28 NatureAlberta Eighth Report of the Bird Record Committee BY JOCELYN HUDON, RICHARD KLAUKE, RICHARD KNAPTON, M. ROSS LEIN, JOHN RIDDELL, BRIAN RITCHIE AND RAY WERSHLER Year of Remarkable Growth! It was another year of average of two new species have (Slater 1999). It is now accepted remarkable growth for The been discovered in the province based on newly unearthed Offi cial List of the Birds of annually, clearly a pace that is not documentation, as well as an Alberta. With the addition of sustainable. improved knowledge of the Whip-poor-will (Caprimulgus species’ patterns of vagrancy Since publication of the Seventh vociferus), Acorn Woodpecker (Lockwood 1999). Report of the ABRC (Hudon et (Melanerpes formicivorus), Red- al. 2007), the Alberta Bird Record Finally, the provincial list is bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes Committee has reviewed and amended to bring it in line with carolinus), Fork-tailed reached decisions on 95 records, the 48th supplement to the Flycatcher (Tyrannus savana) including several sightings of rare American Ornithologists’ Union’s and Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus loons, Red-headed Woodpeckers, “Checklist of North American cyanocephalus) in this report, Scissor-tailed Flycatchers and Birds” (Banks et al. 2007). This the list of species known to have Northern Parulas from the back- entailed returning the Turkey occurred historically in Alberta log of un-adjudicated records from Vulture to the Falconiformes, grows to 413 species, 13 more the 1980s and 1990s. and returning the scientifi c than only a few years ago (2002) name of the Belted Kingfi sher to (Hudon 2005). Since the creation The Fork-tailed Flycatcher record Megaceryle alcyon from Ceryle of the Alberta Bird Record is the same sighting that was alcyon. Committee (ABRC) in 1994, an not accepted in an earlier report

RECORDS ACCEPTED

Garganey (Anas querquedula), near Taber; Black Scoter (Melanitta nigra), English Bay, 2006; written description (Jason Rogers). 6 – 26 May 1990; 1 slide (Lloyd Bennett), Cold Lake; 21 – 26 October 2005; image CODE 3 RECORD. Clear Lake, near Stavely; also photo in American Birds 44: 445 (1990) posted on Albertabird Yahoo! photos (Ted 8 – 9 July 2007; brief description posted on and Alberta Naturalist 25(1): 12 (1993). CODE Hindmarch). CODE 1 RECORD. Inglewood Albertabird (Bill Wilson). CODE 3 RECORD. 1 RECORD. Photographic documentation Bird Sanctuary, Calgary; 3 November 2006; Yellow-billed Loon (Gavia adamsii), was produced, elevating the level of support written report (Ray Wershler). CODE 3 NE arm of Railway Slough, SE of Irricana; to Code 1 from Code 2 (Slater and Hudon RECORD. Two at Carburn Park, Calgary; 5 13 October 1991; written report (Reid 2004). Near Taber; 25 July 1991; 1 slide November 2006; and downstream from Barclay). CODE 3 RECORD. Ghost Reservoir; (Lloyd Bennett) and brief description in Glenmore Bridge; 6 November 2006; written 11 – 13 November 1992; written reports Alberta Naturalist 25(1): 12 (1993). CODE 1 reports (Tanya Barkauskas, Jim H. Davis), the (Ray Wershler, Ross Dickson, Terry RECORD. Photographic documentation was fi rst with an image. Possibly the bird seen a Korolyk), the second with sketch. CODE 2 produced, elevating the level of support few days earlier. CODE 1 RECORD. RECORD. Rescued from a freezing North to Code 1 from Record Insuffi ciently Gavia stellata Saskatchewan River in ; 20 Documented (Slater and Hudon 2004). Near Red-throated Loon ( ), December 1992; photo in American Birds Taber; 17 May – 7 June 1993; 2 slides (Lloyd Ghost Reservoir; 27 October 2002; 1 slide 47: 485 (1993) and past notes on slide and Bennett) and brief description in Alberta (Bill Walker). CODE 1 RECORD. Bow River at Morley; 15 – 30 October 2005; written video material (Jocelyn Hudon). CODE 1 Naturalist 25(1): 12 (1993). CODE 1 RECORD. RECORD. Bruce Lake; 15 May 1993; written Photographic documentation was produced, report with 3 images (Joan & Malcolm report with drawing (Gwynn Chorel). CODE elevating the level of support to Code 1 from McDonald). CODE 1 RECORD. Two Jack 3 RECORD. Seebe Dam; 11 November 1993; Code 3 (Slater and Hudon 2004). Lake, ; 19 September SUMMER 2008 29

