Am.
Coots Dec. 13 (J&MM); smaller numbers
were in s. Alberta until Jan. 16 (JP, MH et
al. ) while one at Medicine Hat, AB, Feb. 21
was an early spring arrival (BV). Several
December Killdeer reports in Alberta were
followed by three at the Cave and Basin
Marsh Jan. 23 (MB, BK). The same marsh
hosted a Com. Snipe Dec. 6 (J&MM);
another was seen in the Qu’Appelle Valley,
SK, mid-December (RH).

A Mew Gull lingered to Dec. 2 in Cal¬
gary, providing a first winter record for the
city ( JT et al.). Some 50 Ring-billed Gulls at
Calgary Dec. 1 (CH) were followed by up to
five near Lethbridge Dec. 6-17 (WG et al.),
one at Regina until Dec. 18 (RE), and two at
the Gardiner Dam, SK, Dec. 21 (WH). The
only Thayer’s Gull was in Calgary Dec. 1-2
(JT et al. ). Two imm. Glaucous Gulls at
Powerview Dec. 12 (Rko, GG) were replac¬
ed by an adult (rarely seen in the south)
Dec. 13-14 (R&MZ et al.). Although not
fully documented, the brief description in
the Globe and Mail of an Ivory Gull seen at
Innisfail Jan. 3 leaves little doubt about its
authenticity; it provided only the 2nd
report for Alberta (DWs ,fide PW).

It was a poor winter for owl aficionados.
Snowy Owls were scarce everywhere except
in the Irricana-Strathmore, AB, area, and
N. Hawk Owls went virtually unreported.
Barred Owls at Onanole and the Brandon
Hills, MB, brightened the winter for the
observers (I&VW, T&RW), but Great Grays
were conspicuous by their absence. A Long¬
eared Owl at Lethbridge Dec. 31 provided a
first winter record for the area (FR). Only
Short-eared Owls bucked the trend with 19
reports in s. Alberta, involving an unknown
number of birds, while an unprecedented
14 were at Oak Hammock Marsh Feb. 20
(RKo).

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

177

Two Belted Kingfishers spent January in
Calgary, but only one remained Feb. 12
(MH). A Red-bellied Woodpecker at Head-
ingley, MB, lasted through the winter (KM
et al. ). A count of nine Three-toed Wood¬
peckers was made at Millarville, AB, Dec. 16

(JP).

PASSERINES

A roost in the Sheep R. Valley, AB, con¬
tained 325 Com. Ravens Dec. 4 (WS) while
a dump at Calgary attracted 65 of these
corvids Jan. 26 (JH, MP). After one
Chestnut-backed Chickadee was found in
Waterton N.P., AB, Jan. 31, subsequent vis¬
its revealed up to four in February (T&DD,
F&JS, KV et al.); there are probably fewer
than 10 records in the province. Late winter
records of Brown Creepers in the boreal
forest are scarce, so five in Whiteshell P.P.,
MB, Feb. 20 were noteworthy (LdM). Two
E. Bluebirds feeding with a Mt. Bluebird
and three Am. Robins on chokecherries in
Lumsden, SK, from late December to Jan. 1
provided the province with a new winter
species. Presumably the same birds had
been seen nearby Dec. 4 (D&RP, CP). A
Townsend’s Solitaire briefly visited Winni¬
peg Feb. 2 (TS) while two Varied Thrushes
near Winnipeg lasted the season (WB, DB
et al.).

Locally rare at any season was a Brown
Thrasher at Thompson in N. Manitoba, last
seen Dec. 23 (R&ZI). Late warblers includ¬
ed a Yellow- rumped Warbler Dec. 14-19
and a Com. Yellowthroat Dec. 2, both at
Calgary (TK, RW). A Song Sparrow was

The Curve-billed Thrasher at

Barrhead, AB, first noted in the
fall report, survived the season. It looked
weak during the mid-winter cold spell
and sported a damaged eye, but a diet of
mealworms brought it back to health. It
was seen through Mar. 16 (JU, m.ob.).
In March the Manitoba birding com¬
munity learned that a 2nd bird had fre¬
quented feeders in St. Claude since early
November but had remained unidenti¬
fied. Feeding on millet, sunflower seeds,
and peanuts, it had remained active in
all but the coldest weather and was still
present Apr. 4. It showed most charac¬
teristics of the “curvirostre” race. These
represent the first two confirmed sight¬
ings for Canada. What brought these
birds so far out of range and how many
others may have gone unidentified at n.
feeders will remain unanswered ques¬
tions (M&HD, R&LH et al.).

seen intermittently to Feb. 14 at Lethbridge
(T&DD, LS) and Manitoba’s 2nd winter
Swamp Sparrow was in Winnipeg until
early March (DWi et al.). Lapland Long-
spurs were much more prominent than
normal in s. Manitoba in January. High
counts included flocks of 300 near Kleefeld
and 100-150 at Oak Hammock Marsh (DF,
L&RJ, LdM et al.).

Winter finches were scarce throughout
the Region: the largest flocks of Red
Crossbills were 60 at Birds Hill RR, MB,
Dec. 13 and 30 at Brandon, MB, Dec. 28-31
(RSh,T&RW). Only redpolls were widely
reported with flocks in the hundreds, e.g.,
400 near Carseland Jan. 24 (TK). Many
observers commented on the high propor¬
tion of Hoaries, particularly in s. Manitoba.

EXOTICS

A Black Swan, present in Calgary to Dec. 6,
was a nice addition to the winter list,
“countable” or not (TK).

Observers (subregional compilers in bold¬
face) : D. Baldwin, R. Barclay, M. Beaucher,
W. Belcher, L. Bennett (LBe), L&S
Bonneville (L&SBo), G. Booth, R.
Cameron, G. Court, C. Cuthbert, MH
Dacquay, L. de March, T&D Dolman, B.
Elder, R. Ewart, D. Fast, K. Gardner, W.

Gierulski, G. Grieef, S. Grieef, W. Harris, M.
Harrison, R&L Hebert, C. Hitchon, J.
Hollely, R. Hooper, L&R Jansson, R. Koes
(RKo), B. Korol, T. Korolyk, R. Kreba
(RKr), R&Z Irvine, J&M McDonald, K.
Minish, R. Myers, D&R Phillips, J. Pilny, C.
Pollock, M. Preston, F. Russell, T. Scott, A.
Slater, F&J Smith, W. Smith, R. Staniforth
(RSh), R. Storms (RSs), L. Saunders, J.
Thompson, K. VanTighem, B. Velner, L
Vogt, B. Walker, R. Wershler, D. Wiebe
(DWi), T&R Will, D. Williams (DWs), I&V
Williams, R&M Zach.

Rudolf F. Koes, 135 Rossmere Cres.,
Winnipeg, MB R2K0G1 (rkoes@MINET.gov.MB.
CA) and Peter Taylor, Box 597, Pinawa, MB
R0E1L0

Place names that are frequently men¬
tioned, but very long, may be abbreviat¬
ed in a form such as “C.B.B.T.” or
“W.P.B.O.” Such local abbreviations will
be explained in a key at the beginning
of the particular regional report in
which they are used. Standard abbrevi¬
ations that are used throughout North
American Birds are keyed on page 138.

JfL

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\$\ Phone: 800/850-2473 or

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web site: http://www.americanbirding.org

178

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

northern great plains
region

RON MARTIN

t was a mild season with only a few brief
cold periods in late December and
January. Snowfall was average or above
average in northeast Montana and north¬
ern North Dakota, but the rest of the
Region often had little snow cover. There
were no major blizzards, and the snow that
fell in November was generally gone by
early December. Some large lakes that froze
over in November were open again by
December, and lingering waterfowl were
widespread. The warm weather up to the
Christmas Bird Count period also pro¬
duced numerous late passerines. Good
numbers of open field species wintered in
northern areas of the Region, but many
northern birds failed to make an appear¬
ance. Italicized dates indicate record-late
birds.

LOONS THROUGH HAWKS

The Pacific Loon reported in the fall season
at Oahe Dam, SD, remained to Dec. 3
(MMM), and the individual at Garrison
Dam, ND, was last noted Dec. 12 (HCT,
CDE). A late Com. Loon was in Meade, SD,
Dec. 12 (RAS), and two lingered until Dec.
10 in Charles Mix , SD (RM).

A Pied-billed Grebe at Fargo, ND, Dec. 5
provided the first winter record for Cass
(DPW). Furnishing the first winter season
records for their respective states, Red¬
necked Grebes were noted Dec. 12 in Mercer,
ND (REM) and in Charles Mix, SD, Dec. 28
(LAS, RM). An Eared Grebe at Hettinger
Dec. 5 was the latest ever recorded in North
Dakota (DAG, CG). Winter season records
of Double-crested Cormorant continue to

increase; no less than 12 reports were
received, including North Dakota’s latest
and first CBC record at Garrison Dam Dec.
19; a first for South Dakota, the species
apparently wintered in Yankton (SVS).

Six Blue-winged Teal were very late Dec.
2 in Hughes, SD (RDO), and a Surf Scoter
Dec. 6 in Kingsbury provided the 2nd latest
record for South Dakota (JSP, RFS). North¬
ern Harriers were reported in higher-than-
usual numbers, but, consistent with the lack
of northern birds, N. Goshawks were few. A
Red-shouldered Hawk in Lincoln Feb. 6 fur¬
nished the 3rd winter record for South
Dakota (RFS). Rough-legged Hawks were
widespread and present in above-average
numbers; a mid-winter trip from Billings to
Ft. Peck, MT, yielded 38 birds (CC); the
species was moving N in good numbers by
late February. Prairie Falcons were more fre¬
quently noted this winter, but the 5
Gyrfalcon reports from Montana were the
only ones received.

PARTRIDGE

THROUGH WOODPECKERS

Gray Partridge numbers remain low, and
Wild Turkeys continue to increase in North
Dakota. A Killdeer at Garrison Dam Dec. 12
provided the 3rd winter season record for
North Dakota (HCT, CDE), and an early
migrant was at Medicine L., MT, Feb. 26
(AJ).

A Bonaparte’s Gull at Garrison Dam,
ND, Dec. 12 was the latest for that state by 8
days (REM). Also at Garrison Dam Dec. 12
was an Iceland Gull, providing North Dako¬
ta’s 1 2th record, and a Lesser Black-backed
GulL The latter furnished the 6th state
record, and the species has now been
recorded 4 consecutive years at Garrison
Dam (REM, HCT, CDE). The usual peaks of
large gulls at Garrison Dam and Ft. Peck
never materialized this year.

Furnishing South Dakota’s 6th record, a
Eurasian Collared-Dove wintered in
Hughes (RDO). Mourning Doves were more
widespread than usual. Snowy Owl num¬
bers were very low, but Short-eared Owls
made a good showing.

A Red-bellied Woodpecker was unusual
in Kidder, ND, Dec. 5-8 (CDE). Providing

the 5th winter record for South Dakota, a
Yellow-bellied Sapsuckcr was noted in
Charles Mix Jan. 9 and Feb. 14 (LAS, RM).
Pileated Woodpeckers appear to be on the
increase in e. North Dakota, and an indi¬
vidual in Bottineau Feb. 13 furnished the
6th record for the Turtle Mts. (REM, HCT,
CDE).

HORNED LARK
THROUGH WARBLERS

Horned Larks wintered in good numbers
across the n. part of the Region. Brown
Creepers were present in usual numbers,
with seemingly everyone reporting a few
individuals; after no CBC reports in e. Mon¬
tana last year, 10 were noted this year, and a
single wintered at Ft. Peck for the first time
(CC). A Winter Wren spent the season in
Meade, SD (MMM).

Two E. Bluebirds Dec. 20 on the Grand
Forks, ND, CBC provided the first CBC and
2nd winter records for that state (DOL).
The species wintered in 2 s. South Dakota
counties and was also noted in Day Jan. 30
(JSP, RFS). Bohemian Waxwings were gen¬
erally distributed in Montana and North
Dakota. They were noted in higher than
usual numbers in South Dakota, with a peak
of 6000 in Butte Jan. 9 (RAS).

Casual in winter, Yellow-rumped Warb¬
lers were noted in Yankton, SD, Dec. 15
(SVS), and three were recorded on the
Billings, MT, CBC. The year of the Pine
Warbler in the Dakotas continued into the
winter; North Dakota’s latest and first for
the winter season was photographed in
Grand Forks Dec. 5-10 (DOL); this species
joins Ovenbird and Yellow-rumped Warbler
as the only warbler species on record for
December in North Dakota. In South
Dakota, a Pine Warbler spent the season far
to the west in Meade (APB). This individual
furnished the first winter record for that
state. These two individuals bring the 1998
total for the species in the Dakotas to eight.

SPARROWS

THROUGH EVENING GROSBEAK

If accepted, a Lark Sparrow in Charles Mix,
SD, Dec. 28 would provide the latest record

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

179

texas region

for that state (LAS). Among the several
White-throated Sparrow reports was an
unusual peak of six on the Grand Forks
CBC Dec. 20. This species wintered for the
first time at Ft. Peck, MT (CC). Harris’s
Sparrows were also more numerous than
normal.

Lapland Longspurs wintered in good
numbers in w. North Dakota, and a flock of
70 was noted N of Bowdoin N.W.R., MT,
Dec. 19 (DP). Snow Buntings were present
in good numbers in North Dakota.

Five Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch reports
were received from Montana and the Black
Hills of South Dakota. Very few Purple
Finches were reported. A single male House
Finch returned to Ft. Peck Feb. 25 (CC).
More widespread than in recent years in
South Dakota, Red Crossbills were noted in
1 1 counties. Also widespread in North
Dakota, the species was territorial in many
areas by the end of the period, and an occu¬
pied nest was found in Mandan Feb. 21
(CDE). Only one White-winged Crossbill
report was received.

Common Redpolls were in low num¬
bers, but Pine Siskins and Am. Goldfinches
were widespread. Pine Siskins peaked at 700
in Grand Forks Jan. 20 (EEF), and Am.
Goldfinches topped out at 310 on the Gar¬
rison Dam, ND, CBC Dec. 19. Evening
Grosbeaks were almost non-existent.

CORRIGENDA

In Field Notes 52:215-216, the Pied-billed
Grebe in McLean Dec. 14 represented the
2nd December record and 2nd latest for
North Dakota. The Am. Coot in Mercer, ND,
Dec. 16 should have read Dec. 6, the 2nd lat¬
est for North Dakota. In Field Notes 52:348,
the Merlin nesting in Grand Forks was the
first nesting away from the badlands since
the 1920s.

Observers (state editors in boldface):
MONTANA: Charles Carlson (chuckc-
mt@worldnet.att.net), Frank Durbian,
Aldon Joyce, Dwain Prellwitz, Mike
Schwitters. NORTH DAKOTA: Corey D.
Ellingson (cellings@state.nd.us), Eve E.
Freeberg, Carolyn Griffiths, David A.
Griffiths, David O. Lambeth, Ron E. Martin,
H. Clark Talkington, Dennis P. Wiesenborn.
SOUTH DAKOTA: Addison and Patricia
Ball, Lake Andes N.W.R. Staff, Ron Mabie,
Michael M. Melius, Ricky D. Olson, Jeffrey
S. Palmer (palmerj@dsu03. dsu.edu), Robb
F. Schenck, Ralph and Alice Shaykett, Steve
Van Sickle.

Ron E. Martin, 16900 125th St. SE, Sawyer,
ND 58781-9284 (jrmartin@ndak.net)

GREG W. LASLEY, CHUCK SEXTON,
MARK LOCKWOOD,

WILLIE SEKULA,

and CLIFF SHACKELFORD

ild, dry, and dull were the operative
terms for this ho-hum season. Aside
from a few brief cold snaps in the northern
half of the state, there was “little real winter
weather.” A roadside sign in Austin, set
amongst the new greenery and early wild-
flowers on a 75°F day in late January, read
“These Hill Country winters sure are bru¬
tal.” The central mountains of the Trans-
Pecos got a good moisture-laden storm in
early December, and an ice storm in late
January in the northern Panhandle left
Amarillo looking like a war zone with
downed tree limbs lying about. Very locally,
Rockport reported about four inches rain,
but other than these notable exceptions a
great portion of the state was dry and get¬
ting drier through the period.

Punctuated only by a single spectacular
gull report, avid listers had few “zingers” to
chase. As the mildness of the winter rolled
on, most observers went about the country¬
side dutifully documenting the wide diver¬
sity of unexpected over-wintering species.
Warblers always seem to hold sway in the
lists compiled in years such as this, but it
was also a season of hummingbirds, night-
hawks, Swainson’s Hawks, and Scissor-tails.
Locally, there was an interesting changeover
of avifaunas to monitor at Lake Balmorhea
after a planned fish kill, and prairie bird
censuses to initiate in eastern portions of
the state. Wintering species such as House
Wren and Common Yellowthroat, which a
majority of observers at lower latitudes take

for granted, gained mention well to the
north.

The timely and widespread dissemina¬
tion of information on sightings (both the
special and the mundane) has now become
expected on the Internet as the number of
subscribers for National Audubon Society’s
TexBirds discussion list continued to grow
along with the willingness of subscribers to
post just about everything that passed in
front of their binoculars. Perhaps due to the
dullness of the season and perhaps also due
to the growing mindset of some to consid¬
er the quarterly publication of such birding
information as increasingly outmoded, we
saw the ranks of primary contributors con¬
tinue to shrink.

We fondly dedicate this column to the
memory of our friend and long-time Texas
birder Sheriton Burr, who passed away in
late March. Sheriton was a true gentleman;
gracious and unassuming, knowledgeable
and generous. Sheriton was an inveterate
voyager on pelagic birding trips and,
through his records keeping and encour¬
agement, he played an inspirational role in
the recent revolution in our understanding
of the off-shore avifauna of Texas.

Abbreviations: L.R.G.V. (Lower Rio Grande
Valley); T.B.R.C. (Texas Bird Records Committee/
Texas Ornithological Society); T.P.R.F. (Texas
Photo Record File, Texas A & M University);
U.T.C. (Upper Texas Coast) V.C.D.B. (Village
Creek Drying Beds, Arlington, Tarrant Co.). The
following are shortened names for the respec¬
tive county, state, or national parks, wildlife
refuges, etc.: Aransas, Bentsen, Big Bend, Brazos
Bend, Caprock Canyons, Pedernales Falls, and
San Bernard.

LOONS THROUGH VULTURES

Red-throated Loons showed up at a pace of
about one per month: single birds were at
Cooper L., Delta/ Hopkins, Dec. 9 (fMWh);
Galveston I. Dec. 23 (JSt); L. Tawakoni Jan.
25 (fSMl); and at Lake O’ The Pines,
Marion, Feb. 16 (CCo). About 11 Pacific
Loons scattered across the state were per¬
haps the highest seasonal tally ever, more
evidence of why the T.B.R.C. took the
species off the Texas Review List 2 years ago.
A very unseasonal nesting pair of Least
Grebes was active at San Antonio’s Mitchell

180

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

L. Dec. 5 (PB). The October rains which
had filled up Buffalo L., Randall , continued
to provide benefits into the winter: An
unprecedented concentration of 40 Horned
Grebes were noted there Dec. 4 IKS). A pair
of Red-necked Grebes was reported at
North Fork Buffalo Creek Res., Wichita ,
Feb. 1 1 (tTK); details will be reviewed by
the T.B.R.C. The near absence of Aechmo-
phorus grebes on L. Balmorhea, Reeves, this
winter was not unexpected; a planned fish
kill was carried out last fall to rid the lake of
an exotic species which was threatening the
genetic stability of a local endangered pup-
fish (KB). As the lake is restocked with non-
invasive fish species, birders will be moni¬
toring the return of the diverse avian fauna
to this productive site. Interestingly, nine W.
Grebes showed up at 4 Panhandle locations,
more than usually expected up there (fide
KS).

A couple of Brown Pelicans at Amistad
Res., Val Verde, Dec. 27, were interesting
(SWie). The explosion of wintering Double-
crested Cormorants in Texas was evidenced
by many dozens wintering in the Panhandle
(KS). Although Least Bittern winters very
rarely along the coast (as witnessed by 2
reports this season at Port Aransas and
South Padre I.), a remarkable occurrence
was another in Big Bend’s Rio Grande
Village Dec. 9 (CG) and Feb. 1 (LL). A
strange sight was an apparent hybrid Egretta
at L. Casa Blanca near Laredo Feb. 24; it
appeared to be a combination of Snowy
Egret and perhaps Tricolored Heron
(J&BRi, WS). This odd bird can be viewed at
http://members.tripod.com/~tbrc/rogues.htm.
Unexpected for the Panhandle were three
Black-crowned Night-Herons at Amarillo,
Potter (LSa), and a single Yellow-crowned at
Lubbock Dec. 28 (BRa). Nine White-faced
Ibis wintered at Feather L. near El Paso (JS).
A single Turkey Vulture passed over
Amarillo Dec. 18 (TLJ), providing only the
3rd winter record for the Panhandle.

WATERFOWL

Exceptionally high numbers of geese win¬
tered in the Panhandle and Trans-Pecos.
For example, 150,000 “white geese” were
counted in the Panhandle, eclipsing a previ¬
ous high count of 70,000 (fide TPWD).
Lake Balmorhea numbers peaked with at
least 55 Canadas, eight Snows (Blues), 350
Snows, and an amazing 90 Ross’s. Two of
the rare blue-morph Ross’s were in Karnes
Feb. 17-18 (MR, WS). Another Ross’s
(white morph) stayed at L. Tyler, Smith,
Dec. 24-Feb. 21 (PBa). A Trumpeter Swan
discovered at a pond near Kerrville Feb. 24

was of unknown origin (TG). A drake Eur.
Wigeon turned up on a Cameron pond Jan.
20 (PDH) where it remained through the
period (ph. GL, SB). An Eur. x Am. Wigeon
was at Loy L„ Grayson, Jan. 13 (WM) for
the 3rd winter. An apparent American
Black Duck was at V.C.D.B., Tarrant, Dec.
9-31 (JSi, SG tm.ob); there are currently
only 7 accepted records of this species in
Texas. A Cinnamon Teal, rarely reported in
e. Texas, was on the Smith/Van Zandt line
Dec. 16 (TPo). One of the best finds of the
season in the Panhandle was a White¬
winged Scoter at Palo Duro L., Hansford,
Jan. 16 (EK, m.ob.), only the 3rd record for
the Panhandle. Six Oldsquaws were scat¬
tered around the state; the most significant
was one at L. Balmorhea Jan. 8 into
February (BF, PHo, m.ob.).

It was a banner year for Com. Golden¬
eyes in the Trans-Pecos; up to 12 were pre¬
sent all winter at L. Balmorhea, three were
in Rio Grande Village, Big Bend, Jan. 13
(RW), and ten were on the Rio Grande at
Santa Elena Canyon Feb. 10 (DWa). Details
and photos of a bird identified as a female
Barrow’s Goldeneye at V.C.D.B. Dec. 11-12
(fMR et al.) will be reviewed by the
T.B.R.C. Good concentrations of Com.
Mergansers were at McNary Res., Hudspeth
(750 birds), and at Ft. Hancock Res. (300
birds) Feb. 4 (PBa). Noteworthy were single
female Com. Mergansers in the e. half of
Texas; one was in Dallas Dec. 26 (RR), one
was in n. Harris Jan. 2-6 (RA), one was at L.
O’The Pines Jan. 12 (CCo), and one was at
L. Tawakoni Jan. 25-Feb. 13 (SMI, m.ob.).

RAPTORS

While Hook-billed Kites have been resident
in the L.R.G.V. since the mid-1960s, a dark-
morph bird had never been documented
until this season. Pat Culbertson noted a
dark-morph Hook-billed Kite at Bentsen in
early December and her husband, Jim, was
able to get good photos of the bird (ph. to
T.P.R.F.). The bird remained through the
season (m.ob.) and was seen regularly soar¬
ing with other Hook-billeds. A White-tailed
Kite in Miles, Runnels, Jan. 3 (TR) provided
one of very few records for the Concho
Valley. A Bald Eagle at L. Balmorhea all
winter (m.ob.) and two near Ft. Davis
through the season (PE) provided unex¬
pected Trans-Pecos records.

Swainson’s Hawks are very rare in Texas
during the winter, but several have been
photographed in recent winters; singles
were photographed Feb. 6 at Corpus Christi
(WS, J&BRi) and Feb. 14 in Bee ( JWe) while
three others were reported during the sea¬

son in Brazoria (RWe, JSt, m.ob.). A few
Zone-tailed Hawks were seen, including
two in the L.R.G.V. and one in Jim Hogg
(m.ob.). Very unusual for the Trans-Pecos, a
dark-morph Rough-legged Hawk wintered
along Cibolo Cr., Presidio, where it was
carefully studied (AA, D&I.H, m.ob.).

RAILS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS

Quite unexpected for the area, a Black Rail
was seen in Lubbock Dec. 19-20 (PKi,
MCa, AFl). A nice find was four King Rails
at the Alazan W.M.A., Nacogdoches, Feb 16
(DW). The birds vocalized in pairs in
response to a tape and likely constitute the
first winter record for the sub-region. Seven
Virginia Rails were at the same spot Dec. 19
(D&MW) while six were found there Feb.
16; both the above species stayed through
the season. Wolf thinks that these birds held
winter territories in the marshes here and
wonders if local nesting by King Rails might
occur here during late winter, something to
watch for. Rare in winter, single Purple
Gallinules were noted in Hidalgo Feb. 22
(BFr) and in Bexar Dec. 20 (fide ER). A
record flock of 182 Whooping Cranes (164
adults and 18 young) wintered in and
around Aransas. An additional adult was
seen Jan. 4-21 near Sabinal w. of San
Antonio (SSo). Either that stray adult or
another was near Brazos Bend, Fort Bend,
Jan. 24-Feb. 14 (LM, m.ob.). A very late
Semipalmated Plover was in Austin Dec. 16
(BFr). The Mt. Plovers mentioned in the fall
report near Granger L. were seen during the
winter period, but a count of 21 was the
highest number noted (TFen). Eight Mt.
Plovers were seen near New Braunfels Dec.
12 (KBa). An Am. Avocet was in Wichita at
North Fork Buffalo Creek Res. Jan. 9-10
(TK), providing a very rare winter record
there. A Willet in Midland Feb. 27 (D&AK)
was out-of-place. Very unexpected inland
was a Pectoral Sandpiper at Richland Creek
W.M.A., Freestone, Feb. 21 (TPo). Unex¬
pected far inland in winter was a Dunlin in
Midland Jan. 5-13 (JMe) and two in
Lubbock Jan. 12 (AFl). Ten Long-billed
Dowitchers were in Randall Dec. 19 (GF, KS
et al.), only the 3rd winter record for the
Panhandle.

GULLS

A scattering of Franklin’s Gulls lingered
into late December along the U.T.C., with
the latest being one in Fort Bend Dec. 26
(PDH). The Black-headed Gull from the
fall at Cooper L. remained until Feb. 24
(MWh). The banded Black-headed Gull
from V.C.D.B., first reported in March

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

181

This Black-tailed Gull (flying away and center), a first for Texas, stayed briefly at the
Brownsville landfill, where it was photographed February 12, 1999. See Pictorial
Highlights for another view of the bird. Photographer/Greg W. Lasley

1998, returned Feb. 2 and remained
through the season (MR et al.).

The most exciting find of the season was
an ad. Black-tailed Gull discovered Feb. 1 1
at the Brownsville landfill (ph. fWD, BP,
DDi, S&JSk). There have been several
recent records on the east coast, and several
Texas observers had speculated that this
species could show up here. The discoverers
were visiting from New York and were
familiar with the species. They were able to
contact local observers so many were able
to see this first Texas record through Feb.
13. Stay tuned for the spring report for
more on this bird.

Among the literally thousands of gulls
this winter at V.C.D.B., an imm. Mew Gull
was seen sporadically Dec. 3 through Feb. 3
(tMR, JWS, m.ob.) and an adult was also
there Feb. 28 (fBG, MR, DFlu). There were
six California Gulls reported at scattered
locations across the state; documentation
was received on only three of these. An
apparent Thayer’s Gull was at V.C.D.B. Feb.
28 (fMR). Details on a 2nd winter Iceland
Gull from Brownsville Jan. 8 will be
reviewed by the T.B.R.C.; to date there is
only one accepted record for Texas.

As usual, there were about a half-dozen
Lesser Black-backed Gulls reported along

the coast. A well-described Lesser Black-
backed Gull at L. Lewisville, Denton , Jan.
13-14 (ph., MGa) provided a first county
record and only the 2nd for n.c. Texas. A
Glaucous Gull was at Galveston Jan.
19-Feb. 12 (DPe et al.) while two were
reported at Brownsville Feb. 25 (DF). Two
imm. Black-legged Kittiwakes were discov¬
ered at San Antonio’s Calaveras L. Jan. 27
(MSi, RSi, m.ob.); one remained until at
least Feb. 12 (WS et al.).

DOVES THROUGH WOODPECKERS

Eurasian Collared-Doves continue their
march across Texas; new county records
came from Aransas , Bastrop , Bell Childress,
Hunt, and Lubbock. Another expanding
dove, White-winged, was found in unprece¬
dented numbers in Brazos with 157 count¬
ed Dec. 14 (fide KA). A new county record
was provided by a White-winged in Fannin
Jan. 31 (WM). Details on a Ruddy Ground-
Dove at Laguna Atascosa Jan. 31 (DNP) will
be reviewed by the T.B.R.C. An outstanding
find was a White-tipped Dove at Boquillas
Canyon, Big Bend, Jan. 17 (MF1).

There was evidence of an influx of
Short-eared Owls into central and s. Texas
where concentrations of birds at scattered
locations from Bell southward drew much

attention. A mild winter allowed several
Com. Nighthawks to spend the entire sea¬
son on the w. side of Houston (KH). In
keeping with the warm winter, Com. Night-
hawks appeared in McAllen Dec. 28 (BMc)
and in Refugio Feb. 16 (PHo). Amazingly, a
Chuck-will’s-widow was found at Freeport
Dec. 20 (RWe). It was difficult to gauge the
significance of overwintering humming¬
bird populations because they draw such
frequent mention by observers. For exam¬
ple, there were reports of 16 Rufous
Hummingbirds in c. Texas; was this high or
low? A Broad-billed Hummingbird was at
L. Jackson, Brazoria, Jan. 27 through the
period (tph. T&SC). A Buff-bellied Hum¬
mingbird in Comal Dec. 30 (RD) was away
from its normal wintering range. An Anna’s
Hummingbird in Nacogdoches from the fall
remained until Jan. 16 (CE1). Of several
Broad-tailed Hummingbirds reported, the
most interesting was a bird that over-win¬
tered in Kilgore, Rusk (ph. PHa). A couple
of Broad-taileds wintered in Austin, and
singles were reported in San Antonio and
Comfort. A wintering imm. male Selas-
phorus in Houston molted into adult plum¬
age showing characteristics of an Allen’s
Hummingbird (J&WRi).

Reports of Ringed Kingfishers away
from their s. Texas haunts included a bird in
Bastrop Dec. 25-26 (LGo) and a bird seen
through December and January in San
Marcos (DHe). It should be noted that
Ringed Kingfishers appear to be inching
their way up the Rio Grande and into the
Edward’s Plateau; they have also been noted
on the Devil’s and Pecos Rivers in Val Verde
(fide ML). Green Kingfishers are now being
regularly reported from Rio Grande Village
in Big Bend. There was a minor incursion
of Red-headed Woodpeckers into parts of c.
and s. Texas. Notable Red-headed records
included one at Ft. Clark Springs, Kinney, in
January (fide WS) and one in Rancho Viejo,
Cameron, Feb. 17 through the period (BBa,
ph. SB, BMc, m.ob.). A Red-bellied Wood¬
pecker which arrived in Midland in
November remained the winter (fide FW).
A Red-naped Sapsucker was at Aransas
Dec. 29, well away from its expected winter
range (ph. ME). Amazingly, an apparent
Red-naped x Red-breasted Sapsucker was
mist-netted in Guadalupe Delta W.M.A.,
Calhoun, Jan. 23 (ph. BO), the 3rd record of
this hybrid combination from Texas.
Williamson’s Sapsuckers were in higher
than normal numbers in the Davis Mts. this
winter; six birds Dec. 30 (CR) represented
the high count. A Downy Woodpecker at Ft.
Clark Springs Jan. 1 was interesting (JA).

182

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

texas

Three Pileated Woodpeckers in Montague
in early February (JiH) were w. of their
expected range.

FLYCATCHERS THROUGH VIREOS

Although more regular along the coast in
winter, two Least Flycatchers in Frio Jan. 16
(BLy) were notable. A Black Phoebe was at
Wolf Cr. Park, Ochiltree, Dec. 7 (ph. GL,
SB), providing the first winter record for
the Panhandle while an E. Phoebe at
Caprock Canyons S.P., Briscoe, Jan. 1 (KS)
provided another rare record. Two Vermil¬
ion Flycatchers were unexpected in Brazos
Feb. 27 (MVD). An Ash-throated Fly-catch¬
er in Jefferson Jan. 24 (KSz) was as far up the
coast as you can go and still stay in Texas
while a Brown-crested Flycatcher in Bastrop
returned for its 4th winter (BFr). A Brown-
crested Flycatcher at San Bernard Dec.
6-Jan. 22 (RWe et al.) was near the loca¬
tions where two birds wintered last year.
Also quite unexpected was a lone Great
Crested Flycatcher in Brazoria Jan. 18
(RWe). A few Great Kiskadees wandered
away from their expected haunts; one was
in Burnet Jan. 7 {fide JHe) while another
was at Sugarland, Harris, Jan. 16 (DD).
Unusual on the U.T.C., vocalizing Couch’s
Kingbirds were noted in Brazoria Jan.
3-Feb. 3 (RWe) and in Fort Bend Jan. 10
(TxB). Other Couch’s Kingbirds of note
included individuals in Bexar Dec. 20
(SWie), New Braunfels Jan. 16 (SAAS), and
in Floresville, Wilson, Feb. 11 (WS).
Unprecedented was a well-described Cas-
sin’s Kingbird in Floyd Feb. 27 (AF1, RF), no
doubt an extremely early migrant. Scissor-
tailed Flycatchers lingered late in several
areas; at least three in Flower Mound, Den¬
ton, Dec. 12-13 (LHa); one in Nacogdoches
Dec. 19 (fide D&MW); dozens in the San
Antonio area in the last week of December
(CD); and two on the U.T.C., (one in
Brazoria and one in Jefferson) Jan. 17 (DVe,
JWh). Six N. Shrikes were in the Panhandle
area this winter, ranging from Hansford in
the north to Crosby in the south {fide KS).
All three “Solitary” vireos made appear¬
ances in the Trans- Pecos. Plumbeous Vireos
were in Balmorhea (PHart) and El Paso Jan.
2 (ph. JPa); Blue-headeds were in Balmor¬
hea Jan. 2 (D&LH) and at Big Bend’s Rio
Grande Village all winter (ML, Mfl); and
rounding out the “solitary” contingent was
a Cassin’s at Rio Grande Village Feb. 28
(BLu, FR).

JAYS THROUGH THRASHERS

In previous years, Brown Jays have occurred
along the Rio Grande from the San Ygnacio

area downriver to near Roma, sometimes in
good numbers. In recent seasons, however,
the species is represented in Texas by only a
small handful in the Salineno/Chapeno
area; its presence in the U.S. at this time is
tenuous at best. Like the Brown Jay, Tamau-
lipas Crows appear to be withdrawing from
Texas. This winter only two-three birds
could be irregularly found at the Browns¬
ville landfill. Curiously, the report of eight-
ten Tamaulipas Crows heard and seen at
Laredo Jan. 30 (JSe) was of interest. The
species is known to winter around Sabinas
Hidalgo, about 80 mi s. of Laredo (fide CS).
A Chihuahuan Raven was reported at Texas
Pt„ Jefferson, Feb. 10 (JWh), one of few
U.T.C. records. The Com. Raven reported
from Galveston in the fall was last seen Jan.
16 (m.ob.).

An early Purple Martin was in College
Station Jan. 9 (SBr). A dozen Tree Swallows
in Grimes Dec. 28 (BeF) were a bit n. of
their normal coastal winter range while two
Cave Swallows in Lee Jan. 4 (HBr) were at a
similarly unexpected location. Even though
Just a short distance out of its regular
Pineywoods range, a Brown-headed Nut¬
hatch near Gibbons Creek Res., Grimes,
Dec. 28 (KA, JJ) was notable for this habitat
specialist. Unexpected in winter in the
Panhandle were single House Wrens at Palo
Duro Canyon Dec. 11 (m.ob.) and L. Mc¬
Clellan, Gray, Feb. 27 (m.ob.). A local rarity
was a Winter Wren in Midland Dec. 5 (BLu,
RMS). The winter invasion of Golden-
crowned Kinglets from the fall completely
blanketed the state, including one in El Paso
Feb. 19-22 (JPa) and others in the L.R.G.V.
through the period. A single W. Bluebird in
a flock of Easterns was found in San Marcos
Dec. 3 (fide DHe). Unseasonal were a Wood
Thrush at Sabine Woods, Jefferson, all peri¬
od (JWh) and two at China Spring,
McLennan, Dec. 19 (FB). At least seven dif¬
ferent Clay-colored Robins were reported
from Hidalgo and Starr during the season
(m.ob.). The invasion of Am. Robins was
particularly evident on the U.T.C. south¬
ward to the L.R.G.V. A few Sage Thrashers
strayed a little e. of their regular winter
range with singles at Parker, Bell, Burnet,
Brazoria, and San Patricio (m.ob.).

WARBLERS THROUGH SPARROWS

The tail end of the Tennessee Warbler
migration was anchored by single birds
Dec. 11-13 in Brazoria and Nueces. A bit n.
of its regular range, a Tropical Parula was in
Corpus Christi Jan. 23 (RBe). A Yellow
Warbler, very rare in winter, was found in
Brownsville Jan. 25 (TB). Among the dozen

or more warbler species in Anzalduas Park,
Hidalgo, from the last week of December
through the period were two male 1 lermit
Warblers, both of which were photograph¬
ed (JCu, DN). This represents the first doc¬
umented winter record of Hermit Warbler
for Texas. Unexpected was a Black-throated
Green Warbler in Burleson Feb 8 (CL). Two
Prairie Warblers wintered on the U.T.C.,
one in downtown Houston (WRi) and
another at Brazos Bend (m.ob.). Palm
Warblers off the coast included singles in
Brazos Jan. 23 (BeF) and Bastrop Jan. 30
(BFr). A Prothonotary Warbler discovered
on the Aransas CBC Dec. 29 was spotted
again Jan. 16 (PDH) while another was at
Refugio Jan. 12 (CC). A first winter record
for the Panhandle was provided by two
Com. Yellowthroats at Caprock Canyons
Dec. 31-Feb. 20 (TFe, m.ob.). Extremely
rare in winter for Big Bend was a Wilson’s
Warbler in Santa Elena Canyon Jan. 5 (BFr,
PHo). Adding to the increasing reports in
recent years, a Rufous-capped Warbler was
seen near San Antonio Dec. 20 (fSWie).

A Summer Tanager was reported in
Kingsland, Llano, Dec. 14 (fide JHe).
Unusual for the U.T.C. was a Green-tailed
Towhee in Harris Dec. 9 (DPr). At the w.
fringe of their known range, E. Towhees
were reported in w. Travis, Burnet, and w.
Bexar. Concerted effort was made to locate
wintering Henslow’s Sparrows as part of
Project Prairie Birds. This resulted in
reports of at least 25 individuals scattered
across e. Texas from Rains s. to Liberty
(m.ob.). A Harris’s Sparrow at McNary
Res., Hudspeth, Dec. 19 was well out-of-
range (JPa). Two Golden-crowned Spar¬
rows were newsworthy; one was on private
property in Live Oak Nov. 27-Jan. 3 (tph.
J8cSHol) while another was in Hudspeth
Dec. 19 (tJPa). Very rare for the Edward’s
Plateau, a “Gray-headed” Junco was netted
Feb. 4 at Ingram, Kerr (ph. A&HR). Away
from their traditional wintering areas were
40+ Smith’s Longspurs near Trinidad, Hen¬
derson, Jan. 17 (TPo). Farther afield was a
single Smith’s Longspur at Nacogdoches
Dec. 22 (DW).

GROSBEAKS THROUGH FINCHES

Stray Pyrrhuloxias turned up at 2 Potter
locations during January (MK, B&JP). We
received 4 reports of wintering Black-head¬
ed Grosbeaks away from their expected
areas, including two in Washington and sin¬
gle birds in Jeff Davis and Hays. Curiously,
we saw an influx of Dickcissels starting in
mid-January. Most notable were individu¬
als in Angelina Jan. 17 (NB), Bentsen Feb.

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

183

4+ (KE), and Tarrant Feb. 17 (JWS). Many
Dickcissels began appearing on the U.T.C.
in January and into February with as many
as 30 birds noted by the end of the season
(m.ob.). The most interesting Rusty Black¬
bird report was one at Pedernales Falls Jan.
10 (BRe). Observers reported a significant
southern movement of Com. Crackles into
the L.R.G.V.

A Baltimore Oriole was seen at San
Antonio Jan. 6 (fide GSc). Pine Siskins were
virtually non-existent in c. and s. Texas.
Out-of-place were single Lesser Goldfinch¬
es in Plano, Collin, during January (fide
DHu) and in Groesbeck, Limestone, Jan.
22-Feb. 3 ( W&BFe, S&ASi). The only Even¬
ing Grosbeak reported to us for the entire
winter was a single bird in Amarillo, Ran¬
dall, Dec. 13-Feb. 13 (EK).

UNDOCUMENTED RARITIES

A Brant in Knox Jan. 13, three California
Gulls and Thayer’s Gull in Dallas Feb. 5-16,
and Blue Bunting at Bentsen.

Cited Observers (subregional editors in
boldface): Mark Adams (MAd), Artie
Ahier, Fred Armstrong, Rich Armstrong,
Keith Arnold, Nina & Eddie Arnold, John
Arvin, Peter Barnes (PBa), Keith Bartels
(KBa), Benton Basham (BBa), Kay
Baughman, Phil Beckhelm, John & Brenda
Bell, Robert Benson (RBe), Steve Bentsen,
Ray & Lynn Bieber, Nancy Bird, A1 Black,
Hazel Bluhm, Wanda Bosnians, Scott
Brandes (SBr), David & Luanne Brotherton
(D&LBro), Charles Brown, Hugh Brown
(HBr), Cyndie Browning, Barbara Bruns
(BBr), Tim Brush, Kelly Bryan (Trans-
Pecos: P.O. Box 786, Ft. Davis, TX 79734,
kelly.bryan@ tpwd. state, tx. us), Frank
Bumgardner, Alan Byboth, Marty Campbell
(MCa), Oscar Carmoma, Dawn & Ross
Carrie, lack Chiles, Charlie Clark, Tom &
Sherri Collins, Arlie & Mel Cooksey ( South
Texas: 15825 Socorro Loop, Corpus Christi,
TX 78418, cybrbrdr@trip.net), Cameron
Cox (CCo), Gordon Creel, Mary Creel, Jim
& Pat Culbertson (J&PCu), Roberta Currie,
Rich Damron, Willie D’Anna, Louis
Debetaz, David Deifik, Dean DiTommaso
(DDi), Bob Doe (BDo), Andrew Donnelly,
Gladys Donohue, Claire Drenowitz, Marc 8c
Maryann Eastman, Kim Eckert, Mark
Elwonger, Chuck Ely (CE1), Pansy Espey,
Tim Fennell (TFen), Terry Ferguson (TFer),
Wanda 8c Brett Fewell (W8cBFe), Mark
Flippo (MFl), Anthony Floyd (AF1),
Connie Fordham, Tyler Fordham, David
Freeland, Brush Freeman (BFr), Bert Frenz
(BeF), Gil Fry, Rich Fulham, Terry Fuller

(TFu), Tony Gallucci, Larry Galvez, Murray
Gardler (MGa), Dita Geary, Carl George,
Brian Gibbons (BGi), Simone Gillian, Larry
Gorbet (LGo), Larry 8c Karen Griffing,
Dennis Haessley (DHa), Jim Hailey (JiH),
Megan Hall, Laurens Halsey (LHa), James
Hamous, Peggy Harding (PHa), Pat
Hartigan (PHart), Ken Hartman, James
Heath (JHe), David 8c Linda Hedges, Ruth
Heino (RHe), Dick Henderson (DHe),
Blake Hendon, Hubert 8c Pat Hervey, Petra
Hockey, Joan 8c Scott Holt (J8cSHol),
Jimmy Hoover (fiH), P.D. Hulce (PDH),
David Hurt (DHu), John Jackman, Tom
Johnson, Thomas L. Johnson (TLJ), George
Jury, John Karges (JKa), Tim Kaspar, Mike
Keck, Greg Keiran, Donna 8c Alvin Kelly,
John Kelly, Keith Kimmerle, Phillip Kite
(PKi), Ed Kutac, Greg Lasley, L. Leigh,
Cathy Liles, Steve Lister, Keith Lockhart,
Mark Lockwood, Ron Lockwood (RLo),
Bill Lupardis (BLu), Bill Lybarger (BLy),
Lynne Magee, Michael Marsden, P.K.
Martin, Terry Maxwell, Rich McCamant,
Jim McHaney, Debra McKee, Bill
McKinney (BiMc), Brad McKinney (BMc),
Chris Merkord, Joann Merritt (JMe),
Wayne Meyers, Toni Mistretta, Steve
Mlodinow (SMI), David Nelson, Bob
Ohrnart, Jim Paton (JPa), Dick Payne,
Dwight Peake (DPe), David and Nancy
Pearson (DNP), Glenn Perrigo, Mel Pineda,
Randy Pinkston, Betsy Potter, Truman
Powell (TPo), Andy 8c Bill Prather, Debbie
Propes (DPr), Brian 8c Joann Pruitt, Bob
Rasa (BRa), Ross Rasmussen, Jim Ray
(JRa), Martin Reid, Bill Reiner (BRe), John
8c Barbara Ribble (J8cBRi), Art 8c Hannah
Richard, Tom Richards, Cecilia Riley, Jan 8c
Will Risser (J8cWRi), Ernie Roney, Forest
Rowland, John Rowlett, San Antonio
Audubon Society, Laura Sare (LSa), Adriel
Schoenhals, Monty Schoenhals, Georgina
Schwartz (GSc), Rosemary Scott (RSc), Jim
Sealy (JSe), Willie Sekula (Central Texas:
7063 Co. Rd. 228, Falls City, TX 78113-
2627, wsekula@the-cia.net), Ken Seyffert
(Panhandle: 2206 S. Lipscomb, Amarillo,
TX 79109), Cliff Shackelford (CSh)(East
Texas: Texas Parks 8c Wildlife Dept., 4200
Smith School Rd., Austin, TX 78744, Clif¬
ford. shackelford@tpwd. state. tx. us), Billie
Shalvey, Mark Shavers (MSh), J.W. Sifford
(JWS), Mike Sims (MSi), Richard Sims
(RSi), Sarah 8c Alton Sims (S8cASi), Jim
Sipiora (JSi), Sharon 8c Jeanne Skelly
(S8cJSk), Sylvestre Sorola (SSo), John
Sproul, Sara St. Clair, Jim Stevenson (JSt),
Cliff Stogner (CSt), Rose Marie Stortz, Alan
Swain, Ken Sztraky (KSz), TexBirds (TxB;
Audubon birding discussion list), lain

Tomlinson, Peggy Trosper, Mark 8c Sandra
Turner, Marguerite Van Dyke, Donald
Verser (DVe), Darrell Vollert, Darrin Wallis
(DWa), Peggy Watts, Ro Wauer, Ron Weeks
(RWe), John West (JWe), Ed Wetzel,
Richard Wharton, Joyce Wheeler, Kristin
White, Matt White (N.C. Texas: 2518
Monroe, Commerce, TX 75428,
MWHITE@ssisd.net), John Whittle (JWh),
Sue Wiedenfeld (SWie), Frances Williams,
David Wolf, Mimi Wolf, Joe Yelderman,
Barry Zimmer.

Greg W. Lasley, 305 Loganberry Ct., Austin,
TX 78745-6527 (glasley@earthlink.net) and
Chuck Sexton, 101 E. 54th St., Austin, TX
78751-1232 (cwsexton@onr.com)

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184

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

idaho-western montana
region

DAVID TROCHLELL

he winter season was mild until late
December when a brief Arctic front
brought cold temperatures and significant
snow to the Region. Late winter brought
high precipitation to the mountains and
mild temperatures consistent with “La
Nina” type years. Like last year, several
semi-hardy species lingered or wintered,
and wintering finches were scarce or absent.

Abbreviations: A.F.R. (American Falls Res., by
American Falls, Idaho); D.F.N.W.R. (Deer Flat
N.W.R., Canyon Co., ID); Latilong (area encom¬
passed by one degree latitude and one degree
longitude, used in mapping bird distribution in
both Idaho and Montana); L.M.N.W.R. (Lee
Metcalf N.W.R., Ravalli Co., MT).

LOOMS THROUGH SANDPIPERS

A lingering Pacific Loon at Barton Res.,
Washington, ID, Dec. 5 ( JG) provided a win¬
ter first for Latilong 11. Up to ten Great
Egrets wintered near Hagerman, Gooding,
ID (KF), doubling last year’s count there.
Many seasonally rare geese stayed in Idaho
into January, including two Greater White-
fronted Geese, up to 20 Snow Geese, and
seven Ross’s Geese. Idaho birders reported
single Oldsquaws at Mann L., Nez Perce,
Dec. 3 (DB); L. Pend Oreille, Bonner, Dec.
31 (MCr); and Lewiston Jan. 3 & 4 (CS,

m.ob.). A Surf Scoter was a rare find at
Lucky Peak Res., Ada, ID, Dec. 3-5 (HK).
Blue-winged and Cinnamon teal usually
leave the Region in fall, but this winter sin¬
gle Blue-wingeds were reported at Missoula,
MT, Dec. 19 (HA) and near Hagerman, ID,
Dec. 19 (DM), and single Cinnamons were
at L.M.N.W.R. Dec. 28 (WT) and Ennis L.,
Madison, MT, Jan. 1 (JR). An apparent
Mallard/N. Pintail hybrid was at
L.M.N.W.R. Feb. 15-28 (DLo, WT). Win¬
tering Eurasian Wigeons in Idaho were up
slightly from last winter with singles at
Boise, Lewiston, Marsing, near Bruneau,
and near Hagerman.

Several very late Turkey Vultures migrat¬
ed over n.w. Montana in mid-December
(LH). A surprisingly early Osprey at Fort
Boise W.M.A., Payette, ID, Feb. 13 (DL) pro¬
vided a winter first for Latilong 17. Raptors
invaded the Region, drawn by high vole
populations and open hunting conditions.
An incredible 114 N. Harriers were tallied
on the American Falls, ID, CBC Dec. 26.
Rare anytime in w. Montana, Ferruginous
Hawks staged a small “invasion” there: three
overwintered in the Mission Valley, Lake
(CO), one was seen during the Kalispell
CBC Jan. 3 (DC), and at least two wintered
in the Bitterroot Valley, Ravalli (JO). It was
also a good year to see Rough-legged
Hawks: Olson tallied a record 326 Rough-
leggeds near Ronan, Lake, MT, Dec. 23. For
the 5th consecutive year, the Gannett, ID,
Gyrfalcon overwintered. Another Idaho Gyr
was seen in Butte Dec. 20 (JOr). In
Montana, at least three Gyrs overwintered in
the Mission Valley (CO), and one was near
Kalispell Feb. 28 (DC). One-two Sandhill
Cranes at Marsing, Owyhee, ID, Dec. 6-19
(JG) were very late. For the 2nd consecutive
year, a Sandhill was tallied on the
Stevensville, MT, CBC Jan. 2 (MG). Even a
few hardy shorebirds lingered: five Dunlins
and a Least Sandpiper were at Dry L.,
Canyon, ID, Dec. 14 (RLR), and another
Least was near Grandview, Elmore, ID, Dec.
23 (GB, RLR, DT).

GULLS THROUGH JAYS

Rare gulls made news in both states. A very
late Franklin’s Gull in Boise Dec. 15 (tGB)

provided Idaho’s first winter record. Up to
seven Mew Gulls were reported in Idaho,
including three that overwintered in Boise.
Montana birders discovered one-two Mews
at Somers, Flathead, Jan. 22-Feb. 17 (DC), a
new location for this species. Idaho’s
Thayer’s Gull reports included one-two
near D.F.N.W.R. Dec. 18 & 19 (JG); one at
Ted Trueblood W.M.A., Elmore, Feb. 15
(JG); and one in Lewiston Feb. 19 (CV).

A well-documented first-basic “Kum-
lien’s” Iceland Gull at A.F.R. Feb. 27 & 28
(ph. MCr, fCT, m.ob.) provided Idaho’s 9th
record. Glaucous-winged Gull reports were
up in Idaho with one near D.F.N.W.R. Dec.
18 (MCr); two at L. Pend Oreille Dec. 31
(MCr); one near Buhl, Gooding, Feb. 3-5
(KF); one at Lewiston Feb. 14 (KD); and
one overwintering in Boise (DT). Single
Glaucous Gulls were near Coeur d’Alene,
ID, Dec. 5 (CS) 8c 30 (MCr), and another
was at Poison, MT, Feb. 6 (JB). The Black¬
legged Kittiwake that flew over Hells
Canyon Res ., Adams, Dec. 12 (AU) provid¬
ed Idaho’s 5th record.

Mild weather allowed large numbers of
Mourning Doves to winter in w. Montana.
Incredible CBC totals included 97 in Big-
fork, 135 in Kalispell, and 144 in Stevens¬
ville. A Barn Owl wintered near Charlo,
Lake, MT (CO); there are less than 20
records for this species in Montana. An
unprecedented 38 Barn Owls were counted
on the Moscow, ID, CBC Dec. 19. A N.
Hawk Owl discovered near Whitefish, MT,
Dec. 21 (JMm) was not unprecedented but
still exciting. In Montana’s Mission Valley,
winter roosts contained over 70 Long-eared
Owls (DH) and more than 80 Short-eared
Owls (BW). Boise hosted two Anna’s
Hummingbirds: a male overwintered (TS),
and a female was present Dec. 3-22 (BA).
Single Lewis’s Woodpeckers overwintered
in Boise (RLR) and near Hamilton, MT
(CP). Another fall holdover, Red-naped
Sapsucker, lingered in Boise until late
December (JH). Reports of seasonally rare
Say’s Phoebe’s were up in Idaho, but the
Say’s Phoebe that overwintered near
Creston, Flathead, MT (LB), provided a
state winter first. Two Barn Swallows that
lingered at L.M.N.W.R. Dec. 3-11 (WT)

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

185

were very late. A total of 18 Blue Jays was
reported in Idaho, representing half of last
winter’s count. In Montana, scattered sight¬
ings of Blue Jays originated from the
Bozeman, Bitterroot, and Missoula valleys
(JP, JM).

CREEPER

THROUGH GOLDFINCHES

Brown Creepers were unusually numerous
and widespread this season. Bewick’s Wrens
continue to expand their range in Idaho: n.
Idaho CBCs posted record counts, and at
least three Bewick’s overwintered in a new
location in Payette (JG). One Mt. Bluebird
overwintered near A.F.R. dam (MCr, CT),
and three others at Kila, Flathead, MT, Feb.
10 (RM) were 3 weeks early. Hermit and
Varied thrushes occasionally winter in s.
Idaho, but this season an unprecedented 18
Hermits and at least seven Varieds were
reported. A surprising Gray Catbird found
near Driggs, Teton, ID, Jan. 2 (SP) furnished
a state winter first.

A total of 12 Orange-crowned Warblers
was reported in s.w. Idaho, a significant
increase from last winter. Undoubtedly the
bird of the season, an imm. Prairie Warb¬
ler near Ninepipes N.W.R., Lake, Dec. 3-6
(DH, JM, *U.M.M) was collected and pro¬
vided Montana’s 2nd record. A Wilson’s

Warbler at D.F.N.W.R. Dec. 6 and Jan. 1
(JG, HK, DL) furnished a winter first for
Idaho.

Four Savannah Sparrows near
D.F.N.W.R. Jan. 2 (GB, RLR) were unusual.
A “Slate-colored” Fox Sparrow in Boise
Dec. 4 (RLR, DT) was seasonally rare, but
even more interesting was the “Red” Fox
Sparrow at Twin Falls, ID, Dec. 26 (KF).
Another Fox Sparrow overwintered near
Corvallis, Ravalli, MT (KW) where one has
been present the last 4 years. Lincoln’s
Sparrows are rarely reported in winter in
Idaho, so a total of seven from s.w. Idaho in
January was unusual (D&EF, JG). With less
than 20 Swamp Sparrow records in Idaho,
one near Kamiah, Idaho, Jan. 18 (CS) and
two near Lewiston Jan. 24-30 (DG, HW)
were significant. Reports that a Spotted
Towhee and single White-throated and
White-crowned sparrows survived the win¬
ter in the Bozeman, MT, area (PE, MG)
were surprising. Numbers of White-throat¬
ed and Harris’s sparrows were up in Idaho,
with seven White-throateds and 16 Harris’s
reported. Especially rare in winter, a
Golden-crowned Sparrow was at Lewiston,
ID, Jan. 2 (WH).

A dozen regionally rare Rusty Black¬
birds were at Creston, MT, Dec. 16 (DC),
and another was seen on the Bozeman CBC

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AMERICAN LAND
CONSERVANCY

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456 Montgomery Street, Suite 1450
San Francisco, CA 94104

Jan. 3 (JP). The Marsing, ID, Great-tailed
Grackle flock was up to 22 birds Dec. 6
(RE), the largest count to date. Another
Great-tailed was below A.F.R. dam Feb. 21
(CT). Four Com. Grackles wintered in
Bozeman, MT (RW). At least four Lesser
Goldfinches were present in Boise, repre¬
senting Idaho’s 2nd winter record.

Observers cited (subregional editors in
boldface) : IDAHO: Brooke Adams, Gordon
Berkey, Deb Beutler, Marty Collar, Kas
Dumroese, Ron Elam, Dave and Elise
Faike, Kent Fothergill, John Gatchet, Dale
Goble, Jeff Hennessy, Winnie Hepburn,
Merlene Koliner, Harry Krueger, Dave
Lawrence (DL), Don Morgan, Jack Oar
(JOr), Susan Patla, Hadley Roberts, R.L.
Rowland, Tom Sarriugarte, Shirley Sturts
(SS), Charles Swiff, Dave Trochlell, Chuck
Trost, Aaron Utz, Carole Vande Voorde,
Harold Ward, Poo Wright-Pulliam. MON¬
TANA: Harold Andrews, Lisa Bate, Jim
Brown, Dan Casey, Paulette Epple, Mary
Gossi, Liz Hill, Denver Holt, Dave Lockman
(DLo), Rick Malta, Jeff Marks (JM), Jan
Metzmaker (JMm), Chad Olson, John
Ormiston (JO), John Parker, Colleen
Powell, Joan Ryshavy, Don Skaar, Wayne
Tree, University of Montana Museum, Ken
Wanner, Bill West, Robin Wolcott.

David Trochlell, 1931 Tallwood Ln., Boise,
ID 83706 (dtrochle@cyberhighway.net)

Place names that are frequently men¬
tioned, but very long, may be abbreviat¬
ed in a form such as “C.B.B.T.” or
“W.P.B.O.” Such local abbreviations will
be explained in a key at the beginning
of the particular regional report in
which they are used. Standard abbrevi¬
ations that are used throughout North
American Birds are keyed on page 138.

186

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

mountain west region

VAN A. TRUAN

and BRANDON K. PERCIVAL

t appears that again storm fronts moved
to the north of the Region except for
Nevada, which had more moisture than
normal. The eastern plains of the Region
were very dry. Mild weather this winter
provided open water and exposed ground.
More species stayed farther north than
usual. One birder said “I am sure northern
observers would pretty much agree that
cormorants, towhees, kinglets, Yellow-
rumped Warblers, thrashers, doves, blue¬
birds, migratory blackbirds, etc., were easi¬
er to find this year than most.” Several states
reported new winter records for sum¬
mer/migrating species. We received only
one report this season from Wyoming. In
this vast Region, we ask for reports from
anyone who lives in or visits the states.

Abbreviations: S.W.A. (State Wildlife Area).

LOOMS THROUGH IBISES

Single Pacific Loons were at Douglas Res.,
Larimer, CO, Dec. 8 (RK); Barr L., Adams,
CO, Dec. 12-18 (JV, m.ob.); and Sunset
Park, Las Vegas, NV, Dec. 13-Feb. 28 (fide
RPS); four wintered at Pueblo Res., Pueblo,
CO, Dec. 23-Feb. 20 (JK, CLW, m.ob.). An
imm. Yellow-billed Loon was at Pueblo Res.
Dec. 26-Feb. 20 (DQ, JRo, NE, m.ob.), and
one graced L. Powell, Kane, NV, Feb. 1 (CL,
LD, JS). Three Horned Grebes were at
Pyramid L., Washoe, NV, Dec. 12 (MM),
and two were there Feb. 13 (MM); one vis¬
ited L. Mead, Clark, NV, Jan. 23 (RPS). One
or two Red-necked Grebes were seen at
Hamilton Res., Larimer, CO, Dec. 4-5
(WPL) and Jan. 19-Feb. 9 (DAL, m.ob.). A
very high count of 232 Eared Grebes was

made at Barr L., Adams, CO, Dec. 5 (TL,
JK). Late Am. White Pelicans included sin¬
gles at Cherry Creek Res., Arahapoe, CO,
Dec. 6-7 (TL, RO, SC, NK, m.ob.); in Mesa,
CO, Dec. 20 (fide CD, RLe); and in Denver
Jan. 1 (fide HEK). A late Double-crested
Cormorant was at Jumbo Res., Sedgwick,
CO, Dec. 12 (DAL). A Green Heron at the
Oxbow section of the Provo R., Utah, Dec.
19 was quite late for n. LUah (MW). A Great
Egret was reported from Mesa, CO, Dec. 20
(fide CD, RLe), and a late Cattle Egret
stayed to Dec. 1 in Penrose, Fremont (fide
J&RW). Eight Black-crowned Night-Her¬
ons appeared to winter in Denver (fide
HEK). Several late White-faced Ibis were at
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box
Elder, UT, Dec. 18 (CW).

WATERFOWL

This season Colorado birders reported
eight Tundra Swans. A “Bewick’s” Tundra
Swan was observed in Box Elder Jan. 28,
providing the first for this race in Utah
(ACo). Fourteen Trumpeter Swans were
reported from Colorado this season. Two
Wood Ducks were at Virginia L., Reno, NV,
Dec. 9 (MM). Rare in Colorado, single male
Am. Black Ducks were at Long Pond,
Larimer, Jan. 7-9 (SJD, m.ob.) and at the
Great Plains Res., Kiowa, Feb. 7 (MJ, BKP).
Single male Eur. Wigeon were at Ft. Collins,
CO, Dec. 15-Feb. 2 (DCE, m.ob.); in Hart’s
Basin, Delta, CO, Feb. 11 (EH); and in Box

Elder, UT, Feb. 13-15 (CR, J8<KB, MS). Nine
Oldsquaws were reported from 5 e.
Colorado counties; also, four females were
along Antelope 1. Causeway, Davis, UT,
Dec. 5-6 (D&MS). The female Harlequin
Duck at Saltair, Salt Lake, UT, stayed to Dec.
7 (SCa, MS). Two female Barrow’s Gold¬
eneyes at Kanarraville Rest Area, UT Dec. 7
were the first for Iron (SS), and one

Winter waterfowl populations
have become extremely scarce
on the Great Salt Lake. Virtually no
birds could be found on the lake from
mid-December through the period. In a
normal winter from 5000-10,000 Com¬
mon and Barrow’s goldeneyes can be
seen along the Antelope I. Causeway,
and 50,000+ N. Shovelers along the s.
shore. On an early February trip to the s.
shore, the only bird within scope range
was a single Com. Goldeneye. The lake
ecosystem problems appear to be related
to over-harvesting of brine shrimp and
salinity imbalance, possibly caused by
the railroad causeway at Promontory
Point. It appears that as a result of these
adverse impacts to the lake’s ecosystem,
goldeneyes and other ducks usually on
the lake are being attracted to freshwater
systems elsewhere in Utah. This could
also explain why inter-mountain areas
within Colorado have shown marked
increases in wintering Barrow’s.

The Region's bird of the season was a female King Eider shot by a hunter at Carson Lake
December 6, 1998, constituting the first Nevada record. Photograph/Martin Meyers

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

187

dropped by Warm Cr. Bay, L. Powell, NV,
Feb. 1 (CL, LD).

The Region’s bird of the season was a
female King Eider shot by a hunter at
Carson L. Dec. 6 (JRh, ph. MM, GC), pro¬
viding the first Nevada record. A female
Black Scoter at Pueblo Res. Dec. 2 (BKP), a
White-winged along Antelope I. Causeway,
UT, Dec. 20 (SR), and two at N. Poudre Res.
#3, Larimer, CO, Dec. 12-19 (DCE, m.ob.)
were the only scoters reported.

RAPTORS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS

The 5th Utah Red-shouldered Hawk was

observed in Cedar Valley, Iron, Dec. 9
(P&SS). Also, single Red-shouldereds were
at Chatfield Res., Jefferson/Douglas, CO,
Dec. 18-Jan. 8 (CLW, JK, m.ob.) and in
Rocky Ford S.W.A., Otero, CO, Jan. 23-31
(BKP, TD, m.ob.). Single Peregrine Falcons
were at Rocky Ford S.W.A. Dec. 10 (SO),
Denver Jan. 2 (fide HEK), and Colorado
City, Pueblo, CO, Jan. 2 (DSi); a pair stayed
at Willard Bay State Park, UT, Dec. 2 (KE,

J Re, AS).

Single Soras were noted in Mesa, CO,
Dec. 20 (CD, RL) and at John Martin Res.,
Bent, CO, Feb. 18 (BKP, TD). Late Sandhill
Cranes in Colorado included six in Adams
Dec. 26 (SB, MJ) and one near Canon City,
Fremont, Jan. 31 (PG, LM).

A late Am. Avocet was at Quichapa L.,
Iron, UT, Dec. 19 (SDS). Other late shore-
birds in Colorado included a Greater
Yellowlegs at Boyd L., Larimer, Dec. 5 (PS);
a Solitary Sandpiper in Boulder Dec. 10
( BK); and three Spotted Sandpipers in Mesa
Dec. 20 (fide CD, RLe). A Spotted Sand¬
piper was also at Deer Creek Res., Wasatch,
UT, Feb. 28 (LL, MS, DWh). Two Dunlins
were at L. Henry, Crowley, CO, Dec. 6 (BKP,
MI) while one visited White Rocks, Boulder,
Dec. 20 (BK, PS, BP). An amazing 100-200
were in Box Elder Feb. 15 (L&RR, MS), per¬
haps the largest group of Dunlins ever
recorded in Utah. Rare in winter, 15
Marbled Godwits were at Bear R. Migratory
Bird Refuge, Box Elder, Dec. 18 (CW).

GULLS THROUGH TERMS

An early Franklin’s Gull was in Salt Creek
W.M.A., Box Elder, Feb. 6 (KE, JRe, AS). A
2nd-basic Mew Gull was reported from
Union Res., Weld, CO, Dec. 5 (BP, PS).
Colorado’s first Iceland Gull, a first-winter
bird, was observed on a frozen pond w. of
Pueblo Jan. 9-10 (RO, DQ, SC, TD, m.ob.).
A record number of Lesser Black-backed
Gulls was reported in Colorado this season:
an adult at Loveland Res., Larimer, Dec. 12
(NK); a 2nd-basic at Loveland Res. Dec.

12-13 (NK, PS); a adult-basic at Boulder
Res., Boulder, Dec. 17 (BK, AC, JV), which
may have been the same as the Loveland
Res. bird; a 4th-basic with pink legs at
Pueblo Res. Dec. 19-Jan. 16 (TL, m.ob.); an
adult-basic at Canon City Dec. 20 (BKP,
CLW, ph. TL); an adult-basic near Rocky
Ford Dec. 21 (TL, PG, SB); a 2nd-basic at
Douglas Res. (an. 6-9 (SJD); a 2nd-basic at
Pueblo Ian. 8 (MJ); a adult-basic at the
Great Plains Res. Feb. 7-20 (MJ, DN); and
an adult-basic at Windsor Res., Weld, CO,
Feb. 10 (SJD). A first-basic Glaucous¬
winged Gull was reported from Pueblo, CO,
Jan. 5 (BBH) and a first-basic at Bear R.,
UT, Jan. 9, (MS, MTh, m.ob.) and Feb. 15
(L&RR). At least ten Glaucous Gulls were
found in Colorado and seven in Utah this
season.

It appears that the usual ad. Great Black-
backed Gull returned to Pueblo Res., CO,
Dec. 23-Jan. 31 (CLW, JK, m.ob.). Other
Great Black-backeds included a 2nd-basic
bird also at Pueblo Res. Jan. 23 (BKP, TD);
an adult-basic, perhaps the Pueblo bird, at
the Great Plains Res. Feb. 18 (BKP, TD); and
one at L. Henry Feb. 20 (DSi, DJ). An unex¬
pected Sterna tern was reported at Barr L.,
Adams, CO, Dec. 3 (TD); there were previ¬
ously no winter reports for any terns in
Colorado.

DOVES THROUGH FINCHES

Band-tailed Pigeons again wintered at
Green Mt. Falls, Teller, CO, Jan. 5 (RB), and
two early individuals were in Woodland
Park, Teller, Feb. 22 (JJ). A record-high 34
Eur. Collared-Doves were counted in Rocky
Ford, CO, (v.o); and another 14 were in
Springfield, Baca, CO, Jan. 2-Feb. 20 (Dsv,
IS). A high count of 42 W. Screech-Owls
was tallied on the Grand Junction CBC,
CO, Dec. 20 (fide CD, RLe). Northern
Pygmy-Owls were reported from Palmer L„
El Paso, CO, Dec. 6 (BM); in Rist Canyon,
Larimer, CO, Dec. 31 (NK); and at
Glenwood Springs, Garfield, CO, Feb. 18
(VZ). Single Short-eared Owls were report¬
ed from Wellington S.W.A. , Larimer, CO,
Dec. 6-Jan. 23 (JRI, m.ob.); in Baca, CO,
Jan. 1 (TL, DSv); at Barr L., CO, Jan. 10
(TD); and at L. Cheraw, Otero, CO, Jan. 26
(DSi). Five Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers win¬
tered in e. Colorado. Rarely reported in
winter, a female Red-naped Sapsucker was
in Grand Junction Jan. 24 (RL). Also rare in
winter, three Williamson’s Sapsuckers were
found near Westcliffe, Custer, CO, Dec. 26
(MY). Three Say’s Phoebe were reported in
Colorado. Possibly a first county record, a
Blue Jay was in Meeker, Rio Blanco, CO,

Dec. 6 (CD, RLe, KP, TM), and eight were
reported from Utah. Rare in extreme e.
Colorado, a Bushtit was seen in Baca in
December (DSv) and four at Two Buttes
Res., Baca, Feb. 8 (DAL). Three Carolina
Wrens were reported in e. Colorado, and
single House Wrens were at Canon City,
Fremont, CO, Dec. 20 (PHu, m.ob.); at
Boulder Dec. 20 (PH); and along Hard
Scrabble Cr. at Pyramid L., Washoe, NV,
Feb. 13 (MM, GC, m.ob.). Western Blue¬
birds were found in late December in Baca,
CO (DSv), where they are rarely reported.
Wintering Hermit Thrushes included sin¬
gles in Mesa, CO, Dec. 20 (fide CD, RLe); at
Ft. Collins, CO, Dec. 24-26 (DAL); and e. of
Pueblo, CO, Jan. 3 (MJ, TL). In Colorado,
single male Varied Thrushes were reported
at El Dorado Springs, Boulder, Dec. 20
(MG, JC) and at Bonny Res., Yuma, Jan. 1
(PG, LM).

Single Gray Catbirds in Colorado were
at Rocky Ford S.W.A. Dec. 22-28 (CLW,
SO) and at Longmont, Boulder, Jan. 17
(SF). Three N. Mockingbirds were reported
in e. Colorado. Possibly two Brown Thrash¬
ers wintered near Cheyenne, WY (EL,
R&JD), and seven were reported from e.
Colorado. Bohemian Waxwings invaded
Colorado with high counts of 1000-4000 at
Sunset, Boulder, Jan. 28 (TVZ); others
included one near Canon City Dec. 20
(BKP, CLW), 20 at Pueblo Dec. 31 (BKP,
DSm), and 35 at Colorado City Jan. 31
(DSi). Rarely observed n. of Palmer Divide,
CO, in winter, a Loggerhead Shrike was at
Douglas Res. Dec. 8 (RK).

Two Pine Warblers were reported from
Colorado, a male at Ft. Collins Dec. 19-Jan.
14 (BC, m.ob.) and one in Boulder Dec. 20
(E&PP). Last fall’s N. Parula at Willard Bay
S. P., UT, stayed to Dec. 2 (m. ob.). An unex¬
pected female American Redstart was
reported from Colorado Springs, CO, Dec.
3-4 (WW), providing the first winter
record for Colorado. A late Com.
Yellowthroat was at Rocky Ford S.W.A., CO,
Dec. 13 (BKP, MJ, SO). A female W. Tanager
stayed at a suet-feeder in Holladay, Salt
Lake, UT, Jan. 22-Feb. 14 (JB). An unex¬
pected male Rose- Breasted Grosbeak was
observed in Orem, Utah, UT, Dec. 2 (CP),
and a male Black-headed Grosbeak was at a
feeder in Manitou Springs, El Paso, CO,
Dec. 20-23 (RS). Rare in winter, Green¬
tailed Towhee reports included one in
Morgan, UT, Dec. 12-Feb. 28 (AS); one in
Boulder, CO, Dec. 17 (BK, AC); and up to
two at South Platte R. Park, Jefferson, CO,
Dec. 19-Feb. 13 (DSc, m.ob.). A surprising
wintering/ resident group of four Rufous-

188

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

mountain west

crowned Sparrows was discovered near
Canon City, CO, Dec. 20-Feb. 21 (DSi, DJ,
m.ob.); the birds were in preferred habitat,
farther west than normal. Utah’s first Field
Sparrow was reported from Lindon Boat
Harbor, Utah, Ian. 9-Feb. 27(MW, m.ob.).
In Colorado, single Field Sparrows were at
Red Rocks Trading Post, Jefferson, Jan. 23
(GP) and in Wheat Ridge, Jefferson, Feb. 22
(TD).

A Lark Bunting, Colorado’s migratory
state bird, frequented a feeder in Canon
City from November to Dec. 20 (v.t. BA),
the first winter record away from Baca. A
Savannah Sparrow was reported from Ft.
Carson, El Paso, CO, Jan. 12 (RB). Rarely
reported from Utah, a Swamp Sparrow was
at Lindon Sewage Treatment, Utah, Feb. 28
(CC, DG, JVM), and one was at Henderson
Bird Preserve, Clark, NV, Jan. 23 (SDS,
PRS). Five White-throateds were reported
in Utah and one in Nevada. Approximately
10 Harris’s Sparrows were reported from
the Great Basin this winter. An imm.
Golden-crowned Sparrow was photograph¬
ed at Wellington, CO, Dec. 18-Feb. 17 (ph.
S&KM, m.ob.).

Winter reports of McCown’s Longspurs
included four in Otero, CO, Dec. 21 (MJ,
TL, PG, SB); seven at Townsend Res., El
Paso, CO, Jan. 25 (BM); one at L. Henry,
CO, Jan. 31 (MJ); and nine at Haymes Res.,
El Paso, CO, Feb. 5 (BM). Rare in Utah, a
Lapland Longspur was at Utah L. Dec. 24
(SH) and Jan. 2 (B8cEH), and two were
observed along the Antelope I. Causeway
Dec. 25 (TW). Five Chestnut-collared
Longspurs were reported at the Lincoln/El
Paso lines, CO, Feb. 6 (RB); two males at Big
Johnson Res., El Paso, CO, Feb. 6 (DE); and
15 at the Great Plains Res., CO, Feb. 21
(TL). Single brown-plumaged Purple
Finches were in Ft. Collins, CO, Jan. 8 (TD,
JRI) and in Coal Cr. Canyon, Jefferson, CO,
Jan. 24-27 (PH). Approximately 85 Lesser
Goldfinches were reported on both sides of
the Rockies in Colorado. If accepted, Utah’s
first Hoary Redpoll was reported from
Hyde Park, Cache, Feb. 26 (L&RR).

CORRIGENDUM

The Barred Owl reported last fall as hit by a
train in n.e. Colorado was apparently hit in
Nebraska and dropped off at a rehab center
in Colorado.

Cited Observers: Bob Abbott, Jim Bailey,
Joel 8c Kathy Beyer (J8cKB), David Bolton,
Sue Bonfield, Ann Bonnell, Leon Bright,
Richard Bunn, Steve Carr (SCa), Sherry
Chapman (SC), Jack Collam (JC), Brian

Colon (BC), Alan Condie (ACo), Andy
Cowell (AC), Calleen Cox, Alex 8c June
Crigan (A8<JC), Ruth Carol Cushman
(RCC), Jim Dennis, Coen Dexter, Bob
Dickson, Lara Dickson, Todd Dilley,
Stephen J. Dinsmore, David Elwonger,
David C. Ely (DCE), Norm Erthal, Keith
Evans, Doug Faulkner, Steve Fyre, Peter
Gaede, Merrill Gilfillan, Bob Goycoolea,
Dana Green, BB Hahn (BBH), Paula
Hansley (PH), Dona Hilkey, Joe Himmel,
Sue Hinde, Beula 8c Ed Hinckley (B8cEH),
Evelyn Horn, Paul Hurtado (PHu), Mark
Janos, Dave Johnson, Jeff Jones, Bill
Kaempfer, Joey Kellner, Hugh E. Kingery,
Rachel Kolokoff, Nick Komar, Ron
Lambeth (RL), Chuck LaRue, David A.
Leatherman, William P. Lisowsky, Tony
Leukering, Rich Levad (Rle), Laura
Lockhart (LL), Joe Mammoser, Lisa
Marchet, Steve 8c Kathy Martin (S8c KM),
Gary Matthews, Tom Moran, Bill Maynard,
Se Etta Moss (SM), Daune Nelson, Ric
Olson, Stan Oswald, Christian Peay,
Brandon K. Percival (BKP), Eric 8c Peter
Plage, Myron 8c Suzi Plooster, Kim Potter,
Bill Prather (BP), Dave Quesenberry, Sue
Reehm, Jack Rensel ( JRe), Justin Rink (JRi),
Cal Robbins, Joe Roller (JRo), Ron A. Ryder
(RAR), Larry 8c Ron Ryel L8cRR), Ira
Sanders (ISa), Pearle Sandstrom-Smith
(PSS), Rosemary Scheuering (RS), Dick
Schottler (DSc), Scott Severs (SS), David
Silverman (DS), Arnold Smith, Clif Smith
(CS), Drew Smith (DSm), John Spence, Dee
8c Mark Stackhouse (D8c MS), Priscilla 8c
Steve Summers (SSu), Dan Svingen (DSv),
Ila Svingen (IS), Paul Sweet (PS), Janeal
Thompson, Michael Thompson (MTh),
Mary Tucey (MT), Richard Tucey,
TimTucey, John Vanderpoel (JV), Julie
VanMoorhem (JVM), Alan Versaw, Jim 8c
Rosie Watts (J8c RW), Merrill Webb
(MWe), Duane Weber (DW), Jeff Webster
(JW), Cliff Weisse (CW), David Wheeler
.(DWh), Tom Williams, Walt Wilson,
Christopher L. Wood (CLW), Marvin
Woolf (MWo), Mark Yaeger, Tom Van
Zandt, Vic Zerbi.

Van A. Truan, 1901 Court Street, Pueblo, CO
81003 (Van.A.Truan@spa02.usace.army.mil)

and Brandon K. Percival, 835 Harmony
Drive, Pueblo West, CO 81007

Birders’

Exchange

We’ll breathe new life
into your old optics,
other birding equipment,
and books!
Cooperating with
Manomet Center
for Conservation Sciences,
ABA is gathering
used birding equipment
that Manomet matches
with requirements
of those doing bird
conservation research
in Latin America
and the Caribbean.
You can help by donating
your used equipment,
funds, or by acting
as a courier.

♦

Contact
Paul Green

(800/850-2473) at ABA
if you would like to help
or need more information.

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

189

arizona region

GARY H. ROSENBERG
and CHRIS BENESH

Abbreviations: A.B.C. (Arizona Bird Commit¬
tee); B.A.N.W.R. (Buenos Aires N.W.R.); L.C.R.V.
(Lower Colorado R. Valley); G.F.P. (Gila Farms
Pond); M.F.L. (Many Farms L); N.I.R. (Navajo
Indian Reservation); P.A.P. (Pinal Air Park);
P.R.D. (Painted Rock Dam); S.C.R. (Santa Cruz
R.); S.P.R. (San Pedro R.); S.T.P. (Sewage
Treatment Plant); S.S.V. (Sulphur Springs Valley);
W.S.F. (Western Sod Farm).

GREBES THROUGH NEW WORLD
VULTURES

The Least Grebe photographed at Willcox
during the fall season was relocated there
Dec. 19 (D. Pearson et al.) and was seen
sporadically through Jan. 10 (RH), repre¬
senting only the 3rd documented record
during the past 20 years. Although regular
in small numbers in winter at lakes along
the Colorado R„ 21 Horned Grebes at L.
Powell Feb. 1 (CL, JSp) represented an
exceptionally high count for Arizona.
Western Grebes lingered into the winter at a
few of the larger ponds and lakes in the s.e.
portion of the state; four remained at
Patagonia L. through Dec. 28 (MS), and
two were at a pond along the S.C.R. in
Tucson as late as Jan. 8 (MS).

Eight Am. White Pelicans near Antelope
I. on L. Powell Dec. 16 (CL et al.) were
rather late for that region as was one linger¬
ing at Willow L. near Prescott to at least
Dec. 16 (W. Bull, CT). Also, as many as five
were present Jan. 28-Feb. 28 at Picacho Res.
(GH et al.) where this species has not been
known to winter. A wayward Brown Pelican
was seen at Horseshoe L. Feb. 6 (RP); there
are very few mid-winter records away from
P.R.D. A very high count of 211 Snowy

Egrets was made along the Gila R. w. of
Phoenix Dec. 30 ( fide TC). Two exception¬
ally high counts of Great Egrets were
reported from the Phoenix area: 349 pre¬
sent along the Gila R. w. of Phoenix Dec. 30
{fide TC); and 85 at a pond in Sun Lakes
Jan. 24 (MS). Also noteworthy, three Great
Egrets overwintered in the Prescott region
(CT). Twenty Cattle Egrets were at a pond
in Nogales Dec. 4 (JBo); this species is con¬
sidered casual in this region during winter.
Two White-faced Ibis, a casual winter visi¬
tor in s.e. Arizona, were at Picacho Res. Jan.
31 (MS); another was present at Granite Cr.
to at least Jan. 10 (CT), providing the first
winter record for Yavapai. A Black Vulture
in downtown Sierra Vista Jan. 18-22 (D.
Danforth) was well e. of this species’ nor¬
mal distribution in s.e. Arizona.

SWANS THROUGH MERGANSERS

Two Trumpeter Swans were seen along the
Colorado R. at the bottom of the Grand
Canyon Jan. 8 & 22 (CL, NB, L. Neimi);
these individuals, it was learned, were win¬
tering birds from a transplanted population
along the Green R. in Wyoming. All Arizona
sightings are suspected of being individuals
from transplanted populations. No fewer
than six different Greater White-fronted
Geese were seen during the period; one at
Page Jan. 26 (CL, S. Davidson) probably rep¬
resented only the 2nd winter record for n.
Arizona. A greater-than-usual number of
reports (17) were received for small flocks of
Snow Geese at scattered localities with high
counts of 48 along the Verde R. n.e. of
Phoenix Dec. 18 (M. Chew, T. Stadel) and 44
at Willcox Feb. 22 (SM). Ross’s Geese were
also seen in greater-than-usual numbers
around the state (about 36 individuals) with
unusually high concentrations of eight at L.
Havasu City Jan. 31-Feb. 1 (MS) and 13 at
Willcox Feb. 22 (SM). Two were at Nogales
S.T.P. Dec. 27 through at least Ian. 21,
including an incredible “blue-morph” Ross’s
(MP, ph. MS, PL), representing the first doc¬
umented record of this form. Three differ¬
ent small “Cackling-type” Canada Geese
were reported; one was present at Page Dec.
14 through the period (CL), one was at Kino
Springs in Nogales Dec. 29— Feb. 20 (MP et
al., ph. MS), and one returned (never left?)
to Wellton Jan. 15-19 (PL, RH).

Two female-plumaged Blue-winged Teal
were at Sweetwater Wetlands in Tucson
Dec. 2 (JN), and six were at the nearby
Roger Road S.T.P. Jan. 14 (MS); this species
is still considered casual in s.e. Arizona dur¬
ing winter. Two different male Eur. Wigeons
were found again this winter in the
Phoenix/Scottsdale area, and a female was
well described from Nogales Dec. 28 (MP).
Although we received a couple of reports of
a “pure” Eur. Wigeon from Willcox, the only
physical documentation provided referred
to a definite hybrid American x Eurasian
Wigeon present there throughout the peri¬
od (ph. MS).

Extraordinary concentrations (for Ari¬
zona) of Canvasbacks were reported at a
number of localities; high counts included
163 on Kingfisher Pond along the upper
S.P.R. Jan. 14 (S. Dinsmore, D. Ely) and 195
on a pond at Gilbert Jan. 17 (RJ). At least
one female Greater Scaup was at the
Sweetwater Wetlands Dec. 16-28 (MS).
Virtually every pond or lake in the Region
hosted Com. Goldeneyes this winter, par¬
ticularly during December and January,
with at least 20 different reports received;
the individual sightings are too many to list,
but one incredible concentration of at least
2200 was found in Glen Canyon during
surveys conducted Jan. 8 (CL, JSp). A nice
count of at least 61 Barrow’s Goldeneyes
was made at Glen Canyon Jan. 2 (CL, RR),
but more significant was a female found in
the bottom of the Grand Canyon Jan. 11
(CL), providing a first local record for this
species.

A Surf Scoter at P.R.D. Dec. 6-13 (RJ,
SG) provided one of the few December
records for Maricopa. Two White-winged
Scoters at Willcox Jan. 16 (M. Martin et al.)
represented only the 2nd January record
from s.e. Arizona. Two Oldsquaws were
found, one below Glen Canyon Dam Jan. 2
(CL, RR) and the other below Parker Dam
Jan. 31 (ph. MS); this species has proven to
be nearly annual below the major dams
along the Colorado R. during winter. A
slighty above-average number of Red¬
breasted Mergansers was found, particular¬
ly along the L.C.R.V. Of more interest,
though, were single birds along the S.C.R.,
Tucson, Dec. 6-7 (MS) and at Roper Lake
S.P. Dec. 27 (MP) This species is casual at
best anywhere in s.e. Arizona during winter.

190

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

KITES THROUGH GULLS

The only White-tailed Kites reported were
one w. of Three Points Dec. 12 (L. Liese) and
another at the Arivaca Cienega Feb. 3 (D.
Flower). Two Zone-tailed Hawks in Tucson,
one Jan. 29 ( JH) and the other Feb. 19 (V.
McKennon), were both likely very early
northbound migrants. Single Crested
Caracaras were seen away from known areas
of regular occurrence: one near Elfrida Dec.
5 (GR), one near Friendly Corners Dec. 25
(MS), one flying over the Phoenix Zoo (P.
Warren: fide RJ), and another at the P.A.P.
pecan grove Jan. 17-19 (JN).

Five Snowy Plovers at P.R.D. Dec. 6,
three remaining until Jan. 14 (RJ, PL), pro¬
vided only the 3rd winter record for Mari¬
copa. A Semipalmated Plover there Dec.
13-20 (JyWi) also provided a 3rd winter
county record. Until recently, Black-necked
Stilt was considered a rare winter visitor to s.
Arizona; this season provided further evi¬
dence that the winter status of this species
has certainly changed in recent years with at
least 46 present along the S.C.R. in Tucson
(MS), at least four present at Picacho Res.
Dec. 25-Jan. 31 (MS), and another 17 seen
at the Central Arizona College near Casa
Grande Jan. 24 (MS). Three Am. Avocets
were along the S.C.R. in Tucson Dec. 6-Jan.
28 (MS); this species is casual in s.e. Arizona
during winter. Also casual during this sea¬
son is Lesser Yellowlegs; this winter one was
along the S.C.R. in Tucson Jan. 20 through
the period (PL; ph. MS), and another was in
Gilbert Feb. 20. (RJ).

No fewer than 10 individual Dunlin,
usually casual at best, were seen around s.
Arizona this winter, including one as far
north as Granite Cr. through Dec. 20 (CT)
that provided the first Yavapai winter
record. Western Sandpipers lingered into
the end of December in greater-than-usual
numbers at a variety of locations in s.
Arizona; exceptional were four at P.R.D. as
late as Jan. 14 (PL) and another five along
the S.C.R. in Tucson Jan. 28 (MS). One of
the better water birds of the season was a
well-described ad. Mew Gull at Bullhead
City Jan. 29 ( J. Pike); there were about 10
previous state records.

DOVES THROUGH WOODPECKERS

An amazing 16 individual Ruddy Ground-
Doves were seen during the period; this
species has become so regular during winter
that the A.B.C. recently removed it from the
review list.

A male Broad-billed Hummingbird
found in Prescott Oct. 20 remained until
Dec. 20 (S. Roman, V. Miller, CT), providing

the 2nd documented record for Yavapai. Of
interest was a Violet-crowned Humming¬
bird that apparently wintered near Portal
(AC, NMC); there are very few winter
records away from Tucson, Patagonia, and
Bisbee. Three male Anna’s Hummingbirds
seen at the bottom of the Grand Canyon
Jan. 16-17 (CL) were n. of this species’ nor¬
mal range in the state. Another sign of a
mild winter were four different overwinter¬
ing Elegant Trogons in s. Arizona.

Three different Yellow-bellied Sapsuck-
ers were found, one at Reid Park in Tucson
Dec. 20-Jan. 3 (JBo, MS), one male at To-
pock Feb. 1 (MS), and another male at the
bottom of the Grand Canyon Feb. 12 (RR,
CL et al.); this species is still casual anywhere
in the state during the winter.

One of the more confounding identifica¬
tion problems in Arizona involves the sepa¬
ration of Red-breasted Sapsuckers ( daggetti
females?) from presumed hybrids between
Red-breasted and Red-naped sapsuckers
( daggetti x nuchalis), as adequate informa¬
tion concerning the variation within Red¬
breasted and criteria useful in identifying
hybrids has yet to be adequately addressed
in the literature. This winter two individuals
fell into this gray area of field identification:
a bird videotaped at Texas Canyon Jan. 3
(M. Edwards, v.t. CDB) and another pho¬
tographed on Mt. Lemmon Feb. 24 (M.
Kehl; ph. MS). The only N. “Yellow-shafted”
Flickers reported were singles near Paulden
Dec. 2-31 (P. Govendich,/ideCT) and along
the S.P.R. near Hereford Dec. 13 (SH).

FLYCATCHERS
THROUGH THRASHERS

The only report of Greater Pewee was a sin¬
gle bird in Tucson Dec. 20 through the peri¬
od (JBo). Exceptionally rare in winter in the
Prescott region, a Hammond’s Flycatcher
was present through the period at Granite
Dells (CT). Rather remarkable was a Gray
Flycatcher reported from RM208 in the
Grand Canyon Feb. 21 (CL, RR); this likely
represents the first winter record for n.
Arizona. Dusky Flycatchers were widely
reported. Of particular interest was one
found rather far west near Tacna Jan. 15-19
(PL) and another one rather far north
along the Verde R. Dec. 18 (TC). Very rare
in winter, a Pacific-slope Flycatcher was
observed at the Hassayampa R. Preserve
Jan. 31 (RJ). The only report of E. Phoebe
involved one near Carefree Dec. 28 (W.
Thurber). Fifteen Vermilion Flycatchers in
the Tacna- Wellton region Jan. 14—15 (PL,
RH) furnished a high concentration for
winter. Exceptionally rare in winter, a

Thick-billed Kingbird was photographed in
Parker Feb. 2 (ph. MS).

A N. Shrike at Gray Mt. Jan. 6 (CL) pro¬
vided the only report and represented a
below-average showing for this species in
the state. As was the case last winter, there
were a greater-than-normal number of
Barn Swallow reports: one was at the Avra
Valley S.T.P. Dec. 7 (MS); two were at Gil¬
bert Dec. 28 (RJ); 10 were in Tacna Jan. 14
(PL); and one was still present at Gilbert
Jan. 17 (RJ). Rather remarkable was a sing¬
ing Hutton’s Vireo in the Grand Canyon at
RM204 Feb. 21 (CL, RR et al.), the first
record for n. Arizona.

Four House Wrens were found in the
lower Grand Canyon Jan. 17-18 (CL, NB),
with another there Feb. 21 (RR); these rep¬
resent the first winter reports for the Grand
Canyon though further investigation may
prove them to be regular there in winter.
Winter Wrens lived up to their name, being
found in numerous locations and in high-
er-than-normal numbers, with the first
sightings coming in late November. A
female Black-capped Gnatcatcher was dis¬
covered in Chino Canyon Feb. 23 and
remained through the period (tape RH et
al.); a problematic male, resembling the
bird present in 1997, was discovered there
Feb. 27 (RH).

Five Rufous-backed Robins provided a
better-than-average showing for this
species; singles were at B.T.A. Nov. 18-Jan.
25 (J. Bartley), along the upper S.P.R. near
Hereford Dec. 5-Jan. 2 (I. Levine, J. Levine,
m.ob., v.t. CDB), at Central Arizona College
Dec. 7 through the period (A. Willcox,
m.ob.), at Oak Flat Jan. 2-Feb. 3 (BD), and
at Pena Blanca L. Feb. 3 through the period
(B. Jenkins). Rare in winter, single Varied
Thrushes included one at B.T.A. Dec. 17-28
{fide SGa); one at Sycamore Res., Santa
Catalina Mts., Dec. 26 (JBo); and one in
Marana Jan. 24-29 (C. Greene, ph. MS).

There was some rare mimids reported,
including a Gray Catbird in Madera Can¬
yon Jan. 2 through the period (JN, m.ob.)
and another at Beaver Dam Wash in n.w.
Arizona Jan. 9 (S. Summers). Brown
Thrasher reports included one that win¬
tered at B.T.A. (J. Bartley), one along the
S.C.R. Dec. 20-Jan. 7 (JHa, M. Patton,
m.ob.), one along Sonoita Cr. in Patagonia
Jan. 1 (JN, RH), and one along Proctor Rd.,
Madera Canyon, Jan. 24 through the period
(JHa). A Crissal Thrasher found in Page
Dec. 19 (JSp) remained through mid-Janu¬
ary; there are very few winter records for n.
Arizona.

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

191

OLIVE WARBLER
THROUGH COWBIRDS

Olive Warblers were reported in greater-
than-normal numbers; ten spent the winter
in Cave Cr. Canyon, Chiricahua Mts. (DJa),
and two were seen rather far from breeding
habitat in French Joe Canyon Feb. 15 (B.
Norton). Quite a surprise was a well-
described Blue-winged Warbler found near
the Mexico border in lower Sycamore
Canyon Dec. 20 (AF, S. Mills). Casual in
winter, a N. Parula was in s.w. Phoenix Dec.
30-Jan. 1. Three Chestnut-sided Warblers
furnished an average showing with singles
in s.w. Phoenix Jan. 17 (CBa, fiB), Scottsdale
Jan. 22 (S. Eyden), and Phoenix Feb. 9-10
(T. Cordery et al.). The Cape May Warbler
found in e. Tucson in late November
remained until Dec. 3 ( JHa). Arizona’s 7th
Pine Warbler was discovered at Sweetwater
Wetlands, Tucson, Jan. 23-26(TC, ph. MS).
Rare in winter, a Yellow Warbler at Indian
Bend Wash Dec. 27 (CDB, M. Edwards) and
another at Granite Cr. Dells Dec. 19-20
(CT) provided the first winter records for
the Prescott region. Two Black-and-white
Warbler reports were received, with one
along the Verde R. Dec. 18 (TC) and anoth¬
er one at Indian Bend Wash Feb. 28 ( fide
SGa); this species is rare in winter. Quite
surprising was the Worm-eating Warbler

visiting a backyard birdbath in Phoenix
Dec. 17 (ph. B. Grossi).

Casual in winter, single N. Water-
thrushes were in s.w. Phoenix Jan. 4 (RJ,
SGa) and at the Walnut Cr. ranger station
Feb. 2 (B. Pranter). The Louisiana Water-
thrush reported from Sycamore Canyon this
past fall was actually found by Curtis Smith
and Sue Carnahan Nov. 28; this casual visi¬
tor remained through the winter. A Com.
Yellowthroat present in the Grand Canyon
Jan. 10-Feb. 14 (CL et al.) may represent the
first winter record for n. Arizona. Quite rare
during the winter season, single Hooded
Warblers were found in Oak Cr. Canyon
Dec. 17 ( D. Herron) and in s.w. Phoenix
Jan. 3 (fide SGa). Indicative of the mild win¬
ter, a single Wilson’s Warbler was at
Patagonia L. Jan. 3 (P. Salomon); two more
seen along the S.C.R. near Marana Feb. 24
(RH) may have been very early spring arri¬
vals. The Rufous-capped Warbler found
along the upper S.P.R. in November
remained until Dec. 30 (m.ob.). Amazingly,
a 2nd Rufous-capped Warbler was found in
Sycamore Canyon Dec. 23 (ph. GHR, v.t.
CDB) in the precise spot where one held ter¬
ritory in 1994; there are still fewer than 10
state records. A Yellow-breasted Chat win¬
tered at B.T.A. for the 3rd consecutive win¬
ter (B. Koenig et al.).

Very rare in winter, a W. Tanager was
reported from w. of Buckeye Dec. 30 (M.
Fibel). A Green-tailed Towhee in Page Dec.
10-25 (J. Alston, JSp) was noteworthy; this
species is considered accidental in winter in
n. Arizona. A Chipping Sparrow in the
Grand Canyon Jan. 18 (CL) represents one
of the first winter records for n. Arizona.
Seven Clay-colored Sparrows were reported
from s.e. Arizona Dec. 4— Jan. 30. Arizona’s
3rd documented Field Sparrow (and the
first for s. Arizona) was discovered by Curtis
Smith while he was searching for other
nearby rarities at the San Pedro R. Inn s. of
Hereford Dec. 12; this rarity was well docu¬
mented with photos and written descrip¬
tions (ph. MS, ph. GHR, CDB, SM, nr. ob.)
and was last seen Feb. 21.

Lark Buntings are rare in n. Arizona dur¬
ing migration, but one found in Page Feb. 9
(C. Goetze) was remarkable. Greater-than-
normal numbers of Fox Sparrows were
reported from s. Arizona this winter. Rare in
Arizona, three Harris’s Sparrows were
reported, with one at a South Mt. park resi¬
dence Dec. 28 through the period (L.
Shaberly), a 2nd at Picacho Res. Feb. 13 (D.
Pearson), and a 3rd at the Prescott S.T.P.,
also Feb. 13 (CT). A male Black-headed
Grosbeak w. of Prescott Dec. 6 through the
period (E. Lovejoy) provided the 2nd winter
record for Yavapai. Bronzed Cowbirds are
very localized in winter in Arizona, but this
winter they were reported from a number of
locations; two were in Roll Jan. 15 (PL, RH),
eight were in Wellton (PL, RH), and six were
seen w. of Douglas Feb. 22 (SM).

Contributors (area compilers in boldface);

Charlie Babbitt, Jerry Bock, Hank Brodkin,
Nikolle Brown, Jim Burns (JiB), Alan Craig,
John Coons (Flagstaff), Troy Corman, Rich
Ditch, Aaron Flesch, Steve Ganley (SGa), Jay
Hand (Tucson), Stuart Healy, George
Hentz, Rich Hoyer, Dave Jasper (Portal),
Roy Jones, Dave Krueper (Sierra Vista),
Steve Mlodinow, Narca Moore-Craig,
Jeremy Nance, Richard Palmer, Mike Patten,
Roger Radd (Cottonwood), John Spence,
John Spencer (Globe), Dave Stejskal, Mark
Stevenson (Tucson), Carl S. Tomoff
(Prescott), Jack Whetstone (Sierra Vista),
Sheri Williamson, Jay Withgott (JyWi),
Janet Witzeman (Phoenix), Robert
Witzeman, Tom Wood.

Gary H. Rosenberg, P.0. Box 91856,
Tucson, AZ 85752-1856 (garyhr@rtd.com), and
Chris D. Benesh, 4308 E. Poe St., Tucson, AZ
85711 (cbenesh@rtd.com)

North American Birds

[Field Notes]

• Tap into North America’s largest
birder network

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192

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

new mexico region

SARTOR 0. WILLIAMS III

ew Mexico’s birds and birders experi¬
enced one of the warmest and driest
winters on record. The mild conditions
allowed many waterbirds, raptors, thrushes,
mimids, and other groups to linger late,
overwinter in numbers, or return early,
with only sparrows and finches exhibiting
generally low numbers.

Abbreviations: B.L.N.W.R. (Bitter Lake N.W.R.);
Bosque N.W.R. (Bosque del Apache N.W.R.);
E.B.L. (Elephant Butte L); R.G.N.C. (Rio Grande
Nature Center, Albuquerque); R.G.V. (Rio
Grande Valley); Zuni (Zuni Indian Reservation).

LOOMS THROUGH DUCKS

Lingering from autumn was a Red-throat¬
ed Loon at Sumner L. Dec. 28-29 (JO, JEP).
A good season for Pacific Loons found sin¬
gles at Sumner L. Dec. 28-Jan. 10 (JEP, JO,
J&M Hirth) and Conchas L. Jan. 10-23 (JO,
JEP), and two at Brantley L. Dec. 26-Jan. 1 1
(DE, CR, SW). New Mexico’s 8th and 9th
Yellow-billed Loons were singles at Ute L.
Dec. 27-Jan. 10 (JEP, ph. JO) and Conchas
L. Jan. 10-Feb. 14 (v.o., ph. JO). A Red¬
necked Grebe at Farmington L. Jan. 4—1 1
(JEP, ph. TR, JO) furnished only the 2nd
confirmed New Mexico record. Small num¬
bers of Am. White Pelicans overwintered in
the Caballo, Roswell, and Carlsbad areas
(v.o.); early for the north were six at
Tucumcari L. Feb. 13 (JO) and nine at
Bluewater L. Feb. 14 (BP). The last of
autumn’s Brown Pelicans were three at
E.B.L. Dec. 4 (JEP) and one at Brantley L.
Dec. 8 (SW). North were 13 Neotropic Cor¬
morants at La Joya Feb. 7 (BV); noteworthy
for the Pecos Valley were singles near
Carlsbad Dec. 6 (JO) and Feb. 5-27 (SW).
Notoriously difficult to find in winter, a

cooperative Am. Bittern entertained many
at Bosque N.W.R. Jan. 1 1 —Feb. 2 (v.o., ph.
BZ, JO). Taking advantage of mild condi¬
tions, several Great and Snowy egrets over¬
wintered in the Rio Grande and Pecos val¬
leys. Lingering Green Herons included one
n. to Espanola Dec. 20 (JT, BF) and two at
Albuquerque Dec. 20 (HS). Unusual for
mid-winter were five White-faced Ibises at
Bosque N.W.R. Jan. 10-11 (ph. BZ).

New Mexico continued to do its part to
promote the continental overpopulation of
Snow Geese with some 21,000 at Bosque
N.W.R. (SC) and 6600 at B.L.N.W.R. (GW)
in December; not far behind were 6127
Ross’s Geese at B.L.N.W.R. Dec. 4 (GW).
With only 3 previous New Mexico records,
the discovery of a “Black” Brant among
some 10,000 Canada Geese at Clayton L.
Dec. 28-29 (DE, D. Svingen, JEP, ph. JO)
precipitated additional scrutiny of goose
flocks in Union , with resulting reports of a
probable “White-bellied” Brant at Clayton
L. Jan. 10 (L. Gorbet) & 18 (SW) and e„ of
Clayton Jan. 24 (JO) and Feb. 6 (BN, DE).
At least one Mute Swan continued to haunt
the Caballo L. area Dec. 4 and Jan. 31 (JO).
A fair season for Tundra Swans found two
near Farmington Dec. 25 (TR); two near
Dilia, Guadalupe , Jan. 15 (G. Olsen); one-
two at Conchas L. Jan. 1-16 (v.o.); and
seven at Ute L. Dec. 27 (JO). Wood Ducks
continued to increase in numbers and
range, including peripheral areas such as
Texico, which hosted 21 Woodies Dec. 27
(CR). Another good Eur. Wigeon season
produced singles at R.G.N.C. Dec. 31 (DE,
JEP), Roswell Dec. 19 (SB), and near
Carlsbad Dec. 1 (SW); an albino Am. Wig-
eon was at Clovis Dec. 28 (ph. JO). Far
north was a well-described “Mexican” Duck
at Bluewater L. Dec. 20 (CR). The mild
conditions allowed Cinnamon Teal to per¬
sist at several sites, including six at
B.L.N.W.R. Jan. 8 (GW), two near Carlsbad
Jan. 10 (SW), and one at E.B.L. Jan. 18 (D.
Ely, S. Dinsmore). Greater Scaup were at 8
sites, but maxima were only three each at
Clayton L. Dec. 28 (LH) and Conchas L.
Jan. 16 (WH, DE, BN).

An ad. male White-winged Scoter
graced Farmington L. Jan. 16-Feb. 6 (ph.
TR, JO), where there was also an Oldsquaw
Jan. 5-11 (JEP, JO, ph. TR). Other Old-
squaws were singles at Cochiti L. Feb. 28

(WH), Brantley L. Dec. 26 (DE, CR), and L.
Avalon Dec. 30 (JO). Although regular in
winter on the San Juan R. below Navajo
Dam, Barrow’s Goldeneyes arc extremely
rare away from there, so notable were a
male at Conchas L. Jan. 16-23 (WH, JEP,
JO) and a male and female at B.L.N.W.R.
Dec. 19 (GW, J. Wells); one at Farmington
L. Dec. 19-Jan. 26 (TR) provided a local
first. The three mergansers were widespread
and relatively numerous, topped by an esti¬
mated 10,000 Commons churning the
waters of Caballo L. Jan. 2 (BN, DE) &. 9
(BZ).

RAPTORS THROUGH GULLS

Rare in winter, an Osprey in the Caballo-
Percha area Dec. 4 (JEP) & 18 (DE) was still
there Jan. 9 (BZ); another was at E.B.L. Dec.
4-5 (JEP, JO) and Jan. 29-30 (JEP). A
White-tailed Kite was in the s. Animas Valley
Dec. 27 (M. Patten). North in the R.G.V.
were up to four Harris’s Hawks near Wil¬
liamsburg Jan. 21 and Feb. 27 (S. Dobrott).
One-three Rough-legged Hawks were s. to
the Animas Valley (AC, NMC), Derning
(LM), Las Cruces (S. Sermay), and Carlsbad
(SW). Merlins were conspicuous all season
with one-four at 33 locales statewide. The
only January Peregrine Falcon was at
Sunland Park Jan. 2 (JNP).

Montezuma Quail are easily overlooked;
this season produced five in the Peloncillo
Mts. Jan. 3 (AC), six in the Animas Mts.
Dec. 24 (AC, NMC), and 15 in the Sacra¬
mento Mts. Dec. 2 (fide AP). Far north was
a Com. Moorhen at Santa Rosa Jan. 12
(WW). A record 350 Sandhill Cranes were
in the Cliff— Gila Valley Dec. 5 (RF). The
experimental Whooping Crane population
that winters in New Mexico was down to
three birds (plus one hybrid) this season (J.
Taylor). Late were 17 Snowy Plovers at
Laguna Grande, Eddy, Dec. 6 (SW). As
usual, Mt. Plovers were absent from New
Mexico, but 18 wintered just to the south
near Janos, Chihuahua, Mexico, January 3
(CM). A Black-necked Stilt spent the season
at B.L.N.W.R. (GW et al.). Early were five
Am. Avocets at Lordsburg Playa Feb. 13
(SW). Several Greater Yellowlegs overwin¬
tered in the south; notably n. were singles at
Bluewater I.. Jan. 16 (ph. DC) and Puerto de
Luna Feb. 7 (JO). Early were two Long-

V0LUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

193

billed Curlews near Carlsbad Feb. 24 (SW);
a remarkable 213 curlews were in n.
Chihuahua near Janos Jan. 3 (CM).

Among the numerous lingering sand¬
pipers were a Sanderling near Loving Dec. 6
(SW), a Stilt Sandpiper at Brantley L. Dec. 8
(SW), and 27 Long-billed Dowitchers at
B.L.N.W.R. Jan. 8 (SB, fide GW). Dunlins
found the Pecos Valley to their liking with
eight at B.L.N.W.R. Dec. 6 (JO) increasing
to 10-11 there Dec. 30 and Jan. 29 (GW);
another eight were near Loving Dec. 6
(SW).

Late were single Franklin’s Gulls at
Sunland Park Dec. 5 & 8 ( JNP). Bonaparte’s
Gulls were unusually prevalent in the Rio
Grande and Pecos valleys in December
(v.o.); 50 near Carlsbad Jan. 22 (SW) were
the last of the season. Well-documented
was an ad. Mew Gull at Conchas L. Jan. 16
(WH) 8c 23 (JEP, ph. JO); other Mews were
a 2nd-winter at upper E.B.L. Dec. 30 ( WW)
and a first-winter at Caballo L. Jan. 3 (JNP,
BZ). Noteworthy California Gulls were four
at Farmington L. Jan. 6 (TR) and six at
Cochiti L. Dec. 6 (WH); among several
southerly Californias were up to three at
Sunland Park on various dates Dec. 5-Feb.
20 (JNP). A first-winter Thayer’s Gull at
Farmington L. Jan. 4-Feb. 27 ( WH, JEP, ph.
TR, JO) furnished a San Juan first.

PIGEONS

THROUGH WOODPECKERS

Getting an early start was a Band-tailed
Pigeon incubating an egg in the Animas
Mts. Feb. 24 (AC, NMC). Eurasian
Collared-Doves continued to make their
presence known, including one at Texico
Dec. 27 (JO) and several at and near
Roswell all season (v.o.). However, feral
Ringed Turtle-Doves continued to compli¬
cate the picture with singles documented at
Albuquerque Jan. 10 (ph. JO) and Bosque
N.W.R. Feb. 28 (ph. D. Ultang), as well as an
undetermined number at Roswell. Both
White-winged and Inca doves continued to
thrive in the south and to increase in n.
strongholds at Albuquerque and Roswell;
noteworthy were a White-winged at
Ruidoso Dec. 19 (AP) and nine Incas at
Rodeo Jan. 2 (R. Scholes). A small dove at
Bosque N.W.R. Feb. 7 (G. Parker) proved to
be New Mexico’s 7th Ruddy Ground-Dove
(v.o., ph. JO); it was last seen Feb. 20.

Now quite scarce in New Mexico, six
Short-eared Owls were discovered at
B.L.N.W.R. Dec. 9 (GW), with one-two still
there Dec. 18 and Jan. 16 (JEP, JO); one at
Albuquerque Jan. 13 (DE) provided the
only additional report. Enjoying the mild

early winter were 356 White-throated
Swifts at Las Cruces Dec. 19 (GE). Several
hummingbirds lingered late and at least one
overwintered. A male Broad-billed visited a
Las Cruces feeder Dec. 20-Feb. 6 (GE). A
male Black-chinned was at Las Cruces Dec.
19 (D. Lawton), as were two Anna’s Dec.
21-22, with one remaining until Jan. 8
(GE). Farther north, a female Broad-tailed
persisted at Albuquerque through Dec. 8
(HS, banded JDM), as did a female Rufous
there Dec. 12-30 (HS, banded JDM) and a
male Rufous at Placitas Dec. 6-26 (HS,
banded JDM). Undetailed was a Rufous at
Las Cruces Dec. 22 (GE). Up to six Lewis’s
Woodpeckers spent January in the Man-
zanita Mts. (HS, BV) where wintering is
unusual. West was a Red-headed Wood¬
pecker at Albuquerque all season (B.
Lindsey et al.). Six Gila Woodpeckers were
near Cliff Jan. 2 (RS), where now scarce; a
record 10 Gilas were in the Animas Valley
Jan. 3 (AC). Well-described Yellow-bellied
Sapsuckers were w. to Cochiti Jan. 11 (JO),
Percha Jan. 3-Feb. 25 (JNP et al.), and Las
Cruces Dec. 19 (J. Mulhauser); other
“Yellow-bellied” reports were equivocal.
Two hybrid sapsuckers showing some char¬
acters of Red-breasteds were near Bill Evans
L. Jan. 2 (DZ, fide RS). Far south was a
probable Downy Woodpecker at Las Cruces
Dec. 19 (W. Whitford). Flickers with yellow
shafts are not uncommon in New Mexico,
with some being pure Yellow-shafteds and
others intergrades with Red-shafteds; this
season found one-four such flickers at 7
locales from Clayton w. to Mangas (v.o.).
Gilded Flickers, however, have gone unre¬
ported — and unexpected — in New Mexico,
yet this season produced intriguing — but
indefinite — reports of singles at Zuni Dec.
17 (JAT), Animas Cr. Jan. 3 (D. Danforth),
and Santa Fe Feb. 24 (B. Long).

FLYCATCHERS
THROUGH WARBLERS

Several empids availed themselves of the
mild winter; among the better detailed were
a probable Hammond’s at E.B.L. Jan. 29-31
(JEP, JO), a probable Gray in the Peloncillo
Mts. Jan. 3 (D. Jasper, fide AC), and an
extensively documented Dusky near River¬
side, Grant, Jan. 2-4 (D&MZ). Late Black
Phoebes included singles n. to Espanola
Dec. 20 (JT, BF) and Santa Rosa Dec. 22
(WW). Four E. Phoebes at Rattlesnake
Springs Dec. 19 (SW) provided a high
count. North was a Vermilion Flycatcher at
Caballo Jan. 3 (BZ). Single N. Shrikes were
at 10 n.w. sites Dec. 13-Feb. 23 (v.o.), in¬
cluding one s. to Madrid Jan. 15 (L. Sager).

Late was a Bell’s Vireo at Elephant Butte
Dam Dec. 4 (JEP); a Bell’s near Sunland
Park Jan. 2 (ph. JNP) 8c 6 (J. Zabriskie) pro¬
vided the first verified winter record.
Lingering Plumbeous Vireos were at Dent¬
ing Dec. 8 (LM) and Dripping Springs Dec.
19 (GE). Late were four Tree Swallows at
E.B.L. Dec. 5 ( JEP, JO); earliest Tree was one
in the Animas Valley Feb. 15 (SW). Unusual
was a N. Rough-winged at Caballo Jan. 3 (J.
Sproul). Four-six Mexican Chickadees were
at three Animas Mts. sites during the period
(AC, NMC); s. was a Juniper Titmouse
there Feb. 24 (AC, NMC). North were six
Verdins at Sevilleta N.W.R. Dec. 23 (SC). A
Red-breasted Nuthatch wandered E to
Capulin N.M. Dec. 25 (JO).

Pioneering Cactus Wrens continued
their presence in the Albuquerque area with
one-two at 2 Sandia Mts. foothills sites Dec.
20-Feb. 20 (HS et al.); other Cactus Wrens
n. in the R.G.V. were singles at 2 Sevilleta
N.W.R. sites Dec. 18-23 (SC). North for the
season were single House Wrens at Sevilleta
N.W.R. Dec. 23 (SC) and Bosque N.W.R.
Dec. 19 and Jan. 25 (DE). At least five
Winter Wrens were at 2 Zuni sites Dec. 21
(JAT); elsewhere, singles were at Ruidoso
Dec. 31 and Feb. 26 (AP) and Cliff Jan. 2
(RS). An Am. Dipper staked out a Pescado
R. irrigation structure Dec. 5-Feb. 20 (ph.
DC). Golden-crowned Kinglets staged a
minor lowland invasion, including two e. to
Harding Feb. 6 (DE, BN) and two in the
Caballo-Percha area Jan. 2-3 (DE, BN, BZ),
plus singles at B.L.N.W.R. Dec. 19 (JEP)
and Carlsbad Dec. 21 (SW); two at Quarai,
Torrance , Jan. 17 (HS) provided a local first.

A Blue-gray Gnatcatcher overwintered
at Petroglyph N.M., where seen on several
dates Jan. 20 and later (HS). A good season
for E. Bluebirds found moderate numbers
at 18 sites from the R.G.V. eastward. Large
numbers of Mt. Bluebirds were widespread
in the west, including a record 640 in the
Peloncillo Mts. Jan. 3 (AC). Unusual for the
season was a Gray Catbird at Lake Valley,
Sierra , Feb. 25 (G. Garber). Several N.
Mockingbirds persisted in the north,
including singles at Clayton Dec. 25 and
Jan. 24 (JO) and Zuni Dec. 17-Jan. 9 (JAT,
ph. DC). Sage Thrashers were unusually
abundant in the Albuquerque area (HS),
and others wintered n. of usual locales,
including at Santa Fe all season (SOW) and
Zuni where there were 10 Jan. 18 (DC).
One-two Brown Thrashers were at seven
sites in the Gila, Rio Grande, and Pecos val¬
leys (v.o.). The “resident” Long-billed
Thrasher at Bosque Redondo welcomed its
3rd year there with song Feb. 7 (ph. JO).

194

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

new mexico

Early was a probable Sprague’s Pipit at
L. Avalon Feb. 27 (SW). Moderate to large
numbers of Cedar YVaxwings virtually blan¬
keted the state during the period, and
record highs were established on several
CBCs, including 243 at Albuquerque Dec.
20 (HS). Presumably early was an Olive
Warbler at Emory Pass Feb. 27 (JO). A few
Orange-crowned Warblers overwintered in
the lower Rio Grande and Pecos valleys;
high count was 12 at Mesilla Jan. 1 (JO).
Very late was a Yellow Warbler at Percha
Dec. 4 (JEP) as was a Black-throated Gray
at Red Bluff L., Eddy, Dec. 31 (JO). The
warbler of the season was a male Pine
Warbler on Las Animas Cr., Sierra, Dec.
4-Jan. 2 (JEP, JO, DE, BN). During Dec.
4-Jan. 3, Percha hosted both a Black-and-
white Warbler (JEP et aL, ph. BZ) and an
Am. Redstart (JEP, JNP, ph. BZ). Certainly
unusual for the season were an Ovenbird at
Clovis Dec. 28 (ph. JO) and a N.
Waterthrush at Bosque N.W.R. Jan. 1 1
(BZ). A Painted Redstart at Las Cruces Feb.
19 (W. Glenn, K. Stinnett) reportedly had
been present several weeks.

SPARROWS THROUGH FINCHES

Sparrow numbers were notably reduced in
many areas, including migrants such as
Chipping Sparrows and Lark Buntings, as
well as residents such as Black-throated
Sparrows. Notable for Zuni were single Am.
Tree Sparrows at Nutria and Pescado Jan.
30-Feb. 20 (ph. DC). Very late was a Clay-
colored Sparrow at Brantley L. Dec. 26 (DE,
CR). One-three Field Sparrows were at
Clayton L. (DE, SW), in Harding (DE, BN),
near Tucumcari (JO, JEP), and at Sumner L.
(JO) Dec. 27-Feb. 6. Single probable Baird’s
Sparrows in the s. Animas Valley Dec. 29
(AC, NMC) and Jan. 3 (LM) may have win¬
tered; an undetailed Baird’s there Feb. 15
(SW) may have been a migrant. Topping
the season’s sparrow news was the discovery
of a small population of Le Conte’s Spar¬
rows wintering in a wind-swept reed bed at
Conchas L.; discovered Dec. 9 (WW),
two-six or more were well-documented on
numerous dates through Feb. 14 (v.o., ph.
JO). Grayish Fox Sparrows were at Zuni
Dec. 19 (JT) and Carnuel Dec. 11-Jan. 2
(DE, JEP, JO); reddish singles were at
B.L. N.W.R. Dec. 26 and Jan. 4 (GW) and
Rattlesnake Springs Dec. 19 (SW).

Always a treat, single Harris’s Sparrows
were at Corrales Dec. 20 (R. Gracey) and
Santa Rosa Dec. 22-Feb. 14 (WW, JEP, ph.
JO). An ad. Golden-crowned Sparrow
entertained many at Bosque N.W.R. from
Jan. 30 through February (v.o.); undetailed

were single Golden-crowneds at Albuquer¬
que Dec. 20 ( fide HS) and Gila Jan. 2 (fide
RS). High for “Slate-colored” Juncos was 17
at Clayton Dec. 28 (LH); a “White-winged”
was at Santa Fe Jan. 2-17 (SOW). Visits to
the Animas Mts. found single Yellow-eyed
Juncos at Cistern Saddle Dec. 24 and Indian
Cr. Jan. 16 (AC, NMC). One-two Lapland
Longspurs were noted at 5 n.e. sites (v.o.),
including at Maxwell N.W.R. where there
were 12 Laplands (many well into summer
plumage) Feb. 24 (WW). Northern Cardin¬
als pushing n. were singles at Bosque
Redondo Jan. 16 (JEP, JO), Conchas L. Dec
9 (WW), Tucumcari L. Dec. 12 (JEP, JO),
and near San Jon Dec. 27 (CR).

Northerly Pyrrhuloxias were 10 at
Sevilleta N.W.R. Dec. 23 (SC) and singles at
Quarai Jan. 17 (HS) and Santa Rosa Dec. 22
(WW). Providing a winter first for Zuni
was a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak Dec.
19-Jan. 2 (JAT, ph. DC). An impressive sea¬
son for Rusty Blackbirds found singles
near Archuleta, San Juan, Feb. 19-20 (BN,
DE, JEP, ph. JO); Pena Blanca, Sandoval,
Jan. 26 (WW); and B.L.N.W.R. Dec. 25
(CR, DE). Undetailed were two at Clayton
Dec. 28 (CR). North for the season were
single Com. Grackles at Farmington Dec.
19 (A. Nelson) and Taos Feb. 6 (JEP, JO). Six
Bronzed Cowbirds at Las Cruces Jan. 1 (JO)
provided the only report, but Brown-head-
eds were more widely reported than usual;
far north were two near Clayton Jan. 18
(SW) and one at Las Vegas Jan. 2 (JT).

The few Cassin’s Finches reported were
primarily found in and near montane areas.
Red Crossbills likewise were scarce; highs
amounted to only eight at Los Alamos Dec.
6 (JT), 12 at Alto Jan. 14 (fide AP), and five
at Ruidoso Feb. 5 (fide AP). Pine Siskins

wandered E to Union, including 238 at
Clayton Dec. 28 (LH), and remained con¬
spicuous there through February ( L. Fry, W.
Cook). A few Lesser Goldfinches lingered n.
in the Gila Valley and in the R.G.V. to
Albuquerque (v.o.), but all had departed by
early January. Generally small numbers of
Evening Grosbeaks were in the north (v.o.),
at Zuni (DC), and in the Sacramento Mts.
(AP); high count was 100 at Tesuque Feb. 6
(JO).

Initialed observers: Sherry Bixler, David
Cleary, Steven Cox, Alan Craig, Nanca
Moore Craig, Joan Day Martin, Douglas
Emkalns, Gordon Ewing, Ralph Fisher,
Bernard Foy, Lois Herrmann, William
Howe, Larry Malone, Cynthia Melcher,
Bruce Neville, Jerry Oldenettel, Bruce
Pataky, John E. Parmeter, James N. Paton,
Anita Powell, Tim Reeves, Christopher
Rustay, Hart Schwarz, Roland Shook, Joyce
Takamine, John A. Trochet, Brad Vaughn,
Gordon Warrick, Steve West, William West,
S.O. Williams, Barry Zimmer, Dale 8c
Marian Zimmerman.

Sartor O. Williams III, 65 Verano Loop,
Santa Fe, NM 87505

Place names that are frequently men¬
tioned, but very long, may be abbreviat¬
ed in a form such as “C.B.B.T.” or
“W.P.B.O.” Such local abbreviations will
be explained in a key at the beginning
of the particular regional report in
which they are used. Standard abbrevi¬
ations that are used throughout North
American Birds are keyed on page 138.

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VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE Z

195

alaska region

THEDE TOBISH

lthough weather conditions deviated
significantly from the conditions of the
previous two winters, distribution of species
and numbers of rarities during winter
1998-1999 were remarkably similar to those
of the two previous winters — i.e., excellent
waterbird representation, a generally poor
or sporadic showing of semi-hardy species
from the ephemeral northern edges of win¬
ter ranges, and a nice scattering of casuals.
Following the mild fall, conditions remain¬
ed warmish with below-normal precipita¬
tion into the first of the year. The Aleutian
Low dipped south of normal latitudes in
early January, allowing a massive Arctic con¬
tinental high pressure cell to blanket the
mainland for nearly three weeks. In that
time, most stations reported significant
below-average temperature deviations.
These extremes reached well into the North
Gulf where Kodiak’s bays actually choked
with sea and shore-fast ice. Essentially all
fresh water was frozen right to the immedi¬
ate North Gulf Coast. Although too late in
the season to significantly influence winter
bird distribution in the Interior, this cold
cell produced 18 successive days below -20°F
in the Fairbanks area. Both the Bering Sea
and Cook Inlet pack ice edged towards sea¬
sonal extremes at period’s close, and even
the Aleutians were blanketed with heavy
snowpacks, ice-clogged bays and iced-in
lacustrine waters. Southeast Alaska, as usual,
remained relatively free of the extreme cold
although heavy snow pack accumulations
hit that mainland during the January snap.
La Nina conditions otherwise prevailed
throughout most of Southeast for the sea¬
son with even more precipitation and
cloudy conditions than normally expected.

Perhaps secured by early season mild¬

ness and then because of concentrating
conditions, waterbirds made big news with
some of the best ever winter showings and
broad distributions of casual and semi-reg¬
ular forms. A late season round-trip report
of a shipboard transect from Adak to Attu
produced some of the best comprehensive
Aleutian winter data in years, punctuated
by significant changes in the North Pacific
status and distribution of Laysan Albatross.
As is usual, bird highlights were otherwise
concentrated temporally within the Christ¬
mas Bird Count period and geographically
south of the Alaska Range.

Abbreviations: North Gulf (North Gulf of
Alaska); PWS (Prince William Sound); SE
(Southeast Alaska); SC (Southcoastal Alaska);
SW (Southwest Alaska); UCI (Upper Cook Inlet).

LOOMS THROUGH WATERFOWL

Although waterbird concentrations were
unusually high after late or protracted
arrivals into December, the tally of 56 Paci¬
fic Loons in one flock near Juneau Dec. 28
(GW, BA) was the only significant concen¬
tration. Most observers commented on
good loon diversity and above-average
numbers from the N. Gulf between Kodiak
and Seward’s Resurrection Bay. Also nota¬
ble were two probable Arctic Loons flushed
out of Attu’s Abraham Bay Feb. 24
(DDG) — there are few confirmed winter
records of this Palearctic form. Heinl’s W.
Grebe seasonal peak included a low 60 at
Ketchikan’s Totem Bight Dec. 16 (SCId).

From the past few winter reports and
now after a late-season shipboard survey in
the w. Aleutians, our picture of Laysan
Albatross status between November and
March has evolved significantly. Prior status
profiles of this apparently increasing pelag¬
ic, mainly from the 1950s and ‘60s [see
Kenyon 1961, Auk 78:305-326 & Murie
1959, N. Am. Fauna 61:1-261], noted Lay-
sans as uncommon to rare in mid-winter.
Recent regular reports of singles and small
groups in the N. Gulf and now Gibson’s
running summary of 209 individuals
between Kiska and Amchitka Is. Feb. 27
(DDG) clearly illustrate that substantial
numbers of Laysans spend the winter in
their favored 100-300 fathom waters.
Another Laysan was found off Kodiak Jan.

15 (RB). Also rare in winter, Black-footed
Albatross was represented by counts of six
in Amchitka Pass Feb. 22-27 (DDG) and at
least one inshore at Kodiak (= first con¬
firmed in winter) Jan. 7 (JB, RAM). Rare
inshore anywhere after November, and a
local winter first, were two Fork-tailed
Storm-Petrels in Kodiak’s Chiniak Bay Dec.
26 (DZ). West of PWS where the winter
peak was 13, Great Blue Herons were
reported from Kodiak with an above-aver¬
age 12 noted through the season (RAM,
MM) and Seward with one Feb. 20 (NS).

Another Greater White-fronted Goose
lingered into December, a single at Sitka to
at least Dec. 12 (MLW, MET). Notable in
the Juneau area’s winter Canada (Dusky)
Goose concentrations were single parvipes
Dec. 5-6 and minimus Jan. 17 (GW, PP,
DWS), both casual in the Region after
November. Away from the Cordova-area
strongholds where the season peak reached
298 in December, good Trumpeter Swan
counts included 10 at Sitka Dec. 1 (MLW,
MET), 20 near Ketchikan all season (MW),
and 20 on Prince of Wales I. Feb. 22 (MW).
Six Whooper Swans counted in saltwater
bays on the s. side of Kanaga I. Feb. 21
(DDG) were in winter sites historically
described for this form in the Aleutians.

This season’s significant waterfowl
counts: 43 Eur. Wigeons around Adak I. Feb.
17 (DDG); 3288 and 2706 Mallards on the
Juneau (Dec. 19) and Anchorage CBCs
(Dec. 19); 565 N. Pintails on the Cordova
CBC and an exceptional 320 around Adak I.
Feb. 27-March 3 (DDG); 13 Ring-necked
Ducks at Ketchikan Jan. 18 (SCH) and nine
around Kodiak Dec. 26 (SS); and 12 Hood¬
ed Mergansers in Ketchikan Dec. 23 (MW).
Winter waterfowl rarities were well repre¬
sented, highlighted by a single drake Eur.
Wigeon at Juneau Dec. 6, joined by another
Feb. 1 5 (GW, DWS, PS); three Am. Wigeon,
distinctly rare on the Aleutians, at Adak Feb.
28+ (DDG) and two at Anchorage all season
(m.ob.); a northerly Green-winged Teal
through the period at Anchorage (m.ob.);
and exceptional numbers of Aythya.

This winter’s expansive cold cell forced
wintering divers into salt water concentra¬
tions at Adak 1. where a late-season survey
(Feb. 27-Mar. 3) produced an unique array
of rarities: ten Canvasbacks in Sweeper
Cove, the Aleutian’s highest count ever; the

196

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

Aleutian’s 4th ever Ring-necked Duck, a
drake; a pair of Barrow’s Goldeneyes, irreg¬
ular in the Aleutians; and a male nominate
Common Merganser, the first identified e.
of Buldir I. Other rare divers included a
male Redhead at Sitka all season (MLW,
MET); a drake Tufted Duck from Kodiak
Feb. 8 (RAM) and a female at Gustavus Feb.
26 (BFP = local first); single female Greater
and Lesser scaups in Anchorage into Janu¬
ary (m.ob.); two Buffleheads well n. in An¬
chorage all season (m.ob.); and a female
Ruddy Duck lingering in Juneau Dec. 17
(GW).

HAWKS THROUGH OWLS

This winter produced exceptional reports
of semi-hardy raptors at coastal sites, high¬
lighted at Kodiak where observers tallied an
unprecedented 12+ N. Harriers and 15
Rough-legged Hawks along the road system
all season (RAM et al. ). Other out-of-sea-
son reports included another N. Harrier at
Juneau to Dec. 10 (RJG); a harlani Red¬
tailed Hawk, also at Juneau Dec. 16-Jan. 5
(RJG, GW), one of Alaska’s few winter
records; up to seven Rough-leggeds at Sitka
to Dec. 27 (MLW, MET); and single Ameri¬
can Kestrels at Kodiak’s grasslands Dec.
27-Jan. 24 (= 2nd in winter; HP, ph. RAM)
and near Sitka to Feb. 4 (MLW, MET).
Kestrels are rare migrants in SE and the n.
Gulf, and there are roughly 3 previous
Alaska winter records. Four+ Am. Coots
around Ketchikan Dec. 13 through the peri¬
od (SCH), three in Sitka into March (MLW,
MET), and two in Juneau to Dec. 19+
(m.ob.) furnished above-average numbers
and followed heavy fall (q.v.) staging.

Notable shorebird reports were down
from the average with no semi-hardy species
included except a single Killdeer near
Juneau Dec. 19 (GW). One of the Region’s
highest-ever Black Oystercatcher counts was
a peak of 318 roosting birds at Kodiak Dec.
20 (RAM). Rock Sandpipers again arrived at
UCI winter sites in large numbers although
the early December maxima of nearly
18,000 near the Beluga R. mouth was not
duplicated after the mid-season hard freeze
(REG). Once again these birds foraged at the
shorefast ice/receding tide interface and
roosted on ice floes and other ephemeral
sites in unfavorable conditions. After speci¬
men verifications Gill still believes the
majority of these birds are nominate ptiiloc-
nemis. Another five nominate birds were
described Dec. 12-13 (GW, PS) well s. of
Juneau Rock Sandpiper flocks, which
peaked at an above-average 1500+ Jan. 18
(PS, GW).

Most unusual were overwintering Bona¬
parte’s Gulls in good numbers with at least
25 around Ketchikan to Jan. 15 (SCH) and
at Kodiak where a single first-year bird to
Feb. 7+ (RAM, ph.) represented a local win¬
ter first. While Bonaparte’s regularly push
their departure limits into early December,
at least in SE, they are casual after mid
month. Other larids of consequence includ¬
ed two ad. Ring-billed Gulls near Juneau
Jan. 1-Feb. 7 (GW, BA, PS); single Decem¬
ber California Gulls, at Juneau Dec. 13
(GW) and from Sitka Dec. 27 (MLW,
MEW); and a first-winter Iceland Gull
(nominate glaucoides- type) photographed
at Kodiak Dec. 26-Feb. 14 (ph. DWS, RAM).
Although Ring-billed Gull remains rare in
the Region, one nearly always turns up each
winter; California Gull is still casual (Heinl
1997, W. Birds 28:19-29); and there are few
documented Iceland Gulls from Alaska.

Probably because of limited winter sur¬
veys, Whiskered Auklet has historically
been considered casual between November
and late March. Gibson’s winter transect w.
from Adak produced local groups of
Whiskereds in alternate plumage in classic
tide-rip habitats, including 353 in Adak
Strait and another 194 just e. of Kanaga I.
Feb. 19 (DDG). Farther west were another
eight in Amchitka Pass Feb. 27. Most unusu¬
al inshore in winter was a single Horned
Puffin near Kodiak Dec. 26 (DWS ph.).

Up to three N. Pygmy-Owls around
Juneau Feb. 6-25 (DM, GW) furnished the
season’s only reports. Unseasonal Short¬
eared Owl were concentrated in the Kodiak
grasslands with 20+ there through the sea¬
son (fide RAM) and another three or more
around Juneau Dec. 27-Feb. 15 (GW, BA,
PS, SZ). These may have represented indi¬
viduals pushed away from more northerly
coastal sites (PWS, Kenai coast) by the mid¬
season Arctic high cell. Another N. Saw-
whet Owl wintered in Anchorage (GJT),
where casual, while at least four appeared in
the Juneau area Feb. 7-24 (MWS, GW),
likely in response to the January cold spell.
Two Boreal Owls near Juneau, where there
are about 7 prior records, in late February
may have also been related to the cold snap.

WOODPECKERS
THROUGH FRIMGILLIDS

Possibly in response to heavy snows and
extended cold, the single Red-breasted
Sapsucker at Sitka Jan. 22 was the season’s
only find. Two (Yellow-shafted) N. Flickers
survived the UCI winter, one each at
Anchorage and Eagle R. feeders (DFD, fide
RLS), and another two Red-shafted forms

found homes at Juneau and Sitka feeders to
Feb. 21 ( J B, MLW, MET), about average for
the past decade. Red-breasted Nuthatches
continued their UCI expansion even with
the extended cold weather with yet another
new December CBC record high of 272
established from Anchorage. Although most
birds clung to feeders for the 2nd half of the
season, there was no obvious dieback from
the extended sub-zero periods. Two Red-
breasteds that found a King Salmon feeder
in early December to at least Dec. 8 (TG)
were noteworthy in winter and may have
been leftovers from the periodic fall disper¬
sals out of their normal range. Above-aver¬
age numbers of Ruby-crowned Kinglets lin¬
gered in the UCI area with a Dec. 19 peak of
20 (m.ob.) around Anchorage. All but a
couple, however, survived the January
extremes, but two remained in Juneau
through Feb. 7 (PP, GW).

Although all of this season’s unprece¬
dented Hermit Thrush accounts were likely
tardy migrants — including two around
Ketchikan Dec. 19-26 (JFK, SCH), and sin¬
gles in Sitka Dec. 22-Jan. 10 (MLW, MET)
and Juneau Dec. 28 (GW, BA) — they were
still noteworthy as there are few past records
later than early December. Sixty-two Varied
Thrushes from the Homer area mid-
December CBC (m.ob.) were unparalleled
since this frugivore is rare away from Kodiak
after late November. Astounding and a first
for winter for the Bristol Bay coast was a sin¬
gle Varied at a Dillingham feeder Jan. 2-Feb.
5 (CP, RM ph.). Varied Thrushes “invaded”
portions of the SE in midseason without
clear explanation with “hundreds” in the
Sitka area by Feb. 10 (MLW, MET) and
another dozen in Juneau by Jan. 18 (GW).
Another Northern Mockingbird overwin¬
tered in downtown Anchorage, defending
its patch of berry bushes from late
November through the period (m.ob.); it
represented Alaska’s 2nd winter record fol¬
lowing another Anchorage bird from winter
1992-93 and cleverly survived several weeks
of short days and sub-zero conditions by
roosting on the edges of heat-producing
chimneys.

Bohemian Waxwings continue to push
their overwintering limits with this season’s
1200+ finding food in the Anchorage neigh¬
borhoods through the period. For the past 4
years overwintering waxwings in UCI have
steadily increased, taking advantage of
increased use of berry bushes in landscaping
projects.

An imm. Chipping Sparrow, probably a
tardy migrant, found a Juneau area feeder
Dec. 6 (DWS), one of few Alaska reports

VOLUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 2

197

british Columbia
-yukon region

after November. Rarer still after November
were single Savannah Sparrows at feeders in
Eagle R. late December-Feb. 10+ (LM, RD,
DWS, RLS, DFD) and Palmer Dec. 21-Jan. 6
(fide DWS). These constituted the first win¬
ter reports for SC — there are few other doc¬
umented Alaska winter records. The only
Lincoln’s Sparrow report beyond the CBC
period was a single in Anchorage all season
(fide DFD, RLS). An average four White-
throated Sparrows were reported, all singles,
from Kodiak all period (CH ph„ RAM),
Juneau Dec. 1-19+ (ph. DM), Sitka Jan.
13-Feb. 21 (MLW, MET), and Ketchikan to
Jan. 24+ (SCH). Two Harris’s Sparrows in
Sitka Dec. 12-Jan. 10+ (MLW, MET) were
the only reported. Aside from a decent CBC
tally of 12 Dec. 19, White-crowned Sparrows
were way down Regionwide. Anomalous
was a single at a Dillingham feeder Jan.
2-Feb. 12+ (CP, ph. RM), one of few Bristol
Bay/Bering Sea coast winter records.

Out of range for the season were 15+
Snow Buntings near elevation 4000’ in the
Chugach Mts. above Anchorage Feb. 13
(BM). Although it was tempting to consid¬
er these early spring migrants, given the
heavy snow and cold conditions, I think
they were wintering birds navigating for
windblown habitats. Good numbers of
Bramblings returned after a several-winter
hiatus. Singles were described from Dilling¬
ham, n. and w. of usual winter sites, Jan.
2-Feb. 12 (CP, ph. RM); Kodiak Dec. 23
through the period (JD ph., RAM); and in
Homer, where the first bird, found during
the December CBC, was joined by six by the
end of February (SS, NS, RK).

Contributors and observers: B. Agler, R.
Armstrong, M. Berlijn, R. Berns, Mary Anne
Bishop, J. Blackburn, J. M. Burritt, R. Carter,
D. Chorman, D. F. Delap, R. Dittrick, W. E.
Donaldson, J. Doyle, C. L. Gardner, T.
Garule, D. D. Gibson, R. E. Gill, R. J. Gordon,
T. Goucher, S. C. Heinl, C. Heitman, T.
Hunt, R. Kleinleder, J. F. Koerner, D. Logan,
R. MacDonald, M. and R. A. Macintosh, D.
MacPhail, B. Micklejohn, C. Miller, L.
Morehead, B. Nourse, B. B. Paige, C.
Pearson, H. Pennington, D. Pingree, P.
Pourchot, D. Rudis, S. Savage, R. L. Scher, M.
W. Schwan, N. Senner, S. Senner, W. Shuster,

D. W. Sonneborn, P. Suchanek, G. J. Tans, M.

E. Tedin, K. Vicchy, G. Van Vliet, M. L. Ward,
M. Wood, S. Zimmerman, D. Zwiefelhofer.

Thede Tobish, 2510 Foraker Drive, Anchor¬
age, AK 99517 (tgt@alaska.net)

MICHAEL G. SHEPARD

he winter weather was most interesting
as the cool La Nina waters of the eastern
Pacific contrasted with an anomalously
warm pool off Japan. The result of this pat¬
tern was the generation of a strong westerly
storm track slamming onto the southern
sections of the coast. Indeed, it was the
stormiest winter on the coast since that of
1971-1972. Heavy rains fell on the lowlands,
and the deepest coastal mountain snowpack
in many years accumulated by the end of the
period. Interior precipitation was also
bountiful over the southern three-quarters
of British Columbia, especially in the
mountains. About the only thing people
didn’t complain about was the temperature,
which remained above normal in most
areas. Larger lakes in the southern interior
were mainly ice-free through the winter.
The Yukon was too far removed to be affect¬
ed by all this, its weather being colder and
snowier in December, still on the cold side
but drier in January, and milder and gener¬
ally dry in February.

Abbreviations: B.C. ( British Columbia).

LOOMS THROUGH DUCKS

A winter rarity in the interior, a single
Pacific Loon was at the head of Okanagan L.
Dec. 6 (DGC). On the N. Arm of the Fraser

R., off Sea I., a Clark’s Grebe was found Feb.
25 (MKM). Extremely rare in nearshore
waters, a juv. Short-tailed Albatross was

photographed off Langara I. Jan. 19 (RL).
Northern Fulmars rarely enter the Strait of
Georgia, making one off Newcastle I. Dec.
17 (GAP) noteworthy. Brown Pelicans lin¬
gered unusually late with the last reported in
mid-January from Pedder Bay (GF). The
1238+ Sooty Shearwaters at Rose Spit Dec.
23 (MH, PH) represented an unusually high
number for the season. Although increasing
steadily in the interior of Washington,
Double-crested Cormorants are still rela¬
tively rare in the B.C. interior. A single bird
observed at various locations on Okanagan
L. during January was last reported from
Sandy Beach near Vernon Jan. 31 (DGC).

An imm. Ross’s Goose was at Campbell
R. Nov. 24— Dec. 2 (JI, VH, ES); another was
at Como L„ Coquitlam, from late in 1998
through the end of the period (m.ob.).
Unusually far north, a Wood Duck observed
on the Williams L. CBC Jan. 2 ( JiS, PR et al.)
provided the first winter record for that
area. A flock of 21 Mallards tallied at McIn¬
tyre Cr. wetlands during the Whitehorse
CBC Dec. 26 provided a record-high winter
count (CE). This is still the only known reg¬
ular winter location of Mallards in the
Yukon. Blue-winged Teals are rarely report¬
ed in B.C. during the winter, but six were
tallied on the Vaseux L. CBC Jan. 1 (ILR). A
male Tufted Duck visited Lost Lagoon,
Stanley Park, Feb. 25 ( EW ) . A White- winged
Scoter at Duck L. Dec. 5 (BK, MAB) was a
rather late fall straggler.

RAPTORS THROUGH ALCIDS

Two ad. Golden Eagles, rare in winter in the
Yukon, were first seen Nov. 22 near Deep Cr.
at L. Laberge and again Dec. 4 (CE). Two
were spotted 2 km s. of Christmas Cr. about
50 km n. of Haines Jet. Dec. 25 (LF). Anoth¬
er was over Whitehorse Feb. 4 (BD, BMu).
The deaths of four Golden Eagles in the
greater Whitehorse area this winter remain a
mystery. One was a radio-tagged individual
that had been followed into the Yukon
(CM). At least one of the eagles appeared to
be emaciated, and the dead birds have been
sent out for further assessment.

198

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

Summary of British Columbia Brambling Observations
Fall and Winter 1998-1999

Date

Location

Observer

October 28-November 1

Tofino

RP

October 29-November 3
joined by a second bird

November 3

Williams Lake

JW.ARet al.

November 1

M asset

MH, PH

November 1

Ridley Island

fide RRW

November 24-26

Sicamous

BMcetal.

November 26-Dccembcr 1 (female)

Lavington

PM et al.

December 1 -April 5
(adult female)

Campbell R.

HA et al.

December 3-January 16 (male)

Blackie Spit

MPLctal.

December 3-28

Prince George

MPhetal.

December 9-April 8

Port Clements

AL, BLetal.

December 20

(different bird from early December)

Lavington

PI

December 26 (male)

Head of Okanagan Lake

JoS, PeS

Perhaps the only regular winter raptor
that far north, a Gyrfalcon was at Inuvik
Dec. 1 (CE). The Prairie Falcon first report¬
ed from w. Delta Nov. 13 was still present
Feb. 14 (RT, DEA). Although more regular
in the interior of the province, late season
records are few. The single bird in the
Creston Valley Dec. 5 (BK, MAB) was note¬
worthy.

Sixteen Sharp-tailed Grouse were at
Inuvik Dec. 1 (CE). The introduced Wild
Turkey is locally distributed in the province.
The high count this fall was established by
82 birds in the Creston Valley Dec. 5 (BK,
MAB). The Penticton CBC Dec. 20 pro¬
duced a world-record 3533 California Quail
(RJC et al.).

Golden-plover spp. are casual in winter
in B.C. A single Pacific Golden-Plover was
reported from Delta Feb. 27-28 (HM, JAM).
The usual gang of large shorebirds contin¬
ued to be present in the Vancouver area
through the winter (m.ob.) with an Am.
Avocet at Reifel I. until Jan. 2, a Willet at the
base of the Tsawwassen Jetty, a Long-billed
Curlew at Blackie Spit, and up to five
Marbled Godwits in the Boundary Bay. A
Wandering Tattler at Sandilands I. at the
mouth of Skidegate Inlet in December was
unusally late for this species (AC, BE).

A single Sabine’s Gull off the Iona S. Jetty
Dec. 1 (RT, MMe) provided an unusually
late fall record. Other rare gulls included an
Iceland in Delta Feb. 7 (RT), another (first
winter) at Iona Island Feb. 14 (RT, DEA),
and one-two Slaty-backeds in Delta
throughout the period (m.ob.). An adult W.
Gull photographed at Vernon Feb. 6 (DGC)
furnished the first record for the Okanagan
Valley. On Jan. 24, Allinson witnessed a
spectacular flyby of Com. Murres in Juan de
Fuca Strait off Rocky Pt. An estimated
25,000-28,000 birds were tallied, one of the
largest murre concentrations ever recorded
in the province.

OWLS THROUGH REDPOLLS

Long-eared Owls are rare outside the s. inte¬
rior of B.C. and particularly rare on
Vancouver I. A single bird along the Somass
R. Dec. 13-14 (SM et al.) provided the first
record for the Alberni Valley; another at the
Nanaimo R. Estuary for about a week was
first seen Jan. 7 (GM). Anna’s Humming¬
birds continued to be seen in the Okanagan
with at least three in the Westbank/Kelowna
area in December and January (EC, CC, ILR
et al.). Once again, three Anna’s wintered at
Queen Charlotte City (BE, PH, CK, DY).
Quite surprising was a Yellow-bellied Sap-
sucker found in Prince George during the

Dec. 20 CBC (fide MPh). This species nor¬
mally winters far south of B. C.

A Say’s Phoebe overwintering near Dun¬
can was last observed Feb. 10 (JB, LB,
m.ob.), the first winter record for Vancouver
I. A Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Rose Spit Dec.
23 (MH, PH) provided the first record for
Graham 1. Northern Mockingbirds were
reported in Richmond, Metchosin, Sechelt,
Kaslo, and, most surprisingly, in Prince
George on the Dec. 20 CBC (CA et al.). The
bird resided in a downtown chimney and
remained until at least Jan. 27 (m.ob.).

A few warblers lingered late into the
winter season. A Wilson’s Warbler at Iona I.
Dec. 16 (RT) was particularly noteworthy.
More unexpected was a Magnolia Warbler
at Port Alberni Dec. 20 (CB, SM). Very rare
w. of the Rockies, a male Com. Grackle was
at the Douglas L. Ranch Jan. 10-11 (WCW
et al.). The Yukon’s first winter record for
Red-winged Blackbird resulted from a single
bird attending a Teslin feeder; it was not
seen after Jan. 4 (AJ, MG).

Although much more frequently report¬
ed in recent years than prior to 1980, win¬
tering Swamp Sparrows are still rare in the
interior of B.C. Cecile et al. found this
species at the head of Okanagan L. through
much of the period, including three there
Jan. 3. The Brambling invasion that started
in late October continued into the winter.
The table summarizes the observations.

First discovered in late November but
not seen through most of the winter, a Pur¬
ple Finch returned to a Whitehorse feeder
Feb. 6-7, providing the first Yukon winter
record for this species (HG). Eckert and
Sinclair tallied 1827 Com. Redpolls along
the South Klondike Hwy. between White¬
horse and Fraser Jan. 16.

Sub-regional Compilers: Burke Korol (BK);
Kootenays, Max Gotz (BMG); Whistler,

Bryan Gates (BRG); Victoria, Cameron
Eckert (CE); Yukon, David Allinson (DEA);
Victoria, Don Cecile (DGC); Vernon,
Helmut Griinberg (HG); Yukon, Hank van-
der Pol (HVP); Victoria, John Chandler
(JC); Vancouver, Jack Bowling ( JCB); Prince
George & weather summaries, Larry Cowan
(LC); Vancouver, Peter Hamel (PH); Queen
Charlotte Is., Phil Ranson (PR); Cariboo,
Richard Cannings (RJC); Okanagan, Mich¬
ael Shepard (MGS); Southern Vancouver I.,
Steve Baillie (SJB); Nanaimo, Sandy McRuer
(SM); Alberni Valley, Tony Greenfield (TG);
Sunshine Coast.

Other Cited Observers: Al Cowan (AC), Ada
Johnston (AJ), Adelia Lowrie (AL), Anna
Roberts (AR), Boris Dobrowolsky (DB),
Brian Eccles (BE), Brian Lowrie (BL), Bob
Murkett (BMu), Bob McVicar (BMc), Cathy
Antoniazzi (CA), Chris Bibby (CB), Chris
Charlesworth (CC), Carol Kulesha (CK),
Carol McIntyre (CM), Dave Younger (DY),
Eileen Chappel (EC), Ed Silkens (ES),
Evelyn Whiteside (EW), Allen Poynter
(GAP), Gary Fletcher (GF), Guy Monty
(GM), Heather Asplin (HA), Hue Mac-
Kenzie (HM), Jo Ann MacKenzie (JAM),
Laurie Rockwell (ILR), Jim Barnstead (JBa),
Jim Ibb (JI), Jim Sims (JiS), Joyce Sinclair
(JoS), Jean Waite (JW), Lynn Barnstead
(LB), Lloyd Freese (LF), Marc-Andre
Beaucher (MAB), Margaret Garolitz (MG),
Margo Hearne (MH), Martin McNicholl
(MKM), Mitch Meredith (MMe), Mark
Phinney (MPh), Mary Peet-Leslie (MPL),
Phil Jones (PJ), Pat McAllister (PM), Pamela
Sinclair (PaS), Perry Sinclair (PeS), Reisa
Latorra (RL), Rory Patterson (RP), Robin
Weber (RRW), Rick Toochin (RT), Vicki
Hansen (VH).

Michael G. Shepard, VGI Vision Group
International, 5325 Cordova Bay Rd., Victoria,
BCV8Y 2L3 (msg@vgivision.com)

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

199

oregon-washington

region

BILL TWEIT, BILL TICE,
and STEVE MLODINOW

he weather was extremely wet in the
first half of December, and then a cold
front from the north after the third week
caused temperatures to drop into the low
teens. There were impressive numbers of
gulls inland for a short time, particularly in
the Willamette and Umpqua valleys. In
Seattle, the November/December combined
rainfall was over four inches higher than the
previous combined record for those two
months. January and February were also
much wetter than normal, and even though
temperatures were near normal, the reduced
amount of sunlight made the winter seem
quite gloomy and cold.

The adjective of the season was “linger¬
ing,” particularly on the westside but to a
lesser extent in the interior. Unusual num¬
bers of pelicans, vultures, Osprey, warblers,
swallows, sparrows — you name it — were
reported later than usual. Few northern
migrants appeared; both winter finches and
irruptive raptors were scarce. There may
have been a small Siberian invasion, as indi¬
cated by reports of Arctic Loon, Slaty-
backed Gull, Sky Lark, Rustic Bunting, and
Brambling.

Abbreviations: F.R.R. (Fern Ridge Res., Lane
Co., OR); Sauvie (Sauvie /., Columbia/ Multno¬

mah Co., OR); S.J.C.R. (south jetty of the Colum¬
bia River, Clatsop Co., OR); W.W.R.D. (Walla
Walla R. delta, Wf\).

LOOMS THROUGH WATERFOWL

Details of an Arctic Loon reported from
Brownsmead, Clatsop, Dec. 26-Jan. 16 (MP,
rn.ob.) are under review by the Oregon Rec¬
ords Committee. The Yellow-billed Loon at
Sequim Bay, Clallam, WA, remained until
Dec. 4 (fide BN), providing the only report.
Three unusual inland winter records of
Red-necked Grebe included singles on
Staat’s Pond, Marion, OR, Dec. 1-8 (SD,
m.ob.); at Finley N.W.R., Benton, OR, Dec. 9

(TB) , and at Toppenish, Yakima, WA, Dec.
13 (DG). An unusually small number of
Clark’s Grebe reports included two that
wintered on Coos Bay, OR (TR), one dead at
Yaquina Bay, Lincoln, OR, Dec. 4 (F. Issacs),
one at Utsalady Bay, Island, WA, Dec. 6

(SM) , and one at Portland Jan. 23 (DBa).
Seabird censuses over the Continental

Shelf off both Washington and Oregon Dec.
13-14 found roughly equal numbers of
Black-footed and Laysan albatrosses, 65 and
70, respectively (MF). This is the highest
Regional total to date for Laysan Albatross.
Northern Fulmar numbers were unimpres¬
sive, a total of 150 off both coasts (MF).
Other tubenose reports included one Sooty
Shearwater off Washington, 49 Short-tailed
Shearwater, and one Fork-tailed Storm-
Petrel (MF). Not unexpected were three
Short-tailed Shearwaters in Puget Sound in
early December: one off Edmonds,
Snohomish, Dec. 6 (DBe) and two off Point
No Point, Kitsap, Dec. 14 (VN).

At least four Am. White Pelican wintered
in w. Oregon: two+ in the greater Portland
area Dec. 2-Jan. 3 (P. McGinnis, C. Hallett,
both fide HN) and two at F.R.R. Dec. 21 +
(TB, m.ob.). Brown Pelicans were found in
numbers that would have been unpre¬
cedented only a few years ago. Twenty-four
in w. Oregon from Dec. 3 to Jan. 2 included
two inland, where casual, on the Columbia
R. at Oaks Bottoms, Columbia, Dec. 3 (fide
HN). Washington had an even larger total of
48. The largest concentration was 43 at Port
Angeles, Clallam, Dec. 2 (BB) with 12 still
there Jan. 1 (PtSu). Inside Puget Sound, one

was near Olympia Dec. 6 (BS, BTw); two
were at Point No Point Dec. 16 (VN); and
one was at Quartermaster Harbor, King,
Dec. 17 (G. Shugart). Great Egrets were pre¬
sent this winter in good numbers, but not
equaling last year’s influx. Up to 200 were
found in w. Oregon; large concentrations
included 40 at Scappoose Bottoms, Colum¬
bia (HN); 21 at F.R.R. (B. Combs); 78 at
Coquille, Coos (fide AC); and 43 at Myrtle
Pt., Coos (TR). The Washington total was
30+, most along the lower Columbia R.
(JE). After the smallest fall total of Cattle
Egrets in a decade, six near Wallula, Walla
Walla, WA, Dec. 8 (M&MLD) were surpris¬
ing. A total of 47 Black-crowned Night-
Heron reports from w. Oregon, five from w.
Washington, and nine from e. Washington
reflected an increasing wintering popula¬
tion.

The 500+ Snow Geese in the Columbia
R. bottomlands this winter (HN, JE) repre¬
sented a large increase in the numbers win¬
tering in this area. A blue-morph Snow
Goose at McNary N.W.R., Walla Walla, WA,
Jan. 20 (BW) was a rare winter record. Four
Ross’s Goose reports were above average
and included singles at Finley N.W.R.,
Benton, OR, Jan. 3 (E. Knight); Kent, King,
WA, Jan. 17+ (DBe, m.ob.); White City,
Jackson, OR, Feb. 5 (GS); and Sauvie Feb. 1 1
(HN). Three Emperor Goose reports were
about average; they included the Sandy R.
bird present for the period (m.ob.); one
continuing in Clallam, WA, to Jan. 16 (BN,
m.ob.); and one in Tillamook, OR, Feb. 15
(MT, C. Roberts). Two Com. (Green¬
winged) Teal were found: one in Browns¬
mead, OR, Jan. 18+ (MP, JG) and one on
Sauvie Feb. 3+ (GL). While only one Blue¬
winged Teal was reported, w. of Perrydale,
Polk, OR, Dec. 18 (BTi), many Cinnamon
Teal were found. The w. Oregon total was
18, and five more were in Washington. The
interior tally of Eur. Wigeon was 10, a few
more than normal. The 100 Redhead on
Agate L., Jackson, OR, Feb. 5 furnished a
large westside congregation (GS). Tufted
Duck reports included a female on Garrison
L„ Curry, OR, Feb. 2-15 (fCD, N. Wander)
and a male present at Bingen, Klickitat, WA,
through Jan. 29 for the 4th consecutive win-

200

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

ter (SJ). The count of 3500 Greater Scaup at
W.W.R.L). Feb. 27 (M&MLD) was a very
high total for an interior locale and may be
indicative of their growing abundance on
the Columbia R. There were 1200 e. of
Biggs, Wasco, OR, (DBa), also indicative of
their current numbers on this stretch of the
Columbia.

RAPTORS THROUGH ALCIDS

Numerous Turkey Vultures wintered in w.
Oregon with at least 20 reported during
December and January, an unprecedented
number. Ospreys overwintered in above-
average numbers: eight+ were reported
from w. Oregon and one from s.w. Washing¬
ton. One in the interior, at College Place,
Walla Walla, WA, Dec. 2 (M&MLD), was
very late.

White-tailed Kite numbers were
remarkable with reports exceed¬
ing 100 for the first time ever. This high
count was due at least partially to sys¬
tematic searching at the n. edge of their
range in s.w. Washington. It also appears
to have been an above-average winter as
the Oregon totals were from locales
where they are reported annually. In w.
Oregon, over 80 were reported from the
Willamette valley, the coast, and the
Rogue valley. In s.w. Washington, 19
kites were found in Lewis (DBe) Feb. 20,
nine in Thurston (RR, C. Haynie, BS),
and one in Pacific (DBe).

Red-shouldered Hawks, another “south¬
ern” raptor with an increasing distribution
in the Region, were reported in better-than-
average numbers. Almost 40 were found in
w. Oregon. The s. coast valleys of the Illinois
and Coquille accounted for 34 of those (fide
AC). In the Willamette, birds were near
Brownsville, Linn; at F.R.R.; near Sutherlin,
Douglas; and, farthest north, at Sauvie. One
wintered in the interior at Klamath Falls,
OR (K. Spencer). Three Ferruginous Hawk
reports from e. Washington are another
indicator of the mildness of the winter:
two+ in Klickitat (SJ) and one, maybe an
early migrant, in Grant Feb. 20 (DG). At
least 5 Golden Eagle reports from the west-
side, 4 of those from w. Oregon, represent
the expected number and pattern. The
Gyrfalcon total included one in w. Oregon,
at Brownsmeade, for the winter (MP,
m.ob.); at least one in e. Washington (KK);
one in e. Oregon (M&MLD); and five-t- in w.
Washington (B. Anderson, m.ob.).

Soras winter in irregular numbers. The
total of 10 is another result of the mild win¬
ter. One in the interior, at Gloyd Seeps,
Grant, WA, Dec. 28 (RF), was remarkable.
The other Washington report was one at
Skagit W.M.A. Dec. 26— Jan. 1 1 (SM, G.
Toffic). All but 2 of the Oregon reports were
from the outer coast where the farthest
north was at Yaquina Bay, Lincoln, Jan. 2
(fide P. Weaver). The inland reports of Sora
were one at Forest Grove, Washington, Dec.
26 (fide M.A. Solhstrom) and one in the
Rogue Valley, Jackson, Jan. 2 (C. Brumitt).

The 41 Snowy Plovers reported included
1 1 far north at Midway Beach, Grays Har¬
bor, WA, Feb. 17 (S. Richardson). A golden-
plover (sp.) near Langlois, Curry, OR, Dec.
28 (TJW) was the only one reported. The
Am. Avocet that overwintered in the Coos
Bay area (TR) was a very rare winter west-
side record. The Marbled Godwit popula¬
tion wintering in s.w. Washington continues
to increase: 420 were counted at Tokeland,
Pacific, Jan. 9 (SM). Dunlin counts in the
Columbia Basin of e. Washington totaled
almost 550 in December (BW, R. Hill,
M&MLD) but dwindled quickly to less than
15 in January. A Short-billed Dowitcher at
Coos Bay, OR, Dec. 20 (fide TR) contributes
to a growing number of winter records. The
season’s only Red Phalarope reports were
one inland at the Yakima R. delta, Benton,
WA, Dec. 1 (BW) and two off San Juan I.,
WA, Dec. 19 (SM). Six Pomarine and one
Parasitic jaeger were found offshore on the
Dec. 13-14 survey (MF).

A Franklin’s Gull at Sauvie Feb. 15 (R.
Lockett) represents about the 10th Regional
winter record. Little Gulls were found at
their usual haunts with one at American L.,
Pierce, WA, Dec. 3-Jan. 5 (M. Prieba, PtSu)
and one at Point No Point, Kitsap, Jan. 15
into March (M. Blue, VN). Heermann’s
Gulls, now rare but regular in winter, were
represented by two at the Chetco R. mouth,
Curry, OR, Dec. 7 (DM) and one on the
Coos Bay CBC Dec. 20 (fide TR). Mew Gull
records from e. Washington seem to be
increasing with three this winter: Medical
L., Spokane, Dec. 1 (JA); Ice Harbor Dam
Dec. 5 (M&MLD); and Spokane Jan. 3-16
(K. Dumroese). A 2nd-winter Iceland Gull
reported on Dungeness Spit, Clallam, Dec.
21 (TE. Hunn) will provide the 5th Wash¬
ington record if accepted by the W.B.R.C.

A relatively pale-mantled Slaty-backed
Gull was described from near Sequim, Clal¬
lam, WA, Feb. 1-21 (tBSu, m.ob.). There is
great controversy whether such birds are
within the variation of Slaty-backed or
whether they represent hybrids with other

species or even vega Herring Gulls. Western
Gulls are regular along the Columbia R. e. to
the Snake R. confluence, so one at Yakima R.
delta, Benton, Jan. 7 (BW) was expected.
One much farther upstream at Bridgeport,
Douglas, Dec. 19 (KK) was much rarer.
Thirty-one Glaucous Gulls this winter rep¬
resented an average total. A Black-legged
Kittiwake at Boston Harbor, Thurston, Dec.
6 (BTw) was in southernmost Puget Sound,
where casual. One-thousand Ancient
Murrelets at Port Angeles, Clallam, WA, Feb.
3 (BSu) furnished an impressive count,
especially for late winter.

OWLS THROUGH TROGLODYTES

It was a very poor winter for Snowy Owls
with only 3 Washington records: one in
Lincoln Jan. 1 1-22 (JA); two in Grant Jan. 22
(RF); and one in Renton, King, Dec. 18 (P.
Couzens, JF). Winter Burrowing Owls are
less than annual e. of the Cascades, so one at
Goodnoe Hills, Klickitat, WA, Dec. 12 (SJ)
and another at Kennewick, Benton, WA, Jan.
16 (D. Rockwell) were good finds. West of
the Cascades, this species is rare but regular
in winter, but three represent a good total:
near Salem, OR, Dec. 3+ (SD); near Albany,
Linn, OR, Dec. 12-23 (M. Hoefer); and near
Lebanon, Linn, OR, Feb. 20 (D. DeWitt). A
Great Gray Owl at Havillah, Okanogan, Feb.
21 was at the most regular site in Wash¬
ington. (JF).

Over the last 20 years, Costa’s Humming¬
birds have become annual visitors to
Oregon, but one at Portland Dec. 8-13
(DBu) was farther north than usual and pre¬
sent during winter, when least common.
Somewhat more typical was one that re¬
mained on territory at Grant’s Pass through¬
out the period for the 3rd consecutive year
(fide DV). Two Acorn Woodpeckers near
Lyle, Klickitat, Dec. 19-26 (PtSu) show that
Washington’s tiny resident population con¬
tinues to hang on. Oregon’s 10th Yellow-
bellied Sapsucker was near Gold Beach,
Curry, Dec. 20-28 (fCD). There are very few
Washington winter records of Williamson’s
Sapsucker, so two this winter were excep¬
tional: Kennewick, Benton, Dec. 19 (N&BL)
and Trout L„ Klickitat, Dec. 19 (SJ).

Say’s Phoebes return to the interior in
mid-to-late February, but one at Dallesport,
Klickitat, WA, Dec. 12-26 occurred at a time
when very rare (PtSu, SJ). Four were in w.
Oregon where rare at any season: one in
Roseburg Dec. 21 (fide R. Maertz); one at
Phoenix, Jackson, Jan. 24 (D. Cronberg); one
at Lebanon, Linn, Jan. 29 (B. Thackaberry);
and one at Sauvie Feb. 26-28 (OS, JG). An
Eastern Phoebe near Bandon, Coos, Dec. 30

VOLUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 2

201

Two Sky Larks found near Se-
quim, WA, Dec. 23 (PtSu, BB, ph.
RS) provided the first Regional record
away from the introduced population on
the San Juan Is. Both birds remained
through Dec. 30, and one remained to
through the end of February. Remark¬
ably, Steve Madge’s analysis of the pho¬
tos suggests that this bird is of E. Asian
origin. Currently, there is only one North
American record away from Alaska of a
Sky Lark of Asiatic origin. This comes
from Pt. Reyes, CA, where a Sky Lark
returned for 7 consecutive winters.
There is, however, a record of Sky Lark
from the Queen Charlotte Is., B.C., and
another from N. Vancouver I., B.C., both
of which may well have been from Asia.

through winter’s end furnished Oregon’s
4th record (KC, DL, TR). Almost equally
rare was a winter Empidonax, felt to be a
Dusky, at Millacoma Marsh, Coos, OR, Dec.
4—18 (TR, E. Horvath).

As with Say’s Phoebe, both Tree and
Violet-green swallows return to the Region
in February but are quite rare earlier in the
winter. This year there were 10 December/
January sightings of Tree Swallow (eight
from w. Oregon and two from w. Washing¬
ton) and three of Violet-green, which were
at Kent, King, WA, Dec. 1 (DBe); Fernhill L.,
Washington, OR, Dec. 8 (HN); and Elma,
Grays Harbor, WA, Jan. 6 (T. Aversa). A N.
Rough-winged Swallow at Coquille, OR,
Feb. 28 (TR) was about a month early. Six
records of Barn Swallow scattered through¬
out the winter were also exceptional. The
most northerly of these was at American L.,
Pierce, WA, Dec. 19-26 (M. Roening). Com¬
pleting the swallow bonanza, a Cliff Swallow
in the interior at the Yakima R. delta,
Benton, WA, Dec. 21 (PtSu) added to the
handful of winter records. Ten Blue Jays,
seven from e. Washington and three from e.
Oregon, were more than average and fol¬
lowed an excellent fall for this species.
Remnants from last fall’s Mt. Chickadee
incursion into the lowlands were widely
scattered on both sides of the Cascades.

THRUSHES THROUGH FINCHES

Five W. Bluebirds at Tonasket, Okanogan,
WA, Dec. 27 were quite far north for mid¬
winter (BS, TS). Mountain Bluebirds are
rare but regular during winter w. of the
Cascades. This year one was near Sequim,
WA, Dec. 12-26 (BN); another was at
Portland Dec. 15-Jan. 2 (EM); and one was
at Monmouth, Polk, OR, Feb. 28 (T. Snet-

singer). As with many other facultative win¬
terers, Hermit Thrushes were more numer¬
ous than usual with a maximum of 13 near
Lime Kiln S.P., San Juan, WA, Dec. 19 (SM).
A count of 140 Varied Thrushes at Lime
Kiln that day was also exceptional (SM).
Seven N. Mockingbirds this winter was
about average. Two were in Washington:
Elma, Grays Harbor, Jan. 3-9 (JF) and Eg-
lon, Kitsap, Dec. 10 (VN). Winter Logger-
head Shrikes are less than annual w. of the
Cascades, so one at Steigerwald L. N.W.R.,
Clark, WA, Jan. 24 was a good find (W.
Cady).

Given the superb diversity and number
of lingering warblers last fall, a good winter
for warblers was expected, and 11 species
represented a good winter indeed. A Nash¬
ville Warbler near Brookings, Curry, OR,
Dec. 4 (DM) added to only a few Regional
winter records. Yellow Warblers are casual
during winter, but this year there were two:
Millacoma Marsh, Coos, OR, Dec. 6-14
(TR) and Pony Slough, Coos, Dec. 10 (TR).
The Region averages about one Black-
throated Gray Warbler every other year.
This year there were two: near Lake Oswego,
Clackamas, OR, throughout the winter
(KH) and in Portland Jan. 6 (J. Valdivik). A
Hermit Warbler near Lake Oswego Feb.
10-28 (KH) was even more unusual. Palm
Warblers winter regularly in small numbers
along the coast, but one at Portland Jan.
10-12 was exceptional (M. Calvin, DBa). A
Black-and-white Warbler at Sequim Bay,
WA, Dec. 17 was an excellent find (BN).
There are about 35 records of Black-and-
white Warbler from Washington, but only a
few from winter. A N. Waterthrush at
Warrenton, Clatsop , OR, Jan. 2 (MP) was
almost as unusual. Winter Com. Yellow-
throats are less than annual in the Region
except along the s. coast. This winter there
were seven: one at Everett, Snohomish, WA,
Dec. 10 (KA); two near Monroe, Snohomish,
WA, Dec. 10 (KA); two at Millacoma Marsh,
Coos, OR, Dec. 14 (TR); one at Coquille,
OR, Jan. 2 {fide AC); and one at Skagit
W.M.A., Skagit,WA, Jan. 21 (DBe). Finally, a
Tennesse Warbler in Seattle Nov. 25
(BFeltner) was received too late to include
in the fall report, but deserves mention as a
late date for this casual migrant.

An injured male Western Tanager was
at Federal Way, King, WA, Dec. 25-Jan. 1
(JF). There are fewer than 10 Regional win¬
ter records for this species. There are also
fewer than 10 Regional winter records for
Rose-breasted Grosbeak, but this winter
there were two: a female or immature at
Brookings, Curry, OR, Dec. 12 (fCD) and a

male at College Place, Walla Walla, WA, Dec.
12 (M&MLD). American Tree Sparrows
were present in good numbers as highlight¬
ed by 26 near Enterprise, Wallowa, OR, Dec.
12 (PlSu) and eight at Skagit W.M. A., Skagit,
WA, Jan. 21-23 (T. Greager). Chipping
Sparrows are annual during winter in s.w.
Oregon, but elsewhere they are quite rare,
especially e. of the Cascades. This winter
there were one at Port Angeles, Clallam, WA,
Dec. 8 (A. Watkins); three at Airlie, Polk , OR,
Jan. 25 (TB); one near Monroe, Snohomish,
WA, in February (DD); and one on the east-
side at Spokane Dec. 27 (JA). Five Clay-col¬
ored Sparrows also provided an excellent
winter total: singles at Toledo, Lincoln, OR,
Dec. 3 (D. Faxon); Cape Blanco, Curry, OR,
Dec. 6 (TJW); Leque I., Snohomish, WA,
Dec. 6-17 (SM); Elma, Grays Harbor, WA,
Jan. 3-9 (JF, PtSu); and Langlois, Curry, OR,
Feb. 21 (TJW).

Vesper Sparrows are less than annual
during winter. Two were found this year:
one at F.R.R. Dec. 17 (M. Nikas) and one at
Auburn, King, WA, Dec. 28 (DBe). A Sage
Sparrow at Lake Sammamish S.P., King, WA,
Feb. 23 (M&J Hobbs) was w. of the Cas¬
cades, where less than annual. Most westside
records are in early spring when breeders are
returning to their normal eastside haunts. A
“Red” Fox Sparrow was at Corvallis, OR,
Jan. 17 (N. Holcomb). This form seems to
be annual in the Region, but documentation
remains scarce. Seven Swamp Sparrows
from Washington and 13 from Oregon were
about average, but two were from the east-
side where barely annual during winter:
McNary N.W.R., Walla Walla, WA, Dec. 5
(M&MLD) and Chief Timothy S.P., Asotin,
WA, Dec. 21 (PtSu). The excellent fall for
White-throated Sparrows translated into an
excellent winter as highlighted by 12 at Sau-
vie Feb. 15 (TS). Though White-crowned
Sparrows are one of the Region’s most com¬
mon wintering birds, 2500 at Big Flat,
Franklin, WA, were truly exceptional
(M&MLD). Sixteen Harris’s Sparrows (11 in
Washington, five in Oregon) were about
average despite the fall’s poor showing.

A Rustic Bunting near Leavenworth,
Chelan, WA, Jan. 9-23 (D. Stephens, ph. RS)
provided the 4th Regional record and about
the 12th from North America outside of
Alaska. A Snow Bunting e. of Lebanon, Linn,
Feb. 6 (J. Harding) was in the Willamette
Valley where less than annual.

A male Tricolored Blackbird near F.R.R.
Jan. 6 (D. Wendt) furnished a first Lane
record; they are quite rare in the s. Willa¬
mette Valley. It was an excellent winter for
W. Meadowlarks as highlighted by 100 at

202

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

middle pacific
coast
region

This immature Short-tailed Albatross off Monterey, December 21, 1998,
provided the third Regional record in just four months, pointing to the recent strong
rebound of the breeding population. Photograph/Ronald L. Branson

Leque I., Snohomish, WA, Dec. 14 (DD) and
225 near Goldendale, Klickitat, WA, Jan. 2
(SJ). Six Bullock’s Orioles represented an
amazing total for this less than annual win¬
terer: one at Yakima R. delta, Benton, WA,
Dec. 1 (NL); one at Cape Meares, Tillamook,
OR, to Dec. 20 (MT); one near Brookings,
Curry, OR, Dec. 22 (DM); one near Gold
Beach, Curry, OR, Dec. 24 (CD); and two
along Smith R., Curry, OR, Dec. 27 (CD). A
Brambling at Portland Dec. 13-Jan. 10
(EM, DBu, m.ob.) and another at Sweet
Home, Linn , Dec. 26-27 (N. Bock) provided
the 5th and 6th Oregon records. There are
now 19 Regional records. Thirty-one Pine
Grosbeaks at Trout L„ Klickitat, WA, Dec. 22
(SJ) furnished a superb count for the Region
while two at Lummi Flats, Whatcom, WA,
Feb. 20 (J. Duemmel) were w. of the Cas¬
cades, where rare.

There were 2 reports of the erratic
White-winged Crossbill this winter. Four at
Glenwood, Klickitat, WA, Dec. 19 (SJ) were
in the Cascades where most records come
from. Twenty at Bay Center, Pacific, WA,
Dec. 19 (H. Gilmore) were on the outer
coast, where casual. A count of 50 Lesser
Goldfinch at Maryhill, Klickitat, Jan. 8 (SJ)
shows that this species’ small population in
Washington is doing well.

Initialed observers, with subregional editors
in boldface: Kevin Aanerud, Jim Acton,
Range Bayer (Lincoln), David Bailey (DBa),
Dave Beaudette (DBe), Bob Boekelheide,
Debbie Bush (DBu), Trent Bray, Kathy
Castelein, Alan Contreras, Mike and Merry
Lynn Denny, Colin Dillingham, Steve
Dowlan, Dennis Duffy, Joe Engler, Robert
Flores, Jim Flynn, Michael Force, Jeff
Gilligan, Denny Granstrand, Konnie Hoo¬
ver, Stuart Johnston, Ken Knittle, Dave
Lauten, Bill & Nancy LaFramboise, Gerard
Lillie, Ed McVicker, Tom Mickel (Lane),
Steve Mlodinow, Don Munson, Harry
Neills (western Oregon), Vic Nelson, Bob
Norton, Mike Patterson, Tim Rodenkirk,
Russell Rogers (Washington), Owen
Schmidt, Gary Shaffer, Bill Shelmerdine,
Tim Shelmerdine, Patrick Sullivan (PtSu),
Paul Sullivan (PlSu), Ruth Sullivan, Bob
Sundstrom (BSu), Margaret Tweelinckx,
Dennis Vroman, Terry J. Wahl (TJW), Bob
Woodley.

Bill Tweit, P.0. Box 1271, Olympia, WA
98507-1271, Bill Tice, 750 Wood St., Falls
City, OR 97344 (polkman@navicom.com), and
Steve Mlodinow, 4819 Gardner Ave.,
Everett, WA 98203 (sgmlod@aol.com)

SCOTT B. TERRILL,

STEPHEN C. R0TTENB0RN,

DANIEL S. SINGER,
and DON ROBERSON

fter a decade that began in drought and
then was drenched in El Nino rains,
this season was about as “normal” as any in
a long time. Perhaps the only noteworthy
feature was higher-than-average tempera¬
tures that permitted numerous insectivores
(especially swallows) to remain farther
north than usual.

A boundary change takes effect this sea¬
son. Henceforth, ALL of Mono County will
be within this Region, including the south¬
eastern sliver around Oasis that has been
covered by the Southern Pacific Coast
Region since 1971. Boundaries now corre¬
spond to most observers’ ideas about
“northern” and “southern” California. Our
Region includes the northern 47 counties;
the Southern Pacific Coast Region has the
southern ten counties plus Inyo County.

Reports of exceptional vagrants submit¬
ted without documentation are normally
not published. This includes all C.B.R.C.
review species and claims of first county
records.

Abbreviations: C.B.R.C. (California Bird
Records Committee); C.V. (Central Valley); F.l.
(Southeast Farallon !.); S.F. (San Francisco); S.B.
(State Beach); S.R. (State Reserve); W.A.
(Wildlife Area).

LOOMS THROUGH PELICANS

A Yellow-billed Loon returned Nov. 24-Feb.
17 just offshore Pacific Grove, Monterey, for
its 6th winter (RT; fDR, JBo). Pacific Loons

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

203

This juvenile Masked/Nazca Booby on Monterey Bay, February 13, 1999, showed a cervical
collar, although several features suggest the possibility that it is a Nazca Booby,
not yet conclusively identified in California. Photograph/John Sorensen

are fairly rare at most inland locations,
especially in winter. Two at San Luis Res.,
Merced , Feb. 15 (KW) had few county
precedents although this species is some¬
what more regular on L. Shastina, Siskiyou ,
where five were present Dec. 5-19 (RE).
Also rare inland in winter, a Red-necked
Grebe was at Folsom L., El Dorado , Dec. 12
(TEa). A Regional high count of 50,000+
Aechmophorus grebes, approximately 2:1
WestermClark’s, were feeding on a Thread-
fin Shad die-off at Clear L., Lake , in Febru¬
ary (JRW, DR, RC).

An imm. Short-tailed Albatross 3 mi

WNW of Pt. Pinos, Monterey, Dec. 21
(tSNGH, fADeM, fDLSh, tSFB, ph. RT,
ph. RLB) represented the 3rd Regional
record in 4 months. Prior to 1998, there
were only 4 accepted records this century.
The Laysan Albatross returned to Pt. Arena
cove, Mendocino, for its 6th winter Dec. 7
(G. Steuer) and remained through the peri¬
od. This species is regular offshore, but this
bird, which spends nights near the pier, was
easily seen from shore.

February seabird densities w. of F.I. were
significantly higher than in any winter since
1992, likely owing to cold sea surface tem¬
peratures (and rich food supplies) related
to La Nina (L. Spear). Good numbers (up to
300/day) of Short-tailed Shearwaters
recorded offshore were likely related to the
same phenomenon. However, there were no
reported Flesh-footed Shearwaters. Two

Buller’s Shearwaters seen from Patricks Pt.,
Humboldt, Dec. 3 & 6 (DFx) were both late
and near shore. Single Manx Shearwaters
were off Monterey Jan. 18 (fBMcK,
fADeM, fDLSh, G. Nunn) and Santa Cruz
Feb. 13 (fDLSh, RyC, RT). This species has
been reported 4 of 6 winters since it was
first accepted on the California list in 1993
although most records are from fall.

An imm. Masked/Nazca Booby on
Monterey Bay Feb. 13 (ph. fSo, fADeM,
RyC, fDLSh, fAME) was a first for Santa
Cruz and the 5th for the Region. Although
it had a well-defined cervical collar (shown
by most Masked but few Nazca boobies), an
analysis of other characters by Roberson
(available on-line at www.montereybay.
com/creagrus/MTY_booby.html) suggest¬
ed that the bird might be a Nazca Booby,
not yet confirmed in California (see FN
52:276-287). A Brown Pelican present
throughout the period at the S. Wilbur
Flood Control Area, Kings (RH, LkC), was
unusual both for its far inland location and
its extended stay.

HERONS THROUGH RAPTORS

A Great Egret near Chalfant Jan. 16 was
Mono’s 2nd in winter (E. Gann, J. Fink-
beiner). Nevada’s 2nd and 3rd Snowy Egrets
were at Lake of the Pines Dec. 19 (JML) and
along McCourtney Rd. Jan. 30 (SAG).
Reports of Cattle Egrets were sparse coast-
ally with up to six in Humboldt, one in

Six reports of Trumpeter Swans
spanning Nov. 16-Jan. 22 and
comprising up to 12 individuals were
received. It has long been suspected that
more Trumpeters winter in the state
than are normally reported, but to date
the C.B.R.C. has accepted only 21 of 58
reports because of identification diffi¬
culties. Of this season’s reports, a female
in Placer Dec. 22 (f BWb) was wearing a
green collar and, hence, readily identifi¬
able. A family group of five at Trinity L.
Dec. 29 (fMiF) was our only other doc¬
umented sighting and would be a first
for Trinity, pending C.B.R.C. accep¬
tance. Other reports included birds seen
or heard from Sacramento, San Joaquin,
Sutter, and Yolo.

Monterey, one in Santa Clara, and up to two
in Santa Cruz Dec. 4-Feb. 24. The only con¬
centrations were in e. Contra Costa with 17
at Bethel I. Dec. 10 and 13 at Byron Feb. 3
(both SAG). Two White-faced Ibis at Wilder
Cr., Santa Cruz, Dec. 19 (fBJW) were the
only ones to reach the coast.

Large numbers of Ross’s Geese were
noted in Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara,
and Santa Cruz counties. Dense fog in the
C.V. likely contributed to the incursion
which peaked during the 2nd week of
January (DR). A Cinnamon Teal at Benton
Hot Springs Jan. 16 (E. Gann, J. Finkbeiner)
was Mono’s first mid-winter record. A Can-
vasback and a Redhead at Greagle, Plumas,
Feb. 27 were very unusual on a mountain
lake (ECB). Most Tufted Duck reports this
season were documented. Rare inland
records included a female at Shasta Valley
Wildlife Area, Shasta, Jan. 27 (fRE, B.
Smith); and a male at Borax L., Lake, Feb.
11-Mar. 5 (D. Woodward, JRW) and two
males and a female there Feb. 27 (fDR,
RC). Closer to the coast, a pair was at the
Sunnyvale Water Pollution ponds, Santa
Clara, Dec. 12-Jan. 30 (fSCR, m.ob.), and a
male was in Martinez, Contra Costa , Feb.
7-8 (DSW).

A first-year male Harlequin Duck at Lost
L. Park, Fresno, Jan. 16-Feb. 27 (JSL, m.ob.)
was just the 6th for the C.V. and the first
since 1989. Hope springs eternal that the
species may still or will once again nest in
the Sierra. Oldsquaws were noted in excep¬
tional numbers in Monterey where at least
seven wintered. Inland were two at Indian
Valley Res., Lake, Jan. 2-24 (S. Beach) and
one in Redding, Shasta, Feb. 3 (G. Stuart
Keith, R. Modeen). A male Barrow’s Gold¬
eneye at the lone sewage ponds through

204

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

middle pacific coast

December may have been Amador's 2nd
(fDR, RC) while Stanislaus' 2nd and 3rd
records were provided by a male in Turlock
Jan. 13 (JHG, m.ob.) and two females along
David Rd. Feb. 15 (fKW). Hooded Mer¬
gansers e. of the Sierra escarpment, where
rare, included a male at Indian Valley Res.,
Alpine, Dec. 19 (DR, RC), and a female Jan.
16 and a pair Feb. 21-22 at the Dechambeau
Ponds (L. Ford, B. Miller), 2nd and 3rd win¬
ter records for Mono.

A Turkey Vulture near Honey L. Dec. 30
(TDM) was not only Lassen’s first in winter
but evidently the first such record from the
Modoc Plateau and Great Basin areas. An
imm. Broad-winged Hawk in Capitola Jan.
7-14 (DLSu) was the first winterer in Santa
Cruz since 1992. The light-morph imm.
Swainson’s Hawk in Half Moon Bay, first
reported last season, stayed until Mar. 1
(PJM, fRSTh, BS), providing the first win¬
tering record along our coast. Remarkably,
a dark-morph adult was at Harkins Slough,
Santa Cruz, Jan. 21-Feb. 1 (L. Elrod, J.
Adams, fDLSu, CKf). Whether this indivi¬
dual wandered from the C.V. or was a very
early spring migrant is unknown. Rough¬
legged Hawks were once again very scarce
throughout the Region.

RAILS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS

The Benicia CBC tallied a record-high 25
Black Rails, mostly from Suisun Marsh,
Solano. One was calling in e. San Joaquin
Jan 2 (WRH). Two Sandhill Cranes in w.
Sonoma Feb. 25 (RLe) were the only ones
away from the Central Valley. A Snowy Plo¬
ver at Folsom L. Feb. 17 (PDe) was one of
very few for Placer and n. of its normal
wintering range in the San Joaquin Valley.

Reports of Mt. Plovers continued to
decline: 28 from various locations between
Sacramento and San Joaquin, and 17 in
Panoche Valley, San Benito. Increasing
numbers of Black-necked Stilts are winter¬
ing in the Sacramento Valley. Eighty-nine
were tallied at Gray Lodge N.W.R., Butte,
Dec. 22 ( fide BED). Twenty along Brewer
Rd. Jan. 18 provided a rare mid-winter
record for Placer (C. Hawley). Two Ruffs,
about average in recent winters, were
reported: singles at the s. end of Humboldt
Bay, Humboldt, Dec. 3 (T. Danufsky) and at
Yolo Bypass, Yolo, Dec. 26 (fDStb, JMHu).
Both may have been late migrants.

GULLS THROUGH ALCIDS

Single Franklin’s Gulls at Martinez Regional
Shoreline, Contra Costa/Solano, Feb. 14
(SAG, KW) and in Alviso, Santa Clara,
Feb. 23 (NL) represented an average winter

^ tk Increased scrutiny of gulls
in n. Santa Clara over the
past 2 winters has revealed numbers
of very pale Thayer’s-type gulls, pri¬
marily first-winter individuals, in
January and February. Although
fading may have been responsible
for the appearance of some, there
was an influx of first-winter birds at
this time that included individuals
that were extremely pale, aside from
fading. After two first-winter birds
showing plumage features of
Kumlien’s Iceland Gulls were in
Alviso in January 1998, at least three
first-winter birds and a 2nd-winter
individual showing characters of
kumlieni were present in Alviso Feb.
12-Mar. 12 (fSCR, AJ, ph. fMMR,
fMJM, ph. fSBT, MTH, m.ob.),
with more pale individuals showing
at least some characters of kumlieni.
Regardless of the taxonomic status
of birds in the Thayer’s/Iceland gull
complex, the origin of these

Birds showing the features of Iceland Gulls have
been recorded in California on several occasions,
but the California Bird Records Committee is still
reviewing all such claims. This first-winter bird,
photographed February 19, 1999, in Milpitas,
was one of at least four Iceland-type gulls
in the northern San Jose area this winter.
Photograph/Michael M. Rogers

extremely pale birds is of interest to

birders and biogeographers. The small percentage of kumlieni- type birds, with slightly
more “intergrade”-like individuals showing some kumlieni characters, is what might be
expected if a few e. Canadian birds ( kumlieni ) and intergrades with thayeri actually do
winter in California.

showing. An ad. Little Gull in Alviso Dec. 31
(fSBT) was the only one reported. An ad.
gull spending its 3rd winter in Palo Alto,
Santa Clara, Dec. 8 into March (fAJ, ph.
SCR) was possibly a Mew x Ring-billed
Gull, a hybrid combination not previously
described. Attesting to the rarity of Ring¬
billed Gulls on the outer coast away from
larger estuaries, an adult at Patricks Point
S.P., Dec. 6 (DFx, JCP) was the first seen by
these active observers on Humboldt’s rocky
headlands. The ad. Lesser Black-backed
Gull in Alviso for its 4th consecutive winter
was last seen Dec. 8 (fSCR); it was also in
nearby Fremont, Alameda, Dec. 4 (RJR).
Last year’s immature at L. Cunningham in
San Jose, Santa Clara, returned in 3rd-win-
ter plumage Dec. 22-Mar. 14 (fSCR, ph.
MMR).

A Regional high count of 24,000 Her¬
ring Gulls was recorded at the Newby I.
landfill, Santa Clara, Dec. 22 (MMR, NL). A
first-winter Thayer’s Gull at Indian Creek
Res. Dec. 19 (fDR) provided a first Alpine
record. Also unusual inland, a W. Gull at
Kutras L., Redding, Dec. 30-Feb. 2 (fBY,
BED) was Shasta’s first while three were at
O’Neill Forebay, Merced, Dec. 13-Feb. 19
(DR, SAG). The 35 reported Glaucous

Gulls, including three adults, exceeded
most winter totals.

An Elegant Tern at Seacliff S.B., Santa
Cruz, Jan. 21 (fDLSu) was rare in winter.
Black Skimmer reports included three
around Moss Landing, Monterey, Dec.
1 1-Jan. 1 (YG, ELb); at least two (and possi¬
bly up to six) in Santa Cruz Dec. 19-Feb. 14;
and up to 12 at Charleston Slough, Moun¬
tain View, Santa Clara, throughout the peri¬
od (m.ob.). One at L. Cunningham, San
Jose, Dec. 31 (K. Kwan) was unusual at this
inland location. Single Parakeet Auklets 23
and 34 mi s.w. of F.I. Feb. 20 & 23 (fSCR, fl.
Gaffney, fG. Redpath) were near where one
was seen in September 1997. Although there
are few recent records off c. California, this
species may be regular in the rarely birded
waters w. of the Farallones.

OWLS THROUGH WOODPECKERS

A vocalizing Spotted Owl at Wilder Ranch
S.P. Dec. 19 (fJND) provided one of few
Santa Cruz reports in recent decades. A N.
Saw-whet Owl calling along Mines Rd.,
Santa Clara, Nov. 29-Jan. 16 (RJR, SAG)
was one of few records in the Diablo Range.

Four male Costa’s Hummingbirds at
feeders from Sacramento to Contra Costa

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE Z

Z05

likely wintered, but one displaying near San
Luis Res., Merced, Feb. 15-20 (KW, RC)
was an early arrival. Arrival dates for Allen’s
Hummingbird were discussed a year ago.
Details of a male Allen’s at College L., Santa
Cruz, Jan. 1, 1998 (tDLSu) have since been
filed, pushing the earliest date back to New
Year’s Day. This year’s earliest Allen’s was
Jan. 9 in Aptos (DLSu), and the earliest
migrant Rufous was Jan. 12 at Moss Land¬
ing, Monterey (RbF). But what to make of
an unidentified Selasphorus at Sunnybrae,
Humboldt, Dec. 19 (SWH)? No others
reached the northwest until early February
(LPL, GSL).

Sapsuckers received increasing scrutiny,
and more Regional claims of wintering
“Red-napeds” involved bird with Red¬
breasted genes. Four of 13 Red-naped-types
this winter showed introgression; most oth¬
ers lacked details. While vagrant Red-
napeds are rare but regular in fall, wintering
claims should be treated with some caution.
Two Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers were report¬
ed: an immature in Golden Gate Park Dec.
26 (J. Romeu, LkC) and an ad. male at L.
Mendocino, Mendocino, Dec. 7-Mar. 1
(GEC, m.ob.).

FLYCATCHERS
THROUGH SWALLOWS

An E. Phoebe wintered in Shady Oaks Park,
San Jose, for its 6th winter (to at least Feb.
10; MJM et al.). A bright male Vermilion
Flycatcher at San Luis N.W.R. December 10
(fP. Eastman) was a first for Merced ; the few
Regional records are split between late fall
and spring. Sonoma’s first Dusky-capped
Flycatcher was at Bodega Bay Dec. 22-27
(fBDP, tJP> m.ob.), followed by a 2nd at
nearby Bodega Dunes Dec. 23-Jan. 16 (DN,
tJP, RAR). A returning Dusky-capped reap¬
peared at Neary Lagoon, Santa Cruz, Dec. 19
(fSGer, BHG), and a 4th was near Half
Moon Bay, San Mateo, Feb. 14 (fRSTh).
Kingbirds made news. A Tropical wintered
in Hidden Lakes Park, Martinez, Dec.
2-Feb. 1 (E. Dickey, fSAG, m.ob.; first doc¬
umented for Contra Costa). Cassin’s appar¬
ently overwintered in s.e. Santa Clara (near
its nesting locale; SCR, WGB) and near
Hollister, San Benito (DLSh); another was
near San Lucas, Monterey, Dec. 5 (J&HBa).
Best of all was a wintering Thick-billed
Kingbird in coastal San Mateo (a county
first and Regional 2nd record). Found on a
CBC at Half Moon Bay Dec. 19 (G. Deghi,
A. Kratter), it remained until at least Mar. 7
(fCLu, ph. DWN, m.ob.).

More N. Shrikes were w. of the Sierra
than usual with a half-dozen reported from

the C.V. and others reaching coastal valleys
from Ukiah, Mendocino, Dec. 19-Jan. 18
(DAE et al.) to Las Gallinas ponds, Marin,
Feb. 24 (fS. Shunk). Three Cassin’s Vireos
provided a typical winter complement:
South Sacramento Dec. 26 (DGY); near
Parkfield, Monterey, Dec. 28 (fDLSh); and
Half Moon Bay Feb. 27-Mar. 5 (fAME).
The first documented winter Blue-headed
Vireo was along Pescadero Cr., San Mateo,
Jan. 2 (fRSTh), but we still lack evidence of
an actual over-wintering individual. Three
Steller’s Jays at Pt. Richmond, Contra Costa,
Jan. 24 (B. Lewis) and singles in n. Stockon
Dec. 20-23 (J. Kane) and Lodi Lakes, both
San Joaquin, Feb. 11 (B. Mulrooney), may
have been leftovers from the fall invasion.
Totally unexpected was a Pinyon Jay in
Woodside, San Mateo, Jan. 16 (RSTh).

Many swallows remained farther north
than we have come to expect. Tree Swallow
numbers in Pajaro Valley, Santa Cruz, were
estimated at up to 120 birds between Dec.
10-Jan. 1 with northbound migrants noted
there by Jan. 16; 550 at the Davis wetlands,
Yolo, Dec. 26 represented a high C.V. count
for winter (DStb). Four N. Rough-winged
Swallows at Ukiah, Mendocino, Jan. 18
(GEC, CEV) were quite unusual as were two
at San Joaquin Fish Hatchery, Fresno, Dec.
29 (fDStb). But perhaps most unexpected
were a dozen Barn Swallows in late
December through early February from
Areata, Humboldt (B. Cariss et al.), to Ft.
Ord, Monterey (fDR), and inland to
Cosumnes R. Preserve, Sacramento (JTr), all
present long before the first migrants in late
February.

WRENS THROUGH WAXWINGS

Numerous House Wrens wintered farther
north than usual, including two at Hopland
Dec. 9-Feb. 19 (RJK, CEV), only the 2nd &
3rd winterers in Mendocino. Following a fall
invasion, Golden-crowned Kinglets were
widespread along the coast and in the low¬
lands, and Varied Thrush were in fair-to-
good numbers. A road-killed Gray Catbird
was picked up on Hwy. 1 near Ano Nuevo
S.R., San Mateo, Dec. 30 (ph. fBMcK). More
N. Mockingbirds continue to appear in the
northwest, the most inland at Lewiston,
Trinity, Jan. 2-8 (KMS, JEH, GjH, RHw)
and Grenada, Siskiyou, all winter (RE).

Wintering Brown Thrashers, always rar¬
ities, were at feeders in Petaluma, Sonoma,
Feb. 7-1 1 ( J&P Temko) and n.e. of Fresno,
Fresno, from mid-December through March
(C. Creager, m.ob.). Sage Thrashers are
expected in winter on the southern C.V.
floor but are scarcer to the west. Up to five

wintered near San Lucas, Monterey, Nov.
25-Feb. 21 (RFT, JSo); five or more were in
the Panoche Valley area, Fresno/San Benito
(AdeM, GFi); and singles were at Santa Cruz
Jan. 16-Mar. 13 (DLSu et al.) and Stanislaus
Feb. 20 (JHG, M. Cummins). A few Bohem¬
ian Waxwings, always unpredictable, were
scattered in the northeast, and a flock of 17
was as far south as Indian Creek Res. Dec. 16
(tJLx), an Alpine first.

WARBLERS

Lucy’s Warblers were in Pacific Grove,
Monterey, Dec. 5 (JBo et al.); Half Moon Bay
Dec. 27 (RSTh); and L. Merced, S.F., Dec.
13-23 (HCt; same bird for 3 consecutive
years?). Also expected were 25 Nashville and
23 Palm warblers and a couple N. Water-
thrushes along the coast from Humboldt to
Monterey, four Yellow Warblers in the S.F.
Bay area; 1 5 coastal Black-and-white Warb¬
lers; an Am. Redstart in San Mateo; a Mac-
Gillivray’s Warbler in Santa Cruz; and three
coastal Wilson’s Warblers. Less expected
were two Black-and-white Warblers at
Cosumnes R. Preserve Dec. 12-Jan. 22 (J.
Schick, JTr) and one at Watertown pond
Dec. 4, a first for Calaveras (fTEa); a N. Wa-
terthrush at Rodman Slough Dec. 13-Jan.
13 (a first for Lake, fJRW et al.); and inland
Wilson’s Warblers at Putah Cr., Yolo, Dec. 20
(fDStb) and Modesto, Stanislaus, Jan. 3
(HRv, JHG).

“Eastern” warblers present this winter
included a tailless Magnolia on Alamitos
Cr., Santa Clara, Jan. 8-16 (tJMa et al.); a
bright male Cape May in Pacific Grove Dec.
25-27 (fSFB, BHG, SGer; same bottlebrush
as a September male but likely a different
bird); a male Black-throated Blue in a Sara¬
toga yard, Santa Clara, Jan. 4— Feb. 22 (ph. T.
Burney, fv.o.); an imm. Prairie in Bodega
Bay Dec. 23-Feb. 2 (fJP, BDP et al.); and a
bright Prothonotary at Cosumnes R. Pre¬
serve Dec. 1-14 (R. Peterson, JTr), a first for
Sacramento. The best parulid of the season
was a Grace’s Warbler that wintered on
Jacks Peak Dec. 12-Feb. 14 (fRFT; fDHpt,
fCHo, fDR, m.ob.), a first for Monterey. It
was an elusive bird, taking observers hours
to locate in a huge wintering flock of Town¬
send’s and a half-dozen Hermit warblers in
Monterey Pine forest. This is only the 2nd
Regional record (first was 26 June 1991 on
Glass Mt„ Mono, e. of the Sierran divide),
but Grace’s have wintered as near as Santa
Barbara in s. California.

TANAGERS THROUGH FINCHES

The only Summer Tanager was near Natur¬
al Bridges S.B., Santa Cruz, Dec. 17-19 (A.

206

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

middle pacific coast

Kapitov, m.ob.). A Green-tailed Towhee
overwintered at Watsonville, Santa Cruz ,
Nov. 1-Mar. 20 (M. Stevenson). More
Chipping Sparrows were around than nor¬
mal, including at least 13 near Parkfield,
Monterey, Dec. 28 (SFB), but the Spizella
making headlines was Clay-colored. Eight
were widely scattered: two in Areata Dec.
1-Feb 28 and one at Willow Cr., Humboldt,
Dec. 26 (tJCP, DFx); Pt. Reyes Dec. 5
(fAME); San Bruno, San Mateo, Dec.
6-Mar. 28 (RSTh, AWn); a first for Mari¬
posa at L. McSwain Jan. 1 1 (tJSL); and one
at Toro Park, Monterey, Feb. 20 (fRbF).

Pale canescens Sage Sparrows, known to
disperse W from C.V. breeding areas in
winter, appeared in Panoche Valley Jan. 23
(ADeM) and Feb. 6 (fR. Scalf). Lark Bunt¬
ings are a rare but regular winterer on inte¬
rior grasslands: three on Davis Rd., Stanis¬
laus, until Jan. 28 (TEa, JHG); four in
Panoche Valley Jan. 23 (ADeM); and singles
in Monterey on Gloria-Camphora Rd. Jan 2
(tDLSh) and Cholame Valley Dec. 28
(SFB). Up to three Nelson’s Sharp-tailed
Sparrows wintered in south S.F. Bay marsh¬
lands, as usual (C.J. Coston et al.). Swamp
Sparrows are widespread in low numbers
throughout our Region in winter but are
just now being reported from the less-bird-
ed counties. First records came from Cala¬
veras (Mar. 10 at Jenny Lind; tJSL) and
Madera (Feb. 15 in center of Chowchilla R.
on the Madera/Merced border; fKW).

Longspurs are scarce in Santa Clara, but
a Lapland and a Chestnut-collared were
near San Jose Feb. 2-27 (fSCR, SBT,
MMR). Six Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were
present, including three at feeders in Santa
Cruz (DLSu) and one in Nevada ( fide
BDW); this contrasts with just three Black¬
headed Grosbeaks. A very late Indigo Bunt¬
ing was in Santa Cruz Dec. 19-20 (B. Mc¬
Laughlin, fDLSu).

Wintering coastal orioles included three
Orchards (one n. to Bodega Bay Dec.
23-Feb. 1; DN, fJP et al.), five Hoodeds,
and at least 20 Bullock’s. Two male Balti¬
more Orioles wintered: Golden Gate Park,
S.F., Dec. 23-Jan. 4 (fSAG, LkC, ph. DWN,
m.ob.) and Carmel, Monterey, Dec. 17-Feb.
1 (REM, m.ob.). No significant movements
of any finches were noted.

Cited observers (county coordinators bold¬
faced): Stephen F. Bailey, Jim 8c Helen

Banks, William G. Bailsman, Edward C.
Beedy, Jim Booker, Penelope K. Bowen,

Ronald L. Branson, Beverly Brock, Rita
Carratello, George E. Chaniot, Ryan
Chornock, Luke Cole, Hugh Cotter, Al

DeMartini, Bruce E. Deuel. Jeff N. Davis,
Pierre Delastre, Todd Eastcrla, Demian A.
Ebert, Alan M. Eisner, Ray Ekstrom, Mike
Feighner, George Finger, David Fix, Rob
Fowler, James H. Gain, Bruce H. Gerow,
Steve Gerow, Yohn Gideon, Steve A. Glo¬
ver, George Griffiths, Steve C. Hampton,
Rob Hansen, Stan W. Harris, Dave Haupt,
Gjon Hazard, Rob Hansen, Matt T. Heindel,
Rob Hewitt, Craig Hohcnberger, Waldo R.
Holt, Steven N.G. Howell, Joan M.
Humphrey, John E. Hunter, Al Jaramillo,
Robert J. Keiffer, Clay Kempf, Jeri M.
Langham, Rick Lebadour, Earl Lebow,
Robin L.C. Leong, Lauren P. Lester, Gary S.
Lester, Nick Lethaby, Cindy Lieurance
(CLu), Leslie Lieurance (LLu), Jim Lomax,
John S. Luther, Michael J. Mammoser,
Timothy D. Manolis, Robert E. Maurer,
Bert McKee, Peter J. Metropulos, Dan
Nelson, David W. Nelson, Benjamin D.
Parmeter, John Parmeter, Jude Claire
Power, Harold Reeve, Robert J. Richmond,
Don Roberson, Michael M. Rogers,
Stephen C. Rottenborn, Ruth A. Rudesill,
Debra L. Shearwater, Keith M. Slauson,
John Sorensen, Daniel Stoebel, Emilie
Strauss, David L. Suddjian, Richard
Ternullo, Scott B. Terrill, Robert F. Tintle,
Ronald S. Thorn, John Trochet, Chuck E.

Vaughn, Kent Van Vuren, Bruce Webb,
Brian J. Weed, Jerry R. White, Denise S.
Wight, Brian D. Williams, Adam Winer,
Bob 8c Carol Yutzy, m.ob.- many observers.
Many more observers were not specifically
cited, but all are appreciated.

Scott B. Terrill and Stephen C.
Rottenborn (Loons to Frigatebirds/Larids to
Alcids), H.T, Harvey & Associates, P.0. Box 1180,
Alviso, CA 95002 (rottenbo@pacbell.net);
Daniel S. Singer (Herons to Shorebirds), c/o
Arroyo & Coates, 500 Washington St., Ste. 700,
San Francisco, CA 94111 (dsg@isp.net); and
Don Roberson (Doves to Finches), 282
Grove Acre Ave., Pacific Grove, CA 93950 (crea-
grus@montereybay.com)

Place names that are frequently men¬
tioned, but very long, may be abbreviat¬
ed in a form such as “C.B.B.T.” or
“W.P.B.O.” Such local abbreviations will
be explained in a key at the beginning
of the particular regional report in
which they are used. Standard abbrevi¬
ations that are used throughout North
American Birds are keyed on page 138.

It talc

es you.

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preserve our nations most
threatened lands and waters.
Protect and restore our heritage
— support / \LC.

Call us at 415.403.3850
or visit us at www.alcnet.org — learn how you can help.

AMERICAN LAND
CONSERVANCY

A non-profit organization.
456 Montgomery Street, Suite 1450
San Francisco, CA 94104

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

207

southern

region

GUY McCASKIE

The Region experienced a decidedly
drier than normal winter with slightly
cooler than expected temperatures. Some of
the mountain passerines that moved into
the lowlands during fall remained through
winter, with Mountain Chickadees consid¬
ered more numerous and widespread than
usual along the western and eastern bases of
the mountains, particularly so in Los Angel¬
es-, numbers of Red-breasted Nuthatches
remaining higher than normal along the
coast; and Golden-crowned Kinglets being
more widespread and numerous than
expected, but none of these being as
numerous and widespread as after major
fall flights.

Abbreviations: C.L. (China L. Naval Air
Weapons Station, extreme n.e. Kern Co.);
N.E.S.S. (north end of the Salton Sea, Riverside
Co.); S.D.N.H.M. (San Diego Natural History
Museum ); S.E.S.S. (south end of the Salton Sea,
Imperial Co.); V.A.F.B. (Vandenberg Air Force
Base in n. coastal Santa Barbara Co.). Since vir¬
tually all rarities in s. California are seen by
many observers, only the observer(s) initially
finding and identifying the bird are included.
Documentation for species on the California
Bird Records Committee (CBRC) review list is
forwarded to the CBRC Secretary and archived
at the Western Foundation for Vertebrate
Zoology in Camarillo.

GREBES THROUGH HAWKS

A Red-necked Grebe, rare s. of Monterey, in
Long Beach, Los Angeles, Jan. 9-26
(MSanM) was the only one reported in the
Region.

pacific coast

Short-tailed Shearwaters were more
numerous than usual, as indicated by at
least five off Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo,
Jan. 17 (TME); two off Pt. Dume, Los
Angeles, Dec. 20 (KLG); and 10 off La Jolla,
San Diego, Jan. 1 (GMcC). Two ad. Brown
Boobies on the Los Coronodos Is. off
extreme n. Baja California Jan. 31 (PAG)
appeared paired and on territory; this
species is not known to nest on the Pacific
coast of Baja California (Howell & Webb.
The Birds of Mexico and N. Central America.
1995) and is considered a casual straggler
off S. California.

The Tricolored Heron found in Imperial
Beach, San Diego, July 25 was still present
Feb. 17, and another found in Bolsa Chica,
Orange, Oct. 31 remained through the end
of the period; one inland at N.E.S.S. Feb.
14-27 (MDB) was believed to be the same
bird present at this location last winter. The
ad. Reddish Egret around Imperial Beach
since Aug. 2 was still present Mar. 14, and
was the same identifiable individual that
spent the past 16 winters in this area.

A Trumpeter Swan on Pleasant Valley
Res. near Bishop, Inyo, Jan. 2-Feb 13
(J&DP), then about 20 mi s. with Tundra
Swans on Tinnemaha Res. Feb. 22 through
the end of the period (T&JH), was banded
as an adult in Idaho 7 Dec. 1996 and is only
the 3rd non-translocated/managed individ¬
ual found in S. California. The female
Tufted Duck found near Saticoy, Ventura,
Nov. 29 remained through Feb. 12 and was
the only one reported in the Region. Old-
squaws were more numerous along the
coast than usual with at least 20 reported,
including up to six together on San Diego
Bay in February (ECH, SW) and single birds
inland in Laguna Niguel, Orange, Dec.
19-Mar. 22 (KLP); La Mesa, San Diego, Jan.
18-Feb. 10 (JiM); and on the Colorado R.
below Parker Dam, San Bernardino, Jan. 31-
Feb. 28 (MMS). A Barrow’s Goldeneye, rare
in S. California, was with Com. Goldeneye
near Bishop Ian. 28-Feb. 7 (GMcC), and
two more were with Com. Goldeneye on L.
Isabella, Kern, Feb. 23 (MTH).

An ad. Broad-winged Hawk photo¬
graphed near El Centro, Imperial, Feb.
25-26 (KZK) appeared to be an exception¬

ally early migrant, possibly moving with
Swainson’s Hawks in the same area. A
Swainson’s Hawk in Lakeside, San Diego,
Jan. 29 (MBS) was either wintering locally
or an exceptionally early spring migrant,
but 13 around El Centro and Westmorland,
Imperial, Feb. 15 (KLG) and 20-30 over
Santa Ana, Orange, Feb. 17 (BE) were clear¬
ly migrants. The Zone-tailed Hawk spend¬
ing its 6th winter in Goleta, Santa Barbara,
was last seen Mar. 24; another spending its
6th winter around Ojai, Ventura, was pre¬
sent Dec. 20-Mar. 7 (JST); one was over
Costa Mesa, Orange, Jan. 27 (PHB); anoth¬
er was near Perris, Riverside, Feb. 1 (AH);
and up to two were around Escondido, San
Diego, Nov. 19-Mar. 15 (GMcC). Rough¬
legged Hawks were virtually nonexistent in
S. California with two in e. San Luis Obispo
Feb. 15 (TME) and one near Independence,
Inyo, Jan. 15 (J&DP) being the only ones
reported.

RAILS THROUGH GULLS

An emaciated Yellow Rail, found alive by
jogger Dan Martin on a residential street in
Santee Dec. 16, was the first for San Diego (*
S.D.N.H.M.) and 6th in S. California. A
Sandhill Crane around Ventura Dec. 20-
Jan. 7 (RK) was on the coast and away from
areas of regular occurrence.

All at known wintering localities were
five Pacific Golden -Plovers at the airfield on
n. V.A.F.B. Jan. 3 (BHi); one near Santa
Maria, Santa Barbara, Dec. 27 (BHi); up to
three in Seal Beach, Orange, Dec. 1-Feb. 12
(DRW); one at Bolsa Chica Jan. 17-Mar. 14
(GM); another in nearby Huntington
Beach Nov. 12-Mar. 3 (JEP); one on Upper
Newport Bay Jan. 3 (TEW); and three in
Imperial Beach Jan. 30-Mar. 20 (JC).
Thirteen Mt. Plovers at the airfield on n.
V.A.F.B. Jan. 3 (BHi) and up to 23 at Seal
Beach Dec. 24—27 (JF) were along the coast
where now very rare; 25 near Lost Hills,
Kern, Dec. 19 (VH) and up to 200 near Lan¬
caster, Los Angeles, Dec. 6-Feb. 7 (M&NF)
were the only others reported away from
the area around S.E.S.S. An oystercatcher
flying past the pier in Newport Beach,
Orange, Feb. 6 (MJSanM) was either an
American or an American x Black hybrid.

