CONTINENTAL SUBVEY

The Spring Migration March 1- May 31, 1983

Abbreviations frequently used in Regional Reports ad.: adult, Am.: American, c.: central, C: Celsius, CBC: Reservoir,not Reservation,R.: River, S.P.: State Park, sp.: Christmas Bird Count, Cr.: Creek, Com.: Common, Co.: species,spp.: speciesplural, ssp.: subspecies,Twp.: Town- County, Cos.: Counties,et al.: and others,E.: Eastern(bird ship, W.: Western (bird name), W.M.A.: Wildlife Manage- name),Eur.: European,Eurasian, F: Fahrenheit,fide: reported ment Area, v.o.: various observers, N,S,W,E,: direction of by, F.&W.S.: Fish& Wildlife Service,Ft.: Fort, imm.: imma- motion, n., s., w., e.,: direction of location, >: more than, <: ture, I.: Island,Is.: Islands,Isles, Jct.: Junction, juv.: juvenile, fewer than, -+: approximately,or estimatednumber, g': male, L.: Lake, m.ob.: manyobservers, Mt.: Mountain,Mts.: Moun- 9: female,O: imm. or fema!e,*: specimen,ph.: photographed, tains, N.F.: National Forest, N.M.: National Monument, ?: documented,ft: feet, mi: miles, m: meters,km: kilometers, N.P.: National Park, N.W.R.: Nat'l Wildlife Refuge, N.: date with a + (e.g., Mar. 4+): recordedbeyond that date. Northern (bird name), Par.: Parish, Pen.: Peninsula, P.P.: Pro- Editorsmay also abbreviateoften-cited locations or organiza- vincial Park, Pt.: Point, not Port, Ref.: Refuge, Res.: tions.

NORTHEASTERN MARITIME REGION movementof passerinesover the Gulf of Mexico, often resultsin a /Blair Nikula numberof thosemigrants overshooting their original destinations. Pre- sumably, someof thesebirds are drifted E, out over the Atlantic and thencontinue to ride the airflow until they reachland, whichin most The avifaunaldiversity inherent in this Regionalways makes any instanceswill be the s. New Englandcoast or thes. coastof theCanadi- generalizationsdifficult to formulateand often highly suspect,a fact an marltimes.Such conditions, particularly in thelast half of April, can whichis the sourceof continualperturbation for this RegionalEditor. precipitatethe appearance in ourRegion of a numberof unseasonably However,it canbe safelystated that, froma birder'sviewpoint (which, earlyresident species as well as some more southerly species blown N of for betteror worse,is the bottomline in thesepages) this spring was at theirnormal range. Indigo Buntings are invariablythe mostcommon worst, quiteacceptable and at best,spectacular. The seasonfeatured a representativesof the former group with Rose-breastedGrosbeaks, very erratic.but at timessuperb passerine migration. an unparalleled ScarletTanagers and N. Oriolesfrequently appearing as well, while abundanceof storm-drivenApril "overshoots,"a surprisingnumber of Blue Grosbeaksand SummerTanagers are the mostoften encountered early arrivalsin whatwas otherwise a tardyseason, and a richand varied amongthe latter category. assortmentof vagrants,including first and third North Americanrec- Justsuch conditions occurred Apr. 23-25 andthe avianfallout result- ords. Althoughthe seasongot off to an agonizinglyslow start, the ing far exceededany previouslyrecorded in the Region.As usual, variety of avian eventsduring the last half of the periodmore than Indigo Buntingsled the chargeand were far too numerousto total compensatedfor any early shortcomings. accurately,but therewere probablyclose to 200 reportedwith some Marchwas warm, wet andcharacteristically windy, butdespite tem- peraturesthat averaged 2.2 ø F abovenormal (in Boston),both residents and early migrantswere very tardyin arriving,averaging 10-15 days latein mostcases. April continuedvery wet with nearnormal tempera- turesyet the migrationremained much behind schedule until the lastfew daysof the month.A seriesof southerlystorms moved through the RegionApril 3.9-10, 14-16.19 andfinally, andmost notably April 23- 25, this latterstorm producing an unsurpassedfallout of April over- shoots(see below}. A surgeof very warm, tropicalair April 28-May l resultedin an impressivepush of bothearly and late migrants. Surpris- ing numbersof early arrivalswere foundduring the last few daysof April, eitherimmediately following the laststorm or duringthe warm spellshortly thereafter. Included among these were nighthawks, hum- mingbirds,cuckoos, kingbirds, thrushes and a varietyof warblers.No fewer than 22 speciesof warblerswere recordedacross the Region duringlate April! May continuedvery soggy with precipitation recorded in Bostonon 24 of the 31 days.The generallyunfavorable weather apparentlyhad a considerabledamming effect and on the occasionsthat it brokesome excellent waves were detected,most significantly May 24-26(see below). Precipitation fell on 12of the13 weekends during the period, dampeningthe celebrated"weekend effect." APRIL 23-25-- The passageof low pressuresystems to thew. of our Regionin the springgenerates a flow of warm, moistair originating from the Gulf coast or farther s., which, when it coincides with a

844 AmericanBirds, September-October 1983 feedersplaying host to as many as e•ght individuals*Rose-breasted The winteringW Grebeat Scltuate,Mass , was last seenMay 8 and Grosbeakscame in a closesecond with some140 +, andagain as many it, or another,was found farther n at Nahant, Mass , May 15 (RHS et as eight were at somefeeders. Blue Grosbeaksalso rewrote the record al.). Red-neckedGrebe numbers were down considerably at theirtradi- booksas no fewer than the two-thirdsof the seasonaltotal of 70+ (!) tional springstaging areas. At SachuestPt., R.I., a max. of 44 was were found shortlyafter the storm. Cattle Egretswere also widely notedApr. 2 (fide DLE), a max. of 130+ wasat Dennis,Mass., Mar distributedand smaller,although significant numbers of N. Orioles 27 (DA) and up to 25 were notedat variouslocations in Nova Scotia appearedas well. Alsofound immediately after the storm (Apr. 25-27) (fide CRKA). Did the ice-freeconditions on the Great Lakesthis year were two Yellow-billed Cuckoos,4-5 Corn. Nighthawks,two Swain- permitan early exodusfrom our area?In New Brunswicka flock of 20 son'sand one Gray-cheeked Thrush, four Veeries,one Red-eyed Vireo courting Red-neckedson First Eel L., May 6 raised speculationof and one eachof Prothonotary,Tennessee and Magnoliawarblers. The possiblebreeding, but courtshipbehavior in this species,as in most vastmajority of thesebirds were in coastallocations and are undoubted- waterfowl, frequentlyoccurs during spring migration. Horned Grebes ly but a smallfraction of the totalinvolved--it seems inevitable that continue scarce, 140 at MoonstoneBeach, R.I., Mar. 4 (fide DLE) many,perhaps most, of the birdscaught up in theseweather systems beingthe only countof any significance. nevermake it to land and perishat sea. MAY 24-26 -- Late on May 23 a weaklow pressuresystem which TUBENOSES THROUGH CORMORANTS -- Very few pelagic had beenstalled over the Regionbegan to weakenand moveout to sea, reportswere receivedthis season.Small numbers(3-5) of N. Fulmars resultingin a verygradual clearing from SW toNE overthe next 2 days. were notedfrom both Cox's Ledge(fide DLE) and StellwagonBank On May 24 Connecticutand w. Massachusettsexperienced large num- (v.ob.).One to twoManx Shearwaters were again present off Pt. Judith, bersof migrantswith the volumeso greatat the BirdcraftsMuseum's R.I., with thefirst seenon theearly date of Mar. 20 (DLK). A single bandingstation in Norwalk, Conn., thatthe netshad to be closed.On birdwas also on theN. GrandBanks Apr. 30 (BM). SootyShearwaters May 25, with clearingskies developing in e. sections,observers along were also foundearly, someperhaps overwinterers: one was photo- thecoastal plain from NantucketI. to s.w. Maine, wherelittle activity graphedat Cox's LedgeMar. 27 (DF), threewere on George'sBank hadbeen noted the previous day, foundsome stunning concentrations. Apr. 12 (RSD'E) andsingles were on theN. GrandBanks May 2 & 4 On MonheganI., Maine Stu Tingley an'ivedat mid-dayto find "every (BM). On a cruisebetween Cape Sable and Sable I., Apr. 7, 75 Leach's treeand bushliterally alive with warblersand lawnsalive with thrush- Storm-Petrelswere recorded (fide RGBB) and they were "common" on es" Some of his more strikingtotals (covering less than 5% of the theN. GrandBanks Apr. 27-May 10 (BM). island) were: 30 Ruby-throatedHummingbirds, 200+ Swainson's SingleWhite Pelicanswere found in Brunswick,Me., May 15 Thrushes,70 + TennesseeWarblers, 225 Rose-breastedGrosbeaks and (PDV) andflying over E. Boston,Mass., on thesame date (S. Zendehet 40 Lincoln's Sparrows. al.). Largenumbers of Gannets,of all ages,were present in CapeCod Meanwhile, farther n. on Seal I., N.S., Eric Mills and othersfound Bay in earlyMay, includinga flockof 1000off Truro,Mass., May 7 veryfew birdson the25th, but at dawnon the26th, followingclearing (BN et al.). Elsewhere,600 + were at NantucketI., May 10 (JB) and therelate the previousday, a fallout of Texas-sizedproportions was in thespecies was widely reported in NovaScotia, with counts ranging up evidence.On the s. end of the island "tens of thousandsof migrants" to 230 (fide RGBB). werepresent and here too "every tree and bush appeared to be alive with A GreatCormorant at Lakeville,Mass., May 30 (WRP) wasboth late birds"and"every clearing... full of thrushes."Some of theirincredi- andprovided a rareinland occun-ence. No exceptionalflights of Double- ble estimateswere: 35 Yellow-belliedFlycatchers, 300 Gray Catbirds, crestedCormorants were reportedthis season,although the species 400+ Swainson'sThrushes, 150 Red-eyedVireos, 500 Black-and- continueswidespread and abundantthroughout most of the Region white Warblers, 350 Yellow, 150 Magnoliaand 400 Blackpollwar- Disturbingis thenews of a controversialprogram being conducted by blers,500 Com. Yellowthroats,150 Wilson's and 150 Canadawarblers thestate of Maine,which involves shooting cormorants in anattempt to and 50 Lincoln's Span'ows.These totals, as stunningas they are, were eliminatepredation on releasedAtlantic Salmon. The effort,evidently said to representonly a "reasonableestimate of the birds seenand nowin its thirdyear, resulted in 84 _+birds being killed Apr. 29-30 (fide identified"and "only a smallfraction of the birdspresent!" WCT). One would like to believe that sucharchaic and simplistic Althoughone's initial impressionmight be that the samesurge of approaches,reminiscent of the dayswhen certainnight heroncolonies migrantsadvanced slowly NE on the trail of theretreating storm system, werebranded nuisances and dynamited into oblivion, had become obso- the rather radically different speciescompositions each day suggests lete, yet this sortof "shotgunmanagement" is still beingpracticed otherwise.The large concentrationsof Empidonaces,catbirds, Black- elsewherein the Regionas well, at both stateand federallevels. and-white Warblers, Yellow Warblers and Corn. Yellowthroats on Seal I , May 26 were not presentfarther S on the precedingdays. Rather, it HERONS -- Herons,two individualsin particular,were very much wouldappear that the initial waveMay 24 wasaugmented on the nights in thenews this season. "Southern" herons staged a pronouncedincur- of the 24th and 25th by new arrivalsfrom s. of the Region. sion into the Maritimes, where record or near-record numberswere Reversemigration is a frequentand often observedphenomenon found. Combined totals for Nova Scotia and New Brunswick were 11 + duringthe fall but is seldomdetected in thespring. This yearat Napatree Great Egrets, 32 + Snowy Egrets, 27+ Cattle Egrets, one Little Blue Pt , R.I., on severaldays in May (4, 9, 13, 16 & 24) whenwinds were Heron,two LouisianaHerons, and six plusGlossy Ibises (fide PRD & out of the NW, Chris Raithel observednumbers of swifts, swallows, DSC). In Newfoundland,a CattleEgret Apr. 30, a Little Blue Heron flycatchers,Blue Jays and robinsflying W along the RhodeIsland May 22, and a GlossyIbis May 23-24 represented15th, 13th and 7th shore.Such flights are undoubtedlyof more-or-lessregular occun'ence provincialrecords, respectively (BM). at this season,particularly along s. coastallocations. Cattle Egrets, apparentlyblown in by the late-April storm, were Abbreviationsfrequently used: A.P.B.S. = AmherstPoint Bird particularlywidespread and numerous from late April intoMay. Other- Sanctuary,Nova Scotia; M.B.O. =Manomet Bird Observatory, wise, heronnumbers in the s. seemedabout normal, although Glossy Mass.; M.V. = Martha's Vineyard, Mass.; Nbpt. = Newburyport, Ibisesmay have beendown a bit. Notableinland heronswere single Mass.; P.I. = Plum Island, Mass. Greatand Snowyegrets, a Little Blue Heronand perhaps as manyas four Cattle Egrets,all in w. Massachusetts(fide SK). AmericanBitterns LOONS, GREBES-- A totalof 408 Corn.Loons passing Pt. Judith, werereported in somewhatbetter numbers this spring, perhaps reflect- R I , May 15 (RLF) is lessthan half of thetally on a comparabledate last ing decreasedmortality over the mild winter. year, but may simplyreflect less favorable weather conditions as the Withoutquestion the two mostextraordinary birds of theseason were migrationof that specieselsewhere in RhodeIsland was said to have vagrantherons. A Little Egret (Egrettagarzetta) of Europe,discovered beenheavy during May (DLE). It is now apparentthat last year's at Bay Roberts,Conception, Nfld., May 29 andstill present June 1, was impressivenumbers were no fluke and that many thousandsof loons identifiedon the basisof its dark (not yellow) loresand two single, passthis vantagepoint each spring.Clearly, a more comprehensive narrowcrown plumes (J. Wells, BM et al.). Detailednotes and photo- censuswould be highly informativeand desirable,but the chancesof graphsdocumented the record, only the third from North America enticingobservers to sit andcount waterfowl during the peak warbler Previousrecords are of a specimenfrom nearbyFlat Rock, Conception seasonseem remote at best! Red-throatedLoons on the other hand, seem Bay, Nfld., May 8, 1954and a May 14-Sept.6, 1980 sightand photo- to just slip away duringApril. graphicrecord from variouslocations in Quebec.

Vol 37, Number 5 845 PAC). while a Com. Eider at the latterlocation Mar. 21 & 27 (fide PAC) was noteworthy.An aerial censusof Harlequin Ducks aroundIsle au Haut, Me., Mar. 17 produceda total of 250 birds (PDV). This year's seabirdwatch at Pt. Judith,R.I., Apr. 30-May I and May 15 failed to yield the impressivenumbers of scotersnoted last year, althoughon the first weekend2300 Surf and456 White-winged,mostly flying E, were tallied (RLF). A scorerwatch conductedon 12 late afternoonsApr. 23-May 7 at Greenwich,Conn., recordeda total of 2155 birds, all flying W. and all but threeof which were White-winged (DB, TB, JZ). Other scoterconcentrations across the Regionincluded a hugeflock of 4450 Blacksat SalisburyBay, N.B.. Apr. 20 (RJW), 500 Blacks at E. Orleans,Mass., Apr_ l0 (AW), 2000 White-wingedsin NantucketSound Mar. 19-20 (fide RHS) with 450 thereMay 9 (JB), and 200+ Surfs in the samelocation May I I (JB). Ltttle Egret, Bay Roberts,Conception, Nfid., May 29, 1983. Photo/B. Mactavish. RAPTORS -- Turkey Vultures continueto expand and a possible nestingwas suspectednear Turner, Me. (fide PAC). The only Black SoAo Vulture reportedwas in Provincetown.Mass.. May 21 (WB et al.). Eclipsingthe Newfoundlandbird was a dark blue heronwith Cape Cod alsohosted the season'sonly kites, with an ad. Mississippi white throat and lores, and yellow feet found on Nantucket1.. Kite in ChathamMay 6 (D. Folgeretal.) andpresumably the samebird Mass., Apr. 26 and seen almostdaily throughthe end of the period (EFA). Initially thoughtto be an aberrantLittle Blue Heron, notuntil earlyJuly, afterthe bird hadbeen photographed by RobCardillo of thePhiladelphia Academy of Sciencesand the photossubsequently examined by Robert Ridgely, was the bird correctlyidentified as a Western Reef Heron (Egrettafularis) fromAfrica! The bird,a firstin NorthAmerica •, remainedvery dependableand obliging and its identificationwas amply con- firmed by hundredsof observersfrom all over the country.Al- thoughspeculation on the bird's origin and meansof travel will likely remainjust that, it is relevantto notethat it wasfirst seen immediatelyfollowing the now-infamousApril storm,concur- MississippiKite, Pilgrim Heights, Truro, Mass.. May 7, 1983.Photo/ R. Everett. rent with the major influx of Cattle Egrets. 20 mi farthern. in Truro the followingday (BN etal.), anda Swallow- •Butsee this issue, p. 827. tailed Kite alsoin ChathamMay 8 (J. Barabe,fide BN). The Sharp- shinnedHawk flight was termedexcellent in w. Massachusetts,with seasonaltotals of 129 in Southwickand 116 at Mr. Tom (fide SK). Unprecedentednumbers were on CapeCod May 6-8, when100 + were in ChathamMay 6 (D. Holt et al. ) and125 +/day werein TruroMay 7 & 8 (BN et al.). This flight, which may have involvedconsiderable duplication.was comprised almost entirely of immatures,as is usually the case in that area. A Red-shoulderedHawk at SpringHaven. N.S. (CRKA) wasunusual in that province.Very few reportswere receivedfrom inland hawk watches,bul it appearsthat the Broad-wingedHawk flight wasrather poor. Late coastalconcentrations included 20 + at Brier 1., N.S., May 19 (fide IAM) and a kettle of 85 immaturesat Provincetown,Mass.. WesternReef Heron, Nantucket.Mass., Apr. 26 to endof period. First May 26 (M. Mello). SingleGolden Eagles were reportedfrom New- North American record. Photo/B. Nikula_ foundland, Maine and 2 locations in Massachusetts,and in the same WATERFOWL --The threewintering Whistling Swans on M.V.. stateno fewerthan 12 Bald Eagles,mostly immatures, was encourag- were lastnoted Mar. 4 (VL) anda very late individualwas seen flying ing. Ospreyswere alsoreported in excellentnumbers both inland and over Seal 1., N.S., May 12 (fide CRKA). Severalobservers felt that alongthe coast.Seasonal totals in w. Massachusettswere 78 at Mt. Tom Brant were in good numbersthis spring. An ad. White-frontedGoose and65 at Southwick(fide SK), andat thethriving colony in Westport, with Snow Geeseat W. HartfordApr. 9 (v.ob.,fide PJD) furnisheda Mass., 30 nestswere activethis year (fide RHS). thirdrecord for Connecticut, and, although its racial origins were unspe- During the aerial survey of Isle au Haut, Me., Mar. 17, a dark cified, seemslikely a legitimatewanderer. With the exceptionof a Gyrfalconwas spotted (PDV) anda whiteindividual at Riverside,N.B., reportof "hundreds"over Goshen,Mass., Apr. 6 (fide SK), Snow May 24 wasastonishingly late (M. Majka,fide DSC). No fewerthan 25 Geesewere very scarce,in light of which a single"Blue" Goosein PeregrineFalcons Regionwide was yet anothergood seasonal total and Wellfleet, Mass., Mar. 18 (DR et al.) and two in Scarboro,Me., Mar. bodeswell for thespecies in ourarea. Similarly, and perhaps more than 21 (fide WCT) were unusual. coincidentally,Merlins were widely reportedand numberedan above- A countof 120 Gadwall in Newport. R.I., Mar. 26 (fide DLE) was average 40. indicativeof thatspecies continued increase. Eurasian Wigeon totaled 6-7 individuals,while EurasianTeal reportsnumbered 6 Regionwide, both about average.Although the origins of vagrantwaterfowl are alwayssuspect, a d' CinnamonTeal on M.V., May 12(VL) arrivedat a time whenthat species is on themove and seems likely a genuinestray. A d' Tufted Duck wasin Westport,Mass., Mar. 1-13 (S. Garrettet al.) andanother (?) wasin Chatham,Mass., Mar. 27-Apr. 3 (A. Tait et al.). Two observerscommented on low numbersof Ring-neckedDucks in Fall reportsshould be sentto RichardForster, Natural s.e. New Englandwhere large concentrations are generally found (DLE, HistoryServices, Massachusetts Audubon Society, Lin- WRP). InlandBarrow's Goldeneyes were at GreatMeadows N.W.R., coln, MA, 01773 no later than Dec. Mass., Mar. 28-31 (R. Waltonetal.) andBelgrade, Me., Apr. 2 (fide

846 AmericanBirds, September-October1983 RAILS, SHOREBIRDS -- A road-kfiledSora at Card's Pond, R 1 , Nfld (BM), siteof theirsuspected nesting a few yearsago, andup to 20 Mar 20 (fide DLE) was probablya successful(almost•) winterer as at St John's, Nfld (BM) werea singleClapper Rail at SuccotashMarsh, R.I., Mar. I (GL) and At the s. edgeof the Region,an ad. Black-headedGull vigorously two at GreenwichPt., Conn., Mar. 7 (fideTB). A PurpleGallinule was defendeda territoryin the LaughingGull colonyon MonomoyI., from in Canton,Mass., May 17-18(D. Brownetal.) andanother was seen in late April into the early summer(D. Holt et al.). Unfortunately,a Wolfville, N.S.. May 4 (fide IAM) tiptoeingthrough a tulip garden! suitablemate failed to materializeand after 2 monthsof loudly (and Surelythis species'primary purpose on earthis to surpriseand amuse successfully)repelling all intruders,his amorousintentions, as well as disbelievingbirdwatchers. the possibilityof a first confirmedUnited Statesbreeding record, went An American Oystercatcherphotographed at MathewsL., N.S., unfulfilledand by early July he was resignedto loafingon the flats, a Apr 28 (R. Turner)provided the first confirmation of thespecies in that sullen,molting shadow of theonce belligerent, raucous pioneer. Maybe Province.An Am. Avocetin Duxbury,Mass., May 13-14(C. Woode! next year! al ) wasunique this season, but even rarer was a Black-neckedStilt in An extremelyearly Gull-billed Tern at Galilee,R.I., Apr. 19-20 (CR Ipswich,Mass., May 24-29 (R. Meyere! al.). SingleLesser Golden et al.) eclipsedlast year's recorddate from Nantucket1., by 11 days Ploverswere in Milford, Conn., "March to mid-May" (fide DV), W. Somewhatmore seasonalwere a SandwichTern at Plymouth,Mass , Bridgewater,Mass., Apr. 2-3 (WRP), Plymouth,Mass., May 3-21 May 22 (fide GWG) and two Royal Ternsin RhodeIsland in late May (WRP et al.), andTrustore Pond., R.I., May 15 (]TdeDLE). At Nbpt., (fide DLE). The usualscattering of CaspianTerns consisted of four in Mass , 2000 Black-belliedPlovers were countedMay 29 (fide GWG) Rhode Island, three in Massachusetts,and three in New Brunswick while 1300were on Monomoy1., Mass.,the previous day (WRP e!al.). Black Terns made an excellentshowing with a count of 150 in the An earlySemipalmated Plover was at NapatreePt., R.I., Apr. 2 (CR) Jemsey-Maugervillearea of New BrunswickMay 25 (BED) while in anda total of approx.21 in s.w. Nova Scotia,Apr. 17 (fide FS) wasa Massachusetts,a total of 29 includedeight in w. Massachusettsand 10 surprisingnumber on thatearly date. Inland, a totalof 42 in w. Massa- on Monomoy 1., May 28 (WRP e! al.). The season'stoken Black chusetts,May 8-31 wastermed "probably the mostever" (SK). The Skimmerwas on M.V., May 30 (fide GWG). season'sonly Wilson'sPlover was found on PlymouthBeach, Mass., Twenty-six Razorbills on Cox's Ledge Mar. 27 (DF) was a good May 3 (B. Harrington). count for those waters, while 70 Black Guillemotsin Provincetown, Nine Whimbrelwere reported from RhodeIsland and two froin Mas- Mass., Mar. 20 (BN et al.) was an unprecedentedcount in s. New sachusettsin April andsingles were in New Brunswickand Nova Scotia Englandand suggests a furtherincrease of the speciesat the s. edgeof its in May. Two HudsonianGodwits, always rare in spring,must have been range. a startlingsight flying N overStellwagon Bank May 29 (C. Leahy).A Bar-tailedGodwit, nearly annual now, was present briefly in Squantum, DOVES THROUGH WOODPECKERS -- A White-winged Dove Mass , May 23 (T. deBoor,H. D'Entremont).Solitary Sandpipers were wasfound in Falmouth,Me., May 1-7 (S. Heald, PDV etal.). Early and foundin goodnumbers with a seasonaltotal of 120in w. Massachusetts, presumablystorm-driven Yellow-billed Cuckooswere notedApr. 27 in considered"spectacular" (SK). A Willet at ChanceCove, Nfld., May S. Peabody,Mass. (RSH) andW. Southport,Me. (fideWCT) andApr 28 (BM) addedto thehandful of recordsfor thespecies in thatProvince. 29 on Brier I., N.S. (ELM e! al.), and a dead one in New Brunswick Birdersin w. Massachusettsenjoyed one of their bestshorebird sea- May 12 (fide DSC) was a rare find in that province. sonsever, in additionto the previouslymentioned species, exceptional In KingsCounty, N.S., B. Forsythehas established a nestbox "pro- numbersof both Greater(54) and Lesser(19) yellowlegs,Short-billed gram"for BarredOwls which this year played host to 7 breedingpairs t Dowitchers(20) and Least Sandpipers(217) were found. Ruffs were Meanwhile, in Hebron, N.S., a pair took up residencein an unused reportedonly from Massachusetts, where there were at least 5-6 individ- chimney.A Chuck-will's-widowat Mt. Auburn,Mass., May 4 (GWG) uals,and no CurlewSandpipers were seen. A White-rumpedSandpiper was the only one reported.Early Corn. Nighthawkswere a singleon 30 mi inlandat GodaleichPond, Nfld., May 25 (P. Linegar,fide BM) M.V., Mass., Apr. 24 (VL), threeon MonomoyI., Apr. 27 (D. Folger provideda firstspring record for thatProvince. At Harvey,N.B., 3000 e! al.) and one at SandyPt., N.S., Apr. 28 (BED). Later, 106 were SemipalmatedSandpipers May 28-29 (RJW) was a notablecount, countedmigrating in Concord,Mass., May 31 (R. Walton). A spectacu- thoughbut a fractionreported from nearbyWood Pt., duringthe same lar roost of Chimney Swifts in Haverhill, Mass., was estimatedto period2 yearsago. Wilson's Phalaropes were once again widely report- contain3500 + birds May 26 (RHS e! al.). Residentsreport that the edbeginning with an early individual at Nbpt., Mass.,Apr. 30, thefirst birds,which are using a smallchimney in a church,have been there for of at leastsix in that state(fide GWG) while otherMay reportsincluded yearsand increasein numberlater in the summer!Ruby-throated Hum- three in Rhode Island, and two each in New Brunswick,Nova Scotia, mingbirds,hopefully carefully identified, were early in Marblehead, and Maine. Despiteprime conditions,Corn. Snipe were apparently Mass., Apr. 22 (JPS) and Fairfield, Conn., Apr. 23 (DV) and were scarce. presentin good numberslater on, with an above-averagetotal of 31 netted at M.B.O. (TL-E). JAEGERS THROUGH ALC1DS -- As usual,a few ParasiticJaegers At leastsix Red-belliedWoodpeckers in w. Massachusetts(SK) indi- werereported in thelast half of May, all onesand twos except for fiveat catedan increasealong that borderof the speciesrange, but elsewhere SharkLedge offR.I., May 29 (DLK). An individualat Yarmouth,N.S., they drew little comment. Fifteen Red-headedWoodpeckers from Apr 18 (RSD'E) was very early. BruceMactavish furnished a most RhodeIsland to Nova Scotiawas aboutaverage. A winteringYellow- interestingaccount of a cruiseon theN. GrandBanks (approx. latitude belliedSapsucker at Mt. Auburn,Mass., was presentthrough March 48ø 00'N) Apr. 28-May 10 duringwhich he recordeda total of 144 (fide GWG). Both extralimitaland unseasonablewere two different, PomarineJaegers. All the birdswere adults, light-phase predominated carefully identified Black-backedThree-toed Woodpeckers on Cape by a 6:1 ratio and no otherjaeger species were seen. Cod: a male in Wellfleet May 8 (S. McNair) and a femalein Eastham Two photographicallydocumented Thayer's Gulls, present since late May 16 (P. Goodrich). winter at Galilee, R.I., were last seenMar. 13 & 27 and were the only onesreported for thatspecies. Lesser Black-backed Gulls numbered at FLYCATCHERSTHROUGH SHRIKES-- An E. Kingbird,closely leastnine individualsscattered throughout the Region,a recordspring and carefullyidentified in Chatham,Mass., Apr. 4, was precariously total, and included an adult in NewfoundlandApr. 12 which was early, and no fewer than 17 were recordedacross the RegionApr. 22- thoughtto be L.f. fuscus(BM), a race yet to be documentedin North 30. AcadianFlycatchers were saidto be "still spreading"in w. Massa- America. Two ad. Franklin's Gulls at McGowan'sCorner, N.B., May chusetts(SK) and elsewherefour were in Rhode Island, eight in e 6-7 (Forsteret al., fide DSC) and an impeccablydescribed adult on Massachusetts(including six bandedat M.B.O. throughJune 16), one MonomoyI., May 28 (WRPet al.) addto theincreasingly regular spring bandedon AppeldoreI., Me. (DWH) andtwo in w. Maine (fide PAC) sightingsof thatspecies. New Brunswickhad the only Sabine's Gulls Olive-sidedFlycatchers were evidentlyin goodnumbers, since many with singlesat CastaliaMay 19-24 and GrandManan May 24 (fide observers commented on their relative abundance. A Barn Swallow on DSC). Little Gullswere reported only from Massachusetts, where there M.V., Mar. 22 (VL) wasearly and 500 wereflying W at Napatree,R.I , were at leasteight, but Black-headedGulls were in excellentnumbers May 16 (CR), partof thereverse migration noted there this spring. Tree with over 70 regionwideincluding up to 18 at StephenvilleCrossing, Swallownumbers were thought to be downin RhodeIsland (DLE) buta

Vol 37, Number 5 847 countof 2500 at A P B S , N S , May 12 (BED) suggestedno causefor notablyso duringthe May 25-26 blItZ Most areasreported above- concernIn that Province An early PurpleMartin was in Chatham, averagenumbers of Blackburman,Bay-breasted, Blackpoll (3 timesas Mass., Mar. 11 (P. Bailey et al.) and Newfoundland'sninth provincial many as last year at M.B.O.), Wilson'sand Canadawarblers. A total of recordwas in St. John'sMay 20 (BM). 97 Corn.Yellowthroats banded on Appeldore I., May 26-June3 (DWH) CommonRavens continue to expandS: onein W. HartfordMay 17 seemedhigh for solate in theseason, but corresponds with the amazing (PJD) was approx.the seventhfor Connecticut,one in ChathamApr. 500 on Seal I., May 26. 29-May 2 (R. Clem et al.) was only Cape Cod's second,up to 3/day Finally,the Am. Redstartsituation, as perceived by variouscontribu- were seenat Mt. Wachusettin e.c. Massachusetts,throughout April tors,typifies the diverse, often-conflicting impressions confronting your (fide LET) and the first nestingfor Massachusettswas confirmedat RegionalEditors. Very few commentswere registered about the spe- QuabbinRes. (fide SK). Good numberswere alsoreported from w. cies,which might suggest near "average" numbers. However, banding Maine (PAC). Nantucket'sJackdaw was last seen in earlyApril (EFA), totalsfrom 3 bandingstations differed sharply. At Fairfield,Conn, ItS possibleorigin still hotly debated.As is usuallythe casein such redstartswere numerous,particularly May 24 when41 were banded disputes,those who saw the bird generally argued forcefully in favorof (DV), yet at M.B.O., theywere described as "startlinglylow" (pre- ItSlegitimacy, while thosewho did not brandedit as an obviouscharla- sumablyno punintended!) with a totalfor theentire season of only48 tan* As many as 4-5 Fish Crows in w. Massachusetts,was termed (TL-E). Basedonly on this information,one might concludethat the "unprecedented"(SK). Numbersof bothBlack-capped Chickadees and specieswas common inland but scarcealong the coast,a simplebut Tufted Titmice bandedat M.B.O., were surprisinglylow this spring apparentlyflawed deduction as an ample 71 werebanded on Appledore (TL-E), reversinga recenttrend there. Winter Wrens remain scarce I., in the rathershort (though peak) period May 26-June3 (DWH) while a CarolinaWren at CambridgeNarrows, N.B., Mar. 2 (RJW) Whateverthe actualsituation with redstarts,it servesas yet another providedonly a sixthprovincial record. reminderthat we woefullyill-equipped birders (and banders) are witness In New Brunswick,"a spectacularmigration" of robins"along the to onlya tantalizinglysmall, often-misrepresentative portion of a bewil- Bay of Fundyshore from mid-March to earlyMay" wasreported which dering,massively complex migration phenomenon and that any at- "must have involved many hundredsof thousan& of birds" (RJW)! temptsto accuratelyportray (or better,interpret--Ed.) anyof theevents SingleWheatears were found at St. John's,Nfld., May 13-14(J. Pratt, thereinare doomedto a futileinadequacy. BM et al.) and on Seal T., N.S., May 23-25 (ELM etal.). Forty Hermit Thrushesat Marblehead,Mass., Apr. 23 was the best springcount BOBOLINK THROUGH SPARROWS-- Bobolinksmade prema- reportedin at leastseveral years and is indicativeof thatspecies' contin- ture appearancesat a W. Lawrencetown,N.S., feederApr. 20 (L uedrecovery following declines in the 1970s.Many early thrushes were Conrad, ph.), at CudderBay, N.S., Apr. 30 (R. Chiasson)and In recordedduring the periodApr. 25-30 includingat leastfive Swain- Eastham,Mass., Apr. 30 (H. Stabinset al.). Five Yellow-headed son's, 16 Veeriesand a carefullyidentified Gray-cheeked at Marble- Blackbirdswere distributedamong Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massa- head,Mass., Apr. 27 (RSH) andtwo on Brier I., N.S., Apr. 29 (ELM, chusetts(two) and Maine, and spannedthe period Mar. 6-May 16 TAM). In additionto the extraordinarynumbers of May 25-26, Swain- ExtralimitalOrchard Orioles consisted of sevenplus in NovaScotia and son's Thrushes were numerous and a seasonal total of 83 banded at one in New Brunswick and an imm. c• "Bullock's" Oriole was de- M B.O., was well aboveaverage (TL-E). scribedfrom Pubnico,N.S., May 26 (J. McLaren,M. Crowell). "Close Blue-grayGnatcatchers were apparentlydown throughout much of to 3 dozen" ScarletTanagers in Nova Scotia was considereda record theRegion while n. of theirrange, two werein NewBrunswick and only number and two SummerTanagers in the same Provincewere the onein Nova Scotia.Widely divergentcomments were received regard- northernmostof 21 reportedRegionwide. A •?Black-headed Grosbeak Ing Ruby-crownedKinglets, ranging from "scarce" in w. Massachu- in Uxbridge,Mass., had set up housekeepingwith a c• Rose-breasted setts (SK) to "many" in w. Maine (PAC). Water Pipits evidently Grosbeakby the end of the period(m.ob., fide RHS). Followingtheir overwintered at Hartlans Pt. Farm, N.S., where one was seen Feb. 27, incursionsin late April, Rose-breastedGrosbeaks, Blue Grosbeaksand threeMar. 7 andtwo Apr. 9 (fide SC). LoggerheadShrikes continue to IndigoBuntings were all presentin well aboveaverage numbers through hangon by a threadin the Region,this season'sindividuals noted at mostof May. SevenPainted Buntings in theRegion was an exceptional BelgradeLakes, Me., May 5 (J. Smith),Melbourne, N.S., May 7 (fide total and consistedof one at Seal Cove, N.B., May 7 (fide DSC), for SC) and W. Dennis, Mass., May 24 (J. Bryant). only a secondprovincial record, four individualsin Maine, at LongI , Apr. 29, MonheganI., in early May, StoningtonMay 13-17 and in VIREOS, WARBLERS -- An early Red-eyedVireo was at Mt. MansetMay 27 (allfide WCT), oneat Mt. Auburn,Mass., May 12 (J Auburn, Mass., Apr. 27-29 (RHS et al.). Amongthe manyearly war- Barton,fide RHS) and one in ProvidenceMay 22 (fide DLE). blerswere: Prothonotary in ChathamMar. 22 (WB) andM.V., Mar. 22- HouseFinches continued to expandin Maine, but a singlebird In 23 (VL), Golden-wingedat Mt. AuburnApr. 30 (W. Drummond)and Nova Scotiawas the only onereported outside of their currentrange ProvidenceMay 1 (DF), Tennesseeat NapatreePt., R.I., Apr. 25 (CR Goodnumbers of PineSiskins were present in Newfoundland(BM), but et al.) ProvincetownApr. 29 (BN) andMt. AuburnApr. 30 (fideLET), elsewherethey were scarce to absent.A c• EurasianSiskin banded at Magnoliain Falmouth,Me., Apr. 26 (fide WCT), Blackpollat Glace Rockport,Mass., May 5 (RTN, ph.) wasin freshplumage and exhibited Bay, N.S., May I (fide PRD) andWindsor, Conn., May 3 (PJD), and nosigns of priorcaptivity. A Dickcisselwas in Marshfield, Mass.,Apr Corn.Yellowthroat in N.S., Apr. 25 (fidePRD). Regionaltotals for the 2-23 (D. Clapp)and two werefound in a field in Bethel,Me., May 15- "southern" warblerswere: 10 Prothonotaries,one of which was as far 16 (fide PAC). A Brambling was photographedat a feederin Lake n asNova ScotiaApr. 26 (fidePRD), sevenYellow-throateds, includ- Echo, N.S., May 18 (D. Lightbodyet al.). ing one on Brier 1., Apr. 30 (ELM, TAM) which wasidentified as the w. Nine SavannahSparrows banded at M.B.O., was the highesttotal race albilora, althoughthere seemsconsiderable doubt as to whether there since 1975 (TL-E). Springmigrant Grasshopper Sparrows are this race can be adequatelyidentified in the field, 21 + Hooded, 17 seldomdetected, the speciesgenerally just appearingin its few remain- Kentucky Warblers and four Yellow-breastedChats. ing nestinglocales, so one at Marblehead,Mass., Apr. 29 (RSH) wasa Two "semi-southern" warblers, Worm-eating and Cerulean were noteworthyfind. Tree Sparrowsnormally depart early, butin thistardy both well reportedacross the s. half of the Regionand appear to be seasonseveral reports were received of birdslingering well intothe third continuingtheir N expansion.Golden-winged Warblers, on the other weekof April. A Clay-coloredSparrow was photographed on SealI , hand,were in low numbersin w. Massachusetts,and are "disappearing May 15-16 (S. Manuel, J. McLaren), one was bandedand present on from the Berkshires"(SK). A Golden-wingedon SealI., May 26 was AppeldoreI., May 31-June2 (DWH) anda singingbird was in Canton, notablyfar n. (ELM et al.). No fewerthan 13 Orange-crownedWarblers Mass., May 21-29 (R. Vernonet al. ). Also on AppeldoreI., wasa Lark Regionwidewas an unparalleledtotal for this normallyrare spring SparrowMay 26 & 29 (fideDWH). White-crownedSparrows were very migrant. scarce,but Lincoln's Sparrowswere in well abovenormal numbers Ninety-sixMagnolia Warblers banded on AppeldoreI., May 26-June 3 (DWH) seemedan excellentnumber, particularly when compared UNCONFIRMED REPORTS-- A singleobserver report of an imm with a seasonaltotal of 67 at M.B.O. (TL-E). CapeMay Warblerswere Sabine'sGull at Pt. Judith,R.I., Mar. 2, althoughcarefully described plentifulin w. Massachusetts(SK) but were scarcealong the coast, andpossibly correct, is soastonishingly early, fully 10 weeksbefore the

848 AmericanBirds, September-October 1983 speciescan reasonably be expected in theRegion (or anywhereelse on SUB-REGIONAL EDITORS (boldface),CONTRIBUTORS (italics) the Atlanticcoast) that additionaldocumentation, at the very leastcor- AND OBSERVERS -- Charles R. K. Allen, Edith F. Andrews, Doro- roborationby otherobservers would be requiredfor acceptanceof the thy Arvidson,Wallace Bailey, Jim Berry, Doris Bova, Richard G. B. record. A well-describedBlack-throated Sparrow on Monhegan1., Brown, Tom Burke, RogerBurrows. Shirly Cohrs, David S. Christie, Me.. also lacked corroborationor other documentationand must remain Peter A. Cross, Brian E. Dalzell, RaymondS. D'Entremont,Paul J. hypothetical. Dexjardinx. Phyllis R. Dobson, David L. Emerson, RichardL. Fer- Lackingany details. but possibly correct. were reports of a W. Sand- ren. Dan Finizia. Richard A. Forster,Tom Gagnon,George W. Gore, piperin ConnecticutMay 21-23,one or twoMew Gulls in Massachu- RichardS.Heil. David W.Holmes. John Keaney, Seth Kellog, Douglas settsin April, a veryearly Acadian Flycatcher in MassachusettsMay 2, L. Kraus, Vernon Laux. Glen LeBaron, Trm•r LIoyd-E•ms. Bruce two House Wrens in Rhode Island Mar. 15, a Black-headedGrosbeak in Mactavish, fan A. McLaren, Eric L. Mills, RusselT. Norris, Wayne MaineMay 11, andHenslow's Sparrows in ConnecticutApr. 28 and R. Petersen, Chris Raithel, Diane Reynolds,Jan P. Smith. Frances MassachusettsApr. 30. Spalding, Robert It. Stymeist, Lee E. Taylor, Stuart I. Tingley, William C. Townsend, Dennis Varza, Peter D. Vickery, RobertJ. Fall reportsshould be sentto RichardForster, Natural History Serv- Walker.Andy Williams, JoeZeranski; BLAIR NIKULA, 23 Atwood ices, MassachusettsAudubon Society, Lincoln, MA, 01773 no later Lane, Chatham, MA, 02633. than Dec. 10.

QUEBEC REGION SWANS THROUGH CRANES -- Three Whistling Swansat Galli- /Michel Gossdin chanApr. 27 andup to fourat Roquemaurein May (SG) suggestedthe possibilityof regularmigration through this area (see AB 36:831). The White-frontedGoose was reportedfrom Baieville (YA), Maskinongfi Temperaturebecame relatively colder in southernQuebec as spring {fide DP), and Saint-Fulgence(NB et al.); the latter, belongingto the progressed;it was above average in March,nearly average in April,and Greenlandsubspecies.fiaviroatris, was a firstin the Saguenay.In addi- belowaverage in May. Exceptin March,precipitation was above the tionto five Ross'Geese in theQuebec City area(CM), singlebirds were meanin southernQuebec. The migrationof passetines,in May, thus notedin RimouskiMay 7 and LaPocati•reMay 10 (JC et al.), which occurredunder continually cloudy skies, heavy rain and cold weather. denotesan increasingpopulation in the e. A Pintail at Baie Sainte- CatherineFeb. 26 (MG et al.) indicateda successfulwintering on the GANNET THROUGH IBISES -- There was a noticeable movement North Shore. The first Garganey of the Province, a bright male, was of Gannetsup the St. LawrenceR. thisspring: one was at BalevilleMay foundat BergeronnesMay 2 (EB, AB) and at Trois-PistolesMay 4-6 I (PLe), two at LauzonMay 11 (PBr), andone found injured at Quebec (GG, m.ob., ph. Nat'l Mus. Nat. Sc.);this Eurasian teal had so far been City May 17 {fidePHO). Despitetheir annual showing. egrets always reportedin 7 statesand 5 provinces.A pairof Gadwallsin RouynMay stir interest.The GreatEgret was reported t¾om Saint-Fulgence (fide 14-16(JL) perhapsforecasts a rangeextension. A Canvasbackwas at NB), Baieville(YA), Sabrevois{fide PS). Dundee(JS) andPointe-au- BeauportApr. 8 (SM). sixRedheads at CacounaApr. 30 (RLd), anda 9 P•re (JRP); the two birdsseen in Dundeewere especiallysignificant HarlequinDuck at LauzonApr. 25-26(FG). FiveCom. Eiders at Saint- becausethe sameobserver has recorded Great Egrets from thisarea in Joseph,Beauce Co., May 9 (LM) were alongthe overlandmigration thelast 3 years,including six last fall. A similarcase of regularsummer flywayof thespecies (see AB 33:847).In s. Quebecthe Sandhill Crane occurrenceswas notedat nearbyLesC•dres I954-1961. The Snowy turnedup at Saint-AubertMay 19(GB) andBerthierville May 28 (SGi). Egretwas sighted in Gasp6(DG), Rimouski(chased by a Gyrfalcon• GG, LH), Dundee(PBr), Henryville(FH), Saint-Paulde l'Ile-aux-Noix (MT), Rivi•re-au-Renard(BCo), Chandler(fide RB) andCarillon (RY), SHOREBIRDS-- A strayPiping Plover was at QuebecCity May 13- whilethe Little Blue Heronwas reported from CacounaMay 29 (JPO) 14 (CS), whilean AmericanAvocet at NorandaMay 29 (JL) represent- andthe LouisianaHeron from Gasp6Apr. 30 (BCo et al.). At leasttwo ed a first occurrencein the Abitibi. Willets madea goodshowing in late CattleEgrets turned up in theUpper Richelieu Valley in May {fidePS), May withbirds in QuebecCity (JPO),Baleville (FG), Saint-SLbastien two at Boileau{fide NB), for a firstrecord in theSaguenay area, one at (RY), Rimouski(GG) andCacouna (JPO). Six Whimbrelsat Portneuf Saint-Rochdes Aulnaies (CM) and one at Grande-Rivi•re (fide RB). May 20 (CM) and35 at BaievilleMay 23 (YM) providednoteworthy TheGlossy Ibis appeared at Cap-d'Espoir (fide RB), Nouvelle(PF). Bic springrecords. The first provincial Black-tailed Godwit, and the first (JG), Bonaventure(SA), Saint-Raymond(CP), Saint-Paulde l'Ile-aux- Canadianrecord outside Newfoundland, was reportedfrom Saint-Ful- Noix (DS), Baieville (JR), and Trois-Pistoles(AG). genceMay 22-23(MB, YB, NB et al.); theobservers noted the under- wingsas being "white as in a BlackDuck". Thepresence of a Hud- sonjanGodwit, itself a rarityin spring,at thesame place May 23 (MG, YB et al. ), createdmomentary confusion, In addition,a MarbledGod- wit was foundat Saint-SLbastienMay 25-26 (GD). Rare in spring,a Baird'sSandpiper was at QuebecCity May 26 (JPO).Dunlins were un- precedentedlyearly this year: two at Saint-Paulde l'lle-aux-Noix Apr. 14(JH), oneat RimouskiApr. 16(YG), five at BaievilleApr. 19(YA), andone at Saint-FulgenceApr. 21 (YB). Thespecies was also noted in ...... ,,:...,;.::. May at Rouyn and Roquemaure (JL, SG). A record-earlyStilt Sandpiper visitedRimouski Apr. 30 (JPOet al.). Thisbird is extremelyrare in springmigration. A c• Ruffat Pointe-au-PLreApr. 16 (YG) wasalso record-early;others were seen in May at Saint-Blaise(MT), Saint- SLbastien(GS) and Pointe-au-P•re(YG).

JAEGERS THROUGH ALCIDS -- Seven ParasiticJaegers were observedat Rivi•re-OuelleMay 12, anda PomarineJaeger the follow- ingday (CM). An additionalinland record of Long-tailedJaeger came fromthe Opinaca R., on theJames Bay roadMay 23 (YA); thereis a similaritybetween a presumedoverland migration of thisbird and that

Vol. 37, Number5 849 of the Arctic Tern. Both Laughing and Black-headedgulls were a! Hooded Warblers were relatively numerous. with a male in Otterburn- LaPocati•re(YM, CM) and Rimouski(fide YG). andFrankhn's Gulls al Park May 5-6 (AS). anotheron Mr. Royal May 8 (PBa), a female at i. Bateville (YA), Saint-Blaise(DJ), and Rimouski(fide YG). A nest of des Soeurs May 9-11 (RC, m.ob.) and a male in WestmountMay 27 Bonaparte'sGull foundin RouynMay 31 (SG) appearsto bethe first in (BCI). the Abitibi andthe thirdone in Quebec.Single ad. LesserBlack-backed Gulls visited Lauzon Apr. 10 (FG) and Rivi•re-Ouelle May 17 (JC et GROSBEAKS THROUGH CROSSBILLS -- In QuebecCity, a d' al. ), while a CaspianTern at Saint-G6d6onMay 22-23 (DGd) wasa first Rose-breastedGrosbeak was seenMar. 12 exactly whereone had been for the L. Saint-Jeanarea. Arctic Terns stoppedat LaSalle (PBa), seenin November(DB)' althoughthe specieshas been seen in winter in Aylmer (BD), Thumo(RF), and QuebecCity (CV et al.) May 24-28. this Region. recentsecond-hand reports of multiple occurrences(Ville The earliest-everForster's Tern was at Bateville Apr. 29 (YA). Com- Saint-Laurent,Murdochvillc) lack sufficientdocumentation. A sighting pletely unexpectedat this seasonwas the discoveryof a Razorbillon a ofLe Conte'sSparrow at L. RouthierMay 30 {JL) addsRouyn to the list road at Lakefield, ArgentcuilCo., May 27 (DR,.fide RT); the bird was of localitiesvisited by thisspecies. A •) Orchard Oriole wasreported brought to the Montreal Aquarium. from OutremontMay 7 (PLn) and a malefrom Oka May 28 (PBa et al. ). Farthern., a $ N. Oriolewas at BergeronnesMay 15(AB), anda pairat OWLS THROUGH RAVENS The Barn Owl, a most elusive bird, NorandaMay 30 (JL). The first HouseFinch nest in Quebecwas discov- visitedL•Svis May 10 (DM,.fide FG). A ScreechOwl wasfound at Saint- eredat Pointe-Claire;unl•)rtunately, an examinationof thecontents May Joseph,Beauce Co., Apr. 28 (CMu). while a GreatGray Owl in Aigue- 21 revealeda dead chick. 2 addled eggs and a young Brown-headed belle P.P., May 14 (SG) suggestedbreeding in the Abitibi. A calling Cowbird (MM. BB). In addition to the birds usually presentin Sher- Boreal Owl on Mr. Albert Apr. 6-9 (CM et al.) was an additional brooke (PBo) and Philipsburg(fMe PS). the specieswas recordedin indication of the presenceof the speciesin the GasplSsie(.see AB Nicolet {WG) andAylmer (SB). A very youngRed Crossbillfound dead 30:931). A $ Churk-•iil's-wido•; the first ever recordedin this Re- 35 km n. of T•miscamingMay 21 (GS) providedone of the very few gion, wasphotographed in WestmountMay 3 (ND et al.). Lastwimer's breedingrecords of this finch in Quebec. Rcd-bellied Woodpeckerwas still at Saint-Josephde la Rive May 7 (HM); belated winter records of the Coin. Flicker came from L. Saint- CONTRIBUTORS AND OBSERVERS-- S. Arbour,Y. Aubry, P. JosephFeb. 4 (LC) and Neuville Feb. 26 (MD). A Rough-winged Bannon(PBa), B. Barnhurst,S. Barrette,R. Bisson, Y. Blackburn, D. Swallownear Fabre May 21 (MG, GS) wasthe first in theT•miscamin- Blouin, P. Boily {PBo), P. Bolduc (PBc), A. Bouchard,E. Bouchard, gue. A pair of Com. Ravensseen carrying nesting material on Mt. Saint- G. Bouchard. M. Boudreau.N. Breton, P. Brousseau(PBr), R. Cam- Hilairc in March (RG) was noteworthybecause the specieshas never well. B. Clibbon {BCI). J. Cloutier. B. Cormicr {BCo), A C6t(•, L. been found breedingon the MomeregianHills. Coughlin. M. Darvcau. N. David (co-editor), J.L. DesGranges,A. Destochefs, B. DiLabio, P. Drapeau. G. Duquette.P. Eallu, R. Fox- all. A. Giard. D. Gagn• {DG). S. Gagnon (SG). D. Galgnard(DGd). R. Galbraith. J. Gardner. Y. Gauthier, G. Gendron. W. Gervais. S. Girardeau (SGiL A. Gouge. F. Grenon. L. Hall& F. Hilton, J. Houghton.D. Jackson.R. Lafond(RLdL P. LanePLe), J. Lapointe.P. Lambelin {PLn). R. LeBrun, H. Mead. C. Maheu {CMu), L. Maheu, Y. Maheu. C. Marcotte (CM). S. Massicotte, M. Mcintosh. D. Mer- cier. J.P. Ouellet. P.H. Oucllct, C. Paquette.J.R. Pelletier, D. Per- reault. P. Pcrreault,J. Rosa. D. Ryan. D. Saint-Hilaire, D. Sergeant (DS). C. Simard, R. Simard, J. Sauro, G. Seutin. P. Smith, A. Stenzil, K. Thorpe. R. Titman, M. Tomairy. C. Vachon. R. Yank.--MIC!tEL Chuck-will's-widow,Westmount, Que., May 3, 1983.Photo/N. David. GOSSELIN, 370 Metcaife, No. 707, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 1S9.

GNATCATCHERS THROUGH WARBLERS -- The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher,regular in the Montrealarea, now seemsto havepushed fartherN, as attestedby a reportfrom LaPocati•rcMay 19 (AC). A $ bluebirdat Saint-NicolasMay 20 was identifiedas a Mountain Blur- bird, a first Regional occurrence(JLD, details in Bull. Ornith.). A Varied Thrush, especiallyrare in spring.was recorded at Westmourn May 4-6 (KT. m.ob.). The Mockingbirdreported from Rimouskilast .seasonwintered successfully (fitIt, YG). The fifth White-eyedVireo in HUDSON-DELAWARE REGION Quebecwas .seen at Trms-Rivi•resMay 24 (AG). in spring,warblers are alwaysthe mainattraction. The w. formof theYcllow-rumped Warbler /William J. Boyle, Jr., Robert O. Paxton and David A. (audubom)was at WestmountMay 15 (GS, seeAB 36:832;30:816); a Cutler record-earlyBlackburntan Warbler was at MontrealApr. 27 (PD), a PineWarbler at L. Saint-JosephApr. 2 (PBc), andfour at LaPocatit:rc The springseason for the Hudson-DelawareRegion, as for mostof May 19 (JC et aLL the latter,added to thoseof lastAugust (unpubl.), eastern North America. was the wettest on record. Rain fell on the New suggesteda range extension. A Prairie Warbler wasat AylmerMay 1 York City area on one or both of the days of each of the thirteen (SB) and a ProthonotaryWarbler at Sainte-PfitronilleMay 21 (PP). weekends of the searan The cumulative total for the three months was over 29 inches.almost half of whichf•11 in April, andwas 2.5 timesthe normalallotment. In additionto the wetness,it wasalso a chfily .season. After a mild March. the last half of April and all of May had below- averagetemperatures. with recordlows accompanying the majorsnow- storm of April 19-20. In spiteof (or perhapsbecause of) the weatherand the restrictionsit imposedon birding. most observersconsidered this the mostexciting springseason in many years.The combinationof strongsouthwesterly flows encounteringequally strongnorthwesterly cold frontsproduced many early recordsof passerinemigrants, numerous rarities and gener- ally exceptionalbirding from the lastfew daysof April throughmuch of May. Migration in the Delaware Valley was especiallyheavy, but ob- HoodedWarbler, Otterburn Park, Que., May 5-6, 1983. Photo/G. serversin New York eastof the HudsonRiver andon Long Islandfelt it Duquette was a below-averagespring.

850 AmericanBirds, September4Dctober 1983 Red-billedTropicbird, first staterecord, Seaside Park, N.J., May 27, 1983. Photo/A.Brady.

Encouraging numbers of Great Blue Herons, a locally threatened species,were notedfrom many New Jerseylocations, including 3 new breedingcolonies. Cattle Egret arrivedearly at bothCape May (WJB) and Montauk (RKe) Mar. 20, and were widely reportedfrom s.c. New York and Long Islandwhere they are still not common.A Green Heron Frequentlyused abbreviations are: BombayHook, BombayHook was an early migrantat ProspectPark, BrooklynCo., Mar. 20 (fide J. N.W.R., near Smyrna, Del.; Brig., BrigantineN.W.R., Atlantic Co., Yrizzary). N.J.; J.B.W.R.. JamaicaBay Wildlife Refuge, New York City. WATERFOWL -- The waterfowlmigration was generally good, but LOONS THROUGH HERONS -- Loonsstaged a heavy and pro- wasover early. The mild weatherof winter andearly springencouraged tractedmigration during April and May, bothcoastal and inland;most geeseand ducks to moveon, andby theend of Marchthere were few left unusualwas a Red-throatedLoon at Little BuffaloS.P., PerryCo., Pa., in the Region.Massive inland flights of CanadaGeese were noted along June I (OKS). There was a good flight of Red-neckedGrebes, but they the SusquehannaR., Mar. 4 (RMS) andalong the DelawareR., Mar. 13 were all inland. Only one each was reportedfrom New Jerseyand (DDR). A few Brant lingeredas usual, but one at Peace Valley P., Delaware, but Pennsylvaniahad up to sevenat Harvey's L., near Dal- Bucks Co., Pa., May 31 was extraordinary(A & JM). Four White- las, LucerneCo., Apr. 17-May 7 (JHo, KMG, MBI), while New York fronted Geese were all in s.e. New York: one at Millerton, Dutchess also had as many as sevenat the Bashakill,Sullivan Co., Apr. 20 (DN, Co.. Mar. 9 (HM. MY) and two at nearbyRound Pond. SharonStation MBo). Horned Grebe continues to be scarce, and Eared Grebe went Mar. 13-14 (DF, MY); anotherbird, identifiedas belongingto the unreported. Greenland race. was at Pocantico Hills, Westchester Co.. Mar. 29 (PSI. The annualDelaware Valley OrnithologicalClub/Urner Club pelagic The exciting find at Round Pond, DutchessCo., was not the two trip out of BarnegatLight, N.J., May 28 was the best in many years. White-fronteds mentioned above, but New York's first Ross' Goose. Most of the birds were at or near the HudsonCanyon, ca. 85 mi Discoveredswimming with two Snow Geese,the two White-fronteds offshore,and includedthe largestconcentrations ofN. Fulmars, 100+, and manyCanadas on the afternoonof Mar. 13 by Fleuryand Yegella, it seenthere since 1978. Three Cory's, 25 Greater, 60 Sooty and two was seenby numerousobservers the next day, but not thereafter(DF, Manx shearwatersgave observers excellent views of all of the regularly MY). This sightingfollows closely upon the 3 recentrecords in Dela- occurringshearwaters, but the mostspectacular show was the uncount- wareand New Jersey,and suggests that more than just increasedobserv- able swarmsof Wilson's Storm-Petrelsthat were constantlyin sight er awareness is involved. duringthe 6 hoursthat the boatwas near the canyon.Variously estimat- Only four c• Eur. Wigeon recordswere submitted,two on Long ed at 50,000-75,000, it was surelythe largestconcentration ever en- Islandand two in New Jersey,but we suspectthat somego unreported counteredin this Region. Surprisingly,not a single Leach's Storm- sincethe specieshas beeneasy to find in recentyears. There were Petrelwas detectedamong them, althoughone did comeaboard a ship excellentnumbers of dabblingducks at placeslike Brig., in March, but 90 mi e. of Atlantic City Apr. 8 (TK). mostdiving duckshad departedby the beginningof the season.Three The rarity of the seasonin New Jerseywas not seenin the wild by any HarlequinDucks lingered at Montaukto Mar. 20 (m.ob.), andfive flew birder. It was the imm. Red-billed Tropicbird pickedup on the beach acrossDelaware Bay to Cape May Mar. 21 (P. Kosten), but two at slightlyoiled at SeasideHeights May 23 or 24 by an unknownperson, HenlopenS.P., Del., May 17 were really tardy (ER, WC). andeventually delivered to rehabilitatorsin SurfCity (B. & J. Jones,ph. A c• Com. Eider at HenlopenS.P., Apr. 9-May 8 was the only one AB). The first stateand secondregional record for this species,it was reported(WWF). The ad. c• KingEider first noted at CapeMay Sept.12 lastreported recovering nicely and awaiting transport to PuertoRico for endeda 6-monthstay by departingon or aboutMar. 19(JDa), anda sub- release. ad. male was at Montauk Mar. 20 (RKe). A Hooded Merganseral Othermembers of thepelicaniformes family were also well represent- MarshCreek S.P., ChesterCo., Pa., May 19 wasin a potentialbreeding ed this season.The two White Pelicans winteringat Brig., were last location(B & FH), as werea pair on the DelawareR., nearTrenton May notedMar. 20, but whatwas possibly the samepair flew S overCape 14-17 (S. Hair) and a female at WashingtonBoro on the Susquehanna May Mar. 30. A singlebird was found at Brig., Apr. 9 (JDa), but R., May 19 (B & FH). The latter locationhas had summering birds in disappearedlater in the month. Yet anotherWhite Pelicanwas seen severalyears without any evidenceof nesting,however. Positive evi- soaringover J.B.W.R., May 19 (C. Pinnock).Three Brown Pelicansat denceof breedingin New Jerseywas the pre•nce of a broodon the Big BethanyBeach, Del., May 5 wereharbingers of the impendingsummer Flatbrook,Sussex Co., in mid-May (TK); otheradults were also along invasion(H. Cutler). GreatCormorants lingered at J.B.W.R. (RKe, PL) the nearbyDelaware R. in May. and Cape May (RRu) to the end of the period, but the most unusual recordwas of oneat Floodgates,Gloucester Co., N.J., on the Delaware VULTURES THROUGH RAILS -- Black Vultures continue to R., near PhiladelphiaMar. 5 (BM). spreadN throughNew Jerseyand e. Pennsylvania.They are apparently

Vol. 37, Number 5 851 breedingin Morris County in n. New Jerseyand, in the s. part of the stillfairly regularin themarshes on theDelaware side of DelawareBay. state,have movedE from their SalemCounty stronghold into neighbor- PurpleGallinule is an annualspring vagrant to the Region:this season ing CumberlandCounty. Although birders in nmchof the Regionhave onewas seen in ProspectP., Brooklyn,May 5-9, whenit wasfound grown blas6 about them. their arrival in s. New York is anxiously with a brokenleg (m.ob.I. Anotherappeared in a UnionBeach, N.J., awaited. backyardin late May, and stayedinto June(fide W. Sanford). The WatermanBird Club struckagain Mar. 26, when a White-tailed Kite wasdiscovered at HopewellJct., DutchessCo., N.Y. (C. Roda,J SHOREBIRDS-- The shorebirdflight waslate andlight, asrevealed & MK. ph. KMD). The bird. apparentlya subqadult.was found again by Davis' comprehensivedata from J.B.W.R. (10 dates,Apr. 23-May the next morningand photographed,but soonflew off and was never 29). Similarconclusions can be drawnfrom reports from BombayHook seenagain. This providedthe first stateand regionalrecord and only the (JA) andBrig. (JDa). The cool springweather delayed the egg-laying of secondever in the Northeast,the previousone beingat Martha's Vine- the horseshoecrabs in DelawareBay, so the concentrationof shorebirds yard in 1910. The speciesis increasing,however, and has recently feedingthere was much reduced from recent years. Three aerial survey appearedin Indiana and SouthCarolina. The other kites were lessin flightsof the bayshoreconducted May 24, 31 and June6 by the Cape evidencethan usual. A Swallow-tailedKite passedthe Sandy Hook, May Bird Observatoryfound a cumulativetotal of only 170,000 shore- N.J., hawk watch Apr. 29 (HL), and anotherspent 3 days in May birds,compared to lastyear's totals of 421,000 on May 21 and874,000 roostingin the backyardof a pigeonfancier near Cape May, althoughits for 3 flights. In contrastto past years, mostof the birds, which are occurrencewas only revealedafter the fact (fide K. Seager).A Swallow- mainly SemipahnatedSandpipers, Ruddy Turnstones, Red Knots and tailed Kite on the Delawareside of DelawareBay nearthe Mispillion R. Sanderlings,were on the Delawareside of the bay (PD). furnishedone of the few recordsfor that state(BFi). Two Mississippi Kites at ForestP., QueensCo., May 3 representedonly the second recordfor New York (L. Schore.J.P. & J. Latil). At Cape May, where they have becomeregular in late spring,only aboutfive individuals were noted. and none stayedin the area for more than a brief visit. in contrastto past experience(fide PD). Four hawk watcheswere manned on a fairly regular basis, 3 in Pennsylvaniaand one in New Jersey, and producedsome interesting results.The Sandy Hook count. in its fifth year. recordedthe highest numbersas expected,but 80c• of the 7818 birds were Sharp-shinned Hawks and Am. Kestrels.That migrantraptors follow the ridgesmuch lessin the springis well known.Hawk Mt_ hadonly 1484birds in 57 daysof observation(SB), whileBaer Rocks, just a few mi to then.e. alongBlue Mountain,had 3733 raptorsin just 18 daysof coverage (KK). At Morgan'sHill, just s. of Easton,Pa., 47 daysof watching produced2197 birds (DDR). The biggest flights at the inland hawk watchesoccurred primarily duringthe last 4 daysof April. as a warm front with a strongSW flow held sway over a cold front stalledalong the MississippiValley for nearlya week. The heavyhawk flight wasechoed by a hugeinflux of passermemigrants, many of whom arrivedin the Regionon recordor Wilson'sPlover, Great Egg Harbor, N.J., Apr. 24, 1983. PhotoIM. near-recordearly dates(vMe infra). The Ospreyflight was especially Danzenbaker. impressive,as Baer Rocksrecorded an all-time record 142 on Apr. 30, easilysurpassing even the highestsingle-day fall countfor this species Forthe first time in 4 years,Wilson's Plover appeared in theRegion; in Pennsylvania:the seasoWstotal was 503. Away from the regular thistime therewere three apparently different birds (based on plumage hawk watches,the most noteworthyconcentration was a kettle of 75 descriptionsby severalobservers who saw morethan one of them). One Red-shoulderedHawks at MoonbeamsSanctuary, Orange Co., N.Y., was at S. Cape May, May 16-21 (JDa, PD, m.ob.), anotherat Stone Mar. 6 (Orange Co. Audubon). HarborPt., Apr. 15 (DW), andthe lastat the Longportsod banks Apr. Only a few Golden Eagleswere reportedfor the season,but Bald 23-24 (JDa, MD, RM). AmericanGolden Plover was scarce compared Eagles were well representedwith severaldozen reports, including to recentsprings. with a peak of six at Pedricktown,N.J., Apr. 17 many iramatures.New Jersey'sonly nestingpair producedfertile eggs (RKa). lbr the first time in 7 years. Although the eggs were incubatedand Upland Sandpiperswere reportedfrom 7 breedingsites in New Jer- hatchedat the PatuxentResearch Laboratory, the two chickswere re- sey.one near Eckville. Pa. (SB). threeon LongIsland, and one at Ward turnedto the nest in April. Delaware againhad 4 activenests, with the PoundRidge Res., WestchesterCo., N.Y. (TWB). A Whimbrel of the BombayHook pair producingyoung for the first time in severalyears. Eurasianrace returned as usual to Linwood.N.J.. Apr. 28-May 8 (JDa). The white Gyrfalcon at New Holland. Pa., was last seenApr. 9 (TA), An unusuallyheavy flight of Solitary Sandpipersduring the first 2 while the one at Linwood, N.J., lingeredto aboutApr. 15 (JDa, ph. weeksof May was notedby observersfrom all partsof the Region. MD). Cutler found 150+ in various locationsin s. Delaware May 7 and An interestingphenomenon was observed Mar. 29, whenR. Magnan, considersthis his bestseason ever for the species.Other concentrations driving alongthe oceanhighway in coastalDelaware, notedmany Am. included40 at Black River W.M.A., N.J., May 7 (DHa) and40 at Great Kestrelsflying N alongthe dunesinto the teethof a strongNW wind. SwampN.W.R., N.J., May 4 & 8 (RKa, WJB). Most of the Solitaries Headingfor Cape HenlopenS.P., he foundhundreds of kestrelsflying had departedby the middleof May. aroundand perchedon every availableobject, apparently unwilling to A White-rumpedSandpiper was at J.B.W.R., on the record-early crossDelaware Bay againstsuch a strongwind. Sucha spectacle,which dateof Apr. 23 (THD, K. Ray) andan exceptional spring concentration rivals Cape May in the fall, has not been previouslynoted from this of 100+ was at SlaughterBeach, Del., May 23 (WJW). A Curlew location. Sandpiperwas at HenlopenS.P., May 14 (JCM, DAC) and anotherat A Sandhill Crane at Tivoli Bay, DutchessCo., N.Y., May 4 fur- Brig., the sameday (WJB, DS et al. ) A differentbird wasat Brig., May nishedthe first springrecord in severalyears (E. Kiviat). A BlackRail 16 (JDa. RM), anda final onewas there May 25 (JDa).The only godwit was heardcalling from the Oak BeachMarsh, Long Island, May 14 & was a Marbled flying over Forest P., QueensCo., May 22 (J. Ash). 21 afteran absenceof 2 years(ROP, B. Spencer).Only five maleswere Ten Ruffs for the seasonwas an averagetotal; Pedricktown led the heard at the colony in the TuckahoeR. marshesnear Marmora, N.J., way asusual with four, includingtwo on theearly date of Mar. 12 (RKa, duringMay comparedto tenlast year, but thehabitat is soextensive that m.ob.). BombayHook hadone Apr. 23 (P. O'Brien), anda full-plum- the birdsmay only havemoved to a differentarea (RM). SeveralBlack agedmale was at Orient, L.I., May 22 (J. & C. Hastings),but most Railswere at BombayHook andPort Mahon in mid-May;the speciesis noteworthywas a female at a floodedfield near Allentown, Pa., May

852 AmericanBirds, September-October1983 14-15 (BLM, SS). An Am. Avocetat Brig.. May 12-16(JDa, m.ob.) Co., Pa.(RMS) andfrom the Philadelphia Airport (B & FH), thelatter a providedan unusual spring record n. of BombayHook. where numbers knownbreeding location. A tape recording ofa calling Saw-whet Owl in appearedto be down (DAC). SullivanCounty. N.Y.. in May providedpositive evidence of their Somegood concentrations of Red Phalaropewere noted, with 100 presencein thatarea during the breedingseason. seenfrom a ship180 mi e. of New JerseyApr. 13 (TK). A stormwith A Chuck-will's-widowat the SchuylkillValley NatureCenter in strongE windsthe next few daysbrought 25 to the New Jerseycoast at PhiladelphiaApr. 28, furnisheda rare local record (D. James).On Long Avon Apr. 15 (R. Ditch) and 60+ to JonesBeach, L.l., Apr. 18 Island,this increasing species was at 5 sitesfrom Oak Beach to Manor- (m.ob.). plusscattered singles elsewhere. Only sevenWilson's Phal- ville(ROP, GSR et al.). CommonNighthawks came N veryearly on the aropeswere reported, the most noteworthy being one in DutchessCoun- s.w.surge of lateApril: one was at Great Swamp N. W. R., N. J., Apr. ty. N.Y., May 14 (J & MK). FiveN. Phalaropeswere at JonesBeach 29 (WJB)and another at Wilkes-Barre,Pa., May 1 (WR). A Ruby- Apr. 18(AJL), while singles were inland at Holmdel,N.J., Apr. 18-20, throatedHummingbird at Gladstone, N.J., Apr. 17was also unseason- with a Red Phalarope(BFe) and at Nazareth,Pa., May 15 (BSi). ably early (RC). A PileatedWoodpecker at Garvie'sPt., NassauCo., LongIsland May 14was well out of range(R. Cioffi).Red-headed Woodpecker. a regionallythreatened species, was reported from a numberof new locations.Three pairs near Lewes. Del.. apparentlyrepresent an in- creasedbreeding population in an areawhere human activities have createdsuitable habitat (WWF. BFi). A c• Black-backed Three-toed Woodpeckerwas at an estatein Princeton,N.J., Apr. 5 (M. A. Mathers).After a 3-dayabsence, it reappearedand entertained a hastily assembledmob of birdersfor 3 hours(RJB, ph. T. Southerland);despite muchsearching. it was not seenagain.

Wilson'sPhalarope, Beach Haven, N.J., May 7, 1983.Photo/M. Kal- bach. JAEGERSTHROUGH ALCIDS -- The pelagictrip to the Hudson Canyonon May 28 producedfive Pomarine and one ad. Long-tailed jaegers,plus two S. PolarSkuas and one skua that was probably also S. Polar(m.ob.). A lateGlaucous Gull was at Henlopen S. P. inmid-April (WWF),and another was seen off andon at CapeMay throughout the period.Lingering Iceland Gulls included one each at Rehoboth, Del., in mid-April,Henlopen toMay 10 (WWF) and Cape May, May 27 (JDa). LesserBlack-backed Gulls were well representedwith two in West- chesterCounty, N.Y. in March(TWB, C. Left)and six in New Jersey, thelatest being one at N. ArlingtonMay 3 (JDo)and another at Cape May May 13 (PD, B. Clark). Five Black-headedGulls and three Little Gullswere a slightimprove- mentover last year. One ad. Black-headedwas at J.B_W.R.,May 28 (PL, TWB)and another was at Brig.,May 8 (AB, KB);the other three werein Brooklynand Jersey City in March.Two ad. Little Gulls were at Black-backedThree-toed Woodpecker. Princeton, N.J., Apr. 9. 1983. Kitts Hammock,Del., May 8 (DAC), andan immaturewas at the Photo/T. Southerland. traditionalS. Amboy,N.J., locationMay 17(JDo); these numbers are still far shorlof the concentrationsof the previousdecade. FLYCATCHERS THROUGH SHRIKES -- An E. Kingbirdarrived Thegull of theseason was the Sabine's Gull, stillin adultwinter at MontaukPt., on the incrediblyearly date of Mar. 28. Completely plumage,blown into Henlopen S.P. by strong Ewinds May 16. Discovered exhaustedfrom fighting strong winds, the bird could be approached to feedingonthe beach by Frech and photographed laterthat day by Fintel, this within a few feet (K. Ward). Continuingthe recentpattern of spring first for Delawarecould not be foundafter that date (WWF, BFi). records,there were two Scissor-tailedFlycatchers. One flew by the The D.V.O.C./UrnerClub pelagic trip encounteredat leasttwo Arc- SandyHook hawk watch Apr. 30 (HL) andanother was a fly-byat tic Terns(1 adult,I immature)May 28, plusa RoyalTern 60 mi from Gilgo,Long Island May 31 (ROP).The late April warm front brought a shore.A RoseateTern was spotted among a flockof 800 Corn.Terns at recordearly E. WoodPewee to TallmanMt., Picrmont,N.Y., Apr. 29 Holgate,N.J., May 6 (DHa),and another was at lndian R. Inlet,Del., (RFD): anotherwas farther n. at Tamarack,Dutchess Co., May 1 (J & May 13(M. Rusch):this species is seldomencountered away from its MK). The specieswas common in NewJersey by aboutMay 10, more LongIsland breeding colonies. Rivaling the pelagic Royal Tern for thana weekahead of schedule.Olive-sided Flycatchers were reported in dislocationwas one 10 mi from the seaat Lakehurst,N.J., Apr. 20 (B. above-averagenumbers, and several were quite early: one at Bombay Corm).An ad. SandwichTern at S. CapeMay May 30 wasconsolation HookMay 7 (fideDAC), onenear Hawk Mt., May 8 (SB, B. Andres), for some of those who search in vain for kites. and a third at CapeMay May 8 (M. Gustarson). Black Terns were in somewhatbetter numbers this year than in the A tremendousflight of swallowswas widely noted May 10-12,in- recentpast, but the prize of theseason was New Jersey's first White- cludinghundreds of thenormally uncommon Cliff Swallow.Common wingedBlack Tern, an adult in breedingplumage at S. CapeMay May Ravenreports continue to increase;the species is expandinginto the 10 for a brief visit (DS). What wassurely the samebird wasseen at lowlandsin n.e. Pennsylvania(WR), andfour were noted in migration SandyHook exactly one week later May 17(JDo), but was not detected at Baer Rocks(KK). Fish Crows appearto be spreadinginto many anywhereinbetween nor could it befound thereafter. A pelagic trip out inlandlocations away from the major rivers. especially in New Jersey. of CapeMay Mar. 5 locatedtwo Razorbills about 15 mi out. Reports of Theywere found at 2 SullivanCounty, N.Y., locations,including six at cuckooswere much reduced from those of thepast few years,perhaps in SummitvilleMay 14. morethan 20 mi fromthe DelawareR. (B. Be- responsetothe sharp decline in gypsy moth populations. A Black-billed langer, V. Freer). Cuckooat Gladstone,N.J., Apr. 17 wasvery early, however (RC). Thetraditional pair of Brown-headedNuthatches at HenlopenAcres, SnowyOwls lingered past the winter season at JerseyCity, N.J., Mar. Del., wasdisplaced from the boat dock piling nest when the old piling 5-7 (RKaet al.) andat BroadChannel, near J. B. W. R., Mar.20 (D. wasreplaced with a newone. Fortunately, they relocated to a nearby Riepe).Three Long-eared Owls at Peace Valley P., BucksCo., Pa., in pilingand were busy feeding young May 27 (WWF).An excitingfind mid-Aprilrepresent potential breeders (A & JM). wasthe presence of fourmore birds May 17at ReddenState Forest, just Short-earedOwls were reported in May fromMuddy Run, Lancaster 15 mi w., in suitablebreeding habitat (ER, WC). Also presentin

Vol. 37, Number5 853 ReddenState Forest May 7, were threeBrown Creepers,also potential For thefirst spring in manyyears, not a singleYellow-headed Blackbird nesters(R R West) Althoughthis specieshas expanded its breeding reportwas received Two d' Boat-tailedGrackles at J B W R , Apr rangeS duringthe past20 yearsto includeall of New Jerseyand s.e. 30-May 28, were seento fly on occasionto nearbyRuffle Bar, where Pennsylvania,it is not known to nest in Delaware (fide DAC). they inay have been nesting(THD). Winter Wren went almostuntoported; although a few were reported Duringthe past decade, Summer Tanagers have pushed the n. limit of on nestingterritories late in the seasonfrom the n. part of the Region, theirbreeding range from Delawareto c. New Jersey,and appear to be this specieshas become a very uncommonmigrant. Even birderswho expandingfarther N. In additionto numerousreports from n. New are in thefield everyweekend are likely to missit in thespring. Carolina Jerseythis spring, them was one from Dingman's Ferry in n.e. Pennsyl- Wren, on the other hand, is recoveringnicely from the devastating vania(D. Dister), andat least30 sightingsfrom the New York City area wintersof the late 1970sand 1980-81. A migrantShort-billed Marsh (fide THD, JAD). A similar storyholds for Blue Grosbeak,which is Wren at a meadowin the CatskillsMts. wasthe only onereported (DN). graduallyspreading N throughs.e. Pennsylvaniaand c. New Jersey,and The d' Varied Thrushreported from HamiltonSquare, Mercer Co., hasbred onceon StatenI. and for a numberof yearsat N. Arlington, N J., during the winter was last seenApr. 12 (T. Bentley). The late HudsonCo., N.J. Two birdsin WarrenCounty, N.J., in May werewell April warm front producedmany Veeries,an early Swainson'sThrash awayfrom any known breeding areas (D. Blakeslee,T. Smolko).Elev- at Cape May Apr. 26 (PD), and a Gray-cheekedThrush at Palisades, en in the New York City-Long Island area Apr. 23-May 8 were more RocklandCo., N.Y., Apr. 27 (VS), possiblya recordearly date for the than usual (fide THD). latter speciesNew York. Three LoggerheadShrikes were notedfor the It wasa very goodspring for PaintedBuntings, with a maleat a Staten season;the winteringbird at RosedalePark, Mercer Co., N.J., stayed I. feederMay 2 (W. & N. Siebenheller,m.ob.), anotherat CapeMay until Mar. 26 (RJB), one was seen near Paulsboro,N.J., Mar. 16 (J. May 11(KB et al.), anda femalein a Marlboro,N.J., backyardMay 22 Stasz), anotherwas at BeachHaven, Luzerne Co., Pa., Apr. 21-23 (fide RKa). Five Dickcisselswere a bit morethan last year: three were in (DG). New York at Clinton Corners, DutchessCo., Apr. 16-24 (J. & C Daley), at GilgoBeach Apr. 27 (B & PH) andat JonesBeach May 8 (A VIREOS, WARBLERS -- A record early Red-eyed Vireo was at Wollin); two were in New Jerseyat Linwood Mar. 19 (JDa), and at ForestP., QueensCo., Apr. 15 (PB). PhiladelphiaVireo reportswere LawrenceHarbor Apr. 27 (JDo). A European Goldfinch at a Berwyn, well above averagefor this ram springmigrant. A singingbird was Pennsylvaniafeeder, Mar. 25-June24, providedonly thesecond record studiedfor one-halfhour at Blauvelt,Rockland Co., N.Y., on the early for that state(R. McQuiston).The European Siskin reportedfrom date of Apr. 30 (DD), anotherfallout of the late April warm front. Bloomfield, N.J., during February, appearedat a feeder in nearby Anotherbird wasat nearbyS. NyackMay 19 (RFD); thesetwo sightings Veronain earlyMarch, but stayedonly a few days(E. Schneider).The are only the secondand third springrecords known to Deed in his 48 originsof both of theseexotic finches remain uncertain. yearsof coveringthe local area. Reid had singlePhiladelphia Vireos at GrasshopperSparrows were reported in goodnumbers from all areas Wilkes-Barre, Pa., on May 14 & 27, and receivedreports without wherethey nest;most impressive was a populationof 40 + at theFAA detailsof 3 other sightingsin n.e. Pennsylvania.New Jersey'sonly Tech Centernear Atlantic City, N.J. (JDa). Henslow'sSparrows were recordwas of a bird at SandyHook May 22-23 (JDo). backat the Galesville,N.Y., airportin May (JPT)and at theDallas, Pa , The springwarbler migration was exceptional, especially in the cen- breedingsite Apr. 30-mid-May, but they did not stay at the latter tral partof the Regionand along the New Jerseycoast; it wasat bestonly location (WR). A new site was discoverednear Huntsville, Luzerne averagein the n. part, on Long Islandand in s. Delaware.The oft-cited Co., Pa., in earlyMay, wherebirds were still present during the summer warm frontof late April broughta big wave of migrantwarblers, many (WR). of them very early; in May, a seriesof cold fronts producedmuch The Lark Sparrowthat winteredat Cinnaminson,N.J., was lastnoted precipitation,but alsogrounded many birds, for oneof thebest shows in Mar. 19 (J. Taylor), while the imm. Golden-crownedSparrow at a years.A d' ProthonotaryWarbler was found dead at Manahawkin,N.J., WarrenCounty, N.J. feederlingered to Apr. 23 (M. & C. Read). Up to on theextremely early date of Mar. 22 (fide PD). Equallysurprising was eightSnow Buntings stayed at CapeMay throughmost of March,and another,very muchalive, at Babylon,N.Y., Mar. 27-Apr. 2 (P & BH). graduallyassumed breeding plumage (PD, .IDa). Thirteen other individualswere reportedfrom Long Island and West- chesterCounty Apr. 29 throughMay. A d' and 52Prothonotary were at CORRIGENDUM -- Severalerrors appeared in the Autumn, 1982 Wilkes-BarreApr. 30-May 10, but couldnot seemto get together(MB1, report:The proportionof adultsto immatureGoshawks at Bake Oven WR). The increasingnumber of reportsfrom n.e. Pennsylvanialead Knob should read 67% adults, not 67% immatums. The number of local observersto hopefor an unprecedentedbreeding record. GoldenEagles at Bake OvenKnob was 39, not 36 (datafrom American Amongthe manyspecies of warblersthat appeared during the last few Hawkwatcher,December, 1982). The 300 ploversat JenkinsSound, daysof April or May 1, were: Worm-eating,Blue-winged, Tennessee Cape May Co., N.J., Nov. 14 were Black-belliedPlovers not Am (early), Orange-crowned,Nashville, N. Parula, Yellow, Magnolia, Golden Plovers. Black-throatedBlue, Cerulean,BlackburnJan, Blackpoll (very early), Prairie, Ovenbird, N. Waterthrush,Corn. Yellowthroat,and Am. Red- OBSERVERS-- (Subregionalcompilers in boldface):J. M. Abbott, start.Orange-crowned Warblers continue to put in a goodspring show- Tom Amico, H. T. Armistead,Bob Barber,Seth Benz, Paul Bernarth, lng with six this year, five in New Jerseyand one in CentralP., New Irving Black (n.e.N.J.: 68 Mill St., Belleville, N.J. 07109), Mark York City. A N. Parula was carryingnesting material at Bull's I., Blauer(MB1), R. J. Blicharz (n.c.N.J.: 827 PennsylvaniaAve., Tren- HunterdonCo., N.J., Apr. 30 (RKa). Althoughthis specieshas been ton, N.J. 08638), Martin Borko (MBo), Pete Both, Alan Brady, Enk notedhere and at a varietyof other locationsin New Jerseyin recent Breden, Kate Brothwaite,Joe Burgiel, T. W. Burke (WestchesterCo, summers,it hasnot beenproven to nestsince the 1950s,following the N.Y.: 235 Highland Ave., Rye, N.Y. 10580), William Cart, Ruth disappearanceof Usnealichen. Clark, JohnDanzenbaker (JDa), Mike Danzenbaker,Thomas H. Davis Yellow-throatedWarblers returned to theirBull's I. breedinggrounds (s.e.N.Y., L.I.: 94-96 85th Rd., Woodhaven,N.Y. 10241), David De Apr. 23 (WJB, ,lB, BL), andsix werereported from the New York City Reamus, Donald Deed, R. F. Deed (Rockland Co., N.Y.: 50 Clinton areaApr. 23-May 28 (fideTHD). Two KentuckyWarblers at Wapwal- Ave., Nyack, N.Y. 10960), J. A. DiCostanzo, Jim Dowdell (JDo), 1open,Luzerne Co., Pa., in May werefar from anyknown nesting areas PeterDunne (coastal N.J.: CMBO, Box3, CapeMay Pt., N.J. 08212), (DG); one lingered into July. Good numbersof Mourning Warblers JohnEbner, A. P. Ednie (Kent and New Castle Cos., Del.: 21 N. Wales were reported,with 20+ in New Jerseyin late May; the one-dayprize Ave., Glenolden,Pa. 19036), SteveFarbotnick, Bruce Fetz (BFe), Fran was five at PrincetonMay 30 (EB, GW). File, Bill Fintel (BFi), Dot Fleury, GeorgeFranchois, W. W. Frech (SussexCo., Del.: Carr. Rt. 3, Box 1144, Lewes, Del. 19958), Flor- BLACKBIRDS THROUGH SPARROWS -- Bobolinks were even enceGermond, Kerry Grim, Doug Gross,Jerry Haag (JHa), Barbara& moreabundant than last year, but E. Meadowlarkscontinue to be scarce FrankHaas, Greg Hanisek(n.w.N.J.; R.D. 3, Box 263, Phillipsburg, or absentfrom some former breeding areas. A singingWestern Mead- N.J. 08865), Dave Harrison(DHa), DorothyHartmann (DHt), Barbara owlarkat StewartAirport, Newburgh, N.Y., May 31 (BSe)was found & Peter Herlich, Armas Hill (s.e. Pa.: 232 OrlemannAve., Oreland, at thesame place and date as last year (not previously reported in AB). Pa. 19075), Jim Hoyson(JHo), Rich Kane (RKa), Rich Kelly (RKe),

854 AmericanBirds, September-October 1983 Jim& Mary Key, Tim Koebel,Ken Kranick.Don Kunkle, A. J. Lauro. Schwartz.Benton Seguin (BSe), David Sibley, Brad Silfies (BSi), S. R. Lawrence,Harry LeGrand, Bill Lecington,Paul Lehman, Helen Steve Smith, O.K. Stephenson(Harrisburg area: Box 125, New Manson, Robert Maurer, Ken McDermott (KMD). Kevin McGuire Bloomfield, Pa. 17068), Fred Tetlow, J.P. Tramontario (Orange, (KMG), J. K. Meritt (s.w.N.J.: 809 SaratogaTerrace, Turnersville, Sullivan, and Ulster Cos., N.Y.: Orange Co. CommunityCollege, N.J. 08012), J. C. Miller. August& JudyMirabelle, B. L. Morris (e. Middletown, N.Y. 10940), Dave Ward, R. T. Waterman Bird Club Pa.: 825 MuhlenburgSt., Allentown,Pa. 18104),Brian Moscatello (DutchessCo., N.Y.), W. J. Wayne,George Wenzelburger, Rick Wil- (BMo). FrankMurphy, Dan Niven, JackPeachy. Carl Perry,Eleanor ttaut. Mary Yegella. Jim Zamos.--WILLIAM J. BOYLE, JR., 15 Pink. Nick Pulcinella,G. S. Raynor, William Reid (n.e. Pa.: 556 Indian Rock Road, Warren, N.J. 07060, ROBERT O. PAXTON, CharlesAve.. Kingston,Pa. 18704), Ed Reimann.Robert Russell 560 RiversideDrive, Apt. 12K, New York, N.Y. 10027, and DAVID (RRuL RichardRyan (RRy), Paul Saraceni.R. M. Schutsky,Victor A. CUTLER, ! ! 10 Rock Creek Drive, Wyncote, Pa. 19095.

