Summer bird records from ,

Additions to our knowledgeof the occurrenceof $8 speciesat this little-studied season

Tony Ga!lucci

RUSSELLAND LAMM (1978) recently vided some locality recordsnot available determination of trends. Most helpful pointed out the dearth of bird distribu- elsewhere although most were winter were Grinnell (1928) and Huey (1927) tion data for the state of Sonora on the data. The regional reports of American for Baja , Phillipset al. (1964) Mexican Gulf of California. Despite Birds (1975-80; Russell and Lamm 1978, for , Small (1974) for Califor- their contribution, and some informa- also cited some recent records from nia, and Hubbard (1978) for New Mex- tion to be gleaned elsewhere,there is yet American Birds) and the regional re- ico. an almost complete lack of July and ear- ports of Mexican Birds Newsletter ly August records for coastal birds. Van (1976-78) were searched for recent re- WATERBIRDS Rossem's(1945) opus on Sonoran birds cords. provided records for many land bird The works of Blake (1953), Davis Common Loon (Gavia immeO species during these months. As the (1972), Edwards (1972), and Peterson aquatic species,however, are more sub- and Chalif (1973) provided generalized Once reported as a single mid-winter ject to wandering the few data on their distribution information. Works cover- occurrence ("fairly common about occurence in Sonora must be related to ing southwestern United States states bur6n Island", van Rossem1945), its the paucity of observersin the region. and Mexican states were valuable in the status was revised by Zimmerman and I conductedfield investigationsduring July and August of 1979along the coast of Sonora. This field work revealed the presenceof severalspecies undocument- ARIZONA ed in late summer in Sonora. Included are birds that were predicted for the area by Friedmann et al. (1950), Miller et al. Lukeville• Sonoyta •1•Tucson (1957) and Blake (1953). Many of these Cholla• species have been documented during PuertoPeriosco San July and August in the Colorado River Felipe NogalesDouglas Valley of California and Arizona but had not yet been found in Sonora during the late summer (Phillips et al. 1964, Small 1974). Some species,while previouslyrecord- ed during the summer, were observed at new localities and are so reported here. Other species were found in unusual numbers such that they warranted inclu- sion in this report. Fidd studies were conducted from Ju- ly 24 to August 2, 1979. Points of obser- vation along the coast ranged from BahiaCholla, just north of Puerto Peri- asco, to Empalme, just south of Guay- mas. A few land birds are reported from roland localitiesalong the routes traveled from Arizona to the coastand back (Fig. 1) In determiningthe significanceof the records included here, Russell and Lamm (1978) and van Rossem(1945) proved most helpful. Alden (1969) pro-

