The Fall Migration August 1 - November 30, 1977

NORTHEASTERN MARITIME REGION Chimney Swifts, seen in the Region October 18 - 22, were quite certainly carried north by these two /Peter D. Vickery systems. Among the most exciting birds of the seasonwere Wet weather soaked much of the Region in Septem- Nova Scotia's White Pelican, Newfoundland's Ameri- ber, October and November. This, and general can Flamingo, a Phainopeplaon Tuckernuck Island, scarcityof manycommon migrants evoked more than New Brunswick's first Fork-tailed Flycatcher and a one disgruntledcomment. A Cape Cod birder stated MacGillivray's Warbler in Massachusetts.Unquestion- the matter succinctly, "the extreme scarcityof most ably the rarest bird of the seasonwas a Variegated Flycatcher at Biddeford Pool, Maine.

LOONS -- In November Red-throated Loons migrated through s. New England in greater-than- average numbers with 520 at Andrew's Pt., Mass., Nov. 8 (fide RPE) and 1600 at Sandy Neck, Barnstable, Mass., Nov. 7 (RP, fide BN) being high counts.

TUBENOSES -- During the past severalyears N. Fulmars have been observed in New England waters earlier each fall. Consistentwith this pattern, the first fulmars were observed Sept. 20 with notable peaks Sept. 23 - 25. More than 1000were seen in the s.e. corner of Cape Cod Bay Sept. 23 (RP, fide BN) and 250+ off Provincetown Sept. 25 (BN,RRV et al.). Curiously, few birds were seen from the Cape in October, apparently none after Oct. 21 (BN). Only two fulmars were observed from this thli's M.B.O. surveys (TLL-E) while 20 individuals(2 dark) were seenfrom Seal I., N.S.. Oct. 3 (ELM et al.). It was again a very good fall for Cory's Shear- migrantpasserines is beyondmy comprehension."waters. Althoughthere were far fewer seenfrom the He was not alone in that assessment.Species that Cape, roughly 121 -+ individuals(470 in '76), Blair were well belowaverage were the fresh-waterducks Nikula points out that this may reflect a lack of and most western shorebirds. At Manomet Bird onshore storms in October and November. Elsewhere Observatorynetted Empidonax flycatchers showed a in s. New Englandwaters 723 -+ birdswere seenin 13 mean decreaseof 56% as comparedwith the five trips to Cox's Ledge,with 400 the highcount Aug. 20 previous autumns.Winter Wrens were almost (CW et al.). A significantmovement of I000+ Cory's nonexistentand Catharus thrusheswere generally was observed 5 mi off Nantucket Sept. 23 (EFA et al.) few. Bothspecies of kingletswere very scarce; Block while 300+ birds were seenflying past the islandSept. Island banders netted no Golden-crowned Kinglets 24 - 25 (WRP et al.). The M.B.O. pelagic surveys (rs. 154in '76)and only 7 Ruby-crownedKinglets (rs. observed 55 individuals 5 mi s. of Martha's Vineyard, 115).Aside from the late Augustoutburst, vireo and (hereafter, M.V.) Nov. 24 (fide TLL-E). warbler numbersremained unimpressive and sparrows On Sept. 25 a notablepelagic flight was witnessed were but a trickle comparedto last fall's migration. from Race Pt. and Truro Lighthouse, Cape Cod. In The few speciesthat were recordedin better-than- moderate SE winds 250+ N. Fulmars, 40,000+ Greater, average numbersincluded Ospreys, sapsuckers, 800+ Sooty and 50+ Manx Shearwaters,and 100+ Western Kingbirds and soft-wood warblers. In ParasiticJaegers were seen streamingS along the October and November large numbers of winter outer Cape (RRV,PDV et al.); the estimationsof finchespushed into the Region. Greater and Manx almost certainly represent the Althoughno hurricaneswept through the Region, largestnumber of eachspecies ever observed from the tropicalstorm Evelyn, October 15 and a briskNE Cape. Thoughunprecedented for shearwaternumbers stormseveral days later hadan obviousarian impact. observed from land, it was eclipsed by an extra- Several heron species,Common Nighthawks and ordinaryestimated total of 200,000+Greater Shear-

174 American Birds, March 1978 waters off S. Georges Bank Nov. 11 (Joe Van Os, fide gos receive close scrutiny, and that color intensity, TLL-E); a total never before registered in New behavior and the condition of the bird be accurately England waters. Reported from all parts of the Region detailed. Clearly, they shouldnot all be routinelyd•s- < 200 individuals were noted; high countsincluded 20 missedas escapes. at Provincetown Sept. 21, 15 at First EncounterBeach Unusually late was a Louisiana Heron at Plum I , Sept. 21, the previouslymentioned 50 off the Cape Nov. 12 (fide RPE). The imm. White Ibis mentioned in Sept. 25 andfinally nine Manx off BrierI., N.S., Sept. the breeding season report was again located near 3 (ELM et al.). Scituate Aug. 21-28 (fide RRV). Apparently Audubon's Shearwatersare not as scarce as previously supposed.Earlier this year two WATERFOWL -- Seeminglyunique in the Region birds were seen in Massachusetts waters. Added to this fall was the Whistling Swan at Moosehorn these were a singlebird seenoff Cox's Ledge Aug. 13 N.W.R., Me., Nov. 17 - Dec. 3 (NR et al., ph ) A (R Dieter, S. Emmons,fide CW) and four Audubon's single summeringBrant was seenoff MonomoyAug Shearwaters seen in the Gulf Stream in the S. Great 10 (WRP), while unusual inland migrantsoccurred at South Channel Nov. 3 (fide TLL-E), the last observa- the followinglocalities: a singlebird at Franklin, N H, tion remarkable for its numbers and its date. Oct. 20 (KCE et al.), three at Hampton, Mass., Nov 9 (fide SK), and 150 at Sharon, Conn., Nov. 10 (AG et PELICANS, CORMORANTS--An ad. White al.). Snow Geese migratedthrough the Region Oct 15 Pelicanin West Bay, InvernessCo., N.S., Oct. 19 - - Nov. 6; the first large flock of 375 observedin w Nov. 1, wasthe first provincial occurrence in nearly30 MassachusettsOct. 15 (DMcN). The peak occurred years (Ross McLeod et al., fide IAMcL,ELM, ph.). Nov. 5 with 1200+ Snow Geese at L. Sunapee,N H Especiallyinteresting is Eric Mills' contentionthat (fide KCE), 850+ at severalother localitiesin the same this bird was quite likely carried E by gale-forceSW state, and 1100+ geesewere in w. Massachusetts(fide winds that blew across the Dakotas and Prairie DMcN). Ten Fulvous Whistling Ducks observed at Provinces towards James Bay. These winds then Plum I., Nov. 6 (with one individualremaining through shifted SE toward the Canadian Marltimes. Mills Nov. 25), were the first in the Region in severalyears points out that tropical stormEvelyn passedthrough (fide RPE). No less than ten Eur. Wigeon were found the Maritimes Oct. 15 and that a second low with in s. New England: seven at four Rhode Island locah- 80-knot windspassed across the coastof Nova Scotia ties (fide CW) and three on Nantucket (fide RRV) Oct 17. The White Pelican was found immediately Certainly of note were the 500 Am. Wigeon at Lusby following these heavy NE storms.He further contends Marsh, N.S., Sept. 10 (CD, fide RDL). that without such strong NE winds to counteract the Throughout New England freshwater ducks were dominant SE winds from JamesBay the pelicanwould reported in very low numbers. Northern Shovelers, have continued farther S and probably by-passed Redheads, Ring-necked, Canvasbacks, and Ruddy Nova Scotia. The impact these two Atlantic storms Ducks were all well below average. Redheadsreached had on other specieswill be detailed later. a high of only 184 birds at Nantucket (800 in '76) and Double-crested Cormorants migrated S in good on the Cape Canvasbacknumbers were consideredto numbersthroughout September and Octoberbut the be less than 20% of the previous year's. The Ruddy 23,000+ birds seen flying past Vinalhaven I., Me., Duck concentrationat Lakeville, Mass., peakedat a Oct 8 was a remarkable total (ICTN, fide RAF). very low 103 (637 in '76) (BN,WRP,RRV et al) In Maine, both speciesof goldeneyemoved through their HERONS, IBISES -- Later than normal were 14 traditionallocality along the PenobscotR., Bangor,in Am Bitterns on Plum I., Nov. 12 and Little Blue about average numbers;Barrow's reacheda high of 40 Herons peakedthere with 30 (26 ad., 4 imm.), Sept. 3 in mid-November (NF,MLu,PDV). At the same (fide RRV), while four inlandoccurrences in w. Mas- locality an imm. Harlequin Duck Nov. I l was a very sachusetts and Connecticut were considered particu- rare inland occurrence. Elsewhere Harlequins num- larly unusual.No fewer than six or sevenindividuals bered85 birds, with the largestsingle flock 69 at Cape were seen in Nova Scotia (fide RDL). A Great Egret St. Mary's, Nfld., Nov. 14 (JW,fide MMP). Only five near St. John's, Nfld., Nov. 2 (fide MMP) and a King Eiders were reported in the Region. In w secondbird with two Snowy Egrets at White Head I., Massachusetts Oldsquaw made some unusual inland N B , the same date, were no doubt carriedN by the appearances: 65 birds were counted near Pittsfield, strong storm systemsthat passedthrough the Region Oct. 4 (DMcN) and 25 were seen on Quabbin Res , in mid-October (detailed ELM). The most remarkable Oct. 23 (fide SK). Off Tuckemuck I., Mass., 100,000 fallout from these storms was the American Flamingo Oldsquaw were carefully estimated at their usual at Woodstock, White Bay, Nfld., Nov. 7 (Bruce John- wintering area Nov. 25 (RRV et al.). Black Scotersare son, fide MMP). Richly coloreda "deep pink to rose" seen inland frequently, but 1000 near Pittsfield, w there seemed little question that this bird was wild. Mass., Sept. 24 - Nov. l0 was unprecedentedthere This representsa first provincialrecord and the third (DMcN et al.). Remarkable was a count of 8000+ Red- for Atlantic Canada; previous records coming from breasted Merganscrsoff Truro, Mass., .Nov. 6, th•s Nova Scotia (October, 1969) and New Brunswick figurebeing the highestever recordedin the Region (November, 1973). The coincidence of these late fall occurrencesstrongly suggests that the three Canadian VULTURES, DIURNAL RAPTORS -- Turkey flamingoswere all storm-relatedvagrants, most likely Vultures across the Region numbered at least 82 inch- from the Bahamas. It is critical that all regional flamin- viduals. Scarce in Nova Scotia, an ad. Red-shouldered

Volume 32, Number 2 175 Hawk was observedover Brier I., Sept. 24 (BMacT et SHOREBIRDS -- In MassachusettsAm. Oyster- al ), which constituted the sixth record in the last three catcherscontinued in improvednumbers; a highof 32 years for that locality. Three Swainsoh'sHawks, all individualswas seen on NantucketSept. 7, whilenine hght-phase,occurred in the Region:a sub-adultwas were on Monomoy Sept. 4 (RRV et al.). Three Am easdy studied at East Haven, Conn., Sept. 28 for a Avocets occurred in Connecticut and Rhode Island second state record (NSP et al.). Of two Maine birds, oneeach at WestHaven Aug. 14(fide NSP), OldLyme the first was seen near Hermort Aug. 29 (MLu) and the Oct. 8-10 (W. Burt et al.), and Block I., Oct. 1 (RAF et secondwas closely studied over Deer I., Sept. 9 (MH). al.). A SemipalmatedPlover at Eastham, Mass., Nov Five Swainsoh's Hawks in Maine within one year 25 was surprisinglylate (WRP,RAF). In Nova Scotia, (four since April), all carefullyidentified and detailed, 900+ Am. Golden Ploverswere seenduring the fall, 75 is nothing less than extraordinary. birds on Sable I. in mid-September(IAMcL, fide Golden Eagles fairly littered Connecticut and ELM) and 500+ individualsat AmherstPt., Sept.6-11 adjacentareas this fall; six eagles(1 ad. 5 imm.) were (CD, fide ELM) were about average.Very late was a reported. Single birds occurred at Bald Peak, singlegolden plover on NantucketNov. 19(fide EFA) Sahsbury, Oct. 21 (MR et al.) and Sharon Nov. 18 Problematicwas the observationof a white-rumped (AG). Elsewhere in the Region a singleGolden Eagle curlew at Lubec, Me., Aug. 26 (NF et al.). Not cml- was seen soaring over Sandy Beach, Mt. Desert I., cally identified, the wary bird was thought to be Oct 8 (NF et al.). Four Gyrfalconswere seenacross unusuallylarge and the stripingabout the headpoorly the Region. A near-black individual was seen on the defined.The white rump wasunambiguous as the bird Lordship marshes,Stratford, Conn., in mid-October flew away. However, specifically identified, and (Mark Tuttle, fide NSP) and a gray-phasebird was apparently unique, was the European Whiinbrel at studied on several occasionsat HammonassettS.P., Martinique Beach, Halifax Co., N.S., Aug. 19 (fide Conn., Nov. 12-14(LS, fide NSP). Farther n. a very ELM). High counts of Whimbrel included 140+ at dark Gyrfalconwas seennear ProspectHarbor, Me., Monomoy Aug. 9 (CG,BN), 72 at AmherstPt., Aug 8 Nov. 27 (PDV et al.) and an unusuallyearly bird was (fide ELM), 54 in Sackville,N.B. (fide ELM), and80_+ seen on Grand Marian, N.B., Oct. 4 (fide DSC). elsewhere in New Brunswick (fide DSC). There were 26 Marbled Godwitsreported; unusual was an inland occurrence at Hadley, Mass., July 24-27 (fide RPE) HAWK FLIGHTS -- Hawk watches across the and notably late was one at Plum I., Nov. 12 (RJC) Region totaled 5617 Sharp-shinned Hawks, an A Short-billed Dowitcher, heard and critically average count. Cooper's Hawks numbered 105_+ observed at N. Scituate, Mass., Oct. 29 was birds; remarkable for the location were nine over surprisinglylate (WRP). Five Long-billedDowitchers Vmalhaven I., Oct. 6 (ICTN, fide RAF). The ratio of in Nova Scotia was slightly more than the usual 53 Shatpiesto every Cooper'svividly illustratesthe number (fide ELM). Complete dowitcher figuresfor latter species'scarcity in the Region.Approximately Massachusettswere not available. Stilt Sandpipers 653 Red-tailed Hawks were counted over New were generally well below average; seven birds at England hawk lookouts. Very rare was a singleRed- Castalia, G.M., N.B., Sept. 10 (PDV et al.) seemeda tailed Hawk over Goose Bay, Nfld., July 29 (Richard, notable exception. After a poor migrationlast year, Blacquire, fide MMP), for only the third or fourth Buff-breastedSandpipers returned to normallevels in provincial record and the secondthis year. Broad- Nova Scotia with some ten records of 30 individuals winged Hawk flightswere not spectacular:11,778 was Aug. 19-Oct. 16(fide ELM). In New England,47 Buff- the seasoh's total for Mt. Tom, while s. Connecticut breasted Sandpiperswere recorded; 14 at Matunuck, registered only I 111 (8800+ in '76). Noteworthy were R.I., Sept. 16 being the largestconcentration (DW) counts of 2635 Broad-wingedsover Brunswick,Me., The four Ruffs reported this fall were singlebirds at Sept 12 (PKD et al.) and 3000over Brier I., Sept. 14 NewburyportAug. 4 ({Me RPE), Perry, Me., Aug 13 (Wickerson Lent, fide BMacT). The regional total (GB et al.), Quonnie, R.I., Aug. 15 (fide CW), and at came to 20,666 -+ individuals(not adjustedfor duplica- the U. Mass. stadium, Hadley, Mass. (fide SK). The tion) The seasoh'stotal for PeregrineFalcons was an seasoh's two Curlew Sandpipers were found at encouraging149 birds (78 in '76, 102in '75). Curiously, Ninigret, R.I., Aug. 27 (RAC, fide CW) and Grand of the dozen birds seen on Seal I., all but one were Arise, N.B., in mid-August(Mike Rigby,fide DSC) A immature (BMacT,SIT). Perhaps Peregrines are regional total of 34 Baird's Sandpiperswas below beginning to recover. average;the only sizablenumbers reported were six at Brier I., Sept. 3-5 (ELM) and sevenat Plum I., Sept 27 (SAP,PDV et al.). For the secondconsecutive fall CRANES, RAILS, COOTS -- The Sandhill Crane W. Sandpipers were again quite scarce. North of that had been hoppingfrom one part of e. Massachu- Massachusetts seven individuals were seen in Maine setts to another, remained on M.V. for much of the (PKD,PDV et al.), only one or two in New Brunswick summer and was later seen on Penikese I., Oct. 26 (fide DSC) and a singlebird at Warren L., CapeBreton (fide RPE). The seasoh's only Yellow Rail was I., N.S., Aug. 16 (RTB,fide ELM). Notably late was a reportedfrom Seal I., Oct. 22(fide RDL), justone day singleW. Sandpiper,seen with a Semi,at E. Orleans, earlier than last year's Seal I. sighting.Indicative of Mass., Nov. 25 (WRP,RAF). NorthernPhalaropes off the speciesexpansion in n. New England and the Deer I., N.B., expandedfrom severalthousand July 25 Marltimes were the 200 Am. Coot at AmherstPt., (WCT) to 50,000 Aug. 1 (PDV), to at least 2,000,000 N S , Oct. 22 (CD, fide RDL). birds Aug. 21 (DWF, PDV). By Sept. 12 fewerthan

176 AmericanBirds, March 1978 20,000 phalaropesremained in the area. Wilson's seen at First Encounter Sept. 21 (BN et al.), a single Phaiaropesnumbered 21 individualsat 14localities, the immature was noted on Nantucket Sept. 25, another latest a bird on Penikese I., Oct. 8 (VL, fide BN). immature occurred off Provincetown Sept. 25 (fide RR¾), and finally, an immature was at Sandy Neck Sept. 27 (¾L, fide BN). No doubt strong easterly JAEGERS -- On Cape Cod, a NE storm Sept. 21 stormsduring the period Sept. 20-25contributed slgm- pushedan unprecedentedtotal of 250+ jaegerspast ficantly to this impressivetotal. Elsewhere,a single Ftrst Encounter Beach, Eastham (CG,BN). Of this Sabine's Gull was seen off Deer I., Aug. 28 (DWF) number 50+ were Pomafine, 100+ Parasitic, none The Region's only Gull-billed Terns were seen at Long-tailed, and 75+ unidentified. Need it be PlymouthBeach, Mass., Aug. 13and Plum I., Sept 14 emphasized that Long-tailed Jaegersare very rare (fide RPE). Forster's Terns had a mediocreyear with along the N.E. coast?This summerBMcT surveyed perhaps as many as 14 individuals noted m waters off the Labrador coast July 25 - Aug. 22. At the Massachusetts{fide RRV). Terribly late were single height of the jaeger migration he observed 143 Forster's and Corn. Terns at Salisbury Nov 28 Pomafine, 58 Parasitic and 356 Long-tailed Jaegers-- (DWF, WCR et al.}. At least ten Royal Terns occurred includingone dark-phasead. Long-tailed.The above at five e. Massachusettslocalities, mostly in August,a figureswere considered a routinetotal at thattime of single Block I. individual Oct. 10 was the latest year. Including BMacT's Pomafine and Parasitic reported {fide CW). Some 52 Caspian Terns was a figures, the regional totals for PomafineJaegers was better-than-average fall number. Especially unusual 283+ individuals while Parasitic Jaegers totaled a were: nine at Eastham Nov. 3 (CG, fide BN), 13 m remarkable 616+ birds. At least 400+ of the latter Rhode Island in October {fide CW), and a singleat specieswere seen from differentlocalities on Cape Biddeford Pool Sept. 9, the speciesbeing surprisingly Cod Sept. 20-25. In Newfoundland,a total of 12 ad. scarce in the state (PA). At least 38 Black Skimmers Long-tailed Jaegerswas seen during strongNE winds were found in e. Massachusetts this fail. from L'Anse-aux-Meadows,Sept. 11-12(BMacT). In New England waters single birds were at Manomet ALCIDS -- Alcids were again very scarcethis fall Pt, Mass., Sept. 20 (WRP), Sandy Neck Sept. 25 (fide At Rockport, Mass., 20 Razorbills were observedOct RPE) and a very late bird on N. GeorgesBank Nov. I0 15, and 32 birds occurred there Nov. 26 (RAF et al ) (fide TLL-E). Some 38 skuas, indeterminate as to Eight Razorbills were countedfrom the "Bluenose" species,were reported. From Cox's Ledge a light- Nov. 27-28 (RR et al.) and nine others were reported m phase South Polar Skua, was identified Aug. 24 (fide the Region. Only 15 Thick-billed Murres were seenm CW) as was a Great Skua, seen8 mi e. of Block I., New England waters and Dovekies numbereda sparse Nov. 2 (DLK, fide CW). 20; six seen on two "Bluenose" crossings,Nov 27-28 were indicative of the species' scarcity (RR et al ) Only 20 Com. Puffinswere seen; eight occurredat GULI.S. TERNS -- The Digby, N.S.. Lesser Rockport Nov. 26 (RAF et al.). Black-backed Gull returned for its ninth consecutive year (fide RDL) while in Massachusettstwo Lesser CUCKOOS THROUGH OWLS -- In Nova Scotia, Black-backed Gulls were reported: the first at Nauset ten Yellow-billedCuckoos during the period Aug 15- Oct. 10 (RRV et al.) and the secondat SandyNeck Nov. 15, was above average, the latest on Sable I, Oct. 16was racially identified as graellsii (WRP et al.). Nov. 15 (AAR, fide RDL). Equally late and more sur- Two Mew Gulls at Sea Cove, G.M., N.B., Aug. 20 prising was a Black-billed Cuckoo there Nov 14 were unique in the Region(fide DSC). Figuresfor (AAR, fide RDL). Black-headedGulls are incomplete; 17_+ individuals In Hollis, N.H., a nesting pair of Barn Owls were reported. Extraordinarywas the occurrenceof a producedseven young for a first statebreeding record sub-ad. LaughingGull, sitting amongN. Fulmars, 75 (KCE). Elsewhere, two were found in Hadley, Mass m• e. of Battle Harbour, Labrador, July 28 (BMacT). (fide SK). No Snowy Owls were reported. A Hawk The seasoh's two Franklin's Gulls, both winter adults, Owl was seen near Ft. Kent, Me., Sept. 23 (Gale were seen at E. Orleans, Sept. 4 (BN et al.) and off Flagg,fide MHo), the date againsuggested the possi- M V., Oct. 10 (A. W. Nickerson, fide TLL-E). bility of breedingbirds in thatpart of the state.A roost Bonaparte'sGulls againnumbered at least30,000 indi- of 12 Long-eared Owls in Kings County, N.S., Nov 2 mduals at Deer I., Aug. 20 (DWF,PDV). The 17 Little was notablefor that province{fide RDL). SevenSaw- Gullsreported represents only partial coverage for the whet Owls banded at Manomet was a good fail total Region. The only sizable Black-leggedKittiwake (TLL-E) while in Maine six were bandedat S. Waldo- concentrations were 2500+ individuals off boro (JMC). Tuckernuck I., Nov. 25 (RRV et al.) and the "thousands"reported off NantucketOct. 31 (EFA). NIGHTHAWKS, SWIFFS, HUMMINGBIRDS- Certainly the most extraordinarygull phenomenon The NE storms of mid-October were almost certainly this fall was the remarkable number of Sabine's Gull responsiblefor the widespreadfailout of Corn.Night- around Cape Cod Bay: an unprecedented 11 hawks and Chimney Swifts Oct. 18-22. Single night- individualswere reported.An adultwas seenoff Stell- hawks were found in e. Massachusetts at Sandwich wagenBank Aug. 28 (WRP et al.), a singleimmature Oct. 18, Provincetown Oct. 21 and Chatham Oct 22 occurredat SandyNeck Sept. 18(WRP), three adults (v.o.,fide BN). A singlenighthawk was seen on Block were at Mahomet Sept. 20, three (1 ad., 2 imm.) were I., Oct. 22 (RLN). At least sevenChimney Swifts were

Volume 32, Number 2 177 seen at three Cape Cod localities Oct. 18-21 (BN), Harbor, Me., Nov. 13 (//de WCT), and Easton Pond, while three birds were noted on Nantucket Oct. 20 R.I., Nov. 19 (fide CW). Noteworthywere singleBarn (EFA), and eight were observednear Windsor, Conn., Swallows at Port Blandford, Nfld., Oct. 15 and St Oct 19-2I. Small numberswere seenat severalplaces John's,Nfl.d., Oct. 22 (fideMMP). Two Cliff Swallows In Nova Scotia Oct. 18-23(fide RDL) and a singleswift at Provincetown Oct. 15 (RRV et al.) were likely storm was seen as far n. as St. John's, Nfld., Oct. 29 (fide vagrantsbut two individualsat Farmington,Me., Oct MMP). A strikinglylate individualwas seenover Plum 11 were probably not storm-related (fide PAC) In I, Nov. 11 (fide RPE). Perhapsrelated to this N move- New Brunswick Purple Martins numbered an ment of nighthawksand swiftswere the singleRuby- impressive 300 o 350 birds Sept. 4 (fide DSC). Blue throated Hummingbirdsat Cape Sable, N.S., Oct. 23 Jays migrated S through w. Massachusettsin large (fide RDL) and Gagetown,N.B., Oct. 25 (fide DSC). numbers; 2875 birds in Windsor Sept. 28 was an Remarkable was a Ruby-throated Hummingbird at exceptional total (DMcN). In recent years Com Pnde's Crossing, Mass., Nov. 13 (fide RPE). Ravens have been moving slowly S from New Hamp- shire and Vermont; two, possibly three, birds in the WOO•DPECKERS, FLYCATCHERS -- Why Savoy - Florida section of w. Massachusettsfor at Pfleated Woodpeckersare so rare along the Connecti- least the last three years suggesta breedingpotential. cut-RhodeIsland coastalplain is not clear; therebeing Since 1969, ravens have been known to breed 50 m• n no great shortageof seeminglysuitable habitat. But of the Massachusettsborder in Winhall Twp., Vt scarcethey are; singlebirds at Old Lyme Oct. 16 (W. (DMcN). Thus it is not surprisingthat two Corn. Burt) and Hopkinton, R.I., Nov. 6 (fide CW) were Ravenswere seenat Bald Peak, Salisbury,Conn., Oct both noteworthy occurrences. The only Red-bellied 21 (MR et al.) and three thereOct. 28 (NSP,MR et al ) Woodpeckern. of Massachusettswas very far n. at Ft. These sightingsconstitute first and secondmodem Kent, Me., Sept. 2 (James Gibson). Some 18 Red- records for Connecticut, there being a questionable headed Woodpeckers in New England was below 19th century specimen(fide NSP). normal; surprisingly none was reported from Nova Scot•a, though four or five birds were seen on MIMIDS, THRUSHES -- A Brown Thrasher at St Monhegan I., Me., Sept. 15 - Oct. 4 (DWF,WCR et John's, Nfld., Oct. 16 o 18 may have been storm- al ) and a single immature was observed on Grand related (fide MMP). American Robins again Manan Oct. 8 (fide DSC). Northern Three-toed Wood- experienceda heavy flight, thoughthe migrationwas peckerswere reportedfrom Alexander, Me., Aug. 31 not equal to last year's. The 20,000robins seen mowng (NR) and near Peru, Mass., Nov. 30 (fide DMcN). S at dusk near Old Lyme Oct. 23 was undoubtedlythe Strikingly late was an E. Kingbird at Pembroke, Me., largest single concentrationin the Region (fide W Nov 18 (SBa). The season'stotal of 39 W. Kingbirds, Burt). The season'sonly Varied Thrushwas seenat E several occurring through November was above Riverside, N.B., Nov. 13-14(fide DSC). All Catharus average. The Region's only Fork-tailed Flycatcherwas thrushesappeared in very small numbersacross New an adult at Grand Bay, N.B., from late Oct. - Nov. 15 England, although curiously 103 Swainson's were (fide DSC), a first provincialrecord. Almost coincident banded at S. 'Waldoboro,Me., Sept. 12 - 15 (JMC) with the New Brunswick Fork-tailed was the extra- Very late was a single Gray-cheekedThrush on Sable ordinary occurrence of a Variegated Flycatcher at I., Nov. 15 (IAMcL). The Region's fall Wheatears B•ddeford Pool, Nov. 5 - 11(SB,DWh et mult al., ph.), numbered three with singlesat Matthew's L., N S, a first North American record (see p. --). Perhapssur- Sept. 17 (GP, fide SC, ph.), Monomoy Sept. 29 (fide prisingly, Great Crested Flycatchers were seen less RPE) and Ogunquit, Me., Oct. 18 - 23 (EWP et rnult frequently than W. Kingbirds in Nova Scotia; single al.). Previously unrecorded was a Wheatear, b•rds on Seal I., Oct. 2 (BMacT,SIT) and at Louis- photographedon SableI., June 18, 1977(AAR, fide bourg, Sept. 29 (RTB) were noteworthy, the latter SC), a secondspring occurrence for the island. qmte likely a first Cape Breton record. At leastJour Say's Phoebes occurred in Massachusettsand Rhode WAXWINGS, PHAINOPEPLAS, SHRIKES -- Island Sept. 30-Oct. 25. The Say's Phoebeflying E off Small numbers of Bohemian Waxwingsbegan appear- Cox's Ledge Sept. 30 (SRD,NSP,PVD et al.) was ing in n. New England by mid-Octoberand early probablynot the samebird bandedon Block I., Oct. 10 November. Two early birds were seenin Brewer, Me, (SRD). In Massachusettssingle birds were seen at Sept. 14 (NF) and one was seen on Plum I., Oct. 8 - 11 Nauset Oct. 1, Nantucket Oct. I - 10, and Wellfleet (fide RPE). One of the most startling events of the Oct 25 (fide RRV). The northeasternmostAcadian seasonwas the appearanceof an imm. c• Phainopepla Flycatcher was found at Mt. Desert Rock, Me., Aug. on Tuckemuck I., Oct. 7 (MLP,RLP). The Region's 20 (WCR). An E. Wood Pewee at Chatham Oct. 22 was two previous recordsinclude an adult on Nantucket, notably late (RAF,WRP). Feb. 1973 and an immature female on Block I., Oct 1975. The season'stotal for LoggerheadShrike was SWALLOWS THROUGH NUTHATCHES- The only nine individuals. late swallows noted below were, for the most part, w•nd-swept individualscarried N by Evelyn and the VIREOS -- Fall White-eyesVireos on Nova Scolaa's NE storm that followed immediately on Evelyn's islandshave apparentlybecome an annualoccurrence heels In Nova Scotia late Bank Swallows were noted Singlebirds were foundat SealI., Oct. 7 (BMacT,SIT) at PetiteRivi•re Oct. 24 andSable I., Nov. 13(fide and on Sable I. Nov. 15 (IAMcL). Two White-eyed SC) Vagrant Barn Swallows included single birds at Vireos on Monhegan I., Sept. 30 - Oct. 4, were a sur- Orleans, Mass., Nov. 12 (VL, .//de BN), Northeast prise (DWF,WCR et al.). Yellow-throated Vireos

178 AmericanB•rds, March 1978 were scarcein s. New England;the only extralimital vagrant Cerulean Warbler was a singlebird as far n. as record was one on Monhegan I., Sept. 30 - Oct. 4 Sydney, N.S., presentfor two weeks in early Septem- (DWF,WCR et al.). Only three PhiladelphiaVireos ber (E & R Blakeburn, fide PRD). Observers in were seen in Nova Scotia this fall (vs. 12 in '76). Massachusettsfound two Yellow-throated Warblers, Notably late was a Warbling Vireo on Sable I., Nov. while in Nova Scotia singlebirds were seen on Sable 12 (IAMcL). 1., Sept. 20 - 25 (AAR, fide PRD) and Seal 1., Oct. 4 (BMacT,SIT). A Yellow-throatedWarbler in Epsom, WARBLERS -- The warbler migration was best N.H., Oct. 4 was one of only very few state summedup as being"most disappointing."The entire occurrences (fide KCE). The correct dates for the Region witnessedan impressivemovement Aug. 25 - Kent I., N.B. bird mentionedin the previousreport 28, with Bay-breasted,Cape May Warblers and Ton- are Aug. 11 - 19 (fide DSC). Nova Scotia's only Pine nesseeWarblers predominating.For that brief period and Prairie Warblers occurredon Seal I., Sept. 5 and the warblerpopulation on the outerCape was estimated Oct. 1 - 2, respectively(BMacT,SIT). SingleKentucky to comprise some 250,000 individuals(BN). There is Warbler?were found in Fai(field,Conn., Sept. 5 (DH), no doubt that softwood warblers continued to benefit Kingston, R.I., Aug. 11 (DLK, fide CW) and Seal I., from the spruce-budworminfestation. After the heavy Oct. 2 (BMacT,SIT). Two were noted in Chatham, late Augustflight, the only sizablewave of warblerswas Mass. (fide RPE). The warbler rarity of the seasonwas noted on Grand Manan and Machias Seal Is., Sept. 18 unquestionablythe MaeGillivray'sWarbler discovered - 25. Not surprisingly, the dominant species were in Lexington, Mass., Nov. 13 - 28 (RHS et muir. ai.). Yellow-rumped (55%), yellowthroats (15%), and Banded, measured and photographed, this was Blackpolls(10%) (fide DSC). Under foggy conditions thoughtto be a first Regionaloccurrence but examina- 50,000 _+warblers were seen circlingabout the light- tion of skins at M.C.Z. brought to light a previous houseon MachiasSeal I. the nightof Sept. 18.The fol- Massachusettsspecimen found in 1972and incorrectly lowing morning554 dead birds were recovered,the labelled as Mourning Warbler. Clearly, all late majority yellowthroats(fide WCT). Obviouslystorm- related were the 100 imm. Yellow Warblers at St. Mary's Bay, Nfid., Oct. 22 (fide MMP), the numberof birds carried N beingquite remarkable.Late warblers includeda d Cape May in West Pubnico,N.S., Nov. 16 - 30 and a d Black-throatedGreen in Orono, Me., Nov. 16 (NF) -- both possibly related to the curious number of mid-November sightingson Sable I. and other partsof the Region.Additionally a BlackburnJan was at Green Bay, N.S., Nov. 26 (fide PRD), a Bay- breasted on Sable 1., Nov. 12 (IAMcL) and an Oven- bird there Nov. 11 (IAMcL).

RARE WARBLERS -- Only five Prothonotary Warblers were reportedin the Regionthis fall; two ha e. Massachusettsand three on Sable I., Sept. 14 - 16 (AAR, fide PRD, ph.). Surprisinglylate was a Worm- MacGiilivray's Warbler, Lexington, Mass., Nov. 13 eating Warbler at Wellfleet Bay W.S., Mass., Oct. 18 - 28, 1977. Photo] Simon A. Perkins. (PB, fide BN). Orange-crowned Warblers were few this fall, only four occurred in Nova Scotia and they were reported as scarce in s. New England; 18 Opororniswarblers deserve dose scrutiny,especially occurredin Massachusettsin October(fide RPE). One in light of the unusual number of late Mourning of the outstandingwarbler rarities of the seasonwas Warblers reported, perhapsas many as eight in the imm. c• Black-throatedGray Warbler in Salem, October, the latest in Truro, Oct. 23 (VL, fide BN). Mass., Oct. 18 - Nov. 23 (RSH et muir. ai., ph.), one Yellow-breastedChats were sparseacross the Region of very few confirmedrecords for the state. The only and the only unusual Hooded Warbler was found on Machias Seal I., Sept. 18 (fide WCT).

ICTERIDS, TANAGERS -- A Bobolinkat Stephen- ville Crossing,Nfld., Sept. 17 providedone of few provincial records (fide MMP) but more unusualwas the Eastern Meadowlark at L'Anse-aux-Meadows, Nov. 22 - 30 (BMacT). As with many w. vagrantsthis fall, Yellow-headedBlackbirds were fewer than usual, only 11 birds reported.Late reportsconfirmed at least three Massachusettsbreeding records for Rusty Blackbird. This summer nestingbirds were found in Savoy, Florida and Hawley (fide RAF). This fall Brewer's Blackbirds again appeared in e. Black-throatedGray Warbler,Salem, Mass., Oct. 18- Massachusetts;as many as 4 - 6 birds were found at Nov. 23, 1977. Photo] Richard S. Heii. the well-known chicken farm at Truro (BN,RRV et

Volume32, Number2 179 al ), two femaleswere seen on Nantucket(fide EFA), localities was less than last year's 30 individuals,but and a singlemale was easilystudied at Bridgewater higher than in recent years. An imm. Harris' Sparrow (WRP et al.). A • Brewer'sBlackbird at Popham in Orono, Me., Oct. 15 - 17 was photographedfor a Beach S.P., Me., Oct. 2 was a first state occurrence, second confirmed state record (NF,PDV et al.) and but not surprisingin light of other New England another was seen in Hancock, N.H., Nov. 10 through records (DD,ECL). A Brown-headedCowbird at the period, a sixth New Hampshireoccurrence (KCE Flower's Cove, Nfld., Nov. 11 was well n. of the et al.). Comparedto last year's flight White-crowned spectes' known breeding range (BMacT). In Sparrows were but a trickle, very few being seen Massachusettssingle W. Tanagers were found at anywhere. Interestingly,two garnbelliiwere foundon Prowncetown Sept. 23 (fide RPE) and at Manomet Seal I., Oct. 5 - 9 (BMacT,SIT). Finally, Whtte- earlyNov. - Dec. 15(TLL-E). Curiouswere single c• throated Sparrows, like White-crowneds, were SummerTanagers appearing at feedersin Cheshire, generallyfew and had departednorthern areas early Conn, Nov. 29 - Dec. 10(NSP et al.) andBiddeford Pool Nov. 29-Dec. 1 (FC et al.). CORRIGENDUM -- The record of the Frankhn's Gull and two Sabine's Gulls from Cape Sable I., N S, FRINGILLIDS -- The Region experienced a Jan. 1976, should be deleted. generallypoor fall; w. and s. vagrantswere few in number and common migrant sparrowswere almost SUB-REGIONAL EDITORS (boldface italic), equallyscarce. Despite the mediocrefall, four Black- CONTRIBUTORS (boldface), OBSERVERS and headed Grosbeaks were found; two occurred in Nova other abbreviations -- Dennis J. Abbott III, Paul Scot•a,the first at AmherstAug. 10 (CD, fide PRD) Adamns, CharlesR.K. Allen, Edith F. Audrews,George and the second at West Pubnico Oct. 15 - 17 (fide Appell, Sid Bahrt (SBa), Priscilla Bailey, Wallace PRD) In Massachusettssingle Black-headed B•ley, Greg Ball, SusanBowie, Tom Burke, William Grosbeakswere found at PeabodySept. 22 and Prince- Burt, Roger T. Burrows, Joe M. Cadbury, Peter F ton Sept. 18 (fideRPE). Only eightBlue Grosbeaks Cannell, David S. Christie, Robert A. Clayton, Shirley occurredin the s. part of the Regionwhile two were Cohrs, Eric Cooke, Rena Cote, RobertJ. Craig, Peter foundon MonheganI., Sept.30 - Oct. 4 (DWF,WCR A. Cross, Florence Cyr, Paul J. Desjardins, Con et al ) anda singlebird was seen on Grand Manan Oct. Desplanque,Phyllis R. Dobson,Paul K. Donahue,Dale 10(fide DSC). A •?Indigo Bunting in St. John's,Nfld., Dorr, Snsan R. Dcennan, Kimball C. Elkins, Ruth P. Oct 3 furnishedone of few provincialrecords (fide Emery, Norman Famons,Richard L. Ferren, DavisW. MMP). The fall totalof 20Dickcissels was slim indeed. Finch, Richard A. Forster, James Gibson, Arthur Representinga new n. breedinglimit for the state,a Gingert, Carl Goodrich, Richard S. Heil, C.W. pmr of HouseFinches apparently nested in Rumney, Heilleiner, Bartlett Hendricks, Dou Hoechlln, Mary N H , two adultsand three young frequented a feeder Holmes (MHo), Margaret Hundley, Seth Kellogg, all summer(Guy Jaquith,fideKCE). The season'stwo Douglas L. Kraus, Sleve W. Kress, Robert D. Lark Buntingswere seenin SouthPeabody, Mass., Lamberton, Helen Lapham, Vernon Laux, E Sept 19- 23 (RSH et mult.al.) andSeal I., Oct. 1 - 2 Christopher Livesay, Trevor L. Lloyd-Evans,Michael (BMacT,SIT et al., ph.), the lattera secondconfirmed Lucey (MLu), Bruce MacTavish, Frank W. Mantlik, provtncial record. Iau A. McLaren, Doug McNair, Et/c L. M///s, Blair Nikula, Ian C.T. Nisbet, RobertL. Norton,Michae!M. Parmenter, Robert Pease, Simon A. Perkins, George WINTER FINCHES -- EveningGrosbeaks staged a Perry, Wayne R. Peterseu, Elizabeth W. Phinney, masstveflight from n. parts of the Regionin early Margaret LaF. Pinsky, Robert LaF. Pinsky, NobleS. Septemberand passedthrough s. New England Proctor, Alan A. Richards, Mike Root, Nellie Ross, throughoutSeptember and October. In Branford, Richard Rowlett, William C. Russell,Lee Schlesinger, Conn, 1438grosbeaks seen flying S in a three hour Robert Scully,John Souther, Robert H. Stymeist,Stuart perrodwas consideredrepresentative of the heavy I. Tingley, WilliamC. Townsend,Richard R. Veit, Peter movement(NSP). After mid-OctoberPurple Finches D. Vickery, Dallas Wait, John Wells, David Whtttler were practicallynonexistent. Apparently there was a (DWh), Charles Wood, Manomet Bird Observatory, notably poor cone crop in n. forestsbecause Pine Museum of Comparative Zoology, ph., photographed, Grosbeaks also headed S in November and redpolls v.o., various observers.-- PETER D. VICKERY, Box were presentin largenumbers in c. Maine by mid- 14, Lincoln Center, Maiue, 04458. November. Pine Siskinsfollowed Evening Grosbeaks S, experiencinga heavyflight that was two-to-three weekslater thanthe grosbeaks.Finally, White-winged Crossbillswere seenin goodnumbers in e. Massachu- QU!•BECREGION setts from late October - November (WRP). /Normand David and Michel Gosselin

SPARROWS -- Two Grasshopper Sparrows on Weather conditions were normal in August, but Sep- Seal I , Oct. 4 - 23 (fide PRD) was perhapsa more tember was unusuallycloudy and rainy. Thesecondt- representativefigure for the islandthan last yeaifs 35. tions continued into October, but not for long, as The only SeasideSparrow n. of Massachusettswas a "Indian Summer" brought warm and sunnyperiods s•nglebird at EasternEgg Rock, Me., Aug. 5 (SWK). lastinguntil month'send. Novemberwas generally Lark Sparrowsacross the Regionwere a meagre 15 warm and, as usual, winter soon set in. Observers b•rds The fall's 20 Clay-colored Sparrows at 11 must be remidded that the purpose of this column ts

180 AmericanBtrds, March 1978 Montreal, Nov. 25 (fide MBu); Harlequins were found nesting on L. Bienville, along with Surf and Black Scoters (RB,RT), which represents a tremendous range extension for these species. Some 2000 migratingBlack Scotersstopped on L. BromeOct. 19 (CA), and an astounding35 Hooded Merganserswere present on L. Bienville Oct. 7 OLD). Four Turkey Vultures were reported in the Montreal area this fall; one of them at Montreal-West Nov. 5 (EG) was the latest ever. A Sharp-shinnedHawk at Great Whale R., Hudson Bay, Oct. 9 OLD) was a rare sight. Ospreys were found nestingin goodnumbers near L. Bienville, at the n. edge of their range (RB,RT). At Blanc- Sabion, an Am. Kestrei was spottedAug. 30 - 31 (LH). A Ring-necked Pheasantseen at SherbrookeSept. 24 had been locally released (PBo); we have no reason to not to validate any report, but to record those for believe that there is a viable populationof this species which there is sufficient documentation, in these in the Province, only on Mr-Royal does a semi-domes- editors'opinions. Thus the reportsin theselines may ticated populationsurvive. not be universallyaccepted, but there is available documentationon all of them. The followingstatement SHOREBIRDS -- The general impressionwas one of C.S. Robbins, former editor of Audubon Field of high numbers of Whimbreis and, accordingly,the Notes, (hereafter, AFN) is quotedfrom AFN 19:392: latest record was established with a bird near "... in mass AFN records may be taken at face Rimouski Oct. 15 (COG).Locally rare was a Red Knot value;individually, sight records should be evaluated at Ayimer Sept. 9 (MBm). Baird's Sandpipersshowed either by the reputationof the observer,or through a widespreadmigration across the province, which is further inquiry... ". It is of courseimportant that all probablya regularpattern but rarelynoticed; two were unusualobservations are fully documented,but it is at both Blanc-Sabion Aug. 15 - 23 (DWF) and Havre equallyimportant to seethis published documentation St-Pierre Aug. 29 at Moisie Aug. 29, EscouminsAUg. (mostoften in localjour0als since the spaceallowance 28 (FB), and two were at the Province'sw. edge,Aylmer herepermits no morethan what is printed). Sept. 23 (RMP). Stilt Sandpiperswere reportedfrom near St-Clet Aug. 27 (BB), Qurbec City Sept. 6 (BH), LOONS THROUGH BITTERNS -- A gatheringof four occurred at Gentilly Sept. 6 (BB), and nine were 171(probably molting) Red-throated Loons was noted observed at I. du Moine Sept. 10 (JS). The still rare Aug. 19 at Bianc-Sablon(DWF). Again this year, Buff-breasted Sandpiper was also widely recorded; tubenosesturned up in goodnumbers: ten N. Fulmars one was at Blanc-Sablon airport Aug. 17 (DWF), at Bianc-Sablon Aug. 14 (DWF), 120 Greater others at I. de Moine Sept. 4 (JS), two at QuebecCity Shearwaters off St-Paul Aug. 27 and 150 off St- Sept. 10 OH), and Gentilly Sept. 11 (BB). Single Augustin,Duplessis Co., Sept.3 (LH), threeSooty Marbled Godwits were at Gasp6 Aug. I (De) and I. and two Greater Shearwaters from the shore on aux Fermiers Aug. 27 (GD), and a HudsonianGodwit MagdalgnIs., Aug. 16 (PC), 40 Sootiesplus a Manx appearedat Blanc-SabionAug. 16 (DWF). A flock of Shearwater off Natashquan Sept. 4 (LH), another five Red and 31 N. Phalaropeswas at Gentilly Sept. 6 Manx at Bianc-SablonAug. 25 (DWF) anda probable (BB,MM); lone Reds were later seenat Lapraifie Oct. Manx in the MagdalenIs., Aug. 16(PC). Singlebirds I (MG), and Quebec City (LH). reportedas Leach'sStorm-Petrels were at Quebec City Sept.22 (DBo) andnear Trois-Rivi•res Sept. 23 JAEGERS THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS -- (DBa). A flockof 400 migratingDouble-crested Cor- Pomafine Jaegers were noted in nine Gulf of St. morantswas presenton L. BromeSept. 21 (CA). A Lawrence localities, 25 at St-Augustin Sept. 3 (LH) record late Green Heron was at Beauharnois Oct. 30 being noteworthy; Parasitic Jaegerswere almost as (DBe), andsingle Cattle Egrets were at LauzonAug. 1 numerous in the Guff. A juvenile Long-tailed Jaeger (RF), LaprairieAug. 17, I. aux FermiersAug. 14 - was at Blanc-SablonAug. 24 (DWF) and an adult at St- Sept.3 (JSet al.), andPointe-Fortune Sept. 17 (GH). AugustinSept. 3 (LH). Two Skuaswere found this fall, Slightlyout-of-range was an Am. Bitternat Blanc- a mostsurprising event; one at QuebecCity Sept.23 SabionAug. 23 (DWF); two had beennoticed there (BH et al.), and one from the Trois-Pistolesferry Oct. last year by the sameobserver. 10 (DH) - (details in Bull. ornith.). A LesserBiaek- backed Gull was observedagain at BeauharnoisOct. 4 GEESE THROUGH PHEASANTS -- Additional (DBe) and a possibleThayer's gull was photographed "southern" nestingsof wild CanadaGeese came to there Oct. 22 - 23 (BB). In the Magdalen Is., the now light: three youngin July at Matagami,Abitibi Co. common Black-headedGull was spottedAug. 19 (PC); (DBa) and six youngraised in Augustat Franquelin, a LaughingGull seenat Sept-IlesSept. 4 (JMB) estab- DuplessisCo. (fideJMB). Two Blue-wiuged Teal were lishedapparently a first recordfor the North Shore; at Bianc-SabionAug. 30 (LH) and six Ring-necked another at Beauharnois, last seen Nov. 12 (BB), was a Ducks on L. Bienvflle, Ungava, Oct. 7 OLD). A record-latebird. Up to five Little Gulls were presentat HarlequinDuck was shot on Lakeof Two Mountains, Beauharnoisin the period Aug. 14 - Sept. 24, one was

Volume 32, Number 2 181 at I du Moine Aug. 7 (BB et al.), and two were at "definitepink, of varyingextent and intensity, over Quebec City Aug. 30 (DBo). Two imm. Black-legged head,neck, rump,and sometimesout overthe breast" Klttiwakes turned up at SherbrookeNov. 8 (PBo). An A notable influx of Pine Grosbeaks started In addition to the Beauhamois area list was a Forster's Octoberalong the St. LawrenceValley, and the birds Tern seen Aug. 21 - 25 (MM et al.); two Caspian were up to three times more numerousthan usual, Terns, always rare away from the St-Lawrence, were untilthe endof the season(C.O.Q.). Pine Siskins were at Aylmer Oct. 1 - 6 (IJ,PJ). In LaV6rendrye P.P., a also well in evidenceand one flock in Forillon N P, Rock Dove was seen at L. des Fourches July 18 Aug. 29, comprised3000 birds(JH). For someyet (DBa) Another amazing occurrence was a Ruby- unknown reason, White-crownedSparrows were throated Hummingbird at Brador Aug. 20 (DWF); unprecedentedlyscarce this year(C.O.Q.). there is only one old Labrador sight record for this species. EXOTICS -- In this categorywere two first-year BlackSwans (Cygnus atratus) of unknownorigin, shot WOODPECKERS THROUGH KINGLETS -- at St-IgnaceI., Nov. 6 (fideJC); a JavaSparrow (Padda Except for'a pair feedingthree youngat Oka Aug. 21 oryzivora)found dead in Montrealthis fall (fideMBu), (PBa), all Red-headed Woodpeckers reported were and a Red-crestedCardinal (Paroaria coronata)seen iramatures at the e. limit of their range: one at Cap- at Pointe-Clairein July (fideMM). Seealso AB 30 702 Tourmente Aug. 8 (SD) and Oct. 2 (DBa), the other at Glffard, Qu6bec City, Sept. 28 (GR). Many vagrant CONTRIBUTORS AND OBSERVERS -- M birds may follow the n. shore of the St. Lawrence R., Ainley, C. Allard, P. Bannon (PBa), D. Banville but very few are reported owingto lack of observers (DBa), B. Barnhurst, Y. B•dard, J.M. Belisle, D there That was not the case however for the Ash- Bellemare (DBe), R. Bider, P. Boily (PBo), D throated Flycatcher discoveredat Franquelin Oct. 10 Bordage(DBo), F. Brabant,M.Brigham (MBm), M by JMB. His description(details in Bull. ornith.), is so Bureau(MBu), R. Cayouette(Quebec City Area: 8191 far the only evidenceof the species'occurrence in the Av. du Zoo, Charlesbourg,Qua.), J. Chabot, P Province. In Augustand Septemberthe fewestreports Chagnon,D. Cyr, S. DeMarre,J.L. Desgranges,G since 1971, were received for Tree and Barn Swallows, Duquette, D.W. Finch, R. Fortin, B. Gauthier, G but duplicated those previouslyestablished for June Gendron,E. Greene,D. Hamel,J. Hardy, B. Houde, and July (Club des Ornithologuesde Quebec,below, L. Houde, G. Huot, I. Jones,P. Jones,M. Mcintosh C 0 Q.). Ten Bank Swallows lingered at Oka until (Montr6alArea: 136Millhaven, Pointe-Claire, Qu6 ), Oct 13 (YB), two weeks later than the former latest R.M. Panlin (Hull Area: 161 ThistledownCourt, departuredate. CommonCrows occurredn. of their Ottawa, Ont.), G. Rondeau,J. Steeves,R. Titman, known range: three at Blanc-SablonAug. 14 (DWF), J. Wright, t=detailed descriptionon file. -- NOR- and one at ScheffervilleSept. 18 (BG). The very low MAND DAVID, Centrede RecherchesEcologiques de numbersof Ruby-crownedKinglets could be relatedto Montrgal,5858 C6te desNeiges #400, Montr6al,Qu6., the high winter mortalityof thesebirds as documented and MICHEL GOSSELIN, 6151 Henri-Bourassa E. by LeGrand in AB 31:320.In eachmonth, Junethrough #107, MontrEal-Nord, Que. October, this kinglet was reportedhalf as often as the average for 1971-76(C.O.Q.). HUDSON-DELAWARE REGION WAXWINGS THROUGH SPARROWS-- In early November the departureof Cedar Waxwingscoincided /P. A. Buckley, Robert O. Paxton and with the early arrivalof BohemianWaxwings in various David A. Cutler localitiesalong the St. LawrenceR. valley. A Yellow- throated Vireo at Sherbrooke Oct. 5 (PBo), was The weather for fall 1977 was about as varied as it unprecedentedlylate. Therewas a heavymovement of can be in our Region: we had temperaturesin the 100s Red-eyed Vireos and Black-and-white Warblers in from Philadelphia to New York City in August, August but they were notably scarce in September dropping to the high 20s along the coast in November (C 0 Q.). Whereasthe Augustand Septemberreports and into the low 20s in the "normally colder" moun- of TennesseeWarblers were the highestsince 1971, tains. The Hazelton, Pa., area was sluggedwith a freak those of the Nashville Warbler were the lowest for the 10-12 inch snowfall October 17, but the rest of the same period (C.O.Q.). A • Yellow-headedBlackbird Regionwas effectivelysnow-free through the period studied near Dorion Sept. 8 (JW) was our ninth Exceptionally heavy persistent rains associatedwith regionalrecord and the fourth in fall (all Sept. 8 - Oct. stationary extratropicalnortheasters in September 6) A wounded Scarlet Tanager was seen at Beau- raised coastal water levels to record highs-- fortu- harnois Nov. 20 (DBe), by far the latest fall record. nately after the shorebirdmigration and just in time for Cardinals did not show any sign of having been hard waterfowl.October was averagein temperatureand hit by the severe 1976-77winter; at least ten birdswere precipitationand November was exceptionallyrainy, reported for the season,certainly not a below-average but mild. figure A description (? Nat. Mus. Can.) was received An abnormal occurrenceof high pressureridges of an unconfirmedd HouseFinch seen on Mt-Royal centered in the Canadian Marltimes in September, Oct 7 (MA). Observers should be aware that more coupled with coastal storms, precludedthe usualcold than 60% of the • Purple Finches banded and fronts which advanceacross the Regionnorthwest to recaptured by Kennard (Auk 76:363-4) showed southeast, bringing in their wakes hawk flights and

182 American Birds, March 1978 LOONS, PELAGICS, WADING BIRDS -- Unusual as to both date and location was a Red- throatedLoon at Harveys L., Pa., Sept. 25 (EJ,KMcG). At least 650 Com. Loons passedHawk Mt., with a season's record peak of 488+ Nov. 13 (AN). Unpre- cedentedis the only word to descfibethe numbersof Northern Fulmars seenoff Long Island in late Septem- ber. AJL hardly believedhis eyesas he watchedsome 24 feedingat the endof the DemocratPt. (Fire I. Inlet) jetty dufingthe protractedstorm of Sept.24. The same dayoff MontaukPt., a pelagictfip recordedõ9, fourof them beingseen n.w. of the point, flyingout of Block I. Sound, as were several the next morning (THD,JA et al.). lnfuriatingly, none was seen anywhere in the Regionthe remainderof the season,save one picked up dead at Jones Beach Nov. 10 (WW; skull to A.M.N.H.). Manx Shearwaterswere well-represented, with maxima of three off Montauk Sept. 5, six there Aug. 27 (both THD et al.) and an abnormalinflux of late birds included singles at Mecox Oct. 10 (PAB,THD), at Hudson Canyon Nov. 20 (PWS et ai.) and at Montauk Nov. 26 (THD et ai.). The last Greater Shearwaters (there were no later pelagic tfips) were 18 major passefinewaves. Without exception, observers at Hudson Canyon Nov. 20 (PWS et al.); an unidenti- stressedthe absence of large waves or flights, and fied shearwater at Montauk Nov. 26 was probably a concomitantlypoor numbersof warblersand other Cory's. The Region's latest-ever Wilson's Storm- insectivores.The dam burst September28, following Petrel was well seen at Montauk Oct. 9 (PAB,THD). about 10 days of continued rain over most of the Early Great Cormorants were seen at Greenwich Pt., Region,and the finesthawk flightsof recordoccurred Conn., Aug. 15 (DB), and expefiencedobserver Allan in the ensuingweeks (see below). Keith reported an immaturefrom Penn. Manor, Pa., Few pelagictfips were taken in the pefiod, although Nov. 25. some remarkablecounts of pelagicbirds were made Observersat Cape May Pt. were astonishedto see a from the shore of Long Island. Dufing October'sgood Wood Stork come sailing in off the ocean on the sur- weather excellent hawk movements occurred on the prising date of Nov. 13 (PD, ph.). It was seen on and inland fidges, and splendidcounts of Canada Geese off in lower Cape May County for the next month, but and normally coastwisewaterfowl were tallied inland. could not be reliably pinned down. Found dead Dec. Draining of a greater-than-usualnumber of inland 24 at W. Cape May (last winter's Brown Pelican met lakes and reservoirs in August-September,and water- the same fate), it apparently provided the first New management strategies which led to draining of the Jersey record sinceone at Stone Harbor in September, East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge all 1951, which in turn was preceded only by Witmet producedsome of the bestshorebirding in the northern Stone's birds at Cape May Point in 1922and 1923.The part of the Regionin years (34 speciesat J.B.W.R., 25 1958 invasion apparentlybypassed New Jersey. of them on September 3). Unfortunately, Bombay Hook, Little Creek and Brigantine refuges all had impossiblyhigh water after early or mid-August,and thus some of the poorestshorebird numbers of recent memory. Red-breasted Nuthatches began moving southward in August, and chickadeesin September. Typical October migrants (sapsucker,Winter Wren, both kinglets, creeper, Hermit Thrush) were in very low numbersthis fall, one reporterrelating this to last year's hard winter in the South. An excellentflight of siskins materialized in mid-October, and while all the other winter finches soon followed, their numbers were more modest. It was a splendidfall for rarities, and many species normally mentioned at this point were supplantedby Wood Stork, Cape May, N.J., autumn, 1977. Photol those we call especial attention to: Northern Fulmar, undated, unattributed. Wood Stork, White Ibis, Swainson's Hawk, Buff- breasted Sandpiper, Bar-tailed Godwit, Brown White lbises left over from the early summer Noddy, White-winged Black Tern, Say's Phoebe, invasion remainedthroughout s. New Jerseyuntil the Mountain Bluebird, Wheatear, "Audubon's" Warbler, end of the period (e.g. Stone Harbor). Additional Boat-tailed Grackle, Brewer's Blackbird and Lark reportsfollowing thosein the summerseason account Bunting. were: up to eight in early Augustat Little Creek, Del.