208

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

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A Solitary Sandpiper near Bishop Oct.
19-Dec. 9 (J&DP) was either a remarkably
late fall migrant or attempting to winter
locally. Three Ruddy Turnstones at S.E.S.S.
Feb. 27-Mar. 4 (MAP) had undoubtedly
spent the winter locally on the Salton Sea. A
Black Turnstone at S.E.S.S. Feb. 2-27 (JoM)
was only the 2nd to be found on the Salton
Sea in winter. A Pectoral Sandpiper near
Saticoy Dec. 26 (ST) was unusually late. A
female Ruff was at S.E.S.S. Dec. 2-Feb. 25
(KZK), and another in Oxnard, Ventura,
Mar. 15 (DDJ) was believed to have win¬
tered locally. A Wilson’s Phalarope at
S.E.S.S. Nov. 29 through the period
(GMcC) was one of a very few known to
have successfully wintered in California.

A 2nd-year Laughing Gull at S.E.S.S.
Dec. 12 (GMcC) was the only one reported.
Far inland, where unexpected, were an ad.
Mew Gull in Bakersfield, Kern, Dec. 19
(MTH); one at Salton City, Imperial, Jan. 1
(DSP); another at S.E.S.S. Dec. 5 through
the period (MAP); and a first-year bird near
Lakeview, Riverside, Dec. 19 (MAP). A pale
first-year gull at Dana Pt., Orange, Feb.
13-Mar. 13 (DR) was variously identified as
an Iceland and an intergrade Iceland/
Thayer’s gull based on characters given by
Kevin J. Zimmer (Plumage Variation in
“Kumlien’s” Iceland Gull. Birding 23:254-
269, 1991); similar pale first-winter gulls
have previously been reported in California
and are currently being reviewed as Iceland
Gulls by the CBRC. Five ad. Lesser Black-
backed Gulls were present with one at
N.E.S.S. Jan. 26-Feb 27 (MAP) believed to
be the same bird present here last winter;
another in Brawley, Imperial, Dec. 30-Feb. 1
(ST, MSanM); one at Dana Pt. for its 5th
winter Nov. 4-Mar. 10 (KLP), joined by
another Nov. 30-Dec. 7 (DSP); and the 5th
in nearby Santa Ana Feb. 13 (VH). Up to
five W. Gulls at S.E.S.S. Dec. 5-Ian 31
(GMcC, MAP) were unexpected, but num¬
bers reaching this inland body of water
appear to be on the increase.

Eleven first-year Glaucous Gulls along
the coast between Pt. Piedras Blancas, San
Luis Obispo, and San Diego, along with sin¬
gle birds inland near Arvin, Kern, Dec. 19
(MTH), N.E.S.S. Jan. 26 (MAP), and
S.E.S.S. Jan. 30-Feb. 14 (GMcC), were more
than expected. Black-legged Kittiwakes
were remarkably scarce along the coast, but
the presence of about 150 off Morro Bay
Jan. 16 (TC) and at least 60 30-40 mi w. of
San Diego Feb. 1 1 (PL) suggests some were
offshore, at least later in the winter. A first-
year bird on L. Cachuma, Santa Barbara,
Jan. 20 (CS) was inland, where unexpected.

An exceptionally late ad. Sabine’s Gull flew
past La Jolla Dec. 6 (GMcC).

DOVES THROUGH FLYCATCHERS

A White-winged Dove at N.E.S.S. Jan. 2
(CMcG) was one of a very few found inland
away from oases in Anza-Borrego Desert
S.P. in e. San Diego; one in Carpinteria, San¬
ta Barbara, Dec. 27 (LRB) and another near
Pt. Mugu, Ventura, Jan. 30 (WW) were the
only two found along the coast. A Lesser
Nighthawk at Finney L. near S.E.S.S. Feb. 25
(TRC) was probably the same bird present
at this location last winter. Up to three
Com. Poorwills near Lompoc Dec. 16-Jan.
3 (BHi); two in the Santa Ynez Mts., Santa
Barbara, Jan. 2 (GT); two more near Refug¬
io Pass above Santa Barbara Jan. 12-21
(SB); two on Santa Cruz I. Dec. 12-13
(MAH); and another in Trabuco Canyon,
Orange, Feb. 25-Mar. 3 (RAH) represented
an unexpected number for winter. One or
two Vaux’s Swifts in Goleta Dec. 24-Jan. 26
(JEL); ten over Whittier, Los Angeles, Dec.
24 (MSanM); and 100+ near San Clemente,
San Diego, Feb. 24 (DWA) were wintering
locally. The female Broad-billed Humming¬
bird found in Goleta Nov. 28 was still pre¬
sent at the end of the period. The male
Broad-tailed Hummingbird in Santa Bar¬
bara since Nov. 17 was present through the
period. A male Allen’s Hummingbird near
Inyokern Feb. 16-20 (TM) was the first in e.
Kern.

A female Williamson’s Sapsucker in
Brawley Jan. 18-19 (RCH, PEL) was the
first to be found in Imperial. Reports of at
least 12 Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers scattered
throughout the Region probably reflect
observers’ familiarity with distinguishing
characters separating this species from Red-
naped Sapsuckers rather than an increase in
occurrence. A White-headed Woodpecker
on Figueroa Mt. near Santa Barbara Jan. 17
(DC) and another near L. Isabella Dec. 6
(JCW) were away from any known area of
normal occurrence.

A Greater Pewee, a casual straggler to
California, at Brock Ranch Dec. 24-Feb. 15
(MAP) was the 3rd to be found in Imperial.
The Least Flycatcher found at Upper New¬
port Bay, Orange, Nov. 21 was still present
Feb. 24, and another was near Imperial
Beach Dec. 26-Jan. 23 (TRC). A Ham¬
mond’s Flycatcher, very rare in winter, in
Huntington Beach Nov. 9-Mar. 16 (JEP)
was joined by a 2nd Feb. 16-Mar. 16 (KSG),
and a 3rd was in Laguna Niguel Jan. 7-9
(KLP).

Twenty-five Gray Flycatchers, the “ex¬
pected” Empidonax in winter, were reported

from along the coast and the s.e. portion of
the Region. A Dusky Flycatcher in Covina,
Los Angeles, Jan. 17-28 (TEW) and another
in Yorba Linda, Orange, Jan. 17-18 (DRW)
were two of a very few to be found in
California in winter. A dozen Pacific-slope
Flycatchers were reported along the coast
and in the lowlands e. to the Riverside/San
Bernardino basin, but six of these were in
December when possibly late fall stragglers
rather than true wintering birds. There
were more E. Phoebes than expected with
single birds near Lompoc Feb. 28 through
the period (NG); at L. Cachuma Jan. 9-
Mar. 13 (MAH); near Santa Paula, Ventura,
Dec. 27-Jan. 2 (ST); in Topanga, Los
Angeles, Dec. 20 (RJN); near L. Elsinor,
Riverside, Feb. 7-14 (KSG); near Lakeview,
Riverside, Dec. 23 (AEM); N.E.S.S. Jan. 2-31
(BT); S.E.S.S. Feb. 6-25 (KC); and Borrego
Springs, San Diego, Dec. 20 (PP). Three
Dusky-capped Flycatchers were found this
winter: one in Los Osos, San Luis Obispo,
Dec. 13-19 (TME); another in Ventura Dec.
28-Jan 2 (DP); and a 3rd in Long Beach
Dec. 27 still present Mar. 28 (JEP). The only
Ash-throated Flycatchers reported were one
in Long Beach Nov. 3-27 (KSG) and anoth¬
er near Imperial Beach Dec. 8 (PU). Single
Tropical Kingbirds in Goleta Nov 28-Mar. 3
(DC) and Dec. 4-Jan. 2 (DAK), Ventura
Jan. 10 (JST), Oxnard Feb. 20-Mar. 16
(LO’N), Los Alamitos, Orange, Nov. 25-
Dec. 8 (JEP), and near Imperial Beach Dec.
13-Feb 5 (GMcC), along with two near Pt.
Mugu Jan. 31-Feb. 27 (AS), represented an
average number for winter. The Thick¬
billed Kingbird in Pomona since Oct. 14
was still present Feb. 19, and one photo¬
graphed near Santa Paula Feb. 25-Mar. 3
(SH) was the first for Ventura. Two Scissor-
tailed Flycatchers were reported: one in
Irvine, Orange, Jan. 1-30 (DRW), believed
to be the same bird in nearby Newport
Beach Mar. 2-10 (KSG); and the other near
Escondido, San Diego, Dec. 23-Jan. 2 (RP,
CGE).

VIREOS THROUGH SHRIKES

A Yellow-throated Vireo in Westminster,
Orange, Dec. 29-Feb. 15 (MB) was only the
2nd known to have wintered in California.
Reports of Plumbeous Vireos (40) far out¬
numbered those of Cassin’s Vireos (nine)
along the coast and the lowlands e. to the
Riverside/San Bernardino basin, and single
Plumbeous Vireos at S.E.S.S. Dec. 5-Jan. 16
(MAP) and in Brawley Dec. 12 (TRC) were
the only “Solitary” vireos in the e. portion
of the Region. A Blue-headed Vireo, a casu¬
al straggler to California, was in Orange

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

209

Oct. 31-Jan. 16 (DRW). A Warbling Vireo
near Holtville, Imperial , Jan. 23 (BF) was
one of very few found in winter; single
birds in Long Beach Dec. 26 (DS) and San
Diego Dec. 15 (PAG) were considered
exceptionally late fall migrants, and one in
Anza- Borrego S. P. Feb. 27 (PJ) was an early
spring migrant.

Two Bank Swallows at S.E.S.S. Dec. 12
(GMcC) were either remarkably late mi¬
grants or attempting to winter locally, and
one there Feb. 14 (ST) was believed to have
wintered locally. A calling Juniper Titmouse
in California City Feb. 24 (MTH) was the
first to be identified in Kern ; we know that
titmice periodically stray into this area of
the high desert and that Oak Titmice were
present last fall, but we are in the dark as to
which titmouse is more regular. A Winter
Wren at S.E.S.S. Dec. 5-22 (MAP) was
identified by call as hyetnalis from the e.
North America population (KLG).

The Gray Catbird present in California
City since Oct. 18 was still present Dec. 18.
A Brown Thrasher in Los Angeles Jan.
25-Mar. 18 (LS) was the only one found. A
Bendire’s Thrasher, rare in winter, was in
the San Felipe Valley of e. San Diego Dec. 21
(PU), another was at nearby Agua Caliente
Springs Jan. 21 (ECH), and a 3rd was on the
coast in Costa Mesa, Orange , Jan. 3-Feb. 20
(BML). A male Gray Silky-flycatcher at
Falcon Group Camp in the Santa Ana Mts.,
Orange , Jan. 29-Feb. 18 (DL) was the sub¬
ject of much discussion regarding genuine
vagrancy (closest known area of normal
occurrence for this normally resident
species is 650 mi distant in s.e. Sonora,
Mexico) vs. escapee and is now under
review by the C.B.R.C. An imm. N. Shrike
in Aspendell, Inyo , Jan. 28 (GMcC) was the
only one reported this winter.

WARBLERS

A Tennessee Warbler in Bishop Dec. 14-15
(J&DP) was remarkably late for that area of
California; one in Goleta Jan. 6 (SEF),
another in Santa Barbara Dec. 20-Jan. 2
(JEL), and a 3rc* in Irvine Jan. 1-3 (TEW)
were the only reported wintering. A Vir¬
ginia’s Warbler in Riverside Dec. 12-25
(DSC) was evidently attempting to winter
locally. A Lucy’s Warbler at Morro Bay, San
Luis Obispo , Dec. 19 (TME); another near
downtown Los Angeles Feb. 15 (KLG); and
one in Brea, Orange , Feb. 28-Mar. 6 (KSG)
were the only three found. A N. Parula in
Santa Barbara Feb. 7-Mar. 30 (SCR) and
another in Anaheim Nov. 29-Mar. 21
(BML) were the only two found this winter.
A Chestnut-sided Warbler was present in

Long Beach Dec. 27-Jan. 24 (KSG), and
another was in Atwater Village in Los
Angeles Feb. 16-21 (RB).

A Magnolia Warbler in Covina Jan.
15-Feb. 25 (MJSanM) was one of a very few
found wintering in California. A male
Black-throated Blue Warbler first seen in
Coronado, San Diego , in December was still
present Mar. 28 (HW). Five Black-throated
Green Warblers were present with one in
Long Beach Dec. 27 (DRW); another in
Laguna Beach, Orange, Jan. 21-23 (RAE);
one in La Habra Heights, Los Angeles, Mar.
1 1 (RAH); another in Oceanside, San Diego,
Nov. 16 through the period (PAG); and the
5th in National City, San Diego, Nov. 5
through the period (DWA), the latter two
returning for their 3rd winters. Small num¬
bers of Hermit Warblers regularly winter
along the coast of San Luis Obispo and Santa
Barbara but are rare s. of there, so single
birds in Anaheim, Orange, Nov. 13-Jan. 1
(BML), another near Imperial Beach Dec.
19 through the end of the period (TRC),
and an unprecedented individual in the
Greenhorn Mts., Kern, Dec. 26 (SAL) were
of note. A Blackburnian Warbler near Cor¬
ona, Riverside, Dec. 10 (JEP) could have
been a very late fall vagrant, but one on the
Palos Verdes Pen., Los Angeles, Dec. 26-Jan.
23 (JI) and another in Los Angeles Feb.
24-26 (KLG) were only the 2nd and 3rd to
be found in S. California in winter and two
of a very few found wintering in North
America. The Pine Warbler found in Long
Beach Nov. 25 was still present Mar. 28. A
Prairie Warbler in Los Osos Dec. 19-Feb. 27
(JSR); another photographed in Lompoc,
Santa Barbara, Jan. 17 through the period
(BHi); and a 3rd near Pomona Feb. 13
(KLG) were clearly wintering.

Ten Palm Warblers along the coast were
less than average, and one inland in Bishop
Dec. 9-22 (T&JH) was only the 2nd in Inyo
at this time of the year. Twenty-two Black-
and-white Warblers along the coast were a
little more than expected, and 20 Am. Red¬
starts in the same area were certainly more
than average. The Worm-eating Warbler
found in Irvine Oct. 18 was still present Jan.
14 and believed to have successfully win¬
tered locally. Four N. Waterthrushes along
the coast were less than expected. A
Kentucky Warbler in Morongo Valley, San
Bernardino, Dec. 4-5 ( VL, EAC) is best con¬
sidered a late fall straggler, but one in Vista,
San Diego, Mar. 15-25 (PAG) had probably
wintered locally. A remarkably late Canada
Warbler was near Guadalupe, Santa Bar¬
bara, Dec. 10 (JMC). A late-moving Painted
Redstart was in Yucca Valley, San Bernard¬

ino, Dec. 3 (EAC), and one found in
Brawley Nov. 29 was still present Mar. 19.

TANAGERS THROUGH ORIOLES

Seven Summer and at least 60 Western tan-
agers along the coast were about average.
The presence of at least 12 Clay-colored
Sparrows along the coast was more than
expected. A Black-chinned Sparrow on the
w. slope of the Cuyamaca Mts., San Diego,
Feb. 7 (PU) was one of a very few found in
California in winter. A Lark Bunting in
Independence Dec. 18 (RH), at least one on
the Elkhorn Plain in e. San Luis Obispo Jan.
1-2 (WAB, GPS), another in Orange Dec.
20-23 (JSB), two together in the w.
Antelope Valley, Los Angeles, Jan. 24-Feb. 7
(DP), and a 5th near Calimesa, Riverside,
Feb. 16 (RAE) were the only found. A
Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrows photo¬
graphed near Port Hueneme, Ventura, Feb.
15-21 (DDJ) was in a weed-choked field,
very different from the salt marsh habitat at
Morro Bay and Upper Newport Bay where
up to five were present Dec. 4-Feb. 15
(TME) and one Dec. 1-Feb. 28 (JEP),
respectively. Harris’s Sparrows were decid¬
edly scarce, with one near Onyx, Kern, Dec.
27 (BG) and another at Morongo Valley,
San Bernardino, Dec. 29 through the period
(KL) being the only two reported. The only
longspurs reported were three Laplands in
Seal Beach Dec. 27 (MW).

A female Pyrrhuloxia in Costa Mesa
Feb. 7-Mar. 14 (PHB) was the 3rd to reach
the coast of California. Seven Rose-breasted
Grosbeaks along the coast represented an
expected number for winter, and the only
Black-headed Grosbeak was in Cowan
Heights, Orange, Feb. 20 (RAH). A male
Indigo Bunting photographed near Lom¬
poc Jan. 30-Feb. 3 (BHo) was one of a very
few to be found in California in winter. A
male and a female Painted Bunting in Ni-
land, Imperial, Dec. 22 (PAG, MSanM),
with the female still present Jan. 18 (PEL),
pose an interesting problem for the CBRC
members evaluating records since males are
often considered escapees and since there
are no endorsed winter records for Cali¬
fornia. A Dickcissel at a feeder in Carpin-
teria Feb. 24-28 (LRB) and another in
Sylmar, Los Angeles, Nov. 25-Dec. 18 (RB)
are two of a very few found at this time of
the year in California.

A male Rusty Blackbird in Santa Bar¬
bara Dec. 6-Jan. 18 (PMcN) and another at
C.L. Dec. 7 (SS) were the only two reported.
A photographed Com. Grackle in Lompoc
Jan. 3 through the period (BHi) adds
another to the ever-increasing number

210

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

southern pacific coast

recorded in California. A Bronzed Cowbird
near Imperial Beach Dec. 1 (JT* to
S.D.N.H.M.) was only the 2nd to reach the
coast of California. A female Orchard
Oriole was in Huntington Beach Jan. 19-22
(KSG), and another in Niland Dec. 22-Jan.
23 (MSanM) was the 4th to be found
around S.E.S.S.. An impressive 15 Balti¬
more Orioles were found along with the
regular wintering population of Bullock’s
Orioles along the coast. At least 10 Scott’s
Orioles along the coast and two along the s.
slope of the Laguna Mts. in San Diego Feb.
2 (PU) were all away from the w. edge of the
Colorado Desert where small numbers reg¬
ularly winter.

Cited observers (county coordinators/major
contributors in boldface): Douglas W.
Aguillard, Larry R. Ballard, Suzanne
Barrymore, Richard Barth, Marc D. Better,
Peter H. Bloom, William A. Bouton, Jeffery
S. Boyd, Martin Byhower, Eugene A- Cardiff
(San Bernardino ), Ted Chandick, Jaime M.
Chavez, Therese R. Clawson, James
Coatsworth, David Compton, Keith
Condon, Daniel S. Cooper, Elizabeth
Copper ( San Diego), Brian E. Daniels, Don
Desjardin ( Ventura), Bettina Eastman, Tom
M. Edell (San Luis Obispo), Claud G.

Edwards, Richard A. Erickson, Shawneen E.
Finnegan, John Fitch, Brush Freeman, Mary
and Nick Freeman (M&NF), Bruce
Garlinger, Kimball L. Garrett (Los Angel¬
es), Karen S. Gilbert, Peter A. Ginsburg,
Norma Greene, Edward C. Hall, Robert A.
Hamilton, Sanger Hedrick, Matthew T.
Heindel (Kern), Tom & Jo Heindel (Inyo),
Becky Hoban (BHo), Mark A. Holmgren,
Andrew Howe, Vernon Howe, Richard C.
Hoyer, Brad Hines (BHi), Robert Hudson,
John Ivanov, Paul Jorgensen, Raeann
Koerner, David A. Kinsner, Kennith Z. Kur¬
land, Kevin Larson, Steven A. Laymon,
Brian M. Leatherman, Paul E. Lehman, Joan
E. Lentz (Santa Barbara), Kurt Leuschner,
Daniel Lockshaw, Peter Lonsdale, Vincent
Lucas, Chet McGaugh, Robert McKeman
(Riverside), Patrick McNulty, Gary
Meredith, Anthony E. Metcalf, Terri
Middlemiss, Joseph Morla (JoM), Jim
Morris (JiM), Richard J. Norton, Linda
O’Neill, Jim and Debby Parker (J&DP),
Michael A. Patten, Robert Patton, Dharm S.
Pellegrini, David Pereksta, Kaaren L. Perry,
James E. Pike, Phil Pride, Don Roberson,
Steven C. Rottenborn, James S. Royer,
Michael San Miguel (MSanM), Michael J.
San Miguel (MJSanM), Larry Sansone, Cyril
Schonbachler, Arnold Small (AS), Gregory

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P. Smith, Susan Steele, Don Sterba, Mark M.
Stevenson, Mary B. Stowe, John S. Tiffany,
Guy Tingos, Bill Truesdell, Steve Tucker,
Jennifer Turnbull, Philip LInitt, Stanley
Walens, Richard E. Webster, Harold Weeks,
Walter Wehtje, Douglas R. Willick (Or¬
ange), John C. Wilson, Mark Wimer, Tom E.
Wurster. An additional 55± observers who
could not be individually acknowledged
submitted reports this season.

Guy McCaskie, San Diego Natural History
Museum, Balboa Park, P. 0. Box 1390, San
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VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

211

Hawaiian islands region

ROBERT L. PYLE

eavier rainfall finally brought some
relief from the long drought, but win¬
ter totals were still below normal on all
islands except the windward (e.) side of
Hawai’i Island where well above normal.
Wintering waterfowl came in good num¬
bers and broad species diversity, and
endangered endemic Hawaiian forestbirds
had some noteworthy highlights.

Abbreviations: H. (Hawai'i Island); K. (Kaua'i
Island); M. (Maui Island); 0. (O'ahu Island);
W.T.P. (Water Treatment Ponds).

GREBES THROUGH DUCKS

A straggling Pied-billed Grebe appeared at
Hanalei N.W.R., K., Dec. 30 and Ian. 9
(CM). At Kilauea Pt. N.W.R., K., the first
Laysan Albatross chick hatched Jan. 24, but
only 9 nests remained active from the
roughly 40 that started this season (CM), a
larger decrease than is usual. An ad. Masked
Booby mingling with Red-footed Boobies
at Kilauea Pt. Feb. 17 (CM) was an unusual
record from anywhere in the main islands
away from O’ahu. A Great Blue Heron was
sighted Dec. 19 at Nu’upia Ponds, O. (EV),
where these stragglers have been reported
frequently in recent years.

Visiting geese and ducks appeared in
good numbers and diversity, perhaps a
result of more reporting from smaller, arti¬
ficially maintained wetlands on several
islands. Three Brant feeding on the reef at
the mouth of Kinikini Ditch on the Pacific
Missile Range Facility n. of Kekaha, K.,
remained from at least Dec. 25 through Feb.
7 (JD, CM, PD). Single Brant appeared at
Laysan I. Dec. 1 (FWS); at Bayfront Park in
Hilo, H., Dec. 8 & 9 (fide TP); and at Ki’i
Unit, James Campbell N.W.R., O., Dec. 12

(MO). Three Canada Geese were seen
repeatedly at Hanalei N.W.R., K„ Dec 6-
Feb. 17 (CM). Brant and Canadas are
uncommon visitors to Hawaii. Early nest¬
ing by Nene ( Endangered ) at Kilauea Pt., K.,
included 2 pairs with goslings and 8 new
nests by Dec. 6 (CM). One pair with gos¬
lings in a group of eight was seen there Feb.
4 (LH).

Reports of N. Pintails in good numbers
at various sites included up to 15 on O’ahu,
17 on Moloka’i, 32 at Mana Rd. Pond near
Waimea, H., and three wintering at Midway
Atoll. At Hanalei N.W.R., K., pintails
increased from 20-40 in December to
almost 80 in mid-January and then decreas¬
ed to two Jan. 26 with none thereafter
(CM). It’s unusual for pintails to outnum¬
ber the other primary wintering duck, N.
Shoveler, which also turned up at numer¬
ous localities on most of the main islands
but generally in smaller numbers. Counts at
Hanalei N.W.R. started at 30 Dec. 6 and sta¬
bilized at 15-25 through February (CM).
Outnumbering all of the above, however,
were 127 pintails and 336 shovelers count¬
ed at Kealia Pond N.W.R., M., Dec. 14
(MN) with “lots” thereafter (LT).

At least 7 scarcer species were each
reported at numerous places on most main
islands. Rarities included a Cinnamon Teal
at Hanalei N.W.R. , K., all winter (CM); a
Canvasback in a small unvegetated pond at
Sea Mount Golf Course in Punalu’u, H.,
Jan. 31 and Feb. 7 (EV, TP); a Tufted Duck
at Loko Waka Pond in Hilo, H., Dec. 1 2, Jan.
22, and Feb. 15 (TP, RD) and later across
the island at Aimakapa Pond Feb. 28 (DP);
and a Hooded Merganser (< 5 records in
Hawaii) at Kaunakakai W.T.P., Moloka’i,
Dec. 7 & 16 (AD). Each was reported to be
a male in fine plumage. All-in-all, a good
winter for visiting waterfowl.

PLOVERS THROUGH SKY LARK

The small plover reported through Novem¬
ber and December at Sand I., Midway, was
observed closely and carefully at leisure Jan.
19-20 (DP, RP); it was photographed and
sketched in detail. After much study and
reference-checking over the next month,
with helpful comments on current ideas for
field marks by several on the Hawaii bird¬
ers’ e-mail network, the bird was finally

judged to be a probable Semipalmated
Plover rather than a Com. Ringed Plover
(DP). Such plovers at Midway have a bit
better geographic likelihood of being a
Com. Ringed from Eurasia than do others
found in the main Hawaiian Is. to the east.
A Killdeer, rare in Hawaii, was observed
well at Nu’upia Ponds, O., Dec. 19 (EV),
and the same bird or another was reported
twice in James Campbell N.W.R., Dec. 30 at
Ki’i Unit and 1.5 km away at Punamano
Unit Jan. 21(PD). Counts of 107 Sander-
lings at Kealia Pond N.W.R., M., Dec. 14
(MN) and 33 on the reef at Kinikini Ditch
n. of Kekaha, K., Jan. 31 (JF) represented
good numbers for Hawaii. A fine Ruff,
uncommon in Hawaii, was well observed at
Kealia Pond N.W.R., M., Dec. 24 and Feb.
19 (LT).

It was an interesting winter for gulls,
too. Laughing Gulls were reported on
O’ahu and Kaua’i (up to three at Kaua’i
Lagoons near Lihue; JF, CM), and an imm.
Bonaparte was seen repeatedly at Waiakea
Pond in Hilo, H., Dec. 8-Feb. 15 (TP, JF). A
first-winter Glaucous Gull, a rare straggler
to Hawaii, roamed Kaua’i from Kalihiwai
Beach on the n.e. shore in late January
(CM) across to Waimea Beach on the s.w.
shore Feb. 5, 6, 7 & 15 (JD, PD) with a side
trip back to Kilauea Pt. close to Kalihiwai
Feb. 13 (CM). A Glaucous-winged Gull was
seen first at Hanalei N.W.R., K„ Feb. 3
(CM) and then found with the Glaucous
Gull at Waimea Beach in early February
(JD, PD). These two birds seen by the same
observers were well identified by bill color
and other features. An imm. Glaucous¬
winged was reported, too, at Waiakea Pond
in Hilo, H., Dec. 12 ( fide TP), and a gull
observed in flight Jan. 17 across the island
at Waialea Beach s. of Kawaihae might have
been the same species. Up to four large gulls
observed variously around the Honolulu
waterfront in late January through Feb. 28
(MO, BL) included (when all seen together)
two Glaucous-wingeds, one probable West¬
ern, and an immature of an unidentified
dark-backed type.

An imm. Com. Tern, rather scarce in
Hawaii, was seen well at Nawiliwili Harbor
near Lihue, K., Jan. 9 (CM). Another was
seen closely at Waiakea Pond in Hilo, H„
Feb. 6 8c 15 (TP) and may have been the
tern observed there Feb. 13—14 (DL). An

O'AHU a

MOLOKA I I

LANA I I

PACIFIC OCEAN

otnuC

212

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

almost certain Guam Swiftlet was briefly
observed circling overhead in Pacific
Palisades above Pearl City, O., Dec. 2 (PD).
This localized alien species has bred for
decades nearby in upper N. Halawa Valley
and has been sighted a few times higher on
trails above this area, but not this low. The
female Belted Kingfisher reported last sea¬
son at ponds near Hilo, H., was seen again
Dec. 16 at Loko Waka Pond (TP) and Jan.
22 & 27 at Waiakea Pond (RD, DL). A
report of two Sky Larks watched on the
ground and singing in flight on Lagoon
Drive at the e. end of the main runway at
Honolulu airport Feb. 21 (MO,RP) is
encouraging since larks are reported on
O’ahu much less frequently now than a
decade ago as large open field habitats con¬
tinue to disappear.

ENDANGERED ENDEMIC
HAWAIIAN PASSERINES

Following the disasters in 1 998 for the ‘Alala
(Hawaiian Crow, critically Endangered ),
recovery managers proceeded in late
January to release five young birds. Two had
been captive-hatched in 1997 and three in
1998. In late March, four wearing radio
transmitters were being tracked regularly,
but one 1998 bird was missing (AL,
Peregrine Fund). See last season report for

background. One or two O’ahu ‘Elepaio
were observed on Aiea trail Dec. 20 (TC),
on Kuliouou trail Dec. 25 (KP), and on
Kulepiamoa Ridge back of Niu Valley Dec.
30 (EK), all located on the w. slope of the s.
Ko’olau Mts. Proceedings are well under¬
way to formally list O’ahu ‘Elepaio as an
Endangered population (FWS).

Scheduling the Pu’u O Kaka’e CBC on
Maui to coincide with field work by the
Maui rare bird monitoring team in the
Hanawi Natural Area Reserve resulted in
count totals of seven Maui Parrotbills, 58
‘Akohekohe, and two of the three Po’ouli
known to remain in the world (LT). All are
critically Endangered species. This achieve¬
ment on a one-day CBC is unprecedented
and not likely to be equaled again. Totals for
non-endangered Maui ‘Amakihi (248),
Maui ‘Alauahio (123), ‘I’iwi (143), and
‘Apapane (abundant) were also notably
high.

Contributors: David Adams, Mathew Burt,
Daniel Chapizo, Tom Coles, Reginald
David, Jim Denny, Arleone Dibben, Peter
Donaldson, Barbara Dunn, Jeff Foster,
Loren Hays, Eleanor Koes, Cyndi Kuehler,
David Kuhn, Beverly Lee, Alan Lieberman,
Dan Lindsay, Christian Melgar, Mike
Nishimoto, Mike Ord, Sea Life Park, Bob

PRBOJ

Conservation through Science

Point Reyes Bird Observatory’s

Bird-A-Thon

September 18, 1999

Grab your binoculars,

get your field guide A head to California for the
fastest-growing birdathon in the West.

Need a good reason to join us?

•Visit our beautiful birding hotspot: Point Reyes National Seashore.
•Lots of great prizes you can win.

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Count birds for avian conservation in
PRBO's 1999 Bird-A-Thon

„ j g Contact us at:

(415) 868-1221, ext. 24

www.prbo.org v**r

birdathon@prbo.org

^JMln a crowning achievement for
tffwrhe Peregrine Fund’s captive
bird hatching and rearing program, 14
Puaiohi (small Kaua’i thrush, Endan¬
gered) were released in late January and
February and are doing well. These birds
were all hatched in captivity last sum¬
mer from captive-hatched parents. The
release site in the Pihea/Alaka’i area of
Kaua’i is separated from the range cur¬
rently occupied by the wild population.
By end of March, four of the released
birds had already formed pairs, built
nests, and laid eggs. Two other females
wandered a couple of km into the range
of the wild birds and paired with wild
males (AL). The Kaua’i rare bird team is
carefully monitoring both populations,
and hopes are high for some notable
productivity this season.

Paxton, Kurt Pohlman, Doug Pratt, Thane
Pratt, Peter Pyle, Robert Pyle, Alan
Samuelson, Fish & Wildlife Service, Lance
Tanino, Tom Telfer, Eric VanderWerf, Mike
Wiley.

Robert L. Pyle, 1314 Kalakaua Ave., No.
1010, Honolulu, HI 96826

Birders’

Exchange

We’ll breath new life into your old
optics, other birding equipment, and
books! Cooperating with Manomet
Center for Conservation Sciences,
ABA is gathering used birding equip¬
ment that Manomet matches with
requirements of those doing bird
conservation research in Latin
America and the Caribbean. You can
help by donating your used equip¬
ment, funds, or by acting as a couri¬
er. Contact Paul Green (800/850-
2473) at ABA if you would like to
help or need more information.

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

213

west indies region

A ^ \ 5

eports from the Greater Antilles (Cuba,
Dominican Republic, and Jamaica) are
highlighted by rare occurrences of resident
species and neotropical migrants. The
northern Bahamas are represented by com¬
plete reports from Abaco and Grand Baha¬
ma. Bermuda and Barbados brace the Reg¬
ion as migrant trap “bookends,” illustrating
the incredible potential for transatlantic
invaders (i.e., Cattle Egret in the 1950s and
Little Egret and Western Reef- Heron in the
1980s) and vagrants from any direction.

Gale force winds and cool temperatures
may have provided avian fallout at Ber¬
muda, and the parade of summer and fall
storms across the Atlantic may have influ¬
enced the extraordinary records (e.g., ardei-
ds) from Barbados that provided the island
with five new records, three probably also
new to the Region. Many observations refer
to European species and races, testifying to
the influence of weather and location on
this birding outpost, one of the most impor¬
tant in the hemisphere. Hurricane Georges’
strong westerly winds were given credit for
providing an inter- island record (MF et al.)
and a model explaining colonization of
Barbados over the millennia. According to
Mark Oberle, the hurricane left Puerto
Rico’s Boqueron Refuge mangroves in poor
condition. He also related that the Puerto
Rican Euphonia and resident Lesser
Antillean Pewee are very hard to find, but
the Elfin Woods Warbler was somewhat
protected at Maricao State Forest.

Bracey reports that racoons were intro¬
duced to North Abaco with potentially dev¬
astating results for all ground-breeding
fauna, as well as tree nesters. He also reports
that fires are being set in pine forests, includ¬

ing those in the national forest and park, by
wild pig hunters. While controlled fire may
have some benefit in pinelands, both pigs
and racoons need to be eliminated since
their total biomass is equivalent to lost
endemic, and possibly threatened, fauna.

Abbreviations: Ab (Abaco, Bahamas); PR
(Puerto Rico).

SHEARWATERS THROUGH TERNS

Manx Shearwaters migrated e. in large
numbers off Warwick Long Bay, Bermuda,
Feb. 14 (AD). Interestingly, by this date
Audubon’s Shearwaters are already laying
eggs in the e. Caribbean. Two Cory’s Shear¬
waters were also seen Feb. 14 (AD), the ear¬
liest recorded for Bermuda. The first-ever
ad. N. Gannet was present Feb. 13 through
the end of the month at Castle Harbour,
Bermuda (DBW). Three Brown Pelicans,
including a juvenile, were seen at W. End,
Grand Bahama, Feb. 15-17 (BH, DL, EC),
further suggesting breeding or recruitment
somewhere in the n. Bahamas; pelicans for¬
merly nested at Bimini I.; in Florida, nesting
at the latitude of the Bahamas occurs in fall,
late winter, and spring. Alert observers are
watching for breeding among Great Blue
Herons in Bermuda, whence suspected nest¬
ing behavior was observed. A juv. dark-
morph W. Reef-Heron appeared at Coles, St.
Philip, Barbados, Feb. 4, and a juv. Purple
Heron — initially noted at Graeme Hall
Swamp, Barbados, during fall — wintered
there, providing the first record for the
Region and only the 2nd for the W.
Hemisphere (MF, EM et al.). Two Gray
Herons reportedly wintered at Graeme Hall
Swamp (MF, EM). Greater Flamingos (30+)
have been reintroduced to S. Abaco (EB)
where they appear to be established and
free-flying. A flamingo was seen at Cabo
Rojo, PR, Feb. 24 (DH, AC, fide MO), and
Roseate Spoonbills were also reported at the
Boqueron Refuge, PR, during early winter
(MO). Among a large group of ducks at a
pond near “Different of Abaco” Jan. 17,
White-cheeked Pintails numbered 35 and
Ring-necked Ducks 210 (SM et al.). A
female Ring-necked Duck wintered at
Barbados as did a male Common (Green¬
winged) Teal through February for the 2nd
winter (MF).

Rarely reported, a Yellow-breasted Crake
was seen at water level on the Lower Black R.
Morass, Jamaica, Feb. 20 (NB), and a
Spotted Rail, apparently extirpated as a res¬
ident, was heard calling at Caymanas Ponds
west of Kingston in January (fide NB) for
perhaps only 2nd time this decade. A
Virginia Rail was seen Jan. 17 at Sandy
Point, Ab (SM et al.), the first report from
that island.

On Dec. 19, Placier found a Purple Galli-
nule at the San Andros airport, Andros,
Bahamas. An Am. Golden-Plover was
among a group of Black-bellied Plovers at
Bermuda’s airport. Two Piping Plovers were
seen daily (BP) near Fofar Field Station,
Andros, Dec. 13-18, and a single was noted
at Sandy Pt., Ab, Jan. 17 (SM et al.). Piping
Plover was also seen frequently during the
period at Grape Bay or Ariel Sands, J
Bermuda (AD). From a site near Las Salinas,
Bahai Las Calderas, Dominican Republic,
Placier (and m.ob.) observed two Dunlins
Dec. 28. A first-winter Wood Sandpiper,
noted initially at Congo Rd., St. Philip, in
late November, remained until Dec. 14 at
Graeme Hall Swamp (MF), another remark¬
able transatlantic occurrence. A Ruff and
two Reeves wintered on Barbados through
at least Feb. 21 (MF, EM). A freshly dead
Am. Woodcock found Dec. 2 at Paget,
Bermuda (AD), provided one of the rarest
of shorebird occurrences for that location.

A Little Gull, probably of transatlantic
origin, was last noted Dec. 27 (EM, MF,
MG) at Barbados and may represent the
first Regional record (see FN 49(2):203, i
1995). An imm. Black-headed Gull was
carefully noted and described (BrM) Jan.
20-21 at Cable Beach, New Providence,
Bahamas, representing the first record for
New Providence and 3rd for the Bahamas.

A Bonaparte’s Gull noted Jan. 18 at Treasure i
Cay, Ab (SM, SP, CB), provided one of few
reports from this island. Seven Lesser
Black-backed Gulls at W. End, Bermuda,
Feb. 5 (PW) provided a new high count 1
there and indicated a large presence
throughout the n. part of the Region;
three — including an adult, a subadult, and
first-year bird — were recorded from Marsh
Harbour, Ab, Jan. 21 (SM et al.) while
another was located at W. End, Grand
Bahama, Feb. 15 (BH et al). Two Glaucous I
Gulls were confirmed Feb. 15 at Bermuda, I

214

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

an unusual occurrence and number. A
Great Black-backed Gull noted Dec. 13 rep¬
resented only the 6th record for Barbados
(MF). A Black-legged Kittiwake was present
at Great Sound, Bermuda, Jan. 2-5 (EA).
Royal Terns were not recorded this winter
and have not wintered on Barbados since
1992 (MF). Does this mean Regionally
breeding birds are declining?

PIGEONS THROUGH SPARROWS

Plain Pigeon, a Regionally endangered spe¬
cies, was seen in flocks at Good Hope
Plantation, Trelawny, Jamaica, in January
(NB). Bahamian race (Rose-throated) Cu¬
ban Parrots numbered at least 20 at Sandy
Pt. National Forest Jan. 17 (SM et al.).
Maybank did not locate any of Cuba’s psit-
ticines during 2 weeks of searching. Two
owls endemic to Cuba, Bare-legged Owl
and Cuban Pygmy-Owl, were found Dec.
29 (RSS, BM) at El Salton, Sierra Maestra
Mts., and Dec. 28 at Playa Guardalavaca, w.
of Havana, respectively (BM). A female
Red-bellied Woodpecker possibly from the
Florida Keys (M. carolinensis perplexus) was
found at West End, Grand Bahama, Feb. 15
(DL, ph. BH), providing a first record for
the Bahamas and for the West Indies. One
of the more important Cuban observations
was provided by two Giant Kingbirds near
Pinare de Mayari, Sierra de Nipe, Dec. 23
(BM), the first time this species has been
reported in AB/FN/NAB; Giant Kingbird
was extirpated from its pine forest habitat
in the Bahamas, formerly its only other
location in the West Indies, and is now a
single-island endemic worthy of threatened
or endangered status.

Bahama Swallows returned to Abaco
Feb. 16 (EB). A Red-eyed Vireo was found
at Paget Sound, Bermuda, on the unusual
date of Dec. 31 (PW). Migrant warblers
numbered 19 species for Cuba, 20 at Abaco,
and 25 on Grand Bahama (table). Maybank
did not find “Yellow” Palm Warblers on
Cuba in January, but Mlodinow found at
least two D. palmarum hypochrysea at the
Marsh Harbour dump sites, Ab, January 18
& 21. At the Marsh Harbour pond area, Ab,
Jan. 18 Mlodinow recorded a Lincoln’s
Sparrow, one of few reports from that
island. A Lapland Longspur was found at
Nonsuch Island, Bermuda, Dec. 2-5
(DBW).

ADDENDA

Received too late to be included in 1998
reports are some truly remarkable records
from Barbados (MF, MG, EM). A Gray Her¬
on, initially seen Oct. 1 1 at famous Graeme

Hall Swamp, Christ Church, was then joined
by two others. Black-bellied Whistling-
Ducks apparently staged multiple invasions
in February (Graeme Hall) and March
(Greenland) 1998. A Southern Lapwing
was captured at Fosters, St. Lucy, July 28,
providing the first verifiable record from the
Region. A lapwing reported from Tortola,
British Virgin Is., December 26, 1996 could
not be definitely ascribed to the Northern or
Southern race either (FN51(2):670, 698). A
Collared Plover was found at Chancery
Lane July 25 (MG), the first record in 3
years. A Wood Sandpiper was found at
Bright Hall, St. Lucy, Apr. 25. A Wilson’s
Phalarope was an unexpected find at Coles,
St. Philip, June 24. A Parasitic Jaeger from
land Mar. 5 (T&JD) was a rarity. A House
Wren, presumably of the Antillean race, was
heard and seen at Fontebelle, St. Michael,
Sept. 22, the day following passage of hurri¬
cane Georges , and provided a plausible
mechanism for Windward Is. species to col¬
onize Barbados 160 km to the east. A
Canada Warbler trapped at Harrison Pt., St.
Lucy, Oct. 31 (MF, EM) provided the first
record from Barbados and possibly the 3rd
from the Lesser Antilles.

A report from New Providence and the
Exumas for Mar. 2-6 (AK) was highlighted
by Audubon’s Shearwaters nesting at Allan
Cay, Exumas, 10 Ring-billed and 10 Herring
gulls, as well as a singleton of the latter
species from the Nassua area. A Great
Black-backed Gull furnished only the 5th
record for the Bahamas and first from New
Providence. A Peregrine was seen harassing
an Osprey at Wardewick Wells, Exumas.
Migrant warblers in the Exumas during the
first week of March included Yellow-
rumped (one), Prairie (five), Palm (15),
Black-and-white (one), Am. Redstart
(four), Worm-eating (two), Ovenbird
(two), and N. Waterthrush (two).

Contributors (subregional editors in bold¬
face) : Eric Amos, David Archer, Jerry Bart,
Casey Beachell, Giff Beaton, Ned Brinkley,
Wayne Burke, Eric Carey, Alan Clarke, Tim
and Julie Dean, Andrew Dobson (Ber¬
muda), Martin Frost (Barbados), Mark
Gawn, Bruce Hallet, Dale Herter, Andy
Kratter, Dave Lee, Bruce Lorhan, Fritz
Lundy, Brandi Mansfield (BrM), Edward
Massiah, Blake Maybank, Steve Mlodinow,
Mark Oberle, Steve Pink, Bob Placier,
Ricardo Sierra Sosa, Lenny Sentesteban,
Carolyn Wardle, Paul Watson, Tony White
(Bahamas), David B. Wingate.

Robert Norton, 8960 NE Waldo Rd.,
Gainesville, FL 32609 (corvus0486@aol.com)

Winter High Counts for Resident (boldface)
and Migrant Wood Warblers
in the Northern Bahamas and Cuba
December 1998 to February 1999

Grand

Species

Bahamas*

Abacof

Cuba^;

Blue-winged

-

1

-

Orange-crowned

1

-

-

Nashville

-

1

-

N. Parula

2

6

4

Yellow (migrant)

-

1

4

“Cuban”Yellow

_

6

-

Magnolia

1

3

4

Cape May

1

10

2

Black-throated Blue

1

2

8

Yellow-rumped

(“Myrtle”)

25

75

1

Black-throated

Green

2

1

-

Yellow-throated

(migrant)

2

8

-

“Bahama”

Yellow- throated

-

6

-

Olive-capped

1

15

10

Pine

1

30

-

Prairie

3

15

10

Palm

20

250

15

“Yellow” Palm

-

2

-

Blackpoll

-

1

-

Black-and-white

3

8

3

Am. Redstart

6

8

6

Worm-eating

1

2

1

Swainson’s

1

-

1

Ovenbird

12

6

1

N. Waterthrush

5

20

2

Louisiana

Waterthrush

-

-

2

Com. Yellowthroat

10

20

1

Bahama

Yellowthroat

2

20

-

Oriente

-

-

1

Total Species

20

25

19

*West End, Grand Bahama, and environs,
February 14-20, 1999.

fMarsh Harbour, Abaco, and environs,
January 16-21, 1999.

IGuadalavaca (nw) and Santiago de Cuba (se), Cuba,

December21, 1998-January3, 1999.

Place names that are frequently men¬
tioned, but very long, may be abbreviat¬
ed in a form such as “C.B.B.T.” or
“W.P.B.O.” Such local abbreviations will
be explained in a key at the beginning
of the particular regional report in
which they are used. Standard abbrevi¬
ations that are used throughout North
American Birds are keyed on page 138.

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

215

North American Birds
Reporting Network

Every issue of North American Birds pre¬
sents an overview of what the birds
were doing all over North America for an
entire season. These summaries are based
on observations by thousands of birders. If
you enjoy North American Birds, we urge
you to consider becoming a contributor of
information as well as being a reader.

The columns are written by Regional
Editors, all of whom are experts on the
birdlife in their areas. These hardworking
individuals are all volunteers. While they
are generally glad to receive more reports
(to make their accounts more thorough),
we need to practice some courtesies to
avoid overwhelming them.

As a first step, you should know the sig¬
nificance of the information that you are
reporting. Never just send in a list of the
birds you saw, expecting the regional edi¬
tors to sift through it. If you are new to this
publication, it would be a good idea to read
a few issues' worth of reports from your
region to get a better idea of the kinds of
bird records that are included.

Basically, we cover news. If you see the
expected species in normal numbers and at
normal places and dates, this is reassuring
and important, and well worth recording in
your own field notes. But we can't publish
all of that in North American Birds. (Can you
imagine the heft of a New York Times that
published the daily activities of every resi¬
dent of the city?) We report the unusual.
However, this doesn't mean you should
ignore the "common" birds. The regional
reports are far more than summaries of rar¬
ities. If there is a major invasion of
American Robins, for example, or if the
Barn Swallows come back exceptionally
early, such things are part of the story of
what happened during a season.

To find out the "normal" bird situation
in your locale, you need to consult other
types of publications. Most states and pro¬
vinces, and many smaller areas, have books
or annotated checklists on bird status and
distribution. Such references are essential to
help you understand the significance of
your own observations. Checking such
sources can make your birding not only
more educational but more enjoyable.

Another good way to learn about local bird
distribution is to establish contact with
your nearest Audubon chapter or other bird
clubs.

Perhaps you are reporting to North
American Birds for the first time because
you have found a bird that is definitely
unusual where or when you saw it. When
reporting rarities, it is always important to
include the details of the record. Points to
cover include:

• Date, time, and exact location.

• Viewing conditions (lighting, weather,
distance to bird).

• A detailed description of the bird:
appearance, voice, behavior. Include
only those things you actually
observed. A description written on the
spot, during the observation, is always
more useful than one written later.

• Names and addresses of other
observers who identified the same
bird.

• Photographs, even of marginal quality,
are very worthwhile for establishing
records. And if video or audio tapes
have been made, it's worth mentioning
that they exist, although it's not neces¬
sary to send them along in most cases.
In asking for details, regional editors are

not casting doubt on anyone's abilities. The
top bird experts in North America routine¬
ly write up details to support their unusual
sightings, and all birders would do well to
follow their example. Reports of truly rare
finds are usually kept on permanent file.
Maybe everyone knows today that you're a
sharp birder, but what about people fifty
years from now who are researching past
records? They probably won't know your
reputation, and they'll want to see details.

In some regions, especially large ones
with lots of birders, reports are funneled
through subregional editors, and it is best
to send your reports to these individuals.
Some regions list the mailing addresses for
these subregional compilers. Others do not,
but you may be able to find their addresses
in the ABA Membership Directory. If you
are not sure of the address, it's better to
send in notes to the main Regional Editor
than to not send them anywhere.

Don't be discouraged if your sightings
are not specifically quoted in a particular
report. Even minor observations help the
regional editors to form a more complete
picture of the season. By becoming part of |
our reporting network, you put your bird¬
ing observations to good use, and you con¬
tribute to the permanent record of North
America's birdlife.

For each season, your field reports
(along with supporting details and photo¬
graphs) should reach the Regional Editors
as soon as possible after the season ends.
The Regional Editors are working under
strict deadlines, and it makes their task
much easier if they have time to consider
and analyze your reports before writing
their columns.

Winter Season

(December through February)

Notes should reach Regional Editors
as soon as possible after March 1.

Spring Season

(March through May)

Notes should reach Regional Editors
as soon as possible after June 1.

Summer Season

(June and July)

Notes should reach Regional Editors
as soon as possible after August 1.

Autumn Season

(August through November)

Notes should reach Regional Editors
as soon as possible after December 1.

216

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

Invasions, Irruptions,
and Trends

The Christmas Bird Count Database

GEOFFREY S. LEBARON *

he National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count has served
many purposes since its inception December 25, 1900. Initiated
by Frank M. Chapman as a means of bringing popular support to
the fledgling bird-protection movement, it was as such an early tool
for conservation. Over the ensuing century the geographic scope of
coverage, observer skills, and acceptance of the value of the Count
have all grown tremendously. The Count has helped bring beginners
into both the hobby and profession of birds, and CBC data have
been used over the decades both to document the ebb and flow of
early-winter bird populations across North America and to promote
conservation within the Count circles (Bock, 1982; Brennan &
Morrison, 1991; Davis, 1974; Root, 1988; Smith, 1986). The upcom¬
ing Christmas Bird Count season, beginning December 16, 1999,
and ending January 3, 2000, will mark the completion of 100 years
of census effort by a dedicated pool of counters who have come to
be known as Citizen Scientists.

The past two years have brought radical, exciting changes to the
infrastructure of the Count. Through funding from the Patuxent
Wildlife Research Center, the entire historical Christmas Bird Count
database has been entered into electronic form. That downloadable
flat file has been converted by the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology
and National Audubon Society into a more user-friendly tool, a rela¬
tional database, available through the BirdSource website <http://
birdsource.cornell.edu>. For the first time ever, the entire Christmas
Bird Count database is readily available to anyone wishing to peruse
or utilize it. In another equally important, high-technology step, dur¬
ing the recently completed 99th CBC, for the first time ever Count
Compilers were able to enter their data directly into the CBC data¬
base on-line. Half of all counts in the 99th Count were submitted
electronically, and the rest of the data that came in via the tradition¬
al paper forms were then entered through the website by BirdSource
staff. The Regional Editing process has also been converted to an on¬
line process, all of which enables a much more accurate and stream¬
lined reporting process from field observer to final CBC data. Errors
discovered in the historical database by those visiting the website will
be directly reportable to a database correction manager, and after
review by the Regional Editors the edits will be completed. The “old¬
est and longest-running database in ornithology” is now viewable
through BirdSource, and soon will have on-line clickable analyses
and many overlays of G.I.S. information available for perusal.

The combination of long time span and great geographic scope
provides the opportunity to look at continental early-winter bird
populations in decade-long periods, minimizing the effects of vari¬
ance in both weather and observer pool. Recent studies utilizing the
relational Christmas Bird Count database in BirdSource have begun

* National Audubon Society, P0 Box 523, Williamsburg, MA 01096 (glebaron@javanet.com)

looking into two aspects of North American bird populations near
and dear to the hearts of many observers — range expansions of col¬
onizing species and patterns of dispersal of winter irruptive birds.
Features utilizing CBC data on the BirdSource website display ani¬
mated maps showing the spread of the Eurasian Collared-Dove
(Streptopelia decaocto) as it begins its colonization of North America
and the continental early-winter patterns of occurrence of the Pine
Siskin (Carduelis pinus).

EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE: EXPANDING COLONIST

The Eurasian Collared-Dove is a native species of the Indian subcon¬
tinent. Hundreds of years of introductions and the concurrent
spread of both natural and introduced populations give the species a
large range extending from extreme western Europe through the
Middle East and India to China and Japan. Like many doves and pig¬
eons, it cohabits very well with humans. This species was also intro¬
duced into the Bahamas in the 1970s (Hochachka, BirdSource web¬
site 1998 <http://birdsource.corneIl.edu>) and apparently spread on
its own to southern Florida. As can be seen in the accompanying
maps, the species was confined to coastal southern and central
Florida from the late 1980s to the early 1990s when it began a rapid
expansion to the north and west as documented by its reports on
Christmas Bird Counts. The initial reporting of Eurasian Collared-
Doves in North America was slightly muddied by identification
issues between this species and the captive-bred and widely released
Ringed Turtle-Dove, also formerly present in good numbers in
southern Florida. The similar appearing Ringed Turtle-Dove (Strep¬
topelia “risoria”) is not a true species as this form was produced as a
long-domesticated form of the African Collared-Dove (Streptopelia
roseogrisea). In the last quarter of the 20th Century in North America
Eurasian Collared-Dove populations have been rapidly increasing
while turtle-doves appear to be remaining stable or declining in
regions where both occur.

It is interesting to note the pattern of dispersal as documented by
the accompanying CBC maps. Eurasian Collared-Doves began
increasing dramatically after 1988 as seen below. By 1994 they had
begun to spread westward along the Gulf Coast. In 1996 they
expanded inland as far as the Great Plains and near the Great Lakes.
The 1997 map shows some of these distant reports dropping out,
others appearing, and the species’ increasing numbers in the rest of
the range. These far-flung attempts at colonization illustrate what
may be seen with expanding species as distant potentially inhos¬
pitable areas are reached by dispersing birds, but breeding popula¬
tions are not immediately established.

As more and more birds are produced in the expanding core
range of Eurasian Collared-Doves in North America, it seems that
this hardy, adaptive bird will colonize much of the continent. In
Scandinavia, populations have recently become established above the

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

217

Eurasian Collared-Dove CBC maps: 1988, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1997. Source: http://birdsource.cornell.edu

Arctic Circle. Bird feeding by humans is an increasingly popular
activity in North America and will provide a beneficial food source
for colonizing collared-doves, enhancing survival in regions where
winter survival would otherwise be difficult.

PINE SISKIN: CONTINENTAL IRRUPTIVE

Irruptive boreal species of birds, often collectively referred to as
“winter finches,” are one major catalyst that gets birders out of their
warm living rooms and into the field for Christmas Bird Counts and
other outdoor winter birding excursions. Each fall, many bird watch¬
ers (especially those in the central latitudes of North America) eager¬
ly anticipate the arrival of these species. “Will it be a big winter finch
year?” “Will I spend half my budget on feeding Evening Grosbeaks or
redpolls?” “Will Pine Siskins arrive with winter goldfinches?” Results
from the Christmas Bird Count, as well as early counts from Project
FeederWatch, often provide indications of how many winter finches
the season will bring. As demonstrated by Steve Kelling (BirdSource
website, 1998 <http://birdsource.cornell.edu>, these two databases
viewed in combination may provide an even deeper insight into win¬
ter bird abundance.

The patterns of these irruptions may be as interesting as the tim¬
ing of the appearance of the species. It would seem logical that when
large numbers of a given species are in one region of the continent,
they will be absent from others. In recent winters, the pattern of
occurrence of Pine Siskins has seemed to follow a bimodal asynchro¬
nous pattern such as this. For example, during the period 1991
through 1998, when siskins were present in big numbers in the East,
they were low in the west, and vice versa. The accompanying range
abundance maps, generated from Project Feederwatch from January
1996, 1997, and 1998, illustrate this seesaw pattern. This could lead to
the inference that Pine Siskins will only be expected to occur in alter¬
nating regions of the continent in winter, after dispersal from their
northern or higher-elevation breeding grounds.

However, going back further in time by analyzing 1979-1998
Christmas Bird Count data shows that this bimodal pattern breaks
down. The graph comparing Pine Siskin numbers in California and

North Carolina shows the same alternating pattern as the Project
FeederWatch data from 1998 back to 1 99 1 . When birds were abun¬
dant in the West, they were low in the East and vice versa. However,
factors affecting early-winter dispersal of Pine Siskins must have
been different prior to 1991 as the graph shows a strikingly dissimi¬
lar pattern in earlier years. Abundance patterns were nearly the same
in both East and West from 1979 through 1990 — alternating low
numbers one year with high numbers the next year in each region. In
the span of these years birds apparently stayed north in droves dur¬
ing every other winter season, while broadly invading the central and
southern latitudes of the continent in the alternate years. Two major
variations from this pattern appear during this period. In 1987-1988,
siskin reports from North Carolina remained high when it would be
expected that they would have dropped in the second season, and in
1991-1992 reports from North Carolina stayed low when it would be
predicted that they would have increased during the second season.
Following the second break, the alternating bimodal pattern appears.
It is quite likely that these changes are due to different populations of
Pine Siskins moving in response to factors in different regions of the
continent. During some winters, the movements are synchronous,
and in others they are out of phase. The dual analysis of Christmas
Bird Count and Project FeederWatch data can help monitor the sta¬
tus of populations of siskins that breed in areas far-flung from the
points of census by observers, by tracking siskins’ distributions in
winter.

What causes these patterns of dispersal and abundance, and what
might cause the continental changes in the winter distribution of
Pine Siskins? Christmas Bird Count and FeederWatch data cannot
answer these questions, but they do give an indication of the overall
health of siskin populations by facilitating analyses of long-term
trends in numbers of birds reported. These data also allow
researchers to chart the patterns of dispersal on a continental basis
over time and to begin to look at other large-scale factors that may
affect breeding success or winter survival. It is generally believed that
Pine Siskins, and winter finches as a group, undertake their winter
movements in response to food supplies.

218

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT DATABASE

Pine Siskin

Pine Siskin

Pine Siskin

r 10

100

Percent of CBCs That Reported
Pine Siskins Between 1979-1998

T — I — I — T“

1990

60

1980

985

- California

- North Carolina

1995 1998

Pine Siskin: 1996, 1997, and 1998 Project FeederWatch maps and CBC graph. Source: http://birdsource.cornell.edu

Siskins feed primarily on the small seeds of a variety of plants,
especially conifers, composite seed plants, and alder and birch.
Reduction or failure of the seed crops would encourage siskins to
vacate large geographic areas in search of better forage. Large-scale
migrations are physiologically stressful, especially if initiated by food
crop failure, when birds may not be in good physical condition at the
beginning of their journey. A contributing factor for Pine Siskin win¬
ter survival is the species’ affinity for bird feeding stations where they
often arrive in large numbers in either conspecific or mixed flocks.
Siskins have been documented as being particularly affected by
Salmonella bacterial poisoning at feeders, in some instances dying by
the thousands regionally (USGS/National Wildlife Health Center
Salmonellosis Fact Sheet, 1998; Wildlife Health Center Bull. Vol. 1-2,
1993). Large numbers of siskins moving significant distances in win¬
ter in response to reduced food supply in the vacated areas would
presumably be arriving at feeders in a weakened condition compared
to winter resident species and therefore could suffer greater effects of
Salmonellosis.

The diet of Pine Siskins in summer also consists of a small but sig¬
nificant proportion of small insects and spiders. Among frequently
consumed insect prey are spruce budworm larvae, pupae, and egg
masses. With increased spraying of pesticides on large areas of spruce
forests on a continental basis, pesticide consumption by Pine Siskins
may well be on the increase, negatively affecting populations by
direct mortality of adults, depressed breeding success, and reduced
winter survival. It would be interesting to compare Christmas Bird
Count data on the winter dispersal patterns of Pine Siskins, as well as
the overall numbers of siskins reported continentally over time, with
any documented recent large-scale spraying of pesticides to control
spruce budworm outbreaks.

Century when much human-induced habitat alteration affected bird
populations across the Western Hemisphere and the globe. The con¬
version of the CBC database into an electronic form that is readily
accessible through the BirdSource website <http://birdsource. Cornell.
edu> will allow a much wider constituency to utilize this wonderful
tool. In addition, as features are developed that will display the his¬
torical Count results through BirdSource to an increasingly informa¬
tion hungry and bird friendly public, the value of the Christmas Bird
Count as an education tool will grow by leaps and bounds. The clos¬
ing of the first hundred years of the Christmas Bird Count January 3,
2000 will mark the first-ever completion of a century-long, volun¬
teer-generated census. As we move into the 21st Century, the initia¬
tion of the second hundred years of the CBC will continue to add to
our understanding of early-winter avian population dynamics and
will also add to the power of the growing field of citizen science.

LITERATURE CITED

Bock, C.E. 1982. Factors influencing winter distribution and abundance of
Townsend’s Solitaire. Wilson Bull. 94:297-302.

Brennan, L.A. & M.L. Morrison. 1991. Long-term trends of chickadee popu¬
lations in western North America. Condor 93:130-137.

Davis, D.E. 1974. Emigrations of Northern Shrikes 1959-1970. Auk
91:821-825.

Root, T.L. 1988. Energy constraints on avian distributions and abundances.
Ecology 69 (2):330— 339.

Smith, K.G. 1986. Winter population dynamics of three species of mast¬
eating birds in the Eastern United States. Wilson Bull. 98(3):407 — 4 1 8.

SUMMARY

In the millennium to come the Christmas Bird Count will continue
to provide a source of invaluable raw material to researchers and
conservationists interested in studying the status of early winter
avian populations. This is a vast sea of data, spanning the 20th

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

219

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Write for
itineraries

1999

BIRDING

TOURS

NORTH BURMA
EXPEDITION

2-28 November

MALAYSIA

Malaya, Borneo, Mt. Kinabalu
24 June -16 July

INDONESIA #1

Greater Sundas
Java, Borneo, Bali
7-30 July

INDONESIA #2

South Maluku (Moluccas)
Seram, Buru, Ambon
Tanimbar, Kai
2 August -3 September

2000

BIRDING

TOURS

THAILAND

North, Central, Peninsular
8-30 January

SOUTH INDIA/
ANDAMAN ISLANDS

6-29 January

SRI LANKA

28 January-14 February

PHILIPPINES

Luzon, Mindanao, Cebu,
Palawan, Bohol, Negros
4 February -6 March

WEST BURMA

Mt. Victoria, Chin Hills
10 March -2 April

BHUTAN

West to East Traverse
7-30 April

CHINA #1

Beidaihe Migration
4 - 20 May

CHINA #2

Manchuria
Inner Mongolia
17 May -11 June

220

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

december 1998 through febntary 1999

'****&■

srluJ ijiB'ljJjjjj-jis

Winter Seasoh

Extremely rare in the East, this Yellow-billed Loon in Hinkley, Oneida County, New York,
January 18-February 1, 1999, may have been the same individual appearing in Oswego
Harbor, New York, the previous winter. Photograph/Gerard Phillips

Representing the results of modern image-
rapturing technology, this Ash-throated
Flycatcher, one of five in New England dur¬
ing the season, was videotaped December
6, 1998, in Cambridge, Massachusetts; a
video frame was captured with Snappy 2.0
software/hardware, imported to Adobe
Photoshop 3.0 where it was saved in JPEG
form at and slightly brightened, and print¬
ed on a Hewlett Packard DeskJet 692C.
"Photograph'VSimon Perkins

The third Greater Pewee to straggle
to Imperial County, California, was present
December 24, 1998, to February 15, 1999,
at Brock Ranch where this clear image
was captured February 8.
Photograph/Kennith Z. Kurland

The first Black-tailed Gull for Texas was
discovered by visiting New Yorkers
at the Brownsville landfill February 11,
1999. Photographed February 12,
it stayed only until the following day.
Photograph/Greg W. Lasley

This Ruff, doubly displaying the classic
small-headed feature of the species, was
found at the south end of the Salton Sea,
December 2, 1998, when this photograph
was taken; it stayed until February 25,
solid evidence that it "wintered" at the
site. Photograph/Kennith Z. Kurland

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

221

pictorial highlights

About the fourth record for Mississippi,
this Ash-throated Flycatcher, revealing
its rectrix pattern nicely, was present
in the Pascagoula River Marsh, Jackson
County, Mississippi, February 6, 1999.
Photograph/Ken Hackman

Attractively posing amidst a full larder, a male
Eastern Bluebird provided the first CBC record
for North Dakota and only the second winter record
for the state when it and another of the species were
discovered in Grand Forks, December 20-22, 1998.
Photograph/David 0. Lambeth

Posing frigidly at 8:30 a.m., February 13, 1999,
this male Purple Martin arrived the previous day
in Mt. Hope, Holmes County, Ohio, becoming the first
February-arriving martin in Ohio history; unhappily,
it fell prey to a Cooper's Hawk during the afternoon
and, thus, failed to pass on its early-arriving
tendency to the next generation of martins.
Photograph/Bruce D. Glick

222

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

december 1998 through february 1999

Curve-billed Thrashers "invaded" the Prairie Provinces Region during the winter.

One (at left) survived the season at a feeder in St. Claude, Manitoba, where it was
photographed March 24, 1999. The other (above) also benefitted from a feeding
station, stocked part of the time with mealworms, in Barrhead, Alberta, where
this image was taken March 3, 1999. These represent the first and second confirmed
sightings in Canada. Photographs/Dennis Fast (left) and Kayo Roy (above)

Discovered in Heislerville, Cumberland County,
New lersey, on the Belleplain CBC
December 27, 1998, this Townsend's Solitaire
remained into April, becoming the state's fifth
This photograph was taken February 7, 1999.
Photograph/Rick Waltraut

For the second consecutive winter a Yellow-throated Warbler appeared
in Wisconsin; this year's bird, representing only the second winter record
for the state, showed up in Richland County, December 22, 1998.
Photograph/AI Cornell

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 2

223

pictorial highlights

Constituting the first documented winter record for Texas, two male Hermit
Warblers spent much of the season in Anzalduas County Park, McAllen, Texas.
Varying in the pattern of black on the throat, the birds were separately pho¬
tographed, one (in Spanish moss) January 20, 1999, and the other February 14,
1999. Photographs/J. E. Culbertson and David W. Nelson, respectively

Rarely occurring in Louisiana and more rarely still photographed
with such crispness at that season, this Western Tanager stayed
the last two weeks of February 1999 in St. John the Baptist Parish
where this portrait was taken February 28.

Photograph/Michael A. Seymour

Maryland's first January Cape May Warbler was an adult male
coming to a feeder in Glen Dale where this photograph was
taken January 6, 1999. Photograph/Marshall J. Iliff

Arkansas' first winter record of Ovenbird
was established in De Vails Bluff, Prairie
County, where this individual stayed
from December 22, 1998, until at least
March 6, 1999, the date of this photograph.
Photograph/David Cooper

224

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

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A QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGICAL RECORD PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN BIRDING ASSOCIATION

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contents

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS • AMERICAN BIRDING ASSOCIATION • VOLUME 53: NUMBER 3 • 1999

spring migration: MARCH THROUGH MAY 1999

THE REGIONAL REPORTS
253 Atlantic Provinces

BLAKE MAYBANK

256 Quebec

PIERRE BANNON
and NORMAND DAVID

257 New England

SIMON PERKINS

261 Hudson-Delaware

JOSEPH C. BURGIEL,

ROBERT 0. PAXTON,
and DAVID A. CUTLER

265 Middle Atlantic Coast

MARSHALL J. ILIFF

269 Southern Atlantic Coast

RICKY DAVIS

271 Florida

BILL PRANTY

275 Ontario

THEO HOFMANN

278 Appalachian

ROBERT C. LEBERMAN

281 Western Great lakes

JIM GRANLUND

284 Middlewestern Prairie

KENNETH J. BROCK

288 Central Southern

STEVEN W. CARDIFF

292 Prairie Provinces

RUDOLF F. KOES
and PETER TAYLOR

294 Northern Great Plains

RON E. MARTIN

227 Editor's Notebook

228 Black-browed
Albatross in North
America: First
Photographically
Documented Record

J. BRIAN PATTESON,

MICHAEL A. PATTEN,
and EDWARD S. BRINKLEY

232 The Status of Vagrant
Whimbrels in the
United States
and Canada with Notes
on Identification

MATTHEW T. HEINDEL

237 Anis in the United
States and Canada

STEVEN G. ML0DIN0W
and KEVIN T. KARLSON

246 Suggestions
for Contributors

247 Changing Seasons:
Spring Migration

CHRISTOPHER L. WOOD

337 Gray-hooded Gull
in North America:

First Documented
Record

DOUGLAS B. MCNAIR

340 Market Place

341 Pictorial Highlights

296 Southern Great Plains

JOSEPH A. GRZYBOWSKI
This report covers the winter season.
The spring report will appear in
a future issue.

299 Texas

GREG W. LASLEY, CHUCK SEXTON,

WILLIE SEKULA,

and CLIFF SHACKELFORD

304 Idaho-Western Montana

DAVID TROCHLELL

306 Mountain West

VAN A. TRUAN

and BRANDON K. PERCIVAL

309 Arizona

GARY H. ROSENBERG
and CHRIS D. BENESH

312 New Mexico

SARTOR 0. WILLIAMS III

315 Alaska

THEDE G.TOBISH JR.

318 British Columbia-Yukon

MICHAEL G. SHEPARD

320 Oregon-Washington

BILL TWEIT, GERARD LILLIE,
and STEVE MLODINOW

324 Middle Pacific Coast

DON ROBERSON,

STEPHEN C. ROTTENBORN,

SCOTT B. TERRILL,

AND DANIELS. SINGER

328 Southern Pacific Coast

GUY McCASKIE

332 Hawaiian Islands

ROBERT L. PYLE

333 West Indies

ROBERT L. NORTON

ON THE COVER

Cover (and Figure 1 of the paper starting on p. 228): Immature Black-browed Albatross at Norfolk Canyon off Virginia Beach, Virginia,

6 February 1999. The largely black underwings eliminate the Yellow-nosed Albatross, whereas the white head, gray collar, and pale base
to the bill eliminate the similar immature Gray-headed Albatross. Details of the record, the first photographically documented for North
America, appear in this issue. Photograph/Brian Patteson

American Birding Association

PRESIDENT
Allan R. Keith

VICE-PRESIDENT
Wayne R. Petersen

SECRETARY
Blake Maybank

TREASURER
Gerald J. Ziarno

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kenneth P. Able
Margaret Bain
P. A. Buckley
Jon Dunn

Daphne D. Gemmill
Thomas J. Gilmore
Bettie R. Harriman
John C. Kricher
Dennis H. Lacoss
Greg W. Lasley
Michael Ord
Richard H. Payne
Ann Stone
Harry Tow
Henry Turner

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Paul Green

FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Lynn Yeager

CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION
Lina DiGregorio

CONVENTIONS AND CONFERENCES
Ken Hollinga

ADVERTISING
Ken Barron

GENERAL COUNSEL
Daniel T. Williams Jr.

PAST PRESIDENTS

Daniel T. Williams Jr. (1993-1997)
Allan R. Keith (1989-1993)
Lawrence G. Balch (1983-1989)
Joseph W. Taylor (1979-1983)
Arnold Small (1976-1979)

G. Stuart Keith (1973-1976)

G. Stuart Keith (1970 pro tem)

Mil American Birds

is published by the American Birding Association
The mission of the journal is to provide a complete overview
of the changing panorama of our continent’s birdlife,
including outstanding records, range extensions and contractions,
population dynamics, and changes in migration patterns
or seasonal occurrence.

PUBLISHER

ABA / Henry Turner

GUEST EDITOR EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Michael A. Patten Carol S. Lawson

ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Victoria Irwin

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Jon Dunn and Kenn Kaufman

EDITORIAL CONSULTANT
Susan Roney Drennan

REGIONAL EDITORS

Bruce H. Anderson, Yves Aubry, Margaret Bain, Pierre Bannon, Chris D. Benesh,
Kenneth J. Brock, Joseph C. Burgiel, Steven W. Cardiff, Hugh Currier, David A. Cutler,
Normand David, Ricky Davis, Dave Elder, Walter G. Ellison, Jeff Gilligan,

Jim Granlund, Joseph A. Grzybowski, Theo Hofmann, Pam Hunt,

Marshall J. Iliff, Greg D. Jackson, Rudolf F. Koes, Greg W. Lasley,

Robert Leberman, Gerard Lillie, Bruce Mactavish, Nancy L. Martin,

Ron E. Martin, Blake Maybank, Guy McCaskie, Ian A. McLaren, Steven G. Mlodinow,
Robert L. Norton, Rich Paul, Robert O. Paxton, Brandon K. Percival, Simon Perkins,
Wayne R. Petersen, Bill Pranty, Robert D. Purrington, Robert L. Pyle,

Don Roberson, Gary H. Rosenberg, Stephen C. Rottenborn, Ann F. Schnapf,
Chuck Sexton, Michael G. Shepard, Daniel S. Singer, Stephen J. Stedman,

Peter Taylor, Scott B. Terrill, Daryl D. Tessen, Bill Tice, Thede G. Tobish Jr.,
David Trochlell, Van A. Truan, Bill Tweit, Richard L. West, Sartor O. Williams III

PRODUCTION EDITOR
Susanna v.R. Lawson

PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS
Constance J. Eldridge and Kim LeSueur

CIRCULATION

Mary Carr, Jill Fife, and Therese Ford

North American Birds (ISSN 1525-3708) (USPS 872-200) is published quarterly by the American
Birding Association, Inc., 720 West Monument Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904-3624. Periodicals
postage paid at Colorado Springs, Colorado, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: return
postage guaranteed; send address changes and POD forms 3579 to North American Birds,

PO Box 6599, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80934-6599. Subscription prices: $30/year (US)
and US$35/year (Canada). Copyright © 1999 by the American Birding Association, Inc., all rights
reserved. Printed by Publishers Printing, Shepherdsville, Kentucky. The views and opinions expressed
in this magazine are those of each contributing writer and do not necessarily represent the views and
opinions of the American Birding Association or its management. ABA is not responsible for the qual¬
ity of products or services advertised in North American Birds, unless the products or services are
being offered directly by the Association. GST Registration No. R135943454.

226

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

editor's notebook

Among the myriad of sciences, few disciplines can truly
lay claim to significant amateur contributions, let alone
publication outlets for amateurs. Occasionally a backyard
astronomer discovers a new comet, and journals such as
Madrono, News of the Lepidopterists’ Society, and Herpetologi-
cal Review encourage publication of significant field discover¬
ies of plants, butterflies, or amphibians and reptiles, respec¬
tively. Yet no scientific endeavor has such a long-standing,
well-established contribution from amateurs as does ornithol¬
ogy, and North American Birds serves as the premier conti¬
nent-wide journal publishing the plethora of field observa¬
tions from active field ornithologists, amateur and profession¬
al alike. It is so well established in this role that nary a state,
province, or local monograph is published that does not rely
heavily upon information published in this journal. Fur¬
thermore, it is the chief organ of communication between the
cadre of birders across the continent and the ornithologists
studying avian distribution (such as members of the Check¬
list Committee of the American Ornithologists’ Union).

But North American Birds is not a journal devoted just to
the first records and surprising extralimitals. It is also a jour¬
nal about range extensions, new nesting records, population
increases and declines, and dispersal patterns. It is every bit as
concerned with our common, regular avifauna as it is con¬
cerned with rarities and vagrants. How else could we proper¬
ly track the expansion of the White-winged Dove into the
Southeast, Southern Great Plains, and Midwest? Where else
could we have chronologically documented the decline of the
Golden-winged Warbler throughout the Northeast? Or the
expansion of the Great-tailed Grackle throughout the South¬
west, Southern Great Plains, and Midwest? Or the regular
occurrence in North American waters of species like the Mur¬
phy’s Petrel? It is only in the pages of North American Birds,
through Regional Reports published each season and through
well -researched summary papers, that we continually docu¬
ment the changing faces of bird status and distribution
throughout the continent.

The goal for each issue is to strike a balance between these
various faces, whether declines, expansions, or vagrants. This
issue strikes that balance with an analysis of population trends
and dispersal patterns of the Groove-billed and Smooth-billed
anis, a discussion of distribution patterns and identification of
different subspecies of the Whimbrel in North America, and
well documented continental firsts for the Black-browed
Albatross and Gray-hooded Gull. And as always the Changing
Seasons takes a broad scale look at patterns and events that
made spring 1999 what is was, from the incursion of Purple
Gallinules into the Southeast and Midwest to the astounding
numbers of migrant landbirds passing through the Southwest,
from range expansions of the Mississippi Kite, Cave Swallow,
and Tricolored Blackbird to the usual host of ultrararities.

North American Birds will to continue to fulfill its role, but
it can only do so through continued submission of papers and
through contribution of sightings to Regional Reports. With
help from us all this peer-reviewed journal will not only thrive
in its current form, but will grow to accommodate a profusion
of important papers on avian status, distribution, biogeogra¬
phy, and population biology in every issue, and thus will
become even more invaluable. Were it not for North American
Birds, we would all be poorer indeed.

— Michael Patten, Guest Editor

SUBSPECIES, HYBRIDS, AND IDENTIFIABLE FORMS

Species level nomenclature and taxonomy used in North American Birds strictly follows
that of the seventh edition ( 1 998) of American Ornithologists' Union Check-list of North
American Birds. Identification of a particular bird to species is often difficult enough.

In some instances, however, a bird can be identified below the species level
(i.e., to subspecies), to a discrete phenotype (e.g., a distinct morph), or is not a full
taxon (i.e., it is a hybrid). Caution is needed (and urged!) whenever identifying a bird
to subspecies or as a hybrid, but some subspecies, subspecies groups (a collection of
similar subspecies), and hybrids have distinctive enough appearances that they actually
have established common names. To facilitate communication and to encourage the
reporting of these forms. North American Birds often uses these established common

1 names. The more frequent ones are listed below; others can generally be found in the
Check-list cited above, or at various on-line resources (e.g.. the Ontario Field
Ornithologists web site at <www.interlog.com/~ofo>). - Michael A. Patten

Common Name

What It Means

Great White Heron

Ardea herodias occidentalis

Richardson’s (Canada) Goose

Branta canadensis hutchinsii

Cackling ( Canada) Goose

Branta canadensis minimus

Atlantic Brant

Branta bernicla hrota

Black Brant

Branta bernicla nigricans

Bewick’s Swan

Cygnus columbianus bewickii

Mexican Duck

A nas platyrhynchos diazi

Common Teal

Anas crecca creca or A. c. nimia

Harlan’s Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis harlani

Krider’s (Red-tailed) Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis krideri

Masked Bobwhite

Colinus virginianus ridgwayi

Western Willet

Catoptrophus semipalmatus inomatus

Common Gull

Laras canus canus or L. c. heinei

Vega Gull

Larus argentatus vegae or L. a. birulai

Yellow-shafted Flicker

Colaptes auratus aurat us group

Red-shafted Flicker

Colaptes auratus cafer group

Brewster’s Warbler

Blue-winged x Golden-winged Warbler
hybrid (dominant)

Lawrence’s W arbler

Blue-winged x Golden-winged Warbler
hybrid (recessive)

Myrtle Warbler

Dendroica cornonata coronata group

Audubon’s Warbler

Dendroica cornonata auduboni group

Yellow Palm Warbler

Dendroica palmarum hypochrysea

Ipswich Sparrow

Passerculus sandwichensis princeps

Large-billed Sparrow

Passerculus sandwichensis rostratus

Red Fox Sparrow

Passerella illiaca iliaca or P. i. zaboria

Sooty Fox Sparrow

Passerella iliaca unalaschcensis group

Slate-colored Fox Sparrow

Passerella iliaca schistacea group

Thick-billed Fox Sparrow

Passerella iliaca megarhyncha group

Gambel’s White-crowned Sparrow

Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii

Slate-colored Junco

Junco hyemalis hyemalis group

Oregon Junco

Junco hyemalis oregonus group

Gray-headed Junco

Junco hyemalis caniceps

Red-backed Junco

Junco hyemalis dorsalis

White-winged Junco

Junco hyemalis aikem

Pink-sided Junco

Junco hyemalis meamsi

Hepburn's Rosy Finch

Leucosticte tephrocotis littoralis

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

227

The Black-browed Albatross
in North America:

First

Photographically

Documented

Record

Figure 1. Immature Black-browed Albatross at Norfolk Canyon, ±65 nmi east of Virginia Beach, 6 February 1999.
Note the gray collar, contrasting white head, and black underwings with white secondary coverts.

Photograph/J. Brian Patteson

J. BRIAN PATTESON*

MICHAEL A. PATTENf
and EDWARD S. BRINKLEY!

he Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophris is an enig¬
matic species in North America. Although there have been “over
a dozen reports” of this species off the east coast of Canada and the
United States (ABA 1996), all specimen and photographic records of
albatrosses have pertained to the Yellow-nosed Albatross T. chloror-
hynchos (McDaniel 1973, Mlodinow 1999). Indeed, although the
Black-browed Albatross was accepted to the list of species having
occurred in the United States and Canada (ABA 1996), none of the
dozen or so reports is substantiated by physical evidence or pho¬
tographs. Furthermore, the AOU (1998) placed the species on the
North American list based on a specimen from Martinique but
judged none of the records for the United States and Canada to be
satisfactory. Thus, there was some recent discussion of removing the
species from the American Birding Association Area list (J. L. Dunn
pers. comm.).

Herein we report the first fully documented record of a Black-
browed Albatross for the United States and Canada. This bird, an
immature, was studied at length and extensively photographed by us

* RO. Box 772, Hatteras, North Carolina 27943
t Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside, California 92521
f 9 Randolph Avenue, Cape Charles, Virginia 23310

and others on 6 February 1999 at Norfolk Canyon, a locale over the
Continental Shelf roughly 65 nautical miles east of Virginia Beach,
Virginia. This date saw cold air temperatures (2-10°C), heavy cloud
cover, large swells, and wind-sea conditions estimated at Beaufort
force 4-6. Other essentially pelagic species observed were four light-
rnorph Northern Fulmars Fulmarus glacialis, five Manx Shearwaters
Puffinus puffinus , a single Great Skua Catharacta skua, two first-win¬
ter Black-legged Kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla, an immature Razorbill
Alca torda, and three Atlantic Puffins Fratercula arctica.

The Black-browed Albatross was first noted at 1230 EST. It
remained in view for 20 minutes at distances of 20-100 m. Based on
past records for the northwestern Atlantic Ocean, it seemed over¬
whelmingly likely that the bird would prove to be a Yellow-nosed
Albatross; indeed, this species remains the “default” albatross off the
East Coast of North America. Even so, after a few minutes of careful
study, it became apparent that it was in fact an immature Black-
browed Albatross. It remained in view for at least another 10 minutes
after the identification was made, so all field marks could be
rechecked on the bird with it still in view. An extensive set of pho¬
tographs and a videotape were obtained in this time (Figs. 1-4).

DESCRIPTION OF THE VIRGINIA BIRD

The following description is based on contemporaneous field notes
and photographs of the bird. This bird was truly huge, long-winged,
and impressive. Obviously no other albatrosses were present for
direct size comparison, but relative to other Northern Hemisphere

228

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

Figure 2. Immature Black-browed Albatross at Norfolk Canyon,

±65 nmi east of Virginia Beach, 6 February 1999. Note the typical
mollymawk pattern (dark brown mantle with pale head
and underparts), pinkish base to the bill, extensive gray nuchal
collar, and clean white rump. Photograph/J. Brian Patteson

Figure 3. Immature Black-browed Albatross at Norfolk Canyon,

±65 nmi east of Virginia Beach, 6 February 1999.

Note the extensively black underwings, with whitish bases

to the greater secondary coverts, and the narrow gray breast band.

Photograph/J. Brian Patteson

species with which the authors are familiar this bird seemed to be
roughly the same size or slightly larger than a Black-footed
Phoebastria tugripes or a Laysan P. immutabilis albatross, with broad¬
er wings and a heavier body. Length from bill tip to tail tip did not
appear appreciably longer than the many nearby Northern Gannets
Morus bassanus , but the much greater wingspan and wing area and
overall robust appearance of the head, bill, and body made the bird
appear appreciably larger than the gannets.

The bill appeared to be all black in most lights, but in better light
and at close range it was evident that it was dark pinkish-gray
throughout, with only the ungues being jet black. This black tip was
fairly clean-cut from the pinkish-gray base (Figs. 1, 2). The legs and
feet were grayish (perhaps with some pink as well). Its feet did not
extend beyond the tip of the tail (Figs. 1-3). It flew on long, bowed
wings with deep wingbeats alternating with long glides. It did not
raise the level of its wings much above the horizontal on the upstroke,
but often banked dramatically, forming a near-perfect vertical with
the ocean surface when doing so. It pattered along the surface of the
water for a short distance when taking flight. Not surprisingly, it was
silent throughout the observation.

This albatross was a typical mollymawk in plumage pattern/
coloration: pale head, rump, and underparts and dark brown mantle,
upperwings, and tail (Figs. 1-4). There was no distinct pale feather¬
ing breaking the monotony of dark brown on the mantle (Fig. 2). The
rump was a clean white, lacking a dusky brown extension into it,
unlike the rump of most Laysan Albatrosses (Figs. 2, 4). The nape was

Figure 4. Immature Black-browed Albatross at Norfolk Canyon,
±65 nmi east of Virginia Beach, 6 February 1999.

Note the white uppertail coverts and gray nape extending toward
the breast in the point. Photograph/J. Brian Patteson

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

229

dusky-gray, with a nuchal collar of the same color extending down
the sides of the neck to form a narrow breast band (Figs. 1, 2, 4). A
smoky-black smudge around the dark eye extended posteriorly to a
thin point about halfway to the rear of the auriculars (forming the
classic black “brow”; Figs. 2, 3).

The underwings were mostly dark, smudgy brownish-black, with
a pale whitish or brownish-white stripe on the greater secondary
coverts. In the photographs, the pale pigmentation appears to be
mostly at the base of these coverts (Fig. 1). The remiges were black¬
ish, as was most of the leading edge of the underwing. Indeed, aside
from the whitish stripe on the secondary coverts the underwings
were largely blackish/dark brownish-black (Figs. 1, 3), with only
minor deviations from this pattern (e.g., slightly paler axillaries). The
whitish on the coverts blurred almost imperceptibly into the wide
blackish borders. The tail appeared to be uniformly dark brown, but
it was hard to see from below because of the exceptionally long, white
undertail coverts (Figs. 1, 3).

IDENTIFICATION ISSUES

Amongst the mollymawks, the Shy T. cauta, Buller’s T. bulleri, and
Yellow-nosed albatrosses have extensively white underwings at all ages
and are thus readily eliminated. The Laysan Albatross has a largely
pink bill at all ages and shows much more white on the underwing.
Thus, given the extensively black underwings, the choices quickly nar¬
row to either the Black-browed or Gray-headed T. chrysostoma alba¬
tross. These species are easily distinguished as adults but are striking¬
ly similar as immatures, thus posing a serious identification problem
(Marchant and Higgins 1990). So similar are these species that a
record of a tideline corpse from Iceland in about 1844 cannot be iden¬
tified to species, though it is clearly either a Gray-headed or a Black-
browed albatross (Bourne 1967, Cramp and Simmons 1974).

As juveniles both mollymawks have a mostly dark bill, largely
black underwings, and gray about the head and neck. Of these marks,
the exact pattern of the underwing is highly variable between indi¬
viduals and thus cannot be used to distinguish between the species
(Warham et al. 1966, Marchant and Higgins 1990). These species are
also extremely similar in upperpart pattern, foot coloration, size, and
structure. Furthermore, the presence of a black “brow” is a common
feature among the mollymawks (Warham and Bourne 1974), so
despite being slightly more extensive or obvious on a Black-browed
it is of little value in field identification.

Coloration and pattern of the bill and of the head are the two best
means by which to distinguish between juvenile and immature
Black-browed and Gray-headed albatrosses (Warham et al. 1966,
Warham and Bourne 1974, Marchant and Higgins 1990). Bill col¬
oration is perhaps the best single feature. On an immature Gray¬
headed Albatross, the bill is almost uniform blackish or dark gray,
paling only toward the culmen or base (Warham et al. 1966, Tickell
1969, Warham and Bourne 1974). By contrast, on an immature
Black-browed Albatross the bill is mostly gray, pinkish-gray, or
yellowish -gray with a distinctly contrasting black tip (Warham et al.
1966, Tickell 1969, Marchant and Higgins 1990). The bird at Norfolk
Canyon clearly had a pinkish-gray base to its bill with a contrasting
black tip, thus indicating a Black-browed Albatross.

Head coloration and pattern also differs between immatures of
these species. Even as a juvenile, the Gray-headed Albatross tends to
have a mostly dusky-gray head, whereas the head of a juvenile Black-
browed is much whiter (Warham et al. 1966, Marchant and Higgins
1990). However, the extent of gray on the head can be quite similar
(Watson 1974), and individual Gray-headed Albatrosses “with more
or less pale heads can be found” (Tickell 1969). Even so, a juvenile

Black-browed Albatross has a largely white head with a contrasting
gray crown, nape, and narrow collar (Marchant and Higgins 1990). A
juvenile Gray-headed Albatross has a mostly dusky-gray head (i.e.,
including the auriculars and extending almost to the throat), such
that they appear to have a hood rather than a collar. The Norfolk
Canyon bird had a mostly pure white head, with gray on the nape
extending down the sides of the uppermost breast to form a narrow
collar. Indeed, this bird looked extremely similar to the juvenile Black-
browed Albatross in the photograph published by Harrison (1987).

Based on the coloration and pattern of the bill (pinkish-gray base
with a black tip) and head and neck (largely white with a gray nape
and breastband), the albatross at Norfolk Canyon was a juvenile
Black-browed rather than a juvenile Gray-headed.

STATUS IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN

The westernmost specimens of the Black-browed Albatross for the
northern Atlantic Ocean are at Lille Hellefiskebanke off the west coast
of Greenland in late August 1935 (Palmer 1962) and off the Caribbean
island of Martinique 12 November 1956 (Bond 1959). There is an
additional sight report for the Caribbean of two ±220 km north-
northeast of Los Roques 6 May 1968 (de Bruijne 1970). In stark con¬
trast to their scarcity in the western North Atlantic, the Black-browed
Albatross has been recorded on 35-plus occasions in the eastern
North Atlantic (Lewington et al. 1991), including over 25 records for
the British Isles by the late 1980s (Dymond et al. 1989). Alternatively,
the Yellow-nosed Albatross has been reliably recorded on over 30
occasions in the western North Atlantic (McDaniel 1973, AOU 1998),
yet remains virtually unknown in the eastern North Atlantic
(Lewington et al. 1991).

It is unclear just how many previous records of the Black-browed
Albatross exist for the western North Atlantic. The ABA (1996) stat¬
ed that there are “over a dozen reports,” whereas Brinkley (1997) stat¬
ed that one in Massachusetts in fall 1996 represented the “ninth
[record] in the western North Atlantic.” We located 20-21 reports in
the literature, most of which have not been reviewed by local records
committees or have not been accepted by these committees; such
reports should not be considered firm records. Reports exist for
Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts,
Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Florida
(DeSante and Pyle 1986, ABA 1996, AOU 1998). In Canada, an unre¬
viewed sight report ±50 km northeast of Sydney, Nova Scotia, 15 July
1980 (Tuffs 1986 [who incorrectly gave the year as 1983]) was con¬
sidered hypothetical by Godfrey (1986), and was perhaps in
Newfoundland waters (Vickery 1980). There are two additional sight
records for Nova Scotia, one at Cabot Strait 21 July 1986 (Forster
1987) and one off Yarmouth 23 August 1991 (Mactavish 1992).

There are two or three records of the Black-browed Albatross for
the United States that may be considered acceptable. Sight records of
singles between Nantucket and Hyannis 16 September 1973, and ±40
km east of Newburyport 11 July 1976, were accepted by the Massa¬
chusetts Avian Records Committee (Petersen 1995). Note that a 24
July 1976 report from near Newburyport, felt by some to be of the
same bird as on 11 July (Veit and Petersen 1993), was accepted only
as “albatross sp.” by the Massachusetts Committee. A sighting at
Manasquan, New Jersey, 24 October 1989 (Mlodinow 1999) was
accepted by the New Jersey Bird Records Committee but the record
remains controversial (P. E. Lehman pers. comm.).

All other reports of the Black-browed Albatross for the United
States are generally treated as unacceptable or hypothetical. One at
the Isle of Shoals on the Maine/New Hampshire border 1 August
1976, and seen an hour later east of Hampton, was considered to be

230

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS

likely the same individual involved in the 1976 record from Massa¬
chusetts (Finch 1977). Also in this area, an adult was reported off
Bailey Island, Maine, 28 May 1978 (Vickery 1978). A report of two
near Bird Island in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, 28 June 1972
(DuMont 1973) has not been reviewed by the Massachusetts Avian
Records Committee, and an immature off South Beach 21 September
1996 (Ellison and Martin 1997) was accepted by that committee only
as “albatross sp.” (Petersen 1998). Furthermore, an adult albatross at
George’s Bank, Massachusetts, 2 May 1982 was felt to be this species
(Nikula 1982) but could not be verified. Neither the ABA (1996) nor
the AOU (1998) mentioned a record for Rhode Island, but one was
reported on Cox’s Ledge in early June 1980 (Vickery 1980). One
reported off Hempstead, Long Island, New York, 27 May 1996 was
not accepted by the New York State Avian Records Committee
(1999). A report of two, an adult and an immature, observed off
Cape May Point, New Jersey, 7 October 1974 (Scott and Cutler 1975)
was treated as hypothetical by Sibley (1997). This report, and those
of singles at Hudson Canyon ±64 nautical miles southeast of
Manasquan Inlet 27 May 1973 (Buckley and Davis 1973), 8 km east
of Deal 5 July 1973 (Buckley and Davis 1973), and off Little Egg Inlet
5 December 1973 (Smith 1974), were not accepted by the New Jersey
Bird Records Committee “due to a lack of documentation” (S. E.
Finnegan pers. comm.). The single record for North Carolina, of two
at sea south of Morehead City 19 August 1972 (DuMont 1973), was
accepted as “Provisional” by the North Carolina Bird Records
Committee (Tove et al. 1998), although Dumont (1973) noted that it
was perhaps not as conclusive as others for North America. Lastly, the
single report from Florida, ±30 km off Cocoa Beach 13 September
1974, was considered unverified by Robertson and Woolfenden
(1992).

Aside from the undocumented early December record for New
Jersey, all previous reports of the Black-browed Albatross for the Unit¬
ed States and Canada, hypothetical or not, fall exclusively between 27
May and 24 October. This temporal pattern matches the summer/fall
peak in the eastern North Atlantic, where roughly three-fourths of the
records are during this period (Dymond et al. 1989). Almost all other
records for the eastern North Atlantic are during spring (mid-April to
mid-May), although there are December records for Belgium and
Spain, a January record for Britain, and a March record for Gibraltar
(Lewington et al. 1991). Thus, the immature Black-browed Albatross
off Virginia represents not only the first photographically document¬
ed record for the western North Atlantic, but it occurred at a time of
year when it is largely unrecorded even in the eastern North Atlantic.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank Charles D. Duncan, Jon L. Dunn, Shawneen E. Finnegan, Tom
Halliwell, Laurie Larson, Paul E. Lehman, Steven G. Mlodinow, and
Wayne R. Petersen for comments and information.

LITERATURE CITED

American Birding Association (ABA). 1996. ABA Checklist: Birds of the
Continental United States and Canada, 5th ed. American Birding Associa¬
tion, Colorado Springs.

American Ornithologists’ Union (AOU). 1998. Check-list of North American
Birds, 7th ed. American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C.

Bond, J. 1959. Fourth Supplement to the Check-list of Birds of the West Indies.

Academy of Natural Sciences, Phildelphia.

Bourne, W. R. P. 1967. Long distance vagrancy in the petrels. Ibis 109:141-167.
Brinkley, E. S. 1997. The changing seasons: The fall migration 1996. Field
Notes 51:8-15.

Buckley, P. A., and T. H. Davis. 1973. Hudson-St. Lawrence Region. American
Birds 27:845-852.

Cramp, S., and K. E. L. Simmons. 1974. Birds of the Western Palearctic, vol. 1.
Oxford University Press, Oxford.

de Bruijne, J. W. A. 1970. Black-browed Albatross ( Diomedea melanophris ) in
the Caribbean. Ardea 58:264.

DeSante, D. F., and P. Pyle. 1986. Distributional Checklist of North American
Birds. Artemisia Press, Lee Vining, Calif.

Dumont, P. G. 1973. Black-browed Albatross sightings off the United States
east coast. American Birds 27:739-740.

Dymond, J. N., P. A. Fraser, and S. J. M. Gantlett. 1989. Rare Birds in Britain
and Ireland. T8cAD Poyser, Calton, England.

Ellison, W. G., and N. L. Martin. 1997. New England Region. Field Notes
51:23-28.

Finch, D. W. 1977. Northeastern Maritime Region. American Birds
31:225-232.

Forster, R. A. 1987. Northeastern Maritime Region. American Birds 41:52-61.

Godfrey, W. E. 1986. The Birds of Canada, rev. ed. National Museum of
Natural History, Ottawa.

Harrison, P. 1987. A Field Guide to Seabirds of the World. Stephen Green Press,
Lexington, Massachusetts.

Lewington, I., P. Alstrom, and P. Colston. 1991. A Field Guide to the Rare Birds
of Britain and Europe. HarperCollins Publications, London.

Mactavish, B. 1992. Atlantic Provinces Region. American Birds 46:53-57 .

Marchant, S., and P. J. Higgins, eds. 1990. Handbook of Australian, New
Zealand, and Antarctic Birds, vol. 1. Oxford University Press, Oxford.

McDaniel, J. W. 1973. Vagrant albatrosses in the western North Atlantic and
Gulf of Mexico. American Birds 27:563-565.

Mlodinow, S. G. 1999. Southern Hemisphere albatrosses in North American
waters. Birders Journal 8:131-141.

New York State Avian Records Committee. 1999. Report of the New York State
Avian Records Committee for 1996. Kingbird 49:1 14-121.

Nikula, B. 1982. Northeastern Maritime Region. American Birds 36:827-831.

Palmer, R. S., ed. 1962. Handbook of North American Birds, vol. 1. Yale
University Press, New Haven, Connecticut.

Petersen, W. R. 1995. First annual report of the Massachusetts Avian Records
Committee (MARC). Bird Observer 23:263-274.

Petersen, W. R. 1998. Third annual report of the Massachusetts Avian Records
Committee (MARC). Bird Observer 26:276-282.

Robertson, W. B„ Jr., and G. E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida bird species: An
annotated list. Florida Ornithological Society Special Publication 6.

Scott, F. R., and D. A. Cutler. 1975. Middle Atlantic Coast Region. American
Birds 29:34-40.

Sibley, D. 1997. The Birds of Cape May. Cape May Bird Observatory, Cape
May, New Jersey.

Smith, P. W. 1974. Region 5 field notes. New Jersey Nature News 29:56.

Tickell, W. L. N. 1969. Plumage changes in young albatrosses. Ibis
111:102-105.

Tove, M. H., H. E. LeGrand Jr., E. S. Brinkley, R. J. Davis, and J. B. Patteson.
1998. Marine birds off the coast of North Carolina: A critique. Chat
62:49-62.

Tufts, R. W. 1986. Birds of Nova Scotia. Nimbus Publications, Halifax.

Veit, R. R., and W. R. Petersen. 1993. Birds of Massachusetts. Massaschusetts
Audubon Society, Lincoln.

Vickery, P. D. 1978. Northeastern Maritime Region. American Birds
32:977-981.

Vickery, P. D. 1980. Northeastern Maritime Region. American Birds
34:875-877.

Warham, J., and W. R. P. Bourne. 1974. Additional notes on albatross identi¬
fication. American Birds 28:598-603.

Warham, J., W. R. P. Bourne, and H. F. I. Elliott. 1966. Albatross identification
in the North Atlantic. British Birds 59:376-384.

Watson, G. E. 1975. Birds of the Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic. American
Geophysics Union, Washington, D.C.

A

VOLUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 3

231

The Status

of Vagrant Whimbrels

in the United States and Canada
with Notes on Identification

MATTHEW T. HEINDEL *

he Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus is a common shorebird in the
United States and Canada that is present throughout the year. In
addition to the widespread form of the Americas, N. p. hudsonicus
(the “Hudsonian Curlew”), Old World subspecies of the Whimbrel
have occurred on occasion; indeed, nominate birds are almost annu¬
al along the Atlantic Coast. An understanding of the status and iden¬
tification of taxa in this complex is important to our understanding
of movement patterns in this species (or species group), particularly
when one considers that there is a high likelihood that there is more
than one species of the Whimbrel.

It seems clear that the current relegation of the various taxa to
subspecies status is, unfortunately, impacting our data. Although 1
doubt that most serious birders place less emphasis on identification
as a result of their taxonomic status, there can be little doubt that this
complex has garnered less attention than has other vagrant shore-
birds. As an example, few photographs are available of vagrant birds.
Indeed, I was unable to locate any good photographs of nominate
birds from the Atlantic coast. It is certainly true that not all birds are
cooperative, and a vagrant Whimbrel picked out in a flock of North
American Whimbrel might not lend itself to being photographed.
Nevertheless, finding vagrant shorebirds, be it from Asia or Europe,
is one of the more exciting birding events of any migration. A com¬
parison with records of other Old World shorebirds, for example the
Bar-tailed Godwit Lirnosa lapponica , Red-necked Calidris ruficollis
and Little C. minuta stints, or Curlew Sandpiper C. ferruginea, shows
a significantly higher percentage of those records accompanied by
identifiable photographs. I believe that this problem is in part relat¬
ed to reduced effort compared to what one would invest for a vagrant
accorded full species status.

Birding and taxonomy have an interesting relationship. Just
because a body of scientists state that a population is or is not a dis¬
tinct species, such a decision has no bearing on our ability to identi¬
fy them. Perhaps only with such a taxonomic change will more bird¬
ers search for and document vagrant Whimbrel, but I am hopeful
that increased attention be given to this vagrant regardless of any
pending decision. And indeed, this issue does not stop with the
Whimbrel, but applies to all subspecies, whether common or rare in
North America.

* 4891 Royce Road, Irvine, California 92612

TAXONOMY

Authorities generally recognize three or four subspecies of the
Whimbrel. Our regularly occurring subspecies is N. p. hudsonicus ; no
other subspecies is thought to breed or regularly migrate in North
America. N. p. variegatus from Asia is a regular migrant in western
Alaska, and casual along the Pacific Coast, with one record for inte¬
rior California. The European race or races are slightly more compli¬
cated. The nominate subspecies breeds widely throughout northern
Europe. N. p. islandicus, which breeds on Iceland, is not given sub¬
specific status in most recent works, and N. p. alboaxillaris is also of
uncertain taxonomy. Whereas some treat alboaxillaris as valid, Vaurie
(1965) treated it as a color morph and most recent works follows this
treatment. It is smaller and paler than the nominate race. Shirihai
(1996) mentioned that some birds in Israel, where Whimbrel
migrates and winters, are intermediate in size between phaeopus and
alboaxillaris. The general sense is that there is an intergrade popula¬
tion south of the Ural Mountains in Russia (Cramp and Simmons
1983). For purposes of this paper, nominate phaeopus includes
islandicus and alboaxillaris. There are some taxonomists who believe
that separate species are involved. As an example, Zink et al. (1995)
compared mitochondrial DNA and found that the two groups {hud¬
sonicus and phaeopus) were strongly differentiated. North American
birds would be called the Hudsonian Curlew, with the remaining
races maintained in the nominate group under the Whimbrel
moniker.

DISTRIBUTION

Numenius phaeopus hudsonicus. The breeding range of the North
American subspecies apparently lies in two areas. In the west it
breeds from northern Alaska, northern Yukon, and northwest Mack¬
enzie, south to west and central Alaska and southwest Yukon. In the
east it breeds in southern Keewatin, northeast Manitoba, and north
Ontario. It has been recorded in the breeding season on South¬
ampton and Banks islands, but breeding confirmation is needed
(Godfrey 1986, AOU 1998). Nonbreeding birds might spend the
summer without migrating at all, or move part or all of the way to
the breeding grounds. South of its breeding range, it is found along
coastal California, Panama, and Ecuador in the west, and from New
Jersey to South Carolina and in the West Indies in the east.

Migration is primarily along both coasts, although there are
inland sites that attract large numbers of migrant Whimbrels. Much
of the migration in the western part of the range is noted from
Mexico to Alaska along, or just off, the immediate coast. There is also

232

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

a large movement north from the Gulf of California through the
Salton Sea in interior southeastern California. This population angles
northwest through interior California in the Antelope Valley and
through the San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys. At this point the
Whimbrel is generally rare east of the Sierra Nevada range. Farther
north, in British Columbia, it is common on the coast and remains
rare in the interior. It is a scarce spring transient in Alberta, Saskat¬
chewan, and interior southern Manitoba. Similarly, in Colorado they
are rare in spring and casual in fall (Andrews and Righter 1992).

To the east, it is found from the Gulf of Mexico, and points east to
the West Indies (rarely), and to the Atlantic Coast north to New
England. It is regular in the lower Great Lakes region, and local else¬
where in the interior and to the west of Hudson Bay. Similar flyways
are used in fall, although it is found both east and west of Hudson
Bay, east to Labrador and Newfoundland, the north shore of the Gulf
of St. Lawrence, and the Maritime Provinces (Godfrey 1986, AOU
1998).

The Whimbrel winters on the Pacific Coast from Washington
(rarely southern British Columbia) to southern Chile. The eastern
part of the winter range extends from the coasts of Texas, Louisiana,
and South Carolina, south to the Caribbean coast of Colombia and
from Venezuela to Brazil (AOU 1998). On the Pacific side, it is casu¬
al in the Pribilof Islands (in the Bering Sea), Clipperton Atoll (well
off western Mexico), Hawaii, and New Zealand. On the Atlantic side,
it is casual on northern Baffin Island and western Greenland, Europe,
and the Azores. There is even a record for Sierra Leone in West Africa
(Urban et al. 1986).

Numenius phaeopus phaeopus. The nominate subspecies breeds
from Iceland, northern Scandinavia to northwestern Siberia, south to
the Orkneys, Shetlands, Scottish mainland, southern Scandinavia,
Estonia, central Russia and central western Siberia. It winters from
the British Isles (rarely), Mediterranean, Arabia, and western India
south irregularly to the Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands, southern
Africa, Madagascar, Seychelles, and Sri Lanka. There is much uncer¬
tainty over the dividing ranges of the phaeopus group at this season,
but birds ringed (banded) in Europe and northwestern Russia have
been recovered in West Africa (Urban et al. 1986). Compare this
range with that of the following subspecies. Nominate birds are casu¬
al along the Atlantic coast of North America from southern Florida
up the coast to Newfoundland. There are also records from
Barbados, the Virgin Islands, and in the interior of the East in
Ontario and Ohio (AOU 1998).

Numenius phaeopus variegatus. This Asian subspecies breeds in
eastern Siberia and winters from Burma, eastern China, and the
Philippines, to Guam, Fiji, the Malay Peninsula, New Zealand, and
Australia. Populations wintering in southern and East Africa are
thought to be of eastern Russian and Siberian origin (Urban et al.
1986). This subspecies is rare in western Alaska (north to Barrow),
and casual in Europe and the Pacific States.

SUMMARY OF VAGRANT RECORDS

N. p. variegatus is rare but regular in Alaska, where there are at least
15 specimens (Gibson and Kessel 1997), with one from 1938, indi¬
cating this area has long been on the fringe of its range. Away from
coastal Alaska, there are only five records, with singles at Ocean
Shores, Washington, 16 May 1987 (Paulson 1993) and Clatsop Beach,
Oregon, 25 September 1985 at (Paulson 1993), and in California in
Humboldt County 29 October-1 November 1981 (Am. Birds
36:213), in San Mateo County 4-21 September 1997 ( Field Notes
52:120), and inland at China Lake, Kern County, 9-16 June 1999
(pers. obs.). A briefly seen bird at Ocean Shores 15 May 1998 was

almost certainly variegatus, and no doubt occurred due to the weath¬
er system that delivered the Bristle-thighed Curlews to the West
Coast (Patterson 1998), but is not included due to the brevity of the
observation (Mlodinow et al. 1999). The birds at Clatsop Beach and
China Lake were photographed.

N. p. phaeopus is far more regular, being almost annual in fall
somewhere along the Atlantic Coast, meaning anywhere from coastal
Canada to the West Indies. Records range from 9 August to 12
November, with one bird staying to 28 December. This area is exten¬
sive geographically, so observers should keep in mind that the chance
of encountering one is not high. Still, it is clear that phaeopus has been
found far more frequently along the Atlantic than variegatus has been
seen south of Alaska. It is casual in spring, with records from Labrador
14 May 1932 (van Tyne 1948), Sable Island, Nova Scotia, 23 May 1906
(Brewster 1909), Plum Island, Massachusetts, 17 June 1972 (Veit and
Petersen 1993), Hartlen Point, Nova Scotia, 23 June 1983 (Tufts 1986),
and Pistolet Bay, Newfoundland, 27 June 1943 (Godfrey 1986).

Interior records are particularly interesting, and will be discussed
in more detail the next section. Briefly, there are three records for
Ontario, near Kingston 24 May 1969 (Cooke 1970), near Pt. Pelee 3
September 1989 (A. Wormington pers. comm.), and at Lake Ontario
23 May 1991 (Yukich 1991). There are also inland records from
Quebec 1-12 May 1991 (Ontario Birds 10:52) and from Ohio 10-16
July 1988 (Anderson and Kemp 1988).

IDENTIFICATION

Separation from Other Curlews. Separation of the Whimbrel from its
congeners is generally straightforward. All Numenius are fairly uni¬
form brown and rather tall shorebirds. The Whimbrel is categorized
as a large curlew, as opposed to the Little N. minutus and the pre¬
sumably extinct Eskimo N. borealis curlews. However, of the large
curlews the Whimbrel is generally the smallest.

Using hudsonicus as a starting point, the Whimbrel is a rather
even brown, lacking much warm coloration. The brown is broken on
the upperparts (to include the wings, back, and rump) by buff notch¬
es, visible only at rather close range. The crown is dark with a pale
central stripe and a pale supercilium, yielding a boldly patterned
head. The bill, while long for a wader, is short for a curlew, and is
curved primarily near the tip. The neck and breast are comprised of
brown streaks on a buff background and a pale belly, extending to the
lower breast.

The Long-billed Curlew N. americanus is the only other regularly
occurring curlew on the continent. It is larger, with a much longer
and more evenly curved bill. Although juvenile curlews have shorter
bills, their length and shape still differ from that of a Whimbrel. The
curlew’s head is uniform, lacking the bold brown striped effect pre¬
sent on a Whimbrel. Finally, Long-billed Curlews have a warm cin¬
namon tone to much of the plumage, particularly noticeable in
flight. The Eurasian Curlew N. arquata has the long bill of ameri¬
canus and lacks the head stripes of Whimbrel, but it has the white
rump of nominate Whimbrel so could be mistaken if seen in flight;
however, the wings are much darker on the Whimbrel. The Far
Eastern Curlew N. madagascariensis is a vagrant to Alaska, with one
record for British Columbia 24 September 1984 (Kragh et al. 1986).
This curlew is large and wholly brown, with an extremely long bill
and an unmarked crown and thus presents no identification prob¬
lems vis-a-vis Whimbrel. The most similar species is the Bristle¬
thighed Curlew N. tahitiensis, a casual vagrant along the Pacific Coast
and a rare and local breeder in northern and western Alaska
(Patterson 1998). This species has the bolder head stripes, recalling a
Whimbrel, and a shorter bill than most congeners. The rump color is

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

233

the single most important difference, with the Bristle-thighed having
a warm cinnamon or orangish tone, obviously different than the uni¬
form brown of a hudsonicus Whimbrel. See Patterson (1998) for
more information.

From an aging and molt perspective, most curlews are similar in
this regard. Using an adult Whimbrel as an example, they have scapu¬
lars and tertials that are pale brown with rather indistinct pale bars
and spots. They start their molt in the fall, usually upon reaching the
winter grounds, finishing this molt from November to January.
Conversely, juveniles seen in fall are fresh with clear buff spotting; the
separation of young birds from adults is obvious at this season (with
a good view). In spring, adults will be fresher than second-year birds,
as their feathers are newer. With an ability to age these birds, it would
be interesting to note what percentages of the vagrant Whimbrels are
juveniles in fall or are second-year birds in spring. There are minor
measurement differences between the various races of the Whimbrel,
but there are also differences between the ages and sexes, so their use
in the field is rather doubtful. See Prater et al. (1977) for more infor¬
mation on aging and measurement differences.

Separation of Whimbrel Subspecies. In general, the separation of
the Whimbrel from the larger curlews is straightforward, given rea¬
sonable views and a basic understanding of their field marks. The fun
really begins when trying to understand how to separate the various
subspecies of the Whimbrel from one another. In addition to pro¬
viding an increased understanding that comes with such evaluations,
the identification of Whimbrels to race has added significance in that
some authorities believe more than one species is involved.
Therefore, it makes sense that diligent efforts be made to understand
the status and distribution of the various races, so that in the event
of a split, the birding community will better understand the frequen¬
cy with which the unexpected (sub)species might occur.

As noted earlier, hudsonicus is an evenly brown bird on the upper-
parts (Fig. 1). The neck and breast are brownish with vertical dark
brown streaks on a pale (whitish or buff) background. The streaking
is less obvious toward the lower breast; the belly, through to the

Figure 1 . Whimbrel of the North American subspecies Numenius
phaeopus hudsonicus at Bolivar Flats, Texas, 20 April 1990.
Note the entirely brown lower back and rump.

Photograph/Victor Fazio III

undertail coverts, are pale (again, either buff or off-white). The
underwing coverts and axillaries are comprised of dark brown bars
with a buff ground color. There is little or no warmth to this col¬
oration and the general impression is of a brown wing when seen
from below.

Nominate phaeopus differs in having a large white wedge on the
rump and lower back. This area is (usually) totally unbarred. It fur¬
ther differs by usually having white underwing coverts and axillaries.
In some birds, these areas are white with dark barring (see below). It
appears somewhat cooler brown, with an almost grayish tone, as
compared to the slightly warmer (browner) hudsonicus. Additionally,
it averages slightly larger than hudsonicus, which might be more
obvious with birds from Iceland (which probably account for many
East Coast records). N. p. alboaxillaris is generally smaller and whiter
than the nominate race.

N. p. variegatus is somewhat intermediate to nominate birds and
hudsonicus. The underwings are generally barred white and dark
brown. Under most field conditions, this area looks more like a dark
gray and white, but the barring is extensive. The rump and back are
variable and, in prior literature, have been described as being either
brown or white with brown barring. No doubt many birds have a
more uniform look, but many show uniform white in this area and
would be indistinguishable from phaeopus on this mark alone. Many
variegatus have dark barring across the rump and back, but with
wear, combined with any distance at all, the effect might result in an
area that appears unmarked. The dark barring on the breast is a bit
more extensive than it is on other races, reaching to the sides of the
belly. Like phaeopus, it tends to be slightly cooler brown than hud¬
sonicus. Although overlap renders size somewhat useless in the field,
it does average small than hudsonicus.

For North American birders, the identification of a vagrant
Whimbrel can be based on the presence of a white rump. There is no
evidence that hudsonicus shows this feature. Once hudsonicus has
been eliminated, determining which Old World subspecies it is
becomes complicated, and at some point geography and probability

Figure 2. Whimbrel showing the characters of the Asian
subspecies Numenius phaeopus variegatus at China Lake,
California, 9-16 June 1999. Note the white lower back and rump.
Photograph/Bob Steele

234

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

WHIMBRELS

must play a role. Vagrant Whimbrels are generally restricted to
coastal regions, so it is simple to conclude that those found on the
East Coast are from Europe and those from the West Coast are from
Asia. There is no reason to think this supposition is not correct, but
birders should be armed with the necessary information to try to
make sense of it. Because variegatus winters south to Australia and
New Zealand, it is conceivable that a bird wintering on the wrong
side of the Pacific could actually winter as far south as southern Chile
(where some hudsonicus winter) and then head north on the Atlantic
side. Similarly, phaeopus winters south to the tip of South Africa, so
they, too, could find themselves on the wrong coast (especially so
when one considers how off-track they already are). Note too that
there are inland records (Ohio, Quebec, and Ontario in the eastern
part of the continent, and interior California in the West). At some
point, relying strictly on geography will increase the probability of
error and interior records will be particularly difficult to assess.

In trying to separate phaeopus from variegatus the only seeming¬
ly safe feature is the all white underwings of some phaeopus. Rump or
back color is useful to the extent that a bird obviously barred brown
and white is variegatus , whereas a bird with a seemingly unmarked
white rump and back could be either. But the bird needs to be seen
extremely well to ensure that small brown spots and bars are truly
absent. Nominate birds can show some brown markings on the
rump, so the fact the rump is not entirely white is not enough to con¬
clude that a bird is variegatus. The underwing is another clue, but
also seems subject to individual variation, with phaeopus sometimes
showing rather extensive barring on the underwing coverts and axil-
laries and variegatus sometimes being quite pale, approaching phaeo¬
pus. In my experience, variegatus is heavily barred and this is easy to
see with reasonable views. From a distance, however, it will look
mostly dark, although typically more on the gray end, as opposed to
the brownish tones of hudsonicus. There is some speculation that
these two races intergrade in north-central Russia. In addition to
explaining these overlapping features, it points out that perhaps only
those extreme birds can be safely identified to race.

Figure 3. Whimbrel showing the characters of the Asian
subspecies Numenius phaeopus variegatus at China Lake,
California, 9-16 June 1999. Note that the white traces up
the back to form a wedge. Photograph/Bob Steele

Returning to the geographic probability of records, it would seem
most rational to start with some type of default (sub)species, as inex¬
act as that sounds. Specifically, for vagrants on (or near) the Pacific
Coast, observers should assume a vagrant Whimbrel is variegatus
unless the bird shows wholly white underwings. Even then, given the
fact that variegatus is known to get somewhat paler, it would be wise
to stop short of insisting such a bird were of the nominate race. It gets
tougher on the Atlantic side. Remembering that the bird is likely
being identified by a rather white rump and back, any bird showing
extensive barring on the underwings is more likely to be a heavily
marked phaeopus than a variegatus on the other side of the globe
from its intended range. Theoretically, an individual might have a
rump and lower back that is heavily barred dark and white, outside
the range of variation in hudsonicus , but too dark for phaeopus , but
we are now in uncharted territory. It is somewhat analogous to the
Thayer’s Larus thayeri and Kumlien’s L. glaucoides kumlieni gull
problem. Birds comfortably identified where they are expected are
less comfortably called the same thing when out of range. In this
case, some form of geographic filter simply must be used, at least in
part, in determining the origination of a vagrant Whimbrel.

Returning to the inland records with this information, in the
western half of the United States the only inland record is the pho¬
tographed bird from China Lake. The underwings were heavily
barred, although this is not visible in the pictures (Figs. 2, 3). The
combination of this mark and the geographic probability would lead
me to conclude that it is most likely variegatus. For the four Canada
records, on range they are likely phaeopus and there is nothing in any
of the descriptions to suggest this conclusion is wrong. Indeed, on
some of the descriptions there is a mention of them being possibly
larger than adjacent hudsonicus , which would suggest the larger birds
from Iceland (another geographic probability). The most difficult
record on which to reach a conclusion is the Ohio bird. Peterjohn
(1989) treated it as most likely variegatus , but I do not feel I can make
a guess, as such a record is unprecedented. The underwings were
described as being intermediate between these two subspecies, as
were the rump and lower back. There is nothing in the description to
suggest variegatus over phaeopus , and an argument can be made that
given geographical proximity a nominate bird was more likely
involved (and that is why I have treated it under the nominate sub¬
species). Yet this record is further unique in that it was from early
July, indicating a probable adult. It is too early for a juvenile, but
could also be a one-year old. Thus, there is not too much we can
make of the timing, other than recognizing its unique nature. Of
course there can be no certainty with such an intermediate bird, so
the mystery will remain. Future records should be carefully scruti¬
nized, with photographs taken if possible. Perhaps in time, more will
be learned with regard to the various subspecies. In the meantime,
since Hudsonian Curlew is the most different subspecies, detecting
one of the other races should be relatively easy.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thanks to Ned Brinkley, Paul Buckley, )on Dunn, Steve Mlodinow, Michael
Patten, Dennis Paulson, Simon Perkins, Bill Smith, Thede Tobish, Bill Tweit,
Dick Veit, and Alan Wormington for help in obtaining records of vagrant
Whimbrels. Richard A. Erickson and Michael A. Patten were helpful in early
discussions of this paper and in finding relevant information. Thanks to
Bob Steele for obtaining the photographs of the China Lake bird.

LITERATURE CITED

Anderson, M., and T. Kemp. 1988. Occurrence of an Old World race of
Whimbrel on the Maumee River. Ohio Cardinal 1 1:19-20.

Andrews, R., and R. Righter. 1992. Colorado Birds: A Reference to Their
Distribution and Habitat. Denver Museum of Natural History, Denver.

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

235

American Ornithologists’ Union [AOU]. 1998. Check¬
list of North American Birds, 7th ed. American
Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C.

Brewster, W. 1909. Occurrence of the Whimbrel
(Numenius phaeopus) off the coast of Nova Scotia.
Auk 26:190-191.

Cooke, F. 1970. An Old World Race of the Whimbrel
on Amherst Island, Ontario. Canadian Field-
Naturalist 84:179-180.

Cramp, S., and K. E. L. Simmons, eds. 1983. Birds of the
Western Palearctic, vol. 8. Oxford University Press.
Gibson, D. D., and B. Kessel. 1997. Inventory of the
species and subspecies of Alaska birds. Western
Birds 28:45-95.

Godfrey, W. E. 1986. The Birds of Canada, rev. ed.
National Museum of Natural Sciences, Ottawa,
Canada.

Hayman, P., J. Marchant, and T. Prater. 1986.
Shorebirds: An Identification Guide to the Waders of
the World. Croom Helm, Kent, England.

Kragh, W. D., B. M. Kautesk, J. Ireland, and E. Sian.
1986. Far Eastern Curlew in Canada. American
Birds 40:13-15.

Mlodinow, S. G., S. Feldstein, and B. Tweit. In press.
The Bristle-thighed Curlew landfall of 1998:
Climatic factors and notes on identification.
Western Birds.

Patterson, M. 1998. The Great Curlew fallout of 1998.
Field Notes 52:150-155.

Paulson, D. 1993. Shorebirds of the Pacific Northwest.

University of Washington Press, Seattle.

Peterjohn, B. G. 1989. The Birds of Ohio. Indian
University Press, Bloomington.

Prater, A. J., J. H. Marchant, and J. Vuorinen. 1977.
Guide to the Identification and Ageing of Holarctic
Waders. British Trust for Ornithology, Tring.

Rosair, D., and D. Cottridge. 1995. Photographic Guide
of the Shorebirds of the World. Facts on File, New
York.

Shirihai, H. 1996. Birds of Israel. Academic Press,
London.

Tuffs, R. W. 1986. Birds of Nova Scotia, 3rd ed. Nimbus
Publishing and Nova Scotia Museum, Halifax.
Urban, E. K., C. H. Fry, and K. Stuart, eds. 1986. The
Birds of Africa, vol. 2. Academic Press, London,
van Tyne, J. 1948. Eskimo Curlew and Whimbrel col¬
lected in Newfoundland Labrador. Wilson Bulletin
60:241.

Vaurie, C. 1965. The Birds of the Palearctic Fauna: Non-
Passerines. H.F. 8c G. Witherby, London.

Veit, R. R., and W. R. Petersen. 1993. Birds of Massa¬
chusetts. Massachusetts Audubon Society, Lincoln.
Yukich, B. 1991. Occurrence of European subspecies of
Whimbrel. Birders Journal 1 :97-99.

Zink, R. M., S. Rohwer, A. V. Andreev, and D. L.
Dittmann. 1995. Trans-Beringia comparisons of
mitochondrial DNA differentiation in birds.

(all i-m-D( BIRDS

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236

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

Anis in the United States
and Canada

STEVEN G. MLODINOW * and KEVIN T. KARLSON |

nis are peculiar birds. They have the body of a grackle, the bill of
a puffin, and the personality of parrots, but they are most close¬
ly related to roadrunners and cuckoos. They typically hang about in
small cohesive groups. When flushed, anis fly away with urgent
squeaks of dismay, wings flapping wildly, and tails dangling and wob¬
bling like a banner trailing an airplane. Their personalities are utter¬
ly charming, and so is their tendency to wander far from home.

There are four species of anis in the world, two of which occur
north of Mexico — the Groove-billed Ani Crotophagus sulcirostris
and the Smooth-billed Ani C. ani. Both anis are generally tropical
species fond of open brushland, and both have a rather restricted
breeding range in our area. Beyond that, however, their tales in the
North America are somewhat different. The Groove-billed Ani has a
long-standing and relatively stable presence in South Texas, plus a
distinct penchant for occurring far out of range on a somewhat reg¬
ular basis. The Smooth-billed Ani, however, occurs only in South
Florida, where it seems to be a relative newcomer and may be losing
its foothold. Smooth-billed Anis have also wandered great distances
but with far less frequency. Herein, we review the status and distrib¬
ution of these species in North America.

METHODS

Records and information were gleaned from Audubon Field Notes
(hereafter AFN), American Birds (AB), and Field Notes (FN) from vol¬
ume 17 (fall 1962 records) through volume 52 ( fall 1998 records).
Some local publications, such as New Mexico Ornithological Society
Field Notes (NMOSFN), were also consulted. Books and monographs
dealing with state and provincial status and distribution were also
reviewed, and in many instances state and provincial bird records
committees and local experts were consulted (see Acknowledgments).

For identification information, Tom Halliwell and Karlson visit¬
ed the American Museum of Natural History in New York, where
108 Groove-billed Anis from the United States and Panama Canal
Zone and 101 Smooth-billed Anis from Central America (n = 36)
and the Caribbean (mostly the Bahamas; n = 65) were examined.

GROOVE-BILLED AMI

The Groove-billed Ani is common through much of the lowland
Neotropics, breeding south to Guyana and northern Chile (AOU
1998). Notably, it is absent from much of the central Mexican high¬
lands, so that the northern end of its range is bifurcated north of San
Luis Potosi and Zacatecas (Howell and Webb 1995). One prong
extends north along the Atlantic slope through Tamaulipas, Nuevo
Leon and Coahuila into southern Texas, whereas the other stretches
north along the west slope of the Sierra Madre to southern Sonora

*4819 Gardner Avenue, Everett, Washington 98203 (SGMIod@aol.com)
t 204 North 9th Avenue, Rio Grande, New Jersey 08242 (karlson@bellatlantic.net)

and Chihuahua. Through much of its range this species is resident; at
the northern edge of its range, however, it is definitely migratory.

North of Mexico, the Groove-billed Ani is normally found only in
south Texas in summer, where they are numerous. In fall this species
mostly evacuates south Texas, and a few move north along the Gulf
Coast to coastal Louisiana and Mississippi, with even fewer reaching
as far east as the Florida Panhandle. Movement during spring along
the Gulf Coast is hard to detect. Outside of this pattern it is rare, but
almost regular, through most of the remainder of Texas (mostly mid-
spring-late fall) and in southern New Mexico and Arizona (mostly
fall). Exceptional records come from as far afield as southern Cali¬
fornia, Colorado, South Dakota, Minnesota, Ontario, and Maryland.
There are unusual breeding records as far west as Big Bend National
Park (Wauer 1985), as far north as Lubbock (Maxwell 1980, AB
39:73), and as far east as Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana (AB 25:867).
To better understand details of movement, especially with regard to
vagrancy, it is best to consider its status regionally.

Texas. In Texas, the Groove-billed Ani is a common breeder from
the Rio Grande north to Webb and Nueces counties (Oberholser
1974) and is locally uncommon during summer north to Bexar and
Uvalde counties (Texas Ornithological Society 1995). Though some
are present year-round within their breeding range, numbers do not
arrive until late April and most have left by late September.

During most falls some Groove-billed Anis move north along the
Gulf Coast to Louisiana. Many may well originate in Texas, but oth¬
ers may be from northeastern Mexico. These birds are restricted
almost entirely to coastal counties. They begin to appear in early July
and are present in peak numbers from mid-August through late
November, when they are generally uncommon (Elwonger 1995),
though annual numbers vary considerably (G. Lasley pers. comm.).
A few usually linger into winter, and fresh arrivals in spring are few.
The highest published count is of 180 at Falfurrias, Brooks County,
30 August-1 September 1990 (AB 45:127); the highest winter count
published is 28 near Corpus Christi 28 December 1986 (AB 40:301 ).

Outside of southern and coastal Texas, the Groove-billed Ani is a
vagrant of somewhat regular occurrence. Since 1962 there have been
23 reports from the Trans-Pecos region (west of the Pecos River,
including Val Verde County), 29 from the Panhandle/west-central
Texas (north and west of Uvlade and Kinney counties, excluding the
Trans-Pecos), and 19 from north-central/east-central Texas (north
and east of Medina County, excluding the coastal plain and Bexar
County). Records from the Trans-Pecos are mostly from Big Bend
National Park, with some as far west as El Paso; most are from late
April-late May, but there are records for every season including two
for winter. Unsuccessful nesting attempts occurred during the sum¬
mer of 1969 (Wauer 1985).

In the Panhandle and west-central Texas, about half of the records
are from Midland and records from the Panhandle are relatively few.
Most anis in this region have been seen between late August and late
November, but there is also a smaller pulse in spring, from early

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

237

Table 1 . Vagrant Groove-billed Anis in the Southwestern United States

California

Lakeview

4-16 Nov 1974

Luther etal. 1979

Anaheim

13-17 Sep 1978

Luther etal. 1983

Seeley

25 Oct 1986

Langham 1991

Gallileo Hill

14-15 Oct 1988

Pyle and McCaskie 1 992

n. of Blythe

30 Sep-18 Oct 1992

Heindel and Patten 1996

Baker

22-23 Oct 1992

Heindel and Patten 1996

near Desert Center

23 Oct 1992

Heindel and Patten 1996

El Monte/Pico Rivera

9 Nov-30 Dec 1992

Heindel and Patten 1996

Santa Barbara

13 Apr-8 Jun 1993

Erickson and Terrill 1996

Harbor City

2 Dec 1995-4 May 1996

Garrett and Singer 1998

Desert Center

4 Oct 1998

NAB 53: 104

Nevada

Boulder City

7 Dec 1964

Long and Poyser 1965

Las Vegas

4 Nov 1973

AB28:85

Logandale

9 Nov 1974

AB 29:95

Arizona

1 960 was first year since 1928

Patagonia

9 Jun 1960

G. Rosenberg in lift.

Sabino Canyon

19 Oct 1963

AFN 18:62

Patagonia

9 Jun 1966

AFN 20:590

Phoenix

20 Aug 1967

AFN22:75

St. John’s

24 Oct 1967

AFN 22:75

Nogales

mid-June 1968

AFN 22:635

Phoenix

1 1 Jul 1969

G. Rosenberg in lift.

Maricopa Co.

20 Jul 1969

G. Rosenberg in lift.

St. David

30 Nov 1969

AFN 24:77

near Aztec

18 Nov 1972

AB 27:98

Phoenix (2)

21 Dec 1972-8 Apr 1973

AB 27:648

Marana

20-24 Nov 1974

AB 29:95

HarshawCanyon (3-4)

late June- mid-Sep 1975

G. Rosenberg in lift.

Grand Canyon

3 Jul 1975

Rosenberg and Witzeman 1998

Patagonia

20 Jun 1976

Rosenberg and Witzeman 1998

Chandler

1 Jul 1977

Rosenberg and Witzeman 1998

Arivaca(6)

9 Sep 1978

AB33:203

Arivaca ( 5 of above)

lOSep-lateOct 1978

AB33:203

Arivaca ( 1 of above)

late Oct 1978-24 Jan 1979

AB 33:303

Phoenix

20-21 Dec 1978

Rosenberg and Witzeman 1998

Tucson

6 Dec 1981

AB 36:319

Rim Rock

21 Oct 1982

AB 37:209

Sycamore Canyon

26 Jun 1983

AB37:1014

s. ofWinkleman

17 Jul 1983

AB37:1014

Buckeye

30 Jul 1985

AB 39:947

near Arlington (3)

2 Oct 1985

AB 40:151

Sabino Canyon

28-30 Jun 1991

AB45:1 145

Granite Reef

19 Oct 1991

AB46:???

Chandler

15 Oct 1992

AB47:128

w. of Cameron

21 Oct 1992

AB47:128

Grand Canyon

23 Oct 1992

AB 47: 128

Tucson

24 Oct 1992

AB 47: 128

near Carefree

4 Nov 1992

AB 47: 128

w. of Gila Bend

27 Jul 1993

AB 47: 1134

Sells

22-23 Jun 1994

FN 48:972

Upper San Pedro R.

8 Aug 1994

Rosenberg and Witzeman 1998

e. of Phoenix

2 Oct 1994

Rosenberg and Witzeman 1998

Pinal Air Park

9-16 Oct 1994

Rosenberg and Witzeman 1998

Marana ( same as above? )

20 Nov 1994

FN49:79

near Patagonia

31 May 1995

FN49:286

Patagonia

19 Jul 1996

FN 50:978

Sierra Vista

25 Jul 1997

FN52:102

Lake Montezuma

24-29 Sep 1998

G. Rosenberg in lift.

Colorado

Pueblo Reservoir

6 Jul 1975

Webb 1976

Pueblo Co.

15 Oct 1975

Andrews and Righter 1 992

Bonny Reservoir

3 Oct 1976

Webb 1976

Loveland

22 Oct 1981

Andrews and Righter 1992

Bonny Reservoir

17 Sep 1982

Webb and Reddall 1989

Colorado Springs

15 Sep 1983

Andrews and Righter 1992

New Mexico

Albuquerque

1952

Ligon 1961

s.w. of Hatchita (2)

mid-May 1953

Ligon 1961

Santa Fe

5 Sep 1964

AFN 19:65

Rattlesnake Springs

13 Nov 1966

NMOSFN 5:31

Albuquerque

4 Dec 1966

Condor 70:90

Silver City

28 Sep-5 Oct 1972

AB 27:98

Las Cruses

7 Dec 1974

AB 29:725

Bosque del Apache

12 Oct 1975

AB 30: 108

Bitter Lake N.W.R.

18 Sep-14 Nov 1977

A£32:242/S.O. Williams in lift.

Oasis S.P.

15 Jun 1978

AB32:1 195

Guadalupe Canyon

5 Dec 1978

AB 33:303

Bell Lake

11 May 1979

NMOSFN 18: 10

Bitter Lake N.W.R.

23-24 May 1979

AB 33:796

Carlsbad Caverns N.P.

29 Sep 1979

NMOSFN 18:31

near Artesia (2)

6-28 Jun 1980

AB35:213

Mangas Springs

3 Oct 1980

AB 35:2 13

Mangas Springs

20 Nov 1985

AB 40: 153

Randall’s Pool

22 May 1987

AB 4 1:474

Socorro

4-18 Nov 1988

AB43:149

near Gila

23 Nov 1989

AB 44: 139

Bosque del Apache

25 Nov 1989

AB 44: 139

near Garfield

10 Mar 1991

AB45:482

Bitter Lake N.W.R.

6 Aug 1993

AB48:138

Bosque del Apache

18 Nov 1994

FN49:82

Month

Figure 1 . Frequency of occurrence across the year of the Groove-
billed Ani in different regions of the United States and Canada.
See the text for more details.

238

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

ANIS

May-early June, and a couple of mid-summer records. Breeding has
occurred in Tom Green and Lubbock counties (Maxwell 1980). High
counts include eight (four adults, four young) at Lubbock 8
September 1984 (AB 39:73) and seven at San Angelo 7 November
1976 (AB 31:196). In north-central and east-central Texas, records
are widely scattered geographically, with most for spring (late
May-mid-June) and fall (late September- late October). There is a
winter record from Dallas 24-26 December 1992 (AB 47:276).

Southwest. Groove-billed Anis are somewhat regular vagrants to
the Southwest (Table 1). Since 1962 there have been approximately
85 records from New Mexico (22), Arizona (43), Colorado (6),
Nevada (3), and California (11), the vast majority south of 35°N lat¬
itude. Records span the year, but most are from early September-late
December with an apparent peak in October (Fig. 1). Late spring/
early summer records are almost entirely from southeastern Arizona
and southern New Mexico, even when considered as a percentage of
total records, suggesting spring overshoots from southern Chihua¬
hua and Sonora. It breeds in Sonora, where it is found predominant¬
ly from early June-late September (Russell and Monson 1998). Also,
there are two Baja California records: one from the Cape District in
the 1800s (Grinnell 1928) and another from Tripui 10 November
1985 (Howell and Webb 1992).

Groove-billed Ani records from the Southwest show little decade-
to-decade variation but show substantial year-to-year variation.
Since 1962 this region has averaged about 3.0/yr. However, in 1992-3
there were nine records involving nine birds, and in 1978-9 there
were six records involving eleven birds. The record high count is six
at Arivaca, Arizona, 9 September 1978 (AB 33:203).

Central. Groove-billed Anis wander north of Texas into the conti¬
nent’s mid-section somewhat regularly and quite widely, with sight¬
ings as far north as South Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan, and Ontario
(Table 2). Through spring 1998, there have been 99 records from
South Dakota (5), Nebraska (3), Kansas (13), Oklahoma (12),
Minnesota (10), Iowa (2), Missouri (5), Arkansas (11), Wisconsin
(11), Illinois (5), Michigan (7), Indiana (2), Ontario (5), Ohio (4),
Kentucky (2), and Tennessee (2).

The frequency of records has shown interesting changes over
time. During the 1960s there were 21 records, increasing to 31 dur¬
ing the 1970s but dropping slightly during the 1980s, when only 24
were found. The 1990s, however, have seen a dramatic decline, and as
of the summer of 1998, there have been but five. More specifically,
records increased between fall 1972 and fall 1983, during which time
3.7/yr were found. The peak period was fall 1978-fall 1983, when
there were 4.8/yr — almost as many per year as the entire 1990s. The
reason for the surge during the 1970s and 1980s is not known, but it
may have been due to an increasing number of observers. The decline
since, however, has no obvious explanation.

Groove-billed Anis are mostly fall wanderers to central North
America, with most occurring late September-late November. There
are no winter records after mid-December, though a bird in Marshall
County, Oklahoma, 11 March 1962 may have wintered locally
(Baumgartner and Baumgartner 1992). Spring and summer records
are few and are almost exclusively from the southern part of the
region. Indeed, there are only two northerly records outside the 26
August-18 December timeframe: Stearns County, Minnesota, 17 July
1978 (Janssen 1987) and Alum Creek Reservoir, Ohio, 10 August
1980 (Peterjohn 1989). Records of multiple birds are scarce. The
record high count from the region’s southern part is four at Fort
Smith, Arkansas, 10 October 1960 (James and Neal 1986). The only
multiple bird record from the more northern areas is of two at Two
Rivers, Wisconsin, 18 November 1979 (Robbins 1991).

Table 2. Vagrant Anis in Central United States and Canada

South Dakota

Groove-billed

Milbank

23 Oct 1968

Elliott 1968

near Pickstown

27 Oct-18 Dec 1972

South Dakota Omithol. Union 1 99 1

Huron

29 Sep 1982

Johnson 1983

Pierre

13 Oct 1982

Larsen 1983

Gregory Co.

22 Sep 1984

AB 39:71

Nebraska

Groove-billed

Elgin

4 Oct 1952

Baumgarten and Rapp 1 953

Grand Island

15 Oct 1975

Stoppkotte 1975

Beaver Lake

22 Sep 1985

Kiser 1985

Kansas

Groove-billed

McCune

date unknown

Tordoff 1956

Lyon Co.

1 Nov 1904

Tordoff 1956

n.e. of Blue Rapids

28 Oct 1952

Tordoff 1956

Baldwin City

late Nov-8 Dec 1979

A B 34: 177

Miami

24 Oct-6 Nov 1992

AB47:114

8 more records, four from Nov 1977 (Lloyd Moore pers. comm.)

Oklahoma

Groove-billed

Garfield Co.

25-27 Sep 1952

Baumgartner and Baumgartner 1992

Stephens Co.

7 Oct 1952

Baumgartner and Baumgartner 1992

Oklahoma Co.

8-22 Jul 1960

Baumgartner and Baumgartner 1992

Marshall Co.

11 Mar 1962

Baumgartner and Baumgartner 1992

i Tishomingo N.W.R.

18 Oct 1963

Baumgartner and Baumgartner 1992

Wagoner Co.

27 Oct 1966

AFN21:53

Oklahoma Co.

early Oct- 1 1 Nov 1968

Baumgartner and Baumgartner 1992

Oklahoma Co.

20 Jul 1969

Baumgartner and Baumgartner 1 992

Comanche Co.

5-6 Oct 1970

Baumgartner and Baumgartner 1992

Oklahoma Co.

25 Nov 1970

Baumgartner and Baumgartner 1 992

Payne Co.

17-18 Nov 1971

Baumgartner and Baumgartner 1992

Washington Co.

20 Oct 1979

AB 34:177

Unidentified

Tulsa

5-6 Oct 1983

AB38:219

Minnesota

Groove-billed

Lacqui Parle Co.

20 Oct 1958

Janssen 1987

nearOrtonville

17 Sep 1959

Janssen 1987

Washington Co.

20 Oct 1968

Janssen 1987

Rouseau River W.A.

5 Oct 1973

Janssen 1987

Lake Co.

27 Oct 1975

Janssen 1987

Stearns Co.

17 Jul 1978

Janssen 1987

Cook Co.

5 Oct 1983

AB38:206

Brown Co.

4-12 Nov 1983

AB 38:206

Steams Co.

26 Oct 1985

Janssen 1987

Cook Co.

15 Oct 1995

FN 50:58

Iowa

Groove-billed

Cedar Rapids

22 Oct 1966

Kent and Dinsmore 1996

Kramm Wildlife Area

19 Oct-25 Nov 1987

AB42:83

Missouri

Groove-billed

Centertown

6-1 3 Nov 1950

Robbins and Easterla 1992

Columbia

9-11 Nov 1972

Robbins and Easterla 1992

Greenwood

22 Nov 1973

Robbins and Easterla 1992

Kansas City

10 Oct 1978

AB 33: 184

Kingdom City

11-26 Oct 1979

Robbins and Easterla 1992

(table continued on following page)

Gulf Coast. From Louisiana to Florida, the Groove-billed Ani is
primarily found October-April along the Gulf Coast. Fall wanderers
occasionally arrive by mid-September, but more typically appear
during early October, with peak numbers present from mid-October
into early April (D. Dittmann, S. Cardiff pers. comm.). As in coastal

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

239

Table 2 (continued)

Arkansas

Groove-billed

Howard Co.

Late Nov 1955

M. Parker in lift.

Ft. Smith (3)

17 Nov 1959

M. Parker in litt.

Ft. Smith (4)

10 Oct 1960

James and Neal 1986

Clark Co.

20 Oct 1968

M. Parker in litt.

Sevier Co. (2)

25 Nov 1977

AB 32:218

Miller Co.

28 Nov 1977

AB 32:218

Lake Millwood

22 Oct 1978

M. Parker in litt.

Lake Millwood

11 Oct 1987

AB 42:84

Johnson Co.

22 May 1993

AB 47:422

Woodruff Co.

25 May 1993

AB 47:422

Lake Millwood

2 Dec 1995

FN 50: 1 8 1

Wisconsin

Groove-billed

Pierce Co.

12 Oct 1913

Robbins 1991

Dane Co.

27 Oct 1949

Robbins 1 99 1

Wood Co.

late Sep 1953

Robbins 1991

Milwaukee

8 Nov 1968

Robbins 1991

Portage Co.

31 Oct 1969

Robbins 1991

Iowa Co.

7 Oct 1973

Robbins 1991

Brown Co.

8 Oct 1975

AB 30:75

Two Rivers (2)

18 Nov 1979

Robbins 1991

Lake Wisconsin

17-23 Oct 1981

AB 36:181

near Dorchester

23 Oct 1981

AB36:181

n. of Fountain City

26 Aug-11 Sep 1982

AB37:183

Unidentified

Apostle I.

26 Sep 1981

AB 36:181

Ashland

21 Oct 1981

AB 36:181

Sheboygan Co.

19 Oct 1987

Robbins 1991

Illinois

Groove-billed

Chicago

6 Oct 1979

AB34:168

Evanston

13 Oct 1979

AB34:168

Chicago

27 Sep 1981

AB 36: 184

Chicago

24-25 Sep 1982

AB37:187

Galesburg

28 Sep 1987

AB42:83

Unidentified

Carbondale

12 Nov 1978

AB33:184

Beall Woods S.P.

10 Oct 1979

AB 34: 168

Michigan

Groove-billed

Allegan Township

14 Nov 1951

Granlundetal. 1994

Berrien Springs

3-11 Nov 1968

Granlund et al. 1994

Sarrett Nature Center

20-24 Oct 1973

Mlodinow 1984

Parchment

8-9 Oct 1975

Granlundetal. 1994

Allendale

16 Oct 1976

AB31:181

Rogers City

12 Oct 1978

Granlundetal. 1994

Sarrett Nature Center

27 Oct 1983

AB38:206

Unidentified

Bruce Crossing

1 Oct 1992

Granlundetal. 1994

Indiana

Groove-billed

Valparaiso

16-19Nov 1981

Mumford and Keller 1984

Upland

16 Oct-1 Nov 1983

AB38:209

Unidentified

Michigan City

27 Oct & 23 Nov 1957

Mumford and Keller 1984

Michigan City

23 Nov 1958

Mumford and Keller 1984

Texas, annual numbers vary greatly. It is strictly casual after early
May, with little or no spring passage (D. Dittmann, S. Cardiff pers.
comm.). However, there is one breeding record from Triumph,
Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, during summer 1971 ( AB 25:867).

It is most numerous along the Louisiana coast and grows rarer as
one goes east, becoming rare-but-annual along the Alabama and
Florida coastline east to Franklin County. For instance, Alabama has
about 24 records through spring 1998 (G. D. Jackson pers. comm.),
and there are over 60 from the Florida Panhandle (we break Florida
into four sections, following Robertson and Woolfenden 1992). State

Ontario

Groove-billed

Thunder Bay

18-20 Oct 1963

James 1991

Stromness

12 Oct 1969

AFN 24:40

Sundridge

27 Oct 1978

James 1991

Thunder Bay

1 Nov 1983

James 1991

Bright’s Grove

9-13 Oct 1988

AB43:97

Ohio

Groove-billed

Crane Creek S.P.

20 Oct 1963

Peterjohn 1989

Holmes Co.

15 Oct-17 Nov 1972

AB 27:69

Alum Creek Reservoir

10 Aug 1980

Peterjohn 1989

near Owensville

9 Oct- 19 Nov 1981

AB36:184

Smooth-billed

Westlake

Kentucky

Groove-billed

e. of Murray

30 Oct 1979

Monroe etal. 1988

Lexington

22-23 Oct 1981

AB 36: 184

Tennessee

Groove-billed

n. ofDyersburg

29 Nov 1968

Leggett 1969

Tigrett W.M.A.

17 Oct 1985

Criswell 1986

high counts illustrate this pattern. The highest count published for
Louisiana is 40, recorded during two days in November 1959 at
Johnson Bayou, Cameron Parish (Lowery 1974), but the maxima in
Alabama is 1 1 from Gulf Shores, 2-26 January 1983 (AB 37:310). The
Florida Panhandle high count of eight has been recorded thrice, at
Lanark 19 November 1978 {AB 33:170), Fort Pickens 25 November

1992 (Stevenson and Anderson 1994), and Dog Island mid-January

1993 (AB 47:251).

It is considerably rarer east of the Florida Panhandle. Since 1963
there have been only 33 records from the Florida Peninsula. As
expected, most are from the Gulf Coast, but are spread surprisingly
evenly along the length of the Peninsula, with the southernmost at
Key West 5-7 October 1997 {FN 52:50). Importantly, truly Atlantic
Coast records from Florida are extremely few. The first Florida record
was of one collected along the Atlantic, at Juniper Inlet, January 1891
(Stevenson and Anderson 1994). Records thereafter include one at
Cape Florida 18 October 1987 (AB 42:62) and several at Delray Beach
November 1992-November 1995 (AB 47:85, FN 48:291, FN 49:141,
FN 50:42), possibly involving a single bird returning to winter.

About half of peninsular Florida’s records are from the 1990s, but
a likewise increase has not been seen in the Panhandle or farther west
along the Gulf Coast. This apparent change in peninsular Florida
may well be due to increased observer awareness teamed with a
decline in the similar Smooth-billed Ani. Indeed, the pattern of
Groove-billed Ani occurrence in peninsular Florida is obscured by
the presence of Smooth-billed Anis. Some Groove-billeds undoubt¬
edly were passed off as Smooth-billeds, and perhaps the reverse has
occurred as well.

Groove-billed Ani abundance in the Gulf Coast states has not
been stable. Prior to the mid-1970s, it was infrequently reported east
of Mississippi, with only one record from Alabama and less than
1.0/yr from Florida. Since, however, the frequency of records has
been relatively stable, averaging about 1.0/yr in Alabama and >3.0/yr
in Florida. This pattern is distinctly different from changes over time
in the Southwest and Central Regions, perhaps because birds wan¬
dering northeast along the Gulf Coast originate from a different
breeding population than those wandering into other regions.

Atlantic Coast. The Groove-billed Ani is unmistakably casual along
the Atlantic Coast, but the precise pattern is obscured by possible con¬
fusion with Smooth-billed Ani. There are only five accepted records of

240

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

ANIS

the Groove-billed Ani, four records of the Smooth-billed Ani, and
seven of unidentified anis (Table 3). Notably, only three Groove-
billeds were truly near the coast, as the two Virginia birds were fairly w

far inland. All definite Groove-billeds were first found 14 October-3 §

November, fitting nicely with patterns from both the Gulf Coast and ^
Central Region. Four of five records fell between 1975 and 1981 — jg
coinciding with the peak in the Central Region and with the increase
in records from the Gulf Coast. Unidentified anis from the Atlantic ®
region fit both patterns less tightly, with a wider range in season as »
well as year. <

Among the seven records of unidentified anis (Table 3), the Nova
Scotia and New Jersey birds were generally thought to be Groove-
billeds, but certain separation from Smooth-billed was not possible
(Tufts 1986, 1. McLaren pers. comm.). The more southerly unidenti¬
fied anis were even more controversial. Prudence in accepting such
records is warranted, as Smooth-billeds have been collected as far
north as the Philadelphia area (Academy of Natural Science
Philadelphia 24271) and Ohio (McLean et al. 1995).

SMOOTH-BILLED AMI

The Smooth-billed Ani is predominantly resident, occurring
throughout the West Indies and on mainland Central and South
America from Costa Rica south to extreme northwestern Ecuador
(west of the Andes) and northern Argentina (east of the Andes; AOU
1998). In the United States and Canada, this ani is currently an
uncommon to rare resident of southern Florida. Some movement
between the West Indies and Florida is evidenced by records from the
Dry Tortugas (Robertson and Woolfenden 1992). Vagrant records
within North America are relatively scarce but have occurred in such
far-flung locations as Ohio, the Philadelphia area, and possibly
Louisiana (Lowery 1974, McLean et al. 1995, L. Bevier pers. comm.).

The story of the Smooth-billed Ani in the United States and Can¬
ada is one of boom and bust. Howell (1932) knew of only 13 records,
so he labelled it as occurring “casually in southern Florida from
Brevard County and Tampa Bay southward.” About twenty years later,
Sprunt (1954) wrote that “this queer tropical species has, since 1932,
altered its status in Florida considerably. Of no more than accidental
occurrence when Howell wrote, and until the late 1930s, it has now
become established in at least one thriving breeding population (in
southern Lake Okeechobee area), and may very well spread further.”
Indeed, the first flock was not recorded until February 1937, when ten
were seen at Miami Beach ( Auk 54:391), and the first confirmed
breeding record did not occur until July 1938 at Miami (Auk 56:335).
Beyond the breeding population around Lake Okeechobee, Sprunt
(1952) considered the Smooth-billed Ani to be of only sporadic
occurrence in southern Florida north to Tampa and Melbourne.

Its status changed little until the early 1960s. For instance, Christ¬
mas Bird Counts (CBC) during 1959-1960 and 1960-1961 revealed
but a few anis at West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale (Fig. 2), but in
the early 1960s numbers began to increase. By 1962-1963 the number
per party-hour (p-hr) tripled on these counts, reaching 0.17/p-hr at
West Palm Beach and 2.41/p-hr at Fort Lauderdale. By 1968-1969 the
level reached 1 .5 1 /p-hr at West Palm Beach and 4.20/p-hr at Fort
Lauderdale, with reports on counts north to Brevard County on the
east coast and Lee County on the west (Fig. 2).

This period was the Smooth-billed Ani heyday. It was fairly com¬
mon to common from the Everglades north to Brevard County on the
Atlantic Coast and Lee County on the Gulf Coast. Numbers remained
at their peak from fall 1968-winter 1976, when vagrants reached
Jacksonville Beach in the east (AFN 21:24) and St. Petersburg in the
west (AFN21:410). CBC totals from Fort Lauderdale were typically in

Figure 2. The Smooth-billed Ani on southern Florida Christmas Bird
Counts (CBC). Note the increasing populations beginning
in the 1960s and the sharp decline after the mid-1970s.

the 3.0-4.0/p-hr range. CBCs at Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County, reached
as high as 1.87/p-hr, while Sanibel Island/Captiva Island, Lee County,
had counts to 0.41 /p-hr — totals on par with the 1959-1960 CBCs
from Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. By winter 1977- 78, how¬
ever, numbers took a sharp downturn (Fig. 2), with CBC totals return¬
ing to mid-1960s levels. The decline continued, and by winter 1988—
1989 totals generally resembled those of the late 1950s; during the

Table 3. Vagrant anis in Atlantic Coast states and provinces.

Nova Scotia

Unidentified

Guysborough Co.

fall 1975

Tufts 1995

Colchester Co.

7-8 Dec 1980

Tufts 1995

White’s Lake

16 Sep-1 Oct 1996

FN51:18

New Jersey

Smooth -billed

near Petty I.

Sep 1849

P. Lehman in lift.

Note: This bird was either in New Jersey or Pennsylvania

Unidentified

Sandy Hook

9 Oct 1997

FN 52:37

Maryland

Groove-billed

Millington

3 Nov 1975

P. Davis in lift.

Virginia

Groove-billed

Tazewell Co.

20 Oct- 18 Nov 1979

Kain 1987

Rockingham Co.

24 Oct- 18 Nov 1981

AB36:178

Unidentified

Rustic

7 Jun 1988

AB43:78

North Carolina

Groove-billed

Atlantic Beach

14 Oct 1996

FN51:41

Smooth-billed

Edenton

23 Aug 1866

Pearson etal. 1942

South Carolina

Groove-billed

Savannah N.W.R.

27 Oct-9 Dec 1979

Young 1983

Smooth-billed

Jacksonboro (2)

5 Dec 1981

Dick 1983

Unidentified

Cherry Grove

23 Ian 1976

Post and Gauthreaux 1 989

Huntington Beach

29 Nov 1978

Post and Gauthreaux 1 989

Georgia

Smooth -billed

Jekyll Island

5 Mar-29 Apr 1974

Georgia Ornithological Society 1986

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

241

This bird was originally reported as a Smooth-billed Ani,
but it was most likely an immature Groove-billed Ani.

Photograph/AI Pochek.

1990s this species has grown even scarcer. As of 1998, the Smooth¬
billed Ani is found locally from the Florida Keys north to West Palm
Beach on the east coast and Collier County on the west.

Reasons for this decline are not clear. A series of cold winters dur¬
ing the late 1970s likely played a role (Robertson and Woolfenden
1992) but continued waning of the population does not seem explic¬
able by weather alone. Perhaps a more interesting question is why the
Smooth-billed Ani increased initially. The current status may be the
status quo for Florida, not an aberration. P. W. Smith (in lift.) pro¬
posed an interesting and plausible hypothesis. Smooth-billed Anis
may regularly disperse from the Bahamas and Cuba to South Florida.
Before the World War I era, South Florida had little if any suitable ani
habitat, being largely a wetland surrounded by an inner zone of pine
woods and an outer zone of mangrove and sandy beaches. Thus, anis
reaching Florida failed to colonize successfully. However, substantial
anthropogenic changes began in the 1920s with a great deal of agri¬
cultural development coupled with low-level residential development,
creating enough suitable habitat for dispersing anis to successfully col¬
onize South Florida by the 1930s. Over time, however, residential
development increased to the point that it formed a barrier to disper¬
sal along Florida’s southeast coast and keys. Concomitantly, changes in
agricultural practices led to more intense land use and decreased habi¬
tat, so that anis already breeding in Florida had a tougher time surviv¬
ing. Perhaps pesticides also reduced food sources. Thus, Florida’s
Smooth-billed Anis may well be caught in environmental pincers,
with decreasing reproductive success and lower recruitment. The cold
winters of late 1970s may have been just a coup de grace.

Smooth-billed Ani vagrancy in North America has been a decid¬
edly rare event. In Florida there are a couple of records north to
Alachua and Nassau Counties, but there have been no acceptable
records from the Panhandle (Stevenson and Anderson 1994). Outside
of Florida there are only five acceptable records (Tables 2-3).
Additionally, a reported Smooth-billed Ani specimen from Diamond,
Louisiana, 18 July 1893 was examined by G. E. Beyer and H. C.
Oberholser but is now lost (Lowery 1974).

Figure 4. A typical adult Smooth-billed Ani, photographed at
Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida, January 1996. Note
the protruding ridge on the culmen and the angled gonys.
Photograph/Kevin T. Karlson.

MOTES ON IDENTIFICATION

On 10 October 1997 an ani was observed and photographed (Fig. 3)
at fairly close range at Sandy Hook, New Jersey, a regular migrant rar¬
ity location. Because of the absence of grooves on the bill several bird¬
ers identified the bird as a Smooth-billed Ani. Although the bird vocal¬
ized a few times, there were no notes taken to describe this vocaliza¬
tion. Suspicions were confirmed when Karlson and other members of
the New Jersey Bird Records Committee examined photos, in that the
bird looked much like the more expected vagrant Groove-billed Ani.

Most birders do not consider the problem of ani identification
until a situation similar to the one above occurs. Problems in identi¬
fication occur mostly with juvenile and immature birds, which are
most likely to occur as vagrants. Vocalizations are distinctly different,
and diagnostic. Therefore it is important to listen for vocalizations
from any out-of-range ani and either tape record the vocalizations or
write down a description of them while in the field (if you wait until
later the accuracy of the description may be compromised). The
Smooth-billed Ani has a “querulous, whining, whistled oooenk or
wooyeek or wooiick in alarm or excitement, often in flight.” The
Groove-billed Ani has “a characteristic ‘tijo’ call, in excitement or
alarm. It also gives a “querulous tee’ho, tee’ho, tee ho, often preceded by
soft clucking tuc notes; also a long series of rapid whistled kiw notes
on the same pitch, falling at the end; or a full prolonged mournful
call” (Stiles and Skutch 1989).

A combination of several characters, mostly involving the shape
and size of the maxilla (“upper mandible”) and mandible (“lower
mandible”), can positively identify better than 97% of individuals
(note that this figure is merely an approximation used for emphasis
only, and not from a statistical analysis). A number of individuals of
both species would prove difficult to identify in the field, and were
even troublesome in the hand. All such specimens were juveniles,
being either Groove-billeds lacking grooves on the bill or small-billed
Smooth-billeds with little or no rise to the culmen as it extends
upwards to the crown. This maxillary “ridge” or “shield” is prominent
in most adults (Fig. 4), especially males, and is a definitive field mark

242

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

Rica in March 1989. Note the relatively flat gonys and the
distinct grooves on the maxilla. Photograph/Kevin T. Karlson.

for the Smooth-billed Ani. Similarly, the series of well-defined hori¬
zontal grooves on the maxilla of a Groove-billed Ani, which typically
is prominent on most adults (Fig. 5), is diagnostic of that species. The
Smooth-billed Ani can have a few lines present on the upper
mandible, but they are usually without the horizontal pattern of
Groove-billed. The absence of grooves on the bill does not, however,
guarantee the identity of the bird as a Smooth-billed.

Presented here are several characters useful in separating small¬
billed individuals that lack an obvious raised ridge on the culmen and
lack noticeable horizontal grooves on the bill. Firstly, the shape of the
mandible seems to be a fairly consistent field mark that differentiates
almost all of the individuals. However, several of the bills of the
Smooth-billed came extremely close in shape to the mandible struc¬
ture of a Groove-billed. These few birds were of various ages, and did
not represent only young individuals. The Groove-billed did not show
any variation in the shape of the mandible. From its tip the mandible
curves downward at a slight angle to the base of the gonys, at which
point it extends in a fairly straight line to the gape. In some individu¬
als, the mandible extends slightly upward from the gonys to the gape,
but in almost all individuals examined the thickness of the bill at the
base of the gonys was the same as the thickness of the bill at the gape.
This structural character differs consistently between the Groove¬
billed and Smooth-billed ani, and gives the bill a relative concave
appearance in the Groove-billed versus the convex appearance often
seen in the Smooth-billed.

The convex appearance of the mandible of the Smooth-billed Ani
results from the noticeably thicker base of the gonys, creating a pro¬
trusion at that point of the bill. In almost all specimens the mandible
decreased in thickness proportionally as it extended towards the gape.
This difference in depth of the mandible at the gape versus the gonys
varied in the sample group, but occasionally approached 50% in some
individuals. In most birds examined the decrease in depth ranged
from 15-25%, with a few individuals showing an almost negligible
decrease. Even so, about 90% of the individuals showed a noticeable
decrease in depth of the mandible, which translated in appearance to

Figure 6. Museum skins of Smooth-billed (right) and Groove-billed
anis. The Smooth-billed was collected in the Canal Zone, Panama,
12 January 1902. It exhibits the characteristic mandible shape but
shows a greatly reduced curve to the maxilla. The Groove-billed
was collected in Brownsville, Texas, 28 August 1912. It was a
young bird lacking grooves on the bill, but with a typical reduced
rise to the maxilla and typical uniform thickness to the mandible
from tip to gape. Photograph/Kevin T. Karlson.

a definite upward rise in the angle of the mandible as it extended to
the gape. Almost all Groove-billed Anis showed little or no decrease in
size of the mandible from the gonys to the gape, and thus showed a
fairly straight line from the gape to the tip of the bill. Smooth-bills
exhibit a downward slope to the mandible from the gape to the gonys,
and then a slight upward rise of the mandible to the tip of the bill, cre¬
ating a noticeable angle at the base of the gonys. This character can be
seen in the field if the bird is close enough to view the bill in detail
(and if the duration of viewing is long enough). Identification of
some Smooth-billed Anis would prove difficult as a result of the
reduced angle of the mandible.

Secondly, the angle of the maxilla can be useful in the field identi¬
fication of both species. The maxilla of the Smooth-billed Ani tends
to rise towards the crown at a steeper angle than in the Groove-billed.
This rise is further accentuated by the presence of a prominent ridge
on the culmen (especially near the crown) in most adults. On the
small number of Smooth-billeds that lacked a noticeable ridge, the
dates of collection suggest juvenile or immature birds. Even these
young birds, however, exhibited a steeper angle on the maxilla from
the tip to the crown. Another mark that is typical of most Smooth¬
billed Anis is a small dip on the maxilla just before it reaches the fore¬
crown, creating a slight notch at the juncture of the crown and the
bill. This feature was not present in any of the Groove-billed Anis
examined. The crown also seems more rounded on the Smooth¬
billed, with a steeper incline upward from the base of the bill. The
maxilla of the Groove-billed, on the other hand, rises at a slighter
angle from the tip towards the crown, and then continues in a fairly
straight line to a gendy rounded crown. This feature is somewhat
obvious in the field, and can be used to set the identification process
in motion in birds with small, ungrooved bills (Fig. 6). The ani from
Sandy Hook exhibits this physical appearance (Fig. 3).

Lastly, the bare-skin region around and behind the eye seems to be
more extensive in the Groove-billed Ani, with the bare skin continu¬
ing to the loral area. This feature is difficult to determine in specimens
as a result of preparation of the skin. Some Smooth-billed Anis exhib-

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

243

it apparent large amounts of facial skin behind the eye. However, the
difference in amount of facial skin seems to be comparable to the dif¬
ference in the Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus and White-faced Ibis P.
chihi in breeding condition, with the more extensive facial skin on the
White-faced Ibis being comparable to that on the Groove-billed Ani.

The combination of these factors can help to identify almost all
Smooth-billed and Groove-billed anis seen in the field if the viewing
time is sufficient enough to analyze the field marks, and if the observ¬
er knows what to look for in advance. A few young Smooth-billeds,
however, would be difficult to identify in the field if the observation
conditions were not perfect, and a scope view was not possible.

As for the bird at Sandy Hook, we feel that it was a Groove-billed
Ani. The shape and angle of the maxilla is more easily seen than the
mandible, but the lack of any upward angle on the mandible to the
gape supports this conclusion. It also exhibited a large amount of
facial skin, the crown is gently rounded from where it meets the bill,
and there is no ridge on the culmen.

CONCLUSIONS

In the United States, the Groove-billed Ani is mostly a breeder in
south Texas and a migrant/winter resident along the Gulf Coast
northeast to coastal Louisiana and Mississippi. This species wanders
extensively. Vagrancy in North America is mostly a fall phenomenon
involving birds that have migrated north instead of south after breed¬
ing. Birds primarily arrive in October and November, though in the
Southwest, September is also a peak month. Wandering birds some¬
times cover vast distances. To the north and east, Groove-billed Anis
have appeared at locations in Minnesota, Ontario, and Maryland,
more than 2000 km from their breeding range. In the west, wander¬
ing has been more restrained, with records in southern California and
northern Colorado being “only” about 1200 km from this species’
usual haunts. In areas where wintering is possible, such as the Gulf
Coast and Southwest, a number of the fall arrivals remain into the
winter and spring. Vagrancy during spring and summer is more
restrained, with fewer birds covering less distance. Typically, these
individuals occur from May to July, and they likely represent, to some
extent, northbound migrants that “overshot” their breeding grounds.
Spring and summer vagrants are far less scattered than those from fall,
with the vast majority occurring in southern Arizona, southern New
Mexico, and Texas. There are only two July records that show the kind
of long-distance vagrancy seen during fall (Tables 1-2).

Notably, Groove-billed Ani vagrancy has not been stable over time,
and even more interesting, changes vary across regions. Along the
Gulf Coast, vagrants greatly increased during the mid-1970s and have
remained stable ever since. In the Central Region, however, there was
a surge of records 1972-1983, with declines thereafter, especially since
1990, such that they are even scarcer now than during the 1960s. Only
in the Southwest has vagrancy been relatively stable over the last 30
years. Reasons for these changes and regional differences are obscure,
but may be related to population changes in northeastern Mexico ver¬
sus northwestern Mexico. By looking at these patterns we may also be
able to gain some insight. For instance, the six Colorado records all
occurred 1975-1983, fitting much more closely with the Central pat¬
tern than the Southwest one, suggesting that these birds may not be
originating from the same place as those found in Arizona, New
Mexico, and California. Perhaps in the future we will be able to follow
weather patterns and/or breeding success in various parts of their
breeding range and then be able to trace changes to the occurrence of
vagrants in different regions.

Smooth-billed Ani status and distribution is quite different. In the
United States, this species is limited to southern Florida, is generally

non-migratory, and is on the down side of a boom-bust cycle and may
even face extirpation. Vagrants have been much scarcer than vagrant
Groove-billeds; there are but five confirmed records outside of
Florida. However, given that the Smooth-billed Ani is thought of as
sedentary, any long-distance vagrancy would seem an unlikely event.
But is it really so sedentary? It has occurred on a number of occasions
at the isolated Dry Tortugas, which are about 100 km from Key West
and about 160 km from Cuba. These birds may well represent move¬
ment between Cuba and Florida (Robertson and Woolfenden 1992),
and they clearly traveled a substantial distance over water. Con¬
sequently, the more far-flung records seem less surprising. Still, future
vagrants are increasingly unlikely given declines in Florida, but the
1993 bird in Ohio shows that the possibility still exists.

Birders should continue to be on the look out for out-of-place anis
as they will undoubtedly continue to occur. Identification should be
cautious, as both species seem to have a tremendous capability to wan¬
der. Furthermore, these two species are far more similar than many
guides might lead one to believe, especially as immatures. The patterns
of occurrence that develop in the future will be most interesting to see.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We owe a great debt of thanks to Bruce Anderson, Greg Lasley, Mark
Lockwood, Gary Rosenberg, and P. W. Smith for their insight and comments.
Also, many thanks to the following for providing information: Margaret Bain,
Louis Bevier, Mark Brogie, Steven Cardiff, David Christie, Normand David,
Phil Davis, Donna Dittmann, Kim Eckert, Nicholas Escott, Lex Glover, Joe
Grzybowksi, Greg D. Jackson, Harry LeGrand, Paul Lehman, Ron Martin,
Brad McKinney, Ian McLaren, Lloyd Moon, I.loyd Moore, Jerry Oldenettel,
Max Parker, Bill Pranty, Jim Quinn, and S.O. Williams III.

LITERATURE CITED

Andrews, R., and R. Righter. 1992. Colorado Birds: A Reference to Their
Distribution and Habitat. Denver Museum of Natural History, Denver.
American Ornithologists’ Union. 1998. Check-list of North American Birds, 7th
ed. American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C.

Baumgarten, H.E., and W.F. Rapp, Jr. 1953. Two new birds added to the
Nebraska list. Nebraska Bird Review 21:2-3.

Baumgartner, F. M., and A. M. Baumgartner. 1992. Oklahoma Bird Life.

University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma.

Criswell, W.G. 1986. Second Tennessee record of the Groove-billed Ani. The
Migrant 57:70

Dick, J. H. 1983. Second South Carolina record of the Smooth-billed Ani. Chat
47:23

Elliott, L. 1968. Bird Haven notes, 1968. South Dakota Bird Notes 20:91.
Elwonger, M. 1995. Finding Birds on the Central Texas Coast. Mark Elwonger,
Victoria, Texas.

Erickson, R. A., and S. B. Terrill. 1996. Nineteenth report of the California Bird
Records Committee: 1993 records. Western Birds 27:93-126.

Garrett, K. L., and D. S. Singer. 1998. Report of the California Bird Records
Committee: 1995 records. Western Birds 29:133-156.

Georgia Ornithological Society. 1986. Annotated Checklist of Georgia Birds.

Georgia Ornithological Society, Atlanta.

Granlund, J., G. A. McPeek, and R. J. Adams. 1994. The Birds of Michigan.

Indiana University Press, Bloomington.

Grinnell, J. 1928. A distributional summation of the ornithology of Lower
California. University of California Publications in Zoology 32:1-300.
Heindel, M. T., and M. A. Patten. 1996. Eighteenth report of the California
Bird Records Committee: 1992 records. Western Birds 27:1-29.

Howell, A. H. 1932. Florida Bird Life. Coward-McCann, Inc., New York.
Howell, S. N. G., and S. Webb. 1992. Noteworthy bird observations from Baja
California, Mexico. Western Birds 23:153-163.

Howell, S. N. G., and S. Webb. 1995. A Guide to the Birds of Mexico and
Northern Central America. Oxford University Press.

James, R. D. 1991. Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Ontario. 2nd ed. Royal
Ontario Museum, Toronto.

James, D. A., and J. C. Neal. 1986. Arkansas Birds. University of Arkansas Press,
Fayetteville.

Janssen, R. B. 1987. Birds in Minnesota. University of Minnesota Press,
Minneapolis.

244

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

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Fast as a Falcon ~ Powerful as an Eagle ~ Friendly as a Chickadee

Johnson, B. B. 1983. Ani seen at Huron. South Dakota
Bird Notes 35:8.

Kain, T., ed. 1987. Virginia’s birdlife: An annotated
checklist. Virginia Society for Ornithology,

Virginia Avifauna 13.

Kent, T. H., and J. J. Dinsmore. 1996. Birds in Iowa.

Thomas H. Kent and James J. Dinsmore, Iowa
City and Ames.

Kiser, M. 1985. Groove-billed Ani. Nebraska Bird
Review 53:78-79.

Langham, J. M. 1991. Twelfth report of the California
Bird Records Committee. Western Birds
22:97-130.

Larsen, W. L. 1983. Groove-billed Ani in Pierre. South
Dakota Bird Notes 35:7.

Leggett, K. 1969. Groove-billed Ani. The Migrant
40:7-9.

Ligon, J. S. 1961. New Mexico Birds and Where to Find
Them. University of New Mexico Press,

Albuquerque.

Long, P., and F. E. Poyser. 1965. A record of the
Groove-billed Ani in southern Nevada. Condor
67:357-358.

Lowery, G. H. 1974. Louisiana Birds. Louisiana State
University Press, Baton Rouge.

Luther, J. S., G. McCaskie, and J. Dunn. 1979. Third
report of the California Bird Records Committee.

Western Birds 10:169-187

Luther, J. S., G. McCaskie, and J. Dunn. 1983. Fifth
report of the California Bird Records Committee.

Western Birds 14:1-16.

Maxwell, T. C. 1980. Signficant nesting records of
birds from western Texas. Bulletin of the Texas
Ornithological Society 13:2-6.

McLean, E. B., A. M. White, and T. O. Matson. 1995.

Smooth-billed Ani (Crotophaga ani L.J, a new
species of bird for Ohio. Ohio Journal of Science
95:335-336.

Mlodinow, S. 1984. Chicago Area Birds. Chicago
Review Press, Chicago.

Monroe, B. L., Jr., A. L. Stamm, and B. L. Palmer-
Bell, Jr. 1988. Annotated Checklist of the Birds of
Kentucky. Kentucky Ornithological Society,

Louisville.

Mumford, R. E., and C. E. Keller. 1984. The Birds of
Indiana. Indiana University Press, Bloomington.

Oberholser, H. C. 1974. The Bird Life of Texas.

University of Texas Press, Austin.

Pearson, T. G., C. S. Brimley, and H. H. Brimley. 1942.

Birds of North Carolina. Bynum Printing, Raleigh,

North Carolina.

Peterjohn, B. G. 1989. The Birds of Ohio. Indiana
University Press, Bloomington.

Post, W., and S. A. Gauthreaux. 1989. Status and
Distribution of South Carolina Birds. The
Charleston Museum, Charleston, South Carolina.

Pyle, P, and G. McCaskie. 1992. Thirteenth report of

the California Bird Records Committee. Western Birds 23:97-132.

Robertson, W. B., Jr., and G. E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida bird species: An
annotated list. Florida Ornithological Society Special Publication 6.

Robbins, M., and D. Easterla. 1992. Birds of Missouri. University of Missouri
Press, Columbia.

Robbins, S. 1991. Wisconsin Bird Life. University of Wisconsin Press, Madison.

Rosenberg, G. H., and J. L. Witzeman. 1998. Arizona Bird Committee report,
1974-1996: pt. 1 (non-passerines). Western Birds 29:199-224.

Russell, S. M.,andG. Monson. 1998. The Birds of Sonora. University of Arizona
Press, Tucson.

South Dakota Ornithologists’ Union. 1991. The Birds of South Dakota, 2nd
edn. South Dakota Ornithologists’ Union, Aberdeen.

Sprunt, A., Jr. 1954. Florida Bird Life. Coward-McCann, Inc., New York.

Stevenson, H. M., and B. H. Anderson. 1994. The Birdlife of Florida. University
of Florida Press, Gainesville.

Stiles, F. G., and A. F. Skutch. 1989. The Birds of Costa Rica. Cornell University
Press, Ithaca, New York.

Stoppkotte, G. W. 1975. A Groove-billed Ani seen again in Nebraska. Nebraska

Bird Review 44:79-80.

Texas Ornithological Society. 1995. Checklist of the Birds of Texas, 3rd ed.
Capital Printing, Austin, Texas.

Tordoff, H. B. 1956. Check-list of the Birds of Kansas. University of Kansas,
Lawrence.

Tufts, R. W. 1995. Birds of Nova Scotia. 2d ed. Nimbus Publishing, Halifax,
Nova Scotia.

Wauer, R. H. 1985. A Field Guide to Birds of the Big Bend. Texas Monthly Press,
Austin.

Webb, B. 1976. A Groove-billed Ani in northeastern Colorado. Western Birds
7:153-154.

Webb, B. A., and I. Reddall. 1989. Recent state record specimens at the Denver
Museum of Natural History. Colorado Field Ornithologists’ Journal
23:121-127.

Young, P. 1983. Groove-billed Ani at Savannah NWR, South Carolina. Chat
47:23-25.

A

VOLUME 51 (1999), ISSUE 3

245

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Suggestions for Contributors

North American Birds is the peer-reviewed journal of record for North
American field ornithologists and birders since its origins in 1917 in
Bird-Lore, and subsequently through Audubon Field Notes, American Birds,
and Field Notes. The mission of the journal is to provide a complete over¬
view of the changing panorama of North American avifauna, including
new breeding records, range extensions and contractions, population
dynamics, changes in migration patterns or seasonal occurrence, and out¬
standing vagrants.

Suitable papers for North American Birds cover any topic in avian sta¬
tus, distribution, biogeography, population biology, and identification of
birds in North America (as defined in the 7th edition of the American
Ornithologists’ Union’s Check-list of North American Birds). Submission
should be sent in triplicate to the editor, including copies of all relevant fig¬
ures. Be advised that manuscripts that do not conform to these guidelines
will not be considered for publication.

SUBMISSION OF MANUSCRIPTS

Prepare manuscripts on 8.5x1 1 in or A4 paper. Double-space throughout,
including tables, figure legends, and literature cited. In general, manu¬
scripts should be formatted similar to papers in the most recent issue of
North American Birds. Leave at least a 1-in (25-mm) margin on all sides. Do
not hyphenate words at ends of lines. Use italic type instead of underlining
words to be italicized.

Cite each figure and table in text. Tables and figures must be sequenced
in the order cited. Use “Figure” only outside of parentheses; otherwise, use
“Fig.” if singular, “Figs.” if plural (e.g., Fig. 1, Figs. 2-4). The words ‘figure’
and ‘table’ should be in lowercase if citing a figure from another work (e.g..
Smith 1966:figure 4, Nolan 1978:table 3, figure 2 in Morse ( 1989)).

All measurements are to be given in SI units. Use continental dating
(e.g., 14 September 1988) and the 24-hour clock (e.g., 0630, 1930). Specify
Standard Time (e.g., EST for Eastern Standard Time) or Daylight Savings
Time (e.g., EDT for Eastern Daylight Savings Time) at first reference to time
of day.

English common names of bird species that occur in North and Middle
America should follow the 7th edition (1998) of American Ornithologists’
Union Check-list of North American Birds and its supplements. All common
names, birds or other organisms, should be capitalized.

Use the following abbreviations: s (second), min (minute), h (hour), yr
(year); designate temperature with appropriate scale (e.g., 37°C, 78°F). Do
not abbreviate day, week, or month. For user-defined abbreviations, write
out the words in full the first time the term is used in the text. Abbreviate
thereafter: “Hatch-year (HY) birds can be identified by. . . . We found HY
birds to be most common in late fall.” Use the following statistical abbre¬

viations: ANOVA, SD, SE, df, P, CV, ns, n, f-test, r, F, %2- Other statistical
abbreviations conform to 6th edition of Scientific Style and Format: The
CBE Manual for Authors, Editors, and Publishers (1994, Cambridge Univ.
Press, Cambridge, England).

Write out “one” to “nine” unless they represent a measurement but use
numerals for larger numbers (e.g., four birds, 8 mm, 3 days). If the number
is in a series with at least one number being 10 or more, then use all numer¬
als (e.g., 4 males and 11 females). Use 1000 not 1,000, 0.01 not .01 (i.e.,
never use a “naked decimal”), and 60% not 60 percent.

Each reference cited in text must be listed in the literature-cited section,
and each listing in the literature cited must be cited in the text. Please check
this part of the manuscript carefully. Literature citations in text are to be as
follows:

1. One author/editor: McCaskie (1983) or (McCaskie 1983).

2. Two authors/editors: Dunn and Garrett (1997) or (Dunn and Garrett
1997).

3. Three or more authors/editors: Buckley et al. (1985) or (Buckley et al.
1985). In the literature-cited section, give names of all authors/editors.

4. Manuscripts that are accepted for publication but not yet published:
Erickson (in press), or Erickson (1999) if date known.

5. Unpublished materials (including web sites): (P. E. Lehman unpubl.
data), (P. E. Lehman pers. obs.), (P. E. Lehman pers. comm.),
(www.wfo-cbrc.org).

6. With parentheses, list citations chronologically not alphabetically:
(Dwight 1925, Phillips et al. 1964, Grant 1986, Robbins and Easterla
1992)

7. Use lowercase letters to distinguish between papers published by the
same author(s) in the same year (Howell and Webb 1992a, b).

Assemble the manuscript in the following order: ( 1 ) title page, (2) text,
generally divided into introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion or some
other suitable format, (3) acknowledgments, (4) literature cited, (5) tables,
(6) figure legends, (7) hard copy of figures. In the electronic version, please
incorporate tables and figure legends in the same file as the text of the man¬
uscript, but do not include electronic versions of figures.

Title Page. 11 :ase include: (1) a running head (36 characters or less);
use italics and capitalize significant words; (2) a title in capital letters; (3)
author names; (4) author addresses at time research/ field work was com¬
pleted; current addresses, if different, should be indicated as footnotes at
bottom of title page; footnotes are not used except to indicate current
addresses of authors or death of an author; and (5) name, current address,
and e-mail address of the corresponding author.

(continued on page 251)

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246

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

seasons

Wi

mm

W-

Spring Migration

Figure 1 .This adult Purple Gallinule at Montrose Harbor, Chicago, 8 May 1999, was part of an incursion staged
throughout the Midwest and southern Atlantic Coast during spring 1999, with nearly 40 individuals north to Virginia
and west to South Dakota. Photograph/Tadas Birutis

CHRISTOPHER L. WOOD *

pring brings out more birds than any other season and this
spring had enough to please everyone, providing, of course, you
were in the right place at the right time. Among the highlights was an
impressive movement of Purple Gallinules into the interior, rare
seabirds on both coasts, a variety of western birds in the east and
eastern birds in the west, continuing range expansions, and many
first and second state and provincial records. Given our present
knowledge of North American birds, many of these sightings are not
terribly surprising. Frequent readers of North American Birds could
have predicted that many of these sightings would occur sooner or
later given past peregrinations for most of these species. Indeed, the
increase in the number of regional rarities, in most cases, is not due
to an increase in the number of birds, but rather a greater under¬
standing of how to find unusual birds.

Consider Colorado, where birders found a total of 40 species of
warblers this spring, including 10 Worm-eating, 10 Black-throated
Green, and 33 Black-and-white warblers. By contrast, during the
spring of 1979, when only 25 species of warbler were documented,
only two Worm-eating, three Black-throated Green, and eight Black-
and-whites were reported in the state (Kingery 1980). Whereas part
of this apparent increase is influenced by a growing number of bird¬
ers, I would argue that most is attributable to a better understanding
of how to find and identify birds. Birders in Colorado now follow the
model used in California to find vagrants: seek out isolated bits of
habitat, so-called oases, in which migrants congregate, thus making
vagrants relatively easy to find. The result gives the appearance that
many bird populations are growing, when, in fact, birders are simply

* School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington,

Indiana 47405 (zeledonia@worldnet.att.net)

becoming more knowledgeable. Careful reading of North American
Birds will, therefore, not only describe what happened during spring
1999, but suggests the whats and wheres, in a general sense, of forth¬
coming spring seasons.

THE WEATHER

Among the most important factors determining the birds we see in a
season in a given region is the weather. Certainly there are other fac¬
tors (e.g., genetics, how early trees leaf out in the spring, availability
of habitat, how many days we can break away from school/work/fam¬
ily), but few would argue against weather being an extremely impor¬
tant variable. It is for this reason that each Regional Report usually
begins with a synopsis of weather. Observers the length of the Pacific
Coast commented on La Nina, which brought colder and windier
conditions. As the Regional Editors for the Middle Pacific Coast
noted, La Nina meant that “rough seas during much of the period
restricted offshore birding, although these same conditions brought
high numbers of typically pelagic species inshore.” Meanwhile,
Simon Perkins again lamented the north and northeasterly winds in
New England, where “the unfavorable wind pattern that persisted
during what should have been the peak period of migration made for
a relatively slow spring.” But aside for La Nina no weather pattern
dominated across other regions.

Whereas weather plays an important role in what we see, it can
also have a dramatic effect on bird populations. Remember spring
1998’s invasion of Bristle-thighed Curlews to the Pacific Northwest,
likely brought there by strong storms in the North Pacific (Patterson
1998)? Robert Pyle, in the Hawaiian Islands report, speculates that
the lower numbers of wintering and summering Bristle-thighed
Curlew in the Region “suggests the hypothesis that many perished
last year, after departure from Midway, in the N. Pacific storms that
occurred 4-8 May 1998.”

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

247

Table 1

Extramlimital Records of the Purple Gallinule during Spring 1999*

Date(s)

Location (State; Locale)

Number

28 March

Missouri; Oktibbeha

1 dead

24 April

Arkansas; Lafayette

3

29 April-20 May

Mississippi; Tallahatchie/Quitman

3

2 May

Georgia; Reed Bingham State Park

2

6 May

Tennessee; Crockett

1

7-10 May

Illinois; Montrose Harbor

1

8 May

Georgia; Arrowhead Fish Hatchery

1

8-? May

Indiana; West Lafayette

1

9 May

Tennessee; Shelby

1

10 May

North Carolina; Core Banks

1

11-17 May

Tennessee; Brainerd Levee

1

1 1-25 May

Illinois; Rockford

1

14-17 May

North Carolina; Henderson

1

14 May

North Carolina; Bodie Island

1 dead

15-18 May

Illinois; Carlyle Lake

2

20 May

Mississippi; Noxubee

1

12-13 May

Illinois; Renwick Marsh

1

22 May

Virginia; Chincoteague N.W.R

1

22 May

South Dakota; Clark

1

22-31 May

Ohio; Miami- Whitewater

1

26 May

Illinois; Barrington

1

28 May

Georgia; Ocmulgee W.M.A.

1

30 May

North Carolina; Caswell Beach

1

*In addition to what appears in this table were 7 unspecified reports from Illinois

and 2 such reports from Indiana.

SPRING SEABIRDS

Pelagic trips and sea watches are now regular events on both coasts,
especially when strong offshore winds have the potential of bringing
pelagic species close to shore. Strong northwest winds were likely not
only responsible for bringing in the Short-tailed Albatross off
Monterey, California, but also impressive counts of other seabirds.
Among them were 60 Black-footed Albatrosses from Pt. Pinos,
California, 1 May; a Murphy’s Petrel from Pt. Reyes, California, 8
May; tens of thousands of Black-legged Kittiwakes from the central
California coast, including 7400 at Pigeon Point 20 March; and 300+
Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels off Boiler Bay, Oregon. Impressive num¬
bers of migrating Pacific Loons were off Oregon in May; in half an
hour 3000+ were seen from Heceta Head 2 May and 200+ an hour
were off Boiler Bay 25 May. Large concentrations of food are
believed to be responsible for other remarkable concentrations of
birds, including 40,000-50,000 Long-tailed Ducks in the Hecate
Strait, British Columbia.

The Pacific Northwest had its share of MEGA-quality seabirds. A
Whiskered Auklet at Whidbey Island, Washington, 16-17 May was
not only the first well-described sighting for the Lower 48, but the
first well southeast of the Aleutian Islands! A Red-faced Cormorant
in Clallam, Washington, 8 May, another first for the Lower 48, was
the second well-described sighting south of Alaska. Add to these
records four Parakeet Auklets and four Horned Puffins in the Lower
48 and large numbers of Black-legged Kittiwakes as far south as the
Southern Pacific Coast and it may become tempting to speculate La
Nina conditions in the Pacific may have played a role. By contrast, a
partially decomposed Wedge-tailed Shearwater that washed ashore
at Newport, Oregon, 26 March — the northernmost record of this
species in the northeast Pacific — was almost certainly unrelated.
This shearwater, along with low numbers of Northern Fulmars
(another generally cold-water species) along the Pacific Coast,
should encourage us to refrain from holding La Nina responsible
until more data become available.

Meanwhile, in North Carolina we continue to learn more about
seabird occurrence from regularly-scheduled pelagic trips. Fea’s
Petrel is proving to be regular, albeit rare, where one was found out
of Oregon Inlet and one or two more were seen off Hatteras, all in
late May. Boatloads of observers out of both ports also recorded 4-6
of the more numerous Herald Petrel. In the Gulf of Mexico, obser¬
vations gathered by researchers on oil platforms participating in the
Migrants Over the Gulf Project again revealed Masked Boobies to be
regular at some offshore platforms. They also recorded a Brown
Booby and seven of nine Audubon’s Shearwaters offshore in the
Central Southern Region.

THE SHOCKER— PURPLE GALLINULE

The Purple Gallinule found in Clark, South Dakota, provided the
state with its first record. Taken alone, this record would be an excit¬
ing one, but when viewed in the context of the massive movement of
gallinules across half of the continental United States it becomes
more explicable and, yet, more astonishing. The South Dakota bird
was one of at least 38 extralimital reports of Purple Gallinules this
spring, with birds also showing up as far north as Ohio and Virginia.
Large numbers moved into the Middlewestern Prairie Region, with as
many as 13 in Illinois (Fig. 1, Table 1). Considering the relatively
secretive nature of this species, many others were probably not found.

Long-distance vagrancy in the Purple Gallinule is well docu¬
mented. There are records from as far afield as California, Nevada,
Wyoming, Minnesota, central Ontario, southern Quebec, New
Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Labrador, Newfoundland, and even records
from Iceland, Britain, Norway, Switzerland and South Africa
(Finnegan 1996, AOU 1998). What amazes about this spring, how¬
ever, are not the places they appeared but the quantity of sightings.
Part of the reason may be faster communication among birders,
especially through e-mail and the World Wide Web. After the first
few birds were found, reported on bird alerts, sent via listservers, and
posted on the web, other enterprising birders could have gone out
specifically looking for others, or would have at least been mindful
of it as a possibility. However one explains it, the Purple Gallinule
movement was certainly remarkable.

WARBLERS AND OTHER LANDBIRD MIGRANTS

Much of spring’s excitement comes from large landbird movements.
However, relatively few regions reported dramatic fallouts. Along the
Gulf Coast, observers remarked on the lack of serious fronts to create
large concentrations of birds. In the Middlewestern Prairie Region,
Brock called warbler migration “clearly better than 1998, but perhaps
average overall.” “Average” or “below average” seemed to fit most of
the continent, although there were local exceptions including a fall¬
out at Cape Florida that had 1000s of Blackpoll Warblers 1 May.

Guy McCaskie’s description from Southern Pacific Coast Region
applies to much of the Pacific Coast and Southwest, where
“observers commented on the late arrival of most summer visitors,
but were overwhelmed by the numbers of migrants throughout the
Region.” Imagine 6000 migrants moving through Butterbredt
Springs 19 May! By contrast, movements in the Atlantic Provinces
were one to two weeks early, once again revealing that single trends
rarely dominate the entire continent.

It has become expected for western birds to be displaced to the
East, eastern birds to show up in the West, and southern birds to
wander farther north. It is, thus, surprising that many regions in the
north commented on the lack of spring overshoots among wood-
warblers, vireos, and tanagers. The exception was a large number of
White-eyed Vireos, Hooded Warblers, and Summer Tanagers to

248

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

CHANGING SEASONS

parts of the Upper Midwest, which all appeared in record or near¬
record numbers.

Eastern warblers, while regular in much of the West, still provide
much of spring’s excitement. In western Texas, Northern Parula,
Black-throated Blue, Blackburnian, Prothonotary, Swainson’s, and

(Hooded warblers were all noted in higher numbers than usual. Some
of the higher-end rarities in other parts of the West included
Cerulean, Cape May, three Yellow-throateds, and Canada warblers in
Colorado, one or two Blue-wingeds, two Black-throated Blues, and a
Black-throated Green warbler in Arizona, Louisiana Waterthrush
and Golden-winged, Kentucky, and Mourning warblers in
California, and Prothonotary and Magnolia warblers in Nevada. By
contrast, western warblers are far more difficult to find east in spring.
Thus, MacGillivray’s and Black-throated Gray warblers in Ontario
were both stellar finds. Hermit Warblers made two appearances in
Louisiana, one at an offshore oil platform!

Southern flycatchers staged impressive wanderings to the north.
Perhaps the surprise of the season was a Gray Kingbird found by Dan
Kassebaum and Mike Seiffert in southern Illinois; you will have to
wait until the summer season to see what other “MEGA” tyrannid was
found in the same locale! Other high-quality flycatchers included the
first record of Fork-tailed Flycatcher from Saskatchewan and addi¬
tional Fork-taileds in Quebec and New Jersey. Scissor-tailed Fly¬
catchers appeared in many places, including two in Minnesota, three
in Illinois, one in Iowa, two in South Carolina, and two in California.
One returned to Charleston, Tennessee, for the third consecutive year.
Louisiana added its share of unusual tyrannids, including a Great
Kiskadee and both a Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher and a Tropical/
Couch’s kingbird from offshore platforms. Texas had its first Buff¬
breasted Flycatcher, seven extralimital Great Kiskadees, a Sulphur-bel¬
lied and a Sulphur-bellied/Streaked flycatcher, and a handful of
Tropical Kingbirds, all away from the Lower Rio Grande Valley.

RANGE EXPANSIONS

As noted, many species overshoot their breeding grounds. Some
birds, however, represent actual range expansions, or could at least be
seen as wandering “sentinels” of expanding species. A perusal of this
group of species would suggest some of the most likely birds to show
up in neighboring areas — the so-called “next additions” to various
I, state and provincial lists. Black Vultures are still spreading in parts of
the East. One spent nearly two weeks on Grand Manan Island in May,
providing New Brunswick with its fourth or fifth record. Ontario
( reported five.

Mississippi Kites returned to summering locales in South
|| Carolina, North Carolina, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Missouri,
including a remarkable flock of 23 in late May in southeastern
Illinois. In the East, Pennsylvania had three reports, including the
I: first report from Hawk Mountain Sanctuary; New York and
I Connecticut each had one, and three or four were at Cape May, New
I Jersey. The Middle Atlantic Coast had at least 14 reports, Pt. Pelee
l hosted three, and Wisconsin had two. One at Corn Creek was only
the fourth for Nevada. Perhaps the biggest surprise, however, were
three circling over a brush fire outside Havana, providing the first
record for both Cuba and the West Indies.

White-tailed Kites continue their impressive spread; they are now
regular as far north as Puget Sound. Five were seen in British
Columbia, 11+ in western Washington, and 31 in western Oregon.
Two more were found along the Colorado River where they are rarely
recorded. In southeastern Arizona, Rosenberg and Benesh comment
that the species is seen sporadically there, with four found this
| spring. A nest at Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area was the first

to fledge young in central Florida. One reported 15 May in Wayne
would provide Michigan with its first record if accepted by the state’s
records committee.

Reports of the Swallow-tailed Kite also come from farther north.
Along the East Coast the farthest north was one at Greenwich,
Connecticut, 12 May. A nest was found in Horry, South Carolina,
likely the northernmost known nesting location for this species. One
on Lower Sacatah Lake provided Minnesota with its first record in
over two decades, while a bird in Dane was the sixth for Wisconsin.
Two were in northern Texas, one at Grayson and the other at Clay.
Also surprising were two reports from offshore platforms during the
Migrants over the Gulf Project.

Black-necked Stilts returned to established breeding areas in
Illinois and Kentucky. Forty-two (with nests) were in Dunklin,
Missouri, 26 May; the species was first found nesting in Missouri in
1990 (Robbins and Easterla 1990). Outside of their normal range
were two in Iowa and four in Wisconsin. Nine invaded southern
British Columbia. Maryland and Virginia also had notable sightings
and/or first county records.

Cave Swallows continue to be reported from new locations in the
southern half of Texas. Meanwhile, “sentinel-type” birds included
one in a flock of Cliff Swallows near Corona, California, the fourth
California record, while one or two Cave Swallows at Cape May pro¬
vided the second spring record for the Hudson-Delaware Region.

Corvids continue their expansions with Fish Crows again found
nesting as far north as South Burlington, Vermont; two at Pt. Pelee
provided the sixth record for Canada, all of which hail from Pt. Pelee.
Birders in the Midwest would do well to pay attention to odd-sound¬
ing crows, especially along major rivers. Meanwhile in New England,
Common Ravens were found as far south as Hamden, Connecticut,
and Ashland, Massachusetts.

At least five Tricolored Blackbirds returned to Grant, the site of
Washington’s first record last year. One to three others were found in
neighboring Adams, and Owell Butte, Oregon, produced a very
impressive count of 400 Tricoloreds. Great-tailed Grackle continues
to expand eastward and northward. First recorded in Boone,
Missouri, a mere four years earlier, birders there found 376 this
spring. By contrast, Great-taileds in Oregon, which arrived nearly
two decades ago, are apparently confined to the southeastern corner
of the state, where all five of this season’s sightings occurred. A Great-
tailed/Boat-tailed grackle from Wisconsin was almost certainly a
Great-tailed, and the first record for Wisconsin.

WHITE-WINGED DOVES— STEALING THUNDER

While Eurasian Collared- Doves continue to capture headlines to the
point of nauseum, White-winged Doves have rather quietly turned
up at points farther north. This spring, they staged some impressive
wanderings that at least relegated collared-doves a bit further down
the column. Unlike their introduced cousins that often remain in a
locale for weeks or even months, many White-wingeds remain for
only a couple of days. An exception was the second state record for
Indiana, which remained nearly a month in Evansville. More typical
was the “one-day-wonder” found in Chicago, providing Illinois with
its second record. Additional reports from the Middlewestern Prairie
included two in Missouri and one in Iowa. One not far from
Redmond 19 May, was Washington state’s third. Other reports
included one from New York, three in Georgia, and four in North
Carolina. The regional editors of Texas describe that “a common pat¬
tern is for White-wingeds to jump to major metropolitan areas, build
up a population base, and begin colonizing smaller urban and resi¬
dential areas on the periphery of such areas.”

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

249

Now for the nauseum: the bird David Muth (1998) aptly named
“Euro-trash” continued its expansion to the north and west. Other
reports of Eurasian Collared-Dove included birds from three loca¬
tions in Missouri and Illinois, one in Iowa, and one in Kentucky. Five
birds were seen in Minnesota. Other regions, where the species is less
rare, also reported increases.

REBOUNDING BIRDS

Rebounding populations of some threatened and endangered species
have been in the news. While the de-listing of the Bald Eagle and
Peregrine Falcon received widespread media coverage, other species
have been making quieter comebacks. Perhaps the result of popula¬
tion increases were exciting reports of threatened and endangered
species from areas away from where they are most often seen. Brown
Pelicans were noted as far up the East Coast as Novia Scotia, where
one or more were found. In the interior, one in Kentucky provided
the state with its first record. Two groups of Whooping Cranes, total¬
ing nine birds, were found in western Iowa; when combined with the
birds last fall in Iowa, these groups doubled the number of Iowa
records for the 20th Century. Scott Terrill and Stephen Rottenborn
speculate that the first Short-tailed Albatross seen from shore in
Monterey (the fourth for the Middle Pacific Coast in 8 months) may
be a harbinger of this species again becoming regular in the Eastern
Pacific; that is, if their population continues to increase.

THE PALEARCTIC PUSH

With apparently only one more spring of Attu birding many birders
will be interested in Thede Tobish’s account from Alaska, where the
western Aleutians received fairly systematic coverage for the first time
since the 1970s. Highlights included White-tailed Eagle, Reed
Bunting, and the fifth western Aleutian spring record of Common
Ringed Plover. Many of these reports came from Shernya, which will
prove no easier in reaching than Attu. Gambell had one of the best
shorebird flights in years, including Common Greenshank, Terek
Sandpiper, Long-toed Stint, and six Common Ringed Plover.
Probably the biggest news from the western Aleutians was the low-
pressure system that brought an impressive small thrush and fly¬
catcher flight in early June to the western Aleutians. Among the high¬
lights were a Red-flanked Bluetail, three Siberian Flycatchers, three
Red-breasted Flycatchers, 27 Gray-spotted Flycatchers, and 38
Siberian Rubythroats.

On the other side of the continent, a low-pressure system in the
Atlantic brought strong winds from the east and an impressive vari¬
ety of shorebirds to Newfoundland. Highlights included North
America’s second Eurasian Oystercatcher at Eastport and six
European Golden-Plovers. Unrelated to the storm were a wintering
Common Redshank at Happy Adventure that remained nearly two
months, a Black-tailed Godwit at Prince Edward Island, the first Ruff
for Saint Pierre et Miquelon, and the first spring record of Curlew
Sandpiper for Nova Scotia.

GULLS

While most birders spend spring searching woodlots and migrant
traps for warblers, perhaps making occasional visits to wetlands for
shorebirds, growing numbers of larophilies demonstrate that spring
can be a fine time to visit landfills, sewage ponds, and other gulling
locales. Little Gulls appeared in larger numbers throughout much of
North America including ten in Wisconsin (the first in early March!),
5-6 along the Middle Pacific Coast, and one in Louisiana. Very sur¬
prising for a La Nina season was Monterey’s first nesting Heermann’s
Gulls; turn to the Middle Pacific Coast region for Daniel Singer’s

account. Another Heermann’s was at the Ajo sewage plant in
Arizona, where the species is casual. Sable Island hosted its Black¬
tailed Gull for the third spring/summer, but it seemed to spend most
of its time at sea feeding. A 3rd-year Black-tailed Gull was found at
Breezy Point, the second New York record, and Texas’s first was redis¬
covered in March and remained at the Brownsville dump for nearly
two weeks, while the bird at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
remained until mid-March. An Iceland Gull at Pueblo Reservoir may
have been the same bird that provided the first Colorado record in
January. A 2nd-summer Yellow-footed Gull at Lake Powell was
simultaneously the first for Arizona and Utah. From the Aleutians
come rare reports of kamtschatschensis Mew Gull, which is less than
annual, and Ross’s Gull, only the second for the chain. Lastly,
observers in Cape May found a Sabine’s Gull.

SOME NEW TRENDS

There are many encouraging trends in the regional reports, including
increased attention to subspecies and hybrids. In some cases, howev¬
er, caution is warranted, as some subspecific and hybrid identifica¬
tion is tricky. As with reports of rare species, sightings of extralimital
subspecies or rare hybrid combinations should be accompanied by
detailed descriptions, illustrations, and video/photographs whenever
possible. Also interesting are an increasing number of reports that
include information on introduced and escaped, though “uncount¬
able” species. Most of these reports hail from Texas and Florida.
Indeed, Florida recorded its 181st, or so, exotic species — a Golden
Pheasant. Observations of exotic species should be noted, to help
determine which species are established and what affect, if any, they
have on native species.

MEGA-TICKS!

There was a remarkable number of reports of first and second state
or provincial records, and rarities for North America, besides those
already mentioned. A smattering of these highlights includes a Little
Egret at Little Creek, Delaware, the first record for the Hudson-
Delaware region, the first provincial record of Yellow-crowned
Night-Heron for Alberta, and the first documented Garganey for
Novia Scotia and second state records for Illinois, Iowa, and Maine.
Pink-footed Geese continue to make news; this spring reports came
from Pennsylvania and Quebec. A Smew from mid-March in
Minnesota may have involved a captive bird, but there are accepted
records for southern Ontario, Quebec, and the Niagra River (ABA
1996). South Dakota had reports of Arctic and Elegant terns, both of
which would furnish first state records, while Indiana had its second
Royal Tern and Hawaii recorded a Little Tern, later joined by three
Least Terns. Florida had two-three Key West Quail-Doves. A Vaux’s
Swift was seen and heard in Colorado; several have been reported in
the state, but none has been accepted. A Fork-tailed Swift was found
dead in a hanger on Sand Island, the same locale from where the only
other Hawaiian Island record hails. A Green-breasted Mango in
Cameron, was the seventh for Texas. A Blue Mockingbird, a species
expected at some point by Texas birders, was in Weslaco and would
provide Texas with its first record, assuming it can escape the “origin
unknown” label. Recordings were made of a Western Wood-Pewee in
Michigan, the state’s first, while Wisconsin recorded its second Say’s
Phoebe. Painted Bunting made surprise appearances in many states,
with one in Saskatchewan providing the first provincial record.
Finally, perhaps the best day of birding this spring occurred in the
West Indies, where Purple Heron, Gray Heron, Little Egret, and
Western-Reef Heron were all recorded between 5:00 and 8:00 a.m.!

250

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I would like to thank Tony Leukering and Michael Patten for their valuable comments and help in
preparing this paper, and Shawneen Finnegan for the use of her library and assistance.

LITERATURE CITED

American Ornithologists’ Union [AOUJ. 1998. Check-list of North American Birds , 7th ed. American
Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C.

American Birding Association [ABA]. 1996. ABA Checklist: Birds of the Continental Unites States and
Canada , 5th ed. American Birding Association, Colorado Springs.

Finnegan, S. E. 1996. BirdArea for Windows. Santa Barbara Software Products, Santa Barbara, California.
Kingery, H. E. 1980. Mountain West Region. American Birds 34:800-803.

Muth, D. 1998. The Changing Seasons. North American Birds 53:132-134.

Patterson, M. 1998. The Great Curlew Fallout of 1998. Field Notes 52:150-155.

Robbins, M. B., and D. A. Easterla. 1992 Birds of Missouri: Their Distribution and Abundance.
University of Missouri Press, Columbia.

(Suggestions for Contributors — continued from page 246)

Text. Begin numbering as page 1. Follow the instructions above and use a format in the most recent
issue of North American Birds as a guide. Do not repeat information provided on the title page. Typical
main headings are (no heading for introduction), methods, results, discussion, acknowledgments (note
spelling), and literature cited, but any other logical main heading can be used to subdivide the paper, but
keep headers to a minimum. Up to two levels of headings can be used.

Literature Cited. Number this section continuously with the rest of the text. Verify all entries against
original sources, especially journal titles, volume and page numbers, accents, diacritical marks, and
spelling in languages other than English. Cite sources exactly as they were published, not as you would
have liked them to be. Cite references in alphabetical order by first author’s surname and then his/her
first name and initial. References by a single author precede multi-authored works by same first author,
regardless of date. Listings with multiple authors are done by first author’s name (surname and then ini¬
tials), second author’s name, etc. List works by the same author(s) in chronological order, beginning
with earliest date of publication. If the author has two works in same year, these works should be let¬
tered consecutively (e.g., 1995a, 1995b). Do not write author names in uppercase. Insert a period and
space after each initial of an author’s name, and note that a comma always precedes the “and” in a list of
names.

“In press” citations must have been accepted for publication, with the name of journal or publisher
included. Do not list web site sources or any other unpublished works (e.g., personal communications)
in the literature cited. Journal titles should be written in full and not abbreviated. Citations should fol¬
low formats below:

Papers and Monographs.

Grinnell, J. 1928. A distributional summation of the ornithology of Lower California. University of
California Publications in Zoology 32:1-300.

Rosenberg, G. H., and J. L. Witzeman. 1998. Arizona Bird Committee report, 1974-1996: pt. 1 (non¬
passerines). Western Birds 29:199-224.

Zink, R. M., S. Rohwer, A. V. Andreev, and D. L. Dittmann. 1995. Trans-Beringia comparisons of mito¬
chondrial DNA differentiation in birds. Condor 97:639-649.

Dissertations, Books, and Chapters.

American Ornithologists’ Union (AOU). 1998. Check-list of North American Birds, 7th ed. American
Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C.

Cramp, S., and K. E. L. Simmons, eds. 1983. The Birds of the Western Palearctic, vol. 3. Oxford University

Press.

DeSante, D. F. 1973. An analysis of the fall occurrences and nocturnal orientations of vagrant wood war¬
blers (Parulidae) in California. Ph.D. dissertation, Stanford University, Stanford, California.
Rotenberry, ). T. 1998. Avian conservation research needs in western shrublands: Exotic invaders and the
alteration of ecosystem processes. Pp. 261-272 in Marzluff, J. M., and R. Sallabanks, eds. Avian
Conservation: Research and Management. Island Press, Washington, D.C.

Lowther, P. E. 1993. Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater). No. 47 in Poole, A., and F. Gill, eds. The
Birds of North America. Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and American Ornithologists’
Union, Washington, D.C.

Stevenson, H. M., and B. H. Anderson. 1994. The Birdlife of Florida. University of Florida Press,
Gainesville.

Tables. Number this section continuously with the rest of the text. Each table must start on separate
sheet and be double-spaced throughout (header, table body, footnotes). Table numbers should be an
Arabic (not Roman) numeral followed by a period. Indicate footnotes by lowercase superscript letters (a,
b, c, etc.). Do not use vertical lines in tables. Include horizontal lines above and below the caption and
at the end of the table. Follow details of style used in North American Birds.

CHANGING SEASONS

STANDARD ABBREVIATIONS
USED IN THE REGIONAL
REPORTS

Abbreviations used
in place names

In most regions, place names given in
italic type are counties. Other abbrevia¬
tions:

Cr. Creek

Ft. Fort

Hwy Highway

I. Island or Isle

Is. Islands or Isles

Jet. Junction

km kilometer(s)

L. Lake

mi mile (s)

Mt. Mountain or Mount

Mts. Mountains

N.F. National Forest

N.M. National Monument

N.P. National Park

N.W.R. National Wildlife Refuge

P.P. Provincial Park

Pen. Peninsula

Pt. Point (not Port)

R. River

Ref. Refuge

Res. Reservoir (not Reservation)

S. P. State Park

W.M.A. Wildlife Management Area

Abbreviations used
in the names of birds:

Am. American

Com. Common

E. Eastern

Eur. Eurasian

Mt. Mountain

N. Northern

S. Southern

W. Western

Other abbreviations

and symbols referring to birds:

ad. adult

imm. immature

juv. juvenal or juvenile

sp. species

v.t. video-taped

t written details were

submitted for a sighting
a specimen was collected
CBC Christmas Bird Count

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

251

Figures. Number the figure legend section
continuously with the rest of the text. Double¬
Space the legends. Type legends in paragraph
form. Do not include “exotic symbols” (lines, dots,
triangles, etc.) in figure legends; either label them
in figure or refer to them by name in legend.

Routine illustrations are black-and-white half¬
tones (photographs), drawings, or graphs. Consult
the editor about color. Figures in North American
Birds are virtually identical to what is submitted,
so illustrations should be prepared to professional
standards. Drawings should be on good-quality
paper and allow for reduction. Do not submit
originals larger than 8.5x11 in. Illustrations
should be prepared for one- or two-column
width, keeping in mind dimensions of a page of
North American Birds. Where possible, group sev¬
eral illustrations as panels in a single figure that
must be placed on the same page.

Arial or a similar sans serif typeface must be
used for figures. Symbols may be added to figures
with press-on symbols and letters but make sure
they will not peel off. Hand-drawn figures or sym¬
bols are unacceptable. Write author name(s) and
figure number(s) in pencil on back of each origi¬
nal figure or plate. Include the same information
on the front or back of review copies.

What and Where to Submit. Send three
copies of your original manuscript to the editor,
including all tables, figure legends, and figures.
With the initial submission you must include a
cover letter that includes a statement indicating
that the manuscript reports original research and
data not published elsewhere and that is submit¬
ted exclusively to North American Birds. The letter
should include any special instructions and poten¬
tial address changes, as well as a daytime phone
number and e-mail address for the corresponding
author. Names of suitable reviewers may be
included.

For revisions, include a cover letter addressing
all comments from the reviewers and editor(s).
Send the cover letter detailing responses to review¬
ers and a copy of the manuscript directly to the
Editor. Authors will receive page proofs for
approval; they should be returned within 48 hours
to the editorial office to avoid publication delays.
Because changes in proofs are expensive, authors
should not expect to make major modifications in
their work at this stage.