MIDDLE ATLANTIC COAST REGION /Henry T. Armistead

Migrationgot off to anearly start in thefirst half of Marchbut in late Marchand most of April unseasonablycool weatherreturned which, combinedwith frequentand heavyrains put a damperon birdingfor many.Consequently. although there were some hearteningly early arri- valsin March,many warm weather birds that appear in lateApril, such asGreat Crested Flycatcher. Wood Thrush and Red-eyed Vireo. were lateand few. Muchof theprecipitation happened on weekends,result- ing in sparsereporting. For the secondstraight year swallows and flycatchersseemed down but there were some record pelagic and raptor totals,good gulls and a warblermigration that for many was the best in years.Deviation from normal of temperature:March +2.5øF, April -2.7ø, May-1.4ø;precipitation: March +1.7 inches,April +3.1 inches,May + 0. l inches.There were more than the usual number of lingeringbirds in May suchas Yellow-belliedSapsuckers. Hermit Thrushes,Water Pipits, Cedar Waxwings, and other species often hard to find in this month. Abbreviations: Adventure. Adventure Sanctuary near Potomac, MontgomeryCo., Md.; Bait., Baltimore;the Bay, ChesapeakeBay; REW + ), markingthe 19thconsecutive reporting period during which Chine., ChincoteagueN.W.R., Va.; Craney,Craney Island Disposal they have beenseen. As recentlyas 1978 therewere only I I regional Area, Portsmouth,Va.; D.C., Washington.D.C.; F.S.P., Ft. Small- records,7 of thesein the 19th Century. At Yorktown, Va. "several" wood Park. Anne Arundel Co., Md.; + (with initials), et al.: italicized BrownPelicans were reported Mar. 23 (E & NK,fide BW) andtwo were data indicates birds were banded. at OceanCity May 5 (H & BC). Off OceanCity Gannetspeaked at 346 Apr. 23 but peteredoff to eightby May 14 (RN + ). An unprecedented LOONS THROUGH IBISES -- The best count of Com. Loons was numberpenetrated the Maryland partof the Bay in late March with 20 e. 175at KentI., Md., Apr. 28 (JG). Alsoof interestwere 31 in migration of Smith l., Mar. 20 (JH,.fide HLW), five at the AnnapolisBay bridge overthe Piedmontat Cockeysvillen. of Bait., Apr. 23 (RFR) andthree Mar. 27 (WK), 12 betweenDeal and TilghmanIs., Mar. 28 (WGK), late onesat Hart and Miller Is., e. of Bait., May 30 (RFR + ). More late and 22 at Pt. Lookout, 29 at Cove Pt., and 18 at Holland Pt., Mar. 27 Red-throatedLoons were seenthan usualwith singlesat OceanCity (HLW, DM), some of the birds at the last 3 locationsundoubtedly May 14 (RFR), York R., Va., May 15 (BW), CraneyMay 27 (TRW) involving duplicates.Double-crested Cormorant continues to do fine andLewisetta, Va., May 28 (FRS). Alwaysscarce. single Red-necked with a maximumof 5000 at Yorktown Apr. I I (BT,fide BW) and good Grebesonly were present Mar. 26 at SwiftCreek Res., w. of Richmond localcounts of 168 at HopewellMay 19 (FRS. HCO), 119 in Dorchester (FRS) andOcean City (LB.fide CPW). HornedGrebe continues to be County.Md.. May 7 (HTA) and25 in D.C., Apr. 22 (DC). Maryland's the subjectof concernin spiteof a countof 544 nearBellevue. Md., sixthand seventhAnhmga records were of singlesat Berlin, Md., May Apr. 17(HTA, MEA) butthis is a primestaging area for themand this 7-8 (MH, FB, ph., fide CRV) and SandyPoint S. P., May 24 (WK). totalreflects a strenuouseffort using a telescopewith the Bay like glass Priorto 1978the only staterecords were of two undatedspecimens from at the peakof theirmigration. Maryland's sixth and seventhEared the 1800s. Herons were underreported,especially from their coastal Grebeswere at F.S.P., Apr. 28 in companywith 65 HornedGrebes strongholdsalthough Buckalew estimated 2000 pairsin coloniesnear (HLW, WK) andN. Beach,Calvert Co., Apr. 23-30 in companywith a the Chinc. causeway.On the lowerSusquehanna R., belowConowingo locallyuncommon Red-throated Loon and numerous Horneds (WKs, Dam 33 Great Blue Heronsand 52 Black-crownedNight Heronswere JAG + ). Pied-billedGrebe also seems low with a regionalhigh of but22 countedMay 27 (RMS), interestingtotals for what is essentiallya at Chine.,Apr. 10-16(REW). Naveen'snavy made 6 pelagictrips out Piedmontlocality. The firstCattle Egrets were in CarolineCounty, Md. of OceanCity Apr. 23-May21, a fine concentrationof seabirding for (SW,fide AJF) andRichmond (FRS), bothMar. 19, andat Hopewell45 sucha shortperiod. Highlights included a finecount of 38 N. Fulmars nestswith eggswere discovered May 19. theearliest nesting record for May 14 plustwo late onesMay 21 and an earlyCory's Shearwater. Virginia(FRS, HCO). A LouisianaHeron, scarce that far up the Bay, SootyShearwaters were seen on 5 of thetrips with a highof 31 on Apr. wasin BlackMarsh e. of Bait., May 30 (RFR + ). At theNational Zoo in 30. A Manx Shearwaterwas seen Apr. 23. Wilson'sStorm-Petrels first D.C., 13 wild Black-crownedNight Herons,with 3 nests,were seen appearedApr. 28 (43) and 5741 were estimatedMay 14, a record directlyoutside of an enclosurewith captiveones Apr. 27 (DC, ph.). At regionalcount. This species is difficultto countbut this figure is never- Elliott I., Md., five Am. Bitternswere calling Mar. 26 (HTA) and late thelessconsidered reasonable. From the numbers reported in theRegion (breeding?)ones were detected at FairfaxCounty, Va., May 29 (JMA) Leach's Storm-Petrel seems almost as rare as Manx Shearwater but six and Greensboro,Caroline Co., Md., May 13 (MWH, fide AJF). The were foundMay 14 and threeMay 21. firstGlossy Ibis wasat LowerMachodoe Cr., WestmorelandCo., Va., Two WhitePelicans frequented Chine., Mar. 25-Apr. 21 (JW, CPW, Mar. 17 (JEJ, SJ).

Vol. 37, Number5 855 WATERFOWL-- At Chmc, 20 youngMute Swans and 19 young SHOREBIRDS-- As usualChinc dominates the shornbird lineup CanadaGeese were seen May 1-7 (REW) anda White-frontedGoose, notjust by virtue of itsbeing the superior regional wader locality but also presentsince winter, lingered in companywith a SnowGoose until May becauseit continues to bethe only such place regularly censused. Wilds 2 (CPW). Notablehighs here included 385 N. ShovelersFeb. 27-Mar. conducted9 counts here Mar. 24-May 27, all butone ,of these being, as 5, 1300Black Ducks Mar. 13-19,1273 Gadwalls and 757 Am. Wigeon usual,2-day efforts. Her description states: "Chincoteague had a rela- Mar. 20-26, 14 BlueGeese Mar. 27-Apr.2 and1050 Green-winged tivelynormal spring despite all the rain." Exceptionally low numbers of Teal Apr. 3-9 (REW). Inlandforaging Snow Geese numbered 4000 on Lesser Yellowlegs,White-rumped Sandpipers and Short-billed Apr. 4 at Hobbs,Caroline Co., Md. (RBF,fide AJF) andn. of thereat Dowitcherswere seen.No Wilson'sPlovers, Am. GoldenPlovers, Galena,Kent Co., 50 BlueGeese Apr. 7 wasa notablyhigh total for the Com.Snipe, Pectoral Sandpipers, Long-billed Dowitchers, W. Sand- upperEastern Shore (JMA), 375 Blueswere at BlackwaterReft, Mar. pipersor Wilson'sPhalaropes were noted, hardly surprising for most of 13 (HTA). At RemingtonFarms, Kent Co., Md., 63 N. Shovelerswas these.Highs were: Am. Oystercatcher 42, Mar. 24; Killdeer 2 (!) Apr anexcellent count Apr. 10and 70 werethere Apr. 15(JG). Ring-necked 7-8;Greater Yellowlegs 16 (!), Apr.21-22; Piping Plover 30, Solitary Ducksnumbered 175 at PineyRun P., CarrollCo., Md., Mar. 13(RFR) Sandpiper2, LesserYellowlegs 6 (!), May 5-6; SemipalmatedPlover andfour extremely late ones were at Denton,Md., May 29 (MWH,fide 1191,Whimbrel 120, White-rumpedSandpiper 11, LeastSandpiper AJF). Notablediver highs included 1250 Canvasbacks at Rt. 301 Poto- 597, Short-billedDowitcher 879, May 13-14;Marbled Godwit 1, Cur- macR. bridge,Md., Mar. 21 (WSP),4500 Lesser Scaup, Monroe Bay, lewSandpiper 1, May 18;Ruddy Turnstone 4472, Spotted Sandpiper 6, WestmorelandCo., Va., Mar. 4 (JEJ,S J), 1500Oldsquaws, Love Pt., RedKnot 4089, Dunlin 2492, Stilt Sandpiper 3, Sanderling5063 May Md., Apr. 5 (JAG)and 1100 Ruddy Ducks at CraneyMar. 30 (TRW). 19-20;Black-bellied Plover 134, Wilier 95, SemipalmatedSandpiper Interestinginland or "up river" recordswere of 15 GreaterScaup at 8152, Black-neckedStilt oneMay 26-27(CPW). The aforementioned Nokesville,Va., onthe Piedmont Apr. 12(KB), a latesingle Oldsquaw CurlewSandpiper was present May 16-18(JPM, CPW) and the Black- andRed-breasted Merganser at Hartand Miller Is., May 30 (RFR+ ), neckedStilt May 24-June2 (KHW, DP, CPW). Wilds mentionsthat fourBlack Scoters at Ft. Hunt,Va., s. of D.C., May 3 (JMA)and at Mr. speciesespecially dependent on horseshoecrabs, which concentrate Vernon,Va., 150Corn. Mergansers Mar. 30 and89 Red-breasteds Apr. alongTom's Cove, as difficult to censusaccurately because they are so 26 (JMA). Jettyducks were almost missed except for a Corn.Eider on oftendisturbed by people.Also because of thelate frill moonMay 26, ChesapeakeBay Bridge-Tunnel, Va., Mar.4 (KHW,DP) and two King whichcoincides with the peak of egglaying by crabs, the peak of some Eidersat OceanCity Mar. 20 (BY, fide CPW). shorebirdswas somewhat late. Shorebirds attracted to thecrab eggs are turnstones,knots, Dunlin, Semipalmated Sandpipers, and Sanderlings Thiscrab-shorebird tie happens on a muchgrander scale farther n on DelawareBay. In DorchesterCounty, Md., 70 SemipalmatedPlovers VULTURESTHROUGH RAILS -- Wierengacontinues monitoring wasa record county count May 14(HTA + ). Upthe Bay a PipingPlover thehawk flights at Ft. Smallwoodwhere 4989 raptors were counted on at PoquosonR., Va., May 10was notable (WSP). Much farther up 20 29 days in only 121 hoursor > 41 birds/hour.More observersare RuddyTurnstones, a Whimbrel, a White-rumpedSandpiper, 15 Dunhn neededat thissmall, semi-urban park on the edge of theBay s. of Bait. anda SanderlingatHart and Miller Is., e. of Bait.,were exciting finds Unusuallyhigh season/day totals included 1003 Turkey Vultures ( 194 in May 30 at thisnearly inland spot, primarily created by dredgespoils < 2 hoursMar. 21, WK), 1210Sharp-shinned Hawks (below average), (RFR, HLW + ). At PresquileN.W.R., nearHopewell, Va., a totalof 263Cooper's Hawks (41 onApr. 11),231 Red-tailedHawks, 224 Red- 200Com. Snipe provided nearly a recordstate count Mar. 28 (WSP) shoulderedHawks (81 on Apr. 14),149 Marsh Hawks (59 on Apr. 11), ThreeWhimbrel at BlackwaterMay 29 werethe first for this refuge 466Ospreys (158 on Apr. 11), 61 Merlin (including an extremely early (MEA, HTA) anda white-rumpedcurlew at Hog I. on the Virginia oneMar. 20. WK; 51 on Apr. 26, a recordMaryland count) and 854 EasternShore Apr. 17 wasprobably a Europeanrace of theWhimbrel Am. Kestrels(334 on Apr. 11).Northwest winds seem to producethe ratherthan a Curlew(Numenius arquata)--also European (BTt). Two bestspring flights hem (HLW). A Swallow-tailedKite wasreported UplandSandpipers were at NokesvilleMay 13 wherethey are said to from Trappe,Talbot Co., Md., May 3 (AWW, fide CPW). In the nestsparingly (KB) andtwo others were at Dullesairport the next day PatuxentR. area,Md., Martinfound nesting Red-shouldered Hawks to (DFA). A veryearly Solitary Sandpiper was at St. Jerome'sNeck, St havethe second worst breeding success since 1971, when he began Mary'sCo., Md., Mar. 30 (EMW). FirstPectoral Sandpipers were at studyingthem, with < oneyoung fledged/nest. A dark-phase Rough- JugBay Mar. 16(JAG) and Lilypons, Md., Mar. 26 (DHW). An early leggedHawk at Greensboro,Caroline Co., Md., May 7 provideda LeastSandpiper was at HopewellMar. 20 (LGR, MA,fide FRS).Rare recordlate statedate (MWH, fide AJF). PiedmontDunlin included one at NokesvilleApr. 19 (KB) and12 at In DorchesterCounty, Md., Mar.26 a GoldenEagle, 25 Bald Eagles LilyponsMay 17-20(DHW) and500 on May 7 & 14 in Dorchester and40 Marsh Hawks were seen (HTA). The eagle roost e. ofHopewell, Countywere high for the Bay (HTA + ). Justreceived is therecord of Va, hadsix imm.Balds Mar. 12 butby May 19eight adults and 21 two Buff-breastedSandpipers and a lateSandwich Tern on N. Assatea- lmmatureswere in thearea (FRS, HCO). Productionof Baldsin theBay gue I., Md., Sept. 11, 1982 (FH+). The mostremarkable shorebird areacontinues on the upswing: "In 1983there were 107 active nests in speciessighting of theseason was of anHudsonJan Godwit at ElliottI , Virginiaand Maryland, 6 morethan in 1982.Of these,61 nestshatched May 15(RPR, PV), onlythe fourth regional spring record. The famous 114young, four of whichdied before fledging and 93 werebanded." CraneyAm. Avocetflock consisted of 300 birdsApr. 13 (TRW) but (JMA)This is the 4th year in a rowof significant increases inproduction only 147 werethere Apr. 28 (RC). At Deal I., fourBlack-necked Stilts of BaldEagles. An activeOsprey nest was found at the Kerr Res., on the May 15provided a recordMaryland count (CRV + ). Theonly Wilson's NorthCarolinaJVirgnia border, the first breeding record for the Virginia Phalaropewas one at St. George'sFarm, James City Co., Va., May9- Piedmont(MAB, fide FRS,no date). On thelower Susquehanna R., 12 (BW). At seaoff OceanCity 38 Redand 8 N. phalaropeswere Schutskynoted 35 in migrationApr. 13and 40 onApr. 20. A pairof observedMay 14but a countof 1001Reds Apr. 28 (RN + ) eclipsedthe "Cornell"Peregrine Falcons materialized atthe Annapolis Bay bridge previousregional high count, 494 on Apr. 27, 1974(RAR), alsooff andattempted (unsuccessfully) to breed there, apparently attracted by OceanCity. themany hundreds of RockDoves living in thebridge (HLW, RFR). JAEGERSTHROUGH TERNS-- A PomarineJaeger Apr. 30 was KingRail maintainsa furtive presence on theVirginia Piedmont with uniquebut two ParasiticJaegers were seen the sameday plustwo on singlesat Dulles airport w. of D.C., May14 (DFA) and Nokesville May May 7 and anotherMay 14 out from OceanCity (RN+). First year 30 (KB). A singleVirginia Rail at HarfordGlen, Harford Co., Md., GlaucousGull singleswere at BackR. SewageTreatment Plant, Bait , May 13 wasodd for thisinland site (RFR). In DorchesterCounty 103 Mar. 6 (RFR, HTA), in D.C., Mar. 22 (DC) andat F.S.P., Apr 18 wereheard May 7 and105 on May 14 alongwith seven King, seven (HLW). Singleimm. IcelandGulls were seen at Kingsmill,Williams- Clapper,and 15 Black rails plus two Com. Gallinules, the product of a burg,Va., Apr. 19+ (TA, BW, ph.) andOcean City Mar. 20 (BY,fide 190mi., 21-hourroute with 244 stops(HTA, FLP, CP, JJM).Two CPW). Butthe landfill at Laytonsville, Montgomery Co., Md., stolethe Corn.Gallinules were in D.C., May26 (DC)and single late Am. Coots gull honorswith thesepresent in the late winter-earlyspring period wereat OceanCity May 14 (RFR)and Jug Bay, upper Patuxent R., threeLesser Black-backed, three Icland and one Glaucous gulls plus a Md , May 17 (JAG). well-describedimm. Thayer'sGull (first-year)Apr. 13 (HLW). Great

856 AmericanBirds, September-October 1983 Black-backed Gull continues to be seen in numbers that are almost 24 and Veenes May 13 EasternBluebirds continue to increasewith threateningwith 400 in a small stretchof the lower SusquehannaR., preliminaryresults indicating a goodbreeding season (DK, RFR, JM, Mar 6 (MEA, HTA) and1000 alonga 6.6 mi stretchhere the nextday EP, JAG). The first Blue-grayGnatcatcher was at RichmondMar. 21 In leaguewith 2750 Herring Gulls (RMS). These Black-backedsde- (RHP, fide FRS). Two hundredWater Pipitswere at New DesignRd , chneduntil only four remained May 23 andin thissame area '13,500 MontgomeryCo., Md., Mar. 26 (EMW). The erraticCedar Waxwing Ring-billed Gulls were seenMar. 3 and 32 Bonaparte'sGulls Apr. 26 wasabundant with flocksstill wandering around Piedmont areas in early (RMS). On the interior Piedmont27 Great Black-backedswere counted June(RFR, PN, FH) andcounts such as 100in D.C., May 18 (DC) and at LaytonsvilleFeb. 24 (HLW) and at inlandDenton, Md., ten were 56 in lowerDorchester County on thes. EasternShore May 14 (FLP + ) seenMar. 7 (MWH,fideAJF). Lesser Black-backed Gulls were sighted were representative.A nest of the declining LoggerheadShrike was at fewer placesthan in recentseasons but up to two winteredat Nokes- found at LilyponsApr. 17+ (DHW). ville, oneuntil Mar. 22 (KB + ), andadult was at Chinc., Apr. 2 (JLW, ph) andone at Hooper's 1., Mar. 26 was new for Dorchester Co., Md. VIREOS AND WARBLERS-- Justreceived is a recordof a Solitary (HTA). The Chinc. imm. Black-headedGull that winteredin the park- Vireo in DismalSwamp Jan. 16, 1983(MC,fide RC). The only Phila- lng lot waslast seen May 18 (CPW +, "had to throwthe crackersaway delphiaVireo wasin KentCounty, Md., May 7 (FLP). Mostobservers from the car or you couldn't see the bird." RFR). Other singleswere foundthe warblerflight better than usual. One of thebest gauges of this reportedat seaoff OceanCity Mar. 5 (GR), at BackR., e. of Balt., Apr. is the bandingoperation at Adventurewhere netting was continuous 10 (BY,fide CPW) and in D.C., Apr. 11 (DC), a betterthan average Apr. 16-May 31 (exceptApr. 24 & May 16). Here 1997 birdsof 88 showing.An imm. LittleGull at Hart andMiller Is., May 30 wasunique specieswere capturedin 14,645 net hoursincluding 26 warblerspecies (RFR + ) but honorsfor fanciestgull go to a first-summerSabine's Gull with recordnumbers of MagnoliaWarbler, Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) 47 mi off Ocean City Apr. 28, only the fifth record for Maryland Warbler and Com. Yellowthroat(MD). Thirteen Mourning Warblers (RN+). An Arctic Tern was•seenat sea e. of Ocean City May 21 were caughton 7 datesbeginning May 17 with threeeach May 24 & 31 (RN + ). ElevenLeast Tern nestswere found at Hart andMiller Is., May One hundredfive N. Waterthrusheswere banded with a peakof 15 on 30 (RFR + ), undoubtedlythe northernmostBay colony,and 700 birds May 15. Most unusualwas a Swainson'sWarbler at St. Timothy's werepresent at thebig GrandviewBeach, Hampton, Va., colonyin late School,Stevenson, Md., n. of Balt., May 24-27+ (BR, RFR, EB, May (BW), theRegion's largest. The first Royal Terns were seen Mar. HK +), perhapsthe first Maryland record away from its Pocomoke 19 at Hampton Roads (RC) and by Mar. 30 there were 85 at Craney Swampbreeding grounds. Meanley found 21 in DismalSwamp Apr. 28 (TRW). Scottet al., had44 CaspianTerns at HopewellApr. 23 and20 anda Golden-wingedWarbler there Apr. 26. TennesseeWarblers had a wereat Hart andMiller Is., May 30 (RFR + ). Two BlackTerns were on goodspring with counts such as 50 in D.C., May 18(DC). Two Orange- the lower SusquehannaR., May 13 & 27 (RMS) the only otherreports crowned Warblers were at Norfolk Mar. 15 (RC). Good Richmond being of singlesat severalcoastal and Maryland Piedmontlocalities warblertotals were 31 N. ParulasMay 4, 59 BlackpollsMay 18 andten (vo) N. WaterthrushesMay 11 (FRS). Late birdswere a c2Nashville War- bler at SandySpring, Md., May 28 (SM,fide JSW), a Magnoliaat Back OWLS THROUGH SHRIKES -- Four Long-earedOwls lingered Bay N.W.R., May 28 (TRW) and a Mourning at Arnold, Md., June6 into the first week of April at Nokesville(KB) and one was reportedat (WK). Extremelyrare here in spring,a d' ConnecticutWarbler wasat Trappe, Md., May 7 (DMt). Six Short-earedOwls were at Elliott I., Sandy Spring May 21 (SM, SS, fide JSW). The majority of other Mar 26 (HTA) and two in migrationwith hawks at F.S.P., Apr. 11 Maryland springrecords are prior to 1910. (HLW). The sole Saw-whetOwl was at HamptonMar. 21 (TA, TK, BW, m.ob., ph.). An early Whip-poor-will was in Dismal Swamp BLACKBIRDS THROUGH SPARROWS -- Bobolinks drew much N W R., Mar. 29 (RC + )•and39 werereported from Loudoun County, commentaryowing to their abundance,the highestcount being 504 at Va , May 14 (DFA). Earlyishwere a ChimneySwift at RichmondMar. Startford,Va., May 14 (JEJ,SJ). Therewas an excellentflight of Rose- 31 (PB,.fide FRS) and Ruby-throatedHummingbird in QueenAnne's breastedGrosbeaks (RFR, JMA), Scott reporting 21 inRichmond May County, Md., Apr. 10 (WR, fide AJF). Migrating woodpeckersat 4. Early lndigoBuntings were at JugBay Apr. 4 (JAG) andTolchester F S P includeda PileatedApr. 5 and four RedrheadedsApr. 28 Beach, Kent Co., Md., Apr. 8 (JG). A (2 PaintedBunting was at (HLW). Red-headedsseem to be enjoyinga slightboom (v.o.). More YorktownMar. 28-Apr. 6 (TA, BW, m.ob., ph.), for aboutthe 12th thanthe usualnumber of Yellow-belliedSapsuckers lingered into the Virginia recordsince 1951. Along New DesignRd., s. of Frederick, first week in May (v.o.). Most flycatchersseemed to be bothlate andin Md., a smallcolony of Dickcisselscontinues to persistwith five or more low numbersas in 1982 (FRS, HTA, RFR). Ten Willow Flycatchers singingmales present in fields shared with Grasshopper, Vesper and two werein the Dullesairport area May 19 wherethey are common breeders Henslow'ssparrows and Bobolinksduring most of May (DHW, FH, (MWB). Olive-sidedFlycatchers were seenat 4 Piedmontlocalities DC, m.ob.) and five singingDickcissels were near NokesvilleMay May 14-25,a typicalshowing by thisscarce species (v.o.). As in 1982 29 + (KB +). Northernfinches continued to be almostentirely absent swallowswere late and in poorsupply (v.o.) althoughthese early ones exceptfor PurpleFinches which were in goodnumbers (v.o.). A very were noted:Rough-winged Swallow at RichmondMar. 21 (PB,.fide lateSavannah Sparrow was in D.C., May 22 (DC). In a pasture2 mi s FRS), a BarnSwallow at BlackwaterMar. 26 (HTA) andPurple Martin of Blackstone,Nottoway Co., in the central Virginia Piemonta Le Mar 16at Jug Bay (JAG). At St.Mary's County Watershed, Md., 1000 Conte'sSparrow was photographed at a distanceof 5 feetApr. 30 (JFR, Tree SwallowsMar. 30 was a high springcount (EMW). Severalrecent fide FRS), for the 10thstate record. Five Henslow'sSparrows were at Corn Raven reports,all unconfirmed,from localitiesnear the edgeof Dulles airportMay 19 (MWB, BC) and sevenat Elliott I., May 14 the Piedmont/coastalplain have been omitted in the interestsof discre- (CP +). The Montross,Va., Lark Sparrowwas present Feb. 4-Apr. 27 tionbut one seen Mar. 24-Apr. 3 in a quarryin n.e. GoochlandCounty, (JEJ, SJ). Extremely late were a Dark-eyed (Slate-colored)Junco Va, only 11 mi n.w. of Richmondis withoutblemish (RD, FRS). Two May 26 and a White-throatedSparrow May 27 at Adventureand 15 otherswere reported near Dumfries, Va., closeto thePotomac R., s.of Lincoln'sSparrows were here May 5-28 with three bandedMay 25 D C , Mar. 14(MCy,fide CPW). Ravens are increasing inthe e. United (MD). Wolfe founda very tardyWhite-crowned Sparrow at BackBay Statesand attemptsshould be madeto confirmsightings on or nearthe N.W.R., May 28. coastalplain. OBSERVERS--D.F. Abbott, J.M. Abbott, M. Arginteanu,M.E After a secondstraight winter of nearabsence small numbers of Red- Armistead, Tom Armour, Ken Bass, Paul Bedell, C.R. Blem, Eirik breastedNuthatches materialized, mostly in early May (v.o.). The only Blom, Larry Bonham,M.W. Britten,Francis Brueckmann, J.H. Buck- Short-billedMarsh Wren reportwas one at Elliott I., May 14 (HTA + ). alew, M.A. Byrd, Mark Causey(MCy), MichelleChandler, Ray Chan- At Adventure207 GrayCatbirds were banded, the second highest spring dler, William Clark, LesterCoble, Herbert& BettyCutler, David Cza- total here in 11 years,with a peakof 19 on May 12 (MD). The thrush plak, RichardDaub, J.W. Dillard,Bob Dixon, Margaret Donnald, migrationwas good with morethan the usualnumber of Hermit Thrush- H.-J. Feddern, A.J. Fletcher, R.B. Fletcher, R. Fountain, J.A. Gre- es lingeringinto May includingan extremelylate individualat Adven- goire, JamesGruber, Floyd Hayes, M.W. Hewitt, RobertHilton, John tureMay 24 (MD), whererecord numbers of bothSwainson's Thrushes Hoffman, Mary Humphreys,J.E. Johnson,Sylvia Johnson,Hank (129) andVeeries (64) werealso banded with Swainson'speaking May Kaestner,Teta Kain, Ed & Norma Katz, Dennis Kirkwood, Wayne

Vol 37, Number 5 857 Klockner. Walter Kraus (WKs), W.G. Kucera. Stuart MacClintock, sell, Kurt Savoic, R.M. Schutsky.F.R. Scott, Ted Scott, SteveSmith, Elwood Martin, J.J McCann. Kathy McDonough.Brooke MeanIcy, ByronSwill. BrianTaber. BarryTruitt (BTt), CraigTuffs, PeterVanke- Don Mcritt (DMtL DebbieMignogno, Mike & DorothyMitchell, Jack rich. C.R. Vaughn, J.L. Walck. D.H. Wallace, K.H. Weber, J.S. Mozingo,J.P. Meyers.Ron Navccn.Paul Nistico, Marlanna Nuttlc, Wcske, Steve Westre. A.W. White. H.L. Wierenga, C.P. Wilds, Bill H.C. Olson, F.L. Parks, Elizabeth Peacock, R.H. Peake, Carl Perry, Williams, E.M. Wilson, R.E. Wilson, T.R. Wolfe, JackWright, Ben- Don Peterson,W.S. Portlock,George Rciger, R.F. Ringler, Wilbur jamin Yokch--HENRY T. ARMISTEAD, 28 E. Springfield Ave., Rittenhouse. E.G. Robinson, Barbara Ross, R.A. Rowlett, R.P. Rus- Philadelphia, PA 19118.

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC COAST REGION /Harry E. LeGrand, Jr. I / I 1' .o...w,,..,o,o. Spring1983 was one of thewettest on record in muchof theRegion, / with theheavy rains of Februarycontinuing until lateApril. Marchand April wereunusually cool; so cool. in fact.that as much as 8 inchesof snow tell in some areas on March 24, and cvcn more snow occurred on theunheard-of dates of April 18-19!Fortunately, the weather beginning in lateApril moderated,so thatMay wasrather dry andnear normal in temperature.One notablehighlight of theweather was a fairly steady flow of SW windsinto the Regionfrom approximatelyApril 28 to May 6. • Fall Line • This wasone of thebetter spring migrations in the last I 0 years.much L •I•LEDOEVltLE moreexciting than either of theprevious two. Passefinemigrants. par- ticularlywarblers and thrushes,were morecommon than usual.al- thoughthis diversity was due mainlyto speciesvariety and not to large waves. Not surprisingly,the overall migrationwas slightlydelayed in March and April, but not by morethan severaldays for mostspecies. The bestperiod for migrantswas May I to 7, but the migrationquickly fizzleda few dayslater. Shorebirdingwas rather poor inland owing to highwater at mostreservoirs, although the unsettledweather did sccm to bringmore waterbirds (such as waders,gulls, and terns)inland than usual.A largenumber of excitingbirds was foundand, as is oftenthe countApr. 24 (fMe MS). A normal-phaseReddish Egret May 24 at Mt. case,a good percentageof theserarities were pelagicspecies. Pleasant,S.C. (CP, JH) was quite noteworthy,particularly in spring. The nestingcolony of Wood Storks in JenkinsCounty, Ga., is still LOONS THROUGH FRIGATEBIRDS - Truly remarkablefor in- thrivin•150 pairs with eggswere notedApr. 17 (BHu). Infrequently landparts of the Regionwere as many as I(X)O+ Corn.Loons on several seeninland, singleGlossy Ibises were near WhisperingPines, N.C., datesin lateApril at L. Lanierin n. Georgia(DP. JP), anda goodfind on May I (TH. SV, AM) andAugusta Apr. 16-23(AW); 8-10 wereseen in that lake was a Red-throatedLoon Mar. 2-8 (JP). Continuingthe recent flight near Raleigh, N.C., Apr. 2 (GH). Althoughregular in the Pied- springsightings of N. Fulmam along the North Carolina coastwere a mont July to September.a White Ibis was quite out of seasonat L. dead individual Mar. 18 at Pine Knoll Shores (JF; *, N.C.S.M.) and two LanierMay 29 (JP). The rarestwader, and exceptionally early Mar. 17, or three 15 mi e. of Ocracoke in mid-March (LD). Where do these birds wasan ad. RoseateSpoonbill on Cat l.. nearGeorgetown, S.C. (ME). winter?Haney spent much of the periodApr. 20-May 15 off theGeorgia coast, often as far as 180 mi from land. He noted 30 Audubon's Shear- watersin May; in addition,he had 97 Black-capped Petrels May I-7 WATERFOWL -- A Whistling Swan was very late at JordanL., and 20 May 13-15, a speciesalmost previously unknown (but certainly Apr. 30 (AC et al.), and seldomseen in spring were five Fulvous expected)in Georgia waters. Haney had a Leach's Storm-Petrel 100 Whistling-Ducksat Cedar I., N.C., Apr. 26 (JF, TB). The cool weather mi e. of St. Catherine's1., Ga., May 3. a first for the state,and another in April may have been responsiblefor allowing waterfowlto linger was very rare and early off Charleston,S.C., Apr. 17 (DF et al.). As laterthan usual--a Gadwallat RaleighMay 7 (fide RJH), N. Shovelers manyas two White Pelicans,presumably wintering birds. were noted at at FallsL, nearDurham, N.C., Apr. 24 (MS) andat Pendergrass,Ga., Charlestonmost of April (DF, EB). North Carolina'sfirst convincingly May I (JP), and nine Ring-neckedDucks at 2 placesin the Atlanta area describedBrown Booby wasan immatureperched on a duneand on the May 30 (PB, TM, RM). A pairof Corn.Eiders was quite late. resting on beachat OcracokeApr. 25 (MWB). Haneyobserved two morefirsts for the beachat Ocracoke,N.C., Apr. 26 (MWB); also late was a White- Georgia:a Brown Booby 75 mi e. of Wassawl., May 14 and a Blue- wingedScoter May I along Bogue Banks,N.C. (LC, JF). The only inland scoter was a • Surf at Sweetwater Creek S.P., Ga., Mar. 19- faced Booby May 3, 150 mi e. of St. Catherine's1. Needlessto say, much remainsto be learnedabout pelagic distribution off our coast, Apr. 12 (D & PM et al.), for a firstrecord for theAtlanta area. April and especiallybeyond 50 mi from shore.Migrating Double-crested Cormo- May sightingsof Corn.Mergansers in theRegion often create editorial rantsare now beingseen on practicallyevery sizable inland lake, andthe headaches,as this rarity hasgenerally departed by mid-March.Of the 182 tallied on the JordanL., N.C., springcount May 8 (fide BR) were severalreports during this time span,three at FallsL., Apr. 24 mightbe remarkable;85 were still presenton the lake May 29 (SC, PR). Rather correct,but no descriptionswere provided.Good inlandRed-breasted earlywas a •? MagnificentFrigatebird May 4 at KiawahI., S.C. (PL). Mergansertallies were 18 malesat SweetwaterCreek S.P., Mar. 27 and 15 femalesplus two malesthere Apr. 23 (D & PM), and 19 nearDurham WADERS -- A white-phaseGreat Blue Heron was rare and early Apr. 24 (fide MS). Mar. 5 at Jekyll I., Ga. (TM et al.). Other notablewaders for inland Georgia were a peak of 829 Cattle Egrets Apr. 22 in a non-breeding KITES THROUGH GALLINULES -- This was one of the best roost at Augusta(AWL 12 Cattles in DouglasCounty Apr. 24 (fide springsever for theSwallow-tailed Kite. In additionto a slightincrease TM), and a LouisianaHeron at CommerceApr. 30-May I (JP, JC). in sightingsfrom within the breeding range in Georgiaand South Caroli- Good inland North Carolina totals were nine Great Egrets near Vass na, single"overshoot" migrants appeared in thefollowing North Caro- May I (TH) and a stunning26 Am. Bitternsat Falls L., on the Durham lina counties:Craven (Apr. 9 CM), Duplin(Apr. 13--MB), Carteret

858 AmericanBirds, September-October1983 (May 5--JT andMay 6•SP), Dare(May 30•JR), andCuretuck (June Two N Phalaropesin w ForsythCounty, N C , May 18-23 (ED, JS, 5--CK). Similarly, more Mlsslsslpp•Kites than usualappeared away RS) were very rare inland The ClaytonCounty, Ga., Water Treatment from the breedinggrounds: four at CedarI., N.C., May 15 (JF), two w. Plant was the site of severalgood shorebirds:a Short-billedDowitcher of Cheraw,S.C., May 14 (JHC), andsingles at RaleighMay I (JM) and Apr. 25 (PB), a lateGreater Yellowlegs May 26 (PB), 20 White-rumped near the mouthof the RoanokeR. in Bertie Co., N.C., May 10 (ML). SandpipersMay 17 (PB), and an apparentBaird's Sandpiper May 30 Absurdlyearly were a Broad-wingedHawk at AtlantaMar. 2 (TJ) and (PB, TM, RM). The Baird'swas convincingly described; however, the two more at nearbyAlpharetta Mar. 4 (VJ). As rare for the North speciesis essentiallyhypothetical everywhere in the Atlanticcoastal Carolina coastwere two at CalabashApr. 10 (MO) and sevennear statesin spring, and practicallyall springrecords for the Region have BuxtonApr. 27 (MWB). As usual,migrant Bald Eagles were seen at had flaws in the descriptions.Thus, it is best that the reportbe men- scatteredinland sites, mainly in North Carolina,the bestcount being tioned here, but not be boldfaced. two adultsand two immatureson the ChapelHill springcount May 1 (BW et al.). Ospreysshow definite signs of a populationincrease, with a JAEGERS THROUGH TERNS -- PomarineJaegers were reported numberof observersreporting many more migrants than usual, high- from the coasts (or offshore) of all 3 states this season, and Parasit•cs hghtedby anoutstanding single party count of 27 at JordanL., Apr. 17 were seenin Georgiaand North Carolinawaters. One of eachnoted off (AB, RD). PeregrineFalcons were noted at 3 coastalsites, all in April; Jekyll I., Mar. 5 (TM et al.) were so early that they perhapswere one was quiterare inland in s. Halifax County,N.C., Mar. 27 (ML). winteringbirds. Haney counted 13 Pomarinesoff the Georgiacoast May The usualhandful of Merlins was also reportedcoastally, and inland 1-5, in additionto five ParasiticsApr. 20-May 15. Very rare andearly migrantswere detectednear Fayetteville,N.C., Apr. 6 (PJC) and at wasa Long-tailedJaeger off CapeLookout, N.C., Apr. 18(WI). Fussell Falls L., Apr. 24 (AT). hadsingle Glaucous, Iceland, and Lesser Black-backed gulls in Carteret Belatedlyreported were three Sandhill Cranes Dec. 15-Jan.23 at the County,N.C., in March, but in eachcase the birdswere alsoseen •n SanteeN.W.R., in c. SouthCarolina (PN et al.). T. Moore and other winter. Unusuallylate for the Region were imm. Iceland Gulls on Atlantabirders noted an excellent Sandhill flight past that city Mar. 4-5, MasonboroI., nearWrightsville Beach, N.C., Apr. 21 (MG, JHa) and basedon 15 reportsof at least 1100 birds;600 of them were over well inlandon the ChowanR., N.C., near the US 158 bridgeApr 4 ConyersMar. 4 (FM). Near Canton,Ga., one observerhad 7 flocks (BWI). SingleLaughing Gulls were detectedinland at 4 sites:Gaines- flyingover Mar. 4-5 totallingseveral hundred birds (LEF). Unusualand ville, Ga., Apr. 9 (JP,JC), L. LanierMay 2 (JP),Commerce, Ga., May late was a dazedVirginia Rail foundon a skyscraperroof in Winston- 7 (JP), and Falls L., May 18 (RD). A winter-plumagedad. Little Gull Salem, N.C., May 26 (CF, BWi); it was releasedat a nearbymarsh. was a goodfind Apr. 9 at AtlanticBeach, N.C. (JF, BH), as was an immatureat nearbyMorehead City Apr. 18 (WI). Apparentlythe same SoAo immaturewas observed May 2-21 at Ft. MaconS.P. (JF et al.). North One of the major "tragedies" in recent years occurredat Carolina'sfifth Sabine'sGull wasobserved on theextraordinarily early Cedar IslandN.W.R., May 30. Fusselland W. lrvin were on date of Mar. 10 on the White Oak R., oppositeSwansboro (HH); it was their way to the ferry terminalat 0730, whenthey noticedthe in breedingplumage and was describedin detail. A Black-legged marshwas afire. They remaineduntil 1700,watching birds fly up Kittiwake 18 mi off Jekyll I., Mar. 5 (TM et al.) providedone of the in front of the flames. Birds observed were two Am. Bitterns, very few recordsfor Georgia,but as thereare many Floridarecords, it five ad. VirginiaRails, ten BlackRails, one King/Clapper Rail, wasnot unexpected.Forster's Terns were sighted inland 4 times,but the 20 + Long-billedMarsh Wrens, and 150+ SeasideSparrows. A only reportof morethan one was of nineat SweetwaterCreek S.P., Ga , broodof youngrails (Virginias or Blacks)was seen at theedge of Apr. 23 (D & PM). Eleven Arctic Terns seenfar off the coastcom- a canal;one of thechicks swam into thecanal and was plucked up prisedGeorgia's third recordApr. 21-May 13 (CH), andthree were andeaten by a LaughingGull. The efikctof thefire, certainlynot notedoff Hatteras,N.C., May 29 (RA party). A complctesurprise were a prescribedrefuge burn, was disastrous. Fussell estimated that the415 SootyTerns seen by Haney 160mi + offOssabawI., Ga., May morethan half of the marshburned, perhaps 3500-4000 acres in 3-7, and rare onshorewas a Sooty restingon a road with Black Skim- all. mersat OcracokeI.. May 25 (RJH, JFP). Haneyalso had five Bridled Ternsoff the Georgiacoast May 1-13, andAtlanta's first LeastTern was foundin ClaytonCounty May 13 (PB, JG, RM). CaspianTerns were Out-of-rangePurple Gallinules appeared in BanksCounty, Ga., Apr. somewhatmore numerousinland than usual, especiallyat lakesin c 16-23 (JP et aLL L. Hartwell, Ga., May 2-7 (SCx), and c. Carteret NorthCarolina (Jordan, Falls, Wheeler, Woodlake), and Atlanta got its County,N.C., Apr. 30 (BH); whereasthe morenumerous Corn. Galli- long overduefirst at SweetwaterCreek S.P., Apr. 23 (D & PM). Black nule visited 4 Piedmont locales-- Winston-Salem (BWi, ToM, RS), Terns,quite rare inland in spring,were found in ClaytonCounty, Ga , and at Falls L. JordanL. (BW, MW), FallsL. (ABet al. ), andBanks County, Ga. (JP). CUCKOOS THROUGH FLYCATCHERS -- Most of the Black- SHOREBIRDS -- A good Am. Avocet count for Georgia was 93 billed Cuckooswere seenby Atlanta birders,and one observer(MAV) alongthe JekyllI. causewayMar. 6 (JD). The 5 repoItsof Am. Golden had 9 sightingsinstead of the usualzero or one. A belated,but highly Ploverswere aboutaverage, but no flocks were seen;the most notable significant,report was of two Smooth-billedAnis near Jacksonboro, wasone very early Mar. 13-14on ShacklefordBanks, N.C. (JF). Inland S.C., Dec. 5,1981 (JHD) for thesecond state record (Chat 47:23). Very shorebirdingwas disappointingat most sites, but the recently-filled early tbr the Atlantaarea was a GreatCrested Flycatcher Mar. 15 (V J) FallsL. did attracta goodvariety to e. DurhamCounty. Of interestthere SeveralLeast Flycatcherswere observedby Knappet al., May 7-8 at May 15 were threeBlack-bellied Plovers (AB, RD, JA), three Short- Raleigh and JordanL., but otherwise,migrant Empidonax flycatchers billed Dowitchers(AB, RD), and a very rare Long-billedDowitcher essentiallyavoided detection(or identification).Other notable fly- (RD). On May 10 at Falls L., were two Dunlins (RD) and two late catcherswere restrictedto the Atlanta area, where an E. Wood Pewee PectoralSandpipers (RD), the latterspecies being uncharacteristically wasearly Apr. 3 (PAR)and the only Olive-sidedFlycatcher of theseason scarcein the Regionthis spring.Counts of 200 + Marbled Godwitsat visited the Moores' backyardMay 27 (TM, PMo). Moore's Landing,n.e. of CharlestonApr. 10 (PN et al.) and 140 at PortsmouthI., N.C., Mar. 2 (JF) were excellent,although both likely were winteringflocks, as very few Marbledsseem to migrateN along SWALLOWS THROUGH VIREOS -- The only notablecount of theAtlantic Coast in spring.An outstandinginland find wasa Whimbrel BankSwallows was 100 at FallsL., May 10 (RD), whereas10 at Cedar at Pendergrass,Ga., May 29 (JP),and two undoubtedly wintering Long- I., N.C., May 14(JF) was good for thecoast. Presumably late migrants billed Curlewswere at PoItsmouthI., Mar. 2-3 (JF). A SpottedSand- May 29 were a Bank Swallowat Pondergrass(JP) and a Cliff Swallow pzperMar. 5 at Augusta(AW) was very early, and notablecounts of near Rocky Mount, N.C. (RD). Rare for the upper Piedmontwas a UplandSandpipers, all in Georgia,were 13 nearAtlanta Apr. 27 (PB), Corn. Ravenseen and heard Apr. 10 at GraniteFalls, N.C. (DC), at least 10 near Dublin Apr. 16 (TKP), andeight at GainesvilleApr. 9-30 (JP). 20 mi from montanehabitat. Extraordinarily late were a Red-breasted Red andN. phalaropeswere each noted off the coastsof SouthCarolina NuthatchMay 27 in s.e. Martin County, N.C. (ML) and a Brown andGeorgia, with 100+ Redsoff CharlestonApr. 17 (DF) of interest. Creeperseen on severaldates in May throughthe 12that Augusta(AW),

Vol 37, Number 5 859 whereit wasobserved climbing on a woodenlight pole andentering a maleswere found near the town of KingsMountain May 26 & 31 (PH, vacant woodpeckerhole I One of the Region's rarest migrants,the HW) Therewere no reportsof EveningGrosbeaks and only several for Bewick's Wren, was seenat BeaverdamRes., n. of RaleighApr. 24 thePirie Siskin. A weeklate were two Savannah Sparrows at FallsL, (RD). A Hermit Thrushwas over a weeklate at AtlantaMay 11 (DP), as May 22 (RD, HL), andthere were three sightings of theelusive Hens- was a Veery at AugustaMay 21 (CB, AW). There were manymore 1ow'sSparrow--possibly wintering birds near Folkston, Ga., Apr 23 reportsof Swainson'sand Gray-cheekedthrushes than normal, with the (PB, TM et al.) andat SandhillsGame Land, n. ScotlandCo., N C , most interestingsightings being nine Gray-cheekedson the Winston- Apr.2 (twobirds--DRe, SK), anda migrantnear Atlanta Apr. 4 (PAR) Saleinspring count (RS--nO date)and three Gray-cheeked reports on The equallydifficult-to-find Le Conte'sSparrow was seen at Raleigh thecoast in CarteretCounty, N.C., whereusually very rare in spring(JF Apr. 9-10 (WI); countingone in the mountainsthis spring, four have et al.). For someunknown reason, large numbers of CedarWaxwings beenfound in NorthCarolina since December. A Bachman'sSparrow remaineduntil the end of May overmuch of theRegion, highlighted by a wasnotable on the ChapelHill springcount May 1 (AT, TS), and flock of 160 near RaleighMay 26 (JM). despitebeing on the Blue List, excellent counts of breedingbirds were A remarkable7 species of vireoswere observed this spring, thanks to 27 in thes. portionof FrancisMarion forest near Charleston May 1 (PN, a Black-whiskered Vireo notednear Masonboro Sound, New Hanover TFH) and 10-15in n.e. Ft. Bragg,N.C., Mar. 15+ (PJC). A White- Co., N.C., May 8 (MG), for a secondRegional record. The otherrecord throatedSparrow, blind in one eye, lingeredat Raleighto May 30 closelyparallels this one: a bird founddead at nearbyWrightsville (GW), but a real disappointmentwas the singlereport of Lincoln's BeachApr. 1, 1960. A SolitaryVireo nestwas found at Weymouth Sparrow--awintering feeder bird at Harkers I., N.C., lastseen Apr 26 Woodspreserve near Southern Pines, N.C., May I (DT), thefirst nest in (SP). 10 yearsthere, andPotter had a pair buildinga nestin her yard near Zebulon,N.C.; bothsites are at theedge of thebreeding range. Excep- OBSERVERS-- RobertAke, JohnAlderman, Alan Avakian, John tionally early was a Red-eyedVireo Mar. 20 on BogueBanks, N.C. Beeier,Clarence Belger, Ted Best,Ed Blitch,Patrick Brisse, M W (WI, JF), andthe rare-in-spring Philadelphia and Warbling vireos were Britten,Micou Browne , Allen Bryan, Sue Campbell, Derek Camgan, eachfound once the formerseen and heard singing at RaleighMay 7 J.H. CarterIII, JackCarusos, Ray Chandler(RaC), Ruth Chesnutt, (DTa, DH) and the latter at GainesvilleApr. 30 (JP). AnsonCooke, Steve Cox (SCx), Larry Crawford,P.J. Crutchfield, EvelynDabbs (EDa), Lloyd Davidson, Ricky Davis, Charlotte Dawley, WARBLERS A singingSwainson's Warbler was rather early Apr. Leigh DeNeef (LDe), J.H. Dick, EleanorDodson, Jack Dozier, Jim 9 in HertfordCounty, N.C. (BW1),and several Ma•, 15 were noted in a Enterkin,Mark Epstein,L.E. Foote,Dennis Forsythe, Charles Frost, partof s.w. Atlantawhere they used to breed,and may obviously still do JohnFussell, Mark Galizio, Roger Green, Joe Greenberg, Henry Haber- so(JE, RG). A few of the scarceGoldemwinged Warblers were report- yam R.J. Hader,P.B. Fiamel,Derrick Fiamrick, Chris Haney, John ed, as usual,but truly rarewas a c• Brewster'shybrid along the Chatta- Hardwick(JFia), Paul Hart, T.F. Hassell,John Hay (JHay),George hoocheeR., near AtlantaMay 3 (PAR). TennesseeWarblers, usually Hervey,Julia Hill, BobHolmes, Tom Howard, Bob Humphries (BHu), uncommonalong the w. edgeof the Regionand rare over mostof the Fran Irvin, Wayne Irvin, Trina Jackson,Vince Jackson,Chris Kieffer, Piedmont,were noticeablymore commonthis spring.The bestcount KathyKirkman (KKi), SteveKlause, Ken Knapp, Harry LeGrand, Pat wasof fi)uron the Raleigh spring count May 7 (LDe,JW). Orange- Leonard,Merrill Lynch,AI Macdonald,Mrs. JimMallard (JMa), Rob- crownedWarblers were reportedat least5 times, with two at Clemson, ert Manns, CharlesManooch, Dennie & Pam McClure (D & PM), S C., Apr. 16 (AA, JHay)being the only multiplesighting. At nearby FrancisMichael, Peggy Moore (PMo), Teri'y Moore, Tom Mowbray Newry, a singingBlack-throated Blue Warbler Apr. 12 was early and (TOM),Jim Mulholland, North Carolina State Museum, Perry Nugent, appearedto beon territory (PBH). Obviously,later sightings of thebird Mark Oberle, JohnPaget, Dick Parks,J.F. Parnell,T.K. Patterson, are neededbefore territoriality is confirlnedat thisvery low elevation CherylPhillips, Eloise Potter, Skip Prange, P. Rainey,Paul Raney (800 ft). On territoryto the w. of its rangewas a Black-throatedGreen (PAR),Henry Rankin, JackReinoehl, Dick Repasky(DRe), David & Warblernear Fayetteville, N.C., Apr. 6-May 12 (PJC).Among late SusanRoberts, Barbara Roth, Mike Schultz,Jackie Shelton, Tony warblerswere a Black-throatedGreen at CapeLookout, N.C., May 27 Shrimpton,Ramona Snavely, Don Tarbet (DTa), Dick Thomas,John (SP) and threeBay-breasteds at the Raleigh-DurhamAirport May 25 Thompson,Andy Towle,. Mary Ann Vernocy,Skip Vetter, Bill Wag- (FIL). In FrancisMarion N.F., nearCharleston May 1, two Blackburn- ner, Margaret Wagner, Heathy Walker, Jeff Walters, Ron Warner, lanWarblers were rare for thecoast (PN party),and a possibleMourning AnneWaters, Gail Whitehurst,Bill Williams(BWI), BobWitherington Warbler was noted. Flowever,the Mourningis a very late migrant,is (BWi).--HARRY E. LeGRAND, JR., 331 Yadkin Dr., Raleigh,NC extremelyrare in thePiedmont and practically unknown from the Coast- 27609. al Plain in spring:the fairly gooddetails were nonethelessnot exhaus- tively conclusive.Louisiana Waterthrushes were early in the Atlanta area Mar. 12 (PMo, TM) and Mar. 13 (MO), and nearlyall the Con- necticutWarblers were alsoreported from this city, with two Apr. 17 (JG, JC)being extremely early. A Connecticutat AugustaMay 12(AW) was a good find there, even thoughthe city lies within the narrow migrationroute of the species. FLORIDA REGION /Herbert W. Kale II ORIOLESTFIROUGH SPARROWS -- Fussellhad a veryearly ad. c• OrchardOriole a} his Morehead City leeder Mar. 20, anda O North- Spring 1983 in the FloridaRegion (Florida east of the Apalachicola ern (Bullock's)Oriole was convincingly described from a Fayetteville River) was characterizedby frequentcold fronts,most of which were yardMar. 19-earlyMay (PJC,RC, HR), for apparentlythe fifth record accompaniedby rain, that sweptdown the peninsulaevery few days of the racefor NorthCarolina. Western Tanager, which was quite a throughoutMarch, April and early May. This of course,meant ideal rarity a few years ago, was seen4 times this season--atfeeders in conditionsfor observingfallouts of migrants,and few birderswere Fayettevillefrom the winter to earlyMay (RC, PJC,FIR), in PineKnoll disappointed,especially those who visited the Gulf coast migration Shores,N.C., winter to Mar. 9 (KKi), and in Sumtcr,S.C., winterto hotspotsof St. George Island (hereafter,S.G.I.), Ft. DesotoPark at Apr. 28 (JMa,fide EDa), andaway from a feederat Bat Cave, N.C., Mullet Key (hereafter,Ft. DeSoto), and the Dry Tortugas(hereafter, May 31 (RW). Rose-breastedGrosbeaks were rather early at Bodieand D.T.). Northwestwinds brought numerous trans-Gulf migrants to Flor- PeaIs., N.C., Apr. 16-17(RaC), whereas the McClures had as many as ida's west coast, unlike last springwhen winds mostly were easterly 26 at theirAtlanta feeder May 6. Anothernoteworthy f•eder bird was a Singleday observationsof over 20 speciesof warblersbecame almost O PaintedBunting far inlandat RaleighFeb. 25-Apr. 25 (D & SR, FI), commonplace--B.Muschlit2 had 25 speciesat CedarKey April 24, P and a possiblywintering Dickcissel was found at GuilfordCollege, Fellersand B. Coopermatched that at Mullet Key April 26, andL and N C., Mar. 7-Apr. 11(JB,fide CD). Althoughmuch suitable habitat for J. Hopkinscounted a record29 speciesin PineliasCounty (26 at Ft Dmkcisselsis presentin thew. Piedmontof NorthCarolina, breeding DeSoto alone) April 25. Even Saddle Creek Park well inland near birdshave avoided detection for manyyears. Gratifyingly, two singing Lakelandand famous for its numerousfall migrants,but not spring,had

860 AmericanBirds, September-October 1983 10 speciesof warblersApril 20 (PF). Unfortunately,these northwest fronts,welcomed by birders,may have played havoc with birdsmigrat- CENTRALSOUTHERN ing off the Atlanticcoast, especially the frontof April 24-26. Johnny ,-TALLAHASSEE$7 AnAN.C Johnsonreported nine differentinstances of passerineslanding on his t •_.l DIVISION ,'•-?i•. OCEAN boat 20-25 miles east of Cape Canaveral (hereafter, C.C.), and H. Tallahasseeef ' - "•St JohnRiver Langridgenoted a largefallout of "tired warblersand Bobolinks" in the afternoonof April 24 in Palm BeachCounty. Interestingly enough. no major kills of migrantsoccurred at any TV towersor other structures. •, / Do• I •T,t % NORTHERNX . SI.George Is. / • I WILDLIFEkLPg DayloneBeach This statementmay not applyto the hugeVehicle Assembly Building (hereafter,V.A.B.) at KennedySpace Center. The V.A.B. in the past AlligatorCadfir [ Orlando• MerrillIs hasbeen notorious for springkills, butNASA refusesto cooperatewith the Merritt Island N.W.R. in notifying them of kills, hence a lot of scientificknowledge is beinglost, needlessly. St. Pelersburg •• ...... After one of the wettest and mildest winters on record (see Hoffman's AnnaMaria•e.•'p•.•.•orl Pierce Winter Report)this springwas one of the coolest,and with a few Sarasola•k•ebr,n• exceptions,most of Florida'sresident breeders did not begin nesting until two to threeweeks later than usual. Not toosurprising, zookeepers - -. Y. s• ClewislOn/'•LOX•- notedthis same delay in breedingby theircaptive animals (fide J. Ellis). •or•screw Swamp• Lauderdale• NAT'L The late springwas probablyresponsible for the extraordinarynumber of latest-evermigration dates. Notablebirds for the periodwere Horida'ssecond record of the Bar- CapeSoble•* •e, Largo tailedGodwit, three Stripe-headed Tanagers. three or fourLesser Night- • • , DryTorlugas K.y •Flamingo hawks,and Florida'sfifth record(fourth for the Region)of the Ash- FL R DA • West '* upperKeys throatedFlycatcher. [ I LOWERKE•S Floriaa ABBREVIATIONS: A.B.S.--Archbold Biological Station; E.N.P. EvergladesNational Park; F.S.U.--Florida StateUniversity; N. Pen.--Northern Peninsula;S. Pen.•Southern Peninsula;Tally (CK) furnishedprobably the southernmost record for thisspecies. One Div.--Tallahassee Division; U.S.F.--University of SouthFlorida. wasfound dead at Mayport,Duval Co., Mar. 30 (RWL, *U.S.F.). Four MagnificentFrigatebirds at SeahorseKey, Levy Co., Apr. 15 (WRL) LOONS THROUGH FRIGATEBIRDS -- andone at S.G.!., Apr. 23 (JMS, L&BP) wereearly so far n.

HERONS THROUGH DUCKS -- Nine Great Blue Herons seen Eachwinter a fewCam. Loons occur dead or moribundalong flyingS ! 2 mi e. of CapeC., Apr. 29 (JJ)must have been disoriented. the coast.in someyears localized dieoffs have involved several Raritiesin thePanhandle were a ReddishEgret (dark-phase) on S.G.I., dozenloons. As WayneHoffman hinted in his winterperiod Mar. 4 (JEC)and a GlossyIbis at L. JacksonApr. 2 (GEM). A brilliant report,a dieoffalmajor proportions was beginning in February. ScarletIbis feeding with 34 WhiteIbises and 98 Glossiesat Wellington, By mid-Aprilan estimated 2000 loons had died along the upper 9 mi e. of W. PalmBeach Mar. 18(HPL) could have been an escapee. Gulfcoast between Pensacola and Apalachee Bay (fide TEL and Two GlossyIbises at Stock!.. nearKey WestMay 3 (PL) wereunusual anadditional 2000 + s. to Naples(fide WH). We will probably in thelower Keys. The c• Eur.Wigeon that wintered at DingDarling neverknow the exact number lost because only a fractionof these N.W.R., on SanibelI., was last seenthere Mar. 4 (LSA). A c• Corn. endedup in wildlifehospitals. the Univ. of FloridaVeterinary Merganserat St. Marks N.W.R., May 8 (JMS & PS) wasthe latestfor College,or the SoutheasternCooperative Wildlife DiseaseUnit. thisuncommon species in the Tally Div. Mostof thoseexamined showed a characteristicgastro-enteritis, but the underlyingcause as of thiswriting remains a mystery. RAPTORS-- Over 100Turkey Vultures migrating over s. Jackson- This dieoffwas probably responsible for severallater-than-usual ville Mar. 16 (JPC)were too late for the HinckleyFestival, but were observationsof loonsin breedingplumage. One off No Name neverthelessan impressivesight. Swallow-tailedKite reportswere Key May 2 {MB & HD) andtwo in Key WestMay 3 (PL) were widespreadfrom the LowerKeys to OseeolaN.F. Coupledwith the the latestfor the LowerKeys. Undoubtedly some recovering numberof sightingsof thisspecies and the Mississippi Kite in statesn. loonstoo weak to migratewill remainfor the summer.One at of Floridawe maywell be seeing a populationexplosion taking place. A S.G.I., June2 {HMS) mayhave been one of these. MississippiKite at Madart.Franklin Co., Mar. 27 (JEC)and two on the nearbySopchoppy R., Apr. 3 (BSt)were the earliest for theTally Div. Two adultss. of Ocala May 22 & 28 (with an immatureon the latter date)suggest a possibleS rangeextension ORS). Sharp-shinnedHawks EaredGrebes in breedingplumage at L. Jackson,Leon Co.. Apr. 8 were,as usual, widespread following migrating passefines. This is most (GEM) and St. MarksN.W.R.. Apr. 19 (JEC) werelate. Two rare obvious on the D.T., where one never becomes inured to the shock of SootyShearwaters were 25 mi e. of CapeC., May 22 {JJ)while 12 seeinga warbleryou have been watching for severalminutes suddenly Audubon'swere seen between Key Westand D.T.. Apr. 30, andan- snatchedbefore your eyes by a hungrySharpie. Feather puddles abound other12 off l slamoradoMay 41PL). A Black-cappedPetrel 25 mie. of in thewoods on LoggerheadKey. Imaginebeing a smallpassefine, tired Cape C., May 14 (JJ) was nearerto shorethan usual.Wilson's Storm- froma 500 mi overwaterflight, arrivingon LoggerheadMay 1, 1983, Petrelswere common e. of CapeC.. Apr. 21-May 22 {JJ),with the first thenhaving to dodgethe 59 Sharp-shinnedHawks Malcolm Simons saw datebeing the earliest for theN. Pen.Up to six White-tailedTropic- there between 8-10 a.m,! birds wereseen almost daily mid-Marchthrough mid-May at D.T. !t is difficultto characterizeCooper's Hawks reports in Florida--are (m.ob.). They wouldappear at Ft. Jeffersonanywhere between 8-10 thesemigrants or residents?Nesting has been suspected near Archbold a.m.,re main about an hour or soflying in and around the fort investigat- BiologicalStation {hereafter, A.B.S.) HighlandsCo., sinceI967, but ingopenings in thebrick walls, then fly offfor the remainder of theday. only thisspring was this confirmed by thefinding of 2 nests,both on MaskedBoobies were scarce, with one at MiddleKey, D.T., May ! A.B.S. (CEW & KM). FourCooper's in BrevardCounty Apr. 21-May (PL) and one at RebeccaShoals May 6 (HWK). Up to six Brown 16(DD, MM, DS, AF. & RCS)and one with a PurpleMartin in itsgrasp Boobieswere at RebeccaShoals all spring(m.ob.). Three were seen in ApalachicolaN.F. May 22 (TAM) suggestsit is timefor someoneto alongthe e. boundaryof BiscayneN.P. in April(RSt). An imm.Gannet conductan intensivestudy of thisspecies in Florida.A Broad-winged at AlligatorPt., FranklinCo., June6 {HMS)was the latest for the Tally Hawkat S.G.I., May 17{HMS & JMS) wasthe latest in migrationfor Div. A GreatCormorant in BarnesSound, s. BiscayneBay Mar. 16 theTally Div. Severalimmatures were still at LoggerheadKey in mid-

Vol. 37. Number 5 861 May (WH & DSM) Nothing•n theb•rdwatcher's experience surpasses Monk Parakeetsat Ft DeSotoMay 7 (JM) and scatteredreports else- the thrill of seeinga PeregnneFalcon flying free and wdd. Seven where •n the statesuggested a populationexpansion about to beg•n, s•ghtingswere widespread:L. HarneyMar. 5 (GB, DF, & BSM), helpedpossibly by cessationof colonydestruction by the federalgov- CudjoeKey Mar. 11(BSm), the Bayway, St. PetersburgApr. 2 (LS) & ernment.A MangroveCuckoo on Hypoluxo I., W. PalmBeach Apr 16 10 (LH & JM), D.T., Apr. 28-May 8 (m.ob.), and S.G.I., May 4 (HPL & GH) wasthe third springout of the last5 thatone has appeared (CHW & JMS). Sixteenrecords of Merlin throughoutthe RegionMar. there. Black-billedCuckoos, relatively rare migrants in Florida,were at 26-May 8 (m.ob.) were also encouraging. GardenKey, D.T., May 5 (LSA et al.) andDevil's Millhopper,Ala- chua Co., May 12 (BPM). TURKEYS THROUGH TERNS -- One of thejoys of visitingthe The elusiveGroove-billed Ani that winteredon PaynesPrairie was beautiful TosohatcheeState Reserve on the St. JohnsR., near Christ- lastseen there Mar. 8 (MWC), whileone of thethree in E.N.P., th•spast mas,Fla., is becausechances are good one will seewild Turkeys.Five winter was last seenalong AnhingaTrail May I (CM). Migrating werethere Mar. 27 (DF etal.), andseven Apr. 9 (DF, MK, BSu).A pair Chuck-will's-widows were seen over the Atlantic--one circled and o.fCom. Gallinuleswith five newlyhatched young at SummerlandKey attemptedto land on a small boat 8-10 mi e. of Palm BeachMar 20 May 9, werethought to bethe same pair that had six young Dec. 4, 1982 (HPL, WM, TT), andtwo were25 mi e. of CapeC., Apr. 21 (JJ) Two (MB). AmericanOystercatchers are rare on the lower e. coast,hence LesserNighthawks were on AnhingaTrail, E.N.P., Mar. 4-16 (HPL, oneat JohnPennekemp S.P., May 12 (R & RD) wasunusual. American TT, OLB), and two (?) morewere on S.G.I., Apr. 26 (JEC, SC, TK) GoldenPlovers were widespreadthis spring,possibly a resultof the andMay 4 (JMS) wherethey haveoccurred 4 of the last7 years.Ruby- frequentNW winds.One was at AlligatorPt., Mar. 12(HMS). Up to 25 throatedHummingbirds were especially abundant with almostunbehev- frequentedS.G.I., Mar. 20-Apr. 16(SC, JMS, PS).Between Mar. 12 able numbersbeing reported. One personclaimed over 100 in her yard andApr. 2 a totalof 215 wereseen at 6 differentsites in PineliasCounty, in CharlotteCounty in April (fide MS), whicheven if an exaggeration with flocksranging in sizefrom I 20 birds(LH et al.). At the same suggestsa lot of hummers.Several dozen were on GardenKey in early t•me, numeroussightings of from one to 60 birdsranged from Dade May (m.ob.), an esti•nated30 wereon S.G.I., Apr. 9 (TAM) a "dozen County,the Keys, and D.T. (m.ob.). One bird with a lame foot re- or so" fed on a bottlebrushon SugarloafKey (LK) andanother 15 on mainednear the coalingdock at Ft. Jeffersonwell into May (m.ob.), Duck Key (HD) Apr. 19. Nearly 200 wererecorded at Ft. DeSotoMar latestfor the Lower Keys. A Long-billedCurlew at CaxamasPass near 12-May 7 (m.ob.), with a high of 30 on Apr. 16 (JM etal.). The Black- NaplesMar. 4 (THB) wasa raritythere, but two at Ft. DeSotoApr. 24 chinned Hummingbird--Florida's fifth recordsthat winteredm a (PF et al.) were not unexpected. Tallahasseeyard was last seen Apr. 7 (H & HW). Possiblythe first Red- PectoralSandpiper sightings included 75 w. of DelrayBeach Mar. 19 headedWoodpecker in theMiami areasince 1966 was photographed •n (RB), one at D.T., Mar. 25 (JVL), and three along S.R. 721, n. of a southMiami backyardMay 6 (JS). BrightonMar. 30 (PH). Up to 20 visitedthe Speedway,St. Petersburg Mar. 13-Apr. 3 (LH et al.). Therare Baird's Sandpiper was at Flamin- FLYCATCHERS THROUGH VIREOS -- SevenGray Kingbirdsat go, E.N.P., Mar. 15 (RGo). A Stilt Sandpipernear Lantana Mar. 25 a bee hive in Key West Apr. 3 (SN et al.) were takingadvantage of a (HPL) tied the earliestdate for the S. Pen. (althoughsome occasionally concentratedfood source.Late W. Kingbirdsin s. Floridawere three•n winterin Florida),and 39 wereat ClearSpring Mine Apr. 30 (PF). Eight HomesteadApr. 12 (OLD & CM), oneeach on Lido Key, SarasotaApr Marbled Godwitsover Brown'sFarm Rd., nearBelle Glade markedthe 26 (MD), W. Palm BeachApr. 26 (ME), Ft. DeSotoApr. 24-26 (LH et fourthsighting in the past25 yearsfor Palm BeachCo. (HPL & GH). at.), and D.T., May 11 (DSM et at.). Scissor-tailedFlycatchers were The mostexciting find of the periodwas a Bar-Tailed Godwit at the widespread!Two (with sevenW. Kingbirds)s.w. of Delray BeachMar F.S.U. MarineLaboratory near St. James,Franklin Co., Apr. 23 (GG & 21-25(HPL & BH), oneat S.G.I., Apr. 24 (WM), CapeA.F. Sta , Apr RMC) & 25 (HMS & JMS). This representedFlorida's second record 29 (AF, DD. DS), CedarKey May 5 (BPM), and 10 sightingsat Ft (detailsto be published),the first being a bird that winteredat Port DeSoto Mar. 28-May 10 (m.ob.). Florida's fifth record of the Ash- Canaveralin the early 1970s.Two Ruffs(Reeves) were reported, one on throated Flycatcher occurredon S.G.I., Apr. 12 (JEC). A Great then. edgeofL. OkecchobeeMar. 30 (PH) andone at D.T., Apr. 5, the CrestedFlycatcher with an all blackbill (*Tall Timbers)should g•ve firstrecord for theTortugas (WH & WBR). A Black-neckedStilt at St. pauseto anyonewho might usethis bill characteralone to dist•ngmsh Marks N.W.R., Mar. 24 (JEC & SJ) wasthe earliestfor theTally Div. Wied's (Brown-crested)and Ash-throated from the GreatCrested (fide The only phalaropereported was a lone Northernbetween D.T., and HMS). An E. Phoebeat DunedinApr. 24 tied the latestdate for the N Key WestMay 2 (PL). A Long-tailedJaeger 3 mi e. of DaytonaBeach Pen. One of the rarestflycatchers in Floridais the Olive-sided,one of May 14 (TR, CT) wasthe latest for thestate. The onlyother jaeger seen which was seenand its call recordedby Oliver Hewitt in s.w. DeSoto was a Po•narine25 mi e. of Cape C., May 22 (JJ). CountyApr. 21. On Mar. 19 fourof thewintering Least Flycatchers •n A GlaucousGull in second-yearplumage was at St. AugustineMar. 6 Palm BeachCo., were still at Wellington(BH) andtwo were nearBelle (MCD). Late Great Black-backedGulls were at PonceInlet Mar. 17 (G Glade (HPL & GH). Three LeastsApr. 23 (JMS) were rarities on & AS), Ft. Pierce Inlet Mar. 28 (PH--two birds), and SanibelI. cause- S.G.I., as was one callingat Ft. DeSotoApr. 24 (JM). way Apr. 4 (LSA). A RoseateTern 20 mi e. of CapeC., Apr. 17 (JJet Rough-wingedSwallows are usuallyseen only in small numbers, at.) was either a stragglerfrom the Keys populationor a late New hence55 reportedat S.G.I., Apr. 23 (JMSet al.) weremost unusual A Englanderand was the latestfor theN. Pen. Up to 100were in theGulf CaveSwallow over the Tallahassee Sewage Ponds May 21 (GEM) wasa betweenKey West andD.T., Apr. 30 (PL). Two SootyTerns 18 mi e. first for LeonCounty, while on visitingGarden Key, D.T., May 6 (LSA of CapeC., Apr. 29 (JJ)were the earliestfor the N. Pen., andthree et at.) was not so unexpected.The Fish Crow is probablythe most morewere in the Gulf Streame. of BiscayneN.P., May 24 (RSt). Up to numerouscrow in mostof Florida, but s. of Miami they rarely occur, ten BridledTerns were c. of CapeC., Apr. 26-May 14 (JJ),40 werein hence the numerous crows seen and heard in the Homestead and E N P the Gulf e. of D.T., Apr. 30 (PL), 30 off IslamoradaMay 4 (PL), and area durng May were noteworthy(WBR, CM, KL). Thrusheswere onewas observed at leisuresitting on BushKey amidstSooty Terns May abundantand widespread from earlyApril throughmid-May. An Am 11 (LSA & BHA). Most visitorsto the D.T. in early May missedthe Robinat Hickory Mound L., Taylor Co., May 24 (JEC) was the latest loneBlack Noddy thatwas there May I 13 (SP, m.ob.) becauseit only migratingrobin by over a monthfor the Tally Div. A Wood Thrush appearedin late afternoonbetween 4 and6 p.m. at oneperch site on singingsotto voce at A. B. S., Apr. 11-12(GEW et al.) provideda hrst BushKey, inaccessibleto mostvisitors. springrecord there. The earliestSwainson's Thrush in the statewas at Ft. DeSotoApr. 4 (AM), while one at Alligator Pt., Apr. 10 (HMS & DOVES THROUGH WOODPECKERS -- Up to eight White- JMS) wasthe earliest for theTally Div. Veeriesat Ft. DeSotoApr 16- crownedPigeons were being seen regularly in theChokoloskee area this 18 (JM & CB) werethe earliest for theN. Pen. RarePhiladelphia V•reos spring(FBA). A RingedTurtle Dove, possiblyfrom the St. Petersburg were at Ft. DeSoto May 5 (LH et al.) and LoggerheadKey May 7 population,made a first appearanceat Ft. DeSotoMay 15 (RH). Nu- (HWK, MCB et at.). merouspairs are now breedingin Homestead,and at least5 sightings camefrom the Orlandoarea, and one in Apopka.One male in Orlando WARBLERS -- In the spaceallotted for thisreport it is impossibleto was seencourting 52 MourningDoves in early April (HWK). Two adequatelysummarize the number and variety of warblersightings from

862 AmericanBirds, SeptemberOctober1983 throughoutthe Region Only a few highlightsfollow A Black-and- & BC)and May 14(JH) were the earliest and latest, respectively, for the white Warbler on S.G.I., May 17 (HMS) was the latestfor the Tally N. Pen.A highof 350 IndigoBuntings were counted at Ft. DeSotoApr Dlv , as was a Swainson'sthere May 4 (JMS & CHW). The rare 16 (JH e! al.). Two there Mar. 28 (LSA & BHA) were the earliest Golden-wingedwas at Cedar Key Apr. 24 (BPM et al.), Ft. DeSoto migrantsfor the N. Pen.Over 25 reportsof Dickcisselsranged from Apr 24-28 (LH et al.), LoggerheadKey, D.T., May 1-2 (FS, LSA et D.T., to S.G.I. (m.ob.). Late Pine Siskinswere in GainesvilleApr. 11 al ), andHypoluxo I., May 5 (HPL & GH). Blue-wingedWarblers were (BPM) andTallahassee Apr. 26 (DPY), andthe last Am. Goldfinchwas equallywidespread. One at SanibelI., Mar. 25 (LSA) wasthe earliest in TallahasseeMay 26 (DPY). Otherlate birdswere a Lark Sparrow for the S. Pen. A total of 200 Tennessee Warblers was recorded at Ft. nearPalmdale Mar. 26 (LEW), ChippingSparrows in OrlandoApr. 23 DeSotoMar. 26-May 5 (m.ob.), with 61 on Apr. 26 alone(PF & BC). (DF) andon GardenKey Apr. 29 (LSA), twoWhite-throated Sparrows Two rare Nashville Warblers were on Sanibel Mar. 30 & Apr. 22 at JonathanDickinson S.P., Mar. 9-15 (MM & GH), and a White- (LSA), andone was singing in s. JacksonvilleApr. 11-12(JPC). North- throatedsinging in TallahasseeMay 15 (HMS). A Lincoln'sSparrow em Parulasat Ft. DeSotoMay 14-15 (LH, KT, MH) were the latestin bandedon Casey Key Apr. 27 (S & AS) tiedthe latest date in theS. Pen, migrationfor the N. Pen., and a Magnoliathere May 15 (MH) also whileone or two, possiblymore, were on D.T., Apr. 28-May 1 (HPL, furnisheda late record.Reports of othertrans-Gulf warblers--Black- LSA, PL). throatedGreen, Blackbumian,Cerulean, Chestnut-sided,and Bay- breastedwere also numerous and widespread. A Ceruleanbanded by the CONTRIBUTORS AND OBSERVERS -- (Area editors in bold StedmansApr. 18 was the 35th warblerspecies to be bandedat their type)F.B. Adams,D. Addison,Brooks H. Atherton,Lyn S. Atherton, stationon CaseyKey, SarasotaCounty. A SycamoreWarbler, the race Oron L. Bass,Jr., Ted H. Below, Virginia A. Below, JaniceN. Bolte, of the Yellow-throatedwith purewhite lores (Dendroica dominica albi- RichardBowen, MargaretC. Bowman,Greg Bretz, Marge Brown, lora) was closely observedon LoggerheadKey May 1 (PL). One was PageBrown, Chuck Burrman, Judith Buhrman, Robin M. Carter,Deb- seenon GardenKey in 1981 (AB 35: 816). bie Case,James E. Cavanaugh,Julie P. Cocke,Sam Cole, MichaelW The N. Waterthrushwinters in small numbersin s. Florida, but one in Collopy,Buck Cooper, Harry Darrow, Mary C. Davidson,Don Devltt, San FalascoState Preservenear GainesvilleMar. 12 (BPM) was prob- Marian DeRonde,R. & R. De Vean, Helen & Bill Dowling, Kay & ablya migrant--theearliest for the N. Pen. A closesecond was one at FrankEastman, Marge Eaton, John B. Edscorn,Todd Engstrom, Becky Ft DeSotoMar. 26 (PF). A total of 57 KentuckyWarblers were at Ft. Fellers,Paul Fellers, Judy Fisher, Allan Flock,Dot Freeman,Chuck DeSotoApr. l-May 5 (m.ob.), thelast date marking the latest for theN. Geanangel,Roberta Geanangel, Wally George,Mr. & Mrs. R. Gold- Pen Unlike mostof the otherwarblers, only the Connecticutseemed to bach(RGo), David Goodwin,Gary Graves,Wendy Hale, Francis T. bescarce this spring, with one at Ft. DeSotoMay 7 (JBet al. ) andone on Hames,Ted Hendrickson,Paul Hess, Oliver Hewitt, WayneHoffman, CaseyKey May 12 (S & AS). The first springrecord of the rare BrianHope, Judi Hopkins, Larry Hopkins, Richard Hopkins, Denny MourningWarbler at Ft. DeSotowas a maleseen May 5 (LH etak) and Hosden, Jim Hosden (JHo), Marie Hughes, Gloria Hunter, Ken & May 7 (PF et al.). Late Yellow-BreastedChats were heardcalling at KathyIrey, JohnnyJohnson, Lee Johnson, Steve Jones, Mary Keim, Merritt I., May 16 (RCS), andat Oldsmar,Pinellas Co., May 22 (JM). LoisKitching, Bobbie Kittieson, Tom Knowles, Claire Krusko, How- A HoodedWarbler at Ft. DeSotoMay 15 (MH) wasthe latestfor the N. ard P. Langridge,Jack V. Larcombe,Wendy R. Lee, PaulLehman, Pen , and tied the old staterecord, but one at TarponSprings May 28 JohnLeo, KrisiteLink, RobertW. Loftin, Fred E. Lohrer, Donald& (DH) far surpassedthese records for late migrationin this species.A GraceMace, David S. Maehr, William Matthews,Mary Mayo, Maggie Wdson'sWarbler at S.G.I., May 4 (JMS & CHW) wasthe latestfor the McCarraher (MMc), Ken McDermott, Thomas McElroy, Kevin Tally Div. One that winteredfor the secondconsecutive year (same McGowan (KMcG), Annie McKclvey, Gail E. Menk, Cliff Miles, bird9) in s. Jacksonvillewas last seenApr. 10 (JPC). A lone Canada WoodyMiley, EdithV. Miller, JeffMoore, Thomas A. Morrill, Bar- Warblerat Ft. DeSotoMay 15 (MH), the first springrecord since 1972, baraP. Mushlitz,Sally Nelson,Bruce Neville, Babs& LorenPadel- was alsothe latestfor the Region and the State, and may havebeen the ford, Tom Palmer, SusanParker, Jon Plotkin, PeggyC. Powell, Bill only Canadareported this spring. Reeves,Robert W. Repenning,William B. Robertson,Ted Robinson, Will Russell,Phyllis Sandberg, Lea Schad,Fritz Scheider,Bernice BLACKBIRDS THROUGH SPARROWS -- Surprisingly,Bobo- Shannon,John R. Sharpe,Malcolm Simons, Bill Smith(BSm), Guy & links were relativelyscarce -- only sevenwere reported at Ft. DeSoto AndrionnaSmith, JoyceSmith, RandySnyder, Robert & Marjorie Apr 17-May 14 (LH et al.), a "small" flockwas on theKey Westgolf Sokol,Sandy Sprunt, Stan& AnnetteStedman, James M. Stevenson, courseMay 13 (FTH et al.), andseveral were on S.G.I., Apr. 23-May Henry M. Stevenson,Betsy Stoutamire (BSt), RandyC. Stringer, 5, whileone there June 2 wasconsidered "normally late" (HMS). Most RogerStone (RSt), Douglas Stuckey, Bob Sullivan (BSu), Lee Sydner, winteringYellow-headed Blackbirds have departedFlorida by late Karl Thompson,Linda Tibbets, Pete Timruer, Tadziu Trotsky, Chuck Marchor early April, so one on S.G.I., Apr. 24 was unusuallylate. Turner, Chas. H. Watt, Hansell& HenriettaWatt, JoyceWilliams, This wasthe springof the OrchardOriole along Florida's w. coast. Lovett E. Williams, Chet E. Winegamer,Glen E. Woolfenden,and FromKey West to St. GeorgeI., thechatter and occasional song of this DavyP. Yon.--HERBERTW. KALE II, FloridaAudubon Society, bird dominatedthe air. Over 500 wererecorded at Ft. DeSotoApr. 23- 1101 Audubon Way, Maitland, FL 32751. May 5 (m.ob.), the latter date (BC et al.) being the latestdate for migrationin theN. Pen.On Apr. 16alone 200 orioleswere counted (LH etal ) Over 100 wereon S.G.I., Apr. 23 (JMS, L & BP). In contrast, on the Atlantic coast,two OrchardOrioles Apr. 11 (GH) & 13 (TM) furnishedonly the secondand third springrecords for Palm Beach County(fide HPL). NorthernOrioles did notn:ail far behindwith 246 at Ft DeSotoApr. 12-May7 (m.ob.), including79 Apr. 26 (BC & PF.) ONTARIO REGION One in Seminole,n. of St. PetersburgMar. 27 (JF), if not a wintering /Ron D. Weir bird, wasthe earliest in migrationfor the N. Pen.A lateW. Tanagerwas on the Ringling Museumgrounds Apr. 21 (LT.) Both Summerand Scarlettanagers were abundant along the Gulf coast,but a singleScarlet Winter's unusuallymild conditionsprevailed into early Marchnearly at DelrayBeach May 4 (BH) wasconsidered a good find for thee. coast everywhere.Late in the month,cold, wet weatherset the patternfor the (HPL). A SummerTanager at Ft. DeSotoMay 15 (MH) wasthe latest restof spring,interrupted only by an hiatusof warmconditions in the migrantfor the N. Pen. A Stripe-headedTanager appeared at Bill lasthalf of April. Widespreadwaves of migrantswere noted April BaggsCape Florida State Rec. Area nearMiami Apr. 29 (BN), anda 18, whichtook early warblers to Marathonand North Bay, April 27-30, singingmale with eithera femaleor immaturestopped briefly in Brian May 7-8, 13-15, 21-22 and 24-26. By the end of May, flycatchers, Hope's backyardin Delray BeachMay 17. vireosand other insectivores had not peaked, leading to speculationof a Grosbeaksadded their brilliant colorsto this spring'spageant. The heavymigration due in June.Species like PurpleMartin and Eastern last Rose-breastedGrosbeak of the seasonat Ft. DeSoto May 5 (MH) Bluebirdwere reportedhard hit by the adverseweather. Observers wasthe latestfor the N. Pen. Blue Grosbeaksat Ft. DeSotoApr. 26 (PF frequentlynoted insect eaters appearing exhausted and unusually tame

Vol 37, Number 5 863 as they searchedfor food on the ground. A ScarletTanager was even seen to feed on smelt at Pelee. In the following account, there are describedtwo speciesnew to the province,numerous rarities and range • LakeSuperior overshootsas well as impressiveconcentrations. Place names in italics PP G•gama denote counties.