RECORDS ACCEPTED…continued

written report and notes (Terry Korolyk). CODE Barn Owl (Tyto alba), found dead south report (Dwight Knapik). CODE 3 RECORD. 3 RECORD. Ghost Reservoir; 12 November of Coaldale; 2 November 2006; specimen Near Etzikom; 16 July 2004; written report 1993; written report (Ray Wershler). CODE 3 brought to Alberta Birds of Prey Centre in with 2 images (Joan & Malcolm McDonald). RECORD. Immature, Cold Lake; 2 November Coaldale and donated to The Royal Alberta CODE 1 RECORD. Near Crowfoot Ferry on the 1996; 2 images posted on Albertabird Yahoo! Museum (accession number Z06.1.14). Bow River; 26 June 2007; 8 digital images photos (Richard Klauke). CODE 1 RECORD. CODE 1 RECORD. Found dead at farm W of (Tim Schowalter). CODE 1 RECORD. Glenmore Reservoir, Calgary; 11 November High River; 8 November 2006; specimen Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes 1998; written report with sketch (Andrew donated to The Royal Alberta Museum by formicivorus), near Sundre; about 1 – 9 Slater). CODE 3 RECORD. Immature, Glenmore Don and Joyce Moore (accession Z08.8.4). July 2006; 14 digital images (Gerrit Wyna). Reservoir, Calgary; 29 October – 7 November CODE 1 RECORD. CODE 1 RECORD. First documented occurrence in 2000; 3 slides (Bill Walker). CODE 1 RECORD. Common Poorwill (Phalaenoptilus the province. Lake Wabamun; 13 – 14 November 2004; nuttallii), Cypress Hills Provincial Park (E of written reports (Terry Thormin, Kevin Hannah). Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes Reesor Lake, above Battle Creek); 17 June CODE 2 RECORD. Immature, spillway below carolinus), Ponoka; from 1 October 2007 to 1987; written report (Ray Wershler). CODE Dickson Dam, W of Innisfail; 7 December 2004 about 15 April 2008; several photographs 3 RECORD. Cypress Hills Provincial Park to at least 5 January 2005; written report with (Judy Boyd [2], Murray Mackay [6]). CODE 1 (E of Reesor Lake); 17 June 2001; written 4 images (Brian Ritchie), 2 images posted on RECORD. First documented occurrence in report (Ray Wershler). CODE 3 RECORD. Albertabird Yahoo! photos (Richard Klauke). the province. Near Purple Springs; 10 July 2005; written CODE 1 RECORD. report (Lloyd Bennett). CODE 3 RECORD. Red-breasted Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus Green Heron (Butorides virescens), Vermilion Cypress Hills Provincial Park (along Reesor ruber), Pyramid Corrals, Jasper, Jasper Lakes, Banff, Banff National Park; 21 March Lake Road); 8 August 2006; written report National Park; from 14 May 2007 to about 2006; written report (Ross Doughty). CODE 3 (Dwight Knapik). CODE 3 RECORD. 15 June 2007; two written reports and RECORD. “Canadian Wilds” section of Calgary several images (Anne Williams [4], Karen Whip-poor-will (Caprimulgus vociferus), Zoo, Calgary; 19 – 29 August 2006; written Metz [1]), brief description (Jason Rogers). picked up in downtown Calgary; 6 October report (Dwight Knapik). CODE 3 RECORD. CODE 1 RECORD. 2006; turned in to the Alberta Institute for Mountain Plover (Charadrius montanus), Wildlife Conservation in Madden; 3 images Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus pair in Wild Horse area; 26 April 2006; written (Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation). forfi catus), near Fairview; 26 May 1998; descriptions (Dennis Burns, Jason Rogers), CODE 1 RECORD. First documented brief description (Ken Dies). CODE 3 4 digital images of pair at nest in the area occurrence in the province. RECORD. Near Water Valley; 10 and 11 June (Brian Ritchie). CODE 1 RECORD. 