SUBMISSION

TO REGIONAL REPORTS

All observers are encouraged to submit any note¬
worthy observation(s), whether involving an early
or late migration date, unusual breeding record, or
a rare vagrant, to the appropriate regional editor
of North American Birds. Maps are provided in
every issue to determine in which region the
observation occurred, and the mailing address of
each regional editor is also listed in each issue.
Many regional editors encourage submissions by
e-mail. Highly significant records that are not well
documented (i.e., without photographs or written
details) often will not be published. Consult
Dittmann and Lasley (1992, “How to document
rare birds,” Birding 24:145-159) and Howell and

Pyle (1997, “Twentieth report of the California
Bird Records Committee: 1994 records,” Western
Birds 28:1 17-141) for guidelines on documenting
observations. For those with access to the world¬
wide web, the aforementioned Dittmann and
Lasley is available on-line at http://www.greg
lasley.net/document.html and on the Louisiana
Ornithological Society web site (http://www.los
bird.org/index.htm). Another good on-line
resource entitled “Emerging from the Silent
Majority: Documenting Rarities” by Claudia
Wilds and Robert Hilton is available on the web
page of the Maryland Ornithological Society
(http://www.MDBirds.org/mddcrc/rarities.html).
If you are unsure about the significance of a
record, consult with local authorities, regional.

state, or provincial monographs or journals, and
recent reports for the region in question. When in
doubt, it is better to submit a record than not; oth¬
erwise, your important data may be lost forever
from the scientific record.

www.americanbirding.org

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252

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

atlantic provinces region

BLAKE MAYBANK

t was a benign, unusually early, and
warm spring, with only a decent assem¬
blage of routine or rare birds, although
there were some provincial firsts and sec¬
onds. Flowers appeared three-four weeks
ahead of normal on the mainland. Birds
arrived one-two weeks early and wasted no
time in getting down to business; by sea¬
son’s end many were on second broods.
This phenomenon was Regionwide, as
Brian Dalzell noted from Labrador:
“Despite upwards of two meters of snow
still in the woods on 30 April, snow-mobil-
ing season ended abruptly on May 1st as
temperatures suddenly roared into the 70s
and low 80s, turning even the hard-packed
snowmobile trails into a marshmallow-like
consistency. The culprit was a jet stream
arching high up over Labrador, as far as
Ungava Bay. Within a week, the snow was
mostly gone, rivers and brooks were roar¬
ing, and migrants that would generally still
be in southern New Brunswick began to
flood in.”

With no other weather events to relate,
it seems a good time to discuss the state of
reporting through the Region. Newfound¬
land, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia have
in-province Internet discussion groups, and
most birders are now “on-line.” Nova Scotia
and Newfoundland sites have good weekly
summaries of significant bird sightings,
whereas New Brunswick’s is increasingly
erratic, including only the rarest of the
birds. Thanks to the enthusiastic efforts of
Judy Tufts, Nova Scotia birders storm out in

numbers in spring to tally birds for the
mysterious North America Migration
Count (N.A.M.C.). Even though our data
has not been used in published form by the
U.S. organizers of the event, it is extremely
useful in our own analyses of trends, espe¬
cially for resident species.

The Nova Scotia Bird Society publishes,
in its quarterly newsletter Nova Scotia Birds,
a detailed summary and analysis of bird
sightings provincewide, and that summary
has been timed to feed into the North
American Birds schedule to ensure that the
important information from this exciting
province is included. The task of producing
that summary has been given to group of
volunteers, each of whom is responsible for
different bird families (I do the alcids, lar-
ids, and tubenoses, for example). By sharing
the load and having the whole coordinated
by a stern task-master (Randy Lauff), we
produce our summaries in time for use by
the North American Birds regional editors.
The situation in the other provinces is more
chaotic. Bruce Mactavish assembles the sig¬
nificant sightings from Newfoundland,
especially the Avalon Peninsula, to the
extent that his busy schedule allows, but no
mechanism exists to gather in sightings
from Western Newfoundland, or Labrador.
(For the synthesis of Labrador info this
time around I am indebted to Brian Dalzell
of Grand Manan, the new winter editor for
Atlantic Canada.)

New Brunswick is a frustrating puzzle.
There are more observers there than any
other eastern province, and many cheerful¬
ly place their sightings on NatureNB, that
province’s Internet discussion group.
Furthermore, many are active participants
in various monitoring surveys, including an
important sea-watch at Point Lepreau, and
other sites along the west side of the Bay of
Fundy. And yet, regrettably, none of these
sightings is collected together and synthe¬
sized in a timely manner; some eventually
appears in the NB Naturalist newsletter, but
months too late to be included in North
American Birds. I encourage birders of that
province to put a system into place, perhaps
modeled after the successful Nova Scotia
approach, to ensure that the vital bird data
of that singularly enchanting, bilingual
province, is included in the quarterly analy¬
sis of the birds of North America. For this
season I gleaned what information I could

from the NatureNB discussion group, but I
fear I may have overlooked important
sightings, or misinterpreted their signifi¬
cance.

Roger Etcheberry, as ever, has Saint
Pierre et Miquelon well covered, and, as
usual, there are little significant data (and
almost no documentation) from Prince
Edward Island; in this case, last is least.

Abbreviations: G.M. (Grand Manan archipelago,
NB); S.RM. (Saint Pierre et Miquelon, France); B.RI.
(Bon Portage /., NS); B.l. (Brier /., NS); C.S.I. (Cape
Sable I., NS); RE.I. (Prince Edward !.); S.l. (Sable /.,
NS).

LOOMS THROUGH VULTURES

Without the full Pt. Lepreau database I can
only report the highest Red-throated Loon
count posted on NatureNB, which was 237
birds 26 Apr (K. Macintosh). Significant
numbers of Red-necked Grebes were
reported only from S.P.M. Etcheberry
reports that off the Cape of Miquelon, “the
best site these years,” there were 445 birds
20 Mar, and off Mirande L., “the usual con¬
centration site a few years ago,” there was a
maximum of 163 birds 17 Apr, with num¬
bers fluctuating greatly throughout the sea¬
son. In St. Pierre there were 130 birds 15
Mar, and the last were one off Mirande L.
27 Apr and 8 in St. Pierre 1 May. Twenty-
nine Red-necked Grebes 27 Mar at The
Drook, Cape Race, NF, furnished a high
count (TB).

Early spring waters warmed ahead of
schedule, especially off the s. coast, where
the first tubenoses were reported. On
George’s Bank, d’Entremont had an
extremely early Sooty Shearwater 16 Apr,
and an early Wilson’s Storm-Petrel 15 Apr
(but not the earliest on record). Early
Leach’s Storm-Petrels appeared in New¬
foundland during a 6 Apr storm, with 20 at
Middle Cove and one inland on Quidi Vidi
L., St. John’s (BMt). One or more Brown
Pelicans made a surprising showing in
Nova Scotia. Earl Meister, a fisherman in
Stonehurst, Lunenburg, reported one 6 Apr,
and what may have been the same bird
appeared in Gunning Cove, Shelburne, on 3
consecutive mornings 10-12 Apr (D.
Ensor), and at Daniel’s Head, C.S.I., 1 1 Apr,
where Nickerson photographed it (making
it the first documented provincial record
since 1983). Jean Morse then reported per-

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

253

Table 1

1999 Southern Heron Summary,

Atlantic Canada

NS

NB

NF

SPM

Great Egret

13

2

Little Blue Heron

6

1

Snowy Egret

8

1

Tricolored Heron

1

Green Heron

2

*

Glossy Ibis

2

3

Cattle Egret and Yellow-crowned Night-Heron were

unrecorded.

* Breeds regularly in s. New Brunswick in small

numbers.

haps the same individual from Mader’s
Cove, Lunenburg , 15 Apr.

Only Nova Scotia enjoyed a significant
heron flight (Table 1). For S.P.M. it was one
of the worst heron springs in recent memo¬
ry, with only a single Great Blue Heron 8
May (RE). Cattle Egrets went unreported,
and the lone Tricolored Heron appeared on
the Hibernia Oil rig s.e. of St. John’s, NF, 17
Apr (B. Shoemaker), the province’s 4th
record. A Great Blue Heron (CD) at Wa-
bush L. 12 May was a good find, being very
rare in the interior of Labrador. A Black
Vulture lingered on G.M. 16-27 May (ST et
al.); there are 3 or 4 previous New Bruns¬
wick records.

WATERFOWL

A flock of 40 Snow Geese heading n. over
Wabush, Labrador, 18 May apparently pro¬
vided a first local record (CD). With them
was a single Brant, also a first for Labrador.
On the Acadian Pen., NB, Pierre Arseneault
tallied 1000+ Snow Geese 2 May, including
10 blue morphs, the largest single flock
noted in many years in the Region. A
“Black” Brant was seen 29 Apr at Pond
Cove, Brier I., NS (IM, EM), the first pro¬
vincial and Regional record since 1970. A
gathering of 150 N. Pintail (all paired!) at
the outflow of Little Wabush L. in Labrador
City 2 May (BD) was the largest flock of this
species reported in Atlantic Canada, and
indicative of their relative abundance as a
breeding bird in the interior of Labrador.
The prize waterfowl this spring was a male
Garganey 22-3 1 May and beyond at Belle-
isle Marsh, NS (G8c]T et al., ph), a 2nd
provincial record (and first documented).

Table 2

Summary of Eurasian Duck Records
in the Atlantic Provinces for Spring 1 999

NS

NB

NF

PEI

SPM

Eurasian Wigeon

3

1

20

1

Common Teal

3

3

9

1*

Tufted Duck

3

2

1

‘Second (and first spring) record for SPM

Several routine Eurasian ducks are tabulat¬
ed rather than listed individually (Table 2);
a mix of over-wintering and passage birds
was involved.

Dalzell reported from Labrador that “a
real surprise” was a gathering of 300 Black
Scoter at Little Wabush L. 18 May, with 600
the next day (CD), another first local rec¬
ord. He noted that “it is probably no coinci¬
dence that the area lies directly n. of
Chaleur Bay in n. New Brunswick, where
the species stages in early May before head¬
ing north to (as yet) largely unknown
breeding areas.” Upwards of 80,000 were
estimated off Dalhousie in the Restigouche
R. Estuary 9 May (ML). With the scoters in
Wabush 19 May were 25 Long-tailed Ducks,
“good evidence of overland migration for
this species, which also stages with the scot¬
ers in Chaleur Bay, the likely source of the
Wabush birds” (BD).

DIURNAL RAPTORS
THROUGH SHORERIRDS

A Red-shouldered Hawk 8 May over B.I.
(RBS et al.) was an excellent spring sight¬
ing; this species appears to be occurring
with increasing frequency in Nova Scotia.
Perhaps not coincidentally, in the wake of 5
Nova Scotia sightings last autumn, come 2
spring Swainson’s Hawk reports: a 2nd-
year bird ±25 km e. of Wabush along the
Trans-Labrador Hwy 8 May (BD), a first for
Newfoundland, and an adult near Resti¬
gouche, NB, 27 Mar (MD, v.t.), also poten¬
tially a provincial first.

A large low pressure system in the mid¬
dle of the Atlantic Ocean pumped winds
from Ireland and Iceland to Newfoundland
31 Mar-4 Apr. The result was two Eur.
Golden-Plovers at Salvage 5 Apr (fide G.
Stroud), with four at Rocky Harbour 10
Apr (B. Bradbury), and North America’s
2nd Eurasian Oystercatcher at Eastport 3
Apr-2 May (anonymous woman, D. Chaf¬
fin, m.ob.). A wintering Common Red¬
shank at Happy Adventure 6 Mar-22 Apr
(K. Butler, m.ob.) furnished the 6th North
American record, the previous 5 from
Newfoundland in May 1995. Nova Scotia’s
pair of American Oystercatchers returned
to C.S.I. 9 Apr for their 4th spring, the
northernmost known breeding site in
North America. Another was in neighbor¬
ing New Brunswick 25-29 Mar, at Wishart’s
Pt., Acadian Pen. (T&M Greathouse).
Prince Edward Island’s Black-tailed God-
wit was last seen 6 Mar (D. Christie et al.).
A Curlew Sandpiper on S.I. 16 May (ZL)
furnished the first spring Nova Scotia
record, the previous earliest being 2 Jul. A

female Ruff in St. -Pierre 14-15 Apr (P.
Asselin, RE et al.) provided the first for
S.P.M.; there was one hypothetical record
many years ago at Langlade.

SKUAS THROUGH GULLS

A Great Skua was reported from the
LaHave Basin, NS, 24 May (RD), a rather
late date, and no description was provided
to rule out the more expected (for that time
of year) S. Polar Skua. An individual of the
latter species was found dead on the beach
at Sable I. 28 May (ph. ZL, specimen kept).
Two Long-tailed Jaegers were seen off
Langlade, S.P.M. , 5 May (m.ob.). Nova
Scotia’s Black-tailed Gull returned to Sable
I. for a 3rd year, where Lucas saw it 12 Apr.
She believes it spends long periods at sea
feeding, only occasionally visiting the
island. The only Laughing Gull reports were
a group of three birds (one an adult) at
Cherry Hill Beach, NS, 30 May (EM), and
two at St. John’s, NF, 28 Apr through May
(P. Linegar et al.). The only Mew (Com¬
mon) Gulls were in Newfoundland, where
three birds (two adults) over-wintered in St.
John’s. Lesser Black-backed Gulls were tal¬
lied as follows: four in Nova Scotia, one in
New Brunswick, and ten in Newfoundland,
and a single adult on Michelon, S.P.M.,
described as being almost as dark-backed as
a Great Black-backed Gull (RE et al.).

DOVES THROUGH VIREOS

Dalzell reports again from Labrador that
the Mourning Dove is “quickly consolidat¬
ing its toehold in Wabush-Labrador City,
with about 10 pairs present. The first sight¬
ings in the area date back to about 1989.
There was an abundance of meadow voles
in w. Labrador this winter and spring, espe¬
cially along the Trans-Labrador Hwy
(TLH). A full night of owling (BD, CD) in
early May along a 50-km stretch from the
Quebec border e. easily turned up 38 calling
Boreal Owls, five Short-eared Owls, and
three N. Hawk Owls. It was quite gratifying
to find a pair of Short-eared Owls on terri¬
tory” every ±10 km along the highway dur¬
ing daylight hours 8 May. Observers at
P.E.I. were pleased with four Short-eared
Owls in April-May, and a locally rare Long¬
eared Owl at Dromore 29 May (RC et al.).
The N.A.M.C. data from Canada is a popu¬
lar and useful local tool in Nova Scotia. This
spring a remarkable number of owls were
counted, including 59 Great Horneds, 153
Barred, and 79 N. Saw-whets. New Bruns¬
wick reported the only “red” woodpeckers,
where feeders hosted three different Red-
headeds and three Red-bellieds (including a

254

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

atlantic provinces

pair) in the first half of the season. Pileated
Woodpeckers are scarce on agricultural
P.E.I., so a bird at Stanhope 30 Apr was sig¬
nificant (D. McAuley). A Chimney Swift at
Labrador City 6 May provided one of few
Labrador sightings (BD, CD). A Philadel¬
phia Vireo was a good find 29 May at
Indian Bridge, P.E.I.

CORVIDS THROUGH PIPITS

The St. John’s, NF, Eurasian Jackdaw disap¬
peared in April, maybe to nest with the Am.
Crow with which it seemed to be paired
(fide BMt). A jackdaw was reported 11 Apr
from Grand Desert, NS, without details; no
subsequent sightings were obtained. A Cliff
Swallow on S.P.M. 22 Apr (fide RE) is the
earliest on record for the islands. A N.
Rough-winged Swallow at Pembroke,
Yarmouth, 2 May was both rare and unusu¬
ally early (MN). Etcheberry noted the
absence of 2 species on S.P.M. this spring,
Red-breasted Nuthatch and Swainson’s
Thrush, the latter particularly notable, as it
has been recorded in 24 of the 26 previous
springs. An extremely early and well-docu¬
mented Marsh Wren was found by Tony
Erskine at the Amherst Pt. Bird Sanctuary,
NS, 10 Apr, long before the spring arrival of
three on 30 May. Three Blue-gray Gnat-
catchers popped into New Brunswick: 28
Apr in Sackville (D&L Grecian), 9 May at
Atholville (MD), and 22-26 May on G.M.
(m.ob.). Prince Edward Island had a rare
Brown Thrasher at Monticello 16 May (G.
MacDonald).

WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES

Over-wintering warblers were reported
only from Nova Scotia, with three Pines
and, astonishingly, a Black-throated Green
(J. Nocera). Yellow-throated Warblers were
on G.M. 25 Apr (A. Clavette) and 22 May
(MD), the 3rd and 4th archipelago spring
records. A single Prothonotary Warbler
from the B.P.I. banding station 5 May pro¬
vided Nova Scotia’s only rare warbler this
spring. A remarkable report of a Swain¬
son’s Warbler from Monticello, P.E.I. , 25
May (RC), was not documented — it would
be the 2nd regional record if confirmed. By
contrast, an excellent study was made of
New Brunswick’s first Louisiana Water-
thrush, on White Head I., G.M., 15 May
(ST et al.).

It was another lackluster Nova Scotia
spring for tanagers, with but three Summer
Tanagers, all on C.S.I. 15-16 May (v.o.). An
exceptionally early Scarlet Tanager was
found 31 Mar in Clarence, Annapolis (D.
Morrison). An E. Towhee lingered for more

than a week in late May in Halifax (P.
Chalmers). A singing Field Sparrow spent
one day in a Fredricton, NB, backyard 1 1
Apr (S. Sloat). Two Vesper Sparrows over¬
wintered in s. Nova Scotia. A Lark Sparrow
in St. John’s, NF, successfully over-wintered,
a provincial first. An Ipswich Savannah
Sparrow at Pt. Lance, NF, furnished the 4th
provincial record (BMt, ph). An over-win¬
tering White-crowned Sparrow on S.I.
gradually molted into a distinct Gambel’s
race, one of only a few such Regional
records (ZL). No Rose-breasted Grosbeaks
were noted on S.P.M., where they have been
seen 23 of the past 26 years, but five were
found across Newfoundland, including one
far north at Plum Pt. 29 May (J. Gibbons).
The Nova Scotia Black-headed Grosbeak
stayed at its preferred Antigonish feeder
until 12 Apr. It was a desultory spring for
Blue Grosbeaks, with Nova Scotia having
the lion’s share (albeit a small lion) of 5
sightings, the earliest 17 Apr on S.I. A young
male seen and heard singing in Miquelon,
S.P.M., 24 May (RE et al.) was the farthest
individual afield, and but two were in New
Brunswick. New Brunswick reported only
one Indigo Bunting, and P.E.I. two, with 15
provincewide in Nova Scotia, the earliest 24
Apr on B.I. (D. Pugh). Nova Scotia reported
the only Dickcissels, three in total, all in
March, and all likely over-wintering birds.
A single female Brewer’s Blackbird spent 20
May on S.I. (ZL). Nova Scotia hoarded
most of the Orchard Orioles, seven on off¬
shore islands, while New Brunswick had a
“pair” at Hopewell Cape 6 Apr (K. Tingley).

Finches have been thorough in their
consumption of cones, but the N.A.M.C.
still reported a count of 84 Pine Grosbeaks,
100+ Red Crossbills, and 400+ White¬
winged Crossbills in Nova Scotia. It was a
quiet redpoll spring, after a quiet winter, so
a flock of 15 Commons with two Hoaries at
Schooner Pond, Cape Breton, 21 Mar was
unexpected (C&AM, RK). Evening
Grosbeak numbers are recovering in Nova
Scotia, with more than 1000 counted on the
N.A.M.C. A Eur. Goldfinch sporting a
snazzy blue leg band was seen at several NB
feeders in March and early April, reminis¬
cent of a similarly banded bird in Nova
Scotia last spring.

Contributors (subregional editors in bold¬
face): Todd Boland, Ray Cooke, Brian
Dalzell, Cheryl Davis, Fred Dobson,
Margaret Doyle, Raymond d’Entremont,
Roger Etcheberry, Sylvia Fullerton, Andy
Home, Richard Knapton, Zoe Lucas, Mike
Lushington, Bruce Mactavish (BMt), Dave

McCorquodale, Ian McLaren, Eric Mills,

Cathy & Allan Murrant, Murray Newell,
Johnny Nickerson, Stuart Tingley, Gordon
& Judy Tufts

Blake Maybank, 144 Bayview Drive,

White's Lake, NS, Canada, B3T 1Z1
(maybank@ns.sympatico.ca
or maybank@bigfoot.com)

Place names that are frequently men¬
tioned, but very long, may be abbreviat¬
ed in a form such as “C.B.B.T.” or
“W.P.B.O.” Such local abbreviations will
be explained in a key at the beginning
of the particular regional report in
which they are used. Standard abbrevi¬
ations that are used throughout North
American Birds are keyed on page 251.

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VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

255

quebec region

PIERRE BANNON
and NORMAND DAVID

eather conditions proved to be almost
a repetition of spring 1998 with sunny
and dry conditions prevailing throughout
most of the period. These conditions were
unfavorable to any big fallouts but, as
opposed to last spring, more rarities were
discovered. Pink-footed Goose, Garganey,
Cinnamon Teal, Fieldfare, Fork-tailed Fly¬
catcher, and Black-billed Magpie were
amongst the most exciting. Incidentally, the
handful of reports of the Greater White-
fronted Goose, Ross’s Goose, Eurasian Wig-
eon, Common Teal (Anas c. crecca), and
Lesser Black-backed Gull showed once again
that all are regular transients and are no¬
where unexpected.

EGRETS THROUGH WATERFOWL

The northward dispersal of southern herons
was unimpressive, with only a single Snowy
Egret at Sainte-Martine 1 May (F. Roberge,
L. Gervais), and single Little Blue Herons at
Cap Tourmente 9 May (L. Vezina et al.), and
at Chandler 19 May (L-P. Luce). Glossy Ibis
were noted at Sainte-Angele-de-Laval 2-3
May (J. Ducharme) and Riviere-Ouelle 28
May (CA, CG).

The opening of a Snow Geese spring
hunting season in cultivated lands of the St.
Lawrence Valley failed to produce expected
results, at least in part because dry and
warm weather conditions induced the geese
to leave early, and hunting pressure to dis¬
perse them widely. They left the Baie-du-
Febvre main staging area the day the hunt¬
ing season opened, and were recorded sub¬
sequently in numerous small flocks on the
n. shore of the St. Lawrence from Hull to

Quebec City. They showed up in the L.
Saint-Jean region 17 Apr (fide GS), and were
encountered in record-high numbers until
mid-May. Likewise, good numbers of small
flocks appeared in the Gaspe Pen. 25 Apr
onwards (fide PP).

The saga of the Pink-footed Goose con¬
tinued for a 4th consecutive year. After hav¬
ing been recorded in the fall (1996 and
1997) and last spring, what is perhaps the
same individual was sighted briefly at Baie-
du-Febvre 2 Apr (M. Gregoire), and also
near I. d’Orleans, Quebec City, 26 Apr (FD,
RD). Single swans described as having the
whole basal half of the bill bright yellow, at
Saint-Barthelemy 2 May (G. Garneau et al.),
and Cowansville 14 May (F. Surprenant),
appeared to be Whooper Swans rather than
Bewick’s Swans. Two Mute Swans were at
Dunham 19 Apr (F. Furtado,/ide P. Gingras)

A male Cinnamon Teal seen at Saint-
Barthelemy 13 Apr (P. Franche, A. Gosselin)
was our earliest ever; another one (or the
same?) was at Dundee 23 May (E. Samson,
A. Lacasse). A male Garganey, at Kamour-
aska 29 May (P. Lane, J. Labrecque), as well
as a male Tufted Duck, at Restigouche 24
Apr (G. Belanger, O. Doiron), both fitted
perfectly in known temporal and spatial dis¬
tribution patterns. A female Harlequin
Duck was totally unexpected inland near
Montreal at Saint-Jerome 20 May (N.
Taillon). Extralimital Ruddy Ducks included
a female 65 km e. of Sept-Iles 29 May (C.
Cayouette, A. Reid, D. Cyr), and single birds
at Amqui 28 May (R. Lang) and Barachois,
Gaspe, 31 May (E. Arsenault, D. Mercier).

RAILS THROUGH ALCIDS

A Sora at New Richmond 5 Apr (B. Leblanc,
I. Bourque) was early, but failed by only one
day to match our record early arrival.
Sandhill Cranes, now a regular feature of the
agricultural landscape of central n.w.
Quebec (Abitibi area), undoubtedly migrate
regularly just west of our Region. Most
intriguing, however, are the numerous
sightings in the L. Saint-Jean area, with at
least 7 sightings of 1-12 birds 18 Apr-21
May (fide GS), when the species go virtually
unreported along the St-Lawrence Valley
(only 4 sightings of single birds this season).

A Marbled Godwit found on I. aux Fer-
miers 21 May (J. St-Pierre et al.) was heard

calling, and one was also sighted at Rigaud
30 May (G. Huot). Two Ruffs were found,
with a male at Saint-Blaise 22-27 Apr (P.
Savoie) and a female at Rimouski 22-24 Apr
(G. Gendron et al.). A Laughing Gull was at
La Malbaie 24 May (A. Cote et al.), and a
Franklin’s Gull at Chateauguay 28 May (M.
Bertrand et al.). Twenty-two Black-headed
Gulls were counted 4 May at La Martinique,
Magdalen Is., a breeding site used in the last
20 years. A Sabine’s Gull at Saint-Irenee 22
May (JL) provided one of few spring
records. A Com. Murre at Riviere-Ouelle 28
May (CA, CG) was an unusual sighting.

OWLS THROUGH SWALLOWS

A road-killed Long-eared Owl found at
Longue Pointe de Mingan in mid-May pro¬
vided an unusual record for the lower North
Shore (S. Kavanagh, S. Marchand et al.). As
part of a program to follow up the breeding
of the Boreal Owl, 73 nesting boxes were set
up along the lower North Shore. Four of
these boxes were occupied by Boreal Owls
which had fledged 21 young by the end of
May, while three were occupied by N. Saw-
whet Owls, confirming its range extension
reported last year (CB, YR).

Although the date is not unprecedented
for the Region, a Ruby-throated Humming¬
bird at Matapedia 30 Apr was extremely
early for the Gaspe Pen. (C. Pitre, A. Firth,
G. Gallant). Single Red-bellied Woodpeck¬
ers were present at Saint-Pierre-Baptiste for
the first 3 weeks of March (fide D. Mc-
Cutcheon) and at Saint- Armand 23-27 Apr
(D. Daigneault, G. Francois); the latter had
been wintering locally.

A W. Kingbird at Breckenridge 22 May
represented one of few spring records (J.
Dubois et al.). Even more extraordinary was
the persuasive sighting of an imm. Fork¬
tailed Flycatcher at Bic 29 May, the first ever
for spring (C. Gauthier, L. Masson). Now
probably extirpated from the Region as a
nesting species, a single Loggerhead Shrike
visited Cap Tourmente 16 Apr (R. Lepage).
Possibly heralding a breeding range exten¬
sion, two Warbling Vireos spent the last 2
weeks of May at Hebertville (C. Cormier,
GS); another one at Les Escoumins 19 May
provided only the 2nd record for the North
Shore (CA, CG). Especially intriguing was
the appearance of a Black-billed Magpie at
Saint-Liboire 7-23 May (H. Deschenes, A.
Deschenes, F. Bourret). Northern Rough¬
winged Swallows seem to strenghten their
presence e. of Quebec City as evidenced by
the discovery of a nest at Berthier-sur-mer
(JL), while a bird wandered to Port-au-
Saumon 1 May (GL).

256

NORTH AMERICAN BIROS

THRUSHES THROUGH FINCHES

A Townsend’s Solitaire, the 6th for the
Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean area, brightened
Roberval 16 Apr (L. Chiricota). Represent¬
ing the 4th record for the Region, a
Fieldfare was detected in a flock of migrat¬
ing Am. Robins at Les Escoumins 20 Apr
(CA, CG); according to the observers, its
unmarked blue-gray head and very pale
rump suggested a male. As proposed by R
Green (1998, Birding 30:212-219), this bird
was presumably returning to its breeding
ground in Greenland or n. Europe after
wintering in N. America. A migrant Gray
Catbird at Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu 9 Apr
was only 2 days short of a record arrival date
(R Beaule), but how to consider an individ¬
ual present at a Mont-Laurier feeder 15 Mar
(A. Ouellette, M. Ouellette, fide R. LeBrun).
Was it a very early migrant or a bird winter¬
ing undetected locally? A huge influx of
Bohemian Waxwings included several flocks
of 5000-10,000 birds in the Quebec City
area in mid-March (fide JL), 10,800 at
Chicoutimi 18 Mar (M. Savard), and 10,000
at Rimouski 25 Apr (J. Larivee, D. Gagne).

Now almost annual, single Blue-winged
Warblers appeared at Frelighsburg 27 May
(JG. Papineau, H. Jetten) and at Cap
Tourmente 30 May (FD, RD, GL). A
Golden-winged Warbler at Haldimand 27
May provided the first record for the Gaspe
Pen. (M. Morency), and a Worm-eating
Warbler at Westmount 18 May was the 13th
for the Montreal area (P. Tarassof et al.).

An ad. male W. Tanager photographed at
Franquelin 22-27 May was the 14th for the
Region (D. Rousseau, N. Perreault, fide G.
Cyr). Clay-colored Sparrows showed up in 8
different localities 22-30 May. Northern
Cardinals are maintaining their presence in
the Quebec City area as evidenced by the
report of numerous pairs (fide JL). One was
found at Saint-Eusebe in the lower St.
Lawrence 22 Apr (M. Beaulieu). Unreported
in the Montreal area since 1982, a W.
Meadowlark at Hudson 1 May onwards rep¬
resented a notable event (W. Grubert et al.).
Single Yellow-headed Blackbirds were
encoutered at Montreal 15-28 Apr (G.
Larivee) and at Berthierville 3 May. The four
Orchard Orioles represented an exceptional
total and included an adult at Philipsburg
15 May (C. Chalks, E. Mitchell), a first year
male at L’Acadie 15 May (M. Arnaudin) and
two first-year males at Cap Tourmente 29
May, with one remaining to 30 May (D.
Campeau, GL). The House Finch continued
to infiltrate e. Quebec as shown by 4 reports
for the lower St. Lawrence, two for the
Gaspe Pen., and one for the North Shore. An

Eur. Goldfinch at Riviere Saint- Jean 15 May
was apparently a first for the lower North
Shore (CB).

NON-NATIVE

Two Chinese Geese were at Yamachiche Pt.
14 Apr (M. Bisson). A N. Bobwhite was
reported from Hemmingford 31 May (D.
Smith), although listing the species in this
category is somewhat debatable. A pair of
Ringed Turtle-Doves raised 2 broods during
the season in Le Gardeur, near Montreal,
where the species has been reported in the
last 3-4 years (fide PB).

Subregional editors (boldface) and initialed
observers: C. Auchu, P. Bannon, C. Buidin,
F. Dion, R. Dion, D. G. Gaudet, C. Girard, B.
Hamel, J. Lachance, G. Lemelin, J-L.
Martel, P. Poulin, Y. S. Rhlaume,
Rochepault, G. Savard, D. Toussaint.

Pierre Bannon, 1517 Leprohon, Montreal,
Qc. H4E 1P1 (pbannon@total.net), Normand
David, 11931 Lavigne, Montreal, Qc. H4J 1X9
(ndavid@netrover.com)

new england
region

SIMON PERKINS

hree meteorological phenomena were
worthy of note this spring. The first two
had little discernible effect on birds, but the
third did. ( 1 ) The backlash immediately fol¬
lowing the passage of several storms in early
March brought the most severe conditions
of the entire winter — a winter ranked as
one of the mildest on record. (2) Precipita¬
tion levels in April were the lowest on rec¬
ord (there was no snowfall whatsoever in
Boston), and the season as a whole was
warm and dry. (3) For the second consecu¬
tive year, north and/or northeasterly winds
prevailed nearly every day throughout late
April and the first half of May. As with last
year, the unfavorable wind pattern that per¬
sisted during what should have been the
peak period of migration made for a rela¬
tively slow spring. Waves were few and far
between.

Highlights included two Pink-footed
Geese, a possibly wild Trumpeter Swan, a
Garganey, two Wilson’s Plovers, two kite
species, three Scissor-tailed Flycatchers in
Massachusetts, all on the same day, and a
Lark Bunting. For the first time in several
years no Little Egrets were reported.

Abbreviations: H.B.S.P. (Hammonasset Beach
S.P., Madison, CT); Nantucket (Nantucket /.,
MA); M.A.R.C. ( Massachusetts Avian Records
Committee); MV (Martha's Vineyard, Dukes

Co., MA); Monomoy (Monomoy Island N.W.R.,
Chatham, MA);P.R.N.V\I.R. (Parker River N.W.R.,
Essex Co., MA).

LOONS THROUGH VULTURES

The M.A.R.C. recently added Pacific Loon
to the state list. Prior to this move, the
Committee had listed all Pacific-types as
“Arctic/Pacific.” Two Pacifies reported in
New England this spring were both in
Massachusetts, in Provincetown 6-20 Mar
(BN) and off Bass Rocks in Gloucester 14
May (RSH). A Western Grebe was in Man¬
chester, MA, 12-14 May (RSH); another in

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

257

Jamestown 3 Mar-20 Apr ( fide DE) may
have been the same individual first found in
Newport in December 1998. Among at least
6 reports of migrant Red-necked Grebes
inland was a count of 10 in Southwick, MA,

12 Apr; two that left the coast early were
already at this locale by 22 Mar (SK). A
Manx Shearwater at Newcastle (Whaleback
Light), NH, 2 May (M. Suomala) represent¬
ed a rare shore-based sighting for the
Granite State, and a Manx near Oak Bluffs,
MV, 23 Apr (VL) was a bit early.

A Least Bittern, flushed from a water
hazard on a golf course in Vasselboro, ME,

13 May (R. Spinney) must have been the
golfer’s equivalent of an “eagle.” Herons
wandering inland included single Little
Blues in S. Thomaston and Orono, ME, 10
Apr and 2 May, respectively (WT), another
in Thetford, VT, 2 May (T. Levin), a Snowy
Egret far afield in Grand Isle, VT, 16 May
(DH), and four Great Egrets in Orange,
MA, 31 May (L. Roussel), with another in
the Connecticut R. Valley, in W. Springfield,
MA, 15 May ( J. Zepko). Single inland Cattle
Egrets were in Grafton and Hollis, NH, 19
Apr (A. Payne, ph.) and 27 May (R.
Andrews), respectively, and another was
found in S. Hadley, MA, 5 May (HA). Black
Vultures have become so common in w.
Connecticut (where they now almost cer¬
tainly breed) that individuals are no longer
enumerated by local compilers. Several,
seen regularly every summer in Sheffield,
MA, in the s. Berkshires just over the
Connecticut state line in extreme s.w.
Massachusetts, may be breeding locally as
well. Yet, a pair that raised one chick in
Milton, MA, in 1997 still represents the
only confirmed nesting record for the
species in New England. Other Massachu¬
setts reports included individuals in North¬
ampton 9 May (T. Gagnon), Barre 7-8 May
(ML), and Truro 11 May (E.M.H.W.);
another was in Exeter, RI, 22-23 Apr (M.
Tucker). Two unconfirmed reports came
from Maine.

WATERFOWL

Geese made all sorts of news this spring. A
well-described/sketched Pink-footed Goose
at Grand Isle/N. Hero, VT, 31 Mar-1 Apr
(DH) represented the first record for this
species in Vermont (pending Committee
review), and the 3rd record in New England
within the last 13 months. The 2nd Regional
Pink-footed appeared in December in
Dennis, MA, and remained there at least
through 1 1 Apr. Information compiled by
the Avian Records Committee of Con¬
necticut, following the appearance of a

Pink-footed Goose last March ( Field Notes
52(3)), convinced this compiler that the
recent occurrences of this species in the
Northeast have involved bona fide vagrants.
And speaking of Greenland geese, Greater
White-fronted Geese have become routine
in s. New England within about the last 10
years. Curiously, the largest migrant flocks
of geese in the Region, the Snows and
Canadas in n. Vermont, rarely contain
white-fronteds. Even though the Vermont
(Greater) Snows and Canadas come from
different nesting grounds than the white-
fronteds, it seems odd that wayward white-
fronteds would not gravitate to these huge
flocks more frequently given the greater
numbers of them that now occur annually
elsewhere in the Region. White-fronteds
numbered three in Rhode Island, two in
Connecticut, and a below-average one in
Massachusetts. The Bay State bird, in Am¬
herst 2-4 Mar (HA), represented only the
3rd record for w. Massachusetts, the first
being only 14 years ago {fide SK). Both Con¬
necticut birds appeared to the observer’s eye
to be pink-billed, indicative of the North
American subspecies (M. Szantyr).

Snow Geese were numerous, especially
at their New England stronghold in the L.
Champlain Valley, VT; roughly 12,000-
15,000 were counted in N. Hero, VT, 26-27
Mar (DH). Also in the Champlain Valley,
Ross’s Geese continue to come on strong.
The first spring Ross’s Goose in New
England was found in Vermont less than 5
years ago; 4 reports there this year included
an individual in Grand Isle 31 Mar (DH),
two in Ferrisburgh 5 Apr, and a blue morph
in Charlotte 20 Mar. Several small, Arctic-
nesting Canada Geese appeared in New
England in early spring. An individual
identified as minima , described as being
smaller than a Snow Goose, and possessing
a dark brown breast and a white neck collar,
was found among roughly 3000 Snows in
Grand Isle, VT, 1 Apr (C. Provost); single
geese identified as hutchinsii were in
Marshfield, MA, 11 Mar-23 Apr (D. Fur¬
bish) and Thetford, VT, late Mar-early Apr
{fide W. Scott). No doubt these small geese
will continue to attract attention as long as
rumors persist that some of them might be
split. Another small Canada Goose in
Newbury, MA, 4 Apr (RSH) may have been
parvipes. Brant are always noteworthy away
from the coast. The only birds detected
inland this spring were 55 in Haverhill, NH,
28 Mar (J. Williams), a sighting also unusu¬
al for its early date; most do not depart
overland in New England before mid-April.

All 4 N. Hemisphere swan species were

reported in New England this spring. Single
Tundra Swans were noted in Naples, ME,
1-21 Mar (B. Crowley), Rutland, VT, 4 Apr
(WE & NM), and Trustrom Pond, RI, 9-14
Mar ( fide M. Tucker), and six were near the
Connecticut R. in Haverhill, NH, 2-4 Mar
(R. Bradley et al.). The Whooper Swans in
Essex, MA, numbered at least seven through
early May. A Trumpeter Swan, identified
among a large flock of Mutes, was at the
mouth of the Housatonic R., in Stratford,
CT, 17-21 May (F. Gallo et al.). The origin
of the Trumpeter was not determined, but
such sightings have been more or less
expected since the U.S.F.W.S. initiated a
reintroduction program in the upper
Midwest. Trumpeters now nest in Michi¬
gan, they are established year round in s.e.
Ontario, and individuals have reached
Pennsylvania.

As usual virtually all of the Region’s tot¬
al of 15 Eur. Wigeon were either on or with¬
in a stone’s throw of the coast. The only
exception was a bird in Panton, VT, 4 Apr
(WE & NM). Likewise, the only inland
Barrow’s Goldeneyes were two at Grand
Isle, VT, 19 Apr (DH). Eight N. Shovelers on
the Connecticut R. at Turner’s Falls, MA, 3
Apr (HA et al.) represented a high total for
an inland locale. An impressive count of
350 N. Pintails came from Cornwall, VT, 27
Mar (P. Pratt), and Maine’s 2nd Garganey,
a drake, was in S. Thomaston 10-18 Apr
(M. Libby et al.). Garganeys were also
reported during this same general period in
both Iowa and Nebraska. A Com. Teal was
in the same marsh as the Garganey 13-17
Mar (B. Volkle et al.), and others were in
Milford, CT, through the end of March (D.
Varza et al.), in Newbury, MA, 27 Mar
(D&T Donsker), and in W. Harwich, MA, 3
Apr (BN). An apparent hybrid teal at the
P.R.N.W.R. 2 May (RSH) possessed both
the vertical white stripe at the side of the
breast typical of Green-winged, as well as
the white stripe along the scapulars typical
of Common.

Overwintering Tufted Ducks lingered
into the spring in Massachusetts, with a hen
in Westport 14-27 Mar (R. Farrell et al.)
and a drake in Clinton 25-26 Mar (R.
Quimby). The latter bird moved to
Westminster 30 Mar-4 Apr (T. Pirro et al.).
In Connecticut, a hen Tufted Duck was
found inland at Bantam L. on the very late
date of 26 May (D. Tripp). Surf Scoters were
unusually numerous in coastal Massachu¬
setts this past winter and that trend carried
into the spring. A raff of 675 staging birds
was noted in Marshfield 11 Apr (Gd’E),
<350 were still at Nantucket in mid-May

2S8

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

new england

(SP), and 70 lingered until 22 May at
Monomoy (WRP). In w. Massachusetts,
seven migrant Long-tailed Ducks put down
in Ludlow 4 Apr (HA), early migrant Red¬
breasted Mergansers were found on the
Connecticut R. in late March (B. Lafley),
and in Connecticut a large staging flock of
1600 Com. Mergansers was noted in New
Preston 2 Apr (T. Baptist).

KITES THROUGH SHOREBIRDS

Mississippi Kite and Swallow-tailed Kite

were seen only in Connecticut this year,
both 12 May in Redding (J. Carlisle) and
Greenwich (D. Smith), respectively. A pair of
Cooper’s Hawks nesting at Nantucket 8 May
(AW) represented the first breeding record
for the island. In Massachusetts, the main
thrust of migrant Sharp-shinned Hawks
came a bit late, as evidenced by counts of 99
in Truro (E.M.H.W.) and 123 at P.R.N.W.R.
(TC), both 10 May. Also 10 May, totals at
P.R.N.W.R. included eight Bald Eagles and
11 Merlins, both high counts for so late a
date; at Truro the same day 48 Broad-
wingeds and five late Peregrine Falcons were
tallied. Flocks of Broad-wingeds are a regu¬
lar feature at this site well into June. Birds
involved in these late flights are almost
always yearlings shunted to the narrows of
the outer Cape by SW winds. This same
phenomenon also makes the outer Cape the
most reliable place in New England at this
time of year for kites, though none was seen
there this year. Only one Golden Eagle was
reported, in Victory, VT, 27 Apr (D. Narins).
The spring total of 1291 Am. Kestrels count¬
ed at the P.R.N.W.R. was an all-time high for
the state. One-day counts in April alone
included 297 on 7 Apr, 170 the next day, 257
on 18 Apr, and 193 on 26 Apr (TC). A pair
of Merlins observed copulating, and present
at the same location in Lewiston, ME,
throughout most of April, may have nested
locally. If confirmed it probably would have
represented the southernmost nesting
occurrence in New England. This year, the
only confirmed nesting s. of the Canadian
border was in Vermont. A pair nested in
Johnson, where the species first bred in the
state in 1997, and another pair returned to
Windsor, where they nested last year ( fide

IP).

King Rail reports included one in
Bolton, MA, 10-21 Apr (R. Lockwood et
al.), and a pair in W. Bridgewater, MA, 14
May (SA). Single Sandhill Cranes were in
Proctor, VT, 25 Apr (J. Curtis), S. Windsor,
CT, 3 May (C. Rafford), and Monroe, NH,
27-31 May (m.ob., fide PH). American
Oystercatchers that returned again to Saco

and Scarborough, ME, were noteworthy
despite their nesting at the s. tip of Nova
Scotia since 1997. In that same year (but not
since), another pair nested on Green I.,
Washington , ME, which is actually farther
north than s. Nova Scotia. American
Golden- Plovers, scarce in the Region in
spring, were found in Massachusetts in
Edgartown 16 Apr (VL) and Chatham 15
May (J. Sones et al.). Two Wilson’s Plovers
visited the Region. A male was a bit earlier
than usual at Seawall Beach, Phippsburg,
ME (PDV) 9 May, and a female was espe¬
cially so in Newport, RI, 20-23 Apr (DJA et
al.).

A Western Sandpiper in Edgartown,
MA, 30 May (A. Keith) was a rare spring
find. Ruffs were reported only from Massa¬
chusetts. Newburyport Harbor remains the
most reliable place for this annual visitor,
and a male appeared there right on schedule
9 May (RSH). A Reeve lingered in E. Boston
3-13 May (J. Young), and another male was
found in Ipswich on the very early date of 3 1
Mar (RSH). A total of 343 Com. Snipe in 2
fields in W. Bridgewater, MA, 7 Apr (SA)
represented the 2nd highest count recorded
in the state. The record-dry conditions
throughout the Northeast probably
accounted for this unusually high concen¬
tration of migrants. A single Red-necked
Phalarope visited a small suburban pond far
from the coast in New Canaan, CT, 19 May
(E. Johnson); three were barely inland on a
reservoir in Milton, MA, 7 May (Gd’E), and
two others were roughly 10 mi from the
coast at the Great Meadows N.W.R. in
Concord, MA, 19 & 21 May (SP, K. Dorsey).

GULLS THROUGH ALCIDS

In Connecticut, Little Gulls were reported
as being “widespread” on Long I. Sound
( fide GH); multiples included three in W.
Haven 7 Apr (F. Mantlik) and another three
in Stamford in mid-April (P. Dugan). A
total of four were in Massachusetts, and one
was in New Hampshire. State totals of
Black-headed Gulls included seven in
Maine, two in New Hampshire, 12 in
Massachusetts, and eight in Rhode Island.
Despite being common during migration
both on the coast and L. Champlain, VT,
Bonaparte’s Gulls are seldom found inland
away from Champlain, so a migrant discov¬
ered in Gardner, Worcester , MA, 3 Apr (T.
Pirro) was noteworthy. A report of a
Thayer’s Gull, lacking details, came from
Jonesport, ME, 27 Mar ( fide K. Gammons).
Among a total of roughly 20 Lesser Black-
backed Gulls reported from all states except
Vermont and New Hampshire, three were

at a landfill in Manchester, CT, 30 Apr-3
May (P. Comins) and an individual in
breeding plumage was inland in Windsor,
ME, 7-8 Apr (W. Sumner et al.).

One of 10 Caspian Terns reported from
Massachusetts was inland on Wachusett
Res., Worcester , 29 May (S. Carroll). Also,
three were reported from Rhode Island, and
one-two from Connecticut. Most Royal
Terns appear in the Region in the summer,
once coastal waters have warmed. This year,
however, two appeared in Massachusetts in
late May: one at Nantucket 23 May (AW)
and the other in Plymouth 31 May (C.
Floyd). Each year upon returning from
their wintering grounds, hundreds of
Roseate Terns usually spend 1-2 weeks at
Nantucket, refueling and recharging their
batteries, before they settle into their
colonies on 2 islands off Marion and Matta-
poisett, MA. Eighty at Muskeget I., just n.w.
of Nantucket, 16 May (SP et al.) were
assumed at the time to be doing the same,
but see the summer report. . . .

Following a winter that brought an
unusually high number of alcids to inshore
waters, murres especially lingered into
spring. Thick-billeds were reported as “still
relatively common” through early March
along the New Hampshire coast ( fide PH).
Nine were seen off Bar Harbor, ME, 9 Mar
(fide JD), and in Massachusetts counts
included 30+ at Provincetown 2 Mar (BN)
and 85 at Cape Ann, Essex, 11 Mar (RSH).
Ten Commons were noted off Province-
town 6 Mar (BN) and one was still in Well-
fleet Harbor 15 May (E. Neumuth et al.).
The center of winter abundance of Razorbill
in New England is in shoal waters around
Cape Cod and Nantucket. In recent years
they have been found more regularly in
waters farther west, such as in Vineyard
Sound (between the Elizabeth Is. and
Martha’s Vineyard) and off Rhode Island.
Locally high counts of 300 in Vineyard
Sound 1-2 Mar ( VL) and 55 from Pt. Judith,
RI, 1 Mar (fide M. Tucker), were indicative
of this trend, as was the appearance of an
outlier in Long I. Sound, at Stonington, CT,
3 Apr (fide GH). Atlantic Puffins are always
scarce inshore away from breeding colonies.
Reports from Massachusetts included one
in Rockport 1 Mar (M. Resch) and two each
in Provincetown 19 Mar (R. Titus) and
Barnstable 31 Mar (B. Good).

PARAKEETS
THROUGH THRUSHES

Monk Parakeets continue to occupy “nests”
in at least 3 towns near the Rhode Island
border in s.e. Massachusetts. To date none

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

259

has been known to produce young. All
colonies in Connecticut are on the coast, so
the discovery of two in Hamden, CT, 9 Apr
(A. Brand), roughly 10 mi inland, was note¬
worthy. A Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Fram¬
ingham, MA, 12 Apr (K. Hamilton) was
early, as was a Chimney Swift in Pittsfield,
MA, 8 Apr (T. Collins). A Red-bellied
Woodpecker at Monhegan I., ME, 18 May
(BB), continued to press northward (and
eastward) the margins of its species’ range.
A total of 25 territorial N. Saw-whet Owls
tallied during a 2-week, mid-spring survey
within several towns in Berkshire, MA, pro¬
vided insight into the status of a species
whose true abundance, like that of most
nocturnal species, remains largely a matter
of conjecture (R. Rancatti). Away from
Martha’s Vineyard, where the species has
been suspected of breeding for years,
Chuck-will’s-widow is a rare visitor, though
spring reports on Cape Cod have become
more or less annual. Chucks found away
from the Cape and islands were heard in
Montague, MA, 29 May (HA), Wakefield,
RI, 10-12 May (J. Ryans), and Chester, CT,

2 May (P. Pendergast).

The pair of pioneering Acadian Fly¬
catchers in New Hampshire, the first to nest
in the state last year, appeared again at
Pawtuckaway S.P., in Nottingham, 17 May
(AD). A Western Kingbird, a species rou¬
tine in fall but rare in spring, was found at
H.B.S.P. 26 May (C. Rafford). That one was
found at this same location last year on
almost the same date (30 May) raises the
question as to whether the 2 sightings
involved the same individual. Even more
remarkable was the appearance of three dif¬
ferent Scissor-tailed Flycatchers on the
same day, 31 May, in Massachusetts in
Miller’s Falls (ML), Montague ( fide SK),
and Nantucket (J. Stewart, ph.). Two Fish
Crows, presumably the same two that
established a first state nesting record there
last year, returned in May to S. Burlington,
VT ( fide )P). And while Fish Crows contin¬
ued to make history at the n. limit of their
range, Com. Ravens were extending their
breeding range in New England farther
southward. A pair nested within 10 mi of
Long 1. Sound, in Hamden, CT (J. Zipp).
Another pair nested equally close to the
sound in Ledyard, CT, in 1994. The south¬
eastern-most breeding pair of ravens in the
Bay State, which produced two young, was
in a quarry in Ashland (T. French). Others
in Massachusetts well e. of known nesting
sites included a single bird in Dedham, MA,

3 May (WRP), and a pair in Boxford, Essex,
10 Apr (S. Moore). Ravens have been noted

at this latter locality for the past several
springs, though not into June. If they do
not already nest somewhere in Essex, they
may soon. A Sedge Wren, presumably a
migrant and not a local nester, made a cam¬
eo appearance in Provincetown, MA, 15
May (G. Wood). A Varied Thrush that spent
part of the winter at a feeder in Pembroke,
NH, was last seen 12 Mar {fide PH).

WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES

For the most part warbler migration was
unremarkable, probably due at least in part
to the preponderance of easterly winds dur¬
ing late April and the first half of May. A few
surges were large enough to draw comment
from locals. R. Soffer in Connecticut, who
has been monitoring Sherwood Island S.P.
in Westport for many years, found “the
place swarming with passerines” 6 May; he
recorded 16 warbler species. Three days
later, immediately following May’s first
wind shift to the south, the first sizable
wave arrived across a broad front in
Massachusetts. Most of the traditional sites
in e. Massachusetts, such as the P.R.N.W.R.
and Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge,
produced notable numbers, as did the
Connecticut R. Valley; 19 warbler species
were recorded that day in the Valley in
Hadley (P. Champlin).

A remarkable Black-throated Blue
Warbler that survived the winter at a feeder
in Stratham, NH, was last reported 17 Apr
(S. Mirick). A Connecticut Warbler at
Monhegan 25 May (BB) furnished a rare
spring record for the Region. Each spring
southern warblers such as Kentucky,
Yellow-throated, and Prothonotary over¬
shoot the n. limits of their breeding range,
and occasionally they reach points well
north (and east) of Boston — sometimes as
far as the Canadian Maritimes. However,
the only one reported in the Region n. of
Boston this year was a Yellow-throated at
Monhegan 1 1 May (BB).

Summer Tanagers and Blue Grosbeaks
also overshoot each spring into New Eng¬
land. Northernmost among a total of 13
tanagers were eight in Massachusetts, two
in Vermont, and one at Monhegan. The
northernmost Blue Grosbeaks, both in
Maine, were at Monhegan 24 May (BB) and
Durham 18 May (B. Watson). In light of the
fact that at least three W. Tanagers were seen
last winter in Massachusetts alone, two of
those on Cape Cod, it came as no surprise
that an ad. male was reported from Truro,
MA, 22 May (K. Gentalen, fide BN).

An over-wintering Lark Sparrow in
Salisbury, MA, was last reported 3 Apr (M.

Halloran et al.), and a well-described male
Lark Bunting in W. Windsor, VT, 27 May ( J.
Sangdahl) furnished a rare spring record
for the Region. Clay-colored Sparrows,
which first nested in the Region in Maine in
1996, have sustained a presence each spring,
though they have not bred again. Among
the total of six, three reported from Ver¬
mont and two of three in Maine appeared
in late May. The only Dickcissel was in
Belchertown, MA, 21-22 May (S. Surner). A
male Boat-tailed Grackle returned to
Stratford, CT, 3 Apr (C. Barnhard). Though
this species has nested here in previous
years, no females were found and the male
was not reported after mid-May. Single
Yellow-headed Blackbirds were at Cherry-
field, ME, 1 May (K. deRochemont), Guil¬
ford, VT, 28 May (S. lames), and Nantucket,
MA, 1-31 Mar (EFA). The last bird spent
most of the winter at a local feeder.

In s. New England, northern finches
were virtually absent throughout the win¬
ter, so the appearances of a single Com.
Redpoll in Ipswich 10 Mar (JB), and Pine
Grosbeak at the P.R.N.W.R. 14 Mar (RSH),
were somewhat anomalous. The report of a
possible Lesser Goldfinch at Monhegan 28
May {fide L. Brinker), though unsubstanti¬
ated, was nonetheless intriguing in light of
the fact that the only previous Regional
report came from Maine in 1993.

Subregional editors (boldface) , contributors
(italics), and observers: Dennis J. Abbott,
Harvey Allen, Edith. F. Andrews, Steve
Arena, Jim Berry, Bird Observer, Bill
Boynton, Tom Carrolan, Allen Delorey,
Glenn d’Entremont, Jody Despres (Maine),
Eastern Massachusetts Hawk Watch, Walter
Ellison & Nancy Martin, David Emerson
(Rhode Island), Greg Hanisek (Connecti¬
cut), Richard S. Heil, David Hoag, Pamela
Hunt (New Hampshire), Seth Kellogg
(Western Massachusetts), Vernon Laux,
Mark Lynch, Ted Murin, Blair Nikula,
Simon Perkins, Wayne R. Petersen, Judy
Peterson (Vermont), Marj Rines (Eastern
Massachusetts), William Townsend
(Maine), Peter D. Vickery, V.I.N.S.
(Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences),
Andrew Webb.

Simon Perkins, Massachusetts Audubon
Society, Lincoln, Massachusetts 01773
(sperkins@massaudubon.org)

260

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

hudson-delaware region

\ ■ ; J»Oert>y H.B

NEW YORK

Rochester • Montezuma NWR

PENNSYLVANIA

ATLANTIC

OCEAN

Little Egret in alternate plumage
at Little Creek, Delaware, 25-27 April
1999, a first for the Region and one
of the southernmost for the Atlantic Coast.
Note the distinctive pair of long plumes,
unlike the shaggy crest of the Snowy
Egret. Photograph/Mary Gustafson

JOSEPH C. BURGIEL,

ROBERT 0. PAXTON,
and DAVID A. CUTLER

Following last winter’s mild weather,
March brought major snowstorms to
western New York and sub-zero tempera¬
tures to northern New York in early and
mid-month, but nearer normal tempera¬
tures and precipitation to the remainder of
the Region. April was dry to very dry, with
near normal temperatures, and May near
normal both in temperature and precipita¬
tion. Persistent highs and north and east

winds kept totals low at Great Lakes hawk
watches, and the same highs kept passerine
migration spotty, with scattered dead areas
and some fall-outs.

The birds of the season were Little Egret
in Delaware and yet another Black-tailed
Gull in New York. Notable also was an
explosion of migrating Sandhill Cranes.
Other highlights included White-faced Ibis,
Wilson’s Plover, Sabine’s Gull, Fork-tailed
Flycatcher, Loggerhead Shrike, Cave Swal¬
low, Varied Thrush, Harris’s Sparrow, and
Painted Bunting. Continuing from the win¬
ter season were Mew Gull, Townsend’s
Solitaire, another Varied Thrush, and
Black-headed Grosbeak.

Abbreviations: Braddock Bay (Braddock Bay
S.P. and vicinity, Monroe Co., NY); Bombay
Hook (Bombay Hook N.W.R., Kent Co., DE);
Brig. (Brigantine Unit, Forsythe N.W.R., Atlantic
Co., NJ); Cape Henelopen (Cape Henelopen
S.P., Sussex Co., DE); Derby Hill (hawk watch
near L. Ontario, Oswego Co., NY); Garret Mt.
(Garret Mt. Park, Passaic Co., NJ); L.l. (Long
Island, NY); Oak Orchard (Oak Orchard W.M.A.,
Genesee Co., NY); Port Mahon (marshes and
bay shore along road e. of Little Creek, Kent
Co., DE); S.C.M.M. (S. Cape May Meadow, I N.
Cape May, NJ).

LOOMS THROUGH IBISES

Loon numbers were low, with a notable
exception being 500 Red-throateds feeding
off Cape May Pt., NJ, 10 Apr (FM). Also
notable were 74 Commons observed all the
way out to Wilmington Canyon on a pelag¬
ic trip from Cape May 30 May. Red-necked
Grebe numbers were modest, reflecting last
winter’s mild conditions, with nearly all
reports from n. New York. Three Eared
Grebes were reported at Hamlin Beach S.P.,
Monroe, NY, 7 Apr (W. Symonds), Sodus
Bay, Wayne, NY, 9 Apr ( DT), and Glen Mor¬
gan L. n. of Morgantown, Berks, PA, 10 Apr
(fide AH).

A N. Fulmar was reported off the beach
at Cape May 4 Mar (AR, LA). A pelagic trip
from Cape May to Wilmington Canyon 30
May produced a Cory’s and five Sooty
shearwaters (m.ob.), but the high count of
Sootys came from shore, with ±30 off Cape
May Pt. 14 May (m.ob.). Two singles were
also seen off L.L 15 May. Great Cormorants

continued in low numbers, with a maxi¬
mum of 23 at Sandy Hook 2 Mar (M.
Fahay), and in unusual locations, with five
at Martin’s Cr., Northampton, PA (RW), two
at Oswego, NY, to 28 Mar ( fide BP), and one
at New Baltimore, Greece, NY, (R. Guthrie).
Tantalizing were reports of possible Anhin-
gas: two over the Rose Tree Park Hawk-
watch, Media, Delaware, PA, 26 Apr (D.
Washaugh, T. McParland), and three over
the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed
Preserve, Mercer, NJ, 17 May (M&A Gotz,
fide BV).

American Bitterns were widely reported
in good numbers, with an astounding 30 at
Port Mahon 11 Apr (FR). The bird of the
season was an ad. Little Egret with head
plumes and dull yellow lores at Little Creek
W.M.A., Kent, DE, 25-27 Apr (MG, BGP), a
first record for the Region. Tricolored
Heron numbers were low, with only two
from Delaware and singles from each of the
other 3 states. The season’s only White Ibis¬
es, both adults, were at Allaire S.P., Mon¬
mouth, NJ, 23 May (M. Casper, M. Meri-
ney), and Avalon, Cape May, NJ (D&M
Gray, A. Morris). Several Glossy Ibises wan¬
dered to inland locations, with singles in
Berks, PA, Seneca, NY, and Saratoga, NY,
and three in Columbia, NY. Two White¬
faced Ibises were at Bombay Hook 29 May
into June (MG, BGP), one a yearling and
one an adult not quite into full alternate
plumage. Although almost annual in the
last few years, this western species is still
rare in the Region.

WATERFOWL

A Pink-footed Goose made its 3rd annual
appearance at L. Ontelaunee, Berks, PA, 20
Mar (R. Keller), and is presumed to be the
same individual reported from neighboring
Montgomery in Dec-Jan. Greater White-
fronted Geese made a strong showing, with
13 reported: three from Delaware, five from
Pennsylvania, and eight widely separated
from Erie, Monroe (two), Seneca, Oswego,
Saratoga, Washington, and L.L, NY. Ross’s
Geese continue to appear in small numbers,
with one at Sharptown, Salem, NJ, 4 Apr,
(TB), one at Galen, Wayne, NY, 1 1 Mar
(DT), two-four at Montezuma N.W.R. and
Cayuga L., Seneca, NY, 11-28 Mar (v.o.),
and two at Ft. Miller, Washington, NY,

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

261

20-21 Mar (JG, S. Adair, A. Van Keuren).
Three to four Canada Geese of small sub¬
species included birds reported as
Richardson’s at Chazy Riverlands, Clinton,
NY, 12 Apr-3 May (B. Krueger) and at
Hamlin, Monroe, NY (RM); reported with
race unspecified were singles at Nehf’s
Pond, Eckville, Berks, PA, 15 Mar (M.
Monroe), and possibly the same individual
at L. Ontelaunee, Berks, PA, 17 Mar (K.
Knight). A Black Brant was at Floyd Ben¬
nett Field, Brooklyn, NY, 28 Mar ( fide SS).
Small numbers of Trumpeter Swans contin¬
ue to appear, with four at Perch River
W.M.A., Jefferson, NY, two of last year’s
young 4 Apr and two of unspecified age 10
Apr {fide LC). An adult was reported from
Woodman Pond, Eaton, Madison, NY, 18
Mar {fide BP).

In addition to several appearing in the
usual coastal locations in Delaware, New
Jersey, and L.I., Eur. Wigeon made a good
showing at inland locations, with singles at
Oak Orchard 4 Apr (B. Chilton), Braddock
Bay 20-21 Mar (D. Sherony, G. Chapin et
al.), Buck Pond, Greece, NY, 28 Mar (KG),
the Chazy Riverlands, Clinton, in extreme n.
New York 9-13 Apr (J&R Heintz et ah), and
Plymouth, PA, 16 Mar (R. Koval, JH, JS),
the last a 2nd for Luzerne. Five Com. Teal
visited the Region, in Delaware at Prime
Hook, N.W.R., Sussex, 23 Mar (N. Holger-
son) and Bombay Hook 27 Mar (I. Go-
verts), and in New York at Jamaica Bay
Wildlife Refuge (two), Queens, in March
{ftde SS) and Oak Orchard 6 Apr (W. Wat¬
son). Three Tufted Ducks were observed at
Halsey Neck Pond, 1 Mar-1 Apr and Coop¬
er’s Pond 13 Mar, both in Southampton,
L.I. ( fide SS), and at Old Sam’s Pond, Pt.
Pleasant, Ocean, NJ, 27-28 Mar (female; F.
Lesser, D. Heddy, D. Brill). Harlequin Ducks
were widely reported, with a maximum of
31 at Barnegat Inlet, Ocean, NJ, 25 Mar (EB,
H. Fenimore, D. Jones). A spectacle worth
seeing, 10,000+ scoters, mostly Black and
Surf, occupied the mouth of Delaware Bay
off Cape May Pt. 6 & 9 Mar and 7 Apr (CS,
FM, BMi). The only Barrow’s Goldeneye
reported for the season was at Piscataway,
Middlesex, NJ, 23 Mar (M. Rothkopf).

HAWKS THROUGH CRANES

A possible Swallow- tailed Kite was reported
from Union, NJ, 25 May (P. Howley, C.
Knapp), but is as yet undocumented. Miss¬
issippi Kite returned to Cape May 9 May,
with three or possibly four present over s.
Cape May 10 May through the end of the
period (nt.ob.). More remarkable, however,
were Hawk Mountain Sanctuary’s first

record 1 1 May (AK) in Schuylkill, PA, and
individuals at Wissahickon Cr., near the
Gwynedd Preserve, Montgomery, PA, 13
May (A. Mirabella) and Forest Park, L.I., 25
May (J. Rabkin). Bald Eagles were present
in excellent numbers, with reports of more
than 230 from s. Delaware to extreme w.
and n. New York. Nesting pairs and fledged
young were reported from both new and
traditional locations. An exceptionally early
Broad-winged Hawk was reported from
Fishkill, Dutchess, NY, 11 Mar (B. Buch¬
anan) and another early one 17 Mar was a
good find at Newark, DE (M. Little). High
counts were 9803 at Derby Hill and 2368 at
Wildcat Ridge Hawkwatch, Morris, NJ; also,
585 were counted in a 2 hr interval at Ellis-
burg, Jefferson, NY, 26 Apr (LC). Swainson’s
Hawks were recorded at Dividing Cr.,
Cumberland, NJ, 27 Apr (A. Nicholson),
Braddock Bay 7 May (DT), and Webster,
Monroe, NY, 16 May (RS, C&S Spahn); this
rare vagrant is becoming increasingly regu¬
lar. Reports of nesting Am. Kestrels contin¬
ue to dwindle in s. portions of the Region,
but are holding up better in the n. ones.
High counts of migrants were 462 at the
Cape Henelopen Hawkwatch, 343 at Derby
Hill, and 294 at the Montclair, Essex, NJ,
Spring Hawkwatch. The Cape Henelopen
Hawkwatch recorded a record-high 283
Merlins, and 172 were tallied at the newly
reestablished Sandy Hook Spring Hawk¬
watch.

Ruffed Grouse numbers remain low in s.
portions of the Region, with only four
reported from New Jersey and none from
Pennsylvania; however, good counts con¬
tinue in n. New York, with 10 at Louisville,
Saint Laurence, 1 Mar, six at Kring Point
S.P., Jefferson, 16 Mar (LC), and two-
three/day in good habitat in the Oneida L.
Basin (BP). A Yellow Rail was reported from
Port Mahon 30 Apr (JL), and two-three
were present at Turkey Pt. near Dividing
Cr., Cumberland, NJ, 30 Apr- 16 May
(m.ob.). The Black Rail of the season was
one found by Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
staff at a marsh near the sanctuary 17
May-^4 Jun (m.ob.); there are only a hand¬
ful of records from e. Pennsylvania. While it
was a lean season for Black Rails at Port
Mahon (DAC, APE), they seemed to be pre¬
sent in about normal numbers at some New
Jersey locations. One was at Port Mahon 17
Apr (JL) and two were there 30 Apr (APE,
JL); one-four were at Jake’s Landing near
Dennisville, Cumberland, NJ, 8-21 May
(m.ob.) and one was at Turkey Pt. near
Dividing Cr., NJ, 22 May (SK, J. Gutsmuth,
LA). Continuing a trend noted last spring,

Sandhill Cranes passed through the Region
in unprecedented numbers. No fewer than
56 individuals were reported, 33 from New
York, 21 from New Jersey, and one each
from Pennsylvania and Delaware, though
some could have been repeats.

SHOREBIRDS THROUGH ALCIDS

The shorebird of the season was a Wilson’s
Plover at Westhampton Dunes, L.I., 4-5
May {fide A. Lauro); although it formerly
bred as far north as New Jersey, it is now a
rare vagrant to the Region. Piping Plovers
continue to hang by a thread, with five
reported from Delaware (CB), two from
L.I. (RJK), and 3 pairs from New Jersey.
Upland Sandpiper numbers remained low
this spring, with only three reported from
Delaware and three from New Jersey. A
bright spot however, was the Hudson-
Mohawk Region of New York, with reports
of 18 at several locations 29 Apr-22 May
(JG). Whimbrels moved through in good
numbers, with a maximum of 60 at Shell
Bay Landing, Cape May Court House, NJ, 5
May (SK), 55+ at Brig. 19 Apr (EB), and 30
at C.H.S.P. 3 May (CB). Single Hudsonian
Godwits were at Brig. 15 May (J. Kolodziej,
J. Collis) and S.C.M.M. 22 May (E.
Johnson). Three Marbled Godwits were
reported from Absecon Inlet, Atlantic, NJ,
17 Mar (EB), and one from Cape May 5-13
May (v.o.). Ruffs appeared in good num¬
bers, with six each reported from Delaware
and New York, three from New Jersey, and
one, a first county record, from Plains,
Luzerne, PA, 8 May (JH, JS). Of 20 Wilson’s
Phalaropes reported, nine were at Bombay
Hook and only two at Brig. Wiltraut
recorded the high of seven Red-necked
Phalaropes at Martins Cr., Northampton,
PA, 24 May.

A S. Polar Skua was seen at Wilmington
Canyon near the New Jersey-Delaware
boundary on a 30 May pelagic trip (m.ob.);
Delaware has one accepted previous record
and New Jersey eight. One to two Pomarine
Jaegers were in the mouth of Delaware Bay
off Cape May Pt. 4 May (AR, BS). One to
two Parasitic Jaegers were at the same loca¬
tion 2-5 May (AR, BS, P. Hodgett), with two
1 1 May (v.o.) and one 25 May (J. Gambler
and M. Leffand). A Franklin’s Gull appeared
at Elmira Dam, Chemung, NY, 23 Apr (R.
Clements, BO, DR); although one-two are
recorded almost annually in New York
along the Great Lakes, this species is a good
deal less common inland. Predictably, the
high count of Little Gulls was at Niagara,
NY, with 85 at the Niagara R. 19 May (G.
Bellerby); 20 were reported at other loca-

262

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

hudson-delaware

tions. The most notable Black-headed Gull
was at Derby Hill 17 May (G. Smith, m.ob.),
the 2nd spring record for the Oneida L.
Basin. A dozen others were reported
coastally, with one more from Niagara, NY.
P. A. Buckley and Shaibal Mitra found a
3rd-year Black-tailed Gull at Breezy Pt.,
Queens, L.I., 6 May for the 2nd New York
record. Since last winter’s East Coast sight¬
ings were all reported to be of adults, this is
probably another individual, bringing the
minimum total to three. Last season’s Mew
Gull continued at Shinecock Inlet, L.I.,
until 23 Mar ( fide SS). A Thayer’s Gull
reported from Elmira Dam, Chemung, NY,
25 Mar (BO, DR) awaits a verdict from the
New York State Avian Records Committee.
A Sabine’s Gull visited Cape May Pt. 23
Mar (BS, BMi, FM); New Jersey has 8
accepted records.

Caspian Terns in unusual locations were
two in Broome 9-10 Apr and at Hillcrest 23
Apr in New York’s Susquehanna region
{fide PB & ES), with only approximately 3
previous records. A Sandwich Tern visited
Villas, Cape May, NJ, 5 May (JD), and what
was most probably the same individual was
off Cape May Pt. 11 May (D. Womer, C.
Aquila, D. Dandler). Cape May also hosted
two-four Roseate Terns 4-31 May (v.o.)
and two others were reported from
Tuckerton, Ocean, NJ, 10-1 1 May (RR). An
out-of-place Least Tern was found on drift¬
wood 42 mi off shore between Cape May
and Wilmington Canyon 30 May (m.ob.)
The high count of Razorbills was 40+ at
Montauk Pt., L.I., 10 Mar ( fide SS). An
Atlantic Puffin landed on a boat about 70
mi s. of Montauk Pt. ca. 21 Mar and was
brought ashore for rehabilitation ( fide SS).
A 2nd Atlantic Puffin was seen near the
New Jersey-Delaware boundary on a pelag¬
ic trip to Wilimington Canyon 30 May
(m.ob.); Delaware has one previous accept¬
ed record and New Jersey nine.

DOVES

THROUGH WOODPECKERS

A White-winged Dove visited a feeder in
Long Beach, Nassau, L.I., 3-5 May (E8cL
Eaton); although still rare, this species is
showing up more frequently. The only
Snowy Owl reported was at Lyons Falls,
Lewis, NY, 11 Mar ( fide LC). Long-eared
Owls appeared in lower-than-normal num¬
bers over most of the Region; the maxi¬
mum was 11 at Manitou, Monroe, NY, 31
Mar (DT, K. Tetlow) in the Genesee region,
where Griffith commented that numbers
were only fair. Northern Saw-whet Owls
were almost non-existent.

A sprinkling of Red-headed Woodpeck¬
ers passed through this spring, but at least
in s. portions of the Region the number of
nesting sites appears to be dwindling.
Several traditional sites in Delaware and
New Jersey were not active this year, but
three-five were at a new site near Redden,
Sussex, DE (JL, APE), and eight of last win¬
ter’s 10 at Central Park, New York City, were
still present after 6 Mar, with some remain¬
ing to nest (SS). Pileated Woodpeckers were
numerous in several parts of the Region,
most notably n. New Jersey, with good
numbers in Delaware as well. Very unusual
was an individual sighted at Tarklin Pond,
Cape May, in s. New Jersey (R. Barber, B. J.
Gerhart, B. Behrstock).

FLYCATCHERS
THROUGH WAXWINGS

Olive-sided Flycatchers were present in
good numbers in New Jersey, with addi¬
tional reports from Delaware and n. New
York. Notable was a Fork-tailed Flycatcher
at Brig. 29 May (E. Borowik, JD); as often
true with this rarity, it was present only
briefly. Now very rare even in w. New York,
its last stronghold in the Region, was a
Loggerhead Shrike at Braddock Bay 5 May
(DT). Out of place were Warbling Vireos in
n. New York, one at Louisville, Saint
Lawrence, 12 May (M. Badger) and one at
Firehouse, Greece, 23 May (DT, S. Taylor).
An unusually large total of eight migrating
Philadelphia Vireos was reported, with one
each at Statten I., Buffalo, Syracuse, and
New Hartford, Oneida in New York; at
Garret Mt„ and Hazlett, Monmouth, in New
Jersey; at Ridley Creek S.P., Delaware, in
Pennsylvania; and at Bombay Hook in
Delaware. Five more were reported from
New York’s St. Lawrence region (LC), where
it is an uncommon breeder in the Adiron¬
dack foothills and the Tug Hill Plateau.

Common Ravens continue to increase
in n. New Jersey, where Radis reported a
pair with fledged young in Rockaway,
Morris, a new location, and singles were
reported in 2 other new locations; they also
were widely reported in good numbers
across n. New York. One to two Cave Swal¬
lows at Cape May 25 Mar (M. O’Brien, L.
Zemaitis et al.) provided the 2nd spring
record for both New Jersey and the Region.
Following last winter’s near absence, Red¬
breasted Nuthatches continued their scarci¬
ty, with almost no migrants. The brightest
spots were Gallupville, Scoharie, NY, with 5
pairs (breeders?; B. Boehm), and New
York’s St. Lawrence region, with 9 pairs(?)
(LC). In Delaware, two-three Sedge Wrens

were at Port Mahon (JR, JL) and two were
at Oyster Rocks Rd., Sussex (CB); two were
at S.C.M.M., with singles at Moore’s Beach,
Cumberland, and Jake’s Landing, Cape May,
NJ (m.ob.). However, the only one farther
north was at Geneseo, Livingston, NY, 18
May (J. Kimball).

Last winter’s Townsend’s Solitaire at

the Heislerville W.M.A., Cumberland, NJ,
remained until 18 Apr (m.ob.). Migrating
Gray-cheeked and Bicknell’s thrushes were
reported in modest numbers through most
of the Region, but there were no reports of
Bicknell’s Thrush from breeding areas in
the Catskills (JG). A large wave of Swain-
son’s Thrushes 12 May left 25+ at Garret
Mt. (JB, MB, RK, TH) and 8-12 at N.
Hudson Park, Hudson, NJ (G. Mahler); fif¬
teen or more were recorded at Stokes S.F.,
Sussex, NJ, 13 May (JB, MB), and 20 or
more were at Namann’s Cr„ Arden, New
Castle, DE, 15 May (APE). Last season’s
Varied Thrush at Saranac, Clinton, NY,
remained until 6 Apr (B. Conkley), and
another, a female, was reported from
Manitou, Monroe, NY, 4 Apr (DT). A pair of
Bohemian Waxwings visited Tompkins-
Cortland Community College, Tompkins,
NY, 1 Mar (M. Young). Though this species
has become nearly annual in the
Adirondack-Champlain region, it is con¬
siderably less common in the remainder of
New York.

WARBLERS

The season’s most impressive wave of war¬
blers to n. New York and as far south as
Garret Mt. occurred 12 May. At Snowshoe
Pt. in Henderson, Jefferson, NY, Chamber-
laine tallied season high totals of three
Tennessee, five Cape May, 19 Black-throat¬
ed Blue (two off the peak of 21 on 13 May),
2500+ Yellow-rumped, 24 Black-throated
Green, 30 Blackburnian, and 29 Bay-breast¬
ed warblers, and 15 Am. Redstarts. On the
same day at Garret Mt., Kane tallied season-
high totals of 40+ Magnolia and 35+ Black-
throated Green warblers. As noted above,
12 May also brought a flood of Swainson’s
Thrushes to New Jersey and Delaware.

A Blue-winged Warbler, banded n. of its
range at Crown Pt. State Historical Site, 8
May (GL, JP, JT, PT), provided the 3rd Essex,
NY, record. Tennesssee Warblers continued
in low numbers, with peak daily counts of
only three, recorded at 2 locations. An over¬
wintering Orange-crowned Warbler at Cape
May, NJ, remained until 1 Apr (RC); anoth¬
er at Frenchtown, Hunterdon, NJ, 16 Mar (L.
King) probably also overwintered. Cape
May Warbler numbers remained low. Out of

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

263

place in n. and w. New York were Yellow-
throated Warblers at Golden Hill S.P.,
Niagara , 15 May (M. Morgante, WDA) and
at Letchworth S. P., Wyoming/Livingston , 30
May (m.ob.), and Worm-eating Warblers at
Webster, Monroe , 7 May (D&D Traver),
Cobb’s Hill, Monroe, 9 May (A. Watson,
m.ob.), and the Allegany Indian Reser¬
vation, Erie/Cattaraugus, 29 May (WDA). A
Swainson’s Warbler at Cape May (AR) on
the very early date of 23 Apr would provide
the state’s 9th record if accepted by the New
Jersey Bird Records Committee. Far afield
Kentucky Warblers were singles in Erie,
Tompkins, Monroe, and Oswego, NY, and two
in Onondaga, NY. Migrating Mourning
Warblers made a good showing with reports
of 26, almost all singles.

TANAGERS THROUGH FINCHES

A singing male Clay-colored Sparrow at
Crown Pt. State Historical Site 1 1 May (GL,
JP, KM, R. Wei) topped a list of 10-11
reported in the Region; three-four were
present in the L. Ontario Littoral, mostly
Oswego, NY, 15-17 May (M. Scilingo, M.A.
Koeneke), a record spring number for the
Oneida L. Basin. Two at Ft. Drum, Jefferson,
NY, 29 May (NL) were probably there to
nest. Small colonies of Henslow’s Sparrows
were again reported from Jefferson, NY
(NL), and Luzerne, PA (BR et al.).

A Seaside Sparrow, photographed far
from its normal habitat, was a surprise at
Conejohela Flats on the Susquehanna R.,
Lancaster, PA, 20 Apr (J. E. Whitmer). For
the 2nd consecutive year the sparrow of the
season was a Harris’s, this time at Bridge-
hampton, L.I., 7 Mar-12 May (J. Askilden,
v.o.). Not only is this species rare in the
Region, but coastal records are only about
one-fifth as numerous as inland ones.
Three Gambel’s White-crowned Sparrows
visited the Region, with one each at
Bridgehampton, L.I., 10 Mar-1 Apr (fide
SS), the Martins Cr. Pennsylvania Power
and Light Co. fly-ash basin, Northampton,
PA, until 12 Apr (RW), and at Cape May 1
Apr (RC). Snow Buntings peaked at an
impressive 1000 at Kirkland, Oneida, NY, 17
Mar ( fide BP).

Winter’s Black-headed Grosbeak at

Goshen, Cape May, NJ, remained until 6
Mar (CS, PS). A pair of Blue Grosbeaks was
discovered in n. Sparta Twp., Sussex, NJ, 22
May (C. Purrenhage) and seen copulating
26 May (MB). If breeding occurred it would
be the northernmost record in New Jersey
and one of the 2-3 northernmost in the
Region. Far out of place was a Blue
Grosbeak at Bethany, Genesee, NY, 1 1 May

(S. Beattie, J. Douglas). Notable also was a
Painted Bunting at Prospect Park, Brook¬
lyn, NY, 25 Mar-6 Apr (P. Dorosh, m.ob.);
there are fewer than ±30 records for New
York.

Yellow-headed Blackbirds remained
scarce for another spring, with five reported
from Delaware (one), New Jersey (two),
and n. (one) and w. (one) New York. Brew¬
er’s Blackbirds made an appearance, with a
maximum of 12 at Hamlin, Monroe, NY, 21
Mar (DT, B. Ewald, KG) and one at
Oakfield, Genesee, NY, 2 Apr (RM, C.
McKinney). No fewer than three subregion¬
al coordinators commented that this was a
very good spring for Orchard Oriole, with
more-than-the-usual number of reports. As
expected, most were confined to the s.e.
portion of the Region, however reports of
one-four each came from the Niagara
Frontier, Genesee, Finger Lakes, Susque¬
hanna, and Oneida L. Basin regions of New
York, where it is much less common. Most
unusual, however, was a singing sub-ad.
male in the Adirondack-Champlain Region
27-31 May, with a 2nd one 30 May (G.
Howard, KM, JP, JT, PT).

Purple Finches remained scarce, with
reports scattered over the 4 states. The best
numbers came from Henderson, Jefferson,
NY, with five 17 Mar, eight 1 Apr, and
“many” in May (LC), and a total of 15-16
was reported on various dates and locations
in Dutchess, NY (v.o.). Small numbers of
Red Crossbills were reported from Ham¬
ilton and Essex , NY (GL, J. Denning), a few
through the period from Herkimer, NY
(BP), and a single from Ward, Allegany, NY,
31 May (E. Brooks). White-winged Cross¬
bills were also present in small numbers
through the period in Herkimer, NY (BP).
Pine Siskins were reported only in small
numbers and only in n. New York (v.o.).
The lone exception was an individual in
Pennsylvania (AK). American Goldfinches
remained abundant in extreme n. New York
(JP), where last winter they seemed to have
replaced the n. finches. In Saratoga, NY,
Yunick banded 121, a 30-year record.
Evening Grosbeak numbers remained low,
and most reports also came from n. New
York, with high counts of 15-25 at Inlet,
Hamilton, in March (GL), and 25 at Old
Forge, Herkimer into April (BP). Yunick
banded 27 at Jenny L„ Saratoga, NY, in
April and May.

Observers (subregional compilers in bold¬
face): Lee Amery, Tom Bailey (coastal NJ:
87 Wyndham PL, Robbinsville, NJ 08691),
Marge Barrett, Chris Bennett ( Sussex , DE:

Cape Henelopen S.P., 42 Cape Henelopen
Dr„ Lewes, DE 19958), Ed Bruder, T. W.
Burke (New York Rare Bird Alert), Peg
Burnett (Susquehanna Region, NY: 2 Ayers
St., Binghampton, NY 13905), Lee B.
Chamberlaine (St. Lawrence Region, NY: P.
O. Box 139, Henderson, NY 13650),
Richard Crossley, Willie D’Anna (WDA),
Ward W. Dasey (s.w. NJ: 29 Arc Rd.,
Medford, NJ 08055), Jim Dowdell, A. P.
Ednie ( New Castle and Kent, DE: 59 Lawson
Ave., Claymont, DE 19703), Jane Graves
( Hudson-Mohawk Region, NY: 133 York
Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866), Kevin
Griffith (Genesee Region, NY: 61
Grandview La., Rochester, NY 14612),
Mary Gustafson, Tom Halliwell, Armas Hill
(Philadelphia and Delaware Birdlines), Jim
Hoyson, Rich Kane, Steve Kerr, Arlene
Koch (Lehigh Valley, PA: 1375 Raubsville
Rd., Easton, PA 18042), Gary Lee, Jim
Lenhard, Mick Leone, Robert McKinney,
Fred Mears, Dick Miga (Niagara Frontier
Region, NY: 38 Elm St., Fredonia, NY
14063), Bob Mitchell, Keith Murphy, Bill
Ostrander (Finger Lakes Region, NY: 872
Harris Hill Rd., Elmira, NY 14903), Ed
Patten (n.w. NJ: 9 Cornfield Terrace,
Flemington, NJ 08822), Bruce Peterjohn
(BGP), John M. C. Peterson ( JP) (Adiron¬
dack-Champlain Region, NY: Discovery
Farm, RR 1, Box 230, Elizabethtown, NY
12932), Bill Purcell (Oneida Lake Basin,
NY: 281 Baum Rd., Hastings, NY 13076),
Rick Radis (n.e. NJ: 69 Ogden Ave.,
Rockaway, NJ 07866), William Reid (n.e.
PA: 73 W. Ross St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702),
Andre Robinson, Frank Rohrbacher, Dave
Russell, Sy Schiff (Long Island, NY: 603
Mead Terrace, S. Hempstead, NY 11550),
Jim Shoemaker, R. G. Spahn (Genesee
Ornithological Society), Brian Sullivan,
Eric Sullivan (Susquehanna Region, NY: 42
Patricia St., Binghampton, NY 13905), Clay
Sutton, Pat Sutton (Cape May Bird
Observatory), David Tetlow, John Thaxton,
Patricia Thaxton, Brian Vemachio (n.c.NJ:
794 Rancocas Rd., Mt. Holly, NJ 08060),
Rick Wiltraut, Al Wollin (Long Island, NY:
4 Meadow La., Rockville Center, NY
1 1570), R. P. Yunick. More than 200 other
observers who contributed significantly to
this report could not be listed, but their
input is very important to us and gratefully
acknowledged.

Joseph C. Burgiel, 331 Alpine Ct. Stanhope,
NJ 07874, Robert 0. Paxton, 460 Riverside
Dr., Apt. 72, New York, NY 10027, and David
A. Cutler, 1003 Livsey La., Philadelphia, PA
19229

264

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

middle atlantic coast
region

MARSHALL i. ILIFF

11 locations are in Maryland, except that
each Virginia location is noted the first
time it is mentioned in the text.

Abbreviations: Bay (Chesapeake Bay); Black.
(Blackwater N.W.R., Dorcehster Co., MD),
C.B.B.T. (Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel,
Northhampton Co., VA); Chine. (Chincoteague
N.W.R., Accomack Co., VA); Conowingo (Cono-
wingo Dam, Harford Co., MD); Craney (Craney
Island Disposal Area, Portsmouth, VA); D.C.
(District of Columbia); Deal (Deal Island
W.M.A., Somerset Co., MD); E.S.V.N.W.R. (East¬
ern Shore of Virginia N.W.R., Northhampton
Co.); Hart (Hart-Miller Island S.P., Baltimore
Co., MD); p.a. (pending acceptance by state
records committee); P.R.N.A.S. (Patuxent R.
Naval Air Station, St. Mary's Co., MD); P.L.S.P.
(Pt. Lookout S.P., St. Mary's Co., MD).

LOOMS THROUGH DUCKS

Over 1000 Red-throated Loons at Chine. 20
Mar (MG) represented a surprising concen¬
tration and one inland at Seneca, Montgom¬
ery, 22 Mar (DC) was notable. East winds 22
May (MJI) pushed a good seabird flight
close to shore at Ocean City, Worcester , with
many loons and N. Gannets and one Sooty
Shearwater counted within 1.5 hours. A sin¬
gle Pacific Loon was noted at Ft. Story,
Virginia Beach, VA, 14 Mar (p.a., BP). A few
Eared Grebes are typically seen in March-
April and this year singles were at N. Beach,
Calvert, 25 Mar (JLS) and Hoadley Rd.,
Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Harford/ Balti¬
more, 31 Mar (BM, EB). Two late Horned
Grebes strangely were inland on the Poto¬
mac R„ Frederick, 8 May (DRS). Northern
Gannets penetrated into the Bay in moder¬
ate numbers March-early April with the
northernmost breaking the Bay Bridge at
Chestertown, Kent, 24 Apr (JG, PG) and the
latest ever for the Bay being two adults 2
May (CR) at Tilghman’s I., Talbot. An Am.
White Pelican wandered the Cape Charles
pen., Northampton, VA, 6 Apr-20 May (ph.
JC, v.o.), spending much of its time at Fish¬
erman 1. where they have attempted nesting.
Another (or same?) passed high over Ft.
Smallwood, Anne Arundel, 25 May (p.a.,

fSR, HLW, NS, FS) and into Baltimore, only
Maryland’s 23rd report and one of few doc¬
umented. Brown Pelicans made their return
to Saint Mary’s 2 Apr (MHa); others were
three at Tilghman’s I. 7 May (CR) and one at
Bay Hundred, Talbot, 8 May (JR). A small
push of Anhingas has been the norm for the
past several years in late April-early May.
This year one was over the Occoquan R.,
Fairfax, VA, 12 Apr (PW), another was over
Havre de Grace for a Harford first 18 Apr
(p.a., fMHa, KF, JLS), two over New R.,
Grayson, VA, 25 Apr (fMS), and one over
Hollywood for a Saint Mary’s first 8 May
(p.a., GMi, KR).

A good nocturnal migration 6 May
(MO, PO, PP, OJ) produced one Least and
three Am. bitterns over Lilypons, Frederick.
A Little Blue Heron at Kenilworth Aquatic
Gardens 24-25 Apr (OJ et al.) was a D.C.
rarity. Maryland’s first well-documented
White-faced Ibis was found at Truitt’s
Landing Rd., Worcester, 2 May (p.a., tMJI,
ph. JLS, PP), but proved elusive thereafter
only making sporadic appearances 6 (SHD),
8 (AD), 9 (fPD), & 14 (SHD) May. White
Ibis made it through the winter at Fisher¬
man I., with an observation from 3 Mar
(JC) and 31 there 20 May (JC).

Mute Swans are consolidating their hold
on the Upper Bay: previously they had
remained scarce in Baltimore and n. Anne
Arundel. Calvert's first hutchinsii Canada
Goose crossed the county line from Sand-
gates (a.k.a. “home of Kelp Gull”) 6 Mar
(JLS et al.). Green-winged Teal numbers
remained fairly high through early May with
the latest, a male, being suspiciously so in
good breeding habitat at Deal, Somerset, 26
May (AF, MJI). Common Teal have been
found increasingly, certainly due to height¬
ened observer effort. This year one remain¬
ed at Northampton Landfill Pond, VA, 13
Mar (BCo), and others were at the College
of William and Mary, James City, VA, Feb-26
Mar (NBr), at Black. 30 Mar-3 Apr (p.a.,
tph. MJI, m.ob.), and a record- late individ¬
ual at E. A. Vaughn, Worcester, 2 May (p.a.,
JLS). Male Eur. Wigeon were at The Wild¬
fowl Trust, Queen Anne’s, 3 Mar (MJI, JLS),
Deal 7-26 Mar (SH13), and Craney 31 Mar
(ES). At Ocean City Inlet, the three Com.

Eiders were last seen 3 Apr (DC, MAT) and
the last Harlequin Duck 2 May (PP). A male
Long-tailed Duck lingered at P.L.S.P.
through 27 May (PC). The male Barrow’s
Goldeneye, found in 3 of 4 winters since
1995, remained at P.R.N.A.S. through 6 Mar
(p.a., KR, m.ob.). Extremely suspicious were
a Hooded Merganser pair on one pond, and
a lone male on another, at Chino Farms,
Queen Anne’s, 25 May (HS); the Eastern
Shore has only one breeding record, from
Kent. Another female at Piney Run, Carroll,
22 May (RFR) was likewise suspicious. A late
fern. Com. Merganser was at Prettyboy Res.,
Baltimore, 23 May (JLS).

HAWKS THROUGH CRANES

The spring Mississippi Kite flight continues
to improve. The first this year was a record-
early adult (rarest plumage) at Fallston 17
Apr (EB) for a Harford 2nd. Probably the
same bird was at Riverside, Harford, the
same day (BMe). One returned for the 2nd
year to Huntley Meadows, Fairfax, 16 May
(BL, CF), with up to two there through the
summer. Two returned to S. Boston, Halifax,
VA, 12 May (JB). Ft. Smallwood, Anne
Arundel, where annual on the spring hawk
watch, had one 23 May (SR) and a record
three 25 May (SR et al.) for a new seasonal
high. Others were one at Myrtle Pt., Saint
Mary’s, 8 May (JK, TB) and 27 May (JB),
and one over the Potomac R. at Carderock,
Montgomery, MD/ Loudoun, VA, 26 May
(DC). Finally, Cameron’s full time coverage
at the tip of the Delmarva Pen. revealed a
kite show there similar to the one at Cape
May, New Jersey. The first arrived 16 May
and numbers built to four 30 May. One was
an adult and the rest were the expected first-
summers.

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

265

A N. Harrier nest with 3 eggs at Truitt’s
Landing Rd. 3 May (MH) was the first nest
in Worcester. Five N. Goshawks included one
at Ft. Smallwood 19 Apr (SR), where one
usually shows up in late April. The first
Broad-winged Hawk was early at Ft.
Smallwood 30 Mar (SR). An all-time record
there was the 1897 that passed 16 Apr (SR)
in a total flight of 2630 raptors. Ft. Small¬
wood logged a record-shattering season,
primarily due to consistent W winds in
mid-April; details will follow this summer.
Two Broad-wingeds along Nassawango Cr.
at Colbourne Mill Rd., Wicomico/ Worcester,
may have been rare Lower Eastern Shore
breeders 2-4 May (MJI, JLS). The rufous-
morph Red-tailed Hawk at the Rte. 234/1-66
interchange, Prince William, VA, remained
through 3 Apr (TMD). Single Merlins at N.
Beach (JLS) and Ft. Smallwood 20 May, and
Prettyboy Res. 23 May (JLS) comprised a
notable late push. Interestingly a Cooper’s
Hawk nest with one egg in Winter Harbor,
Mathews, 22 Apr (JBB et al.) provided a first
for Virginia’s W. Shore; other Coastal Plain
nest records come from the Eastern Shore
and Tidewater.

An excellent night for nocturnal migra¬
tion at Oland Rd. in the early hours of 7 May
(MO, PO, PP, OJ) produced Frederick's first
Black Rail and only the 3rd away from
Maryland’s Coastal Plain. The bird was
heard giving the typical “ki-ki-drrr” song
while moving n. overhead. [Do rails call in
flight? — Ed.] A King Rail was heard at the
same time along with great numbers of
landbird migrants and the aforementioned
bitterns. How much will be learned once we
can position remote microphones across the
Atlantic Flyway to constantly monitor the
nocturnal movements? These setups are
already available (fide AF), though some of
the computer programming is still being
perfected to quickly edit the recordings. Two
King Rails were at Aberdeen Proving
Ground, Harford, 8 May (DW). This semiti-
dal, but mostly fresh, marsh at Truitt’s
Landing Rd. is truly a unique patch, sup¬
porting Typha angustifola, Scirpus ameri-
cana, and an extensive Spartina patens
meadow. In addition to good numbers of
breeding Black Rails, it has breeding King
Rails (v.o. 2-30 May), and had up to four
Soras 2-3 May (MJI, JLS, MO, MH) and one
10 May (MH, AH). Sora is otherwise hard to
find in Worcester and four is a record count.
It is surprising that this prime location has
not previously received widespread atten¬
tion from the Maryland birding community.
Late Soras were at Bethel W.M.A., Cecil, 15
May (MHa) and Rte. 667, Somerset, 30 May

(NS, FS), the latter likely a breeder. A Purple
Gallinule at Chine. 22 May (VK, m.ob.)
apparently fit in with part of a larger move¬
ment in the northeast and midwest. A
Sandhill Crane at Jug Bay, Anne Arundel, 28
May (DB) was likely the same one that
passed Ft. Smallwood the next day (SR) for
a first there. Though late May seems a
strange time, there is a precedent for their
occurrence; e.g., in 1992 singles were in
Talbot 24 May, Frederick 26 May, and Kent 28
May (Maryland Birdlife 46:405).

SHOREBIRDS THROUGH TERMS

Single Black-bellied Plovers were unusual 8
May at Conowingo and Havre de Grace; two
at Piney Run 22 May (RFR) were likewise
out of place in the Piedmont. Rare spring
reports of Am. Golden-Plovers were at
Tanyard, Caroline, 11 Apr (JLS) and a late
flyover among a Black-bellied Plover flock
at Truitt’s Landing Rd. 17 May (PO). A
female Piping Plover in the Bay at Winter
Harbor, VA, 17 Apr (JBB) continued a
recent spurt of sightings in Mathews. Caro¬
line’s first two Black- necked Stilts were not
unexpected in perfect habitat at Tanyard 17
Apr (JR), while a Charles 2nd was enjoyed
by many at the M.O.S. convention 15-16
May (ph. GMJ, m.ob.). Elliot I., Dorchester,
only occasionally hosted stilts until 2 pairs
last summer. This year 5 pairs laid claim to
various puddles in the marsh by 2 May
(v.o.), foreshadowing the inevitable first
confirmed nesting for Dorchester (see sum¬
mer). A total of 10 Black-necked Stilts
moved through E.S.V.N.W.R., North¬
ampton, 3 Apr-27 May (JC), with a high of
six 9 May (JC). Twelve Am. Avocets was a
great total at E.S.V.N.W.R. 25 Mar (JC) and
one was at Craney, Portsmouth, VA, 17-30
Mar (LL, v.o.). The earliest Lesser Yellowlegs
were two at P.R.N.A.S. 16 Mar (KR). The
first and last Solitary Sandpipers were
reported from N. Beach, one 2 Apr (JLS)
and a late one lingered 26-28 May (JLS). A
Willet at Ocean City 31 Mar (MJI) was enig¬
matic; though one wintered in the area, this
bird appeared to be of the e. subspecies,
which would imply an early arrival since
that subspecies is not known to winter this
far north. One at Octararo Cr., Cecil, 8 May
(LF, MWW) was a great find. A very early
Upland Sandpiper was at Egypt Rd.,
Dorchester, 30 Mar (F. Atwood) and others
were at University of Maryland Central
Farm 10 Apr (BO, m.ob.), and in a weedy
plowed field at Colby Rd., Talbot, there were
three 11 Apr and two 30 Apr (JLS).

A large Whimbrel movement occurred
across a broad front 26 May (MJI, AF), with

100 at Ocean City and 200 at Deal, in addi¬
tion to large flocks in w. Maryland. Upper
Bay Whimbrels were two at Hart 22 May
(EJS et al.) and one at Havre de Grace 23
May (EB). The 115 Marbled Godwits at
Willis Wharf, Accomack, furnished a good
count 23 Mar (EH). A Red Knot at N. Beach
was unusual 19 May (JLS, RL). Western
Sandpipers are rarely seen as spring mi¬
grants, but the eight at Oyster Landfill 8 Mar
(JC) were surely wintering birds. A White-
rurnped Sandpiper at E. A. Vaughn W.M.A.

17 Apr (SHD) shattered the previous state
arrival by 7 days. Unusual in the Piedmont
were one-two at the Lakeside Ponds 11-14
May (EB) and two-three at Piney Run
21-25 May (RFR). Two early Pectoral Sand¬
pipers were in Saint Mary’s 6 Mar (NS, FS)
and a late one was at Centennial Park, How¬
ard, 18 May (JC). Three Purple Sandpipers
were still at Ocean City 26 May (MJI, AF).
Spring Stilt Sandpipers are annual in small
numbers: this year one was at the Lakeside
Ponds 8-11 May (EB) and two were at
Black. 8 May (HTA, GLA, MJI). Calvert’s
2nd Ruff was a female at N. Beach 27-28
May (DB, m.ob.). Two Long-billed Dow-
itchers at Elliot I. 2 May (MJI) and one at
E.S.V.N.W.R. 5 May ( JC) were adults in high
breeding plumage and were confirmed by
call; spring records in the Region are few.
The last Com. Snipe was late at Lilypons,
Frederick, 14 May (JBC). Three Wilson’s and
four Red-necked phalaropes were at Craney

18 May (AW, TG).

Eleven ad. Parasitic Jaegers were counted
from the C.B.B.T. 24 Apr-1 May ( JC), with a
peak of five 25 Apr (JC). One Parasitic and
one jaeger sp. were seen from Ocean City
during 1.5 hours of seawatching on strong E
winds 22 May (MJI). Perhaps more hold¬
overs from the late fall invasion, single
Franklin’s Gulls were a first-year off Catho¬
lic Church Rd., Frederick, 8-9 May (p.a., ph.,
fDRS et al.) for Maryland’s first Piedmont
report and one of few away from the D.C./
Baltimore corridor. Another was at Haines
Pt., D.C., 23 May (OJ, RH, L. Shannon).
Good numbers of Little Gulls were found,
including five at Hart 28 Mar and two-three
there 3-24 Apr (EJS et al.). Elsewhere differ¬
ent loners were on Back R., Baltimore, 28
Mar (GM, BC) & 30 (MJI) and at N. Beach
10 Apr (JLS), and two were at Ft. Story 14
Mar (BP). A first-winter Black-headed Gull
was new for Hart and late 2 May (EJS), and
another passed Ft. Smallwood in mid-April
(fide SR). Decent numbers of Bonaparte’s
Gulls lingered into early May. At least one
Black-tailed Gull (p.a., ph., m.ob.) from the
winter remained on the C.B.B.T. through 13

266

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

middle atlantic

Mar (JC). California Gulls continued to be
well represented. The 2nd-winter remained
at Conowingo through 13 Mar (p.a., EJS), a
surprising first-winter (the first Regional
record for this plumage) was at the C.B.B.T.
10 Mar (p.a., ph. RM), and an injured adult
was at Havre de Grace, Harford , 28 May
(p.a., EB). The Kelp Gull at Sandgates, Saint
Mary’s , still present at this writing (!), took a
brief leave of absence (or at least was not
reported) after 30 Apr, save one appearance
9 May (p.a., JK, ph., m.ob.). Those who have
been studying the birds in Louisiana are
skeptical of the species’ natural occurrence
even there. Numbers of Kelp Gulls have been
imported into the country (e.g., Sea World
in Houston), which could account for birds
on the Gulf Coast and the much loved
Maryland bird. This explanation is still
being researched and I urge comments from
anyone who has information about captive
Kelp Gulls in the United States. A late
Glaucous Gull was still at Hart 22-30 May
(EJS et al.). In a season particularly poor for
cold-water pelagic species, a first-winter
Black-legged Kittiwake was seen on the
C.B.B.T. 7 Apr (ph. JC). A Caspian Tern at
Hunting Cr., Alexandria, VA, was really
pushing it to arrive 23 Mar (DBr).

Skimmer I. in Ocean City hosted nice
terns, with three Roseates 7 May (p.a., MO et
al.), another 26 May (p.a., tMJI, AF), three
Sandwich 22 May, and another 25 May
(MJI). Surprising was the displacement of
multiple Arctic Terns into the Bay and even
the Potomac R. The first was at Violette’s
Lock, Montgomery, 17 May (p.a., ph. DC,
fPO), followed by a flyby at Hart 22 May
(p.a., fEJS, fJLS, et al.), and one (possibly
the same) roosting on the flats at Havre de
Grace about 15 mi n. the next day (p.a., EB).
Maryland’s only previous report away from
the coast was of two at Rocky Gap S.P. in w.
Maryland during bad weather 30 May 1992.
Bad weather was not associated with this
season’s birds, but a dry Nor’Easter 13-18
May was responsible for pushing significant
numbers of Sooty Shearwaters (and at least
one Arctic Tern) into the Delaware Bay off
Cape May, NJ. Perhaps the same happened
in the Chesapeake Bay, though no other pel¬
agic species were found (most would proba¬
bly be reluctant to stray past the Bay Bridge,
the area most thoroughly covered). Two
Least Terns at Tanyard 10 Apr (EE) bested
Maryland’s previous arrival date by 2 days.
Black Terns were barely detected this spring
with reports only from Craney (v.o.) and
inland Centennial L., Howard, 18 May (J.M.
Snyder). Black Skimmers are doing well in
the Middle Bay, with reports for Winter

Harbor, P.L.S.P. and N. Beach this May. An
outlier was at Hart 22 May (EJS et al.).

OWLS THROUGH VIREOS

A few Short-eared Owls continued, the last
10 Apr (EJS) from Hart. Chuck-will’s-
widow nests are rarely found, so one with
two eggs at Rigby’s Folly, Talbot, 9 May (ph.
GLA, ph. MJI, HTA) was notable and tied
the earliest egg date for Maryland. A Ruby-
throated Hummingbird 7 May was on an
early nest (GM, BC).

The Maryland Piedmont accounted for
three Olive-sided Flycatchers 12-23 May
(v.o.) and five Yellow-bellied Flycatchers
11-21 May (v.o.). Singing Alder Flycatchers
are always a treat in migration. Singles were
at Brown’s Bridge, Howard, 22 May (BO, JS),
Finksburg, Carroll, (RFR), Kenilworth
Aquatic Gardens, D.C. (OJ), and Occoquan
N.W.R., Prince William, VA, 23 May (MR),
and Colbourne Mill Rd., Worcester, where
especially rare in spring, 25 May (MJI). A
Willow Flycatcher on The Mall in down¬
town D.C. was an interesting find 21 May
(JF). A flyover W. Kingbird at Indian Creek
W.M.A. 15 May (JLS) was a first for Charles
and the earliest of only a handful of spring
records. Two Loggerhead Shrikes were at Sky
Meadows S.P. 20 Mar (S. Bruck) and one was
there 17 Apr ( fide JH). A singing and well-
seen Philadelphia Vireo at Turkey Pt., Cecil,
27 Apr missed the state arrival date by a day
(LF). A startling count of Blue-headed Vire-
os was 20 from Rock Cr. Park, D.C., 28 Apr
(GM, BC).

Northern Rough-winged Swallows at 2
Charles locations 20 Mar (GMJ) were not far
behind the record arrival of 16 Mar. A Cliff
Swallow at Honga, Dorchester, 8 May (HTA,
GLA, MJI) might have been a slightly un¬
usual Eastern Shore migrant, but was associ¬
ating with a colony of Barn Swallows nesting
under a large bridge. There are no Eastern
Shore nest records. In a poor Red-breasted
Nuthatch year the last report was 2 May (EL)
at a Salisbury, Wicomico, feeder. Three
Brown-headed Nuthatches at Kent Pt.,
Queen Anne’s, 7 Apr and 22 May (JR) were at
a new location and at their northernmost
outpost in the Region. Except for birds as far
north as Cape Henlopen, Delaware, there are
vagrant records in Maryland of birds in Kent
and Baltimore and one vagrant record for
New York. Two Brown Creepers in ideal
breeding habitat at Huntley Meadows 2 May
(GM, BC) could be breeders or late
migrants. Interestingly a Sedge Wren banded
9 Nov at E.S.V.N.W.R. remained in the same
area 21 Mar (JC, GLA). It likely breeds in the
beautiful marsh at Truitt’s Landing, with two

seemingly on territory 26 May (MJI, AF)
and at least one 29 May (NS, FS). It has been
confirmed breeding in the area but is gener¬
ally a rare nester in the Region. A Golden-
crowned Kinglet at Jennings Chapel Rd.,
Howard, 8 May was late (M. Wallace). Fort
Smallwood can see good flights of landbirds
as well as hawks, such as the 150 Blue-gray
Gnatcatchers 21 Apr (SR). Good numbers of
Hermit Thrushes were still present in early
May (v.o.), with the latest being 10-12 May
(M&G McClure) at Mt. Albert, Howard.
American Pipits made a rapid exit in mid- to
late April, with only a couple spilling over
into May (v.o.).

WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES

For the most part the migration was a trick¬
le that began and ended slowly. The better
migration days were 28 Apr, 5 May, 7 May,
and 15 May. The first date brought a good
set of warblers and other migrants to Rock
Cr. Park (GM, BC), including 20 Black-
throated Blues among 15 species of war¬
blers. On 5 May few birders were out, but
those that were witnessed a good flight,
especially in n. Maryland. Nashville Warb¬
lers were especially prevalent, with four at
Piney Run (MJI). The 3rd date was widely
reported as excellent from the Piedmont
(MO, PO, OJ, PP) to the Eastern Shore
( HTA, GLA ), but came a day too early. Many
more birders were out the following day
(which was poorer) on International Migra¬
tory Bird Day, though a count of 51 Black-
throated Blues from Rockburn Branch Park,
Howard (BO), was evidence that a lot of
birds were around. Almost no other high
counts of migrant warblers were mention-
able. A canoe trip down a 15 mi stretch of
the Pocomoke R., Worcester, 1 May (MJI,
JLS) not surprisingly probably earned
Maryland’s record Prothonotary Warbler
count, with a minimum of 190. Other good
counts from that trip were 70 Am. Redstarts
and 29 Yellow-throated Warblers. Two
Orange-crowned Warblers were spotted at
E.S.V.N.W.R. 17 Apr (JC) and another was
unusual singing on The Mall 2 May (DC).
An early Louisiana Waterthrush movement
had birds at Tanyard (EE) and Nassawango
Cr. (SHD) 23 Mar, and five at the latter site
24 Mar (SHD). An early Prairie Warbler was
at Manassas Battlefield 7 Apr (TMD).

Non-nesting migrant Dickcissels were
found 8 May at Annapolis, Anne Arundel
(HLW, LMD), Aberdeen Proving Grounds
(with 30 Bobolinks!; DW), and Jennings
Chapel Rd., Howard (MW). Four returning
breeders were back on Oland Rd. 16 May (R.
Wilson). Most surprising was the first

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

267

breeding record from Virginia’s Eastern
Shore, in a year when the species has not
been numerous in the East. Cameron dis¬
covered five territorial males at Custis
Tomb, Northampton, 26 May, which were
later confirmed breeding (see summer). An
ad. male Painted Bunting was reported at
E.S.V.N.W.R. 12 May {fide JC). Though reg¬
ular there in fall, a Lark Sparrow described
from Assateague 8 May (fj. Cleary) fur¬
nished an extremely unusual spring record.
Two Am. Tree Sparrows on Hart 3 Apr (EJS
et al.) were notably late. Observers have so
rarely made the effort in spring, that the
Ipswich Sparrow at Chine. 20 Mar (MG)
was one of the later reports for the Region.
When they typically arrive and depart is dif¬
ficult to discern. Maryland’s 7th Le Conte’s
Sparrow at E.A. Vaughn W.M.A. 2-4 May
(p.a., JLS, fMJI) was also only the 2nd
spring record (the other 4 Apr 1992 less
than 2 mi away). The bird was using a pond
strip with a narrow uncut edge of tall
Andropogon and scattered clumps of other
grasses and sedges, and was loosely associat¬
ing with Savannah Sparrows.

A strange fallout of Seaside Sparrows
occurred at P.L.S.P., with more than 50
(some out of appropriate habitat) 22 Apr
(PC). Only two Saltmarsh Sharp-taileds
were seen 22 Apr (PC) and one-two Nel¬
son’s were found 22-23 Apr (PC, SS) and 8
May (PC). We are still only beginning to
build a body of Sharp-tailed Sparrow sight¬
ings from the Bay, and the proportions of
the 2 species (and several subspecies), as well
as the timing of arrival and specifics of habi¬
tat preference, are yet to be well understood.
Early Lincoln’s Sparrows were at Cornfield
Harbor 8 Apr (PC) and P.R.N.A.S. 16 Apr
(KR), both in Saint Mary’s. Given the sur¬
prising number of summer reports, no
White-throated Sparrows were reported
after 15 May (v.ob.). The first well-docu¬
mented Gambel’s White-crowned Sparrow
for Maryland was banded in imm. plumage
at Chino Farms 5 Mar (p.a., ph. JG), but was

recaptured almost 2 months later 25 Apr
(ph. JG), this time in adult plumage!
Maryland has previous reports from
Frederick, Montgomery, and Worcester, and
though the last two were banded and the last
one was reportedly photographed, the
Chino bird is the only one for which there is
tangible evidence. It is to be looked for by
careful observers in the future.

An extremely early Orchard Oriole was
spotted at E.S.V.N.W.R. 6 Apr (JC). Boat-
tailed Grackles, declining in the Region for
quite some time, were in better-than-aver-
age numbers in Saint Mary’s. Two were at
Scotland 6 May (PC), three were at St.
Clemens I. and one near P.L.S.P. 8 May (BB,
MC), and three were at St. George’s I. 16
May (JLS, MHa). Two at Bay Hundred,
Talbot, 8 May (JR) were rare, too. Aside from
a few Purple Finches winter finches were as
absent as they were from this past winter
(and will be this coming summer!).

CORRIGENDA

In vol. 53, no. 1 of North American Birds,
please note that the White-winged Dove in
D.C. was found by Nannette Herrick,
whereas the King Eider on Poplar I. was
found by Norman Haddaway. The list of
observers failed to distinguish the two.
Please also list the P.L.S.P. Wood Stork as
(ph. PC, KR, +ph„ m.ob.) at it was Patty
Craig who initially refound it.

Observers (area compilers in boldface):

George L. Armistead, Henry T. Armistead,
John B. Bazuin, Tyler Bell, Jeff Blalock, Eirik
Blom, Bob Boxwell, David Bridge (DBr),
Nolan Britt, Danny Bystrak, Jamie Cam¬
eron, Wallace Coffey (Valley Birds internet
group), Barry Cooper, Ben Copeland (BCo),
Patty Craig ( Saint Mary’s, P.O. Box 84,
Lexington Park, MD 20653), Marty Cribb,
Dave Czaplak, Lynn M. Davidson, Phil
Davis, Todd M. Day, Allen Deward, Samuel
H. Dyke, Ethel Engle ( Caroline , MD, 20789
Dover Bridge Rd., Preston, MD 21655;

(ethelengle@yahoo.com), Andy Farnsworth,
Kevin Fehshkins, Leslie Fisher, Sam Frei¬
berg ( Montgomery , 8733 Susanna Lane,
Chevy Chase, MD 20815-4713), Chris
French, Mark Garland, Jim Gruber, Patricia
Gruber, Tom Gwynn, Matt Hafner (MHa),
Al Haury {Anne Arundel, 852 Redwood
Trail, Crownsville, MD 21032; cactuswren@
erols.com), Jane Hill (Voice of the Natura¬
list), Rob Hilton, Amy Hoffman, Mark
Hoffman, Eric Hynes, Ottavio Janni, George
M. Jett, Val Kitchens, Jane Kostenko, Ellen
Lawler, Bev Leeuwenberg, Larry Lynch, Gail
Mackiernan, Barb Meserve (BMe), Greg
Miller (GMi), Randy Moore, Brian Monk,
Michael O’Brien, Paul O’Brien, Bonnie Ott,
Paul Pisano, Elizabeth Pitney {Wicomico,
7218 Walston Switch Rd., Parsonsburg, MD
21849), Butch Pearce, Kyle Rambo, Jan
Reese, Sue Riccardi (Ft. Smallwood hawk-
watch), Robert F. Ringler, Charles Roe, Fran
Saunders, Norm Saunders (MDOsprey
internet group), Eugene Sankey, Eugene J.
Scarpulla, Harry Sear, Janet Shields {Frede¬
rick/Washington, 13105 Fountain Head Rd.,
Hagerstown, MD 21742; JANETBILL@
prodigy.net), Meg Short, David R. Smith, Jo
Solem {Howard, 10617 Graeloch Rd.,
Laurel, MD 20723), Sherman Suter, Mary
Ann Todd, Marcia Watson-Whitmyre, Dave
Webb, Audrey Whitlock, Hal L. Wierenga,
Les Willis (Virginia Birdline), Paul
Woodward.

Marshall J. Iliff: report to James L. Stasz,

P.O. Box 71, North Beach, MD 20714
(jlstasz@aol.com)

Place names that are frequently men¬
tioned, but very long, may be abbreviat¬
ed in a form such as “C.B.B.T.” or
“W.P.B.O.” Such local abbreviations will
be explained in a key at the beginning
of the particular regional report in
which they are used. Standard abbrevi¬
ations that are used throughout North
American Birds are keyed on page 251.

The ABA Volunteer Directory is published annually in cooperation with
the US Forest Service, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land
Management, and the support of the National Fish and Wildlife Foun¬
dation and other agencies and organizations offering short- and long¬
term opportunities for volunteers. No matter what level of birding skills
you enjoy, you will be able to find a project that needs your help while
offering you a splendid learning opportunity.

Available from ABA Sales for $2.00; call 800/634-7736 to order.

AE3A Directory o*f Volunteer
Opportunities -For Dirders

268

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

southern atlantic
region

RICKY DAVIS

eather this spring was quite variable.
March was cooler than normal, April
was warmer than normal, and May was cool
early and warm late! The main weather
event of the Region was the intense low
pressure system which developed off the
Carolina coast during the period 30 April to
2 May. Temperatures were in the 50s F, some
areas received four to five inches rain and
experienced 30-40 mph wind gusts. This
storm had a definite negative impact on sev¬
eral early nesting birds such as long-legged
waders. Swallows were severely affected,
with many reports of weak or dead Purple
Martins and Barn Swallows.

It was a slow spring season for rarities,
but several interesting events occurred,
including lingering Ross’s Geese in Georgia,
wandering Purple Gallinules, some rare
inland shorebirds, and increasing reports of
White-winged Doves.

Abbreviations: B.R.C. (Bird Records Commit¬
tee); C. Hatt. (Cape Hatteras, NC); E.L.H. (E. L.
Huie Land Application Facility, Clayton Co., GA);
H.B.S.P. (Huntington Beach State Park, SC); K.
Mt. (Kennesaw Mt. National Battlefield Park,
GA); S.S.S. (the Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co.,
50/W.M.A. (Wildlife Management Area);\N.J.P.
(Wastewater Treatment Plant).

LOOMS THROUGH WOOD STORK

Migrating loons over K. Mt. included two
very rare Red-throateds 12 Apr (GB et al.)
and 17 Commons 24 Mar (KD). A flock of
104 Commons at Sweetwater Creek S.P.,
GA, 31 Mar (fideTM) provided an impres¬

sive count for that location. Grebes left the
Region on time but the last Eared was found
at the Goldsboro, NC, W.T.P. 1 May (ED),
and a Horned was late at S.S.S. 7 May (SC).
The annual late May pelagic trips into
North Carolina waters produced the usual
species in average numbers. The rare Fea’s
Petrel was found out of Oregon Inlet 28 May
and one-two were off Hatteras 31 May (BP
et al.). The Patteson pelagic trips also had
success with the less rare Herald (Trinidade)
Petrel. Off Oregon Inlet, dark-morph birds
included one-two on 22 May and one 23
May; off Hatteras one intermediate was seen
29 May and one dark- and one light-morph
were found 31 May. The peak Black-capped
Petrel count was 289 off Hatteras 29 May,
and shearwater numbers were average to
below average for the spring (BP et al.). One
Manx Shearwater was found off Hatteras 31
May (BP et al.), for the only report. On 31
May Leach’s Storm-Petrels were in good
supply with 44 off Oregon Inlet (PG, HL et
al.) and 41 off Hatteras (BP et al.). The only
tropicbird was a White-tailed out of Oregon
Inlet 28 May (BP et al.). Elsewhere single
rare Black-capped Petrels were off Murrell’s
Inlet, SC, 23 May (JP) and off Savannah,
GA, 30 May (JF1, GB et al.).

The only Am. White Pelicans reported
were two near Oriental, NC, 8-9 Mar ( fide
SCa) and three over H.B.S.P. 17 Apr (JP,
GP). Anhingas were reported more than
usual inland with the best counts being up
to 12 along the Neuse R. near Smithfield,
NC, 3 May ( fide SCa), eight at Cottonade L.,
Cumberland , NC, 1 1 Apr (PC), and six along
the Neuse R., Wayne , NC, 7 May (ED).
Long-legged waders appeared inland in
above-average numbers with Snowy Egrets,
Little Blue Herons, Tricolored Herons, and
Cattle Egrets reported widely. Coastal
Reddish Egrets were at Ft. Fisher, NC, 3 Apr
(CE, GBr), a rarely-reported white-morph
at Litchfield Beach, SC, 9-11 May (B&BM,
JP et al.), and at C. Hatt. 29 May (RD) seen
flying in off the ocean! Quite rare inland
were a Black-crowned Night-Heron heard
over K. Mt. 24 Apr (BZ et al.), and two
Glossy Ibis at Little Ocmulgee S.P., GA, 2
May (JF1). Of interest was the discovery of a
new Wood Stork colony of 200-300 nests in

coast

the Emanual/ Jenkins , GA, area 5-6 Apr
(BHu).

WATERFOWL

THROUGH SANDHILL CRANE

Fulvous Whistling-Ducks included two
(perched in a tree!) near Loris, SC, 3 Apr
(L&ES) and one at S.S.S. 7-25 May (SC).
Greater White-fronted Geese from the win¬
ter season remained at several sites, with one
at Pee Dee N.W.R., NC, 5 Mar (JideTP) and
singles at E.L.H. 27 Mar (fide JH) and 1 May
(MB). Amazingly, and without precedent in
the Region, multiple Ross’s Geese from the
winter season lingered into spring. Four
near Pontiac, SC, remained into March (fide
TP). Two in Madison , GA, were present into
March with one lingering until late May
(fide JH), singles in Walker , GA, and
Houston , GA, left in early March (J8cMA),
and one found in Wheeler , GA, 16 May
(J&MA) rounded out an amazing number
of Georgia reports. The number of lingering
ducks seemed down this spring, but inter¬
esting sightings included a Lesser Scaup at
E.L.H. 22 May (JS), five Black Scoters at
Tybee I., GA, 29 May (CL, JS), and two
Long-tailed Ducks at Ft. Fisher, NC, 3 Apr
(CE, GBr). Also the now-regular Com.
Merganser at Jordan L., NC, was seen 9 May
(DS et al.).

Kites continued to make news in the
Region. A Swallow-tailed Kite nest was
located along the Pee Dee R., Horry, SC, 12
May (LG, JC), providing probably the
northernmost known nest of this species.
Mississippi Kites continued to increase in
numbers with some amazing counts being
recorded such as 100+ near Jackson, SC, 20
May (SW), 40 near Columbia, SC, 29 May
(DD, PB), and 30+ near Enfield, Halifax,
NC, 27 May (GH). Always noteworthy in
the Region, especially in spring, was a light-
morph Rough-legged Hawk found near the
Raleigh-Durham, NC, airport 5-17 Mar
(DC, JB, SCa). Another or the same bird was
found 7 mi away at Raleigh 17 Mar (SM)!
Quite inexplicable was the imm. Golden
Eagle circling over Avon, NC, 27 May ( fide
KW), providing an unprecedented late date
for a coastal locality.

In the wow department were the 10+

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

269

Black Rails heard at the usual Wanchese,
NC, marsh area 27 May (PG). Purple
Gallinules made news with many out-of-
place birds. Single adults were found in a
marsh in n. Henderson , NC, 14-17 May (ST
et al„ WF), dead on a road at Bodie I., NC,
14 May (KW), on the beach at Core Banks,
NC, 10 May {fide JF), at a golf course pond
at Caswell Beach, NC, 30 May (JPi, et al.)> at
the Arrowhead Fish Hatchery, Floyd , GA, 8
May {fide TM), at the Ocmulgee W.M.A.,
Bleckley, GA, 28 May (JF1), and two at Reed
Bingham S.P., Colquitt, GA, 2 May (JF1 et
al.). One wonders what caused so many to
be found outside of their normal areas.
Finally, noteworthy spring Sandhill Crane
reports included two at Sapelo I., GA, 15
May {fide DCo) and 12 in e. Carteret, NC,
1 1 & 19 May {fide JF, MH et al.).

PLOVERS THROUGH RAZORBILL

Rare in the Region in spring, Am. Golden-
Plovers included up to eight at Hooper
Lane, Henderson, NC, 21-27 Mar (WF et
al.), and singles at Woodlake, Moore, NC, 8
May (BG) and at S.S.S. 30 Mar (PS, SCa)
and 29 Apr (SCa). Rare inland shorebirds
included the Atlanta area’s first Piping
Plover at E.L.H. 15-16 Apr (BHa, CL), the
Atlanta area’s 2nd Am. Avocet at Sweetwater
Creek S.P. 9 May {fide TM), and three
Whimbrel in e. Franklin, NC, 19 May (RD),
only one of a couple of spring inland
records for that state. The Upland Sand¬
piper migration produced good numbers in
Georgia again with the best count being 29
near Dublin, Laurens, 10 Apr {fide TM).
The other 2 states had the usual sprinkling
of reports with the best count being eight at
the Orangeburg, SC, sod farm 17 Apr (TK).
Several sites in coastal Georgia continue to
be important staging areas for migrating
Whimbrels. Winn had 2000+ at St. Cathe¬
rine’s I. 15 May and 1480 at Gould’s Inlet 14
May. Are there other sites that hold large
numbers of Whimbrels of which we do not
know?

Other inland shorebird highlights
included 30+ Semipalmated Sandpipers at
Hooper Lane, NC, 6 May (WF et al.), nine
W. Sandpipers in Cumberland, NC, 18 Mar
(PC), 1 1 White-rumped Sandpipers in e.
Franklin, NC, 25 May (RD), three Dunlin at
Hooper Lane, NC, 6 May (WF et al.), and
seven Short-billed Dowitchers at Macon,
GA 27 Mar (TI, PJ). Three Purple Sand¬
pipers at H.B.S.P. were late there 12 May
(JP, PR) and one remained until 29 May
( fide JP) providing a record-late date for the
Region. Phalarope reports included one
Wilson’s at Jekyll I., GA, 21 May ( fide TM),

two Wilson’s at S.S.S. 25 May (SCa), and a
Red at C. Hatt. 27 Mar (BP) providing a
rare onshore sighting.

Only one S. Polar Skua was found this
spring, an individual off Hatteras, NC, 31
May (BP et al.). Numbers of jaegers off
North Carolina seemed down and the best
report was of a Parasitic onshore at Gould’s
Inlet, GA, 14 May (BW). The only Long-
taileds were two off Hatteras, NC, 31 May
(BP et al.). The most intriguing gull reports
included inland Laughings in all 3 states,
only one Little at C. Hatt. 13 Mar (MLy), 10
Bonaparte’s at S.S.S. 25 May (SCa), a
Glaucous at C. Hatt until 6 May (MLy), and
a Black-legged Kittiwake at Oregon Inlet,
NC, 22 May (J&PW). Arctic Terns offshore
were down somewhat with the best one-day
count being four off Hatteras, NC, 30 May
(PG, HL et al.). A Razorbill found dead on
the beach at Ft. Macon, NC, 6 Apr ( fide JF)
was somewhat surprising since few alcids
were in our waters during winter.

DOVES THROUGH THRUSHES

Eurasian Collared- Doves continue to in¬
crease, especially coastally. New inland
reports included one in Conover, NC, 21
Apr (D&LM) and one in Rome, GA, 22 May
(MBe). The number of reports of White¬
winged Dove continues to increase
throughout the Region. Two were on Sapelo
I., GA, 12 Mar {fide JH), one was at Elko,
Houston, GA, 26-28 May (JF1), one was at
Rodanthe, NC, 8 May (CE, GBr), one was at
Buxton, NC, 28 May ( fide TP), and a pair
was still present in the Beaufort, NC, area
throughout the period (SA, JF, v.o.). The
most out-of-place dove was the Com.
Ground-Dove found for one day at Falls
Lake, NC, 3 May (TH, fide WC), providing
only the 2nd local area sighting. Black¬
billed Cuckoo reports were down, but the
best count was of three at Jackson Park,
Hendersonville, NC, 19 May (WF et al.).
Whip-poor-wills have increased toward the
coast as breeders for years, but the 54 heard
along 15 mi of road in the Croatan N.F.,
NC, 4 May (JF) was incredible. The most
amazing report of the spring probably
involved the ad. male Black-chinned Hum¬
mingbird performing its aerial courtship
flight before a female of unknown species at
Merchants Millpond S.P., NC, 26 Apr (CW,
BC). The observers saw the purple and
black throat well in good light. The report,
pending acceptance by the NC B.R.C.,
would represent only the 2nd state record.

The always exciting Olive-sided Fly¬
catcher was found 3 times with singles on
Table Rock Mt„ SC, 4 May (SS), at Mason

Farm, Chapel Hill, NC, 9 May (HW), and at
Winston-Salem, NC, 24 May {fide RS).
Much rarer was the Yellow-bellied Flycatch¬
er heard calling at Mason Farm, NC, 16
May (HW), being easily the best Empidonax
report received as other species were under¬
reported. North Carolina Gray Kingbirds
totaled two with one at the Cedar I. ferry
terminal 29 May ( JF et al.) and one at the C.
Hatt. campground 20 May (KB et al.). Once
again Scissor-tailed Flycatchers were found,
with adults in Greenville, SC, 24 Apr (PWo)
and near Townville, SC, 4 May (RSm). A
Yellow-throated Vireo was early at K. Mt. 20
Mar (KD et al.), missing the earliest record
by 5 days. Away from the interior hills
Warbling Vireos are rare spring migrants.
This year excellent finds included one
singing in w. Orange, NC, 29 Apr (DS) and
one in Georgetown, SC, 8 May (JP, PR). The
even rarer Philadelphia Vireo was found
twice with singles at Mason Farm, NC, 2
May ( fide HW) and at Saluda Shoals S.P.,
SC, 9 May (RC, CEa). Thrush reports were
down across the board, and the number of
thrushes reported was also down. The most
interesting reports involved a locally rare
Veery at Darien, GA, 28 Apr (DCo) and
one-two Gray-cheeked Thrushes on
Roanoke I„ NC, 10-21 May (JL).

WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES

The warbler migration seemed rather poor
in the e. sections, but average to above-aver¬
age farther west. There were 2 reports of
Brewster’s Warblers with singles near
Chapel Hill, NC, 2 May (KF) and Reedy Cr.
Park, Mecklenburg, NC, 3 May (TP).
Reports of locally rare warblers included a
Tennessee near Laurinburg, NC, 9 May
(BG), a Nashville on Roanoke I., NC, 6 May
(JL), a Prothonotary on K. Mt., the park’s
first, 17-18 Apr (JS), a Wilson’s in the
Green Swamp, Brunswick, NC, 8 May
(GM), and a Canada on Roanoke I. 20 May
(JL). Some selected peak counts for K. Mt.
included four Nashvilles 24 Apr, 14
Blackburnians 8 May, and 10 Ceruleans 21
Apr {fide TM). A Nashville Warbler at
Myrtle Beach, SC, 19 Mar (P8cSTu) was
probably a wintering bird as was an early
Cape May at E.L.H. 31 Mar (CL). Of con¬
cern is the report that the Roanoke R„ NC,
population of Cerulean Warbler seems to
have experienced a drastic decline from the
1970s and 1980s. This spring Lynch had
only seven singing males in one area, with
other historical locations being devoid of
the birds. This situation bears close moni¬
toring the next several years. The always
exciting Connecticut Warbler was found

270

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

twice with singles at Jackson Park, NC, 8
May (WF et al.) and at K. Mt. 8-10 May ( JS,
KD). The equally exciting Mourning Warb¬
ler was found several times with a female at
Columbia, SC, 13 May (MN), two different
males at Jackson Park, NC, 14 & 17 May
(HN, WF et al.), and a male at Mason Farm,
NC, 21 May (HW).

Extremely rare in the Region in spring
were a Clay-colored Sparrow in Henderson ,
NC, 27 Apr (WF) and a Le Conte’s Sparrow
in n. Greene, GA, 24 Apr (PS). Also of note
was the Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow at
Charleston, SC, 31 May (WP), providing a
new late date for the species in that state.
Lincoln’s Sparrows were reported well with
the latest one being found in a Raleigh, NC
yard 9 May (H&GLa). The Harris’s Sparrow
found at the Chattahoochee Center, Ros¬
well, GA, during the winter was last seen 19
Mar (EK). Lapland Longspurs were report¬
ed twice, with one near Scotland Neck, NC,
13 Mar (RD) and four at Hooper Lane, NC,
21 Mar (MW, fide WF). Dickcissels contin¬
ue to be found scattered throughout the
Region. The best counts included three at
Hooper Lane, NC, 28-29 Apr (WF), three
near Townville, SC, 4-10 May (RSm,
J&DHu), and two at E.L.H. 2 May (JS). The
only Yellow-headed Blackbird reported was
an imm. male on Harbor I., SC, 8-9 May
(JHa). There were three Shiny Cowbird
sightings with singles at Fayetteville, NC, 8
May ( fide PC), Darien, GA, 21 May (fide
JH), and Harbor I., SC for one day in late
May (JHa). After many years of only a few
reports, is this invading species starting to
accelerate its push into the Region?

A pair of Red Crossbills found in the
Pinelog Mountain W.M.A., GA, 12 May
(KD et al.) caused quite a stir by remaining
in the area through the period (v.o.). Other
winter finches were scarce, as can be expect¬
ed during the spring following a non-inva¬
sion winter. Of note then was an Evening
Grosbeak found at the Chattahoochee R.
National Recreation Area, GA, 23-25 Apr
(EH).

Contributors: Jerry & Marie Amerson
(J8cMA), Susan Arrington, Giff Beaton,
Michael Bell (MBe), Michael Beohm, Keith
Blackmore, Jim Bloor, Gordon Brown
(GBr), Pam Burke, Steve Calver, Susan
Campbell (SCa), Derb Carter, Robin Carter,
John Cely, Doris Cohrs (DCo), Will Cook,
Ben Copeland, Phil Crutchfield, Kevin
Danchisen, Ricky Davis, Eric Dean, Doug
DeNeve, Caroline Eastman (CEa), Chris
Eley, Kent Fiala, Jim Flynn (JF1), Wayne
Forsythe, John Fussell, Barbara Gearhart,

Lex Glover, Paul Guris, Judy Halleron
(JHa), Bruce Hallett (BHa), Joel Hitt,
Malcolm Hodges, Earl Horn, Tom Howard,
Gene Howe, Jack & Dorothy Hudson
(J&DHu), Bob Humphries (BHu),Ty Ivey,
Paul Johnson, Tim Kalbach, Eugene Keferl,
Carol Lambert, Herman & Gail Lankford
(H&GLa), Harry LeGrand, Jeff Lewis,
Marcia Lyons (MLy), Merrill Lynch,
Dwayne & Lori Martin (D&LM), Greg
Massey, Bob & Barbara Maxwell (B&BM),
Steve McManus, Terry Moore, Harvey Neal,
Merle Nisly, Brian Patteson, Jack Peachey,
Gary Phillips, Taylor Piephoff, Jeff Pippen

(JPi), Will Post, Paul Rogers, Jeff Sewell,
Doug Shadwick, Lois & Ernest Snavely
(L&ES), Ramona Snavely, Roger Smith
(RSm), Scott Stegenga, Paul Sykes, Simon
Thompson, Phil & Sharon Turner (P&STu),
Steve Wagner, Anne Waters, Keith Watson,
Marilyn Westphal, Clark White, Brad Winn,
Haven Wiley, Pete Worthington (PWo),
John & Paula Wright (J&PW), Bob
Zaremba.

Ricky Davis, 608 Smallwood Drive, Rocky
Mount, NC 27804 (RJDNC@aol.com)

florida region

BILL PRANTY

ainfall in the Region was below average,
and temperatures were at or above nor¬
mal. A prolonged drought was avoided,
however, by extensive showers beginning in
late June. Frontal activity was minimal, and
few fallouts were reported in the Region;
exceptions were at Fort DeSoto County
Park 15 March and 16 April and Jackson¬
ville 1 May. A better-than-average number
of Caribbean species was reported in the
Region, including three Key West Quail-
Doves, at least one West Indian Short-eared
Owl, two La Sagra’s Flycatchers, one Baha¬
ma Mockingbird, six Stripe-headed Tana-
gers, and 38 Shiny Cowbirds. Other note¬
worthy rarities were the Red-footed Booby
at Dry Tortugas National Park, Ross’s
Goose at Crystal River, and Tropical/
Couch’s Kingbirds at St. George Island and
Talbot Island.

Abbreviations: D.T.N.P. (Dry Tortugas N.P,
Monroe Co.); E.N.P. (Everglades N.P., Miami-
Dade and Monroe cos.); F.D.C.P (Ft. DeSoto
County Park, Pinellas Co.); H.I.S.R.A. (Honey¬
moon I. S.R.A., Pinellas Co.); O.W.P (Orlando
Wetlands Park, Orange Co.); PPM. (Polk Co.
phosphate mines); P.P.S.P (Paynes Prairie State
Preserve, Alachua Co.); S.G.I. (St. George /.,
Franklin Co.); S.M.N.W.R. (St. Marks N.W.R.,
Wakulla Co.); S.R.A. (State Recreation Area);
S.R.S.T.F. (Springhill Rd. Sewage Treatment
Facility, Leon Co.); H.T.B. S.R.A. (Hugh Taylor
Birch S.R.A., Broward Co.); W.M.A. (Wildlife
Management Area).

LOOMS THROUGH WATERFOWL

A Red-throated Loon was far south at Brad¬
enton Beach 26 Apr (HKT et al.). St. George
I. hosted a Pacific Loon 10 Apr- 10 May
(D&SJ, JDo et al.) and an Eared Grebe 21
Mar (PC). A Sooty Shearwater was seen at
Canaveral Natl. Seashore 30 May (CPa,
CPi). Between D.T.N.P. and Key West were
80+ Audubon’s Shearwaters 4 May (DG,
WB et al.), and a Band-rumped Storm-
Petrel and an ad. Red-footed Booby 27 Apr
(PaL, SF et al.). At Hospital Key, D.T.N.P,
“several” Masked Booby chicks were seen in
April (PaL, SF et al.). Three-thousand Am.
White Pelicans were estimated at P.P.M. 13
Mar (PF et al.), and 437 were still there 30
May (PT, CG); six others were at L. Jackson,

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

271

Leon , 14 May (M&PM). Now routine in
Polk , Brown Pelicans were at Lakeland 16
Apr (TP) and Winter Haven (two birds) 25
Apr (BBr). Franklin hosted Magnificent
Frigatebirds at S.Gd. 29 Apr (FR) and 9
May (JDo), and at Bald Pt. 21 May (JDo).

Up to two Am. Bitterns at O.W.P.
through the season (CPi et al.) were late,
summering, or possibly breeding. Great
White Herons were found at H.I.S.R.A. 19
Mar-25 Apr (A&BH et al.) and the Sun¬
shine Skyway bridge 20 May (LA). Becom¬
ing regular in the e. Panhandle, six Reddish
Egrets were at S.M.N.W.R. 19 Mar (KM),
and seven were there 1 Apr (BBe, BDe). Two
ad. Black-crowned Night-Herons were rare
at D.T.N.P. 25-29 Apr (PaL, SF et al.),
whereas seven Yellow-crowns were unusual
at Emeralda Marsh, Lake , 24 Apr-22 May
( fide JM). Fifty-plus Roseate Spoonbills at
Shiloh Marsh, Brevard and Volusia , 5 Mar
(NS et al) probably included local breeders,
but 17 at P.P.M. 8 May (PT) and 40+ birds
at Myakka River S.P. 23 May (KR et al.)
were inland dispersers. A Woolly-necked
Stork, apparently escaped from Miami Met¬
ro Zoo in August 1992, was photographed
over E.N.P. 4 Apr (HDDe). Likewise, a
Greater Flamingo near the Sunshine
Skyway bridge 25 Apr was probably the bird
that escaped from a Sarasota exhibit a few
years ago (LA).

At P.P.S.P. there were three Fulvous
Whistling-Ducks 8-23 May (RR, JW, AK)
and up to 12 Black-bellied Whistling- Ducks
beginning 6 Mar (HA, AK). Other Black-
bellieds were at Pembroke Pines, Broward , 8
May (GB, BPr, HL) and 30 May (JDi, WGe),
up to 20 at Bartow through the season (PF),
and five at Emeralda Marsh 22 May (fide
JM). The Ross’s Goose discovered at Crystal
R. 12 Mar spent the season hanging out with
feral Mallards (BS et al., HBPr, KT), while
three Canada Geese of unknown origin
were at P.P.M. 30 May (PT, CG). Three Am.
Black Ducks in Pasco 11 Mar (SP, BPr) were
unusually south. Lingering ducks at Zell-
wood were a N. Shoveler and an Am.

Wigeon 18 May, two Lesser Scaup 29 May,
and a molting female Ruddy through the
season (HR). In Polk a male Eur. Wigeon
remained to 21 Mar (A&TM, B&DL) and
3090 Ruddies were estimated 19 Mar (PF,
SR). Other noteworthy ducks were two
Ring-necks at L. Okeechobee 30 May
(D&HH), Long-tailed Ducks at L. Tohopek-
aliga, Osceola , 3 Apr ( JeF) and Cedar Key 27
Apr (DHe), and a Black Scoter at Jack¬
sonville to 21 May (RC et al.).

RAPTORS THROUGH SKIMMER

A White-tailed Kite was at E.N.P. 2 May
(JoB), but the big news was the nest at
Three Lakes W.M.A., Osceola , that fledged
five young in April (TD), providing the first
nest in c. Florida to fledge young. At
Zellwood, three N. Harriers 18 May were
late, as was a Sharp-shinned Hawk to 31
May, but the Broad-winged Hawk 16 Mar
(HR) must have been an early migrant. Six
Short-tailed Hawks were reported in the c.
peninsula (v.o.), but one at Key West 6 May
(JO) was a surprise. Late falcons were a
Merlin at Zellwood 18 May (HR), and
Peregrines in Pasco in late May (DoW) and
at P.P.M. 28 May (ND). A Golden Pheasant
at Hudson, Pasco , 24 May (RG) was about
the 181st exotic bird species reported in
Florida. Also at Zellwood 18 May were two
Soras (HR). Manfredi estimated 4-5 pairs
of Black Rails inland at Holey Land
W.M.A., Palm Beach , where breeding was
discovered last year. Eighteen Purple
Gallinules were counted at O.W.P. 9 May
(CPi), and 10,000 Am. Coots were estimat¬
ed at P.P.M. 1 Mar (PF et al.).

Notable shorebirds at P.P.M. were 102
Semipalmated Plovers 8 May, 620 Black¬
necked Stilts 30 May, 340 Am. Avocets 4
Apr, 1300 Lesser Yellowlegs 25 Apr, 7900
Semipalmated Sandpipers 8 May, 4200
Least Sandpipers 19 Mar, 31 White-rumped
Sandpipers 8 May, 750 Stilt Sandpipers 20
May, and 3000 Short-billed Dowitchers 19
Mar (CG, PT, PF). At Zellwood, Robinson
had 56 Black-bellied Plovers 7 May, 22

Semipalmated Plovers 4 May, a Whimbrel
and Sanderling 1 May, a Red Knot 25 May,
a Baird’s Sandpiper and a Buff-breasted
Sandpiper 7 May, and a female Ruff 25-31
May. Surprisingly, four other Baird’s
Sandpipers were reported (v.o.), and a male
Ruff in breeding plumage was at Myakka
River S.P. 4 May (C&PL). A Solitary
Sandpiper at Tallahassee 28 May (GM, JiC)
was late. Pasco’s first Whimbrel was at
Green Key Park 10 Mar (KT), five Dunlins
were at Gainesville 18-19 Mar (ML), and 13
Purple Sandpipers were still present at Ft.
Clinch, Nassau, 23 Mar (JR). Wilson’s
Phalaropes were at S.M.N.W.R. 30 Mar-1
Apr (AU, BBe, BDe) and 16 May (JDo), and
P.P.M. 8 May (PT). Three Red-necked
Phalaropes were offshore of Key West 27
Apr (PaL, SF et al.).

Two Parasitic Jaegers were in s. Pinellas
18-20 Mar (JeB, LA, RSm, AS), and anoth¬
er was in nearby Manatee 23 Mar (LA). An
imm. Parasitic was at Ft. Clinch 23 Mar
(JR), and a rare Long-tailed Jaeger was off¬
shore of Ft. Lauderdale 24 May ( fide
WGe*). A Bonaparte’s Gull at L. Jackson 8
May (GM, KWe) was late, and an imm.
Lesser Black-backed Gull was inland at
Zellwood 20 Apr (HR). An ad. Lesser Black-
back at Lower Matecumbe Key 15 Mar
(MB) was a good find for the Keys,
although reports continue to increase
Regionwide. Gull-billed Terns were at
Cedar Key 2 Mar (MG, TR) and 21 Mar
(DHe), up to four were at Zellwood 14
Apr-1 May (HR), and birds nesting at
P.P.M. fledged 12 young by 30 May (CG,
PT). Inland counts of Caspian Terns were
154 at Zellwood 20 Apr (HR), and 68 at
P.P.M. 1 Mar (PF et ah). A Com. Tern was
inland at S.R.S.T.F. 10 Apr (JE, GM) and
one at H.I.S.R.A. 26 May was late (JuF, KN).
For the first time in many years no Black
Noddies were found at D.T.N.P. (v.o.). An
ad. Black Skimmer with two juveniles at
Key West 20 May (JO) would represent the
first Keys breeding record if the birds were
reared locally.

DOVES THROUGH MIMIDS

White-crowned Pigeons at the n. limits of
their range were at Fakahatchee Strand,
Collier, 7 Mar (J&LD), N. Hutchinson I., St.
Lucie, 14 Mar (JaB), and H.T.B.S.R.A. 19
May ( JiH ) . Intriguing was 1 5 White- winged
Doves at Key West 11 Apr (JO). At Zell¬
wood, Robinson counted 1405 Mourning
Doves 29 May and 52 Com. Ground-Doves
31 May. Key West Quail-Doves were found
at H.T.B.S.R.A. 12 Apr-26 May (WGe et al.)
and Cape Florida S.R.A., MiamiBDade,

€ A Since 1993, biologists with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida
v Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have been releasing captive-bred
Whooping Cranes in c. Florida in hopes of establishing a non- migratory, breeding pop¬
ulation. Whooping Cranes occurred in Florida historically, but it is not known whether
the birds comprised a breeding population or were only winter visitors. As of early July
1999, 178 cranes have been released and 73 currently are alive. In the past few years pairs
have built nests in Florida, but none was known to produce eggs. Six or seven pairs of
cranes exhibited nesting activity this year, and pairs produced eggs in April at undis¬
closed sites in Brevard and Pasco. These eggs are the first laid in the wild in the United
States since 1894. Unfortunately, one of the nests was depredated and the other was
destroyed by flooding (all information provided by SN).

272

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

florida

This adult male Stripe-headed Tanager at Coquina Baywalk Park, Florida, 26 April 1999
represented the first verified record for the Gulf Coast. Photograph/Bill Pranty

-

beginning 19 Apr (MA, DWr et al. ), with an
unverified report ( fide D&HH) 2 May at
Long Key S.R.A., Monroe , an area with
excellent quail-dove habitat.

Black-billed Cuckoos were spotted at
S.M.N.W.R. 2 May (LS, DoW), D.T.N.P. 3
May (DG et al.), and Zellwood 10 May
(HR), and 200+ Yellow-billed Cuckoos
were at D.T.N.R 2-3 May (DG, WB et al.).
Two Mangrove Cuckoos were observed at
Punta Gorda, Charlotte , beginning 1 May
(JeB), three were at Weedon I., Pinellas ,
beginning 8 May (RSm, PB, BrH), and five
were at “Ding” Darling N.W.R., Lee, 9 May
(CE et al.). One or two W. Indian Short¬
eared Owls were at D.T.N.P. 20 Apr-10 May
(PaL, SF, WB et al.). A Lesser Nighthawk
was spotted at Apalachicola, Franklin, 15
Apr (IDo), and nine Antillean Nighthawks
were over Marathon Airport, Monroe, 16
May (R&TR). Western hummingbirds in
the Region were a Buff-bellied at Tallahas¬
see 29 Apr-2 May (BPa, HHHo), a Black-
chinned at Gainesville to 21 Mar (DB), and
a Selasphorus at Cedar Key to 16 Mar
(DHe). An ad. Red-headed Woodpecker at
H.T.B.S.R.A. was extremely rare in Broward
29 May (WGe). A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
at Miami 4 May (JoB) was late.

An E. Wood-Pewee at Alligator Pt. 27
Mar (JDo) was early and one at H.l.S.R.A.
26 May (RP et al.) was late. Least Flycatch¬
ers were in Alachua 11 Apr (RR) and 2 May
(AK). A Brown-crested Flycatcher was at
E.N.P 11 Apr (JoB). Goodwin found a La
Sagra’s Flycatcher at Islamorada 1 May
that was seen again 5 May (PB). A 2nd was
photographed at Key West 3 May (HKSc)
but not identified until many weeks later
(fide SF). Tropical/Couch’s Kingbirds,
becoming routine in the Region (!), were at
S.G.I. 8 May (JiC, JL) and Talbot I. S.P,
Duval, 26 May (RC). Robinson counted 21
W. Kingbirds at Zellwood 14 Apr and saw
Gray Kingbirds there 6 Apr and 22 May.
Another W. Kingbird was somewhat late at
P.P.S.P. 8 May (JW, RR), and one at
Zellwood remained to 16 May (CPi). The
latest Scissor-tailed Flycatcher reported was
at L. Istokpoga 27 Apr (MMc). Atherton
counted 151 White-eyed and 11 Yellow-
throated vireos at F.D.C.P 15 Mar, and
found a Bell’s Vireo at Bradenton Beach 21
Apr. A Philadelphia Vireo was at Largo,
Pinellas, 22 Apr ( JuF), and a rather early
Red-eyed was at Bald Pt. 13 Mar (JDo). On
17 Apr Fellers had the only Black-whiskered
Vireo at F.D.C.P. this year, where they were
common until the mid-1980s.

Following ancestral practices, dozens of
Purple Martins were nesting in palm cavi¬

ties at O.W.P. 9 May (CPi). Fellers estimat¬
ed 50,000 Tree Swallows at PPM. 1 Mar,
and Robinson had 21 Bank Swallows at
Zellwood 1 May. Fort DeSoto hosted Cave
Swallows 25 Mar and 12 Apr; the former
was assigned to the W. Indian race (LA). A
Barn Swallow at H.l.S.R.A. 12 Mar (PB,
WY), and five birds at S.R.S.T.F. 15 Mar
(GM et al.) were early; 2200 at Zellwood 17
Apr (HR) may be the Region’s highest ever
spring count.

A House Wren at San Felasco Ham¬
mock, Alachua, 8 May (JoH) was rather
late, as was a Sedge Wren at Shell Key, Pinel¬
las, 18 May (PB, RP). Thirty-one lingering
Marsh Wrens were singing at PPM. 4 Apr
(PT, CG). Extremely rare in Broward, an E.
Bluebird at H.T.B.S.R.A. 1 1 May was
thought to have arrived from the Bahamas
(WGe). A Wood Thrush that wintered at
Melbourne Village, Brevard, remained to 26
Mar (B&SH), and another at Alligator Pt.
28 Mar (JDo) was somewhat early. In con¬
trast, the Am. Robin at Kendall, Mianii-
Dade, 26 May (LM) was quite late. Rare at
D.T.N.P. was a N. Mockingbird 25 Apr (PaL,
SF et al.), whereas a Bahama Mockingbird
was a one-day treat at H.T.B.S.R.A. 10 May
(BLe, WGe). Cedar Waxwing counts at
Zellwood were 615 on 6 Apr, 1000+ on 2
May, and 570 on 4 May (HR, CPi, CPa).

WOOD-WARBLERS
THROUGH FINCHES

Warblers at F.D.C.P. during the 15-16 Mar
fallout included 52 N. Parulas, 16 Black-
and-white, one Prothonotary, and 37
Hooded warblers, and five Louisiana
Waterthrushes (LA et al.). Highlights of a
2nd fallout 16 Apr were three Blue-winged,
three Golden-winged, three Cerulean, one
Swainson’s, five Kentucky, and one Wilson’s
(LA, CB1, PB et al.). A “major wave” of war¬
blers at Jacksonville 1 May included 84
Black-throated Blues, 47 Yellow-rumps, 76
Am. Redstarts, and 107 Ovenbirds (RC).
Seven other Blue-wings were reported
Regionwide, all between 15-19 Apr (v.o.),
and a Brewster’s Warbler graced D.T.N.P. 24
Apr (PaL, SF et al.). Rare Nashville Warblers
were at Zellwood to 18 Mar (HR), in Polk
25 Mar (EK), at Gainesville 31 Mar (DaW),
and S.M.N.W.R. 10 Apr (B&SD). A partial¬
ly leucistic Yellow-rumped Warbler was
noted at P.P.S.P. 3 Mar (BMu et al.). Two
other Yellow-rumps in Leon 8 May (PC)
and a W. Palm Warbler at H.l.S.R.A. 26 May
(JuF, KN) were late. Eleven or twelve other
Cerulean Warblers were reported (v.o.),
including six at S.G.I. 17 Apr (DJ, JiC) and
one at Zellwood on the late date of 10 May
(HR). Over 300 Blackpoll Warblers were
observed, and “1000s” were estimated, at
Cape Florida 1 May (JoB et al.). Wintering

VOLUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 3

273

Am. Redstarts departed Gainesville 1 1 Apr
(MMa) and Melbourne Village 3 May
(B&SH). Eight Swainson’s Warblers were
reported Regionwide (v.o.), including the
bird at F.D.C.R listed above, and birds at
H.T.B.S.R.A. 1 May and 12 May (two) (MSt
et al. ). A N. Waterthrush at Zellwood to 18
May (HR) was late. Thirteen Connecticut
Warblers were reported from S.G.I. to Ft.
Lauderdale (v.o.), including up to five at
Turkey Cr. Sanctuary, Brevard , 26 Apr- 14
May (B&SH), and three at Ft. Lauderdale 14
May (LM). A Hooded Warbler at Seminole
14 Mar (JuF) was quite early, and a male
singing at Chassahowitzka W.M.A., Her¬
nando, beginning 17 May (KWo et al.) was
s. of its known breeding range. A Wilson’s
Warbler was found at RRS.R 3 Mar (BZ).
Rounding out the wood-warblers were
Yellow-breasted Chats at Cape Canaveral 19
Mar (DN), Zellwood 17 Apr (HR), three
singing at Crystal R. Preserve 6 May
(A&BH), and five at Cedar Key Scrub
Reserve 1-5 May (BMu, ML, DB).

A Summer Tanager at F.D.C.R 16 Mar
(LA) was early, and W. Tanagers were at
Inverness, Citrus, 17-18 Mar (E&MS),
Lakes Park, Ft. Myers, to 1 Apr (NP et al.),
and S.G.I. 15 Apr (MC et al.). Six Stripe¬
headed Tanagers were found, including the
first for the Gulf coast at Coquina Baywalk
Park, Manatee, 20 Apr-10 May (PS, BMi,
AR, HBPr). Two other males were at Grassy
Key, Monroe, 16 May (R&TR), and two
males and a female were at Greynolds Park,
Miami, 8-9 May (DDi, WGi et al.). Notable
sparrows at Zellwood were a Clay-colored
23 Apr, Lark 7 Mar, Grasshopper 31 May,
two Lincoln’s 7 Mar, and three White-
crowneds 4 May (HR, CPi). Three Clay-col¬
ored Sparrows were in Brevard 8 Mar (DSt,
DN et al.), and one was at Talbot I. S.P. 28
Mar (RC). Lark Sparrows were at Sarasota
to 6 Apr ( JaC) and D.T.N.P. 17-21 & 29 Apr
(RW, PaL, SF et al.), and a Lincoln’s
Sparrow was still present at D.T.N.P. 10 May
(WB, GB, BPr et al.). A Swamp Sparrow at
Weekiwachee Preserve, Hernando, 15 May
(A&BH) tied the Region’s latest spring date.

A Rose-breasted Grosbeak at Gainesville
11-26 Mar (LF) possibly wintered locally.
The now vacant farm fields at Zellwood
supplied good breeding habitat for Blue
Grosbeaks, Indigo Buntings, and possibly
Painted Buntings; nine of the last species
were there 7 Mar (CPi, CPa), with three
first-year males in song beginning 18 May
(HR). But the big surprise at Zellwood was
the singing Dickcissels for much of spring,
and the pair seen 31 May (HR). Tune in to
the summer report to learn what became of

these birds. Another Indigo Bunting at Bald
Pt. 24 Mar (JDo) was early, while F.D.C.R
had 50 Indigos 16 Apr (LA et al.) and 100
on 22 Apr (MW et al.). Among numerous
Painted Bunting reports were four at
H.I.S.R.A. 25 Apr (D&RS). Seventy-five
Bobolinks at F.D.C.R 23 Apr (LA et al.) was
a good coastal count, but much larger num¬
bers were found inland, as is typical. The
best counts were 3120 at Zellwood 1 May
(HR), 2000 e. of Sarasota 4 May (JaC, EM),
445 at P.P.M. 8 May (PT), and 400 at
Emeralda Marsh 24 Apr ( fide JM).

Three of the Yellow-headed Blackbirds
that wintered at Zellwood were seen 19
Mar, and two remained to 1 Apr (HR).
Rusty Blackbirds were at Tallahassee 26 Mar
(DHa), in Hamilton (four) 30 Mar (KK),
and at Gainesville (eight) to 6 Apr (RR,
AP). Shiny Cowbirds were at Key West (14)
beginning 14 Mar (IO), D.T.N.P. (seven)
27-29 Apr (PaL, SF et al.), and Flamingo
(10) 22 May (JoB). Shinys in n. Florida were
at S.G.I. 21 Mar (PC), Bald Pt. (two) 29 Apr
(JDo), and Jacksonville 13-30 May (RC).
Five Bronzed Cowbirds remained at
Lakeland to 28 Mar ( fide D&HH). Up to
three Brown-headed Cowbirds at Key West
12 Apr-14 May (JO) signaled that their col¬
onization of the state is now complete. A
singing first-year male Orchard Oriole was
at Zellwood beginning 25 May (HR). House
Finches continue to expand their range s.,
as evidenced by the pair at Sarasota begin¬
ning 9 Mar (BF), and the pair that nested
unsuccessfully at Lakeland beginning 10
May (BiH v.t.).

CORRIGENDUM

The Atlantic Puffin from Jacksonville was
photographed in captivity 9 Oct, but the
bird was picked up 1 Oct as stated in the
report (North American Birds 53:47-48).

Contributors cited: Howard Adams, Mary
Ahearn, Lyn Atherton, Gian Basili, Dave
Beatty, Brad Bergstrom (BBe), Wes Biggs,
Clay Black (CB1), Paul Blair, Jeff Bouton
(JeB), John Boyd (JoB), Mike Boyd, Byron
Bratlie (BBr), Jane Brooks (JaB), Charlie
Buhrman (CBu), Janet Carlock (JaC), Jim
Cavanagh (JiC), Roger Clark, Mitch Coker,
Paul Conover, Tylan Dean, Doug DeNeve
(DDe), Betty Derrick (BDe), Joe
DiPasquale ( JDi), Dick Dillman (DDi), Bob
and Sandy Donner (B&SD), John and
Linda Douglas (J&LD), Nancy Douglass,
Jack Dozier (JDo), John Erickson, Charlie
Ewell, Paul Fellers, Shawneen Finnegan,
Judy Fisher (JuF), Jerry Fishman (JeF),
Linda Fitzgerald, Bonnie Frey, Murray

Gardler, Chuck Geanangel, Wally George
(WGe), Wil Gilbert (WGi), Dave Goodwin,
Rita Grant, Bill Haddad (BiH), Al and Bev
Hansen (A&BH), David Harder (DHa),
Dale Henderson (DHe), Jim Higgins (JiH),
Bill and Shirley Hills (B&SH), John
Hintermister (JoH), Brett Hoffman (BrH),
Harry Hooper (HHo), Dotty and Hank
Hull (D&HH), Dean and Sally Jue (D&SJ),
Katrina Knight, Ed Kwater, Andy Kratter,
Bill and Delores Lamoureux (B&DL), Mary
Landsman, Jay LaVia, Beverly LeRoy (BLe),
Paul Lehman (PaL), Carol and Peter Leigh
(C&PL), Holly Lovell, Keith MacVicar,
Mike Manetz (MMa), Larry Manfredi, Joy
Marburger, Anya and Tom Mason
(A&TM), Mike McMillian (MMc), Gail
Menk, Mike and Pat Meredith (M&PM),
Beth Miles (BMi), Edith Miller, Barbara
Muschlitz (BMu), Kris Nelson, Steve
Nesbitt, Dick Novier, Joe Ondrejko, Carol
Paine (CPa), Tom Palmer, Bob Patterson
(BPa), Rich Paul, Steve Peacock, Neil Pettis,
Cheri Pierce, Bill Pranty (BPr), Andy
Prather, Arnold Rawson, Sue Riffe, Harry
Robinson, Karen Rodemaker, Ron and
Tommie Rogers (R&TR), Josh Rose, Rex
Rowan, Fran Rutkovsky, Kevin Sarsfield
(KSa), Lilian Saul, Kees Scharringa (KSc),
Dave and Roberta Seals (D&RS), Nedra
Sekera, Peggy Shanler-Houston (PS),
Austin Smith, Effie and Mike Smith
(E&MS), Ron Smith (RSm), Monte Stickell
(MSt), Brad Stith, Doug Stuckey (DSt), Pete
Timmer, Ken Tracey, Andy Uterhart, David
Wahl (DaW), Doug Wassmer (DoW), Ray
Webb, Jim Weimer, Karen Wensing (KWe),
Margie Wilkinson, Kristin Wood (KWo),
David Wright (DWr), Wilfred Yusek, and
Bob Zaremba. Best of luck to Holly Lovell.

Bill Pranty, 8515 Village Mill Row, Bayonet
Point, Florida 34667-2662 (billpranty@hot-
mail.com)

Place names that are frequently men¬
tioned, but very long, may be abbreviat¬
ed in a form such as “C.B.B.T.” or
“W.P.B.O.” Such local abbreviations will
be explained in a key at the beginning
of the particular regional report in
which they are used. Standard abbrevi¬
ations that are used throughout North
American Birds are keyed on page 251.

274

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

Ontario region

THEO HOFMANN

mild winter followed by late snowfalls
in March delayed some migrants. A
mild and dry spring with southerly airflows
resulted in many shorebirds and landbirds
flying over with minimal landfalls, making
migration rather uneventful for birders.
Nevertheless many diverse and exciting
sightings were made, though “Southern
overshoots” were found in rather low num¬
bers.

There were a few outstanding rarities,
namely Ferruginous Hawk, two Fish Crows,
Black-throated Gray and MacGillivray’s
warblers, and Spotted Towhee. All these
rarities and the others mentioned below are
subject to the approval of the Ontario Bird
Records Committee (O.B.R.C.).

Abbreviations: C.A. (Conservation Area);
L.P.B.O. (Long Pt. Bird Observatory, Norfolk);
N.P.H. (Niagara Pen. Hawkwatch); P.E.Pt. (Prince
Edward Pt., Prince Edward); Pelee (Pt. Pelee
Nat'l. Park and vicinity); l.C.B.O. (Thunder Cape
Bird Observatory, Thunder Bay). Algonquin,
Presqu'ile and Rondeau are Provincial Parks.
Place names in italics refer to counties, districts,
or regional municipalities.

LOOMS THROUGH IBISES

Red-throated Loons were reported in sig¬
nificant numbers from Presqu’ile where 12
were observed 26 Apr and another two 5
May (CEG), and from Cranberry Marsh,
Durham , where a late flock of 48 flew over
31 May (BH). As many as 174 Com. Loons
were seen migrating over Woodland Ceme¬
tery, Hamilton, Hamilton-Wentworth, 3

Apr (JO et al.). One individual 7 Apr was
early in Algonquin (RT). Single, early Pied¬
billed Grebes were reported from the
Sudbury and Manitoulin districts 6 Mar at
Whitefish Falls (CBe), and 18 Mar (SH) and
27 Mar on Manitoulin 1. (TL). Notable
counts of Horned Grebes were >70 off
Vineland, Niagara , 20 Mar (MM), 300 off
Burlington, Halton , 17 Apr (KAM), and 50
at P.E.Pt. 25 Apr (K.F.N.). Red-necked
Grebes arrived earlier in Cobourg than in
the previous 8 years; high counts of 30 were
tallied 29 Mar and 1 Apr (CEG). Repeated
attempts by 2 pairs to nest again in the
Bronte Harbour Marina, Halton , were
unsuccessful, at least by 31 May (RD). A
vagrant W. Grebe in Rainy R. 28 May (DE et
al.) was well studied on an Ontario Field
Ornithologists tour. Single Eared Grebes
were reported from 2 places: an early one
was at Beach Four in Presqu’ile 28 Mar (JSp
et ah), and another was at the tip of Pelee 4
May (AW et al.).

An Am. White Pelican in late May at
Rice L., Peterborough (DCS), was only the
2nd for the area. A Double-crested Cor¬
morant 9 Apr was early for Mission Marsh,
Thunder Bay (BM). A Great Cormorant, a
rare straggler in the Region, was seen 25
Apr at P.E.Pt. (K.F.N.). Great Egrets in
Kingston 21 Apr (EB) and at P.E.Pt. 26 Apr
(RBS) were unusually far east. Several
Snowy Egrets turned up in May, including
one flying over Burketon Station, Durham ,
3 May (KC) and seen later at the nearby
Nonquon Sewage Lagoon (GS, GC), one at
Presqu’ile 27 May (FH et al.), and one in
breeding plumage near L. Nipissing, Parry
Sound, 27 May-6 Jun, a first for that area
( fide Ontbirds). Reports of two Snowy
Egrets also came from Bluffer’s Park,
Toronto , where they were seen 28 & 29 Mar
(CSAM, Star Hotline). Lone Tricolored
Herons were on St. Mary’s R., Algoma , 18
May {fide Ontbirds) and at Presqu’ile 30-31
May (FH et al.). Two Cattle Egrets were
observed, one at Strabane, Hamilton-
Wentworth, 22 May (BWy) and another at
Nephton, Peterborough, the following day
(AA). A first-spring Yellow-crowned Night-
Heron was at Rondeau 13-24 May (BAM,
GC et al.) and another was at Britannia,
Ottawa-Carleton, 25 May {fide Ontbirds).
The only Glossy Ibis of the season was at
Corbett Cr„ Durham, 4 May (WB).

VULTURES, WATERFOWL

An unusual number of Black Vultures
included a first at the Ganaraska Forest
Centre, Durham, 25 Apr (RP), with pre¬
sumably the same bird at Wesleyville,
Northumberland, 2 May (MB), and another
28-29 Apr at Sturgeon Cr., Pelee (AW, HTO
et al.). One was seen at Duart {fide KJB) and
Palmyra near Rondeau 15 May (BAM), and
two were at L.P.B.O. 20-21 May (BJ, JO).
Turkey Vultures arrived early in the
Sudbury area with one at Espanola 21 Mar
(LS), and two on Manitoulin I., Manitoulin,
24 Mar (GG). A Greater White-fronted
Goose lingered near Millbrook, Peter¬
borough, 8-16 Apr (JB, AA). A flock of 50
white-morph Snow Geese over York Rd.,
Dundas, Hamilton-Wentworth, 21 Mar pro¬
vided a high count for the area (JH). A late
single Snow Goose was in the Blenheim
Lagoons, Kent, 21-28 May (DS et al.). A
white-morph Ross’s Goose originally found
in February was refound at Jack Darling
Park, Peel 10-14 Mar (DR, RZD et al., BCh
et al.). The arrival of 30 Brant 2 May in Co¬
bourg, Northumberland, was early (CEG).
In the Peterborough area three Canada
Geese of the hutchinsii subspecies were
observed 3 Apr (PB). In late May a pair of
Canada Geese with 4 goslings was found on
Clarke L. (v.o.), representing only the 2nd
confirmed breeding in Algonquin. An
exceptionally large flock of 1500 Tundra
Swans flew over Mud L., Ingersoll, Oxford,
27 Mar (DB).

A Wood Duck in Algonquin 27 Mar was
the 2nd earliest recorded (KC, LP). A male
Eur. Wigeon 2-7 Apr (BR et al.) provided
good views to many birders at Presqu’ile. A
rare male hybrid of N. Shoveler x Blue¬
winged Teal 28 Mar was a first for Pelee
(AW). On 19 Apr a Green-winged Teal of
the crecca subspecies was identified at Port
Weller, Niagara (MS, AB). Several King
Eiders stayed for long periods of March in
L. Ontario’s west end (RZD et al.). A male
Harlequin Duck was at Ashbridges Bay,
Toronto, until mid-March (JI, m.ob.), a pair
was at Petticoat Cr., Durham, 17-30 Mar
(PH et al.), and a female was off Burlington
Lakeshore, Hamilton-Wentworth, 1 Mar-22
May (RZD, m.ob.). An ad. male Barrow’s
Goldeneye was in Presqu’ile 20-31 Mar (TB
et al.).

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

275

RAPTORS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS

An early Osprey was at Erie Beach, Kent , 9
Apr (JTB), the 2nd earliest on record. Nest¬
ing pairs were observed at Cayuga,
Haldimand-Norfolk , in mid-May (JBM),
and at Mountsberg C.A., Hamilton-Went-
worth (MS). A breeding pair was active at
Dundas Marsh, Hamilton (m.ob.), and
birds were seen on a nest at Irish Line,
Haldimand-Norfolk, (IBM). Three different
Mississipi Kites, an adult and one-year-old
19 May (AW et al.) and another adult 21
May (AWa et al.), were at Pelee. Several Bald
Eagles arrived early in the Thunder Bay
area, with one at Whitefish L. 8 Mar (TR)
and several 13-14 Mar at Thunder Bay
(NE). Five Bald Eagles frequented the
Kingston area 20 Mar-1 May (K.F.N.), a pair
appeared to nest on the Trent R., Peter¬
borough, near a previously used site (DS).
On a breeding bird survey route 18 Apr
near Kingston 25 Red-shouldered Hawks
were located. An imm. Ferruginous Hawk
on Amherst I. 14 Mar (NM, SB) furnished a
first for the Kingston area. Probably the
same bird was seen 3 Apr-21 May at P.E.Pt.
(m.ob.). The N.P.H. counted seven Golden
Eagles in the last half of March; in Ottawa
seven were seen along Steele Line Rd. 7 Mar
(fide Ontbirds). A record-late first-year
Golden Eagle was observed in Algonquin 24
Apr (DT). An early Merlin was seen in
Peterborough 5 Mar. Peregrine Falcons
continue to nest in several urban centers,
with 2 breeding pairs in Toronto (m.ob.),
and one each in Ottawa, London ( fide
Ontbirds), and Hamilton (MS). The
Hamilton pair on the Sheraton Hotel had 4
eggs that failed to hatch, but subsequently
raised two captive-bred foster chicks (MS).

A first record for the Kingston area was
provided by a Spruce Grouse near Tam-
worth, Lennox-Addington, 21 Mar (S8cAT),
suggesting a southerly range extension. The
Sharp-tailed Grouse population on
Manitoulin I. appears to be healthy; over
150 performing males were observed on
four different leks 28-29 May (m.ob.) with
at least 65 males dancing at Gore airport,
Manitoulin (BT). On 15-16 May a King Rail
was heard and seen from a dyke in the Big
Cr. marsh, L.P.B.O., by a large number of
observers. This skulker remained visible for
periods as long as one hour, providing
excellent unprecedented views (RR, TH,
m.ob.). A Virginia Rail near Atikokan,
Rainy River, 19 May was a rare find (DrE,
DE). Sightings of Sandhill Cranes were
numerous across the province. Four were
seen on Beamer Pt. 23 Mar (N.P.H. ), one
was in a swamp at Moosonee 4 Apr (BW),

and four were at Rondeau 7 Apr (KJB). At
Algonquin, two 26 Apr (DS) and another
20 May (EP) represented rare occurrences.
At P.E.Pt., five Sandhill Cranes were
observed during the season (K.F.N.), and at
Pelee among numerous sightings were four
4 May (J8cPM) and five 14 May (AW et al.).

As many as 1430 Am. Golden-Plovers 2
May at Pelee were exceptional (THi), as
were four birds 28 May near Rainy R.,
where spring records are rare (DE, GC,
m.o.b.). Piping Plovers continue to be
scarce, with one at Rock Point P.P.,
Haldimand-Norfolk ( fide Ontbirds), and a
possible pair 29 May at Lake-of-the-Woods,
Kenora (DE, m.ob.), the only remaining
known breeding area in the province. Five
Am. Avocets flew past Bronte Harbour,
Halton, 18 May (JO,RSn), and a Lesser
Yellowlegs at Dundas Marsh, Hamilton -
Wentworth, 31 Mar was early (BWy). An
unusual number of 16 Solitary Sandpipers
were seen at Niagara 8 May (MJ). Good
numbers of Willets were reported, includ¬
ing 13 at Wheatley Harbour, Kent, 7 May
(KAM), six 8 May and four 9 May at Turkey
Pt„ Haldimand-Norfolk, (JC, WS), and one
at the Tollgate Ponds, Hamilton—
Wentworth, 23 May (KAM et al.). Two
Hudsonian Godwits were reported from
the R. Canard, Essex, 19 May (LK), and one
was at Mission I., Thunder Bay, 22 May (NE
et al.); one in Cobourg 28 May was a first
for the w. part of Northumberland (CEG).
Marbled Godwits were unusually well rep¬
resented, with two at the Dundas Marsh,
Hamilton-Wentworth, 10 May (RSn et al.),
two at Turkey Pt. 24 May (C&SW), two at
Rainy R. 28 May (fide GP), and one at the
mouth of Pic R., Thunder Bay, 19 May
(KW).

An unusually large flock of 240 Ruddy
Turnstones was at Erie Beach, Kent, 27 May
(KJB, JTB). Among the rarer spring mi¬
grants were 15 Red Knots in Cranberry
Marsh, Durham, 23 May (GC), eight at
Rondeau 25 May (JTB), and 15 on Amherst
I., Kingston, 30 May. A locally rare White-
rumped Sandpiper was seen along the Trent
R„ Peterborough, 14 May (AA). Early arriv¬
ing Pectoral Sandpipers were 196 at
Hillman Marsh, Essex, 31 Mar (AW) and
110 on the R. Canard, Essex, 1 Apr (JMc).
Thirteen at the airport, Peterborough, 4 Apr
represented the earliest record for the area
(DCS). Very early Dunlins were at Van
Wagners Beach, Hamilton-Wentworth,
29-30 Mar (RZD, MCr) and at Hillman
Marsh 30 Mar (AW). A single Stilt Sand¬
piper was reported from the Harrow Sew¬
age Lagoon, Essex, 17 May (RH, m.ob.).

Ruffs were reported from 3 sites, with a
black male at Dundas Marsh, Hamilton-
Wentworth, 13 May (BWy, m.ob.), a female
at the Blenheim Lagoons, Kent, 25-26 May
(BAM, KJB et al.), and another male at the
Nonquon Lagoons, Durham, 26 May
(JMS). Only one Long-billed Dowitcher, at
Amherst I., Kingston, 8 May, was reported
(JHE, RDW). An Am. Woodcock in the
Slate R. Valley, Thunder Bay, 30 Mar was
early (RCh). Seven Red-necked Phalaropes
at Harrow, Essex (AW et al.), represented a
high number for spring migration.

GULLS THROUGH THRUSHES

All Laughing Gull reports came from L.
Erie with one each at the tip of Pelee 6 May
(AR) and 10 May (PK), one at L.P.B.O.’s
Breakwater 8 May (fide B.S.C.), and
one-two birds at Wheatley Harbour, Kent,
8-16 May (MH et al.). A flock of 50
Franklin’s Gulls in the Rainy River area 19 &
28-29 May made a good spring showing
(DE). Little Gulls were well represented,
with over 25 on the Niagara R. at Queens-
ton, Niagara, 17-31 Mar (NM et al.) and 16
at Bonnibrae Pt., Durham; 52 were at Tur¬
key Pt. 8 Apr (F8cTW) and 104 were there
28 Apr (SB, NM). Single Black-headed
Gulls were at Queenston 17 Mar (NM, SB),
10 Apr (DL, GW), and 12 Apr (MJ), and at
the Inner Bay, L.P.B.O., 10 Apr (SB, NM,
CSAM). A first (and maybe overdue) bird
for Pelee was a first-winter imm. Ross’s Gull
17-18 May (PB) seen by hundreds of
observers (fide AW). A Caspian Tern on the
n.e. shore of Hamilton Harbour, Hamilton-
Wentworth, 29 Mar tied last year’s record
early date (MMi). Rare for e. Ontario were
a Forster’s Tern in Kingston 10-11 Apr
(K.F.N.) and in Cobourg Harbour, North¬
umberland, 27 May, a late date (CEG, MB).

A Black-billed Cuckoo at Binbrook
C.A., Hamilton-Wentworth, 2 May was
early (WYk). A Snowy Owl at Hillman
Marsh 29 Apr was late (SSm et al.). The
Manitoulin I. N. Hawk Owl found in
February stayed for the first week of March
near Mindemoya (TL). A successful owl
survey in the Thunder Bay area 8 Apr
turned up six Boreal Owls, one Great Gray
Owl, and a singing N. Saw-whet Owl (BH).
A rare Chuck-will’s-widow was found in
Wheatley P.P., Kent, 19 May (THo et al.). A
very early Chimney Swift appeared at
Tobacco L., Manitoulin, 28 Mar (TL). A
brief feeder visit by a Rufous Hummingbird
in Sault Ste. Marie, Algoma, 7 May was a
welcome sight (fide Ontbirds). Seven Red¬
headed Woodpeckers at the Tip of Long Pt.,
L.P.B.O., 7 May were exceptional (fide

276

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

B.S.C.)» and a nest at Cottesloe, Peter¬
borough, 19 May was unusual (JB). North of
their range were a male Red-bellied Wood¬
pecker at East Arrow L., Thunder Bay, that
remained to the end of March (F&IS), one
at the Mountain Rd., Thunder Bay, that
stayed at least until 7 Mar (LG), and a 3rd at
Mindemoya, Manitoulin, for most of March
(STh). A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at Beam-
er C.A., Niagara, 13 Mar had probably over¬
wintered (BCh et al. ). A female Three-toed
Woodpecker at West Rose L. 2 1 May was a
late sighting in Algonquin (DT, RT). A pair
of Black-backed Woodpeckers was on terri¬
tory in May at Petroglyphs P.P., Peter¬
borough (DCS).

Several reports of Acadian Flycatchers
raise the hope that this rare species is hold¬
ing its ground. Two were at Selkirk P.P.,
Haldimand-Norfolk, 21 May (IBM), one
was at P.E.Pt. 23 May (K.F.N.), 3 nests were
found in Skunk’s Misery, Middlesex (PR et
al.), singles were recorded at the Tip and at
the Breakwater at L.P.B.O. 27 May (fide
B.S.C.), and on the same day one was sing¬
ing at Peter’s Wood s. of Rice L., North¬
umberland (DS). After an exceptionally
high number (11) ofW. Kingbirds reported
in spring 1998 only three were seen this
year, one in Providence Bay, Manitoulin, 22
May (J8cNS et al.) and the other two at the
T.C.B.O. 31 May (AH). On the same day
T.C.B.O. recorded an all-time high of 61 E.
Kingbirds (AH). A surprisingly high num¬
ber of reports of Loggerhead Shrikes raise
hopes for the future of this species. Early
arrivals were reported from Presqu’ile 24
Mar (DG), from Pt. Petre, Prince Edward,
28 Mar (JB), and from Ice L., Manitoulin,
16-17 Apr (TL). A high count of 36.5 pairs
on territory came from the Napanee Plain,
Lennox-Addington, the fractional number
coming from a possible polygamous pair
(CGr). A further 6 pairs have established
territory on the Carden Plain, Victoria,
(M.N.R., fide R.Pi).

A Warbling Vireo 7 May in Algonquin
was that area’s earliest on record (DT). An
unusual sighting for s. Ontario 25 Mar on
the Kimbal Sideroad, Lambton, were two
Black-billed Magpies (ARy, CBu, SRu). Two
Fish Crows at Pelee 19-24 May represented
only the 6th record for Ontario and
Canada, all from Pelee (AW et al.). A Com.
Raven, a rare visitor from the north, was
seen at Bonnibrae Pt., Durham, 10 Apr
(THo). Early swallows were Tree Swallows
in Presqu’ile 22 Mar, at Second Marsh, Dur¬
ham, 24 Mar (PH), and at the Humber
Marsh, Toronto, 27 Mar (GCo), and a Barn
Swallow at Salem, Northumberland, 31 Mar

(GCo). A Boreal Chickadee 16 May at
L.P.B.O. was a rare northern visitor
(C8cSW). From P.E.Pt. comes a report of
2000 Golden-crowned Kinglets passing
over 23 Apr (K.F.N.). A Blue-gray Gnat-
catcher at T.C.B.O. 25-26 May was far
north of its range (AH, JOB). The first Mt.
Bluebird for Manitoulin was recorded at
Long Bay on Manitoulin I. 8 Apr (M&DH).

MIMIDS THROUGH WARBLERS

A Brown Thrasher that overwintered at
Whitefish was present until the 3rd week of
March (JL), representing the first winter
record for Sudbury. Northern Mocking¬
birds are rare in n. Ontario. One was in
Moose Factory, Cochrane, 6 May (EH),
three were at Sleeping Giant P.P., Thunder
Bay, 22 May (JA et al.), and one was at
Thunder Cape, Thunder Bay, 31 May (NE).

A very early Blue-winged Warbler was at
Pelee 19 Apr (SSh); one at Burwash,
Sudbury, 30-31 May was a first for that area
(CBe, CBl). Single Golden-winged Warblers
were reported from the North from Ft.
Frances, Rainy River, 28 May (DE) and
from T.C.B.O. 29 May (JOB). Two rare
Lawrence’s Warblers were at Ruthven, Kent,
8 May (LMo) and one at Hungry Hollow,
Middlesex, 12 May (PC). An early N. Parula
was at Beamer C.A., Niagara, 18-21 Apr
(MMy). A Black-throated Gray Warbler
was a highlight at P.E.Pt. 12 May (D&LW).
A Prothonotary Warbler 14-27 Apr at Pelee
was early (FU); two males behaved terri¬
torially at Dundas Marsh,
Hamilton-Wentworth, from May onwards
(JO, m.ob.) and a female 19 May provided a
first record for Presqu’ile (CEG, m.ob.).
Traditional southern overshoots, Worm¬
eating (11) and Kentucky Warblers (seven)
were not particularly numerous this year in
the Province, compared to other years. A
Louisiana Waterthrush 1 Apr at Pelee was
■very early (MCa, JK). A western stray male
MacGillivray’s Warbler was at Wheatley
P.P., Kent, 10 May (BJ et al.). Among the
seven Yellow-breasted Chats reported was
one at P.E.Pt. 7 May, most notable for being
unusually far east (K.F.N.).

TANAGERS THROUGH FINCHES

The January Spotted Towhee in Thunder
Bay was seen into early March (IMc). A
Grasshoppper Sparrow 6 Apr at Pelee was
very early (AW). Only three of the provin-
cially endangered Henslow’s Sparrows were
seen, with two at Pelee 14 May (JF) and 18
May (IM et al.), the same day when one was
seen briefly at Presqu’ile (FH). A Lincoln’s
Sparrow 4 Mar near Oxley, Essex, probably

Ontario

overwintered (RH). The imm. Harris’s
Sparrow at a feeder in Claremont, Durham,
since mid-December stayed until 4 May
(EPe, m.ob.) and was seen by hundreds of
visitors. Others were at Fitzroy Harbour,
Ottawa-Carleton, in early March, at Ron¬
deau 13-16 May (EJB), near Brantford,
Brant, 14 May (EC), and at T.C.B.O. 20-25
May (AH). A large flock of 200 Lapland
Longspurs was at the Blenheim Lagoons,
Kent, 1 May (PAW et al.).

A Rose-breasted Grosbeak 18 Apr at
Saltfleet, Hamilton-Wentworth, was early
(JWt). Blue Grosbeaks are regular over¬
shoots in s. Ontario; three males were seen
at Pelee 10 May (CK, m.ob.) and a female at
Backus Woods, Haldimand-Norfolk, 19
May (RvT). Three sought-after Dickcissels
were seen, with one at a feeder in Carp,
Ottawa-Carleton, 6 Mar (fide Ontbirds), a
first winter male at Algonquin 22-26 Mar
(DSt, m.ob.), and one on Pelee I., Essex, 15
May (JN et al.). A W. Meadowlark on
Amherst I., Lennox-Addington, 30 Apr was
far east of its range (RKE); another was at
London airport, Middlesex, 19 May (IP).
Also far east of their range were Yellow¬
headed Blackbirds at Presqu’ile 5 Apr (MG
et al.) and 6 May (J8cWB), providing the
Park’s first and 2nd sightings. Orchard
Orioles were seen in unusual numbers and
beyond their range, with one at Gore Bay,
Manitoulin, 9 May (TL), one at Carp,
Ottawa-Carleton, 29 May (fide Ontbirds),
no fewer than 14 at P.E.Pt. 10-31 May
(K.F.N.), and six at High Park, Toronto, 7
May (GC). A Eur. Tree Sparrow 20 May
near Pelee provided only the 2nd sighting
for Ontario (PP et al.).

Subregional editors (boldface), contribu¬
tors (italics) and cited observers: Jody
Allaire, Robert Andrle, Anne Anthony,
Margaret Bain, Jerry Ball, S. Bajurny, Jerry
Ball, E. Batella, C. Bell, T. Bigg, J. Blaney, C.
Blomme (CBl), Warren Brailsford, Anne
Brenner, Phil Bristow, Evelyn Brown,
Jeremy Bryan (JOB), C. Buck (CBu), Don
Bucknell, E.J. Burk (EJB), J.T. Burk (JTB),
Keith J. Burk, Peter Burke, Bird Studies
Canada (B.S.C.), M. Carlson (MCa), K.
Carmichael, Geoff Carpentier, Pete Chap¬
man, Barry Cherriere (BCh), Ross Chessell
(RCh), Kevin Clute, Glenn Coady (GCo), J.
Cram, Mark Cranford (MCr), Rob Z.
Dobos, Tim Dyson, Darren Elder (DrE),
Dave Elder, Gavin Edmondstone, R.K.
Edwards, J.H. Ellis ( JHE), NickEscott, Don
Ferguson, D. Garratt, G. Garrette, Clive
Goodwin (CEG), Len Goodwin, C. Grooms
(CGr), M. & D. Hague (M8cDH), S. Hall,

VOLUME 5S (1999), ISSUE J

277

John Hannah, Bill Hay, Audrey Heagy, Fred
Helleiner, Brian Henshaw, Tom Hince
(THi), Tyler Hoar (THo), Phil Holder,
Theo Hofmann, Randy Horvath, M.
Hubinger, Ernie Hunter, Jean Iron, Marde
Jacklin, B. Jones, C. Keefe, P. Kelly, J. Kippe,
L. Kochelo, Terry Land, John Lemon,
Dennis Lewington, I. Macdonald, Stewart
MacKenzie, Blake A. Mann (BAM), James &
Paul McCann (J&PM), Jim McCoy, Craig
S.A. McLauchlan (CSAM), Kevin
McLaughlin (KAM), Wayne Michano, John

B. Miles, Matt Mills (MMi), B. Moor (BM),
Ian Moore, Mike Morgante, Loretta
Mouseau (LMo), Norm Murr, Maxine
Mysloowka (MMy), Kingston Field
Naturalists (K.F.N.), Jean Niskanen, E.
Moratz, John Olmsted, Henrietta T. O’Neill,
Ontbirds (E-mail group on the Internet),
Lee Pauze, Edge Pegg (EPe),Ed Pikula, Ron
Pittaway (RPi), Ian Platt, Paul Pratt, R. Pye,
Ministry of Natural Resources (M.N.R.),
Peter Read, A. Rider, Ron Ridout, Maureen
Riggs, Bruce Ripley, Susan & Pauline
Robinson (S&PR), Tom Ross, S. Rupert
(SRu), Dan Russell, A. Ryder (ARy), Doug

C. Sadler, Gerry Schemilt, S. Shaum (SSh),
Maggie Smiley, Dorothy Smith, J. & N.
Smith (J&NS), Roy Smith, S. Smith (SSm),
W. Smith, Rick Snider (RSn), R.B. Stewart,
Mike Street, L. Smulders, J. Murray Speirs
(JMS), Jerry Spevak, Frank & Irene Stewart
(F&IS), R.B. Stewart, Dan Strickland, S.
Thorpe (S.Th), Matt Timpf, S. & A.
Treganza (S&AT), Doug Tozer, Ron Tozer,
B. Tuomi, Rohan van Twest (RvT), Fred
Urie, K. Wade (KW), Billy Wapatee, Alan
Watson (AWa), Ron D. Weir (RDW), D. &
L. Williston (D&LW), C. & S. Wood
(C&SW), P. Allan Woodliffe (PAW), F. & T.
Woodrow (F&TW), Alan Wormington,
Brian Wylie (BWy), Wilf Yusek (WYk),
Wally Zarowski.

Theo Hofmann, 199 Arnold Avenue,
Thornhill, ON, Canada, L4J 1C1

Place names that are frequently men¬
tioned, but very long, may be abbreviat¬
ed in a form such as “C.B.B.T.” or
“W.P.B.O.” Such local abbreviations will
be explained in a key at the beginning
of the particular regional report in
which they are used. Standard abbrevi¬
ations that are used throughout North
American Birds are keyed on page 251.

278

appalachian

region

ROBERT C. LEBERMAN

here was cold weather and heavy snow¬
fall over much of the Appalachian
Region in early March, but the remainder of
the season was generally warm and dry. Erie
Bay was ice-free by mid-March. Waterfowl
and gulls peaked there 19 March, when
20,000 ducks (mostly Canvasbacks, scaup,
and Red-breasted Mergansers) and 40,000
to 50,000 gulls were estimated (JM). Inland
from Lake Erie good numbers of puddle
ducks occurred during the last two weeks of
March, followed by heavy fallouts of diving
ducks, gulls, and terns during the last half
of April (especially 17-24 April) when
heavy rains fell over parts of the Region.
Perhaps, in part, due to localized drought
conditions, more than the usual number of
shorebirds were observed. Many hundreds
of shorebirds were also attracted to Tama¬
rack Lake, where water levels had been low¬
ered to enable dam repairs by the Penn¬
sylvania Fish Commission.

Most observers considered the passerine
migration average or better, but believed
that many of the later migrating, more
northerly nesting species, largely passed
over the Region without stopping. Local
breeding species were generally on time or
just slightly early and, with few exceptions,
in good numbers. At Carnegie Museum’s
biological station, the Powdermill Nature
Reserve, the overall migration was average
compared to the last ten years, with just
over 2000 birds netted in April and May.
Out of 50 species analyzed, just three
(Eastern Phoebe, Slate-colored Junco, and
Brown-headed Cowbird) were banded in
numbers one or two standard deviations
below the ten-year average. Seven (Ruby-
throated Hummingbird, White-eyed Vireo,
Gray Catbird, Chestnut-sided Warbler,
Magnolia Warbler, Northern Waterthrush,
and Lincoln’s Sparrow) were captured in
above-average numbers; all others were sta¬
tistically average (RCL, RM).

Abbreviations: B.E.S.P. (Bald Eagle State Park,
Centre Co., PA); N.A.M.C. (7V. Am. Migration
Count); P.I.S.P. (Presque Isle S.P., Erie Co., PA);
P.N.R. (Powdermill Nature Reserve, Rector,

Westmoreland Co., PA); R.C.B. (Robert C. Byrd
Locks & Dam, Mason Co., WV); Y.C.S.P. (Yellow
Creek S.P., Indiana Co., PA).

LOOMS THROUGH VULTURES

Red-throated Loon reports came only from
w. Pennsylvania, with one at L. Arthur,
Butler, 22 Mar (MW), three at Colyer L.,
Centre, 2 Apr (AN, DB), one at Kahle L.,
Venango, 9-24 Apr (JS), one at Y.C.S.P. 23
Apr (GC), and a late bird in Clarion to 25
May (WF). A flight of 35 Com. Loons
passed Soddy Mt. Hawkwatch, Hamilton,
TN, 28 Mar (WH); weather- related fallouts
included 34 on L. Arthur 23 Apr (DY) and
180 on Shawnee L., Bedford, PA, 18 Apr
(JPa). Fifty Horned Grebes were at B.E.S.P.
18 Apr (AN, DB) and 375 were at
Pymatuning L., PA, 4 Apr (RFL). Lone Red¬
necked Grebes were at Keystone Res.,
Armstrong, PA, 4 Mar (BR, JF), Harmarville,
Allegheny, PA, 17 Apr (JV), and Beaver Run
Res., Westmoreland, PA, 19 Apr (fide TV).
An Eared Grebe lingered at S. Holston L„
TN, until 7 Mar (BS), and two were at Edin¬
burg L„ Lawrence, PA, 1 Apr (CG, BD). On
18 May an American White Pelican
appeared on the Monongahela R., Pitts¬
burgh (DM), and one was at Somerset L.,
Somerset, PA, over 50 mi to the southeast,
18-19 May (v.t. SB). Double-crested Cor¬
morants peaked the 2nd half of April, with
335 along the Ohio R., Beaver, PA, 21 Apr
(BH), and 285 along the Allegheny R.,
Pittsburgh (SK), 258 at Somerset L. (AM),
and 101 at Baylor School, Hamilton, TN
(DJ, v.o.), all on 17 Apr.

American Bitterns were widely report-

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

ed, including three at P.I.S.P. 18 Apr (JM),
and three at Geneva Marsh, Crawford, PA, 5
May (IF). Least Bittern records came from 9
different localities, including Brainerd
Levee, Hamilton, TN, 4 May ( ID), Williams
I., TN, 10 May (DV), Sugar Creek W.M.A.,
Meigs, TN, 15 May (KC), and banded at
P.N.R. 19 May (RCL, RM). Single Snowy
Egrets were found 10 May at Thomas Farm,
Hamilton, TN (JW, CW), 3-8 May at Sandy
Cr. Marsh, Wood, WV {fide JE), and 8 May
at Berlin, Somerset, PA (JPa). Unusual in
spring, an ad. Little Blue Eleron was at
Watauga L., TN, 1 May (HPL), and two
were at Williams 1. 10 May (DV). Ten Black-
crowned Night-Herons represented a new
high for Waynesboro, Staunton, VA, 13-15
Apr (YL); five at Mill Run, Fayette , PA, 8
Apr was an unusually high count for that
area (MM). A Black Vulture at Northeast,
Erie, PA, 28 Apr (GC) was well out of nor¬
mal range, whereas 71 at Franks Mill, VA,
furnished a new spring high for Augusta
(YL).

WATERFOWL

A flock of 62 Snow Geese was in Park Twp.,
Armstrong, PA, 20 Mar (PRH). Ross’s Geese
were at Chattanooga Nature Center 28
Mar-1 Apr (KC) and Lavalette, Wayne, WV,
11-12 Mar (ph. WA); another first seen 4
Mar in Cranberry Twp., Butler, was later
found (to 13 Mar) in Warrendale, Alle¬
gheny, PA (MW, ph. WS). Trumpeter Swan
reports have become almost routine in the

Adult Ross's Goose at Lavalette, West
Virginia, 11-12 March 1999, one of many
found throughout the East and Midwest
as this species continues to increase.
Photograph/Wendell L. Agrabrite

n. part of the Region, with four on Erie Bay
19 Mar (JM), one at Volant, Lawrence, PA,
3-12 May (NR), and two at Conneaut
Marsh, Crawford, PA, 10 Apr (CT). Over
2500 Tundra Swans put down on Erie Bay
19 Mar (JM), up to 41 1 were at Y.C.S.P. in
March {fide PH), and 338 passed the
Allegheny Front hawk watch, Somerset, PA,
30 Mar (MM).

Eurasian Wigeon were at Y.C.S.P. 7 Mar
(BR, MF) and Seigel Marsh, Erie, PA, 24-27
Apr (JSC). A total of 475 Am. Wigeons was
surveyed on w. Crawford, PA, lakes 20 Mar
(RFL). Fifty N. Shovelers were on Kahle L.
17 Apr (JS). The high count of N. Pintails
was 203 at Volant 13 Mar (MF). There were
166 Redheads and 1250 Ring-necked Ducks
at Pymatuning L. 20 Mar (RFL). At L.
Arthur there were 2000 Lesser Scaup 20
Mar (GW), and 2700 at Pymatuning 17 Apr
(RFL). A Surf Scoter was a rare find in the
Tennessee R. Gorge, Marion, TN, 17 Apr
(DJ); in Pennsylvania three were on
Keystone Res., Armstrong, 4 Mar (BR, JF),
up to three were at B.E.S.P. 20-24 Apr
(MH), and one was at Kahle L. 23 Apr (JS).
Two Black Scoters were at B.E.S.P. 18 Apr
(AN, DB). The maximum count for Long¬
tailed Ducks was 22 at L. Arthur 26 Mar
(DD, DY). Buffleheads were common, with
475 at B.E.S.P. 18 Apr (AN, DB) and 1265 at
Pymatuning 4 Apr (RFL). Up to 350
Hooded Mergansers were at L. Arthur in
late March (v.o.); the species was confirmed
nesting for the first time in boxes at 2
Pennsylvania Fish Commission lakes in
Somerset (AM). Very high counts of Ruddy
Ducks included 1600 on Somerset L. 19 Apr
(RCL), 2000 at Pymatuning 4 Apr (RFL),
and 2000 at L. Arthur 23 Apr (DY).

RAPTORS THROUGH CRANES

Northern Goshawks appeared in Slippery
Rock Twp., Butler, PA, 12 Mar (SBu, RC)
and Natrona Heights, Allegheny, PA, 19 Mar
(PH); two were at the Allegheny Front hawk
watch 26 Mar (DJo) and one was at
Allegheny Mt., Bedford, PA, 1 May (JPa).
Nesting goshawks were located in Pocahon¬
tas, WV, 25 Apr (JC) and Allegheny N.F.,
PA, 23 May (BW). Early Broad-winged
Hawks were at Meadville, PA, 24 Mar
(RFL), and P.N.R 10 Apr (RM). Late
Rough-legged Hawks were at Berlin, Somer¬
set, PA, 5 Apr (JPa) and near P.N.R. 10 Apr
(JG). At the Allegheny Front hawk watch,
27 Golden Eagles were tallied 1 Mar-2 May
(DJo), and one was at Soddy Mt. hawk
watch 20 Mar (WH). West of the moun¬
tains a Golden Eagle were at Lippencott,
Greene, PA, 10 Apr {fide RB), in Girard

This male (note the relatively straight bill)
American Avocet at Clintonville,
Pennsylvania, 18 April 1999, was north
of its normal range. Photograph/

Gary Edwards

Twp., Erie, 26 Apr (JSC, TC), and late at
Meadville, PA, 3 May (IF).

A Ruffed Grouse was a good find 1 1 Apr
at Bakewell Mt., Hamilton, TN (RDS); in
s.w. Pennsylvania grouse populations were
considered high (RCL, RM). Eight Virginia
Rails were at Akeley, Warren, PA, 22 May
(DW). Sora were widely reported, with up
to six calling at Mosquito L. Trumbull, OH,
16 May (DJH). A Purple Gallinule was a
rare find at Brainerd Levee 11-17 May
(KC). In Pennsylvania, where the species
was nearly unknown 10 years ago, 15 Sand¬
hill Cranes were reported (m.ob.) at 7 dif¬
ferent localities from Erie to Westmoreland,
a late bird was at Lookout Mt., TN, 14 Apr
(KC).

SHOREBIRDS THROUGH TERNS

Rare in spring, three Am. Golden-Plovers
were at Brainerd Levee 29 Mar (KC) and
one was at Pymatuning 18 Apr (RFL). Up to
15 Semipalmated Plovers were found at
Green Bottom W.M.A., Cabell, WV, in early
May (WA); 20 were at Tamarack L., Craw¬
ford, PA, 13 May (RFL), where the Pennsyl¬
vania Fish Commission had lowered water
levels for dam repairs. Three Am. Avocets
stopped 16 Apr at P.I.S.P. (JM), where they
are rare but increasingly frequent; others
were at Clintonville, Venango, PA, 18 Apr
(GE, JS) and Codorus S.P., York, PA 17 Apr
{fide PR). The 200+ Lesser Yellowlegs at
Tamarack L. 22 Apr were exceptional, as

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

279

was a high count of 50 Solitary Sandpipers

7 May (IF). An unprecedented 10 Willets
were found along the Ohio R., Wood , WV, 6
May (JE), and another was in the Y.C.S.P.
area 31 Mar (TF) and 8 May (SG). In w.
Pennsylvania, where Upland Sandpipers
have become increasingly hard to find in
recent years, encouraging reports of up to 4
pairs from 9 different localities were
received. Whimbrels peaked at an amazing
60 at P.I.S.P. 25 May, and a Red Knot was
there 23 May (JM).

Two W. Sandpipers were unusual at
Woodcock L„ PA, 29 Apr (IF). A high total
of 80 Least Sandpipers was at Tamarack L.
13 May (RFL). Baird’s Sandpipers, rarely
reported from the Region in spring, were at
R.C.B. 20 Apr (WA) and Y.C.S.P. 1 1 May
(MH). A maximum of 54 Pectoral Sandpip¬
ers was at Tamarack 17 Apr (RFL, IF). The
Region’s only Stilt Sandpiper was at R.C.B.

8 May (WA). A Wilson’s Phalarope was a
rare find at P.I.S.P. 7 May (JM), and one was
at Imperial, Allegheny , PA, 14 May (IHo,
MI). The only Red-necked Phalarope was
observed at Staunton, VA, 15 May (YL).

Two or three Franklin’s Gulls were
unusual finds at P.I.S.P. 23 Mar, as were at
least eight Little Gulls 24 Mar-15 Apr (NH,
JM). Single Black-headed Gulls were at
Erie 1 Apr (JM) and 20-22 Apr (GC) and at
Somerset L. 20 Apr (RCL, SB). In Pitts¬
burgh 6 Herring Gull nests were on an
Allegheny R. bridge, and two were along the
Ohio R. near Sewickley (PB). Three
Thayer’s Gulls frequented P.I.S.P. 4 Mar-9
Apr (JM); inland, where they have been
almost unknown, one was at Kahle L. 17-23
Apr (JS, GE). At Erie, Iceland Gulls peaked
at 12 on 1 Mar; an amazing eight Lesser
Black-backed Gulls were there 4 Mar- 18
Apr, along with about 18 Glaucous Gulls 3
Mar-23 Apr (fide JM). Caspian Terns were
unusually common, with 30 at Reedsville,
Preston, WV, 20 Apr (GF), 16 at L. Arthur 23
Apr (DY), 15 at Somerset L. 20 Apr (RCL),
and 11 at Sandy Cr. Marsh, Wood, WV, 18
Apr ( JE). At P.I.S.P. the best count was 65 on
5 Apr (GC). High counts of Forster’s Terns,
away from L. Erie, included 20 at Somerset
L. 20 Apr (RCL) and 51 at Y.C.S.P. 8 May
(GL, GS); throughout the Region, s. of Erie,
the number of Forster’s Terns reported out¬
numbered Com. Terns 8 to 1 .

OWLS THROUGH PIPITS

A dead Barn Owl was recovered at Hinton,
Sommers, WV, in mid-March (fide JPh);
otherwise the species went unreported. Up
to eight Long-eared Owls were at P.I.S.P.
3-22 Apr (DD), and one first seen in

Sequatchie, TN, in February remained to 6
Mar (KC). Two Short-eared Owls were in
Trumbull, OH, 20 Mar (DJH) and 22 were
reported from 7 different localities in
Pennsylvania. Up to four N. Saw-whet Owls
were calling at Oil Creek S.P., Venango, PA,
21-27 Mar (RS), one was in downtown
Warren, PA, 12 Mar (fide DW), and one was
heard calling on Roan Mt., TN, 1 May (LM,
JB). A Rufous Hummingbird at Elizabeth-
ton, TN, 15-17 Apr provided a first spring
record for that area (BS, HPL). Olive-sided
Flycatchers were widely reported from
Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and Least
Flycatchers were in good numbers in the
West Virginia mountains (WA). For the 3rd
consecutive year a Scissor-tailed Flycatch¬
er was at Charleston, Bradely, TN (15 May),
where a pair nested successfully in 1997
(DGH).

A Fish Crow, along the Allegheny R. at
Kittanning, Armstrong, PA, 13 May (SB)
was well w. of the usual range in Pennsyl¬
vania, as was a Com. Raven near Clarksville,
Greene, PA, 22 Apr (RB). High counts of
Tree Swallows included 1000+ at Shawnee
L. 11 Apr (JPa), and about 3000 at Pyma-
tuning L. 4 Apr (RFL). About 550 Bank
Swallows were in 2 colonies near Conneaut
L., PA, 13 May (RFL); a colony in Venango ,
PA, consisted of 250 recently excavated or
re-excavated cavities, suggesting as many as
400+ birds (JS). Most contributors thought
Cliff Swallows were on the increase; a high
count of 400+ was made at a colony at
Pymatuning 13 May (RFL). In May a nest¬
ing pair of Red-breasted Nuthatches was
observed in Red R. Gorge, KY, where they
are rare breeders (FR). A singing Winter
Wren at Mill Cr. Park, Youngstown, OH,
was somewhat out of place 15 May (NB).
Two Sedge Wrens were at Mosquito L., OH,
16-20 May (DJH), and one was at Erie
N.W.R., Crawford, PA, 21 May (MG). A late
Ruby-crowned Kinglet was at W. Mifflin,
Allegheny, PA, 27 May (KBe).

The Swainson’s Thrush flight was
improved over most recent years. A Gray¬
cheeked Thrush was still near Ohiopyle S.P.,
PA, 4 Jun (CF). A high count of 175 Am.
Pipits was at Swoope, Augusta, VA, 27 Apr
(YL).

WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES

Hybrid warblers included Brewster’s at
Staunton 28 Apr (YL), near Pittsburgh 27
Apr (KBe), and at Franklin, Venango, PA,
13-16 May (JS), and a Lawrence’s in Juni¬
ata, PA, 11-14 May ( fide MKp). Orange-
crowned Warblers were at New Castle,
Lawrence, PA, 13 May (BD), Pittsburgh 7

May (SS), Mosquito L„ OH, 8 May (CB),
and Youngstown, OH, 16 May (NB).
Yellow-throated Warblers were found
breeding at Buckaloons, Warren, PA, well n.
of the usual range (DW), and were especial¬
ly common along the Youghiogheny R. in
s.w. Pennsylvania, where they were virtually
unknown 2 decades ago. Single Yellow Palm
Warblers were at P.I.S.P., where rare, 6 Apr
(NH) and 8 May (PH, JV). Several
observers from Virginia to Pennsylvania
commented on excellent numbers of
Cerulean Warblers this spring; 23 singing
males were counted 7 May at South River
Falls, Green, VA (MS). A Black-and-white
Warbler in Preston, WV, 1 1 Apr was early
(GF). In the north, Prothonotary Warblers
were doing well at their stronghold in
Conneaut Marsh (RFL); 10 were at
Mosquito L. 8 May (CB) and one was in N.
Park, Pittsburgh, 14 May ( JHo). Up to three
Swainson’s Warblers were in Red R. Gorge,
Wolfe, KY, in May (FR); for the 2nd consec¬
utive year, a singing male was at Loyalhanna
Res., Westmoreland, PA, this year from 8
May into June (MM). At least six
Connecticut Warblers were seen or banded
at P.I.S.P. 12-17 May (JM, RFL), providing
a very good spring total. Several contribu¬
tors mentioned good numbers of
Mourning Warblers in the West Virginia
and Pennsylvania mountains.

A Clay-colored Sparrow was a rare find
at Staunton 30 Apr (YL). One returned to
reclaimed stripmines in Clarion, PA, where
the species nested last summer (WF), one
was in Erie 8 Apr (DB), and one-two were
at P.I.S.P. 1 1 May ( JM). The sparrow of the
season, however, was a male Lark Sparrow
at Rock Springs, Centre, PA, from 10 May to
the end of the period, the first for the State
College area since 1931 (PRd, m.ob.). Hens-
low’s Sparrow populations were high in
several Somerset, PA, reclaimed stripmines
(JPa), but they were not widely reported
elsewhere. A very late Fox Sparrow was at
P.I.S.P. 23 May (MHd), and 28 May was a
late date for White-throated Sparrow at
Staunton (YL). The latest Snow Bunting
report was from Friedens, Somerset 16 Mar
(SB). A male Blue Grosbeak at P.I.S.P. 13
May (MHe) furnished just the 2nd Erie
record for the species. A singing male
Painted Bunting was observed at Ohiopyle
S.P., PA, 4 May (JHo, MK), and a female was
in nearby Westmoreland, PA, 9 May
(N.A.M.C.). The only Dickcissel report
came from Delmont, Westmoreland, PA, 6
Apr (KBy). Two Brewer’s Blackbirds report¬
ed at Gray, PA, 4 Apr would be new for
Somerset (SB).

280

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

Six Red Crossbills were at Cranberry
Glades 28 Mar (WA), up to 10 were at 3
other sites in Pocahontas , WV, 25-26 Apr
(JC), and as many as 13 were on Roan Mt.
in May (RK). Two Pine Siskins were at
Cranberry Nature Center, Pocahontas , 25
Apr (JC), and up to 20 were on Roan Mt.
during late May (RK). The only report of
Evening Grosbeak was of one 16 Mar in
Washington, WV (JE).

Contributors and cited observers: Wendell
Argabrite, Carole Babyak, Scott Bastian,
Ken Behrens (KBe), Ralph Bell, Dick
Bollinger, Dorothy Bordner, Janet Brown,
Paul Brown, Nancy Brundage, Suzanne
Butcher (SBu), Ken Byerly (KBy), Kevin
Calhoon, John Churchill, Greg Cook, Ruth
Crawford, Jean S. Cunningham, Toby
Cunningham, Dave Darney, Barbara Dean,
Tom Dick, Jon Dunn, Gary Edwards,
Jeanette Esker, John Fedak, Gary Felton,
Tom Fetterman, Mike Fialkovich, Isaac
Field, Craig Fosdick, Walter Fye, Candy
Gonzalez, Marnee Gormley, Steve Graff,
Jim Gruber, William Haley, Nathan Hall,
Dennis & Gwen Harris (DGH), Molly
Heath, John Heninger, Paul Hess, Margaret
Higbee, Matt Heindel (MHe), Bill Hintze,
Dave & Judy Hochadel (DJH), Joyce
Hoffmann (JHo), Penny 8t Richard Hughes
(PRH), Daniel Jacobson, Dean Jobe (DJo),
Margaret Kenepp (MKp), Margie Kern,
Scott Kinsey, Rick Knight, Gloria Lamer, H.
P. Langridge, YuLee Larner, Ronald F.
Leberman (RFL), Anthony Marich, Dale
Matuza, Mark McConaughy, Larry
McDaniel, Jerry McWilliams, Robert
Mulvihill, Alison Norris, Jeff Payne (JPa),
John Peplinski, Jim Phillips (JPh), Bill
Reddinger, Frank Renfrow, Peter Robinson,
Paul Rodewald (PRd), Nancy Rodgers, Dick
& Jackie Rollfinke, Roi & Debbie Shannon
(RDS); Sam Sinderson, Michael Smith,
Jerry Stanley, Russ States, Byran Stevens,
Robert Steiner, Georgette Syster, Chuck
Tague, Allen Trendy, Jim Valimont, Tim
Vechter, David Vogt, Brenda Watts, Don
Watts, Gene Wilhelm, Cynthia Wilkerson,
Jimmy Wilkerson, Mark Williams, Rick
Wiltraut, Debra Yovanovich.

Robert C. Leberman, Powdermill Nature
Reserve, Carnegie Museum of Natural History,
HC 64 Box 453, Rector, PA 15677-9605

A

western great
lakes region

JIM GRANLUND

t was a good season for rarities and there
were a good number of early arrivals and
species north of their normal range, partic¬
ularly southern warblers in Minnesota.
However, most observers found the migra¬
tion to be average to slow through much of
the Region. Noteworthy sightings included
a Smew in Minnesota, providing a first state
and Regional record, possible first Michi¬
gan records of White-tailed Kite and West¬
ern Wood-Pewee, and a Wisconsin’s first of
Great-tailed/Boat-tailed Grackle.

Weather was variable throughout the
Region. Minnesota had temperatures which
were 2-3° F above normal and above-aver¬
age amounts of precipitation in April and
May. Both Michigan and Wisconsin had
colder than normal temperatures in early
March and average temperatures in May.
Wisconsin’s April temperatures were aver¬
age while Michigan’s were above average.
The first two states had highly variable pre¬
cipitation, with the southern portions being
wet in April and the northern areas being
very dry. Wisconsin had normal precipita¬
tion in May while Michigan’s precipitation
was the reverse of April (wet north and dry
south).

Abbreviations: M.B.R.C. (Michigan Bird
Records Committee); N.C. (Nature Center);
S.G.A. (State Game Area); W.P.B.O. (Whitefish
Point Bird Observatory, Chippewa Co., Ml).