Volume 32, Number 2 183 (JMA); one August 23-30 in Holtwood, Pa. (MGr); one at Harveys L. (WR,EJ,KMcG); 70 at Penn Forest Aug 17 at Blairstown, N.J. (BH,fide FPW); one Sept. Res., Carbon Co. (REW); 292 at L. Ontelaunee(MS), 12and three going to roostSept. 19, all in theHacken- and 400 at Green Lane Res. (GF). The peak count of sack Meadows (below, H.M.) (RK); at least two Ruddy Ducks on the lower DelawareR. was only 5000 remained in Mt. Sinai Harbor, L.I., to Aug. 17 this year, still (and permanently?)down after the d•s- (RWS,DC); one was at J.B.W.R., Sept. 4 (M&HH), astrousoil spills of the last severalyears (JTM) and one at Montauk Pt., flying in off the ocean from Block I., Sept. l l (JA) must have been particularly RAPTORS -- Virtually all observers, north and galhng to Rhode Islanders,where the specieshas not south, coastal and inland, stressedthe magnitude of been authentically recorded. this year's hawk flight.Records fell left andright, both daily and seasonal.For example, at Hawk Mt, the WATERFOWL -- All observersreported an excel- previousseasonal total of 8529Sharp-shinneds •n 1939 lent flight of Canada Geese, with Hawk Mt. tallying was broken by 12,803this year; Am. Kestrelsrose to 30,340+ and a peak of 18,450+ Oct. 7 (AN). A 819 from 736 in 1968; at Hook Mt., Upper Nyack, presumed "RichardsoWs" Canada Goose was at L. N.Y., in operationonly since1971; a seasonalh•gh of Ontelaunee Oct. 17 with Canadas (TC); this race or 7070 Sharp-shinnedseclipsed the 6018 in 1975, the 75 species now occurs annually. Of even more than Cooper'serased the 55 in 1974and previoustotals for annual occurrence, a Greater White-fronted Goose Marsh Hawk, Osprey, Peregrine and Merlin were was at Higbee Beach,Cape May, Oct. 6 (JAI). Excel- overshadowedthis year. At Fire Island, 2000+ Sharp- lent numbers of Snow Geese were noted from the n.e. shinnedsand 2500+ Am. Kestrels Sept. 29 (THD,HD part of the Region where they formerly were not so et al.) set N.Y.C. area records,as did 300+ Merlins at numerous.This changein migrationpatterns, doubt- Jones Beach Sept. 28 (AW,EL). In the period Sept less associatedwith the species'increased abundance 28-Oct. 4, a minimum of 7 Goshawks, 3225 Sharp- •n s New Jersey (cf. 13,000at Dennis Creek G.M.A. shinneds, 6860 Am. Kestrels and 322 Merlins passed m early November,fide CS), sawcounts like 2500over the w. end of Fire I. Staggeringas these figureswere, Rye, N.Y., almost unheard of 10 years ago, but now to they were effortlesslysurpassed by thosefrom Cape be expected. The Brant picture following last year's May Pt., which now must be consideredthe raptor hard winter is still somewhat muddled. U.S.F.&W.S. capitalof North America:in the threemonths of Sep- aerial surveys of the entire Atlantic Coast in the first tember-November, 81,000+ hawks were tallied there week of November, when most Brant can normally be If that figure were not enoughby itself, note that •t expected to have arrived at the coast, totalled only includes some 47,000+ Sharp-shinneds(with 11,000+ 35,000 although Long Island was not included. on Oct. 4 alone!), 864 Cooper's,61 Peregrinesand 766 Completecounts in early Decembertotaled 60,000 -- Merlins. The seasonaltotal for Cape May surpasses a low but not catastrophicfigure. Still anothercensus the previous seasonaltotal for any one North Amen- m January, 1978 yielded ca. 45,000, and waterfowl can hawk observatory, viz. Duluth's 71,451 m 1970 b•ologistsare now tryingto sort out the variousinter- (fide DH) and was double that of Hawk Mountain pretations of these conflicting results (RA, pets. Superlativesfail underthese conditions. comm.). Table 1 gives a speciesbreakdown for sevenmajor One FulvousWhistling Duck was at the H.M., Sept. hawk observatories in the Region for which we 20 (DR,GMcC), and 18 arrived at Hempstead Res., obtained data. We will merely point out that (1) Sharp- L I, Nov. 20 (RDe et al.), two remaininguntil Nov. shinneds,Merlins, and Am. Kestrels are clearly more 28 A Black Duck 100 mi out in the ocean at Hudson coastwise than cis-montane migrants;(2) the reverse •s Canyon Oct. 24 (JKM et al.) may give some insight true for Broad-wingedsalthough they appeared at into the form's decline on the Atlantic Coast. A Green- coastal locations this year in almost unprecedented winged Teal with brood of nine was found at numbers;(3) the Cooper's:Sharp-shinned ratio vaned Whitesbog, N.J., Aug. 3 (fide JKM), yet another from 1:22 at Raccoon Ridge to 1:416at Montclmr, but regional breeding site. Intriguing but unverified was a most locations were in the 1:40- 1:94range (cf. d•scus- reportof a •2 Pintailwith youngon a freshwaterpond sion in AB 31:157); and (4) Marsh Hawk and Osprey on the Fresh Kills landfill on Staten Is. in mid-July. seemequally distributedcoastally and inland.Another This would be only the second known breeding in unequivocalbright spot: a minimumof 133 separate coastalNew York. A smatteringof probablysummer- Peregrine Falcon reports was received, including mg eiders was reportedfrom the New Jerseycoast in several of radio transmitter-tagged individuals Very early fall, and by late November 300+ Commonshad many were immature, although complete age amved at Montauk. An eclipse-plumagedd Harlequin breakdowns are not at hand. Golden Eagles at Hawk Duck was found at JonesInlet, Sept. 2, where it pro- Mt. were 62% immature, but only 33% of Bald Eagles bably summered; it was seen by many and were. Similar data are completely unavailable for photographeduntil shot (probablysitting) by a hunter Cooper'sHawk, but shouldbe taken in the future who allegedly mistook it for either a Wood Duck or Among raptor rarities, SwainsoWsHawk takes top Black Duck. The only equivalentearly reportwas of a billing, occurringat CapeMay for the fourthyear since male at Fire I. Inlet Sept. 25, 1971(MC). 1973 (only 1974 was missed). An immature, probably The usual inland fallout of migrating scoters was second year bird, was seen Sept. 29 (SC,AN), an unusually heavy this year. Peak counts were fre- (-other?)immature was banded Oct. 4 (WC) andan adult quently local maxima, among them the following was seenOct. 29 (PD,CS). Two more Swainson'swere Pennsylvania Black Scoter counts, all on Oct. 23:140 seenin the Regionthis year, a sub-adultat Hawk Mt,

184 American B•rds, March 1978 Table 1. 1977seasonal totals for diurnal raptorsat sevenmajor hawk lookoutsin the Hudson-DelawareRegion.*

Sunrise Hook Upper Raccoon Skyline Hawk Cape Species Mt. Mt. Montclair Ridge Ridge Mt. May Totals

Goshawk 18 28 5 60 39 110 21 281 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1272 7070 4577 4070 9548 12803 47790 87130 Cooper's Hawk 25 75 11 177 119 275 864 1546 Red-tailed Hawk 304 334 765 1865 534 4362 1597 9761 Red-shouldered Hawk 19 130 158 126 177 503 390 1503 Broad-wingedHawk 8585 6670 9509 10597 10509 17017 12402 75289 SwainsoWs Hawk 1'* 3 4 Rough-leggedHawk 4 3 1 8 4 19 6 45 Golden Eagle 4 3 1 12 34 9 63 Bald Eagle 1 4 3 5 3 21 19 56 Marsh Hawk 66 270 163 88 407 374 1172 2540 Osprey 135 330 428 171 467 444 1183 3158 Peregrine Falcon 3 9 4 3 14 61 94 Merhn 3 25 7 14 19 35 766 869 Am Kestrel 100 764 1430 292 672 819 14862 18939

TOTALS: 10539 15715 17062 17485 22501 36831 81145 201278

* datesof operationwere: Sunrise (unknown); Hook (30 Aug.-31 Oct. +13 Nov. ); Montelair(1 Sept.- 14Nov ), Raccoon(Sept. - Nov. + 3 daysin Dec.);Skyline (Sept. - Nov.); HawkMt. ("Aug." to 30Nov) andCape May (1 Sept.- 28 Nov.). Actualdays and hours of observation,plus numbers of observersand counts of vulturesand unidentified hawks were generallyunavailable at timeof writing.Summation across columns and rows biologicallyvalid in only certain cases,and data on percentrepeats unavailable. ** another seen nearby; see text for details.

seenby JB Oct. 13, and a perfect adult Sept. 29 "about maintained hawk watch is cicafly called for at Fire 15-20mi w. of Hawk Mt. on 1-78" (?JM). Swainson's Island, L.I.; (2) no recent data have come from Cape Hawks are reported almost biennially in Massachu- Charles, Va., sinceRustling's in the '30s; is that still a setts,usually in fall, andthere are a few recentupstate hawk concentration point; how do hawks cross New York recordsin spring,but the specieshas never Delawareif at all; andwhat happensat CapeHenlopen been reported from Long Island and only once before directly acrossDelaware Bay from Cape May? (3) we in n New Jersey. Their originsand routes are indeed still have little firm knowledgeof the birds' fates once mysterious. they leave coastalconcentration points suchas Fire I, ErrantBald Eagles began appearing in interiorand and Cape May; (4) all the data in Table 1 should be coastalNew Jerseyin August,presaging a major eagle viewed with the circumspectionengendered by the incursion. Table 1 data apart, there was a total of 17 knowledgethat the per cent of repeatingindividuals on Bald and 13 Golden Eagles reportedfrom throughout the same day and on succeedingdays is largely the Region,among them imm. Baldsat PeaceValley, unknown, althoughit can be inferred from adequate Pa, Nov. 26 (FM) and Middle Creek G.M.A. (Klein- bandingdata suchas are availableat Cape May. Radar feltersville, Pa.) Sept. 28 (WK). September.28was the studies are also indicated. We especially thank the day on which observersreported simultaneousmajor following for extensive data from their respective Broad-wingedand Accipitermovements from one end hawk watch sites:Raccoon Ridge (Floyd P. Wolfarth), of the Region to the other. Sample quotes included Sunrise Mt. (Fred Tetlow); Skyline Ridge (Walter JL's observations from Delaware "500 Broad- Lehnes et al.); Upper Montclair (Montclair Bird wlngedsover Newark, 400 of themin one'kettle; these Club); Hook Mt. (Stiles Thomas); Hawk Mt. (Alex birds came in from the SE; 300 leaving wooded areas Nagy) and Cape May (Peter Dunne). the next morning0845-0915" and JG's from w. of Union- ville, Pa., "By 1 p.m., I was gettingkettles of 6-700 SHOREBIRDS -- It was a very fine season for Broad-wingeds.I estimatedbetween 4000-5000 passed shorebirds,with almost as many inland as coastally, my area that day. At timesthey stretchedfrom horizon the result of favorable conditionsfollowing reservoir to horizon in long streams.Mixed in with them were drawdowns, flooded fields, or renewed interest m Red-taileds, Red-shouldereds,Sharpies, kestrels and airports and turf farms. Three hundred Am. Oyster- Ospreys. It was undoubtedlyone of the most spec- catchers at Brigantine N.W.R., Aug. 27 Was a fine tacular hawk flights I have ever seen." The last measure of the species' health in the Region hngenng Broad-winged was seen Nov. 25 at American Golden Plover were widespread, with Livingston, N.J. (RR), terminatingan unforgettable samplehigh countsof 73 at Willingboro,N.J.; Sept 23 season. (VLV); 150 at Sagaponack,L.I., Sept. 9 (JA); 80 at Somefinal observations:(1) a reasonablyconstantly Columbus,N.J., Sept. 18 (RB); 25 at Intercourse,Pa,

Volume32, Number2 185 Oct 5 (RMS); a small flock remained at J.F:K. Int'l (JMA), and maxima were 13 at Tinicum N.W.R., Sept Airport, N.Y.C., until early December (SC). 6 (J.C. Miller) and 15+ at J.B.W.R. in early September Baird's Sandpiperswere better reported than in (m.ob.). Red Phalaropeswere seenat HudsonCanyon years. The highest count was four on August 25 at with regularity, with a maximumof 130Nov. 20 (PWS Jones Beach; one was at Stewart A.F.B., Newburgh, et al.). The only one ashorewas founddead on Rte 1, N Y., Sept. 5 (m.ob.); two were at Green Lane Res., just s. of Indian River Inlet, Del., Nov. 12 (GW, Pa, the first two weeks of September(GF, MBr et *U.S.N.M.). al ), one was at Spruce Run Res., N.J., Sept. 16-19 (FPW et al.); and the last seenwas at SagaponackOct. JAEGERS, LARIDS, ALCIDS -- The only skuas 23 (JA). The potato fields at Sagaponackthis year saw reported were a single maccormicki off Montauk a repeat performanceof the until-then unheard-of September24 (THD et al.) andone not identifiedas to numbers of Buff-breastedSandpipers of 1973. Begin- species harrassing gulls at Fire I. Inlet Oct 1 rang with a modestfour on Aug. 26, numbersbuilt up (BSp,GQ). Late Pomarine and ParasiticJaegers were quickly in early September-- the best time to seethe seen through November from Montauk and Shlnne- species-- until Sept.9, whenJA countedat least70 in cock Inlets and at Hudson Canyon. Scattered singles sight at once, and suspectedthat there could have or small flocks had been seen earlier along the New been 100. No other numbers approachedthese, but Jersey shore, especiallyafter storms.No Long-tmleds this bird is appreciatedany time, anywhereit is seen. were noted. Reports of note included five on Sept. 5 at Stewart A flurry of Lesser Black-backedGulls in November A F B. (BSg,m.ob.); six at the Columbus, N.J. included a sub-adult at Riis Park, N.Y., Nov. 15-20 sod farm Sept. 3 (CVA); two at Spruce Run Res., (JA); an adult at Jones Beach Nov. 19 (JCY,JW), two Sept. 20-25 (GH et al.); three Sept. l0 at Pickering sub-adultsat Mecox Bay Nov. 20 (JA,CK,McK) and Beach, Del. (CWi) and a maximum of eight at Cape the two most interesting: an adult at Hudson Canyon May Pt., Sept. 2 (PD et al.). The last were two on Oct. Nov. 20 (PWS et al.) and anotheradult at SpruceRun 5 at J.F.K. Int'l Airport (SC). Res., N.J., Nov. 24 (JDeM). A Black-headedGull at Red Knots are amongthe scarcestsandpipers away HempsteadLake S.P., L.I., Nov. 21 was unexpected from the oceanfront, so six each at Rye, N.Y., Aug. 7 inland (JA). Excellent numbersof Black-leggedKlttl- (TB) and Greenwich Pt., Conn., Oct. 26 (A&MI) were wakes were seen from shore all along Long Island noteworthy. None was reported at any inland New starting in early November, culminating in a Jerseyor Pennsylvanialocales this fall. The peak monstrous flight of 7500+ at Montauk Nov 26 Upland Sandpipercount was 47 at the Columbussod (THD,JA et al.). This far surpassesthe previousmaxi- farm Aug. 5 (GF). Only two Curlew Sandpiperswere mum, 1750+, Dec. 29, 1957, also at Montauk (PAB et reported, both from Long Island: Aug. 6-14 at al.), althoughthere hasbeen nothing approaching that J B W.R. (THD et al.) and Moriches Inlet Aug. 30 count except associatedwith foreignfishing fleets far (LS,-WB et al.). Three W. Sandpipersat Tunkhan- offshore. nock, Pa., Sept. 5 (WR) were goodinland; the coastal Two Gull-billed Terns feeding over the H.M at maximum was only 50+ at N. Line I., L.I., Aug. 5 Kearney Aug. 8 (RK,IB) furnishedonly the second (JA), as high water apparently precluded the usual record there. The maximum Royal Tern count for the good numbers at Delaware refuges. A Purple Sand- Region was, paradoxically, 41 on Oct. 10 at piper on a concretedock at Piermont, N.Y., Nov. 1 ShinnecockInlet (JBI,SB). Only two SandwichTerns was the first for Rockland County (VS et al.). Only were reported,at Cape May Pt., Sept.7 (PD). The best three Ruffs were reported, with two females at CaspianTern flight ever on Long Island, apart from Bombay Hook N.W.R., Aug. 6 (JMA). Inland Hud- hurricanes,saw 20 in the HamptonsOct. 8 (PAB,JA), somanGodwits includedone Oct. 1-15at PeaceValley two were still at Barnegat Inlet Nov. 8. Park, Pa. (DJH); two at Moorestown, N.J., Oct. 24-26 (JGo; ph. examined);and sevenOct. 18-21at Stewart A F B. (KMcD et al.). The coastalmaximum was 15at The outstanding bird of the seasonwas the N Line I., Aug. 6 (m.ob.). Marbled Godwitscontinue ad. Brown Noddy carefully described from scarce and very coastal;the maximumwas three, also Robert Moses S.P., near Fire I. Inlet, duringa at N. Line I., Aug. 6. The premier shorebirdof the combination extratropical northeaster/vesti- seasonwas the almost fully breeding-plumagedBar- ginal hurricane Nov. 8 (?JA). The careful tailed Godwit found by ROP at Oak Beach Marsh, description taken by Ash, who had previous L I, Aug. 23. It was not seen thereafter despite a experience with the species in life, even small army's searching.This representedonly the 4th precluded Black Noddy. This is the species' New York Staterecord (the previousthree havebeen first New York State occurrence,the first for at Moriches Inlet), althoughit has been annual in New the Hudson-Delaware Region, and only the Jersey for the last ten years or so. third n. of the Carolina Capes. However, one Only two Am. Avocetswere segnaway from their was picked up dead on Martha's Vineyard, usual locations in the s. part of the Region (Little Mass., Sept. 1, 1954, the day after Hurricane Creek, Bombay Hook and Brigantine), both at Carol, and three were seen during Hurricane J B W.R.: Aug. 4-12 and Aug. 27-Sept. 3 (m.ob.). Wil- Donna, Sept. 12, 1960at Block I., R.I. son's Phalaropeswere in goodnumbers in the n. part of the Region where waters were low, but were all but The White-wingedBlack Tern at Little Creek Ref, absent farther s. Three were at Little Creek Aug. 20 Del., was last reported Aug. 6 in almostfull winter

186 American Birds, March 1978 plumage(JMA). A BlackTern at MontaukPt., Oct.9 Black-cappeds through the city streets across the (PAB,THD) provided one of the latest regional Regionin late September-early Octoberbrought large records. A storm-driven Black Skimmer appeared at numbers S, but only the two Boreals were noted A SpruceRun Res., in n. New JerseySept. 25 (HDr et large but not massive Red-breasted Nuthatch incur- al ) but apparentlysuccumbed the next day. One sion beganacross the entire Regionin Augustand con- thousand,including some 25 newly hatchedyoung, tinued through the period; many birds wintered at were still at Beach Haven Inlet (Holgate) Sept. 22 feeders or in dense ornamental conifer groves. Three (BCH);the nextday another 1000 were packed into a Short-billed Marsh Wrens on migration in October roostat Stone Harbor by high tides(CS,PS). A light, were dete•ted at coastallandbird traps, a good early Alcid flighton Long Island(Dovekies, Razorbills) average. The Bewick'sWren alludedto in the Nesting didproduce a BlackGuillemot at ShinnecockInlet Nov. Seasonreport was actuallynetted and photographed at 25 (GSR,DL,RA),but was not perceivedfarther w. or Island Beach, N.J., May 4, I977 (ph. examined by s , nor at Hudson Canyon. PAB). Almost all reporters commented on reduced numbersof Winter Wrens during migrationthis fall OWLS THROUGH WRENS --The coastal Saw- whetOwl flightwas the poorestin recentmemory, and THRUSHES THROUGH WARBLERS- Three no SnowyOwls were seen anywhere in theRegion. A vagrant thrusheson Long Island highlightedthis fall nighthawksleeping on a porchat Gilgo,L.I., Nov. 10 and two of them mirrored w. U.S. populationsthis was believed to have been only a Common (ROP), but year. A c• Varied Thrush was at a Lawrence, L I , wasnonetheless probably the latest ever recorded in the brushpile Nov. 3-4 (L&LG et al.), one of very few Region.Most observers, especially those on the coast, regionalreports away from feedersand/or in migration, commentedon a poorRed-headed Woodpecker flight, an imm. c• Mountain Bluebird was photographed but 63 for the season at Hawk Mt. was substantial. as it fed along the shoulderof the Ocean Highway at Unique this year was a Black-backedThree-toed Jones Beach Nov. 15 but could not be relocated (MBe Woodpeckeron the VassarCollege campus, Pough- ph. comparedwith skinsat A.M.N.H. by THD) -- this keepsie,N.Y., Nov. 15 (ASW). representsthe secondrecord for New York State and It was the best W. Kingbird flight in many years the first known to us from the Atlantic coastline: and a (39+ birds),especially in October-November,and Wheatearspent Oct. 16-23at Westhampton(BB et al, birdswere lingeringinto Decemberfrom Montaukto ph.). Late were a Wood Thrush at Denville, N J, Cape May, as usualeating berries when insects Nov. l l (MH) and a Swainsoh's in Newark Nov becamescarce. Out-of-the-way occurrences included 14 (RD). oneat Bear, Del., Sept.24 (GP), Princeton,N.J., Nov. Above-normal numbers of N. Shrikes seemed to 24-26(JZ et al.), and GreenwichPt., Conn.,Sept. 15 presagean invasion year for this species,the first (DB et al.). appearing at Spruce Run Res., Oct. 28 (F&EC). Log- gerhead Shrike, virtually a vanishedspecies from the Region, was reported in migration(and later in winter) The flycatcherof the seasonwas clearly Say's this year more than anytime in the last 25 years A Phoebe. No less than four were seen in the total of 19 probably different individualswere noted, Region,as follows:Oakland, Bergen Co., N.J., not just duringtheir usual(and usuallymissed) August Sept. 24-26(EK et mult. al.); CapeMay Co. peak migration, but throughthe season.While all were Airport Sept. 24 (BEB; ph.); Island Beach singles,inland and coastallocales were represented S.P., Oct. 15 (JBg et al.) -- trapped in a rest- This is the first tentative upturn in a depressmgly room from which it was reportedly flushed downward trend for this bird since the '50s. A Phila- [sic!]-- Fire I., L.I., Oct. 23., ph. in colorby delphia Vireo at Scott's Mt., N.J., Aug. 19 was early, AD and CWa. There are four previous New as was a Solitary at Cape May Pt., Aug. 25. A White- Jerseyand five New York Staterecords. The eyed at Fire l., Nov. 20 •.ph.)was almostthe latest for Northeast was dotted with Say's Phoebesthis Long Island (HD). tall, and onewas even seen from a pelagictrip Warblers of note were mostlyon late dates, with few out of Rhode Island; see p. 178. rarities. Prothonotaries were at Rancocas Park, N J (VLV), and Glen Cove L.I. (BSp), both on Sept 18 A very late Cliff Swallow[7] wasat CapeMay Pt., One was seen at Cape May Pt., Aug. 25 with a Nov 1 (PD), and the usualcoastal complement of Kentucky and a Worm-eating (JDD), and a Worm- November Barn Swallows appeared this year, the eating netted ,:t Manorville, L.I., Oct. 22 was probably latest Nov. 26 at Montauk (m.ob.). Seven Corn. the latest for the Region (GSR). AW recordedthe last Ravens for the season at Hawk Mt. tied their 1975 Tennessee, at Rockville Centre, L.I., Nov. 5, and also high,two were at RaccoonRidge Sept. 11 and one there photographeda Blackburnianat JonesBeach Nov 13, Oct 4. Inadvertently omitted from the springseason the latest ever for the Region. A late Nashville was at wasthe reportof a singleraven at RaccoonMar. 9-30, Rye, N.Y., Nov. 5-6 (M.F.N.), a surprisingMagnolia reminiscentof the one that patrolled1-287 the lastfew was at Fire I., Nov. 25 (THD et al.), and a rash of late winters. Ten Black-cappedChickadees arrived in Blackpollsincluded four Nov. 9 (Delawareand West- Carolinacountry at PrincetonN.J., aftera Sept.7 cold chester Cos., N.Y.), two in New Jersey on the 12th, front (RB), andtwo BorealChickadees were reported: and the last at Cape May on the 19th (JDD) An Dallas, Pa., Nov. 9 (E J) and Fahnstock,S.P., Putnam "Audubon's" Warbler was netted at Island Beach Co, N.Y., Nov. 6 (DE). The early movementof Oct. 30, the first fall Regionalreport before November

Volume 32, Number 2 187 (MD). A Kentucky netted on Great Gull I., off Orient present throughout the season, they were accom- Pt, L.I., Sept. 10 was "the only bird to go into the panied by a few redpolls, although both species nets that day" (JDiC). Might the Yellow-throated were not in nearly the numbersof the huge 1969inva- Warbler seen at Freehold, N.J., Aug. 18 (JP) have sion. Red Crossbills followed them in small flocks (10- been a New Jersey breeder? A few migrant Hooded 20+), again nothing like 1969. Even fewer White- Warblers were seenin Augustand September,and the winged Crossbills were seen, but a moderate mid- last Am. Redstart was a juvenile male Nov. 19 in winter flight to be discussedin the Winter Season Chester Springs,Pa. (PS). columnwas presagedby an imm. maleat a Hawk Mt Most observerscommented on what a poor fall it .feederAug. 15-16(AN). The Dickcisselpopulation, at was for warblersin general, with no especialconcen- least as reflectedby coastalnumbers, seemed to have trations or high counts. One exceptionto that trend droppedinto a deep trough:only nine were reported was at Great Gull I., where JDiC banded 123 Black- from Long Island (maximum:four at Montauk Sept polls Sept. 23, and 62 on Sept. 30. Many moreof these 18), only five from New Jersey, and one each from than usual were adults, although no comparative Delaware (Summit Oct. 5: RMcL) and Pennsylvania figuresare at hand. (Unionville Oct. 16: JG). Blue Grosbeaks were unreported from New Jerseyand Pennsylvania,only BLACKBIRDS THROUGH BUNTINGS -- A once in Delaware (eight on Aug. 10 at Bombay Hook, Boat-tailedGrackle at Island Beach, N.J., Sept. 25 was probablylocals: JMA), but nine were on Long Island, probably the first seen there (fide MD); the 400 at with the maximum of four at Montauk Sept. 18, and Brigantine I., Nov. 5 (JDD) indicate the population's one still at a feeder in the Babylon, Long Island area in health in New Jersey. Probably also from New Jersey mid-November. were two •? Boat-taileds seenon Long Island, N.Y.: at Rockland County, N.Y.'s first Lark Buntings were Riis Pk., Oct. 10 (LS,WB et al.) and possiblythe same an imm. male at a Nyack feederOct. 9 (RC,RFD et al ) individual at the Queens Botanical Garden Oct. 22 and a probable ad. male at Piermont Pier Nov 11 (A&HR). Neither could be relocated despite much (TCW). Detailed descriptionsof both were examined looking. Boat-tailed is now occurringon Long Island by PAB. The Region's only Henslow's Sparrow, annually, mostly in spring. Brewer's Blackbird exceedingly rare as a migrant, was meticulously continues to increase in the Region, although describedfrom Jerome Res., the Bronx, on the excep- observers are not being as cautiousabout reportingit tional date of Nov. 6 (WS). The first of New Jersey's as they should be. Impeccably described were a five Lark Sparrows was as usual in Augustat Cape female at Fire I., Oct. 8 (GSR,DL,RA; ph. compared May on the 12th(JDD); while Long Island'sfive were to skins at A.M.N.H., but picturesnot examinedby all in Septemberexcept for one found "inland" at Eds ), and about 30 at Bombay HookN.W.R., through HempsteadLake S.P., Nov. 24 and "kept" there by November (DAC et al.). One and two, respectively, daily rations of seeduntil the S. NassauCBC, Jan 2 were reported from Allentown and Dimock, Pa., but (m.ob.). New Jersey's two single Clay-colored descriptionsor photos detailed enough to preclude Sparrowsat Island Beach(PB) and Cape May (JDD) Rusty have not been examined.Once again we insist were both on Sept. 17,while Long Island's four singles that good color photos be submittedwith Regional were all in October,from the 2ndat JonesBeach (AW reports of Brewer's Blackbird. While we have no et al.) to the 28th at Mecox Bay (JA). The only doubt it occurs annually in every state in the Region, "Oregon" Junco was at a Vincenttown, N.J. feeder there are still no specimensfrom any of our four Nov. 11-17 (KT). Exceptionally early was a Fox states, and few recognizablephotos. Two Yellow- Sparrow at Wilkes-Barre Sept. 30 (WR). A Song headed Blackbirds were seen Sept. 15 at Island Beach Sparrow at Hudson Canyon Oct. 23 may have been S P (JCM), and singles were at Green Lane, Pa., goingto Bermudawith the siskins,and 100Swamp Sept 17 (GF), Lewes, Del., Oct. 17 (RC,DWF), and at Sparrows at Tinicum N.W.R., Oct. 13-16 was Lafayette, N.J., Oct. 21 (MH). A •? SummerTanager impressive(NP). The earliest-everRegional Lapland at JonesBeach Sept. 18 (ROP,AJL), and an imm. male Longspurs(2) were at Gilgo Beach, L.I., Sept 29 at an Elwood, L.I., feeder to Nov. 16 (AJL,HD et al.) (ROP), and severalreports of hundredsof SnowBunt- were the only onesreported; the soleW. Tanagerwas ings were toppedby 1000+ at SpruceRun Res., Nov a changingad. male at W. Orange,N.J., Sept. 28 (RR 15 (HDr). et al ). A late Scarlet at Princeton, N.J., Nov. 19 had an InJUredwing (DW). UNVERIFIED REPORTS -- It is and has been our The better-than-average Evening Grosbeak flight intent to call attentionto with thisheading reports we which startedin late September(first report was 120in have received of extreme rarities which we believe three flocksat Hatfield Swamp,N.J. on the 27th)was may well be correct, but for which we have not heralded by an errant female (local breeder?)at Tunk- received photographsor confirmingobservations by hannock, Pa., Aug. 14 (WR). Pine Grosbeaksinvaded others. Falling in this category this seasonare several the area in November, appearingsimultaneously on excitingbirds: a pair of Brown Boobiesover land on the New Jerseyand Pennsylvaniahawk ridgesand at Long Island; Gyrfalcons from Long Island, New Fire I., on the 11th-12th. The first, as usual was Jersey and Delaware; a Spotted Redshank from montane, at Skyline Ridge Oct. 16 (LV). Pine Siskins Delaware, and a singing Bell's Vireo from Long poured through the Region in October, with maxima Island. being 2000+ at Riis Park on the 22nd (THD et al.), and were even seenon all HudsonCanyon pelagic trips. In CORRIGENDUM -- In AB 31:982 we noted a "first such incursionsthey frequentlyreach Bermuda.Still New Jersey springrecord" for W. Kingbird In so

188 AmericanBirds, March 1978 doing, we overlookedone already on record (AFN Turnersville, N.J. 08012), Mianus Field Notes (West- 11:332) from Port Elizabeth, CumberlandCo., Apr. chester Co., N.Y. & adj. Conn.: c/o Tom Burke, 26 16, 1957. Onondaga St., Rye, N.Y. 10560), J.C. Miller, A. OBSERVERS -- (subregionalcompilers in bold- Nagy, J. Peachey,G. Prest,N. Pulcinella,G. Quinn, face): J.M. Abbott, R. Adamo, J. Allen (JAI), R. G.S. Raynor,William Reid (n.e. Penna.:73 WestRoss Andrews, J. Ash (JA), C.V. Atkinson, P. Bacinski, W. St., Wilkes-Barre,Penna. 18702),A. & H. Richard,D. Baumann, M. Beyer (MBe), S. Birnbach,Irving Black Roche, R. Ryan, L. Schore, R.M. Schutsky, V. (n.e.N.J.: 2 Beaumont Place, Newark, N.J. 07104), Schwartz, W. Sedwitz, B. Sequin, R.W. Smart, P. RaymondBlicharz (central N.J.: 827 PennsylvaniaWilliam Smith (coastal N.J.: 24 Heyward Hills Dr., Ave., Trenton, N.J. 08638), J. Bloss, B.E. Blust, D. Holmdel, N.J. 07733), M. Spence,B. Spencer(BSp), Bova, J. Brett, M. Broun (MBr), B. Bruun, J. Burgiel R. Stallcup, P. Street, C. Sutton, P. Sutton, K. (JBg), T. Burke, M. Cashman,F.&E. Chapman,S. Tischner, John Tramontario (Orange Co., N.Y.: Chevalier, W. Clark, T. Clauser, R. Conner, D. Biology Dept., Orange Co. CommunityCollege, Crumb, David A. Cutler (s.e. Penna.,Del.: seebelow), Middletown, N.Y. 19940) L. Verdecame, J. Wall, C. J.D. Danzenbaker, H. Darrow, Thomas H. Davis Ward (CWa), RalphT. WatermanBird Club (Dutchess (L.I._ and s.e.N.Y. 94-46 85th Road, Woodhaven, Co., N.Y.: c/o Mrs. Aline Romero, Cedar View Road, Queens, N.Y. 10421), R. Deacon (RDc), Robert F. PleasantValley, N.Y. 12569),G. Watson,C. Wilds Deed (Rockland Co., N.Y.; 50 Clinton Ave., Nyack, (CWi), T.W. Wilfred, W. Wilkens, D. Willard, R.E. N.Y. 10960), J. DeMarrais, J. DiCostanzo, R. Wiltcaut, F.P. Wolfarth, A. Wollin, A.S. Worthen, Dieterich (RDi), A. Dignan, M. Doschef, H. J.C. Yrizarry, and J. Zerbe; CBC (ChristmasBird Drinkwater (HDr), P. Dunne, D. Ewert, D.W. Finch, Count), A.M.N.H. (American Museum of Natural G. Franchois,M. Glaspey,L. & L. Goldman,J. Golub History); G.M.A. (Game ManagementArea); H.M. (JGo), J. Grantham. M. Griswold(MGr), Greg Hanisek (Hackensack Meadows); J.B.W.R. (Jamaica Bay (n.w.N.J.: 363 James St., Phillipsburg,N.J. 08865), Wildlife Refuge);N.W.R. (National Wildlife Refuge); M. Hannisian, D.J. Hartmann, D. Heintzelman, B. U.S.N.M. (U.S. National Museum);? (detaileddes- Heyne, B.C. Hiatt. M. & H. Hopleins, A. & M. criptionexamined or on file); ph. (photographs).-- Ivanoff, E. Johnson, R. Kane, W. Kelley, E. P.A. BUCKLEY, North Atlantic Regional Office, Kokorsky, D. Larsen, A. J. Lauro, V. LaVia (VLV), National Park Service, 15 State St., Boston, Mass. E. Levine, J. Linehan, J. Maugams. G. McCoy. K. 02109, ROBERT O. PAXTON, 560 Riverside Drive, McDermott, K. McGuire, C.K. McKeever, R. Apt. 12K. New York, N.Y. 10027, and DAVID A. McLaughlin, J.T. McNeil, F. Meats, JamesK. Meritt CUTLER, 1110 Rock Creek Drive, Wyncote, Penna. (s.w.N.J.: 809 SaratogaTerrace, Whitman Square, 19095.

PA • •

MIDDLE ATLANTIC COAST REGION /F. R. Scott

The drought of the late spring and summer continued into early October, when a rainy period began that lasted through November, resulting in both of the last two months of the period having above-normai precipitation and finally replenishingwater levels in rivers and impoundments.Temperatures generally remainedwarm, with only Octoberbeing below the mean. On the ccntcalPiedmont of Virginia, Bazuinfelt lhat The Kiptopeke Beach, Virginia bandingstation was the droughthad a devastatingeffect on the vegetative the only one reporting its results this year, and it food supplyand severelyreduced the amountof food recorded major flights of small land birds on Sep- available for fall and winter birds, with many weeds tember 4 - 5 and 28 - 30 and on seven occasions in being unable to set seeds.This appearedto affect October. Elsewhere, the only report of a major adverselythe localsummer and early fall populationspasserine flight was at Point Lookout, Maryland, of Killdeer and Eastern Meadowlarks as well as small where Rowlett found large numbersarriving at dawn mammais,which in turn may have been responsibleon September 29. Major constituentsof the flight were for low numbersof raptorshere duringthis period. Common Flickers, Gray Catbirds, and Swainson's

Volume 32, Number 2 189 Thrushes,species which were alsoin highnumbers the when huge numberswere noted arriving at S.P S P sameday at KiptopekeBeach (CWH). (SJM,HLW), EasternNeck I. (FLP et al.), and Talbot Co., Md., (JR). Wilds watcheda flock of 28 Canada LOONS THROUGH CORMORANTS -- The first Geesefly into ChincoteagueRef., fromthe northAug transient Com. Loon at Sandy Point S.P., Md. (here- 23. If thesewere migrants as the observer thought, this after, S.P.S.P.) appearedSept. 8 (HLW), quite an was probablythe earliestarrival date for the state A early date here. Only threepelagic trips were reported Brant at Green Springs, Louisa Co., Va., Nov 25 this season. Two extraordinarily early Northern (JBB) furnished a unique record for Virglma's Fulmars were found 8 mi e. of Wachapreague Inlet, Piedmont. A White-frontedGoose, apparently paired ¾a, Sept. 24 (BW,BT), and a trip out of OceanCity, with a Canada Goose, returned to Blackwater Md, SE to WashingtonCanyon Aug. 23 - 24 yielded N.W.R., Md., Nov. 2 (KB,BJ,FK), and with them four Audubou'sShearwaters, three of thesein Virginia were four apparentlyhybrid young. A White-fronted waters (RAR). Peak countsof other speciesincluded Goose also returned to Green SpringsNov. 16 (JBB), 26 Cory's Shearwaterson the Aug. 23 - 24 trip (RAR) for the third successiveyear accompaniedby two of and 225 Wilson's Storm-Petrels off Ocean City Sept. the threeapparent hybrids described as immaturestwo 18 (RAR et al.). Brown Pelicanscontinued to be found yearsago. FulvousWhistling Ducks were reportedm at Fisherman I., Va., up to Aug. 21 (RLAnd) with a four localities: nine on the Potomac R., near Seneca, high count of six on the 19th (HTA,CPW). A Great Md., Sept.21 (RAR), 24 at ChincoteagueRef., Oct 28 Cormorant on the Potomac R., at St. GeorgesI., Md., (CPW), 15at BlackwaterRef., Nov. 4 (MK et al.), and Sept 29 (RAR) was apparentlya recordearly datefor one at S.P.S.P., Nov. 9 - 10 (HLW,SJM,RAR et al ) the state, and many observersreported it along the These are the bestnumbers reported in this Regionin a ChesapeakeBay Bridge-Tunnel,Va., with a maximum number of years. Early duckarrivals included a Pintall of three Oct. 13 (DLH,RLAke,BW). Double-crested at Kent I., Md., Aug. 31 (JR,LH) and two Ruddy Cormorants seemed in unusual numbers inland in Ducks at Eastern Neck 1., Sept. 2 (JR), and a c• early August. Countsincluded 15 at Alexandria,Va., Eurasian Green-wingedTeal was found at Kerr Res, Aug 6 (JMA) and 13 at Hopewell, Va., Aug. 11(FRS). Va., Nov. 26 (PEM). Up to three Harlequin Ducks HERONS AND IBISES -- Coastal postbreeding were presentalong the ChesapeakeBay Bridge-Tunnel heron concentrations were generally rather poor, islandsagain, the firstreport being Oct. 15(RLAnd et undoubtedlyowing at least in part to low water levels al.), probablya recordarrival date for Virginia.Some (or none at all) in impoundments.The situationinland 20,000 Surf Scoters were estimatedmoving S off was somewhat better, and in the Hopewell, Va. area, AssateagueI., Md., Oct. 23 - 24 (RAR,SW), and two the peak Little Blue Heron count was 20 on Aug. 31 to three Black Scoters were found inland at Swift (FRS,WKS). The previously reported Cattle Egret Creek Res., near Richmond,Va., Nov. 20 - 22 (WCF colony here still had six nests with young Aug. 31 et al.). A peak of 36 HoodedMergansers at Dyke (FRS,WKS), and 200 or more Cattles were presentin marsh Nov. 28 (OEF) was the highestlocal count of the area until late September(HCO). Elsewhere, 15 this species. Cattles near Manassas,Va., Oct. 7 (JRK) and onenear Chariestown, Md., Nov. 18 (FLP,RAR) were unusual. HAWKS THROUGH GALLINULES -- A number An excellent inland concentrationof 81 Great Egrets of observerscommented on the abundanceof Sharp- was found near Hopewell Aug. 7 (FRS), and Snowy shinnedHawks, andReese termed them "the highhght Egrets peaked at a record 37 at S.P.S.P., Oct. 1 - 2 of the fall migration"in TalbotCounty, Md. The first (HLW). Other inland Snowiesincluded a high of four two transientswere reportedat KiptopekeBeach Aug at Dyke marsh, Fairfax Co., Va., Aug. 29 (JMA) and 31 (DLM), and peak numbers of migrating birds two near Charlottesville, Va., Aug. 21 (TFW), the included 1780here Oct. 16 (BW) and 350 at Tilghman latter representingone of the few Piedmontrecords of I., Md., Oct. 2 (JR). Maximum counts of migrating this species.The majorinflux of White Ibises--almost hawks at S.P.S.P. and Annapolis,Md., included213 all lmmatures--continued into the fall with maximum Red-tailed Nov. 16 and 2750 Broad-winged Hawks counts of nine (includingone adult) at Chincoteague Sept. 21 (HLW), whereasMele found 1528 Broad- N W R., Va., Aug. 15 (BWK), five at Laurel, Md., wingedspassing over nearby Severna Pk.• Md., Sept Aug 5 (DB), and five near Hopewell Aug. 18 (FRS). 28. A very late imm. Broad-wingedwas seen at At Chincoteague Ref., birds remained through Alexandriaup to Nov. 29 (DFA). At KiptopekeBeach October, and the last one was seen here Nov. 4 the top Ospreycount was 88 on Sept. 21 (PEM,FRS), (JWD•FRS), a record late date for Virginia. and there were several November records, including one at Neavitt, Md., Nov. 9 (JR,KRde). Peregrine SWANS, GEESE, DUCKS -- An unusual concen- Falconswere widelyreported along the coast,pamcu- tration of well over 100,000 waterfowl was observed larly in early October,and an adultreturned to down- on the Wash Flats of ChincoteagueRef., Nov. 16. town Norfolk, Va., Oct. 7 and remainedthroughout Included were an estimated 30,000 Brant, 25,000 Am. the period(DLH). Inland,one seenin the vicimtyof Wlgeom 5000 Gadwall• and 3000 N. Shovelers Alexandria from late July to Oct. 8 (JMA et al.), was (DFA,HB). One to two Mute Swans were present at thoughtto be one of the releasedbirds from Aberdeen, Dyke marsh, Va., July 31 - Sept. 17 (JMA), and Md. An ad. Sandhill Crane was carefully observed Rowlett and Parks found a raft of 200 at Eastern Neck both in flight and at rest near LocustGrove, Kent Co, I , Nov. 18. The first major flight of WhistlingSwans Md., Oct. 20 (SJM), and a BlackRail was found inland into the upper ChesapeakeBay occurredNov. 12, at Sweet Briar, Va., Oct. 14 (EPE,CH,NR). Reese

190 AmericanBirds, March 1978 discovered a Purple Gallinule at a golf coursepond JAEGERS THROUGH SKIMMERS -- Wierenga near St. Michaels, Md.. Nov. 12 which remained at observed two Parasitic Jaegersat S.P.S.P., Aug. 20, least into early December. the third year that jaegers have been found at this upper Chesapeakelocality, and40 Great Black-backed SHOREBIRDS -- An imm. Wiison's Plover at Gulls at Alexandria Oct. 15 (JMA) were considered a ChincoteagueRef., Sept. 26 (DFA,HB) was late, and high number this far inlandat this date. An ad. Lesser one was noted at Craney I., Portsmouth,Va., Aug. 5 Black-backed Gull which appeared at Alexandria (MPM,NCM et al.), one of the few recorded away Sept. 15 remainedat least to Dec. 3 and was joined from the immediate coast. American Golden Hovers Sept. 26-Oct. l0 by an immature(DFA,JMA,OEF et were widespreadand in good numbers,and Wierenga al.). Otherreports of thisspecies were singles at Chin- noted the first one at S.P.S.P. on July 30. Maximum coteague Ref., Sept. 23 (CPW), Norfolk Sept. 30 counts were 150 at Chincoteague Ref., Sept. 26 (RJT), and Cape Henry, Va., Nov. 20 (RLAnd et al.). (DFA,HB) and 850 near Locust Grove, Md., Oct. 22 A concentration of 1300gulls (300 Herring, 200 Ring- (FLP et al.), the last a record regional count. For the billed, and 800 Laughing)in the Alexandriaarea Sept. secondyear up to seven were found inland at Green 16(JMA) was unprecedentedfor this time of year, and Springs, Va., Sept. 9 - 17 (JBB). Unusual recordsfor a singleLaughing Gull was noted on the PotomacR., the upper Chesapeakewere a Whimbrel at S.P.S.P., near Seneca,Md., Sept. 4 (JBB). Teuber founda very Aug. 22 (MLH,SJM) and a Willet at Eastern Neck I., early--or possibly summering--Bonaparte's Gull at Md., Aug. 1! (JR). Spotted Sandpipersat S.P.S.P., Pt. Lookout, Md., Aug. 9, and an ad. Little Gull was Nov. 8 - 10 and Baltimore Co., Md., Nov. 13 (both seen at Chincoteague Ref., Nov. 25 (BWK,TWms). HLW) were late. At Chincot.eague Ref., Red Knots Two or three Franklin's Gulls appearedat S.P.S.P.. peaked at 2175 on Aug. 4 (CPW,RLP,EHS), and Sept. 14 - Oct. 30 (HLW,SJM et al.), and an imm. Baird's Sandpiperswere reported from five localities, Sabine'sGull was carefully observedat length both in including one to two at Anacostia, D.C,, Sept. 13 - 20 flight and at rest at Craney I., Sept. 8 (PEM,KRce). (DFA,JMA,OEF et al.). The previously reported Several Franklin's Gulls were also reported in the Bal- Curlew Sandpiperat Craney I. remainedat least to timore, Md. area during this period (fide HLW). Aug. I I and was seen by many observersduring this A single Gull-billed Terrr was found at S.P.S.P., period (RAB,SJM,BW et al.). Rowlett felt that Long- Aug. 15 (HLW), and Forster's Tern hit an unusual billed Dowitchers seemed to be more numerous this peak of 1500at AlexandriaAug. 14(DFA). Farther up fall than usual and recorded200 at ChincoteagueRef., the Potomac near Seneca, one to four Forster's were Oct. 3. There were numerous other coastal reports, noted Aug. 13 - 21 (JBB), and large numbers and inland records of note were singlesat Dyke marsh appeared in the Eastern Neck I. area in mid- Aug: I (OEF,LT et al.), andGreen Springs Oct. 9 November with 101 on Nov. I l (FLP). Of particular (JBB). Buff-breasted Sandpipers were noted in four interest were a sight record of •a probablead. Sooty localities, and at ChincoteagueRef. they were present Tern a few miles off OceanCity Aug. I l (CJT) andtwo from Aug. 2, a record early date, to Oct. 16 (CPW) subad. Bridled Terns seenat WashingtonCanyon Aug. with a maximum count of 30 on Sept. 2 (CPW,HTA). 24 (RAR), the latter a first for Virginia. The best con- Most of the godwit reports were t¾omCraney I. centration of Sandwich Terns was 14 at Fisherman I., and the Chincoteague area with high counts from Aug. 19 (HTA,CPW), and there were still 22 Caspian the latter of 14 Marbleds Sept. 9 (PEM.KRce) Terns at Hog I., Va. (James R.I Nov. 9 (PEM,VF). and 21 Hudsonians Aug. 15 (BWK). A Marbled at Four Black Skimmers were seen at Poplar I., Md., Eastern Neck 1., Aug. I I {JR) and a Hudsonian at Aug. 23 (JR), unusualthis far up the Chesapeake. S.P.S.P., Oct. 4 ½RAR) were unusual for the upper Cbesapeake,.and a Hudsonian at ChincoteagueRef., DOVES THROUGH VIREOS-- A MourningDove Nov. 24 (BWK) was quite late. A single Ruff re- nest with eggson Fisherman I., Aug. 19 was built on mained at Chincoteague ReL, at least until Sept. 2 the sand in a grassy area (HTA,CPW), and another (BWK.CPW,HTA et al.). and another appearedon nest with eggs at Midlothian, Va., Sept. 2 (FM) was the Piedmontat Lilyports.Frederick Co., Md.. Sept.21 late. A Ground Dove that spentvirtually all day Nov. (RAR). A Sanderling near Charlottesville Aug. 21 10 at S.P.S.P., was seen by about 40 birders and was (TFW) was out of place on the upper Piedmont,and Am. Avocets at Craney I. varied from near500 in early August to 320 at the end of the period (DLH). Aside from small numbers at Chincoteague, the only other avocet reported was one near Berlin, Md., Sept. 9 (RAR). Thirteen N. Phalaropes off Wachapreague Inlet, Va., Sept. 24 (BW,BT) was the best countof this species,but it was really the Wiison's Phalarope that took the prize. Flocks of this speciessoared to record-breakingnumbers in Augustwith 74 at Craney I., Aug. 19 (DLH,TWfe) and 30 at ChincoteagueRef., ß Aug. 23 (CPW). Elsewhere, four were seen at Back Bay N.W.R., Va., Aug. 21 (HTA,•), one inlandat Common Ground Dove, Anne Arundel Co., Md., Nov. Alexandria Sept. 7 - 8 (DFA,OEF), and one near 10, 1977. First state photograph, 4th record. Photo! Berlin Sept. 10 (RAR). R.A. Rowlett.

Volume 32, Number 2 191 well photographed (HLW,SJM,CSR et al.). This 5000 Bobolinks on the Choptank R., Md., Sept. 7 appearsto representthe fourth Maryland recordof the (JR,DQ) was the maximumnumber reported this fall. species. Among the many late recordswere a Corn. Late individuals included one near Willis Wharf, Va., Nighthawk at Ft. Hunt, Va.. Oct. 22 {JMAI, two Oct. 15 (HTA) and anotherat Hooper I., Md., Oct. 21 Chimney Swifts at Kiptopeke Beach Oct. 30 (HTA,JR). Two Yellow-headed Blackbirds were (MAB,FRS,BW), and an E. Kingbird near Annapolis reported, a female at KiptopekeBeach Sept. 15(PEM) Sept. 27 (HLW). Western Kingbirds were reported and a male near Galena, Md., Nov. 20 (RAR). An ad. four times, all near the coast, and singleOlive-sided Red-eyed Vireo l•eding a f/edging Brown-headed Flycatchers near Seneca Sept. 21 (RAR) and Cowbird at Dyke marshAug. 14(OEF et al.) was late. ChincoteagueRef., Sept. 23 (CPW) were late. The peak number of Traill's Flycatchers trapped and FRINGILLIDS -- The last Blue Grosbeaks seen bandedat KiptopekeBeach was 15on Sept.4 (WPSet during the fall included one at Dyke marsh Oct. 15 al.). OtherEmpidonax species trapped the sameday, (JMA) and another at Hooper I., Oct. 21 (HTA). A were four Yellow-belliedand two Acadian Flycatchdrs. good flight of northern finches occurred, especially There were several astonishinglate reports of Evening Grosbeaks, Purple Finches,and Pine Siskins. Rough-wingedSwallows. Rowlett reported I0 at Lily- Although grosbeaksgenerally appearedfirst in early pons, Md., Sept. 21, Wierenga had two at S.P.S.P., October, there were two earlier records, one at Oct. 1, Parks found one in Kent Co., Md., Oct. 4, and Vienna, Va., Sept. 13 (CRE) and one at Alexandria three were seen at Hog I., Va., Nov. 9 (PEM,VF). The Sept. 15 (LT). By late November they had become last Barn Swallows were reported Nov. 12, one in very common in the n. pair of the Region. Siskins.on Kent Co. (FLP) and two on the ChesapeakeBay the other hand, began to appear the third week in Bridge-Tunnel(FRS). Stevensand Wieboldt found a October and quickly became very common in the e. Corn. Raven near Rocky Mr.. Va., Aug. 20, a new part of the Region with counts in the hundredsby late Piedmont location lbr this species. A moderately good October. A few Red Crossbills showed up in late flight of Red-breasted Nuthatches moved into the November, and there were two reports of White- Region. the first recorded Aug. 31 at Dranesville. Va. winged Crossbills, one at Berlin, Md., Nov. 11 (JBB), and by mid-September they were common in (FB,MH) and 13 (CRV) and five at Laurel Nov. 25 most areas. Winter Wrens were very uncommonat (CSR). House Finches were still feeding young in Kiptopeke Beach with only 17 banded up to Nov. 6 Lynchburg Sept. 18 (TH), and local record counts versus 102in the fall of 1976up to Oct. 31 (WPS et al.). included 70 at Green SpringsNov. 19 (JBB) and 85 at Blue-grayGnatcatchers at S.P.S.P., Nov. 27 and Dec. Charlottesville Dec. I (CES). A d' Lark Buntlug, 4 (HLW) were quite late. Kinglets were almostunani- making the fifth Maryland record, appeared near mously reported as far down in numbers, especially Galena Nov. 18 and remained into December the Golden-crowned, which was said to be "virtually (FLP,RAR,PGB et aLL where it was seenand photo- nonexistent" in e. Maryland (DB). At Kiptopeke Beach, comparedto the fall of 1976,declines for birds trapped and bandedwere 96% for the Golden-crowned and 68% for the Ruby-crowned(WPS et aLL An early imm Northern Shrike showed up at S.P.S.P., Nov. 9 - 10 and was seen and photographedby many observers(HWL,CRS,RAR et aLL Althoughnumbers of PhiladelphiaVireos were low at KiptopekeBeach, they were unusuallywidely reportedelsewhere. At Virginia Beach, Va.. where they are alwaysrare. one appeared Oct. I and frequenteda bird bath for about a week (RJT).

WARBLERS THROUGH COWBIRDS -- A Worm-eating Warbler banded at Kiptopeke Beach Oct. 14 (DLM,SM) was late, whereasa Blue-winged Lark Bunting, Kent Co., Md., Nov. 20, 1977. First Warbler seen in n.w. Fairfax County, Va., Aug. 13 state photograph, 5th record. Photo/R.A. Rowlett. (JBB) was early. There were more than the usual number of reports of Tennessee Warblers, and the graphed by numerousobservers, and Rowlett found Alexandria area had a good flight Sept. 12 - Oct. 22 Maryland's secondLe Conte'sSparrow at Ocean City (JMA). At Norfolk, where both species are rare, Oct. 23. A SeasideSparrow was noted inlandat Dyke Hughes recorded six Tennesseeand four Nashville marsh Aug. 13 (JMA,OEF) and 15 (LT), and a Lark Warblers Oct. 4, and at S.P.S.P., a Yellow Warbler Sparrow at ChincoteagueRef., Sept. 2 (HTA,CPW) Oct. 9 (HLW,DB) and a Blackpoll Nov. 2 (HLW) was the only one reportedthis fall. A Tree Sparrowat were late. Record numbers of N. Waterthrushes were Dyke marshOct. 16 (OEF) was possiblythe earliest banded at Kiptopeke Beach with a total of 189 for Virginia, and a very early Clay-coloredSparrow between Aug. 22, when the station opened, and Oct. was banded at Kiptopeke Beach Sept. 2 (DLM). 16, and the peak two-daycount was 95 on Sept.4 - 5 Lapland Longspurs were reported first at Craney I., (WPS et al.). A Wilson'sWarbler at LynchburgAug. 6 Oct. 22 (BW et al.) and at Ocean City Oct. 24 (JHD,TD) was extraordinarily early. An estimated (RAR,SW).

192 AmericanBirds, March 1978 CONTRIBUTORS -- D.F. Abbott, J.M. Abbott, CENTRALSOUTHERN R.L. Ake, (RLAke), R.L. Anderson(RLAnd), H.T.. Armistead, Ken Bass, J.B. Bazuin, Jr., R.A. Beck, Henry Bielstein, Francis Brueckmann, M.A. Byrd, Danny Bystrak, P.G. Bystrak, J.H. Dalmas, Thelma Dalmas, J.W. Dillard, E.P. Edwards, C.R. Ellis, O.E. Fang, Volney Ford, W.C. Foster, C.W. Hacker, , /n.• INA•'L Catherine Harold, Tom Hicks, Larry Hindman, M.L. Hoffman, D.L. Hughes, Mary Humphreys, Bill Julian, B.W. Keelan, J.R. Kemper, Matt Kershbanm, Fran Kobetic, P.E. McQuarry, S.J. Mele, N.C. Middleton, D.L. Mitchell, Sydney Mitchell, M.P. Moore, Fred Saraeot.• ' L.•chobee Murray, H.C. Olson, F.L. Parks, R.L. Pyle, Denny Quirk, Jan Reese, Kathy Rice IKRce), Kathy Riddle GUi 0 MEX Fort•ers• (KRde), C. S. Robbins, Nancy Robinson, R.A. Rowlett, W.K. Slate, II, E.H. Smith, W.P. Smith, C.E. Stevens, Leonard Teuber, C.J. Trichka, R.J. Tripician, Barry Truitt, C.R. Vaughn, Steve Ca• Sable•*Y Largo DryTmtugas Key • •.• Flamingo Whitcomb, T.F. Wieboldt, H.L. Wierenga, C.P. ] ;' We•Up• Keys Wilds, Bill Williams, Tom Wilmers (TWms), Townley Wolfe (TWfe).--F.R. SCOTT, 115 KennandaleLane, Richmond, Va. 23226. birds (and a red bat) on New Smyrna Beach, as did the October I I cold front. No localities reported notable migrant numbers, perhaps because precipitation never caught major SOUTHERN ATLANTIC COAST REGION flights aloft. Scanty tower kills again prevailed at -- No report was receivedfor the autumnmigra- WCTV, Tallahassee(hereafter, Talla.). At Jacksonville tion seasonfor this Region.It is hopedthat this (hereafter, Jax) Julie Cocke describedan eight-year report will be publishedin a future issue. low for many species,including Cardinal (in central Florida areas I have also noted this decrease of a once- very-common bird for years). Far south at Homestead JonnieFisk had "almostnothing." Like manypeople, she cited the drop in Painted Buntings--seeminglya FLORIDA REGION continuing decline in recent history that is as /John B. Edscorn unexplained as some area's Cardinal diminution. For all the sobering aspects of the season, readers can Rare finds amply rewarded observersin a migration share at least vicariously its exciting finds herein. that was •nimpressive in terms of visible bird numbers. The first northwest front of consequence LOONS, GREBES -- If not a summer resident, an swept in during early October, then a very cold injured Cam. Loon at Palm Beach Sept. 4, may have nor'wester tumbled temperature records the next been Florida's earliest (fide PWS). Eyebrow-lifting week--utterly unprecedentedso early in the fall wasa so early and far s. was a Red-throatedLoon at Cudjoe week of laws in the 40s at my central Florida home, for Key Nov. 3 (L. Page Brown) and Dec. 2 example. The timing of rain in this front's vanguard Hopkins). Earliest for the Northern Peninsula was not conducive to migrant fallouts or TV tower (hereafter, N. Pen.) was Tampa's Eared Grebe Oct. 8 kills, but there must have been ornithological (LA et al.). Others were again at Kingsley L., significancein such a powerful rush of frigid air from Bradford Co., Oct. •0 (L.&N. Cooks)and at Titusville far out of the northwest, as avian vagrants from that Nov. 20 (B&LA), and Sarasota had one Nov. •6 direction began appearing thereafter. Two western (C.A. Mattison). strays were "firsts" for the state. The nestingseason brought little obviousrecovery TUBENOSES -- Shearwaters held sway off to the oft-cited kinglets and other winder birds which Canaveral Oct. 19 with 700 Cory's, I 1 Greaters and a were decimatedby the Arctic blastand standingsnow Manx being reported, plus 200 large (and three black- that shockedFlorida lastJanuary. American Woodcock and-white) unidentifieds(JJ). Cory's were seenagain seemed low, and many more-easily-assessedspecies in the Gulf; four July 31 and one Sept. 17 off (even jays and other residents)were so scarce that Clearwater (LH&+--see note at report's end) where people everywhere were lamenting it by the end of the continuing investigationsof Hopkins and others autumn. will probablyprove that the speciesis regular.Greater Bob Barber detailed two landbird kills over the Shearwaterswere also in the Gulf again;one was off ocean; not uncommonalong other coastsand over the Sarasota Sept. 16 (DHM), while off Clearwater there Great Lakes, perhaps,but rarely witnessedin Florida. were two Sept. 17 and four Oct. 9 (LH&+). Perhaps When the northwest wind of the October 3 front later PascoCounty's first was a Wilson's Storm-Petreloff- turned to northeast, high tide depositedfreshly-dead shore July 31 (LH&+), and a dying Harcourt's Storm-

Volume 32, Number 2 193 Petrel at St. Pete. Beach Oct. 10 established one of RAPTORS -- Unusual in Leon County there were extremely few Gulf records (C. Peretz, D. King; 1l0 Black Vultures there Nov. 26 (GEM), and very rare *U S F.). were two Oct. 23 on Big Pine Key (MB,LK). Three Mississippi Kites were rare migrants at Jax Aug 13 PELECANIFORMES -- Four White4ailed Tropic- (BSO); Talla. Div. had a late one Sept. 14 (GEM) birds circled thrillingly over a Canaveral boat Aug. 7 Three Everglade Kites were regular on the (mob ), and one dying near a St. Pete. highway Aug. "Savannas" s. of Ft. Pierce (B&HD). Sharp-shinned 31, was a great rarity for the Gulf Coast n. of the Keys Hawk movement was impressive,mainly on the e (A Brozensky;*U.S.F.). The most unusualof many coast. The Keys produced the top number Oct 14 White Pelican sightings(often inland nowadays)came when 1000 passed Tavernier (JCO) and they were from Bahia Honda, Florida Keys Nov. 3 (MB, P. "everywhere" at Key West (FTH,MB). Four days Rogers), and Hamilton County Nov. 16 (R. Replenn- later FTH received three dead or dying Sharp- lng) SingleMasked Boobieswere off ClearwaterAug. shinneds,and saw otherssitting fearlessly, hungrilyat 27 & Sept. 17 (LH&+), and off Palm BeachAug. 21 & an aviary--where they were falling dead out of trees Sept 5 (HPL,PWS et al.). A Brown Booby frequented Oct. 29. Passerine scarcity may curb the Sharpie Port Canaveral Sept. 13-15 (DH,RDB,JJ). There was bumper crop. Reportedly, an amazing 200 Red-taded an unprecedentedly early Gannet flight reported at Hawks flocked over St. Pete., Oct. 8 (J. Post, fide Cedar Key July 27 (L. Williams; earliest Florida), at WDC). Key West's best Broad-winged Hawk flight St George Island (hereafter, SGI), Franklin Co., Aug. was a low 100on Sept. 27 (JCO). Zellwood eclipsedits 22 (HMS), and at Palm Beach Oct. I (HPL: earliest S. old earliest N. Pen. record with an Aug. 7 Marsh Pen ) Port Canaveral's summering Great'Cormorant Hawk (DF). A rarely-seenOsprey flight of 15 passed was last seen Aug. 13 (RDB). Others were at Mayport high over St. AugustineSept. 12 (JPC), and one was Oct 30 (B&LA) & Nov. 24 (BSO), at Ponce Inlet Oct. very late near Talla., Nov. 26 (GEM). Twenty 30 (B&LA) -- Nov. 6 (m.ob.), at Sebastianlnlet Nov. Peregrine Falcon reportswere double thoseof Merlins 5 (L Wineland, m.ob.) and at Blowing Rocks Nov. 11 (some other reported Merlins were perhaps Sharpies, (HPL). sharp-wingedprofile when seen flying away can be deceptive). WADERS -- Rare inland was Zellwood's Great White Heron Aug. 18 (JEH,JJC,JHH). Rivaling Zell- RAILS, SHOREBIRDS -- A Key West kestrel wood's famous August--September birding are dropped the only Virginia Rail FTH has record of similarly flooded muck farm fields s. of Belle Glade Nov. 14 (MB). WCTV felled the second autumn Black (hereafter, Belle Glade connotes those fields). High Rail for the Talla. Div., Oct. 16 (RLC). Vying for top August--September countsthere (also seeShorebirds) shorebird honors was a Mountain Plover near St included: 1900 Great Egret, 250 Yellow-crowned Marks Light Oct. 25 (RMC,FJ,HMS). In Zellwood's Night Heron, 2480 Wood Stork and 455 Glossy Ibis normal August--September migrating shorebird (GSH,PWS et al.). Tampa's McKay Bay is one of the masses was the usual mix of birds that are unknown at few tidewater areas where Glossy Ibis are found fairly most other inland sites, includingAm. Golden Plover, regularly; 50 were there Oct. 8 (A. Berry, W. Hoff- Ruddy Turnstone (26 on Aug. 13 -- 18 in a 11ock- man, R. Mumme). Scarlet x White Ibis hybrids were at nearly tripled the record there; JBE,PJF,CG), Wdlet, Cudjoe Kay Nov. 2-6 (MB), and at Flamingo, Ever- Marbled Godwit (8th year), Sanderling, Wilson's gladesN.P., Nov. 6 0. Sykes, PWS et al.). Five Am. Phalarope and others (m.ob.). Belle Glade also had Flamingos were still being reported in n.e. Brevard high counts: 312 Black-belliedPlover, 22,500 Lesser County Nov. 12(HPL,PWS et al.). Yellowleg, 12,450Least Sandpiper,4800 Short-balled Dowitcher, 1145 S'tilt Sandpiper (Florida record WATERFOWL -- Snow Geese, mostly Blues, number?), 4000 Semipalmated Sandpiper, 28 Am widely occurred (m.ob.), even at Key West Oct. 29 Avocet and 860 Black-necked Stilt -- all on Sept 10 (MB,FTH,LK et al.). Several Fulvous and a Black- (GSH,PWS et al.). The stilts peaked at 1330 there belhed WhistlingDuck appearedat ZellwoodAug. 7 Aug. 7, as did eight Wilson's Phalaropes.The latter (JHH,JEH). Fulvous Whistling Ducks seemedscarcer were Palm Beach County's first, as were 20 Red in 1977; Belle Glade had the top count: 335 Aug. 7 Phalaropes off Boynton Inlet Sept. 11 (HPL,PWS et (GSH,PWS et al.). In her 30+ yearson the Keys, FTH al.). saw her first Mottled Ducks at Key West Sept. 20 St. Petersburgset earliest N. Pen. recordswith Am (FTH TW). Belle Glade had 183 of these diminished Woodcock Oct. 11 (LH) and Com. Snipe July 30 ducks Aug. 20, and what appears to be Florida's (WB). A Curlew Sandpiperat Tampa in July for the earliest Green-wingedTeal Aug. 27 (PWS). Rare where second year was last seen Aug. 12 (J.R. Stewart, Jr ) seen were two Wood Ducks on Summerlin Key Nov. What were peep feedingon for hoursAug. 9 in rain 15 to period's end (MB). Very early, if not summeters, water, fallen from the da•, before and gone the next, on were Belle Glade's two N. Shovelers Aug. 27 a Miami rooftop (JBE)? Buff-breasted Sandpipers (GSH,PWS et al.), and Lakeland'sLesser ScaupSept. were on schedule at Zellwood in August (m.ob.), and 3 (JBE). ACom. Goldeneye in a little Talla. sewage latest by a monthfor the Talla. Div., was one near St pond Nov. 20 (GEM,RMC) was matched by others in Marks Light Oct. 25 (RMC). similarly small pits after the period. Florida had yet another Harlequin Duck at Cocoa Nov. 2 -- period's LARIDS -- Off Clearwater July 31 & Sept. 17were end (DH,RDB, m.ob.). amazingly early jaegers (LH&+). Ponce Inlet had a

194 American Birds, March 1978 Lesser Black-backed Gull Nov. 5 (B&LA et al.), as KINGBIRDS, FLYCATCHERS -- Very late was did Port Canaveral Nov. 6 (DH: same bird?). Ponce an E. Kingbird near Talla., Oct. 16 (GEM) and a Gray also hosted Florida's first believable Mew Gull Nov. 1 Kingbird at Alligator Pt., Oct. 17 (C.H. Watt; latest (RDB,JJ). Nov. 3 & 5 (m.ob.: photos). Another was Talla. Div.). A Tropical Kingbird was reported on Sugadoaf and Little Torch Keys Nov. 5 - Dec. 2 (MB,LK). Western Kingbirds and Scissor-tailed Flycatchers were widespread, but not up to usual numbers. WCTV felled a Great Crested Flycatcher Oct. 17, tying the Talla. Div. latest (RLC), and an E. Phoebeon Hypoluxo I., Sept. 3 set the S. Pen. earliest record (HPL,PWS). Rarities were WCTV's Yellow- bellied Flycatcher Sept. 16 (RLC) and Lakeland'sOct. 4 ILA), "Traill's" type fiycatcher• at SGi, Sept. 22 (HMS,RMC) and at WCTV, Sept. 13 (RLC; identified as an Alder). a Least at SGI, Sept. 16 (JMS) and an Mew Gull, Ponce Inlet, New Smyrna Beach, Nov. 5, Olive-sided at Key West Sept. 10 (TW,FTH). 1977. Photo/Brooks H. Atherton. Vermilion Flycatchers were at St. Marks and Alligator Pt., Sept. 23 (B&LA: very early) and LaBelle Nov. reported on our Region's boundary at Apalachicola 28 (m.ob.). Nov. 27 (ALL,BL.PWS). Franklin's Gulls .were reported off Canaveral Nov. 6 (RDB,JJ, m.ob.), at LARKS, SWALLOWS -- Earliest for Florida was Mayport Nov. 19 (BSO) and at Alligator Pt., Nov. 27 SGI's Oct. 25 Horned Lark (JMS). Bank Swallows (B&LA). Bridled Terns were seen again off made a good showing;Zellwood had the top counts Clearwater; one July 31, and seven Sept. 9 (LH&+). It with 150 Aug. 21 (JHH, m.ob.) and 100+ Oct. 1 seemslikely that this species,like Cory's Shearwater, (JBE,PJF,CG). Perhapsevidencing their s.e. increase, will prove regular in the Gulf now that pelagicprobes Barn Swallows staged an early and memorable are finally samplingthe area. movement, beginningwith earliest local recordsat St. Pete., July 25 (LH) and Lakeland Aug. 3 (JBE). By DOVES -- The proliferationof White-wingedDove Aug. 6 many were migratingSE betweenSouth Bay reports continued. There was one in Palm Beach and Miami, and they soon seemed to be on the move County Aug. 12 (B. Verse), Islamoradahad two Nov. everywhere (JBE). An all-white one with buff 26 (HPL,GSH et al.) and Key West had one much of breast bar was near New Smyrna Nov. 12 the period (FTH). Apparent migration was witnessed (ALL,BL,HPL,PWS). Rare at most peninsularlocali- in w. Florida when one was flying E along the coast ties, two Cliff Swallows were at Zellwood Aug. 21 toward the Talla. Div., Oct. 16 (B&LA). After that. (JHH. m.ob.) and 16 there on Oct. I (JBE,PJF,CG), at singles were at SGI, Oct. 25, Nov. I & 17 (JMS), at Delray Beach Sept. 28 (ALL,BL,PWS) and two at Alligator Pt., Oct. 24 (B&HD) and Nov. I (RMC), at Loxahatchee Oct. 16 (PWS). St. Marks Light Oct. 25 (FJ,HMS) and Oct. 29 (B&LA), at Cedar Key Nov. 25 (RMC) and at Land-O- NUTHATCHES, CREEPERS- in late August I Lakes Oct. 29 (C. Cozart, * not a banded introduction). saw what seemed like an unusual movement of Red- breasted Nuthatches through s. Appalachian passes. CUCKOOS THROUGH WOODPECKERS -- By Oct. 2 the first of many was near Talla. Rarities at Mullet Key, Pinelias Co., included a (GEM,RMC); then, remarkably far s., was one at Mangrove Cuckoo Aug. 27 (LH,CG) and remark- Wekiwa SpringsOct. 22 •DF et all and then two at ably early Black-billed Cuckoos; one Aug. 25 Mullet Key Oct. 23 (JF,MH,KT,WB). SGFs Oct. 12 (CB,KT,LH,JF), and two Aug. 26 (MH). Gainesville Brown Creeper (JMS, earliestTalla. Div.) was topped also had an early one Aug. 27 (CHC). Others in this by one of Florida's southernmost-ever-- near banner year were at Lakeland Oct. 2 (PJF,JBE,CG, Sarasota Nov. I (I. Roberts). G. Horel), at WCTV, Oct. 13 (RLC), at SGI, Oct. 15 (HMS,RMC) and on Sanibel I., Oct. 19 (GLW). THRUSHES THROUGH VIREOS -- Hypoluxo i., Groove-billed Anis were reported only singly at SGI, near Lantana, offers a few scraps of habitat on the Oct. 10 (JMS) and near St. Marks Light Nov. 1 Gold Coast's over-developed ocean strip. Historic (RMC). Two very late Chuck-will's-widows were at rarities have occurredthere, includingCuban Emerald SGI, Nov. 17 (latest Talla. Div.), where on Nov. 5 the and Greater Antillean Bullfinch both in 1977; right same observer saw a LesserNighthawk on the very after the big cold wave Mr. Cecil Kilmer found a tree in which he collected Florida's first specimen Florida first on Oct. 23: a Varied Thrush! It was seen (JMS)! A Chimney Swift reported at Wakulla Beach until Oct. 26 (m.ob.; ph.). Henry Stevensonheard call Nov. 9 (B. Stoutamire) was late enoughto considerthe notes of Florida's earliest Swainsoh's Thrush at possibilityof Vaux's Swift. Delray Beachhad the only Wakulla SpringsSept. 7 and rare singingby a Veery at Rufous Hummingbird Sept. 27 (PWS). A sea-roving Talla., Sept. 22. SGI again attractedSprague's Pipit. Red-headedWoodpecker washed ashore dead on New One Oct. 16 was -- oh, serendipity!-- with a Lapland Smyrna Beach Oct. I 1 (RDB), and another was flying Longspur.Both were goneon the next weekend,but a far offshore of Clearwater Oct. 9 (LH&+); where paler-appearingSprague's was there Nov. 25 (B&LA; bound? ph.). Fairly normal numbers of White-eyed Vireos

Volume 32, Number 2 195 were seen in passage, but numbers that remained SSE at dark Sept. 6 (JCO). Earliest for Florida was a afterward were low, probably reflecting last winter's Western Meadowlark collected near Talla., Oct 14 hardship-induced mortality. Pinelias County had a during the big mid-October cold wave (HMS; * Tall notably early Solitary Vireo Sept. 16 (MH). Note- Timbers). Most interesting of the season's reported worthy among the season's10+ reports of rare-but- seven Yellow-headed Blackbirds were two found regular Philadelphia Vireos was Pinelias County's again at a Pinellas County dairy Oct. 9-10, where first-ever at Mullet Key Oct. 11-13 (LA, m.ob.), and Brewer's Blackbirds also reappearedNov. 3 (earliest SGI's very late one Nov. 5 (JMS,BC; latest Talla. N. Pen.). Three days after the end of the period the Dlv ) The prize of this family was a well-detailed historic assemblageincluded every speciesof black- Warbling Vireo near LakelandOct. 7 (LA, A. Smith). bird, grackle (except Great-tailed), cowbird and startling found e. of the Rockies (LH, m.ob.; detailsm WARBLERS -- Swainson's Warbler was noted Winter Report). only at SGI, Sept. 21 and Oct. 3 (JMS,BC). As usual, there were too many Golden-wingeds and Blue- FRINGILLIDS -- The latest Indigo Bunting for the wlngeds to enumerate, Blue-wingeds predominated Talla. Div., fell at WCTV, Nov. 30 (RLC). Lone Dick- normally (about 40:15) except at Mullet Key where cissels were at Lakeland Oct. 26 (singing; LA), at Golden-wingedsprevailed 5:1. All were, typically, in Sarasota Oct. 29 (Maces) and at Jax, Oct. 31, and Nov the n w. sector, s. to Bartow and Tampa, excepting 2 (VMM). WCTV killed its first-ever Pine SiskinsNov •)ne in Indian River County Sept. 7 (B&HD). Two 22 (two; RLC) and, reportedly, the species made Brewster's hybrids againoccurred: at Hillsboro River southernmost history in December. At SG1, a S P, Sept. 10 (B&LA) and at Gainesville Sept. 12 SavannahSparrow tied the earliestTalla. Div. record (JEH)! Latest for the Talla. Div., was SGI's, Nov. 17 Sept. 20 (RMC,HMS), and a Le Conte's Sparrow was Tennessee (JMS). It was another Nashville year with just a day short of it at Talla., Oct. 19 (RMC,CHE) one near Bartow Sept. 11 (B&LA; earliest N. Pen.), Lark Sparrows are often very early, as seen near St one at Alligator Pt., Sept. 26 (RMC), two at Mullet Marks Light Aug. 8 (RMC,CHE). Others occurred at Key Oct. I 1-12(LA,JF), one at St. Pete., Oct. 16(WB) SGI, Sept. 16 (JMS,BC; *), at Gainesville Sept 17 and one at SGI, Oct. 21-22 (JMS). Earliest for the N. (JEH), at Key West Sept. 24 & Oct. 15 (TW). Tampa Pen was a Magnolia in Gainesville Aug. 26 (CHC), had the period's southernmostDark-eyed JuncoNov and unusual so far w. were SGI's Cape Mays Oct. 10 23-24 (Creidts). Earliest for the Talla. Div. were two and Black-throated Blues (two each) Oct. 3 & 10 Chipping Sparrows Sept. 10 (JMS), a Clay-colored (JMS). There, also, were exceptionally early Yellow- Sparrow Sept. 24 (B&LA; earliest Fla.?) and a Field rumpeds Oct. 4 (JMS). Bill Bolte saw a •2 Black- Sparrow Oct. 3 (JMS), all at SG1. Other Clay-coloreds throated Gray Warbler Oct. 25 on Hypoluxo 1. were at St. Marks Light Oct. 10 (HMS) and SGI, Oct Ceruleans were again regular in the n.w. sector, 12 & 25 (JMS). It happenedonce before: our report's especially in the Tampa-Lakelandzone where L. penultimate species is Lapland Longspur -- one at Atherton saw ten different birds Sept. 9-10. Very early SGI, Oct. 16 (B&LA; *JMS), and one at Ponce Inlet was a BlackburnJan near Dunedin Aug. 14 Nov. 5-6 (PWS, m.ob.). We conclude with Snow (LH,MH,KT; earliest N. Pen.), as was a Bay-breasted Buntingat the St. JohnsRiver mouthNov. 19(mob ) at SGI, Sept. 30 (JMS). Off their Atlantic route were four Blackpolls Oct. 10 (LH) and one Oct. 11 in OBSERVERS (area editors in boldface) -- Brooks Pinelias County (LA). Palm Warblers were extra early Atherton, +Lynn Atherton, Robert D. Barber, Wes at WCTV, Sept. 12 (RLC), five at GainesvilleSept. 17 Biggs, Margaret Brown, +Charles Buhrman, Bonnie (JEH) and at Lakeland Sept. 21 (LA). A Kentucky at Carter, Robin M. Carter, +Debbie Case, Julie P Melbourne Aug. 24 was the locally earliestby three Cocke, Caroline H. Coleman, Jack J. Connor, JesseE weeks (RDB), a not exceptional date where this Connor, Wm. D. Courser, Robt. L. Crawford, Bill warbler is more regular. The only Connecticutwas at Dowling, Helen Dowling, Caroline H. Eastman, John SGI, Sept. 30 (JMS). B. Edscorn, Paul J. Fellers, Judy Fisher, Dorothy Nine Wilson's and five Canada Warblers were Freeman, +Chuck Geanangel, +Dave Godwin, reported. Most unusual was the Jax Wilson's of Frances T. Hames, Dan Heathcote, John It. Hinter- Aug 24 (VMM,PCP; earliest Fla.). Others were: two mister, +Larry Hopkins, James E. Horner, +Marie at Lakeland Sept. 10-11(R. Troutman, PJF et aLL one Hughes, Gloria S. Hunter, Frances James, Johnnie near St. Pete., Sept. 12(JF), one on Merritt 1., Sept. 18 Johnson, Herbert W. Kale, Lois Kitthing, Howard P (RDB,DH), one at Jax Sept. 20 (VMM,PCP), one or Langridge, AI. L. Liberman, Barbara Liberman. two at SGI, Sept. 21 & 24 (JMS,B&LA) and two near +Donald H. Mace, Virg M. Markgraf, Gall E. Menk, Gainesville Sept. 25 (JEC,JJC,PM). Canadas were: Paul Moler, Ron Mumme, Bryan S. Obst, John C. near Lakeland Sept. 10 (LA,LH et al.), at SG1, Sept. Ogden, PeggyC. Powell, +Alice Smith, Bob Sokol. 20 (BC,RLC,HMS,JMS), at Alligator Pt., Sept. 23 Margie Sokol, Henry M. Stevenson,James M. Steven- (B&LA), on Sanibel I., Oct. 6 (B. Saxinger) and at son, Paul W. Sykes, +Karl Thompson, U.S.F.: Uni- High SpringsOct. 21 (B. Muschlitz, P. Lanzilloti, C. versity of South Florida, Thurlow Weed, George L Pilkington). Canadas are now rare but regular. Weymouth. m.ob.: many observers, *: specimen, names preceded by + or initials followed by + in the ICTERIDS -- Many areas had almost no Bobolinks body of the report merit recognitionfor their part in (1 saw none at all!), but Homestead was staging area Gulf of Mexico offshore investigations;this long- for an immense flock of at least 15,000 which headed needed endeavor is one of the most significantcontn-

196 American Birds, March 1978 butions that birders are making, and it will ultimately Table 1. Tower kills in Ontario: Fall 1977 clarify textual failings of the past. -- JOHN B. EDSCORN, Rt. 14, Box 350, Lakeland, FL 33801. Long Pt. Nanticoke LennoxGreat Duck Date Light Chimney Chimney I. Light ONTARIO REGION (L.P.B.O.) (L.P.B.O.) (RDW) (JN) /C!ive E. Goodwin Aug. 23-24 908 It was one of the poorestfalls in many years, for both birds and weather. August was the coldest in a Sept. 11-12 259 decade and the chill continuedthrough September and early October, in what sometimesseemed an endless 17-18 440 1339 successionof cloudy, wet, miserabledays. November was even cloudlet and wetter than usual; only a couple 18-19 384 101 of weeks in October had the clear bright days that usually make autumn in Ontario so delightful. 20-2 I 1172 749

i J 1-22 3190

23-24 530 415

ONTARIO Duck I. indicatethe magnitudeof the kills that occurred M...... at this remote location: again, it would seem that dif- ferent lightingtechniques might alleviate these unfor- tunate events, which add yet another stress to pas- sefines. Individually the kills are negligible,but one wonders whether the same is true on a continental scale, as tall structurescontinue to proliferate. But scarcity was the main feature of the fall. Once again Winter Wrens, thrushesand both kingletswere the most frequently mentioned species, but even the Ye!!ow-rumped Warbler migration was a thin echo of its usual volume.