ABBREVIATIONS- M.I. (ManitoulinI.'), P.E.Pt.(Prince Edward •_Sault Saint Point), Georgian Bay Islands, Pt. Pclec and Pukaskwaare National Parks. Algonquin, Presqu'ileand Rondeauare ProvincialParks. • North*[t• •-•-' •S•u ry LOONS THROUGH GANNET -- Weather conditions over the Great Lakes apparentlyled to lower numbersof migrantCorn. Loons. Loonwatcherhigh counts were respectively 199 and 209 at Cobourg May 5 & 7 (ERM), 87 and 105 at P.E.Pt., Apr. 27 & May 7 (K.F.N.) . • %_ ott,,,• ."1 and 117 and lO0 at MississagiLight, M.l., Apr. 30 & May 14 (JCN). L. I • -• Cornwail• I An Arctic Loon, rarein any seasonin the s., wasreported at Peleeabout May I l {fide DFR). For the secondconsecutive spring, unusually large / ..... Barri• P• erbørøugh / I •I Luther'"• '• • •.tPort •in•st•Kingst• • I numbersof Red-throatedswere counted.Six were at Whitby May 20 I •K•' ")•o,, ,•. I ..... • •Prince Edward and singleswere thereMay 22 & 27 (D.R.F.N.). Sevenothers Apr. 18- K t• J•• e•l• •or•nto • -P•n• ...... May 28 were at Inverhuron,Pukaskwa, Cobourg. Rondeau. Bronte and Presqu'ile.A matedpair was at Neys P.P., May 28. the siteof an old nSarnia breedingrecord for L. Superior(THi). Red-neckedGrebes were numer- L.St.•: H :•nd• •NiagaraFailsL. OHTARIO • / • ...... /ort ;ri• ()usand widespreadfrom Apr. I at Guelph (SRK) to May 27 at Bronte •onddau PPL• • • (DHa). Peak numbersof 250 and 520 respectivelypassed Mississagi Point PMee Light Apr. 23-24 (JCN). Hornedscontinued scarce. except at P.E.Pt., NP L. ERIE wheretheir strongpassage was led respectivelyby 95 and257 Apr. 16 & 23 (K.F.N.). An Earedwas in breedingplumage at PortStanley Apr. 25 (PR, A & CG). Singleswere at Pelee May 9, BrightsGrove May 15 Lake-ol:the-WoodsApr. 23 (MCEI, SFP) and 70 at Ottawa May 7 (DFR) andtwo remainedat BurlingtonMay l 1-13 (DGa). Pelce'sfourth (RBr). W. Grebe was seenMay 3 and 11 (DW, PWh et al.). The 350 White Algonquin'sfirst-ever Mallard nestcontained 11 eggsMay 11 (TR). Pelicansat Rainy R., May 27 wasa goodnumber (SFP). Sightingsaway The only significantconcentration of dabblersreported was the 3000 from their breedingareas included singles at Kettle Pt., May 2 (MCa) Pintailat Angus,Siretoe Apr. 22 (CJM). A • Green-wingedTeal in the and the tip of Long Pt., May 4 (L. P. B. O.). The breedingplumaged DundasMarsh was of the Eurasianrace (RFi). A pairof CinnamonTeal Gannet at P.E.Pt., May 13 representedthe first springrecord in s. at AmherstbergMay 28 - early Junewas thought to be wild (BE et al.). Ontario since prior to 1950 (RKE, MCE). Four (5 Eur. Wigconwere above-averagenumbers. That in the Corner Marsh, PickeringMar. 6-7 (fitIt, SMcG) was thoughtto have movedto HERONS --The Green Heron at KingstonApr. 12 was the earliest CranberryMarsh Mar. 26-May 4 (D.R.F.N.) andthe otherswere at Port ever thereby l0 days (EG, WG) and anotherat Thunder Bay May 5 and Stanley Apr_ 24 (RKH), Brights Grove Apr. 24-26 (DFR) and Pu- 14 was noteworthy(fitIt, MJM). "Southern" heronsput on a strong kaskwaMay 20 (THi). A Wood Duck was n. ofL. Abitibi in late May showing!Single Little Bluesincluded an immatureApr. l0 at Cranberry (TA). The wintering• TuftedDuck was still in HamiltonBay Apr. 24 Marsh (DSc et al. ), an adult May 2 at DundasMarsh (RFi) and another (DGa, KMcL). Two •? Barrow'sGoldeneyes were in OttawaMar 12- May 21 at Tiny Marsh. Barrie (fitIt, CJML The 20+ recordsof Cattle Apr. 20 (BMDi et al.) and anotherwas at Kettle Pt., Mar. 21 (AHR). Egretreverse their post- 1977 downward trend. Birds were reported from Farthern. at Pukaskwa,a male was seenMay 2 & 9 (THi). At Winona Esser includingPelee, Kent, Elgbl. Dundas,Presqu'ile and Kingston. Apr. 2. a q?Harlequin Duck appeared (KMcL). The ad. t• King Eiderat Great Egretnumbers continued to strengthenin the far southwest(CEG, e. Headland, Toronto May 26 (HGC) was likely the samebird found AHK) and 13 sightingsApr. 18-May 21 were away from L. Erie. Birds dead on the beach in Whitby harbourMay 31 (JRN). were at Cobourg, Guelph, Oshawa, Wiarton, Hamilton, Kingstonand Barrie. Record numbersof Snowy Egrets were noted. The five from VULTURES, HAWKS -- An early Turkey Vulture wason Amherst areasalong L. Erie includedtwo at PeleeMay 7 (JBM, FD), singlesat I., Mar. l0 (MB, RR) and at Wiarton Mar. 13 (DF). Their maxima of Port Maitland, Wheatley, Long Pt., May 8 (BMDu, DFR, L.P.B.O ) 130 and64 at the Grimsbyhawkwatch occurred Apr. 8 & 10 respective- and near Port ColborneMay 10-13 qMe RWK). The remainingeight ly (MCI, DGa et al.• while at Kenorapeak numbers passed Apr. 18-22 were singlesat Almonte May 5-14 (AWi, BMDi et al.) for Ottawa's (SMcL). The MississippiKite at PeleeMay 9 (MG) will be the fifth for fifth ever. Pickering& BrightonMay 19 (JMS, SMcG, J & HM), e. Ontariosince 1971 if approvedby the OntarioBird RecordsCommittee. Headland,Toronto May 27 (HK) andClavering in Grey-Bruce½J & RY) Goshawkswere in high numbersfollowing last autumn'sflight. The alongwith two at BrightonMay 20 (J & JT) and HamiltonBeach May 70 + at Grimsby, includingnine Apr. 2, surpassedthe record54 set in 24 ½KMcL). The only Louisianaheron reportedwas an adult at Pu- 1982 (fide KMcL). At Marathon, eight were migratingApr. 9 (THi). kaskwa May 19 for n. Ontario's first (THi). Two Red-shoulderedHawks at PeleeMay 21 were unusualfor that area (KB, DFR) and the largestgroup of Broad-wingedsreported consisted SWANS. GEESE. DUCKS -- Very few WhistlingSwans were re- of 190 at the MississagiLight Apr. 30. havingapparently crossed from portedaway from the southwestwhere their main flight passedMar. 1- the Michigan peninsula (JCN). Ontario's third spring SwainsoWs 16 led by 10.000 at PineryP.P., Mar. 6 (fitIt,AHK). Late weresingles at Hawk wasat Rainy R., May 19 (RDM. PS). Concentrationsof Rough- Long Pt. andPresqu'ile May 6 & 7 respectively(L. P. B .O., J & JT). The leggodswere led by 72 w. of PaisleyApr. 16 (MP), 35 on Wolfe l., Apr. main CanadaGoose flight was notedApr. 22-May 9 over areasfrom 17 (AEB, RWo) and 20 migratingn. of L. Temiskaming(PWR). Seven ThunderBay s.c. to Ottawa.The 3187 at the LongPt. causewayMar. 24 Golden and 40 Bald eagleswere sighted.An imm. Bald at the e. tip of were attributed to unusual ice conditions(L.P.B.O.). Heavy Brant Long Pt., Apr. 27 wore a yellow tag in the left wing (L.P.B.O.), movementoccurred c. from CobourgApr. 19-23 and May 9-28. Over probablyone of the 64 youngeagles released in s.e. New York since 10.000 •cre at Presqu'ile and Kingston in the secondperiod. Sight 1976. SingleGyffalcons were in SudburyMar. 27 (CGB) and on M.l., recordsn. of theseusual staging areas are scarceso the 500 and 400 at Apr. 17 {JCNL Farthers.. the nicelydocumented Gyrfalcon on Wolfe Ottawa May 15 and26 (SG). the 100(•at Pembroke.which werefollow- I., waslate •SMu. DMo). Peregrinestotaled 11 s. of M.l., andtwo were ing the OttawaR.. May 14 {JBL l0 at VirgimatownMay 31 (PWR), and at Rainy R., May 21 (RDM, PS). Two adultsreturned to a releasesite in 33 near Cochrane May 29 (TA) suggestedmovement to James Bay. Ottawa {fide BMDi) as did one in Toronto (fitIt, ALD). There were 31 Virtually all the Snow Goosesightings were accounted for by the lO0 at Merlin reportsexcluding five pairs at breedingsites.

864 AmericanBirds. September-October 1983 GROUSE THROUGH GALLINULES -- The 15 SpruceGrouse at and Icelandat HamfitonMay 29 (RCu, KMcL) SevenLesser Black- GogamaMar 1-2 were a surpriseto local b•rders(KMa) Two Bob- backedswere a spnng record P•ckenng area Mar 4-8, 24 (SMcG, whitesat Melbournein late May were the only onesreported from the DAS), CobourgMar. 12 (BO, BG), Morpeth,Kent Apr. 4 (DMa, RS), s w (DMu). The two on Wolfe I., Mar. 11 winteredsuccessfully (PS, Turkey Pt., Apr. 15-16 (BJ, GP), OttawaMay 3-12 (ad.) & 21 (imm) RDM) and anotherwas just n. of KingstonMay 22 (FA et al.). Sandhill •'de BMDi) andSauble R. mouth,Bruce May 6-20 (PM). Six Thayer's Craneswere seenin RainyR., ThunderBay andM.I., Apr. 22-May 27 at SarniaApr. 1 accountedfor half their migranttotal (DFR). An ad aswell as25 at Drydenin lateMay (LAH). Reportsfrom the s. included Mew Gull at WheatleyApr. 29-May 1 (m.ob.) furnishedOntario's only s•xat VinemountApr. 21 (BMDu), PrinceEdward in earlyMay (NQ), fifth record.Single Black-headeds were at WhitbyApr. 9 and 18 (KB, perhapsthe same two at P.E.Pt., May 18 (MCE, RKE), two at Pelee AWo) andLong Pt., May 20 & 22 (L.P.B.O.). The ad. Laughingat the Apr 25 (fide DFR) and singlesat RondeauApr. 10, Ottawa May 1 Nepeandump May 5 (BMDi, RMP) wasOttawa's first in spring.Others (BMDi). The cranevisiting N. Gowerfrom May 4, 1982finally depart- includedsingle adultsin the Long Pt. area Apr. 14, 27, May 29 ed •n the secondweek of April (fide BMDi). Up to ten Yellow Rails (L.P.B.O.), PeleeMay 11(DFR, WC1)and Whitby May 26-27 (MMcE were 'ticking' in the Richmondswamp May 21-31 (fMe BMDi). Peter- et al.). Little Gullsnumbered 56 at RondeauMar. 26, 30 at PeleeApr borough'searliest ever Corn. Gallinule was found Apr. 17 (FH). 9-10 (KB, AWo) and 16 at Oshawa'sSecond Marsh Apr. 27 (GAS, MMcE). Theonly Black-legged Kittiwake reported was an immature at Kettle Pt., Apr. 16 (AHR). Moosoneehosted Ontario's first everRoss' SHOREB IRDS -- Water levelswere high through most of the period Gull. An adultwas present May 14-23(KFA et al., ph). SevenForster's andobservers in severalareas noted a poorflight prior to mid-May.The Ternswere notedaway from theirusual L. Erie sites:three at Fanshawe hardpressed Piping Plover was reported at Peleewith one and two birds L., LondonApr. 28 (AMcT), singlesat CranberryMarsh and at Barco- May 5-7 (DFR, RB) andRainy R., May 21 (RDM, PS). Early Killdeer van near Presqu'ileMay 3 (MJB, RDM et al.), Rainy R., May 19 were at Wiarton Mar. 5 (JWJ) and Ottawa Mar. 6 (BMDi, WC) along (RDM, PS) and Ottawa May 24 (MG, I J). Arctic Tern numbersat w•th Am Woodcockat Kettle Pt., and KingstsonMar. 7 (AHR, A. Ottawawere the highest since that regular route was discovered in 1972 Scott) and Wiarton Mar. 8 (JWJ). The 32 Am. Golden Plover at Mel- About 70-80 birds were tallied May 21-31 with peaksof 22 each at bourneApr. 30 wereunprecedented for Middlesex(WRM) in spiteof a Shirley'sBay May 23 & 26 (fide BMDi). poorflight year. Tremendous numbers of Whimbrelwere seen May 20- 26 alongthe axis from the e. L. Ontarioshore to GeorgianBay and MI. OWLS THROUGH WOODPECKERS-- An exodusof SnowyOwls Somespilled over to Ottawaand Long Pt. NearWiarton, 2000 passedin from the s. occurred Mar. 27-29 and the latest were individuals near V2hour May 25 (JWJ), a remarkabletotal for a speciesnot often seen in PaisleyApr. 23 (JWJ]and Burlington Apr. 27 (MJe). TheHawk Owl on Grey-Bruce. Greater Yellowlegsarrived at Sandy L. Indian Reserve M.I., Mar. 3 waslikely a recentarrival from farthers. (JCN). Onehit by (53ø N, 93ø W) Apr. 24 (GH) andwere scarce everywhere except for the a slingshotat MoosoneeMar. 21 was admittedto the Owl Rehabilitation 200 on M.I., May 8 with 300 Lessers(JCN). Willetswere numerous for andResearch Foundation with cripplinginjuries (KMcK). Five Boreals thesecond consecutive spring led by up to 41 in thePelee area Apr. 30- were calling in Pukaskwaduring April (THi, M J) as was the one at May 2 (fideDFR). Singleswere at Presqu'ileMay 3-15 (J & JT et al.), Sandy L. Indian ReserveApr. 5 (GH). Five Chuck-will's-widows were HamfitonMay 8 (BMDu), Long Pt., May 5, 6, 15 (L.P.B.O.) and TorontoMay 24 (PWu). A lonePurple Sandpiper, rare in spring,visited callingin RondeauMay 12(HGC) and another was at LongPoint P.P , May 8 (L.P.B.O.). Early for the cool springwere a Corn.Nighthawk the LongPt. breakwaterApr. 15-16(L. P.B.O.). Pectoralswere scarce Apr. 16 and ChimneySwift Apr. 11, both in the Whitby area (DVR), throughoutthe southwest.The White-rumpedflight wasaverage with about30 sightingsand one in theWaterloo area May 1 wasearly (SRK, and a Ruby-throatedHummingbird in LondonApr. 25, their earliest ever (WGG). The Red-belliedWoodpecker at Presqu'ileMay 25 & 28 LFJ) A Baird's, alsorare in spring,was at Port Hope May 26 (BO). was their secondever (J & JT) and an amorouspair at a tree hole at Dunhn were impressivein large numbersas their main flight arrived P.E.Pt., May 13-21 led to hopesof a first nestingthere (K.F.N.) May 24. Presqu'ilehosted 10,000 May 24 whichwere reduced to 2500 Virginiatown'sfirst ever Red-headedwas seen May 15-18 (PWR) by May 26 (AGC, J & JT). Unlike the Whimbrel,the Dunlin'sflight Vestigesof winter'sBlack-backed Three-toed irruption included singles wasnot noted on M.I. (JCN). FourW. Sandpipersightings, all without at Presqu'ileto May 9 (J & JT), CoilingwoodMay 14 (DB) andfive at detafis,were reportedMay 18-30 at Presqu'ile,Hamilton, Port Hope Ottawain May (BMDi). Two N. Three-toedsat OttawaMay 22 were andLakefield. The only documentedLong-billed Dowitchers were two late (BMDi) and otherextralimitals were singlesat Ki,ng•tonApr. 13 at BrightsGrove Apr. 5-6 (AHR, DFR). Twelve Stilt Sandpiperswere (RR), GreenPt., PrinceEdward Apr. 16 (fideRTS) andGeorgian Bay aboutaverage numbers for recentsprings of which four were at St. Is., Apr. 17 (fide GB). CatharinesMay 20-29 (JB1,RWK) and threeat StoneyPt., May 21 (DFR). FLYCATCHERS THROUGH WRENS -- A W. Kingbirdwas at SingleMarbled Godwits were at MarathonApr. 26-May 4 (THi, KT, Pelee May 21 (HGC, KB, HHA) and anotherat Rainy R., May 27 MJ), PeleeMay 9 (fideDFR) andLong Pt., May 24 (L.P.B .O.), which (SFP). An observantploughman identified a Scissor-tailedFlycatcher wereaverage spring numbers. The sixHudsonians were more than usual May 18 nearPort Doveras it perchedon cornstalks in the field being at Bath May 19 (RDW), M.I., May 21 (JGL), Toronto'se. Headland worked up for corn planting(MN, WR). Anotherwas seenat Pelee May 23-June1 (HGC, ALD), RainyR., May 24 (DVW), Lakefieldand aroundMay 19 (KB, DW et al.). Early were an E. Phoebeat Carleton SudburyMay 26 (AGC et al., CTB). The sevenRuffs exceededthe PlaceMar. 9 (AS), LeastFlycatcher near Paisley Apr. 23 (S.F.N.), Tree recordfour set in 1977, 1981 and 1982. Sincethe early 1970s,it has and Barn swallowsat Pelee Mar. l0 & 1l respectively(RDM) and becomean increasingly regular, but rare, spring migrant in s. Ontario.A PurpleMartin at theMississagi Light Apr. 16 (JCN). An activeBlack- femalewas at Presqu'ileApr. 13 (RDM) andin theToronto area, a male billed Magpie's nest was found at R•tiny R., May 21 (RDM, PS) was m VaughanTownship Apr. 29 (ALD, GBe et al.) and2 malesat HollandLanding sewage lagoon May 18 (HGC). The otherswere a Canada'sfirst ever Carolina Chickadee was netted at thee. tip of Long Pt., May 18 andthe specimenis destinedfor the RoyalOntario Museum female at MelbourneApr. 30, the fifth for Middlesex(fide WRJ), a male (L.P.B.O.). The TuftedTitmouse wintering at Kingstonwas last seen at R•chmondMay 2-5, Ottawa's ninth record(BMDi, PD et al.) and a Mar. 24 (KFE et al.). The returnflight of Red-breastedNuthatches was male near CornwallMay 17 (MRWB). The showy25 Am. Avocets very light, which was expectedafter so many overwintered.Single wereremarkable! Led by ten at PeleeMay 1 (RS, JF et al.), theywere CarolinaWrens were at Pelee,Long Pt., Ajax, Oakville andEtobicoke followedby seveneach at Winona May 2 (BMacK) andEagle, w. Elgin Mar. 6-1ateMay (m.ob.) and a pair nestedat St. Catharines(MEF) May 5 (J & EM, PP) andone in Drydenin earlyMay (LAH). The 320 Wfison'sPhalaropes at theRainy R. sewagelagoon May 22 (RDM, PS) decreasedto 60 on May 24 (DVW) andtwo May 27 (SFP). The only N. M1M1DSTHROUGH VIREOS -- Mockingbirdswandering N were seenin MarathonApr. 17 & May 22 (THi, WMcA), VirginiatownMay Phalaropereport was at RichmondMay 23 (BMDi). 10 (JN) andWabigoon in May (LAH). The lastdate lbr the overwinter- ing VariedThrush in Oakvillewas Mar. 22 (DRG). An ad. Townsend's GULLS, TERNS -- Latestrecords from a heavyMarch-April flight Solitaire at Marathon Mar. 29 (THi, ph) was a nice find. Blue-gray of white-wingedgulls were single Glaucous at NepeanMay 28 (BMDi) Gnatcatcherscontinue to increaseas migrantsthrough Long Pt

Vol 37, Number 5 865 (L P B O ) and as breedersalong L Ontario'sshore from WNtby to nearby The eightundocumented reports of Blue Grosbeakam difficult Kingston A recordseven were in OttawaApr 28-May 24 (fideBMD0 to assess A female at the Long Pt breakwaterMay 18 was nicely and one was at the MississagiLight May 14 (JCN). Two Bohemian described(L.P.B.O.). Indigo Buntingswere unusuallynumerous in Waxwingswere late in OttawaMay 10 (BGa) andthe only otherreport GeorgianBay Islandsfrom May 2l (GB). A 3' Dickcisselwas in Pelee was of 28 birds at Ft. FrancesMar. 4 (DHE). Fewer than usualWhite- May 14 & 22 (CV,HGC et al.) after anotherappeared at a St. Cathar- eyedVireos were in the southwest(JPK) andthree were banded at Long ines'feeder May 8 (MEF et al.). Onewas also in KingsvilleMay 10-15 Pt. (L.P.B.O.). Singleswere in Toronto May 2 (ADo), P.E.Pt., Pres- (RLB, TM). The late Februaryinflux of EveningGrosbeaks carried over qu'ile & Springford,Oxford May 7 (m. ob.), PeterboroughMay 8 into March andsome 5000 wereestimated to be at Kingstonfeeders late (RDM, AGC) for a secondcounty record and Bronte May 23 (MJe). The in the month.Two pairsof HouseFinches spent the periodin Pembroke Warbling Vireo at Pelee Apr. 12 (JEF) was early and anotherat the (JB) and a nestwas found in PeterboroughMay 2l (RDM et al ) Pine MississagiLight May 14 wastaken by a Sharp-shinnedHawk (JCN). Grosbeakswere numerousaround Pukaskwain March (THi), scarce throughto QueticoP.P., andabsent s. of Gogama.The Eur. Goldfinch WARBLERS -- Severalvery early arrivalsincluded a Black-and- at SiouxLookout in May hadobservers wondering about its origins (ftde white at North Bay andKingston Apr. 16 (GFC, AMacP), a Magnolia, LAH). Yellow-rumpedand Chestnut-sidedat North Bay Apr. 29, 12 & 29 The earliestof five Le Conte'sSparrows in the Marathonarea was respectively(GFC), a Yellow-rumpedand Blackburnianat Marathon seenMay 2 (THi). Onewas at PeleeMay 7 (KG et al.), andAmherst I, Apr. 15 & 27 (THi, M J, KT) anda Blackpollat PeterboroughMay 8 May 22 (N & RBS), for onlythe secondspring record for KingstonAt (FH, CV e! al.). Up to five ProthonotaryWarblers were at Pelee(fide Pelee,there was a Lark SparrowMay 11-12 (DFR et al.). About 1200 AHK) and the only otherreported was at BronteMay 7 (IR, AJ, MJe). Dark-eyedJuncos were at P.E.Pt., Apr. 10 and Presqu'ileApr 14 Worm-eatingswere in goodnumbers. Several were at Peleefrom May 8 (RDW, RDM) and 750 at MarathonApr. 16, wherethree of the ore- (fide DFR). Three were bandedand threeothers seen in the Long Pt. gonusrace were present Apr. 15 & 28 (THi, MJ). Anotheroregonuswas areaApr. 30-May 13 (L.P.B.O.) whilesix were at WhitbyMay 4 (DJM, at P.E.Pt., Apr. 16 (JE, RDW). An early ChippingSparrow was in LR), BronteMay 7 & 10 (two---MJe, IR), KingstonMay 10 (PMack) MarathonApr. 17 (THi). The 28 sightingsof Clay-coloredss. of M I andP.E. Pt., May I2 (MCE). Unprecedentednumbers of Blue-wingeds include newly discoveredsites in the Harwood and Kingstonareas were the 39 sightings!Singles were n. to OttawaMay 14, their third (ERM, K.F.N.). Two March reportsof Field Sparrowat Whitby and (RG), andGravenhurst May 19 (RLB). Six Brewster'shybrids were at Port Rowan were likely winteringbirds, and that at a Marathonfeeder BronteMay 8 (MJe), Presqu'ileMay 24 & 28 (CEG, J & JT), DeepR., Apr. 17 wasrare (THi). The hardyHarris' at Harwoodoverwintered to Orillia and M.I., May 21 (WW, RLB, JCN). Ontario'seighth Black- May 13(ERM). Individualswere near Port Hope Apr. 22-May8 (ERM) throatedGray was in TorontoMay 8 (A & SN, GG). andWiarton May 11-19 (fideJWJ). Nonewas seen at Atikokanwhich is A Yellow-throatedat Pelee Apr. 30-May 4 wasjoined by a second unusual(SFP). LaplandLongspurs were numerous after Apr. 17 andthe May 4 (fide DFR) andthe only otherwas at Kettle Pt., May 22 (AHR, largestflock contained300 and200 respectivelyMay 2 & 6 at Llnwood TCr). Early Prairieswere at OttawaMay 3-4 (RK et al.), IngersollMay andIroquois Falls (SRK, PWR). A documentedSmith's Longspur was 6 (RS), very rare at both locations,and in GeorgianBay Is., May 7-8 reportedat MarathonApr. 24 (THi), very rare e. of ThunderBay (GB), earliest ever for Muskoka. The usual numbers of Louisiana Wa- terthrusheswere at Pelee, Long Pt., and Kingston,but unusualsingles CORRIGENDA -- AB 37:175. The Whimbrel at Barrie Sept 9 were at CoilingwoodMay 1 (DB) and near CambridgeMay 12-20 shouldbe creditedto J. Thompson.The Red Phalaropereported at the (TCh). FourKentucky Warblers were at PeleeMay 8 whereone or two Dundasmarsh Aug. 29 was actuallya Northern. were seen daily (DFR) and four was the season'stotal at Long Pt. (L.P.B.O.). Seven others were reported at Port Glasgow, P.E.Pt., SUB-REGIONAL EDITORS (boldface) CONTRIBUTORS (italic) Whitby, London, Mud L., near Welland, Kettle Pt., and KomokaMay and CITED OBSERVERS -- K.F. Abraham, R.F. Andtie, T. Arm- 7-28 (m.ob.). One Yellow-breasted Chat was found dead at London strong, F. Avis, H.H. Axtell, M.J. Bain, A.E. Bell, C.T. Bell, G Apr. 26 (JRC) and 19 were in the Long Pt. areaMay 4-27 of which 10 Bellerby(GBe), G. Bird (GB), J. Black (JB1),C.G. Blommc,M R W wercbanded (L.P.B.O.). Two were at Whitby May 7-11 (D.R.F.N.), Boissonneault, J. Bouvier (JB), R.L. Bowles (RLB). R. Bracken singlesat IngersollMay 8 (DB). BronteMay 9 (MJe) andP.E.Pt., May (RBr), M. Brown (MB), R. Brown (RB), D. Bucknell, K. Burk, A G 19 & 22 (K.F.N.). It was a banneryear for Hooded Warblers. Away Carpentier,J.R. Cartwright,M. Carton(MCa), T. Cheskey(TCh), M frownPelee where up to five/daywerc seen(DFR) andLong Pt., where Clark (MC1), W. Clarke (WC1), G.F. Cko; W. Coburn(WC), T Crabe five werebanded and three lnore sighted (L.P.B.O.), therewere singles (TCr), H.G. Curtie, R. Currie, M.P. Davis, A.L. Dawe (ALD), F at London and Port Glasgow, three in Niagara. singlesat Hamilton, Deiter, B.M. Dilabio (BMDi), A. Dobson (ADo), B.M. Duncan Toronto,Cobourg, Whitby, Presqu'ile,Kingston and two at P.E.Pt., (BMDu), P. Dunn, DurhamRegion Field Naturalists,B. Eaton, K F May 7-20 (m.ob.). Edwards, M,C. Edwards (MCE), R.K. Edwards, D.H. Elder, M C Elder (MCE1), J. Ellis, J.E. Faggan, R. Finlayson,D. Fletcher,J BLACKBIRDS, TANAGERS -- Away from the nestingareas in Flynn, M.E. Foley,R.A. Gairdnet;D. Gardiner,B. Garvin(BGa), M Lwnbtonand the Brucepen., the one W. Meadowlarkwas reported near Gawn, S. Gawn, A. & C. German, B. Gibson (BG), G. Gibson, W G LindsayApr. 16 & 22 (FH, AGC). Tcn pairsof Yellow-headedBlack- Girling (WGG), L. Gollert, C.E. Goodwin, R. Gorman, E. Gray, W birdswere in the marshesof StoneyPt. lagoonfrom May 15 (HGC, Grummett (WG), D.R. Gunn, D, Harding (DHa), R.K. Haywood, F DFR). Straybirds werc at KingstonMay 9 (BAW) andLong Pt., May Helleiner, T. Hince. G. Holborn, L.A. Howe, S.C. Howlett, D d 28 (L.P.B.O.). The 70 and55 at Rainy R., May 21 (RDM, PS) & May Hussell, R.D. da•nes, A. Jaramillo, W.R. Jarmain, M. Jennings 27 (SFP) respectivelywere high counts.Ten OrchardOrioles at Long (MJe), L.F. Johns,J.W..Johnson, B. Jones, I. Jones,M.Jones (MJ), Pt., May 7-24 weremore than the usual(L.P.B.O.) as werethe five at A.H. Kelley, H. Kerr, R. Killeen(RK), KingstonField Naturalists, J P P.E.Pt., and three at Pmsqu'ilcMay 7-18 (K.F.N., CEG e[ al.). An Kleiman, R.W. Knapton (RWK), S.R. Kozak, L. de K. Lalvren•e, P adultreached M.I., May 22 (JGL). A c• Brewer'sBlackbird was e. to Lehtnan.J. G. Lemon, Long Point Bird Observatory,C.J. MacFay- P.E.Pt., May 4 (RDW) andtwo eachwere at KettlePt., Apr. 26 (AHR) den, B. MacKenzie, d. & H. MacKenzie, P. Mackenzie(PMack), A and TorontoMay 21 (DLove et al.). A possible? W. Tanagerwas MacPhail, W.R. Maddeford, D. Martin, K. Martin (KMa), W. McAl- reportedat Pelee (AGC et al.) and has yet to be consideredby the lister, M.J. McCormick, E.R. McDonald, M. McEvoy, S. McGre- Ontario Bird RecordsCommittee. Two SummerTanagcrs were picked gor, K. McKeevet,J. & E. McKishnie, K. McLaughlin, S. M(Leod, up dead at Peleein early May and an imm. lnale was thereMay 12 R.D. McRae, A. McTavish, P. Middleton (PM), J.B Miles, D. Moffatt (DFR). Singlemales were at BurlingtonMay 10 (DGa) andSt. Cathar- (DMo), D.J. Mountjoy(DJM), S. Muldal (SMu), multipleobservers roesMay 10-11 (LG, JB1). (m.ob.). D. Murray (DMu), T. Murray, A. & S. Nash, M. Nemoroskl, J. Nickerson(JN), J.C. Nicholson (JCN), J.R. Nisbet, B. Olson, M FINCHES, SPARROWS -- The wintering c• Rose-breastedGros- Parker,S.F. Peruniak, G. Pond,R.M. Poulin, P. Pratt,N. Quickerr,L beakat Ottawaspent March at the feeder(BMDi) andanother appeared Raczcowski,W. Rant, P. Read,T. Regan,I. Richards,P.W. Richter, at an Oshawa feeder Mar. 26 (DJM), presumablyhaving wintered A.H. Rider, R. Rogers,D.V. Ruch, D.F. Rupert, D.C. Sadlet, Sau-

866 AmericanBirds, September-October 1983 geenField Naturalists,G.A. Scott,D. Scovell(DSc), A. Simpson,P. Weller,D.V. Weseloh,P. Wbelan(PWh), A. Wiles (AWi), D. Wilkes Sinclair,R.H. Smith, R. Snider(RS), J.M. Speirs,R.T. Sprague,N. (DW), A. Wormington (AWo), R. Worona (RWo), P. Wukasch & R.B. Stewart,D.A. Sutherland(DAS), J. & J. Thompson,K. Tier- (PWu),J. & R. Yaki RON D. WEIR, 294Elmwood Street, Kings- ney, R.G. Tozer, C. Vardy, W. Walker, B.A. Weir, R.D. Weir, P. ton, Ontario, K7M 2Y8.

NIAGARA-CHAMPLAIN REGION /DouglasP. Kibbe

This springwas one of the mostproductive in memory,judging from the numberof raritiesand recordhigh counts•eported by observers throughoutthe Region. Ironically this plethora is, in partat least,a result of austereweather which delayedmany arrivals and stressedearly- CK • $ •. I • i arriving species.It rained or snowedon virtually every weekend(15 straight)during the season,inducing major "groundings"on manyof them includingMay 22 when one party of Rochesterarea birders was able to amassa list of 183 species.Snowfall, which was scantthe past winter, blanketedparts of theRegion with 2-3 feet April ! 6-2 !, muchto the distressof manyearly-arriving species. The last snowfallcame the secondweek of May. Overallit wasone of thewettest springs in history. Black Vultureat Cold Spring,N.Y., May 9 (B]derkins,fide B.O.S.) Gypsy mothsremained locally abundantin centralNew York although wasunexpected but pales by comparisonwith Vermont'sfi•t Swallow- infestationshave abated farther east. Staggeringcounts of non-raptors tailed Kite in 70 yea• watchedand followed by car throughthe out- on the Ontariolakeplains hawk watcheswill, hopefully,underscore the ski•s of Middlebu• May 26 (BR, MPD). While the sp•ics is not importanceof lakefrontnatural areas as staging sites for migrantsbefore unprecedented,its appearancewas, to saythe least, unexpected. While shorelinedevelopments all but eliminatethem. spaceprevents a fuji dise,ssio•of the intfig,i•g resultsfrom tbe Re- gion's 2 •st ma•ed hawk watches,Derby •ill a•d BraddockBay, LOONS THROUGH WATERFOWL-- As usualRochester enjoyed some compaqsonswa•nt specialatOmion. Both watchesenjoyed the best concentrations of loons and Red-necked Grebes. Numerous spectacularB•ad-winged flightsin late April, the "Bay" hosting countsexceeded 100 in April despitean armada of fishing boats in i !,172 Apr. 27 whiletbe "Hill" peak13,321 came 2 dayslater. Other restingand flockingwaters. Horned and Pied-billedgrebes, however, speciesshowed fairly dose co,elation of •ak Bightdates and sp•ies continuedto showevidence of declines.Virtually unprecedentedat this talliesbetween sites (with the "Hill" usuallyslightly higher. • expect- seasonwas a Gannet seenat HamburgApr. 16(RA). Most fall strays ed). On Apr. 14, however,the "Bay" enjoyed• Am. Kes•e] migra- presumablyperish as had the immaturefound dead Mar. 2 at Oswego tionof unprecedentedp•po•ions as i ! 66 streamedpast. This one-day (GM, fide PD). Two White Pelicansat Pt. Gratiot May 22 (AS et al., t•ly exceededthe entire season'scount at the "Hill" and constituted fide B.O.S.) continuedthis species'series of annualappearances. Dou- 66% of tbe seasonal"Bay" count. Apparentlymost of thesefalcons ble-crestedCormorants. nesting for the first time lastyear on L. Cham- crossed L. Ontario somewhe• between the 2 watches, but the real plain, occupied15 nestson Vermont'sYoung I. thisyear. Cattle Egrets, myste• is whatinduced them to amassat the "Bay" in thefi•t place. althoughwidely reported,have failed to establishRegional breeding Other signific•t or record(*)t•]ies •om the "Bay" and "Hill" re- coloniesaway from the L. Champlainislands despite scattered breeding s•ctively includeTurkey Vulture 2133 and 1437, Ooshawk 141' and attemptsin the past. Whetherthis representsa lull in the species'pre- 162, Sha•-shi•ed 10,573' and 6142, Red-tailedHawk 3008 and viouslyexplosive expansion or the reachingof a true geographicor 8166', Broad-win•ed30,037* and 40,108, Oo]denEagle 9 and 15, climaticconstraint to their spreadremains to be seen.Two GreatEgrets Bald Ba•]e 36 and ]5. Marsh Hawk 6•i a•d 1077', Merlin 13' a•d ! 1 were foundat Rutland,Vt., while the usualhandful (max. 3) wasfound and totals•9,989 and 60,305. B]sewbere,Osprey have returnedto at a scatteringof c. and w. New York localities.Two Snowy Egrets Montezumato nestfor thethird year while in Vermonta OoldenBa•le in appearedat Kendalland anothercontinued a patternof appearancesat AddisonCounty (•) and a light-phaseOyrfalcon at Newark Apr. 19 Herrick's Cove, now perhapsthe mostlikely localityin the Regionto (CA) rounded out the notables. regularlyfind this southernstray in spring.Only a few LeastBitterns Wild Turkeys,locally intr•uced throughouttbe Region over the past were noted and Am. Bitternswere scarcelybetter reportedby most severald•ades, havecontinued to expandon all frontswhile Bobwhite observersalthough an extensivesurvey of n. New York marshesfound r•ely manageto survivethe winter, singlesat Webster,N.Y., and themregularly. An influx of GlossyIbises yielded sightings at Iroquois Woodstock,Vt., beingthis ynar's sole exception. This spdng'sSand- N.W.R., BraddockBay and, in Vermont at ShelburneFarms. hi]] Crone repo• comesfrom Derby •ill May 5 (6•). The seriesof Five cygnetsseen with threead. Mute Swansat PerchRiver W.M.A. stormswhich traversedthe Regionproduced many shorebirdfailouts, in mid-May wereevidence of at leastsporadic breeding in theRegion. A themore notable of whichinclude: 300 Semipa]matodPlovers May 26 at good Whistling Swan migrationwas upstagedby the massingof Iroquois(6.O.•.), 200 B]ack-beHiedP]ove• Apr. 29 at Montezuma 140,000 CanadaGeese at MontezumaN.W.R., and77,000 at Iroquois (VD), 125 •sser Ydlowlegs May 3 at Hamlin (O.O.S.), a Wilier at N.W.R. in mid-March.Snow Geese were also exceptionally abundant, EldoradoMay 5 (RW), upto sixWhimbrel May 20-26at ]r•uois (JM), peakingat 30,000 at MontezumaN.W.R., in mid-April.All thesetallies 95 PectoralSandpipers May 7 at Bergen(ROS), 1600Dun]in at Ham]in are unprecedented.Rarities included a BarnacleGoose, of unknown and a•other i 500 + at lroq,ois May 26 (R.B.A.), 100+ Sho•-bil]ed origin, at Iroquois(RA et al.), White-frontedGeese at Iroquois(m.ob.) Dowitcbe• May 15 w. of R•hester (WS), Stilt Sandpipersat Six Mile and BiddlecumMarsh (FS) and a pair of Barrow'sGoldeneye (JM) at Creekand Hamlin, 2•0 Semipa]matedSandpipers at Ham]inand an- Winooski in March; a Eur. Green-wingedTeal at Clay Marsh (FS, other2500 at Oak OrchardW.M.A., May 26 (R.B.•., O.O.S.), four m.ob.), Eur. Wigeonat Buffalo(RA, RB) andRochester (F + RD); and W. SandpipersMay 30 w. of Rochester(MD), a HudsonianOodwit a c• Common Eider at Montezuma(VD, fide WB) in April. May ! 1 at Iroquois(B.O.S.), up to four Wi]son'sPhala•pes at 4 w. New York locationsand an American Aweet whichspent most of the HAWKS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS -- Vermonters owe a debt of latter half of May at I•quois (m.ob.). The preponderan•of records appreciationto the Canadianrock climberwho foundtheir first Turkey Eom Iroquoiswas due in pa• to the timelydrainin• of CayugaPool to Vulture nestMay i i just s. of Philipsburg,Quebec (RG,fide MG). A comro]ma•h vegetation.

Vol. 37, Number 5 867 GULLS THROUGH WOODPECKERS-- Apparentlyrealizing that BLACKBIRDS AND SPARROWS -- Three W Meadowlarks were theVermont Breeding Bird Atlas was finished, a pairof GreatBlack- located in c. New York, at least two on territory. Other w. visitors backedGulls nested on Young I. (R&DL) for thefirst time in history. includeda Yellow-headed Blackbird at TonawandaW.M.A., in March Raritiesincluded a LesserBlack-backed at IroquoisMar. 10 (PH), an (JM) andFillmore in May (Younget al.) andup to 15 Brewer'sBlack- ad Laughingat FairHaven May 21 (fide,PD), a LittleGull at Geneva birdsat Hamlin(G.O.S.). The latterspecies may well be addedto the duringApril and May (JC), a possibleimm. Thayer's Gull at Burlington Region'sbreeding bird list in thenear future. Sixteen locations reported (WE, NM) andVermont's second Ivory Gull foundMar. 3 at the OrchardOrioles including3 in Vermont'sChamplain Valley. Two ChlttendenCounty dump (PT). A belatedreport of a Black-headedGull SummerTanagers were found near Rochester in mid-May.An unbeliev- pairingwith a Ring-billedon Little Galoo I., lastspring was also re- ably earlyIndigo Bunting was found Mar. 31 at Livonia(HM, fide ceived(fide HC). Forster'sTerns, reports of whichhave declined dra- G.O.S.). Althoughnormally late migrants,many others appeared at maticallyinthe past several years, were virtually unreported this spring. feedersfollowing light snowfalls in earlyMay. At PineCity, N.Y., they Bothpairs of BarnOwls reported were in theL. Champlainvalley, an wereoutclassed by a PaintedBunting May 6-7 (DC et al., fide WB) areawhich apparently harbors the northernmost regularly breeding pop- Dickcisselsappeared briefly at Greeceand Ithaca but gave little indica- ulationin e. North America. Owl enthusiastsbanded 33 Saw-whetOwls tionthat they might breed. Winter finches remained scarce except for inNoyes Sanctuary one. LakeOntario this spring but were unsuccessful the usualsurge of Am. Goldfinches.Grasshopper and Henslow's spar- in nettingor observing a possible Boreal heard calling there Apr. 1 (RSS rows continueto eludemost observers. Rarities included an "Oregon" etal., fide OAS). As usual Whip-poor-will records were sparse although Juncoat Brighton(CC etal. ,fide G.O.S.), a Le Conte'sSparrow May six were found aroundthe marshesof Black L., in n. New York in late 14 at Carlton(RO, RD, fide R. B.A.), a Clay-coloredSparrow againat May. ChimneySwifts arrived at severallocations mid-April just days Pomfret,N.Y., May 29-30 (FRet al.) andVermont's second record at priorto thestorm that dumped 2-3 feetof snowon portionsof the an AddisonCounty feeder May 5 (K&JA) plus the Harris' Sparrow Region.Kestrel wasn't the only species to be seenin abundanceat which continuedat a Fredonia, N.Y. feeder until Mar. 5 (Goetz) BraddockBay Apr. 14,as 280 Belted Kingfishers (20 times the Region- al highcount) and 263 Com. Flickers (RD et al.) alsostreamed by on CONTRIBUTORS and cited (boldface)observers -- C. Alexander, thatdate. Localities reporting Red-headed Woodpeckers increased, with S. Allaben,Alleghany County Bird Club, J.J. Allen, J. & K. An- at least a half-dozensightings in Vermont. drews,R. Andtie, D. Bassett( D Ba), W. Benning,E. Brooks, BuffaloOrnithological Society, L. & D. Burton,R. Byron,D. Cargill FLYCATCHERS THROUGH SHRIKES-- A newhigh count of 21 (DCa), C. Cass,Cayuga Bird Club, L. Chamberlaine,D. Clements, GreatCrested Flycatchers was established at LetchworthS.P., May 22 J. Corcoran,K. Crowell, H. Cuttle, M. Davids,M.P. Dawson,P. (D Ba) andflocks of 5000 Tree Apr. 14, and500 Rough-wingedswal- DeBenedictis,V. Dewey,F. & R. Dobson,J. & M.C. Dye, W lowson L. Ontariowere notable although not unprecedented. Although Ellison,D. Freeland,R. Galbraith,Genesee Ormithological Society, reportedly"well documented"(MW,fide WB) it is somewhatmystify- M. Gosselin,P. Hess,High PeaksAudubon Society, R. Knight,O. lng how a Violet-greenSwallow at Big Flatscould be identifiedas an Komar,S. Laughlin,R. & D. Lavallee,N. Martin,G. Maxwell,M. immatureMay 18. The dynamicsof Blue Jay migrationand breeding Metcalf, J. Morse, J.D. Morse,J. Nicholson,W. Norse, R. O'Hara, remain an excellentsubject for someenterprising investigator. More OnondagaAudubon Society, V. Pitzrick,F. Rew,B. Rist,Rochester than 3600 passedPinehurst May 25, 2 days after a pair was found Birding Association,M. Rusk,A. Schaffner,F.G. Scheider,R S feedingyoung at Belmont.Can the migratorysegment of the popula- Slack,G. Smith,R.G. Spahn,W. Symonds,P. Taber,S. Taylor, tion, whichis obviousalong the lakeplains well intoJune, be comprised Vermont Institute of Natural Science, R. Walker, M. Wells -- exclusivelyof nonbreedingsubadults, if sucha cohortexists? Extraiimi- DOUGLAS P. KIBBE, Box 34, Maryland, N.Y. 12116. tal Com. Ravens were more evident than ever with up to three in AlleganyCounty, four past Derby Hill Apr. 14-May19, plus sightings at Hamlinand Connecticut Hill. At 10,000strong Am. Robinwas by far the mostabundant species at BraddockBay Apr. 14 (RD et al.). The Varied Thrush reappearedMar. 14 after a snowstorm(DCa et al.). Two BohemianWaxwings Mar. 7 & 8 at Londonderry(SA) concluded the lacklusterappearance of thisspecies this winter. A CedarWaxwing bandedat Alfred Stationsported bright orange-tipped tail feathers(fide APPALACHIAN REGION EB). At leasttwo N. Shrikeslingered into the firstweek of April, while the earliestof a dozenLoggerheads appeared Mar. 27. /George A. Hall

VIREOS AND WARBLERS -- At least a half-dozenWhite-eyed It was a crazy season,one whichtaxes the ingenuityof a Regional Vireos were found in w. and c. New York Apr. 25 +. A Philadelphia Editorto sumup in a few words.The winterhad been mild anddry, and V•reoarrived shortly afterwards, May 1 (MR, fide PD) extremelyearly early March continuedthis trendwith temperaturesreaching near the for this speciesand more remarkable considering the generallyinclem- 80øsF. In mid-Marchthings suddenly changed and we hadour w•nter ent weather. ProthonotaryWarblers, presumablyovershooting their From then on the season was colder than normal and much wetter than breedinggrounds at Iroquoisand Montezuma,occur as rare but fairly normal.At Pittsburgh,April hada temperaturedeficiency of- 112 day- regularspring migrants on the lakeplains. This yearwas no exception degreesand a precipitationexcess of +0.63 inch, while in May the althoughone of the 3 extralimitalreports came from the Adirondacks temperaturedeficiency was only 78 day-degreesand the precipitation (f•deH. P.A.S.). Abouta dozenWorm-eating Warblers were identified excesswas 1.88 inches.Similar conditionsprevailed throughout the in the bestinflux experiencedby c. New York in recentyears. A half- Region.There were several light snowfalls in April including2-3 inches dozenOrange-crowned Warbler records, all in c. andw. New York, is in Knoxville, and 5 inchesin Elizabethton,Tennessee, on April 18 At alsowell abovenormal for spring.At leastnine Yellow-breasted Chats, Lock Haven, Pennsylvania,it rainedon 13 consecutiveweekends, and threeKentucky Warblers and two ConnecticutWarblers, the latter very other locations were almost as drenched. rare in spring,were spottedin New York. This listingof raritiesin no The waterfowlmigration started in Februaryand most individuals had waydoes justice to theunusual congregations of usual migrants noted by left by early March. Howeverthe passerinesdue to arrive in March, manyobservers, particularly along L. Ontario.General observations suchas the blackbirds,were slightlylate. Numbersof thesemigrants andmist nettingby bandersindicated shrub and forest habitats support werenot especiallyhigh. Throughoutthe cold, delayedwinter of April hordesof passerinesstaging for the flight acrossthis Great Lake. At mostspecies were in low numbersand arrived late. In manycases "first peak times concentrationsmay numberin the thousandsof birds/100 seen" dateswere aboutnormal, but in generalarrivals were late. The acres.Observers can provide a valuableconservation service by identi- April migrationcould best be describedas "dull." Speciesdue to arrive fying thoseareas harboring the greatest concentrations, estimating their in the last week of April failed to appearat that time. Plantshad been numbers,and lendingsupport in preservingthese areas for the future leatingout andflowering since early March, and this continued despite generationsof birds and birders. moderatelyheavy frosts as late as early May.

868 AmericanBirds, September-October 1983 N.Y. May 21 (RCL & RM). Cattle Egretsstaged a real invasionand were MICH. reportedfrom P.I.S.P. (SS); StateCollege, Pa. (HH); CarnifexFerry S.P., W.Va. (RRi); Roanoke(BK & LK); New Hope, Va. (LT, RSn); Asheville, N.C. (RW), and 32 in Meigs, Tenn. (CC). Yellow-crowned Night Heronswere nestingin Bradley,Tenn_ (K & LD) and nearRoa- noke (MD & BH), and one was seenat Little BeaverS.P., Raleigh, W.Va.. Apr. 30 {JR). A GlossyIbis was present at Waterford,Pa., Apr. 29-May 9 (SS), anda WoodStork wasin Rowan.Ky., Apr. 30 (FB).

WATERFOWL -- As reportedin the lastaccount many ducks appar- ently winteredn. of this Region,and so the springflight was not very heavy. Most of the birds left the Region by mid-March, 2-3 weeks earlierthan normal. At P.I.S.P., only about 13,000 divingducks were presentat the peakwhich is about30% belowthe 1982 number.There weresome good concentrations. as for examplethe heavyRing-necked Duck flight and the good Redhead and Canvasbackflight near the P.N.R., in s. Pennsylvania(RCL), the 3000+ scaupat Chickamauga L., Tenn., Apr. 2 (LD & PR), and the remarkablenumber of 250 Blue- wingedTeal in Rockingham.Va. (R.B.C.). Mute Swanswere seenat Crawford. Pa.. Mar. 26-Apr. 8 (BG, JM), in Greene, Pa., Mar. 28-May ! (RB), and at Morgantown,W.Va., in late April (GAH). The Whistling Swan flight was not spectacularand the only recordsout of the usualflight line came from ShenandoahL., Va., with 27 seen Mar. 21 (R.B.C.). At PymatuningL., Pa., the numberof breedingCanada Geese was about normal but at nearbyErie Thingsbegan to changefor thebetter about May I with a big influx of N.W.R., theycontinue to increase(RFL). Variousintroductions have birds in the north, and a very heavy movementin the south (i.e., resultedin CanadaGeese nesting at many placesthroughout the Region. Knoxville). Despitethe cool, wet weatherthe May migrationproceeded This certainlyhas been a successfulseries of experimentsand one with severalgood influxes. The lastof thesewas aboutMay 14-15. but wondersif the goosewill becomea pest in someareas as it haselse- duringthe lasttwo weeksin May largenumbers of manyspecies came where. The only reportof Snow Goosewas of one at L. Arthur, Pa., through.This movementcontinued through the end of the periodand Apr. 8-10 (m.ob_)and possibly the samebird at a nearbylocation Apr. indeed such birds as Swainson's Thrushes and some warblers were still 17 (JH). movingthrough in numbersduring the first week in June.In the Cheat The moreunusual records included Eur. Wigeonat L. Somerset,Pa., Mountainsof West Virginia two censusestaken on May 30 andJune ! ! Mar. 24-27 (RM) and at Mosquito L., O., Apr. 4-10 (CB). Several showedthat while all specieswere presenton the earlierdate the full speciesmore commonon the Atlanticcoast or the Great Lakesthan numbershad not arrivedby that time (GAH). inland were reportedin unusualnumbers. Oldsquaws staged a good As usual there was disagreementbetween areas in evaluatingthe flight and were found at Tidioute. Pa.. Apr. 4 (JK); WoodcockL.. Pa., migration,but moreplaces found it to be a goodone thandid not. The Apr. I (RFL); L. Somerset,Pa., Apr. I and Donegal, Pa., Apr. 4 wet weekendsperhaps discouraged the birders,but the birdsdid move (RCL); 52 nearLower Burrell, Pa., Apr. 6 (RBa & RP); and Shenando- through. ah L., Va. (R.B.C). GreaterScaup are not oftenreported inland but up For the first year in many, therewere essentiallyno "northerninvad- to 40 werepresent at ShenandoahL. in earlyMarch (R.B.C.) andmost ers" to addspice to the early partof the period.On the otherhand, the of the 3000 scaupat ChickamaugaL., Tenn., Apr. 2 wereGreaters (LD accountthat follows probablyhas more bold faced "goodies" than is & PR). White-wingedScoters were reported from 5 Pennsylvanialoca- usualfor thisRegion, and several species which are often scarce in the tions,Bald Eagle S.P. (CH), ConneautL. (RFL), P.I.S.P. (m.ob., BG, springmade very goodshowings. SS); Edinboro,Pa. (JH, KW), and L. SomersetMay 14 (RCL, RM, !n the following accountnames in italics are counties.There are no KP). Thislast bird was possibly paired with a • Redhead.A SurfScoter duplicateplace names. Places are locatedby stateonce or twiceonly. was at P.I.S.P., at the late date of May ! (SS) and a pair near Davis, W_Va., Apr. 25 (YL) providedthe seventhrecord for the state. LOONS TO CORMORANTS -- The flight of Com. Loons was somewhatlate but generallyheavy, as for example100 at Bald Eagle RAPTORS -- The only attemptto monitorthe N raptorflights came S.P., Pa., in early May (CS) and a flock of 70 at Lock Haven, Pa., May from Washington,Md., where! 800 birdsof ! 2 specieswere observed in 8 (CH). Therewere numerous reports of loonsstill presentat theend of 34 days of observation.The leadingspecies were 238 Sharp-shinned May and into early Juneeven as far s. as Chattanooga(BCo). The only Hawks and 438 Broad-wingeds(166 on Apr. 27--L & TDo). On Apr. report of a Red-throatedLoon was at PresqueIsle S.P. (hereafter, 2, 184 birdsof 9 specieswere observed on thes. shoreof L. Erie, but no P.I.S.P.), Pa., Apr. 2 & 4 (JM, TK). A Red-neckedGrebe was at Bald other goodflights were observedthere (fide JM). Goshawkswere nest- Eagle S.P., from late March to late April (KJ). HornedGrebes were ing nearWarren, Pa. (DO), and wereregularly seen on LaurelHill near morecommonly reported than they have been in recenty.ears. A White P.N.R. (RCL). They were alsoreported from locationsthroughout w. Pelican wasat P.I.S.P., May 4 (RR). Double-crestedCormorants were Pennsylvania.Both Sharp-shinnedand Cooper'shawks seemed to be unusuallyabundant. One at Warren,Pa., May 2 (H J) wasthe first there doingwell. A MississippiKite wasat ChattanoogaMay 3, providingthe since 1957. One was still presentat ChattanoogaMay 26 (RS). secondspring record (RS). Ospreyswere more commonthan usualand the Washingtonspring HERONS--Great Blueand Green herons were more commonly seen count listed 193 with 60 sightedApr. 27 (L & TDo). A regrettable thanusual. From 50 to 77 GreatBlue Heronswere present at P.I.S.P. in occurrencewas the shootingof threeOspreys near Waynesboro,Va. April (JM). The Great Egret continuedto be more numerousin spring (fide RSn). Golden Eagleswere reportedfrom Highland, Va., where thanformerly with reportscoming from Jefferson,Pa. (RB), w. Penn- theywintered (R.B.C., MHe). Two were foundat GreatSmoky Moun- sylvania(PH), Rockingham,Va. (R.B.C.), and Chattanooga(PHa). tains N.P., Apr. 23 (RS), Buncombe,N.C., May 5 (RRu), very late SnowyEgrets and Little Blue Heronsare usuallyunreported in spring birdsat P.I.S.P.. May 20 (RFL) and CanaanValley. W.Va., May 23 but Snowieswere found at Roanoke,Va., May ! (BA & MP); State (CSt). It is very probablethat an undiscoverednesting site was nearthis College,Pa., May 3 (HH); P.I.S.P., May 4-28 (SS, BG); andClarion, last location(GAH). There were reportsof Bald Eaglesfrom 14 differ- Pa., May 20 (C & LSp). Little BlueHerons were found at RoanokeApr. ent locationswith 4 nestingsin theCra}tford, Pa. area.Again this year a 5 (MD); ChattanoogaMay 5 (RS); ShenandoahL., Va., May 14 youngbird was transplantedinto one of thesenests (RFL). (R.B.C.); and Powdermill Nature Reserve, Pa. (hereafter, P.N.R.), There were severalreports of Merlins in Erie (m.ob.) and 3 reports

Vol. 37, Number 5 869 fromState College, Pa. (fideKJ). Theywere also sighted at Pymatuning L., Apr. 2 (RFL) andin Somerset,Pa., Apr. 17 (RT) andMay 13 (G & RSa). Peregrineswere reported from JonesMill, Pa., Mar. 4 (MM), in Erie Apr. 2 (SS & JM) andState College Mar. 24-Apr. 13 (MW). The Gyrfalcon in Crawford, Pa., reportedin the Winter Seasonaccount remainedthere until Mar. 25 (RFL).

CRANES AND RAILS -- As usual the only reportsof Sandhill Cranes came from the s. At Dalton, Ga., small flocks flew over from mid-Februarythrough March (AH) and at Waleska, Ga., numerous smallflocks of up to 60 birdswere seenMar. 4-5 (LF). At Chattanooga 1000+ were seen Mar. 4-21 (fide RS). A Black Rail was seen at KnoxvilleMay 1 (JT). Therewere more reports of bothVirginia Rails and Soras than usual.

SHOREBIRDS -- The two shorebird"hotspots" reported mixed results.At P.I.S.P., themigration was below normal, and the only big daywas May 26 when750 birdsof 8 specieswere logged (DS), whileat the KingstonSteam Plant, Kingston, Tenn., theflight was average with BurrowingOwl, Garrett Co., Md., May 18, 1983. First staterecord. a highday of 5-600 birdsMay 21 (CN). In generalthere were more than Photo/F. Pope. the usualnumber of reportsof Dunfins,Ruddy Turnstones, and Pectoral Sandpipers.The most unusualrecords were: Am. Golden Plovers in Chuck-will's-widowis booming.They werereported from 3 locations Knox,Tenn., Apr. 13 (m.ob.) andat KingstonMay 13 (K & LD); Short- near Stuart'sDraft, Va. (YL), RoanokeApr. 28 (BI); CarnifexFerry billed Dowitcherat Bald EagleS.P., Pa. (CS), RockinghamApr. 29 S.P., May 20 (RRi), and mostsurprisingly, P.I.S.P., May 6 (JM). (R.B.C.), BlacksburgMay 14-15 (fide JMu), Kingston,May 21 (K & At P.N.R., the flight of Ruby-throatedHummingbirds was excellent LD); Sanderling,Roanoke May 29-31 (MP & MD), andKingston May and74 werebanded--174% aboveaverage (RCL), whilenumbers were 17 (DH); Baird'sSandpiper, Elizabethton Apr. 24 (GE); Willet, Austin goodelsewhere. Hummingbirds which arrived in KnoxvilleApr. 14-15 Springs,Tenn., Apr. 22 (HD & MDi); HudsonianGodwit, P.I.S.P., were observedfeeding among flowers in the snowof Apr. 18 (CN). May 15 & 17 (SS), secondcounty record; Whimbrel, P.I.S.P., May 29 Mostencouraging was the increasednumber of reportsof Red-headed (SS); and N. Phalaropenear Rural Retreat, Va. (fide JMu). Woodpeckers,although the speciesremains rare at mostplaces. There wererelatively few reportsof Yellow-belliedSapsuckers. GULLS AND TERNS-- As usualP.I.S.P. reportedin with a number of interestinggull records.Until the end of May some30,000 Ring- FLYCATCHERS, SWALLOWS AND CORVIDS -- EasternKing- billedGulls were present there and some 15-20 nests were attempted, birdswere still in low numbersthroughout. Willow Flycatcherscontin- althoughnone succeeded (JHi). Othergull recordsthere included Glau- ue to increasein the n., with a totalof 14 countedon a 25-mileBreeding cous,Mar. 5, 12 and(late) Apr. 16 (JM, SS, DS); Franklin's,May 8 & Bird SurveyRoute in s.w. Pennsylvania(RB), andto expandtheir range 15 (JM, SS); Little, Mar. 12-May 7 (JM, SS, JB); Iceland (kumlieni), into the s. ConverselyAlder Flycatcherswere essentially not reported. Mar. 5 (JM). One all-whitegull whichmatched neither the Icelandnor LeastFlycatchers were felt to be in low numbersat mostplaces, but four the Glaucouswas seenthere May 14. LaughingGulls were seenat weresinging on the summitof Black Mr., Ky., in late May (BP et al.). P.I.S.P., May 8, 15 & 17 (JM, SS, DS); at BaldEagle S.P., Pa., Apr. The Yellow-belliedFlycatcher, often very uncommonin thisRegion in 14-27(HH), andat Knox,Tenn., May 1 (JT) andKingston, May 14 (K spring,was widely reported this year in goodnumbers with 35 bandedat & LD). Bonaparte'sGulls were reported throughout the Region in more P.N.R. (RCL), but only one at P.I.S.P. (fide JM). This movementwas than the usual numbers. still going on at the end of the period. Olive-sidedFlycatchers were CaspianTerns are not usuallyreported in thisRegion but therewas a reportedfrom PymatuningL., Pa., May 12 (RFL), MosquitoL., O., remarkableinflux this year, reported from 6 localities:P.I.S.P. (RFL), May 21 & 28 (CB), KnoxvilleMay 12 (JHo, J & BC), andthree banded Butler,Pa (MG), ShenandoahL., Va. (countyrecord) (R.B.C.), Roa- at P.N.R. (RCL). A Scissor-tailedFlycatcher was in Butler,Pa., May noke (NM & TF), Blacksburg(fide JMu), and Kingston(K.T.O.S.). 13 (AE). Forster'sTerns were at P.I.S.P.(m.ob.), BaldEagle S.P. (CS), Shenan- Tree Swallowswere foundnesting at the McClinticWildlife Station, doah L. (R.B.C.), Roanoke(sev. obs.,fide BK), Westmoreland,Pa. Mason, W. Va., far down the Ohio R., from known sites (GB), and (LC), Indiana, Pa. (R & MH), and L. Somerset,Pa. (RCL). The best were occupyingbluebird nest boxesin the ShenandoahValley (RSn, tern recordof the seasonwas of an Arctic Tern carefullyobserved at R.B.C.). At Warren, Pa., about 40% of the bluebird boxes were occu- P.I.S.P., May 17-28 (JiM& DS) providingthe firstPennsylvania record piedby Tree Swallows(WH) andat LockHaven, Pa., about30% (CH). since 1890. Fish Crows are not uncommonin the ShenandoahValley, but the CUCKOOS AND OWLS -- Severallocalities in the s. reportedmore reportsfrom thereof "kettles" of 30-50 birdsapparently migrating N recordsfor the Black-billedCuckoo than usual,but generallyneither wereunusual (R.B.C.). Fish Crowswere also reported from Botetourt, specieswas very common.Gradually observers are lookingfor, and Va., Apr. I (BH) andfrom Lewisburg,W.Va., May 7 (CHa), W of the findingBarn Owls, an almostforgotten species in the recentpast. This high mountains.As has been noted in the past the Com. Raven is year recordscame from Rockingham.(R.B.C.) andElizabethton, one expandingits range,and this year three were seenin Letcher,Ky., May nest (GE), areasthat have been reportingthem, and new areaswere 29, andthree more on the summitof BlackMr., Harlan, Ky., May 30 Lyndhurst,Va. (JHn), Chattanooga(juvenile) Mar. 30 (PHa), and (BP et al.). They were also found at low elevationsin Great Smoky P.I.S.P., Apr. 23 (DS). Long-earedOwls werereported from P.I.S.P., Mountains N.P., Apr. 23 (RS). Raven nests in Forest, Pa., and May 1 (SS, JM), and Yellow-creekS.P., Pa., to Mar. 30 (R & MH), McKean. Pa. (new location) were successfulbut one in Warren was not while Short-earedOwls were at P.I.S.P., Apr. 16 (SS) and Augusta, (WH). Va. until Mar. 27 (R.B.C.). The owl recordof this or any seasonwas of a Burrowing Owl, photographedin Garrett, Md., May 18 (FP). This NUTHATCHES, WRENS AND THRUSHES -- Red-breastedNut- providedthe first recordfor the state,but the possibilityof it beingan hatcheswere essentially unreported except in the highelevation breed- escapecannot be ruledout. An interestingobservation was of a Great ing grounds.A Brown-headedNuthatch was seenin Asbeville, N.C., HornedOwl capturinga 10"trout at a FishHatchery in Erie. A few days May 1 & 5 (BD). later this bird was found floating in the pond(JIM). House Wrens, scarcein the North Carolina mountains were found at 3 locationsin Buncombeduring May (RRu). The CarolinaWren is mak- GOATSUCKERS, HUMMINGBIRDS AND WOODPECKERS -- ing a goodrecovery and is nearlyback to normalin then., with 4 records Whip-poor-willswere mentionedin a few morereports than usual, but from Warren,Pa., well n. of its normalrange (WH, H J, JSt). They the speciesis still decliningin this Region. On the other hand, the remain uncommonnear Asheville, N.C. (RRu), but a count of 60 in

870 AmericanBirds, September-October 1983 Marton, Tenn (RS) was impressive Long-bfiledMarsh Wrens were Blacksburgin May (fide JMu) reportedfrom Knox May 1 (K.T.O.S.) whfie Sho•t-bfiledMarsh Wrens SavannahSparrows were apparently nesting near Blacksburg, a mod- were at ChattanoogaApr. 14 (K & LD), andP.N.R., May 12-13 (RC). est S extension(CK). Both White-throatedSparrows and Dark-eyed Mockingbirdswere in Warrenin theearly spring, but a singlemale in Juncosremained very late, and there were 3 reportsof at least two earlyMay wasnoteworthy for thatarea (WH). The migrationof Swain- "Oregon" Juncosin Erie in late Marchand early April (fideJM). A son'sThrushes was very goodat mostplaces, 152 banded at P.N.R., up Clay-colored Sparrow was seenat P.I.S.P., May 4 (RR). 370% (RCL), and this specieswas still movingthrough after June1. Correspondinglythe migrationof Veerysand Gray-cheekedThrushes CONTRIBUTORS -- Bill Akers, Carole Babyak, Ralph Baker was alsogood. EasternBluebirds seemed very widespreadin n. West (RBa), Rodney Ba•tgis, Jim Baxter, Ralph Bell (RB), Ruth Bittner V•rg•nia than in recentyears (GAH). (RBi), George Breiding, Fred Busroe, Betty Campbell(BC), Carl Campbell,Jim Campbell,Ray Chandler,Linda Christenson,Pauline KINGLETS, SHRIKES AND VIREOS -- Both kinglet species Collett, William Collett, BrainardCooper (BCo), Martha Dillenbeck stageda veryheavy migration with Golden-crownedKinglets nesting on (MDi), Mike Donahue(MD), HelenhillDove, LeonfineDoyle (LDo), LaurelHill nearP.N.R. (RCL). Therewere reports of about10 Logger- TrumanDoyle (TDo), Ken Dubke,Lil Dubke(LD), Bill Duyck, Rich- headShrikes during the periodin Rockingham(R.B.C.), but only one ard Eakin, Glen Eller, Anna Elwood, Tad Finnell, Leonard Foote, recordfrom nearbyAugusta (RSn). Shrikesnested in Botetourt(BK) David Freeland,Carl Garner,Marguerite Geibel, Bonnie Ginader, Nor- andon the SkylineDrive nearLuray, Va. (BM). NorthernShrikes were ris Gluck, SallyGoodin, Anne Hamilton, Charles Handley (CHa), Paul reportedfrom Fairview, Pa., Mar. 28 and P.I.S.P., Apr. 8 (SS). Harris(PHa), PaulHaitigan (PHr), Cecil Hazlett(CH) Harry Hender- The White-eyed Vireo continuesto move N and was reportedfrom son,John Heninger, Mozelle Henkel(MHe), Dale Herr (DHr), Jim Herr P I S.P., May 7 & 16 (RFL), Irvine, Pa., May 9 (HJ), andBald Eagle (JHr), PaulHess (PH), RogerHigbee, MargaretHigbee, William High- S P (CH). A very early datewas Mar. 5 in Allegheny,Pa. (DF). The house,Jim Hill (JHi), JoyceHiner (JHn), JosephHowell (JHo), Joyce PhfiadelphiaVireo is anotherspecies which is usuallyquite rare during Hoffman(JH), Bill Hunley, Don Hurley, BruceIngram, Harris John- the spring,but this year reportsof many came from throughoutthe son, KatherineJones, Clyde Kessler,Tim Kimmel, Jim King, Barry Region.In comparisonthe Yellow-throatedVireo appearsto be continu- Kinzie, KnoxvilleChapter, Tennessee Omith. Soc. (K.T.O.S.), Lynn ing •ts slow decline. Kunze, YuLee Lamer, Robert Leberman (RCL), Ronald Leberman (RFL), PaulLehman, Mary Marlatt, JerryMcWilliams (JM), Norwood WARBLERS -- The warbler flight broughtthe usual mixed reac- Middleton, Robert Mulvihill, Bill Murphy, John Murray (JMu), tions,but more locations thought it wasa good,or evengreat, flight than Charles Nicholson, David Ostrander, Brainard Palmer-Ball, Kenneth thoughtit a poorone. At P.N.R., 17 specieswere banded in significant- Parkes,Jim Phillips, Rosalie Pittner, Fran Pope(FP), Frank Preston, ly greaternumbers than average,9 in below average,and only 4 in RobertProtz, Mike Purdy,Robert Richardson (RRi), JohnRobinson, averagenumbers (RCL). The wet May weatherbrought many of the Peter Robinson,Rockingham Bird Club (R.B.C.), RichardRosche tree-topspecies down low enoughto be netted.This wasmost notable (RR), Robert Ruiz (RRu), Glen Sager(GSa), Ruth Sager(RSa), Nor- w•thTennessees and Bay-breasteds at bothP.N.R. (RCL) andMorgan- man Samuelson,Conrad Schmidt(CS), Julie Simpson(JSi), Robert town (GAH). Simpson(RSi), DonaldSnyder, Ruth Snyder(RSn), CharlesSpindler The first notableflight was the weekendof May 1 with a general (CSp), Laura Spindler(LSp), Anne Stamm, C. Stanovick(CSt), hm •nflux.AtKnox, 34 specieswere listed that day, and great numbers were Stevenson(JSt), Jerie Stewart, Randy Stringer(RS), Sam Stull, hm present(fide CN). Anothergood wave cameabout May 15, but the Tanner, Leonard Teuber, Robert Tisony, Kirk Waterstripe,Ron ringrationremained heavy throughout the last 2 weeksin May. Warner, Steve West, David White, Merrill Wood.--GEORGE A. The warbler of the seasonwas the usually unrepo•tedOrange- HALL, Divisionof Forestry (Mail Address:Department of Chemis- crownedwhich was found in almostevery reporting area, including one try, P.O. Box 6045), West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV thatwintered at Elizabethton,and was last seen Apr. 12 (GE). Blackpoll 26506-6045. Warblerswere missingat mostplaces, but were numerouswhere they occurred.A Swainson'sWarbler was at KnoxvilleMay 1 (J & BC, CN). "Brewster's" Warblerswere reportedfrom Wytheville, Va. (TF), P I S.P., two bandedMay 7 (fide JM), P.N.R., one bandedand one seenMay 15 (RCL), andAllegheny May 7 (D & JHr). A Kirtland's Warbler was seennear Boaz, W. Va., May 17 (W & PC).