LOOMS THROUGH IBISES

Above average this season was the 813 Red-
throated Loons censussed at W.P.B.O. with
a peak of 122 on 2 May (staff). Eared
Grebes were reported as scarce in Wiscon¬
sin with singles 4 Apr in Bayfield (RB, DVe),
19 May in Dunn (SR et al.), and 31 May in
Washington (BD); two to three were at the
Muskegon Wastewater, Muskegon, MI,
10-28 Apr (AB, CF). Wisconsin had W.
Grebe reports 10-11 Apr in Ozaukee (MK,
et al) and 25-28 May at Crex Meadows
W.A. (DT, RH, MP). A Clark’s Grebe was
reported in Minnesota 8 Apr on L. Traverse,
Traverse (CM). American White Pelicans
continue to be more common in Wiscon¬

sin, with reports from 10 counties this
spring. In Michigan groups of 3 on 18 May,
16 on 20 May, and 1 1 on 29 May at W.P.B.O.
were exceptional for that location. All 3
states reported Snowy Egrets with 9 indi¬
viduals in Minnesota, 3 reports in Wiscon¬
sin, and an unusual report of one on the
beach at St. Joseph, Berrien, MI (KM).
Minnesota had Little Blue Herons on 16
May in Fletcher, Hennepin (SC), and 22
May at Agassiz N.W.R. (m.ob.), while
Michigan had individuals 8 May at Sauga-
tuck, Allegan (JG), and 16 May in Alpena
(CR). A Tricolored Heron was reported
from Wisconsin 6-17 May at Crex Mea¬
dows W.A. (JH, FL, et al) and another was
seen 28 Apr-20 May at the Erie Marsh
Preserve, Monroe (AB) in Michigan. In Wis¬
consin a White-faced Ibis was seen 26 Apr
n. of Beaver Dam, Dodge (AM, CH), and
another was reported in Minnesota 5-8
May in Dakota (m.ob.).

WATERFOWL

Minnesota had unprecedented numbers of
Ross’s Geese this season, including flocks of
50 in Nobles 20 Mar (PJ), 18-20 in Otter
Tail 2 Apr (SM, DM), 70+ at Shaokatan
W.M.A., Lincoln, 3 Apr (PJ, DN), and 28-30
in Wilkin 4 Apr (SM, DM). Wisconsin also
had an exceptional migration, with reports
from 6 counties. Michigan had individuals
17-18 Apr at the Muskegon Wastewater
System, Muskegon (DS, CF) and 26 Mar-10
Apr at the Michigan State Univ. Sewage
Ponds, Ingham (AB, BC, AC). Also in
Michigan was a Brant at W.P.B.O. 25 May
(KB, PC, AB). A male Eur. Wigeon, and a
possible female, were seen 4-5 Apr in Dane,

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

281

WI (SR, et al). Very unusual in Michigan
were two male and two female Harlequin
Ducks 10 Apr-2 May at Muskegon (AB,
CF). The Barrow’s Goldeneye at Virmond
Park in Wisconsin remained into early
March. Certainly the rarest bird reported
this season was an imm. male Smew 17 Mar
in Jackson (KB), providing a first state
record for Minnesota as well as a first for
the Region. Although the question of nat¬
ural occurrence of this individual will sur¬
face, the species is rare in collections, and
the behavior of the bird and its timing favor
a wild origin.

RAPTORS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS

A Swallow-tailed Kite 15-28 May on
Lower Sacatah L. (CK, VK, m.ob.) provided
Minnesota its first record of this species
since the mid-1970s; another on 23 May in
Dane (ST) was Wisconsin’s 6th. A possible
first for Michigan was the White-tailed
Kite reported 15 May in Wayne (RC); the
report is pending review by the M.B.R.C.
Wisconsin had Mississippi Kites 16 May
near Vernon Marsh, Waukesha (DG), and
22 May at the Brooklyn W.A., Green (BB).
In Minnesota, a Ferruginous Hawk was
seen 23-24 Apr at Lac Qui Parle (m.ob.).

Early and n. in Minnesota was an Am.
Golden-Plover 10 Apr in Polk (KE, et al.).
Encouraging was an increase of reports of
Piping Plover. In Michigan there were indi¬
viduals in 4 counties, while Minnesota had
one 17 May and two 29 May-1 lun at
Duluth, St. Louis (PS). In Wisconsin,
six-seven were present at Long I. and
Apostle Is., Ashland , during late May (SMa).
Also in that state were reports of Black¬
necked Stilt 8 May at Tichigan W.A., Racine
(JB, MK), and two 27 May and three 28
May into June at Horicon N.W.R. (JBa).
Record early in Minnesota was a Greater
Yellowlegs 20 Mar in Washington (KB). A
flock of 65 Ruddy Turnstone 27 May in
Duluth (DBe) was the largest spring flock
of this species in Minnesota since the early
1970s. Record early were Dunlins 31 Mar in
Outagamie , WI (DT), and 28 Mar in LeSeur ,
MN ( JD). Also in Wisconsin were a Curlew
Sandpiper 29 May on Washington I., Door
(CRt), and a Ruff 19 May in Kenosha (KD).
A black Ruff 18 May in Kalamazoo (RSp)
provided a rare inland record in Michigan.
Rare in spring were Buff-breasted Sand¬
piper reports of two in Meeker 8 May (RS)
and one in Duluth 23 May (DMa, BM),
both Minnesota. Also exceptional was a
male Red Phalarope 29 May on L. Superior
at Duluth (KE, PS, et al), the 11th Min¬
nesota record and only the 2nd in spring.

One of North America's more dramatic

species, the Swallow-tailed Kite occasion¬
ally wanders north of its breeding range
in the Southeast during spring, as did
this one at Lower Sacatah Lake, Minnesota,
16 May 1999. Photograph/Peder Svingen

JAEGERS THROUGH TERMS

For the 5th consecutive spring Minnesota
reported a jaeger, this one 22 May in Duluth
(m.ob.). Whitefish Point had another excel¬
lent spring for jaegers with 12 seen 21-28
May, a peak of five on the last date; five were
identified as Parasitic Jaegers (W.P.B.O.
staff). Also in Michigan were two Long¬
tailed Jaegers 1 7 May on Thunder Bay, Alp¬
ena (BG); the record is pending M.B.R.C.
review. Wisconsin had what was character¬
ized as an “unbelievable spring” for Little
Gulls, with a record early date of two 10
Mar at Port Washington (TU et al) followed
by eight others along the L. Michigan
shoreline, including a maximum of four-
five from 10 May to the end of the period in
Manitowoc (CS et al). An adult 17-20 May
in Duluth (PS) was the first at that
Minnesota location since 1993, while
Michigan had two 9 May at Tawas Pt., Iosco
(GN), and another 10 May at W.P.B.O. An
ad. California Gull was reported 7 Apr at
Charles Mear S.P., Oceana (DMc); the
report is pending M.B.R.C. review. Unusual
at an inland site in Wisconsin was an
Iceland Gull 25 Apr near Madison (PA,
EH). A Lesser Black-backed Gull 24 May
provided W.P.B.O. with its first spring
record; Minnesota hosted one 5-9 Apr in
Burnsville, Dakota (KB), and Wisconsin
had up to five along the L. Michigan shore¬
line, with a maximum of three at

Manitowoc-Two Rivers 15 Apr (MP). The
Black-legged Kittiwake that overwintered
along L. Michigan in Wisconsin was report¬
ed from Milwaukee 12 Mar, 12 Apr, and 14
Apr (MK, SLu). Also exceptional in the
Region were two Least Terns 1 8 May at the
Nine Springs Treatment Ponds near
Madison, WI (AS), as were ad. Arctic Terns
in Duluth, MN, 11 May (AH) and 21 May
(PS).

DOVES THROUGH VIREOS

A pair of Eurasian Collared-Doves first
reported 29 May in Mower (AHe, AH) pro¬
vided Minnesota its 5th state record; the
three at Lyon were seen to at least 9 Mar
(RS). A N. Hawk Owl was reported 7 Mar in
Beltrami , MN (MA). Great Gray Owls nest¬
ed in the Sax-Zim bog, St. Louis, MN, while
in Wisconsin the resident bird at Port Wing,
Bayfield, was seen 17 May (SL, LL). Michi¬
gan had a maximum of two Great Grays 5-
26 Apr at W.P.B.O. Long-eared Owls made
an excellent showing in Michigan with
reports from several s. counties and 239 at
W.P.B.O., with a maximum of 70 on 8 Apr.
In Minnesota 15 singing Boreal Owls, and
the highest number of N. Saw-whet Owls
since 1989, were recorded in the n.e. por¬
tion of the state during the spring owl cen¬
sus (BL). A Three-toed Woodpecker 26 May
s. of Ashland (NF et al) was a rare sighting
for Wisconsin.

A Western Wood-Pewee report would
constitute a first Michigan record if accept¬
ed by the M.B.R.C. The individual was
found 8 May in Ionia (KT) during the
North American Migration Count and a
recording was made of its call. A Say’s
Phoebe 12 Apr in Kenosha (KD) furnished
only the 2nd Wisconsin record, the last
being 151 years ago. A W. Kingbird 27 May
at Warren Dunes, Berrien (JW), was an
exceptional find in s. Michigan. Minnesota
had two Scissor-tailed Flycatcher reports,
with individuals 22-23 May in Duluth
(m.ob.) and another 27 May in Hubbard
(PP), while Michigan had a report from
W.P.B.O. 31 May (NM). Minnesota had
reports of Loggerhead Shrike from 13
counties, down from the previous 5-year
average of 20 counties. Michigan also had a
poor showing with individuals 25 Apr in
Allegan (CF) and another 3 May (RP) and
24 May (JY) in Keweenaw. In contrast,
Wisconsin had a better spring for this
species with reports from at least 5 coun¬
ties. Wisconsin also had good numbers of
White-eyed Vireos, with reports of 15-20
birds. In Minnesota, where the species is
considered casual, there were reports of

282

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

western great lakes

White-eyed Vireos 8 May at Hok-si-la Park,
Goodhue (DN), 13-29 May in Austin,
Mower (m.ob.), and 16 May at Forestville
SP, Fillmore (JSt).

WRENS THROUGH WARBLERS

Also casual in Minnesota was a Rock Wren
22-23 May in Houston (CMa et al. )- In Wis¬
consin a Mountain Bluebird was observed
for a few hours near Ashland 6 May (fide
DVe); in Minnesota a female was seen 5 Apr
in Duluth (JN) and an individual was
reported 24 Apr in Kanabec (KR). A
Townsend’s Solitaire in Michigan was seen
by many at W.P.B.O. 20-24 Apr, while
Wisconsin had one 26-27 May in Fond du
Lac (JBu, TW). In Minnesota individuals
were reported in Duluth 10 Apr (TWi) and
in Morris, Stevens, 22-23 Apr (MKu). A
Varied Thrush remained to 30 Mar in Door,
WI (RL, CL), and another was observed 7
Apr in Marquette, MI (LT). In Minnesota a
Varied Thrush remained to 9 Mar in Maple
Grove, Hennepin (fide AH), and into March
in Kandiyohi (fide RF, JF). Present for just a
few hours in Minnesota was a Sage Thrash¬
er in Duluth 21 May (RSh, RSc). Late in
Michigan were 19 Bohemian Waxwings 4
May at Copper Harbor, Keweenaw (LB).

A Black- throated Green Warbler 10 Apr
in Dane (DC) tied the earliest Wisconsin
arrival. A Yellow-throated Warbler found 6
May was soon joined by another at Sibley
S.P., Kandiyohi (RE), the site of the first
Minnesota nesting of this species. Wiscon¬
sin had migrant Yellow-throateds 8 May in
Ozaukee (JF) and 15 May in Outagamie
(TT, SB), and least four were back on breed¬
ing territory at Wyalusing S.P., Grant. The
first individuals in Michigan arrived 10 Apr
in Berrien (DV, TB, JWa) at their normal
locations, and an additional report came
from Branch (JG). Two Kirtland’s Warblers
in Gwinn, Marquette (LT), were n. of their
normal range in Michigan. Both Michigan
and Wisconsin reported good numbers of
Prairie Warblers, from at least 3 counties in
each state. Unusually high for Minnesota
were reports of Prothonotary Warblers
from 10 counties. Wisconsin reported a
good migration of Worm-eating Warblers,
with individuals on 5, 7, & 30 May in Dane
(PA), 6 May in Racine (KD), 25 May in
Buffalo (DT, RH), and at least one pair on
territory in Sauk. Minnesota had reports of
this species 2-3 May in Wilmar, Kandiyohi
(RF, JF), 8 May at Sibley S.P., Kandiyohi
(RE), 9-12 May at Whitewater S.P., Winona
(m.ob.), 29 May at Hormel N.C., Mower
(AH), and 31 May at Whitewater W.M.A.,
Wabasha (PS). Also in that state were

increased numbers of Louisiana Water-
thrush, with reports from 9 counties. Ken¬
tucky Warblers continued the trend in
Minnesota, with reports 14 May at Cannon

R. Wilderness, Rice (TBo), 15 May at
Robbins I., Kandiyohi (RF, JF), 15 May at
Kilen Woods S.P., Jackson (DJ), 16 May in
Murphy-Hanrahan, Scott (DN), and 17
May at Wood Lake N.C., Hennepin (DW,
m.ob.). Michigan also had above-average
numbers, with up to 4 after 4 May in
Berrien, and singles 8 May at Lost Nations

S. G.A., Hillsdale (JR), 15 May in Waterloo
Twp., Jackson (DB), 18 May in Hillsdale
(JR), and in Ann Arbor, Washtenaw (MJ).
North of normal was a female Hooded
Warbler 6-7 May and a male 7 May in
Duluth (DGr, DBe, MS).

TANAGERS THROUGH FINCHES

Summer Tanagers were recorded in unpre¬
cedented numbers in the Region. Wiscon¬
sin reported 12-15 individuals in May.
Minnesota had 16 individuals during May,
which is amazing in light of the fact there
were only 15 spring records from 1 989—
1998. Michigan had individuals 2 May at
Warren Dunes, Berrien (RSe), 7 May at
Tawas Pt., Iosco (GN, PR), and 8 May at
Saugatuck, Allegan (CF, GW). Minnesota
reported W. Tanagers 30 Apr-1 May in
Kandiyohi (RF, JF) and 8-9 May in
Goodhue. A female Spotted Towhee was
reported in Wisconsin 4 May in Milwaukee
(DSw), while Minnesota had reports 3 May
at Mt. Lake, Cottonwood (ED), and 30 May
at River Bend N.C., Rice (TBo). The only
Lark Bunting in the Region came from
Minnesota, where a male was reported 20
May in Lyon (PE). Also in that state was a
Smith’s Longspur 23-24 May in Duluth
(WM et al). A female Black-headed Gros¬
beak was reported in Minnesota 13 May at
Anderson County Park, Jackson (PS).
Surprising in Michigan were reports of two
Blue Grosbeaks, a female 14-15 May in
Holland, Ottawa (MV), and an individual
heard 17 May in Hillsdale (JR); both are
pending M.B.R.C. review. Minnesota
reported a Lazuli Bunting 19-21 May in
Boyd, Lac Qui Parle (FE). A first state record
for Wisconsin of Great-tailed/Boat-tailed
Grackle was reported on 17 Apr s.e. of
Antigo, Langlade (MG), while Great-tailed
Grackles returned to the breeding colony
on the Minnesota-Iowa state line in Grov¬
ers Lake W.M.A., Jackson. A Brambling vis¬
ited a feeder in St. Joseph, Berrien 9-14 Apr
(IA), providing Michigan with its 2nd state
record.

CORRIGENDA

Delete the 18 Dec 1997-1 Jan 1998
Glaucous-winged Gull in Dakota (Field
Notes 52:201). Change the date for the
Pacific Loon in St. Louis from 16-31 May
1998 to 30 May 1998. Delete the 29 May
1998 ad. and imm. Black-headed Gull in St.
Louis (Field Notes 52:333).

Observers: Irene Adams, Mark Alt, Philip
Ashman, Tony Baldoni, Sylvia Barbarich,
Karl Bardon, Jack Bartholmai, Brenda
Bauer, Jeff Baughman (JBu), Dave Benson
(DBe), John Bielefeldt, Laurie Binford, Tom
Boevers (TBo), Don Brooks, Adam Byrne,
Ryan Brady, Steve Carlson, David
Cederstrom, Allen Chartier, Phil Chu,
Bruce Cohen, Rick Crossland, Jeff Dains,
Karl David, Bob Domagalski, Ed Duerkson,
Fred Eckhardt, Kim Eckert, Paul Egeland,
Ron Erpelding, Nikki Farrell, Chip Francke,
Jean Frederickson, Randy Frederickson,
Marg Gibson, Jim Granlund, Bill Grigg,
David Grossheusch (DGr), Dennis
Gustafson, Ellen Hansen, Chad Heins, Ann
Hertzel (AHe), Anthony Hertzel, Jim
Hoefler, Randy Hoffman, Paul Jantscher,
Bob Jewett, Doug Johnson, Mark Korducki,
Cindy Krienke, Vern Krienke, Margaret
Kuchenreuther, Bill Lane, Laura LaValley,
Steve LaValley, Fred Lesher, Steve Lubahn
(SLu), Charlotte Lukes, Roy Lukes, Craig
Mandel (CMa), William Marengo, Barb
Martin, Dennis Martin (DMa), Sumner
Matteson (SMa), Nathan McNett, Doug
McWhirter (DMc), Craig Menze, Kip
Miller, Diane Millard, Steve Millard, Anne
Moretti, David Neitzel, Gary Nelkie, Jeff
Newman, Pam Perry, Mark Peterson, Rod
Plancke, Jack Reinoehl (Michigan), Peg
Ridgeway, Kim Risen, Chan Roach, Sam
Robbins, Chari Rutledge (CRt), Russ
Schipper (RSp), Rick Schroeder (RSc),
Robyn Schroeder (RSh), Robert Schroeder
(RSo), Roger Schroeder, Dennis Schwartz
(DSw), David Slager, Chuck Sontag,
Richard Soper (RSe), Mark Stensaas, Jeff
Stepheson (JSt), Aaron Stutz, Peder
Svingen (Minnesota), Louis Taccolini,
Stanley Temple, Daryl Tessen (Wisconsin),
Kevin Thomas, Tom Truax, Tom Uttech,
Michael Van Houzen, Dick Verch (DVe),
David Vinnedge, Jerry Walsh (JWa), Dan
Wanschura, Terry Wiens (TWi), John Will,
Tom Wood, Gary Wright, Joe Youngman.

Jim Granlund, Research Associate, Kalama¬
zoo Nature Center, 6253 N. Westnedge, Kala¬
mazoo, Ml 49004

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

283

middlewestern prairie
region

KENNETH J. BROCK

There was general consensus across the
Region that spring 1999 brought an
average, or somewhat better than average,
migration, and there was unanimous agree¬
ment that the flight was better than spring
1998. One Regionwide trend was the over¬
flight of several southern species. Especially
notable were Purple Gallinule, Hooded
Warbler, and Summer Tanager. Many corre¬
spondents believed that passerines arrived a
bit early this year, and virtually everyone
deemed the flight interesting in terms of
diversity and rarities; however, several
expressed concern about low songbird
numbers. In Chicago, Paul Clyne suggested
that the spring provided “an interesting
passage from the birder’s standpoint, but a
mediocre spring for the birds themselves.”

Following the warm winter, much of the
waterfowl flight occurred in February;
however, geese and ducks were still plentiful
during the season. Heavy precipitation in
April eliminated shorebird habitat in the
western states, but contributed to one of the
better flights in recent years for the central
states. If measured solely in terms of rarities
spring 1999 was surely a good season. The
hefty list, which included Brown Pelican,
Garganey, Whooping Crane, Royal Tern,
White-winged Dove, Western Tanager, and
Painted Bunting, was highlighted by the
Region’s first Gray Kingbird.

Abbreviations: H.B.S.P. (Headlands Beach S.P.,
OH); L. Cal. (Lake Calumet, Chicago); Jax.P.
(Jackson Park on the Chicago lakefront);

P.R.N.A. (Prairie Ridge State Natural Area, Jasper
Co., IL); R.E.D.A. (Riverlands Environmental
Demonstration Area, MO); S.C.R. (Squaw Creek
N.W.R., MO); Spfld. (Springfield, IL).

LOOMS THROUGH IBISES

The Region enjoyed a superb loon flight.
Red-throated Loon numbers were up with
13 birds reported across the 4 n. states. The
peak count occurred on L. Michigan, where
a flight of seven was seen off Beverly Shores,
IN, 10 Apr (KB). A basic-plumed Pacific
Loon was at Hallett’s Quarry, Story, IA,
8-17 May (HZ, JDi, MO, MPr, TK). In addi¬
tion to the normal scattering of Com.
Loons, a state record tally of 1030 was
counted along Indiana’s L. Michigan shore¬
line 2 Apr (JMc, C8cEP). The season’s only
Red-necked Grebes were in Iowa, where
singletons were found at 5 locations 16-27
Apr (CFh, TK, JWt, RT, m.ob.). Eared
Grebes were plentiful in the w. states; the
peak count was 28 at S.C.R. 8 May (DE et
al.). East of the Mississippi R., W. Grebes
were reported at Jax.P., 23 8c 27 Mar (KC,
PC) and at East Fork S.P., OH, through 26
Apr (fide NK). A closely studied Clark’s
Grebe, at Blue L., Monona, IA, 21-25 May
(fP8cRA, fTK, tJFu) provided that state’s
4th May record.

Once again Am. White Pelicans were
widespread with reports from every state

except Ohio. An aerial survey along the
Illinois R. from Chillicothe to Spring Valley
yielded an Illinois record count of 2193 (JR,
fide CMc). Even more spectacular was
Kentucky’s first Brown Pelican, which
appeared briefly at Kentucky Dam 30 May
(tB8cRD). A Neotropic Cormorant, believ¬
ed to be a sub-adult, was at Crabtree L.,
Cook, IL, from 1 1 May through the period
(tCW, tCFd, AA, m.ob.). The flood of
Double-crested Cormorants continued this
spring with a peak count of 2429 at Chau¬
tauqua N.W.R., IL, 8 Apr (R8cSB), 2300 at
Donnelley State W.M.A., IL, 22 Apr ( JHm),
and 1867 at Riverdale quarry, Cook, IL, 18
Apr (WM, KW). Farther east, a record state
count of 750 was logged along the Indiana
lakefront 24 Apr (JCd, LH, KB).

For the 2nd consecutive year, Am.
Bitterns were reported in abundance, with
more than 54 counted across the Region. At
least 2 correspondents suggested that Least
Bittern numbers were down this spring. A
nesting Great Egret was found in a Gary,
IN, Great Blue Heron colony 22 Apr (JCs);
this species is a casual breeder in the state.
An over-anxious Tricolored Heron at Mon¬
trose Harbor, Chicago, 7 Apr (fRHu, JPu)
provided an all-time early arrival date for
Illinois. Additional Tricoloreds were report¬
ed in Pemiscot, MO, 1 May (tJWi) and inJE.
Cape Girardeau, IL, 29 May (fMD, DKb,

A male Garganey, the right-hand bird following a pair of Blue-winged Teal,
photographed at Forney Lake 3 April 1999, furnished Iowa's 2nd record
and was one of two in the Region this spring. Photograph/Thomas H. Kent

284

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

AS). Excellent Cattle Egret numbers were
reported with an impressive 500 in
Pemiscot , MO, 1 May (tJWi) and 190 in St.
Clair, IL, 29 Apr (KMc). Noteworthy Black-
crowned Night-Heron reports included 808
dispersing from the L.Cal. roost 22 Apr
(WM), 110 at Falls of the Ohio, KY, 23 Apr
(FR), and 72 nests on the L. Michigan lake-
front, Lake, IN, 17 May (JCs). White-faced
Ibis were unusually plentiful in the w.
states, with 10 in Iowa and 15 Missouri
reports including 44 at S.C.R. 7 May (DE,
KG, JHi). Two White-faced Ibises wandered
E into Illinois, where a flyby was seen 22
Apr (fRMn) and an adult was s. of
Rochester 27 Apr (fPW). The only Glossy
Ibis was at S.C.R. 7 May (fDE, KG).

WATERFOWL

The identification of a Black-bellied
Whistling-Duck, said to have been present
from early April-5 May in Louisa, IA (TA),
was confirmed by videotape (BO, TK).
Continuing the pattern of recent springs,
migrant geese were widespread and plenti¬
ful. In addition to the peak of 1000 Greater
White-fronted Geese at Clinton L., IL, 19
Mar (RCh, GL), three other Illinois counts
exceeded 100 birds. A flock of 50 wandered
E to Greene, IN, where they were observed
Mar. 7 (J&SH). Ross’s Geese were reported
in every state except Ohio; easternmost rec¬
ords included singletons at Kankakee
W.M.A., IN, 20 Mar (JCd, JDu, m.ob.) and
at Basil Griffin Park, Warren, KY, 3 Apr
(FR).

Rare teal highlighted a reasonably strong
dabbler migration. Cinnamon Teal reports
included three in Iowa, three in Illinois, and
one in Indiana. Most remarkable, however,
was the occurrence of two male Garganey,
the first at Forney L. 2-12 Apr (fRSc, P&RA,
tTK, ph. fm.ob), providing Iowa’s 2nd
record, and the other, and Illinois’ 2nd, at
Garden Prairie 10-15 May (fDWm, fDBm,
ph.). Bay duck numbers were comparable to
those of recent spring flights. Harlequin
Ducks remained in Illinois until 16 & 24 Apr
at Waukegan (DJ, SH) and 16 Apr at Jax.P
(PC). As is typical, small numbers of Surf
Scoters were scattered across the Region.
Atypically, two females lingered at Willow
Slough W.M.A., IN, until 15 May (EH,
m.ob.), another was in Gary, IN, 17 May (SP
et al.), and a female was at Busch W.M.A.,
MO, 8 May (fPB). White- winged and Black
scoters were scarce. The peak White-winged
count consisted of two at Meldahl Dam, KY,
throughout March (FR), with one remain¬
ing until 10 Apr (LMc). Black Scoters
appeared only in Indiana; a flock of up to 10

was on L. Michigan off Beverly shores
through early April (JMc, WM, m.ob.), and
a female was at Willow Slough W.M.A. 15
May (EH, m.ob.). Long-tailed Ducks were
also hard to find with reports restricted to
one-three birds in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
and Ohio. Breeding Hooded Mergansers
were found in Indiana, Missouri, and Ohio.

HAWKS THROUGH CRANES

A fine count of 10 Osprey was made in
Bureau, IL, 26 Apr (DSh). In addition,
Osprey on breeding territories were report¬
ed 2 Apr at Bergman Slough, IL (CT), and at
Indiana’s traditional Brookville Res. site 1
May (JCs). It was a fine spring for Mississip¬
pi Kites, with birds returning to traditional
summering areas in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
and Missouri; within the s.e. Illinois nesting
area an impressive 30, including one flock of
23, were seen 29 May (KMc, DKb et al.). An
extralimital adult was in n. Porter, IN, 11
May (fKB). The dozen N. Goshawks report¬
ed is typical for a non-invasion year. The
Region’s spring hawk flights were quite
modest. The most productive site was
Conneaut, OH, where peak daily counts
included 24 Cooper’s Hawks 17 Mar (LY),
149 Red-shouldered Hawks 17 Mar (LY),
408 Broad-winged Hawks 17 May (ES), 202

Purple Gallinules, normally
casual or accidental visitors to
most states in the Region, usually
occur as occasional spring overshoots.
This spring, however, an unprecedent¬
ed incursion provided a colorful high¬
light Regionwide. The first, and by far
most cooperative, wandered lawns at
Montrose Harbor, IL, 7-10 May (tJL,
KMo, TBi, m.ob., ph.). Other single-
tons were 8 May-1- near W. Lafayette,

IN (BD, Haw, m.ob.), 11-25 May at
Rockford (TG, fBWi et al.), 12-13
May at Wilkinson at Renwick Marsh,

IL, (tDSh, RF), 22-31 May in
Miami-Whitewater, OH (NK, m.ob.),
and 26 May in Barrington, IL (tCFd).
The only multiple report consisted of
two 15-18 May at Carlyle L„ IL (fMD,
fDKb et al.). The above eight birds
apparently represent only a fraction of
the total flight, as reports of many
birds were not submitted. According
to Johnson, as many as 13 may have
occurred in Illinois alone. At least two
additional birds were also found in
Indiana. Thus, the “unofficial” total for
the spring 1999 flight might have
reached 17 gallinules.

This Northern Saw-whet Owl at Crane
Creek, Ohio, 17 May 1999, was photo¬
graphed as it took a brief respite
from its spring migration.

Photograph/Tom Heindel

Red-tailed Hawks 17 Mar (LY), and 63 Am.
Kestrels 21 Apr (ES). Golden Eagles were
scarce, with only 6 reports including one at
Conneaut 21 Apr (ES). The 24 Merlins tal¬
lied this season matched that of recent
spring flights. Rarely differentiated from
nesting birds, apparent tundrius Peregrines
were identified in Union, IL, 24 Apr and
Bureau, IL, 8 May (DSt).

Single Yellow Rails were at Clinton L., IL,
27 Mar (RCh), Kidd L„ IL, 10 May (DKb),
and Zirbel Slough, I A, 14 & 17 May (R.
Widner, fide TK, RG). More King Rails than
normal were detected this spring, including
five in Illinois, two in Iowa, plus singles at
the Mallard Club, OH, 9 May (RHa, SW),
and at the Ayrshire strip mine, Warrick, IN,
10 May (J&SH et al.). Virginia Rails were
also plentiful, with reports from every state
except Kentucky. The peak count was 18 at
Springville Marsh, OH, 18 Apr (TBa).

Common Moorhen numbers remained
low across the Region, with counts of one-
five from the 4 n. states. Sandhill Cranes
were reported in every state; peak counts
away from the Indiana staging area includ¬
ed 4650 migrants in Westchester, Cook, IL,
20 Mar (DSt), and 1000 in Greene, IN, 7
Mar (J&SH). Perhaps the spring’s biggest
surprise was the simultaneous appearance

VOLUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 3

28S

of 2 groups of Whooping Cranes in w.
Iowa. A remarkable 3 pairs lingered in agri¬
cultural fields near De Soto N.W.R. 9-12
Apr (t)Di, tJFu, tTK, ph. fCE). On these
same days two adults and an immature
were in also seen n.w. Page, near Essex (MT,
fCE). According to Kent, along with last
fall’s reports, these birds double the number
of Iowa records for the 20th Century.

SHOREBIRDS

Excellent Semipalmated Plover tallies were
recorded in central portions of the Region;
peak counts included 61 at Big Pine
Wetland, Benton, IN, 30 Apr (BD), 60 at St.
Mary’s Fish Hatchery, OH, 22 May (DD),
51 in Parke, IN, 8 May (AB), and 22 in
Boone, IL, 13 May (WS). Piping Plovers
were reported only at traditional nesting
sites in Iowa, with five at Port Neal 18 Apr
(BH), and seven in Pottawattamie 13 May
(TK). Typical numbers of Black-necked
Stilts returned to established breeding areas
in Illinois and Kentucky; in Missouri, an
impressive 42 birds (and nests) were found
in Dunklin 26 May (MRo, BBb, JZ). An
extralimital pair of stilts appeared at Har¬
rier Marsh, Boone, IA, 4-6 May (tJDi, fMO,
tJFu, |TK, fMPr). American Avocets were
scarce; the maximum of 1 1 , at Swan Lake
N.W.R., MO, 18 Apr (SK, JBa), more than
doubled the next highest count. The Region
enjoyed an above-average Willet flight, with
reports from every state. Unusually large
concentrations included 69 in s. Clinton, IL,
27 Apr (KMc), 39 in Greene, MO, 4 May
(BB1), and 29 in Union and Pulaski, IL, 26
Apr (KMc). Upland Sandpiper reports were
fairly typical; the largest count was 10 at
Mansfield Lahm Airport, OH, 30 May
(KMe). There were only 3 Whimbrel
reports, with five at Jax.P. 24 May (KC), two
in Boone, MO, 24 May (SA), and one at
Smithland Dam, KY, 28 May (JWm).
Godwits were scarce e. of the Mississippi R.,
where the most noteworthy was a single
Marbled Godwit at Kentucky Dam, KY, 10
May (DR).

Ruddy Turnstone reports from every
state, plus double-digit counts from 3,
attests to a fine season for this handsome
shorebird. The Region’s only Red Knot was
in Gary, IN, 29 May (DP, JCd, SB et al.). An
excellent spring count of 65 Sanderlings
was made at Waukegan, IL, 31 May (EW).
White-rumped Sandpipers were unusually
plentiful; the most remarkable single count
consisted of 200 at Hickman Bottoms, KY,
10-1 1 May (DR), which more than doubled
the previous maximum Kentucky count.
Rarely found e. of the Mississippi R. in the

spring, the Baird’s Sandpiper at L. Shelby-
ville, IL, 1 May (RCh) was noteworthy. Out¬
standing among several fine Stilt Sandpiper
counts was a tally of 150 in Boone , MO, 12
May (TC). East of the Mississippi R., Long¬
billed Dowitchers reports included six in
Gary, IN, 7 May (KB), four in Union, IL, 10
Apr (KMc), and one at Buck Creek S.P.,
OH, 4 Apr (DO). Common Snipe concen¬
trations were unusually plentiful this
spring, with 5 triple-digit counts, the peak
being 350+ at Swan Lake N.W.R., MO, 29
Mar (PMc). An extraordinary count of 43
Am. Woodcocks was recorded at P.R.N.A.
12 Mar ( JWk). Wilson’s Phalarope numbers
have rebounded nicely from the nadir of
only a few years ago. This spring 189 Wil¬
son’s Phalaropes were reported from the
Region’s 6 states, compared to only 11 in
1994. However, the lion’s share of this
impressive total is attributed to a single
count of 150 in Boone, MO, 12 May (TC).
Red-necked Phalaropes remained scarce.
The Region’s entire report consisted of
one-two at Errington Marsh, IA, 9 8( 25
May (JDi, P&RA), a female in LaSalle, IL,
one in Lyon, IA, 28 May ( JV), and one in
Boone, MO, 26 May (TC).

GULLS, TERMS

Eighteen Laughing Gulls were scattered
across every state except Ohio; records w. of
the Mississippi R. included an early arrival
at Saylorville Res., IA, 16 Apr (fDT), one at
R.E.D.A. 14-17 May (CMa), and two adults
at Saylorville Res. 22 May (fBE). The
Region’s only Little Gulls were in Ohio,
where 13 were seen at Fairport Harbor 2
Mar (LRo, RHn) and a first-summer bird
was found at H.B.S.P. 22 Apr (LRo, RHn).
The normal spring Bonaparte’s Gull build¬
up on L. Erie apparently shifted to L. Michi¬
gan. In Ohio, Rosche deemed the Bona-
partes’ flight “poor”; in contrast, 10,000+
were counted at Waukegan, IL, 17 Apr (SH
et al.), among the highest counts ever in
Illinois.

For the 2nd consecutive spring the
Region’s large gull flight was poor. Season
totals included six Thayer’s, seven Icelands,
1 1 Lesser Black-backed, and five Glaucous.
These totals, especially for Thayer’s, Ice¬
land, and Glaucous, are very small com¬
pared to spring counts in the early 1990s.
Interestingly, one of the Glaucous Gulls was
seen at R.E.D.A. 8 & 14 May (BWe, FH) and
another was at L. Shelbyville, IL, 1 May
(RCh).

Migrant tern counts were not impres¬
sive. Peak tallies included 171 Caspian
Terns at Michigan City Harbor, IN, 24 Apr

(JCd, LH, KB), 300+ Com. Terns at Jax.P. 18
May (KC), 54 Forster’s Terns at Evanston,
IL, 8 May (EW et al.), and 65 Black Terns at
Saylorville Res., IA, 30 May (DT). A distinct
tern highlight was the appearance of Indi¬
ana’s 2nd Royal Tern at Michigan City
Harbor. The bird was discovered 22 May
(JMc, S&CD) and was seen periodically
through the end of the season (fm.ob.).

DOVES THROUGH WOODPECKERS

Continuing their Regional invasion, Eur.
Collared-Doves appeared at 3 locations in
Illinois, three in Missouri, one in Iowa, and
at least one in Kentucky. According to local
residents, the six Kentucky birds in Hick¬
man, Fulton, 30 May had been present for
2-3 years (fBPB, m.ob.). Perhaps even more
surprising than the collared-dove incursion
is the invasion of White-winged Doves. Pri¬
or to 1996 this southern species was virtual¬
ly unknown in the Region. Between 1996
and 1999 at least seven birds appeared, with
spring 1999 adding five (all singletons) to
the list. These records were Indiana’s 2nd
most of April in an Evansville backyard (P.
Bennett, ph. tm.ob.), in Buchanan, MO, 4-6
Apr (LL), near Foley, MO, 10-12 Apr (fBE),
Illinois’ 2nd at Montrose Harbor, Chicago,
26 Apr (fRHu, JPu, KH), and in Waukee, IA,
20-21 May (fR. Schlaefer). Twenty Monk
Parakeets, a species recently added to the
Illinois State checklist, were in Jax.P. 8 May
(PC).

The “eared” owl flight was fairly typical;
peak counts included seven Long-eareds at
West Beach, IN (JMc, C&EP), and 15 Short-
eareds at P.R.N.A. (JWk, EK). There were
few comments about Com. Nighthawks
except in Ohio, where Rosche deemed the
flight “very poor.” Early Ruby-throated
Hummingbirds arrived in Jackson, IL, 9 Apr
(KMc), Boyle, KY, 15 Apr (N&V Ekland),
and Porter, IN, 24 Apr (KB). Several corre¬
spondents noted that Red-headed Wood¬
peckers were present in “poor numbers.”
Breeding Yellow-bellied Sapsucker reports
included two in Spencer , IA (LS), and three
in Ashtabula, OH (TL). A record Illinois N.
Flicker count was logged 25 Apr, when 238
were counted at Jax.P. and Washington
Park, Chicago (PC).

FLYCATCHERS THROUGH PIPITS

It was a good season for flycatchers. An im¬
pressive 93 Least Flycatchers were counted
in Chicago’s Grant Park 8 May (DWd et al.).
Without doubt the “bird of the season” was
the Region’s first Gray Kingbird, discovered
at Carlyle L., Clinton, IL, 15 May (fDKb,
MS, ph.). In Missouri, Korotev concluded

286

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

middlewestern prairie

that Scissor-tailed Flycatcher numbers were
up, and that the species was expanding east¬
ward. That analysis is consistent with obser¬
vations elsewhere in the Region, as there
were three reported in Illinois and one in
Iowa. Tardy N. Shrikes lingered into March
in Illinois, Iowa, and Ohio, with the latest in
Winneshiek, IA, 26 Mar (FL). A remarkable
34 territorial Loggerhead Shrikes were
found at RR.N.A. 8 Apr (JWk).

In Iowa, over-migrant White-eyed
Vireos were seen 2 May at Muskrat Slough
(CE) and n. of Iowa City 4 May (JFu, TK).
Two calling Fish Crows were identified in
Boone, MO, 8 May (PMc, BJ), suggesting
expansion of this species into c. Missouri.
An early Purple Martin was at Illinois
Beach S.P. 21 Mar (tCFd). The largest swal¬
low concentrations consisted of “thou¬
sands” of Tree Swallows at Chautauqua
N.W.R., IL, 6 May (R&SB) and 1500 Bank
Swallows at Horseshoe L., IL, 7 May (KMc).
A record-early Cliff Swallow appeared at
Iowa City, IA, 14 Apr (R. Hollis, TK).

Red-breasted Nuthatches were virtually
absent from the Region. A pair of Bewick’s
Wrens successfully nested in Diane Porter’s
yard in Fairfield, IA; this innovative pair
built their nest in a dryer vent and fledged
two young on 2 Jun. Singing Winter Wrens
were in w. Grundy, IL, 31 May (CMc et al.),
and in Indiana Dunes S.P. 15 May (Haw et
al.). A tardy Ruby-crowned Kinglet was still
in Columbia, MO, 15 May (PMc, JBe).
Although the overall thrush flight was
weak, a respectable 17 migrant Veerys were
in Chicago’s Grant Park 17 May (DSt). A 23
Apr Gray-cheeked Thrush in Tuscarawrus,
OH (ES), and an 1 1 Apr Swainson’s Thrush
in Urbana, IL (RCh), provided early
local records. The 8 May total of 161
Gray Catbirds in Grant Park,
Chicago (DWd et al.), is mind bog¬
gling. American Pipits were unusu¬
ally plentiful and widespread, with
counts exceeding 40 birds in every
state, plus tallies above 100 in Illi¬
nois, Indiana, Missouri, and Ohio;
the maximum was 375 at Conneaut,

OH, 17 May (ES).

WARBLERS
THROUGH FINCHES

The consensus was that the warbler
flight was clearly better than 1998,
but perhaps average overall. Some
excellent Tennessee Warbler counts
were logged, as evidenced by the 200+ in
Urbana, IL, 19 May (RCh) and 60 in St.
Louis 3 May (JZ). Other noteworthy tallies
included 60 Nashvilles in Grant Park,

Chicago, 8 May (DW et al.), 30 Chestnut-
sideds at Wilkinson Renwick Marsh, IL, 12
May (DSh), 43 Magnolias at Fox I. Park, IN,
12 May (Haw), 40 Black- throated Greens in
the Indiana Dunes 8 May (LH), and 12
Mournings and 109 Com. Yellowthroats in
Grant Park 17 May (DSt). In Iowa, a Cape
May Warbler at Lacey Keosauqua S.P. 28
Apr (JFu) provided a record-early arrival
for the state. Rarely seen in the Region, a
Yellow Palm Warbler was at Magee Marsh,
OH, 14 Apr (RHa, SW). Hooded Warblers
arrived early in several states and appeared
at many unusual locations. Summer Tana-
gers were unusually widespread and pressed
farther north than normal. Peak counts
included 14 in Johnson, MO, 13 May (LMo),
and nine in Union, IL, 24 Apr (DSt). Male
Western Tanagers were found in both w.
states, the first near Meservey, IA, 10 May
(B. Lemke), and the 2nd in Columbia, MO,
18 May (fDW).

The only Spotted Towhee reported e. of
the Mississippi R. was in Urbana, IL, 31 Mar
(RCh). American Tree Sparrows lingered in
the Region later than normal with a
“ragged-looking bird” at Springville Marsh,
OH, 29 May (TBa), and another at Cowles
Bog, IN, 13 May (DG). Rarely found in Ken¬
tucky, a Lark Sparrow in Fulton 11 Apr
(MB), was noteworthy. Sparrows were well
represented in the spring flight, with an
excellent showing by several species. Clay-
colored Sparrows were reported from every
state except Kentucky; noteworthy observa¬
tions included nine in Chicago’s Grant Park
8 May (DWd et al.) and one at Miami-
Whitewater, OH, 3 May (Jide NK). A signif¬

Numerous longspurs poured through
the Region this spring, among them this
worn but cooperative male Smith's
Longspur in Newton County, Indiana,
17 April 1999. Photograph/Jim Haw

icant Savannah Sparrow movement
occurred 13 May when 80 were counted in a
Gary, IN, wetland (JMc, SP). Reports of
both Le Conte’s and Nelson’s Sharp-tailed
sparrows were up this spring. The 1350
White-crowned Sparrows found in Grant
Park, Chicago, 6 May (DSt) constitutes an
all-time high count for Illinois. Longspurs
abounded this spring; peak counts included
8000+ Laplands in Buchanan, MO, 9 Mar
(MRo) and “1000s” of Smith’s at P.R.N.A. 16
Apr (JWk).

The northward movement of Blue
Grosbeaks was advanced by the discovery of
a pair with nesting material in Winnebago,
IL, 26 May (RMs). A very early Indigo
Bunting appeared in Bloomington, IN, 26
Mar (DWh). For the 4th consecutive year
an early May Lazuli Bunting appeared at
the Evonne 8c Wilbur Wright feeders in
Fairfax, MO, this year from 7-12 May
(fEW). Illinois’ 3rd Painted Bunting, a
male, was in Bloomington 19-22 May
(fAL, fRCh, fDJ, fMRe, fm.ob.). An Illi¬
nois record count of 500 Brewer’s Black¬
birds was logged at Carlyle L., IL, 27 Mar
(DKb). The eastward march of Great-tailed
Grackles has been unusually well docu¬
mented in Boone, MO. This species was first
recorded at the Columbia City wetland in
1995, with breeding noted the following
year; this spring 376 birds were present
(PMC). Winter finches were conspicuously
absent this spring, as only small numbers of
Purple Finches were reported and the max¬
imum Pine Siskin count was nine.

Contributors cited (subregional editors in
boldface): The following 124 individuals
are cited in this report. Many other
observers contributed information
to the various state lists, but could
not be personally acknowledged.
Pam & Reid Allen (P&RA), Ted
Allen, Alan Anderson, Steve Ander¬
son, Jim Bar (JBa), Susan Bagby,
Bob Ball (BB1), Brian Barber (BBb),
Tom Bartlett (TBa), Paul Bauer,
Mark Bennett, John Besser (JBe),
Tadas Birutis (TBi), David Bohlen
(DBo), Denis Bohm (DBm),
Richard & Sigurd Bjorklund
(R&SB), Ken Brock, Alan Bruner
(ABu; Indiana), Charles Burwick ,
Fred Busroe (Kentucky), John
Cassady (JCd), Karen Cassel, John
Castrale (JCs), Robert Chapel
(RCh), Dave Easterla, Paul Clyne (Illinois),
Tom Curtis, Myrna Deaton, Bonnie &
Robert Dever (B&RD), James Dinsmore
(JDi), David Dister, Jon Dunn (JDu),

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

Z87

Barney Dunning, David Easterla, Chris
Edwards, Bery Engebretsen, Carolyn Fields
(CFd), Carolyn Fischer (CFh), Ron Flemal,
James Fuller (JFu), Larry Gara, Rita Goran-
son, Don Gorney, Kirby Goslee, Tim Grun-
er, Jim Hampson (JHm), Ray Hannikman
(RHn), Rob Harlan (RHa), Jim Haw (Haw),
Jim & Susan Hengeveld (J&SH), Scott
Hickman, Jack Hilsabeck (JHi), Lynea
Hinchman, Kanae Hirabayashi, Frank
Holmes, Ed Hopkins, Randy Korotev
(Missouri), Robert Hughes (RHu), Bill
Huser, David Johnson, Dan Kassebaum
(DKb), Ned Keller, Thomas Kent (TK;
Iowa), Eric Kershner, Steve Kinder, Larry
Lade, Greg Lambeth, Jim Landing, Alex¬
andra Latham, Tom Leiden, Fred Lesher,
Charlene Malone (CMa), Walter Marcisz,
Paul McKenzie (PMc), Jeff McCoy (JMc),
Cindy McKee (CMc), Keith McMullen
(KMc), Lee McNeely (LMc), Kevin Metcalf
(KMe), Kosh Monday (KMo), Rhonda
Monroe (RMn), Lloyd Moore (LMo), Roy
Morris (RMs), Bill Ohde, Doug Overacker,
Michael Overton, Brainard Palmer-Ball
(BPB), Steve Pancol, Dick Plank, Cynthia &
Ed Powers (C&EP), Mark Proescholdt
(MPr), J. Purcell (JPu), John Rees, Frank
Renfrow, Michael Retter (MRe), Mark
Robbins (MRo), David Roemer, Larry
Rosche (LRo; Ohio), Ed Schlabach, Rick
Schmid, Lee Schoenewe, Mike Seiffert, A1
Seppi, Wes Serafin, Darrell Shambaugh
(DSh), Douglas Stotz (DSt), Craig Thayer,
Rob Thelen, Marie Tiemann, Dennis
Thompson, Jon Van Dyk (JV), Jan Walter
(JWt), Eric Walters, Sandy Wagner, Jeffrey
Walk (JWk), Peter Weber, Charles Westcott,
Bruce Wetterau (BWe), Don Whitehead
(DWh), Dave Willard (DWd), Barbara
Williams (BWi), , Jim Williams (JWm), Dan
Williams Ir. (DWm), Jeff Wilson (JWi),
Evonne Wright, Ken Wysocki, Leroy Yoder,
Hank Zaletel, Jim Ziebol, Kristof Zyskowski.

Kenneth J. Brock, Dept, of Geosciences,
Indiana University Northwest, 3400 Broadway,
Gary, IN, 46408 (kebrock@ucs.indiana.edu)

J

Place names that are frequently men¬
tioned, but very long, may be abbreviat¬
ed in a form such as “C.B.B.T.” or
“W.P.B.O.” Such local abbreviations will
be explained in a key at the beginning
of the particular regional report in
which they are used. Standard abbrevi¬
ations that are used throughout North
American Birds are keyed on page 251.

central southern
region

STEVEN W. CARDIFF

limatically this season was a rerun of
1998. Another mild winter provoked an
early spring that was relatively cool, with
drought conditions prevailing over much of
the southern portion of the Region. Fronts
making it to the coast were few, far-be¬
tween, and weak, but noticeable minor to
major “fall-outs” were reported for 30-31
Mar (western Florida, Orleans), 10 Apr
(Grand Isle), 15-18 Apr (coastwide), 28 Apr
(Alabama), and 30 Apr-1 May {Cameron).
Although “migrant-friendly” southerly flow
was generally in control, allowing the
majority of trans-Gulf transients to bypass
offshore platforms and the coast, things
were kept interesting by a better-than-aver-
age assortment of lingering winterers, early
migrants, and vagrants.

Abbreviations: EB-826 (Ewing Bank 826 oil
platform, 61 mi s. of E. Timbalier I.); e.o.p. (to
end of period); GB-189 (Garden Banks 189 oil
platform, 138 mi S Cameron); GC-18 (Green
Canyon 18 oil platform, about 70 mi s. Raccoon
Pt.); LSUMNS (Louisiana State University
Museum of Natural Science); M0GP (Migrants
Over the Gulf Project); SMI- 147 (South Marsh I.
147 oil platform, 93 mis. ofw. tip Marsh /J/VE-
265 (Vermilion 265 oil platform, 77 mis. Pecan
I.). County/parish names are italicized, and
states are indicated only for the initial mention
of counties/parishes, except to avoid confusion.
For records of "review list" species, documenta¬
tion has been received and records have either
been accepted by, or acceptance is pending by,
respective state bird records committees.

LOOMS THROUGH CORMORANTS

Red-throated Loons were reported in Santa
Rosa, FL, 8 Mar (D8cJ Ballman) and
Marshall, AL, 8 Apr (LBR, RAR). In Florida,
Pacific Loons (now >20 records) were
reported in Escambia 12 (RAD) & 22 Mar
(PT), and in Santa Rosa 29 Apr (LD, RAD)
and 11 May (AF). An Eared Grebe in
Oktibbeha, MS, 27 Mar (TS, MS) provided
the first 7-county-area spring record;
Alabama sightings in Marshall 24 Mar-8
Apr (RAR, LBR) and Colbert 28 Mar-8 Apr
(SWM, D. J. Simbeck) were rare e. interior
finds. A Western Grebe in Shelby 2 May (J.
Levy, H. Dinkelspiel, B. Tucker) was
Tennessee’s 6th. Somewhat surprising was a
rash of early spring Audubon’s Shearwaters,
with two during a pelagic survey out of
Lafourche, LA, 12 Mar (SWC, *LSUMNS,
DLD, DPM), and a combined seven MOGP
sightings 18 Mar-13 Apr at GB-189 (SJP),
SMI-147 (RLK), and EB-826 (JRK). Mask¬
ed Boobies were once again recorded regu¬
larly at some MOGP sites: 13 sightings
involving 14 individuals 30 Mar-8 May,
mainly at EB-826 and GC-18 (JRK, BPG,
SJP, RLK). Much more interesting was an
imm. Brown Booby at EB-826 14 Apr
(JRK). Six pairs of nesting Double-crested
Cormorants in Washington 22 May-e.oja.
(M. Stevens, J. Litton) represented only the
3rd Mississippi breeding record, all in
1998-1999.

CICONIIFORMES

Peak counts of the declining Am. Bittern
included 29 in Cameron, LA, 3 Apr (JPK),
and 13 in Desha, AR, 2 May (JC); one atVE-
265 28 Mar (BMM) was an interesting
trans-Gulf migrant, and one in Putnam,
TN, 11 Apr (RWS) furnished the first
spring area record. A Tricolored Heron in
Noxubee 28 Apr-21 May (TS,MC) provided
only the 2nd Oktibbeha- area record. Some
of up to 34 White Ibis, rare in the Oktibbeha
area, arrived early 4 Apr and remained
through e.o.p.; breeding could not be con¬
firmed (TS, MS, MC). A White-faced Ibis in
White 8-9 May (K&LN) and a Plegadis sp.
in Ouachita 31 May (JC) were rare inland
strays for Arkansas. Roseate Spoonbills

288

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

were confirmed breeding in coastal
Lafourche 17 Apr, with about 75, including
many pairs and several nests, associated
with a heronry at Port Fourchon (SWC,
DPM, PW); two each in Natchitoches, LA,
13 May (JLI) and e. Orleans, LA, 22 May
(GO) were also suggestive of breeding
range expansion. A Wood Stork in Oktib¬
beha 14 May (TS) was remarkably early.

WATERFOWL

“Pairs” of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks in
Lafourche 22 (WRF) & 30 May (DPM,
RDP), in St. Charles, LA, 25 May (PY), three
individuals at Sabine N.W.R., Cameron, 25
Apr and 1 May (JPK), 25 in Lafayette, AR,
24 Apr (K&LN), and five in Garland, AR, 1 1
May (J. Newman) provided continuing evi¬
dence that the species is consolidating and
spreading n. and e. Interior-straying
Fulvous Whistling-Ducks included six in
Tallahatchie/Quitman, MS, 8 Apr (ph. FB)
and one in White 15 May (K&LN, JRW).
Lingering geese included Greater White-
fronteds in Putnam 27 Mar (SJS; first area
spring record) and Tallahatchie/Quitman
10 Apr-14 May (FB), a blue-morph Snow
in Montgomery, AL, 4 May (CTS), Snows in
Etowah, AL, 9 May (P&K White) and
Putnam 26 May (SJS), two Ross’s in Lake,
TN, 17 Mar-5 Apr (WGC, JRW), one in
Dyer, TN, 2-3 Apr (WGC), and one in
Baldwin, AL, to 1 May (M. F. Floyd, GDJ,
v.t.). Totally unexpected were two Tundra
Swans over Grand I., Jefferson, LA, 16 Apr
(DJL, RMG).

Puddle duck strays/stragglers were two
Am. Wigeon in Tallahatchie/Quitman 26
May (FB) and three N. Pintails there 21-26
May (FB); Am. Black Ducks in Lake 23 May
and Shelby 29 May (JRW); two Mottled
Ducks n. to Howard, AR, 1 1 Apr (CM), and
one in Desha 29 May (K&LN). Three sight¬
ings of male Cinnamon Teal in the Lacas-
sine N.W.R. area, Cameron, 15 Mar-24 Apr
(RLK, GG, JPK) may have involved a single
individual. Other males were present in
Humphreys, TN, 5 Mar (RW,JCo), and Lake
9-18 Mar (WGC); one spending its 2nd
winter in e. Orleans remained to 28 Mar
(GO). Ring-necked Ducks at Baton Rouge
18 May-e.o.p. (W. Wilson) and in Forrest,
MS, 22 May (D. Cimprich) were almost cer¬
tainly unhealthy summering birds. Late sin¬
gle Greater Scaups were in Mobile 16-17
Apr (SWM), Harrison, MS, 30 Apr (SJP),
Quitman 11 & 14 May (FB), and Black
Bayou W.M.A., TN, 2-27 May (WGC, W. R.
Peeples, V. B. Reynolds). Twelve White¬
winged Scoters in Escambia 25 Mar (RAD,
LD) and one in Marshall 20 Apr (RAR)

were overshadowed by an exceptionally late
bird in Hempstead, AR, 29 May (CM). A
Bufflehead 13 May in Caddo, LA (JLI), was
quite late. The sole Long-tailed Duck report
was from Prairie, AR, 27 Mar-2 Apr (ph.
K&LN). Late, inland Red-breasted
Mergansers included birds in Montgomery
15 May (LFG), Chicot, AR, 26-27 May (D.
R. Simons), and Marshall 31 May (B&W
Brown).

HAWKS THROUGH CRANES

Noteworthy migrant Swallow-tailed Kites
included early detections in Cameron 6
(GG) & 12 Mar (RLK), remarkable trans-
Gulf sightings at SMI- 147 30 Mar (RLK)
and EB-826 8 Apr (JRK), and late coastal
stragglers in lower Plaquemines 8 May
(DPM, PW) and Cameron 12 May (WRF,
GB). White-tailed Kites once again bred at
Holly Beach, Cameron, where a nest was
monitored late Apr-e.o.p. (JPK); one in
Little River, AR, 22-23 Apr (ph. CM, D.
Arbour) was more unexpected. A Swain-
son’s Hawk near Baton Rouge 20 Apr
(SWC) was well e. and one of few area
spring records. A wintering Rough-legged
Hawk in Cleburne, AR, remained to 16 Mar
(K&LN) and another was in Dyer 23 Mar
and 3 Apr (WGC, JRW). A rare and rather
late Golden Eagle was located in Sunflower,
MS, 2-18 Mar (ph. FB). A westbound
Crested Caracara was out-of-place on the
Cameron coast 24 Apr (JPK).

A seldom-reported Black Rail was
glimpsed at Dauphin 1. 17 Apr (G. J.
Harber). A Sora in Dyer 23 May (JRW,
WGC) was very late. A northward incursion
of Purple Gallinules included an early indi¬
vidual found dead in Oktibbeha 28 Mar (G.
& G. Bull; *MS State Univ.), a late bird in
Noxubee 20 May (TS; 2nd-3rd area rec¬
ords), up to three in Tallahatchie/Quitman
29 Apr-20 May (FB, GK), three in Lafayette,
AR, 24 Apr (K&LN), the first for Crockett,
TN, 6 May (C. Wirwa), and one in Shelby 9
May (ph. JRW). An “odd” offshore visitor at
EB-826 was an Am. Coot 24 Mar (JRK).
Eleven Sandhill Cranes in Bolivar, MS, 8
Mar (FB), and three in Shelby 12 Mar (G. R.
& J. Payne) were locally noteworthy; 35 lin¬
gered to 6 Mar in Calcasieu, LA (JPK).

SHOREBIRDS

High-counts of Am. Golden-Plovers
included 102 well e. in Okaloosa 16 Mar
(PT), up to 237 in Lowndes, AL, 20-21 Mar
(SER, LFG), 1435 in Dyer 3 Apr (JRW), and
1163 in Little River 17 Apr (CM). Single
Snowy Plovers in Cameron 22 (JPK) & 28
May (PW, CS) were late and suggestive of

breeding. The first substantiated breeding
of Am. Oystercatchers in Cameron occurred
19 Apr-e.o.p. on the e. bank of the Sabine
R. (RJB, JPK, DPM, RLK); three individuals
a few miles away 25 Apr (DPM, PY), and w.
Florida’s 11th in Santa Rosa 5 Apr (RAD)
were presumed migrants. In Benton, a
Greater Yellowlegs 1 Mar (D. James) and a
Solitary Sandpiper 28 Mar (MM, DC) were
earliest-ever for n.w. Arkansas. Rare interi¬
or Whimbrels were noted in Clark 13 May
(DolH,DonH) and Benton 19 May (JP);
eight in Lake 22 May and one there 23 May
(JRW, WGC) represented the 8th w.
Tennessee record. A Marbled Godwit in
Lake 25 Apr (WGC) was the 2nd w. Tennes¬
see spring record; 19 in Humphreys 22 Apr
(RW, C. Ferrell, JCo) and one in Santa Rosa
22 Apr (A&DF) were also unusual. Rare
interior Sanderlings included the first
spring occurrence at Millwood L., Howard,
22-23 May (CM), and one in Lake 23 May
(JRW, WGC). Early peeps included a
White-rumped Sandpiper in Mobile 16 Apr
(SWM; ties Alabama early date), two
Pectorals in Benton 7 Mar (MM, DC; earli¬
est n.w. Arkansas), and 52 Dunlins (with
160 early Long-billed Dowitchers) in
Bolivar 8 Mar (FB).

A rash of female Ruffs made appear¬
ances in Quitman 9-13 Mar (ph. FB, G&SK,
JRW; exceptionally early, 4th recent area
record), Prairie 27 Mar (ph. K&LN) and 21
Apr (K&LN; first records c. Arkansas), and
Shelby 10 Apr (JRW; 6th area spring
record). A locally rare and somewhat early
Wilson’s Phalarope was in Okaloosa 1 Apr
(PT), and Regionally rare Red-necked
Phalaropes were located in Clark 1 1 May (2;
DolH) and Benton 25 May (3; MM).

GULLS, TERNS

An ad. Little Gull in Cameron 25 Mar (R.
Bacon) was an excellent find; there are still
<10 state records, most from this area.
Reports of Lesser Black-backed Gulls
included an adult at SMI- 147 31 Mar
(RLK), a sub-adult in Lafourche 3 Apr-2
May (ph. PW, CCK, ph. JPK, DPM, PY),
three first-years there 30 May (ph. DPM,
RDP), two sub-adults near Cameron 24
Apr (DPM, PY), a first-year in lower
Plaquemines 9 May (JPK), and a sub-adult
in Baldwin 23 Apr (RAD). First-year Great
Black-backed Gulls were noted near
Cameron 14 Mar (RLK) and in Lafourche
2-22 Apr (ph. PW, CCK, CS, DJL). The sal¬
vation of a rough 17 Apr pelagic trip off
Lafourche were two Kelp Gulls and a sus¬
pected Kelp x Herring hybrid at a shrimp
trawler about 15 mi s.s.e. of Port Fourchon

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

289

(ph. IPS, ph. RMG, ph. PW, ph. G. Payne,
DPM, DLD, SWC, C. Marantz); there are no
previous well-documented Louisiana
records outside summer on the Chandeleur
Is. Seven Glaucous Gulls was above average:
two wintering birds remained to 13 Mar in
n. Jefferson, LA (ph. PY); others were at
SMI- 147 25 Mar (RLK), at Grand I. 3-16
Apr (ph. PW, CS, CCK), and in Cameron 10
(2; M. Weber) & 24 Apr (ph. JPK, ph. PY,
DPM). Also a good season’s total, five
Black-legged Kittiwakes were distributed in
Cameron 13 Mar (ph. RLK), at VE-265 31
Mar and 10 Apr (ph. BMM), at SMI- 147 1 1
Apr (ph. DP), at GC-18 18 Apr (ph. BPG),
and in Baldwin 14 Apr (RAD). An onshore
Bridled Tern in Cameron 24 Apr (RJB, JPK,
GS) was totally unprecedented for spring.

DOVES THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS

Eurasian Collared-Doves continue to
spread inland, with a dozen reports from
new and recently occupied sites in Arkan¬
sas, Mississippi, and middle Tennessee
(m.ob.). White-winged Doves also continue
to increase, especially in s. Louisiana, with
strays radiating n. and e. elsewhere in the
Region. Most unusual (all singles) were
trans-Gulf migrants at EB-826 six times 5
Apr-1 May (JRK) and at GB-189 2 Apr
(SJP), and pioneers in Phillips, AR, 18 Apr
(ph. J. Gschwend), Columbia , AR, 15 Apr
(E. L. Lacy, SSL; 2nd area record) and 22-23
Apr (ph. SSL; 3rd area record), 25 Apr in
Oktibbeha (TS, ph. MS; 2nd area record)
and Grenada (ph. FB, D. Welch; first for
n.w. Mississippi), in Escambia 19 May
(BHS), and in Gulf 20 May (BHS). A Long¬
eared Owl in lower Plaquemines 5 Mar ( AP,
ph. DH) provided one of few well-docu¬
mented Louisiana records. A Chuck-will’s-
widow found in early February in lower
Plaquemines stayed to 5 Mar (AP, DH). Two
wintering male Whip-poor-wills in Iber¬
ville, LA, remained to 7 & 10 Mar, respec¬
tively (DLD, SWC); one in Cleburne, AL, 5
Mar ( BS ) was incredibly early and may have
more likely wintered locally. Most mention-
able among last-seen dates for various win¬
tering hummingbirds were Calliopes 24
Mar at Iberville (SWC, DLD), 25 Mar and 4
Apr at Baton Rouge (C. Foil), and 8 Apr at
Baton Rouge (M. Davey), and a Broad¬
tailed 7 Mar at Baton Rouge (M. Griffith).

FLYCATCHERS

An Olive-sided Flycatcher in Jackson 20
May (GDJ) was e. of normal and the latest
for Alabama. An Acadian Flycatcher at
Grand I. 2 Apr (PW, CS) was early. About
five vocalizing Willow Flycatchers in Cam¬

eron 12 May (WRF, GB, v.t.) provided one
of surprisingly few well-documented rec¬
ords for Louisiana. Two wintering Least
Flycatchers in lower Plaquemines were pre¬
sent to 5 Mar (AP); one in Mobile 17 Apr
(LFG, SER) was early and rare for the e.
coast. A Vermilion Flycatcher in Cameron 3
Apr (JPK) was relatively late, but more
unusual was inland Alabama’s 9th and lat¬
est in Monroe 16 Apr (ph. C8cJ Stallworth).
Particularly rare as a spring migrant, an
Ash-throated Flycatcher was found near
Cameron 23 Apr (ph. PW, CS). A very rare
Great Kiskadee was discovered in lower
Plaquemines 17 Apr (ph. E. Jeanclos); amaz¬
ingly, the (apparently solitary) bird con¬
structed a nest on a telephone pole and was
viewed by many through e.o.p. (ph. RMG,
ph. JPK, IPS). A freshly dead Sulphur-bel¬
lied Flycatcher at W. Cameron 319 plat¬
form, 73 km s.s.w. of Cameron 6 May (T.
Reitan, *LSUMNS), was Louisiana’s 5th,
and 3rd in spring. Another perplexing off¬
shore record of Tropical/Couch’s King¬
bird featured a silent bird at VE-265 9 May
(ph. BMM). A wintering W. Kingbird near
Baton Rouge was last seen 5 Mar (D. F.
Lane); mentionable migrants included a
trans-Gulf individual at VE-265 8 May
(BMM), strays e. to Baldwin 6 Apr (LD)
and Santa Rosa 10 May (RAD), and a late
interior bird in Lake 30 May ( JRW). A Gray
Kingbird in Harrison 21-29 May (K.
Hackman, SJP) was at the location where a
pair bred last year; perhaps more interest¬
ing was a moribund trans-Gulf individual
at EB-826 30 Apr (IRK, *LSUMNS). Yet
another strange trans-Gulf wanderer was a
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at VE-265 7 May
(BMM); most notable among several e.
reports were a very early individual in
Mobile 9 Mar (P. Rodelamb), and a possible
breeder in Morgan, AL, 18 May-e.o.p. (H.
H. Kittinger).

VIREOS THROUGH SWALLOWS

Three Yellow-throated Vireos in lower
Plaquemines 9 Mar (AP) were exceptionally
early. A Blue-headed Vireo in Cameron 12
May (WRF, GB) was the latest-ever for
Louisiana in spring. Warbling Vireos in
Bossier, LA, 27 Mar (JLI) and in the
Oktibbeha area 10 & 18 Apr (MS, TS) were
early; one in Cameron 12 May (WRF, GB)
was relatively late. A pair of Black-
whiskered Vireos at Grand I. 30 May (DPM,
RDP) once again suggested occasional
breeding there. Farther east, where some¬
what more regular, three (two captured and
banded) were noted in Baldwin 3-18 Apr
(RRS), and singles were in Escambia 28 Apr

(M. Rose, H. Huddleston) and Santa Rosa
29 Apr (RAD). A “pair” of Horned Larks in
Lowndes, lingering from the winter period
to 30 May, represented the first spring
occurrence for the Alabama coastal plain
and almost certainly bred, with a juvenile
present and the adults copulating 22 May
(T. Pratt, P. Johnson). A concentration of
185 N. Rough-winged Swallows in St.
Charles 6 Mar (numbers building since
Feb) were presumably early migrants (PY).
An interesting trans-Gulf Bank Swallow at
EB-826 24 Mar (JRK) was also early, as was
a Cliff in Okaloosa 3 Mar (PT). Cave
Swallows appear to be established at
Louisiana’s Hwy. 82-Sabine R. site, with at
least one-two viewed 24 Apr and 1 May
(RJB, JPK).

CREEPERS THROUGH PIPITS

Brown Creepers were observed nest-build¬
ing in Lake 1 May (B. Ford, B. Rutledge). A
wintering Rock Wren in White remained to
1 Mar (K&LN). Reports of the declining
eastern Bewick’s Wren included a presumed
transient in Washington 20 Mar (MM), and
a first-ever nest for Fayette, TN, 15 May
(subsequently destroyed; D. Whittington).
A singing Winter Wren in Putnam 21-24
May (SJS) was exceptionally late and away
from known breeding areas. A Ruby-
crowned Kinglet in Montgomery 15 May
(CTS, PS) was Alabama’s latest. Veeries in
Washington 26 May (MM) and Iberville 27
May (DLD) were late, as was a Gray¬
cheeked Thrush in Cameron 29 May (PW,
CS). A Swainson’s Thrush in Orleans 1 Apr
(DPM) was early. A Hermit Thrush (possi¬
ble western subspecies) in lower Plaque¬
mines 8 May (DPM) was one of the latest-
ever for Louisiana. Numbers of Am. Robins
lingered into early May at Pensacola, and a
nest there 10 May provided one of few area
breeding records (D. Timmons, PT). A N.
Mockingbird was an unexpected inhabitant
of VE-265 17 Apr (SJP). Two Am. Pipits in
Washington 8 May (JP) were relatively late.

WARBLERS

A male Magnolia Warbler in Cameron 29
May (PW, CS) was quite late on the coast.
Inland Cape May Warblers included one
early in Montgomery 7 Apr (CTS, PS),
another there 1-2 May (LFG), different
birds in Washington 3 & 12 May (JP), one in
Hempstead 8 May (CM), and six in w.
Tennessee 30 Apr-8 May (m.ob.). The
detection of two Hermit Warblers (both
males), last seen in Louisiana in 1973, was
phenomenal. More amazing still, the first
appeared offshore at EB-826 15 Apr (JRK);

290

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

central southern

the 2nd was in Cameron 28 Apr (S.
Gauthreaux, C. Belser, D. Andrus, K.
Dorris, ph. M&L Bellue, ph. WRF). A Palm
Warbler at VE-265 12 May (BMM) was very
late, especially offshore. Two male Blackpoll
Warblers in Cameron 30 May (PW, CS)
were late coastal stragglers. Two Black-and-
white Warblers in lower Plaquemines 9 Mar
(AP), a singing male in Iberville 9 Mar
(DLD), and one at Grand I. 13 Mar (J.
Conover) were all relatively early migrants.
A wintering Ovenbird in Orleans was last
seen 25 Mar (DJL), and, of three wintering
in lower Plaquemines, one stayed to 1 Mar,
and the other two until 5 Mar (AP); more
unusual was a wintering individual in
Prairie that remained to 7 Mar (T&RS). An
Ovenbird in Putnam 8 Apr (RWS), Ken¬
tucky Warblers in Noxubee 4 Apr (TS, MS)
and Putnam 1 1 Apr (RWS), and a Hooded
Warbler in Putnam 8 Apr (SJS) were all
early area records. A Wilson’s Warbler in
Cameron 12 May (WRF, GB) was a relative¬
ly late, rare spring coastal migrant. A win¬
tering Yellow-breasted Chat in lower
Plaquemines was present to 5 Mar (DH,
AP).

TANAGERS THROUGH BUNTINGS

A male Summer Tanager, back for its 4th or
5th winter in Baton Rouge, remained to 9
Mar (ph. J8cC Barre); one in Caddo 10 Mar
(). Trahan) was incredibly early for a
migrant, having more likely wintered in the
Region. A W. Tanager in St. John-the-Baptist
since early Feb remained to 4 Mar (R.
Stein). A rare-in-spring Clay-colored Spar¬
row was observed in Little River 25 Apr
(CM). Two pairs of Lark Sparrows in
Morgan 10 May-e.o.p. (M. S. Gravette, C. D.
Cooley) and a pair in Madison 19
May-e.o.p. (D8cR Cutten) were at new sites
for the small n.w. Alabama breeding popu¬
lation. Interesting reports of Savannah
Sparrows included one headed SE past
SMI-147 20 Mar (RLK), one-two late in n.
Jefferson , LA, 14 May (PY), and two in
Prairie 20 May (W. M. Sheperd). Five Le
Conte’s Sparrows in Tallahatchie/Quitman
29 Apr (FB) and one in Desha 2 May (JC)
represented important late dates for this
easily overlooked species. Also late were
three Slate-colored Juncos in Lee, MS, 9 Apr
and one still there 10 Apr (D. 8c K. T.
Mapstone).

A Rose-breasted Grosbeak at Grand I. 3
Apr (PW, CS) was early, especially for a fe¬
male. Seven different Indigo Buntings not¬
ed in Iberville during the period 6 Feb-26
Mar (SWC, DLD, J. V. Remsen), were
thought to have wintered in the area; more

impressive was a wintering bird in Prairie
that remained to 26 Mar (T8cRS). One in
Noxubee 4 Apr (TS, MS) was very early for
the area. A wintering male Painted Bunting
in Baton Rouge remained to 6 Apr (J.
Strickland), and a female in Iberville lin¬
gered to 9 Mar (SWC, DLD).

BOBOLINK THROUGH CROSSBILLS

A Bobolink in Lowndes, MS, 13 Apr (K.
Kimmerle) was early for the area. A Yellow¬
headed Blackbird at EB-826 23 Apr (JRK)
provided more evidence of a limited trans-
Gulf movement by this species. On the
mainland, 27 in Caddo 8 May ( JLI ) repre¬
sented an excellent Louisiana count, and
Mississippi strays were recorded in Madison
8 May (J. Jordan) and Jackson 12-14 May
(C. Delmas). The much-anticipated Shiny
Cowbird explosion has not been realized —
yet, but a few continue to be reported each
spring. This year, males were observed 14
May in Santa Rosa (RAD) and Gulf, FL (T.
Lewis), at Grand I. 16 Apr (DJL, RMG), and
near Cameron 30 Apr (SWC, *LSUMNS,
DLD). Louisiana’s 3rd or 4th Hooded
Oriole, continuing from early Feb, remain¬
ed in Baton Rouge to 23 Mar (ph. A.
DeBosier, v.t. GS, ph. SWC, DLD). Non¬
coastal wintering Baltimore Orioles
remained in Davidson, TN, to 9 Mar (C.
Sloan) and Marshall to 2 Apr (RAR, LBR).
A male Bullock’s Oriole in Jefferson 24 Apr
(RRS) was an exceptional find inland, and
Alabama’s first since 1990. Red Crossbills,
rare in Alabama and the Region in general,
were confirmed nesting in Cleburne
through the season, with several nests
under observation and building, egg-lay¬
ing, and hatching/fledging activity moni¬
tored (BS); details will be published else¬
where.

Initialed observers (subregional editors
boldfaced): Roger J. Breedlove, Fred
Broerman, Gary Broussard, Joe Cambre,
Steven W. Cardiff (Louisiana), David
Chapman, Margaret Copeland, Jay Corbitt
(JCo), W. Glen Criswell, Donna L.
Dittmann, Lucy Duncan, Robert A.
Duncan (w. Florida), Frank Fekel (middle
Tennessee), William R. Fontenot, Ann
Forster, Dan Forster, Larry F. Gardella,
Brian P. Gibbons, Gay Gomez, R. Martin
Guidry, Daniel Harrington, Dolores
Harrington (DolH), Don Harrington
(DonH), James L. Ingold, Greg D. Jackson
(Alabama), Cecil C. Kersting, Jon R. King,
Joseph P. Kleiman, Gene Knight, Richard L.
Knight, Shannon Knight, Sterling S. Lacy,
David J. L’Hoste, Steve W. McConnell,

Charles Mills, Mike Mlodinow, David P.
Muth, B. Mac Myers, LaDonna Nichols,
Kenny Nichols, Glenn Ousset, Arvind
Panjabi, Max & Helen Parker (Arkansas),
Dave Patton, Stacy J. Peterson, John Prather,
R. D. Purrington, Sharon E. Reed, Linda B.
Reynolds, Richard A. Reynolds, Robert R.
Sargent, Marion Schiefer, Terry Schiefer
(Mississippi), John P. Sevenair, Richard W.
Simmers, Terry 8c Ruth Singleterry, Carolyn
T. Snow, Phil Snow, Curt Sorrells, Barbara
H. Stedman, Stephen J. Stedman, Gayle
Strickland, Bill Summerour, Phil Tetlow,
Martha Waldron (w. Tennessee), Phillip
Wallace, Robert Wheat, Jeff R. Wilson, Peter
Yaukey.

Steven W. Cardiff, 435 Pecan Drive, St.
Gabriel, Louisiana 70776
(scardif@unix1 .sncc.lsu.edu)

Birders’

Exchange

We’ll breath new life into your
old optics, other birding equip¬
ment, and books! Cooperating
with Manomet Center for Con¬
servation Sciences, ABA is gath¬
ering used birding equipment
that Manomet matches with
requirements of those doing bird
conservation research in Latin
America and the Caribbean. You
can help by donating your used
equipment, funds, or by acting as
a courier. Contact Paul Green
(800/850-2473) at ABA if you
would like to help or need more
information.

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

291

prairie provinces region

RUDOLF F. KOES
and PETER TAYLOR

onditions were generally cool and
windy across much of the south, with
copious amounts of rain in some parts, par¬
ticularly in May. Accumulations up to four
times normal were recorded in southeast
Saskatchewan and southwest Manitoba,
resulting in widespread and persistent
flooding. The north was warmer and drier
than usual, which led to early snow melt
and ice break-up. Effects on bird popula¬
tions should become clearer in months to
come. Both raptor and waterfowl migration
were uneventful, but large concentrations
of shorebirds were found in parts of Alberta
and Saskatchewan. Only Manitoba report¬
ed passerine waves, on 14-15 May and
19-22 May, during periods of inclement
weather. A fine array of rarities spiced up
the season.

Abbreviations: C.N.R. (Condie Nature Ref., SK);
I.B.S. (Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, Calgary, AB);
M.S.C. (May Species Count, AB); O.H.M. (Oak
Hammock Marsh Wildlife Management Area,
MB).

GREBES THROUGH FALCONS

Two Red-necked Grebes at O.H.M. 1 1 Apr
were early (RKo). A Great Egret was near
Briercrest, SK, 20 Apr (PG) and four were
reported in Manitoba in May (LdM, JBe,
AW, RKo). Much rarer was a Snowy Egret at
Edmonton, AB, 14-15 May (SGo); possibly
the same bird was at nearby Beaverhill L.
16-29 May (JP, RD, BR et ah). Five Cattle
Egrets in s.w. Manitoba and three in s.e.
Saskatchewan, all in May, came from the
wettest part of the Region — coincidence? A
Green Heron visited Wascana Cr., Regina,

SK, 12-14 May (JBi et ah). If accepted, an
ad. Yellow-crowned Night-Heron at

Nanton 29-31 May, would provide Alberta
with its first record (CK et ah). Eleven
Ross’s Geese at Windygates, MB, 28 Mar
were early (RKo) and a rare blue-morph
individual was near Kronau, SK, 22 Apr
(RKr, DN). A pair of Richardson’s Canada
Geese nested successfully near Pierson,
believed to be a first for s. Manitoba (RWa,
fide CCt). Five Trumpeter Swans at
Churchill, MB, late May were far north ( fide
BCh). A Whooper Swan near Irricana, AB,
17-18 Apr was a first for the Region (TK et
ah), but its origin is uncertain (perhaps
from a small feral population in Mon¬
tana?). Another dilemma is presented by
regular reports of Bewick’s Swans. Many
may in fact involve Whistling Swans show¬
ing extreme amounts of yellow on the bill,
one of which was noted s. of the Cypress
Hills, SK, 24 Apr (TH).

Besides “numerous” reports of Eur.
Wigeons in Alberta, there were 2 sightings in
Saskatchewan: one near Dundurn 22-27
May (PB, PN, SS et ah) and two males at
Cypress Res. 30 May (WH, JBi). In addition,
a hybrid Eur. x Am. Wigeon was at Langdon
Res., AB, 1 May (MH). Other hybrids
reported were a male Mallard x N. Pintail at
O.H.M. 28-31 May (RKo et ah), a Blue¬
winged x Cinnamon Teal at Strath-more,

AB, 25 Apr (AS, J8cMM), and a Barrow’s X
Com. Goldeneye at Strathmore 2 Apr (TK).

A record-early Sharp-shinned Hawk
passed the Windygates hawk watch 15 Mar
(RKo) and a Red-shouldered Hawk at
Winnipeg, MB, 17 May was a rarity (GHo,
CCs). Ferruginous Hawks were down to 40
known pairs in s.w. Manitoba, vs. 49 in
1998 and 55 in 1997. A decline in the
Richardson’s Ground Squirrel population
may be responsible (fide KD & CCt). The
Mt. borette, AB, hawk watch recorded its
2nd lowest April Golden Eagle total (268
birds) since monitoring started in 1992, for
a combined spring tally of 2816 (DA, GHa,
PS, JS, BW). Two very late Gyrfalcons were
reported in Saskatchewan, a grey individual
at Mozart 20 May (BK, DS) and a dark bird
at Weyburn 25 May (CB).

GROUSE

THROUGH WOODPECKERS

Sage Grouse numbers continue to dwindle,
with 27 found at Manyberries, AB, 1 1 Apr
(MO) and seven at Govenlock, SK, 24 Apr
(TH). Two Sandhill Cranes arrived early at
Richer, MB, 24 Mar (SI), as did one near
Calgary, AB, 27 Mar (TK). Large concentra¬
tions of shorebirds included up to 2200
Black-bellied Plovers at Brooks, AB, 19-23
May (MSC, m.ob.) and 500 at Lethbridge,
AB, 23 May (PHo), up to 60 Black-necked

Even cement “rocks”
will do
for this Rock Wren
north of its
usual haunts
at Condie Nature
Refuge, Saskatchewan,
3 May 1999.
Photograph/John Triffo

292

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

Stilts at Brooks 22-23 May (MSC) plus five
at Chaplin Cr., SK, 26 May ( JB, WH, DS et
al.), a peak of 92 Hudsonian Godwits at
Shepard, AB, 26 Apr (WW, MH), a maxi¬
mum of 400 Red Knots at Scandia, AB, 22
May (MSC), 30,000 Sanderlings at Chaplin
L„ SK, 28-29 May (JBi), 3200 Semipal-
mated Sandpipers at Gooseberry L., AB, 22
May (MH), 357 Short-billed Dowitchers at
Keoma, AB, 23 May ( JS, SH), and 2800 Red¬
necked Phalaropes at Gooseberry L. 22 May
(MH) plus 5000+ in the Chaplin/Reed L.
area 25 May (RKr, JT). Much wetter s.e.
Saskatchewan and Manitoba, in contrast,
harbored few shorebirds, and then only in
late May. Good finds included an Upland
Sandpiper at Mt. Lorette 14 May, a first
record at the site (PS), Saskatchewan’s 2nd
Curlew Sandpiper, at Chaplin L. 27 May
(BH, MB et al.), and a Red Phalarope at
Bow Valley P.P., AB, 29 May (BE, CS, MH).

A Parasitic Jaeger rested during
inclement weather on a field near Calgary
29 May (TK) and two California Gulls at
O.H.M. 21 May were e. of their usual range
(KG). An ad. Lesser Black-backed Gull at
I.B.S. 3-8 Apr, and possibly later, was rare
(RB et al.). A 2nd sighting came from Ft.
McMurray, AB, 17 May (D&NL). An unus¬
ual gull flying over Regina 7 May was iden¬
tified as a lst-year Slaty-backed Gull
(RKr), the 2nd report of this species in
Saskatchewan. Calgary had four Glaucous
Gulls between 1 Apr-1 May (m.ob.) and
one was in Saskatoon, SK, 8 May (PB, RJ).
The last rare larid was a Sabine’s Gull at
Dalroy, AB, 21 May (TK).

A Band-tailed Pigeon, rare anywhere in
the Region, was in Calgary 13-16 May (GT,
GY). Two possible Com. Poorwills respond¬
ed to tape at Ukalta Doons Nat. Area, AB,
28 May (BC1, BR et al.), an area well n. of its
nearest known range, in the Cypress Hills.
Locally rare were single Lewis’s Woodpeck¬
ers at Mt. Lorette 1 May (PS), at Calgary 20
May (DG), and at Bow Valley P.P. 23 May
(EPe). The female Red-bellied Woodpecker
thdt wintered near St. Francois Xavier, MB,
was joined by a male 16 May; they departed
about a week later (KM). Another female
briefly visited Kleefeld, MB, 17 May ( fide
DF).

PASSERINES

A male Scissor-tailed Flycatcher delighted
many, including participants in the first
Delta Birding Festival, at Portage la Prairie,
MB, 12-16 May (Mr. Pollitt et al.). Seen
briefly in front of a school bus was a Fork¬
tailed Flycatcher near Cedoux, SK, 27 May
(CB). School could wait, the bus was

stopped, but this provincial first had van¬
ished and was not found again. Another
potential first for Saskatchewan, but unfor¬
tunately not documented, was a Pygmy
Nuthatch at a Val Marie feeder 12 May (LP).
A Rock Wren wandered N to C.N.R. 3 May
(CP et al.), but even farther afield was a
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 23 May at I.B.S.
(JC), location of the 2 previous provincial
sightings in 1987 and 1988. An E. Bluebird
at Tofield 22 Apr-30 May continued the
trend of recent summer sightings in Alberta
(EH et al.), while a W. Bluebird appeared in
Spruce View, AB, 27 May ( fide JR). The pre¬
viously-reported Curve-billed Thrasher in
Barrhead, AB, was rescued from a cat 12
Apr and taken to a vet; the 2nd bird, in St.
Claude, MB, vacated its favorite feeders
with the onset of milder weather in late
March (m.ob.).

Good finds were a Black- throated Blue
Warbler near Blumenort, MB, 20-21 May
(VR et al.) and an early Black-throated
Green Warbler at C.N.R. 3 May (CP et al.).
Blackpoll Warblers were particularly
prominent in Manitoba and s.e. Saskatche¬
wan; e.g., 100+ were noted at C.N.R. 20
May (CP). A very early Ovenbird reached
Winnipeg 30 Apr (LdM). Three Summer
Tanagers were seen in s.e. Manitoba, with
one at St. Adolphe 3 May (AC), a 2nd in
Kleefeld mid-May (IP, FG), and the 3rd at
St. Ambroise 14 May (GHo, Ccs). Western
Tanagers were more common than usual in
Calgary (TK) and several were reported in
Saskatchewan in May. One reached Minne-
dosa, MB, 19 May (CCt).

A Lark Sparrow was a first for Mt.
Lorette 20 May (JS). Lark Buntings were
scarce due to the wet conditions, but singles
were noted at Oak L., MB, 17 May (AW)
and at O.H.M. 29 May (GHo, CCs, BC). A
White-crowned Sparrow at Elrna, MB, 3
Mar had no doubt wintered (GGf).
Agricultural lands w.n.w. of Regina were
inundated by 67,000+ Lapland Longspurs
15 May (RKr, RM). East of its normal range
was a Black-headed Grosbeak at Wood-
north, MB, 16 May (GGn). Noteworthy
were single Lazuli Buntings at Lethbridge
23 May (FM), at Mt. Lorette 26 May (PS)
and at Winnipeg 26 May (HT et al.), the last
bird with some Indigo Bunting genes. A
stunner was the Region’s first Painted
Bunting, a male at a Kennedy, SK, feeder 1
May and again 10-13 May (P&GHe et al.).
Possibly the same bird showed up at a feed¬
er 240 km to the n.n.w. in Kelvington, SK,
16-18 May (D&RWi et al.). A Yellow-head¬
ed Blackbird 26 May, a Com. Crackle 9 May,
and a Baltimore Oriole 30 May were all new

for the Mt. Lorette list (PS). Finally, a
Brown-headed Cowbird at a Churchill
feeder 14 May was rare, early, and not wel¬
come (RMu).

Observers (subregional compilers in bold¬
face) : D. Allan, S. Ayer, R. Barclay, M. Barr,
J. Bell (JBe), J. Bilyk (JBi), C. Bjorklund, G.
Booth, P. Bulman, B. Carey (BCy), B.
Carroll (BC1), B. Chartier (BCh), J. Collyer,
A. Courcelles, C. Curtis (CCs), C. Cuthbert
(CCt), P. Daley, L. deMarch, K. DeSmet, R.
Dickson, B. Elder, D. Fast, K. Gardner, P.
Geraghty, D. Germyn, F. Giesbrecht, S.
Gosche, G. Grieef (GGf), G. Grierson
(GGn), B. Harrington, W. Harris, M. Harri¬
son, T. Hoffman, G. Halmazna (GHa),
P.&G. Heebner (P&GHe), G. Holland
(GHo), S. Holohan, P. Horch (PHo), E.
Hubbard, S. Innes, R. Johanson, C. Kindt, R.
Koes (RKo), B. Korol, T. Korolyk, R. Kreba,
(RKr), D.&N. Lennie, J.& M. McDonald
(J&MMc), F. Michna, K. Minish, R.
Mumford, Jr. (RMu), R. Myers (RMy), D.
Nadeau, P. Nelson, M. O’Shea, L. Perrault,
E. Peterson, J. Pilny, 1. Plett, C. Pollock, E.
Pretty, V. Reimer, B. Ritchie, J. Rogers, P.
Sargent, D. Sawatsky, C. Schialfa, S. Shadick,
P. Sherrington, A. Slater, W. Smith, J.
Steeves, G. Tonrasson, H. Toom, J. Triffo, D.
Vetter, L. Vogt, A. Walleyn, R. Wang (RWa),
D.& R. Wickstrom (D&RWi), B. Wilson, G.
Yaki, R. Zach.

Rudolf F. Koes, 135 Rossmere Cres.,
Winnipeg, MB R2K 0G1 and Peter Taylor,
Box 597, Pinawa, MB ROE 1L0

Place names that are frequently men¬
tioned, but very long, may be abbreviat¬
ed in a form such as “C.B.B.T.” or
“W.P.B.O.” Such local abbreviations will
be explained in a key at the beginning
of the particular regional report in
which they are used. Standard abbrevi¬
ations that are used throughout North
American Birds are keyed on page 251.

VOLUME 5 J (1999), ISSUE 3

293

northern great plains
region

1 \

JJ|k '7^1

MONTANA

NORTH g-ui-3

soirriWY

DAKOTA s«**r*"

- —

j : -■■■y

— J ,

RON E. MARTIN

he wet period that began in mid- 1993
continues. Water levels that last year
defied description were even higher this
year. Devil’s Lake in north-central North
Dakota has risen 20 feet since 1993. Tem¬
peratures were about average for March,
but April and May were cool, and May
brought heavy rains after a relatively dry
early spring. Most species of waterfowl
reached South Dakota by early March. Mi¬
gration was generally early, but somewhat
sporadic, with a species appearing, then
absent for a week or two. Peak numbers of
many species went through in narrow time
windows. As has been the case in recent wet
years, most shorebirds overflew the Region.
Other migrant numbers were generally
unspectacular. Seasonal highlights include
possible first state records of Northern Car¬
dinal in Montana, and Purple Gallinule,
Elegant Tern, and Arctic Tern in South
Dakota. In North Dakota, second records
were established for Snowy Plover and
Brewster’s Warbler. Sightings marked with a
dagger (t) are subject to review by appro¬
priate state records committee.

LOOMS THROUGH DUCKS

A Red-throated Loon on Nelson Res., MT,
29-30 May furnished the 9th record for the
state and first for spring (SD, fDE). Record
early grebes included Pied-billed in Fargo,
ND, 17 Mar (DPW), and Western in Stan¬
ley, SD, 23 Mar (RDO). Twenty-five Great
Egret nests were located on the e. end of
Devil’s L., ND (DOL), and far west was an
individual in Meade, SD, 14 May (REP). A

Snowy Egret 26 Apr at Bowdoin N.W.R.,
MT, provided a rare early spring record for
an area that usually sees only post-breeding
individuals (KE). Casual in South Dakota, a
Tricolored Heron was noted in Clark 22
May (RFS, t JSP). A Yellow-crowned Night-
Heron was a rare visitor to Brown, SD, 5
May (fDAT). Unusual in w. South Dakota
were up to nine White-faced Ibis in Butte
8-13 May (RAS, REP, VDF). A Cattle Egret
was far west in Meade, SD, 14 May (VDF).
If accepted, a Green Heron at Lebo L. near
Twodot would provide the 11th Montana
record (fMD). By far the largest number
ever observed in North Dakota, 25 Brant
near Lostwood N.W.R. 12 Apr provided the
13th state record (fBD). South Dakota’s
earliest ever Tundra Swans were noted in
Lake 1 Mar (ISP), and the species peaked at
6500 in Grand Forks, ND, 12 Apr (EEF).
Providing the 11th North Dakota record
was a Eur. Wigeon in Traill 17-18 Apr
(DLK).

RAPTORS THROUGH OWLS

Impressive Bald Eagle numbers were noted
in all 3 states, with high counts of 77 at
Bowdoin 1 Apr (DP, KE), 40 in Grand
Forks, ND, 26 Mar (EEF), and 113 in
Brown, SD, 16 Mar (DAT, SLS). A Red¬
shouldered Hawk was at Sully’s Hill
National Game Preserve, ND, 1 May, where
at least one spent several weeks last year
(REM). Another was noted at Clark Salyer
N.W.R. 8 May (GBB). These provided the
15th and 16th records for North Dakota.
Several observers commented on the pauci¬
ty of Swainson’s Hawks. An impressive 25
Merlins were tallied in North Dakota, and
the species was again nesting in Grand
Forks, where the first e. North Dakota
breeding was recorded last year (DOL). A
late report was received of a successful Mer¬
lin nesting in summer 1998 at the Minot
AFB, ND. Four fledgling females were pho¬
tographed 20-24 Jul, documenting the first
nesting in that area (MAJ).

If accepted, a Purple Gallinule 22 May
in Clark would provide a South Dakota first
(RFS, tJSP). Only the 2nd for North Dako¬
ta, a Snowy Plover was photographed 1
May in Grand Forks (fDOL). Five times the

previous spring peak, 4000 Long-billed
Dowitchers were counted at McKenzie
Slough, Burleigh, ND, 4 May (HCT). Gulls
made an early showing across the Region,
with most first arrivals in early March. Rare
in spring, a Black-legged Kittiwake was
noted 16 Apr in Stanley, SD (RDO). Cas¬
pian Terns were unusually widespread, with
1 1 reports. Far from its usual w. coast
haunts, an Elegant Tern was documented
at Oahe Dam, SD, 15 May (RFS, JSP, tOS),
providing the first South Dakota and
Regional record, if accepted. Arctic Terns
again made news, with South Dakota’s first
at Oahe 16-17 May (RFS, JSP, OS, fTJ). The
species attempted nesting again at Bowdoin
N.W.R. (SD, DE, JF, fTH), with two-three
adults and a nest in late May.

A W. Screech-Owl picked up 3 Mar in
Great Falls, MT, later died in captivity, pro¬
viding one of the easternmost Montana
records, the first of any screech-owl in the
Great Falls area, and perhaps only the 2nd
Regional record (SM). Long-eared and
Short-eared owl reports were widespread.

FLYCATCHERS
THROUGH GNATCATCHERS

Flycatchers were generally early, but num¬
bers were only average. Alder Flycatchers
peaked at 20 in Fargo, ND, 22 May (NDBS)
and at four below Ft. Peck Dam, MT, 30
May (SD, DE), but there were only 2 reports
from South Dakota. Casual in South Dako¬
ta, an amazing 3 reports were received for
White-eyed Vireo, with one documented in
Minnehaha 6 May (JSP, RFS, fND), one
banded in Brown 1 1 May, and one heard at
another location in Brown 16 May (fDAT).
Common Ravens nested again this year at
Clark Salyer N.W.R., ND, the same area
where the state’s first nesting this century
was documented last year (fide GBB). A
vagrant individual was noted in the
Badlands of w. North Dakota 23 Apr (MLJ).
Record early in South Dakota were Tree
Swallow in Minnehaha 31 Mar (NP) and
Cliff Swallow in Charles Mix 18 Apr (RM).
A Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was far west 12
May in Hughes, SD (RDO), and the now
almost annual individual appeared in
Fargo, ND, 7-11 May (RHO, GEN, MAO).

294

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

North Dakota’s second Snowy Plover, at Grand Forks 1 May 1999.
Photograph/ David 0. Lambeth

WARBLERS

Only the 2nd for North Dakota, a Brews¬
ter’s Warbler was noted in Fargo 8-1 1 May
(RHO). A Blue-winged Warbler was early 4
May in Minnehaha, SD (NP), and one was
banded far west at Pierre 10-11 May (RDO,
FIB). South Dakota’s earliest-ever Orange-
crowned was in Day 5 Apr (DRS). Cape
May Warblers made a strong showing in
North Dakota 5-21 May, but were almost
absent in South Dakota. Far west was a
Black-throated Blue Warbler in Dunn, ND,
19 May (JL). Somewhat e. of its normal
range was a Townsend’s Warbler in Malta,
MT, 16 May (KP, fDP). Also in Montana, a
Black-throated Green Warbler was noted at
Bowdoin 18 May, furnishing the 7th state
record (DBB, fCHSB). For the 3rd consec¬
utive year a Pine Warbler was on territory at
the Denbigh Experimental Forest, ND; this
year it was first noted 8 May (REM). South
Dakota’s earliest-ever Cerulean Warbler was
in Lincoln 9 May (RES), and one in Brown
15 May was unusually far northwest (AH).
Casual in South Dakota, a Prothonotary
Warbler was noted in Minnehaha 10-11
May (NP, fRFS). Also casual in the Region,
Worm-eating Warblers were documented
17 Apr in Lake, SD (JSP), and far west in
Pennington 10 May (tJLB); North Dakota’s
9th was documented in Fargo 3 May
(fRHO). Record early by 2 weeks, an Oven-
bird was noted 12 Apr in Custer, SD
(fCMW). Unusually far west was a Con¬
necticut Warbler 1 1 May in Meade, SD
(REP). MacGillivray’s Warblers made a
strong showing with 3 reports from e. Mon¬
tana 18-31 May and three early individuals
in S. Dakota 9-1 1 May; North Dakota’s
17th was in Minot 20 May (REM). Hooded
Warblers were also notable in South Dakota
with singles in Lake 17 Apr (f JSP), Hughes
4 May (RDO, fFIB), and Minnehaha 6-10
May (RFS, NP, fSFB). If accepted, an indi¬
vidual in Morton, ND, 15 May would con¬
stitute the 17th state record (fFM).

TANAGERS THROUGH FINCHES

A Summer Tanager was in Fargo 1 1 May,
providing about the 17th record for North
Dakota (GEN). A W. Tanager was far east in
Minnehaha 6 May (RFS, JSP, fNP), and a
very early individual was noted in Custer 16
Apr (fCMW). A Scarlet Tanager at Bow¬
doin 31 May would furnish about the 10th
state record (fCS). Montana’s first North¬
ern Cardinal was photographed 12 May in
Glasgow and remained to the end of the
period (fCC). Casual in e. North Dakota, a
Blue Grosbeak was in Fargo 29 May (JK,
ITB). Earliest by 2 days, a Lazuli Bunting

was at Minot 2 May (REM). A good peak of
1200 Clay-colored Sparrows was noted at
Minot 12 May (REM). As has been the case
the last few wet years, the center of abun¬
dance of Baird’s Sparrows was again in the
w. part of the Dakotas and e. Montana.
Rarely reported away from breeding areas, a
McCown’s Longspur was well to the east in
Burleigh, ND, 8 May (fHCT).

Bullock’s Oriole range in the Dakotas
generally includes only the extreme w. edges
of those states. This spring in North Dakota
they were recorded in the w.c. region in
New Town 14 May (RS) and Bismarck (fide
HCT). Far east was one in Pembina 22 May
(LFM), and in South Dakota an individual
was in Hughes 10 May (RDO). Gray-
crowned Rosy-Finches remained to 14 Apr
in Custer (KH), the 2nd latest record for the
state. Red Crossbills nested widely in appro¬
priate habitat in North Dakota. The largest
post-nesting flock of 150 was noted in
McHenry 8 May (GBB).

EXOTICS

A Ringed Turtle-Dove was in New Town,
ND, 13 May to the end of the period (RS,
REM).

Contributors (state editors in boldface):

MONTANA: Charles Carlson, Chinook
High School Biology, Steve Dinsmore,

Mark Donahue, David Ely, Kathleen
Erickson, Joe Fontaine, Tim Hanks, Steve
Martin, Dwain Prellwitz, Kelsey Prellwitz,
Michael Schwitters, Caroline Stahala.
NORTH DAKOTA: J. Tyler Bell, Gordon B.
Berkey, Bob Danley, Corey D. Ellingson,
Eve E. Freeberg, M. Alan Jenkins, Mayme L.
Johnson, Jane Kostenko, Don L. Kubischta,
David O. Lambeth, Jack Lefor, Ron E.
Martin, Floramay Miller, Laura F. Mitchell,
Gary E. Nielsen, North Dakota Birding
Soc., Robert H. O’Connor, Mark A. Otnes,
Rita Satermo, H. Clark Talkington, Dennis
P. Wiesenborn. SOUTH DAKOTA: Jocelyn
L. Baker, Corey D. Ellingson, Farm Island
Banders, Vic and Donna Fondy, Kevin
Hachmeister, Arlen Hanson, Todd Jensen,
Ron Mabie, Ricky D. Olson, Jeffrey S.
Palmer, Nathan Pieplow, Randy E. Podoll,
Sand Lake Staff, Robb F. Schenck, Odean
Selchert, Ralph and Alick Shaykett, Sioux
Falls Bird Club, Dennis R. Skadsen, Dan A.
Tallman, Steve Van Sickle.

Ron E. Martin, 16900 125th St. SE, Sawyer,
ND 58781-9284 (jrmartin@ndak.net)

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

295

The following report covers the winter season.
The spring migration report will be published
in a future issue.

This first-winter Yellow-billed Loon, aged by the pale tips to the mantle feathers
and identified by the extensively pale bill (including much of the culmen), photographed
at Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 19 January 1999, was one of few ever found
east of the Continental Divide. Photograph/Mitchell Oliphant

JOSEPH A. GRZYBOWSKI

As winters go, this will go down as a mild
one in the Region, and unusual in
being broadly so and for most of the peri¬
od. This mildness translated into a more
northerly skew of occurrences for many
species. Bodies of water remained open in
Nebraska, and some ground-foragers may
have escaped the almost instantaneous per¬
ils of snow cover. An array of “half-hardies,”

from herons to sparrows, wintered north to
Nebraska, but only a few that normally
travel to sub-tropical locations traveled less
far south. Given the chances of predicting a
mild winter, they were more likely fortunate
flounderers than trendy risk-takers. The
extended mild weather also made “itchy”
those birds wanting a reproductive edge on
conspecific competitors. Arrival dates and
numbers for some species were exceptional,
particularly among waterfowl and a few
insectivores.

Warmer weather may make it harder to
locate some landbirds, which can disperse
more broadly, or be less active, thus less
detectable. More surviving birds, however,
may balance the “bluebird weather” effect.
Nonetheless, finches were again much less
in evidence, Purple Finches and Pine
Siskins maintaining what appears to be an
extended decline in the Region.

Rarities are to be expected, even if in
very low frequencies, but much less pre¬
dictably specified. So were the surprises this
season, from what can be almost absolutely
unpredictable, Hepatic Tanager in the
Region’s most northerly state, to highly
sought-after repeats of the current decade,

Yellow-billed Loon in our most southerly
state. Who could imagine them both in the
same season?

Abbreviations: Cheyenne Bottoms (Cheyenne
Bottoms W.M.A., Barton Co., KS); McConaughy
(L. McConaughy, Keith Co., NE); Ogallala/
Keystone (L. Ogallala and/or Keystone L, Keith
Co., NE); Quivira (Quivira N.W.R., Stafford Co.,
KS).

LOOMS THROUGH DUCKS

A first-winter Pacific Loon documented at
McConaughy 9 Jan (SJD) was the 2nd
January report for this species in Nebraska.
An imm. Yellow-billed Loon located in
Oklahoma 17 Jan (TAS) thrilled many
through the period. An ad. Red-necked
Grebe at McConaughy 1 Jan (SJL>) provid¬
ed a first mid-winter report for Nebraska.
Two Eared Grebes lingered at Ogallala/
Keystone to a record-late date for Nebraska
of 2 Jan (SJD). The count of 365 W. Grebes
at McConaughy 1 Jan eventually reduced to
only one 19 Feb (SJD). More than usual
were present through the season in e.
Nebraska (fide WRS, JGJ), mostly Decem-

296

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

ber in e. Kansas (fide LM). Up to three
Clark’s Grebes were present in early January
on McConaughy (SJD); a single was at
Scotts Bluff, NE, 17 Dec (SJD).

Perhaps fewer Am. White Pelicans lin¬
gered in Nebraska and Kansas than in
recent winters, but 48, likely early migrants,
appeared in Harlan, NE, 17 Feb, with 200
there 28 Feb (GH, WH et al. ) . A Great Egret
lingered (survived) until at least 3 Jan in
McCurtain, OK (KS). An imm. Black-
crowned Night-Heron at McConaughy 2
Jan (SJD, DCE) was a surprise. One was in
Tulsa 27 Dec-3 Jan (AL), and another was
in Cleveland, OK, 3 Jan (JAG, B&SD). A
Turkey Vulture in Osage, KS, 6 Dec ( JB) was
tardy, whereas two early migrants appeared
in Johnson, KS, 15 Feb (JLe), with another
in Riley, KS, 18 Feb (IH).

Snow Geese began arriving en masse
during early February in Nebraska, with up
to 100,000 present in Buffalo 14 Feb (LR,
RH). High winter counts of Ross’s Geese
included 50 at Quivira 5 Dec (SS, MR) and
33 in Harlan, NE, 18 Dec (SJD). A Brant in
Sedgwick, KS, 21 Dec (JN) was quite a rare
find. A Tundra Swan accompanied Trum¬
peters at Quivira 5 Dec-10 Feb (SS, MR),
and three were there 21 Feb. Two Tundras
were with a neck-banded Trumpeter in
Douglas, NE, 5-7 Feb (NR), and six were at
Russell, KS, 20 Dec (BM), with one at Chey¬
enne Bottoms 23-24 Feb (AM). Varying
numbers of Trumpeter Swans were found
at Ogallala Jan-Feb, peaking at 21 on 23 Jan
(SJD). A collared Trumpeter in Oklahoma
12 Jan-Feb (CC, m.ob.) was a captive-
reared 2-year old released in Iowa. Groups
of one-five were also found in Wyandotte,
KS, 30 Dec-17 Jan (DH, m.ob.), Leaven¬
worth, KS, 3 Jan (GP), Riley/Pottawatomie,
KS, 4 & 10 Jan (GS, TC), Neosho, KS, 15 Jan

(BB) , and Crawford, KS, in Jan (RM). One
was found shot at the last locality.

Poorly reported in recent years, docu¬
mented Am. Black Duck observations
included a drake in Harlan, NE, 30 Dec
(SJD), one-two in Lancaster, NE, 6 & 13 Feb
(JS), and one in Knox, NE, 28 Feb (MB);
two were in Osage, KS, 3 Dec (EM et al.). Up
to 12 Greater Scaup were at McConaughy 9
Jan (SJD); groups of one-seven were noted
at a number of locations through the
Region (fide WRS, JGJ, LM, JL, JAG). Scoter
specials included White-winged at Ogallala/
Keystone 5 Dec (SJD) and Tulsa 13 Dec

(BC) . Among a slug of Blacks this season,
the rarest Regional scoter, were a female in
Coffey, KS, 3-12 Dec (EM et al.), up to four
at Ogallala/Keystone 5 Dec-1 Jan (SJD et
al.), and singles below Knox/Cedar, NE,

1—16 Dec (DLS) and in Lancaster, NE, 25
Feb (MO). Up to nine Long-tailed Ducks
were at Ogallala/Keystone 5 Dec-2 Jan
(SJD, DCE, DAL), the high count this sea¬
son. Male Com. Goldeneye x Hooded Mer¬
ganser hybrids were at Ogallala 23 Jan and 6
Feb (SJD), and in Douglas, NE, 28 Feb
(JGJ). Barrow’s Goldeneye, a tough find,
included an ad. male in Scotts Bluff, NE, 17
Dec (SJD), a female at Ogallala 1 Jan (SJD),
and an imm. male at McConaughy 9 Jan
(SJD). Part of an apparent increasing trend,
many Red-breasted Mergansers were re¬
ported (fide WRS, JGJ, JAG). A flock of 21
was in Lancaster, NE, 5 Dec (SJD), but only
one 9 Jan (SJD). Not needing to travel far¬
ther south were the 35,000 Com. Mergan¬
sers in Harlan, NE, 30-31 Dec (SJD), and
20,000 in Russell, KS, 6 Jan (MR).

DIURNAL RAPTORS
THROUGH TERNS

An Osprey was in Tulsa 19 Dec (BC)-19
Feb (JWA et al.). Bald Eagles continue a
good news pattern, with some counts of
near to over 100 from several locales. The
only N. Goshawks reported were in Geary,
KS, 13 Dec (CO, JO), and Greeley, NE, 29
Jan (JP, DP). Rough-legged Hawk numbers
were unimpressive this winter, while
Merlins were widely reported from Nebras¬
ka and Kansas.

Continuing a longer-term pattern were
reports of wintering Virginia Rails scattered
across the Region, with an amazing 16 in
Morrill, NE, 10 Jan (SJD). The 100,000
Sandhill Cranes at Quivira 6 Dec (TH, CS)
would have been tardy 10 years ago; 667
were counted in Barber, KS, 9 Jan (fide LM ).
The four Whooping Cranes in Barber , KS, 5
Dec included a crippled adult (SS, MR).

It was clearly possible for many half-
hardy shorebirds to linger north. Even so,
the Am. Avocet, possibly injured, at Mc¬
Conaughy 5 Dec (SJD) was an amazing
find. Perhaps expected during a warmer
winter are a few Killdeer, Greater Yellow-
legs, Least Sandpipers, and Com. Snipe;
each was commonly reported. But clearly
lingering were a Spotted Sandpiper 16 Dec
in Johnson, KS (JR), Baird’s Sandpiper 19
Dec at McConaughy (SJD), Pectoral Sand¬
piper 24 (an in Sequoyah, OK (TA), Dunlin
11 Dec in Jefferson, KS (MM) and 3 Jan in
Cleveland, OK (JAG, B8<SD), and a Long¬
billed Dowitcher 12-18 Dec in Lancaster,
NE (LE). Seven Lesser Yellowlegs were
among 20 Greaters at Cheyenne Bottoms 5
Dec (SS, MR).

Our “Niagara-of-the-Prairie” Region
again produced its fair share of extralimital

gulls. Among few winter records was a
Laughing 13 Feb in Sequoyah, OK (PBo,
JM). An imm. Little was still present in Tul¬
sa 3 Dec (JWA, SM). Two ad. Mew Gulls,
differentiated by plumage, were found in
Riley, KS, 6 Feb (GS) & 7 (GP, LM), with
another at Dawson/Gosper, NE, 21 Feb (JGJ,
WRS). McConaughy hosted up to 38 Cali-
fornias 5 Dec (SJD), perhaps lower than in
recent years. Elsewhere singles were in Tulsa
17-24 Dec (JWA), Mitchell, KS, 19 Dec (fide
LM), Lancaster, NE, 31 Dec and 9 Jan (SJD),
and Dawson/Gosper, NE, 21 Feb (JGJ,
WRS), with two in Barton, KS, 6 Dec and
another two in Russell, KS, 4 Jan (MR). An
excellent high count was 1100 Herring
Gulls at McConaughy and Ogallala 6 Feb
(SJD). Thayer’s were too commonly report¬
ed to list, including 10 estimated at Ogallala
6 Feb (SJD).

First-winter Iceland Gulls were docu¬
mented in Sedgwick, KS, 24 Dec (GP, DS)
and at McConaughy 10 Jan (SJD); a 2nd-
winter bird was identified at Ogallala 6 Feb
(SJD). The only Lesser Black-backeds
reported were in Sedgwick, KS ( fide LM),
Oklahoma City during Dec-Jan (JSt, JGN),
and in Tulsa 24 Dec (JWA). Glaucous Gulls
generally arrived later this winter, with
multiple birds detected only by 31 Dec in
Nebraska (fide WRS, JGJ); six were report¬
ed from Kansas (fide LM). A Great Black-
backed Gull in 2nd-winter plumage was
identified in Sedgwick, KS, 21 Dec (JN),
with a first-winter bird at Dawson/Gosper,
NE, 21 Feb (JGJ, WRS). Two to three Black¬
legged Kittiwakes were in Cedar, NE, 1 Dec
(DLS)— 16 Dec (WRS, JS), with another in
Osage, KS, 8 Dec (B&AK). Among surviving
half-hardies were about 10 Forster’s Terns
in Sequoyah, OK, 30 Jan (DVr, JM).

DOVES THROUGH WAXWINGS

The Eur. Collared-Dove colony at Kearney,
NE, continued, with a maximum of eight
(RN, fide LR, RH); a White-winged Dove
was still present among them. The four col-
lared-doves in Lincoln, KS, last winter mul¬
tiplied to about 12 this season (LD). A clus¬
ter of at least 15 White-wingeds was present
in Canadian, OK (LRo, m.ob.), through the
period; another was in Tulsa 24-27 Feb
(JBi). An Inca Dove visited a feeder in
Cherokee, OK, through the period (CW).

Only a few hummingbirds were report¬
ed, surprising given the weather. A Rufous
was present in Tulsa 1 1-27 Dec ( WW, JWA
et al.), and a Selasphorus survived until 26
Dec in Tulsa (JL et al.). Long-eared Owls
were better reported this season, with 15
each in Lyon, KS, 3 Dec (EM et al.) and

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

297

White-winged Doves continue to establish a stronghold in the southern Great Plains
(and throughout much of the Southeast). This one was at Tulsa, Oklahoma,

27 February 1999. Photograph/lo Bible

Trego , KS, 26 Dec (fide LM). A Red-headed
Woodpecker lingering to 30 Dec in Phelps
(LR, RH) provided one of few winter
records for Nebraska. Yellow-bellied Sap-
suckers wintered n. to Sarpy , NE (KCR). A
Blue-headed Vireo graced McCurtain , OK,
3 Ian (BH). Northern Shrikes made a good
showing in Nebraska and Kansas, including
15 in Scotts Bluff 2 Jan (fide AK) and 12 in
Garfield , NE, 27 Dec (fide NB). Quite
exceptional was a N. Rough-winged Swal¬
low in Jefferson , KS, 7-9 Feb ( AP, RR). Win¬
ter Wrens, exceptional during Nebraska
winters, were in Keith (two birds) 12 Dec
(DCE, DAL) and Douglas (six) 19 Dec (fide
BP, LP). A House Wren in Russell , KS, sur¬
vived to at least 20 Dec (SS, MR). Marsh
Wrens wintered n. to at least McConaughy
(fide SJD) and Morrill NE (SJD); 12 at
Quivira (PJ, DV) furnished the high count.

Eastern Bluebirds at Antelope , NE, 7 Feb
(MB) and Dakota , NE (BFH), would have
been pushing their luck most years. The
“countless thousands” of Am. Robins in
Dodge , NE, 5 Feb (JP) was representative of
several locales in the Region. Townsend’s
Solitaires wandered e. to Johnson, KS, 13
Dec (BW) and Leavenworth, KS, 3 Jan (fide
LM). Gray Catbirds in Russell, KS, 20 Dec
(fide LM) and Wyandotte, KS, 31 Dec (LM)
were daring the warm trend. A Sage
Thrasher in Pratt, KS, 10 Feb (PJ, DV) and
two in Morton, KS, 25 Feb ( JC) were both n.
and e. of more typical occurrences.
Bohemian Waxwings in Sioux during late
Dec (JJ) and at Kimball 24 Jan (SJD) were
the only to appear in Nebraska for a few
years. Another was reported from Geary,
KS, 29 Dec (TC).

DOVES THROUGH FINCHES

Very late was an Orange-crowned Warbler
in Harlan, NE, 18 Dec (fide JGJ). A Yellow-
rumped Warbler was as far north as

Dodge/Saunders, NE, 27 Feb (TH). A male
Black-throated Green Warbler in Sedgwick,
KS, 1 Dec (TH) was surprising both for
range and that it was the only exceptional
warbler this warm winter. Common Yellow-
throats were noted in Muskogee, OK, 2 Dec
(JM) and Sequoyah, OK (two), 31 Dec (LH,
JM). Astounding was a male Hepatic Tana-
ger documented at the feeders of David Ml-
narik in Cuming, NE, 6 Jan (BP, LP, WRS).
Although present since about 18 Dec, its
disappearance after 6 Jan disappointed
many.

Savannah Sparrows were documented
in Harlan, NE, 12 Dec (SJD), McConaughy
2 Jan (SJD, DCE), and in Otoe, NE, 20 Feb
(LF, CF), well beyond the line of limited
snow cover most seasons. A Golden-
crowned Sparrow, an immature and only
the 3rd documented for Nebraska, was in
Harlan 18 Dec (JGJ); another was reported
from Russell, KS, 13 Dec (MR). A very large
number of 50,000 Lapland Longspurs were
noted in Dodge, NE, 16 Jan (JP, DP). Not
too surprising for a mild Nebraska winter,
the only Snow Buntings were one in Gar¬
field, NE, 27 Dec (fide NB) and six in Knox,
NE, 3 Jan (MB).

Among the “no-hardy” finds was an
imm. male Indigo Bunting at a feeder in
Dixon, NE, 19 Dec that survived until the
evening of 2 Jan when the wind-chill was
-47 F (JJ). A Baltimore Oriole was present
in Cleveland, OK, until at least 3 Jan (fide
PB). Likely adapting to more northerly
existences was an ad. male Yellow-headed
Blackbird and 14 Great-tailed Grackles in
Lancaster, NE, 9 Feb (JS). Kansas again
reported the disaster kill of the season, this
time of a very large number of blackbirds
poisoned at a feedlot in Barton. Perhaps
more disconcerting, were the Bald Eagles,
N. Harriers, Red-tailed, Rough-legged, and
Ferruginous hawks, and Am. Kestrels, total¬

ing perhaps 40, apparently feeding on the
dead and dying blackbirds (SS, MR).

Purple Finches have been noticeably
scarce in recent years. House Finch num¬
bers in larger towns may not be as large as
they were in the first few years after colo¬
nization. Red Crossbill reports away from
the Nebraska summer range were almost
non-existent: 15 were noted in McCurtain,
OK, 3 Jan (DVr, JV). Pine Siskin numbers
were significantly lower than in recent
years — the pattern for almost the decade;
pathogens and the tendency of finches to
cluster at feeders may be the common
denominators.

Cited observers (area editors boldfaced):

KANSAS: Joanne Brier, Bob Broyles, Ted
Cable, Jeff Chynoweth, Leo Dowlin, David
Henness, Tyler Hicks, Irwin Hoogheem,
Pete Janzen, Bill & Anne Ketterman, Jane
Leo (JLe), Ed McCullough, Mick McHugh,
Brad McCord, Lloyd Moore, Robert Man-
gile, Aaron Mitchell, John Northrup, Chuck
Otte, Jaye Otte, Galen Pittman, Alexis
Powell, Mike Rader, Jack Revare, Richard
Rucker, David Seibel, Scott Seltman, Guy
Smith, Carolyn Schwab, Don Vannoy, Brad
Williamson. NEBRASKA: Norma Brock-
moller, Stephen J. Dinsmore, David C. Ely,
Larry Einemann, Carol Falk, Laurence Falk,
Robin Harding, Thomas Hoffman, Glen
Hoge, Wanda Hoge, Bill F. Huser, Jan
Johnson, Joel G. Jorgensen, Alice Kenitz,
David A. Leatherman, Wayne Mollhoff,
Roger Newcomb, Mark Orsag, Babs Padel-
ford, Loren Padelford, Don Paseka, Janis
Paseka, Lanny Randolph, Kathleen
Crawford- Rose, W. Ross Silcock, John
Sullivan, David L. Swanson. OKLAHOMA:
Tom Alford, James W Arterburn, Pat
Bergey, Jo Bible (JBi), Peter Boesman
(PBo), Bill Carrell, Clark Curry, Bill 8c
Sandy Dengler, Joseph A. Grzybowski,
Berlin Heck, Laura Hunnicutt, A. Lambert,
Jo Loyd, Louis McGee (LMc), Jeri
McMahon, Steve Metz, John G. Newell,
Linda Robinson (LRo), Kristi Silvie, John
Sterling (JSt), Tulsa Audubon Society
(TAS), Don Varner (DVr), Joyce Varner,
Cory Westen, W. Williams.

Joseph A. Grzybowski, 715 Elmwood
Drive, Norman, OK 73072
(grzybow@aix1 .ucok.edu)

298

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

GREG W. LASLEY, CHUCK SEXTON,

WILLIE SEKULA,

and CLIFF SHACKELFORD

An intriguing contrast took shape in
Texas between the migration and the
migration watchers. South Texas and the
Texas Coast are premier destinations for
thousands of birders annually. And while
those areas rarely disappoint, Bradford
remarked that we could “chalk one up for
the migrants” this year, meaning that there
were few serious fronts to create spectacular
fallouts on the coast that observers are
always hoping to see. Although species rich-
ness on the coast was high, numbers were
low (except for shorebirds). A minor
grounding occurred 16-18 April and the
southern areas had another 1-2 May. Yet as
we perused reports farther and farther from
the coast, our network of reporters used
increasingly glowing adjectives. Sekula
described “a spring to sing about” in central
Texas, especially in May. A very wet season in
the Panhandle, where Amarillo had its sec¬
ond wettest spring ever, yielded a “remark¬
able” compilation of sightings (Seyffert).
North-central Texas may have had similar
good migration watching, but our reporting
network was unexpectedly sparse in that
heavily populated area. Out in West Texas,
another popular birding destination, there
was a sharp reversal late in the season from
exceedingly dry conditions to a nice, wet late
May. Those early dry conditions apparently
delayed the arrival of much of the breeding
bird contingent by two weeks or so, but
Bryan’s compilation of reports of rare
migrants seemed to span both the dry and
wet portions of the season. Sprinkled
through these paragraphs one will find the
usual suite of phenomena: late winter lin¬
gers, eastern birds west, western birds east, a
push of southern stuff slightly north. Some
of the faces in these expected trends are
familiar (Red-headed Woodpecker, Ringed
Kingfisher, Western Tanager), whereas oth¬
ers are not among those we typically men¬
tion in this light (Hermit Warbler, Varied
Bunting). Although gulls and Empidonax
flycatchers might send some observers run¬
ning in the opposite direction, we had new
Texas records in each of these groups, thank¬
fully of rather readily identifiable species.

Abbreviations: Ft. Bliss (Fort Bliss sewage
ponds, El Paso); G.M.N.P. (Guadalupe Mountains
Nat'l Park); L.R.G.V. (Lower Rio Grande Valley);
S.S.W.T.P. (South Side Water Treatment Plant,
Dallas Co.); T.B.R.C. (Texas Bird Records
Committee, Texas Ornithological Society); U.T.C.

Hybrids and other oddities hold a special fascination, and this odd heron at Rockport, Texas,
10 May 1999, is no different. If a hybrid, the general plumage pattern suggests that a
Tricolored Heron was one parent, but the other parent is less clear. Interestingly, the
plumage and bare parts bear a resemblance to some Little Egret x Western Reef-Heron
hybrids (see Hancock 1999, Herons and Egrets of the World, Academic Press).

Photograph/John Ingram

(Upper Texas Coast); V.C.D.B. (Village Creek Dry¬
ing Beds, Tarrant Co.). The following are short¬
ened names for the respective county, state, or
national parks, wildlife refuges, etc.: Anahuac,
Anzalduas, Balcones Canyonlands, Bentsen, Big
Bend, Laguna Atascosa, Lost Maples, Mad Island
Marsh, Palmetto, Santa Ana, and Sea Rim.

LOOMS THROUGH IBISES

A Red-throated Loon was in Galveston 13
Mar (tWRi). Five Pacific Loons scattered
across the e. half of the state were about nor¬
mal for recent years; the latest stayed until
16 May at Galveston. Five Com. Loons in
the Panhandle in April and May were more
than anticipated for that area (KS); two in
Donley stayed until 2 May (lO) as did
another at L. Waco (FB). Least Grebe num¬
bers rebounded this spring in s. Texas from
last year’s. Extralimital reports of Least
Grebes included one in Brazoria 14-15 Mar
(RWe), and one in Lee 11-19 Mar for a
county first (HBr); other surprising reports
included up to 6 pairs (at least one pair nest¬
ed) in Victoria in May (RW) and a nesting

pair at San Antonio’s Mitchell L. in April
and May (m.ob.). A W. Grebe provided a
nice find at Laguna Atascosa 10-12 Mar
(BMc). The passage of 4500 Am. White
Pelicans over Poth, Wilson , 3 Apr (WS,
m.ob.) turned heads. Three Little Blue
Herons were found in Randall 22-23 May
(m.ob.). A strange heron, possibly a hybrid
(Tricolored x ?), was photographed near
Rockport 10 May (CC, Jin). Unusual for
Midland was a Tricolored Heron at a small
pond 4 Apr (FW). An unseasonal ad.
Reddish Egret was at L. Balmorhea 2 May
(RH); most wanderers are in the fall. Glossy
Ibises continue to be regular in small num¬
bers along the coastal prairies, but one at
V.C.D.B. 8 May (JWS) was well inland.

WATERFOWL THROUGH RAPTORS

Two Fulvous Whistling- Ducks at Richland-
Chambers W.M.A., Freestone! Navarro, were
rare for e. Texas (CCo). A Ross’s Goose 19
May at L. Tyler, Smith , was late (PBa). A
Tundra Swan wintered at S.S.W.T.P. and
lingered until late March (m.ob.). Abilene

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

299

hosted a Surf Scoter 3-10 May (LB) for an
unusual area record, while a late Bufflehead
was at Round Rock, Williamson , 8 May
(TFen). A Long-tailed Duck remained at L.
Tawakoni Dec-6 Mar (MWh, PBa). A late
Com. Goldeneye was at Mitchell L. 1 1 Apr
(GSc), while a very late Red-breasted Mer¬
ganser was at Granger L., Williamson , 23
May (TFen). Two Masked Ducks in Kenedy

20 Mar (tBF, C8(LG) were the only reported
this year.

The dark-morph Hook-billed Kite, first
documented last winter, was seen 7 Mar at
Bentsen (B&PBe, GSw). There were 2 re¬
markable n. Texas reports of Swallow-tailed
Kites, one in Grayson 13 Apr (JCh, JMo) and
another in Clay 16 May ( fide DMc). A group
of 12 Swallow- taileds were perched together
in Hardin 16 May (SG), and a nest was dis¬
covered in Orange in May ( fide CSh, GSi),
only the 5th documented nest in Texas since
1914. Odd were four Mississippi Kites on
the barrier island at Packery Channel 27 Apr
(A&MC). Gray Hawks were seen at Bentsen
and Anzalduas and a pair had begun to nest
at the latter in April. A Com. Black-Hawk
was photographed near Lubbock 1 Apr
(ERoo) and, amazingly, another was pho¬
tographed in a city park in Amarillo, Potter ,

21 Apr (LSa, m.ob., ph. RSc); the species
nested at Rio Grande Village (Big Bend) and
was found as usual in the Davis Mts. Three
reports of Broad-winged Hawks in the
Trans-Pecos were unusual, with one in
Madera Canyon, Davis Mts., 15 Apr (JKa),
another in nearby Limpia Canyon 9 May
(ML), and a final bird was at Ft. Bliss, El
Paso , 29 May ( IPa, BZ). Beginning 6 Apr, a
light-morph ad. Short-tailed Hawk was
reported periodically at Lost Maples (tRNa,
m.ob.) to 20 Apr, about the 3rd for the Texas
Hill Country. A pair of Zone-tailed Hawks
photographed at Colorado Bend, San Saba ,
19 Apr (DN et al.) suggested the interesting
possibility of being on a nesting territory. A
Crested Caracara photographed in Delta 18
Apr (MWh) was probably at the n.e. edge of
their range in Texas. A pair of Am. Kestrels
nested successfully in Midland (ph. MSt).

QUAILS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS

A report of seven Montezuma Quail in
G.M.N.P. 19 Mar (TFi) was the first there in
3 years. The King Rails reported in the win¬
ter in Nacogdoches were still present in early
May and may have nested (DW). Two early
northbound Black-bellied Plovers were at
Midland 26 Mar (J&DMe). A report of a
possible Pacific Golden-Plover in Calhoun
16-17 Apr (tBF, J&BRi) will be reviewed by
the T.B.R.C.; if accepted it would represent a

first state record. Three Snowy Plovers were
a nice find for the spring in Williamson 19
Apr (TFen). Seventeen Mt. Plovers were still
at Granger L., Williamson, 1 Mar (TFen).
About 14 different Willets, relatively numer¬
ous for that region, were in the Panhandle
counties of Carson, Randall, and Gray in
early May. Inland Whimbrel reports includ¬
ed one in Gray 8 May (EK), four at Cooper
L., Delta, 13 May (MWh), one at Midland 15
May (RMS), and a final bird at Austin’s
Hornsby Bend 18 May (SM). Even for a fair¬
ly common bird in the Panhandle, a group
of 900 Long-billed Curlews in Briscoe 14
Mar was an unusually large number so early
in the season (TM). A nice group of 28 Hud-
sonian Godwits 9 May in Navarro (TPo) was
eclipsed by a flock of 80 at Cooper L. 1 3 May
(MWh). Two more good godwit gatherings
included 38 Marbleds at Buffalo L. 4 May
(BiMc et al.) and 1 1 Marbleds in Austin 1 1
May (m.ob.). An early inland Ruddy
Turnstone was at Fort Phantom L., Jones, 27
Mar ( fide LB). A Sanderling was pho¬
tographed at L. Balmorhea 10 May (GL,
ML) for a rare spring record in the Trans-
Pecos. Midland hosted an Am. Woodcock
1-8 May (RMS). Five Red-necked Phala-
ropes were reported: one in Calhoun 4 May
(PH) and three more there 8 May (BF), one
at Austin 11-15 May (JA), and one in
S.S.W.T.P. 14 May (K&MWh). Much rarer
was a Red Phalarope photographed at San
Luis Pass, Galveston , 21 Apr (JSt).

JAEGERS THROUGH TERMS

A worn Pomarine Jaeger lingered on the
beach at Port Aransas 20-30 May (JGi). A
first-summer Laughing Gull was on McNary
Res., El Paso, 2 May (RHo). The banded
Black-headed Gull at V.C.D.B. lingered until
mid-March (GK). Mason virtually lacks sur¬
face water of any size so a Bonaparte’s Gull
there 31 Mar was an odd find (BoF, DF).
Texas’s first Black-tailed Gull disappeared
in late February but was rediscovered 5 Mar
(JO); it hung around at the Brownsville
landfill until about 18 Mar (m.ob.). Four
California Gulls were almost expected at Ft.
Bliss, El Paso, in early May (BZ); another
three-four Californias were on the U.T.C. in
March, and a single bird was at Cooper L.
19-20 May (ph. MWh). About 15 Lesser
Black-backed Gulls were reported on the
coast. Two or three Glaucous Gulls on the
U.T.C. were about normal. A dark-backed
gull at the Brownsville landfill 5 Mar to mid-
Mar was considered a possible Kelp x
Herring hybrid (JO, BO et al.). A collection
of 14 Caspian Terns at Granger L. 8 May was
a large inland group (TFen); two more at

College Station 31 Mar furnished a nice find
(ERat), as did a Com. Tern at Austin 18 May
(RFe). Birders in Midland were rewarded
with a Least Tern 24 Apr; two more showed
up in Lubbock (PKi).

DOVES THROUGH NIGHTJARS

A Eur. Collared-Dove was found in Gor¬
man, Eastland, 10 Mar (GaW) and resighted
24 May (FB, JMu), and a small colony was
discovered in Balmorhea, Reeves, 2 May
(RHo) and seen periodically through the
season; both were probably new county rec¬
ords. Another 2 May (BH) provided a new
record for Kinney. White-winged Doves
continued their spread in Texas. There was a
major movement in the Dallas area {fide
DaH), and records accumulated in Nacog¬
doches, Smith, and Washington. A common
pattern is for White-wingeds to jump to
major metropolitan areas, build up a popu¬
lation base, and begin colonizing smaller
urban and residential areas on the periphery
of such areas. A Com. Ground-Dove in Del¬
ta 17 May (MWh) was a very rare find; the
species also settled into Balcones Canyon-
lands in numbers in May for the 2nd con¬
secutive year (CS). Inching eastward, a
White-tipped Dove provided a first for
Calhoun 27-28 Mar (JA, BF, PH). Many
nesting Green Parakeets were noted around
urban areas in the L.R.G.V. John O’Brien
observed an impressive mix of Amazona
parrots in Brownsville 5 Mar, including 75
Red-crowneds, 15 Red-loreds, 8 Lilac-
crowneds, and 10 White-fronteds. The wes¬
ternmost Black-billed Cuckoo of the season
was at Lubbock 16 May (AF). A new Lee
record was established by a Groove-billed
Ani 24 Apr (HBr). A Ferruginous Pygmy^
Owl was found at Bentsen 8 Apr (JI) for a
rare Hidalgo report; more surprising was a
well-documented sighting at Rio Grande
Village in Big Bend 20 Apr (RT, NM-C et
al.). There were 2 previous undocumented
reports for the Park. An annual owl survey at
G.M.N.P. in April-May encountered Spot¬
ted Owl in 2 locations plus maximum
counts of five N. Saw-whets and seven Flam-
mulateds. A Short-eared Owl in Victoria 17
Apr was very late (RW). Midland recorded
its 3rd Chuck-will’s-widow 15 May (JMe).

SWIFTS THROUGH WOODPECKERS

A Chimney Swift, accidental at the w. edge
of Texas, was over El Paso 22 May (BZ). A
Green-breasted Mango was in Los Fresnos,
Cameron, 22-23 May (m.ob., fBMc, ph.
BHo), Texas’ 7th record. A remarkable four
Broad-billed Hummingbirds were detected
in the Davis Mts., with a female at the East-

300

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

texas

man’s feeders 21-24 Apr and a male there
27-29 May, a male in Ft. Davis proper 22
Apr to the end of the period (ph. KB), and a
male at the Hedges’ home 31 May-2 Jun.
Single Buff-bellied Hummingbirds were in
Bastrop 26 Apr (KK) and at Palmetto 6
Apr-11 May (m.ob.); a remarkable 3 sepa¬
rate reports came in from Washington 3
Mar-5 May (m.ob.). As they searched for
the Blue Mockingbird at Weslaco 10 May,
Sekula and Lehman encountered a Violet-
crowned Hummingbird; it stayed through
12 May, establishing the first L.R.G.V. record
and 5th for the state (ph., fm.ob.). A Lucifer
Hummingbird was at the El Canelo Ranch
in Kenedy , 1 1 Apr, a first for deep s. Texas
(fRT). Single male Ruby-throated Hum¬
mingbirds, accidental in spring in the Trans-
Pecos, were at Ft. Davis 22-24 Apr (KB) and
at Big Bend 22-23 May (MF). A late migrant
Broad-tailed Hummingbird was at Kerrville
29-30 May (TxB). Wandering NE of its nor¬
mal range, a Ringed Kingfisher was at Mad I.
Marsh, Matagorda , 11 Apr (JSt) while
another was on the Llano R. on the
Mason/Llano line in late May (TEt et al.).
Red-headed Woodpeckers that moved into
the coastal bend and s. Texas lingered into
April (perhaps holdovers from the winter
incursion), and one was in Mason 23 Mar
(BoF, DF) and another at Ft. Clark Springs,
Kinney, 2 May (BH). This species was hard
to find in its regular range in the Brazos
Valley (fide BeF). A Hairy Woodpecker on
the coast at Sabine Woods, Jefferson, 1 May
was out-of-range (J&BRi).

FLYCATCHERS THROUGH BECARD

Five singing N. Beardless-Tyrannulets were
noted at Bentsen and Anzalduas. A 26 Apr
Olive-sided Flycatcher set an early migrant
date at Nacogdoches (DW). Documentation
will be reviewed by the T.B.R.C. for two
Greater Pewees, one at Pine Canyon, Big
Bend, 29 Apr (RW) and the other at Lub¬
bock 6 May (DSte), a first for the High
Plains. A Gray Flycatcher was well-described
in w. Bexar 22 May (BDo), way to the east of
its expected range.

A rare nesting Black Phoebe was at Wes¬
laco throughout April, a single was in anoth¬
er Hidalgo location 23-24 Apr (JA), and an
extralimital bird was in Kingsville 24 Mar
(GP). Three reports of Vermilion Flycatch¬
ers from Lubbock up to Garza were a bit
more than normal for the High Plains. A
possible Dusky-capped Flycatcher was de¬
scribed in Big Bend 12 Apr (L&NL). There
was a surprising set of at least seven extra¬
limital Great Kiskadees at Leon Springs,
Bexar, 1-2 Apr (GSc), Chambers 8 Apr ( JA),

One of the major events of the
spring in the Trans-Pecos was
the discovery of a singing male Buff-
breasted Flycatcher and copulating
pair in the Davis Mts. Preserve (Nature
Conservancy of Texas), Jeff Davis, 3
May (fJKa, EH et al.). Bryan, Karges,
and others (MA, D8cLH) relocated the
male and obtained great documenta¬
tion 5 and 7 May (ph., recordings to
T.B.R.C.) to confirm this species for
Texas. There were undocumented
reports from Big Bend in 1969 and
1994. The summer report will have fur¬
ther information on the nesting effort.

Hornsby Bend in Austin 12 Apr (RC), New
Braunfels, Comal, 28 Apr (JMc), and two
separate birds in Calhoun 27 Apr and 8 May
(PH). A Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher was a
great find on w. Galveston 1. 22-23 May (ph.
JSt); another Sulphur-bellied/Streaked
Flycatcher was at High I. 5 May ( JHo).

A pair of Tropical Kingbirds in McAllen
9 Mar was away from their limited range in
the L.R.G.V. (JMu, FB). For the 4th consec¬
utive year a pair of Tropical Kingbirds were
at Cottonwood Campground (Big Bend) 7
May onward (GL, ML). A vocalizing Tropi¬
cal Kingbird was photographed on Bolivar
Pen., Galveston, 27 Apr to provide the first
documented U.T.C. record (RBo, SK). A few
Couch’s Kingbirds were at the s. edge of the
Hill Country at Park Chalk Bluff 12-26 Apr
and at Concan 26 Apr, both in Uvalde
(RHo). A rare migrant Cassin’s Kingbird
was at Midland 25 Apr (LEG). An excessive¬
ly early W. Kingbird was in Randall 4 Mar
(TLJ). A nesting pair of Rose-throated Bec-
ards was studied at Anzalduas 24 Apr on¬
ward (f, ph. CSh, ND et al.); they have not
nested in Texas in more than 20 years.

VIREOS THROUGH NUTHATCHES

Local and rare in e. Texas in recent years as a
breeder, three Bell’s Vireos were on territory
at Alazan W.M.A., Nacogdoches, 1 8c 5 May
(DW). A migrant female Black-capped Vir-
eo in San Marcos 8-10 May (DHe) was not
far from the species nesting range, but mi¬
grants away from breeding areas are rare. A
pair was on territory near the Red R. in
Montague for the 2nd consecutive year
(HG); the male arrived 22 Apr, followed by
the female 7 May. A Cassin’s Vireo at Santa
Margarita Ranch, Starr, 14 Mar (BBe, TE)
raises the question of the limits of the win¬
ter range of this species. A Cassin’s Vireo was
also reported in Bexar, and Plumbeous
Vireos were reported in Bexar, Lee, and

Midland, but we see few to no details on this
difficult-to-identify group. Three Yellow-
throated Vireos, a Regional rarity, were
found in the Panhandle ( fide KS). Amazing¬
ly, four Hutton’s Vireos were reported in the
Hill Country, with one near Kerrville 29
Mar (TG), two birds at different Uvalde
locations 1 3-20 Apr ( RHo ), and one at Gov¬
ernment Canyon, Bexar, 26 Apr (ML). The
only other Hill Country report was a nesting
record in Real in 1990. A Yellow-green Vireo
was described at Sabine Woods, Jefferson,
24-28 Apr (tBBe, JWh, KSz) and another
was videotaped at Anahuac 30 Apr (J8cBRi).
Two more Yellow-greens were reported at
Quintana, Brazoria, 28 May (fC&OB). A
Black-whiskered Vireo was discovered at Sea
Rim 29 Apr (fSiG), while another was on
Bolivar Pen. 8 May (fNB, JeM, WB et al.),
representing the 14th and 15th Texas
records if accepted by the T.B.R.C.

No Tamaulipas Crows were reported in
the Brownsville area this spring. Tree Swal¬
lows arrived in Harrison 1 1 Mar (GLu, EdR)
and in late April had moved into nest boxes
in that n.e. Texas area. A very rare find on
the U.T.C., a Violet-green Swallow was in
Jefferson 24 Apr (KBa). Cave Swallows con¬
tinued to garner attention at previously
reported locations in the s. half of the state;
notable occurrences included a first Grimes
record near Navasota 23 Apr (20 nesting
birds; FC), and three immatures at Cooper
L., Delta, 24-25 May (MWh) where they are
not known to be established. A pair of
White-breasted Nuthatches fledged young
in an urban Dallas neighborhood in mid-
April (DHu) for a first county breeding rec¬
ord in many years. Fennell documented pro¬
bable breeding activities of White-breasted
Nuthatches at 3 Williamson locations.

WRENS THROUGH WARBLERS

A male Carolina Wren in full song at Casto-
lon on the w. side of Big Bend was unusual
for that side of the park (KB et al.). Golden-
crowned Kinglets, especially numerous the
previous winter, hung around late, includ¬
ing one at McKinney Roughs, Bastrop, 2
May (DPy). A Gray-cheeked Thrush was a
great find in Lubbock 3 Apr (AF). Clay-col¬
ored Robins were in at least 5 Hidalgo and
Starr locations as nesters or probable nesters
(m.ob.). It was a good spring for Brown
Thrashers in the Trans-Pecos, with a total of
five birds scattered across the region 10
Apr-15 May (m.ob.). A few Long-billed
Thrashers well n. of their normal range were
at Balcones Canyonlands, including a sing¬
ing male on one Refuge tract in early April
to mid-May (BLy) and two singing birds on

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

301

Interesting Spring Warbler Records for Texas

Species

Date

Location

OBS

Blue-winged Warbler

2 May

Lubbock

AF

Blue-winged Warbler

2 May

Big Bend

MF

Golden- winged W arbler

7 May

Big Bend

GL, MLetal.

Tennessee Warbler

28 Apr

Big Bend

WRi

Virginia’s Warbler

27 Mar

Falfiirrias

DE

Virginia’s Warbler

5 May

Buffalo L.

KS

Northern Parula

6 May

Davis Mts. S.P.

D8<LH

Northern Parula

7 May

Buffalo L.

KS

Northern Parula

8 May

Lubbock

AF

Northern Parula

13 May

Midland

JMe

Chestnut -sided Warbler

18 Apr

Lubbock

AF

Chestnut -sided Warbler (3)

24 Apr-25 May

Big Bend

m.ob.

Townsend’s W arbler

1 1 Apr

Anahuac

MaW

T ownsend’s Warbler

15-17 Apr

High Island

m.ob.

T ownsend’s W arbler

16-18 Apr

Quintana

TC

T ownsend’s W arbler

17-18 Apr

Galveston

WBu

T ownsend’s W arbler

28 Apr

Galveston I.

JSt

Hermit Warbler

10-12 Apr

Jefferson

RKn, KSz, JWh

Blackburnian Warbler

8 May

Randall

MLS

Blackburnian Warbler

9 May

Big Bend

TMo

Blackburnian Warbler

22 May

Buffalo L.

m.ob.

Yellow-throated Warbler (2)

7 Apr & 8 May

Big Bend

MF, TMo

Palm Warbler

28 Apr

Big Bend

WMa

Blackpoll Warbler

24 Apr

Big Bend

KB, MAd et al.

Prothonotary Warbler

25-30 Apr

Big Bend

WRi et al.

Prothonotary Warbler

5 May

Amarillo

RSc

Prothonotary Warbler

20 May

Buffalo L.

KS

Worm-eating Warbler

24 Apr

Lubbock

RKo

Worm-eating Warbler

28-30 Apr

Big Bend

WRi, RHo

Swainson’s W arbler

1 1 Apr

Big Bend*

CN et al.

Swainson’s Warbler

13 Apr

Big Bend’

B&1T

Swainson’s W arbler

17Mayt

Randall

DL.PT

Louisiana Waterthrush

8 8(18 May

Lubbock

JHa, RKo

Kentucky Warbler

1 May

Big Bend

PAb

Hooded Warbler

13 Apr

Lost Maples

RHo

Hooded Warbler

16 Apr

El Paso

BZetal.

Hooded Warbler

29 Apr-2 May

Big Bend

BZu, MF

Hooded Warbler

25 Apr

Lubbock

AF, RKo

* At two separate locations in the park,
fist for Panhandle.

One of the great rarities of the
season was Texas’ first Blue
Mockingbird discovered in Weslaco 9
May by Lehman, Although tough to
observe, good documentation was finally
obtained on this exceedingly shy species
(m.ob.) including photos, videotape, and
tape recordings. The bird was observed
sporadically in late May and into June.
Although its natural occurrence might be
questioned, many veteran Texas observers
had expected it in Texas eventually, as it
nests in Mexico only about 250 mi s. of
Brownsville.

another tract (all in Burnet) in late April
(JKe). No females were seen and no evi¬
dence of breeding was noted.

Freeman found a migrant group of 90
Sprague’s Pipits in n. Austin 1 1 Mar. A brief
description of a reportedly photographed
male Olive Warbler at Rio Grande Village 23
Mar was deposited at the Big Bend head¬
quarters (RBu). We received a description of
a Colima Warbler in G.M.N.P. 29 May (AF);
in the United States, this species is thought
to be confined to the Chisos Mts. of Big
Bend, but stay tuned for our summer report
for more surprising news. In contrast to w.
Texas, where Colimas arrived a few weeks
late, there were several slightly early arrival
dates for n. and e. Texas warblers (both mi¬
grants and breeders) such as N. Parula 9 Mar
in Brazos, Yellow 7 Apr in Angelina, Louisi¬
ana Waterthrush 11 Mar in Nacogdoches,
Com. Yellowthroat 21 Mar in Smith and 2
Apr at Buffalo L„ and Hooded 15 Mar in
Angelina (m.ob.). Warbler reports dominat¬
ed the news from the Panhandle and Trans-
Pecos (table). Prominent in this season’s
drift of eastern warblers westward were N.
Parula, Black-throated Blue, Blackburnian,
Prothonotary, Swainson’s, and Hooded.
Golden-winged Warblers were particularly
common on the Kenedy Ranch 2 May (BF)
and in Austin (10 reports; fide AD). A
Tropical Parula at Rio Grande Village 3 Apr
was one many interesting records at Big
Bend (BLa). Toward the w. edge of where
expected were five Cape May Warblers in
Nueces and Cameron in late April and early
May, and another was in Austin 10 May (BF)
where it is casual. On the central and upper
coast. Black-throated Blue Warblers were
seemingly “everywhere” (J&BRi), with 6-8
reports; they were also in Lubbock 25 Apr
(TFer) and 17 May (RKo), and yet another
was in Midland 13 May (JMe). Both Mid¬
land and Lubbock had a few records of
Black-throated Gray and Townsend’s war¬

blers, each much rarer in spring than fall.
Note the unusual dose of Townsend’s on the
U.T.C. (table). One wintering Hermit Warb¬
lers at Anzalduas stayed until at least 13 Mar
(JO, BP, BR). A Red-faced Warbler at Boot
Spring was another great find in Big Bend 6
May (fEH et al.). Stepping out of its w. Texas
haunts, a Painted Redstart was in the Hill
Country at Lost Maples 15-16 Mar (EdR).

TANAGERS THROUGH FINCHES

About six W. Tanagers were reported on the
coast, providing a typical spring showing.
Arvin reported an impressive 12 singing
White-collared Seedeaters in early March in
expanding habitat caused by low water con¬
ditions along the Rio Grande in Starr and
Zapata. Eastern Towhees at the w. margin of
their winter range included singles in
Corpus Christi 20-30 Mar (m.ob.), Calla¬
han 25 Mar {fide LB), Hutchinson 10 Apr
(EK, m.ob.), and Concan, Uvalde, 11 Apr
through the end of the month (RHo, m.ob.).

A singing male in Newton was accompanied
by a female 21 May (CSh, RBr); nesting has'
been hard to confirm e. Texas, on the
periphery of its breeding range. A very late
Vesper Sparrow was at Big Bend 28 May
(JMu, FB). A Baird’s Sparrow was well de¬
scribed in Tarrant 1 May (tJWS, BTo, PW).
Late-departing Henslow’s Sparrows in e.
Texas included birds in Nacogdoches 10 Mar
(MW, JaW), in Freestone 11 Apr (TPo), and
at L. Tawakoni, Rains, 17 May (RK). A rare
White-throated Sparrow was in El Paso 29
Mar-19 Apr (JPa). Even rarer was a Golden-
crowned Sparrow discovered on the Texas-
New Mexico line in El Paso 13 Apr (fP&JBo).

Pyrrhuloxias made it up to the Panhan¬
dle, with one near Palo Duro 23 Mar and 6
Apr (NK, RSc, PT) and another in Hutchin¬
son 10 Apr (BiMc, EK, m.ob.). A female Blue
Bunting was reported at Bentsen in early
March (R&LG, m.ob.), but documentation
was sparse and Indigo Buntings continue to
be misidentified as this species. A male

302

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

texas

Lazuli Bunting was in Tarrant 12 May,
where it remained through the season ( fide
MR). Six Varied Buntings netted at a band¬
ing station in the Davis Mts. was the most
ever for that site (KB, LH). Surprising were
singles at High I. 16 Apr (WB, PH) and in
Calhoun 27 Apr (PH). We remain unsure
what caused the late winter incursion (early
migration) of Dickcissels, but areas such as
Burleson, Calhoun, Lee, Walker, and Wash¬
ington all had the species in late February or
March (rn.ob.). A Bobolink photographed
in Carson 21 May was a super find (EK,
RSc). Rare in the Pineywoods, a Yellow¬
headed Blackbird was in Nacogdoches 17
Apr (CW). Although now “all over” Mid¬
land, a single Bronzed Cowbird was an un¬
usual discovery at Lubbock 17 May ( RKo).

A more pleasant discovery in Lubbock
was a Hooded Oriole 23 May (AF). An im¬
pressive count of 80 Hoodeds was noted on
the Kenedy Ranch 20 Mar; 25 Audubon’s
Orioles were at the same location 22-25 Apr
(BF). There were 4 reports of Scott’s Oriole
on the e. edge of the Hill Country in the San
Antonio and Austin areas; the northernmost
was in Liberty Hill, Williamson, 18 Mar
(DDK). An exciting find was two Red
Crossbills calling from the tops of tall pines
in Angelina 26 Apr ( JaW ). Completely out of
range and season was a male Lesser Gold¬
finch at Quintana Beach 8 May (C&OB).

UNDOCUMENTED RARITIES

Reports of the following Texas rarities were
received with little or no supporting docu¬
mentation: Great Black-backed Gull, Gal¬
veston, 16 Mar; calling N. Saw-whet Owls at
G.M.N.P. in April-May; Rose-throated
Becard at Bentsen in April; Baird’s Sparrow
in Big Bend in May; and three Red-faced
Warblers in El Paso 1 1-20 May.
ay

Cited observers (subregional editors in
boldface): Peggy Abbott (PAb), Don Acord,
Peggy Acord, Mark Adams (MAd), Don
Amey, Fred Armstrong, Keith Arnold, Nina
& Eddie Arnold, John Arvin, Margaret
Bailey, Mike Bailey, Peter Barnes (PBa),
Keith Bartels (KBa), Walter Bauer, Bill &
Patty Beasley (B&PBe), Bob Behrstock
(BBe), Laurence Binford (LBi), Nancy Bird,
Lorie Black, Nick Block, Hazel Bluhm, Bebe
Boran, Bill Bourbon, Rick Bowers (RBo),
Peter & Jennifer Boynton (P&JBo), David
Bradford (DBr) (U.T.C.: 18046 Green
Hazel, Houston, TX 77084; email:
brdfrd@tenet.edu), Charles & Olivia Brower
(C&OB), Hugh Brown (HBr), Ray Brown
(RBr), Cyndie Browning, Kelly Bryan
(Trans-Pecos: P.O. Box 786, Ft. Davis, TX

79734; email: kelly.bryan@tpwd.state.tx.us),
Frank Bumgardner, Winnie Burkett, Roger
Burrows (RBu), Alan Byboth, Mike Carlo,
Eric Carpenter, Jack Childs (JCh), Charlie
Clark, Rita Clements, Gail & Scott Cole,
Fred Collins, Tom Collins, Arlie & Mel
Cooksey ( South Texas: 1 5825 Socorro Loop,
Corpus Christi, TX 78418; email: cybrbr-
dr@electrotex.com), Joe Cox, Cameron Cox
(CCo), Grant & Sharon Crutchfield
(Gr&SC), Fred Dalbey, Noreen Damude,
Isabel Davis, Walt Davis, Michael
DeLassantro, Sandy Dillard, Bob Doe
(BDo), Andrew Donnelly, Steven Donovan,
Charles Easley, Marc & Maryann Eastman,
Bob & Marcia Effinger, Dodge Engleman,
Lily Engles, Troy Ettel (TEt), Ted Eubanks,
Lee Evans, Floi Ewing, Jessie Fagan, Tim
Fennell (TFen), Rob Fergus (RFe), Terry
Ferguson (TFer), Dixie Feuerbacher, Tom
Fisher (TFi), Mark Flippo, Anthony Floyd,
Geraldine Foster, Tony & Phyllis Frank,
Bobbye Frazier (BoF), Brush Freeman, Bert
Frenz (BeF) (East Texas: 221 Rainbow Dr.,
PMB 12190, Livingston, TX 77399-2021;
email: bert@bafrenz.com), Gary Fritcher,
Tony Gallucci, Red & Louise Gambill, Vera
Garlough, Hugh Garnett, Stuart Gary,
Sidney Gauthreaux (SiG), Jack Giltinan
( JGi), Charles & Laura Gordon, Jeff Gordon
(JGo), Mary Ann Grahmann, Tim Green
(TGr), L.E. Grimes (LEG), Dennis Haessley,
Bryan Hale, Carolyn Haluska, Peggy
Harding (PHa), Ken Hartman, Jill Haukos
(JHa), James Heath, David & Linda Hedges,
Ruth Heino (RHe), J. C. Henderson, Dick
Henderson (DHe), Petra Hockey, Grace
Holloway, Bob Honig (BHo), John
Hoogerheidi (JHo), Eric Horvath, Rich
Hoyer (RHo), Don Hunter (DHu), David
Hurt (DaH), Joe Ideker, John Ingram (Jin),
Corky & Joye Johnson (Co&JJ), Thomas L.
Johnson (TLJ), John Karges (JKa), Laura
Karr, Steve Kazianis, Mike Keck, Greg
Keiran, John Kelly (JKe), Dee Dee King,
Richard Kinney, Phillip Kite (PKi), Rick
Knight (RKn), Kinki Koi, Sandy Komito,
Rich Kostecke (RKo), Nathan Kuhnert, Ed
Kutac, Larry & Nancy LaBrant, Bob Landry
(BLa), Greg Lasley, Debra Lee, Richard
Lehman, Cathy Liles, Mark Lockwood, Al
Lozano, Guy & Joan Luneau (G&JLu), Bill
Lupardis (BLu), Bill Lybarger (BLy), Wayne
Machado (WMa), Mike Mansen, Michael
Marsden, Terry Maxwell, Jill McAffee,
Andrew McCalla, Janice McClintock (JMc),
Debra McKee, Bill McKinney (BiMc), Brad
McKinney (BMc), Stennie Meadours, Chris
Merkord, Joann & Don Merritt (J&DMe),
Wayne Meyer, Paul Miliotis, John Moody
(JMo), Carroll Moore (CMo), Narca

VOLUME 5 J (1999), ISSUE 3

Moore-Craig (NM-C), Miguel Mora, Tom
Morgan (TMo), John Muldrow (JMu), Jeff
Mundy (JeM), Derek Muschalek (DMu),
Russell Namitz (RNa), Craig Nance, David
Nelson, Russ Nelson (RNe), Larry Nesdesitt,
John O’Brien, Paul O’Brien, Irene Oatman,
Jim Paton (JPa), Tom Patterson, Dick Payne,
Joyce Penny, Brandon Percival, Glenn
Perrigo, Dave Phalen, Dick Pike, Randy
Pinkston, Paul Pipes, Truman & Sharon
Powell (T&SPo), Jimmie & Bob Putnam,
Don Pye (DPy), Habib Rahman, Ross
Rasmussen, Ellen Ratoosh (ERat), Eddie
Ray (EdR), Martin Reid, Bill Reiner, John &
Barbara Ribble (J&BRi), Jan & Will Risser
(J&WRi), Ellen Roots (ERoo), Bill Rowe,
Forest Rowland, Ed Rozenberg (EdR), Billy
Sandifer (BSa), Laura Sare (LSa), Gloria
Saylor, Georgina Schwartz (GSc), Rosemary
Scott (RSc), Willie Sekula (Central Texas:
7063 Co. Rd. 228, Falls City, TX 78113-2627;
email: wsekula@the-cia.net), Chuck Sexton,
KenSeyffert (Panhandle: 2206 S. Lipscomb,
Amarillo, TX 79109), David Shackelford,
Cliff Shackelford (CSh), Bob Shackleton,
Billie Shalvey, Mark Shavers (MSh), Mary
Loui Shippee, J.W. Sifford (JWS), Ted
Simon, Gael Simons (GSi), Bob Simpson,
Mike Smith, Sara St. Clair, Darken Stevens
(DSte), Jim Stevenson (JSt), Mary Stortz,
Rose Marie Stortz, Scott Summers, Paul
Sundby, Alan & Alana Swain, Glenn Swartz
(GSw), Ken Sztraky (KSz), Rick Taylor,
TexBirds (TxB: Audubon birding discussion
list), Barbara Tomkins (BTo), Bob & Inez
Triebensee, Peggy Trosper, Bobby Valentine,
Donald Verser, Darrell Vollert, Gary
Waggerman (GaW), Glen Walbek, Valerie
Walmsley, Ro Wauer, Ron Weeks (RWe),
Carol Wells, Bill & Mickey West, Matt
Whitbeck (MaW), Joshua & Missy White,
Kristin & Matt White (K&MWh) (N.C.
Texas: 2518 Monroe, Commerce, TX 75428;
email: MWHITE@ssisd.net), E.G. White-
Swift (EGW), John Whittle (JWh), Sue
Wiedenfeld (SWie), Frances Williams, Greer
Willis, Mary Dabney Wilson, Patty Wilson,
Jack Windsor (JaW), Judy Winn, David
Wolf, Mimi Wolf, Jim Yantis, Joe Yelderman,
Barry Zimmer, Bill Zuzevich.

Greg W. Lasley, 305 Loganberry Ct., Austin,
TX 78745-6527 (glasley@earthlink.net);
Chuck Sexton, 101 E. 54th St., Austin, TX
78751-1232 (cwsexton@onr.com)

■

303

idaho-western montana
region

DAVID TROCHLELL

pring 1999 started out auspiciously in
most locations with mild seasonal tem¬
peratures in March. April was somewhat
more variable across the Region, but
reporters agreed that much of May was
unseasonably cool. Waterfowl and shore-
birds passed through on schedule or were
even somewhat early, but many observers
thought that passerines were late by as
much as two weeks. Both Casey and Marks
indicated that migrating songbird numbers
seemed low in northwestern Montana.

Abbreviations: A.F.R. (American Falls Res., by
American Falls, Idaho); D.F.N.W.R. (Deer Flat
N.W.R., Canyon Co., ID); L.M.N.W.R. (Lee
Metcalf N.W.R., Ravalli Co., MT).

LOOMS THROUGH CRANES

Especially rare in spring, a Red-throated
Loon was near A.F.R. 2-3 May (F&MZ,
m.ob.). A Yellow-billed Loon on L. Mc¬
Donald, Flathead, 24 Apr-22 May (MBu,
fDC, m.ob.) was Montana’s 3rd. Montana
reported unexpected waders, with Great
Egrets at Cottonwood Res., Park, 22 May
(BS, JS) and Seeley L., Missoula, in late May
(LK), and a Snowy Egret near Helena 16
May (GH). Idaho’s unusual herons featured
one-two Cattle Egrets in Canyon 18 Apr-2

May (M), RM, RLR), and a Green Heron
near Boise 25 May (MC, FK). Fifteen
White-faced Ibises near Ronan, Lake, MT,
25-26 Apr (JM, RSt, TT) and five near
Helena 16 May (GH) were unexpected.

In a continuing trend, sightings of
Ross’s Geese were up Regionwide. Outside
of their regular range were one near Challis,
Custer, ID, 27 Mar (D&EF), ±12 at L.
Helena, Lewis and Clark, MT, 17 Apr (IS),
one at L.M.N.W.R. 22 Apr (WT), ±30 at
Brown’s L., Powell , MT, 30 Apr (JB), and
singles near Twin Falls, ID, 3 May (KF) and
Market Lake W.M.A., Jefferson, ID, 15 May
(D&EF). An American Black Duck at
Lewiston 27 Mar-4 Apr (fKD, fCS) was
Idaho’s 5th. Both states reported hybrid
ducks: the wintering Mallard x N. Pintail at
L.M.N.W.R. stayed until 7 Mar (DL, WT),
and two male Cinnamon x Blue-winged
Teals stopped at Hubbard Res., Ada, ID, 2
May (RLR, fDT).

Reports of Eur. Wigeons were down
from last year. Single Idaho Eurasians were
reported in Boise 1 Mar-9 Apr (DT),
Moscow 7 Mar (DH), near Cataldo,
Kootenai , 14-20 Mar (SL, SS), Lewiston 18
Mar-9 Apr (DB, KD, CS), and near
Sandpoint, Bonner, 8 May (SS, m.ob.). In
Montana, one-two Eur. Wigeons were at
L.M.N.W.R. 14-23 Mar (WT, W), and
one-two were at Frenchtown, Missoula,
mid-March to mid- April (LW). Harlequin
Ducks are rare and local in the Idaho pan¬
handle, so one at Coeur d’Alene 1 4 Mar-3 1
May (TP) and a pair at McArthur Lake
W.M.A., Boundary, 23 Apr (PC) were news¬
worthy. Single Broad-winged Hawks were
near Twin Falls in late April and below
A.F.R. dam 8 May (CT). A flock of over 600
Sandhill Cranes near Letha, Gem, ID, 20
Mar (MC, FK) provided likely a local high
count.

PLOVERS THROUGH FLYCATCHERS

Typical numbers of Black-bellied Plovers
were reported, with one at Blacks Creek
Res., Ada, ID, 20 May (MC, FK), six near
Helena 15 May (JS), and two w. of
Missoula, MT, 21 May (LW). Two Am.
Golden- Plovers at Market Lake W.M.A. 16
May (GR) were surprising; they are fall

migrants through the Region. Black- necked
Stilts are becoming almost common in the
Region’s n. half. Up to 33 were reported
near Helena 17 Apr-21 May (GM, DR, JS),
seven were near Ninepipe N.W.R., Lake,
MT, 25 Apr (J&ND), and singles were at
Salmon, Lemhi, ID, 18 Apr (HR), Brown’s L.
30 Apr (JB), Genesee, Latah, ID, 2 May
(CS), Mann L., Nez Perce, ID, 7 May (RW),
and e. of Moscow 10 May (DH). An esti¬
mated 200 Am. Avocets and 120 Marbled
Godwits at Blacks Creek Res. 25 Apr (MC,
FK) provided a local record. The Long¬
billed Curlew near Post Falls, Kootenai, ID,
9 Apr (SL) and two at Tolo L., Idaho, ID, 1 1
Apr (CS) were unusual. A Stilt Sandpiper w.
of A.F.R. 24 May (CT) was seasonally rare.

Bonaparte’s Gulls were widely reported,
and included six at L.M.N.W.R. 24 Apr and
two there 11 May (JM), one at Mann L. 3
May (RW), three in Bozeman, MT, 7-8 May
(JP), and one at Tolo L. 23 May (CS).
Idaho’s 9th Kumlien’s Iceland Gull lin¬
gered at A.F.R. until 19 Mar (MCr).
Seasonally-rare gull sightings included a
Thayer’s Gull at Hebgen L., Gallatin, MT, 10
May (CW), Glaucous-winged Gull at
Hubbard Res. 11 Apr (MC, FK), and
Glaucous Gull at Poison, Lake, MT, 20 Mar
(AP). Reports of unusual Idaho terns
included four Commons at Blacks Creek
Res. 1 1 May (MC, FK) and an Arctic below
A.F.R. dam 2 May (F&MZ). Single Idaho
Band-tailed Pigeons were reported on
Moscow Mt., Latah, 5 May ( J&JC), and n. of
Ola, Gem, 22 Apr-24 May (F&MZ). The
wintering Barn Owl in the Mission Valley,
Lake, MT, departed after mid-April (CO). A
White-headed Woodpecker in Helena in
mid-May (tRS) was about Montana’s 8th.
Like last year, one-two Least Flycatchers
were at Camas N.W.R., Jefferson, ID, 23-31
May (CW, MCr, CT).

BLUEBIRDS THROUGH FINCHES

Three locally-rare W. Bluebirds in the
Helena area 27 & 30 Mar (JKr, SSh) were
newsworthy. Idaho’s N. Mockingbird sight¬
ings were average, with two near Nampa 20
Mar-7 May (BT), and singles in Owyhee 27
May and Elmore 28 May (CSw). A Virginia’s
Warbler strayed to the Boise area 18 May

304

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

(MC, FK). Myrtle Yellow-rumped Warblers
were unusually numerous and widely
reported this season. Single male Rose¬
breasted Grosbeaks were found in Idaho at
Camas N.W.R. 29 May (MCr, CT), in Valley
25 & 30 May (JGe, CSw), and at Island Park,
Fremont, 31 May (CW). Montana featured
one near Bozeman 15 May (MB), a pair
near Winston, Broadwater, 20 May ( JK),
and one in Helena 26 May (JL). A Reg-
ionally-rare Indigo Bunting stopped near
Bozeman 30 May (DC).

A Black-throated Sparrow in Boise 21
May (MC, FK) was an unexpected stray, but
more unusual was Montana’s 6th Black-
throated Sparrow near Noxon, Sanders, 24
May (CR). Idaho’s only Lark Bunting report
was from Blaine 30 May (LB, RG). Rare
Idaho sparrows included a Swamp in
Elmore 5 Mar (SH), and White-throateds in
Boise 1-12 Mar (DT) and Challis 17 Apr
(D&EF). Golden-crowned Sparrows made
an unusually good showing this season,
with two in Coeur d’Alene 2-20 May (JSe,
PW), up to six in the Moscow area 9-18
May (m.ob.), and one near Missoula 29
May (CM). White-crowned Sparrows stag¬
ed throughout the Region in unusually
large flocks and in unexpected locations
(DC, DS, SS); these flocks harbored a total
of eight Harris’s Sparrows throughout Ida¬
ho (m.ob.). A Lapland Longspur, rare in
any season in n. Idaho, stopped in Moscow
17 May (CS).

Undoubtedly the bird of the season, a
breeding-plumaged male Brambling visit¬
ed a yard s. of Moscow 6 Apr (fKD), pro¬
viding Idaho’s first record. Idaho’s Great¬
tailed Grackle reports featured one at A.F.R.
7 Mar (CT), two at D.F.N.W.R. I May (LB),
and a pair in Gooding 11 May (KF). Nest-
building was observed 1 May at the colony
in Marsing, Owyhee, ID (DT). Common
GrackJe reports were up slightly from last
year, with scattered observations from Ada
(MC, FK), Blaine (PWP), Custer (LB, RG),
Fremont (CW), and Gooding (KF). A
Regionally-rare Baltimore Oriole was in
Missoula, 30-31 May (JM, AP). A pair of
Purple Finches visited a residence near
Bigfork, Flathead, MT, 8-9 May (LH); there
is no confirmed breeding of this species in
the Region.

Observers cited (subregional editors in
boldface): IDAHO: Larry Barnes, Deb
Beutler, Marty Collar (MCr), Pat Cole,
Mark Collie (MC), Joan and lack Cooper,
Kas Dumroese, Dave and Elise Faike, Kent
Fothergill, Robin Garwood, John Gatchet
(IG), John Gebhardt (JGe), Sarah Hamil¬

ton, Liz Hill, Dave Holick, Marlin Jones,
Florence Knoll, Merlene Koliner, Steve
Lindsay, Russ Manwaring, Theresa Potts,
Greg Rice, Hadley Roberts, R.L. Rowland,
Jan Severtson (JSe), Shirley Sturts (SS),
Colleen Sweeney (CSw), Charles Swift (CS),
Bonnie Tague, Dave Trochlell, Chuck
Trost, Phil Waring, Cliff Weisse, Rick Welle,
Poo Wright-Pulliam, Fred and Melly
Zeillemaker. MONTANA: Mike Becker
(MB), Jim Brown, Milo Burcham (MBu),
Dan Casey, Jeanette and Norm Davis,
George Holton, Jess Karp (JK), Lynn Kelly,
Joyce Kronholm (JKr), Joanne Lace, Dave
Lockman, Jeff Marks (JM), Charles Miller,
Gerald Mueller, Chad Olson, John Parker,
Alison Perkins, Don Reimer, Cal Ryder, Jeff
Safford, Sandy Shull (SSh), Bob Sisk, Don
Skaar, Rex Smart, Ralph Stockstad (RSt),
Terry Toppins, Wayne Tree, Virginia
Vincent, Larry Weeks.

David Trochlell, 1931 Tallwood Ln, Boise, ID
83706 (dtrochle@cyberhighway.net)

A

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web site: http://www.americanbirding.org

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

305

mountain west region

VAN A. TRUAN

and BRANDON K. PERCIVAL

The Region was wetter in the western
areas and dry in the eastern portions
into late April, and was cooler than normal
all season. These conditions allowed a
longer mulberry fruit and flowering olive
and mesquite season in southern Nevada
(e.g., Corn Creek), which appears to ac¬
count for a long list of unusual birds. In late
April a low pressure area developed and
stayed over Nevada and Utah, bringing lots
of moisture into the Rockies and southeast¬
ern plains of Colorado. Areas from the New
Mexico line north to the Monument Divide
had 9-12 inches of rain in three days, caus¬
ing flooding of numerous tributaries to and
from the Arkansas River. Record-high water
levels were set on most southeast Colorado
irrigation reservoirs.

Abbreviations: Corn Creek (Corn Creek oasis
at the Desert Natl Wildlife Range, Clark Co.,
Nevada); H.B.V.P. (Henderson Bird Viewing
Preserve, Clark Co., Nevada)] M.B.R. ( Migratory
Bird Refuge). Because the majority of reports
received in the Region come from Colorado, to
save space, we are using site and county names
only for Colorado; other sightings list the state.

LOOMS THROUCH IBISES

Rare in spring, a Red-throated Loon was
reported from Big Johnson Res., El Paso , 23
Apr (JJ et al.) and a Pacific Loon was at
Chatfield Res., Jefferson/Douglas , 23-25 Apr
(JBH, JK). The wintering Yellow-billed
Loon at Pueblo Res., Pueblo , stayed to 18
Mar (BKP). Up to ten W. Grebes stayed at
8790 ft. in Summit 1-31 May (SBo). The
surprise of the Region was an imm. Magni¬

ficent Frigatebird at Minersville Res.,
Beaver, 26 May into June, providing the first
record for Utah (m.ob.). Two Least Bitterns
were at the w. end of John Martin Res.,
Bent, 3-29 May (TD, TM, BKP, m.ob.).
Three ad. Little Blue Herons were found in
Colorado, with one in Boulder 25 Apr (PG),
one in Larimer 20-21 May (WPL, DAL,
m.ob.), and one in Kiowa 22 May ( JK). Two
Tricolored Herons were in Otero 16-17 May
(MJ, BKP, DSm). Two ad. Yellow-crowned
Night-Herons were reported in Colorado,
one in Boulder 22 May (CBr, TL, m.ob.) and
one in Prowers 26 May (DSi). A Black-
crowned Night-Heron in a fruiting mulber¬
ry tree at Corn Creek 1 5 May had a Cedar
Waxwing in its bill that it swallowed whole
(RS). Wyoming’s first Glossy Ibis, an adult,
was found at Jackson 4 May (TMc). Six ad.
Glossy Ibises were reported in Colorado,
with one in Arapahoe 26-28 Apr (LAB,
BBn, m.ob.), one in Bent 9 May (TJ) and
16-21 May (DSm, BBH), one in Larimer
12-13 May (NK), two in Weld 14-17 May
(DW, BP, m.ob.), and another in Bent 16
May (TJ).

WATERFOWL

Approximately 1400 Snow Geese were at
Minersville Res, Beaver, UT, 4 Mar (SH);
one was at Las Vegas, Clark, NV, 13 Mar,
along with two Ross’s Geese (CT). North of
normal haunts, a Black-bellied Whistling-
Duck photographed at H.B.V.P. 18 May
into June (PGa, MAP) was Nevada’s 4th.
Three male Eur. Wigeon were found in
Colorado. The wintering bird in Larimer
stayed to 22 Mar (TD), and singles were in
Weld 9 Mar (JHi, DM) and Yuma 8 May
(GPa). Also, a male was seen near Morgan,
UT, 20 Mar (Wasatch Audubon). An Am.
Black Duck was found in Weld 27 May
(NK). Up to five Blue-winged Teal at
H.B.V.P. 23 Apr to end of period (m.ob.)
may indicate local breeding. Somewhat late
were two Greater Scaups in Crowley 3 May
(TD, TM). A female White-winged Scoter
was reported from Big Johnson Res., El
Paso, 5 May (DEI).

RAPTORS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS

A pair of Osprey nested at Minersville Res.,
UT, 7 Apr-31 May (SH, m.ob.), and in s.
Nevada singles were at Corn Creek 17 Apr

Nevada's fourth Mississippi Kite,
at Corn Creek 31 May 1999.

This species is rare anywhere in the West
away from its limited breeding range
in southern Arizona and New Mexico.
Photograph/Richard P. Saval

(RS) and in Glendale, Clark, 24 Apr (CT). A
Mississippi Kite at Corn Creek 31 May
(DCR, ph. RPS) provided the 4th Nevada
record. An ad. N. Goshawk was noted in
Baca 7 Apr (TD) and a juvenile was in Weld
24 Apr (DAL). Common Black-Hawks were
found at Beaver Dam Wash (Lytle Ranch),
Washington, 10 Apr (FH,KG) and 1 May
(JKr,LWi), the site of all Utah records. Two
juv. Red-shouldered Hawks were reported,
one in Boulder 17 May (TD) and one in
Prowers 30 May (JPr). Broad-winged Hawks
passed through Colorado, with 26 at various
locations on the e. plains 24 Apr-21 May
(v.ob.) and a high count of 27 at the Dino¬
saur Ridge Hawkwatch, Jefferson, 17-27 Apr
(JLi). A late Rough-legged Hawk was
reported in Crowley 3 May (TD, TM), and a
late Merlin was in Jefferson 1 1 May (JK, SS).

A Black Rail was reported from Lower
Latham Res., Weld, 31 May (RO, DQ). A
Black-bellied Plover was at H.B.V.P. 8 May
(RPS). One or two Am. Golden- Plovers
were in Bent 17-22 May (TL, PAG, JK). A
Piping Plover was found n.w. of usual in
Larimer 29 Apr (SJD). A high count of six
Semipalmated Plover was at H.B.V.P. 23
Apr (RPS). At least 38 Whimbrel passed
through e. Colorado 24 Apr-24 May (v.ob.)
and one was at H.B.V.P. 8 May (RPS). More
Hudsonian Godwits were recorded than
usual in e. Colorado, including one in Weld
21-22 Apr (JHi, SJD, m.ob.), two in Pueblo

306

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

We had more reports of
hybrids than usual. Many
were ducks, with a Green-winged x
Blue-winged Teal in Larimer 12 Apr
(SJD); Blue-winged x Cinnamon Teals
in Teller (JJ) and in Larimer (NK),
both 1 May; a Gadwall x N. Shoveler
in Weld (TL, MJ, BKP, m.ob.); an Eur.
x Am. Wigeon in Larimer 12 Apr-21
May (SJD); and a Com. Goldeneye x
Bufflehead in Morgan, UT, 6-21 Mar
(LS et ah). In addition, a Townsend’s x
Hermit Warbler was in Bent 8 May
(MJ, m.ob.) and a Green-tailed x
Spotted Towhee was in El Paso 20 May
(JWe). At this point we have no idea
how to use this information, but we
will keep including hybrid reports in
hopes that someday it may prove use¬
ful. We appreciate these types of re¬
ports, and perhaps someone may be
able to use these data to track range
extensions, population and geographi¬
cal changes, gene flow, etc.

2 May (ph. PHu), two in Kiowa 7 May (MJ,
BKP, m.ob.), and two in Weld 14 May
(DW). Uncommon in the Lahontan Valley
were six Ruddy Turnstone at Carson L.,
Churchill, NV, 10-15 May (LN, DSe et ah);
three were also found in Kiowa 6 May (VZ,
m.ob.). Fifteen Red Knots at Carson L 8-15
May provided the 4th record for the
hahontan Valley (GC, m.ob.).

Unusual in spring, a basic-plumaged
Sanderling was at H.B.V.P. 23 Apr (RPS,
)He); seven at L. Estes, Larimer, 30 Apr (SR)
provided a rare sighting in the mountains.
Three White-rumped Sandpipers were
found at Pelican h. and Ouray N.W.R.
28-30 May (CD). At H.B.V.P. were a Pec¬
toral Sandpiper 17 Apr and a Stilt Sand¬
piper 21 May (RPS). A Short-billed Do-
witcher was in Adams 8-9 May (DSc, PGe);
one of the subspecies caurinus was at Union
Res., Weld, 13 May (BP), while a hendersoni
was near Kersey, Weld, 20-21 May (WPL,
DAE, m.ob. ). An American Woodcock was
observed at hamar, Prowers, 1 1 May (BGo).

CULLS THROUGH NIGHTJARS

A Franklin’s Gull at Carson L. 1 7 Apr ( MM )
was among the early records for this species
in the Lahontan Valley, and 20 were at
H.B.V.P. 15 May with some staying into
June (m.ob.). Becoming more regular in
Colorado, an ad. Laughing Gull was found
in Baca 9 May (TL, DSv). A high count of
20 Bonaparte’s Gulls was at Minersville Res,

UT, 7 Apr (SH). The 2nd-basic Mew Gull at
Jim Hamm Pond, Boulder, and nearby
Union Res., Weld, lingered to 31 Mar (JLD).
A first-basic imm. Iceland Gull at Pueblo
Res. 17 Apr (ph. VAS, KE, )P, JB, JRe) pro¬
vided the 2nd record for Colorado. Utah
had two Glaucous-winged Gulls, one first-
basic at Bear River M.B.R. 1 1 Mar and an
adult at Willard Bay S.P. 20 Mar (VAS, KE,
(Re). Two or three imm. Lesser Black-
backed Gulls were reported from Larimer
3-29 Apr (NK, SJD). A Yellow-footed Gull
at L. Powell 21-23 Apr (C. LaRue et ah) was
Utah’s first (see the Arizona Region). Hold¬
overs from the winter invasion of Glaucous
Gulls to Colorado continued with at least
six in Weld and Larimer to 19 Apr (SJD,
m.ob.) and another in Boulder 19 Apr (BS).
The ad. Great Black-backed Gull found
during the winter in Kiowa stayed to 7 Mar
(DSi, DJ) and an immature in 2nd-basic
plumage was in Arapahoe 2 Mar (BBn). Sin¬
gle Caspian Terns were found at 5 locations
in Colorado. An unexpected Least Tern was
documented at Lida, Esmeralda, NV, 30
May (JTi, M&ST); rare in the foothills, one
was at Colorado City, Pueblo, 1 1 May (DSi).

Eurasian Collared-Doves spread w. into
Pueblo, with two at a Vineland feeder in late
May (JWi), and n. to Sterling, Logan, 22
May (SM). Three White-winged Doves
were reported from Colorado this season in
Springfield, Baca, 9 Apr (G&JH), Lamar 3
May (G&JH, BKP, m.ob.), and the San Luis
Valley 15 May ( J JR). A Black-billed Cuckoo
was reported in Bent 23 May (TH). Rarely
reported in s. Nevada, three Com. Night-
hawks were at Corn Creek 27 May (RPS).
Colorado had four Lesser Nighthawks this
year, including three females in Prowers 9
May (RO, MJ, BKP et ah), a female in
Crowley 15-16 May (BKP, m.ob.), and a
male in Baca 30 May (JPr). A rare migrant,
a female Whip-poor-will was flushed sev¬
eral times at Lamar 2 May (BKP, RO et ah).

SWIFTS THROUGH SWALLOWS

An extraordinary sighting of a Black Swift
came from the extreme s.e. Colorado plains
at Springfield, Baca, 6 May (DSv). A possi¬
ble Vaux*s Swift was carefully studied in
Boulder 23 May (DQ, RO); if accepted it
would represent a first Colorado record.
Also, one-two Vaux’s were seen in Clark,
NV, 29 Apr-1 May (m.ob.). An ad. male
Ruby-throated Hummingbird was at
Lamar 30 Apr-1 May (BKP, PAG, m.ob.). A
migrating Rufous Hummingbird was
observed at Corn Creek 1 May (CT, fide
RS). Up to seven Acorn Woodpeckers con¬
tinue to subsist in Durango, La Plata, 1 1

Apr+ (PAG, LM). Rare on the plains in e.
Colorado, single Red-naped Sapsuckers
were reported at Ft. Collins 16 Apr (DAL),
at Barr L. 21-24 Apr (NG, m.ob.), and at Ft.
Lyon, Bent, 7-8 May (MJ, m.ob.). About 20
Gilded Flickers were found at Searchlight,
Clark, NV, all period (JKr).

A singing E. Wood-Pewee was found in
Bent 1 May (MJ, m.ob.). An extremely early
Empidonax flycatcher at Lamar 16 Apr
(BKP) gave the impression of an Acadian
Flycatcher, a species that has not been
recorded in Colorado. A calling Alder Fly¬
catcher was found in Yuma 18 May (BKP).
Three Willow Flycatchers, possibly of the
endangered extimus subspecies, were at St.
George, Washington, UT, 22 May (SH,
VJH). Single Gray Flycatchers were in Ft.
Collins 18 Apr (DAL) and Bent 8 May (BKP
et ah). A male Vermilion Flycatcher showed
in El Paso 2 May (SCr) and another was at
Chatfield Res. 15 May (JK). Rare in s. Utah,
an E. Kingbird was at Minersville Res. 31
May (SDS). In Baca, a male Scissor-tailed
Flycatcher was found 4 May (G&JH, DSi,
BBe et ah) and another 14 May (VZ).

White-eyed Vireo reports from e. Colo¬
rado included a female in Bent 3-12 May
(BKP, m.ob.), a singing male in Bent 16-18
May (DSm, BBH, m.ob.), a male in Yuma
16-19 May (RO, DQ, m.ob.), and a singing
male in Baca 30 May (JPr). Single Blue¬
headed Vireos were reported from Prowers
25 Apr (DSi), Pueblo 1 1 May (DSi), and the
San Luis Valley 13 May (JJR). Four Cassin’s
Vireos were reported from e. Colorado
4-14 May (v.ob.). More Yellow-throated
Vireos were reported in Colorado than
usual, with singles in Prowers 9-12 May
(LR, JJR, BKP, m.ob.), Boulder 12-13 May
(GW, GG, PGe), Jefferson 12 May (KSc),
Crowley 15 May (BD), El Paso 15 May (AV),
and Kiowa 16 May (TJ). A female Purple
Martin was at Springfield 9 May (DSv).

WRENS THROUGH WARBLERS

A Winter Wren was reported from Paragon-
ah, Iron, UT, 24 Mar (SH, BBo). A Sedge
Wren was in Pueblo 23 Mar and 4 Apr
(BKP). A late Ruby-crowned Kinglet was at
Corn Creek 29 May (m.ob). Ten Veeries
1-23 May (v.o.) and an amazing nine Gray¬
cheeked Thrushes 2-23 May (v.ob.) were
found in e. Colorado this spring. Wood
Thrushes were reported in Bent 20 Apr
(TD) and Baca 10 May (TL), and a singing
male was in Larimer 16-21 May (DAL,
m.ob.). A Varied Thrush was at Corn Creek
12 May (RPS). East of normal, a Curve¬
billed Thrasher was in Holly, Prowers, 17
May (TL, PAG). Ten to twelve Bohemian

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

307

Waxwings wandered S into the San Luis
Valley, where rare, 15 Mar (CBe). An ad.
Phainopepla was at S-Line Res., Churchill ,
NV, 15 May (LN, m.ob.), providing the first
Lahontan Valley record since 1943.

Colorado birders recorded a total of 40
species of warblers this spring, including 21
Tennessees (25 Apr-21 May), 14 Nashvilles
(28 Apr-15 May), 22 N. Parulas (13 Apr-26
May), 18 Chestnut-sideds (29 Apr-25
May), 10 Magnolias (8-24 May), five Black-
throated Blues (9-28 May), seven Black-
throated Grays on the plains (24 Apr-14
May), eight Townsend’s (7-17 May), 10
Black-throated Greens (1-18 May), 33
Black-and-whites ( 16 Apr-23 May), 34 Am.
Redstarts (1-23 May), 10 Worm-eatings — a
high count — (20 Apr-15 May), 13 Oven-
birds (30 Apr-22 May), and 33 (low) N.
Waterthrushes (1-24 May).

A Blue-winged Warbler was in Larimer 9
May (SR), with another in Boulder 12 May
(PHa). The only Golden-winged Warbler
was a male in Boulder 20 May (PG, JV). A
N. Parula was at Corn Creek in May (RPS).
A female Cape May Warbler was at L. Hen¬
ry, Crowley, 24 May (BKP, MJ, BD, (Ro).
Rare in Nevada, a male Magnolia Warbler
was at Corn Creek 26 May (RPS, CT). Two
ad. male Hermit Warblers were found in
Colorado, one in Bent 24-25 Apr (MJ, BKP,
VZ) and one in Boulder 17 May (DWK,
PGe, DSc, TD, NEI). Three male Black¬
burnian Warblers were found in Colorado.
Three Yellow-throated Warblers were noted
in Colorado, with a male in Prowers 1-7
May (BKP, m.ob.), one in Larimer 11 May
(SBa), and a singing male in Jefferson 16-17
May (JKe, m.ob.). A singing male Pine
Warbler was at L. Henry 21 May (JK) and a
singing male Prairie Warbler was in Prowers
8 May (BD, BBH, BKP, MJ, m.ob.). Only
two Palm and only 19 Blackpolls warblers
were found in e. Colorado. An alternate-
adult plumaged male Blackpoll Warbler
was at Lytle Ranch, Washington, UT, 15 May
(C&TN), and another was at Lucin, UT, 21
May (KE).

An ad. male Cerulean Warbler at Two

Buttes Res., Baca, 4 May (TD, BKP, VZ,
TMi) provided the 4th Colorado record. At
Corn Creek, there was a Black-and-white
Warbler 26 May and three different Am.
Redstarts 16-31 May (RPS). Single male
Prothonotary Warblers were reported from
Corn Creek 22 May (CT) and in El Paso 15
May (LSi). An Ovenbird was at Corn Creek
16 May (RPS, CT). Extremely rare, a Lou¬
isiana Waterthrush was found in Washing¬
ton 8 May (IS). A N. Waterthrush was at
Lucin, UT, 20 May (KE, DG, VAS), and one

was at Corn Creek 31 May (RPS). A female
Kentucky Warbler was noted at L. Henry 7
May (BKP, MJ, RO, DQ et al.). Four male
Mourning Warblers graced e. Colorado,
with singles in Prowers 9-15 May (RO, MJ,
BKP, DQ, m.ob.), in Washington 14 May
( JK, NE, DSc, JR, BS), banded in Boulder 16
May (JHa), and at L. Henry 17-21 May (TL,
PAG, DSm, MJ, JKe). Seventeen Hooded
Warblers were reported from e. Colorado
23 Apr-26 May, possibly a seasonal high
count for that area. A male Canada Warb¬
ler made it to Rio Blanco 27 May (DH) for
one of the few w. slope records.

TANAGERS THROUGH FINCHES

A Scarlet Tanager was in Prowers 9-10 May
(BKP, RK, VZ). An E. Towhee was found at
Bonny Res. 15 May (RO, DQ). Rufous-
crowned Sparrow continued to be seen in
Canon City, Fremont, 27 May (RW, JWa).
Sixteen Field Sparrows were seen in e. Colo¬
rado 16 Apr- 18 May. Two Sage Sparrows
were found in n. Colorado, at Chatfield Res.
3 Apr (GPs, RO) and in Boulder 3-4 Apr
(PGe,LKe). A Song Sparrow at Corn Creek
8 May was either of the fallax or saltonis
subspecies (RPS). Rarely reported from w.
Colorado, a Golden-crowned Sparrow was
found in Montezuma 22 Apr (MA). A late
male Lapland Longspur was found in Baca
5 May (DSv).

Possibly the first area record, a female N.
Cardinal was observed s. of Crestone, Ala¬
mosa, 28 Apr (MHu). A male Pyrrhuloxia
was photographed in Durango 2-3 May
( fide KSt), providing Colorado’s 3rd record.
Nevada had two Rose-breasted Grosbeaks
this year, a female at Corn Creek 29 May
(RPS) and a male at Lida, Esmeralda, 29
May (GS). A male Painted Bunting was
photographed at a feeder at Barr L. 21-27
Apr (MC, TL, ph. DQ) and a male was in
Cottonwood Canyon, Baca, in late May
(F&JD, M&SP, m.ob.). Up to six pair of
Com. Grackles built nests at Lucin, UT, in
May, but they abandoned the site by June
(VAS). At Pebble Cr. Ranch, Summit, late
rosy-finches included up to 12 Gray-
crowneds 1-8 May, two Hepburn’s Gray-
crowneds 2 May, up to four Blacks 1-8 May,
and up to 75 Brown-cappeds 1-17 May
(SBo, TL). A female Purple Finch was pho¬
tographed in Jefferson 1 1 Apr (GE).

Observers (state coordinators in boldface):

Mymm Ackley, Doug Allen, George Arm-
brust, Scott Bailey (SBa), Bob Beirling
(BBe), Chuck Bell (CBe), John Bellmon,
Dave Bolton, Becky Bonebrake (BBo), Sue
Bonfield (SBo), Bob Brandle, Alex Brown,

Bob Brown (BBn), Lea Ann Brown (LAB),
Cliff Bruning (CBr), Tamie Bulow, Mike
Carter, Sherry Chapman, Graham Chis¬
holm, Cade L. Coldren, Ann Cooper, Susan
Craig (SCr), Donna Crail-Rugotzke (DC-
R), Alex Cruz, Sr., Ray Davis, Coen Dexter,
Bob Dickson, Todd Dilley, Stephen J.
Dinsmore, Jon L. Dunn, David Elwonger
(DEI), Gary Emerson, Norm Erthal, Keith
Evans, Peter A. Gaede, Pat Gaffey (PGa),
Nelda Gamble, Peter Gent (PGe), Beverly
Gholson (BGh), Gregg Goodrich, Bob
Goycoolea (BGo), K. Grandison, Darrell
Greenfield, Glenn & Jeane Hageman
(G8cJH), B.B. Hahn (BBH), Paula Hansley
(PHa), Joe Harrison (JHa), J.B. Hayes
(JBH), Jim Healy (JHe), Steve Hedges, V.J.
Hedges (VJH), Dona Hikley, Joe Hinnnel
(JHi), F. Howe, Paul Hurtado (PHu),
Maggie Huston (MHu), Mark Janos (MJ),
Dave Johnson, Jeff Jones, Tina Jones, Joe
Kahl (JKa), Joey Kellner (JKe), Laurent
Kergoat (LKg), D.W. King, Rachel Kolokoff,
Nick Komar, J. Kreitzer (JKr), Liz Krieder
(LK), David A. Leatherman, Tony Leuker-
ing, Jerry Liguori ( JLi), William P. Lisowsky
(WPL), Dick Maxwell (DMa), Terry
McEneaney (TMc), Steve Messick (SM),
Martin Meyers, Tim Mitzen (TMi), Larry
Neel, Colby and Tom Neuman (C&TN),
Ric Olson, Gary Park (GPa), Greg Pas-
quariello (GP), Michael A. Patten, Brandon
K. Percival, Jim Peters (JPe), Myron & Suzi
Plooster (M&SP), Bill Prather, John Prather
(JPr), David Quesenberry, Scott Rashid,
John J. Rawinski, Lisa Rawinski, Jack Rensel
(JRe), Joe Roller (JR), Ira Sanders, Richard
P. Saval, Rita Schlageter, Dick Schottler
(DSc), Karleen Schofield (KSc), Greg
Scyphers, Dennis Serdeheley (DSe), David
Silverman (DSi), Lisa Sinke (LSi), Linda
Smith (LSm), V. Arnold Smith, Bob
Spencer, Steve Stachowiak, Kip Stransky
(KSt), Steve D. Summers, Dan Svingen
(DSv), Paul Sweet, John Tiffiny (JTi),
Michael and Stephanie Tiffiny (M&ST),
Carolyn Titus, Alan Versaw, Glenn Walbek,
David Waltman, Jim Watts (JWa), Rosie
Watts, Jeff Webster (JWe), L.Wilkerson
(LWi), Joan Williams ( JWi), Vic Zerbi (VZ).

Van A. Truan, 1901 Court Street, Pueblo, CO
81003 (Van.A.Truan@spa02.usace.army.mil)

and Brandon K. Percival, 835 Harmony
Drive, Pueblo West, CO 81007

308

NORTH AMERICAN BIROS

arizona region

GARY H. ROSENBERG
and CHRIS D. BENESH

This spring was notable for a number of
reasons. Other than a freak snowstorm
in early April, it was perhaps the driest
spring anyone could remember (no rain
since November!). In addition, it was also
one of our windiest springs, making the
birding difficult at times. On the other
hand, it was perhaps the best spring most
observers could remember for common
migrants. Certain species, in particular
Swainson’s Thrushes, Wilson’s Warblers,
and Hammond’s and Dusky flycatchers,
were simply abundant everywhere. A num¬
ber of species that are typically difficult in
May, such as Green-tailed Towhee and
White-crowned Sparrow ( oriantha sub¬
species) were present in much larger-than-
usual numbers, and lingered much later
into mid-May. Add to all of this a first state
record of Yellow-footed Gull, and it was
certainly a spring to remember.

Abbreviations: A.B.C. (Arizona Bird

Committee); B.A.N.W.R. (Buenos Aires N.W.R.);
L.C.R.V. (Lower Colorado R. Valley); G.F.P. (Gila
Farms Pond); M.F.L. (Many Farms Lake); N.I.R.
(Navajo Indian Reservation); P.A.P. (Pinal Air
Park); P.R.D. (Painted Rock Dam); S.P.R. (San
Pedro R.); S.T.P. (Sewage Treatment Plant); S.S.V.
(Sulphur Springs Valley); W.S.F. (Western Sod
Farm).

LOOMS THROUGH RAPTORS

A Com. Loon at Willcox 12 Apr (T. God¬
frey) was late for s. Arizona. Late W. Grebes
were seen at P.A.P. pecan grove 7 May (ph.
MS), at Nogales 9 May (RH), below P.R.D. 9
May (RJ), and near San Xavier Mission 17
May (J. Gilligan, MS). Single Clark’s Grebes

were found at Cow Springs L. 23 Apr.
(CSL), L. Patagonia 12-18 May (GHR, MS),
and e. Tucson 21 May (D. West et al.); this
species continues to be casual in s.e. Ari¬
zona during spring. Normally considered
rare in s.e. Arizona during spring, a large
concentration of 50 Am. White Pelicans
were found at Picacho Res. 8 Apr, and
another 160 were there 12 May (MS). Five
were also at the bottom of the Grand Can¬
yon (RM 209) 12 Apr (B. Dierker), where
there have been few previous reports. The
only report of Brown Pelican was of a bird
at multiple locations in and around Tucson
14 May (P. Kearney). Reports of Neotropic
Cormorants continue to increase; this
spring two were at Marana 4 Mar- 15 May
(MS), three were at Picacho Res. 2 May (R.
Bradley) with five there 12 May (MS), one
was at P.R.D. 9 May (RJ), one was near San
Xavier Mission 11 May (J. Gilligan), and
one was in Nogales 18 May (MS).

A Great Egret at the bottom of the
Grand Canyon (RM 68.5) was unusual for
n. Arizona (CTL). No fewer than 17 differ¬
ent Cattle Egrets were found 24 Mar-24
May (CTL et al.) at a variety of locations in
n. Arizona (Page, Tuba City, Lee’s Ferry,
Cameron), where the number of reports
has increased greatly in recent years. A
Greater Scaup at Fountain Hills 25 Apr
(RW, CBa) was late for s. Arizona. After last
winter’s invasion of Com. Goldeneyes in s.
Arizona, late lingering birds (or north¬
bound migrants) were two females at Avra
Valley S.T.P. 3 Apr (MS), two males there
16-21 Apr (MS), and another female at
G.F.P. 11 Apr (MS). At least 41 Barrow’s
Goldeneyes were still present below Glen
Canyon Dam 2 Mar, with two remaining
through the period (CTL). Casual in s.e.
Arizona during spring was a female Red¬
breasted Merganser in Avra Valley 16 Apr
(MS). Also unusual were singles at Peck’s L.
30 Mar (G. Martinez) and at the bottom of
the Grand Canyon (RM 64 and RM 221) 5
8c 13 Apr (CTL).

Two Ospreys at Pena Blanca L. 2 Mar
(M. Eccles et al.) were likely early migrants.
Single White-tailed Kites were at Willcox 16
Mar (M. Fitzgerald), Avra Valley S.T.P. 5
Apr (L. Liese), the P.A.P. pecan grove 7 May
(MS), and Arivaca 14 May; this species con¬
tinues to be found sporadically throughout
s.e. Arizona. Late N. Harriers were located

at Paloma 9 May (RJ), Robbins Butte 16
May (J. Bartley), and Red Rock 27 May
(MS). A Red-shouldered Hawk along the
Hassayampa R. near Wickenburg 22 Apr
(N. London) remained through the period
(MS, RJ, N. Miller et al.). Another was
reported from the Gila Mts., Yuma, 1 5 Apr
(fM. Brown); of the ±30 reports from
Arizona, fewer than 10 have been submitted
to, and accepted by, the A.B.C. A greater-
than-usual number of reports of Com.
Black- Hawks were received from s.e. Ari¬
zona, with a pair nesting along Sonoita Cr.
below Patagonia L. 30 Mar (L. Liese, M.
Brown), and singles at Pena Blanca L. 8
Apr-14 May (S. Johnson, NC), along
Sonoita Cr. near Patagonia in mid-May
(CDB, JC), and at Kingfisher Pond along
the upper S.P.R. 19 May (DK). A pair of
Gray Hawks along Pinal Cr. near its conflu¬
ence with the Salt R. 26 May (B. Burges, T.
Hildebrand) was a first for Gila.

Reports of Broad-winged Hawks were
received for Patagonia L. 6 Apr ( J. Saba) and
Camp Verde 17 Apr (RR); this species is
considered casual at best during spring and
is an A.B.C. review species. Intriguing was
another Short-tailed Hawk report from s.e.
Arizona: a light-morph individual near
Rustler Park, Chiricahua Mts., 29 Mar (fM.
Lanzone) made the 4th credible sight report
for the state, and it is our opinion that it is
just a matter of time until one is physically
documented. Our understanding of the
breeding distribution of Zone-tailed Hawk
in n.w. Arizona increased with three sight¬
ings of adults n. of Kingman, one in the
Hualapai Valley 16 Apr, one near Peach
Springs 25 May, and another in the Music
Mts. 29 May (all PF). Two active nests of
Ferruginous Hawks found near Seligman
(w. of Flagstaff) 14-15 May (PF, K. Newlon)
confirmed the species as a rare summer res¬
ident in that portion of Arizona.

CRANES THROUGH WOODPECKERS

A Sandhill Crane was present at Mesquite,
in the extreme n.w. corner of Arizona, 20
Mar (S. Summers), where it is a casual mi¬
grant. Another individual, apparently sick
or injured, remained on its wintering
grounds at Whitewater Draw through the
period (m.ob.). The only Am. Golden-Plov¬
er report was of an early bird at C.S.L. 16

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

309

Apr (CTL), providing only the 5th spring
report for the N.I.R. A Black-necked Stilt at
Avra Valley S.T.P. 28 Mar (MS) was early.
Several were reported from n. Arizona,
where it is casual in spring, including two at
Page 23 Apr (CTL, MS, GHR), four at Tuba
City 23 Apr (CTL), two at C.S.L. 23 Apr
(CTL), and another at Tuba City 7 May
(CTL). A Whimbrel at Wahweep S.T.P. 8
May (CTL) was exceptional, as this species
is accidental in n. Arizona. Numbers of
Marbled Godwits migrated past L. Powell,
with a high count of 188 present 23 Apr
(CTL, J. Spence et al.). Sanderling is consid¬
ered casual in s.e. Arizona during spring, so
one at Avra Valley S.T.P. 3 Apr (MS), two at
Gilbert 12 Apr (A. Spencer, SGa), and one
at Nogales 1 1 May (GHR) were of interest.
Also rare in spring was a Baird’s Sandpiper
at Green Valley S.T.P. 18 Apr (MS). Dunlins
that wintered along the Santa Cruz R. in
Tucson remained until at least 1 Apr (MS).
A Wilson’s Phalarope along the Santa Cruz
R. in Tucson 17 Mar (MS) was a bit early for
their normal passage in s. Arizona.
Extremely early, by nearly 2 months, was a
Red-necked Phalarope at Avra Valley S.T.P.
12-13 Mar (R. Shrader, ph. MS).

A Heerman’s Gull was at the Ajo S.T.P.
24 Mar (S. Fried); although abundant a
short way to the south at Puerto Penasco,
Mexico, it is casual in the state during near¬
ly any month. The gull of the year (so far)
was a 2nd-summer Yellow-footed Gull
found at Wahweep, L. Powell, 21-23 Apr
(CTL, I. Spence, L. Dickson, J. Holmes, ph.
GHR, fMS), providing a first record for
Arizona (and for Utah). This species is also
quite common just s. of the border at
Puerto Penasco (and at the Salton Sea dur¬
ing the summer), and was certainly overdue
to occur in Arizona.

A Caspian Tern at the bottom of the
Grand Canyon (RM 171 ) 1 Apr (L. Dickson
et al.) was likely the first ever seen along the
Colorado R. within the canyon, and is casu¬
al anywhere in n. Arizona. Casual as a
spring migrant in s.e. Arizona, single Fors¬
ter’s Terns were at Picacho Res. and Arizona
City, both May 12 (MS). Single Least Terns,
now considered a rare but regular migrant
in s. Arizona, were at Ft. Lowell Park,
Tucson, 23 Apr (L. Bryan), Willcox 11 May
(RH), Patagonia L. 12 May (GHR), and
Somerton, s. of Yuma, 3 Jun (B. Henry).

An odd report of a Flammulated Owl
from Mesa 5 May ( fide L. Bustarde) would
represent a first lowland spring record for
Maricopa. Spring overshoot White-winged
Doves were at Page 28 Apr and at Lee’s
Ferry 8 May (C. Goetze); there are few n.

Arizona reports of this species. A male
Magnificent Hummingbird was at a partic¬
ularly low elevation at Sabino Canyon Dam
30 Apr (MS). Although Costa’s Humming¬
bird is known from the bottom of the
Grand Canyon, they appeared in larger-
than-usual numbers this spring, with at
least 60 males counted on a transect from
Lee’s Ferry through the canyon 26-27 Apr
(L. Dickson, J. Holmes).

A Downy Woodpecker was reported
from an unusually low elevation near
Cameron 22 Mar (CTL); their movements
within the state away from known breeding
areas are poorly known. A Hairy Wood¬
pecker was at low elevation at Portal 8 May
(DJa). A Strickland’s Woodpecker in the n.
Galiuro Mts. 1 May (C. Wise) may have rep¬
resented the northernmost report of this
species in appropriate habitat. A Red-naped
Sapsucker at Cameron 30 Apr (CTL) was
late.

FLYCATCHERS
THROUGH THRASHERS

A N. Beardless-Tyrannulet was at an odd
locality along the upper S.P.R. beginning 30
Apr (DK, CDB). Perhaps a result of drought
conditions in the highlands, single Greater
Pewees were at unusual locations in the
lowlands along the upper S.P.R. at Charles¬
ton 2 May (DK) and near the Hwy 90
bridge 20 May (DK). A W. Wood-Pewee at
the bottom of the Grand Canyon (RM 6) 1
May (CTL) was nearly 2 weeks earlier than
the earliest previous N.I.R. spring record. A
“Western” Flycatcher, likely a Pacific-slope,
at Arivaca 1 Mar (MS) was extremely early.
A Buff-breasted Flycatcher was along S.
Fork of Cave Cr. 24 May (MS), where casu¬
al at best. An extraordinary number of E.
Phoebes was reported this spring, including
singles at Hereford 5-17 Mar (DK), Lee’s
Ferry 1 Apr (CTL, K. McMillen), the Grand
Canyon (RM 155) 8 Apr (CTL), Hooker
Springs Canyon 11 Apr (H. Messing, M.
lakle), and Patagonia 19 May (D. Touret);
although a rare but regular winter visitor,
there have been relatively few spring
migrant records, and no physically docu¬
mented ones in the Southwest after mid-
April. Dusky-capped Flycatchers were
reported n. and w. of where they occur reg¬
ularly in the state, with one at Sedona 27
Apr (J. Morgansen) and another at Walnut
Cr., n. of Prescott, 28-30 May (B. Pranter).
Outstanding was a report of a Sulphur-bel¬
lied Flycatcher from Sedona 31 May ( t B.
Williams); this species had previously wan¬
dered as far north as the Sierra Ancha Mts.
The only report of E. Kingbird, a casual

migrant statewide, was from Cameron 24
May (CTL). Also casual during spring, a
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was present at
Willow Tank 28 Apr (AC, NMC).

A Winter Wren remained in Garden
Canyon until the late date of 12 May (V.
Lucas). Two Black-capped Gnatcatchers
were reported from along Sonoita Cr. below
Patagonia L. 30 Mar (S. Johnson, L. Liese,
M. Brown). Elsewhere, the apparent hybrid
male Black-capped x Black-tailed Gnat-
catcher was present throughout the period
in Chino Canyon, where a female Black-
capped was also seen (vt. GHR). There was
rumor of Black-cappeds continuing in

There is no question that dur¬
ing May s.e. Arizona saw per¬
haps its best ever migration of Swain-
son’s Thrushes. Numerous observers
confirmed that they were everywhere,
with largest numbers during the first 2
weeks of May. Along with the unprece¬
dented numbers of Swainson’s
Thrushes, several (6-12) Veerys were
reported, although the A.B.C. has only
received details on sightings of two
different birds (or the same bird 2.5 mi
apart) in Madera Canyon 8 May (fR.
Taylor, fR- Palmer, fB. Massey). One
report refers to a bird along the upper
S.P.R. 1 May that was netted, mea¬
sured, and banded, and initially identi¬
fied as a Veery. It should be empha¬
sized that the observer reidentified the
1 May bird as a Swainson’s after view¬
ing in-hand photos (the buffy eyering
was not seen in-hand, but was clearly
visible in the photos!). Historically the
A.B.C. has accepted only one late May
sight report (there was no physical
documentation) from s.e. Arizona,
and is admittedly conservative with
regard to Veery, as there is only one
other confirmed spring record from
elsewhere in the Southwest (from s.e.
California). One extreme view would
be to adopt the philosophy of the late
Allan R. Phillips, who wrote in his
Known Birds of North and Middle
America that “Surely genera like Cath-
arus are not for ornithologists less
competent than Ridgway and Hell-
mayr, for over-eager listers, or for the
shrill opponents of accuracy.” Mem¬
bers of the A.B.C. and the writers of
this column have a much more mod¬
erate view, and will fairly evaluate any
submitted sighting.

310

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

arizona

Brown Canyon, but the A.B.C. has not yet
received details. The Rufous-backed Robin
found during winter at Pena Blanca L.
remained until at least 16 May (nr.ob.).

Normally a casual visitor to s.e. Arizona,
Gray Catbirds were seen at a number of
localities, including Brown Canyon 15-22
Mar (J. Follette, K. McBride), Muleshoe
Ranch 10-11 Apr (H. Messing), Whitetail
Canyon 24 Apr (R. Taylor), Stewart Camp¬
ground, Cave Cr. Canyon, 1-10 May (fide
DJa), and Madera Canyon most of the peri¬
od until 12 May (ph. MS). The Brown
Thrasher found at Proctor Rd. below Ma¬
dera Canyon during winter was last report¬
ed 3 Apr (fide MS).

WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES

Amazingly, after one was seen at the bottom
of Sycamore Canyon during December,
another Blue-winged Warbler was located
along the Santa Cruz R. in Tucson 13-28
Mar (fR. Grohman, ph. RJ, MS); there have
been ±10 previous records for the state. Yet
another Blue-winged reported from along
the upper S.P.R. near Hereford 16 May (fH.
Koons, A. Koons) will be evaluated by the
A.B.C. A singing male Tennessee Warbler
was at Portal 19 May (fBZ, KZ). Single N.
Parulas were at Miller Canyon in early May
(CDB, MS) and at Portal 7-10 May (fide
DJa). Casual in the state in spring were male
Black-throated Blue Warblers at Madera
Canyon 1 Apr (J. Heindel) and Cave Cr.
Canyon 23 May (fide DJa). A female Black-
throated Green Warbler was seen in S. Fork
of Cave Cr. Canyon in mid-May (DS, CDB),
providing one of few spring reports. The
only Palm Warbler was at G.F.P. 1 1 Apr (RJ,
ph. MS). Ovenbirds seemed more numer¬
ous than usual with 4 sightings: S. Fork of
Cave Cr. Canyon in mid-May (CDB et al.),
Scheelite Canyon 15-16 May (A. Jaramillo
et al.), near Hereford 19 May (DK), and
near the Hwy 90 bridge along the upper
S.P.R. 20-21 May (DK). A Hooded Warbler
found at the Desert Museum w. of Tucson 1
Apr was found dead 2 Apr (M. Ericson,
*Univ. Arizona). Unusual in the lowlands
was a Red-faced Warbler along the upper
S.P.R. near the Hwy 90 crossing 1 1 May
(DK). Nearly 20 individual Painted
Redstarts were reported from a variety of
lowland locations between mid-March and
late April. Most interesting was one seen at
the bottom of the Grand Canyon (RM 31.5)
4 Apr (C. Nelson, C. Boyle, T. Dale).

Arizona atlas researchers found Hepatic
Tanagers n. of know areas of occurrence in
the Music Mts. 29 May (PF, C. Wise) and s.
of Nelson 30 May (K. Newlon et al.).

Vagrant records of the Blue-winged Warbler for the West have increased
substantially in the past two decades, probably relating to their increase
and northward expansion in the East. Most records have involved spring
(mid-May to early June) and fall (mid-September to early October)
migrants, but this one at Tucson, Arizona, 15 March 1999 had probably
wintered locally. Photograph/Roy Jones

Another was at a particularly low elevation
at the Hassayampa R. Preserve near
Wickenburg 30 May (RJ). A Grasshopper
Sparrow at Clarkdale 2 May (RR) was well
away from known breeding areas. Clay-col¬
ored Sparrows were reported from a variety
of locations this spring, including singles at
Mesquite 20 Mar (S. Summers), along the
upper S.P.R. 23 Mar (S. Healy), at the
Paton’s in Patagonia 9 May (v.t. GHR), and
at Pena Blanca L. 11 May (L. Wells); this
species is still considered casual in the state,
particularly during spring, and is still a
review species of the A.B.C.

Extremely late, and seemingly out of
place, was a male Chestnut-collared
Longspur below Ramsey Canyon 16 May
(BZ, KZ). North and west of their known
breeding range were single E. Meadowlarks
seen and heard near Nelson and near Peach
Springs 25-27 May (PF et al.). One to three
Purple Finches visited a feeder during a
snow storm in Sedona 1-4 Apr (fD. Hook);
this species is casual anywhere in the state.

Contributors (area compilers in boldface):

Charlie Babbitt, Hank Brodkin, Mark
Brown, Alan Craig, John Coons (Flagstaff),
Troy Corman (Arizona Atlas Project),
Nigel Crook, Lara Dickson, Rich Ditch,
Rich Ferguson, Aaron Flesch, Peter
Friedrici, Steve Ganley (SGa), Stuart Healy,
George Hentz, Rich Hoyer, Dave Jasper
(Portal), Roy Jones, Dave Krueper (Sierra

Vista), Chuck T. LaRue, Jim Levy, Seymour
Levy, Norma Miller, Narca Moore-Craig, K.
Newlon, Richard Palmer, Bonnie Pranter,
Roger Radd (Cottonwood), Will Russell,
John Saba, John Spence, John Spencer
(Globe), Dave Stejskal, Mark Stevenson
(Tucson), Steve Summers, Carl S. Tomoff
(Prescott), Jack Whetstone (Sierra Vista),
C. Wise, Janet Witzeman (Phoenix),
Robert Witzeman, Barry Zimmer, Kevin
Zimmer.

Chris D. Benesh, 4308 E. Poe St., Tucson,
Arizona 85711, and Gary H. Rosenberg,

P.0. Box 91856, Tucson, Arizona 85752-1856

A

Place names that are frequently men¬
tioned, but very long, may be abbreviat¬
ed in a form such as “C.B.B.T.” or
“W.P.B.O.” Such local abbreviations will
be explained in a key at the beginning
of the particular regional report in
which they are used. Standard abbrevi¬
ations that are used throughout North
American Birds are keyed on page 25 1 .