LOONS THROUGH HERONS -- Common Loon concentrationsstarted to build up in July at Quetico P.P. (SP) and off Great Duck I., Sept 17 (JN), but the main flight was in November, with as many as 2400 at ß he we• pe•ods producedfew buildupsof raiments Kettle Pt., Nov. 4 (AR). Several birds thought to be •1on• the lower Great L•kes, few "w•ves", •nd there Arctic Loons were reported, and a record 61 Red- were few pe•ods when heavy p•ss•e wss visible. throated Loons, mainly in the s., included24 at Kettle What •M occur w•s hesvy movemere in Au•st Pt. A fall concentration of 300 Red-necked Grebes was perhspsowin• •o •he mild weatherin late •ober located on Manitoulin I., Oct. I ON) and good the poor ruination weather at mher times, repo• of numbers of Horned Grebes included 211 at Wasaga !me mJ•mms •s we!!. Nov. 30 (CJM,TL,EAW). Two Eared Grebes were The •wo m•jor observato•es •ve 8 •d picture of seen. The highest Double-crested Cormorant count the esrly movemere.A• • Poim •he 17 speciesof was 54 on Bustard I., in August (RG) and there were common p•ss•e w•rblers were • mesh of 1•.• d•ys relatively good numbersreported throughout. One of e•rlier th•n their 8ver•e e•rlies• records, •nd •his many interesting sightingsmade at Moosonce and groupw•s • meanof four dsysesrlier th•n their previ- Shipsands I., on trips by AW and others, was ten ous e•dies• dates. •nce •rd Poim (bdow, P.E.Pt.) Great Blue Herons Aug. 30. A Little Blue Heron was •old • similar sm•: eight specieses•blished new e•rly at Lorne P., from Aug. 21 (m.ob.) and there were four •v•l records, with • mean of 11 d•ys e•rlier •h•n the Cattle Egret reports, from London, Waterloo and previou•e•rliest date[By comr•st•here were ve• late Morrisburg Oct. 8 - Nov. 23 (DM,DCJ,PE,AJB). observationsof nine speciesof w•rblers •cross the Province, most of them in the pe•od OcL 3 - 20. SWANS, GEESE, DUCKS -- Counts of 1000 The seasonw•s noteworthy for the size •nd number Whistling Swans were made in the southwest(fide of tower kills (T•ble 1). The losses at the •ener•ti• AHK) and at Long Pt., Dec. 3 (MA). Up to 17 Mute stmion chimneys were tot•ly unnecessary,the result Swans were counted along the L. Ontario shore e. of of • decision in Torotoo •o leave •he stock lights on Toronto (m.ob.), the species' centre of abundance. except on •hts when the centralo•ce felt • kill w•s The Canada Goose tlight--an averageone--seemed to likely. Unfo•unatdy the •y•ro o•cbls forgot •o peak in the third week in Septemberand againin notify the birds. John Nicholsoh'Sfi•ures from October. Brant, on the other hand, were in exceptional

Volume 32, Number 2 197 numbersin the southfor fall: eightreports included 40 and in King Twp., Oct. 18 - 21 (AL,m.ob.). The shore- at Ottawa (fide RAF) and 1350 on Wolfe I., Nov. 3 bird movement was unexceptional but still produced (AEH,MM), which also had 20 Snow Geese Nov. 9 some high counts. At Angus 365 Am. Golden Plover (K F N.). A White-fronted Goose was seen at Chel- Sept. 22 (OED) were representativeof the good flight tenham Oct. 17 - 21 (RG). of this speciesand AlgonquinP.P. had its first-ever Dabbling ducks yielded some high counts: 6000 Sept. 18 (DS et al.). Fifteen Whimbrelreports, included Mallards on Wolfe I. in November(K.F.N.); over 100 six birds at Ottawa, was also high for fall. Two Upland Black Ducks at Ayr Oct. 15 (MS); 91 Pintails on Mud Sandpiperson Wolfe I., Oct. 13(JAW,PEL) were excep- L, Oxford Co., Nov. 9 (DB) and 300 Blue-winged tionhlly late, and a count of 35 at Ajax Aug. 7 (RN) Teal at Salford Aug. 29 (BP). A Wood Duck on Ship- high. Other highs included 76 Solitary Sandpipersat sands I., Sept. I (M J) was n. of its range. On L. Capreol Aug. 16 (JN), 200 Lesser Yellowlegsat Long Scugoga count of 350 Ring-neckedDucks was remark- Pt., July 31 (GH), 13 Baird's Sandpipersat Sudbury able for any time of year (RT). The buildupof Greater Aug. 21 (fide JN) and Marathon Aug. 29 (NGE), 250 Scaup reached a high of 37,000 at P.E.Pt., Oct. 19 (fide Short-billed Dowitchers at Port Rowan Aug. 16 and 55 RDW) and there was a rare bird of this species in Stilt Sandpipers there Sept. 17 (L.P.B.O.). Quite a Algonquin P.P., Oct. 2 (GT). A Barrow's Goldeneye catalogue for an unremarkable year, but probably a was seen at Kettle Pt., Nov. 20 - 21 (AR,DR) and a reflection of heavy concentrationsat limited areas of Harlequin Duck at P.E.Pt., Nov. 5 (MHE,RDW) in good habitat. By contrastonly four Purple Sandpipers addsnon to the now traditional birds at Ottawa and were reported. Totals for rarer species were three Toronto respectively. Only two King Eiders were Willets, five Marbled Godwits (includedtwo on Ship- seen, but an eider at Garson Nov. 11 - 12, was finally sands I.) and 16 Hudsontan Godwits. The first two dlegally shot by a hunter and proved to be of the were about average, but the third was substantially borealis race of the Com. Eider. John Nicholson's lower than in recent years. Both Buff-breastedSand- notes on the sighting reaffirmed the hazards of eider pipers and Wilson's Phalaropes continued their identification: "... only marginally larger than patterns of high fall numbers,and both were seenon scaup... bill showingmore roundedoutline in relief." ShipsandsI. (AW et al.); in the southa Pelee report of The scoter migrationwas averagefor recent years, but 1,•2Buff-breasteds Sept. 10 (AR) was astonishing,and with White-wingedsproportionately less common than Blenheim had 45 Wilson's Phalaropesduring August the other two species. A c2Ruddy Duck with flightless (m.ob.), an equally remarkable count. Last year we young at Blenheim Sept. 4 (DR) was remarkable for speculatedthat Ottawa's ten Red Phalaropeswas the both date and location. largest single flock ever recorded in Ontario, but this year they had 11 at Richmond Sept. 21 (RMP,BMD) HAWKS -- It was not a year of exceptional hawk fl•ghts, although the raptor counts continuedto show GULLS THROUGH SKIMMERS -- A Glaucous the sheer volume of movement even in an average Gull--presumably the same one--was reported from year The s.w. counts recorded an amazing 3845 several localities along L. Ontario during July and Turkey Vultures, for example (JPK et al.), and over August (m.ob.). At least one Lesser Black-backed 30,000 Sharp-shinned Hawks. Great Duck I. was Gull appeared along the Niagara R., Nov. 3 - 20 revealed as a link in Sharp-shinnedmovements with (RFA,m.ob.), where the gull concentrationswere much steady passagethere duringJN's stay, Sept. 17 - 25. reduced from last year. There were the usualsightings Another intriguinghawk movementwas of birds flying of smaller gulls: a Laughing appearedat Ottawa Sept E at Ft. Erie Oct. 16 (AW). A light-phaseSwainson's 25 (the Gawns), and Franklin's at Gatson Aug. 14 - 16 Hawk was seen at Mississagi L., Sept. 11 (JN), and (JN,JL) and P.E.Pt., Nov. 6, the latter in a gull move- there was a steady W movementthere of Rough-legged ment that included a Little Gull and two ad. Black- Hawks with 200_+ in all. It was a Rough-leggedyear, legged Kittiwakes (MHE,RDW). Sabine's Gulls were w•th many observers reporting record numbers: for reported from Ottawa Sept. 22 (BMD) and two at example, 381 in the southwest(fide AHK). Birds Sarnia Oct. I (DR) but apparentlynone was seenon appearedas early as the end of September,and many the various pelagic trips this year. A CaspianTern counts of 40 - 80 were reported in late October. A NW was seen at Lake of Two Rivers, Aug. I (DMcC,JM) movement along the L. Superior shoreline was Ontario's first-everBlack Skimmerwas photographed observed at Pukaskwa and Marathon (NGE,SB-N), at Whitby but not seen by any of the Region's more but nothingapproaching the 1959record of 1000birds active birders, Nov. I (J.Burns)! there Golden Eagles were unusually common: the southwest had 17 and there were 20 elsewhere, more CUCKOOS THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS -- A than double the previoushigh count. By contrastthere late and rare Yellow-billed Cuckoo was in Algonquin were only 13 Bald Eaglesseen. Three other "problem" P.P., Sept. 26 (DO). Barn Owls nested successfullyat hawks were reportedin goodnumbers: the s.w. counts St. Catherines(KMcK) and there was a bird at Ottawa totalled 275 Ospreys, with correspondingly large Oct. 30 (m.ob.). There were few Snowy Owls reported counts elsewhere, 20 Peregrine Falcons with 14 else- to the end of the period, but what seemed an excep- where, and 30 Merlins and 37 elsewhere, plus 11 seen tional flight of Saw-whet Owls with 549 banded at at Moosonee (AW et al.) and 16on Great Duck I. (JN). P.E.Pt.. Sept. 23 - Nov. 5. The birds were being hunted by Long-eared (25 banded) and Barred Owls, CRANES, SHOREBIRDS -- A southerly Sandhill one carried a dead Saw-whet into a mist net (K.F N )• Crane (or cranes)was at Barfie Oct. 4 - 8 (CJM,m.ob.) Short-eareds also seemed scarce, although an

198 American B•rds, March 1978 exceptional six were handledby O.R.R.F.. The only Sept. 1 (AW et al.). The southwesthad 15, and other Hawk Owl report was from Naughton Nov. 26 (CGB). areas similar numbers. The 12 Loggerhead Shrike Exceptionally heavy Com. Nighthawk movement reports included one of a successfulnesting near Port occurred along L. Ontario Aug. 26, with hundreds of Hope (fide ERM). Rare vireo sightingswere a White- birds reported from some areas. Two Ruby-throated eyed at P.E.Pt., Oct. 15 (RH) and two Yellow-throateds Hummingbirds were at Moosonee Aug. 28 (AW et al.). a• Ottawa (VBL).

WOODPECKERS, FLYCATCHERS -- Mani- WARBLERS -- In spiteof the generallylight migra- touhn's first-ever Red-bellied Woodpecker was in tion, some warbler species occurred in record Mills Twp., Oct. 16 (CB,JL) and anotherwas on Wolfe numbers at the observatories,perhaps a reflection of I, Nov. 17 (AEH). Some northerly Red-headed the heavy August movement. At Long Pt., both Woodpeckerswere also seen, with the pride of place Tennessees and Cape Mays continued the sharp one at Marathon Sept. 27 (NGE), but there was upward trend of recent years, and Am. Redstarts another 40 min. of Iron Bridge Oct. 10 (DF) and 11on almost doubled their low indices of the last three Great Duck I., Sept. 19 - 24 (JN) suggesta larger years. Most outstanding, however, were the numbers northern population than is usually recognized.Seven of Yellows, Bay-breastedsand Magnolias all ranging N Three-toed Woodpeckersightings from Sept. 22 over two to three times their ten-year averages,and all presaged a light flight of both three-toed species. close to three times higher than the indices for last Marathon had both an E. Phoebe and W. Kingbird year (L.P.B.O.)! Rarer warbler reportsincluded a Pro- Sept 4 (NGE), and another W. Kingbird was seenthe thonotary at Long Pt., Aug. 23 (EN), a Blue-wingedon next day at Pickering(JM et al.). Ontario's secondfirst Great Duck I., Sept. 23 (JN) and --most remarkableof record of the seasonwas a Fork-tailedFlycatcher at all--a Yellow-throated at Ottawa from Nov 19 Dorion Oct. 28 - 30 (RTa) which was photographed (JW,m.ob.). Warbler observations on the Moosonee (AM). trips included a Black-throated Blue at Fraserdale Aug. 27 near the limit of its range, a Blackburnianat SWALLOWS THROUGH WRENS -- Some large Shipsands I., Aug. 31 where the speciesis casual in swallow concentrations were recorded: 10,000 Trees occurrence, and Yellow Warblers at Moose Factory to on AmherstI., Aug. 5 (AEH,WS), 6000in Mara Twp., Oct. 12 (AW et al.). The race there is arnnicola, but Aug 30 (JAS) and 13,000at Holland Marsh Sept. 18 the same race occurs across much ofn. and c. Ontario (TL), and 10,000 Purple Martins at Erieau Aug. 26 and very late Yellow Warbler reports are scarce, (fide AHK). A BlueJay wasat the limit of its rangeat althoughthere was a bird at ThunderBay Oct. 3 (KD) Fraserdale Sept. 3. (AW,MJ,RC). The southward trend of Com. Ravenscontinued with 14 sightingss. of BLACKBIRDS -- A Yellow-headed Blackbird was their range and down to Holiday Beach Oct. 22 at Long Pt., Aug. 28 (JOLR,DG,SB), and an Orchard (JPK,AMI) and Belfountain Nov. 27 (AD,GB). Both Oriole at P.E.Pt., Aug. 20 (K.F.N.). Huge flocks of nuthatchesmoved in numbers;White-breasteds staged blackbirds are a feature of s.w. Ontario in fall, but the a movementat Long Pt. that equalledthe flightsof 1965 east also produced some high countson Sept. 9, with and 1968 (fide DTH). A White-breastedwas at Vir- 100,000 Red-winged Blackbirds at Kingston and gimatown from Oct. 16 (PWR). Only six Carolina 15,000 Com. Grackles at Odessa(K.F.N.). A late N Wrens were reported, and none at all in the southwest, Oriole was at Ottawa Nov. 29 (JPN), but more note- althoughone bird wase. to Ottawafrom Sept. 18(FB). worthy was an imm. bird of the Bullock's race at Thunder Bay Nov. 13 - 19 (KD et al.). The photo- MIMIDS, THRUSHES -- Six Mockingbirdswere graphs of this bird await Records Committee review reported, a severe reduction if this representsall the A flock of 50 blackbirds at Crozier Aug. 15 were sightingsfor the fall; and indeedthe birdshave become mainly Brewer's (GIP). Two Scarlet Tanagerswere at very scarcein the Sudburyarea (fideJN), one of their Moosonee to Sept. 2 (AW et al.). relattve strongholds.Two pairsof Gray Catbirdswere present near Shipsands I., and an immature was FINCHES, SPARROWS- A very heavy winter banded there (fide AW). Four Varied Thrush reports finch flight developed,with many observersreporting were received although only one was adequately all species except Hoary Redpoll. The latter was seen supportedat the time of writing, a bird at Ottawa Nov. only at Marathon Nov. 13 (NGE). The Evening Gros- 6 - 14 (WJC,m.ob.). The season's Wheatear was at beak movementwas hard to assess,but may have Whitby Aug. 26 - Sept. 4 (J. Krasnay,GAS,m.ob.). exceededthe record movementin 1972.The first sight- Three of the seven Blue-gray Gnatcatcher reports ings were in late July in the south and by Oct 20 were from Ottawa, of all places!(fide RAF). "thousands" were being reported along the Thames R. near London (JRMI, and s.w. Ontariogenerally had WAXWINGS, SHRIKES, VIREOS- Bohemian its heaviestmovement ever. Bennett suspectedthat Waxwingsfirst appearedat MarathonSept. 26 (NGE) there were at least two "waves" in the Torohto area, and there were sightingsin the s. in November, sur- but by September the birds had largely left Algonquin prisingly early for this winter nomad. The latest of P.P. (RT). Pine Grosbeakswere particularly numerous several late Cedar Waxwing nests was at Moosonee in the east, with P.E.Pt. having an "unprecedented" Aug 29, when newly hatched young were being fed movementfrom Oct. 28 (RDW), but the birdsfollowed (M J) A good movementof N. Shrikesdeveloped from their usual pattern of decreasingas one moved W, and mid-October,although a bird was seenat ShipsandsI., neitherthe southwestnor ThunderBay saw very many

Volume 32, Number 2 199 to the end of the period. The other finch specieswere Clark, R. Curry, A. Dawe, K. Denis, O.E. Devitt, less common although a flight of 1200Com. Redpolls B.M. Dilabio, P. Eagles, M.H. Edwards, N.G. Escott, at Moosonee Oct. 8 (AW et ai.) was noteworthy. D. Fidler, R.A. Foxall, R. Gairdner, D. Graham, Cardinal numbers were thought to be down in D. Hasley, R. Healey, G. Henson, A.E. Hughes, D.T. several areas, including London, one of their centres Husse!l, W.R. Jarmain, M. Jennings, D.C. Johnson, of abundance. Marathon sightingsincluded an Indigo N. Juhtand, A.H. Kelley, Kingston Field Naturalists, Bunting Oct. 22 and a Chipping Sparrow Nov. 13 J.P. Kleiman, V.B. Ladouceur, L.de K. Lawrence, (NGE). Sharp-tailed Sparrow reports in the south J. Lemon, T. Letson, P.E. Little, Long Point Bird were from Willow Beach Oct. 24 and Nov. 12 (ERM), Observatory,A. Love,C.J. MacFayden, A. Maki, A. Ottawa Oct. 16 (m.ob.) and three at Oshawa Oct. 3 Maley (AMI), M. Matthews, D. McCorquodale (DC). Three Le Conte's Sparrowswere found, includ- (DMcC), E.R. McDonald, K. McKeever (KMcK), ing one on Great Duck I., Sept. 23 (JN); the others J.R. McKishnie, J.B. Miles, G. Miller, A. Mills (AMi), were at SchreiberSept. 10 (NJ) and MagnetawanOct. J. Mountjoy, multiple observers(m.ob.), D. Murray, 8 (AMi). An imm. Harris' Sparrow was seen at a West J.P. Narraway, J. Nicholson, R. Nisbet, E. Nol, D. Hill feeder Oct. 17- 19(GS), and Kingstonh•d its third O'Brien, Owl Rehabilitation Research Foundation, Lark Sparrow at P.E.Pt., Sept. 30 (RDW). Several G.I. Park, B. Parker, H. Petty, S. Peruniak, R.M. early Snow Buntingswere reported, the first at Vir- Poulin, P.W. Richter, A. Rider, J.O.L. Roberts, D. giniatown Sept. 12 (PWR). Rupert, J.A. Satterly, M. Scholz, G.A. Scott, W. Smith, D. Strickland, G. Sutherland, R. Taylor SUB-REGIONAL EDITORS (boldface), CON- (RTa), G. Thorn, R. Tozer, J.A. Warren, E.A.Watson, TRIBUTORS (italic) AND CITED OBSERVERS -- R.D. Weir, L. Wensley,A. Wormington,J. Wright. -- R.F. Andtie, M. Ansley, A.J. Bain, C. Bell, F. Bell, S. CLIVE E. GOODWEN, 11 Westbank Cresc., Weston, Bendall, G. Bennett, C.G. Blomme. D. Bucknell, S. Ontario, Canada, M9P 1S4. Bundrup-Nielsen, D. Calvert, C.A. Campbell, W.J.

NIAGARA - CHAMPLAIN REGION /Douglas P. Kibbe

Coverage of all segmentsof the Region was excellent this seasonresulting in 285 species reported including an excep- tional number of rarities. Dry conditionsin Augustproduced good shorebirdingbut virtually uninterrupted rainfall in Sep- tember and early October inundated now weedgrown mudflats and dampened October (FO) but the peak of the flight in New York birdwatchers' enthusiasm. Grounded migrant waves, occurred the second week of November with several generally better indicatorsof weather and observer reports exceeding 300 birds (G.O.S.,R.B.A.). Red- activity (e.g., weekends)than of the actual magnitude throated Loons peaked slightly earlier with 150 at of movements, were hard to find, as birds moved not Hamlin Beach Oct. 30 {CP). Red-necked Grebes were only with every lifting of the weather but apparently relatively scarce with the exception of 28 on L. throughoutthe rainy periodsas well. One veteranof MemphremegogOct. 16 (FO,CS), surely a Vermont many Texas migrations(FO) recorded the heaviest record. Single [the same?] Eared Grebes were seen at nocturnal movement he'd ever experiencedwhen, on Mayville (RHS) and Niagara Falls (DF) in late September 2, he heard over 100"chips" per minutein October. Vermont's fourth Great Cormorant, an northern Vermont and other observers noted many immature, was seen Oct. 12 at Burlington (FO,CS). groundedmigrants on August30, September16 - 23, Two Green Herons lingered exceptionally late, Nov. and October 5, 10, 14 - 16, 22 - 23, and 28. Migrating 19 at Lyons (MM) and Nov. 29 at Elmira (WH). Rarer during overcastconditions was perilous,however, as southern heron sightingsincluded an imm. Little Blue evidencedby the massmortality which occurredat the (G&WE) and a Snowy Egret (AG) at Burlington's Elmira TV tower September19 - 24. Over 3800birds of Blodgett Beach in mid-Augustand an imm. Yellow- 48 specieswere killed including1817 on a singlenight. crowned Night Heron at Times Beach (DF). Cattle Egrets might logicallybe expectedto migrateS along LOONS THROUGH HERONS -- Good numbers L. Champlainthus a southboundbird Sept. 10 over of Corn. Loons were reported from Vermont in mid- Winhall ½WJN)deep in the GreenMts.. is surprising.

200 American Birds, March 1978 GEESE THROUGH HAWKS -- Brant were Only two Marbled and three Hudsonian Godwits were exceptionallywell reportedfrom L. Ontarioduring reported, two of the latter remaining in the Region October and November, the maximum, 5600, tallied until Nov. 6 (PDeB,PW). SingleRuffs were sightedin Nov 5 at Derby Hill. Maximum puddleduck numbers, Charlotte (RGS) and at the Waterloo Dump (G.O S ) all from Montezuma N.W.R., included 15,000 and an American Avocetwas found at S. Buffalo Aug Mallards, 4000 Blacks, 2000 Gadwall and 8000 Am. 12 (DF et al., fide B.O.S.). Wilson's Phalaropeswere Wigcon. Two CinnamonTeal were photographedat widely reported throughout August but only three PendergastPt. (RAS,RHS,LK). Best diving duck Northerns and two Reds were seen, both of the latter tallies were 12,000 Greater Scaupat Derby Hill, 4600 in mid-November (G.O.S.). Corn Mergansersat Robert MosesPower Dam (JVR) and 2000 Red-breasteds near Rochester (WL,RGS). GULLS THROUGH OWLS -- Jaegersmade a fine Scoters staged a major flight throughoutthe Region showing with 65+ tallied at Derby Hill including29 duringearly October.Greatest numbers came from L. Parasitics and one Long-tailedJaeger (GS) Sept 3 Ontario but exceptionalVermont sightingsincluded 68 Unidentifiedjaegers were seenon L. ChamplainSept White-wingedson L. Memphremegogand 60 Blacks 4 (H.P.A.S.) and 22 (CR), and Parasitics were seen as on Caspian L. (FO). Eider sightingsincluded a late as Oct. 30 at Rochester and Nov. I l near Buffalo Common Nov. 13 at Sodus Bay (D,M&TF, fide An Iceland Gull at BurlingtonOct. 24 (FO et al.)broke R B A.) and five reports of Kings including two at the Vermont arrival record by more than a month A Niagara Falls (DF). The last Turkey Vulture report Lesser Black-backed Gull was present at Niagara Falls was a singleNov. I at Durand-Eastman(EH,AS). Fall during October and November (B.O.S.) and up to six hawk watches are beginningto producean interesting Laughing Gulls were present at Dunkirk on L. Erie picture of movementsand abundance.Vermont during mid-October (RA,RHS). Black-leggedKltti- watches, manned for 550+ hours despite numerous wakes appeared in unprecedentednumbers; 16 at rainouts,yielded 10Sharp-shinneds to eachCooper's Hamlin Beach and Braddock Bay Nov. 16 (ST,J&WL) Hawk. Immature Red-tailed Hawks moved along L. setting regional and probably inland continental Ontario; 317 were headedW at Kendall Aug. 13, while records, while a well documented sighting on L 74 moved E over Braddock Bay (R.B.A.). Why? A Memphremegog Oct. I (EH,FO et al.) was only melanistic Red-tailed and Broad-winged Hawk were Vermont's fourth, the first in over 70 years. The rarest spotted on Vermont watches(FO). About a dozen Laridae reported, however, were an imm. Sabine's separateBald Eagleswere reportedin additionto the Gull at Niagara Falls Oct. 16 (Curry & Mason, fide six released young (includingone returneefrom last B.O.S.) and a closely observed and cautiously year) present at Montezuma N.W.R. Surprisingly, describedimm. Royal Tern at Hamlin BeachNov 26 only a singleGolden Eaglewas identified, an immature (CP). If correct, the latter would constitute the first at E Corning, N.Y., Aug. 25 (SSb,fide WB). Ospreys upstate New York record. No more than two made a good showing, including77 from Vermont Franklin's and five Little Gulls were reportedfrom any watches alone. Ten Peregrines,including an immature location, both maxima coming from the Buffalo area killed by a schoolbus in Orleans,N.Y. (fideVP), were Yellow-billed Cuckoos continued to be reported in reported. Over 20 Merlins were noted, two thirds of good numbers, with the last sightingsat Fairlee, Vt , them in Vermont. Nov. 7 (SL), an extraordinarily late date. Black-billed Cuckoos were also present in exceptionalnumbers in GROUSE THROUGH SHOREBIRDS -- A pair of Vermont through mid-September. Nestlings were SpruceGrouse near the top of BaldMt., wasthe only found in Wallingford Aug. 4 - 12 and a fledglingwas sightingthis seasonand constitutedthe first modern tbund Sept. 4 at Barnard,Vt. BarnOwls were reported Vermont record away from Island Pond (FO). only from Chemung (WH) and Painted Post (MW) Seventeen Bobwhite in Herkimer, N.Y. (fide Not surprisingly, Screech Owls are proving to be C V A.S.) and a single in E. Craftsbury, Vt. (FO) widespread in the L. Champlain valley. Only three were presumablyreleased birds. A Sept. 22 sightingof Long-cared and five Short-cared Owls were sighted, a Sandhill Crane over Woodstock,Vt. (LM) provided all in New York. the state's •econd consecutive fall record. American Golden Plovers made an impressive showing SWIFTS THROUGH NUTHATCHES -- Chimney throughoutthe Regionin earlyOctober and lingered to Swifts lingeredin w. New York, 528 settinga record Nov 5 at Chazy Landing (PW) and Nov. 6 at Greece, high on the B.O.S. fall count Oct. 9. Ruby-throated N Y (R&FD). Seven Whimbrelswere sighted,three Hummingbirds also stayed extraordinarily late, 12 in Buffalo, the remainder near Rochester. Both were feeding on Nicotiana in Elmira Oct. 6 (fide WH) Spottedand Solitary Sandpipers lingered until Oct. 20. and one appeared at a feeder in Holland Patent Nov 7 The latter in Winhall, Vt. (WJN), was an exceptional (Van Dresar, fide PDB). Both Corn. Flickers and location for such a late date. SingleWillets were seen Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers staged good flights at Kendall, N.Y., Aug. 29 (WS, fide G.O.S.) and throughout the Region in mid to late-September.Red- Essex Center, Vt., Aug. 18 (B&OE, fide FO), the headed Woodpeckers remained scarce with only two latter marking only Vermont's third record and the Vermont reports. Although both three-toed wood- first in nearly 50 years. Most Baird's Sandpipers peckers were found in Chubb R. Swamp in July, stagedan abbreviatedmigration through the Region neither specieswas sighted anywhere in the Region Aug 22 - Sept. 10. Exceptionalwere two at Blodgett this fall. Lingering flycatchers included a Great Beach Aug. 11 (FO,CS), an early date for Vermont. Crested Oct. 9 (B.O.S.); Yellow-bellied Sept. 25 (FS),

Volume 32, Number 2 201 E Wood Pewee Oct. 6 (FS); and an Olive-sided Sept. ICTERIDS THROUGH FRINGILLIDS -- Two 28 (WJN). Unusuallynumerous late swallowsincluded Yellow-headed Blackbirdswere seen at Sandy Pond 3 - 400 Trees Oct. 12 n. of Watertown (MB) and 10 Sept. 4 (fide PDB). An imm. OrchardOriole Aug l0 at Banks on the Oct. 9, B.O.S. fall count. Three Gray Pt. Breeze (WL) was the only record this fall A c• Jays banded in Ferdinand, Vt. (MFM), two found at Western Tanager appeared briefly in Pittsford, N Y Porter's Corners, SaratogaCo. (RY), and four seenat (WG) and a "possible" one was reported from Ithaca Buck Pond, Herkimer Co. (LC) were the only ones (JG, fide WB); both, to add to the incredibility,on reported. Both banding results (RY,V.I.N.S.) and Aug. 21. There are only about two dozen New York generalobservations indicated a massivemovement of records (four from upstate) and the previous earliest Black-capped Chickadees this fall. A count at accepteddate was Sept. 17. Rose-breastedGrosbeaks Braddock Bay Oct. 27 tallied 763 birds in only 45 appeared in record numbers; 27 at Wallingford, Vt minutes (JS). Boreal Chickadees also appeared to (BW), 40 at Buckhorn Island S.P. (DF), and 45 in move in numbers in Vermont but were unreportedin Amherst, N.Y. (DF) beingamong the largestnumbers the rest of the Region. Red-breasted Nuthatches ever tallied for the Region. One even remaineduntil invaded c. New York, up to 300 were present at Nov. 6 at Irondequoit (NH,fide G.O.S.). An apparent Hamlin Beachin October(R.B.A.), but vanishedfrom Blue Grosbeakwas discoveredat Lima, N.Y., Sept 5 eastern areas where they were so abundantlast year. (J&AF). An imm. Dickcissel was found after Nov 26 at Syracuse(PDB). Purple Finchesstaged an invasion WRENS THROUGH WARBLERS -- Winter of w. New York while Pine Grosbeaks advanced S on Wrens remained scarce following last winter's a broader front. Common Redpollsappeared early in apparent dieoff. Rarely recorded in the fall, Short- numbers and Pine Siskins were abundant; 500 at billed Marsh Wrens were seenSept. 17 (PW,SS) and Hamlin BeachOct. 18- 22 (R.B.A.) beingthe besttally Oct 10 (ST); the latter one of the latest inland New Red Crossbillswere presentin smallnumbers in many York sightingson record. Mockingbirdscontinued to areas from early August onward; while Whlte- expand their range undauntedby last year's winter. wingeds, pres'ent through the summer in more The vanguard of a good Bohemian Waxwing flight mountainous areas, staged a major invasion with arrived in c. New York in mid-November. A good several reports of exceptionalflocks including200 at flight of N. Shrikescommenced Oct. 14 with a single Hamlin Beach Oct. 30 (R.B.A.) which tied both state bird at Childweld, N.Y. (MB) but only three Logger- and regional maxima. A tardy report of a Lark Bunting heads were sighted. Five Gray Catbirds and one near Oneida, N.Y. in May (BP, fide O.A.S.) was Brown Thrasherwere reportedinto November.Varied received. Always rare, a Sharp-tailedSparrow was Thrushesinvaded the Regionfor the secondconsecu- identified at Tonawanda •. M.A., Oct. 2 (RA et al, bde tive year with singlesat Rochester'sDurand-Eastman B.O.S.). Best of a mere handful of'Vesper Sparrow Pk (KM,LN,m.ob.), Glen Falls (R&HG), and North- reports was 15 on Oct. 17 (FS). Many reportsof mass field (FW); the latter only Vermont's third record. movementsof Dark-eyedJuncos in Octoberwere sub- Bandingcaptures (V.I.N.S.) and generalobservations mitted including a record 2250 Oct. 22 at Hamhn indicatedthat Hermit Thrushpopulations are still well Beach (R.B.A.). Rounding out the rarities were a below normal. A tardy report of a White-eyed Vireo at Clay-colored Sparrow at El Dorado (FS, fide PDB) Nose Hill, N.Y., June 19 (MR) was received. and an imm. Harris' Sparrow at Greece (P&BR, m.ob.). As usual White-throated Sparrows were abun- Blue-winged Warblers not only outnumbered dant along the L. Ontario shore, 1000 Sept. 22 at Golden-wingeds3:1, but they outstayed the latter by Hamlin Beach being the best tally. Top Lincoln two weeks, the last Blue-wingedsighting occurring Sparrow counts were nine, on Sept. 16 in Vermont Sept 18 (RC). In keeping with recent trends, (WN), and Oct. 7 in New York (FS). Lapland Tennessee Warbler was one of the most abundant Longspursarrived very early, Sept. 21 (CP,WS), and species throughout September. About a dozen set a new regional high of 1100at Ft. Niagara Nov 19 Orange-crowned Warblers were reliably reported (DF et al.). Snow Buntings appeared in mid-October including two at Woodstock, Vt., on the extra- and were numerousthroughout the Regionby the end ordinarily early date of Aug. 31 (SL), and one at a of the month. Plattsburg, N.Y., feeder Nov. 15 (PW). The Cerulean Warblers recently discovered at Sandbar W.M.A., CONTRIBUTORS (in boldface) AND CITED continued singing through Aug. I1 (FO,CPr). A OBSERVERS -- Alleghany County Bird Club, R. Chestnut-sided Warbler near Albany, Vt., Oct. 16 Andrle, W. Benning, D.M. Boyer, E. Brooks, M. (FO,CS) set a new state departuredate and was only Broun, Buffalo Ornithol6gical Society, D. Burton five days shy of a regionalrecord. Bay-breastedL. Burton, Canada Valley AudubonSociety, L. Cham- Warblers continued to rank among the most abundant berlaine, R. Clark, P. DeBenedictis(PDB), F. Dobson, fall migrants(e.g., 1227died at the Elmira TV tower) R. Dobson, J. Dye, M. Dye, B. Eastman,O. Eastman, and one, a regularat Durand-EastmanPk., from Nov. E. Ellis, G. Ellison, W. Ellison,A. Foster,J. Foster,D. 22, was last seen Nov. 27 beinghotly pursuedby a N. Freeland, GeneseeOrnithological Society, J. Gibson,H. Shrike thus abruptly ending the latest regional fall Goldman, R. Goldman, W. Gordon, A. Gosnell, E record on file. Seven Connecticut Warbler reports Hamilton, N. Henderson, High Peaks Audubon includedone bandedAug. 27 (BM,.hde TM), an excep- Society, W. Howard, R. Johnson, L. Kibler, H. tionallyearly date. At leastfive HoodedWarblers were Kingery, S. Laughlin, J. Listman, W. Listman, T. recorded. the latest Sept. 25. Mack, B. McKinney, M. Menulin, L. Metcalf, M.F.

202 American Birds, March 1978 Metcalf, K. Murphy, W. Nichols, W.J. Norse, mentioned later, which normally winter in the south- L. Nowajchile, F. Oatman, Onondaga Audubon eastern United States. Society, B. Peebles, C. Perrigo, M. Peterson,A. Pis- torius, V. Pitzrick, C. Provost (CPr), B. Reister, LOONS, GREBES AND PELICANS -- The flight P. Reister, C. Rimmet, RochesterBirding Association, of Corn. Loonswas unusually heavy with somelarge M. Rusk, S. Sabo (SSb), S. Sanford, F. Scheider, flocks seenin severalplaces Nov. 11- 12and a total of C. Schultz, J. Skelly, G. Smith, R.G. Spahn, C.G. 746 flying past the hawk-watchlookout on Tuscarora Spies, A. Stear, R.A. Sundell, R.H. Sundell, W. Mt., Pa., Nov. 12 (CG). There were four reportsof Symonds, S. Taylor, D. Tetlow, M. Tetlow, T. Tetlow, Red-neckedGrebes: Fayette County, Pa., Oct. 22 J. Van Riet (JVR), Vermonl Institute of Natural (VJ,AT), Hills Creek S.P., Pa., Oct. 27 (JV), Botetourt Science, J.M. Vydra, P. Warren, B. Weeks, M. County, Va., Oct. 31 & Nov. 6 (BK), and Wheatland Wells, F. Willey, H. Young. R. Yunick.--DOUGLAS L., Va., Nov. 24 (RS). A White Pelican at Hiwassee P. KIBBE, Box 422, Saxtons River, Vermont 05154. Waterfowl Ref., Tenn., Oct. 30 was noteworthy (T.O.S.).

HERONS AND IBISES -- There were very few APPALACHIAN REGION reportsof Great Egretsthis fall but Little Blue Herons were reported in late Augustfrom West Virginia's e. /George A. Hall panhandle(CM) and Knoxville, Tenn., Aug. 19 (JBO). Cattle Egrets at Cherokee L., Tenn., Aug. 9 were It was a mild Fall seasonwith very little cold weather unusual for the area (BA,LD). There were more by the seasoh's end. October was somewhat colder reports of Least Bitterns than is usual in this Region. than normal but November was very much warmer. Two imm. White Ibises were near Greenville, Tenn., The latter part of the seasonwas quite wet but there in early August (DH). were only two snowfalls in a few places and one or none in most. WATERFOWL -- With few exceptionsit was not a good waterfowl year in this Region. All the expected species appeared, but numbers were generally low. This may have been due to the lack of any really cold weather. The Whistling Swan migration was spectacu- lar and was spread out over a wider area than is usual. There were two distinct waves, one Nov. 11 - 12 cor- responded to the first widespread snowfall, and another Nov. 22 - 23. On the other hand, the Canada Goose flight was not especially noteworthy. Snow Geese at Presque Isle, Pa., Sept. 23 (DS)and PymatuningL., Pa., Sept. 25 (RFL) were ratherearly. Other reportscame from TuscaroraMt., Pa., sevenon Oct. 23 (CG), Montour Preserve, Pa., Oct. 20 (JV), Jersey Shore, Pa., Nov. 8 (PS), and North Park, Allegheny Co., Pa., Nov. 26 - 30 (SG). Fifty-five Brant at Bald Eagle S.P., Pa., ten at Colyet L., Pa., Nov. 6 - .-,•-..> . • 7 (MW) and three at Morttour Preserve, Pa., Nov. 8 (JV) were most unusual for the Region. It was certainly the "Year of the Scoters" with reports of White-winged from: PresqueIsle, Pa., Sept. 20 (early --RH) and Nov. 20 (St), Bald Eagle S.P., Pa., Oct. 29 (PS), and Mountain Lake P., Md., Nov. 6 (FP), Surf The sm•l bird •gration was gene•ly fairly heavy Scoters at Lake Arthur, Pa., Oct. 23 (SG), Mountain and the warblers started moving in •d-August and Lake P., Md., Oct. 24. Nov. 6 & 19 ½FPL Wilbur L.. continued until •d-October. The sparrow migration Tenn., Oct. 30 - Nov. 4 (FA), Fishersville, Va., Nov. was •so heavy in Octo•r •d the northern finches 7 (RSn), ShenandoahL., Va., and Elkhorn L., Va., made their appear•ce at that time. Tbe most marked Nov. 14 (R.C.B.C.); and Black Scoters, at Presque waves came on September 5 - 6 and Septemir 19 - 20. Isle, Pa., Oct. 16 & Nov. 20 (St), 167 at Bald Eagle As usu• in the f•l, muchof the reports'i•o•ation S.P., Pa., Oct. 23 (CH), Moraine S.P., Pa., Oct. 23 comes from the two big b•ding operaSohS, (SG), RockinghamCounty, Va., Nov. 9 (first county Powdermill Nature Re•rve near Ligonier, record) (R.C.B.C.), Hiwassee Waterfowl Ref., Tenn., Pennsylvania (bere•ter, P.N.•.) •d tbe Allegheny Oct. 30 (T.O.S.). and Mountain Lake Pk., Md.. Nov. Front Migration Obse•atory ne• Petersburg,West 16 - 18 (FPL Virginia, (here•ter, A.F.M.O.). There w• •so a major banding operation at Pre•ue Isle State Park, RAPTORS -- Some of the results of the intensive Pennsylvania. hawk migrationwatching are given in the accompany- Tbe effects of the severe win•r of I•-78 •e still ing table. Especially noteworthy were the high Broad- evident in the reducedhumors of certainspecies to be winged Hawk counts at Tuscarora Mt., Pa., and

Volbrae 32, Number 2 203 Mendota Fire Tower, Tenn., and the Sharp-shinned pipersthan is usual, and also more inlandsightings of Hawk counts. Sharp-shinnedswere in good numbers Sanderling. An Am. Avocet at DonegalL., Pa., Sept at other locationsas well. The Ospreyds apparently 17 providedthe first s.w. Pennsylvaniarecord (CSt et making a comeback, sincemany more than usualwere al.). A Wilson's Phalaropewas seenat RoanokeSept reported. The Rough-leggedHawk migration was 25 - 27 (BK et al.), and Red Phalaropeswere reported more extensivethan usual,with a report as far s. as from PresqueIsle Nov. 27 (DS) and from Luray, Va, Asheville,N.C., Dec.3 (MT). Therewere four reports Aug. 23 (RS). of Goshawks;Roan Mt., Tenn., Aug. 28 (RP,TL), Mendota Tower, Tenn., Sept. 24 (MT), Blue Ridge GULLS, TERNS AND PARROTS -- The only Parkway, N.C., Oct. 21 (MT), Donegal,Pa., Nov. 28 remarkable gull recordscame from PresqueIsle on L (MR). Bald Eagleswere reportedfrom Kinzua Res., Erie: a GlaucousGull Nov. 27 OH,DS), a Black-legged Pa , Sept. 5 (JP), Blacksburg,Va., Nov. 18 (LB), four Kittiwake Nov. 13 (St) and 12 Great Black-backed d•fferent sightingsin Crawford County, Pa. (RFL), Gulls Sept. 26 (RFL). CaspianTerns were sightedat w•th eight sightedduring the seasonat TuscaroraMt., L. Chatuge, Ga., Aug. 25 (RWL), PresqueIsle Aug 13 Pa (CG). At Tuscarora Mt., a Golden Eagle was & Sept 10 (RFL), and Colyer L., Pa., Sept. 26 (second s•ghtedon the early date of Aug. 10, six were seenOct. fall record there--WM). A Forster's Tern was at 25 and 21 for the season(CG). Another early Golden PresqueIsle Aug. 12 & 14 (DS). At Austin Spnngs, Eagle was in the Cohutta Wilderness,Chattahoochee Tenn., one Least Tern was seen Aug. 7 (DL) and two, Nat'l Forest, Ga., Sept 9, (HD). There were four other Aug. 8 (RK) for the first e. Tennesseerecords. s•ghnngsof Golden Eagles from Botetourt County, A Monk Parakeet was found in a cornfield near Va (BK), Oakland, Md. (FP), Blue Ridge Parkway, Knoxville Oct. 16 (T.O.S.) for the first e. Tennessee N C (RR), Mt. Mitchell, N.C. (RR), andone wounded record. at Hevburnville. Pa.. in November (CS). Four Peregrines were logged during the seasonat OWLS, NIGHTHAWKS AND HUMMINGBIRDS Tuscarora Mt., Pa. (CG), two were seen from a -- Short-eared Owls were seen at Presque Isle Oct 8 lookout on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Botetourt (DSt) and Big Meadows, ShenandoahN.P., Va, Oct County Sept. 23 (MM et al.), and one was seennear 20 (RS). The Com. Nighthawk flightwas thoughtto be Carlisle, Pa., Sept. 15 (JR). Most unusual was a poor at TuscaroraMt. (CG), but goodelsewhere The Prairie Falconreported from the ChattahoocheeNat'l largest count came from Pittsburgh where 600 were Forest, Ga., Aug. 5 (HD). counted Aug. 27 and 400 Aug. 28 (PH). At P.N R, a total of 101 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds was GALLINACEOUS BIRDS AND CRANES- Only banded, 33% above average (RCL). one covey of Bobwhite was to be seen near New- comerstown, O. (ES), an indication of the bad winter WOODPECKERS, FLYCATCHERS AND SWAL- kdl last winter. On the other hand Turkeys seemto be LOWS -- There was apparently a good south- dmng well in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. A bound flight of Red-headed Woodpeckers s•nce record number was bagged by hunters in Berkeley several hawk watchingstations reported seeing them County, W.Va. (CM). Turkeys were found near fly alongthe ridges.On the other handthe migrationof Poland, O., on severaloccasions, probably wanderers Yellow-belliedSapsuckers was very poor, possiblya from Pennsylvania(VM). The only reportsof Sandhill reflection of heavy winter kill in this species. Cranes came as usual from the Knoxville area where The bandingof Yellow-belliedFlycatchers at P N R three were seen Nov. 13 (JBO), and 35 at Norris L., was 15% below normal, and that of Least Flycatchers Tcnn , Nov. 13 (DH). was 37% below normal (RCL). A very late Least Fly- catcher was banded there on Nov. 19 (RCL). SHOREBIRDS -- As usual the shorebird migration In late August"thousands" of Cliff Swallowsroosted through this Region was not heavy, and was concen- in cornfields at Lewisburg, W.Va. (CHa). A very late trated at a few places only. There was, however, a Purple Martin was seen at Seneca L., 0., Oct 30 large numberof unusualrecords. A PipingPlover was (JS). seen at Hiwassee Waterfowl Ref., Tenn., Oct. 30 (T O S.). American Golden Plovers were reported TITMICE, NUTHATCHES AND CREEPERS -- from PresqueIsle, Pa., Oct. 2 - 17 (RH), Oct. 9 & Oct. There was a minor flight of Black-cappedChickadees 30 (DSt); Pymatuning L., Pa., Sept. 4 & Oct. 23 to the south. One hundred were banded at P.N R, (RFL), Lock Haven, Pa., Oct. 17 & Oct. 20 (PS), comparedwith an averageof about 70, exceptfor the Somerset County, Pa., Oct. 24 (RCL) and Roanoke, major invasion year of 1975 when 334 were banded Va, Oct. 5 - 13 (BK et al.). Three Whimbrels were (RCL). The Black-cappedswere notedas far s. as Har- seen at PresqueIsle, Pa., Aug. 31 (DS), one at Latrobe, risonburg(R.C.B.C.) and Blacksburg,Va. (JM). After Pa, Sept. 25 (MR) furnishedthe first s.w. Pennsyl- a periodof low numbersthe populationof Tufted T•t- vama record, and one was at Newcomerstown, O., m•ce in n. West Virginia was back to normal (GAH) Oct 16 (fide ES). Thirty-two HudsonianGodwits were White-breastedNuthatches were also back in good seen at PresqueIsle Oct. 2 (RH). Buff-breastedSand- numbersafter being subnormalfor severalyears The p•pers were reported from Presque Isle Aug. 26 - 28 flight of Red-breastedNuthatches was rather modest, (DSt--banded) and Sept. 16 - 18 (DS), and from but the Brown Creeper migrationwas almostumver- Roanoke, Va., Aug. 21 - 14 and Sept. 1 - 7 (two birds sallypoor. Creepersapparently suffered high mortarty --BK et al.). There were more reports of Stilt Sand- last year.

204 AmericanBirds, March 1978 WRENS, THRASHERS AND THRUSHES -- The (RSt). At PresqueIsle most specieswere in goodnum- premier disaster species of last winter was the bers (RFL). At A.F.M.O., 15 specieswere bandedm CarolinaWren. Even after the breedingseason, num- above-average numbers (eight of these in record bers of this speciesremained low. Some signsof highs),four speciesin averagenumbers and only one recovery are evidentin a few placesbut many areas below-average (GAH), but at P.N.R., only four are still without wrens. However, there were reports specieswere above normal, 20 were below, and five of sightingsnear Warren, Pa., n. of the usualrange were'average (RCL). Perhapsthe mostspectacular (WH). The fall migrationof the Winter Wren wasvery specieswere TennesseeWarbler, which continued poor and this speciesalso must have been decimated impressive movements (1302 banded at A.F.M O ), on its wintering grounds. Bewick's Wren was Cape May Warbler, which seemed abundant unreported. everywhere: 973 at A.F.M.O., with 117 on one day, As is often the casethere were somelate reportsof and 358 at Pleasant Valley, Md. (KH), and Bay- Brown Thrashers:one banded at Morgantown Nov. 6 breasted Warbler which continued its remarkable (GAH), one at Erie Nov. 24 (RBo), and one to the end increases of the last few years. These three are the of November near Warren, Pa. (CN). The southward speciesthat seemmost sensitiveto outbreaksof the flight of Gray Catbirdswas slightlyabove normal. sprucebudworm in the north, and the large numbers In past years the E. Bluebird has often been a found in recent years no doubtreflect the influenceof "disaster"species in a coldwinter but thisapparently these outbreaks on the breeding success.Magnolia did not happenin 1977.The breedingseason was quite and Nashville Warblers were also quite plentiful At successfuland the fall migrationwas unusuallygood A.F.M.O., a record high 360 BlackburnianWarblers everywhere. On the other handthe Wood Thrushwas were banded (GAH), and an unusuallyhigh numberof in low numbers with bandings about 28% below Am. Redstartswas reported there. The Yellow-breasted average at P.N.R. (RCL) and slightly down at Chat seemed to be still in trouble; its numbers were A F.M.O. (GAH). The Hermit Thrush was in low quite low, Of the rarer speciesthe Connecticut was numbers, and may have been an overlooked winter widely reported, but there were very few reportsof the "disaster" species. On the other hand Swainsoh's Orange-crowned, while the Yellow-throated and the Thrush was in fine numbers. At P.N.R., 277 were Swainson's were not mentioned. banded, 36% above average(RCL), and at A.F.M.O., 508 banded was 50% above average (GAH). Field ICTERIDS AND TANAGERS -- A singingW birders also reported a good flight. Meadowlark was present among silent E. Meadow- larks at Lewisburg, W.Va., Oct. 30 (CHa). A Brewer's KINGLETS, SHRIKES AND VIREOS -- Both Blackbird was seen at Bethel Pk.. Pa.. Nov. 12 IEF) kinglet specieswere in very shortsupply. At P.N.R., and another was at Morgantown in late November only 111Ruby-crowned Kinglets (56% below average) (WW). There were three reports of lingering N were banded(RCL), at A.F.M.O., 30 bandedwas 65% Orioles: Harrisonburg, Va., Nov. 5 - 8 (R.C.B C ), below normal (GAH), and at PresqueIsle fewer than Erie Nov. 28 (ZK), and Sheffield, Pa., end of 10 were bandedcompared with a normal400+_ (RFL). November (RSm). The figuresfor Golden-crownedKinglet were similar. A breeding plumaged g' W. Tanager was seen at Besidesthe bandingdata the other reportsalso com- Jennetstown, Pa., Aug. 13 (PM). mented on the scarcity of kinglets. FRINGILLIDS -- Eighty-twoRose-breasted Gros- A N. Shrike was at PresqueIsle on the rather early beaks were banded at P.N.R., well above average date of Oct. 16(St) and one waspresent at Bald Eagle (RCL), and the number of Indigo Buntingsbanded S P., Pa., Nov. 8 - at least Nov. 13 (m.ob.). therewas twice the usualaverage (RCL). Perhapsthe There was an exceptionallyheavy flight of Red-eyed bestrecord of theperiod was of a q?Painted Bunting at Vireos; 60 were seen at one location in Allegheny Radford, Va., Oct. 19 (RA). A Dickcissel was seen at County, Pa., Sept. 3 (PH). At P.N.R., 177banded was Lock Haven, Pa., Nov. 11 - 16 (CH), and anotherat 55% above average (RCL), while at A.F.M.O., 101 Daleville, Va., Nov. 20 - 30 (WO). bandedwas 140%above the recentaverage. The flight A Sharp-tailedSparrow was at Austin Springs, of Philadelphia Vireos was also somewhat above Tenn., Sept. 24 (GE,HF), and one was alsoseen near average and one at North Pk., Pittsburgh,Aug. 17was Daleville,Va., Oct. 2 (BK et al.). At P.N.R., only 153 early (JG). The Solitary Vireo flight was poor at most Field Sparrows were banded (42% below normal-- places and a late date was Nov, 1 at Linville, N.C. RCL), and at Morgantown, only one was banded (UP). comparedwith a normal 20 - 30 (GAH). Tree Sparrows were very spotty in their distribution.They came late WARBLERS -- The warbler flight startedearly. A and by the end of the period no great numbershad Worm-eating Warbler Aug. 11 and a Tennessee arrived anywhere.The White-throatedSparrow con- Warbler Aug. 15at GrandfatherMt., N.C., were early tinuedto thrive. Migrantnumbers were muchhigher (MP). At A.F.M.O., the large catches of w,arblers thannormal and more and more of themare remaining started the last few days of August. In general the in the n. part of the Region. fl•ghtwas good. Binocularbirders reported good num- bers. In Allegheny County it was consideredthe best NORTHERN FINCHES -- Of the usual winter fall migration "in years" (PH), but at Toccoa Falls, visitorsfrom the north only EveningGrosbeak and Ga.; four specieswere reportedin higher-than-normal PineSiskin showed any signsof bigflights. Grosbeaks numbers, ten in lower and two in average numbers were seenas earlyas Sept. 24 at Meadville,Pa (RFL),

Volume32, Number 2 205 but the generalarrival was in mid-October.By the end Adkinson, Richard AImy, Fred AIsop, William of October they were presentthroughout the Region. Bartolo, Ralph Bell, Richard Bollinger(RBo), Louise While not of major invasionproportions the numbers Borchelt, George Breiding, Dennis Carter (DC), Dollie were impressive and the largest in several years. Coxe, Harriett DiGioia, Helenhill Dove (HDol, Linda Siskins also began arriving in mid-Octoberbut were Duley, Glen Eller, Harry Farthing, Tom Finucane, reportedonly in the north.The flockswere variablein Emery Froelich, Carl Garner, Steve Gaulin, Beth number and only a few large concentrationswere Gilbert, Norris Gluck, JosephGrem, Anne Hamilton, reported. Distributionwas also rather spotty. Donald Hammer, Charles Handle7 (CHa), Ron The House Finch continuedto thrive and spread Harrell, Cecil Hazlett (CH), Paul Hess, Roger & throughoutthe Region. The latest additionsto locali- Margaret Higbee (RMH), William Highhouse,Jamie ties reporting them are JohnsonCity, Tenn. (HDo), Hill, Kendrick Hodgdon, George Hurley (GH), Marietta. O. (JS), Mountain Lake Pk., Md. (FP), and Virginia Johnson, Nick Kerlin, Barry Kinzie, Rick Warren, Pa. (WH). Purple Finches were in normal Knight, Zettie Krantz, Tom Laughlin, Robert C. numbers but were somewhatmore widespreadthan Leberman (RCL), Ronald F. Leberman (RFL), Robert usual. There were only two reportsof Com. Redpolls: W. Loftin (RWL), Dick Luria, Vincent McLaughlin, Morgantown Nov. 12 (GAH), and Poland, O., Dec. 9 Clark Miller, Myriam Moore, Peggy Mulvihill, John (VM). The only report of White-winged Crossbills Murray, Charles Musser (CMu), Charles Ned, Avis came from Washington, Pa., Nov. 25 (RMH,EF). Newell, William Opengaff, J.B. Owen, Jan Palmer, There were late summer reports of Red Crossbills Glen Phillips, Rick Phillips, Margery Plymire (MP), from the s. mountains: Great Smokies in August Frances Pope (FP), Frank Preston, Mary Pulley, (BSS), Roan Mr., Tenn., in late August(GE), Chatta- RockinghamCounty Bird Club (R.C.B.C.), Jacqueline hoochee Nat'l Forest, Ga., Aug 25 (HD). There were Rollfinke, Robert Ruiz, Mark Rutledge, Ruth Samuel- scatteredreports in the fall; RockinghamCounty, Va., son (RSm), Ruth Sager(RSa), Paul Schwalbe,Charles Sept. 27 - Oct. 7 and ShenandoahMt., Va.-W.Va., Schwarz (CS), Ellis Shimp, Anne Shreve, Robert Sept. 9 (R.C.B.C.), Blue Ridge, Botetourt County in Simpson (RS), Merit Skaggs, Don Snyder, Ruth October (BK), and Charleston, W.Va., from October Snyder (RSn), David Steadman (DSt), Barbara and to the end of the period (AS). Steve Stedman (BSS), Jerie Stewart, Cliff Stringer Snow Buntings came early and were somewhat (CSt), Randy Stringer (RSt), James, Jean, and Sam more plentiful than usual in their normal rangein the Stull (St), Tennessee Ornithol. Soc. (T.O.S.), north of the Region. In the east they were reportedas Adelaide Titlow, Michael Tove, James Vanemon, far as Wheatland L., Va., Nov. 25 (RS), Botetourt Forrest Watkins, David White, Cora Williams, Merrill County Oct. 31 (CMu), and Great Meadows,Shenan- Wood, William Wylie. -- GEORGE A. HALL, Depart- doah N.P., Va., Nov. 10 (DC). There were no reports ment of Wildlife Biology (Mail Address: Department of of Lapland Longspurs. Chemistry), West Virginia University, Morgantown, W.Va. 26506. CONTRIBUTORS -- Robert Abbott (RA), Buddy

WESTERN GREAT LAKES REGION gan'sUpper Peninsula(hereafter, U.P.). In thesethree sectionsAugust, Septemberand mostof Octoberwere /Daryl D. Tessen cooler than normal with very substantialrainfall. For example, in the U.P., there were only five raM-free For the majority of the Region autumn 1977 was days in September.After a lightfrost dustedthe extreme typifiedby cool temperaturesand unusuallyabundant northern parts of the Region in late Augusta general precipitation.The latter happily ended last year's frost did not occur until early-to-mid-October. Late record droughtfor Wisconsin,Minnesota and Michi- October and early November saw above normal tem- peraturesand very little precipitation. MAN. • A strong cold front on November 9 signaledthe I--- • • A • I 0 approachof winter with heavy snow in Minnesotaand the U.P. Blizzard conditionsprevailed in sectionsof Minnesotathen and againon November20 - 21. While Wisconsin and the U.P. were spared blizzard condi- tions substantialsnows fell four times during the last • I FALLSO : -• C week of November, with accumulation from each snowstorm ranging between 2 -10 inches. It was a white Thanksgivingand a cold exit to No.vemberin most of the Region. Only Michigan's Lower Peninsula (hereafter, L.P.), proved the exception.There August and Septemberwere warmer than normal and rainfall was lacking, continuingthe dry conditionsthat pre- vailed during the summer. Fortunately October and j IOWA ILL. *zoo November saw a return to cooler temperatures, accompaniedwith good precipitationamounts appar-

206 American Birds, March 1978 ently terminating a rapidly developing drought lower than precedingyears as evidencedby a maximum condition. on the refuge of 130,800Oct. 3 (RD) with 175,000m The blustery weather caused its share of unusual the e.c. Wisconsinarea Oct. 28. The programcontinues s•ghtings;some proved truly surprising.However, to be a highlycontroversial subject with seeminglyas ellc•tingmore commentsby observersthan anything many views as people. Other Canada Goose peaks m else, was the vanguard movementof winter finches Wisconsin included 30,000 at Grand River Marsh into all sectionsof the Region.For somefinch species W .A. and El Dorado Marsh W.A. and 32,000 at Green invasion terminologywas already being used at the Lake. Minnesota'smaximum was 63,000 at Lac Qm penod's conclusion. Parle W.A. Four White-fronted Geese were at Honcon N.W.R., Sept. 23 - Oct. 5 (RD). There were 1500Snow LOONS THROUGH IBISES -- Red-throatedLoons Geeseat Crex Meadows W.A., Oct. 20 (JE). An imm c• wereobserved at Manitowoc,Wis. (SR)Oct. 23 andat Barrow's Goldeneyewas found at Duluth Oct. 15(KE) Mille Lacs L., Minn. (KE,RJ) Oct. 25. Red-necked A Buffleheadwas in MilwaukeeAug. 2 (DG). Harle- Grebeswere found in Michiganin Berrien,Presque quin Ducks appeared in Michigan with two b•rds Isle andLeelanau Cos., and in Wisconsinin St. Croix, presentOct. 16 - 22 in AlconaCounty (DL,RS et al ) Winnebago,Barron and Fond du Lac Cos.The only andone Oct. 22 - 23 in PresqueIsle County(WG, BG) Eared Grebe sightingsoccurred in Wisconsinwhere Two birds were at Duluth Nov. 28 (KE). There was the summeringSt. Croix Countybird remaineduntil another fine scoter movement through the Region Aug 7 (CF)with another on the bay in BrownCounty This autumnthe White-wingedwas the mostnumerous Sept. 10 (SR,CK). Four W. Grebes were observed followed by the Black and the Surf. Several Wh•te- swimmingin companywith numerousPied-billed and wingedsand Surfs were found unusuallyearly in the HornedGrebes on Shawno L., ShawnoCo., Wis.,Oct. season(August-September). Of specialinterest was the 23(SR,CK) with a lateindividual Nov. 25 in BigStone sightingof a substantialscoter migration in Bemen County,Minn. (RJ). There weregreater-than-normal County, Mich., Nov. 10 - 11. A total of 400+ b•rds numbers of White Pelicansin Minnesotaand in Wis- representingall three specieswas notedby Booth consin.Even s.e. Minnesotahad sightingsincluding oneon a latedate of Nov. 14in DakotaCounty (RJ). HAWKS -- TurkeyVultures migrated through s e The s.w. part of the statehad three 1000+ concentra- Michigan in good numberswith a total of 56 b•rds tions including4000 in FreebornCounty Sept. 16 countedduring the period(fide AK). A light-phase (DGr). Wisconsin's11 summeringbirds remained in Harlan's Red-tailed Hawk was present at Helmer Monroe County until Aug. 23 (EE, m.ob.) with 14 Myre S.P., FreebornCo., Minn., Aug. 13 - Nov 15 birdsseen Sept. 5 - 10in LaCrosseCounty (FL) anda (DGr). The CedarGrove Hawk Station, in Sheboygan sohtaryindividual inRacine harbor Oct. 20 - 21(BP,DK). Co., Wis., observedits bestflights ever of Sharp- Remarkable, if correct, was the observationof an shinned,Osprey (86 total) and Am. Kestrel,with the •mm OlivaceousCormorant in companywith a bestMerlin flightsince 1971 (DB). Many observers•n Double-crestedat Ortonville,Big StoneCo., Minn., Wisconsin,especially those reporting along L. Michigan, Nov 24 (BH). Documentationis incompleteat this commentedon the exceptionally fine Osprey migration timebut if substantiatedit would represent Minnesota's this fall. The only substantialBroad-winged flights first record. Two Little Blue Herons were seen at werefound in Wisconsin,with 1510counted in Ozaukee GreenBay Aug. 13(DT). In WisconsinCattle Egrets CountySept. 10(EE, DT), 350following the Wisconsin were foundin threeplaces: Brown County, with as R. in Sauk CountySept. 24 (RK) and 239 at Cedar manyas 15until Sept. 30 (m.ob.I, Dane County Sept. Grove Sept. 27 (DB). Swainson'sHawks were observed 20 (DTh) and DodgeCounty Oct. 3 (RD). Michigan in 16 Minnesota countieswith a lone individual at the had two in Kent CountyOct. 24 (CR,DP) andfour in CedarGrove StationOct. 9 (DB). An early Rough- MaresteeCounty Oct. 29 (m.ob.).One SnowyEgret leggedHawk was notedin OlmstedCounty, Mmn, wasobserved Aug. 16- 27 at Monroe,Mich. (m.ob.). Aug. 26 (VH). Alsoin Minnesotaa FerruginousHawk In Wisconsinsingle birds were present until Sept. 9 at wasobserved Oct. 16at Big StoneN.W.R. (C&MB) HonconN.W.R. (m.ob.)and at GreenBay until Sept. Golden Eagles were found in three Wisconsinloca- 30 (m.ob.). Minnesota'snesting birds remained until tions: Cedar Grove Oct. 15, Nov. 11 & 21 (DB), Aug 10 at Big StoneN.WoR. SingleYellow-crowned ColumbiaCounty Nov. 12(DT) andfrom Nov. 9 until Night Heronswere foundin Dodge,Milwaukee and earlyDec., at Crex MeadowsW.A. (JE). Certainlythe Outagamie Cos., Wis., during the first half of the mostexciting find withinthis groupwas the well-des- periodwith onein MuskegonCounty, Mich., in early cribed sightingby two separatebirders of a Caracara August. in the MuskegonDunes S.P., MuskegonCo., M•ch, Sept. 3. The bird was observedin flight and perched WATERFOWL -- Michigan's Mute Swans (GW, ES). PrairieFalcons were found more frequently receivedmixed comments about their nesting success. than usualin Minnesotawith at leastthree, possibly However, there was unanimity on their lower numbers five birdsseen this autumn. A totalof five Peregnne as comparedto lastyear, undoubtedlythe resultof the Falconswas reportedin Michiganwhile Wisconsin severe1976-77 winter. Unusual was the sightingof a counted 15 - 20 birds during the period, with most WhistlingSwan Aug. 10 in ManisteeCounty (FM,BM). sightingsoccurring along the s.e.L. Michiganshorehne Th•swas the secondyear in the U.S.F.&W.S.5-year program of Canada Goose populationreduction at GROUSE THROUGH RAILS -- Spruce Grouse HonconN.W.R., Wis.Peak numbers were significantly were observed in Michigan'sU.P. (HoughtonCounty,

Volume32, Number 2 207 three--NIL n. Wisconsin (Oneida and Iron Cos., six-- vidual was presentin ColumbiaCounty, Wis., Aug. 27 PV, SR) and n. Minnesota (Cook and Itasca Cos., four (RH). Possiblythe sameAm. Avocet wasfound in Bay --KE, RJ, DBo). There were 110 Greater Prairie County (Aug. 5, DM) and MonroeCounty (Aug. 17- 23, Chickens found in Wilkin County (RJ) and 30 - 40 in m.ob.). A Red Phalaropewas in St. Joseph, Mich., Pine County, Minn. The largestconcentration of Sand- Nov. 9 (WB). Minnesota's fourth record of this hill Cranesin the Regionoccurred in NormanCounty, specieswas almost missed,as it was originallymis- Minn., Oct. 18 when 5000 were noted. Only Michigan identified as a Northern, Nov. 12 - 19 at Mille Lacs L. found the King Rail this autumn with singlebirds in (m.ob.). Between 25-30 N. Phalaropeswere tallied in Mason County August 14(FM) and in Monroe County Wisconsinduring Augustand September(m.ob.) with Aug. 22 & Sept. 6 (DM). about seven in Michigan (m.ob.).