BLACKBIRDS AND TANAGERS -- A Brewer's Blackbird was at WESTERN GREAT LAKES REGION Ed•nboro,Pa., Mar. 22 providingthe secondErie record(DS). The /David J. Powell SummerTanager continues to moveN. Onewas seen at EdinboroMay 25-29(DS). Otherw. Pennsylvaniarecords came fromAllegheny May 7 Wintercame to theWestern Great Lakes Region in springthis year (RT), Indiana May 8-10 (R & MH), Butler May 28 (MG), andGreene Aftera warmspell the first ten days of March,accompanied bymany May 22 (RB). A WesternTanager wasfound at Bat Cave, N.C., May migrantducks and blackbirds, winter arrived. The entire Region was 31 (RW). withsnow and cold, windy weather through the last part of Marchand the firsthalf of April. Michigangot its onlyreal stormof the winter FRINGILLIDS-- TwoBlue Grosbeaks at StateCollege May 3 (RBi) March21, thefirst day of spring.(Considering the amazingly warm werewell outof range,but moreexpected records of thisspecies came winterweather, this seems somehow appropriate.) In Minnesota, storms fromAugusta, where five werecounted on a Big Day CountMay 14 duringthis period dumped up to 12inches of snow,including a storm (YL) A juvenilewas photographed in Asheville May 7 andat nearby April13-14 which was the biggest of thewinter and set record April CampRocky Mount May 26 (RRu);and two at Boaz, W.Va., May 8 (W snowfallsin severallocations. After a breakin lateApril, theweather & PC). Dickcisselswere reported from UpperStrasburg, Pa., May 22 continuedcold, windy and wet through May withboth Michigan and (CG), Augusta,Va., threeindividuals (MHe); Clarke,Va., May 7-10 Wisconsinsetting record lows on severaldays in May. (R & JSi);Botetourt Apr. 30-May4 (BK et al.); Marietta,O., May 17 Themigration picture was mixed. The entire Region reported good (RP), and Knox May 7 (PHr). movementin early March, but thereafterit variedfrom stateto state Therewere a few reportsof smallnumbers of EveningGrosbeaks, Wisconsinreported no wavesbut hadan outstandinglist of rarities mostlyfrom n. c. Pennsylvania,but one bird was foundas far s. as Michiganand Minnesota reported few waves, with May 6-7 being the JohnsonCity, Tenn. (SG). PineSiskins were reported only from Shef- mostnotable in Michigan.The general impression of the migration was field, Pa., in May (NS) andColyer, Pa., in lateApril. RedCrossbills poorin Minnesota, fair in Wisconsin (except for the rarities) and good in werepresent as usual through the season on ShenandoahMt., Rocking- Michigan.(RA recorded20 + speciesof warblersin Kalamazoofor 14 ham,Va. (R.B.C.) andimm. birdswere seen in theJefferson N.F., near consecutivedays.)

Vol 37, Number 5 871 Apr 15-18 (JF et al ) The scotermigration varied from essentially absent in Minnesota to below-averagein Wisconsinto good at W.P.B.O., in Michigan. White-winged Scoters migrated past W.P.B.O., May 6 into Junewith 1351 for the periodand a peakof 260 May 28 (Staff). The high numberin Wisconsinwas 42 at BayfieldMay ULT STE MAR•E 27 (ARo). Surf Scoterswere presentat 2 Michiganand 2 Wisconsin locationswith six May 28 at W.P.B.O. (DP, BB et al.), the highest singlereport. The only reportsof BlackScoters came from 3 locationsin Wisconsin.

HAWKS -- Turkey Vulturescontinue to be surprisinglycommon at W.P.B.O., with 41 during the period (Staff). Also impressivewas a total of 150 in Leelanau, Mich., Apr. 12 (SH). While still rare in Wisconsin,Mississippi Kites now arebeing seen almost annually This spring'sbird was seenat Spencer,Marathon, May 7 (SR). Goshawks madean impressive showing at W. P.B.O., with 332 duringthe spring,a recordhigh (Staff). Red-shoulderedHawks were seenin muchhigher than usualnumbers in Michigan, hopefullyan indicationthat this in- In the followingtext, placenames in italics are counties.Abbrevia- creasinglyrare species is makinga comeback.A Swainson'sHawk was tions•M.W.S.: MuskegonWastewater System, Mich.; W.P.B.O.: in Minnesota'sWinona Mar. 23 (AM), a recordearly date. Singles were Whitefish Point Bird Observatory,Mich. foundin Wisconsinat WoodApr. 23 (JB, SB) andFond du Lac May 1 (DT). Rough-leggedHawks were reported late from all 3 statesprobably LOONS THROUGH IBISES -- A totalof 3388 Com. Loonsmigrat- a resultof the cold springweather. Despite their scarcitythis winter, ed past W.P.B.O., down almost35% from last year (Staff). Arctic 1127Rough-leggeds were seenat W.P.B.O., with a highof 302 Apr Loons made a strongshowing with reportsfrom both Michigan and 25. SingleGolden Eagles were reported from 2 Wisconsinlocations and Wisconsin.In Michigan, breeding-plumagedindividuals were noted 11 were seenat W.P.B.O. One--three Gyrfalconswere seenintermit- migratingpast W.P.B.O., May 12 & 18 (KD); if the sightingsare tantly at BuenaVista Marsh, mainly Portage, Wis., until early April acceptedby the MichiganOrnithological Records Committee, they will (DF et al.). One also was at W.P.B.O., May 14 (BB, DS). Prairie be the first staterecords. In Wisconsin,two birdswere initially discov- Falconsare now consideredregular in Minnesotaand this spring was no eredApr. 16 at LoonBluff, Ozaukee(DT) andone was seen again Apr. exceptionwith one in Clay Apr. 20 (S & DM) andone in LyonMay 3 21 (DG) & 22 (MD, RSu). Red-throatedLoons were reportedfrom 2 (HK). PeregrineFalcons made an excellentshowing Regionwide, but Michiganand 2 Wisconsinlocations. Red-necked Grebes were seenin theirnumbers were particularly impressive in Michiganwith 20 individ- lower-than-normalnumbers in Michigan, but were seenin goodnum- ualsreported (14 at W.P.B.O.) all alongL. Michiganor L. Superior bersin Wisconsinwith 53 reportedApr. 27 at Superior(RJo) particular- Merlinsalso were reported in goodnumbers from Michigan and Minne- ly impressive.A flock of 1000+ HornedGrebes on SundayL., Goge- sota. btc, Mich., Apr. 29 (JM) was one of the highesttotals ever for Michigan.Eared Grebes were seenat Medford,Wis., May 13 (SR et GROUSETHROUGH GALLINULES -- SpruceGrouse were seen al ), HoriconN.W.R., May 23 (Staff) and M.W.S., Mich., May 10 at 3 Michiganlocations, all in the UpperPen. Ruffed Grouse appear to (GW). Wisconsinhad three W. Grebesightings: two Apr. 23 at Superior be at the bottomend of their cycleRegionwide. Gray Partridgewere (DF et al.), oneMay 24 at Crex Meadows(JH) andone in Polk May 19 seenin lower-than-normalnumbers in Minnesota,probably a delayed (AG). Pelicansmade good showings in the Regionwith White Pelicans resultof thesevere winter of 1981-82.Sandhill Cranes returned early to reportedfrom all 3 statesand a Brown Pelican seenMay 14 at Cary- bothMichigan and Minnesotawith the individual(s)at Mower, Minn , ville, Dunn, Wis. (ED, BBa). Double-crestedCormorants continue to Mar. 19 (RJ), theearliest ever for thestate. King Railswere seen at 3 increaseand spread throughout the Region. The maximumreported was Wisconsinlocations, the only reportsfrom the Regionfor this increas- 200 Apr. 26 at Duluth (KE). Wisconsin'sfifth Anhinga was foundin inglyscarce species. Both Virginia Rails and Soras were quite scarce in the early afternoonMay 22 at Babcock(DF). Probablythe samebird Michigan and Wisconsin. Yellow Rails were at Wisconsin'sCrex wasseen that evening at Mead W.M.A. (K & JL), about50 mi from the MeadowsW.A., May 28-29 (DT). Purple Gallinulesmade a strong first sighting.Little Blue Heronsand Snowy Egrets were foundin all 3 showingwith onein Michigan'sMackinac Apr. 17(J & GT) andone at states,but Cattle Egretswere foundonly in Michiganand Wisconsin. WestAllis, Wis., May 9 (fideJF). Bothbirds were caught--the Michi- The only LouisianaHeron of the periodwas one seenat the Erie Gun gan bird died and the Wisconsinbird was releasedat HoriconN.W R , Club, Monroe, Mich., May 15-22(m.ob.). Wisconsinhad one Yellow- May 14. A goodconcentration (10,000) of Am. Cootswas in Pope, crownedNight Heron and Minnesotahad threeincluding one for the Minn., Apr. 23 (RJ). thirdsuccessive year at Aitkin, whereit is thoughtto benesting (WN). A White-facedIbis in Barron, Wis., Apr. 28-29 (AG) providedonly the SHOREBIRDS-- PipingPlovers were reported from 3 Michiganand secondsighting for Wisconsin.An ibis at Crookston,Minn., May 21 3 Wisconsinlocations. Both Michiganand Wisconsin had a poorflight (KE, TS, HK) was probablyof this species. of Am. GoldenPlovers, but 120 at GrandMarais, Minn., May 25 (KL) was unusual for n.e. Minnesota. American Woodcocks arrived in 3 WATERFOWL -- Two Mute Swans were at Duluth Mar. 24-26 Minnesotacounties at recordearly dates:Washington Mar. 3 (T & BB), (KE), wherethe speciesis onlycasual. In Michiganand Wisconsin this New Ulm Mar. 5 (JS) and Houston Mar. 6 (E & MF). Whimbrels were speciescontinues to spread.Two flocksof WhistlingSwans comprising fairly scarcethroughout the Regionwith reportsfrom 4 Michigan,4 8000+ individualswere in WisconsinApr. 3, at GreenBay andOuta- Wisconsin and 3 Minnesota locations. However, the flock of 300 at gamie. Geeseand ducksmigrated into the Regionin largenumbers in GrandMarais, Minn., duringthe last week of May was outstanding late Februaryand early March. Unusualspecies of geesewere in Michi- (DG). Willets were reportedfrom 5 Michiganand 4 Wisconsinloca- gan and Minnesotawith a Brant at Fish Pt., Tuscola,Mich., Apr. 6 tions,with up to 15 in the Milwaukeearea in earlyMay (m.ob.) Red (MW), a Barnacle Goose at M.W.S., Mar. 7 (BR) for the seventh Knots were in averagenumbers in Michigan, with reportsfrom 4 loca- Michigan record and two Ross' Geesein Minnesota,one at Rochester tions and above averagenumbers in Wisconsin,with reportsfrom 7 Mar. 24-Apr. 1 (JBoet al.) andone at Hastings (same bird as during the locationscomprising at least25 individuals.Minnesota had a probable winter) all period (m.ob.), for the fifth and sixth Minnesotarecords. all-timestate high of 20 at Warroadon Lakeof theWoods May 21 (KE, GreaterWhite-fronted Geese were unusuallyscarce in Wisconsin.A TS, HK). Thissighting is particularlyimpressive because Red Knots are Mallardnest with eggs Mar. 14 in Oakland,Mich. (JMo)was perhaps almostunknown away from Duluth (KE). the earliest-ever for the state. Cinnamon Teal were found at 2 Minnesota Michiganrecorded only its secondspring sighting of PurpleSandpip- locations:one Apr. 1 at Talcott Lake W.M.A. (KL) and one in Nicollet er whenone was found Apr. 23 at MuskegonS.P. (JP, GW). A Curlew

872 AmericanBirds, September-October 1983 Sandpiper in Dodge, Wis., May 21 (RH) providedonly the fourth Three-toedWoodpeckers were reported from 3 Michiganand 4 Wiscon- Wisconsinsighting. A rarespring sighting of a Buff-breastedSandpiper sin sites,with one in Jackson,Wis., May 30 (DT) unusuallyfar s. wasmade in Dodge. Wis., May 8 (MD). MarbledGodwits appeared at 2 SingleN. Three-toedWoodpeckers were foundin Pine/Carlton,Minn. Michiganand 5 Wisconsinlocations (12 differentsightings). A flockof (R J) and Burnett. Wis. ½PF). 44 at DuluthMay 22 (TL) was unprecedented.Although the Ruff has becomean annualoccurrence in the Region, this spring'snumber of sightingswas totally withoutprecedent. No fewer than l I individuals FLYCATCHERS THROUGH THRUSHES -- WesternKingbirds weresighted with sixat 3 locationsin Minnesotaand five singlesfrom 4 werefound at DuluthMay 22 (S & DM), inJefferson, Wis., May 9 (RH) locationsin Wisconsin.American Avocetswere found at 2 Michigan and at TrempealeauN.W.R., Wis., May 28 (DT). Scissor-tailedFly- locations,three at M.W.S., May 2 (BR, LF) andone in MacombMay 4- catchers were seenan amazing4 times, three in Minnesotawhere it is 5 (RL, AR et aLL casualand one Apr. 27 at Racine(DK), for only theseventh Wisconsin record.A Say'sPhoebe in GrandMarais, Minn., Apr. 30-May ! (M & JAEGERS, GULLS, TERNS -- Althoughthey are rarely seenin the KH et al. ) was of particularinterest in that most recordsare from w. spring,Parasitic Jaegers appeared in bothMinnesota and Wisconsin Minnesota.Empidonax flycatchers were late but in very goodnumber in with up to three at Duluth May 25 + (KE, MH et aL) and one at KleinstuckPreserve, Kalamazoo, Mich. (RA). The flycatcherof the WisconsinPt., SuperiorMay 29-30 (DT). GlaucousGulls lingered into seasonwas Wisconsin'sthird Vermilion Flycatcher foundMay 14 in May in both Michiganand Wisconsin.Iceland Gulls were seenat 2 Wauwatosa(fide JI). Tree Swallowsarrived in Minnesotaat the record Michiganand 2 Wisconsinlocations, with one May 7 at Fonddu Lac early dateof Mar. 12 (FL). A nestwith 4 eggsof the Corn. Ravenwas (TSc). the latest-everWisconsin sighting. Great Black-backed Gulls are foundin AlpenaApr. 6 (LS). only the thirdrecent nesting in the Lower uncommonin the Region away from s.e. Michigan so this sprlng's Pen. BorealChickadees were "very late" at Duluth May 5 (KE), but sightingson LakesMichigan and Superior were noteworthy: single birds wereas expectedat W.P.B.O., throughat leastMay 28. BrownCreep- were seenat M.W.S., Apr. 24 (SM, CR, BJ) and in Berrien, Mich., erswere found in boths. Michiganand s. Minnesotain mid-lateMay, May 14 (RS, WB) and two, an adult and an immaturewere seen at possiblyindicating breeding. The only Bewick'sWren was one found WisconsinPt., SuperiorMar. 15-16 & 24 (RJo). Even more unusual along the Milwaukee lakeshoreMay 19 (JI). CarolinaWrens remain wasone inland at OshkoshMay 10+ (TZ, JK, m.ob.). LaughingGulls scarcethroughout, with only 3 reportsin Michiganand none elsewhere. strayedinto the Regionin averagenumbers, with threereported. Unusu- Impressivethis springwas the numberof sightingsof Mockingbirds al, however, was one seenat SuperiorMay 29 (DT). Franklin'sGulls with 9 reportsfrom Michigan (including2 from the Upper Pen.), 9 were seen in all 3 states with the 200 at Mille Lacs L., Minn. (WN) reportsfrom Minnesotaand 12 from Wisconsin.Varied Thrushesre- particularlyimpressive. Little Gulls werereported from all 3 states.A mainedinto Marchor April at oneMichigan and 2 Wisconsinlocations. SwainsoWsand Gray-cheeked thrushes presented a mixturethis season Black-leggedKittiwake at W.P.B.O., May 28 (LM) wasunprecedented with someobservers commenting on their absenceand otherson their for Michigan.An excellentconcentration of 1500-2500Corn. Terns was presentduring May at Manitowoc. abundance.Three Mountain Bluebirds were found--all singles--atAp- pleton, Wis., Apr. 19 (BBr, MB et aLL near Duluth Mar. 20-23 (JG et al.), andin Otter Tail, Minn., Apr. 19 (G & MO). The onlyappearance S.Ao of Townsend'sSolitaire was one near Oxford, Oakland, Mich., Apr. 3- Arctic Terns were long thoughtnot to occuron the w. Great 4 (MM). Lakes. In recentyears, observershave realized that theseterns are rare but regular in the spring.The observationsfrom this springwould tend to supportthat hypothesis.One was found May 15 at New Buffalo,Betrich, Mich. (WB. DP. RS) whereit wasseen standing on the beachwith bothCommon and Forster's terns.This observationconstitutes the sixthMichigan record, all since1979. One wasfound May 20 at Manitowoc(DT) whereit wasseen in subsequentdays by others.Not to be outdone,four were found at Duluth May 29 (TS) with at least one remaining into June (m.ob.) for the fourth Minnesota record.

CUCKOOS THROUGH WOODPECKERS -- Bolh Yellow-billed andBlack-billed cuckoos were scarce and late in Michiganand Wiscon- sin.Almost never seen in theRegion anymorc, Barn Owls were found at SilverCreek P., ManitowocApr. 28 (CS) andinAlcona. Mich., where one was found dead in a barn May 18 (fide RSm). Late Snowy Owls MountainBluebird, Appleton, Wis., Apr. 19, 1983.Photo/M. Brandel. were in Muskegon,Mich., May 17 (BB etal.) and Chippewa,Mich., May 28 (MP). A Hawk Owl was foundMar. 4 in Douglus.Wis. {DF). GNATCATCHERS THROUGH WARBLERS -- Blue-grayGnat- Wisconsinwas treated to only its seventhBurrowing Owl whenone was catcherswere up with reportsfrom w. and n. Minnesotawhere they in Douglas May 16-17 (RP). Minnesotahad a pair returnto last year's normally do not occur. A Sprague'sPipit at E. Saugatuck,Allegan, nestingsite in Rock, the first time in recentyears that a nestingsite was Mich., May 10 (BM) furnishedonly thefourth Michigan sighting. After occupiedfor 2 consecutiveyears. Great Gray Owls werefound in all 3 the poor flight during last winter. it is not surprisingthat Bohemian states.Short-eared Owls were scarcein Michiganand Wisconsin. After Waxwingswere reported from only 2 sites--onein Michiganand one in lastyear's record 36, "only" 11 BorealOwls were banded at W.P.B.O. Wisconsin.Loggerhead Shrikes were seen at 4 Michiganlocations. with this spring.Boreals were heardagain at their "traditionalarea" along one nest located. and at 15 Wisconsin sites, with at least one nest. The theGunflint Trail in Cook, Minn., with a highof five thenight of Apr. 5 15 reportsare more than the last 3 year's Wisconsintotal combined. (M & KH). Much moreinteresting was one heard in Roseau,Minn., just White-eyedVireos werereported from bothMichigan and Wisconsinin s. of the Canadianborder May 21 (TS, KE), both the date and location increasednumbers with at least 14 individualsfound in Michiganand beingquite unexpected. Saw-whet Owls werecaptured in recordnum- 16-20 individuals in Wisconsin. Bell's Vireos were found at 8 Wiscon- bersat W.P.B.O. thisspring. A ChimneySwift inDane, Wis., Apr. 13 sin siteswith nestingoccurring in at least4 and at one Michigansite. (MS) wasearly and an incredible4500 were seengoing down a chimney Unusuallyfar n was one at Ashland. Wis., May 19 (fide DV). A in Ottawa, Mich., May 13 (BM). An apparently"pure" red-shafted Yellow-throatedVireo appearedat Duluth May 23 (KE. MH), where it raceof the Corn. Flickerwas foundApr. 29 at Crookston.Minn. (K & is rare/casual.Solitary and Philadelphia vireos were late with the migra- SS). Red-headedWoodpeckers were seen in above-averagenumbers tioncontinuing into June at Madison.Wis. (MS). Red-eyedVireos were along L. Superiorin Minnesotaand the w. Upper Pen. of Michigan. late and quite scarcein Michigan, with the migrationcontinuing into However, numberswere down elsewherein Minnesota. Black-backed June.

Vol. 37. Number5 873 In Michigan,after several years of poor-to-fairwarbler migrations, consinhad severalbreeding pmrs of Lark Sparrowsfrom eachof Bur- thisspnng's migration was exceptional. Although many species were nett, Pepin andSauk. Two were at Luchngton,Mich., May 14 (RP) and laterthan normal in returning,almost all werereported in above-average one was farthern. than usualin Lake, Minn. (EH). Harris' Sparrows numbers,particularly in the s.w. In Minnesota,the followingspecies were seenless frequently this springin bothMinnesota and Wisconsin wereup in numbers:Tennessee, Yellow, Cape May, Yellow-rumped, White-crownedSparrows presented a mixed picturewith observersin Com. Yellowthroatand Am. Redstart.Worm-eating Warblers were Michiganand Wisconsinreporting excellent numbers, i.e. "Truly an foundat 10Wisconsin, 4 Michiganand 2 Minnesotalocations, certainly impressiveflight!" (DT), but Minnesotaobservers finding them down morethan usual. Setting a newearly arrival date by 5 weekswas a Blue- in numbers.A Fox Sparrowin Fillmore, Minn., Mar. 6 (RJ) was the wingedWarbler which arrived at the RiveredgeNature Center, Wis., earliestever sightingfor Minnesota.Two very lateSnow Buntings were Mar. 15 (AL). Singlesat Ashland,Wis. (DV) andOntonagon, Mich. at Ashland,Wis., May 19 (PM). (JM) werefarther n. thanusual. A Golden-wingedWarbler at Perrot S P., Wis., Apr. 16 (CW) wasthe earliest-ever for thestate. A Magno- CORRIGENDUM -- The BorealOwl photographin AB 37:184was lia Warblerat W.P.B.O., May 1 wasearly for Michigan'sUpper Pen. of a femalein a nestbox in Cook, Minn. in May 1982, andis not the Black-throatedBlue Warblerswere seenin their highestnumbers in Boreal Own seenin Michigan. manyyears in Michigan'sBerrien and Kalamazoo (RA, DP, RS). A Yellow-rumped(Audubon's) Warbler at MinneapolisMay 3 (m.ob.) CONTRIBUTORS -- This editorwishes to thankthe manyindivid- wasonly the second recent Minnesota occurrence. The warblerfind of uals who submittedrecords for this summary.The natureof the sum- the season,however was Minnesota'ssecond Herruit Warbler, a male maryprecludes listing every individual who sendsin reports;therefore, May 14in Lac QuiPerle (BL, DR, GS). CeruleanWarblers were n. of only thoseindividuals with citedrecords are listed below, (State Editors theirusual range at EauClaire (JPo) and Iron, Wis. (MBu) andManis- in boldface).Michigan (*indicatesregional editor): *Ray Adams, tee, Mich. (KW). Yellow-throatedWarblers were present at 2 locations Gregg Baldwin (GBa), Walter Booth. Bill Bouton, *Jeff Bueclong in Berrien,Mich., May 154- (DP, WB, RS), wherethey have nested in (JBu), Kate Durham, Les Ford, Sally Huston, *Nick Ilnicky, Bunny pastyears and at 2 locationsin Wisconsin,at MadisonApr. 30-May2 Johnson,*Alice Kelley, NancyLaLiberte, *Lee Laylin, RichardLea- (MS, PA) andalong the Wisconsin R., n. of MazomanieApr. 30 (DT), sure, *Joe McDonnell, Alan Marble (AMa), Marlen Marshall, Bill wherethey are very rare. A Kirtland's Warbler at the Milwaukee County Martinus, Laura Mason, SteveMinard, Jim Morrison(JMo), Mrs. Roy Zoo May 14 (GB) wasthe first Wisconsinsighting in severalyears. Parker,Michael Peczynski, *Jim Ponshair,David Powell,Bill Rowell, PrairieWarblers were seen at 4 Michiganand one Wisconsin location. Char Runnels,Alan Ryff, Lew Schiller,Jr., Ron Smith(RSm), *Roy Unusuallyfar n. werea pairof LouisianaWaterthrushes in Pine, Minn., Smith, Dave Svetch, *Arthur Weaver, Tex Wells, Keith Westphall, May 21+ (DZ/MC et al.). Theusual number of sightingsof Kentucky GeorgeWickstrom, Miles Willard, Kay Williams (KWi), W.P.B O Warblerswere made in Michiganand Wisconsin and one was in Martin, staff;Minnesota: Tom & Bette Bell, Jo Blanich(HBI), JerryBonkoskl Minn., May 15(EBK). Michiganobservers reported far more Connecti- (JBo), Ed Brekke-Kramer(EBK), Kiru Eckert (9735 N. Shore Dr , cut Warblersthan usual, with sightingsstatewide. Yellow-breasted Duluth, MN 55804), Eugeneand Marllynn Ford, JohnFrentz, D. Goo- Chatswere reported in above-averagenumbers Regionwide, as were dermote,J. Green, E. Hawkins, Mike Hendrickson,Molly & Ken HoodedWarblers. A HoodedWarbler in Minnesota'sCrow WingMay Hoffman, RobertJanssen, Henry Kyllingstad,Ken LaFond,Tim La- 31 •'de TS, JB1)was muchfarther n. than usual.Very early was a mey, Fred Lesher,Bill Litkey, A. Mckenzie,Steve & DianeMillard, CanadaWarbler at Ann Arbor, Mich., May 2 (TW). AmericanRed- Warren Nelson, J. Newman, Gary & Marion Otnes,D. Ruhme, Terry startswere seenin record numbersat KleinstuckPreserve, Kalamazoo Savaloja,Jack Sprenger, Keith & ShellySteva, G. Swanson,J. Tucker (RA, DP). (JTu), C. Welsh(CWe), Dave Zumeta/MaryAnn Cincotta;Wisconsin: Phillip Ashman,Bill Barnes(BBa), Jeff Baughman,Scott Baughman, Mr. & Mrs. Gilbert Boese, Mike Brandel, Bernie Brouchoud(BBr), MEADOWLARKS THROUGH BUNTINGS -- BothMichigan and Mary Butterbrodt(MBu), Eric Dibble, Mary Donald, LauraErickson, Minnesotareports commented that W. Meadowlarkswere down in Don Follen, Jim Frank, PepperFuller, Alta Goff, DennisGustarson, numbers.Orchard Orioles were more commonin Michigan, but less commonin Wisconsin.A N. (Bullock's)Oriole at DuluthMay 22 (JN) FredHennessy, James Hoefler, Randy Hoffman, John Idzikowski, Rob- was only the secondMinnesota sighting of this form. Three W. Tan- byeJohnson (RJo), John Kaspar, Dave Kosterman,Andy Larsen, Ken & JanLuepke, Peggy McNamara, Ron Perala,Janine Polk (JPo),Sam agerswere seen this spring, one at Bemidji,Minn., May 14-17(m.ob.), Robbins,Albert Roy (ARo), Tom Schultz(TSc), MartinSmith, Charles one n. of Milwaukee May 18-21 (WW et al.), and one at Manitowoc May 20 (JT). More reportsthan usualwere madeof SummerTanagers Sontag,Roger Sundell (RSu), Darryl Tessen(2 PioneerPark Place, with six in Michigan, threein Minnesotaand three in Wisconsin.Cardi- Elgin, IL 60120), Mr. & Mrs. JackTroupe, Dick Verch,Curt Wllda, nalswere reportedfrom 2 sitesin Michigan'sUpper Pen., wherethey WinnieWoodmansee, Thomas Ziebelle.•DAVID J. POWELL, Re- are rare. Black-headedGrosbeaks were found at Chanhassen,Henne- searchAssociate, Kalaruazoo Nature Center, 7000North Westnedge pin, Minn., May 14 (CWe), Douglas, Wis., May 29 (FH), Chippewa, Ave., Kalaruazoo, MI 49007. Mich., May 10 (KWi) and two in Barraga, Mich. (AMa). Four Blue Grosbeakswere seenin the Region,all singlebirds: a femalein River Hills, MilwaukeeMay 4-9 (WW et al.), a male in Milwaukee May 8 (JI), a male in Dane, Wis., May 21 (RH), and unusuallyfar n., one at Deerwood,Crow Wing, Minn., May 10 •'de TS). Wisconsinrecorded its third Painted Bunting, whena malefrequented a feederin Gordon, Douglasfor 4 daysin mid-May (fide LE). Michiganhad its seventh MIDDLEWESTERN PRAIRIE REGION Painted Bunting, but first in 10 years,a male thatcame to a feederin TexasTwp., KalamazooApr. 28-May 4 (NL, RA, DP et al.). Continu- /Bruce G. Peterjohn ing the trendin recentyears, Dickcissels were quite scarce in Michigan andWisconsin. One of thereal successstories in the Regionis theHouse This spring'smigration patterns were directly relatedto unusual Finch.It continuesto spreadexplosively, with nestingreported from 6 weatherconditions. The recordhigh temperaturesof early March al- countiesin Michigan and additionalobservations in 3 other countries. lowedmost March migrants to arriveone-two weeks ahead of schedule Wisconsinhad its first verifiedrecord when a malewas photographed at and producedoverflights of speciesthat normallydo not returnuntil CedarburgMar. 27-28 (RSu, MD). earlyApril. Exceptfor theseearly migrants, birding was rather dull as After lastwinter's record "non-invasion," it wasnot surprisingthat mostbirds appeared to be movingrapidly through the Region. Normal the winterfinches were reported in low numbers.A c• Lark Buntingwas temperaturesand precipitation during the lasthalf of themonth halted at Munising,Alger, Mich., May 13 (GBa); anotherwas at Superior, this early migration. Wis., May 19 (JTu)--they are casuale. of w. Minnesota.Henslow's April remindedus of what March shouldhave been. Temperatures Sparrowswere in reducednumbers in Michigan. A Sharp-tailedSpar- werewell belownormal while precipitation was above normal including row was at Wisconsin'sCrex MeadowsW.M.A., May 28 (DT). Wis- severalsnowfalls in northernareas through the 17th. This cool, wet

874 AmericanBirds, September-October1983 WATERFOWL -- Sincemany birds had already passed through by DA•( i MINN: WIS. ,. MICH, " early March, it is not surprisingthal mostwaterfowl were reportedin low numbers.Only Missourisupported large numbers where excellent habitatconditions and cold weathercaused many species to lingerlater than normal. • n.•M•;..• • • ' •Dune' ' OHIO/, At its traditionalstaging areas, maximumnumbers of Whistling Swansincluded only 45 in thew. L. Eriemarshes and ! 10at New Albin, ...... la., Mar. 21 (JSc). Two migrantflocks of 40-50 over SpringfieldMar. 13-19 were exceptionalfor s.w. Missouri(CBo et al.). Only scattered ...... ,LL., '" , . small numbers were found elsewhere with two late swans in Zion, Ill., KANS. I i '" •"CC , , L•Lo.i..i,.i ...... Jl CmbOrch•r• •- vv • • May 7 (JN). Very rarein spring,a Brantwas observed at MichiganCity, Ind., May 13-27 (•'CK, m.ob.). Unlike the pastfew years,White- frontedGeese were primarily restricted to thew. states.The only Illinois sightingwas at HorseshoeL. As manyas eightRoss' Geese were noted at one w. Iowa locationduring late March. ,, . . Cinnamon Teal were sightedin Buchanan, Mo., Mar. 10-17 (L), weather retardedmigration, produci• substamialconcentrations of Chandlerville,Ill., Mar. 25 (•'K), two in Fremont,ia., Apr. 5-23 (SDa Apdl migrantsbut causin• •ivals to • one-two weeks later than et al.) and one at Hamilton, la., Apr. 6 (fide JD). A Eur. Wigeonwas normal b• month's end. observedin Ottawa, 0., Apr. !-5 whereit is apparentlyregular during Similar cool, wet weathercontinued throughout Ma• a•d pmdueed spring(•'JP). Noteworthy duck concentrations included 1000 N. Shov- somel•all• severeflooding. These conditions caused most Ma• mi- elersat L. Carlyle, Ill., Mar. 26 (SR) and 1000Canvasbacks in Hender- Xturesto a•ive at leastone week later than normaland to li•er well son, Ill., Feb. 27 (MB). Late Com. Goldeneyeslingered through May beyond•ormai dcpar•re •tes. Ma• specieswere still mi•rati• 26 at Sweet Marsh, Ia. (JSc) and May 28 at Michigan City, Ind. (KB, i• tbe •rst ten da•s o[ ]u•c. However,tbe cool tcm•mtures, stro• Haw). Few Oldsquawwere reported. The Great'Lakes maximum was 24 wi•ds a•d absenceof foliagefo•ed ma• birds[o feed o• or •car the while inlandsightings consisted of 1-3 at 2 Illinoisand 4 Ohio locations •rou•d wherethc• could be casil• observed.•csc exeellcmvicwi• Mar. 20-Apr. 26 andtwo at L. Jacomo,Mo., Mar. 26 (N J). A maximum conditionsplus a prolongedmi•ratio• pe•od pmdueedo• o[ tbe •st- of 39 White-wingedScoters was observedon L. Michiganand inland observedpasse•c movemereso[ reccm •ca•s. Scatteredamo• tbe singlesappeared at Brookville Res., Ind., Mar. 6 (D & MS) and Little numerousMa• mi•mms were accidcmalssuch as Vcrmilio• Fl•catcber Wall L., Ia., Apr. 10 (GB). Only one Surf andtwo Black scoterswere in Iowa, bazuli Bunti• i• Missou•, Cassio'sSpa•w i• Illinois a•d discoveredon theGreat Lakes. A concentrationof ! 500 RuddyDucks at Townsc•d'sWarbler a•d PalreedBumi• in l•diana. Findlay Res., O., Apr. 16 was noteworthy(BS) and a late Hooded Merganserlingered throughMay 31 at Hamlin, Ky. (JEt). ABBREVIATIONS • S.C.•.: Squaw C•ck N.W.•., Mo.: O.W.•.: OttawaN.W.•., O.; M.M.W.A.: Ma• MarshW.•.A., 04 DIURNAL RAPTORS -- The predominantlyN winds produced Spfid.: Springfield,I11. Italicized plaee •mcs are counties. unfavorableconditions for migratinghawks. Even at traditionalareas, they seemedto trickle by in small numberswith a few noteworthy LOONS THrOUgH •IgATEBI•DS • Few Corn. •o•s were concentrationssuch as 150 Sharp-shinnedsover Ottawa, 0., Apr. 27 reported,[he l•est fi•k wasof 2 i. U•usualin spri• weresi•lc •cd- (ET), 173 Red-tailedsat DunesS.P., Ind., Apr. 12 (KB) and 100-300 throatedLoo•s at Hurshtow• •cs., l•d., M•. 27 (Haw, E & •Mc) a•d Broad-wingedHawks in n. Ohio Apr. 27 and n. Illinois May 3-4 Alum Creek•cs., O., Apr. 7-15 (t J). Tbe onl• midram•cd-•cckcd The mild early springweather brought returning Turkey Vulturesto g• apdared in M•co•, I11.,Apr. 8-9 (SS, m.ob.). Hornedgrebes all statesby the first week of March. ExtralimitalBlack Vultures ap- were scarcei• mostareas. The L E•e m•imum waso•1• 10 while 41 pearednear Dayton, O., Apr. i (DN) andMonroe, Ill., May 3 ! (KR). comprisedthe largesti•la•d flock. As ma• aseight Eared grebes were Normal numbersof MississippiKites were observedalong the Missis- scattered across Iowa, Illinois a•d Missouri a•d o•e wandered E to b sippi R., n. to Eureka, Mo., while the only extralimital kite was ob- Wavdand, Ind., Mar. •4 (AB). One or two W. grebes were discovered servedat BernheimS.F.. Ky., May 29 (•'WB). Followinglast autumn's at 4 l•atio•s i• w. Iowa and w. Missou• Ma• 3-19 includi• a light- recordGoshawk invasion, this spring'sreturn flight was pronounced phase•rebe at Co•e Marsh,la., Ma• 5 (•JS). Pied-billedgrebes exhib- only in Illinois with !-3 appearingat 12 locationsthrough Apr. 27. ited little improvementwith a m•imum of 50 this spri•. Normal While 12 were notedin the IndianaDunes area Mar. 5-Apr. 12 (KB), numbers of White Pelicans in w. states i•cluded 900 at •iverton only one-twowere discoveredat 11 other locations.Cooper's Hawks W.M.A., la. (BW) and7 flocksof 75-300. Oneappeared e. to Metzler continuedto improvewith 27 migrantsnoted along L. Michiganin n.w. Marsh W.M.A., O., Apr. 18 (tJP). Double-crestedCormomms were Indiana. In contrast,Red-shouldered Hawks receivedmixed reports widcl• reportedwith maxima o[ 250-300 i• the w. statesa•d 10-42 with a maximum of 40 along w. L. Erie in early March. Swainson's elsewhere.Missou•'s second•aBnifi•t FriBat•bird was observed Hawks were more numerousthan normaln the w. statesincluding a i• J•er•o• Apr. 27 (•MW). Like last •car's sighting,this bird was remarkable 14 in Clay, Mo., Apr. 18 (KH). Nine were observedin briefi• viewed alo• the lcadi• edgeof a• advanci•[ thu•dcrsto•. Kane, Ill., May 3-26 (JMi). GoldenEagles were only notedat 3 Iowa locationswhile a normalnumber of migrantBald Eagleswas reported. HERONS • Most heronsappeared in u•impressivenumbe• ashigh Marsh Hawks were rather scarcein most areas.Ospreys were wide- water levelscreated less than optimalhahilar conditions. green Herons spreadand numerousin all statesbeginning with an early migrantat returnedduri• tbe secondweek o[ April a•d were scarceat several Oiney, Ill., Mar. 10 (LH). A total of 17 PeregrineFalcon and nine l•ations. Onl• ! -2 Little BlueHem•s werereported from ! -3 localities Merlin sightingswas normal for recentsprings. in eachstate, a poorshowi•[ [or r•e•t •ears. In co•tmst,Cattle E•rets appearedi• exceptional•umbers with morethan 75 reports andmaxima of 15-50in all states.As man• as five Snow• E[rets were notedat 1-4 locationsin eachstate be•i•i•[ with an eari• migrantat LouisvilleApr. 7 (JC). LouisianaHerons have become regular visitorsas evidencedb• similes•car Lawre•ccbur•,Ind., Ma• 21 (tD & MS) a•d Oregon,O., Ma• 26 (JP). •cilow-crow•ed Night Heroin were [ou•d a[ onl• 10 locations,a considerabledecline [rom the repor• duri• 1981. A total o[ 27 Least Bittern reportswas above normalfor sprin• while 22 Am. Bitternsightings represented a marked declinefrom last •car. UnidentifiedPle•di• ibiseswere noted at single sites in Ohio and Missouri. Swainson'sHawk, Kane Co., Ill., May 26, 1983. PhotoH. Milosevich.

Vol. 37, Number 5 875 GROUSE THROUGH GALLINULES -- While galhnaceousbirds and were accompaniedby 1-7 W Sandpipersat 4 locationsThe only will occasionallywander during autumn, spring movements are unex- Buff-breastedSandpiper sighting was of four at RivertonW.M.A., Ia , pected.This year, a RuffedGrouse was rccovered from Cincinnati in May 19 (BW, RS). earlyApril (*W) anda GreaterPrairie Chicken was observed at S.C.R., Marbled Godwitsappeared at only 6 locationsalthough three near Mar. 4 (iKG). Both locationswere 40-100 mi from the nearestknown Lawrenceburg,Ind., Apr. 16 (-•D & MS) andone at LouisvilleMay 2 populations.Along its traditionalmigration corridor, Sandhill Cranes (•'S, FS) werelocally unusual. Hudsonian Godwits were widespread in passedthrough Kentucky Mar. 4-7 and23-25 andwere widely reported the w. statesand Illinois with a maximumof 55 at Colo, Ia., May 13 in e. andn. Illinoisinto early April. Elsewhere,4 Iowareports included (HZ). They alsoappcared in Ohio with threeL. Erie reportsand one at 10 near OskaloosaMar. 10 (fide JD) while one in n.e. Ohio near Findlay Res., May 21 (CH). AmericanAvocets were widespreadin the GarrettsvilleMay 2 (iLK) andeight at Spfld., Mar. 15 (H) wereunex- w. stateswhere the largestflock was of 28 at RivertonW.M.A., Apr 24 pected.As manyas tbur King Railswere reportedfrom 8 locations,a (BPr et al. ). Theyalso appeared at 3 Illinoissites with a maximumof 23 slight declinefrom previousyears. Virginia Rails returnedwith the at Spfld., Apr. 23 (H) plus one in Daviess, Ky., Apr. 28 (fide AP) A warm weatherin March; the earliestreport was of four in Franklin, 0., Red Phalaropeat MosquitoCreek W.M.A., O., Mar. 15 providedone Mar. 9 (JM). Sorasalso returned by Mar. 15 at Spfid.(H) buttheir peak of very few springrecords from Ohio (iJ). An exceptionallyearly concentrationwas 60 + at Marais Temps Clair W.M.A., Mo., May 4 Wilson'sPhalarope returned to ConeMarsh, la., Mar. 13 (iT). The (DU). SingleYellow Rails were adequatelydescribed from Ames, Ia., largestconcentration in thew. stateswas 200 at RivertonW.M.A., Apr Apr. 13 (•'SDet al.), SpringValley W.M.A., O., Apr. 17 (tJH) and 24 (JS) while scatterede. reportsincluded nine at Shakertown,Ky , Doolittle Prairie, Ia., May 8 (tEA et al.) while a Black Rail was May 4 (RM). One or two N. Phalaropesappeared at single inland capturedin Vermilion,Ill., May 30 (•'JSm). PurpleGallinules staged a locationsin Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Iowa May 5-30. minor incursionwith n. reportsfrom GraniteCity, I11.,Apr. 7 (AE), Greenville,I11., Apr. 11 (CM), SpringValley W.M.A, O., Apr. 18-20 GULLS, TERNS -- Most winteringgulls departedwith the warm (lJSh, m.ob.) andS. Amana,Ia., May 16-31+ (LHa, ½m.ob.).Coin- weather of late February althoughsingle GlaucousGulls lingered mon Gallinules were scarcein all statesexcept Missouri. throughApr. 16 at HorseshoeL., Ill. (RK, mob.) andMay 9 at Huron O. (PL). LesserBlack-backed Gulls appearedat 2 L. Erie sitesthrough SHOREBIRDS -- Despiteextensive available habitat in all states Mar. 25 andThayer's Gulls were presentat Evanston,I11., Apr. 9 (JL) exceptOhio, the shorebirdflight wasdisappointing in mostareas. Only andHuron, O., May 9 C;'PL).Along the Great Lakes where they have Illinois and Kentuckyobservers described their numbersin positive becomeregular, 1-2 LaughingGulls appearedat 3 L. Erie and 2 L terms.A concentrationof 50 SemipalmatedPlovers at LouisvilleMay 8 Michigansites Apr. 13-May 28. The only inlandreport was of four at was locallynoteworthy (BP). PipingPlovers were scarcewith only 2 Alton Dam, Mo.-Ill., May 30 (PB, TBa). Two early Franklin'sGulls Illinois and 3 Iowa sightings.Large numbersof Am. GoldenPlovers returned to L. Manawa, Ia., Mar. 2 (TB, SK). Small numbersof mi- were reportedfrom Iowa and Illinois duringearly May. Black-bellied grantshave becomeregular in the e. stateswhere there were 7 reports Ploverswere quitescarce along the GreatLakes although 75 in Wa?le, this spring. Little Gulls were reportedfrom ChicagoApr. 8-9 (RD, O , May 23 compriseda largeinland flock for spring(DK). A maximum m.ob.) and3 L. Erie locationsMar. 16-May 19 with a maximumof 10 at of 87 Ruddy Turnstoneswas reportedalong the Great Lakes. Record Cleveland Mar. 20 (M). Unusualin spring, an imm. Black-legged early Am. Woodcocksreturned to Shelby,I11., Feb. 18 (KF) andLucas, Kittiwake was studiedat Lorain, O., Mar. 26 (?JP). Ia , Feb.24 (fide JD) while an impressive40 were countedat Killdeer Forster'sTerns were widespreadbut numberswere not largeexcept Plains W.M.A., O.,Mar. 5 (JM). Common Snipe remained locally for 130-500at ChicagoMay 4-8 (JL, HR). CommonTerns were gener- scarce. A Long-billed Curlew at Killdeer Plains W.M.A., May 25 ally scarcealthough 1500 were notedat Lorain, O., May 16 (TL). The providedOhio's first sightingsince 1926 (?JM). Only oneWhimbrel only LeastTern wasreported from Hamlin, Ky., May 3 (JEr).Caspian was observedalong the GreatLakes but unusualinland sightings con- Ternsappeared in betternumbers with maximaof 101at ClevelandApr sistedof one at HendricksonMarsh, la., May 4 (iBPr, Im.ob.), one- 23 (M) and 56 at Little Clear L., Ia., May 23 (RCu). A substantial two in Wayne,O., May 19-23(DK), oneat Coralville Res., la., May 24 numberof BlackTerns moved through the w. statesand Illinois May 7- ( ICB et al.) and two in Monroe, I11.,May 26 (iSR). As many as 24 19 but they continuedto be scarceelsewhere. UplandSandpipers were widely reportedfrom all states.Willets ap- pearedat 31 locationsApr. 17-May 16 includinga substantialmove- CUCKOOS THROUGH WOODPECKERS -- Both cuckoos were mentApr. 29-May 1. The largestflock was of 32 nearLawrenceburg, generallylate andscarce in mostlocations. Not normallyconsidered to Ind., Apr. 30 (MM, D & MS) while groupsof 18-27were reported from be predators,a Black-billedCuckoo was observed carrying a humming- the other states. birdin Ottawa,O., May 30 (JP). BarnOwls werereported from single Bothyellowlegs returned with the warm weatherof earlyMarch; the Ohioand Kentucky, 2 Iowa and8 Missourilocations this spring. These earliestsightings were of a Greaterin Ottawa,0., Mar. 6 (Jet al. ) anda increasedobservations probably reflected better reporting of thisspecies Lesserat Columbus,O., Mar. 7 (JM). They werescarce except for 300 ratherthan population increases. A SnowyOwl remainedat Oregon,O , Lessersin Ballard and Fulton, Ky., Apr. 19 (JE). RemarkableRed throughApr. 20 (JP). Other migrantowls were ratherscarce. Long- Knot concentrationsincluded 48 at Waukegan, Ill. (JN) and 60 in eareds were reportedfrom 10 locationsand Short-earedsat 13 sites l&•tyne.0., May 19 (fide DK) and 35 at Oregon,O., May 20 (CH, PL). while the 12 Saw-whetOwl reportsincluded a late bird at Euclid, O , Early PectoralSandpipers returned to the w. L. Erie marshesMar. 5. May 2 (DC). An earlyChuck-will's-widow returned to St. LouisApr 4 White-rumpedSandpipers were widely reportedincluding 150 at L. (fide RK). In additionto their regularsummering locations, one was Manawa, Ia., May 7-10 (TB) and 100 at Meredosia,I11., May 21 (TP). discoveredat Columbus,O., May2 ('I-JF)and two at L. Waveland,Ind , Balrd's Sandpipersightings included 109 at RivertonW.M.A., Ia., May 5-14 (AB). CommonNighthawks were scarce except for 100 at Apr. 24 (JSc)and 1-8 at 3 Illinoislocations Apr. 21-May 7 (H, RG). An Hamlin, Ky., May 11 (JEr). An early Chiinney Swift returnedto early Dunlin returnedto O.W.R., Apr. 3 andpeaked May 27 with 6700 M.M.W.A., by Apr. 3 (JP). Locallyimproved numbers of Ruby-throat- in Ottawa, O. (JP). Dowitcherswere scarcein mostareas. Judging from ed Hummingbirdswere reportedfrom Ohio and Indianabut they re- the large numberof Long-billedreports, many observersare having mainedscarce at manylocalities. Three PileatedWoodpecker reports difficultyseparating the 2 species.Since Short-billeds often give several from the Dunes area of n.w. Indiana (fide KB) were representativeof call notes, identificationsbased on the absenceof a seriesof whistled this species'continued increase in the Region. Late Yellow-bellied notesis not sufficient.In orderto clarify their springstatus, all Long- Sapsuckerslingered at St. Louis throughMay 10 (RBo) and Chicago bdledsand early Short-billedsmust be documented.While the earliest throughJune 4 (SP) while numbersof migrantswere comparable to last dowitchersare usually Long-billeds such as one at Killdeer Plains year. A Red-cockadedWoodpecker was observednear Cumberland W M.A., O., Mar. 27 (•J), an apparentShort-billed was observedat FallsS.P., Apr. 30-May I (RM etal.), indicatingthat the small resident MaraisTemps Clair W.M.A., Mo., Mar. I3-Apr. 2 (tSR). A maximum populationstill survivesin s. Kentucky. of 50 Stilt Sandpiperswas notedin the w. statesand 27 in Monroe, Ill. (RG) while smallernumbers were reportede. to w. Indiana.Semipal- FLYCATCHERS THROUGH CREEPERS -- Early E. Kingbirds matedSandpipers were numerousin Ohio and Illinois May 24-June4 returnedto 3 n. locationsApr. 15-16;largest reported concentration was

876 AmericanB•rds, September-October1983 45 althoughnumbers were generally fairly low. Normalnumbers of W. year's; the largestreported group was of nine and therewere several Kingbirds were noted in w. Iowa but none was observedin Missouri. sightingsfrom w. Missouri.A Blue-wingedWarbler banded at Kansas Extralimital Scissor-tailedFlycatchers wandered N to Madison. la., City wasnoteworthy for w. Missouri(MMy). Two Lawrence'sand nine May 15 (gMD) andBuchanan. Mo., Apr. 28 (L, LG) andE to Mingo Brewster'shybrids were reported this spring. An earlyOrange-crowned N.W.R.. Mo., Apr. 28 (SDi et aLL The warm early springweather Warblerreturned to Spfld., Apr. I (HI while an exceptional133 were broughtE. Phoebesto all statesby the first weekof March. As wastrue observedat Ames, la., Apr. 26-May 18 (PMI. A N. Parulaat Ballard for mostpassefines, the Empidanaxflycatcher migration was relatively W.M.A., Ky., Apr. I was early (KC). Cape May Warblersinvaded good. Yellow-belliedand Alder flycatcherswere widely reportedand Iowa wherethey are usually scarce. This yeaifs 14reports included 20 at Willows appearedin betternumbers than last year. Normalnumbers of SweetMarsh May 13 (FM, RMy). SingleBlack-throated Blue Warblers Olive-sidedFlycatchers were reported after May 5. A well describedc• werealso found at 4 Iowalocations. Yellow-rumped Warblers remained Vermilion Flycatcherwas observed at SiouxCenter May 6-7, provid- throughMay 17-31 in all states,an indicationof this season'slate ing a first recordfor Iowa (gJV et al.--ph.I. migration.A c• To•nsend'sWarbler at DunesS.P., May I-2 provided Many early swallow sightingsreflected the warm weatherof early a secondsight record for Indiana (?JK, gKB). A CeruleanWarbler at March. Earliestsightings included a Tree at O.W.R., Mar. 6 (J, JM), SiouxCity May 21 wasunusual for n.w. Iowa (DE) anda Blackpoll Rough-wingedat Columbus,O., Mar. 9 (JM), Barn at Hamlin, Ky., Warblerat LouisvilleApr. 17 wasearly (DNo). PineWarblers at Mad- Mar. 14 (JEt) and two-threePurple Martins at Davenport, la., Mar. 3 isonville,Ky. (JHa) and Giant City S.P., 111.,Mar. 5 (JR) probably (fMe P). The subsequentcold weatherduring April causedsome mortal- returnedwith the unusually mild early March weather. A closelystudied ity, particularlyof nestingPurple Martins. The only noteworthyconcen- c• Kirtland'sWarbler at MichiganCity May 22-23provided Indiana's trationswere 2500 Treesat L. Waveland,Ind., Apr. 28 (AB) and2000 fourthrecord (TC, ,'i'KB,m.ob.--ph.). Theusual scattered Prairie War- at Euclid. O.. Apr. 14 (DC). bler reportsin n. areasincluded one at SweetMarsh, la., May 12-13 Blue Jaysmigrated rather late with somemovement continuing into (?FM, RMyl. A LouisianaWaterthrush in LorainMar. 16 wasquite June. Largestflights included 500 in Story, la., May 6 (SD), 200-500 earlyfor n. Ohio(JP). Unusualin w. Iowawas a KentuckyWarbler in along L. Michigan May 12-13 (KB, CK) and Clevelandmaxima of Mills May 25 (TB, BPa). OtherOporornis warblers appeared in excep- 1377/hourMay 14 and844/hour May 2 ! (MI. FishCrows were noted n. tionallygood numbers this spring. Connecticut Warblers were widely to St. Louis wherethe largestflock was 25. Followinga dismalflight reportedMay 7-June4 + includinga remarkableeight at Waterloo,la., last autumn,Red-breasted Nuthatches were universallyscarce. In con- May 22 (FM, RMy). MourningWarblers were almost common. Daily trast, Brown Creeepersstaged an excellentmovement with severalre- maximaof 7-12 in all stateswere dwarfed by the 22 at Waterloo,la., portsof 25-40 and many lingeringinto early May. May 22 (FM, RMy) and 49 at Spfld., May 7-earlyJune (HI.

WRENS THROUGH SHRIKES -- Winter Wrens were generally reported in improved numbersand also lingered into May. While Bewick's Wrens remainedfairly stablein Missouri, only two were reportedfrom Kentuckyand two pairs were observedin Hamilton, 0., May 1! (RA). Long-billedMarsh Wrens were scarcein many areas. Good numbers of Short-billed Marsh Wrens were noted in w. states such as 28 at Doolittle Prairie, la., May 20 (JSc). Only 3 reportswere receivedfrom Ohio andKentucky. Most thrushes appeared in good-to- excellentnumbers although Wood Thrusheswere locally scarce.En- couragingnumbers of HermitThrushes included 185 at Chicago Apr_ 22 (JL). Early Swainson'sThrushes returned to KansasCity Apr. 12 (KH) and an early Gray-cheekedThrush appeared at Hamlin, Ky., Apr. 16. However,the thrushmovement was generally late with manyremaining well into June. Exceptionalfor n. Indiana was a migrationof 83 E. Bluebirdsalong L. Michigan Mar 5 (KB). Blue-grayGnatcatchers continued to increasein mostn. areas.Many observersreported good numbersof Golden-crownedKinglets with maxima of 65-70 at severallocalities. Exceptionally late individuals lingeredthrough May 17 at Van MeterS.P., Mo. (CHo, KH) andMay 27 near Dayton, O. (RC). Ruby-crownedKinglets were reportedin comparablenumbers. Continuing the trend of recentyears, Water Pipits were scarce;the largestreported flock was 150 at Maceo,Ky., Apr. 19 Kirtland's Warbler,Michigan City Harbor. Ind., May 22, 1983. Photo/ J. Koss. (AP). The CedarWaxwing migration was normalwith a typicalpeak duringthe lasthalf of May. ThreeN. Shrikereports included one s. of its BLACKBIRDS THROUGH TANAGERS -- Good numbers of Bob- normalrange in Wayne,O., Mar. 5 ('tDK) andanother through Mar. 21 olinks were reported,beginning Apr. 16 in Fulton. Ill. (MB et al.). near Waukon, la. (JSc). LoggerheadShrikes exhibited little improve- Largest concentrationswere 50-250+ in all states. Yellow-headed mentwith a totalof 9 sightingsin Ohio, Indianaand c. Illinoisplus 4-8 Blackbirdsreturned to mostareas by mid-April. They appearedat tradi- birds in Iowa. tional sites e. to the w. Lake Erie marshes with a maximum of 100 + in n.w. Missouri(L). Extralimitalobservations included singles at onee. VIREOS, WARBLERS -- Althoughlocal concentrationswere re- Missouriand 4 centralIllinois locations.Both oriolesgenerally ap- portedfrom manyareas, the most pronounced Region-wide movements pearedin goodnumbers. A RustyBlackbird in Ottawa,O., May 31 was occurredApr. 26-29 and May 5-8. The latter flight producedsome very late(JP). In thee. states,as many as nine Brewer's Blackbirds were remarkableconcentrations May 7 including1581 Yellow-rumped and observedin Ottawa, 0., Mar. 13-May 2 and 5-10 appearedat 3 Ken- 1462 Palm warblers in Cook, I11. (m.ob.) and an estimated2000 Yel- tucky locationsApr. 23-26 e. to Warren. Iowa's first Great-tailed Iow-rumpeds,800 Yellows, 400 Magnoliasand Black-throatedGreens Grackleswere discovered in Mills May 19(?TB, ?BPa).This sighting and 200 Palm and Chestnut-sidedwarblers in Lucas, O. (ET). wasoverdue as theyhave been regularly observed in adjacentstates. As Increasednumbers of White-eyedVireos appeared n. to Laurens,la., many as 12 were countedat S.C.R., duringthe period. A total of 14 May 18 (RH). Bell's Vireos remainedstable and good numbersof SummerTanagers from n. areasrepresented a good number of spring PhiladelphiaVireos were notedbeginning with an early migrantat overflights. BuschW.M.A., Mo., Apr. 21 (SR). Swainson'sWarblers returned to traditionals. Illinoisand s.e. Missourisites. Since they very seldom FINCHES, SPARROWS -- The May 7 flight also included461 overtlytheir normal range, one at ChicagoMay 4 wasexceptional (?JL, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks in Cook, Ill. Normal numbers of Blue Gros- m.ob.). Numbers of Golden-wingedWarblers were similar to last beaks returned to their traditional locations while the few extralimital

Vol. 37, Number 5 877 reportsincluded one n. to SouthBend, Ind., May 6 (ñVI). A c• Lazuli to linger well into May at a numberof locationsand Tree Sparrowsto Bunting was discoveredin St. Louis May 14 (ñRK). This speciesis remainalong L. Erie throughMay 2. Normalnumbers of Clay-colored accidentalanywhere in the Region.Equally remarkable was a c• Paint- Sparrowswere reportedfrom the w. statesand Illinois while the e. ed Bunting recoveredat an Indianapolisoffice tower May 5, providing sightingsconsisted of two at Evansville,Ind., Apr. 30 0•FG, •'JCm-- a secondspecimen for Indiana(*RB). Within its normalrange in s.w. ph.) andone at M.M.W.A., May 20-22 (CH, PL ?m.ob.). A Harris' Missouri,two pairswere observed near Springfield (fide CBo) andone Sparrowappeared e. to Fulton, Ill., Apr. 10 (LA). The May 7 flightalso in Cedar (AC). Dickcisselsremained quite scarce in the e. statesexcept brought207 White-crownedsand 703 White-throatedSparrows to Chi- for 60 in Butler, 0., May 30 (FR). Sincefew fincheswere notedthis cago (PC et al.); thesespecies received mixed reportselsewhere. Fox winter, it is not surprisingthey were universallyscarce this spring. Sparrowswere widely observedincluding a very late migrantat Spring EveningGrosbeaks appeared at only 2 Kentuckylocations. Only Purple Valley W.M.A., O., May ! 5 (NW). LaplandLongspurs were abundant Fincheswere numerouswith daily maximaof 35-114 in all statesand in Iowa andIllinois with an estimated10,000 in Story,Ia., Apr. 17 (PM) scatteredsingles lingering into late May. HouseFinches continued to and 1000-1500 at 3 otherlocations Mar. 20-Apr. 2. Few werereported increasein Ohio, Kentuckyand Indiana. Illinois reportsconsisted of elsewhere.Smith's Longspurs were observed at 8 Iowa, 6 Illinoisand 2 threein theChicago area plus one in Edgar(?PS) while Iowa observers Missourilocations Mar. 9-May 7 with 200 nearHills, Ia., Mar. 12 (•'T, discoveredsingles at LiscombApr. 15 (?BPr) and DavenportMay ! •FS) andin Macon, Ill., Apr. 16 (LA, TP). The ony adequatelydocu- (?P). The only other finchesreported were singleCom. Redpollsin mentedChesmut-collared Longspur was reported from Hills, Ia., Mar. Ohio and Illinois and singlePine Siskinsin Iowa and Missouri. 12 (tCKn). Ten late SnowBuntings lingered through Apr. 9 at Findlay Res., O. (JM).

ADDENDUM -- The followingline wasinadvertently omitted from the autumnreport (AB 37:188): An incrediblylate Bobolinkvisited a Rockford. I11. feeder Dec. 7 (•'D. Williams).

CONTRIBUTORS -- (Subregionaleditors names in boldface;con- tributorsare requestedto sendtheir reportsto them.) E. Armstrong,L. Augustine, R. Austing, T. Barksdale(TBa), P. Bauer, M. Baum, C. Bendorf (CB), R. Bodman (RBo), D. Bohlen (H), C. Bonner (CBo), T. Bray (TB), K. Brock, G. Brown, W. Brown, A. Brunet, R. Buskirk (RB), J. Callahan (JC), K. Camburn,J. Campbell (JCm), R. Carmel (RC), P. Clyne, A. Cooksey, D. Corbin, T. Coslet, R. Cummins (RCu), S. Davis (SDa), R. DeCoster, S_ Dilks (SDi), J. Dinsmore, S. Dinsmore(SD), M. Dixon, G. Doyle, J. Eades(JEa), J. Elmore(JE), J. Erwin (JEr), A. Evans, D. Ewert, K. Forcum, J. Fry, L. Galloway, R. Goetz, T. Grannan,K. Granneman,L. Haldy (LHa), J. Hancock(JHa), R. Harms, L. Harrison (LH), J. Haw (Haw), 1. Hill (JH), C. Hobbs (CHo), K. Hobbs, C. Hocevar (CH), V. Inman, N. Johnson,Charles Cassin'sSparrow, Olive Park, Chicago,Ill., June 1, 1983. Photo/J. Keller ICK) (Indiana), J. Kendall, Tom Kent (T) IIowa), L. Kirtle, W. Milosevich. Klamm (M), Vernon K!een (K) (Illinois), D. Kline, C. Knight(CKn), R. Korotev, S. Kovanda, J. Landing, F. Lawhon (L), P. Lehman,T. A representativeof the spottedrace of Rufous-sidedTowhee wan- LePage, C. Marbut, P. Martsching, J. McCormac (JM), R. & R. dered E to Decatur, Ill., May 8 (GD). Grasslandsparrows received McNett (R & RMc), M. Mercer (MM), J. Mllosevich (JMi), F. Moore, mixed reports.Savannah Sparrows were fairly numerous,beginning R. Morris (RM), M. Myers (MMy), R. Myers (RMy), J. Neal, D. with an early migrantin Madison, Ia, Mar. 4 (MD). In contrast,Grass- Nolan (DN), D. Noonan (DNo), B. Padelford (BPa), B. Palmer-Ball hopperSparrows were generally scarce except for 40 in Butler,O., May (BP), S. Patti, Bruce Peterjohn (J) (Ohio), P. Petersen(P), J. Pogac- 30 (FR). Le Conte'sSparrows were well reportedin the w. statesand nik, A. Powell, B. Proescholdt(BPr), T. Pucelik, F. Renfrow, K. Illinois with a maximum of 24 at Mark Twain N.W.R., Ill., Mar. 19 Renick, J. Robinson,S. Russell,H_ Rylaarsdam,J. Sandrock(JS), J. (RG, JEa). In the e. states,six were observedin Gibson and Sullivan, Schaufenbuel(JSc), J. Shrader(JSh), R. Silcock, J. Smith (JSm), Anne Ind., Apr. 16 (KB et al.) and one in Ottawa, 0., May 2 (•'JP) Hens- Stature(S) (Kentucky),F. Stamm,T. Staudt,B. Stehling,P. Steidl,S. Iow's Sparrowswere only reported in smallnumbers. One or two Sharp- Stroyls,D. & M. Styer, E. Tramer,D. Ulmer, J. Van Dyk, N. Walker, tailed Sparrowswere discoveredat 7 locationsin Iowa, Indiana,Mis- M. Wiese, B. Wilson, Jim Wilson (Missouri), A. Wiseman (W), H. souriand Illinois May 21-June5, an unusuallylarge number of spring Zalatel. In addition, many personswho could not be individuallyac- observations.A thoroughlystudied Cassin's Sparrow wasbanded and knowledgedsubmitted notes to the various subregionalreports.- photographedat ChicagoMay 27-June4, providinga first recordfor BRUCE G. PETER JOHN, 105-K E. TiconderogaDr., Westervi!!e, Illinois(•'JL, •'SP,m.ob. I. Thecool weather caused Dark-eyed Juncos OH 43081.

CENTRAL SOUTHERN REGION 202 species!The wind wasN, 10-25m.p.h., the routeTensaw Delta to DauphinIsland. The birdsthat were missed tell the storybetter than the /Thomas A. Imhof list itself:Turkey and Blackvultures, Marsh Hawk, BarredOwl, East- ern Wood Pewee, robin, Seasideand Sharp-tailedsparrows. Their rec- The weatherthis springwas awful--but the birdingwas excellent. ord will take a long time to better,and is a fine tributeto two of the best Poor "migrating weather" was the rule for almostevery day of the birdersin our 6-state Region. period. Before the northerlywinds of one cold front died down, the For more than five months most fronts have come from the Pacific heavyrains of the next front began,and so the birdsoften made very rather than Arctic Canada, and the air masses behind them have been little headway.The amazingvariety and number of birdsthat normally warmerand wetter. Thunderstormsand flooding seemedto be the rule passover us unnoticed,or are recordedonly as a tokenfew, were once asheavy rain fell on alreadysaturated ground. Westerly winds south of a again revealed.The variety of birds presenton the Gulf coastin late low moved birds east, then as the low crossedthe coastline and moved April promptedmany attemptsat a Big Day, andon April 24 young out into the Gulf, birds on the coast, now north of the center, were veterans,Dwight Cooleyand Mark Brown,set a newAlabama record of moved west--and all winds moved lots of water! Van Remsen birded in

878 AmericanBirds, September-October1983 the U.S.F. & W.S. DiseaseLab., Madison,Wis., areexamining many carcasses.OEF fearedthat 2-5000 birds may be involved along this 550 + mi coastline.Robert Lange of the Wisconsinfacility estimated 2000. The investigationthus far centersaround an unidentifiedtrema- rodeintestinal fluke, the blue crab, anda severedrought in panhandle Florida last fall which affected the salt-fresh-water balance and the food availableto the loons.Possibly unrelated was a die-off of 30 loonson the Mississippicoast late April-early May (JT). This springloons were foundin numbersin breedingplumage in a harbor,45 at Gulfport, Miss., Apr. 19 (JT, EJ); on freshwaternear the Gulf; Hackberry,Cam- eron, La., Apr. 18 (MS) andBuck Pond, Jackson, Fla., May 31 (MGr); 250-350 mi inland, Birminghamto Franklin, Tenn., half in summer plumage,26 in April, six in May (TAI, GP, SJSet al.) Normally few loonsare seeninland in spring,especially in summerplumage, but they startedlate andin poorphysical condition and encountered bad weather. Let us hope they do better in the North. An Arctic Loon, mostlikely onebird, wasseen in suburbanPensaco- la Feb. 19, Mar. 6 & 14, & May 20, all withinan 8-mi circle,acquiring summerplumage on the lastdate (MLM, RD, OF, ph., m.ob.). It was describedcarefully by knowledgeableobservers after direct comparison island with nearbyCom. Loons.

GULF GREBES THROUGH SPOONBILL -- Eared Grebes were seen in Biloxi Mar. 17 (JT et al.) andPensacola Mar. 31 (RD). Pied-billedshad youngat Pascagoulaby Mar. 14 whichwere about 4/5 adultsize by Mar. 19 (JT et al.). Brown Pelicans were much more numerousand wide- Cameron Parish, Louisiana's southwesternmoston the weekend of spreadon the coast:50 pairswere reported nesting on AudubonI., Bay, April 22-24, apparentlythe best weekendof the season.He noted Fla. (TF). One slightlyinjured found in a parkinglot in s.e. Memphis exceptionalnumbers of westernmigrants including Wilson's Phalarope, Apr. 12 (JLS, MemphisZoo), wasrehabilitated and later returned by air LesserNighthawk, Western Kingbird, Warbling Vireo, NashvilleWar- to the Gulf Coastand wasthe secondlocally in 55 years(fide B.B.C.). bler, Wilson's Warbler, WesternTanager, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Gannetswere numerouswith abouteight reaching Grand Isle, La., by and Dickcissel.He statedthat "severalCape May Warblerswere also Mar. 13 (DM, RDP). Double-crestedCormorant is anotherfish-eating see•a speciesthat we normallyassociate with easterlies."That bird bird doing better lately; the 78 countedApr. 1 on SardisL. was the mixturereally had him scratchinghis head. highestever counted by the observer(WMD) in n. Mississippi.March 5 Bob Duncan of Gulf Breeze near Pensacola also scratched his head at was a goodday for early-arrivingherons in Jackson,Miss.; at Pasca- the crazy bird happenings.On April 19 he had many migrantsnot goula R. marsh, 24 Cattle Egrets, and at BellefontaineBeach, two presentat Gulf Breezeor Fort Morgan the day before.There was not GreenHerons and two Yellow-crownedNight Herons(JT et al.). Two enoughshower activity in theGulf tojustify such a fallout,and the birds dayslater the GreenHeron was noted in Arkansas,at E1Dorado 0tHS). he bandedwere low in fat and exhaustedas from a very long flight. Least Bitternsseemed to be doing well; 17 in Baldwin, Ala., Apr. 17 Reportsof coldand snow on the groundin Tennesseeand North Caroli- (GDJ, RD et al.) and 12 at PascagoulaApr. 28 (JT et al.). Owen Fang na madehim think of a possiblereverse migration. Birmingham had waschagrined May 8. While he wasout birding,his wife Allisonsaw a 31øFon April 19, so all evidencepointed to a strongcold front that RoseateSpoonbill behindtheir houseon PerdidoBay, for the second didn't needa rain squallto precipitatemigrants. recordfor n.w. Florida.The bird of course,was gone when he gotback! After a springlikeFebruary, March wasmore wintery---on March 10 Birminghamsaw an all-day powdery snow fall on40øF ground against a WATERFOWL -- A small CanadaGoose was seenon a pond in backgroundof greenand blossomingtrees. March 24 saw 3 inchesof Elberta, Baldwin, Ala., Feb. 26-Apr. 25 (CLK et al.). It appearstrue snow. Birmingham'slast frost was 31ø on the 19th and 20th, while (Paxton et al.. AB 37:161) that the increasein Ross' Goose in the east is Nashvillehad 28 ø on the 19th.In mostof theRegion bottomlands were owingto morecareful observation. After 3 recordsin the Regionthis still flooded,ponds were full to overflowingand inland mudflatsun- winter.one furnishing the first Alabamaspecimen, the secondcame this known at this writing. Birminghamhas an averageannual rainfall of spring.On Apr. 19 in a Birminghamcity park, a Ross'Goose in a flock 53.8 inches,but in the firstfive monthsof thisyear received 39.9 inches of domesticatedgeese came to within10 ft of thiswriter. At firstthe bird or 75%. was dismissed as feral, but then it was determined that it had been Springmigration arbitrarily ends June 1, but how long after that it presentonly one day. Breedingducks included five youngMottled continuesis anybody'sguess. There seemedto be many more late Ducks Apr. 24 at Pinto Pass,Mobile (GDJ, A.O.S.) and Apr. 10 in shorebirds,cuckoos and warblerstrickling throughthis year, as was Mobilea 9 HoodedMerganser with eight young washed down out of evidentto someonewho coversthe samesmall area daily. the swampinto the harborby torrentialrains (SM, m.ob.). At least6 The birdsreacted in many, oftenunprecedented ways to this strange duckspecies were very late: BlackDuck, DauphinI., Apr. 22 (GDJ, weather, and birdershad a field day recordingthe unusual.In the LP); Green-wingedTeal, CameronMay 9, two pair (MS, VY); N. accountbelow can be found: successfulwintering of at least eleven Shoveler,500 still at BlakelyI., Ala., Apr. 12 (GDJ) anda maleMay 28 unusualspecies, nine speciesimproving their status with the DDT ban, in Cameron(VR, TP); a Canvasback,Pinto I., Ala., Apr. 27 (GDJ);a 9 seveneastern species found far west, and fifteen westernones far east, Buffiehead,probably wounded,Preston I., near Guntersville,Ala., elevenspecies very earlyand at least26 very late, two woodlandspecies May 28-29 (CDC); five Oldsquaw,showing up at the sameplace in on the coastand two coastalones far inland, three northernspecies Biloxi for severalyears now, Mar. 15 (JT, JMG, MC); Black Scotor, recordedin an off winter,twelve species in exceptionallyhigh numbers. Bayview L., Birmingham,Apr. 16, latestdate for stateand first inland six speciesaffected by flood waters,seven rare in theRegion in spring, springrecord (TAI): Red-breastedMerganser, 200 Mar. 22, and 110 andseven others rare at any season.Italicized locations refer to counties Apr. 3 at Waterloo,Lauderdale, Ala. (GP). and parishes. HAWKS -- Two, possiblythree, pairs of White-tailed Kites have LOONS -- SinceJanuary Com. Loonshave been dying in the Gulf; beenpresent within 20 mi of the Mississippi-Louisianaline n. of New CLK estimatesas many 40/mi of n. Floridabeach, perhaps 1000 alto- Orleansfrom as early as Oct. 27, 1982. One pair e. of Abita Springs, getherfrom Fort Morgan, Ala., to BocaGrande, Fla. Pathologistsat the La., bredsuccessfully and had four young May 26 (MWi) for thefirst in SoutheasternCooperative Wildlife DiseaseUnit in Athens,Ga. andat Louisiana.Another pair, betweenBienville and Pearlington,Miss.,

Vol. 37, Number 5 879 produced2 eggs,but apparently there was some disturbance and nothing includedrecords Apr 23, two nearPensacola (R & DB), oneat Mobile furtherdeveloped. The thirdpair disappearedin February,but it possi- Causeway(DMB), eight at Fort Morgan and two still thereApr. 25 bly nestednearby undetected by birders(JT). Many Swallow-tailed (MLM, OF); two in CameronApr. 16 (PL) andone near Lonoke, Ark , Kiteswere reported; the most noteworthy was one in BirminghamMay Apr. 26 (PL). Althoughthe Am. Avocetand Black-necked Stilt seemed 11 (MGa, JMD), thirdrecord in Alabaman. of thecoastal plain, all in a to be doingwell in Floridaand Alabama this spring, coastal Mississippi narrowMay timeperiod. On theTen saw R., Ala., Apr. 24 wererecord- reportedno avocetsand few stilts(JT). Wilson's Phalaropeswere noted ed 88 MississippiKites, 68 in onekettle (CDC, DMB). Two Swainson's in small numbersin the e. half of the Region, and the only numbers Hawkswere seen Apr. 17 nearVinton, Calcasieu (PL). ThisMarch and outsideCameron were 15-20 at Nettleton, Ark., Apr. 28 (ELH). In April, Bald Eagleswere notedin Alabamain the Tennessee(CDC); Cameronthere were 25 on Mar. 31 (MJM), 250 Apr. 16 (MJM), and Warrior (B.A.S.), Coosa(DCHo), and Chattahoochee(DMB) river 1000+ Apr. 22 (SC, DD). valleys.Of themany Osprey reports, two at Tangipahoa,La., appeared to haveyoung in thenest May 15 (WPS); thoseat Escatawpa,Jackson, GULLS AND TERNS -- A GlaucousGull, probablythe same bird as Miss., were feedingyoung Apr. 23 (JT, ChR, EJ); thosenear Fort hasspent 3 wintersat Pensacola,this year noted Dec. 20, 1982-Apr.29, Morgan, Ala., were rebuildingMay 11 after a stormApr. 22 had 1983 (WV, RD et al.). Two Great Black-backedGulls were noted, destroyedthe nest where they had raised young last year (JMD). A pair one in first-winterplumage on DauphinI., Apr. 9-24 (JT, GDJ et al ), stillpresent May 15 at Waterloo,Ala. (GP), andbirds in CameronMay andone in second-winterplumage at Biloxi Mar. 15-21(MC, JMG, JT, 22 & 28 (VR et al.) may have indicatedlocal breeding.Peregrine ph.). Two Lesser Black-backedGulls were also on the coast,old Falconswere reported from CameronApr. 18 (MS), DauphinI., Apr. "one-foot" now at least7 yearsold, waslast seen at PensacolaMar. 29 23 (A.O.S.) and Gulf Breeze May 12 (LD). The only Merlins men- (PT); and the first one for Mississippiwas an adult on the Gulfport tionedwere in BirminghamMar. 13(TAD, atFort Morgan Mar. 27, and BeachMar. 2-31 (MT, ph., JT, MBa). A first-yearThayer's Gull, three on Dauphin1., Apr. 17 (GDJ, DGJ) and one Apr. 24 (CDC, describedin detailand sketched, seen in CameronMay 28, wasthe sixth DMB). for Louisiana,and if summeringwould be the first for North America (VR, TP). Partof the increasein inlandLarids this spring may be owing QUAILS, CRANES, RAILS -- The 87 Bobwhite calling on the to the bad weatherbut, as was noted this winter, the birdsthemselves D'Iberville B.B .S., Jackson,Miss., May 28 wasa recordhigh (JT). On may be increasing.Franklin's Gull was especiallywidespread with a that B.B.S. route, 13 SandhillCranes were counted(JT). On Apr. 10, max. of 77 at L. Millwood, Hempstead,Ark., May 4 (CMi, CMa), and D Muth walked 1-2 mi of U.S. 90 between the w. and e. Pearl R., in adultswere still presenton the coastat CameronMay 9, 15, & 28 (VR, Louisianajust beforethe road wa• closedby flood waters.He heard TP, MS, RHa, VY). InlandBonaparte's Gulls included a countof 60 + manyrails, but counting just thoseseen, tallied 13 Kings,31 Virginias, Apr. 10 at WheelerDam, Ala. (GP). A flock of 60 Ring-billedGulls and28 Sofas.Virginias were late, oneMay 1 in Pascagoula(MGi): one Apr. 2 in Benton,Ark., was the biggestflock in years(TH, JN). Also Apr. 30 andtwo May 7 in Escambia,Fla. (CLK, MLM, RD et al.); and reportedwell inlandin Alabama,Mississippi, and Arkansas were For- oneMay 22 at BonnetCarr• Spillway,La. (NN). Sorasalso were late ster's,Caspian, and Black terns; at SardisDam, Miss., were the first with one May 9 at PintoPass, Mobile (CDC, GDJ, FH). Also at Pinto springBlack Terns in 20 seasons(WMD). Fifty LeastTerns arrived in Pass,a BlackRail walked5 ft in frontof L. PeavlerApr. 22 ( 15threcord GulfportApr. 4, and 3150 nestswere countedthere May 21, with an for the Alabamacoast, 6th in April). estimatedtotal on the wholeMississippi coast, including a few Black Skimmersand Gull-billedTerns, of 6000 pairs (JT, M.C.A.S.). An PLOVERS, SANDPIPERS, AND ALLIES -- An Am. Oyster- injuredSooty Tern, examinedin the handat St. Andrew'sS.P. (TF) catcheron E. JettyBeach, Cameron May 28 wasa probablefirst for w. furnished the first March record. Louisiana(VR). Three Piping Ploverswere seenat WheelerN.W.R., May 5 & 6 (DCH); of 5 inlandspring records, this was the third at Wheeler.One wasseen Apr. 9 andMay 4 at SardisL. (WMD), the only DOVES, CUCKOOS, OWLS -- Six White-wingedDoves reported twoever seen by theobserver in n. Mississippi.Two veryearly Killdeer thisspring were in Florida,Mississippi, and Louisiana on the coast; the nests,each with 4 eggs,were seenMar. 6 in Starkville,Miss. (JAJ, only two slightlyinland near Baton Rouge Apr. 27 (DFC) andSt. James OD). Along U.S. 90 nearthe Pearl R., La., Apr. 10, 150Com. Snipe May 21 at a feeder(B & VS) werestill s. of I- 10. An earlyYellow-billed werecounted (DM). Along the Mobile Causewaynear the Battleship,a Cuckoowas in Marlanna, Fla., Mar. 27 (BSp); 80 were countedon Long-billedCurlew successfullywintered for the first time (November- DauphinI., May 3 (GDJ, JT, MF); 14 were bandedat FortMorgan and Apr. 12--GDJ). Six Whimbrelswere reported from Dauphin1., May 9 at least5 timesas many seen May 5 & 6 (TAI); 200 + countedon Grand asa goodnumber (GDJ, CDC, FH), yet Apr. 21, 1956,35 werecounted Isle May 8 (RDP); andmigrants were still passing through Birmingham (TAI, others)--canit be that this specieshas droppedto a sixthof its June10 & 28 (TAI). Groove-billedAnis in Florida,possibly from the former abundance?Three SpottedSandpipers had beenpresent in E1 flock of 11 at Gulf Shoresin January,included one at MariannaApr 1 Dorado, Ark., mid-October-at least Mar. 10 (H & LS, YF). The 22 (CR) for a first local record,and birdsat Fort PickensMar. 2 (WV), WfiletsApr. 21 atOak Mountain S.P. (ph., JF)were earliest ever for the Apr. 16 (HMS), and24, late (P & BT); onein CameronMay 28 (VR) mountainregion of Alabama;2 dayslater there were 62 at SardisDam, wasvery late. An ad. GreatHorned Owl on anold Red-tailed Hawk nest Miss. (WMD). On Mar. 29 at Lakeland Farm, Marion, Ala., 150 in a crotch of the tallest cottonwoodaround on Archer I., Chicot Ark, PectoralSandpipers were counted (MBo, JG, HHK, RSm). [TheWhite- Feb. 8 producedyoung by Mar. 13. (N & JCH). Another,also in an old rumpedSandpiper peak of 80 reportedlast year for the nearbyfederal Red-tailednest, in Washington,Ark., was aboutto fledgeyoung Apr hatcheryshould have read May 29, not Apr. 29 (AB 36:862).] Baird's 10 (JN, RSt). Anothersuccessfully wintering was a BurrowingOwl on Sandpiperswere early with oneMar. 20 in New Orleans(DM) andthree DauphinI., seenNov. 6-Apr. 12 (RWH, PB, GDJ et al.). at Fort MorganApr. 9 (AM, ADM) earliestfor s.e. Louisianaand Alabamarespectively. A SemipalmatedSandpiper seen in Cameronthis NIGHTHAWKS, SWIFTS, HUMMINGBIRDS -- Was n.w. Flor- springwas color-bandedon both legs (MJM) andhas been reported to ida's secondLesser Nighthawk, at Gulf BreezeApr. 27 & 29 (R, L & ManometBird Observatory,Mass., andpossibly may have been banded SD) Gulf Shores'January bird or perhapsrelated to Cameron'sflurry of in South America! Sanderlingsand Red Knots are also part of this 3-4 birdsApr. 22 & 23 (HHJ, VR, DTK, TS, SA)? On Bellefontaine program.A countof 800 SemipalmatedSandpipers May 9 (GDJ, CDC) Beach,Miss., an earlyChimney Swift wasseen Mar. 10 (JT). Several comparespoorly with 2000 on BlakelyI., Apr. 16 lastyear. However a hummingbirdswintered successfully in the Region:an imm. d Ruby- countof 100Stilt Sandpiperssame date, place, and observers as the 800 throatedat SpringHill, Mobile throughMar. 23 (GDJ, MsLC); a Black- compriseda springmaximum. Three May 28 in Cameronwere extreme- chinnedat Reservethrough Apr. 19 (RJS et al.); and four at Norco ly late.An earlyBuff-breasted Sandpiper was in New OrleansMar. 17 throughApr. 24 with one ad. male throughMay 24, the latestever for (DM) and a late one was on the Mobile CausewayMay 7 (CDC, TAI, the state(MA et al.); an ad. d Rufousat Reversethrough Apr. 21 (RJS, JI) NN); and a Buff-belliedat Reservethrough Apr. 8; all but one of the Several Marbled Godwit records in Florida and Alabama included 11 Louisianabirds bandedby NN; finally a late-reportedbut acceptable at AlabamaPt., Apr. 22 (C & PB, ph.). The rarerHudsonian Godwit Buff-bellied from Gulf Breeze Nov. 25 & 30 (BAS).