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

311

SARTOR 0. WILLIAMS III

ew Mexico experienced an extremely
dry and windy spring, and although
April and May precipitation improved con¬
ditions in the north and east, the south
remained extremely dry. Migration of Neo¬
tropicals was impressive, especially in the
southwest, while several warm country
species continued to advance northward.
Increased field work in Chihuahua contin¬
ued to further our understanding of the
avifauna of New Mexico’s southern neigh¬
bor, and several significant records from
there are included.

Abbreviations: B.L.N.W.R. (Bitter Lake N.W.R.);
Bosque N.W.R. (Bosque del Apache N.W.R.);
E.B.L. (Elephant Butte Lake); N.R.T. (north
Roosevelt Co. migrant trap near Melrose); P.0.
Canyon (Post Office Canyon, Peloncillo Mts.);
R.S. (Rattlesnake Springs including adjacent
Washington Ranch, Eddy Co.); R.G.V. (Rio
Grande Valley); Zuni (Zuni Indian Reservation).

LOOMS THROUGH RAPTORS

Lingering from winter at Conchas L. 6 Mar
were a Yellow-billed Loon ( JEP, ph. JRO)
and a Pacific Loon ( IEP, IRO); late were two
Pacifies at Maxwell N.W.R. 21 May (DE,
BN, CR). North were four Neotropic Cor¬
morants at Isleta 7 Mar and 31 May (BV)
and one-two at B.L.N.W.R. 24 Apr-28 May
(GW et al. ). Bittern reports were confined
to the east, with one-two Americans at
B.L.N.W.R. 1-9 Apr (SW, GW) and singles
near R.S. 8 May (SW) and Mattox L., Lea,
27 Mar (SW); five Leasts were at Tucumcari
21 May (IRO). A Tricolored Heron strayed
N to Santa Rosa 2-15 May (v.o„ ph. JRO).
An ad. White Ibis was a surprise at Maxwell
N.W.R. 16-23 May (v.o., ph. 1. Hirth, JRO).

Among the numerous White-faced Ibises
streaming through the state were three
apparent Glossy Ibises, one each at Bosque
N.W.R. 18-24 Apr (BN, DE, CR, GE, ph.
JRO), B.L.N.W.R. 24 Apr (ph. JRO), and
Santa Rosa 9 May (JEP, ph. JRO). Wood
Ducks were conspicuous in the R.G.V. from
Espanola south (v.o.); noteworthy were 2
pairs on the Rio Casas Grandes, n. Chihua¬
hua, 28 Apr (BO). A Long-tailed Duck at
Cochiti L. lingered until 20 Mar (JEP, JRO).
Late was a Com. Goldeneye at Ute L. 21 Apr
(WW).

Discovery of yet another active Osprey
territory at Heron L. 31 May (DS) increased
the number of known n. New Mexico nests
to 6; high counts for migrants were seven at
Sumner L. (R. Hoppe), four at Grindstone
L. (DS) 24 Apr, and 10 at L. Avalon 9 Apr
(SW). A White-tailed Kite was at Percha 18
Apr (BN, DE). Mississippi Kites in the
R.G.V. were one at Los Lunas 16 May (BV)
and two at Socorro 14 May (PB). The 3
known Bald Eagle nests in Colfax each had
young 19 Apr (SOW), but the Sierra nest
was not active (SOW, S. Dobrott); unusual
was an adult over P.O. Canyon 17 May
(JDM). In e. New Mexico the recently
established Com. Black-Hawk population
in the R. Hondo drainage continued to
thrive, with 3 occupied territories at Glen¬
coe, San Patricio, and Tinnie 23-24 Apr
(DS), including active nests at the last 2
sites; in the middle R.G.V., where rare, was
one at Bosque N.W.R. 16 Apr (ph. R. Krui-
denier). Two Harris’s Hawk nests near
Deming failed from undetermined causes
(LM). Very far east was a Zone-tailed Hawk
at N.R.T. 10 May (LG). Late were single
Rough-legged Hawks at Farmington 6 Apr
(DS), Questa 20 Mar (JEP, JRO), and Arch
29 Mar (LS). The raptor of the season was a

This first-winter Thayer's Gull at Farmington
Lake 7 March 1999 is one of few ever so
well documented in New Mexico. Note the all
black bill, rather pale outer primaries
(especially the inner webs), and unmarked
tail. Photograph/Tim Reeves

sub-ad. Crested Caracara near San Anton¬
io 18 Apr (R. Gracey, ph. J. Rini), the first
for the R.G.V. in several decades.

TURKEYS THROUGH TERMS

The Animas and Peloncillo mts. of s.w. New
Mexico contain the only naturally occur¬
ring Gould’s Wild Turkeys n. of Mexico;
encouraging were spring reports from 2
Animas and 3 Peloncillo canyons (AC,
NMC, LM, SOW). In the Pecos Valley were
single N. Bobwhites n. to Sumner Dam 14
May (JEP) and Santa Rosa 31 May (JRO);
one at Los Alamos 29 Mar (C. Jervis) was
likely an escape. Sonograms may eventually
identify a large rail, believed by many to be
a King Rail, seen, taped, and partially
photographed at Willow L., Eddy, 1 Mar-18
Apr (SW, v.o., v.t. JRO); there are prior
reports of King/Clapper Rails from
B.L.N.W.R. (last in 1970), but neither is ver¬
ified for the state.

An American Golden-Plover was near
Mesquite, Dona Ana, 1 May (ph. JNP).
Noteworthy Snowy Plovers were 17 (in¬
cluding one chick) at Holloman L. 29 May
(GE); w. were singles at Gila 12 May (DZ)
and Lordsburg Playa 13 May (LM). Moun¬
tain Plovers were notably scarce; one at
Franciscan L., McKinley, 28 May (ph. TR)
provided a new locality while one on Otero
Mesa 5-6 Apr (RM) was in an area with few
recent records. Willets made a good show¬
ing statewide, including an early two at
Mangas 22 Mar (RF); highs were 13 at Zuni
24 Apr (DC), 36 near Pep 29 Apr (LS), and
30 at Cliff 15 May ( fide DZ). Upland
Sandpipers are scarce in spring; this season
produced one at Boone’s Draw 6 May (JEP,
JRO). One-two Whimbrels were at Bosque
N.W.R. 22 Apr-7 May (JO, JEP, DE, v.t.
JRO); late were two at B.L.N.W.R. 28 May

312

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

( JEP, v.t. JRO). Early were 55 Long-billed
Curlews in the Uvas Valley, Doha Ana , 2
Mar (WH); impressive were an estimated
600 migrant curlews near Arch 29 Mar
(LS). Extremely rare was a Hudsonian
Godwit near Mesquite 7-8 May (RR).
Marbled Godwits were present 16 Apr-8
May (v.o.); highs were 275 at Morgan L. 22
Apr (TR et al.), 175 at E.B.L. 27 Apr (WW),
and 252 at B.L.N.W.R. 16 Apr (GW). The
earliest White-rumped Sandpiper was at
Portales 14 May (JEP, JRO); the high count
was 40 at B.L.N.W.R. 29 May (JEP, JRO).
Wetlands at Sunshine Valley, Taos, hosted
three Com. Snipe pairs and seven Wilson’s
Phalarope pairs 20 May (CR), and local
breeding was suspected.

Laughing Gulls again made news, with
a first-winter bird at Stubblefield L. 20-21
May (CR, BN, ph. JRO) and a near-adult at
Brantley L. 6 May (JEP, ph. JRO). Late for
the south were two sub-ad. California Gulls
at E.B.L. 27 May (WH). Lingering from
winter was a first-winter Thayer’s Gull at
Farmington L., last seen 10 Mar (ph. TR). A
Caspian Tern at B.L.N.W.R. 14 May (DE,
BN, GW) provided the only report. Proba¬
ble Com. Terns were one at Farmington L.
22 Apr (TR) and two adults near Hatch 14
May (RR). Notably early were single Least
Terns at Bosque N.W.R. 23 Apr (JEP) and
Brantley L. 24 Apr (JRO); eight were at
B.L.N.W.R. by 28 May (GW). Impressive
. (for this day and age) were 96 migrant
Black Terns at E.B.L. 27 May (WH).

DOVES THROUGH FLYCATCHERS

Eurasian Collared- Doves continued in evi-
| dence in the east, including singles at Ft.

I , Sumner (ph. JRO), Portales (JEP, ph. JRO),
and B.L.N.W.R. (GW), plus up to 15 at
Roswell (SW, JEP) and three at Carlsbad
| (JEP, ph. JRO), and one w. to Albuquerque
(JEP). However, single apparent Ringed
Turtle-Doves in Roswell (K. Graves),
Artesia (H. Creswell), and Albuquerque (R.
Isler) complicated the picture. White¬
winged Doves were n. to Zuni 17 May (ph.
DC), Santa Fe (v.o.), Eldorado (BF), and Ft.

I Sumner (v.o.). Northerly Inca Doves were
I at 2 Albuquerque sites (JRO, HS), and
j fledglings were at Roswell 21 May (PM);
j farther north was one at N.R.T. 1 1 May
I [ (WW). Well-detailed was a female Com.
| Ground-Dove at Rodeo 19 May (AC). Early
f was a vocal Yellow-billed Cuckoo at R.S. 25
f. Apr (JEP, JRO). Near the Texas line were
two W. Screech-Owls at Pep 30 Apr (LS). A
Long-eared Owl nest with young near
I Cabezon Peak, Sandoval, 18 May (CR) fur¬
nished a new breeding locale. Often over¬

looked, a N. Saw-whet Owl was in the Pinos
Altos Mts. 6 May (JNP, BZ). Very early were
Com. Nighthawks in Union 22 Apr (LF)
and at Pep 27 Apr (LS). Causing consider¬
able consternation among local birders was
a probable Buff-collared Nightjar heard
(by herpetologists!) at Redrock during the
night of 30 May (T. Hibbitts); follow-ups in
June were unsuccessful (v.o.). A Whip-
poor-will at Boone’s Draw 9 May (JEP,
JRO) furnished a rare e. plains record.

Westerly Chimney Swifts were singles at
Redrock 1 May (D8cMZ), Cliff 15 May
(DZ), and Percha 6 May (JNP, BZ), while
far east was a White-throated Swift near Pep
3 Apr (LS). Consolidating their n. expan¬
sion into the c. Peloncillo Mts. were four
Broad-billed Hummingbirds 25 May
(SOW). Banding studies at P.O. Canyon
netted nine ad. Lucifers 16-23 May, plus
two additional adults in early June (JDM),
and a remarkable 22 hatch-year Anna’s
16-29 May (JDM). An ad. male Costa’s
Hummingbird was at Silver City 22 Apr-12
May (ph. DZ) and another was banded at
P.O. Canyon 20 May (JDM). A male Red-
bellied Woodpecker put in a brief appear¬
ance at N.R.T. 28 May (JEP, ph. JRO). Far
east was a Downy Woodpecker at Boone’s
Draw 17 Apr (JEP, JRO).

Noteworthy were one-two singing Least
Flycatchers at Boone’s Draw 28-31 May
(CR, JEP, JRO). Early was a Dusky
Flycatcher at Corrales 11 Apr (WH); note¬
worthy was one singing in the San Mateo
Mts. 13 May (HS). Further evidence that
Buff-breasted Flycatcher may be staging a
comeback was furnished by one singing in
the Animas Mts. 8 May (NMC). Two Black
Phoebes were n. to Aztec 19-20 May (ph.
TR); other northerly Blacks were in the
upper R.G.V. from Lyden southward (v.o.).
Vermilion Flycatchers in the northeast
included a pair at Conchas L. 21 Apr
(WW). Far west was a Great Crested
Flycatcher near Hatch 14 May (RR); one s.
of the border near Janos 28 Apr (BO) may
be a first for Chihuahua. Also far west were
single Scissor-tailed Flycatchers at Cliff 8
May (RS) and near Wall L. 19 May ( fide
DZ).

VIREOS THROUGH PHAINOPEPLA

Single White-eyed Vireos were singing at
Santa Fe 17 May (WW) and Socorro 1 May
(CR). Perhaps responding to locally im¬
proving riparian conditions was a singing
Bell’s Vireo on Berrenda Cr„ Sierra, 28 Apr
(CR). Cassin’s Vireos, typically scarce in
spring, were reported e. to the Texas line
(v.o.). Probable Blue-headed Vireos were

at N.R.T. 1 May (ph. IRO) and Boone’s
Draw 1-6 May (JEP, ph. JRO). Rare in New
Mexico was a silent Philadelphia Vireo at
N.R.T. 1 May (ph. JRO). South was a Clark’s
Nutcracker in the n. Black Range, Sierra, 23
Apr (SOW). Crashing the neighborhood
was a pair of Black-billed Magpies nesting
in the base of an active Bald Eagle nest in
Colfax 19 Apr (SOW).

Many observers commented on the
huge numbers of swallows that passed
through the state. Encouraging was news
that the large Bank Swallow colony at
Albuquerque’s Calabacillas Arroyo was
again active (WH). South in the R.G.V. was
a Black-capped Chickadee at Bosque
N.W.R. 14 Mar (DE, BN), likely a local first.
Previously considered rare in middle R.G.V.
bosques, 3 pairs of Bushtits were nesting at
Corrales 11 Apr (WH). Carolina Wrens
continued to haunt the R.G.V., with one-
two (a pair?) at Socorro through May (v.o.,
ph. JRO); farther north was one singing at
Albuquerque 20 Mar and later (L. Leckman,
JEP, JRO), and another was heard at Pilar 20
May (CR). In the Gila Valley two Winter
Wrens persisted into April, with the last
seen 13 May (RS). At Sunshine Valley, Taos,
47 Marsh Wrens were singing in seemingly
suitable breeding habitat 20 May (CR).
One-two E. Bluebirds at Socorro 14 Apr-26
May (JRO, DE) were suggestive of local
breeding. A pair of Mt. Bluebirds was using
a burrow in a cutbank in Spur Lake Basin,
Catron, 10 May (SOW). A Wood Thrush
was near Pep 26 Apr (ph. LS). Unusual were
two N. Mockingbirds at 7500 ft. on Blue-
water Cr. 28 May (HS). Westerly Brown
Thrashers were at Cerro, Taos, 27 May
(RW), Socorro 27 May (PB), and Cliff 24
Apr ( fide DZ); elsewhere, one-three were at
5 sites from the Pecos Valley eastward (v.o.).
Now well into its 3rd year, Bosque Redon¬
do’s Long-billed Thrasher was still singing
in April (v.o.). A Bendire’s Thrasher singing
near Casas Grandes 30 May (WH) may rep¬
resent a Chihuahua first.

A Sprague’s Pipit in the Animas Valley 2
Mar (DZ) provided the only report. Cedar
Waxwings were widespread and relatively
numerous in May (v.o.); latest were five at
Zuni 31 May (DC) and 12 at Sumner Dam
(CR), one at Boone’s Draw (CR), and six at
R.S. (JEP) 29 May. A Phainopepla strayed
NE to the Mesa rest stop, n. Chaves, 29 May
(JEP, ph. JRO).

WARBLERS THROUGH TANAGERS

Two Olive Warblers were n. to Springtime,
San Mateo Mts., 13 May (HS), for the 2nd
consecutive year. Likely a first for Chihua-

V0LUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

313

Rare in the West, this Kentucky Warbler
was near Pep, New Mexico, 23 May 1999.
Photograph/Larry Sager

hua was a well-detailed Golden-winged
Warbler near Janos 28 May (WH). North¬
ern Parulas made a notable showing, with
one-two at Corrales (JRO, CR, PRS),
Quarai (HS), Sumner Dam (JEP, JRO),
N.R.T. (v.o.), Boone’s Draw (WW), Bill
Evans L. (RF), and Pep (LS) 11 Apr-24 May.
Among the rare but increasingly regular
eastern strays were single Chestnut-sideds
at Bandelier 15 May (S. Greetham) and R.S.
12 May (RR), a Magnolia at Boone’s Draw
14 May (JEP), a Black-throated Blue at Pep
16 May (LS), and a Black-throated Green at
R.S. 7 May (JEP, ph. JRO).

A nifty male Myrtle x Audubon’s hybrid
was at Corrales 11 Apr (WH). Townsend’s
Warblers, a typically rare spring (but com¬
mon fall) migrant, were conspicuous from
the R.G.V. westward (v.o.), and especially so
in the Silver City area (DZ). Also typically
rare in spring, a small “wave” of Hermit
Warblers pushed through s.w. New Mexico
8 May, with singles in Grant ( fide R. Wilcox)
and Guadalupe Canyon (AC) and 25 in the
Animas Mts. (NMC). Single Palm Warblers
were at Carlsbad Caverns 24 Apr (JEP) and
Pep 3 May (LS). Approaching overkill were
one-two Black-and-whites at 8 sites from
the R.G.V. eastward 18 Apr-22 May (v.o.);
west was one at Glenwood 3 May (B. Mc-
Knight). American Redstarts where rarely
reported included singles at Cerrillos 3 May
(A. Fenney), Quarai 3-10 May (HS), and
Pep 15 May (LS). Increasingly regular, Pro-
thonotaries were at R.S. 25 Apr (JEP, ph.
JRO) and 29 Apr ( fide WH), and Eunice 7
May (JEP, ph. JRO). Worm-eating Warblers
were in w. Guadalupe 2 May (D. Andrews),
Percha 27 Apr (WW), R.S. 25 Apr (JEP),

and Jal 7 May (JEP, JRO); two were at Cliff

20 May ( fide DZ).

A well-documented Louisiana Water-
thrush at Socorro 27 Mar-3 Apr (PB, BN,
DE, JEP, ph. JRO) furnished New Mexico’s
10th overall. Single Kentucky Warblers
were at N.R.T. 6 May (JEP, ph. JRO), near
Pep 23 May (LS), and R.S. 25 Apr (JEP,
JRO). Yet another good season for Hoodeds
found singles at Galisteo (BF), Socorro (DE,
ph. JRO), Quarai (HS), N.R.T. (LG, JEP),
Boone’s Draw (JEP, JRO) and Pep (LS) 3-30
May. Wilson’s Warblers inundated the state
by late April, including a respectable 1159
on the Gila count 1 May (RS). A Painted
Redstart wandered e. to Percha 15 Apr (PB,
GE). Intriguing — but inconclusive — were
single possible Slate-throated Redstarts
described from Bandelier 27 May (J. Hulen)
and the Pinos Altos Mts. 2 May (M.
Tokuda); well-detailed was another in atyp¬
ical habitat near Janos, n. Chihuahua, 31
May (WH). Easterly Hepatic Tanagers
included five at Mills Canyon 20 May (JRO)
and one at Boone’s Draw 11 May (WW).
Summer Tanagers continued to push n.,
with two at Orilla Verde, Taos , 19 May (CR)
and singles at Galisteo 22 May (JO) and
Conchas L. 9 May (CR).

TOWHEES THROUGH FINCHES

Lingering s. of known breeding areas were
single Green-tailed Towhees at Tajique
Canyon 21 May (HS), Deming 24 May
(LM), and the Peloncillo Mts. 25 May
(SOW). Out of habitat and a local first was
a singing Canyon Towhee at 7500 ft. at
Bluewater Cr. 28 May (HS). A high 31
Abert’s Towhees were tallied on the Gila
count 1 May (RS). Noteworthy Rufous-
crowned Sparrows were singles near Taos
23 May (RW) and Moriarty 21 May ()RO),
and four on Berrenda Cr. 28 Apr (CR). Late
were single Field Sparrows near Tucumcari

21 Apr (WW) and R.S. 24 Apr (JEP). North
were singing Black-chinned Sparrows at
Orilla Verde 19 May (CR) and Los Alamos
30 May (C. Keller). Surveys for migrant
Baird’s Sparrows produced only four on
Otero Mesa 19-28 Apr (RM). A winter
holdover, the last of the Conchas L. Le
Conte’s Sparrows was seen 21 Apr (WW).
A Golden-crowned Sparrow was at La Plata
28 Mar (ph. TR); the wintering bird at
Bosque N.W.R. remained until 13 Mar
(JEP). Consolidating their n. range expan¬
sion were six N. Cardinals in s.e. San Miguel
near Tucumcari 21 Apr (WW); three on
Macho Cr. near Nutt 29 Apr (CR) furnished
a new s.c. locale.

Additional evidence of Pyrrhuloxias

breeding in s.w. deserts was provided by one
at Columbus 25 May, 10 near Hatchet Gap
26 May, and four near Gage 28 May (SOW).
One-three Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were at
8 sites from the R.G.V. eastward 24 Apr-14
May (v.o.); west were singles at Mangas
13-18May(RF)and Silver City 2 1 May (fide
DZ). Well north of expected were male
Painted Buntings near Aztec 28 Apr-2 May
(ph. TR), Zuni 22-26 May (ph. DC), Belen
22-26 Apr (ph. HS), and White Signal
16-17 May (fide DZ). Interesting — but omi¬
nous — was a displaying Bronzed Cowbird
n. to B.L.N.W.R. 8 & 20 May (GW, PM).
North in the R.G.V. to Socorro were an
Orchard Oriole 13 May (PB) and a Hooded
Oriole 14 May (PB). Of uncertain status in
New Mexico, single Baltimore Orioles were
in n.e. Union 24 May (LF) and near Hatch
14 May (RR). Far north was a Scott’s Oriole
at Pilar 21 May (RW).

Some 100 rosy-finches, including
Brown-cappeds, Gray-crowneds, and
Blacks, were at the Taos Ski Basin 7 Mar
(JRO) and 14 Mar (J. Takamine). Cassin’s
Finches continued to be scarce and were
largely restricted to n. areas. Red Crossbills
were likewise scarce but more widely dis¬
tributed; notable were 1 1 in the Sierra Blan¬
ca area 28 Mar (JRO) and up to 12 in the
Burro Mts. 9 Mar-15 May (v.o.). Pine Sis¬
kins were widely scattered in the lowlands;
late were 42 in Union 8 May (LF), two at Las
Cruces 12 May (GE), and three at Deming
29 May (LM). Late Am. Goldfinches were
three near Aztec 20 May (TR), eight at Zuni
31 May (DC), and one at N.R.T. 29 May
(SOW). The few Evening Grosbeaks were
restricted to the Sangre de Cristo and Jemez
mts.; the high count was 50 at Taos 17-20
May (RW).

Initialed Observers: Pat Basham, David
Cleary, Alan Craig, Narca Moore Craig, Joan
Day-Martin, Gordon Ewing, Douglas
Emkalns, Ralph Fisher, Bernard Foy, Lavina
Fry, Larry Gorbet, William Howe, Larry
Malone, Paul McKenzie, Ray Meyer, Bruce
Neville, Jerry R. Oldenettel, Jo Osterhouse,
Bruce Ostyn, James N. Paton, John E.
Parmeter, Ross Rasmussen, Tim Reeves,
Christopher Rustay, Lawry Sager, Hart
Schwarz, Roland Shook, Patricia R. Snider,
Dale Stahlecker, Brad Vaughn, Gordon
Warrick, Robert Weber, William West, S.O.
Williams, Barry Zimmer, Dale & Marian
Zimmerman.

Sartor O. Williams III, 65 Verano Loop,
Santa Fe, NM 87505

314

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

alaska region

Normally a denizen of more southerly latitudes, this female Wood Duck
at Ketchikan, 1-16 May 1999, was a 2nd for the area and one of few
for Alaska of this casual vagrant. Photograph/Steve C. Heinl

THEDE G. TOBISH JR.

ollowing winter’s long reach of subzero
cold, early spring continued in the
below average temperature mode across the
Region. Although the late winter snowpack
was 50-75% of normal, several March and
April storms nearly doubled accumulations,
especially north of the Gulf of Alaska.
Coastal areas continued 1-5 F below long¬
term averages, which in reality meant an
endless winter, a laboriously slow break-up,
and unsuitable migrant habitats. The late
winter Bering Sea ice pack reached consid¬
erably south of average and likely played a
role in unfavorable coastal habitat condi¬
tions and in the odd gull movements into
May. All stations reported generally late
arrivals for all groups, particularly passer¬
ines, whose profile was essentially one of the
tardiest on record. At the Alaska Bird Obser¬
vatory in Fairbanks, for instance, at least
nine passerine species’ first arrivals were
later than average, ranging from five days to
three weeks. Even when arrival dates were
close to local long-term standards, subse¬
quent numbers for most local populations
had protracted arrivals, with numerous
examples submitted from Ketchikan to
Nome. The Asiatic component, with histor¬
ically little connection or timing parallels to
our Nearctic migrants, was about on time
but in low numbers, although Gambell had
an excellent shorebird flurry. For the first
time since the late 1970s, there was synchro¬
nized coverage in the w. Aleutians, which
generated great comparative results. And,
albeit brief, there was also good coverage
from the Southeast mainland rivers in addi¬
tion to reports from more typical Southeast
sites. As a unit, this season’s coverage pro¬
duced a classic profile of spring migration in

Alaska, with predictable rarities from regu¬
lar sites interspersed with the usual surpris¬
es from the heavily covered outposts.

Abbreviations: A.B.O. (Alaska Bird Observa¬
tory); North Gulf (North Gulf of Alaska); SE
(Southeast Alaska); SC (Southcoastal Alaska);
SW (Southwest Alaska)] U.C.I. (Upper Cook
Inlet); Y-K Delta (Yukon-Kuskokwim River
Deltas). Details (t), specimens (*), photographs
(ph.), and videotape (v.t.) referenced are on file
at University Of Alaska Museum.

LOONS THROUGH RAPTORS

As with last spring at Gambell’s sea watch,
the Region’s consistent Arctic Loon spring
outpost, passage was light with five per day
noted into June (WINGS). Two each in
alternate plumage settled into coves at both
Attu 24-29 May+ (ATTOUR) and Shemya
23-27 May (DDG). Arctic Loons seem to
have become more regular in this decade, at
least in April-May, in the w. Aleutians.
Migrant Pied-billed Grebes showed in SE,
where casual, at Sitka 25 Apr (MLW, MET)
and Elaines 25 May (AD). After several years
of poor counts, mainly because of decreased
coverage, W. Grebes made a strong presence
in s. SE, with a high 530+ in Ketchikan area
waters 21-28 Mar (SCH); northernmost
was a migrant near Juneau 22-24 Apr (PS).

The only Bean Goose drifted e. to St. Paul I.
22-31 May (ST. PAUL, ph. RP). Possibly
because of late April storm conditions,
Greater White-fronted Geese were noted
from all SE and SC sites, where they are less
than regular. More significant was Kodiak’s
first Tule Goose, a rather early, banded indi¬
vidual near town 26 Apr (RAM). Extremely
rare n. and off the mainland was a minima
Canada Goose at Gambell 31 May onward
(WINGS), one of few from St. Lawrence I.
Also notable was the single Brant with
Canada Geese in the Interior at Fairbanks
19 Apr (ND). Westbound outmigrant
Whooper Swans were again later than aver¬
age in the w. Aleutians, with a family group
of five encountered at Shemya 27 Apr (GVB,
ALS) and another three noted on freshwater
at Attu 16-25 May (ATTOUR).

Given this spring’s poor weather and late
break-up conditions, waterfowl migration
was unusually protracted across the s. half of
the Region. Most areas reported poor con¬
centrations, few rarities, and late first
arrivals. Highlights were about evenly split
between Palearctic and Nearctic forms,
including another SE Wood Duck, Ketchi¬
kan’s 2nd, along productive Ketchikan Cr.
1-16 May (ph. SCH); widely distributed but
mostly single Eur. Wigeon including one at
Haines 12 May (AD), where casual; an early
U.C.I. Blue- winged Teal at Palmer 25 May

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

315

(NM); a surprising Aythya showing on the
Naknek R. near King Salmon, with up to 42
Canvasbacks 24 Apr- 13 May, two Redheads
28 Apr-13 May, and one Ring-necked Duck
19 Apr (LK) — where all are rare to casual —
and a SE high six Redheads near Juneau 3
May (SZ, PP); three female Com. Pochards,
the only report, from Shemya 21 May-1 Jun
(DDG); a probable migrant Tufted Duck at
Kodiak 18 Apr (RAM); two-three Smews
from Attu (ATTOUR) and Shemya (DDG)
17-18 May and 19 May-Jun; a migrant
Hooded Merganser pair from Kodiak, where
casual in spring, 17 Apr (RAM); and a drake
Ruddy Duck at the extreme n.w. edge of the
species’ (casual) range for the Interior at
Fairbanks 23 May (JD, ND). Spawning her¬
ring again provided ephemeral scoter boun¬
ty at typical SE sites. This year’s extraordi¬
nary peaks included 15,000+ Surf Scoters 23
Apr near Ketchikan (Totem Bight-Pt. Hig¬
gins), and another 8000 to the north at the
traditional Berner’s Bay sites 9 May (RJG).

An Osprey spent 27 Apr-26 May onward
exhibiting breeding behavior on the little-
birded Naha R. on Revillagigedo I. e. of Ket¬
chikan; this species is a sporadic local breed¬
er generally n. of SE, where most records are
from the Mainland n. of the Stikine. R. Gib¬
son followed a 3rd-year White-tailed Eagle
along the s. shore of Shemya 16 May as it
tacked W out of sight over the N. Pacific, a
first report for the Region in several years.
This spring’s only Swainson’s Hawk, a single
overshoot, reached way w. to the Andreafsky
Mts. towards the s. shore of Norton Sound
25 May (fNS, REG). Most of the less-than-
annual spring reports of this rare and local
breeder come from within the breeding
range in the ex. Interior. The closest w. Alas¬
ka record is from Nulato up the Yukon R.
some 350 km to the northeast. Rare in
spring in SE, a very early Am. Kestrel, moved
along the Ketchikan coast 21 Apr (MB); they
have made several April appearances over
the past decade.

CROUSE THROUGH TERMS

Single Willow Ptarmigan 8 mi up the Unuk
R. 5 & 10 Apr were late into the season near
sea level and within the potential intergrade
zone with British Columbia’s albus. Four
Soras were in the Haines area’s limited habi¬
tats 24—25 May (AD), the season’s only rec¬
ord. Hounded by poor conditions, the
shorebird passage protracted well into May
and grounded a high species diversity along
the coastal routes. Species otherwise casual
in SE in spring, especially Hudsonian and
Marbled godwits and Semipalmated Sand¬
pipers, were well represented. Highlights

and rarities included the usual species from
both continents from the standard sites,
including; a Com. Ringed Plover at Shemya
19 May (DDG), the Aleutian’s 5th in spring,
and at least six around Gambell 1-5 Jun
(WINGS); the w. Aleutians’ first Black Oy-
stercatcher, a single at Shemya 24 May-4 Jun
(DDG) that at least made the 130 km over¬
water flight from the nearest known site at
Buldir I.; mostly single Com. Greenshanks
at Attu and Shemya 16-24 May (ATTOUR,
DDG) and, more significantly, one at Gam-
bell 3 Jun (WINGS); high Com. Sandpiper
numbers synchronized at Attu (20+) and
Shemya (10) 31 May-5 Jun (ATTOUR,
DDG); five Terek Sandpipers at Attu 30 May
(ATTOUR) and two n. to Gambell 30 May-
5 Jun (WINGS); a rare offshore Bering Sea
Surfbird at St. Paul /., the Pribilof’s first ever,
30 May (BIRDQUEST, fide KB); a popular
Red-necked Stint at the Homer Shorebird
Festival 7-8 May (DS, fRLS), one of few
Gulf Coast reports; and a Long-toed Stint
documented at Gambell 3-5 Jun (WINGS,
v.t. GHR).

Long-distance, large shorebirds, and
trans-Pacific forms also made news across
the N. Pacific, including single Rristle-thigh-
ed Curlews at Homer 12-13 May (ph. AS)
and Attu 16 May (ATTOUR), and two at
Shemya 18-21 May (DDG), and spring
Hudsonian Godwits from otherwise casual
locales from Sitka 7-11 May (MLW, MET),
Haines 10-11 May (AD), Kodiak 4-8 May,
the 2nd local record (RAM), and points
between. Marbled Godwits were similarly in
evidence with a peak 64 from Kodiak 4 May
(RAM), that site’s highest ever. Unprece¬
dented Pectoral Sandpiper densities congre¬
gated in riparian meadow habitats of the Y-
K Delta in the last 2 weeks of May (BJM)
and included territorial males in active
breeding behavior. Pectorals are typical
mid- May migrants across the Delta but are
generally rare and local breeders in the Y-K
Delta, with most breeding n. to coastal N.
Alaska. The female Wilson’s Phalarope at
Juneau 23 May (GW) was one of the Reg¬
ion’s earliest ever for this casual visitor.

Pomarine Jaegers, normally an offshore
overflight migrant in the Norton Sound reg¬
ion, provided an unusual inland presence
over the Y-K Delta, concentrated 24—27 May
(CH, BJM), with daily maxima peaking at
45 on 26 May (CH, GB), one of the Delta’s
highest spring counts. The Ketchikan area
herring spawn provided a staging entice¬
ment for Bonaparte’s Gulls, where numbers
reached 4500 18 Apr (SCH). The same phe¬
nomenon attracted an atypical convergence
of 10,000+ Mew Gulls there the same day

(SCH). Along with scoter data and winter
concentrations in many of the same coves,
this section of Nichols Passage and Tongass
Narrows provides critical Pacific Coast
waterbird habitat.

Two kamtschatschensis Mew Gulls came
ashore at Shemya 17-18 May (DDG). This
eastern form remains less than annual in the
w. Aleutians. This year’s Thayer’s Gull peak
over herring spawn in Berner’s Bay reached
12,000 on 9 May (RJG). Aside from average
numbers at the standard sites (i.e., max. 5 at
Shemya 19 May; DDG), a conservative
count of 75 at St. Paul 25 May (ST. PAUL)
represented one of the Region’s highest
spring tallies. Without a hint of their pres¬
ence in the N. Pacific from the winter
reports, Glaucous Gulls made headlines
across the N. Gulf in early season. Beginning
in late April, unusual numbers were report¬
ed from Sitka n. to Kodiak and into U.C.I.
Unprecedented peaks included 50+ at Sitka
16-31 May (MLW, MET), 15 from Homer
Spit 3 May (CF), six+ around Anchorage
10-15 May (NS, DWS, DFD, TT), and a
spectacular 67 in the Kodiak area 8 May
(RAM) that included 32 adults. Typical late
winter-early spring counts from anywhere
in the Region’s N. Pacific zone are two-four
individuals, nearly all of which are not
adults. Most unusual so far inland for any
season were two ad. Sabine’s Gulls at Denali
Nat’l. Park’s Wonder L. 31 May (SR), cer¬
tainly one of few Interior records. The ad.
Ross’s Gull at Attu 20 May (ATTOUR) was
essentially without precedent — there is one
previous spring Aleutian report. Another
adult was ashore at St. Paul 26-30 May
(ST.PAUL), where there are periodic spring
finds. Firm arrival dates for Caspian Tern
included two extremely early birds near
luneau 2 May (GW) and three near
Cordova 9 May (NS).

CUCKOOS THROUGH MIMIDS

Common Cuckoos invaded the Bering Sea
outposts, with two each at Shemya 2-7 Jun
onward (DDG, CLP), Attu 1-5 Jun
(ATTOUR), and Gambell 4-5 Jun
(WINGS). Northern Pygmy-Owls were
again detected on several Mainland SE river
corridors and from the Juneau area, includ¬
ing 1-2 reports each from the Taku, Unuk,
and Chilkat watersheds (AP, AD, GW) 1
Apr-13 May. The single Boreal Owl in the
Haines area 3 Apr (CE) was likely on terri¬
tory rather than a winter holdover, provid¬
ing a rare spring report from SE tidewater.
Another representative of the late season
was an exceptionally late first arrival for
Vaux’s Swift 29 May at Ketchikan (SCH),

316

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

alaska

one of the latest ever. Out of nowhere, a
female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker turned up
in the A.B.O. Fairbanks banding nets 19
May (AMB), the Region’s westernmost and
earliest of few records. Also closing in on a
record late arrival was the first Pacific-slope
Flycatcher at Ketchikan 25 May (SCH). Sky
Larks arrived on time at Shemya 4 May
(GVB, ALS) and peaked at 10 on 17 May at
nearby Attu (ATTOUR). One reached n. to
Gambell 31 May (WINGS), where they are
casual overshoots, likely from Koryak High¬
land populations.

Noteworthy swallow finds included the
usual N. Rough-wingeds from the Ketchi¬
kan area, two on the Naha R. 31 May (AP)
and singles in town 30 Apr-17 May (SCH),
and Barn Swallows in Fairbanks 26 May (JL,
SL), on the outer Y-K Delta 12 May (MW),
and at St. Paul 22 May (ST. PAUL), all casu¬
al locales for this wanderer. Migrant Arctic
Warblers (probably xanthodryas) dropped
out with the late season storm in the w.
Aleutians, where they are occasional in
spring, with one at Shemya 2 Jun (DDG)
and a maximum of 19 at Attu 3 Jun
(ATTOUR), one of the Aleutians’ highest
spring counts. Alaska breeding Arctics were
near record late to arrive and had not been
reliably reported by normal arrival times.

The early June low pressure system pro¬
duced a terrific flycatcher fallout in the w.
Aleutians, highlighted by three Red-breast¬
ed Flycatchers at Shemya 2-3 Jun (DDG),
an unparalleled three Siberian Flycatchers
at Attu 1-5 Jun (ATTOUR), and an equally
impressive 27 Gray-spotted Flycatchers 2
Jun (both ATTOUR). Siberian Rubythroats
were also represented in the June fallout,
with nice counts of 21 at Attu 1 Jun
(ATTOUR) and 17 at Shemya 2 Jun (DDG).
A Red-flanked Bluetail topped the storm
deposition at Attu 2 Jun (ATTOUR), the
Region’s 7th and the 5th spring Aleutian
report. Mountain Bluebirds made perhaps
their best ever spring showing across SE
with a new local high 7 at Juneau 2 May
(BT) and two-three on the Unuk and Taku
R. 5-19 Apr (AP, AD). A roving flock of 27+
Am. Robins in an Anchorage neighborhood
through the last half of March (NS, TT) was
unprecedented for late winter, when they
are normally casual at best. The Anchorage
Northern Mockingbird survived the win¬
ter, and was last seen 19 Apr (DWS); anoth¬
er found Heinl’s Ketchikan feeder circuit
19-22 Apr (HM, GM, ph. SCH), a first local
report and one of few for SE. Wagtails were
generally quiet all season. Only one Gray
Wagtail was reported, from Attu 2 Jun
(ATTOUR). Warbler news focused on

across-the-board late arrivals and otherwise
poor showings until the end of the period.

EMBERIZIDS
THROUGH FRIMGILLIDS

Given the late season it was odd that a
Savannah Sparrow arrived record early, in
Ketchikan 27 Mar (JFK). Ketchikan’s win¬
tering White-throated Sparrow remained to
4 Apr (SCH), a new late date. A stunning
male Reed Bunting, the Region’s 6th, arriv¬
ed at Shemya 24 May (DDG), in the middle
of previous dates. Unusual and early
Brown-headed Cowbirds included an extra-
limital at Fairbanks 22 May (SS, KR, LD,
CM) and a male on the Jaha R. e. of Ketchi¬
kan 29-31 May (ph. AP). Twenty-nine
Bramblings was the maximum, at Attu 23
May (ATTOUR). Other notables included
singles at Juneau 18-24 Apr (PS et al.) and
again n. to Gambell 28-30 May (WINGS).
Uncommon in spring in SE, where more
regular in fall/winter, single female-type
Purple Finches appeared at feeders at
Ketchikan 14 Mar (fSCH, AP) and to the e.
at the Naha R. 13 May (AP). A Hawfinch
arrived early at Attu 20 May, where the peak
was five 1-2 Jun (ATTOUR). Only the 2nd
for St. Lawrence I., an overshoot hung
around Gambell's carcass fields 31 May-5
Jun onwards (WINGS, tJLD, v.t. GHR).

Cited observers: J. B. Allen, R. Armstrong,
ATTOUR (P. J. Baicich, J. Huntington, G. B.
Rosenband, D. W. Sonneborn, P. W. Sykes et
al.), G. Balogh, A. M. Benson, M. Brown, K.
Burton, G. V. Byrd, J. Dearborn, D. F. Delap,
A. DeMartini, L. Devaney, N. DeWitt, C.
Eckert, L. Edfelt, M. Edfelt, C. Field, D. D.
Gibson, R. E. Gill, R. J. Gordon, C. Har¬
wood, S. C. Heinl, L. Kirk, J. F. Koerner, S.
Lewis, J. Logan, R. A. Macintosh, B. I. Mc-
Caffery, C. McIntyre, H. Metcalf, G. Metcalf,
N. Mollett, N. Moore, A. Piston, P. Pourchot,

C. L. Pruett, K. Russell, S. Russell, S. Savage,
T. Schantz, R. L. Scher, A. Schmierer, M. W.
Schwan, N. Senner, S. E. Senner, W. Shuster,

D. W. Sonneborn, A. L. Sowls, ST. PAUL (St.
Paul Tours: K. Burton, M. Greenfelder, L.
Ness, P. Paulus, S. Toussaint, S. D. Smith, R.
Papish), S. Springer, D. Stokes, P. Suchanek,
M. E. Tedin, K. Titus, G. Van Vliet, M. Walsh,
M. L. Ward, M. Wege, M. A. Wood, WINGS
(J. L. Dunn, S. Finnegan, S. Howell, G. H.
Rosenberg et al.), S. Zimmerman.

Thede Tobish, 2510 Foraker Drive,
Anchorage, Alaska 99517
(tgt@alaska.net)

A birder's paradise ♦ Over 230
species identified ♦ Common
species, such as Red-faced
Cormorants, Red-legged
Kittiwakes, Parakeet, Least and
Crested Auklets, murres, fulmars,
and comical Horned and Tufted
Puffins ♦ Uncommon species and
rare Asian vagrants, such as
Falcated Teal, Mongolian Plover,
Wood Sandpiper, Gray-tailed
Tattler, and Common Cuckoo.

Accommodations are cozy, food
excellent, and the Aleut people
are eager to show you the won¬
ders of St. Paul. Complete pack¬
age tours available. For reserva¬
tions and information, see your
travel agent,

call toll free 1-800-544-2248,
or visit our web site:
www.alaskabirding.com

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VOLUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 3

317

british Columbia
region

MICHAEL G. SHEPARD

he storms of winter whisking off the
Pacific gradually died out in March,
leaving a cool but dry and sunny April.
April turned out to be just a transition
month, though, as May saw the develop¬
ment of an early “cold low” season, replete
with cool temperatures and frequent
mountain snows. Indeed, the almost record
snowpack across the southern half of Bri¬
tish Columbia melted little through the
period, leaving nowhere to go but the val¬
leys for most higher-elevation breeding
birds. La Nina treated Yukoners to one of
the coldest, wettest springs on record. Con¬
ditions southeast of Whitehorse were par¬
ticularly damp, while Carmacks to the
north enjoyed better weather.

LOOMS THROUGH EGRETS

A Yellow-billed Loon, rare in the interior,
was near the mouth of Evans Cr. on Slocan
L. 9-21 May (EB, SO). A late lingerer was at
Iona I. 20 May (RTo). A count of 20 Eared
Grebes in the vicinity of Nanoose Harbour
and Neck Pt. 14 Apr (BC) was one of the
highest tallies in coastal B.C. in recent years.
The substantial count of 2700 W. Grebes
near Kelowna 10 May (MG) was notewor¬
thy. Such concentrations, although not un¬
heard of, have been reported rarely in

recent years. Iona I. had a Clark’s Grebe 18-
28 Apr (DB et ah). Few tubenoses were
observered this spring. A Black-vented
Shearwater off Amphitrite Pt. 25 May
(RWo) was noteworthy. American White
Pelicans were more widely reported than
usual, both on the coast and interior. Anna
Roberts surmised that late thawing of for¬
aging lakes near their Stum L. colony may
have resulted in the influx to lower eleva¬
tions. At Williams L., where the species was
previously unrecorded in spring, small
flocks foraged daily 22 Apr through May.
On 15 May two Double-crested Cormor¬
ants were near Yukon’s only known breed¬
ing location at Jackfish Bay on L. Laberge
(CE, YBC). A Great Egret, perhaps an annu¬
al visitor to s.w. B.C., was at Tree I., Rich¬
mond, 29 May (Mrs. Talboys, m.ob.).
Somewhat more unusual were reports of
Snowy Egrets at Maple Ridge 9 May (MBa)
and the mouth of Moray Channel,
Richmond, 15-16 May (EG et ah).

WATERFOWL THROUGH RAPTORS

A Ross’s Goose, likely the same bird that
spent much of the winter at Como L„ was
at nearby Colony Farm along the Coquit¬
lam R. 20-24 Apr (LC). Two migrants, with
four Snow and 17 Canada geese, were near
Ft. Fraser 5 May ( LLa, SK). In both B.C. and
the Yukon, Eur. Wigeon were more wide¬
spread and abundant than usual. Two
males, one of which was apparently paired
with a female Am. Wigeon, were at Vander-
hoof 1 1 Apr (PGNC). Yukon sightings were
of single males at lower McIntyre Cr. 24 Apr
(LK), Tagish Narrows 2 May (HG, YBC)
and 8 May (CE, PS), and M’Clintock Bay 16
May (CE, PS). A male Tufted Duck ap¬
peared at Stanley Park 5-18 Apr (CW, JAM
et al. ), and a bird thought to be a female was
photographed along the Nautley R. in cen¬
tral B.C. 17 Mar (MPh, NK). On 26 Apr,
Grosvenor, Hearne, and Hamel witnessed
the marvelous spectacle of 40,000-50,000
Long-tailed Ducks sitting on the water and
wheeling around in clouds. The birds were
s.w. of Seal Rocks in n.e. Hecate Strait and
believed to be feeding on large concentra¬
tions of krill.

White-tailed Kites are pushing their

yukon

range into B.C. and are now of regular
occurrence almost as far north as Puget
Sound. This spring there were observations
throughout the Fraser Valley, with individ¬
uals reported from Sea I. 18-20 Apr (DB,
m.ob.), near Kilby 21 Apr (MBr), Alder-
grove 25 Apr (KRS), and Bradner Rd.,
Langley, 9 May (CB). On Vancouver I. one
was at Michael L. near Nanaimo 28 Apr
(DW). Very rare in the Peace R. area, a
Cooper’s Hawk was 25 km s.w. of Fort St.
John 28 May (MPh, DGr). There are few
spring records of Broad-winged Hawks in
B.C. This year singles were at the n. end of
Okanagan L. 13 May (RJC) and Willow-
bank Mt. in the Blaeberry Valley 9 Jun
(DL).

SHOREBIRDS

Small numbers of Black-necked Stilts
invaded s. B.C.. Six were at Kelowna 3 May
(BT), one was at Rose’s Pond, Vernon, 11
May (PG), a female was at the Iona sewage
lagoons 28 Apr-16 May (RTo et al.), and
one was at Serpentine Fen 13 May (MPL).
This spring’s high count of Am. Avocets was
45 tallied at the Alki L. colony in Kelowna
12 May ( fide LG). A group of eight were at
Elizabeth L., Cranbrook, 24 May (MW).
The northward shorebird migration pro-v
vided no major surprises. However, at
M’Clintock Bay a sizeable shorebird fallout
was reported 11-18 May, with 15 species
identified there and a peak of about 3000
birds 1 1 May. Most common were Pectoral
Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, Long-billed
Dowitcher, Semipalmated Plover, and
Semipalmated Sandpiper (CE, PS). Four
Whimbels at Mackenzie 26 May (JCB) pro¬
vided the first area record. Long-billed
Curlews put in unusual outer coast appear¬
ances with a single bird 7 May and three 16
May near Tofino (AD). A record-setting 102
Hudsonian Godwits were tallied through
May at various Whitehorse area wetlands
(CE, PS), with the largest flock being 52 at
Tagish Narrows 2 May (CE, HG, YBC); this
species is considered rare in the Yukon. A
Bar-tailed Godwit, rare at any season, was
near Tofino 7 May (AD). A pair discovered
at Judas Cr. 26 May (CE, HG, PS) was the
highlight of the Yukon’s spring shorebird

318

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

migration, and provided only their 2nd
record; one remained until at least 29 May
(CE, PS, RCa). The predictable smattering
of coastal Marbled Godwits was reported,
but much more unexpected were two at the
Maude-Roxby Bird Sanctuary, Kelowna, 1 1
May (GW et al.). A courting pair of Surf-
birds, rarely seen in the Yukon, was noted
23 May in the mountains s.e. of Tombstone
Campground along the Dempster Hwy.,
just s. of the known breeding range in the
Ogilvie Mts. (RMu).

JAEGERS THROUGH ALCIDS

Light-morph Parasitic Jaegers were at Judas
Cr. 26 May ( JH, YBC) and 29 May (CE, PS);
they are rare in the Whitehorse area. Two
Franklin’s Gull at Newlands 22 May (CA,
MA) provided the first spring record for the
Prince George area. Approximately 400
Ring-billed Gull nests were on Christmas I.
near Salmon Arm 17 May (RJC); this
colony was established only about 10 years
ago. Iceland Gulls are more and more fre¬
quently observed in B.C., but spring occur¬
rences are rare. One was encountered just n.
of French Cr. during the Brant Festival Big
Day 10 Apr (DEA, DC, ADM, BW).
Glaucous-winged Gulls, relatively uncom¬
mon in the interior, were at the n. end of
Okanagan L. 2 & 4 May (DGC, RJC). Cas¬
pian Terns are rarely observed in the c. and
n. parts of B.C., so six along the Nechako R.
at Cottonwood I. (Prince George) 22-23
May (MPh et al.) was noteworthy. Forster’s
Terns are normally restricted to the Creston
area, where there is a small breeding colony.
This year, individuals were at the mouth of
the Duncan R., Kootenay L., 16 May (GS),
Okanagan Landing 23 May (MC, PG, DGe,
VS), and at Tranquille 29 May-1 Jun (SR et
al.). An unusually large flock of 187 Black
Terns was at Big L. n.e. of Chetwynd 28 May
(MPh.DGr).

Very rarely reported in B.C., two Kitt-
litz’s Murrelets were in Laredo Sound 1 1
May (BK); this species likely breeds in the
province, but tends to frequent areas unvis¬
ited by birders. A Cassin’s Auklet spent
more than a month (4 Apr well into June)
near the cruise ship facility in Vancouver
Harbour (MPr et al.).

OWLS THROUGH THRASHERS

The status of Snowy Owls in n. Yukon dur¬
ing spring is unknown, so one on the Old
Crow Flats 25 Apr (SW) was noteworthy. A
warden’s patrol at Vuntut N.P. produced
one of few n. Yukon records of Great Gray
Owl 20 Apr (DF, DH, AL, RMa). Costa’s
Hummingbirds, casual visitors to B.C., were

observed at feeders in Sooke 9-13 Apr (GL)
and Sardis 15-23 May (JS, BSk et al.). An
imm. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was discov¬
ered in the Nanaimo area 4 Mar (GM). Of
rare occurrence in the Queen Charlotte Is.,
a Downy Woodpecker was at Juskatla 28
Mar (MH, PH); it is rare on the coast at any
season, and normally winters far s. of B.C.
Dusky Flycatchers are turning up more fre¬
quently on the coast, particularly during
spring migration, but there are still few
records for Vancouver I. One observed 22
May (DEA) provided the 3rd record for
Rocky Pt. Another flycatcher in the news
was an E. Phoebe found at the Alaksen
W.M.A., Delta, 31 May (KDG, WE), one of
only a handful of coastal B.C. reports. A
Say’s Phoebe near Port Alberni 18 Apr
(RCr, BS1) was somewhat out of range.
American Crows barely make it into the
Yukon, but at least two roamed the White¬
horse area in May (m.ob.). A cloud of
1500+ Tree Swallows was at Cluculz L. in
the c. interior 1 1 May (LLa, SK). A window-
killed Golden-crowned Kinglet at Mary L.,
Yukon, 30 Mar provided a record-early
(albeit short-lived) spring arrival (KKn). A
male Mt. Bluebird at Sandspit 4-5 Apr
(MH, PH) provided the first spring record
for the Queen Charlotte Is. Throughout the
interior of B.C. Townsend’s Solitaires were
reported in greater than usual numbers;
eight were at Johnsons Landing 8 May
(GS). A Sage Thrasher at Iona I. 8-13 May
(LJ et al.) provided only the 2nd record for
the Vancouver area; it was followed by one
at Pitt Meadows 24 May (JL, DT, RTy).

WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES

Several species of warblers rarely found on
the coast in spring were observed this year,
including a singing Nashville Warbler near
Port Renfrew 8 May (DEA), a Tennessee
Warbler at Rocky Pt. 16 May (DEA), a
Hermit Warbler at Queen Elizabeth Park,
Vancouver, 6 May (MT), Palm Warblers at
Sea I. 4 May (MKM) and Iona I. 8 May
(JAM), and a N. Waterthrush near the
Dinsmore Bridge in Richmond 19 May
(MKM). At Marsh L., a singing male Audu¬
bon’s Yellow-rumped Warbler 29 May (PS,
CE) provided one of few documented Yu¬
kon records. Unusual in s. B.C., male Black-
poll Warblers were at Queen Elizabeth Park
9 May (BGS) and Vaseux L. 31 May (RWe).
A Yellow-breasted Chat, a species of irregu¬
lar occurrence on the Lower Mainland, was
found at Sea I. 31 May (KK1, GT et al.). An
Am. Tree Sparrow, rare in spring on Van¬
couver L, was at Port Alberni 29 Apr (SA).
According to Anna Roberts, Clay-colored

Sparrows have increased in the Cariboo
over the last 20 years to occupy almost all
suitable habitat. This spring, a one hectare
site dose to an industrial development in
Williams L. was home to 7-8 pairs (fide AR,
PR). A Black-headed Grosbeak, unusual in
c. B.C., was in Prince George in early May
(BR). Rare n. of the southern interior, a
Lazuli Bunting was in Vanderhoof 25 May
(LLe). A Bobolink at Mackenzie 22-23 May
(GH et al.) was outside its normal range; it
was photographed, thus providing the first
documented record for that area, and one
of the northernmost for the province. A
female Yellow-headed Blackbird at Queen
Charlotte City 11-12 May (BE, JW, MH,
PH) furnished the first record for the
islands. Leftovers from last fall’s Brambling
irruption were reported 5 Apr in Campbell
R. (HA) and 8 Apr in Port Clements (AL,
BL).

The flock of Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch-
es frequenting a feeder at Jakes Corner
through the winter peaked at a record set¬
ting 140 birds (mostly interior, with 2
coastal race) 12 Apr (CE). On the B.C. coast
they were unusually widely reported in the
lowlands, with up to 27 (8 May at N. Burna¬
by; HC) at a time, and a few lingering into
late May. Perhaps the heavy snowpack at
higher elevations kept the birds down.
Birders in s. Yukon wondered why some
Com. Redpolls were not leaving their feed¬
ers and heading n. in early May. The answer
came 16 May with the observation of an
adult feeding a recently fledged, dependent
young at M’Clintock Bay (PS). A pair fre¬
quenting a Whitehorse feeder appeared
with four recently fledged (still slightly
downy) young in the last week of May (PS,
CE). These breeding records are the first
documented for the lowlands of s. Yukon.

Sub-regional compilers (boldface) and cited
observers: Stan Acton, David E. Allinson

(Victoria), Cathy Antoniazzi (Prince
George), Maria Antoniazzi, Heather Asplin,
Steve J. Baillie (Nanaimo), Daniel Bastaja,
Michael Bates (MBa), Chris Bewis, Ed Bey-
non, Jack C. Bowling (Prince George &
weather summaries), Murray Brown
(MBr), Richard J. Cannings (Okanagan),
Rene Carlson, Don G. Cecile (Vernon),
John Chandler (Vancouver), Mary Collins,
Bruce Cousens, Darren Copley, Larry
Cowan (Vancouver), Harold Craven, Rela
Cripps (RCr), Gary S. Davidson (Koo-
tenays), Krista de Groot (KDG), Adrian
Dorst, Wendy Easton, Brian Eccles, Cam¬
eron Eckert (Yukon), Dennis Frost, Bryan
R. Gates (Victoria), Martin Gebauer, Dolly

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

319

Gehlen (DGe), Phil Gehlen, B. Max Gotz
(Whistler), Dave Gravelle (DGr), Anthony
G. Greenfield (Sunshine Coast), Eric
Greenwood, A1 Grosvenor, Helmut Grun-
berg (Yukon), Les Gyug, Gordon Haley,
Peter Hamel (Queen Charlotte Is.), Vicki
Hansen (Campbell River), Jim Hawkings,
Margo Hearne, David Henry, Len Jellicoe,
Sandra Kinsey (Prince George), Ken
Klimko (KK1), Ken Knutson (KKn), Burke
Korol, Nancy Krueger, Lee Kubica, Anne
Landry (ALa), Laird Law (LLa), Doug
Leighton, Louise Levy (LLe), Gary Lewis,
Adelia Lowrie (ALo), Brian Lowrie, John
Luce, Andrew D. MacDonald, Jo Ann
Mackenzie, Rhonda Markel (RMa), Martin
K. McNicholl, Sandy McRuer (Alberni
Valley), Guy Monty, Richard Mueller
(RMu), Steve Ogle, Mary Peet-Leslie
(MPL), Mark Phinney (MPh), Michael
Price (MPr), Prince George Naturalists
Club, Phil Ranson (Cariboo), Anna
Roberts, Syd Roberts, Barb Robertson,
Brian G. Self, Michael G. Shepard (S.
Vancouver I.), Pam Sinclair, Brad
Skimming (BSk), Jocelyne Skimming,
Brian Slater (BS1), Gail Spider, Virginia
Stewart, Ken R. Summers, Brenda Thom¬
son, Glen Thomson, Mike Toochin, Rick
Toochin (RTo), Danny Tyson, Rick Tyson
(RTy), Hank vander Pol (Victoria), Carson
Wade, Julian Wake, Ray Wershler (RWe),
Mildred White, Bruce Whittington, Dan
Wilson, Gwynneth Wilson, Stuart Withers,
Robert Worona (RWo), Yukon Bird Club.

Michael G. Shepard, Orca Technologies
International Inc., 5325 Cordova Bay Road,
Suite 211, Victoria, BC V8Y 2L3
(mgs@orcatec.com)

Place names that are frequently men¬
tioned, but very long, may be abbreviat¬
ed in a form such as “C.B.B.T.” or
“W.P.B.O.” Such local abbreviations will
be explained in a key at the beginning
of the particular regional report in
which they are used. Standard abbrevi¬
ations that are used throughout North
American Birds are keyed on page 251.

oregon-

washington

region

’Bellingham

Olympic Nat

WASHINGTON

. Olympia

’Westport

Wtilapo Bay.

Yakima

Richland '

, Walla Walla

Portland i

OREGON

'Eugene

jHari Ml Antelope Range

BILL TWEIT, GERARD LILLIE,
and STEVE ML0DIN0W

Following an extremely wet winter, the
spring weather was actually somewhat
drier than average in most parts of the
Region, but it was also cool and windy so
that both humans and birds seemed to
regard it as more winter than spring.
Throughout the west side, temperatures for
much of March and early April were as
much as 10 degrees below normal. There
was snow on the Willamette Valley floor in
late March and the freezing level dropped to
-1000 ft. in the northern Willamette Valley
8 April. Below normal temperatures contin¬
ued into May, when they averaged 5.8° F.
below normal in Portland, 6.4° below in
Eugene, and 6.1° below in Medford. The
cool climate delayed snow melt in the
mountains, where a deep snow pack had
accumulated with many sites reporting
record snow depths.

The weather played a major role in
migration. Many species arrived at expected
dates, but numbers were small compared
with the rest of their populations. It seemed
that the majority of land bird migrants were

one to two weeks late. Very late snowmelt
held up dispersal of mountain species once
they arrived, maybe by as much as three
weeks. On 8 May, Gillson had none of the
obvious forest birds (Mountain Chickadee,
Red-breasted Nuthatch etc.) at Lost Lake in
the Oregon Cascades and on 1 1 June there
was still three-five feet of snow at Santiam
Pass with no Fox Sparrows or Nashville
Warblers, generally common by that date.
Lowland observers remarked on very large
numbers of Western Tanagers. Westside
observers were treated to unusual numbers
of montane and interior species in the low¬
lands, some lingering quite late: Calliope
Hummingbirds, Ruby-crowned Kinglet,
Varied Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Townsend’s
Solitaires, Golden-crowned Sparrow, and
Lincoln’s Sparrow.

The oil spill created by the grounding of
the New Carissa off Coos Bay, Oregon,
apparently caused some level of Snowy
Plover mortality, and necessitated more fre¬
quent beach surveys for dead birds. As of 10
March, two Horned Puffins, two Parakeet
Auklets, two Ancient Murrelets, 13 Rhino¬
ceros Auklets, one Short-tailed Shearwater,
one+ Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel and one+
Leach’s Storm-Petrel were found (BLo, RL).
Some of these mortalities may have been
unrelated to the oil spill.

Abbreviations: D.F. (Detroit Flats, Marion Co.,
OR); F.R.R. (Fern Ridge Res., Lane Co., OR},
Fields (Fields, Flarney Co., OR); Malheur
(Malheur N.W.R., Flarney Co., OR); O.S. (Ocean
Shores, Grays Harbor Co., WA); S.J.C.R. (s. jetty
of the Columbia R., Clatsop Co., OR); W.W.R.D.
(Walla Walla R. delta, Walla Walla Co., WA).

LOOMS THROUGH FALCONS

Pacific Loon migration was heavy through¬
out May: 3000+ passed Heceta Head, Lane ,
OR, in 30 minutes 2 May (RRb) and 200+/
hour passed Boiler Bay, Lincoln, OR, 25 May
(PP). Yellow-billed Loons at Sequim Bay,
Clallam, WA, 18 Mar (GK) and at Tulalip

320

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

Bay, Snohomish, WA, 9-14 May (M. Reed)
were the only reported. Five Clark’s Grebes
were found on the w. side, where scarce
(SM, AC, TR, DL, KC, MH). Two Laysan
Albatrosses off Westport, Grays Harbor, WA,
14 Mar (BT) and singles at the 600 fathom
point off Lincoln, OR, in mid-May (S.
Kupillas) and found dead on Thiel Cr.,
Lincoln, OR, beaches during May (BLo),
indicate their increased abundance in the
Region. Winter low numbers of N. Fulmar
continued through spring; pelagic trips
averaged only nine, with a peak of 30 (TRW,
GG). A Pink-footed Shearwater off Depoe
Bay, Lincoln, OR, 20 Mar (GG, MH) was
early. Two Flesh-footed Shearwaters off
Westport 24 Apr (BT) were the only report¬
ed. Photos of a partially decomposed
Wedge-tailed Shearwater on the beach at
Newport, Lincoln, 26 Mar (D. Leal) will be
examined by the O.B.R.C.; if correct this
would represent the northernmost record
for the species in the n.e. Pacific. Sooty
Shearwater numbers remained low on
pelagic trips, although numbers onshore in
May seemed typical for spring, with several
hundred off Cape Arago, Coos, OR, 29 Apr
(BP), 100 off Coos Bay, Coos, OR, 4 May
(DL, KC), 800 at O.S. 5 May (TA), and
“many” from S.J.C.R. 23 May (MP). From
late April onward large numbers of Fork¬
tailed Storm-Petrels were seen from shore.
The largest concentration was 300+ off
Boiler Bay 4 May (PP). Other high counts
included 50 at Neah Bay, Clallam, WA, 8-9
May (BB, BN), and 15-20 at Grays Harbor
8-9 May (B. Bell, SM). Mortality was appar¬
ently above average, as 29 were found dur¬
ing May on beached bird surveys at Thiel
Cr., Lincoln, OR (BLo); the 22-year average
annual total for these surveys is five or fewer.
Leach’s Storm-Petrels are even rarer near
shore, but two were seen at Boiler Bay 7 May
(PP) and four were dead in May on the
Thiel Cr. beached bird surveys (BLo).

For the 2nd consecutive spring unusual
numbers of Am. White Pelicans were on the
w. side, with seven reported from F.R.R. and
the nearby Corvallis area (m.ob.), Warren-
ton, Clatsop, OR (TT), Grays Harbor (CK,
TA, PtSu), and at Baskett Slough N.W.R.,
Polk, OR (D. Pederson, m.ob.). Brown Peli¬
cans arrived later than the previous 2 years;
the first were two at Yaquina Head, Lincoln ,
OR, 20 Apr (Bureau Land Mgmt.), and they
were noted along the coast n. to Grays
Harbor by mid-May (m.ob.), but May
numbers remained low (DL, KC, GL). An
alternate-plumaged Red-faced Cormorant
at the mouth of the Elwha R., Clallam, WA,
8 May (fSM, fSP) was the 2nd well-docu¬

mented sighting s. of Alaska (pending
W.B.R.C. review); the first was at Masset
Sound, Queen Charlotte Is., B.C., in April
1988 (Campbell et al. 1990, The Birds of
British Columbia). Great Egret nesting was
recorded again at Pony Slough, Coos, OR
( fide HN); they are recent breeders on the
w. side and up to three remained at
Ridgefield N.W.R., Clark, WA, during May
(JE), another recent w. side breeding loca¬
tion. A Cattle Egret, rare in spring, was near
Merrill, Klamath, OR, 4 May (F. Mayer).
White-faced Ibis at W.W.R.D. 8 May (DR),
12 near Brookings, Curry, OR, 17 May
(DM), at Frenchman Hills Rd., Grant, WA,
21 May onward (fM. Schmuck), and at
Othello, Adams, WA, 31 May (RH) were all
locally rare.

The Emperor Goose wintering at Tilla¬
mook, OR, remained until 19 Mar (C. Rob¬
erts) and the resident bird remained at
Sandy R., Multnomah, OR (m.ob.). The
wintering Ross’s Goose at Kent, King, WA,
remained through 15 Apr (RO, m.ob.); 18 at
Steigerwald N.W.R., Clark, 13-19 Apr (WC,
m.ob.) was an exceptionally large number
for w. Washington. Four westside reports of
Com. Teal and one of an intergrade was
about average (GL, RK, SM, BTi). A Blue¬
winged x Cinnamon Teal was at Dodson
Rd., Grant, WA, 20 May (SJ). Much larger
than typical numbers of Gadwall appeared
in March, with maxima in Lane in mid-
March of 1 50 on the Delta Ponds and 200 on
the Kirk Pond (DI). Only four Eur. Wigeon
were reported from the interior, but on the
w. side a count of 60 at Samish Flats, Skagit,
WA, 15 Mar (D. Paulson) was large; one
wintering in w. Eugene, Lane , OR, stayed
through period (DI). Four Tufted Ducks, a
good spring total, were reported at Bingen,
Klickitat, WA ( WC), Rowena, Wasco, OR (D.
Roll), Warrenton, Clatsop, OR (MP, TT),
and Oak Harbor, Island, WA (SM). A female
King Eider at the S. Jetty of Coos Bay, Coos,
29 Apr (BP, ph.) was apparently the latest in
spring for Oregon. A Harlequin Duck pair
was along Bryce Cr., Lane, OR, 5 May ( fide
TM), an area where not reported previously.
A Long-tailed Duck at Vantage, Kittitas, WA,
14 Mar (K. Dumroese) provided a rare
spring interior record.

White-tailed Kite numbers remained at
record levels. At least 31 were found in w.
Oregon, headlined by the first nesting
record for Curry 4 mi up the Rouge R. from
Gold Beach (CD). Notable concentrations
included five+ at a roost site near F.R.R. in
March (DI), seven in the White City area,
Jackson, 1 Mar (E. Setterberg), and five in
the Illinois and Applegate valleys, Josephine,

1 May (PaSu); one near Prineville, Crook, 3
Apr (MC) was an e. Oregon rarity. The w.
Washington count was 1 1+, mostly in Lewis
and Thurston and in March (RO, R.
Woodin, PtSu, BT). One at Kent, King, 13
Apr (RO) was notable (they are casual n. of
Olympia) and one at Ilwaco, Pacific, 15 Mar
(]. Meyer) was the only coastal report. A pair
of Red-shouldered Hawks just s.w. of F.R.R.
19 Mar (LM) may suggest local breeding;
pairs near Grants Pass and Myrtle Pt. were
in areas where they may breed regularly.
Four others were reported in w. Oregon, and
two in e. Oregon n. of Lonerock, Morrow, 24
May (I. Olson) were rare. A Broad-winged
Hawk at Wenas Cr., Yakima , 30 May (fWC,
m.ob.) provided the 2nd documented
spring record for Washington. Two
Gyrfalcons were reported from w. Oregon,
near Brownsmead, Clatsop (MP), and at
Fernhill, Washington (HN).

CHARADRIIFORMES

Thirteen Pacific Golden-Plover were report¬
ed, all but one from Oregon. Nine at Cape
Blanco, Coos, 27 Apr (DM) was the largest
group, and one at Ankeny N.W.R., Marion,
25 May onward (J. Lundsten, PaSu) was
astonishing both for the lateness and the
Willamette Valley location. Six Am. Golden-
Plovers were reported, all from coastal
Washington, as were six golden-plover sp.;
the total of 25 was well above average for
spring. A pair of Snowy Plovers at Midway
Beach, Grays Harbor, 25 Apr (RR, SRi) and
one at Westport 22 May (PtSu) were away
from their 2 known breeding sites in Wash¬
ington. Black-necked Stilts were noteworthy
both in the interior and on the w. side,
where rare migrants. At least 125 were
found at numerous sites in e. Washington
(m.ob.), probably the highest total ever for
this relatively recent addition to the area. On
the w. side were four in the Willamette val¬
ley ( K. Merrifield, P. Muller, L. Weiland, SD),
and 11 at Steigerwald N.W.R. 17-19 Apr
(WC, PtSu), a first Clark record and proba¬
bly the largest number ever found in w.
Washington. Five Am. Avocet in w. Oregon
were also unusual, with two in the
Willamette valley (MC, P. Vanderheul, A.
McGie), and three on the outer coast (D.
DeWitt, S. Russell). The w. side total of 79
Lesser Yellowlegs was large; at least a dozen
more were in the interior. The largest groups
were 24 at Seaside, Clatsop, OR, 25 Apr
(MP), and at least 3 concentrations of 10+
in n. Puget Sound (SM). Solitary Sandpiper
numbers were also above average, with a
minimum of 20, 12 of them in w. Oregon.
The Upland Sandpiper at Cape Blanco,

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

321

Curry , 22 May (fTJW) furnished about the
2nd w. Oregon record.

Over 1000 Whimbrels were in the Elk R.
meadows, Curry , 18 May (TJW, DM), a large
flock for this Region. Long-billed Curlews,
rare transients in inland areas on the w. side,
were reported in April with two at
Ridgefield N.W.R., Clark , WA ()E), and near
Lebanon, Linn , OR (RG), and singles at
Fernhill Wetlands, Washington, OR (RK),
and Finley N.W.R., Benton , OR (L. Fitts, JS).
A Black Turnstone at the Fernhill Wetlands
25 Apr (HN) provided a surprising inland
record. Only three Semipalmated Sandpip¬
ers, all from n.w. Washington (SM, PtSu,
CK), was below average for this scarce
spring migrant. Three Baird’s Sandpipers
was about average, with birds at Othello,
Adams , WA (SJ), Seattle (SM, K. Aanerud),
and Kent, King, WA (PtSu). Wilson’s Phala-
rope numbers on the w. side were above
average, but did not approach the impres¬
sive numbers noted last spring; as usual, all
of the 19 reports were from the Willamette
valley and the Puget Trough. The largest
numbers were seven at Baskett Slough
N.W.R. 18 May onward (RG, RRb) and five
near Mt. Vernon, Skagit, WA, 8 May (CK).

Pelagic trips reported below-average
numbers of jaegers (TRW, GG), although
three Long-tailed Jaegers, two off Westport
24 Apr (BT) and one there 31 May (P.
Anderson), provided the 3rd consecutive
spring this rare spring migrant has been
reported. Onshore and in Puget Sound,
unusual numbers of Parasitic Jaegers were
seen through the period, with at least 28
reported, including one-two oft Boiler Bay
25-29 May (PP, TB), three at Bellingham,
WA, 21-30 May (TRW), and one at Bay-
view, Skagit, WA, 31 May (CK).

A Franklin’s Gull at Potholes, Grant, WA,
23 May (PtSu) was the only e. Washington
report, but four in w. Oregon was notable,
with singles near Canby, Clackamas, 5 Apr
(D. Shank, ES) and at Brookings, Curry, 29
Apr (DM), and two at Yaquina Bay, Lincoln,
23 May (DF). A Little Gull at Mann L„
Harney, 22 Apr (DE) was a first s.e. Oregon
record. Other than an adult at Blyn, Clallam,
WA, 20 May (GK), Heermann’s Gulls were
unreported, making quite a contrast with
last spring. The controversial Slaty-backed
Gull near Sequim, WA, remained through 2
Mar (G. Revelas, fBN). At least 24 Glaucous
Gulls, above average for spring, were report¬
ed, primarily from w. Oregon. For the 2nd
consecutive spring Black-legged Kittiwakes
were numerous on both pelagic trips and
along the coast. March/April pelagic trip
counts averaged 120; highs from shore

included 100 at Cape Arago, Coos, OR, 3
Mar (TR) and 35 at O.S. 5 May (TA).
Sabine’s Gulls presented a different picture.
An unusual 54 were observed from shore in
Oregon (m.ob.), but pelagic trip counts
were low (13/trip) until late May, when
300+ were off Westport (P. Anderson). The
peak onshore count was 35 from Cape
Meares, Tillamook, OR, 1 May (T. Love).

Common Terns are rare inland in
spring, but one was at Cassimer Bar, Okano¬
gan, WA, 13 May (TA) and four were at Bas¬
kett Slough N.W.R. 18 May (RG). The
coastal peak count was an exceptional 800 at
O.S. 20 May (TA). Arctic Terns were barely
reported, but three returned to the Everett,
WA, breeding colony 29 May (SM). A Least
Tern at Fernhill Wetlands 6-10 Mar (fHN,
ph., m.ob.) was astonishing for the early
date, inland location, and rarity in the Reg¬
ion; it was Oregon’s 6th (pending O.B.R.C.
review). At least 26 Black Terns were on the
w. side, including eight at E.R.R. (PSh)
where they have nested in the past few years.
Other reports, all from 17 May onward,
were from Fernhill Wetlands (N. Dietrich,
M. Marsh), Mollala, Clackamas, OR (ES),
Baskett Slough N.W.R. (RG), Tangent, Linn,
OR (RG), and Beaver L., Skagit, WA (RF).

Four Parakeet Auklets, the first since
Feb 1997, included two found dead along
the Thiel Cr. beaches, Lincoln, OR, 7-8 Mar
(BLo, RL) and singles off Westport 14 Mar
and 24 Apr (fBT). A imm. Whiskered Auk-
let at Penn Cove, Whidbey I., WA, 16-17
May (fSM, fD. Duffy, fKK) provided the
first well-documented sighting (pending
review by the W.B.R.C.) s. or e. of the Aleut¬
ian Is. Some previous pattern of vagrancy
exists, with 2 records from St. Lawrence I.
(Byrd and Williams 1993, Birds of N. Am.)
and one from Honshu I., Japan, some 700
mi s. of their known range in Asia (Brazil
1991, Birds of Japan). Two Homed Puffin
were found dead along the Thiel Cr. beach¬
es 8 Mar (BLo, RL).

PIGEONS THROUGH FINCHES

A White-winged Dove near Redmond,
King, 19 May was only Washington’s 3rd (tJ.
Meyer). Yellow-billed Cuckoos average
about one per year in Oregon, with most
recent records coming from s.e. vagrant
traps; typical of this pattern was one at Mal¬
heur 31 May (PaSu). Two westside Bur¬
rowing Owls was about average, with birds
e. of Salem to 12 Mar (SD) and at Skagit
W.M.A. 20-21 Mar (T. Nowak). A Great
Gray Owl nest with young near Bonaparte
L., Okanogan, 2 1 May provided a rare Wash¬
ington breeding record (RH). The 2nd Coos

Com. Poorwill was s. of Bandon 26 May
(TR); it breeds only ±50 mi to the s.e., but
vagrant records are few. A concentration of
15,000 Vaux’s Swifts at a Eugene chimney
provides a stunning high count (DH). A
White-throated Swiff near Troutdale, Mult¬
nomah, 2 May was in n.w. Oregon, where
accidental (P. Osburn). Black-chinned
Hummingbirds at Klickitat, Klickitat, WA, 8
May (WC) and at Portland 26 May were w.
of their normal range (HN). Costa’s
Hummingbirds were unrecorded in the
Region prior to 1972, but a couple each year
in s. Oregon has been the norm over the last
decade. This spring one was in Bend 28 Apr
onward (D. Tracy) and another at Grant’s
Pass (DV). Over 20 Calliope Hummingbirds
in the Willamette Valley between late April
and late May was several fold more than
normal; it is usually quite scarce w. of the
Cascades.

Lewis’ Woodpeckers were part of the
irruption of eastside birds, with four in w.
Washington and three in w. Oregon 2
Apr- 12 May (M. Carmody, J. Flynn, J.
Starfire, DBe, TJ, J. Sulzmann, DH, RK).
Acorn Woodpeckers were seen throughout
the spring at their one Washington outpost
near Lyle, Klickitat, with a maximum of
three 21 Mar (WC, SP). Highly unusual
were three Red-naped Sapsuckers, rare w. of
the Cascades, near Ryderwood, Cowlitz, in
late April [fide A. Richards), Mcleary, Grays
Harbor, 20 Apr (M. Storm), and Toledo,
Lincoln, OR, 22 May (DF).

Willow Flycatchers at Jamestown, Clal¬
lam, WA, 8 May (BB) and at Applegate, Jack-
son, OR, 28 Apr (DV) were at least a week
early. A few Least Flycatchers are found
most years e. of the Cascades. This year,,
records included an early arrival at Oroville,
Okanogan,WA, 12 May (TA) and more typ¬
ical reports from Lower Hardy Canyon,
Yakima, WA, 29-31 May (R. Shaw, WC), and
Davenport, Lincoln, WA, 30 May (JA). Gray
Flycatchers, rare-but-annual during spring
in w. Oregon, were at Detroit Flats, Marion,
25 Apr and 21 May (RG). The Eastern
Phoebe in the Coquille Valley, Coos, remain¬
ed until 20 Mar (DL, KC). Say’s Phoebes
were one of the heralds of this season’s inva¬
sion of “eastside birds” w. of the Cascades.
The first appeared in late Feb, and the peak
was in Mar, coinciding with its normal
arrival on the eastside. Overall 3 1 were in w.
Oregon and eight in w. Washington, repre¬
senting a 10-fold increase from the usual
spring. Also, one at Moclips, Grays Harbor,
WA, 1 5 Mar (fide JF) was on the outer coast,
where casual. Western Kingbirds also irrupt¬
ed into the westside, though not in such a

322

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

oregon-washington

dramatic fashion. Nonetheless, 30 at Cape
Blanco, Coos, OR, during late April/early
May was an impressive total (TfW). Eastern
Kingbirds are rare and local w. of the
Cascades, but one at Waldport, Lincoln, OR,
20 May (J. Glover) and another at Cape
Blanco 30 May (TJW) were on the outer
coast, where casual.

A N. Shrike at Weir Prairie, Thurston,
WA, 23 Apr was about 2 weeks late (CK).
One to two Loggerhead Shrikes are typical
for spring w. of the Cascades, but this season
there were six at Spencer I., Snohomish, WA,
28 Mar (SM, JF), Brookings, Curry, OR, 14
Apr (DM), Graysmarsh, Clallam, WA, 18
Apr (S. Atkinson), D.F. (two) 18-29 Apr
(SD), and near Littlerock, Thurston, WA, 5
May (B. Shelmerdine). Six Blue Jays were
reported this spring, a bit above average, but
unusual were four on the westside at Albany,
Linn, OR, 13 Apr (J. Boydenson, JS), Gimple
Hill Rd., Lane, OR, 23 May (fide S. Gordon),
Logan, Clackamas, OR, 25 May (T. Tracy),
and Pt. No Pt., Kitsap, WA, 26 May (VN). A
W. Scrub- Jay at Westport 22 May was on the
Washington outer coast, where rare (PtSu).
The Sky Lark of undetermined subspecies
remained near Sequim until 7 Mar (G.
Toffic).

One-thousand N. Rough-winged Swal¬
lows at Columbia N.W.R., WA, 20 Apr was
an impressive concentration (RF). Moun¬
tain Bluebirds staged a major movement in
w. Washington lowlands during mid- to late
March (m.ob.). Townsend’s Solitaires were
also seen in unusual numbers in w. low¬
lands, and Varied Thrushes were widely
reported as lingering late at low altitudes —
both likely a function of heavy and late
mountain snow pack. Ten thousand Am.
Robins at Ridgefield, Clark, WA, 5 Mar pro¬
vided a high count even for this abundant
species (J. Lewis). Bucking the trend
towards late arrivals, a Swainson’s Thrush at
Skagit W.M.A., WA, 4 Apr (JF, SM) was at
least 2 weeks early. Sage Thrashers, less-
than-annual in w. Oregon and casual in w.
Washington, were at Newport, Lincoln, OR,
26-30 Apr (DF), Oregon City, Clackamas,
OR, 9 May (N. Wallwork), Coos Bay, OR, 19
May (DL, KC), D.F. 21 May (K. Owen), and
along Martin Rd., Skagit, WA, 29 May
(DBe). These vagrants occurred well after
their return to eastside breeding areas, in
distinct contrast with irruptions of Say’s
Phoebes, W. Kingbirds, and Mt. Bluebirds,
wherein the bulk of vagrants coincided with
their return to the eastside. A N. Mock¬
ingbird was in Seattle 29 May (K. Jacobsen);
only a couple are seen annually in w.
Washington.

A well-described Tennessee Warbler at
Washtucna, Adams, 24 Apr (fDR) was
about Washington’s 10th and the earliest for
the Region by almost a month; two in Ore¬
gon, where almost annual on the eastside
but casual on the westside, were at Mt. Pis-
gah, Lane, 15 May (L. Block) and Eugene 22
May (R. Titus). A N. Parula was near John
Day, Grant, OR, 27-29 May (C. Corder, J.
Stevens); there are ±40 Oregon records, but
only a handful away from Harney. A male
Chestnut-sided Warbler was at Malheur
27-31 May and a 2nd was there 28-31 May
(TJ); there are now ±35 Oregon records. A
Magnolia Warbler at Malheur 28 May (DE)
was also about the 35th for Oregon. A
Hermit Warbler at Eugene 4 Apr was 2
weeks early (T&AM). Palm Warblers are
regular winterers on the outer coast, but are
casual in spring elsewhere, so one near
Lebanon, Linn, OR, 8 May was exceptional
(R. Krabbe). Blackpoll Warblers in Harney
this spring, at Frenchglen 22 May (D.
Gutcher) and Malheur 30 May (S. Wright),
were typical. Two Black-and-white Warblers
in Harney was also about normal, with a
female at Malheur 27 May (TJ) and a male
there 28-29 May (TJ). An Ovenbird was on
the outer coast at Cascade Head, Lincoln, 24
May (PP); there are ±40 Oregon records,
many from late May but mostly from s.e.
vagrant traps.

Six late Am. Tree Sparrows at Skagit
W.M.A., WA, 4 Apr (SM) was a good west-
side count. Even later was one at Richland,
Benton, WA, 17 Apr (BW). A Clay-colored
Sparrow at Brookings, Curry, OR, 24 Mar
was either a very early vagrant or had win¬
tered locally (DM). Another there 31 May
was at a more typical date (DM). A 3rd was
at Thornton Cr., Lincoln, OR, 9 Apr-6 May
(DF). Brewer’s Sparrows are annual at D.F.,
but one there 30 Mar was at least 2 weeks
early (SD). Another was on the outer coast
at Bandon, Coos, OR, 23 May, where acci¬
dental (S. McAllister). Lark Sparrows are
rare on the outer coast n. of Curry, so one at
Cascade Head, Lincoln, OR, 24 May was
notable (PP). Black-throated Sparrows are
local and uncommon e. of the Cascades, but
rare to the west. A westside irruption began
in late May, with individuals at Government
I., Multnomah, OR (DE), Yachats, Lincoln,
OR (L. Hemphill), Mt. Pisgah (PSh), and
Carnation, King, WA (SP). Previous irrup¬
tions to the westside have also occurred in
late May/early June.

There are fewer than 20 w. Oregon
records of Sage Sparrow, so one at Detroit
Flats 26 Mar was notable (SD). A Lark Bunt¬
ing near Medford, Jackson, 27 Apr-4 May

(DK), the earliest in spring by over 2 weeks,
was about Oregon’s 21st. A “Red” Fox
Sparrow was reported from D.F. 18 Apr
(SD). A “Sooty” Fox Sparrow was 2 weeks
late in Seattle 18 May (TA). A Swamp Spar¬
row at Detroit Flats 8 May (SD) was at least
3 weeks late, and apparently a northbound
migrant; though a number are found each
winter, spring migrants are scarce. The good
winter for White-throated Sparrows trans¬
lated into a good spring, with the most
noteworthy being one at Seattle 16-17 May,
at least 2 weeks late (TA, D. Garcia). Golden-
crowned Sparrows stayed weeks late on the
westside (m.ob.), and were unusually
numerous in e. Washington (BW), includ¬
ing one at Davenport, Lincoln, 6 May, where
less than annual (JA). A Lapland Longspur
at Ocean Shores 22 May was also late (SRi).
More Lazuli Buntings than usual were
found w. of the Cascades, including one at
Port Angeles, WA, 29 May on the Olympic
Pen., where casual (T. Drake). Rose-breasted
Grosbeaks, rare-but-regular in Oregon,
were at Hunter Cr., Curry, 18 May (G.
Sevey) and Eagle Pt., Jackson, 17 May (V.
Christensen).

A colony of Tricolored Blackbirds last
summer near Wilson Cr., Grant, provided
Washington’s first record. At least five
returned there 7 May (RF), and one-three
others were at Othello, Adams, 30 May (fBT,
fSM); 400 at Powell Butte, Deschutes, 9 Mar
provided a remarkable Oregon high count
(J. Meredith). Yellow-headed Blackbird
numbers were well above normal on the
westside, including three on the outer coast,
where barely annual, at Pony Slough, Coos, 1
May (TR), Gearhart, Clatsop, 8 May (S.
Hagen), and Coos Bay 23 May (TR). Great¬
tailed Grackles arrived in s.e. Oregon ca.
1980 and have been regular since in May
and June, but failed to expand further into
our Region. This spring there were five, all
in Harney, with one at Fields 14 May (M)
and 3 there 30 May (GL, JG), and one at
Malheur 29-30 May (B. Griffin). Common
Grackles at LaGrande, Union, 1-6 May (J.
Hart) and Fields 21 May (M) were about the
20th and 21st for Oregon, about half of
which are from May.

A male Baltimore Oriole in Echo Valley,
Chelan, 31 May (fVN) was only Washing¬
ton’s 3rd, and the first since 1987! Two were
in Oregon at Mt. Vernon and John Day 18
Apr- 18 May (ph., A. Frost, T. Winters) and
Malheur 29-31 May (JG, GL, PaSu); there
were ±26 previous Oregon records, but only
two since 1992. Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches
are not annual to w. lowlands, so 10 at Pt.
Roberts, Whatcom, WA, 13-16 Apr were a

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

323

surprise (K. Irvine, B. Bell). Six Purple
Finches at W.E. Johnson Park, Benton, 10
Mar (BW) were rare in the Columbia Basin.
A White-winged Crossbill at O.S. 25 May
(P.W. Smith) was on the outer coast, where
accidental. Lesser Goldfinches in
Washington are well established only in
Klickitat, so one at Richland, Benton, 1-26
Mar was a good find (BW).

ADDENDUM

King s first Upland Sandpiper, at Seattle 18
Aug 1998 (TA), was inadvertently left out of
last fall’s column.

EXOTICS

Two Mute Swans were at Poulsbo, Kitsap,
WA, 1 1 Mar (I. Paulsen). An apparently pure
Am. Black Duck at Everett 3 1 May may be
all that remains of this introduced popula¬
tion (SM). The Monk Parakeet colony at the
Portland Airport still held 10 birds 14 Mar
(S. Orlowski).

Initialed observers (subregional editors in
boldface): Jim Acton, Tom Aversa, Range
Bayer ( Lincoln , OR), David Beaudette
(Dbe), Thais Bock (Tacoma area), Bob
Boekelheide, Wilson Cady, Kathleen Castle-
in, Alan Contreras, Marcia Cutler, Mike &
Merry Lynn Denny, Colin Dillingham
(Curry), Steve Dowlan, Joe Engler, Duncan
Evered, Darrel Faxon, Robert Flores, Roy
Gerig, Jeff Gilligan, Greg Gillson, Dan
Heyerly, Randy Hill, Matt Hunter, David
Irons, Tim Janzen, Stuart Johnston, Craig
Kemper, Merlene Koliner (Clarkston area),
Ray Korpi, Gene Kridler, Bruce Labar, Bill &
Nancy LaFramboise, Dave Lauten, Gerard
Lillie, Bob Loeffel (Bio), Roy Lowe, Maitreya
(M), Alan McGie, Larry McQueen, Allison
& Tom Mickel (Lane), Steve Mlodinow,
Don Munson, Harry Nehls (w. Oregon), Vic
Nelson, Bob Norton, Roger Orness, Mike
Patterson, Bob Pease, Steve Pink, Phil
Pickering, Scott Richardson (SRi), Roger
Robb (RRb), Dennis Rockwell, Tim Roden-
kirk, Russell Rogers (Washington), Paul
Sherrell (PSh), Jamie Simmons, Elmer
Specht, Patrick Sullivan (PtSu), Paul Sulli¬
van (PaSu) (eastern Oregon), Bill Tice
(BTi), Todd Thornton, Dennis Vroman,
Terry J. Wahl, Terry R. Wahl, Bob Woodley.

Bill Tweit, P.0. Box 1271, Olympia, WA
98507, and Gerard Lillie, 329 SE Gilham,
Portland, OR 97215 (gerardl@teleport.com),
and Steve Mlodinow, 4819 Gardner Ave.,
Everett, WA 98203 (SGMIod@aol.com)

DON ROBERSON, STEPHEN C.
R0TTENB0RN, SCOTT B. TERRILL,
and DANIEL S. SINGER

a Nina replaced El Nino, after the brief¬
est of “normal” times, and the spring
was characterized by strong winds and un¬
settled weather. Rough seas during much of
the period restricted offshore birding,
although these same conditions brought
high numbers of typically pelagic species
inshore. It was during such gales that a
Short-tailed Albatross was recorded from
shore for the first time in 100 years!

Landbird migration along the coast was
generally considered late. It did not affect
March-arriving species, but April-May
migrants (small flycatchers, thrushes) were
often two weeks tardy. In mid-May the dam
broke and migrants poured through coastal
and Central Valley pathways. Banders at Big
Sur River mouth, Monterey, broke many
records, including 83 Yellow-breasted Chats
(with 17 on 18 May; banded birds here
should be credited to the Big Sur Orni¬
thology Lab). Numerous wintering water-
fowl stayed late, and many feeders had lin¬
gering Zonotrichia sparrow into May.

Abbreviations: C.B.R.C. (California Bird Rec¬
ords Committee); C.V. (Central Valley); F.l.

(Southeast Farallon !.); N.S. (National Seashore)]
S.F. (San Francisco); R.S. (Regional Shoreline);
S.R. (State Reserve); W.A. (Wildlife Area).
Reports of exceptional vagrants submitted with¬
out documentation are normally not published.
These include C.B.R.C. review species and
claims of first county records.

LOONS THROUGH PELICANS

The Yellow-billed Loon wintering off Pacific
Grove, Monterey, was last seen 27 Mar (RT).
Single Pacific Loons at L. Mendocino, Men¬
docino, 27 Mar (GEC) and Shoreline L.,
Mountain View, Santa Clara, 23 May (C&C
Wolfe) were rare inland in spring. Appar¬
ently brought inshore by persistent strong
NW winds, a juv. Short-tailed Albatross be¬
tween Pebble Beach and Pt. Pinos 1 May
(tCHo, JTz, tBHl, fDHpt), 9 May (fTLo),
and 10 May (fDR, RC) was the first seen
from shore in Monterey in more than a cen¬
tury and the 4th Regional record in 8
months. If populations continue to increase,
this species may again become a regular vis¬
itor to the e. Pacific. Sixty Black-footed
Albatrosses seen from Pt. Pinos 1 May (GEt)
exceeded all previous onshore counts,
attesting to the effects of strong onshore
winds on pelagic birds. Dark Pterodroma
seen during high winds included one on
Monterey Bay, Monterey, 7 Apr (RT) and

324

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

one identified as Murphy’s Petrel from Pt.
Reyes, Marin, 8 May (RS). Single Manx
Shearwaters at Pigeon Pt., San Mateo, 20
Mar and 21 May (fRSTh) and w. of Pt.
Pinos 15 May (DLSh) provided a good
spring showing. The last Black-vented
Shearwater was at Pigeon Pt. 9 Apr (RSTh),
a typical “departure” date. The imm. Brown
Pelican at the S. Wilbur Flood Area, Kings,
since Sep 1998 was last seen 30 Mar (RH,
LkC, DR, RC).

HERONS THROUGH RAPTORS

A calling Am. Bittern at Adobe Valley 12
May (P. Benham) and two at Benton Hot
Springs 26 May (I. Fatooh) furnished rare
spring records for Mono. Up to four Least
Bitterns were calling at Cosumnes R. Pre¬
serve, Sacramento, 8-21 May (JTr, JSL). An
ad. Little Blue Heron at Concord Naval
Weapons Station 5 May (fSCR) was Contra
Costa’s 3rd. Late herons made news at Pt.
Sur, Monterey, where a vernal pool hosted
two Great and a Snowy egret 29 May, and a
rare coastal Least Bittern 31 May-4 Jun (ad.
male; JBo, SFB, RC et al.), but these were
outclassed by Monterey’s first and the Reg¬
ion’s 4th Tricolored Heron 24 May-2 Jun
(JBo, ph. fDR, SFB, m.ob.). Two mostly
grayish egrets amongst a group of Cattle
Egrets along Santa Fe Grade, Merced, 18 Apr
(ph. ASH, ph. MEa) were apparently
melanistic. White-faced Ibis along the n.
coast included 23 at Tyee City, Humboldt,
16 May (KI) and 12 over Ft. Bragg 23 May
(GjH, JEH; Mendocino’s 3rd).

Of the Arctic-nesting geese, very late
records included Greater White-fronteds at
Clear Lake Res., Shasta, 30 May (two; BY,
CY) and Lewiston Res., Trinity, 31 May
(SMcA), and a Snow lingering near Caspar,
Mendocino, 1 Mar-31 May (m.ob.). A male
Garganey at Cosumnes R. Preserve 7 Mar
(t JTr) was Sacramento’s first and the Reg¬
ion’s earliest. Two of Lake’s Tufted Ducks on
Borax L. stayed until 20 Mar (LkC). Mi¬
grants were at O’Neill Forebay, Merced, 21
Mar (KW), Lakeville sewage ponds, Sono¬
ma, 26 Mar (DN), and Las Gallinas ponds,
Marin, 28 Mar (RS, GGf). Eighteen Greater
Scaup at Crittenden Marsh, Santa Clara, 18
May (SCR) were late for such a concentra¬
tion. A male Harlequin Duck on the
Feather R. 6 May (R. Dimick) may repre¬
sent a first for Plumas. Ten Long-tailed
Ducks were between Santa Cruz and Men¬
docino 1 1 Apr-23 May.

Two territorial N. Goshawks near Goat
Mt., Colusa, 29 May were from an area with
few reports (KW, JSL). Migrant Broad¬
winged Hawks were at Redwood Shores,

San Mateo, 14 Apr (RSTh) and over Meder
Canyon 16 Apr, a spring first for Santa Cruz
(SG). A Swainson’s Hawk, rare along the
coast, was over the Santa Cruz/San Mateo
line 16 Apr (DLSu). A Ferruginous Hawk
over Cone Peak 1 May was Monterey’s latest
(JCS, SBT, SRv). Remarkable news from
Humboldt involved 2 pairs of Peregrine
Falcons nesting in dead-topped redwoods
on private timberland in May (DFx).

CRANES THROUGH SHOREBIRDS

“Thousands” of Sandhill Cranes were on a
trans-Sierran flight over Foresthill, Placer,
17 Mar (R. Wachs), following two over
lone, Amador, 14 Mar (MFRb). Basic-
plumaged Am. Golden-Plovers at Lower
Klamath N.W.R., Siskiyou, 28 Mar (RE) and
Coyote Pt., San Mateo, 10-16 Apr (fRSTh)
were our earliest ever. “Rare-inland” shore-
birds such as Ruddy Turnstone, Red Knot,
and Short-billed Dowitcher were reported
in above-average numbers. Twenty-nine
Solitary Sandpipers (19 coastally) far
exceeded expectations, including Trinity’s
first at Hayfork 6 May (GSL), Amador’s first
at lone 9 May (fMFRb), and King’s 2nd
near Lemoore 20 Apr (LkC, RH, DR, JSy).
Two Wandering Tattlers, very rare in the
C.V., were at Stockton sewage ponds, Saw
Joaquin, 26-27 May (DGY). Fifty-one Red
Knots at agricultural ponds in s.w. Kings 14
May were more than quadruple the high
count during 5+ years of surveys (JSy).
Four of five Semipalmated Sandpipers were
inland. A Baird’s Sandpiper at Colusa
N.W.R., Colusa, 1 May (BDW) furnished
the only report, while three Pectoral Sand¬
pipers was above average and included a
first spring record for Santa Clara in Alviso
20-26 Apr (fSCR, BR1, FV). Also rare in
spring were Stilt Sandpipers in Areata,
Humboldt, 13 Apr (KI) and Sunnyvale,
Santa Clara, 17-20 Apr (BRl, FV).

GULLS

An ad. Laughing Gull flew by Pt. Pinos 1
May (fTLo, GEt). The 20 Apr-30 May
coastal passage of Franklin’s Gulls tripled
previous record highs, with 20 adults in San
Mateo, 21 (16 adults, 5 first-year birds) in
Santa Cruz, and 10 adults elsewhere from
Monterey to Del Norte. Whereas most San
Mateo birds were flying n. along the coast,
all but two of the Santa Cruz birds made
brief stopovers to forage in agricultural
fields, as noted in previous years (DLSu).
Inland migrants included two adults at
Modoc N.W.R. 28 Apr (RLR) and one at
Mono L. 23 May ( fide B. Miller). Two over¬
wintering immatures at the Stockton, San

Joaquin, sewage ponds until 30 Apr (DGY,
GEC) completed inland reports.

Five or six Little Gulls bested the previ¬
ous high (in any season) of four. A basic
adult in Davis 10-12 Mar (SCH), Yolo’s first,
was followed closely by one (the same?) at
the Stockton sewage ponds 15 Mar (DGY,
SAb, BWb, ph. WEH). The Stockton bird
acquired alternate plumage in April and was
joined by a 2nd-year individual 14 Apr- 12
May (DGY, v.t. LLu), with one bird remain¬
ing until 13 May (WRH). At the San
Jose-Santa Clara Water Pollution Control
Plant, Santa Clara, an alternate adult 21 Apr
(fSCR) was followed by a first-winter bird
28 Apr (fSBT). Last was a first-year bird at
Pigeon Pt. 21 May (fRSTh).

At least 4 nesting pairs of Heermann’s
Gulls at Roberts L., Seaside, provided
Monterey’s first breeding record (fSFB, ph.
DR, m.ob.). Three pairs were incubating or
nest-building on an islet 26 Apr, and all 3
pairs had chicks by 7 Jun. A 4th nest had an
egg 13 May but was on a mainland levee
and failed. Eight chicks fledged in early July,
establishing California’s first successful
breeding record. Previous nestings failed at
Alcatraz Is., San Francisco , Afio Nuevo I.,
San Mateo, and Shell Beach, San Luis Obis¬
po. Not only was the habitat used by the
Seaside birds (small islands in a pond) un¬
usual, but this record was even less expect¬
ed during a cold-water “La Nina” season.
Details will be published elsewhere.

King’s first Glaucous-winged Gull, a first-
year bird, was at the S. Wilbur Flood Area
22-27 Mar (LkC, ph. DR). Thirty-four
Glaucous Gulls along the coast and around
S.F. Bay doubled previous spring highs and
nearly equaled the winter total. Concen¬
trations of four at Half Moon Bay, San Mat¬
eo, 5 Mar (RSTh) and five in Fremont, Ala¬
meda, 27 Mar (MMR) were unusual. High
spring numbers resulted from both a large
winter influx and their late departure (Feb¬
ruary is more typical). A remarkable seven
lingered into May, with one present at Bald¬
win Cr. Beach, Santa Cruz, until 9 Jun
(DLSu). The only inland report was from
San Luis Res., Merced, 18-22 Mar (J. Fulton).

An unprecedented nearshore passage of
Black-legged Kittiwakes brought tens of
thousands to the c. coast (e.g., more than
28,000 reported from San Mateo alone; fide
PJM). The highest counts, such as 7400 at
Pigeon Pt. 20 Mar (RSTh), 4800 at Pacific
Grove 3 Apr (SCR), and 5100 at Pigeon Pt.
9 May (BS), occurred during or shortly
after strong n.w. winds. Regardless of wind
conditions, thousands remained inshore
from March to mid-May, with 1050 still at

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

325

Pigeon Pt. 19 May (PJM). As in previous
years of major nearshore spring passages,
hundreds of immatures lingered along the
c. coast well into June. Although strong up-
welling produced abundant food in typical
offshore foraging areas (L. Spear pers.
comm.), perhaps enhanced foraging condi¬
tions favored persistence in nearshore areas.

TERMS THROUGH ALCIDS

Elegant Terns arrived at Pigeon Pt. 9 May
(BS) and Capitola Beach, Santa Cruz, 12
May (DLSu). An Arctic Tern returned 26
Apr (RJR) to summer at Hayward R.S., Ala¬
meda, for the 6th consecutive year. The
main overland route used by waterbirds
crossing the Santa Cruz Mts. between Mon¬
terey Bay and S.F. Bay hosted an unusual
concentration of 820 Forster’s Terns and
two ad. Com. Terns, the first seen using this
route, 12 May (DFSu). Although this flyway
is assumed to be used by most Least Terns
breeding in S.F. Bay (e.g., two on 17 Apr;
DLSu), one strayed N along the coast to
Pigeon Pt. 19 May (PJM).

The Black Skimmer flock in Mountain
View peaked at 12 birds 13 Mar (MDo) but
dwindled to four by late May ( WGB). Three
to seven were in Santa Cruz, where one 27
Apr and two 12 May over Capitola provid¬
ed the first spring records using the Santa
Cruz Mts. flyway (DLSu). Elsewhere, singles
were at Elkhorn Slough, Monterey, 9 & 30
Apr (YG, AB), two were at Gazos Cr.
mouth, San Mateo, 4 May (DLSu), and one
was at Hayward R.S. 19-23 May (ES). Two
Ancient Murrelets on Monterey Bay 28 May
(RT) were very late. Two Horned Puffins
dead at Pt. Reyes N.S., Marin, 13 Mar {fide
LHu) were the only reported.

NIGHTJARS

THROUGH FLYCATCHERS

Two Lesser Nighthawks at Big Sur R. mouth,
Monterey, 22-31 May (CHo, fSRv) and one
netted at Wilder Ranch S.P., Santa Cruz, 28
May (JND) were coastal rarities. A promi¬
nent late May swift migration included va¬
grant Chimneys at Big Sur R. mouth 22
May-2 Jun (fCHo, fSRv, m.ob.) and at Por-
tola Valley, San Mateo, 14 May (two; tP(M).
Five May nests of Black-chinned Humming¬
bird in Roseville, Placer, were in ornamental
redwoods (BDW), an unexpected stratum.
Pioneering Costa’s Hummingbird males
reached Siskiyou along the Shasta R. 25
Mar- 14 Apr (RE) and a Shasta Valley feeder
in May ( R&J Russell, RE et al.). The ad. male
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at L. Mendocino,
Mendocino, stayed until 27 Mar (GEC). Last
year’s Pileated Woodpecker pair [see cover

Townsend's Solitaires are rare coastal
migrants in spring, so this one in Pacific
Grove, 15 May 1999, was unexpected.
Photograph/Don Roberson

Field Notes 52(4)] was again present on
Table Mt., Santa Clara (D. Lewis et al.), but
no nest was found. One along Rayhouse Rd.
in n.w. Yolo 5 May (JMHu, DGY et al.) was
at the foothill limits.

Migration by Contopus and Empidonax
flycatchers was delayed, with many areas
reporting “latest ever” arrivals. First county
records for migrant Gray Flycatchers were
achieved at Sacramento N.W.R., Glenn, 19
May (fSAG) and Goat Mt., Colusa/Lake, 29
May (fKW, JSL). The wintering E. Phoebe
at Shady Oaks Park in San Jose, Santa Clara,
remained to 14 Mar (MJM) and the winter¬
ing Thick-billed Kingbird in Half Moon
Bay, San Mateo, stayed to 7 Mar (KH). An E.
Kingbird was at Shasta Valley W.A., Siskiyou,
27 May (RE). An unexpected Scissor-tailed
Flycatcher flew fry Elkhorn Slough, Mon¬
terey, 6 Apr (|C. Dierolf).

VIREOS THROUGH WARBLERS

A Plumbeous Vireo at Hayward R.S., Alame¬
da, 24 May (RJR) was a first there. The only
Red-eyed Vireo was in Trinidad, Humboldt,

29 May (KI). Two Bank Swallows at lone 2
May (fMFRb) may represent an Amador
first. A Rock Wren in n.e. Kings 20 Apr (RH
et al.) was rare on the C.V. floor, but anoth¬
er at Trinity L., Trinity, 27 May (K. Goetz)
was at a possible nesting location. A Winter
Wren on the w. shore of Mono L„ Mono, 23
Mar-13 Apr (B. Miller) was exceptional.
Illustrating the late spring were Ruby-
crowned Kinglets in lowlands at Tilden
Park, Contra Costa, 22 May (ES) and Pom-
ponio Cr. Road, San Mateo, 31 May (RSTh).
Townsend’s Solitaires visited unlikely locales
on the C.V. floor at Lodi Lakes, San Joaquin,

30 Apr (DGY) and Cosumnes R. Preserve 22
May (JTr), and were unexpected coastal
backyard treats in McKinleyville, Humboldt,

1 Mar (GSL, LPL) and Pacific Grove,
Monterey, 14-16 May (ph. DR, RC, m.ob.).
Another in Frank Raines Park 1 May (KW)
was only the 2nd for Stanislaus.

Sage Thrashers were coastward vagrants
at Coyote Pt., San Mateo, 7 May (RSTh),
Clam Beach, Humboldt, 27 May (JEH,
SMcA), and Crescent City, Del Norte, 25

May (J. Rooney, M. Morgan). One along
Foothill Rd. 20 Mar (fR. Redmond, fM.
Skram, fW. B. Augur) was a Tehama first.
Also of note were one in e. San Joaquin 14
Mar (WRH), two in Merced Mar-Apr (KW,
JSL), and one at Comanche Res., Calaveras,
1 1 Apr (MFRb). Up to 140 Bohemian Wax-
wings were watched by snowshoed observ¬
ers at Martis Creek W.A., Placer, 27 Feb-13
Mar (BWb, CLu, LLu et al.), but one at
Coyote Pt., San Mateo, 7 May (RSTh) was
anomalous.

It was a sparse spring for eastern or
southwestern warblers. The best were a
singing Golden-winged near Areata, Hum¬
boldt, 29 May (fKMS), a Virginia’s at Big Sur
R. mouth 17-18 May ( JBo, DR), a Magnolia
at Fish Slough, Mono, 26 May (fj. Fatooh),
and a Hooded at Hayward R.S., Alameda, 17
May (RJR). A singing male N. Parula return¬
ed to Big Sur R. mouth 13 May (RbF) where
a pair nested last year; vagrants were at
Crannell, Humboldt, 30 May (KI), Pt. Reyes
28 May (LHu, fES), and Oasis, Mono, 29
May (V&A Howe). A male Blackpoll Warb¬
ler was at Pt. Reyes 22 May (LLu, CLu).
Rounding out “eastern” warblers were a
Tennessee, four Palms, six Black-and-whites
[including one inland at Fremont, Alameda,
27 Mar (J. Buffa)], and an overwintering N.
Waterthrush at Areata to 1 1 Apr ( JTz). Sur¬
prisingly, not a single Am. Redstart was
reported! A male Com. Yellowthroat was
unusual at Chester, Plumas, 4 May (HG,
PDG); good numbers in Adobe Valley,
Mono, 12 May (P. Benham) might presage
nesting, which is unknown here.

SPARROWS

Vagrant Green-tailed Towhees reached
Belmont, San Mateo, 12 Apr (RSTh) and Pt.
Reyes 22-23 May (LLu, CLu). Adding to the
winter’s Clay-colored Sparrows were birds
at Areata, Humboldt, 9 Mar (G. Bloomfield),
Rohnert Park, Sonoma, 5 Mar (CCb), and
singing at Belmont 25 May (RSTh). A lost
Brewer’s Sparrow was at Elk Head, Hum¬
boldt, 31 May (RS, fGGf, CLu, LLu) and two
more were singing on the Sierran w. slope
near Auburn, Placer, 22 May (DR, RC).

Grasshopper Sparrows are widespread
but patchy in distribution. Previously un¬
known territories were found in Dye Cr.
Preserve, Tehama, 26 May (BED) and near
Milton 28 Mar-26 May, perhaps a Calaveras
first (fSAG, JSL). A Swamp Sparrow band¬
ed at Beach L., Sacramento, 14 May (TDM,
ph. S. Wright) was totally unexpected.
White-throated Sparrows lingered very late
in many yards, including to 1 1 May at King
City, Monterey (J&HBa), and to 13 May at

326

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

middle pacific coast

As highlighted 2 years ago, the
spring/summer of 1997 “was a
very good year” for Black-chinned and
Black- throated sparrows ( Field Notes
51:925,1051), a phenomenon repeated
this season. Not only did Black-
chinneds frequent many irregularly
tenanted locales (n. to Gunsight Ridge,
Siskiyou ; RE), but a half-dozen took up
territories on talus slopes along
Mosquito Ridge Rd., Placer , after 16
May (SAG, m.ob.), pushing their range
farther north on the Sierran w. slope.
Presumed migrants, rarely detected,
were in Del Puerto Canyon, Stanislaus,

25 Apr (JHG), L. Tabeaud, Amador, 22
May (MFRb), and Cachagua, Mon¬
terey, 28 May (CHo). Black-throated
Sparrows are usually restricted to lower
deserts e. of the Sierran divide, but w.
slope males near Quincy 27 May (first
for Plumas; fHG, PDG), near Auburn,
Placer, 22 May (DR, RC) with a female
present 23 May (BWb), and in Crystal
Basin, El Dorado, 4 Jun (WEH). Most
outlandish was one singing at Westport
24-25 May, a first for Mendocino (fK.
Swenson).

Surpassing the foothill anomalies
was the invasion of at least 38 Lark
Buntings in the C.V. and w. foothill val¬
leys. From north to south were two in
Colusa 30 Apr (C. Morris, J. Buffa), a
singing male in Sutter 16 Apr (C. Walk¬
er), up to three in Placer 9 Mar-7 May
(TEa, BWb et ah), two in Yolo 1 1 Apr-4
May (BDW, JMHu et al.), a flock of 17
on Crabtree Rd., Stanislaus, 1-14 May
(JHG et al.), up to 10 in Panoche Valley,
San Benito, 29 Apr-23 May (DLSh), a
female in Madera 2 Mar (MiF), a
singing male e. of King City, Monterey,

1 May (JCS, SBT, SRv), and an alternate
male in Kings 30 Mar (JSL, KW).

McKinleyville, Humboldt (GSL). A scarce
Siskiyou migrant was at Tule Lake N.W.R.
1-6 May (RE), and a vagrant was singing at
Bayside, Humboldt, 1 Jun (JCP, DFx).

LONGSPURS THROUGH FINCHES

Pairs of spring migrant Lapland Longspurs,
rarely detected, were flying N over Tar Can¬
yon, Kings, 30 Mar (KW, JSL), and Gazos
Cr. mouth 3 Apr (RSTh). The wintering
Chestnut-collared Longspur in San Jose,
Santa Clara, remained to 22 Mar (SCR).
There were nine coastal Rose-breasted
Grosbeaks in May from Humboldt to Mon¬
terey, plus a male at Hayward R.S., Alameda,

25 May (RJR). Blue Grosbeaks in new terri¬
tories included five at Dye Cr. Preserve 26
May (BED), three at Ed Levin Park, Santa
Clara, from 25 Apr (MMR, AME et al.), and
a female near (enny Lind 26 May ( t JSL; per¬
haps a Calaveras first). It was a poor spring
for Indigo Buntings, with only three along
the n. coast, including Mendocino’s 3rd
along Hwy. 253 29-31 May (fK. K. Carter,
fRJK et al.).

Now expected in spring, Yellow-headed
Blackbirds wandered w. of the C.V. in fair
numbers [e.g., up to 86 in Alviso, Santa
Clara, 7-14 May (K. J. Fowler, MMR et al.)].
Up to 13 from 14—25 Apr (SAG) were the
first spring individuals in e. Contra Costa
since nesting there early in the century.
Birds were n. to L. Cleone, Mendocino, 28
Apr (T. Sholars), Areata bottoms, Hum¬
boldt, 15 May (S. Morrissette), and Ft. Dick,
Del Norte, 8-16 May (ADB, JEH, GjH). A
female Rusty Blackbird was a huge surprise
near Honey L., Lassen, 4 Apr ( ph. tJTz, E.
Elias, G. Ziegler). Common Crackles, a
C.B.R.C. review species, were in s.w. Kings 1
Mar (male; tJSy) and Modoc N.W.R. ,
Modoc, 29 May (female banded; tRLR).

The drumbeat of Great-tailed Grackles
invading our Region became a full-fledged
marching band. Nesting activity was
observed in Kings (10+ birds; LkC et al.),
Madera (2 males, 3 females; LkC), Monterey
(one male, 2 females; SFB, DR, RC), and
Placer (colony; G. Ewing). Coastal or Bay
Area vagrants were at Pt. Sur, Monterey,
19-20 May (JBo), Capitola, Santa Cruz 31
May-1 Jun (M. Tindle, DLSu), Almaden L.
Park, Santa Clara, 17 Apr (FV et al.), Sha¬
dow Cliffs Park, Alameda, after 1 1 May
(pair; JMR, m.ob.), and Usal Cr., Mendo¬
cino, 30 May (M. Ray). In the n. C.V., the
first Colusa record was a male at Delevan
N.W.R. 15 Apr (BDW). A vagrant Orchard
Oriole was at Big Sur R. mouth 24 May
(fDR). Hooded Orioles found new C.V.
and lower foothill territories in Milton,
Calaveras (JSL), lone (MFRb), Roseville,
Placer (5 pairs; BDW), and Redding, Shasta
(B8cCY).

A singing Cassin’s Finch was a C.V. sur¬
prise at Lodi L., San Joaquin, 28 Mar
(DGY). Lawrence’s Goldfinches were wide¬
spread, including a few on the coast and
C.V. floor [e.g., pairs at Caswell S.P., San
Joaquin, 25 Apr (CLu) and at Modesto,
Stanislaus, 25 Apr (HMR)]. One was n. to
Yreka, Siskiyou, 26 May (RE). Evening
Grosbeaks in coastal mountains of Hum¬
boldt and Santa Cruz were expected, but six
in a Petaluma, Sonoma, yard 12 Apr (A.
Wight) were not.

EXOTICS

A pair of Nutmeg Mannikins ( Lonchura
punctulata) nested in Almaden L. Park,
Santa Clara, 10 Mar-17 Apr (B. Eklund,
BBrr, JMa), but with luck they will not
spread as they have in coastal s. California.

Cited observers (county coordinators bold¬
faced) : Steve Abbott, Stephen F. Bailey, Jim
8c Helen Banks, Alan D. Barron, Bruce
Barrett, William G. Bousman, Jim Booker,
Penelope K. Bowen, Rita Carratello,
George E. Chaniot, Luke Cole, Chris
Corben, Hugh Cotter, Jeff N. Davis, Bruce
E. Deuel, Matthew Dodder, Mark Eaton,
Graham Etherington, Todd Easterla, Alan
M. Eisner, Ray Ekstrom, Mike Feighner,
George Finger, David Fix, Rob Fowler,
James H. Gain, Steve Gerow, Yohn Gideon,
Steve A. Glover, Helen Green, Paul D.
Green, George Griffiths, Steve C. Hampton,
Keith Hansen, Rob Hansen, W. Ed Harper,
Dave Haupt, Gjon Hazard, Bill Hill, Craig
Hohenberger, Waldo R. Holt, Lisa Hug,
John E. Hunter, Ken Irwin, Al Jaramillo,
Robert J. Keiffer, Robin L.C. Leong, Gary
S. Lester, Lauren P. Lester, Cindy Lieurance,
Leslie Lieurance, Tom Lowe, John S. Luther,
Michael J. Mammoser, Timothy D.
Manolis, John Mariani, Sean McAllister,
Peter J. Metropulos, Dan Nelson, Jude
Claire Power, Robert Redmond, Harold M.
Reeve, Bob Reiling, Jean M. Richmond,
Robert J. Richmond, Michael F. Robbins,
Don Roberson, Michael M. Rogers, Ste¬
phen C. Rottenborn, Steve Rovell, Ruth A.
Rudesill, Ronnie L. Ryno, Barry Sauppe,
Jeff Seay, Debra L. Shearwater, Keith M.
Slauson, Rich Stallcup, John C. Sterling,
Emilie Strauss, David L. Suddjian, Richard
Ternullo, Scott B. Terrill, Ron S. Thorn, Jim
Tietz, John Trochet, Frank Vanslager, Kent
Van Vuren, Chuck E. Vaughn, Bruce Webb,
Jerry R. White, Brian D. Williams, Adam
Winer, David G. Yee, Bob & Carol Yutzy.
Many more observers were not specifically
cited, but all are appreciated.

Scott B. Terrill and Stephen C.
Rottenborn (Loons to Frigatebirds, Larids to
Alcids), H.T. Harvey & Associates, P.0. Box 1180,
Alviso, CA 95002 (rottenbo@pacbell.net),
Daniel S. Singer (Herons to Shorebirds), c/o
Arroyo & Coates, 500 Washington St., Ste. 700,
San Francisco, CA 94111 (dsg@isp.net), and
Don Roberson (Doves to Finches), 282
Grove Acre Ave., Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(creagrus@montereybay.com)

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

327

southern

region

GUY MCCASKIE

It was generally a colder and windier
spring than normal, especially so along
the coast, thanks to the strong La Nina
event. The movement of waterbirds
through southern California was somewhat
uneventful, with no major rarities found.
Arrival dates for some summer visitors
were early, but these were exceptions. Most
observers commented on the late arrival of
most summer visitors, but were over¬
whelmed by the numbers of migrants
throughout the Region. Along the coast the
largest push of migrants came through a bit
later than average (1-10 May rather than 25
Apr-5 May), with substantial numbers still
coming through at the end of May. The
same was true in the eastern portion of the
Region, with some of the largest numbers
of migrant landbirds ever seen around the
Salton Sea in May (MAP) and 6000
migrants passing through Butterbredt
Springs in Kern on the late date of 19 May
(MTH). Vagrants were scarcer than expect¬
ed along the coast, but almost all of the
“low-end” vagrants (species seen multiple
times annually) were found in above-aver¬
age numbers in eastern Kern along with an
extensive number of “high-end” rarities,
many occurring in June (see the Summer
report).

Abbreviations: C.L. (China L. Naval Air
Weapons Station, extreme ne. Kern Co.); F.C.R.
(Furnace Cr. Ranch, Death Valley Nat'l Park,
Inyo Co.); G.H.P. (Galileo Hill Park in extreme e.
Kern Co.); I.M.P.P. (Iron Mt. Pumping Plant in

pacific coast

s.e. San Bernardino Co.); N.E.S.S. (n. end of the
Salton Sea, Riverside Co.); S.B.C.M. (San
Bernardino County Museum); S.D.N.H.M. (San
Diego Natural History Museum); S.E.S.S. (s. end
of the Salton Sea, Imperial Co.); S.F.K.R.P. (S.
Fork Kern River Preserve near Weldon, Kern
Co.); + (through 31 May). Because virtually all
rarities in s. California are seen by many
observers, only the observer(s) initially finding
and identifying the bird are included.
Documentation for species on the California
Bird Records Committee (C.B.R.C.) review list is
forwarded to the C.B.R.C. Secretary (Michael M.
Rogers, PO. Box 340, Moffett Field, CA 94035-
0340) and archived at the W. Foundation for
Vertebrate Zoology, Camarillo.

LOONS THROUGH HERONS

A Pacific Loon near Seeley, Imperial , 14
May (GMcC) was a migrant moving n.
through the interior. The peak movement
of Com. Loons through the interior appear¬
ed to be during the 3rd week of April, as
suggested by 17 at C.L. 22 Apr (MTH) and
four near Big Pine, Inyo, 24 Apr (T&JH).

Northern Fulmars were exceptionally
scarce in s. California waters, with two 28
Apr being the only ones seen from Pt.
Piedras Blancas, San Luis Obispo, during
full-time observations from that location
throughout the period ( RR). A Flesh-footed
Shearwater, rare in s. California waters, was
off Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo, 23 May
(GPS). A Manx Shearwater, a species prov¬
ing to be regular in small numbers off the c.
coast of California, was seen from Pt.
Piedras Blancas 28 Apr (RR). Since Fork¬
tailed Storm-Petrels are infrequently en¬
countered in s. California waters, one seen
from Goleta Pt., Santa Barbara, 3 Mar (PK),
and single birds found dead on the beach
near Oceanside, San Diego, and in Coron¬
ado, San Diego, both 1 May (BFo, *
S.D.N.H.M.) were of note. Brown Booby
numbers on the Los Coronados Is. off ex¬
treme n. Baja California increased from two
in January to six in April (BMo); in addi¬
tion one frequented an abandoned plat¬
form off Goleta, Santa Barbara, 13 Mar-5
Apr (RPH), one was 2 mi off Ventura 16
Apr (GE) and a 3rd was near Santa Cruz I.
8 May (DC, PK).

A migrant Am. Bittern at F.C.R. 29 May
(MJSanM) was at an unexpected location.
An ad. Little Blue Heron at Saticoy, Ventura,
14 May (ST) was the only one reported
away from San Diego. The Tricolored Heron
present on s. San Diego Bay since 25 Jul
remained through 20 Apr (RP) and the
other at Bolsa Chica, Orange, since 13 Oct
remained through 7 May (DRW). The
Reddish Egret around s. San Diego Bay
since 2 Aug was last seen 20 Apr (RP). The
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron associating
with nesting Black-crowned Night-Herons
in La Jolla, San Diego, since 1981 was again
present 17-28 Mar (DN).

GEESE THROUGH SANDPIPERS

Single Brant at Domenigoni Valley, River¬
side, 16 Apr (MDM, *S.B.C.M), Mystic L.
near Lakeview, Riverside, 24 Apr (MAP),
and Yucca Valley, San Bernardino, 24 Apr
(TEW), and five near Lancaster, Los Angeles,
7 Apr (MSanM) with one still there 16 May
(MSanM), were the only ones reported
from the interior away from the Salton Sea
and e. San Diego. A Eur. Wigeon in Goleta
through 5 Apr (JEL) was the latest staying
of the wintering birds. A female Harlequin
Duck was at Pt. Piedras Blancas 24 Mar-1
May (RR) and a male was at Playa del Rey,
Los Angeles, 16 May (KL); this species is rare
anywhere along the coast of s. California.
The only scoters found inland were at the
N.E.S.S., with up to four Surfs 18 Apr+
(MAP, BMu), at least four White-wingeds
25 Apr+ ( WJM, MAP), and a Black 28 Apr+
(BMu). Six Long-tailed Ducks present on
San Diego Bay 17 Apr (PAG) was a large
number, especially so this late in the winter;
one inland at Laguna Niguel, Orange, since
19 Dec was last seen 24 Apr (KLP), and
another was inland on the e. shore of the
Salton Sea 27 May (KCM).

Two White-tailed Kites near Blythe,
Riverside, 5-6 May (RMcK) were along the
Colorado R. where few have been reported.
The largest migrant flock of Swainson’s
Hawks reported this spring was that of 74
in Earthquake Valley, e. San Diego, 18 Mar
(PD); groups of one-three were moving n.
along the coastal planes in March and April,
and an exceptionally late migrant was near

328

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

Westmorland, Imperial , 19 May (MAP). A
Zone-tailed Hawk at Parker Dam, San
Bernardino , 17-21 May (RMcK) was close
to a known nest site along the Bill Williams

R. in Arizona, and another on Palomar Mt.,
San Diego, 17 Apr (CS) was in an area
where nesting should be considered.

Two wintering Pacific Golden-Plovers
were still present at Seal Beach, Orange , 24
Apr (JG) and a migrant was inland at
N.E.S.S. 19 May (MAP). More than the
expected two-three Solitary Sandpipers
were present this spring, with 15 reported
from as many locations scattered through¬
out the Region 21 Apr-9 May. Thirty- two
Ruddy Turnstones at N.E.S.S. 4 May (MAP)
was the largest flock reported on the Salton
Sea this spring, and one at Silver L., San
Bernardino , 18 May (RH) was the only one
reported inland away from the Salton Sea.
The wintering Black Turnstone found at

S. E.S.S. 2 Feb was still present 8 Apr (BMu).
Nine more inland was far more than
expected, with one at Twentynine Palms,
San Bernardino, 23 Apr (EAC) and eight on
the Salton Sea in May, with one at N.E.S.S.
4 May (MAP), two near Salton City 25 May
(BMu), three together at S.E.S.S. 28 May
(DN), and two more at N.E.S.S. 31 May-4
Jun (MAP, GMcC). A Surfbird, also rare
inland, was at N.E.S.S. 4 May (MAP). Single
Red Knots near Lancaster 25 Apr (KLG)
and 16 May (MSanM), a Sanderling on
Tinemaha Res. near Big Pine 6 May (T8<JH)
and two together near Lancaster 16 May
(MSanM) were the only ones inland away
from the Salton Sea. The only Semipal-
mated Sandpipers reported were one at
S.E.S.S. 1 May (REW) and another near
Lancaster the same day (MSanM), suggest¬

ing less than the expected numbers passed
through s. California this spring. A Pectoral
Sandpiper, rarely found in spring, was in
Irvine, Orange, 'll Apr-1 May (DN) and
another at C.L. 28 May (MTH) was the first
to be found in Kern at this time of the year.
A Stilt Sandpiper, rare away from S.E.S.S.,
especially so in spring, was near Port
Hueneme, Ventura, 17 Apr-1 May (LS).

CULLS THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS

A Laughing Gull at Pt. Piedras Blancas 17
May (RR) was on the coast where most
unusual; one at S.E.S.S. 13 Mar (KCM) was
unseasonably early since this species does
not normally arrive on the Salton Sea until
mid-Iune. There was a relatively good
movement of Franklin’s Gulls through the
Region as indicated by 65 reported between
12 Apr and the end of the period, with 14
around the Salton Sea, 34 scattered over the
high deserts of the e. portion of the Region,
and the remaining 17 along the coast. An
ad. Little Gull at Mystic L. 17-27 Mar
(DSC) was believed to have been present all
winter, having been found 15 Nov; a first-
year bird at C.L. 19 Apr (SS) was the 2nd to
be found in this area at this time of the year,
and another at S.E.S.S. 23-30 May (MAP)
was believed to be attempting to summer.
An ad. Heermann’s Gull was associating
with nesting California Gulls inland at
S.E.S.S. 2 Mar+ (P. March, MAP). Glaucous
Gulls remained more numerous than usual
with eight reported along the coast during
March and April, and a late individual at
the Santa Ynez R. mouth near Lompoc,
Santa Barbara, 2-8 May (BH). Black-legged
Kittiwakes were far more numerous than

A first-summer Little Gull

at the south end of the Salton Sea,

23 May 1999, with extremely worn

wing and tail feathers

(which are retained

from juvenal plumage

and thus nearly a year old).

Photograph/Michael A. Patten

Two Black Turnstones
at the mouth Whitewater
River, north end at Salton Sea,
California, 31 May 1999,
were rare inland migrants.

The left-hand bird is
in full alternate plumage,
but the right-hand one
is in first-alternate
(note especially
the smaller white
facial spot

and narrower supercilium).
Photograph/Michael A. Patten

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

329

usual along the coast of San Luis Obispo
throughout the period, with more than
5000 off Pt. Piedras Blancas 12-14 Apr
(RR) and smaller numbers reported along
the coast of Santa Barbara (JEL). Two
Sabine’s Gulls off Pt. Piedras Blancas 9 May
(RR) were the earliest reported.

An Elegant Tern, a casual straggler to the
interior, was at N.E.S.S. 8 May (GMcC). An
Arctic Tern at C.L. 7 May (DVB) was not
only inland, but on a date that would be
early for the coast, and thus much earlier
than previous inland records. Four Least
Terns were found inland on the Salton Sea,
with one at N.E.S.S. 15 May (CMcG),
another near S.E.S.S. 22 May (KCM), and
two at N.E.S.S. 27 May (KCM); another was
near Lancaster 16 May (MSanM). An
Ancient Murrelet, scarce in s. California
waters, was 5 mi off San Pedro, Los Angeles ,
8 May (KLG) and two more were in the
channel between Ventura and Santa Cruz I.
15 May (RAH). Two Marbled Murrelets at
Pt. Piedras Blancas 8 May (RR) were at the
s. limit of their normal range.

Single White-winged Doves at Stovepipe
Wells in Death Valley N.P. 25 May (T&fH)
and at the w. end of the Antelope Valley, Los
Angeles , 2 May (LA) were a little to the
north and west of their normal range; indi¬
viduals in Capistrano Beach, Orange , 13-14
May (TR) and on Pt. Loma, San Diego , 25 &
31 May (REW) were on the coast where
considered casual in spring. Eurasian
Collared-Doves were near Goleta 29 Mar
(DAK) and in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara ,
8 May ( JMC), and four more were in Goleta
8 May (DAK). A Ruddy Ground-Dove
photographed at Santee, San Diego , 16 May
(BMu) was the first to be found in spring,
although wintering birds have stayed into
early June.

A Yellow-billed Cuckoo at S.F.K.R.P. 22
May (BB) was a little early given that fre¬
quently they do not arrive before 1 Jun. Four
Com. Nighthawks over Bishop, Inyo , 27 May
(T&JH) were the earliest reported. A Black
Swift over Santa Clarita, Los Angeles, 2 May
(KLG) and two over Pt. Loma 5 May ( JRJ )

Although a regular spring and fall vagrant
to California, Ovenbirds are seldom as
obliging as this one at Galileo Hill Park,
California, 22 May 1999.

Photograph/Matthew T. Heindel

were at the time of year the first spring
migrants are normally encountered. A sig¬
nificant movement was noted 21 May+, as
indicated by 20-30 over Irvine 21 May
(JSB), 30 near Santa Maria 21 May (WW),
100-200 near Wilmington, Los Angeles, 22
May (KL), 500 over Goleta 22 May (JH),
and flocks of up to 30 almost daily along the
coast of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo
through 4 Jun. Five Chimney Swifts near
Wilmington 22 May (JAJ) were the only
reported. A flock of 75 Vaux’s Swifts over
downtown Los Angeles 12 Mar (KLG) had
undoubtedly wintered locally. More than
the expected number of migrant Calliope
Hummingbirds were in coastal San Diego
and Orange, and in the e. deserts of Kern in
April and early May, but went virtually
unrecorded elsewhere along the coast.

FLYCATCHERS
THROUGH WARBLERS

An E. Phoebe in Chino, San Bernardino,
23-29 Mar (JEP) and another in Yucca
Valley 1 1 Apr (TEW) were believed to have
wintered locally. A Vermilion Flycatcher in
Independence, Inyo, 11-12 Apr (A&LK)
was a little n. of this species’ normal range.
A Dusky-capped Flycatcher in Carpinteria,
Santa Barbara , 1 1 Mar-22 May (RWH) had
undoubtedly spent the winter in that area.
An E. Kingbird near Blythe 5 May (RMcK)
was the only one reported. The wintering
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher in the Irvine/
Newport Beach area since 1 Jan was last
seen in Newport Beach 4 Apr (KSG), and
one around Escondido, San Diego, since 23
Dec was still present 28 Mar (EH ); one near
El Monte, Los Angeles, 25 Apr (RJ, MCL)
may have been an early spring vagrant.

A singing White-eyed Vireo, an acciden¬

tal straggler to California, was in California
City, Kern, 29 May (MTH). A Bell’s Vireo at
I.M.P.P. 29 May (MAP) was one of a few
found away from known breeding localities
in California. Three Yellow-throated Vireos,
a casual straggler to California, were found,
with a singing male at ±1400 m elevation
above Pioneertown in the San Bernardino
Mts. 2 May (REW), another near Cantil,
Kern, 26 May (MTH), and the 3rd in Lone
Pine, Inyo, 27 May (DS). Three Red-eyed
Vireos was about average, with singles at
I.M.P.P. 22 & 29 May (MAP), and a 3rd at
Butterbredt Spring at the s. end of the
Sierra Nevada, Kern, 23 May (DVB).

A W. Scrub-Jay at F.C.R. 25 May (T&JH)
had wandered into unfamiliar territory.
Purple Martin numbers in s. California
continue to decline, with no breeding birds,
and only 15 migrants reported 4 Apr-23
May. A Cave Swallow was compared direct¬
ly with Cliff Swallows in the Prado Basin,
Riverside, 29 Apr (DSP); there are only 3
records of this species in California.
Unexpected were four migrant Winter
Wrens in e. Kern 22 Apr-19 May (KSG, RC,
DM and JS), and another near Warner
Springs, San Diego, 3 May (CGE), since this
species is normally encountered in fall and
winter and considered most unusual in late
spring. Likewise, six Golden-crowned
Kinglets in e. Kern 30 Mar-23 May were
most unusual for spring. A Varied Thrush
at F.C.R. 28-30 May (AME) was exception¬
ally late. A Gray Catbird was seen in San
Diego 27 Apr (MBS), and single Brown
Thrashers were in Atascadero, San Luis
Obispo, 18 Apr-6 May (KJZ) and near
Chiriaco Summit, Riverside, 26 May (JSB).

Although regularly occurring vagrant
wood-warblers appeared in “good num¬
bers” in Kern in May, they were certainly in

330

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

southern pacific coast

below expected numbers elsewhere, with
ten N. Parulas (five inland and five along
the coast), 20 Black-and-white Warblers (15
inland and five along the coast), 13 Am.
Redstarts (all inland), and 1 1 N. Water-
thrushes (all inland). Tennessee Warblers at
Scotty’s Castle in Death Valley N.R 23 May
(TEW), Butterbredt Springs 24-26 May
(BB), and Twentynine Palms 12 May (EAC)
were the only three reported. A Lucy’s
Warbler near Olancha, Inyo , 28 Apr (T&JH)
was a little to the northwest of this species’
normal range. The Chestnut-sided Warbler
wintering in Long Beach since 27 Dec was
still present 1 1 Apr (KSG). Five Magnolia
Warblers were found in the e. part of the
Region, with one in Needles, San Bernar¬
dino , 18 May (RMcK), another at G.H.P. 27
May (DN, AME), two together near Cantil
28 May (TEW), and the 4th at F.C.R. 29
May (MJSanM). The wintering Black-
throated Green Warbler in National City
since 5 Nov remained through 17 Apr
(DWA), and the one near Oceanside since
16 Nov was still present 11 Apr (PAG); a
female in Wilmington, Los Angeles, 31 May
(KL) was a spring vagrant. The Pine Warb¬
ler found wintering in Long Beach 25 Nov
remained through 10 Apr (KSG). Three
Palm Warblers along the coast in
March-April, and another at S.E.S.S. 1 1 Apr
(A. King, fide BMu) perhaps wintered local¬
ly, but one in Los Angeles 2-3 May (RB)
was believed to be a spring vagrant. A male
Blackpoll Warbler in Irvine 26 May (BED)
was the only one found. Known wintering
Am. Redstarts in Ventura and near El
Monte both remained through 22 Apr (JT,
TEW). The only Prothonotary Warbler to
be found was one in California City 8 May
(VH). Eight Ovenbirds were reported, with
one in the Cuyamaca Mts. of San Diego 8
May (GLR), another at S.E.S.S. 18 May
(BMu), five at various locations in e. Kern
18-31 May (MTH), and the 8th at Scotty’s
Castle 23 May (TEW). A wintering N.
Waterthrush near Port Hueneme remained
through 8 May (ST). A Louisiana Water-
thrush at I.M.P.P. 28 May (MAP) was 9th to
be found in California. A Kentucky Warb¬
ler, a casual straggler to California, was
photographed at I.M.P.P. 22 May (MAP),
and a male Mourning Warbler, equally rare
in California, was near Butterbredt Springs
26 May (REW).

TANAGERS THROUGH FINCHES

Five Summer Tanagers 19-30 May away
from known breeding localities was fewer
than expected. A Clay-colored Sparrow
found in Anaheim, Orange, 14 Nov remain¬

ed through 18 Apr (KSG); one in Brea,
Orange, 28 Mar (DRW) and another in San
Luis Obispo 2-13 Apr (MDS) probably
wintered locally, but singles at Riverside 24
Apr (BAC) and Desert Center 28 Apr
(DRW) were probably spring vagrants. A
Lark Bunting in Santa Clarita, Los Angeles,
6-16 Mar (KLG) was believed to have win¬
tered locally; one at Ocotillo Wells, San
Diego, 30 Mar (PU), up to six near Win¬
chester, Riverside, 8-22 Apr (MDM), anoth¬
er in Ridgecrest, Kern, 27 Apr-13 May

( PW) , and single birds on the Elkhorn Plain
in e. San Luis Obispo 16-18 Apr (BAB) and
1 May (GPS) were spring migrants. Known
wintering Swamp Sparrows remained to
mid-April, with one in Pismo Beach, San
Luis Obispo, to 15 Apr (BAB) being the lat¬
est; one in Big Santa Aneta Canyon, Los
Angeles, 23 Apr (TEW) and another near
Cantil 23-24 Apr (RC) were believed to be
spring migrants. White-throated Sparrows
were reported through April, with singles in
Irvine and Ridgecrest 6 May (DLP and
BMe) and Cambria, San Luis Obispo, 9 May

(RD) being the latest. A wintering Harris’s
Sparrow in Morongo Valley remained
through 27 Apr (TEW) and another in
Bishop was still present 3 May (J&DP);
apparent migrants were in Big Pine, Inyo,
15 Apr and 7 May (T&JH).

A N. Cardinal at Chiriaco Summit 22-
27 May (MAP) was far from any populated
area with caged birds, but showed possible
signs of captivity (RAE). A male
Pyrrhuloxia in Costa Mesa, Orange, 12 Apr
(SB) was only a few miles from the location
of the wintering female in the same town.
Sixteen Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and 20
Indigo Buntings scattered throughout the
Region in May were somewhat fewer than
expected, but included six Indigo Buntings
together at F.C.R. 25 May (T&JH). A Dick-
cissel, rare in spring, was at F.C.R. 25 May
(T&JH); others were at California City 30
May (HK) and Desert Center 31 May
(DSC). The only Bobolinks reported were
five at C.L. 22 May (MTH) and one at
F.C.R. 28-29 May (AME).

A male Tricolored Blackbird in Big Pine
14 Apr (T&JH) was only the 9th to be
reported in Inyo. The Com. Grackle found
in Lompoc 3 Jan remained through 4 Mar
(BH). An Icterid photographed in Santa
Maria 8 May+ (JMC) was initially identi¬
fied as a Com. Grackle but appears most
likely to be a hybrid Brewer’s Blackbird x
Great-tailed Grackle. Single Orchard Ori¬
oles in Irvine 28-29 Mar (MTH) and La¬
guna Hills, Orange, 18-20 Apr (BFi) were
believed to have wintered locally, but one in

Goleta 8 May (RPH) appears to have been a
spring vagrant. Wintering Baltimore Orio¬
les remained along the coast into early
April, with one in Orange 10 Apr (DRW)
being the latest; singles in Carpinteria 25
Apr (KB), California City 29 May (MTH),
and Goleta 30 May (JEL) were spring
vagrants. A Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch at
Telescope Peak in the Panamint Mts. of Inyo
7 May (REW) was only the 2nd to be found
at that location.

Cited observers (county coordinators/major
contributors in boldface): Douglas W.
Aguillard, Larry Allen, Bob Barnes, Richard
Barth, David V. Blue, Jeffery S. Boyd, Bill A.
Bouton, Steve Brad, Karen Bridgers, Eugene
A. Cardiff, Barbara A. Carlson, Jaime M.
Chavez, Ryan Chornock, Elizabeth Copper
(San Diego), David Compton, Daniel S.
Cooper, Brian E. Daniels, Don Desjardin
(Ventura), Rob Doll, Pat Dunn, Tom M.
Edell ( San Luis Obispo), Claud G. Edwards,
Alan M. Eisner, Richard A. Erickson,
Graham Etherington, Bill Fisher (BFi),
Brian Foster (BFo), Kimball L. Garrett ( Los
Angeles), Karen S. Gilbert, Peter A.
Ginsburg, John Green, Edward Hall, Robert
A. Hamilton, Robert W. Hansen, Joan
Hardie, Matthew T. Heindel ( Kern), Tom &
Jo Heindel (Inyo), Roger Higson, Brad
Hines, Ron P. Hirst, Vernon Howe, Joseph R.
Jehl, Ray Jillson, Jerry A. Johnson, Paul
Keller, Howard King, Andrew and Leah Kirk
(A&LK), David A. Kisner, Kevin Larson,
Joan E. Lentz (Santa Barbara), Michael C.
Long, Chet McGaugh, Robert McKeman
(San Bernardino and Riverside), Bob Meader
(BMe), Mike D. Misenhelter, Kathy C.
Molina, Barbara Moore (BMo), Don
Moore, William J. Moramarco, Brennan
Mulrooney (BMu), Dick Norton, Jim and
Debby Parker (J&DP), Michael A. Patten,
Robert Patton, Dharm S. Pellegrini, Kaaren
L. Perry, James E. Pike, Dick L. Purvis,
Geoffrey L. Rogers, Richard Rowlett, Tim
Ryan, Conrad Sankpill, Michael J. San
Miguel, Mike San Miguel, Larry Sansone,
Joyce Seibold, Dave Shuford, Gregory P.
Smith, Susan Steel, M. D. Stiles, Mary Beth
Stowe, John Tiffany, Steve Tucker, Philip
Unitt, Richard E. Webster, Walter Wehtje,
Douglas R. Willick (Orange), Peter
Woodman, Tom E. Wurster, Kevin J.
Zimmer. An additional 50+ observers who
could not be individually acknowledged
submitted reports this season.

Guy McCaskie, San Diego Natural History
Museum, Balboa Park, P. 0. Box 1390, San
Diego, California 92112

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

331

Hawaiian islands region

_*uooa Par

<3™

hhhaui kauaii

ROBERT L. PYLE

Despite La Nina conditions now forecast
to continue into next winter, rainfall
remains generally sparse with annual totals
to date well below normal throughout most
of the state. Water restrictions and crop
reductions have resulted. One exception is
northeast Hawai’i Island, which has had
heavier rainfall. Ni’ihau Island has gone
almost a year and a half without significant
rains. An overflight of this isolated and
legally inaccessible island 5 Apr by Fish &
Game personnel revealed that the lakes
were totally dry and the few ditches with a
little water were salt encrusted. Only a com¬
bined total of six Koloa, coots, and stilts (all
Endangered) were seen from the air, indicat¬
ing that normally larger populations have
been forced to remain on nearby Kaua’i
rather than come to Ni’ihau in spring to
breed.

Abbreviations: F.F.S. (French Frigate Shoals); H.
(Flawai'i Island); K. (Kaua'i Island); M. (Maui
Island); J.C.N.W.R. (Jas. Campbell N.W.R.,
O’ahu ); K.P.N.W.R. (Kilauea Point N.W.R.,
Kaua'i /.).

PETRELS THROUGH SWIFTS

From one-eight Hawaiian (Dark-rumped)
Petrels ( Endangered ) were observed regu¬
larly flying in over K.P.N.W.R. in early
evening 25 Apr through the end of May
(CM). Eight others were seen 13 May with
other seabirds flying off Nawiliwili Light¬
house near Lihue, K. (CM). A Kermadec
Petrel was seen regularly at K.P.N.W.R.
beginning 9 May, possibly the same indi¬
vidual that made a spectacular appearance
at this same site last spring. During a trip
from Midway to Kure 23 May a standout

bird seen well was believed to be a Tahiti
Petrel, as distinguished from its look-alike
Phoenix Petrel (RD, EV). These two are
rarely reported in Hawaiian waters. A
Newell’s Shearwater ( Threatened ) was first
heard calling at K.P.N.W.R. 17 Apr, with up
to four on various nights through May
(CM). One or two pairs nested there last
year, one of the first records of Newell’s
nesting so close to the sea. Eighty-five were
counted in 35 minutes flying past Nawili¬
wili Lighthouse 18 Apr, and 250-300 were
estimated to be lingering there 13 May
(CM). Also, 40+ were counted while en
route to Lehua Rock 5 May (JF). These are
large numbers for Newell’s seen at sea.

A male Lesser Frigatebird was observed
at Midway on 4 dates 13 Apr-28 May (BM,
PP). One ad. and one sub-ad. Masked
Booby were sighted 2 Apr and 5-6 May at
K.P.N.W.R. (CM), where they are rarely
reported. A Red-billed Tropicbird, rare in
Hawaii, returned again to K.P.N.W.R. from
14 Feb through end of the season, perhaps
the same individual there last spring.
Observers again could see all three trop¬
icbird species at one moment

An Osprey was seen well at the beach at
Waipio Valley, H., 10 Mar (SO), 1 Apr (fide
TP), and 4 Apr (GK). Two hours after his
Waipio sighting, Klingler found possibly
the same bird sitting on a wire near Waimea
at Mana Pond, 12 km s. of Waipio. Ospreys
are occasional visitors to Hawaii. One re¬
mained at Johnston Atoll, s. of the Hawai¬
ian Is., 30 Mar to at least 5 May (DO). A
probable four Wood Sandpipers (min.
three, max. five) were observed well at Sand
I., Midway, 21 May-1 Jun (PP et al.) Single
specimens taken on Kure and Midway in
the mid- 1 960s are the only previous records
of this species in the Hawaiian Is. A Whim-
brel, rare to occasional stragglers to Hawaii
and probably of an Asian race, was observ¬
ed among Bristle-thighed Curlews 29 Apr
(PP). Nine wintering Bristle-thigheds
remained at Ki’I Unit, J.C.N.W.R., 3 Apr
(PB), but had decreased to three by 23 May
(MSi, PD). A recently dead curlew was
found entangled in monofilament fishing
line on the beach near Ki’i 13 May, with
another curlew standing dose by (MSt).
Uncommon species, too, can succumb to
ocean debris.

A mild influx of breeding plumaged

^ A At Sand I., Midway, the maxi-
w mum roost count of Bristle¬
thighed Curlews in April was 38, com¬
pared to 76 in 1997 and 108 in 1998.
An influx of adults occurred in late
April/early May, associated with a
period of stormy weather. Counts
included 78 (29 Apr), 45 (30 Apr), 90
( 1 May), and 142 (3 May). They stayed
mainly in a barren triangular plot
between the runways. Most departed
that night, leaving 21 there 4 May. No
more than five were seen 8-31 May,
representing this year’s over summer¬
ing group of one-three year olds, com¬
pared to 23 birds in May-June 1998.
Overall, the numbers of both winter¬
ing and summering curlews were well
below last year’s counts, suggesting a
hypothesis that many perished last
year, after departure from Midway, in
the N. Pacific storms that occurred
4-8 May 1998. These same storms per¬
haps upset navigation patterns and
brought unprecedented numbers of
Bristle-thigheds to the Washington-
California coast a year ago (see Patter¬
son 1998, Field Notes 52:150-155).
Observation and analysis is by Peter
Pyle.

Franklin Gulls included a weak individual
at Laie, O., 9 Apr (collected; PB), and single
birds sighted at Sand I. 24 Apr (BM), at
Kealia Pond, M„ 3 May (MN), and at Ki’i
Unit, J.C.N.W.R., 19 May (fide Msi). A fine,
breeding-plumaged Little Tern at Sand I.
15 May was joined by another and three
Least Terns in June (PP), creating an
unprecedented mixed group of these 2
species that will be reported next season. A
Guam Swiftlet was seen twice (possibly two
birds) along Aiea Ridge Trail, O., 28 May
(PD), one of the rare sightings of this intro¬
duced and established species away from
nearby N. Halawa Valley, where it nests. A
Fork-tailed Swift found freshly dead at the
hangar on Sand I. 30 Apr joined another
specimen at Bishop Museum found several
years ago at the same hangar as the only 2
records of this species in the Hawaiian
Islands.

332

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

PASSERINES

The release program for captive Puaiohi
( Endangered ) in the Alaka’i area of Kaua’i
reported last season continues to be a land¬
mark success. Eight of the 14 birds released
last winter are confirmed to be already
breeding in the wild, including captive-cap¬
tive and captive-wild pairs. Of 6 confirmed
nests thus far, one has hatched two chicks,
one is incubating, 2 should receive eggs
soon, and only 2 are failed or abandoned
(BW). In contrast to the difficult problem
with the ‘Alala, this is a really notable
achievement by The Peregrine Fund and

The captive rearing and
release program for ‘Alala
(Hawaiian Crow, very critically En¬
dangered) had been going well for sev¬
eral years, until last year when envi¬
ronmental threats began to take their
toll on the young released birds (see
last 2 season reports). Of 27 captive-
reared young birds released beginning
in 1993, 14 are known dead (7 killed
by To, four died from toxoplasmosis
acquired probably from feral cats, two
died from bacterial and fungal infec¬
tions, and one of unknown cause), six
more are missing and presumed dead,
four were returned to captivity as pro¬
tection from predators and disease
and to preserve genetic diversity, and
three survive in the wild (one released
1998, two in 1997; DB). Other than
one or two instances of trying to form
a pair, none of these young released
birds had attempted to breed.

Of the 12 original wild birds (none
in recent captivity) known in 1993,
eight were confirmed dead over suc¬
ceeding years, and one more is missing
this year and presumed dead. Two of
the remaining three have been a long
time pair, last producing a malformed
egg in 1997 and still starting nest¬
building in spring. All three of these
wild old-timers are considered senes¬
cent seniors and no longer productive
(DB).

This story is a grim one. The cap¬
tive hatching, rearing, and release
techniques developed by The Pere¬
grine Fund have proven successful. But
the still greater challenge is how to
“educate” these young birds to protect
themselves from environmental perils
(directly or indirectly human-caused),
without wild-living birds from which
to learn. It is a daunting task.

the Biological Resources Division of
U.S.G.S., with a somewhat easier species.

One egg was taken from the nest of a
wild Maui Parrotbill (critically Endangered)
in the Hanawi area of Maui 19 Mar and
brought to the Maui Bird Conservation
Center. It hatched 2 days later. The chick
joins the only other Maui Parrotbill
hatched in captivity, a female.

Contributors: David Adams, Donna Ball,
Robert Barrett, David Bremer, Phil Bruner,
Arlene Buchholz, Reginald David, Jim
Denny, Arleone Dibben, Peter Donaldson,
Fern Duvall, Gil Ewing, Jeff Foster, Nancy
Hoffman, Jack Jeffrey, Wally Johnson, Carla

ROBERT L. NORTON

wide range of sight reports covering
the breadth of the Region provided an
interesting retrospective following last fall’s
series of hurricanes, especially Georges,
which swept through most of the Greater
Antilles. A report from Cuba again provides
a glimpse of that island’s endemics and ac¬
cessibility. An interesting report from Haiti
included descriptions of habitat that war¬
rant some form of protection. Indeed, an
abundance of waterfowl following the
floods of Georges are hunted and sold along
roadsides in Haiti, and nesting Audubon’s
Shearwaters are consumed by Cuban boat-
people on Cay Sal, and perhaps other unin¬
habited landings in the Bahamas.

Rainfall at Haiti following Georges was

Kishinami, John Klavitter, Glenn Klingler,
Eleanor Koes, David Kuhn, Alan
Lieberman, Tony McCafferty, Bert McKee,
James Mejeur, Christian Melgar, Mike
Nishimoto, Donna O’Daniel, Storrs Olson,
Rob Pacheco, Kurt Pohlman, Doug Pratt,
Thane Pratt, Peter Pyle, Robert Pyle, Craig
Schafer, Mike Silbernagle, Margo Stahl,
Lance Tanino, Tom Telfer, U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Service, U.S. Geologic Survey, Kim
lyehara, Eric VanderWerf, Michael Walther,
David Watson, Bethany Woodworth.

Robert L. Pyle, 1314 Kalakaua Ave. No.
1010, Honolulu, HI 96826

at least beneficial to resident and migrant
waterfowl (and hunters) at L. Bois Nef,
Pierre Payen, and Savanne Desolee, near
Gonaives, where Crouse estimated that lev¬
els may have been three feet above normal
in an otherwise denuded and overworked
landscape. On the other side of the Georges
coin, Oberle reported that many Puerto
Rican species, especially quail-doves and
parrots, were nesting late because of low
food after the hurricane. By late April
migrants stalled by sweeping fronts in the
central and northern Bahamas (fide Bracey)
included 15 species of wood- warblers and
black-billed forms of Roseate Tern.

Abbreviations: Ba (Bahamas); Bd (Barbados);
Be (Bermuda); Cu (Cuba); GC (Grand Cayman);
Gr (Grenada); Ha (Haiti); PR (Puerto Rico); StL
(St. Lucia); StV (St. Vincent).

SHEARWATERS THROUGH TERNS

A large passage of Greater Shearwaters was
noted from South Shore, Be, during May
(AD). A Cory’s Shearwater was among 30
Audubon’s between Little and Great
Inagua, Ba, 9 May (BH). Dozens of Audu¬
bon’s Shearwater carcasses were found at
campfires around Cay Sal, Ba, where pre¬
sumably birds were attracted by fire and
eaten by Cuban or perhaps Haitian boaters.

west indies
region

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

333

A Wilson’s Storm-Petrel was noted off
Treasure Cay, Abaco, Ba, 10 May (EB). The
ad. N. Gannet reported last season from
Bermuda was found dead at Cooper’s I. 6
Mar (DBW) for the first ad. specimen
record. A Brown Pelican was seen periodi¬
cally 21 Mar-14 Apr at Harrington Sound,
Be (AD, PW, DBW) for one of the few
spring reports from that island. A
Magnificent Frigatebird was noted 28-30
Mar at S. Shore, Be (AD, LM).

A pair of Least Bitterns 30 Apr (EB) at
Abaco were likely breeding. On 2 Mar a
migrant Am. Bittern was noted at High
Point, Be. The first breeding record for
Great Blue Heron on Bermuda was in May
on the Hamilton Harbour Is. (DBW); sus¬
pected breeders at Canno Tiburones, PR,
were seen during an Ornithol. Society of
Puerto Rico trip there 20 Mar (fide MO).
On 12 Mar at Savanne Desolee L., Gon-
aives, Ha, JRC et al. observed Great Blue
Herons (five), Great Egret (40+), Snowy
Egret (three), Little Blue Heron (one), and
100s of Cattle Egret. On 3 Mar Beaton and
Massiah relocated the Purple Heron at
Graeme Hall swamp, Bd, that made news
last fall as the first North American record;
it was last seen 28 Apr (MF). That same
morning they located the Gray Heron, last
seen 16 May before the swamp dried (MF),
as well as Little Egrets at Chancery Lane and
a Western Reef-Heron at Coles Rd. swamp,
all from 5-8 a.m.

A Com. Teal 20 Apr at Marsh Lane, Be,
was a good find and one of the few reports
during April (AD). Northern Shovelers
numbered 25 at Savanne Desolee Gonaives,
Ha, 12 Mar (JRC et al.), along with numer¬
ous Blue-winged Teal and a single Am.
Wigeon. Up to three Swallow-tailed Kites
visited Bermuda from 20 Apr-8 May, pro¬
viding the first May records (AD, JM). A
singleton was seen 30 Apr at Treasure Cay,
Abaco, Ba (EB). Among a group of raptors
circling over a brush fire at Boca Jaruco, e.
of Havana, Cu, 17 Apr were three Missis¬
sippi Kites apparently feeding on insects
flushed by the flames (PB, AK et al.); this
sighting represents a first report for Cuba
(Garrido and Kirkconnel 1993) and the
West Indies. A N. Harrier lingered 1 Mar-5
May among the Castle Harbour Is., Be,
extending the seasonal occurrence record
into May (AD). An unexpected fly-by
Gundlach’s Hawk at Los Sabalos, Cu, 12 Apr
was a treat after searching other sites (PB,
AK). A resident Cuban population of
Crested Caracara persists near La Ceiba,
where Burke, Bludau et al. recorded the first
for this column 1 1 Apr. A Peregrine Falcon

Martin Frost reports Snowy
Egrets and Little Egrets nest¬
ing separately and forming mixed
pairs. First noted 14 Mar at the re¬
nowned Graeme Hall swamp, itself
deserving international recognition
for special protective status, Little
Egrets were incubating clutches
through May. Snowy Egrets began nest
building 21 Mar. A male Little and
female Snowy were seen copulating 3
Apr with subsequent female copula¬
tion^) with a male Snowy providing,
as Frost contends, the strongest evi¬
dence yet for hybridization between
these 2 species of the Little Egret/
Snowy Egret/Western Reef-Heron
superspecies complex.

cruised Bermuda 1 Mar-15 Apr (AD). At
Treasure Cay, Abaco, Ba, 2-8 Apr, Cuban
Am. Kestrels were noted (WB, fide EB). A
remarkable sighting of Spotted Rail 1 3 Apr
at Zapata Swamp, Cu, provided a first sight¬
ing for local ornithologists (fide CB). A tape
elicited 3 responses from a Zapata Rail at
the same location (CB), a bird rarely heard
or seen.

At Savanne Desolee L., Gonaives, Ha,
JRC et al. observed a large concentration of
waterfowl 1 2 Mar apparently crowded into
a dwindling freshwater marsh caused by an
ongoing drought. They counted 700+
Black-necked Stilt among the many hun¬
dreds of other waders, including 100+
Killdeer, 100 Greater Yellowlegs, and 1000+
Lesser Yellowlegs. A Collared Plover at
Packers, Christ Church, Bd, 23 May was the
first inland report (MF, EM) for this irregu¬
lar visitor from the S. Caribbean. Three
Piping Plovers and a single Red Knot were
found 15 Apr (EB) at Green Turtle Cay,
Abaco, Ba. A Little Stint photographed 16
May at Packers, Christ Church, represented
only the 2nd record for Barbados (MF, MG,
EM). A carefully noted Baird’s Sandpiper
was at Midland Acres, near Meagre Bay
Pond, 22-23 May (KI), for a rare report for
the Region and the first for Grand Cayman.
An astonishing three Ruffs and two Reeves
were noted by Gawn at several locations
throughout Barbados 28 Mar; another, or
one of these birds in alternate plumage, was
noted 23-30 May at Congo Rd. (MF, EM).

Two Pomarine Jaegers were noted 24
Mar from Castle Harbour, Be (AD). Cuba’s
2nd Franklin’s Gull was recorded 14 Apr
near Playa Giron (AK, fide CB). Two
Bonaparte’s Gull at Hamilton Harbour, Be,

1 1 Apr were considered late (AD). A rare
sighting of Gull-billed Tern 8 Mar at
Warwick Pond, Be, was a good find (JM);
four were noted 25 Apr along the causeway
to Cayo Guillermo, Cu (AJ, AK). A Com.
Tern 20 Mar at Hamilton Harbour was con¬
sidered very early (AD). Roseate Terns, both
migrant and resident forms, were seen
throughout the Bahamas; Bracey counted
about 50+ migrants, distinguished by the
nearly all black bill, 22 May. A White¬
winged Tern at McKinney Pond, Cat I., Ba,
carefully observed by C. Wardle and five
other observers of the BNT represented
only the 4th record from the West Indies,
the others being from Barbados (Oct 1888),
Great Inagua (June 1980), and St. Croix
(1987).

DOVES THROUGH FINCHES

A Eur. Collared- Dove was noted at
Bermaja, Cu, 16 Apr (PB et al.). One of the
prime attractions for birders visiting Cuba
is the quail-dove group. Six endemic Blue¬
headed were seen near El Cenote 1 1 Apr, an
endemic Gray-headed was near Playa Larga

12 and 14 Apr, Key West was noted 12, 15,
& 16 Apr, and Ruddy was noted 1 3 8c 16
Apr. Cuban (Rose-throated) Parrots num¬
bered 25 (a good showing for this species)
at Abaco, Ba, 12 Mar (EB), upwards of 15
around Playa Hiron and Larga, Cu, 11-15
Apr (PB et al.), eight at Great Inagua, Ba, 9
May (BH), and five from Grand Cayman,
three on Cayman Brae (KI).

At Syndicate, Dominica, two Imperial
Parrots were noted with more than a dozen
Red-necked Parrots flying back and forth
across the Morne Diablotin R. 20 Apr (AB-
G, MG). St. Lucia Parrots greeted Beaton
and Oberle at the Edmund Forest Trailhead
1 Mar. Two Greater Antillean Nightjars
were seen 12 Apr near Bermaja, Cu; it may
prove to be an endemic species (C. cuba-
nensis) based on call variation and isolation
from Hispaniolan populations (C. ekmani).
Four Black Swifts were noted ( KI) at N. End
Estate, GC, 21 May, one of the few reports
from the w. Caribbean; one at Worthing,
Christ Church, Ba, 25 Mar (MF) was the
earliest spring record there.

At Kenscoff and Fermathe, Ha, 27 Mar
at elevations above 2000-4000 ft., five swal¬
lows described as having green-blue backs
may have been Golden Swallows (JRC).
Further surveys are warranted, as this W.
Indian endemic has not seen reported from
Jamaica for years and now may be reliably
seen only on Haiti. At Ravine La Chaloupe,
StL, 2 Mar, Beaton and Oberle found
White-breasted Thrasher, the St. Lucian

334

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

west indies

As if not enough to suffer the
trauma of hurricane Georges,
habitat of the critically endangered
Puerto Rican Parrots, the subject of
intensive recovery efforts involving
national, local, and other organiza¬
tions, was colonized by Africanized
bees. United States Fish & Wildlife
Service and Department of Natural
Resources staff worked hard to remove
the invaders from 3 active nests (fide
MO). There were fewer than 43 par¬
rots remaining when Georges made
landfall, the same as in 1989, when
hurricane Hugo reduced the popula¬
tion by half. Once numbering in the
tens or even hundreds of thousands,
the wild population reached an all-
time low of 13 in 1975. Heavy logging
in newly opened forest areas following
an 1899 hurricane reduced the parrot
to a remnant population on the e. end
of the island.

Dr. Jaime Collazo, a U.S. Geologic
Survey biologist, reported recently
that most wild parrots survived the
storm. Preliminary surveys have locat¬
ed 36 of 40 birds. Food and cover may
not be available now in adequate qual¬
ity and quantity, leaving them vulner¬
able to predation. Competition and
disease from exotic psittacines, and
damage to the preferred tree species
for nesting, may cause significant
problems as forests recover, particular¬
ly in the Luquillo Mts. Before Georges,
biologists conducting experimental
releases of the closely related Hispan-
iolan parrot in the Dominican Repub¬
lic were tracking 34 birds marked with
radio transmitters. Three days after the
hurricane passed through the Domin¬
ican Republic they located 26 birds.
This effort, lead by Collazo, is a model
for Puerto Rican parrot reintroduc¬
tion following the effects of a major
storm on habitat and survivability.

race of the Antillean House-Wren, and St.
Lucian race of Lesser Antillean Pewee; these
last two warrant study for potential specific

rank.

A Black-whiskered Vireo 30 Mar (AD)
at Coral beach Club, Be, was the earliest
spring record and the first since 1983! An
Am. Redstart at Vega Baja, PR, 8 May was
considered very late (MO). A pair of St.
Lucia Black Finches appeared on the trail of
Edmund Forest 1 Mar (GB, MO). At Caya
Romano, Cu, 25 Apr were two Zapata

Sparrows (AJ), among several landbirds
easier here than on the main island.

CORRIGENDA/ADDENDA

The Antillean House-Wren reported last
fall at St. Michael, Bd, as a probable waif
from St. Lucia or St. Vincent was found
again at Fontabelle and further details were
gathered. After reviewing taped song and
photographs it has been determined (MF,
MG, EM) to be Southern House-Wren
( musculus group), possibly from Grenada.

Received too late to be included with
appropriate seasonal reports are records of
Collared Plover at Chancery Lane, Christ
Church, Bd 25 Jul 1998 (MG), Piping
Plover at Turtle Beach, St. Kitts, 24 Oct 1998
(MG), and Black Tern at Inch Marrow Pt.,
Christ Church, Bd, 22-23 Aug 1998,
described as quite likely the nominate sub¬
species from Europe (MG, EM). A dark-
morph Barn Owl was at Grande Anse, Gr,
26 Feb (GB, MO). At Perseverance Estate,
Gr, Beaton and Oberle located Grenada
Dove, but had no luck seeking Hook-billed
Kites at Mt. Hartman. A visit to Vermont
Nature Center, StV, 28 Feb provided good
looks at St. Vincent Parrot and Whistling

Warbler (GB, MO). On 31 Aug 1998, three
Puerto Rican Nightjars were heard at
Guanica State Forest and Antillean
Nighthawks were at Ponce, PR (MG). A
male Blue-winged Warbler was at La
Hacienda Juanita, Maricau, PR, 2 Dec 1996
(ST).

Contributors (subregional editors in bold¬
face): Donald Anthony, Giff Beaton, Angie
Berrios-Gawn, Wes Biggs, Colin Bludau,
Elwood Bracey, Sylvia Brown, Peter Burke,
Nancy Claire, Jaime R. Collazo, Paul Dean,
Andrew Dobson, Martin Frost, Mark
Gawn, Osmani Gomez, Bruce Hallett, Tony
Hepburn, Linda Huber, Kamal Islam,
Arturo Kirkconnel, Jeremy Madeiros, Leila
Madeiros, Eddie Massiah, Predensa Moore,
Mark Oberle, Neil Sealy, Simon Thompson,
Carolyn Wardle, Nick Wardle, Ornithol
Group-Bahamas National Trust, Paul
Watson, Moses Wilford, David B. Wingate,
Tony White.

Robert L. Norton, 8960 NE Waldo Road,
Gainesville, Florida 32608
(corvus0486@aol.com or
rnorton@ns1 .co.alachua.fi. us)

RO. BOX 196
PLANETARIUM STATION
NEW YORK, NY
10024 U.S.A.

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The
Asia

Specialists

1999

BIRDING

TOURS

NORTH BURMA
EXPEDITION

2-28 November

Write for
itineraries

MALAYSIA

Malaya, Borneo, Mt. Kinabalu
24 June -16 July

INDONESIA #1

Greater Sundas
Java, Borneo, Bali
7-30 July

INDONESIA #2

Sumatra
5-27 August

2000

BIRDING

TOURS

THAILAND

North, Central, Peninsular
8-30 January

SOUTH INDIA/
ANDAMAN ISLANDS

6-29 January

SRI LANKA

28 January-14 February

PHILIPPINES

Luzon, Mindanao, Cebu,
Palawan, Bohol, Negros
4 February -6 March

WEST BURMA

Mt. Victoria, Chin Hills
10 March -2 April

BHUTAN

West to East Traverse
7-30 April

CHINA #1

Beidaihe Migration
4-20 May

CHINA #2

Manchuria
Inner Mongolia
17 May-11 June

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

335

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336

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

Figure 1. Adult Gray-hooded Gull in alternate plumage at Apalachicola, Franklin County, Florida, 26 December 1998, resting
on roof of boat. Note the upright posture, moderately long carmine bill and carmine tarsi, carmine orbital, pale iris, well-
defined pale gray hood with darker posterior margin, and pale gray mantle, scapulars, and secondaries. Photograph/T. L. Lewis

The Gray-hooded Gull

in North America:

irst _

rm «. ■«" ■Jt' , ,*^**'*,

ocumented
Record .

i

jssewBK

DOUGLAS B. MCNAIR *

n 26 December 1998, 1 discovered an alternate-plunraged adult
Gray-hooded (Gray-headed) Gull Larus cirrocephalus on the
waterfront along Scipio Creek at the boat landing beside the head¬
quarters for St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge at Apalachicola,
Franklin County, Florida. I watched the bird from 1030-1215 hr; T.
L. Lewis joined me toward the end of this period. The Gray-hooded
Gull associated with other gulls, mainly Laughing L. atricilla and
Ring-billed L. delawarensis, at discarded calico scallop shell mounds,
resulting from a boom scallop harvest. The gull spent most of its
time feeding on the viscera of scallops; it also joined other gulls rest¬
ing on paved, gravel, or shelly roadsides along the waterfront and
above ground on boats, buildings, and pilings. It permitted a close
approach, but was not tame. I baited it with bread and attempted to
capture it with a butterfly net but was unsuccessful (although I cap¬
tured and released other gulls that were present at the same time by
this method, including an immature Franklin’s Gull L. pipixcan
[TTRS P650-654], which is locally rare). After the last attempt to
capture it, the Gray-hooded Gull departed and flew off alone to the
east across the Apalachicola River and over the inaccessible marshes.
Neither T. L. Lewis nor I relocated it. The previous day I located six
Franklin’s Gulls at the same site, including one salvaged specimen
(McNair et al. 2000).

* Tall Timbers Research Station, 13093 Henry Beadel Drive, Tallahassee,

Florida 32312-0918

DESCRIPTION AND IDENTIFICATION

The Gray-hooded Gull had an upright posture, was smaller and slim¬
mer than a Ring-billed Gull, similar in size to a Laughing Gull. Its bill
was moderately long and thick, carmine with no black tip (Fig. 1);
the gonydeal angle was not pronounced. The tarsus and feet were
also carmine, the nails black; the tarsi were fairly long. The orbital
ring was carmine, the iris pale yellowish-white, the pupil dark. The
well-defined pale gray hood, which extended only to the hind crown
behind the ear, was darker at the posterior margin (Fig. 1). It lacked
white eye crescents, but had a complete diffuse whitish eyering con¬
trasting with the orbital. The sloped forehead had a small whitish
patch above the base of the bill, with a smaller white patch on the
chin. The white hindneck separated the hood from the mantle and
rump, which were gray, lighter than on a Laughing Gull, but slightly
darker than on a Ring-billed Gull. Most of the wing coverts were the
same shade of gray as the mantle. The wings were fairly broad and
long. The upperwings had a prominent white leading edge, the white
being most extensive on the middle primaries and primary coverts.
The wing tip was mostly a large black triangle, which extended up
both the leading and trailing edge (Fig. 2). Black feathers on the trail¬
ing edge of several middle primaries had tiny pale tips. A large, white,
and short rectangular subterminal mirror was present on each of the
two outermost primaries. The mirror of the outermost primary
(plO), which was larger, extended across to the trailing edge of the
feather, but the mirror on p9 did not extend to the trailing edge of
the feather on the underside of the wing (Fig. 3). The underside of
the wings lacked a white leading edge. The underside of the primaries

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

337

Figure 2. Adult Gray-hooded Gull in alternate plumage
at Apalachicola, Franklin County, Florida, 26 December 1998,
in flight over Scipio Creek. Note the prominent white leading edge
on the upperwing and the black wing tip with one large white
subterminal mirror on each of the two outermost primaries.
Photograph/D. B. McNair

was dark (except for the two white mirrors), although paler than the
black wing tips on the upperside; the underside of the secondaries
and all wing coverts were light gray, paler than the gray upperside of
the wings (Fig. 3). The underparts, under- and uppertail coverts, and
tail were white. The tip of the tail was worn considerably. Numerous
color photographs by T. L. Lewis and me verify these characters
(TTRS P655-664). The bird called twice, giving a short low kwaah
superficially resembling an abbreviated call of a hoarse American
Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos.

The combination of soft-part and plumage characters, especially
the carmine bill and tarsi, pale iris, and diagnostic wing pattern,
eliminate all possible species of “hooded” gulls in the world except
for the Gray-hooded, including species such as the Silver Gull (=
Red-billed Gull L. n. novaehollandiae [Grant 1982, Harrison 1983]).
The Florida bird was an adult in alternate (breeding) plumage, in at
least its third year (Grant 1982, Harrison 1983). Characters that iden¬
tify the bird as a Gray-hooded Gull also eliminated the possibility of
a natural hybrid “hooded” x “white-headed” gull (e.g., Black-headed
L. ridibundus X Ring-billed Gull [Richards and Gill 1976, Weseloh
and Mineau 1986, Nikula 1993]), an exotic hybrid (e.g., Silver Gull x
“hooded” gull species [Richards and Gill 1976]), or an aberrantly-
plumaged “hooded” gull (e.g., Black-headed Gull [Jorgensen 1984],
Laughing Gull [Grant 1982, Postmus and Postmus 1996]).

Cramp and Simmons (1983) and Harrison (1983), following
Dwight (1925), recognized two subspecies of the Gray-hooded Gull,
L. c. cirrocephalus of South America and L. c. poiocephalus of Africa.
L. c. cirrocephalus has larger, longer mirrors, a paler gray saddle and
upperwings, and a larger bill and body size than does L. c. poio¬
cephalus. These differences are slight (Dwight 1925) and difficult or
impossible to assess from photographs. P. Hockey, P. Ryan, and I.
Sinclair (pers. comm.) informed me the bill of the Gray-hooded Gull
in Florida appears to be too short and compact, the legs too long, and
the legs and feet too brightly colored to fit an African bird. It had
large mirrors, which also suggests that it may have been of the nom¬
inate race (Dwight 1925), but the bird could not be positively identi¬
fied to subspecies with confidence.

DISTRIBUTION AND STATUS

The Gray-hooded Gull has been listed in the Appendix of the AOU
Check-list (1998) on the basis of a sight report of an adult in non¬
breeding plumage on the Pacific coast of Panama 25 September 1955

(Ridgely 1976, Ridgely and Gwynne 1989). A purported sub-adult
discovered near Folly Beach, Charleston County, South Carolina, 17
February 1987 was collected in mid-March and determined to be a
hybrid “hooded” x “white-headed” gull, probably Laughing x Her¬
ring L. argentatus (LeGrand 1987, W. Post in lift.). Thus, this Gray-
hooded Gull record from Florida is the first for the United States, the
first photographically documented occurrence for North America,
and was unanimously (7-0) accepted by the Florida Ornithological
Society Records Committee (FOSRC 99-396). Its occurrence paral¬
leled the occurrence of one in Spain, also an adult from coastal
marshes (Ree 1973, Grant 1982), until a juvenile was discovered at
Gibraltar 17 August 1992 (Vavrik unpubl.). There are five additional
occurrences from the Mediterranean region, all in North Africa
(Vavrik unpubl.).

ORIGIN

The natural occurrence of this gull is unknown, and making that
determination for any bird is difficult. Choices range from natural
unassisted vagrancy from either South America or Africa to assisted
passage or escape from captivity. Its occurrence at a remote estuary
in a small harbor where it scavenged for food — typical behavior in
this preferred habitat in its normal range (Tovar and Ashmole 1970,
Cramp and Simmons 1983, Cooper et al. 1984, Urban et al. 1986) —
supports natural vagrancy, despite the absence of occurrences
between Panama and Florida. Its abraded tail tip might have been
from captivity, but the otherwise fresh plumage, including the wing
tips, suggests otherwise. Robertson and Woolfenden (1992) did not
list the Gray-hooded Gull as having occurred as an exotic in Florida,
and the December 1997 International Species Inventory List did not
list the species in any official registered facility in the New World, nor
did Sea World of Orlando keep any in captivity. Earlier lists (see
Smith and Smith 1995), going back to 1994, also did not list the
species, nor do U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service import files (usually
held for only five years; C. Skouder pers. comm.). Private unregis¬
tered collections of exotic birds could possibly hold Gray-hooded
Gulls, but I did not obtain such information from these sources.

In Florida, because none of the Band-tailed Gulls I. belcheri,
another vagrant from South America, showed signs of previous cap¬
tivity nor were any known to have been imported, Robertson and
Woolfenden (1992) believed these birds probably also represented
natural, perhaps ship-assisted, occurrences.

Despite much smaller populations on the Pacific than the Atlantic
coast (Murphy 1936, Harrison 1983, del Hoyo 1996), if the Gray-
hooded Gull was a natural vagrant the most likely source of origin
based on proximity to Florida is the Pacific coast of South America,
where the species breeds north to Ecuador (Ridgely and Wilcove 1979,
Harrison 1983, Duffy and Hurtado 1984, AOU 1998). This conclusion
is supported by records along the Pacific and Gulf coasts of North
America within the last 30 years of three other species of southern
hemispheric gulls normally restricted to the Pacific coast of South
America, the Gray L. modestus, Band-tailed (Belcher’s), and Swallow¬
tailed Creagrus furcatus gulls (Olson 1976, Stevenson et al. 1980, Muth
1988, Robertson and Woolfenden 1992, Stevenson and Anderson
1994, AOU 1998, Lethaby and Bangma 1998, M. M. Rogers in lift.).
The Kelp Gull L. dominicanus has occurred along the Gulf coast of
North America, but normally occurs in South America where it
ranges much further north along the Pacific than the Atlantic coast
(AOU 1998, Dittmann and Cardiff 1998, D. L. Dittman in lift.). The
absence of any documented occurrence of gulls of African origin in
the New World suggests that the Florida Gray-hooded Gull was not a
trans- Atlantic vagrant, although prior transport by a tropical cyclone

338

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

is a remote possibility from the Atlantic coast of West Africa (Murphy
1936), where it breeds north to Mauritania (Cramp and Simmons
1983, Cooper et al. 1984, Urban et al. 1986).

Useful information is limited on the timing of Gray-hooded Gull
molt on the Pacific coast of South America or Atlantic coast of West
Africa. Documented breeding populations are small (fewer than
1000 pairs) from both regions, where the breeding season in each is
from April to September (Hughes 1970, Tovar and Ashmole 1970,
Cramp and Simmons 1983, Cooper et al. 1984, Duffy et al. 1984,
Duffy and Hurtado 1984, Urban et al. 1986). Thus, it would not be
breeding in late December in these areas. Adults in breeding plumage
in both regions have only occurred as late as November and as early
as March, but Murphy (1936) stated that adults in breeding plumage
were captured along the coast of Peru in December and January, cor¬
responding to the Florida bird. Larger, more southerly populations
breed in December (e.g., southern Africa; Cooper et al. 1984), but the
likelihood of a bird in Florida arriving from these regions seems
remote. Regardless of the timing of molt, an adult Gray-hooded Gull
in breeding plumage in Florida in late December suggests that it had
not been in the Northern Hemisphere for an extended period of
time; it probably arrived not long before discovery.

SUMMARY

The photographic record of a Gray-hooded Gull at Apalachicola,
Franklin County, Florida, 26 December 1998, is the first occurrence of
this species in North America. The bird was an adult in alternate
(breeding) plumage. Its origin is unknown. The preponderance of the
evidence supports the interpretation that it was most likely a natural,
possibly ship-assisted, vagrant, that probably arrived from the Pacific
coast of South America.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I thank T. L. Lewis for contributing photographs the gull, Vavrik for supplying
information on the internet <http://risc.upol.cz/~vavrik/lari/lari_wp.htm> on
its status in the Western Palearctic, and L. Atherton, P. A. Buckley, D. L.
Dittmann, K. L. Garrett, P. Hockey, M. A. Patten, W. Post, W. B. Robertson, Jr.,
P. Ryan, I. Sinclair, and P. W. Smith for responding to inquiries, supplying
information, and/or reviewing a draft of the manuscript.

LITERATURE CITED

American Ornithologists’ Union [AOU]. 1998. Check-list of North American
Birds, 7th edition. American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C.
Cooper, J., A. J. Williams, and P. L. Britton. 1984. Distribution, population
sizes and conservation of breeding seabirds in the Afrotropical region, pp.
403-419 in Croxall, J. R, P. G. Evans, and R. W. Shreiber, eds. Status and
Conservation of the World’s Seabirds. International Council
for Bird Preservation Technical Publication 2.

Cramp, S., and K. E. L. Simmons, eds. 1983. The Birds of the Western Palearctic.

Waders to Gulls , vol. 3. Oxford University Press.

Dittmann, D. L., and S. W. Cardiff. 1998. Kelp Gull and Herring x Kelp Gull
hybrids: A new saga in gull ID problems. Louisiana Ornithological Society
News 181.

Duffy, D. C., C. Hays, and M. A. Plenge. 1984. The conservation status of
Peruvian seabirds. Pages 245-259 in Croxall, ). R, P. G. Evans, and R. W.
Shreiber, eds. Status and Conservation of the World’s Seabirds.
International Council for Bird Preservation Technical Publication 2.
Duffy, D. C., and M. Hurtado. 1984. The conservation and status of seabirds
of the Equadorian mainland. Pages 231-236 in Croxall, J. R, P. G. Evans,
and R. W. Shreiber, eds. Status and Conservation of the World’s Seabirds.
International Council for Bird Preservation Technical Publication 2.
Dwight, J. 1925. The gulls (Laridae) of the world: Their plumages, moults,
variations, relationships and distribution. Bulletin of the American
Museum of Natural History 52:63-402.

Grant, P. J. 1982. Gulls: A Guide to Identification. T&AD Poyser, Calton,

England.

Harrison, P. 1983. Seabirds: An Identification Guide. Houghton Mifflin,

Boston.

Figure 3. Adult Gray-hooded Gull in alternate plumage

at Apalachicola, Franklin County, Florida, 26 December 1998, taking
flight. Note the absence of a white leading edge on the underside
of the wing, dark underside of the primaries except for the two
mirrors, and pale light gray underside of the secondaries and wing
coverts. See text for more details. Photograph/T. L. Lewis

del Hoyo, J., A. E. Elliott, and J. Sargatal. 1996. Handbook of the Birds of the
World, vol. 3. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

Hughes, R. A. 1970. Notes on the birds of the Mollendo district, southwest
Peru. Ibis 1 12:229-241.

Jorgensen. J. 1984. Black-headed Gull with aberrant underwing pattern.
British Birds 77:358-359.

LeGrand, H. E., Jr. 1987. Southern Atlantic Coast Region. American Birds
41:269-272.

Lethaby, N., and J. Bangma. 1998. Band-tailed Gulls in North America: Some
notes on identification. Birding 31:56-64.

McNair, D. B., F. E. Hayes, and G. White. 2000. First reports of Franklin’s Gull
( Larus pipixcan ) for Trinidad. In press in Hayes, F. E., and S. A. Temple,
eds. Studies in Trinidad and Tobago ornithology honouring Richard ffrench.
Occasional Papers of the Department of Life Sciences, University of the
West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.

Murphy, R. C. 1936. Oceanic Birds of South America, vol. 2. American Museum
of Natural History, New York.

Muth, D. P. 1988. Central Southern Region. American Birds 42:274-279.
Nikula, B. 1993. Rare, local, little-known, and declining North American
breeders: Common Black-headed Gull. Birding 25:55-60.

Olson, C. S. 1976. Band-tailed Gull photographed in Florida. Auk 93:176-177.
Postmus, B., and C. Postmus. 1996. Abnormal Laughing Gull. Birding
28:270-271.

Ree, V. 1973. Larus cirrocephalus, nueva especie de gaviota para Espana y
Europa. Ardeola 19:22-23.

Richards, K. C., and F. B. Gill. 1976. The 1974 mystery gull at Brigantine, New
Jersey. Birding 8:325-328.

Ridgely, R. S. 1976. A Guide to the Birds of Panama. Princeton University Press,
Princeton, New Jersey.

Ridgely, R., and J. A. Gwynne. 1989. A Guide to the Birds of Panama, with Costa
Rica, Nicaragua, and Honduras, 2nd edition. Princeton University Press,
Princeton, New Jersey.

Ridgely, R. S., and D. S. Wilcove. 1979. First nesting record of Gray-hooded
Gull from Equador. Condor 81:438-439.

Robertson, W. B., Jr., and G. E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida bird species:

An annotated list. Florida Ornithological Society Special Publication 6.
Smith, P. W., and S. A. Smith. 1995. Determining the origin of non-native
birds seen in the wild in Florida — a case study: Woolly-necked Stork.
Florida Field Naturalist 23:10-12.

Stevenson, H. M., and B. H. Anderson. 1994. The Birdlife of Florida. University
Press of Florida, Gainesville.

Stevenson, H. M., L. E. Goodnight, and C. L. Kingsbery. 1980. An early record
of the Band-tailed Gull in Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 8:21-23.

Tovar, H., and N. P. Ashmole. 1970. A breeding record for the Grey-hooded
Gull, Larus cirrocephalus on the Peruvian coast. Condor 72:1 19-122.
Urban, E. K., C. H. Fry, and S. Keith. 1986. The Birds of Africa, vol. 2. Academic
Press, London.

Weseloh, D. V., and P. Mineau. 1986. Apparent hybrid Common Black-head¬
ed Gull nesting in Lake Ontario! American Birds 40:18-20.

J

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

339

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340

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

march through may 1999

pictorial

highlights

Spring Migration

A number of Black-necked Stilts appeared
north of their usual range around the
western Great Lakes. This male (sexed by
the black mantle, matching the nape color)
was at Horicon National Wildlife Refuge,
Wisconsin, 28 May 1999. The few older,
browner feathers visible in the wing
coverts indicate a first-spring bird.
Photograph/Jack R. Bartholmai

This immature male Black-headed
Grosbeak (aged and sexed by the rich
orange underparts and black head pattern)
wintered at a Goshen, New Jersey, feeder,
where it lingered until 6 March 1999 and
where this image was captured 9 February
1999. This species is quite scarce on the
Atlantic Coast. Photograph/Clay and
Patricia Sutton

The handsome Lark Sparrow is noteworthy
in much of the East. This male was seen at
Rock Springs, Pennsylvania, 10 May 1999
into June, the first for the State College
area since 1931. This image was taken on
15 May. Photograph/Rick Wiltraut

Two images, taken 1 1 April, of North America's
second Eurasian Oystercatcher at Eastport,
Newfoundland, 3 April-2 May 1999. The black upper-
parts and the extensive white on the rump and wings
are good distinctions from the American Oystercatcher.
Photographs/Bruce Mactavish

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

341

pictorial highlights

The gambelii subspecies of the White-crowned Sparrow is a bird of the West and is thus rare in the East. This individual,
banded as an immature at Chino Farms 5 March 1999 (left), not only provided the first well-documented record for Maryland,
but was recaptured 25 April 1999 in adult plumage (right)! Photographs/Jim Gruber.

Although well known for wandering far
afield, with many records for the Atlantic
Coast and north to Michigan and
even British Columbia, this Gray
Kingbird was nonetheless
an exciting State first
at Carlyle Lake, Illinois,

15 May 1999,
and a Regional first
for the Middlewestern
Prairie. Photograph/

Mike Seiffert

Despite their tendency to appear well outside their normal range, this adult male Painted
Bunting was still a surprise at Kennedy, Saskatchewan, 1-13 May 1999, and provided
first for the Province and Region. This photo, with a male House Sparrow
on the left and an adult Harris's Sparrow on the right, was taken

12 May. Given the bunting's prevalence in captivity, natural occurrence
is always a concern in this gaudy species. Photograph/John Triffo

This Whooper Swan, identified
by the extensive yellow on the bill
jutting forward to a distinct point,
was a first for the Prairie Provinces
at Irricana, Alberta, 17-18 April 1999
(the photo was taken on the former date) .
The natural occurrence of individuals in
North American away from Alaska remains
controversial (see the Regional Report).
Photograph/Terry Korolyk

342

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

This female Rose-throated Becard
at Anzalduas Park 24 April 1999
was part of a pair that stayed through
the summer beginning that date. Their
nesting effort was the first in Texas in
over 20 years. Photograph/

Bob Metzler

Another first for the burgeoning State List
of Texas, this singing male Buff-breasted
Flycatcher was at the Davis Mountains
Preserve 5 May 1999. Note the rich-buff
wash to the throat and breast
and the distinct eyering. It was first
discovered on 3 May, and shortly there¬
after a copulating pair was observed.

See the summer report for details
about the nesting effort.

Photograph/Mark Adams

march through may 1999

This immature (or female) Green-breasted Mango at Los Fresnos, Texas, 22-23
May 1999 provided the 7th record for Texas and the United States, a remarkable
total given that the first was only a decade ago. The photo was taken on 23 May.
Photograph/Bob Honig

The Ross's Gull was long predicted to occur at Point Pelee, Ontario, one of the most
popular birding Meccas in all of North America. Yet who would have predicted that when
their first finally came of this delicate Arctic waif that it would be in spring? This bird,
still in fresh first-winter plumage, was enjoyed by hundreds of observers 17-18 May
1999, with this photograph taken the first date. Photograph/Stephen T. Pike

The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron is rare anywhere in the West, so this adult
was a nice find at Boulder, Colorado, 22 May 1999. Photograph/Tony Leukering

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 3

343

pictorial highlights

This Wood Thrush near Pep
on 26 April 1999 was one of
few ever found in New Mexico.
This species is extremely
scarce throughout in the West,
and is likely to remain so
as numbers in the East decline.
Photograph/Larry Sager

This adult male Painted Bunting,
with House Finches photographed
on 30 April, was far less adventurous
than the bird that strayed to
Saskatchewan, but was nevertheless
well north of its usual range, near Aztec,
New Mexico, 28 April-2 May 1999.
Photograph/Tim Reeves

Black-chinned Sparrows, like this one at Foresthill
on 31 May 1999, continued their northward push
in the Sierra Nevada range, California.

(See the Middle Pacific Coast Region for details.)
Photograph/Ed Harper

An endemic breeder to the Gulf of California, the Yellow-footed Gull normally occurs in the United States only at the Salton Sea,

California. It has wandered to the southern California coast, and north to eastern California and southern Nevada, and northern Utah,
and east to Texas, so this second-summer bird at Wahweep on Lake Powell 21-23 April 1999 provided an "overdue" first for both Arizona
and Utah, as the bird frequented both sides of the lake. This image of the bird with Ring-billed Gulls is from the final date.
Photograph/Mark Stevenson

344

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

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Based on the PBS TV series

The Life of Birds

David Attenborough

©Rob Cousins/BBC

the nesting season

VOLUME 53: NO. 4, 1999
JUNE THROUGH JULY 1999

IIIiiiiiIiIiiiIIiiIIiIhIiiIIiiI

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#0567595# 056759RExp w/ Vol 55. No. 2 00213

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Harvard Univ

Cambridge MA 02138

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contents

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS • AMERICAN BIRDING ASSOCIATION • VOLUME 53: NUMBER 4 • 1999

the nesting season: JUNE THROUGH JULY 1999

THE REGIONAL REPORTS

359 Atlantic Provinces

BRUCE MACTAVISH

361 Quebec

NORMAND DAVID,

YVESAUBRY,
and PIERRE BANNON

363 New England

WAYNE R. PETERSEN

367 Hudson-Delaware

ROBERT 0. PAXTON,

JOSEPH C. BURGIEL,
and DAVID A. CUTLER

371 Middle Atlantic Coast

MARSHALL J, ILIFF

375 Southern Atlantic Coast

RICKY DAVIS

377 Florida

RICHARD T. PAUL
and ANN F. SCHNAPF

380 Ontario

CLIVE E, GOODWIN
DAVID H. ELDER

Two seasons are covered in this issue:
Winter and the Nesting Season

385 Appalachian

ROBERT C. LEBERMAN

388 Western Great Lakes

DARYL D. TESSEN

391 Middlewestern Prairie

KENNETH J, BROCK

395 Central Southern

ROBERT D. PURRINGTON

347 Editor’s Notebook

348 Eurasian Collared-
Dove in North America
and the Caribbean

CHRISTINA M. ROMAGOSA
and TERRY MCENEANEY

354 Changing Seasons:
Understanding
Appearances

TOM WILL

437 1999 Index

North American Birds

441 First North American
Photographic Record:
Intermediate Egret
at Midway Atoll

SCOTT RICHARDSON

444 Market Place

445 Pictorial Highlights

399 Prairie Provinces

RUDOLF F. KOES
and PETER TAYLOR

401 Northern Great Plains

RON E. MARTIN

403 Southern Great Plains

JOSEPH A. GRZYBOWSKI

Two seasons are covered in this issue:

Spring Migration and the Nesting Season

408 Texas

GREG W. LASLEY, CHUCK SEXTON,
WILLIE SEKULA, MARK LOCKWOOD,
and CLIFF SHACKELFORD

412 Idaho-Western Montana

DAVID TROCHLELL

413 Mountain West

VAN A. TRUAN

and BRANDON K. PERCIVAL

41 5 Arizona

GARY H. ROSENBERG
and ROY JONES

418 New Mexico

SARTOR 0. WILLIAMS III

420 Alaska

THEDE G. TOBISH JR.

423 British Columbia-Yukon

MICHAEL G. SHEPARD

425 Oregon-Washington

BILL TWEIT, STEVE MLODINOW,
and BILL TICE

428 Middle Pacific Coast

DON ROBERSON,

STEPHEN C. ROTTENBORN,

SCOTT B. TERRILL,
and DANIELS. SINGER

432 Southern Pacific Coast

GUY McCASKIE

435 Hawaiian Islands

ROBERT L. PYLE

436 West Indies

ROBERT L. NORTON

ON THE COVER

Considered noteworthy in a full third of the season’s regional reports, Black-necked Stilts made a strong showing continent-wide
and repeated last year’s new nestings in Alberta and North Dakota. The adult female (note the brownish mantle coloration) was
photographed in June at Horicon N.W.R. She established a first Wisconsin nesting record when she shared duties — perhaps with the male
that graced last issue’s Pictorial Highlights — and produced five juveniles, three of which posed for the camera in July (see Changing
Seasons) . Photograph/Jack Bartholmai

American Birding Association

PRESIDENT
Richard H. Payne

VICE-PRESIDENT
Wayne R. Petersen

SECRETARY
Ann Stone

TREASURER
Dennis H. Lacoss

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kenneth P. Able
Margaret Bain
P. A. Buckley
Jon Dunn
Thomas J. Gilmore
Bettie R. Harriman
John C. Kricher
Greg W. Lasley
Blake Maybank
Michael Ord
Richard H. Payne
Harry Tow
Henry Turner
Gerald J. Ziarno

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Paul Green

FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Lynn Yeager
DEVELOPMENT
Lee Kellogg

CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION
Lina DiGregorio

CONVENTIONS AND CONFERENCES
Ken Hollinga
ADVERTISING
Ken Barron

GENERAL COUNSEL
Daniel T. Williams Jr.

PAST PRESIDENTS

Allan R. Keith (1997-1999)
Daniel T. Williams Jr. ( 1993-1997)
Allan R. Keith (1989-1993)
Lawrence G. Balch ( 1983-1989)
Joseph W. Taylor (1979-1983)
Arnold Small (1976-1979)

G. Stuart Keith (1973-1976)

G. Stuart Keith (1970 pro tern)

Mil American Birds

is published by the American Birding Association
The mission of the journal is to provide a complete overview
of the changing panorama of our continent’s birdlife,
including outstanding records, range extensions and contractions,
population dynamics, and changes in migration patterns
or seasonal occurrence.

PUBLISHER

ABA / Henry Turner

GUEST EDITOR EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Tom Will Carol S. Lawson

ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Victoria Irwin

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Jon Dunn and Kenn Kaufman

EDITORIAL CONSULTANT

Susan Roney Drennan

REGIONAL EDITORS

Bruce H. Anderson, Yves Aubry, Margaret Bain, Pierre Bannon, Kenneth J. Brock,
Joseph C. Burgiel, Steven W. Cardiff, Hugh Currier, David A. Cutler, Normand David,
Ricky Davis, David H. Elder, Walter G. Ellison, Jeff Gilligan, Steve Glover,

Clive E. Goodwin, Jim Granlund, Joseph A. Grzybowski, Theo Hofmann, Pam Hunt,
Marshall J. Iliff, Greg D. Jackson, Roy Jones, Rudolf F. Koes, Greg W. Lasley,
Robert C. Leberman, Gerard Lillie, Bruce Mactavish, Nancy L. Martin, Ron E. Martin,
Blake Maybank, Guy McCaskie, Ian A. McLaren, Steven G. Mlodinow, Robert L. Norton,
Richard T. Paul, Robert O. Paxton, Brandon K. Percival, Simon Perkins,

Wayne R. Petersen, Bill Pranty, Robert D. Purrington, Robert L. Pyle, Don Roberson,
Gary H. Rosenberg, Stephen C. Rottenborn, Ann F. Schnapf, Chuck Sexton,
Michael G. Shepard, Daniel S. Singer, Stephen J. Stedman, Peter Taylor, Scott B. Terrill,
Daryl D. Tessen, Bill Tice, Thede G. Tobish Jr., David Trochlell, Van A. Truan, Bill Tweit,
Richard L. West, Sartor O. Williams III

PRODUCTION EDITOR
Susanna v.R. Lawson

PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS
Constance J. Eldridge and Kim LeSueur

CIRCULATION

Jill Fife, Therese Ford, and Anna Grimmett

North American Birds (ISSN 1525-3708) (USPS 872-200) is published quarterly by the American
Birding Association, Inc., 720 West Monument Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904-3624. Periodicals
postage paid at Colorado Springs, Colorado, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: return
postage guaranteed; send address changes and POD forms 3579 to North American Birds,

PO Box 6599, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80934-6599. Subscription prices: $30/year (US)
and US$35/year (Canada). Copyright © 1999 by the American Birding Association, Inc., all rights
reserved. Printed by Publishers Printing, Shepherdsville, Kentucky. The views and opinions expressed
in this magazine are those of each contributing writer and do not necessarily represent the views and
opinions of the American Birding Association or its management. ABA is not responsible for the qual¬
ity of products or services advertised in North American Birds, unless the products or services are
being offered directly by the Association. GST Registration No. R1 35943454.

346

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

editor's notebook

the magic circle

As a youthful fan of birds, I remember pulling a hefty Birds of
America from our family bookshelf, opening it to the full-page
Fuertes plate of a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers high in a northern
hardwoods forest, and thinking to myself that such a vision of untam¬
ed wildness would be forever beyond my experience. It never occur¬
red to me that I might find these spectacular creatures somewhere
nearby in my native Pennsylvania. Then, for reasons I have never been
able to explain, I lost all interest in birds during my mid-teen and col¬
lege years. In my twenties in Connecticut, for the fun of looking at
things differently, I purchased a pair of binoculars on a gasoline
charge-card special. One afternoon on a favorite hilltop, an Eastern
Kingbird happened to fly into the magic circle of my field-of-view. It
] perched on a fencepost, raised its wings, bristled its crown feathers,
and for a fleeting moment revealed its secret red patch. There was just
something miraculously transforming in the pristine clarity of that
isolated image, and I was hooked. A few months later, while I sat look-
I ing dreamily out the window, my Pileated Woodpecker, out of no¬
where, slammed its claws onto the trunk of a large maple and sound¬
ed a spirited challenge.

For me, those experiences embodied the essence of birding: a mag¬
ical synergy of visual clarity and serendipity. Although I've traveled to
exotic places and shivered with delight watching streams of migrant
hawks and rains of coastal fallouts, the images which still haunt me
most are the images of familiar birds. It is thus fitting that I should
have been given this opportunity to take a long and broad view of a
nesting season: for the most part, the season of backyard birds. This
period is one when the usual rewards of birding are often trans¬
formed: the challenge of identification becomes the challenge of find¬
ing nests; the anticipation of finding a rarity becomes the thrill of
unveiling a first breeding record. More than any other season, it is a
time for looking closely into the lives of birds and pondering the myr¬
iad questions that their reproductive behavior provokes. It is by going
often into the field in this season that one can hope to discover those
intricately minute but totally captivating morsels of birdlore — the
revelation, for example, that a Golden-winged Warbler includes, as a
part of its nest-site geography, a dead stalk of last year's goldenrod on
which it cryptically sidesteps to the nest cup to deliver larval leaf-
rollers to its nestlings.

This issue marks a transition in a number of ways for North
American Birds. It will be the last in a series of guest-edited issues:
beginning with Volume 54, Michael Patten assumes responsibilities as
permanent editor. With his wide-ranging ornithological experience
and tireless dedication, Michael will bring a new level of consistency
and quality to the publication. At this time, most but not all of the
regional reports follow the taxonomic sequence of the 7th edition of
the AOU Check-list of North American Birds. If you can't find Yellow-
throated Vireo after the flycatchers, look for it one last time before the
wood-warblers. In subsequent NAB issues, all the regional reports will
consistently follow the 7th edition Check-list sequence. We will also
continue to use the most recent AOU nomenclature — with the excep¬
tion of the names of the native Hawaiian passerines, for which we will
continue to use indigenous spellings employing the 'okina. In antici¬
pation of an upcoming announcement by the AOU, Oldsquaw is now
Long-tailed Duck again. As the journal continues to expand its role as

a major venue for peer-reviewed, ornithologicafly important papers, I
call your attention to M. Patten's “Suggestions for Contributors” in
NAB 53(3):246 ff. Finally, the universal sidebar of abbreviations on
page 358 contains a few new additions.

I emerge from the experience of editing this issue of North
American Birds with one overwhelming sentiment: I am completely in
awe of the collective level of synthesis and insight masterfully sum¬
marized in the regional reports that follow. Regional editors have
obviously labored intensely to condense numerous accounts into a
readable format and to judiciously interweave these records with
intriguing natural history, poignant comment, creative analysis, and
humor. Their efforts rely in kind on the equally professional sum¬
maries of many sub-regional compilers. At the base of the pyramid
are the dedicated hours of the thousands of birders and field research¬
ers who contribute records to the network. Without their “primary
productivity” the prodigious enterprise of constructing a human's-
eye view of the seasonal activities of a continent's billions of birds
would collapse. An infectious delight in bird observation, an appreci¬
ation for the productive partnership between birding and ornitholo¬
gy, and a genuine dedication to bird conservation is everywhere
apparent in these pages. In addition to the regional reports, Scott
Richardson's lively account of an Intermediate Egret in the Hawaiian
Islands and Christina Romagosa and Terry McEneaney's thorough
summary of Eurasian Collared-Dove expansion highlight two of the
themes in Changing Seasons: the rare appearance of birds — here the
first documented, non-hypothetical appearance of a species in the
AOU area— and the transition from vagrancy to breeding residency
and range extension.

In the midst of winter — at least for many of us — I encourage you
to explore the rich landscape of the magic circle of reports in these
pages with the same enthusiasm as you might explore your own
favorite bird haunts when the nesting season rolls around again in a
few months. In addition to the perceptive and poignant SAs and the
summary of exciting records, every report harbors — like nests hidden
in the vegetation — new revelations about the lives of birds. I hope
these virtual nests will provide each of us with both the insight and
the inspiration to brush aside obscuring preoccupation and conven¬
tion and bring a mystery to light — or at least one of the many first
state nesting records that awaits discovery in the field next summer.

— Tom Will, Guest Editor

IN MEMORIAM

W ith a great deal of sadness, we announce the passing of Thomas Rogers
on 23 September in Spokane, Washington, at age 85. Tom was the
Regional Editor for the former Northern Rocky Mountain-
Intermountain Region and the current Idaho- Western Montana Region
for four decades, resigning only recently with the summer 1994 issue of
Field Notes. Tom was not only an extremely dedicated editor for a very
large region, he was also an extremely knowledgeable and delightful com¬
panion in the field. His field habits were quiet, unassuming, methodical,
and very observant — skills that served him well in his roles as teacher and
conservationist. All of us will miss him.

— Biu. Tweit, Steve Mlqoinow, and Bui Tice

lit!

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

347

Eurasian Collared-Dove
in North America
and the Caribbean

Dove (Streptopelia ‘risoria’) as well as new
information on distribution, range expan¬
sion, and future projections for the Eurasian
Collared-Dove as it becomes established in
North America and the Caribbean.

RINGED TURTLE-DOVE

The Ringed Turtle-Dove (S. ‘risoria’) — or
Barbary Dove as it is known throughout
Europe — is a domesticated form of the
African Collared-Dove (S. roseogrisea)
(Goodwin 1967). The single quotes around
the specific epithet indicate that many
authors do not consider it to be a valid
species due to years of domestication and
captive rearing (Goodwin 1967). It is very
popular among dove fanciers and is bred to
produce various color varieties. The most
commonly seen variety is the cream-colored
blonde. Other varieties include rosy, fawn,
tangerine, pure white, and several pied forms
(Lockhart 1997). In recent years, backcross-
ing with wild S. roseogrisea has resulted in a
"wild" color variety (Goodwin 1983) which is
similar to the parent African Collared-Dove
and most closely resembles the Eurasian
Collared-Dove. The Ringed Turtle-Dove is
frequently found around the world in a feral
or semi-feral condition, but colonies seldom
prosper unless they are fed by humans and the population is aug¬
mented by additional release.

Eurasian Collared-Dove in the Dry Tortugas: spring 1999.
Photograph/Andrew W. Kratter

CHRISTINA M. ROMAGOSA *
and TERRY McENEANEY f

In the mid-1980s, a population of Streptopelia doves in southern
Florida was identified as the Eurasian Collared-Dove ( Streptopelia
decaocto Frivaldszky) (Smith 8c Kale 1986, White 1986). Birdwatchers
are now witnessing the expansion of this species across the North
American continent and the Caribbean Islands. Sightings at new
locations are reported monthly as the range of the Eurasian Collared-
Dove expands as a result of either natural dispersal or local release.

This article picks up where P. William Smith (1987) left off when
he first introduced the North American birdwatching community to
the Eurasian Collared-Dove. Its purpose is to present the most cur¬
rent information on identification problems with the Ringed Turtle-

* Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, RO. Box 1 10430, University of Florida,
Gainesville, Florida 32611-0430 (cmrsage@grove.ufl.edu)
f Bird Management Biologist, R0. Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming 82190

RESOLVING IDENTIFICATION DIFFERENCES

The Ringed Turtle-Dove can be confused with Eurasian Collared-
Dove, and extreme care must be taken to separate the two species.
Complicating the matter further, hybrids have been found in St.
Petersburg, Florida (DeBenedictis 1994, Smith 1987), and Joliet,
Illinois (Bohlen 1998) and also occur in captivity (J. Pire and M.
Pierce, pers. comm.). Buff-colored, pied, and tangerine varieties of
the Eurasian Collared-Dove have been recorded (Goodwin 1973, J.
Pire, pers. comm.), and cream-colored individuals were observed in
south Florida (Smith 1987) and in Guadeloupe (Barre et al. 1996).

Explaining the visual differences between Ringed Turtle-Doves
and Eurasian Collared-Doves is difficult due to the subtleties of dove
coloration and the tremendous variation now found within Ringed
Turtle-Doves (Smith 1987). Body shading can appear differently

348

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

depending on light and varies
with season, age, and sex. Smith
(1987), Blackshaw (1988), and
DeBenedictis (1994) provide im¬
portant field marks that should
be considered when making an
identification (Table 1). Those
features marked with an asterisk
in Table 1 are the most reliable;
however, a holistic approach to
identification is recommended in
the field.

Hybrids often have a blend of
the features described in Table 1 .

In Denmark, hybrids of the two
species were smaller and paler
than Eurasian Collared-Dove
and lacked the full extent of black
on the narrow outer web of the

rectrices (Fisher 1953) — a feature defining Ringed Turtle-Doves and
hybrids (Figs. 1 and 2). A convoluted vocalization syntax can also
result. Hybrids tend not to retain the typical three-note call of a pure
Eurasian Collared-Dove; rather, the call is a combination of that of
the two species (J. Pire, pers. comm.). Even if a hybrid does have a
three-note call, it apparently cannot produce the three-note call more
then one time in succession; on the second try, the hybrid gives the
call combination derived from its two different parents. The com¬
bined vocalization is variable; not all hybrids exhibit the same com¬
bination. New Streptopelia populations should be examined careful¬
ly before hybridization occurs and further complicates identification.

EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE:

NATIVE AND EURASIAN RANGE EXPANSION

In its Old World range, the history of Eurasian Collared-Dove is com¬
plicated. The species is believed to be native to India, Sri Lanka, and
Myanmar (del Hoyo et al. 1997), where it remained until it expanded
into Turkey and the Balkans in the 16th century either by natural dis¬
persal or by human introduction (Voous 1960, Long 1981). In the
early 1900s, Eurasian Collared-Dove began its impressive range
expansion across Europe, colonizing Yugoslavia in 1912, Hungary in
1930, Germany in 1945, Norway in 1954, Britain in 1955 (a previous
report was of questionable origin), and Spain in 1974 (Fisher 1953,
del Hoyo et al. 1998). It was possibly introduced to northern China
and Korea from India (Goodwin 1967) — although it could have
arrived naturally from western China (Vaurie 1961)— and to Japan
from China in the 18th or 19th century (Fisher 1953, Voous 1960,
Goodwin 1967). Its successful expansion has been attributed to a
change in a favorable gene (Mayr 1951), amelioration of habitat, and
the expansion of cultivation (Mayr 1965).

Eurasian Collared-Dove exhibited remarkable population growth
in Britain — from 4 birds in 1955 to about 19,000 in 1964 (Hudson
1965). Current population estimates of Eurasian Collared- Doves in
areas of the Western Palearctic are overwhelming; about 518,000 pairs
in Germany in the mid-1980s; 200,000 pairs in Britain during
1989-1991; and 100,000 to one million pairs in Turkey in 1998 (Snow
8c Perrins 1998).

The dove dispersed into all habitable areas and began breeding
shortly after its arrival. Breeding was documented in Britain, Norway,
Sweden, and France within two years (Fisher 1953, Hudson 1965,
Snow 8c Perrins 1998). The Collared-Dove can breed throughout the

Figure 1. This Eurasian
Collared-Dove
was photographed
in March 1998
on Cedar Key, Florida.

Note the grayish coloration
on the undertail coverts
and especially the black
extending distally
along the outer tail feather.
This extension creates a ‘W’
or ‘M’ pattern which is fairly
conspicuous and diagnostic.
Photograph/Christina
Romagosa

Figure 2. Undertail pattern of Ringed Turtle-Dove (left)

and Eurasian Collared-Dove (right). Ringed Turtle-Doves have

whitish undertail coverts and show less black on the rectrices;

the black does not extend to the outer web of the outer rectrix.

Eurasian Collared-Doves have gray undertail coverts,

and the black on the rectrices extends to the outer edge

of the outer rectrix. The degree to which the black extends distally

on the outer tail feather of Collared-Doves varies from individual

to individual, but the pattern of distal extension relative

to that of the inner rectrices is a diagnostic character.

Hybrids tend to have a pattern similar to that
of the Ringed Turtle-Dove.

TABLE 1. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES
AND RINGED TURTLE-DOVES

(The most important characteristics are marked with an asterisk.)

Eurasian Collared-Dove

Ringed Turtle-Dove

♦Song

three-note kuk-kooo-kook

two- note kooeek-krrroooo(aw)

♦Call

harsh mew given in flight
or while alighting

soft jeering laugh

Color

pale sandy brown, with huffy gray neck
and head tinged with pink; underparts
brownish-gray

variable, often creamier
and lacking gray and pink tones

Wings

primaries darker than rest ofwing;

three-toned wing:
primaries very dark, gray “wrists,”
brownish upper- wing coverts

primaries often not much darker than
rest ofwing

wing usually two-toned:
primaries darker than rest of wing

♦Tail

underside of outer web of outer
rectrix black at base, with outer black
margins extending distally
to form a shallow ‘w°

underside of outer web of outer rectrix
white; black on rectrices does not
extend farther than undertail coverts

Vent

gray

whitish

Size

much larger than Mourning Dove

usually only somewhat larger
than Mourning Dove

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

349

Figure 3. Current distribution of Eurasian Collared-Dove
in the Caribbean. Arrows indicate islands with known
populations.

year in most of Europe by feeding on predictable and persistent sup¬
plies of commercial crops and can achieve a high reproductive output
of 3-6 broods per year (Cramp 1985) depending on the severity of the
climate. When food is abundant, Eurasian Collared-Doves frequently
start a new clutch while still attending to dependent fledglings and
sometimes while young are still in the nest (Robertson 1990).

Eurasian Collared-Dove inhabits arid country with trees or scrub,
usually near cultivation, and is considered resident in India (Cramp
1985). In Europe, the species is associated with human settlements,
both urban and rural, where food and shelter are plentiful (Coombs
et al. 1981, Hengeveld 1989). The dove usually shuns urban centers,
areas of extensive monoculture, and forest (Coombs et al. 1981). It
relies largely on waste grain that is associated with agriculture
(Goodwin 1967) and will often roost in barns (Coombs et al. 1981).