SHOREBIRDS -- Despite the lack of goodhabitat GULLS AND TERNS -- Jaegersightings occurred in someparts of the Regionthere was a generallygood in Michiganand Minnesota.A total of four undetermined shorebird movement. Surprisingnumbers of someof Jaegers was seen in Berrien County Oct. 16 - Nov. 12 the more unusualspecies were noted, in additionto an (RS, WB, GW) with a Parasiticin Ottawa County Oct. interesting variety within the group. Two Piping 22 (BMa, HC). At Duluth two unspecifiedjaegers were Plovers were seen in Columbia County, Wis., Aug. 22 seen Aug. 27, Sept. 17 - 18 (m.ob.) with a Parasitic (RH). A late Black-belliedPlover was found in Berrien Sept. 17 - 18 & 25 (L&JF). There were few Glaucous County Nov. 25 (RS). Whimbrelswere recordedin all Gulls sighted. Curiously most were seen unusually three states: Minnesota Aug. 29 - 31, Cook County early: Aug. 20 in Door County,Wis. (DTh), Oct. 5 in (GS), Michigan Sept. 17, Monroe County (AM), and Lake County, Minn. (VG) and Oct. 11 in Berrien WisconsinSept. 6 & 23 and a very late Oct. 12 in Mil- County (WB). About 17 Great Black-backedGulls waukee (DG, MD, EE). Willets were observed in were seenin Michiganduring late Septemberand mid- Monroe County, Sept. 6, 7, 17& 30 (m.ob.) with indivi- November (m.ob.). Thayer's Gulls were found in duals in Wisconsin Aug. 20 at Horicon N.W.R. (JF) Minnesota with a peak of three birds Oct. 28 - Nov. 13 and Madison Aug. 29 & Sept. I (RH). A surprising near Duluth (KE, JG), one Nov. 14 in Dakota County number of Red Knots was observed this fall, with a (R J) and another Nov. 19 in Lake County (KE, JG). total of 42 in four Michigan counties, 16in six Wiscon- Minnesota's third record of the California Gull occurred sin counties and about ten in two Minnesota counties. when three birds were studied at Mille Lacs L., Nov. Minnesota's secondsighting of the Purple Sandpiper 8, 11 & 15 (KE, JG, RJ). occurredthis fall when one was seenand photographed For the third consecutive autumn a Black-headed Gull in Aitkin County Nov. 14 ~ 17 (SB, m.ob.). A total of was found in Monroe County Nov. 19 - 29 (EC, JAG et al.). A LaughingGull was seennear Manitowoc, Wis., Aug. 17 where the specieshad beenduring the summer (DT). Relatively small numbers of Franklin's Gulls were found in Minnesota and Wisconsin but 125+ were counted in an hour in Berrien County Nov. 10 (WB). A total of 4500 Bonaparte'sGulls was found at several Monroe County sites (m.ob.). Little Gulls were seen in Milwaukee--two on Aug. 2 (DG), and Green Bay Aug. 15 - 17 (ECI); singlesin Michigan's Ottawa County Oct. 22 (BMa, HC) and Berrien County Nov. 2, 12- 13 (WB, RA, RS) and Minnesota's Mille Lacs L., Nov. 7 (KE, JG). Michigan had an unusual number of Black-leggedKittiwakes with birds in Ottawa County Oct. 7 & 22(2) & 24, in Muskegon County Oct. 24 and in Monroe County Nov. 19(GW, JP,JW,JAG). Late tern sightingsincluded Forster's Purple Sandpiper,Big Sandy Lake, Minn., Nov. 14-17, Nov. 19 in Monroe County and Common Oct. 23 at 1977. Photo/Lloyd Paynter. Mille Lacs L. CaspianTerns were foundin goodnum- bers (50-125) at four different Wisconsin sites. four W. Sandpiperswas foundin Wisconsin(MD, DT, RH, SR, CK) and one in Michigan (JAG). Michigan OWLS THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS -- Barn had more than the usual number of Buff-breasted Owls were presentin Wisconsin(three) and Michigan Sandpipersthis autumn.A total of 11 was recorded (pair with five young). There were very few Snowy Aug. I - Sept. 8 from six counties(AMa, SH, BG et Owls sighted in Minnesota, Wisconsinand the L.P. al.). Two were found in WisconsinAug. 3 (Columbia The exception was the U.P. where a goodnumber was County, RH). A total of three MarbledGodwits was found. Two Hawk Owls were found at Duluth Nov. 19 presentin WisconsinAug. 2 - Sept. 10 in Columbia with one remaining into December (DE et al.). There County (RH, DT). Three more were found at Pt. were five sites in Minnesotawhere Great Gray Owls Mouillee, Mich., Aug. 14- Sept. 1(DBa, AC, JAG). At were seen during late October and November. They least ten HudsonJan Godwits were observed in included Duluth, Agassiz N.W.R., St. Louis, Lake Monroe County during the first half of the period, with and Cass Cos. Five Boreal Owls were banded at Hawk a very late sightingthere on Nov. 19(JAG). One indi- Ridge (Duluth) Oct. 21 - Nov. 18(DE) with one at Ely,

208 American Birds, March 1978 Minn., Nov. 12 (GN). About 2400 Corn. Nighthawks observers commented on the fine warbler movement migrated through Columbia County, Wis., Aug. 28 through their states. Again this autumnthere was little (RH). There was an impressiveRuby-throated Hum- excitement produced within these groups. Of interest mingbird migration during late August in Berrien were Bell's Vireos in Wright and HoustonCos., Mlnn, County, as evidencedby thesefigures: 650+ Aug. 26, Aug. 28 (ESt, FL), a Kentucky Warbler still on its 250+ Aug. 28 and 800+ Aug. 31 (WB). nesting territory in Dane County, Wis., Sept. 3 (RH) and a Yellow-breasted Chat in St. Clair County, Mlch WOODPECKERS THROUGH STARLINGS -- Red- belhed Woodpeckerswere foundunusually far north BLACKBIRDS THROUGH BUNTINGS -- An In Minnesota with sightingsin Aitkin, Otter Tail and Orchard Oriole was presentin ColumbiaCounty, Wls, PenningtonCos. The only Black-backedThree-toed Aug. 14 (RH). On Aug. 31 a Western Tanager was Woodpeckersightings also came from Minnesota, observed in Hoffmaster S.P., Muskegon Co., Mlch includingCook (six reports),St. Louis(three reports), (JW, ST, CR). An indication of the continued N Hubbard and Lake of the Woods Cos. A W. Kingbird extensionof the Cardinal's rangewas the presenceof was observed at leisure at Memphis, Mich., Aug. 26 two in Duluth this fall. Blue Grosbeaks were found in (VJ) with another on S. Manitou 1., Leelanau Co.. their usual sites in Rock and Murray Cos., Mlnn, Mich., Sept. 1 (AMa). Most unusualwas a 6 Vermilion during August. After an absenceof any winter finch Flycatcherin full breedingplumage discovered near movement for the past several years this autumn Ehzabeth, Otter Tail Co., Minn. It was seen and showedpromise for a bonanzawinter. Apparentlythis photographedby m.ob.during its two-daystay, Nov. is to be an invasion year for the Pine Grosbeakand 6 - 7, and representedthe first staterecord (fide GO). White-winged Crossbill in Wisconsinand Minnesota Minnesota had an impressiveHorned Lark migration and the Pine Siskinin all threestates. Flocks ranging this fall with 5000 Oct. 22 in Clay Countyand hundreds in size to several hundred for the Pine Grosbeak and alongthe roadsidesin numerouslocations Nov. 21 - 27. White-wingedCrossbill were notedin both states,pre- Many of them were hit by passingcars. Over 50,000 dominatelyin November. Pine Siskinnumbers ranged Tree Swallows were found at Green Bay, Wis., Aug. between several hundredto a•tew thousandin all three 27 (DG). In additionto the normalsightings of Gray statesduring Octoberand November. EveningGros- Jaysone out-of-range bird wasnoted in WilkinCounty, beaks were presentin goodnumbers in Michigan,but Minn., Nov. 14 (GO). Unusual were the five Black- only in n. Wisconsinand Minnesota at the penod's bfiled Magpies that remained around Duluth until conclusion.Common Redpolls were rapidly increasing Sept. 25, againbeing sighted Oct. 19 (fide JG). Addi- in numbers during November in n. Wisconsin and tional out-of-rangespecies included two Corn. Ravens Minnesotawith a few commencingto filter downto the in St. Clair County, Mich., Oct. 15 (JK,JAG,JFo), and s. parts of the Region. Only the Purple Finch and Red a Boreal Chickadee in East LansingNov. 4 (GSt). An Crossbill were found in sub-normal numbers with the unusual concentration of 50 Boreals was found in a latter being unusuallyscarce. limited area of Cook County, Minn., Aug. 14 (KE). A Lark Bunting was in PipestoneCounty Aug 6 Both Wisconsin and Minnesota observers commented (RJ, OJ). Le Conte's Sparrowswere found in Wiscon- on the exceptionally high numbersof Red-breasted sin Sept. I I in ColumbiaCounty (RH) and in Michigan Nuthatchespresent during most of the period. Three Sept. 23 in Leelanau County (AMa). Sharp-taded Carolina Wrens were presentin s.e. Michigan.These Sparrows were discovered Sept. 14 in Columbia were the only reportsfor this species;this paucity is in County (RH) and duringmid-September in Minneapolis, direct contrast to previous years. Undoubtedly the Sept. 17 in Wilkin County (GO, GWi) and mid-October 1976-77 winter decimated this species. There was a in W inona--all Minnesota.A singleLark Sparrowwas similar situation for the Mockingbird with two in on S. Manitou I.. Mich.. Sept. 23 IAMa). A Fox Benzie County, Aug. 1 (SH), one in OaklandCounty, Sparrow was foundon the very early date of Sept 2 •n Mich., Sept. 30 (BB) and Duluth Oct. 16 (JG). Varied Otter Tail County, Minn. (GO). Unusuallyhigh num- Thrushesappeared in Minnesotawith an earlybird at a bers of Smith's Longspurswere present at Rothsay St Paul feeder in mid-October and two at Duluth W.A., Wilkin Co., Minn., Oct. 12 - 23 with a peak of feeders beginningNov. 27 (fide JG). In Wisconsin 200+ on Oct. 15 (KE, RJ, GO). singlebirds were seenin late Novemberin Sheboygan (JS et al.) andChippewa (fide SR) Cos.Again this fall SUB-REGIONAL EDITORS (boldface)and CON- Mountain Bluebirds were found in Minnesota with TRIBUTORS -- Ray Adams, Dave Baker (DBa), Dan solitarybirds in Anoka County, Oct. 22 (KL) and St. Berger, S. Blanich, Ben Blazier, Don Bolduc (DBo), Louis County, Nov. 21 (KE). A few BohemianWax- Walter Booth, Chuck & Micki Buer, E. Carhart (EC), w•ngs were observedas early as late October in A. Carpenter, Harry Clark, Ed Cleary (ECI), Mary Minnesotaand duringNovember in bothMichigan and Donald, Robert Drieslein, Kim Eckert (Minnesota, Wisconsin. There were decidedly fewer N. Shrikes 9735 North ShoreDrive, Duluth,55804), Eric Epstein, seen this autumn as compared to the past several D. 'Evans, Jim Evrard, Craig Faanes, James Fowler years. A few Loggerheadswere notedin Wisconsin(JFo), Jim Frank, Lee & Joann French, Janet Green, and Minneapolis. J. A. Greenhouse,Doris Gregerson(DGr), Betty Gngg, William Grigg (n.e. Michigan,745 Pinewood Ave., Rogers VIREOS THROUGH WARBLERS -- The migration City, 49779), V. Grover, Dennis Gustafson,B. Harris, for both groupscommenced in early August,which is Vince Herring, Randy Hoffman, Sally Huston, N.J. earlier than normal. Both Michigan and Wisconsin Ilnicky (Upper Peninsula,Michigan, 42 StonegateDrive,

Volume 32, Number 2 209 StonegateHeights, Marquette, 49855), Vic Janson, Vandershaegen,T. Wells, GeorgeWickstrom, Gerald Robert Janssen, Oscar Johnson, Alice Kelley (s.e. Winkelman(GWi), Joan Wolfe DARYLD. TESSEN, Michigan, 3681 Forest Hill Drive, Bloomfield Hills, 2 Pioneer Park Place, Elgin, Ill. 60120. 48013), Charles Kemper, Dick Kinch, J. Kleiman, Randy Korotev, K. LaFord, Doug Larking, Fred Attention Sub-Regional Editors -- The Winter and Lesher, AI Maley, Frank Mantlik, Alan Marble Spring seasonreports will be written by Kim Eckert (AMa), Bill Martinus (BMa), Doug McWhirter (s.c. and the Summerand Autumnseasons by Daryl Tessen. Michigan, Dept. of Zoology,Michigan State University, Pleasesend your seasonalsummary to the appropriate East Lansing, 48824), Bob Morman, G. Niemi, Gary editor. Otnes, David Pietrowicz, JamesPonshair (w.c. Michi- gan, 1080560th Ave., AHendale,49401), Bill Pugh,Sam ADDENDA -- A sickPurple Gallinule was foundby Robbins, Charlotte RunnelIs, G. Scott (GS), Ellen a boy on June 23 in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.It Slater, Roy Smith (s.w. Michigan, 909 Timberland died the followingday and representsthe secondU.P. Drive, BerrienSprings, 49103), Evdyn Stanley(ES0, record, fide William Robinson. A d Blue Grosbeak Gary Stolz (GSt), JosephSuchecki, Daryl Tessen(Wis- was seen on July 31 at Ossineke, Michigan by Bob consin),Doug Thiessen (DTh), Scott Thomasma,Phill Allen.

MIDDLEWESTERN PRAIRIE REGION normal and October below-normaltemperatures; November was well above normal. The season was /Vernon M. K!een also a wet one--so much so that farmers found it diffi- cult to harvestcrops on time. It is possiblethat the late The fall migrationwas the bestin many years.Cool harvestand reducedfall plowingwill showup in the weather of early August started the seasonon a good positivecolumn for wildlifepopulations next year. note; several cold fronts followed, bringing migrants As usual,many observer-hours were spentlooking through in perceptiblewaves--at least locally; large for the less common and out-of-place species-- numbers of raptors were seen as they headed south especially water-associatedspecies. Therefore. data and winter finches came in as a finale. The season was for many commonspecies were not obtainedand can also loaded with observations of the rare and not be sufficientlytreated in this report. We should unexpected. strive for more emphasison the expectedspecies and lesson the unexpected. The use of documentation forms continued to wis. increaseand the quality of birding has noticeably improved. Contributors now realize that all extra- ordinary sight records must be thoroughly documented at the time of observation; not that even- ing or the next day. A total of 102 documentation forms was received: Illinois 31, Ohio 25, Indiana 24, Iowa 9, Kentucky 9. Missouri 4. All documented recordsare denotedby a dagger(t). Specimensare O•or• denoted by an asterisk (*). Records which were not satisfactorily documented were either omitted or appear in the UNCORROBORATED REPORTS section.

Many passerinesappeared well aheadof scheduleas the cool August weather triggered mass departure LOONS AND GREBES -- Common Loons were from northern nestingareas; warblers and flycatchers uncommonexcept in isolatedinstances such as the 493 were especiallyevident beginningthe secondweek of in one hour at Cleveland Nov. 12 (RHa) and 95 at August and often peaking before the end of August. Lexington, Ky., Nov. 23 (BHo); other maximum Migration waves were not clear-cut regionwide,but counts occurred in early November and totaled not two-or-three day movements were subregionally more than 21 birds at any one location;early records observed. The total number of individuals for most were singles at Ft. Wayne, lnd., Aug. 17 (Haw) and species was good; only ducks and sparrows were in Maryville, Mo., Sept. l0 (E). A Red-throatedLoon poor numberseverywhere and shorebirdslocally. The was observed at Michigan City, Ind. (hereafter, Mich. early trend switchedin mid-Septemberand for the rest C.) Nov. 20 (tKBr et al.). Three Red-necked Grebes of the period the migration was somewhat retarded were found at Land between the Lakes, Trigg Co., and birds were less abundantor conspicuous. Ky., Nov. 19(•CP); anotherwas presentat Ft. Wayne The unseasonablycool weatherof early Augustwas Oct. 18 - 20 (Haw,•EH). Horned Grebes appeared in followed by hot days so that the month turned out numbers only around Cleveland, with a maximum of average statistically; September experienced above- 130 on Nov. 27 (OD); the species was considered

210 AmericanBirds, March 1978 uncommonelsewhere; two had appearedat Maryville, was photographedat DeSoto Bend N.W.R., la., Nov Mo, by Aug. 20 (E). Four Eared Grebes were 21 (fide N). Refugeestimates indicated only one-s•xth reported from Mills County, la., Oct. 30 (RSi) and of the normal number of dabbling ducks at w singleswere found in Guthrie County, la., Oct. 16 Kentucky refugesby the end of the period compared (GBu), Brookston, Ind., Nov. 12- 24 ('['EH,m.ob.) and to 1976populations (JM). However, in n. Ohio, normal Columbia, Mo., Oct. 22 (WG). Except for the three W. numbers appeared in August and September(M,LV) Grebes at Iowa City, la., Oct. 30 (ThK) all otherswere The maximum number of Green-winged Teal at noted individually as follows: Maryville, Mo., Oct. 2 Ottawa N.W.R., O. (hereafter, O.W.R.) was definitely (TBk); Kansas City Nov. 19 (KH); Louisville Nov. 8 up compared to past years--638 on Nov. 6 (LV), over (tDP, LR); Mich. C., Oct. 30 (tTiK); Cherokee, Ia., 7000 were found at Red Rock Reft, Ia., duringthe Oct 28 (DBm) and Iowa City Oct. 27 - Nov. 3 height of migration(GBI). There were few comments (tN,m.ob.). Pied-billed Grebes were referred to as concerning diving ducks; however, the one reported scarce in many areas: however. maxima of 113 and wave, even though low in numbers of birds, was 82 were observedat Schell-Osage,Mo., Sept. 6 (JRa) detected at Cleveland Nov. 5 (M)--only Ruddy Ducks and Waveland, Ind., Oct. 6 (AB), respectively. and Lesser Scaup were common. Eleven Canvasbacks reached Ft. Wayne by Oct. 13 (Haw); peak passage PELICANS THROUGH IBISES -- The largest was late November. Inland observers took more time flights of White Pelicanspassed through the extreme to identify Greater Scaup and found it rewarding,a w portion of the Regionduring the last half of Sep- maximum of 60 was reported from Maryville, Mo, tember; the largest group, 1200, was found at Swan Nov. 16 (E); good numbers were also reported from Lake N.W.R., Mo., Sept. 18(WG); smallgroups were, three other inland locations. Single Oldsquawswere reported along the MississippiR., with one as far e. as reported from four inland locations (3 Illinois, 1 Mich. C., Oct. I OffdeEH). More observersreported Missouri), Nov. 4- Dec. 5. Two Harlequin Ducks Double-crested Cormorants; migration ranged from were presentat Mich. C., Nov. 13- 27 (PG,?EH,•'KBr) Aug 17through the end of the periodbut primarilyin There were numerous inland reports of all three October; as expected, the greatest numbersoccurred scoters and at Columbus Nov. 5 (?Jet al.), all three in the west (especiallyMissouri) and fewestin the east were on the same reservoir at the same time. Inland with only two reportsfrom Kentuckyand three from recordsof White-wingedScoters included one or two Ohio A Green Heron was still present at Antioch, locations--maximum of four birds--from each state Ill • Nov. 12(DJ). Except for the 200+ at E. St. Louis, except Kentucky, which reportednone; Surf Scoters I11 (hereafter, EStL.) Aug. 28 (D) and the 100+ in were at I - 4 locations--maximum of three birds--from Jersey County, I11.,in late August(D), reportsof Little each state except Kentucky; Black Scoterswere seen Blue Herons were limited to five individuals or less-- at I - 3 locations from each state except Iowa and primarily in late August and the first week of Septem- Kentucky. There were an unprecedented27 Black ber-and from only one or two locationsper state. Scoters at Alton, I11.• Nov. 15 (?CS et al.) and seven Cattle Egret records were even scarcer but included were noted at Clinton, I11.,Nov. 25 0'RP); generallythe late departures of Nov. 2 at Columbia, Mo. (JRa); speciesappeared as singleswith occasionalgroups up sevenfrom Union County Reft, Ill., Nov. 12 (IM et to four. Normal numbers of scoters were seen from the al )• and s. Iowa Nov. 4 offdeN). Black-crownedNight Great Lakes shorelines. An impressive 2100 Red- Herons were consideredto be in fair-to-goodnumbers breasted Merganserswere noted at Cleveland Nov 28 in the west and south, but in low numbers in the east. (M) and 64 was high for Springfield,Mo. (CB et al ) An lmm. White Ibis was presentat Gilbert L., Mark Twmn N.W.R., Ilk, Aug. 6 (?H,m.ob.). Three dark DIURNAL RAPTORS -- An early Goshawk was ibises were noted at Schell-OsageSept. 18 (JRa) and reportedfrom Iowa City Sept. 18(?MN). Comparedto one was still present Oct. I (fide N J). recent years, migrant Sharp-shinnedand Coopefts Hawks were reportedly common;257 Shatpieswere WATERFOWL -- A migrating Whistling Swan was counted at Illinois Beach S.P. (hereafter, I.B S P ), first detected at Columbus,O., Oct. 24 (Fry); all flocks Sept. 26 and another83 the followingday (GR). The 96 appeared in November--the majority passingthrough Red-tailed Hawks through I.B.S.P., Sept. 26 was also during the secondand fourth weeks; a few strayswere impressive(GR). Observersfound that Red-shouldered reported s. of the normal flight corridor--in Missouri Hawks, still scarce, were showingsigns of a possible and Illinois; as usual, somefell prey to gunners.The slightrecovery; this couldonly be detectedby the col- Canada Goose flocks returned to the s. Illinois and lective reports of all contributors.Noteworthy Broad- Kentucky refugesin greatly increasednumbers; this wingedHawk flightswere observedthis fall; practically marks the secondconsecutive year the populationhas all concentrationspassed through Sept. 17- 27 region- increased by 100,000birds, bringingthe current total wide. Swainson's Hawks were reported from four to 525,000. A Brant was noted at Columbus Oct. 23 - locationsin Iowa Aug. 6 - Oct. 24, however,only two Nov 10 (DT,?J,•'m.ob.) and another(black form) was were documented (?TSh). There was an excellent kfiledin Rock islandCounty. ill.. Oct. 24 ½•de P). The invasion of Rough-leggedHawks; the winter outlook only unusualoccurrence of White-frontedGeese was for the speciesappeared good. A FerruginousHawk the flockof 11at the PigeonRiver Fish and Game Area, was reported from Shenandoah,Ia., Oct. 27 (?RPh) Ind (hereafter,P.R.A.), Oct. 11 (fide Haw,LCs) and The presenceof a GoldenEagle at Grafton, ill., Aug 6 one still there Nov. 5 (Haw et al.). Normal numbersof and later was unexpected (?H,m.ob.); another was Ross' Geese were noted in n.w. Missouri(R) and one noted at Crab Orchard N.W.R., I11., Oct. 22 (?RP)

Volume32, Number2 211 Early arriving Bald Eagles appeared at Warrenville, Missouri Aug. 17 - Sept. 12: the species appeared II1., Aug. 10 (GRi); Red Rock Ref., Ia., Sept. 24 (JSt); more than once in three areas. The only Purple seven at Swan Lake Ref., Mo., Oct. 16 (WG) and Sandpiper reported was seen regularly at Mich. C., Sptld.. Nov. 20 (H). Marsh Hawks-were rather Oct. 9 - 30 ½?EH). Stilt Sandpiperswere considerably common this fall; the one-day migrationat I.B.S.P., fewer in number than in other recent years; the same totaled 31 (GR); early arrivals includedsingles at both was true for Buff-breasted Sandpipers even though Monticello. Ill. ½JFr)and Mt. Comfort, Ind. (HWe) they were reported from all states except Iowa. A Aug. 26. The fall Ospreyreport was: Ohio 17.Sept. 8 - scattering of Marbled Godwits was found: two at Oct. 15;Kentucky 4, Sept. 17- 25; Indiana 14, Aug. 28 O.W.R., Aug. 19 (LV,Fry); two at WaukeganAug. 13 - Oct. 29; Illinois 46, Sept. 2 - Oct. 21; Iowa unde- - 22 (JN,m.ob.); one at Barrington. Ill., Sept. 3 termined; Missouri 34+, Aug. 25 - Oct. 30. A Prairie (JN,m.ob.); and EStL., Aug. 29 - Sept. 5 (D•. The Falcon made an appearancein Iowa at least for one only HudsonJanGodwit was present Aug. 20 - 24 at day, Oct. 16 in Fremont County (tRSi). Cleveland ('•JHo et al.). Up to 17 Sanderlingswere observed at Land between the Lakes Sept. 5 (JTE); SoAo single-figure numbers were reported elsewhere The amazing flight of 47 Peregrine Falcons (m.ob.). Except for the 20 at Spfld., Sept. 15 that passedNorthwestern University along the (H,m.ob.) and I I at both Mich C., Sept. 7 (fide EH) Chicago lakefront Oct. I, was a spectacular and Milford, O., Aug. 12 (HC), Am. Avocets were event of unequalled significance;the flight encounteredas singlesor pairs throughoutAugust and began early in the morning and continued early September;one was presentat LouisvilleOct. 30 through early afternoon (B,tm.ob.); a total of - Nov. 5 (DBe). The accompanying photo provides 64 Peregrineswas accountedfor in the Chicago evidence of the Black-neckedStilt at Schell-OsageOct. area Sept. 24 - Oct. 15 (fide B,?m.ob.), singles I - 6; two were noted there Oct. 2 (SY et al.). The were also noted at I I other Regionwide pelagic Red Phalarope is always noteworthy in the Iocations•many were documented. Region--however, the presenceof five may suggesta regular migration;two were presentat Mich. C., Nov. Merlins were also noteworthy: none was reported 12 (?EH) and singlesat O.W.R., Oct. 2 (?LV,m.ob.), from Ohio or Indiana but from I 1 other locationsSept. EStL., Oct. I - 3 (•'WRu,•'PS); and Maryville, Mo. 20- Nov. 12 ('•m.ob.). At least27 Am. Kestrelspassed (*E,R). Only small numbers of Wilson's Phalaropes I.B.S.P., on the "hawk flight" day Sept. 26 ½GR). were reported. Up to 26 N. Phalaropeswere counted at O.W.R., Aug. 7 (LV); four were noted at GALLIFORMES AND GRUIFORMES -- Native Champaign, Ill., Aug. 24 (JFr); singleswere presentat Ruffed Grouse populations have generally gone six other locations Aug. 14 - Oct. 30. unreportedin recentyears; however, a few individuals were found in the n. reachesof the Region at Yellow River Forest, Ia. (DKo), Apple River S.P.. Ill. (GH) and P.R.A. (fide Haw) this fall. The Bobwhite is a species that should continue to be watched; the speciesmay not be in serioustrouble Regionwide, but very low numberswere reported from somelocalities. Large flocks of SandhillCranes were not observed-- even at the traditional Indiana refuges. however 94 were observed in Ross County, O., Nov. 12 (J); small numbers (maximum of five) were reported from n.e. Illinois, n. Indiana and two Ohio locationsSept. 26 - Nov. 23. Single Yellow Rails were encountered at OIney, Ill. (TV-tower casualty) Sept. 12 (*LHa); Willow Slough, Ind., Sept. 24 (?EH et al.); and Louis- ville Oct. 22 - 23 (?BP,BM et al.).

SHOREBIRDS -- Piping Plovers passed through the Region individually July 17-Sept. 3 but primarily Black-necked Stilt with Greater Yellowlegs, Schell in late August; they were encounteredat only six loca- Osage W.M.A., Mo., Oct. 5, 1977.Photol Jim Ratbert. tions not includingOhio and Iowa. Five Am. Golden Plovers lingered at Columbusuntil Nov. l0 (J); one at JAEGERS.GULLS AND TERNS -- Experiences Cleveland until Nov. 7 (M); and 15 at Belden, O. until withjaegers are expectedalong L. Michiganeach fall; Nov. 5 (OD). Three Whimbrels were spotted at five, two of whichwere identifiedat ParasiticJaegers, I.B.S.P., Sept. 4•one had been there Aug. 21 (JN et were observed at Evanston, Ill., Oct. I (B); one al.); one to four were regularly observed at Cleveland Parasiticwas presentat Wilmette, Ill., Nov. 23 (GR); Aug. 20 - Sept. 24 (M); and one was present at two werefound at Mich. C., (CK et al.) andGary, Ind. O.W.R., Oct. 9 (J). Normal numbers of Willets were (RG) Nov. 6 & 16, respectively.The Aug. 7 appear- reported. The three Greater Yellowlegsat Columbus ance of a Glaucous Gull at Cleveland was unusual Nov. 24 (J) were rather late; as was the one at Wave- (tM,•m.ob.). There were four recordsof Thayer's land, Ind., Nov. 15 (AB). From one to six Red Knots Gull from Illinois beginningNov. 10:L. Calumet(GR, were found at eight locations not including Iowa or fide B), Chicago(fide B), EStL.(?,D) and L. Sangchris

212 AmericanBirds, March 1978 (tH). Owing to the high water on the Ohio R., Ring- recorded beginningAug. 6 at St. Joseph, Mo. (L) and billed Gulls were scarce at Louisville (S); the species Aug. 8 at Spfld. (H). The 150Tree Swallowspresent at was also less common than expectedin Iowa (m.ob.); Iowa City Nov. 3 was a large number for such a late one individual arrived at Land between the Lakes by date (N). Three Barn Swallowswere presentat Squaw Aug. 20 (JTE). The first Indiana record of a Black- Creek Ref., Mo., Nov. 6 (L). A flock of Cliff Swallo(vs headed Gull was established Aug. 20 (tEH et aLL had arrived at Normal, Ill., by July 14 (TM) and one Single LaughingGulls were reportedfrom Cleveland lingeredat Urbana, Ill., until Oct. 9 (JFr). The largest (tJHo) and Columbus (?J) Oct. 8 & l0 respectively; roost of Purple Martins was 5000 at WaukeganAug. from Mich. C., Sept. 17 (?KBr) and Chicago Aug. 4 26; the total droppedto nearly 3000by Sept. 60N,TC) (tREi). Noting the numbers of Franklin's Gulls and disappeared rapidly thereafter; one was still reported, the migrationwas primarily w. of the present at Spfld., Oct. 16 ½H). Region; however large flocks (500 - 650 birds) were recordedin the w. portion of the Region;small flocks CROWS THROUGH WRENS -- Migrating Corn. or individualswere reported elsewhere.Bonaparte's Crows--26 high overhead headingdue S at Greenfield, Gulls in Augustwere unusual:Hamilton County, Ind., Ind., Nov. 4, ignored the calls of the local crows at Aug. 6 (HWe); Iowa City Aug. 14 (N) and Louisville treetop level (HWe); 2100 were observedin one hour Aug. 24 (BP). Two Little Gulls were identified;one at in Sylvania Township, O., Oct. 22 (ET). There was a Cleveland Oct. 23 - Nov. 10RHa) and one at minor incursion of Black-cappedChickadees into the Wilmette, Ill., Nov. 30 (GR). Over 5000 Corn. Terns n. portion of the Region;it was first detectedin n. Ohio were present at O.W.R., Sept. 4 (LV,m.ob.); 200+ before mid-October and penetratedc. Ohio in early were noted at Mich. C., Sept. 9 (EH); 60 was the high November; the movement was not reported total for EStL., Sept. 15 (D); I I recently-fledged elsewhere. There was a modest migration of Red- youngwere still presentat the Waukegannesting loca- breasted Nuthatches; their general appearance was tion Sept. 14; late departeeswere two at Mich. C., from mid-Septemberonward, but early arrivals were Nov. 5 (KBr) and one at Oregon, O., Nov. 29 (LV et noted as Aug. 31 at Cincinnati (KM); Sept. 3 at Iowa al.). Departing Least Terns were: two noted Sept. 15 City (TSh); Sept. 4 at Spfid. (H), and Sept. 10at Cleve- at Springfield,Mo. (NF); three Sept. 5 at EStL. (D); land (M) and Louisville (BP). Winter Wrens were Aug. 28 at O.W.R. OJ); six Aug. 21 at KansasCity and noticeably scarce throughoutthe season.A Bewick's one at Louisville OEl). Exceptionallylarge numbers of Wren was found at Waterloo, Ia., Sept. 28 (TSh). Caspian Terns were reported from eight locations; Carolina Wrens were still difficult to find and were numbers rangedas high as 250 at JeffersonCity, Mo., reported as very scarce or absent over most of the Sept. 14 (WG); 100+ around St. Louis Sept. 17 - 22 Region; they were detected, though, at eight locations (D); 85 at Davenport,Ia., Sept. 13(P); 73 at Waukegan around Madisonville, Ky. (JHa). Young Short-billed Aug. 18(JN) and50+ at Schell-OsageOct. I (SY); one Marsh Wrens were seenleaving the nest at Shreve, O., lingeredat Clevelanduntil Nov. 20 (OD et al.). Sept. 5 (DK1); notable late dates for the species included: Nov. 15 at Des Moines (hde WB): Nov. 3 at CUCKOOS THROUGH WOODPECKERS -- A Olney, Ill. (LHa); and Oct. 27 at Louisville (BP). The Black-billed Cuckoo at Savanna, II1., Oct. 29 should first Rock Wren ever for Indiana was observed Oct. 18 have been gone by then (BSh). One Barn Owl was - 21 (see photo) at Winchester (RF,tm.ob.). illegally shot in Logan County, Ill., Oct. 8 (*Ill. St. Mus.); another was sighted at Cleveland Nov. I I (RHa). There were few Long-eared or Short-eared Owls reported. A regularnumber of Saw-whetOwls passedinto the Region;the earliestarrival was noted at Dundee, Ill., Oct. 2 (BT). Fairly large groups(75 - 500) of Corn. Nighthawks were reported Aug. 25 - Sept. 16;however the averageof 250birds/nil for 21 mi in Whiteside County, Ill., Sept. I was quite spectacu- lar (HH); one bird delayeddeparture until at leastOct. 14at Iowa City ½TSh).A Ruby-throatedHummingbird came daily to a Waterloo, Ia., feeder until Nov. 27 (TSt). There was an apparentmass exodus of Red- headed Woodpeckersthis fall; many did remain in choice bottomland woods along the major rivers.

FLYCATCHERS AND SWALLOWS -- Loose flocks of 50+ and 55+ E. Kingbirdswere unusualfor fall; they were recordedat Lilly, Ill., Aug. 19 (DBi) and KansasCity Aug. 31 (NW) respectively;one bird remained at Louisville until Nov. 27 (tVNC, fide S). Stray W. Kingbirds were detected at Indianapolis Aug. 28 (•TiK) and in Jersey County, Ill., Sept. 23 ($HWu). Olive-sidedFlycatchers were amongthe fall migrantsarriving early and movingthrough rapidly; Rock Wren, Winchester,Ind., Oct. 20, 1977. Photo] more than the usual number of encounters was Jeff Moore.

Volume 32, Number 2 213 THRUSHES THROUGH SHRIKES -- October 24 Toledo by Sept. 22 (fide ET) and in AshtabulaCounty, was late for the presenceof a Wood Thrushat Daven- O., Oct. 5 (J); flocks ranged from small numbers to port, Ia. (P). A Swainson'sThrush had arrived at over 100birds; mostwere in groupsof lessthan ten Spfld, by Aug. 22 (H) and Normal, Ill., by Aug. 25 Purple Finches arrived 3 - 4 weeks before the gros- (DB0; singles lingered at Spfld., until Oct. 20 (K} beaks and were never very common.Pine Grosbeaks and Davenport Nov. 6 (P). A Gray-cheekedThrush appeared by the end of the period in the extreme appeared in St. Lucas County, Ia., by Aug. 14 (JSc) north; 14 were observed in the Yellow River Forest, and Spfld., Aug. 22 (H); one was still presentat Louis- Ia., Nov. 26 (DKo); singleswere normal. Only a few ville Oct. 19 (DP). One Townsend's Solitaire was Corn. Redpollsarrived by the end of the period,most observedNov. 19 - 22 and photographedat Chicago's were in the north, but there were three feeder records Navy Pier (?MM,m.ob.). Few observersnote depart- for St. Louis (fide D). Pine Siskinswere amongthe ing Blue-grayGnatcatchers; therefore, the presenceof welcome n. visitors--arrivingby Sept. 26 at Indiana the speciesat Louisville Nov. 11 (DP); Monmouth, Dunes (KBr) and Spfld., Oct. 3 (H); the majority Ill, Oct. 16 (LM); Urbana, Ill., Oct. 9 (RCh); and appeared during the second week of October and Spfld., Sept. 23 (H) was noteworthy. General con- passedthrough in modestnumbers--flocks of up to 60 sensus of reports of Golden-crowned and Ruby- individuals;on Oct. 15, severalsmall flocks totalling crowned Kinglet numberswas dismal--especiallyso over 1000 birds passedthrough I.B.S.P. (JN et al ) for Golden-crowned Kinglet; a Ruby-crowned had Not to be outdone, a king-sized flock of Am. Gold- amved at Davenport by Aug. 24 (P). Good-sized finches(1500) was presentat Land betweenthe Lakes flocks of Water Pipits were observed in Ohio; the in late November (JTE). The five Red Crossballsat largest numbers were found Nov. 5. Two Sprague's DavenportNov. 27 (P) and oneat Harper'sFerry, Ia, lhpits were recorded from Maryville, Mo., Oct. 29 Nov. 26 (DKo) were the only ones reportedthis fall (*E,R et al.). A few N. Shrikesreached our n. areasby On the other hand, White-winged Crossbills were early November; the earliest Oct. 16 at Waukegan widespread;12 were first notedat Genoa,O., Sept 5 (JN) There continued to be mixed reports on the (LV) but not againuntil early November;the majority abundance of Loggerhead Shrikes--but there were arrived in groupsof 2 - 25 after mid-November better-than-averagenumbers around St. Louis (D). SPARROWS, LONGSPURS AND BUNTINGS -- VIREOS AND WARBLERS -- One White-eyed Late dates for GrasshopperSparrows were: three Vireo remainedat Louisville until Nov. I (JEI et al.); Nov. 7 at Spfld. (H) and one October29 at Iowa City three were still presentat Iowa City Sept. 24 (RD et (ThK). Four LeConte's Sparrows were found at al ) Two late-departingSolitary Vireos were the ones O.W.R., Aug. 8 (LV et al.) and 15 in Nodaway at EStL., Nov. 6 (D) and Spfld., Nov. I (H). A Phila- County, Mo., Oct. 9 (R); the specieswas considered delphia Vireo made its appearanceat DavenportAug. scarce in many places comparedto last year. Sharp- 14 (P). The following warblers were among those tailed Sparrows were only encounteredfive times-- whicharrived during or beforemid-August throughout Sept. 11 - Oct. 21; the majoritywere in late Septem- muchof the Region:Golden-winged, Tennessee, Cape ber. The Nov. 5 presenceof a Lark Sparrowin Jeffer- May, BlackburnJan, Chestnut-sided, Bay-breasted, son County, Ky. was noteworthy (?DP). A Slate- Palm (Kansas City Aug. 12--SPa et al.), N. Water- colored Junco arrived at Spfld., by Sept. 2 (K), thrush, Wilson's and Canada. The most outstanding another was at Louisville Sept. 18 (BM et al) A individual recordsof late-departeeswere: Nashvilleat White-throated Sparrow appeared at Iowa City by Iowa City Nov. 6 (RD); Cape May at Shreve,O., Nov. Sept. 10 (ThK). Lapland Longspursarrived in very 7 (DK); Magnolia at Charleston, Ill., Oct. 23 (LBH); early October in the north, but did not become Black-throated Blue at Lake of the Ozarks S.P., Mo., common until much later. About 30 Smith's Long- Oct I (m.ob.); and two Prairies at L. Rathbun, Ia., spurswere observed in St. Clair County, Mo., Oct 31 Sept, 5 (?GW). Of interestwas the arrival of a Myrtle (R et al.). Snow Buntings,too, werewidely reported-- Warbler at Magee Marsh, O., Aug. 24 (DKI) and the primarily in the north; althougharriving at Gary, Ind, first Seneca County, O., record of Pine Warbler (2), by Oct. 7 (RG), the majority did not appear until after Sept 17 (TBt). mid-October;three reachedn. Missouri(Maryville) in late October (E). BLACKBIRDS THROUGH FINCHES -- One Yellow-headed Blackbird was picked out at O.W.R., UNCORROBORATED REPORTS -- Many Sept 24 (J). Five Rusty Blackbirdsarrived at Louis- recordshave been excludedfrom the report; however, ville by Sept. 10 (DP). At least 132 Brewer's Black- the following may be correct even thoughsupportive birds were presentat Maryville, Mo., Oct. 18(R et al.) evidence was lacking or insufficient, Red-throated and some remainedthrough the end of October;over Loon Nov. 21 - 22 at Findlay Res., O.: Arctic Loon 100 were found in St. Charles County, Mo., Nov. l0 Oct. 15at Decatur, I11.;Mississippi Kite (2) Sept 18at (D) and Golden City, Mo., Nov. 21 (CB et al.); one Ozark, Mo.; Golden Eagles Nov. 12 at Union County was discernableat Mich. C., Aug. 21 (EH). A Black- Ref., Ill., late November at BallardCounty Ref., Ky, headed Grosbeak was carefully scrutinized at Kansas and Nov. 25 - 26 in Allamakee County Ia., Red City Sept. 16 (?NJ). Everyonewelcomed the appear- Phalarope Nov. 12 at Chicago. ance of EveningGrosbeaks; they arrived, and disap- pearedalmost as quickly, visitingfeeders occasionally and then for only a day or so; the majority was EXOTICS -- One Monk Parakeetwas reported at detectedfrom Oct. 17 on; however,one appearedat Waveland, Ind, Sept 2 (AB)

214 American Birds, March 1978 CORRIGENDUM -- The 406,000 Canvasbacks JamesHoffman (JHo), RichHollis (RHo), Ed Hopkins, reportedon p. 337,Am. Birds31: 3, shouldread 54,000. Barry Howard (BHo), George Hubert, Virginia Humphreys, L. Barde Hunt (LBH), David Irons, CONTRIBUTORS -- (Sectional Editors' names in Carole Johnson, David Johnson, Nanette Johnson, boldfacetype; contributorsare requestedto sendtheir Charles Keller, (Ind.). Tim Keller (TiK). Thomas reports to these editors.) Major contributors Kent (ThK), WendallKingsolver. Dennis Kline (DKI), Richard Anderson, (B) Larry Baler, (n. 111.),(D) Joe Jean Knoblaugh. Darwin Koenig (DKoh Robed Krol. Eades, (E) David Eastefta. (H) H. David Bohlen, (J) Edwin Larson. Fred Loetscher. Frank Mantlik. Bruce Peterjohn, (K) VernonKleen (s. 111),(L) Floyd Walter Marcisz, Tom Marquardt, Karl Maslowski, Lawhon, (M) William Klamm, (N) Nicholas Italmi Lynn McKeown, Norman McLaughlin, lnez McLure, (Iowa), (P) Peter Petersen,(R) Mark Rohbins(Mo.), Mike & Steve Mlodinow. Burt Monroe, Dean (S) Anne Stamm (Ky.), (W) Arthur Wiseman; other Mosman, James Moynahan, Jim Neal, Greg Neise, observers include: Jane Anderson, Kathryn Athos, Mike NewIon, Thomas Nigus, David Osborne (s. Delano Arvin, George Barker, Tim Barksdale (TBk), Ohio), Richard Palmer (RP), Brainard Palmer-Ball, Tom Bartlett (TBt), Kevin Bell (KBe), David Berry Donald Parker, Larry Parker, Sebastian Patti, (SPa), (DBe), Dick Bierman(DBm), Dale Birkenholz(DBi), Sarah Peters(SPe), Clell Peterson,Ruth Phipps(RPh), Richard Biss (RBi), Gladys Black (GBI), Rose Janice Polk, Worth Randie (WRa), James Ratherr Bodman(RBo), CatherineBonner, Ken Brock (KBr), (JRa), Lena Rauth, JamesRettig (JRe), GeorgeRichter Woodward Brown, Alan Brunet, Gene Burns (GBu), (GRi), Gerald Rosenband (GR), William Rudden Elaine Burstatte, ¾.N. Calvert, Marilyn Campbell, (WRu), Richard Sandburg (RSa), Joe Schaufenbeul Larry Carter (LCr), Terry Carter, Lee Casebere (JSc), Bernice Shannon (BSn), Betty Shaw (BSh), (LCs), Robert Chapel (RCh), John Cole, Robert Tom Shires (TSh), Ross Silcock (RSi), Litha Smith, Collins (RCo), Harry Connor, Dennis Coskren, Phoebe Snetsinger, Claudia Spener. Fred Stamm. George Crossley, Owen Davies, Rich DeCoster, Mike Stasko, Bruce Stehling (BSt), Thomas Stone James Dinsmore, Ralph Eiseman (REi), Jackie & (TSt), Jon Strayers, (JSt), David Styer (DSt), Donald Diane Elmore (JEI), Ruth Erickson (REr), Joe Tom Summerfield (DSu), Elliot Tramer, Don Tumlin, Erwin (JTE), Robed Farlow, Craig Fames, Nathan Barbara Turner, Laurel Van Camp (n. Ohio), Norman Fay, Sam Fitton, Jim Frank (JFr), JimFry (Fry), lone Walker, Henry West (HWe), Albert Westerman, Getschef, Steven Glass, William Goodge, Ray Grow, Helen Wuestenfeld (HWu), Gary Wymore, Sondra Peter Grube, James Hancock (JHa), Ray Hannikman YesMe, Linda & Hank ZalateI.--VERNON M. (RHa), Wayne Harness,Leroy Harrison(LHa), James KLEEN, Div. of Wildlife Resources,Illinois Dept. of Haw (Haw), John Herman (JHe), Herman Hier, Jack Conservation, Springfield, Illinois 62706. Hilsabeck (JHi), Bruce Hitman (BHi), Kelly Hobbs,

CENTRAL SOUTHERN REGION followinga disastrouslydry Juneand early July, which /Robert D. Purrington producedexcellent shore-birding in someplaces and floodingin others. In the northernpart of the Region Not infrequentlyone finds that fall migrationin the rains came later, but it was still generallytrue that the Regionis characterizedby an astonishingcollection of driest part of the season came when bad weather extra-limital birds•western vagrants, post-breeding wanderers, boreal irrruptive species,and so on--con- trasting with a lack of concentrationof the normal transients. Not that exceptions to this pattern are unusual, but a season that would have been featureless and unexcitingwithout the paritiesand vagrantsis all too familiar. There is no great mysteryto all this, but it gives to fall migration that unpredictablecharacter which is so fascinating. Judged by the number and diversity of groundedtransients, the fall was at best unexciting and seen by some as abysmal. And yet to those who were fortunate enoughto see the White- tailed Kite, Glaucous Gull, and Great Kiskadee in the New Orleans area, the Lesser Black-backed Gull in Alabama, Sabine'sGull and Ash-throatedFlycatcher in Arkansas, Snow Bunting in Mississippi,Mew Gull in Florida, etc., it was an exciting seasonindeed. Rainfall was above normalafter what was generally a dry summer, so that by the end of the period Alabama had a 10-inch excess for the year. In Louisiana August was nearly the wettest ever,

Volume 32, Number 2 215 would have yielded the best birding. In Louisiana no Mississippicoast, as well as at Arkansas'sL. Mill- s•gmficant concentrations of southbound migrants wood, and were generally early. Two seen on Aug were encountered,with thrushes especially scarce, 9 at Eufala N.W.R. (JBO) were the earliest ever in fall and birding successin Alabamais typifiedby the poor for Alabama. Magnificent Frigatebirdsover L. Pont- fall count at Birmingham of only 107 speciesand Lib chartrain Aug. 31 & Sept. 5 (RDP,MB) were fleeing Toenes' comment that the season was the "worst in tropical stormsAnita and Babe, as was a concen- memory" at Dauphin Island. In Arkansasand middle tration of 150 along the Mississippicoast Sept Tennessee the fall was seen as about average. 3 (JT,LG,JI,AB). One at Biloxi Nov. 24 (BB) was very Unusually there were many late records of purely late. insectivorousspecies, due in part to a mildfall, andan impressive list of unprecedentedly early records HERONS AND IBIS -- The first inland record of obtained by those few hardy souls who went afield, the Great White (Great Blue) Heron for Alabama was especially away from the cool of the woodlands, in obtained when one was seen Sept. 8 at Marion early to mid-July. by several experiencedobservers (HK,SH,AM) Hur- On the whole the most unusual records were of ricane Babe passed over Marion only two days species which normally winter well north of the before. An ad. Little Blue Heron out of season at Region, or winter or migrate along the Atlantic coast. Nashville Nov. 23 (MPS) was the latest ever by 45 Western vagrants did occur. including a few Scissor- days, while 90, of which 2/5 were immatures, at tailed and Vermilion Flycatchers along the coast and Noxubee N.W.R., Miss., Aug. 28 (WCW) was an the first Ash-throatedFlycatcher for Arkansas,but the unusually large number for that locality. Reddish Great Kiskadee at New Orleanshad probablybeen Egrets were seen in numbers in coastal Mississippi present the two previouswinters and one notesin con- (fide WCW) and the 15seen near Grand Isle, La., Aug nectlon with the White-tailed Kite near New Orleans 21 (MB) were a record concentration for s e that the speciesis rapidly becomingcommon in the Louisiana. An immature on the New Orleans lake- Houston area. There was some evidence of a boreal front Sept. 4 & Oct. 2 (RDP,MM) was the first in the invasion,with Red-breastedNuthatches arriving early city in years and evidently a productof the tropical and •n numbers.and Pine Sisk•nswere definitelyon lhe weather. First records of Louisiana Herons for L move. Reports from early winter indicated that Millwood and Noxubee Reft, were obtained Aug 21 EveningGrosbeaks were pushinginto the deepsouth (CM et al.) & 28 (WCW), respectively.For the second m at least moderate numbers. consecutive fall, T.O.S. observers failed to find a There was a little more tropical activity than in the single Am. Bittern, and numbersseemed low in s previousfall, when no stormscame ashore anywhere Louisiana. Although there was only one report of m the Region, but the effects of Babe and Anita which Wood Storks in Alabama this fall, they were regular at grazed the central gulf coast in the first week in Sep- L. Millwood through Oct. I (CM et al.), and a peak tember, were mostly of local interest. count of 145 at Noxubee Ref., Aug. 28 (WCW) was While the taskof theregional editor is hardlysimpli- possibly a high for Mississippi. Peak numbers in fied by the explosive awakening or revival or field Evangeline Par., were 86 at Vidrine Sept. 9 (JBO) ormthology in a previously dormant part of the White Ibises, rare inland, were noted at West Point Region, it was, with the above caveat, gratifyingto Res., Oct. 27 (JBO), the farthest inlandoccurrence for receive the 300 record slips from Mississippi,which Alabama, and at Lebanon, Tenn., through Aug 10 has for so longbeen nearly absent from thesepages. (HS,JS,m.ob.); 15 at Noxubee Ref., Sept 3 representeda record count for the refuge. LOONS THROUGH FRIGATEBIRDS -- Com- mon Loons were somewhat early and unusually WATERFOWL -- There were several reports of commonon L. Pontchartrainand along the Mississippi Whistling Swans from n. Alabama, a single bird was coast Summeringindividuals were noted at Nashville, seen on the upper coastalplain at Eufala Ref., Nov 26 Ft Morgan, Ala., Ship I., Miss., and near Ft. Pickens, (JBO). One was visiting Noxubee Ref., Nov 24 Fla , it has becorneclear that a few summerannually, (WCW). As is true every fall, there were many unpre- generally in winter plumage. Early Horned Grebes cedentedlyearly recordsof waterfowlalong with several were in Alabama Sept. 10 at Guntersville Dam (RWL), July or early Augustreports or birdswhich may have the earliest for the state, and Sept. 23 in Marshall been summering. Earlier than ever in the state was a County (CDC), while Eared Grebes had arrived at Pintail at Swan Creek Management Area, Ala. (here- Hattiesburg, Miss., by Sept. 20 (LG). Countsof up to after, S.C.M.A.) Aug. 22 (DMB); Green-winged Teal 100 Brown Pelicanswere obtainedin late July and were found by Brown at Wheeler N.W.R., Ala., July early August at the mouth of Mobile Bay (fide 18 and at S.C.M.A., Aug. 5, and were at Pascagoula, TAI,LRT), while a high of 200 for n.w. Florida came Miss., Aug. 19 (WCW,JT,RPR,LC). Three Cinnamon from Cape San Bias Sept. 4 (DD,CD). As manyas six Teal at L. Millwood Oct. 3 (CM) establishedthe third were seenalong the Mississippicoast in earlySeptem- Arkansas record. A N. Shoveler at S.C.M.A., July ber, all wing-taggedbirds recently introducedon the 4 - 11 (DMB) was evidently summering,while one at Chandeleur Is. (RPR et al.). Am. imm. Blue-faced Decatur, Ala., Sept. 2 (AM,HHF,MMcD) was the (Masked) Booby seenat Ft. Morgan Aug. 9 (CDC) was earliest ever for the state of a presumedsouthbound the first August record for Alabama, but the fourth for bird. Earliest ever for the inland part of the state were the year. Double-crestedCormorants were presentin 17 Redheads at Wheeler Ref., Oct. I (RWL), the unusual numbers on L. Pontchartrain and on the specieswas scarcein coastalLouisiana. Also unpre-

216 AmericanBirds, March 1978 cedentedly early was a Lesser Scaup at Pensacola, CRANES, RAILS, SHOREBIRDS -- The Sandhill Oct 15 (FW). The total of 2500 Ring-neckedDucks Crane migration broughtunusual numbers farther W at Wheeler Nov. 5 (DMB) was a record count for than normal, being especially notable in middle Alabama. There were at least ten scotersreported, Tennessee where 370 were seen Nov. 23 - 24 and 84+ four White-winged,four Surf, and two Black; all were Nov. 30 - Dec. 2. Several were heard over Starkville, $-plumaged birds. Three White-wingedScoters were Miss., the night of Nov. 12 (RL) and one near Reserve on L Shelby, Ala., Nov. 24 (BD) and one was seenat Nov. 12 (MW) was the second ever seen in s e Nashville the following day (MLB, m.ob.); Surf Louisiana. Two Virginia Rails were reported in Scoters were seen at Stevenson,Ala., Nov. 6 (DRJ), Cleburne County, Ark., from May to July (GP,RP), the earliest for the state; at Noxubee Ref., Nov. 24 there were no previous records for the state between (WCW); and in Metairie, La., Nov. 28 (JG, m.ob.), the May 15 and Aug. 10, althoughthe specieshas bred in fifth s e. Louisiana record. Single Black Scoterswere n. Alabama and on the Louisiana coast. A bird found reported from Nashville, Oct. 29 - Nov. 10 (MLB, dead in Metairie Sept. 9 (SP) was the earliestever for mob ), the first record for that area and only the third s.e. Louisiana. Although they are known to be present for Tennessee, and from New Orleans Nov. 27 to the in the coastal marsh alongthe gulf in winter and in hay end of the period (JR, m.ob.), for the seventharea fields and pastures on migration, Yellow Rails are record Red-breasted Mergansers were noted in rarely seen except when special effort is made to increased numbers in the New Orleans area while one follow mowing machineswhich sometimesflush them at Guntersville, Ala., Oct. 17 (AM) was the earliest in the fall. This fall one was flushed from a ever for the state. Nachitoches, La., pasture Oct. 8 (CV). American Oystercatchers have rarely been seen on the DIURNAL BIRDS OF PREY -- A count of 148 Mississippicoast, although they breedsparingly on the Black Vultures at Noxubee Reft, Aug. 28 (WCW) was Louisiana islands to the s.; three on Cat I., Oct 9 perhapsa Mississippirecord. An ad. White-tailedKite (AVH,GT) were thus noteworthy. An encouraging seen near Raceland, La., Nov. 27 (NN,RDP) repre- total of seven Snowy Plovers was seen on trips to sented, including the recent nestingattempt, the third Horn and Ship Is., Miss., Aug. 9 & 14 (RPR,WCW), record for the state. On the basisof the expansionof while two Wilson's Plovers in New Orleans Sept 4 its breeding range into the upper Texas coast, one (RDP,SP,.JP)concurrent with tropical stormsBabe should expect further Louisiana records. Mississippi and Anita, were the first ever away from the coast in Kites were late in departing as indicatedby one at s.e. Louisiana. Nine Am. Golden Plovers seen at Ft Gulfport, Miss., Sept. 18 (JT,AB); another at New Morgan Aug. 9 (CDC) were the earliest ever for Orleans Sept. 26 (NAN), the latest ever for s.e. Alabama, and several Black-bellied Plovers near Louisiana; and at Gum Cove in s.w. Louisiana Oct. 8 Grand Isle on July 17 (RDP,MM,NN) were the (JR,NN,MM,RJN). Sharp-shinned Hawks seemed earliest ever for s.e. Louisiana, if southbound definitely on the increase, with records submitted migrants. Ruddy Tumstones were seen inland in totalling over 230 individuals. High countswere 33 on Arkansas in Lonoke County Aug. 20 (MP,HP), and at Oct 26 at Ft. Morgan and 50 there a day later (TAI, L. Millwood Sept. 4 & 17 (CM), the first there in 11 mob ), and13 at NewOrleans Oct. 26 (MB) following years. Up to three Com. Snipeseen July 4 & 6 at the a frontal passage.The New Orleanstotal exceeded50 S.C.M.A. (DMB) establishedthe third summerrecord for the fall and 100 were counted at Gulf Breeze, Fla. for Alabama, while one in Walton County., Fla., Aug (fide CLK). A singlebird at Hattiesburg,Miss., Aug. 9 20 (FW,DR,KB) was the earliestever for n.w. Florida (LG) was extremely early. Incidentally, one noteswith by ten days. Whimbrels,unexpected anywhere in the mixed emotions the number of reports of Sharp- Region in fall, were reportedfrom Grand Isle July 17 shinned Hawks (and an occasional Merlin) dining (NN.MM.RDP) and Pascagoula,Miss., Aug. 12 & 27 happily on small passetines at residential feeders. and Sept. 18 (RPR,VT,RCB,WCW,JT). An Upland There were 16 reports of Coopefts Hawks, giving not Sandpiper at Wheeler Ref., July I (DCH) was the much basis for optimism, considering that few earliest record in fall for Alabama, while one in New observations go unreported. A Rough-leggedHawk Orleans on Nov. 11 (JR) was the latest for s e near Jonesboro, Ark., Oct. 29 (KNP) was the earliest Louisiana by nearly a month. Two SpottedSandpipers ever there by nearly two weeks; one in Marshall at the S.C.M.A., July 4 (DMB) were unprecedentedly County, Ala., Nov. 20 (CDC) was the earliest early for Alabama, as were four Solitary Sandpipers Fennessee Valley record of a species which now there July 1. An individual of the latter species in occursannually in the state. Of Bald Eaglesthere were Craighead County, Ark., Oct. 25 (KS,PS) was the 19 reports, including8 adults, 6 immatures.Among latest for the state by nine days. Several Red Knots these were two adults near the only known active near Grand Isle July 17 (MM,NN,RDP) were the Mississippinest n. of Gulfport. Thirty-six Ospreys earliest in fall for s.e. Louisiana, and individuals were reported, including 19 at L. Millwood Sept. 4 - visiting BirminghamAug. 27 (CDD, m.ob.) and two Nov 13 (CM, m.ob.). There were nine known separateLonoke County, Ark. localitiesSept 11 sightingsof PeregrineFalcons in the Region, but only (HH,EH,DW) were unusual finds inland. White- one from Louisiana, where wintering numbersseem to rumped Sandpipersare rare in fall in the Region; two have declined during the past two or three years. at S.C.M.A., July 11 (DMB) were of interest and the Merlins were apparently up in numbers, or at least earliest-ever in fall for Alabama as well. Three were at New Orleans observers thought so; there were 11 PascagoulaSept. 5 (JT,AD), in the companyof three reports submitted. Baird's Sandpipers.At the samelocality Aug. 26 was a

Volume 32, Number 2 217 very early Dunlin (RPR). Short-billed Dowitchers (DMB) was one day early for Arkansas.The only at the S.C.M.A., July I (DMB) were the earliest re- "fancy" productof HurricaneAnita was a SootyTern corded inland in Alabama, as were two Long-billed seen from the L. Pontchartrain Causeway Aug 30 Dowitchers there July I 1. Both specieswere seenfor (HLP), for the first record for New Orleans proper the first time at L. Millwood from mid-Septemberon (CM). A Stilt Sandpipernear Grand Isle July 17 DOVES THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS -- A flock (RDP,MM,NN) was the earliest-everfor s.e. Loui- of five White-winged Doves was seen at Ft. Morgan siana. By two weeks the earliest ever for Alabama Oct. 30 (BD,LD,BY); only a few were reported from was a Buff-breasted Sandpiper seen at Birmingham coastal Louisiana. Common Ground Doves were seen July 24 (CDD,CWS). There were severalreports from more frequently than usual in s.e. Louisiana and s 1ocalitie• in Arkansaswhere they are rare or had been Mississippi;one at Farville, Ark., Sept. 28 (NL) was previouslyunreported. Although a MarbledGodwit at only the secondSeptember record for the state It is DauphinI., July7 (LRT) was a monthearlier than any only in Florida, and perhapsmore especially,n w previousfall recordfor Alabama,the speciesseems to Florida, that both speciesof ani might likely occur occur on Louisiana's Chandeleur Is., continuously The occurrence of a Smooth-billed Ani, the fifth during June and July. At least 30 Am. Avocets sectional record, at Pace, Fla., Sept. 17 (BM) gave summered near Mobile and although few were in observersin the area specialreason to exercisecare in breeding plumage, the possibility of imminent their identification of anis. Two Groove-billed Anls breedingin Alabamais real, perhapsstimulated by the were seen in November, continuingthe recenttrend of nesting behavior of Black-neckedStilts (TAI). Forty annual occurrence there. Far from coastal areas where near Grand Isle July 17 (MM,NN,RDP) were the they normallywinter were two in SevierCounty, Ark, earliest in fall for s.e. Louisiana, while a total of Nov. 25 (TOW,BW), and one three days later in Miller 460 counted in the PascagoulaR. march Oct. 1 County (CM) was similarly unexpected.Numbers in (LG,JRu,JI), provideda record for Mississippi.Four coastal Louisiana were about normal. There were four Black-neckedStilts at Cape San Bias, Fla., Aug. 20 reportsof Short-earedOwls involvingat leastsix indi- (DD,CD) were well w. of their normal range.The first viduals; two or three at the Bonnet Carte Spillway, record of Red Phalaropefor Mississippiwas obtained La., from Nov. 26 on (RJS,MW) were the first ever for when one was carefully observedOct. 9 at Hattiesburg that well-birded locality. Two c2Chuck-will'•-w•dow• (LG,JRu). Although Wilson's Phalaropesare at worst banded at Ft. Morgan Oct. 27 (TAI,JAI,RGH) were uncommon in fall in coastal Louisiana, the frequency the latest ever for Alabama, althoughthere are winter of recordsdrops rapidly to the e. alongthe coast.This records. As usual, a few lingered into December in Iall two or three were seen at S.C.M.A., Aug. 5 -Sept. coastal Louisiana. Earliest ever for a fall migrant in 7 (DMB et al.), many were seen alongthe Mississippi n.w. Florida was a Whip-poor-will in JacksonCounty coastAug. 9- Sept. 10(RPR,JT,LG, m.ob.), andthere Aug. 30 (MyG,MG), while latest ever by a month for were other records from coastal Alabama (CDC et al.) the same area was a Corn. Nighthawk lingering until and L. Millwood (CM). One at Pace, Fla., Oct. 23 Nov. 28 at Gulf Breeze (SD,BD). The individualof the (BM) was the latest ever for the sectionby two weeks. gundlachii or vicinusrace which summeredin New Northern Phalaropeswere recorded Aug. 27 - 29 in Orleans,-was last seen (heard) Aug. 17 (JR) A LimestoneCounty, Ala. (RB,JH et al.), in Arkansas's Chimney Swift at Nashville Nov. 13 (JCA) was a Little R. and Lonoke counties Sept. 4 - 17 month later than normal and the latest ever for that (CM,HP,MP,EH,HH), and at Pascagoula Sept. 10 area by six days. Several Black-chinnedHumming- (KE,RPR,JT), for the third Mississippi record. birds were again wintering at New Orleans feeders (NaN et al.), and numbers of Rufous Hummingbirds JAEGERS, GULLS, TERNS -- Two imm. jaegers were comparable.Several individuals of this species were seen at the Hattiesburg sewage ponds Oct. 9 were visiting feeders in Reserve, La. (RJS). (LG,JRu); another was in St. Joe Bay, Gulf City, Fla., Sept. 18 (DD). Althoughthere were no recordsof FLYCATCHERS AND SWALLOWS -- Late E Great Black-backed Gull from n.w. Florida prior to Kingbirdswere seen at Gulfport Nov. 9 (JT) and in 1973, it has been found every year since. This fall one PlaqueminesPar., Nov. 12 (LW,WW). Two Gray was seen at Destin Nov. 22 (BD). Certainly the find Kingbirdsseen on Horn I., Aug. 9 (RPR)provided evi- of the fall in Alabama was an ad. Lesser Black- dence of their presenceall summer.;one at Gulfport backed Gull at Ft. Morgan from Oct. 24 on Sept. 4 (JT) was the third mainlandrecord for (BD,MLM,HHF,TAI,m.ob., ph.), the first Alabama Mississippi:and anotherat PensacolaOct. 15 (MLM, occurrence. A Ring-billed Gull in Crittenden County, m.ob.) was the latest-ever for n.w. Florida. Suggestive Ark., Aug. 2 (DMB) was the earliestfor the state by of breedingwas a W. Kingbirdon DauphinI., July 25 six days. At ApalachicolaNov. 27, a Mew Gull in first- to at least Aug. 23 (RWH,TB,MN,HHF, m.ob ), there year plumagewas the first ever for the Floridasection were several fall records from the s. part of the (PWS,AL,BL). A Black-leggedKittiwake seenat New Region. Only three Scissor-tailedFlycatchers were Orleans Nov. 13 (RDP) was only the secondrecord for found in the New Orleans suburban area where a s e Louisiana. The first record for Arkansas of dozen or more have wintered the past few years Sabine's Gull was obtained Sept. 22 - 23 at L. (RDP). The discovery of a Great Kiskadeein New Millwood (CM,CWS,RS,CMa); almostall the records OrleansOct. 8 (PSm, m.ob.) at preciselythe samespot from the Region and neighboringstates are from where one was seen on the 1975 New Orleans C B C September.A Corn. 'Fernin CrittendenCounty Aug. 2 was astonishing;that the bird was winteringfor at least