Volume 35, Number 3 243 Boettcher (1967) and Russell and Lamm oversummeringoccurs and that birds of from late August and early September (1978). They considered the bird com- this species may have been overlooked through early December. They also mon in winter from September 23 to farther south. One breeding-plumaged noted the usual presenceof a few Eared April 28. Zimmerman and Boettcher bird was seen in the surf along Station Grebes on Imperial and Havasu lakes (1967) reported the first Sonoran speci- Beach, Puerto Pefiasco, July 26, 1979. from mid-May to late August. Thus men from Bahia Cholla, November 24, recordsexist for the vicinity of the nor- 1965, and Russell and Lamm (1978) Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata) thern Gulf for all months of the year, report two additional specimens, from althoughactual Gulf recordsare lacking Puerto Pefiasco, December 4, 1965. for the span May to November. Three David Stejskal (in Witzeman et al. Van Rossem (1945) listed but two individualsin various plumageswere at 1976) reported a winter-plumaged Com- records for this bird. Russell and Lamm Puerto Pe•asco July 24-25, 1979. The mon Loon off Puerto Pefiasco July 2-5, (1978) added three more. Extreme dates birds were first seen singly July 24, but 1976. Witzeman et al. (1976) further of occurrence are November 27 and as winds and the surf picked up were commented that, in summer, southward March 18. Huey (1927) reported finding seenswimming together. loons tend to be in winter plumage. several at San Felipe, , In light of these records it is interest- including one recently dead on the late Sooty Shearwater (Puffinus griseus) ing to note the following. At least six in- date of April 2. Phillips et aL (1964) dividual Common Loons were present in reported two sight records from Although listed as an uncommonspr- the surf zone off Station Beach, Puerto Arizona, both outside the extreme dates ing and summer visitant in the Gulf of Pefiasco, July 25-26, 1979, and a single noted above; November 21 and June 8 California by some authors (Friedmann bird was at Bahia Kino on July 29, 1979. and 15. An adult, in breeding plumage, et al. 1950, Huey 1927, van Rossem Four of the Pefiasco birds were in breed- just beyond the surf zone at Puerto 1945) with dates ranging from April to ing plumage. One of the birds, an in- Pefiasco, July 24, 1979 was therefore un- August, there seem to be only two defin- dividual in breeding plumage, was expected. ite Sonoranrecords. Van Rossem(1945) plucked from the rocks of Puerto Perias- In addition to the loons reported cited these as April 19, 1925 and June 2, co (Rocky Point) proper, apparently above, another unidentifiable half- 1928 near TiburOn Island off Punta having been washed among the boulders dozen were seen at Puerto Peffasco be- Chueca. by heavy surf. It was examined, judged tween July 24 and 27, 1979. The loons, Eighteen Sooty Shearwaterswere seen to be uninjured and released. as well as some of the speciesreported off the surf of Station Beach, Puerto The wing of yet another breeding-plu- below, were seen close to shore during Pefiasco July 25-27, 1979. These birds maged bird was recoveredat the baseof turbulent weatherfrom July 24-27, 1979. were among 180 shearwaters flying in a giant cactus (Carnegeia sp.) used as an Hurricane Dolores had met her demise small groups. Of the remainder, some Osprey's feeding perch. The wing was in the Pacific off Baja California on July smaller individuals with solid dark un- located about 2 km north of Bahia Kino 23 and her remnants were apparently re- derwing linings, dark bills and feet, and on July 29, 1979 by James F. Scudday. sponsible(Gunther 1980, Wagner 1979). faster, more frequent wingbeats were thoughtto be Short-tailed(Slender-billed) Arctic Loon (Gavia arctica) Shearwaters (Puffinus tenuirostris). Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) Short-tailed Shearwaters are known Virtually all referencesrefer to the Ar- from Mexico based on a single record tic Loon as a common winter visitor and Friedmann et al. (1950), Grinnell off Baja California. spring migrant on the Sonoran coast (1928), and van Rossem(1945) listed this with extreme recorded dates of Decem- grebe as common in winter in the nor- Blue-footed Booby (Sula nebouxii) ber 28 and April 2. Records were limited thern Gulf of California with extreme • betweenGuaymas and Bahia dates of December 23 and April 25 Common about Bahia Kino and Kino. August and September records listed, both at Guaymas. Phillips et al. Guaymas during the summer months, it from Arizona (Phillips et al. 1964) sug- (1964) noted that these birds are occa- was encountered only once north of gest that either fall migration is early or sionally found on the Colorado River Kino during 1979. An adult was seenat Puerto Pefiasco July 26, 1979. Alden (1969) called the bird rare at Puerto Pefiasco during the winter. Though van Ro'ssem(1945) stated the bird is a com- mon residentof the gulf with concentra- tions about the more precipitousislands, he gave no indication of its abundance at Puerto Pefiasco where the nearest "booby rocks" are at least 27 km dis- tant. Phillips et al. (1964) reported strag- glers to Lake Havasu September 19, 1953 and Phoenix July 29, 1953; dates that are in line with my single observa- tion. This suggestsnorthward wandering in the fall, and similarly, the presenceof Common Loon, Gavia immer. All drawingsby Tony Gallucci. winter birds at Puerto Pefiasco is not

244 American Birds, May 1981 unexpected. Van Rossem (1945) con- spoonbill is of three individuals at An immature bird was seen about 45 tends the speciesbreeds throughout the Bamori on September 9, 1973 (Russell km eastof Imur•'salong Highway 2 on year, and this would not preclude a ten- and Lamm 1978). There are, however, August 2, 1979. The sightingwas in an dency toward fall dispersalof some indi- only two published records from the area of high-elevation grassland bor- viduals. coast north of Guaymas. Van Rossem dered by wide draws and riparian cot- Brandt 's Cormorant (Phalacrocorax (1945) noted a September record at tonwoodstands. Van Rossem(1945) and penicillatus} Bahfa Kino and Russell and Lamm Friedmann et al. (1950) do not record (1978) reported a Punta Santa Rosa the Aplomado Falcon from Sonora. It A singlebird observedat Puerto Pen- observationof a singlebird, July 26-27, has nested historically a few km to the asco, July 25, 1979, probably represents 1973. Interesting, for the number, is an north of the sightingin the grasslandsof a northward summer occurrence. Alden observation of 12 at Estero La Cruz, southeastern Arizona (Phillips et al. (1969) listed this cormorant as a rare BahfaKino July 31, 1979. 1964). Continued sporadicobservations winter bird and migrant at that location. in Arizona, New Mexico, and west No other reference declares the status of Texas, interestingly, are of immature Brandt's Cormorant at Puerto Pefiasco birds in areasthe speciesonce inhabited or intimates that it might occur there. Raptors (Witzeman et al. 1979a, Williams 1977, 1979). Green Heron (Butorides striatus} Black Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus}