DISCOVERY AMD EXPANSION IN THE CARIBBEAN
AND NORTH AMERICA

Too much time has passed to permit unequivocal identification of the
exact source of the North American population. According to Green
(1977) and Smith (1987), a local breeder brought the Eurasian
Collared-Dove to Nassau, Bahamas, in the early 1970s. In December
1974, several individuals escaped when the aviary where they were
housed was burglarized. The breeder released the remaining Collared-
Doves shortly thereafter — believed to be a total of no more than 50
birds. By the mid-1980s, the species was very common on Atidros,
Abaco, Grand Bahama, Spanish Wells, Bimini, and several of the Berry
Islands. An additional population was released on Abaco from Nassau
in the early 1980s to relieve hunting pressure on the native White-
Crowned Pigeon (Columba leucocephala) (Smith 1987). Eurasian
Collared-Dove probably arrived on Abaco by natural dispersal as well.

Eurasian Collared-Dove is found on several other Caribbean
islands (Fig. 3). First noted in Cuba in 1990 (Garrido & Kirkconnell
1990), it is now common in the city of Havana and is found on the
Guanahacabibes Peninsula (Raffaele et al. 1998). The species has been

reported from the Cayman
Islands and may be found on
other islands in the Greater
Antilles — where it may perhaps
be misidentified as Ringed
Turtle-Dove. The Lesser Antill¬
ean populations likely were
derived from an introduction
into Guadeloupe in 1976 (Barre
et al. 1996). About 30 years ago,
an individual purchased several
pairs of Eurasian Collared-
Doves in Paris and brought them
to Guadeloupe. Approximately
20 birds were released in 1976
when a nearby volcano threat¬
ened to erupt. The populations
found in Montserrat in 1990
(James Daley, pers. comm.),
Dominica in 1987 (Smith 1995),
St. Kitts and Nevis in 1995
(Francis 1996), and Martinique
in 1994 (Barre et al. 1996) may
have come from the Guadeloupe
introductions, although the possibility of additional introductions
cannot be ruled out.

It is generally assumed that the Florida population of Eurasian
Collared-Doves arose from individuals that dispersed from the
Bahamas and its surrounding islands. The species probably arrived in
Florida in the early 1980s (Smith 1987), although the precise date of
its arrival is uncertain due to confusion with Ringed Turtle-Dove.
Eurasian Collared-Doves may have reached Florida as early as the late
1970s. Before Smith and Kale’s (1986) identification of Eurasian
Collared-Doves in Florida, all North American Streptopelia popula¬
tions were believed to be Ringed Turtle-Doves. The species increased
its range in Florida within a decade of its discovery (Fig. 4a). The
Florida population is the likely source for many populations estab¬
lished subsequently in the southeastern states.

Georgia’s first Collared-Dove record was a bird that was shot by a
hunter in 1988 (P. Howard, pers. comm.). Eurasian Collared-Doves
were reported in Arkansas in 1989 (M. Parker, pers. comm.), Alabama
in 1991 (Holmes 1991), Tennessee in 1994 (R. Knight, pers. comm.),
Texas in 1995 (G. Lasley, pers. comm.), and Montana in 1997 (M.
Tempel and T. McEneaney, pers. obs.) (Fig. 4b). Unfortunately, there
is no certainty that these first reports corresponded with the actual
arrival of the Eurasian Collared-Dove. Populations of Streptopelia
doves were found in Joliet, Illinois, as early as 1982 (Bohlen 1998); this
population includes Eurasian Collared-Doves, Ringed Turtle-Doves,
and hybrids (Bohlen 1998). Individual doves, which are assumed to be
dispersers from the Florida population, have been found in Long
Island, New York, in 1996; Conneautville, Pennsylvania, in 1996 (P.
Hess, pers. comm.) — the same or a different individual reappearing in
1999 (North American Birds, this issue); Portland, Oregon, in 1998 (H.
Nehls, pers. comm.); and Ortonville, Minnesota, in 1998 (Eckert
1999) (Fig. 4c). The Eurasian Collared-Dove appears to be following
a pattern described as "jump" dispersal, where there is long distance
dispersal of individuals with the larger population gradually filling in
the gap (Pielou 1979). This pattern is similar to that observed for the
species during its invasion in Europe (Hudson 1972).

Many of these individual doves — and populations in some
states — may be the result of a local introduction. Some dove fanciers

350

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE

lac

laps

?

111!'

'tie

IOC

me

8«>

,,,|

n

i

t

Figures 4a, 4b, and 4c.
The explosive nature of Eura¬
sian Collared-Dove reports
from 1986 to 1999 is readily
apparent. All mapped sighting
data were carefully researched
and verified; see "Note from
the Authors" on p. 352
regarding sources
and a cautionary word
on how best
to interpret the maps.

who own Eurasian Collared-Doves
may confuse them with Ringed
Turtle-Doves or may not admit to
others that they own Eurasian
Collared-Doves. While conducting
surveys to identify individuals who
own Eurasian Collared-Doves, C.
M. Romagosa received several
requests asking for breeding stock.
Smith (1987) had the same experi¬
ence while researching captive sta¬
tus in the mid-1980s. Eurasian
Collared-Dove is not as popular in
captivity as Ringed Turtle-Dove
due to its aggressiveness toward
other birds and its wariness with
humans. These traits have led to its
release in several states (anon.,
pers. comm.). (See “Note from the
Authors” below on the issue of
anonymity.) Populations in Cali¬
fornia first appearing in Ventura in
1992 (P. Lehman in litt.) are a
result of doves that were released
in the area (anon., pers. comm.).
The small population in King City,
California, is also a locally intro¬
duced population (H. Banks, pers.
comm.). Individuals released in
Braggadocio, Missouri, were ob¬
tained from an auction in Tennes¬
see (anon., pers. comm.). Bohlen
(1998) suspects that the Strepto-
pelia population in Joliet, Illinois,
originated from released birds. The
appearance and eventual nesting
of Eurasian Collared-Doves in
Memphis, Tennessee, in the spring
of 1994 was thought to be from a
release of captives (R. Knight, pers.

Figure 4b

VOLUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 4

351

comm.). A population in Houston was released in the mid-1990s (G.
Lasley, pers. comm.), and several other releases have occurred in Texas
(anon., pers. comm.), although the dove may also have reached these
areas by natural dispersal from the southeast. Such releases obscure
our understanding of the actual dispersal pattern of the species. The
potential for translocation of the species from Florida to other places
in North American could further confound the issue. C. M. Romagosa
currently is using molecular techniques to identify point sources of
introduction in North America.

The breeding biology of the Eurasian Collared-Dove in North
America is poorly known. Nesting is documented in several states
including California (K. Garrett, pers. comm.), Alabama (Drennen
1997), Colorado (M. Janos, pers. comm.), and Montana. Nesting
occurred in Nebraska less than a year after the species first appeared
there (Grzybowski 1998). Eurasian Collared-Doves can breed
throughout the year, and breeding was recorded in Florida in
December (McNair 1997). The incubation period documented in
Gulf Breeze, Florida, was 14 days, with fledging after 17 days (Rose &
Rose 1999). Given its historic range expansion throughout Europe
(Fisher 1953, Hudson 1965) and its rapid invasion of Florida (Smith
1987, Hengeveld 1993, Romagosa & Labisky in press) and the
Southeast, the Eurasian Collared-Dove probably will colonize most of
North America within the next few decades. Climatically warm areas
and the mid-continental cereal production areas where grain spillage
is commonplace will be especially vulnerable.

CONCERNS AND PREDICTIONS

As this species spreads into habitats it had not previously occupied in
North America, it may cause problems for indigenous species.
Eurasian Collared-Dove may become a potential competitor with
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) due to their similar dietary and
nesting requirements. Kale (1984) observed that Streptopelia spp.
seemed to be displacing the Mourning Dove in localized areas in
southern Florida. Interactions observed between Eurasian Collared-
Doves and Mourning Doves have led many to believe that Collared-
Doves may be more aggressive. For example, Collared-Doves have
been observed chasing Mourning Doves and other native bird
species — Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis), Painted Bunt¬
ings (Passerina ciris), and Blue Jays (Cyanocitta cristata) — from feed¬
ing stations in southeastern Florida (Romagosa & Labisky in press). It
should be noted, however, that Mourning Doves have been seen chas¬
ing Eurasian Collared-Doves in the same manner. Concern has arisen
about the apparent decrease of Mourning Doves where Eurasian
Collared-Doves are abundant, as in Cedar Key, Florida (C. M. R., pers.
obs., Stedman 1998). Birdwatchers should be aware of potential com¬
petition, and Mourning Dove populations should be monitored
where Eurasian Collared-Doves are present.

Eurasian Collared-Doves are not without predators in their New
World range. Their preference for suburban areas and other human-
associated habitats is linked to predation from domestic cats
(Coombs et al. 1981, C.M.R., pers. obs.). Collared-Doves are also
becoming a popular prey item for raptors. Cooper’s Hawks (Accipiter
cooperi) (C. M. R„ pers. obs., B. Anderson, pers. comm.), Sharp-
Shinned Hawks (Accipiter striatus) (H. Banks, pers. comm.), and
Short-Tailed Hawks (Buteo brachyurus) (Ogden 1992) have all prof¬
ited from the increased number of easy prey. Remains of a Eurasian
Collared-Dove were discovered in a Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicu-
laria) burrow in Florida (P. Bowen, pers. comm.). The Eurasian
Collared-Dove increase may be a blessing to native hawks in subur¬
ban and rural/agricultural settings.

Eurasian Collared-Doves have also found their way into hunters’

bags and have been harvested in Georgia (G. W. Steele 1998, website),
Missouri (J. H. Schulz, pers. comm.), Mississippi (R. D. Elmore, pers.
comm.), and Texas (M. K. Skoruppa, pers. comm.). The larger
Collared-Dove may become attractive to hunters, possibly reducing
pressure on Mourning and White-winged (Zenaida asiatica) doves.

There is still much to learn about the status of the Eurasian
Collared-Dove in North America. More observation and research on
breeding habits, movements, and life history of this species is sorely
needed before we can begin to understand what effects it may have on
indigenous North American birdlife. Other introduced bird species —
e.g., House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) and European Starling
(Sturnus vulgaris) — have taken hold and become permanently estab¬
lished as a part of our avifauna without our having fully documented
and studied the initial phases of their expansion. With the Collared-
Dove, we now have an excellent and rare opportunity to identify and
monitor a species newly introduced into our habitats during this ini¬
tial phase. The phenomenon seems particularly intriguing since the
species seems to be spreading so rapidly over such a wide region,
forming so many localized breeding populations, and potentially
affecting other related genera. Documentation of both indigenous
and nonindigenous dove demographics could provide valuable infor¬
mation for wildlife managers in the years to come.

NOTE FROM THE AUTHORS

We obtained most of the information for the maps in this article from
published sources such as North American Birds (also Field Notes and
American Birds), rare bird alert postings on the internet, and person¬
al communications with several individuals. Due to the massive
amount of accumulated data and potential reporting error from
sources, some dates and locations may be inaccurate. Please contact
the authors if you notice any errors; we would like to be as accurate as
possible in our continuing research. There are very few verified
records from Canada at this point, and none that we are aware of from
Mexico. There have been various reports of Eurasian Collared-Doves
close to the Mexican border, and there is no reason to believe that the
doves have not crossed it.

There is an inherent bias with the flood of Eurasian Collared-Dove
reports in the past few years. With greater public awareness, the num¬
ber of reports will increase, giving the appearance of a sudden disper¬
sal of doves to an area. This phenomenon was evident after a request
for information on the Eurasian Collared-Dove in Missouri was post¬
ed (Low 1998). Readers must be aware of this potential bias and view
the accompanying maps (Fig. 4) with this in mind.

Because of the delicate issue of the source of Eurasian Collared-
Dove introductions, several people asked to remain anonymous. We
respect their privacy and appreciate their willingness to contribute
important information on the species.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This paper was very much a collaborative effort, and we are greatly indebted to
all that have contributed. We would like to thank all state and provincial bird
record committees for responding to our questionnaire regarding Eurasian
Collared-Dove verification and distribution. In the few instances where ques¬
tionnaires were not returned, we took the liberty to seek advice from other
state experts. Due to space limitations, we cannot thank everyone individually
who has assisted in this undertaking over the last two years. We thank you for
all your assistance and hope you enjoy the fruits of this group effort. For their
considerable help and expertise we thank: P. Baicich, H. Banks, H. D. Bohlen,
). Dinsmore, R. D. Elmore, J. Frank, T. H. Kent, A. Kratter, G. Lasley, N. Moore,
H. Nehls, M. Parker, J. Pire, J. H. Schulz, P. Springer, H. T. Taylor, M. Tempel, S.
Williams, and J. D. Wilson. T. Schiefer compiled Eurasian Collared-Dove sight¬
ings through 1996 and was kind enough to send these to C. M. R. via email.
We would also like to thank D. Roberson, D. W. Steadman, T. Will, M.

352

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE

Williams, and the editors of North American Birds for assisting us in the prepa¬
ration of this manuscript. C.M.R. would like to thank R. F. Labisky for contin¬
uing advice on this project. Lastly, we would like to thank R W. Smith for his
comments and for initially introducing North American birdwatchers to
Eurasian Collared-Doves.

LITERATURE CITED

Barre, N., R Feldmann, G. Tayalay, R Roc, M. Anselme, and P. W. Smith. 1996.
Status of the Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) in the French
Antilles. El Pitirre9 (3): 2-3.

Blackshaw, S. H. 1988. Identifying the Eurasian Collared-Dove. Birding 20:
311-312.

Bohlen, H. D. 1998. A new dove colonizing Illinois. Living Museum 59: 6-7.
Coombs, C. F. B., A. J. Isaacson, R. K. Murton, R. ]. P. Thearle, and N. J.
Westwood. 1981. Collared doves (Streptopelia decaocto) in urban habitats.
Journal of Applied Ecology 18: 41-62.

Cramp, S., ed. 1985. Terns to Woodpeckers. The Handbook of the Birds of
Europe, the Middle East and North Africa: The Birds of the Western
Palearctic, vol. 4. Oxford University Press, New York.

DeBenedictis, P. 1994. Ringed Turtle-Dove vs. Eurasian Collared-Dove:
ABAnswers. Birding 26: 133.

Del Hoyo, J., A. Elliot, and J. Sargatal, eds. 1997. Sandgrouse to Cuckoos.
Handbook of the Birds of the World, vol. 4. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona,

Spain.

Drennen, D. I. 1997. Nesting of Eurasian Collared-Doves (Streptopelia decaoc¬
to) in Barbour County, Alabama. Alabama Birdlife 43 (1): 1-7.

Eckert, K. R. 1999. A first state record Eurasian Collared-Dove. The Loon 70
(4): 199-200.

Raffaele, H., J. Wiley, O. Garrido, A. Keith, and J. Raffaele. 1998. A Guide to the
Birds of the West Indies. Princeton University Press, New Jersey.

Robertson, H. A. 1990. Breeding of collared doves Streptopelia decaocto in rural
Oxfordshire, England. Bird Study 37: 73-83.

Romagosa, C. M., and R. F. Labisky. In press. The establishment and dispersal
of the Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) in Florida. Journal of
Field Ornithology.

Rose, R. E., and M. C. Rose. 1999. Observations of nesting Eurasian Collared-
Doves (Streptopelia decaocto) in Gulf Breeze, Florida. Alabama Birdlife 45
(1): 1-3.

Smith, P. W. 1987. The Eurasian Collared-Dove arrives in the Americas.
American Birds 41: 1370-1379.

Smith, P. W., and H. W. Kale, II. 1986. Eurasian Collared-Doves collected in
Florida. Florida Field Naturalist 14: 104-107.

Smith, P. W. 1995. The Eurasian Collared-Dove reaches the Lesser Antilles. El
Pitirre 8(3): 3.

Snow, D., and C. Perrins. 1998. The Birds of the Western Paleartic. Concise
Edition, vol. 1. Oxford University Press, New York.

Stedman, S. 1 998. Changing seasons: The nesting season. North American Birds
52 (4): 424—426.

Stevenson, H. M., and B. H. Anderson. 1994. The Birdlife of Florida. University
Press of Florida, Gainesville.

Vaurie, C. 1961. Systematic notes on Palearctic birds, no. 49, Columbidae: The
genus Streptopelia. American Museum Novitates 2058: 1-25.

Voous, K. H. 1960. Atlas of European Birds. Nelson and Son, London.

White, A. W. 1986. Collared-Dove: The next new North American species?
Birding 18 (3): 150-152.

Fisher, J. 1953. The collared turtle dove in Europe. British Birds 5: 153-181.

Francis, J. 1996. The Eurasian Collared-Dove on Nevis. El Pitirre 9 (3): 4.

Garrido, O. H., and A. Kirkconnell. 1990. La Tortola Streptopelia decaocto
(Aves: Columbidae) en Cuba. El Pitirre 3 (4): 2.

Goodwin, D. 1967. Pigeons and Doves of the World. Grosvenor Press,
Portsmouth, United Kingdom.

Goodwin, D. 1973. The buff variety of the Collared-Dove. British Birds 66:
373-376.

Goodwin, D. 1983. Pigeons and Doves of the World, 3d ed. Cornell University
Press, Ithaca, New York.

Green, C. 1977. The exotic birds of New Providence. The Bahamas Naturalist 2
(2): 11-16.

Grzybowski, J. A. 1998. The spring migration: Southern
Great Plains region. Field Notes 52 (3): 352

Hengeveld, R. 1989. Dynamics of Biological Invasions.

Chapman and Hall, London.

Hengeveld, R. 1993. What to do about the North American
invasion by the collared-dove. Journal of Field
Ornithology 64: 477-489.

Holmes, J. 1992. First documented record of Eurasian
Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) for Alabama.

Alabama Birdlife 39 (2): 1-2.

Hudson, R. 1965. The spread of the collared dove in Britain
and Ireland. British Birds 58: 105-139.

Hudson, R. 1972. Collared doves in Britain and Ireland dur¬
ing 1965-1972. British Birds 65: 139-155.

Kale, H. W., II. 1984. The spring migration: March 1-May
31 1984. American Birds 38: 901.

Long, J. L. 1981. Introduced Birds of the World. Universe
Books, New York.

Lockhart, B. 1997. Ringneck dove colors. Self published.

Low, J. 1 998. Bird experts need your help finding new doves.

Missouri Conservationist 59: 30.

Mayr, E. 1950. Speciation in birds. Pp. 91-131 in Proceedings
of theXth International Ornithological Congress, Uppsala.

Mayr, E. 1965. The nature of colonizations in birds. Pp.

29-47 in H. G. Baker and G. L. Stebbins, eds. The
Genetics of Colonizing Species. Academic Press, New
York.

McNair, D. B. 1997. Early winter breeding record of the
Eurasian Collared-Dove in northern Florida. Florida
Field Naturalist 25: 22-23.

Ogden, J. C. 1992. The winter season: Florida region.

American Birds 46: 225-257.

Pielou, E. C. 1979. Biogeography. John Wiley & Sons, New
York.

-Received 22 March 1999, accepted 9 November 1999

CORRIGENDUM: Lawry Sager’s name was misspelled in the credit
for his Wood Thrush photograph in Pictorial Highlights on page
344, Spring Migration, Volume 53, No. 3, 1999.

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The Great Texas Birding (lassie

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L&2

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www.tpwd.state.tx.us/gtbc

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

353

Parented by the adult featured on the cover, these juvenile Black-necked Stilts were photographed in July
at Horicon N.W.R. They were among the five young that established a new state breeding record for Wisconsin
Photograph/Jack Bartholmai

TOM WILL *

or some birders, the summer season represents the doldrums — a
time devoid of the visual thrill of skeins of arching waterfowl
wings or streams and kettles of raptors, a time without the exhilara¬
tion of sudden multispecies fallouts, a time when the probability of
finding an unexpected vagrant is low, and — at least in some
regions — a time when it is just too hot to bird. But as Dan Purrington
has pointed out repeatedly in his Central Southern reports, the sea¬
son marks the end of spring and the beginning of fall migration for
many species and a period of wandering for others. The summer is
hardly a season without movement (Kaufman 1997b). And where
there is bird movement, there are bound to be surprises.

The 1999 nesting season was no exception. Its two months
embraced no fewer than ten Regional first occurrences, 17 addition¬
al first state or sub- Regional records, seven confirmed first Regional
breeding records, and nine additional first state breeding events.
Some of these reports have yet to survive the scrutiny of their respec¬
tive state committees, but excluded from this summary are those that
merely suggested breeding, however strongly — like the White-
crowned Sparrow seen carrying nesting material on 21 )une in
Quebec. Nor does the tally include the many second returns of first¬
time breeders; or the many first records for individual ecoregions,
counties, hotspots, or parks; or the numerous first records, both
Regional and state, for the summer period itself.

PREMIER APPEARANCES

This season’s premier records — first-time Regional appearances —
included a Cassin’s Kingbird in Nova Scotia and a Sage Thrasher in
New Brunswick that appeared to be riding the same mid-July “sum¬
mer train from the southwest.” A Mongolian Plover, also in )uly, was a
first for New England; only one other, in New Jersey, has ever been
documented on the North American Atlantic coast. In early June, a
Tropical/Couch’s Kingbird found its way to Illinois for a first Middle-

*2186 Doswell Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55108 (twill@fw.umn.edu)

354

western Prairie appearance. In Arizona, a photo of Short-tailed Hawk
documented the species’ occurrence in that state, and a Carolina Wren
was a first from west of the Continental Divide. After a handful of
undocumented sightings dating back to 1983, Swainson’s Warbler was
finally added to the New Mexico list as number 499. If the records are
accepted by the appropriate review committees, early June appear¬
ances of Blue-throated Hummingbird in North Dakota and a pair of
Eastern Bluebirds in California would be firsts for the Northern Great
Plains and the Middle Pacific, respectively. Finally, an Ash-throated
Flycatcher appearing for a day in mid- July in Juneau established a first
Alaska record. In addition to these Regional ultimates, first state,
provincial, or extensive sub-Regional area records were established
with Great White Heron in Michigan; Zone-tailed Hawk in Colorado;
Eurasian Collared-Dove in Massachusetts, Indiana, and North
Dakota; White-winged Dove in Rhode Island and Labrador;
Common Cuckoo in Southcoastal Alaska; Green Violet-ear in
Louisiana; Black-backed Woodpecker in Colorado; Gray Flycatcher in
Montana and Alberta; Cassin’s Vireo in Southcoastal Alaska;
Northern Parula in Idaho; Nashville and Palm warblers in the Yukon;
and Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch in southern Ontario.

What do these extralimital first records signify? Are these birds
merely genetically malprogrammed misfits? Are they waifs buffeted
about by the vagaries of continental weather? Or are they the oppor¬
tunistic vanguard of species range expansion? One could go through
the list and find likely candidates for all of these possibilities. Migrants
(like Mongolian Plover) are likely to be genetic misfits or objects of
the chance intersection of migration and weather; yet if one compares
past and present occurrences of species like Curlew Sandpiper, one
wonders if records such as Mongolian Plover on the East Coast will
have us searching the eastern Nearctic for enclaves of breeders 20
years from now. Others on the list fit a previously detected pattern
and are more clearly candidate representatives of a vanguard: Euras¬
ian Collared-Dove, White-winged Dove, and Carolina Wren. Some
are tantalizingly intriguing: what’s going on with the kingbirds and
Gray Flycatcher, for example? The key is detecting a pattern. One of

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

the reasons the nesting season is so rewarding is that it provides an
opportunity to track the transitions between vagrant appearances,
fringe nesting attempts, and consistent range expansion.

THE BREEDING VANGUARD

This season, first confirmed Regional breeding records were estab¬
lished for Black-bellied Whistling-Duck and Dickcissel in Florida,
Buff-breasted Flycatcher in Texas, Arctic Tern in the Middle Pacific
Coast, Semipalmated Plover in the Southern Pacific Coast, Chuck-
will’s-widow in the West Indies, and Least Tern in the Hawaiian
Islands. All but the Least Tern and Black-bellied Whistling-Duck were
successful in hatching or fledging young. First-time state or provincial
breeding was reported for Pied-billed Grebe in Newfoundland,
American White Pelican in Michigan, Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
in Oklahoma, Common Eider in Rhode Island, Black-necked Stilt in
Wisconsin, Franklin’s Gull in Colorado, Ring-billed Gull in Pennsyl¬
vania, Bronzed Cowbird in Mississippi, and European Goldfinch in
Quebec.

Using Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) data and Massachusetts
vagrancy records of five species, Veit (2000) provides convincing evi¬
dence for a strong link in time between vagrancy in a species and
breeding success and population abundance in some portion of its
range. Vagrants were defined as individuals that dispersed farther than
90% of the population, in some cases moving more than ten times the
average dispersal distance (Veit and Lewis 1996). Interestingly, as in
the case of Clay-colored Sparrow, the correlation was not always high¬
est with that portion of the species range closest to the areas of
vagrancy (Veit 2000). Thus fringe vagrants may be the consequence of
species breeding success and the harbingers of population growth and
range expansion elsewhere.

Black-necked Stilt is the season’s featured example of vagrancy and
range expansion. These waders graced numerous new localities with
their presence — and the pages of nine Regional reports. With a core
breeding range in Florida, the Gulf Coast, and major portions of the
western states, single stilts wandered to coastal New York and New
Jersey in early June. Increases in their locally preferred salt panne
habitat probably account in part for the spate of new locality nestings
in the Middle Atlantic Coast. Stilts were noteworthy nesters in three
Florida localities. Substantial production in Louisiana was suggested
by an impressive count of 700 in a rice field near Eunice in July.
Breeding records were on the rise in northern Mississippi, and stilts
expanded their range in the Southern Great Plains with noteworthy
presence in Oklahoma and northern Nebraska. Their big push seems
to have been into the upper mid-West: there were noteworthy con¬
centrations in Missouri, successful nests in Kentucky and Illinois, a
first breeding record in Wisconsin, presence in South Dakota (where
they have become “somewhat regular”), and penultimate breeding
records in North Dakota and Alberta. Regional reporters have com¬
mented before on stilt success, and it joins the ranks of a number of
others whose ranges are expanding northward — but Black-necked
Stilt’s progress seemed especially impressive this summer.

Kingbirds were also on the move, but space limitations preclude a
detailed review here. Western Kingbirds appeared throughout the east
as vagrants and breeders, and Easterns pushed north to Labrador and
Churchill and west to the Pacific coast with hints of possible breeding.
Tropical/Couch’s Kingbirds established new records in the mid-West
and Gulf Coast and a first July appearance in California, while Scissor-
tailed Flycatcher elicited noteworthy mention in 15 states. The con¬
tinuing march of Eurasian Collared-Dove is thoroughly documented
in the preceding review in this issue by C. Romagosa and T.
McEneaney. White-winged Dove showed up in a puffin colony off

Labrador and continued its growth and expansion northeastward,
while Great-tailed Grackle extended its tail deeper into the western
states. Purple Gallinule, following its strong incursion in the spring,
made only a small splash in Illinois and Missouri, while Blue Gros¬
beak’s northward range creep seemed somewhat cooler this season.

Given space limitations in North American Birds, track records of
species considered common in particular areas are rarely mentioned.
Gray Flycatcher, for example, elicited no comments in its core range
in the central western states, but New Mexico has been reporting
banner years for this species for the past several summer seasons,
including this one. The BBS 1966-1996 Trend Map for Gray Flycatch¬
er indicates more than a 1.5% increase per year over most of its
range. If this information — coupled with optimistic reports from
New Mexico — suggests widespread population increase, then its first
appearances this summer in Montana and Alberta are intriguing in
light of the vagrancy/core-range-production hypothesis (Veit 2000).
I urge everyone to consult the prodigious amount of information
and analysis tools available on the USGS/BBS website (www.
mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs) — especially the trend and distribution
maps — for a look at the kingbirds and other species. One must be
aware, however, that these data have their limitations, and their inter¬
pretation can be both complex and controversial.

WHAT PART, THE CLIMATE— OR THE WEATHER?

It is tempting to ascribe northward range expansions to current glob¬
al warming patterns. Insects overwintering as larvae or pupae may be
especially sensitive to a diminution of the temperature extremes that
set their physiological limits, and we might therefore expect the insec-
tivore guild to be one of the first to reflect regional warming trends.
Scientific data supporting such links are slowly beginning to accumu¬
late (e.g., Mason 1995, Crick et al. 1997). But in advocating for this
pattern, what do we do with the contradictory examples — such as the
Winter Wrens now suspected of breeding in several southeastern
Minnesota counties?

The weather this season was remarkably consistent continent¬
wide, with two very broad patterns in evidence. In the Northeast, a
relatively warm, dry spring progressed into a very hot, very dry sum¬
mer, with pronounced — -in some cases extreme — drought conditions
from Quebec through Georgia. The eastern interior shared the hot,
dry pattern, which also pushed northwestward across the northern
Prairie Provinces into the Yukon. In contrast, a very wet, cold pattern
in Alaska and across the northwestern provinces and states penetrat¬
ed southeastward into the continental interior across the southern
Prairie Provinces to the Great Lakes states and south to Oklahoma.
Temperatures over this second wetter region tended to be cold in the
north, cool in the west and south, and hot in the east; drier and
warmer weather came to this area in the latter portion of the sum¬
mer — dramatically so by mid-June in Alaska, but not until mid-July
in the Pacific Northwest and southern Prairie Provinces. In addition
to these two patterns, California weather was fairly normal, Arizona
and New Mexico experienced first drought and then heavy rains, and
in Texas and Florida, a dry spring gave way to above average rains in
June and below average rains in July.

Bird movements generally reflected the regional weather patterns.
In the East where spring and early summer were warm and dry, spring
migration ended early, breeding in some localities was as much as two
weeks ahead of schedule, and many migrants departed early.
Conversely, spring migration in the West tended to be delayed by up
to two weeks by the cold and wet weather, especially in Alaska, and a
number of record late migration dates were established in Oregon-
Washington and California. Birders in Idaho witnessed a migratory

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

355

fallout as late as 5-8 June that included five species of rare “eastern”
warblers. The Prairie Provinces report details an extraordinary influx
of “southern” species into Churchill, and Koes and Taylor hypothesize
that northbound migrants overshot their breeding ranges when they
encountered the cold, wet pattern in southern Manitoba and wound
up in northern Manitoba where warm temperatures were advanced
by a full month.

The sweltering eastern field conditions clearly affected nesting
records: many potential observers apparently chose to remain
indoors. How the summer weather influenced breeding is less cer¬
tain. If nothing else, an effort to generalize a pattern underscores the
complex ecological links that make it difficult to pin down simple
cause and effect relationships. For example, many observers thought
the warm, dry eastern summer probably benefited nesting songbirds,
in part by facilitating insect foraging. But as R. Leberman points out
in his Appalachian report, small mammals also benefited, and their
success in southwestern Pennsylvania had a negative impact on
Louisiana Waterthrush, which suffered a doubling in nest predation.
The wet conditions in the southern Prairie Provinces resulted in a
disastrous season for Swainson’s Hawk (the worst in 30 years in a
study on the Saskatchewan prairies) and appeared to flood out many
waterfowl, but later-breeding species (e.g., Eared Grebes) exploited
the ephemeral wetlands and nested in huge numbers. Elsewhere,
high water created nesting habitat for waterfowl and removed littoral
habitat for migrant shorebirds. In Vermont, Common Loons experi¬
enced exceptional fledging success, but in Massachusetts, low water
conditions were believed to have been responsible for low loon pro¬
ductivity. Nowhere was this contrasting effect of water conditions
better illustrated than in Florida, where the same weather patterns
led to a 300% increase in wading bird nesting effort in the Everglades
and a 50% decline in the Tampa Bay area over the previous year —
when the situation was reversed! (See the Florida report where R. T.
Paul and A. F. Schnapf present a detailed analysis.) The cold, wet
spring in the central northwest continental regions had a clear nega¬
tive impact on some passerine breeding: Koes and Taylor site a
Saskatchewan study in which 223 Tree Swallows died in 240 nest
boxes in late June. Conversely, M. Shepard notes that one result of
British Columbia-Yukon’s wet summer was a large flight of crossbills
invading to feast on the abundant conifer cone crops triggered by the
rains. Finally, as R. Paxton notes, the effects of the eastern drought on
nesting may only become evident later, as a result of low seed and
fruit crop production.

Mountain species may be particularly vulnerable to drought con¬
ditions. The spring and early summer drought in Arizona kept large
numbers of Western Tanagers and Pine Siskins at lowland feeders well
into July, and the impression was that few birds bred successfully in
the mountains. Mass exodus of western montane birds into the low¬
lands is a pattern that has been observed before, most recently during
fall and winter of 1996-1997, when the irruptions were widely
believed to be the result of severe drought conditions during summer
1996 and the consequent failure of wild food crops (Kaufman 1997a).
From the Middle Atlantic Coast, M. lliff documented a pattern of
)une and July appearances of species like White-throated Sparrow and
Dark-eyed Junco that typically breed in mountain areas outside the
Region. He hypothesized that drought conditions in their montane
breeding grounds led to failed nesting and precipitated early dispersal
to lower ground in Maryland. In the Appalachian Region, R.
Leberman noted the same pattern of dispersal from mountain
uplands to lower elevations farther south, but here he identified it as
an ongoing trend, not necessarily linked to drought but possibly hav¬
ing to do with the increasing availability of maturing lowland

spruce/pine plantations or regenerating mixed forests. The montane-
to-lowland dispersal phenomenon may have multiple causes, but it is
a fine example of an apparent pattern in need of continued study —
an excellent project for an ambitious student of bird distribution.

GOOD NEWS . . . AND CALLS FOR CONTINUED ACTION

In general, the news was good this summer for beleaguered species.
Cooler ocean temperatures and nutrient upwelling turned seabird
productivity around in the eastern Pacific; after a full decade of
abysmal breeding, Oregon Common Murres finally had a good sea¬
son, and there were large numbers of juvenile seabirds noted off
Middle Pacific coasts. Brown Pelican nesting success in Florida was
below that of recent years, but they were doing well in the Middle
Atlantic Coast and wandered widely. Ospreys did particularly well in
the Northeast. With pesticide-driven declines turned around, threat¬
ened raptors continue their comeback as human commensals: Bald
Eagle (with its penchant for carrion), Peregrine Falcon (with a taste
for pigeons and a willingness to nest on human structures), and to a
certain extent, Cooper’s Hawk and Merlin (benefiting by crow
increases and consequent urban nest-site availability— see R.
Martin’s SA in Northern Great Plains). Loggerhead Shrikes experi¬
enced nesting failures in the Southern Atlantic Coast and Prairie
Provinces but showed truly promising signs in southern Ontario and
Wisconsin. Dickcissels and Henslow’s Sparrow had a fine year and
showed signs of expansion in Iowa and Illinois, but the ultimate fate
of grassland birds must be considered precarious, especially given the
dramatic decline of Upland Sandpiper noted this season in the
Northeast. The Upland Sandpiper/grassland survey SAs in New
England and Hudson-Delaware offer a fascinating analysis and
sobering call to action.

Nesting Piping Plovers provide an optimistic but poignant exam¬
ple of the need for continued attention. These birds did especially well
and showed substantial increases over 1998 in many areas, with esti¬
mates of productivity averaging 1.4 chicks per pair in four widely-
spaced locations. Massachusetts populations were “ever-burgeoning,”
with a new high total of 515 nesting pairs (a 4% increase from 1998).
One can stand up and applaud, but only cautiously. This is largely a
management victory, won, in the words of W. Peterson, through
“more than a decade of intense political effort, public education, and
improved barrier beach management.” If the effort were ever to be
relaxed, Piping Plovers would almost certainly succumb to off-road
vehicles, unleashed dogs, and predation by crows and foxes.
Enthusiastic statements also need to be tempered by attention to the
numbers involved. At a site in Iowa, for example, Piping Plover activ¬
ity “was the greatest in several years... with five pairs plus a nest with
four eggs.” Great Lakes victories are still measured in handfuls of
pairs. Very clearly in the case of this bird, human activity is the agent
of demise or success; we can be optimistic and congratulate ourselves
on a job well done, but we all need to be aware that more than likely
this will be an enduring effort that cannot be relaxed. There will also
be other knotty kinks in management strategies to be on top of imme¬
diately: consider, for example, the perils faced by cormorants (SA in
Hudson-Delaware) and Caspian Terns (SA in Oregon-Washington).

Only intense data acquisition — of which we are a part — and the
application of clever and sophisticated analytic tools can tell us
whether birds are really on the move more as global warming tweaks
ecosystems, or whether there are just more folks in the field, or
whether birders are just a lot more skilled at finding birds (Wood
1999). From a birder’s perspective, however, it may not matter. The
bottom line is that there is a lot out there to find in June and July. In
just a quick scan for “yet to be confirmed” and “suspicious presence”

356

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

CHANGING SEASONS

in this issue’s reports, I found over 40 major state- or Regional-level
breeding records awaiting documentation. My vote for the place to be
next summer for avid nest-seekers would be the Davis Mountains of
Texas, where there were no fewer than nine tantalizing reports requir¬
ing confirmation! See you there.

LITERATURE CITED

Crick, H. Q. P., C. Dudley, D. E. Glue, and D. L. Thompson. 1997. U. K. birds
are laying their eggs earlier. Nature 388: 526.

Kaufman, K. 1997a. Changing seasons: Winter 1996-1997. National Audubon
Society Field Notes 51(3): 718-721.

Kaufman, K. 1997b. Changing seasons: The nesting season, June 1— July 31,
1997. Field Notes 51(5): 960-963.

Where’s Waldo? Imbedded within the text of the Regional
Reports are three bird “funnies.” Can you find them?

Mason, C. F. 1995. Long-term trends in the arrival dates of spring migrants.
Bird Study 42(3): 182-189.

Veit, R. R. 2000. Vagrants as the expanding fringe of a growing population. Auk
117(1): 242-246.

Veit, R. R., and M. A. Lewis. 1996. Dispersal, population growth and the Allee
effect: Dynamics of the House Finch invasion of eastern North America.
American Naturalist 148: 255-271. ]

Wood, C. L. 1999. Changing seasons: Spring migration.

North American Birds 53(3): 247-251.

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VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

357

STANDARD ABBREVIATIONS
USED IN THE REGIONAL
REPORTS

Abbreviations used
in place names

In most regions, place names given in
italic type are counties. Other abbrevia¬
tions:

A.F.B. Air Force Base

Cr. Creek

Ft. Fort

Hwy Highway

I. Island or Isle

Is. Islands or Isles

Jet. Junction

km kilometer(s)

L. Lake

mi mile (s)

Mt. Mountain or Mount

Mts. Mountains

N.F. National Forest

N.M. National Monument

N.P. National Park

N.W.R. National Wildlife Refuge

P.P. Provincial Park

Pen. Peninsula

Pt. Point (not Port)

R. River

Ref. Refuge

Res. Reservoir (not Reservation)

S. P. State Park

W.M.A. Wildlife Management Area
W.T.P. (Waste) Water Treatment
Pond(s) or Plant
Abbreviations used
in the names of birds:

Am. American

Com. Common

E. Eastern

Eur. Eurasian

Mt. Mountain

N. Northern

S. Southern

W. Western

Other abbreviations

and symbols referring to birds:

ad. adult

imm. immature

juv. juvenal or juvenile

ph. photographed

sp. species

tape audio tape-recorded

v.t. video-taped

t written details were

submitted for a sighting
a specimen was collected
<® subject to review by appro¬

priate records committee
BBS Breeding Bird Survey

CBC Christmas Bird Count

reference books ° regional guides °
videos ° CDs ° videos ° software
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3S8

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

atlantic provinces region

BRUCE MACTAVISH

The warm dry weather of spring contin¬
ued into summer across the Region.
This seemed to benefit breeding songbirds:
Tree Swallows fledged two weeks early in
New Brunswick, and at a long-term moni¬
toring program in Kejimkujik National
Park, Nova Scotia, warblers bred early.
Presumably foraging for insects was excel¬
lent.'

There are still patterns of occurrence to
discover in the traditionally quiet summer
season; it is turning into one of the best sea¬
sons for exciting vagrants. White-winged
Doves have been showing up in midsum¬
mer annually for the last decade; this sum¬
mer there was one in Nova Scotia and one
on a puffin colony off the coast of
Labrador! There may be other species rid¬
ing on the summer train from the south¬
west. A Cassin’s Kingbird in Nova Scotia
and a Sage Thrasher in New Brunswick,
both Regional firsts, occurred in the same
five-day period in July. An interesting vari¬
ety of rarities from other points on the
compass included a Magnificent Frigate-
bird and a Say’s Phoebe in Newfoundland
and two Little Egrets and a summering
Garganey in Nova Scotia.

Abbreviations: C.B.I. (Cape Breton /., NS); C.S.I.
(Cape Sable /., NS); G.M.I. (Grand Manan /.,
NB); S.P.M. (St. Pierre et Miquelon).

GREBES THROUGH CRANES

Newfoundland’s first breeding record for
Pied-billed Grebe was established when an
adult with three chicks was observed in the
s.w. corner of the province at Loch Lomond
28 Jul (GS). Early and rare Cory’s Shear¬
waters were singles reported at Baccaro
Light, NS, 5 Jun (MN) and Georges Bank,
NS, 25 Jul (RD). Manx Shearwater was
reported from all provinces; the greatest
number was 100 on 25 Jul off Langlade,
S.P.M. (LJ). The first nesting of N. Gannet
in Bay of Fundy since the mid-19th century
was confirmed when a pair attending a nest
containing one chick was found on White
Horse Islet near Passamaquoddy Bay, NB,
in July (fide DC). An imm. Double-crested
Cormorant was rare as far north as Goose
Bay, Lab., 29 Jun (BMt). A female frigate-
bird, presumably a Magnificent Frigate-
bird, spent a morning among gulls scav¬
enging fish scraps in the s. coastal New¬
foundland community of Ramea 4 Jun
(RN). Nova Scotia had two Little Egrets,
with one photographed at Rossway 6 Jun
(IM) and another at The Hawk, C.S.I.,
12-20 Jun (MN). Southern heron reports
were few, with the most interesting being a
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 9-16 Jun at
Overton, NS (HH), single Tricolored Her¬
ons 16 Jun at C.S.I. (MN) and 1 1-21 Jun on
Sable I., NS (ZL), and an ad. Little Blue He¬
ron 21 Jun at Ramea, NF (RN). There was a
Turkey Vulture nest near Saint John, NB, at
the same site as the Region’s first nesting
last year ( JWi).

A late migrating flock of 32 Snow Geese
flew over Campbellton, NB, 3 Jun (RCh).
Five male and a female Wood Duck at vari¬
ous locations in the Codroy Valley, NF, 4-7
(un suggests the first provincial breeding re¬
cord is close at hand (PL). A brood of N.
Shovelers at S.P.M. was a faint echo of last
summer’s influx into the e. part of the Reg¬
ion (RE). The male Garganey found in May
at Belleisle Marsh, NS, was present until at
least 26 (ul (m.ob.). The only Eur. Wigeon
was a male at Eddy Marsh near Amherst,
NS, 19 Jun (RS). One-hundred-and-seventy
post-breeding male Greater Scaup had ac¬
cumulated at Pictou, NS, by 12 Jul (KM).
For the 4th consecutive year a brood of
Harlequin Ducks was on the Charlo R., NB
(fide DC). Single Ruddy Ducks were at the

Pointe-Verte, NB, sewage lagoon 29 Jun
(RG) and Broad Cove, NS, 7 Jul (SF). A N.
Harrier fledged five young at the site of
Labrador’s first breeding record last year
beside the Churchill Falls airport runway
(fide BMt). A Red-shouldered Hawk was n.
of the known breeding range in New
Brunswick near Dalhousie 17 Jul (ML). An
Am. Kestrel nest at Goose Bay 21 Jun was
one of the few nests found in Labrador
(BMt). Soras were heard at 2 different loca¬
tions near Goose Bay, Lab., 5 & 27 Jun
(BMt). An unusual number of Sandhill
Cranes was present in New Brunswick, with
singles at Lower Coverdale 2-4 Jun, Eight
Mile L. 12-13 Jun, Havelock 15-21 Jun, and
Shippagen 1 Jul (fide DC). One was at East
Pt„ PEI, 1-18 Jun (fide RC).

SHOREBIRDS THROUGH ALCIDS

Three Am. Oystercatchers were present
throughout the period on C.S.I. with one
fledgling being fed in early August (MN).
Very unusual was an American Oyster-
catcher at S. Harbour Beach, C.B.I. , 8 Jun
(DM). A pair of Semipalmated Plovers with
three young at C.S.I. 24 Jun was at the s.
breeding limit of the species (MN). The
most eastern outpost of Piping Plover is at
Miquelon, S.P.M., where there was one suc¬
cessful brood in June (RE). A Killdeer nest
was unusually far north at Goose Bay, Lab.
(BMt). Intriguing was a Solitary Sandpiper
in breeding habitat near Money Pt., C.B.I.,
10 Jun (RK). Upland Sandpiper was found
at the airfield in Charlo, NB, for the 3rd
year, suggesting breeding (fide DC). Early
arriving Whimbrels included five on 25 Jun
and 25 on 29 Jun at Isthmus, S.P.M. (RE).
Maximum counts of Semipalmated Sand¬
piper from the Nova Scotia side of the Bay
of Fundy were 80,000+ at Evagaline Beach
and 10,000+ at nearby Windsor Causeway
25 Jul ( JT). An unseasonable Stilt Sandpip¬
er was at Conrad’s Beach, NS, 23 Jun (IM).
Impressive counts of Short-billed Dowitch-
er from C.S.I. were 2000 on 14 Jul and 4000
on 24 Jul (MN).

Skuas identified to species were single
South Polar Skuas at Brier I., NS, 13 Jun
(CH), Cherry Hill Beach, NS, 1 1 Jul (EM),
and off G.M.I. 17 Jul (LM). The only Great
Skua identified was “an adult” s. of St.
Pierre, S.P.M., 6 Jun (LJ). An unidentified

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

359

A thrasher captured and photographed
on 20 July at the Bowdoin Scientific
Station on Kent Island, New Brunswick.
Working through their Identification Guide
to North American Birds (Pyle 1997), the
banders methodically eliminated other
possibilities, including a mockingbird x
thrasher hybrid, and identified the first¬
time regional visitor as an adult female
Sage Thrasher — with a brood patch!
Photograph/Nathaniel Wheelwright

skua was observed “dancing on the head of
a Greater Shearwater” off G.M.I. 13 Jul
(LM). There were nine Laughing Gulls
reported: three in New Brunswick, four in
Nova Scotia, and two in Newfoundland. In
Newfoundland ad. Black-headed Gulls were
seen feeding young at the long-established
breeding site, Stephenville Crossing, on 12
Jul (KK), and a new breeding site was dis¬
covered at Gambo when two pairs of adults
were observed feeding juveniles 12 Jul (TS).
Increased observer awareness was probably
the reason for more Lesser Black-backed
Gull reports this summer. There were seven
in Nova Scotia and three in Newfoundland,
including a singleton 100 mi inland at
Goose Bay, Lab., 13 Jun (BMt). A rare mid¬
summer Dovekie was near St. Pierre,
S.P.M.,25 Jul (BL).

DOVES THROUCH WAXWINGS

Surprisingly regular as a summer vagrant, a
White-winged Dove at a Brier I., NS, feed¬
er 22-23 Jun (D. Pugh) was the 16th for the
province. Another photographed on a
seabird colony at The Gannet Is., e. of Cart¬
wright, Lab., 4 Jul was at an extreme loca¬
tion for a first provincial record (fide I J).
There were at least five singing Mourning
Doves during June in Goose Bay, where the
first Labrador breeding record was estab¬
lished in 1998 (BMt); several summer
sightings of Mourning Dove on insular

Newfoundland invite an
as yet unconfirmed
nesting (fide PL). A
Black-billed Cuckoo was
out-of-range at Ramea
L, NF, 23 Jun (RN).AN.
Saw-whet Owl calling at
Codroy, NF, 5 Jun was
another indication that
the species breeds in the
province (PL). At Terra
Nova N.P., NF, in late
June, an E. Wood-Pewee
was singing in vain
(GS). A Say’s Phoebe
near Cape Ray, NF, 5 Jun
provided the 4th pro¬
vincial and perhaps only the 2nd spring
record for the Region (PL et ah). Concerted
nest-finding turned up an impressive 5
nests of Willow Flycatcher at an abandoned
airstrip near Frederickton, NB, in June (PP,
SM). Nova Scotia had single Willow
Flycatchers at Advocate Harbour 18 Jun
(BMy) and Coldbrook 28 Jun (AM). A W.
Kingbird at Tracadie-Shealia, NB, 2 Jun was
a rare spring occurrence (RG). The Region’s
first Cassin’s Kingbird was well scrutinized
by many observers and beautifully pho¬
tographed at Little Harbour, Shelbourne ,
NS, on the unlikely dates of 16-18 Jul (DY
et al.). Most of the very few records for the
e. coast of North America are in autumn.
Two E. Kingbirds at Goose Bay, Lab., 6 Jun
were far north of the expected breeding
range (BMt).

Tree Swallows had a very successful
breeding season in New Brunswick, proba¬
bly due to the warm and dry summer, with
young fledging one to two weeks ahead of
normal (DC, BD). Red-breasted Nuthatches
were very numerous in New Brunswick.
Christie is predicting a large fall flight of the
species because of the poor cone crop.
Unexpected were single Winter Wrens sing¬
ing in Labrador at Gull I. 18 Jun and Goose
Bay 7 Jul (BMt). The dry summer apparent¬
ly also had a positive effect on the nesting
success of E. Bluebirds, with many broods
noted throughout New Brunswick (BD). A
Brown Thrasher was out-of-range at Ramea
I., NF, 1 1-25 Jun (RN). Vying with Cassin’s
Kingbird as the off-the-wall bird of the sea¬
son, a Sage Thrasher was banded, video¬
taped, and photographed at Kent I., NB, on
the unlikely dates of 19-20 Jul for a first
Regional occurrence (fide BD). Summer
Bohemian Waxwings have become routine
in the Labrador wilderness, although breed¬
ing has not been proven. This summer sev¬
eral Bohemians were seen during July on the

island of Newfoundland, including a court¬
ing pair at Daniel’s Harbour (ST).

WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES

Warblers in Labrador included a singing
male Nashville at Churchill Falls 19 Jun; and
at Goose Bay, a juv. Nashville 16 Aug, four
singing male Cape May Warblers during
June, and a singing male Com. Yellowthroat
27 Jun (BMt)- — all unconfirmed as breeders.
A Kentucky Warbler at Yarmouth, NS, 29 Jul
(fide AH) was an early southern vagrant. An
out-of-season E. Towhee was at Kejimkujik
N.P. in late June (JN). Lustily singing at
Goose Bay, Lab., 22 Jun, a Chipping Sparrow
was well n. of its breeding range (BMt),
while a Clay-colored Sparrow singing at
Miscou Lighthouse, NB, 5 Jun was a late
spring migrant (RD). Unusual pairings of
Savannah and “Ipswich” sparrows occurred
on Sable I., NS (ZL), and C.S.I. (MN). A
flock of 120 Com. Grackles going to roost at
Stephenville, NF, 13 Jul was probably the
largest flock ever seen in the province
(BMt). An over-enthusiastic Brown-headed
Cowbird amidst a half-million breeding
Com. Murres on Funk I., NF, may help
explain why this icterid rarely breeds in the
province (WM). The cone crop was poor to
fair across the Region, and correspondingly
White-winged Crossbills were in low num¬
bers. Pine Siskins were generally common
throughout. American Goldfinches in
Labrador were n. of their breeding range:
two at Labrador City 15-20 Jun (CD) and a
singing male at Churchill Falls Jun 19
(BMt).

Observers (subregional editors boldfaced):

Kevin Butler, Raymond Chiasson, Dave
Christie, Ray Cooke, Brian Dalzell, Cheryl
Davis, Raymond d’Entremont, Fred Dob¬
son, Robert Doiron, Roger Etcheberry,
Sylvia Fullerton, Roger Guitard, H. Hall,
Carl Haycock, Andy Horn, Ian Jones, Rich¬
ard Knapton, Ken Knowles, Laurent
Jackman, Marc Landry, Bruno Letournel,
Paul Linegar, Zoe Lucas, Scott Makepeace,
Bruce Mactavish, Blake Maybank, Dave
McCorquodale, Ken McKenna, Ian Mc¬
Laren, Angus McLean, Eric Mills, William
Montevecchi, Laurie Murison, Murray
Newall, Joe Nocera, Richard Northcott,
Peter Pearce, Tom Smith, Richard Stern,
Greg Stroud, Stuart Tingley, Judy Tuffs, Jim
Wilson, David Young.

Bruce Mactavish, 37 Waterford Bridge Rd.,
St. John's, NF, Canada Al E 1 C5

360

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

quebec region

One of five Whooper Swans present near Cacouna and Trois-Pistoles, Quebec,
8 June through 27 July. The base of the bill was yellowish white
on this individual, while the other four showed a bright yellow base.
Photograph/Michele Lafleur

NORMAND DAVID, YVES AUBRY,
and PIERRE BANNON

emperatures continued well above nor¬
mal across the province. June was the
warmest on record in Montreal, while July
was the twentieth consecutive month with
above-average temperatures. Although
heavy precipitation was recorded locally in
early July, this rainfall was insufficient to
bring a continuing drought to an end. The
St. Lawrence River was at its lowest level
ever in the southern part of the province.

LOOMS THROUCH MERGANSERS

A pair of Pacific Loons was noted again at
Akulivik 15-18 Jun (YG), where the species
has been reported for over 10 years now. A
Sooty Shearwater from the Matane-God-
bout ferry 5 Jun (LM, AG) furnished a
record early arrival. A single Least Bittern
was seen again 24 Jun in L’lsle-Verte ( JLM),
the easternmost site where the species is
reported in summer, but as yet we have no
confirmation of breeding.

Great Egret is showing signs of continu¬
ous expansion: a colony found in 1984 on
Dickerson I. in L. Saint-Frain^ois has been
known to increase steadily. Great Egrets
nested in 1998 on Heron’s I. in the Lachine
Rapids, where breeding was confirmed
again this year; in addition, up to seven

birds were seen flying repeatedly in the
direction of a large heronry on Grande lie,
near Berthierville, and two birds were seen
feeding in Grande Baie, near Oka, in late
May. An ad. Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
was seen briefly in Sainte-Martine 9 Jun (D.
Doherty), and what is probably the same
bird was relocated in Lasalle 27 Jun (C.
Dickers, A. Wahba, P. Ash) and seen daily
(J-C. Sorel) until 27 Jul, much to the enjoy¬
ment of hundreds of people. Three Glossy
Ibises were found in Saint-Paul-de-l’ile-
aux-Noix 10 Jul (S. Larocque, M-F. Daigle).
An ad. White-faced Ibis, only the 2nd to be
found in the province, delighted many
birders in Saint-Hyacinthe 30 Jul— 3 Aug (Y.
Bilodeau, R. Roy, N. Roy). Since 1990, an¬
nual occurrences of Black Vulture have con¬
tinued unabated, with singles seen in Saint-
Fabien 18 Jul (A. Cyr) and near Cabano 20
Jul (JPO, ML).

Tracking the subsequent whereabouts of
five Whooper Swans discovered in Trois-
Pistoles 8 Jun (J-P. Rioux) proved fascinat¬
ing. Numerous observers also found them
in nearby L’lsle-Verte and Cacouna until 29
Jun, at which time four moved back to
Trois-Pistoles and one remained in Ca¬
couna. Meanwhile, a single bird had been
seen 19 Jun in Les Escoumins (L. Boucher,
fide CA), across the St. Lawrence R. on the
n. shore. Then on 6 & 13 Jul, three were

seen at Ilets Jeremy and Sainte-Anne-de-
Portneuf respectively, again on the n. shore
of the river, and five birds were back in
Cacouna 17-27 Jul. The next day, all five
were seen again in Sainte-Anne-de-Port-
neuf, but on 29 Jul only three could be
found in nearby Sainte-Therese-de-Colom-
bier. At least two of these Whoopers readily
approached humans offering food or even
feigning to do so. It is tempting to conclude
that these swans may belong to the feral
population breeding in Massachusetts
( Field Notes 52: 29; N. Amer. Birds 53: 31).
Showing faint traces of grayish brown on
hindneck and upper wing coverts, they
were thought to be 2 years old at the most.

Greater Snow Geese summering in the s.
half of the province in numbers higher than
ever included birds crippled during the new
spring open season. Representing a 3rd pro¬
vincial occurrence for the year, a male Cin¬
namon Teal in Cacouna 12 Jun (JL) was
found to be accompanied by a female the
next day (m.ob.), and the pair was seen until
4 Jul (G. Bouchard et al. ). Ongoing field
work in the newly discovered breeding range
of Barrow’s Goldeneye e. of the Saguenay R.
( Field Notes 52: 432) yielded 10 new broods
in ZEC Chauvin and Martin-Valin in July
(C. Marcotte, M. Robert). Single female
Hooded Mergansers with young at Grande-
Riviere 27 Jun (D. Mercier) and Escuminac
21 Jun (R. Caissy) provided the first breed¬
ing confirmations for the Gaspe Pen.

RAPTORS THROUGH ALCIDS

Merlins do not ordinarily nest in the Upper
St. Lawrence Valley w. of Quebec City, but
in the last few years they have become more
prevalent in urban and suburban environ¬
ments; this year, we received reports that
two pairs nested in Saint-Hyacinthe ( fide F.
Bourret) and that single pairs nested in

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

361

Blainville, Laval, and Montreal. An ad. fe¬
male Willow Ptarmigan was found on
Grande lie, Mingan Is., Jul 23 (P. & M. Bor-
nais), some 200 km w. of its breeding range
on the Lower N. Shore. Since the establish¬
ment of Wild Turkeys in the Region in the
early 1980s (likely from the spread of wild
stock released in n. New York State), nesting
confirmations have been few; this year,
sightings included two females with at least
two young in Havelock 18 Jun (ES, AL), one
female with three young in Hemmingford
21 Jun (J-M. Beliveau), a female with seven
young at a different site again in Hemming¬
ford (ES, AL), and two females with 15
young in Napierville 4 Jul (PB).

There was heartening news from the
Magdalen Is. concerning Piping Plover: at
least 44 pairs yielded more than 64 fledg¬
lings (FS et al.). An Am. Avocet at Pointe
Yamachiche 31 Jul (M. Bisson, HB) was only
the 4th ever w. of the Quebec City area (out
of about 28 Regional occurrences). A
Marbled Godwit in Notre-Dame-de-Pierre-
ville 20 Jun (D. Jauvin) was out-of-season,
and a Stilt Sandpiper at Pointe-au-Pere 1-2
Jun (R. Fortin) was a rare find. There were
two reports of the rare hendersoni Short¬
billed Dowitcher: singles in Longueuil
15-17 Jul (S. Denault) and Sainte-Martine
(PB). An early ad. Long-billed Dowitcher
was found in Sainte-Martine 31 Jul (M. Ber¬
trand et al.).

A Long-tailed Jaeger seen from the
Matane-Godbout ferry 5 Jun (LM, AG) was
a rare occurrence. Franklin’s Gulls overwin¬
tering in the East after last November’s
influx were likely the source for summer re¬
ports of single immatures at Riviere-Ouelle
3 Jun (LS), La Malbaie 20 & 25 Jun (LM,
JPO, ML), and Trois-Pistoles 30 Jun and 7
Jul (JPO, ML), and adults in La Pocatiere 5
Jun (J-F. Rousseau) and near Chambly 16
Jul (LS, P. Beaule). Due to very low water
levels, the small Black-headed Gull colony of
the Magdalen Is. was visited regularly by a
fox, and no hatching occurred {fide DGG).
The nesting of two pairs of Black Terns on
an artificial impoundment in Neuville near
Quebec City (fide JL) could very well mark
the establishment of the easternmost colony
in the St. Lawrence Valley.

For a number of years now, Montreal
birders have predicted that the Caspian
Tern would soon be found nesting locally,
since pairs have been seen into early June
and small groups into late luly. This year,
numerous pairs and groups were seen all
summer long w. of Trois- Rivieres, on the
shores of L. Saint-Pierre, L. Saint-Louis,
and L. Saint-Fran<;ois (all enlargements of

the St. Lawrence R.), but we are still await¬
ing breeding confirmation. Considered
casual in summer in the St. Lawrence estu¬
ary, a Dovekie was well described from an
ore carrier off Sainte-Anne-des-Monts 1 1
Jul (fide M. Gosselin); another was at Anse-
a-Beaufils Jul 13 (R. Cloutier).

OWLS THROUGH FINCHES

Again this year, very successful intensive
owl surveys in the L. Saint-Jean lowlands
yielded 55 nesting pairs of Long-eared Owl
with a total of 162 young (B. Dumont et
al.). A male Selasphorus sp. hummingbird
was briefly observed at Saint-Magloire,
Bellechasse, 31 Jul (R. Barry); the report
noted strong contrast between the wings
and the coppery-toned back. An ad. Red¬
headed Woodpecker was out-of-range in
Levis 9 Jun (JL), and an unpaired adult was
in Saint-Anicet until 16 Jul (A. Dancause);
otherwise, the only known nesting pair in
the province was back again for a 3rd con¬
secutive year at its breeding site in the s.w.
part of the province (ND).

A Great Crested Flycatcher enlightened
Grosse-Ile, Magdalen Is., 1 1 Jun (F. Shaffer),
a 2nd record for the archipelago. For a 3rd
consecutive year, Rough-winged Swallows
were present at Riviere-du-Loup (m.ob.),
the easternmost site of their summer range.
Another success story is that of Tufted Tit¬
mouse: its breeding was confirmed in 2 new
localities. Two adults and three young came
to a Cowansville’s feeder 30 Jun (M. Smith),
while one adult and one young were seen at
a Baie-Missisquoi feeder 14 Jul (B. Brunet).
Broods and breeding pairs were also report¬
ed from Saint-Anicet (fide A. Hogue) and
Saint-Armand and Frelighsburg (J-G.
Papineau). A singing Marsh Wren delighted
observers at Pointe-de-l’Est 16 Jun (F.
Gariepy et al.) for a first occurrence in the
archipelago. Noteworthy is the report of
two Blue-gray Gnatcatchers in Quebec City
13 Jun (F. Girardin).

An albilora Yellow-throated Warbler was
found at Sainte-Hedwidge, L. Saint-Jean, 23
Jun (L. Chiricota). Rare buntings for the
season included an ad. male Lark Bunting
that made a brief appearance at Val-
Senneville, Abitibi, 1 Jul (S. Lehouiller) and
an ad. Lark Sparrow seen at Cap-des-Ros-
iers 28 Jun (G. Lemelin). Three White-
crowned Sparrows attended a feeder in
Chandler 18 Jun, and on 21 Jun a bird was
seen carrying nesting material, perhaps rep¬
resenting the first breeding attempt for this
region (L-P. Luce); one bird was still present
2 Jul (fide PP). Another White-crowned
Sparrow attended a Sainte-Luce feeder 10

Studies on Bicknell’s Thrush in
June and July verified an
unusual breeding system unexpected in
Catharus thrushes that was first noted in
Vermont last year (fide Vermont Insti¬
tute of Natural Science). The Canadian
Wildlife Service-Quebec Region (YA)
and McGill University (G. Seutin) close¬
ly monitored a breeding population at
Mine Madeleine (49°0’ N, 66°0’ W) in
the Chic-Chocs Wildilfe Reserve in the
center of the Gaspe Pen. using color
banding, telemetry, and video record¬
ing. In addition to the absence of strict
male territories, two males and a female
were observed feeding young at a nest.
One of these males also fed the young of
a 2nd nest a few hundred meters away.
Future DNA analysis will hopefully clar¬
ify the entire paternity pattern at this
site. Bicknell’s Thrush was classified as
vulnerable in Canada last April by the
CWS-Cosewic committee.

lul onward (R. Claveau). An E. Meadowlark
was a rare summer occurrence in Les
Escoumins 15 Jun (CA, C. Girard), and a
singing male W. Meadowlark in Mont-
Saint-Pierre 25 Jun was a first for the Gaspe
Pen. (A. Gaumond). A pair of European
Goldfinches found nesting in the Montreal
Botanical Gardens in July (C. Tastayre) pro¬
vided a first confirmed breeding record for
the province.

CORRIGENDA

The road-killed Long-eared Owl reported in
our Spring 1999 summary at Longue Pointe
de Mingan (S. Kavanagh, S. Marchand et al.)
was in fact found mid- June 1999. In addi¬
tion, an Am. Coot caught alive (but that
could not be saved) on 13 May at Tasiujaq
(58°42’ N, 69°56’ W) appears to represent a
northernmost Regional record (fide YG).

Subregional editors (boldface) and initialed
observers: C. Auchu, P. Bannon, H.
Brunoni, C. Buidin, A. Gagnon, D. G.
Gaudet, Y. Gauthier, B. Hamel, A. Lacasse,
J. Lachance, J-L. Martel, L. Messely, P.
Poulin, Y. Rochepault, E. Samson, G.
Savard, F. Shaffer, L. Simard, D. Tous saint.

Normand David, 11931 Lavigne, Montreal,
Quebec H4J 1X9 (ndavid@netrover.com); Yves
Aubry, Canadian Wildlife Service, P.0. Box
10100, Sainte-Foy, Quebec G 1 V 4H5
(yves.aubry@ec.gc.ca); Pierre Bannon, 1517
Leprohon, Montreal, Quebec H4E 1P1 (pban-
non@total.net)

362

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

new england region

WAYNE R. PETERSEN

n characteristic New England fashion,
June’s weather was completely opposite
that of last year. This season was sunny, dry,
and the hottest in over a century of record¬
keeping at Blue Hill Observatory, Milton,
Massachusetts. Boston temperatures aver¬
aged 71°F, which was 3.3°F above normal,
and on 7 Jun the mercury soared to 97°F. A
total of only 0.29 inches of rain made the
month the driest on record. July continued
to be hot, with temperatures averaging
75.6°F in Boston — 2.1°F above normal.
Unlike that of June, however, July’s Bean
Town rainfall of 3.5 inches was close to nor¬
mal. A violent and damaging Boston thun¬
derstorm on 24 Jul was accompanied by
wind gusts of over 70 mph. Despite the
extreme heat and drought, there were no
clear indications of how these conditions
may have affected New England bird life.

Regional tern populations had out¬
standing nesting success, a trend mirrored
by ever-burgeoning Piping Plover numbers.
In Massachusetts, more than a decade of
intense political effort, public education,
and improved barrier beach management is
paying major dividends for the various pri¬
vate, state, and federal agencies that have
worked together, in some cases with coastal
community governments, to achieve much
of the success. Similarly, grassland bird con¬
servation, much of it spearheaded by the
Massachusetts Audubon Society, continues
to provide new insights into the status,
management, and future of several grass¬
land bird species.

The presence of a brood of Common

Eider ducklings in Rhode Island all but
confirmed the breeding of this species in
the Ocean State and extended southward
the edge of its breeding range on the Atlan¬
tic Coast. Although there were no other
new state breeding records, the period was
hardly lackluster. The bird of the season
and the only species positively new to the
Region was a Mongolian Plover in Rhode
Island; but Yellow-nosed Albatross in
Maine, Wood Stork in Connecticut, and
Red-necked Stint in Massachusetts were
not too shabby, either! Among aberrant
records of note, see especially the com¬
ments under Red-tailed Hawk, Great Black-
backed Gull, and Grasshopper Sparrow.

Abbreviations: Appledore I. (Isles of Shoals,
ME); M.A.S. (Massachusetts Audubon Society);

M. D.F.W. (Massachusetts Division of Fisheries &
Wildlife); Monomoy I. (Monomoy N.W.R., Chat¬
ham, Barnstable Co., MA); Plum I. (Parker River

N. W.R., Newburyport/Newbury, Essex Co.,
MA); Seavey I. (Isles of Shoals, NH); Stratton I.
(Cumberland Co., ME).

LOONS THROUGH VULTURES

As usual there was a scattering of Red-
throated Loon reports, the latest being one
at Eastport, ME, 24 Jul (BS). In Vermont, 25
of 32 Com. Loon nests successfully fledged
39 of 41 hatchlings for a record high count
(fide JP). Results in Massachusetts were less
favorable, where despite a new high of 20
territorial pairs, five of ten nesting pairs
raised only seven chicks. In dramatic con¬
trast to last year’s losses of loons to high
water conditions in New England, drought
and low water conditions were apparently
responsible for this year’s low productivity
in the Bay State — an explanation reinforced
by the fact that three of the successful pairs
nested on rafts. Since Pied-billed Grebes
continue to be scarce in s. New England,
noteworthy were calling birds in Connecti¬
cut at Lyme 8 Jun (PC) and Coventry 14 Jul
(MS) and a single bird at Wayland, MA (K.
Hamilton), an historic nesting locality. A
Horned Grebe at Stamford, CT, 1 Jun-5 Jul
(PD) and a Red-necked Grebe at Schoodic
Pt., Hancock , ME, 8 Jul (WT) were especial¬
ly tardy lingerers.

The expected tubenose species appeared
on schedule over inshore waters — as indi¬
cated by Stellwagen Bank counts of 1000
Greater Shearwaters and 500-600 Sooty

Only “stunning!” can describe
an ad. Yellow-nosed Albatross

present off Matinicus Rock, Knox , ME, 6
Jul (ph. A. Hill, L. Benedict, A. Lightcap,
C. Maranto, S. Schubel). The bird was
carefully observed for over 2 hours, both
flying and resting on the ocean, and was
frequently accompanied in flight by sev¬
eral Great Black-backed Gulls. Anthony
Hill’s photos (see the Pictorial High¬
lights) clearly reveal the light gray head
characteristic of the nominate race
chlororhynchos from the South Atlantic.
Among the remarkable number of
appearances of this species during
spring and summer in the n.w. Atlantic
are reports from e. Canadian waters, the
Gulf of Maine, Cox’s Ledge, the waters
off Long I., NY, and the Mid-Atlantic
Coast Region. This record represents at
least the 3rd occurrence for Maine.

Shearwaters 10 Jul ( fide Newburyport
Whale Watch) and 20 Manx Shearwaters
and 350 Wilson’s Storm-Petrels 17 Jul
(Gd’E). More notable was a shore tally of 29
Manx Shearwaters and 223 N. Gannets at
Rockport, MA, 9 Jun (RH). Although a
count of 50+ Leach’s Storm-Petrels 100 mi s.
of Martha’s Vineyard 23-24 Jun (VL) is not
especially unusual, summer totals of this
magnitude are infrequently reported from s.
New England waters.

In Connecticut, where the species is a
rare breeder, Am. Bitterns were suspected of
nesting at Simsbury, Litchfield, and
Sharon — all in the c. and w. parts of the state
(fide GH). The elusive Least Bittern was
reported from a handful of traditional nest¬
ing localities in Maine, Massachusetts, and
Connecticut, along with early June reports
of singles at Moonstone Beach and
Narragansett, RI (fide M. Tucker) — the only
known Ocean State breeding localities.
Kettle I., Manchester, MA (SP, J. Bleiler) had
a record-high nesting count of 90 pairs of
Great Egrets, along with 185 Snowy Egret,
17 Little Blue Heron, and 93 Glossy Ibis
pairs. Other interesting heron reports were
as many as nine Snowy Egrets at Longmea-
dow, Hampden , MA, 21 Jul (HA) and one at
Shelburne Bay, Chittenden, VT, 1 1 Jun
(TM); a maximum of five Tricolored Her¬
ons at Stratton L, ME, 5 Jul (LB); a Cattle
Egret at Moosehorn N.W.R., Edmunds,
Washington, ME, 20 Jun (fide WT); and

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

363

Yellow-crowned Night-Herons at Scar¬
borough, ME, 5 lul (LB) and inland at Wor¬
cester, MA, 26-27 Jun (JL). A wandering
Wood Stork at Cornwall, Litchfield , CT,
21-22 Jul ( ph. M. Root) represented only
the 4th or 5th record for the state and the
first since 1955 {fide GH). Previous Region¬
al occurrences were in Maine and Massa¬
chusetts, most recently in 1994 at Cotuit,
Barnstable , MA. Following last year’s first
Regional breeding confirmation of Black
Vulture in e. Massachusetts, the species went
unconfirmed this year. Despite regular
sightings of up to three birds at Beacon
Falls, Fairfield, CT, and in the Housatonic
Valley to the west (GH, v.o.), this species has
yet to be definitively confirmed as a breeder
in Connecticut. In neighboring Massa¬
chusetts, as many as four were seen at
Sheffield, Berkshire , 17 Jul (ML), but no fur¬
ther evidence of nesting was indicated.

WATERFOWL THROUGH RAPTORS

Lingering Snow Geese included one at
Biddeford, ME, 8 Jun ( fide KG) and another
at E. Providence, Rl, in late June ( fide RF).
More unusual was a late Brant inland at
Pondicherry W.M.A., Jefferson, Coos , NH,
26 Jun (A&BD). Noteworthy breeding
waterfowl records included a Gadwall with
six young at Marshfield, MA, 26 Jul (DF) for
possibly the first nesting for Plymouth; a
brood of Green-winged Teal at Stratford,
CT, 29 Jul (DV) confirming for the 2nd con¬
secutive year the nesting of this rare Con¬
necticut breeder; and two female Com.
Eiders with 10 young at Sakonnet Pt.,
Newport, RI, 17-30 Jun (F. Norton, DE)
apparently representing the most solid nest¬
ing evidence on record for the Ocean State.
Seemingly displaced waterfowl spending all
or part of the season in New England were
Gadwall at L. Umbagog, NH, 1 Jun (RQ);
Am. Wigeon at Stamford, CT (PD); N.
Shoveler at Plum I. 29 Jun (RH) and W.
Hartford, CT (DR); Greater Scaup at
Marshfield, MA, 28 Jun-31 Jul (DF); King
Eider at S. Dartmouth, Bristol, MA, 4 Jul
(ph. C. Russell); Bufflehead at Stamford, CT
(PD), Newburyport, MA, 6 Jun-13 Jul (DF),
and Acoaxet, Bristol , MA, 31 Jul (ML); Com.
Goldeneye at Turners Falls, Franklin , MA,
19-31 Jul ( fide SK) and Acoaxet, MA, 31 lul
(ML); and Ruddy Duck at Exeter, NH, (a
pair) 4 lun (SM), New Haven, CT, 22 Jun
(DV), and Nantucket I., 20 Jul (SP).

In Rhode Island 63 Osprey nests pro¬
duced 109 young ( fide L. Suprock) — the
best nesting success since pre-DDT days in
the 1960s. Three new nesting pairs in
Vermont — bringing the state total to 28

( fide JP) — and the discovery of the first
inland Connecticut nesting pair at Coven¬
try, Tolland, 14 Jul (MS) added to the en¬
couraging trend. The now annual “Cape
Cod Kite Show” starred two sub-ad. Miss¬
issippi Kites at N. Truro, MA, 5 Jun (TC) fol¬
lowed by a Swallow-tailed Kite the next day
(TC). Another (or the same?) Swallow¬
tailed Kite was seen at Marshfield, MA, 4 Jun
(D. Ludlow et al.). The seasonal box scores
for nesting New England Bald Eagles
included 8 active nests in Massachusetts that
produced 15 young (TF), 2 nests in
Connecticut that produced one young ( fide
GH), and apparently 4-5 nests constructed
in New Hampshire — possibly the highest
number in recorded history — with the over¬
all success unknown at the time of writing
( fide RQ). In a state where it has been con¬
firmed nesting only twice this decade, N.
Harrier made news for the 2nd consecutive
year in Connecticut when a pair fledged two
young at Stratford (CB, DV) and when a
juvenile seen at Barn L, Stonington, in late
July was suspected of being fledged locally
(GH). A nesting pair of Sharp-shinned
Hawks in w. Rhode Island was the first in
that state for many years {fide R. Ferren). At
Nantucket I., Cooper’s Hawks raised two
young for a first island breeding record
(ER). An almost totally white, malnourished
Red-tailed Hawk that had been present in
the vicinity of Burlington, Middlesex, MA,
for nearly 2 years was received by a wildlife
rehabilitator and later photographed 18 Jun
( WP). Merlins, slowly increasing as breeders
in the Region, successfully nested for the
2nd year at Errol, Coos, NH {fide RQ), and at
Northeast Harbor, Hancock, ME (C.
Crofoot, fide WT). In Massachusetts four
pairs of Peregrine Falcons fledged eight
young, but five of these were killed during
fledging and three were injured (TF)! In
Vermont, 17 successful nesting pairs fledged
40 young ( fide JP), and in Connecticut a sin¬
gle pair fledged two young from beneath a
bridge in Fairfield (DV).

RAILS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS

A copulating pair of Clapper Rails at Plum I.
12 Jul (JB) provided compelling breeding
evidence for a species at the extreme n. ter¬
minus of its breeding range. Similar evi¬
dence of breeding came from a pair of King
Rails at Stratford, CT, 25 Jun (PC, CB), and
a territorial King pair present for the 3rd
consecutive year at West Meadows W.M.A.,
Plymouth, MA (SA), provided the only
other probable evidence of breeding. Most
unusual was a Sora with five young at
Nashawena I., Dukes, MA, 21 Jun (AJ); the

last county breeding record was in 1900 at
Martha’s Vineyard (cf. 1926, Bent’s Life
Histories). The increasingly scarce Com.
Moorhen went unrecorded in Massachu¬
setts, and the only solid evidence of breed¬
ing in the Region came from S. Kent, Litch¬
field, CT, 22 Jun (J. Johnson) and Bangor,
ME (PL, v.o.). A Sandhill Crane that spent
the summer on the Connecticut R. between
Monroe, NH, and Mclndoe Falls, VT (v.o.),
was enjoyed by birders from both states;
other reports included one at Ashland,
Aroostook, ME, 8 Jun (BS) and Greenwich,
CT, 17 Jul (F. Purnell).

Three-hundred summering Black-bel¬
lied Plovers at N. Monomoy I. 3 Jul (HF)
were accompanied by a considerably more
unusual Am. Golden-Plover 3-27 Jul (HF,
BN). Near the n. terminus of their range in
the United States, five Am. Oystercatchers at
Phippsburg, Sagadahoc, ME, 25 Jun (J.
Wells) were interesting; at the now-estab¬
lished Stratton I. nesting locality, this year’s

Massachusetts Piping Plovers
reached a new high total of
515 nesting pairs this year (a 4%
increase from 1998), and productivity
was calculated to be 1.5 chicks per pair
( fide TF). At Seabrook, NH, these
plovers fledged 17 young, compared to
only three in 1998 ( fide RQ). Counts
of Upland Sandpipers from a handful
of primary breeding sites highlight the
very specific habitat and area require¬
ments of this quintessential grassland
species. In Vermont’s Champlain
Valley, 28 Uplands in 22 towns repre¬
sents a dramatic decline from 130 in
1991 and 45 in 1998 (JP). Changes in
local dairy farm practices, as well as
possible disruptions on the Argentine
wintering grounds, have been impli¬
cated. Today, many Vermont cows are
kept in barns, and the traditional open
pastures are instead planted in corn
and hay, rendering them less suitable
for Upland Sandpipers. At Westover
A.F.B., Hampden, MA, the most
important Upland Sandpiper locality
in the Bay State, 154 adults were
counted 14 Jun (AJ), and 8 pairs were
tallied at 2 other Massachusetts locali¬
ties {fide AJ). At Pease Int’l Tradeport
in New Hampshire, 12 Upland Sand¬
pipers were counted 9 Jul (PH, D.
DeLuca). As grassland bird conserva¬
tion efforts gain momentum in New
England, hopefully species population
trends also will improve.

364

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

new england

Without question, the “Bird of
the Season Award” goes to a
brilliant male Mongolian Plover discov¬
ered at Rhode Island’s Charlestown
Breechway, Washington, 24-26 Jul (L.
Ferrarreso, MJ Murray, m.ob.). Ogled,
photographed (see the Pictorical High¬
lights), and enjoyed by hundreds of
observers, this fancy visitor remained
just long enough so that most who went
to see it were rewarded. The plover pro¬
vided a first Regional record and repre¬
sents only the 2nd occurrence on the
Atlantic Coast of North America, the
first being a bird in New Jersey in 1990
( Birds of New Jersey , 1999). Not surpris¬
ingly, the Rhode Island bird appeared to
be of the race stegmanni from n.e.
Siberia.

young oystercatchers apparently suffered
predation (KG). An Am. Avocet at Plum 1.
9-1 1 Jul (W. Drew et al.) was not too unex¬
pected, but one at L. Lamoille, Morrisville,
Lamoille, 21-31 Jul (G. Damon, TM et al.)
was most unusual in Vermont. Early mi¬
grant shorebird arrivals included 55 Lesser
Yellowlegs, a Whimbrel, 95 Least Sandpi¬
pers, and 15 Short-billed Dowitchers at
Plum I. 29 Jun (RH, JB) and a Marbled
Godwit at N. Monomoy I. 4 Jul (BN). A Stilt
Sandpiper at Scarborough, ME, 9 Jun (LB)
may have better qualified as an unusual, late
spring migrant. Of the shorebird maxima
reported in July, the only standout figures
were 250 Whimbrels at N. Monomoy 1. 20
Jul (BN) and 10,500 Semipalmated Sand¬
pipers at Newburyport, MA, 27 Jul (RH) —
a number in line with counts of 25 years
ago, but seldom recorded in Massachusetts
today. A Red-necked Stint in alternate
plumage at Plum I. 26 Jun-2 Jul (D. Sandee,
v.o.) constituted the 4th record for Massa¬
chusetts, the last report occurring as recent¬
ly as last summer. Other unusual shorebird
reports were an early Baird’s Sandpiper at
Turner’s Falls, Franklin, MA, 31 Jul (R.
Packard, fide SK) and at least five Regional
Ruff reports from Maine, Massachusetts,
Rhode Island, and Connecticut 29 Jun- 10
Jul (v.o.).

CULLS THROUGH ALCIDS

Massachusetts Laughing Gull numbers
increased 13% this year, climbing from 706
pairs in 1998 to 803 pairs this season. One to
two Little Gulls were present in the
Newburyport-Plum I. area during late June
and July (v.o.), and another was at Eastport,
ME, 24 Jul (BS). Four Black-headed Gulls

lingered at Nahant, MA, 27 Jun-24 Jul (L.
Pivacek, v.o.), and at Newburyport, as many
as three were recorded 15-27 Jul (RH). Two
Bonaparte’s Gulls at Longmeadow, Hamp¬
den, MA, 22 Jul (SK) represented unusual
inland summer occurrences. The only
Lesser Black-backed Gulls noted were sin¬
gles at Manchester, CT, 3 Jul (PC) and Pro-
vincetown, MA, 8-9 Jul (P. Champlin). A
Glaucous Gull at Provincetown 30 Jun (ph.
A. Strauss) significantly pushed the seasonal
envelope. A large, black-backed, yellow¬
legged larid bearing features resembling a
Kelp Gull was carefully observed at the
Charlestown Breechway, Rl, 27-29 Jul (WP
et al.)-; however, on 29 Jul birders heard it
produce a call characteristic of a Great
Black-backed Gull (P. Buckley). Let this
example serve as a cautionary note to future
Kelp Gull watchers, wherever you may be!
An early Sabine’s Gull was reported from
Mt. Desert Rock in the Gulf of Maine 21 Jul
(Z. Klyver, fide WT).

A Gull-billed Tern at Plum I. 31 Jul (C.
Holzapfel,/?de B.O.) was unique for the sea¬
son, and a Caspian Tern at Pittsburg, Coos,
NH, 7 Jun (T. Maloney, fide RQ) was inter¬
esting in its date and location. A count of 10
Royal Terns at Bird I., off Marion, Plymouth,
MA, 30 Jun (I. Nisbet) was considerably
higher than normal for such early summer
wanderers. Despite Red Fox predation and
consequent abandonment of a major tern
colony at Plymouth in early June,
Massachusetts terns had a very successful
nesting season; fortunately the disruption
occurred early enough that most of
Plymouth’s terns settled in other colonies.
Scott Hecker (M.A.S) and Tom French
(M.D.F.W.) provided data on Massachusetts
terns. A state total of 13,973 pairs of Com.
Terns was an increase of 6%, the largest
colony being 5478 pairs located at S.
Monomoy I.— the site of an aggressive gull
removal program initiated by the U.S. Fish
& Wildlife Service in 1995. A total of 1819
Roseate Tern pairs, principally at Bird I. and
Ram I. in Buzzards Bay, represented the
highest total since 1984, and Least Terns set
an all-time Regional record with 3409 pairs,
the largest colony containing 1420 pairs
nesting on dredge spoil at Kalmus Park,
Hyannis. Among nine pairs of Arctic Terns
nesting in Massachusetts, a banded individ¬
ual at Penikese I. in Buzzards Bay was 18
years old. An Arctic Tern in first-summer
(i.e., “portlandica”) plumage inland at S.
Hadley, Hampden, MA, 17 Jun-10 Jul (HA,
D. Spector, ph. S. Surner) was unprecedent¬
ed in the Connecticut Valley of Massachu¬
setts. In Vermont, 140 nesting Com. Terns at

Although Arctic Terns nest in very small
numbers along the coast in
Massachusetts, this first-summer bird
photographed at South Hadley
on 26 June was unprecedented inland
in the Connecticut River Valley.
Photograph/Scott Surner

L. Champlain fledged 90 young {fide JP),
and at Seavey I., NH, there were 145 pairs
compared to only 45 in 1998 ( fide RQ). For
only the 3rd time ever in Connecticut, Black
Skimmers fledged eight chicks at Sandy Pt.,
W. Haven (D. Sosensky, v.o.). Out-of-place
alcids included 20+ Thick-billed Murres at
Eastport, ME, 24 Jul (BS) and four Black
Guillemots and two Atlantic Puffins at
Rockport, MA, 9 Jun (RH).

DOVES THROUGH WRENS

A report of a Eur. Collared-Dove at North-
boro, Worcester, MA, 29 Jun (AB, fide B.
Blodget), pending details, would be a first
Bay State record if bona fide. A White-
winged Dove at Block I. 6-12 Jun (ph. K.
Gaffett) was a first record for Rhode Island;
a 2nd individual appeared briefly at
Marshfield, MA, 16 Jul (DF). Unusual in
Connecticut these days, a pair of Barn Owls
fledged two young at Stratford (v.o., fide
GH). If correctly identified, a N. Hawk Owl
at Ft. Kent, Aroostook, 1 Jul (G. Flagg, fide
KG, JD) was most intriguing in n. Maine in
summer. Two Short-eared Owls at Nan¬
tucket I. 24 Jun (ER) furnished the only
reports received for this beleaguered coastal
heathland nester. Mildly encouraging results
of June Whip-poor-will surveys in Massa¬
chusetts included totals of 30 at M.S.S.F.,
Plymouth (Gd’E), 29 at Lancaster, Worcester
(RL), and 23 at Easton, Bristol (SA). In late
July, an ad. male Rufous Hummingbird was
identified at a feeder at Scarborough, ME
(KG, JW), and another bird apparently
returned to feeders at Grand Isle, VT ( fide

JP) , for the 6th consecutive year. An ad.
Three-toed Woodpecker feeding a young
bird at Blake Gore, Somerset, ME, 13 Jul ( fide

KG) was only 100 yards from the Canadian

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

365

After eluding capture for ten weeks,
this “mystery sparrow” at Delaney W.M.A.,
Massachusetts, was finally mist-netted
on 25 July, the date of the photo.

Test your skills in identifying it before
reading the accompanying SA!
Photograph/Simon Perkins

^ ML At least as mystifying as some
of the sparrows in the Maine
salt marshes was an apparent hybrid
sparrow at the Delaney W.M.A., Stow,
Middlesex , MA. Initially discovered
and photographed 15 May (B. Van
Dusen et al.), the strange sparrow con¬
tinued singing into July. The bird most
closely resembled an oversized, long¬
tailed, large-billed Grasshopper Spar¬
row, showing distinct streaks on the
mid-breast, a white median crown
stripe, and yellow above the eye and
on the bend of the wing. However its
song, recorded 16 Jul, closely resem¬
bled that of a Song Sparrow (AJ, GS,
WP)! Efforts to capture the bird were
unsuccessful until 25 Jul; after being
mist-netted, it was banded, and blood
samples were taken (AJ, ph. SP et al.).
Although results of the blood DNA
analysis are pending, all indications
suggest that the strange sparrow was
probably a previously unrecorded
Grasshopper x Song hybrid. Almost as
remarkable is the fact that there
appeared to be a second, similar-look¬
ing individual in the same meadow!
Stay tuned.

border, and a 2nd individual of this
species — arguably the rarest breed¬
ing bird in New England — was
recorded at Mt. Blue, Avon,
Franklin , ME, 16 Jul (E. Giles et al.,
fide JD).

A pewee giving the distinctive
burry call of a W. Wood- Pewee at
Upper S. Branch Pond, Baxter S.P.,
Piscataquis , ME, 26 Jun (P. Vickery)
could unfortunately never be visual¬
ly confirmed. Ten Yellow-bellied
Flycatchers banded at Appledore I.,
ME, 2 Jun (DH) underscore the late¬
ness of this species’ spring passage.
Acadian Flycatchers nested for the
2nd consecutive year at Paw-
tuckaway S.P., Nottingham, NH, 12
Jun-5 Jul (A&BD). The only Reg¬
ional report of Scissor-tailed Fly¬
catcher was one at Houlton, Aroos¬
took, ME, 30 Jun (D. Dietrich). A
Philadelphia Vireo at Oxbow N.W.R., Har¬
vard, Worcester, MA, 1-30 Jun (RL, v.o.) was
both out-of-place and peculiar in singing a
song reminiscent of a Warbling Vireo. At
least one pair of Red-breasted Nuthatches
nested at Block I., RI, this season (C.
Raithel) — a most unlikely location; a
healthy scattering of reports in Connecticut
could presage an autumn irruption (GH). A
July count of 150 ad. and young Cliff Swal¬
lows at Southbury, Fairfield (DR), was nota¬
ble for this generally rare Connecticut
breeder. The only Sedge Wrens reported
were singles at S. Londonderry, VT, 19 Jul
(W. Norse, fide JP) and Bangor, ME, 13 Jul
(DA).

WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES

Golden-winged Warblers now seem to be
present in Massachusetts in such low num¬
bers that only hybrids are being reported!
This season’s records included a Brewster’s
Warbler at W. Brookfield, Worcester, 20 Jun
(ML) and Lawrence’s Warblers at Groton,
Middlesex, 2 Jun (TP), Williamsburg,
Hampshire, 8 Jun (JY), and Carlisle, Middle¬
sex, 2 Jul (CF). Three Tennessee Warblers at
Hingham, Plymouth, MA, 3 Jun (DP) were
certainly late migrants, and three Kentucky
Warblers in the same community 1 Jun
(DP) represented a notable single-day count
at any season in Massachusetts. Two
Kentucky Warblers singing throughout the
summer at Lyme (PC) were intriguing in
light of the rare nesting status of this species
in Connecticut. Unfortunately, no proof of
nesting could be obtained for a singing
Yellow-breasted Chat at Westboro,
Worcester, MA, 5-24 Jun (AB, v.o.). A Clay-

colored Sparrow reported in May at Grand
Isle, VT, was still present in June (D. Hoag,
fide JP), and in Maine singles appeared at
Kennebunk 2-3 Jun (R. Eakin,/ide KG) and
Bangor 14 Jul (D. Mairs,/JdeKG). Grassland
sparrow surveys in s. New Hampshire
revealed encouraging totals of 20 Vesper
Sparrows and 13 Grasshopper Sparrows
(PH). In Massachusetts, similar efforts by
Jones revealed a minimum of 316 ad.
Grasshopper Sparrows at 7 top state sites. At
Scarborough, ME, sharp-tailed sparrows
singing both Saltmarsh and Nelson’s song
types — and apparently paired in assorted
combinations — continue to cloud the taxo¬
nomic status of these two salt marsh species
in the area of sympatry (GS, v.o.).

A Fox Sparrow at Baxter S.P., Piscata¬
quis, ME, 6-22 Jun (JW) was in a region
where this species has previously been sus¬
pected of nesting. White-throated Sparrows
apparently nested at Norwell, Plymouth, MA
(DF), and others somewhat out-of-place
were singles in Middlesex, MA, at Arlington
4 Jul (JS) and Watertown 10 Jul (RS). A
count of 500-1000 Red-winged Blackbirds
per hour passing Lighthouse Pt., New
Haven, CT, 20 Jul (GH) demonstrated how
early some of these icterids apparently
undertake southward migration. A White¬
winged Crossbill at Ashburnham, Worcester,
M A, 3 1 Jul ( BN, RH ) was slightly s. of where
it belonged at this date, but a flush of s. New
England reports of Evening Grosbeaks in
late June and early July seemed consistent
with the pattern of the last few summers.
Subregional editors (boldface), contributors
(italics), and cited observers: Dennis
Abbott, Harvey Allen, Steve Arena, Charles
Barnard, Jim Berry, Bird Observer, Ann
Boover, Lysle Brinker, Tom Carrolan, Patrick
Comins, Alan & Barbara Delorey, Glenn
d’Entremont, Jody Depres, Patrick Dugan,
David Emerson, Rachel Farrell, Hugh
Ferguson, Chris Floyd, Tom French, Dan
Furbish, Kay Gammons, Greg Hanisek,
Scott Hecker, Rick Heil, David Holmes, Pam
Hunt, Andrea Jones, Seth Kellogg, Vern
Laux, Paul Lehman, Ron Lockwood, Mark
Lynch, Steve Mirick, Ted Murin, Blair
Nikula, Dennis Peacock, Simon Perkins,
Judy Peterson, Tom Pirro, Robert Quinn,
Mar) Rines, David Rosgen, Bill Sheehan,
Greg Shriver, Jane Stein, Robert Stymeist,
William Townsend, Dennis Varza, Judy
Walker, John Young.

Wayne R. Petersen, Center for Biological
Conservation, Massachusetts Audubon Society,
Lincoln, MA 01773

366

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

hudson-delaware region

ROBERT 0. PAXTON,

JOSEPH C. BURGIEL,
and DAVID A. CUTLER

This region baked in summer 1999. In
northerly Rochester, NY, the tempera¬
ture reached or exceeded 89°F on half the
days in July, and by month’s end the worst
drought conditions in thirty years pre¬
vailed. It may have been harder for birders
than for birds; many observers confessed to
inactivity. The main effects on bird life are
likely to show themselves later, in the form
of low seed and fruit crops.

Opinions differed concerning the direct
impact of heat and drought on nesting.
Some thought numbers were down, but
birds may have been skulking. Song ended
early (SRL, WP), and neotropical migrants
seemed to start leaving in mid-July (RR).
High productivity, however, was observed in
closely watched populations of Bald Eagle,
Osprey, American Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon,
Tree Swallow, and Eastern Bluebird. Nesting
was largely completed before maximum
heat. As for box-nesters, the main causes of
mortality are wet, cool weather in June, rac¬
coons, and blowfly larvae. Only the latter
was exacerbated by dry heat ( RPY, VP). R. P.
Yunick, who has banded Tree Swallows for
1 1 years in Montgomery and Fulton, NY,
minimized blowfly mortality by destroying
contaminated nests and replacing the young
in a new nest of dried grass, which young
and parents “accepted without hesitation.”

NEW YORK

■ Niagara FbHs
Buffalo

•New Yoiv

“Jamaica Bay Rei
tSa/tfy Hook

PENNSYLVANIA

rSfiganfene Ref

ATLANTIC

OCEAN

Strong easterly winds during the week¬
end of 1 1-13 Jun brought pelagic birds
inshore (see shearwaters, storm-petrels,
jaegers, Arctic Tern). Survey work yielded
interesting data on Golden-winged Warbler
and grassland species (see Upland Sand¬
piper, sparrows). The summer’s well-docu¬
mented rarities were few but choice: Little
Egret, Little Stint, Franklin’s Gull, Bridled
Tern, and Lark Sparrow.

Abbreviations: Bombay Hook (Bombay Hook
Nat'l Wildlife Ref., near Smyrna, DE); Brig
(Brigantine Unit, Edward P. Forsythe Nat'l
Wildlife Ref., Atlantic Co., NJ); Chazy riverlands
(L. Champlain shore around Chazy river mouths,
Clinton, NY); Conejohela Flats (Susquehanna R.
at Washington Boro, Lancaster Co., PA); The
Four Brothers (islands in L. Champlain, Essex
Co., NY); Jamaica Bay (Jamaica Bay Wildlife Ref.,
Queens Co., New York City); LI (Long Island,
NY); Little Creek (Little Creek Wildlife Area, near
Dover, Kent Co., DE); Montezuma (Montezuma
N.W.R., n. end of L. Cayuga, Seneca Co., NY);
Little Galloo (Little Galloo /., e. Lake Ontario, off
Henderson Harbor, Jefferson Co., NY); NYDEC
(New York Department of Environmental
Conservation); Port Mahon (marshes and
bayshore east of Little Creek, Kent Co., DE).

LOOMS THROUGH WATERFOWL

The “Loon Rangers” of the New York Loon
Conservation Project found 404 ad. Com.
Loons and 86 chicks at 149 sites last sum¬
mer; this summer’s report was incomplete
at press time. In the easterly blow of 1 1-13
Jun, in addition to a few Sooty, Cory’s, and
Greater shearwaters seen from shore, two
much rarer Manx Shearwaters passed Saga-
ponack, LI, 13 Jun (HMcG), and an Audu¬
bon’s Shearwater was reported off Cape
May Pt. 10 Jun (PB, B. Sullivan). Wilson’s
Storm-Petrels were commoner inshore
than usual, peaking at 40-50 off Sagapon-
ack, LI, 13 Jun (HMcG), 46 off Montauk 26
Jun (NYRBA), 50+ off Cape May 21 Jun
(PB, RC), and several off Cape Henlopen 13
lun (MG). Sixteen even ventured up the
Delaware R. as far as Port Mahon 20 Jun (A.
Guarente). One Leach’s Storm-Petrel at the
30-fathom line, 40-45 mi off Delaware 19
Jun (F. Rohrbacher, APE, Friends of Nature
Tours) offered a rare look at a species that is
probably regular but nocturnal. An Am.

^ ML The Double-crested Cormor-
v ant population in L. Ontario,
breeding principally on Little Galloo I.,
rebounded from none in 1940 to a few
hundred pairs in the 1970s to over
7500 nests in 1997. Mounting protests
by fishermen climaxed in the illicit
shooting of some 1000 birds at Little
Galloo on 27 Jul 1998. Nine men
pleaded guilty to this act on 8 Apr 1999
in Federal District Court at Syracuse
and were sentenced to $2500 fines,
home confinement, and $5000 contri¬
butions to the National Fish and Wild¬
life Foundation (NY Times, 9 Apr
1999). The NYDEC, reluctandy imple¬
menting a plan to reduce this colony to
about 1500 pairs over 5 years (NY
Times, 4 May 1999), oiled 13,000 eggs
in ground nests this summer. Only 36
young hatched in these nests, though
the remaining tree nests (cormorant
droppings kill the nest trees) were
more productive (RL).

The L. Champlain colony on The
Four Brothers, where cormorants have
bred since 1981, remained stable at
1372 nests. Banding reveals that these
birds migrate down the Atlantic coast
while the L. Ontario birds descend the
Mississippi (JMCP). Buffalo, where
nesting began only in 1992, saw up to
292 nests (WW). The New York har¬
bor colony was stable at 741 nests
(PK). A 2nd year’s nesting attempt at
the Peace Valley Nature Center, Bucks,
PA, failed (AM), though Pennsylvan¬
ia’s first colony persists with a few
nests on the Susquehanna near Harris¬
burg (DB). The revival of cormorant
populations (related probably to
cleaner water) is an international phe¬
nomenon. Fishermen fight burgeon¬
ing Great Cormorant populations
similarly in W. Europe.

White Pelican, now annual in this region,
turned up 22-23 Jul along the upper
Susquehanna R. in Windsor Twp., Broome,
NY (ESu).

The NY Audubon Society’s Harbor
Herons Project, in its 15th year, found long-
legged waders generally stable in New York
harbor, even though Prall’s I. and Shooter’s

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

367

I. have been deserted because of human
encampments. This summer, 1596 nests of
8 species were recorded: 1010 Black-
crowned Night-Heron (63% of the total),
206 Great Egret (13%), 178 Glossy Ibis
(11%), 164 Snowy Egret (10%) six Cattle
Egret, four Yellow-crowned Night-Heron,
and two Little Blue Heron nests, as well as
one nest each for Tricolored and Green
herons (PK). Northward-expanding Great
Egrets still nest on Motor I., in the Niagara
R. at Buffalo (now a reserve), and an amaz¬
ing 45 were in n.e. Saint Lawrence, NY, in
late July (M. Manske). These birds likely
came from the colony established in the late
1980s on Dickerson I„ s.w. Quebec. What is
assumed to be this spring’s Little Egret
turned up again at Bombay Hook 5 Jun
(MG, BP), where it was widely observed
until its head plumes disappeared in late
July. A Tricolored Heron around Buffalo in
July (WW) furnished a 5th local record;
another was far afield at Riestville Pond,
Lebanon, PA, 24 Jul (R. Miller). Only two
Yellow-crowned Night- Heron colonies are
known in Pennsylvania: in Lancaster and at
W. Fairview, Dauphin, on the Susquehanna
R. near Harrisburg. The latter had a “great
count” of 13 adults and one immature
(RKo). This sought-after species also nested
at two Bergen, NJ, sites: Allendale (2nd con¬
secutive year, S. Thomas) and Overpeck Cr.
Park (G. & E. Mahler). Glossy Ibis estab¬
lished what maybe its northernmost nest in
the world on The Four Brothers, in L.
Champlain, where Peterson banded four
young on 23 Jul. Elsewhere they wandered
inland into Pennsylvania at Hibernia Park,
Chester, 17 Jul (J. Mountjoy), L. Onte-
launee, Berks, in mid- July, and Chambers
L., Chester (Phila. Birdline). Coastal col¬
onies, however, have shrunk in recent years.
White-faced Ibis observations rose to three:
one at Brig (R. Kane, J. Danzenbaker) and at
least two at Bombay Hook after 5 Jun (MG,
BP).

It is now official: as we have long sus¬
pected, Black Vultures breed in New York. A
nest was discovered 27 April 1997 near New
Paltz, Ulster, though the information was
disseminated only later ( J. T. Bridges, King¬
bird 48: 289-298). Spahn reports that breed¬
ing waterfowl around Rochester are a “piti¬
ful remnant,” except for Wood Duck and
three human commensals: Mute Swan, Can¬
ada Goose, and Mallard. Three ad. and five
young N. Shoveler, a rare breeder in upstate
New York, were at Batavia, Genesee, 10 (un
(WW). A female Com. Goldeneye with six
young at the Chazy riverlands 19 Jun (W.
Krueger, C. Mitchell) was a nice find of this

scarce northerly breeder. A female Hooded
Merganser with two young at Bombay Hook
12 Jun (CC) was far south of its normal
range. Among the usual lingering diving
ducks and geese, the oddest was a Brant at
Peebles Island S.P., Saratoga, NY, 1 1 Jul
(WE).

RAPTORS

Osprey recovery continues. After years of
hanging out around Montezuma, a pair
nested at Clyde, Wayne, a first for the
Genesee region of New York. The biennial
New Jersey census found 331 pairs, up from
250 in 1997. Even more encouraging was the
high productivity after 2 unproductive sea¬
sons in coastal nests (KC). A count of three
Mississippi Kites at Cape May through 1 1
lun ( VE, M. Costello, A. Pochek, L. Federico,
G. Gordon) was below that of recent sum¬
mers. One reported at Braddock Bay,
Monroe, NY, on L. Ontario 6 )un (DT, M.
Davids) followed several there at similar
dates during the last decade. A late sub-ad.
Mississippi Kite at Great Gull I., off e. Long
I., 26 Jul (H. Hays, fD. Young, G. Cormons)
was the 2nd there. Bald Eagles enjoyed a
banner year. New York’s breeding pairs rose
from 40 to 45, close to the 10-15% increase
of recent years. Productivity made this year
remarkable. Probably aided by a dry winter
and spring, the 36 active pairs produced an
“incredible” 64 young (P. Nye, NYDEC).
Most of the increases were in s.e. New York,
though a site was added in the Adirondacks
in Franklin (N. Olson). Pennsylvania saw a
“dramatic increase” from 12 to 16 active
nests (DB). New Jersey “soared” from 14 to
21 nesting pairs that produced 25 young.
But contaminants still cause concern in the
Delaware Bay population, where nests failed
(KC). Delaware’s 14 active nests produced
20 young, up from four nests and one young
at the low point in 1970. When the nest tree
at Churchman’s Marsh, DE, blew down in a
storm, other pairs accepted the three young.

We know of two broods of Cooper’s
Hawks from Berks and Bucks, PA, (H.
Voelker et al.), but none of Sharp-shinned
Hawk. Nesting N. Goshawks at Jenny L.,
Saratoga, NY, terrorized cottage residents
who approached without heeding Yunick’s
advice to raise a leafy branch. After several
scalps had been bloodied, neighbors asked
him to find a “conservation agency” to relo¬
cate nest and young. Something can be done
about Am. Kestrel decline. Kestrel Research,
a box program, banded 335 nestlings in
Northampton, PA. The warm, dry spring
seemed to increase productivity (S. Boyce,
R. Wiltraut). Merlins, known only since

1992 to breed in this Region, nested again in
the Adirondacks, at Abanakee L. and
Raquette L., Hamilton, NY (G. Lee). A nest
photographed near Bolton Landing, on L.
George, Warren, NY (B. & B. Bidwell),
marked a notable southward expansion.
Peregrines flourished. New York’s 42 breed¬
ing pairs were up from 36 last year; 37 of
them produced a “whopping” 79 young. In
New Jersey, out of 16 nesting pairs, 12 pro¬
duced 30 young. Video images of the suc¬
cessful Peregrine family atop the Kodak
building in Rochester were accessible on the
Kodak website.

RAILS THROUGH TERMS

The first Black Rail in Berks, PA (located in
the wrong county in the spring report), dis¬
covered May 17 (M. Monroe, M. Miller),
was heard by hundreds and seen 23 May (J.
Majdan) before falling silent (or leaving) in
early June. Sandhill Cranes, once a great rar¬
ity, now come in multiples. This season’s
reports came from Elba, Genesee, NY, 4 Jun
(W. Symonds) and Bombay Hook 11 Jun
(K. Liehr).

Shorebird habitat was shaped by
drought. Many shorebirds were still moving
N in early June, when inland waters were
already low. Two Black-bellied Plovers were
good on 7 Jun at the Chazy riverlands. A
Red Knot in partial alternate plumage was a
first Berks, PA, record at L. Ontelaunee
12-14 Jun (H. Lebo, m.ob.), and a White-
rumped Sandpiper was good there on 3 Jun
(K. Lebo). Fall migrants found inland wet¬
lands dry, but parched lakes and rivers had
lots of exposed mud. Although inland
shorebirding produced few rarities in the
absence of the downing effect of storms,
numbers were high. Least Sandpipers
exceeded 1 50 several times at L. Ontelaunee,
Berks, PA, and 100 were at Pine Run, near
Doylestown, Bucks, PA, at the end of July
(Phila. Birdline). The Conejohela Flats host¬
ed 12 species in mid- July, including both
White-rumped and Baird’s sandpipers on
20 Jul (R. Schutsky). Green Lane Res.,
Montgomery, PA, had a Stilt Sandpiper on
14 Jul (AM).

Endangered Piping Plovers barely held
on in populous Delaware. They nest now
only at Cape Henlopen, where 4 nests fledg¬
ed six young. An encouraging 246 pairs
were counted at 56 sites on Long I., but pro¬
ductivity was limited to little more than one
chick per pair by off-road vehicles, un¬
leashed dogs, and predation by crows and
foxes (L. Papa, NYDEC). Black-necked
Stilts wandered N to Jamaica Bay on 2-3
Jun (B. Klein, m.ob.) and Brig 1 lun. An

368

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

hudson-delaware

^ A Upland Sandpipers, among
earliest migrants, began
turning up on 27 Jun at the New Castle
airport, DE (C. Krolowicz), though
none breed there. The best south¬
bound concentration was only 15 at
the Johnson sod farm, Salem , NJ, 25 Jul
(L. Larson, J. Williams). A 19-county
grasslands survey in New York associ¬
ated with a New England survey fund¬
ed by the Fish and Wildlife Foundation
found only 41 Upland Sandpipers at 7
sites (MV). With 15 adults, the best
location, in Fayette Twp., Seneca , failed
when the farmer mowed his drought-
stricken field early. The next best site
was the celebrated Nations Rd. grass¬
lands, Geneseo Twp., Livingston , with
others in Oneida , Chemung, and Erie.
The prime breeding areas along the
Saint Lawrence R. do not appear to
have been censused this year. Southerly
breeding was confirmed near River-
head, Suffolk, LI (HMcG), and suspect¬
ed at Lakehurst Naval Air Station,
Ocean, NJ (RR). We lack information
from JFK airport in New York City,
recently a prime breeding location.

Am. Avocet, likely to overtly coming from
the west, put down at L. Ontelaunee, Berks,
PA, 17 Jul (Phila. Birdline). The only other
straggler was at Jamaica Bay 22-25 Jul (A.
Guthrie et al.). The season’s best shorebird
was a Little Stint in worn ad. plumage at
the Nature Conservancy Refuge in Cape
May, NJ, 1 1-18 Jul (P. Lehman, m.ob.). Of
four Marbled Godwits, only one was away
from the coast at Braddock Bay, Monroe,
NY, 9 Jul (DT), with one Whimbrel; both
j are less than annual there. The only Curlew
Sandpiper was at Little Creek on 27 Jul (P.
Dumont). Habitat was unfavorable for
: Buff-breasted Sandpiper, which went unre¬
ported. Ruffs/Reeves were scarce, with only
j singles at Bombay Hook 25 Jun and Brig 28
Jul (D. Kones, E. Bruder).

A Pomarine Jaeger, much rarer then
Parasitic onshore, was at Little Creek 12 lun
in strong easterlies (MG). Parasitic Jaegers
peaked at eight off Democrat Pt. 13 )un
(NYRBA), four off Cape May 12 Jun (RC,
VE), and four+ off Cape Henlopen, DE, 13
Jun (MG). The controversial Laughing Gull
colony adjacent to JFK airport, at Jamaica
Bay, is down to about 2000 pairs; airport
authorities shot about 2000 this summer
(DR). Despite hundreds hanging out in
seemingly favorable habitat, no additional
I colony has formed on Long I. A first-sum-

This sub-adult 40 miles east of Fenwick Island, Delaware, at the 19 Fathom Seamount,
was one of three Bridled Terns reported on a 19 June pelagic trip out of Rehoboth Beach.
It provided only the third documented record for Delaware and the first in June;
previous documented Delaware records were from 1997 (APE, P. Lehman) and 1992
(fide APE) in September. There have been about 45 reports in the Region,
not all of them fully documented or officially accepted. Photograph/Michael Bowen

mer bird was far north at Pt. Breeze,
Orleans, NY, 11 Jun (DT). A “2nd calendar
year” Franklin’s Gull on the Mohawk R.
Delta at Cohoes, Albany, NY, for about a
week after 1 1 Jul was no more than the 3rd
local record and the first for mid-summer
(WE). The only Little Gull was an imma¬
ture on 18 Jun at Shinnecock Inlet, LI
(AJL), and the only Black-headed Gull was
in alternate plumage at Port Mahon on 7 Jul
(H. Hallowell). Peterson has placed yellow
numbered bands on 175 of the 1 175 Ring¬
billed Gull chicks he banded on The Four
Brothers in L. Champlain. Vegetation has
cut nests of Herring Gull in New York har¬
bor to 151 and Great Black-backed Gull to
18 (PK). Lesser Black-backed Gulls, rare in
mid-summer until recently, made their first
summer showing on the L. Ontario shore at
several sites around Rochester in July (DT,
MD, S. Taylor). Six in the Pickering
Beach/Little Creek W.M. A., DE, 20 Jun were
“by far the most I have seen on a single day”
(BP). One was away from the coast at
Mannington Marsh on 17 Jul (WD).

Six tern species visited the Conejohela
Flats in mid- July, including Least, Black,
Caspian, and Gull-billed. Other Least Terns
in Pennsylvania included a 3rd Montgomery
record at Green Lane Res. on 14 Jul (AM)
and a first record at W. Fairview, Dauphin,
on the Susquehanna on 7 Jul (RKo). These

birds probably originated from inland pop¬
ulations. Coastally, Least Terns struggle for
space between dominant Com. Terns and
multiple human and animal predators.
They had a “disastrous” year in Delaware,
where no nest was successful (APE). The
east winds of 11-13 Jun brought a “port-
landica” Arctic Tern ashore at Captree, LI
(S. Mitra), an adult to Sagaponack, LI
(AJL), and one or two to Cape Henlopen,
DE (CC, MG). Two Bridled Terns 10 mi e.
of Rehoboth Beach on 19 Jun (MG) and
another farther out (ph. M. Bowen, R. Rufe)
provided Delaware’s 3rd documented
record.

DOVES THROUGH WARBLERS

A Eur. Collared Dove at Cape May during
6-20 Jul (m.ob.) was the 2nd there — but
surely not the last. Single White-winged
Doves, spreading more slowly than their
exploding relative, were at Jamaica Bay 10
Jul (A. Ott) and at Cape May on 4 Jun (RC,
L. Zemaitis). A juv. N. Saw- Whet Owl, unex¬
pected on the lakeshore plain, was pho¬
tographed at Greece, Monroe, NY, 18 Jul (C.
& C. Dean), while an adult was calling at
State Game Land 110, Berks, PA, 27 Jun (M.
Spence, B. Uhrich). The only Com. Night-
hawk reported was in the species’ primor¬
dial habitat — among the dunes at C.
Henlopen, DE. Although Whip-poor-wills

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

369

have vanished from parts of this Region,
encouraging reports included the first in 10
years at Redford, Clinton , NY (D. Fasking),
three in Wieser S.F. near Harrisburg, PA
(DH), and an amazing 60 which occupied
sites in central Luzerne, PA, in early June (R.
Koval). Yunick banded a record 57 Ruby-
throated Hummingbirds at Jenny L., Sara¬
toga, NY; numbers were genuinely up, as
indicated by the record 179 g of sugar water
consumed daily (RPY). Yellow-bellied
Sapsuckers fed young 19 Jun in High Point
S.P., Sussex (TBa, A. Driscoll, D. Jones), site
of New Jersey’s first nest last summer.
Another on 4-5 Jun at Stoney Cr. in n.
Lebanon, PA, was s. of its more usual breed¬
ing area on the Appalachian plateau (DB).

Calling Least Flycatchers at Palmyra,
Burlington, NJ, in June (T. Bailey, WD) sug¬
gested breeding. A few nested 30 years ago in
the Jersey Pine Barrens (E. Manners), in the
Schuylkill R. Valley, PA, and at White Clay
Cr., DE (DAC). A lost W. Kingbird was well-
described in Allegany S.P., Cattaraugus, NY,
5 Jun (fF. Gardner), only the 2nd local
spring record. The sole Scissor-tailed
Flycatcher report was over the Garden State
Parkway n. of Cape May on 3 Jul (F&P
Strawbridge). Both White-eyed and Warb¬
ling vireos are filling in areas on e. Long I.,
where they were not found on the 1988 atlas
project (GT). A “bioblitz” on 4-5 Jun of 10
square mi along Stoney Cr., n. Lebanon, PA,
turned up 346 Red-eyed Vireos (DB).
Common Ravens have expanded outward to
the edge of the Tug Hill Plateau in c. New
York (WP) and may have bred in
Letchworth S.P., Wyoming, NY (R. Rosche).
In New Jersey, adults and young in Rocka-
way and Boonton Twps. confirm that they
now nest in Morris (RR, B. Gallagher).
Elusive Sedge Wrens failed to return in the
same numbers to last summer’s site on
Nations Rd., Livingston, NY, but one turned
up at Pound Ridge Reservation, Westchester,
NY, 25 Jul (K&S Feustel), and they frequent¬
ed a more usual site at Brig in mid-July.

A Yellow-throated Warbler sang through
20 Jun at Letchworth S.P., Wyoming, NY, far
north and east of its recently established
foothold in the upper Delaware R. basin of
New York (fKF, DS, M. Tetlow). A Prairie
Warbler was n. of any known breeding areas
at The Gulf, Clinton, NY, in the n.
Adirondacks on 11 lun (J&R Heintz).
Others present throughout June around
Nunda, Livingston, NY (KF, DS, DT), were
near n. limits. A w. Palm Warbler was late 4
Jun at the Manitou banding station, Mon¬
roe, NY (MZ), as were 21 Blackpoll Warblers
banded there 2 Jun. Yunick documented a

Searches for Golden-winged
Warblers in New York and
Pennsylvania suggest that they are sur¬
viving at latitudes and elevations too
high for Blue-winged Warblers.
Around Black and Indian River Lakes
in Saint Lawrence and Jefferson, NY,
there were 75 Golden-wingeds and
eight Brewster’s hybrids; the nearest
Blue-winged Warblers were 30 mi
southwest, leaving a gap without either
species (M. Young, S. Barker). Stirling
Forest, Orange, NY, had 12 male and
one female Golden-winged and 1 1
Brewster’s (J. Confer). Albany, Green,
and Schuyler, NY, had no Golden-
wingeds. Pennsylvania had both spe¬
cies in Dauphin (G. Randolph, J. Plyler)
and in Pike — 10 Golden-wingeds, two
Brewster’s, and one Blue- winged (J.
Plyler). One Golden-winged was
remarkably high in the Adirondacks at
Bloomingdale Bog, Franklin, NY, 30 Jul
(M. Bochnik), recalling Frank Gill’s
observation of an “altitudinal refuge”
for Golden-winged Warblers in the
Poconos (Am. Birds 44: 1080).

decline in Ovenbirds: he banded none this
summer, compared to his earlier average of
20 per year. Yet 280 were found in the Stoney
Cr., Lebanon, PA, “bioblitz” on 4-5 Jun
(DB). Two Kentucky Warblers singing
through lune in Van Buren Twp., Onandaga,
NY, far north of known breeding areas, were
the first to summer there (WP).

SPARROWS THROUGH FINCHES

Clay-colored Sparrows seem to be consoli¬
dating their toehold in n.w. New York; they
were at Mendon Ponds Park, Monroe (MZ,
tRGS), and at the more traditional Andover,
Allegany, site (EB). A Lark Sparrow in
Lemon Twp., Wyoming , PA, 22 Jun (tWR)
was remarkable; they bred occasionally in w.
Pennsylvania before 1931. [See also the
Appalachian Region report.]

Blue Grosbeaks keep creeping north¬
ward. New breeding locations included a
first Long I. record near Calverton, Suffolk
(O. Birol, m.ob.), near Easton, North¬
ampton, PA (AK), and at Oxford, Chester,
PA (Phila. Birdline). The only Dickcissel was
a territorial male at Ft. Edward, Washington,
NY, the first there since 1974 (JG). Bobo¬
links bred for the first time in many years in
n.w. Philadelphia, in an uncut field near the
Schuylkill Valley Nature Center ( fide DAC).
Orchard Orioles bred again at Lysander,

Onandaga, at their n. limit (WP), and
expanded into the n. fork of Long I. where
they were not found in the 1988 Atlas (GT).
It was a good Purple Finch year at Jenny L.
after 5 bad years, and three Pine Siskins
arrived 31 Jul, offering a promise of fall
irruptions (RPY). A courting pair of
Evening Grosbeaks was present Jul 1 at
Dutch Mt„ Wyoming, PA, where the first
state nesting record was confirmed in 1994
(S. Conant).

The 19-county New York
grasslands survey (see Upland
Sandpiper SA) turned up a healthy 362
Grasshopper Sparrows, including an
impressive 25-30 pairs in Eastport,
Suffolk, LI (HMcG). Vesper Sparrows,
by contrast, are doing poorly. The sur¬
vey found an astonishingly low 16 at 7
sites, mostly in Steuben and Suffolk, LI.
Only 3 sites are known in Delaware
(APE). Henslow’s Sparrows hang on
only in the north during a precise win¬
dow in old field succession. The New
York grasslands survey found 80, by
day and night censussing, at 25 sites
(MV). The best areas were tracts of
abandoned farms in Steuben, which
accounted for over half the total, and
Geneseo Twp., Livingston, with another
16. They did not breed this year at
Saratoga Battlefield, a recent strong¬
hold (JG), and none were found at pre¬
vious southerly sites like Galesville, s.
Ulster, where succession has advanced
too far (MV). The southernmost
Henslow’s seem to be the traditional
three+ at W. Nicholson, Wyoming, PA
(WR). The former Plattsburgh Air
Force Base, Clinton, NY, recently an
important grassland, has been insuffi¬
ciently mowed since the Air Force’s
departure. Declines were noted there
in Vesper, Savannah, and Grasshopper
sparrows (M. Gretch).

Observers (subregional compilers in bold¬
face): Robert Andrle (Niagara Frontier
Area), Chris Bennett ( Sussex, DE: Cape
Henlopen S.P., 42 Cape Henlopen Dr.,
Lewes, DE 19958), Michael Bochnik ( Lower
Hudson Valley, NY: 86 Empire St., Yonkers,
NY 10704), Cyrus Brame (Tinicum N.W.R.,
Philadelphia), Pete Brash, Daniel Brauning
(PA Game Commission), Elizabeth Brooks,
T. W. Burke (NY Rare Bird Alert), Kathy
Clark (NJ Dept, of Fish, Game, and Wild¬
life), Colin Campbell, Richard Crossley,
Ward Dasey (s.w. NJ: 29 Ark Road,

370

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

Medford, NJ 08055), Joe Di Costanzo, S. H.
Dyke, A. P. Ednie ( New Castle and Kent , DE:
59 Lawson Ave., Claymont, DE 19703),
Vince Elia (s. coastal NJ: 106 Carolina Ave.,
Villas, NJ 08251), Walter Ellison, Kurt Fox,
Jane Graves (Hudson-Mohawk, NY:
Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY
12866), K. C. Griffith (Genessee, NY: 61
Grandview Lane, Rochester, NY 14612),
Mary Gustafson, Armas Hill (Philadelphia
Birdline), Deuane Hoffman (lower
Susquehanna, PA: 3406 Montour St.,
Harrisburg, PA 17111-1827), Dave Jenkins
(N1 Dept, of Fish, Game, and Wildlife),
Rudy Keller {Berks, PA: 71 Lutz Rd.,
Boyertown, PA 19512), Paul Kerlinger,
Arlene Koch (Lehigh Valley, PA: 1375
Raubsville Rd., Easton, PA 18042), Ramsay
Koury (RKo), R. J. Kurtz, A. ). Lauro, S. R.
Lawrence, R. E. Long (St. Lawrence, NY:
2807 Citation Dr., Pompey, NY 13138),
Doris McGovern, Hugh McGuinness (e. LI:
P. O. Box 3005, Southampton, NY 1 1969),
Dick Miga (Niagara Frontier, NY: 38 Elm
St., Fredonia, NY 14063-1937), August
Mirabella, Brian Moscatello, Bill and Naomi
Murphy, Bill Ostrander (Finger Lakes, NY:
872 Harris Hill Rd., Elmira, NY 14903), Ed
Patten (n.w. NJ: 9 Cornfield Terrace,
Flemington, NJ 08822), Bruce Peterjohn, J.
M. C. Peterson (Adirondack-Champlain
Region, NY: Discovery Farm, RD 1,
Elizabethtown, NY 12932), Vivian Pitzrick,
William Purcell (Oneida Lake Basin, NY:
281 Baum Rd., Hastings, NY 13076); Rick
Radis ( n.c. NJ: 69 Ogden Ave., Rockaway, NJ
07866), William Reid (n.e. PA: 73 W. Ross
St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702), Don Riepe
(Jamaica Bay N.W.R.), Sy Schiff (LI: 603
Mead Terrace, S. Hempstead, NY 11550),
Dominic Sherony, R. G. Spahn (Genesee
Ornithological Society), Eric Sullivan
(ESu) (Susquehanna region, NY: 42 Patricia
St., Binghamton, NY 13905), Pat Sutton
(Cape May Bird Observatory), Dan Tetlow,
Guy Tudor, Brian Vemachio (n.e. NJ: 794
Rancocas Rd., Mt. Holly, NJ 08060), Matt
Victoria, William Watson, Jeff Wells, Rick
Wiltraut, A1 Wollin (LI: 4 Meadow Lane,
Rockville Center, NY 11570), R. P. Yunick,
John Zarudski, Martha Zettel.

Robert 0. Paxton, 460 Riverside Drive, Apt.
72, New York, NY 1 0027; Joseph C. Burgiel,
331 Alpine Ct., Stanhope, NJ 07874; David A.
Cutler, 1003 Livezey La., Philadelphia, PA
19119

This Dickcissel posing for the camera in late May at Custis Tomb,
Northampton County, later established the first confirmed breeding
for the Virginia portion of the Eastern Shore. Photograph/lamie Cameron

MARSHALL 1. ILIFF

his season was remarkably dry from
Maine to North Carolina with almost
no rain in June or July. By August many
streams were at record low levels, and
Maryland had instituted its first water
rationing ever. There were few comments
on how the drought affected our nesting
landbirds, but perhaps it was in some way
responsible for the pattern of northerly/
montane breeders that appeared through¬
out the Region during mid-summer.

An unusually large number of species
typically regarded as summer “lingerers”
were reported: Sharp-shinned Hawk, Spot¬
ted Sandpiper, Red-breasted Nuthatch,
Magnolia Warbler (singing male), Rose¬
breasted Grosbeak (male), Henslow’s Spar¬
row (singing), White-throated Sparrow (six,
several singing), Savannah Sparrow, Dark¬
eyed Junco, and breeding Bobolinks.
(Reports of Purple Finch and Rusty Black¬
bird lacked descriptions and were excluded,
but these may well have been valid records,

especially given the overall pattern). Few of
these species were reported in late May as
might be expected for “lingering” birds.
Also, the high proportion of males and/or
singing males suggests displacement of
unpaired birds from the breeding grounds.
Extreme drought might lead to sub-optimal
breeding conditions and precipitate disper¬
sal such as the Red-breasted Nuthatch inva¬
sion that developed. Every one of the above
species is typical of mountain areas to the
north of the Region, and most occur in
mountains just to the west and southwest.

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

371

White-throated Sparrow and Red-breasted
Nuthatch are common breeders no closer
than northern Pennsylvania and southern
New York. It should not be assumed that all
birds originated from the closest source, but
if Henslow’s Sparrow was indeed a part of
this movement, it could not have originated
from anywhere farther north than south¬
western New York. Given the species
involved and the extreme drought condi¬
tions in the northern Pennsylvania/south-
ern New York area, that region seems a rea¬
sonable source for most of the birds in ques¬
tion. If a similar pattern is evident in other
regions, it warrants a new perspective on
mid-summer records. Observers should be
alert to the possibility that the presence of
certain species is perhaps indicative of con¬
ditions on the breeding grounds and that
they are not necessarily just “late lingerers.”

Of note is the recent formation of a bird
ListServ for the state of Virginia, “VA-BIRD.”
The Maryland analogue, “MDOsprey,” has
had a profound impact on the Maryland
birding community. Observers are discover¬
ing many new areas, rapidly sharing ideas,
and reporting their sightings quickly and
frequently. However, I join the Texas editors
in lamenting the drop-off in primary
reporting. Email list-groups sometimes lead
to cavalier or sloppy reporting that is diffi¬
cult for regional editors to interpret. It is far
preferable to receive thoughtful summaries
from observers at each season’s end. This
year some shocking out-of-season birds
(e.g., American Pipit) were reported with¬
out details, and this has been a trend since
the list originated.

Several species reported without details
were not included. All locations can be as¬
sumed to be in Maryland; Virginia locales
are annotated the first time each appears in
the text.

Abbreviations: Assat. (Assateague I. National
Seashore, Worcester Co., MD); Bay (Chesa¬
peake Bay); Chine. (Chincoteague Nat'l Wildlife
Ref., Accomack Co., VA); Craney (Craney I.
Disposal Area, Portsmouth, VA); D.C. (District of
Columbia); Deal (Deal Island W.M.A., Somerset
Co., MD); E.S.V.N.W.R. (Eastern Shore of
Virginia N.W.R., Northampton Co., VA); Hart
(Hart-Miller /., Baltimore Co., MD); p.a. (pend¬
ing acceptance by state records committee);
P.R.N.A.S. (Patuxent R. Naval Air Station, Saint
Mary's Co., MD); P.L.S.P. (Point Lookout S.P.,
Saint Mary's Co., MD); P.W.R.C. (Patuxent
Wildlife Research Center, Prince George's Co.,
MD); Vaughn (E. A. Vaughn W.M.A., Worcester
Co., MD).

LOONS THROUGH DUCKS

Though summering Com. Loons in non¬
breeding plumage are nothing unusual in
the Region, with reports of nine birds this
year (v.o.), a bird in breeding plumage at
Riverbend Park, Fairfax, VA, was an oddity 1
Jul (KG, M. Smith). An ad. Pied-billed
Grebe with two downy young at Myrtle
Grove W.M.A. 5 Jul (GMJ) was a new breed¬
er for Charles, though nesting had been sus¬
pected at that location previously. Three
flightless juv. Pied-billed Grebes were at
Vaughn 1 Jul (JLS, MHa) where they have
bred recently, but only one was at Deal 1 1
Jul (HTA), the previous breeding strong¬
hold for the species in the Region. A pelagic
trip to Maryland waters 19 Jun (DBr, MB et
al.) recorded one Sooty, nine Cory’s, and 23

Brown Pelicans, featured in the
Region the past few summers,
remain in the limelight this year.
Maryland’s first Bay nesting colony on
Spring I., Dorchester, swelled from the
15 nests found last year to an amazing
141 this year! The count of itinerant
birds was up to 407 on 13 Jun (HTA, P.
R. Spitzer). Just below the state line in
Virginia, the nest count on the old
Shanks-Cheeseman I. shrank to one due
to erosion of the island and loss of suit¬
able habitat, but two colonies on nearby
South Pt. Marsh had 238 and 257 nests
(DB, HTA). The Fisherman I., VA,
colony had a count of 1822 pelicans on
20 Jun (BW). Despite their increase in
the Bay, the big bombers are still sur¬
prisingly restricted to the waters around
their breeding grounds: this year peli¬
cans were abundant north only to
Dorchester waters, and they continue to
forage regularly across the Bay in Saint
Mary’s, but beyond that there were very
few reports. For some reason, they are
not reported moving into Calvert, Anne
Arundel, or Queen Anne’s — all counties
which had sporadic records of vagrant
pelicans before they were reported in
the Bay at all. The species has, however,
become regular on the lower Nanticoke
R., about 10 mi from the Maryland
colony, with a Wicomico high of nine on
8 Jul (C8tDB); otherwise a couple
reached Tilghman I. in s. Talbot on 2
dates (CR). To reiterate how quickly
these birds have moved in: the first nest¬
ing in the Virginia portion of the Bay
was in 1990; the first Dorchester record
was in 1992; and the first Wicomico
record was in 1997.

Greater shearwaters along with 200 Wilson’s
Storm-Petrels. Wilson’s Storm-Petrels were
regularly recorded by Cribb and others from
the Pt. Lookout-Smith I. Ferry during June
and July, with the peak count a record 27
seen associating with fishing boats 24 Jun
(MC). Reports from this ferry trip over the
past 7 years concentrate on the warmer,
saltier, more oceanic e. side of the Bay in
Somerset rather than Saint Mary’s-, thus a
first-summer N. Gannet 26 Jun (GMJ, JLS,
GM), the first summer record for the
Maryland portion of the Bay, was a surprise.

An Am. White Pelican in breeding con¬
dition continued to frequent the Brown
Pelican colony on Fisherman I., Northamp¬
ton, VA, and was reported there 20 Jun (BW)
and at nearby E.S.V.N.W.R. 30 Jun (BL).
Like Brown Pelicans, Double-crested Cor¬
morants were entirely unknown as breeders
in Maryland until 1990, but they have now
been recorded breeding in 5 counties from
the coast to the Piedmont. This year the 9-
year-old colony on Poplar Is., Talbot, had
675 pairs (DB, fide HTA); 68 nests were in
the pelican colony on Spring I. (HTA et al.)
where there was just one unsuccessful nest
last year; and a new colony was established
on Bodkin I., Queen Anne’s (DB, fide HTA).
In Virginia, Chimney Pole Marsh, Hog I.,
Accomack, had eight nests 23 Jun (BW). Two
Anhingas at P.R.N.A.S. 15 Jun (p.a. KR),
one at Jamestown, James City, VA, 19 Jun
(BW), and two near the Rte. 730/653 inter¬
section in Southampton , VA, 20 Jun (LL, LS)
were remarkably concentrated within a
week’s time. Most vagrant records are in
April and May. An ad. male Mgatebird sp.
was flying N at Chine. 26 Jun (|G. Long). An
Am. Bittern at Hollywood, Saint Mary’s, 21
Jul (KR) was out-of-place and far from any
known nesting area. A White-faced Ibis at
Chine. 27 Jun-4 Jul (p.a., ph. JV, BA, BL,
NB) could be Virginia’s 2nd record; appar¬
ently one was seen here on similar dates last
year but not reported (JV).

Infirm Snow Geese and Tundra Swans
often last the summer on the Eastern Shore,
but a swan squarely in Maryland’s Pied¬
mont at L. Elkhorn, Howard, 10 Jun-14 Jul
(MC, SN, DC) was more unusual. Single
mid-summer ad. male Northern Pintails at
Elkton, Cecil, 4 Jun (MWW), Hart 19 Jun
(EJS et al.), and Conowingo Dam, Harford,
11-22 Jul (EB) were unusual. An Am.
Wigeon at Havre de Grace 12 Jun (EB) was
equally unusual, while one 31 Jul (RFR) at
Ridgely W.T.P. was typical for an early
migrant. Visits to Deal (HTA, MJI et al.)
produced no sign of breeding Blue-winged
Teal, and Gadwall numbers were down as

372

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

middle atlantic coast

wmmmam

the impoundments are less and less appeal¬
ing to the specialties it once hosted in abun¬
dance. A Gadwall nest with 7 eggs there 1 1
Jul (HTA) was of interest. Other summer¬
ing ducks were one Canvasback in Saint
Mary’s, Ring-necked Ducks at two Harford
locations, Greater Scaup at two Maryland
locales, and Lesser Scaup at one and Red¬
breasted Merganser at 5 locations. More
unusual records were the five Long-tailed
Ducks at Kent I., Queen Anne’s, 5 Jun (GMJ,
GM), Black Scoters at 6 locations (4 in the
Bay), and Surf Scoter at 3 locations (all in
the Bay). A female Hooded Merganser at
Huntley Meadows, Fairfax, VA, had five
chicks 2 & 19 Jun {fide EH). As usual, Rud¬
dy Duck was the most common visiting
summer duck, with reports from 1 1 locali¬
ties, and Maryland had its 2nd recorded
nesting: a female 1 1 Jul at Deal (fDM) with
five young in tow. The first breeding record
came several years ago from a lake in down¬
town Baltimore.

HAWKS THROUGH TERNS

A Swallow-tailed Kite that spent 2 days at
Huntley Meadows, Fairfax, VA, 18-19 Jun
(C. 8c K. Nation, E. Aaron, m.ob.) thrilled
many. One-two Mississippi Kites were also
at Huntley Meadows intermittently 2 Jun-
24 Jul (v.o.), probably indicating nearby
nesting. The pair in Woodbridge, VA, was
not reported this year, but three were in
Haymarket, Fauquier/ Prince William, 28
Jun {fide BL), and singles appeared in
Virginia at Dale City, Prince William, 5 Jun
(MR), Runt Powell’s Farm 4 Jul (JB), and
Alexandria 22 Jul (S. Hess). A Sharp-
shinned Hawk was a strange summer visi¬
tor to Rigby’s Folly, Talbot, 22 Jun (HTA).
The Cooper’s Hawk nest in Mathews
reported in the spring season fledged three
young 7 Jul (J. McKelvey). Broad-winged
Hawks are very scarce Coastal Plain breed¬
ers but were found this year in Kent (JLS)
and at least 4 Saint Mary’s locations (PC,
KR, C8cTD). Peregrine Falcons apparently
nested on the Thomas Johnson Bridge,
Saint Mary’s/ Calvert, for the first time and
fledged at least one (JK, TB, v.o.).

A Black Rail singing at Parker’s Cr.
23-26 Jun (L. Starr) was only Calvert's 3rd
and one of very few reports on the Western
Shore in the past 15 years. In addition to the
perennially popular Huntley Meadows
birds, a King Rail adult and chick were at
Truitt’s Landing 1 Jul (JLS, MHa) for the
first breeding confirmation in Worcester,
another was heard at James Run, Harford,
16 Jun (EB). Up to two Com. Moorhens
(v.o.) were seen through the summer at

Hughes Hollow, Montgomery, but it is not
known whether they produced young as
they have in the past. An Am. Coot was at
Deal 17 Jul (TMD, GM, MJI), although it
has been several years since they were last
known to nest there.

Wilson’s Plover persisted at the n. limit
of its breeding range; 52 were counted,
along with 136 Piping, on a survey of Vir¬
ginia’s barrier islands in Accomack and
Northampton {fide BW). An Am. Golden-
Plover reported at Fisherman 1. 21 Jun (R. 8c
M. Beck) was a month off spring or fall
migratory schedule. Mid-summer golden-
plovers have occurred in the Region twice
previously — are we just assuming these
birds are American ? To my knowledge, none
of these records have conclusively eliminat¬
ed either Pacific or European golden-plover;
the two East Coast reports of the latter (only
one confirmed) are from this mid-summer
period. Semipalmated Plover created a short
window between the latest spring departure
13 Jun (JLS) at Gunther’s Pond, Cecil, and
the first fall arrival at Chine. 9 Jul (A.
Rabin).

Hoffman was the first to confirm Black¬
necked Stilt nesting in Dorchester when he
saw a pair with two downy young at Elliot I.
9 Jul. Its former stronghold at Deal seems
not as appealing, but the salt pannes that it
prefers have increased elsewhere in size and
number in recent years. Other stilts nested
on the Chincoteague Causeway: sightings
through the summer culminated with six
birds and two downy chicks from different
broods 24-26 Jun (JV, BA) and two pairs
sporting one and two nearly-fledged juve¬
niles, respectively, 23 Jul (MJI, G. L.
Armistead). There are apparently two previ¬
ous nest records for Virginia away from
Craney, both from the Eastern Shore: Chine.

16 Jul 1971 and a “very old” egg set from
Cobb I. {Raven 42: 44). Single Am. Avocets
were not unexpected at Hart 3 8c 23 Jul (EJS
et al.), but three at Ridgely W.T.P. 22 Jul
(MH) were a Caroline first, and one at
Huntley Meadows, Fairfax, VA, 23 Jul (A.
Richman) provided a first record for the
park. Counts of 282 Lesser Yellowlegs at
Ridgely W.T.P. 20 Jul (MJI) and 350 there 30
Jul (RFR et al.) were new record highs for
Caroline. Solitary Sandpipers were at 2
Eastern Shore locations 1 Jul (JLS, MHa).
The best count for Upland Sandpipers was

17 at P.R.N.A.S. 27 Jul (KR). Though
Spotted Sandpipers are rare but regular
breeders in Maryland, a total of 4 confirma¬
tions was unusually high. Of these, a downy
juvenile with an adult in Westminster,
Carroll, 10 Jul (RFR) and two downy young

at Willow Rd. Pond, Frederick, 17 Jul (WH,
M. Welch) provided new county breeding
records and first confirmations for
Maryland’s Piedmont, while one downy
young at P.W.R.C., Prince George’s, 17 Jul
(SA) was a new local breeding record. A
Whimbrel, rare in the Bay, was at Flag
Ponds, Calvert, 7 Jul (D. Perry), and a
Marbled Godwit was at Assat. 17 Jul (GM).
Stilt Sandpiper numbers built from one 17
Jul (RFR) at Ridgely W.T.P. to a Caroline
record of 24 on 30 Jul (RFR et al.). One was
very early at Craney 30 Jun (BL). Ruff is
quite a rare bird in shorebird-poor Mary¬
land, so a reliable find at Easton W.T.P.,
Talbot, 17-25 Jul (ph. GMJ, m.ob.) generat¬
ed a lot of excitement; jumping the county
line one mi away, it generated a first Caroline
record 19 Jul (JLS) at Tanyard. Another at
Pemberton Farms 18-20 Jul (MJI, TMD,
GM, JLS) provided a Queen Anne’s 3rd. A
Long-billed Dowitcher at Easton W.T.P.
from 24 Jul on (JLS, m.ob.) was one of few
July reports for the state, though the species
stages in nearby Delaware starting in mid-
July. The only Wilson’s Phalaropes were at
Hart 19 Jul (EJS et al.), Craney 30 Jun (BL),
and Chine. 12 Jul (VK).

A first-summer Bonaparte’s Gull at
Hunting Cr., Fairfax, VA, 27 Jul (EH) was
typical for a non-breeder, but an adult in
alternate plumage at Havre de Grace, Har¬
ford, 29 Jul (EB, DW) was likely a failed
nester. This date closely matches those of
other early adults in the state and precedes
the earliest juveniles by a week or so. Lesser
Black-backed Gulls found throughout the
summer at Hart were predominantly first-
and 2nd-summers, except for one 3rd-sum-
mer among nine 5 Jun (EJS, EB). The ad.
Kelp Gull at Sandgates, Saint Mary’s, con¬
tinued through the summer with increasing
plumage wear. Two Glaucous Gulls in the
Region in summer were unusual: first-sum¬
mers were at Hart 12 Jun-17 Jul (EJS et al.)
and 13-23 Jul (DBy, ph. MJI). There were
106 Gull-billed Tern nests found on the
Virginia barrier islands {fide BW), but no
Caspian Terns were found nesting for the
first time in several years. An ad. and juv.
Gull-billed Tern over the Potomac R. off the
G.W. Parkway 24 Jul (DC) were extremely
unusual inland and a first for Prince
George’s, though there are 3 D.C. records.
One Gull-billed Tern at Vaughn 2 Jul (JLS,
MHa) furnished the only other Maryland
report. On 15 Jul 825 young Royal Terns
were banded (DB, HTA et al.) in a colony
on S. Fox I., Accomack, VA. The Royal Tern
colony on Skimmer I., Worcester, persists
despite recent gull nesting there, and 490

VOLUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 4

373

young were banded 14 Jul (DB, JSW).
Common Terns, however, seem to be near¬
ly gone from the area and counts over the
summer were drastically down. Sandwich
Terns were noted at Skimmer I. through the
summer, though they apparently did not
nest, and singles were at P.L.S.P. and Smith
I., Somerset , 30 Jul (N&FS). Least Terns are
still becoming more prominent in the Bay
area, with indications from Sue Riccardi
that higher numbers around Annapolis
(MJI) may be due to formation of a breed¬
ing colony at Holly Beach Farm, just s. of
the Bay Bridge. More interesting inland, a
pair frequently fed in the pond at the
Greenbelt Metro Station, Prince George’s ,
through early (uly (DM); another at
Anacostia R. Park 20 Jul (GG) was very rare
for D.C., though they bred there a decade
ago.

CUCKOOS THROUGH BLACKBIRDS

Only five Black-billed Cuckoos were
reported; one in Kent 13 Jun (JLS) was the
only Eastern Shore report. A Com. Night-
hawk at Denton 30 Jun (MN) could indi¬
cate nesting; the species is increasingly rare
and local as a breeder, and very few consis¬
tent locations remain. A Yellow-bellied
Flycatcher off Pouder Rd., Carroll, 25 Jul
(JLS) was one of the earliest ever for Mary¬
land, and a Least Flycatcher banded at
Hughes Hollow 27 Jul (PW) was another
early migrant. Willow Flycatchers at their
breeding periphery were at Kenilworth
Aquatic Gardens with three 7 Jun (GG) and
one still there 28 Jun (GG). Another Willow
2 Jun (GG) at Oxon Hill Children’s Farm,
Prince George’s, may also have been a breed¬
er. Two at Millington W.M.A., Kent , 13 Jun
(JLS) were equally far from known popula¬
tions across the Bay at Hart in n. Cecil and
in coastal Delaware. An imm. Scissor-tailed
Flycatcher from Assat. 8-9 Jul (p.a., fide
EJS) would be a Worcester first and the
state’s 11th record, the 4th since 1991. A
Red-breasted Nuthatch at Jug Bay, Anne
Arundel, 6 Jul (DBy) joined a growing set of
mid-summer observations of that species;
another in w. Maryland may have been a
vanguard of the larger movement which
was evident by early fall. Birds appearing at
Pt. Pelee, ON, in late June were typical of
“invasion” years ( fide A. Wormington);
might this effect be seen as far away as
Maryland as well? Two Brown-headed Nut¬
hatches at Bennet Pt., Queen Anne’s, 19 Jul
(JR) were at a new location near their n.
range limit. A Sedge Wren at Deal 2 Jul
(JLS, MHa) was the only report of this
species. A Gray-cheeked Thrush at

McKee-Beshers W.M.A. 10 Jun (PW) set a
record late date. Breeding Warbling Vireos
are limited mostly to the Piedmont, so
those in D.C. are noteworthy. P.W.R.C. sur¬
veys turned up lone singing birds at
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, Anacostia R.
Park, and Kingman L. (GG). Singing birds
at St. Paul’s Church, Kent, 3 Jun (JR) sug¬
gested breeding by two pairs at the only
consistent location on the Eastern Shore. A
singing male Magnolia Warbler was sur¬
prising 3 Jul (FWF) in a Bowie, Prince
George’s, backyard. Possibly still qualifying
as a late migrant was a Black-throated
Green Warbler at P.L.S.P. 14-15 Jun (MC).
A remarkably late N. Waterthrush was at
Denton 6 Jun (MN). A Yellow-breasted
Chat at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens 5 Jun
(PP) would be an unusual D.C. breeder, if
indeed that was its intent. Like the Mag¬
nolia Warbler above, a male Rose-breasted
Grosbeak at an Ellicott City, Howard, feeder
30 Jun (fide BO) may have been a failed
breeder from the north.

Up to four male Dickcissels summered
in the Oland Rd., Frederick, area as usual.
The previously reported Dickcissels at
Custis Tomb, Northampton , VA, were seen
carrying food 11 Jul (BT) for the first con¬
firmation of Virginia Eastern Shore breed¬
ing. One off Deal I. Rd., Somerset, 5 Jun
(SA) added to a string of recent Lower
Eastern Shore sightings, although breeding
has not yet been confirmed on the s.
Eastern Shore in Maryland. A male Vesper
Sparrow banded 6 Jun (RL) at Chino
Farms, Queen Anne’s, may have been one of
a pair that apparently nested. Four Savan¬
nah Sparrows seen at Vaughn 1 Jul (JLS,
MHa) behaved more like migrants and
showed no particular signs of breeding; the
species previously bred on the coast in
small numbers, but no such records have
occurred in 50 years. Perhaps the most
exciting report this summer was a Hens-
low’s Sparrow at Aberdeen Proving
Grounds, Harford, 27 Jun-4 Jul (EB, DW et
al.) which sang from exposed perches in a
field of 12-18-inch Festuca, Lespedeza
cuneata, and Anthoxanthum odoratum —
the first record suggestive of breeding away
from the mountains of Maryland since the
late 1980s. One of the best examples of this
season’s “out of the mountains” theory
came from White-throated Sparrow, which
only breeds n. of the Region. The string of 6
reports is the highest ever and included sin¬
gles in Monticello Park, Alexandria, VA, 1
Jun (KG); Jamestown, James City, VA, 2 Jun
(K. Behrens); Dyke Marsh, Fairfax, VA, 12
Jun (TMD, KG); L. Roland, Baltimore, 15

Jul (P. Lev); Harford Glen, Harford, 26 Jul
(MHa); and two at Elkton, Cecil, 5 Jun
(MWW). A Dark-eyed Junco at Havre de
Grace 20 Jul (DW) was unprecedented and
further illustrates the hypothetical move¬
ment from the mountains. Bobolinks may
have been attempting to nest again at Fair
Hill, Cecil, but singing males at Accotink
Bay N.W.R., Fairfax, VA, 15 Jun (G. Flem¬
ing) and at Aberdeen Proving Grounds (in
the same field as the Henslow’s Sparrow)
25-30 Jun (EB, DW) were oddities. Even
more startling, the observation of a male
Bobolink carrying food and a fecal sac 5 Jul
(ESB) confirmed breeding for a pair pre¬
sent at least 4 Jun-11 Jul on Virginia’s
Eastern Shore in the same field used by the
Dickcissels. No breeding was evident in the
only other summering Bobolink record
away from the Piedmont, in nearby
Accomack, VA, 6 Jun 1981 (Raven 54: 3-18).
Two Boat-tailed Grackles at P.R.N.A.S.,
Saint Mary’s, 17 Jul (KR) were on the wrong
side of the Bay, a mistake rarely made by
this species.

Observers (area compilers in boldface): Bill
Akers, Henry T. Armistead, Stan Arnold,
Tyler Bell, Jeff Blalock, Eirik Blom, Dave
Bridge (DBr), Dave Brinker, Edward S.
Brinkley, Danny Bystrak (DBy), Wallace
Coffey (Valley Birds internet group), Patty
Craig (Saint Mary’s: P.O. Box 84, Lexington
Park, MD 20653), Marty Cribb, Dave
Czaplak, Todd M. Day, Curtis & Tina Dew,
Ethel Engle (Caroline. 20789 Dover Bridge
Rd., Preston, MD 21655), Fred W. Fallon,
Leslie Fisher, Sam Freiberg (Montgomery.
8733 Susanna Lane, Chevy Chase, MD
20815), Kurt Gaskill, Greg Gough, Matt
Hafner (MHa), Suzanne Hess, Jane Hill
(Voice of the Naturalist), Rob Hilton, Mark
Hoffman, Eric Hynes, George M. Jett
(Charles: 9505 Bland Street, Waldorf MD
20603), Jane Kostenko, Bev Leeuwenberg,
Ryan Lesh, Greg Miller, Dave Mozurkewich,
Marianna Nuttle, Bonnie Ott, Paul Pisano,
Elizabeth Pitney ( Wicomico : 7218 Walston
Switch Rd., Parsonsburg, MD 21849), Kyle
Rambo, Jan Reese, Robert F. Ringler, Norm
Saunders (MD Osprey internet group),
Eugene J. Scarpulla, Jo Solem (Howard:
10617 Graeloch Rd., Laurel, MD 20723),
Brian Taber, Jerry Via, Dave Webb, John S.
Weske, Marcia Watson-Whitmyre (MWW),
Bill Williams, Les Willis (Virginia
Birdline), Paul Woodward.

Marshall J. Miff: report to James L. Stasz,

P.O. Box 71, North Beach, MD 20714

374

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

southern atlantic
coast region

RICKY DAVIS

eather this summer was generally hot
and dry. Some areas in the western
portions of the Region experienced extreme
drought. Drought conditions lessened to¬
ward the coast, although many coastal plain
areas were also considerably drier than nor¬
mal. Most areas also recorded very hot tem¬
peratures for long stretches at a time. Thus
conditions this summer were often unbear¬
able for field observers and probably re¬
stricted birder activity — as evidenced by
the reduced number of reports submitted.
The birds, on the other hand, probably were
not too bothered by the hot conditions.
Several wet, cold spells in late spring, how¬
ever, seem to have caused trouble for many
coastal colonial waterbirds and some pas¬
serines, thereby disrupting summer breed¬
ing patterns.

Abbreviations: C. Hatt. (Cape Hatteras, NC);
E.L.H. (E. L. Huie Land Application Facility, Clay¬
ton Co., GA); H.B.S.P. (Huntington Beach S.P.,
SC); S.S.S. (Savannah Spoil Site, Jasper Co., SC).

PETRELS THROUGH SPOONBILL

North Carolina trips once again dominated
the pelagic scene. Herald (Trinidade) Petrels
have now reached expected status, and this
summer off Hatteras two were reported 6
Jun and one 17 Jul (BP et al.). Out of Ore¬
gon Inlet, the quite rare Fea’s Petrel was
found twice, with singles noted 19 Jul (BP et
al.) and 1 Aug (PG et al.). Some selected
peak counts off Hatteras included 372
Black-capped Petrels 24 Jul, 310 Greater and
1035 Audubon’s shearwaters 17 Jul, 62
Leach’s Storm-Petrels 6 Jun, and 71 Band-
rumped Storm-Petrels 24 Jul (BP et al.).
Quite unexpected during summer, a Sooty
Shearwater was a good find off Hatteras 24
Jul (BP et al.). The only Manx Shearwater
was off Hatteras 6 Jun (BP et al.). One of the
most hoped-for pelagic species, the White¬
faced Storm-Petrel, was found off Oregon
Inlet 31 Jul (PG et al.), providing one of the
few reports in recent years. White-tailed
Tropicbirds made a good showing with sin¬
gles off Hatteras 5 & 25 Jun, two off Hatteras
17 Jul, and one off Oregon Inlet 19 Jul (BP

et al.). In South Carolina, a rarely reported
Black-capped Petrel was off Murrell’s Inlet
26 Jun (JP et al.). A Leach’s Storm-Petrel,
found dead on the beach at Charleston, SC,
10 Jun (fideWlP) provided that state’s 3rd
specimen. South Carolina also got its 2nd
documented state record of Band-rumped
Storm-Petrel when one was found alive on
the beach (but later died) on Fripp I., Beau¬
fort, 2 Jun (fide WP). A Brown Pelican found
at the Stevens Cr. Dam, Savannah R., Edge-
field, SC, 31 Jul (MT) was unusual inland.
This summer’s Magnificent Frigatebird re¬
ports included singles at Buxton, NC, 2 Jun
(DD), at Avon, NC, 15 Jun (ML), at Litch¬
field Beach, SC, 5 Jul (fide TP), and at Jekyll
I., GA, 7 Jun (GB, JF1, EH).

Long-legged waders dispersed inland
earlier than usual this summer, perhaps due
to limited nesting success from the wet late-
spring weather. A count of 52 Great Egrets
at Jordan L., NC, 12 Jun (JPi) was very high
for that early in the summer. Also of note
was the presence of two-three Little Blue
Herons far inland at L. Buchanan, Haralson,
GA, throughout June and July (MB). Dis¬
persing Reddish Egrets included two near
Cape Lookout, NC, 31 Jul ( JF, SA, RB et al.),
one at Sunset Beach, NC, 31 Jul (WC), one
at H.B.S.P. 17 Jul (JP et al.), and two on
Cumberland I., GA, 10 Jul (GB). The peak
count of Roseate Spoonbills in the Bruns¬
wick, GA, area was 12 on 7 Jun (GB, JF1,
EH), and an imm. Spoonbill provided a rare
South Carolina report at Kiawah I. in early
July (fide DF).

WATERFOWL THROUGH CRANES

Amazingly, the Ross’s Goose present from
the previous winter in Madison, GA, re¬
mained throughout the summer (JF1).
Other lingerers found in the Region includ¬
ed a N. Pintail at E.L.H. all summer (PR, PB,
TM, m.ob.), a Lesser Scaup at St. Simon’s I.,
GA, 7 Jun (GB et al.), a Lesser Scaup at Au¬
gusta, GA, 26 Jun (AW et al.), a Black Scoter
at Sullivan’s I., SC, 6 Jun (SCo), and a Ruddy
Duck on L. Hickory, NC, 24 Jul (D&LM).

New reports of nesting Mississippi Kites
in North Carolina included another site
near Laurinburg where five kites were
observed around a partially-built nest (later

abandoned) on 26 Jul (BG). A nest in
Roanoke Rapids yielded one young during
the summer (fide FE). Always noteworthy,
reports of breeding accipiters in the Region
included two Sharp-shinned Hawks seen
carrying food to a nest near S. Pines, NC, 1 1
Jul (SH) and two Cooper’s Hawks which
fledged from a nest in Raleigh, NC, 22 Jun
(JC). A Broad-winged Hawk was definitely
outside its normal summer range at Ridge-
ville, McIntosh, GA, 23 Jun (PS), providing
an unusual coastal sighting. Although no
nest was found, a pair of Am. Kestrels near
Red Bank, Lexington, SC, were out of range
15-26 Jun (IP).

Three Black Rails heard at the Altamaha
W.M.A. near Darien, GA, 7 Jun (GB et al.)
provided a good count for this local species.
A Sandhill Crane was a surprise along the
Coosaw R., ACE Basin, SC, 14 Jul (fide JH).
The 12 Sandhills reported from Carteret,
NC, during the spring were discovered to
have been raised by the Patuxent Wildlife
Center and apparently were not able to mi¬
grate back north. These birds were present
until Center personnel captured and return¬
ed most of the cranes 20-21 Jul (fide JF).

PLOVERS THROUGH TERNS

Nesting success throughout the Region for
Piping Plover seemed about normal, in
spite of the wet spring weather (sev. ob.).
Some of the more interesting shorebird
sightings included an Am. Avocet at the
H.B.S.P. jetty pond 13 Jul (JP); inland
Willets at Hooper Lane, NC, 18-19 Jul (WF
et al.) and Silver Bluff Sanctuary, SC, 19-22
Jul (fide AW); a Willet off of Hatteras, NC,
24 Jul (BP et al.); a very early alternate-
plumaged Dunlin at H.B.S.P. 4 Jul (JP et
al.); and a Red-necked Phalarope at the
S.S.S. 1 1 Jun (SC). The only Long-billed
Curlew reported was at Shackleford Banks,
Carteret, NC, in early July (NM). A Hud-
sonian Godwit was a good find at S.S.S. 27
Jul (SC). Also on 27 Jul at the S.S.S., Calver
counted 898 Stilt Sandpipers, providing a
record one-day total for this species in the
Region. Good inland sandpiper reports
included a calling ad. Long-billed Dowitch-
er at the Winslow Sod Farm, Scotland Neck,
NC, 25 Jul (RD) and an extremely early

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

375

Com. Snipe at Hooper Lane, NC, 14 Jul
(WF et al.). Wilson’s Phalaropes were found
only at the S.S.S. with two on 1 Jul and five
on 27 Jul (SC).

This was one of the better summers for
S. Polar Skuas with two-three off Hatteras,
NC, 6 Jun (BP et al.), one off Hatteras 25 Jul
(BP et al.), and one off Murrell’s Inlet, SC,
26 Jun (JP et al.). The South Carolina skua
sighting is only about the 5th or 6th report
for that state. An ad. Franklin’s Gull was a
surprise at the Hatteras Inlet Ferry Termin¬
al on Ocracoke I., NC, 3 Jul (JWe), provid¬
ing a very rare summer report for the
Region. A Roseate Tern seen off Oregon
Inlet, NC, 4 Jun (BP et al.) was very rare off¬
shore. Also very rare was an inland Least
Tern at E.L.H., GA, 17 Jul (JS,PB), provid¬
ing about the 6th Atlanta area record.

DOVES THROUGH KINGLETS

The Beaufort, NC, population of Eur.
Collared- Doves continues to thrive (JF),
like most other groups of this species
throughout the Region. Will anything halt
its expansion? Several White-winged Doves
in Beaufort seem not to have had as much
success: present for over a year with nesting
last year, they had not been found after this
spring. Are they extirpated, or have they
just moved to another location? The Com.
Ground- Dove made news this summer.
Locally unusual reports included two s. of
Plymouth, NC, 7 Jun (JP,PRo) and two near
Ward, Saluda, SC, 31 Jul (MT). An amazing
count of 28 at City Park, Macon, GA, 2 Jul
(EB) provided one of the highest totals ever
for that state and the Region. Rare summer
Black-billed Cuckoos included singles near
Dahlonega, GA, 15-16 Jul (PWo) and near
Orrum, Robeson, NC, 27 Jul (fide SCa). The
only Rufous Hummingbird report received
was of an ad. male at Chapel Hill, NC, 7-9
Jul (fide TP). Totally unexpected was the
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker found in
Whispering Pines, Moore, NC, during the
first week of July (fide SCa). Was this a late
spring bird, an early fall bird, or just a far-
ranging wanderer?

Apart from the usual Jekyll I., GA, birds,
other regional Gray Kingbirds were found
at Caswell Beach, NC, 5 Jun (BC, DDe) and
at C. Hatt. 25 Jun (J&PW). Once again
Scissor-tailed Flycatchers appeared in the
Region: one was at C. Hatt. 15 Jun (PM et
al.), another (the same individual?) was at
Ocracoke, NC, 8 Jul (fide KW), and a 3rd
was at E.L.H. 25-26 Jul (TM et al., m.ob.).
The presence of five pairs of Loggerhead
Shrikes at DeBordieu Beach, SC, all sum¬
mer was noteworthy since the species is

increasingly hard to find as one nears the
coast. Three of the pairs successfully raised
young (SD), but away from the coast, nest¬
ing success of Loggerheads was not as good.
Irvin reported that in the Sandhills area of
North Carolina, the wet spells of the spring
caused considerable nest failures among
some known shrike pairs. Apparently the
birds were not able to recover, even during
the months of June and July. Swallows also
experienced some mortality at several areas
during the spring but apparently were able
to regroup and raise at least one brood suc¬
cessfully; however, they began migrating S
in numbers a little earlier than usual. Good
counts of Cliff Swallows included 150 in s.
Troup, GA, 17 Jun (PR) and 216 going S in
n. Greene, GA, 26 Jul (PS). A Ruby-crowned
Kinglet found dead in Raleigh, NC, on the
weird date of 29 Jul (fide Sea) was another
bird found totally out-of-season. Was this
an absurdly early fall migrant?

WARBLERS THROUGH CROSSBILLS

Several warblers were found at the edge of
known breeding ranges this summer. A
Black-and-white Warbler was on territory in
n. Moore, NC, 6 Jun (JPi), an Am. Redstart
pair was observed feeding a fledgling in
Elbert, GA, 13 Jun (JF1), three Worm-eating
Warblers were singing at Morrow Mountain
S.P., NC (MK), and a singing Louisiana
Waterthrush was at H.B.S.P. 3 Jun (JP et al.).
The Milltail Cr. BBS, Dare, NC, consistently
produces high numbers of certain warblers.
This year on 6 Jun, high counts included 88
Prairie, 78 Prothonotary, 8 Worm-eating
warblers, and 77 Com. Yellowthroats (MLy).
It is obvious that this site needs continued
monitoring as an important nesting area in
this section of the coastal region.

Other areas demanding monitoring, this
time for Henslow’s Sparrow, are the VOA
sites in Beaufort and Pitt, NC. This year’s
censuses of singing males produced 76 at
VOA-A 5 Jun and 50 at VOA-B 6 Jun
(J&PW). A singing Song Sparrow in South¬
ern Pines, NC, 3-7 Jun (SCa) was locally un¬
usual and also outside of the normal breed¬
ing season range in that state. Lingering
White-throated Sparrows were reported
twice with singles in Fulton, GA, 2 Jun (fide
TM) and at Raleigh, NC, 16 Jun (ET).
Dickcissel reports were down relative to the
past several years. Males were at Cedar
Island N.W.R., NC, 2 Jun (JR) and at Petti¬
grew S.P., NC, 19 Jun (SH et al.), and a nest¬
ing pair was found in the Martin Quad, GA,
12 Jun (GB et al.). Three locally unusual
Bobolinks at Hooper Lane, NC, 17 Jul (WF
et al.) probably represented nearby nesters.

Shiny Cowbirds have apparently started to
invade the Region rapidly. In North
Carolina, single Shinys were at Cedar I. in
early June (NM) and at the Ocracoke Ferry
Terminal 7 Jun (WI). In Georgia, one near
Stockbridge, Henry, 26 Jun (PR) provided a
first area record; another was on Jekyll I. 18
Jun (LT). In South Carolina, one was at
Sullivan’s I. 13 Jun (WH), but 18 Shiny
Cowbirds found at the S.S.S. 1-2 Jul (PS,
SC) represented an invasion and possibly
the highest number ever found outside of
Florida. To ameliorate a potential negative
impact, at least 13 of these were captured,
but the remainder moved on to unknown
locales. Probably a very late migrant, an ad.
male Baltimore Oriole was out-of-place in
Orange, NC, 12 Jun (WC). Finally, a female
Red Crossbill at a feeder in Dunwoody, GA,
8-9 Jun (fide JS) furnished an out-of-season
and very rare Atlanta area report.

CORRIGENDA

In NAB 53: 45, the MacGillivray’s Warbler
at L. Mattanruskeet, NC, furnished the 2nd
Regional record. The first was found in the
Atlanta, GA, area in the 1980s (Manns). In
NAB 53: 159, the Black-throated Green
Warbler at L. Mattamuskeet, NC, represent¬
ed the 2nd winter sighting for that state.
The first was on the C. Hatt., NC, CBC on
27 Dec 1983 (LeGrand).

Contributors: Susan Arrington, Eric Beane,
Giff Beaton, Michael Bell, Rich Boyd,
Patrick Brisse, Steve Calver, Susan Campbell
(SCa), Brad Carlson, Steve Compton (SCo),
Will Cook, Joseph Covington, Ricky Davis,
Diane DelleDonne (DDe), Sam DeMent,
David Dunmore, Frank Enders, Jim Flynn
(JF1), Dennis Forsythe, Wayne Forsythe,
John Fussell, Barbara Gearhart, Paul Guris,
Judy Halleron, Scott Hartley, Earl Horn,
Willy Hutcheson, Mark Johns, Merrill
Lynch (MLy), Marcia Lyons, Dwayne & Lori
Martin (D&LM), Nell Moore, Pat Moore,
Terry Moore, Brian Patteson, Jack Peachey,
Irvin Pitts, Taylor Piephoff, Jeff Pippin (JPi),
Will Post, Paul Raney, Paul Rogers (PRo),
Joshua Rose, Jeff Sewell, Paul Sykes, Erik
Thomas, Lydia Thompson, Mike Turner,
Anne Waters, Keith Watson, John Weske
(JWe), Pete Worthington (PWo), John &
Paula Wright (J&PW).

Ricky Davis, 608 Smallwood Drive, Rocky
Mount, NC 27804 (RJDNC@aol.com)

376

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

florida region

^ A In 1997-1998, El Nino resulted
k# in winter rains that prevented
or delayed nesting by wading birds in
southern Florida; but in the Tampa Bay
area of west-central Florida, the same
rains flooded wetlands prior to an
extreme spring drought and resulted in
the largest nesting effort in more than
20 years. This year the situation was dra¬
matically reversed. Drier conditions in
winter 1998-1999 produced the first
“typical” drydown in southern Florida
in several years. Prey was concentrated
during the critical foraging period of the
breeding cycle, and the result was the
largest Everglades nesting effort since
1992. Nesting of the five priority indica¬
tor species (Great Egret, Snowy Egret,
Tricolored Heron, White Ibis, and Wood
Stork) tripled from 1998 to over 21,000
breeding pairs (Table 1) (DEG, JCO,
PCF et al.). Conversely, continuing
drought and the absence of the winter
rains needed to recharge the wetlands
and build up the food base in the Tampa
Bay area was associated with a 50%
decline in nesting numbers there (RTP,
AFS). Other coastal populations exhib¬
ited similar declines, including Sarasota
Bay (RTP, AFS), Marco I. area (TB), and
Pine I. Sound-Matlacha Pass ( JC); at the
latter site, pollution and disturbance
were also implicated.

RICHARD T. PAUL
and ANN F. SCHNAPF

fter a very dry spring, much of the Reg¬
ion experienced above-normal rains in
June followed by mostly drier-than-normal
conditions, especially in the Keys. No tropi¬
cal storms influenced local conditions dur¬
ing the period. Severe space restrictions
forced deletion of many noteworthy reports,
for which we offer our apologies.

Abbreviations: C.P. (County Park); C.S.S.
(Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary); F.O.S.R.C.
(Florida Ornithological Society Records Com¬
mittee); F.O.C. (Field Observations Committee);
F.W.C. (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission); M.C.A. (Marsh Conservation
Area); P.P.M. (Polk Phosphate Mines); S.B.P.
(State Buffer Preserve); S.R.A. (State Recreation
Area); S.R.S.T.F. (Springhill Road Sewage Treat¬
ment Facility); T.I.S. P. (Talbot I. State Park).

SHEARWATERS
THROUGH FALCONS

A Greater Shearwater, irregular in summer,
washed ashore at Vilano Beach, St. Johns, 10
Jun (DR, ^Florida Museum of Natural
History). Even more unusual was a White¬
tailed Tropicbird <5 km off Jupiter on 7 Jun,
a day with strong E winds (SN). Several
reports of Am. White Pelicans were capped
by 200 seen at Cedar Key 18 Jul (R&TR). An
F.W.C. aerial survey estimated 8650 nesting
pairs of Brown Pelicans statewide, up 200
from 1 998 but 1 1 00 below the average since

1990. With an average brood size of 1.37,
nesting success was below that of recent
years (SN, STS). Possible summering Am.
Bitterns were found at Orlando Wilderness
Park 6 Jun (CP, ph. to F.O.C.) and at Fort
Drum M.C.A., Indian River, 28 )un (SR et
al.).

Roseate Spoonbills in Florida Bay
enjoyed their first successful nesting in sev¬
eral years. The normal November-February
effort totaled 62 1 nests with more than 50%
in the n.w. part of Florida Bay, a significant
shift away from the traditional n.e. bay col¬
onies. Remarkably, a 2nd effort totaling 260
nests occurred in the n.e. bay in the spring
(JL). At least six pairs nested successfully at
C.S.S. for the first time this century (RA,
EC), and 164 pairs nested at 4 Tampa Bay
area sites — including the first successful nest
in Clearwater Harbor since the 1870s (AFS,
RTP). About 900 pairs of Wood Storks nest¬
ed at C.S.S. Most failed in May, and no more
than 100-300 young fledged (EC, TB, JCO).
Another 485 pairs nested in the Everglades,
half in the Water Conservation Areas where
they were largely successful (PCF); a total of
321 nests were located in 3 Tampa Bay area
colonies (AFS, RTP). Greater Flamingos —
escapees from 2 Tampa area attractions —
were sighted in Hillsborough Bay 3 Jun and
29 Jul (RTP, AFS) and in Ding Darling
N.W.R. 23 Jun (JR) and 2 Jul (DTe).

A Black-bellied Whistling-Duck nest
with 16 eggs at Three Forks M.C.A., Bre¬
vard, 7 lul (BR, BQ), later depredated (fide
BPr), was the first ever found in Florida,

Table 1

Florida Breeding Waterbird Surveys in 1 999

Mainland Ever

glades System 1

Tampa Bay Coastal Colonies2

Species

# Pairs

% Change from 1 998

# Pairs

% Change from 1 998

Great Blue Heron

749

+144

196

-38

Great Egret

7781

+89

491

-41

Snowy Egret

1210

+402

611

-28

Little Blue Heron

2101

+69

244

-11

Tricolored Heron

1723

+49

426

-43

Reddish Egret

57

0

Cattle Egret

1606

-34

3355

+41

White Ibis

10,404

+639

5712

-67

Glossy Ibis

49

253

-54

Roseate Spoonbill

47

+370

164

-12

Wood Stork

472

+ 1840

163

+208

Totals

26,142

+140

11,672

-50

'A massive effort of many people and groups, compiled primarily in the“S. Florida Wading Bird Report”
of the S. Florida Water Management District (DEG, ICO, PCF etal.) .

2(RTP,AFSetal.).

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

377

although nesting had been suspected based
on sightings of adults with young in 1988
and 1990. A male Redhead was at S.R.S.T.R
through the season. Nine Ring-necked
Ducks were at L. Jackson 20 Jun (GM et al.).
Two Red-breasted Mergansers summered at
Zellwood to 12 Jun (HR), and one was at
Huguenot Park, Duval, to 2 Jul (RC). Ruddy
Ducks were at 3 sites: five on 17 Jun and one
12 Jul at P.P.M., and single females through
the period at Zellwood and S.R.S.T.F.
(m.ob.).

Swallow-tailed Kites at Zellwood peaked
at 102 on 20 Jul (HR et ah); there were up to
200 in late July at the former “ag” fields w. of
Palm Bay, Brevard (SR). A White-tailed Kite
nest at Three Lakes W.M.A., Osceola
(reportedly by a different pair than that
noted in Spring), failed in early July (TD et
ah). Present throughout the season were one
White-tailed at Kicco W.M.A., Polk (TD),
and three each at St. Johns M.C.A., Brevard ,
and Three Forks M.C.A. (SR). The F.W.C.
study of nesting Snail Kites on L. Kissimmee
reported 46 nests; clutch sizes were normal,
but fledging success was low (0.69 young/
nest), apparently because littoral habitats
still have not recovered from a lake draw¬
down 3 years ago (STS). A female Snail Kite
was seen at Zellwood 16 Jul (HR), while a
Mississippi Kite was at Crystal River S.B.P.,
Citrus, 10 Jun (A&BH).

The state Bald Eagle survey tallied 1043
active territories, another new record for
this increasing population (SN); ten years
ago we celebrated a new high of 436! An
unidentified accipiter w. of Kendall 28 Jul
was early, whatever it was (JBo), while two
Sharp-shinneds summered at Zellwood
(HR). Cooper’s Hawk nests were monitored
in Gainesville, Lakeland, and St. Petersburg,
and hunting birds were reported from sev¬
eral more sites (m.ob.). A Crested Caracara
at Zellwood 27 Jul (HR) was n. of its usual
haunts, while an Am. Kestrel at Homestead
5 Jun (JBo) was presumably an extremely
late spring migrant. A Peregrine Falcon in
s.w. Hamilton 13 Jul furnished a 6th sum¬
mer season report (KNS, DH).

RAILS THROUGH OWLS

A Sora heard at Brasher Park, Port Richey,
26 (un (KT) may be Pasco's first summer re¬
cord. At Zellwood, 22 Purple Gallinules and
133 Am. Coots (with 5 unsuccessful nests)
were the season’s high counts (HR). Sandhill
Cranes suffered poor nesting success in c.
Florida but did well near Gainesville, with
young birds comprising 26% of the popula¬
tion in late-season surveys there (SN).

Whooping Cranes venturing from release
areas included five s.w. of Bushnell, Sumter,
on 7 Jun (CB), five in n. Polk 2 Jul (NC, TP),
and three over Zellwood 6 Jul (HR).

Ten Snowy Plovers, including three
juveniles, were at Ft. Myers Beach 24 Jun
(CE), indicating local nesting success. At
Huguenot Park, 29 Wilson’s Plovers includ¬
ed five pairs 19 Jun (RC), while 23 at Ft.
Myers Beach included five chicks on 24 Jun
(CE). Twelve Semipalmated Plovers at Cape
Florida S.R.A. 3 Jul were the earliest report¬
ed (JBo), as were a Piping at Honeymoon I.
S.R.A. 14 (ul (LK) and three more at Shell
Key 18 Jul (PMB, KN). Pair counts of Am.
Oystercatchers included 86 at Hillsborough
Bay, eight at Shell Key, 58 on Citrus spoil
islands, and nine at Pt. Orange (RTP, AFS,
PMB, GB). At T.I.S.P., 31 Black-necked Stilts
included four nesting pairs on 25 Jun, with
56 birds present on 31 Jul (RC). Stilts also
nested at Kanapaha and Paynes Prairies near
Gainesville (STS, RR, JHi, MM). One Am.
Avocet was at T.I.S.P. 1 Jul (RC), while 151 in
breeding plumage at PPM. 5 Jul constituted
a high summer count (PT, CGe, LA).

A Spotted Sandpiper at Homestead 5 Jun
(JBo) was very tardy, while one at Tierra
Verde 1 1 Jul was the first of the “fall” (MW).
An Upland Sandpiper appeared at Zellwood
9 Jul, with up to five present 20-31 Jul (HR).
A Whimbrel was at St. Marks N.W.R. 13 Jun
(MC); four at Huguenot Park 4 Jul (RC)
were perhaps southbound. Single Long¬
billed Curlews at Zellwood 25 Jun (HR),
Shell Key 18 Jul (PMB, KN), and T.I.S.P. 27
Jul (PL) were likely “fall” migrants. Rare in
June, two Marbled Godwits 3 Jun and eight
6 Jun were in Hillsborough Bay (RTP, AFS),
while $t. Marks N.W.R. had two 21 Jun
(HVT) and Ft. Myers Beach had two 24 Jun
(CE). Ft. Myers Beach also hosted 80 sum¬
mering Red Knots (CE). Among nearly 20
reports of peeps, noteworthy records
included 1 1 Semipalmated Sandpipers at
Zellwood 5 Jun (HR), five summering Wes¬
terns at Ft. Myers Beach (CE), two Leasts at
Paynes Prairie 10 Jul — an early Alachua date
(RR) — and two White-rumpeds at Zell¬
wood 5 Jun and another 12 Jun (HR).
Twelve Pectoral Sandpipers were at Zell¬
wood 12 Jul (HR), and 13 were at Paynes
Prairie 21 Jul (JHi, MM). The earliest Stilt
Sandpipers were two at Zellwood 14 Jul
(HR). Seven Long-billed Dowitchers were
heard at T.I.S.P. 25 Jun, with about 50 heard
there again on 1 1 Jul (both RC). One Long¬
billed was heard at Zellwood 20 Jul (HR). A
female breeding-plumaged Wilson’s Phala-
rope decorated T.I.S.P. 25 Jun (RC).

About 23,300 pairs of Laughing Gulls
were estimated to be present in 14 colonies
statewide, with a few sites not reporting;
73% of these birds were in the Tampa Bay
area (GS et al.). Inland, five Laughings ap¬
peared at Zellwood 14 Jun (HR). One Ring¬
billed Gull was at L. Jackson 2 Jul (GM,
KM), and two immatures summered at
Zellwood (HR). A first-year Great Black-
backed Gull was at Ft. Myers Beach 11 Jul
(CE et al.), with a 2nd-year bird at Shell Key
18 Jul (PMB, KN).

Always elusive, 38 pairs of Gull-billed
Terns were found at 4 sites in n.e. and n.w.
Florida (m.ob.). Caspian Terns totaled 199
pairs at 3 sites statewide, Royals 4450 pairs
at 5 sites, and Sandwich Terns — down from
1998 — 349 pairs at 3 sites (m.ob.). Single
Forster’s Terns were noted at Zellwood 5
Jun-14 Jul (HR) and at Sebastian Inlet 11
lun (BW). The largest Least Tern colonies
reported were 64 pairs at Three Rooker Bar
(RTP, AFS), 80 at the Citrus spoil islands
(RTP, AFS), and 100 at Ft. Myers Beach
(CE). No Leasts nested at Huegenot S.P.,
while nesting failures were reported for
Guana River S.P., Anastasia S.R.A., and Shell
Key (m.ob.). “Many” Bridled Terns were
noted off Jupiter 7 Jun (SN). A Sooty Tern
was found dead w. of Sunrise, Broward , 1 1
Jul (BW), and an immature appeared at
Huguenot Park 12 Jul (RC). Black Terns
appeared mid-state about 17 Jun (m.ob.),
with a high count of 100+ at T.I.S.P. on 27
Jul (PL). Black Skimmers totaled 1365 pairs
at 7 colonies in the Tampa Bay area (RTP,
AFS, PMB, BB). At Big Marco Pass, 243 pairs
of skimmers nested but fledged fewer than
70 chicks (TB). Skimmer sightings included
two at Zellwood 22 Jun (HR), 492 at P.P.M.
12 Jul (PF, B8cLC), and 300+ (some nesting)
at Bird I. in Nassau Sound on 27 Jul (PL).

Three White-winged Doves were at
Green Cove Springs, Clay, 30 Jun (CGr),
and four were at McKay Bay, Hillsborough,
10 Jul (AGS, RS). At Zellwood, 1760 Mourn¬
ing Doves and 55 Com. Ground-Doves were
high counts on 5 8c 12 Jun, respectively
(HR). The Key West Quail-Dove present
since 19 Apr at Cape Florida S.R.A.
remained until at least 4 Jun (fide DH,
HHu). A Ft. Lauderdale parrot roost active
for more than 20 years contained more than
100 birds on 24 Jul; most were Red-crowned
or Orange-winged parrots, with single
Yellow-naped, Yellow-headed, and Mealy
parrots (JMD, BPr et al.; ph. to F.O.C.).
Three ad. and six juv. Burrowing Owls were
noted at Albert Whitted Airport, St.
Petersburg, 14 Jun (LS, PBo).

378

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

florida

FLYCATCHERS THROUGH FINCHES

A Willow Flycatcher (singing fitz-bew) was
seen and heard at Zellwood 27 Jul (fHR to
F.O.S.R.C.). and a Tropical Kingbird was
noted at Ft. DeSoto C.R on 7 Jul (fLSA et
al. to F.O.S.R.C.). An E. Kingbird at Weedon
1. Preserve, Pinellas, 24 Jun (LH, PMB) was
a late migrant. Dry weather may have
affected nesting of Gray Kingbirds in the
Keys (RSa, SS4). Ten Red-eyed Vireos at
Saddle Creek C.P., Polk, 16 Jul (PF) was a
high early count. Singing Black-whiskered
Vireos were noted at Cayo Costa S.P., Lee, 6
Jun (CE, ASa) and Honeymoon Island
S.R.A. 1 1 Jul (RS). In the Keys, Black-whis¬
kered numbers appeared down, with the
2nd nesting cycle “abbreviated to nonexis¬
tent” possibly due to dry conditions and
reduced insect populations (RSa, SS4).

Typically early migrants, flocks of 2000+
Purple Martins reached St. Petersburg 12
Jun (JBB), 1935 reached Zellwood 19 Jun
(HR), and 1795 were at Zellwood again on

4 Jul ( HR). Two Tree Swallows remained at
Zellwood to 12 Jul (HR). Two N. Rough¬
winged Swallows were flying N at Cayo
Costa S.P. 6 Jun (CE, ASa); a month later on

5 Jul, 215 were at P.P.M. (CGe, PT, LA). One
Rough-winged was noted at L. Jackson 16
Jul (GM, LT), and another was a fall
migrant w. of Kendall 29 Jul (JBo). Two
Bank Swallows were at Ft. DeSoto C.P. 20
Jul (PMB, LH), one was at Zellwood 20 Jul
(HR), and 250 made a showing w. of
Kendall 31 Jul (JBo). That same day w. of
Kendall, 300 Cliff Swallows and 1000 Barns
were also noted (JBo). Two nests of Barn
Swallows were documented at Micanopy
(LP), and there were many at Zellwood (HR
et al.); nesting was also noted at Ft. Drum
M.C.A. (SR) and possibly Fellsmere Grade,
Brevard, and Indian River, where a flock of
30 included juveniles 19 Jul (SR).

The small Blue Jay population in the
Upper Keys, where feeders may provide an
important food supplement, had a success¬
ful nesting season (RSa, SS4). An Am.
Robin singing its “evening song” in Gaines¬
ville 10 Jun (ZN) and a Brown Thrasher w.
of Kendall 18 Jul (JBo) were both s. of nor¬
mal summer range. Common Mynas, com¬
mon around s. Florida shopping malls, have
now spread to the Keys. On 1 May a pair
was found nest-building in Tavernier, with
mynas seen there through July (RSa, SS4).
Warbler migration began normally in mid-
to late July (m.ob.). Early Louisiana
Waterthrushes turned up at Tallahassee 24
Jun (FR) and Bald Pt. 7 Jul (JD); a third, at
L. Alto 8 Jul ( JW), provided the 2nd earliest
date for Alachua (RR). A singing Yellow¬

breasted Chat at Crystal River S.B.P. 10 Jun
(A&BH) was near its s. range limit.

Eighty-six N. Cardinals and 32 Blue
Grosbeaks were at Zellwood 12 Jun, while
up to seven Indigo and eight male Painted
buntings (including six immatures) sum¬
mered there (HR). Thirteen male and at
least five female Dickcissels also summered
at Zellwood; two nests and a female feeding
two fledglings established the first Florida
breeding record (HR, BPr, GB et al.). Single
male Shiny Cowbirds were at St. Petersburg
24 Jun-31 Jul (J8cLH) and at Zellwood 12
Jul (HR). Also at Zellwood, 1005 Brown¬
headed Cowbirds on 16 Jul comprised a
high summer count (HR).

A first-year male Orchard Oriole singing
through the season at Zellwood and three
birds there 6 Jul suggested nesting at this
locality on the edge of the species’ range
(HR et al.). House Finches appear estab¬
lished in Jacksonville where family groups
visited feeders this summer ( fide PP) and at
Ft. Lauderdale where seven were at Hugh
Taylor Birch S.R.A. 27 Jul and where they
bred successfully in 1997 and 1998 (WG). A
female Am. Goldfinch at Tallahassee 21 Jul
(DM) was the 6th summer report for the
state.

Contributors; Larry Albright, Ralph Arwood,
Lyn S. Atherton, Betsy Baker, Gian Basili,
Ted Below, Clay Black, Paul M. Blair, Pam

Bowen (PBo), J. Boyd (JBo), J udith B.
Buhrman (JBB), Ed Carlson, Roger Clark,
Marvin Collins, Neil Combee, Buck 8c Linda
Cooper, Jorge Coppen, Jon-Mark Davey
(JMD), Tylan Dean, Jack Dozier, Charlie
Ewell, Paul Fellers, Peter C. Frederick, Dale
E. Gawlik, Chuck Geanangel (CGe), Wally
George, Charles Greene (CGr), Al 8c Bev
Hansen, John Hintermister (JHi), Dan
Hipes, Judi Hopkins (JHo), Larry Hopkins,
Dotty Hull, Hank Hull (HHu), Lillian
Kinney, Pat Leary, Jerry Lorenz, Keith
MacVicar, Mike Manetz, Gail Menk, Don
Morrow, Zach Neece, Kris Nelson, Steve
Nesbitt, Katy NeSmith (KNS), John C.
Ogden, Tom Palmer, Cheri Pierce, Peggy
Powell, Bill Pranty (BPr), Leecia Price,
Bridgett Quinn, Diane Reed, Harry
Robinson, Bill Robson, Ron 8c Tommie
Rogers, Josh Rose, Rex Rowan, Sean Rowe,
Fran Rutkovsky, Arlyne Salcedo (ASa), Rick
Sawicki (RSa), Stephen T. Schweikert,
Austin G. Smith, Ron Smith, Lee Snyder,
Gary Sprandel, Alexander Sprunt IV (SS4),
Donald Terry (DTe), Larry Thompson, Pete
Timmer, Ken Tracey, Hans Van Tal, Billi
Wagner, Margie Wilkinson, John Winn.

Richard T. Paul and Ann F. Schnapf,

National Audubon Society, 410 Ware Boulevard,
Suite 702, Tampa, FL 33619
(rpaul@audubon.org,
aschnapf@audubon.org) .

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VIREO (Visual Resources for Ornithology)

The Academy of Natural Sciences

1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Philadelphia, PA 19103

(215) 299-1069

www.acnatsci.org/VIREO

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

379

Ontario region

Winter Season: December 1 99 8 to February 1 999

The following report covers the December
1998-February 1999 winter season, followed
by the June-July 1999 summer season.

CLIVE E. GOODWIN

The winter of 1998-1999 offered a varia¬
tion on a now familiar theme: very mild
and open in December and February and
cold in January; but this year the season was
punctuated by a severe storm in the south
in early January, with heavy snow and gale-
force winds.

The mild beginnings to the winter pro¬
duced a host of record late departures for
later migrants. Late departures have been
features of recent winters, and they contin¬
ued unabated; space precludes all but the
most noteworthy. The balmy February
yielded a similar catalogue of early arrivals,
although most of these were confined to the
extreme southwest — Ontario’s “banana
belt.” Those of us residing elsewhere were
less fortunate, and with the exception of
movements of more hardy species, the later
winter was rather quiet. We can only assume
that the open conditions were sufficient to
allow birds that survived the deep snows of
January to disperse widely but were insuffi¬
cient to encourage widespread new arrivals.

Abbreviations: Pelee (Pt. Pelee N.P. and vicini¬
ty, Essex); P.E.Pt. (Prince Edward Point, Prince
Edward). Algonquin (Nipissing), Presqu'ile
(Northumberland) and Rondeau (Kent) are
Provincial Parks. Manitoulin is both a district
and an island. Place names in italics refer to
counties, districts, or regional municipalities. In
general, CBC records are not repeated in this
account.

LOOMS THROUGH WATERFOWL

A total of six Red-throated Loons was an
average count for the winter, but one in
Algonquin 7 Dec (MR), was the first ever
there. Algonquin also recorded three very
late Com. Loons on 16 Dec (CJ et al.), while
a bird 23 Jan was the first in winter at Pelee
(AW). One-two Pied-billed Grebes are usu¬
ally located somewhere in the course of a
winter; there were three individuals E to
Toronto, and 64 at Pelee 7 Dec (AW, FJU)
was an exceptional count. A Horned Grebe
set a record late date for Algonquin 16 Dec
(CJ et al.). Five reports of Red-necked
Grebe were a bit above normal, and there
were still 190 off Manitoulin, where they
stage, 16 Dec (CB). Far to the NW, one was
picked up in an Atikokan, Rainy River,
schoolyard 21 Dec (DHE). Eared Grebes are
not annual in winter, but two were at Pelee
8 Dec (GTH), with one to 10 Dec, and
another was seen at Burlington, Hamilton-
Wentworth, 2-4 Dec (JD, SE). Young N.
Gannets occasionally wander to the lower
Great Lakes in late November and early
December, but are always noteworthy; the
bumper 1998 crop included two at Burling¬
ton 1 Dec, with one to 31 Dec, and one at
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara, 27 Dec (RD
et al.). A Great Cormorant was seen at Port
Credit, Peel, 10-11 Jan (DEP et al.); at one
time the species was unknown in the
province, but there have been about eight in
the last decade, half of them in winter. A
Great Blue Heron at Kingston, Frontenac,
18 Feb (KFN) was the latest ever there, and
a rare winter Great Egret was seen at Pelee 1
Dec (GTH). Turkey Vultures continue to
winter in growing numbers. This year there
was a bird E to Wolfe I., Frontenac, 20 Dec
(GFV, RDW), but the big concentration was
in the Caledonia area, Haldimand-Norfolk,
where there were 32 on 1 Dec (RD, BC) and
23 on 5 Feb (JC).

This year the annual mid-winter L.
Ontario Waterfowl Inventory recorded its
millionth bird and continued to set new
records, both in total numbers and for indi¬
vidual species (Table 1). Its first total, in
1947, was of 3502 birds; but even in 1991,
the first year with comparable modern cov¬
erage, the total was only 93,700. The pro¬
vince hosted exceptional numbers of Great¬
er White-fronted Geese: a total of 19 were

seen, probably after-effects of a November
storm (see NAB 53:17—18), as one or two a
winter is more usual. There were only three
previous winter Ross’s Goose sightings for
the province, but this February alone there
were birds at La Salle, Essex, 27 Feb (DCB)
and at Dundas, Hamilton-Wentworth, from
16 Feb (RH, m.ob.). A hutchinsii Canada
Goose seen at Pittock L„ Oxford, Dec 6

The big storm of 3-5 Jan had
its own story. It swept up from
the Gulf of Mexico and brought with it
a huge dump of snow that forced
Toronto to declare a state of emer¬
gency. Although the event was regard¬
ed with some derision by those to the
north and east who were more accus¬
tomed to heavy snow, the sheer size of
the snowfall must have stressed birds
enormously. Birds flocked to feeders
for the first time, and Alan Worming-
ton witnessed a huge exodus south
from the tip of Point Pelee over the
next few days. On 3 Jan this movement
included an unprecedented 9500
Horned Larks, 1500 Snow Buntings, 60
Lapland Longspurs, 12 individual
American Pipits, and a Common
Snipe; on 4 Jan a hutchinsii Canada
Goose was seen, with a Greater White-
fronted Goose passing the next day.
Movement was still occurring ten days
later with flights of hawks westward
along the Lake Erie shoreline — Red¬
tailed, Rough-legged, and Red-shoul¬
dered — and hundreds of crows on 13
Jan. Presumably these were birds that
had been attempting to overwinter. It
is very unusual to be able to witness
bad-weather movements on this scale,
but then the weather itself was
exceptional.

Perhaps the storm winds deposited
what may be the shorebird of the year
on Lake Ontario. The storm hit Co-
bourg, half way along the Lake Ontar¬
io shoreline, during the night of 3 Jan.
The next morning Lori Wensley, over¬
looking the lake, saw a “dark shorebird
with a lot of white” flying west. She
phoned Goodwin, two miles to the
west, who in turn went to his window
and watched incredulously as an
American Oystercatcher slid and
skidded onto the ice of Cobourg har¬
bor. A handful of observers managed
to see the bird over the next hour. It
was the 7th for the Province, and of
course the first in winter.

380

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

Ontario

Table 1

Results of the 53rd Lake Ontario Midwinter Waterfowl Inventory on 10 January 1999

Species

No.

Species

No.

Common Loon

2

Greater Scaup

*44,007

Pied-billed Grebe

2

Lesser Scaup

2248

Homed Grebe

10

scaup sp.

10

Great Cormorant

1

King Eider

2

Double-crested Cormorant

20

Harlequin Duck

1

Tundra Swan

164

Long-tailed Duck

*119,492

Trumpeter Swan

24

Black Scoter

5

Mute Swan

267

Surf Scoter

20

Snow Goose

2

White-winged Scoter

15,068 *

Canada Goose

26,596

scoter sp.

300

Green- winged Teal

3

Com. Goldeneye

*28,927

Am. Black Duck

2256

Bufflehead

4173

Gadwall

987

Hooded Merganser

52

Am. Wigeon

55

Com. Merganser

5660

Mallard

*24,848

Red-breasted Merganser

647

N. Pintail

36

merganser sp.

1526

N. Shoveler

18

Ruddy Duck

24

Canvasback

90

Am. Coot

180

Redhead

2449

Ring-necked Duck

67

TOTAL

*282,489

* Italics denote record high counts. Table compiled by Bill Edmunds.

Table 2

Selected Early Arrival Records in Southwestern Ontario, Winter 1999

Species

No.

Location

♦Date

Observer

Snow Goose

8

Pelee

*11 Feb

AW et al.

Gadwall

4

Shrewsbury, Kent

*13 Feb

JTB

Am. Wigeon

2

Dorland, Oxford

7 Feb

JMH

N. Shoveler

3

Erieau, Kent

*13 Feb

JTB

N. Pintail

2

Dorland

11 Feb

JMH

Ring- necked Duck

1

Pelee

*15 Feb

AW

Surf Scoter

1

Pelee

*18 Feb

AW

Hooded Merganser

2

Erieau

*8 Feb

JTB

Ruddy Duck

1

Pelee

*15 Feb

AW

Am. Coot

1,1

’Pelee; Erieau

*1 1 Feb

AW; JTB

Killdeer

2

Pelee

13 Feb

BAM

N. Flicker

1

Sturgeon Cr., Essex

*13 Feb

AW

Tree Swallow

1

Pelee

*13 Feb

DAM.LW

E. Meadowlark

1

Sturgeon Cr.

*18 Feb

AW

Rusty Blackbird

15

Leamington, Essex

*12 Feb

AW

* Italics denote record early dates for an area.

(JMH) was one of two reported this season,
the other being that identified at Pelee 4 Jan
(AW). Some high late counts included 15
Brant flying W at Toronto 12 Dec (NM,
LAM), 2100 Am. Wigeon at Pelee 7 Dec,
and 475 Green-winged Teal there 17 Dec
(AW, FJU). February early arrivals reached
Manitoulin with five Gadwall 27 Feb (CB)
and three N. Pintail 23 Feb (TL). A high
count of 8509 Redheads came from the
Windsor area, Essex, 27 Jan (FJU). Two
Greater Scaup in Algonquin 16 Dec (CJ et
al.) provided record late dates. A total of
five King Eiders, all from L. Ontario, was
rather low for recent years, as was the eight
Harlequin Ducks and three Barrow’s
Goldeneyes reported; with the exception of
a Harlequin at Pelee and three in Lambton,
these were also from L. Ontario.

The Kingston area had some spectacular
totals on the 10 Jan waterfowl inventory as
the zebra mussel bonanza continued:
15,005 White- winged Scoters was a high
count, but an incredible 105,614 Long¬
tailed Ducks at P.E.Pt. (RDW, JHE) was
altogether without precedent and may
explain why Long-tailed Duck numbers
have declined on the East coast. Small flocks
of Long-tailed Ducks were also seen off
Pukaskwa N.P. on L. Superior 19 Feb ( fide
NE). A Red-breasted Merganser in Algon¬
quin 16 Dec was record-late, and a Ruddy
Duck 9 Dec (CJ et al.) was the first ever
there.

RAPTORS THROUGH
WOODPECKERS

Bald Eagle numbers were difficult to assess
but seemed about normal; a concentration
of 20 at Baie du Dore, Bruce, 24 Jan
(M&KP) was in a noteworthy location. Five
wintering Red-shouldered Hawks were
reported, all from the southwest; a bird at
P.E.Pt. 29 Feb (AB) may have been an early
migrant. A calurus Red-tailed Hawk was at
Pelee 23 Jan (AW). Only three Golden
Eagles were reported: from Mud L., Oxford,
7 Dec (DB), Wolfe I. 20 Dec (GFV, RDW),
and Amherst I., Lennox & Addington, 8 Jan
(AS). Virginia Rails attempting to winter
were detected at Pelee 21 Dec (DGC) and at
Port Hope, Northumberland, 24 Dec; the
latter bird survived until the blizzard
(CAM, m.ob.). Two late Sandhill Cranes
were at Bath, Lennox & Addington, 18 Dec
(FB), and 17 were seen flying W at
Blenheim, Kent, Dec 28 (DS, IW).

The shorebird story is mainly one of late
departures, and space precludes a complete
listing; in all, 13 species were recorded in
the province in December. An Am. Golden-

Plover was at Toronto 12 Dec (GC), and
Killdeer seemed to be all over the place: at
least 9 December records included 18 at
Pittock L. 1 Dec (JMH) and single birds E
to Wolfe I. 20 Dec (EB) and N to Wahna-
pitae, Sudbury, 1 Dec (JN) and Provincial
Mill, Thunder Bay, to 28 Dec (fide NE).
Rare at any time, and with only one previ¬
ous winter record, two Am. Avocets at
Hamilton to 5 Dec (m.ob.) and possibly
two at Rondeau and Blenheim 3-12 Dec
(SC et al.) and 20 Dec (PAW) were note¬
worthy. Wahnapitae had a Greater Yellow-
legs 1 Dec (JN), while one at Presqu’ile 20
Dec (MR) was probably the latest ever for
Ontario. A Ruddy Turnstone on Amherst I.
3 Dec (AS) was the latest ever for the
Kingston area. Purple Sandpipers are to be
expected in December, but the flock at
Presqu’ile grew to an impressive 57 on 20

Dec (DSh), and six were seen elsewhere.
Apart from an undocumented report of
134 in the fall of 1980, the previous high
single count of Purple Sandpipers was 25.
Another late Sudbury-area visitor was a
Com. Snipe 26 Dec (fide JL).

Normally not present at all in winter,
Franklin’s Gulls provided another echo of
the November storm (cf. Greater White-
fronted Goose above): there was one at Tur¬
key Pt., Haldimand-Norfolk, 5 Dec (AH);
one-two at Niagara 5-13 Dec (m.ob.); two
at Pittock L. 1-3 Dec (JMH, RS et al.), and
one at Blenheim 1 Dec (PAW). Two late
Little Gulls were E to P.E.Pt. 19 Dec, with
one at Wolfe I. the next day (KFN). Black¬
headed Gulls are less that annual in winter,
but there were two: at Toronto 28 Dec (DP)
and at Queenston from 30 Jan (JI, m.ob.).
The 247 Bonaparte’s Gulls at P.E.Pt. 19 Dec

VOLUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 4

381

(KFN) was a high total for this easterly
location. Ring-billed Gulls do not usually
rate consideration in these accounts, but
over 900 at Hanover, Bruce, 19 Dec (JWJ et
al.) was an extraordinary total for the date
and yet another reflection of the open con¬
ditions. Cobourg harbor hosted nine spe¬
cies of gulls on 26 Jan, including a rare ad.
Mew Gull (RF); also present was an ambig¬
uous bird that at first seemed to be a Slaty-
backed. Niagara had its share of puzzling
gulls as well, all challenging identification
skills, if not sanity. However, Toronto did
have a genuine Slaty-Backed Gull 2-9 Jan
(BY, JV), only the 3rd for the province.
Lesser Black-backed Gull numbers were
about average, with 22 reported, as were
Black-legged Kittiwakes with six, including
one E to RE.Pt. 1 Dec (KH et al.).

It was not an “owl winter,” and those
birds that were present in the south may
have experienced heavy mortality after the
January storm. In Northumberland several
Long-eared Owls were picked up after
apparently having starved to death (fide
AEW). Snowy Owls were absent from most
of the province, with only three even in
their usual strongholds of Wolfe and
Amherst Is. Northern Hawk Owls were seen
only on Manitoulin 27 Feb (TL) and in the
Thunder Bay area, with two from 26 Dec
(SS), and the only Great Gray Owl s. of
breeding range was an injured bird at
Streetsville, Peel, 14-18 Feb (HB, m.ob).
Wintering records of Red-bellied Wood¬
peckers extended N to Sudbury and Thun¬
der Bay (fide JL, NE). Among woodpeckers,
Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers are normally the
least enthusiastic about wintering, but four
reports extended E to Wolfe I. 20 Dec
(KFN). The only Three-toed Woodpeckers
reported were from Algonquin, a male and
female on successive days 25-26 Feb (DSt).
Southern birders will salivate at the thought
of the 161 Black-backed Woodpeckers in
burnt forest along 21 km of the Armstrong
highway, Thunder Bay, 31 Jan (NGE, SP).

SHRIKES THROUGH FINCHES

Northern Shrikes were rather scarce and
late to appear. There are only a handful of
December records of White-eyed Vireos, so
a bird at Long Pt., Haldimand-Norfolk, to
19 Dec (fide JW) is noteworthy, but it pales
beside a record of Red-eyed Vireo at Toron¬
to 13-17 Dec (P. Stepien-Scanlon, m.ob.);
although it may be one of our commonest
summer birds, I know of no previous win¬
ter records of Red-eyed Vireo. Providing
further evidence of the general mildness of
the season, Horned Larks were in full song

in Bruce 27 Jan (DF, BF), and swallows lin¬
gered at McGregor, Essex, with a N. Rough¬
winged and two Barn to 21 Dec and a sin¬
gle Barn to 25 Dec (FJU et al.). Ontario’s
2nd Cave Swallow, attributed to the s.w.
pelodoma race, was at Pelee 7-9 Dec (AW,
FJU). Carolina Wrens were at N. Bay to 6
Jan (RT) and at Meaford, Grey, 15 Dec on
(JB), but records from Pelee suggest a more
indicative picture of the species’ status over
winter: of 21 on the CBC, none were re¬
ported after the January storm to the end of
the period (fide AW). Northerly reports
included a rare Marsh Wren at Chelmsford,
Sudbury, to 5 Dec (fide JL) and one-two
Golden-crowned Kinglets overwintering at
Chippewa, Thunder Bay, likely the first to
do so there (fide NE). A Blue-gray Gnat-
catcher at Cobourg 12 Dec (MB) was
Northumberland's latest.

A Townsend’s Solitaire at Kincardine,
Bruce, 2 Jan (MP) and four (in one tree!) at
Thunder Cape 13 Dec (JA) represented
normal winter numbers overall for the pro¬
vince. Swainson’s Thrushes are very rare in
winter, so birds at Pelee 9 & 21 Dec (FJU,
BMC) were noteworthy, and a single in
Toronto 27 Dec (MG et al.) even more so;
there appear to be only 2 prior records for
the city. Across the south and throughout
the period, Am. Robins were widespread in
enormous numbers far in excess of those in
any previous winter in my experience.
Varied Thrushes included birds on 26 Dec
and to 5 Jan in the Thunder Bay area (fide
NE) and two near Portland, Leeds-
Grenville, 6-28 Jan (KFN). An Am. Pipit at
Beachville 28 Dec (JMH) provided a
record-late date for Oxford. Bohemian
Waxwings were numerous in the Sudbury
area, as exemplified by the 2318 on the CBC
(fide JL), but it was not until later in Janu¬
ary that they appeared in numbers farther
south, and then mainly in Bruce, where
there were 200 at Tobermorey 26 Jan (fide
DF).

Typically a few isolated warblers attempt
to winter in scattered localities across the
south; not surprisingly, there were a good
number of such reports this year, with at
least 10 species in December. Yellow-
rumped Warblers are often quite wide¬
spread, but a measure of their abundance
this year was the 30 recorded in the
Kingston area in December (fide RDW).
The more noteworthy late records of other
species included an Orange-crowned
Warbler at Wolfe I. 20 Dec (KH et al.), as
most wintering records are from the south¬
west; a “yellow” Palm Warbler in Haldi-
mand Conservation Area, Haldimand-Nor¬

folk, 2 Jan (MJ, JM); an Am. Redstart at
Long Pt. to about 15 Dec (fide JW), one of
very few winter records for Ontario; and a
Yellow-breasted Chat at Long Pt. about the
same time (GG). Rare at any time — and so
in a rather different class — were a Worrn-
eating Warbler at Pelee 1 Dec (GTH) and a
Yellow- throated Warbler in Algonquin to 4
Dec (CJ et al.). Common Yellowthroats do
try to overwinter quite regularly, but the
prize for niche exploitation must go to the
bird that spent the winter in the public
greenhouses in Allan Gardens, Toronto (AA
et al.). A Summer Tanager was at a Port
Britain feeder, Northumberland, 14-23 Dec
(AKS); the species has occurred almost
annually in winter during the 1990s.

A Spotted Towhee was in Thunder Bay
from late December (IM); definitive pro¬
vincial records of this “new” species are
understandably spotty, but most are in early
winter. Eastern Towhees were E to Ganano-
que, Leeds-Grenville, with two to 20 Jan
(WH), and N to Kearney, Parry Sound,
through most of January-February (GP).
Six Savannah Sparrows at Shrewsbury 20
Dec (AW, MJ, BJC) were a remarkable num¬
ber for the date. Lincoln’s Sparrows at Tor¬
onto 16 Feb (BY) and at Oxley, Essex, 4 Mar
(RHo) and Harris’s Sparrows at Hillman
Marsh, Essex, 21 Dec (DD, RW), Blenheim
9-23 Dec (SC et al.), and Claremont,
Durham, from mid-December (JF, m.ob.)
were both present in average winter num¬
bers. Lapland Longspurs are very rare in
winter in the Thunder Bay area, so two to
30 Jan (DBa) were noteworthy, as were the
300 Snow Buntings at Rainy River 23 Jan
(RSi, DHE). Rainy River also recorded a N.
Cardinal, its 3rd, at Stratton 21 Jan (J. van
den Broeck, RSi); another N. Cardinal was
in Thunder Bay in late February (NE), and
three were in the Sudbury-Manitoulin area
(fide JL). A Yellow-headed Blackbird was
seen at Sturgeon Cr., Essex, 6 Jan (NR). Five
Brewer’s Blackbirds were reported, all in the
southwest except for a bird in Toronto
18-28 Dec (DP). Winter Baltimore Orioles
are less than annual, but this year there were
birds at Tilbury East, Kent, 13 Dec (DM)
and at McGregor 29 Dec (RHo).

Apart from a few Purple Finches and
isolated reports of other species, mostly on
CBCs, winter finches were absent over
much of the south. Both species of crossbill
appeared in small numbers in the Sudbury
area, mainly from January on, and there
was an influx of Pine Siskins there in the
first week of February, the highest count
being 300 at Lively 5 Feb (GH). The excep¬
tion to the pattern of generally low num-

382

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

Ontario

The Nesting Season: June to July 1 999

DAVID H. ELDER

bers was Algonquin, where records were set
2 Jan with 1189 Purple Finches, 170 Red
Crossbills (of two forms, one being the
large-billed), and 4150 White-winged
Crossbills, with Evening Grosbeaks also in
good numbers. Both crossbill species were
singing continuously, and females were
seen carrying nesting material ( fide RTo).
Meanwhile, in Rainy River there were
unprecedented high numbers of Am.
Goldfinches at feeders ( fide DHE).

Subregional editors (boldface), contribu¬
tors (italics), and cited observers: A.

Adamo, J. Allair, R. F. Andrle, M. Bain, J.
Barr, D. Bascello (DBa), E. Batalla, F.
Bauder, C. Bell, H. Bodach, A. Boisvert, D.
C. Boyce, D. Bucknell, K. Bull, K. J. Burk, J.
T. Burk, B. J. Casier, D. G. Cecile, S.
Charbonneau, B. Charlton, B. M.
Chomyshyn, G. Coady, J. Cram, D.
D’hondt, R. Dobos, }. Dunn, S. Eadie, D. H.
Elder, J. H. Ellis, N. Escott, J. Fairchild, B.
Fidler, D. Fidler, R. Frost, M. Gahbauer, G.
Gibson, A. Heagy, K. Hennige, G. Hill, G. T.
Hince, J. M. Holdsworth, R. Hough, W.
Houghton, R. Horvath (RHo), J. Iron, M.
Jennings, /. W. Johnson , C. Jones, Kingston
Field Naturalists (KFN), T. Land, J. Lemon,

I. Macdonald, B. A. Mann, D. A. Martin, C.
A. McLaughlan, J. Miles, L. A. Morse, N.
Murr, D. Murray, J. Nicholson, M. & K.
Parker, D. E. Perks, D. Peuramaki, S.
Phippen, G. Purdy, M. Riggs, N. Robson, M.
Runtz, S. Schloter, A. Scott, D. Shanahan
(DSh), R. Simms (RSi), R. Skevington, A. K.
Skulthorpe, D. Smith, R. Smith, D.
Strickland (DSt), R. Tafel, R. Tozer (RTo), F.

J. Urie, G. F. Vance, J. Varrela, R. D. Weir, R.
Wickett, A. E. Wilson, L. Wladarski, J.
Wojnowski, P. A. Woodliffe, I. Woods, A.
Wormington, B. Yukich.

Clive E. Goodwin, 1 Queen St. Ste. 401,
Cobourg, ON, Canada K9A 1M8

Place names that are frequently men¬
tioned, but very long, may be abbreviat¬
ed in a form such as “C.B.B.T.” or
“W.P.B.O.” Such local abbreviations will
be explained in a key at the beginning
of the particular regional report in
which they are used. In most regions,
place names given in italic type are
counties. Standard abbreviations that
are used throughout North American
Birds are keyed on page 358.

The weather across the province during
June and July was characterized by con¬
trast: hot and very dry in northeastern, cen¬
tral, and southern Ontario but very wet
with expected temperatures in the north¬
west. Contributors generally felt the period
was marked by a lack of excitement, with
few rarities appearing to relieve the tradi¬
tional summer doldrums. However, Brown
Pelican, Curlew Sandpiper, Laughing Gull,
Fish Crow, and Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch
were of considerable interest. Summer is
when shorebird migrations blend, with late
northbound birds very nearly meeting early
southbound individuals.

Abbreviations: Pelee (Point Pelee Nat'l Park
and vicinity); K.F.N. (Kingston Field Naturalists);
L.P.B.O. (Long Point Bird Observatory); S.L. (Sew¬
age Lagoons); R.M. (Regional Municipality).

LOONS THROUGH WATERFOWL

Red-throated Loons are uncommon in the
s. part of the province during the summer,
so worth noting were two on the Indian R.
n. of Warsaw 12-13 Jun ( JW, AL), a very co¬
operative adult at Ft. Erie on the Niagara R.
17-21 Jul (m.ob.), and single adults on
Frenchman’s Bay, Durham , 1 Jun (DS) and
on L. Ontario off Port Hope 14-16 Jul
(M&ST, m.ob.). An out-of-place Horned
Grebe in breeding plumage was at the Tip
of Pelee 25 Jun (AW et al.). Red-necked
Grebes again nested in w. L. Ontario at
Bronte Harbour, with 3 nests active at the
end of July despite considerable recreation¬
al boat traffic (m.ob.); a single adult was
present during June on Kelley L. in Sudbury
(m.ob.). A Western Grebe was seen on
Windy Bay in s.e. Lake of the Woods, Rainy
River, 20 Jun (DE, KM). American White
Pelicans were well scattered across the pro¬
vince with four in early June at Fesserton,
Simcoe (m.ob.), three near Kirkland L.
13-18 Jun (fide BK), eight at Ruby L. near
Nipigon and 10 on Kama Bay of L. Superior
15 Jun (BR), one 5 Jun near Peterborough
at Rice L. (JT), and four at Kettle Pt., Lamb-
ton, 6 Jun (fide AR). A Brown Pelican was
at Nanticoke, Haldimand-Norfolk, 22 Jun
(DO et al.).

An unusually high number of Least
Bitterns were seen and heard at the St.
Claire N.W.R., with 15 noted 12 Jun (JM);
another was found in Murray Marsh,
Northumberland, 5 Jun (MB, PH). Three

Great Egrets were present throughout the
period at Presqu’ile P.P., Northumberland,
and may have been an indication of breed¬
ing, a first for the area (fide MR). Snowy
Egrets were well represented with singles at
Rondeau P.P. 8 Jun (JTB et al.), Holiday
Harbour, Essex, Jun 1-6 (BP, DC, et al.), at
the Causeway Marsh, Presqu’ile P.P., 5 Jun
(MW), at Tollgate Ponds in Hamilton 3-17
Jul (B8tLC, m.ob.), and at Leslie St. Spit,
Toronto, 18 Jul (m.ob.). Cattle Egrets show¬
ed up at extreme ends of the province, with
one on the lawn of the Vermillion Bay
Lodge, Kenora, 14 Jun (RD, GB) and anoth¬
er at Owen Pt., Presqu’ile P.P., 22 Jul (KS,
MTo). A Green Heron, rarely seen in Algon¬
quin P.P., was found 10 Jul (KC, JD), and a
Black-crowned Night-Heron was unusual
for the Sudbury area on Kelley L. 23-27 Jun
(FC, CB).