218 AmericanBirds, March 1978 the third year was a virtuallyinescapable conclusion. It 26 (MF) was very late for that inland locality, was present through the end of the period, calling unprecedentedly late was a Blue-winged Warbler at vociferously. An Ash-throatedFlycatcher in Pulaski Gulf Breeze Nov. 7 (BB,LD). The earliest-ever record County, Ark., Sept. 3 (EH) was the only western of Tennessee Warbler for Arkansas was of one in Hot Mytarchus reported and the first of the speciesfor SpringsCounty Aug. 28 (HP); one was at Wheeler Ref Arkansas.Among the lingeringinsectivores was an E. on the samedate (DMB). On the other hand, late birds Wood Pewee at BellefontainePt., Miss., Nov. 7 (JT). were seen at Wheeler Nov. 24 (DMB) and at Ft Two sightings of • Vermilion Flycatchers were Morgan a day later (BD); this the latest Alabama received: Benton, Ala., Oct. 18 to the end of the record. Early records of Orange-crowned Warbler period, the fourth inland record for the state (DHo) included one Sept. 21 in St. Tammany Parish (JT), the and New Orleans Oct. 2 (JR). A single'Free Swallow earliest ever for s.e. Louisiana by two weeks, and in Cnttenden County Aug. 2 (DMB) was only the Sept. 30 at Wheeler Ref. (DMB). Two "Audubon's" third Augustrecord for Arkansas,although the species Warblers were seenin Mississippi:Oct. 24 near Stark- normally arriveson the Gulf Coastby Aug. I. Up to 50 ville (RL) and Oct. 31 at Gulfport (JT). At Nashville Bank Swallows near Decatur, Ala., in the first week of Black-throated Green Warblers were unusually July (DMB) were earlier than any previousfall record abundantduring the fall. Tantalizingwas a reportof a and suggested breeding. Also early were several putative Kirtland's Warbler studiedfor 20 minuteson hundredat Marion July 24 (CDD,HME,CWS). About Sept. 21 near Slidell, La. (JT). Exhaustive details 3000were found roostingin the salt marshnear Ocean which included a description of the tail-wagging Springs in early September (RPR). A single Barn behavior were submitted. However, the relative dif- Swallow at Waveland, Miss., Nov. 26 (JT) was quite ficulty of identification, the extreme rarity of the late species,and the previousunfamiliarity of the observer with the bird in life, will at best merit its inclusionon NUTHATCHES THROUGH PIPITS -- Red- the Louisianahypothetical list. A Prairie Warbler at breastedNuthatches surged into the Regionearly and Grand I., July 17 (RDP,MM,NN) was the earliest for in numbers, clearly presaginga major invasion.The s.e. Louisiana. Mourning Warblerswere encountered first reports came from middle Tennessee and n. on threeoccasions in n.w. Florida:Sept. 24 (LD), Oct Alabama and by Sept. 22 the specieshad reachedthe 4 (LD), and Oct. 15 (BM,JM,SHi,TD), the first two coast at Gulf Breeze, Fla. (SS,BS). Two in Metairie banded. The two reports of Connecticut Warblers Oct 7 (SP,JP,RDP) were the earliest-ever for s.e. came from oppositeends of the season:Aug. 23 at Louisiana. Bierly reported unprecedentednumbers at Dauphin I. (TB,JW), the first August record for Nashville area feeders. Almost unbelievable was a Alabama, and Nov. 5 at BellefontainePt., Miss. (JT) report of two which spentthe summer(June 26 on) at a In both cases the principle field mark used was a feeder in Logan County, Ark. (MGr). Kingsberry completeeye-ring. A CanadaWarbler at PanamaCity commented that there had been more n.w. Florida Beach,Fla., Oct. 16(LA) wasthe latest for thearea by sightingsof Brown Creeper than in any year since six days. 1969, while records of Bewick's Wrens from that section,Oct. 16 & 23 (BA,LA, m.ob.) at PanamaCity ICTERIDS AND FRINGILLIDS -- Ten Bobolinks and Nov. 26 at Laurel Hill (DH,CLK), were the at JacksonCity, Fla., Nov. 5 (MyG,MG) were late and secondand third in the pastten years.Migrating Gray the number unexpectedin fall. The only Yellow- Catbirds seen at Gulf Shores, Ala., Aug. 3 & 7 headedBlackbird was a femaleat New OrleansSept 4 (FAI,MN,JVP,TW) were over a monthearly, perhaps (MB,JR). Wintering Bronzed Cowbirds continued to as a result of nesting nearer the coast than ever before. make news in s.e. Louisiana, with every indication A Veery near Decatur Aug. 22 (SG) was the earliest- that numbers continued to increase. Latest-ever for ever for Alabama. In w. Louisiana, Sprague'sPipits the Nashville area by nearly a week was a Blue are not uncommon when one knows the appropriate Grosbeakthere Oct. 9 (MLB), andan IndigoBunting habitat and takes the troubleto look for them. They in Little Rock County, Ark., Nov. 4 (CM) was also are readily found near Hackberry, La., and indeedcan unprecedentedly late. Truly late was a c• Painted usuallybe found at the BonnetCarte Spillwayin s.e. Buntingin Howard County,Ark., a road-kill,Nov 13 Louisiana. This fall another good locality was found, (CM); the previouslate recordfor the statewas Sept the Natchitoches airport, where Viers considered 26. The strongest support for predictions of an them "easy to find." Evening Grosbeak invasion came from middle Tennessee where the first seen was Oct. I and the VIREOS AND WARBLERS -- A Philadelphia numbers huge (MLB). A flock of Purple Finches Vireo at Marianna, Fla., Sept. 12 (MyG) was the reachedWheeler Ref. by Oct. 29 (DMB), the earliest earliest for the Florida section by seven days; late area occurrence, but numbers were generally individuals were recorded in Howard County, Ark., unimpressivethroughout the Region.Pine Siskins, on where one on Oct. 30 (CM,CMa) was 12 days late for the otherhand, seemed to be stagingone of thebiggest the state, and at Gulf Breeze, Fla., Nov. 12 (LD), invasionsin memory,especially near the coastwhere latest for n.w. Florida by 24 days. Also latest ever for theygenerally go unreported.First reports were from Arkansas,this time by 17days, was a WarblingVireo middleTennessee Oct. 19,and by Nov. 12the species seenOct. 30 in Howard County(CM,CMa). An early had reachedNew Orleans(JR). An Am. Goldfinchat Black-and-whiteWarbler was seenat GrandI., Aug. St. Joe S.P., Fla., Oct. 8 (BS,CD) was the earliest-ever 17 (RDP,NN,MM), while one at NoxubeeRef., Nov. for n.u/. Florida by eightdays, while latest-ever by five

Volume 32, Number 2 219 days was a Lark Sparrow at Nashville Oct. 9 Coffey, Lula C. Coffey, C.D. Cooley, Leslie Cupp, (MPS,DRJ). Surely a surprise at Gulf Breeze, Fla., on Annette Duchein, Bob Duncan, C.D. Duncan, Lucy the balmy date of Sept. 10 was a Dark-eyed Junco Duncan, Scott Duncan, Carol Dunham, David (BS), almost two months early and by 23 days the Dunham, Troy Durant, Kim Eckert, H.M. Einspahr, earllest-ever. Four Clay-colored Sparrows were seen Harriett H. Findlay, Mike Fuller, Larry Gates, in s Louisiana: two in Cameron Parish Oct. 9 Katherine A. Goodpasture,Mary Graves (MGr), Scott (JR,MM,NN), and single birds Oct. 13 & 18 (JR) at Gravette, Marion Gray, Mary Gray (MyG), John New Orleans. The first recordof the SnowBunting for Guthrie, Edith Halberg (Arkansas), Henry Halberg, Mississippiwas establishedby one presentat Stark- John Harsh, Ralph W. Havard, Arthur V. Hays, Don ville Nov. 14 - 23 (JAJ,WCW,CDC, m.ob.); the bird Heathcote, Steve Hillberg (SHi), D. Holliman (DHo), was photographedand banded. Susan Holt, Ruth G. Howell, D.C. Hulse, John A Imhof, Thomas A. Imhof (Alabama), John Izral, Jerry CORRIGENDUM -- The record of a Bell's Vireo A. Jackson, Daniel R. Jacobson,Curtis L. Kingsberry Sept 11, 1976 in Bay County, Fla. (AB 31:189)is now (n.w. Florida), Helen Kittinger, Norman Lavers, Al considered suspect by the observers, who wish to Liberman, Barbara Liberman, Ren Lohoefener, Roy have it withdrawn. W. Lowe, Clyde Massey (CMa), Mary Lou Mattis, Mabel McDonald, Bill Milmore, Judy Milmore, Ann ADDENDUM -- Omitted from the springmigration Miller, Charles Mills, Mac Myers, Norton Nelkln, reportfor 1977were the followingMississippi records: Nancy Newfield (NAN), Robert J, Newman 100 White Pelicans at Hattiesburg Apr. 18 (LG); 11 (Louisiana), Mini Nonkes, J. Brent Ortego, Ken N Gannets off Ship I., Mar. 8 (WCW); two Whistling Page, Helen Parker, Max Parker, Harvey L. Patten, Swans at Noxubee Ref., Mar. 24 (JAJ); 40 Oldsquaws James V. Peavy, Ginny Petersen, Rodney Petersen, off Ship I., Mar. 7 (WCW), and 32 at GulfportApr. 1 Steve Peterson (SPe), Jackie Purrington, Robert D (JT), White-wingedScoter at Gulfport Apr. I (JT), five Purrington, Stephen Purrington,Herschel Raney, Jack Surf Scotersoff Horn I., May [5 (DRB), and eight Reinoehl, Don Richardson, Joe Runzo (JRu), Robert Black Scotersoff Ship I., Mar. 10(WCW); 15Snowy P. Russell, Charles W. Saunders, Rose Saunders,John Plovers on Horn and Ship Is., May 17 - 25 (RPR); Sellers, Peggy Smith (PSm), M. Pat Stallings, Harold Jaeger sp., Ship I., Mar. 7 (WCW); Black-billed Stanford, Barbara Steadman, Steve Steadman, Ronald Cuckoo, Ship I., May 31 (RPR); Red-breasted J. Stein, Keith Sutton, Pat Sutton, Paul W. Sykes, Jr, Nuthatch and Short-billedMarsh Wren, Ship I., May Ann 'Farbell, Tennessee Ornithological Society, 11 (WCW); Cape May Warbler, Ship I., May 25 (RPR). George Thatcher, Lib R. Toenes, Judith Toups, Van Truan, C. Viers, Melvin Weber, Wayne C. Weber CONTRIBUTORS AND OBSERVERS (area (Mississippi),'Fed Weems, Betty Whitley, ThomasO editors in boldface) -- Janet C. Alexander, Brooks Whitley, Dick Whittington, Fred Wicke, Lee Atherton, Lynn Atherton, RussellBailey, Kate Beck, Wilkinson, Wiley Wilkinson,John Winn, Bill Young -- Bob Best, Michael L. Bierly (middle Tennessee), ROBERT D. PURRINGTON, Dept. of Physics,Tulane Donald R. Bradburn, Robert C. Bradley, Mike Braun, University, New Orleans, La. 70118. Tom Brindley, D. Mark Brown, Ann Bullard, Ben

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS its size and short, thick bill Sept. 9 (WCH). /Esther M. Serr Waders were rather numerous. Six Green Herons were found in South Dakota, Aug. 4 - 13 (WH,RLH), This fall, as usual, was generallyvery pleasantin the three adults and one immature were near Wlnmpeg, region. Mid-November broughtan early blizzardfrom Man., Aug. 21 - Oct. 10 (D. Elliott, GCP); and another the southwest when warm gulf air collided with a was at Fargo, N.D., Aug. 24 - Oct. I (EGA) Great strong arctic cold front. Both Dakotas and Manitoba Egrets numbered 65 in e. South Dakota (KHu,BKH) were in the blizzard's path. Observerscommented that and three were at Oak Hammock, Man., Sept 10 birds survived the weather quite well. Precipitation (IAW). One Snowy Egret spent Aug. 1 - 8 at Ft levels were better than in 1976 but the sloughshad Peck (CMC). Black-crowned Night Heron obser- been so dry that all was absorbedquickly. There just vations were very low; yet one immature was wasn't enough water left for water birds. seen at Salyer N.W.R., N.D., Oct. 2 (GBB); and one adult with four young was observedAug. 28 at Milo, LOONS THROUGH WADERS -- Common Loons Alta. (RJB). One imm. Yellow-crownedNight Heron dispersed after nesting in Canada. Ten were found was at Oak Hammock Aug. 25 where the species had in South Dakota near the Nebraska borderwith eight been seen during the nesting season(GEH). A Least at Gavin's Pt., Oct. 18 - Nov. 20 (WH) and four were Bittern was noted Sept. 20 near Winnipeg(GCP) Very on Angostura Res., Nov. 11 (JLM,EMS). A Yellow- rare were four White-facedIbis sightedAug. 17 near billed Loon flashed its white bill several times on Mozart, Sask. (JT). A total of 15 Cattle Egrets, includ- Blackstrap Res., s. SaskatoonNov. 6 (JBG). An Arctic ing immatures, was seen Aug. 1 - 23 near Weyburn Loon was identifiedfar out on Montreal L., Sask., by and Maxim, Sask. (FWL,RBD).

220 AmericanBirds, March 1978 one was a rare sightingat Brandon, Man. (AAM). The best movement of Red-tailed Hawks was in South Dakota, with total sightingsof 184, Aug. 7 - Nov. 27. ,/ i SASK. ! MAN. Swainsoh'sHawks seenin migrationare an impressive ,/ ALTA. i ! x•exsøjøøø'I,-,,- sight. An estimate of 1000 was made at Lacreek N.W.R., S.D., Sept. 27 - Oct. 2, and 166were seenin l0 mi including 130 in one field in Stanley County, S.D. (BKH). A group of 55 was kettling Sept. 25, over ...... ,.4.' / s. Minot, N.D. (THK) and 45, mostly young, were in a field Sept. 4 - 18 at Ft. Peck, Mont. (CMC). Golden and Bald Eagles began migrating the first week of September. There were 34 ,sightings of Goldens in Saskatchewan; 26 in South Dakota, and sevenwere observedn. of Billings,Mont. (HWC,BBF). • • 'o•,•. MONT•. •o."•-•?-_,! N' t .... The Bald Eagle count in Saskatchewanwas 73 and a flock of seven was seen roostingin aspenat Cutbank, Sask. (GGA). A count along the Yellowstone R., I .,•..•./ • •._'-.%__':%'"_':_•j•' ,,,,,../ wo•, Mont., produced 19 from Oct. 18 - Nov. 5 (Thi). Ospreysightings for theRegion totaled 27. A Gyrfal- / i ...... • W•O. M_arti• jj iOWA con was seen at Isle a la Crosse, Sask., Sept. 6 (BK); I I I ...... !•NEBR" •s•oux one was at R.M.N.P., Oct. l0 (Tim Trotter) and one at Reliance, S.D., Nov. 12 (WCT). The Prairie and WATERFOWL -- Whistling Swans peaked at PeregrineFalcons, Merlin and Am. Kestrel all showed 37,000 in s.c. Saskatchewan, Oct. 13 - 15. White- some increase in numbers. fronted Geese peaked at 15,000 in early October at Indian Head, Sask. (MS) but numbers throughout the GAME BIRDS -- Eight Greater Prairie Chickens Regionwere lower. Snow Goosenumbers were high, were flushed from a grassy area along the Big as usual, with 115,000Oct. 24 at Sand Lake N.W.R., Sioux R., S.D., Sept. 18 (NJH). A total of 43 Sage Brown Co., S.D. (RLW). Ross' Goose was an Grouse was reported from s.w. Sask., Oct. 22 - Nov. irregularmigrant with 17observed Nov. I I - 17at Oak 30 (MAG). Fifty Bobwhite were sightedin s.e. South Hammock; one was at Saskatoon Oct. 23 (JBG), and Dakota, Sept. 4- Nov. 19 (WH,BKH). Approximately one in McLean County, N.D., Oct. 24 (TAG). 400 pheasantsfed along with cattle on a ranch near Seventy-three Black Ducks on Nov. 5 was the largest Haynes, N.D. (CMM). number ever known in Manitoba (GEH,GDG). Other rare duck species in Manitoba were one Cinnamon RAILS, CRANES -- Two ad. and two imm. King Teal Oct. 6, near Lihau; a European Wigeon Oct. I at Rails were observed Aug. 15 at Lacreek N.W.R. (H. Oak Hammock; one Barrow's Goldeneye, Clear L., Burgess).One had been seenJuly 20, 1977along with Riding Mountain Nat'l P. (hereafter, R.M.N.P.), Oct. previous sightingsin 1973 and 1974 at this refuge. 18; and three 9 Harlequin Ducks Sept. 12at Churchill, Man. (W. Renaud, P. McLaren, DRMH); one was at S.Ao Victoria Beach (FF). There was little reported of Whooping Cranes were sighted from Saska- interest concerning other duck species with so little toonthrough n.w. NorthDakota (RAS,KRW,TLF) water available for them. Yet, on Oct. 20 there were and as far s. as Oabe Res., Hughes Co., S.D., 600 Green-winged Teal feeding in a stubblefield near Aug. 20 - Nov. 7. Three young,each differently Moose Jaw, Sask. (DGH). In late October, 100 banded, were seen of the nine hatched at Wood Greater Scaup were seenin Kidder County, N.D., and Buffalo N.P. Reportern gave good details but three were lost to hunters (RES). All three scoters it seemed impossibleto follow the groupsas continued in the Region in increased numbers with they probably intermingled and numbers numerousreports of many Surf and Black Scoters changed. It was noted in South Dakota that the observed in Manitoba (RFK). adults were very attentive to their young bird. When they departed, they rose in a tight verti- RAPTORS -- Turkey Vultures were more cal spiral and were then lost from view. At numerous in s. Canada. From Aug. I - 31 two were at Oahe Res., they restedon a sandbarNov. 3 as a Round L., Sask. (DF); six were seen at Pinawa and very strong south wind prevented them from one was at R.M.N.P., Nov. 7. A single was seen at leaving until Nov. 4 (RLH). Patricia, Alta., Aug. I (PS). Reports of Goshawk, Sharp-shinnedand Cooper's Hawks have increased Sandhill Cranes were believed to have flown so high but most reportersprefer that numbersand locations that their migration was missed. Some over the Black not be revealed. Hills, S.D. were so high they couldn't be counted Buteo migrationwas better than usual. On Oct. 20, which would have put them at altitudes of 8 - 10,000ft. 36 Rough-legged Hawks were seen in 55 mi w. of Winnipeg with total sightingsfor Manitobaof 383. SHOREBIRDS -- Numbers were low but a total of FerruginousHawks countedin w. SouthDakota, were 32 species was observed over the Region. American 20 from Sept. 4 to Nov. 30 (JLM,NRW,RAW) and Golden Ploversmoved through North Dakota, Aug. 21

Volume 32, Number 2 221 - Nov. 5 in good numbers (JTL,DOL) and 220 were e. Montana. Ten White-throated Swifts were late Sept observed at Whitemouth, Man. In the prime shorebird 3 at Rapid City, S.D. (NRW). Ruby-throated area e of Calgary, a total of 784 Black-belliedPlovers Hummingbirds were numerous as they migrated was counted (BLa,ACS). An Upland Sandpiper was throughthe RegionAug. 1- Oct. 11.The Belted King- unusual Sept. 10 along the e. border of South Dakota fisher has made a definite increase in the Region (GF) and another was at Candle L., Sask., Sept. 14 in Saskatoonhad 28 sightingsAug. 8-Oct. 25 (PON) the forest where they are rarely seen(WCH). A group of 100 Corn. Snipe was noted Sept. 17 at Lac du PICIDAE -- Pileated Woodpeckersincreased with Bonnet, Man. (PT). One Whimbrel was seen with six as many as three sightedin a day in ManitobaSept 14 Long-billed Curlew at Ft. Peck Aug. 6. Greater - Nov. 19 (HWRC). A total of nine was observed In Yellowlegs continued to increase and were about the forest area of Saskatchewan. Red-bellieds seemed equal in numbers to the Lessers. Several thousand established in s.e. South Dakota, with two pairs dowitcher sp. were counted in SaskatchewanAug. 8 - sighted Oct. 21 -Nov. 30 (JW,KJH). Red-headeds Oct 2 (EWK,DGH,FB). Buff-breastedSandpipers are remained in Gregory County, S.D., until Oct 29 seldom seen in fall but were presentAug. 23 - Sept. 20 (GLS). An adult with four immature was sightedin T at Regina (BLu) and Grenfell, Sask. (DGH); and six Roosevelt N.P., N.D., Aug. 21 (GBB). Five Lewis' were at Oak Hammock, Man. (GEH,IAW,RFK). were found as they came to lower altitudesfor winter- Theren•ay be definite reasons for concern for the Am. ing in the Black Hills, S.D., Sept. 4 - Oct 30 Avocet but 645 were found Sept. 5 in one flock at (VGV,EEM). Saskatchewan had 66 sightings of Klndersley, Sask. The same could be written for Yellow-bellied Sapsucker as they migrated Sept I - Wllson's Phalarope as only 50 were reported, but Oct. 12 (HP,FB,EWK). Excellent details were given during the 1977 nestingseason several thousandnon- of a Williamson's SapsuckerAug. 23 at Saskatoon or post-breeding birds were seen in North Dakota. (JAW,SLW). They were probably discouragedby low water condi- tions One Red Phalarope was seen near Milo, Alta., FLYCATCHERS, SWALLOWS- Great Crested Sept 28 (RJB). Flycatcherspushed N with a total of 13 sightingsover the Region and six of those at Raymore and Regina, JAEGERS, GULLS, TERNS -- A Long-tailed Sask., Aug. 6 - 24 (CH,SJ). A Yellow-bellied Fly- Jaegerwas seenat Regina,Sask., Sept. 5 (FWL). Two catcher was at SaskatoonAug. 11; at Regina Aug 25 lmm Iceland Gulls were seen at Saskatoon, Sept. 23 - (RT); at WinnipegSept. 17(GCP) and onewas studied 24 Franklin Gull numbers were most unusual after carefully Aug. 24 at Grand Forks, N.D. (DOL) Two bmngso scarce.An estimated50,000 were roostingon E. Wood Pewees were far w. in Hyde County, S D, Lewis & Clark L., S.D., Oct. 6 (WH,JW) with the Aug. 14 - 26 (JHH). Olive-sidedswere more numerous South Dakota total near 60,000. An imm. Little Gull with 13 sightingsin Sask., Aug. 8 - 25 (TMB,BCG), was s•ghted at Grand Rapids Sept. 28, which was three were at Calgary Aug. 14- 25 (ACS); and six were probably a first for s. Manitoba (CWC). Ten along the Red R., N.D., Aug. 21 - 29 (DOL,EMW) Sabine'sGulls were sightedin the provinces.They were at Winnipegand Stony Mt., Sept. 4 - Nov. 25 CORVIDS -- Blue Jays continued to increase in (RWK,RFK,DRMH); at Frank L., Alta., Sept. 6 Saskatchewanwith 49 sightings(CDP,EKH,JDH) A (CRH); and at SaskatoonOct. 8 - 16(JBG,JAW,BCG). big increasewas also noted for the Black-billedMag- A Mew Gull observedOct. 26 - 28 at Ft. Peck provided pie with 1200 sightings.Common Crows peaked at a first Montana record (CMC). An ornithologyclass in 26,000 Sept. 28. All of the above were mostnumerous Fargo, N.D., found 20 CaspianTerns Sept. 20 (RLN). at Saskatoon and Moose Jaw. Clark's Nutcrackers The Winnipeg R. is believed to be a regularfall migra- were concentrated Nov. 11 n. of Billings when 18 were tion route for this species(PT). A count of terns at found (HWC,BBF). Lacreek N.W.R., showed 182 t•orster's Aug. 2 and 275 Black Terns Aug. 17 (TRT). NUTHATCHES, VIREOS- White-breasted Nut- hatchesincreased in Saskatchewan,with 106sightings DOVES THROUGH KINGFISHERS -- A poison- while Red-breasteds far out-numbered them in other •ngcampaign was run on Rock Dovesat Regina(GCA) areas. A SageThrasher was a first on Sept. 12 s of and old grain elevatorshave been removed at Sheho., Chester, Mont. (HMM). AmericanRobin migration Sask , with the hopesof eliminatingthe doves (WN). seemed more noticeableto the reportersthis fall so it Screech Owls were observed Sept. 10 - Nov. 27 at would seem this common bird had a better hatch than P•erre, Brookingsand Burke, S.D. (CAT,GLS). One usual Varied Thrush was againpresent in the Region was a first for Saskatoonon Aug. 20 (BDR). Snowy with six in Saskatchewan,Oct. 7 - 27 (RP,MIH) One Owls obviously stayed in the Arctic this year, as few was seen at Calgary Oct. 10 - 19 (RJB,JJP) and were reported. There was a total of 152 Burrowing one was at Bismark, N.D., Nov. 19 (RNR,WAB) Owls sightedAug. 1- Sept. 20 on the c. Saskatchewan Townsend's Solitaires have spread farther onto the prairie A Barred Owl at Saskatoonwas very rare out- prairie where they were found at Minor, Saskatoon, side the forest (JBG) and another was seen Nov. 27 at Dauphin and Delta, Man., Oct. 20 - Nov. 13. Extra- Sandllands Prov. Forest (G.I. Nykuliak). Great Gray limital Blue-gray Gnatcatcherswere: one at Ft. Peck, Owl numbers were unusuallyhigh and more expected Oct. 6 - 9 (CMC), and at Oak Lake, Man., Nov. 8 - 17 with the snow depth in Manitoba. Common (DRMH). Where did the Golden-crownedKinglets go9 Nighthawk flights seemedbest Aug. 1 - Sept. 19 over Water Pipits made a good showingover the area Sept

222 American Birds, March 1978 4 - Nov. 10. There were 60 N. Shrike sightings,which SOUTHERN GREAT PLAINS REGION is double the number in 1975 and 1976. Solitary and /Frances Williams PhdadelpiaVireo numberswere high with the Solitary m•gratinga week ahead of the Philadelphia. Temperatureand precipitationvary sogreatly in th•s WARBLERS -- The most spectacularmovement of vastRegion that it is impossibleto givea capsulesum- warblers was witnessedAug. 18 & 23 for two hours mary. Precipitation was unusually low throughout each day in a corridor betweenCandle and Clearsand Texas and in the southwesternplains it was the third Lakes, Sask. by WH. He estimated4000+ Aug. 18and 2300+ Aug. 23 as the birds crossed a clearing. He counted one minute now and then and multipliedby the total time there as the movement of birds was con- stant He wrote, "It is staggeringto think of the num- Scottsblu'l•i ßNorth PlatteNEBR. Colu. ßmb,,,',•, , .Omaha IOWA bers that passed if the migration continued all that ...... ß L'nco'en •- week." A Black-throatedGray Warbler wascompared i FortCoilin,e •/_eld'•l do•naona K..... Y B©otrice- •'----- with a Black-and-white Sept. 5, for a first North eDenvet • Manhattan Dakota record at Hope (DLK). . t• I• Haysß TopekaßLaurentß BLACKBIRDS, FINCHES -- Rusty Blackbirdnum- t U. • O bers were unusuallyhigh for SouthDakota andSas- J Wichit• • GrandLake katchewan. Pine Grosbeaks started to filter into the .... • - •;,.•.- - •,•..• ..... Region during nestingseason, and by the end of the fall C•-•on•1...... • .... Z.•,o.• •o. •,•,o. they numberedover 100.White-winged Crossbills came •[ Amarillo I &. e u•kogee,• out of the Saskatchewanforest by Aug. 1 with total ...... •1 I • •. ci• I• ARK s•ghUngsof 169 at the end of the period. II .,•u,. •Z•__• SPARROWS -- Taylor observed at least 400 sparrowsand finchesof 16 speciesin a weed-bordered Ii stubble field along a river bank near Whitemouth, Man, Sept. 24. He noted that the different species were segregatedto a large degreebut in the same general area. Swamp Sparrow numberswere high Sept 7 - 23 with 54 at MooseJaw and Raymore,Sask. (SML). Field Sparrowswere numerousaround Rapid MEXlCO••• C•ty and a flock of 20 was within the city (LAW). driest year on record. Temperaturesin the hundreds CONTRIBUTORS -- (Area editors in italics) were daily occurrencesthrough September. But m ALBERTA -- R.J. Butat, B. Lange (BLa), C.R. Nebraskaprecipitation was above normalwith some H•tchon, J.J. Podlubney, A.C. Slater, P. Stiles. torrential rains in the northeast and lakes were frozen MANITOBA- H.W.R. Copland, C.W. Cuthbert, as early as November 10. Contributors'enthusiasm for G D Grieef, D.R.M. Hatch, G.E. Holland, R.W. the migration decreased from north to south, Knapton, R.F. Koes, A.A. MacLean, S. MacLean, Nebraska and Kansas observershaving much to G C Panting, P. Taylor, 1.A. Ward. E. MONTANA report, Oklahoma birders slightly less and Texans -- CM. Carlson, H.W. Carlson, B.B. FitzGerald, T. reportingthe passerinemigration passed them by Hlnz (THi), H.M. Marble. NORTH DAKOTA -- Two new contributorsdid muchto fill in vastgaps m E G Anderson, G.B. Berkey, W.A. Buresch, T.L the reportingarea. C. Fred Zeillemakersent an excel- Fuller, T.A. Gates, T.H. Kain, D.L. Kubischta,D.O. lent summary from Crescent Lake National Wildhfe Lambeth, J.T. Lokemoen, C.M. Merwin, R.L. Neller- Refugein central Nebraskaand includedsome records moe, R.N. Randall, R.E. Stewart, R.A. Stratustad, from North Platte National Wildlife Refuge and the E M Welter, K.R. Willis. SASKATCHEWAN- Platte River. Scott Seltman reported from Rush, G G Anweiler, T.M. Beveridge, F. Bogdan, R.B. Barton, Ness and Pawnee Counties in central Kansas Damson, D. Francis,B.C. Godwin,LB. Gallop, M.A. and included some observationsfrom Cheyenne Gallop, C. Harris, W.C. Harris, J.D. Hayward, D.G. Bottoms National Wildlife Refuge. Incredibly, no one Hjertaas, M.I. Houston, E.K. Hubbard, S. Jowsey, reports regularly from this very importantRefuge E W Kern, B. Kreba, F.W. Lahrman, S.M. Lainant, B Luterbach (BLu), W. Niven, P. O'Neil, R. Pierson, LOONS THROUGH CORMORANTS -- A Red- C D Pike, H. Patton, B.D. Rafuse, M. Skinner, R. throatedLoon was presentat CaprocksCanyon S P, Temple, J.A. Wedgwood, S.L. Wedgwood, SOUTH Brisco Co., Tex., Nov. 24 (KS). A Red-neckedGrebe DAKOTA -- G. Frailand, W. Hall, B.K. Harris, J.H. visitedHagerman N.W.R., Tex., (hereafter,Hagerman) HarteL R.L. Hill, N.J. Holden, K.J. Hoover, K. Hus- Nov. 19 (WP). In August 990 Eared Grebes were mann (KHu), E.E. Miller, J.L. Mortimer, E.M. Serr, present at Crescent Lake N.W.R. (hereafter. Crescent G L Steflbn,C.A. Taylor,John Tautin, W.C. Thietje, L.); by mid-November only 29 remained. Western T R Tarnow, V.B. VanHeuvelen, N.R. Whitney, J. Grebeswere sightedat Hulah Res., Okla., Nov. 12- 16 Wilcox, L.A. Williams, R.A. Wilt, R.L. Wright. -- (EHi), Sam Rayburn Res., Tex., Nov. I0 (CDF), ESTHER M. SERR, 615 - 8th St., Rapid City, S.D. Yoakum County, Tex., Oct. 7 (KH) and Lubbock Oct 57701. 30 - Nov. 25 (m.ob.).The post-breedingpopulation of

Volume 32, Number 2 223 W Grebesat CrescentL. comprised207 birds Aug. 4, Lincoln Nov. 27 (DaG), Lyon County Nov. 28 (JDe) and at North Platte N.W.R., 220 were present Oct. 11. and Brazos County, Tex., Nov. 10 (BC,SK) Surf Six groups of Pied-billed Grebe chicks were Scoters appeared at Tulsa Oct. 20 (EHa), Lubbock discoveredAug. 14in CrosbyCounty, Tex., providing Oct. 29 - Nov. 19 (AC) and Midland Oct 23 a new nesting record there (KH). Flocks of White (BE,RMS). The only Black Scoter reported was m Pehcans comprising up to 2000 birds visited many JacksonCounty, Okla., Sept. 30 (JDT). reservoirs on the way S and a few individual birds hngereduntil the end of the period. A Brown Pelican VULTURES THROUGH FALCONS -- Seltman spent most of October at L. Lewisville in n. Texas saw an interestingflight of Turkey Vultures in Pawnee (DG0. There was an excellentflight of Double-crested County in late September.Large groupswere ndmg Cormorants in the e. third of the Region with flocks of the drafts, very high, ahead of a swiftly movinghne of 1000 - 3000 in n. and e. Texas at Lakes Rayburn, thunderstorms. He speculated that the flocks could Palestine and Ray Hubbard. There were also have crossed Kansas that afternoon, so fast was the numeroussightings of small groupsin w. Texas where front moving. A White-tailed Kite was sightedin Jeff the speciesis usuallylisted as "accidental".Olivaceous Davis County Nov. 19 (CP,MBC). Along the Brazos Cormorants remained at L. Somemille, Tex., through- R., Burieson and Brazos Cos., Tex., two adult and three out the period and a few were at Hagermanin Septem- imm. White-tailed Kites were seen daily Aug. 12 - 21 ber and October. (C&VC). MississippiKites nestedfor the first time at Hays, Kans., and a flock comprising40 birds was HERONS THROUGH SPOONBILLS -- In Coffey sighted there Sept. 4 (MR). At Quivira N W R, County, Kans., 80 Little Blue Herons were present Kans., adult and young Mississippi Kites were Aug 21. An egret roost in Morris County, Tex., con- observed Aug. 14 (NaJ). Hawks are normally quite tinned an estimated 12,000Cattle Egrets Sept. 3. Other scarce in e. Nebraska, but an unusual number came speciespresent included Little Blue Heron and Great throughthe area this fall (DaG,NoJ). Goshawkswere Egret (JY). Cattle Egrets visited Lincoln Sept. 4 and sightedat LincolnOct. 2 - 3 (NoJ), JohnsonCounty, Coffey County Sept. 18. A white phaseReddish Egret, Kans., Sept. 14 (MLM) and Wichita, Kans., Oct 22 was present at San Angelo, Tex., Oct. I - 15 (CCW). (DV). There were 48 reports of Sharp-shinnedHawks Great Egrets were unusuallynumerous in e. Kansas, and 28 of Cooper's Hawks in the Region.Two Red- the largest flock comprising50 birds in Coffey County shouldered Hawks were sightedat Denton, Neb, Oct Aug 21. At least 90% of a flock of Black-crowned 16 (DaG). A flight of a thousandor more Swalnson's Night Herons in CrosbyCounty were immaturebirds. Hawks passedover Lubbock Sept. 26 (J&CS) In Flocks of this speciescomprising up to 40 birds were Swisher County, Tex., 200 were seen Oct. 3 and 250 present in Presidio County, Tex., during September. were in Crosby County Oct. 4. In Big Bend N P , a Least Bitterns were discoveredin Hutchinson County, pair of Zone-tailed Hawks successfullyfledged two Tex, Sept. 24 (FC) and Big Bend N.P., Oct. 24 young and throughout August the family was con- (JH&EGS) and Nov. 23 (JD). Wood Storks were spicuousin the Chisos Basin. Zone-tailedswere also abundant throughoutn.e. Texas, with a peak of 600 at sighted in Presidio County Sept. 4 & 10 (SWe) L Rayburn Sept. 14. A White Ibis appeared at Several Rough-leggedHawks were sighted at L•ncoln Newton, Kans., Aug. 26 (Jail). Other reports of this during the period and one at Nacogdoches,Tex., Nov speciescame from L. RayburnJuly 31 - Sept. 13 and 28 was noteworthy (CDF). One or more Ospreyswere L Ray Hubbard Sept. 28. One-to-fourRoseate Spoon- sightedat virtually every medium-tolarge-sized body bdls were present at L. Rayburn Aug. 10 - Sept. 16. of water in the Region. Caracaras were present m Hunt and HendersonCos., Tex., and youngCaracaras WATERFOWL- Whistling Swansappeared in late were reported in the Johnson-Hood-Parker Co area November at Crescent L., Trego Co., Kans., Peregrine Falconswere sightedat nine localities Mer- Comanche and Tillman Cos., Okla., Callahan and lins appeared early and were sightedat 28 localltres Tyler Cos., Tex. Brant were taken by Kansashunters Very early dates were at Crescent L., Aug. 15 (EPE) in Coffey County Nov. 17 and StaffordCounty Nov. 9 and Quivira Aug. 14 (NaJ). (fide JS). Several thousandWhite-fronted Geesewere present at Cheyenne Bottoms N.W.R., Nov. 12. GROUSE THROUGH AVOCET -- A Greater Smaller groups were noted at Crescent L., Tulsa, Prairie Chicken visited a farm near Olathe, Kans, Hulah Res., Hagerman and Balmorhea L., Reeves Oct. 29. An estimated 1060 Sharp-tailed Grouse are Co, Tex. A severe storm at Terrell, Tex., Oct. 31 residentat CrescentL. Gambel'sQuail were reported struck down a flight of White-frontedGeese and Karen in Jeff Davis County and Big Bend N.P., wherethey Elrod counted 17 dead around her home. One or two have been hard to find during the past ten years A Ross' Geese were present at Crescent L., Nov. 10- 11, Montezuma Quail s. of Mafia Sept. 9 presentedmore North Platte Nov. 30 and Henderson County, Tex., evidencethat this speciesis graduallyreoccupylng •ts Nov 27 (CDF), while a group of seven remainedat former range. In Ector County July 26, a wild Turkey Hagerman Nov. 10 - 30 (m.ob.). Black Ducks with 15 chicks provided a new county breedingrecord appeared at Crescent L., Sept. 13 - 15, Coffey County, (BE). Whooping Cranes either made more stops on Nov 22 (JS), Rogers County, Okla., Oct. 18 - 29 their way south than usual or it just happenedthat (RAS) and Crosby County Oct. 9 (KH). At least 30 more birderswere lucky! Two Whoopersremained in Greater Scaup were present in Marion County, Tex., ComancheCounty, Tex., Oct. 29 - Nov. 1 (m.ob), 13 Nov 24 (CDF). White-winged Scoterswere sightedat were at L. Meredith in the Texas Panhandle Nov I

224 AmericanBirds, March 1978 (DEB) and 13 were sightedat Lubbock Nov. 3 (CS). L., Oct. 22 & 30. One was found dead on the road near Post-breedingpopulations of 5000 Virginia Rails and Lawrence, Kans., Nov. 11 (STP) and two were s•ghted 5000 Soras at Crescent L. bogglethe mind! In Crosby at Haysville, Kans., Aug. 8 (DV). County a Corn. Gallinule accompanyingseven chicks Aug. 28 (RE,KH) provideda first nestingrecord. GOATSUCKERS THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS American Golden Plovers were sighted during -- Large flocks of migrating Com. Nighthawks were October at Tulsa, Dallas, L. Rayburn and Waco. seen in Johnson County, Kans. and Lawrence Sept 1, P•p•ngPlovers were noted at NacogdochesJuly 9 and Lincoln Sept. 17 and Oklahoma City Oct. 5 While L Rayburn July 24 & Aug. 20. SemipalmatedSand- Yantis was running a nighttime road censusof deer m p•perswere noteworthyin OsageCounty, Kans., Aug. n.e. Texas he also counted Whip-poor-walls and 1 - 12 and Burleson County Aug. 25. Ruddy Turn- Chuck-will's-widows. He found the goatsuckers stones were present in August or September at averagedone to each25 acres,about 90% beingWhip- Cheyenne Bottoms, Hagermam Buriesonand Midland poor-wills. They perched in exposed locations and Cos., and L. Rayburn. In early November Am. sallied forth after passinginsects as if they were noc- Woodcocks were abundant in e. Kansas where flocks turnal kingbirds.Flowers were so scarcein B•g Bend of 20 were found in several areas (ILB et al.). Smaller N.P. that hummingbirdswere concentratedat the few numbers of this specieswere seen in Comancheand remainingblossoms and as manyas nine Lucifer Hum- Washington Cos., Okla., and Grayson County, Tex. mingbirds could be counted in a very small area (PS) Shorebirds were scarce in most areas, as some reser- Adult c• Ruby-throated Hummingbirdswere abundant votrs were too full to have mud fiats and playas in the throughout w. Texas where they are normally rare, m west were dry. The only Whimbrel reported was at late August and early September. There is no way to Lubbock Aug. 14. Red Knots were presentat Lincoln estimate how many of the hundreds of female and Oct 30, Cheyenne Bottoms Sept. 24, L. Rayburn younghummers present were alsoRuby-throateds An Sept. 11, 23 & 25, Midland Aug. 30 & Oct. 24. Very Anna's Hummingbird was observed in Tarrant late records were provided by a Pectoral Sandpiperat County, Tex., Sept. 26 (MR). Male Rufous Humm•ng- Hagerman Nov. 26 (FW,KWH) and a Willet at Okla- brids were present in Rogers County, Okla., Nov 21 homa City Nov. 1 (SWo,JG). Dunlins were (ANL) and ComancheCounty, Okla., Oct. 6 (JDT) A w•despreadJuly 31 - Nov. 27, most recordsfalling in Calliope Hummingbirdvisited an E1 Pasofeeder Aug October. Up to 35 Sanderlingsa day were observedat 22 - 23 (BZ,KZ). A •? Blue-throatedHummingbird was L Rayburn in September. Small groupswere seen at photographedat a feeder in Big Spring,Tex., Sept 16 Hagerman, BuriesonCounty and Dallas. A flock of 50 (SC). The photographs are on file in the Texas Buff-breasted Sandpipers spent Aug. 20 at Hagennan. Cooperative Wildlife Collection, Texas A. & M Th•s specieswas sightedat Tulsa Aug. 16, Dallas Oct. University. 8 and Waco Sept. 14. The only Marbled Godwit reported was at LubbOck Aug. 14 - 17. Northern WOODPECKERS THROUGH FLYCATCHERS -- Phalaropes were noted at eight localities. Red A Red-bellied Woodpecker was observed in Pawnee Phalaropeswere presentin ComancheCounty, Okla., County, Kans., throughout the period. A Lew•s' Sept. 10 (JDT), Dallas Oct. 8 (WP), L. Rayburn Sept. Woodpecker which arrived at Midland Nov. 22 was 18 (CDF). At Oklahoma City Oct. 8 several groupsof still present at the end of the period (PN). A Wdham- 30 or more Am. Avocets were feeding frantically in son's Sapsucker spent the last week of September m close formation at both L. Hefner and L. Overholser an Odessa cemetery (GP, m.ob.). Cassin's K•ngb•rds (JGN). visited Crescent L., Sept. 21 and St. Francis, Kans, Sept. 17 (DK). Four Wied's Crested Flycatcherswere GULLS THROUGH OWLS -- A Laughing Gull studied closely in Big Bend N.P., Aug. 20 (DEW) An v•s•ted Oklahoma City Sept. 17 - 18 (JGN,SWo). Ash-throated Flycatcher appeared in Wichita Aug 7 On October 29 mixed flocks of gulls comprising (DV,SJ). A Black Phoebe was found at Hagennan "thousands" of individuals were flying in a fog at Nov. 11 (BV et al.). A Say's Phoebe at Oklahoma Ctty Columbus, Neb. In Linn County, Kans., McHugh Oct. 8 provided a first area record (JGN,WI). A very estimated he had seen 75 Caspian Terns during the late Least Flycatcher (identified by call) was noted •n period. A Black Skimmer was observed in Burleson Alpine Nov. 20 (TG). County Aug. 6, 19 & 20 (AB,MH). Ground Doves appeared at Woodward, Okla., in SWALLOWS THROUGH MIMICS -- Flights of m•d-October (JE,PN) and in Red River County, Tex., Rough-winged Swallows estimated to comprise 5000 Sept. 28 (JY). An Inca Dove was at Woodward with birds were observedin Linn County in late September the Ground Dove. Groove-billed Anis, those notorious (EMc). Almost every contributor commented on the wanderers, outdid themselvesthis fall. They appeared invasion of Red-breasted Nuthatches. The spectes m Kansas at Hays, Salina, Wichita and Cowley arrived at CrescentL., Aug. 23 and was as far southas County, and in Texas at Big Spring, Dallas, Midland College Station, Tex., by Sept. 14. Brown Creepers and San Angelo. were scarcein mostareas althoughMrs. Myers saw a A Pygmy Owl was found dead on the road in Big phenomenal 15 on Nov. 2. She also banded eight Bend N.P., Sept. 22. A Long-eared Owl was sightedin Winter Wrens in three weeks beginningOct 25 the park Sept. 16. Long-eared Owls were noted in Carolina Wrens continued to be low in numbers Rock Pawnee and Rogers Cos., Kans., in November. Saw- Wrens were present in JeffersonCounty, Kans, Oct whet Owls were netted and photographedat Crescent 29 (NaJ) and Lyon County Oct. 7 (FB). A Gray Cat-

Volume 32, Number 2 225 btrd remained in WashingtonCounty, Okla., Nov. 7. 28 (A&LB), Canada Warbler, Ft. Worth Sept. 9 & 23 A Sage Thrasher was studiedcarefully at Wichita A surprisingten MourningWarblers were netted in tall Nov 9 (SJ). weed growth at L. Overholser,Oklahoma City, Aug 21 - Oct. I (WH). THRUSHES THROUGH SHRIKES -- The bird of Seven Bobolinks visited Johnson County Oct 9 the season was an Aztec Thrush discovered, identified Seltman found Red-winged Blackbirds feeding a and photographedin Boot Canyon, Big Bend N.P., fledglingon the late date of Oct. 5. A Rusty Blackbird Aug 21 by Mimi andDavid Wolf, NicholasHalmi and was observed in Pawnee County. Kans., Oct. 24 An Deborah DeKeyzer. The lone bird closelyresembled estimated 500 Great-tailed Grackles were present tn the female picturedin Peterson'sand Chalif's Mexican Barton County, Kans., Oct. 22 (SS). gutde, but was more heavily streakedand was thought to be a juvenile. When observedagain Aug. 25 by Peter FRINGILLIDS -- Severe drought conditions in Scott and Steve West the thrush spentover two hours s.w. Texas may be the reason Pyrrhuloxias moved N grubbtngfor insectsor worms in a moist leaf-filled and E. Observers at Lubbock, Potter, Kendall and pothole in the dry streambed. No later observations Kerr Cos. reported they had never seen so many were reported. A Hermit Thrush in JohnsonCounty. Rose-breastedGrosbeaks were reportedat Waco Oct Kans , Nov. 9 provideda first fall record. In general, 16 (FG), Lubbock Sept. 26 (CS), Irving Sept. 29 (WP) Hertort Thrushes were conspicuousby their absence, An imm. Painted Bunting remainedat Nacogdoches many contributors stating that only one or two were until the late date Oct. 19 (DEW). EveningGrosbeaks seen during the period. Mountain Bluebirds were visited Crescent L., Oct. 19 - Nov. 6 and arrived Nov reported in Gage County, Neb., Nov. 15 (SA) and in 2 at Hays wherethey were still presentat the end of Tarrant County Nov. 12 (LB) but all three speciesof the period. Purple Finches were reportedby only nine bluebtrdswere scarce.Except in e. Kansas,Golden- contributors. Common Redpolls were present at crowned Kinglets were also among the missing. Lincoln at the end of the period (DaG), Johnson Several Sprague'sPipits were present at Cheyenne County Nov. 18 - 21 (MLM) and Ochiltree County, Bottoms Oct. 9. A few Cedar Waxwings moved Tex., Nov. 27 (KS). In contrast to last year Pine through the Region in Septemberand October then Siskins were common to abundant. Red Crossbills d•sappeared. Northern Shrikes were sighted at which arrived at Hays Oct. 10 were still presentat the Crescent L.. Oct. 20 - Nov. 30, Lincoln Oct. 23 - Dec. end of the period (CAE) but those in JohnsonCounty 4 (DaG), Hueco Tanks S.P., Tex., Nov. 25 (BZ,KZ), stoppedonly briefly Nov. 6. White-wingedCrossbills Palo Duro Canyon, Tex., Oct. 23 (PA). were sightedat Lincoln Nov. 19 (NoJ) and Olathe, Kans., Oct. 29 (STP). A Green-tailed Towhee was VIREOS THROUGH ICTERIDS -- A Black- studied closely at Nacogdoches Nov. 19 (MW). capped Vireo was located in Big Bend N.P., Aug. 19 Sparrowswere late and very scarcein mostof the (DEW). Yellow-throated Vireos were seenin Presidio Region. Baird's Sparrowswere recordedin Presidio County Sept. 10 and College Station Sept. 17. A Red- County Sept. 10 and Alpine Sept. 18 & 25. Le Conte's eyed Vireo at College Station Aug. 25 - Sept. 21 pro- Sparrowswere reportedfrom eight localitiesOct 7 - vided the first fall record since 1955 and one was seen Nov. 16: Lyon County, Kans., Rogers, Payne, Osage tn Btg Bend Aug. 12. Philadelphia Vireos moved and Washington Cos., Okla., Lubbock, Hagermanand through the Region the second and third weeks of L. Ray Hubbard. Sharp-tailedSparrows were foundin September. A bird believed to be this species was Reno County, Kans., Nov. 24 (DV), Payne County netted and photographed at Crescent L., on the Nov. 5 (m.ob.), Osage County, Okla., Nov. 17 (HG) unbehevably late date of Nov. 5. and Hagerman Oct. 15 (SB,KWH). The latter two pro- Where were the warblers? Extremely low numbers vided first locality records. A Sage Sparrow was care- of tnd•viduals were the rule and at those few localities fully identifiedat Muleshoe N.W.R., Oct. 16 (MRo) where a diversity of specieswas presentonly two or Seyffert reportedseeing only 17Chipping Sparrows in three individuals of each could be found. Following the Texas Panhandleduring the season,an incredibly are the more outstandingsightings: Black-and-white low number. The most common winter sparrow of w Warbler, Presidio County Sept. 10, Golden-winged Texas, the White-crowned, arrived in Big Spring Sept Warbler, Lincoln Sept. 5 (DaG), TennesseeWarbler, 25, a day when the thermometer reached 104ø F • Alptne Sept. 2t - 22 (TG), N. Parula, College Station Lincoln's Sparrow was almost non-existentin the w Sept 2 (GD), MagnoliaWarbler, CrescentL., Sept. 10, half of Texas. Hartley County, Tex., Sept. 5, RandallCounty, Tex., Oct 27, Townsend's Warbler, Crescent L., Sept. II McCown's Longspurs were abundant in Carson and wtdespread in w. Texas, Black-throated Green, County. Tex., Nov. 27 (KS). Beginning in early Comanche County, Okla., Aug. 10 (JMM), Black- November, Lapland Longspurs were common-to- throated Blue Warbler, Lubbock Oct. 18 & 30, Hermit abundant at Crescent L., Nowata Co., Okla. (DP), Warbler, Big Bend N.P.. Aug. 21 - Sept. 4, Yellow- ClevelandCounty, Okla. (WH) and OchiltreeCounty throated Warbler, JohnsonCounty, Kans., Sept. 1, (KS). Smith'sLongspurs were presentin largeflocks Chestnut-sidedWarbler, Lincoln Sept. 17 (NoJ), Bay- in OsageCounty (DP) and ClevelandCounty (WH) breasted Warbler, Johnson County Sept. 14, Pine Chestnut-collared Longspurs could be found m Warbler, Johnson County Nov. 2, Prairie Warbler, Cleveland,Carson and BriscoCos. Duringthe second College Station Aug. 13 (MJH), Palm Warbler, Ft. week of November Snow Buntings appeared at Worth Oct. 8 (JHT), Northern Waterthrush,Big Bend Lincoln (DaG), JeffersonCounty, Kans. (LM), Osage Park Sept. 17, ConnecticutWarbler, Tulsa Sept. 16 & County, Kans. (JS).

226 American Birds, March 1978 CORRIGENDUM -- AB 3h 1019. Great-tailed Landon Beaver, Don E. Bell, Charles R. Brown, Grackles did not nest in WashingtonCounty, Okla. Lillian M. Brown, Brian Cain. Fern Cain. Angelo Capparella, Carl & Virginia Cogar, Sue Corson, Mary CONTRIBUTORS AND INITIALED OBSERV- Beth Crabtree, Joseph DiPasquale, Gin Doran, John ERS -- Kansas: Ivan L Boyd, Frederick Brock, Jim Duncan. Charles W. Easley, Bill Edwards, Rosemary Dean (JDe), Charles A. Ely, Larry Herbert, Jane English, C.D. Fisher, Tony Gallucci, Gayla Gatling, Hershberger (Jail), Sue Jehle, Nanette Johnson(NaJ), Fred Gehlbach, D. Gill (DGi), Karl W. Hailer, Mike Doug Kibbe, Earl McHugh (EMc), Lloyd Moore, Hanson, Kelly Himmel, Mary J. Hubert, Sandy Mary Louise Myers, SebastianT. Patti, Marvin Rolfs, Korowotny, Rick LoBello, R.F.&F.H. Mason, Jody Jean Schulenberg, Scott Seltman, Donald Vannoy. Miller, Ernest & Kay Mueller, Pat Newmeyer, LB. Nebraska: Suzy AIbury, Ed P. Eitel, Daryl Giblin Paul, Connie Peterson, Georgia Porter, Warren (DaG), Norma 'Johnson(NoJ), C. Fred Zeillemaker. Pulich, Midge Randolph, Mark Rowland (MRo), John Oklahoma: F.M. Baumgartner. A. & L. Bentley, Pat B. Schmidt, Peter Scott, Kenneth Seyffert, Jane & Bergey, Ella Delap, Jack Engleman, Howard Goard, Clifton Smith, Layfette Stankewitz, Darleen Stevens, Joe Grzybowski, Warren Harden, Elizabeth Hayes Cliff Stogner, Rose Marie Stortz, J.H.&E.G. Strauss, (EHa), Elizabeth Hicks (EHi), Wesley Isaacs,Deloris J.H. Tennery, Betty Vernon, Daniel W. Watson, Isted, A.N. Loshbaugh, Janet M. McGee, John G. Steve West (SWe), Montague Whiting, C.C. Wieden- Newell, Paul Nighswonger, Donald Parker, Richard feld, David E. Wolf, Jim Yantis, Barry Zimmer, Kevin A. Stuart, Jack D. Tyler, Scott Wood (SWo). Texas: Zimmer.--FRANCES C. WILLIAMS, 3307 Neely, PeggyAcord, Keith A. Arnold, AI Barr, Sandy Beach, Midland, TX 79703.

SOUTH TEXAS REGION systems per week, most weak and short-lived, and /Fred S. Webster, Jr. some stalled before reachingthe southern tip of Texas. The more spectacularbird movementswere in asso- Most reporters agreed that the migration on the ciation with the stronger fronts. The first such front upper Texas coast was good-to-excellentthis fall. blew from the northweston October I I, reachingHigh Observers in other areas commented on drought con- Island at l:00 p.m. Highest counts for October I I fol- ditions, warm temperatures, and lack of major cold low with October 12 counts in parentheses: Gray fronts. The drought of summer continued in central Catbird 225+ (40), Indigo Bunting 175 (?), American and southwestern areas until interrupted by rains in Redstart 125+ (25), Magnolia Warbler I l0 (6), Rose- mid-September, resumed and prevailed until mid- breasted Grosbeak I I0 (I), Summer Tanager 70 (20), October, and appeared to be underway again by and Tennessee Warbler 50 (?). mid-November. Rainfall in coastal areas was less than A few western species,rare or hitherto unknown in normal but adequateto maintainfairly good marshand this Region, were observed during the season and field habitat. Below-normal temperatures persisted some individuals of more easterly migratingspecies only during the first half of October, with scattered made unexpected appearances. frost in northern localities. But generally mild weather assureda good population of insectsand maturingof SHEARWATERS, PELICANS -- The lure of the fall grasses and weeds where ample rain had fallen. pelagics again drew birders to the snapperbanks 40+ The season averaged almost two southboundfrontal mi out of Port Aransas.Cory's Shearwaterwas the coveted prize, three on Aug. 27 (J&BR et ai.). and one on Oct. 2 (TBF et ai.). Late on the afternoonof Sept. # • eBastrop B ...... 19, after passageof a line of thunderstorms,hundreds of White Pelicanssettled on L. Travis and L. Bastrop in the Austinarea (fide FSW}. Thirty-eightBrown Peli- •et• UvealdeArtIonia cans were locatedon an aerial surveyof Long Reef I., in AransasBay (RTP), and about 85 were reported near Pelican I., Corpus Christi Nov. 5 (EP, fide RTP). - • •11.•' Arcee :•: • T• • 'aredo' Nu•c•sJ71'•"Pøtl Small numbers were found from S. Padre I., south.

BOOBIES THROUGH HERONS -- A few Masked Boobieswere found on jetties at Port Aransasand at sea Aug. 20 - Oct. 2. Interesting were four adults on Bolivar Pen., Aug. 27 (DTD), and a very late 'sub- adult off the Freeport jetties Nov. 12 (TLE,JGM). Two sub-adult Brown Boobies were found at the Port Aransas jetties Aug. 20 (R&MB et ai.) and later. An ad. Gannettrailed a shrimpboat into FreeportAug. 28 (DTD,JGM) -- a new earliestdate for the uppercoast.

Volume 32, Number 2 227 An lmm. Gannet frequented the Port Aransas jetties Sept. 23, between 4:00 - 5:30 p.m., 9000___Broad- mid-October - mid-November (LT). Exceptionally winged and 1000 SwainsoWs Hawks passed over high countsof Anhingaswere reportedfrom the upper Welder Wildlife Ref. The remainder of the migration and c coasts mid-August - early October. The story, which follows, was gleaned mostly from data presence of unprecedented numbers of Magnificent compiled by Mrs. Donohue. On Sept. 29, with a light Frigatebirds at Rockport, 97 Sept. 2 (fide DNW), may southerly wind blowing, 8500 Broad-wingedspassed have been related to hurricaneAnita. A very late indi- over Falfurrias, 60 mi s.w. of Corpus Christi. Another vidual was at GalvestonNov. 25 (H&EH). Approxi- 15,000 were observed headed s.w. over Falfurrias Oct mately 750 Reddish Egrets were countedon Laguna 2, while at Encino 20 mi s., "vast numbers of hawks Atascosa N.W.R., Nov. 17 (RTP,GAU). A roost of were in the sky all day." Near 6:00 p.m., Oct. 2 a fast- about 500 Yellow-crowned Night Herons was found in moving cold front reached the Corpus Christi area, a black mangrove swamp at the mouth of the Rio pushing ahead of it a flight of 1100 Broad-wingeds Grande Oct. 30 (JCA). observed at the Dick Brittain residence on the Nueces R., about 20 mi w. of Corpus Christi. On Oct. 3 the WATERFOWL -- Incoming waterfowl found Brittains reportedly observed400,000 Broad-wingeds many old haunts on the upper coast too dry to be passing over between 3:00 - 6:00 p.m., and at dusk habitable. Consequently, geese and ducks concen- another lO0,000 arrived to settlefor the night alongthe trated m places of permanent water or departed the river. On the following morning, Oct. 4, 250,000 area entirely. A considerabledie-off of geese was Broad-wingedswere reportedheading S. On that day a reported at Warren L., presumablyfrom overcrowd- "vast movement" was noted at Falfurrias. Arvin lng (TLE). Farther e., at Anahuac N.W.R., marsh patrolled the levee at Santa Ana N.W.R. (80 mi s of habitat was very goodand waterfowl food was in good Falfurrias), in the eveningbut saw no Broad-wingeds supply (RWC). An early high count of 12,000 White- Meantime in the Mission area, about 15 mi n.w of fronted Geese was reported in' ChambersCounty Oct. Santa Ana, Mrs. Donohue had spotted 7050 Broad- 9 (RWC). Thousandsof Snow Geese were presenton wingedsin two flocks, between 1:00and 4:00 p.m, her the upper coast then. A count of lOO0Fulvous Whistl- first since arrival of the cold front at 7:00 a.m. the day ing Ducks at Winnie, e. of AnahuacN.W.R., Sept. 25 before. Where did the main flight go.9 (MA et al.) was exceptional.Blue-winged Teal flights were well underway by Aug. 30. A concentrationof CRANES, SHOREBIRDS -- The first Whooping 20,000 Blue-wingedTeals was presenton the Attwater Crane was observed at Aransas N.W.R., Oct. 13. Nine Prairie ChickenN.W.R., for four weeksfrom Sept. 23 adults were present by Oct. 31, and remainingbirds (WAS) A flock of 50+ Redheads was at Austin Oct. 8 arrived Nov. 3 - 16. As of Dec. 8, 61 ad. and nine (FSW) Lesser Scaup numbering35,000 were rafted in young birds were on the refuge (JK). Nineteen Am San Antonio Bay, Aransas N.W.R., Nov. 21, but Oystercatchers were found on Mustang I., Sept 4, departed after 12 hours. (JK). A $ Oldsquawwas seen while low-lying areaswere still floodedfrom hurricane at Aransas N.W.R., Nov. 24 (SW et aLL for a first Anita (BH). A bird tentatively identified as a Wood refuge record. At Houston an early Surf Scoter was Sandpiper (Tringa glareola) was found on a roadside found Oct. 22 (JGM et al.), and Black Scoter Nov. 10 pond near the entrance to Laguna Atascosa N.W R, (WMC). A $ Masked Duck with three young were Nov. 14 (PB,DS). It was described in detail by Arvin seen on a pond about 6 mi w. of Brownsville Oct. 22 who saw it Nov. 16 - 17. A Purple Sandpiperwas (RN), a male was seen there Oct. 30 (JCA). found on the Freeport jetties Nov. 12 (TLE,JGM), a record early date. An unusuallate concentrationof 500 HAWKS -- A pair of Hook-billedKites was reported Stilt Sandpiperswere with thousandsof sandpiperson over Santa Ana N.W.R., Nov. 13 (DS), and an imm. the receding shorelineof East L., Santa Aria N.W R , Goshawk was observed there Oct. 29 (KAA et al.). Nov. 24 (JCA). Austin's sewage ponds had by far the Reports in years past of huge concentrationsof Broad- most Wilson's Phalaropesreported, 300+, Aug. 30 - winged Hawks along the Nueces R., n.w. of Corpus Sept. 1 (FSW et al.). Christi m late September or early October stimulated Ms Rowlett to organizea close-sitestudy of the 1977 JAEGERS, GULLS, TERNS -- An imm. Pomarlne fall migration. On Sept. 24, 65 observers manned a Jaeger and a Long-tailed Jaeger were reported on a chain of 25 lookouts, about 4 mi apart, from Corpus pelagictrip Oct. 2 (TBF et al.). An imm. Black-legged Christi to Three Rivers, Live Oak Co. -- mostlyalong Kittiwake turned up at Texas City Dike Nov. 20 (EM the Nueces R. While a major flight failed to materialize, et al.). Thousandsof Black Terns were movings e at results present an interestingstudy of a "trickling of sea Oct. 2 (TBF). migrants" on a hot, windy September day in the Coastal Bend. A total of 6563 migratingraptors was ANIS THROUGH TROGONS -- Three Groove- reported, including 5735 Broad-wingeds, 124 billed Anis at Uvalde, Oct. 13, were first-everfor that Swainsoh's Hawks, and 423 unidentified buteos. Most area (TG). A Burrowing Owl was squeakedup from of the Broad-wingedswere headingS or SSW, across boulders near the end of Texas City Dike Nov 24 the Nueces R. None were reported at coastal stations. (TLE et al.). A Long-eared Owl was found dead-on- Two major Broad-wingedflights were observedprior road in the CorpusChristi area Nov. 11(fide KM) An to Sept 24. On Sept. 21, between I 1:45a.m. and noon, ad. • Ruby-throatedHummingbird, apparently having an estimated 20,000 passed over s.w. Houston, been seized at bottle brush flowers, was being fed ketthng very high in a constant stream (MA). On upon by a very large praying mantis (WS). A • Blue-

228 American Birds, March 1978 throated Hummingbird was reported at La Joya, the upper.coast to Austin.Brown Creeper numbers Hidalgo Co.. Nov. 26 {GSD). A 9 Coppery-tailed were very low Regionwide and House Wrens were Trogon (Trogon elegans) was photographedat scarcein mostareas. Two Rock Wrensturned up in a very unlikely place-- Port Aransason MustangI., for about two weeks in late November (LT, .fide KM). Only slightlyless curious was the presenceof a Rock Wren on a clay bluff overlooking Laguna Atascosa N.W.R., Nov. 19 (JCA,SB). A Sage Thrasher was a rare visitor at Anahuac N.W.R., Nov. 19 (RWC) Golden-crowned Kinglets were very scarce. Few Cedar Waxwings had been reported as the season ended, but two birds on the Anzalduas tract on the Rio Grande, Hidalgo Co., Nov. 26, were a month eadier than normal (JCA).

VIREOS, WARBLERS -- A Solitary Vireo at HoustonSept. 14(JGM), set a new early recordfor the upper coast. A Philadelphia Vireo at San Ygnacio Sept. 21, was a first for Zapata County (B&CY). Warbler migrationwas impressiveon the uppercoast, although numbers were in dozens rather than in Coppery-tailed Trogon, BentsenS.P., Tex., Sept. 14, hundreds.Canada Warblerswere in surprisinglylarge 1977. Photo/Debbie Gendron. numbers. Among the rarities was a Virginia's Warbler Bentsen-RioGrande Valley S.P., Sept. 14 (BD,DG}. on w. Galveston i., Oct. 12 - 13 (TBF,MJ et all, a There apparentlywas one previousreliable sighting first; a Cape May Warbler in GalvestonOct. 24 (JGM for Texas, in adjoining Cameron County in Septem- et al.), a first fall record; a Black-throated Gray ber 1957. Warbler at High i., Oct. 12 - 15 (JGM), first in several years; a sub-ad. d' Golden-cheekedWarbler- well WOODPECKERS, FLYCATCHERS -- Common seen and described -- on Galveston l., Aug. 3 Flickers were abundant (90) at High 1., Oct. 12 (D&MW), first record for the e. third of Texas; and a (D&MW). A c• Red-bellied Woodpecker at Bentsen- fall-plumagedBlackpoll Warbler at High l., Nov. 21 Rio Grande Valley S.P., Oct. 29, may have been a (D&MW), possiblythe secondfall record. Away from "first" for Hidalgo Co. (KAA). An imm. c• William- the coast. a c• Townsend'sWarbler in fall plumagewas son's Sapsuckerwas seenat Austin Nov. 28 (FSW), a seen at Austin Nov. 23 (FSW), a second locality third locality record. A Say's Phoebewas locatedin Ft. record and one of very few occurrencesin the e. half Bend County Nov. 25 (TLE,JGM); this representeda of Texas. sixth upper coast record. Olive-sided Flycatchers were in exceptional numbers -- 28/day -- in the ORIOLES. FRINGILLIDS -- The oriole migration Bolivar Pen.-HighI. area, Aug. 20 - 21 (TLE,JGM et al.). was generally light, although N. (Baltimore) Orioles were reported abundant in the Corpus Christi area in SWALLOWS, CROWS -- The swallow migration September(KM). Three Lichtenstein'sOrioles at San was called "excellent" on the upper coast, with Banks Ygnacio Sept. 21, may be the firsl recorded for seemingto predominate;several thousand Banks were Zapata County (B&CY). A high count of 135+ Rose- working their way down Bolivar Pen., Aug. 28 (TLE). breasted Grosbeaks was made at High l., Oct. I I Mrs. Donahue, in Hidalgo County, called the swallow (D&MW,WB). Pine Siskins invaded the Region in migration "unparalleled." At Bentsen S.P., Oct. 7, November. By mid-month unusually large numbers she estimated 88,000, mostly Barn Swallows, flying E could be seen from the upper and c. coast to the Rio along the Rio Grande levee. Movementsof a similar Grande Delta. Arvin first noted siskins in the delta nature Oct. 9 - l0 were reducedin volume by about a Nov. 22. Blacklock observed this species common third. The first Mexican Crows reported on the Texas throughout n.e. Mexico in late November. Higher side of the Rio Grande this season was a flock of abou! countswere madenear the gulf-- except on the lower 60 birds seen e. of Brownsville Aug. 9 (SB}. By early coast where both observersand trees are sparse; September they could be found regularly at the numbers inland were quite small. The scarce Green- renowned Brownsville garbagedump. tailed Towbee was seen in the San Antonio area Oct. 8 (JB), at Austin Oct. 12 - 14 (FSW), and at Santa Ana NUTHATCHES THROUGH WAXWINGS -- This N.W.R., Nov. 24 (JCA). A Brown Towbee, rare e. of was an invasion year for the Red-breastedNuthatch. the Edwards Plateau,was seennear RandolphA.F.B., First arrivals were noted at Austin and High I., Oct. n.e. of San Antonio, Nov. 4 (JE). A major influx of 12. Others were seen at Galveston and at Freeport Savannah and Vesper Sparrows was noted at the Oct. 13. On Oct. 18 a single bird paused briefly in a Artwater Prairie Chicken N.W.R., Nov. 28 (WAS). A mesquite tree in Brownsville {SB), adding a species concentration of Cassin's Sparrows at Anzalduas to the Cameron County list and settinga southernmost Nov. 26 was noteworthy:... "Fifteen per acre in a record for Texas. Except for the latter occurrence, 10-acre open area of native and introduced grasses reportswere confinedto the n. tier of counties.from with scattered huisacheand prickly pear" (JCA). A

Volume 32, Number 2 229 Dark-eyed (Slate-colored)Junco was seen at Houston T. Ben Feltner, Tony Gallucci, Debbie Gendron, Oct 16 (ER). An individual of the Gray-headed race, Henry and Edith Halberg, Bob Hill, Margaret Jones, rarely seen in the Region, was observed at Austin Edward A. Kutac, Jerry Kuykendall, Kay Nov 17 (DS). McCracken, Elric McHenry, James A. Middleton, James G. Morgan, Ron Naveen, Richard T Paul, CONTRIBUTORS AND CITED OBSERVERS -- Emilie Payne, Ellen Red, John and Barbara Riddle, Margaret Anderson, Keith A. Arnold, John C. Arvin, Hank Robison, Rose Ann Rowlett, Willie Sekula, Paul Baicich, Steve Benn, Gene W. Blacklock, Wayne A. Shiffiett, David Simon, Leona Turnbull, Wesley Brannon, Ron and Marcia Braun, Dick and George A. Unland, Sheri Williamson, Doris N Dons Brittain, Joe Brown, RusselW. Clapper, Wesley Winship, David and Mimi Wolf, Bob and Carol Yutzy M Cureton, David T. Dauphin, Buzz Devine, Gladys --FRED S. WEBSTER, JR., 4926 StrassDrive, Austin, S Donohue, Juanita Edmison, Ted L. Eubanks, Jr., Texas 78731.