2000; written report (Doug Collister) with 9 Black-chinned Hummingbird images (Peter Sherrington). CODE 1 RECORD. Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus), (Archilochus alexandri), Brule (hamlet); 21 Kinbrook Island Provincial Park; 30 May Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, Calgary; 28 – 30 June 2007; written report (Linda Morgan) 2004; written report (Yousif Attia). CODE 3 March 2006; written report with sketches and 8 digital images (Beth MacCallum). RECORD. Edmonton; 18 May 2006; written (Ray Wershler), written reports (Eric Tull, CODE 1 RECORD. description posted on Albertabird (Thomas Mike Mulligan), brief descriptions posted Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes J. Simonsen). CODE 3 RECORD. Access on Albertabirds (Bill Wilson, John Bregar). erythrocephalus), Lake Minnewanka, Banff road to ; 20 – 21 CODE 2 RECORD. Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, National Park; 16 – 18 June 1985; 2 images May 2007; written report and 2 images Calgary; 12 – 19 November 2006; two digital (Diane McIvor). CODE 1 RECORD. Lake (Milton Spitzer); video on web [http://www. images (Bill Walker), fi ve images posted on Louise (hamlet); 14 and 15 June 1994; webfoundations.com/webfx/RareBirds/ Albertabird Yahoo! photos (Rob Worona [4], images and transcription of fi eld notes Scissor-tailed%20Flycatcher.wmv] (Brooke Brian Elder [1]). CODE 1 RECORD. (Mike Potter). CODE 1 RECORD. Carburn Clibbon). CODE 1 RECORD. Pakowki Lake, Ancient Murrelet (Synthliboramphus Park, Calgary; 9 – 14 August 1996; 1 slide along SR 885 south of Etzikom; 8 – 9 June antiquus), Lake Minnewanka, Banff National (Bill Walker) and written report with sketch 2007; written report with 3 images (Joan Park; most of August 2007; written report (J.B. Steeves). CODE 1 RECORD. Police Point and Malcolm McDonald). CODE 1 RECORD. (Jason Rogers and Mike McIvor) and 4 digital Park, Medicine Hat; from mid-February to Fork-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus images (Michael Shuster), 2 images posted late Fall 1996; written report (Ben Velner savana), Drumheller; 1 June 1988; written on Albertabird Yahoo! photos (Alan Fishkin). fi de Dennis Baresco). CODE 2 RECORD. description (Jim Wedgwood) and articles in CODE 1 RECORD. About 75 km north of Hinton; 10 June Alberta Bird Record 6(4): 118–119 (1988) 1997; brief description in Schaffer (1997). White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica), NW and Blue Jay 47(2): 113–117 (1989). CODE CODE 3 RECORD. Wardlow; 4 June 2004; Calgary; 27 April 2006; two photographs 3 RECORD. First documented occurrence written report and 2 images (Jerry Pilny). (Holle Hahn). CODE 1 RECORD. Medicine in the province. New information elevates CODE 1 RECORD. Onefour; 4 June 2004; Hat; from late October to about third week the level of support to Code 3 from Record 3 digital images (Jason Duxbury). CODE 1 of November 2007; several images (Ron Insuffi ciently Documented (Slater 1999). RECORD. N of Jenner; 1 July 2004; written Chaykowski). CODE 1 RECORD. 30 NatureAlberta