A healthy-appearing Tundra Swan
found at the Tavistock S.L., Oxford, Jun 24
(JH) provided a first summer record for the
area, and two were at Presqu’ile P.P. 28 Jul
(CEG). A female Canvasback with three
young at Toronto’s Leslie St. Spit in June
furnished a first breeding record for the city
(RBHS), and a female Redhead with young
was noted for the 3rd consecutive year at
Tollgate Ponds, Hamilton. White-winged
Scoters are unexpected in summer, so one
at the Tip of Pelee 6 Jun (AW, STP), a single
at Cobourg Harbour 24 Jul (MB), and two
at Darlington P.P., Durham, were of interest
(TH).

VULTURES THROUGH TERNS

The Black Vulture invasion of the spring
continued into the summer with one found
6 Jun at N. Wilson Tract, Haldimand-Nor¬
folk (MT), another over L.P.B.O. 12 Jun
(fide JW), and one n. of Oakville 23 Jul
(CM). Plumage differences separated indi¬
vidual one-year-old Mississippi Kites over
the Tip of Pelee 5 8c 13 Jun (AW, RAL). An
ad. Golden Eagle was well seen 9 Jul just s.
of Petroglyphs P.P. (DCS), with possibly the
same bird found 10 km to the south 15 Jul
(TD). Urban-nesting Peregrine Falcons
continued to persist, but several deaths of
newly-fledged young in Toronto and Lon¬
don point out the perils of breeding in
man-made habitats (fide Ontbirds). An
abandoned open pit mine in Sudbury was
used by Peregrines during June (CB). Vir¬
ginia Rails bred successfully in Carling
Township, Parry Sound, with two adults and
two young 27 Jun (JNs). Sandhill Cranes

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

383

were confirmed breeding at Thunder Bay
when two adults and one downy young
were seen 26 Jun in the farmlands near the
city (BMo, PR); a 2nd probable breeding
pair was in a large fen on the Black Bay Pen.
9 lun (S&MB). To the east, a single Sandhill
Crane was noted 13 Jun during a BBS near
Kingston (RW), while a pair with a small
young bird was near Rice L., Peterborough, 4
& 17 Jul (DF).

A Black-bellied Plover 27 Jul near Holi¬
day Beach was likely a southbound bird
(RH, JM), as were two ad. Semipalmated
Plovers seen at Wildwood L., Oxford, 12 Jul
( JH). A count of 200 Killdeer at Thetford 1 1
Jul (AR) was unusually large. A Willet was
at L.P.B.0. 9 Jul (SR, VH). The Sudbury area
had a probable nesting record of Upland
Sandpipers for the first time in many years
with a pair present during June at Wahna-
pitae (m.ob.). An Upland Sandpiper at New
Liskeard, Timiskaming, 3 Jul (BMu) was
notable, and staging groups were present on
Amherst I., Lennox-Addington, with 30
noted 25 Jul and 50 counted 31 Jul (K.F.N.).
Bad weather caused the grounding of 22
Hudsonian Godwits at Rock Point P.P.,
Haldimand— Norfolk, 22 Jul (K&WH). Six
Ruddy Turnstones turned up unexpectedly
at Cobourg Harbour 21 Jun (MB). Two
very early juv. Red Knots at Presqu’ile P.P.
24 Jul (MB) suggested a good shorebird
nesting season in the Arctic.

Record early dates were provided by a
W. Sandpiper at Port Hope Harbour 23 Jul
(RF, m.ob.) and two Least Sandpipers at
Sturgeon Cr. 19 Jun (AW et al.). White-
rumped Sandpipers were still moving N in
early June, with three at Wahnapitae 1 Jun
( JN) and five at Atikokan, Rainy River, 5 Jun
(DE). Single ad. Baird’s Sandpipers were at
Bannister L., Waterloo, 24 Jul (BCh, RDo),
Thetford 20 Jul (AR), and Jarvis S.L.,
Haldimand- Norfolk, 24 Jul (BC, RD), while
Cobourg Harbour hosted yet another
30-31 Jul (MB, m.ob.). An early juv.
Pectoral Sandpiper was at Willow Beach,
Northumberland, 24 Jul (MB). Dunlins
seemed to be going both N and S at the
same time with a record late northbound
adult at Tavistock 8 Jul (JH) and a record
early southbound (alternate-plumaged)
bird seen 30 Jun at Pelee (AW). Amherst-
view S. L., Lennox-Addington, hosted a ba¬
sic plumaged Curlew Sandpiper 6 Jun, the
3rd record for the area (KE, RW). Post¬
breeding Stilt Sandpipers were at Presqu’ile
P.P. 2 Jul, a record early date (J&JT), and at
Jarvis S.L. 10 Jul (BJ). Buff-breasted Sand¬
pipers appeared near Thunder Bay 24 Jul,
with two birds at local sod farms (CE, NE,

AH) and an amazing 18 on the golf course
at Manitouwadge 28-29 Jul (NE). Short¬
billed Dowitchers were found in good
numbers with 28 adults at Oshawa Second
Marsh 20 Jul (MB) and 39 individuals at
Thetford 14 Jul (AR). The only reported
Long-billed Dowitcher visited Amherstview
S.L. 19 Jul (VPM), and a single Wilson’s
Phalarope was at Darlington P.P. 4 Jul (GV).

Adult Laughing Gulls were at Sturgeon
Cr. 13 Jul (EB, JI) and Presqu’ile P.P. 28 Jun
(BG, BB). A record early ad. Franklin’s Gull
was at Sturgeon Cr. 26 Jul (AW), and a first-
alternate-plumaged bird visited Wildwood
L. 31 Jul, the first summer record for the
area (JH, MH). Little Gulls were present in
high numbers with eight first-summer
birds in the onion fields n. of Pelee 5 Jun
(AW et al.), seven at Erieau 4 Jun (KJB,
JTB), and four at Rondeau P.P. 11 Jul
(BMa). The Pelee onion fields also pro¬
duced a Black-Headed Gull 2-5 Jun (BC et
al.). A first-summer imm. Lesser Black-
backed Gull was at Wheatley Harbour 26
Jun (AW), with another at the Tip of Pelee
5 Jul (AW). Rounding out the summer gull
list was a first-summer Glaucous Gull at
Erieau 8 Jul (KJB). An ad. Forster’s Tern at
Cobourg Harbour 30 Jul was only the 2nd
area record.

OWLS THROUGH FINCHES

Unusual for the season and location, a
Great Gray Owl was seen near Stoke ’s Bay,
Bruce, 19 Jul (JM, m.ob.). Long-eared Owls
are anything but common in Algonquin P.P.
during the summer, but this season 4 nests
were added to the 2 previous records (RT).
High populations of small mammal were
likely responsible for the increase. Individ¬
ual Short-eared Owls were noted at Erie
Beach 3 Jun (JTB) and at Charington, Dur¬
ham, 6 Jun (HC). Southbound Com. Night-
hawks were evident 29 Jul when a total of
114 were counted in scattered flocks over
Hwy 1 1 between Ft. Frances and Atikokan
(DE); another concentration occurred at
Burleigh Falls when 25 were noted 28 Jul
(DA). A calling Chuck-will’s-widow was at
Pelee 5 Jun (TL). On 30-31 Jul, a well-
described male Rufous Hummingbird vis¬
ited a feeder at Rebecca Falls, Muskoka {fide
RT). A female Three-toed Woodpecker was
a rare find in Algonquin P.P. 24 Jun (AK,
HV). Since Red-headed Woodpeckers con¬
tinue to decline, successful nestings were
encouraging, with two juveniles near Cam-
belford 30 Jun (JH), three adults and three
juveniles near Cottesloe 17 Jul (AA), and
two pairs near Cobourg (MB, CEG).

The Acadian Flycatcher Recovery Team

found 8 nests and seven unmated males by
early July in Elgin and Kent. Elsewhere,
singing male Acadian Flycatchers were
located on Amherst L, Addington, 2 Jun
(AS) and in Halton County Forest 6 Jun
(GE). The Fish Crow pair found earlier at
Pelee possibly nested at W. Cranberry Pond;
both birds were present 13-20 Jun, and one
lingered to 27 Jun (GG). Common Ravens
nested far to the south, with a pair at
Northumberland County Forest (RF), an
unprecedented record. Two imm. Tufted
Titmice 18 Jul at the Tip of Pelee were quite
unexpected (AW). A Mt. Bluebird paired
with a female E. Bluebird was feeding
young 20 Jun n. of Rainy R. (DE, KM). Log¬
gerhead Shrikes had a good breeding sea¬
son: 125 young fledged in the known s.
Ontario breeding areas ( fide CG). A singing
Yellow-throated Vireo, rare in Algonquin
P.P., was found 24 Jun (RT).

The Sudbury area had its first Blue¬
winged Warbler at Burwash Farm 30
May-18 Jun (JL). A male Kirtland’s Warbler
was seen by many during its stay at Forest,
Lambton, 9-12 Jun and may have been
accompanied by a female (AR). A Hooded
Warbler near Baltimore 1 1 Jun was the lat¬
est area record for the month (CEG et al.).
A very vocal Yellow-breasted Chat was at
Oshawa Second Marsh 18 Jun ( JK). The
Grasshopper Sparrow seen at the Tip of
Pelee 26 Jul was presumed to be an early
southbound migrant (AW). The technique
of consistently checking areas where birds
have been seen previously paid off near
Ottawa: a Henslow’s Sparrow was found
9-11 Jun at a site last used in the 1970s. A
late northbound White-crowned Sparrow
was at Pelee 8 Jun (RH, RRe), and a W.
Meadowlark in the “Sparrow Field” at Pelee
25 Jun (AW) was the first area record since
1990. A note of special concern is the fact
that Brewer’s Blackbirds have virtually been
eliminated as breeding birds in the Thun¬
der Bay and Atikokan areas as numerous
colonies have all disappeared in the past 10
years (NE, DE). Incredulous birders watch¬
ed a Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch that some¬
how ended up at the Tip of Long Point
8-10 Jul (MBr, m.ob.). If accepted by the
Ontario Birds Records Committee, it will
be the first record for s. Ontario. House
Finches nested in the city of Thunder Bay
in mid-June, a first for the area (fide NE).

Subregional editors (boldface) and contrib¬
utors: D’Avril Allen, Anne Anthony,
Margaret Bain, G. Bastable, E. Beagan, C.
Bell, B. Bird, Sue 8< Mike Bryan, M.
Bradstreet (MBr), James T. Burk, Keith J.

384

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

Burk, D Campbell, B. Casier, B Charlton
(BCh), B. & L. Cherrier, K. Clute, F. Cosby,
Hugh Currie, Robin Dawes, Ron Dobos
(RDo), J. Dombroskie, Tim Dyson, G.
Edmonstone, K. F. Edwards, Dave Elder,
Nick Escott, Dave Feurer, R. Frost, G.
Gervais, B. Gilmour, Clive E. Goodwin, C.
Grooms, June Harrington, Al Harris, Tyler
Hoar, P. Holder, K. & W. Holding, James
Holdsworth, Mary Holdsworth, Randy
Horvath, lean Iron, Barry Jones, J. Kamstra,
B. Kinch, Anastasia Kusyk, Ross A. Layberry,
Anna Lee, John Lemon, Tom Link, Doug
Lockrey, V. P. Mackenzie, C. McLaughlin,
Blake Mann (BMa), Jim McCoy, Karen
Mikolieu, John Miles, Brian Moore (BMo),
B. Murphy (BMu), J. Nicholson, Jean
Niskanen, Dave Otterman, B. Patterson,
Stephen T. Pike, B. Radcliff, Penny
Ratushniak, Ron Reid, Alfred Rider, M.
Riggs, S. Rush, Doug C. Sadler, A. Scott, Joe
Taylor, M. & S. Telford, J. & J. Thomson, M.
Timpf (MTi), M. Tourney, Ron Tozer, H.
Varstraete, Vilbran Verstracte, Gord Vogg,
Jeremy Ward, Ron Weir, M. Williamson, J.
Wolnoski, Alan Wormington.

David H. Elder, P.0. Box 252, Atikokan,
Ontario POT ICO Canada (melder@atikokan.

lakeheadu.ca)

A

to preserve,

protect, and
restore our herit^e —

t takes you.

Call us at 41 5.403.3850
or visit us at www.alcnet.org

AMERICAN LAND
CONSERVANCY

A non-profit organization.

456 Montgomery Street, Suite 1450
San Francisco, CA 94104

ROBERT C. LEBERMAN

oderate to severe drought conditions
prevailed over most of the Appala¬
chian Region this summer, and it was hot¬
ter than usual. For the most part, however,
observers did not think that this negatively
affected nesting success. In fact, an observer
in Venango, Pennsylvania, believed that the
combination of warm favorable weather in
late spring coupled with a dry summer may
have resulted in higher than usual breeding
success for many species of birds. However,
based on long-term population studies by J.
Merritt at Powdermill Nature Reserve in the
Laurel Highlands of southwestern Pennsyl¬
vania, small mammals also did very well,
and in an ongoing study of Louisiana Wa-
terthrushes in the same region, Mulvihill
found small mammal and other predation
on nests considerably higher this summer
than last. In 1998 about 20 percent of 43
waterthrush nests under study were depre¬
dated, compared to 40 percent of 42 nests
this season.

Several southern birds continued to
expand their breeding ranges northward
within the Appalachians. In Pennsylvania
White-eyed Vireos, once confined to the
extreme southeastern corner of the state,
were found nesting as far north as Craw¬
ford, and one was seen at Presque Isle State
Park, Erie, in June. Yellow-throated Warb¬
lers, unknown as breeding birds in western
Pennsylvania before 1978, are now com¬
mon along most rivers and are extending
their range along smaller mountain streams
as well. Conversely, many birds of the
mountain uplands continue to be found
farther south and at lower elevations each
year. This summer the trend was especially
evident for Blue-headed Vireo, Red-breast¬
ed Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Golden-
crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, and
Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, and Black-
throated Green warblers. Each of these was
found at numerous sites well away from the
mountain ridges, often in maturing spruce
or pine plantations or in regenerating
mixed forests that had been cut over earlier
this century. A scattering of Red Crossbills
and Pine Siskins added interest to summer

birding on several of the higher Appala¬
chian peaks.

Abbreviations: G.R.W.A. (Grand River Wildlife
Area, Trumbull, OH); G.S.M.N.P. (Great Smoky
Mountains N.P.); M.L.W.A. (Mosquito L. Wildlife
Area, Trumbull Co., OH); P.I.S.P. (Presque Isle
State Park, Erie, PA); P.N.R. (Powdermill Nature
Reserve, Rector, Westmoreland Co., PA);
Y.C.S.P. (Yellow Creek S.P., Indiana Co., PA).

GREBES THROUGH HERONS

Despite the drought, water levels remained
high, and breeding success was good for
Pied-billed Grebes in the Conneaut Marsh
and Pymatuning regions of n.w. Pennsyl¬
vania (RFL, RCL). In Trumbull, OH, nesting
Pied-billeds were found at both Shenango
and Grand R. state wildlife areas (DJH,
CB). An imm. Com. Loon lingered at
Chickamauga L., Hamilton, TN, 4-11 Jun
(HS, JW), and in Pennsylvania singles were
at Y.C.S.P. 6-8 Jun (GL), Prince Gallitzin
S.P. 1 1 Jun ( JSa), and Kahle L„ Venango, 24
Jul (RS). Double-crested Cormorants were
nesting near Kingsport, TN, where a few
breeding pairs have been present since 1992
(RK); elsewhere, numbers were down from
recent years, with a high count of 25 non¬
breeders summering at Meander Res.,
Mahoning, OH (NB). The Am. Bittern was
reported only from Geneva Marsh, Craw¬
ford, PA, 27 Jun (RFL). Up to three Least
Bitterns were at Roderick Wildlife Reserve,
Erie, PA, 3 Jun-3 Jul (JM, LM), and one was
at G.R.W.A. 26-27 Jun and 11 Jul (CB).

appalachian
region

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

385

Great Blue Herons definitely are increasing
in the north, with many new small nesting
colonies reported. An especially large rook¬
ery near Lordstown, Trumbull , OH, con¬
tained 394 nests in 88 trees this summer
(CB); an incredible 120 Great Blues were
counted in a feeding concentration around
a one-acre remnant pond at the recently
drained (for dam repairs) Tamarack L.,
Meadville, PA, 26 Jul (RCL). The usual
summer influx of Great Egrets came later
than usual, and although widespread, num¬
bers were lower than normal in most areas.
The only Snowy Egret report was of one at
P.I.S.P. 1 Jun (GR). Concentrations of
Black-crowed Night-Herons, all near nest
sites, included over 200 birds at Cherokee
Dam (DEd) and 20 at Douglas Dam, TN
(RK). Yellow-crowned Night-Heron sight¬
ings came only from Tennessee: one at
Elizabethton, where the species has nested
for over 20 years (RK), and two immatures
at Chickamauga L. 12 Jul (KC).

WATERFOWL
THROUGH MOORHENS

A lone Mute Swan was at P.I.S.P. 14-30 Jun
(GR), and a pair nested along the Allegheny
R. at Starbrick, Warren, PA (TG). An oddity
was an unmarked Trumpeter Swan in late
July at L. Arthur, Butler, PA, that required PA
Game Commission assistance to remove
loosely wrapped fishing line from around its
head and bill (DD, WS). Three Gadwalls
were a rare summer find at Kingston Steam
Plant, Roan, TN, 28 Jun (KC) and 25 Jul
(DEd, DT). Two N. Pintails at P.I.S.P. 29 Jul
represented just a 2nd July Erie record, and
a male Canvasback lingered there 20 Jul
through the period (JM). A Lesser Scaup
was at Kingsport, TN, 12 Jun (RK) and at

Three gull chicks delivered to
Erie bird rehabilitator Wendy
Campbell led to the discovery of the first
successful nesting colony of Ring-billed
Gulls in Pennsylvania. An estimated 700-
800 adults, including many incubating
birds, and at least 120 chicks were subse¬
quently located in mid-June near the
General Electric plant in e. Erie (LM, JM).
The fact that so large a colony had gone
undetected, presumably for several years,
was no doubt due in part to birders having
focused their attention on the favored des¬
tination of Presque Isle on the opposite
side of Erie. Several previous Ring-billed
nesting attempts at P.I.S.P. had all been
unsuccessful.

Shelocta, Indiana, PA, 2-4 Jun (MRH). A
Hooded Merganser at Bells Lane 15 Jun rep¬
resented the first summer record for Staun -
ton, VA (YL). Sightings of Com. Mergansers,
out of their usual breeding range within n.c.
Pennsylvania, included one at Conneaut
Marsh 3 Jul (RFL), one at Pymatuning L.,
Crawford, 19-30 Jul (RCL), three at P.I.S.P.
31 Jul (JM), and four (probably a hen and
three juveniles) at Confluence, Somerset, 22
Jun (JPa). A Ruddy Duck was on Pyma¬
tuning L. near Linesville 18 Jul (RFL, RCL).

The breeding population of Bald Eagles
continues to expand in the Region. There
were 24 active nests in w. Pennsylvania ( 1 1
in Crawford alone) producing 21 young
( fide DB). A nest at Douglas L. was the first
for Tennessee e. of Knoxville (PW). A fam¬
ily group of Sharp-shinned Hawks at
Staunton, VA, 28 Jul provided the 2nd
breeding record for that area (fide YL). A
Golden Eagle near Garland, Warren, PA, 8
Jun was most unusual at this season (DP,
fide TG). On a nest box route in Warren, PA,
Am. Kestrels used 38 boxes, and 129 young
fledged — about average for recent years
(DW). An unusually early imm. female
Merlin was seen at P.I.S.P. 31 Jul (JM). For
the 3rd consecutive year, Peregrine Falcons
nested in G.S.M.N.P. (RK); a pair near
Chickamauga Dam, TN, fledged one young
6 Jun that was later believed to have been
lost in the river (KC); the pair nesting on
the Gulf Tower building in Pittsburgh, PA,
fledged four young (DB). Ruffed Grouse
populations were high near Morgantown,
WV (GB), and very high in the Laurel
Highlands of s.w. Pennsylvania (RM, RCL);
a brood of grouse was considered a good
find at Hinch Mt., Cumberland, TN, 19 Jun
(RDS). A Northern Bobwhite at Sayre,

Bradford, PA, 24—25 Jul was unusual so far
north (RSh); the only other report was of
one in Rockingham, VA, Jun 29, where the
species has been scarce in recent years
(MS). Virginia Rails were common at the
Conneaut Marsh and Pymatuning L. areas
of Crawford, PA (RCL, RFL); in Ohio they
were found at 4 sites at M.C.W.A. in early
June (DJH), and at least three were at
G.R.W.A. 26-27 Jun (CB). A high count of
12 Com. Moorhens came from Hartstown,
Crawford, PA, 22 Jun (MB); in Ohio an
adult was at Shenango Wildlife Area 18 Jun
(DJH), and several were at G.R.W.A. 26-27
Jun (CB).

SHOREBIRDS THROUGH TERNS

A late spring migrant Black-bellied Plover
was at Tamarack L., Meadville, PA, 1 Jun,
and an exceptionally high count of 150
Semipalmated Plovers was made there the
same day (IF). The last spring Lesser Yellow-
legs left Tamarack L. after 4 Jun (RFL), while
the first probable fall migrant reached
Y.C.S.P by 22 Jun (MRH). The season’s only
Willet was spotted at Mill Cr. Park, Mahon¬
ing, OH, 18 Jul (NB). Rare in Pennsylvania
away from L. Erie, a Ruddy Turnstone was at
Tamarack L. 1 Jun (IF). Over 200 Semi¬
palmated Sandpipers were estimated at Ta¬
marack L. 1 Jun (IF), with 80 remaining on
4 Jun (RFL). As many as 12 W. Sandpipers
stopped over at Mill Cr. Park, OH, 13-28 Jul
(NB). Tamarack L., PA, hosted up to four
White-rumped Sandpipers on 1-4 Jun (IF,
RFL), two Baird’s Sandpipers 1 Jun (IF), and
five Dunlins 6 Jun (RFL). Six Short-billed
Dowitchers had arrived at M.L.W.A. by 13
Jul (DJH). A Wilson’s Phalarope was a rare
find at Y.C.S.P. 22 Jun (MRH).

Summer records of Bonaparte’s Gull

The juveniles interspersed among adults on 17 June at the General Electric Plant
on the east side of the city of Erie document the first successful colonial nesting
of Ring-billed Gull in Pennsylvania. Photograph/Jerry McWilliams

386

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

appalachian

included single birds at Tamarack L„ PA,
5-6 Jun (RFL), Y.C.S.P. 8-9 Jun (GL), and
M.L.W.A. 27 Jul (DJH). Three early Caspian
Terns were at M.L.W.A. 25 Jun (DJH), and
one was at L. Arthur, PA, 16 Jul (DD). Black
Terns were barely holding on as breeding
birds at their traditional sites in Crawford ,
PA: at least one pair was at Pymatuning L.
near Linesville in July (RCL), and two birds
were seen carrying food for young at near¬
by Hartstown Marsh 26 Jun (MB).

DOVES THROUGH THRUSHES

In June a Eurasian Collared-Dove briefly
appeared at Conneautville, Crawford , PA,
the same area where the first state record
was established in 1996 (TCN). Black-billed
Cuckoos were virtually absent in Hunting¬
don and Somerset, PA (GG, JPa), uncom¬
mon at Reedsville, WV (GF), and unob¬
served at Morgantown, WV (GB). Con¬
versely, Yellow-billed Cuckoos were report¬
ed to be more common than usual through¬
out much of the Region. Whip-poor-wills
were widely believed to be increasing in
numbers; better counts included seven or
eight at P.I.S.P. 23 Jun (DS) and 28 along a
7.3 mi stretch of dirt road in Venango, PA,
11-15 Jul (GE, m.ob.). New research indi¬
cates that the Southern Appalachian form of
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker has declined sig¬
nificantly; just 2 nests were found near
Konnarock, VA, three pairs near Blowing
Rock, NC, and none in Tennessee (JO, fide
RK). In the north, however, breeding popu¬
lations were high, and sapsuckers were con¬
firmed nesting in Trumbull, OH, providing
a new county record (CB).

A late Olive-sided Flycatcher was at
Moraine S.P., PA, 1 Jun (PH, DH); one
singing in suitable breeding habitat at 3200
ft in Carter, TN, 19 Jun could not be relo¬
cated later (JMg, RK). A few Yellow-bellied
Flycatchers were found breeding this sum¬
mer in the Allegheny N.F. as well as in
Sullivan and Wyoming, PA (DG). A pair of
Loggerhead Shrikes, with two recently
fledged young, was at Moscow, Staunton,
VA, 30 Jun (YL). Tree Swallows continue to
increase in e. Tennessee, where a pair nested
at a grassy bald on Roan Mt. at 5725 ft
(RK). A count of 220 N. Rough-winged
Swallows along the Shenandoah R„ Rock¬
ingham, VA, 29 Jun (MS) was impressively
high. A colony in Venango, PA, had an
estimated 600 ad. Bank Swallows on 4 Jul
(JSt). A singing Brown Creeper at Rock
Bridge 9-10 Jun furnished what is possibly
a first summer record for the Cumberland
Plateau in Kentucky (FR). Although House
Wrens were common along Allegheny Mt.,

Berlin, PA (JPa), numbers were considered
low at P.N.R. (RCL, RM), Morgantown, WV
(GB), and Canfield, OH (NB). Two Sedge
Wrens were on territory at M.L.W.A., OH, 2
Jun (DJH) — the season’s only report. In
Pocahontas, WV, Swainson’s Thrushes were
believed to be as common as at any time in
the past 10 years (GB). In the spruce-fir belt
of e. Tennessee, Hermit Thrushes — which
have been steadily increasing in their s.
range — were found on Roan Mt., Unaka
Mt., and Mt. LeConte (RK); and breeding
populations were high in Pocahontas, WV
(GB), and Hocking, OH (FR). Comments
on Wood Thrush populations were mixed:
on Allegheny Mt. near Berlin, PA (JPa), and
in Pocahontas, WV (GB), they were consid¬
ered scarce; but a total of 75 were found on
4 breeding bird routes in Armstrong and
Indiana, PA (RMH).

WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES

Early southbound Tennessee Warblers were
banded at P.I.S.P. 11 Jul (RFL, SS) and at
P.N.R. 21 Jul (RM, RES); another was seen at
Hidden Valley Recreation Area, Bath, VA, 26
Jul (JB). For a 2nd consecutive year, Yellow
Warblers were “mysteriously scarce” in
Venango, PA (JSt); however, they were abun¬
dant at P.I.S.P. (RFL, RCL), and at G.R.W.A.
55 migrant Yellows were tallied in 2.5 hrs on
11 Jul (DJH). Several Cape May Warblers
lingered during their spring migration
through 6 Jun at Mt. Davis, Somerset, PA,
about a week later than usual (JT). On 23 Jul
a Yellow-rumped Warbler was seen carrying
food in Garret, MD (FP); in West Virginia a
pair with three young was at Gaudineer
Knob, Pocahontas, 9 Jul (GB), and three
were at Spruce Knob, Pendleton, 23 Jul (JB).
Two pairs of Pine Warblers were located in
n. Washington, PA, where they are rare (CT),
and a bird near Clarksville represented the
first summer record for Green, PA (RB).
Several Blackpoll Warblers, including a pair
feeding young, were observed in Coalbed
Swamp, w. Wyoming, PA, where the species
was first found nesting in 1993 (DG).
Swainson’s Warblers were found to be doing
well and extending their range at Red R.
Gorge, Wolfe, KY (FR); in Nicholas, WV,
none could be found at a traditional site
along the Meadow R„ but one was heard
along Colson Cr. (GB).

On 21 Jun at least five Clay-colored
Sparrows were singing at a reclaimed strip-
mine near Sligo, Clarion, PA (AB). The
Centre, PA, Lark Sparrow reported in the
NAB spring issue was last seen 5 Jun (fide P.
Rodewald). An extensive survey of grassland
sparrows in w. Pennsylvania found over 120

Henslow’s Sparrows in 8 counties, and 35
singing males were located at a reclaimed
stripmine in s.e. Garret, MD, 22 May (MI).
A Dark-eyed Junco visiting a feeder 3-4 Jul
in Mahoning, OH, was unprecedented for
the area in summer (RJ, lW,ftde DJH). Two
singing male Blue Grosbeaks were unusual
in Page , VA, 1 1 Jul (MS), as was one seen in
N. Branch, Allegany, MD, 25 8c 31 Jul (RKi).
For the 4th consecutive year, three
Dickcissels were at a site in Washington, TN
(RK). Over 100 E. Meadowlarks were listed
on a count centered at Swoope, Augusta, VA,
25 Jul (YL).

A good spruce cone crop apparently
accounted for good numbers of Red
Crossbills in Tennessee; over 100 were seen
at Roan Mt. (RK), and smaller numbers
were at both Unaka Mt. (AT) and
G.S.M.N.P. (RK). Seven Red Crossbills were
on Spruce Knob, Pendleton, WV, 23 Jun
(JB). Pine Siskins were found in breeding
habitat at Swallow Falls, MD, 23-26 May
(MI). As many as 40 siskins were seen at
Roan Mt. and up to ten on Unaka Mt., TN
(AT); one was found on Clingman’s Dome,
G.S.M.N.P., 17 Jun (MS) and another on
Spruce Knob, WV, 23 Jul (JB).

Contributors and cited observers: Carole
Babyak, John Bazuin, Ralph Bell, Anthony
Bledsoe, Daniel Brauning, George Breiding,
Nancy Brundage, Marvin Byler, Kevin
Calhoon, John Churchill, Dave Darney,
Dean Edwards (DEd), Gary Edwards,
Jeanette Esker, Gary Felton, Isaac Field,
Craig Fosdick, Ted Grisez, Doug Gross,
Greg Grove, Deborah Hess, Paul Hess,
Margaret and Roger Higbee (MRH), Dave
and Judy Hochadel (DJH), Marshall Iliff,
Randy Jones, Ray Kiddy (RKi), Rick Knight,
Gloria Lamer, YuLee Larner, Ronald F.
Leberman (RFL), Anthony Marich, Joe
McGuiness (JMg), Jerry McWilliams (JM),
Linda McWilliams, Robert Mulvihill, T. C.
Nicolls, Jason Osborne, Jeff Payne (JPa),
Jim Phillips (JPh), Fran Pope, Frank
Renfrow, Geoff Robinson, John Salvetti
(JSa), Walt Shaffer, Roi and Debbie
Shannon (RDS), Harold Sharpe, Robert E.
Shaw, Richard Shelling (RSh), Sally Singer,
Michael Smith, Don Snyder, Jerry Stanley
(JSt), Russ States, John Tilley, Allan Trently,
David Trently, Leslie Warren, Jim
Wilkerson, Don Watts, Pete Wyatt.

Robert C. Leberman, Powdermill Nature
Reserve, Carnegie Museum of Natural History,
HC 64 Box 453, Rector, PA 15677-9605

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

387

western

region

DARYL D. TESSEN

The summer was uncharacteristically
hot, humid, and wet. Some of the high¬
est temperatures in more than ten years —
as high as 100-1Q5°F — joined with the
humidity to create heat indices of greater
than 120°F! Most of the Region had profuse
amounts of rainfall with only small, local¬
ized sections within a state missing out.
After an abnormally mild winter, condi¬
tions were ideal for super-abundant insect
populations. Deer flies, ticks, and especially
mosquitoes were beyond belief. This was
especially unfortunate for the last year of
Wisconsin’s atlas project; major awards
should go to the workers who withstood the
heat and mosquitoes.

It was an exceptionally quiet summer
with few highlights Regionwide. Wisconsin
had two White-tailed Kites, its first nesting
Black-necked Stilts, good numbers of black¬
headed gulls (especially Little), a Scissor-
tailed Flycatcher, and increased numbers of
nesting Loggerhead Shrikes. Michigan’s
highlights included a Great White Heron,
Tricolored Heron, White-faced Ibis, and a
record number of Kirtland’s Warblers.
Minnesota had holdover Eurasian Collared-
Doves and a Eurasian Tree Sparrow as well
as Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.

For the second consecutive year, the
nesting season was exceptionally early, with
song quickly and prematurely diminishing
by late June. Therefore, it was not surprising
that the fall warbler migration commenced
early Regionwide. In Minnesota, for exam¬
ple, ten species were found in Hennepin on
10 Jul, with another large flight of warblers
and Swainson’s Thrushes in Anoka about
the same time. The shorebird flight — where
the excessive rain did not flood habitat —
proved good; for example, again in Minne¬
sota, 1000 shorebirds of 15 species were seen
on 26 Jul in Big Stone. Especially impressive
was the early and substantial Buff-breasted
Sandpiper flight.

Abbreviations: L.P. (Lower Peninsula, Ml);
MCBS (Minnesota County Biological Survey);
Muskegon (Muskegon Wastewater System, Ml);
Nayanquing (Nayanquing Pt. State Game Area,

great lakes

Ml); Pt. Mouillee (Pt. Mouillee State Game Area,
Ml); Shiawassee (Shiawassee Nat. Wildlife
Refuge, Ml); U.P. (Upper Peninsula, MJ;WPB0
(Whitefish Pt. Bird Observatory, Ml).

LOOMS THROUGH RAILS

Twenty-six Red-throated Loons found 2 Jun
at Duluth, MN (KB), were most impressive;
two were also sighted at Grand Marais, MN,
on 3 Jun (KB). Lingering Horned Grebes
were at Duluth 2 Jun and at Grand Marais 3
Jun (KB), while in Wisconsin an individual
lingered through 3 Jun in Door (R&CL).
The two present 18 Jul at Roseau River
W.M.A., MN (PS), were thought to be sum¬
mering, while one at WPBO 31 Jul (AB, JR,
KT) was an early fall migrant. A Red-necked
Grebe 3 Jun at Copper Harbor was the 2nd
latest date for the Keweenaw Pen. (LB); early
fall migrants were present 18-19 Jul at
WPBO (KT). Eared Grebes were scarce in
the Region. Minnesota had reports from
Marshall , Pennington , Wilkin, Carver , and
Rice; Wisconsin had singles 30 May-2 Jun in
Washington (BD) and 9 Jun at Rush L. (DT),
and there were two in Dunn 24 Jun (JPo);
and Michigan’s lone sighting was 31 Jul at
Muskegon (JP, RR). Svingen counted 130 W.
Grebe young on Thielke L., MN, 19 Jul.
Clarke’s Grebes were also noted at Thielke L.
6-18 )un (PS et al.) and at Long L., Meeker,
12 & 29 Jun (DF).

American White Pelicans nested at 2
sites in Wisconsin: the ever-increasing col¬
ony on Cat I. at Green Bay had 150+ nests,
and a new nesting site at Horicon N.W.R.
had about 15 nests; Michigan had its first
breeding record when 4 nests were discov¬
ered near Escanaba (FC). Summering birds
were found elsewhere in both states, espe¬
cially Wisconsin. Michigan had its first
Great White Heron record when one was
discovered 17 Jul at Metrobeach Metropark,
where it lingered into August (AR, AB, AC,
SS). There were few Snowy Egret reports
Regionwide, as evidenced by singles in
Ramsey 8 Jun and Minneapolis 14 Jun (AH)
and in Michigan 6 Jun at Pt. Mouillee
(WP). Wisconsin had no nesting for the
first time in years; two-three summered at
Green Bay (m.ob) while another was at
Milwaukee 6 Jul (MK). Little Blue Herons

were found slightly more often: Minnesota
had singles in Hennepin 2 Jun (AH), Scott 7
Jun (FR), and Olmstead 30-31 Jul (CW);
Wisconsin’s sightings included Horicon
N.W.R. 6 Jun (DT) and La Crosse 2 Jul
(CW); and Michigan had one 24 Jul and
later in Jackson (DB et al.). A Tricolored
Heron was at Nayanquing 1 Jun and 31 Jul
(PC, GZ). Cattle Egrets were recorded at 4
sites in both Wisconsin ( Oconto , Green Bay,
Horicon N.W.R., and Oshkosh — where
they nested) and Minnesota {Rice, Henne¬
pin, Jackson, and Houston). Probable nest¬
ing Yellow-crowned Night-Herons were
reported from Racine (KD) and Milwaukee
(MK), with non-nesting sightings also in
Milwaukee 24 Jul (TW) and in Minnesota’s
Ramsey 7 Jun (PS). A White-faced Ibis was
sighted between Vermillion and WPBO
29-31 Jul (CB, NM) for the 7th Michigan
and first U.P. record.

A Turkey Vulture nested on the ground
in an alfalfa field (!) in Lincoln, MN, pro¬
viding a first county record {fide C. Hender¬
son). A Greater White-fronted Goose was in
Minnesota’s Rock 24 Jul (KE), and a Snow
Goose summered in Chippewa (JPo) and
Menasha (v.o.), both in Wisconsin. Canada
Geese migrated through e. Wisconsin and
n. Michigan during late May to early June.
Two Tundra Swans lingered until 2 Jun in
Waupaca, WI (JH), while an injured bird
was in Polk, MN, 24 Jun (ABo). Breeding
Am. Wigeon in Houghton, MI, were out-of-
place (LB). Unusually located Canvasbacks
were at Nayanquing 17 Jun (JD et al.) and
during the period in Manistee (BA) and Pt.
Mouillee ( WP), all in Michigan; two were at
Goose Pond, Columbia, WI, through 5 Jul
(PA et al.). Greater Scaup were at Duluth 2
Jun (KB), and a few were intermittently at
Pt. Mouillee (WP, TS, JF); in Wisconsin,
one lingered at Manitowoc through 25 Jun
(CS), and a few summered in Door (R &

388

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

The vigilant adult Loggerhead Shrike was one
of the parents that shared in the building
of this formidably protected nest in Fond du Lac;
the shrike nestlings fledged successfully
and joined fledglings from five other Wisconsin
counties to make this the most successful shrike
season in the state in ten years. Both nest
and adult shrike were photographed in June.

Adult photograph/Jack Bartholmai. Nest photograph/Christopher Wood

CL). Lesser Scaup summered at 5 Wiscon¬
sin sites. Late-lingering in Minnesota’s Cook
were White-winged Scoter and Long-tailed
Duck on 3 Jun (KB); at Michigan’s WPBO
these two species were recorded 30 Jul (CB)
and 18 Jul (CB), respectively. Out-of-range
were single Com. Goldeneyes in Presque Isle
14 & 30 Jul (WG) and at Nayanquing 31 Jul
(GZ). Also in Michigan, Buffleheads were at
Muskegon 20 Jun (SM), in Baraga 25 Jun
(LB), and in Mackinac 30 Jul (AB et al.),
while in Wisconsin one lingered through 2
Jul at Manitowoc (CS).

Harriman and Kuecherer watched two
White-tailed Kites pass over their atlas
block s. of Hortonville on 21 Jun. This was
only the 3rd record for Wisconsin. A
Rough-legged Hawk was in Minnesota’s
Sax-Zim Bog 6 Jun (BY, KS). A family of
Merlins (richardsonii) was discovered by
Siverhus and Svingen on 18 Jul in Roseau,
MN. Yellow Rails were reported in 5 Wis¬
consin and 2 Michigan counties. Common
Moorhens, up from previous years, were
found in 5 Minnesota counties.

SHOREBIRDS

Only 13 shorebird species extended their
spring migration into June, in sharp con¬
trast to previous years, especially 1998; in
fact, most birds had made a Regionwide exit
by 7 Jun. Interesting tardy northbound mi¬
grant plovers were Black-bellied 12 Jun at
Algoma, WI ( JRe), and single Piping Plovers
at Duluth 1 Jun (KD), WPBO 2 Jun (CB),
and Lake , MN, 3 Jun (JM); four were in
Alpena, Ml, 3 Jun (WG). In Wisconsin at
Oshkosh, Ruddy Turnstones lingered
through 17 Jun with Sanderlings through 16
Jun (TZ), while Dunlins were at Manitowoc
through 23 Jun (CS). Spring peaks included
100 Sanderlings at Duluth 1 Jun (PS), 173
Semipalmated Sandpipers at Nayanquing 1
Jun (PC), 30 White-rumped Sandpipers in
Meeker, MN, 6 Jun (RJ), and 126 Dunlins at
Nayanquing 1 Jun (PC).

Hard to classify as to which direction
they were heading were Am. Avocets at Pt.
Mouillee 15 Jun (WP) and Shiawassee
17-25 Jun (BG et al.). Not hard to classify,
however, was the small nesting group of six
ad. and eight juv. Am. Avocets in Minne¬
sota’s Big Stone (MCBS). Probable nesting
Piping Plovers were found in all 3 states,
including Minnesota reports from Lake of
the Woods (N. Winters, PS, AH); there were
no successful fledgings in Wisconsin. The
big news in nesting shorebirds was a first
Wisconsin breeding record for Black¬
necked Stilt. Three adults were located at
Horicon N.W.R. during late May. As they

lingered through the summer, nesting was
suspected, and it was finally confirmed
when five young were seen and photograph¬
ed with the parents beginning in mid-July.

The fall shorebird migration seems to
start earlier each year, and this one proved
no exception. Examples included a Semi¬
palmated Plover and Least Sandpiper on 18
Jun and a record early Stilt Sandpiper 28
Jun in Big Stone, MN. In Michigan, 24 Am.
Golden-Plovers were at WPBO 19 Jul (KT).
Piping Plovers were seen in Becker 19-20 Jul
(PS, MW) and Lac Qui Parle , MN, 21 Jul
(KB). A peak concentration of 203 Killdeer
was in Stearns, MN, 28 Jul (PC). Early
southbound dates in Wisconsin were Black-
bellied Plover near Green Bay 23-29 Jun
(JRe), Lesser Yellowlegs and Solitary Sand¬
piper in Columbia 20 Jun (PA), a Least
Sandpiper 25 Jun in Dane (PA), two White-
rumpeds 24 Jun in Ozaukee (JF), a Short¬
billed Dowitcher 26 Jun in Milwaukee
(MK), and a Long-billed Dowitcher 10 Jul
in Dodge (DT). Migrant Am. Avocets were
in Michigan 22 Jul in Berrien and 25 Jul in
Ottawa (CF). Greater Yellowlegs peaked at
60 on 26 Jul in Big Stone, MN (KB), while
Lesser Yellowlegs peaked there at 348 by 26
Jul (KB). Willets were found in all 3 states:
Wisconsin had singles 23 Jun at Ashland
(DV) and 17 Jul in Dodge (TW); in Minne¬
sota, two were in Big Stone 9 Jul (KB), with

singles in Sibley 1 1 Jul (RS) and Big Stone 18
Jul (KB); Michigan had 14 Willets recorded
between 3-27 Jul from 6 sites. The only
godwits were two Marbled 20 Jul at New
Buffalo, MI (JHa). A W. Sandpiper was at
Metrobeach Metropark, MI, 15 Jul (AR),
and a White-rumped Sandpiper was at Pt.
Mouillee 7 Jul (WP). Peak peep concentra¬
tions included 263 Semipalmateds 26 Jul in
Big Stone (KB) and 293 Leasts 16 Jul in Lac
Qui Parle, MN (BO). Buff-breasted Sand¬
pipers appeared early and in impressive
numbers at scattered sites. Minnesota had
the best flight with 5 reporting counties,
including an impressive 87 on 30 Jul in
Dakota (TB et al.). Two Michigan counties
reported Buff-breasteds, included 15 on 29
Jul in Houghton (LB). Wisconsin had one
sighting of three birds in Bayfield 31 Jul ( JS,
GS). Red-necked Phalaropes were present
at Minnesota’s Big Stone 9 Jul (KB) and
Winona 18 Jul (CW), while two were at Pt.
Mouillee 29-30 Jul (WP).

CULLS THROUGH PIPITS

Wisconsin had its best summer in years for
black-headed gulls: several Laughing Gulls
were noted at Sheboygan, Manitowoc, and
Door (m.ob); up to ten Franklin’s were
reported from 5 sites (Door, Milwaukee,
Manitowoc, Sheboygan, and Wausau); and
it was a banner year for Little Gulls, with

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

389

10-15 birds at Manitowoc/Two Rivers and
Sheboygan and an additional individual at
Ashland 23-26 Jun (DV). A juv. Little was at
S. Haven, MI, 31 Jul (JG). Also in Wiscon¬
sin, a Thayer’s Gull at Manitowoc lingered
for a record late date of 19 Jun (DT), and a
Lesser Black-backed Gull was in Racine 1
Jun (KD). Great Black-backed Gulls were
found at Manitowoc/Two Rivers, Kewau¬
nee, and at Sheboygan intermittently dur¬
ing the summer.

Eurasian CoHared-Doves continued to
make news in Minnesota. The two original¬
ly reported during the spring in Mower
were observed until 25 Jul (m.ob.); then the
three originally found last winter in Jasper
were relocated 25 Jul (KE). Good numbers
of both cuckoos were reported from
Wisconsin. Great Gray Owls were seen
intermittently in n. Bayfield, WI, where
unfortunately a 2nd road kill was discov¬
ered in late June. There were few sightings
of Long-eared or Short-eared owls in the
Region. Three-toed Woodpecker nested in
Minnesota’s Cook (KE et al. ).

An early fall migrant Yellow-bellied
Flycatcher was in Green Bay 27 Jul (JRe),
and a Willow Flycatcher found in Menom¬
inee (JSc) was rare for the U.R The Fishers
had a leisurely view of a W. Kingbird south
of Three Lakes, WI, 23 Jun. A Scissor-taUed
Flycatcher was photographed in Duluth 2
Jun ( fide KE); another was in Portage, WI,
24-25 Jul (JW et al.). Loggerhead Shrikes in
Wisconsin appear to be doing much better:
nesting — with successfully fledged young —
was confirmed in Dunn, Fond du Lac, Ocon¬
to, Ozaukee, and St. Croix, and there was an
unconfirmed nesting in Door, several single
birds were sighted elsewhere, making this
the most successful season in about 10
years! Reports from over 10 counties were
about average for Minnesota, but a
Loggerhead 1 1 Jul near Ewen (JSc) was the
first sighting in 3 years for Michigan.
White-eyed and Bell’s vireos were con¬
firmed nesting at several Wisconsin sites;
Minnesota had reports of Bell’s Vireos from
only 3 counties. A completely albino Bank
Swallow was observed in Gratiot, MI, 30 Jul
(AB et al.).

A Red-breasted Nuthatch in Cotton¬
wood, MN, 2 Jul was unusual. Carolina
Wrens were found at 4 Wisconsin sites, with
nesting occurring at Madison, and the
Rochester bird present last winter was still
being seen into July. A House Wren in
Ahmeek on 6 Jun was unusual for that part
of Michigan. In Minnesota, Winter Wrens
were suspected of breeding in several s.e.
counties. Out-of-range Blue-gray Gnat-

catchers in Minnesota were in Clearwater,
Wadena, and Aitkin, while for Michigan a
single in Baraga 26 Jun represented a first
county record (LB). Late migrant (early
June) Gray-cheeked and Swainson’s thrush¬
es were reported in Michigan and Wiscon¬
sin, respectively. Unusual so far to the
northwest, a Wood Thrush was in Roseau,
MN, 21 Jun (PS). Northern Mockingbirds
were found in good numbers in all 3 states.
Michigan had several Am. Pipit sightings,
including an 8 Jun late spring migrant at
WPBO (CB); lone birds were seen 12 Jul at
Tawas Point S.P. (JS, HS) and 25 Jul at
Muskegon (SM).

WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES

A Golden-winged Warbler 30-31 Jul at
WPBO was rare at this locale (CB et al); a
Lawrence’s Warbler was seen during July at
Flandrau S.P., MN (JSp). Out-of-place
Tennessee Warblers included birds 30 Jun at
Superior (RJo) and 1 Jul in Otter Tail, MN
(S&DM); very early fall migrant Tennessees
were found at WPBO 7-8 & 12 Jul (CB) and
in Hennepin, MN, 10 Jul (SC). In Wisconsin
the first fall migrants were noted 22-23 Jul
at Green Bay (JRe), Washington (BD), and
Portage (MBe). Other early fall migrants
included Nashville 8 Jul and N. Parula and
Blackburnian 10 Jul, all in Hennepin (SC). A
maximum of four singing Yellow-throated
Warblers were at Wyalusing S.P., WI, during
the summer; in Minnesota, one was at
Sibley S.P. The Kirtland’s Warbler census
yielded 902 singing males, topping last
year’s record 804. Of these, 884 were in the
L.P. with the remaining 18 in the U.P.
Wisconsin had no fewer than four Prairie
Warblers: a male was back at Willow River
S.P. for the 2nd consecutive year, and others
were seen 14-15 Jun at Manitowoc (CS),
10-17 Jun in Oconto (J&KS), and 28 Jun-5
Jul in Florence (NC, KBu). Michigan had its
summer Prairie 12 Jun at WPBO (CB). An
early migrant Blackpoll Warbler was in
Oneida, WI, 29 Jul (B&KF). Far to the
northwest was a Prothonotary Warbler 9 Jul
in Stearns, MN (SW). Several Wisconsin
Worm-eating Warblers bred in Sauk (MP,
TW), and one was in Tiffany Bottoms,
Pepin, until 14 Jun (CW). Wisconsin also
had numerous breeding Hooded Warblers
in the s. half of the state, while in Minnesota
there were at least five birds in Murphy-
Hanrahan Park ( Dakota/Scott ), Anoka, and
Carver. A breeding pair in Monroe, MI,
established a first county record. A Wilson’s
Warbler was in Johnson’s yard in Superior,
WI, during early July (RJo); singles in
Oneida, WI, 29 Jul (B&KF) and 28 Jul in

It has recently surfaced that
Wisconsin had not one, but
two Mexican strays during 1998. The
first to be reported, though actually
the second to occur, was the Green
Violet-ear present in La Crosse from
mid-September until early November
when it died. It was not correctly iden¬
tified until late October. The account
of this bird appeared in the autumn
1998 issue of North American Birds
(53: 117).

Perhaps even more remarkable,
however, was the first stray. During
early January 1998, Mike Stevens
noticed an unusual bird visiting his
feeders in Mercer. He notified a local
birder, whose two attempts to observe
it were not successful. When on 15 Jan
after a severe cold snap it failed to
appear at his feeders, Stevens searched
his yard and discovered the bird had
not survived. During the spring, the
frozen specimen was examined by
Larry Gregg and eventually by Tom
Schultz, who took measurements and
photographs. During October, Schultz
and Jon Dunn compared the pho¬
tographs and measurements to speci¬
mens at the Field Museum of Natural
History in Chicago and confirmed the
bird’s identity — an immature Streak-
backed Oriole! Obviously this was a
first record for Wisconsin, and a first
for the Region as well.

Presque Isle, MI (WG), were early migrants.
June Yellow-beasted Chats were reported
from two Minnesota ( Kandiyohi and Dako¬
ta) and two Wisconsin (Dane and Kenosha)
counties.

A Summer Tanager was heard in Henne¬
pin, MN, 24 Jun (SC). A Spotted Towhee in
St. Paul 10 Jul (VC) provided a rare summer
record. An Am. Tree Sparrow in Duluth 1
Jun ( JHe) was only a 2nd June record. Unus¬
ual was a Clay-colored Sparrow on 1 Jul in
Michigan’s Keweenaw (LB). Good numbers
of Henslow’s Sparrows were again found in
Wisconsin, while Minnesota had 6 report¬
ing counties. Breeding Nelson’s Sharp-tailed
Sparrows were present at Wisconsin’s Crex
Meadows W.M.A 15 Jul (CW). White-
crowned Sparrows again summered at
WPBO (CB). A Dark-eyed Junco in Henne¬
pin 2 Jun (TB) was late. Chestnut-collared
Longspurs were found on their breeding site
in Clay, MN. An imm. male Blue Grosbeak
9 Jul in Dakota, MN (RJ), represented a first
county record. Both Wisconsin and

390

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

Michigan noted excellent Dickcissel num¬
bers, while Minnesota’s were under par. A
Rusty Blackbird 19 Jun in Lake represented
Minnesota’s first summer record in 5 years.
Good numbers of Orchard Orioles were
found in Wisconsin and Minnesota, where
Boevers counted 20+ on 18 Jul in Traverse.
Red Crossbills were found in several
Wisconsin and Minnesota counties. The
Eurasian Tree Sparrow present last sum¬
mer at a feeder in Clay , MN, lingered from
the spring season into early June.

CORRIGENDA

In North American Birds 53(1): 18, the
30,000-40,000 Long-tailed Ducks that con¬
centrated just prior to the “Great November
Storm” were seen at Point Beach S.F., just n.
of Two Rivers, Wisconsin, not Iowa.

In the same issue, a Brambling ascribed
to Michigan in the text on p. 57 was indeed
seen at Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota, as was stat¬
ed in the regional report introduction.

Contributors (subregional compilers in
boldface): Brian Allen, Philip Ashman, Karl
Bardon, Murray Berner (MBe), Lawrence
Binford, Tom Boevers, A1 Bolduc (ABo),
Marilyn Bontly, Ryan Brady, Calvin Bren¬
nan, Don Brooks, Kay Burcar (KBu), Adam
Byrne (Michigan), Steve Carlson, Allen
Chartier, Val Cunningham, Francesca
Cuthbert, Noel Cutright, Dari David, Jim
Dawe, Bob Domagalski, Kim Eckert, Bob &
Karen Fisher, Dan Floren, Chip Francke, Jim
Frank, Jim Granlund, Bob Grete, William
Grigg, Bettie Harriman, Jim Haw (JHa),
John Heid (JHe), Mike Hendrickson,
Anthony Hertzel, Jan Hewitt, Robert
Janssen, Robbye Johnson (RJo), Mark Kor-
ducki, David Kuecherer, Roy & Charlotte
Lukes, Joan McKearnan, Nathan McNett,
Steve & Diane Millard, Steve Minard,
Bridget Olson, Walter Pawloski, Mark
Peterson, Janine Polk (JPo), Jim Ponshair,
Rosemary Radius, John Regan ( J Re ) , Flip
Rogers, John Rosenberg II, Alan Ryff, Steve
Santner, Jim Schei (JSc), Robert Schroeder,
Beth Siverhus, Tim Smart, Drew & Becky
Smith, Jerry & Karen Smith, Grant Soehnel,
Joe Soehnel, Charles Sontag, Jack Springer
( JSp), Karen Sussman, Peder Svingen, Daryl
Tessen (Wisconsin), Kevin Thomas, Dick
Verch, Terry Wiens (TWi — Minnesota),
Julie Wilking, Sylvia Winkelntan, Chris
Wood, Tom Wood, Mary Wyatt, Ben Yokel,
Gerald Ziarno, Tom Ziebell.

Daryl D. Tessen, 3118 N. Oneida St.,
Appleton, Wl 5491 1

With the exception of a single immature present at Indiana Dunes
in October 1998, these three immature Wood Storks at the Universal
Reclaimed Mine Area in Vermillion County 24 July were the first reported
in Indiana for more than half a century. Photograph/Alan Bruner

KENNETH J. BROCK

June weather was fairly normal for a Mid¬
western summer, but July was unusually
hot and dry, bringing local drought condi¬
tions. One significant impact of July’s heat
was decreased observer effort, resulting in
less coverage than normal. As Jim Wilson
wryly noted, temperatures exceeding 100°F
reduce birder enthusiasm. The impact of
these weather conditions on birds is more
difficult to assess. One obvious effect was
the altering of wetland habitat. Many areas
experienced lowered water levels, which
often rendered them more “user friendly” to
migrant shorebirds. The Lake Michigan
water level was also quite low, producing a
much wider than normal expanse of beach.
Perhaps this provides a partial explanation
for the increase in the number of large
shorebirds observed at the southern end of
the lake.

This summer two endangered species
experienced an above-average breeding sea¬
son: Piping Plover and Least Tern. It was
also a banner breeding season for the
prairie species, especially those located in
the Mississippi River states. Sedge Wrens,
Henslow’s Sparrows, Dickcissels, and
Boblinks all fared quite well. The season’s
rarities included Brown Pelican, Wood
Stork, Band-tailed Pigeon, and a Tropical/
Couch’s Kingbird.

The Kentucky summary failed to arrive
in time for inclusion in this report; howev¬

er, Brainard Palmer- Ball, Jr. e-mailed a few
summer highlights for that state.

Abbreviations: H.B.S.P. (Headlands Beach S.P.,
OH); L.Cal. (L. Calumet, Chicago); R.E.D.A.
(Riverlands Environmental Demonstration Area,
St. Charles, MO); S.C.R. (Squaw Creek Nat'l
Wildlife Ref., MO); Spfld. (Springfield, IL).

LOONS THROUGH STORKS

Despite a general scarcity of loons this sum¬
mer, a Red-throated Loon at Spirit L. 28 Jun
(fLSc) provided Iowa’s first summer rec¬
ord. Ample Pied-billed Grebe reports from
Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri suggest that this
species enjoyed another productive nesting
season. Rarely reported in summer, the
Red-necked Grebe at Colo Ponds, IA, 3 Jun
(PA, RA) was noteworthy. Two W. Grebes
were reported in Iowa, where this species is
uncommon in summer, but a bird at
R.E.D.A. 4 Jun and 5 Jul (PW, CM) provid-

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

391

1 1 in m 'rrr~ . r nr . rnwiaim

ed one of few summer records for Missouri.

Summer Am. White Pelicans were wide¬
spread, stimulating speculation that this
may soon become a breeding species. Two
White Pelicans wandered E to Ottawa
N.W.R., OH, where they lingered from 7 Jul
through at least 31 Jul (TKp, m.ob.). More
astonishing was a single Brown Pelican
seen at Michigan City Harbor 7 & 13 Jul
(tJMc et ah, BG); this is only the 3rd record
for n.w. Indiana. Double-crested Cormor¬
ant colonies were reported in Illinois, Iowa,
and Ohio; a single nest was constructed in
Gibson , IN, where an incubating bird was
observed 27 Jul (JCs). This represents
Indiana’s first nesting since the 1950s. Once
again S.C.R. was the Region’s stronghold
for breeding Least Bitterns; on a 2-8 Jun
survey, 50 nests were found ( JHi). Breeding
was also confirmed in 9 other Missouri
marshes. Summer reports suggest that both
Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets are far¬
ing well across the Region. In Illinois, Little
Blue Herons expanded their nesting activi¬
ties northward by constructing 2 nests at
L.Cal. 30 Jun-25 Jul (WM); this provided a
first breeding record for n.e. Illinois. Excel¬
lent Cattle Egret numbers were recorded at
L. Barkley, KY, where 300+ nesting pairs
were observed 10 Jun; more than 100 Black-
crowned Night- Heron nests were also pre¬
sent (BPB). Some 300 Cattle Egrets, along
with scores of Little Blues and 50-100
Black-crowned Night-Herons, also nested
near Cottonwood Pt„ Pemiscot , MO (JW).
A count of 30 Green Herons at Miami-
Whitewater, OH, Jul 31 (DBr) constituted a
fine summer tally. Within 8 months of Indi¬
ana’s first Wood Stork record in 54 years,
three juveniles were found 24 Jul (ph. AB)
w. of Universal; they remained through the
end of the period and were seen by many
observers.

WATERFOWL THROUGH CRANES

A Greater White-fronted Goose at Terra L.,
IA, 3 & 11 Jul (BEn) provided one of few
summer records for the Region. Small
numbers of Snow Geese also summered in
Iowa and Illinois. Entirely unexpected was
an ad. Tundra Swan at Sheldon Marsh
W.M.A., Erie , OH, 15-18 Jul (VF, MZ).
Typically small numbers of N. Shovelers
and N. Pintails nested in n. Iowa. Note¬
worthy reports of non-breeding ducks
included a male Gadwall at Carl L., IL, 19
Jun (DKa), a female N. Shoveler in St. Clair,
IL, 4 Jul (DBo), a pair of Green-winged Teal
at R.E.D.A. 26 Jun (CM, JMa), a Canvas-
back at Newton L., IL, 14 Jul (tJWa), a male
Greater Scaup in Dickinson, I A, 31 Jul

This adult Swainson's Hawk, photographed
on territory 1 9 May, remained to breed
in northern Kane County, Illinois, where
the species has nested for decades.
Photograph/Joe Milosevich

(fLSc), and female Red-breasted Mergan¬
sers at Dallas City, IL, 3 Jun (VK) and L.
Barkley, KY, 18 Jul (BPB). Fourteen was a
good summer count of Hooded Mergansers
at the Colo Ponds, IA, 17 Jun (HZ, JD).

For the 2nd consecutive year Ospreys
successfully nested at Bergman’s Slough,
Cook, IL; this summer’s effort produced two
fledglings (CT, m.ob.). Bergman’s Slough
still comprises Illinois’ only Osprey nesting
site. The only other Osprey nest was on the
Ohio R. in Livingston, KY (BPB). The
Region’s Mississippi Kite population con¬
tinues to prosper. This summer 22 Kites
were counted at Union County W.M.A., IL,
24 Jun (DSt), and at least six, including an
incubating bird, were seen at Lincoln S.P.,
IN (J8cSH). In Iowa singletons were observ¬
ed on several occasions at Des Moines and
at Ledges S.P., and in Missouri seven pairs
were scattered across the state. Extralimital
reports included two imm. birds in Leba¬
non, IN, 6 Jun (fRH). The status of breed¬
ing Bald Eagles was also encouraging, with
47 nests in Missouri and a predicted record
nesting season in Iowa. Other breeding rap¬
tor reports included nesting N. Harriers in
Illinois, Iowa, and Ohio, and an active
Sharp-shinned nest in Vermilion, IL. Assess¬
ments of breeding Red-shouldered and
Cooper’s hawk populations were also uni¬
formly positive. Rare throughout the Reg¬
ion in summer, single Merlins in Dickinson,
IA, 9 Jul (fDH) and at Killdeer Plains
W.M.A., OH (VF), provided the first July
records for both states.

Based on studies at spring leks, Missouri
authorities estimated that the state’s Great¬
er Prairie Chicken population has dwindled
to 1000 birds (fide JW). Iowa correspon¬
dents deemed that N. Bobwhite numbers

were declining, but this species was believed
to be increasing in Missouri. It was a good
summer for rails, with a pair of Kings and
five young reported in e. Perry, IL, 20 Jul
(LSt) and 5 broods at Clarence Cannon
N.W.R., MO (RC). In addition, a single
King Rail was seen in Hancock, IA, 16 Jun
(GD). Virginia Rails and Soras were also
plentiful, with summer reports from
Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa. Following last
spring’s invasion. Purple Gallinules were
found 17 May-22 Jun in Richardson
Wildlife Foundation, IL (AR), 1 Jun at Ted
Shanks W.M.A., MO (JW), and 27 Jun at
R.E.D.A (CM, JMa). In addition, one to two
adults were at the traditional Mermet L., IL,
breeding site 9-26 Jun (MRe, KMc).
Encouragingly, Com. Moorhens were more
plentiful this summer, with nesting report¬
ed at multiple sites in Illinois, Indiana, and
Iowa. Remarkably, summer period Sandhill
Cranes were reported in all 5 states, with
nesting confirmed in Illinois and Iowa and
nesting attempted at Killbuck W.M.A., OH.

SHOREBIRDS

Early migrant plover reports included a
Black-bellied at L.Cal 31 Jul (JL) and an
Am. Golden at Lake Chautauqua N.W.R.,
IL, 18 Jul (RCh). Piping Plover nesting
activity at MidAmerican Energy Ponds, IA,
was the greatest in several years, with five
pairs plus a nest with 4 eggs 9-10 Jun (JD).
Migrant Piping Plovers were seen at Miller
Beach, IN, 1 & 4 Jul (BG et ah), Paradise ash
basin, Muhlenberg, KY, 16 & 18 Jul (DR,
BPB), and in Lake, IL, 17 Jul (SH). It was
another good season for Black-necked
Stilts. The Region’s largest concentration
occurred in Missouri, where 22 were count¬
ed in rice fields s.e. of Dexter in July (SD).
Two active nests and four young stilts were
observed in E. Cape Girardeau, IL, where
the maximum count was 11 birds (RM,
FB). In Kentucky at least one Black-necked
Stilt pair successfully nested at Open Pond
in Fulton (BPB). One to four Am. Avocets
were reported in all 3 Great Lakes states.
Ignoring their name, an impressive 50
Solitary Sandpipers gathered at Stump L.,
IL, 24 Jul (KMc). A fine summer Willet
movement on L. Michigan was highlighted
by 37 at Miller Beach, IN, 27 Jul (BG) and
25 at Michigan City Harbor, IN, 4 Jul (JMc,
JSm). The latter site also proved to be a
magnet for large shorebirds in July. A flock
of nine Whimbrel flew past the harbor 6 Jul
(MM), providing Indiana’s largest count in
4 decades, and an amazing flock of 12
Marbled Godwits was seen there 4 Jul (JMc,
JSm), quadrupling Indiana’s previous high

392

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

middlewestern prairie

count. Three Ruddy Turnstones at R.E.D.A

23 Jun (EWd) provided a pleasant surprise
at this inland location. A Semipalmated
Sandpiper at Pigeon River W.M.A., IN, 22
Jun (Haw, SS, FH) and a Least Sandpiper at
Sheldon W.M.A., OH, 21 Jun (RHn, SW)
were presumed early southbound migrants.
The Region’s best tally of southbound
Pectoral Sandpipers, by a wide margin, was
1200 at Horseshoe L„ IL, 27 Jul (DKa). A
Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Waukegon, IL,

24 Jul (SH) was a bit early. The only sizable
Short-billed Dowitcher concentration
numbered 279 at Sheldon W.M.A., OH, 15
Jul (VF). Six nominate griscus Short-billeds
seen in Schererville, IN, Jul 31 (KB, JCd,
JMc, JSm) were unusual so far west. The
Region’s only Long-billed Dowitcher was
an adult at Sheldon W.M.A., OH, 27 Jul
(VF). A Com. Snipe at Spring Run W.M.A.,
IA, 24 Jul (ET) hints at local nesting. One to
two Wilson’s Phalaropes were reported in
all 4 of the n. states. The only Red-necked
Phalarope was a singleton at Lake
Chautauqua N.W.R., IL, 24-25 Jul (RCh).

CULLS THROUGH TERMS

Following the pattern of recent years,
Laughing Gulls were widespread across the
Region. This summer one to four were
reported in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and
Ohio — including an adult that returned to
the parking lot of a fast-food restaurant on
Chicago’s s.e. side for the 3rd consecutive
summer (WM, m.ob.). The two Missouri
Laughing Gulls were at R.E.D.A. 4 Jul
(JMa). Franklin’s Gulls were reported only
w. of the Mississippi R., where the peak
count was 100+ near E. Okoboji, IA, 10 Jul
(LS). For the 4th consecutive summer a
Black-headed Gull appeared in the Great
Lakes region of Iowa. This year’s bird, an
adult, was found at the dump near E.
Okoboji 10 Jul (fLS et al.). A first-summer
Little Gull, seen regularly in Lake , IL, 25
Jun-20 Jul (EW1, m.ob.), was unusual for
the summer. A 29 May census of the L.Cal.
Ring-billed Gull colony yielded 5008 nests
with eggs ( fide WM). In addition, a new
colony established at Chicago’s Navy Pier
had 606 nests, mostly with young, 12 Jun
(EW1 et al.). Counts of Herring Gull nests
yielded 19 with eggs at L.Cal. 29 May ( fide
WM) and 18 e. of Montrose Harbor,
Chicago, 12 Jun (EW1, et al.).

Although Caspian Terns were present
on L. Michigan throughout the summer,
nesting was not confirmed. Peak counts
consisted of 43 on the Indiana lakefront 31
Jul (JCd et al.) and 22 at L.Cal. 2 Jun (DSt).
The spring period Royal Tern at Michigan

City Harbor, IN, was last reported 7 Jun
(RB, JMt). Common Tern nesting was
unsuccessful at the Waukegon, IL, colony.
Although some 50 birds displayed nesting
activity in late June, in mid-July both
clutches of eggs and newly hatched chicks
were abandoned for unknown reasons
(DD). The Region’s Least Terns had anoth¬
er good breeding season. In Missouri a sur¬
vey on 14 Jun revealed 968 nests in 10
colonies along river sandbars (RR). At the
Gibson , IN, colony, 3 1 Least Tern nests and
19 fledglings were reported ( fide JCs). Fif¬
teen adults were at the MidAmerica Energy
Pond colony in Iowa, along with 2 nests
(each with 3 eggs) 9-10 Jun; this was the
most birds at this site in several years (JD).
In Kentucky nesting was attempted at 3
locations (BPB). An extralimital ad. Least
Tern appeared at the Miami-Whitewater
wetlands, OH, 14 Jun (PW, fNK). Black
Terns remained scarce, with only small
numbers of migrants reported; nesting was
suspected only in Dickinson, IA ( JC, LS).

PIGEONS THROUGH VIREOS

Illinois’ 2nd Band-tailed Pigeon visited a
feeding station in De Witt 14-17 Jul (tDBi,
ph. m.ob.); however, this summer occur¬
rence is inconsistent with the vagrancy pat¬
tern of this species, and the record will be
subject to approval by the state rare bird
committee. The Eur. Collared-Dove inva¬
sion continues unabated. Multiple birds
were reported in Illinois, Iowa, and Mis¬
souri, and two birds in Brook, Newton,
were the first Collared-Doves for Indiana
(fHaw, ph. m.ob.). The Illinois rare bird
committee recently accepted Monk Para¬
keet as part of the state avifauna; conse¬
quently, the 12 active nests reported in
Cook were noteworthy.

The only nesting Barn Owls were
reported in Iowa, where two nests were
confirmed and the presence of a fledgling
suggested a 3rd nest. A Burrowing Owl was
seen several times in Lyon, I A, near the 1998
nesting site {fide DH). An ad. N. Saw- whet
Owl found in McLean, IL, 7-24 Jun (fEM,
DBi) provided a pleasant summer surprise
for c. Illinois birders. Except for Chilicothe,
MO, where Com. Nighthawks were deemed
numerous (SK), assessments of this species
were uniformly negative across the Region.
For the first time since 1975, no breeding
Chuck-will’s-widows were located at Sand
Ridge S.F., IL (RBj); Chucks also failed to
return to the Indiana Dunes National
Lakeshore, where at least one had been
recorded annually since 1980. On a more
positive note, 161 Whip-poor-will territo-

For several years correspon¬
dents have lamented the low
number of Black-billed Cuckoos in the
Region. This concern was amplified
during summer 1999 with multiple
expressions of alarm. Indeed, some
observers complained about being un¬
able to find any Black-billed Cuckoos
whatsoever. In n.e. Illinois, Robert
Montgomery commented “continued
decline should be given a conservation
alarm.” Stotz also noted “low numbers
around Chicago.” A quantitative assess¬
ment, albeit local in nature, was pro¬
vided by Rosche’s summer census of
the huge Ravenna Army Ammunition
Plant in Portage, OH. Rosche found ten
Black-billeds and 52 Yellow-billed
cuckoos. This Yellow-billed to Black¬
billed ratio of 5.2 is noteworthy, as it is
consistent with ratios published in
other Middlewestern Prairie Region
states: Kent and Dinsmore (1996, Birds
of Iowa) list a Yellow-billed to Black¬
billed ratio of six, and Bohlen (1989,
The Birds of Illinois) quotes a 1963 ratio
of 14. Thus, if indeed Black-billeds
have declined relative to Yellow-billeds,
the decrease is not uniform across the
Region. Both species should be moni¬
tored carefully.

ries were located in Sand Ridge S.F., IL
(RBj). Nesting Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers
were detected in Winneshiek, IA (fide DC),
in Lake, OH (TL, JP), and in Cuyahoga, OH,
for the first county nesting there since the
1960s (GM, TL).

An Olive-sided Flycatcher at Shimek
Forest 15 Jun (MPr) provided a new late
spring departure date for Iowa. A count of
48 Acadian Flycatchers at Fox Ridge S.P., IL,
23 Jun (RCh) was impressive. Positive con¬
firmation for nesting Alder Flycatchers in
Illinois is lacking; consequently, a bird in
Rock Cut S.P., Winnebago, IL, 1 Jul (DW)
was most intriguing. Also of great interest
was a pair of Least Flycatchers that were
observed building a nest, which was subse¬
quently abandoned, in June near Clifton
Hill, Randolph, MO (CS). The most remark¬
able bird of the summer was a Tropical/
Couch’s Kingbird found on Maeystown
Rd„ Monroe, IL, 3 Jun (fDKa, ph. JMa).
This bird, which has not been identified to
species, constitutes a first record for the
Region. Summer period W. Kingbirds were
found in all reporting states except Ohio.
Interestingly, the n.w. Indiana bird returned
for its 6th consecutive year only to pair with

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

393

an E. Kingbird: four hybrid young resulted
(Haw, SS, MW). The only Scissor-tailed
Flycatchers e. of the Mississippi R. appeared
in Fulton , KY, where two were seen 4 Jul
(JWn), and at Prairie Du Rocher, IL, 5 Jul
(DKa). Bell’s Vireo, a marginal species in
Ohio, was reported in June at Miami-
Whitewater wetland (DSa, m.ob.), Big
Island W.M.A. (MB, m.ob.), and Buck
Creek S.P. (DO).

SWALLOWS THROUGH FINCHES

In Iowa several observers expressed concern
over low Purple Martin numbers; however,
a count of 800+ in Adams , OH, Jun 25 (TB)
was a fine mid-summer tally. Fish Crows
took another step in their northward march
as two were identified at Carlyle L., IL, 19
Jun and 13 Jul (DKa). Despite the general
dearth of Red-breasted Nuthatches last
winter, a pair was found at Richardson
Wildlife Foundation 1 Jul (AR), and singles
were reported at 2 Iowa locations, provid¬
ing that state’s first summer records since
1993. Brown Creepers were surprisingly
plentiful this summer: five were reported in
Illinois, a male was at Ft. Knox, KY, 20-21
Jul (BPB), and one was observed carrying
food near Algona, IA, 2 Jun (MK). The
largest concentration occurred in Indiana’s
Ft. Harrison S.P, where 12 adults and two
immatures were located on 7 territories
(tph. DG). Only two Bewick’s Wrens were
reported: a male was seen in Janesville, IL,
23 Jun (RCh), and another was in Fairfield,
IA, 1 Jul (DP). An ad. Winter Wren was
observed carrying food at the Ravenna
Army Ammunition Plant, OH, 9 Jul (LRo).
Sedge Wrens were unusually abundant in
n.c. Iowa (m.ob.), provided counts of over
100 at the Richardson Wildlife Foundation,
IA, June-July (AR), and were found at 7
sites in Ohio — all suggesting that this
species enjoyed a successful breeding sea¬
son. Two singing male Golden-crowned
Kinglets were found at the traditional
Medina , OH, site 19 Jun (RHn, SW).

Two mid-June warbler reports from
Iowa were especially interesting. A male
Golden-winged Warbler was found 17-19
Jun in an e. Warren brushy pasture usually
occupied by Blue-winged Warblers (JSi),
and a very late Tennessee was in W. Des
Moines 17-18 Jun (PA, RA). Considerably
farther south than normally expected were
three singing male Chestnut-sided Warblers
found in Hoosier N.F. 6 Jun (AB et al.).
Indiana’s first July Yellow-rumped Warbler,
an ad. male, was discovered in n. Lake 18 Jul
(tJB). Late June or early July Black-throat¬
ed Green Warblers were reported in Illinois

and at 2 Indiana sites. Three Swainson’s
Warblers were found along the Current R„
Shannon, MO, 19 Jun (KR). A male Canada
Warbler at Stebbins’ Gulch, OH, 10 Jul (EP)
was unexpected.

Clay-colored Sparrows are a marginal
breeding species in the Region; consequent¬
ly the reports of late June-early July birds at
2 n. Illinois locations and two males in
Emmet, IA, are noteworthy. It was a fine
year for Henslow’s Sparrow, especially in
Iowa and Illinois where considerable ex¬
pansion occurred. A White-crowned Spar¬
row in Dickinson, IA, 5 Jun (LS), provided
that state’s 2nd summer record. Blue Gros¬
beaks were plentiful; highlights included
12+ in Adams, OH, 25 Jun (TB) and a
report that they were unusually numerous
in c. Missouri (fide JW). It was also a fine
summer for Dickcissels, especially in Illi¬
nois and Iowa. Peak counts included 48
nests at Prairie Ridge State Natural Area, IL
(JWa, EK), and 105 birds in Monroe, IL, 7
Jun (KMc). Reports from Iowa and Illinois
indicated that Bobolinks were also abun¬
dant. Most surprising was the discovery of a
Yellow-headed Blackbird colony at Metzger
Marsh W.M.A., OH; at least three males
were present since late May, and an imma¬
ture was seen 29 Jul (BM). A Pine Siskin in
Algona, IA, was seen until 20 Jun and likely
nested (MK). An ad. Eur. Tree Sparrow was
observed carrying food at Clinton L., IL, 28
Jun (MRe), reflecting the eastward march of
this species.

RARITIES COMMITTEE UPDATE

A Mew Gull report from Eastlake, OH, 9
Jan 1998 (tJP) was accepted by the Ohio
Bird Records Committee.

CORRIGENDUM

The 1998 Illinois Yellow-billed Loon report
( NAB 53: 169) should have read: The sea¬
son’s best diver, however, was a Yellow¬
billed Loon that lingered on L. Evergreen,
Woodford and McLean, 19-23 Dec (JE,
MRe, RCh, fRH, m.ob).

Contributors (subregional editors in bold¬
face): Pam Allen, Reid Allen, Susan Bagby,
Tom Bartlett, Frank Bennett, Jason Berry,
Dale Birkenholz (DBi), Richard Bjorklund
(RBj), Ron Bogaard, David Bohlen (DBo),
Mike Bolton, David Brinkman (DBr), Ken
Brock, Alan Bruner (Indiana), Rick Cantu,
Dennis Carter, John Cassady (JCd), John
Castrale (JCs), Robert Chapel (RCh),
Donald Dann, Steve Dilks, James
Dinsmore (Iowa), Gian Dodici, Bery
Engebretsen (BEn), Josh Engel, Vic Fazio,

Don Gorney, Brendan Grube, Robert
Harlan (RHn, Ohio), Douglas Harr, Jim
Haw (Haw), Frannie Headings, Roger
Hedge, Jim & Susan Hengeveld (J8cSH),
Scott Hickman, Jack Hilsabeck (JHi), Dan
Kassebaum (DKa), Ned Keller, Matthew
Kenne, Tom Kemp (TKp), Eric Kershner,
Steve Kinder, Vernon Kleen (Illinois),
James Landing, Tom Leiden, Michael
Madsen, Charlene Malone, Jim Malone
(JMa), Walter Marcisz, Julia Mast (JMt), Jeff
McCoy (JMc), Keith McMullen (KMc),
Gary Meszaros, Edward Mockford, Rhonda
Monroe, Ben Morrison, Doug Overacker,
Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr. (BPB), Ed Pierce,
John Pogacnik, Diane Porter, Mark
Proescholdt (MPr), Rochelle Renken, Kevin
Rennick, Michael Retter (MRe), Adam
Reyburn, David Roemer, Larry Rosche
(LRo), Dan Sanders (DSa), Sandy Schacht,
Lee Schoenewe (LSc), Jim Sinclair (JSi),
Carol Smith, Jerry Smith (JSm), Lenonard
Stanley (LSt), Doug Stotz (DSt), Craig
Thayer, Ed Thelen, Edge Wade (EWd),
Sandy Wagner, Jeff Walk (JWa), Eric
Walters (EW1), Peter Weber, Dan Williams,
Jeff Wilson (JWn), Jim Wilson (JWi,
Missouri), Marisa Windell, Hank Zaletel,
Mike Zuilhof. Very many observers con¬
tributed to this report; consequently, people
not individually acknowledged submitted
notes for the various state reports.

Kenneth J. Brock, Dept, of Geosciences,
Indiana University Northwest, 3400 Broadway,
Gary, IN, 46408 (kebrock@ucs.indiana.edu)

Place names that are frequently men¬
tioned, but very long, may be abbreviat¬
ed in a form such as “C.B.B.T.” or
“W.P.B.O.” Such local abbreviations will
be explained in a key at the beginning
of the particular regional report in
which they are used. In most regions,
place names given in italic type are
counties. Standard abbreviations that
are used throughout North American
Birds are keyed on page 358.

394

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

central southern region

ROBERT D. PURRINGTON

aradoxically, the “breeding season”
report to this journal is the most het¬
erogeneous — since the records span a two-
month period which includes part of the
breeding season and parts of both spring
and fall migrations. Weather during this
period is likely to have its effects mostly on
nesting success, however, and usually in
ways that are not immediately apparent (if
at all) to the non-specialist. Even so, we duly
report that the season was dry, with June
temperatures below or near normal and
those in July in the high 90s over much of
the Region. There was no tropical weather
to mitigate the effects of low rainfall or to
raise the spirits of observers thinking about
storm waifs, but the lack of severe storms
enhanced the chances of successful nesting
of colonial birds on low-lying barrier
islands, especially along the Louisiana
coast.

Abbreviations: LSUMNS (Louisiana State
University Museum of Natural Science).

BREEDING RECORDS OR RECORDS
SUGGESTIVE OF BREEDING

GREBES

THROUGH DIURNAL RAPTORS

Only an occasional breeder in Alabama, an
ad. Pied-billed Grebe with three young in
Limestone 30 Jul (DRC, RC) was notewor¬
thy. Four records of single Anhingas from n.
Mississippi ( Tallahatchie , Leflore, Noxubee,
and Sunflower) spanned the period 9 Jun-
31 Jul (FB, MS, SJ, MM); a basic-plumaged
male was in Lonoke, AR, 12 Jun (LY).
Reports of Least Bittern, about which there

is some concern, were highlighted by six
adults and one nest in Sunflower, MS, 18
Jun (FB). An ad. Tricolored Heron was seen
in Lake, TN, 5 Jun (JRW) in an area where
the species has previously nested. An esti¬
mated 2500 Little Blue Herons (about 50%
white-plumaged immatures) were seen in a
rice field in St. Landry, LA, 5 Jul (BL).
Several pairs of Reddish Egrets nested along
with six other ciconiiform species at Belle
Pass, mouth of Bayou Lafourche, LA (RDP,
DPM et al.); about 25 pairs of Roseate
Spoonbills in this heronry established the
first nesting in Louisiana e. of the Isle
Dernieres-Timbalier barrier islands. Single
post-breeding spoonbills reached n.
Mississippi by the end of July in Tallahat¬
chie and Quitman (FB, WMD, GK, SK), 92
were seen in Evangeline, LA, 18 Jul (CL),
and one was seen in the Pascagoula R.
marsh, MS, 28-30 Jul (KK et al.). At least
100 White Ibis nests with adults on eggs
were counted at Tallahatchie N.W.R. on
9-10 Jun (FB), probably the northernmost
nesting record for Mississippi.

Forty Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks 1
Jun on Fabacher Rd. in Calcasieu (SWC,
DLD) — with three still present 13 Jun (MS,
RG, JS) — represented a good number away
from the Lacassine pool area. Records from
St. Charles, LA — five on 17 Jun, two on 19
Jun (PY), and four on 7 Jul (PW) — though
surprising, came on the heels of several
recent reports from near the Mississippi R.
in Jefferson and St. Charles. Three reports
from Arkansas — 19 in Lafayette 3 Jun (DA,
RD), and four 12 Jun (CM, MD) and two
23 Jun, both in Miller (DA) — are assumed
to be of non- or post-breeders.

Two ad. Ospreys with three chicks close
to fledging in Fulton, MS, 24 Jun (KK) pos¬
sibly represented the first nesting record for
the Tennessee-Tombigbee waterway; two
adults successfully fledged a nestling in La¬
fayette, MS, during the last week of July
(WMD). The Swallow-tailed Kite surveys
by Jennifer Coulson et al. continue to yield
important results, typified this year by over
50 seen in the Splice I. area of the Atcha-
falaya basin in St. Martin, LA, 5 Jun (JC, TC,
DR, ST, RH) and 45 counted in an aerial
survey of pre-migration roosts in the basin
26 Jul (JC, DR, ST, PS). Topping these im¬
pressive numbers were 153 found in an aer¬
ial survey of a portion of the Pearl R. basin

23 Jul (JC, TC, SH, PS) and a record count
of 246 from a flight over the same area a
week later (JC, TC, DR, PS). These surveys
covered parts of St. Tammany and Washing¬
ton, LA, as well as Pearl River and Hancock,
MS. Elsewhere, 41 Swallow-taileds were
counted in Jackson, MS, 3 Jun (JB, MW),
and up to 133 at a time were noted on 12
boat surveys of the Pascagoula R. in George
and Jackson, MS, 31 Mar-20 Aug (JB, MW).
As usual, the only White-tailed Kite reports
came from Holly Beach, Cameron, LA,
where a nest was found with two adults and
three young ready to fledge on 1 Jun (SWC,
DLD). Reports of Mississippi Kites from
Lowndes, MS, where they had been present
since late April, peaked at a record 10+ on 2
Jul (JP, DP); another was in Oktibbeha 29
Jun (TS); and one was seen in Chicot, AR,
30 Jun (DS) carrying an ad. male Baltimore
Oriole. Suggesting nesting for Bald Eagle
were two adults and two fledglings in
Ittawamba, MS, 1-28 Jun (KK) and two
adults and three fledglings in Monroe, AR, 7
Jun (RS). A Cooper’s Hawk at Venice, LA,
11 Jun (SWC, DLD) provided further evi¬
dence of breeding in s.e. Louisiana, and
there were two records from w. Tennessee
( fide MGW) and one from Washington, AR
(MMl). A pair of adults and a juv. Crested
Caracara — a species which rarely finds its
way into these reports— were seen in
Calcasieu, LA, 1 Jun (DLD, SWC).

COOTS THROUGH OWLS

An Am. Coot in Oktibbeha, MS, from early
May to the end of the period (DP, JP, TS)
represented a 4th area record, while up to
six summering in the rice fields of s.
Louisiana (JK, CF, KF et al.) raised at least
the possibility of nesting; another was in St.
Charles, LA, 12 Jul (PW). A pair of Am.
Oystercatchers, present since late April and
apparently nesting at the Sabine R. in Cam¬
eron, LA, were again noted 1 Jun (SWC,
DLD) and 5 Jun (CL, RB). Other Louisiana
records came from the Chandeleurs and
near the mouth of Baptiste Collette Bayou,
Plaquemines. There were several summer
records of Black-necked Stilts in n. Missis¬
sippi, where breeding is spotty, including
up to 17 with three young in Tallahatchie 25
Jul (FB), 15 in Sunflower 22 Jul (FB), and six
in Tallahatchie (GK, SK) and 50 in Adams

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

395

ome&st

The Kelp/Herring/hybrid gull
saga continued unabated,
with one-three “pure” Kelp Gulls seen
on Curlew I., LA, along with as many
as 30 Kelp x Herring hybrids there and
on Gosier I. (SWC, DLD; LO’M). On
11 Jun, Cardiff and Dittman found
that a presumed pure Kelp paired with
a hybrid had at least one chick, and
there were 14 pairs of mostly Herring¬
like hybrids. Two hybrids were nesting
on Gosier I. There was less evidence of
Herring Gull nesting than in previous
years. Five or six first-year Kelp x Her¬
ring hybrids were seen on a sand spit
near the mouth of Baptiste Collette
Bayou 17 Jun (DPM, RDP, PY) along
with an ad. hybrid and what appeared
to be a pure 3rd-year Kelp; the latter
birds associated with a huge Laughing
Gull colony (10,000 individuals) on an
adjacent spoil island.

(MW, CY) 26 Jul. Seven hundred stilts were
counted in a rice field near Eunice, LA, 5 Jul
(BL).

The small amount of information
received concerning the tern colonies on
the Chandeleur Is., which were devastated
by Georges last September, was inconclusive
as to the hurricane’s lasting effect. Curlew
I., where most of the terns traditionally
nested, was greatly reduced in area and
height above high tide, and the pieces of
Grand Gosier I., home of a large Brown
Pelican colony before Georges , were reduced
to a sand spit and shoals. Only a few hun¬
dred Royal and Sandwich terns were noted,
suggesting that the main colonies had mov¬
ed elsewhere, as they did after hurricane
Camile in 1969; however, the tern colonies
had returned to Curlew 1. by 1974, 4 years
after Camile had washed the island away. A
Com. Tern nest found with a newly hatched
chick and 2 eggs on Freemason I., St.
Bernard, LA, 1 1 Jun (DLD) represented the
3rd nesting for the state. Up to 19 Com.
Terns were noted along the Mississippi
coast between 7 & 30 Jul (KK). Two Least
Terns, endangered and uncommon in Ar¬
kansas, were in Miller 23 Jun (DA). Visits to
Curlew I., LA, turned up only a few Sooty
Terns, remnants of the small colony which
has been there since at least the 1930s.
Whether they moved northward onto the
main chain of islands is unknown. One
Sooty Tern was seen 17 Jun on a spoil island
at the mouth of Baptiste Collette Bayou,
Plaquemines (DPM). Astonishingly, anoth¬

er was found in a weakened condition at Ft.
Polk, LA, 26 Jun (fide JJ, *LSUMNS); it had
been banded on the Dry Tortugas in about
1975.

Single White-winged Doves, which have
nested locally and sporadically in Louisi¬
ana, were seen in Jefferson Davis 1 Jun and
in Plaquemines 11 Jun (DLD, SWC). Eura¬
sian Collared- Doves continue to rapidly
expand their range, documented this sum¬
mer by Mississippi records from coastal
Harrison to Washington and Noxubee, in¬
cluding a nest with eggs in Hinds-, 13,
including immatures, were in Little Rock,
AR, 10 Jul (WMS, LY) for a first county
record. A survey of the Burrowing Owl col¬
ony at Eglin AFB, FL, in existence since
1983, yielded 15 individuals, including two
breeding pairs and six juveniles (PB, LF).

FLYCATCHERS THROUGH FINCHES

A territorial Willow Flycatcher was noted
10 Jul in Benton, AR, where they have previ¬
ously nested, and a pair of E. Phoebes at
Sardis Waterfowl Refuge 18 Jun (WMD)
was noteworthy whether it suggested nest¬
ing or not. Western Kingbirds bred success-
fuly in the Memphis area, with two nests
producing six fledged young (JRW, m.ob.,
ph.) for the 2nd confirmed nesting in
Tennessee. A pair nested successfully in
Little River, AR, in July, fledging four young
(CM, DA), but a nest in Miller 12 Jun-3 Jul
was unsuccessful (CM, MD, DA, SL, ELL).
A trio of Gray Kingbirds nested in Harrison,
MS, from May through late August; and
raised two young (SP, LP, MWe, KK, m.ob.),
establishing the 3rd breeding record for the
state and the 2nd on the mainland; all five
birds were banded 10-21 Jul (KK). Of six
reports of Scissor-tailed Flycatchers from
Alabama, one represented actual nesting,
the others probable: 2 pairs in Madison
since May 13, with a bird on a nest as late as
13 Jun (KW, DRC, RC); a single bird 13
May at Decatur (SWM et al.), where the
species has nested since 1993; records from
Blont (DB) and Lee (BB) 13 Jun; and sight¬
ings in Huntsville 29 Jun (JM) and in
Madison 7 Jul (KW, HG). Two immatures
seen 4 Jul (JRW) along the Mississippi R.
levee in extreme n.w. Tennessee eventually
flew into Kentucky.

Multiple nestings of Horned Larks
involved eggs, juveniles, and at least eight
individuals in Lowndes, AL, throughout the
period (TAP, LFG et al.) Six or more Tree
Swallows seen in Lafayette, MS, 18-19 Jun
(WMD) presumably were from a local
breeding population, as perhaps was one in
Limestone, AL, 16 Jun (JTG); nesting birds

This Western Kingbird nest was photo¬
graphed 3 July 1999 in an electric power
tower within Memphis city limits at Ensley
Bottoms. It was the second documented
nesting for the species in Tennessee
(the first was in 1998) and the first
for which successful nesting was
confirmed. Western Kingbirds had been
seen in the area since 1988, occasionally
with immatures (JW). The above nest
produced four nestlings, three of which
fledged, and one of which made it to inde¬
pendence (JW). Photograph/J. R. Wilson

in Lafayette and Lonoke, AR, during June
eventually totalled nearly 20 adults and
immatures (DA, RD, LY). Cliff Swallows
expanding westward along US 82 reached
Starkville, MS, this year and made 27 nests
under a bridge on the e. side of town 28 Jul
(TS); range expansion was also document¬
ed in Alabama, with new nesting localities
in Tallapoosa and Marengo (SER). One or
two Cave Swallows continue to be found at
the LA 82 bridge over the Sabine R., with at
least two noted 1 Jun (DLD, SWC), two on
5 Jun (CL, RB), and one sitting on a nest 13
Jun (MS, RG, JS,WW).

The 2nd nesting locality of Gray Catbird
in s.e. Louisiana was established when a
pair with one young bird was observed in
Covington 21 Jun (PJD); a nest had been
located 3 days earlier. Two pairs of Cedar
Waxwings showed behavior suggestive of
nesting in Monroe, MS, 24 Jun (KK); there
was a probable nesting in Morgan, AL, dur¬
ing June (CDC) and a definite breeding
record in Limestone, AL, 18 Jun (CDC). In
w. Tennessee, a waxwing was seen 2 Jun in
Obion (RP), and on 10 Jun in Fayette, an
adult was feeding young (fide MGW). Two
were also in Benton, AR, 9 Jul (MM1, BC).
At least two Black-whiskered Vireos, first
noted 31 May (DPM, RDP), lingered until

396

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

central southern

at least 21 Jul at Grand Isle, LA (PW). On
more than one occasion one adult was seen
carrying food, and on 2 Jul two ad. males
were “coutersinging” (SWC, DLD et al.).
Although conclusive evidence of nesting
was not obtained, there are now ample
indications of possible or attempted nest¬
ings in s.e. Louisiana, mainly on Grand Isle.
A Black-whiskered Vireo was also noted in
Gulf Breeze, FL, 1-2 Jun (RAD, LD).

A tally of 151 N. Parulas at Lafittte N.P.
8 Jun (PW) is likely a record one-day count
for s.e. Louisiana. Very rare as a nester in
Arkansas, a territorial male Chestnut-sided
Warbler singing in Newton on 4 occasions
into mid-June (MMl) was apparently
unmated. There were 3 reports of territori¬
al Black-throated Green Warblers — discov¬
ered breeding in Arkansas only a decade
ago — from Pope , Izard, and Stone totaling
10 males (LA, SO, RD); a female carrying
food was noted in Montgomery on 7 Jul
(RD). Very impressive were the 13 nests of
the elusive Swainson’s Warbler found by
Donata Roome in her field studies in the
Pearl R. bottoms along the Louisiana-
Mississippi border.

Strongly suggesting nesting was a
Dickcissel in Jackson, MS, 14 Jul (SP, m.ob.).
It is a sad day when we must list records of
formerly common breeding species like
Bachman’s Sparrow, but this seems increas¬
ingly to be the case. Schiefer noted only one
in Winston, MS, 8 Jun, and I failed to find
one on a BBS route in St. Tammany, LA,
which formerly yielded several. There were
4 reports of Lark Sparrow, two involving
actual breeding in Alabama, both from
Lawrence-, a pair 6 Jun (SWM; Courtland
BBS) and three-five, with adults feeding
young, 16-29 Jun (HHK). In addition, a
juvenile was in Perry, AL, 21 Jul (GDJ, DGJ),
and another was recorded on the Macon
BBS route in Noxubee, MS, 6 Jun (TS). As
many as four Henslow’s Sparrows were on
territory in the Flanagan Prairie Natural
Area of Franklin, AR, in early July (WMS,
LY); the species was first discovered nesting
in Arkansas last year.

Notable for n.w. Louisiana, up to nine
Great-tailed Grackles along 1-49 in
Natchitoches near Powhatan 5 Jun and 7 Jul
(CL, RB) suggested nesting. Of 4 Bronzed
Cowbird reports away from their center of
abundance in s.e. Louisiana, two were
unfortunately from Mississippi, where the
first record for parasitism for the state was
established in Hancock 18-24 Jul when
one-three fledglings were being fed by —
what else? — an Orchard Oriole (KK, SP).
An ad. cowbird was seen in Biloxi 23 Jul

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

(KK), and there was a report from Baton
Rouge 7-23 Jun (JS, RG, MS, WW), where
they have made less of an impact than in
s.e. Louisiana. Orchard Orioles have been
virtually eliminated from urban New
Orleans by Bronzed Cowbird parasitism,
and N. Cardinals are being severely impact¬
ed now. A Shiny Cowbird in Gulf Breeze,
FL, 8 Jul (RAD) provided the 17th area
record; based on an early August report, it is
possible that Shiny Cowbird is now present
on Grand Isle, LA, in summer (RDP). A
pair of Am. Goldfinches seen regularly
from early May into mid-July in Bolivar,
n.w. MS, fledged two young by 9 Jul (NH,
JCH).

RECORDS OF PRESUMED
NON-BREEDING, POST-BREEDING,
OR MIGRANT BIRDS

LOONS THROUGH LIMPKIN

Of the occasional summering Com. Loons,
the most interesting was one in Panola, MS,
8 Jun ( WMD). Even more interesting was a
Pacific Loon at Gulf Breeze, FL, 1 Jun
(RAD). Also out-of-season was an alter-
nate-plumaged Idorned Grebe in Okaloosa,
FL, 16-25 Jun (HK, DW)— the 2nd June
record for n.w. Florida. Probably the 4th
record for Louisiana and only the 2nd spec¬
imen, an ad. female Leach’s Storm-Petrel
was taken 64 mi SSE of Belle Pass,
Lafourche, 1 Jul (DLD, SWC et al.). Up to 25
Wilson’s Storm-Petrels were encountered
the same day 18-64 mi SSE of Belle Pass. A
N. Gannet discovered on the Pass Christian,
MS, gulf beach 11 Jun (SP, JB) seemed
healthy in spite of a broken lower mandible.
A Double-crested Cormorant on 12 Jun in
St. Charles, LA (PY), and an Am. Bittern at
Lacassine N.W.R. 1 Jun (DLD, SWC) were
very late and possibly breeders. Ten reports
of Wood Storks totalling over 1200 individ¬
uals were received from 21 Jun into
August — 8 of these from 7 n. Mississippi
counties. The largest concentration was 894
on 18 Jul in Evangeline, LA (CL).

A lingering Snow Goose in Lowndes
from 4 Jun onward (DP, JP, KK, TS, MS) fed
with an ad. Ross’s Goose from 1 Jul (KK,
TS, JP, DP, MS), the first summer record of
Ross’s for Mississippi. Three Snow Geese
were in Fayetteville, AR, 25 Jul (MMI, DJ).
At least 22 records of late or lingering
ducks, many presumably unhealthy, involv¬
ed 13 species. Among the most notable
were an apparent Am. Black Duck in Jack-
son, MS, 1 1 Jul (KK, CD, JP) — a bird which
would be interesting even in mid-winter—
and three separate individuals in Shelby and

Lake, TN, Jun 5 (JRW). Two female Ifed-
breasted Mergansers were in Benton, AR,
throughout the period. Earliest ever in fall
for s. Alabama were 25 Blue-winged Teal in
Hale 21 Jul (GDJ). A Swainson’s Hawk in
Jefferson Davis, LA, 31 Jul (JK, KF) was far
east of its normal breeding range, but even
more impressively distant from its Florida
haunts was a Limpkin in Haywood, TN, 27
Jul (AW, BF). Surprisingly, this was not the
first Tennessee record: a Limpkin was in
Nashville 10-11 Jun 1961.

SHOREBIRDS
THROUGH WARBLERS

Fifty-six reports for 21 species of transient
shorebirds represented nearly one-third of
all non-breeding records submitted for the
period; reports of early fall migrants were by
far the most numerous. A Black-bellied Plo¬
ver 1 1 Jun in Lauderdale (PDK) was the first
June record for n.w. Alabama. Notable fall
migrant dates included an Am. Golden-Plo¬
ver in Lonoke, AR, 10 Jul (LY), 5 weeks early;
27 Semipalmated Plovers in Lafourche, LA, 9
Jul (PW), a large number so early, and 22 in
Tallahatchie and Quitman, MS, 27 Jul (FB);
19 Piping Plovers, endangered and an early
concentration 24 Jul in Cameron, LA (JK,
DR); and 3 records of Piping Plovers from
Benton and Prairie, AR, 1 1-28 Jul (MMl, AJ,
KN). An Am. Avocet, four Marbled God-
wits, and 15 Short-billed Dowitchers were
noteworthy 19 Jun in Lafourche, LA (PW). A
Short-billed Dowitcher 6 Jul at mile 771 on
the Mississippi was the earliest ever for
Tennessee (KJ). A Ruddy Turnstone was in
Quitman, MS, 27 Jul (FB). Whimbrels,
uncommon to rare in fall, were in Lafourche,
LA, 19 Jun (PW), 1 Jul (PW), and 9 Aug
(RDP) and in Orleans 25 Jul (PY) where
they are rare at any season. Almost un¬
known in fall migration, White-rumped
Sandpipers were in Prairie, AR, 10 Jul (KN,
LDN) and in Jackson, MS, 29 Jul (KK). Fred
Broerman made an impressive count of
2583 shorebirds of 16 species on the Black
Bayou Unit of Tallahatchie N.W.R. 7 Jul.

Single Laughing Gulls in Lafayette 3 Jun
(DA, RD) and Jackson 13 Jun (KN, LDN)
were the first June records for Arkansas.
There were 2 Louisiana records of Lesser
Black-backed Gulls, always rare in summer:
a first-year (2nd-summer) bird at the
mouth of Baptiste Collette Bayou 17 Jun
(DPM, PY, RDP) and another in the same
plumage 2 Jul in Lafourche (SWC, DLD,
JBa). Very early for a southbound migrant
was an ad. Black Tern 2 Jul at Tallahatchie
N.W.R., MS (FB).

A Lesser Nighthawk, the first Florida

397

MMaaanMMSMHnaanasaBMBSsaaBKasBnEkstHaaHiaBiMaaMMMmHMMMHHHMMHMHHHBMaHi

panhandle record ever for June, was seen at
Gulf Breeze 1 lun (RAD, LD, WD). The first
ever for Louisiana, a Green Violet-ear was
at the Gail Andriano residence in Lafayette
from at least 10 Jun (JO) until at least 21 Jul
(WRF, DP et al., v.t.); the state list is now at
451. Also extraordinary, an apparently un¬
mated Great Kiskadee at Venice, LA, was
present at a nest site from at least 24 Apr and
last seen as late as 5 Aug (JK, KF). There
were two June records of Tropical/Couch’s
Kingbirds from Louisiana and one from the
Florida panhandle, all around the same
date: 15 Jun-7 Jul on Fourchon Rd. in
Lafourche (NLN, PW), 17 Jun in Calcasieu
(CW, *DGC), and 14 Jun at Gulf Breeze, FL
(RAD); the Louisiana specimen keyed out as
Couch’s ( fide SWC). There are few previous
Louisiana records of either species and only
4 previous n.w. Florida records; none have
been in summer. A concentration of 300 N.
Rough-winged Swallows in Marengo , AL, 4
Jul (SER) was surprising for so early a date.
A Bank Swallow in Mobile, AL, 20 Jul (LFG)
was early, and one in Jackson 14 Jul (SP, DM,
CD, CB, JP), if a southbound migrant, was
the earliest ever for the Mississippi coast.
Early records of southbound migrant war¬
blers included a Blue-winged Warbler in

Noxubee, MS, 28 Jul (TS), the earliest ever
there by 8 days; an extraordinarily early
Ovenbird in Abita Springs, LA, 31 Jul (OC,
WC); and a N. Waterthrush 24 Jul in
Cameron, LA ( JK).

Contributors (sub-regional editors in bold¬
face): David Abour, Leif Anderson, J. Babin
(JBa), Barbara Ballantine, Jerry Bird, Pam
Bowen, Christopher G. Brantley, Roger
Breedlove, Charles Brenke, Fred Broerman,
Duane Brown, Steve Cardiff (Louisiana),
Daniel G. Christian, Olga Clifton, Walter
Clifton, Betty Coody, C. Dwight Cooley,
Jennifer Coulson, Tom Coulson, Dean R.
Cutten, Raelene Cutten, Marvin Davis,
Charlie Delmas, P. J. Demarie, Mike Dillon,
Donna Dittmann (Louisiana), Rob Doster,
Robert Duncan (n.w. Florida), Lucy
Duncan, William Duncan, Karen Fay,
Lenny Fenimore, Carol Foil, Willliam R.
Fontenot, Bob Ford, Larry F. Gardella, Jeff
T. Garner, Hazel Green, Richard Greig,
Renee Henry, Nona Herbert, J. C. Herbert,
Sherry Hirsch, Debra Jackson, Greg
Jackson (Alabama), Doug James, Alex
John, Seymour Johnson, Jim Johnson, Ken
Jones, Keith Kimmerle, Helen King, Helen
Kittinger, Paul D. Kittle, Gene Knight,

Shannon Knight, Emma Lee Lacy, Sterling
Lacy, Billy Leonard, Charlie Lyons, Jim
McBride, Steve. W. McConnell, Don
McKee, Charles Mills, Mike Mlodinow
(MM1), Milton Monroe, David Muth,
Wendy Muth, Mac Myers, Nancy Newfield,
Kenny Nichols, La Donna Nichols, Larry
O’Meallie, Joe Oelkers, Helen Parker
(Arkansas), Max Parker (Arkansas), Jim
Patterson, Dianne Patterson, Dave Patton,
Stacy Peterson, Laura Peterson, Janet
Peterson, Diane Pleasant, Tommy A. Pratt,
Robert D. Purrington, Sharon E. Reed, Dave
Roark, Donata Roome, Perry Samrow,
Marion Schiefer, Terence Schiefer
(Mississippi), Michael Seymour, William S.
Shepherd, Don Simons, Ruth Singleterry,
Terry Singleterry, Joseph Smith, Curt
Sorrells, Shannon Tanner, Martha
Waldron (w. Tennessee), Phillip Wallace,
Ken Ward, Don Ward, Mike (MWe) Welch,
Jeff Wilson, Walker Wilson, Chris Witt,
Mark Woodrey, Alex Wyss, Corie Yates,
Peter Yaukey, Lyndal York.

Robert D. Purrington, Department of
Physics, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
70118 (danny@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu)

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1 6. This Statement of Ownership will be printed in the Vol. 53, No. 4 issue
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and/or civil sanctions (including multiple damages and civil penalities).

398

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

prairie provinces region

ALBERTA

MANITOBA

/SASKATCHEWAN

RUDOLF F. KOES
and PETER TAYLOR

Major weather effects were felt across the
Region. In the south, wet and cool con¬
ditions persisted from May through June
and into July. Calgary, Alberta, reported
cloudy, cold, and wet weather; it even
snowed in several areas of the province on
15 July. Southeastern Saskatchewan and
southwestern Manitoba were particularly
hard hit: flooded fields prevented most far¬
mers from seeding, and many waterfowl
appeared to be flooded out. Later-breeding
species — such as Eared Grebes, Soras,
American Coots, and Black Terns — took
advantage of the situation and nested in
huge numbers in ephemeral wetlands. In
Saskatchewan, Mary Houston found 223
dead Tree Swallows in 240 nest boxes after
two particularly nasty days in late June.
Conversely, northern areas experienced
warmer and drier weather than normal: the
resulting tally of “southern” species in
Churchill was truly staggering.

EGRETS THROUGH GULLS

A Great Egret near Innisfail, AB, 13 Jun
(BH) and a Green Heron at Riding Moun¬
tain N.R, MB, 15 Jun (JL & VENT) were the
only rare herons reported. White-faced Ibis
continued its slow expansion in Alberta,
where two pairs nested near Calgary
(B&EG, TK, GO) and two-three pairs nest¬
ed at Blizzard L. (MH). Eight Brant at
Churchill 13 Jun were properly document¬
ed, a rare occurrence for this species (FT,
MP). A pair of Cinnamon Teal was far east
at Broomhill, MB, 8 Jun (GH & TS). A count
of 99 Com. Mergansers at Churchill 5 Jun
was one of the highest ever there (RK et al.).

Ospreys expanded their range in
Saskatchewan to the Rosthern, Hague, and
North Battleford areas, but nesting success
was poor (SH). Swainson’s Hawks had their

Black-necked Stilt continued
to breed near Calgary,
north of its traditional
range, for the second
successive year; this year
there was successful
breeding at three sites,
up from two last year.

This adult with four juve¬
niles was near Shepard,
Alberta, on 26 July.
Photograph/Terry Korolyk

C A Churchill, Manitoba, experienced an unprecedented influx of species more com-
#%monly associated with the s. Prairie Provinces and beyond. An early snow melt,
coupled with ice breakup on Hudson Bay a month earlier than normal, allowed May
temperatures at Churchill to climb to June values. At the same time conditions to the
south were cold and wet, apparently causing numerous migrants to overshoot their
normal breeding ranges; more sedentary species were also caught up in this movement.
Only the highlights are indicated below, generally for species for which fewer than 10
records exist for the area (Table 1).

Table 1

“Southern” Species at Churchill in Summer 1999

Species

Individuals

Date

Observers*

Turkey Vulture

1

20 Jun

JL& VENT

Trumpeter Swan

1

21-23 Jun

BC&CWE

American Coot

1

4 & 1 3 J un

LdeM.RC; RK&CNSC2

Willet

1

13-28 Jun

DF

Franklin’s Gull

1

3 Jun

fide BC

1

21 Jun

JL8<VENT

Forster’s Tern

1

5 Jun

LdeM, RC

Hairy Woodpecker

1 male

11 + Jun

RK&CNSC1

1 female

15 Jun

NB&LIMOSA

Olive-sided Flycatcher

1

8 Jun

TW&CNSC1

Eastern Kingbird

1

1 1 Jun

TW&CNSC1

I

18 Jun

FT, MP

Red-eyed Vireo

1

5 Jul

NH Audubon

Black-billed Magpie

1

3-20 Jun

m.ob.

Brown Creeper

1-3

4+ Jun

m.ob.

(nest 19 Jun)

fideBC

Winter Wren

2 males

8 Jun (only 1 later)

LdeM, RC, CNSC1

Gray Catbird

1 '

18 Jun

BC

2

26 Jun

MW, AC, JK

1

1 Jul

RM

Nashville Warbler

1 male

16 Jun

RK

Magnolia Warbler

1

4 Jun

WINGS tour

Clay-colored Sparrow

1-1

4-11 Jun

BC

Lark Bunting

1 female

6 Jun

HF

Le Conte’s Sparrow

1 male

5 Jun

RK8(CNSC1

1 male

16 Jun

NB 8tLIMOSA

Bobolink

1 male

16Jun

BC&CWE

* denotes initial observer within a group; denotes individual sightings.

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

399

A male Black-headed Grosbeak
photographed at a feeder near Bragg
Creek, Alberta, on 24 July was one
of several individuals and pairs of this
species found outside their normal range
in the province. Photograph/Terry Korolyk

worst year in a 30-year study on the Saskat¬
chewan prairies — e.g., there were 16 nests
(only 4 successful) near Kindersley vs. 30 in
1998 and 60 in 1987. At Kyle, 5 nests pro¬
duced five young, compared to 30 fledged
from 16 nests in 1998. The wet spring and
low numbers of Richardson’s Ground
Squirrels likely contributed to the poor
results. Populations in the parkland regions
farther north fared better (SH, JH, DZ). It
was a better year for Ferruginous Hawks:
195 young were banded in 72 nests in Sas¬
katchewan (SH), while a straggler was far
east at Spruce Siding Rd., MB, 5 Jun (GH 8c
TS). Three different Golden Eagles were
noted near Churchill 5-7 Jun (BC, JJ), and
a Gyrfalcon there 5 Jun was late (LdeM).
Prairie Falcons did well in Saskatchewan,
with 40 young from 11 nests (SH). One
Prairie Falcon frequented Oak Hammock
Marsh, MB, 27-31 July (RK, GH, CCs).

A count of 148 Semipalmated Plovers at
Oak Hammock Marsh 31 Jul was high (GH,
CCs). Like last year, Black-necked Stilts
bred in the vicinity of Calgary and produc¬
ed young at 3 sites (TK et ah), with others
noted elsewhere in s. Alberta at Keho L.
(MH) and Stirling L. (fide LV). Good shore-
bird counts were 300 Lesser Yellowlegs at
Carseland, AB, 18 Jul (TK) and 70+ Marb¬
led Godwits at Oak Lake, MB, 4 Jul (DH).

The godwits were all in pairs
and may have been breeders
that failed due to the wetness.
Some 15 Pomarine Jaegers
were sighted 15-17 Jun at
Churchill (m.ob.). Rare gulls
at Churchill included up to
four Little Gulls present
through at least June (m.ob.),
single ad. Mew Gulls 4 Jun
(RP, CNSC1) and 21 Jun-4 Jul
(JL 8c VENT, m.ob.), a Lesser
Black-backed Gull 2 Jun ( fide
BC, no details), and a single
Ross’s Gull, seen sporadically
from 6 Jun onwards (BC et
al.).

CUCKOOS

THROUGH FINCHES

A Black-billed Cuckoo at
Dinosaur P.P., AB, 30 Jun was
a rarity (RWe, WS). A Snowy
Owl was first reported at
Churchill 15 Jun and later attracted much
attention; it may have been a rehabilitated
bird released earlier in the year (RK,
CNSC2 et ah). Northern Hawk Owls
reportedly nested at Churchill again ( fide
LdeM). Accidental anywhere in Alberta, a
White-throated Swift was at Dinosaur P.P.
22 Jun (CH). Somewhat less out-of-range
were single Lewis’s Woodpeckers at Turner
Valley, AB, 13 Jun (JR et al.) and at May-
croft, AB, 6 Jul ( WS, CW). Single Red-head¬
ed Woodpeckers visited Brooks and
Medicine Hat, AB, 11 Jul (J8cMM). A Red-
bellied Woodpecker visited Pierson, MB, 6
Jun and later (RWa), and at least two Black-
backed Woodpecker pairs produced young
at Churchill (m.ob.).

In s.e. Manitoba Willow Flycatchers were
beyond their normal range at Spruce Siding
Rd. 5 Jun (GH & TS) and the E. Braintree-
Sprague area (four birds!) 28 Jun (GH, CCs,
RS). A Gray Flycatcher at Calgary in late
June and early July was Alberta’s first. Seen
by many, it was photographed and tape-
recorded (JP et al.). Loggerhead Shrikes,
continuing their decline in Manitoba, de¬
creased another 25% in the southwest (KD);
they were also down in s.w. Saskatchewan
(fide BL) and in the Calgary area, although
one nest was found near the city 25 Jul (TK,
MB). A Rock Wren visited Altona, MB, 12
Jun (DS, MK). Another at Churchill 16-21
Jun provided the 4th record for the area (TS
et al.). A Blue-gray Gnatcatcher at Elma 5
Jun was Manitoba’s 6th (GH 8c TS). A
female N. Wheatear at Churchill 15 Jun was
about the 12th for the area (NB 8c

LIMOSA). Hermit Thrushes were more
common than usual at Churchill, with eight
heard 4 Jun (CNSC1). A Wood Thrush was
a rare find at Pierson, MB, 8 Jun (fide KD 8c
CCt), as was a N. Mockingbird banded at
Beaverhill Bird Observatory, AB, 8 Jun (TF,
CP) and another at Taber, AB, 22 Jun (LB).
An Am. Pipit at Gimli, MB, 24 Jul was out-
of-season (RK). A Black-throated Green
Warbler at Calgary 13 Jun was unexpected
at that time of year (DB), and single Scarlet
Tanagers at Delbourne 20 Jun (GO) and Big
Hill Springs P.P. 21 Jun (MS) were rare for
Alberta. One of only a few well-document¬
ed Spotted Towhees in Manitoba sang near
Lauder 3-10 Jul (AW, RP et al.). Pushing the
edge of their normal Alberta range were
Black-headed Grosbeaks at Bragg Cr.,
Lethbridge, Nanton, and Turner Valley
between mid-June and late July; both pairs
and single birds were seen (m.ob.). Male
Lazuli Buntings were at Brandon Hills, MB,
10 Jun (NB 8c LIMOSA) and at Lyleton, MB,
25 Jun (RK). White- winged Crossbills were
prominent at Paint L., MB, where at least
250 were noted 14 Jun (NB 8c LIMOSA).

Contributors (subregional compilers in
boldface) : R. Barclay, D. Beers, L. Bennett,
G. Booth, M. Breiteneder, N. Brinkley, A.
Campbell, B. Chartier, R. Clarke, CNSC1
(Churchill Northern Studies Centre birding
group 1: L. 8c R. Jansson, R. Koes, S.
Loeppky, R. Parsons, R. 8c T. Will),.CNSC2
(Churchill Northern Studies Centre group 2:
G. 8c S. Grieef, R. Koes, Max Reid, Millie
Reid, M. Yorke, R. Zach), C. Cuthbert
(CCt), C. Curtis (CCs), CWE (Churchill
Wilderness Encounter), L. de March, K.
DeSmet, D. Fast, T. Flockhart, H.-G. Folz, B.
8c E. Goulet, J. Harris, M. Harrison, D.
Hatch, B. Heinzman, C. Hitchon, G.
Holland, S. Houston, J. Jehl, Jr., D. Jermyn,

A. Kimberley, J. Knys, R. Koes, T. Korolyk,
M. Krueger, J. Langham, LIMOSA (Euro¬
pean birding tour company), B. Luterbach,

B. Maybank, J. 8c M. McDonald, R.
Mumford, Jr., G. Olin, R. Parsons, M.
Peters, J. Podlubny, C. Priestly, J. Riddell, D.
Schritt, C. Sidwell, W. Smith, E. 8c M.
Spitzer, R. Staniforth, F. Teeuwen, TS
(“Team Sweden ” group), VENT (Victor
Emanuel Nature Tours), L. Vogt, A.
Walleyn, R. Wang (RWa), C. Wershler, R.
Wershler (RWe), T. Will, M. Wilson, D.
Zazelenchuk, W. 8c L. Zwick.

Rudolf F. Koes, 135 Rossmere Cres.,
Winnipeg, MB, R2K 0G1 and Peter Taylor,
Box 597, Pinawa, MB, ROE 1L0

■■

400

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

^ A Raptors nesting in significant
numbers in urban areas are a rel¬
atively recent phenomenon. Surprisingly,
some of the highest known nesting den¬
sities for Coopers Hawks (Rosenfield et
al. 1955, Journal of Raptor Research 29:
1 — 4) and Merlins (Sodhi et al. 1993, The
Birds of North America, no. 44) occur in
urban habitat. North Dakota observers
have documented this new habitat accep¬
tance by Cooper’s Hawks over the last
decade: city parks were occupied begin¬
ning in the late 1980s followed by resi¬
dential areas in recent years — including
the Governor’s backyard in Bismarck. It
is believed that 5-10 pairs use the Grand
Forks area (DOL), with similar densities
in Minot (REM) and Fargo (G. Nielsen).
Merlins are beginning to follow the same
pattern in the state. While the expansion
of winter range and colonization of
urban centers by this species began on
the Canadian plains some 30 years ago
(Sodhi et al., ibid.), the process has taken
a little longer in North Dakota. The
increase in winter Merlin numbers began
in the late 1970s and early 1980s. At
about the same time, numbers of winter¬
ing and nesting Am. Crows began to
increase significantly. With old crow nests
increasingly available for nesting sites,
Merlins moved into urban areas to breed.
Nesting occurred from 1995 to 1998 in
downtown Dickinson (B. Cornatzer), in
the last two years in Grand Forks (DOL),
and at Minot A.F.B. in 1998. As noted
previously for Cooper’s Hawks (Boal &
Mannan 1998, Journal of Wildlife Man¬
agement 62: 864-871), levels of human
disturbance seem to have little influence
on nest site selection for either species.
We will continue to monitor this unfold¬
ing story.

Dwarfed by the American Avocets in the background, this Snowy Plover
at Minot on 9 July established a third North Dakota state record. The previ¬
ous record occurred at Grand Forks on 1 May. Photograph/Gordon Berkey

RON MARTIN

t was another wet season with precipita¬
tion well above average except in central
Montana, where dry conditions prevailed.
As has been the case for several years now,
waterbirds and wet meadow species were
present in good numbers and nesting suc¬
cess was good. The wet conditions prevent¬
ed many farmland acres from being plant¬
ed; while this imperiled troubled farmers, it
was good for birds. Nesting activity was still
strong at the end of the period.

Season highlights included possible first
state records for Blue-throated Humming¬
bird and Eurasian Collared-Dove in North
Dakota. Second North Dakota nestings
were established for Golden-winged Warb¬
ler and Black-necked Stilt. South Dakota
had its third White-winged Dove, and a
Snowy Plover established a third state
record for North Dakota.

LOONS THROUGH GULLS

A Pacific Loon on a small impoundment in
Meade, SD, 4 Jun furnished only the 5th
record for the state (@DAT). Rarely report¬
ed in North Dakota, a Least Bittern was in
Kidder, ND, 9 Jun (PB). Thirteen Great
Egrets were n.w. of their present — but
expanding — range in Sheridan, ND, 13 (un
(REM). Rare breeders in Montana, Snowy
Egrets nested at Bowdoin N.W.R. 15 Jun, a
first breeding record for the refuge (DP). A
Tricolored Heron was noted 10 Jul at an
egret colony in Clark, SD, where one was
reported in the spring (RFS, @JSP). A
Ross’s Goose remained in Kidder, ND, until
10 Jun, providing the first summer record
for the state (HCT); another was observed
at Bowdoin, MT, 15 Jun (DP). A brood of
six Wood Ducks below Tiber Dam, MT, 18
Jul furnished the first breeding record for
Latilong 5 (HM). An unusual concentra¬
tion of 4000 Redheads was noted in Benson,
ND, 25 Jul (GBB).

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

401

Casual in e. South Dakota in summer,
an Osprey was in Roberts 9 Jul (DRS). A N.
Goshawk nest was located n.w. of Chester,
MT, 19 Jun, providing the first recorded
nesting for the species in the Sweetgrass
Hills (HM). An imm. Red-shouldered
Hawk reported 23 Jun at Clark Salyer
N.W.R. (fide DOL) was near where an
individual was noted in the spring season.
Providing rare summer records in their
respective areas were single Broad-winged
Hawks 2 Jun in the Little Rockies, MT (SD,
DE, JF, TH), and in the Killdeer Mts., ND
(DOL). A former and possibly current
breeder in the Black Hills, a Peregrine
Falcon was in Meade , SD, 27 Jun (@REP).

Casual in South Dakota, a Com.
Moorhen was in Day 23 Jun (@WAS). Hot
on the heels of this spring’s 2nd state
record, North Dakota’s 3rd Snowy Plover
was photographed at Minot 9 Jul (@REM,
LEM, LRM, ph. GBB). The 900 ad. Piping
Plovers in the area between McLean, ND,
and n.e. Montana produced an average of

I. 6 chicks per pair this year (BD). A Black¬
necked Stilt first noted in Grand Forks, ND,
in May was joined by another on 5 Jun.
Three half-grown young were found with
them 31 Jul for the 2nd confirmed breeding
record in the state (EEF, DOL). Becoming
somewhat regular in South Dakota, a
Black-necked Stilt was noted in early June
in Day (JE). A Whimbrel 18 Jun in Grand
Forks, ND, was a very late migrant (DOL).
Wilson’s Phalarope peak numbers included

II, 000 at Bowdoin, MT, 24 Jul (SD) and
6000 at the Minot Sewage Lagoons, ND, 30
Jul (REM). A jaeger in Bottineau, ND, 1 1 Jul
was thought to be a Parasitic, but positive
identification was not possible (GBB).
There are now 2 July jaeger records for
North Dakota. A Little Gull found with
Franklin’s Gulls in Brown, SD, 29 Jun pro¬
vided the 4th record for that state (@JV).

DOVES THROUGH ORIOLES

North Dakota became the last state in the
Region to record Eurasian Collared-Dove

with its first found in Towner 18 Jul (HCT,
@CDE). Montana’s 4th record for the
species was provided by an individual that
frequented a feeder through the period in
Malta (@GF). South Dakota’s 3rd White¬
winged Dove spent the season in Potter
(@LS). Common Nighthawks seem to be
on the decline in North Dakota, particular¬
ly in cities. As has been suggested for the
Hudson-Delaware Region ( Field Notes
49(5): 914), the increase in Am. Crow nest¬
ing in cities has coincided with a decrease
in rooftop nesting populations of night-

hawks. A Whip-poor-will in Flarding 2 Jun
provided a rare record for w. South Dakota
(REM, HCT). Two Chimney Swifts spent
the period in Malta, MT, at the w. edge of
their range (SD). Documentation was
received for a possible Blue-throated
Hummingbird in Grand Forks, ND, 6 Jun
(AS, @EEF); if accepted, this record would
be the first for the state and Region. On a
more sober note, many reporters in North
Dakota mentioned that Red-headed
Woodpeckers seemed to be on the decline
in recent years.

A rare nester and a species that is diffi¬
cult to find in S. Dakota, a single Cassin’s
Kingbird was noted in Custer 4 Jun (RAP).
A vagrant Com. Raven was at Lostwood
N.W.R., ND, in late June (JH, SH, CW).
Accidental in summer, a Carolina Wren
spent the season in Minnehaha, SD
(@MKZ). A Golden-winged Warbler seen
carrying food into a thicket at Graham’s
Island S.P. 8 Jul documented the 2nd nest¬
ing for the species in North Dakota (DC,
@SC). A total of seven reports of July
migrant Tennessee Warblers in the Dakotas
was higher than usual. A Chestnut-sided
Warbler, seen at Sanford Park on the
Marias R. 1 Jun (@HM), provided about
the 6th record for w. Montana. In North
Dakota, a single Chestnut-sided in Fargo 10
Jul provided the first summer record away
from nesting areas (DPW). A Blackburnian
Warbler was very late in Day, SD, 8 Jun
(CS). A Prothonotary Warbler 9 Jun in
Meade furnished the 3rd record for w.
South Dakota (@EEM). Casual in that
state, a Kentucky Warbler found 2 8c 12 Jun
in Lincoln (@RFS) was at Newton Hills S.P.,
where one was present last June.

A Dickcissel present 17 Jun-17 Jul near
Roy, Fergus (MW, m.ob.), provided the
16th Montana record and the first since
1986. A Henslow’s Sparrow in Grand Forks,
ND, 4-9 Jun was the 17th record for the
state (DOL). South of their regular South
Dakota range, Le Conte’s Sparrows were in
Sanborn 11 Jun-24 Jul (RGR) and in
Brookings (KB). As yet unconfirmed nesters
in S. Dakota, Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Spar¬
rows were quite far south 19 Jun and 10 Jul
in Kingsbury (JSP) and 1 Jul in Sanborn
(RGR). Both Le Conte’s and Sharp-tailed
sparrows were again present in above-aver¬
age numbers in N. Dakota. Accidental in
summer, a White-throated Sparrow was
singing 7-13 Jul in Day, SD (@DRS). A
White-crowned Sparrow was out-of-range
in Zortman, MT, 16 & 21 Jul (SD, AF, TH).
Two Dark-eyed Juncos in the Pembina
Gorge of North Dakota 17 Jul (CDE, HCT)

provided the first record for the state in that
month. A McCown’s Longspur in Harding,
SD, 19 Jun was notable (@TJ); there are no
recent breeding records for the state. A
Baltimore Oriole was far west in
Harlowton, MT, 15 Jun (R&RW).

Contributors (state editors in boldface):

MONTANA: Charles Carlson, Steve
Dinsmore, David Ely, Andrew Fix, Glen
Flatt, Joe Fontaine, Tim Hanks, Harriet
Marble, Dwain Prellwitz, Michelle Will¬
iams, Richard & Robin Wolcott; NORTH
DAKOTA: Parker Backstrom, Gordon B.
Berkey, Daryl Christensen, Sherry Chris¬
tensen, Bob Danley, Corey D. Ellingson,
Eve E. Freeberg, Jim Hengeveld, Sue
Hengeveld, David O. Lambeth, Lincoln E.
Martin, Logan R. Martin, Ron E. Martin,
Art Schroder, H. Clark Talkington, Dennis
P. Wiesenborn, Chris Wood; SOUTH
DAKOTA: Kristel Bakker, John Evans, Todd
Jensen, Ron E. Martin, Ernest E. Miller,
Jeffrey S. Palmer, Richard A. Peterson,
Randy E. Podoll, Robert G. Rodgers, Robb
F. Schenck, Cory Shuh, Dennis R. Skadsen,
Lyle Swanson, H. Clark Talkington, Dan A.
Tallman, John Vanderpoel, Waubay N.W.R.
staff, Mick K. Zerr.

Ron Martin, 16900 125th Street SE, Sawyer,
ND 58781-9284 (jrmartin@ndak.net)

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402

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

southern great
plains region

Spring Migration, March to May 1999

The following report covers the March-May
1999 spring migration, followed by the
June-July 1999 summer season.

JOSEPH A. GRZYBOWSKI

his was truly a spring of rarities — rang¬
ing from new state records to the return
of rarities rarely expected to reoccur. The
Regional avifauna exemplified its location
at the continental crossroads— from east,
west, north, and south, and including . . .
yes, even intercontinental interloping. Add
a very warm beginning and a conclusion
not oppressively hot, and it was more than
just interesting: it was a lot of fun to be
birding in the southern Great Plains this
season!

As patterns go, the spring was still conti-
nentally — or is it atypically — typical. It was
good for many water, shore, and marsh
birds — although extralimital ducks and
gulls seemed somewhat scarcer than usual.
Doves maintained their upsurge. Kansas
and Nebraska almost had decent warbler¬
watching. With expectations on the rise, it
will be disappointing when a real drought
cycle hits. If there was a downside ... it was
that Purple Finches were becoming scarcer.

Abbreviations: Cheyenne Bottoms (Cheyenne
Bottoms W.M.A., Barton Co., KS); Fontenelle
Forest (Fontenelle Forest, Sarpy Co., NE);
K.B.R.C. (Kansas Bird Records Committee);
McConaughy (L. McConaughy, Keith Co., NE);
N.O.U.R.C. (Nebraska Ornithologists' Union
Records Committee); Ogallala (L. Ogallala,
Keith Co., NE); O.B.R.C. (Oklahoma Bird Records
Committee); Quivira (Quivira N.W.R., Stafford
Co., KS).

LOOMS THROUGH GULLS

A Red-throated Loon molting into alternate
plumage at McConaughy 16 May (SJD) is
only the 3rd spring record documented for
Nebraska. Now expected more frequently,
Pacific Loons were in Noble/Pawnee, OK, 7
May (JWA) and at Ogallala 12-16 May
(SJD, LP, BP). The Yellow-billed Loon pre¬

sent in Oklahoma last season was last noted
in early April. The high count for W. Grebe
at McConaughy was 5000+ on 12 May
(SJD). Western Grebes are now appearing
more frequently in other parts of the
Region; the 12 at Cheyenne Bottoms 30 Apr
(SS, MR) was the high count away from
McConaughy. Clark’s Grebes arrived at
McConaughy 28 Mar (SJD), among the ear¬
liest recorded, with five there 12 May (SJD,
JF); the two Clark’s present at Cheyenne
Bottoms 24 & 30 Apr were paired with W.
Grebes (SS, MR).

Yellow-crowned Night-Herons, rare in
Nebraska, were in Lancaster 31 May (JS),
with a pair nesting as far north as Douglas,
KS, 22 Apr (DT). Up to 20 White Ibises
appeared in McCurtain , OK, by 8 May, with
150 there by 31 May (BH, m.ob.). Among
the surprises of the season was a small up¬
surge in Glossy Ibis sightings. An adult was
with a flock of 28 White-faced Ibises in Fil-
more, NE, 24 Apr (JGJ) — a possible first
state record if accepted by N.O.U.R.C.
Documentation for another Glossy at
Douglas, KS, 7 Apr (GP, m.ob.) was submit¬
ted to the K.B.R.C.; two others were report¬
ed from Quivira and Sumner, KS (fide LM).
Yet others photographed in Tulsa 26-29
Apr (JWA et al.) and observed in Tillman,
OK, 29 May (EW) await evaluation by the
O.B.R.C. Only a handful of previously
acceptable records of Glossy Ibis exist for all
3 states.

The status of Black-bellied Whistling-
Duck is clouded by aviculture, but it keeps
appearing: four were noted in Tulsa 24 Apr
(JSh) and two in Osage, OK, 18 May (BGa).
The best count of Ross’s Goose this season
was 60 at McConaughy 24 Apr (SJD). Tun¬
dra Swans were in Lancaster, NE (JS), and
in Cowley, KS (MT), both 4 Apr. Three
Trumpeters and a Tundra were present
through March at Quivira (fide LM). Two
Mute Swans in Shawnee, KS, this winter
were still present 8 Apr, and another was in
Jefferson, KS, until at least 1 1 Apr (fide
LM) — the vagaries of their presence suggest
escape to the wild, or actual wild status. An

Am. Black Duck 27 Mar in Scotts Bluff
(SJD) was only the 8th Nebraska Panandle
record. The only Surf Scoter reported came
from Quivira 24 Apr (SS, MR, LE). A Long¬
tailed Duck was reported at Ogallala 8 Mar
(SJD), two were in Sarpy, NE, 2-5 Apr (BP,
LP), two were at Ogallala 24 Apr (SJD, BP,
LP), and one was in Sedgwick, KS, 24 Apr
(HG). A Com. Goldeneye at Ogallala 19
May (BP, LP) was very late.

Bald Eagle good news continues, with
perhaps 30 pairs now attempting to breed
in Oklahoma (fide GMSARC). Northern
Goshawks were reported in Kansas from
Pawnee 14 Mar (SS), Jefferson 2 Apr (RR),
Morton 6 Apr (BPe, TD), and Douglas 10
Apr (AP). Merlins continue on an upswing,
with ten reported from Nebraska (fide
WRS, JGJ) and seven from Kansas (fide
LM). Peregrine Falcons can now almost be
expected on a field day from late April to
early May in the Region; a whopping 25
were reported from Nebraska between 17
Apr and 16 May (fideWlRS, JGJ), and there
were 13 from Kansas (fide LM). The only
Yellow Rail reported this season was in
Douglas, KS, 23 Apr (DW). Black Rails were
found in Stafford 8 May (MR et al.) and
Comanche, KS, 30 May (PJ). Eight Whoop¬
ing Cranes were noted in Rush, KS, 20 Apr
(LH). For the first time this century,
Sandhill Cranes were found breeding in
Nebraska, with two adults and two chicks
present 29 May in Clay (JGJ). An ad.
Common Crane seen in Kearney during
March (TVC, m.ob.) surprisingly provided
both a 5th Nebraska and 5th Regional
record. This bird shared the pale plumage
worn by a bird found last fall in Delta Jet.,
Alaska (fide WRS, JGJ).

A Snowy Plover at Quivira 16 Mar (RB)
was early. A pair of Piping Plovers was

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

403

courting and digging nest scrapes in Hitch¬
cock , NE, 13 May (SJD), a possible new
breeding location. Eleven migrating Pipings
were reported from Kansas 24 Apr-8 May
( fide LM). The Black-necked Stilt continues
to increase in the Region, with likely breed¬
ers in Sheridan , NE, 1 May (SJD), Alfalfa,
OK, 16 May (JM et al), and Tillman, OK,
29 May (EW), and up to eight migrants
found in Sequoyah, OK, 9 Apr {fide JM).
Whimbrel reports from Quivira on 7 & 23
May (MR) furnished the bounds of the
species’ window of passage through the
Region this spring; a high count of 11
occurred in Clay, NE, 15 May (JGJ). A fine
count of 400-500 Hudsonian Godwits was
noted at Cheyenne Bottoms 31 Apr (GP et
al.); one lingered in York, NE, 30 May (JGJ).
Where singles are exceptional in spring, the
27 Red Knots documented in Adams, NE,
20 May (JGJ) were beyond amazing; a sin¬
gle was found in Noble/ Pawnee, OK, 15
May (JM et al.). Probably a remnant from
winter was a Dunlin in York, NE, 3 Apr
(JGJ). A female Ruff photographed 8 May
in Kingfisher, OK (JWA), was a long-await¬
ed first for Oklahoma. Totals of 366 Buff¬
breasted Sandpipers and 57 Short-billed
Dowitchers were located during May in s.e.
Nebraska, a better-than-average tally for
both ( fide WRS, JGJ). Although individual
records for Short-billeds may always be
clouded by identification issues, they ap¬
pear to be rare but regular migrants in the
e. portions of the Region. About 65 Buff-
breasteds were reported from Kansas {fide
LM). Southeast of their main migration
route were two Red-necked Phalaropes in
the Rainwater Basin, NE, 6 May (JGJ), one
in Tulsa 5-7 May (JWA et al.), one 8 May in
Sedgwick, KS (PJ), three 8 May in Stafford,
KS (MR et al.), and nine at Ogallala 12 May
(SJD).

This spring’s relatively poor showing of
gulls included Laughing in Riley, KS, 24 Apr
(GS) and Tulsa 1 May (BGa, P&JM) and
California Gulls e. of McConaughy in Daw¬
son/Gosper, NE, 9 Mar (SJD) and Sarpy, NE,
18 Apr (WRS). Up to five Thayer’s Gulls
were at Ogallala 8 Mar (SJD), with single
first-year birds at Miami, KS, 6 Mar (AS)
and McConaughy 27 Mar (SJD). Lesser
Black-backed Gulls, a recent phenomenon
in the Region, included a single 4th-year
bird at Ogallala 8 Mar (SJD) and an adult in
Douglas, KS, 11 Mar (MRb). A small ad.
Glaucous Gull remaining at McConaughy
until at least 28 Mar (SJD) generated sub¬
species speculation. An imm. Sabine’s Gull
in Miami, KS, 24 Mar (ML, AM) was a real
surprise; few are ever seen in spring.

DOVES THROUGH THRASHERS

The dove story is one of expansions. Eura¬
sian Collared-Doves were found in Craw¬
ford 7 Mar (RM) and Pratt 30 Apr (SS, MR)
and were nesting in Harvey 31 Mar (GF), all
in Kansas. A small group has apparently
established itself in Alfalfa, OK (m.ob.). A
White-winged Dove found in Knox 22-27
Apr (MB) was only the 4th documented for
Nebraska; the White-winged at Kearney
since July 1998 was still present this season
{fide LR, RH). Other White-wingeds were
in Oklahoma in Tulsa 21 Apr (JB) and 9
May (BC), Comanche 21-23 Apr (JMc),
Oklahoma 24 Apr (NV), and Cherokee 27
Apr (SC), and in Pawnee, KS, 4 & 31 May
(JSt, DB, SS) and Morton, KS, 4 May (DM,
JH). Inca Doves were reported in Oklahoma
6 Apr (KL) and Comanche, OK, 18 Apr-29
May (JMc).

A N. Saw- whet Owl singing on 2 1 May
in Dawes (WM) suggested the possibility of
a yet-to-be established breeding record for
Nebraska. A Lesser Nighthawk document¬
ed in Morton, KS, 30 Apr (GP, MM, SP, CH)
will likely provide the first state record for
Kansas. Far out-of-range was a Lewis’s
Woodpecker 19 Mar-29 Apr in Rogers, OK
(BL, SM, m.ob.). This season continued a
disconcerting streak of more than a few
years since Red-headed Woodpeckers have
had an outbreak {fide WRS, JGJ). Nebras¬
ka’s first Pileated Woodpecker nest was the
scene of a colorful battle when the Pileated
pair defended it from Wood Ducks on 25
Apr (CNK, RBa, m.ob).

Olive-sided Flycatchers in Tulsa 22 Apr
(MK, JL) and Omaha 1 May (CEJ) were
early. A Hammond’s Flycatcher at Scotts
Bluff 11-12 May (SJD) was only the 2nd
documented spring record for Nebraska.
Awaiting N.O.U.R.C. review, another possi¬
ble first for Nebraska was a Gray Flycatcher
recorded from Kimball 17 May (SJD, BP,
LP). Participating in recently noted incur¬
sions were up to six Ash-throated Flycatch¬
ers in Morton, KS, 27 Apr and 1 May (BPe,
KH, GP et al.) and one in Harper, OK, 30
May (PJ). How about Great Kiskadee for a
yard bird? One was observed 19-22 May in
Tulsa (JSn, m.ob.) — a 3rd for Oklahoma
and the Region.

An estimated half-million Am. Crows in
Sedgwick, KS, 14 Mar (HG) was impressive.
At least 15 Fish Crows made it N to Mont¬
gomery, Chautauqua, and Cherokee, KS, 2
May (GP et al.). White-eyed Vireo, a rare
bird in Nebraska, was reported in Sarpy 5 &
8 May (BP, LP; CEJ). Three migrant
Plumbeous Vireos were in Kimball, NE, 17
May (SJD, BP, LP). A male Bewick’s Wren

far out of range was singing in Antelope,
NE, 15 May (LB, m.ob.). Early House Wrens
appeared in Pawnee, KS, 9 Apr (SS) and
Otoe, NE, 12 Apr (LF, CF). Also early, or
perhaps wintering, were six Ruby-crowned
ICinglets in Kearny, NE, 9 Mar (LR, RH).
Thirteen Sage Thrashers in the Nebraska
Panhandle made for a better-than-normal
appearance; they are probably regular
spring migrants there {fide WRS, JGJ).

WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES

Blue-winged Warblers were reported from
Rogers, OK (BC), Johnson, KS, 2 May (MG),
and Wyandotte, KS, 11 May (CH). Among
rarities becoming not-so-rare were nine
Golden-winged Warblers from e. Nebraska,
the most westerly from Filmore 14 May
(SJD, JGJ); five were reported from Kansas
{fide LM). A Tennessee Warbler displaced
unexpectedly westward was in Kimball, NE,
17 May (SJD), as were four N. Parulas mak¬
ing it to Garden, Kimball, and Hitchcock, NE,
1-13 May (SJD). An unexpected array of
Cape May Warblers showed a Kansas-
Nebraska progression. These included Kan¬
sas birds in Sedgwick 2 May (JN), Harvey 2
May (CS), Chautauqua 2 May (GP et al.),
Leavenworth 13 May (CH et al.), and Shaw¬
nee 16 May (CS); Nebraska sightings were in
Filmore 16 May (JGJ) and two in Lancaster
17-18 May (MUs, JS, LE). Also very fine
finds were the Black-throated Blue Warblers
in Fontenelle Forest 7 May (BP, LP) and
Harvey, KS, 8 May (JN). The first docu¬
mented Black-throated Gray Warbler for
Nebraska was a male found in Kimball 1
May (SJD); previous reports for Nebraska
were lamentably undocumented. Represent¬
ing some level of range extension were the

1 1 Yellow-throated Warblers in Leaven¬
worth, KS, 1 1 Apr (JSt); another was farther
west in Filmore, NE, 4 May (JGJ, SJD). A
Pine Warbler was also in Leavenworth, KS,

12 May (MR). Prairie Warbler wandered W
to Shawnee, KS, 21 Apr (DG) and Kearney,
NE, 7 May (JT). Also westerly was a Pro-
thonotary Warbler in Lancaster, NE, 22 May
(JS) and another in Hall, NE, 5 May (JT).
Among other wandering southeastern war¬
blers were Worm -eatings seen W to Sedg¬
wick 2-3 May (PJ, m.ob) and Morton, KS, 16
May (AS). More than the normal array of
extralimital Hooded Warblers appeared W
to Morton 26 Apr (BPe, KH), Sedgwick, KS, 2
May (PJ, m.ob.), and Phelps, NE, 16 May
{fide MU). A Connecticut Warbler in Wyan¬
dotte, KS, 26 May (CH, MR) represented one
of the tougher finds. A MacGillivray’s Warb¬
ler in Fillmore, NE, 15 May (JGJ) was one of
only 4 spring reports from e. Nebraska.

404

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

southern great plains

A female Scarlet Tanager wandered far
west to Cherry, NE, 16 May (SW). Probably
encouraged by the early warm spring
weather was a male Grasshopper Sparrow
singing about a month ahead of schedule in
Coffey, KS, 6 Mar (MM). A migrant
Savannah Sparrow made it to Dixon, NE,
on the record early date of 10 Mar (tJJ). A
Baird’s Sparrow in Clay 24 Apr (ph. JGJ)
provided the earliest spring migration date
of 7 Nebraska records. Henslow’s Sparrows
found in Lancaster, NE, 10 May (JG) and 16
& 21 May (KF, JS, BPe) may be remnants of
or new immigrants to a small population
there. Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow was
reported in Lancaster, NE, 16 May (LE) and
Jefferson, KS, 22 May (DLS). Clearly not
influenced by the early spring heat were a
Harris’s Sparrow in Crawford, KS, 28 May
(RM) — exceptionally late — and a Dark¬
eyed Junco in Leavenworth, KS, 23 May
(CO). Encouraging in the face of generally
declining prairie bird populations was the
count of 1893 McCown’s Longspurs in
Kimball, NE, 17 Apr (SJD).

Two Pyrrhuloxias in Oklahoma 17-22
Mar (KL, m.ob.) were a big surprise. Rose¬
breasted Grosbeaks were far west in Scotts
Bluff, NE, 10 May (AK), Cimarron, OK, 16
May (JM et ah), and Kimball, NE, 17 May
(SJD). Painted Buntings wandered N to
Riley, KS, 7 May (TC) and Johnson, KS, 13
May (DS). Rather far west were one-two
Rusty Blackbirds at Keith/Garden, NE,
27-28 Mar (SJD). A flock of 41 Great-tailed
Grackles in Knox, NE, 6 Mar (JGJ) and the
25-130 Great-taileds that appeared in
Phelps, NE, by 10 Mar (GH, WH) may be
advancing a spring migration window for
this species that is well underway in c.
Oklahoma by 1 Feb. It seems that it won’t
be long before the entire state of Nebraska
will be colonized.

Could there be a better way to end this
account than with yet another Nebraska
first — a big “score,” perhaps the “Bird of the
Season,” and, yes, one of those promised
“intercontinental interlopers?” A female
Brambling put in a brief stint at the Dean
and Phyllis Drawbaugh feeder in Scotts
Bluff, NE, 14-19 Apr (fide AK, SJD). A
female or imm. male that appeared at a
Sturgis, SD, feeder 4-5 Apr may have been
this same bird — but then again....

Cited observers (area editors boldfaced):

KANSAS: Roger Boyd, Doris Burnett, Ted
Cable, Todd Dilley, Greg Friesen, Mike
Gearhardt, Dan Gish, Joe Harrington, Larry
Hesed, Chris Hobbs, Ken Hollinga, Pete
Janzen, Mark Land, Dan LaShelle, Lloyd

Moore, Robert Mangile, Mick McHugh,
Aaron Mitchell, Dan Mulhern, John
Northrup, Chuck Otte, Sebastian Pattii,
Brandon Percival (BPe), Galen Pittman,
Alexis Powell, Mike Rader, Mark Robbins
(MRb), Richard Rucker, Carolyn Schwab,
Scott Seltman, Dianne Seltman, Guy Smith,
Art Smalwel, Julie Stielestra (JSt), Dan
Thalman, Max Thompson, Dave Williams.
NEBRASKA: Laurel Badura, Roland Barth
(RBa), Mark Brogie, Tammy Ver Cauteren,
Stephen J. Dinsmore, Larry Einemann,
Carol Falk, Laurence Falk, Kent Fiala, Joe
Fontaine, Joe Gubanyi, Robin Harding,
Glen Hoge, Wanda Hoge, Clyde E. Johnson,

JOSEPH A. GRZYBOWSKI

he summer of 1999 may have ended the
century underscoring the patterns of
the past decade. It wasn’t so much the total¬
ly unexpected as much as the continuing
patterns that depicted the decade’s flavor.
Broadly, water conditions were good in the
Region — and so it was good for the water,
shore, and marsh birds needing the special
niches water maintains. Vagrant southern
herons and ibises were on their highs —
especially, this season, White Ibises. West¬
ern and Eared grebes, Least Bitterns, King
Rails, and Black-necked Stilts also showed
signs of currently improving populations.
Water also creates sites for migrant and
vagrant shorebirds — thus, more observa¬
tions of more shorebirds this season.

There was a general thrust of breeding
directed northward — as exemplified by
Mississippi Kites, Ash-throated Flycatchers,
Lesser Goldfinches, and Great-tailed Grack¬
les. However, the blast of House Finches
seen in the early years of the decade has fad¬
ed. While good water conditions can also
benefit landbirds, the broad patterns of the
decade were more mixed for this group.
Like those of the recent past, this season
revealed no major expansions of Neotropic
migrants, and few worth even a minor note.
Range contractions are more difficult to
document, and drawing attention to ap¬
pearances can produce either insightful or
illusory patterns difficult to assess without
reliable comparative background. In much
of the Region, species that have been gener¬
ally expected — such as Swainson’s Hawk,
Bell’s Vireo, Blue Grosbeak, and Orchard
Oriole — are clearly declining and have even
been extirpated in some broad areas. Heron
colonies in urban/suburban settings con-

Jan Johnson, Joel G. Jorgensen, Alice
Kenitz, Clem N. Klaphake, Wayne Mollhoff,
Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, Lanny
Randolph, W. Ross Silcock, John Sullivan,
Jerry Toll, Mark Urwiller, Moni Usasz
(MUs), Suzanne Winckler. OKLAHOMA:
James W. Arterburn, Jo Bible, Bill Carrell,
Steve Crank, B. Gard, Berlin Heck, Marty
Kamp, Jo Loyd, B. Luster, Kathy Lyons, Janet
McGee (JMc), Louis McGee (LMc), Jeri
McMahon, Steve Metz, P. 8c J. Munn, J.
Shane (JSh), J. Snograss (JSn), G. M. Sutton
Avian Research Center (GMSARC), Nancy
Vicars, Edward Wetzel.

tinue to take a beating. We thus move into
the next century with a mix of excitement
and trepidation. Human population expan¬
sion, habitat degradation, and cowbirds are
likely to continue to be the main culprits.

Abbreviations: Cheyenne Bottoms (Cheyenne
Bottoms W.M.A., Barton Co., KS); Fontenelle
Forest (Fontenelle Forest, Sarpy Co., NE); Funk
Lagoon (Funk Lagoon, Phelps, NE);
McConaughy (L. McConaughy, Keith Co., NE);
Ogallala (L. Ogallala, Keith Co., NE); Quivira
(Quivira N.W.R., Stafford Co., KS).

LOOMS THROUGH WATERFOWL

In a recent general trend of increasing sum¬
mer reports, Com. Loons were noted at
scattered locations throughout the Region.
Western Grebes with young were again at
Cheyenne Bottoms 18 Jul (SP, CH) as in the
past several years. Several Clark’s Grebes
were reported at McConaughy through the
period (JS, BP, LP), with others in Sheridan,
NE, in late June (BA), Garden, NE, 5 Jun
(AK), and Cheyenne Bottoms 29 Jul (TC,
MR). At least 92 pairs of Eared Grebes nest¬
ed in Kearny, KS, 14 Jul (AN) — a fluff of the
current wet conditions. Six Anhinga nests
contained nine young 2-5 Jun in McCur-
tain, OK (BH).

Least Bittern reports have seen their ups
and downs in the Region — mostly downs —
in spite of a decade of generally improved
water conditions. This year, however,
offered an improvement, with 15 at Quivira
24 Jun (BG) and others at various locations
in Kansas fide LM), s.e. and s.c. Nebraska
fide WRS), and s.e. Oklahoma fide BH,
DA). Little Blue Herons in a small gathering
in s.e. Nebraska during July fide WRS)
were wanderers. A Tricolored Heron noted

The Nesting Season: June to July 1 999

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

405

at Quivira 24 fun (BG) is becoming an
annual but still noteworthy occurrence. A
Green Heron, very rare in s.w. Nebraska,
was at Dundy 12 Jun (MB, DH). An ad.
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron wandered to
Funk Lagoon 13 Jul (GH, WH); an imma¬
ture was at Lancaster , NE, 19 Jul (JS); and
eight Yellow-crowneds were at Quivira 29
Jun (MR). White Ibis, generally an excep¬
tional (Nebraska) to rare (s.e. Oklahoma)
vagrant, made a much better than average
showing this season. An immature in Clay
4-25 Jul (JGJ, m.ob.) was only the 3rd for
Nebraska. Immatures were also found at
Quivira 18 Jul (SP, CH) and Cheyenne
Bottoms 29 Jul (TC, MR). More than 150
White Ibises were counted in McCurtain ,
OK (BH, DA, m.ob.); among them in early
July were up to five Roseate Spoonbills (DA,
m.ob.).

Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks were
observed with young in Osage , OK, 7-16 Jul
(MK, JL). While a first breeding record for
Oklahoma, the origins of the adults are con¬
fused by local captivity and aviculture of
this species. Trumpeter Swans breed in the
w. Sandhills of Nebraska; an unbanded sin¬
gle in Clay , NE, 13 Jun (JGJ) was the only
summer record away from the Sandhills.
Becoming more commonly reported during
summer is the Arctic-nesting Greater
White-fronted Goose, with records of
one-four birds from 4 locations in Nebras¬
ka ( fide WRS). Now rare, but more com¬
monly summering, are Snow Geese, with 22
in s.e. Nebraska 13 Jun (JGJ). Green-winged
Teal away from the Sandhills included one
in Kearney , NE, 6 Jun (LR, RH) and seven at
Funk Lagoon 18 Jul (LR, RH). Though on a
trend toward becoming regular in recent
summers, the only report for Ring-necked
Duck came from Noble/ Pawnee, OK, 10 Jul
(JWA). Generally occurring much farther
north, a male Com. Goldeneye was in Sheri¬
dan in late June (BA) — only the 10th sum¬
mer record for Nebraska ( fide WRS) — and
another was at Cheyenne Bottoms 10 Jun
(SS, MR, TC). A male Bufflehead in Kearney,
NE, 6 Jun (LR, RH) and a female in
Sheridan, NE, in late June (BA) were also
extralimital (Jide WRS). Also surprising was
a female Red-breasted Merganser at Quivira
14 Jul (SP, CH). Three Hooded Mergansers
4 Jun in McCurtain (BH) were among the
very few summer records for Oklahoma.

RAPTORS

THROUGH WOODPECKERS

Inching northward were an ad. Mississippi
Kite in Lancaster, NE, 22 Jul (CL fide TEL)
and a pair in Douglas, KS, 19 Jul (PW). They

were present again at their Ogallala breeding
location ( JS). An ad. Golden Eagle in Brown,
NE, 25 Jul (BP, LP) was notable. An Osprey
in Geary, KS, 7 Jun ( JK) was unexpected. An
imm. Merlin in Sioux, NE, 28 Jun (JS) may
have been associated with a very small
breeding population in the Pine Ridge. King
Rails nested at Quivira, where five young
were observed 29 Jun (MR), and others were
noted in McCurtain, OK (BH, DA).

Shorebirds were a ticket this summer,
with species details creating some novel and
emerging patterns. For example, normally
Arctic-breeding Am. Golden-Plovers were
in Clay, NE, mid-July (JGJ, GH, WH), and
five tardy birds were present in Tillman, OK,

3 Jun (JAG, JWA). Three Semipalmated
Plovers at Funk Lagoon 13 Jul (GH, WH)
were somewhat early. Up to 12 nesting Pip¬
ing Plovers were noted at McConaughy 20
Jun (BP, LP, JS). Migrant Pipings were pre¬
sent in Wagoner, OK, 17 Jul (JWA), Funk
Lagoon 18 Jul (LR, RH), Geary, KS, 23 Jul
(C&JO), and Jefferson, KS, 31 Jul (AS).
Encouraging was a report of 58 Mt. Plovers
with some young in Morton, KS, 1 Jul (JC).
Black-necked Stilts continued to persist and
even expanded their breeding in the Region.
Several were present in Sheridan, NE, during
June (AK, BA), and several pairs were in
Tillman, OK, through the period (m.ob.).

Then there were the late spring and
early fall migrants — or first-detected sum¬
mer vagrants — you call them. A Greater
Yellowlegs was at Quivira 10 Jun (SS, MR,
TC), with 40 counted there 24 Jun (BG)
and 125 on 29 Jun (MR); others appeared
at Funk Lagoon 25 & 27 Jun (LR, RH). A
Lesser Yellowlegs in Grant, NE, 6 Jun, five at
Cheyenne Bottoms 10 Jun (SS, MR, TC),
and ten at Quivira 10 Jun (SS, MR, TC)
could have been late spring migrants, while
17 at Funk Lagoon 27 Jun (LR, RH) were
likely early fall migrants. Early reproduc¬
tive losers were the three Marbled Godwits
in Reno, KS, 13 Jun (PJ, JB) and the single-
ton at Quivira 29 Jun (MR). Among excep¬
tional late spring departures were a Hud-
sonian Godwit in Tillman, OK, 3 Jun (JAG,
JWA) and two in Hamilton, NE, 6 Jun
(JGJ). Two Semipalmated Sandpipers in
Hamilton, NE, 6 Jun (JGJ) were rather late,
while the first southbound bird to arrive
was in Clay, NE, on the record early date of

4 Jul (JGJ). White-rumped Sandpipers dal¬
lied in good numbers with 200 still at
Quivira 10 Jun (SS, MR, TC), 52 at Funk
Lagoon 12 Jun (LR, RH), and 37 at Har¬
vard Marsh 13 Jun (JGJ). A Baird’s Sand¬
piper lingered to 12 Jun at Funk Lagoon
(LR, RH). The latest spring Pectoral

Sandpipers included three at Funk Lagoon
12 Jun (LR, RH). More surprising were five
Stilt Sandpipers at Cheyenne Bottoms and
ten at Quivira 10 Jun (SS, MR, TC).
Expected, but worth noting, were the 24
Buff-breasted Sandpipers in Douglas, KS,
29-30 Jul (GP, DW) — undoubtedly adults.
Unidentified dowitcher reports included
one as early as 27 Jun at Funk Lagoon (LR,
RH). While Short-billeds are expected ear¬
lier than Long-billeds, late June specimens
of dowitchers in Oklahoma have been
Long-billeds. Short-billed Dowitchers
identified by calls and plumage included
one in Clay, NE, 7 Jul (GH, WH), 35 on 13
Jul at Funk Lagoon (GH, WH), one 18 Jul
in Tulsa (JWA), and 24 in Hamilton, NE, 17
Jul (JGJ). Two Laughing Gulls were report¬
ed from Riley, KS, 6 Jun (TC), with others
in Reno, KS, 18 Jul (PJ, CG) and Cherokee,
OK, 31 Jul (JMJH). Adult California Gulls
at Quivira 17-29 Jul (SP, CH, TC, MR) and
Pawnee, OK, 27 Jul (JWA) were the only
birds reported away from McConaughy.

Eurasian Collared- Doves established a
new breeding location this season in Pierce,
NE, where two young were observed 23 Jul
(fide MB). Up to five adults were present at
the Kearney breeding location (fide WRS).
The growing numbers from Kansas includ¬
ed birds at 2 locations in Sedgwick (TH,
CM) and up to eight in Stevens (SP, CH).
Other relatively interesting doves included
Incas in Texas, OK, 8 Jun (JSt) and Sedg¬
wick, KS, 23 Jul (PJ) and a White-winged
Dove in Ford, KS, 3 Jun (MR). A likely
spring overshoot, a male Broad-tailed
Hummingbird spent a few days at Scotts
Bluff, NE, in early June (fide AK). A small
Selasphorus hummer visited a feeder in
Morton, KS, 16 Jul (SP, CH). A Com. Poor-
will with a nestling was discovered in
Russell, KS, 12-14 Jul (DK, MR). After a
period of absence, a few Lewis’s Wood¬
peckers were again noted in the Pine Ridge
this season (fide WRS). Red-headed Wood¬
pecker numbers were low through the peri¬
od in Lancaster, NE (LE), where starlings
may be interrupting breeding. The Pileated
Woodpeckers reported nesting at Fonten-
elle Forest in the spring report fledged at
least two young (BP, LP).

FLYCATCHERS THROUGH FINCHES

The best count of Cordilleran Flycatchers
was five in Sioux, NE, 27 Jun ( JS). A Scissor-
tailed Flycatcher wandered N to Dawson,
NE, 5 Jun (TEL). Following up reports from
last year, observers found Ash-throated
Flycatchers nesting in Morton, KS, 4 Jun
(MR) and 17 Jul (SP, CH), a clear range

406

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

southern great plains

extension. A daunting spectacle of nature,
Purple Martins in Muskogee, OK, 29 Jul
formed clouds of several hundreds of thou¬
sands (JN, DG).

There was good news for a cowbird-rid-
dled species, the Black-capped Vireo. About
380 territorial males were mapped in
Comanche, OK (JAG, BHy, RW), quadru¬
pling numbers from the late 1980s. A cow-
bird trapping program creating near-zero
parasitism resulted in one of the highest
levels of vireo reproductive success ever
recorded: almost three young per female. At
least five of the eight vireo pairs in Blaine,
OK, fledged young (JAG), hopefully
enhancing the numbers of that precarious
population.

A Red-eyed Vireo in Sheridan, KS, 19
Jun (SS) was somewhat far afield. A rare
sighting of a Clark’s Nutcracker in Sioux 24
Jun (LE) was one of only about 5 summer
reports ever for Nebraska. Among recur¬
ring surprises has been the very light scatter
of summering Red-breasted Nuthatches
reported in the Region, including a pair this
year in Geary, KS, 10 Jun and 29 Jul (SS,
MR, TC). Among late migrants was a Gray¬
cheeked Thrush in Cass, NE, 3 Jun (GW). A
Swainson’s Thrush visiting Dawes, NE,
11-13 Jun (WM) was clearly forfeiting a
reproductive advantage.

Although the Region embraces both the
e. and w. edges of the breeding ranges of
many warbler species, there is little news to
report — perhaps a sobering note of the
times. Male Blue-winged Warblers were
found at Fontenelle Forest 11 Jun (JG), in
Knox, NE, 18 Jun {fide WRS), and in Wyan¬
dotte, KS, through 7 Jul {fide LM). Prairie
Warblers have essentially withdrawn from
their former range in c. Oklahoma where
they were routinely present in the latel970s.
However, male Prairies were noted in
Elsworth, KS, 5 Jun (CS) and Douglas, KS,
through 7 Jul {fide LM). Two MacGillivray’s
Warblers were reported in Sioux, NE, 25 Jul
(EB) — about a month early for fall
migrants and, therefore, raising the possi¬
bility of nesting. There is currently no evi¬
dence of MacGillivray’s breeding in Ne¬
braska. A still-hopeful male Hooded Warb¬
ler was singing in Douglas, NE, 20 Jun ( JT),
and a very late Wilson’s Warbler was present
in Chase, NE, 13 Jun (MB). Three Yellow¬
breasted Chats seen in Harlan, NE, 20 Jun
(LR, RH) provided what appears to be the
only local report of this species for many
years. It has been essentially extirpated
from e. Nebraska and only occurs in num¬
bers in the north and west.

Two Bachman’s Sparrows recorded in

Atoka, OK, 19 Jun (WAC et al.) established
another data point for this very local
species. A Henslow’s Sparrow singing in
Lancaster on 2 Jun (JS) fits the pattern of
recent prairie-remnant related sightings in
s.e. Nebraska, but a male in Osborne, KS, 16
Jun (M&ER) and one singing 25 Jul in Clay,
NE (JGJ), were unexpected. As many as 30
Song Sparrows were present at Funk
Lagoon 12 Jun (LR, RH); this species is
slowly establishing itself in this area. Excep¬
tionally, an ad. Song Sparrow was noted
feeding two young in Sedgwick, KS, 13 Jul
(TH). Swamp Sparrows are also developing
a growing but isolated population at Funk
Lagoon, where the best count was 20 on 5
Jul (LR, RH, LB), a new high for the loca¬
tion. Great-tailed Grackle, expanding in
recent years, continued at its far western
outpost in Scotts Bluff, NE, where four were
seen 22 Jun (AK). Red Crossbills were com¬
mon on the Pine Ridge this season (LE). A
female Lesser Goldfinch in Morton, KS, 17
Jul (SP, CH) may be a bird on the fringe.

Cited observers (area editors boldfaced):

KANSAS: James Barnes, Ted Cable, Jeff
Chynoweth, Bob Gress, Chet Gresham,
Chris Hobbs, Tyler Hicks, Pete Janzen, Jeff
Keating, Dave Klema, Cheryl Miller, Lloyd

Moore, Art Nonhof, Chuck & Jaye Otte,
Sebastian Patti, Galen Pittman, Mike Rader,
Mike 8< Ellen Rader, Chris Smith, Scott
Seltman, Art Swalwell, Max Thompson,
Dave Williams, Phil Wedge. NEBRASKA:
Brian Ahern, Elliott Bedows, Mark Brogie,
Larry Einemann, Joe Gubanyi, Robin
Harding, Dave Heidt, Glen Hoge, Wanda
Hoge, Joel G. Jorgensen, Alice Kenitz,
Thomas E. Labedz, Cliff Lemen, Wayne
Molhoff, Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford,
Lanny Randolph, W. Ross Silcock, John
Sullivan, Jerry Toll, Gertrude Wood. OKLA¬
HOMA: David Arbour, James W.
Arterburn, William A. Carter, David Gill,
Joseph A. Grzybowski, Berlin Heck, Becky
Hylton (BHy), Jim Harman, Marty Kamp,
Jo Loyd, Jeri McMahon, Jim Norman, John
Sterling (JSt), Rob Wood.

Joseph A. Grzybowski, 715 Elmwood
Drive, Norman, OK 73072
(grzybow@aix1 .ucok.edu)

Day 20°

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VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

407

texas region

GREG W. LASLEY,

CHUCK SEXTON,

MARK LOCKWOOD,

WILLIE SEKULA,

and CLIFF SHACKELFORD

appily, much of Texas had a mild sum¬
mer with little of the environmental
harshness we normally associate with the
season. Throughout all parts of the state
moisture was not a problem, and food
resources were at least sufficient or even
quite abundant. The timing of rains
prompted song activity well into July by
species such as Painted Bunting, which nor¬
mally quiet down by then. Production of
young was almost universally cited as good.
However, for complex reasons (mainly the
late and very dry start to the nesting season
in April-May), productivity in the Trans-
Pecos was poor for most species except
those in moister, higher-elevation habitats.
Conditions began to dry out and heat up
rapidly in east, central, and south Texas by
early July; we attribute the early southbound
dispersal of such species as Golden-cheeked
and Black-and-white warblers to environ¬
mental cues on the breeding grounds result¬
ing from these conditions. Not until after
the close of the summer season would any
tropical weather influence parts of the state.

Our coverage was pretty good for a
summer season, but we are still seeing gaps
in reporting in the South Plains and in
north-central Texas, both areas where we
know there are at least a few active
observers.

Abbreviations: Ft. Bliss (Ft. Bliss sewage
ponds, El Paso); L.R.G.V. (Lower Rio Grande
Valley); T.B.R.C. (Texas Bird Records Committee/
Texas Ornithological Society); U.T.C. (Upper Tex¬
as Coast). Aransas, Anzalduas, Balcones
Canyonlands, Big Bend, Brazoria, Buffalo L.,
Colorado Bend, Kickapoo Caverns, San Bernard,
and Santa Ana are shortened names for the
respective county, state, or national parks,
wildlife refuges, etc.

LOOMS THROUGH RAPTORS

Unusual for summer were single Com.
Loons at L. Athens, Henderson , 12 Jun
(K&KBe) and in Cameron 4 Jul (BMc).

Continuing a trend noted last spring, Least
Grebes again nested e. of their normal
range with a pair and three young at Bra¬
zoria N.W.R. 22-29 Jul (MLa). Two W.
Grebes in Randall 1-3 Jun (LSa) provided
an unusual Panhandle summer record. Off
Freeport, a Leach’s Storm-Petrel was well-
described 6 Jun (PH) along with three
Band-rumpeds, and up to 34 Band-
rumpeds were counted 21 Jun (m.ob.). A
total of four Masked Boobies were counted
on the above 2 pelagic trips off Freeport. Up
to 12 Am. White Pelicans summered at
Buffalo L., Randall (m.ob.), for a rare Pan¬
handle summer record. The nesting colony
of Double-crested Cormorants at Palo
Duro L., Hansford, increased to 15 nests
{fide KS); unexpected was a single Double-
crested on L. Amistad 21 Jul (SS). Up to 300
Neotropic Cormorant nests at L. Fork,
Wood (K&MWh), provided a seasonal high
count for the e. third of the state.

A pair of Great Egrets at the Rio Bosque
Preserve, El Paso, provided the first nesting
record in that area since 1938 (JSp). As
mentioned last fall, Buffalo L., Randall, had
water for the first time in 20 years, provid¬
ing habitat for 61 Cattle Egret, 3 Snowy
Egret, 60 Black-crowned Night-Heron, and
20 White-faced Ibis nests (KS, BHo); the
Snowy nests were a first for the Panhandle
( fide KS). Of the above, all but Snowy Egret
also nested at Palo Duro L., Hansford. Out-
of-place Little Blue Herons included single
birds 16-17 Jun in Carson (MK, MS) and all
season at McNary Res., Hudspeth (m.ob.).
Also of interest was a Yellow-crowned
Night-Heron at El Paso 17 Jun (JSp). White
Ibises nested inland to Washington (DVo).
Single Glossy Ibises were in Nueces 19 Jun
and 4 Jul (A&MC). Ten White-faced Ibises
on the Brazos R., Washington, 1 Jun (DVo)
provided the first June record for that area.
Roseate Spoonbill had not been reported in
the Panhandle since 1958, so the two that
dropped in on Greenbelt L., Donley, 17 Jul
(H&JO) were quite unexpected. Notable for
June, a count of 348 Wood Storks over
DeWitt 23 Jun surprised Muschalek. Black-
bellied Whistling-Ducks continued to
expand into n.e. Texas with one at Cooper
L., Delta, 7 Jul (MWh) and five at L. Fork 15
Jun (K&MWh). Six Blue-winged Teals and
ten N. Pintails at Ft. Davis 1 1 Jul were prob¬
ably early migrants (KB et al.). A female

^ A Terry Maxwell reports that Com.
J f \ Black- Hawks were back on the S.
Concho R., Tom Green, this summer. He
did not find an actual nest, since the nest
that was used fur the past 3 years was
abandoned this year. He did see the
Black-Hawks at their favorite fishing hole
below a rock dam on the river. Maxwell
goes on to say that “the significance of
this event is quite remarkable. The only
reported consistent year-to-year nesting
by this species in Texas has been in the
Davis Mts. Other nests have been locat¬
ed, but consistent success outside the
Davis Mts. has not been documented. We
suspect presence in Tom Green since
1993, and we have confirmed successful
nesting from 1996 through 1998 and
continued presence in 1999.” Interest¬
ingly, the nesting pair of Com. Black-
Hawks at Big Bend’s Rio Grande Village
fledged young this summer ( fide MF) for
a first successful nesting at that location.

Red-breasted Merganser summered at L.
Balmorhea (TJ et al.).

A summer vagrant in the Panhandle, an
Osprey was at Buffalo L. 6 Jun (DLe, BL,
PT). Elsewhere, two Ospreys at Cooper L.
29 Jun (MWh) provided the first local June
record. The orange Swallow-tailed Kite nest
from the spring fledged two young in June
{fide CSh). Williams speculated that the
spring drought conditions in Midland
resulted in low numbers of Mississippi
Kites in that area. While Gray Hawks were
fairly conspicuous in the L.R.G.V., the spe¬
cies was not seen in Big Bend this season,
and one in the Davis Mts. 17 Jun (RW) was
very surprising. Well to the north of the
species known range, a Zone-tailed Hawk
was in Parker 2 Jun (CB). A report of a
Merlin near Wichita Falls 8 & 1 1 Jun (TK)
was very surprising. Only three young
Peregrine Falcons fledged in the Big Bend
area, a production far below normal. Unex¬
pected records of summer Peregrines

408

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

included single birds at Chapeno, Starr , 11
Jun, Davis Mts. 17 Jun (RW), and Brazoria
26 Jun (WPr).

RAILS THROUGH SKIMMER

Evidence of the breeding population of
Black Rails on the c. coast was provided by
eight birds noted in Calhoun 4 Jul (BF).
Unusual for e. Texas was a Purple Gallinule
at Gus Engling W.M.A., Anderson , 27 June
(J&DQ, SC); another all season at Mitchell
L., Bexar , was unexpected. Late Am.
Golden- Plovers were at Brazoria 17-18 Jun
(RWe, TC) and Hornsby Bend, Austin, 28
Jun-1 Jul (AD, BF); another unexpectedly
early 16 Jul at Ft. Bliss (BZ) provided El
Paso with its 5th record. New nesting loca¬
tions for Snowy Plovers were discovered at
O. C. Fisher L., Tom Green (TM, AK), and in
Wichita (TK, CD, WH). Two Piping Plovers
made an appearance at Longview, Harrison,
22-23 Jul (GLu). Willets were unusually
common at most reservoirs in the Trans-
Pecos during July. Rains in early July on the
prairies s. of Ft. Davis produced small
ponds that provided shorebird habitat
where there usually is none. One of these
small ponds had five Willets, three Black
Terns, two Baird’s Sandpipers, three
Wilson’s Phalaropes, 50 Stilt Sandpipers,
and numerous yellowlegs of both species
on 11 Jul (KB, D&LH, MA) — all-in-all a
rare occurrence for a county with few sur¬
face impoundments. Well outside of ex¬
pected dates was a Red-necked Phalarope at
Cooper L., Delta, 6 Jul (MWh). Other nota¬
ble shorebirds (early or late) included an
Upland Sandpiper on the Hunt/ Delta line
13 Jun (MWh) and six Buff-breasted Sand¬
pipers 4 Jul in Calhoun (BFr) and another
in Waco 6 Jul (EGW).

A Pomarine Jaeger was found on the
beach on Padre I., Kenedy, 3 Jun (BSa). In
1995 we reported the first inland record of
nesting Laughing Gulls in Texas at L. Ami-
stad, Val Verde. A 2 1 Jul survey of islands on
that lake tallied 25 Laughing Gulls with 3
active nests, over 100 Least Terns, including
many juveniles, and a flock of Forster’s
Terns. Further observations revealed an
active Forster’s Tern nest, the first for this
area (SS, DLa). Unexpected was a carefully
identified Com. Tern among several
Forster’s at L. Tawakoni 9-12 Jun (MWh).
Three Forster’s Terns summered at Buffalo
L. ( fide KS). Thirty-fifty nesting Least Terns
were good numbers at both L. Texoma and
Cooper L. in e. Texas (MWh); elsewhere,
about ten pairs of Least Terns nested at O.
C. Fisher L. (TM, AK). A single Bridled Tern
was seen off Freeport 6 Jun (PH) while six

more were noted in the same general area
21 Jun (m.ob.). At least two pairs of Sooty
Terns were reported nesting from Nueces
and Aransas locations ( fide MC); this spe¬
cies is a rare and very local nester on spoil
islands on the c. and lower Texas coast.
Single Black Skimmers appeared at Austin
17 Jul (LK, BF, ML) and Richand Creek
W.M.A., Navarro/ Freestone 18 Jul (TPo,
DHa); inland records of skimmers in Texas
are usually associated with tropical storms,
but such was not the case with these
records.

DOVES THROUGH WOODPECKERS

Eurasian Collared- Doves, as expected, con¬
tinued to waltz across Texas with records
now statewide; the species is now present in
virtually every town along the upper and c.
coast. For several years we have commented
on the expanding population of White¬
winged Doves into c. Texas. A vivid example
of the explosion is a report from the Texas
Parks and Wildlife Dept, indicating that the
largest population of the species in the
state — with over 400,000 birds — is now in
San Antonio. Common Ground-Doves
continued to increase at Balcones Canyon-
lands near Austin, with as many as eight-
ten calling birds through the season (JKe,
BRe, CS). Written descriptions were sub¬
mitted of a heard-only Buff-collared Night¬
jar in the Davis Mts. 12 Jun (GHo, GK, JC,
fT.B.R.C.), but the vocalizations were not
heard on subsequent days despite effort by
other observers. There are no Texas records
of this species, but a report from the Sierra
Picachos of Nuevo Leon, Mexico, about 70
mi s. of Laredo, TX, is well-documented.

A nestling Chimney Swift found in
McAllen 12 Jun (TBr) finally provided evi¬
dence of nesting from the L.R.G.V.; other
records from that region included an adult
at Rancho Viejo 14 Jun and a pair at
Brownsville 20 Jun (BMc). Green Violet-
ears showed up in Hunt, Kerr, 28 Jun
(fPaH),in Volente, Travis, 17 Jul (fBSt),and
in Graford, Palo Pinto, 28-29 Jun
(tJ&IMe) — but none stayed long enough to
be seen by many observers. If these reports
are accepted, it would bring the total num¬
ber of Texas records of Green Violet-ear to
30. This has been a most remarkable year for
Broad-billed Hummingbirds in Texas. Two
of the four birds in the Davis Mts. from the
spring report lingered into summer, and we
added four more Broad-billeds this season:
a male at Big Bend’s Panther Junction 10 Jun
(fMF), a male at a feeder in Knickerbocker,
Tom Green, present for a week before being
banded 11 Jun (ph„ RoD), a female in the

Chisos Basin at Big Bend 14 Jul (fBZ), and a
female at Kickapoo Caverns 24 Jul (fMiL).
A report of a White-eared Hummingbird 25
Jun at Big Bend will be reviewed by the
T.B.R.C.; the report may not eliminate a
female Broad-billed Hummingbird. The
out-of-range spring Buff-bellied Hum¬
mingbirds from Washington and Gonzales
lingered through the summer; another indi¬
vidual was found at yet another Gonzales
location 26 Jun by Freeman. A report of a
Violet-crowned Hummingbird in the
Davis Mts. 29 Jul (fMKl) will be reviewed
by the T.B.R.C.; if accepted this would rep¬
resent the 6th for Texas. A Ringed Kingfisher
in Fredricksburg, Gillespie, 30 Jul (BF) was
the only kingfisher of note. A Red-headed
Woodpecker in Midland 1 1 Jul provided the
first summer record for that w. location
(DK). Two Pileated Woodpeckers over
Ingram, Kerr, 28 Jul (A&HR) provided only
the 4th Hill Country record.

FLYCATCHERS
THROUGH SWALLOWS

Early summer reports of W. Wood-Pewees
in the Panhandle are becoming an annual
event; this year two were found in Oldham
1 Jun (KS), and two others were at Rita
Blanca L., Hartley, 10 Jun (m.ob.). A Least
Flycatcher in Bell 16 Jul (RPi) was on the
early edge of the species’ normal south¬
bound migration. Dusky Flycatcher has
long been suspected to be a rare breeder in
w. Texas mountains, but conclusive evi¬
dence is still lacking. This season a pair of
Duskys photographed and tape-recorded
near the top of Mt. Livermore in the Davis
Mts. 15 Jun (KB, MEa) strongly suggested
breeding. Further investigations 4 Jul
revealed at least five Duskys in the same
area, and at least one pair remained
through the season (BF, PH).

A pair of Black Phoebes present all sea¬
son at Anzalduas, Hidalgo (TBr, m.ob.),
apparently provided a first nesting record
for the L.R.G.V.; a juvenile was observed 13
Jul (CCo). Also unexpected, a Black Phoebe
surprised Brown in Lee 1 Jun. An occupied
E. Phoebe nest at L. Marvin, Hemphill, 23
Jun (HS) was the first nesting reported in
the Panhandle region away from the cap-
rock; another E. Phoebe was at Buffalo L. 4
Jul (KS), but no evidence of nesting was
found. Up to three Dusky-capped Flycatch¬
ers documented 27 Jun-4 Jul (KB, JK, et al.)
provided further evidence that this species
is a rare summer resident and possible (but
as yet unconfirmed) nester in the high
Davis Mts. Brown-crested Flycatchers were
found again found at Big Bend, with pairs

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

409

A bulky and conspicuous Rose-throated Becard nest, under construction on 26 June in Anzalduas Park, Hidalgo County,
is typical of the species. Some have been recorded as long as 30 inches; the entrance will be at or near the bottom.
This first nesting in Texas in more than twenty years was unfortunately not successful. Photograph/Mark Lockwood

at Rio Grande Village and Cottonwood
Campground (MF, rn.ob.); however, evi-

In the 1990s, the Davis Mts.
have produced a series of very
important Texas records. The latest
was the state’s first documented Buff¬
breasted Flycatcher, present 3-7 May
(details in NAB 53: 301). On 14 Jun
another (or perhaps the same) Buff¬
breasted male was discovered not far
from the site of the original observa¬
tion (KB, JK, RW, GL). Further investi¬
gation revealed a female and a nest
under construction, obviously a first
nesting record for Texas (see the
Pictorial Highlights). Bryan discov¬
ered and photographed two recently-
fledged young on 31 Jul and thus con¬
firmed successful breeding. The coin¬
cidence of two birds showing up at
this location seems very unlikely and
suggests the presence of a sparse but
previously undiscovered breeding
population.

dence of nesting was not reported for this
species either. Elsewhere, an out-of-range
Brown-crested was video-taped on Galves¬
ton I. 15-17 Jun (JSt). Also a surprise, a
Great Kiskadee was in Calhoun 10 Jul (BF).
Couch’s Kingbirds typically breed along the
Rio Grande west to Del Rio; farther west,
up to three Couch’s were in Sanderson, Ter¬
rell, during June (PW) for a first area
record. The Tropical Kingbirds reported in
spring at Big Bend’s Cottonwood Camp¬
ground fledged young by 10 Jul; apparently
two pairs were present. Another pair of
Tropical Kingbirds located near Marathon,
Brewster, 5 Jul (MF) fledged four young 19
Jul (CS) for a first record of the species in
the Trans-Pecos away from Big Bend. The
Anzalduas Rose-throated Becards aban¬
doned 2 nesting attempts in June and July
(TBr, m.ob.); the pair was again gathering
nesting material 24 Jul.

Westerly White-eyed Vireos were at Big
Bend’s Rio Grande Village 6 Jun (MF) and
Imperial Res., Pecos, 30 Jul (PH, BF). A sing¬
ing Bell’s Vireo in Cuss 4 Jun (Jin) was con¬
sidered a rarity in that n.e. Texas location,

and two in Milam 12 Jun (BF) were similar¬
ly unexpected. A singing Red-eyed Vireo
found in Ponderosa Pine woodland in the
Davis Mts. 14 Jun (fKB, JK et al.) was inter¬
esting as the species is not known to nest in
Texas w. of the Pecos R. A Yellow-green Vir¬
eo, detected at Santa Ana 16-17 Jun (TBr et
al.), was evidently not relocated. Several
massive Purple Martin roosts were located
late in the season, with numbers of 10,000
at Waco 1 Jul (EGW) and an amazing
100,000 birds near Tyler, Smith, in early July
(TxB). Tree Swallows made news this sea¬
son when a 2nd documented Panhandle
nest fledged young 21 Jun in Hemphill (JRa,
MS) and an estimated 100 pairs nested at
Cooper L., Delta (MWh). A pair of Tree
Swallows also bred at Big Creek L., Delta,
where nesting for the species was first doc¬
umented in Texas in 1991; yet another pair
was at L. Tawakoni in June, but nesting evi¬
dence was not noted (RK). Mid-July reports
of N. Rough-winged and Cave swallows
were noteworthy locally in the Brazos Valley
(JW, KA). A Cave Swallow in Hopkins 29
Jun (MWh) was the first for that county.

410

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

texas

NUTHATCHES THROUGH FINCHES

Paton was surprised to find a Red-breasted
Nuthatch in his El Paso yard on the ex¬
tremely early date of 31 Jul. A Blue-gray
Gnatcatcher at Anzalduas 15 Jun was also
odd (TBr), since the species is not a com¬
mon nester in that area. A Townsend’s Soli¬
taire in Mason 5 Jun (PK) was most amaz¬
ing. Following a Trans-Pecos record in
summer 1998, a Wood Thrush was found
near Alpine 24 Jun (GWi). Clay-colored
Robins seemed to be fairly evident this sea¬
son, with confirmed nesting (young ob¬
served) at Anzalduas and Santa Ana
(m.ob.). Late-lingering Cedar Waxwings
were on Galveston I. 9-14 Jun (JSt).

A singing territorial male Colima Warb¬
ler found in the Davis Mts. 18 Jun (KB, GL,
RW, MA, JK) was photographed and tape-
recorded for the first documented record of
a territorial Colima away from Big Bend;
the bird was present through June, but nei¬
ther a female nor a nest could be located. A
pair of N. Parulas at Colorado Bend, San
Saba , 2 lun (ML) was at the edge of its
expected breeding range. Tropical Parulas
successfully nested at Anzalduas and appar¬
ently also nested at Santa Ana (TBr, SP).
Due to the lush habitat conditions in the
Hill Country, Golden-cheeked Warbler
productivity at Balcones Canyonlands was
very good (CS). An early southbound male
Golden-cheeked reached the coast at
Aransas 1 1 Jul, providing a first refuge
record (fSSu, AT). A very late Blackpoll
Warbler was on Galveston 1. 24 Jun (JSt).
An Am. Redstart in Bastrop 1 1 Jul was not
expected (BF). A 3rd summer record of
Ovenbird for the c. Brazos Valley was
provided by a window-killed bird at Texas
A8cM University, College Station, 13 lun
(MM). A late N. Waterthrush was in Austin
6 Jun {fide AD). Lockwood (ph.) observed a
Louisiana Waterthrush feeding young at
Colorado Bend 2 Jun for a first nesting
record in that area. A Com. Yellowthroat
singing through July (DV) provided an
apparent first summer record for Washing¬
ton. A Gray-crowned Yellowthroat present
at Santa Ana 17-22 Jun (ph. TBr, tape SB,
LM, SP) was only the 5th documented
occurrence in recent decades. The only
Painted Redstarts reported were two indi¬
viduals in the Davis Mts. 15-16 Jun (KB,
JKa et al.); it has been a decade since this
bird has bred regularly in Big Bend. A
Rufous-capped Warbler was banded 20 lun
along the Devil’s R., Val Verde (tph. BO et
al.) for the 15th accepted state record. A few
Yellow-breasted Chats were singing on ter¬
ritory away from known breeding areas:

two were at San Bernard, Brazoria , in June
and July (RWe, TC), and a 3rd bird was
heard in Hidalgo 2 Jul (TBr).

Unexpected in the Panhandle was a
Summer Tanager at Palo Duro L. 19 Jun
(m.ob.). While migrant Lark Buntings typ¬
ically arrive in w. Texas in late July and
August, an alternate-plumaged male on the
U.T.C. in Brazoria 20 Jul (WZ) was totally
bizarre. Also noteworthy was a late Savan¬
nah Sparrow at Balcones Canyonlands,
Burnet, 15 Jun (BRe). A late Rose-breasted
Grosbeak was in San Marcos 2 Jun {fide
AD). Single Black-headed Grosbeaks were
noted at 2 w. Bexar locations 17 8c 18 Jul
(BD). The Lazuli Bunting reported in the
spring from Tarrant appeared to be a hybrid
with Indigo Bunting; the bird remained on
a territory into July (m.ob.). The “Fuerte’s”
Orchard Oriole present last summer in
Cameron returned again this season (KaB).
Historically, Orchard Orioles were rare
breeders in the c. Brazos Valley, but there
was a sudden increase in reports this year
with birds found in at least 5 locations
(m.ob.). A rather late Am. Goldfinch was
noted at San Bernard 15 Jun (RWe). Five to
six Pine Siskins summered at Gruver,
Hansford, providing a very rare summer
record for the Panhandle (MT).

UNDOCUMENTED RARITIES

Reports of Leach’s Storm-Petrel 21 Jun off
Freeport and Blue-throated Hummingbird
in Uvalde were received with no supporting
documentation.

Cited observers (subregional editors in
boldface) : Mark Adams (MAd), Artie Ahier,
Keith Arnold, Nina 8c Eddie Arnold, Cyndee
Baker, Peter Barnes (PBa), Keith Bartels
(KBa), Walter Bauer, Kay Baughman (KaB),
Kent 8c Kathy Beal (K8cKBe), Steve Bentsen,
Lytle Blankenship (LyB), Hazel Bluhm
(HB1), David Bradford (DBr) (U.T.C. :
18046 Green Hazel, Houston, TX 77084,
brdfrd@tenet.edu), Roger Breedlove, Hugh
Brown, Tim Brush, Kelly Bryan (Trans-
Pecos: P.O. Box 786, Ft. Davis, TX 79734,
kelly.bryan@tpwd. state, tx. us), Eric

Carpenter, Scott Clark, Tom Collins, Charles
Cook (CCo), Arlie 8c Mel Cooksey (South
Texas: 15825 Socorro Loop, Corpus Christi,
TX 78418, cybrbrdr@electrotex.com), Joe
Cox, Gordon Creel, Mary Creel, Grant
Crutchfield (GrC), John Dale, Rich
Damron, Ross Dawkins (RoD), Carol Dill,
Sandy Dillard, Mike Dillion, Bob Doe,
Andrew Donnelly, Joan Dziezyc, Charles
Easley, Marc 8c Maryann Eastman
(M8cMEa), Marcia Effinger, Lee Elliott,

Charles Ely (CE1), Floi Ewing, Tim Fennell
(TFen), Mark Flippo, Brush Freeman, Bert
Frenz (BeF) (East Texas: 221 Rainbow Dr.,
PMB 12190, Livingston, TX 77399-2021,
bert@bafrenz.com), Russell Graham,
Carolyn 8c Glenn Haluska, Dale Hartsfield
(DHa), Hayden Haucke, David 8c Linda
Hedges, Dick Henderson (DHe), Petra
Hockey, Gary Hodne (GHo), Joan Holt
(JHol), Bill Howe (BHo), Pat Howell (PaH),
Wanda Hunter, Joe Ideker, Jim Ingold (Jin),
Corky Johnson, Tom Johnson, John Karges
( JKa), Laura Karr, Andy Kasner, Tim Kaspar,
Mike Keck, Greg Keiran, Donna Kelly, John
Kelly (JKe), Richard Kinney, Jan Klamer,
Mark KJym (MJC1), Paul Kyle, Michael Lacy
(MiL), Mike Lange (MLa), David Larson
(DLa), Greg Lasley, Debra Lee (DLe), Babs
Leonard, Cathy Liles, Mark Lockwood, Guy
Luneau (GLu), Mike Mansen, Terry
Maxwell, Debra McKee, June McKee, Brad
McICinney (BMc), Jim 8c Iona Messinger
(J8cIMe), Dorthy Metzler (DMet), James
Middleton, Laura Moore, Derek Muschalek
(DMu), H. 8c I. O’Steen, Brent Ortego,
Dwight Peake (DPe), Glenn Perrigo, Dave
Phalen, Steve Phillips, Randy Pinkston,
Truman Powell (TPo), Warren Pruess
(WPr), Jim 8c Dee Quisenbery, Ellen
Ratoosh, James Ray (JRa), Bill Reiner (BRe),
Art 8c Hanna Richard, Billy Sandifer (BSa),
Laura Sare (LSa), Brian Schiefer, Monty
Schoenhals, Hart Schwartz, Georgina
Schwartz (GSc), Willie Sekula (Central
Texas: 7063 Co. Rd. 228, Falls City, TX
78113-2627, wsekula@the-cia.net), Ken
Seyffert (Panhandle: 2206 S. Lipscomb,
Amarillo, TX 79109), Cliff Shackelford
(CSh), J.W. Sifford (JWS), Sylvestre Sorola,
John Sproul (JSp), Jim Stevenson (JSt),
Byron Stone, Rose Marie Stortz, Scott
Summers (SSu), TexBirds — Audubon bird-
ing discussion list (TxB), Marian
Tomlinson, Peggy Trosper, Asley Trout,
ITonald Verser, Darrell Vollert (DVo), Gary
Waggerman, Paige Warren, Ro Wauer,
David Weaver, Dave Webb, Carol Wells,
Kristin 8c Matt White (K8cMWh) (N.C.
Texas: 2518 Monroe, Commerce, TX 75428,
MWHITE@ssisd.net), E. G. White-Swift
(EGW), Frances Williams, Sherrie
Williamson, Greer Willis (GWi), Judy Winn,
David Wolf, Willie Zgarba, Barry Zimmer,
John Zubia.

Greg W. Lasley, 305 Loganberry Ct., Austin,
TX 78745-6527 (glasley@earthlink.net) and
Chuck Sexton, 101 E. 54th St., Austin, TX
78751-1232

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

411

idaho-western montana
region

DAVID TROCHLELL

At most locations the summer of 1999
featured a cool, wet June followed by a
hot and dry July. Rivers swollen from melt¬
ing snowpack and ample spring rains filled
irrigation reservoirs in July, resulting in few
mudflats available for returning shorebirds.
June’s spring-like weather also delayed bird
migration and nesting in some areas.
Despite the delay, indications were that
overall nesting success was about average.

In a season noted for its few highlights,
one exception was a significant early June
fallout of birds at Idaho’s Camas National
Wildlife Refuge. During a stormy six-day
period, a few hardy birders sorted through
grounded migrants and found several rare
“eastern” warblers such as Northern Parula,
two Ovenbirds, and Chestnut-sided, Mag¬
nolia, and Black-and-white warblers. These
sightings add to a list of vagrants found at
the refuge over the years that includes Bell’s
Vireo, Bay-breasted Warbler, and Baltimore
Oriole. Such incredible finds help to distin¬
guish Camas as Idaho’s premier birding
hotspot and to draw needed attention to
this underbirded area.

Abbreviations: A.F.R. (American Falls Res., by
American Falls, Idaho); C.N.W.R. (Camas
N.W.R., Jefferson, ID); Latilong (area encom¬

passed by one degree latitude and one degree
longitude used in mapping bird distribution in
both Idaho and Montana).

LOOMS THROUGH SWIFTS

A basic-plumaged Pacific Loon at Coeur
d’Alene L., Kootenai , 9 Jun (KB) provided
Idaho’s 2nd summer record. A Com. Loon
oversummered at Mann L., Nez Perce , ID
(CS). A Clark’s Grebe at Brown’s L., Powell,
MT, 7 Jun represented a first for Latilong 26.
Though increasing Regionwide, single
Double-crested Cormorants reported in
Bonner 8 & 21 Jul (PC) were unusual. The
Great Egret near St. Maries, Benewah , ID, 1
Jun {fide SS) was far north of its normal
Idaho range. A female Harlequin Duck was
seen 19 Jun n. of Missoula, MT (JB), where
the species formerly nested. A female Com.
Merganser with nestlings in Boise 28 Jun
(RLR) confirmed breeding in Idaho’s
Latilong 18. A local rarity was the Swain-
son’s Hawk that wandered to Kootenai, ID, 4
Jul (SL). Peregrine Falcons nested in at least
5 cliff eyries in Idaho this summer. One was
along the Snake R. in Nez Perce (MK), and
four were along the Salmon R. in Custer and
Lemhi (HR).

A rare Snowy Plover and Idaho’s 10th
Whimbrel stopped at A.F.R. 25 Jul (JC), and
a breeding-plumaged Stilt Sandpiper was w.
of A.F.R. on the same date (MCr). Single
Idaho Short-billed Dowitchers were report¬
ed w. of A.F.R. 18 Jul (MCr), at Indian Creek
Res., Ada, 25 Jul (RLR, DT), and at
Hagerman W.M.A., Gooding, 26 Jul (KF).
An estimated 1000 phalaropes (800 Wilson’s
and 200 Red-necked) staged w. of A.F.R. 18
Jul (MCr). Single Franklin’s Gulls wandered
to n. Idaho in Bonner 10 Jun (KD) and
Mann L. 27 Jul (CS). A Caspian Tern at
McArthur L., Boundary, ID, 10 Jun (PC) was
unusual. Black Terns were inexplicably
absent from 6-8 established nesting areas in
Flathead and Lake, MT, this summer (DC).
Single Idaho Band-tailed Pigeons were
reported in Bonner 8 Jun (RD) and Latah
20-21 Jun (JGr). A Yellow-billed Cuckoo
stopped in Boise, ID, 8 Jun (MC, FK). An
injured Barn Owl captured near Kalispell 20
Jul (LV) was only w. Montana’s 5th, but this
species is now increasingly reported in that

region. Three Black Swifts that migrated
over Boise 4 Jun (MC, FK, DT) were very
unusual, and a Vaux’s Swift in Boise 25 Jun
(DT) was about a month late.

FLYCATCHERS THROUGH ORIOLES

A Regionally rare Alder Flycatcher was
singing in Lincoln, MT, 19 Jun (DS).
Although Least Flycatchers were reported
singing in Idaho’s Boundary, Custer, Fre¬
mont, Jefferson, and Valley (m.ob.), nesting
was not confirmed. A Cordilleran Flycatch¬
er was s. of Kalispell 16 Jun, where they are
unusual (DC). Montana’s first Gray Fly¬
catcher near Bannack, Beaverhead, 17-19
Jun was studied, recorded, and collected
(*PWM, JM, JY). Confirmation of Blue Jay
breeding in Idaho was narrowly missed this
summer when on 28 Jul a juv. Blue Jay vis¬
ited the same Sandpoint, Bonner, feeder
that had been visited since early spring by a
pair suspected of nesting (RD). Also report¬
ed in Idaho were two courting Blue Jays in
Coeur d’Alene 4-12 Jun (SL, PW) and one
in Shoshone 4—5 Jun (GT). A locally rare
Rock Wren was near Kalispell 16 Jun (DC).
A pair of nesting E. Bluebirds near Helena,
MT, 9 Jun (GW) provided a first for
Latilong 28. In Idaho, reports of N.
Mockingbirds included singles at Market
Lake N.W.R., Jefferson, 6-7 Jun (MCr) and
Buhl, Twin Falls, 25 Jun-20 Jul (KF) and
two near Stone, Oneida, 7 Jul (CT). The
Brown Thrasher at Market Lake W.M.A.
5-6 Jun (MC, CT et al.) was Idaho’s 9th,
and one at Grantsdale, Ravalli, MT, 1-4 Jun
(EB, WT) was rare.

A surprising tally of Regionally rare
warblers at C.N.W.R. included Idaho’s first
Northern Parula 8 Jun (DM, fKS), Idaho’s
12th Chestnut-sided Warbler 7 Jun (MC,
GR), Idaho’s 8th Magnolia Warbler 5-6
Jun (MC, fCT et al.), a Black-and-white
Warbler 2 Jun (MC, GR), and two
Ovenbirds 5-6 Jun (MC, GR, CW). A
Black-throated Gray Warbler that strayed to
Boise 4 Jun (MC, FK, DT) was far north of
its normal range. A Rose-breasted Grosbeak
was at Island Park, Fremont, ID, 1 Jun
(CW). Seven Brewer’s Sparrows occupied
territories near Moscow, Latah, ID, 26 Jun
(KD), where there is no documented breed-

412

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

ing. A Black-throated Sparrow that strayed
to Elmore 7 Jun (KD) was a first for Latilong
18. Lark Bunting and Grasshopper Sparrow
breeding was confirmed for Latilong 15 in
Clark, ID, 18 Jul (CT). The small Great¬
tailed Grackle colony in Owyhee, ID,
fledged at least four young this season (RE),
and another Great-tailed was reported near
Market Lake W.M.A. 7-12 Jun (CT).
Reports of Idaho Com. Grackles were down
from last year, with sightings in Ada,
Caribou, Fremont, Jefferson, and Lemhi;
breeding was presumed in Ada (MC, FK),
Caribou, and Fremont (CT). The male
Baltimore Oriole present since late May in
Missoula lingered until 18 Jun (JM).

ADDENDUM

A belated spring report included a pair of
Chestnut-sided Warblers at City of Rocks
Reserve, Cassia, ID, 20 May (TS).

Observers cited (subregional editors in bold¬
face): IDAHO: Kris Buchler, Jay Carlisle,
Marty Collar (MCr), Pat Cole, Mark Collie,
Rich Del Carlo, Kas Dumroese, Ron Elam,
Kent Fothergill, John Gatchet, Jerry Gray
(JGr), Florence Knoll, Merlene Koliner,
Steve Lindsay, Dale Miller, Greg Rice,
Hadley Roberts, R. L. Rowland, Ted Scherff,
Kit Struthers, Shirley Sturts, Charles Swift,
Gladys Tester, Dave Trochlell, Chuck Trost,
Phil Waring, Cliff Weisse, Poo Wright-
Pulliam; MONTANA: Earl Brandon, Jim
Brown, Dan Casey, Jeff Marks, John
Parker, Philip L. Wright Zoological
Museum, Don Skaar, Wayne Tree, Lynn
Vaught, Gary Wunderwald, Jock Young.

David Trochlell, 1931 Tallwood Lane, Boise,
ID 83706 (dtrochle@cyberhighway.net)

Place names that are frequently men¬
tioned, but very long, may be abbreviat¬
ed in a form such as “C.B.B.T.” or
“W.P.B.O.” Such local abbreviations will
be explained in a key at the beginning
of the particular regional report in
which they are used. In most regions,
place names given in italic type are
counties. Standard abbreviations that
are used throughout North American
Birds are keyed on page 358.

VAN A. TRUAN

and BRANDON K. PERCIVAL

The seasonal moist air masses which
move north from Mexico — the “Mon¬
soons”— moved back and forth from west
to east throughout the summer; thus pre¬
cipitation in most areas of the Region was
at or above normal, and temperatures were
somewhat cooler. In late June through July,
areas of Colorado experienced rains well
above normal; by the end of July, Colorado
Springs had exceeded its annual record pre¬
cipitation with over 25 inches.

The Nevada Breeding Bird Atlas (NBBA)
is well under way, and field observers are
providing excellent distribution data on
breeding birds in the state. We appreciate
being provided with atlasing data, which we
hope will continue to be utilized in this and
other media prior to publication of the final
product.

Abbreviations: @ (rare bird form submitted to
the Colorado Birds Records Committee);
H.B.V.P. (Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve, NV);
S.W.A. (State Wildlife Area).

LOONS THROUGH SANDPIPERS

An ad. Red-throated Loon found at
Wolford Mt. Recreation Area, Routt, in mid-
July (Jide NE) and again 18-31 Jul and into
August (NK, VZ, TL, RL, m.ob.) was the first
summer record for Colorado. Also rare in
summer, a Pacific Loon was at Baseline Res.,
Boulder, CO, 27-31 Jul and continuing (KH,
m.ob.). Two ad. Pied-billed Grebes with
three young at Corn Cr., Clark, NV, 4 Jun
(m.ob.) provided an uncommon nesting
record for this site. A count of %/ adult and
300 juvenile Eared Grebes at Walden Res.,
Jackson, CO, 20-21 Jul (RL, TL) was high. A
W. Grebe summered at Silverthorne,
Summit, CO (SB). With the dam work com¬
pleted at Antero Res., Park, CO, breeding
Am. White Pelicans returned and produced
33 juveniles (TL, SB); 146 juveniles were also
noted at MacFarlane Res., Jackson , CO, 21
Jul (RL, TL). At least two Brown Pelicans
appeared in s.e. Colorado this season. An
immature and an adult were in Bent 1-31

Jul (DN, BM, m.ob.); an adult reported at L.
Meredith, Crowley, 17 Jul (SM) could have
been one of the Bent birds.

A Great Egret, rare in the San Luis Valley
in summer, was in Alamosa, CO, 30 Jun (TL,
DF). Also seasonally rare, an imm. Trumpe¬
ter Swan summered in Boulder (BK). The
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck remained at
H.B.V.P. through the summer (m.ob.). A
male Am. Black Duck was at John Martin
Res., Bent, CO, 2 Jun (DN, BG, m.ob.) for
one of the few summer records in the
Region. A male Greater Scaup at Carson L„
Churchill, NV, 3 Jul (DS, m.ob.) was quite
unexpected. Up to 40 Bufflehead (mostly
females) were at MacFarlane Res., CO, 21 Jul
(TL); a female summered at H.B.V.P.
(m.ob). One to three imm. Com. Golden¬
eyes summered at H.B.V.P. (m.ob.), and a
male was in Browns Park N.W.R., Moffat,
CO, 7 Jun (DF, RL). Hooded Mergansers are
rarely reported in Colorado in summer;
reports this season included single females
at Jumbo S.W.A., Logan, 2 Jun (NK), Antero
Res., Park, 5 Jul (TL, SB), and Wolford Mt.
Res. 26 Jul (TL, DF), and 18 females at N.
Poudre Res. #3, Larimer, 28 Jul (NK). At
Adobe Creek Res., Bent, one or two Com.
Mergansers were observed 13-25 Jul (BKP,
LS); two female Red-breasted Mergansers 22
Jul (DSi) were even rarer. A Red-breasted
was also observed at Willard Bay S.P., UT, 12
Jun (K. Evans, A. Smith).

Three juv. Ospreys 17 Jul (BKP) indicat¬
ed successful breeding at Pueblo Res.,
Pueblo, CO. An ad. N. Goshawk at Pueblo
City Park 25 Jun (PH) was extremely late for
the plains. The bird of the season, a first
record for Colorado, was an ad. Zone-tailed
Hawk at Colorado N.M., Mesa, 17 Jul (JD,
NB, m.ob.). A pair of Peregrine Falcons
nested at Frisco, Summit, CO (SB, AH). An
ad. female Ruffed Grouse and three young
were observed eating grasshoppers within
the city limits of Morgan, UT, 20 Jul ( VAS).
Possibly due to high reservoir water levels,

mountain west

region

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

413

'

only two Black Rails were reported this
summer from Ft. Lyon, Bent, CO. A pair of
Sandhill Cranes, with at least one young
bird, was found near Genoa, Douglas, 8 May
(BC, BeC), providing one of the first recent
records of breeding for this species in w.
Nevada. Snowy Plover counts at Stillwater
N.W.R., Churchill, NV, 2 Jun (WH) includ¬
ed 52 adults and five immatures A rare w.
slope record of White-rumped Sandpiper
came from Rio Blanco S.W.A., Rio Blanco,
CO, 7 Jun (DF, RL); a White-rumped was
also seen at Ouray N.W.R., UT, 11 Jun (RH,
WINGS).

JAEGERS

THROUGH WOODPECKERS

A surprising light-morph sub-ad. Pomarine
Jaeger was at Stagecoach Res., Routt, CO, 17
Jun (DF). Laughing Gulls appear to be
expanding westward: sightings in Colorado
included a 2nd-year bird at Adobe Creek
Res., CO, 6 Jul (BKP, SC), two immatures at
John Martin Res., CO, late July (DN), and
one-two adults also at John Martin Res.
24-25 Jul (MJ, BKP, VZ, m.ob.). One to four
flightless juv. Franklin’s Gulls were at
Walden Res., Jackson, CO, 20-21 Jul (RL,
TL), providing the first breeding record for
Colorado. Three Bonaparte’s Gulls were at
Lower Latham Res., Weld, CO, 17 Jul (DM).
A large total of 204 juv. California Gulls was
at Walden Res., CO, 2 1 Jul (TL, RL); 74 juve¬
niles were at MacFarlane Res., Jackson, CO,
21 Jul (TL, RL); and 1030 adults and 240
young were at new nesting sites on 3 sepa¬
rate islands at the Carson Sink, Churchill,
NV, 9 Jul (WH). An ad. Great Black-backed
Gull was at Upper Queens Res., Kiowa, CO,
18 Jul (SM) and — most likely the same
bird — at John Martin Res. 24-31 Jul and
into August (MJ, BKP, VZ, m.ob.). Caspian
Tern totals included 970 adults and 445
young on 3 islands at the Carson Sink 9 Jul
(WH); this is the first nesting at the Carson
Sink since 1986. A Least Tern was reported
from H.B.V.P. 20 Jun (J&M Cressman), and
two were there 10 Jul (RS).

Two White-winged Doves were reported
from Colorado: in Rye, Pueblo, 17-18 Jul
(DSi, m.ob.) and at Hasty Campground,
Bent, 25 Jul (DJ). Two Black-billed Cuckoos
were at Julesburg, Sedgwick, CO, 30 Jun
(BW). In Nevada, single Yellow-billed
Cuckoos were at Overton W.M.A., Clark, 12
Jun (TF) and Moapa, Clark, 17-21 Jul (BL);
one sat in a pine tree on Old Lake Isabel Rd.,
near Rye, CO, 8 Jun (BKP, SC). More N.
Pygmy-Owls than usual were reported in
the Region: one at McClure Pass, Pitkin, CO,
24 Jun (RL), one at Ft. Carson, Fremont, CO,

i.ra mmmmsmbimmmmbmm— HMMBMBaaBBaagBaaa— a

29 Jun (BM, JW), two juveniles at Drake,
Larimer, CO, 1 Jul (SR), and one in the
Spring Mts., Clark, NV, 15 Jun (T. Floyd);
two adults fledged three juveniles on 3 Jul in
Rocky Mountain N.P., Larimer , CO. A
Whip-poor-will ( arizonae) was heard w. of
Pagosa Springs, Archuleta, CO, 18 Jun-3 Jul
(WW, m.ob., tape @BKP). A Vaux’s Swift at
Pueblo 6 Jul (VAT, KT, @BKP) was com¬
pared directly to Chimney Swifts and may
provide the 2nd Colorado record. A female
Magnificent Hummingbird in Boulder 24
Jun-3 1 Jul and into August (S&MP) was the
first in several summers in Colorado. Up to
five Acorn Woodpeckers appear to have
established permanent residence near
Durango, La Plata, CO, 22 Jun-18 Jul (BKP,
TD, m.ob.). A hybrid female Williamson’s x
Red-naped sapsucker was at Golden Gate
Canyon S.P., Jefferson, CO, 10 Jul (RB). A
male Black-backed Woodpecker record s.
of Pine Valley Ranch, Jefferson, CO, 30
May-16 Jul (MB), if accepted, would be a
Colorado first. Three Gilded Flickers were
reported nesting in Nevada near Search¬
light, Clark, 5 Jun (JKa et al.).

FLYCATCHERS
THROUGH CROSSBILLS

A late Olive-sided Flycatcher was in Las
Vegas 14 Jun (TF), and three-five Least
Flycatchers were singing at Chatfield/
Waterton, Jefferson, CO, 2-21 Jun (JK,
m.ob.). A singing Willow Flycatcher at Ash
Springs, Lincoln, NV, 21 Jun (GC) appeared
to be on territory and therefore may have
been the endangered s.w. extimus form.
Extremely rare in n.w. Utah, a Black Phoebe
was at Minersville 5 Jun (SS, PRS) for the
first Beaver record. Twenty was a high count
for Black Phoebes seen along the San Miguel
R., Montrose, CO, 5 Jul (CD). A Brown-
crested Flycatcher was at Overton W.M.A.,
Clark, NV, 2 Jun (MM, GC). Two pairs of
Eastern Kingbirds were located in the Ruby
Valley, Elko, NV, 15 Jul (CN), providing the
first evidence of probable breeding for the
NBBA; an individual was seen at Corn Cr.,
NV, 4 Jun (RS). Eastern Kingbirds were also
in Utah: four were at Willard Bay S.P. and
three were in Plain City 12 Jun, and one was
near Morgan 30 Jul (KE, JRe, VS). A pair of
Scissor-tailed Flycatchers returned to n.e.
Colorado Springs, El Paso, 14 Jun-16 Jul
(MS, m.ob., @BKP). It appears that the
female died on the nest and the male stayed
to 16 Jul. An imm. Scissor-tailed was at the
Colorado Springs S.W.A. 30 Jul {fide JH).

Three Gray Vireos in Moffat, CO, 2 Jun
(DF) were n. of usual summering areas, and
one was in the Wah Wah Mts. (Hwy 21),

Beaver, UT, 19 Jun (SS). A male Purple
Martin at Westminster, Adams, CO, 17 Jun
(TD) was quite unexpected, as was one at
Overton W.M.A., NV, 5 Jun (MM, GC).
Veerys were reported from Park, CO, 18 Jun
(TL, SB), near Westcliffe, Custer, CO, 9-10
Jul (BR), and at Williams Fork Res., Grand,
CO, 23 Jun (TL). An unexpected late
migrant Brown Thrasher was in Tonopah,
Esmeralda, NV, 3 Jun (DT). A Bendire’s
Thrasher was found n. of Del Norte, Rio
Grande, CO, 30 Jun (JK, NE, DS, WF);
although in an area where it has occasional¬
ly occurred, there are fewer than 10 accept¬
ed records of Bendire’s in the state. A pair of
Am. Pipits above Island L. in the Ruby Mts.,
Elko, (GC) provided the first confirmed
breeding for the NBBA; a 3rd adult was also
found here.

A N. Parula was reported from Beatty,
Nye, NV, 15 Jun (TF). It appears that
Chestnut-sided Warbler is becoming a regu¬
lar summering species in the Colorado
foothills: reports included one at Bear Cr.
Nature Center, Colorado Springs, 8 Jun
(GK), a male in Boulder 13 Jun (JT), a male
in Rocky Mountain N.P. 14 Jun (SR), a male
on McClure Pass, Pitkin, 19 Jun (VZ), and a
male in Bluebell Canyon, Boulder, 23 Jun
(JP). An ad. Yellow-throated Warbler was
observed in large sycamore trees in Pueblo
City Park, CO, 12 Jun (ph. @PH). Up to six
Grace’s Warblers, including juveniles, were
reported from Babcock Hole, Custer, CO, 18
Jun-3 1 Jul (PAG, m.ob.). A late migrant
male Blackpoll Warbler at Corn Cr. 10 Jun
(RS) provided the 3rd spring record for
Nevada. Late male Black-and-white Warb¬
lers were in Castlewood Canyon S.P, Doug¬
las, CO, 12 Jun (HEK) and in Boulder, CO,
13 Jun (JP), and a female was at Corn Cr.,
NV, 5 Jun (RS). Ovenbirds were reported in
higher numbers than usual in e. Colorado
foothill habitat. A singing male Kentucky
Warbler was at Colorado City 29-30 Jun
(@DSi, PH). A pair of Hooded Warblers
returned to the Gregory Canyon area,
Boulder, CO, 18 Jun-22 Jul (JP, m.ob.) and
were observed carrying food. A singing N.
Waterthrush at Kauffman Ranch, Black
Rock, Millard, UT, 5 Jun (PRS) was probably
a late migrant. Single female Am. Redstarts
were reported from Nevada at Tonopah 2
Jun (MM) and at Corn Cr. 2-5 Jun (RS).