880 American Birds, September-October1983 WOODPECKERS, FLYCATCHERS -- Near Mobile Hairy Wood- coastApr 11, 12, & 14 showedfatfly extensiverufous in the head, one peckerswere noted at Tensaw Delta Apr. 22 (GDJ, LP) on the Esca- resemblinga Palm Warbler(JT). On Apr. 19-20, 1968 severalProtho- tawpaR., May 11 (GDJ), and at Fort Morgan May 4 & 5 (TAT). On notariesand Blue-wingedswere bandedon DauphinT. with thesesame NoxubeeN.W.R., the oldestknown Red-cockaded Woodpecker colo- stains(MLB, MEM) andit wasexplained (WPN) thatthe birds visited ny-in theresidential area--now appears abandoned, possibly owing to certaintropical vines for insects(AFN 22:534).Among the few Golden- nearbyunderstory growth (JAJ); while in TuskegeeN.F., Macon this wingedand Blue-winged warblers reported were a Brewster's-typehy- spring,4 of the 5 knowncolony sites appeared abandoned also (DMB). bridApr. 29 at Leiper'sFork, Tenn. (SJS)and a 6' Lawrence's-typein Fourearly E. Kingbirdswere at BellefontaineBeach Mar. 19 (JT et al. ). CameronApr. 23 (SC). ThreeTennessee Warblers in CameronMay 22 WesternKingbirds were seenat DauphinI., Apr. 19 (C & PB); in werevery late (VR, MM, DM) aswas an Orange-crownedWarbler Apr CameronApr. 23, (three--HHJ, DTK) and 24, (four--TS, VR, SA); 23 in Hancock,Miss. (JT, ChR, EJ). Early warblersincluded a Nash- andin E. BatonRouge May 19 (MS, VY, GL). The GrayKingbird did ville at Fort MorganApr. 9 (J & BW, many) and one at Fort Pickens, notreach Dauphin T., untilMay 3 (GDJ, MF), andnone remained at Fort Fla., Apr. 10 (PT); a N. Parulain Biloxi Mar. 4 (MBa); anda Yellow at Morgan. Eleven Great CrestedFlycatchers were still presentin Cam- Fort Pickens Mar. 26 (CLK et al.). Recordswere received of seven eronMay 22, with onestill there May 28 (VR, TP, DM, MJM, SL). An Black-throatedBlue Warblers, noteworthyanywhere in the Regionin AlderFlycatcher was seen and heard May 14 atHelena, Ark. (HP) anda spring;the earliestApr. 8 on DauphinT. (GDJ); the farthestw., Me- Willow May 26 in Stone,Ark (TLF). Of thefive Leastsreported, one tairie,La., Apr. 30 (NN), a femalebanded at FortMorgan May 4 (TAT Apr. 10 at Fort Morgan(CDC) andApr. 11 at Gulfport(JT) werevery et al.); latest May 7, a female at Leiper's Fork, Tenn. (SJS). Far w early.Exceptionally early was an E. WoodPewee Mar. 19 at Bellefon- Cape May Warblerswere a male Apr. 22 (SC) and a female Apr 24 taineBeach (JT), with no vocalizationsmentioned. Latest for Louisiana (VR), bothin Cameron.A 6' Black-throatedGray Warbler Apr. 14 at was a Vermilion Flycatcherin CameronApr. 24 (JK, TS, VR, SA). BellefontaineBeach (JT, MBa) furnishedthe first springrecord for coastalMississippi. A late Black-throatedGreen Warbler and three late LARKS THROUGH THRUSHES -- Pairs of Horned Larks were Chestnut-sidedswere in CameronMay 22 (VR, MM, DM); a Palm at notedat Tallulah, Madison, La., May 31 (DPa, RHa, VR) and 50 mi Waterloo, Lauderdale, Ala., May 15 (GP) had only one later date in fartherupriver at Wintervillenear Greenville, Miss., year-round(N & Alabama. Northern Waterthrushes' latest for Louisiana were in Cam- JCH). Early BarnSwallows were two Mar. 12 in Hancock,Miss. (JT et eron, threeMay 22 (MM, VR, DM) and two May 28 (VR, TP). A little al ), and 11 in n. MississippiMar. 16, sevennear Jackson, one near far w. andalso early was a ConnecticutWarbler Apr. 30 at TensasRiver Granada,and three near Oxford (WMD). Fish Crowsn. of the Fall Line N. W. R., Madison,La. (DPa, VY). The MourningWarbler, recorded in includedone and six Apr. 5 & 16 at L. Fayettevilleand L. Sequoyah, springon Floridaand Alabama coasts only once each, was noted 3 times Ark. (TH, JN); nearW. Blocton,Bibb, 15 min. of theFall Line, several in Gulf Breezein April, on the 9th (E & HB), 16th(DG) and 17th(JWl), in May (LT) and sevenJune 2 (TAT, GA). Most of the Red-breasted inlandtwo malesand one femalewere seenMay 15 nearHelena, Ark Nuthatchesthis spring were on the coast;five at L. CharlesApr. 24 (H & MP). To completethe genus,a 6' MacGillivray's Warbler, the (MJM), oneat DauphinT., Mar. 19 (MF) andMay 3 (GDJ), oneat Fort secondfor Louisiana,was seen and described well Apr. 30 in Cameron MorganMay 4 (TAT et al.) but onein BirminghamApr. 30 (TAT, FD). MWe, RC). A 6' Wilson'sWarbler, at Fort PickensDec. 21-Apr 16 White-breastedNuthatches were moving around a bit, onewas at Gulf (CLK et al.) was another successfuloverwinterer. Breeze,on the water Apr. 17 (HK, B & HD, OB), andanother produced threeyoung May 25 for the first local nestingat Decatur,Ala. (JLW, BLACKBIRDS, TANAGERS -- The earliest-everBobolink for Ala- RW). bamawas a maleat Fort MorganApr. 10 (CDC). Of 14 Yellow-headed Late wrensin n.w. Floridawere a Winterat Gulf BreezeApr. 3 (RD) Blackbirdsreported, a malewas from Mississippi,Pascagoula R. marsh and a Houseat Fort PickensApr. 30 (RD, MLM, CLK). Apr. 23 (JT); six were from Arkansas,four at LonokeMay 7 (WMS), Bewick's Wrens nestednear Decatur,Ala., with five eggsApr. 20 and sevenfrom Cameron,five + Apr. 23 (DM, others).Another late (DCH, JLW, RW). This was the first reportednesting in Alabamain bird from CameronMay 28 wasan ad. 6' N. (Baltimore)Oriole (VR), severalyears. A pairwas noted at Hickory,Newton, Miss., Mar. 9, 13, but OrchardOriole was early in Mobile Mar. 5 (PB). A late Rusty & 25 (JMG); one it Little Rock Mar. 22 (WMS); and one and two Mar. Blackbirdwas in E. BatonRouge Apr. 10 (MS). The BronzedCowbird, 14 & Apr. 2 in Fayetteville(JN, KS, DJ). In Nashville,a youngrobin presentin theReserve area for 6 years,patronized a Gretna,suburban fledgedApr. 12, yet freezingtemperatures persisted there through Apr. New Orleans,feeder Dec. 20-late March (when food with withdrawn), 19 (SJS).In coastalMississippi 10 birdswere still presentApr. 23 (JT, built up to 50 + in mid-March(ph., FB). The first egg (to L.S.U.) was EJ, ChR), yet May 20 nearDelisle, Harrison, younghatched from the collectedfrom an OrchardOriole's nestMay 18 (TS, RJS, MWe). The firstnesting of thisspecies on theMississippi coast since the 1940s(LN, specieshas now movedto BatonRouge where a malewas seen display- JT) A lateHermit Thrush was in theTensaw Delta, Ala., Apr. 22 (GDJ, ing ruf May 27 (RJS, MWe). Birds were first noticedthis year in LP). On May 3 on DauphinI., 70 Swainson'sThrushes were listed; on Metairie Mar. 26 and ReserveMar. 31 (RDP, RJS), and two were in 2 May 4-6 at FortMorgan 30 werebanded with probably 5 timesas many placesin CameronApr. 23 (MM, VR, others).The secondHepatic seennearby (TAT et al.) Around Birminghamthe first broodof E. Tanager for Louisianawas collectedin PevetoBeach Woods, a female Bluebirdsfledged successfully about mid-May with 58 nestlingsbanded May 22 (VR, DM). A d W. Tanagerwas at Holly Beach,Cameron on May 13 (JF, TAT, HHK). Apr. 22 & 23 (SC, DD, MM, RDP). An estimateof 400 ScarletTan- agerswas madeon DauphinI., May 3 (GDJ, JT, MF). On May 28 in KINGLETS THROUGH VIREOS -- A lateGolden-crowned Kinglet PevetoBeach Woods, Cameron a 9 SummerTanager was noted (VR, wasat Leiper'sFork, Franklin, Tenn., Apr. 24 (SJS);and a latest-ever TP). Sprague'sPipit for thecoast was on DauphinT., Apr. 21 (C & PB). Late lingeringCedar Waxwings were 30 in CameronMay 15 & 30 (VR, TP). FINCHES -- DauphinT. hadan estimated400 Rose-breastedGros- At least 100 singingWhite-eyed Vireos were listedfor coastalMissis- beaksMay 3 (GDJ, JT, MF) and threerecord late oneswere in Cameron sippiApr. 23 (JT, ChR, EJ). Late SolitaryVireos were last noted Apr. May 22 (VR). Migrantflocks of IndigoBuntings were numerousand 22 on theTensaw Delta (GDJ, LP) andon the 23rd, threewere singing at widespreadthroughout Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas Logtown,Hancock, Miss. (JT, ChR, EJ).On May 3 at DauphinT., 300 mid-April-mid-May,causing much commentfrom non-birdersabout Red-eyedVireos were estimated(GDJ, MF, JT); on May 4-6 at Fort the unusualblue birds. No exceptionalconcentrations or early or late Morgan39 werebanded, most abundant bird, estimating5 presentfor recordsresulted. A 6' PaintedBunting at Alabaster,Shelby, Ala., Apr everyone banded = 195 (TATet al.). Of sevenPhiladelphia Vireos 30 (MBo, HHK, JF, MWa) wasonly the fourth n. of thecoastal plain in reported,three were bandedat Fort Morgan May 4 (TAT, MN, GDJ, spring.Known to breedin onlya few placesnear Mobile, a singingmale OF, MLM et al. ). WarblingVireos were noted in Floridaat FortPickens on Pinto T., Apr. 30 (GDJ, JP) and a female at HurricaneLanding, Apr. 16 (HKa) andGulf BreezeApr. 23 (LD) andin CameronApr. 23 BaldwinMay 9 (GDJ, CDC) may have indicatedadditional sites. Dur- & 24 (VR). ing late April and early May at least 10 flocks of Dickcisselswere reportedfor thearea between Gulf Breezeand the Mississippi coast. The WARBLERS -- Three ProthonotaryWarblers on the Mississippi only EveningGrosbeaks reported was a flock of 25 in Century,Fla ,

Vol 37, Number 5 881 Mar 22 (KB, fide MG) A late Purple Finch was at Lelper's Fork, Baker. Fred Barry, Evelyn andHoward Barbig, Oren Bass, Richard & Tenn., May 8 (SJS, BHS). A single 5?House Finch patronizedan Dick Ballman, Michael Lee Blerly, BirminghamAud. Sec., Mildred Oxford, Miss. feederJan. 16-Mar. 29 (WMD). In Birmingham,birds Bolton, D. Mark Brown, Paul Blevins, Charles & Peggy Brasfield, were at 4 + feedersand breedingnearby with a maximumof 30 at the Karen Byers, Ralph Cambre, Steve Cardiff, Dan F. Clower, Ben B Oaklandfeeder in late March and early April (TAB. Scarcethis winter, Coffey, C. Dwight Cooley, Maury Covington,Ms. L. Connell, Opal Pine Siskins were noted on the coast at Marlanna, three Mar. 16 Dakin, Frank D'Alessandro, Tristan Davis, W. Marvin Davis, Donna (MAM); at Fairhope,Ala., Mar. 24 (A & MN); andBiloxi Apr. 11, 16, Dittman, Bill & Helen Dowling, Robert, Lucy, & Scott Duncan, & 24 (MGi). A late Am. Goldfinchwas at GulfportMay 17 (JT), but AllisonFang, Owen Fang, JohnFindlay III, YvonneFitts, Mary Floyd, evenlater wasone on the 28th in Cameron(VR, TP). On Apr. 9 at Fort Thomas L. Foti, Tom Francis, Venetia Friend, Mel Garland, Mary Morgan, 40 GrasshopperSparrows were noted(CDC); threewere in Gray, Marjorie Gill, JuanitaGoodson, Dave Goodwin,Tom Hagerty, Boone,Ark., May I (WMS); ninewere in Phillips,Ark., May 15 (H & Edith & Henry Halberg,Earl L. Hanebrink,Margaret Halstead, Robert MP); andthree in Cherokee,Ala., alsoMay 15 (GP). SomeHenslow's Hamilton, Ralph W. Havard (RWH), Ruth Helwege, Nona & J C Sparrowsmoved through early, one Feb. 20 at MuscleShoals, Ala. Herbert, Dan C. Holliman (DCHo) Fred Hopf, David C. Hulse (DCH), (GP, TD); three Mar. 1 in Bessemer,Ala. (LT, FD); but two were late JoeImhof, ThomasA. Iraher, GregoryD. Jackson,Debbie G. Jack- Apr. 17 in St. Tammany,La. (TD). Two Sharp-tailedSparrows at son, Jerry A. Jackson, DouglasJames, Miriam Jennings,Horace H WheelerRef., May 15 & 16 (DCH) constitutedthe thirdinland record Jeter,Evelyn Johnson, Herbert Kale, D.T. Kee, JosephKennedy, Cur- andall readilyidentifiable as the racenelsoni. On Apr. 23 a late Vesper tis L. Kingsbery, Helen H. Kitringer, Scott Lanyon, Paul Lehman, Sparrowwas seenin Cameron(MS, PM, VY). Gary Lester, Clyde Massey, Mary Lou Mattis, Jan McClain, Mary A An earlyLark Sparrowwas seen at BellefontaineBeach Mar. 5, but McCrary, JaneMcDonald (JMD) JoeMcGee (JMG), PaulMcKenzie, five othersfor Florida, Alabama,Arkansas, and Mississippi were all in SamMcMillan, Ann & A.D. Miller, Charles Mills, MargaretE. Mill- the narrowtime periodApr. 11-18 (JT, RD, MLM, GDJ, JN). The rare er, Miss. Coast Aud. Sec., Michael J. Musumeche,David Muth, Mac Rufous-crownedSparrow, which barely entersour Regionfrom the Myers, JoeNeal, LawrenceNecaise, Nancy Newfield, Walter P. Nick- n w., was tape-recordedon MagazineMt., Logan, Ark., May 30 ell, Albert & Mini Nonkes, Helen & Max Parker, Ted Parker, David (WMS, MSc). AlthoughBachman's Sparrow is gettingdifficult to find Pashley,James Peavy, Larry Peavler.Glenn Piper, R. Dan Purrington, in muchof Alabama,possibly owing to drastichabitat changes, a few Van Reinsen, Charliene Roemer (ChR), Carol Rogers (CR), Mike have beenlocated n. of SpanishFort, Baldwin, (GDJ) and in Tuskegee Schiffi (MSc), Tom Schulenberg,William M. Shepherd,Hank H & N F., Macon (DMB, CDC). In Mississippi48 singingbirds were tallied LuvoisShugart (H & LS), Betty Ann Smith, RobbieSmith, Kim Smith, May 28 on theD'Iberville B.B.S. (JT), andin Arkansasone was found WinstonP. Smith,R. Stauffacher,Ronald J. Stein,Timmy Stein, Bill & in a new areain St. FrancisN.F., Phillips (E & HH). Two late Dark- Virginia Stephens,Stephen J. & BarbaraH. Stealman,Henry M. Ste- eyedJuncos were near Rosebank,W. Feliciana, La., Apr. 11 (MS). venson,John L. Stokes,Mark Swan, Brian Specht,Phil & BetsyTet- Clay-coloredSparrows were in CameronMar. 31 & Apr. 23 (MJM, low, LynnesThompson, Judy Toups,Marianne Towell, WayneValen- SC); andin ArkansasMay 8 at Fayetteville(KS). A very late Lincoln's tine, Mark Walton, Melvin Weber, RossWilliams, Joe Wilson, Mark Sparrowwas at Wheeler N.W.R., May 10 (HW, AM). Windham, John & Beverly Winn, Harriett Wright, Joe L. Wright, Vincent Yurkunas.--THOMAS A. IMHOF, 1036 Pike Road, B•r- CONTRIBUTORS (Sectional editors' names in boldface) Ala- mingham, AL 35218. bamaOrnith. Sec., SusanAllen, GussieArnett, MaNon Ayme, Mickey

PRAIRIE PROVINCES REGION /Wayne C. Harris

Weather during the period was unsettledand generallycooler than normal.The unseasonablymild conditionsof the winterseason contin- uedthrough March with the usualblustery conditions and no significant majorstorms. April temperatureswere nearnormal with the exception of southernManitoba; precipitationwas almostdouble that normally receive•much of it falling as snowin someareas. May continuedcool with blizzardsfrom the 10ththrough 14th, whichwere the majorevent of thespring. These storms caused high mortality among some species, particularlyswallows and warblers.For example,at Reginathere were thousandsof deadbirds floating in the waterof WascanaLake, mostly Barn Swallows,Purple Martins and somewarblers. At Good Spirit Lake, the thrusheswere also hard hit. In southernManitoba Whip-poor- will populationswere down 70%. MountainBluebirds and all swallow specieswere hard hit at Raymore,Saskatoon and Spring Valley. Mortal- MONTANA NORTH DAKOTA lty wasnot the only resultof the stormas tremendous fallouts of thrushes and sparrowsoccurred at severallocalities. LOONS, GREBES A singleCom. Loonat GardinerDam, Sask, The weatherresulted in a somewhatdelayed migration. In southern Apr. 3 would indicatethat the individualthat was seenthere through Manitoba and southeastern Saskatchewan arrivals were one-two weeks mid-winter successfullyoverwintered since the normalfirst arrivalsin later thanaverage, the remainderof Saskatchewanonly a few dayslate this regiondo not occuruntil late April (SJS). Southof their normal to average,and normalin Alberta. At Churchillon the HudsonBay, rangewere four Arctic Loonsat Thompson,Man., May 28 (RDM, PS) coastmigration was 4 weeksbehind schedule with manyspecies still not Grebe numberswere normal exceptfor Pied-billedsin s. Manitoba presentat theend of theperiod, not surprisingconsidering that there was where they were "almost nonexistent"(HWRC, RFK). still upto 4 feet of snow.The latespring at Churchill and the entire arctic will undoubtedlyresult in reducedarctic nestingsuccess, something HERONS Great Blue Heron numbersmay have beensomewhat whichshould be monitoredduring the fall migration. below normal as White Bear, Wolseley, Moose Jaw and Spirit L , in

882 AmericanBirds, September-October1983 Saskatchewan,s Manitobaand Calgaryreported lewer thanusual and •s in someyears For the mostpart speciesmoved through at a leisurely reducedheronry sizes (WCH, HWRC, ANW). At Churchill single pacewith few high counts,few raritiesand would appear to be as close Great Blue Heronswere seenMay 9 & 25 (BC). There weresingle Great to a normal or averagemigration as experiencedin this Regionin a Egretsalong CottonwoodCoulee, s.w. Sask., May 20 and at Regina numberof years.A majorlnovement of Am. GoldenPlovers occurred •n May 19-31 and 5 reportstotalling 10 individualsin s. Manitoba(G. s. SaskatchewanMay 17-24 with the highestnumbers occurring on the Barn, TB, RFK). The only Cattle Egretreports were of an adult at Oak 17thwith Last Mountain, having345 and Regina 140 (WCH, BL). In s HammockMay 24 (P. Lawson,H. Lloyd) and one Apr. 30 at Regina Manitobathe peak occurred11 dayslater with 300 at Oak Hammock (BL, CA). SingleSnowy Egrets were seennear Waterhen, Man., May May 28 (GEH, GDG, RFK). More than usualWhimbrel reportswere 6-8 andat BruceL., nearCalgary May 9-12 (D.G. Jacobs,JT). A Green received,all from s. Saskatchewan.There were six seennear Regina Heron was presentat Delta during mid-May (CWC). Both Black- May 21, 22 at Swift Current, May 22, three at Dundurn May 22 and crownedNight Heronand Am. Bitterncontinue to recoverfrom the low threeat Last MountainMay 31 (FHB, CH, SJS, WCH). An excellent numbersof 2 yearsago but still havenot returnedto the population countof Dunlins was 700 at Oak HammockMay 26 (GDG). Short- levelsof the mid-1970s.A singleLeast Bittern was reported from Oak billedDowitchers are not reported every year, probably ()wing to lackof Hammock May 4-7 (GDG). observerschecking over the dowitcherflocks for this species.Th•s springthere were morereports than usual including an exceptional500 WATERFOWL -- Water conditionsand hencewaterfowl popula- at Oak HammockMay 21 (GDG). Otherreports included a singleat Last tions were much improvedthroughout much of the s. prairieswhile MountainMay 15, 18 & 24, five at SaskatoonMay 21 and 15 thereon reportingareas in the forestedregions remarked on reducednumbers of the 23rd (WCH, JBG, CJE). An ad. d' Ruff presentat Oak Hammock waterfowl comparedto the past 2 years (HWRC, RFK, WCH, JRG). May 1-6 provideds. Manitobawith its first record(PT, m.ob., ph ) Some of the more impressivemigratory movements included almost 12,000White-fronted Geese at RaymoreApr. 19(WCH, SML); 2000 + GULLS AND TERNS -- Sightingsof singleGlaucous Gulls Apr. 29 Ross'Geese at GooseL., s.w. of SaskatoonMay 23 (BCG, KMM); at Brandon,May 28 at Pinawa,Man., andApr. 7-13 nearCalgary were 30,000 Pintails at Oak Hammock Apr. 16 (GEH, RFK); and 60 Ring- the only onesoutside of the Churchill area (CWC, RFK, ANW, JS) A neckedDucks on GlenmoreRes. nearCalgary Apr. 24 (DMC). Several rarespring Thayer's Gull sightingwas one near Craven, Sask., May 30 speciesthat are rare or uncommonduring spring were recorded.In s. (RK). A CaspianTern at Ft. McMurray May 31 and a Black Tern May Manitobatwo Ross'Geese were seennear Pierson Apr. 5 anda singleat 26 at Churchillwere bothoutside their normalrange (JRG, BC). Arctic V•rdenApr. 30 (RW, CWC). More reportsthan usual of CinnamonTeal Tern reportsfrom St. Ambroise, Man., May 22 and Delta May 23 away from the traditional s. Alberta-s.w. Saskatchewanareas were (GDG, GEH) would indicatethat the speciesis a rare but regularnn- received.A singlemale possiblypaired was seenat the Last Mountain grantin thes. portionsof theRegion as it hasbeen reported several times L Wildlife ManagementUnit (hereafter,Last Mountain) by several duringthe springin the last few years. observersMay 4-27 (WCH); a malenear Dundurn, Sask., May 7 (SJS) and anotherexceptionally far n. May 16-24 at Ft. McMurray (JRG). POOR-WILL THROUGH FLYCATCHERS -- A Poor-will at Fron- Hybrid Blue-wingedx CinnamonTeal were reportedat Wildlife Re- tier May 22 (JJW)makes this the secondyear in a row thatthis specms serveof Western Canada(hereafter, W.R.W.C.) near Cochrane.Alber- has been seen in s.w. Saskatchewan.A Lewis' Woodpeckerwas at ta May 3 andanother Cinnamon "type" with somespotting on the sides SundreMay 27 and a Red-headedWoodpecker at Val Marie, Sask , of the breastin mid-May at Regina(S J, BL). June1 were both unusual(FH, CH). Yellow-bellied Flycatcheris a rare Eurasian Wigeon stageda major influx this spring.There were 9 migrant in s. Saskatchewanand ten reportsreceived were more than reportsincluding what appearedto be two pairs. In the Calgary area usual(FB, EWK). Two E. Wood Peweeswere at Good Spirit L., May therewere singles seen at 5 differentlocalities with thedates being Apr. 27 (WJA). 1-2, Apr. 2, 17 and May 1 (2 1ocalities--JT,DMC, JS). On Apr. 18 a pa•r was seennear Ft. McMurray and what appearedto be a pair was THRUSHES -- The thrushmigration was the bestin severalyears •n seen6 mi w. of Semans,Sask., May 14 (JRG, WCH). s. Manitoba and at several scattered Saskatchewan localities. In s Two pairsof Wood Duckswere seenon the SourisR. oxbowss. of Manitoba the birds were held up by cold weatherconditions and were EstevanMay 25 indicatingthat thisspecies is a rarebut regularbreeder presentin theincredible numbers. Most numerous were Swainsoh's and on the Souris R., in s.c. Saskatchewan(BCG, KMM). In s. Saskatch- Gray-cheekedwith hundredsbeing seen in a few hours(RFK, HWRC) ewana majorinflux of GreaterScaup occurred. The firstreports came In s. Saskatchewanthe key factor appearedto be the blizzard-hke from ReginaBeach with 10 on Apr. 24 increasingto 25 andthen 100+ conditionsexperienced May 10-14. At KenastonMay 12-13 saw a the following2 days(BL, RK, CA, TR). In Reginathere were 22 on heavy migrationof Swainson'sand Gray-cheekedthrushes (pLB). At Apr 28, two May 19 and six May 21 (RK, TR). The Saskatoonarea had Good Spirit L., thrushes(mostly Swainson's and Gray-cheeked) arrived 10 on Apr. 30 andsingles May 1 & 21 (SJS,CJE). Otherreports were May 10, increasingto 100+ by the 12th. By May 14 few remainedand from CravenApr. 28 with 20 and two at Last MountainMay 5 (TR, numerousdead birds were found (WJA). At Raymore numberswere WCH). White-wingedScorer numbers were up in s. Manitobaand at evenmore spectacular with no noticeablemortality. Again Swainson's Last Mountain, where up to 17/day were seen(RFK, WCH). A rare andGray-cheeked were the mostabundant, peaking at 1160+ and 118 spnngrecord of an Oldsquawwas of onenear Calgary Apr. 6 (ANW). respectivelyMay 14, but bothVeeries and Hermit Thrushes were also commonwith maximumnumbers reached the sameday at 135+ and 17 respectively(WCH, SML). It is possiblethat the wave of thrusheswas DIURNAL RAPTORS-- The raptormigration was not spectacular, more widespreadin Saskatchewanthan reportedbecause conditions to saythe least.There were someisolated good counts reported, but the wereso badmost observers did notventure out. Rarethrushes, a prob- only speciesthat was more commonthan it hasbeen for the pastfew ableresult of thesestorms included a Wood at BrandonMay 19 and a yearswas Goshawk. A singleSharp-shinned Hawk at ChurchillMay 12 Varied at Raymore May 12 (HWRC, WCH). was unusualas was a Red-shoulderedHawk seenthere May 8 (BC). AnotherRed-shouldered was at St. AdolpheApr. 9, the first s. Manito- WARBLERS-- The warblermigration was not spectacular. Only s ba report in 2 years (RFK, IAW). Broad-wingedHawks, generally Manitobareported significant large numbers and thosewere grounded consideredto be rare migrantsin the s.w. portionof the Region,had 3 birds during the May storms.In generalthere were few rarities, no s•ghtingsfrom each of Swift Current, Sask., and Calgary, more than pronouncedwaves but a prolongedm!gration with manyspecies stfil normallyreported (CH, ANW, JS). FerruginousHawks are very rarein presents. of breedinggrounds at periods'end. Someof themore notable s Manitobathus 4 scatteredsightings there this spring was exceptional includeda d' Black-throatedBlue at WinnipegMay 9 (GEH); a Golden- (CWC, NS). PeregrineFalcon numbers were close to normalwith a total winged at Pinawa May 17 (PT) and an amazingfive Connecticutsnear of 28 reports(HWRC, WCH, JRG). An encouragingPeregrine report Calgary May 29 (ANW). camefrom Calgary where a pair nestedin the downtownarea (ANW). FRINGILLIDS -- Unlike the warblers,the finch andsparrow migra- SHOREBIRDS -- The shorebirdmigration was not spectacularas it tionwas considered spectacular by many.There was an excellentmigra-

Vol 37, Number 5 883 tion in s. Manitoba and e. Saskatchewan.At Pinawa there were "hun- moreMay 14 (PT, WCHL A LarkSparrow at GoodSpirit L., May 14 dredsof Fox, White-crownedsand White-throateds" (PT). At Raymore furnishedthe first local recordin 20 years(WJA). thesame storm that grounded the thrushes also grounded sparrows. Peak numbersoccurred May 14 and included170 Chipping,200+ Clay- CONTRIBUTORS -- (Provincialcompilers boldface, local compil- colored,60 White-crowned,80+ Fox and 50+ Lincoln's (SML, ersitalics.)C. Adam, W. andJAnaka (WJA), P. L. Beckie,M. Belcher, WCH). At GoodSpirit L., Harris',White-crowned and White-throateds T. Beveridge,F. Bogden,F. H. Brazier,P. Browne,B. Chartier,D. M. werepresent in abovenormal numbers with White-throateds peaking at Collister,H. W. R Copland, C. W. Cuthbert,R. Dixon, C. J. Escott, 200 May 11-17(WJA). Also of notewere 80 Le Conte'sSparrows at K. D. Gardiner,B. C. Godwin, J. B. Gollop, M. A. Gollop, G. D. OakL., May 11(CWC). Raritiesincluded g Black-headedGrosbeaks Grieef,J. R. Gulley,C. Harris, J. Harris, W. C. Harris, F. Haug, G. near CochraneJune I and Moose Mountain P.P., Sask., May 15 (SJ. E. Holland, E. Hubbard, S. Johnston,S. O. Jordheirn,E. W. Kern. R. RD). Manitoba's first House Finch records were of a female at F. Koes, R. Kreba, S. M. Lamont, B. Luterbach,R. D. McRae, K. M. StonewallMar. 29-Apr.9 (KDG, RFK, ph.), a maleat thesame loca- Meeres,P. O'Neil (PON), T. Riffel. S. J. Shadick.J. Steeves,N. Short, tionMay 2 (KDG)and a malen. of WinnipegApr. 17(GDG). Single P. Sinclair, M. Syroteuk.P. Taylor, J. Thompson,R. Wang, I. A. Golden-crownedSparrows were seen at PinawaApr. 29-30and Ray- Ward, J. and J. Wilkinson(JJW), A. N. Wiseley: WAYNE C. HAR- RIS, Box 414, Raymore, Sask. SOA 3JO.

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS REGION /Craig A. Faanes

Despitethe relativelywarm winter, and a surprisinglywarm March acrossmuch of the Region,spring migration got off to a slow startand was generally behindschedule through late May. Much of the Region experiencedlate-season snowstorms in April andmid-May. One major stormbegan in central MontanaMay 9, depositingseveral inches of heavy, wet snow. The stormentered eastern Montana on the eveningof May I 1 and continuedthrough May 12. A cold front stalled out in easternNorth Dakota during May 10-12 whichresulted in a spectacularfallout of warblersat Fargo.The weather thenwas characterizedby overcastskies and light rain or drizzle. Many individualwarblers resorted to groundfeeding which greatly enhanced observations and identification. While eastern North Dakotans were relishingthe warbler numbers,observers in easternMontana were en- WATERFOWL -- A Greater White-fronted Goose in Gregory Mar. counteringlarge numbersof weather-killedbirds. Gniadek reported I representeda record arrival date for SouthDakota. The peak Snow findingmany dead sparrows, Mourning Doves and Western Meadow- Goosecount was 50,000+ at Salyer N.W.R., N.D., Apr. 5 (GE). larks in Miles City. Many birds were killed along highwaysbecause "More than usual" numbers of Cinnamon Teal were observed in South thesewere the only openareas for greatdistances and the birds tended to Dakota's Meade, Bon Hornme, Fall R., and Stanley. One was e. of congregatethere. BismarckMay I & 8 (RQ, WB). An Oldsquawat GarrisonDam, N.D., In the text following, placenames in italics are counties. Mar. 2 & 13 mayhave wintered there. A White-wingedScorer May 31 andJune I at WaubayN.W.R., representedthe latestSouth Dakota LOONS THROUGH PELICANS -- The first Corn. Loons in e. springobservation, and was also one of fewspring records for that state. Montanawere at Ft. PeckApr. 24. Foursingles were found in e. North ElevenRed-breasted Mergansers in e. NorthDakota Apr. 14-23 were DakotaApr. 10-May23. A singlePied-billed Grebe was early Mar. 8 at interestingin light of the species'rare spring status. One May 19 in Yellowwater Res., Mont. (LKM). None were found at Ft. Peck where Yanktonwas among the latestdates ever for SouthDakota. this speciesis observednearly every spring(CC). An activeHorned Grebe nest May 26 providedthe first confirmedbreeding record for HAWKS THROUGH GROUSE-- An Ospreyat Malta, Mont., Mar. Montana'slatilong LI0. About25 Red-neckedGrebes on Lord's L., in 21 wasvery early (DPr). A Cooper'sHawk pair was found nesting May the Turtle Mrs., N.D., Apr. 24 was the largestconcentration reported. 15 in Marshall, S.D. Good numbersof Goshawkswere reported,in- Most lakes in the mountainswere still frozen on that date (REM,GB). cludingfive in e. North DakotaMar. 27-Apr. 12, five in w. North The White Pelicancolony at PiyasL., Marshall, S.D., had 780 active DakotaMar. 13-Apr. 10, and eight nearMiles City Mar. l-Apr. 11. nestsMay 28. The DrywoodL., Robertscolony supported 500 neststhis Thisspecies was also reported Apr. 8 & 12 fromFallRiver whereit may spring, and 686 nestswere in the Waubay L., Day' colony. All South nest(RP). A Red-shoulderedHawk was at FargoMay 16 (LF). Five Dakota nest counts showed increases over 1982. Broad-wingedHawks were reported from e. andc. Montanawhere this birdis quiterare. Gniadek reported seven Am. Kestrelsfrom Miles City BITTERNS THROUGH IBISES -- Only two Am. Bitterns were in March;he had41 therein March 1982. PeregrineFalcon observations reportedfrom e. North Dakotathis spring.Great Blue Heronnumbers included three in e. Montana, three in e. North Dakota and one in w. appear to have "declined drastically" near Ft. Peck in recent years North Dakota. A male in BrookingsMar. 8 representedthe earliest (CC), andthe heronry along the Milk R., nearNashua, Mont., appeared arrival date for South Dakota. A Prairie Falcon nest found near Ft. Peck to be abandoned.A ground-nestingGreat Blue Heron was found at (CC) wasabout 6 feet from an activeGreat Horned Owl nest.The falcon Piyas L., S.D. (BH). Four Great Egretswere reportedfrom e. North nestwas foundabandoned at the end of May. A SageGrouse strutting DakotaMay 1-12, andseven from e. SouthDakota; the first Apr. 15. A groundin e. Montanavisited Apr. 24 had73 males(CC), and 14 were well-documentedSnowy Egret was at TewaukonN.W.R., N.D., May on a groundnear Marmath,N.D.. Mar. 13 (GB, REM). The Sharp- 12 (DPo). This egretwas also reported froin 3 e. SouthDakota counties tailedGrouse dancing ground count at UpperSouris N.W.R., yielded duringMay. A Little Blue Heron wasfound May 8 & 27 in Kingsbury, 870 birdsduring the third week of April (DLi). S.D., and also reportedfroin Brown, S.D., in early June. A single Yellow-crownedNight Heron was in Brookings,S.D., May 3 (L & CRANES THROUGH SHOREBIRDS-- A groupof 200 + Sandhill DW), and a White-facedIbis was in Hutchinson,S.D., Apr. 28-May 2 Cranesnear Washburn, N.D., wasunusually early (RQ). Five Whoop- (LA). ing Craneswere foundin Perkins,S.D., Apr. 18, andtwo morewere

884 AinericanBirds, September-October1983 founds of Bison, Perkins, but no date was given (GH) The Region on the early date of Apr 22 A mixedflock of 200+ Swatnson'sand hosteda ratherdismal shorebird migration this spring,characterized by Gray-cheekedthrushes was found foraging tn the snowalong the James markedlylower numbersof individualsat someknown concentration R., in JamestownMay 15 (CF). One Wood Thrushwas quite far w. at areas.One possible reason was related to habitatconditions. Much of e. BismarckMay 9 (RQ). andc. NorthDakota had excellent water levels in the wetlandsresulting tn few exposedmudflats, especially in highly-usedalkali lakes. These WARBLERS -- One of very few SouthDakota Blue-winged War- conditions,while conduciveto attractingwaterfowl, may havecaused blers wasin MinnehahaMay 15 (C &GR). The Tennesseeat Bowdoln many shorebirdsto overfly the Prairie PotholeRegion this spring. N.W.R., Mont., May 22 was new to the refuge(TP). About 25 Nash- The first PipingPlovers arrived at Ft. PeckMay 1, andfive plovers villes were in Fargo May 10-18, and one was in BrookingsMay 10 were observedin courtshipthere May 3 (CC). Two MountainPlovers Montana'sthird Cape May Warbler wasfound dead at Ft. PeckMay 6 foundat the w. endof C.M. RussellN.W.R., Mont., Apr. 22, werethe (JC). This alsoprovided the first statespecimen. An "Audubon's" was only onesreported (LKM). Five Black-neckedStilts were at Benton in Brown May 13, and in StanleyMay 21. This subspeciesis rarely Lake N.W.R., Mont. (fide D. Dole), andone was at StinkL., Stutsman, reportede. of the MissouriR. North Dakota'ssixth Pine Warbler was N D , June3 (J. Eldridge). About 140 Am. Avocet nestswere found at at Fargo May 8 (MB), and Montana's sixth Black-throated Green BentonLake N.W.R., in mid-May (fide P. Wright). The 24 Whimbrels Warbler wasat Ft. PeckMay 8 (JC). MacGillivray'sat Minot May 23 at Ft Peck May 14 constitutedMontana's 18th record. This was an (GB, REM), May 29 in Brookingsand two bandedMay 29 and June1 exceptionalspring for Red Knot. Thethird South Dakota appearance of near Aberdeenwere all far e. of the "normal" range.The d Hooded this shorebirdwas photographedin YanktonMay 15 (WH). One knot Warbler at Oak GroveP., FargoMay 12 providedNorth Dakota'sthird wasat the GrandForks airbase lagoons May 22 (DOL), andsix were at record. The second North Dakota Hooded Warbler was in Oak Grove FargoMay 26 (MB). The Dunlin in BrownApr. 22 furnisheda record P., in May, 1981. RB found a d Kentuckyat Madison,Lake, S.D , SouthDakota arrival date (DT). Two d Am. Woodcockwere display- May 15. lng tnBrookings, at least13 maleswere near Big StoneL., Roberts,and A Bullock'sOriole bandedat BismarckMay 9 wasabout 120 mi e. of one was at Waubay N.W.R., Apr. 23 (JK). its limitedNorth Dakota range (RNR). The N. Orioleat Crystal,N.D, Apr. 26 was very early (LFM). GULLS THROUGH WOODPECKERS -- The Ring-billed Gull colonyat WaubayL., Day, S.D., held 1266 nestsJune 6; a number TANAGERS THROUGH TOWHEES -- The W. Tanagerpair at Ft almost identical to that in 1982 (BH, KH, MR). There was heavy Peck May 12 was quite unusualfor that locale(CC). Cardinalswere mortalityamong chicks at this colony,probably attributable to unsea- unreportedthis springfrom their usualFargo location.Black-headed sonablycold weather in lateMay. The WaubayL. colonyalso held 24 Grosbeaksbecome rare within a few mi. e. of theMissouri R. riparian California Gull nests.this is the only known nestinglocale in South forests;they are common,however, along the river. Thus, the single Dakota.Glaucous Gull reportsincluded two Mar. 19, oneApr. 2 and male in Coddington,S.D., was quite unexpected.The Dickcisselat Apr 20 at Ft. Peck(CC), andone at PierreApr. 22. CaspianTerns were Minot May I wasextremely early (GB, REM). No otherswere reported foundat Ft. PeckMay 7 (wherethay nested in 1982--CC), andMay 17 in the Regionby the end of May. At least 10 Red Crossbills,including in Stanley,S.D. (BC). Only two Short-earedOwls werereported from one dependentyoung, were in Slope, N.D., May 29-30 (REM,GB) North Dakota, and 13 were near YellowstoneRes., Mont., Apr. 7. One Green-tailedTowhee in Bowman,N.D., May 13 furnishedone of Mtcrotuswere almostnonexistent this springwhich no doubtcontribut- very few staterecords. An unusually-plumagedtowhee in Billingswas ed to thepaucity of reports.At least10 Ruby-throatedHummingbirds suspectedof beinga hybrid of the Rufous-sidedand Collaredtowhees were feedingat a blossomingcrab applenear CrystalN.D., May 24 (JM, m.ob.). The latter is restrictedto the mountainsof c. Mexico (LFM, RBM). This was by far the largestnumber of hummingbirds Numerouspictures were takenof this bird. Thoseof highestquality reportedat one locationin the last 6 years. suggesteda possibleGreen-tailed x Rufous-sidedhybrid. The photo- One Lewis' Woodpeckerat Lewistown,Mont., May 28 was at the graphshave been submittedto the U.S. National Museum; the final limit of its range(LKM). Ten Lewis' werefound throughout the period determinationwill be reportedlater. in Meade, S.D. (EM). The •2 Red-belliedWoodpecker at Hope, N.D., reportedthe last 2 seasons,was last seenApr. 24 (DK). SPARROWSTHROUGH SNOW BUNTING -- Grasshopperand Baird'ssparrows were very late arriving in NorthDakota, both were not FLYCATCHERS THROUGH CORVIDS -- Up to 19 Alder Fly- well-distributeduntil the first week of June.The singleWhite-winged catcherswere heardin the Minot area May 15-June2 (GB, REM). An Juncoin SlopeMar. 2, representedthe third North Dakota record of this Emptdonaxsp. at UpperSouris Apr. 19, wassuspected of beinga Least subspecies(GB, REM). The Dark-eyedJunco in StanleyMay 21 was (DLi). This was an incrediblyearly datefor anyEmpidonax, especially the latestknown date for SouthDakota (GS et al.). BothChipping and consideringweather conditionsthis spring. A nestingpair of Say's Clay-coloredsparrows were extremelynumerous at Ft. Peck feeders Phoebereturned to Kantrud'sfront porch Apr. 26 for the ninthconsecu- tive year. Swallowswere probablyhard hit by the cold May weather. duringthe May 12-13 snowstorm(CC). Crawfordfound a Chipping Sparrowat his GrandForks feeder on the very early dateof Mar. 15 GB foundeight Barn andtwo Cliff swallowsdead in a Minot rain gutter Thisspecies was not reported again until Apr. 17.The Field Sparrow at after a heavysnow May 14. A flock of 400+ Bank, Tree, and Cliff a Grand Forks feeder May 11-14 was about 100 min. of its known swallowsand Purple Martins, apparently still in migration,was at the breedingrange in e. North Dakota (DOL). One of the best known Mlnot lagoonsMay 30 (REM). Barn Swallowswere still apparently movementsof Fox Sparrowin SouthDakota included at least64 birdsat migrating at Minot during the first week of June (GB). A Clark's 6 locations.Mc Cown's Longspurhas been considered rare even as a NutcrackerMay 28 in thelimber pine area of Slope,N.D. wasvery late. migrantin SouthDakota in recentyears. However, field work by RCR Nutcrackerswere alsoreported Mar. 25 from Wind CaveN.P., S.D., indicatesthat this species moves through s.w. countiesregularly. Sixty wherethe species has been suspected of nesting(RP). CommonRavens were at Salyer N.W.R., Mar. 29 and May 1. (all males)were found in Fall RiverApr. 19,and six were there Apr. 20 The last SnowBuntings were 200 + at GrandForks Apr. 24 (DOL) NUTHATCHESTHROUGH THRUSHES-- A nestingPygmy Nut- hatchpair in Fall RiverMar. 24-May 1, representedthe first confirmed CONTRIBUTORS -- (area editorsin bold face). MONTANA-- SouthDakota breeding record (RP). A RockWren May 11at Salyer Chuck Carlson, JeanCarlson, Steve Gniadek, Larry K. Malone, N W R., providedthe first e. NorthDakota record in at least6 years JoAnneMiller, Ty Planz, Dwain Prellwitz, and sevenother observers (BB) A WinterWren May 9 at Bottineauwas one of veryfew records NORTH DAKOTAsBill Berg, Mary Bergan,Gordon Berkey, Wil- for w. andc. NorthDakota (DS). Fifty bluebirdhouses erected this liam Buresch,Gary Eslinger, Laurence Falk, DonaldKubischta, David springat WaubayN.W.R., had 100%occupancy by E. Bluebirdsand O. Lambeth, David Linehan,Ran E. Martin, LauraF. Mitchell, Robert TreeSwallows. Montana's 16th and 17th Gray-cheeked Thrushes were B. Mitchell, David Potter, RebeccaQuanrud, Robert N. Randall,Dan atFt PeckMay 14(CC), and Medicine Lake N.W.R., May 16(LKM). Svingen,and 31 other observers.SOUTH DAKOTA-- Leon Ander- One wasseen at Bottineau,N.D., with Swainson'sand Hermit thrushes son, RossBaker, BruceCoonrod, Willis Hall, Bruce Harris, Gertrude

Vol 37, Number5 885 Hinds, Ken Husmann, John Koerner, Ernest Miller, Richard Peterson, observers.•RAIG A. FAANES, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mike Rabensberg,Charles and Gladys Rogge, Richard C. Rosche, Northern Prairie Wildlife ResearchCenter, Jamestown,North Da- Galen Steffen, Dan Tallman, Lois and Darrell Wells, and 14 other kota 58401.

SOUTHERN GREAT PLAINS /Frances C. Williams

Early springwas unseasonablywarm, but from late March into mid- IOWA May, mostof the Regionsuffered through snow storms, freezing tem- peratures,a preponderanceof northwinds and finally torrential down- • . Lincoln pours.All thisheld up migration so that late departures and arrivals were the rule. In someareas, storms grounded and held migrants for extended periods,occasionally producing spectacular concentrations of birds. These elicited such commentsas "the best passefinemigration in years" from M. Cookseyin northeasternKansas and "fantastic" from Hays-•t;•l•:' .MJ, araisde CY, J. McMahon in northeastern Oklahoma. Periods of maximum numbers C•mm•r•KAHS of migrantswere May 12-19 in Fort Worth, May 6-16 in northeastern E Salt Plains. Oklahoma,May 17-19in northwesternKansas and May 15-21in north- • ..... • Tulsa westernNebraska. But in westernTexas the droughtwhich began in the • '•OKLA. •tillw•ter • ARK. fall wassteadily worsening, and rainfall was 60% belownormal. Even there, many unexpectedspecies were observedas the easternstorms • I 'qte•- •lty '•eavener deflectedmigrants from their normalroutes. •efuge -• Res. In the text following, place namesin italics are counties. •..: W• H•ermanN•R.. Lubbock . Dallas LOONS THROUGH CORMORANTS -- Common Loons remained • . •b.eneFo;tWorth •. LA. until the first week of May. Eared Grebeswere still presentin late May / • . Nacogaoches at Kerrville, Tex., Lawton, Okla., and Black Mesa S.P., Okla. Two W. -Midlandß C • Waco Grebeswere performing courtship rituals at OklahomaCity Apr. 19. In Texas.Okla., a W. Grebewas presentas late as May 24 (PL). At El Paso,a W. Grebeof the darkform occidentaliswas studied closely Mar. 21 (BZ et al.). A surprising134 Pied-billedGrebes were countedin Lancaster,Neb., Apr. 16. The largestconcentration of White Pelicans comprised1000 birds on L. McConaughy,c. NebraskaApr. 18. At Nacogdoches,Tex., 40 WhitePelicans remained as late as May 23. At least 1000 Double-crestedCormorants occupied White Rock L., Dal- Okla., remaineduntil Apr. 23. Hooded,Red-breasted and Com. mer- los, Tex., Mar. 25. Single birds were found in Wichita Mountains ganserswere all presentat CheyenneBottoms Mar. 29. In Lancaster, N.W.R., Okla., Mar. 12 andHudspeth,Tex., Apr. 30, while fourwere Neb., 500 Com. Merganserswere countedApr. 3. locatedin El PasoApr. 9. By mid-April, 40 OlivaceousCormorants were gatheredat O.C. FisherRes., TornGreen, Tex. (TM), while one RAPTORS -- A pair of White-tailedKites was buildinga nest at was discoveredat El Paso Apr. 9 (BZ). SomervilleW.M.A., Tex., Apr. 25 (JY). A singlebird of thisspecies visitedComanche Mar. 26-Apr. 9 (JA et al.). A MississippiKite in HERONS -- Over 100 pairsof Great Blue Heronsinhabited a her- ComancheMar. 15 was 20 daysearlier than the previousarrival date onry in Pawnee, Okla., and many of the nestscontained recently (FBr). Goshawksfrom the winter invasion remained until May in sever- hatchedyoung Apr. 9 (JH). A Little Blue Heron was seenin Sarpy, al Kansascounties. Flights of Broad-wingedHawks evidently bypassed Neb., Apr. 25. Egrets, which normally are scarcein spring, were the Regionas very few werereported. More migrantSwainsoh's Hawks reportedwidely. CattleEgrets were foundin Potter,Randall andKen- were seenthan in manyyears in n.w. Nebraska,where 31 were counted dall, Tex., and Douglas,Neb. SingleGreat Egrets were presentin El in DawesApr. 28 and 17 in SiouxApr. 23 (RCR, DJR). The largest Pasoand Midland, Tex., Texas,Okla., Wallace,Kans., andSarpy, Neb. flock of Swainsoh'sreported comprised 125 birds in Kendall, Tex., SnowyEgrets were seenin Nacogdoches,San Angelo, Midland, Linn, Apr. 14. The nestof a Zone-tailedHawk wasdiscovered in Big Bend Kans., and Lancaster, Neb. At Webb's L., Texas Okla., 26 Black- N.P., Apr. I (AB) and one Zone-tailedwas noted in Crockett, Tex., crownedNight Heronswere counted May 24 (MD). LeastBitterns were severaltimes in April andMay. A BlackHawk, presumedto be the same discoveredat San Angelo, Tex., May 7, SequoyahN.W.R., Okla., bird thatwas present last year, returnedto Lubbock,Tex., May 11-31 May 20 , OklahomaCity Apr. 7 and Sedgwick,Kans., May 30. (CS). The pair of BlackHawks in Limpia Canyonnear Ft. Davis, Tex., wasdwelling in its customarycottonwood grove by mid-April.A Gold- WATERFOWL- SevenWhistling Swanslingered on a playa in en Eaglewas seen at TulsaMar. 13 (E & KH). A Bald Eaglein Kerr, Potter, Tex., until Mar. 2. Eight TrumpeterSwans graced Valentine Tex., Mar. 4 was late (E & KM). A nest of a Marsh Hawk in Pawnee, N.W.R., Neb., Mar. 14. The normallyrare Ross'Goose appeared at El Kans., contained3 eggsMay 4. At least15 Ospreyswere counted at El PasoMar. 20 (PL et al.), Cirnarron,Okla., Mar. 27 (PL), TulsaApr. 2- Paso during the period, an unusuallyhigh numberanywhere in the 3 (PL. m.ob.), Linn. Kans., Mar. 13-20 (m.ob.) and Quivera N.W.R., Region.Caracaras were notedat Medina, Dallas andJohnson, Tex. A Kans., Apr. 23 (SS, m.ob.). A flock of Black-belliedWhistling Ducks Prairie Falconat Tulsa Mar. 20 was noteworthy.Only six Peregrine comprising80-100 birds visited Burieson,Tex., Mar. 1 and a pair Falconswere reportedother than the residentbirds at Big Bend N.P. remainedthroughout the period(WAI). CinnamonTeal were recorded Unexpectedspring sightings of Merlinswere at NacogdochesApr. 22- at 4 localitiese. of their usualrange. Wood Duckswere discoveredin 23 (DW), Coffey,Kans., late April (PD et al.), LancasterMar. 27 (TB) Guadalupe Mountain N.P., Apr. 23 (ML) and Cheyenne Bottoms and Cass, Neb., Apr. 17 (S & JK). W.M.A., Kans., May 5 (SK). GreaterScaup were seenat 5 localities. The Barrow's Goldeneyediscovered during the Kenton, Okla., CBC PRAIRIE CHICKENS THROUGH RAILS -- A lek of 14 Greater was still presentMar. 27. The Oldsquawthat winteredin Comanche, PrairieChickens was found near Tulsa Apr. 1 (JH). In Wheeler,Tex., an

886 AmericanBirds, September-October 1983 18% increase •n numbers of Lesser Prmne Chickens was noted After an 19 An estimated170 White-throatedSwifts in small groupsflew over absenceof severalyears Gambel's Quail were again presentm Jeff Dell City, Hudspeth,Tex., May 21. If thesebirds were from the Guada- Davts, Tex. Two familiesof WhoopingCranes with radio-taggedyoung lupe Mts., their daily range is extensive(SW). At ChickasawNat'l were monitored from Aransas N.W.R. to Wood Buffalo N.P., in Can- RecreationArea, Okla., the Black-chinnedHummingbird seems to be ada Family #1 restedin Sheridan,Kans., Apr. 11-15. Family #2 the hummerof the dry hillsideswhile the Ruby-throatedHummingbird restedin Kiowa, Kans., Apr. 12-16, Quivira N.W.R., Apr. 17 and is the hummerof the moist woods, at leastduring migration (RMC) A Mttchell,Kans., Apr. 18. King Railslurked at OklahomaCity May 13 Costa'sHummingbird discovered in Big Bend N.P., Apr. 14 remained andTulsa May 21. PurpleGallinules were present in Big BendN.P., at leastto May 5 (AB, m.ob.). Broad-tailedHummingbirds were unusu- May 5-21 andat TulsaMay 12. At Tulsa,a Com.Gallinule May 21-22 ally commonin the El Pasoarea. A RufousHummingbird at Midland provideda firstcounty record (m.ob.). An Am. Cootremained in Kerr Mar. 21 constitutedone of the few springrecords there (RMS). A until the late date of May 21. Rivoli's Hummingbirddefended a water puddleagainst several Blue- throatedHummingbirds in Big Bend N.P., Apr. 28 (GL). SHOREBIRDS-- Drying lakesin w. Texasand floodedfields in most of the remainderof the Regionled to an outstandingshorebird WOODPECKERS THROUGH FLYCATCHERS -- Pileated Wood- season.The usually rare Piping Plover was recordedat Hagerman peckerswere observedin FontenelleForest, Sarpy, Neb., May 30 (S & N W R., Tex., Apr. 21 & 28 (KH), CheyenneBottoms Apr. 23 (SS), JK), Rainsand Van Zandt, Tex., Apr. 16 (RK). Red-belliedWoodpeck- Maralsdes Cygnes W.M.A., Kans.,May 21 (NJ) andQuivera N.W.R., erscontinue to be reportedin the TexasPanhandle and Golden-fronted May 5 (SK). MountainPlovers were present in Cimarron,Okla., Mar. Woodpeckersappear to havetaken up permanentresidence in Big Bend 27 andMay 25. High countsof Am. GoldenPlovers included 130 in N.P. The Lewis' Woodpeckerthat winteredat Midland remaineduntil Washington,Okla., Apr. 16 and 136 at Tulsa Apr. 17. RuddyTurn- mid-April. Othersof this specieswere discoveredin the Davis Mts , stone,a raremigrant on the plains,was observed at 7 localities.Eleven Tex., Mar. 15 (RE) andTexas, Okla., May 14-15 (RMC). Williamson's Whlmbrelsprovided a firstcounty record at Tulsa May 13 (JWA, JH). A Sapsuckerswere locatedin Big Bend N.P., Mar. 20 (AB) and at Mid- singlebird of this speciesvisited E1 PasoApr. 9 (BZ). Peakof the land Apr. 2 (RMS). Two or threepairs of Ladder-backedWoodpeckers UplandSandpiper migration at Norman, Okla., occurredMay 11, when were nestingin Morton, Kans., Apr. 30. Heavy rainsat Tulsa May 13 160 birdswere heardin a 20-minuteperiod about 11:00 p.m. (JAG). broughtdown E. Kingbirdsin flockscomprising up to 50 birdswhich sat Unusuallylarge congregationsincluded 50 Willets at OklahomaCity about in bare fields and sod fields with shorebirdsand terns (JH) A Apr 28 (JGN), 20 RedKnots at CheyenneBottoms May 24 (SS) and TropicalKingbird in Terrell, Tex., May 18 wasapparently building a 250 PectoralSandpipers at TulsaMay 13 (JWA). White-rumpedSand- nest, althoughno mate was evident (BE). Scissor-tailedFlycatchers piperswere reported at 14localities, often in recordnumbers. At Marais weren. of their usualrange in Wallace,Kans., May 12 (MDS), Bald- des Cygnes,about 800 were countedMay 7. The normallyscarce win, Kans., Apr. 6 (BS), Lancaster,Neb., May 5 (RW) and Omaha Dunhnappeared in smallnumbers at 8 localities.One in Dawes,Neb., May 15 (C & EJ). ThreeGreat Crested Flycatchers were in WallaceMay May 18-19 providedthe first springrecord in 10 years(RCR, DJR). 7. Ash-throatedFlycatchers were observedin Morton May 1 and in Only 3 contributorsmentioned Sanderlings, surprising when most other Wichita MountainsN.W.R., May 13. An OlivaceousFlycatcher was shorebirdspecies were in such abundance.Up to 300 Long-billed againdiscovered in Big Bend N.P., May 2 (RS). Say's Phoebeswere Dowltcherswere seendaily in early May in TomGreen, Tex. (TM). foundat 5 localitiesn. ande. of their normalrange. In Terrell, a Say's High countsof Stilt Sandpipersincluded 65 at NacogdochesMay 15 and Phoebecaught minnows from a mid-streamrock. Gray Flycatcherswere 83 at OklahomaCity May 15. Buff-breastedSandpipers provided a new carefullyidentified in Big BendN.P., May 1-3 (RS) andHueco Tanks countyrecord at Kerr, Tex., May 16 (E & KM). Smallnumbers of this S.P., Tex., Apr. 30 (BZ). VermilionFlycatchers wandered N andE to speciesrested briefly at Tarrant,Tex., May 10, 16, Cleveland,Okla., Stephens,Okla., Apr. 5-9 (J & MC), Bryan, Tex., Apr. 18 (AT), Waco May 8 and Tulsa May 13. HudsonJanGodwits were observedat 8 Mar. 16 (LMB), Hurst, Tex., Apr. 4 (R & LC). localities,with a peakof 46 at TulsaMay 13. MarbledGodwits were presentat only 5 sites,with a peakof 12 at El PasoApr. 19. Wilson's LARKS THROUGH WRENS -- Horned Larks in Brazos, Tex , Phalaropesprovided unusual spring records at Kerr May 16, 21 and Apr. 16 providedthe first springrecords there since 1973. Several Brazos, Tex., May 6. culvertsunder 1-10 betweenSegovia and Ft. Stockton,Tex., were inhabitedby varyingcombinations of Cave, Cliff and Barn swallows GULLS THROUGH SKIMMER -- A GlaucousGull gracedChey- When both Cave and Cliff swallows dwelled in the same culvert the enne Bottoms Mar. 6-7 (SS). Storms on the Texas coast drove seven former were the most numerous(GL). A Fish Crow was seenand heard LaughingGulls inlandto Kerr May 21 (E & KM). A Little Gull at in Choctaw,Okla., May 7 (RMC). More than 1000 PinyonJays leap- Lubbock,Tex., Apr. 9 unfortunatelydeparted before the sightingcould froggedthrough the pinesand oaks of the DavisMts., Apr. 26 (GL) be confirmedby additionalobservers (ML). CommonTerns appeared in CarolinaChickadees were out of rangein Randall, Tex., May 4 (PA et Randall, Tex., May 21 (CS) andMarais des Cygnes May 8 (MC et al.). al.) andSedgwick, Kans., May 8 (SK). EightBlack-capped Chickadees A LeastTern at Kerrville May 21 constituteda first record(E & KM). were countedin Wallace Apr. 27 (MDS). The MountainChickadee Several Least Terns were presentat a potentialnesting site on the discoveredon the Morton CBC was still presentMay 1 (MCT). A Red- CanadianR., Hemphill, Tex., May 21-22. The seldomseen Caspian breastedNuthatch in Sarpy May 25 was extremely late and others Tern was recordedat Waco Apr. 25, HagermanN.W.R., Apr. 28, lingeredinto mid-Aprilor earlyMay at severallocalities. A possible Ratns, Tex., May 5 andSarpy, Neb., May 19. No detailsor explana- nestingpair of PygmyNuthatches was discovered in Scottsbluff,Neb, tionswere submittedfor the appearanceof Black Skimmersat Waco Apr. 23 (RCR, DJR). An exceedinglyheavy movementof Brown Apr 25 (FB). Creepersoc•curred in Tom Green in Marchand early April. Up to 20 or moreper day could be found (TM). A remarkablylate Brown Creeper in DOVES THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS -- A Ground Dove visited Big BendN.P., May 1 surelylooked out of placecrawling up mesquite NacogdochesMay 13 (MW). An Inca Dove wadedthrough snow in an andocotillo (RS). Winter Wrensremained in n.e. Oklahomauntil Apr Amarillo back yard Mar. 16, but one at MeridianS.P., Bouque,Tex., 3 andin FontenelleForest until Apr. 24. CactusWrens were nesting in Apr 16 foundconditions more to its liking.Black-billed Cuckoos were Youngand Throckmorton, Tex., e. of theirusual range, Apr. 28-May 10 found at Dallas May 10 and Muskogee,Okla., Apr. 30. At Midland (WP et al.). Short-billedMarsh Wrens tarried until Apr. 22 in Brazos, May 22, a Groove-billedAni robbedan Am. Robinof wormsas it pulled May 5 in Dallas,May 29 in Tulsa. them from the soil. Three Elf Owl nestswere located in Big BendN.P., Mar 20 (BT). A Long-earedOwl nestwith at leasttwo owletswas THRUSHES THROUGH VIREOS -- A Varied Thrush was discov- foundin Morton, Kans., Apr. 30. Long-earedswere noted in Oklahoma ered in Wallace in early May (MDS). Wood Thrusheswere seen at in ClevelandMar. 15, OklahomaCity Apr. 14 and CimmaronMar. 27. Dallas May 5 and Ft. Worth May 16. Both Hermit and Swainson's A Chuck-will's-widowprovided a first recordat LubbockMay 8 (DS, thrusheswere abundantin their usualhaunts and Gray-cheekedThrush- ML) Whip-poor-willswere noteworthyat TulsaApr. 25-May 30 and es were much commoner than usual. Veeries were banded at Lincoln SarpyApr. 21. A ChimneySwift sojourned in Wallace,Kans., May 5- May 12, 24 (MBO) and were seenat TulsaMay 7 (JL) and Osage,

Vol 37, Number 5 887 Kans., May 13 (SK). Blue-gray Gnatcatcherswere presentat Hueco ICTERIDS THROUGH TANAGERS -- Two d' Bobolinks visited Tanks S.P., and WallaceMay 7. A White-eyedVireo provideda first Nacogdoches,where the speciesis an uncommonbut annualspring recordat Albion, Neb., May 8 (WJM) while two were in Fontenelle migrant May 11. Small groupsof Bobolinkswere notedat Oklahoma Forestin mid-May and one was heardin Big BendN.P., May 3 (RS). City May 15-23,Onawa, Okla., May 1-10, Washington,Okla., May 3- Two PhiladelphiaVireos were banded at Hays, Kans., May 18 (MER). 9, Tulsa May 13-15. HagennanN.W.R., May 19. Yellow-headed A PhiladelphiaVireo in El PasoMay 7 constituteda newcounty record Blackbirdsappeared e. to Longview,Tex., Apr. 16 andNacogdoches (BZ. JD). Apr. 23, May 11. The specieswas nesting at ChetAger NatureCenter at Lincoln for the first time. Great-tailed Grackles continued their endless WARBLERS -- Warblermigration evoked superlatives everywhere. rangeexpansion. Three nestswere foundin Big BendN.P., andothers At Omaha,where 36 specieswere recorded,Tanya Bray wrote "There tookup residencein Presidio,Tex., Osage,Kans., Marais des Cygnes were no dayswhen it couldbe saidwe had a warbler "wave," but as W.M.A., and Chet Ager NatureCenter. A BronzedCowbird remained each speciesarrived it stayed.Thus the cumulativeeffect was quite at Ft. Worth Apr. I-May 31 (MG). A W. Tanagerin lrion, Tex., May 3 impressive." In n.w. Nebraska,Richard C. Roschewrote, "l had ten wase. of its usualmigratory path (G & MC). ScarletTanagers bright- speciesof warblersin one shortwalk--something that hasnever hap- enedFt. Worth May 8 andTulsa Apr. 24-May 1. A SummerTanager penedin our 10 yearsof birdingexperience in w. Nebraska." In Wich- was found in WallaceMay 5. ita. Kans.. DonaldVannoy wrote "1 almostthought I hadmade a wrong turn and was at High Island." Fred Baumgartnerwrote, "We just FRINGILLIDS -- Rose-breastedGrosbeaks were widespreadand experiencedour first big migrationof warblersin 34 yearsof observa- abundantMay 3-17. one in Kerr May 9 provideda first recordfor the tion in Oklahoma." area(E & KM). An out-of-rangeBlack-headed Grosbeak visited Crow- A ProthonotaryWarbler at Buffalo Lake N.W.R., Tex.. May 15 ley. Tex., Apr. 26 (MR). Lazuli Buntingsappeared at an amazing8 representedone of thefew recordsof thisspecies in theTexas Panhandle localitiesin the e. half of the Region. Perhapsthe mostunexpected (KS). At Kaw Res., Osage, Okla., two ProthonotaryWarblers were sightingwas at Maraisdes Cygnes May 7 (SCr, RG). A Dickcisselwas visitinga treecavity and the male wassinging incessantly May 6 (SK). locatedin WallaceMay 11. Six EveningGrosbeaks came to feedersin Worm-eatingWarblers overshot their usualstopping places and turned Chadron,Neb., May 4/DJR). HouseFinches continue to do extremely up in Big BendN.P., May 5, LubbockMay 10, Denison,Tex., Apr. 4, well at Hays, Kans., where 143 were banded.At Hays the nesting Osage,Okla., Apr. 10 andFontenelle Forest May 9. The equallyrare populationof Pine Siskinswas the smallestin years.Green-tailed Tow- Golden-wingedWarbler was recordedonce in Texas, 3 timesin n.e. heeswere astonishinglyabundant at Lubbockand Amarillo, and one Oklahoma. 4 times in Kansas and once in e. Nebraska. One in Wallace wasfound in Morton, Kans., May 22. ALe Conte'sSparrow was found May 10-11 was remarkable(MDS). Blue-wingedWarblers were ob- in the unlikelylocation of FontenelleForest May 5 (RC). Otherswere servedin Dallas May 12, Ft. Gibson, Okla. (date?). and Fontenelle seenat TulsaApr. 2-10 andBrazos, Tex., Apr. 17. Clay-coloredSpar- ForestMay 12. TennesseeWarblers were seenw. to El Paso,Lubbock rows were common in c. Texas and c. Oklahoma, while one at Hueco and Hays, Kans. Virginia's Warblers flitted about Buffalo Lake Tanks Apr. 30 provideda first springrecord. Harris', White-crowned N.W.R., May 1. 7, 15 (PA, KS). MuleshoeN.W.R.. May I (GF). andLincoln's sparrows lingered until mid-May in manyareas. About 50 LubbockMay 3.6 (ML) andMidland Apr. 26 (JM). Lucy'sWarblers McCown's Longspursremained in Pawnee. Kans., Mar. 18-31. A wereagain found at Candelaria,PresMio. Tex., Apr. 28 (GL). Northern Chestnut-collaredLongspur visited Nacogdoches Apr. 11-15 (DF), a Parulasappeared periodically in Big BendN.P., Mar. 20-May I andone startlingoccurrence for the piny woods. wasseen in Rush,Kans., Apr. 29. MagnoliaWarblers were wonderfully abundant in n.e. Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska and seven were CONTRIBUTORS AND INITIALED OBSERVERS -- Peggy counted in far west Wallace. Acord, John Andrews, Keith Arnold, J.W. Arterburn, Frank Baum- Amongthe myriad of warblers,the Cape May Warblerwas outstand- gardner,Fred M. Baumgartner,James H. Beach,Anne Bellamy, Roger ing. There were sightingsat El PasoApr. 21-25 (AG, m.ob.), Dela- Boyd, Tanya Bray, Lilliam M. Brown, Frank Bryce (FBr), Steve ware.Okla., May 10 (FMB), Johnson,Linn and Douglas. Kans., May Calver, Robin M. Carter, RobertD. Coggeshall,Mel Cooksey,Rusty 8-21 (m.ob.), Chadron,Neb., May 15 (RCR, DJR), FontenclleForest Cortelyou,Terry Cox. Steve Crawford(SCr). John& Moryne Gray- May 14 (TC). Black-throatedBlue Warblers were encounteredat 5 thorne,Gordon & Mary Creel, Ron & LindaCurtis, Marvin Davis, Ella localities,and Black-throatedGray Warblersvisited 4 w. Texas sites. Delap, Pat Devine, Jeff Donaldson.Philip A. DuMont, RichardEakin, CeruleanWarblers graced College Station Apr. 28, Washington,Okla., CharlesEasley, CarolineM. Eastman,Bill Edwards,Charles A. Ely, May 9, Rogers,Okla., May 16 and yet again,that outstandingw. DeanFisher, Gary Froelich,Al Gavit,Roberta Gay, DottyGoard, Mary Kansasbirding site, Wallace,May 9. Yellow-throatedWarblers were Griffith,Joe A. Grzybowski,Karl Hailer, Elizabeth& KennethHayes, sightedin Big BendN.P., Apr. 9 (JEL) andTerrell, Tex., May 18(BE). Jim Hoffman, W.A. Isbell, Clyde & Emma Johnson,Nan Johnson, Blackburnian.Bay-breasted and Chestnut-sided warblers were found in Larry Jordan,Steve Kingswood,R. Kinney, Sandy& Jim Kovanda, tensand dozenswhere usually a persistentbirder is luckyto seeone. Greg Lasley, Paul Lehman, J.E. Liles, Mark Lockwood,Jo Loyd, Blackpollswere abundantin n.e. Nebraskaand all acrossKansas, while Kevin Mason, Terry Maxwell, JanetMcGee (JAM), Earl McHugh, Jeri a fewvisited Oklahoma City May 22, Randall,Tex., May4 andBuffalo McMahon (JeM), JoanMerritt, JodyMiller (JMi), WayneJ. Mollhoff, Lake N.W.R., May 7. A PineWarbler appeared in AmarilloMar. 12 Ernest& Kay Mueller, JohnG. Newell, Mabel B. Ott, Warren Pulich, betweencold spells(KS). Midge Randolph,M.E. Rolls, DorothyJ. Rosche,Richard C. Rosche, Nine contributorsfrom the w. half of theRegion reported Ovenbirds. JeanSchulenberg, Marvin D. Schwilling,Scott Seltman, Kenneth Seyf- In Wallace,15 N. Waterthrusheswere counted May 18. Of theremain- fert, Rich Stallcup, Bill Stark, Darleen Stevens,Cliff Stogner,Rose ing 8 reports,none includedmore than two birds. LouisianaWater- Marie Stortz, B. Talbot, Max C. Thompson,Anne Turney, JackD. thrusheswere talliedin the WichitaMrs., May 14 (RMC), Arlington, Tyler, Donald Vannoy, Barry Vermillion, EstherWaddill, EddieWar- Tex., Apr. 25 (EWa) and FontenelleForest May 3-31 (m.ob.). Ken- ren (EWa), Steve West. Paul W. Wilson, David Wolf, Mimi Wolf, Rick tucky Warblerswere discoveredat HagermanN.W.R., Midland, Bar- Wright, Jim Yantis,Barry Zimmer.--FRANCES C. WILLIAMS, Rt. tlesvilleand Wichita in mid-May. Usuallyreports of ConnecticutWar- 4, 2001 Broken Hills Rd. E., Midland, TX 79701. biersin thisRegion get "misplaced" on theeditor's desk, but this year reportsfrom 2 experienced,careful observers can't be ignored:Rogers, Okla.. May 16 (DG), and Buffalo Lake N.W.R., May 12 (KS). A MourningWarbler in Dawes,Neb., May 19constituted only the second arearecord (RCR). A MacGillivray'sWarbler in Rush,Kans., May 12 provideda first countyrecord (SS) andone wasseen at WichitaMoun- tains N.W.R., wherethe speciesis rare May 13 (KM). A Yellow- breastedChat in theGuadalupe Mts., May 21 possiblyconstituted a first Culbersonrecord (SW). Crow/drawing by Barbara Harris.

888 AmericanBirds, September-October i983 SOUTH TEXAS REGION Christi and spreadsmany migrantsover the coastalplains to the n.e. In /Fred S. Webster, Jr. theory,when strongNW windsprevail, flightsdrift fartherE, missing Austin--as wasthe casethis season--and in someinstances, if the flight is coastwise,approach the shorelinealong the c. and uppercoasts. Temperatureswere below normal throughoutthe season.Rainfall North of the border, the first large flight of 5500-+ birds, was ob- was below normal the first half of March, abovenormal the secondhalf_ servedat WelderWildlife Ref., on thec. coastalplain Mar. 24 (CC). At All of April andthe first third of May were incrediblydry, but heavy Rio Hondo, an estimated10,000 Broad-wingedspassed between 4:00- rainsfell in mid-May. Upper level disturbancesbrought frontal move- 4:30 p.m., Apr. I (JO. C & SW). This localityis 35 mi e.n.e. of Santa ment from the northwestwith such frequencythat moisture-bearing Ana N.W.R., but very strongN windsbuft•ted the Regionon thisdate. southeasterlywinds were short-lived.Volume of passerinemigrants, A citywide migrationwas notedover CorpusChristi Apr. 8. from mid- from the observers'viewpoint, was lessthan normaland for many morninguntil sunset(KM). On Apr. 9, 500 were seen at Weslaco, speciesmigration was later than usual. Dry weatherduring the expected HidalgoCo. (CE), andApr. 10, up to 1000were observed in theCorpus peakmigration period was blamedfor the poor showing,especially Christiarea. Late movementswere notedon MustangI., Apr. 22, with alongthe coastal strip, but even during conditions favoring "fall-out." 2000+ reported(WP); also, Apr. 23, 2 kettlesof 2500-+ each were the rewardswere far lessthan anticipated.Rather than assumingthat seennear Port Aransason Mustang 1. (TA), and a kettle of 1000+ at multitudesof trans-Gulfmigrants flew safelyinland before pausing, one Rockport,farther up the coast(C & HK). A N wind may haveinfluenced suspectsthat thereactually were fewer birdsaloft. a shorewarddrift on the latterdate but not on the precedingday. A very rare GoldenEagle passedover Austin May 21 (G & BL).

CRANES -- A totalof 71 WhoopingCranes survived a mild winterat AransasN.W.R., and all were presentMar. I. The rate of departureis indicatedby the followingcensus figures: 67 presentMar. 29, 49 Apr. 7, 42 Apr. 9, 16 Apr. 15, one Apr. 19, and none Apr. 27.