RECORDS ACCEPTED…continued

Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus), Z06.5.1). CODE 1 RECORD. Near Rolling Hills; Green-tailed Towhee (Pipilo chlorurus), Mountain View; 11 – 12 October 2007; 23 May 2007; brief description posted on Warner Stables, Banff National Park; written report and 4 digital images (Nancy Albertabird (Bill Wilson). CODE 3 RECORD. 21 May 2007; brief description (Reno West). CODE 1 RECORD. First documented Sommerhalder). CODE 3 RECORD. Northern Parula (Parula americana), occurrence in the province. Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park; 23 May Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Poecile 1985; written description (Doug Collister). bilineata), near Picture Butte; 1 May 2006; rufescens), Jasper, ; from CODE 3 RECORD. Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, 2 digital images (Marianne Klok). CODE 1 late November 2006 to at least 9 March Calgary; 15 August 1995; written report RECORD. NW Calgary; 28 – 29 May 2006; 2007; 4 digital images (Doug Faulder), written (Olga Droppo). CODE 3 RECORD. Park Lake two images (Terry Korolyk). CODE 1 RECORD. report (Jim H. Davis). CODE 1 RECORD. Provincial Park; 25 August 1998; written W Lethbridge; 26 May – 1 June 2007; report with fi eld notes (Doug and Teresa written report, copy of fi eld notes and 4 Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina), Dolman). CODE 3 RECORD. Cominco Natural images (Teresa and Doug Dolman). CODE 1 Lethbridge; 14 September 2006; written Area, SE Calgary; 8 September 2000; written RECORD. report with 3 images (Doug and Teresa report with 6 images (Ross Dickson). CODE 1 Dolman). CODE 1 RECORD. Claresholm; 22 – Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris), Bashaw; RECORD. Sandy Beach, NW of Edmonton; 28 25 May 2007; written report (Jason Attwell). 4 May 2006; one digital image (Ron King); October 2000; window kill donated to The CODE 3 RECORD. another image posted in Edmonton Journal Royal Alberta Museum by Marilyn Shinyei on May 9, 2006 (“Painted Bunting pays Sage Thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus) (accession Z00.27.1). CODE 1 RECORD. visit to Bashaw” by Scott Hornby). CODE 1 near Clifford E. Lee Nature Sanctuary, SW Kentucky Warbler (Oporornis formosus), RECORD. of Edmonton; 24 May 2004; written report Weaselhead area of Glenmore Park, Calgary; and 3 images captured from video (Michelle Dickcissel (Spiza americana), W of Rocky 8 September 2007; written report (Richard and Curtis Manly). CODE 1 RECORD. E of Wild Mountain House; from 28 May to at Clarke). CODE 3 RECORD. Horse; between 25 June and 25 July 2006; least 6 June 2004; written report and 5 written report with images of adults, eggs in Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea), Airdrie; photographs (Melvin & Carol Kraft). CODE nest, nestlings and fl edglings (Geoff Holroyd). 22 and 25 May 2007; several images and 1 RECORD. Two unhatched [unfertilized] eggs donated video sequences (Jeffrey Casey [7 + 3]; to The Royal Alberta Museum (accession Sheelagh Schulze [9]). CODE 1 RECORD.

RECORDS INSUFFICIENTLY DOCUMENTED

Garganey (Anas querquedula), near Ponoka; Yellow-billed Loon (Gavia adamsii), Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes 18 April 2006; brief written description Lesser Slave Lake across from the Bird carolinus), SW Edmonton; 3 and 9 (Murray Mackay). Observatory; 5 July 1997; brief description September 2007; written report (Marlene (Jason Rogers). Kirwin) and correspondence with Jocelyn Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus), female Hudon. collected in what is now probably Jasper Barn Owl (Tyto alba), Scotch Meadows, National Park in the spring or summer of Banff National Park; 25 – 28 June 1996; Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus), 1826 by Thomas Drummond; illustration written report (Brian Parker). three on Bald Hills, Maligne Lake, Jasper and text in Fauna Boreali-Americana National Park; 18 July 2006; written Common Poorwill (Phalaenoptilus nuttallii), (Swainson and Richardson 1831) and report (Hugh Dorrington). along Tyrrell Creek Trail, Banff National supporting documentation (Jason Rogers). Park; 1 June 1991; brief description (Mike Pygmy Nuthatch (Sitta pygmaea), Patricia Unfortunately, many uncertainties about Potter fi de Jason Rogers). Lake, Jasper, Jasper National Park; 2 this record prevent its acceptance. In Adolfi s September 2007; brief description (Dave Meadows, Jasper National Park; 23 January Black-chinned Hummingbird Elphinstone). 1958; copy of Jasper National Park Wildlife (Archilochus alexandri), Priddis Greens; Card #994.22.13.03 (A. Burstrom). 26 – 27 July 1995; written report Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila (Lorraine Smith). Near Pine Coulee Dam caerulea), Banff Recreation Grounds, Banff Greater Prairie-Chicken (Tympanuchus in Willow Creek valley; between 25 May National Park; early June 1993; brief cupido), two females and 5 young of the and 4 June 2007; written report (Bill description (Alan McDonald). year along “Chain Lakes Road”, about Moore). Redwood Meadows; 31 May 18 km N of Hanna; 25 September 2006; Black-throated Gray Warbler 2007; written report (Katherine Corkery written report (Anne Williams and Gord (Dendroica nigrescens), Vermilion Lakes, and Hermann Teichtmeister). Redwood Ruddy). This would be an exceptional Banff National Park; 30 August 1970; Meadows; 3 June 2007; written report record, considering that the species is not very brief description (Michael Perrone (Katherine Corkery and Mimi Hurt). believed to have bred in the province since fi de Jason Rogers). at least the 1930s. (Houston 2002). SUMMER 2008 31