Breeding in Colorado was suggested by a
young male Hepatic Tanager in Fremont 29
Jun (BM, JW) and by pairs of Rose-breasted
Grosbeaks n. of Rye 21 Jul (SC) and in
Colorado Springs in June (RAJ). Two male
Rose-breasteds were at Kauffman Ranch,
UT, 5 Jun (PRS), and single males were in

414

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

Nevada at Lida, Esmeralda , 1 Jun (MM) and
at Corn Cr. 12 Jun (PF). A Green-tailed x
Spotted towhee hybrid was noted e. of Old
Park, Grand , CO, 23 Jun (TL). In Nevada,
singing Grasshopper Sparrows were observ¬
ed in the Montana Mts., Humboldt, 14-20
Jun and in the Black Rock Range, Humboldt,
24 Jun (LN). A leucophrys White-crowned
Sparrow was singing near Hugo, Lincoln,
CO, 12 Jun (TL). Possibly due to an excel¬
lent grass crop this season, dozens of
McCown’s Longspurs were in s.e. El Paso,
CO, 26 Jun (AV). The male Painted Bunting
in Cottonwood Canyon, Baca, CO, stayed to
2 Jun (TL). A singing male Bobolink was
seen along Franklin L. in Ruby Valley, Elko,
NV, 1 1 Jul (GC), and at least three others
were seen e. of Lamoille, Elko, NV, 9 (ul (TF,
NW). A Com. Grackle was at Kauffman
Ranch, UT, 5 Jun (PRS). Rarely reported
from the w. slope of Colorado, a female
Orchard Oriole was at Uravan, Montrose, 3
Jul (IS). A Scott’s Oriole e. of Lamoille, NV,
9 Jul (TF, NW) was north of its normal
range. Eight Black Rosy-Finches were
observed at the s. limit of their breeding

range in the Tushar Mts. (Delano Peak
area), Piute/Beaver, LIT, 17 Jul (PRS, JKr,
LW). Two White-swinged Crossbills near
Aspen, Pitkin, CO, 26 Jun (TL) and reports
of others in adjacent regions may be early
signs of an invasion year to follow. A male
and female Red Crossbill were at the upper
end of Six Mile Canyon, Storey, NV, 6 Jun
(DS).

Observers (subregional editors in boldface):

Bonnie Baker (BBa), Nick Barber, Richard
Barth, Barbara Beall (BB), Bonnie Boex
(BBo), Sue Bonfield, Ann Bonnell, Bob
Brown (BBr), Merlynn Brown, Sherry
Chapman, Graham Chisholm, Bill Clark
(BC), Beth Clark (BeC) Coen Dexter, Bob
Dickson, Todd Dilley, Lou Dombroski,
Jennie Duberstein, Norm Erthal, Keith
Evans, Doug Faulkner, Warren Finch, Ted
Floyd, Phoebe Fowler, Peter A. Gaede, Bob
Goycoolea, Kurt Hebner, William Henry,
Alyssa House, Richard Hoyer, Jane Hunter,
Paul Hurtado, Lisa Hutchings, Dave
Johnson, Tina Jones, Robert A. Joyce, Ginger
Kathrens, Bill Kaempfer, Joe Kahl (JKa) Joey

Kellner (JK), Hugh E. Kingery, Marjorie
Knorr, Nick Komar, Owen Knorr, Josh
Kreitzer (JKr), Rich Levad, Tony Leukering,
William P. Lisowsky, Bruce Lund, Joe
Mammoser, Dick Maxfield, Bill Maynard,
Steve Messick, Martin Meyers, Larry Neel,
Chris Niemela, Duane Nelson, Brandon K.
Percival, Suzi & Myron Plooster, John
Prather, Scott Rashid (SRa), Jack Rensel
(JRe), Bob Righter, Joe Roller (IRo), Ira
Sanders, Rick Saval, Marliyn Scott, Dick
Schottler (DS), Larry Semo, Dennis
Serdehely (DSe), David Silverman (DSi), V.
Arnold Smith, Bruce Stevenson, Priscilla R.
Summers (PRS), Steve Summers, Dennis
Trousdale, Kristyn Truan, Van A. Truan,
John Tumasonis, Alan Versaw, Jeff Webster
(JW), Nathan Welch, Lew Wilkerson, Joan
Williams (JWi), Walt Wilson, Vic Zerbi.

Van A. Truan, 1901 Court Street, Pueblo, CO
81003 and Brandon K. Percival, 835

Harmony Drive, Pueblo West, CO 81007 (flam-
mowl@juno.com)

arizona region

GARY H. ROSENBERG
and ROY JONES

t was a strange summer. It began with
Arizona experiencing one of the worst
droughts that anyone could remember. Our
impression was that few birds bred success¬
fully in the mountains, as suggested by large
numbers of Western Tanagers and Pine
Siskins remaining at lowland feeders well
into July. Then the rains came! This sum¬
mer’s monsoon rains were perhaps the best
in years, transforming the parched desert
into a sea of green. Time will tell whether
the rains came in time to save what was
shaping up to be a disastrous breeding sea¬
son. Surprisingly, Arizona added two
species to its state list, both of which were
perhaps long overdue. A territorial Carolina
Wren spent the entire season along the
lower San Pedro River, establishing a first
record west of the Continental Divide
(although there are now a number of
reports for as far west as the Rio Grande in
New Mexico). Two Short-tailed Hawks
were discovered in Miller Canyon in the
Huachuca Mountains, one of which was

photographed, finally documenting the
occurrence of this species for the state.

We would like to express our sincere
gratitude to Chris Benesh who has gra¬
ciously shared his expertise and time in co¬
authoring the Arizona regional report for
the past several years but has resigned due
to other commitments. His valuable input
will be missed.

Abbreviations: A.B.C. (Arizona Bird Commit¬
tee); Arizona Strip (n.w. Arizona n. of Grand
Canyon and w. of Page); B.A.N.W.R. (Buenos
Aires Nat'l Wildlife Ref.); L.C.R.V. (Lower Colo¬
rado R. Valley); G.F.P. (Gila Farms Pond); H.T.L.
(Hualapai Tribal Lands, n. of Kingman); M.F.L.
(Many Farms Lake); N.I.R. (Navajo Indian
Reservation); P.A.P. (Pinal Air Park); P.R.D.
(Painted Rock Dam); S.P.R. (San Pedro R.); S.T.P.
(Sewage Treatment Plant); S.S.V. (Sulphur
Springs Valley); W.S.F. (Western Sod Farm).

GREBES THROUGH RAPTORS

The only Eared Grebe of the season was a
single bird at Green Valley S.T.P. 16 Jun-1
Jul (MS, PS); Willcox has been the only
location where this species has nested in s.e.

Arizona, but the water levels there have
been too high in recent years. A Clark’s
Grebe, casual at best in s.e. Arizona during
the summer, was at Patagonia L. 5 Jun
(MS). Mid-summer reports of Am. White
Pelicans are few and far between; therefore
of interest were one at Willow Tank 13 Jun
(O. McCaffrey, fide DJ), a high count of 41
at Picacho Res. 13 Jun (JH), and five at
Upper L. Mary near Flagstaff 3 Jul (F.
Welsh). Brown Pelican, normally a fairly
regular summer visitor from Mexico, put
in a poor showing this season with only
one report of a single bird at Patagonia L.
5-23 Jun (MS, E. Johnson). Neotropic Cor¬
morants have certainly become more wide-

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

415

spread in s. Arizona during the past 5 years,
and numbers continue to increase at
Patagonia L., with a high count of 28 there
5 Jun (MS). Elsewhere, there were three
along the Santa Cruz R. in n.w. Tucson 6-19
Jun (MS) and a single at Picacho Res. 12 Jun
(RP). Fifteen Double-crested Cormorants
were at an odd locality on a pond in Tempe
10 Jul (RW). In n. Arizona, single birds were
seen 7 Jun at Fool Hollow L. and Show Low
L., both near Show Low (MS); Double-
cresteds are not known to nest at lakes in
that region.

One of the best birds of the summer,
and a 7th state record, was an ad. White
Ibis found at Nogales S.T.P. 5 Jul (JS, ph.
MS, GR) and remaining there (or at an
adjacent small pond) through the period.
White-faced Ibis is casual in the state dur¬
ing June, and therefore one in Maricopa 6
Jun (RJ), nine at Nogales S.T.P. 21 Jun
(NC), and four in Green Valley 28 Jun (MS)
were all noteworthy; the latter birds likely
represented early southbound migrants. A
number of ducks over-summered in s.
Arizona this season. Most unusual was a
pair of Gadwall that produced eight young
at a golf course pond in Nogales 6 Jul (MS).
Single female Am. Wigeons were at Reid
Park in Tucson 6-21 Jun (MS) and in Green
Valley 16-28 Jun; another six were at
Willcox 21 Jun (MS). One N. Shoveler
remained at Green Valley 16 Jun (RP), while
four were present at Willcox 21 Jun (MS).
More unusual were summering male Blue¬
winged Teal at Green Valley 6 Jul (MS) and
at Willcox 9 Jul (MS). Male N. Pintails were
seen at Mammoth 7 Jun (MS) and at Will¬
cox 21 Jun (MS). A male Ring-necked Duck
remained at a pond in Nogales 5 Jun-23 Jul
(MS), a pair were present at Green Valley
16-28 Jun (RP, MS), and a single female was
seen at Agua Caliente Park in e. Tucson 23
Jun-14 Jul (RP, MS). A late Redhead was at
Picacho Res. 13 Jun (JH), while at least two
were present at P.R.D. all period (RW, M.
Baker). Certainly one of the most unusual
ducks of the season was a Com. Goldeneye
that spent the entire season below P.R.D.
(m.ob.); this individual was likely a sick or
injured bird left over from last winter’s
large invasion into the Southwest. In n.
Arizona, nine Com. Goldeneyes were still at
Glen Canyon Dam 3 Jun (CL), while two
Barrow’s Goldeneyes remained there until
15 Jun (CL), likely establishing a statewide
record late date for this species.

An early Osprey was seen at Arivaca L. 22
Jul (MS). Single White-tailed Kites were
seen 13 Jun at the P.A.P. pecan grove (JH),
where they have nested in the past, and at

Chandler Heights 21 Jun (R. Timmons, K.
Young); this species continues to be report¬
ed sporadically at a number of locations
throughout s. Arizona but has not become
well established at any one site. Intriguing
was a male N. Harrier seen in grassland near
Pipe Springs N.M. 9 Jun (PF, LAM); there
have been only 2 known nesting attempts by
harriers in Arizona. For the 2nd consecutive
year, Sharp-shinned Hawk apparently nest¬
ed near Barfoot Park, Chiricahua Mts., with
one present there 27 Jul (DJ); Sharp-
shinned is the least common of the three
accipiters in the mountains of s.e. Arizona.
Away from its normal breeding areas in the
state, a Gray Hawk was at Guadelupe
Canyon 27 Jul (RH). A Zone-tailed Hawk
nest with young at Peach Spring Canyon,
H.T.L., 26 Jul (PF, KN) added to our grow¬
ing knowledge base about the status of this
species in Arizona; Zone-tailed appears to
be a rare but regular breeder in the moun¬
tains just s. of the Grand Canyon. Similarly,
very few nests of Ferruginous Hawk have
been located in Arizona, and a nest with
young discovered 15 mi s.w. of Pipe Springs
N.M. 12 Jun (TC) provided only the 2nd
nest site for the Arizona Strip.

The most exciting news of the
summer was the presence of a
light-morph Short-tailed Hawk at

Miller Canyon 26 Jul through the peri¬
od (|RH). Although this light individ¬
ual was not documented with direct
physical evidence, it led to the discov¬
ery of a dark-morph bird in early
August also in Miller Canyon (also by
RH). The dark-morph Short-tailed
Hawk was photographed, thus becom¬
ing a first record for Arizona; there had
been 4 previous sight reports from
both the Huachuca and Chiricahua
Mts. More details of this possibly nest¬
ing pair will appear in the fall report.

RAILS THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS

A Clapper Rail was present at Picacho Res.
13 Jun (JH), where it is believed to be a rare
but regular resident. A pair of Am. Avocets,
a species only recently found nesting in the
Phoenix area, produced two young at
Gilbert S.T.P. 6 Jun (RJ). It is always amaz¬
ing how early shorebirds begin passing
through our Region. One Greater and four
Lesser yellowlegs were seen at Green Valley
S.T.P. 6 Jul (MS). An early W. Sandpiper was
at Willcox 20 Jun (JS). Single Spotted Sand¬
pipers at Nogales and Patagonia L. 5 Jun

(MS) were likely late spring migrants,
whereas one at Picacho Res. 22 Jun (JS) was
more likely a returning fall bird. A Stilt
Sandpiper at Willcox 8 Jul (JS) was a bit
early, as was a Marbled Godwit seen there
on the same day. The only report of
Semipalmated Sandpiper was an adult at
Willcox 17 Jul (PL). Three Wilson’s Phala-
ropes at the Green Valley S.T.P. 16 Jun (MS)
were very early. The only interesting sea¬
sonal gull sighting was a California Gull at
Green Valley S.T.P. 16-28 Jun (MS), per¬
haps a sick or injured bird.

White-winged Dove reports continue to
accumulate for n. Arizona; this summer one
was at Page 12 Jul, while two were together
there 27 Jul (CL), suggesting possible breed¬
ing. Greater Roadrunners are seldom
reported from n. Arizona, so four seen along
the Arizona Strip 1 1-13 Jun (TC, PF, LAM),
one between Snowflake and Concho 14 Jun
(CW, KN), and one w. of Cameron 22 Jun
(PF, KN) were all of interest; this species
appears to be widely — but sparsely — dis¬
tributed throughout n. Arizona. Long-eared
Owl is yet another species whose breeding
status in Arizona is poorly known. This
summer at least three different Long-eareds
were sighted 10-14 Jun in pinyon-juniper
habitat along the Arizona Strip (LAM, PF),
and another was at Steamboat, w. of
Ganado, 24 Jun (PF, KN) — suggesting that it
also is a rare but regular breeder in n.
Arizona.

Violet-crowned Hummingbirds away
from normal areas of occurrence included
one at the San Pedro House, upper S.P.R.,
26 Jun-20 Jul (L. Liese, T. Wood et al.), one
at Miller Canyon beginning 5 Jul (T. Beatty,
JH), one at Madera Canyon 7 Jul (NC), and
one at Tucson 27 Jul (GH). A White-eared
Hummingbird was at the S.W.R.S. in Cave
Cr. Canyon 12-17 Jun (DJ), where it is not
reported annually; one-two individuals
were around all season at the Beatty’s in
Miller Canyon. A female Lucifer Hum¬
mingbird sitting on a nest in Leslie Canyon,
Chiricahua Mts., 26 Jun (R. Magill, L.B.
Myers) was exciting, as there have been only
2 other nests found previously in Arizona.
This was a particularly good year for
Berylline Hummingbird in s.e. Arizona,
with one reported mid-June from the
S.W.R.S. in Cave Cr. Canyon ( fide DJ), one
beginning 5 Jul at the Beatty’s in Miller
Canyon (fMS, CB, RP), one reported from
Ramsey Canyon Inn 18-20 Jul (fB. Carrell),
and one at the Santa Rita Lodge in Madera
Canyon 9-10 Jul (NC, B. Massey). Caution
is advised, however, in the identification of

416

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

arizona

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Berylline Hummingbird in s. Arizona; there
appears to be at least one hybrid at the
Beatty’s in Miller Canyon that probably had
a Berylline as one of its parents.

FLYCATCHERS
THROUGH GOLDFINCHES

A Cordilleran Flycatcher found in a canyon
above the Aubrey Cliffs, H.T.L., 21 Jul (PF,
KN) was in a region of the state where it
had not been found nesting previously. At
least four pairs of Buff-breasted Flycatchers
were reported having nested above the
S.W.R.S. in Cave Cr. Canyon as of 2 Jul ( fide
DJ); in recent years, this species has been
found in small numbers in the Chiricahaua
Mts., most often in Rucker Canyon on the
w. side, but also with regularity in Cave Cr.
Canyon. A Tropical Kingbird at Hayden 7
Jun (MS) was at a new locality along the
lower S.P.R., where this species has been
found nesting in small numbers. A Thick¬
billed Kingbird at California Gulch 26 Jul
(NC) was probably a post-breeding wan¬
derer from Mexico. Warbling Vireos have
been suspected of breeding in the Mazatzal
Mts. in extreme n.e. Maricopa, and finally a
pair with a nest was located at Slate Cr.
Divide 21 fun (JW, RW). A Gray Vireo was
reported at Guadelupe Canyon 27 Jul (RH).
Despite almost annual reporting of this
species away from known nesting areas by
experienced observers, there still remains
no physical documentation of a “migrant”
Gray Vireo in the state! A singing Yellow-
green Vireo at the Patagonia Roadside Rest
Area 21-24 Jul (RH, JLD et al.) was very
exciting; there have been only 5 p evious
records of this vireo from Arizona.

A very late Tree Swallow was at Picacho
Res. 13 Jun (JH), and a very late Bank Swal¬
low was at Patagonia L. 5 Jun (MS). An
extremely exciting find — and a first state
record for Arizona — was a singing territori¬
al male Carolina Wren at Cook’s L. along
the lower S.P.R. 13 Jun through the period
(T. Koronkiewicz; tape TC, GHR; ph. MS,
TC). This species appears to be spreading
westward; there are a number of recent
records from the Lower Rio Grande R. in c.
New Mexico, but the Arizona record is the
first from w. of the Continental Divide.
After being reported for a number of years
during the summer in the Oak Cr. drainage,
Winter Wren was finally confirmed as an
Arizona nesting species when at least two
different singing males and a presumed
female were observed carrying food in See
Canyon above Christopher Cr. along the
Mogollon Rim 2 Jul (tape J. Rourke, KN). A
pair of Crissal Thrashers, together with an

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

old nest, was found at The Gap, s. of Page, 1 5
Jun (PF, LAM); the Arizona Atlas project has
recently confirmed that this species is wide¬
spread throughout n.w. Arizona in small
numbers. An Am. Pipit at Kayenta 5 Jul (CL)
represented the first mid-summer report
from the N.I.R. Yet another pair of Black-
capped Gnatcatchers was located in s.
Arizona, this time in California Gulch 23 Jul
through the period (CDB, RH; tape DS);
this was the 5th pair to be found in the state
during the past 3 years.

Blue-winged Warbler was always con¬
sidered one of the rarest “eastern” vagrants
in Arizona, but one mist-netted and pho¬
tographed along the upper S.P.R. near
Hereford 17 Jul (tph. M. San Miguel, HB)
provided the 3rd record during the past 7
months and anywhere from the 7th to the
13th for the state (depending on pending
A.B.C. decisions). A singing Golden-winged
Warbler at Cook’s L., lower S.P.R., 18 Jun
(TC) provided one of the few summer
records of this species. A Virginia’s Warbler
along the Santa Cruz R. in Tucson 26 Jun
(MS) was at a very low elevation for the
species during the summer. At least two
singing male Yellow Warblers were on terri¬
tory 1 Jun-2 Jul in Portal (DJ), where they
are not known to nest. A very late migrant
Yellow-rumped Warbler was seen at The
Gap 15 Jun (PF, LAM). An Am. Redstart was
at Cameron 6-21 Jul (CL); there were no
previous mid-summer records for the N.I.R.
An Ovenbird at Arivaca L. 25 Jun (MS) pro¬
vided a rare summer report. A Com.
Yellowthroat 13 Jun was at an odd locality in
the Arizona Strip, well away from water
(TC). At least three pairs of Red-faced
Warblers were detected at Slate Cr. Divide in
the Mazatzal Mts. in extreme n.e. Maricopa
21 Jun (JW, RW). Although no nest has been
found, this species is suspected of breeding
in small numbers at this locality. Another
Red-faced Warbler seen at Petrified Forest
N.P. 4 Jun ( J. Greenlaw, A. Banks), well away
from known breeding areas in the state, was
presumably a spring overshoot.

At least four ad. Hepatic Tanagers — one
with recently fledged young — were found
on H.T.L. 20-26 Jul (PF, KN); the Arizona
Atlas project has confirmed breeding for
this species in small numbers in the moun¬
tains just s. of the Grand Canyon. Some
30-50 W. Tanagers were still coming to feed¬
ers in the Portal area 2 Jul (DJ) — a startling
example of the extreme drought that existed
before the summer monsoons kicked in. A
pair of Canyon Towhees located 8 mi e. of
Kearns Canyon, Hopi Indian Reservation, 8
Jul (PF) expanded well to the northwest the

m

known range of this species in n. Arizona. At
least four Black-chinned Sparrows were
found at Coconino Rim of Gray Mt. n. of
Flagstaff 23 Jun (PF, KN); there are still very
few reports of this sparrow from the Navajo
Nation. We received an unconfirmed report
of a pair of Streak-backed Orioles nesting
along the San Pedro R. near Dudleyville
during early July ( fide TC); for several years
this species has nested in small numbers
along this stretch of the river. Hundreds of
Pine Siskins at feeders in Portal 2 Jul (DJ)
again reflected the severity of Arizona’s
drought; siskins normally do not visit these
feeders in the early summer when they are
nesting at higher elevations in the Chirica-
huas. There are very few, if any, mid-sum¬
mer Arizona records of Lawrence’s Gold¬
finch, so a report of a male from H.T.L. 21
Jul (PF, KN) was truly odd.

Contributors (area compilers in boldface):

Laurie Averill Murray, Charlie Babbitt, Tom
Beatty, Chris Benesh, Hank Brodkin, John
Coons (Flagstaff), Troy Corman, Alan
Craig, Nigel Crook, Jon Dunn, Peter
Friederici, Steve Ganley (SGa), Jay Hand
(Tucson), George Hentz, Rich Hoyer, Dave
Jasper (Portal), Roy Jones, Dave Krueper
(Sierra Vista), Paul Lehman, Narca Moore-
Craig, Karen Newlon, Richard Palmer,
Roger Radd (Cottonwood), Will Russell,
John Saba, Peter Saloman, Mike San Miguel,
John Spence, Dave Stejskal, Mark
Stevenson (Tucson), Carl S. Tomoff
(Prescott), Jack Whetstone (Sierra Vista),
Sheri Williamson, Janet Witzeman
(Phoenix), Cathy Wise, Robert Witzeman,
Tom Wood.

Gary H. Rosenberg, P.0. Box 91856,
Tucson, AZ 85752-1856 and Roy Jones, 2237
N. Sunset Dr., Tempe, AZ 85281

CLASSIFED ADVERTISING

available in

Classified Advertising: $25/insertion
in “Market Place” (appears on the
page before “Pictorial Highlights”)
Published four times a year.

Call 804/983-3021

for information or to reserve space.

417

new mexico region

SARTOR 0. WILLIAMS III

he dry spring gave way to abundant
summer rains that by July had spread
virtually statewide, transforming the New
Mexico landscape to one of verdant lush¬
ness. The luxuriant surroundings elicited
such comments as “looks like Ireland” and
"reminiscent of the Venezuelan llanos in
the rainy season.” Meanwhile, New Mexico
edged closer to the State 500 Club when
number 499 was photo-documented in
July.

Abbreviations: B.L.N.W.R. (Bitter Lake N.W.R.);
E.B.L. (Elephant Butte Lake); R.G.V. (Rio Grande
Valley); Zuni (Zuni Indian Reservation).

LOOMS THROUGH TERMS

Common Loons are unusual in summer,
but this season singles were found at Zuni
12 Jun-2 Jul (JT, DC) and E.B.L. 24-30 Jul
(JP, JO). Dry conditions at Stinking L.
resulted in no grebe nests; elsewhere in Rio
Arriba , three Eared Grebe pairs nested at
Stone L. 3 Jul (DS), and Enbom, Mundo,
and Stone lakes each had one-four W.
Grebe nests 13 Jun-12 Jul (DS). An aerial
survey located a record 59 Great Blue Her¬
on nests at 5 sites in Sierra and s. Socorro 10
fun (SOW, LW). A Tricolored Heron was as
far north as B.L.N.W.R. 18 Jun-23 lul
(GW). Ring-necked Ducks are not known
to nest in New Mexico, but this season there
were more lingerers than usual, including
one-two at 3 Zuni sites June-July (JT, DC).
Unusual for the season was a Hooded
Merganser at Pescado L. 9 Jul (DC).

Three of the 6 known Osprey nests in
Rio Arriba and Sandoval were successful,
fledging eight young in July, but the other 3
nests failed (DS); noteworthy were two

Ospreys each at Nutria L. Jun 23 (DC) and
Sumner L. in June (R. Hoppe). Single
Mississippi Kites were W to Albuquerque in
late June (DE) and Belen 7 Jul (T. Mitchus-
son). Wet conditions in the Pecos Valley
accounted for three N. Harriers (including
a pair exchanging food) at B.L.N.W.R. 10
Jun (WH) and one carrying food near
Artesia 6 Jun (JO). A Com. Black-Hawk was
far north at Shadybrook near Taos 5 Jun (J.
McMahon); in the east, one was on the Rio
Penasco near Mayhill 18 Jul (R. Kostecke).
North of their usual Jemez Mts. haunts
were two Zone-tailed Hawks at Ghost
Ranch 23 Jun (DS). There are no Ferrugin¬
ous Hawk breeding records for San Miguel ,
so an adult on Rowe Mesa 13 Jun (CR) was
noteworthy. Reports of a Merlin in July at
Isaack L., Dona Ana , were traced to a fal¬
coner’s bird; the species does not summer
in New Mexico. A White-tailed Ptarmigan
was on Pecos Baldy 8 Jul (E. Rominger),
where this southernmost population must
compete for limited alpine habitat with at
least 1000 ungulates (elk, bighorn, cattle).
Wild Turkeys produced numerous young in
n.e. Union canyons (LF); a turkey on Twin
Butte Cr„ w. Chaves , 2 Jun (SOW) was un¬
usual. A Virginia Rail pair with four chicks
at Acomita L. 17 Jul (JO) furnished a rare
Cibola breeding record. North in the R.G.V.
was a pair of Com. Moorhens with two
chicks at Isleta 24 & 26 Jul (CR, JO), only
the 4th Bernalillo breeding record; one W to
Zuni 5 Jun (JT) was noteworthy.

Snowy Plovers peaked with 304 at
B.L.N.W.R. 18 Jun (GW); highs elsewhere
included 42 at Laguna Grande 16 lul (SW)
and 23 at Holloman L. 30 Jul (GE).
Presumably early were three Mt. Plovers at
the Moriarty turf farm 15 Jul (DC). Lesser
Yellowlegs greatly outnumbered Greaters in
the Pecos Valley in July; the high for Lessers
was 278 at B.L.N.W.R. 23 lul (GW). A
Solitary Sandpiper was at Bernardo 25 Jul
(BV). One-two returning Willets were at 7
sites from the R.G.V. eastward 4-25 Jul
(v.o.). Favorable conditions produced many
Long-billed Curlew reports from the north¬
east; in the west was a brood at White Lakes,
Santa Fe , 12 Jun (CR). A Marbled Godwit at
B.L.N.W.R. 9 Jul (GW) was very early; the
high count there was eight on 20 Jul ( WW).
Four White-rumped Sandpipers at
B.L.N.W.R. 11-12 Jun (GW, JO) were the

last of the spring migrants. A respectable
175 Stilt Sandpipers were at B.L.N.W.R. 20
Jul (WW). Late was a Red-necked Phala-
rope at Deming 4 Jun (LM). An ad. Laugh¬
ing Gull at E.B.L. 24 Jul (JP, vt. JO) extend¬
ed the remarkable streak of this rare spe¬
cies’ recent occurrences. Two Franklin’s
Gulls at B.L.N.W.R. 2 Jul (GW) were out-
of-season. Noteworthy California Gull rec¬
ords were singles at Heron L. 19 Jun (JO)
and Lordsburg 12 Jun (JP, JO) and four at
E.B.L. 13 Jun (JP, JO); neither this nor any
other gull species is known to nest in New
Mexico. Seven pairs of Least Terns returned
to B.L.N.W.R. June-July, but only one
fledgling was produced (WR).

DOVES THROUGH WOODPECKERS

Doves on the march included an apparent
Eur. Collared-Dove in Albuquerque 17 Jul
and later (BV, ph. P. Pierce). The northward
advance of White-winged Doves included
one at Zuni 1 Jun (DC), two at Bluewater 1 7
Jul (JO), and five at Grants 17 Jul (JO). The
only Com. Ground-Dove reported was near
Cliff 7 Jul (SS, R. Shook). Yellow-billed
Cuckoos seemed to be thriving in the Gila,

Rio Grande, and Pecos valleys; reports
included several birds from San Acacia to
E.B.L. (LW) and others from Sumner Dam
and Bosque Redondo (WH) to B.L.N.W.R.
(GW) and the Delaware R. (SW); there
were 8 nests near Cliff (DH). Cuckoos pre¬
sent where they are rarely reported includ¬
ed one N to Pena Blanca 13 Jul (WW), sin¬
gles at Conchas Dam and in saltcedar on
the Canadian R. near Tucumcari 12 Jun
(CR), two-three at Tucumcari 12 Jun and
10 Jul (CR), two near Floyd 27 Jun (SS), two
in walnut trees on the Rio Felix, Chaves , 2
Jun (SOW), and one at Lake Valley 24 Jun
(H.A.).

In the Peloncillo Mts., Whiskered
Screech-Owls occupied 9 territories in 2
canyons 29-30 Jul (SOW, PM) and out¬
numbered Westerns there by a 2:1 ratio.

Two ad. Elf Owls with a juvenile in Last
Chance Canyon 24 Jul (SW) further docu¬
mented this owl’s recent expansion into the
Guadalupe Mts. A young Spotted Owl was I
found dead on the Grant side of Emory Pass
28 Jul, apparently hit by a car (C. Torrez,
*MSB). Closely “packed” were three pairs of
Long-eared Owls (one with fledglings 1 Jul)

418

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

within a 2 km stretch of the Zuni Mts. (P.
Stacey). A Lesser Nighthawk at B.L.N.W.R.
9 Jun (WH) was near the n. edge of its
Pecos Valley distribution. Also north were
three vocal Whip-poor-wills in the Zuni
Mts. 8 Jun (JT). Single wandering Black
Swifts were at Puye Cliff Dwellings near Los
Alamos 21 Jun (D. Pellegrini) and L.
Roberts 20 Jul (BN, DE, fP, JO). Although
this season found seven Chimney Swifts at
Clayton 28 Jun (W. Cook) and four at
Tucumcari 10 Jul (CR), the species yet
remains unconfirmed as a New Mexico
breeding bird.

On the hummingbird front, a Violet-
crowned wandered E to Double Adobes in
the Animas Valley 29 Jul (AC), and a Blue-
throated was N to L. Roberts 30-31 Jul (BN,
DE, JP, ph. JO); two Blue-throateds were at
Post Office Canyon 8-9 Jul (R. Scholes).
Reports of Magnificent Hummingbirds
were restricted to the Pinos Altos and
Peloncillo mts. (v.o.). Rufous Humming¬
birds do not nest in New Mexico or adja¬
cent states, but this tends to come as a sur¬
prise to many feeder-watchers; this season’s
earliest “fall” migrants were single males at
Tijeras 27 Jun (J. Day-Martin), Zuni 28 Jun
(DC), and Canjilon L. 29 Jun (WW). The
earliest returning Calliope Hummingbird
was a male at Ft. Wingate 16 Jul (JO).
Unusual for madrean oak habitat were two
Gila Woodpeckers in Clanton Canyon 31
Jul (SOW, PM). Near their n. limit were 12
Acorn Woodpeckers in the Chuska Mts.
near Crystal, San Juan , 25 Jul (CR). South
in the R.G.V. was a Downy Woodpecker
feeding a fledgling at Lemitar 17 Jun (CR).

FLYCATCHERS
THROUGH PHAINOPEPLA

Another banner season for Gray Flycatchers
produced reports from 17 locales, including
15 each at Zuni 6-11 Jun (JT) and Rowe
Mesa 13 Jun (CR). Others were S to the San
Mateo Mts. (DC), Black Range (P.
Boucher), and Pinos Altos Mts. (BZ), as
well as in the s. Sacramento (WH) and
Guadalupe mts. (SW). A Gray Flycatcher
nest at Quarai, Torrance, 18 Jul (HS) was a
local first. For the 2nd consecutive year,
Dusky Flycatchers nested S to the Manzano
Mts. near Capilla Peak, where there were 4
occupied territories and fledglings present
25 Jul (WH); a Dusky nest at Zuni’s
Blackrock 12 Jun (JT) was unusual for the
habitat and low elevation. Vermilion Fly¬
catchers occupied 2 territories NE to
Conchas Dam 12 Jun (CR). Unusually far
north and a Pinos Altos Mts. first, a vocal
Dusky-capped Flycatcher was at Cherry Cr.

7 Jun (ph. 8c tape BZ). An unusual kingbird
at B.L.N.W.R. 10-11 Jun (GW, WR) may
have been a Tropical, a species yet to be ver¬
ified for New Mexico, but available details
could only confirm Tropical/Couch’s; there
are 2 previous confirmed records of
Couch’s in the state. A vocal Thick-billed
Kingbird was E to Double Adobes 29 Jul
(AC, N. Moore-Craig). Scissor- tailed Fly¬
catchers were judged more numerous than
usual in the southeast (v.o.); one at Mangas
5-17 Jul (ph. RF) was far west.

A Bell’s Vireo singing at Sumner Dam 9
Jun (WH) was north of its normal haunts;
3 of 4 Bell’s nests near San Marcial June-
July were successful, including 2 placed in
Russian olive trees (LW). Two Gray Vireos
in the Ladrone Mts. 10-11 Jun (N. 8c S.
Cox) provided a local first. A singing Red¬
eyed Vireo wandered W to Zuni 12 Jun
(JT). Maintaining the species’ southern
outpost was a Black-billed Magpie near
Isleta 20 Jun (M. Howe). The discovery of
seven pairs of Purple Martins nesting in
cottonwoods along the Canadian R. w. of
Raton June-July (J. Ray, R. Yaksich) estab¬
lished the first certain breeding for the
Sangre de Cristo Mts. and the northeastern-
most yet for New Mexico. Bridled Titmice
are now well-established N and E to the
Magdalenas and San Mateos; one-three
were at Water Canyon 24 Jul (CR),
Springtime 9-16 Jun (DC), and Vick’s Peak
29 Jun (GS). North in the R.G.V. was a
Verdin at Contreras, Socorro , 25 Jul (BV).
Seven Cactus Wrens in s. Harding 5 Jun
(SOW) established a new high for this n.e.
population; a pair tending two young at
McDonald’s in Tucumcari 10 Jul (CR) fur¬
nished a local breeding first. A Canyon
Wren pair fledged five young from a ceram¬
ic flower pot on a porch at Abo 8 Jun (ph.
HS). A Carolina Wren was singing at
Socorro 2 & 10 Jun (JO), where the species
has been suspiciously present for over a
year. For the 3rd consecutive year a Winter
Wren was singing below Jemez Falls 18 Jun
(JP) and 1 Jul (WW). A few Marsh Wrens
bred at Stone and Enbom lakes, where there
were nests with eggs 13-14 Jun (DS). Most
unusual was an Am. Dipper at the Monti-
cello Box, Socorro, 23 Jun (CR).

Three Golden-crowned Kinglets on San
Mateo Peak 9-16 Jun (DC) likely were local
breeders; a respectable 33 Golden-crowneds
were near Cloudcroft 21 Jun (WH). An ad.
E. Bluebird was feeding a juvenile at Socorro
23 Jun (JO). Three Veerys sang at Chama 2
Jul (JP) and another was on the Rio Pueblo,
Taos, 23 Jun (WW). Up to five pairs of Gray
Catbirds in the lower R.G.V. near Radium

Springs 23 Jun-31 Jul (R. Meyer) marked
the southernmost breeding locality yet for
this expanding species; 2 territories had
nests with eggs and a 3rd had nestlings.
With nearly 2100 counted, N. Mockingbird
was the most abundant breeding species
detected on New Mexico BBS routes in June;
one at Zuni had a remarkable Mexican
repertoire, including Buff-collared Nightjar,
Gila Woodpecker, and Thick-billed King¬
bird ( JT). There are few documented Brown
Thrasher nests for New Mexico, so a pair
that nested in n.e. Union (but whose nest¬
lings fell victim to a cat) was noteworthy
(LF); a pair in n. Roosevelt 18 Jun (WH) may
have nested locally, while one singing near
Wagon Mound 19 Jun (CR) was a surprise.
In rapidly growing n.w. Albuquerque,
Curve-billed Thrashers appeared to have
replaced Crissals (WH); at Eldorado, a
Curve-billed nested successfully in a kestrel
box (DS). A Cedar Waxwing at Sumner
Dam 9 Jun (WH) was late; possibly sum¬
mering were two each at Chama 2 Jul (JP)
and Orilla Verde 7 Jul (CR). Up to 12
Phainopeplas, including grown juveniles,
were in the middle R.G.V. at Escondida 27
Jun (HS). East were up to four at Quarai 30
Jun (HS) and 4 Jul and later (BV); one was
near Pinon 1 1 Jun ( WH) and one-two were
at 2 sites in the w. Guadalupe Mts. 5 & 9 Jul
(SW).

WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES

Pushing N were four Olive Warblers in the
Magdalena Mts. 22 Jun (ph. JO) and three
in the adjacent San Mateo Mts. near
Springtime 11-16 Jun (DC). Consolidating
their expansion into w. Sierra were up to
four Lucy’s Warblers on Macho Cr. 10-25
Jun (CR, H.A.) and at Lake Valley 8-24 Jun
(GS, H.A.). Several eastern warblers found
the Gila Valley near Cliff to their liking,
including a singing N. Parula 21 Jun (DH),
a singing Chestnut-sided 2 & 20 Jul (A.
Favis, SS), and a Black-and-white banded 3
Jul and recaptured 24 Jul (M. Means);
another Black-and-white was in n.
Roosevelt 18 Jun and 23 Jul (WH). An
Audubon’s Warbler nesting in pinon at
7500 ft in the Manzanita Mts. 4 Jun (HS)
was unusual in its choice of habitat and ele¬
vation. A pair of Grace’s Warblers fed a
fledgling cowbird at Bandelier 11 Jul (BN,
DE). Single imm. male Am. Redstarts sang
at Socorro 9 Jun (JO), 12 Jun (JS), and 18
Jul (BN, DE) and in the Manzanita Mts. 4
Jul (HS). Single Prothonotaries were at
Pena Blanca 13 Jul (WW) and Socorro 9
Jun (JS). Swainson’s Warbler was finally
added to the New Mexico list when one was

VOLUME 5 J (1999), ISSUE 4

419

found and photographed at Socorro 30 Jul
(JP, ph. JO); there had been about 5 previ¬
ous undocumented sightings dating back to
1983. Yet another southerner pushing N
was a Red-faced Warbler in the Zuni Mts.
1 1 Jun (JT), a first for that area; also in the
Zunis were one-two vocal Painted Red¬
starts 1 1 Jun (JT).

Hepatic Tanagers continued their pres¬
ence in the northeast, including one near
Gallinas, San Miguel, 6 Jun (CR), four on
Rowe Mesa 13 Jun (CR), and one near
Sabinoso 19 Jun (CR). Northerly Summer
Tanagers included singles on the Canadian
R. near Sabinoso 19 Jun (CR) and n. of
Tucumcari 12 Jun (CR); unusual were sin¬
gles in the Pinos Altos Mts. 7 Jun (BZ) and
at Deming 25 Jun (LM). With over 2000
reported, Cassin’s Sparrow was a close 2nd
to N. Mockingbird for the most abundant
species detected on New Mexico BBS
routes. Cassin’s was plentiful in the verdant
east, with fewer W to the R.G.V. and in the
northwest; it went unreported from the dry
southwest until the onset of July rains,
when it was found singing commonly near
Nutt, Hachita, Antelope Wells, and in the
Animas Valley 28-29 Jul (SOW, PM). The
5th year of intensive Botteri’s Sparrow sur¬
veys found the species well-established in
the middle Animas Valley, with 25 occupied
territories 28-29 Jul (SOW, PM). One-four
Rufous-crowned Sparrows were N to the
Rio Grande Gorge and Orilla Verde 7-8 Jul
(CR, H.A.). Also N were three Black-
chinned Sparrows at Orilla Verde 30 Jun
(H.A.). Good grassland conditions in the
northeast provided for a good Lark Bunting
season, especially in Colfax, Union, Harding,
and San Miguel; one-four Lark Buntings
were S to Torrance (SOW), Lincoln (J.
Kelly), and Roosevelt (SS), while far W were
two at De-Na-Zin, San Juan, 9 Jun (H.A.). A
Savannah Sparrow was singing from uncut
alfalfa at Ramah 12 Jun (JT). Four N.
Cardinals were N to Tucumcari 10 Jul (CR),
where they are now established; two-three
were on Macho Cr., s. Sierra, 25 Jun (H.A.)
and 24 Jul (JO). North for the season were
single male Pyrrhuloxias near White Oaks 4
Jun (SOW) and B.L.N.W.R. 10 Jun (WH). A
Rose-breasted Grosbeak was at Zuni 10 Jun
( JT). South were one-three Lazuli Buntings
singing near Tijeras 5 Jun and later (HS,
BV). Although the species summers widely,
few Indigo Bunting nests are reported for
New Mexico; one with eggs in sweet-clover
near Escondida 17 Jun fledged three by 7 Jul
(LW). A Painted Bunting was N to Tucum¬
cari 10 Jul (CR). Two Dickcissels were W to
Ruby Ranch, San Miguel, 4 Jul (WW).

Eastern Meadowlarks continued to be
found n. of their expected range, especially
in Union and Harding; three were at Sedan
3 Jun (K. Granillo), 16 at Rosebud 8 Jun (D.
Svingen), and one was near Gallegos 5 Jun
(SOW). Eleven Easterns at Zuni 1 1 Jun ( JT)
and one on Rowe Mesa 13 Jun (CR) were
noteworthy. Common Grackles continued
to push W, including an adult and fledgling
at Bluewater 17 Jul (JO), two at Grants 17
Jul (JO), and one at Lake Valley 24 Jun
(CR). Far north was an Orchard Oriole
near Cuba 21 Jun (CR); another sang at
Socorro 3 Jun (JO). The only Cassin’s
Finches reported were singles in the Zuni
Mts. (where breeding is unconfirmed) 9 &
11 Jun (JT). Moderate numbers of Red
Crossbills were widespread in most mon¬
tane areas, including the Zuni Mts. where
“Type-2” birds favored ponderosa and
“Type-5s” favored Douglas fir (JT). A pair
of Pine Siskins feeding young at 6200 ft at

Zuni 2 Jul (DC) was noteworthy. Lingering
Am. Goldfinches included one at Zuni 12
Jun (JT) and two at Orilla Verde 7 Jul
(H.A.).

Initialed Observers: David Cleary, Alan
Craig, Gordon Ewing, Douglas Emkalns,
Ralph Fisher, Lavina Fry, Hawks Aloft
(H.A.), David Hawksworth, William Howe,
Larry Malone, Patricia Mehlhop, Bruce
Neville, Jerry Oldenettel, John Parmeter,
William Radke, Christopher Rustay,
Gregory Schmitt, Hart Schwarz, John
Shipman, Dale Stahlecker, Scott Stoleson,
John Trochet, Brad Vaughn, Gordon
Warrick, Steve West, William West, Larry
White, S. O. Williams, Barry Zimmer;
Museum of Southwestern Biology at Univ.
of New Mexico (MSB).

Sartor O. Williams III, 65 Verano Loop,
Santa Fe, NM 87505

alaska region

THEDE TOBISH

ummer 1999 was characterized by
opposite weather extremes. At the
beginning of the season, the cold, heavy
precipitation of the spring continued well
into June throughout the Region. While
those conditions debilitated early breeders
and protracted the insectivore migration,
summer made an abrupt entrance by mid-
June and unseasonably dry and warm ele¬
ments dominated through the period.
Except for Alder Flycatchers, most swal¬
lows, warblers, flycatchers, and Alaska-
bound Palearctic migrants were a few days
to two weeks late in arriving. By the end of
July most stations registered below-average
precipitation, a situation that apparently
mitigated the nesting failures anticipated

from the poor spring. Unlike many years,
this summer’s highlights focused entirely
on late arrivals and interesting wanderers
rather than significant breeding records.
With the continuing trend on funding for
passerine research, the previous focus on
pelagic and nearshore bird information has
unfortunately faded since the late 1980s.
Disappointingly, there were few pelagic
reports this summer.

Abbreviations: ABO (Alaska Bird Observatory);
North Gulf (North Gulf of Alaska); SE (Southeast
Alaska); SC (Southcoastal Alaska); SW (South¬
west Alaska); UCI (Upper Cook Inlet); Y-K Delta
(Yukon-Kuskokwim River Deltas). Referenced
details (t), specimens (*), photographs (ph.),
and videotape (v.t.) are on file at University of
Alaska Museum. Italicized placenames denote
especially unusual locations for the species in
question.

LOOMS THROUGH RAILS

The only Arctic Loon reported was a single
over Kotzebue 9 Jul (fDWS). Yellow-billed
Loons were widely reported, although a
June bird out Chena Hot Springs Rd. n. of
Fairbanks ( fide ND) was the only extralimi-
tal sighting and one of few Interior reports.
Two others in alternate plumage in the
Ketchikan area 1 1 & 20 Jun (TH, PH, SCH)

420

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

were local summer firsts — but still within
the SE region where scattered summering
birds turn up annually. Only two Short¬
tailed Albatross were described, both
immatures around vessels: n.w. of Unimak

l. 14 Jun (fBMM, GLH, BPG, CLB) and just
offshore of St. Paul I. 17-18 Jul (JP, fide ST
PAUL). Well inshore and unusual for mid¬
summer were two Fork-tailed Storm-
Petrels up Lynn Canal near the Endicott R.
mouth 12 Jul (AD). Casual in the Pribilofs
and farther north in the Bering Sea, a single
Double-crested Cormorant was identified
at St. Paul 16 Jul (ST PAUL). Another sum¬
mer Great Egret surfaced in Juneau 25-26
Jun (DWS, GW, PS). Two of the Region’s 8
previous sightings have come from the c.
Aleutians.

Compared with past summers, water-
fowl highlights were fewer and emphasized
mostly divers. Blue-winged Teal were on
the move, however, with single extralimi-
tals near Anchorage 4-19 Jun (RLS et al.),
across Cook Inlet on alpine Turquoise L. 6
Jun (PT, MD, REG), and near Nome 9-12
Jun, for a 2nd local record (RLS, VENT).
Redheads also wandered, with a single at
Wonder L. in Denali N.P. and Preserve 31
May (NAT AUDUBON) and a pair at
Ketchikan’s Ward L. 12-15 Jun (SCH, ph.
AP) for a first local summer record; a flock
of 10+ summered at Anchorage’s West¬
chester Lagoon 17-26+ Jun (NS, RLS,

m. ob.). A Ring-necked Duck pair near Se¬
ward 15 Jun (WINGS) was rare for the Gulf
Coast in summer. Two drake Tufted Ducks
were out-of-season and rare for SC at
Kodiak 19-26 Jun (RAM, SW). The latest
and most easterly of the spring season’s
reports was a female Smew at Tanaga I. in
the c. Aleutians 8 Jun (ZEGRAHM EXP). A
female Hooded Merganser at Gambell Jun
8 (VENT) established the northernmost
record for Alaska and a first in the n. Bering
Sea. Also extralimital — but more in sync
with previous Interior reports — were
another two 17 Jul in the s. Alaska Range
near the Denali Hwy midpoint (WINGS).

Casual in summer at Kodiak was a sin¬
gle Osprey near Karluk L. 4 Jul (PPP).
Another Am. Kestrel pair was suspected
nesting 17 Jun out Eagle R. Valley n. of
Anchorage (NS) in an area at or close to
the southernmost edge of the species’
breeding range in the Region. Soras were
reported only at 25-Mile Marsh, with up to
three there 12 Jun-3 Jul (AD); this small
wetland complex inland from Haines has
been the most consistent habitat in the
Region for Sora over the past decade.

PLOVERS

THROUGH WOODPECKERS

As usual, summer season shorebird high¬
lights punctuated the end of northbound
and the onset of southbound passage. Late
spring migrants included an oddly located
Black-bellied Plover up the Glenn Hwy
near Sheep Mt. 12 Jun (WINGS), where
there are no previous reports; single Mon¬
golian Plovers at Nome 12 Jun (VENT),
where casual, and at Gambell 13 Jun (NAT
AUDUBON); three+ Com. Ringed Plovers
still around Gambell to at least 13 Jun (NAT
AUDUBON); single and northerly uncom¬
mon Wood Sandpiper and Com. Sandpip¬
er, also at Gambell 10 Jun and later (NAT
AUDUBON); two Com. Sandpipers on the
beach at Kasatochi I., c. Aleutians, 6-10 Jun
(LS); and a casual Bering Sea Short-billed
Dowitcher at St. Paul I. 15 Jun (VENT).

Another Black Oystercatcher moved
well N of known Lower Cook Inlet locales
to Anchorage and freshwater habitats 1 1-12
Jun (FIELD GUIDES, TT, DFD) for a 2nd
UCI record. Madly displaying Pectoral
Sandpipers were more common in ephe¬
meral habitat around and inland of Nome,
where they are rare local breeders, 6-8 Jun
(WINGS). A pair of Pectorals at alpine Tur¬
quoise L. on the s.w. slope of the Alaska
Range 14-23 Jun (PT, MD, REG) probably
established the southernmost nest for the
Region. At or beyond the northern periph¬
ery of the species’ range were two Short¬
billed Dowitchers near Sheep Mt. on the
Glenn Hwy 12-14 Jun (WINGS). Short-
billeds, likely overshoots or pioneering
males, are found sporadically — usually dis¬
playing over sedge pools in the Alaska
Range/Talkeetna Mt. passes in the first half
of June. Initial southbound peeps away
from Bering Sea areas, first found mostly
after 22 Jun at N. Gulf staging centers, were
somewhat late with unremarkable peaks.
Notable southbound firsts included a Gray¬
tailed Tattler at St. Paul 13 Jul (ST PAUL)
and early SE area Stilt Sandpipers 24 8c 28
Jul at Juneau (PS, GW).

Away from regular sites, a single Black¬
headed Gull turned up at Nome 12 Jun
(WINGS, VENT) where casual in summer.
Noteworthy for summer, Ring-billed Gulls
included singles in Ketchikan Harbor 6 &
30 Jun (SCH) and another north at Juneau
27 Jun (PS); most SE records occur concen¬
trated s. of the Stikine R. after early July.
Aside from the regular Bering Sea numbers
and locations, an ad. Slaty-backed Gull up
Cook Inlet at Anchorage 12 8c 20 Jun
(FIELD GUIDES, DWS) was the season’s
significant report. Caspian Terns included

another pair on Anchorage mudflats 23 Jun
(DFD, BP) for a 6th UCI record; a single at
Ketchikan Jun 6 (SCH), where rare; and
excellent concentrations from the Juneau
area, with a peak 14 on 23-24 Jul (PS,
GW). Typical for the last decade were sin¬
gle longipennis Com. Terns from St. Paul I.
in the Bering Sea 10 8c 26 Jun (WINGS, ST
PAUL, BR). A breeding-plumaged Dovekie
in the Aethia colony at Kasatochi I. 25 Jun
(fLS) was the Aleutians’ 2nd ever; Dovekies
are casual s. of St. Lawrence I. at any season.
Significant Marbled Murrelet summer con¬
centrations were again tallied in Juneau’s
Auke Bay, with a high of 2100+ on 28 Jul
(GW). Parakeet Auklet numbers have
grown at Woman’s Bay, Kodiak I., colonies
since the last census from the 1970s; this
season 92 individuals were found on 4
small islets (RAM, KT, CA). Rare inshore
and at the e. periphery of the species’ range,
two Crested Auklets were in Aialik Bay 24
Jun (VENT).

Following widespread late spring arri¬
vals to Bering Sea islands, Com. Cuckoos
continued to show up through late June.
Included in this year’s movement was a
minimum seven around St. Paul I. 3-18 Jun
(ST PAUL, WINGS, VENT) and another
four+ at Gambell 6-13 Jun (VENT, NAT
AUDUBON). A singing male in Anchorage
woods near Westchester Lagoon Jun 17
(tape TGT et al.) was SC’s first report, and
it extends the species’ occurrence in the
Region another 900+ km to the east of Shu-
magin Is., where Gibson had a suspicious
pair also in June. DeMartini’s Haines-area
wanderings produced at least nine Com.
Nighthawks 28 Jun-30 Jul at sites where
individuals had shown breeding behavior
the past few years; the combination of
excellent gravel bar habitat and good access
have made the Chilkat and Klehini R.
watersheds the best site in the Region for
this casual summer visitor. Breeding infor¬
mation for Black-backed Woodpecker, one
of the Region’s least known residents, is
always noteworthy: an accessible nest in e.
Anchorage woods June-25 Jul and later
(RLS, m.ob.) provided only the 2nd con¬
firmed nest record for UCI.

FLYCATCHERS THROUGH FINCHES

Given the extremely late and protracted
passerine migration this year, it is not sur¬
prising that Alder Flycatchers were reported
through June off the SE mainland in what
were probably record numbers. Six togeth¬
er near Juneau 20 Jun (PS) and another
three offshore around Revillagigedo and W
to Prince of Wales I. 13-24 Jun (SCH, MB)

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

421

were notably late and unprecedented for
offshore sites. Continuing the trend of the
past decade, at least one Willow Flycatcher
was confirmed in song n. of Juneau 4-5 Jul
(tape PS). VanVliet’s (uneau-area yard cer¬
tainly produced on 20 Jul when an Ash-
throated Flycatcher, Alaska’s first, appear¬
ed for much of the day (ph. fGW, RJG, PS,
SZ, NM). Although this well-known wan¬
derer is casual in fall to s. British Columbia,
I am not aware of any records n. of the Van¬
couver area. A Say’s Phoebe reported from
the U.S. /Canada border outside of Skagway
15 Jun (AD) was at the w. edge of typical
Interior dry-country habitat; there are few
SE records.

The Region’s first Cassin’s Vireo away
from SE set up a brief territory in Anchor¬
age residential woods 14-18 Jun (AS, NS,
ph. RLS, tape TGT et al.), while another (no
details) was reported from mid-elevation
evergreen woods near Juneau 15 Jul (RJG).
Since the late 1980s this form (now a
species) has occurred sporadically, at least
at Hyder or Juneau. A pair of Black-billed
Magpies actively nest-building late
May-early June c. 21 km upriver of Haines
(in coastal evergreen forest) was 60 km s.w.
of known nesting habitats in Chilkat Pass.
Essentially all of SE’s known magpie nests
have been found in the lower sections of
watersheds draining interior British
Columbia (e.g., Glacier Bay). A single Sky
Lark was late and unusually N at Gambell 8
Jun (VENT). Following the decent spring
showing in the w. Aleutians, two territorial
Sky Larks were still around the Shemya I.
runways through July (MS). The usual scat¬
tered singles and pairs of N. Rough-winged
Swallows were again recorded from the
greater Ketchikan area 17 Jun-21 Jul (SCH,
AP); a single at Juneau 6-8 Jun (LE) was the
northernmost within this scarce visitant’s
regular SE range. Always unusual in the
Bering Sea, where they show up every few
years, four Clift Swallows made it to St. Paul
I. 15-24 Jun (ST PAUL). The usual scatter¬
ing of extralimital Barn Swallows was
reported, highlighted by one offshore at St.
Paul 25 Jun (ST PAUL, BR) and three
around Kodiak 19 Jun (RAM, SW) — which
were the first for that island in 1 1 years.

Both first records for the Pribilofs — and
representing the e. extreme of the spring’s
w. Aleutians passage — were single Red¬
breasted Flycatcher and Siberian Fly¬
catcher at St. Paul 1. 3-5 8c 13 Jun, respec¬
tively (ST PAUL, ph. RP). The early June
Siberian Rubythroat push also moved at
least ten birds, including singing males, to
St. Paul 1. 5 Jun-1 Jul (ST PAUL); the July

date suggests some of these individuals
summered there, a rare event. At least one
Eye-browed Thrush skulked around St.
Paul 4—10 Jun (ST PAUL), the season’s only
spring leftover. Anchorage’s “resident”
Northern Mockingbird continued down¬
town near the cemetery (see the spring
report), holding a loose territory 25 Jun
through the period (KB, m.ob.). A female
White Wagtail first located 10 Jun had a
nest and 4 eggs in downtown Talkeetna 23
Jun-4 Jul (JP, MN, ph. fRLS, NS); although
no mate was found during this period, she
actually replaced eggs that were collected
from the nest. Summer-season extralimitals
and fall migrant White Wagtails have
appeared away from their narrow Bering
Sea coastal breeding areas — casually in the
Interior and SC — but until now there were
no documented outlier nesting attmepts.
The season’s only Tennessee Warblers were
singles 10 Jun at Juneau (LE) — where it is
probably an annual migrant — and on the
Anchorage Hillside 19 Jul (WINGS), where
it accompanied local chickadee family
groups (and followed last summer’s first
UCI report).

Another Black-headed Grosbeak, this
time a singing male in Juneau 1 1 Jun (fPS),
added to a string of about 5 spring/summer
Alaska records, all from the s. half of SE.
Likely overshoots from the nearest known
breeding areas e. of the Wrangell Mts., a
pair of Purple Finches in subalpine thickets
near Dixie Pass some 30 km n.e. of Chitna
Jul 14 (fCE) constituted Central Alaska’s
3rd record and the 2nd in summer. Well
offshore, but unrelated to any known main¬
land summer vanguard, a lone Red Cross¬
bill was at St. Paul 18-26 Jul (ST PAUL);
there are a surprising number of such Ber¬
ing Sea records, usually from late-summer/
fall. The Gambell Hawfinch, first noted in
late May, remained habituated there
through at least 12 Jun (NAT AUDUBON).

Contributors and observers: J. B. Allen, C.
Anderson, R. Armstrong, ATTOUR ( P. J.
Baicich, G. B. Rosenband), C. L. Baduin, K.
Bartels, A. M. Benson, M. Brown, K.
Burton, D. F. Delap, A. DeMartini, M.
Dementiev, N. DeWitt, C. Eames, L. Edfelt,
B. P. Gibbons, D. D. Gibson, R. E. Gill, R. J.
Gordon, C. Harwood, S. C. Heinl, G. L.
Hunt, P. Hunt, T. Hunt, J. F. Koerner, R. A.
Macintosh, B. J. McCaffery, C. McIntyre, B.
Myers, NAT AUDUBON (B. Olewine, K.
Kaufman, B. Schram), P. P. Perry, J.
Philemonoff, A. Piston, B. Rowe, T. Schantz,
L. Scharf, R. L. Scher, M. W. Schwan, M.
Schwitters, N. Senner, S. E. Senner, W.

Shuster, M. W. Schwan, D. W. Sonneborn,
ST PAUL (St. Paul Tours: K. Burton, M.
Greenfelder, L. Ness, S. Toussaint, S. D.
Smith, R. Papish), S. Springer, D. Stokes, P.
Suchanek, M. E. Tedin, K. Titus, P.
Tomkovitch, K. Turco, G. Van Vliet, VENT
(K. |. Zimmer, D. Wolf), M. Walsh, M. L.
Ward, S. Wellborn, M. A. Wood, WINGS (J.
L. Dunn, S. Finnegan, S. Howell, G. H.
Rosenberg, et al.), ZEGRAHM EXPEDI¬
TIONS (T. L. Eliot, P. Harrison), S.
Zimmerman.

Thede Tobish, 2510 Foraker Drive,
Anchorage, AK 99517 (tgt@alaska.net)

J

A birder's paradise
240 species identified

Red-faced Cormorants,
Red-legged Kittiwakes, Parakeet,
Least and Crested Auklets,
murres, fulmars, and comical
Horned and Tufted Puffins

Annual Asian avian vagrants

Accommodations are cozy,
food excellent,
and the Aleut people
are eager to show you
the wonders of St. Paul.
Complete package tours
available. For reservations
and information,
see your travel agent,
call toll free
1 -8-PRIBILOFS
(877-424-5637)
or visit our web site:
www.alaskabirding.com

4Z2

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

british Columbia
region

MICHAEL G. SHEPARD

he summer can be summed up as dull,
dreary, and wet. The few hot spells that
occurred only lasted a few days at a time —
except in the Yukon, which started out hot
but joined the damp party by the end of
June. It was not until the very end of the
reporting period that warmer weather took
hold. One of the more salient repercussions
of a wet summer following last year’s
scorcher was the triggering of heavy conifer
cone crops in the boreal forests of the cen¬
tral and northern interior. As happened in
the previous 1992/1993 hot/cool- wet suc¬
cession, crossbills invaded in droves to feast
on the abundant seeds. The cool weather
also resulted in a very gradual meltdown of
the heavy winter snowpacks through spring
and summer; thus we avoided widespread
flooding over the southern half of the
Region, but lake and river levels remained
very high.

LOOMS THROUGH HAWKS

An apparent late migration wave on 1 1 Jun
at Larsen L., s.e. Yukon, produced an im¬
pressive concentration of breeding-plum-
aged loons, with 30 Pacific, 15 Common,
and a record-setting seven Yellow-billed
(CE, MG). Very rare in the Yukon, a Pied¬
billed Grebe was at Larsen L. 14 Jun (CE,
MG). A census at Cecil L. in the Peace R„
BC, 11 Jul tallied an astounding 2451 Eared
Grebes (DGC). The W. Grebe breeding sea¬
son at Salmon Arm and Okanagan L., BC,
was a total “washout:” no nests were suc¬
cessful (RJC). Predation and high water
appeared to be the main causes of failure.
Clark’s Grebes found in the interior at Sal¬
mon Arm 16 Jun included a male (FK) as
well as an apparent female paired with a W.
Grebe (RJC, KF); another single Clark’s
Grebe was at the n. end of Okanagan L. 29
Jul (RJC).

For the 2nd time this year, an imm.
Short-tailed Albatross was reported from
the Queen Charlotte Is., this time e. of Cape
St. James 25 Jul {fide TG). Small flocks of
Am. White Pelicans in the s. interior in
mid-June were surprising: Feldman found
17 at Salmon Arm 14 lun, Axhorn observed

24 at Vaseux L. on 17 Jun, and 25 birds (the
same group?) were reported from Swan L.,
Vernon, 18 Jun {fide KMC). At least three
visited the Strait of Georgia area in the
spring and early summer, ranging as far N
as Campbell R. where two frequented Tyee
Spit and vicinity 4-7 Jul (KH et al.). A Red¬
faced Cormorant in definitive alternate
plumage was well seen flying past the
entrance to Dixon Entrance 20 lun (MF). A
single Great Egret observed in the vicinity
of Campbell Creek/Shumway L. 20-22 Jun
(KAS et al.J was unusual in interior British
Columbia. Snowy Egrets at Salmon Arm
23-26 Jul (JM, HGo, RWy et al.) and
Williams L. 28 Jul into early August (SH et
alj were also rare interior occurrences.
Four Brant at Judas Cr., YT, 7 Jun (CE, PS)
were late spring migrants. Three Harlequin
Ducks along the upper Beaver R. — two
males 18 Jun and a female 25 Jun — added
to the few records of this species for the s.e.
Yukon (HGr, CO). Very rare in the Yukon,
three Black Scoters (an ad. male, a first-year
male, and a female) at Judas Cr. 7 Jun pro¬
vided the first documented Whitehorse-
area record (CE, PS, HGr). Another species
unusual in the Yukon was a male Hooded
Merganser observed at Larsen L. 13 Jun
(CE, MG).

The 9 Jun appearance of a Broad¬
winged Hawk at Willowbank Mt. in the
Blaeberry Valley (DL) was unexpected. An
adult at Mackenzie, BC, 27 Jul (LL, DB, SKi)
provided the first documented record for
that area, but even more exciting was the
discovery of an immature at the same loca¬
tion 30 Jul (DB, LL, SKi) — considerably far¬
ther southwest than other suspected breed¬
ing locations. The imm. Broad-winged was
calling frequently, as though begging.

PLOVERS

THROUGH WOODPECKERS

A late migrant Am. Golden-Plover was at
Nanaimo R. Estuary 1 Jun (GM). A single
Semipalmated Plover at Alki L., Kelowna,
BC, 20 Jun (JW) provided one of the very
few June records of the species in the
Okanagan Valley. In British Columbia, the
number of breeding Am. Avocets appears to
be on the rise. Northwest of Clinton, a pre-

yukon

viously unreported colony {fide LGy) had at
least 32 avocets 1 Jun, including 12 sitting
on nests. Although avocets have probably
bred in the Cariboo for many years (Cooper
1983, Murrelet 64: 47-48), this was the first
documentation of a “large” colony in the
region. The only other currently known in
the province, at Alki L., had 14 nests occu¬
pied as of 2 Jun {fide LGy), 4 of them on
man-made floating platforms. A Willet at
Alki L. 1 1 Jun (JW) added to the handful of
reports of this species from the provincial
interior. An Upland Sandpiper was seen on
several occasions at the Ft. Nelson airport,
BC, 14 Jun-18 Jul (JCB, DGC); although
the species is rare during the breeding sea¬
son in that area, nesting habitat for Uplands
is good at the airport. By mid-June the
southward movement of shorebirds was
evidenced by scattered reports from around
the province; by early July, shorebird migra¬
tion was in full swing, with thousands al¬
ready at Iona I. by 2 lul (RT). Semipalmated
Sandpipers put in a strong showing with
250 at Iona 1. 2 Jul, 200 there 8 Jul (RT), and
80 at Robert L., Kelowna, 16 Jul (CC).

A Long-tailed Jaeger at L. Laberge, YT,
23 Jun was the first record for the White¬
horse area (MC, AM). This spring and sum¬
mer, Franklin’s Gulls were reported in s.
British Columbia more frequently than
usual. One was at Iona I. 16 Jun (RT), and a
group of ten were at Alki L. 1 7 Jun — seven-
eight adults in breeding plumage and two-
three in intermediate winter/summer
plumage (JW); seven were still there 29 Jun

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

423

(JW). A first-year Little Gull was at Iona I.
16 Jun-21 Jul (TP); interestingly, there had
been many Little Gull observations in the
w. states in late winter and spring. A first-
summer Ring-billed Gull at Turner L., n.e.
Yukon, 2-3 Jul was well outside its normal
range (CE, MG). On 24 Jun, a pair of
aggressively territorial Glaucous-winged
Gulls greeted Cecile at the Grant I. gull
colony on Okanagan L., but no nest was
located. Although this species rarely breeds
away from the coast, nesting was possible at
this locale. Daily checks of a small flock of
Mew Gulls perched on the only rock in
Tabour L., n.e. Yukon, produced a crescen¬
do of gull rarities, with a first-summer
Glaucous 24 Jun, a first-summer Glaucous¬
winged 25 Jun, and a breeding-plumaged
Sabine’s Gull 26 Jun (CE, MG). Eight
Caspian Terns at Cottonwood Beach, Stuart
L. (Fort St. lames), 28 Jul (RRa) were note¬
worthy in c. British Columbia, and two at
M’Clintock Bay 12 Jun provided a 4th
Yukon record (JH). Nisutlin Delta, YT,
hosted 60 Arctic Terns (48 adults and 12
juveniles) 30 Jul (CE, PS). A Forster’s Tern
at Iona I., BC, 17-18 Jun (MW) was at an
unusual location for this time of year.

A 17 Jul aerial survey of 112-km2
Herschel I. on the Yukon’s n. coast tallied a
stunning 104 Snowy Owls, including 35
pairs (with 4 confirmed nests) and 34 sin¬
gles (DC, SKo, EJ, FE, LGo). Although we
occasionally find large wintering concentra¬
tions (e.g., 107 on the Ladner CBC 22 Dec
1973), this summer count at Herschel was
unprecedented. A Red-naped Sapsucker
photographed on Quadra I., BC, in June
(CTS) provided the first record of the
species for the Campbell R. area. A Pileated
Woodpecker along the La Biche R. 1 1 Jun
(CE) put in a rare Yukon appearance.

FLYCATCHERS THROUGH ORIOLES

Eight Yellow-bellied Flycatchers sang on
territories at Larsen L., YT, 11-14 Jun (CE,
MG), and two individuals singing on a 20
Jun BBS provided a first Whitehorse-area
record (CE). Rare on the coast, a Least
Flycatcher was found at Currie Cr. near
Duncan 4 Jun (MGS); two were at Pitt
Meadows in June (RT, DT et al.J, and one
was in Vancouver 22 Jun (KSr). The E.
Phoebe first reported 3 1 May at the Alaksen
W.M.A., Delta, BC, was present until at least
11 Jun (WE). Unusual on the coast during
summer, individual Say’s Phoebes were in
Langley near Campbell R. Park 24-25 Jun
(AT) and at Rocky Pt. 25 Jul (DEA). Well
outside its normal range, an E. Kingbird
was at Jackfish Cr. headwaters, n.e. Yukon, 3

Jul (CE, MG). Although E. Kingbirds are
regular visitors to the e. side of Vancouver

l. , they rarely make it over the mountains to
the w. slopes; a single bird at the Somass R.
Estuary 20 Jun (SMc) provided the first
record for the Alberni Valley.

A singing Blue-headed Vireo along the
upper Whitefish R. 15 Jun (CE) provided
s.e. Yukon’s northernmost record, while
three counted on the Rancheria BBS 13 Jun
were at the w. limit of this species’ Yukon
range (HGr). A pair of Blue Jays, a rare
breeding species w. of the Rockies, was dis¬
covered nesting in Kimberley, BC, 5 Jun
(BA, HA). Rarely reported from the Yukon,
a Gray-headed Chickadee along Thomas
Cr., n.w. of Old Crow Flats (Vuntut N.P.), 8
Jun was an excellent find (DH, RM). A con¬
fused Gray Catbird landed on the foc’sle
railing of a research vessel 6 nautical mi w.
of Triangle I. 24 Jun (MF) and established a
surprising outer coastal record for this inte¬
rior species. Single Cedar Waxwings, rarely
reported in s. Yukon, were at Larsen L. 14
Jun (CE) and at the upper Whitefish R. 17
Jun (CE, MG).

A singing Nashville Warbler found
along Copper Haul Rd. 20-21 Jun (CE, PS,

m. ob.) established the Yukon’s first well-
documented record; close examination
indicated that it belonged to the e. sub¬
species ruficapilla. Another individual well

n. of its normal range was at Ft. Nelson, BC,
in late June (fide JCB), and a singleton at
Ralph River Campground, Buttle L„ 12 Jun
(JF) was noteworthy. Rare but regular in
British Columbia, a Chestnut-sided Warb¬
ler was at Tranquille 27 Jun (RRi, CR). Two
singing Palm Warblers in n.e. Yukon — one
at Tabour L. 25-26 Jun (CE, MG) and
another at Turner L. 1 Jul (CE) — provided
the first documented Yukon records for this
species and a notable range extension. A
Black-and-white Warbler, usually found
only in the n.e. corner of the province, was
at Pitt Meadows 6 Jun (HM, JT). In British
Columbia, Am. Redstarts occur mainly e. of
the Cascade/Coast Mountains; a single bird
at Port Hardy 11 Jun (JCB) provided one of
the few Vancouver I. observations ever. The
Yellow-breasted Chat first reported at Sea I.
31 May was present until at least 23 Jun
(fide Vancouver RBA). On 21-22 Jun, a rare
bird survey conducted by members of the
British Columbia Field Ornithologists tal¬
lied 19 chats in the Okanagan and adjacent
Similkameen valleys (fide RJC).

An almost completely albino Chipping
Sparrow was a curious sight at Larsen L.,
YT, 12 Jun (CE). An extraordinary count of
18 “Timberline” Brewer’s Sparrows was

made at treeline along Mt. Granger in
Whitehorse 9-10 Jul (MG). Two Brewer’s
Sparrows, rarely reported from s.e. British
Columbia, were near the Duncan R.,
Kootenay L„ 10 Jun (GS). The Okana-
gan/Similkameen watershed rare bird sur¬
vey on 21-22 Jun produced an amazing 75
Lark Sparrows probably representing at
least 50 pairs (fide RJC). On 12 Jul Cecile
made a high count of eight Nelson’s Sharp¬
tailed Sparrows at Boundary L., Peace R.
area. A single Swamp Sparrow seen and
heard 6 Jul near Meadow Cr. in the
Kootenays (GSD, GS, RWe) provided the
first summer record of the species for s.
British Columbia. A male Rose-breasted
Grosbeak was at Willowbank Mt. in the
Blaeberry Valley 9 Jun (DL); although nor¬
mally rare w. of the Rockies, there were
numerous reports of these grosbeaks from
the w. United States this spring and sum¬
mer. Unusual n. of s. British Columbia, a
Lazuli Bunting was at Francois L. 3 Jun
(KW). Even more noteworthy were Lazulis
alongside the Hart Hwy 17 km w. of
Chetwynd, BC, 30 Jun (MP, CA) and two
individuals 23 and 25 km w. of Chetwynd 9
Jul (DGC). A putative hybrid Indigo x
Lazuli bunting was at Tranquille 30 May-4
Jul (fRRi, fSR, fWCW). Rare anywhere in
the north, a male Yellow-headed Blackbird
was just s. of the Yukon border at the s. end
of Teslin L., BC, in early June (MC). Six
Brewer’s Blackbirds were at Upper Liard 28
Jun (MH, PH). In the breeding season,
Rusty Blackbird is rare and local in s. British
Columbia, so a pair taking food to a nest e.
of Vernon 4 Jul (PG, KMC) was notewor¬
thy. A first-year male Bullock’s Oriole at
Race Point Rd., n. of Campbell R., 9 Jun
(VH) provided the northernmost Van¬
couver I. record of this species.

Cited observers (subregional compilers in
boldface): Betty Aitchison, Hughie

Aitchison, David Allinson (DEA) — Victor¬
ia, Cathy Antoniazzi — Prince George , Peter
Axhorn, Steve Baillie (SJB) — Nanaimo ,
David Bostock, Jack Bowling (JCB) —
Prince George & weather summaries ,
Richard Cannings (RJC) — Okanagan , Don
Cecile (DGC — Vernon, Chris Charles-
worth, Mary Collins (KMC), Mark Connor,
Dorothy Cooley, Larry Cowan — Vancou¬
ver, Gary Davidson (GSD) — West Koote¬
nays, Wendy Easton, Cameron Eckert —
Yukon, Frank Elanik, Kayla Feldman, Jamie
Fenneman, Michael Force, Bryan Gates
(BRG) — Victoria, Tracee Geernaert, Phil
Gehlen, Mike Gill, Hilary Gordon (HGo),
Liz Gordon (LGo), Max Gotz (BMG) —

424

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

Whistler , Tony Greenfield (AGG) — Sun¬
shine Coast, Helmut Griinberg (HGr) —
Yukon, Les Gyug (LGy), Peter Hamel—
Queen Charlotte Is., Vicki Hansen —
Campbell R„ Jim Hawkings, Margo Hearne,
David Henry, Steve Howard, Keith Hudson,
Elena Jones, Frank Kime, Sandra Kinsey
(SKi) — Prince George, Sandy Koep (SKo),
Laird Law, Doug Leighton, Hilary Maguire,

Rhonda Markel, Sandy McRuer (SMc) —
Alberni Valley, Angela Milani, Guy Monty,
Jeff Morgan, Clive Osborne, Mark Phinney,
Tom Plath, Phil Ranson — Cariboo, Randy
Rawluk (RRa), Clara Ritcey, Ralph Ritcey
(RRi), Syd Roberts, Michael Shepard
(MGS) — Southern Vancouver I., Katherine
Shewchuk (KAS), Kitty Shipper (KSr),
Craig Smith (CTS), Gail Spitler, Jim

Thrimbul, Rick Toochin, Allen Turner,
Danny Tyson, Hank vander Pol (HVP) —
Victoria, Keith Walker, Wayne Weber
(WCW), Reta Wege (RWe), Jason Weir,
Mark Wynja, Roger Wysocki (RWy).

Michael G. Shepard, Vision Group
International, Inc., 5325 Cordova Bay Rd.,
Victoria, BCV8Y 2L3 1

(mgs@orcatec.com)

oregon-washington

region

BILL TWEIT, STEVE ML0DIN0W,
and BILL TICE

he season was rather wet until mid- July,
when summer finally arrived and sun¬
shine became more than a vague memory.
The weather undoubtedly depressed land-
bird breeding success. A western Washing¬
ton bluebird project banded only 100 birds
compared to 151 last summer (Sam
Agnew). The cool, late spring was undoubt¬
edly responsible for very late dates for sev¬
eral northern migrants such as Golden-
crowned and Harris’s sparrows and Lap-
land Longspun The spring’s motif of interi¬
or birds displaced westward — Eastern
Kingbirds and a Black-chinned Sparrow,
among others — also continued. And who
knows what forces were responsible for a
stream of Gulf of Alaska seabirds that con¬
tinued from the spring: Mottled Petrel and
Red-legged Kittiwakes were the summer
contribution.

Abbreviations: F.R.R. (Fern Ridge Reservoir,
Lane Co., OR); Fields (Fields, Flarney Co., OR);
Malheur (Malheur N.W.R., Harney Co., OR);
O.R.B.C. ( Oregon Rare Birds Committee );
O.D.F.W. ( Oregon Dept, of Fish and Wildlife)]
O.S. (Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor Co., WA);
O.S.U. (Oregon Statue University); S.l.C.R. (south
jetty of the Columbia R., Clatsop Co., OR).
Eastside/Westside refer to the portion of the
Region east/west of the crest of the Cascades.

LOOMS THROUGH RAPTORS

A Pacific Loon in breeding plumage on
Lemolo L., Douglas, OR, 15 Jul (R. Maertz)
was very unusual on freshwater in summer.
Possibly marking the beginning of a 2nd

Willamette Valley breeding colony, a W.
Grebe summered at Baskett Slough N.W.R.,
Polk, OR (BTi, RG). Three pairs of Clark’s
Grebe at F.R.R. all summer (K. Beal) sug¬
gested continued breeding at the species’
only Westside colony. Pelagic trips in July —
two off Westport, WA (TRW), and one off
Depoe Bay, OR (G. Gillson) — found very
low numbers of N. Fulmar, averaging fewer
than 30 per trip, extremely low numbers of
Pink-footed Shearwater, averaging only
four per trip, and moderately low numbers
of Sooty Shearwater, about 1100 per trip.
The only Short-tailed Shearwater was one
found dead at Newport, Lincoln, OR, 1 1 Jun
(O.D.F.W., fide HN). Three Manx Shear¬
waters, now of annual occurrence in Wash¬
ington, were off Westport 10 Jul (tB.
LaBar); one in Admiralty Inlet 3 Jun (fG.
Lasley, B. Sundstrom) was only the 2nd
record from inland waters. Three Mottled
Petrels were found dead on Washington
beaches (C. Thompson, fide T. Hass); sum¬
mer records are unprecedented.

American White Pelican continues to
wander the Westside: one at Baskett Slough
N.W.R., Polk, OR, was last seen 10 Jun (RG),
two were at Crockett L., Island, WA, 18 Jun
(B. Merrick), one was on the Columbia R.
near Portland 18 Jun (J. Cowan) and 25 Jul
(fide D. Baccus), and two were at Blaine,
Whatcom, WA, 17 Jul (SM). One Great
Egret pair was observed nesting again this
year at Ridgefield N.W.R., Clark, WA, with
unknown success (J. Engler). Great Egret
was also reported nesting on a Columbia R.
island just n. of Richland, Franklin (fide
DR), apparently a new e. Washington loca¬
tion. Breeding continues at heronries
around Coos Bay, OR, a recently established
Westside locale. Snowy Egrets were at

Sequim Bay, Clallam, WA, 23-25 Jun (L.
Newberry, fide BB) and Rock I., Franklin,
WA, 6 Jun (fS. Atkinson); they have
become annual vagrants to Washington.
Summer records of Black-crowned Night-
Heron on the Westside continue to accu¬
mulate: there were 3 Oregon reports (TR, B.
Combs, BTi, RG) and one from Washington
(fide BN). The White-faced Ibis found this
spring near Othello, Adams, WA, remained
until 30 Jun (RH). An injured Ross’s Goose
at Bandon, OR, 28 Jun and later (RL) was a
first Coos record. The single Am. Black
Duck at Everett, WA, 6 Jun (SM) hopefully
represents the last remnant of an inadver¬
tent introduction. Up to two pairs of
Redhead at F.R.R. in July (D. Irons) contin¬
ue to fuel suspicions of local breeding —
their only Westside nesting. A pair of Ring¬
necked Duck nesting near N. Spit of Coos
Bay, OR, was at the s. edge of the species’
range.

White-tailed Kites continued to provide
evidence of range expansion: a pair nested
for the 2nd year at Nestucca Bay N.W.R.,
OR (F. Schrock); one was seen much of the
period and suspected of breeding at

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

425

Millacoma Marsh, Coos , OR (TR); Curry
had its first nesting pair along the Rogue R.
(CD), with young ready to fledge at the end
of the period; and one was near Toledo,
Lewis , WA, 13 ]un (C. Chappell). An imm.
N. Goshawk near Alsea, Benton , 23 Jun was
a rare Oregon Coast Range fledgling (TS).
There were only 2 reports of Red-shoul¬
dered Hawk n. of their usual range: one in
Philomath, Benton , OR, 19 Jul (TS) and an
adult near Brownsville, Linn, OR, 17 Jul
(RG, BTi). A very late Merlin was at Minto
Brown Park, Marion , OR, 11 Jun (RG).

RAILS THROUGH ALCIDS

The many Yellow Rails near Klamath Marsh
N.W.R., Lake , OR, 23 Jun (KS) indicated the
notable size of this isolated population. An
Am. Golden-Plover at Bandon, Coos, OR, 5
Jul (DL, KC) was very early, while a Pacific
Golden-Plover at Crockett L., Island, WA,
26 Jun was about a month early, establish¬
ing a record arrival date (SM, DD). On an
annual mid-June survey of the Oregon
coastal Snowy Plover population, a count of
52 was low compared to recent years; some
mortality was documented as a result of the
New Carissa spill (M. Stern, O.D.F.W.).
American Avocets are less than annual in w.
Washington, so one at American Camp, San
Juan , 17 Jun was a good find (S. Vernon).
Bar-tailed Godwits, including adults, are
being found with increasing frequency in
the Region, but there are still few June/July
records; one at Bay Ocean Spit, Tillamook ,
OR, 26 Jun-9 Jul (JG, GL, S. Jaggers) topped
the previous fall’s early date by almost 2
weeks. Nine Solitary Sandpipers this July
were more than normal; three at Potholes,
Grant , WA, 21 Jul (JA) was the peak count.
Casual on the Oregon outer coast in mid-
June, four Willets were at Bandon, Coos, 18
Jun (DL). A Wandering Tattler at Cow
Lakes, Malheur , OR, 22 Jun (R. Manwaring)
represented about the 7th record from the
Eastside and the first for a bird not clearly
southbound. An above-average total of 125
Semipalmated Sandpipers was reported:
107 from Washington and 18 from Oregon;
the peak tally was 20 at Crockett L., WA, 17
Jul (SM, DD). Nine Pectoral Sandpipers
during July was also better than normal; a
maximum of four were at Two Rivers, Walla
Walla , WA, 17 Jul (DR). A Dunlin at
Crockett L., WA, 24 Jul was a very early mi¬
grant (SM, PtSu), while one at Leadbetter
Pt., Pacific , WA, 12 Jul (R. O’Brien) and four
at O.S. 15 Jun may have been oversummer-
ing (TA). Adult Stilt Sandpipers are very
rare in the Region, but two were on Whid-
bey I., WA, this summer: one at Crockett L.

20 Jul (SM) and another near Freeland
20-24 Jul (SM). A juv. Wilson’s Phalarope
along Gap Rd., OR, 16-17 Jul (J. Harding,
RG, BTi) established a probable first Linn
breeding record.

A Pomarine Jaeger found sick near
Halfway, Baker , OR, 28 Jun was astonishing
for the interior in mid-summer (M. Ham¬
mer). The Parasitic Jaeger at Bayview,
Skagit, WA, 6 Jun (CK) was a late record for
Puget Sound. A sub-ad. Laughing Gull was
reported from the S.J.C.R. 31 Jul (fMP);
this would be the 3rd Oregon record if

Reminiscent of the days when
fishery agencies “controlled”
populations of mergansers and cor¬
morants to reduce predation on fish,
the burgeoning Caspian Tern popula¬
tion in the lower Columbia R. ended
up on the wrong side of the Endan¬
gered Species Act (ESA) this summer.
Diet studies of the approximately 8000
pairs breeding on Rice I. in 1997 and
1998 indicated that they consumed
millions — maybe as many as 22 mil¬
lions — of salmon smolts as the fish
migrated downstream past the colony
(D. Craig, O.S.U.). Since several of the
Chinook and Steelhead stocks in the
Columbia and Snake basins are listed
under the ESA, this predation acquir¬
ed additional significance. Federal
agencies attempted to decoy the terns
downstream to a colony site where
their diet would be more mixed. At
least 1200 pairs made the switch to the
new colony, bred successfully, and
consumed fewer salmon per individ¬
ual. That left almost 7000 pairs breed¬
ing at the Rice I. site (O.S.U.). Plans for
summer 2000 are to attempt to ex¬
clude terns from Rice I. and to encour¬
age some portion of the population to
leave the lower Columbia entirely.
Meanwhile, in Puget Sound, a new
colony appeared on a waste disposal
site in Tacoma; about 500 pairs
attempted to breed there (D. Norman,

M. Tirhi, Washington Dept, of Fish¬
eries and Wildlife). This location will
be “cleaned up” in the near future. The
only previous breeding locations in
Puget Sound were at Everett and
Swinomish Channel; terns were ex¬
cluded from the Everett site and have
vacated the Swinomish Channel site.
Homelessness appears to be a chronic
affliction for Caspian Terns in the
Pacific Northwest.

accepted by the O.R.B.C. The 2nd-summer
Little Gull at the N. Spit of Coos Bay 7 Jul
(fDL) was unseasonal and less than annual
in Oregon. A colony of 250 Ring-billed
Gulls on Miller Sands in the mouth of the
Columbia R. ( fide HN) establishes another
Westside breeding location. Unusual sum¬
mer numbers of Black-legged Kittiwake fol¬
lowed good spring counts and included 40
at S.J.C.R. 5 Jun (JG) and one at Cattle Pt.,
San Juan, WA, 1 1 Jun (FS); howerver, only
one was at Grays Harbor in July (TRW). An
imm. Red-legged Kittiwake near Tatoosh
1., Clallam, 28 fun-5 Jul (fTiW) represents
only about the 5th Washington record.
Three Sabine’s Gulls off Cattle Pt., WA, 7
Jun (FS) and one inland at Brownlee Res.,
Baker, OR, 19 Jun (T. Bray, M. Rose) were
unexpected summer records.

The Arctic Tern breeding colony in
Everett, WA, was at least two pairs strong
this summer (|. Flavin), and three were late
at S.J.C.R. 5 Jun (JG). Black Terns, appar¬
ently unconcerned by Caspian perils, may
be establishing a 2nd Westside breeding
colony. Up to five birds were at Baskett
Slough N.W.R., OR, during the period, and
on 5 Jul an adult was seen feeding an imma¬
ture, apparently confirming breeding (BTi,
RG). One at Monroe, Snohomish, WA, 6 Jun
(SM) was the only other Westside report
away from F.R.R.

The Oregon population of Com. Murre
had its first successful breeding season in a
decade (RL), apparently in response to
colder ocean temperatures and improved
productivity. In Washington, in addition to
the colony at Tatoosh I., 100+ appeared to
be nesting on White I., Clallam, 30 Jul (BB).
A 24 Jul pelagic trip off Westport encoun¬
tered 2685 murres with many chicks
(TRW), additional evidence of a good
breeding season. Unfortunately the good
conditions did not result in improved
counts of Cassin’s Auklets and Tufted
Puffins; totals of eight and two, respectively,
were seen during two July trips off Westport
(TRW).

DOVES THROUGH MOCKINGBIRDS

A Eurasian Collared-Dove at the isolated
oasis in Fields was Oregon’s 2nd (fM). How
long until Washington has its first? The
Malheur Yellow-billed Cuckoo remained
until 4 Jun (PaSu), and another was singing
near Ironside, Malheur, during late June
(MD, MLD) — a fairly typical season for this
rare visitor to s.e. Oregon. Common Poor-
wills are accidental in w. Washington, so
one at Mt. Hardy Burn, Skagit, 26 Jun was
exceptional (JW). The Costa’s Humming-

426

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

oregon-washington

bird at Bend, OR, remained until 28 Jun (D.
Tracy). Broad-tailed Hummingbirds seem
to be scarce but regular summer visitors to
s.e. Oregon, but their status in n.e. Oregon
is poorly known; thus a male and three
females near Flora, Wallowa, 19 Jun (AC)
and a female at Richland, Baker, 11 Jul (S.
Lindsay) were noteworthy. Washington
does not yet have any accepted Broad-tailed
records. Lewis’s Woodpecker was formerly a
fairly common breeder in the Willamette
Valley, but breeding was last recorded in
1977 after a rather steep decline, and the
species is now quite rare during summer
anywhere n. of Douglas on the Westside.
Consequently, one at Gresham, Multnom¬
ah, 6 Jul was noteworthy (D. Bailey, D.
Helzer). A White-headed Woodpecker near
Nisqually, Thurston, added to the handful
of w. Washington records (fR. Kirkham).

This summer’s 12 Least Flycatchers was
the 2nd best total ever for the Region. Nine
were on the Eastside — six in Washington
and three in Oregon — and three were in w.
Washington, where barely annual: Fortson
Mill Ponds, Snohomish, 12 Jun (SM, DD);
Whatcom Co. Line Ponds 4 Jul (SM, CK);
and Ft. Lewis, Pierce, 6-9 Jul (BTw, S. Mills).
An Eastern Phoebe near Rogue R., Jackson,
10-22 Jun was only Oregon’s 5th (|B. Clem¬
ens). An Ash-throated Flycatcher at the
Sandy R. delta, Multnomah, 26 Jun was in
n.w. Oregon, where rare (B. Altman), and
one at Wenatchee, WA, 15 Jun was n. of its
breeding range on the Eastside (EH). Excep¬
tionally rare for summer on the outer coast
were W. Kingbirds at Pt. Grenville, Grays
Harbor, WA, 24 Jun (P. W. Smith) and War-
renton, Clatsop, OR, 13 Jun (MP). On the
Westside, E. Kingbirds are mostly found at a
few nest sites in Multnomah, Snohomish,
and Skagit and are very rare anywhere far¬
ther west. This spring’s influx translated into
many more summer reports than normal,
including four from areas where this species
is casual: Cape Blanco, Curry, OR, 1 Jun
(TJW); Tatoosh I., WA, 14 Jun (R. Paine,
TiW); Cape Blanco 22 Jun (TJW); and near
Freeland, Island, WA, 26 Jun (SM, DD).

Four Plumbeous Vireos, all from s.e.
Oregon, seems an unusually high total, but
this species’ status is still being determined.
A Red-eyed Vireo was found again in Lucki-
amute Landing, Polk, w. of this species’ few
known nesting areas in Oregon (K. Spark¬
man); Polk’s first was recorded here last
year. The Olympic Peninsula’s first nesting
Red-eyed Vireos were near Sequim 30 Jun
(BN). A mixed Scrub x Steller’s Jay pair
produced three young in Spanaway, Pierce,
WA (SA, ph. R. Sullivan). A Pygmy Nut¬

hatch near Mt. Hardy, Skagit, WA, 26 Jun
was on the Westside, where casual (JW).
Two Purple Martins at Bingen, Klickitat,
WA, 9 Jul provided a very rare Eastside
record (SJ). More than 2000 Bank Swallows
together at Columbia N.W.R., Adams, WA,
21 Jul may well be a Regional record-high
concentration (RH).

Rock Wrens w. of the Cascades in Wash¬
ington are rare during any season, especially
during summer, so one carrying food at
Silver Star Mt., Clark, was notable (W.
Cady). A Mt. Bluebird near Bellingham,
WA, 18 Jun provided a very rare summer
record from the Westside lowlands ( fide G.
Walker). Veeries are casual on the Westside,
except near Newhalem, Whatcom, WA,
where they have been recorded several times
in past summers; this year, about four were
found at 2 sites near Newhalem on 12 Jun
(TRW) and at least four were still present 4
Jul, including an adult carrying food (SM,
CK). A Wrentit near Lebanon, Linn, OR, 22
Jun (K. Bettinger) is probably the northern¬
most record for the Cascade foothills and
provides evidence of this species’ continuing
range expansion. There were seven reports
of N. Mockingbird, all from Oregon, includ¬
ing a nesting pair at Bully Creek Res.,
Malheur, 23 Jun (F. Zeillemaker).

WARBLERS THROUGH CROSSBILLS

Virginia’s Warbler had been considered a
casual vagrant to Oregon, but last summer
several pairs were found in the s.e. corner of
the state; this summer a singing Virginia’s
Warbler near Ironside, Malheur, July 5 (J.
Gatchett) reinforced the evidence that this
species is a local but regular breeder in the
southeast. A N. Parula was at Fields 7 Jun
(K. Aldrich); there are about 40 Oregon rec¬
ords. A Chestnut-sided Warbler near Nile,
Yakima , 3 Jul was Washington’s 12th (ph. M.
A. Ruthrauff); most previous Washington
records are also from mid-summer. In Ore¬
gon, three Chestnut-sided Warblers added
to approximately 35 previous records: Mal¬
heur 5 Jun (D. Herr), Fields 5 Jun (AC, SR),
and near Sisters, Deschutes, 4 Jul (S. Shunk).
Oregon’s 6th Black-throated Green Warb¬
ler was at Malheur 13 Jun (AC, HN et al.,
ph.). A Black-and-white Warbler at Malheur
9 Jun was the only report of this regular
vagrant (PP). An Ovenbird at Fields on 11
Jun (M) and another there 17 Jun (R.
Smith) add to the approximately 40 Oregon
records. Several Am. Redstarts were at their
usual spot near Newhalem in Skagit/ What¬
com, WA (D. Beaudette, CK), the only regu¬
lar Westside locality. Three at Fortson Mill
Ponds, Snohomish, WA, 6-28 Jun (SM, DD,

S. Pink) suggested that a small colony may
exist there as well. A N. Waterthrush at Salt
Cr., Lane, OR, 4 Jul (R. Robb) was at the
only regular Westside location, but one at
Lincoln City, Lincoln, OR, 12 Jun (PP) was
on the outer coast, where very rare.

A Summer Tanager at Malheur 13 Jun
was about the 7th for Oregon (fAC, HN). A
scattering of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks was
typical for summer: this year a pair was in
Portland 7 Jul (P. Blair); one was in Seattle
22-23 Jul (C. Cretin); and six others were in
e. Oregon (fide HN). An Indigo Bunting
near W. Richland, Benton, 19-31 Jul was
only Washington’s 7th (BW); about half of
the previous reports were also from the
Eastside in summer. Brewer’s Sparrow is
generally considered a vagrant in w. Oregon,
but there has been suspicion of breeding
near the Cascade crest, especially in the
southwest. This summer two were near
Central Park, Jackson, where they now seem
to be regular, and one with a brood patch
was banded near Grants Pass, Josephine (D.
Vroman); two more were at Trailbridge Res.,
Linn, 14 Jun (RG), and one near Astoria 9
Jun was on the outer coast where casual
(MP). A Clay-colored Sparrow at N. Spit,
Coos Bay, 9-11 Jun was likely a very late
spring migrant (DL); the only other report
was of four singing males at the traditional
Spokane colony 17 Jun (EH). A Black-
chinned Sparrow near Markam, Clacka¬
mas, 12 Jun was Oregon’s 7th record and the
first away from Klamath and Jackson (SR, D.
Philpot, T. Janzen). A Black-throated Spar¬
row at Woodway, Snohomish, WA, 5 Jun was
left over from this spring’s remarkable inva¬
sion to the Westside (G. Toffic); the only
reports from e. Washington’s small and fluc¬
tuating population came from near Wapato,
Yakima, 19 Jun (AS) and near Vantage,
Kittitas, 16 Jun (EH). A Grasshopper Spar¬
row at Trailbridge Res. 14 Jun was away
from the few known nesting locations for
this species in w. Oregon (RG). A Golden-
crowned Sparrow at Vantage, Klickitat, WA,
3 Jun provided a very rare summer record
and was likely part of the late spring migra¬
tion (TA), but one at Gearheart, Clatsop, 20
Jul defies explanation and was probably
Oregon’s first for July (T. Thornton). A
Harris’s Sparrow near Dot, Klickitat, WA, 2
Jun was likely also a very late migrant and
was almost unprecedented for June in the
Region (SJ). Lapland Longspurs are rare
spring transients on the Westside, with only
a few records as late as mid-May; one at Ten
Miles Beach, Lincoln, 1 Jun (RB) and anoth¬
er at Yaquina Bay, OR, 3 Jun were unprece¬
dented (D. Copeland).

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

427

A few Great-tailed Grackles continue to
be seen in s.e. Oregon, with singles near
Ontario, Malheur, 6 Jun (R. L. Rowland)
and at Malheur throughout the summer
(m.ob.). Last summer, Washington’s first
Tricolored Blackbirds were found near
Wilson Cr., Grant, this summer, two pairs
were present there 18 Jun (EH). A Com.
Grackle reported from Page Springs, Har¬
ney, 28 Jun will be about the 22nd for Ore¬
gon if accepted by the O.R.B.C. (S. Nem-
etz). Yellow-headed Blackbirds were nesting
at 5 locales on Ft. Lewis, Pierce/Thurston,
WA (SA), one of the few w. Washington
locations with annual breeding. Washing¬
ton’s 3rd Hooded Oriole was at Joyce, Clal¬
lam, 17-21 Jul (fBN). A few White-winged
Crossbills were found this summer, includ¬
ing one at Mt. Dickerman, Snohomish, WA,
11 Jul (K. Knittle) and about 20 near
Sherman Pass, Ferry, WA, 20-21 Jul (BTw).

Contributors (subregional editors in bold¬
face): Jim Acton, Sam Agnew, Tom Aversa,
Range Bayer {Lincoln), Bob Boekelheide,
Kathleen Castelein, Alan Contreras, Mike &
Merry Lynn Denny, Colin Dillingham,
Dennis Duffy, Roy Gerig, Jeff Gilligan,
Randy Hill, Eugene Hunn, Stuart Johnston,
Craig Kemper, David Lauten, Gerard Lillie,
Roy Lowe, Maitreya (M), Tom & Allison
Mickel {Lane), Steve Mlodinow, Harry
Nehls (w. Oregon), Bob Norton (n. Olym¬
pic Peninsula), Mike Patterson, Phil Picker¬
ing, Dennis Rockwell, Tim Rodenkirk,
Russell Rogers (Washington), Skip Russell,
Fred Sears, Tom Snetsinger, Kevin Spencer
(e. Oregon), Andy Stepnewski, Patrick
Sullivan (PtSu), Paul Sullivan (PaSu), Bill
Tice (BTi), Bill Tweit (BTw), Terry J. Wahl
(TJW), Terry R. Wahl (TRW), Jan Wiggers,
Bob Woodley, Tim Wootton (TiW).

Bill Tweit, P.0. Box 1271, Olympia, WA
98507-1271; Steve Mlodinow,

4819 Gardner Ave., Everett, WA 98203
(SGMIod@aol.com); and Bill Tice,

750 Wood St., Falls City, OR 97344
(polkman@navicom.com)

Place names that are frequently men¬
tioned, but very long, may be abbreviat¬
ed in a form such as “C.B.B.T.” or
“W.P.B.O.” Such local abbreviations will
be explained in a key at the beginning
of the particular regional report in
which they are used. In most regions,
place names given in italic type are
counties. Standard abbreviations that
are used throughout North American
Birds are keyed on page 358.

middle pacific
coast region

PACIFIC

OCEAN

DON ROBERSON,

STEPHEN C. R0TTENB0RN,

SCOTT B. TERRILL,
and DANIEL S. SINGER

Persistent northwest winds associated
with La Nina continued into summer,
resulting in cool temperatures and strong
nutrient upwelling that led to high seabird
productivity. After reproduction of many
seabirds was hampered by last year’s El
Nino conditions (warm, relatively nutrient-
poor water over broad areas), it was
encouraging to see large numbers of juve¬
nile Brown Pelicans, Brandt’s and Pelagic
cormorants, Common Murres, Pigeon
Guillemots, Cassin’s Auklets, Heermann’s
Gulls, and Elegant Terns. Onshore it was a
rather typical summer, foggy along the
coast and sunny inland, although some
montane snowpacks lingered later than
normal.

Abbreviations: C.B.R.C. (California Bird
Records Committee); C.V. (Central Valley); F.l.
(Southeast Farallon Island); N.S. (National
Seashore); S.F. (San Francisco); R.P. (Regional
Park); R.S. (Regional Shoreline); S.R. (State
Reserve);^! A. (Wildlife Area). Reports of excep¬
tional vagrants submitted without documenta¬

tion are normally not published. These include
C.B.R.C. review species and claims of first coun¬
ty records. Birds banded at Big Sur R. mouth,
Monterey, should also be credited to Big Sur
Ornithology Lab.

LOOMS THROUGH RAILS

Pacific Loons migrating N in June are not
unusual, but 377 in one hour flying N past
Pelican Pt., Santa Cruz, 10 Jun (DLSu) and
350 in 1.5 hours over Pt. Reyes N.S., Marin,

5 Jun (SBT) indicated an unusually strong
passage. Inland Com. Loons, typically aver¬
aging two per summer, included two at
Upper Twin L., Mono, 23 Jun (MFRb) and
one at Crowley L., Mono, 23 Jul (PJM). A
single Horned Grebe at Butte Valley W.A.,
Siskiyou, 17 Jun (MFRb) was slightly below
expectation. A Red-necked Grebe at Pt.
Reyes 1 1-13 Jun (EDG, LLu) was at the site
of most of our summer records. A pair of
Eared Grebes with chicks at Hayward R.S. 8
Jul (RJR) provided Alameda’s 3rd breeding
record; another nesting attempt in early
August failed (RJR). Large numbers of
Black-footed Albatross were on Monterey
Bay throughout July, with a local summer
record of 359 on 21 Jul (DLSh, JiD). North¬
ern Fulmars occur erratically during sum¬
mer months; 25-30 on Monterey Bay, Mon¬
terey, 10 Jul (DLSh, JiD) represented a fair¬
ly high summer count. Since the first
accepted record of Manx Shearwater on 25
Jul 1993, there had been no records between
21 May and 8 Aug until this year, when one
was over the Monterey Seavalley, Monterey,
31 Jul (fDR, fSFB). A Brown Booby, annu¬
al in summer/fall since 1991, was on Castle
Rocks, Monterey, 22-27 Jul (H. Gellerman,
fDR et al.).

Six Am. Bitterns along Wise Rd. 4 Jun in
e. Placer (EP) were indicative of widespread
increases for this species on the e. side of
the Sacramento Valley and adjacent foot¬
hills during recent years. Marsh habitat has
been increasing as a result of higher rainfall,
irrigation, removal of cattle, mitigation
wetlands, and new urban runoff (fide
BDW). Least Bittern sightings have gone up
in recent years as well: singles were noted 8

6 12 Jun at Conway Ranch, Yolo (B. Hamil-

428

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

^ JL The banded Arctic Tern spending its 6th summer at Hayward R.S., Alameda, actually nested this year, apparently hybridizing
V with a Forster’s Tern (fRJR, ph. PEG). The Arctic female had unsuccessfully attempted to solicit copulations from Forster’s Terns
in previous years, but this summer it shared incubation duties with a Forster’s at a 3-egg nest from 18 Jun to 8 Jul, when the eggs hatched.
Two of the chicks died, and on 12 Jul San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory collected one dead chick and banded the surviving one. This
chick fledged around 5 Aug; it and the adult Arctic were last seen 17 Aug. Although the fledgling was similar in size and overall plumage
to a Forster’s, the presence of more extensive black on the hindcrown (intermediate between Arctic and Forster’s) suggested actual
hybridization rather than brood adoption by the Arctic.

An Arctic Tern (left)
and Forster's Tern
(right) produced this
hybrid chick (center)
that survived to fledge
around 5 August
at Hayward Regional
Shoreline,
central California.
This shot was taken
19 June 1999.
Not only was this
hybrid combination
apparently unrecorded
previously, but also
Arctic Terns had not
been recorded nesting
along the West Coast
south of Everett,
Washington.
Photograph/
Phil E. Gordon

ton) and at Vasona Res., Santa Clara, 10 Jul
(D. Bleher). Little Blue Herons away from
their regular sites in s. S.F. Bay were an adult
at Carmel R. mouth, Monterey, 19 Jun ().
Barnum, ph. BH1) and an immature at Co¬
yote Hills R.P., Alameda, 1-3 Aug (AWi,
tJMR).

Five Wood Ducks at Lee Vining, Mono,
26 Jun (I. Mendelbaum, D8cJP) provided a

A couple of imm. California
Condors from recent repatri¬
ations in Monterey began following
Turkey Vultures to “wild” carcasses
(mostly seals and sea lions) on remote
Big Sur beaches this summer rather
than surviving solely on carrion plac¬
ed for them by project organizers
(Ventana Wilderness Society, fide DR).
While this caused some concern about
possible lead ingestion (fishermen ille¬
gally shoot sea lions), it also recalled
the era when this species was first
described to science. George Vancou¬
ver collected those first condors as
they fed on whale carcasses on the
shores of Monterey Bay in 1792.

first summer record for the Mono basin. All
but one of 17 Blue-winged Teal reported
were males. In Humboldt 12 were consid¬
ered northbound migrants 4-11 Jun
(m.ob.),but individuals in Santa Cruz 4-15
Jun (DLSu), Mono 14 Jul (BtM), and Men¬
docino 4-19 Jun (GEC, CEV) were better
considered nonbreeders or post-breeding
dispersants. A pair in Martinez, Contra
Costa, 6 Jul (SAG) showed no evidence of
breeding. Three summering Long-tailed
Ducks were holdovers from spring — one to
at least 29 Jul in Moss Landing, Monterey
(RF, R. Fowler), and two at Bodega Bay,
Sonoma, through 31 Jul (LLu, CLu, BDP).
Another was at outer Pt. Reyes 6-12 Jun
(LLu, CLu, EDG).

Nesting Sharp-shinned Hawks are prov¬
ing to be more numerous in the Santa Cruz
Mts. than ever expected. No fewer than six
family groups or begging young were locat¬
ed in Santa Cruz, and seven more were in
San Mateo, mostly in secondary redwood
forest. Secretive behavior, poorly known
calls, and use of habitat that attracted limit¬
ed coverage by birders are likely contribu¬
tors to poor past detection {fide DLSu), but
population increase cannot be ruled out

and fits a pattern observed elsewhere in the
Region. Calling Black Rails were discovered
at 2 new sites in Butte, with one at Upper
Bidwell Park and two near Centerville 8 Jul
( J. Tecklin, TDM) extending the n. range for
the species in the e. foothills. Common
Moorhen was confirmed breeding in Siski¬
you at Shasta Valley W.A. 9 Jul (RE) when
two adults and four chicks were seen.

PLOVERS

THROUGH WOODPECKERS

Three ad. Am. Golden -Plovers were noted:
one at Pescadero, San Mateo, 5 Jul (SCR,
BMcK) was early, and two were at Novato,
Marin, 14 Jul (EDG). Adult Pacific Golden-
Plovers were in Alameda and Marin on 14
Jul, with one at Hayward R.S. (RJR) and
three at Abbotts Lagoon, Pt. Reyes (EDG,
m.ob.). Twenty-two Long-billed Curlews
near Indian Creek Res. 15 Jul (tJLx) consti¬
tuted an Alpine first. The Region’s 6th and
7th inland Black Turnstones were e. of
Kettleman City 13-31 Jul (RH) and at
Mono L. 29 Jul (J. R. Jehl), providing firsts
for Kings and Mono, respectively. A Serni-
palmated Sandpiper along Brewer Rd. 24
Jul (EDG, TEa) was Placer’s first. An ad.

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

429

Baird’s Sandpiper at Princeton, San Mateo,
26 Jun (RSTh) was exceptionally early and
represented one of very few June records.
Additional county firsts included an alter-
nate-plumaged male Ruff 5 Jul and a female
Red Phalarope 4-5 Jun s. of Honey L.,
Lassen (ph. fA. Brees) and two juv. Short¬
billed Dowitchers at Loyalton, Sierra, 12
Aug (tJMcC).

Rare on the n. coast, an ad. Laughing
Gull visited both the Sonoma and Mendo¬
cino sides of the Gualala R. mouth 21 Jun
(fBDP, DE). After a record spring, four
Franklin’s Gulls were about average for
summer: first-year birds were at Pigeon Pt.,
San Mateo, 11 Jun (RSTh) and Lower Kla¬
math N.W.R., Siskiyou, 15 Jun (RE, MFRb),
and adults were near Five Points, Fresno, 24
Jun (JSe) and n.w. of Shelter Cove,
Humboldt, 20 Jul (EE). A few more “north¬
ern” gulls than usual lingered into June, all
first-year birds. A Mew Gull, recorded in
the Region about 2 summers out of 3, was
at the Pescadero Cr. mouth 6 (un (AJ) for
San Mateo’s first summer record. Only
slightly more regular during this season,
Herring Gulls were in Palo Alto, Santa
Clara, 5 Jun (SCR) and Half Moon Bay, San
Mateo, 1 1-12 Jun ( AJ). More unusual was a
Thayer’s Gull at Palo Alto 5 Jun (SCR);
there are fewer than 10 Regional summer
records of this species. A Glaucous Gull at
Baldwin Cr. Beach, Santa Cruz, to 9 Jun
(SA1, DLSu) and singles in Humboldt at the
mouths of Redwood Cr. 14 Jun and the
Mad R. the next day (both KI) nearly dou¬
bled our summer records for this species.
After an unprecedented nearshore spring
passage that continued well into June,
Black-legged Kittiwakes oversummered
along the c. coast in record numbers. High
counts, nearly all first-year birds, included
1 10 at the Carmel R. mouth, Monterey, 19
Jun (SFB), 185 along the San Mateo coast
between Gazos Cr. and Pescadero Cr. 5 Jul
(SCR), and 140 at Pigeon Pt. 23 Jul (RSTh).
Similar oversummering has occurred 4
other times over the past 40 years — always
following strong nearshore passages of kit¬
tiwakes in spring.

Two ad. Royal Terns at Ano Nuevo S.R.,
San Mateo , 26 Jul (fPIM) were very un¬
usual, as this species has been recorded in
the Region fewer than 10 times in the past 2
decades. Low Elegant Tern abundance in
June and early July likely reflected low
ocean temperatures (e.g., compare this
summer’s high Humboldt Bay count of 47
on 28 Jul (DFx) to the 1700 present during
the 1992 El Nino).

For the 2nd consecutive year, Californ¬

ia’s only inland-breeding Least Terns nested
at private ponds in s.w. Kings (f JSe). A pair
was first noted 18 May, and six adults were
observed from late May through June. A
nest with eggs on 17 Jun eventually failed,
but another produced one fledgling which
was present with four adults to 6 Aug. Black
Skimmers in the s. S.F. Bay area included at
least three in Alameda, where a nest at
Hayward R.S. fledged one young in early
August (R)R), a pair nesting at the site of
last year’s first successful San Mateo nest in
the Menlo Park salt ponds 25 Jun into Au¬
gust (PJM), and at least three in Santa
Clara, where there was no evidence of nest¬
ing this year (WGB). Possible spring
migrant skimmers were one flying N at Pig¬
eon Pt. 11 Jun (RSTh), two at the San
Lorenzo R. mouth, Santa Cruz, 7 Jun (DBo,
L. Wilson), and one at Elkhorn Slough 16
Jun (YG); one or more pairs between the
Pajaro R. mouth and Moss Landing, Mon¬
terey, 23-25 Jul (RF, YG) were probably
southbound. Rare but nearly annual in
summer, an Ancient Murrelet was on
Humboldt Bay 14 Jun, and four were off
Westport, Mendocino, 21 Jul (both EE). A
Horned Puffin 5 km w. of the Eel R. mouth,
Humboldt, 13 )un (EE) presaged an August
influx.

Common Nighthawks seen and heard
over Cupertino, Santa Clara, 17 Jun (fL.B.
Gray), and Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, 21 Jul
(D. Breese) were among the very few records
for these counties. Lesser Nighthawks were
n. of their known range at 2 sites in e. Mono
(PJM). A Red-naped Sapsucker, w. of its
breeding range at Canyon Cr. Meadows
23-25 Jul (GSL), was only Trinity’s 3rd.

We no longer use the word “acci¬
dental” to describe vagrants, since
the vast majority are not “accidents” but
represent predictable phenomena showing
recognizable patterns when enough data are
available. Most are young birds making
navigational errors. If you’d like to argue
that “accidental” is still a useful word, try
citing the Red-headed Woodpecker. The 4
prior California records, all adults, com¬
prised two apparent spring migrants, one
summering bird (at the Salton Sea!), and
one coastal wintering individual. Now, yet
another inexplicable adult can be added to
this mix: Jim Smith photographed a Red¬
headed Woodpecker on outer Pt. Reyes,
Marin, 17 Jul as it “telephone-pole-hopped”
away from the Chimney Rock parking lot.
All efforts to relocate it failed.

Apparent hybrid Red-naped x Red-breasted
sapsuckers were in Trinidad, Humboldt, 10
Jul (SMcA) and 3 Mono locales (fW. Rich¬
ardson); at Green Cr., Mono, hybrids paired
together (tJyF). It now seems hybridizing
sapsuckers are as likely here on the e. slope
of the Sierra as are “pure” Red-naped pairs
(5 records of “pure” pairs; hybrid pair
details in W. Birds 4: 107-108). In the coastal
ranges, Red-breasted Sapsuckers produced
young again in San Mateo and Santa Cruz
(DLSu, BMcK), while Pileated Woodpeckers
were successful again in Santa Clara (L.
Chibana).

FLYCATCHERS
THROUGH TANAGERS

A Hammond’s Flycatcher was quite late at
Hidden Gulch, San Mateo, 5 lun (DLSu).
Vagrant E. Kingbirds were coastal at Pt.
Reyes 5 Jun (ph. RS, LLu, CLu) and Fair-
haven, Humboldt, 2-6 Jun (KI, DFx, JCP)
and were inland in e. Sacramento 24-27 Jun
(SAb), but one in Shasta Valley, Siskiyou, 15
Jun (RE) was where a pair likely nested last
summer. A Yellow-throated Vireo banded at
Big Sur R. mouth 28 Jul (T. Gordon, JBo, ph.
DR) subsequently summered and under¬
went a complete molt, remaining into Sep¬
tember. Monterey’s only previous record was
one found dead 23 Aug 1981 that may also
have been attempting to summer. A late
migrant Red-eyed Vireo was on S.F. Bay at
Coyote Pt., San Mateo, 2 Jun (RSTh), but
one near Woodfords 11-15 Jul was sum¬
mering as an Alpine first (|TEa, JSL). A Red¬
breasted Nuthatch visiting a Sacramento
feeder all summer (M. B. Metcalf) caused
Manolis to speculate about possible C.V.
breeding in planted conifers.

A Cactus Wren singing at Yellowjacket
Springs, Mono, 6 Jun represented Cali¬
fornia’s northernmost record (PIM). A brief
observation of an apparent pair of Eastern
Bluebirds on private property near Benton
Hot Springs, Mono, 4 Jun (fPJM) would
represent a California first if the C.B.R.C.
accepts the record. The nearest populations
in s.e. Arizona are thought to be resident,
although there is some local movement to
the lowlands in winter. A vagrant Gray Cat¬
bird was along Lee Vining Cr., Mono, 19 Jun
(J. Ellis), and a pair of Le Conte’s Thrashers
n. of Fish Slough 13 Jun (ph. tJLx) were
away from the only known Mono locale in
the extreme southeast. Summer Cedar
Waxwing locales where nesting is poorly
known included Trinity Center Airport,
Trinity, 13 Jun (K. Goetz), McCloud, Shasta,
27 Jun (B&CY), and Markleeville, Alpine, 20
Jun (DR). A Phainopepla on the w. shore of

430

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

middle pacific coast

Mono L. 30 Jun (BtM) was only the 6th for
Mono, and the first in summer.

Once again our “summer warbler” dis¬
cussion recalls a page from the old Eastern
Peterson guide. The rarest was a singing
Blue-winged Warbler along Santa Rosa Cr.,
Sonoma , 2 Jun (C. Shervington, ph. DN,
BDP et al. ). Northern Parulas successfully
nested at the Big Sur R. mouth, where up to
three singing males and two females sum¬
mered; a recent fledgling was netted 15 Aug
(tCHo). Elsewhere along the coast were
eight other N. Parulas, and another in molt
31 Jul apparently summered at Cosumnes
R. Preserve, Sacramento { JTr). Rounding out
the list of more expected “eastern” warblers
were two Tennessees; three Chestnut-sideds,
including Lake’s 2nd at Rodman Slough 24
Jun (JRW, BJMcI); a Magnolia at Fish
Slough, Mono, 16 Jun (tJyF); two Palms;
three Black-and-whites; six Am. Redstarts
(four in Humboldt); and an Ovenbird on
Mt. Davidson, S.F., 5 Jun (DSg). Less expect¬
ed were a Yellow-throated Warbler 19 Jun at
Skyline Cemetery, San Mateo (fRSTh), and
three Hoodeds: males along Butano Cr. 7
Jun (DLSu) and San Pedro Cr. 22 Jun
(RSTh), both San Mateo, and a female net¬
ted along Little Cr. 8 Jul, a Colusa first (T.
Gardelli,/ideKH). “Western” warblers out of
place were two Townsend’s quite late in
Mono 6-7 Jun (PJM, S. Heath) and a female
in Amador 25 Jul that may have summered
in the Sierra (MFRb). Two Summer Tana-
gers were reported from the coast, plus a
male 15 Jul in Carmichael, Sacramento
(SAb).

SPARROWS THROUGH FINCHES

Three Clay-colored Sparrows made it to the
coast in mid-June; one at Birds Landing,
Solano, 22 Jun (fBDW) and one banded in
Carmen Valley, Sierra, 1 Jul (tJMcC, J.
, Steele) provided 2nd and first county
records, respectively. After the impressive
; May influx, Black-chinned Sparrows were
discovered at various locales on Hull Mt.,
Lake/Mendocino, 9-29 Jun (JEH, RJK et al.);

, on Snow Mt„ Lake, 3 Jul (D. Woodward); 5
mi inland from Cape Mendocino, a Hum¬
boldt Lust, 3 Jul (fDFx, JCP); and at Red Mt.,
Trinity, 8 Jun (JEH et al.). Sage Sparrows
were unexpected in Belmont, San Mateo, 27
Jun (RSTh) and Sierra Valley, Plumas, 13 Jun
(tMEa). The last of winter’s Lark Bunting
J incursion was along Phillip Rd., Placer, 18
)un (JSL). Black-throated Sparrows were
also newsworthy in spring, and by June
additional birds were in Killgore Hills,
Siskiyou (RE, MFRb), and several new Mono
sites (PJM). Grasshopper Sparrows were

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

reported in high numbers throughout the
Region, with special mention of good
breeding populations in Santa Clara, San
Mateo, and Humboldt. Three Golden-
crowned Sparrows lingered into June, the
most remarkable at Sutter Cr., Amador, 10
Jun (MFRb). Both a White-throated
Sparrow in Bayside 1 Jun (DFx, JCP) and a
“Slate-colored” Junco in McKinleyville 4 Jun
(GSL) were very late in Humboldt. A “Gray¬
headed” Junco on Pt. Reyes 5 Jun (RS, ph. S.
Hein et al.) was not only late, but the first
“pure” example of this type in Marin.

Fifteen Rose-breasted Grosbeaks at
coastal locales (often feeders) or desert
vagrant sites were more than expected, but
more unusual were males in Chicago Park
14 Jun (I. Terry), Nevada’s 2nd, and
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite N.P., Mariposa, 24
Jun (fL. Vance). Blue Grosbeaks outside
their normal range included a pair at Tubbs
I., Sonoma, 21-25 Jul (BDP) and singles at
Anderson Marsh, Lake, 1 1 Jun (fRI, fKC), a
county first, and in little-worked Placer 4
Jun (EP) and Amador 3 Jul (SAG); there
were also three coastal vagrants and males at
2 sites n. of their range in Mono (G. Ballard,
PJM). Eleven Indigo Buntings (mostly
singing males) were scattered widely N to
Mendocino and Humboldt, including first
county records in Placer at Pigeons Roost
Canyon 22 Jun (R. Wachs) and in Alpine
near Woodfords 30 Jun-17 Jul (tJLx). An
ad. male Dickcissel along the Guadalupe R.,
Santa Clara, 24-26 Jul (MMR et al.) and a
Bobolink at Cloverdale Ranch, San Mateo,
27 Jun (BMcK) were both unexpected.

Great-tailed Grackles consolidated
recent gains and spun off new vagrants. The
same male was likely responsible for young
fledged from 2 nests in Seaside, Monterey, in
early July, while a nest at Shadow Cliffs R.P.,
Alameda, produced young by 24 Jun (ALE,
GFB). On the other side of the Sierra
Nevada, courtship at Bridgeport 7 Jun push¬
ed the species’ range farther north into
Mono, although no colony developed (PJM).
Females in Areata, Humboldt, 5 Jun (JSL,
tDFx et al.) and Redding, Shasta, after 8 Jun
(BED et al.) provided first & 2nd county
records, respectively. Vagrant males reached
the coast in Santa Cruz 9 Jun (SG) and 6 Jul
(BH1) and at Pescadero, San Mateo, 18 Jun
(DLSu). Two Gray-crowned Rosy Finches in
Sierra Buttes 8 Jul (JMcC) were a Sierra
county first, suggesting local breeding.
Lawrence’s Goldfinches were again wide¬
spread toward the c. coast and occurred
north in good numbers to Mendocino (RJK),
Trinity (JEH et al.), and Tehama (BED).

ADDENDA

Three important records from the last year
were inadvertently overlooked; each adds to
our knowledge about the Region’s birds. An
inland Gray Catbird, rare enough to be a

C. B.R.C. review species, was at Bidwell Park,
Chico, 7 Oct 1998 (fRob Willis, Richard
Redmond, tJohn & Helen Ost), a first in
Butte. A Yellow-breasted Chat at the Big Sur
R. mouth, Monterey, 20 Dec 1998 (fJND)
and an Indigo Bunting in a S.F. yard 30 Jan
1999 (fPaul Saraceni) were among our very
few winter records for these species.

Cited observers (county coordinators bold¬
faced): Steve Abbott, Steve Allison, Stephen
F. Bailey, George F. Bing, David Bockman,

William G. Bousman, Jim Booker,
Penelope K. Bowen, Rita Carratello, Kris
Carter, George E. Chaniot, Luke Cole, Hugh
Cotter, Jim Danzenbaker, Bruce E. Deuel,
Todd Easterla, Mark Eaton, Arthur L.
Edwards, Alan M. Eisner, Ray Ekstrom,
Elias Elias, Doug Ellis, Joy Fatooh, David
Fix, Rick Fournier, James H. Gain, Steve
Gerow, Yohn Gideon, Steve A- Glover, Phil
E. Gordon, Edward D. Greaves, Keith
Hansen, Rob Hansen, Bill Hill, Craig
Hohenberger, John E. Hunter, Ken Irwin,
Richard Irwin, Alvaro Jaramillo, Robert J.
Keiffer, Robin L.C. Leong, Gary S. Lester,
Cindy Lieurance, Leslie Lieurance, Jim
Lomax, John S. Luther, Timothy D.
Manolis, Peter J. Metropulos, Sean
McAllister, J. “Mac” McCormick, Brian J.
McIntosh, Bert McKee, Bartshe Miller, Ed
Pandolfino, Debbie & Jim Parker, Benjamin

D. Parmeter, Jude Claire Power, Jean M.
Richmond, Robert J. Richmond, Michael F.
Robbins, Don Roberson, Michael M.
Rogers, Stephen C. Rottenborn, Ruth A-
Rudesill, Jeff Seay, Debra L. Shearwater,
Rich Stallcup, Emilie Strauss, David L.
Suddjian, Scott B. Terrill, Ronald S. Thorn,
Chuck E. Vaughn, Kent Van Vuren, Jerry R.
White, Anna Wilcox, Brian D. Williams,
Adam Winer, David G. Yee, Bob & Carol
Yutzy. Many more observers were not
specifically cited, but all are appreciated.

Scott B. Terrill & Stephen C.
Rottenborn (Loons to Frigatebirds, Larids to
Alcids), H.T. Harvey & Associates, P.0. Box 1 180,
Alviso, CA 95002 (rottenbo@pacbell.net);
Daniel S. Singer (Herons to Shorebirds), c/o
Arroyo & Coates, 500 Washington St., Ste. 700,
San Francisco, CA 94111 (dsg@isp.net); Don
Roberson (Doves to Finches), 282 Grove Acre
Ave., Pacific Grove, CA 93950 (creagrus@mon-
tereybay.com)

Jl

431

southern pacific coast
region

A first-summer Mew Gull (standing beside a second-summer Ring-billed Gull)
at the south end of the Salton Sea, Imperial County, on 18 June
was only the fifth to be found on the Salton Sea at this time of the year.
Photograph/Kenneth Kurland

GUY MCCASKIE

This summer was a little cooler than
average, especially so along the coast.
Spring migrants were still passing north
through the Region in early June and
established some significantly late dates in a
number of localities. Breeding Bird Atlas
survey work continues in Los Angeles and
San Diego , with all results to be published at
the completion of the projects.

Abbreviations: C.L. (China Lake Naval Air Wea¬
pons Station, extreme n.e. Kern Co.); G.H.P.
(Galileo Hill Park in extreme e. Kern Co.);
I.M.P.P. (Iron Mt. Pumping Plant in s.e. San Ber¬
nardino Co.); N.E.S.S. (north end of the Salton
Sea, Riverside Co.); S.C.R.E. (Santa Clara R. Est¬
uary near Ventura, Ventura Co.); S.E. S.S. (south
end of the Salton Sea, Imperial Co.); S.F.K.R.P
(South Fork Kern R. Preserve near Weldon, Kern
Co.). Since virtually all rarities in s. California are
seen by many observers, only the observer(s) ini¬
tially finding and identifying the bird are includ¬
ed. Documentation for species on the California
Bird Records Committee (CBRC) review list is
forwarded to the CBRC secretary and archived
at the Western Foundation for Vertebrate
Zoology in Camarillo.

LOOMS THROUGH RAPTORS

A Pacific Loon near El Centro, Imperial , 1 1
lun (GMcC) was a late spring migrant
moving through the interior. A Horned
Grebe at N.E.S.S. 4-18 Jun (BMu) and
another at S.E. S.S. 27 Jun (MAP) were both
either exceptionally late spring migrants or
attempting to summer locally. Totally unex¬
pected was an ad. Red-tailed Tropicbird

flying over Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve,
Orange , 1 0 Jul ( JI, JEP, DEW); this species is
expected in small numbers far offshore but
is virtually unrecorded from anywhere on
the coast. An ad. Neotropic Cormorant at
N.E.S.S. 4 Jul (MAP) was believed to be the
same individual present at this location last
summer. The only Magnificent Frigatebirds
reported were one over Coronado, San Die¬
go, 14 Jul (MB) and what may have been the
same bird over nearby Pt. Loma a week later
(EW).

A Least Bittern in California City, Kern,
12 Jun (MTH) was a late spring migrant at
an unexpected location. A sub-ad. Tri¬
colored Heron photographed in San Diego
6-12 Jun (JP), an adult at Bolsa Chica 26
Jun (TEW), and what may have been the
same adult there 20-23 Jul (KSG) were un¬
expected, as records along the coast in sum¬
mer are few and far between. An imm.
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron flying in
from the ocean near La Jolla, San Diego, 5

Jul ( JRJ ) was obviously on the move and
one of a very few to be reported in Cali¬
fornia. Numbers of Wood Storks reaching
California each summer continue to de¬
cline, with only 15 present at S.E.S.S. this
summer (GMcC) and none elsewhere.

The presence of a pair of Fulvous
Whistling-Ducks with ten ducklings on
Finney L. 27 Jul (BMi) was the only evi¬
dence of nesting this summer by a species
now nearly extirpated as a breeding bird in
California. A male Harlequin Duck at Playa
del Rey, Los Angeles, 5 Jul and later (RB) was
believed to be the same bird found here 16
May (KL). A noteworthy selection of scot¬
ers was present on the Salton Sea, with at
least six Surf Scoters at N.E.S.S. from spring
through 31 Jul (BMu, MAP, AME), up to
four White-winged there during the same
period (GMcC, MAP), and a Black Scoter
found there 28 April joined by a second 4
Jun-31 Jul (BMu); another White-winged
Scoter was at S.E.S.S. 23-25 Jun (MAP). A

432

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

Long-tailed Duck on the coast in Ventura
26 Jun and later (DD) clearly spent the
summer locally. A female Bulflehead with
two half-grown ducklings at N.E.S.S. 1 May
(MAP) provided by far the southernmost
nesting record in California. Although a
Com. Goldeneye in Bishop 27 May-17 Jun
(T&JH) and another on Tinemaha Res.
19-30 Jun (T&JH) provided the first sum¬
mer records for Inyo, it is considered rare
but almost annual at this time of the year
farther south on the Salton Sea.

A White-tailed Kite near Bluff L. in the
San Bernardino Mts. 24 Jul (JEP) was at the
exceptionally high elevation of 8000 ft. A
pair of N. Goshawks that raised three young
in the Golden Trout Wilderness Area of In¬
yo this summer (RAH) furnished one of on¬
ly a few Regional nesting records. A Coop¬
er’s Hawk in Brawley 18 Jun (MJSanM) was
an early fall migrant. A Harris’s Hawk at
Tinemaha Res. 9 Jul (T&JH) was probably
an escapee.

PLOVERS THROUGH TERMS

Single Am. Golden-Plovers on the coast at
S.C.R.E. 2 Jul (DD) and on San Diego Bay
17 Jul (DP) were probably early fall
migrants, but one at S.E.S.S. 11 Jun-18 Jul
(KZK, MAP) appears to be the first known
to spend the entire summer in California. A
Pacific Golden- Plover was near the Santa
Maria R. mouth 23 Jun (JMC). A pair of
Semipalmated Plovers successfully hatched
young at the Santa Maria R. mouth, Santa
Barbara/San Luis Obispo, 14-18 Jul (JMC,
BH, PN) for the first known nesting in
California; this species is previously unre¬
corded nesting s. of Coos Bay in Oregon.

A Whimbrel with an obvious white
rump photographed at C.L. 9-16 Jun
(MTH) was identified as the Asiatic race
variegatus, only the 3rd to be reported in
California and the first inland in North
America. A Ruddy Turnstone at N.E.S.S. 4
Jun-24 Jul (GMcC, MAP) appears to be
only the 2nd to have summered inland in s.
California, even though small numbers of
non-breeding birds are regularly present
through June at select locations along the
coast; five at Tulare L., Kern, 25 Jul (JCW)
were the only migrants reported inland
away from the Salton Sea. Three Semipal¬
mated Sandpipers at the Santa Maria R.
mouth 30 Jul (GPS) were the first fall juve¬
niles. A basic-plumaged Dunlin on Morro
Bay 13 Jun (TME) was probably summer¬
ing locally, but an alternate-plumaged indi¬
vidual at the Santa Maria R. mouth 20-27
Jun (CAM) was remarkably late if a spring
migrant. A basic-plumaged Stilt Sandpiper

at S.E.S.S. 21 Jun (BMu) appears to be the
first found on the Salton Sea in summer;
one in alternate plumage at S.C.R.E. 2 Jul
(DD) was the only migrant reported away
from S.E.S.S. A Ruff at S.E.S.S. 12-13 Jul
(BMu) was obviously a fall migrant. An
alternate-plumaged Red Phalarope at
S.E.S.S. 20 Jun (BMu) was unexpected con¬
sidering the date and inland location.

Franklin’s Gulls continued to pass
through the Region in early June, with ten
around the Salton Sea 1-6 Jun (MAP,
GMcC) and one at C.L. 9-10 Jun (MTH);
one-year-old birds at S.E.S.S. 2 Jul (GMcC),
N.E.S.S. 23 Jul (BMu), and on the coast in
Imperial Beach 8 Jul (RP) were summering
s. of this species’ breeding range, and a juve¬
nile at S.E.S.S. 31 Jul (GMcC) was an early
fall migrant. The first-year Little Gull at
S.E.S.S. 23-30 May was last seen 6 Jun
(BMi). The ad. Heermann’s Gull associating
with nesting California Gulls at S.E.S.S.
since 2 May remained through 26 Jul
(GMcC); in addition an immature was
inland at N.E.S.S. 15-30 Jul (MAP) and an
adult was at S.E.S.S. 22 Jul (MAP). Since
Mew Gulls are rare along the coast in sum¬
mer, a first-summer bird in Oceano, San
Luis Obispo, 20 Jun (CAM) was notewor¬
thy; a first-summer bird at S.E.S.S. 6 Jun-2
Jul (BMi) and a 2nd-summer bird at
N.E.S.S. 6-17 Jul (BMu) are the 5th and 6th
to be found on the Salton Sea at this time of
the year. Two ad. W. Gulls at S.E.S.S. 8 Jun
and later (BMu) and a first-summer bird
there 24 Jul (GMcC) were inland, where
rare.

Eight pairs of Royal Terns successfully
nested along with about 1600 pairs of Ele¬
gant Terns at Bolsa Chica this summer
(CTC), but most of the Elegant Tern nests
on s. San Diego Bay failed due to coyote and
Barn Owl predation. An Elegant Tern at
S.E.S.S. 2 Jul (GmcC) was one of a very few
found inland. An ad. Bridled Tern at Bolsa
Chica 10 Jul (JEP, DRW, LRH) was believed
to be the same individual seen here on 17
Jul last year.

PIGEONS

THROUGH WOODPECKERS

A Band-tailed Pigeon far out on the desert
in California City 30 Jul (MTH) was most
unusual considering the time of the year. A
pair of Eur. Collared-Doves of unknown
origin found nesting in Oceano in June
(BAB) provided the first evidence of breed¬
ing in San Luis Obispo4, a single paired with
a Ringed Turtle-Dove in Brawley in July
(CAM, MJSanM) was the first for Imperial.
A White-winged Dove in California City 10

Jun (AH) was a bit n.w. of this species’ nor¬
mal range; one in Goleta, Santa Barbara, 2
Jun (GT) and another in Seal Beach,
Orange, 28 Jul (DSP) were rare on the coast.
Three Com. Ground-Doves in Nipoma, San
Luis Obispo, 6 Jun (BAB) were at the n.
extreme of this species’ range on the coast
of California.

Up to two Yellow-billed Cuckoos near
Big Pine, Inyo , 29 Jun-26 Jul (T&JH) and
seven pairs at S.F.K.R.P. in June and July
(SL) were at known breeding localities, but
single birds along the coast near Culver
City, Los Angeles, 14 Jun (KL), Oso Flaco L„
San Luis Obispo, 18-26 Jun (BAB), near San
Simeon, San Luis Obispo, 15 Jul (GPS), and
inland at Finney L. 23 Jun (MAP) were late
migrants far from any known nesting local¬
ities. A calling Com. Nighthawk over Santa
Barbara 22 Jun (DC) was only the 2nd to be
found in Santa Barbara. A Black Swift over
Huntington Beach, Orange, 5 Jun (JEP) and
up to seven over Oso Flaco L. 4-6 Jun (PN)
were late spring migrants. The only Chim¬
ney Swifts reported were two over Pt. Loma
in San Diego 15 Jun (REW) — though
unidentified Chaetura were near Atasca¬
dero, San Luis Obispo, 12 Jul (GPS) and
over Morro Bay 25 Jul (GPS).

A Broad-tailed Hummingbird near
Cantil, Kern, 4 Jun (RC) was w. of this
species’ normal range. An Acorn Wood¬
pecker at Zzyzx, San Bernardino, 2 Jun (CC)
was well e. of this species’ range in Cali¬
fornia; another photographed at S.E.S.S.
17-18 Jul (GMcC) was only the 4th for that
area, but one on the e. slope of the Sierra
Nevada near Independence, Inyo, 12 Jul
(SNGH) was in an area where previously
recorded. A Hairy Woodpecker far out on
the desert at G.H.P. 10 Jun (MTH) was
unprecedented.

TYRANT FLYCATCHERS
THROUGH SILKY-FLYCATCHERS

Two Western Wood-Pewees in Newport
Beach, Orange, 21 Jun (KSG) were signifi¬
cantly late, as were two Pacific-slope
Flycatchers near Palmdale, Los Angeles, 15
lun (KLG). Two pairs of Brown-crested
Flycatchers in Mojave Narrows Park near
Victorville, San Bernardino, and 5-7 pairs
at S.F.K.R.P. this summer (SJM, BB) were at
the w. extreme of this species’ known breed¬
ing range. A Tropical Kingbird in Santa
Barbara 25 Jul (DN) was the first to be
found in California in July; there are a cou¬
ple of August records from the Farallon Is.,
but fall vagrants are not expected prior to
early/mid-September. Single E. Kingbirds at
I.M.P.P. 6 Jun (MAP) and S.E.S.S. 14 Jun

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

433

(BMu) were late spring stragglers, but one
in Ridgecrest 7-10 Jul (PW) was the first to
be found in Kern in summer. A Scissor-
tailed Flycatcher, always an exciting bird to
find in California, was on Santa Cruz 1. 22
Jun (PH), and another was at I.M.P.P. 23 Jul
(BMu).

A White-eyed Vireo at G.H.P. 25 Jun
(MTH) was a late spring vagrant, and a
Warbling Vireo at the south end of the
Salton Sea, Imperial 10-18 Jun (BMi, BMu)
was significantly late in its migration. Up to
five Red-eyed Vireos at S.F.K.R.P. 12 Jul and
later (SL) were in an area where breeding
has previously been suspected; one along
the E. Fork of the San Gabriel R. in the San
Gabriel Mts. 11 Jun (DK) and another at
Morro Bay 24 Jul (PN) were lost summer
wanderers. A White-breasted Nuthatch in
Borrego Springs, San Diego, 31 Jul (MJ) and
another at S.E.S.S. the same day (GMcC)
had wandered eastward from the coast
range into an area where very few have been
found. Two pairs of Red-breasted Nut¬
hatches nesting in Goleta this summer
(MAH, PSMcN) provided the first breeding
records for the lowlands of Santa Barbara.
A Wood Thrush at G.H.P. 16 Jun (KSG)
was a late spring vagrant and only the 3rd to
be found in California at this time of the
year. A Brown Thrasher at Cactus City,
Riverside , was also a late spring vagrant, and
an Am. Pipit at China Lake Naval Air
Weapons Station, Kerns , 1 1 Jun (SS) was
significantly late in its passage. Found on
Pt. Loma in San Diego 16 Jun (REW), a fe¬
male Gray Silky-flycatcher (origin un¬
known) was still present 28 Jul.

WOOD-WARBLERS
THROUGH FINCHES

A remarkable number and variety of
vagrant wood-warblers were found scat¬
tered throughout the Region in June,
including a male Blue-winged Warbler at
Butterbredt Springs, Kern , 8-10 Jun (VH);
six N. Parulas at various locations between
n. Inyo and interior San Diego between 1 &
26 Jun (T8cJH, MTH, TEW, PU); a Chest-
nut-sided Warbler in Morongo Valley, San
Bernardino , 3-6 Jun (CMB); a Magnolia in
Newport Beach 11-12 Jun (KLP) and a
male Black-throated Blue there 5-7 Jun
(KSG); a male Blackburnian in Lone Pine
Canyon on the n. slope of the San Gabriel
Mts., San Bernardino , 20 Jun (JA); a female
Blackpoll at Oso Flaco L. 26 Jun (CAM) and
a male there 30 Jun-2 Jul (CAM); four
Ovenbirds in e. Kern between 5 & 1 1 Jun
(MTH) and another in Santa Barbara 4 Jun
(KB); a Connecticut Warbler at Butterbredt

Springs 12 Jun (TEW); a Canada at Leo
Carrillo S.B., Los Angeles, 10 Jun (BA); and
a female Hooded Warbler at G.H.P. 5 Jun
(MTH). In addition, single Black-and-
white Warblers were along the e. slope of
the Sierra Nevada in Inyo 18 8c 24 Jun (GJ,
WR), three were in e. Kern 9-10 Jun
(MTH), one was in Newport Beach 11-12
Jun (BED), and another was at S.E.S.S. 14
Jun (BMu). At least a dozen Am. Redstarts
were found scattered throughout the Reg¬
ion between 5 8c 24 Jun. A Yellow-rumped
(Audubon’s) Warbler near Port Hueneme,
Ventura, 25 Jul (KSG) was unprecedented.
Two Townsend’s Warblers at Finney Lake,
Imperial, 6 Jun (BMi), one near Bishop,
Inyo, 14 Jun (J8cDP), and a Hermit Warbler
in Joshua Tree N.P. 8 Jun (CMcG) were sig¬
nificantly late migrants. Two young Hermit
Warblers near Rose Mine on the n.e. slope
of the San Bernardino Mts. 25 Jul (JEP)
were suspected to have been fledged locally.

A pair of Hepatic Tanagers found along
Arrastra Cr. e. of Baldwin L. on the n.e.
slope of the San Bernardino Mts. 26 Jun
( WJM) was still present 24 Jul — at the same
location where this species was first found
nesting in the late 1960s. A pair of Summer
Tanagers along the Santa Clara R. in
Soledad Canyon, Los Angeles, in June and
July (SJM) was w. of this species known
breeding range, and one in Lone Pine, Inyo,
5 Jun (WR) was the only other reported
away from known breeding localities. A W.
Tanager in Brea, Orange, 20 Jun (KSG) was
very late.

A Black-chinned Sparrow in California
City 30 Jul (MTH) was the first to be found
in the e. Kern desert in fall. A Dark-eyed
Junco at G.H.P. 10 Jun (MTH) was a
remarkably late spring migrant. A male N.
Cardinal along the Colorado R. at Rio Vista
near Earp, San Bernardino, 30-31 Jul
(BMu) was in the only area of California
where naturally occurring birds can still be
found. A male Pyrrhuloxia in Newport
Beach 1 Jun (CH) was of questionable ori¬
gin, but another in Yucca Valley 31 Jul (ZA)
could well have wandered from w. Arizona.
A total of seven Rose-breasted Grosbeaks
reported from various localities throughout
the Region between 4 Jun and 2 Jul was
about average. At least 15 Indigo Buntings
were reported this summer, including three
males on territories in the Prado Basin,
Riverside/ San Bernardino (JEP), and two
territorial males along Upper Big Tujunga
Cr. in the San Gabriel Mts. (SJM) that both
appeared to be paired with Lazuli Buntings.
A male Tricolored Blackbird in Big Pine 8
Jun (TScJH) was one of a very few ever

found in Inyo. A Baltimore Oriole found in
Goleta 30 May remained through 18 Jun
(JEL), and another was at Morongo Valley
4-6 Jun (DZ). A Pine Siskin near Imperial
Beach 6 Jun (TRC) was remarkably late for
a coastal locality this far south.

Cited observers (county coordinators/major
contributors in boldface): Bernardo Alps,
Zona Appleby, Jon Ausubel, Maryanne
Bache, Bob Barnes, Richard Barth, Bill A.
Bouton, Christine M. Brady, Karen
Bridgers, Eugene A. Cardiff ( San Bernardi¬
no), Jaime M. Chavez, Ryan Chornock,
Therese R. Clawson, Charlie T. Collins,
David Compton, Elizabeth Copper {San
Diego), Chris Cunard, Brian E. Daniels,
Don Desjardin, Tom M. Edell ( San Luis
Obispo), Alan M. Eisner, Richard A.
Erickson, Kimball L. Garrett (Los Angeles),
Peter A. Ginsburg, Karen S. Gilbert, Robert
A. Hamilton, Charles Hanson, Loren R.
Hays, Matthew T. Heindel (Kern), Tom &
Jo Heindel [Inyo), Brad Hines, Mark A.
Holmgren, Pierre Howard, Vernon Howe,
Steve N. G. Howell, John Ivanof, Joseph R.
Jehl, Gretchen Jehle, Mark Jorgensen, David
Koeppel, Kenneth Z. Kurland, Kevin
Larson, Steven Laymon, Joan E. Lentz
{Santa Barbara), Curtis A. Marantz, Chet
McGaugh, Robert McKeman ( Riverside ),
Patrick S. McNulty, Bob Miller (BMi),
William J. Moramarco, Brennan Mulrooney
(BMu), Stephen J. Myers, Paloma Nieto,
Dick Norton, Dennis Parker, Jim and
Debby Parker (J8cDP), Michael A. Patten,
Robert Patton, Dharm S. Pellegrini, Kaaren
L. Perry, Jim Peugh, James E. Pike, William
Richardson, Michael San Miguel, Michael J.
San Miguel, Brad Sillasen, Gregory P.
Smith, Philip Unitt, Edward Wallace,
Richard E. Webster, Walter Wehtje
{Ventura), Douglas R. Willick (Orange),
John C. Wilson, Peter Woodman, Tom E.
Wurster, Dee Zeller. An additional 50+
observers who could not be individually
acknowledged submitted reports this sea¬
son.

Guy McCaskie, 954 Grove Avenue, Imperial
Beach, CA 91923

434

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

A Gray-tailed Tattler at Sand Island, Midway Atoll, on 4 June. A very rare straggler
in Hawaii, it was seen in the company of a small group of Wandering Tattlers.
Photograph HRBP- 1238/Bert McKee

ROBERT L. PYLE

ummer rainfall was spotty in the main
islands, with the year’s accumulation
still below normal in some areas. Drought
was especially persistent on Kaua'i, but the
drier spring in the normally wet Alaka'i
may have helped bring about a very suc¬
cessful nesting season there for native forest
birds. Season highlights included Little
Terns and Least Terns laying eggs on Mid¬
way and continued successful breeding of
captive- released Puaiohi.

Abbreviations: H. (Hawaii Island); K. (Kaua'i
Island); M. (Maui Island); 0. (O'ahu Island).

PETRELS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS

Counts of endangered Hawaiian (Dark-
rumped) Petrels observed flying over Kil-
auea Pt., K„ in early evening ranged from
three to eight through the summer (CM).
The Kermadec Petrel at Kilauea Pt. since
May remained at least into August. A partial
survey of rarely-visited Molokini islet
between Maui and Lana'i 8 Jun found four
Bulwer’s Petrels in burrows and 80 Wedge¬

tailed Shearwaters, including 36 on eggs; al¬
together 504 Wedge-tailed burrows appear¬
ed active and 76 others were inactive (FD).
Up to four threatened Newell’s (Town¬
send’s) Shearwaters were heard calling
around the Kilauea Pt. N.W.R. headquar¬
ters building through the summer; the
species may have been breeding there as in
the past 2 years (CM). Repeating the survey
taken after hurricane Iniki in 1992, a radar
survey for Newell’s Shearwaters on Kaua'i
in June corroborated the continued down¬
ward trend in numbers retrieved in the
annual autumn fallout and confirmed that
Iniki probably had a serious impact on
Newell’s and their nesting habitat from
which they have not yet recovered (TT).

Red-tailed Tropicbirds have long been
seen around Makapu'u Pt., O., and nesting
is regular on Manana islet just offshore of
O'ahu’s s.e. coast where three adults were
flying (MW). Well observed 19 Jun, an early
full-grown Red-tailed chick as well as a
younger chick with an adult in a nearby
cavity — 35 m above the ocean in the rock
cliffs between Lana'i Lookout and Halone
Pt. — provided ample evidence that this

species nests on O'ahu itself (MW). The
survey team approaching Molokini islet
between Maui and Lana'i 8 Jun counted 43
Great Frigatebirds roosting on the slopes
(FD). Frigatebirds do not breed in or near
the main islands but do nest in good num¬
bers in the n.w. Hawaiian Is. Numerous
Great Frigatebirds, primarily males, observ¬
ed inland over e. and s.e. Kaua'i during the
last 2 weeks of July were presumably mov¬
ing from breeding colonies in the n.w.
islands to roosting sites on islets off O'ahu
and Maui. An imm. Great Frigatebird was
seen diving (unsuccessfully) for a high-fly¬
ing 'Apapane over Kawaikoi Stream in the
Alaka'i.

Single Great Blue Herons, unusual
stragglers to Hawaii, were observed at
Kealia Pond N.W.R., M„ 14 8c 15 Jun (MN)
and at Amorient Aquafarm, O., 4 Jul (PD).
A very rare straggler to Hawaii, a White¬
faced Ibis found at Kealia Pond 26-30 Jul
(MN) might have been one of two which
had been residing for many months at Kona
W.T.P and Cyanotech Pond on nearby
Hawai'i but which had disappeared by at
least 23 Aug (AE).

The small group of endangered Nene
transported to Kilauea Pt. N.W.R. , K., sev¬
eral years ago has bred successfully each
winter. Counts this summer of 21 on 12 Jun
and up to 46 on 18 Jul (CM) were the high¬
est yet recorded. Four young unbanded
Nene sighted in June above Maalaea, M.,
were offspring from around 70 captive
birds released in the w. Maui mountains
since 1994. Another pair there produced
three hatchlings this year. The current cap¬
tive-derived Maui population of around 54
birds seems to be flourishing — far from the
current wild Nene on Haleakala Mt. (JM).

Most of the 17 Pacific Golden-Plovers
oversummering at Midway were in com¬
plete basic plumage, several had partial
alternate plumage, and only two injured
adults were in nearly complete alternate
plumage. Adult plovers in full alternate
plumage in the Region as early as early June
may well be failed breeders returning early

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

435

from the Arctic rather than oversummering
birds; these included eight ad. Pacific
Golden -Plovers arriving 10 Jun at Midway
(PP) and nine plovers in alternate plumage
first seen 9 Jun at Hanalei N.W.R., K. (CM).
Endangered Hawaiian (Black-necked) Stilts
at Roland Pond in s.w. O'ahu had a good
year, Hedging 35-40 young successfully

The unprecedented occur¬
rence of Little Terns ( Sterna
albifrons) and Least Terns (S. antil-
larum) reported together at Sand I.,
Midway, last season became even more
interesting in June. The five terns pre¬
sent from 20 Jun onward were often
seen together by numerous observers.
All soon agreed that two were Littles
and three were Leasts — based on fre¬
quent comparative observations of
distinctive vocalizations, size, tail
length, white vs. gray rump and tail,
and other subtle plumage differences
(PP). In early July, observers discov¬
ered a Little Tern nest with eggs near
the catchment basin, but a week later it
was flooded out by heavy rains. Dur¬
ing mid-July, a Least Tern nest with
eggs was discovered in the vicinity, and
soon afterward observers identified a
2nd Little Tern nest with eggs only 5 m
from the Least Tern nest. Unfortun¬
ately, the Least Tern nest vanished for
unknown reasons, but the 2nd Little
Tern nest was still being monitored in
late July (BC). Full details of occur¬
rence, identification, and nesting of
these terns at Midway will be pub¬
lished elsewhere (PP).

The only known previous record of
either species nesting in the Hawaiian
Is. was of birds in the late 1980s breed¬
ing at Pearl and Hermes Reef and
believed at the time to be probable
Little Terns (Conant et al., 1991, Pacific
Science 45: 348-354). After observing
the terns at Midway in June, Conant
stated that the birds that had bred at
Pearl and Hermes were indeed the
same species as those identified at
Midway as Little Terns. The mingling
of these two species, one from Asia
and one from America, both in breed¬
ing plumage when they are more easi¬
ly distinguished, is exceptionally inter¬
esting. Their concurrent nesting a few
meters apart at Midway in the central
Pacific Ocean documents large breed¬
ing range expansions for both.

(KE). Stilts at Kealia Pond N.W.R., M.,
increased as water levels dropped, provid¬
ing a high count of 324 on 21 Jul (MN). A
Gray-tailed Tattler, a very rare straggler in
Hawaii, was observed closely and well with
six Wandering Tattlers at Sand I., Midway,
4-6 Jun (PP, ph. BM).

NATIVE HAWAIIAN PASSERINES

An 'Elepaio, now scarce and localized on
O'ahu, was observed on Aiea Ridge trail 19
Jun (DK). The captive-released endangered
Puaiohi that commenced breeding this
spring on Kaua'i continued auspiciously
into summer. By late June eggs had
appeared in 1 5 nests, 1 6 chicks had hatched,
and five young had survived to fledge suc¬
cessfully. Unfortunately, rats depredated
five large nestlings and two adult females by
late July (JF). Nevertheless, these events
mark the first time that an endangered
Hawaiian forest bird has been raised in cap¬
tivity and released and then has survived to
breed and fledge young in the wild — a
major landmark for captive propagation in
Hawaii (AL).

One U.S. Geological Survey field biolo¬
gist working on a public access trail in

region

ROBERT L. NORTON

Summer season in the West Indies is
generally the leanest period for report¬
ing the comings and goings of non-resident
birds. However, this summer we had some
unusually early or late occurrences which
may have preceded nesting and potential
changes in Regional breeding status. Only
reports from Bermuda, Grand Bahama, and
the Dominican Republic had sufficient
detail to be included in this column at this
time.

Abbreviations: BA (Bahamas); BE (Bermuda).

GREBES THROUGH SISKINS

Pied-billed Grebes nested at Somerset Long
Bay Reserve, BE (DW), one of the few times
they have done so in recent years. A report
of Brown Pelican in mid-June from Chubb

Koke'e-Alaka'i, K., in one day (9 Jun) saw
adults and at least one juvenile of every
native forest bird species known still to be
extant on Kaua'i — a remarkable achieve¬
ment! Species observed were 'Elepaio, Puai¬
ohi, Kaua'i 'Amakihi, 'Anianiau, 'Akikiki,
'Akeke'e, 'Apapane, and 'I'iwi (JF). Species
missed — and considered to be uncertainly
extant — were Kama'o, Nukupu'u, and 'O'u.
In a 1960 survey Richardson and Bowles
found all these plus 'O'o'a'a and Kaua'i
(Greater) 'Akialoa, which comprised all the
native forest birds known historically from
Kaua'i.

Contributors: Bruce Casler, Reginald David,
Arleone Dibben, Peter Donaldson, Fern
Duvall, Karen Evans, Jeff Foster, David
Kuhn, Alan Leiberntan, Bert McKee, John
Medeiros, Christian Melgar, Mike
Nishimoto, Donna O’Daniel, Thane Pratt,
Peter Pyle, Judy Ramseyer, Mike
Silbernagel, Tom Telfer, U.S. Fish & Wildlife
Service, Michael Walther.

Robert L. Pyle, 1314 Kalakaua Ave. No.
1010, Honolulu, HI 96826

A

Cay in the Berry Is., BA (SS), suggests wan¬
dering either of Florida birds from across
the Gulf Stream or of resident birds — but
from where? A possible breeding occur¬
rence of Great Blue Heron at Compton’s
Pond (DW) would be a first for Bermuda if
confirmed. Green Herons at Compton’s
Pond on 14 Jul acted as if they were court¬
ing; their documented nesting would also
be a first record for Bermuda. The White
Ibis reported for several seasons at Devon¬
shire Marsh, BE, remained present (AD); 12
White Ibis were noted 12-19 Jun at Chubb

west indies

436

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

Cay, Berry Is., BA (SS). A first summer
record of Virginia Rail was an excellent
find at Long I., BE, 6 Jun (PW, AD). A pair
of Am. Coots raised 2 broods at Spittal
Pond, BE, for the first time at this locality
(DW).

During the summer, an Osprey was seen
at the s. end of Bermuda. A squad of eight
Whimbrel bivouacked at the Bermuda air¬
field throughout the period (DW). Showing
its contrasting black tail and white rump, a
probable Hudsonian Godwit was seen at
Chubb Cay, Berry Is., BA, in mid-June (SS,
pending ph.), and a Herring Gull was noted
there mid-June as well (SS). A lone Laugh¬
ing Gull present throughout the summer in
Bermuda (PW) was joined briefly by
another 9-12 Jun, for... you know... a few
laughs. Common Terns nested at Bermuda
again this year (DW). Least Terns were
found nesting on both sides of the airport
road at Chubb Cay in mid-June (SS). Sooty
Terns and Brown Noddies were also seen
near Chubb Cay at Mama Rhoda Rock,
where they were very likely nesting.

A Chuck-wilTs-widow incubating 2
eggs (ph. TW) at Rand Nature Centre,
Grand Bahama, 1 Jun (MA, fide RO) docu¬
mented the first nesting record for the
Region; Bond did not accept a 1972 report
of nesting at Andros. Antillean Nighthawks
were abundant at Chubb Cay, with 50+ in
mid-June (SS). Singing 17 Jul through the
end of the season, an American Robin at
Jenningsland, BE (JM, PH), provided a
remarkable summer record. One of the
Region’s rarest and least-known birds, La
Selle Thrush eluded detection in a July
search using audio samples at 4 previously
known sites near the border of Haiti and
the Massif de La Selle (CG/SG). The
Gantbills noted that Haitian farmers were
expanding their gardens and truck-crop-
ping deeper and deeper into the mountains
and that key habitats are very likely becom¬
ing fragmented.

A Yellow Warbler on Gibbet I., BE, 10 Jul
(JM) was very much out-of-season, as were
two or three more seen 14 Jul at Ely’s
Harbour, BE (AD). Jenningsland, BE, host¬
ed another unusual summer record, this
time an Ovenbird on 22 Jun (PH). On a 15
Jul trip through the Sierra de Bahoruco,
Dominican Republic, a flock of White¬
winged and Green-tailed (Ground) war¬
blers fed along the mountain road, and
Gray-crowned Palm-Tanager and Chat
Tanager were considered good finds as well
(CG/SG). Higher in the Sierra de Bahoruco,
the Gambills managed to find male and
female Pine Siskins at the crest before

entering the next watershed; this is perhaps
the first time siskins have been reported in
this column.

Contributors (subregional editors in bold¬
face): Michael Albury, Andrew Dobson,

Charles Gambill, Sharon Gambill, Penny
Hill, Jeremy Madeiros, Rick Oliver, Sigrid

The main part of this index covers those bird
records that were considered significant
enough to be mentioned in boldface type in the
Regional Reports: outstanding rarities, first nest¬
ing records, extreme out-of-season occurrences,
and so on.

Each entry after the species name in the index
begins with the state or province (two-letter
postal codes in the U.S., two- or three-letter stan¬
dard abbreviations in Canada and the
Caribbean). This is followed by the number of
the issue (1: with Fall 1998 reports; 2: with
Winter 1998-1999 reports; 3: with Spring 1999
reports; 4: the current issue, with Summer 1999
reports). Finally, the entry gives the page number
for the boldfaced mention of the species.

Following the main index is a listing of the
Special Attention (“S.A.”) essays in the Regional
Reports, which includes entries for additional
boldfaced birds as well as details of unusual avian
phenomena or items of particular interest.

Albatross, Short-tailed. BC (2): 198, (4):423; CA
( 1 ):99— 1 00, (2):204, (3):324; HI (1): 108
Anhinga. MD (3):265, (4):372; VA (2):1 53, (3):265,
(4):372

Auklet, Parakeet. CA (1):205; OR (3):322; WA (3):322
Auklet, Whiskered. AK (2):197;WA (3):322

Black-Hawk, Common. UT (3):306
Blackbird, Brewer's. MA (2): 1 47
Blackbird, Rusty. NM ( 2 ): 1 95
Blackbird, Tricolored. WA ( 1):98, (3):323, (4):428
Blackbird, Yellow-headed. AK ( 1 ):9 1 ; BA ( 1 ): 1 1 1
Bluebird, Eastern. CA (4):430

Bluebird, Mountain. IL ( 1 ):6 1 ; MN (3):283; NF (2): 1 40;

NY ( 2): 1 50 — 15 1 ; PA (1):37; WI ( 1):56, (3):283
Bluetail, Red-flanked. AK (3):317
Booby, Brown. FL ( 1 ):62; LA ( 1 ):62, (3):288; OR ( 1 ):95
Booby, Masked/Nazca. CA (2):204
Booby, Red-footed. FL (3):271

Brambling. ID (3):305; MI (3):283; MN (11:53,57,
(4):391; ND (1):69; NE (4):405; OR (2):203; SD
(4):405

Brant. KS (3):297; NM (2): 193
Bunting, Indigo. WA (4):427
Bunting, Lark. CO (2):189; NS (1):27; VT (3):260
Bunting, Painted. DE (2):151; IL (3):287; NJ (1):38,
(21:151; NY (31:264; PA (1):38, (3):280; SK (3):293;
VT (2): 147

Bunting, Reed. AK (31:317
Bunting, Rustic. WA (2):202
Cardinal, Northern. MT (3):295

Stiles, Paul Watson, Tony White, David
Wingate.

Robert L. Norton, 8960 NE Waldo Road,
Gainesville, FL 32609 (corvus0486@aol.com)

Caracara, Crested. MA ( 2 ) : 1 44
Catbird, Gray. ID (2): 186
Chickadee, Chestnut-backed. AB (2 ): 1 78
Chuck-will’s-widow. BA (4):437

Collared-Dove, Eurasian. CO (1):82; DE ( 1 ):37; MD

(1) :39,41; MN (1):53,55, (3):282, (4):390; MT
(4):402; ND (4):402; NM (1):87; OR (4):426; PA
(4):387; SD ( 1 ):68, (2): 179; WI ( 1 ):53,55; WY ( 1 ):82

Cormorant, Neotropic. TN (1):62

Cormorant, Red-faced. BC (4):423; WA (3):321

Crane, Common. AK ( 1 ):90; NE (4):403

Crane, Whooping. IA ( 1 ):58, 59, (3):286; IL ( 1 ):58,59

Crossbill, White-winged. NM (1):88

Crow, Fish. ON (3):277, (4):384

Dickcissel. FL (3):274, (4):379; PA (2):165-166
Dove, Inca. CO (1):82; NV (1):82
Dove, White-winged. CO (1):82; DC (11:39,41; IA
(3):286; IL (1):60, (3):286; IN (3):286; MA (4):365;
MI 01:53,55; MO (3):286; NS (4):360; OR (1):96;
PQ ( 1 ):28; R1 (4):365; SD (4):402; WA (3):322
dowitcher (sp. ). MI ( 2): 1 67
Duck, American Black. ID (3):304; TX (2): 1 8 1
Duck, Harlequin. IL (2):170; MO (2):170; PA (1):50,

( 2 ) : 1 64

Duck, Mottled. NY (1):35
Duck, Ruddy. AK ( 1 ):89

Duck, Tufted. CT (3):258; MA (3):258; ME ( 1 ):31
Duck, Wood. AK ( 3):3 1 5

Eagle, White-tailed. AK ( 3 ):3 1 6
Egret, Cattle. AK ( 1):89
Egret, Great. AK (4):421; UT (1):81
Egret, Little. DE (3):261, (4):368; NH (1):30; NS (4):359;
RI (1):30

Egret, Reddish. AZ ( 1 ):84; NJ ( 1 ):34,35; NM ( 1 ):86
Eider, King. MI (I):54; NV (2):188; OR (3):321;
WI (1):54

Fieldfare. NF (2): 140; PQ (3):256
Flicker, Gilded. NM (2):194; NV (3):307
Flycatcher, Acadian. CO (3):307; NS (1):26
Flycatcher, Alder. CA ( 1 ): 1 05; MT (4):412
Flycatcher, Ash-throated. AK (4):422; MA (2): 146; ME
(2):146; NH (2):146; NJ (1):37
Flycatcher, Buff-breasted. NM (3):3 1 3
Flycatcher, Empidonax sp. OR (2):202
Flycatcher, Fork-tailed. MA (1):30, 33; NB ( 1 ):26; NJ
(1):37, (3):263; PQ (3):256; SK (3):293
Flycatcher, Gray. AB (4):400; MT (4):412; NE (4):404
Flycatcher, Great Crested. NM (3 ):3 1 3
Flycatcher, La Sagra’s. FL (3):273
Flycatcher, Red-breasted. AK (4):422
Flycatcher, Scissor-tailed. ID ( 1 1:80; MA (3):260; MI
(1):56; MN (1):56, (4):390; ND (l):68-69; OR

1999 INDEX

North American Birds, Volume 53

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

437

( 1):97; TN (3):280;VA (4):374; WI (4):390
Flycatcher, Siberian. AK (3):317, (4):422
Flycatcher, Sulphur-bellied. FL ( 1 ):64; LA ( 1):64, (3):290;
NM (1):88

Flycatcher, Willow. AK (4):422; FL (4):378

Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied. CA ( 1 ): 105

Frigatebird, Magnificent. NC (2): 1 57; NF (4):359;

UT(3):306;VA(1):39, 50
figatebird sp. VA (4):372

Gallinule, Purple. CT (2):144; SD (3):294; VA (3):266
Garganey. CA (3):325; NS (3):254, (4):359
Gnatcatcher, Black-capped. AZ (2): 19 1 , (4):417
Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray. AB (3):293; MB (4):400
Godwit, Black-tailed. PEI (2):140, (3):254
Godwit, Hudsonian. FL (1):63; NM (3):313
Golden-Plover, American. NM (3):312
Golden-Plover, Pacific. AZ ( 1 ):84
Goldeneye, Barrow’s. MD (2):153, (3):265; MO (2):170;
WI ( I ):54

Goldfinch, European. PQ (4):362
Goose, Greater White-fronted. NS (2): 1 39
Goose, Pink-footed. MA (2): 144, (3):258; PQ (3):256;
VT (3):258

Goose, Ross’s. FL (3):272; PA (3):279; TN (1):50, (3):279;

VA ( I ):50, (2): 164; VT (3):258; WV (3):279
Grackle, Great-tailed/Boat-tailed. WI (3):283
Grebe, Eared. HI (1):108; MA (2):143; NH ( 1 ):30;
PEI (1):25

Grebe, Least. AZ (1):84, (2): 1 90
Grebe, Red-necked. NM (2); 1 93
Grebe, Western. MA (3):257-258; ON (4):383;
TN (3):288

Grosbeak, Black-headed. AK (4):422; IN (2):171— 172;
NB ( 2): 141 ; NJ (2):151, (3):264; NS (2):141, (3):255;
PA (3):280

Grosbeak, Rose-breasted. AK (1):9I; NM ( 2 ): 1 95;

OR (2):202; WA (2):202
Ground-Dove, Common. OR ( 1 ):96; SD (1):68
Ground-Dove, Ruddy. CA (3):330; NM (2): 1 94
Guillemot, Black. NJ (2):150; NY (2):150
Gull, Black-headed. MN (1):55; PA ( 1):165; WI ( 1):55
Gull, Black-tailed. NJ (2):149; NS (3):254; NY (2):149,
(3):263; TX (2):182, (3):300; VA (3);266
Gull, California. AL ( 1 ):63; DC (2): 1 55; MA (2 ): 1 45;
MD (1):41, (2): 1 55, (3):267; MI (1):55, (3):282;
NY (2):149; VA (3):267

Gull, Franklin’s. CO (4):4 1 4; Cuba (3);334; DC (3):266;
GA ( 1 ):44; ID (2):185; MD (2):155, (3):266;
NC (2): 1 58; NY (4):369; OR (2):201; SC (1):44;
VA (2):155

Gull, Glaucous-winged. CO ( 1 ):82, (2):188; UT (2): 1 88
Gull, Gray-hooded. FL (2):175

Gull, Great Black-backed. KS (3):297; NE (1):72, (3J.297
Gull, Iceland. AK (2):197; CO (2);188, (3):307;

KS (3);297; NE (3);297; WA (2):201
Gull, Ivory. AB (2):177; WI (2):168
Gull, Kelp. LA (3}:289-290; MD (3):267, (4);373
Gull, “Kumlien’s” Iceland. ID (2): 1 85, (3):304
Gull, Laughing. NM (3):3 1 3, (4 ):4 1 8; ON (4):384;
OR ( 1):96, (4):426

Gull, Lesser Black-backed. AB (3):293; ND (2):179
Gull, Little. Barbados (2):214; ID (1):79; LA (3);289;

NM ( 1 ):87; OR (3):322, (4):426; SD ( 1 ):68, (4):402
Gull, Mew. AZ (2):I91; KS (3):297; MN (2):167;
NF. (3):297; NM ( 1);87, (2):194; NY (2):149, (3):263;
WI (2): 1 67

Gull, Ross’s. OH ( 1):60

Gull, Sabine’s. BE (1): 110; LA (l):63-64; MI (1):55; MN
(1):55; MS (I):64; NJ (3):263; VA ( 1 ):41; WI (1);55
Gull, Slaty-backed. ON (4):382; SK (3):293; WA (2):201,
(3):322

Gull, Thayer’s. NM (2): 194

Gull, Yellow-footed. AZ (3):310; UT (1):82, (3):307

Gyrfalcon. CA ( 1 ): 1 00; WI (1):54

Hawk, Broad-winged. WA (3):321
Hawk, Ferruginous. ON (3):276
Hawk, “Harlans’s”. AK (2): 1 97; YT (1):92
Hawk, Red-shouldered. ID ( I ):79; NM ( 1 );86;
UT (2); 1 88

Hawk, Swainson's. LAB (3):254; MD (1):40; NB (3):254;

NF (1):26; NS (1):26; VA (2): 1 54
Hawk, Zone-tailed. CO (4):413
Heron, Gray. Barbados (2);2 14, 215, (3):334
Heron, Great White. MI (4):388
Heron, Purple. Barbados (2):2 14, (3):334
Heron, Tricolored. CA (3);325; MI (4):388
Hummingbird, Anna’s. AR ( 1 );64; NC (1):45; NY (I):34,
37; WI (1):53

Hummingbird, Black-chinned. NC (3):270
Hummingbird, Blue-throated. ND (4):402; UT (1):82
Hummingbird, Broad-billed. MS (1):64; OR (1):96
Hummingbird, Calliope. GA ( 1 ):45
Hummingbird, Costa’s. AB (1):67; AK (1):90; WA
( 1 ):96 — 97

Hummingbird, Magnificent. CO (4):414
Hummingbird, Ruby-throated. CA ( I ): 101; CO (3):307
Hummingbird, Rufous. Ml (1):53, (2): 168; NS (1):26;
ON (4):384

Hummingbird, Violet-crowned. TX (3):301, (4):409
Hummingbird, Xantus’s. BC ( 1 ):93

Ibis, Glossy. KS (4):403; NE (4):403; NM (3):312;

OK (4):403; WY (3):306
Ibis, White. AZ (4):416; NM (3):312
Ibis, White-faced. DE (3);261; MD (3):265; MI (4):388;
PQ (4):36 1 ; VA (4):372; WI (3):281

Jacana, Northern. AZ ( 1 ):84
Jackdaw, Eurasian. NF (2 ): 1 40, (3):255
Jaeger, Long-tailed. MI (I):55, (3):282; NC (1):44;
NE (1):71

Jaeger, Parasitic. ND (I):68; NM (I):87; NV (I):82;
PA (2): 165

Jaeger, Pomarine. MI ( 1 ):55; OR (4):426; WI ( 1 ):55
Junco, “Gray-headed". PQ ( 1 ):29
Junco, “Pink-sided”. PQ ( 1 ):29

Kestrel, American. AK (2): 197

Kingbird, Cassin’s. CT (1):30, 33; NS (3):360

Kingbird, Eastern. NV (4):414

Kingbird, Giant. Cuba (2):2 1 5

Kingbird, Gray. IL (3):286

Kingbird, Thick-billed. CA (2):206, (3):326; TX ( 1 ):76
Kingbird, Tropical. AK (1):90; FL (1):46, (4):378-379
Kingbird, Tropical/Couch’s. FL (3):273; (4):398;

IL (4):393; LA (1):64, (3):290, (4):398
Kingbird, Western. CT (3):260
Kiskadee, Great. LA (3):290, (4):398; OK (4);404
Kite, Mississippi. CT (3):259; Cuba (3):334; NS (1):26;

NV (3):306; ON (4):383; VA (I):40
Kite, Swallow-tailed. CT (3):259; MN (3):282; VA (4):373
Kite, White-tailed. MI (3):282; UT (1):81; WI (4):389
Kittiwake, Black-legged. CO (1):82; ID (2): 1 85; MI
(1):55; MN (I):55;NM (I ):87; WI ( 1 ):55, (3):282
Kittiwake, Red-legged. WA (4):426

Lapwing, Northern. NF (1):26
Lapwing, Southern. Barbados (2):2 1 5
Limpkin. NC ( 1 ):44; TN (4):397
Longspur, Lapland. OR (4):427
Longspur, Smith’s. CA ( I ): 107; MI (1):53; SC (2): 1 59
Loon, Arctic. AK (2):I96; ME (2):143; OR (2):200
Loon, Pacific. ID (4):412; MA (2): 143; ME (2):143;
ND (2): 1 79; NH (1):30; NY (1):35; SD (2):179,
(4);40 1 ; TN ( 1 ):62; VA (3):265; VT ( 1 ):30; WI ( 1 ):53
Loon, Red-throated. CO (4):4I3; NM (I):86, ( 2 ): 1 93
Loon, Yellow-billed. IL (2):169; MT (3):304; NE (1):70;
NM (2): 1 93, (3):312; NY (2):148; OK (3):296,
(4):403

Magpie, Black-billed. PQ (3):256
Mango, Green-breasted. TX (3):300
Meadowlark, Eastern. CO (1):83
Merganser, Common. AK (2): 1 97
Mockingbird, Bahama. FL (3):273
Mockingbird, Northern. AK (2): 197, (3):3I7, (4):422
Murrelet, Ancient. MA (2): 146; PQ (1):28; SK (1):67
Murrelet, Long-billed. CA ( 1 ): 10 1 ; OR (1):96;
RI (I):30,32, (2);146; WI (1):53, 55

Night-FIeron, Yellow-crowned. AB (3):292; PQ (4);361
Nighthawk, Lesser. KS (4):404; NC (2 ): 1 59
Nightjar, Buff-collared. NM (3):3 1 3

Oriole, Baltimore. NM (3):314; OR (3):323; WA (3):323
Oriole, Bullock’s. AL (3):29I

Oriole, Hooded. LA (2):176, (3):291; PQ (1):27, 29,

(2) ;142; WA (4):428
Ovenbird. BE (4):437
Owl, Barred. CO ( 1 ):82
Owl, Long-eared. LA (3):290
Oystercatcher, American. NS (3):254, (4):359
Oystercatcher, Eurasian. NF (3):254

Parula, Northern. ID (4):4 1 2; UT ( 1 ):83

Pelican, American White. PA (3):278

Pelican, Brown. CO (4):413; IN (4):392; KY ( 1 ):58,

(3) :284; NM ( 1 );86; NS (3):253; ON (4):383
Petrel, Black-capped. VA ( 1 ):39

Petrel, Bulwer’s. NC (1):43
Petrel, Kermadec. HI (3):332, (4);435
Petrel, Mottled. WA (4):425
Petrel, Tahiti. HI (3):332

Phalarope, Red. ID (1):79; MI (1):55; MN (1):55,
(3):282; NM ( 1 ):87; NV (I):82; PA (2):165;
WI (I):55

Phalarope, Wilson’s. AK (3):316; PA (4):386
Phoebe, Eastern. OR (2):201-202; (3):322, (4):427
Phoebe, Say’s. MN (I):56; MT (2);185; NF (4):360;

NS ( I ):26, (2): 140; WI (3):282
Pigeon, Band-tailed. IL (4):393
Pipit, Olive-backed. CA ( 1 ): 102
Pipit, Sprague’s. CO ( 1 ):83
Plover, Mongolian. CA ( 1 ): 1 00
Plover, Semipalmated. CA (4):433
Plover, Snowy. ND (3):294, (4):402
Plover, Wilson’s. AR (1):63; ME (3):259; NY (3):262;

OR ( I ):95; RI (3):259
Puffin, Atlantic. FL (I):46, 47; NC (2):158
Puffin, Horned. OR (3):322
Pyrrhuloxia. CA ( 2):2 1 0; CO (3);308; OK (4):405

Quail-Dove, Key West. FL (3):272, (4):378

Rail, Black. CO (3):306
Rail, King. NM (3):312
Rail, Spotted. Cuba (3):334; Jamaica (2):2 14
Rail, Virginia. BE (4):473; NF (2): 139
Rail, Yellow. CA (2):208
Rail, Zapata. Cuba (3):334
Redpoll, Hoary. UT (2): 189
Redshank, Common. NF (2): 140, (3):254
Redshank, Spotted. MA ( 1 ):3 1
Redstart, American. CO (2): 1 88; PA (2): 1 65
Redstart, Painted. CA ( 1 ): 102
Redstart, Slate-throated. NM (3):314
Redwing. NF (2):140
Robin, American. BE (4):437
Rosy-Finch, Gray-crowned. ON (4):384
Ruff (and Reeve). CO (1):82; MI (10:55; NE (1):71;
OK (4):404; SPM (3):254

Sandpiper, Bairds. Cayman Islands (3):334
Sandpiper, Broad-billed. NY ( 1 ):34

438

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

1999 INDEX

Sandpiper, Curlew. KS (1):71; NS (3):254; ON (4):384;

SK (3):293; VA (1):41
Sandpiper, Marsh. AK ( 1 ):90
Sandpiper, Purple. AL (2): 1 74; MI (1):55
Sandpiper, Spotted. MN (2):167
Sandpiper, Western. MA (3):259
Sandpiper, White-rumped. CO (4):4 1 4
Sandpiper, Wood. Barbados (2):2 1 4, 215; NF ( 1 ):25, 26
Sapsucker, Red-breasted. UT (1):82
Sapsucker, Red-naped. LA ( 1 ):64
Sapsucker, Yellow-breasted. AK (3);3 1 7; CO (1):82;

NV (1):82; OR (2):201
Scoter, Black. ID (1):79
Scoter, White-winged. NM (2): 193
Shearwater, Cory’s. AL (1):62; LA ( 1):62
Shearwater, Greater. LA (1):62
Shearwater, Manx. OR (1):95; WA (1):95
Shearwater, Wedge-tailed. OR (3):321
Shrike, Loggerhead. VA (1):42
Skimmer, Black. IL ( 1 ):60; PEI ( 1 ):26
Skua, South Polar. FL (1):46, 47
Smew. MN (3):282

Solitaire, Townsend’s. NJ (2): 151, (3):263; PA ( 1 ):52
Sparrow, Baird’s. NM (1):88
Sparrow, Black-chinned. OR (4):427
Sparrow, Black-throated. MT (3):305
Sparrow, Brewer’s. IL (2): 1 72

Sparrow, Clay-colored. NB (2): 140—14 1 ; NS (2): 140-141;
PA (4):387

Sparrow, Eurasian Tree. MN (4):391
Sparrow, Field. AZ (2):192; CA (1):106; UT (2):189
Sparrow, Gambel’s White-crowned. MD (3):268
Sparrow, Golden-crowned. CT (1):34; KS (3):298;

NE (3):298; WA (4):427; WY ( 1 ):83
Sparrow, Harris’s. DE (1):38; GA (2): 1 59; MD (1):42;

NJ (1):38, (2):151; WA (4):427
Sparrow, Henslow’s. MD (4):374; NS ( 1 ):27
Sparrow, Lark. PA (3):280, (4):370
Sparrow, Le Conte’s. CO (1):83; DE (1);38, (2): 151; MD
(3):268; NJ (1):38, (2):151; NM (2):195, (3):314; NY

(1) :38; VA (1):42
Sparrow, Savannah. AK (2): 1 98

Stilt, Black-necked. IL (1):59; IN ( 1 ):59; ND (4):402;
W1 (3):282, (4):389

Stint, Little. Barbados (3):334; NJ ( 4 ):369
Stint, Long-toed. OR ( 1 ):96
Stint, Red-necked. MA (1):30,32, (4):365
Stork, Wood. CT (4):364; IN (4):392; MD (1):39
Storm-Petrel, Band-rumped. SC (4):375; VA (1):39
Storm-Petrel, Leach’s. LA (4):397; SC (4):375
Storm-Petrel, Swinhoe’s. NC ( 1 ):43
Swallow, Cave. CA (3):330; LA (4):396; NJ (1):37,
(3):263; NY (1 ):37; ON (4):382; VA ( 1 ):39, 42
Swallow, Golden. Haiti (3):334
Swallow, Violet-green. MA ( 1 ):30, 33
Swan, “Bewick’s” Tundra. UT (2): 187
Swan, Trumpeter. CA (2):208; CO (4):413
Swan, Tundra. LA (3):289
Swan, Whooper. AB (3):292; PQ (3):256, (4):361
Swift, Black. CO (3):307
Swift, Fork-tailed. HI (3):332
Swift, Vaux’s. CO (3):307, (4):414
Swift, White-throated. AB (4):400

Tanager, Hepatic. NE (3):298
Tanager, Stripe-headed. FL (3):274
Tanager, Summer. GA (2): 159; OR (4):427
Tanager, Western. IA (3):287; MA (2): 147; MO (3):287;
NS (1):27; TN (1):52; VA (1):52; WA (2):202;
WI (1):57

Tattler, Gray-tailed. HI (4):436

Teal, Cinnamon. MD ( 1 ):39 — 40, (2): 1 53; PA (1):50;

PQ (3):256, (4):36 1 ; VA ( 1 ):39 — 40, (2):153
Teal, Common (“Eurasian” Green-winged). Barbados

(2) :2 14; MD (2):153, (3):265; VA (2):153(3):265

Tern, Arctic. MD (3):267; MN (3):282; MT (3):294;

NV (1):82; SD (3):294
Tern, Black. Barbados (3):335

Tern, Bridled. CA (4):433; DE (4):369; LA (3):290;
SC (2): 1 58

Tern, Common. WI (2): 1 68
Tern, Elegant. SD (3):294

Tern, Least. CO (3):307; ID (1):80; NB (1):26;

NV (3):307; OR (1):96, (3):322; WI (3):282
Tern, Little. HI (3):332
Tern, Roseate. MD (1):41
Tern, Royal. CA (4):430; IN (3):286
Tern, Whiskered. NJ (1):34, 37
Tern, White-winged. BA (3):334
Thrasher, Bendire’s. CO (4):414
Thrasher, Brown. ID (4 ):41 2; MT (4):412
Thrasher, Curve-billed. AB (3):293; MB (3):293
Thrasher, Long-billed. NM (3):3 1 3
Thrasher, Sage. MN (3);283; NB (4):360
Thrush, Bicknell’s. VA ( 1 ):52
Thrush, Gray-cheeked. CA (1):105
Thrush, Hermit. AK (2): 197

Thrush, Varied. BE (1):1 10; NS (1):26; NY (2):151,

(3):263; PA (2):165

Thrush, Wood. CA (1):105, (4):434; NM (3):313

Towhee, Spotted. ON (3):277; PEI (1):27; PQ ( 1 ):29

Tropicbird, Red-billed. TX (1):74

Tropicbird, Red-tailed. CA (4):432

Turnstone, Black. AB ( 1):66

Turnstone, Ruddy. NM (1):87; WI (2): 167

Veery. CA ( 1 ) : 1 0 1

Violet-ear, Green. LA (4):398; VA ( 1 ):39,4 1 ; WI ( 1 ):53
Vireo, Bell’s. ME (1):30, 33
Vireo, Black-whiskered. LA (4):396 — 397
Vireo, Blue-headed. AZ (1):85; NM (1):88, (3):3 13;
OR (1):98

Vireo, Cassin’s. AK (4):422
Vireo, Philadelphia. NM (3):313
Vireo, White-eyed. NM ( 1 ):88, (3):3 1 3; WI (2): 1 68
Vireo, Yellow-green. CA ( 1): 101; NM (1 ):88
Vireo, Yellow-throated. CA (2):209; GA (2): 159;
NC (2): 159

Vulture, Black. NB (3):254; ON (4):383

Wagtail, White. CA (1):102; NF (1):25,26; OR (1):97
Warbler, Bay-breasted. NS (2): 1 40
Warbler, Black-and-white. WA (2):202
Warbler, Black-throated Blue. ND (1):69; SD (1):69;
WA (1):98

Warbler, Black-throated Gray. ME (1):33; NE (4):404;
ON (3):277

Warbler, Black-throated Green. NC (2): 1 59; OR (4):427
Warbler, Blackburnian. NM (1):88;NV (1):83
Warbler, Blackpoll. NV (4):4 14; SC (2): 1 59
Warbler, Blue-winged. AZ (2): 1 92, (3):3 10, (4):4 1 7;

NM (1):88; SK (1):67
Warbler, Brewster’s. ND (3):295
Warbler, Canada. CO ( 1 ):83, (3):308
Warbler, Cape May. MT ( 1):69
Warbler, Cerulean. Co (3):308

Warbler, Chestnut-sided. MT (4):402; NC (2): 1 59;
WA (4):427

Warbler, Connecticut. ME (3):260
Warbler, Golden-winged. ND (4):402; NM ( 1 ):88,
(3):3 14

Warbler, Grace’s. CA (2):206

Warbler, Hermit. LA (3):290— 291

Warbler, Hooded. SK ( 1 ):67

Warbler, Kentucky. NM ( 3):3 1 4

Warbler, Kirtland’s. VA ( 1 ):39, 42

Warbler, “Lawrence’s”. PQ ( 1 ):29

Warbler, MacGillivray’s. FL (1);46, 48, (2): 163;

MA ( 1 ):33— 34, (2):147; NC (1):45; ON (3):277
Warbler, Magnolia. ID (4):4 1 2

Warbler, Mourning. AZ ( 1 ):85
Warbler, Orange-crowned. MN (2): 1 68
Warbler, Pine. AZ (2):192; ND (2):179; NM (2):195;
SD ( 2): 1 79

Warbler, Prairie. MT (2)186; NF (2):140; NM (1):88;

NV ( I):83; SPM (2):140; TN (2):165
Warbler, Prothonotary. OR (1):98
Warbler, Rufous-capped. AZ ( 1):85, (2): 192
Warbler, Swainson’s. NM (4):419; PEI (3):255
Warbler, Tennessee. WA (3):323
Warbler, Townsend’s. MA ( 1):33; NF (1):27
Warbler, Wilson’s. ID (2): 1 86
Warbler, Worm-eating. SD (1):69
Warbler, Yellow-throated. NM (1):88; WI (2): 1 68
Waterthrush, Louisiana. CA ( 3 ):33 1 ; CO (3):308;

NB (3):255; NM (3):314; OR (1):98
Wheatear, Northern. GA (1):45; MI (1):53, 56;
OH (2): 1 7 1

Whimbrel. CA (4):433; ID (4);412
Whip-poor-will. CO (3):307, (4):4 14
Whistling-Duck, Black-bellied. FL (4):377-378;

NS (1):25; NV (1):81, (3);306, (4):413
Wigeon, Eurasian. AL (1):63; ID (2): 1 85; ND (1):68;

OK ( 1 ):7 1
Willet. HI (1): 108
Wood-Pewee, Eastern. AZ ( 1 ):85
Wood-Pewee, Western. MI (3):282
Woodcock, American. CA ( 1 ): 103, 104; CO (3):307
Woodpecker, Black-backed. CO (4):414
Woodpecker, Nuttall’s. NV (1):82
Woodpecker, Red-bellied. BA (2 ):2 15; NM ( 3 ):3 1 3
Woodpecker, White-headed. MT ( 1 ):80, (3):304
Wren, Bewick's. PA ( 1 ):52
Wren, Cactus. CA ( 1 ): 1 0 1

Wren, Carolina. AZ (4):417; NM (1):88, (3):313, (4):419

Wren, Rock. AR (3):290; MN (3):283

Wren, Sedge. CA ( 1 ): 1 05

Wren, Southern House-. Barbados (3):335

Wren, Winter. AZ (4):4 1 7; NM (4);4 1 9

Yellowlegs, Greater. MN (2): 167
Yellowthroat, Gray-crowned. TX (4):41 1

INDEX OF SAs

‘Alala (Hawaiian Crow) recovery status. ( I ): 1 09, ( 3 ):333
Albatross, Black-browed, documented off VA (2):153
Albatross, Yellow-nosed, in ME. (4):363
bad-weather movements of birds in response to storm in
ON (4):380

Black-Hawk, Common, nesting in TX. (4):408
Condor, California, feeding on beaches. (4):429
Condor, California, in CO and UT. ( 1 ):8 1
Cormorant, Double-crested, nesting status in NY and
PA. (4):367

Crane, Whooping, released birds in FL. (3):272
cuckoo decline in Middlewestern Prairie region. (4):393
Curlew, Bristle-thighed, counts at Midway. (3):332
Dove, White-winged, and Eurasian Collared-Dove in
Southern Great Plains region. (I):72
Dowitcher, Long-billed, invasion in PQ. (1):28
Egret, Little, and Snowy Egrets breeding in Barbados.
(3):334

Flycatcher, Buff-breasted, in TX. (3):301, (4);4 1 0
Gallinule, Purple, incursion in Middlewestern Prairie
region. (3):285

Goldeneye, Barrow’s, studies in PQ. (2); 1 4 1
grassland bird survey results in NY. (4):370
Gulf of Mexico, offshore migration studies. (1):64
Gull, Black-tailed, in NJ, NY, and VA (2):150
Gull, Black-tailed, on Chesapeake Bay. (2): 154
Gull, California, on Chesapeake Bay, MD. (2): 1 54
Gull, Franklin’s, invasion in Hudson-Delaware region.
(1):37

Gull, Franklin’s, large displacement in Middlewestern

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

439

Prairie region. (1):60
gull, Iceland-type, in CA. (2):205
gull, Kelp/Herring/hybrid, nesting in LA. (4):396
Gull, Kelp, on Chesapeake Bay, MD. (2): 1 54
Gull, Ring-billed, new colony in PA. (4):386
Gull, Yellow-legged, in CT, and other species in CT and
NH. (2): 145

Gull, Slaty-backed, on Chesapeake Bay, MD. (2): 1 54
Hawk, Short-tailed, in Miller Canyon, AZ. (4):416
Hummingbird, Amazilia, escape in 1A. ( 1 ):60
Hummingbird, Anna’s, in WI. (1):56
Hummingbird, Rufous, in MI. (1):56
hybrid ducks, warblers, and towhees in Mountain West
region. (3):307

ibises, spoonbill, and stork dispersal in Central Southern
region. (1):62

Kingfisher, Ringed, in OK. ( 1):72

Kite, White-tailed, winter counts in OR and WA. (2):201

Lark, Sky, in WA possibly of Asian origin. (2):202

Merlin flight at Kiptopeke, VA. (1):40

Mockingbird, Blue, in TX. (3):302

Oriole, Streak-backed, in Wl. (4):390

Oystercatcher, American, in ON. (4):380

Parrot, Puerto Rican, status after hurricane Georges.

(3) :335

passerine fallout in NS. (1):25
passerine flight in coastal VA. (1):42
Pelican, Brown, in Chesapeake Bay. (4):372
Petrel, Great- winged, on Monterey Bay, CA. (1):99
Plover, Mongolian, in RI. (4):365
Puaiohi (small Kaua'i thrush) captive-breeding and
release program successes. (2):2 1 3
Rail, Yellow, and Sora studies in MD. ( 1 ):41
raptors nesting in Northern Great Plains urban areas.

(4) :401

Sandpiper, Broad-billed, at Jamaica Bay, NY. (1):36
Sandpiper, Upland, status in NY, NJ, and DE. (4):369
Shearwater, Wedge-tailed, on Monterey Bay, CA. (1):99
Skua, South Polar, in GA and FL. (1):44
“southern” species in Churchill, MB. (4):399
sparrows, Black-chinned and Black-throated, and Lark
Bunting range expansions in CA. (3):327
sparrow, Grasshopper x Song hybrid, in MA. (4):366
Swan, Trumpeter, in CA. (2):204
Tern, Arctic, nesting in CA. (4):429
Tern, Caspian, and endangered salmon on the Columbia
River. (4):426

Tern, Least, nesting in HI. (4):436
Tern, Little, nesting in HI. (4):436
Thrasher, Curve-billed, in AB. (1):67, (2 ): 1 78
Thrasher, Curve-billed, in MB. (2): 1 78
Thrush, Bicknell’s, mating system. (4):362
Thrush, Swainson’s, and Veery in AZ. (3):3 10
tropical storms Charley and Frances fallout in TX. ( 1 ):75
Violet-ear, Green, in WI. (1):56, (4):390
wading bird breeding season in FL. (4):377
Warbler, Golden-winged, status in NY and PA. (4):370
waterfowl, disappearance of wintering, on Great Salt
Lake, UT. (2):187

Woodpecker, Red-headed, in CA. (4):430
Wren, Sedge, winter counts near Barton. MO. (2): 171
Zellwood farms, FL, bird die-off at. (2):160
Zellwood, FL, birding area. (1):47

INDEX OF ARTICLES

Anis in the United States and Canada, Steven G.

Mlodinow and Kevin T. Karlson. (3):237
Black-browed Albatross in North America: First
Photographically Documented Record, J. Brian
Patteson, Michael A. Patten, and Edward S. Brinkley.
(3):228

Bulwer’s Petrel off North Carolina Coast, Harry E.
LeGrand, Jr., Paul Guris, and Mary Gustafson.
( 1 ): 1 1 3

Changing Seasons: Fall Migration, Edward S. Brinkley.

( 1 ): 1 2

Changing Seasons: The Winter Season, David P. Muth.
(2): 1 32

Changing Seasons: Spring Migration, Christopher L.
Wood. (3):247

Changing Seasons: The Nesting Season, Tom Will.
(4):354

Editor’s Notebook, Ned Brinkley. (1):3
Editor’s Notebook, Steve Stedman. (2):123
Editor’s Notebook, Michael Patten. (3):227
Editor’s Notebook, Tom Will. (4):347
(The) Eurasian Collared-Dove in North America and the
Caribbean, Christina M. Romagosa and Terry
McEneaney. (4):348

First North American Photographic Record: Inter¬
mediate Egret at Midway Atoll, Scott Richardson.
(4):441

Gray-hooded Gull in North America: First Documented
Record, Douglas B. McNair. (3):337
Invasions, Irruptions, and Trends: The Christmas Bird
Count Database, Geoffrey S. LeBaron. (2):2 1 7
Outstanding rarities of Fall 1998. (1):5
Pictorial highlights. ( 1): 1 17; (2):221; (3):341; (4):445
Publisher’s memo, Gus Daniels. (1):3
Swinhoe’s Storm-Petrel, Michael O’Brien, J. Brian
Patteson, George L. Armistead, and Grayson B.
Pearce

Spotted Redshank and Common Greenshank in North
America, Steven G. Mlodinow. (2): 124
(The) Status of Vagrant Whimbrels in the United States
and Canada with Notes on Identification, Matthew
T.Heindel. (3):232

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440

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

first north american photographic record

Intermediate Egret
at Midway Atoll

SCOTT RICHARDSON *

On 25 June 1997 Jim Nestler awoke in the field camp at Eastern
Island, Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. Before sunrise,
he set out on his shearwater survey route, winding through thick
stands of Golden Crown-beard ( Verbesina encelioides ) and Ironwood
trees ( Casuarina equisetifolia) . Along the way Jim noticed an egret,
registered its default identity — Cattle — and returned to surveying
shearwaters. Only in full daylight would the egret’s true identity
become apparent.

Three hours later and a couple of miles to the west, on Midway’s
Sand Island, James Aliberti and Bart McDermott were working in
similar surroundings when they, too, encountered an egret. It wasn’t
a Cattle Egret. Their tentative identification: Intermediate Egret
(Mesophoyx intermedia).

I learned about the sightings in late afternoon, after many others
had seen the rarity, and went with a small group of volunteer sur¬
veyors to find it. After some anxious searching, we spied an egret for¬
aging among patches of leafy Verbesina. I studied it from 50 nr away,
using 8-power Bausch & Lomb Elite binoculars under an unbroken
blue sky, and began taking notes:

25 Jun 97 @ 1620. Small to medium-sized, not far from Cattle,
probably, with pale yellow bill more slender than Cattle (but
not Snowy shape). At close range, all-white plumage (including
wing stretch) has peach or pink cast when compared with the
nearby Laysan Albatrosses. Legs dark. Characteristic/ habitual
wiggle of neck side to side near base. Foraging in sunlight at 50
m. Pecking at shrubs, especially, and ground. Feathering on
upper leg sleek. Nowhere on plumage is there any plume-like
adornment. Lores do not appear to contrast with bill.

After observing the egret, I consulted field guides at the refuge
office. I compared Birds of Australia (Pizzey and Doyle 1980), Birds of
Japan (Wild Bird Society of Japan 1982), and Birds of Hawaii and the
Tropical Pacific (Pratt et al. 1987). The latter two guides mentioned a
dark tip to the Intermediate’s yellow bill. Few other hints to identifi¬
cation — and no warnings — were issued by these books. North
American field guides, of course, did not cover the species.

Refuge manager Rob Shallenberger was eager to obtain docu¬
mentary photos of the egret, so I led him to the spot. We found James
Aliberti already photographing the bird. As two cameras clicked, 1
resumed note-taking:

Back w/ Rob @ 1710. Head scratch shows black feet, maybe
slightly paler than legs. Bill tip dark. Iris yellow bright. As close
as 15 m. It is an Intermediate Egret.

* 29 Knox Lane, Berwick, ME 03901

Intermediate Egret 25 June 1997 on Sand Island, Midway Atoll.
Note the bird's slender build and the gape line which ends
below the eye. Photograph/James Aliberti

VOLUME S3 (1999), ISSUE 4

441

An adult Laysan Albatross provides a size reference
for an Intermediate Egret at Midway Atoll 25 June 1997.

The albatross measures about 80 cm (32 in) from head to tail.

A Great Egret, by comparison, would measure 85-102 cm
(33-40 in) and would appear as long as or longer than
the albatross. Photograph/James Aliberti

I left Midway a few days later without encountering the egret
again. It remained, however, for more than a month. In fact, Jim
Nestler saw two Intermediate Egrets on 27 and 29 July. The last sight¬
ing, of one individual, was on 31 July 1997.

DESCRIPTION

The following notes refer to the first egret encountered, although the
second could be described identically.

Size and Shape. A graceful heron, structurally similar to Great
Egret or Snowy Egret, but nearer in size to the latter.

Plumage. All white. A peach cast was noticed during early obser¬
vations, but it disappeared in later views. A yellowish wash appeared
on the breast when it was illuminated by direct sun and seen at close
range — possibly due to reflection of sunlight from the surrounding
grass.

Soft Parts. Yellow bill with dark brownish tip. Yellow lores closely
resembled bill color. Bright yellow iris. Blackish legs, with slightly
paler toes.

Vocalizations. None heard.

Movement/Behavior. Tended to remain in a relatively small area.
While foraging, frequently “neck swayed” in the manner described by
Kushlan (1978): a rapid side-to-side motion of the neck (and some¬
times body) with the head held relatively stationary. “Walking quick¬
ly” (Kushlan 1978) perhaps best described as prancing. Fairly rapid
and vertical ascent when flushed; wingbeat rate moderate. Jim
Nestler described the flight to be “not as choppy and bouncy as a
Cattle, but smooth like a Snowy or Great.”

The Hawaiian Islands with a detail of Midway Atoll.

ELIMINATION OF OTHER SPECIES

Ten other heron species are all white, either always or as juveniles or
morphs (Hancock and Kushlan 1984). Only one, the Cattle Egret
(. Bubulcus ibis), is likely to appear at Midway (Pratt et al. 1987). In
basic plumage, it is largely white with a yellow to pale yellow bill, but
has dull yellow to greenish black legs. At 48-55 cm, it is smaller than
an Intermediate Egret (65-72 cm), and its profile — heavy-billed and
short-necked — also differs from the graceful form of the
Intermediate.

The Great Egret ( Egretta alba, sometimes Great White Egret) is
most similar to the Intermediate; they are sometimes inseparable in
the field (Ali and Ripley 1968, Hancock and Kushlan 1984). Con¬
fusion can arise when birds are seen at a distance and without com¬
parative scale. Female Greats of the modesta race are said to be the
smallest, but at close range any Great Egret (85-102 cm) ought to
impress an observer as large. Another feature eliminating modesta is
its bone-colored tibia. An exaggerated kink in the neck, a character
considered noteworthy in the Great by Hancock and Kushlan (1984),
was not apparent in the Midway egret. The brownish bill tip proved to
be an unimportant clue; juveniles of both species share this feature.
Perhaps it is more characteristic of the Intermediate, as the Greats
illustrated in Hancock and Kushlan (1984) are shown without it.

The mark that best distinguishes M. intermedia from E. alba,
however, is the gape extension. On alba, a dark gape line extends well
behind the eye, while on intermedia the line ends below the eye
(Hancock and Kushlan 1984). This feature was not known at the time
of observation and was not noticed in the field. Photos, however, fail
to show an extended gape line.

Two other species are always white, but both Snowy Egret ( E .
thnla ) and Swinhoe’s Egret (E. eulophotes) have yellow feet and, fre¬
quently, black bills. Four other herons have white morphs: Reddish
Egret (E. rufescens), Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias), Eastern Reef
Heron (E. sacra), and Little Egret (£. garzetta). All four are eliminat¬
ed by size, bill color, or leg color. A ninth species, Little Blue Heron
( E . caendea), is white in its first year, but at that stage has a pale
bluish bill. Finally, the Malagasy Pond Heron ( Ardeola idae), besides
being extremely unlikely at Midway, is all white only at its
Madagascar breeding colonies.

DISCUSSION

The Intermediate Egret ranges from Africa across southern Asia to
Japan, Indonesia, and Australia. Three subspecies are recognized by
Hancock and Kushlan (1984), but only the nominate race has dark

442

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

INTERMEDIATE EGRET

tibia. The breeding range of M. i. intermedia includes southeast Asia
and Japan (Hancock and Kushlan 1984).

Both post-breeding disperal and annual migrations occur in M. i.
intermedia. Birds breeding in Japan typically fly south to winter in
the Philippines; one banded individual was recovered 3520 km (2200
mi) from its breeding colony (McClure 1974, cited in Hancock and
Kushlan 1984). Although this recovery suggests that Intermediate
Egrets are capable of long-distance movements, such a migrational
path includes large land masses for stopovers. Both the 4400 km
(2800 mi) from Japan to Midway and the 6100 km (3800 mi) from
the southern Philippines to Midway are mostly open ocean with
occasional small islets and atolls. Stopovers on these isolated land-
forms would have been possible — perhaps necessary — for the egrets
to have reached Midway, unless they were aided in their journeys by
vessels traversing the Pacific.

Intermediate Egrets usually are found along water margins, but
they also frequent grasslands with water nearby (Hancock and
Kushlan 1984). The Midway birds were seen on mowed grass with
adjacent shrubs and trees (specifically, at the parade grounds, below
the water tower, and near the hangar). They were not observed at the
two freshwater ponds on Sand Island (the catchment basin and the
“dump pond”).

Few ardeids have been recorded at Midway Atoll. The first Cattle
Egret at Midway was reported by Craig Harrison on 19 October 1978
(U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service files). Cattle Egrets have been report¬
ed from September through May during several years of the subse¬
quent two decades. Single birds have been the norm, but up to five
have been seen (Pyle 1984). None were present during summer 1997.
The only other ardeids referenced for Midway have been “bitterns”
blown in on winter storm winds (Hadden 1941).

The Intermediate Egret has been reported
only once before in North America. The record
pertains to a white heron collected in 1879 at
Burrard Inlet, British Columbia (Kermode
1923). The specimen associated with this inci¬
dent, an Intermediate Egret in alternate plum¬
age, was believed by Brooks (1923) to have
been an imported skin innocently substituted
for the original specimen, which may have rep¬
resented a resident North American species.

Therefore, the Intermediate Egret has remain¬
ed hypothetical in British Columbia (Campbell
et al. 1990) and North America (American
Ornithologists’ Union 1998).

American Ornithologists’ Union (AOU). 1998. Check-list of North American
Birds, 7th ed. American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C.

Brooks, A. 1923. A comment on the alleged occurrence of Mesophoyx inter¬
media in North America. Condor 25: 180-181.

Campbell, R. W., N. K. Dawe, I. McTaggart-Cowan, J. M. Cooper, G. W. Kaiser,
and M. C. E. McNall. 1990. The Birds of British Columbia, vol. 1. University
of British Columbia Press, Vancouver.

Hadden, F. C. 1941. Midway Islands. The Hawaiian Planters’ Record 45:
179-221.

Hancock, J., and J. Kushlan. 1984. The Herons Handbook Harper and Row,
New York.

Kermode, F. 1923. Notes on the occurrence of the Plumed Egret ( Mesophoyx
intermedia) in British Columbia. Murrelet 4: 3-5. [An identical article was
published the same year in Canadian Field-Naturalist 37: 64-65.]

Kushlan, J. 1978. Wading birds. In Research Report 7. National Audubon
Society, New York.

McClure, E. 1974. Migration and Survival of the Birds of Asia. U.S. Army
Medical Component, SEATO, Bangkok.

Pizzey, G., and R. Doyle. 1980. A Field Guide to the Birds of Australia.
Princeton University Press, New Jersey.

Pratt, H. D., P. L. Bruner, and D. G. Berrett. 1987. The Birds of Hawaii and the
Tropical Pacific. Princeton University Press, New Jersey.

Pyle, P. 1984. Observations of migrant and vagrant birds from Kure and
Midway atolls, 1982-1983. ' Elepaio 44 : 107-111.

Wild Bird Society of Japan. 1982. A Field Guide to the Birds of Japan. Kodansha
International Ltd., Tokyo.

-Received 10 May 1999, accepted 2 November 1999.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I thank the Oceanic Society for making possible my
presence at Midway during June 1997, the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service for facilitating access to refer¬
ences, Robert Pyle for encouraging me to prepare the
manuscript, James Aliberti for providing pho-
! tographs, Jim Nesder for sharing field notes, and Jean
Radesovich for telling me immediately of the egret’s
presence. Thanks also to Steve Mlodinow, Steve
Stedman, Tom Will, Peter Yaukey, and an anonymous
reviewer for suggesting revisions. Special thanks to
Irmgard, Jill, Ernie, Sandy, and Michele for patiently
sharing the moment.

LITERATURE CITED

Ali, S., and S. D. Ripley. 1968. Handbook of the Birds
of India and Pakistan, vol. 1. Oxford University
Press, Bombay.

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

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■10

One of the classiest visitors of the summer season,

I a male Mongolian Plover was present for three days
in late July at Charlestown Breechway, Rhode Island.

This photograph taken on 25 July documents a first Regional
record and only the second occurrence on the North American
Atlantic Coast (see the Regional SA). Photograph/Arie Gilbert

This stunning adult Yellow-nosed
Albatross, observed for over two hours
off Matinicus Rock on 6 July,
represented at least the third
occurrence for Maine. The light
gray head is characteristic
of the nominate race
chlororhynchos from the South
Atlantic. Note the Great Black-backed
Gull for a size comparison.
Photographs/Anthony Hill

An adult White-faced Ibis, Quebec's second
record since 1997, remained in Saint -
Hyacinthe 30 July through 3 August and
offered splendid views of its field marks.
In this photo taken 1 August, note the
slightly reddish legs and the wide white
border surrounding the red facial skin
and red eye. Photograph/Micheie Lafleur

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4 445

pictorial highlights

Kingbirds were in the news
throughout the continent this
summer. A Cassin's Kingbird

photographed by Ian McLaren on 1 7 July at Little Harbour,

Nova Scotia, was a first Atlantic Provinces Regional record
and one of a very few ever along the eastern coast outside
of the fall season. Western Kingbirds reached New Brunswick,
western New York, and Wisconsin, and successful breeding

was recorded at various locations in the Middle Western

Prairies and Central Southern regions. This nesting
Western Kingbird photographed by Charles Mills
on 12 June in Miller County, Arkansas, did
not succeed in fledging young.

The Tropical/Couch's Kingbird photo¬
graphed by Jim and Charlene Malone
on 3 June in Monroe County, Illinois,
provided a first Middle Western
Prairie Regional record; other rep¬
resentatives from this sister species
pair also made noteworthy appear¬
ances or nesting attempts in
Louisiana, western Florida, Texas,
New Mexico, and southern
California.

This immature Brown Creeper (left) was
out of the nest for less than a day when it
was photographed on 5 July at Fort Harrison
State Park, Marion County, Indiana. Brown
Creepers were unusually plentiful this summer
in the Middle Western Prairie Region.

Photograph/Don Gorney

A Little Egret at Bombay Hook, Delaware,
for most of June and July was assumed to
be the same bird that showed up at Little
Creek 25-27 April 1999. Here the Little
(below) appears with a Snowy Egret on 1 3
June. Note not only the distinctive pair of
long head plumes but also the much duller
yellow lores, the thicker, slightly longer
bill, and the thicker and longer neck on
the Little Egret as compared with the
Snowy. Photograph/Frank Rohrbacher

ADDENDUM: Finally identified as a specimen nine months after it
succumbed to a cold snap on 15 January 1998, this immature male
Streak-backed Oriole first appeared at a feeder in Mercer, Wisconsin,
in early January of the same year. However belatedly, it became an
exciting first Western Great Lakes Regional record (see the SA). In
addition to the combination of diagnostic plumage characters, note the
straight culmen on the relatively substantial bill. Photograph/Thomas Schultz

An adult Little Stint (right foreground) poses
with a Least Sandpiper on 1 1 July, the first day
of its weeklong stay at Cape May, New Jersey. Among
its salient characters are its dark legs, white throat,
bold distinct spots on sides of breast, and rufous
edging on the upperparts with orange-buff face
and sides of breast. Photograph/Kevin Karlson

446

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

june through july 1999

TnrnrtMTmrwrrr

A male Buff-breasted Flycatcher discovered
14 June in the Davis Mountains — not far
from the site of the bird pictured in the spring's
Pictorial Highlights — led to the confirmation
of the first Texas nesting of the species.

Both the adult perched near the nest and the
female shown on the nest were photographed
on 17 June. The nesting was successful:
two recently-fledged young were discovered
on 31 July. Photographs/Greg Lasley

A Gray Flycatcher, photographed 1 1 July,
was present in northwest Calgary from late June
through early July. The photo reveals a sharply
bicolored lower mandible, much longer and thinner
than that of Dusky or Hammond's flycatchers,
which also tend to show more blending
of the light base and darker tip. The bill is also
much thinner than that of Alder or Willow
flycatchers, and the fairly prominent eye ring
(barely contrasting with the pale gray face)
mediates against those two species as well.

Note the proportionately long tail, and if you
remain unconvinced, know that the bird was
also tape-recorded. This was the first confirmed
Gray Flycatcher sighting for Alberta
and the Prairie Provinces.

Photograph/Greg Olin

VOLUME 53 (1999), ISSUE 4

This Gray Catbird seen and photographed 1 July at Churchill, Manitoba,
was just one of the many "southern" rarities that appeared
in Churchill early this summer. See the SA in the Prairie Provinces
report for more examples. Photograph/Robert Mumford

447

pictorial highlights

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks made widespread
noteworthy appearances this summer
in Texas, New Mexico, Nevada, southern
California, Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon,
and British Columbia. This male
at San Geronimo, Marin County, 25 June
was among a dozen Rose-breasted
Grosbeaks summering in northern
California. Photograph/Rich Stallcup

A truly outstanding event for ornithology in the A.O.U. Check-list area was

the occurrence of Little and Least Terns together for many weeks in breeding plumage

when they can best be distinguished — followed by egg-laying by both species!

The Least Tern in flight (left) was photographed 24 June by Peter Pyle (HRBP-1236);
the Little Tern (right) was photographed 24 May by Bert McKee (HRBP-1237),
both at Sand Island, Midway Atoll. Compared to the pale gray, noncontrasting rump
and center tail of the Least Tern on the left, note the white rump and tail
of the Little Tern which contrasts sharply with its gray mantle. See the SA
in the Hawaiian Islands report for the exciting details.

Mist-netted along the Devil's River in Val Verde County on 20 June,
this Rufous-capped Warbler established the fifteenth accepted Texas record
and was the first ever to be banded in the U.S. Photograph/Brent Ortego

Great-tailed Grackles
continued to expand their range
in northern California.

This male photographed
on 15 June sired young
that fledged from two nests
at Roberts Lake, Seaside —
the first to be documented
in Monterey County.
Photograph/Don Roberson

448

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS

As essential as binoculars for those who
take birding seriously."— Scientist

Succinct text for field
identification

Color plates depicting
every species and
many variants

Nicoln. L)a> ,

Pt**r TrunJer

KILLIAN MIL EARN FY
LARS SVENSSON
DAN ZETTKRSTRftM
I'ETF.R X GRANT

Designed and
constructed for
field use

PAKISTAN, NEPAL.
BANGLADESH.
BHUTAN, SRI LANKA,
AND THE MALDIVES

RICU AKH CRIMMETT
C \ROL TNSKIPP
TIM INSKIPP

A Guide to the

Birds of

Southeast

Asia

Comprehensive text
covering identification
and natural history

Th/iilantl • Ibiinsulat Malay*
Smgnfx art • Myanmar • Imm
I irtnam • l.iimMia

Craig Robson

Birds

Color plates depicting
every species and
many variants

A Guide to the j

Biros of the
Wksi Indies

Richard Grimnicit

References

Princeton University Press www.birds.princeton.edu

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