NORTHWESTERN CANADA REGION The majority of reportscame from the Whitehorse (hereafter, Whse.), area with a good number of /Helmut Griinberg observations from other areas in the Region Bird This was a season with variable weather. While watchers seemedto be leaving the inhospitablenorth country just like the migratingbirds. August was really a summer month in Whitehorse, only September and part of October were true autumn LOONS, WATERFOWL -- The uncommon Red- months, and the second half of October and November throated Loon was observed near Carcross; one •n were considered winter months with temperatures summer plumage and one in winter plumageSept 12 (H&SG). / Up to 25 White-fronted Geese were seen at Swan L., n. of Whse., Sept. 4-5 (HG), and one at Kluane L, Sept. 27 (HG). After the relatively frequent observa- tions of Blue-wingedTeals during the summerIt was not surprising that they were also fairly common during fall migration in August, September and October (RB,HG,DMos,DS). One imm. female was banded in the Old Crow Flats Aug. 13 (DMos). Thirty LesserScaup landed on the road in BeaverCreek Oct 18, in the lights of a parking lot during a snowstorm (DMos). All but three died. Seven Harlequin Ducks were reported from Kluane L., Aug. 12 (J&PG) and one from the Whse. area Sept. 13 (HG). A rare d' Black Scoter was noted at Swan L., Oct. 9 (HG)

HAWKS, FALCONS -- About 150 Buteos (probably mostly Red-tailed Hawks) were seen migratingup the Teslin R., Sept. 23 (RB). One Osprey was noted at Old Crow R., Aug. 28 (BH,DMos) One white Gyrfalcon [Verification needed. --Ed.], was reported from the Dempster Highway Sept. 13 (DY) and one gray phase adult from Kusawa L., Oct 26 (DMos). Most PeregrineFalcons had left their nesting areas at Old Crow R., by Aug. 28. One adultwas seen below freezing. Temperatures were slightly above here Aug. 28 (BH,DMos). Migrating Peregrineswere normal; 59.0øF, in August and precipitation was noted in the Whse. area Sept. 22-23 (HG). belownormal. September was nearly normal; 44.6 ø, but had high precipitation.October average temperature, GROUSE THROUGH COOTS -- Twenty-two 36 0ø, did not differ from the 30-year average, while Sharp-tailed Grouse were reported from the Alaska November temperaturesdropped 8.8 ø below the long- Highway between Duke and Donjek R., Sept 4 term average to +7 ø, heralding a cold winter. In (DMoy). A concentration of 150 Willow Ptarmigans November all precipitationin Whitehorsewas snow. was observed at Lapie L., Oct. 13 (DMos). At least October and November precipitation was close to three White-tailed Ptarmiganswere seen at Coal L, normal. Owing to the wet summer season and warm Nov. 28-30 (HG). and dry August weather, a few rare breeding records Large flocks of SandhillCranes totalling 10-15,000 were obtained. Otherwise, the season was not birds were observedduring migrationup the Pelly R, unusual. at Faro Sept. 17-18 (RB,HG). American Coots were

230 AmericanB•rds, March 1978 reported from various areas of the s. Yukon Aug. Juncos, one bird of the rare Oregon race was identified 4-Sept. 21 (MD,BG.H&SG.DMos,CS). Several often at SwanL., Sept.4 andanother was among 20 junc. os adults and five young were photographedat Swan L., there Sept. 24 (HG). One Tree Sparrow stayed until Aug. 13-14(HG). One adult was seenfeeding a young Oct. 28 near Whse. (KB). A Smith's Longspur[Verifi- bird. This is one of few breedingrecords of the Yukon cation needed. --Ed.] was noted at the Chilkat Pass for this species. Sept. 16-18 (D&SR).

S HOREBIRDS -- Two Semipalmated Plovers were INITIALED OBSERVERS -- Kate Bennett, Ron seen at the Old Crow R., Aug. 28 (BH,DMos) and one Butler, Malcolm Dennington, Beate Gensch, John at Swan L., Sept. 5 (HG). Two Killdeer were notedat Ginaven, Peggy Ginaven, Sharon Grfinberg, Bob the Yukon Game Farm Aug. 19 (HG). One Am. Hayes, Mark Hoffman, Dave Mossop(DMos), Dave Golden Plover was reported from Marsh L., Sept. 21 Moyles (DMoy), Vivien Muir, Don Russell, Sharon (MD,DMos) and four Black-bellied Plovers from Swan Russell, Don Schuler, Carsten Schulz, Don Young. -- L., Sept. 24 (HG). A rare observationof a Surfbird in HELMUT GR•)NBERG, GeneralDelivery, White- non-breeding plumage, was received from Kathleen horse, Yukon, Canada YIA 3S7. L., Aug. 12 (J&PG). Fifteen PectoralSandpipers were seen at Swan L., Sept. 4-5 and Sept. 24 (HG). Long- billed Dowitchers increased at Swan L., in numbers from six Sept. 4 to nine Sept. 5, and finally 30 on Sept. NORTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN 24 (HG). A rare Stilt Sandpiper was identified at Swan INTERMOUNTAIN REGION L., Sept. 5 (HG) and a SemipalmatedSandpiper at Swan L., Sept. 4 (HG). A large number of N. /Thomas H. Rogers Phalaropes, 39, appeared at Swan L., Aug. 13 (HG). Heavy rains over muchof the Regionin late August DOVES THROUGH WOODPECKERS -- The brought welcome moisture and cooler temperatures unusual sighting of a Mourning Dove was reported but did little to bringup low water levelsresulting from from the Alaska Highway near ChampagneOct. 6 the year-longdrought that mostareas suffered. Above- (MH). An imm. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker,rare in the normalprecipitation in late Septembergave some help Region, was observednear Swan L., Sept. 4 (HG). One C• Hairy Woodpecker was seen at a feeder 10 mi s. of Whse., Oct. 14-Nov. 30 (KB), and one male 10min. of Whse., Oct. 21-Nov. 30 (DS), both birds obviously overwintering. One to two • Downy Woodpeckers, , I rare in the Region, were observedat a feeder 10 min. of Whse., Nov. 5-30 (DS), also overwintering. One Black-backed Three-toed Woodpecker was noted at Liard R., near Watson Lake Sept. 17 (DS).

PASSERIFORMES -- A Gray-cheekedThrush was seen in Whse., Aug. I (DS). On Canyon Mt., near Whse., a c• and a 9 Golden-crowned Kinglet were --•.. .•,O•,L • observed n. of their normal breeding range Aug. 8 (HG,CS). The female carried insects such as a l•t I (sPg•AfiZeJ, X KALISPELL caterpillar and maybe flies or mosquitosin the bill, indicatingthat young birds were nearby. Observation of 13N. Shrikesin ten separatereports Sept. 4-Oct. 14 in the s. part of the Region indicate that at least the majority are migratingbirds (KB,HG,KMos,D&SR). Only two Starlings were reported this season in Whse., Aug. 31 (HG). OREGON " IDAHO WYOMING A concentrationof 50-100 Yellow-rumpedWarblers near Carcross Aug. 7 (HG,CS), apparently early migratingbirds, and a very late observationof one in but October was again very dry. November precipita- the Whse. area, Oct. 28 (HG) seem noteworthy. The tion varied greatly from place to place. The outstand- Corn. Yellowthroat appearsto be more commonin the ing weather conditionswere the early snow and cold Region than previously assumed. Eighteen which struck shortly after mid-month, prematurely yellowthroatswere notedin six separateobservations freezingmany lakesand ponds.Temperatures moderated in the greater Whse. area, Aug. 14-Sept. 5 (HG). They by the end of the month and the snow mostly melted may often be overlooked becauseof the inaccessible from the lowlands. wet areas they inhabit and use during migration. Low water levels undoubtedlyaffected waterfowl, One or two ad. Red-winged Blackbirds, a fairy shorebirds and other water-dependentbirds. The common speciesduring the past year, were observed generally mild and pleasantfall periodsencouraged and filmed as they were feeding three young at Yukon stragglers from many bird groups to stay late--the Game Farm Aug. 6 (HG,CS). Among 40 Dark-eyed November cold snap was too late to affect most

Volume 32, Number 2 231 species. In the Bend, Oregon area Julie Johnson fide EMcV). One was near Walla Walla, Wash., Nov. reported a marked dearth of birds in that rain shadow 12 - 18 (KK, WS, SM, AR) and an adult and two imma- of the Cascades, even drier than normal, bul most tures were near Merrill, Ore., Aug. 12(CSL) Deer Flat other areasapparently had reasonablygood migrations N.W.R., Nampa, Ida., had a Snowy Egret Sept. 14 and a rather large number of unusualrecords. (ECB) and three were alongthe SnakeR. near Ontario, Ore., Aug. 28 (WS). The species was last seen at LOONS AND GREBES -- Common Loons num- Malheur N.W.R. Oct. 4. A Least Bittern was seen at bered 33, of these the largestgroup reportedwas on Market L., Roberts, Ida., Aug. I I (MRC). A flock of Island Park Res., Fremont Co., Ida, Nov. 5. An Arctic White-facedIbis at Mud L., JeffersonCo., Ida., Aug. Loon was on Vaseux L., B.C., Ocl. 25 - Nov. 21 (SRC) 18 was estimated at 2500 birds (MRC). and one was collected on the Idaho side of the Snake R., near Asotin, Wash., Oct. 20 for the second state WATERFOWL -- Malheur N.W.R.'s peak of 237 record, *Washington State U. (JWW). At least five Whistling Swanswas only a fractionof 1976's3800 but were on L. Lenore, Grant Co., Wash., Nov. 6 (JA). A MinidokaN.W.R., Rupert,Ida., had500, only slightly Red-necked Grebe at Richland, Wash., Oct. 22 made down from last year and about 1000came throughRed the second record there; perhaps the same bird was Rock Lakes N.W.R., Lima, Mont. The latter refuge there Nov. 13 (CC, MC, REW). Two appearedon a had 175 - 200 Trumpeter Swans in November. A few high alpine lake near Fortine, Mont., Sept. 11 (WW) wore neck collars showingtheir origin to have been and one was still at Polson, Mont., Nov. 26 (F.A.S.). Grand Prairie, Alta. The lone bird at Salmon, Ida., A huge gatheringof 500 W. Grebes was on Banks L., stayed until about Oct. 7 and one was at McNary Grant Co., Wash., Aug. 28. N.W.R. duringthe entire fall period. Malheur N.W.R. had about 33. Up to five were on the Kettle R. in n.e. PELICANS THROUGH IBIS -- Very few White Washington in November (DC). Deer Flat N.W.R. Pelicanswere seenon the SnakeR., aroundPocatello, had about7000 geese. A hugeconcentration of 50,000- Ida.; a groupof 30 wason Am. FallsReservoir Aug. 30 60,000 Canada Geese was at Stratford L., Grant Co., where usuallythere are hundreds.However, Minidoka Wash., Oct. 9. Columbia N.W.R., Othello. Wash. had N.W.R., Rupert, Ida. had an averagedaily countof 392 8000 in November, comparedto 3000a year agoand in August.One color-bandedbird was shotat the trout NcNary N.W.R. had some 15,000. At Malheur they farm near Pocatello; il had come from Colorado peaked at 3100. Blue L., Grant Co., Wash., had 20 (CHT). A carp control programat Malheur N.W.R., Cackling.Geese Nov. 6 (JA). A Brant was sightedat Burns, Ore., influenced White Pelican use. A total of Naramata, B.C., Nov. 13 (JG) and a "Black" Brant 2345 was in the basin before the lake was sprayed.By was photographedat Walla Walla. Wash., Nov. 6 (SM Oct. 9 1355were present,primarily in areaswhere the & B.M.A.S.). Malheur Refuge had 1000 Snow Geese carp kill was not complete.By Oct. 23 only 90 remained and the last were seenNov. 5. Unlike the pelicans, Double-crestedCormorants increased,with a total of 250 on Malheur L. Oct. 2 and two throughNov. 16 (CDL). McNary N.W.R., Burbank, Wash., had a Green Heron Nov. 3 (RH, fide SM) and another, tardily reported, was seen near Atomic City, Ida., June9 (DKH). An adultand an imm. CattleEgret were at Market Lake W.M.A., Ida., Aug. 9 (MVM) and two were near Pingree,Ida., Sept. 15 (MRC). One stayed about ten days and was photographedin a pastureat Clarkston, Wash., arriving Oct. 31 after a storm(JB,

"Black" Brant, Walla Walla, Wash., Nov. 12-18, Iq'/7. Photo/Shirley Muse. and a few Ross', while Summer L. to the south had 70,000 white geese before Nov. 21. Snow Goose, a rarity at Red RockLakes, numbered 200 in earlyNo- vember. White-frontedGeese peaked at Malheur at 1135 Sept. 30. At least 10 of the latter were with the Canadas at Stratford L., and McNary N.W.R. had 25. Peak duck numbers at Malheur were 32,700, down from 97,000 last year--Am. Wigeon numberedless than a tenth of 1976's46,000. The peak of 35,000 at Columbia N.W.R. was up a bit from lastyear. At Deer Cattle Egret, Walla Walla, Wash, Nov. 6, 1977.Photo/ Flu! N.W.R. duck numbers were abou! normal at Ihe Shirley Muse. end of November, about 220,000, mostly Mallards. A

232 AmericanBirds, March 1978 sight record of a Black Duck Sept. 10came from Swan (RCD). Greater Sandhill Cranes reached a peak of L, Flathead Co., Mont. (EJ). Twelve Gadwalls were 2855 at Malheur N.W.R., Oct. 14 and three flocks of on Medicine L. near Medimont, Ida., Oct. 9 (SGS). the Lesser,totaling less than 200, migrated over Sept The speciesshowed an increaseat Kootenai N.W.R., 29. An estimated1500 Sandhills were on BridgeCreek Bonners Ferry, Ida., with 100 present all November. W.M.A., Umatilla Co., Ore., Sept. 30 - Oct. 1. Ameri- The lower St. Joe R. near St. Maries, Ida., had a peak can Coot at Malheur peaked at 8400 comparedto of 10,650Am. Wigeon Oct. 17and the Pend Oreille R., 42,000 last year but numbersat Columbia N.W.R were Bonner Co., Ida., had 15,000 Redhead Nov. 16. A down only slightly. In n. Idaho they peaked at 11,000, • EuropeanWigeon was on Swan L., Vernon. B.C., 11,000, and 9000 on the lower St. Joe R., Coeur d' Alene Nov. 5 (JW) and Naramata, B.C. had an Oldsquaw R. and Pend Oreille R. respectively. Nov. 21 (JL). A male and five females of the latter were on L. Lenore, Grant Co., Wash., Nov. 6 (JA) SoAo and one was collected on the Snake R. above Walters Of the seven WhoopingCranes hatchedby Ferry, presumablyin the Nampa, Ida., area Nov. 9 Sandhill Crane foster parents at Grays Lake (JH). Five White-winged Scoters were reported at N.W.R., in s.e. Idaho, four fledged, the others Seebe. Alta.. Oct. 29 (JJP): seven were on Silver L.. apparently falling prey to coyotes. Along with Spokane Co., Oct. 14, and at least five were on L. five hatched in 1975and 1976,they left mostly Lenore Nov. 6 (JA). Penticton, B.C. had a • Surf in early October, migratingthrough Colorado Scoter Oct. 8 (SRC) and another female was at andarriving in New Mexicoby November15 or Brewster, Wash., the same day (KK,WS). Soap L., earlier, with the exception of one 1977 bird Grant Co., Wash. yielded one Nov. 6 (JA) and the killedby hittinga barbedwire fence. Six appeared Snake R. at Clarkston, Wash., another Oct. 15 - 16 at Bosque del Apache N.W.R. and four were (EMcV). A female shot at Red Rock Lakes N.W.R., expected to winter there with Sandhill Cranes Oct 17 made the first record there (RRS). A •Z bird Two juveniles, supposedly from Grays L, was on L. Wenatchee, Chelan Co., Wash., Nov. 12 disappeared shortly thereafter and were (PH). A Black Scoter collected along the Columbia R. believed to have continued on to Mexico with near Brewster Oct. 20, *W.S.U., was the first Sandhills.One of the other two birds appeared recorded in e. Washington (GB, fide RK). at Bernardo and the other at Las Vegas N.W.R., N. Mex. (RCD). HAWKS -- Eastern Oregon had two sightingsof White-tailed Kite, an immature near Spray Aug. 18 (JR) and one on Malheur N.W.R.. Oct. 7 - Nov. 10 SHOREBIRDS -- The Lewiston, Ida.-Clarkston, (CDL). Hawk numbersin generalappeared good. The Wash. area had a disappointingmigration but very scarce Ferruginous Hawk was noted: singles near good numbersand variety appearedat Reardanand In Burns, Ore., at Lowden, Wash., near Ovando and Grant Co., Wash. Cold SpringsN.W.R., e. of Hermls- Kahspell, Mont.; two adultsand a youngbird at a nest, ton, Ore., had an Am. Golden Plover Oct. 1 (CC,MC), 30 miles s.w. of Helena, Mont., and only 14 at Kilgore the species appeared in Pleasant Valley between and Henry's L.. Fremont Co.. Ida., about the same as Libby and Kalispell, Mont., Oct. 3 - 5 (DDeJ), and In 1976 but about half the number of previous years four were at Reardan, Wash., Sept. 11 - 12 (JA). Black- (CHT). Bald Eagles hit a record peak of 444 Nov. 30 in bellled Plovers seemedalmost common, appeanng In the L. McDonald-Lower McDonald Cr.-Flathead R. many localities and often in unusual numbers A area of Glacier N.P., Mont. (ELR). A late Ospreywas Ruddy Turnstone was at Tranquille, B.C., Sept 2 at Naramata, B.C., Nov. 12 0L). The PeregrineFalcon (JAn) and one in winter plumageAug. 31 at Ninepipe was observed at five widely scattered localities. N.W.R., Charlo, Mont., made the first record there (DB). Harrison L., near Harrison, Mont., had 120 GALLINACEOUS BIRDS -- Two Sharp-tailed Long-billed Curlews Aug. 20. Two Red Knots were Grous• near Fortine, Mont., were the first seen there carefully identified near Post Falls, Ida., Sept 19 for several years. Two coveys of Scaled Quail were (SGS). Stilt Sandpipersappeared in increasednumbers sighted in the Juniper Forest s. of Connell, Wash., particularly in e. Washington,and one at Tranqmlle, Nov. 19 (PC). Up to 31 Turkeys appeared at Smith's B.C., Aug. 14 was a rarity (JAn). A Buff-breasted Prairie in the Nampa area in November (WH,PCo). Sandpiperat NinepipeN.W.R., Sept. 18was Montanas The specieswas reported for the Kalispellarea (F.A.S.) first w. of the Continental Divide (DB). One or two and eightappeared at Blue L., e. of Coeurd' Alene L., Sanderlingswere at Golden,B.C., in September(FK) Ida (I.D.G.). A female was sightedalong the Naches and the specieswas sightedin the Lewiston, Ida, area R, n.w. of Yakima Aug. 21 (Y.A.S.) and one was (EMcV) and at Reardan and BanksL., in Washington sighteds.w. of LaGrande, Ore., in the Glasshillarea American Avocets peaked at 5600 in Septemberat Oct I (JBi). Malheur N.W.R. The only Black-necked Stilts reported duringthe fall period were two or three at L CRANES AND COOT -- Sandhill Cranes numbered Helena until Aug. 6 and one Sept. 11 (SMa). over 2000 in their traditionalfall stagingarea in Grays L valley Sept. 23 and a like number had reached JAEGERS THROUGH TERNS -- A ParasiticJaeger Monte Vista N.W.R. in Colorado Sept. 26. The San was harassingRing-billed Gulls at SalmonArm, B C, Lms Valley there had over 12,000 Oct. 24. By Nov. 15 Aug. 25 (RC) as was one at Richland,Wash., Sept 18 over 11,000had arrived at Bosquedel ApacheN.W.R. (P & REW). One (same bird ?) was at Walla Walla

Volume 32, Number 2 233 Sept 23 (SM,RZ). The only Mew Gulls were sevenat JAYS THROUGH NUTHATCHES -- Golden, B.C., Aug. 6 (RRH). An imm. Sabine'sGull was sighted at Tranquille Sept. 6 - 12 (JAn) and another at the Yakima R. delta near RichlandSept. 11 Blue Jays continuedto appear, mostly as was Woodley's second in ten years. There were two singles but sometimesin twos or threes. In sightingsof the Corn. Tern along the Snake near British Columbia Vernon and Kimberley each Lew•ston (EMcV). An Arctic Tern at the Yakima delta had one. Malheur N.W.R. had its second Oct 2 was in full breedingplumage and was watched recordand Umatilla,Ore., another.Washington for 30 minutes with a 60X scope (REW). reported the birds at Richland, Walla Walla, Spokane and Kamiak Butte. In Idaho they OWLS THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS-- The appeared at Idaho Falls and Nampa and m remains of a Barn Owl, extremely rare in interior Montana they appearedat Harrison, Bozeman, British Columbia, were found under a Great Horned Hamilton, L. McDonald in Glacier N.P., near Owl's roost tree near Vernon Oct. 24. It apparently Kalispell and near Fortine. had been killed duringthe summer(JG). A Flammulated Owl found dead at Invermere, B.C., in Septemberwas A group of five Scrub Jays, well-described,was preservedand sentto the B.C. Museum,and one was reported a few mi s. of Priest River, Ida. (ESI. Pition banded at Pocatello, Ida., Sept. 23 (JJ). The pair that Jays were mentionedonly for Gardiner,Mont. (JEQ) nested near Blewett Pass, Chelan Co., Wash. was last The Chestnut-backed Chickadee visited a feeder m seen Aug. 26 (G&WH). An ailing bird found near Clarkston, Wash., in late October (JWo) and a Kuna, Ida. Sept. 22 was cared for but died later (LP). Kimberley feeder, the first since 1973. A White- A Hawk Owl was photographedat Kimberley, B.C., breasted Nuthatch at Field, B.C., in mid-October Nov 11 (MVW) and one was near Vernon, B.C. Nov. made the first record for Yoho N.P. (TH) and one was 18 - 30 (MCo). Single Barred Owls were sighted at at Golden Nov. 4 (FK). Bitterroot L., w. of Kalispell, at Yellow Bay on Flat- head L., in Kalispell and at WoodsBay near Bigfork, MIMIC THRUSHES THROUGH SHRIKES -- Mont The specieswas reportedas havingnested near Merrill, Ore., had an imm. MockingbirdAug. 12 (CSL) Missoula, Mont. and was seenduring the fall (SF) and and Idaho had a sightingnear Atomic City Aug 31 one was at Blue L., e. of Harrison, Ida. (JMcN). An (MRC) and two s.w. of Oreana; three birds Sept 10 exhausted individual was picked up in a field near and two Nov. 30 (JH, G.E.A.S.). Abelated record was Fernwood, Ida., in late September and was being of a Gray Catbird near Burns, Ore., July 4 (CDL) nursed back to health (DRJ). An ad. female and an Mountain Bluebird numbers looked encouragingat •mm SpottedOwl were seenAug. 26 at Blewett Pass, Kimberley and in the vicinity of Spokane. Sprague's Chelan Co., Wash., where they nested this summer Pipit was reported only from Gardiner, Mont Five (C&WH). Great Gray Owls appeared regularly at Bohemian W axwingswere sightedin Yoho N.P., Aug Pleasant Valley w. of Kalispell and were seen on 6 and a large flock near Kalispell Sept. 9 seemedvery Bridge Creek W.M.A., Umatilla Co., Ore., and on early. Starvation Ridge, Wallowa Co., Ore. Poor-wills at Malheur N.W.R. were seen often near rimrocks WARBLERS -- A Nashville Warbler,well-described, "indicating they were moving into these areas to was at Three Forks, Mont., Sept. 27 (RL). Virgmia's hibernate" (CDL). The old chimney along the Warbler was reported at Rupert, Ida., Oct. 4 (WHS) Khckltat R., Klickitat Co., Wash. had 1500 Vaux's Malheur N.W.R. had 1 - 2 Chestnut-sided Warblers Swifts usingit Aug. 27 (Y.A.S.). Anna's Hummingbird Sept. 10 - 13 (CDL). A PineWarbler watchedat length was not seen after Aug. 9 at Leavenworth, Wash., at close range in BozemanNov. 6 was the secondfor (LG) but British Columbia had a male at Kelowna the state (ET&RAH). Single Palm Warblers appeared Sept 16(EL), a femaleat VaseuxL. Oct. 4 (SRC), and at Golden, B.C., Oct. 8 (RRH,FK) and at Knutsford, a male at a Revelstoke feeder in late November for B.C., Oct. l0 (JAn). A well-described d' Canada that clty's first record (JW). Overlookedlast year was Warbler was found at Jewel Basin in the mountains e a report of a c• Anna's Hummingbirdat Lakeside, of Kalispell Sept. 10 (JR). Mont, Oct. 10- 18, 1976 (JBr). BLACKBIRDS -- Bobolinks were noted near Kah- WOODPECKERS THROUGH SWALLOWS -- spell Sept. 2. A Red-wingedBlackbird at Fortine made Pdeated Woodpeckers were "definitely on the only the fourth November record in 50 years (WW) increase" in the Salmon, Ida., area, about ten having Banff, Alta., had three Rusty BlackbirdsOct. 15(JJP) been sightedin October(HBR) and Weber got his first and Turnbull N.W.R., Cheney, Wash. had two Nov record of the speciesat Kamiak Butte, WhitmanCo., 12 (FBH). Walla Walla College Farm had one Oct 26 Wash , Oc•. 18. The White-headedWoodpecker, rare (WS). A Brown-headed Cowbird at Tranquille, B C, m s Idaho, was sightedtwice and photographedin Nov. 5 was very late (JAn). October on Daggett Creek n.e. of Boise (A&HL). A male, a female and an imm. Purple Martin were FINCHES -- A •' Rose-breasted Grosbeak was at recorded at Merrill, Ore., Aug. 12 (CSL). Malheur N.W.R. Oct. I1 (m.ob.)and a moulting•' Indigo Buntingwas sightedat Golden,B.C., Sept. 1 (RRH,FK) The first record of a House Finch at Golden was of a male Aug. 25 - Sept. 7 (RRH). Bozemanreported the

234 American Birds, March 1978 speciesNov. 19 (SC) and the birds were commonat Leon Powers, Joyce E. Queckborner,Arthur Rempel, feeders in Missoula. A Grey-crowned Rosy Fin.ch in Hadley B. Roberts, Jean Robocker, Joanna Ross the Clark Fork vicinity Oct. 14 (JMcN) and two at (JRo), Edwin L. Rothfuss, Jon Sadowski, Lorelei Pinehurst Nov. 3 (JLi) were the first recorded in that Saxby, W. H. Shillington, Richard R. Sjostrom, area of Idaho since 1950. About 100 Black and Gray- Esther Stewart, Shirley G. Sturts, Mac Sudan, Wally crowned Rosy Finches were feedingat the summit of Sumner, Charles H. Trost, John W. Weber, Winton Steens Mt., Harney Co., Ore., Oct. 11 - 12 (CDL) and Weydemeyer, Mildred V. White, Jim Wolcott (JWo), about two dozen Blacks were on SacajaweaPeak n.e. Pat & Robert E. WoodIcy, John Woods, Yakima Aud. of Bozeman Aug. 17 (EH). Gray-crownedwere seen Soc.. Ric Zarwell. *--specimen. -- THOMAS H. frequentlyon Lolo Passand in the BitterrootValley w. ROGERS, E. 10820 Maxwell, Spokane,WA 99206. and s. of Missoula during November, not a normal situation (SF). Common Redpolls and White-winged Crossbillswere appearingoften enoughto presagean MOUNTAIN WEST "invasion" for the winter. The latter were seen twice /Hugh E. Kingery in the Price Cr. - Peet Cr. area s.c. of Lima Res., s. Beverboad Co., Mont., an area where they have not Discovery of an overland migration of coastal previouslybeen recorded(JS). speciesof waterbirdshas come about from the combi- nation of more birdwatchers,better optical equipment SPARROWS- A Green-tailedTowbee was spotted ---epeciallytelescopes--and the hundredsof irrigation in the Owyhee Mts., s.w. of Orearia, Ida., Sept. 17 reservoirs which now dot the arid western landscape. (JH). A Baird's Sparrow was carefully observedAug. 27 just s. of L. Helena in Montana for the first record in that area (LS). A Lark Sparrowat Walla Walla Nov. 22 seemedvery late (RM) and SageSparrows were still ff,%WYOMING at Malheur N.W.R. in late November. The Kalispell area had a Clay-coloredSparrow Aug. I - 9 (JR). The usual sprinklingof Harris' Sparrowoccurred over the Region. One at Richland was the third ever there (REW). Single Golden-crownedSparrows appeared on Malheur N.W.R., at Leavenworth, Spokane and Reardan, Wash., and three were at Boise, Ida. NEVADA] UTAH[ ql&llB COLORADO Tranquille, B.C., hada White-throatedSparrow Oct. 8 (JAn) and Nicholson, B.C., had one Sept. 25 (FK)...... ;'g,;. I The only other reports were from Egan Slough e. of Kalispell Oct. 3 (JR) and e. of Bigfork Oct. 10 (MS). Four McCown's Longspurswere in a flock of Horned Larks near Blue Dome on Birch Cr., Clark Co., Ida., Observers cannot physically survey many of these Aug. 28 (MRC). Two Lapland Longspurslingered at reservoirs•some like L. Mead and L. Powell are Golden until Oct. 8. One was found near Asotin Cr., immense and largely inaccessible, and most of the Asotin Co., Wash., Oct, 30 (GHi) and one showedup 5 more than one hundred large reservoirsand innumer- mi e. of Bigfork Oct. 8 - 10 (MS). A flock of 20 Snow able small onesare too isolatedfor thoroughcoverage. Buntingswas on the Arco Desert west of AtomicCity, Nevertheless,over the pastfive yearsthose reservoirs Ida., Aug. 27 (CHT). which have received attention have revealed, among the usual geese, ducks, shorebirds,and gulls, surpris- OBSERVERS CITED -- James Acton, Jerry Ansell ing numbers of wayward "coastal" species.They've (JAn), Eugene C. Barney, June Berghammer,Jerry included Arctic and Red-throated Loons, Red-necked Bingner(JBi), Blue Mt. Aud. Soc., JacquelineBrewer Grebe, Brant, Oldsquaw,three scoters, Red Phalarope, (JBr), DougBonham, George Brady, Richard Cannings, two jaegers, and nine gulls. This fall we had reportsof Steve R. Cannings,Don Carney, Phil Cheney, Mark one jaeger and one gull speciesand all of the others. R. Collie, Mary Collins (MCo), Priscilla Cook (PCo), The ongoingdrought seemedto have little tangible Craig Corder, Marion CoMer, SharonCotterell, Dan effect on the migration,except possibly for sendingthe DeJong, Rod C. Drewien, Flathead Aud. Soc., sir summer breeders south early. Hack showed that at Frissell, Golden Eagle Aud. Soc., Larry Goodhew, Jefferson,Colorado, half the summerspecies left one- James Grant, Pauline Hager, Douglas K. Halford, to-four weeks early, and the other half left on the Terry Hammell, Ed Harper, Eve T. & Ray A. Hays, average departure dates. Both in Nevada, with poor JamesHeckathorn, Wesley Heckathorn,Randy Heinz, food availability, and at Bear River Wildlife Manage- Gerry Hickman (GHi), Glen & Wanda Hoge, R. R. ment Area, Utah, with excellentfood, migrantsstayed Ho•ie. France, B. Htl,lon. Idaho I)epl. of Game. Joe only a short time, or else fewer stoppedduring migra- Jeppson,Don R. Johnson,EIly Jones,Frances King, tion (CL,RK). In Utah the coincidenceof goodcone Rick Knight, Ken Knittie, ErnestincLamoureux, Ron crops on both spruceand fir--the first time they have Lang, A1 & Hilda Larson,C. S. Lawson,Jay Lewis, peaked together in many years---cansednoticeable Joe Lint (JLi), Carroll D. Littlefield, RoseMarsh, Sid influxesof crossbillsand nutcrackers. Poor cone crops Martin (SMa), Jack McNeel, Ed McVicker, M. in Alberta and Coloradomay have contributedto this Vincent Mowbray, Shirley Muse, J. J. Podlubny, movement (KS).

Volume 32, Number 2 235 The Region reported 369 speciesduring the season, decline (RK). Stillwaterand Ruby Lakes, Nev., Farm- 323 from Colorado, 255 from Nevada, 237 from ington Bay, Utah, and Monte Vista and Browns Park Wyoming, and 115 from Utah (where too few N.W.R.s, Colo., also reported low numbers. Monte observers sent complete lists for fair comparison). Vista's 5050 PintailsOct. 1 was a normalpeak, but by Nov. 30 it held only 2500 Mallards, comparedwith LOONS, GREBES -- This year, Wyoming had its 7600 and 15,000the previoustwo years. second Arctic Loon report, from Foxpark Oct. 23 Whistling Swans at Bear R. peaked Nov 20 at (DPK?). Coloradanssaw ten, and Nevada had one, 21,000, an increase which reflected good nesting from Topaz L., s. of Carson City Oct. 15-16(EH; he success. Stillwater reported only 290, 10% of last sentTopaz sightings both to Nevadaand California). year's flight. Colorado had a few more than usual, Rare Red-throatedLoons stoppedat Walker L., Nev., althoughthe reportsfrom BrownsPark, Walden, and Oct 19 (BB) and Denver Nov. 24 (JR). Red-necked Buena Vista may portray a regular pattern of small Grebes visited Yellowstone L., Wyo., Oct. 2 (BJ?), flocks migratingover the ColoradoRockies. A flock of Chatfield Res., near Denver--two Oct. 29-30 (FJ,JW?) 40 White-frontedGeese barreled by L. DeSmet near and two Nov. 19 (DPK)--and Union Res., near Long- Sheridan, Wyo., Nov. 13, the largest number ever mont, Colo., Nov. 24-25 (PM et al.). Lake Mead's fall observedthere; at the sametime 600 Snows broiled up build-up of Eared and W. Grebesfailed to materialize to move S. While Bear R. had its usual 2000 Snows, by Nov. 30, when only 600 Eareds and 5000 Westerns the Utah Div. of Wildlife Resourcesreported Snows had assembled. Western Grebes in e. Colorado and using w. Utah and e. Nevada more than usual A Wyoming surpassedprevious years; Sheridanhad 97 (Black) Brant shot duringthe huntingseason at Farm- Sept 29, the largestflock on recordthere, andBoulder ington Bay W.M.A., adds to Utah's few records(all County, Colo., reported 1011in October,four timesas from that time of year TP). Nevada has had Shel- many as October 1976. ducks of uncertainorigin at Walker L. for two years, of the seven last fall one remainedthis fall, a male seen PELICANS, CORMORANTS, HERONS- While Sept. 28 (CL). Nevada's breedingWhite Pelicansdropped substan- Sunnyside W.M.A. produced the first Nevada tially, the Coloradocolony increased. On Oct. 9, 1400 report in several years of a Fulvous Whistling Duck assembledat the breeding site, Riverside Res., Weld Oct. 27 (PLu). Nevada had more Wood Ducks Co, Colo. (GM). They remainedeven later, with 300 at reported (12) than for 10 years, including one at Jackson Res., Morgan Co., Oct. 29 (PM) and 40 at Ft. Diamond Valley Oct. 8-15 (JE) and seven Aug 20-21 Colhns Nov. 13 (MJ). On Oct. 6-7, 525 moved S from at Ft. Churchill on the CarsonR. (WS,FC,GC) Umon L Mohave, Nev., perhaps bound for the Gulf of Res. had 1-4 Oldsquawsduring November (PM) and a California (TL). Little Blue Herons appearedat Union hunter shot one at FarmingtonBay during the season Res ---one Aug. 10 and two Aug. 13-14 (PM) and at (TP). Scoters did not approach last year's numbers, Hygiene, Colo., Aug. 22 (TV). Cheyenne'sfirst Green but all three species appeared. Colorado had s•x Heron record came with two Aug. 12 (AK). Cattle White-wingedsin November, at Longmont,Durango, Egrets included one Aug. 29 and eight Sept. 11 at and Denver; two Blacks, at Denver Oct. 28 - Nov 2 Brigham City, Utah (GK), one Aug. 10-19at Mercury, (JW et al.); and GunnisonNov. 19 (KJC?); and e•ght Nev (RC,ph.), and one Nov. 20 at Arden, Nev., Surfs Oct. 15- Nov. 27, at Durango,Ft. Collins, Den- k•lled by a cat when it flew into a yard (CL, *U.of ver, and Hygiene. Casper, Wyo., had one White- Nevada). Both Colorado and Nevada had more Great winged Oct. 15 (SB), and two Surfs Oct. 22-30 (OKS) Egrets: Nevada had one at Lovelock Nov. 29 (RA) and Nevada reported a White-winged at Las Vegas Nov 23 in s. Nevada. Colorado had 23, mostly around 30 - Dec. 1 (VM,CL,ph.) andone at Topaz L., Nov 4 Boulder (the only state nesting site) but also one in (EH), andtwo SurfsOct. 15- Nov. 4 at TopazL (EH), July and August at Walden (JAr). A Least Bittern plus one Nov. 30 at Davis Dam (VM). The Region had visited PuebloOct. 9 (EB). Except for the 300 nestsat more Hooded Mergansersreported than ever, topped Ruby Lakes N.W.R., Nevada had only 30 nesting with 57 in Boulder,Colo., duringNovember (B A S ) pmrsof White-facedIbises this year, downfrom 3500 Common Mergansersarrived late and in fewer numbers in 1973 (BO,PLu). The usual nestingsites harbored than usual, although three had reached Eagle, Colo, about 500 non-nestingadults. The RoseateSpoonbills by Oct. 9 (JM). Nevadans reported no Red-breasted which appeared in Nevada last summer (AB 31:1167) and only three Com. Mergansers. concluded their appearance Aug. 22 with two lmmatures at Logandale and one at Overton (GA). HAWKS, EAGLES -- The most vigorousornitho- logical project we have heardof recentlyis Hoffman's WATERFOWL -- Fall numbersdeclined through- hawk vigil on the WellsvilleMts., in n. Utah. Last year out the Region. Bear R. had an Aug. 31 peak of he made 18 trips to the lookout,which involvesa 4« 135,000, inluding 31,000 Pintails and 20,000 Green- hr, 3200-ft climb. This year he madethe trip dally winged Teal--about half the normal totals. The second (almost),and counted 2765 Hawks of 15species in 276 peak did not occuruntil early November,with 165,000 hours, Aug. 27 - Oct. 25. Table 1 summarizeshis ducks, two-thirds divers (60,000 Redheads, 19,000 results.The peak migrationoccurred Sept. 25 - Oct 5, Canvasbacks, 14,000 scaups). Massive numbers of with 50% of the migrantsseen then; all but Goshawk puddleducks normally appear, but not thisyear; Pin- and Golden Eagle peaked then. The intensity peaked tails particularlydropped markedly. Possiblypoor in mid- to late afternoon, and seldom reached s•gmfi- production in Alberta and Saskatchewan caused the cance before noon. Passing cold fronts inh•b•ted

236 American Birds, March 1978 Table 1. Wellsville Mountains Hawk Watch Ang. 27 - Oct. 25 moved into the Mountain West, with two at Logan- dale, the Wellsvillebirds reported above, 13Wyoming birds, and 28 Colorado reports. Species Number Comments Accipiters 1186 CRANES -- Only eight WhoopingCranes survived Sharp-shinned 616 60% adults in the Rocky Mt. flock, owing to weather, predators, Cooper's 451 58% adults and for one first-year bird, a barbed-wire fence near Goshawk 34 10% adults Monte Vista (MTN). The Monte Vista/San Lms Acc. sp. 85 Valley SandhillCranes numbered a normal 11,000,but Buteos 339 plains cranes flew S along the Colorado piedmontin Red-tailed 311 72% adults large numbers.October 22 saw them movingstrongly, (2 Harlan's, Oct. 4) with 392 at Ft. Morgan, 600-1000 at Bart L., n e of Swainson's 17 last Oct. 14 Denver, and 800 at Chatfield, s.w. of Denver. Peak Ferruginous * both Sept. 28 count came from Ft. Morgan Oct. 29, with 3000 Rough-legged I Oct. 15 SHOREBIRDS -- Most areas had average shore- Buteo sp. 8 bird counts with peaks such as 5000 dowitchers and Falcons 809 15,000 Marbled Godwits at Bear R.; 4500 Wilson's Am. Kestrel 805 59.5% males Phalaropes at Durango Aug. 17 (one the next day-- Prairie Falcon 2 RWS); and 5035 Western and 2000 Semipalmated Merlin 2 Sandpiperson the Pueblofall countSept. 17-18.At Blue Mesa Res., near Gunnison,Colo., the drought-lowered Golden Eagle 219 33% adults, water level attracted 4000 Baird's Sandpipersand 500 138 imm.* Killdeer. In existence for less than a decade and Bald Eagle 5 hemmed in by mountains,the lake's successat attract- Marsh Hawk 154 ing shorebirdsimplies a fair trans-mountainmigration Turkey Vulture 6 The Baird's Sandpipersseen on alpine tundra to the Osprey 5 south supportthis theory (AB 28:84). Umd raptors 42 FourPiping Plovers ran along Barr L. shoresAug 13 {D.F.O.) and one was at JacksonRes., Morgan Co , Total 2765 Sept. 3 (JR). Counts in Kiowa County, Colo, Aug. 7 (DPK) and Puebloand Otero Cos., Colo., Sept *The Golden Eagle was the only speciesto continue 17-18 (DAG) tallied 22 and 25 Snowy Ploversrespec- its migration into November. tively, probablyindicative of smallbreeding colonies in each place. FarmingtonBay reported 743 Killdeer migrationof all speciesexcept the eagles,with the best Aug. 25, the highest regional count (TP). American flights on warm, fair days severaldays before or after Golden Plovers appeared at Casper Sept. 17 (SB), a frontal passage. Denver Oct. 1-2 (D.F.O., DPK), and Union Res., Oct Even excludingthe Wellsville observations,regional 23 (PM), all with Black-bellieds--a species more Acclpiter observationsincreased; Sharp-shinned parti- commonthan usualAug. 11- Oct. 29. Observersin n e cularly so, to 100 sightings.Red-shouldered Hawks Colorado found five Ruddy Turnstone• Aug. 11- bcpt visited both Colorado and Nevada: Corn Cr. had one 18. The ten Greater Yellowlegs at Reno Nov. 6 com- Sept 1-4 (CH,VM), and at PahranagatRef., an adult prised a large flock for Nevada (CP). Colorado had a stayed for a few days around Sept. 23 (RV,CL,VM, record number of Red Knots, about ten, at 3-4 loca- ph ) Hoffman reports Utah's third Broad-winged tions Aug. 13 - Oct. 2. Sheridanreported one White- Hawk on Sept. 18 in the Pilot Mts., in n.w. Utah. rumped Sandpiper and Colorado had seven at 3 Broad-wingeds also ventured into the foothills of locations Sept. 10-18. The Denver area had eight Colorado, with a road kill at Grant Sept. 3 (HH, November Dunlins. Two Buff-breasted Sandpipers *D M N.H.) and one observedat Evergreen Sept. 23 gracedSheridan Aug. 25, with only five other sightings (WWB et al.); another visited Ft. Collins Sept. 24 there in 11 years (HD). Jackson,Wyo., had its first (F C A.S.). A late Swainson'sHawk moved through Black-necked Stilt Aug. 13 (A&AS). The only Red Logan Nov. 4 (JG). At Durango, a pair of Rough- Phalaropereported this fall stayedat Union Sept 13- legged Hawks had arrived at the same area as last 14 (PM,JRo et al.). year's early birds Aug. 23 (RWS) and another pair plied the tundra above Silver Plume, Colo., starting JAEGERS, GULLS, TERNS -- ParasiticJaegers Sept 15(CG,EC). Nevada's non-gamebiologists have have becomeregular: Colorado had six Aug. 3 - Sept found 200 nestingterritories of FerruginousHawks in 30; one visited SheridanOct. 24 (HD,MC?); and at the state; they checked 17this year in n.e. Nevada, 13 Pyramid L. were two immaturesOct. 27 and one Nov of which fledged 3.2 young per nest (BO,PLu). 14 & 26 (D&KG). California and Ring-billed Gulls Gyrfalcon reports came from Sheridanthe first week failed to reach the Las Vegasarea by their usualtime in of October (SA)and Nov. 25 (EP). The Nevada survey October, although the n. Nevada numbers seemed located 306 Prairie Falcon nesting territories in 4 normal (CL). Eastern Colorado attractedabout half its years, this year the densityin s.e. Nevada was 1:25sq usual Franklin's Gulls, with the top count 5780 at m•, and in s.w. Nevada 1:43sq mi. Of 101sites checked Pueblo Sept. 17-18(DAG). The 14 at SheridanNov 1 this year, one or more birds occupied 83. Merlins were late (HD). Bonaparte's Gulls favor Union Res,

Volume 32, Number 2 237 which this fall attracted 40 at their peak Oct. 22-24 1500there Sept. 17 (RWS). At 11,500ft timberline-- (PM), the most in 4 years. The Bonaparte's which on Mt. Bross near Fairplay, Colo., Aug. 21, Campbell summered there molted into winter ad. plumage the spent45 min. watching"75-80 Rough-winged Swallows third week of August(PM). PyramidL. had 15 Bona- in groups of 3-5 flying due S about 50 ft above the parte's Nov. 14. The Region had the most Sabine's ground... At the same time and location, about 35 Gulls ever: Pyramid L., one nearby Oct. 6 (D&KG); Clark's Nutcrackers were flying in the samedirection Topaz L., one Oct. 15 and four Nov. 4 (EH); Bear R., about 100ft above the ground. They were in two loose two Sept. 26 and four Sept. 27 (KS,JY, ph.). Firstsfor groupsand took about 30 min. to pass." The swallow their parts of Wyoming were one at YellowstoneL., movement began before and continued after his Oct 2 (BJ?) and one at SheridanSept. 18 - Oct. 6 observation. The only similar swallow movementswe (HD•'). Colorado had at least four at Union Sept. know of locally have followed river courses The 11- Nov. 6 (PM et al.), one at Denver Sept. 25 (JRo), Denver fail count produced only 145 Barn Swallows, one at Grand Jct., Oct. 15 (RL), and one at Walden about one-third of average. Durango again had Purple Oct 16 (PG). Top Com. Tern reports came from Martins at Summit Res., six on Aug. 12 (RWS) Umon--16 on Aug. 28, where it was commoner than Forster's (PM)•and 15 at L. Mead, Sept. 9 (VM). JAYS -- Cody, Wyo., produced the westernmost Two Least Terns visited Chatfield Oct. I (FJ). A flock Blue Jays this fall two in mid-November (PGa) of several dozen Black Terns flew over Loveland Pass, From Boulder, Hering reported a new look among Colo., above 13,000ft, Sept. 14 (CG). Blue x Steller's hybrtds: a bird which looks hke a Steller's, but has white-tippedtail feathersand white CUCKOOS, OWLS, HUMMINGBIRDS -- Two in the secondaries.(Boulder has a subsistingpopula- Yellow-billed Cuckoos at Corn Cr., Aug. 3 gave tion of hybrids.) Sheridan had its first Steller's this Nevada its first fall record in 3 years (CL). Often fall--it had been a puzzlingabsence from the local hst researchers who concentrate on a particular species Wellsville hawk watchers saw 47 Com. Ravens Sept discover unsuspected populations•Mountain West 13-Oct. 25, including "one spectacular flock of 26 Barn Owls, for example. Marti has 25-30 under soaring together with a Red-tailed and two kestrels" observation in the 30-mi stretch of n. Utah from (SWH). Along the Colorado piedmont, Com Crows Kaysville to Bear River City, many roostingin nest often feed on the plainsand roost in the foothalls,1000 boxes. Millsap found 13 nestingpairs, and one non- flying over Boulderto GregoryCanyon Oct. 8 was one nesting pair, in Weld and Latimer Cos., Colo., the of the largestflights reported recently. nestsin banks of dry washes.Short-eared Owl reports were sparse,except for Diamond Valley, Nev., where S.A. 13 stayed Sept. 1-15 (JE). The tally of 52 Poor-wills Wellsville watchers counted over 1500 along a 30-mi stretchof road near Ely, Nev., tops any migratingClark's NutcrackersAug. 27 - Sept previous regional count. Hummingbird numbersand 29. The birds moved in flocks of 1-42 (mean, dates were average, except that Colorado had more 10), traveling silently in loose flocks, not Calliopes than usual. Reports included almost daily soaring and harvest/rig seeds like local resi- callers at Ridgway, until Sept. 6 (JRG), regularsat dents. The watchers saw similar flocks at other Silverthorne (HEK), and early September singlesat mountain locations within I00 mi. The Mt Estes Park (WR), Eldora (GS), and Durango (RWS). Bross flight, 350 mi s.e., coincides with this observation. "Nutcrackers typically are non- WOODPECKERS, FLYCATCHERS -- Scott migratorybut respondto coniferseed shortages visited the 1974 burn site w. of Jackson L., Grand by emigration." (SV) Teton N.P. (AB 31:205) and reported, "I was never out of earshot of woodpeckers, and the predominant WRENS TO STARLINGS -- The first of a handful species was the N. Three-toed." He also reported of Winter Wrens came to Avon, Colo., Oct. 9 (JM) A coniferous seedlingsspringing up througha solidstand Mockingbird strayed to Cody Oct. 20 (RH), and at of heavy shrubsand tall grass,and found a substantial Chatfield were a late Mockingbird Nov. 19 (D F O ) populationof elk and moose.In the WellsvilleMts., and a late Brown Thrasher Nov. 27 (RF). several Ash-throated Flycatchers inhabited maple/ Mountain towns reported fewer Am. Robins, chokecherry slopesand canyons;the habitat for these however Sheridan had 417 Sept. 18, attracted by the first Cache County records contradicts the Ash- excellent wild fruit crop, and 300 flocked at Kosslet throated's normal desert brush (SJH). A wandering L., in the Boulderfoothills Oct. 23 (EV). Many moved Ash-throated stopped at Ft. Morgan, Colo., Sept. 2 through Ely and Jarbridge, Nev., in late October, and (JCR). Mowbray found Nevada's second Eastern in November many came into Boulder City, Nev Phoebe, an immature at Corn Cr., Oct. 10. Fox Nevada had two Varied Thrushes•one Nov. 3 on Mt discovered one Black Phoebeat Durfingo Aug. 9; and Charleston and one at Corn Cr., Nov. 25 (VM) two were there Aug. I0 which stayed until Sept. 23 Berthoud, Colo., had the largest bluebird flock, 150 (RWS). The only other Colorado records come from Westerns which moved throughwith a flock of Lesser Pueblo, where a pair nested 1972-74. An E. Wood Goldfinches and juncos Nov. 16, shortly before a Pewee visited Ft. Lupton, Colo., Aug. 14(WWB,DK). heavy mountain snowfall (CC). Reporters in w Colorado consider bluebirds to be doing well, e g at SWALLOWS -- The only large swallow assem- McCoy, 100Mountains moved throughAug. 23 (ME) blageswere 2700Violet-green at DurangoAug. 20 and Elsewherebluebirds seemed scarce. A rare Blue-gray

238 American Birds, March 1978 Gnatcatcher visited Logan Sept. I (SWH) and n.e. ABBREVIATIONS -- ?--Detailed descriptionon Colorado had three Aug. 20-27. Only n. Wyoming file with Regional Editor; *--specimen; B AS reported Bohemian Waxwings: Sheridan with the Boulder Audubon Society; D.F.O.: Denver Field most, 262 Nov. 12. At Kanab, Utah, Starlings flocked Ornithologists; D.M.N.H.: Denver Museum of to a roost of 15,000-20,000-- a huge concentrationfor Natural History; F.C.A.S.: Ft. Collins Audubon that desert town (JB). Society; ph: photograph.

WARBLERS -- Warblers migrated in normal CONTRIBUTORS AND INITIALED OBSERVERS numbersand variety, althoughLawson noted a very --Nevada State Editor: please send all Nevada reports early movementof flycatchersand warblers in the Las to Chuck Lawson, Box •475, Las Vckz.•.Nev.. 89102 Vegas valley Aug. 3. Of the fall counts, Ft. Collins Don Abrams, Jim Alfonso (JAF), JosephF. Alston producedthe most warblers, including 116 Yellow- Jessie Aires (6), Robert Alves, Bob Andrews, Steve rumpedsand 148Wilson's. Colorado reported only six Amstrup, GeorgeAustin, Mary Back, BerniceBarnes, raie migrants,half on the W. Slope:one Worm-eating Ed Blatnik, Sophia Bogart, W. W. Brocknet (14), Jack Oct 22-30 (PGe,SL,PM,ph.) at Boulder; a Prothono- Brown, George Burghard, Elaine Calzolari, C L tary on the Pueblo fall count Sept. 17-18(DAG); a Campbell, Frank Clayton, Robert Clemans, Glenn BlackburnJanat Eldora Sept. 9'(GS); a Chestnut-sided Clifton, Theo Colburn, Marian Collins, Kevin J. Cook, at Durango Aug. 9-18; and the second and third W. Camille Cummings, Gerald Deutscher, Helen SlopePalms, at RidgwaySept. I (JRG3-)and Silver- Downing, Patty Echelmeyer, Margaret Ewing, Janet thorne Oct. 8 (D.F.O.?). Eyre (3), Kay Flora, Elva Fox, Richard Franz, Dave Nevada had more rarities, all southern:a N. Parula and Karen Galat, David Galinat (3), PegGatlow (PGa), Aug 3 at Corn Cr. (CL); its fifth and sixthMagnolias Peter Gent (PGe), Jim Gessamen,Larry & Jacque at CornCr., Oct. 10(VM) andLas VegasOct. 19(CL); Goodhew, Paul Gorenzel, David A. Griffiths, C its first Cape May stayed July 28 - Aug. 3 (CL; see Groesbeek,J. R. Guadagno,Carol Hack, May Hanes- AB 31:1169);its fourth BlackburnianOct. 7 at Beatty worth (9), Ed Harper, Kathy Hawkins,Louise Herlng (CL); its secondBay-breasted Warbler Oct. 10-11at (34), Richard Hermstad, Cliff Himmel, StephenW Corn Cr. (VM, ? to CL); three BlackpollsSept. 18- Hoffman, Harold Holt, Bernie Jacoby, Mark Janos, Oct 19 (VM,CL); and its second Canada Warbler at Frank Justice, Dieter Kamm, Gleb Kashin, Ursula Las Vegas Oct. 13 (CL). Kepler (6), D. P. Kibbe, Anne King, StevenC. Kings- wood, Rod Krey, Ron Lambeth, Steve Larson, Chuck BLACKBIRDS, TANAGERS -- A Scott's Oriole Lawson,{42), Tommy Lee, J. C. Ligon,Polly Long, visited Dinosaur Nat'l Mon., Colo., July 24 (JFA ?). Reid L. Lowrance, Paul Lucas (PLu) (6), Larry CommonGrackles thrive: 1706flying to roost at Sheri- Malone, Carl Marti, John Merchant, Gary Miller, dan Sept. 4 (HD); 1051 on the Ft. Collins fall count Brian Millsap, Pete Moulton,Vince Mowbray,M T Sept. 24; one at a feeder at Westcreekin the Colorado Nail, Bob Oakleaf, Carol Pevney, Ed Pitcher, Tan foothills (RW). Eighteen Brown-headedCowbirds fed Provan, Bert Raynes (14), Jack Reddall, Warner on the tundra at 12,000 ft near Silver Plume Sept. 17 Reeser (8), Mark C. Rhodes, Joseph C. Rigli, Joe (CG,EC). A c•Summer Tanager at Cody July 8-19 was Roller (JRo), Ann Schimpf (8), O.K. Scott, Gad far out of range (KF?). The last of the Corn Cr. Sum- Shickley, Kimberly Smith, M. O. Snyder, Mahlon mer Tanagers stayed until Sept. 18 (CL). Speers,Alice & Allen Stokes,R. W. Stransky(10), Wally Sumner, James Tate, Daryl D. Tessen, Ellen FINCHES, SPARROWS -- Rare Cardinalsappeared Valentine, Steve VanderWall, Tom VanZandt, in Casper Oct. 27 (OKS) and Wheat Ridge, Colo., RichardVoss, Alan Wallace,Judy Ward, Susan Ward, from Oct. 18 on (PE). A House Finch at JacksonAug. Elinor Wills, Roberta Winn, Jan Young. --HUGH E. 7 was unusual (BR). Common Redpolls arrived in KINGERY, 869 Milwaukee St., Denver, Colo. 80206. November in Sheridan, Logan, Ft. Morgan, Silver Plume and Kenosha Pass, Colo. The Logan area, with its good cone crop, continuedto attract many Red and White-winged Crossbills (although the latter dis- SOUTHWEST REGION appeared in October, returning Nov. 30). Sheridan also had good numbersof Reds, and ten visited Ely /Janet Witzeman, John P. Hubbard and Nov 21. Colorado had scatteredReds, with Gunnison Kenn Kaufman reporting flocks of up to 50 throughout the county (KJC), plus two White-wingedson WolfCr. PassSept. Temperatures over most of the Region remained 24 (SW). Fort Collins counted98 SavannahSparrows mild throughoutthe fall, markedlyso in someareas In on its fall count Sept. 24. Despitethe late date of Aug. Phoenix, to cite one case, the mean monthly 6-7, Grasshopper Sparrows in Baca County, Colo., temperatures set new all time highs four monthsin a were fairly commonand conspicuous(DPK), and Ft. row, Septemberthrough December; and temperatures Collins had 30 on its fall count.Clay-colored Sparrows were brokenor approachedin many other localities strayed W to Durango Oct. 11 (EF), Ridgway Oct. 19 This mild weatherwas accompaniedby a lingenng (JRG), PahranagatSept. 23 (CL,VM,RV, ph.), and of migrants, particularly at middle elevations For Corn Cr., Oct. 2 (VM). Longspursreached Corn Cr., example, at Willcox, Arizona on November 20 and 26 Oct 6•one Lapland and seven Chestnut-collared --by which dates the local shorebirdpopulation is (VM). normally reduced to a few Killdeer and Least Sand-

Volume 32, Number 2 239 plpers--StotzandMenson found Greater and Lesser Compare with imm. Gannet, p. 150.Photo/ Robert Yellowlegs,Dunlin, dowitchers, and S•tted and Witzeman. Weste• Sandpipers.Other examplesof this soft were, L. Havasu Nov. 20 (RW,JW,KK et aLL Even rarer literally, t• numerousto list, especiallyunder our was the Blue-f•ted B•by above •vis Dam on L. newly reduced word allotment. Taken toge•er, the Mohave Sept. 7 (CSL), and another, or the same, • myriads of sli•tly late •grants probably add up to L. Havasu Sept. 14 - 24 (JD,SCa,M&DK). Both the biggest avian event of •e •a•n; •ken indi- species of boobies •ve wandered N to •e LC.R., vidually, the •jority are simply not s•ctacular from the Gulf in late su•er and f•l only a few times, enough to repo•. Circumstancessometimes force m most recently during the fall of 1•1, and •e Brown to concent•te on the bi•watching hi•li•ts ra•er only in 1•3. than •e events of •eatest o•ithologic• s•ificance. An A•inga near Al•os, Son., Nov. 23 - 24 (KK• •e birdwatchinghi•fi•ts of the se•on, •ou• was noflh of the species' usual range in w. Mexico. they were few, were spectacular.In late August• The Magnifi•nt Frigatebird is •i• seen more early September,a seriesof birdsnormally considered re•larly in its summernoflhward wanderingsto the pelagicdrew bi•ers from all over Arizona (and much LC.V. One was •en on L. Havasu Aug. 31 (AEH). of Califo•a) to Lake Havasu on the Lower Colorado River. In late Octo•r and Novemir, a biza•e Mexi- HERONS, SPOONB•LS • A Louisiana Heron, a can speciesdrew birde• from all over the Sou•west casual stray to Arizona, was found near No•es Oct. (and much of •e nation) to Cave Cr•k Canyonin the 29 (•G&LMa). Six Cattle E•ets at Evans L., s.w. Chiricahuas.The latter instancewas a variationon a New Mexico. m early Septemir establisheda local fa•liar theme: •ter •1, •ture enthusiastshave •en first (DMc, fide RAF). An imm. Yellow-crowned comingto Cave Creek for yearsto look for the trogons Night Heron was s•n at Bell L., Ang. 31 - Sept. I and there. •is time, however•as det•led beyon•it Sept. 6 - 7 (JPH et al.); the bird was collectedon the was a difl•renl specie•of tvogon. latter date •ter it was found fatally injur•. •e I ln the interesl of spacewe are usingcertain abbre- speciesis a rare autumnstray into s. New Melee. viations for outstandi• areas. "Bell L." refers to a Three Roseate Spoonbillsfrom the summer's•nor sm•l oasisin •e •asslands of s.e. New Mexicowhich invasion rem•ned through August s. of Parker; the tu•ed up many unusual species again this fall. last one there was seen Oct. 2 (LC). Another indi- "B.W. I•lta" denotesthe petal where lhe Bdl Witliam,vidu• was seen Sept. 7 in Arizo• about 10 min. of River enters Lake Havasu, on the •wer Colorado Needles, Calif. (CSL). •ver (here•ter, L.C.R.). The Lower ColoradoV•ley in a larger senseis initialed LC.V.] WATERFOWL • Four White-fronted Geese at White Mount•n L., Sept. 16 (GM), were apparently LOONS • The Arctic Loon's former status of the first ever recorded • n.e. Arizona. An Oldsquaw "very •re" in Arizona has •en m•ified somewhat was at Nog•es Nov. 13 (CM,ST et al.); the speciesis by a gradu• accumulationof recordsfrom •e L.C.R. casu• away from the L.C.V. •e only scote• noted• •is f•l, three were found, •o• with nine Coremore Arizona this f•l were one • White-winged on Nelson on L. Havasu Nov. 20 (KK et al.); si•tings of the Res., s. of SpringervilleNov. 24-26 (•DD.JB)and one specieson Havasu continuedthrou• •m•r. • Surf below Davis Dam Nov. 30 (CSL).

BOOBIES THROUGH FRIGATEBIRDS -- The RAPTORS -- A near ad. Red-shouldered Hawk was discovery of a Brown Booby at, L. Havasu Aug. 19 presentin B.W. Delta from at leastOct. 29 through (GM) marked the beginningof a seriesof visits and December (?KVR,AEH,DW et al.). This second subsequentfinds by birdersof other seabirds that are record for Arizona was perhapsnot unexpected,in rare or new for Arizona. It was still presentat the end light of the records in s.e. California during autumn of the period. A probablesecond Brown Boobywas on 1976 (AB 31:223). An imm. MississippiKite reported

240 American Birds, March 1978 Sept. 7 near Patagonia (BW) was possibly a migrant S.A: from the breeding colony near Winkelman, Ariz. The most surprising discovery of the "Colorado R. Seabird Group" was the QUAIL, CRANES -- Twelve Montezuma Quail presence of all three jaeger species on L. found Oct. 17 in the Cooks Range n. of Deming (HZ et Havasu during early fall. Two ad. Long-tailed ai.) were the first to be recorded in that area. Two JaegersSept. 4 (ph. RW, 'tJW) and one Sept. 5 Chukars seen Nov. I I near Alamogordo (fide LM) (KK,DSz,EC,GR) suppliedthe first confirmed may have been recent escapesor introductions;the records for Arizona. A probable imm. Long- speciesis known to be establishedin the wild only in tailed was observed on L. Havasu Sept. 14, the Farmingtonarea. along with an ad. Parasitic Jaeger (JD,SCa). The first Whooping Cranes to arrive at Bosquedei Single imm. Parasitics were also recorded on Apache N.W.R. were two on Oct. 15--one of these Havasu Aug. 27 (DSz,EC,GG), Sept. 3 being the "mystery bird" that has put in one appear- (ST,KVR et aLL and Sept. 5 (KK,GR et ai.); ance each fall in 1975, 1976, and 1977, but has other- there are few previousrecords of this speciesin wise disappearedfor the remainderof the year. By Arizona. One imm. PomarineJaeger was on L. Nov. 30 there were five birds in the Rio Grande Havasu Sept. 3 - 4, and two were seen Sept. 5 Valley, one near Las Vegas, and apparently three to ('tKK,DSz, ph.RW, 'tJW et ai.); Arizona had the south (probably in Mexico). The year-groupbreak- only two previousrecords of this species.The down was four birds from the 1975 transplant, three identifications of immatures may be officially from 1976, and two from 1977. listed as tentative, in deference to the known difficulties involved, but direct size com- SHOREBIRDS -- Two to four Snowy Ploverswere parisons and study of characteristic rectrix seen Oct. 7 - 16 (APN etai.) at Morgan L., n.w. New shapes would seem to have precluded error. Mexico where the speciesis rare. A Ruddy Turnstone The occurrence of jaegers on reservoirs of the at L. Havasu Sept. 3 (tKK,DSz,EC) was about the L.C.R. may be a more regular phenomenon seventh for Arizona. The elusive Whimbrel occurred than the scarcity of previous records would again in the L.C.V., with singless. of Parker Aug. 3 seem to indicate. It should be noted that all (AEH). jaegerssighted this fall were from boatswell out A probable Semipalmated Sandpiper was photo- in the widest portions of L. Havasu, and none graphedat Wiiicox Aug. 11 (J. Langham)and four to was seenfrom shore;obviously, the birds could six (identifiedby call as well as morphologicalcharac- have gone undetectedin the past. Future Sep- ters) were definitely present Aug. 13-17 (RS,KK et tember trips to L. Havasu should clarify the ai.). Arizona has few recordsof this difficult species, situation. and its true status in the state is unknown, but the occurrence of multiples at Willcox may reflect the Two Heermann's Gulls were at Phoenix Oct. 6 Great Plains element in that iocality's migration. (RBr) and an immature was s. of Parker Oct. 15•KC); a few now wander into Arizona each year. Three JAEGERS THROUGH SKIMMERS -- Sabine's Gulls were noted: one s. of Parker Sept. 18 - 20 (BE,TB,AEH), one at Tucson Oct. 2 (HF), and one on upper L. Havasu Oct. 13 (GM); this speciesis a regular transient in Arizona in small numbers, especiallyin the L.C.V. A CaspianTern was at Bitter Lake N.W.R., Oct. 8 - 16 (MW et aLL for one of the few New Mexico records of the species. Arizona's second Black Skimmer, only three months after the first, was on upper L. Havasu Sept. I - 3 (PL,DR et ai.; ph. RW,KVR).