Inclusive dates published for the Van Rossem(1945) reported residence SHOREBIRDS Green Heron are from September to OSTOF THE following shore- June 12 (van Rossera 1945 and Rus- birds are reported here for the selland Lamm 1978). Observations first time in July in Sonora. Such oc- of single birds at Punta Chueca July currence was predicted by Blake 30, 1979 and Bahia Kino July 31, (1953), Friedmann et al. (1950) and 1979 indicate occurrence throughout van Rossem(1945). All but one of the the summer. specieshas been reported previously for Sonora; in winter and migration. Little Blue Heron (Florida caerulea) There is little known, however, about Listed by van Rossem (1945) as a the oversummering tendencies and summer visitor north to Guaymas, migration initiation dates of these the Little Blue Heron is occasionally speciesin Mexico. Only recentlyhave found north to Tiburtn Island and summer records of shorebirds in the Punta Santa Rosa in winter (Russell United States been assimilated and and Lamm 1978, van Rossem 1945). analyzed for patterns (Hubbard A single adult bird was at Bahia 1978, Phillips et al. 1964, Oberholser Cholla July 26, 1979; a northern oc- 1974). Based on known migration currence and a first summer record datesof someof thesespecies in Ari- north of Guaymas. zona, New Mexico and Texas many of the records presentedhere are not surprising. Their listing may help Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis) clarify the various species' status in Mexico and help interpretation of re- Russell and Lamm (1978) report cent records of seasonal and location- the taking of two specimensof I.e. al stragglers. (e.g., see Witzeman et pullus (van Rossem 1930) at Punta al. 1979b). Santa Rosa, September 8, 1973 and September 17, 1974. Another in- Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius dividual was banded there August 18, semipalmatus} 1975. The specimenswere the first from Sonora sincethe subspecieswas Two were seen at Puerto Pe•asco first collected and described. Van July 25-27, 1979, one was at Bahia Kino, July 29 and 31, 1979, and two Rossem records the species (I.e. Least Bittern, Ixobrychus exilis. pullus and Le. hesperis)only during were found at San Carlos August 1, April and May. I found three Least 1979. Bitterns in marsh grass at Estero La along permanent streams but absence Snowy Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus} Cruz, Bahia Kino July 29, 1979, a date from the northwestern desert. Two were intermediate between the previous seen soaring over the Rio Magdalena, reports. July 28, 1979, just south of Caborca. Friedmannet al. (1950) stated"its ap- Becausethe area appeared, at best, mar- parent summer absence from the coast ginal for the nestingof this species,these of Sonora is rather suprising," basedon birds may have been migrants. its abundance as a breeding bird in RoseateSpoonbill (Ajaia ajaja) northern Baja California. Six were at The northernmost record for the •lplomado Falcon (Falco femoralis) Puerto Pe•asco July 26-27, 1979.

Volume 35, Number 3 245 Wilson's Plover (Charadrius San Carlos August 1, 1979. wilsonia) Long-billed Dowitcher (Lim- This specieswas abundant at Puerto nodromus scolopaceus) Pefiasco where downy young were present as late as July 27, 1979. Also Two were at Puerto Pefiasco July noted sparingly south to San Carlos. 25-26, 1979, six were at Estero La Cruz, Bahfa Kino and two were at Punta Chueca July 29, 1979, and one Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis was at Estero La Cruz July 31, 1979. squatarola) Marbled Godwit (Limosa fedoa) At least 58 individuals were countedin the spanJuly 24 to August Van Rossem (1945) stated "it 1, 1979. The specieswas widespread seemsprobable that some individuals from Puerto Pefiascoto Empalme. may remain throughout the sum- mer." Four were at Estero Maru•, Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria inter- Puerto Pefiasco, July 26, 1979, ten pres) wereat EsteroLa Cruz, BahfaKino July 29, 1979, two were at Punta Six were at Puerto Pefiasco July Chueca July 30, 1979 and 60 were at 24-26, 1979, 50 were at Estero La Estero La Cruz by July 31, 1979. Cruz, BahfaKino July 31, 1979,and four were at San Carlos July 31, Black-necked Stilt (Himan topus mex- 1979. icanus)