ERROR IN IDENTIFICATION QUESTIONABLE ORIGIN

Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea), Smew (Mergellus albellus), wetland along Hwy near Yaha Tinda Ranch, W of Sundre; 5 just E of Mountain View; 7 April 2007; 8 2 September 1991; brief description images and written report (Gary Kurtz). (Ernie Ewaschuk). The species should not exhibit a red plumage at this time of year. “If a man would move References Hudon, J. 2005. The Offi cial List of the the world, he must fi rst Banks, R.C., R. T. Chesser, C. Cicero, Birds of Alberta: now 400 species J.L. Dunn, A.W. Kratter, I.J. and counting... Nature Alberta move himself.” Lovette, P.C. Rasmussen, J.V. 35(1):10-18. Remsen, Jr., J.D. Rising, and Hudon, J., R. Klauke, R. Knapton, M.R. -- SOCRATES D.F. Stotz. 2007. Forty-eighth Lein, J. Riddell, B. Ritchie and R. supplement to the American Wershler. 2007. Seventh Report of Ornithologists’ Union Check-list the Alberta Bird Record Committee. Schaffer, W. 1997. Red headed of North American Birds. Auk Nature Alberta 37(2):31-33. Woodpecker sighting north of Hinton, 124:1109-1115. Lockwood, M. W. 1999. Possible Alberta. Alberta Naturalist 27:69. Houston, S. 2002. Spread and anywhere: Fork-tailed Flycatcher. Slater, A. 1999. Second Report of the disappearance of the Greater Birding 31:126-139. Alberta Bird Record Committee. Prairie-Chicken, Tympanuchus Swainson, W. and J. Richardson. 1831. Alberta Naturalist 29(2):30-31. cupido, on the Canadian Prairies Fauna Boreali-Americana, or the Slater, A., and J. Hudon. 2004. Fifth Report and adjacent areas. Canadian Zoology of the Northern Parts of of the Alberta Bird Record Committee. Field-Naturalist 116:1-21. British America. Part Second: The Nature Alberta 34(1):15-18. Birds. London: John Murray. The authors are members of the Alberta Bird Record Committee, chaired by Jocelyn Hudon, Curator of Ornithology, The Royal Alberta Museum.

THE CODE DEFINITIONS REPORTED ARE:

ACCEPTED, CODE 1. Records supported by material identity, and which receive fi ve favourable to eliminate all other possibilities, or to evidence, i.e. specimens, identifi able body parts, votes and no dissenting vote. A Code 3 is support conclusively the identifi cation of identifi able photographs or sound recordings, the minimum for inclusion in the offi cial the species as presented. Placement in this whose origin from within the borders of Alberta provincial list. category should in no way be interpreted is in no doubt, that are accompanied by written ACCEPTED, CODE 4. Sight records by single as a refl ection on the veracity of the reports of the circumstances of the observation. observers that receive four favourable votes observation, but should be looked upon as an ACCEPTED, CODE 2. Sight records (without and no more than one dissenting vote. For encouragement to substantiate occurrence of supporting material evidence) by multiple record adjudication purposes, such a record the species in the province more fully. observers that are supported by written is acceptable, but does not pass the more ERROR IN IDENTIFICATION. Records that are descriptions that leave no doubt as to the species stringent requirements for inclusion on the not supported by the documentation available identity. A Code 1 or 2 sighting must receive four offi cial provincial list. A list of species that to the committee, or that describe another favourable votes and no more than one dissenting have no higher than a Code 4 record may be species from that suggested. vote to be accepted. published as an appendix to the offi cial list. QUESTIONABLE ORIGIN. Records that concern ACCEPTED, CODE 3. Sight records by single INSUFFICIENTLY DOCUMENTED. Records species that are of questionable origin, observers that are supported by a written supported by material evidence or written possibly escapees, and whose wild status description that leaves no doubt as to species descriptions that are not detailed enough cannot be determined accurately.

“I’ll say it a dozen times, people have to remember that the Oil Sands are owned by the people, they’re not owned by the oil companies.” PETER LOUGHEED, PREMIER OF ALBERTA 1971-1985