Black Skimmerwith Corn. Terns, Lake Havasu,Ariz., Long-tailedJaeger, Lake Havasu,Ariz., Sept.4, 1977. Sept. 3, 1977. Second state record. Photo] Robert First state record. PhotolRobert Witzeman. Witzeman.

Volume 32, Number 2 241 PIGEONS THROUGH SWIFTS -- A lone Band- The secondreport of PileatedWoodpecker in New tailed Pigeon was seen at B.W. Delta Oct. 28 (KVR); Mexico was of one at BandelierNat'l Mon., from early the speciesis an extremelyrare stragglerto the L.C.V. in the period(date uncertain) until early December(R At Alamogordo, N. Mex., where the White-winged Wauer et al.). Dove is apparentlya recentcolonizer, the last bird of the fall was seen Oct. 9 (LM). An Inca Dove near FLYCATCHERS -- An E. Kingbird was s of Socorro Nov. 7 - 8 (PB) was north of the usualrange. ParkerSept. 7-8 (PDM); the speciesis extremelyrare A Groove-billedAni, a casualwanderer to the Region, in the L.C.V. (*A.S.U.). A GreatCrested Flycatcher was seen near Roswell Oct. 20 (P. White, MW) and was banded Sept. 7 (JPH) at Bell L., s.c.N. Mex, Nov. 14 (JPH). where it is rare but probablyregular. Six LeastFly- A Pygmy Owl at Kirtland, N. Mex., Nov. 21 (CS) catchersmist-netted in the samelocality Sept. 6 - 8 was far from its normal habitat in the mountains. (JPH) addedfurther supportto last year's discovery that the speciesmigrates in numbersthrough the Feathers of a SpottedOwl were found Oct. 16 in a Staked Plains of e. New Mexico. canyon on Mt. Taylor n.e. of Grants, N. Mex, establishingthe first record for the area. WRENS THROUGH PHA1NOPEPLA -- Five or Five Black Swifts were seen over L. Peak near Santa Fe Aug. 5 (JPH et al.); the speciesis rather six CactusWrens seen Sept. 4 in the Ladron Mrs (O.&L. Van Buskirk) establisheda new northernmost rarely observed in New Mexico. record for New Mexico. Near Springerville, at the site of Arizona's best- HUMMINGBIRDS -- The • Lucifer Hummingbird known Gray Catbird colony, late individuals were at Portal noted in our previous report was last seen seen Oct. 16 (ST,KVR) and Nov. 24 (DD). Brown Sept. 9, but a female waspresent there Aug. 31 - Oct. Thrasherrecords in Arizonathis fall were singlesat 8 (bSpf); an imm. male was at RamseyCanyon Aug. 25 - 26 (BY), and a female visited Bisbee Oct. 6 - 9 Teec Nos Pos Oct. 15 (ST,AG,GR,KVR) and Tucson Oct. 27 (CC). (?DD). These recordsbring the Arizona total for 1977 up to a minimum of eight individuals,indicating the One or more Varied Thrusheswere seen spora- species'rapid increasehere. dically from Oct. 23 on in Cave Creek Canyon, Chiricahuas (fide SSpt),fi•e were found Nov. 19-20in The expandingAnna's Hummingbirdoccurred again B.W. Delta (?KK,KVR et aLL and one at Grand in New Mexico. On the e. side of the SandiaMts., one Canyon Nat'l Mon., Nov. 30 (Mary Beth Riffey et al ), male was present probably from September- Dec. 10 Arizona had lessthan 20 previousrecords. (Mrs. R. Girard) and anotherOct. 21 - Nov. 18 (MH); A 9 Phainopeplaseen Aug. 3 at Socorro(PB) estab- anotherwas in the Las Crucesarea duringthe period lished a new northernmost record for New Mexico (fide W. Baltosser).Very unusual,as to both area and season, were two Rivoli's Hummingbirds on the e. SHRIKES, VIREOS -- For the secondconsecutive side of the SandiasOct. 30 into December (MH et al.). year New Mexico received a major invasion of N Shrikes, with at least ten records by the end of the TROGONS, WOODPECKERS -- period; southern occurrences were at Bitter Lake S.A,, N.W.R., Oct. 14and later (WS), at Bosquedel Apache The event of the season(if not of the decade) Nov. 20 (RLT), and at Luna Nov. 25 (GM,LS) The was the invasionof Eared Trogons(Euptilotis movement was less noticeable in Arizona (with few neoxenus)to s.c. Arizona. Althoughthis Mexi- observers in appropriate areas), but a remarkable can endemic occurs north to within 100 mi of report was received of one in the L.C.V., s. of Parker the U.S. border in n.w. Chihuahua, it has been Nov. 21 (TB et al.); one was collectedin the samearea sometime in December (*A.S.U.). considered both sedentary and scarce; so A migrant Gray Vireo, rare in the L.C.V., was seen ornithologistswere astoundedto learn of the discovery of an ad. male in Cave Creek n. of Ehrenberg Oct. I (PDM). A Solitary Vireo Canyon, ChiricahuasOct. 23 (Rick Taylor). collected Sept. 8 at Bell L. (JPH) was New Mexico's This bird was seensporadically through Oct. 31 first specimenof the e. race V. s. solitarius(fide A R Phillips). A Red-eyedVireo at Farmington,N. Mex, and almost continuouslyfrom Nov. 9 on (ph. AC,BS). Rumors of a second individual were Oct. 22 - 23 (APN) was rare for the area and unusually confirmed when a female was seenaccompany- late. A PhiladelphiaVireo was at PhoenixOct. 6 - 7 lng the male Nov. 16. By late November there (ST,tGR et al.); Arizona had about six previous records. were probably Jour birds in Cave Creek Canyon; three were seentogether Nov. 30, but WARBLERS -- The fall warbler migration in all disappearedpromptly thereafter, with the Arizona was consideredlacklustre in someareas, and last sightingof two Dec. 2. Amazingly,another "simplyterrible" (DSz) at Tucson,with mostspecies ad. male was found 75 mi away in Ramsey present in low numbers and few vagrants found Canyon, HuachucaMts., Dec. 1 - 3 (BJo et al.). despiteincreased coverage. It would be interestingto know if these occur- Genuinevagrants recorded in the Regionthis season renceswere relatedto habitatand food supply includedthe following: Golden-winged Warbler, one at changesin Mexico. The birds appearedto be BandelierNat'l Mon., N. Mex., Aug. 21 (R.F. Rudell), feeding principally on madtone berries. See one c• Black-throatedBlue Warbler at WupatkiNat'l also p. 135-139. Mon., Ariz., Oct. 18 (?PS,NS) and another at

242 American Birds, March 1978 PatagoniaNov. 9 (tJB et al.). one 9 MagnoliaWarbler on Arizona records; Ruth Morse Laurence Murphy, at Bell L., Sept. 7 (JPH); and a Chestnut-sided Alan P. Nelson, Rod Norden, R. Ringler, Don Rober- Warbler at Tucson Sept. 13 (DSz,EC). son, Bill Roe, Gary Rosenberg,Ken V. Rosenberg, No fewer than four Black-throated Green Warblers L.C.R.: Barbara Roth, Vmncent Roth, Bob Russell, Berl were found in Arizona: two at different locations near Schaughency,Nancy Scott, Peter Scott (PS), Dewey Phoenix Oct. 6 (*GR,ST), one on the San Pedro R., Shrout, Carol Shryock, Steve Speich (SSpe), Sally Oct. 22 (ST,KVR), and one s.w. of Phoenix Nov. 3 Spofford (SSpf), Portal; Walter Spofford (WSpf), (tGR). Single Ovenbirds were found in differentareas William Stone (WS), Rich Stallcup, David Stejskal, of B.W. Delta Sept. 5 (DSz) and Sept. 14 (LC), and an Douglas Storz {DSz), Tucson; Lowell Sumner, Paul amazing five were at Teec Nos Pos Oct. 15 W. Sykes, Scott Terrill, Ross L. Teuber, Dick Todd, (KVR,ST,GR,AG)•bringing the total found in Carl S. Tomoff, Prescott; Phil Walters, Doug Wells. Arizona this year up to 13. The speciesmay well be a Bart Whelton, Marjorie Williams, Robert Witzeman, regular rare migrant here. A Kentucky Warbler at Bob & Carol ¾utzy, Huachucas;Henry Zeller, Allan Phoenix Nov. 3 - 5 (tGR et al.) provided the first con- D. Zimmerman, Dale A. Zimmerman, s.w. New firmable fall record for the state, and only the second Mexico; Marian A. Zimmerman, Abbreviations: record away from s.e. Arizona, where the species *, specimen;?, written details on file with N. Mex. occurs casually in spring. Ornith. Soc. (N.M.O.S.)or with Ariz. Bird Committee (A.B.C.); ph., photo on file with N.M.O.S. or.with ICTERIDS, TANAGERS -- Two "Baltimore" A.B.C.--JANET WITZEMAN, 4619 E. Arcadia Lane, Orioles were netted Sept. 7 at Bell L. (JPH), for the Phoenix, Ariz. 85018; JOHN P. HUBBARD, 2016 Valle first Lea County recordsof a form which is quite rare Rio, Sante Fe, N. Mex. 87501; KENN KAUFMAN, 1607 in New Mexico. A d Scott's Oriole near Silver City N. Mountain Ave., Tucson, Ariz. 85719. Nov. 26 (RAF) may have been the same bird that has wintered there for three consecutive years. Two Summer Tanagers seen Sept. 14at Alamogordo (LM) ALASKA REGION provideda first recordfor this locality, which is in the /Daniel D. Gibson hiatus between the lower Pecos and Rio Grande Valleys; one at Pleasanton,N. Mex., Oct. 29 (JPH) Fall migration 1977 was exciting in many far-flung was quite late. parts of the Region. Them wcm five widely-scattered additions to the Alaska list, three of them new to the FRINGILLIDS -- A 9 Painted Bunting seen Aug. United States, and there wcm several first records in 25 near Portal (tD. Wolf) was one of the few recent variousmgions of speciesknown heretofore only from reportsfor s.e. Arizona. SingleDickcissels, rare tran- other, very distant, parts of the state. Italicized dates sients in Arizona, were noted Sept. 10 at Tucson arc latest records for Alaska. (DSz. KK,RN) and Sept. 12 at Lakeside (GM). The only Purple Finches recordedthis fall were two in HERONS, WATERFOWL -- Gmat Blue Herons B.W. Delta Oct. 31 (KVR) and one there Nov. 19 - 20 are casual fall and winter visitants w. of Prince William (KK,PDM). Sound. One bird was observed at the Kasilof R. Baird's Sparrows are currently consideredrare in mouth, Kenai Pen., Sept. 23 (MAM) and was seen New Mexico, so 10+ seenin the Animas Valley Sept. upriver the followingweek (GP, fide MAM), and one 25 (JPH, Gmg Schmitt) were noteworthy, as was one seen and well-described at Cochiti L. near Santa Fe Oct. 9 (B. Isaacs et al.). A road-killedindividual of this I "m:• 0 c species picked up Oct. 31 in Tucson (B. Henry) was the only recent record for the area. CONTRIBUTORS (Area compilers in boldface)-- Bertin Anderson, lone Arnold, Don W. Bailey, Pat Basham, James S. Bays, Jon Bealer OB), Robert Bradley (RBr), Tim Brush, BonnieBurch, Scott & Lee Burge, Steve Cardiff (SCa), Larry Clark, Sue Clark, Alexander Clay, Dan Cohan, Kathleen Conine, GeorgeConstantino, Elaine Cook, CharlesCorchran, Doug Danforth, Salome R. Demame,Jeff F. Drake, Jon Dunn (JD), Bruce Edinger,Harold Fetter, Shirley Fellers, Ralph A. Fisher, Martha &Sean Furniss, Alan Gast, Grace Gregg, Sallie Harris (SHa), Bill Harrison, Nogales; Steve Hedges (SHe), Alton E. Higgins,LC.R.; Myrtle Hilty. SidneyHyde (SHy), •, •11ingham__• Betty Jackson(BJa), Betty Jones(BJo), Per Kaijser, Doug Kibbe, Mike & Diana King, Mike Lange, Jeri Langham, Charles S. Lawson, Paul Lehman, Helen Longstroth,Blaine Lunceford, Paul D. Mack, Gerald & Laumtte Maisel (G&LMa), Arch McCallurn, Dale McCauly, Charles Meaker, Gale Monson,consultant

Volume 32, Number 2 243 was observed at length at Homer Oct. 8-11 (MKD et singlesat the Kasilof R. mouth Sept. 20 & Oct 3 al, ph. U.A.M.). Two ad. WhooperSwans were care- (MAM) are of interest. A Curlew Sandpiperwith a fully studied with Trumpeters at Hartney Bay, flock of Ruddy Turnstonesat Shemya Sept 11 Cordova, Oct. 23 (REI et al.). There is no previous (DDG,GEH) furnisheda first Aleutianrecord; it is one report e. of the Pribilof or Aleutian Is. An imm. Bean of only four Alaskan records away from the arctic Goosewas banded at Amchitka I., w. Aleutians, Oct. 5 coast. (RPS,GWE et al.), the first fall record for Alaska. The A Broad-billed Sandpiper(Limicola Jalcinellus)at speciesis regular in small numbers in spring. Adak with a flock of turnstonesin mid-August(RHD et al.) was new to Alaska.Juvenile Stilt Sandpipers A Spotbill Duck presentat Kalsin Bay, Kodiak I., in were fairly commonat PrudhoeBay, wherethe species early November (RAM,JLT) was astounding. Its bred in 1977,during the first half of August;the maxi- occurrence was believed a result of an enormous low mum count there was 65 Aug. 11 (WDS), easily the that came in from the west the last days of October. It highestcount ever in the state. A Stilt Sandpiperat represents the second Alaska record (see Condor 76: Kodiak Aug. 28 (RAM,WED, ph. U.A.M.) provided, 288-300, 1974). Immature Garganeyswere recorded however, only the second record ever in southcoastal almost daily at Shemya and Amchitka Is., from late Alaska (seeAB 30:111). Buff-breastedSandpiper, like August through at least early October, a total of at the preceding species, departs its arctic Alaskan least eight birds at Shemya (DDG,GEH) and six breedinggrounds headed E, judgingfrom the paucity bandedat Amchitka(GWE et al.). A 8 Eur. Wigeonat of records anywhere in the state farther s. Thus one Kodiak Oct. 30 (MEI,RAM&JLT) was first ever in fall Buff-breastedat Kodiak Aug. 30--Sept.I (RAM,JLT, there; the species arrived at Shemya Sept. 21 ph. U.A.M.) and one at ShemyaSept. 8 (DDG) were (DDG, GEH) and AmchitkaSept. 24 (GWE et al.). most unusual.Ruffs turned up in new placesthis fall Of interest were a Canvasback at Juneau Oct. 18 One was seenon the Colville R. Delta, n. Alaska,Aug (FAG) and two 8 Ring-neckedDucks at Kodiak Nov. 17 (JWH), and two different birds were observed at 5 (RAM,WED). At least one Canvasback and one Barrow Aug. 21 (RAE,GEH et al.) and Sept. 2-3 Ring-neckedDuck were presentat Auke L., Juneauat (RAE,JPM et al.). And one was studied at Cordova the closeof the period(RHA). A Tufted Duck on the Aug. 15(REI), for the first recordon the AlaskaPacific Copper R. Delta Oct. 2 (REI et al.) was the third coaste. of the Aleutians.Ruffs are regularmigrants in recorded in southcoastal Alaska; a female at Pt. the w. Aleutians;two birds were seen at Shemya Barrow Aug. 20--Oct.12 (RAE,GEH,JPM et al.) wasa duringSeptember, one as late as the 19th. first for n. Alaska.Sinews arrived at ShemyaSept. 29 A Black-headedGull observedat CordovaSept 12 (two, DDG), and at Amchitka Oct. 6 (one, RPS). (REI et al.), the only one reportedin the Regionthis fall, was a first certain record for the Alaska Pacific SHOREBIRDS AND GULLS -- A Killdeer at the coast e. of the Aleutians.. NumerousIvory Gulls were Kasllof R. mouth was very late Sept. 20 (MAM). attracted to a whale carcass on the beach at Barrow m MongolianPlovers are regularin springbut are seldom October: the high count was 50-75 birds there Oct 25 recorded in fall. Thus one bird at St. Paul I., Pribilof (GEH), a new maximum onshore count in the state Is , Sept. 5 (WER, BM) is of particular interest. A Dotterel closely observed at Shemya Sept. 17 OWLS THROUGH SWALLOWS -- A Barred Owl (DDG,GEH) provided a first Aleutian record and the was studied at length, photographed,and taped at n only fall record in the state. One Bristle-thighed Douglas, s.e. Alaska, Oct. 1-3 (FAG,RHA,ARM,DR, Curlewwas observed briefly but well at WomensBay, ph. U.A.M.), for the first Alaskan record of the Kodiak, Aug. 30 (RAM, MMM), one of very few species.Perhaps the same bird was seenabout one m• Alaska records e. of the breedingrange. Two Wood from this locality, at the Mendenhall wetlands, Sandpipersat St. Paul Aug. 12-13(WER), one at Adak Juneau, Oct. 4 (RBW). Two Vaux•s Swifts at Cordova I , Aug. 22 (RHD et al.), and one at Amchitka Aug. 26 Sept. 6 & 9 (REI et al.) and one there as late as Sept (GWE) were the only onesreported. 19 (MEI) were the first southcoastalAlaska recordsof Breeding from the arctic coast as far s. as the this fairly commonmainland-southeastern bird. Up to Yukon-Kuskokwim R. Delta and arriving and two White-rumped Swifts were studied at Shemya departing there via c. Alaska and points east, Sept. 22-24 (DDG,GEH), for the fourth staterecord A Semlpalmated Sandpiper is virtually unknown in s.w. c• Anna's Hummingbird, seen at Wrangell Sept 29 Alaska.So, of particularinterest were up to two birds (VKG) was the only one reported this fall. with W. Sandpipersat Kodiak Aug. 6-13 (RAM), the Four imm. Violet-green Swallows arrived at first there in over 100years, and one at ShemyaSept. Shemya Sept. 16 (DDG,GEH), and two of them 4 (DDG), for the first Aleutianrecord of the species. remained through Oct. 2. There is no other Aleutian An lmm. Temminck'sStint was seenat ShemyaSept. record. Two Barn Swallows at Womens Bay, Kodiak, 4 (DDG), for the third fall record in Alaska. Sharp- Aug. 6-7 (RAM, MMM) representedonly the second tailed Sandpipersarrived at St. Paul Aug. 25, and the local record in many years; the speciesno longer maximum count there through mid-Septemberwas ten breeds w. of Prince William Sound. Sept 7 (WER). Small numbers were seen in September at both Shemya and Amchitka, and there were irregularobservations at Kodiak Sept. 4-Oct. 30, THRUSHES THROUGH WOOD WARBLERS -- the maximum being six Sept. 24 (RAM,JLT). On the Up to four Mountain Bluebirds in the Mendenhall Pacific coast e. of Kodiak the speciesis not regular, so wetlandsvicinity, Juneau, Nov. 11-25(FAG et al., ph

244 American Birds, March 1978 U A.M.) were extremely late. There has been only one were recorded in the Pribilofs -- singles on St December record in the state, at nearby Glacier Bay. Paul Aug. 28 & Sept. 7 (WER) -- and in the w A Bluethroat at Pt. Barrow Aug. 27 (BSB, fide RAE) Aleutians-- singlesat ShemyaAug. 31 & Sept 7, 12 was late; there is yet no Septemberrecord in Alaska. & 16 (DDG,GEH); and a singleat Amchitka Oct 3 Two Siberian Rubythroatsat Shemya,a maleSept. 27 (RPS). At least eleven Harris' Sparrowshad occurred (DDG,GEH) and a female Oct. 3 (DDG), were in Juneau by Nov. 4 (RBW). The first arrival on Oct first recorded in fall in Alaska. A Townsend's Solitaire 20, was finally trappedOct. 28 and provedto be a bird present in Juneau from Nov. 25 on (FAG,RHA et al., that had beenretrapped at that stationevery year since ph U.A.M.) was the latest ever in s.e. Alaska. The first banded there in 1972 (RBW). An imm. Harris' only prior winter record in the Region was a result of Sparrow at Kodiak Nov. 24 (WED,RAM) made the the warm winter of 1976-77(q.v.). third southcoastal record. White- and Golden-crowned An imm. Sooty Flycatcher(Muscicapa sibirica) at Sparrows,both casualvisitants on BeringSea islands, Shemya in mid-September (DDG,GEH) was a first were recordedin numberson the Pribilofs:up to seven record for Alaska of this e. palearcticspecies. An ad. of the formerAug. 27-Sept.7 (WER) andup to six of White Wagtailcarefully described at EagleR., Juneau, the latter Aug. 28-Sept. 2 (WER). And an lmm Sept. 26 (ESD,WPD) provided only the second Golden-crowned was banded at Amchitka, where it Alaskan record on the Pacific coast e. of the Aleutians. provided a first Aleutian record Nov. 2 (fide RPS) A It was also the only fall report in the Regionthis year. White-throated Sparrow, casual anywhere in the A Red-throated Pipit closely observed at Pt. Barrow Region, was observedin JuneauNov. 20 (FAG,MEI) Aug 22 (BSB,RAE,GEH) was a first for n. Alaska. A Fox Sparrow at St. Paul Sept. 8 (WER) seemedto There was a small passageat Shemyain early Septem- mark a third Pribilof record. A Little Bunting ber (DDG,GEH), probablyrepresentative of an annual (Emberizapusilia) closelyobserved at Shemyain early fall movement through the westernmostAleutians. September(DDG) was a first for Alaska. The species Amazing was a Black-and-whiteWarbler closely breeds close at hand in n.e. Asia, and it has been found observed on the Colville R. Delta in mid-October once in our vicinity--aboard ship in the Chukch•Sea, (JWH), the first of the speciessubstantiated in the near the international dateline--at the same season state. Alaska has been recordingvagrant passerines (see Auk 91:417, 1974). from elsewhere in North America one at a time over the years, many of them similarlythe resultof reverse CONTRIBUTORS AND OBSERVERS -- Robert fall migration. New to the Pribilofs, Orange-crowned H. Armstrong, Bonnie S. Bowen, Mairiis K Warbler was seen twice: singlesAug. 22 & Sept. 2 at Davidson, Robert H. Day, William E. Donaldson, St Paul (WER); nearestrecords have been thosefall Evelyn S. Dunm William P. Dunn, Glenn W. Ehson, birds banded in 1971 at Izembek N.W.R. (see Bird- Richard A. Erickson, Virgil K. Gile, Frank A. Glass, Banding 45: 145-151, 1974). Yellow-rumped Warblers George E. Hall JamesW. Helmericks, M.E. "Pete" were reported late at a numberof localities,but one at Isleib, •Ruth E. lsleib, Forrest Lee, Molly M Juneau Nov. 28 (FAG) eclipsedall others by a month. Macintosh, Richard A. Macintosh, Bobbie Mayer, A Townsend's Warbler at Shemya Oct. 3 (DDG) was Mary A. Miller, Alan R. Munro, J.P. Myers, George the first Parulid recorded in the Aleutians w. of Pollard, William E. Rodstrom• Diane Roulston, Ummak I.: only a smallpercentage of the vagrantsin Robert P. Schulmeister, W. David Shuford, John L the w. Aleutians have been of nearctic origin. Wilson's Trapp, Ralph B. Williams; ph--photograph, Warbler, previously found in the Pribilofs at least U.A.M.--University of Alaska Museum; N.W R-- twice, was seenAug. 22-28 at St. Paul, up to two birds National Wildlife Range. -- DANIEL D, GIBSON, (WER). University Museum, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska 99701. FRINGILLIDS -- Two Bramblings arrived at Shemya Sept. 17, and the maximum count there over the next two weeks was 11 on Sept. 23 (DDG,GEH); two were seen at Amchitka Oct. 3 (RPS,FL). A NORTHERN PACIFIC COAST REGION Brambling at Cordova Nov. 6-8 (fide REI, ph. /Philip W. Mattocks,Jr. and EugeneS. Hunn U A.M.) made the first southcoastal Alaska record, one of only four records ever on the Alaskan The drought conditions of the past two years mmnland.A • EveningGrosbeak, feeding with robins continued into mid-Augustwith a record heat wave and Pine Grosbeaks, was observed in Juneau from The resultinglow reservoirsin the Willamette Valley Nov 19 on (FAG,RHA et al., ph. U.A.M.). A casual exposed mudfiats to a noteworthy inland shorebird winter visitant in s.e. Alaska, the specieshad been migration. However, shorebirdrarities were widely known only from winters 1969-70and 1972-73. A • distributedin a patterndifficult to describeas drought Bullfinch at Shemya at the end of September(DDG) related. Heavy rainsin late Augustheralded the return provided a first Aleutian record, the first report in the of normal (wet!) fall weather. The end of October state in 15 years. Oriental Greenfincheswere recorded brought storms to the coast and unusual inshore againin the w. Aleutlans•at leastsix birdsat Shemya pelagic sightingsand heavy mortality amongalclds at intervals in September(DDG,GEH). There were no Heavy snows in the mountains correlated with the certain Alaskan records of this bird before 1976 (see return to normal numbers of our winter lowland AB 30:878, 991, AB 31:212). Varied Thrush populationsand also for goodlowland Beyond the normal range, Savannah Sparrows numbers of Pygmy Owls. A week-long cold snap in

Volume 32, Number 2 245 LOONS THROUGH PELICANS -- Three Yellow- billed Loon reports, all from Washington,were fewer than u,ual: the eal-hcMwa, one ;tI P½)I-IGamble. K,t•ap Co., Sept. 22 (PMo). Late broods of Pied-billed Grebes were found Aug. 28 at Seattle (RK) and Sept. 9 at Langford, VA. The LaysanAlbatross found Aug. 27 off Depoe Bay. Lincoln Co., Oreg. (ME et al.) seemed early, and another "white albatross", presumablythis species, was reported Sept. 7 - 8 off Willapa Bay, Wash.. by charter boat skippers([ide TW). Observers on the Sept. 10 pelagic trip from Coos Bay, Oreg., reported a brief sightingof a Manx Shearwater (MEt, C.A.A.S.). There is only one specimenrecord of this speciesfor the Region,an individualof the raceopistho- melas taken in British Columbia waters in 189 I. The N flight of Brown Pelicansduring August was delayed and less extensive than usual, although the typical predominance of juveniles was noted. The annual Oregon coastal survey Aug. 27 - 28 counted 315, including231 immaturcs([ide AC). Reports n. of the Columbia R., ranged from one at Westport Aug. 20 (TW) to 21 off LaPush, JeffersonCo., Oct. 16(DC). The pelagic highlight of the seasonwas the Short- tailed Shearwater. A single Aug. 20 off Westport, and pairs observedfrom the Ocean Shoresjetty Sept. 18 (ESH,TWe) and Oct. 6 (G&WH,BH-T) were unusual but scarcelyhinted at the numbersbuilding offshore. Wahl's latest pelagictrip Oct. 9 found Sootiesinshore mid-November brought an early flight of northerners in about normal numbers, but the proportionsof such as Snowy Owls, Pine Grosbeaks, Common Short-taileds increased toward the continental shelf Redpolls, and Snow Buntings. With the return of mild reaching90% of the shearwatersnear shrimporson the weather, however, this initial movement dispersed. shelf edge. The trip total for Short-tailed Shearwaters Abbreviations used: S.J.C.R., South jetty of the was 3300+. To the end of the period a few continued Columbia R.; V.i., Vancouver Island; ?, written de- to be seen regularly deep in the Georgia Straits and scription on ,le. Puget Sound s. along the Oregon coast.

Table 1. Pelagic Bird Observations:Tubenoses*

Specle.s Remark,' (TW) Biack-footed Albatross 23 22 l0 39 I 2 86 30 3 17 76 good numbers Laysan Albatross I N. Fulmar 8 6 l0 l 2 2 8 101 late fall influx Pink-footed Shearwater 32 229 61 20 25 I 291 24 30 6 44 below average Flesh-footed Shearwater I below average New Zealand Shearwater 5 7 6 I 937 345 6 93 651 normal to above Sooty Shearwater 9200 4635 2696 4000 75 352 4730 2100 631 312 1675 normal Short-tailed Shearwater l 3352 see text Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel 28 102 53 l 23 58 107 4 below average Leach's Storm-Petrel I

*Westportsightings,fide TW: DepoeBay, fide C.A.S.; CoosBay, fide C.A.A.S.; andBamfield,fide MS & BCPM.

246 American Birds, March 1978 EGRETS THROUGH DUCKS -- Two groups of summary listed 30 Sharp-shinned Hawks and 21 Cattle Egrets were found; four on the Long Beach Cooper's; Harrington-Tweit noted nine Sharp- Pen, Pacific Co., Wash., Oct. 5 (BH-T), and four near shinnedsand two Coopefts in s.w. Washington,and Portland Nov. 27 (MSm et al.). Great Egrets were the Summers had nine Sharp-shinneds and one widely reported:two reachedV.I., in Augustfor the Cooper's in s.w. Oregon.Four Cooper'swere together fourth and fifth island records(fide VG), but the only just s. of Mt. Hood in the Oregon CascadesOct 15 concentration was 58 at Coos Bay by Oct. 17, and 44 (DF,HN). Only one "Harlan's" Red-tailed Hawk was nearby at ReedsportSept. 22 (fide AC). A Snowy reported, a dark phasebird Oct. 23 on the Lumml flats Egretjoined the CoosBay concentrationOct. 22 (AM) w. of Bellingham (TW). Rough-leggedHawks were w•th another three.Nov. 7 (AC et al.). A third Oregon first noted Oct. 15, simultaneouslyat Bellingham, Snowy was near Woodbumin the lower Willamette Whidbey I., and Willapa Bay, Wash., and on Mt Valley Nov. 4 (AS, fide HN). A few Black-crowned Hood, Oreg. At least sevenGolden Eagleswere noted, Night Herons appear w. of the Cascadeseach fall. all in B.C., with four in the Victoria-Saanich area This year there were three at Yaquina Bay, Oreg., where they are resident. Bald Eagles and Marsh Aug 6 (DF,HN), one alongthe ChehalisR., Grays Hawks were widely and frequently reported. A Prairie Harbor Co., Wash., Aug. 12 (G&WH), and one at Falcon at Baskett Slough N.W.R., Nov. 13 (AC,TC) V•ctoria, V.I., Sept. 28 (RS). By late November the was the only west-side report. Peregrine numbers Wash. St. Game Dept. counted a record 173 were judged fair (AC) to good (TW) this fall. F•x Trumpeter Swansat the winter concentrationnear Mt. summarizedsightings of sevenincluding four jureroles Vernon. Five Trumpeters at Ocean Shores Nov. 19 along the Oregon coast, which is encouraging.The 63 (J&GM) were the farthest s. Merlins reported clearly indicatesa banner year The Single Emperor Geese, including one immature, 1200 Sandhill Cranes over Sauvie's I., near Portland were found at the Willapa Bay N.W.R., Wash., Oct. 7 Oct. 12 is a high count (HN). (JWe) and Ocean Shores Oct. 13 (RR, ph.), at the Baskett Slough N.W.R., near Salem, Oreg., Oct. 16 SHOREBIRDS -- The season produced an extra- (GG) and at Reifel Ref., Ladner, B.C., Nov. 19 - 30 ordinary number and variety of rarities. Highhghts (fide DM), for a good showing for this rare migrant. includedajuv. MongolianPlover discovered Sept. 11on The six Blue-wingedTeal at Beaverton,near Portland, Bayocean spit, Tillamook Bay, Oreg. (DDeS et al ) Nov 12 were late, as were two near Victoria, V.I., The bird remained until Sept. 17 for apparently the Nov 18. European Wigeons were first seen Oct. 17, second North American record s. of Alaska (see AB an eclipse plumagedmale in Portland(RR), and Oct. 31:140-1,1977). A Mountain Plover nearby at the Tilla- 18 near Tacoma (RC). Thereafter the usual small per- mook Bay jetty Nov. 19 - 26 was Oregon's second centageof wigeonswere of this species.The Everett (DF,JG et al.). OceanShores had an UplandSandpiper sewage ponds, SnohomishCounty, Wash., attract Sept. 2 (AR•'), for the secondrecord for w. Wash•ng- hundreds of N. Shovelers in fall, with the 2000 there ton, and Iona I. yielded British Columbia's second Oct 15 (KB) the high count this season. No other Curlew SandpiperJuly 30 - 31 (BMc,fide DM). Record comparable concentrationsare known in the Region, numbersof Stilt Sandpiperswere seen, with seven•n though flocks of 125 - 200 were reportedfrom sewage w. Oregon (fide DF), up to four togethernear Willapa ponds near Duncan, V.I., near Portland, and n.w. of Bay, Wash., Aug. 19 - 20 (TW,AR•'), and 20 on Aug Salem after mid-October. Six Redheads at N. 20 at Iona I., B.C. (BMc,fide DM). Ocean Shoreshad Cowichan, V.I.• Oct. 31 (M&VG) was the largest the only Buff-breastedSandpiper Sept. 10 - 14 (DP,AR flock found. Canvasbackswere notedearly this fall; a et al.). Four Bar-tailed Godwits appeared; one - two female Aug. 20 at Ilwaco, PacificCo. (HN), a pair Aug. Sept. 11 - 15 at Bandon, Oreg., were photographedfor 26 at Olympia(G&W H), anda femaleSept. 9 in Saanich Oregon's secondrecord (SS•',JG et al.), and one - two (M&VG). A •? King Eider seen among scotersat Pt. at Ocean Shores Sept. 25 - Oct. I for Washington's Roberts, Wash., Oct. 23 (DE,JH?) was subsequently fourth record (DP,AR•' et al.). All four had the heawly studied closely throughNov. 4 (DP,TW,AR•') for the marked rump of the Alaskan race baueri. Three Ruffs s•xth state record. About 1600Corn. MergansersNov. were found. One at Iona I., Aug. 5 - 8, was photo- 27 near Tacoma was a very large concentration graphed (BMc, fide DM), a male was near the Skaglt (ESH,AW). Game Range Sept. 24 - 26 (ESH,TW et al.), and a female was photographedat Ocean ShoresSept. 25 - 28 RAPTORS THROUGH CRANES -- The peak of (DP•',AR•' et al.). A Black-necked Stilt Aug. 7 at Turkey Vulture migration was 92 Sept. 27 at Victoria Cattle Pt., San JuanI. (RW), probablyassociated with (fide VG). Very late stragglerswere noted, two Nov. 9 the invasion last summer of e. Washingtonby this on Mercer I., near Seattle (BdA), and two Nov. 19 s. species,rounds out the list. of Pt. Townsend, Wash. (TWe,BB). White-tailed Kites American Golden Plovers were widely reported, are •ncreasing rapidly in Oregon. This fall about 15 with up to 15% of the birds of the small bright golden b•rds, including at least three juveniles, were spread w. Alaskan-Siberian race Julva (BH-T,WSH,AC) from Bandon to the S.J.C.R., on the coast, and from SevenSolitary Sandpiperswere reported;the oneOct Cottage Grove to near Salem inland. One adult was 4 at Iona I., was late (DE,JH). LesserYellowlegs were also seen Nov. 27 at Raymond, PacificCo., Wash., for in above-average numbers in B.C., with the peak the second record n. of the Columbia R. (BH-T). count 543+ at Iona I., Aug. 20 and three still there Accipiters were conspicuousthis fall. There were Oct. 29 (both BMc, fide DM). The 27 Willets Sept 26 nine Goshawk sightings.V. Goodwill's southernV.I. at Coos Bay was considereda high count (fideAC), as

Volume 32, Number 2 247 was the ten Nov. 27 at the North River mouth, Willapa An ad. Glaucous Gull at Nehalem Meadows, Bay, Wash. (BH-T). Ten SemipalmatedSandpipers Tillamook Co., Oreg., Oct. 10 was extraordinarily were at Aiyansh, near Terrace, B.C., Aug. 22 (fide early (JG,RR). More typically, one second-yearand VG), and there were six sightingsof this species in two first-year birds were reported after early Oregon, with good photos of one at Tillamook Bay November. Herringand Thayer's Gullsarrived nearly Aug 20 (JG). Otherswere reportedthrough Sept. 28 at simultaneouslyin mid-September.Three ad. Thayer's Ocean Shores (AR?). Goodwill reported 83 Baird's Gulls at the Yelm dump, ThurstonCo., Wash.,Nov 27 Sandpipers seen on V.I., during August and had clear yellow irides,further confoundingthe large- September, and Nehls commentedthat Baird's were gull picture (ESH,AW). California Gulls peaked at found "in almost any flock of shorebirds." Peak 9500 Aug. 18 at the S.J.C.R. (DF,DI). Franklin'sGulls numbers were an unprecedented268 Aug. 6 at Iona I. seemedlate in arriving and slightlylower in numbers (BMc,fide DM) and 30 on Aug. 13 at Sauvie's I. (fide than usual. The best concentration was at the Everett DF) Two Oct. 2 at Ocean Shores were exceptionally sewageponds, where up to nine were seenSept 18 - late (JWi). There were sevenSharp-tailed Sandpipers Nov. 6. The Little Gull was foundin the Regionfor the at four locations. The adult at Ocean Shores Oct. I is sixth consecutiveyear; an adult amongabout 2000 noteworthy (ESH), as most migrants here are Bonaparte'sGulls at the Everett sewageponds Oct 2 - juveniles, and the one Nov. 26 at Ocean Shores was 30 (DP et al.). As yet no immatureshave beenfound very late (MM?). Marbled Godwits were absentin s.w. Heermann's Gulls made a late push into Puget Sound Oregon (AC), but in normal numbers elsewhere, when 1500+ wierecounted Oct. 15 at DeceptionPass, thoughthe 64 seenin s.w. Washingtonwas betterthan Whidbey I. (JWi), with about 100 still there Nov 12 expected (BH-T), and the single on Chatham Sound, (TW). near Prince Rupert, B.C., Aug. 14, was very far n. The 1000 Corn. Terns at Victoria Oct. 16 was the (FH?, fide VG). The Am. Avocet at Bandon Sept. 15 high count this fall, and the one at Dungenessspit, was out of place (CR, fide AC). Wash., Nov. 12(DS) and two in Victoria Nov. 17(RS, fide VG) were the latest. Arctic Terns were identified JAEGERS THROUGH ALCIDS -- An ad. Long- at coastal and Puget Sound locations much more than tailed Jaegerat Astoria, Oreg., Aug. 21 (fide HN), two usual this season, with the juvenile at Ocean Shores at Fern Ridge Res., near Eugene Aug. 30 - Sept. 1 Oct. 8 the latest (ESH,TWe). Onshore terns need (ME,AC?), one very closeat Mt. Rainer, Wash., Aug. careful examination.Most CaspianTerns left early 28 (RT?), and one late at West Pt., SeattleOct. 8 (ES?) (BH-T), with only a few foundduring September, but were unusualinland records.Three ParasiticJaegers one near OceanShores Nov. 27 (FK) wasvery late A were also at Fern Ridge Res., Sept. 2 - 15 (fide AC), smallflight of BlackTerns occurred,with eightbirds and one Nov. 21 at Victoria, B.C., was the latest. noted, the first at Westport Aug. 15 (BH-T), and five Pelagic reports of jaegers, gulls, terns, and alcids are moving past Lincoln County, Oreg., coastalpoints summarized in Table 2. Oct. I (DF,HN et al.).

Table 2. Pelagic Bird Observations:Larids, AIcids*

PomarineJaeger 18 10 14 I 5 9 19 11 5 3 42 goodnumbers ParasiticJaeger I '• 3 I 3 11 8 4 I 2 averageor below Long-tailedJaeger 2 6 I 2 I 9 7 aboveaverage skuasp.** 2 2 I 6 7 goodnumbers Sablne'sGull 7 3 I 2 83 46 8 118 247 2 belowaverage, except off V I Arctic Tern I 10 9 54 35 2 Xantus' Murrelet 3 2 Cassin's Auklet 50 65 103 1000 50 13 29 17 5 617 130 Rhinoceros Auklet 632 373 479 nd nd 16 163 48 11 10 17 Tufted Puffin 5 3 4 2 7 2

*Westportsightings,fide TW; DepoeBay,fide C.A.S; Coos Bay,fide C.A.A.S; and Bamfield,fide MS & BCPM •*All thosepositively identified were the "South Polar" Skua, C. maccormickii. nd= no data

248 American Birds, March 1978 Common Murres seemedconcentrated just offshore the Bay City sewageponds near Tillamook, Aug 26 - early this fall (BH-T,TW), and unusually large 30 (SG,TL); there were 50 Purple Martins at Fern numbers of dead murres were beached,mosxly sub- Ridge Res., Aug. 30 (ME), 32 in Seattle Aug 31 adults of the race caliJornica (HN). Two Parakeet (ESH,BMe), and young martins still in the nest m Auklets were well described off Cape Lookout Pk., Vancouver, Wash., Sept. I (TL). TillamookCo., Oreg., Aug. 13(GG?,DB), and a single, CORVIDS THROUGH SHRIKES -- An influx of perhaps one of these, was found dead nearby at Steller's Jaysto s. V.I., in September,was described Bayocean spit Dec. 3 (BT, fide AC). The southward as an invasion (VG). Single Blue Jays were found m trend of the Horned Puffin continued with a report of Poulsbo,Wash., from Sept.27, in Eugene,Springfield, e•ght Aug. I at Triangle I., off the n.w. tip of V.I. and Portland, Oreg., after Oct. 16, and another was (B C.P.M.). The Horned Puffin at Cape Lookout, photographedOct. 20 in Pacific Rim N.P., V.I. (WC) Oreg., was seen again Aug. 13 & 20 (JG et al.). A Clark's Nutcracker was far from its usual haunts at Ocean Shores Oct. 22 (ES et al.). More than the usual CUCKOOS THROUGH MARTINS -- A Yellow- Mountain Chickadeesappeared in the lowlandsth•s billed Cuckooheard Sept. 2 - 11on Sauvie'sI., Oreg. season,with reportsafter late Septemberof one- two (TC,JG et al.) and againthere Sept. 28 (DF) wasone birds from Cortes I., and Vancouver, Seattle, and of very few regionalrecords in recentyears. The first Eugene. There was an unusuallyhigh number of Red- Snowy Owl was one on Quadra I., B.C., Nov. 10 breasted Nuthatcheson the s.w. Oregon coast. Two (HT), the next was photographedin Seattle Nov. 19. White-breastedNuthatches were also near Coos Bay Snowies were widespread thereafter, but in low Sept. 12 (AM), and two Pygmy Nuthatcheswere at numbers.A major movementof PygmyOwls into the Cape BlancoSept. 13 (TL). AnotherPygmy was on Vancouver,B.C., and Bellinghamareas began in late LeadbetterPt., Wash., Sept. 25 (B&GR, WW?). The September(DM,TW), and manysightings were made HouseWren in Vancouver,B.C. Nov. 8 (AG,fide DM) through the end of the period. One Barred Owl seen was very late. and two heard on Quadra I., Oct. 24 - Nov. 13, are Single Mockingbirdsappeared at Reifel Ref., B C, local firsts (AD, fide VG). SingleBarred Owls found Sept. 27 (VG) and in Portlandin late November(fide deadin eai-lyNovember and anotherseen Nov. 26 DF), and an immaturewas at WestportNov. 27 (BH- (both, fide DM) were the third and fourth recordsfor T?). A vagrantSage Thrasher was at BaskettSlough the Vancouver area. The very local SpottedOwl was N.W.R. Nov. 19 (JG,DI et al.). After last winter's reported from just two Cascade locations: one adult absence, the many reports of Varied Thrushes m and one immatureat Blewett Pass,Wash., Aug. 26 normal numbersthroughout Oregon and Washington (G&WH), and five Sept. 12in the SiskiyouN.F., w. of after mid-September are welcome. The species GrantsPass, Oreg. (P&SS). An apparentfamily group remained scarce and hard to find on V.I., however of threeShort-cared Owls was in Everett,Wash., Aug. (VG). About 50 Swainson's Thrushes were heard m 19(KB), anda few were in the Westport-OceanShores nocturnalmigratory flight over EugeneSept. 15(AC) • area throughoutthe period. Groupsof 4 - 13W. Bluebirdswere in four locationsm Black Swifts were very scarceon VA., comparedto Oregon, and about a dozen were near HaWs L., Pierce the previous fall (VG), but were much more often Co., Wash., Nov. 7. The first N. Shrikes were at Iona reportedfrom Oregonthis seasonthan usual•de AC). I., Oct. 4 (DE,JH), and Oct. 5 at Saanich, V.I., and Anna's Hummingbirdswere foundn. to the Campbell Ocean Shoresand Willapa Bay, Wash. R area of V.I. •de HT). Adult Anna's with juveniles appeared in August in Vancouver, B.C. (CB, fide VIREOS THROUGH TANAGERS -- A possible DM), and in Portlanff(VH). Two small Selasphorus new breedingarea for the Red-eyed Vireo about 100 hummingbirdswere found:a male Nov. 3 - 4 on Mercer mi n.w. of the nearest known breeding sites •s I , Wash. (BeA), and a female Nov. 27 in Portland{RS). indicated by the finding of 11 at Lakelse Lake P P A d' Costa'sHummingbird came to M. Hankin's feeder near Terrace, B.C., Aug. 18 (T&MS, fide VG) A m Portland all summer. Birders heard of it, the third singleTennessee Warbler, MagnoliaWarbler, and N state record, in October and it was seen and photo- Waterthrush, and three Am. Redstarts at the same graphedthrough Nov. 17 (HN,JG,TC). locationAug. 17- 18are eachat or just beyondthe w Only a few vagrant flycatcherswere found on the limits of thesespecies as well. A TennesseeWarbler coast this season: one W. Kingbird Aug. 24 near near Astoria Aug. 24 (SG?) was one of very few Astoria(SG), a TropicalKingbird Oct. 26 - 30 in Col- recordsin the s. portionof the Region.Single Yellow wood, V.I. (ND,M&VG et al.), and an Ash-throated Warblers, identified as the race rubiginosa, came Flycatcher Nov. 19 at Tillamook Bay (DF,HN et al.). aboard the boat off Westporton both Aug. 20 & 21 Another Ash-throated was in Salem Oct. 14 - 16 (TW). The only Hermit Warbler report was a late (FS,RG?). Eight Bank Swallows were at Reifel Ref., record of three at Cape Blanco, Oreg., Sept. 13 (TL) B C , Sept. 10 and two were near there Sept. 27 (VG). Palm Warblers invaded. They were found at ten Singleswere seen at Ocean ShoresSept. 25 and near coastal localitiesthis fall. The first two appearedat Everett Oct. 2 (DP et al.). Last reports for other Newport, Oreg., Aug. 27 (GG), then one on Goose I , swallows were two Tree Swallows at Beaverton, Grays Harbor Co., Wash., Sept. 22 (BH-T), and one Oreg, Oct. 26 (JE), single Cliff Swallowsin Everett at Matsqui, B.C., Sept. 28 (VG). Three otherWashing- Oct 2 (DP,ESH) and in Victoria Nov. 9 (RS), and one ton sightingswere in the Willapa Bay and Grays Barn Swallow in PortlandNov. 17(DF). An encourag- Harbor areas, Oct. 5 - 24 (BH-T). BetweenOct. 24 - 29, ing concentration of Purple Martins was the 150 over I - 4 were found in Oregon at Arch Cape, Tillamook

Volume 32, Number 2 249 Bay, and the North Bend area. One was found at W. Hoge, V. Holmgren, D. Irons, B. Kautesk, R. Saanich, V.I., Nov. 18 (RSt). Single MacGillivray's Knight, F. Krause, T. Lund. B. MacDonald (BMc), Warblers at Willapa Bay and the Skagit flats both on J. & G. Maender, D. Mark, A. McGie, B. Meilleur Sept. 24 were late (GR,ESH). A singlec• Am. Redstart (BMe), M. Moore, P. Moore (PMo), H. Nehls, D. was seenalong the RogueR., near ShadyCove, Oreg., Paulson, B. & G. Ramsey, A. Richards. R. Ringlet, C. Aug. 26 {fideHN), anda vagrantmale was in Stanley Roberts, R. Satterfield, F. Schrock, T & M. Shepard, Pk., Vancouver, B.C., Sept. 4 & 15 (DE,JHt). D. Smith, M. Smith (MSm). R. Smith, E. Spragg, A. A Yellow-headed Blackbird and two Brown-headed Staples, P. & S. Summers, H. Telosky, B. Thacka- Cowbirds were seen well offshore from Westport Aug. berry, R. Toonen, T. Wahl (TW), A. Wang, R. 20 (TW). Forty Rusty Blackbirdsnear Terrace, B.C., Warpala, T. Weir (TWe), J. Welch (JWe), J. Wingfield Aug. 21 (MS,fide VG) were w. of the nearestknown (JWi), W. Wilkins. Another 238 uncited observers breedingareas in c. British Columbia.Two Rusties contributed to the material on which this report was appearedat Vancouver,B.C., Aug. 27 (AG,fide VG). based. -- PHILIP W. MATTOCKS, JR. Dept. of They were photographedand seen throughOctober Zoology, Univ. of Washington,Seattle, Wash. 98195, (DM). Another was found Oct. 11 in Manning P.P., and EUGENE S. HUNN, 1816 N. 57th St., Seattle, B.C. (VGt). On Nov. 13 - 14 the secondRusty Black- Wash. 98103. bird ever for Oregon was found at Baskett Slough N.W.R. (ACt et aLL A • W. Tanager in Bellevue, MIDDLE PACIFIC COAST REGION Wash.. Oct. 2 was late (PWM). /Dick Erickson and JosephMorlan FINCHES AND SPARROWS -- A g Rose-breasted Grosbeak was found dead at Mt. Angel, Marion Co., California's worst recorded drought continued to Oreg., Sept. 27 {fide HN). A winter-plumagedg affect bird distribution this season.Virginia Rails and Indigo Bunting in Alton Baker Pk., Eugene Nov. 9 Sofas went unrecorded in Livermore Valley where (ACt) representedone of few Oregonrecords. Evening normal localities dried up (AE). Increasedsalinity in Grosbeaks were widely reported, but in generally low San Francisco Bay was believed responsiblefor a numbers, except at coastal Washington localities Brown Pelican August 13 and eight Surf Scoters where they are usually absent (BH-T). Two Corn. November 24 at Benicia (FKB) and a Common Murre Redpolls were in Vancouver, B.C., Nov. I I (MB,BK, at the Napa River mouth September12 (SM) where fide DM), and one was with siskinsin Seattle Nov. 13 unexpected,and 30 Western Gulls at the Martinez (ESHt) for the earliest ever w. Washington arrival. Dump November 22 (SM,DE) where normallyfound Red Crossbillswere abundantalong the Oregoncoast, only in summer. reported in low numbers from w. Washington,and were virtually absentfrom V.I. (VG.HT). A flock of 50 White-winged Crossbills was just w. of Hart's Pass, Whatcorn Co., Wash., Aug. 7 (G&WH) for the only report of the species. An early migrant Savannah Sparrow was seen well offshore from Westport Aug. 21 (TW); the peak of migration for the specieswas in • •r •s ShastaßBieber mid-September(VG,BH-T,HN). A ChippingSparrow at Ocean Shores Oct. 8 (ESH) was late and the four - five in Eugene Nov. I I - 17 (AC et al.) may over- winter. SingleHarris' Sparrowswere in Dungeness, 'abe CtEAet .Cdy* Wash., Nov. I - 30 (fide DS) and in Vancouver, ß • ' MaSsy e ' .oo• Woodland B.C., Nov. 5 (fide DM). At least 14 White-throated Sparrows were found at ten localities, with one at L. •osa"Napa •to Terrell, Whatcam Co., Wash., Sept. 24 (TW) the earliest, and up tofive individualsin Eugeneafter Oct. 9 (AC,JG,TC). Peak counts for Lapland Longspurs were all on Oct. 8, from Ocean Shores, Leadbetter Pt., and S.J.C.R. Two c• Snow Buntings at Siletz Bay, Oreg., Oct. I (JEt) were very early. Thereafter small ß • Coali•ga groups were widely reported s. to near Eugene. .... Pal•Alto CITED OBSERVERS, sub-regionaleditors in bold- face. -- Betty Anderson(BeA), Bud Anderson(BdA), D. Bateman, B. Bernson, British Columbia Provincial The drought may have contributedto an outstanding Museum, M. Bruckner, K. Brunner, C. Butt, W. flight of irruptive species such as V•ied Thrush, Campbell, Cape Arago Audubon Society, R. Carson, Evening Gros•ak, Pine Siskin, Red-breastedNut- D. Chelimer, A. Contreras, Corvallis Audubon hatch, and Golden-crowned Kinglet into the coast Society, T. Crabtree, N. Dawe, D. DeSante,A. Dorst, and Central Valley. The d• wintersin the Sie•as D. Edwards, M. Eggers,J. Evanich, D. Fix, R. Gerig, Pacific Nomhwest may have reducedthe standingcrop J. Giiligan, G. Gillson, M. & V. Goodwill, S. Gordon, of typical winter food items d•ing birds south and A. Grass, J. Hall, B. Harrington-Tweit, F. Hart, G & into the lowlands. Other high mountain speciesand

250 American Birds, March 1978 some birds of the oak woodland such as Lewis' Wood- (GMcC,JM,VR,RS, m.ob. +) was a record count Not peckers,Steller's Jays, Acorn Woodpeckersand surprising, the only Leach's was at Monterey Harbor Band-tailedPigeons were in higherthan averagenum- Nov. 6 (VR,JM) during strongw. winds. The real find bers in the Central Valley (hereafter,C.V.) Several was the GalapagosStorm-Petrel first glimpsedin the contributorssuggested that the acorncrop may have rafts Sept. 24 (AS et el.) and well seen Oct beenpoor in someareas as a resultof the drought. (GMcC,RS,VR,DRo et el.P) & Oct. 9 (SFB? et el ) Lewis' Woodpeckersstaged a majorinvasion while Becauseof its very small size, the bird was believedto White-breastedNuthatches appeared out of range at be O.t.kelselli (the s. race, breeding off Peru), the several localities along the entire coast. Saw-whet same race as the only previous regional record Owls were more common than usual along the coast (Carmel Jan. 21, 1969. Auk 87:588-589). and mayhave been part of the northerninvasion. Most interesting was a raft of 2000 Ashy Storm- The drought also contributedto the postbreeding Petrels off Humboldt Bay Sept. 23 where the species "upslope drift" phenomenonwhich broughtfour had been considered casual. A "few" Fork-taileds and WesternKingbirds into the mountainsof Lake Tahoe Leach's were seen among them but unfortunately August 8 - September10 (WS) and a Say's Phoebe further searchingwas not possible(fide DRu). there September10 (WS). PELICANS THROUGH HERONS -- A count of LOONS, TUBENOSES -- A Yellow-billedLoon at 4746 Brown Pelicansat Pajaro Dunes Sept. 2 was more Pt ReyesOct. 3 (DDeS) representedthe earliestfall than double the previous high count there in 1975 record for the state. Arctic Loons were found inland at (J&RW). An imm. Blue-lootedBooby on the.ocean at TopazL., Oct. 15-16(EH), the AmericanR., nearFair San Francisco Sept. I (PM?) was only the third Oaks Oct. 23 (fide BK), Tule Lake N.W.R., Nov. 8 regional record. Following the July reports, two (BED), and Eagle L., Nov. 25 (JM). Magnificent Frigatebirdswere seen Aug. 26: at the California's second Streaked Shearwater was well Golden Gate (RLeV et el.) and at Monterey (TH,BDP) seen by two boatloadsof birders on Monterey Bay An imm. Little Blue Heron was at Abbott's Lagoon, Oct 9 (AS,JM+,DRo,SFB?,DP+ et el.). Three Short- Marin Co., Oct. 2 (K. Yamane, fide DRo). Cattle tailed Shearwatersoff Humboldt Bay (fide DRu) and Egrets were seen in the C.V., near Maxwell Sept 26 one on Monterey Bay (RS), both Oct. 1, are our (20-SAL) and near Friant Oct. 4 (one-fide RH) and in earliest recordsin recent years. More than five off Pt. the Great Basin at Lower Klamath N.W.R., Oct 14 PinosNov. 19 (TC) was the maximumof severalother (one-fide MT) but did not appear on the coast until reportsfrom MontereyBay. Elsewhereeight were Oct. 30. Fifteen Snowy Egrets were at L. Talawa, Del seen from Pigeon Pt., Nov. 12 (BSa) and one was Norte Co., Oct. 1 (fide DRu), an exceptional number found dead at Pt. Reyes Nov. 19 (L. Hale et el., for this location. A White-faced Ibis at Honey L., Aug skeleton to U.C., Berkeley). 4 (DW) and 20 at SacramentoN.W.R., Sept. 22 (OJK) A "Manx" Shearwater on Monterey Bay Aug. 27 are of interest. was clearlyseen to havewhite undertail covertsand rather clean underparts unlike the expected race WATERFOWL -- Fifteen Whistling Swans near optsthorneles(GMcC,JM,DRo et el.t). It has been Loomis Aug. 21 (fide BK) were early and one at submitted to the California Bird Records Committee Honey L., Aug. 4 (DW) may have been summenng as a Townsend's Shearwater (P. euriculeris of w. Four ad. Trumpeter Swans at Mono L., Nov 27 Mexico) but identificationof the various"Common" (DDeS+,SL?) were the first reported in the region Shearwaters is not easy and observersare not in since 1969. agreementover this bird. Somefeel it moreclosely At Tule L., two •Black" Brant were seen Nov 5 resembledthe highly migratorynominate puffinus of (BED,SS) with one bird remaining to Nov. 15 (fide the Atlantic. MT). More exciting were a light-bellied Brant at Singletypical Manx Shearwaterswere seenon boat BodegaBay Nov. 22 (WMP,JR) and an imm. Emperor tripson MontereyBay in Septemberand October but Goose at Lower Klamath N.W.R., Oct. 8-14 (R November broughtnumbers to the Region: two were Ekstrom?, fide MT). The first White-fronted Geese seen from Pt. Pinos Nov. 6 (VR,JM), 106from Pigeon had returned to Gray Lodge by Aug. 27 (BED), one Pt, Nov. 12 (BSa), 112 from Pt. Pinos Nov. 13 day before a single Snow Goose was seen at Lower (VR,DE,BJM) and two from Pigeon Pt., Nov. 24 Klamath N.W.R. (fide MT). Two Ross' Geeseat Grant (PM). The speciesoccurred off Montereyby the L., Mono Co., Nov. 27 (DAG,DW,DDeS) were at an thousandsas recently as 1939and by the hundredsas unusual location. recentlyas 1966(H.L. Cogswell,pers. corn.) but only A Redhead at S. Lake Tahoe Aug. 28 (WS) and two small numbers have been seen in the last decade. Ring-necked Ducks near Friant Aug. 9 (RH) were It was the best fall yet for storm-petrelson noteworthy. Oakland's L. Merritt is becomingthe spot MontereyBay with sevenspecies recorded! Rafts of in the Regionto see Tufted Ducks. A male there Oct Ashiesand Blackswere presentoff Moss Landingat 27 was joined by another the next day (H. Connon, leastSept. 24-Oct. 30 with ca. 10,000birds present to fide DRo) and both remainedto at least Nov. 6 (SFB) mid-October. Estimated ratios ranged from 7:1 in One remained to the end of the period. Seven favor of Ashies to 2:1 in favor of Blacks. One-two Oldsquawswere found along the coast in November Fork-taileds were present Sept. 24-Oct. 12; single and a female in summer plumage was at Tule L., Nov Leasts were seen Sept. 8 (RS,TC et al.) and Oct. 9 13-15 (BED et el.). Scoters were reported inland as (DRo) and up to 4-6 Wilson's Sept. 24--Oct. 23 follows: a White-winged at Topaz L., Nov. 4 and

Volume 32, Number 2 251 singleSurfs there Oct. 15-16and Nov. 4 (all EH), and record from that general area. Two Am. Golden at Ukiah Nov. 18 (fide OJK). Up to 10-20Red-breasted Plovers at Goose L., Sept. 5 and one at Mono L., Oct Mergansersat Tule L., Nov. 5-20(BED et al.) mustbe 8 (both DW) were the first regional Great Basin the record number from an inland location. records. Less unusual were 1-2 at Woodland Sept 17- 25 (TM?,JML et al.), and most significantof 75+ HAWK MIGRATION -- Hawk watching has not coastal birds was one of the race Jblva at Pt. Pinos yet caught on in the RegiomThis fall 75 hourswere Sept. 10-12 (VR et al.). spentat Pt. Diabloon 16 partialdays Aug. 15-Oct.26 The shorebird of the season was at L. Talawa Sept (LCB,BJM et al.) resulting in the following totals: 12 (RSW?). It was reported as a Hudsonian Godwit Turkey Vulture 56, White-tailed Kites 5, Sharp- and almost certainly was, but the descriptiondoes not shinnedHawk 867, Cooper's Hawk 624, Accipitersp. eliminate Black-tailed Godwit of the Old World. There 121, Red-tailed Hawk 156, Red-shoulderedHawk 35, are two previous state records, one regional, of Broad-wingedHawk 7 (Sept.2 l-Oct. 2, includingtwo HudsonJan (AB 29:908), none of Black-tailed A adults),Rough-legged Hawk 1, FerruginousHawk 3, Marbled Godwit at Franklin Oct. 27 (RS,TM,DW) was GoldenEagle 3, Marsh Hawk 28, Osprey7. Prairie noteworthy either as a late migrantor potentialwinter- Falcon 1, PeregrineFalcon 1, and Am. Kestre148.The ing bird. South L. Tahoe hosteda Long-billedCurlew overall passingrate of one bird/1 min., 40 sec. under Aug. 6 and 1-2 Lesser Yellowlegs Sept. 2-4, with favorable weather conditionswas considerednormal another near L. Christopher Sept. l0 (all WS). Both but •atcs ol one bird/31sec., Sept. 21 and one bird/28 are casual migrants in the mountains. Elsewhere sec, Sept. 22 were the highestever recorded here Lesser Yellowlegs were reported in normal numbers (LCB). Two other Broad-wingedHawks were seen with the exception of L. Talawa where present Aug Sept 23 & Oct. 5 but other specieswere not recorded 5-Sept. 17 with a peak of 186 on Aug. 22 (RSW), the those days. greatest concentration ever recorded in the Region Unprecedentedin Golden Gate Pk., San Francisco Only one Ruddy Turnstonewas found inland: Mono was the passageof 139birds in 2 hoursOct. 31 (LCB). L., Aug. 31 {DW). Included in the total were six Rough-legged Hawks, A Corn. Snipe at Lirnantour Aug. 5 (SJ) was very previously unrecordedin the park. early. Red Knots were found inland as follows: four at Mono L., Aug. 31 (DW), one-twoat WoodlandSept RAPTORS THROUGH RAILS -- Out of range 17-22 (TM?,DAG,JML et al.) and one at S. Lake White-tailed Kites were again reported from Tule L., Tahoe Sept. 23 (WS?), the first regional "mountain" Oct 5-Nov. 17 (BED etal.) and Honey L. (1-2) Sept. record. Goose L. had a Sanderling Sept. 5 (DW), 11-Nov. 25 (SAL,LRB,JM). A Goshawk was seen at Chico had two Aug. 13 (SAL) and S. Lake Tahoe had Butte Sink Oct. 9 (fide WA). Two light-phase one Aug. 11 and a peak of six Sept. 10 during their "Harlan's" Hawks were reported: Sacramento continuouspresence Sept. 4-20 (WS), an impressive N W R., Nov. 13 (DDeS?) and Ft. Bidwell Nov. 26 inland total. SemipalmatedSandpipers were carefully (JM?). There may be only two previous regional identified for the fourth consecutive fall: Limantour records of this form (AB 25:101; Honey L., Feb. 4, Aug. 5 (SJ?GP,R. Halbeisen), Bolinas sewageponds 1972--DE? et al.). SingleRed-shouldered Hawks were Aug. 6-9 (JE), Bodega Bay Aug. 13 (LCB,BDP) and at Honey L., Sept. 11 (SAL) and near Grenada Nov. 9 one-twoon the F.I., Aug. 19-23(SJ,RLeV, B.Bohmke, (fide MT). An imm. Broad-wingedHawk at Monterey P.R.B.O.). The Region•slatest ever Baird'sSandpipers Sept 25 (AS) was the only one seen away from Pt. were singlesat the SalinasR. mouthNov. 10 (LS,GP) Diablo. First Trinity and Humboldt County and Pajaro Dunes Nov. 12-27 (J&RW?); there are Swalnson's Hawks were at PapooseL., Trinity Alps apparently no previous November records.An amaz- Aug 17 (JE) and Cape Mendocino Sept. 25 (BC*). ing seven Sharp-tailed Sandpiperswere seen at L Other coastalsightings were near Rodeo Lagoon Sept. Talawa: two Sept. 14, three Oct. 25 and two Nov 10 1 (BJM) and at the Carmel R. mouth Nov. 19 (RSW?). In addition one was in the Arcata Bottoms (DP?,TB?). The latterbird is the latestregional record. Oct. 8-15 (CH,DRu,DA,BC et al.) and one at the Rough-legged Hawks were present in exceptional Salinas R. mouth Oct. 2 (LCB,BDP) may have been numbers with one at Gray Lodge Aug. 14 (BK?) and the same bird seen at Castroville Oct. 15-19 one in the Arcata BottomsAug. 29 (CH) very early. (LCB,VR?,BGE, m.ob.) for the best showing since A RuffedGrouse near Orick Sept. i l (DS)and more 1969.Stilt Sandpiperswere alsoreported in goodnum- than three at Forks of Salmon Sept. 17 qide MT) were bers with two at L. Talawa Oct. 25 (RSW), up to three the only ones reported. Sandhill Cranes were found on at Woodland Aug. 25-29 (fide DRu), another there the coast near Crescent City Nov. 19 (fide DRu) and Sept. 19 (JML), one at Coyote Hills, Alameda Co, one at Manchester Nov. 11 may have been the same Sept. 8-11 (EM et al.), another there Sept. 21 (fide bird seen at Caspar about a week later •de OJK). A DRo) and Tulare County's first, near Visalia Sept 23- Com Gallinule was seen at Tule L., Nov. 14 (BED). 24 (RAB? et al.). The Region's secondBuff-breasted Sandpiper was at Pt. Reyes Sept. 5-16 (JML?,E SHOREBIRDS -- One-to-two Snowy Plovers were Greaves,VR,DP et al?.). Four Ruffs were found this at S Lake Tahoe Aug. 6-14 with anotherthere Sept. 2- fall: L. Talawa Sept. 12 (RSW?), Arcata Bottoms 4 (WS), and one on the Farallon Islands (hereafter, Sept. 4-9 (fide DRu), PescaderoMarsh Sept. 17-18 F I ), Oct. 5 (P.R.B.O.) was the first record there. (GG,BE,PM,TB,DP), and Afio Nuevo Oct. 27 - Nov 6 Mountain Plovers are very rare on the coast yet one in (REM,PMR,TBr,TD,AE). The specieshas now been the Arcata Bottoms Oct. 29 •de DRu) was the fifth recorded for the last four consecutive falls.