Black Turnstone (Arenaria melano- A single bird was found in a road- cephala) side pond near Station Beach, Puerto Pefiasco July 25, 1979. Van Rossem Twelve were at Puerto Pefiasco Ju- (1945) lists a single August record; ly 25-27, 1979and two wereat Bahfa August 27, 1892 along the San Ber- Kino July 29, 1979. nardino River on the Arizona border. Little Blue Heron, Florida caerulea. Long-billed Curlew (Numenius amer- Wilson's Phalarope (Steganopus icanus) Nolasco Island, just north of Guaymas tricolor) Thirty-eight were seen as single (1930) and Puerto Pefiasco (1966,1974). birds or in small groups from Puerto Two individuals, one in breeding A record of July 31, 1892 on the San Pefiasco south to Empalme between July plumage, were at San Carlos on August Bernardino River (van Rossem 1945) is 24 and August 1, 1979. A flock of 300 1, 1979. eclipsedslightly by the observationof 40 wasat EsteroLa Cruz, BahfaKino July on July 26, 1979at EsteroMarufi, Puer- 31, 1979. Red Knot (Calidris canutus) to Pefiasco. A July 2 record from Zaca- tecas (Friedmann et al. 1950) indicates One bird was found at San Carlos Ju- Whirnbrel (Numenius phaeopus) oversummeringor unseasonablemigra- ly 31, 1979, and two were there August tion. Four were at Puerto Pefiasco July 1, 1979. 24-26, 1979,one wasat BahiaKino July Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos) 29, 1979, and one was at San Carlos July LANDBIRDS 31, 1979. One at Puerto Pefiasco appears to be the first report for Sonora. The bird was Greater Yellowlegs(Tringa seen along Station Beach July 24-25, Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) rnelanoleuca) 1979. It is reported to be an uncommon fall migrant along the lower Colorado Russell and Lamm (1978) gave a new Thirteen were seen at Puerto Pe•asco, River in Arizona (Phillips et al. 1964) southernmost record for Horned Lark; July 26-27, 1979, and a singlebird was at and Hubbard (1978) noted that fall mi- that of birds at Tepoca April 14, 1973 Bahia Kino July 29, 1979. gration in New Mexico beginsin July. (with young), July 16, 1975 and August Blake (1953) predicted its occurrence 18, 1975. Phillips and Amadon (1952) Wandering Tattler (Heteroscelus in- along the west Mexican coast in late collected non-breedingbirds as far south canus) July. as Altar. A singleindividual was at Pun- ta Chueca July 30, 1979. There are only three definite records WesternSandpiper (Calidris mauri) published for this speciesin Sonora. All Indigo Bunting (Passerinacyanea) records are from April: April 21, 1930 Five at Puerto Pefiasco July 25-26, (van Rossem 1945), April 22, 1966 and 1979 were topped by 50 at Estero La A singing male was found 65 km April 23, 1974 (Russelland Lamm 1978). Cruz, BahfaKino July 29, 1979through south of Sasabe May 25, 1975 and Those sightings were at San Pedro July 31, 1979. A singlebird was found at another was at Arroyo Cajon BonitoJu-