SHOREBIRDS-- Exceptionalnumbers of shorebirdswere observed on the upperTexas coast throughout the season:this sub-regionis based on politicalboundaries and in placesextends more than 50 mi inland. Someexcellent counts were reportedfrom othercoastal localities, and numberswere goodat San Antonioand Austin. The latter sitesboast man-madereservoirs and sewagepond complexeswhich tend to con- centrateshorebirds, especially during periods of drought,thus are not always reliable indicators.Violent overnightthunderstorms grounded many shorebirdson w. Galveston1., Mar. 24, most numerousbeing Am. Golden Plover of which 2000 3 were found in less than 5 mi of grassland(TE). Elsewhere,good numbers of this specieswere reported throughearly April. Two Surfbirds were at the Fort Aransasjetty, "standingon wave-splashedrocks" Apr. 21 (CC); they were closely observedand photographed.An April, 1951 sightingat the sameloca- tion, plus2 photographedoccurrences on PadreI., 1973and 1974, were the only previousTexas records for this species.A Whimbrelwas seen at Mitchell L., San Antonioarea May 6-21, an unusuallocality record LOONS, BOOBIES -- Two Arctic Loons were found in Offat's (LA, RCu, EH). UplandSandpipers were reportedin goodnumbers, Bayouat GalvestonMar. 24 (TE); at leastone remained through May 16 especiallyon the uppercoast. Baird's Sandpipers made a very good and had attained'almost complete breeding plumage. A Red-throated showingat Austinin late March andearly April (G & BL). Apparently Loon was seen in Galveston harbor Apr. 20 (HJ, AR). A sub-ad. groundedby thunderstorms,1500+ Short-billedDowitchers were MaskedBooby was relaxing on the MustangI. beachApr. 21 (TA). The foundin grassfields on w. Galvestonl., Mar. 24, alongwith typical more unusualBrown Booby was spottedon the beachat N. Padre I., grasslandspecies (TE). Thosedowitchers identified of 5000+ in a rice May 16 (AT, RW), and an injuredbooby, apparently a differentbird, field in ChambersCounty Apr. 21, were Long-billed (HJ, AR). Ten was pickedup on the nationalseashore May 18 (fide RW). HudsonJanGodwits at LagunaAtascosa N.W.R., Apr. 30 (CE) werethe mostreported in a singlesighting, and one at MitchellL., May 31, was HAWKS -- An early movementof MississippiKites was noted at the latest(SH). A Ruff (Reeve)was foundin a floodedrice field near Falfurrias,Brooks Co., Apr. 13, when 150--+went into overnight roost Dickinson,Galveston Co., May 11 (MA). A sub-ad.Red Phalarope in brushlandn. of town(AO). A significantlylarge coastwise movement and a N. Phalaropewere foundworking in fide poolson the N. PadreI. was notedApr. 23 with 50 + countedat Rockport(C & HK) on the c. beachMay 15, and a Northernwas seenat Port AransasMay 17 (WP). coast,and 200 + in e. Harris Countyon the uppercoast (MA). To the s. Both are very unusual. of the latter sightinglesser numbers were seentravelling N alongthe w. shoreof GalvestonBay (MA). A goodmigration of Accipiters,mostly GULLS, TERNS -- A LesserBlack-backed Gull and a Thayer's Sharp-shinnedHawks, movedN up MustangI., Apr. 22 (WP). At Santa Gull were at the Brownsvilledump, Mar. 10 (JA). A Thayer's Gull Aria N.W.R., the major "port of entry" for Broad-wingedHawks, wasdiscovered on BolivarFlats Apr. 18 (JD, RS); two individualswere 40,000 werereported the lastweek of March, butonly 725 the firstweek describedfrom thislocality Apr. 19 & 21 (HJ, AR). BetweenApr. 15- of April and 1470the secondweek of April (SL). Oneobvious reason 25, the crew of a researchvessel reported a "very dark" gull in the ship for hugehawk countsat SantaAna is the numberof hawk watchers. channelnear Corpus Christi Bay. It wasthought that this may have been Also, in regardto topography,a substantialland bulge e. intothe Gulf of the Heermann'sGull observedon the MustangI. beachFeb. 8 (TA). Mexico occurs around the mouth of the Rio Grande, so that birds migratingdue N along the coastalstrip in Mexico would passalmost NIGHTHAWKS THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS -- A Lesser directlyover SantaAna ratherthan veer E to follow the shoreline.A Nighthawkwas seen at SabinePass, adjacent to LousianaApr. 15 (PL). possibledeterent to the latter courseis the Mexican portion of the A White-collared Swift (Streptoprocnezonaris) was found dead on the LagunaMadre which separates the mainlandfrom the barrierislands. s. beachnear PadreIsland N.S., Mar. 8 (JS). This representeda second Speciessuch as the Broad-wingedHawk arethought to avoidextended U.S. specimenand the first documentedTexas record (fide GL). Many flightsover water. A flightproceeding directly N from SantaAria would hummingbirdswere movingup the N. PadreI. beachduring frontal passin the vicinityof Falfurrias,Alice, Seguin,Austin and out of the passageMay 15 (WP). A GreenViolet-ear was regularin SanMarcos, Region;however, a fanningout processapparently starts s. of Corpus HaysCo., May 14 intoJune (D & DB, m.ob.). This representsthe fifth

Vol. 37, Number5 889 confirmed record since 1969 within a 30-ml radius of Austin headedBlackbirds, usually uncommon to rareon theupper coast, were widespreadin flocksof up to 100 birdsApr. 20-May 1. Fartherw , FLYCATCHERS -- As was the casefor passerinesin general,fly- flocksappeared on Mustangand N. PadreIs. duringthe same period catcherswere late and reportedin sub-normalnumbers. Among the Recordnumbers were seenin the Falfurriasarea (AO). Orchardand N unusualwas a KiskadeeFlycatcher seen near Sabine Pass and headed for orioles,usually common to abundant,were far belownormal. Largest LouisianaApr. 22 (TE, JM). Of greatestinterest were 2 coastalsight- singleparty countsreported were 50 Orchardand 200 N. Oriolesin lngsof the Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher.One occurredin Port Aransas ChambersCounty Apr. 22 (TE, JM). A HoodedOriole on n. PadreI , Apr. 29 (TA, J & SC, wP). Theother bird, second of recordfor the Apr. 25 (CC) wasrare, as wasa pair of Scott'sOrioles near Rockport uppercoast, was presenton Bolivar Pen., May 7-10 (PV et al.). Be- May 7 (RCa). WesternTanagers made a surpriseappearance on the c causethe bird hadunusually pale underparts, the very similar Streaked coast:three different birds at CorpusChristi Apr. 22-May 1 (KM et al ), Flycatcher,a summerresident in n.e. Mexico, was studiouslyconsid- oneat RockportApr. 22 (DNW); andone at PortAransas Apr. 29 (WP) eredbut ruled out by birdersfamiliar with both species(fide JM). A Scarletand Summertanager numbers were well below normal. noteworthyand late pushof flycatcherswas observedalong the c. and uppercoasts May 15-16. Empidonaxflycatchers and E. Wood Pewees FRINGILLIDS -- Rose-breastedand Blue grosbeaks,and Indigo and were prominentamong numerous passerines moving up N. Padre I., Paintedbuntings were rated below normal. Counts of 175Rose-breasted May 15 (WP) asa coldfront passed. Heavy rains accompanied the front Grosbeaksat HighI., Apr. 22 (CE) and 100Indigo Buntings there Apr on the uppercoast where May 16, AcadianFlycatchers 75-+ were 20 (HJ, AR) were the largestreported. A c• Rose-breastedGrosbeak at by far the mostnumerous of the Empidonaxgroup seen, and 165 E. Port Aransaswas inexplicablylate June 22 (WP). Dickcisselswere Wood Peweeswere recorded(TE, JM). A stormynight precededan unusuallyabundant along the upper coast, especially Apr. 22-24, with excellentshow of thesespecies at AustinMay 20; peweeswere especial- partycounts up to 1000. A LesserGoldfinch at CorpusChristi Apr 30 ly prominentwith 40 + in thearea's best migrant trapsthe StateCapitol (KM) was unusual,as was a Lark Bunting flushedon the Anahuac grounds(GL). N.W.R. rail buggy tour Apr. 18 (HJ, AR). Severalsparrow species, notablySavannah, Le Conte's,Sharp-tailed, Chipping, White-crowned SWALLOWS, WAXWINGS -- Somevery largeflights of swallows andWhite-throated were observed on the uppercoast well pastnormal werereported along the coastline.At Port Aransas,Pulich noted a large departuredates. Lincoln's Sparrows were abundantat Austin. Four movementMar. 20, and estimated100,000 swallowsmigrating Apr. Chestnut-collaredLongspurs at Laguna AtascosaN.W.R., Mar 26 23. A great migrationof Tree Swallowsoccurred on the uppercoast (BF) were the first ever recordedat that locality. duringthe first weekendof April. At SanLuis Pass,where 0.5 mi of water separatesBrazoria County from w. Galveston I., Eubanks CONTRIBUTORS AND CITED OBSERVERS-- Bob Ake, Tony watcheda flight alongthe narrow land bridge on the afternoonof Apr. Amos, Lucy Armstrong,John Arvin, Michael Austin,Duane & Doro- 20. Tree Swallowswere passing at a rateof 150-200/min.Along the c. thy Berry, RussellCabaniss (RCa), Jim & SharonCameron, Donna coast,Purple Martins were reportedweeks late and muchfewer than Carter (DCa), Charlie Clark, Don Connell (DCo), RichardCudworth usual.Cedar Waxwings lingered later and in greaternumbers than usual (RCu), CarolDickinson, Jon Dunn, CharlesEasley, Ted Eubanks,Jr , alongthe entirecoast, flocks of 100+ beingobserved into mid-May. Ben Feltner,Michael Gagarin, Tony Gallucci,Steve Hanselmann, Pat Latestsighting reported was at Port AransasMay 28 (WP). Hartigan,Michael Harvey, Tyrrell Harvey, ElizabethHatcher, Ronald Huffman, Harley Johnston,Sam Jojola, Charles & Hilde Kaigler,Paul MIMIDS THROUGH VIREOS Therewas an apparent regionwide Knoll, Ed Kutac, SteveLabuda, Greg & Becky Lasley,Paul Lehman, scarcityof Gray Catbirds,Brown Thrashersand all commonthrush Kay McCracken, Jim Morgan, John Olmsted, Andrew O'Neil, Tom species.Coastal pileups were singularly lacking. Thrushes in particular Pincelli,Warren Pulich, Jr., JohnRibble, John L. Rowlett,Alan Ryff, were more audible than visible, as weather conditionsfavored nocturnal Alan Schriver, Jean Schulenberg,Rich Stallcup, Robert Thacker, flight ratherthan grounding during much of thepeak migration period. ChristopherThompson, Angela Thorpe, Peter Venema, Marie Webster, To all appearances,vireo species fared no better and seemed particularly RobertWhistler, Doris N. Winship,David Wolf, Chauncey& Sarah low in numbersaround the c. coast.A PhiladelphiaVireo on Galveston Wood.--FRED S. WEBSTER, JR., 4926 StrassDrive, Austin, TX I , May 22 (TE) registereda new late recordfor the uppercoast. 78731.

WARBLERS In general,warblers were late and comparatively few in number.Variety was excellent on theupper coastS0 species-- butno exceptionalconcentrations were found. Highest reported counts of somecommon warblers follow: Tennessee, 300 in ChambersCounty Apr. 22 (TE, JM); Nashville,100s on Capitol grounds in AustinApr. 20 NORTHWESTERN CANADA REGION (m.ob.);Magnolia, 42 at LagunaAtascosa N.W.R., May 8 (CE, TP); Bay-breasted,100 + at GalvestonMay 22 (TE); Ovenbird,75 on the /Helmut Grfinberg Capitolgrounds May 11 (m.ob.);Am. Redstart,41 in HidalgoCounty May 9 (CE). The followinge. speciesare rare as far inlandand w. as Springarrived early in southernparts of the Region.In the Yukon, Austin (whereobserved): Worm-eating Apr. 21 (DCa, MG); Black- temperaturessouth of the OgilvieMountains were generally milder than throatedBlue May 15 (JLR);and Blackpoll Warbler Apr. 20 (JR). The usual.From the Ogilviesnorth, including Inuvik in theNorthwest Terri- followingwarblers are rare or accidentalat thelocalities cited: Virgin- tories,spring arrived late. This unusualpattern had someeffect on the la'snear Bolivar Apr. 22 (TG, m.ob.),Townsend's at HighI., Apr.20- springmigration. Early migrants,such as waterfowl, arrived early, late 22 (BF, PL, DW, m.ob.);Hermit at CorpusChristi May 20 (PK,fide migrantssuch as shorebirdsand some songbirds,were late or "on KM); MacGillivray'sat SabineWoods near Sabine Pass Apr. 29 (MH, time." Somebirds, for exampleSnow Buntings, Lapland Longspurs RH); PaintedRedstart at San Ygnacio,Zapata Co., Mar. 9 (BA). andsparrows, apparently gathered in largenumbers in areaswhere they Two bandingprojects in theAustin area revealed a surprisingnumber arenot normally that common. This was possibly in parta resultof early of MacGillivray'sWarblers, a specieslong thought to berare migrant. exposureof snowfreeground in many southernareas. These latter birds A sitenear Driftwood, Hays Co., nettedtwo (DCo, GL), anda brushy were notedonly in smallnumbers in the southernYukon. A total of 204 sitenear downtown Austin netted 13 (CT), all betweenMay 5-June2. A specieswas observedthis season. TropicalParula, a rareresident in extremeSouth Texas, was n. at Austin Apr. 8 (NW). A very late Yellow-rumped(Audubon's) Warbler was HERONS THROUGH CRANES The rare sightingof a Great seenat PortAransas May 21 (WP), anda CapeMay Warbleron Galves- Blue Heron wasreported from Tagish,Yukon May 30-31 (HM) Cin- ton I., Mar. 24 (TE) was the earliest ever recordedin Texas. namonTeal has been observed more regularly in recentyears. They may be extendingtheir range in a N direction. One was seennear Fort St BOBOLINKS THROUGH TANAGERS -- A flock of 15 Bobolinks John (hereafter, F.S.J.) May 9 and one May 14 (JJ, CS). In the s onw. GalvestonI., May 5 (MA) werethe only ones reported. Yellow- Yukon, the followingobservations were recorded: one male at Taglsh

890 AmericanBirds, September-October 1983 SHOREBIRDS THROUGH WOODPECKERS -- A Ruddy Turn- stonewas observedat Fort ProvidenceMay 21-23 (DM et al.). Three WanderingTattlers each were sightedin the s. Ogilvie Mts., May 21 (HG et al.) and at Goat Cr., HainesRd., May 22 (RC, NW). At least four Baird's Sandpiperswere seenat SwanL., 20 km n. ofWhse., May 15 (HG, WH, CO); one, one and five were notedat TagishL., May 13, 18 and 22, respectively(GJ, CM); andthey were alsoreported from Fort ProvidenceMay 21-23 (DM et al.). The first recordof White-rumped Sandpipers for the PeaceR. area, B.C., was obtainedwhen five were observedMay 28-31 at the F.S.J. sewagelagoons (JJ, CS). Ten Short- billed Dowitchersappeared at Swan L., 20 km n. of Whse., May 14, while at leasttwo were seenthe next day (HG, WH, CO); they were also notedat Fort ProvidenceMay 21-23 (DM et al.). Near F.S.J., two Stilt Sandpiperswere seenMay 23, one May 25, two May 28, and one May 30 (JJ, CS); an unspecifiednumber was seen at FortProvidence May 21- 23 (DM et al.). Two Buff-breastedSandpipers were at Inuvik, N.W.T., May 26 & 29 (MBen); and a rare springrecord for BritishColumbia of this species was obtainedwhen two were seennear F.S.J., May 30 (JJ, CS). Hud- sonianGodwits were regularly seen near F.S.J. (CS); threewere report- ed from TagishL., May 9 (B & KG); one was reportedfrom Graham Inlet, Tagish L., n. B.C., May 21 (MBr); and one was seenat Inuvlk May 29 (MBen). Three Sanderlingswere observed at MarshL., May 18 (GJ). One American Avocetwas seen at the F.S.J. sewagelagoons for the first n.e. British Columbiarecord, May 23, and four were observed here May 28 (JJ, CS). Up to four Wilson's Phalaropeswere seen at Swan L., 20 km n. of Whse., May 14-15 (HG, WH, CO); the same specieswas observedat Fort ProvidenceMay 21-23 (DM et al.). A CaspianTern was reportedfrom Yellowknife May 29 (KS). Near the HainesRd. summit,B.C., a SnowyOwl was seenApr. 3 (TMu) This specieswas noted regularly in the F.S.J. area.In the samegeneral area, two BarredOwls were observedat closerange May 10 (JJ, CS). A BorealOwl washeard and seen near Swan L., 20 km n. of Whse., May 8-9 (HG, WH). One-to-threeRufous Hummingbirds were sighted near TelegraphCr., n. B.C., May 16-21 (TMu); a maleand a femaleRufous Hummingbirdwere observedat GrahamInlet May 6-7; later, the male disappearedand only two femaleswere seenuntil May 30 (MBr); a RufousHummingbird was also reportedfrom Teslin, Yukon May 6 (LW, fide to LG). A Yellow-bellied Sapsuckerof the tuber race was observednear Telegraph Cr., May 16-20 (TMu).

PERCHING BIRDS -- A Barn Swallow was observed as far n. as Inuvik May 27 (MBen). At leastone Mountain Chickadee was seen in a n.w. suburbof Whse., on 3 differentdays Mar. 4-13 (ML; JL & PW; D & LS). A Winter Wren was reportedin the F.S.J. area for the first PeaceR. recordsince 1938, Apr. 23-24 (JJ, GS, CS), anda "probable" L , s Yukon May 9 (B & KG); one male at Swan L., 20 km n. of WinterWren wasat Wann R., TagishL., B.C., May 22 (CE). A Black- Whitehorse(hereafter, Whse.), May 14-15 (HG, WH, CO); one at L. and-whiteWarbler was observed near Yellowknife May 30 (KS). Brew- Labergeslough May 17 (HG, GJ et al.); onemale at TagishL., May 18 er's Blackbird,W. Tanager,Harris's and Song sparrows were reported (GJ) If therehad been females as well, theycould have been difficult to froin Fort ProvidenceMay 21-23 (DM et al.). identify.A EuropeanWigeon was observed at Teslin L., May 1 (CM), and one was seen near F.S.J., May 21-22. This representsthe first CONTRIBUTORS -- M. & P. Beattie (M & PBea), M. Bentley recordfor the PeaceR. area, B.C. (JJ, CS). Redheadswere observed (M.Ben), M. Brook (MBr), R. Carlson, J. & P. Dabbs, C. Eames, L regularlyin sinallnumbers in the s. Yukon in May (m.ob.); therewas a Geddes,B. Gerow, K. Gerow, P. Goossen,W. Harms, B. & P. Hee- h•ghcount of 22 at MarshL., Apr. 23 (GJ, CM); two wereseen as far n. bink, G. Johnston,J. Johnson,W. Klassen,L. Kubica, E. Kuyt, J asGravel L., km 625 KlondikeHwy., c. YukonMay 20 (HG, MP). A Lammers,M. Lammers,M. Ledergerber,H. MacKenzie,C. McEwen, RuddyDuck wasreported froin Fort Providence,N.W.T., May 21-23 T. McIlwain (TMcI), D. Muirhead, T. Munson (TMu), C. Osborne,M (DM et al.). Pawlowski,T. Pendray,K. Postoloski,G. Saxon,D. & L. Schuler,C A Broad-wingedHawk was seennear F.S.J., May 14 (JJ, CS). An Siddle, K. Southworth,J. Thompson,L. Weatherbee,P. Wilson, N Ospreywas noted 25 kin s.e. of Whse., Apr. 17 (WH); onesighting was Wolffe.--H.GRONBERG, Yukon Conservation Society, #4•201 reportednear Johnson'sCrossing, s. Yukon Apr. 20 (JL, PW), and a Main Street, Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada. pair was notednot too far from this locationat SquangaL. (LG); one wasobserved in Whse., Apr. 21-22 (WK); onewas seen at FortProvi- dence,N.W.T., May 21-23 (DM et al.). Surprisingly,Gyrfalcons re- roamedunreported this spring,and there were only three Peregrine Falconsightings: one at MarshL., May 13 (B & KG, GJ, CM), one at Wood BuffaloN.P., May 12 (EK), andone at Fort ProvidenceMay 21- 23 (DM et al.). Two Blue Grousewere observed near the Atlin Rd., B.C., Apr. 30, andone was seen near Good Hope L., B.C., May 15(TMu). Whooping Craneswere monitored in WoodBuffalo N.P., Apr. 22 +, anda record numberof 23 nestswas foundMay 12 (PG, EK).

Vol 37, Number 5 891 NORTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN- INTERMOUNTAIN REGION /Thomas H. Rogers

March was warmer and wetter than normal in most parts of the Region,continuing the abnormallywarm winter. An exceptionwas the •LBERT• mountainareas, which were cold: Red Rock Lakes, Grays Lake and Fortine, and Missoulaand Helena, which were decidedlydry. April in X•WILLIAMS tAKE%. • I generalwas mild and dry. May was wet in a belt runningfrom Walla Walla throughBoise, Missoulaand Helena but dry to the north and northwest.Helena had a disastrouslate snowstormMay 9-10 that in- .• KAMLO0PS,. •.BANF; jured andkilled many passetinesand destroyed nests. The lastten days of the month were very hot and dry. Many reportersconsidered the migrationdull and poor, with low numbersof speciesand individuals.Waterfowl appeared to have been diverted from normal migration patternsby abundantwater supplies, makingfor highwater levels and many more available ponds. Converse- AWL I (SPOKANE.J. % KALISPELL ly, water coveringmudflats made shorebirdsespecially hard to find, [LLEH•RG'• ..... J •% oMISSOULA• exceptin the Bend, Oregonarea, wherethe extra waterwas a boonto •- WALLRe •LEWISTON KELENA them. Somereporters noted early arrivalsduring mild periods;others -• R WALLA__• • THREE notedno abnormalschedules. Several suggested that stormy weather to thesouth disrupted the migrationtimetable. Jim Grant'scomment that it wasa mixed-upmigration period without much rhyme or reason,may I'etKo •. PAVETT[ bethe best description. To explainit all wouldno doubt require far more information than is available. OREGOr• REF.•'j IDAHO WYOMI• The sudden death of P.D. (Dave) Skaar of a heart attack came as a terrificshock. He leavespowerful and indelible strokes upon Montana's ornithologicalpicture and will be deeplymissed.

LOONS AND GREBES-- Very few Corn.Loons were seen on lakes (PHa) as were six blue-phaseRoss' Geese with white-phasebirds s. of in theFortine, Mont., vicinity, reflectingthe declining breeding popula- Burns, Ore., Apr. 18 (MStL). A Ross' apparentlywintered in the La tion as humanpresence increases (WW). A Yellow-billed Loon was Grande,Ore. vicinity (B & CC, P & REW). Sightingsof singleEur. reportedon OsoyoosL., in extremes. BritishColumbia (fide BK). Red- Wigeonswere made at Coeur d' Alene L. (GH), KootenaiN.W.R. neckedGrebe nesting with a breedingpopulation of 24 wasunderway in (PS), s. of Spokane(JA), near Burns (MA), CrowsnestPass e. of May at KootenaiN.W.R., BonnetsFerry, Ida. A HornedGrebe stopped Fernie,B.C. (MO'S. CT), andin the Kamloops-Vernon.B.C. areaOQ, at MountainHome Res., Ida., May 7 (KP). EaredGrebes numbered RH). Unusualfor the latter area were two Wood Duck sightings,one 3600 on StinkingL., MalheurN.W.R., Burns,Ore., Apr. 13 and 925 nearFernie, the other near Sparwood(DR, DF, HM). Also of note in were on Boca L., there May 6. Nicola L., Nicola. B.C., had 125 W. thatarea were nine Ring-necked Ducks n. of Elkfordfor thefirst records GrebesApr. 29 (RH). there(DF, MW, JL). A pair of GreaterScaup was at Miller I., Klamath L., Ore., May 16 (MA) and two maleswere at Boise May 8 (MC). PELICANS THROUGH IBISES -- White Pelicans numbered 400 at CommonGoldeneye had youngin the waterat Fortinesoon after mid- Malheurat period'send. Severalislands there were modified to encour- May. Malesdeparted the lastweek of May, about7- I 0 daysearlier than age nesting,but nonewas observed. Up to 100 were at PotholesRes., usual(WW). A pair of Barrow'sGoldeneye was courtingon small MosesL., Wash., in April andAmerican Falls Res., Ida., had 150 Apr. pondsnear McCall, Ida., in mid-May. It lookedlike suitablenesting 21. No CattleEgrets were reported. A GreatEgret near Killarney L., w. habitat(MRC). The only Oldsquawswere one on ClearwaterR., at of Rose L., was n. Idaho's second(AB. RP, TW). Two-three Least Lewiston,Ida. (RN, MK, EP)andfive at KootenayL. ferry, B.C. (PS). Bitternswere heardat Upper KlamathL., Ore., May 22-23 (Fl, A & Tranquille,B.C. reportedthe only SurfScoter (RR) anda pairof Black MA). A White-facedIbis appearedw. of Bozeman,Mont.. Apr. 22 (J & Scot,rs wasat the YakimaR. deltafor thefirst BentonCounty, Wash. PH). recordand only the Region'sthird (GB). A HoodedMerganser was seen alongthe BoiseR., near Boise,Ida.. in Marchand April (LK) and a WATERFOWL -- Whistling Swanspeaked at 15,546 at Malheur. femaleappeared at Dry Lakess. of Nampa,Ida., May 22 (MRC). A pair Their movementpattern apparendy shifted in thes.e. BritishColumbia/ of Red-breastedMergansers was on Deep L., in the Colville, Wash. n.w. Montana/n. Idaho/n.e. Washingtonareas. Few appearedon L. area in early April (VB) and two femaleswere on a pondin Lewiston, Windermere,B.C., andon lakess. of Spokane,and the n. Idahocount Ida., Apr. 30 (RN, MK). wasonly one-halfof last year's lO00. On the otherhand, 950 stopped nearChewelah. Wash., Mar. 6 and numberswere up at Fortinewith up HAWKS -- An imm. Broad-winged Hawk was photographedat to 94 seenon a lake with nearby ranchbuildings and a well-travelled MalheurMay 30 (TC, JG, HN, OS) for Oregon'sfirst record.A dark- highway.A pairof Mute Swansnested on SwanL., nearVernon. B.C., phaseFerruginous Hawk wassighted near Princeton. B.C. The species for the first breedingrecord for the area (JGr). is almostunknown from that provincebut thereare now breedingre- Peakgoose and duck counts at ColumbiaN.W.R., Othello,Wash., cordsfrom the Merritt-AspenGrove area (BK). GoldenEagle numbers were up somewhatfrom 1982 but droppedat Turnbull, supposedly weredown at Malheurand nestingsuccess low, reflectinganother year becauseof availabilityof moresmall ponds.The decideddrop at Mal- of depressedjackrabbit populations. That refugehad 173 Bald Eagles heur was creditedto budgetconstraints, which confined counts to the roostingduring the first week of March. A pair of Bald Eagleswas refugeitself. Evenat thatM alheurreported 3160 CanadaGeese, 47,830 rearinga nestlingat Oden Bay, FendOreille L. (PHa). An imm. Bald Snow Geese, 2500 Ross' Geese, 18,000 + Pintails, 7000 + Am. Wi- Eaglefound in the Helena,Mont. areawith symptomsof poisoningwas geons,7210 RuddyDucks and 885 Com. Mergansers.Canada Goose nursedback to health(VY, Dept. of Fish, Wildlife & Parks). numberswere extremely low in the Coeurd' Alenedrainage ofn. Idaho, Ospreys,rare in the Malheurarea, wereseen repeatedly there. A pair only 2500 passingthrough compared to the usual 10,000, but their wasnesting at KootenaiN.W.R., for thefirst time anda pair wasnesting numberswere up at Fortin,. Twelve CacklingGeese were with Canadas on a structureerected for themat Salmon,Ida. A nestplatform put up for s. of SpokaneMar. 26 (JA). a pair at Bend, Ore., apparentlywas too late for the birdsto use. Ten Notable were 20 Snow Geeseon Oden Bay, Fend Oreille L., Ida. sightingsof PeregrineFalcons and threeof Merlins were reported.

892 AmericanBirds, SeptembersOctober1983 PHEASANTS THROUGH RAILS -- Ring-neckedPheasant and Two CaspianTerns were sightednear Vernon May 29; the speciesis CaliforniaQuail numbersremained low at Malheur, not havingrecov- rare in interior British Columbia (P & PMcA). KootenaiN.W.R. had its eredyet from the heavysnows of 1981-82.Two Turkeyswere sighted first Caspianswith two May 14 (fide LN). Onealong the Clearwater R., on JosephPlain betweenCottonwood and Whitebird,Ida. (DK). LewistonApr. 23 waspresumably that Iocality's third (RN). A sighting A yearlingand a 4 yearold c• WhoopingCrane returned to Grays of thisspecies at Ennis,Mont., May 30 wasthe latilong's second (SC). Lake N.W.R., s.e. Ida., Apr. 18. Othersreturned to w. Wyomingand A Black Tern at Indian Creek Res., e. of Boise May 21 was a rare e. Idaho at aboutthe sametime. Six eggswere broughtfrom Patuxent sighting(MC). ResearchReft thisspring and placed in SandhillCrane nests and at least two hatchedsuccessfully (EB). GreaterSandhill Cranes peaked in late PIGEONS THROUGH OWLS -- A Band-tailedPigeon was identi- Marchat Malheurand promptly began nesting. Lesser Sandhills were fied alongBarber Pool of the BoiseR., May 8 (MM, LK) andanother presentin largenumbers on theirstaging area s. ande. of Burns;one was photographedat Reynolds,Ida., May 29 (VK & MC). One at worea plasticcollar that had beenplaced on it at MercedN.W.R., in ParkerCr., BoundaryCo., Ida., wasthat area's first (PS) andone of the California. A flock of 1200 flew over KamloopsApr. 20, Penticton, species,uncommon in interiorBritish Columbia, was seennear Kam- B.C. had 950 Apr. 24 and 1000 were at StumpL., w. of Williams L.. loops May 21 (RH). A Yellow-billed Cuckoo was seen May 31 at B.C., the sameday. Fields, Ore (JG, TC, HN, OS). At least 11 Yellow Rails were heardand theircalls taped at 4 localities The only FlammulatedOwls reportedwere one at Penticton,B.C., near Ft. Klamath, Ore., May 20-22 (MA, JG, OS, RS, SS). May 13 (SCa) and one in the Blewett Passarea w. of Wenatchee, Wash., May 21 (EH). A BarredOwl was sightednear Coeur d' Alene SHOREBIRDS--A SnowyPlover was seen May 22 at Dry Lakes.a Mar. 21 (GH) and an imm. bird wassighted up SmithCr., n. Boundary potentialbreeding site, s. of Nampa(MC). SummerL., LakeCo., Ore., Co., Ida., May 25 (PS). A pair of GreatGray Owls wasnear Invermere, had20 SnowiesMay 15and five SemipalmatedPlovers were there that B.C., Mar. 4 (HB) and one wasphotographed near Winchester,Ida.. dayfor apparentlythe first latilong record (MA). Up to eightof thelatter Feb. 15 (fide KL). The experimentalstation at Moxee, Wash., had ten at Bend, Ore., were unusual(TC). A RuddyTurnstone at Malheur in Long-earedOwls Mar. 26 (Y.A.S.). Saw-whetOwls were "unusually mid-May providedthe refuge'ssecond sighting. A Whimbre! flying common"in the Vernonarea (JG). Fourimm. birdswere found May 20 over Osoyooswas presumably the first for interiorBritish Columbia at Turnbull (JA) and one was sightedat Blewett PassMay 21 (EH). (BK). Up to four Upland Sandpiperswere sightedin the traditional nestingarea in the SpokaneValley (JA, ME, THR). Woodley'sfirst SWIFTS AND HUMMINGBIRDS -- The only Black Swift noted springrecord of a SolitarySandpiper was of a birdnear West Richland, was one over Wenas Cr., n.w. of Yakima (Y.A.S.). At their peak Wash., May 7. DeschuteCounty's first RedKnot, onein full breeding migrationat Walla Walla, Wash., 1500+ Vaux's Swiftsfunneled into plumage,was at BendMay I 0 (TC, CM) andMalheur had one in mid- thechimney at ReynoldsHall, WhitmanCollege (SM). White-throated May for one of very few sightingsthere. A Baird'sSandpiper was Swifts returnedto their new breedinglocation among the cliffs at the identifiedat Lewiston,Ida., Apr. 29 (RN). Up to fourDunlin, Deschute Bowl andPitcher, Riverside S.P., Spokane;ten wereseen there Apr. 17 County'sfirst, were at Bendon several dates in Mayand a Black-necked (JA). At leasttwo d' Ruby-throatedHummingbirds were at feederswith Stilt, rare there,was at BendMay 31 (TC, CM). One-twoof the latter Rufousand Calliopesat CrowsnestPass, B.C. (JK), and a d' Black- weresighted along the DodsonR./Frenchman Hills R., s. GrantCo., chinnedwas feeding at apple blossomsat Fernie, B.C., well e. of its Wash., in April and May (ME, ES. PM et al.). normalrange (T & HM, fide DF). A Calliopeand a Black-chinnedat Malheur were noteworthyand a Calliopewas on the nestat BendMay 8 GULLS AND TERNS -- Single GlaucousGulls at Wawawai and (TC). A •?Anna's wason the nestin KlamathFalls for the first nesting Lower Granite Dam, Wash., Apr. 23 were quite unusual(R & GD). reportedfor the county(MA). At leastfour maleswere stayingin the Noteworthywere two HerringGulls on Am. FallsRes., s.e. Ida., Apr. upperWenatchee Valley, Wash.(RO-T), anda malewas seen in Hardy 21 andone on Little CamasRes., n.e. of MountainHome, Ida., May 21, Canyonn.w. of Yakima Apr. I I (ME). the latter apparentlya first for the county(MC). Twenty Mew Gulls at Tranquille, B.C., May l0 were unusual(RR). WOODPECKERS THROUGH SWALLOWS -- A "Yellow-shaft- An ad. Laughing Gull photographednear the stateline at Lower ed" Corn. Flickerwas at the Davenport,Wash. cemetery May 13 (JA). KlamathN.W.R., Apr. 24 furnishedOregon's first verified record (SSL A Red-headedWoodpecker was seen in Livingston,Mont., May 22 A Franklin'sGull at MountainHome Res., May 31 waspresumably that (Mrs. D,fide CD). Lewis' Woodpeckernumbers appeared good in the area's first (KP} and two at Dry Lakes May 22 may be Ada County's Yakima area, at Malheur, in the Rupert, Ida. vicinity, and in the can- secondrecord (MC). A Bonaparte'sGull at McKay N.W.R., Pendle- yonsof s.w. Idahobut were very scarce or absentelsewhere. One in the ton, Ore., wasprobably the first in springthere (C & MC, NB) andone Elk R. Valley n. of Sparwod,B.C., wasonly the secondrecorded there at BendMay 13 meritedmention (CM). A Sabine'sGull at L. Chatco- (DF, HFL A c• Williamson'sSapsucker, rare in theFortine area, was at let, St. Marie's May 7 was presumablyn. Idaho'sfirst (BG). a treeused in previousyears for nestingand a Black-backedThree-toed Woodpeckerin thatarea was the first in about10 years(WW). One was reportedin the Colville, Wash. area(VB). Two LeastFlycatchers were seenat FieldsMay 31 (JC et al.). No Gray Flycatcherswere found on 2 visitsto their traditionalnesting site oonWenas Cr., but two werealong ObservatoryRd., to the n.e. of WenasCr. (EH, PM et al.).

JAYS THROUGH NUTHATCHES -- A Blue Jay visitedSpokane Apr. 20-24 (JA) andthe two thatwintered in Coldstreamnear Vernon were last seenMay 4 {JQ). ThreeScrub Jays were at SummerL., May 15 anda pairof PitionJays was chasing a Red-tailedHawk at the "Lost Forest" May 28, both in Lake Co., Ore., and new localitiesfor these species(MA). SeveralBoreal Chickadees were found at lakesup Rattle- snakeCr., 10 min. of Missoula,Mont. (BKe). Up to four Chestnut- backedChickadees were near Coeur d' Alene in March (GH). Several PygmyNuthatches were discovered in a burnedarea s. of Lytton,B.C. (BK).

MIMIC THRUSHES AND THRUSHES -- The Mockingbirdthat LaughingGull, Lower Klamath N. W.R., Ore.,Apr. 24, 1983.First state winteredat Karoloopswas last seen in earlyApril (RH). A GrayCatbird record. Photo/S. Summers. appearedat MalheurMay 29-30 (TC, JG, HN, OS) and one was at

Vol. 37, Number5 893 FieldsMay 30 (RS et al.). Chopaka,Wash. had a SageThrasher (BK). wasthe first ever for n. idaho(reported to PS by the Monksfamily). A Peak Hermit Thrushnumbers at that migratingbird oasis,Davenport singingClay-colored Sparrow was identified in a shrubbymeadow 2 mi cemetery, were only seven, comparedto the usual 15-20 (JA). The e. of MetalineFalls, Wash., May 29 (ME) for that iatilong'ssecond thrushmigration in c. Oregon was notablefor its absence,with no record.A Harris' Sparrowin nearlyfull breedingplumage was in the Swainson'sreported, although several were at Maiheur May 27 (TC). Davenportcemetery May 7 (JA) and threewere at a Richlandfeeder Only one Veery was heardMay 29 at OchocoCampground, Ochoco Mar. 29, at leastone of whichstayed until the first weekof May (HE, N.F., Ore. Thereapparently had been a fire thatdestroyed some of the RW). A very few Golden-crownedSparrows were observed migrating riparianhabitat (DA). A goodpopulation of MountainBluebirds was throughe. Oregonand Washington,the mostunexpected, one at Rog- reportedin the valleyat Fortine,with youngon the wingby theend of ersburg,Wash., Mar. 26 (AM, C.B.). A loneWhite-throated Sparrow May. wasat RichlandMar. 18 (TG) andone was at KnouffL., nearKamloops May 14 (RH). The Davenportcemetery had a surprisingi I migrating GNATCATCHERS AND WAXWINGS -- At least two pairs of Fox SparrowsMay 7 (JA). A bright-plumagedSwamp Sparrow in Blue-gray Gnatcatchersarrived at Barber Pool, Boise Apr. 28 and McNary P., Umatiila Mar. 26 was e. Oregon'sfirst (JC, C & MC). remainedin suitablebreeding habitat (MC). A pair wassighted n. of Grant'sPass, Ore., May 25 (MA). For the first time in Jim Grant's ADDENDA -- A Eur. Wigeonwas in the Nampaarea Feb. 27 (J & knowledgeCedar Waxwings winteredat Vernon and stayedaround NHe). A gray-phaseGyrfalcon was reported from Montanain January throughthe spring.Usually there is a gap betweenwinter and spring (JD). An Anna's Hummingbirdwas seenin s.w. Idaho Dec. 7 (A & sightings. HL). Three BlueJays were sighted on 2 occasionsduring the winterin theWasa, B.C. area(MW). A HermitWarbler near Plain, Wash., May VIREOS THROUGH BLACKBIRDS -- Two Red-eyedVireos, al- 1, 1982 was apparentlythe first for the latilong(DH, fide PM). Ten waysscarce at Malheur, werethem May 27-28 (TC el al.). A $ Black- BlackRosy Finches were reported for s_w.Idaho Dec. 28 (A & HL). A and-whiteWarbler wasat Malheur May 27 (J & JC, TC et al.). Tennes- ChippingSparrow in imm. plumagefrequented a SouthSlocan, B.C. see Warblers were seen migratingthrough Malheur in May (refuge feederdaily Dec. 25-Jan.25 (JSfide MEI). A Harris' Sparrowused a personnel).One was sightedat Fields May 31 (JC) and the specieswas feederin s.w. ldahoregularly Dec. I at leastthrough Feb. 28 (JS,A & seenin BendMay 6 (TC). A sparsescattering of Yellow-romped(Myr- HL). tle) Warblerswent throughe. Washingtonand Idaho. A Black-throated GrayWarbler at UmatillaN.W.R., washighly unusual (CC) anda pair, CORRIGENDUM -- Deletethe referenceto Golden-crownedSpar- furnishingMontana's third record,was identifiedin ColoradoGulch rows(AB 36: 1000); checkingthis June revealed White-crowned Spar- s.w. of HelenaMar. 25 (NN). Malheurhad a 8 OvenbirdMay 25 (JAn) rows singingan unusualsong pattern. and N. Waterthrushes were described as numerous in backwater willow thicketsin thelowlands of PendOreille County, Wash. (ME). A singing OBSERVERS CITED -- (JA) JamesActon, David Anderson,(JAm) d' Mourning Warbler was carefully identifiedat TumwaterCamp- Jim Anderson,Ann & Merle Archie, EugeneBarney, Helen Bavin, ground,Wenatchee N.F., ChelanCo., Wash., May 15 (ME). Klamath Nancy Bock, Greg Books.AI Bruner,Vernon Byrd, (SCa) SteveCan- Fallshad a d' HermitWarbler May 17 (MA). Bobolinkshad returned to nings(C.B. • CanyonBirders, Jim & JudyCarlson, Mark Collie, (MCo) Maiheur by May 22 anda male wasat Reynolds,Ida., May 22 (MC). A Mary Collins, BeckyCorder, Craig & (MC) Marion Corder,(SC) Shar- largecolony of TricoloredBlackbirds was observed May 17 at Miller i.. on Cotterell, Tom Crabtree,John Dalke, C.V. Davis, Rick & Gay Klamath Falls (MA). Demmer,Mrs. Dunn, (ME) Mark Egger,(MEI) MauriceEllison, How- ard Ennor, David Fraser,Helen Fyles,(JG) Jeff Gilligan, Bill Goble, FINCHES --The only Rose-breastedGrosbeaks reported were one at (JGr)James Grant, Tony Greager,Larry Halverson,(PHa) PaulHanna, LivingstonMay 22 (Mrs. D,fide CD) andone in Ketchum,Ida., May 30 Gertie Hanson,(J & PH) Jim & Pat Harp, (JHe) Jim & Naomi Heckath- (WS). A d' Indigo Buntingwas at Page Spring Campgroundnear orn, Rick Howie, EugeneHunn, Dave Hutchinson, Frank Isaacs, Lydia Frenchglen,Ore., May 29 for thatarea's first record(SS). Lazuli Bunt- Kading, (BK) Brian Kautesk. (BKe) Bill Kerling, J. Kerr, Dwight ingsseemed scarce or absentfrom most localities but werereported as Kilgore, Merlene Koliner, Vicky Kolb, AI & Hilda Larson,Keith Law- commonin the Rupertarea (WS) and at Wenatchee(RO-T). Evening rence.Joanne Lawrence, Pat & PeterMcAllister. Phil Mattocks,Craig Grosbeakswere alsoscarce except for the Helenaand Missoulaareas, Miller, Tony & Helen Milligan, Helen Milne, Monks family, Alice whichreported good numbers, and Bonner County, ida., whichhad low Morttag, Martel Morache, Shirley Muse, Larry Napier, Harry Nehls, numbersthroughout the period. One-two Purple Finches were reported Ron Neu. Norma Nixon, Ruth Ortiz-Torres, Michael O'Shea, Ralph at Cle Elum and WenasCr., Wash., in May (Y.A.S.). A pair of Pine Pehrson,Kerry Provance,Eleanor Pruett, John Quirk, Ralph Riteey, Grosbeakswas sightedat 7200 ft elevationin KootenayN.P.. B.C. Thomas H. Rogers, Dave Ryder, Marty St. Louis, Owen Schmidt, (LH); 10-15 were at 5000 ft on Myrtle Peak w. of BonnersFerry, Ida., W.H. Shillington,Paul Sieracki, Eugene Smirnov, Jack Smith, Richard Mar. 1i (PS), andone was along the Little SpokaneR., nearSpokane Smith, (S.A.S.) SpokaneAudubon Society, J.A. Street, Steve Sum- Apr. 2 (MV, S.A.S.). A flock of 30 Com. Redpollsflew over Wolver- mers, Clayton Truman, Maurice Vial, Winton Weydemeyer,Mildred ine Pass,Kootenay N.P., Mar. 15 for the only sighting(LH). Pine White, Mike Whittaker,Tom Williams, Pat & R.E. Woodley, Vince Siskinswere unreportedexcept for Helena, whichhad "goodly num- Yannone,(Y.A.S.) Yakima AudubonSociety.--THOMAS H. ROG- bers," the Colville areawith "flocks," and the Rupertarea. Red Cross- ERS, E. 10820 Maxwell, Spokane, WA 99206. bills were little mentioned;they presumablystayed mostly at higher elevations.The onlyWhite-winged Crossbills were four at Myrtle Peak and two at Kootenai N.W.R., in March (PS).

BUNTINGS AND SPARROWS-- A flock of 65 Lark Buntingsat BlacksCreek Res., May 8 producedonly the secondrecord of these birdsfor s.w. Idaho (MC). SingleGrasshopper Sparrows were found nearEphrata, Wash. (ES); Pendleton,Ore. (C & MC, NB), andVernon (MCo). Two were in the vicinity of Eltopia, Wash. (MV, S.A.S.) and five were seenand moreheard in the SpokaneValley near the Idaho border(JA). Lark Sparrowwas the most commonbird amongthe JuniperForest sand dunes between Connell and Pasco, Wash., May 21 (MV, S.A.S.) andthey wereabundant near Weston, Ore., Apr. 30 (SM et al.). Severalwere founde. of Soap L., Wash., May 5 (ES) and at SummerFalls, Wash.(C. B.). YakimaFiring Range furnished the only reportof the SageSparrow, one bird (Y.A.S). An apparentlyvalid sightingof a Gray-headedJunco near Robinson L., n.e. KootenaiCo., SwampSparrow/drawing by RobertG. Barrett.

894 AmericanBirds, September-October1983 MOUNTAIN WEST Colo., May 16-20 (B, I, JP, ph). A surprisingset of Least Bittern /Hugh E. Kingery reports,all in May, includedone at Kirch W.M.A., near Lund, Nev. (fide #CS), Jensen,Utah (•'MBr), GrandJct., Colo. (#RL), Ft. Col- lins, Colo. (?PP, ?KC), aswell asthe usual Boulder birds. White-faced An incredible,obliging Ross' Gull electrifiedColorado bird watchers Ibis reportswent up, withtop countsat RubyL., of 300 readyto nest, andsignaled the transformationof a lacklusterspring migration into a 360 at BearR., May 31, and278 at Ogden,Utah May 24. Flocksin lustrousone, at least in the plains part of the Mountain West. The Coloradoranged 10-40, andin Wyoming2-18. Nevada'sexotic for this Regionhad the largest variety of speciessince 1979 (including first state springoccurred in a Renocity lake:three Am. Flamingos,free-flying recordsof a Cardinalin Utah and a Yellow-throatedWarbler in Wyo- andwild-mannered. Supported by a newspaperphotographer, the Hu- ming), and a seriesof May snowand rain stormsgrounded unusual maneSociety launched a boatto rescuethe birds but could get no closer numbersof passefines.Although weather is neveruniform across the than 50 yards (JA). Mountain West, most reporterscited a continuousseries of storms, recordprecipitation, below-normal temperatures, and endlesswinter. WATERFOWL -- WhistlingSwans peaked in mid-Marchat 1430at After two rain/snowstorms,May 11-12 and 17, cameinstant summer. BearR.; oneremained to May 24 at Ogden(JN). SnowGeese numbered Springalso built high snowpacksin the mountains,and the combina- 2000-3000at Julesburg,Colo., at the Mar. 14peak (BP). The Region's tion of meltingsnow and continuousrains created high water in the 55 Ross'Geese included Wyoming's second at CasperMay 22-24 valleys,filled the reservoirs,and eliminated shorebird habitat. Particu- (•'JH),as well as 20 at Roosevelt,Utah Mar. 21 (MBr, ph),and 22 on larly hard hit, Great Salt Lake and Lake Mead lost shorelineand Apr. 18-19at Logan(?MT, KA). A BlackDuck was at Ft. CollinsMay marshes,as did RubyLake N.W.R. andKirch W.M.A., Nevada,and 18 (?KC). A femalewith four young May 27 evidencedthe first breed- the eastern Colorado reservoirs. Waterfowl fared well, shorebirds ing CinnamonTeal at Las Vegas in severalyears (VM). Colorado passedus by. reportedthree Eur. Wigeons:Apr. 9 at ColoradoSpgs. (#SHo), Apr. Despitethe litanyof terribleweather, the two reporterswho kept track 11-14 at Pueblo(RB, #J & RW), andGreeley May 8 (•'•'JC).A • of early,average, and late arrivals reported about equal numbers of early White-wingedScoter spent most of May at MonteVista N.W.R. (JK). andlate arrivals(31 and37 respectively;MF, MJ). Most observershad the impressionof a late migration;Dixon's observationvery likely HAWKS, EAGLES -- The earliestTurkey Vulture seenarrived at appliesto theRegion as a whole:"From mid-Aprilon vanguard individ- RubyL., Mar. 10 (SB). Thirty-fivecircled over the WyomingCapitol ualsarrived on schedulebut numbersdid notincrease much for a couple building at CheyenneApr. 16 for 90 min. (K & PW, E & GP). A of weeks... one Orange-crownedWarbler cameApril 26, no others Swallow-tailedKite soaredpast a startled15-member bird classs. of until May 10... "First arrivalsdo not comprisethe migration.Re- DenverApr. 24 (?PE); Coloradohas 5 otherrecords in 1871, 1877 gionalobservers reported 384 species:343 from Colorado,268 from (2), 1939, and 1947. Observationsof Sharp-shinned(86) andCooper's both Utah and Nevada, and 249 from Wyoming. hawks(59) droppedabout one-third from the numbersof the past6 years.Colorado and Wyomingsightings of Broad-wingedHawks in- ABBREVIATIONS-- ?: writtenreport on file with Reg. Ed.; creased50% (to 23 and 11 respectively).The Denver/Boulderarea had written report submittedto C.F.O.; #: no written report; L/L/B/L: five Apr. 23 in 4 locations.To the w., Evergreen,Colo. hadone May 1 LongmonffLyons/Berthoud/Lovelandarea, Colo. (WWB) and Logan had Utah's ninth May 14 (MT et al., KA). The stormyspring may accountfor 4 May reportsof Rough-leggedHawks in Colorado/Wyomingand a few at KirchW.M.A. (gall). Figgsstudied Golden Eagle eyries in BoulderCounty, Colo., and found 8 active breedingterritories in 14 likely or historicalsites; they face threats from technicalrock climbers and mountain home building. Bald Eagle counts tallied 132 at Willard, Utah Mar. 5 (BH), 255 at BearR., Mar. 8 (LW), and37 at Evanston,Wyo., Mar. 2 (CK). Thepair at Moabgave Utah its firstnesting record since 1922 (JCr). A Gyrfalconpassed through Jack- son, Wyo., Apr. 22 (BR). The 34 Peregrinereports tripled the usual springcomplement.

GROUSE, CRANES -- A tourof the sandhills nearWray, Colo., produced51 GreaterPrairie Chickens(DN, DMa), an encouraging countfor this isolatedpopulation facing habitat contraction from ex- pandingirrigated farming. Kirch W.M.A. supports200-300 Afghan White-wingedPheasants, survivors of a 1972 stocking,which do not hybridize (CS). Migrant WhoopingCranes were seen at Delta and Grand Jct., Colo., Jensen,Utah, Crowheartand Jackson,Wyo. One maysummer at MonteVista. Janos counted 2388 Sandhills passing over Delta Mar. 22-Apr. 22; GrandJct. saw788 Mar. 25 (BT). A surveyof Sandhillsin n.e. Nevadacounted 436 (themost, 101, at RubyL.) and LOONS TO FLAMINGO -- Reportsof migratingCom. Loonscon- extendedthe known nestingrange SE from Ruby Valley about80 mi tinueto increase;of the239 reported,Minersville, Utah tallied the most, (MR). Observersfound unusualCorn. Gallinules at Kirch W.M.A., 100Apr. 8 (SH). Wyommgand Colorado had peaks of 10-17 Apr. 30- Apr. 25-May 18 (CS), Bear R., Apr. 23 (#LW), andGreeley, Colo., May 4. A few remainedinto June in e. Colorado.An ArcticLoon visited May 9-21 (??JCet al.). ColoradoSpgs., Mar. 25 (RB), for the Region'sthird spring record. A Red-neckedGrebe stayed at Boulder, Colo., May 6-22 (B.A.S., SHOREBIRDS-- The highrun-off inundated shorelines and reduced m.ob.). White Pelicanspeaked at BearR., Apr. 1 with 415, Mesquite, shorebirdhabitat; observers reported fewer shorebirds---exceptfor Wil- Nev., with 230 Mar. 15, Julesburg,Colo., with 150 Apr. 26, and son'sPhalaropes which swim-feedand exceptfor increasedcounts of Dubois, Wyo., with 150 Apr. 28 (LW, CR, BP, PA). Boulderand LesserYellowlegs, dowitchers,and peepsat L/L/B/L. SpringCounts Pueblonewsletters reported Little Blue Heronswithout details, and the had averagevariety--19 speciesthe high, at Denverand Longmont-- D.F.O. Bird Alert mentionedtwo at Boulder.The Region's77 Cattle but many fewer birds. Snowy Ploversat Kirch May 1-8 (?CS) and Egretsincluded 15 at Overton,Nev., Apr. 17 (VM) and18 at Greeley, MonteVista N.W.R., May 18 (tPP) providedfirst latilongrecords. The Colo., May 1 (D.F.O.). A LouisianaHeron stopped May 28 at moun- Region'sonly Am. GoldenPlover at Kirch May 18-21provided the first tain-ringedAntero Res., near Hartsel,Colo. Wyoming'ssecond, no e. Nevadarecord 0'CS, ph.). A goodcomplement of Whimbrelsinclud- doubtbewildered, Yellow-crowned Night Heron Apr. 7 stoodfor an ed 8-10 on May 8 and 18 at PawneeNat'l Grassland,Colo. (DG, KC), hourin a snow-coveredfield at Tie Siding(?FW). Onestayed at Crook, 15 at Ramah, Colo., May 14 (RB), five at Big Piney, Wyo., May 22

Vol. 37, Number 5 895 (JR--lst lat), andone May 23 at CedarCity (tSH--3rd for s. Utah). BonnyRes., 100 mi S, attractedthe only reportedSabhle's Gull Apr. Many observersmentioned a scarcityof Willets. Utah observersfound 17 (RB). The samelakes attracted large flocks of BlackTerns--250 at two RedKnots at BearR., May 14 (•'MT) mid65 at FarmingtonMay 15 Bonny May 14-15 ORe) mid 500 at JulesburgMay 20 (LHa). (#MW); two stoppedat Kirch May 17 (CS ph.). PectoralSandpipers continuescarce in springwith only four in Coloradoand threein Utah DOVES TO WOODPECKERS -- Las Vegas' nestingflock of Inca (Zion Mar. 23•G). The best place in the Region to catch the late- Doveshas left: the peoplewho fed it moved(VM). L/L/B/L reported45 migratingWhite-rumped Sandpiper is Julesburg,where 100 flocked Barn Owls, tf. 55 lastspring. All springCook listenedto a ScreechOwl May 30 (D & JW). Six Short-billedDowitchers stopped at Ramah, whichgave both e. andw. callsand respondedto tapesof both"spe- Colo., May 14 (#RB). L/L/B/L noteda large influx of long-billed cies." One night6 observersstood 8 ft from the owl as it repeatedly Dowitchers,I 184for the springtf. 337 lastyear. Stilt Sandpipersoccur gave4 e. calls,then one w. call. Observersfound migrating Flammulat- regularlyin e. Colorado,with the top count of 50 + fromJulesburg May ed Owls May I 1-20 at St. George and Zion N. P., Utah, and Monte 19-28 (BP). Fartherw., oneat Fontanelle,Wyo., May 21 pliedthe mud Vista N.W.R., mid Evergreen,Colo. (SH, JG, JK, WWB). An 8-mi flatsof an almost-emptyreservoir (•'FL) anda remarkable18 fed with route near Cedar City netteda countof 46 Poor-willsMay 28 (SH). dowitchersMay 14 at BearR. (J'MT). GrandJct. reported 100 Marbled Single Vaux's Swifts were reportedMay 8-20 from Las Vegas and Godwitsin April, Cedar City had 50 Apr. 8, Marys R., n. of Deeth, Kirch (#) and from CedarCity (•'SH). White-throatedSwifts declined Nev., had 30 on Apr. 26, and Fontanelle,Wyo., had40 May 4. Other- in numbersin surveysat Lyons,Colo., andSheridan, Wyo. (MF, HD). wiseobservers found groups of lessthan 15. BearR. reportedpeaks on At GrandL., Colo., andperhaps elsewhere the delayedinsect hatching Apr. 15 of 4450 MarbledGodwits, 6830 Am. Avoccts,and I 150Black- may have deterredtheir arrival. At Zion, far enoughs. to avoid the neckedStilts (LW). Most of the Regionreported ordinary numben of weathereffect, Black-chinnedHummingbirds arrived on time Mar. 28 Wilson's Phalaropes,but duringMay high countsof 275-500+ came (JG). On Apr. l 1 the first Calliope huddled in a snowstormon Mt. from many lakesin e. Colorado.Spring Counts exceeded the average Charlestonnear Las Vegas (VM). Furthern., hummingbirdsarrived numbers,although not last year's high numbers. Similar numbers of N. late, reactingto the cold and stormyspring. They achievedaverage Phalaropesdid notappear; in factthe Region reported only 53 besidesa numbersby mid-May. Starlingscompete with nativewoodpeckers to flotilla of 10,000+ May 21 at Great Salt L. (JN). the detrimentof the latter;at Zion Starlingscommandeered one of the only 2 flickernest holes found, and also ousted Hairy Woodpeckers GULLS, TERNS -- Unusual inland in the spring, fi)ur ad. Mew from a cavity(JG). Denver'stally of flickersincreased slightly, L/L/B/ Gulls stoppedat Las VegasApr. 3 (VM). Far from water, a Bonaparte's L's wasaverage. An AcornWoodpecker visited Las Vegas May 6 (CL). Gull wingedN along a highwaynear Baker, Nov.. May I l (LN). FLYCATCHERS, SWALLOWS -- Northerlyof the usualreports, S.A. E. Phoebesoccurred at Ft. Collins Mar. 29, Ft. MorganMay 17. mid Bill and Inez Prather,newly movedto the e. Coloradoplains. Crook, Colo., May 18-26 (CA, JCR, BP, LH). A BlackPhoebe stayed discoveredthe bird of the year: a Ross' Gull which remainedat at Baker, Nev.. Apr. 28-30 (LN). The springsaw abundantEmpidonax JulesburgApr. 28-May 7 and presentedits fans with views at flycatchers--upto 30/day in mid-May. Cook commentedon Empi- closerange. The Coloradogull did not attractmobs of birdersas donaxidentifications. "After yearsof field study[a fellow studentwho did the Massachusettsbird a few yearsago, but 100or sodid see recentlycompleted a Master's Degreeon Dusky mid Hammond'sfly- theobliging Colorado visitor. Probably more photographers doc- catchers]still finds birdshe can't separateconclusively. How do people umentedthis bird thanany otherfirst staterecord in the Mountain with lessexperience muster the confidenceto makesuch identifications? West. It liked to feed alongstrings of foam, particularlynear the Especially when the 2 "species" may nest only a few feet apart in dam where observers could huddle behind a 2-ft wall mid watch it differentspecies of plantsthat supposedlyrepresent different habitats?" 25 ft away.As a postscript,Ewing wrote of a reportseveral years An E. Wood Peweewas reportedfrom Fountain,Colo. (J-iBM). The ago: "Do you recall my reportinga neighborwho sawa gull on stormyweather led to high countsof swallowsfeeding low over the SweetwaterL. (nearGypsum in the'Coloradomountains) while waterat regionalreservoirs; L/L/B/L's 8618 for the season(cf. 2291 last ice fishing?He saw a strangelittle gull with rosy underparts year) probablystems from that. Purple Martins occurredat Denver, walking along on the ice and then taking off." One of those Colo., May 14 (•'J'HEK)mid Kanab,Utah (BLu). tantalizingmysteries. JAYS TO THRASHERS -- At GrandL., Colo., the mostsurprising changein numbersof any specieswas a dropin Gray Jaysfrom 20/day to four all spring(D J). BrighamCity, Utah's Blue Jay stayedall spring (DK; seeAB 37:323) and R.M.N.P., reportedone May 21 (F.C.A.S.). After the Vail ski areaclosed in April, a Corn. Ravenpicked a gondola tower for a nest site. Sitting there May 24 when the ski area took advantageof late springsnows and reopened, she was "probably grum- blingthat the realestate man hadn't told her aboutall thetraffic" (JM). PitionJay numbersdropped, probably due to the decliningcone crops wherethey roamedlast year. L/L/B/L's four, downfrom 413 in 1982, showsthe e. Coloradosituation. Meanwhile at CedarCity theyappeared in April at the rateof 100/dayafter a winterabsence. Clark's Nutcrack- ersfledged four young Apr. 20 in thetown of Dubois,Wyo., froma nest built in a willow bush;usually they nestin mountainconifer forests. The

Ross'Gull, Julesburg,Colo., Apr. 2-May 7. Photos/W.Maynard and l. Prather. Blue Jco;Mendon, Utah, Dec. 20, 1983. Photo/M. Tove.

896 AmericanBirds, September43ctober1983 two Black-cappedChickadees in Baca County, Colo., close to the (LHa) bothMay 20; a Black-throatedBlue at Las Vegas(J & MC) and Oklahomapanhandle, had pushedto the s. limit of their range(PL). threein e. Colorado;Nevada's 3rd and4th Black-throatedGreens, May Grand L. had half the usual chickadees, while in Denver Mountain 26 at Las Vegas(CL) andMay 28 at Dyer (•-BL), Wyoming's4th at Chickadeesremained through May 27 (PE, HEK). Lastyear Bushtits at SheridanMay 15(•'JD), and seven in e. Colorado;four Blackburnians in Lyons, Colo., were feedingyoung May 22; this year they did not e. Colorado; a well-described, tame Yellow-throated Warbler at Lara- completenest building until May 24 (MF). Erratic recordsof Red- mie May 25-27, Wyoming'sfirst (DI, •'DM); one Chestnut-sidedat breastedNuthatches included a pair nestingin Denver (EO), one at Cheyenneand only six in Colorado,including one at Durango;Nevada's Fleming,Colo., Sept.6-May 2 (B, I, & JP), 1-2 at CheyenneApr. 21- 4th Bay-breastedMay 21 at Dyer, which fed deliberatelyfor 10 min May 31 (MH), moreat GrandL., andfewer in w. BoulderCounty. The withina 25-ft area(•-DP), and ones at Boulderand Crook; eight Palms in wrong habitatattracted a Long-billedMarsh Wren Apr. 22-29; the e. Colorado;one N. Waterthrushat LasVegas Apr. 28-29, five in Utah campusin Boulder(LHa). A Mockingbirdvisited Laramie, Wyo., May beginningwith oneat Zion Apr. 21-22 (last Utahspring record, 1976), 29 (DI, DM). Reportsof Bendire'sThrashers came from Cedar City and fourin Wyoming,and 44 in Colorado,including l0 at FountainMay 14- KanabMay 17 & 31, andfrom Monte Vista May 8 ('•'•JJR).A Le- 18, and doublingany previousspring total for Colorado;Louisiana Conte'sThrasher at St. GeorgeMar. 5 was Utah'sfirst in severalyears Waterthrushat Bonny May 15 (JRe); KentuckyWarblers at Boulder (SH, MW, MBr). May 14 & 17 (DW, MM, fide LHa) andat CrookMay 18-19(•'B & JP); an Opororniswarbler with one-halfof one white eyelid only. at Ft. THRUSHES TO VIREOS -- The storms made Am. Robins more Collins (KC); three e. Colorado Hoodeds;and a PaintedRedstart at Las visible than usual; L/L/B/L counted 1600, twice the number found last VegasApr. 17-May 1, the first in s. Nevada since 1976 (VM). year. A VariedThrush, n. Utah'sfirst, nowsports a bandafter staying Blackpollsstaged an unprecedentedshowing. Cheyenne reported 18 Mar. 24-Apr. 9 at Ogden(MLK, ph.). Otherreports came from Kanab, on May 21, and Wyominghad five others.In Colorado167 Blackpolls Utah--two Apr. 21 (#BLu), Sheridan,Wyo., Apr. 13 (•-EM--3rd included35 at Ft. CollinsMay 18, 30 at BonnyMay 18-19, 20 thereand record),and DenverApr. 16 (#KK). WoodThrush reports came May 7 10 at Prewitt May 20, and in May, 31 at Denver, and 15 + at Fountain. from Sheridan(•-DKn) and Ft. CollinsMay 19 (#DL). The May storms The largestnumber reported any previousspring was in 1980:30 in broughtthrongs of thrushesto e. Colorado.The period May 12-26 Coloradoand six in Wyoming. generatedreports of Swainson'slike 150-350at Fountain(RB), 100at Fleming(BP), 1600 at Ft. Collinsincluding 150 in one tree (KC), and MEADOWLARKS TO TANAGERS -- Identification of the three E. 200 in Cheyenne(D & EH). SpringCounts all had2-4 timesthe usual Meadowlarksreported from e. Coloradoapparently relied on song(an- quantitywith an averageof 25/count.Denver, Boulder, and L/L/B/L othersang Eastern for a while, thensang Western and flew off; it hada had 4-5 times the usualspring totals. The abundanceof Hermitsand Western'stail andthroat pattern). Female meadowlarks rely on the call Veeriesincreased proportionately, in their usualratio to Swainson's. to identifytheir kind; so should birdwatchers. Bonny reportedly had 525 The earlyApril stormsgrounded Mountain Bluebirds all overBoulder: orioles May 18-19 (200 Orchards, 150 "Bullock's," 175 "Balti- in the mountainsGrand L. saw migratingflocks down 75%. Baca mores"--LHa), but D.A.S. counteda mere 72 May 21-22 (similar County, Colo., sportedan impressivecount of 24 Blue-grayGnat- ratio);either way the numberof"Baltimores" exceededthe usual.L/L/ catchersMay 7 (J & DW). SpringCounts May 14-15 reportedmore B/L reported344 N. Orioles,over 3 timeslast year's count. Grand Jct. Ruby-crownedKinglets, showingthat they delayedmoving to their hadScott's Orioles again this spring, with threeMay 14 (BT). Colorado mountainnesting grounds; at GrandL., they "came in overnightMay Spgs.also reported one May 14 (#EP). Great-tailedGrackles continue 24-25" (DJ). Only 8 observerssaw Bohemian Waxwings, the numbers to pressinto new territory.Reports came from Beatty,Nev. (fide CL), a shadowof a normalyear. The Regionaltotal of 195 included15-50 Ruby L. (SB), andKirch (20-35 all spring•S), St. George( l I pairsat Mar. 12-Apr. 29 at Cody, 75 at OgdenMar. 20, 20 at LaramieMar. 1- 3 locations•SH), and Paradox (•'JRG) and Buena Vista (BW), Colo., 14, and40 at EvanstonMar. 4. More CedarWaxwings flocked through bothnew locations. Pressing in theopposite direction, two Corn. Grack- the Region,with highcounts of 175-200at BonnyApr. 8 andMay 18-19 lesappeared May 25 in a LasVegas yard (CL). Observerssaw fewer W. (DN, DMa, LHa). Field work in May in BeaverDam Wash w. of St. Tanagers,except for the 50 countedat BeaverDam Wash May 14-15 George, Utah, located4 breedingpairs of Bell's Vireos, a hopeful (SH). ScarletTanagers stopped at FountainMay 14 (J & RW), Grand increase.Philadelphia Vireos were well-described from LongmontMay L., May 16 (F,fide DJ). andat ColoradoSpgs., May 26 (TB. BMo). Six 20 (JK) and JulesburgMay 23 and 31 (JP, D & JW). SummerTanagers graced 4 e. Coloradosites Apr. 29-May 18.

WARBLERS -- SpringCounts found a mid-May jam of migrants: FINCHES, SPARROWS -- Utah's first Cardinal fluttered into a the averagecount of 438 doubledthe prioraverage of 189and increased mist net at Ogden; in poor condition,it subsequentlydied (MLK, the prior peak averageof 249. For the Spring,the Regionreported 38 *B.Y.U.). One at Casperstayed Mar. 14-June3 (JH). F.C.A.S. report- species;Colorado reported 35 and Nevada25, mostat Las Vegas. A ed 12 at Orchard, Colo., Mar. 12. Rose-breastedand Black-headed smallriparian area at Fountain,Colo., yielded23 speciesin 2 days,May grosbeakspiled in together;L/L/B/L reported35 and 173 respectively, 15 & 17 (RB). •f. 20 and22 lastyear. Fountainhad 20 BlueGrosbeaks May 17 (RB). Among the common species,Orange-crowned and Virginia's oc- curredin good numbers;Denver's Spring Count had 101 and 114 re- spectively.At BeaverDam Wash 300 + Yellow WarblersMay 14-15 included 40 in one tree (SH). At Sheridanthe 41 Yellows on the Ash Cr. ripariansurvey May 23 reflecteda trendup (HD). SpringCounts found over twice the usualYellow-rumpeds, including record totals of 633 at Denver, 591 at Boulder, and 549 at Longmont.Hundreds populated SeedskadeeN.W.R., Wyo., May 21•birds literally in every bush (FL). Observersreported the followingrarities, documented only if noted, all in May unlessnoted. Black-and-whiteat Baker, Nev., May 12 ('•LN), onein LasVegas Apr. 26, onein Sheridan,four in Cheyenne, and 29 in e. Colorado;one Prothonotaryat Boulder (EMe); a Worm- eatingat Las Vegas(CL) andone at Fountain(RB, J & RW); Golden- wingedand Blue-wingedat Fountain(RB); Tennesseesat Las Vegas, Casper,and 29 in e. Colorado;Nashvilles at Las VegasApr. 10, Zion Apr. 12 andBaker May 12, threein Wyoming,and nine in Colorado;a N. Parulaat Las VegasMay 22 (MK, CR et al.) andnine in e. Colorado; a Magnoliaat Las Vegasand 18 in e. Colorado,including six at Bonny Cardinal, Provo, Utah, Mar. !!, 1983,first staterecord. Photo/M. May 21-22(D.A.S.); CapeMays at Crook(•'B, I & JP)and Prewitt Res. Killpack.

Vol. 37, Number5 897 IndigoBuntings have become widespread in the Region; the 45 reported VesperSparrows tripled and Lark Sparrows doubled over last year by L/ includedone at Eureka,Nev., in earlyMay (BD), oneat Kanab,Utah L/B/L counts(155 and377 this year). Field Sparrowsvisited feeders in May31 (SH), and singles inJackson Apr. 28 and May 19 (FC, MA). L/ ColoradoSpgs., Mar. 20-Apr. 11 (EW, RB) andGolden, Colo., May L/B/L reported34. In Ogden,Killpack said, "This year I havebanded 15-27(PH ph).Many White-crowned Sparrows remained in thevalleys 630 LazuliBuntings; ran out of bands,could have banded about 100 andplains into late May asshown by SpringCount totals and the high more.I estimatethat about 1000 came through my yardby May 31. Last numbersat Big Piney (JR). yearI banded315." Coloradospring counts reflected the same pattern; Longmonthad 147, Grand Jct., 109 (prior peaks 48 and55), and L/L/B/ L tallied437 for the seasoncf. 132 lastyear. Among them, a Painted CONTRIBUTORS (in boldface) AND INITIALED OBSERVERS Buntingzipped into a Lyons,Colo. yard May 17(?MG) and A.V.A.S. -- PegAbbott (8), C. Agee,J. Alves, Keith Archibald, ArkansasVat. reportedone at Pueblo May 14.Hedges explains the scarcity of Evening Aud. Soc., M. Ashley, Mary Back (13), Stephen Bouffard, Boulder Grosbeaksin s. Utahas fitting a pattern:after a severewinter, a common Aud. Soc., T. Breviller, W.W. Brockner {24), BrighamYoung Univ., migrant;after a mildone like this year. few occur. Except for Nevada, Mark Bromley (MBr), Richard Bunn (24), Joshua Burns, J. Cairo, all statesreported modest numbers, although by May the Colorado F. Calkins, Jean Christensen (29; JCh), M. Collins (MCo), Kevin foothills had fair numbers (LH. PH). Cook, J. & M. Cressman,J. Cresto (JCr), J. Daly, B. Damele, D. PurpleFinches visited feeders in Evergreen,Colo., Mar. 15(EV) and Dawson, Denver Aud. Soc., Denver Field Ornithologists,V. Dionigi, ColoradoSpgs. (a pair)during March (RB, BM). All 4 statessaw a few Keith Dixon (10), Helen Downing (51), Patty Echelmeyer,Margaret Cassin'sFinches, but in OgdenKillpack could have banded twice as Ewing (2), Janet Eyre (3), Mike Figgs (6), FoothillsAud. Club, Fort manyas the 38 he did. Possiblythe mild winter kept them in thehigh Collins Aud. Soc., Fowdy family, P. Gaffey, Jerome Gifford, Drew country,since Jasper found many at GrandL., andRadium, Colo. The Grainget (21), M. Griest, J. R. Guadagno, Laurens Halsey (LHa), 74 PineGrosbeaks May 21 in IndianPeaks W of Boulderreflect typical May Hanesworth (42), Paula Hansley (3), StevenHedges (7), Louise numberswhich good field work can find in theappropriate mountain Hering (15), James Herold (12), High PlainsAud. Soc.. S. Hoyer habitat.At OgdenPine Siskins moved through in numbers--159banded (SHo), D. & E. Hudson,Bill Hunter, D. Inkley, S. & P. Jamieson, March-Mayuntil the bands ran out, 28 lastyear (MLK). Siskinscruised Mark Janos, David Jasper (12), F. & J. Justice,Gleb Kashin, M. throughoutthe Mountain West during May; peak numbers came at the Kasprcyk,J. Kassanchuk(JKa), Jori Kauffeld, Ursula Kepler (18), sametime in boththe plains and mountain valleys (attracted to a copious Craig Kesselheim(4), M. Ketchen(MKe), Merlin L. Killpack, Steve cropof dandelionseeds). American Goldfinches reflected this explosion Kingswood,K. Kittleman,D. Knepper{DKnl, D. Kotter,Bruce La- in someplaces, with 225 at CheyenneMay 28 (H.P.A.S.)and 803 at L/ Bar, R. Lambeth, Chuck Lawson, D. Leatherman, Paul Lehman, L/B/L (355 lastyear). Six locationsreported Red Crossbills, the maxi- Forrest Luke, B. Lunceford(BLu), D. Martin (DMa), Bill Maynard, mum 30 at SheridanMar. 1 (MC et al.). Six White-wingedswere E. McWilliams, E. Mekkelson (EMe), John Merchant (4), M. Middle- reportedfrom Colorado Spgs., May 14{#DD). ThreeBrown Towhees ton, B. Mooreville (BMo), Vince Mowbray (12), David Mo- werereported from the San Luis Valley, Colo., May 14 (MKe). Lark zurkewich (10), Larry Neel, D. Nelson, John Nelson, E. O'Neill, Buntingsspread W in unusualnumbers. The threeNevada birds oc- Dennis Parker, Peter Paton, D. Pennington,E. & G. Peterson,Bill curredin Las Vegas,Ely, and Baker(PG, MR, LN); Utah reports Pickslay (3, BPi), E. Pope, Bill, Inez, & John Prather, John J. includedone at Burbanknear Baker, Nev. (LN) and two at Roosevelt Rawinsld, MarcusRawlings, Bert Raynes (20), J. Reddall(JRe), J. C. (CK). Theyvisited all of Wyomingexcept the n.w. part,and the Colora- Rigli, C. Romano,John Row (8), M. J. Schock,Craig Stevenson(4), domountains at Ridgway,Eagle, McCoy, Grand L (40 observationscf. Bert Tignor (15), Mike Tore (6), E. Van Erp. ForestWalker, Judy & 10in thelast 10 years--DJ), R.M.N.P., andEldora. High count on the Doug Ward, Linda Watters, Jim & RosieWatts, Merrill Webb, K. & plainswas 688 on the 2-hour drive between Byers and Idalia (D.A.S.). P. White, E. Wills, Roberta Winn (4), B. Wintemitz. IRIGH E. A stormat SheridanMay 11 grounded600 SavannahSparrows (HD). KINGERY, 869 Milwaukee Street, Denver, CO 80206.

SOUTHWEST REGION Arizona NEV.J Oeo•e•UTAH ! COLO. /Janet Witzeman

•oold•r• TMh • • Chinl•• tosAlomos "½:'• •Hoover Dam TOrorid I ,, ß Sanla Fe The wettestwinter and spring in 40 yearsproduced a lushdesert and a %' 'J•Da•i • Canyon •Ga.up / ß ß brilliant wildflowerdisplay. However, this allowedthe migrantsto '•Z ' • ß Kngmon . .•ios• o Albuquerque • T.... k Flagstoff.•. Holbrook • 5ont• spreadout insteadof concentratingat the regular oases, and fewer 2Por•['•e'• ...... ARIZ •Johns NEWMEX. raritiesthan usualwere reported.In northernArizona, shorebirdswere Dam• •,• ' K• - ß / Fort j"• •,ckenburgRoosevelt S6• ebpr,nge...... 2Socorro nearlynonexistent because of the high water in the lakesthere_ Blyt•e• •.. P oen• -• Elephant/ In the report which Ibllows, many of the interestingaccounts are of ImperiaJ[ Gila 8 •cosO o&e.•CoolidgeButte J Roswell transientsnot necessarilyuncommon to the state.but noteworthybe- ..... c ' •- • J . Ala•gordo causethey are more unusualin spring than fall. - 'y• P,caha . •SaffordI-Silver Cily• ß •-8•._ Aio- Rese..... k • .... % LosCruces Carsbadl LOONS THROUGH WATERFOWL-- CommonLoons away from the Lower ColoradoRiver (hereafter,L.C.R.) weretwo s. of Kayenta. n.e. Ariz., Apr. 15 {CLaR), one at BeckerL., nearSpringerville Apr. 16 (BHe) and a loon (probablyCommon) at HorseshoeDam, n.e. of PhoenixApr. 2 {RW). Besidesthe usualscattering of CattleEgrets in s. and w. Arizona, a few were recorded in e. and n. Arizona where the speciesis uncommon:two at SanCarlos Res., e. of GlobeMar. 30 (GM, BJ), two at SedonaApr. 12, one s. of SedonaApr. 15, one at L. wingedTeal withsix young in s.w. PhoenixMay 10(RBr) represented MontezumaApr. 22 and one at Mormon L., May 18 (A. Greeneet al.). oneof thefew nestingrecords for the stateand the first below the Rim. As usualBlack-bellied Whistling Ducks appeared during April in the IndividualEur. Wigeonswere at TucsonMar. 8-12 (J. Drewek, L. Tucson-Nogalesarea. In Phoenix,where the speciesis uncommon,3-8 Jones)and Lower L. Mary Mar. 8 (JSh). There are abouta dozen were presentMar. 30-May 8 at least(RBr, TG, MJ). A pair of Blue- recordsfor the state.A pairof Red-breastedMergansers, uncommon in

898 AmericanBirds, September-October1983 n Arizona,were observed at thebottom of theGrand Canyon on the late HavasuCr, at the bottomof the GrandCanyon May 28 (DSte) The date of May 29 (DSte). speciesis an uncommonsummer visitor to the state,there are about 4 previousrecords for the Grand Canyon region. Four individual E. Phoe- RAPTORS-- Addingto thetotal of stragglingWhite-tailed Kites in beswere recordedin s. Arizonaduring March andApril (CDeW, PL, Arizonawere singles at DudleyvilleApr. 29 (D. Brown,fide SSu)and KK et al. ), andon the L.C.R., wherethe species is uncommon,one was n of theGila R., andInterstate 10 on May 12& 18(TG, S. Vaughan).A seenn. of EhrenbergMay 30 (?KC, JJ). In additionto the small popula- one-year-oldimm. Mississippi Kite at Nogales May 11was a localfirst; tion of Buff-breastedFlycatchers in the HuachucaMts., a few were thespecies is veryrarely seen away from its limited Arizona breeding foundin theChiricahua Mts. (SaliburyCanyon) and Santa Catalina Mts area (KK, LH). (RoseCanyon) (RBo et al. ). Thisspecies may be reclaiming some of its An ad. Zone-tailedHawk was observedat Bill Williams Delta (here- formerrange. Coues' Flycatcher was recorded in 3 areasaway from its after,B.W. Delta)May 20 (HW). The speciesis a rareand irregular usualrange -- at Dome Valley, L.C.R., Apr. 17 (?DK, LL), one summerresident there. Black Hawk is veryrare as a migrantin far w. singingMay 2 in OakCr. Canyon(where it hasnested at leastonce) (JC, Arizonawhere one was seen at DomeValley Mar. 25 (?RH, CH, LL, TM) andone singing in the PinalMts., May 31 (BJ). JJ) At B.W. Delta,where one has summered for several years, one was Arizona's Cave Swallow returned for the fifth season to the U of seenApr. 13 andMay 20 (DK, HW, KC). Theisolated, small and ArizonaLibrary at TucsonMay 17 (J. Dunning,SSu), but by theend of uniquelyadapted population of desert-nestingBald Eagles fledged a the monththere were definitelytwo present(JSa et al.). highof 14young again (as in 1981).A highof three young was fledged for eachof 2 neststhat wouldbe inundatedif Orme Dam werebuilt (fide NUTHATCHES THROUGH GNATCATCHERS -- A Red-breasted RW). At least one female and two c• Marsh Hawks at Arlington, w. of Nuthatchobserved near Tacna, e. of Yuma May 24 (RH, KC) wasvery latefor a desertlocality. A surprisingnumber of catbirdswas recorded PhoenixMay 24 raisedthe possibility that the species may be nesting awayfrom the species'breeding area: one in ArivaipaCanyon Apr 11 there (DT). (SG), one at PortalMay 18-19 (R. Baldaet al.), one at Kino Springs RAILS,SHOREBIRDS -- ClapperRails responded to taped calls at (sinceDecember) remained until Apr. 23 (JBo, m.ob.) andthe one at 2 areasin c. Arizona-- twobirds (unpaired) at a marshe. of Phoenix Prescott(since December) remained until Apr. 28 (CT), A Brown Thrasherat CibolaN.W.R., Mar. 6 mayhave wintered locally (ñDK) May 18, andonly two pairsMay 24 at theArlington marsh where numberswere much higherlast year (DT). Finishingup the bestseason in yearswere six additionalRufous- An Am. GoldenPlover, only the sixth spring visitor to thestate, was backedRobins: in TucsonEstates Mar. 7-Apr.4 (AG, J. Rogers),at the foundat WillcoxMay 24 (R. Taylor).A Black-belliedPlover, also Arizona-SonoraDesert Museum Mar. 8 (AG), TanqueVerde Ranch, uncommonin spring,was seen e. of PhoenixMay 13(L. Harrison,D. Tucson Mar. 10 (CDeW), Canoa Ranch Apr. 17-22 (SG), Madera Jones,fide TG). As usual,Long-billed Curlews congregated in large CanyonApr. 29 (T. Meyer) andPatagonia Sanctuary May 17-21 (R flockss. of Phoenix;a high of 350was counted there Mar. 20 (SG).Up Baxter, G & DJ, RF et al.). to 20 wereat McNeal, s.e. Ariz., Apr. 14 (AM). Unusualwere two A Wood Thrushat PortalMay 12-21 (?F. Luke, SS, PN et al.) was Whlmbrelsat NogalesMay 2 (KK, DStj, R & JW) andone in s.w. the 10thfor the state.The onlyprevious spring record was also from PhoenixMay 19 (TC). On the L.C.R., wherethe speciesis more Portal.A pairof Black-cappedGnatcatchers returned to ChinoCanyon for the third seasonin early May (ph., G. Lasley, KK et al.). regular,three were at Cibola N.W.R., Mar. 12(CHet al.) and15 w. of Roll Mar. 18 (RH, JJ).Marbled Godwit is an uncommonspring mi- grant,especially in n. Arizona,so of interestwas the large flock of 125 VIREOS, WARBLERS -- On the L.C.R., where Bell's Vireo is at MontezumaL., Apr. 21 (S. Hyde,fide CT). uncommon,approximately 15 singingmales were recorded from Clbola Surprisingwas a RedPhalarope in s.w. Phoenix May 9 (RBret al.) N.W.R., n. to n. of EhrenbergMay 5-31, and four at B.W. Delta in andtwo at NogalesMay 11 (KK, LH). Therewere only 2 previous May (DK, RH). A Fan-tailed Warbler, whichwould represent only the secondrecord spnngrecords for the state. for Arizonaand the U.S., wasreported in SheeliteCanyon, Huachuca Mts., May 19 (?G & DJ). Althoughthe bird could not be located GULLS, CUCKOOS -- A HerringGull, an uncommonvisitor, was subsequently,the detailsreported would seemto rule out all other at Davis Dam Mar. 12 (PL). A Franklin's Gull, uncommonon the species.A Blackpoll Warbler wasdiscovered at CibolaN.W.R., Apr L C.R., wasobserved at L. HavasuCity Mar. 15 (TC, M. Norris).One 29 (•'DK); of theapproximately 16 staterecords, this represents one of Heermann'sGull straggledN; an adultwas seenat CibolaN.W.R., the few in spring. Apr. 19(•'RH). This spring's Bonaparte's Gull reports came from Dud- A Palm Warbler near Parks,w. of FlagstaffMay 15 (G. Bateman) leyville(M. O'Brien),Arivaca (JSa), four at Gila Bendand eight at wasonly the fourth recorded in springout of a totalof about21 overall Painted Rock Dam (RF, DStj). A c• KentuckyWarbler on thee. fork of CoalmineWash, s. of Kayenta A Yellow-billed Cuckoowas at Portal (where it is uncommon)May May 7 (CLaR) wasone of the few ever recordedin n. Arizona. 22-25 (S & WS et al.). IndividualWorm-eating Warblers (becoming more common in recent years)were found at CaveCr. Canyon,Portal Apr. 18-May 1 (G. Smith OWLS, NIGHTJARS --A FerruginousOwl wasseen Mar. 17 in the et al., fide SS) andat PatagoniaApr. 23 (JBo,DDe). An Ovenbirdwas samearea of n.w. Tucsonwhere it wasfound nesting a year ago(SSu). reportednear Portal Apr. 25 (BK). Theonly N. Parulareported was one An Elf Owl, scarceon the L.C.R., wasat B.W. DeltaApr. 13 (DK). A at RamseyCanyon May 21 (T & DC). nestof SpottedOwl was found May 22 in thePatagonia Mrs., where the Two Black-and-whiteWarblers were recordedin s.e. Arizona during statusof the speciesis poorlyknown (N. Krug). March andApril (CDeW, RM) andone in n. Arizonaat PrescottMay 5 By lateMay Buff-collaredNightjars had returned to Arivaipaand (CT). Therewere two Am. Redstartsand four N. Waterthrushesreport- GuadalupeCanyons, with a copulatingpair seen at thelatter area May ed duringthe period. 18 (R. Stallcupet al.).