252 American Birds, March 1978 at the Salinas R. mouth Nov. 6 (VR?,JM,EM) provided the latest record for California. A Least Tern n.w. of Vallejo Sept. 3 (CP?) was somewhat out of place. A juv. Marbled Murrelet found on the forest floor at Big Basin S.P., Aug. 31 representsthe seventh such occurrence there since 1959 (SWS). The bird died in captivity,* California Acad. Sci. Singer estimates a breedingpopulation of 50 pairs in the park. For the first time sincethe early part of the century, Craveri's Murrelets were found in numberson Monterey Bay. They outnumbered Xantus' Murrelets on at least two occasions: Aug. 27 with 6-10 Craved's, 3-5 Xantus', RufJ; Ago Nuevo S.P., Calif. Nov. 2, 1977. Photo] ca. ten Endomychura sp. (GMcC•,LCB et al.), and T.H. Davis. Sept. 11 with six Craveri's, no Xantus' and 18 JAEGERS THROUGH ALCIDS --A Parasitic Endomychura sp. (JM,VR et al.). Four Craveri's were Jaeger was at CrowIcy L., Aug. 17 (DAG). A Long- seen Sept. 8 (RS,TC et al.), and two Sept. 24 (AS et tailed Jaeger was off Humboldt Bay Sept. 24 {fide al.). Off Humboldt Bay, one bird Aug. 14 and four DRu) and I-2 each were seen on 5 trips off Monterey Sept. 23-26 were believedto be Xantus' {fideDRu) but Sept. 5 - Oct. I (GF,TC,JL,EM,AS). Anotherwas seen it is not known how carefully Craveri's was eliminated from Pt. Pinos Sept. 5 (RS). Adults at the Bay Bridge --there is an August record for Oregon (Jehl, 1975. Toll Plaza Aug. 31 {fide DRo) and near the San Rafael Be.•t. Btrds 6:109). Early Ancient Murrelets were one Bridge Sept. 12 (SMt) provide the first recordsfrom at BollhasSept. 22 and four-sixthere Sept. 30 - Oct. 2 San Francisco Bay. Easily most impressivehowever (RS,JE), and one on Monterey Bay Oct. 9 (JM). was the adult beautifully described,drawn and photo- graphed at Lower Klamath N.W.R., Aug. 6 (R. DOVES THROUGH OWLS -- A well described Ekstromt, M. Robbins,fide MT) for only the second White-winged Dove was at the Carmel R. mouth Oct. inland (first Great Basin) regionalrecord. I (VR? et al.). Vagrant Yellow-billed Cuckoos were found along the coast with one at L. Merced, San FranciscoOct. 7 (PM) and one at the PajaroR. mouth Nov. 2 (J. Oetzel et al.). A Screech Owl at 9800 ft in the Hall Natural Area, Mono Co., Aug. 29 (DDeS) was very much out of place.A FlammulatedOwl nearL. BerryessaSept. 23 (R. Boekelheidetet al.) wascertainly a migrant.There are only two previousregional records of migrants.A Snowy Owl at Arcata Nov. 24-30 (DRu et al.) was unexpected.It hasbeen found in the Regiontwo out of the last ten winters.Four PygmyOwls in the upper C.V., provided the third throughsixth C.V. records. Two were at Pine Cr., Tehama Co., Nov. 6 (SAL), one was at Dog 1., Tehama Co., Nov. 13 (SAL), and one Long-tailed Jaeger, Lower Klamath N. W.R., Calif. was at Chico Nov. 30 ORo,DDe). They were darker Aug. 6, 1977. Photo/Ray Ekstrom. than Sierran birds suggestingthey may have been Early Glaucous Gulls were at Pescadero Beach. long-rangeinvaders. Short-cared Owls nested success- Oct. 25 (JR) and Pt. Reyes Oct. 26 (D. Wechsler, fully alongthe coast.Thirteen adults and three young P.R.B.O.). Tule L. had a Glaucous-wingedGull Nov. took advantageof a Microtus irruption at the Salinas 12-13(BED). A Herring Gull at Limantour Aug. 5 (JE) R. mouth (BGE). representedone of very few recent summerrecords. Two at Newby 1. Dump, near Milpitas Sept. 2 (SM) NIGHTJARS THROUGH FLYCATCHERS -- A may have been very early migrants. Thayer's Gulls very late Lesser Nighthawk was at Herndon Oct. 8 were first reported from the Bay Bridge Toll Plaza Oct. {fide RH). Vaux's Swifts peaked Oct. I when over I (SFB) and Alameda Oct. 8 (SM). As usual a few 1500 flew past Pt. Diablo (SFB,AE et aLL and one Franklin's Gulls were found; eight birds Aug. 19- Nov. there Oct. 26 (LCB) was very late. 16. A Sabine'sGull at MercedN.W.R., Sept. 14(PC?) Amazing was the discoveryof the northernmost was followed by one at Topaz L., Oct. 15-16and no documentedrecord of Costa's Hummingbird,two fewer than four there Nov. 4 (both EH?) for an excel- malesat Arcata Nov. 27 (DRu et al.). One stayeduntil lent inland showing. the next day (BBu et al.) when the bottlebrushwhere Two ad. Com. Terns at S. Lake Tahoe Sept. 10were they were feedingwas removedby a work crew. A unusual and may have been the same two birds seen Yellow-bellied Sapsuckerfeeding a fledglingnear there one week later (WS?). Single Arctic Terns again MendocinoOct. 8 (FAP) representsthe southwestern- visited San FranciscoBay: Alameda Aug. 23 - Sept. I mostbreeding locality. Two E. Kingbirdswere found. & Sept. 29 {fide ER), Foster City Aug. 24 (PM), and One was at Ft. Barry Sept. 3 (M. Rosegay)and one the Bay Bridge Toll Plaza Aug. 25 (JR). An immature visited the F.I., Sept. 14-16 (RLeV, P.R.B.O.).

Volume 32, Number 2 253 Twenty-two Tropical Kingbirds reached the coast Highlands Nov. 2 (TB) and at the Carmel R., Nov 4 Sept 24 - Nov. 30. A late Ash-throated Flycatcher (JL). lingered at Princetonmarsh Oct. 28-30 (PM,JM). An E Phoebe visited Bolinas Nov. 15-16 (RS•; et al.). A WARBLERS -- Twenty-four Black-and-white Black Phoebe at L. Tahoe Aug. 12 (WS•;) represented Warblersappeared along the coastAug. 12- Nov 30 only the third Tahoe Basinrecord, and three at Honey Only two were on the F.I. Forty-one Tennessee L, Sept. 11 (SAL) were equally significant.Seven Warblers were found, 25 along the coastal mmnland Least Flycatchersappeared along the coast:one at Pt. Sept. 2 - Nov. 29, and 13on the F.I. Most unusualwas Reyes Sept. 18-19(LCB,JM,DS,SJ,m.ob.•;), one at L. one in the C.V. at Dog I., Sept. 10 (SAL•;) where it Merced Sept. 23 (DD•;,BJM), one at the Carmel R. furnishedthe secondTehama County record. A very mouth Oct. 16 (PLY;),and singlesbanded on the F.I., late Nashville Warbler lingeredat the CarmelR until Aug 17, Sept. 12, 23, and 27 (RLeV, P.R.B.O.). Nov. 19 (DP). Two Virginia's Warblers reached the coast, one at Pacific Grove Aug. 15 (MN) and one at SWALLOWS THROUGH THRUSH.ES -- Three Pt. Reyes Sept. 25 (EM). A Lucy's Warbler Sept 25 Barn Swallows at Tule L., Nov. 5-18 (BED et al.) were (DDeS, P.R.B.O.) was the first for the F.I. and the late as were three at Honey L., Nov. 11 (LRB). Two tenth regionally.Single N. Parulasat L. Merced Sept Gray Jays were noted at Lower Twin L. in Lassen 13-15 (PM,LCB) and at Fairhaven Sept. 15 (DRu,CH) N P, Oct. I (BBu). This species breeds at nearby were expected, but one near Burris Pk., Kings Co, JuniperL. (fide D. Murphy) andthis may be the source Aug. 29 (JL) was only the second C.V. record. of other records in Lassen and Plumas Cos. A single Six Magnolia Warblers, three alongthe coastSept Blue Jay was heardat Pt. Diablo Oct. 21 (LCB) and 13 - Oct. 24, and three on the F.I., Sept. 10-16were two others were photographedat Pt. St. George Oct. fewer than expected. The only Cape May Warblers 30-31 (RSWt et al.). There is only one previous were: one on the F.I., Oct. 3-7 (P.R.B.O.), one at regionalrecord, one collectedat Chico Apr. 24, 1950. Pacific Grove Sept. 11 (MN), and anotherthere Oct A vagrant Black-billed Magpie was at Mt. ShastaSept. 27 (DP•;,TB). Three Black-throated Blue Warblers 22 (fide MT). were reported:one at Pt. ReyesSept. 12(EM), one on A Gray Catbird was at Pt. PinosOct. 2 (N.P. Hill, the F.I., Oct. 3, and one at Belmont Sept. 8 (FN?) A fide BSo) for only the seventhregional record. The Black-throated Gray Warbler lingered late at the Bendire's Thrasher returned to Courtland Aug. I (fide Carmel R. until Nov. 13 (EM). One at Burris Pk., Nov RS) where it has wintered for the last two years. A 26 (JL) was probablywintering. Three Townsend'sx Brown Thrasher at Springville Oct. 11 - Nov. 30 Hermit Warbler hybrids were described:one Aug 4 (MMLRAB•; et al.) constituted the Region's first (TB•;) s. of Carmel, one at Pacific Grove Sept 30 montane record. Two Sage Thrashers were found (RS•;,DS•;)and one at Moss Beach Oct. 13(JM). Three along the coast, with one Oct. 2-6 on the F.I. (RLeV, Black-throated Green Warblers reached the coast, all P R B.O.) and one at Pt. ReyesNov. 5-11 (EM•;,WMP). singlesas follows: Pt. Reyes Sept. 16 (JM et al.), San A very late Swalnson'sThrush was in San Francisco Francisco found dead (fide LCB), and Carmel R Nov 5-7 (JM,LCB). A Wheatear photographed at mouth, Oct. 17- Nov. 13 (JR•;, m.ob.). Extraordinary Shelter Cove, Humboldt Co., Sept. 15 (G. Clarke) pro- was the Black-throated Green Warbler at the Red Bluff vided the second regional record. The first was June Diversion Dam Nov. 5 (SAL•;). This representsthe 11, 1971 on the F.I. first documentedinland regionalrecord. Eight Black- burnJan Warblers were recorded: five coastal Sept KINGLETS THROUGH VIREOS -- A very early l0 - Oct. 5, and three F.I., Sept. 2-14. The Reg•on's Ruby-crowned Kinglet appearedat Pt. Diablo Aug. 15 sixth Yellow-throated Warbler appearedat the Carmel (BSo). Three fledglingWater Pipitsbeing attendedby R. mouth Oct. 27-29 (DP? et al.). As expectedit was two adults at Center Basinjust above Golden Bear L., albilora. Twenty-two Chestnut-sided Warblers Kings Canyon Aug. 24 (M. Burke, J. Wehausen,fide included15 on the mainlandSept. 2 - Oct. 22, sixon the DAG) establisheda new breedingsite for this species F.I., Sept. 2 - Oct. 4, and oneinland at Honey L., Sept in the Region. The only previousknown nestingsites I l (SALt). Five Bay-breastedWarblers includedone are near SaddlebagL. A vagrant Phainopeplavisited at Pt. Reyes Sept. ll-14 (BDP et al.), another there the F.I., Sept. I (RLeV, P.R.B.O.). Loggerhead Sept. 13 (JR et al.), one on the F.I., Sept. 10-13 Shrikes were found unexpectedlyin the mountains (RLeV, P.R.B.O.), and one at the Carmel R. mouth with one at L. Tahoe Aug. 9 (WS) and one at Red Slate Nov. 6 (VR et al.). But these were eclipsed by the Mt, Mono Co., Sept. 10 (DAG). Bay-breastedWarbler found dead in SacramentoOct A Yellow-throatedVireo was at Olema marsh Sept. 31 (G. Manolis, TM,RS) for the Region's first interior I 1-18 (J. Wilburn, P. Betlow, JW,EM,RS,BDP et al.). record. BlackpollWarblers totalled60 alongthe coast The only previous record was June 1969on the F.l. Aug. 24 - Nov. 5 includingten on the F.I. Most unusual Eight Red-eyedVireos reachedthe coastAug. 28 - Oct. was the Blackpoll at Christmas Valley, L. Tahoe 4 with a maximum of three at Pt. Reyes Sept. 13. Four Sept. 17 (WS?) for the Region's first montane record documentedPhiladelphia Vireos were found: one at Six Prairie Warblers were tallied along the coast Aug Pt. Reyes Sept. 27-28 (DRo,JM,VR,m.ob.?), one on 30 - Oct. 2 including one on the F.I. But a Prairie the F.I., Sept. 14 (RLeV•;, P.R.B.O.), one at the Warbler near Corcoran Nov. 26-30 (JL) provided the Carmel R., Oct. 16 (BDP?), and another there Oct. 29- Region's first interior record. At least 112 Palm 30 (RS?, m.ob.). There are only eightprevious regional Warblers reached the coast Sept. l0 - Nov. 30; 26 of records. Very late Warbling Vireos were at Carmel which were on the F.I.

254 American Birds, March 1978 Of 12 Ovenbirds Sept. 10- Oct. 17, six were coastal 19-30 (RS, m.ob.) was the first for Yolo County and a mainland and six were F.I. Eight N. Waterthrushes first for the inner coast ranges. ws•ted the coast Sept. 3 - Oct. 11. Six were mainland and two F.I. A Connecticut Warbler photographedat ADDENDUM -- An E. Kingbirdat L. TahoeAug Pt Reyes Oct. 6 (AG•') was a surpriseand constituted 28, 1976 (S. Lanier, D. Dinkler) was a first for the the Region's fifth mainland record. Tahoe Basin. A Yellow-breasted Chat at Fairhaven Oct. 5 (CH) was late. There was a Hooded Warbler on the F.I., CORRIGENDA -- In AB 31:368 the Harleqmn Oct. 4 (P.R.B.O.) and another near SebastopolAug. Duck was at Brisbane,not Belvedereand on page371 28 - Oct. 15 (M. Perry et al.). A late Wilson's Warbler the Bohemian Waxwings were at L. Tahoe Feb. 28 not hngeredat the Carmel R. until Nov. 19 (DP,TB). Five Dec. 28. Under Sharp-shinnedHawk in AB 31 1042 coastal Canada Warblers Aug. 30 - Oct. 29 including Kernville is not in the C.V. Delete a previousrecord of one on the F.I., were more than expected but a a white-ventedManx Shearwateroff Marin County•n Canada Warbler at Davis Sept. 14-17 (T. Love et al.) 1970 (AB 25:100). was the Region's first inland. Forty-six Am. Redstarts Aug. 6 - Nov. 30 were all coastal includingnine on the CONTRIBUTORS -- David Anderson, Wait FI Anderson, Maurine Armour, StephenF. Bailey, Larry R. Ballard, Bernice Barnes, Robert A. Barnes, Frank BLACKBIRDS THROUGH SPARROWS -- Five K. Beyer, Laurence C. Binford, Tony Bledsoe, Bobolinksappeared along the coast Sept. 12- Oct. 2. William Bousman,Tony Briggs(TBr), Betty Bumdge F•ve coastal Yellow-headed Blackbirds were recorded (BBu), Ted Chandik, Bill Clow, Allegra Collister, Paul Aug. 22 - Oct. 12. Eight Orchard Orioles visited the Crawford, Tom Davis, David DeSante, Bruce E coast Sept. 8 - Oct. 16. A Scott's Oriole on the F.I., Deuel, Denise Devine (DDe), Donna Dittman, Art Sept. 12 (RLeV, P.R.B.O.) was banded and photo- Edwards, Bruce G. Elliott, Barbara Emley, Jules graphed for the Region's sixth record. A Rusty Black- Evens, Lynn Farrar, Gary Friedrichsen, David A bird at the Carmel R. mouth Oct. 22 (J. Alban) was the Gaines, Kimball Garrett, Gene Gerlach, Steve Getty, only coastal report but one at Mono L., Nov. 26-27 A1 Ghiorso, L.W. Gralapp, Rob Hansen, Ed Harper, (DAG et al.) provided the Region'sfirst basinrecord. Bill Hart, Tom Heindel, Douglas R. Herr, R. W A Common Grackle at Hayward Oct. 13 (SMt) repre- Hoellwarth, Craig Hohenberger, Joel Hornstem, sented only the second regional record. Stuart Johnston, Margaret Keith, Paul R. Kelly, A Rose-breastedGrosbeak at Springville Sept. 30 Douglas P. Kibbe, Betty Kimball, Barb Klasson (MM•') was significantas there are very few montane (BKI), Oliver J. Kolkmann, Jeri M. Langham, Stephen records. Two were found in foothills around the C.V., A. Laymort, Paul Lehman, Bill Lenarz, Ron LeValley, where they are accidental. One was in the Sutter John Luther, SusanneLuther, EugeneMakishima, T•m Buttes Aug. 9 (WA) and one at Marshall Station, Manoils, Robert E. Maurer, Brian J. McCafiery, Guy Fresno Co., Sept. 30 (fide RH). Fifteen reached the McCaskie, Peter Metropulos, Mabel Mires, Scott coast Aug. 14 - Nov. 23. Vagrant Blue Grosbeaks Moorhouse, Randall Morgan, Fran Nelson, Margot appearedalong the coast with three on the F.I., Aug. Nelson, Gary Page, Dennis Parker, Benjamin D 16 - Sept. 12 (P.R.B.O.) and one at Pt. Reyes Sept. Parmeter, Carmen Patterson, Frank A. Pitelka, Point 25 (AG). The only Indigo Bunting was at Pacific Grove Reyes Bird Observatory, William M. Pursell, Van Sept 29 (MN). A Dickcissel on the F.I., Oct. 4 Reinsen, Jean Richmond, Patricia M. Richter, M•ke (PRB.O.) was the Region's 15th. Green-tailed Rippey, Don Roberson(DRo), Elsie Roeruer,Joanna Towbees reached the coast Sept. 13- Oct. 2 with two Ross (JRo), Dave Rudholm (DRu), Barry Sauppe m Marin County and one on the F.I. Three Lark (BSa), Dave Shuford, Steven W. Singer, Arnold Buntings Sept. 18- Oct. I were all coastal;two on the Small, Bruce Sortie (BSo), Rich Stallcup, Lynne F I, and one at Pt. Reyes. There was a Sharp-tailed Stenzel, Steve Summers, Wally Sumner, Michael Sparrow at Santa Cruz Oct. 4 (RM•'), and one which Taylor, Kent Van Vuren, John & Ricky Warriner, was found last winter at Bolinas Lagoon returned Ralph S. Widrig, David Winkler, Jori Winter, Nov 14 (P.R.B.O.). descriptionand/or photograph on file, *--specimen -- Three Tree Sparrows found Oct. 23 (JML) at Pt. DICK ERICKSON (Loonsthrough Alcids), 770 Bran- Reyes and another at InvernessOct. 18 (WMP et al.), nan PI., Concord, CA 94518 and JOSEPH MORLAN were the only coastal reports. A flock of ten at Tule (Pigeons through Sparrows), Golden Gate Audubon L, Nov. 17-27 (BED et al.) were the only others Society,2718 TelegraphAve., Suite206, Berkeley,CA found. Twenty-one Clay-colored Sparrows reached 94705. the coastAug. 23 - Nov. 8, morethan haftfrom the F.I. Seven Harris' Sparrows were found Oct. 18- Nov. 26 all coastalor basin.A SwampSparrow at 10,300ft at Although American Birds is substantially Hall Natural Area Oct. 23-24 (DDeS) is the Region's reducingits publicationdelays, some are beyond second Sierran record. The nine other Swamp editorial control. The biggestproblem is still Sparrowswere all coastal.The only Chestnut-collared tardy receipt of RegionalReports, and usually Longspurswere two at Pt. Reyes Oct. 23 (JML), with this is caused by tardy contributors. On-time one stayinguntil Nov. 19. Nine Snow BuntingsNov. issuesare possibleonly if everyonemeets pub- 6-30 along the coast as far southas Pt. Reyeswere lished deadlines. more than expected but one at Monticello Dam Nov.

Volume 32, Number2 255 SOUTHERN PACIFIC COAST REGION Perris, Riverside Co., Nov. 20 (JD,SC) were the only /Guy McCaskie ones reported away from the coast. A tropical storm dumpedheavy rains over most of ALBATROSSES, SHEARWATERS, STORM- the Region in mid-August, but unlike last year. this PETRELS -- What could only be an imm. Short-tailed storm had no winds associatedwith it and the only Albatross was seen with a Black-footed Albatross c. 90 storm-related vagrants were a Blue-footed Booby and mi w. of San Diego Aug. 28 (KCR); the bird was a Long-tailedJaeger grounded in the mountainsof San appreciablylarger than the Black-footedAlbatross and Diego County. The remainderof the fall had extremely had a heavy-looking bill. A few N. Fuimars were stable weather with no additional rainstorms or Santa presentoff the coastduring November with oneor two Aria conditions. as far s. as Imperial Beach (EC,DP). As usual a few Least Storm-Petrels were present off San Diego with 30--- seen Sept. 10-11 (GMcC).

TROPICBIRDS, PELICANS, BOOBIES, FRIGATEBIRDS -- Red-billed Tropicbirds were found off San Diego Sept. 10-18with a high count of six Sept. i0 (GMcC). Brown Pelicansremained around the Salton Sea to late October with 17 counted at the s. end of the Salton Sea (hereafter, S.E.S.S.) Oct. 4 (DVT) and one still there Oct. 28 (BED). A few Blue- footed Boobies moved N from the Gulf of California into s. California during late August and early Septemberwith one near L. Henshaw,San DiegoCo., Aug. 18 (MK, ph. S.D.N.H.M.), one off Pt. Loma Aug. 26 (LeH), another off Manhattan Beach Aug. 30 (LeH) and up to I i on the Salton Sea Aug. 24-Oct. 9 (BDP, FH,SFB). An imm. Brown Booby, a rare stragglerto s. California, was near Salton City Aug. 23 (GSS). Magnificent Frigatebirdsremained around the Salton Sea through Sept. 8 (LCB) with three seen together at Salton City Aug. 23-24 (GSS,DVT); along For birders the season proved most interesting. the coast single iramatures were seen from Santa Vagrants from eastward, along with post-breeding Barbara s. through August and early September with wanderers from the south, and one or two stragglers one near Imperial Beach Oct. I (RC) and another at from northeastern Siberia, started appearing in mid- Avalon on Catalina l., Oct. 9 (RSc) being somewhat August, and by the end of the periodsome 415 species late. were known to have occurred within the Region. Vagrants were less numerous than in 1974, a HERONS, STORKS, SPOONBILLS -- An ad. phenomenalyear, but the variety of speciesoccurring Little Blue Heron was near Seeley,Imperial Co., Aug. certainly equalled, if not exceeded,that found in 1974. 13 (PL) and an immature was near Imperial Beach Some of the more exciting species were a Black Nov. 9 to the end of the period (hereafter, Nov. 30+) Vulture and an Olivaceous Flycatcher on the Colorado (RCS,ES); this speciesis rare anywherein California. River, a Scarlet-headedOriole and a Varied Bunting in Up to four imm. ReddishEgrets, casual stragglers to s. the desert, and two Red-throatod Pipits and two California, were around San Diego Oct. 9-Nov. 30+ Grace's Warblers on the coast. (DDe. WTE,PU). A Louisiana Heron was at S.E.S.S., A Short-tailed Albatross off San Diego was by far Aug. 14 (SC,EAC), another was near Imperial Beach the most interestingpelagic bird, althoughan influx of Sept. 9-11 (LCB,RSt) then i-2 were aroundSan Diego boobiesfrom the south broughtsome 15 individualsto Oct. 31-Nov. 30+ (JK,PU). Wood Storks remained southern California. Three American Oystercatchers around S.E.S.S. later than usual with 25 seen Oct. 12 on the Salton Sea and four Sharp-tailedSandpipers (DVT) and one still present Oct. 19 (PS). Up to 17 along the coastattracted the most attentionamong the Roseate Spoonbillsremained around S.E.S.S. through shorebirds. September, with 14 still present Oct. 19 (DVT,PS); •.nother was at N.E.S.S., Aug. 25-Sept. 23 LOONS, GREBES -- As usual a few Corn. Loons (EC,SC,WTE) and one was along the Colorado R. were found inland during October and November. An near Needles Sept. 7 (CL). On the coast two of the Arctic Loon at the n. end of the Salton Sea (hereafter, three birds at Irvine were still presentOct. 4 (RLP) but N.E.S.S.) Aug. 25 (CGE) had probably summered not seen thereafter; what may well have been one of locally whereasanother at Salton City, ImperialCo., these three remained in Goleta Sept. 12-Oct. 5 Nov. 27 (DM) was a fall migrant; this species is rare (PL,LBe,RW), then appeared at Pt. Mugu Oct. 17 inland. Totally unexpectedwas a Red-neckedGrebe at (LBa), and in Malibu Dec. 4 (fide GSS). StovepipeWells in DeathValley Nov. 6 (BB,GSS);for the first interior record for the Region. Two Horned SWANS, GEESE, DUCKS -- A few Whistling Grebes at N.E.S.S., Oct. 25 (PS) and four on L. Swans moved S into the Regionduring November with

256 American Birds, March 1978 one in San Diego Nov. 12 (MT) beingexceptionally far early one near Seeley Aug. 13 - Oct. 29 (PL,BED), s. A Ross' Goose in Goleta Nov. 30-Dec. I (PL,LBe) one at S.E.S.S., Oct. 11-12 (DVT) and another at was on the coast where few are recorded. Unexpected N.E.S.S., Nov. 27 (DM). Reports of nine different were five Fulvous Whistling Ducks at the El Dorado Peregrine Falcons in the s. half of the Region were Nature Center in Long Beach Nov. 19 ½BD); the encouraging. Merlins appeared more numerous than possibility of their being escapeesfrom one of the usualwith 30+_individuals reported Oct. 8-Nov. 30+. nearby waterfowl aviaries must be considered.The only Eur. Wigeonsreported were singlemales near L. CRAN ES, GALLIN U LES -- Five Sandhill Cranes Arrowhead in the San Bernardino Mts., Nov. 24-25 seenflying near N.E.S.S., Oct. 25 (PS) were probably (KG,JD), in Long Beach Nov. 19-20 (BD,FH) and on headingfor the area around Brawley where some 90 Upper Newport Bay, Nov. 12 (BB). Interesting was a regularly winter. Seven at CuyamacaL.. Sept. 24-30 flock of 26 Greater Scaup at S.E.S.S., Oct. 24-25 (HC) represented only the second record for San (BED) and another at Furnace Creek Ranch in Death Diego County. A Corn. Gallinule in Baker Sept. 24 Valley ½hereafter,F.C.R.) Nov. 25-26IJD,LCBL since ½SC)was unexpected. the speciesis rare inland. A $ Barrow's Goldeneye, extremely rare in s. California, was at F.C.R., Nov. SHOREBIRDS -- Three AmericanOystercatchers, 21-26 (GSS,VR,LCB). As usual I-3 Harlequin Ducks initially at SaltonCity Aug. 14-19(FH,JD), then along were present along the coast near Cambria Oct. the n.e. shore of the Salton Sea Aug. 20-30 24-Nov. 30+ ½RSm,FRT). An Oldsquaw on Morro (FH,EAC,SC), were the first to be found inland in Bay Nov. 25 (FRT) and another in Goleta Nov. 29 - California. The residentbird on Anacapa I. was seen Dec. 4 ½PL,LBe) were the only two reported. Reports Aug. 25 (TH) and I-2 were at Frazier Pt., Santa Cruz of Surf Scoters from inland localities included one near Big Pine Nov. 8-9 (THL three at Daggett. San Bernardino Co., Oct. 29 (SC,EAC), one at SaltonCity Nov. 27 (DM) and single individuals around S.E.S.S., Oct. 19 (PS) & 21 ½BED). Black Scoters persisted at N.E.S.S. well into September, with one found dead Sept. 3 (GSG, * U.C.L.A.) and the last noted Sept. 19 (RFR). A few Hooded Mergansers were found along the coast and in the n.e. portion of the Regionduring the last half of November, as expected.

RAPTORS -- A Black Vulture well seen on the Cali- fornia side of the Colorado R., 2 mi below Parker Dam Sept. 5 (LC,DC) representedthe first believable recordfor s. California.Two White-tailedKites near Lancaster, Los Angeles Co., Sept. 25 (EAC) were somewhat e. of their normal range in California as were 2-3 around N.E.S.S., Aug. 13 (FH,SC,DM). An imm. Goshawk at Oasis, Mono Co., Sept. 24 (JD) was the only one reported. At least ten Red-shouldered Am. Oystercatchers,Salton Sea, Aug. 24. 1977.Photo] Hawks were found at eight localitiese. of their normal J. M. Langam. range from Oasis s. to Finney L., the most significant l., Aug. 14 (JA). Four Black Oystercatchersat Pt. being the one at Finney L., Imperial Co., Sept. 24 Mugu Sept. 21 - Oct. 5 (RLP,LBa) and two more on (H&PB). At least 12 Broad-wingedHawks were seen, Pt. Fermin Sept. 14 (LiH) were away from areas of with one at Oasis Oct. 30 (CH,RW,JD), one over normal occurrence. Some Mountain Plovers were seen Mesquite Springsin Death Valley Nov. 19 (KG), one in the e. part of the Region, where few have been at Heart Bar S.P. in the San BernardinoMts., Sept. 18 recorded, with an exceptionally early individual at (EAC), single individuals in the Santa Barbara area F.C.R., Sept. 3 (SC,DM) and as many as eight in the Sept. 28 (RW) & Oct. 6 (PL), and at least sevenaround Lanfair Valley of e. San Bernadino Co., Oct. 23 San Diego Sept. 27- Oct. 16(JK,DDe,EC,RC). Only a (VR,SC). A single Am. Golden Plover was found few SwainsoWs Hawks are reported these days so a inland near Blythe Oct. 12 ½AEH,MLL); along the flock of 21 on Camp Pendletonnear OceansideOct. 22 coast three were seen around Goleta Aug. 26 - Nov. (PB) was of extreme interest. An imm. Zone-tailed 30+, with the one there Oct. 25-Nov. 3 beingof the Hawk, a casual wanderer to s. California, was near Asiaticrace Julia, anotherJulia wasat Playadel Rey Imperial Beach Sept. 11 ½AS)and another immature Oct. 23 (FH) and three dominica were found around was over Paso Picachoin the CuyamacaMts., Oct. l0 San Diego Oct. 16-Dec. 2 (DDe,RC). Solitary Sand- (JK). Rough-leggedHawks were more numerousthan pipers appeared exceptionally numerous, with 75+_ usual in November, being found along the entire coast individualsreported from throughoutthe RegionAug. s. to Imperial Beach, where one remained Nov. 3-9 10-Oct. 22. Exceptionalwere two WanderingTattlers (RCS), and throughout much of the interior; one near found inland with one at S.E.S.S., Aug. 22 (BDP) and Big Bear in the San Bernardino Mrs., Sept. 11 (EAC) the other on the Kern N.W.R., Kern Co., Sept. 14 was exceptionallyearly. The only Bald Eaglesreported (RFR). A Ruddy Turnstonewas at SaltonCity Aug. 5 were around the Salton Sea with an exceptionally (SC,DM), another was there Aug. 30 (EAC), two were

Volume 32, Number 2 257 there Sept. 5 (JD.KG) and one more was at Daggett JAEGERS, GULLS, TERNS, SKIMMERS -- For Sept. 17 (SC,DM): this speciesis scarceaway from the the first time PomarineJaegers were found inlandwith coast. Up to eight Red Knots, also rare away from the an immature at N.E.S.S., Sept. 8-12 (LCB,RSt) an coast, were at Salton City Aug. I I - Sept. 12 adult there Sept. i I (FS) and another immature there (DR,RStL A SemipalmatedSandpiper provided the Sept. 24 {H&PB). As appears to be normal, small first Regionalrecord for the fall period in Goleta Aug. numbers of Parasitic Jaegers passed through the 10-11 (PL,LBe). Baird's Sandpipersmoved through Salton Sea, with six individuals reported from the RegionAug. 9 - Sept. 19 with significantconcen- N.E.S.S., Sept. 4- Nov. 27 {SFB.RFR,PU,DM). Two trations such as 200+ at TinnemahaRes., lnyo Co., or three Long-tailedJaegers were seenoff San Diego Aug. 20 (TH) and 45 on Baldwin L., in the San Sept. 10-18{JD,GMcC) as expected, but an exhausted Bernardino Mrs.. Aug. 13 (KG) reported. Pectoral adult found near Pala, San Diego Co., Aug. 18 {RT, * Sandpipers were decidedly scarce, with less than 40 S. D. N. H. M.) was only the secondfound inland within reported Aug. 20 - Nov. 2. Totally unexpectedwas the this Region. appearanceof four Sharp-tailedSandpipers, with one A Thayer's Gull in RiversideNov. 19{SC,EAC) was in Goleta Oct. 5 (PL,LBe), another three Oct. 24-30 the only one reported away from the coast. Yellow- (PL,RW), one at McGrath S.P., Ventura Co., Nov. 9 leggedW. Gulls remainedon the Salton Sea later than (RW) and the fourth near Imperial BeachOct. 27 - usual, with ten al Salton City Oct. 9 {PU,JD} and two Nov. 2 (EC), for there are only four previousrecords still there Nov. 27 {DM). An imm. Mew Gull in for the Region. As usual Stilt Sandpiperswere at Riverside Nov. 20 {JD,SC} was at an inland locality. S.E.S.S., with up to ten seentogether Aug. 5 - Sept. 8 Laughing Gulls remained around the Salton Sea well (GMcC); two in Goleta Aug. 27 (PL) were unexpected into October with 40 seen Oct. 9 {JD) and one still at as were also two on L. Elsinore, RiversideCo., Sept. S.E.S.S., Oct. 27 {BED}. About ten different 18 (SC,DM) and another near Imperial BeachOct. I-5 Franklin's Gulls were reported from various points (JK,PU) since the speciesis rarely reportedaway from around the Salton Sea Aug. 13 - Nov. 1, and two the Salton Sea. A Ruff, a casual wanderer to more near Irvine Nov. 20 {GSS); small numbers California, was well studiedin Goleta Sept. 20 (RDH). move through s. California every fall. Sabine'sGulls A Red Phalaropeat S.E.S.S., Oct. 18-20(PS,BED) were quite scarce off the coast with one off Goleta was the only one foundaway from the coast. Aug. 28 {PL), another off Pt. Fermin Oct. 6 {JA) and ten off San Diego Sept. 10-11(JD) being the only ones reported. However, an immature was inland at N.E.S.S., Sept. 12-15 {RSt,LiH) and another was found there Sept. 23 {•TE). A Gull-billed Tern at N.E.S.S., Nov. 27 {DM) was exceptionallylate. A Corn. Tern on Tinnemaha Res., Sept. il {TH) and The threeon L. ElsinoreAug. 27 {DM) werethe only ones found inland away from the Salton Sea. Arctic Terns California were quite numerous offshore with 40_+ off Goleta Aug. 28 {PL) and 250+ off San DiegoSept. 10-18{JD). A flock of 25 Leas!Terns at Dei Mar Sept. 5 {PU} and Quail six near Imperial BeachSept. 9 {LCB) were the last A. Starker seen this year; this speciesis normallygone from California by early September.Two Black Skimmers Leopold at McGrath S.P., Aug. 22-23{PL,LBa) were the only The CaliforniaQuail is a charmingbird, onesseen away from the SaltonSea and the SanDiego with its striking goodlooks and mellow area. callnotes. Widely distributed along the PacificCoast, it haslong beenof inter- ALCIDS -- Again Craveri's Murrelets were the estto bird-lovers,sportsmen, ranchers, only murrelets identifiedoff s. California in August and wildlife biologists.The definitive and September with five off Ventura Aug. 25 workfrom both the natural history and (GSS,TH) and 30+ off San Diego Sept. 10-18{JD). game management points of view, this comprehensive report summarizes PIGEONS, CUCKOOS, OWLS, SWIFTS- A what is knownabout the history,biol- Band-tailedPigeon in Long BeachSept. 24 (JM) and ogy,and management of the species. anothernear ImperialBeach Nov. 3 {EC), bothon the 301 pages,51 halftones,25 linedrawings, coast. were overshadowed by 40 on Santa Cruz 1., 7 maps,40 tables,31 charts,$14.95 Nov. 12 (BD). As usuala few White-wingedDoves moved W to the coast with one in LompocSept. _-r-/ At bookstores (JA), five in GolehaSept. 14- Nov. 2 {PL,BS,GH) and seven more around San Diego Aug. 13 - Oct. I CALIFORNIA {PU,EC); in additionone in Kelso Sept. 3 (SC) and University of California Press another in nearby Cadiz Oct. 24 {VR) were somewha! n. of their normal range. A Ground Dove in Goleta Berkeley 94720 Oct. 2 (DDi) and another in Kelso Oct. 23-24 {VR) were both somewhatoutside the species'normal

258 American Birds, March 1978 range. A Yellow-billed Cuckoo near Tecopa Sept. 1-3 Walter's Camp on the Colorado R., Riverside Co., (JT) may well have been on breedingterritory but one Nov. 9-14 (BE,AEH, * B.L.M.). An E. Phoebe, a rare at F.C.R., Sept. 24 (SC,DM) was clearly a migrant. A straggler to California, was at Oasis Oct. 29-30 Screech Owl at S.E.S.S., Sept. 6 (DVT) had to be a (PU,JD) and another was seen in McGrath S.P., Nov. migrant since the speciesdoes not nest in that area. 13 (LS). A Least Flycatcher, suspectedof being a Most interesting was the discovery of a Fiammulated regular vagrant to California, was well studied in Santa Owl near Westmorland Oct. 4 (DDe), since records of Barbara Sept. 18 (JD,PL,LBe) and another seenon Pt. migrants are few indeed. Four migrant Long-eared Loma Sept. 15 (JK). A Cliff Swallow at F.C.R., Nov. Owls were seen along the coast with one in San Luis 23 (VR) wasexceptionally late. Two PurpleMartins at Obispo Nov. 24 (FRT), another in Goleta Oct. 27 (PL), F.C.R., Sept. 3 (LBe) were in an area from which few and singlebirds near Imperial Beachon Sept. 29 (PU) records exist. & Nov. 2 (EC). A flock of 14 Black Swifts over Gilbert Pass near Deep SpringsAug. 18 (TH) was of interest; JAYS THROUGH THRUSHES -- A PiNonJay four over Long Beach Sept. 13 •BD) and two over near Pt. Mugu Sept. 30 (L J) was far out of range. A Goleta Sept. 15(PL) were the only onesreported from Verdin near Edwards Air Force Base in n.e. Los along the coast. A t3' Broad-billedHummingbird, a Angeles Co., Oct. 15 (FH) was at the extreme n.w. casualstraggler to California,was near Imperial Beach point of the species range. Up to six Pygmy Sept. 20-23 (DP,PU). Nuthatchesin TopangaCanyon Aug. 27 - Oct. 5 (LJ) and i-2 at Yucca Valley Sept. 2-5 (SC) were in WOODPECKERS -- Some ten "Yellow-shafted" lowland localities away from the species' normal Flickers were reported from various localities within range. Two Dippers seen along adjacent creeks the Region Oct. 9 - Nov. 30+. An Acorn Woodpecker flowing down the e. side of the mountainsof n.e. San near Westmorland Oct. 4 (DBe) and another at Clark Diego County Nov. 27 (AM) had to be migrantssince Mr., in e. San Bernardino Co., Oct. 16 (SC,EAC) were these creeks are dry much of the year. Winter Wrens both appreciablye. of their normal rangein California. were foundat a numberof desertlocalities in lnyo and An imm. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker,believed to be of San Bernardino counties during October and the nominate form varius, was well studied at F.C.R., November, and pushedfar S along the coast with 2-3 Oct. 30 (JD,DR). A WilliamsoWs Sapsucker at found near Imperial Beach after Oct. l0 (JD,EC). A Tollhouse Springsin the White Mrs., Oct. 16(TH) was Cactus Wren at Mesquite SpringsNov. 21 (GSS) was outside areas of normal occurrence. A NuttaWs Wood- n. of the speciesnormal range. A Brown Thrasher, a pecker near Barstow Sept. 17 (SC) and a Ladder- regular vagrant to California, was in Kelso Oct. 22-23 backed Woodpeckerat Deep SpringsAug. 12-Sept.3 (JD,VR,SC) and another was at Mesquite SpringsOct. (TH,KG) were both at the fringes of their normal 29-30 (H&PB,PL). Varied Thrushes were more ranges. numerous than usual, being found throughout the desert oasesof lnyo and San Bernardinocounties, and FLYCATCHERS, SWALLOWS -- The only E. along the coast s. to San Diego from late October Kingbirds reported were one at Malibu Aug. 31 (GSS) through November. and another on Pt. Loma Sept 11(BS). As usual a few Tropical Kingbirds appearedalong the coastwith up to KINGLETS, PIPITS, SHRIKES, VIREOS-- Once two in Goleta Oct. 7-10 (PL,LBe), one in Santa more Golden-crowned Kinglets moved into s. Barbara Oct. I I (LBa), another at Malibu Sept. 22 California, with about ten around San Diego Oct. 16- (FH) and four different individuals around Imperial Nov. 30+ (PH) and one near Westmorland Oct. 22 Beach Sept. 20-Oct. 26 (DP,EC). The only Scissor- (DDe) beingthe southernmostreported. A Red-throated tailed Flycatcherreported was one in Palo Verde, Oct. Pipit, a casualstraggler from e. Siberia,was in Carson 3-8 (MLL,LC). An OlivaceousFlycatcber, the fourth to Oct. 20-21 (JAJ,KG) and another was near Imperial be well documented from California, was near Beach Oct. 13-15 (EC,PU). A Sprague'sPipit, an

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State Zip. (Offergood in ContinenlalU.S. andCanada only Prices Sodetyislightlyhigher in Canada.) Volume32, Number 2 261 extremely rare vagrant to Calitbrnia, was seen near individualsin then.e. cornerof theRegion Oct. 29 - ImperialBeach Nov. 22 (EC,GMcC).A flightof N. Nov. 30+ (DDi,LCB,TH), one at F.C.R., Oct. 30 Shrikes broughtsome well into s. California with 3-4 (EC,PL), one in the CuyamaValley of e. San Luis Obispo Co., Nov. II (KVanV) and anotherin the Lucerne Valley of San BernardinoCo., Nov. 27 (PVanE). A Bell'sVireo in MorongoValley Oct. 19(SC,DM) was quitelate. A Yellow-greenVireo, a vagrantfrom thesouth, was on Pt. LomaOct. 15-19(DDe,JA). Four Red-eyedVireos were found in the e. part of the Regionduring early September with one at Oasis Sept. 4 (PL,DDi), one in DeathValley Sept. 4 (JD,KG), anotherat F.C.R., Sept. 2 (DR,PL) and the fourth in BlytheSept. 7-10 (IA). A PhiladelphiaVireo, very rare , I in California, was near Imperial Beach Oct. 15 (SC,DM)and another was in Kelso Oct. 23 0D,VR). WARBLERS -- A total of 26 Black-and-white Warblerswas reported with most occurring Sept. 10- I' WORLD OF I Oct. 28. Unexpectedwas the appearance of threePro- thonotaryWarblers, with oneat OasisAug. 17-18 I I (TH), anotherat StovepipeWells Oct. 29 - Nov. 5 ' NATURE J (JD,CH,GSS)and the third near Malibu Oct. 12(KG). A Worm-eatingWarbler, also exceedingly rare in Cali- fornia, was in Santa BarbaraSept. 30 - Oct. 3 I TOURS J (RW,LBe) and anotherwas on Pt. Loma Oct. 15-26 (JRJ,PU). Tennessee Warblers were about as j, "Naturetour" has aspedal meaning when numerousas usual,with some30 reportedSept. 4 - Nov. 19,and all butsix beingfrom along the coast. professionaltravel company specializing EighteenVirginia's Warblet• were found along the j youexclusivelytravelinwith natureQuesters.tours. We arethe only coastSept. 10-28. Lucy's Warblers are extremely rare J Ourapproach inplanning Worldwide stragglers to the coast,so oneon SantaCruz I.. Nov. J NatureTours is to provideyou with the 14(JA,BD), anotherin GoletaSept. 7 (BS)and a third J broadestingfor yourselfpossible opportunitythenatural ofhistoryexperienc- and J near Imperial Beach Oct. 7 (JK) were of interest. NorthernParulas are very rare in fall. sosix was more J leadershipof an accompanying naturalist, thanexpected with one at PanamintSprings Oct. I I J cultureofeach areaweexplore. Withthe (LBa), one nearNeedles Sept. 7 (CL), onein Goleta j andwesearchflowers... outtherain plantsforests, andmountains, animals, birds,and J J tundra...seashore,lakes,andswamps of J Sept.22 (PL,BS) and three around San Diego Sept. 26 J theregions we visit. We also study the ar- -Oct. 15(WTE.CGE). SevenMagnolia Warblers were foundwith three in the n.e. portion of the Region Sept. J chitecture,tions,temples, archaeology,andcustoms museumofthe people. collec- J 24 - Oct. 23 (JD,TH), one at Morro Bay Nov. 12 • Thecurrent Directory ofWorldwide (EAC),another on Pt. Fermin Oct. 22 (JM) and single J NatureTours describes 32tours varying in J individualsnear Imperial Beach Sept. I I (RSt)& Oct. J lengthfrom 4to 36 days and going tovirtu- 14-17(EC). A CapeMay Warbler was at OasisSept. 4 allyevery part of the world. Included are J (LBe). anotherat MesquiteSprings Nov. 19(JD), a J Mexico,Peru,Hawaii, Alaska, Ladakh, Sri J third at F.C.R., Oct. 29-30(RW) andtwo moreon Pt. J Lanka,Galapagos, Patagonia,Iceland, Scot- LomaOct. 23 (PU,EC);this species appears to be J land,small,andthe Switzerland.pace leisurely, Tourand partiesitineraries are morecommon in Californiatoday than l0 yearsago. unusual. As usuala few Black-throatedBlue Warblers were Callorwrite Questers orsee your Travel J seenduring October and November. with single birds Agenttoday for your free copy of the Direc- in Kelso Oct. 23 (JD) & Nov. 6-7 (DM,EC), one in toryofWorldwide NatureTours. J RedlandsOct. 24-26(BGP), another at Morro Bay Nov. I (FRT)and three individuals around San Diego I Oct. 2 - Nov. 6 (JB,SC,PU). Seven Black-throated I GreenWarblers, a regularvagrant to Californifi,were I found Oct. 15 - Nov. 8 with four in the n.e. comer of I the Regionand the otherthree along the coast.Six I BlackburnJanWarblers were reported,with one at Questers Tours I OasisOct. 15-30(TH), anotherin SunnymeadOct. _27 ANDTRAVEL, InC. I (DM), oneat AguaCaliente Hot Springs Oct. l0 (JK), Dept.AB -378, 257 Park Avenue South one on Santa Cruz I., Nov. I I (JA,BD) and three aroundSan Diego Sept. 11-27(RSt,VR,JK). Totally NewYork,N.Y. 10010 ß(212) 673-3120 IJ unexpectedwas a Grace'sWarbler near Imperial BeachSept. 20-22 (RCS,PU) and another there Sept.

262 AmericanBirds, March 1978 DROOL OVER THIS l

Don't read any further if you're a lukewarm birder who wouldn't care about missing a new North American record a few miles from your home. Or if you would give up a Harpy Eagle for your life- list because it might delay your breakfast. But if you really love birds and want to see as many as humanly possible on your precious vacations, BIRD BONANZAS 1978 tours may be a temptation you won't be able to resist. Our leaders are field birding geniuses who know the most about each area we tour so that you can find the maximum number of birds. After each tour participants write statements like, "The lead- ership was super-excellent- there couldn't have been a leader who knows the area and the birds better." Black-throatedBlue Warbler,Redlands, Calif., Oct. 29, 1977. Photo/Brian G. Prescott. 24-25 (BB,EC); there are only two previous records for the coast. Eleven Chestnut-sided Warblers Sept. 9 - Oct. 30 was about average. Five Bay-breasted Warblers were found, with one at Stovepipe Wells Oct. 29-30 (JD), one in Goleta Oct. 21-27 (PL,LBeL one in Long Beach Sept. 22 (BD) and single indivi- duals on Pt. Loma Oct. 23 (PU) & Nov. 16 (CGE). Aborn 40 Blackpoll •,arblcrs were •een Sept. 3 - Oct. 19 with all but two at Oasis Sept. 24-25(JD,TH), one at Ben King, author of "A Field Guide to the Birds of F.C.R., Sept. 3 (SC) and anotherat AguaCaliente Hot Southeast Asia," is legendary as a field birder. He SpringsOct. 4 (RC) beingalong the coast. A Prairie will lead the TOUR-OF-THE-YEAR to INDIA, Warblers was at Oasis Oct. 15-16 (TH) another was followed by CEYLON, the most extensive tour ever of that subcontinent, with 600 species ex- near S.E.S.S., Oct. 24 - Nov. 2 (BED) and a third was pected, including many rarities. near Imperial BeachAug. 16-17(EC); recordsfrom inland localities are few indeed. A total of 36 Palm Ben will also lead our Alaska tour again in 1978. Species recorded on the last tour included Brown Warblers was found along the coast Sept. 6 - Nov. Shrike, Red-throated Flycatcher, Dusky Warbler, 30,. L:ghtOvenbirds were reported, with threein the Common Rose Finch, Indian Tree Pipit, Dusky n.e. cornerof the RegionOct. 23-30(GSS,EC,DDiL one Thrush, Whiskered Auklet, Ross' and Ivory Gulls, near Pt. Mugu Sept. 30 (L J), two at Agua CalienteHot Common, Wood and Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, Mon- golian Plover, Bean Goose and Laysan Albatross. Springs Oct. 4 (RC) and single individuals near Many others not mentioned would make most Imperial Beach Sept. 18-23(EC) and Oct. 9-10 (EC). birders drool. Only seven N. Waterthrushes were reported. A Hooded Warbler, rare in California, was near Imperial Steven HII•/. a neotropical birding legend, will lead tours to COSTA PICA, COLOMBIA and VENE- Beach Sept. 24-26 (JB,EC) and another was near Ft. ZUEI_• Birds like Quetzals, Harpy Eagles, Horned Piute Oct. 22 (SCJD). The only Canada Warblers Screamers and Umbrellabirds are seen regularly found were two near Imperial Beach Sept. 11-13 on our tours. (RSt,EC) and a third there Sept. 21 (EC). More than60 Len Robinson, a top Australian field man, led a tour Am. Redstartswere reported Sept. 3 - Nov. 30+. Two for us that recorded 495 species. In 1978 he wiU Painted Redstartswere found alongthe coastwith one lead our tours to AUSTRALIA and NEW' GUINEA. near Pt. Mugu Oct. 13 (GSS) and the other on Pt. Don Turner, one of East Africa's leading field bird- Loma Sept. I I (BS). ers, will lead our tour to KENYA; then one to MADAGASCAR, where Don has the highest list. BLACKBIRDS, TANAGERS -- Bobolinks were We also have great tours wtih great leaders to scarcerthan normal with only three in Goleta Sept. 15- ISRAEL, FLOPIDA, ARIZONA-NEW MEXICO, 22 (PL), one at Malibu Sept. 8 (GSS) and ten around Zaire and a Dry Tortugas Boat trip. And we will San Diego Sept. I I - Oct. 8 (PU); however, one near be operating the ABA tours to Costa Pica and N.E.S.S., Oct. 28 (PS) was at an unusual locality. Surinam. Only three OrchardOrioles were reported,with one at Don't just drool. Don't sit there passively dream- Oasis Sept. 4 (DR), anotherat F.C.R., Oct. 30 {EC) ing of the great birds others are actually seeing and the third in Goleta Sept. 12 (BS). As usual a few on BIRD BONANZAS tours. See them yourself. Write us for detailed irdormation about the tours "Baltimore" OriOles appeared, with one in Barstow that interest you most. Sept. 17 (SC,DM), three in Goleta Aug. 22 - Nov. 13 (PL,LBe) and four around San Diego Sept. 25 - Oct. 15. (JD,EC,JK). An imm. c• Searlet-headed Oriole, a Bird Bonanzas rare stragglerfrom n.w. Mexico, was at F.C.R., Nov. 12550 BiscayneBoulevard, Suite 501 6 - Nov. 30+ (JD,LCB). As usual a few Rusty Black- North Miami, Florida 33181

Volume 32, Number 2 263 birds were found with six at F.C.R., Oct. 29 - Nov. 19 Vallecitos in e. San Diego Co., OCt. 4 (RC). The only (PU,KG,JD), one in Baker Nov. 7 (LBe), one in Long Dickcissels found were one in Goleta Sept. 15-17 Beach Nov. 9-11 (JM) and two on Santa Cruz l., Nov. {LBe,PL), one near Imperial BeachOct. 12{DP) and a 14 (JA,BD). A d Great-tailed Grackle at F.C.R., Sept. th.ird on Pt. Loma OCt. 28-29(CGE). A minorinflux of 3 - Nov. 6 (EC) and a lemale m Baker Sept. I (SC) Evening Grosbeaks brought small numbers into s. were both far n. California with one at Rancho Santa Fe Nov. 4-18 Three Scarlet Tanagers,casual stragglersto (PU) being the southernmost. Single Lawrence's California, were found, with one in Goleta Sept. 14-19 Goldfinches at F.C.R., Oct. 21 (EC) & 24 (JD), one in (PL,LBe), another near Malibu Nov. 20 (KG) and the Kelso Oct. 24 (VR.LiH) and another in Daggett Oct. third on Pt. Loma Oct. 17-19 (EC,JA). A c• Hepatic 29 (SC) were all in an area from which few of these Tanager in Morongo Valley Oct. I (GSS) was a birds have been recorded. A Lark Bunting in Joshua vagrantaway from any knownbreeding locality. Three Tree Nat'l Mort., Sept. 5 (SC,DMI and anotherat Deep SummerTanagers were seenin the n.e. portionof the Springs Nov. 25-26 (LCB,PL) were the only two RegionSept. 3 - Oct. 30 (JD), one was at Frazer Park, repo•2ed. A Large-billed Sparrow (L.s.rostratus) near Kern Co., Oct. 24 (JAJ) and nearly 20 were found Imperial Beach Nov. I I ½JDI was the first to be along the coast Aug. 22 - Nov. 30+. reported on the Pacificcoast in many years, althoughit does occur regularly at S.E.S.S. A Black-throated FINCHES, SPARROWS -- Rose-breasted Gros- Sparrow, scarce on the coast, was near Imperial beaks were relatively numerouswith 23 individuals Beach Oct. 8 (GMcC). Five Gray-headed Juncoswere reported. A Blue Grosbeak on Santa Barbara I., lk)und Oct. 20 - Nov. 30+. Five different Tree Oct. 22 (K6) was late. Only nine Indigo Buntings Sparrows were seen at F.C.R., Oct. 30-Nov. 26 were reported, with three in the n.e. corner of (GMcC,DDi,LCB); this speciesis regular in this area the Region, five around Goleta and one near San of California at this time of the year. Eight Clay- Diego. A c• Varied Buntingat MesquiteSprings Nov. colored Sparrows were found along the coast Sept. 18-21 (DDi,DR,GSS, ph. S.D.N.H.M.) represented 10-Nov. 30+ (CGE,EC,PL,KG,AC) and another was the second documented record for California. A c• at F.C.R., Oct. 9 (TH). A Black-chinnedSparrow in Painted Bunting, very rare in California, was at La Jolla Canyon of the Santa Monica Mts., Nov. 20 (KG) was exceptionally late and may be wintering. About ten Harris' Sparrows were found in the Death Valley area OCt. 29 - Nov. 26. A bird well-studiedat F.C.R., Nov. 5-6 (JD,AS, ph. S.D.N.H.M.) appeared to be a Harris' Sparrow x White-crownedSparrow. White-throated Sparrows were relatively scarce with only eight individualsreported Oct. 28 - Nov. 30+ Six Swamp Sparrows were seen at F.C.R., OCt. 21-Dec. 6 (EC,DR,LJI, one was in Riverside Nov. 19- 20 {EAC,SC), another was in Goleta Oct. 27-28 (PL) and one more was near Imperial Beach Nov. 26 (VR). Two McCown's Longspurs were in the Lanfair Valley of e. San Bernardino Co., Oct. 22-23 (JD,VR,SC), one was near Lakeview Nov. 15-20 (DM,JD), another was in Carson Oct. 21 (KG) and singleindividuals were seennear Imperial BeachNov. 12 (GMcC) & 14 (EC). Inland a Lapland Longspurwas found at F.C.R., Nov. 27 (JD,PL), I-4 were seen around Lakeview Nov. 15-25 (DM,SC) and another Varied Bunting, Mesquite Srings,Death Valley, Calif. was at L. Henshaw Nov. 30 (DP); along the coast Nov. 19, 1977. Photo] ArnoM Small. singlebirds were seenin Goleta Nov. 10 (PL) & 14-15

BIRDING WITH MASSACHUSETTS AUDUBON . . .

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264 American Birds, March 1978 Johnson, Lee Jones, Jim Kennick, Hugh Kingery, Martha Klass, Mike L. Lange, Jeri M. Langham, Chuck Lawson, Paul Lehman, Art Morley, Doug Morton, Jess Morton, Benjamin D. Parmeter, Robert L. Pitman, Dave Povey, Brian G. Prescott, Van Remsen, Keith C. Richards, Robert F. Ringler, Don Roberson, Larry Sansone, Rusty Scalf (RSc), Fritz Scheider, Brad Schram, Trudy Siptroth, Arnold Small, Ron Smith (RSm), Richard C. Smith, Paul Springer, Richard Stallcup (RSt), Don Sterba, Jim Stevens, G. Shumway Suffel, Jan Tarble, Fern R. Tainter, Margaret Thornburgh, Don V. Tiller, Randolph Trujillo, Philip Unitt, Peppy VanEssen, Kent Van Vuren, Richard Webster. Specimen ½*), Photograph (ph.), Bureau of Land Management, Enrenberg (B.L.M.), San Diego Natural History Museum (S.D.N.H.M.), University of California, Los Angeles (U.C.L.A.). GUY MCCASKIE, San Diego Natural History Museum, Balboa Park, San Diego, White-crowned x Harris' Sparrow. Death Valley, California 92101. Calif., Nov. 12, 1977. Photo/Arnold Small.

(LBe), one was at Pt. Mugu Nov. 13 (LBa), another HAWAllAN ISLANDS REGION was in Carson Oct. 15-17 (JAJ) and 3-4 were around /Robert L. Pyle and C. John Ralph Imperial Beach Nov. 10-17 (GMcC,EC). As usual Chestnut-collaredwas the most numerouslongspur Fall is the exciting season for birding in Hawaii. with individualsscattered throughout the Regionalong Arriving waterbird migrants add variety to bird with small flocks such as 15 in the AntelopeValley populationswhich otherwisechange little in composi- Oct. 28 (JD), 20 at Daggett Nov. 27 (SC), 35 near tion during the year. Rarities and accidentalsare the Baldwin L., Nov. 25 (KG) and 20 at L. Henshaw Nov. spiceof each year's influx, and 1977had its share.The 13 (PU). long drought continued through the fall. Honolulu, with only one-seventh of its normal rainfall this CONTRIBUTORS -- Jori Atwood, Ione Arnold, season, now has had below-normal rain in 31 of the Stephen F. Bailey, Larry Ballard (LBa), Jonathan past 36 months. The higher mountains have had Berman, Chuck Bernstein, Louis Bevier (LBe). enough rain to sustain normal forest conditions, but Laurence C. Binford, Peter Bloom, Richard C. the lowlands and drier slopes have suffered. Bradley, Hank and Priscilla Brodkin (H&PB), Bruce Fortunately, most of the critical freshwater areas are Broadbooks, John Burns (JBur), John Butler (JBut), more sensitive to irrigation and pumping practices EugeneA. Cardiff. StevenCardiff, Harvey Chambers, than to climatic conditions, and have been maintained Larry Clark, Dan Cohen, Armand Cohen, Robert fairy well this fall. Copper, Elizabeth Copper, Brian Daniels, Dale Delaney (DDe), Bruce E. Deuel, Donna Dittman GREBES THROUGH HERONS -- A Pied-billed (DDi), Jon Dunn, Bruce Edinger, Claude G. Edwards, Grebe was found on Kauai (hereafter, K.) for the third Dick Erickson, William T. Everett, Alice Fries, David year in a row, this time at Lihue Plantationsettling Gaines, Kimball Garrett, Gilbert S. Grant, Linda Hale basin (TT). Black-footed Albatrosses returned to (LiH), Roger D. Harris, Lew Hastings (LeH), Fred Midway Atoll (hereafter, M.A.) during the week of Heath, Tom Heindel, Alton E. Higgens,Craig Hohen- Oct. 16, and Laysan Albatrosseshad returnedby Oct. berger, Gerrie Human, Joseph R. Jehl, Jerome A. 30 (NB-C). By Nov. 19, the majority of Black-footeds

THE ASA WRIGHT NATURE CENTRE TRINIDAD • opento all--year round environmental study f •'n•,• :..•l• and...... tioni.... tropicalecology. • -,/:' " .I 400Thebirds.species 55listsreptiles. are impressive' 25amph•i 108....mammals ' / :•' Reservationsarenow being accepted for 1978 Summer Seminars--Workshops in 1. Drawing and Paintingfrom Nature-- June 14--June 28 2. Ornitholof•--June 28•uly 12 3. Entomolof•uly 12--July 26 4. Tropical Ecology--July 26--^ugust 9 5. Nature Photography--August 9--August 23 15 days (including2 days on Tobago}.$652. includinground trip air fare from New York. Limited to 20 participants

Volume 32, Number 2 265 chain,with oneon LaysanI., in mid-July,and another on Tern I., French Frigate ShoalsOct. 20 (BG).

GEESE THROUGH OSPREY -- One Brant (Black), a scarce stragglerto Hawaii, was observed well at Kealia Pond, Maul (hereafter, M.) Nov. 9 (RAC,GVB). The endangered Hawaiian Duck has been seenmore regularlyat Waipio, O., thisfall with a high •:ount of 13 on Sept. 24 (CJR,CPR).Several scarcerducks were also found during Novemberat Waipio. Theseincluded a pair of Mallards,a pair of Gadwalls, usually I-5 Green-wingedTeal, two Blue- wingedTeal, and six scaup(m.ob.). Green-winged Teal countsof 15on Nov. 13and 33 Nov. 27at Waipio were unprecedented (RLP,WMO).

had laid eggs, and the Laysans were beginningto lay. A Short-tailed Albatross was seen the first week of •S.A. November on Sand I., M.A. (NB-C), possibly the same banded individual that has returned there in A smallButeo, identifiedas a dark phaseof several recent winters. Nesting Newell (Manx) Shear- the endangeredHawaiian Hawk, or Io, was seen soaringover the Pearl City Unit of the Pearl waters on K., each fall land on lawnsand highwayson Harbor N.W.R., O., Sept. 28 (RAC,GVB,DB). nocturnal flights from the mountains to the sea. A full descriptionof the bird was publishedin Several hundred were found this fall; many were The Elepaio (38(6):67). The Hawaiian Hawk is returned to the wild, but as many as 100were killed by native only to the island of Hawaii (hereafter, automobiles (GVB,TT). A Little Blue Heron in full ad. plumage was found at Waipio, Oahu (hereafter, O.) H.), with no confirmedrecords from any other island. Additionally,no mainlandButeos have Sept. 21 (DS), in the same place where one was seen ever been recorded on the Hawaiian Islands. almost exactly one year earlier. Cattle Egrets, introduced in 1959, have increasedand spreadwidely What makesthis Oahu report intriguing is thatit occurred shortly after Kilauea Volcanoon H., on the main islands.This fall they reachedthe leeward began a new phase of continuous strong activity. At this time, the normaleasterly trade winds had been replaced by generally light winds from the south. This broughtvolcanic dust (and pehaps a hawk disturbed from its territory) to O., some 380 km to the northwest BIRD (RLP).

An Osprey carryinga fish off Kailua, O., flying ited Kite BOOKS toward Nuupia Pond Aug. 20 (PP), and anotherat the pond Oct. I (BB), were both perhapsthe same bird photographedthere last May. Anotherwas at Kanaha Pond, M., Nov. 28 (CK).

GALLINULES THROUGH TERNS -- A Hawaiian Annual Catalogue listing over 1200 de- (Com.) Gallinule,an endangeredsubspecies, was found scribeditems available. $8air-mail. Bird at Waipio, O., Sept. 18, and is the flint to be reported there in recent years (CJR). Bristle-thighedCurlews BOUGHTANDSOLDwere recordedin unusually high numbers.They were or modernreference books, are pur- seen regularly near Kii Pond, O., from September chased. Please offer any that are surplus through the end of November. High countswere nine to your requirements. on Sept. 9 (RE), and seven on Oct. 2 (WMO,RLP). SingleBristle-thigheds were alsoat HonouliuliUnit of Pearl Harbor N.W.R., Sept. I I (RLP,DS et al.), andat ibooks, whetheroldcolour-platebooks Hauola, Lanai, Sept. 10 (PC). On M.A., Bristle-thigheds were fairly common,with as manyas 12seen together on the abandonedrunway (NB-C). Two Whimbrelswere Winchester,TheWhite Hampshire,Cottage, Pitt, U.K. identified at Kii Pond, O., Sept. 25, for one of the first records from the main islands (WMO,DS,CJR,CPR et al.). A Red Knot, representingthe fifth record for the state, and the first since 1968, was studiedat leisure at Waipio, O., Nov. 20, 24 & 27 (WMO,RLP). Sharp-

266 AmericanBirds, March 1978 tailed Sandpipershad an excellent flight this fall, more ANNOUNCEMENT being recorded than in the previous 10 years combined. At Waipio, O., countsbuilt up from two on The Linnaean Society of New York, as part of its Sept. 18 to an unprecedented33 Oct. 15 (CJR,CPR), Centennial celebration, will host the Second Annual with six still present Nov. 27. At Kealia Pond, M., 23 Meeting of the Colonial Waterbird Group at the were found Oct. 19 (RAC,RLP) and 17 on Nov. 7 American Museum of Natural History in New York (CK). Smaller numbers were seen on almost every Oct. 21 - 23, 1978. A symposiumof invited paperson waterbird spot in the state. A W. Sandpiper was "Factors Affecting Productivityin Colonial Species" observed at Waipio, O., Nov. 24 (WMO). Perhapsthe is scheduledfor Oct. 21 and the morningof Oct. 22. prize find of the seasonwas the Ruff in winter plumage Submitted papers will be given on the afternoon of found at Waipio, O., Sept. 18 (CPR,CJR). Several Oct. 22 and the morningof Oct. 23. A workshopsession observers saw it through Sept. 25, when it was photo- the afternoon of the 23rd will concludethe meeting. graphed (OB). This made the third state record. One Please send for information on contributed papers, Wilson's Phalarope was studied carefully and abstracts for which must be received by August l, photographedat Waipio Aug. 30 (OB), and two were 1978, to Dr. P. A. Buckley, North Atlantic Regional there Sept. 4 (WMO,RLP,DS). One and possiblytwo imm. Least Terns were at Honouliuli Unit of Pearl Office, National Park Service, 15 State Street, Boston, MA 02109. For registration information, contact Helen Harbor N.W.R., Sept. I I (H.A.S.), and one at Kealia Hays, Dep. of Ornithology,Am. Museum of Natural Pond, M., Oct. 18-19{RAC,RLP). A Bonaparte'sGull was seen on Kealia Nov. 28, for one of the few state History, CPW at 79th St., New York, NY 10024. records {CK). The much-sought-afterWhite Tern was seenthrough early fall at Kapiolanipk., O., withhigh counts of five Aug. 28 (OB,RLP) and at least eight Sept. 23 (CPR,CJR).

HONEYCREEPERS THROUGH FINCHES -- Twenty Pallia and one Akiapolaau were at Puu Laau, H., Sept. 12 (RE). On Oct. l at 4800 ft, five Akiapolaau were in the Olaa Tract, H.,just offStainback Highway (CJR,CPR). This is one of the lowest altitudes registeredfor this endangeredspecies, and is alsoin an area easily accessibleto the public. In early November 15 Red-eared Waxbills were near Kahuku, O., over 30 mi from their normal range on Diamond Head and close to where several were seen during the last two ANNOUNCING... winters (RAC,TAB,DW). At Kawela Bay, 3 mi away, The most complete BIRD FINDING a Yellow-fronted Canary, also normally only found at sourcebookever compiled. *Indudes over 825 Clubs from A•ska Diamond Head, turned up at a feeder Nov. 26 (RAC). tO Panama These birds may have found their own way, or they *Favorite birding areas of each club might be releases or escapees. in either case, the listed monitoring of these and other introduced finches, ß Club •ator r•aps for U S ar• Canada ose•ct I•t of •cal birding coflt•cts heretofore confined to a small range on Diamond with phone num• Head, will be an important challenge of the coming decade. The introducedYellow-faced Grassquit was first reported in the state in 1974but not resighteduntil two were found Aug. 4 on Halawa Ridge. O. (RJS). About 6 mi away, on Oct. 29, a flock of at least 40 was found on a recently-burnedarea on Manana Ridge, above Pacific PalisadesOWL very near the locationof the 1974 sightings.Just how large an area in the Oahu mountains the species may occupy is open to conjecture. • MUST FOR CONTRIBUTORS -- Bill Bigler, Demi Black, • • :" • TRAVELING Timothy A. Burr, Omer Bussen, Nancy Butowski- Casey, G- Vernon Byrd, Richard A. Coleman, Peter '• - •' ß•.•)• BIRDERSI. Connally, Richard Erickson, Brent Giezentanner, Cameron Kepler, W. Michael Ord, Peter Pyle, Carol Pearson Ralph, Robert J. Shallenberger, Hawaii -- •.., .;'•- Postage/Handhng*Plus $.75 25½ each additional Audubon Society, Dan Snider, Tom Teller, John book. Ky residents Walters, David Woodside.-- ROBERT L. PYLE, 741 add 5% sales lax N. Kalaheo Ave., Kailua, HI 96734 and C. JOHN RALPH, U.S. Forest Service,Institute of PacificIslands Avmlable only from Forestry, 1151 PunchbowlSt., Honolulu, HI 96813. Arian Publications. Inc./P.O. Box 310/Elizabethtown. Ky. 427o1

Volume32, Number2 267