246 American Birds, May 1981 ly 15, 1976 (Russell and Lamm 1978). 1, 1979is of interestbecause of the large Texas Presss, Austin. On August 2, 1979 I found a male, in number of individuals. EDWARDS, E.P. 1972. A field guide to the birds of Mexico. E.P. Edwards, Sweet mottled plumage, in a desert-scruboc- Briar, Va. cupied canyon near Cananea. FRIEDMANN, H., L. GRISCOM, and R.T. MOORE. 1950. Distributional checklist LARIDS Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger) of the birds of Mexico, Part I. Pacific Coast A vifauna 29. California Gull (Larus californicus) GRINNELL, J. 1928. A distributional sum- mation of the ornithology of Lower Cali- Friedmannet al. (1950) report the tak- Russell and Lamm (1978) noted the fornia. Univ. Calif. Publ. Zool. 32:1-300. ing of this species"as late as June 16 first occurrenceof this speciesnorth of GUNTHER, E.B. 1980. Eastern north Pacif- ic tropical of 1979. Monthly (1934) in Sonora". A single bird was at Guaymas. They was a singleindividual Weather Review 108:631-641. Puerto Pefiasco July 23-24, 1979. at Puerto PeiSascoApril 24, 1974. I ob- HUBBARD, J.P. 1978. Revised check-list of serveda singlebird July 27, 1979,also at the birds of New Mexico. New Mexico Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidonnilotica) Puerto Pe•asco. Ornithological Society Publ. 6. HUEY, L.M. 1927. Birds recorded in spring Van Rossem(1945) noted at San Felipe, northeastern Lower Cali- onlya singlerecord, that of fornia, Mexico, with the description of a new woodpecker from that locality. birds readying to nest in Trans. Soc. Natural Hist. Tobari Bay, April 26 to 5:11-40. May 1, 1930. Alden (1969) MILLER, A.H., H. FRIEDMAN, L. GRIS- regardsthe bird as regular COM, and R.T. MOORE. 1957. Distribu- tional checklist of the birds of Mexico, in occurrence although no Part II. Pacific Coast Avifauna 33. other records can be found. OBERHOLSER, H.C. 1974. The bird life of A single bird was at Puerto Texas (E.B. Kincaid, Jr., ed.). Univ. Pefiasco July 24, 1979. Texas Press, Austin. PETERSON, R.T. and E.C. CHALIF. 1973. A field guide to Mexican birds. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston. PHILLIPS, A.R. and D. AMADON. 1952. Common Tern (Sterna •-• Some birds of northwestern Sonora, Mex- ico. Condor 54:163-168. hirundo) f ----, J. MARSHALL and G. MONSON. 1964. The birds of Arizona. Univ. presented the first six •"• Arizona Press, Tucson. recordsforSonora, five of • •'•' ' RUSSELL, S.M. and D.W. LAMM. 1978. them at Puerto Pefiasco. Notes on the distribution of birds in Sonora, Mexico. Wilson Bull. 90:123-131. TwoRussell birdsandLammat Puerto(1978)• [ :., SMALL, A. 1974. The birds of California. Pe•asco July 25, 1979 fur- Winchester Press, New York. nish an additional record. VAN ROSSEM, A.J. 1930. A new Least Bit- tern from Sonora. Trans. San Diego Soc. Apiomado Falcon, Falco femoralis. Natural Hist. 6:227-228. Least Tern (Sterna aibifrons) ----. 1945. A distributional survey of the Russell and Lamm (1978) appended ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS birds of Sonora, Mexico. Occas. Papers Mus. Zool. Louis. St. Univ. 21. van Rossera (1945) to include recent WAGNER, A.J. 1979. Weather and circula- knowledge of a breeding colony of I thank R.D. Slack and H.H. Hobart tion of July 1979. Monthly Weather Re- unknown race at Puerto Pefiasco.They for reviewing drafts of this manuscript, view 107:i414-1421. noted the birds had left Pefiascoby July A.H. Thompson for weather data and WILLIAMS, F. 1977. Southern Great Plains 13. They also listed records at other J.F. Scudday for the opportunity to un- Region. A In. Birds 31:194-197. ----. 1979. Southern Great Plains Region. coastal localities for April, August and dertake the fieldwork. This paper is Am. Birds 33:191-193. September. Four individuals remained Contribution No. 100 of the Chihuahu- WITZEMAN, J., J.P. HUBBARD and K. or were migrant at Puerto PefiascoJuly an Desert Research Institute. KAUFMAN. 1976. Southwest Region. 24, 1979. A single individual was at Am. Birds 30:985-990. ----. 1979a. Southwest Region. Am. Birds Estero La Cruz, Bahia Kino July 31, 33:302-304. 1979. ----. 1979b. Southwest Region. Am. Birds 33:886-889. ZIMMERMAN, D.A. and J.W. BOETT- LITERATURE CITED CHER. 1967. The Common Loon in Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) Sonora, Mexico. Condor 69:527. ALDEN, P. 1969. Finding the birds in west- Russell and Lamm (1978) reported ern Mexico: A guide to the statesof So- --Department of Biology, Sui Ross many observations of this species be- nora, Sinaloa, and Nayarit. Univ. Arizo- State University and the Chihuahuan tween July 13 and October 31 in coastal na Press, Tucson. Desert ResearchInstitute, Alpine, Texas Sonora, although there is only a single BLAKE, E.R. 1953. Birds of Mexico: Guide 79830. Present address:Department of for field identification. Univ. Chicago specimen (Phillips and Areadon 1952). Press, Chicago. Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A flock of about 2000 birds feeding be- DAVIS, L.l. 1972. A field guide to the birds A&M University, College Station, Texas hind fishingboats off San CarlosAugust of Mexico and Central America. Univ. 77843.

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