SWIFTS, HUMMINGBIRDS -- A large,all darkswift, identified as BLACKBIRDS THROUGH SPARROWS-- Alongthe L.C.R., and a BlackSwift, wasseen at Portal May 23 (RM). Therehave been several lower Gila R., Yellow-headedBlackbirds breed only locally, so of sightrecords of thisspecies in theChiricahuas the past few years, and interestwas the colony with flying young observed at Arlingtonon the althoughit is a probabletransient, there are no verifiedrecords. Gila R., w. of Phoenix May 24 (DT). A • LuciferHummingbird was at PortalApr. 25-May6 (SS)and a A c• Painted Bunting was discoveredat BrightAngel Cr., at the malethere May 20 (B. & M. Schaughency).Calliope Hummingbird is a bottomof the GrandCanyon May 11 (C. Fritzinger,B. Dimmock,K sparsespring migrant -- a malewas at RamseyCanyon Apr. 16-17& Crumbo,CT). This furnishedthe first recordfor the GrandCanyon May 1 (T & DC). region,one of onlythree for n. Arizonaand the first spring record for the state. FLYCATCHERS, SWALLOWS -- An E. Kingbirdwas observed up Individual Cardinals were found at 3 locations on the L.C.R., where

Vol 37, Number5 899 they are uncommon a female at ParkerMar 5 (RH, DK), a male at son'se of RoswellMar 25 (PL) was early There were at least20 EhrenbergMay 1 and a male n. of Ehrenbergdunng May (RH). Three reportsof OspreysMar. 2-May 21, thesebeing essentially statewide reportsof Rose-breastedGrosbeak came from s.e. Arizona, one from (v.ob.). the L.C.R., andthree from n. Arizonaduring the period.Five Evening Grosbeaks,scarce wanderers in thestate, were seen in GuadalupeCan- RAILS THROUGHSANDPIPERS -- TwentySoras at ZuniMay 2 yon Mar. 27 (DDa, AM). Following a winter in which Lawrence's (JT)represented a very high count. Outside the usual range was a Com Goldfincheswere virtually absent, one at CibolaN.W.R., Mar. 12 (DK) Gallinuleat EspanolaMay 30 (JH et al.) andtwo nearRedrock May 8 andone at WickenburgMar. 13 (PL) mayhave been spring arrivals from (RF). A new localityfor SemipalmatedPlover was Cuesta, Taos Co, Arizona's very sparsebreeding population. wherea birdwas present Apr. 29 (WB). ACom. Snipeat ZuniMay 5 A pair of Black-chinnedSparrows, uncommon winter residentsin wasobserved"singing" and "winnowing"; however, no bird was seen Yuma County, was observedin the Kofa Mts., Mar. 21 (JC, DP). at thislocality later in themonth (JT). Earlywas a Long-billedCurlew Reportsof White-throatedSparrows in March came from Patagonia nearFt. SumnerMar. 25 (PL), whileMarbled Godwits were somewhat (CDeW, JBo) and Phoenix (PL, JW). morewidespread than usual includingone at CuestaApr. 29 (WB) Theonly Baird's Sandpipers reported were singles at CochitiL., Sando- CORRIGENDA -- The followingrecord of Streak-backedOriole at val Co., Apr. 12 (WB) andAlamogordo Apr. 20 (RH), whileDunhns Tucsonshould be changedto HoodedOriole: AB 36:882. The observer weresomewhat more frequent than usualsincluding one at CochitiL, for the imm. BrownPelican at NogalesDec. 4, 1982 (AB 37:325) was Apr. 12 (WB). A SemipalmatedSandpiper was seen and heard at Zum Richard Bailowitz. May 4 (JT), whilethree Stilt Sandpipersat BosqueN.W.R., May 21 (KZ) were also unusual. CONTRIBUTORS (Area compilersin boldface)-- CharlesBabbitt, PatBeall, JerryBock (JBo), Rick Bowers(RBo), RobertBradley (RBr), GULLS THROUGH TERNS -- CaliforniaGulls arenow regularin Ken Clough,Tom & DebbieCollazo, John Coons(Flagstaff), Troy New Mexico,and data am accumulatingon springarrivals--including Corman,Doug Danforth (DDa), Wm. Davis, Dave Deifik (DDe), Salo- singlead. birdsat E.B.L., Mar. 19 (PL) & 26 (KZ) and at Bitter Lake me Demaree, Carol DeWaard, Rich Ferguson,A. Garfield, Tom Gatz, N.W.R., Apr. 2 (RT). Otherreports included 30 at MorganL., andtwo Sharon Goldwasser (Tucson), Grace Gregg, Bill Harrison, Lynn at Juan'sL., SanJuan Co., Apr. 30 (AN) andtwo at Zuni May 31 (JT) Hassler,Ron Haywood, Brian Heap (BHe), ChuckHunter, Betty Jack- FourFranklin's at Jal May 14 (SW) mayhave been a localfirst, while son (Globe), Greg & Debra Jackson,Janet Jackson, Marty Jakle, Vir- the earliestspring report was of 15 birdsat CochitiL., Apr. 15 (JH), ginia Jeavons,Kenn Kaufman (Advisor), StephanieKing, Barbara othersincluded a bird at BluewaterL., May 1 andanother at Zuni May Koenig,Dave Krueper (L.C.R.), Linda LaClaire, ChuckLaRue, Paul 29 (JT). Bonaparte'swere notableat E.B.L., in late March (v.ob.), with Lehman,Helen Longstreth,Scott Mills, Gale Mortson,Arnold Moor- a peakof 200 Mar. 18-19;in addition,20 wereat L. McMillan Mar 24 house,Robert Morse, Terry Myers, Phil Norton, RobertNorton, Deb- (PL). SingleCaspian Terns, a veryrare species in New Mexico,were bie Paulson,Larry Pyc, JohnSaba (JSa), JohnShipley (JSh), Sally reportedat MorganL., Apr. 29 (HL) andL. McMillan May 29 (ftde Spofford(Portal), Walter Spofford,David Stejskal(DStj), Dave Stem- SW). ple (DSte), ShermanSuter (SSu), Dick Todd, Carl Tomoff(Prescott), Robert Witzeman, Helen Wood.--JANET WITZEMAN, 4619 E. PIGEONS THROUGH OWLS -- Unusual in suburban Santa Fe were Arcadia Lane, Phoenix, AZ 85018. five or more Band-tailedPigeons May 22 (K. Parkeset al.), while the only GroundDove reportedwas one at San Simon Cienaga,Hidalgo New Mexico Co., May 26 (JH). An almostalbino Barn Owl wasseen in s. DonaAria /John P. Hubbard CountyApr. 10 (D J, BZ), anotherpotential source for misidentificatlon amongless wary observers.More Long-earedOwls werereported than usual,including nests with youngat Corrales(J. Darlinget al.) andFt LOONSTHROUGH HERONS -- SingleCom. Loons in breeding Bayard (RF et al.) in May. NortherlyWhip-poor-wills included one plumagewere at ElephantButte L. (hereafter,E.B.L.) in April (fideW. callingin HausnerCanyon, Zuni Mts., May 28 (JT et al.) and 2-3 in Evans)and Percha Dam, SierraCo., Apr. 23 (S. Nelson,fideKZ). The CienagaCanyon, SandiaMts., May 21-22 (RB et al.). onlyHorned Grebes reported were two eachat E.B.L., Mar. 18-19and L McMillan Mar. 24 (PL). Thousandsof EaredGrebes were at E.B.L., SWIFTS THROUGH KINGFISHERS-- ChimneySwifts were frrst in lateMarch (J. Vaught,KZ), while onenear Jal May 14 (SW) wase. seenat ClaytonMay 18 (WC), anda vagrantwas reported at Corralesin of theusual range. Cattle Egrets were present in numbersin theperiod in the period(D & SH). Higher thannormal numbers of Black-chinned s Dona Aria County,with a peak thereof 221 Apr. 16 (BZ). Other Hummingbirdswere reported at Alameda,Bernalillo Co., in theperiod reportsincluded the Zuni Res.(hereafter, Zuni) May 7 (JT etal.), twoat (J. Phillips), but this was not the casefor otherreporters or for the Bosquedel ApacheN.W.R. (hereafter,Bosque N.W.R.) Mar. 19 (PL), Broad-tailed(v.ob.). Very unusualwas a c• Costa'sHummingbird in and one near Loving May 25 (SW). lowerMangas Canyon, near Cliff May 17 & 21 (SM et al.); the only otherreport for the Gila Valley of New Mexico datesfrom 1876, and WATERFOWL-- Unusualwere 400-500 Snow Geese, including 10 that is a questionedrecord. A c• Lucifer's appearedat Post Office of theblue phase, near Clayton Mar. 23 (WC); normallythe numbers Canyon,Peloncillo Mts., HidalgoCo., Apr. 2, andby the endof the seenthere are much smaller. Some 391 Canada Geese were at Farming- periodtwo malesand two femaleswere present there (R. Scholes,fide ton May 14, including50_ + downy young (AN et al.). Late Wood RT). A BeltedKingfisher was seen carrying fish into an apparentnest Duckswere six at FarmingtonMay 14(AN et al.), plusone at Espanola holenear Cliff May 7 (RF), whilea birdwas seen at Zuni on thelate date (B Lewis) andtwo in the Albuquerquearea (DH et al.), on the same of May 23 (JT). date A • Barrow's Goldeneyewas reportedat Maxwell N.W.R., Apr 20 (W. Mobley), for thesecond record for thatgeneral area. More WOODPECKERS -- SingleCom. (Yellow-shafted)Flickers were at thanthe usual numbers of Red-breastedMergansers were reported, with SantaFe Apr. 7 (JH) and nearFt. SumnerApr. 30 (SW). An Acorn 1-5 at MorganL., SanJuan Co., Apr. 17 (AN) & May 15 (H. Stein), Woodpeckerat ClaytonMay 15 waswell e. of the normalrange and nearLas VegasApr. 25 (JH), E.B.L., Mar. 19, Bitter Lake N.W.R., representsonly the secondrecord there (A. Krehbiel,fideWC). Lewis' Mar 24-25, and L. McMillan Mar. 24 (PL). Woodpeckeris infrequentand rare in the Gila Valley, whereone was seenin theCliff areaApr. 23 andfour on May 7 (RF et al.). Three-four RAPTORS-- A White-tailedKite wasphotographed at Bitter Lake pairsof Downieswere in the Bernardoarea in the period,excavating N W R., Apr. 21-23 (J. French,K. Wood); thisis the secondverified holes(WH) in the southernmostnesting locality in the Rio Grande recordfor thestate, the firstalso being of a birdphotographed at this Valley. Anotherbird at MangasSprings May 2 (BZ, KZ) wasnotable, refugein July 1975.Somewhat out-of-range was a MississippiKite at both in termsof it beings. of the usualrange and late for a lowland ClaytonMay 23 (WC), whilea Sharp-shinnedHawk at Las Cruces May locality. More than the usual numbersof Hairies were noted in the 13 (KZ) waslate. The only reportof Broad-wingedHawk wasof an middleRio GrandeValley (hereafter,M.R.G.V.), with 7 recordsbe- immatureat Corrales,Sandoval Co., May 7 (D & SH), while a Swain- tweenIsleta and Bernardo Apr. 2-May 16 (WH). A femalewas present

900 AmericanB•rds, September-October 1983 xnan areaof SantaFe wherethe speciesis infrequentMar 12-May7 The only N Shrikereported was an •mmatureat La C•enaga,Santa Fe (JH). A pmrofN. Three-toedswas near Ojo Redondom theZum Mts., Co., Apr. 1 (C. Hubbard,JH). Mar. 6 (JT). VIREOS THROUGH WARBLERS -- The only "exotic" vireo re- FLYCATCHERS-- An E. Kingbirdat Zuni May 26 (JT) wasw. of portedwas a Red-eyedat Zuni May 27 (JT). By contrast,warblers in this theusual range in thestate. Eastern and Black phoebes again shared the categoryincluded a Golden-wingedat AlbuquerqueMay 14 (DH et al ), upperPecos Valley, withtwo pairsand a nestof the formerand two a 9 Black-throatedBlue near Ft. SumnerMay 1 (SW); a Black-throated pairsof the latterbetween Ribera and Villanueva Apr. 22 andMay 22 Greenat AlbuquerqueMay 14 (DH et al.) anda females. of Las Cruces (JH et al.). A BlackPhoebe was at Zuni May 3 & 27 (JT), whilew. Apr. 14 (BZ et al., ph.); a 9 Blackburnian Warbler at Rattlesnake records of Easternsincluded one at Percha Dam Mar. 26 (KZ). A SpringsMay 15 (RH et al.); a c• Chestnut-sidednear Mesilla in May "sooty"phoebe, closely resembling a Say's in morphologyand vocal- (DJ); a c• Bay-breastednear Santa Fe May 22 (H. Voetberg);a Palm at lzat•onsbut grayin colorwith a lightthroat, was at Zuni May 26-27 Zuni May 2 (JT);a Kentuckynear Belen May 16 (WH); anda c•Hooded (JT);while possibly melanistic or evena hybrid,it is equallypossible at Zuni May 29 (JT). Also reportedwere severalless-rare but sull thatthe bird was discolored by adventitiouselements, e.g., soot.Dusky notablespecies, including Black-and-white, Tennessee, and Nashvfile Flycatcherswere singing in severalplaces in theSandia Mts., by May warblers,American Redstart, and especiallyN. Waterthrush,while n 22 (HS), whilea dozenGrays, mainly singing birds, were recorded in of theusual range were a Lucy'sWarbler at BosqueMay 14 (WH) anda theM.R.G.V., Apr. 20-29(WH). At ZuniMay 26, a birdidentified by PaintedRedstart at AlbuquerqueMay 15 (RB) anda probablydifferent songas an Eastern Wood Pewee sang "fee'-ur-eee', fee'-ur" for about bird thereMay 16 (J. Kjelmyr). 3 mln (JT), to providethe first credible record of thisspecies for New Mexico. ICTERIDS -- Unusualwas a reportof a singingE. Meadowlarkat CedarCrest May 21 (D. Bradley,RB), an apparentfirst for the Sandia SWALLOWS-- A nestingcolony of BankSwallows near San Juan Mts. A c• HoodedOriole was reported at FarmingtonApr. 13-15for the Pueblo,Rio Arriba Co., had 50+ birdspresent May 30 (JH et al.), secondlocal record (HL, AN); thisarea is far n. of theusual range in the whilelate apparent migrants included 26 birdsnear Albuquerque May state.An anomalousoriole, describedas similarto a c• Baltimorebut 14 (DH et al.), 12 nearMesilla May 15 (JD, BZ), andtwo at Mangas with an all-darktail, was at RattlesnakeSprings May 7 (SW). Great- SpnngsMay 31 (RF).Two Rough-winged Swallows at SandiaP., May tailed Gracklesat Clayton in May (WC et al.) representedonly the 21 werehigh for the species and perhaps a first for the Sandia Mts. (HS). secondreport from there,while alsonotable were small numbers at Zum Morenesting records of theBarn Swallow in theextreme s.w. included May 2-5 & 23-31 (JT). Otherrecords from areas of irregularoccurrence LordsburgMay 26 (JH)and near San Simon Cienaga May 8 (RF);the includedsmall numbersApr. 24-May 30 in the areaof Cliff (RF, SM), speciesbreeds very locallyin that area. MangasSprings (RF), Silver City, and near Redrock(JH). Common Grackleswere again at Farmington,with threethere May 14 (AN etal ), CORVIDS THROUGH PARIDS -- The Blue Jay from the previous latewere single birds at SocoroApr. 17 & 23 (RT) andCarlsbad May 30 periodwas present at SantaFe throughApr. 25 (M. Lang),and two (SW), but no birdswere seenat Zuni in May (JT). Well e. of the usual vagrantswere at TaosMay 18 (fideR. Enriquez).All otherrecords of rangewas a c• BronzedCowbird at RattlesnakeSprings May 28 (SW), the specieswere in the PecosValley ande., includinga bird at Ft. alsoeasterly was an apparentfemale in s. DonaAna CountyMay 12 (ph SumnerMay 1 (SW). Out-of-habitatwere two Scrub Jays at Albuquer- BZ)--apparentlyrepresentative of the w. race,Molothrus aeneus loyet queMay 6, oneat Los Lunas Mar. 26 andApr. 29 (WH), andthree at Ft. SumnerMar. 25 (PL). Similarly displacedwere three Pition Jays at FRINGILLIDS -- A c• Cardinalin s. DonaAna CountyApr. 17 & AlbuquerqueMay 24 (RT), one at Los LunasApr. 20, and four at May 12 (JD, BZ); ph.) wasout-of-range and furnished only the second Bosque,Valencia Co., May 14 (WH). Evidencecontinues to accumu- verifiedrecord for the area.North of the usualrange were two Pyrrhu- latethat Black-capped and Mountain chickadees are hybridizing in the loxias near Ft. Sumner Mar. 25 (PL). Moderate numbers of Rose- M R.G.V. For example,two pairseach of Black-cappedX Mountain, breastedGrosbeaks were reportedApr. 30-May 21, theseessentially Black-cappedX apparenthybrid, and Mountain X apparenthybrid were statewide(v.ob.). Indigo Buntingswere reportedin a similarfashion, foundin theperiod between Isleta and Bernardo, all nestingand at least the periodof occurrencebeing Apr. 17-May 30 (v.ob.). EveningGros- onewith youngby May 30 (WH). Remnantsof lastwinter's lowland beakswere presentlocally into mid-May in areasoutside the normal invasionon MountainChickadees persisted, including in the form of breedinghabitat, including at Farmington(AN et al. ), Raton(RY), and small numbersof birds at PerchaDam Mar. 18 (PL), near Las Cruces SantaFe (JH). Also notablewere 10 birdsin the SandiaMts., May 14 Apr 17 (N. Cobb),Rattlesnake Springs Mar. 23 (PL), ande. of Carls- (DH et al. ) and a bird at PinosAltos, Grant Co., May 2 (BZ, KZ). The badMar. 27 (J. Bednarz).A BridledTitmouse was at PerchaDam Mar. only PurpleFinch reported was a female-typeat PerchaDam Mar 26 18 (PL), and a pair of Bushtitswas building a nestat BosqueMar. 24 (KZ et al. ), while Cassin's Fincheswere presentuntil mid-May at Santa (WH); bothspecies are rare and/or local in the Rio GrandeValley. Fe (JH) and in the Sandia Mrs. (DH et al.). Three Pine Siskins at RattlesnakeSprings May 28 (SW) were late while Am. Goldfinches NUTHATCHES THROUGH WRENS -- A White-breasted Nut- were still presentinto mid- or late May at Raton(RY), Zuni (JT), and hatch in suburbanSanta Fe May 17-30 (JH) was unusual;a pair was MangasSprings (SM). ALe Conte'sSparrow at CochitiL., May 5 feedingnestlings at BernardoMay 30 (WH). An apparentspring move- (WB) was both late and w. of the usualrange. Early were 22 Sage ment of Red-breastedsincluded small numbersMar. 7-May 29 at Zuni Sparrowsat Zuni Mar. 7-8 (JT), whichmay indicatethat thesewere (JT), Bernardo(WH), ClantonCanyon, Peloncillo Mts. (JH), andthe winteringbirds there. A Clay-coloredSparrow was reported May 9-10 Las Crucesarea (KZ et al.). Brown Creeperswere late leavingthe near Las Cruces (BZ et al.), where very rare in spring; even more M R.G.V., includingnine birdsbetween Albuquerque and Bernardo unusualwas a probableone at Zuni May 4 (JT). Two Golden-crowned Apr 16-22(WH). Notablewere single Dippers at SantaCruz L., May 9 Sparrowswere at MonticelloApr. 15, culminatinga winterin which a and 14 andNambe Dam May 14 (W. Stone),both localitiesbeing at very high 12 sightingsof the specieswere obtainedin the SandiaMts middle elevationsin SantaFe County. A new localityfor Short-billed (fide HS). Late datesfor winteringsparrows included the following MarshWren is BosqueN.W.R., wheretwo birdswere noted Mar. 19 White-throatedat SantaFe May 4 (JH), SocorroMay 8 (P. Basham), (PL). andLos LunasMay 10 (WH); Swampat Zuni May 3 (JT) andMangas Springsarea May 16--along with a late Song (SM). THRASHERS THROUGH SHRIKES -- The only BrownThrasher reportsw. of thePecos Valley were of twobirds in s. DonaAna County CONTRIBUTORS -- William Baltosser,Rich Bradley, Wes Cook, Mar. 1-May 3 (BZ et al.). A d E. Bluebirdwas again at Cottonwood Jeff Donaldson,Ralph Fisher, Randy Hill, William Howe, JohnHub- Gulchin the Zuni Mrs., whereseen May 24 (JT) andearlier (A. McCal- bard,Dustin Huntington, Sue Huntington, Don Jones, Paul Lehman, H lum). Eastof theusual range was a Golden-crownedKinglet at Clayton Lesperance,Scott Mills, Alan Nelson, Hart Schwarz,Ross Teuber, May 8 (WC). CedarWaxwings made a notableappearance, with small JohnTrochet, Steve West, Barry Zimmer, Kevin Zimmer, Robbie Yak- to moderatenumbers s. as late asMay 14-31 to Zuni (JT), Albuquerque sich.--JOHN P. HUBBARD, 2016 Valle Rio, SantaFe, New Mexico (D & SH), Cliff-Redrockarea (SM), andRattlesnake Springs (RT, SW). 87501.

Vol 37, Number 5 901 ALASKA REGION /D. D. Gibson

Weatherwas generally mild and sunny over much of mainlandAlaska away from marine influencesduring the period, and no obstaclesto migrationwere reportedwithin the Region.But spring1983 wasper- plexingand did notlend itself to cursoryanalysis. Brina Kessel evaluat- ed springmigration and breeding populations of passerinesat Faitbanks in 1983, outliningthe complexityof the situation.This evaluation, paraphrasedbelow, might strike a familiarchord with observersbeyond the eastern Interior of Alaska. Four chronologicallyseparate groups of springmigrant passerines occurat Fairbanks.Earliest to arrive(Group 1, lateApril) areDark-eyed Junco,American Robin, Ruby-crownedKinglet, Tree Sparrow,Yel- 1ow-rumpedWarbler, Fox Sparrow,and Varied Thrash; next (Group2) comeHammond's Flycatcher and White-crowned, Savannah, and Lin- coln's sparrows;third (Group 3) are Orange-crownedand Wilson's warblers, Swainson's Thrash, Northern Waterthrush, Yellow Warbler, and Gray-cheekedThrush; and the fourth(Group 4) groupcomprises only Alder Flycatcher. Of thesegroups, the first arrivedearly--juncos (in unusuallyhigh numbers),robins, kinglets, and Tree Sparrows, and the first individuals of Varied Thrush, Yellow-rumpedWarbler, and Fox Sparrow. The secondgroup started to arriveearly too, especiallythe earliestof this group,Hammond's Flycatcher [on April 25--PDM]. A very few indi- vidualsof the otherGroup 2 speciesalso arrived very early, but these birds, plus the bulk of the populationsof Varied Thrush, Yellow- rumpedWarbler, and Fox Sparrowfailed to arriveon schedule.A hiatus in migrationat Faitbanksbegan May 1. Thereafter,with the possibleexception of White-crownedSparrow (themain male population began an-iving near the 30-year mean of May 7) andwith the exceptionof Alder Flycatcher(Group 4), whichan-ived single-observersighting. White-tailed Eagles used the same Attu I. cliff normallyand en masseabout June 4, all otherspecies (Group 3) arrived nestsite as in 1982;at leastone nestling was being fed by a pairof adults late. May 29. A Hobby (Falcosubbuteo) observed at AttuMay 20 (?TGT & A few speciesarrived May 13-17 (endGroup 2 andearly Group 3), ?NSP?et al.) providedAlaska's first substantiatedrecord of thiswide- but their populationdensities did not build until 5-8 days later than spreadOld World falcon. normal.After thistime, the restof Group3's arrivaltimes were spaced out andlate, and, with the exceptionof Swainson'sThrush, final breed- SHOREBIRDS,GULLS AND TERNS -- Killdeerswere widely ing densitieswere 22% to 67% lower thanin 1982. reportedthis spring. Two birds arrived at Anchorage Mar. 20 (JLT), and Yellow-rumpedWarbler presented a particularlyinteresting situation severalpairs were presentthere during May (RLS). One was seenat in 1983. The first birdsarrived early (April 27-28), but a main move- ValdezMay 20-25(GJT, JB), butnone was reported at Fairbanksuntil mentnever materialized and, well intoMay, veryfew birdswere present June.Well beyondthe normal range were Killdeers at Kotzebue May 21 in theFaitbanks area. The firstmale seen at BK's housewas on May 12, (RLS) and at WalesMay 28 + (MLW). An imm. Black-wingedStilt andby May 18 numbersseemed to be slowlyincreasing. Based on her (Himantopushimantopus) observed on a smallpond at Nizki May 24- censusdata, the breedingpopulation was down only 10.1% from her 7- June2 (?FZ ph., JEH, ?MSE)provided an astoundingfirst record for year meanand only 4.3% from 1982, but the populationdid not reach Alaska.This species is apparentlyan uncommon migrant in Japan,so its this level until 2-2.5 weeks later than normal, i.e., until the fourth week occurrencein the w. Aleutianswas quiteunexpected. of May. Wood Sandpipersoccurred in respectablenumbers in the w. Aleu- Springmigration 1983 did not seemcompletely articulated elsewhere tians(max. 103, Attu, May 20). The fourthand fifth recordsof Green in the Regioneither; although there were many early individualsof a Sandpiperin Alaskawere of singlesat Nizki May 24 (?FZ etal.) andat varietyof species,data were much more sketchy from other areas, and it ShemyaMay 29-June1 (?DWSph.), the latter the first photo-substanti- was difficult to determineif only individualswere early, in manycases, ated Alaska record(there is no specimen).Whimhrels (hudsonicus) or if the populationof a specieswas early. To no one's surprisethe arrivedright on schedule,e.g.. AnchorageApr. 30 (DFD) andFair- Aleutiansgenerated much excitement, as usual, including two additions banksMay 6 (TP, DDG & BK); a Whimbrel(variegatus) at Adak May 5 to the Alaskalist. Someof the highlightsof spring1983 follow. (FZ, MZ) wasrecord-early, but most of thec. andw. Aleutianpassage of thisform took place on time, duringthe last week of May. At least one Bristle-thighedCurlew was seenat MiddletonI., Gulf of Alaska WATERFOWL -- Early waterfowlwere mentionedby numerous May 8 (DWS) andtwo + wereseen there May 14 (m.ob.), bothon time observers,e.g., 30 CanadaGeese at KasilofMar.31 (JS,fideMAM); a (seeAB 35:853),the latter during a one-daytrip by numerousobservers. pairof Garganeysat Adak I., •. AleutiansMay 1-5 (JK, VK, FZ, MZ); a SingleFar EasternCurlews at Nizki May 24 (JEH,fideFZ) andat Attu CinnamonTeal at PetersburgApr. 20 (PJH,JP); one Eur. Wigeonat May 25-28 wereamong the earliest records of thespecies in Alaska.The AnchorageApr. 9 (DFD) andeight of themat ColdBay Apr. 15 (CPD); only reportof MarbledGodwit this springwas of one bird at Middle Redheadsat AnchorageApr. 6 (RLS) andat FairbanksApr. 16 (BP). No Bay, KodiakI., May 10 (RAM). RuddyTumstones were not recorded Tufted Ducks were seenin the c. Aleutiansthis season,but a new state at Kodiak,where usually seen in smallnumbers in spring(RAM), but highwas established at Attu May 16, when53 birds,including a flockof were muchmore numerousthan usual in the w. Aleutians(max. 31 each 31, werecounted. A pair of LesserScaup at St. Paul 1., PribilofsJune 6 at Shemya[DWS] andat Attu, bothJune l);fifty RuddyTurnstones at (TGT et al.) providedonly the secondBering Sea record(see AB FairbanksMay 21 (BAA) wasunparalleled; this species is casual,and in 31:363). very small numbers,in C. Alaska. A most impressiveflight comprisingGray-tailed Tattlers, Terek HAWKS, EAGLES AND FALCONS -- A Common Buzzard (Bu- Sandpipers,and Rufous-necked Stints moved through the w. Aleutians teobuteo) seen well in flightover Nizki I., w. Aleutians,May 26 (?FZ) at the veryend of May. Seventy-sevenGray-tailed Tattlers, including a will be added to Alaska's unsubstantiated list as a well-documented flockof 35, wereseen at Attu May 30;24 wereseen at Shemya(DWS)

902 AmericanBirds, SeptembersOctober1983 and a flock of six was seen at nearby Almd I (FZ), on the 31st burg, s e Alaska,Apr 1 (PJH et al ) andat Fairbanks,beyond the w SeventeenTerek Sandpipers were seen at Attu May 30 (flockof 14 on fnnge of the species'normal range, Apr. 13-14 (DRH et al.). A Swmn- May 28), 18 (includingflock of 15) were seenat Alaid (FZ et al.) May son'sThrush was carefully studiedMay 31 at Gainbell (JLD et al ), 31, and four were seenat Shemya(DWS) June 1. Forty-five Rufous- whereit provideda first recordfor any of the Bering Sea islands. neckedswere seen at Attu May 30; 26 wereseen at Shemya(DWS) and 21 + were countedon 1 mi of beach at Alaid (FZ et al.), May 31. WAXWINGS THROUGH FINCHES -- The geographicorigin of Shemyaalso produced one Little Stint, studiedamid Rufous-neckeds BohemianWaxwings seen at Attu (five plus, May 16-June4) and at May 31 (?DWSph.), providingthe seventhAlaska record, the fourth ArnuktaI., c. Aleutians (up to four, May 24-June 19•FD et al.), is adultin springor summer;a CurlewSandpiper June 1 (?DWS),for the problematic,since no specimenwas obtained. Although B. g. centrala- third Aleutianrecord; and a new statehigh countof 34 Com. Sandpip- siae, a stragglerto the CommanderIs., from Japanor from mainland ers, includinga flock of 15 on May 29 (DWS). Many observerscom- Asia and unknownin Alaska, seemsthe likely bird at thoselocations, mentedthat N. Phalaropeswere late and their numberswere low. the issuewas complicatedby a BohemianWaxwing seenJune 9 at St An ad.Ross' Gull on theAlaidbeach May 29 (?FZ,JEH, ?MSE)was Paul (KS, TGT et al.), wherethe only prior recordis of NearcticB. g amazing,the first substantiatedAleutian record. This speciesis quite pallidiceps (in spring), and by a pair seenJune 17 at King Salmon, rare at this seasoneven in N. Alaska, so two birds seenat Pt. Franklin AlaskaPen. (DDG), at the limit of trees,where the latterform is known (adult May 31 and immatureJune 14, PGC & REG) are of interestas as an irregularmid- and late summervisitant. The only prior AleuUan well. CommonTerns (longipennis)were rathermore widely reported recordof the speciesis an Amchitkaspecimen ofpallidiceps takenin thanusual. Three birds were present at ShemyaMay 26-JuneI (DWS); fall. onewas seen on thehigh seas in theBering Sea, at 58ø08'N175ø45'W, Act Red-wingedBlackbird arrived at Anchorage, where rare, Apr. 15 May 27 (RHD et al. ); at leasttwo wereseen at Attu June1; and up to two (MH, fide DFD). As in Fairbanks,Lincoln's Sparrow was early at btrds were observedat Gambell, St. LawrenceI., June 1 & 4 OLD et Valdez, where one bird was seenApr. 29; the specieswas unusually al ) numerousthere in early May (GJT). Bramblingsoccurred at Attu on scheduleand in normal, small numbers(day max. 15); one male was seenat Gambell, wherethe speciesis casualin springJune 5 OLD et PARIDS THROUGH THRUSHES -- A Gray-headedChickadee was al.), and a female found dead at Pt. Franklin June8 (PGC & REG*) observedat Peter Cleaver L., Koyukuk R., in w. C. Alaska Mar. 30 constitutedonly the secondN. Alaskarecord, first in spring. (TOO), the only one reportedall winter. Alaska's third and fourth DuskyWarblers were singles aboard ship in theBering Sea (at 57ø04'N CONTRIBUTORS AND OBSERVERS (SUB-REGIONAL EDI- 179ø37'Won May 31; RHD, DJF, JSH ph.*) andat Gambell(June 5-6, TOR IN BOLDFACE), ABBREVIATIONS -- [UnattributedAttu Is- JLD et al., ?RLS). A c• Red-breastedFlycatcher at ShemyaMay 31 land observationsare by ATTOUR (L.G. Balch, T.G. Tobish, N S (?DWS)became the third state record; two Gray-spottedFlycatchers, a Proctor,D.D. Gibsonet al.)] B.A. Anderson,J. Barringer,P.G. Con- less-than-annualspecies, were seenat Attu May 30-June2. nors, C.P. Dau, R.H. Day, F. Deines, D.F. DeLap, J.L. Dunn, M S SiberianRubythroats arrived a weekearly at Attu (c•, May 20•PI); Eltzroth, D.J. Forsell,R.E. Gill, J.E. Hamernick,J.S. Hawkings,P J theywere present almost daily thereafter;a maleseen at WalesMay 30 Heglund,M. Heller, D.R. Herter, P. Isleib, B. Kessel,J. Klett, V (MLW) providedthe first mainland record of thishandsome skulker. A Klett, R.A. Macintosh, P.D. Martin, M.A. Miller, T.O. Osborne, J c• Bluethroatat Wales May 26 (MLW) wasrecord-early by 2 days.A •? Parker, B. Peterson,T. Pogson,N.S. Proctor,K. Schafer,R.L. Scher, Wheatearseen in ThompsonPass May 28 (GJT) is of interestbecause J. Stopes,D.W. Sonneborn,G.J. Tans,T.G. Tobish,J.L. Trapp,M.L the speciesis rare andnot well knownin the mountainsfringing Prince Ward, F. Zeillemaker,M. Zeillemaker;? detailson file U.A.M., ph William Sound;the earliestreport of thistrans-Bering Strait migrant in photographon file U.A.M., * specimenat U.A.M.--D.D. GIBSON, 1983 was of five birds on Ester Dome, Fairbanks,May 13 (RHD). University of Alaska Museum, 907 Yukon Drive, Fairbanks, Alaska Exceptionallyearly MountainBluebirds were singlemales at Peters- 99701.

NORTHERN PACIFIC COAST REGION loonsalong the coast,almost all Apr. 23-May 1. A Red-throatedLoon /Philip W. Mattocks, Jr. and EugeneS. Hunn was at FinleyN.W.R., nearCorvallis, Oreg., Apr. 23 (MH, fide E & EE). This speciesis unusualin the WillametteValley. A largeflock of 40 EaredGrebes was off IonaI., B.C., Apr. 20 (GT) March was a continuationof the warm, wet winter. Thereafterrainfall Censusesof SaanichInlet, Satellite Channel, and Cowichan Bay, s was aboutnormal overall, althoughtemperatures remained higher than V.I., showed8000+ W. Grebespresent Mar. 14 & 22, 4100+ Apr usual.Most of the season'srarities were foundMay 16-23. This was a 19, 380 Apr. 29, and 127 May 14 (VG et al. ). All W. Grebesfor which periodof almostno precipitationand of light westerlywinds, following colorphase was specifically reported were of thedark form (EH, DF0 a frontalpassage May 14-15.Reports of DuskyFlycatcher and Ameri- A LaysanAlbatross was seenMar. 6 20 +_ mi off Garibaldi,Oreg can Redstartson the coast,Yellow-breasted Chat andBobolink in south- (M. Smith).Pelagic birding trips out of CoosBay, Oreg.,Apr. 29-May westernBritish Columbia, and Lark Sparrowsin the SanJuan Islands 1 and out of Westport,Wash., May 1 each found40 +- Black-looted were all of speciesthat nestjust east of the Cascades.The Curlew Albatrossesand 20 +- N. Fulmars.Only sevenPink-footed Shearwaters Sandpiper,Laughing Gull, and CanadaWarbler were from farther wereseen off Westport(TW et al.) anda "handful" wereoff CoosBay afield. (DF et al.). Althoughthis date is about2 weeksearlier than usual the Frequentlyused abbreviations:N.J.C.R.-N. Jetty ColumbiaR., countsare dramatically lower than the average of about65 Pink-footeds S J C.R.-S. Jetty Columbia R., V.I.-Vancouver I., B.C. per Westporttrip over the last 7 springseasons. Single Short-tailed Shearwaterswere found dead May 11 & 14 on n.w. Oregonbeaches (B LOONS THROUGH SHEARWATERS -- The Yellow-billed Loon Loeffel, HN). foundon SaanichInlet, V.I., last winter stayedthrough Mar. 23 (J & RSa, VG, J. Will). Therewere 6 sightingsof Yellow-billedLoons at 4 localitiesin the Vancouver, B.C., area Apr. 13-May 1 (fide DK). PELICANS THROUGH MERGANSERS -- Echoinglast spring's Elsewheresingle Yellow-billeds were at Parksville,VA., Apr. 29 (AP), early influx of Brown Pelicansinto s. Oregon, singleadults were seen and at the mouthof the Palix R., Pacific Co., Wash., Apr. 25-May 9 just s. of FlorenceApr. 23 (DR) andoff CapeArago Apr. 30 (DFi et (?CC). Therewere 2800 +- ArcticLoons Apr. 13 in ActivePass, B.C., al.). Four(one ad., two imm., andone unaged) were at thes. jetty of the which is a regularconcentration point for this species(AP). There were SiuslawR., near FlorenceMay 10-11 (DFi), and 21 were in Grays numerousreports of N movementsof hundredsof Commonand Arctic Harbor,Wash., May 30 (MMo). A strayWhite Pelicanstayed around

Vol 37, Number 5 903 e. of Tillamook (D. Anderson).Three adultswere foundon the White- tailed Deer N.W.R., near Skamokawa,Wash., duringFebruary and March (A. Richards,A. Musche, M. Mortek et al.). Two kites were seenApr. 8 workingthe dikesalong the Palix R., near Bay Center, Wash.(•'T. Lund)and one was nearby at the mouthof the NorthR., Apr. 22 (P. Martin, fide CC). Last year's Cooper'sHawk nestin BeaconHill P., Victoria, V.I., wasoccupied again this season (J & RSa, MN). In addition,MN found3 otheractive Cooper's Hawk nestsin s. VancouverI., two in Oak Bay and one in Saanich. The ad. Red-shouldered Hawk that wintered in the Oaks Bottom area of Portlandwas last seenMar. 12 (M. Houck, S. Jaggers).Two nestingpairs of Red-tailedHawks, one at the mouthof the HumptulipsR., near OceanShores, Wash., and the other s.w. of Philomath,near Corvallis, Oreg., containdistinctively marked partial- to-near-albinoindividuals. This is the 12thknown nesting season for the Philomathbird (E & EE) and aboutthe tenthfor the OceanShores bird (DP, G & WHo). The Mar. 26 sightingof about50 Red-tailedHawks headingE from NeahBay, Wash., alongthe Straitsof Juande Fuca(J. Fackler,B. Anderson)was one of few suchreports of raptormigration in the Region.An activeGolden Eagle nestwas found Apr. 6 alongthe Mollala R., e. of Salem,Oreg. (C. Bruceet al., fide E & EE). The only Gyrfalconreport was of one in C. Saanich,V.I., Mar. 11 (DFr, J. Fitzpatrick).A PrairieFalcon seen May 8 atWhite Rock, B.C., furnishedonly the secondrecord for the Vancouverarea (•'M. Schou- ten). Thoseobservers and area compilersreporting for the last 4 years notedabout the samenumber of Peregrines(18 +) andMerlins (28 +) this springas in previousyears. Noteworthy were the three Peregrines at onceover Tatoosh I., off CapeFlattery, Wash., Mar. 29 (B. Paine),and onepale adult, thought to be tundrius,at Florence,Oreg., May 15 (DFi, AD, DR). Two pairsof Merlinswere in the CampbellR., V.I., area throughoutthe season(H. Telosky). VancouverL., Vancouver,Wash., Apr. 9-May 22 (D. Reisbick.WC et Mountain Quail arerare n. ofc. Oregon,but a smallpopulation has al.). existedfor someyears on s. VancouverI. A male was seenApr. 18 Along the ColumbiaR., the GreatBlue Heroncolonies on ReedI., alongthe roadto GrassL., in SookeMountain P.P., V.I. (W. Camp- nearWashougal, Wash., had 138 activenests Apr. 13, andthe colony bell) for one of few recentrecords. There were 400 SandhillCranes Mar. on nearbyPierce I., had 59 nests(WC et al.). In additionto the now 19 at their regularstop on SauvieI., Oreg. (HN). Flocksof 70 were over regularSnowy Egrets at CoosBay, a singlewas found Apr. 16at Finley EugeneMar. 8 (DFi) and at Neah Bay, Wash., Apr. 9 0VI. Carmody). N.W.R., Oreg., wherethe speciesis accidental(E & EE et al.). There The first arrivalnoted at the Pitt Meadows,B.C., breedinglocation was were sightingsof an ad. White-facedIbis at WapatoL., near Forest Mar. 20 (TP). Grove, Oreg., May 2 (VT, JGa)and at SauvieI., nearPortland May 5-8 (JGi et al.). An ad. "blue" Snow Goose was seen Mar. 20 with several thousand SHOREBIRDS -- A SnowyPlover nest with 2 eggswas found May SnowGeese at the Skagitflats, Wash. (D. Norman)for only the third 24 at OceanShores, Wash. (G & WHo). A very early Semipalmated recordfor w. Washington.Since the "blue" form is very rare in this Ploverwas at Iona I., B.C., Apr. I (DA). The first arrivalon Willapa populationthat breedson WrangelI., and the Skagitflats are well Bay, Wash., wasApr. 16, andthe peakof the migrationthere was 600 watchedby birders,this bird could have beena displacedmigrant. Apr. 27 (CC et al.). The first arrivalon s. VancouverI., only 120 mi to However, the pictureis complicatedby a singlefree-flying "Blue" the n., wasnot until Apr. 30, andthe highcount there was 30 + on May Goose that has been residentat Reifel I., B.C., for some time and that 7 (fide VG). A pair was noted mating May 14 at the Sandspitairport, wasabsent from there during early spring(C. Trefry). A lateflock of 40 GrahamI., QueenCharlotte Is., B.C. (M. Force).Two very earlyAm. Snow Geesewas notedMay 15 at BlackieSpit, CrescentBeach, B.C. GoldenPlovers were on Pony Slough,Coos Bay, Oreg., Mar. 26 (VT). (BK). The only othersreported were one at Ocean Shores,Apr. 23 (G & The widespreadarrival of Blue-wingedTeal in late April was on WHo), six at CoosBay Apr. 30 (T. Crabtree,I-IN), two at Boundary schedule.One at Iona I., B.C., Apr. 23 (BK) wasa few daysahead of BayApr. 28 (JI, DA), andone there May 4 (I. Robertson,V. Thomas). the averagefirst date. The last sightingsof several"Eur." Green- Peak countsof Black-bellied Plovers occurredApr. 10-25, with 900 wingedTeal were much earlier than usual: Mar. 20 atIona I. (BK), Mar. aroundWillapa Bay Apr. 22 (CC et al.) and300 at BlackieSpit, B.C., 28 at Saanich,V.I. (A. Knowles), Apr. 8 at Finley N.W.R. (JKr) and Apr. 25 (DK). Apr. 17 at Seattle,Wash. (DB). Oneof the c• TuftedDucks found this The 84 RuddyTurnstones around Willapa Bay May 15 (CC et al.), winter in Seattlestayed to at least Mar. 21 (W. Fogelman).A few and90 on LeadbetterPt. (R. Widrig)the same day, constituted the peak Oldsquawswere later than usual in leavingthe s. partsof theRegion. A of movementfor this predominatelyouter coastalmigrant. A single male andfive femaleswere on Willapa Bay Apr. 27 (CC et al.), a male individualMay 15 at West Pt., Seattle,provided the first King County wasat CoosBay Apr. 29-May 1 (DFi, HN et al.), anda malestayed on record(EH). A singleBristle-thighed Curlew sightedMay 13-14 with YaquinaBay, Oreg., untilMay 18 (R & JKr, J. Shewey).A 9 Corn. a flock of Whimbrelsat BlackieSpit wasclosely seen and well described Merganserand seven very young chicks traversed the oceansurf May 15 for the first recordfor the Vancouverarea, andonly the thirdfor British just s. of Florence,Oreg. (DFi). Columbia(•'MP). The 2 otherspring records for the Regionare May 1 (AB 36:887) and May 31 (Auk 87:815), andboth were foundalong the VULTURES THROUGH CRANES -- Subsequentto the usualscat- outer coast. tered reportsof Turkey Vulturesin late February, severaltransient Sixteensightings of SolitarySandpipers were spreadfrom two very groupsof up to 45 vultureswere noted Mar. 21-30 at roosttrees along early at Finley N.W.R., Apr. 8 (R & JKr,fide E & EE) to oneat Forest I-5 at Phoenix,Oreg. (MjM). Also, N-movingkettles of 25 + vultures Grove, Oreg., May 21 (JGa). High countsfor GreaterYellowlegs were were seenover Ashland and Medford Mar. 31-Apr. 3 (MjM). The 40+ flocksof 100-+ birdsat Iona I., B.C., Apr. 12 & 15 (BK) and around White-tailedKites that wintered in w. Oregondispersed as usual. There Willapa Bay Apr. 14 (CC etal.). On May 1, a flock of 20 -+ wasseen 35 werereports from only 5 Oregonlocalities this season. Pairs were found mi off Westport (TW et al.). The only Willet reportswere of the at Corvallis(M. McInnis,fide E & EE) and on the Wilson R. meadows winteringflock at the North R., Wash., which graduallyleft during

904 AmericanBirds, September-October 1983 April (CC etal ), oneat IonaI, Apr 20 (?BK), thefirst Vancouver area Two Arctic Terns standingon the beachwith Com Ternsat Toke- spnngrecord, and three sightings Apr. 23-May 11 at Black•eSpit and land, Wash., May 12 (CC) andone there May 13 (P. Martin) werethe adjacentBoundary Bay, B.C. (?BK, ?MP, DJ). only onesreported. Two CaspianTerns at Tokelandby Apr. 2 (B Furtherinformation on the extremesite-specific nature of the N mi- Morse)were the earliest ever for Washington.Two CaspianTerns were gratmnof Red Knotswas providedby daily censusesduring most of foundMay 14 n. to MoresbyI., QueenCharlotte Is., B.C. (MF). A April andMay of up to a dozenlocations in then. partof WillapaBay, BlackTern was present at theMedford sewage ponds May 14, andtwo Wash., by CC et al. Firstarrivals were flocks totaling 63 a few mi w. of werethere May 21 (MjM). A gatheringof 75 + MarbledMurrelets May SouthBend Apr. 10. By Apr. 22 therewere 1300+ Red Knotsalong 11just off thes. jetty of theSiuslaw R., nearFlorence (DFi) wasunusual Wdlapa Bay, andMay 12-15there were 3500 + present.Departure was for that late in the season. rapid, with only 315 left May 18. Elsewherethere were 80 at Ocean ShoresApr. 30 (PM), 300 thereMay 7 & 8 (DP), 23 atTillamook May 7 OWLS THROUGH FLYCATCHERS-- A BurrowingOwl wason (J Hannum,K. Hamilton,fideR. Palmer), 14 at the S.J.C.R., May 15 thejetty at Iona I., B.C., Mar. 11 (?TP). The BurrowingOwls that (DF1 et al.), nine at the mouthof the DungenessR., Wash., May 15 winteredin the RogueR. valleyof Oregonwere last seen Mar. 14 in (MMo), andseven on theRoberts Bank jetty, Delta, B.C., May 21 (DK, Medford, and Apr. 13 near Agate L. (MjM). BarredOwl nestswith S Howell). youngwere found during May in EastSooke, s. V.I. (P. Axhorn,HHo), Anotherteam of shorebirdsstudents led by S. Hermanmonitored the andin DiscoveryP., Seattle(DH, DB). A BarredOwl washeard calling migratorypassage at development-threatenedBowerman Basin, Ho- aboveGlide, e. of Roseburg,Oreg., Mar. 31 (M. Sawyer,fideDFi). A qmam,Wash. These observers determined a peak count there Apr. 24 of GreatGray Owl wasseen May 31 n.e. of Ashland,Oreg. (MjM), near 450,000 shorebirds,mostly W. Sandpipers.Other high counts of West- wherea pairnested last summer. The Long-eared Owl foundlast Febru- erns were 76,000 aroundWillapa Bay Apr. 23 (CC et al.), 8000 at ary in ScogginsValley P., near ForestGrove, Oreg., was seenthere BoundaryBay Apr. 24 (GT) and8000 on Iona I., Apr. 30-May 1 (W & throughthe season (VT, JGa).An imm. Saw-whetOwl justout of a nest HHe, GT). Therewere 5 sightingsof singleSemipalmated Sandpipers at wasobserved May 17 nearL. Whatcorn,Bellingham (M. Vance,fide Iona I., Apr. 29-May 14 (BK et al.), oneat MetchosinLagoon, s. V.I., TW). Apr 30 (KT), and one at the S.J.C.R., May 14 (HN). Therewere 8 An extremelyearly Com. Nighthawk was seen at closerange Mar. 8 sightingsof Balrd'sSandpipers from CoosBay andTillamook, Oreg., nearFern Ridge Res., Eugene(TM,fide DFi). Vaux's Swiftsarrived on CloverPt., Victoria,and Iona I. All wereof singlebirds except the two- schedule;Apr. 14 in Eugene(DFi), Apr. 18-19at FinleyN.W.R., and threeat Iona I., May 23-24 (BK, MF, TP). A Curlew Sandpiperwas Corvallis(MH, RKr, E & EE), Apr. 22 in Portland(RSm), andMay 1 in closelyobserved May 17 onLeadbetter Pt. (?RKn)for thesecond spring Burnaby,B.C. (JI). ThreeWhite-throated Swifts were seenApr. 27 recordfor Washington.A singleRock Sandpiperin breedingplumage over L. Louise,Bellingham (?RK) for the first springrecord for w was still at the OceanShores jetty on the late date of May 24 (G & Washington. WHo). High countsof Dunlinswere the 11,000on Willapa Bay Apr. 9- An Anna's Hummingbirdnest with 2 eggswas foundduring late 10 (CC et al.) and the 5000 on BoundaryBay Apr. 16 (DK). Februaryin an appleorchard near Medford. The nestwas covered with A singleShort-billed Dowitcher at BoundaryBay Apr. 3 (BK) was plasticduring spraying, and two nestlingswere seenMar. 18 & 28 (J very early. Their migrationpeaked in late April with 26,000 around McGraw).However, on Mar. 30 thenest was gone and an adultwing WdlapaBay Apr. 23 (CC et al.), and500 at IonaI., Apr. 26 (BK). The wasfound beneath the tree. This was the second nest report and the third highcounts of Long-billedDowitchers were 117near Medford May 8 breedingrecord for Oregon.On Mar. 6 in DiscoveryP., Seattle,DH & (MjM), and150 at IonaI., May 15(WW). A firstyear (unbarred breast, B. Doe censused25 territoriald' Anna'sHummingbirds and a femaleat fide DP) MarbledGodwit found Apr. 22 nearBlaine, Wash. (?WW) and a nest 60 ft up in an alder. probablythis bird again at nearbyBlackie Spit May 1-25(?BK et al., P. Fourd' Selasphorussp. hummingbirds with distinct green backs were Yorke, ph.) providedthe fifth springrecord for theVancouver area. On seenin Washingtonthis season. They were in PoulsboMar. 16+ (fide May 11 therewas a secondindividual present at BlackieSpit (•'MP). JC), RedmondApril 23+ (EH, G. Gerdts),Ocean Shores S.P., Apr Two otherfirst-year Marbled Godwits were noted at OceanShores May 17-May 1 (JCet al., PM et al.), andat thes. endof WillapaBay Apr. 27 8 (DP). An }Iudsonian Godwit at Long Beach, nearUcluelet, V.I., (RW). Only the observersof the Redmondbird were able to see the Apr 30 (AP) furnishedthe first reportfor Pacific Rim N.P. shapeof thesecond rectrix, which is the significantfield markto distin- guishAllen's from Rufous (F. Stiles, Condor 74:25). That rectrix was JAEGERS THROUGH ALCIDS -- Two Pomarine Jaegersseen clearlynotched, and their bird was a green-backedd' RufousHumming- Mar 4 off North Head, near Ilwaco, Wash., were very early (?RW). bird. SinglePomafines were seenfrom the N.J.C.R., May 1 (RW, CC, RKn) Tenof the11 Calliope HuInmingbirds reported first appeared May 2- and at seaoff Westportthe sameday (TW et al.). 8. A malewas in Vancouver,B.C., wherethey are rare (W & HHe), a Therewere six Glaucous Gulls reported, which is theaverage number malehit a windowin Tualatin,near Portland (V. Dorsey),and another for the last5 springseasons. The latestwas an adultin Richmond,B.C., wasfound dead in CorvallisMay 2 for the firstBenton County record May 17 (DK). An ad. and a first-winterHerring Gull still presentat (B. Crowell,fideE & EE). Theonly reports of birdslingering more than Florence,Oreg., May 15 (DFi) and an ad. Thayer's Gull at Gilbert a few dayswere the two malesat the Merlin exit off I-5 n. of Grants Beach, RichmondMay 21 (DK) were the latestreports. A first-winter Pass,Oreg., May 4-21 (DFi, A. Contreras),and a male in Ashland, Iceland Gull was seenand well describedFeb. 27 in Vancouver,B.C. Oreg., Apr. 13-May 22 (MjM). (?BK, DK, S. Cannings).The white primaries,delicate brown barring Therewere five W. Kingbirdsin thePortland area May 7 (fideHN), on the mantle,wing coverts,and tail, smallbody size relative to Glau- andfour othersjust n. of PortlandMay 10-11(JGi, WC) but the 12+ cous-wingeds,and slenderbill were amongthe field marksnoted. An gatheredon Leadbetter Pt., Wash.,May 22 wasa mostunusual concen- ad Laughing Gull was seenMay 18 alongWillapa Bay near South tration(RW, RKn).Seven Say's Phoebes were reported, Mar. 12-Apr Bend,Wash. (?CC, G. Wallace)for the seconddocumented report for 5. A DuskyFlycatcher was seen and heard May 22 on LeadbetterPt the state.An imm. Little Gull was notedApr. 5 in Active Pass,V.I., (RW, RKn), andtwo wereon territory in a clearcutnear Hagg L., w. of with a flock of Bonaparte'sGulls (•'P. Arcese)for the secondspring ForestGrove, Oreg., May 30 (VT, D. Lustoff).A veryearly W. Fly- recordfor B.C. An imm. Heermann'sGull at Gilbert Beach,Richmond catcherwas seen and heard Apr. 4 in Saanich(H. VanderPol). Else- May 1-9 (?BK, ?WW et al.) furnishedone of veryfew springrecords wherefirst arrivals were Apr. 18-23throughout the Region. First am- for the Vancouverarea. Two other imm. Heermann'sat the N.J.C.R., valsof Olive-sidedFlycatchers were May 6-11. Wash., May 5 (CC et al.) were alsovery earlythat far n. An unusual onshoreflock of 12 Sabine'sGulls, includingboth adultsand imma- SKYLARKS THROUGH WAXWINGS -- A censusof Eur. Sky- tures,was noted Apr. 30 at theN.J.C.R. (RW, RKn), andfive werestill larkson the SaanichPen., yielded42 singingmales at 12 locations(A therethe nextday (CC). Singlefirst-year Sabine's Gulls were seen May MacLeod,HHo). The highcount was of 16 malesat theVictoria airport 1 offshoreCoos Bay (AD, ?DFi) and May 11 from the s. jetty of the Mar. 19. Widespreadfirst arrivalsof Violet-greenSwallows n. to Van- SluslawR., near Florence,Oreg. (?DFi). An ad. Sabine'sGull was couver,B.C., occurredMar. 6-10. Fifty Cliff SwallowsMar. 7 at the notedat YaquinaBay, Oreg., May 21 (R. Bayer). Medfordsewage ponds (MjM), severalMar. 17 at Walton, w. of Eu-

Vol 37, Number 5 905 gene(TM), andfive Mar. 31 at JerichoP., Vancouver,B.C. (MP) were duringApr. 30-May 8. One of the HoodedOrioles found last winter in all earlier than usual. The only Bank Swallowsreported were one at CoosBay stayeduntil Mar. 6 (RSm). A c• RustyBlackbird Mar. 6 anda Blackie Spit, B.C., May II (MP) and two at Iona I., May 17 (GT). femaleMar. 31 were sightedat Pitt Meadows(GT). First arrivalsof W. A Scrub Jay was at Coos Bay Mar. 26 (VT). Two Wrentits were Tanagersappeared May 3-5 at severallocalities from the RogueR. foundnear Dallas, Oreg., Apr. 18 (R. Gerig). A White-breastedNut- valley n. to Vancouver,B.C. On May 13, amale washeard and seen on hatchin ApodacaP.P., near W. VancouverMay I (A & JGr et al.) Graham I., for what may have been the first record for the Queen furnishedonly the sixthrecord for the Vancouver,B.C., area.A pair of CharlotteIs. (MF). White-breastedswere feedingalmost fledged young May 22 in Fort EveningGrosbeaks, virtually absentduring the winter, stageda Steilacoom P., Tacoma, Wash. (CC). First arrivals of House Wrens small,widely-noted passage during late April-early May, but the spe- werenoted in w. Oregonand s. VancouverI., Apr. 13-19. A Mocking- ciesremained scarce throughout the Region.Red Crossbillswere much birdappeared Mar. 7 + for thethird straight year on territoryin Medford morewidely reportedfrom w. Oregonand the Vancouver,B.C., area (MjM). The one that winteredin Phoenix,Oreg., stayedthrough Apr. than last winter. A VesperSparrow on Ft. Lewis, Wash., Mar. 7 (T. 19, andmay havebeen the onethat was seen nearby at CentralPt., Apr. Bock) was about a month earlier than the usual arrival at that location. 24 (MjM). A Mockingbirdseen near South Bend, Wash., Apr. 3 & 10 The observationof two Lark SparrowsMay 22 just s. of FridayHar- wasreported to havespent the winterin the area(CC). Anotherwas seen bor,on SanJuan I., furnishedthe fourth spring record for w. Washing- on Fisher Butte, near EugeneMay 15+ (DFi, B. Combset al.). ton(PA. & H. Whiteley).The three Dark-eyed "Slate-colored" Juncos The first W. Bluebirdegg noted near Corvallis this season was found thatstayed at Metchosin,V.I., untilApr. 15 (M & VG) andthe oneon Mar. 18, 2 weeksearlier than any in the past8 years(E & EE). Young LeadbetterPt., Apr. 27 (CC) werethe latest of 10 sightingsthis season. W. Bluebirdsin Paczolt'sboxes near Medford Apr. 20 were the earliest SingleChipping Sparrows Apr. 24 in N. Vancouver,B.C. (MD), May 8 on record(MjM). Three boxesin the Metchosin,V.I., area fledged in Bellingham(TW), andMay 19-20in Seattle,(EH) werethe only youngby late May (fide VG). Eighteenof the 22 migrantTownsend's reportsfor thoseareas. The Clay-coloredSparrow found last winter in Solitairesnoted were found Apr. 6-19, andmost were in w. Washington Delta, B.C., stayeduntil Mar. 5 (DJ). or the Vancouver,B.C., area. The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher found in Fourof the eightHarris' Sparrows reported stayed until early May. Februarynear Westport was seen again Mar. 15 & 21 (CC, J. Buchanan One nearBurlington, Wash., May 12 wasthe latest(ph.D. McNeely). et al.). The only BohemianWaxwing reported was one seen with Cedars Therewere reports of 18White-throated Sparrows, which is many more Apr. 14 in Dungeness,Wash., on the late date of Apr. 14 (D. & S. thanprevious spring seasons. The four (2a, 2i) thatwintered around a Smith). feederin Metchosin,V.I., all stayeduntil Apr. 15, with thetwo innna- turesthere until Apr. 27 0VI& VG). Twowere at Coos Bay Apr. 30 (DFi VIREOS AND WARBLERS -- A pair of Hutton's Vireos was feed- et al.), onestayed in Ashlanduntil May 3 (MjM), andone was seen in ing nestlingsApr. 7 in DiscoveryP. (DH et al.). Two WarblingVireos N. Vancouver,B.C., May 7 (MD). The Swamp Sparrowfound last in EugeneApr. 22 were the first reported(DFi). First arrivalsfrom winternear Issaquah,Wash., stayeduntil Mar. 30 (EH, PM). A Lap- Corvallisn. to Vancouver,B.C., wereApr. 27-May 6. Springarrival of land Longspurat Iona I., May 15 (WW), and a SnowBunting at the Orange-crownedWarblers was Apr. 1-2 in Metchosin,V.I. (VG), and BoundaryBay, B.C., airportApr. 17 (BK) wereboth unusually late. Vancouver, B.C. (A & JGr). Large numbersof migrant Orange- crownedswere noted in EugeneApr. 4-9 (DFi), and throughoutthe INITIALED OBSERVERS,Subregional editors in boldface.David RegionApr. 16-May 7. Arrival of NashvilleWarblers in Eugeneand Aidcroft,Dave Beaudette,Wilson Cady, Joan Carson, Chris Chappell, Medford was on scheduleApr. 15-21 (S. Heinl, MjM). There were Mark Daly, Alan Dyck, Mark Egger, Elsie & Elzy Eltzroth,David Fix three sightingsof NashvilleWarblers Apr. 18-26 in the Vancouver, (DFi), Michael Force, David Fraser(DFr), JohnGatchett (JGa), Jeff B.C., area, where they are rare migrants(MP, DJ). Single Yellow Gilligan(JGi), Margaret& Vic Goodwill, AI & JudeGrass (A & JGr), Warblerswere early at MandarteI., off Sidney, B.C., Mar. 13 (DFr) Bill Harrington-Tweit, Werner & Hilde Hesse(W & HHe), Glen & and at GrantsPass, Oreg., Mar. 25 (MjM). Other local first arrivals Wanda Hoge (G & WHo), Harold Hosford (HHo), Matt Hunter, Dave spannedApr. 16-May 4, with no clear patternor concentration.Two Hutchinson,John Ireland, Dale Jensen,Brian Kautesk, Randy Knapp Black-throatedGray WarblersApr. 1 in Saanich(F. & R. Stoba,fide (RKn), Jan& Rick Krabbe(J & RKr), Doog Kragh, Tom Mickel, Mark VG) andone Apr. 9 nearSeattle (ME) werevery early. Firstsightings in Moon (MMo), Marjorie Moore (MjM), Harry Nehls, Mark Nyhoff, Medford, Eugene,and Corvallis were Apr. 7-9, and in otherSeattle- Dennis Paulson, Tom Plath, Allan Poynter,Michael Price, Dennis arealocalities, s. VancouverI., andnear Vancouver, B.C., Apr. 20-24. Rogers,Joy & Ron Satterfield(J & RSa), RichardSmith (RSm), Keith A Palm Warbler,rare in spring,was seen Apr. 6 at Newport,Oreg. Taylor, Verta Teale, Glen Thomson,Terry Wahl, Wayne Weber, (R. Lawrence,fide E & EE), andtwo were foundApr. 23 at SwanL., Ralph Widrig--PHILIP W. MATTOCKS, JR., Dept. of Zoology, Saanich,V.I. (KT, R. Prior). A •-plumagedCanada Warbler was Univ. of Washington, Seattle, Wash. 98195, and EUGENE S. sightedMay 23 at Pitt Meadows, e. of Vancouver, B.C., for the first HUNN, 1816 N. 57th St., Seattle, Wash. 98103. Regionalreport (PGT). A MacGillivray'sWarbler in Bellevue,Wash., Apr. 11 (ME) was very early. Elsewherefirst arrivalswere spread irregularlyover Apr. 18-May 4. A Corn. Yellowthroatfound Mar. 7 at Pitt Meadows, B.C. (C. Butt), was over a month earlier than the usual arrival, andcould possibly have wintered nearby. Most firstarrival dates of yellowthroatswere Apr. 1-17 throughoutthe Region.A Yellow- breastedChat in JerichoP., Vancouver,B.C., May 16 furnishedthe eighth Vancouverarea record(pMP). First arrivalsof Wilson's War- blersin Puget Soundlocalities, s. V.I., and the Vancouver,B.C., area were Apr. 23-30. Two imm. c• Am. Redstartswere at LeadbetterPt., May 21 (RW, RKn), andan ad. $ Am. Redstartwas there May 23 (RW). These providedthe fifth and sixth outer coastalrecords for Washington.

BOBOLINK THROUGH BUNTINGS -- A $ Bobolinkseen May 28 at Iona I., B.C. (pMF, pTP, L. Koch) furnishedthe ninth Vancouver arearecord. This is thefifth straightyear that a Bobolinkhas appeared in the Vancouver, B.C., area or in SeattleMay 24-June3. A nesting colonyof 20-+ pairsof TricoloredBlackbirds was discoverednear the Medfordairport May 17+ (O. Swisher,m.ob.). NorthernOrioles had arrivedin the RogueR. valley of s. Oregonby Apr. 16 & 23 (MjM). Arrival over the remainderof the Regionn. to Vancouver,B.C., was AmericanAvocet/drawing by David Clelland.

906 AmericanBirds, September-October 1983 MIDDLE PACIFIC COAST REGION (LCB, DR), HoodedMerganser Apr. 30 near Arcata (KVR et al.), /Jules G. Evens, Richard A. Erickson, Kenneth V. Rosen- CanvasbackMay 6 L. Earl (JAR), BaldEagle Apr. 4 Humboldt(GJS), Sharp-shinnedHawk May 3 GrayLodge (BED), Cooper'sHawk May 6 berg Palomarin(DDeS), Swainson'sHawk Mar. 18 Merced(FB), Ferrugin- ousHawk Apr. 30 AltamontPass, Alameda (TG), Rough-leggedHawk "El Nifio" dominatedthe marineenvironment and was perhapsthe Mar. 28 Merced N.W.R. (RJB), Merlin Apr. 18 Ft. Dick (RAE), underlyingcause of thecontinuing excessive precipitation on land.The PeregrineFalcon May 25 Arcata (RAE, KVR) Am. Avocet May 20 warm oceantemperatures of wintercontinued through the periodwith Arcata(JS), LesserYellowlegs May 22 Marin (fide KFC), Willet May surfacereadings of 2øCor moreabove normal. Despite some NW winds 16 MercedN.W.R. (RJB), WanderingTattler May 29 Pt. Montara(JE), late in the season,nearshore waters never cooledsignificantly. As a RuddyTurnstone June 8 Arcata(RAE), Red Knot June8 Arcata(RAE), result,most food items(squid, rock fish larvae,anchovy, etc.) were in Black TurnstoneMay 14 F.I., SandefiingMay 28 MossLanding (PU, shortsupply and the effecton locally breedingseabirds was disastrous KHb), Dunlin June 8 Arcata (RAE), Short-billedDowitcher June 8 (AB, BBo, P.R.B.O.). This ongoingphenomenon will be coveredin Arcata,Long-billed Dowitcher May 22 L. Talawa(JAR), Com. Snipe depthin the forthcomingnesting season report. May 17 Arcata Bottoms(JS), N. PhalaropeJune 11 Eureka(RAE), Gillnettingmay exact an additionaltoll, asAlan Baldridgepoints out: VariedThrush May 22 F.I., "Audubon's"Warbler May 13Gray Lodge "the closureof MontereyBay insidethe 60 footcontour had the effect of (BED), Townsend'sWarbler May 22 Lafayette(LF); SavannahSpar- drivingthe refugeefishermen elsewhere in centraland northern Califor- row May 3 Humboldt(RAE), Lark SparrowMay 7 F.I., Dark-eyed nia. Newsof heavymurre kills (in thehundreds) in theHalt' Moon Bay JuncoApr. 13 Merced (RIB), White-crownedSparrow May 6 Gray areacame towards the end of theperiod. Gillnetters are now setting their Lodge (BED), Golden-crownedSparrow June 5 + Livermore(AE), netsin theimmediate vicinity of the FarallonIslands group, where bird White-throatedSparrow May 13AIviso (fide TG), FoxSparrow May 18 kills can be expected.Who is to monitorthem so far offshore?Setting Santa Clara (WB). nets in deepwater will still trap deep-divingalcids." Precipitationon themainland was more than twice the norm at many locationsfrom the coastto the Sierran/Cascadedivide. The subsequent ARRIVALS: BrownPelican Mar. 17 F.I., OspreyMar. 4 Humboldt high water levels benefitednesting waterfowl in Plumas/Lassenarea Bay (fide LD), Black-belliedPlover Mar. 13 Lower KlamathN.W.R. (DAA), the SacramentoValley •numbersdouble last year--BED) and (MR. RE). Whimbrel Mar. 5 MercedN.W.R. (RJB), Red Knot Mar. 26 SuisunMarsh (unprecedented numbers--BED) but also flooded shore- Arcata Bottoms(JS), Short-billedDowitcher Apr. 5 CrescentCity birds out of sometraditional sites while creatingothers. (RAE), Corn.Tern Apr. 9 TomalesBay (JE), Corn.Nighthawk May 29 All sightingsfrom Palomarinand s.e. FarallonIs. (hereafter,F.I.) L. Almanor (HG), Black Swift May 12 Dunsmuir(CSt) Vanx's Swift shouldbe creditedto Pt. ReyesBird Observatory(hereafter, P.R.B.O.). Mar. 28 Marin (KFC), Black-chinnedHummingbird Mar. 20 SanJoa- Reportsfrom theselocations were thoroughlyprovided by Dave De- quin (fide DY), RufousHummingbird Mar. 11 Palomarin(P.R.B.O.) Sante (Palomarin), Bob Bokelheide (F.I.) and Phil Henderson(F.I.). and King City (RLR), Allen's HummingbirdJan. 11 SantaCruz, Cos- Recordsfrom "CreightonRanch" refer to CreightonRanch Preserve ta's HummingbirdMar. 6-18 (N.Kerr, DY), Calliope Hummingbird (NatureConservancy) near Corcoran in TulareCounty and from "Gray Apr. 5, F.I., W. KingbirdMar. 24 Fremont(TG), Ash-throatedFly- Lodge" to Gray LodgeWildlife ManagementArea, at the junctionof catcherApr. 9 Merced(RJB,TG), Hammond's Flycatcher Apr. 15F.I., Colusa,Butte and Sutter Counties. In thefollowing text. placenames in Dusky FlycatcherApr. 18 Merced (RJB), Gray FlycatcherApr. 15 italics are counties. Merced(?RJB), W. FlycatcherMar. 28 Palomarin,W.Wood Pewee The followingare arrival and departuredates of speciesaway from Apr. 16 SutterButtes (WA) andBerkeley (SFB), Olive-sidedFlycatcher areasof breeding;exceptional dates are indicatedwith italics. Apr. 9 Sonoma(DB, PC), Bank Swallow Apr. 15 S.F. (PU), Barn Swallow Mar. 4 Stockton(DY), Cliff Swallow Feb. 13 Stockton(DY), PurpleMartin Mar. 26 Sacramento(B & HK), Swainson'sThrush Apr. DEPARTURES: HornedGrebe May 25 Arcata(RAE), EaredGrebe 28 Palomarin,Solitary Vireo Apr. 9 (late) Menlo Park (WB) and La- May 27 Pt. Lobos(JE), Manx ShearwaterMar. 5 MontereyBay (AB), fayette(LF), WarblingVireo Mar. 25 OlemaMarsh (JE, DS), Orange- Whistling Swan Apr. 20 TomalesBay (fide JE), OldsquawMar. 31 crownedWarbler Mar. 8 Pt. Reyes(fide DS), Yellow WarblerApr. 1 Patrick'sPoint S.P. (fideLD), Corn,Goldeneye Apr. 30 MossLanding S.F. Zoo (WB), Black-throatedGray Warbler Apr. 2 Carmichael(TM), HermitWarbler Apr. 15 CreightonRanch, Tulare (KH, RH), MacGil- livray's Warbler Apr. 9 Trinity (JWB), Wilson's Warbler Mar. 19 Son- oma (LCB), HoodedOriole Mar. 23 Stockton(DY), N. Oriole Mar. 13 S.F. (HP), W. TanagerApr. 14 Lafayette(LF), Black-headedGrosbeak •6 • U•TULEL. J Apr. 8 Inverness(RS), Blue GrosbeakApr. 20 San Joaquin (DY), Yrek• •2• LavaBEDS GrasshopperSparrow Apr. 18 Stanislaus(AE).

LOONS THROUGH HERONS-- Lake Almanorhas produced im- pressivespring concentrations of Corn. Loons in thepast but 60 there Apr. 20 (DAA) wasour greatestinland count ever. A late imm. Yellow- billedLoon wasat Pt. ReyesApr. 13 (?CH). The only LaysanAlbatross reported was off TrinidadMay 30 (G. •Jh ß •CLEARI. ßC,•e ,,• • Friedrichsen).Small numbers of N. Fulmarswere reported with five still ,,po ,. Woodland at the Corddie Banks,Marin, May 21 (AB, BB) and one sick bird at F.I., May 22. Pink-lootedand Sooty shearwaterswere reportedin lower-than-normalnumbers (m.ob.), probablyrelated to warmwaters, and Flesh-footedShearwater was unreported. One Short-tailedShear- waterwas on MontereyBay Mar. 5 and anotherthere May 14 estab- Fran•• •o• TM lishedthe Region'slatest record (both AB). A Fork-tailedStorm-Petrel on BodegaHarbor May 21 (AB) wasa raresight close to shore.Ashy •'•Oaklandß •te•"• eSahnas Storm-Petrelswere found at seaon MontereyBay (one May 14) andat the Corddie Banks:five May 2 (both AB, DE). Two hundredWhite Pelicanswere late n.w. of Los BanosMay 20 (BED). BrownPelicans apparently responded to "El Nifio" with sever- al reportsn. to theOregon border by mid-April,87 at F.I., by May 7, SanJose • •0 and 700 at Moss Landingin late May (fide AB). PaloAlto's winteringLeast Bittern was last seen Mar. 4 (fide SFB).

Vol. 37, Number 5 907 Out of placewere SnowyEgrets at the SmithR. estuaryMar. 12 (SS) boldt,and Trinity, where expected (m.ob.). Drummingbirds were coop- and at L. Almanor May 25-28 (HG). Three ad. Little Blue Herons(two erative on French Hill Rd., and Howland Hill in Del Norte and Swede suspectedof nesting)at the Alviso heronryon S.F. Bay N.W.R., May Creek in Trinity. 13 (RWL) was more than ever previouslyreported together in the Apparentmigrant Sandhill Cranes were noted over Sacramento Feb. Region. One at Lower Klamath N.W.R., Apr. 23-25 (RE, MR, SS) 17-Mar. 8 (900+•B & HK), SereneLakes, Placer, Mar. 6 (40+-- followedclosely last spring'sunprecedented record at nearbyTule Lake fide TB), andAuburn Mar. 8 (six--MA), but8000 were still at Merced N.W.R. N.W.R., Mar. 14 (RJB). Contraryto an earlier statement(AB 37:219), this speciesis not residentanywhere in thisRegion; occurrence outside the periodApril- SHOREBIRDS-- WinteringAm. GoldenPlovers (P.d. fulva) were Octoberis consideredcasual. Cattle Egret nestingon s. San Francisco lastseen at Lawsoh'sLanding, Marin, Apr. 9 (five--JE) andPt. Reyes Bayseems inevitable; several reports from the area include at leastseven Apr. 16(seven--fide DDeS) and May 10 (two--RS). Twobirds at the high-plumagedbirds in Fremontthroughout April andMay (TG, JM et Lodi sewageponds Mar. 3-Apr. 8 (DY) alsoapparently wintered. One al.) andone leaving the Alviso heronry May 13(RWL). Thehigh count wasin the ArcataBottoms Apr. 30 (fideLD) andrare on S.F. Bay were fromthe San Joaquin Valley was250 s. of StevensonMar. 7 (fide SFB). singlesat HaywardMar. 26 andAlameda Apr. 24 (bothfide SFB).Two White-facedIbises were notedas follows:ten nestingin a heronryat SnowyPlovers at Pt. PinoleReg. P., ContraCosta, Mar. 28 (RAE),one MendoraWildlife Area Apr. 7 (RHG); oneat DelevanN.W.R., Apr. 26 in the Sutterportion of Gray LodgeApr. 23 andanother in theButte (MR-H); one at the Yolo BypassMay 12 the first Sacramentoarea portionApr. 25-27(both BED) werein areaswith very few previous recordin over 9 years (B & HK); two at Merced N.W.R., May 21 records.A highcount of 72 MountainPlovers was made on the late dates (RJB); one at SacramentoN.W.R., May 22 and anothernear there at of Mar. 26-27 near Davis (fide SFB). Gray Hills HuntingClub May 26 (bothMR-H). Two BlackOystercatchers were at RichmondFeb. 24-Mar. 28 (BR, RAE et al.). Therewere only 2 previouse. S.F. Bayarea records, both WATERFOWL --Three FulvousWhistling-Ducks at MendotaPool, withinthe last year. There are veryfew recordsof Black-neckedStilt Fresno,May 7 (KH) werethe only ones seen. Single Ross' Geese out of from the coastn. of S.F. Bay; two wereat the Bolinassewage ponds their usualflyway were at StaffordL., Marin, mid March--May 11 May 21 (fide DDeS). (fide SFB), L. Earl, Del Norte, Apr. 8-21 (FB, RAE, JAR), and L. In contrastto the last2 springs,only ftve SolitarySandpipers were AlmanorApr. 11-12(DAA). ThirtySnow Geese in theArcata Bottoms foundalong the n. coastApr. 17-May I (JS, RAE, GSL, GJSet al.). Mar. 7 (fide LD) werethe only onesreported from the coast.Canada Inland,two wereat GrayLodge Apr. 26-27(BED) andone was at Yreka Geeseused a rain pondin Pleasantonfor nesting;two pairswith ftve May 17(MR). Theshorebird of theseason was a g' HudsonJanGodwit goslingswere there May I (AE). It isunknown whether these birds were at ArcataMay 17-20(RLeV, LD, •'RAE, ph. KVR et al.). The only relatedto theestablished East Bay population(see Lidicker and McCol- lum. 1979. WestBirds 10: 159-162) or were truly wild birds, perhaps crippled.Two birdsat DelevanN.W.R., May 19 (MR-H) were late. A Eur. Green-wingedTeal in the LoletaBottoms Apr. 12 (fide LD) wasthe only one reported. A broodof N. Shovelerss. of PetalumaMay 22 (fide KFC) was the first knownfrom Sonoma.Single wintering Tufted Duckswere last seenat Mill Valley Mar. 13 (fide SFB) and FosterCity Mar. 21 (PJM);a femaleat ArcataApr. 29-May4 (JS,RAE, KVR et al.) wasa springmigrant. O'Neill Forebay,Merced hosted 38 GreaterScaup Apr. 9 (TG), a high inlandcount. Both of the winter's mostcooperative eiders stayed very late: the • King Eider at Emery- villeto May 7 (AE) andthe • Steller'sEider atCrescent City to May 30 (RAE). Veryrare inside S.F. Baywere single g' HarlequinDucks at Pt. SanPablo Feb. 26 (BR) and at Fort Pt., SanFrancisco ca. Mar. 16-23 (fideSFB). An imm. Oldsquawat MossLanding to theend of May (fide AB) wasunusual, especially following the past winter's poor showing. A largeconcentration of 54 Barrow'sGoldeneyes at CastroPt., Rich- HudsonianGodwit. Arcata. CA. May 18, 1983. Photos/K.Rosenberg. mondMar. 24 mayhave been staging to migrateas none were found at the samelocaions 2 days later (fide SFB). unquestionableprevious Regional sighting was at the samelocation almosta decadeago (seeAB 29:908 and 32:252). A Red Knot at the RAPTORSTHROUGH CRANES -- An Ospreyat CreightonRanch Yolo BypassMay 7 (tfide B & HK) was a rare inlandmigrant. A Apr. 13-May 22 (KH) wasunexpected on the SanJoaquin Valley floor. Sandefiingapparently wintering at theHollister sewage ponds Feb. 23- In contrastto the pastwinter's mixed reports,White-tailed Kites were May I (KVV, KC) wasalso unusual inland. The Region'sfirst inland unanimouslyconsidered to be in lower than normalnumbers: coastal winterrecord was reportedin the previousseasonal report. Del Norte County (FB, RAE); SacramentoValley refuges(BED, MR- SemipalmatedSandpipers continue to bedetected in increasingnum- H); SanFrancisco and Monterey Bay areas(AB, HLC, DDeS). Unusual bers.This spring five werefound: very early in theArcata Bottoms Apr. low elevationGoshawks were found at CarmichaelApr. 2 (TM) and 19(?JS), Oakland Int'l AirportMay 12(SFB), Hayward Reg. Shoreline nearYreka May 4 (RE, MR). At thee. limit of theirrange along the n.w. May 21-22(BR), andCorcoran sewage ponds May 30 (?KH). Similar- Californiacoast, Red-shouldered Hawks are residentalong the Trinity ly, Baird's Sandpiperswere well reported:up to six in the Arcata R., at Hoopa,Willow Cr., Salyerand possibly Hawkins Bar, andup the BottomsApr. 15-18(GSL, JSet al.), two at the SmithR. estuaryApr. KlamathR., possiblyto SomesBar (KVR, JKWB, RAE). After their 17 (JS, RAE), anotherthere Apr. 30 (GSL), one at the Lodi sewage impressiveshowing last season,wintering Broad-winged Hawks were pondsApr. 20 (DY), andtwo at HaywardReg. Shoreline May 4 (BR). last seen at InvernessMar. 19 (LCB), Belmont Mar. 25 (PJM), n. of SinglePectoral Sandpipers were at theArcata Bottoms Apr. 17-21(JS, Afio NuevoSt. ReserveMar. 30 (RAE), ands. of Half Moon Bay Apr. RAE et al.), L. Earl, Del Norte, May 14 (GSL, JAR), and Hayward 12 (TG). The only previousApril regionalrecord was of an obvious Reg.Shoreline May 15-22(BR). Sincespring records of these3 species spring migrant. A "Harlan's" Hawk was near SusanvilleMar. 12 werealmost unheard of only 10 yearsago, we urgethat observers in this (HLC). An imm. GoldenEagle at PalomarinMar. 11 and a sub-adult Regioncontinue to properlydocument all suchreports. there Mar. 25 furnishedthe first springrecords for this long daily- A Ruff at MercedN.W.R., Apr. 25 (•'RJB)may well have wintered monitoredsite. In Monterey, s.e. of King City, Prairie Falconswere locallybut a strikingalternate-plumaged male at Pt. ReyesMay 18 (fMe virtuallyabsent where one or two pairsformerly resided, apparently the SFB) was clearly a springmigrant, only the secondsuch Regional result of an effective groundsquirrel poisoningcampaign last year record.Short-billed Dowitchers were notedinland at the Lodi sewage (RLR). pondsApr. 8 (four--DY), CreightonRanch Apr. 14 (two) andApr. 23 RuffedGrouse were reportedfrom 2 siteseach in Del Norte, Hum- (one--RH), ands. of DinubaApr.23 (one RHG). Redand N. phalar-

908 AmericanBirds, September-October1983 opesmade a verypoor showing with no reports received of Redson land JoaqmnValley floor from where there are only 4 previousrecords (fide or of Northernsfor the enhre monthof April (m.ob.). KH, RH). A Chordeilessp. nearAsh Mr., SequoiaN.P., Apr. 19 (GSM)must have been a vagrantLesser Nighthawk; the earliest record JAEGERSTHROUGH ALCIDS -- ParasiticJaegers were seen from of a Commonin theRegion is May 23. Othervagrant Lessers were on shoreat PigeonPt., May 4 (PJM) and Pt. LobosSt. ReserveMay 27 the coastat Pt. ReyesMay 3 (fide SFB) andat F.I., May 24. (JE). As expected,Pomatines far outnumberedParasitics offshore with only a singleParasitic reported: Monterey Bay May 14 (AB, DE). There SWIFTS THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS -- Ten Vaux's Swift at were no reportsof Long-tailedJaeger or S. PolarSkua. StoneLagoon, Humboldt, Mar. 12 apparentlywintered (GJS). Passage An ad. LaughingGull at LowerKlamath N.W.R., Apr. 24 (ph. SS) of Vaux'sSwift spanned Apr. 16-May8 witha peakof 1000+ moving wasperhaps the season'smost unexpected find; all previousRegional N overWillow Cr., May 8 (KVR). An earlyone at NovatoMar. 28 recordsare coastal.Three ad. Franklin'sGulls was a typicalshowing: (KFC) andthree at F.I., May 21 werethe only reports outside the above MadR. estuaryApr. 23 (fideLD); PajaroDunes, Santa Cruz, May 24 (J datesaway from breeding areas. Migratory flocks of Vaux's S wilts took & RW); Pinos,Monterey, May 26 (•'JE).The Stocktonsewage ponds refugefrom inclement weather in chimneysin coastalSan Mateo (PJM) continueto attractattention as a havenfor smalldark-headed gulls. The Four + d' Black-chinnedHummingbirds near GreenhornP., Yreka ad Black-headedGull was last seenthere Apr. 10 (fide SFB). As last May 11 + wasan unusualnumber there (RE, MR). RufousHumming- spnng,the winteringad. Little Gull wasjoined by a secondadult Apr. bird migrationwas strongat CorralHollow, SanJoaquin (DY) and 22-May 4; however,three Little Gulls thereApr. 26-30, establisheda coastallywith 24 atPalomarin Mar. 1l-Apr. 25 andnine at F.I., Apr. 17 Regionaland probably w. NorthAmerican record count. The last single a "remarkablehigh". Four + d' Anna'sand one + d' Allen'shum- bird was seenMay 9 (all DYet al.). mingbirdsdisplaying at 5200ft on IronsideMt., Trinity,June 2 (RAE) A Glaucous-wingedGull was inlandat the Stocktonsewage ponds wasat highelevation. One Anna's singing in SusanR. Canyon,Lassen, Mar. 9 (DY) andsingle Glaucous Gulls at Princetonharbor Mar. I (fide May 15 wasbeyond the boundries of its ' 'Pacificdrainage" distribution PJM) andBodega Bay Apr. 14 (CH) werethe only ones seen. An injured andis furtherevidence of breedingthere (see AB 36:1013).Six coastal Black-leggedKittiwake at Five Brookspond, Marin, Mar. 7 (fide JE) Costa'sHummingbirds Apr. 17-May 23 was a remarkableshowing andanother injured bird at Palo Alto BaylandsApr. 3 (fide WB) were threefemales at F.I., one male at PalomarinApr. 29, one femaleor unusualslightly inland. Sabine's Gulls were reported in normalnumbers imm. male at BodegaHarbor May 8 (KFC, JG) and an imm. male at offshoreMay 14-June4 (m.ob.) and30 werenoted passing Santa Cruz McKinleyvilleMay 7-8 (LD, RLeV et al.). CalliopeHummingbird May 15 (BLAB). migrationspanned Apr. 8-May 10 in theinterior with a peakof 20 at It is unclearwhether the low numberof Corn.Tern reportstruly CorralHollow, SanJoaquin, May 1 (DY). Five unusuallocations (4 representsa poor migration. Arctic Terns were seen offshore on Monte- coastal)for Calliopes(all males)included singles at F.I., Apr. 5; Berke- rey Bay May 14 (18--AB, DE), near F.I., May 21 (3--RWL), and at ley Apr. 17 (KHb); onefound dead in Sebastopol,Sonoma, Apr. 26 CordelleBanks May 21 (3--AB). From shore,ten passedSanta Cruz (CH,* BodegaMarine Lab); Bodega Bay Apr. 27 & May 6 (PH, NTC, May 15 (BLAB). SeveralLeast Terns on S.F. Bay at W. Pittsburghin L. Rodgers);Ammon Cr., s. of SalyerHumboldt, Apr. 29 (KVR). early May were suspectedof nestingnearby (fide SFB); thereis no confirmednesting n. of theAlameda area. Two BlackTerns at Hayward WOODPECKERS-- Up to 15 Lewis' Woodpeckersin San Antoreo May 17 (BR) providedthe only coastalreport. Valley,Santa Clara, through mid-May (AE, GB, WB et al.) wasthe A pair of Black Skimmersfrequented the Alamedaarea May 2-18 highestnumber reported. Three "Red-naped" Sapsuckers were found, (SFB, AE, JM et al.), at leastthe maleof whichwas banded. A pairof all in then.w. counties:Forks of SalmonApr. 3 (MR) andWeed Apr. 29 bandedskimmers was here last year andwe predictskimmers may soon (MR), bothSiskiyou, and a maleat IronsideMt. (elev.3900 ft) Trinity, breedin suitablehabitat on s. S.F. Bay. Also in an area of suitable May 26 (R.J. Reynolds,KVR). The latterrecord was intriguing as •t breedinghabitat was a skimmerat MossLanding May 13-14 (KVV, involvedan apparently territorial bird, however it couldnot be relocated KC, ph. PHo), wheresightings are increasing. afterthis initial sighting. Nuttall's Woodpecker was found coastward of The warmwaters of "El Nifio" wereundoubtedly responsible for the breedingareas as lateas Apr. 3 nearOlema, Marin (DS). frequentsightings of Xantus'Murrelets with one on Monterey Bay May 14 (AB), four at the CordelleBanks May 21 (AB, DE), one near F.I., FLYCATCHERS THROUGH SWALLOWS -- An E. Kingbird at May 21 (JW) andtwo thereMay 29 (AB). Near shoreone was at Bodega KlamathMay 30 (RAE) wasthe first and only report; most records are •n HarborMay 21 (AB, DE) andtwo wereat Pt. Lobos,Monterey, May 27 summer.Movement of W. Kingbirdswas impressiveat both interior (?JE). andcoastal locations; peak numbers and dates include 15 + nearCoul- terville,Mariposa, Apr. 10(HLC), tenat Alcatraz Is., S.F. BayApr. 15 PIGEONS THROUGH GOATSUCKERS -- Band-tailedPigeons (HP, I. Timossi),and ten at KlamathApr. 26 (RAE). Cassin'sKingbird weregenerally scarce except at Palomarinwhere "excellent numbers" wasagain found nesting in CorralHollow May 20 (DY, AE) andone werepresent after mid-April. In Carmichael,Sacramento, small flocks migratingN overheadat L. Merced, S.F., Apr. 15 (PU) was most wereseen overhead through May 22 (TM). At least7 activeBarn Owl unusual.Spring sightings of E. Phoebehave been increasing in recent nestsat LawrenceLivermore Laboratory (KHb, AE) indicateda con- years;one wasat SalmonCr., in Bodega,Sonoma, May 8-31 (?NTC, t•nuingstrong population in the LivermoreValley (seeAB 36:1012), ?KFC,JG et al.). A Say'sPhoebe in CorralHollow May 24 suggested howevernone was reportedelsewhere. Despite much field work by nestingthere (DY); thereare no breeding records for SanJoaquin. Say's observers(RAE et al.) in the n.w. countiesin May, only oneFlammu- Phoebeis a raremigrant in then.w. counties;six were reported Mar. 14- latedOwl wasfound near Salyer (M.R. Stoll). A PygmyOwl at Cedar lateApril withthree in coastalDel Norte,and one each in Humboldt, Pass,Warner Mts., Mar. 20 (KHb, PU) and a SpottedOwl at Arroyo Trinityand Siskiyou (m. ob.). Empidonaces"seemed somewhat scarce" Seco,Monterey, Apr. 9 (JW) wereat previouslyunpublished locations. duringmigration in theSacramento Valley (TM), howevercoastal pas- Thereare now at least3 separatesites where at leastthree Barred Owls sagewas exceptional (P.R.B.O., DDeS) ascharacterized by 6 species havebeen found: Redwood N.P., DelNorte, Mar. 3-Apr. 20 (?RAE et May 19 on outerPt. Reyes(DDeS). Reportsof Willow Flycatchers al ); Salyer,Trinity, March-May + (KVR, JWB, ?RAE et al.); Willow earlierthan May are highlysuspect; in the futureextratemporal reports Cr, Humboldt,Apr. 30-May 2 (RLeV, ?RAE, KVR). The Willow Cr. shouldbe accompaniedby supportingdetails. The migratory passage of b•rd wasdiscovered for the first time thisseason. Long-eared Owl was Willowswas concentrated in thelast 2 weeksof May, asusual. Arrival foundbreeding in early May at ShastaValley, Siskiyou(RE, MR) and at AckersonMeadows, Tuolumne, was pinpointedto May 16 (none EsteroTrail, P.R.N.S. (C. Cutler,fideJE). Only five Short-earedOwls presentMay 14)with two individuals responding to tapes(NN). A Least were reported:three at Lower KlamathN.W.R. (CSt); one at Grizzly Flycatcherat Pt. ReyesMay 19-20 (?DDeS, ?JE) was one of few Is , Solano(BED), oneat CreightonRanch (RH). This speciesseems to mainlandspring records. Hammond's Flycatcher migration spanned be m serioustrouble within the Region. A Saw-whetOwl washeard in Apr. 18-May20 in thelowlands. Seemingly territorial Hammond's at CoulterPine at 3000 ft elevationon FremontPeak, SanBenito, May 1 LostClaim Campground, Stanislaus N.F., Tuolumne(elev. 3000 ft) •n (KVV, KC), apparentlya new location for this"vagarious" species. A May andearly June suggested breeding at that low elevation(MM) Poor-will at CreightonRanch May 12 (RH) was a rarity on the s. San DuskyFlycatcher lowland migrants were found Apr. 18-May12 in the

Vol 37, Number 5 909 C V (RJB, TM, DY), Apr 20-May 12 in the n w counUes(KVR, Wlntenng Black-and-whiteWarblers were last seennear Ft Dick RAE, RleV) and May 3-28 on the coastof F.I. and Pt. Reyes(DDeS, Mar. 6 (JAR) an at Half Moon Bay Mar. 17 (PJM); oneat GoldenGate JE, RS). One singingat Chew's Ridge, Monterey,May 28 (PU, KHB, P., Mar. 12 (PU, KHB) may have winteredlocally. Five coastal *San Diego Mus. Nat. Hist.) was a locationwhere breeding has been grantswere found Apr. 19-May 23. ThreeTennessee Warblers at F I, suspectedfor years but has yet to be confirmed."Unprecedented" Apr. 22 werevery early; ten at F.I., May 23-29and one at Dillon Beach, numbersof Gray Flycatcherswere recordedat lowland locationsApr. Marin, May 22 (JE) were more typical. Of two Tennesseesat Half 15-May 21 with ten at F.I., 16+ in the n.w. counties(13+ in Hum- Moon Bay Mar. 17, at least one wintered (PJM). Orange-crowned boldt--RAE, KVR, JS, CAT), four in the C.V. (RJB, BED, TM, DY) Warblermigration pulsed Apr. 17, May 4 & 13 at F.I. Six Nashwlle and five on the c. coast(m.ob.). First countyrecords were apparently Warblersat Half Moon Bay Mar. 10 wasan exceptionalwinter concen- providedin TrinityApr. 28-May 5 (JWB et al.), SanJoaquin Apr. 23 tration (PJM); numberswere fairly high everywherein the lowlands (DY, R. Acker)and Merced Apr. 15(?RJB). Passage of W. Flycatcher with 30 at Willow Cr., Apr. 25 (KVR) the highestnumber reported was unimpressive,although reporting was light. An unprecedented Interestingly,only one Nashvillewas at F.I., andthat at the late dateof wave of W. Wood Peweeslittered F.I., May 22-29 with a peak of 80 May 23. ThreeN. Parulaswere reported on thecoast: S.F., May 3 (ftde presentMay 28, of which 59 were banded. SFB); Five Brooks,Marin, May 25 (fide SFB); F.I., May 28. Five At Palomarin,higher numbersof Violet-greenSwallows than any MagnoliaWarblers on the immediatecoast May 23-30 includeda Del otheryear correspondedwith a markedscarcity of Tree Swallows.A Norte first at Pt. Saint GeorgeMay 30 (RAE). The only Cape May Barn Swallow at AckersonMeadows in YosemiteMar. 31 (JW) was Warbler was a male at F.I., May 26. "Last" and late datesfor "Myr- slightlyearlier than the previousearly date for the Sierra. tle" Warblers include one female at Mines Rd., Alameda, May 10 (DDeS), one female at Klamath May 15 (RAE), and one male at Pt CORVIDS THROUGH THRASHERS -- A ScrubJay at L. Almanor ReyesJune 2 (JE). At HennessyPeak, Trinity,the first "Audubon's" May 12 (DAA) waswithin the time periodof springwandering from Warblersinging on territorywas Apr. 14 (KVR). Little is knownabout breedingareas. Pition Jay wasconfirmed breeding at Markleville,Al- arrivaldates of montanespecies to breedinggrounds but information ptne, May 27 (LCB). Twenty + Clark's Nutcrackersat L. Almanor slowlyaccruing. One Black-throatedGray Warblernear W. Sacramen- Apr. 20 providedthe only springrecords from that area(DAA). A to, Yolo,Mar. 26 probablywintered locally (TM); primarymovement Black-cappedChickadee at SalyerApr. 16(JWB) furnished one of few throughthe C.V. occurredApr. 9-May 8 (WA, RJB, BED). Black- Trtnity records.Chestnut-backed Chickadees nesting at Ackerson throatedGrays were first singingon territoryin Trinity,Apr. 7 (KVR), at MeadowMay 30 (JW) furnishedthe second confirmed breeding record AckersonMeadow, YosemiteApr. 10 (JW) SequoiaN.P., Apr. 10 for YosemiteN.P. (first 1982;AB 36:891).Perhaps the harshweather (GSM), and Santa Clara Apr. 12 (WB). Townsend'sWarbler moved hasaffected Bushfits. At Palomaringood recovery was evident in March throughthe C.V., Apr. 17-May 17. Fourcoastal Black-throated Green andApril, howeverthere were no successfulnests and the species was Warblerswas a highspring count; three were at F.I., May 22-24and a scarceby theend of theperiod; in Placerit wasrare all season(MA). malewas at Pt. ReyesMay 28-29(JM, AE, GB, m.ob.).Extremely rare Winter Wren was found both above and below its known altitudinal in spring,especially on the mainland,was a BlackburnianWarbler at rangein the YosemiteSierra (MM). SingleBewick's Wrens n.e. of SantaCruz May 21 (B. Palfalvy,fide SFB). A singingYellow-throated Litchfield, Lassen,Mar. 12 and n. of Honey L., Mar. 13 (HLC) pro- Warbler(D. d. albilora) wasat PacificGrove May 27 (W. Russell,DR), v•dedearly "arrival" datesfor the GreatBasin district of the Region, there have been 6 mainland springrecords since the first in 1979 however,because this population is in partresident, in partnfigratory, Chestnut-sided,Bay-breasted and Blackpoll warblers were absent. Sin- Influx is difficult to assess. A Brown Thrasher at Ranch del Oso Mar. 25 gle PalmWarblers were at CrescentCity Apr. 21 (a winterer--RAE) (?GJS,R. Sermon)provided the secondSanta Cruz record of a species andF.I., May 26. SingleOvenbirds were at Pt. ReyesMay 20 (JE) and thatseems capable of appearinganywhere at anytime,although rarely. LanphereDunes, Humboldt, May 25-27 (RAE): five wereat F.I., May 23-28. A Kentucky Warbler was at F.I., May 23, wheremost records THRUSHESTHROUGH STARLINGS-- With theexception of ten originate.Six Yellow-breastedChats were singingat Gray Lodgeafter •n Willow Cr. Canyon, Sonoma,Mar. 19 (LCB), Varied Thrush was arrivingApr. 25 with threeremaining through the period;this species rare away from breedingareas. One •? MountainBluebird at Bodega was not knownto breedthere prior to 1982 (BED). Coastalmigrant HeadApr. 13 (CH) andone near Ofick, Humboldt, Apr. 26 (GJS)fell chatswere at BodegaBay Apr. 27 (PH, NTC) andSanta Cruz May 2 withinthe phenology of springcoastal vagrant records. Departure dates (BLAB). A • HoodedWarbler was at F.I., May 23. A first-year for winteringBlue-gray Gnatcatchers were well recorded:Half Moon CanadaWarbler at Pt. ReyesMay 28 (JM) furnishedapparently the first Bay Mar. 17 (PJM), andthree that wintered at Palomarinwere last seen mainlandspring record; the other five springrecords are from F.I. Four Mar. 31, Apr. 14, andMay 3, respectively.One at KillgoreHills near coastalAm. Redstartswere found May 21-27. YrekaApr. 12 (RE) wasearly for then.w. countiesand one at Smith R., Apr. 30 (GSL) was an. coastrarity (3rd Del Norterecord). Ruby- ICTERIDS THROUGH TANAGERS -- One Bobolink visited F I, crownedKinglets were found very late in thelowlands. Last dates from May 24. Yellow-headedBlackbirds at Moss LandingApr. 30 (15-- representativelocations include: one at CarmichaelMay 22 (TM), two LCB) andFt. Dick May 3 (onemale--JAR) wererare coastal vagrants onouter Pt. ReyesMay 28 (JM), two onMr. Tamalpais,Marin, June4 Two-fourTricolored Blackbirds nesting at then. endof HoneyL., May (DSi).On F.I., 3 migrantpulses were noted: Apr. 6 (15),Apr. 16(225), 28 (TM) apparentlyestablished a new breedingstation. Five W. Tan- May 3 (25).Cedar Waxwings lingered through spring in theC.V. (DY, agersin March must have wintered locally. RJB, TM) andin theWillow Cr. area(KVR); at Bolinas,after an earlier absence,there was a strongsurge of waxwingsin late May (DDeS). FRINGILLIDS -- Eight Rose-breastedGrosbeaks were concentrated SingleLoggerhead Shrikes at KlamathMar. 17(RAE) and F.I., Apr. 19 near the c. coast May 16-28. Blue Grosbeaksat unusuallocations were extremelyrare at each location. Even more unusualat F.I., the includean imm. maleat BucksMeadow (elev. 2900 ft), Toulumne,May substantialStarling population had vacated the island by Apr. 30! 15 (MM et al.) anda maleat F.I., May 19 Six IndigoBuntings (includ- ing threeat F.I.) wereon the c. coastApr. 23-May 28. Five d' Lazuh VIREOS THROUGH WARBLERS -- A White-eyedVireo at Pt. Buntingshad returnedto SequoiaN.P., by Apr. 26 (GSM); coastal ReyesLighthouse May 19(?DHE, JH, ?DDeS)was a truerarity provid- migrantpeaks included eight at Neary'sLagoon, Santa Cruz, May 1-2 ing the Regionwith the fourthrecord, all in spring.Hutton's Vireo, (BLABet al.) andeight at KlamathMay 8 (RAE). A d' Dickcisselat unknownto the SutterButtes 5 yearsago, continue to be foundthere TrinidadMay 17 (GJS,GSL, JS, RAE et al.) providedthe third n. coast rarelywith threesinging Apr. 16-17 (WA, BED). A Yellow-throated record(all Humboldt),first for spring.The onlyPine Grosbeaks were 16 Vireoat Elk Head,n. of Trinidad,Humboldt, Apr. 28 (GSL,GJS et al.) at the Cedars,Placer (6000 ft elev.) Apr. 16 (TB et al.). The dearthof furnishedthe fifth Regionalrecord and a first for the n.w. counties. PineSiskins continues (LF, P.R.B.O.). An Am. Goldfinchin Sequoia SolitaryVireo migration spanned Apr. 9-May 21. A singleRed-eyed N.P., at 4000 It, Mar. 9 (GSM) providedapparently a firstrecord for V•reowas at F.I., May 22. Passageof WarblingVireo through the C.V. Sequoia/KingsCanyon N.P. (fide GSM). Three Green-tailedTowhees wasunusually heavy (BED) andspanned Apr. 16-May18 (WA, RJB, in the SanJoaquin Valley wasunusual; Creighton Ranch May 3 (KH), BED, DY) withpeaks Apr. 25 in Mercedand May 11 at GrayLodge. RuAnnDairy May 3 (fideKH), bothTulare, and Fresno May 6-10 (ftde Onesinging at OakGrove P., SanJoaquin, June 3 wasquite late (DY). KH). Lessunusual was one near AuburnMay 6-10 (MA). Six singing

910 AmericanB•rds, September-October 1983 GrasshopperSparrows near Tres Pitios, San Benito, May 28 (KVV, KC) white Warbler at San Jose should be credited to Peter LaTourette, not wereat a newlocation. Migrant Vesper Sparrows were noted on the n. WBa. coastApr. 7-23 (FB, GJS, et al.). Rufous-crownedSparrow was found breedingat Palomarinfor the first time since1979. Several pairs of CONTRIBUTORS -- D.A. Airola, Walt Anderson, Maurine Ar- Rufous-crownedand Sagesparrows at CorralHollow (DY) werepre- mour, R.J. Bacon, S.F. Bailey, Alan Baldridge,Bruce Barrett (BB), viouslyunknown as breeding species in SanJoaquin County (fide DY). Dennis Beall, Ted Beedy, L.C. Binford, GeorgeBing, Bob Boekel- A singingClay-colored Sparrow at Pt. ReyesMay 10 & 12 (RS) pro- heide(BBo), Wm. Bousman,J.W. Brach,Fred Broerman, K.F. Camp- videdthe secondmainland spring record (first 1982)for the Region. bell, KarenCartier, H.L. Cogswell,Pain Conley,N.T. Conzett,Dave Brewer'sSparrows were in theC.V. at CreightonRanch Apr. 26 & 28 DeSante,Linda Doerflinger,B.E. Duell, Art Edwards,D.H. Edwards, (RH) andthree at L. YosemiteMay 12 (•RJB). Oneat Trinidad,Hum- David Ekdahl, Ray Ekstrom,B.G. Elliott, R.A. Erickson,Jules Evens, boldt, May 17 (JS, GSL et al.) was an. coastrarity. After a strong LynnFarrar, Tim Gates,R.H. Gerstenberg,Frank Gibson, Golden Gate showingthis winter, Harris' Sparrow were found in goodnumbers with Aud. Soc., Helen Green, Kern Hainebach(KHb), Leslie Haness,Keith threein the C.V. (BED, AE, DY) andthree in the n.w. counties(RAE, Hansen, Rob Hansen, John Harris, Phil Henderson,Craig Hohen- GSL et al.); the last date in both areaswas May 2. White-crowned berger,Philip Hooge(PHo), VernonJohnson, Betty & Harold Kimball Sparrowmigration spanned Apr. 6-May 16at F.I., withpulses Apr. 18 (B&HK), Bruce LaBar (BLAB), G.S. Lester, Ron LeValley, R.W. (43) andMay 3 (15). The winter'sdearth of Fox Sparrowscontinued Lowe, John Luther, Tim Manolis, Marie Mans, Marin Aud. Soc., P.J. throughspring (m.ob.). Lincoln's Sparrow was recorded at low breed- Metropulos,Joe Morlan, Holly Peake,Point ReyesBird Observatory, ing (?) elevationsin the Sierra:Ackerson Meadow, May 15 (JW) and R.J. Reynolds,Elsie Richie, BobRichmond, M.F. Rippey, Mike Rob- YosemiteValley May 29 (VJ). The last(and only) SwampSparrow bins, Don Roberson,J.A. Rooney,K.V. Rosenberg,Marguerite Ross- reportwas from Palo Alto BaylandsMar. 17(F. Damminger,fideWB). Hills (MR-H), R.L. Ryno, HowardSakai, George San Miguel (GSM), Two LaplandLongspurs that winteredin San Mateo, at Redwood Don Schmoldt (DSc), Dave Shuford, Dianne Sierra (DSi), Rich Stall- Shoreswere last seen Mar. 2 (PJM). FifteenLaplands at L. TalawaApr. cup, John Sterling, G.J. Strachan,Chris Stromsness(CSt), Chris 2 (KHb, PU) and one near Orick May 7 (GJS) were the last ones Swarth (CSw), Steve Summers,C.A. Taylor, Phil Unitt, Kent Van- reported. Vuren, John & Ricke Warfiner (J&RW), Jon Winter, David Yee -- RICHARD A. ERICKSON (loons through alcids) P.O. Box 657, Klamath, Ca., 95548; KENNETH V. ROSENBERG (loonsthrough CORRIGENDA -- In AB 36:327, the sentenceon Barn Swallow aleids) P.O. Box 20, Willow Creek, Ca. 95578; JULES EVENS shouldread "... andseven were inland at Los BanosDec. 29 (fide (pigeonsthrough sparrows) P.O. Box 839, Pt. Reyes Station, Ca. KFC)." Also in thatreport "one LaplandLongspur was near Davis, 94956. Pleasesend seasonal waterbird observations to Ron LeValley Yolo Co. (notSolano Co.) Jan23 (RAE). InAB 37:221the Black-and- 1876 Ocean Dr., McKinleyville, Ca. 95521.

SOUTHERN PACIFIC COAST REGION The movementof landbirds,on the otherhand, was unimpressive /Guy McCaskie with no largeconcentrations reported (most observers commented on thepaucity of migrantlandbirds). However, first arrivals of ourregular- ly occurringsummer visitors appeared much as in previousyears. The wet weatherof the wintercontinued on into the springwith stormspersisting into early May. This stormyweather caused large ABBREVIATIONS -- F.C.R. = Furnace Creek Ranch in Death numbersof migrantwaterbirds moving northwardout of the Gulf of Valley National Monument;N.E.S.S. = northend of the Salton Sea, California to become "grounded," with flocks of Brant and Surf RiversideCo.; S.D.N.H.M. = SanDiego Natural History Museum; Scoters"downed" on someinland lakes, and impressivenumbers of S.E.S.S. = southend of the SaltonSea, ImperialCounty. shorebirdsconcentrated at the north end of the SaltonSea. During stormyconditions in spring,exceptionally strong winds funnel through The early arrivaldates for someof our key migrantswere: Wilson's the San GorgonioPass and down the CoachellaValley northof the PhalaropeApr. 1, Daggett;N. PhalaropeApr. 23, SaltonSea; Corn. SaltonSea stopping most migrant shorebirds moving northward up the TernApr. 24, SanDiego; Least Tern Apr. 17, SanDiego; Elegant Tern ImperialValley and acrossthe SaltonSea. Mar. 12, SanDiego; Black Tern Apr. 13, SaltonSea; Lesser Nighthawk Mar. 21, DesertCenter; Vaux's Swift Apr. 13, SaltonSea; Black- chinnedHummingbird Mar. 24, SanTimoteo Canyon; W. Kingbird Mar. 9, ThousandPalms; Ash-throated Flycatcher Apr. 3, Huntington Beach;Willow FlycatcherMay 8, SanDiego, Hammond's Flycatcher Mar. 10, San Diego;W. FlycatcherMar. 9, San Diego;W. Wood . .:. • (• • PeweeApr. 13, SaltonSea; Olive-sided Flycatcher Apr. 3, SantaBar- bara; Swainson'sThrush Apr. 14, Morro Bay; Bell's Vireo Mar. 24, Willow Hole; SolitaryVireo Mar. 24, DesertHot Springs;Warbling Vireo Mar. 5, Anaheim; Nashville Warbler Mar. 24, Willow Hole; YellowWarbler Apr. 1, Victorville;Black-throated Gray Warbler Mar. Obispo.•,,• e,;;;• O•UENA Vista tA• 20, SanDiego; Hermit Warbler Apr. 18, Carpinteria;MacGillivray's WarblerMar. 24, Willow Hole; Yellow-breastedChat Apr. 20, Mono •,• •'•;• •t • • DESERT Creek; Wilson's Warbler Mar. 9, ThousandPalms; Scott's Oriole Mar. 23, Apple Valley; HoodedOriole Mar. 7, Irvine; N. OrioleMar. 12, Borb•ra •e S•NBEeN•D•NO SanDiego; W. TanagerApr. 11, Goleta;Black-headed Grosbeak Mar. •e• %• •Z• • •tS.' • • ' •" o• Los ,]. •'• 24, Cabazon;Blue Grosbeak Apr. 13, SaltonSea; Lazuli Bunting Apr. • • o•- •"•' .• 1, Victorville;Black-chinned Sparrow Mar. 10, nearSan Diego. •"•*• • •&,• _•-M•:• • *•, •.•o.jo•o SPRING MOVEMENT OF WATERBIRDS OUT OF THE GULF OF CALIFORNIA -- For yearswe have known that large numbersof waterbirds,not normallyencountered inland in California,spend the PACIFtC. son• winters in the Gulf of California, and we have assumed these birds migrateacross s. Californiawhen migrating N eachspring. Stormy conditionsin springof otheryears has grounded some of thesebirds, but

Vol. 37, Number5 911 stormyconditions in springin s Cahfornlaare the exception rather than HAWKS-- A one-year-oldMississippi Kite was at F C R, May 28- the rnle, so mostof thesebirds go undetected.However, with storn• 30 (CC) andan adultwas nearImperial Beach June 5 (DP) for the 12th frontspersisting to the first of May, andthe regularchecking of L. and 13th to be found in the Region, but the specieshas been found Henshaw(located on a n.w. line betweenthe headof the Gulf of duringeach of the past3 springsand appears to be on theincrease as a Californiaand the Pacific) in the mountainsof San Diego Countyby vagrantto California.A Red-shoulderedHawk in theFremont Valley of RHi, we now have a better understandingof the magnitudeof this e. Kern Co., May 21 (LK) andanother at YaquiWells in e. SanDiego movement.Common Loons were found on 6 visits Mar. 21-Apr. 29, Co., Mar. 6 (WDW) were both outsidethe species'normal range in withhigh counts of 317 Apr. 18 and194 Apr. 29; at least15 Horned California.Of 9 reportsof Swainson'sHawks Mar. 23-May22, 7 were Grebeswere found on 8 visitsMar. 4-Apr. 29, with a highcount of three of singlebirds, one was of three togetherover Yucca Valley, San Mar. 31; Brantwere present on virtuallyevery visit Mar. 4-Apr. 29, BernardinoCo., Apr. 17 (RMeK) andthe other was of 85 passingover with an amazing754 Mar. 4, alongwith otherconcentrations such as 85 San BernardinoMar. 27 (R&JK); this was one of the largestspring Mar. 18 and74 Mar. 21, and Surf Scoterswere alsoregularly encoun- flocksreported in thepast 20 years.An ad. Zone-tailedHawk at F.C.R, teredMar. 4-May 1, withan unprecedented 1000_ + Mar. 16-18,along May 31 (LRB) wasunusually far N., andonly the secondever to be withother large numbers such as 173 Mar. 21, 57 Mar. 11 and52 Mar. foundin Inyo County.Two Rough-leggedHawks in theAntelope Val- 4 Thesebirds remained "grounded" for onlybrief periods, with virtu- ley nearLancaster, Los AngelesCo., Apr. 16 (KLG) werequite late, ally nonepresent during clear periods between storms. Never before and unexpectedafter a winter durngwhich few were presentin this havenumbers such as thesebeen reported from inlandlocations any- Region.An imm. BaldEagle at S.E.S.S., Mar. 22 (BED) wasin an area wherein thesouthwest, and some match numbers hoped for duringgood where now quite rare. A PeregrineFalcon near LancasterApr. 16 daysof movementalong the coast. (KLG) and anotherat N.E.S.S., Apr. 23 (GMeC) were away from known nestinglocalities. LOONS, ALBATROSSES-- SingleCom. Loonsnear Bakersfield, KernCo., Apr. 10 (MHe) andat Shoshone,Inyo Co., May 30 (WDW) RAILS -- A callingBlack Rail in MorongoValley, SanBernardino alongwith 16in flightover the summit of Mt. Palomar,San Diego Co., Co., May 10(EAC) was only the second to have been found in the desert Apr. 18(RHi) were alJ at unusual localities. A Red-throatedLoon on L. regionsof Californiaaway from the lower Colorado R., andaround the Peepis,Riverside Co., Mar. 24-26 (AMC), singlebirds on L. Henshaw Salton Sea. Mar. 11 andApr. 26, andthree there Apr. 18 (RHi) were in the trne interiorwhere considered casual. A LaysanAlbatross discovered dead SHOREBIRDS-- A flock of 50 + Black Oystercatchersflying N on the shore n. of Oceanside,San Diego Co., Mar. 31 (LBel,* pastCayucos, San Luis Obispo Co., Apr.22 (TME)was an exceptional S D.N.H.M.) was one of very few ever to have beenfound in s. concentration,and two on Pt. Lomain SanDiego Apr. 23 (BP)were at a California. locationwhere the species is rare.The only spring migrant Am. Golden Ploversreported were one near Del Mar, SanDiego Co., Apr. 21-22 (DKi), anotherinland at N.E.S.S., May 6 (TW) andan exceptionally TROPICBIRDS, PELICANS, CORMORANTS -- A Red-billed late individualin San Diego June4-8 (DKi). A stunningbreeding- Tropicbird10 min. of SantaBarbara I., May24 (CD)was exceptionally plumagedSpotted Redshank at N.E.S.S.,Apr. 30-May 6 (DD, AS, early,being only the secondfound in s. Californiawaters in May. A ph.S.D.N.H.M.) was the first to have been found in California; howev- youngBrown Pelican at N.E.S.S., Apr. 23 (GMcC)was the first ever er, thisspecies isa somewhatregular stray to Alaska, with four recorded foundin thisinland locality in April. An ad. OlivaceousCormorant, in coastalBritish Columbia, and anotherrecorded in coastalOregon, onlythe fourth to have been found in California,among nesting Double- hence,was being looked for by Californiabirders. A SolitarySandpip- crestedCormorants at S.E.S.S., Feb. 27-Mar. 5 (GMcC) appearedto be er, rarein spring,was in AnaheimMay 15-17(DRW). RuddyTurn- defendinga nestsite, but was evidently driven off by itslarger relatives. stoneswere continually present on the Salton Sea Apr. 23-May 7 witha highcount of 11on May 1 (GMcC);one on Owens L., May30 (RMcK) HERONS,STORKS, IBISES -- At leasttwo ad. Little Blue Herons wasthe only one found inland away from the Salton Sea, and was only werepresent around San Diego throughout the period, frequenting a the secondever found in Inyo County.A BlackTurnstone, a casual nestingcolony of Cattleand Snowy egrets near Imperial Beach, San springstraggler to theSalton Sea, was at SaltonCity Apr. 24 (GMcC) DiegoCo., during May (EC). Sixty Cattle Egrets in Santa Barbara Mar. Two Surfbirdswere at SaltonCity May 1 (GMcC);three April records 1 (TW) wasa largenumber for that area. The ad. Reddish Egret that fromthe Salton Sea and a May recordfrom the Antelope Valley are all winteredaround San Diego was last seen Mar. 26 (EC),and the last of the previousrecords from the interiorof s. California.Migrant Red thethree Louisiana Herons wintering around Imperial Beach remained Knotswere regularly found on the SaltonSea Mar. 26-May7 with a toApr. 5 (JL).The ad. Yellow-crowned Night Heron found on San Elijo peakof 300+ May 1 (GMcC);one at N.E.S.S., June5 (JO) was Lagoonnear San Diego Feb. 20 wasstill present Mar. 6 (DKi),and exceptionallylate. A Sanderlingat F.C.R., May 14-15(DRW) was the another(possibly the same bird) was associating with breeding Black- onlyone found inland away from the Salton Sea. Up to fourSemipal- crownedNight Herons in nearby La Jolla May 23-June 1(MR). A Wood matedSandpipers were at N.E.S.S., Apr. 30-May6 (GMcC,JLD), Stork,now exceptionally rare away from S.E.S.S., and casual-to-acci- small numbersof these birds are now found on the Salton Sea each dentalanywhere outside the summer/early fallseason, was near Ocean- spring.The Rock Sandpiper that wintered near San Simeon, San LulS sideMar. 26 (SW) andApr. 23 (AF), andanother was in the Prado ObispoCo., waslast seen Mar. 26 (GPS).The only spring migrant Stilt Basinnear Riverside Apr. 22 (KK).A flockof 23White-faced Ibises in Sandpipersto befound on the Salton Sea were three at S.E.S.S., May 7 Goleta,Santa Barbara Co., Apr. 13 (DBa) was a largenumber for this (GMcC);however, one was at OwensL., May 30 (RMcK) in an area area,especially in spring. wherethe species iscasual at best. Two Ruffs in theSan Jacinto Valley nearSan Jacinto Apr. 11-15(BC, EAC) werethe firstto havebeen GEESE,DUCKS --Forty Brantat N.E.S.S.,Mar. 19(GMcC) was foundin RiversideCounty. A RedPhalarope, always a rarefind inland, theonly flock found inland away from L. Henshaw,and up to fiveat wasnear Lancaster May 22 (H&PB). N E.S.S., Apr. 23+ (GMeC)were summering. One or twoFulvous WhistlingDucks on the Kern N.W.R., inthe s. S an Joaquin Valley Apr. JAEGERS,GULLS, TERNS-- An ad. PomarineJaeger, accidental 21-May5 (MP)were unexpected, this species being virtually unrecord- inland,at N.E.S.S., May 29 (RRV) wasthe firstjaeger to be found edin recentyears away from S.E.S.S. Two Harlequin Ducks at Atasca- inland in s. Californiain spring,and is presumedto have become deroBeach Pt., in MorroBay, San Luis Obispo Co., Apr.22-23 (MHa) "trapped"in the Gulf of Californiawhile migrating N alongthe w werein anarea where the species may prove to beregular. A SurfScorer coastof Mexico.A first-summerGlaucous Gull at N.E.S.S., May 14+ in Anaheim,Orange Co., Mar. 17 (DRW), fouron L. Elsinore,River- (RMcK, ph. S.D.N.H.M.) wasevidently attempting to summerat this sideCo., Mar. 21 (BS), five in flightover Mt. PalomarApr. 17 (RHi), inlandlocality. A first-summerGlaucous-winged Gull at N.E.S.S , andanother at N.E.S.S., May 1 (GMcC)were all migrantsmoving out May7 (GMcC)and a first-summerThayer's Gull at thesame location of the Gulf of California acrosss. California. A c• Black Scoter on L. Apr. 30-May5 (GMcC)were both inland where rare. A HerringGull HenshawMar. 18 (RHi) was one of very few ever found inland. nearLancaster May 1 (JLD)was one of veryfew ever to be found inland

912 AmericanBirds, September4)ctober1983 awayfrom the SaltonSea and along the ColoradoR valley A first- breedingpopulation has been established for nearly20 years An Ash- summerLaughing Gull at RedondoBeach, Los AngelesCo., May 10 throatedFlycatcher at MountranPalm Springs in e. SanDiego Co , (N&NS) andtwo adultsin SanDiego June 4 (DP) werealong the coast Mar. 13 (LD) mayhave wintered locally, this date being some 2 weeks where considered casual. Franklin's Gulls were more numerous than earlyfor a springmigrant. A DuskyFlycatcher, exceptionally rare along usualwith 35 + reportedApr. 30- end of May includingfour near the coastin spring,was on Pt. Lomain SanDiego Apr. 21 (EC), and LancasterMay 15 (FH), eightnear L. Isabella,Kern Co., May 27 (KH) nineGray Flycatchers, another scarce bird along the coast in spring, and 19 at N.E.S.S., May 15 (RRV). An ad. Heermann'sGull at were found there Apr. 6-30. A bird identified as a melanisticTree N.E.S.S., Apr. 23 (GMcC) was inland where consideredcasual, and Swallowwas carefullystudied in NeedlesMay 22 (KLG); the bird establishedthe earliestdate for thisspecies on the SaltonSea. Two first- superficiallyresembled some of theneotropical swallows of thegenera summerSabine's Gulls at N.E.S.S., May 29 (RRV) undoubtedly Notiochelidonand Neochelidon, but lacked the right shape and pattern, reachedthe areafrom the Gulf of California,and were nearly a month however,it couldeasily have beenso identifiedby a lesscautious earlierthan previous "spring" recordsfor thisarea. Counts of 50 Black observer. Ternsat the Edwards Air ForceBase marsh near Lancaster May 1 (JLD) and 80 thereMay 15 (FH) indicataedthe periodduring which this CROWS THROUGH VIREOS -- A Corn. Crow near Lancaster Mar speciesmoves through s. California. 12 (KLG) wasonly the second to befound in theAntelope Valley, we stillhave much to learnabout the factors determining the ranges of Com DOVES THROUGH WOODPECKERS -- Four White-winged Ravensand Com. Crowsin s. California,some areas supporting only Dovesfound on Pt. Loma in San Diego May 24-June5 (EC), one in one of thesespecies while otherareas play hostto both.A Pygmy AnaheimMay 21 (SG) andanother at LindaMia Ranchin the Antelope Nuthatchin W. Los AngelesMay 8 (KLG) wasin the coastallowlands Valley June 4-8 (JAJ) were all w. of the species'normal range. A somedistance from any area of normaloccurrence. A singingBendtre's Yellow-billedCuckoo at F.C.R., May 28 (GPS), anotheralong Cotton- Thrasherat Palm Springin the Anza BorregoDesert of e. San Diego woodCr., nearOasis May 28-29 (JLD), anda thirdat Oasis,Mono Co., Co., Mar. 19 (EAC, ph. S.D.N.H.M.) wasjudged to be a migrantsince May 29 (DRW) wereall presumedmigrants away from knownbreeding the speciesis not known to breed anywherenearby. One of the two localitiesat thetime thisspecies arrives in Californiain spring.ACom. Rufous-backedRobins found wintering in NewportBeach remained Nighthawk,another species that arrives in Californiaexceptionally late throughApr. 11 (DRW) whilethe otherdisappeared in earlyMarch in spring,at OasisMay 28 (BED) wasthe first notedthis year. A Lesser (SJR). A Varied Thrushin ShoshoneMay 14 (BED) was late and Nighthawkon Pt. Dume nearMalibu, LosAngeles Co., May 28 (KLG) unexpectedconsidering how few werein s. Californiaduring the winter wasa vagrantaway from areas of normaloccurrence. Two BlackSwifts Two Townsend's Solitaires remained on Mt. Palomar to the late date of over L. HenshawMay 4 (RHi), threeover Mt. PalomarMay 6 (RHi), May 25 (RHi), thislocality being s. of the species'breeding range A tonemore there May 10 (RHi), andone over MorongoValley May 15 flockof 2500 CedarWaxwings arriving on Mt. Palomarduring a snow (JW) were all away from areasof regular occurrenceat the time of stormMar. 21 (RHi) cameas a surprisesince the specieswas virtually migration. Three Chimney Swifts over Goleta May 26 (LRB) and 3-6 nonexistentthroughout s. Californiaduring the winter. A (Plumbeus) nearDel Mar June7-12 (DD) were alongthe coastwhere vagrants are SolitaryVireo carefullystudied in Montanade Oro S.P., nearMorro regularlyfound each spring; however, two flying in andout of a chim- BayApr. 28 (GPS),was the first to be identifiedin SanLuis Oblspo neyin Big Pine, Inyo Co., May 27 + (JLD) werein thee. portionof the County.A Red-eyedVireo, a rarebut regular spring vagrant to Califor- Regionwhere much rarer. FifteenVaux's Swiftsin the EatonCanyon/ nia, wasat OasisMay 31 (LRB) andanother was near Saugus, Los Altadenaarea of Los AngelesCo., Mar. 20-21 (DBe) had probably AngelesCo., June4 (KLG). winteredlocally as the date is some 2-3 weeks too early for spring migrants.The springstorms forced large numbers of thesebirds to lower WOOD WARBLERS -- Thirty-onespecies of woodwarblers were altitudesin lateApril, makingthem conspicuous to observers,the larg- reportedthis spring,including all theregularly occurring w. coastspe- estconcentration being 2000 + in PlaceritaCanyon, Los Angeles Co., cies and the commonvagrants (Black-and-white and Tennesseewar- Apr. 28 (EN). Calliope Hummingbirdswere a little more numerous blers,N. Waterthrushesand Am. Redstarts).A Worm-eatingWarbler at alongthe coastthan usual, the speciesbeing continually present on Pt. F.C.R., May 30 (DKr) wasonly thefifth to be foundin s. Californiain Lomain SanDiego Apr. 10-27with 5-6 thereApr. 16 (DP). A d Broad- spring.A Virginia'sWarbler in SantaBarbara Apr. 17 (AB) wasalong billed Hummingbird,a casualstraggler to California,along the lower the coastwhere considered exceptionally rare in spring.An early N portionof ChimneyCr., e. Kern Co., Apr. 24-27 (RHe) wasonly the Parulawas found on Pt. LomaApr. 16 (JO),with five othersoccurring secondto be foundin thisarea of California.An AcornWoodpecker on May 19-June8, theexpected time period for thisspecies in spring.Four Pt. Loma in SanDiego May 14-15 (DP) wasaway from areasof normal Magnolia Warblerswere found with a male on Pt. Loma May 25 occurrence.Two Lewis' Woodpeckersnear Calipatria, Imperial Co., (REW), anotherat F.C.R., May 27 (CC), a femaleat OasisMay 31 Mar. 26 (REW) were in an areawhere few havebeen recorded, and one (LRB) anda maleon SantaBarbara I., June8 (CD). A • CapeMay remainingon Mt. Palomarto May 28 (RHi) wasexceptionally late. A Warbler,a casualspring vagrant, was at DeepSprings May 27 (DS) and Hairy Woodpeckerin theAntelope Valley e. of LancasterMay 7 (JLD), a secondwas in Malibu June4 (H&PB). The Black-throatedGreen a DownyWoodpecker there Apr. 29 (JLD), andanother a little farthere. Warblerfound wintering in Goletaremained through Mar. 27 (TW), and at Linda Mia RanchMay 12 (JeB), wereall somedistance from known a male at OasisMay 21 (GMcC) was only the 6th to be foundin s breedinglocalities. A d Ladder-backedWoodpecker near Vista, San Californiain spring.The Chestnut-sidedWarbler found wintering in DiegoCo., May 27-29 (CSW) wasw. of themountains where consid- SantaBarbara was last seen Mar. 15 (BED), anda maleat DeepSprings ered accidental. May 27-29 (JAJ)was the only onefound this spring. The Grace'sWarbler that wintered in SantaBarbara remained to Apr FLYCATCHERS, SWALLOWS -- Three E. Kingbirds,a rare but 1 (TW) andthe other in nearbyCarpinteria was last seen Mar. 12 (JEL) regularlate springtransient, were reported with oneat F.C.R., May 30 A • Bay-breastedWarbler, a casualspring vagrant, was on Santa (BED), anotherin Needles,San BernardinoCo., May 29 (J&ES) and BarbaraI., June8, anotherwas at LindaMia Ranchin the Antelope the third on SantaBarbara I., June6-10 (CD). The Thick-billed King- Valleythe same day (JeB), and a thirdwas in Coronado,San Diego Co , bird that spentthe winter in PetersCanyon near Tustin was last seen June15 (EC). A • BlackpollWarbler, exceptionally rare in spring,was Apr. 9 (AFP). A Tropical Kingbird that winteredin Goleta was still at OasisMay 21 (REW). A PalmWarbler near Imperial Beach to Apr presenton the remarkablylate date of June 8 (TW). A Scissor-tailed 10 (JO) andanother in Los Ososto Apr. 20 (F&DK) hadboth wintered, Flycatcherat NeedlesApr. 19 + (WCH) appearedto bemated with a W. butone at DeepSprings May 23 (JOB)was clearly a springvagrant, this Kingbird, andwas sittingon a nestat theend of the period;this may well speciesbeing most unusual at this time of theyear. Four Ovenbirds May be the samebird foundhere in 1979 (AB 33:897-898, 1979), the area 5-June7 wasfewer than normal. A • MourningWarbler, only the 4th to havinggone unchecked during the interveningyears. A Wied's Crested be foundin s. Californiain spring,was well studiedat OasisMay 28 Flycatcherat F.C.R., May 14-30(BED) was appreciably n.w. of the (BED), ph. S.D.N.H.M.). A d CanadaWarbler at DeepSprings May species'known range, and anotherin Yucca Valley May 28 (H&PB) 28 (CC) wasonly the 6th to be foundin s. Californiain spring,the was only a short distancen. of Morongo Valley where an isolated previousfive all beingin this generalarea. A $ HoodedWarbler, a

Vol 37, Number 5 913 regularspring vagrant to California,was at Deep SpringsMay 27-28 withinthe desert, and a malein Encinitas,San Diego Co., May 26-27 (RA) and anotherwas m nearbyOasis May 31 (LRB). The Painted (DD) wasbest considered an escapee.Small numbersof Rose-breasted Redstartfound wintering in SantaBarbara was last seen Mar. 12 (TW); Grosbeaksand Indigo Buntings occurred during May andearly June as oneat DrippingSpring in theGranite Mrs., e. SanBernardino Co., Apr. expectedwith 25 _+of theformer and 15 + of thelatter reported. Three 2 (BC) wasundoubtedly a springmigrant, this species being an excep- Red Crossbillson Mt. PalomarMar. 3 (RHi) were in an areawhere few tionallyearly migrantarriving on nestingterritories in s.e. Arizonain havebeen recorded. Two LarkBuntings were in Sunnymead,Riverside March. Co., Mar. 15(TM), threemore were near L. Perris,Riverside Co., Apr. 21 (TM), a malewas in SaltonCity Mar. 27-29 (RHi), five werein the BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, TANAGERS -- Some half-dozen Bo- EarthquakeValley of e. San Diego Co., Apr. 18 (BM) with another bolinksat F.C.R., May 24-30 werein an areawhere small numbers are thereMay 9 (RMcK)indicating a small number moved through the s.e. foundeach spring, but a malein Encino,Los AngelesCo., June6-7 portionof theRegion this spring. Two Harris'Sparrows at OasisMay (CB) wasunexpected. A c• OrchardOriole in SantaBarbara Mar. 24- 22-25 (REW) were exceptionallylate. A winteringWhite-crowned Apr. 17 (LR) wasfar too earlyfor a springvagrant, and is presumedto Sparrownear Santa Barbara remained to thesomewhat late date of May 11 (JH). havewintered nearby. The only N. (Baltimore)Orioles reported were singlebirds at MesquiteSprings in DeathValley N.M., May 24 (BED), at nearbyScotty's Castle May 29 (BB), andin GoletaMay 18 (TW); CONTRIBUTORS -- Ray Acker, Larry R. Ballard,Bruce Barrett, fewerthan in previousyears. Great-tailed Grackles continue to be found DeanBazzi (DBa), David Bell (DBe), Linda Belluomini(LBel), Chuck outsidethe species'current range with a maleat OasisMay 23 (BED) Bernstein,Laurie C. Binford, Allyn Bissel,John Brack (JOB),Jean andanother at TinemahaResevoir in theOwens Valley May 29 (LCB) Brandt(JeB), Hank and Priscilla Brodkin (H&PB), EugeneA. Cardiff beingrelatively far n., anda malein Saugus,Los Angeles Co., Apr. 27 (coordinatorfor SanBernardino County), Barbara Carlson, Chris Car- (JeB)and a femalenear Imperial Beach Apr. 16 (JO) beingrelatively penter,Mark O. Chichister(coordinator for KernCounty), Elizabeth far. ACom. Grackleat F.C.R., May 23 (JS)was about the 12thto be Copper(coordinator for SanDiego County), Alan M. Craig,Brian E. found in the Region. Daniels,Dale Delaney, Linda Doerflinger, Charles Drost, Jon L. Dunn, A •2 ScarletTanager, one of therarer vagrants to reachCalifornia, TomM. Edell (coordinatorfor SanLuis Obispo County), Alice Fries, wasat DeepSprings May 30 (BB) andanother was on Pt. Lomain San SteveGanley, Kimball L. Garrett (coordinatorfor Los Angeles Coun- DiegoMay 29-June2 (LS). The HepaticTanager that wintered in Santa ty), KeithHansen, Joan Hardy, Marlin Harms (MHa), FredHeath, Matt Barbarawas last seenMar. 26 (TW). SummerTanagers returned to Heindel(MHe), Rich Hewitt (RHe), RogerHigson (RHi), W. Chuck MorongoValley, wherethey nest, on the relatively early date of Apr. 17 Hunter,Jerome A. Johnson,Frank and Dorothy Kilfoil (F&DK), Lorie (R&MW); a pair at nearbyYucca Valley May 28-29 (H&PB), and Kindle, Dave King (DKi), Roy and JessieKniffen (R&JK), Kada anotherpair in Valyermo,Los AngelesCo., May 26 (JT) couldwell Kramer, Dave Krueper (DKr) (coordinatorfor the ColoradoRiver havebeen birds of thew. racecooperi nesting at these localities, but one valley),Joan E. Lentz,Jamie Love, Barbara Massey, Robert McKer- at DeepSprings May 22 (BED) andanother in HuntingtonBeach May nan(coordinator forRiverside County), Tony Metcalf, Ed Navojosky, 21 (R&MW) weremore likely to havebeen vagrants from the e. popula- JerryOldenettel, Dennis Parker, Arleta F. Patterson,Mike Phillips,Bob tion rubra. Pick, Sylvia J. Ranney (coordinatorfor OrangeCounty), Michael Ritzwaller,Lois Robertson, Luis Santaella, Brad Schram, Dan Singer, ArnoldSmall, Greg P. Smith, Hal andNancy Spear (H&NS), John FINCHES, SPARROWS -- Three Cardinals(an apparentlymated Stirling, Jim & Ellen Strauss(J&ES), Jan Tarble, RichardR. Viet, pairand a singlemale) at thepoint where Vidal Washenters the Colora- WilliamD. Wagner,Stanley Walens, Richard E. Webster,Douglas R. do R., San Bernardino/RiversideCo., Mar. 23 + (BED) could well be Willick, Cora S. Wilson, John Wilson, Russ and Marian Wilson the entirepopulation remaining in California.A •2 Pyrrhuloxiain the (R&MW), Tom Wurster (coordinatorfor SantaBarbara County). An ChemehueviWash n. of Vidal Jct., SanBernardino Co., May 14 (JW) additional84 observerswho could not be individuallyacknowledged wasat the very locationwhere a pair nestedin 1977; anotherfemale at submittedreports this season.--GUY McCASKIE, San DiegoNatu- Linda Mia Ranchin the AntelopeValley May 7-10 (JLD) was much ral History Museum, Balboa Park, P.O. Box 1390, San Diego, fartherw. than any of the previouslocalities of occurrence,but still California 92112.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS REGION May 27, withgood chances of makingit to fledging(JS, PS). A Black- /Robert L. Pyle footedAlbatross was seen well flying past Kilauea Pt., K., Mar. 27 (DP etal.), andalso on 1 or2 otherdates (TG). A darkalbatross, probably alsothis species, appeared off SandI., O., Apr. 29 (PD). Abnormallydry conditions that began last winter (see winter report) continuedunabated through June. Precipitationat Honoluluhas not reachedhalf the monthlynormal in any monthyet this year. Total rainfallhere for Januarythrough May of 1.69inches, only one-eighth theexpected normal, is thelowest for this5-month period since records beganin 1874. Previouslowest for thisperiod was 2.64 inches.Some raincontinues to fall in themountains so that water tables are not yet endangered.But KealiaPond on Maui Island,long one of the finest wetlandareas in thestate, is "in thethroes of itslast drying up."(CK).

ABBREVIATIONS -- H.: HawaiiI., K.: KauaiI., M.: Maui I., O.: Oahu1., R.B.D.P.F.: Rare Bird DocumentaryPhoto File, maintained by Hawaii AudubonSociety.

ALBATROSSESTHROUGH TROPICBIRDS -- Althoughnesting of LaysanAlbatrosses on Kauai wasunsuccessful at the KilaueaCrater colony,recent reports indicated a potentiallygood year at Barking Sands.Of the sevenknown chicks hatched there, six survivedinto June. Theseventh was blinded by severepox lesions and had disappeared by Apr. 22 (TT). At leastthree had less severe pox lesions and were treated

914 AmericanBirds, September-October 1983 Manx (Newell's) Shearwaters(Threatened species) were first heard pondsat Lowe Aquafarm, adjacentto Kn, Apr 26 (PD), and two on callingat theNature Conservancy's Kaluahonu Preserve, K., Apr. 2, 4 Apr. 28 (DS). Pondsat boththese locations are freshwater and are about daysearlier than in 1981 and 1982 (JS). By mid-April, 200-300birds onekm inlandfrom the sea.Arctic Terns presumably migrate through were calling, which was comparableto recentyears. Damage from the Hawaiian area of the c. Pacific, but thereare fewer than5 confirmed hurricanelwa last Novemberwas relativelylight in the Preserve.But recordsfor thestate. The BlackTern resident at AimakapaPond, H., for uluhe fern, the commonground cover at mostof the 12 nestingsites 18 monthsbegan molting into blackplumage in April andhad disap- knownon Kanai,was only 3 ft high,in contrastto its normal6 ft height. pearedby May 20 (AT). A pair of White Ternsraised a chickin a large (JS) treealong Punahou Street in Honoluluthi• spring.The three birds were A Red-tailedTropicbird nest was locatedon Manana islet, off O., still beingseen there when a secondchick, almost ready to fledge,was May 9, but its contentscould not be determined(JB, MG, fide MM). pickedup in the samelocale June 9 andtaken to SeaLife Parkfor care Red-tailedsgathered as usual at KilaueaPt., K., with a highcount of 18 (fide mm). reportedApr. 11 (RLP). Many wereengaging in activecourtship flight, althoughthe nearestnesting locale, exceptfor an occasionalnest on PASSERINES -- Manana I., is hundredsof miles away in the n.w. Hawaiian Is. White- S.A. tailedTropicbirds are also commonly seen at KilaneaPt., andelsewhere Sincelast November, aerial surveys of the mountainareas of in the canyonsand cliffs of Kanaiwhere they nest. But the shockerthis Kauai, includingthe Alakai Swamp,have indicatedextensive yearwas a reportof a Red-billedTropicbird at KilaneaPt., Apr. 6-7, blowdowndamage from hurricane lwa, particularlyin standsof watchedat closerange in comparisonwith Red- andWhite-taileds. Full native koa and of eucalyptusand other introducedtrees. The descriptivenotes were submitted(TG). The only prior recordsof this Alakaiis thelast remaining habitat for severalextremely rare and speciesin Hawaii areof 2 specimensfrom the n.w. HawaiianIs., many endemic Kauai birds. Effects of the hurricane on the remnant yearsapart, and a possiblesighting at seaoff Hawaii I., a few yearsago. populationsof theseand otherHawaiian endemic species have Whereelse in the UnitedStates, or in theworld for that matter,can one been conjectural,largely becauseaccess by foot to this area, watch3 speciesof tropicbirdstogether, closely and at leisure,2 dayst'n normallydifficult at best,was made much worse by theextensive a row, with hisfeet plantedfirmly on solid ground? blowdown. The first post-lwavisit to theinner Alakai was made May 23- EGRETS, WATERFOWL -- Evening countsof Cattle Egrets at a 27 by J. Sincock, longtime investigatorof the Alakai's rare roostnear KanahaPond, M., observedfor 2 years,are now up to 250 species,accompanied by P. Sykesand D. Boynton.The firsttwo birds(LG). This is a definiteincrease over the numbersof thisspecies are veteranbiologists with the U.S.F.&W.S. EndangeredSpe- previouslyreported on Maui I. A smallCanada Goose was found at Kii ciesProgram. Going in by helicopterand camping 4 nightsin the Pond, JamesCampbell N.W.R., May 31 (PD). Northern Shovelers localewhere the rarest species had last been observed, they were winteredin Hawaii in unusuallylow numbersthis year, andalso seemed successfulin finding two Puaiohi and two 'O'u, alongwith to be late in departing.At AimakapaPond, H., about30 shovelers(half reasonablyexpectable numbers of the more commonspecies. the winteringpopulation) were still presentApr. 16 (AT). Blue-winged Noneof theexceptionally rare Kauai Nuku-pu'u, Kauai 'Akialoa Teal nestedat Aimakapaagain! AT founda femalewith 11 chicks,3-5 or Kama'o (Hawaiian Thrush) were found. daysold, June2. Six to nineadults were seen there regularly through the With respectto the most famousEndangered species, the spring,and courtship display was noted Apr. 16 (AT). The Blue-winged 'O'o'a'a, thenews was both good and bad. Goodnews was that a Teal broodat Aimakapalast year was the first recordednesting of a very activeO'o'a'a was observedat leisureeach day, calling migratorywaterfowl species in Hawaii. Also, threeadults were found at repeatedly,and busilygoing in and out of a nestcavity from nearbyOpaeula Pond Apr. 2, but were not seenthereafter (AT). whichnesting material was protruding. The nestwas in a mostly deadohia tree leaningover a steepslope such that the nest's PHASIANIDS THROUGH TERNS -- Two broodsof Red Jungle- contents could not be determined. fowl wererunning around happily at Kokee,K., Apr. 10 (RLP et al.). Badnews was that in 3 daysof observationno secondbird was NumerousCorn. Peafowl were heard calling in upperMakaha Valley, seenor heard,and it wasfeared that this one, probablya male, O , Apr. 24 (MO) & May 4 (PD, DS). Kalij Pheasantscontinue to has no mate. The 'O'o'a'a is not a secretivebird, and its loud, increasein Hawaii VolcanoesN.P., H. (PS), andwere seen commonly ringingcall can be heardup to a quartermile away. It is thus this springin upper Kaloko on the oppositeside of the island. unlikelythat a secondbird would have been missed during 3 days The SemipalmatedPlover wintering on the rock flats nextto Aima- of observation. No 'O'o'a'a have been recorded more than 2 kapaPond, H., was seenrepeatedly into early June(AT), suggesting miles from this spotin recentdecades. thatit mightoversummer here, as do occasionalindividuals of the more Thereis no way of knowingfor certain,but is conceivablethat commonmigrant shorebired species. A Greater Yellowlegsat Hono- these3 observerswere watchingpossibly the last remaining huh Unit, Pearl Harbor N.W.R., during late Februaryand March individualof this species,going through nest-building ritual in (sev ob., R.B.D.P.F. #s 214,215,216)furnished one of the very few spring,and calling over and over for a matethat may never come. recordsof this speciesin the state.Single Lesser Yellowlegs, a casualto regularmigrant here, were at OpaeulePond, H., Mar. 6 & Apr. 2 (AT), andat Waipio, O., May 4 (PD). Hawaiian(Black-necked) Stilts (Endan- 'O'u alsowere heard calling but not seenat a favo,redlocality in Olaa gered)seem to be increasingon Hawaii I. Countsof 22 on Mar. 6 (AT) ForestReserve, H.; one Apr. 2 and threeApr. 16 (PS et al.). A Red- and29 on Mar. 19 (PS, RLP) at AimakapaPond, and 14 onMar. 6 (AT) crestedCardinal along Puhi Rd., w. of Lihue, K., Apr. 9 (RLP et al.) at OpaeulaPond 12 km up thecoast, were encouraging. At Aimakapa, was one of the few reportsof that specieson Kauai. Many fledgling two birdswere on nestsMay 20, andtwo downychicks and 2 morenests Yellow-billed Cardinals were noted in their traditional locale near were found June2 (AT). makapaPond, H., Apr. 16 (AT). A Glancous-wingedGull was reported at KaenaPt., O., Apr. 15 & 19 (JE, PD). A LaughingGull turnedup at Kii Unit, JamesCampbell ESTRILDIDS-- Introducedspecies in thisfamily, which is unique to N W.R., May 20 (PD), and the bird winteringat LokoakaPond, H., Hawaiiin theA.O.U. Checklistarea, are being reported more frequent- was seen throughMar. 22 (PS) but had gone by Apr. 29. An ad. ly nowat localitiesother than the original well-known introduction point FranklinGull in breedingplumage was seenwell at Kealia Pond,M., at DiamondHead, O. Twelve Red-cheekedCordonbleus and 12 Laven- May 21 (CK et al.). derMannikins, along with abundantSaffron Finches (Emberizid) and a The CaspianTern wintering at Nuupia Pond, O., remaineduntil at loneYellow-fronted Canary (Fringillid) were found Mar. 20 at a favored leastApr. 17 (RLP et al.). The two on Mani were seenat Kealia Pond spotalong the highwaynear Puu WaawaaRanch on Hawaii I., where May 21 (CK), buthad moved to KanahaPond by June27 (MU,fide CK) they were introducedsome years ago (DP, PS et al.). A flock of 10 asKealia was fast drying up. A ternseen at Kii Unit, JamesCampbell Orange-cheekedWaxbills was in a lotusfield nearHaleiwa, O., May 9 N W.R., in late April was identifiedApr. 24 as an Arctic Tern (TB, fide MM), on the oppositeside of Oahu from DiamondHead (RLP,PP) as it foragedon PondD. Threewere seenover the prawn FifteenWarbling Silverbillswere notedat Molokini Islet BetweenManl

Vol 37, Number 5 915 andLanai Apr 2 (CK), andthe species was reported again this spnng on CONTRIBUTORS -- JoannaBerger, Tim Burr, LauraCarter, Rick uninhabitedKahoolawe I. (RS,fide CK). A largeflock of 150Chestnut Coleman,Bill Coops,Peter Donaldson, John Engbnng, Louise Gelse, Mannikinsat HanapepeSalt Ponds,K., Apr. 10 (RLP et al.) atteststo Michael Gochfeld,Ted Grisez, CameronKepler, Marie Morin, Mike thecontinuing increase of thisspecies on that island. And finally, a Java Ord, Doug Pratt, Peter Pyle, Rob Shallenberger,John Sincock, Dan Sparrowin a yard in Kailua, O., Mar. 26 (RS) furnishedone more Snider,Paul Sykes, Avery Taylor, Tom Telfer,Meyer Ueoka. --- ROB- recordof this speciesappearingera the windward side of the island. ERT L. PYLE, 741 N. Kalaheo Ave., Kailua, HI 96734.

WEST INDIES REGION

/Robert L. Norton THEISLANDSNORTHERN AND EASTERNVIRGIN 64]30'

Regionalclimatology was the overridinginfluence on aviandistribu- N tionand ecology. The droughtmentioned in earlierreports continued in ANEGADA the Virgin Islandsand elsewherein the Caribbeanfrom the coastsof Mexico to Panamawhere it hasbeen the worstdry spellin 70 years. Indiscriminantlurebering at the rate of 100,000 acres/yearhas aggravat- ed droughtconditions, not to mentionhabitat loss. In Kingston,Jamai- ca, rationingof waterwas ordered for thefirst time in 56 years,and the hydro-electricplant in Haiti wasclosed due to extremelydry conditions overa longperiod. The dry spell,however, came to an abruptend April 17-18 in the northernVirgin Islandswhen torrentialrains left 18.5-+ inchesoccasionally at the rateof 6 inchesper hour(!) at severalsites. Themonthly rainfall totals compared to the60-year average at St. John are as follows;March -88%, April +437%, and May -13%. Perhapsthe mosttelling effect of the April delugewas on the nesting populationof SootyTerns near St. Thomas.Plot censuses at SabaCay in the lasttwo yearshave indicated a populationof about50,000 Sooties. 65'J00' 64'[30' N .adir Censusesthis seasonsuggested a 30% decreaseowing particularly to theirhabit of arrivingin thearea about 30 daysprior to nestsite selec- non, remainingentirely aerial until nestingcommences, and havingno monYellowthroats carrying nesting material." Bond(1956) mentioned waterrepellency in theirplumage which renders them extremely vulner- two Junerecords from the GreaterAntilles, but it may on/y be a matter ableto longperiods of heavyrain. of timebefore nesting of moreNorth American species are confirmed in Two reports,one late, from sailingcruises off the southerncoast of Hispaniola(very continentalin aspect(BS et al.). Indeed,a siskin PuertoRico, DominicanRepublic and Haiti by GO who wasnear shore (Carduelisdominicensis) and a crossbill(Loxia leucoptera)are resident February10-13 and RLN who was 50 + miles offshoreaboard Apple- only in Haiti in the Caribbean(see Leck, J. Field Ornithol., 1980), the dore April 7-10 from Hispaniolato Jamaicaprovide sightings of pela- leastknown ornithologicallyof the GreaterAntilles (Bond). gicsinfrequently reported. This areacomes under the influenceof the Lastly,there will be mentionof unobservedspecies, a formof nega- westernextension of the Atlantic EquatorialCurrent which entersthe tive data,which were expected or searchedfor in vain.This is anattempt Caribbeanin the LesserAntilles at about 11ø to 13ø N movingwest to exhortfurther work on little known species. eventuallyentering the Gulf of Mexico andemerging through the Straits Frequentlyused abbreviations: Dom. Rep.: DominicanRepublic, St of Floridaas the Gulf Stream.Pelagic species follow this"highway" in J.: St. John, ST.T: St. Thomas, T. & C.: Turks and Caicos Is., V I springand fall as Bond's(1979) Stereorariidrecords suggest. These Virgin Islands,P.R.: PuertoRico. major currentflows clearlyexplain why pelagicsare reportedin the lower latitudesof the LesserAntilles, northwestCuba, and west Baha- mas. Recordsfrom Bermudain late April to late May arefrom an areaof SHEARWATERS THROUGH FALCONS -- A Greater Shearwater convergenceof the Antilleannorthern extension of theAtlantic Equato- wasobserved at closerange from theAppledore Apr. 8 about50 ml s of rial Current)flow and the Gulf Streamalong the westernedge of the Hispaniola.Audubon's Shearwaters (two) were also seenin the area SargassoSea. Apr. 7 as were 11 Black-cappedPetrels Apr. 7-9 off s. Hispaniola Habitatsand their statusare mentioned with increasingfrequency by SingleWilson's Storm-Petrels were noted close to theship Apr. 8 & 9 contributors.For example,a largeconflagration apparently set in Haiti GO reported16 Black-cappedPetrels from Beata,Dom. Rep., to Isla a burnedfor 8 daysinto the nestingarea of Black-cappedPetrels, frag- Vache, Haiti, Feb. 11-13. BS observed20 Red-billedTropicbirds at mentationof forestsin PuertoRico is reducingendemic avian distribu- Moule h Chique,St. LuciaMar. 7-15. White-tailedTropicbirds (seven) tion, dumpingof solidwaste and pathogens in coastalareas is a serious were seenwell offshorenear Barahona, Dom. Rep. Apr. 7-8; (eight) problemeverywhere in the West Indies, slashand burnfarming and along the n.e. coastof JamaicaApr. 9; and (sevenfrom GrandTurk charcoalproduction are similarlygoing unchecked, lurebering interests (hereafter,G.T.) Apr. 12 (RStL). Red-footedBoobies (ca. 200) were on Dominicaare encroaching on the magnificentrain forest,land clear- notedin theMona Passage,P.R., Feb. 10 (GO). Fifty milesoff thes lng for commercialdevelopments, and the devastatinghurricanes have coastof Haiti, 23 Red-footedswere seen probably from the little-known impactedbird life that hasyet beenunmeasured. If naturaldisasters and U.S. possessionof Navassa,w. of Haiti, a good locationfor avlan theincipient human use of finite island resources are not enough, the San turnoverwork. A Double-crestedCormorant was reported from Provl- JuanStar (June1) reportedthat defoliants were tested 1963-1966 in the denciales,T. & C. Apr. 11 (BA). ReddishEgrets are reportedto be Luquillo NationalForest, Puerto Rico, near Maricao, and other areas common in these islands. An Am. Bittern was first seen Mar. 22 and whereapproximately 1500 pounds of differentherbicides were dumped. probablyinclusive to Apr. 13 at ParrotCay, T. & C. (HC, fide BA) About 340 lbs of Agent Orange and its derivativeTCDD, or dioxin ARK reporteda Least Bittern seenat DominicaApr. 9 whichmay which "is consideredto be the deadliestpoison ever produced by man", representthe first LesserAntillean record. A GlossyIbis was seen weredumped mostly in theE1 Verde area. A PuertoRican based study is offshoreApr. 9 nearHaiti (RLN). AmericanFlamingos numbered 13 at underwayto determinethe effectsof the dumpingon the nearbyhuman ParrotCay, T. & C., May 20 (HC). At CockroachCay, St.T., Mar 24 a populations. PeregrineFalcon was seen feeding on a downyBrown Booby chick The On an inspirationalnote, ASD observed"a coupleof pairsof Com- denselypopulated booby colonies provide easy prey for overwintenng

916 AmericanBirds, September-October 1983 Falco peregrinuson the e. P.R. Bank. Merlins were notedon St.T., suitablehabitat for birds. Dominica'sN. P. sustainedincredible damage Apr. 2 & 4 at G.T. (RStL). A rufous-phasedAm. Kestrelwas carefully from Hurricane David (BS). Another Lesser Antillean endemic, the noted in the Blue Mts., near Spring Hill, JamaicaApr. 11 (RLN), for White-breastedThrasher, was unobservedby BS andARK at St. Lucia, one of the few recordsof F. sparveriussparveroides in the Greater in March and April. A groupof Cedar Waxwings (12) remainedin Antilles outside of Cuba. SantoDomingo, Dom. Rep., Mar. 5-12 whichmay not have beenthe same flock seen at Puerto Escondidoon Dec. 28 (BS). GALLINULES THROUGH TERNS -- BA reportedthe first occur- renceof Purple Gallinule from Providenciales,seen Mar. 15. Single WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES -- ASD reportsthat the Dom. Am. Cootswere observed Apr. I at ParrotCay (HC,fide BA) andMay Rep. had a poorwarbler migration, probably weather and habitat relat- 31 at St.J. (RLN). A Sorawas notedat St.J., Mar. 25. The dry winter ed, which was also reflectedby the paucityof Parulid sightingsin providedextensive margins around ponds in the V.I. which may have Dominicaand St. Luciaeven of the commonor expectedparula (one) at stimulatedearly nestingby Killdeer on St.T., wherea 3-egg nestwas St. Lucia (BS) in March and Am. Redstart(one) at Dominica (ARK) found Mar. 7 indicatingthat nestingbegan in late February.Snowy Apr. 5. During the sameperiod RLN notedone Black-and-whiteand Ploverswere seen constantly in theT. & C. (BA, RStL) Apr. 9-May 26 two Black-throatedBlue warblersduring several hours of walkingin the wherenesting is likely. A SolitarySandpiper was seen Apr. 25 at St.T. Blue Mts., Jamaica,Apr. 11. Lack (1976) foundthese types the most and two White-rumpedSandpipers seen May 15 at G.T. providedrare commonmigrant Parulids (12 and 7 hoursof walkingrespectively). A springoccurrences. The two cruisesoff the s. coastof Haiti provide BlackburnianWarbler was seenMar. 5 (ASD) in SantoDomingo. BS importantinsight on the winterand spring distribution of jaegersin the and ARK did not observeSemper's Warbler, endemicto St. Lucia Caribbeanas evidencedby the following observations.GO noted 19 whichis perhapsthe rarest Parulid in the WestIndies. Nothing is known Pomafine and 13 Parasiticjaegers Feb. 12-13. RLN recordedfewer of its songor nidification.St. Lucia'sendemic oriole was seen in March numbersof Pomafine(four) and Parasitic(one) Apr. 7-9 while ARK (BS) and Apr. 7 (ARK). A N. (Baltimore)Oriole wasseen at St J., Mar. noted9+; ParasiticJaegers Apr. 10-11 at Dominica(ca. 15ø 30' N). 25 andApr. 4 anotherwas seen in SantoDomingo (ASD). The endemic But a very carefullyobserved Long-tailed Jaeger at closerange as it St. Lucia Black Finch was unrecordedby BS and ARK. approachedthe sternof the vesseland alightedon the surfaceof the oceanwas quite unexpected. A Great Skua whichpassed very close to ADDENDUM -- ASD reportsthat a Gray Catbird was seen at the ship Apr. 9 may representonly the secondspring record from the Parquedel Este,Dom. Rep., Nov. 12 providingone of the few records GreaterAntilles. Pomarine and Parasitic jaegers were constantly follow- e. of Cuba and that a Golden-wingedWarbler was notedin February, ing and harrassingSooty Terns as they fed. 1981.BS addsthat Golden-wingeds were seen at Maficao,P.R., Feb. 2 Ring-billedGulls at G.T. (TStL) were seenMar. 6 (one)-13 (two). and at El Verde, P.R., Feb. 4. Seven Puerto Rican Parrots were seen On Apr. 7 four werenoted in the harborat SantoDomingo, Dom. Rep., there Feb. 5. and ARK reportedtwo Apr. 10-11 at Dominica.Gull-billed Tern, an uncommonand very local breeder,was observed at G.T. (six) May 15 CONTRIBUTORS -- Subregionaleditors in boldface,Beverlea Ai- (RStL) andpossibly four at GreatPond, St. Croix Apr. 28 (JY). Com- dridge, Helen Czernin, David Kearns,Allen R. Keith, Mass. Audubon mon Tern (two), anothervery localizedbreeder, was notedat G.T. Society,Morgan McDonald, Geoff Oliver, Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Peter- (RStL) Apr. 24. No breedingsite has been located recently in the V.1. sen, RobertSt. Leger, Bruce Sortie, Annabelle Stockton-Dod,John whereNichols (1943) collectedevidence over 40 yearsago. About 50 Yntema.---ROBERT L. NORTON, Division of Fish and Wildlife, Com. or Roseateterns were seenoff s. Haiti Feb. 11 (GO) either of 101 Estate Nazareth, St. Thomas, U.S.V.1. 00802. which are very uncommonat this latitudein winter and prior to mid- April. SandwichTerns were found nesting again at PelicanCay, St. T., May 27. Among the severalhundred pairs of incubating"Cabot's Terns" were severalyellow-biiled or intermediatetypes (or"Cayenne Terns"). More aboutthis subjectis expectedelsewhere. This capsa remarkableseabird migration as witnessed by only a handfulof observ- ers.

PARROTS THROUGH WAXWINGS -- BS et al., observed both of Dominica'sendemic parrots; three Imperialsand 12 Red-necked,in- cluding an active nest, and eight St. Lucia ParrotsMar. 7-15. ARK visitedthe sameislands Apr. 5-11 reportingthat Imperialswere still nesting,eight Red-neckedswere seen,and four St. Lucia Parrotswere noted. ARK also reportsthat Brown-throatedParakeets may be estab- lishedas a recentintroduction to Dominica(possibly from St.T--RLN). Subspecificdetermination would be of interest.In St. T. they have becomepopular pets and export trade. Indeed, ASD saysthat the Dom. Rep.'s psitticinesare being illegally exported and depleting the island's endemicavifauna. Thirty Haitian Parakeetswere seenApr. 6 (ASD, RNL) near Neiba, Dom. Rep. Only 2 nightjar speciesbreed in the LesserAntilles. ARK reportedthat two RufousNightjars were observed Apr. 4 at St. Lucia, the only West Indian locality. Three West Indian Nighthawkswere heard at L. Enriquillo, Dom. Rep., Apr. 6 (RLN, ASD) and one at Coral Bay, St.J, Apr. 18. A Corn. Nighthawkwas seen at Maho Bay, St. J., Mar. 29. Also at L. Enriquillo, a Least Paraquewas seenApr. 5 (RLN). AnotherLesser Antillean endemic, a Blue-headedHummingbird, male, wasobserved only onceat Dominica Apr. 10 (ARK). The LesserAntillean form of the 'StolidFlycatcher' was present at Dominicaand St. L. (BS, ARK) in Marchand April. A nestcontaining 6 eggsof thisflycatcher was found at Cruz Bay, St. J., May 2 (RLN, DK). BS andARK reportthat the 'House'Wren is fairly commonat Dominica (26 + ) in March and April but was not notedat St. Lucia. whereit is habitat-restrictedand thus vulnerable. Another absentee was the Tropi- cal Mockingbirdwhich was not observedat Dominica,by BS or ARK. Recentlyfrom Grenada,MM confirmedthat hurricane damage left little Barn Swallows/drawingby Tad Theimer.

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